Authors notes: Sorry about the massive delay! I was actually dealing with a whole bunch of RL stuff, including being stuck on a scene for _ages_

Regardless, everything is up and running now~

Only first pass beta done on this chapter, will update it when the betas are done!

Chapter 9:

The morning after effect

"Excuse me, Master Halcyon, but I've never seen hyperspace like this before." The starship captain commented. Most of the people on the bridge looked a little green around the gills (literally in two instances) as they looked upon the shifting area that they had arrived in. A ship large enough to be a battleship could be seen only a few hundred meters away. Given the distance, it looked absolutely HUGE in the windows.

"Neither have I," Replied Nejaa, "And I think we're going to need the translator droid up here sooner than originally planned."

The communications officer coughed, "I've been trying to contact them on all known frequencies, but it's like they can't hear us."

The captain shook his head, "Better to assume that they don't have the same technology as us. As they're just sitting here, it's probably a good bet that they are trying to contact us as well. Try the older methods, radio wave, rather than comlink or subspace transceivers."

"Affirmative," The officer nodded, then went back to his panel. After a few seconds, he looked back up, "Looks like we have one here. I don't understand the language though."

The captain sighed, "Of course. Protocol droid to the bridge!"

Meanwhile…

Amy scrambled frantically trying to translate the odd sounding words coming from the terminal. "It's absolutely bizarre. They don't seem to have any magic receivers, and even trying to send over a panel didn't work. They do have access to the old radio waves, though, and they're trying to communicate, but I can't understand any of the words. I'm not even sure we're translating the frequency properly!"

Nanoha commented, "Um, that sounds similar to English from Earth. It's different though. Some words sound wrong," She fiddled with her fingers. She was a battle mage, and a training instructor. First contact was so far out of her pay grade it wasn't funny. Or maybe it wasn't, as she looked at Vivio staring up at her with starry eyes.

Ami nodded, then ran what they were hearing through the translation algorithm that Nanoha had provided years ago when she was still in school.

Nanoha in particular wasn't sure if they knew they were still transmitting when everything started going through the filter.

"Captain garble the garble has garble."

Amy raised an eyebrow at Nanoha, "I thought you said it sounded like English?"

Nanoha nodded, "Yes! three words are better than none!"

Back on the Jedi ship

"Captain Glovel, the protocol droid has arrived."

The captain nodded, "Excellent. We have a first contact scenario going on here."

A jade enameled droid came to a stop near the communications console, "My designation is T-3PO, human cyborg relations. I am fluent in over six million forms of communication. I am sure I can translate this language without difficulty."

Nejaa nodded, "Please assist then."

The droid turned to the communications panel, and said, "Good day, my designation is T-3PO, do you understand galactic basic?"

When the returning words came back, the droid started, then tried again, "I T-3PO. You?"

Nejaa sighed, muttering to the captain, "I wish that the droid would have trusted me at the start." Captain Gloval nodded with a hard-put upon look on his face.

The droid turned around, and commented, "It appears that they are also trying to translate our words. Is there a way to enable comlink transmission? A face-to-face conversation would go so much faster,"

Nejaa shook his head, "We already tried comlink. Their form of communication is incompatible with ours and…"

He didn't get very much farther when a pair of circles appeared on the ceiling. Two girls with their hair done up exited the circles head-first. The brown haired one flailed comically, before righting herself, while the blonde-haired one flipped over casually, landing on her feet. While both girls carried staves, they did not appear to be hostile. Startlingly, the two girls' staves shrunk down immensely. The brunette girl's to a red gem, the blonde girl's to a triangle, which she placed on her glove.

"Well then, I believe they have solved the issue of talking face to face," Nejaa smirked.

The brunette looked around, quickly adopting a startled expression. She clasped her hands together and started squealing and chattering to the first girl excitedly.

T-3PO started trying to talk to the girls, and was apparently ignored as the brunette chattered constantly. One word Nejaa noticed almost immediately as it was said, "Well, apparently they know of Jedi where they come from."

