Harry Potter and the Conch of Ice

Disclaimer : Chapter 1
Recap :
(1) The students return to Hogwarts; the Golden Trio are entering their 7th Year. Draco is alive and found innocent of any wrong doing. Snape has also been found innocent in the death of Albus Dumbledore. Dumbledore is alive and continues to be Hogwarts’ Headmaster.

A Not So Warm Welcome

“Ah yes. Hello and welcome back for another year of education at Hogwarts.” Dumbledore called out in a rather surprisingly strong voice for someone that was supposed to be dead. The mischievous imp in him had rather looked forward to the beginning of the school year, but he was saddened by all the pain he had been the cause of. The aged man noticed the rather disbelieving stares directed towards him. He contemplated tossing something into the air – that purple apple in front of his chair for example – and catching it to prove that he wasn’t one of Hogwarts’ ghosts, but perhaps that wasn’t the best means to convince them of his true breathing status. The students had been traumatized enough.

No response greeted him. No applause agreed with him. Never had the Great Hall been so quiet with all of these students.

“I suppose that you are all surprised to see me.” Dumbledore said. “I imagine that I would be too, if I was in your positions.”

Harry stood up, his green eyes watering, his mouth open in the shock that everyone else shared. His dark hair fell into his eyes and he actually took the time to push it out of the way, rubbing his eyes in an attempt to clear them. Disbelief, mingled with confusion and terror, radiated from his body.

“Mr. Potter. I do believe that of all the people currently in the room, you are the one most deserving of an explanation and an apology.” Dumbledore’s voice was somber.

“You’re dead!” Harry shouted. “I saw you die. I saw Snape kill you. I saw! I saw! I…”

Harry fell to his knees sobbing. His body racked as anguish raged within him.

“IsawIsawIsaw…”

Hermione and Ron both raced to their friend, sheltering him in their arms while their stunned faces looked up at the former…no, current…Headmaster of Hogwarts. Apparently the lack of a letter indicating who the new Head of the school was because…well…there was no new Head. Technically.

“It was all an illusion, I am afraid. This isn’t the time or the place to explain all that has happened, but simply put, we needed Voldemort – yes, Miss Brown, I will say his name; there is no need to shriek so – to believe that I was dead. I had something to be done and it could not be successfully accomplished without him believing I was dead. The only way for him to believe was for everyone else to believe…for all of you to believe.”

Harry, tears still running freely down his face, looked up from his rocking crouch on the stone floor. Somehow he found the strength to resist lying down in the fetal position. His mouth was open as he gasped for air. Even his student robes couldn’t hide the fact that the frame of the young man shook with each heaving breath which filled Harry’s lungs.

“I will explain more later. I am truly sorry for this deception.” The Headmaster promised.

Breaking free of his friends, Harry ran up to Dumbledore and threw his arms around the aged professor. He did not care that his face, wet with tears, was dampening the older man’s robes. His embrace nearly squeezed the air out of the Headmaster, but Harry was beyond noticing any discomfort he might have been causing.

Surprised at the affection, Dumbledore hesitated a moment before gently wrapping his arms around Harry.

“I’ve missed you, too, Harry.” Dumbledore said quietly as the boy cried softly. “I promise I will explain everything to you later.”

One by one the remaining professors silently filed in to take their places at the table. Only two chairs remained without an occupant. One was for Professor McGonagall, but she was more than likely outside of the Great Hall with the first years awaiting the start of the Sorting Ceremony.

“What about Snape?” Harry looked up at Dumbledore, having finally managed to compose himself. A few tears still ran freely down his face, but he had managed to regain the ability to speak.

“That’s Professor Snape, Harry.” Dumbledore mildly rebuked, a gentle twinkling in his eyes.

“Professor? You can’t mean…” Harry’s mouth dropped again in disbelief.

