The Eldar

Chapter I:

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, was at his wits end.

It had been two long years since Harry disappeared from his aunt's house. It had two long years since he had heard from him. Albus was worried, and it had begun to show. He knew he looked like death warmed over, but Voldemort was on the move, so forgive him he wanted the Boy-Who-Lived there to save them all.

Then again for many it was a vain hope that Harry was even still alive. Not long after Petunia Dursley's cryptic message, which Albus had some idea what it meant, his hopes were dashed when both the Weasley's and Granger's disappeared, never to be heard from. The Grangers even left their dentistry work without a word of when they would be back. Not long after that, indisputable evidence was found that told everyone that Harry Potter was in fact dead. Still Dumbledore held out hope and refused to have the Ministry pronounce him legally dead. Many thought that he was off his rocker after that.

Albus was staring at his plate, merely pushing the food around, when it happened. He was so tired that for a moment he thought Voldemort was attacking, but when he looked up he noticed the doors had slammed shut and sealed. That was unusual enough if it weren't for the seven people that had arrived in the great hall. Five were quickly dispatching the Aurors that were stationed at the school while two figures were approaching the Head Table.

All seven were arrayed in deep old-world cloaks; their hoods obscured their features. Their movements were quick, and the Aurors, who had no hand-to-hand combat training, stood no chance against them. Oddly, through it all none of the students were panicking. Sure there was panic in their eyes but they were silent through it all.

The two figures stopped, flanking his seat; the table was between them and the aged professor. They didn't move, but waited until a third figure joined them. At the movement of a hand, the two stepped away and allowed him/her through. The hand was small, the fingers thin. The skin was pale and was only adorned by a single ring. One that Albus thought he recognized but couldn't place because it disappeared so fast.

Albus blinked, and a dagger appeared imbedded in the wood of the table. He noticed belatedly the after shock of everyone around him jumping. The figure said nothing and appeared to be waiting. Albus could see Minerva looking between him and the cloaked mystery wondering what he was going to do.

"Care to explain?" he asked finally with a hint of boredom, like he was talking with a student and not a mystery attacker. Minerva glared at him, but said nothing.

The person muttered something and one of her protectors nodded. He could tell from her voice that she was female, a female and pissed off. "I would actually like to know why you think a handful of Aurors would be enough to defend this school from Voldemort," she said quietly. Albus was dumbfounded, yet she continued. "I mean five of us were able to take care of them in a matter of minutes and yet you sit here and do nothing! You never used to rely on the ministry and here you are –"

"Who are you?"

She lowered her hood and there was an audible gasp. "Your worst nightmare," she said smiling.

The entire hall was stunned. Her hair was dark long and ramrod straight. Her eyes were a dark and dangerous blue but there was potential of being full of life and laughter. Around her head sat a silver circlet that looked centuries old, well beyond her guessed years. The circlet led to her clearly pointed ears. "She's an elf," came a whispered comment that was heard throughout the silent hall. It only sparked countless other whispered conversations.

Over the din, Dumbledore asked, "To what do we owe this honor of your presence, milady?" The obvious respect and good humor in the old headmaster's voice broke the tension.

"We're here to make good on a promise, Headmaster," she answered simply.

"Which one? for there have been many."

"The one pertaining to Hogwarts School and the Wizarding World as a whole." She smiled. "The others will have to wait."

"Indeed." The old headmaster stood his bone creaking showing his age. "According to the old stories, I do believe that you have quarters, do you not?" he asked.

"You remember them well then," she answered. "To answer your question yes, but do not worry we know where they are. There is not need to show us."

"I don't think I could if I tried, milady."

She smiled and waved him off, which he took to mean he could sit again, which he did gratefully. Then she wordlessly led her group from the hall.

"Albus?" Minerva asked softly, her question almost lost to the din that the students were raising.

"Later, Minerva," he said before addressing the students. "All will explained in the morning after I have had time to figure this out myself." That admission had the students talking all the more. "For now, I suggest that you do try to get some rest seemingly as classes do start tomorrow."

Despite the admonition everyone who could turned to Neville asking countless questions as to their visitors. "I don't know all that much except what is said in the old stories," he said after much of his answers left much to be desired. "Though there something about them that sings to my very blood." He sighed. "I don't know. My gran told me the stories when my own parents couldn't. From what I do understand from them is that not many families tell them anymore and many of the stories have been lost." A few of his classmates nodded knowing what he was talking about. But those of half blood linage or less had no idea what they were talking about.

Still little known to them, they were being watched by one of the still cloaked figures. They didn't notice him bolt from the door nor did they notice that Severus Snape, the resident Potions Master, had disappeared.

'Report, Locien?'

'Headmaster Dumbledore intends to explain as much as he can tomorrow morning at breakfast. The students turned to one of their own, I do believe that he was the one that spoke out tonight, for the answers they did not get from the headmaster. He didn't know all that much. As for the Aurors, they are all fine, but you will have a right pissed off Alastor Moody on your case for that well placed punch.'

She smiled. "Thank you." It was for both the unsaid compliment and the report.

"That was a great punch, meleth.'

'And I will give him another if he's not careful.'

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A/N: This was just an experiment that has been bugging me for a long time. Tell me if it worth going on (even though I do have most of it written).