T-3PO shook his head, "I am sorry master jedi, but the two girls appear to be speaking different languages. I do agree that the one, I believe her name is Nanoha from context, knows of the Jedi. Nothing else seems to be like anything in my databases."

The girl who everyone else now understood to be Nanoha bounced up to Nejaa, and pointed at his lightsaber. Nejaa smiled and pulled it out, "I take it you want to test something against this?" He ignited the blade. Nanoha nodded excitedly then pointed her finger directly at the blade. A small pink sphere appeared, and then moved forward, bouncing off of the extended blade. "Interesting," Nejaa commented, examining the ball, "It appears to be pure force energy." he smirked as the ball appeared to be bouncing in mid air, in time with Nanoha's excited talking.

For nearly half an hour, the apparently rather excitable Nanoha bounced through the bridge, pointing at things and talking at rather high speeds. Eventually, T-3PO started replying to the girl, during which she apparently corrected either its pronunciation or its grammar. The padawans commented to each other as they watched, with several instances of people covering laughs.

T-3PO then turned to the gathered people, "Apparently, Miss Nanoha has heard of Jedi, and even some of our technology. She asked some questions that I really do not know the answer to, however. Master Halcyon, could you assist please?"

Nejaa nodded, "What, exactly, was she asking?"

T-3PO said, "Well, she was asking if Master Yoda was still alive. Because our ships looked like...older models, I believe she said."

Nejaa frowned, "Master Yoda should be alive. He was this morning, and I do not believe that changed since then."

T-3PO turned to the girl, and spoke again. The second girl was blinking, tapping her ear, and then the triangle on her glove. Nanoha apparently apologized, and then tapped her own red gem.

T-3PO turned back, and said, "Apparently, the two girls have translators themselves, and will need more examples of our language to process. Their technology, however, appears to be completely incompatible with my translation processors."

Captain Glovel smirked, "We deduced that already, given that our communications methods are different. I, personally, am glad that our radio frequency transmissions are close enough to understand."

Nejaa started talking, "Well, Miss Nanoha. How many translators are you using?" The other jedi on the bridge noticed that the master jedi was projecting the information he was asking. Nanoha grinned, held up three fingers, and then pointed at the vessel still viewable through the view screens. Nejaa blinked, then tried to clarify, "You have three translators, and they are all on your ship?"

Nanoha tilted her head to the side, then chattered to the blonde girl, who spoke softly back.

T-3PO spoke up, "Apparently, Nanoha is attempting to say the vessel is not hers. She is a...teacher? And apparently does not get paid enough to have her own vessel."

Smanthi stepped forward, "I was fearing that I would not have any input in this first meeting." She bowed to Nanoha and the other girl, "I am Master Jedi Smanthi Brice. I came from the education corp, and am assisting in this mission."

Nanoha nodded, and spoke to her gem. She grinned, and then held up her hand. Another pink ball appeared in the air, and then she said a word. The first ball, created before, started revolving around the second. Four more balls appeared, she said another word, as three balls joined the first in the center, and the fourth ball joined in spinning around the center balls. Two of the center balls appeared a softer pink than the rest.

Smanthi grinned as she watched the display, "Hydrogen. Helium. I think she's using her abilities to set up a translation array. Marvelous."

Nejaa frowned, "What would be the point of discussing base elements?"

Smanthi sighed and explained, "Where language is different from race to race, elements are truly universal."

Nejaa sighed, "You know, I'd believe you a lot less if Miss Nanoha here didn't just say the same thing to her companion."

Smanthi blinked, "Why would you want to believe me LESS?"

Nejaa grinned, "Because then I would have a chance of being the leader of the temple."

"Um, could we talk more?" Nanoha asked.

Smanthi turned around, surprised, "When did you learn Galactic Basic?"

Nanoha sighed, and replied. Her words back to her original language.

Nejaa grinned, "I might be in the running anyways. I think her translator needs more of a language sample to work."