The last professor entered the room clad in his traditional black attire. Known for having a lean frame to start with, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor had lost much more weight during his stay in Azkaban and his robes literally draped over him. The loose fitting fabric gave him the appearance of a Dementor, the former guards of the Azkaban prison. His dark hair was longer, hanging below his shoulders, and seemed greasier than normal, but considering that his innocence had only been proclaimed earlier that day, perhaps he had not yet had the time to properly clean himself up.

The Gryffindor table gasped as Severus Snape entered the Great Hall while the Slytherins, loyal to their own, cheered and stamped their approval. Only Draco and Blaise seemed reserved, almost hesitant, in their greeting.

“It looks like Malfoy’s just going through the motions.” Hermione whispered to Ron, glancing over at the Slytherin table.

The red haired young man looked over and nodded.

“He actually looks like he’s going to be ill. If he gets any paler, he’ll be mistaken for a ghost.”

“Now go sit down with your friends, Harry.” Dumbledore requested, patting Harry kindly on the back. “We have a Sorting Ceremony to start and a feast to partake of. I dare say there are a few of us in here who have had precious little to eat for the past few months.”

Nodding, Harry blindly returned to his table and was helped into his chair by his housemates. His eyes never wavered from the Headmaster. Any moment, Harry expected to wake up and find himself back living a life without the kind elderly man and experiencing the pain of the Headmaster’s death anew.

Dumbledore stood in front of his chair and clapped his hands loudly.

Immediately, the doors to the Great Hall opened and Professor McGonagall entered carrying the Sorting Hat. She was followed by nervous eleven-year olds who watched in anticipation as she placed the hat on a stool in front of the professors’ table.

The song, unique each year, commenced instantly, to the students’ delight.

Every year, I sing a song
To remind you all of this.
That houses while divided are
Should never be remiss.
That each while different
Have a common past
Of founders united
And friendship fast.
And while now we sit
Divided and apart
We must remember
To be strong of heart.
Though dark times
Surround us all
Friendship will keep us
From surrendering a fall.
Each house is strong
All on its own
But together you are
Able to hone
Those skills that will
Defeat the evil dark
On that mission
You will embark.
But what can I
A mere Sorting Hat
Do to help you
In your future combat?
I shall take the newest
To join our learning
And sort them as per
Their inner yearning
Which house will these
Younglings be placed
Is not to be
Decided in haste.
For Hufflepuff is the house
Of students who work hard
And hold their companions
In the utmost and highest regard.
Intelligence is the key
For success in Ravenclaw.
Their genius and tenacity
Put all others in silent awe.
Slytherin, a cunning lot,
Are devious and sly
But possess a determination
Upon which their friends can rely
And Gryffindors with their courage
Are loyal to every friend
No matter what the judgements are
Stick together until the end
I’ve sung my song for many a year
And have yet to get it wrong
One of these great houses
Will be your home for seven year long.
But remember this no matter what
Your house is but one part of four
Together your strength is not alone
But united as one with a common core.

The hat became silent and waited for its first student to be called. Professor McGonagall paused until the applause died down before raising her voice to announce the first name.

“Janet Allen.”

A young girl with her mousey brown hair tied up into extremely tight braids of various sizes, thicknesses and lengths, took a deep breath and approached the hat. She looked up nervously waiting for the announcement.

“Gryffindor!”

Harry’s table burst into applause.

“Robert Ashmore.”

The boy’s dark skin shone with his nervousness. As he approached the Sorting Hat, he wiped the palms of his hands on his robes and then tightly grabbed the edges of the wooden stool. His body swayed as if he was about to faint with the Sorting Hat above him.

“Hufflepuff!”

Barely paying attention to the ceremony, Harry knew enough to clap when his tablemates applauded. His gaze continued to hold true on Dumbledore’s form, as he tried to process the fact that the old wizard was not, in fact, dead. He knew that when Dumbledore had the time, he would share with Harry the tale of his fake death. It was…difficult…to accept that it was truly his mentor in front of him. Harry was scared to allow the joy of Dumbledore’s aliveness to permeate into him for fear of losing the older man yet again. The Boy Who Lived wasn’t sure if he could handle that pain for a second time.

