Harry Potter and the Daoine Sìth

I am soooooo sorry I have not updated. I had computer issues and when I finally got my laptop straightened out, my muse left me. I think I am back on track now. And since you lot have been wonderful in reviewing and you have been so very patient, I am updating this chapter un-beta'd. I'll just over-write with the beta copy later.

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Chapter Seven

Harry stood in the doorway of his new room, looking around cautiously. It was far smaller than his room under the hawthorn tree. But it was a nice room with a small hearth that had a brightly burning fire, which gave the stone walls a cozy feel. Draco, who was behind Harry, gave him a nudge into the room.

Carlin, Harry, Draco and his parents had followed Snape out of the Headmaster's office and down the moving spiral staircase to the hallway, where Snape had asked the Malfoys to accompany them to their living quarters so that the professor could give them the blessed Gravid Fortuna potion. The group had walked down many stairs and had wound their way through many corridors before they had finally got to the Potions master's quarters. Snape had not looked too happy about having all these people in his private domain and Harry had been sure that he had not wanted two faeries sharing his quarters. Upon entering, Snape had immediately scowled at the house elves, who had been still rearranging the rooms for Harry and his mother.

The group had stood in uncomfortable silence in the main seating area, before Snape had snarled angrily and stalked off grumbling that he had to see what havoc the wretched elves had wrecked upon his rooms. Carlin had laughed commenting on how ridiculous they had all been behaving and had sat down on a large, plush sofa set in front of a large fireplace. Apparently, that had broken the ice and Narcissa and Lucius had sat in the two chairs set on either side of fireplace, leaving Harry and Draco to sit beside Carlin.

The two elder Malfoys had immediately engaged Carlin in conversation, while Snape stalked in and out of rooms mumbling to himself. This had left Draco and Harry to themselves. The two boys had discretely risen from their seats and had cornered one of the house elves to ask where Harry's room was.

Thus, here they were standing in what would be Harry's home for the foreseeable future. Harry wondered what would happen when he passed his tests tomorrow. He really did not want to return to Gryffindor tower and live in close proximity with a group of boys that he really did not know and only somewhat remembered. While he had hopes of reacquainting himself with Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, he was not the Harry Potter that they remembered. A lot of time had passed, and he was changed in more ways than one.

Harry was unsure how his old class mates would react when they discovered he was no longer just a wizard. What would they do when they found out that Harry had wings? Would they reject him? Call him a ‘freak'? Harry had some glimmer of hope, however. Draco had accepted Harry's change without any trepidation at all despite the fact that Harry and Draco had not liked each other four years ago.

“What are you thinking about?” Draco's voice interrupted Harry's thoughts.

Harry shrugged his shoulders and moved to sit on the bed. “I was just thinking about things.” Draco crossed the room and sat beside the faery, propping the pillows against the headboard, Draco sat up and stretched his legs out on the bed. Draco motioned for Harry to join him. Gladly, Harry scooted up to the head of the bed and leaned against the stack of pillows.

“What things?”

Harry shook his head. He really did not want to voice his fears out loud. “Tell me about Hogwarts, Draco,” he said, changing the subject. Draco narrowed his eyes and stared at Harry for a moment. Then, as if making up his mind about something, he smirked and tugged Harry closer to him.

“Fine,” he said, rubbing Harry's arm, “we'll not discuss your deep dark thoughts today.” Draco screwed up his face in mock contemplation. “Hogwarts, huh? Well, what would you like to know, my Harry?”

“Everything!”

Draco laughed and began to tell Harry all he could think of. He discussed the professors and the classes, quiditch and his friends. Harry asked questions and Draco readily answered them. The two boys grew more and more comfortable with each as time passed. Draco began asking Harry about his tutor and what subjects he had learned, Harry was only too happy to tell Draco about Aberforth Dumbledore. They had just begun to talk about more personal things when Professor Snape billowed into the room.

“Must you two sit so close?” the dour man snarled. “Get up! It is time for dinner.” Snape turned and stalked from the room, scowling.

Draco chuckled softy as he stood up, straitening his robes. He glanced at Harry a slight uneasiness tightening the corners of his eyes. “Are you ready for this?” he asked concernedly.

Harry got off the bed and nervously smoothed out the duvet. “No,” he answered truthfully. “But what choice do I have?” He pulled at his robe, making sure his wings were covered.

“It will be fine, Harry,” Draco told him as he held out his hand and led Harry out of the room.

The group wound their way up to the Great Hall. Harry was relieved when Snape led them to the teacher's entrance. At least he would not have to make that long walk between the house tables.