Lucius Malfoy snarled as he sat in his cell. While he had been captured several times before, never had it happened this early in the timeline. What was worse, was that they found his slaves, most of them enslaved against the laws.

Dobby, the usual architect of his downfall, was not responding to him, and he honestly could not remember when he last saw the waste of air. Never before this has the house elf escaped his service. In fact, Lucius could not remember when he last checked on his legally purchased items. None of them were picked up in the raid, but Lucius was too paranoid to believe that would remain the case.

The time was well past dawn, and the guards had just changed out. Lucius could hear people talking in the hallway outside his door.

"Really, Amelia, why do you have Lord Malfoy in custody again?" That sounded a lot like his good friend Cornelius. Lucius was now very glad he had started his release from prison plans when the reset started.

"At first, it was because we were searching his house for dark artifacts. Then he had attempted to assault myself while I was confiscating his slaves." Ah, good old Amelia Bones. He really needed to get her killed sooner, rather than later. Pity she will be very well protected for another three years.

"I assure you, Madame Bones, he had those slaves legally. Completely in line with the laws and the rules. He showed me the paperwork himself!"

Amelia sighed, "Paperwork can be falsified. Regardless, because he attempted to assault me, we need to have him investigated at least. The artifacts of balance should prove whether he's innocent or guilty."

"Really, Amelia? Do you honestly think he would lie about that to me? I am the minister for magic, of course."

Amelia exasperatedly replied, "I don't know whether he would lie or not, which is why it is better to have proof, one way or the other. You refuse to allow me to administer veritaserum, but you can't refuse me the use of the artifacts."

Cornelius grumbled, "I would if I could. Those artifacts could be dark, for all we know."

Amelia shook her head, "You know the legends. Merlin himself used these, and HE wouldn't be evil, now would he?"

Fudged grumbled, "He could be. Some legends have him as the son of a demon."

Amelia sighed, "Just let it be. We will test him, and he will be on his way. I'm sure you'll let him go whether I want you to or not."

Fudge replied, "Only if I feel the proof is inadequate. You must prove him guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt, remember."

"Well do I know that. Open the door."

The door squealed on its hinges as a burly Auror opened it. "Come out, Malfoy. Date with destiny for you."

Lucius cleared his expression, "About time you showed up. I have things to do today." He strode out of the cell with his head held high.

Lucius frowned as he realized he wasn't being taken towards the court rooms, "Where exactly are we going?"

Amelia did not answer, but Cornelius did, "We are going to the balance room. The artifacts of balance will show us whether those slaves were legal or not."

Amelia grinned, "Somehow, I do not think they will find your incarceration of those girls legal."

Lucius smirked, "Far be it for me to deny you your petty attempts at revenge."

All five people arrived in a room with two chairs, a table with a round crystalline surface, and Lucius' slave girls.

Lucius rolled his eyes and commented, "I don't see why you brought the muggle here. Everyone knows that debt does not apply with them."

Amelia raised an eyebrow, then pointed to the chair farthest from the females, "Sit," she commanded.

Lucius strode to the chair, then sat. He imperiously waved his arms, "Do whatever you need to do to get me out of here sooner."

One by one, each of the girls sat in the chair opposite of the Malfoy Patriarch. As each one settled, the table begun glowing, with an arc of red pointing to the girls, and another arc of green pointing to Lucius. To the surprise of all the males in the room, even the mundane girl had a reaction to the table, the red of her arc being much brighter than the others.

Lucius smirked, "As you can see, all of them owe debt commensurate to one life debt. They are slaves, legally."

Amelia raised an eyebrow, then turned to the mundane girl. "Lucy, please read the note I gave you earlier."

Lucy whispered, "I call in all debts owed to myself."

Lucius just smirked, until the girl sat on the chair again. This time, the table glowed a soft white. Lucius stared at the table, muttering, "That's impossible,"

Amelia started smirking, "Well, you also said that muggles don't qualify for debts. As we can see, that is not true. Lucy, dear, please wait by the door." Lucy stood up, trembling, and then Amelia continued, "You owe no debt to this man. You are free." The girl then stumbled over to the witch, and hugged her, tears falling down her face. Amelia nodded to the next girl in line.