Every now and then, Dumbledore’s gaze would meet with Harry’s. It was as if the older man was trying to calm him down with frequent nonverbal reassurance that all was as it should be. Slowly, Harry felt himself warming up from the cold that encased his heart for the past few months.

“Maire Zachs.”

“Slytherin!”

Dumbledore stood up as the last first year, her blue-black hair slicked back into a severe ponytail, took her seat with her new housemates.

“And once again we find ourselves sorted at the beginning of the new school year. I thank all of you for your patience. Before we start the feast, I do have a few announcements.” Dumbledore smiled at the groans which expectedly ran through the Great Hall. No one wanted to hear a speech when the promise of food was so close…even if it was from a resurrected old Headmaster. He chuckled at the predictability of youth. Despite the dark times that surrounded them all, some things just didn’t change. “To our newest family members, please be aware that the Forest in the grounds is out-of-bounds and if you wish to know what that means, I am certain that there a few of our older students who can tell you why.”

Dumbledore allowed the self-aware and, in some cases, embarrassed, chuckles to die down before continuing.

“Mr. Filtch, the caretaker, has asked that I remind you for the five hundredth and twenty third time that magic is not to be used in the corridors between classes, nor are a number of other items. That complete list of seven hundred and eighty-two items can be found posted on his office door.

“As well, it should be noted that with confirmation of Mr. Draco Malfoy’s attendance to Hogwarts,” There were a few hisses and boos from tables where no Slytherins sat. “There has been a change in the Head Boy status. Mr. Zabini, while your qualifications are really quite excellent, I must apologize. Mr. Malfoy’s are a sqeak higher than yours and…”

“Oh, he can have it!” Blaise grinned and called out. “I really wasn’t looking forward to lending a sympathetic ear to sobbing students. That would really take up much of my…studying time.”

A few girls at the Slytherin table giggled knowingly, as did a handful of Ravenclaw girls to the consternation of their male counterparts.

Draco did not respond as Dumbledore clapped once and the Head Boy badge was magically removed from his friend’s robes only to be placed onto his. He looked down at the badge, with the delicately stitched HB on the crest, in disinterest.

“I do, however, expect access to your common room whenever I want it.” Blaise teased Draco, suggestively winking at his friend.

The Gryffindor table stared in shock at this new bit of information. It was bad enough when Blaise was the Head Boy, but Malfoy?!?! Harry, breaking his stare at Dumbledore, looked at Hermione, but her face was unreadable. That worried him. When Hermione went into her neutral mode, he knew she was masking herself from those around her.

“I have one more announcement, which, while I am certain we will all benefit from it, is unfortunately being made due to a horrific event.” Dumbledore continued. Attention refocused from Draco to the Headmaster.

A few rumblings passed throughout the student body.

“Quiet! Quiet, please!” Dumbledore clapped his hands. “A school of magic in North America was recently destroyed by Voldemort and his allies. We do not, of course, wish for any of our brothers and sisters to miss a year of their magical education. In this time of need, it is important that we are all able to defend ourselves as much as possible.

“After talking with several other Headmasters and Headmistresses from magical schools around the world, we have each agreed to take on a number of students and professors from the School of Gaia.”

“Merlin!” Whispered Hermione. “Gaia!”

“What’s so special about Gaia?” Asked Ron.

“The students of Gaia aren’t wizards and witches like us. They’re Elementals.”

“What’s an Elemental?” Lavender asked.

“They have powers tied into the four elements of Wind, Water, Fire and Earth. Hence, Gaia…the planet, Mother Earth. They’re thought to be the founders of what magic is today.”

“But if they’re not like us and still favour the elements aren’t they less powerful?” Ginny frowned.

Hermione shook her head.

“No. Their inner strength surpasses ours but they’re…”

“Please, quiet!” Dumbledore yelled over the noise of students discussing this amazing turn of events. Silence once again filled the Great Hall.

“The students from School of Gaia are known as Elementals. Their strength and power is found from their connection to the planet. They are not perhaps as strong as you when it comes to magic in areas like charms, but you will find them excellent partners in those areas where logic is needed, such as Potions and Arithmancy. Not to mention their non-verbal magical skills.