Snape paused before the doors. “I suggest the Malfoy's and I find our seats,” he said, turning his attention to Carlin and Harry. “You two are to wait here for the Headmaster to announce you.”

“ANNOUNCE US!” Harry yelped.

“Potter, must you screech so! Yes announce you, now control you caterwauling and wait here,” the man scathed as he opened the door and stalked through it.

“I am sorry, Dubhsìth,” Carlin said, “While you and Draco were talking, the Headmaster fire-called, I believe the wizards call it. I was able convince Albus to let you sit with me at the head table, but he would not compromise on the announcement."

Harry swallowed nervously. He did not like the idea of being paraded about like a circus animal. Draco sensed his unease and grasped his shoulders turning Harry so that they could look at one another.

“I will be right out there, Harry. Just look at me and it will be fine,” He said soothingly. Carlin smiled at the blond boy.

Harry nodded his head, his green eyes locked with Draco's for a long moment, until Lucius cleared his throat, brow raised as he and Narcissa waited by the open door. Draco winked at Harry then briefly hugged him, before turning and leading his parents out the door.

Carlin moved to stand beside her son. “He is right, dearest, all will be well. You'll see,” she said encouragingly.

Harry didn't quite believe her as he stood with his back against the wall listening to the Headmaster ramble on.

~~~~~~

Hermione Granger watched as Professor Snape stalked into the Great Hall without Harry Potter. She frowned as she observed Draco Malfoy enter shortly afterwards with his parents. Malfoy moved to sit at the Slytherin table while his parents sat at the head table next to Professor Snape. There were two empty seats left at the head table, also beside Snape and there was a vaguely familiar old man sitting beside the Headmaster.

One of the two empty places was obviously for the strange woman that had arrived with Harry, but where was she? Moreover, where was Harry? Surely, the second spot was not for Harry? He would be sitting here at Gryffindor table where he belonged!

Hermione watched through narrowed eyes as Malfoy's housemates welcomed him back and peppered him with questions. It infuriated her to think that Pansy Parkinson would get answers before she would! It was not right! It was not fair! She and Ron had once again approached Professor McGonagall before dinner, only to be rebuffed rather rudely. Adding to her ire, Ron had merely shrugged and rambled on about bangers and mash!

Hermione gritted her teeth as Headmaster Dumbledore stood to address the student body.

~~~~~~

Albus Dumbledore looked out over the young faces. The news of Harry Potter's return had spread like fiendfire throughout the school. The children sat expectantly, awaiting news and first sight of their returning hero.

He had been elated when he had learned that Harry was alive and well, overjoyed when his eyes first set upon the young man. His heart was relieved that Harry had been loved and cared for all these years. While he held some resentment of the Faery Queen, he could not begrudge the happy and healthy child that he had seen this afternoon. Albus would be meeting with Carlin and Severus after the feast, for now he would give the youngsters what they were waiting for; their first glimpse of Harry Potter.

Clearing his throat, Albus smiled benevolently. “Students of Hogwarts, today something wonderful has happened. Early this morning, I was notified by Professor Snape that he and young Mister Malfoy,” Albus gestured toward the Slytherin table, “had found none other than Harry Potter!” The students all gasped at having the rumour confirmed. Whispering voices erupted all over the Great Hall. Albus allowed them a moment to grasp what he had just said before continuing. “Yes, yes, I know. But it is true. Some of your classmates saw young Harry and his party entering Hogwarts grounds this afternoon. He is indeed alive and well, I can assure you.” Albus glanced around the room as the voices calmed and each student stared at him with rapt attention. “I spoke with Harry today, and he informed me that he has been living with the Daoine Sìth.” More gasps and murmurs of shock broke out across the hall. Dumbledore raised his hands in a motion for quite. Once again, all the students and the teachers turned toward the Headmaster. “Harry was severely injured after his encounter with Voldemort four years ago. The Daoine Sìth found him and healed him. They took him in and he was, in fact, adopted by the Queen of the Scottish Highland, Gyre-Carlin. Today we welcome home Harry Potter and his adopted mother Queen Gyre-Carlin.” Dumbledore turned toward the side door and watched as Carlin and Harry entered. She was holding Harry's hand in hers, guiding him toward where the Headmaster stood. Cheers and shouts broke out all over the hall. Cries of ‘Harry' ‘It's Harry Potter' could be heard and thunderous applause welcomed the two Sìth.