Each girl repeated what happened to the first, with nearly identical results. One girl, the youngest, had an arc that remained stubbornly red. Not bright enough to qualify as a life debt, to be sure, but red all the same.

Lucius snarled, "Well, you just cost me most of my slaves. Still I get to keep one,"

Amelia glared at Lucius, then called softly to the girl, "Tulip. Please read the second note I gave you."

Tulip, a girl with shock red hair, emerald green eyes, and scars up and down her arms, whispered, "I re...re...reject all guardianship from ev...ev...everyone here." The girl was sixteen years old, almost an adult. She cowered in on herself, obviously one who was treated harshly for many years. Tulip haltingly sat in the chair again.

As the table lit up, Lucius snarled, "I will pay you five thousand galleons to drop this debt." The table was much brighter than before. The entire side pointing to Malfoy covered a dripping blood red, while on Tulip's side, the table was the same emerald green of her eyes.

Amelia snorted, "A paltry five thousand galleons, for, if my eyes do not deceive me, a superdebt? Come, Malfoy. You know better than that."

Cornelius stuttered, "Bu, but Amelia! How could he owe that? He was exonerated for his crimes!"

Amelia whispered, "Not in the eyes of Magic."

Lucius flinched, then growled, "Five thousand for each life taken, and five thousand for each life alive still. And an oath that neither me nor mine will touch your family again."

Amelia nodded, "Not enough to break even your vault. We will remain here until the balance is cleared. Have your elves bring the money. They are allowed to bring themselves, and money directly from Gringotts, until this matter is settled."

"Tippy," Lucius snarled. The elf that Amelia had seen before popped into the room, "Bring to me money from gringotts. Ten bags for now, of five thousand galleons each." Tippy nodded, and disappeared.

"Your oath, Mister Malfoy." Amelia glared.

Lucius smirked, "I need a wand for the oath, do I not?"

Amelia grinned a shark's grin, "The table you sit at will suffice. This artifact was rumoured to be the one used to bind the elves."

Lucius rolled his eyes, and asked, "And what am I to swear upon? My magic? My life?"

Amelia replied, "How about the return of the debt. Considering that would be...very balanced, wouldn't you say?"

Lucius breathed in deeply, then replied, "Very well." He placed his hands on the table, "I swear upon the return of the debt owed, that I and my family will not touch your family again." The table flashed under his hands. Lucius swore in his mind that the red actually felt like fresh spilled blood to his fingers.

Tippy returned with ten bags, each stamped with the heraldry of Gringotts. Lucius placed four bags on the table, and was surprised that the glow remained red under his hands. He slowly added another bag, and another. Finally, when eight bags had their weight settled onto the table, the glow dimmed to a soft white again.

Cornelius nodded firmly, "There we go, Amelia. The debt is resolved, Lucius can go now."

Amelia whipped around, "He is still guilty!"

Cornelius grinned, "What you had him in for was illegal slaves. The slaves are freed, debt is balanced. He is free to go now."

Amelia growled, "And the dark artifacts? Are you going to sweep those under the rug?"

Cornelius smiled, "His father was a known follower of the Knights of Walpurgis. Very dark people, and those artifacts were most likely his father's. No proof that they are Lord Malfoy's at all."

Amelia sighed, "As you say. So, as you are not convinced…"

Cornelius reiterated, "Lord Malfoy, you are free to go."

Lucius grinned in return, "Cornelius, what will we do about your Aurors hounding me?"

Cornelius sighed, "I'm sorry, but she was doing what she thought was right. Still, all is not lost. You have your life, your health, your home, most of your money."

Lucius frowned, "Yes. I do." He stood then, and said, "What of my cane? Will I be getting that back?"

Amelia nodded, "When you leave, the same as all other visitors. Escort him out please, Auror Scrimgeour."

Lucius left the room, fuming.