“Further…”

The doors to the Great Hall burst open. Dumbledore closed his eyes, controlling the surge of annoyance, as Mr. Filtch hobbled in as quickly as he could. The last time this had happened, the guests had arrived extremely early and ruined the truly lovely speech Dumbledore had prepared for his students. This time, having learned from the whole Triwizard experience, Dumbledore had arranged for his guests to arrive the day after his speech.

Leaning down to listen to Filtch’s wet utterings, Dumbledore resisted the urge to use his robes in an attempt to wipe the caretaker’s spittle from his ear. As usual, despite careful planning, nothing was going as expected. Their guests had arrived, a full day ahead of time.

Exhaling loudly, Filtch pointed at the doors. Holding his breath so he wouldn’t have to inhale Filtch’s own, Dumbledore stared. A few cries and sniffles could be heard outside of the Great Hall and in the corridor. Soft sobs also echoed into the ears of the Hogwarts students, who looked at each other in puzzlement.

In to the room struggled a group of sobbing and bedraggled young people. Standing in horror, Dumbledore stared at the dirty faces and torn clothing slowly approaching the table where the professors sat. Sheparding the group in, a woman – neither old nor young – kept looking behind her. Hogwarts’ Headmaster couldn’t tell if the look on her face was of fright or of hope.

"Ailionora! What has happened?” Dumbledore quickly approached her as Professor McGonagall and Madame Pomfrey, Hogwart’s resident medical expert, attempted to comfort the students.

“We were attacked, Albus.” The woman replied, trying to retain a calm composure. Her long auburn hair was matted and tangled from what was once a respectable braid. Skin, pale with fright, was marked with dirt and mud. Her long skirt, once a beautiful forest green velvet, was now torn and stained. The tasteful white blouse was shredded. And her dark cloak was beyond all repair.

“By who? What?” Dumbledore demanded.

Ailionora shook her head, fighting back a cry. She removed her tightly clenched fist held over her mouth.

“I know not, my friend. We had made camp and were preparing our nightly rituals when they attacked. It was like the dark mist which surrounded our school prior to its destruction…Shadows almost. Screaming. Moaning. Some of the elder students tried to protect the young ones while my fellow professor and those students more confident in their powers tried to fight.” Ailionora clutched at Dumbledore’s robes. “We all survived, my friend, but I have left two out there to protect us. Two students, Albus! My Duals! They’re still out there!”

“What?” A young man’s voice cried out. All eyes turned towards the Slytherin table. “You left them out there? How could you?”

“Mr. Malfoy. It warms my heart to see you again and well at that.” Ailionora sniffed. “We had to protect the remaining students.”

Draco approached her slowly.

“Headmistress Ivyleaf, couldn’t your Duals have escorted the students?” Draco called out, clearly upset. “They’re students themselves. Surely they can’t fight off the Shadows on their own!”

“They wouldn’t have been able to get into Hogwarts, Mr. Malfoy.” Dumbledore replied softly. Only a wizard or witch with sufficient knowledge could bypass the protective charms he had placed around the school.

“How does Malfoy know who she is?” Ron asked his table. No one replied.

“We need to go back for them, Albus.” Ailionora Ivyleaf, Headmistress of the School of Gaia, implored. “They won’t survive without help.”

“I volunteer, sir.” Draco announced.

Dumbledore smiled at the young Slytherin.

“Why is Malfoy volunteering?” Ron asked. No one replied.

“Why is no one answering me?” Ron asked. Ginny threw a roll at him.

“Because we’re trying to listen, silly!” She bit out.

“Sir, the Headmistress is right. We need to send reinforcements.” Hermione stood up. Her voice was firm.

“Hermione…what are you doing?” Ron hissed, tugging at his friend’s robes. “Sit down.”

“We don’t know what we are dealing with.” Dumbledore replied. “However, I am pleased to see that the Head Boy and Head Girl are already demonstrating unity between the houses.”