"'ey mate, where were you all yesterday?" Ron was his usual delicate self as he talked around the food stuffed in his mouth.

Harry grimaced as he sat at the morning table, "I was writing letters all yesterday. Apparently some people sent me things for my birthday, and I've been writing them thank you letters since."

Ron stopped eating, his eyes wide. For once, he finished what was in his mouth before asking, "You're writing them? By hand? Blimey, even my mum hires an elf for the day to write gift letters."

Harry raised an eyebrow, then commented, "I feel that it would be more appreciated if I write it myself. Anyways, all the school owls are busy, maybe you could mail this back with your letter to your mum." Harry offered a folded letter to Ron, sealed with a bit of wax to hold the stiff parchment shut.

Ron blinked at the letter, then wiped his hands on his robe before taking it. "What's in this? Or is it private?"

Harry shook his head, "Just a letter to a Ginevra Weasley. She sent me a Harry Potter storybook, asking if it was real. My reply was that I would love to meet this Harry Potter person myself, as defeating a dragon single handedly would be absolutely ridiculous for someone who should have been... eight, I believe that boy was. The most danger I had when growing up was being bullied in school. Beat the scarhead, and Harry hunting being the most notable bullying games."

Ron grimaced, "Ah. That would not be fun, then. My mum might not let Ginny read the letter, if it's written like that. Ginny is my younger sister, she'll be coming to Hogwarts next year."

Harry sighed, then nodded, "I see, well, do let her know that I do thank her for the book, I got a chuckle at it anyways." Harry then started filling his plate, pancakes, syrup, eggs, bacon, a portion of what looked like bubble and squeak, and some pumpkin juice. Another egg appeared on his plate, as well as a second mug of what appeared to be milk.

Ron snorted, "Still getting special service?"

Harry shook his head, "No, just extra foods my doctor recommended. A friend of mine works with the school elves to make sure I stay healthy."

Ron hesitantly asked, "So if my healer said I needed something?"

Harry smiled, "I'm sure you'd get the same extra foods as myself. Or something tailored to your requirements. I'm certain that this isn't free, however, and I will be paying for it. But for now, whatever it takes to stay healthy, yes?"

Ron nodded, and resumed shovelling food in his mouth.

Hermione grimaced, "You were almost civilized for a minute there, Ron. Perhaps you could eat like that more often?"

Ron grinned mischievously, then said, with his mouth still full, "Absholutely mish Gransher!"

Hermione shuddered, "Eww. I think I'm done for this morning." She quickly stuffed some egg and bacon in between two slabs of bread, then left the table.

Harry sighed, "Please, Ron. I know you think you're funny, but please don't scare people off just because you can." Ron rolled his eyes, and continued eating. Harry shrugged, "Well, I need to get back to my writing. Those letters can't write themselves."

"Sure they can!" piped up someone farther up the table, "You just need the right spell!"

Harry laughed, "But then they wouldn't be written by me. Ah well, see you all tonight." Harry then left the table, his plate sparkling clean, and his mugs with nary a drop of liquid left.

Lucius snarled, "Tippy, Snibbles, Trop, Amrod. Come here." only two elves appeared at his demands, and Lucius growled, "Where are Snibbles and Trop?"

Tippy replied, "Snibbles and Trop died in defense of house. Kept Aurors out long enough for Amrod to hide bodies."

Lucius shook his head, and settled his anger. "I need someone to bring me the book. I need to know what families of eight I took part in wiping out."

Tippy shivered and replied, "Master no killed family of eight. Largest was Muggle family of five."

Lucius growled, "I didn't ask you to tell me, I told you to bring me the BOOK!"

Amrod stepped forward, "Amrod apologizes, Master. Book disappeared when Dobby left."

Lucius frowned, "You mean to tell me that Dobby, an elf I legally purchased, stole from me when he ran away?"

Amrod shook his head, "Dobby was reclaimed by his master. Dobby took his master's items, and a forfeit."

Lucius snarled, "And no-one thought to tell me?"

Amrod shivered, "Master told Amrod that Master was busy celebrating. If it wasn't someone dying, then Amrod would die. Master never lifted threat, so Amrod couldn't tell til now."

Lucius breathed in deeply, then pointed at Amrod, "If I didn't need you so much, you would be dead right now. Dobby leaving IS a matter of life and death. Now, when did he leave?"

Amrod replied, "Dobby left one and one quarter moons ago."

Lucius resumed snarling, "You are telling me that he left over a month ago?"

Amrod nodded, "Is right. Dobby left over month ago."

Lucius growled, "And what about challenging him? I have obviously missed the day at which I could challenge the forfeits, why didn't you?"

Amrod grinned, "Amrod checked very carefully. Dobby never broke the law when claiming forfeit. He even saved you four hundred galleons!"

Lucius screamed, "That book alone was worth thousands!" he whipped out his wand, and snarled, "Avada Kedavra!"

Amrod died with a smile upon his lips.

Tippy intoned, "Tippy witnesses. Last of Amrod family die this day."

Lucius furiously faced the remaining elf, "And you! Why did you not stop him?"

Tippy tilted his head, then shrugged, "Tippy never knew until after. Tippy was with you that entire day."

Lucius waved his hand, and demanded, "Tell me again why I purchased you. Tell me again why I purchased the other three."

Tippy grinned, "You purchased Tippy because Tippy's family died out. You purchased Amrod's family because you wanted fully trained elves."

Lucius growled, "And why did you, and they, not give me your full loyalty?"

Tippy grinned slyly, "Because our family not died out. We serve to keep them safe. Does not mean we will give you our loyalty. Only means we will serve as laws demand."

Lucius pointed his wand at the last elf, "Imperio." Tippy's eyes glazed over. Lucius stated, "You will tell me where the rest of your family lives."

Tippy quietly said, "My family lies buried in the annals of time. Protected by the laws of blood and bone. Protected by the laws of insurrection. Hidden from me until I am called by name."

Lucius muttered, "Blood and bone...the inheritance laws. The law of blood and bone means...that they are protected until they are of age. And the insurrection laws, means that they are protected specifically by the government. That leaves out the orphanages. I and my friends bought up all the witch and wizard orphans, and all of them should be dead by now. Blast it. We must have missed one." Lucius strode from the room, leaving Tippy standing in the study.

A smirk spread across the house elf's face as he watched Lucius leave.

Liara visited her mother for one last time before departure.

"Remember, Little Wing, once you re-seal the relay it will remain locked down for five years. Do you have enough food stored?"

"I'll be fine mother! You are sending Shiala with me, after all. I'm sure she won't let me forget anything important." Liara replied exasperatedly.

"Actually," Benezia frowned, "she is going along as your support. You are in charge of making sure you packed enough. Also, you need to make sure to keep track of the time you are gone. The access codes that the Salarians found only locks down the relay temporarily. Exactly five years. I managed to convince the council to delay the shutdown by five days, just so you could use it, but once you do, if you are not back exactly five years after the lockdown, it will be re-locked within a day."

Liara shook her head, "Why does it need to be locked down? Is there something dangerous going on?"

Benezia sighed, "We have been having an on-again off-again war with a race that enslaves others. As far as we know, they only use a primitive version of Faster Than Light transport called hyperspace. We lock down the relays they have access to, just to keep them from learning our technology. While the relay is locked down, it might as well be a hole in space. No transmissions of any kind. At least that's how the scientists explained it."

Liara tilted her head to the side, and asked, "If we have the ability to lock down relays, why didn't we lock down every relay going into the contested areas?"

Benezia sighed, "Because the codes are unique to each relay pair. We have only found a few codes so far, and we prioritized finding the ones where that race tends to roam."

Liara shook her head, "I am confused. If it is so dangerous, why are you sending me?"

Benezia pauses, then slowly replies, "Because of two reasons. The first is that our technology is mutually immune to each other. Our kinetic barriers stop their weapons from doing any damage, and their barriers do the same for our weapons."