“That’s no reason to not help. They’ll die without support!” Draco’s voice broke. “There’s only the two Duals. You know that as well as I. They can’t fight off the Shadows alone…not for long.”

Snape stood up.

“He’s right, Headmaster.” The hook-nosed man approached. “But support should be given by those with experience, not by our own students.”

“I’m stronger than you know, Snape.” Draco snapped at his godfather. This was the first time the two had seen each other since the night of Dumbledore’s death…forged death apparently.

“That’s Professor Snape.” Dumbledore replied absently, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Severus and Flitwick, you’re with me. If we need more help, we will call, Minerva.”

“Thank you, Albus.” Headmistress Ivyleaf sighed in relief.

“Sir.” Malfoy started, his chest heaving.

“No, Draco!” The older wizard proclaimed. “You will stay here. You can not fight this battle.”

“But…” Hermione shouted.

“I said no, Mr. Malfoy…Miss Granger…and I meant it.” The blue eyes were not twinkling. “We will let you know of the outcome when it is…”

Once again the doors to the Great Hall flew open. A few students screamed in terror and not a few wands were immediately pointed towards the entrance. Two hooded figures approached slowly. The cloak of blood red, trimmed in bronze edging limped heavily and leaned on the other figure draped in a cloak of pale blue and silver trim.

“It is over.” The blue robed figure intoned in a calm yet tired voice. Headmistress Ivyleaf reached out and pushed back the hood of the red cloaked figure. A face of ebony was revealed and appeared to be in great pain, blood dripping down one cheek. The young man grimaced as he tried to shift his weight off of the blue cloaked figure. Tightening the grip held on the young man, the blue and silver hood was pushed back by its owner. A face of ivory, framed in honey gold hair, smiled at Headmistress Ivyleaf.

“I told you, piece of cake. Thank you for the clues you left for us to enter the school.” The young woman smiled tightly, as she used her embracing arm to signal her companion that it was acceptable to continue to use her for support.

“Tanis!” Ivyleaf tried to rebuke her student and her nonchalant language.

“Look, can you yell at me later? Right now, Mesphin needs help. Don’t suppose this place has an infirmary.”

“I am Madame Pomfrey and in charge of the infirmary here at Hogwarts. What happened?” The medi-witch approached quickly.

The blue-cloaked woman named Tanis bit back a smile.

“He fell off his broom.”

Mesphin groaned. No one knew if was from pain or embarrassment.

“Insufferable means of traveling…brooms! Unstable! Unreliable!” He muttered through clenched teeth.

Tanis rolled her sky blue eyes.

“For someone who is injured you talk an awful lot.”

“Adrenalin. We just kicked some Shadow butt, how awesome is that?”

“Yes, yes…awesome.” Madame Pomfrey announced. “Come to the infirmary and I will give you a potion. If all you have is some scrapes and sprains, you’ll be back down in time to eat. If you’ve broken something…”

“I’ll still come down to eat.” Mesphin said, determined. “I’m not going to let some dark spirits keep me from eating the first real meal I’ve had in over a week.”

Sighing, Madame Promfrey led her charge away.

Tanis turned her full attention to Dumbledore. Smiling, she swept down into a full, graceful curtsy. With her head bowed, she announced, “Headmaster Dumbledore, it warms my heart to see you again. I kindly request your permission to enter Hogwarts and thank you for the hospitality you have already shown to my brothers and sisters.”

“Now, now, Tanis.” Dumbledore leaned down and taking Tanis’s hands in his, raised her up. “There is no need for such formality here. You, your fellow students and your professors are most welcome here at Hogwarts and we look forward to spending the next year with you. Perhaps you would like to eat first and share your story with me and your Headmistress afterwards?”

A small smile crossed Tanis’s face.

“Actually, I wouldn’t mind cleaning up first and then eating and then telling you what happened.”

“Ah yes, smart idea. Everyone’s luggage arrived yesterday and we have already placed it in your tower.” Dumbledore turned. “Mr. Malfoy, as you were so eager to help earlier, perhaps you could lead the students of Gaia to the tower in the east-north-east wing?”