Liara smirks, "So not so much a war of mutual destruction, but mutual annoyance?" Benezia nods, and Liara asks, "So what is the second reason?"

Benezia breathed in deep, then replied quietly, "You know of the monasteries, correct?" At Liara's hesitant nod, Benezia continues, "In addition to the Ardat-Yakshi, the monasteries house our prophecies. Rare asari have found the ability to peer through time."

Liara shook her head, "What does this matter?"

Benezia sighed, "Because your father and I joined together much earlier than we had originally planned. I wasn't planning on having children for another hundred years at least. But the prophets said that my first born would be a fulcrum against the rift in time. The rift, specifically, that if it is not resolved, then our race will perish. The exact wording is unclear, as some believe it is all races that will perish, not just ours."

Liara frowned, "That sounds rather ominous. Are you sure it is safe for me to go?"

Benezia nodded, "There are hints that if we send someone, not necessarily you, that it increases the chances of us escaping the time rift. And if I am going to send anyone, I am going to send the best."

Liara blushed, "Are you even certain that I would be the best to send?"

Benezia smiled, "I will say this only because we are currently alone. I am extraordinarily proud of you, my Little Wing. You succeed in everything you set your hand to. Your father and I both agreed that should you demand this, that you would be the best option to go. Shiala is there to keep you safe, but yours are the hands in control."

Liara breathed in deep, then nodded, "I will not let you down, Mother. Please pass that on to Father as well."

As Liara turned to stride out of the room, Benezia looked down at the console in front of her. "Of all the times our daughter could come in, I am glad of the timing." Matriarch Aethyta declared.

Benezia grinned, "Of course. I am happy of that myself. So, shall we get back to planning our argument at the council tomorrow?"

Aethyta nodded, "Of course."

Scene break

Tulip shivered, still afraid from sitting in that room, for that long, with that man. That was a nightmare, in her eyes. Fearing that she would still owe everything to him, even after the Auror director's assurances.

"Tuni," she whispered.

A soft pop beside her. A soft reply, "Tuni here, Mistress."

Tulip hugged the elf to her, "Please don't leave me. I know you're free now, but please,"

Tuni hugged the human girl back, "Tuni was always yours, Mistress. Bad man was guardian, so Tuni served him as guardian. Tuni was never his. Always yours."

Tulip cried, holding the elf close. She whispered, "You're the only family I have left,"

Tuni shook her head, "No, Mistress. You still has family. Younger brother for now. Maybe Tuni's brother, too."

Tulip gasped, "Is...he in school?" Tuni nodded, and Tulip grinned, "Maybe I can go to school too then. I want to be close to him!"

Tuni smiled, "Tuni will make it so."

End of chapter!

Omake: In the print shop

Luna hummed merrily as she rearranged the colours in the press. She looked up as her mother entered the room.

"Sweet pea," Selene started, "You know I don't ask you to add things to your newspaper lightly."

Luna nodded, "Daddy is a good editor, but I need to make sure things fit in. Especially the hidden messages."

Selene nodded, "Of course. I need you to add this. Hide it if you need to."

Luna paused, then asked, "For my husband...is it safe for him to get an un-hidden copy?"

Selene smiled, "Of course it is, dear. Just let me know when you have the affirmation ceremony."

Luna grinned, "My birthday, next year, depending on his first wife." Luna accepted the sheet of thick parchment, then asked,"Are you sure you want this released? It looks like a…"

Selene interrupted, "It is. Hide it. Hide it deep, but release it as well." Selene shivered, holding her arms close, "I feel if it is buried, then I won't be saved this time."

Luna's eyes went from happy, to glinting of steel in a heartbeat, "It will be released. I don't want to have to save you like that again. Each time hurts more than the last." She started smiling again, "Have any ideas for creatures? I think I've used the snorkacks too often recently."

Selene grinned, "You haven't used the blibbering humdingers or the heliopaths recently."

Luna grinned, "Excellent. Let's get to work."