“From hero to servant. Malfoy’ll back out of this for sure.” Ron smirked.

“It would be my pleasure.” Draco gave a small bow.

Ron’s mouth gaped in shock.

Ivyleaf faced her own students and instructed them to follow Draco.

“Professor Snape shall show you and your fellow professor to your own quarters, Ailionora. We shall wait to commence our feast. When you and yours return, we shall dine together.”

Crabbe and Goyle groaned. No food for a while. They shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

HP***hp***HP

Draco and Tanis walked slowly, allowing the younger students with shorter legs to keep up.

“The stairwells move around here so move fast and try to remember which way to go. It doesn’t take much to get lost around here.” Draco called out so that all could hear him. “Of course, seeing as how you’re not of a rival house, if you do get lost you won’t need to worry about extremely hostile treatment.”

A few students laughed nervously.

“Here is your entrance.” Draco stood in front of a portrait of a large tree. Below the tree was goddess, clad only in her golden hair. The silken strands poured over her shoulders and down past her knees. A bow in one hand and an arrow in the other, Athena, Goddess of the Hunt, proclaimed, “State thy password or be banned entrance.”

“Quaint.” Tanis smiled weakly. “Desolo elementum.”

“Talk about quaint.” Draco murmured. “That was downright depressing. Abandoned elements, indeed.”

“We will, of course, change it now that you know what it is. I believe Hogwarts frowns about non-house members knowing passwords.” Tanis replied.

Draco nodded.

“This is your common room. Nice…four fireplaces.” Draco frowned taking in the appearance of the Gaian tower. They were standing in a column with four near turret-like corners. In the centre of the common room, a wrought iron staircase spiraled upwards. The tower which was now home to the Elementals was nothing like the homes of the other Hogwarts houses. “I guess your rooms are up those.”

Draco’s head dipped towards the stairs.

Leading the way, it didn’t take long for the group to realize that it was four students per floor, one student per turret, and each floor had one student who favoured one Element. It was all about balance for the Students of Gaia. The stairwell led up to a floor, where five doors faced the centre. First years were on the lower floors and as the year of education went up, so too did the floor. The students ran up and down the stairs trying to find their rooms and yelling out names when they found someone else’s room. It was quickly discerned that the fifth door on each floor was the bathroom

At the very top of the stairwell, only Draco and Tanis remained.

“I guess you and Mesphin will be up here.” He said.

“Yup…in the drafty attic.” Tanis grinned. Draco looked away awkwardly.

“Aren’t you even going to say hello to me, Draco?” Tanis asked softly, reaching out to touch a sleeve of Draco’s robes.

“I thought I would never see you again.” Draco replied, not looking at the young woman.

“As did I.”

“What happened to the school?”

“Voldemort attacked. It was destroyed.”

“I feel like it was my fault.” Draco’s voice was laced with guilt.

“It was.” Tanis replied bluntly. Draco stared at her as she opened a door and stuck her head in. Dark furniture with reds and bronzes and browns greeted her eyes. The room bespoke of warmth. “Nope, that’s Mesphin’s room.”

“Still honest as always.” Draco remarked on Tanis’s bluntness and followed her into the second room. Lightly stained furniture decorated the room, with linens of blues and silvers and greys.

“I never lied, Draco.”

“No, you didn’t. You never coddled me except in that one area. You would never tell me who she was…is.” Draco’s eyes wandered around the room. “Bathroom’s behind that door.”

Tanis smiled at the room. The cool tones and the feeling of airiness appealed to her Elements.

“How are you doing, Draco?” Tanis asked.

Draco shrugged.

“You always do that when you don’t want to tell me the truth.”

“You can have secrets from me. Can’t I have any secrets with you?” Draco asked, a blond eyebrow arched in question.

“I’ve seen you at your worst, Draco. I’ve seen you bloodied and wounded and scared and angry.” Tanis paused as she removed her cloak. “Heck, I’ve seen you naked.”

Draco pursed his lips.

“I was sick and delirious.” Came his weak protest.

Tanis just grinned.

“You know, you play dirty. If you had been a student here, you would have been in Slytherin.” Draco smirked.

“Didn’t I ever tell you what Tanis means?” Blue eyes stared at blue eyes.

Draco shook his head.

“It means ‘serpent lady’. How ironic is that?” Tanis eyed the bathroom door longingly. “Will you wait for me…I mean us? Escort us back to the Great Hall?”

“I’ll be downstairs.” Draco said softly. He turned to leave. Pausing at the door, he stopped and looked back at Tanis. “It’s good to see you again, Tanis.”

Tanis watched as the young man left.

“I missed you, too, Draco.” She whispered before starting to clean herself up.

HP***hp***HP

“What was that all about?” Ron asked after the Elementals had left the Great Hall. “And will someone please talk to me?”

Hermione turned to face her friend. Merlin, but his petulant tones could grate annoyingly on her nerves sometimes. Hermione knew Ron didn’t mean to be so bothersome, but he really did not enjoy being ignored.

“They were probably attacked by Voldemort’s cronies.” She frowned, her dark eyes remaining on the now closed Great Hall doors.

“What’s a Dual?” Harry asked.

Hermione took a deep breath and stiffened her shoulders. The Gryffindors all settled into their chairs knowing that they were about to receive a lecture from their beloved bookworm. Considering that they wouldn’t be eating for a while longer, they had nothing better to do other than to listen to Hermione’s miniature lecture.

“There are four elements as we’ve already discussed – Fire, Earth, Wind and Water. An Elemental is a person who has control over one of the elements. Whereas we are divided by our four houses, they are divided by their Elements. Typically, there are equal numbers of each so that one Element can not overpower another. Their own control is powered by their inner self-spirit. It is an awareness that allows them to control, or be controlled, by an Element. If a being is equally strong in all four, the power is cancelled out and they appear normal…like a squib. They have no strength in any Element. There are no Tri-Elemental beings. Because each Element has an opposite, within a combination of three, two would cancel out leaving just one Element. Most Elementals are, therefore, strong in one of the four Elements. Every now and then, however, a Dual is born. A Dual is equally strong in two complimentary Elements…never opposites. A Dual, for example, will never be strong in both Fire and Water nor in Earth and Wind. A Dual can be strong in Fire and Wind, Water and Earth or based on what we’ve just seen with Mesphin and Tanis, he is Fire and Earth, while she is Water and Wind.”

The students all looked up as Professor Snape re-entered the Great Hall. A few students still glared at him, but he ignored the looks. Following him were the two professors of the Elementals. Snape had not enjoyed playing tour guide to the visiting professors but there was no gracious way for him to decline. Instead, he had to listen to the two Elementals prattle on about how lovely the school was and coo about how wonderful their quarters were. After a summer in Azkaban, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor felt that their chatter was about to be his downfall.

Snape silently noted, however, that neither of the Elemental professors seemed surprised to see him. Or shocked. Or disappointed. If they were on the run from Shadows, surely they wouldn’t have known about the verdict citing his innocent. All that they would have known, like every other wizard and witch, was that he was the accused murderer of Albus Dumbledore. There was no way for them not to know who he was or what he was on trial for. Equally, however, there was no way, in the Dark Arts professor’s opinion, for them to have known about his innocence. Or was there? He frowned as he sat in his chair. Not all of the pieces regarding the puzzle of Dumbledore’s return fit together to Snape’s liking. In Azkaban, Severus was forced to keep his sanity by recalling the ingredients and recipes to make all the potions he knew of. It had passed the time. Steepling his fingers and touching them against his mouth, his dark eyes glittered at this new mystery. It was enjoyable to have something real to focus his mental energies upon once again.

Dumbledore ended his conversation with Professor McGonagall and stood up to address the students.

“May I have your attention, please? While we await the arrival our remaining guests, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to their professors. They will be assuming teaching roles of all students – both their own and Hogwarts – this year. Professor Ivyleaf, will be teaching fourth years and up on tracking skills in the wild and non-magical survival skills. Professor Gunther Staghorn will be instructing fifth years and up on communication with animals in conjunction with Professor Hagrid on the care of magical animals. These are, of course, new courses and those who are eligible and wish to add on to their study load may do so by the sunset tomorrow.”

The two new professors smiled and sat down in the two additional chairs brought in for them at the adult’s table. Ailionora Ivyleaf, to honour her Element of Earth, had donned a green tunic style blouse over a simple brown skirt that covered her ankles. Her dark professor robes completed the picture of decorum and correctness. With her auburn hair now tied back into a tight bun, she gave McGonagall a run for her galleons when it came to looking both grim and prim.

Gunther Staghorn’s black hair, laced with grey, had been neatly combed back into place and tied back with a black strip of leather. His dark eyes surveyed the room during his introduction, as if searching the students for something. His open robes revealed a deep red shirt, combined with black trousers that reminded many of their former Durmstag residents choice of apparel and not a few of the female students developed immediate crushes on the man who so obviously favoured the Element of Fire.

The students began to talk amongst themselves about the courses. Quite a few, having seen the Elementals and become curious about their magic, made mental notes to sign up for the courses before the stated deadline.

“Albus, thank you for arranging accommodations for us and our students. We are forever in your debt.” Ailionora smiled.

Dumbledore nodded.

“However, there are also the animals. The students each require certain animals and…”

Dumbledore raised a hand.

“No need to wory, Nora. The animals are well cared for and are eagerly waiting to see their human friends.”

“What kind of animals do your students have?” Professor McGonagall asked.

“It really depends on their Elements. The Fires have hawks. The Earths have badgers…which I’m sure your Hufflepuffs will adore.” Ailionora’s response drew a few chuckles from the professors. “The Winds have horses. The Waters have dolphins.”

Professor Staghorn picked up the explanation as Ivyleaf took a drink. He had a faint german accent.

“Of course, some of zee students haff owls und other flying animals, as well, many haff a companion animal who vill sleep wit them und follow zem to class. Typically, zis is a dog or cat.”

“We do not allow animals in our classrooms.” Snape said coldly. “One stray dog hair is enough to cause a potion to explode.”

“He is quite right, unfortunately.” Dumbledore agreed. “However, we will allow the dogs and cats to remain in the students’ tower…as long as they are housetrained.”

“The animals are.” Ivyleaf smiled. “I make no promises on our students, however.”

More chuckles from the staff.

“I admit that I am looking forward to seeing how our students progress here at Hogwarts.” Ailionora remarked. “I hope that they will become stronger in charms than they would have at…at…”

Gunther reached over and patted the hand of his fellow Elemental. The loss of their school still ran fresh within them. Even he was not immune to the fact that he would never walk through those halls again. The new school would be complete in the following year, but it would never replace the old sanctuary.

Professor Sprout leaned in from her spot and immediately took a liking to Ivyleaf. Earth liked Earth she supposed. Pushing her corkscrewed grey hair out of her face, the older woman asked, “I’m curious as to why you took so long to come here. Surely you could have apparated, with the students as side-alongs…or the floo network?”

“The network is watched by those we did not wish to communicate to about our travel plans.” Ivyleaf explained. “As for apparating, even that is capable of being tracked by the Dark Lord and his followers. We thought that if we came here using as little magic as possible during our travels, we would not be found. But even the little that we did use apparently was enough for them to find us. I hope the other groups are unharmed.”

“Do not worry, Ailionora. While you were being shown your quarters, I contacted the other schools. They have informed me that the other students and professors are safely ensconced within their new homes.” Dumbledore’s smile did not reach his concerned blue eyes.

Silently nodding her thanks, Ivyleaf looked down at her plate. Despite Dumbledore’s words, the worry did not leave her. The fibres of her Earth soul vibrated with the knowledge that the attacks against her Elementals were not over and she feared that their running was not yet over.