Harry nervously clung to his mother, his face veritably red with embarrassment. Albus found Harry's humility amusing as he felt a huge burst of pride.

~~~~~~

Ron shouted and cheered with the rest of the Great Hall as Harry finally entered and everyone got their first glimpse of the boy who lived. Ron observed the changes in his friend from what he vaguely remembered. It had, after all, been four long years, since he had last seen Harry. The memory of the boy he had been friends with had begun to fade into distant memory, but from what he could glean from his mind, Harry had not grown very much at all. Though, he had always been small for his age. Harry also appeared to be – well – to be honest, quite pretty?! That was a bit weird.

Ron turned toward Hermione, “He looks different,” he said.

Hermione, Ron noted, was scrutinising their long-lost friend carefully. “Yes, he does,” she answered as her eyes narrowed. Ron turned back to the front as the Headmaster began speaking again.

“Yes, yes, a very nice welcome home, students.” The Headmaster beamed as he placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. “Harry will hopefully be joining you in classes soon. Now, we shall enjoy our feast,” Dumbledore said as he guided Harry and the Queen toward the two empty seats at the head table.

“Harry's not sitting with us?” Ron asked, shock and dismay evident in his tone as he turned back toward his girlfriend.

“Apparently not,” Hermione said, still looking at the head table.

“Why?” Ron whined. “He's supposed to sit with us! He's a Gryffindor!” The others sitting around Ron and Hermione noisily agreed.

“Yes, he should,” Hermione said.

The feast appeared before them and Ron immediately forgot what he was going to say as he looked forlornly at the steak and kidney pie and roasted venison with all the fixings on the table. “I was hoping for…”

“Yes, yes bangers and mash, Ronald,” Hermione cut him off, scooping a bit of mashed potato onto her plate. “I wonder why Harry's not sitting with us. Did you notice if anything has changed in your dorm,” she asked.

Ron made a sour face, taking a large slice of pie. “No. But then I didn't go up there. We were all waiting for Harry in the common room.” Hermione glanced at the other sixth year Gryffindor boys, Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan shook their heads.

“I didn't see anything new,” Neville answered, “I was changing before we left for dinner.” Ron snorted, causing Neville to bow his head in embarrassment. Neville had upset the fwoopers in Magical Creatures and one had messed all over the nervous boy's robes and trousers.

Hermione wacked Ron on the arm, chastising him for laughing at a fellow Gryffindor, “You are a Prefect, Ronald, act like one,” she said snootily. “You need to be setting a good example. I suppose the elves will prepare for Harry while we are in the Great Hall,” she surmised.

Ron glanced back up toward the head table. Harry was sitting between the beautiful woman Dumbledore had said was a Queen and an elderly wizard Ron did not know. Harry was chatting with the old man happily, his eyes darting occasionally toward the Slytherin table. That struck Ron odd. Why wasn't Harry looking over here? He should be looking at Gryffindor! He should be looking at him and Hermione! What was going on?!

“Is it just me,” Seamus Finnegan said, “or is Harry's skin lookin' a bit sparkly?”

“I noticed that too,” Hermione answered. “I wonder what happened to him?” Ron scratched his chin in thought as he shoveled a rather large chunk of pie in his mouth. “Dumbledore said the Sìth saved his life, I suppose it could be some sort of after effect,” Hermione continued, while glaring at Ron's overstuffed mouth irritatingly. Ron nodded not really caring as he poured a rather large amount of gravy over a rather large portion of buttery mashed potato.

~~~~~~

Draco sat amongst his friends at the Slytherin table, refusing to answer any questions regarding Harry Potter. Pansy had been most annoying, demanding to know why he was holding Harry's hand earlier. He merely gave her a cold stare and told her it was none of her business. Unfortunately, that led to Pansy simpering pathetically and cloyingly hanging on to his arm. Medusa's twitchy tail, the girl was irritating!

Draco sat with his usual Malfoy arrogance and listened to the Headmaster with an air of boredom. However, he could not hide his excitement when Harry came through the doors. Although he had just left the boy, he could not help but sit up straighter and watch the faery boy. He was sure, and quite frankly did not care, that his fellow Slytherins could tell he was acting strangely. Let them talk, Draco didn't care. He only had eyes for the pretty boy standing nervously in front of the entire school. Draco watched as Carlin and Harry moved to sit beside Professor Snape and the feast began.

Everyone began filling their plates and gossiping about the unusual events of the day. Draco filled his plate as well, though he kept glancing to the head of the room and pointedly ignoring any questions regarding his and Snape's weekend with the Daoine Sìth. Of course, his inattention only caused Parkinson to cling closer, rubbing her ample breasts against his arm in an attempt to draw his focus back to her. Draco yanked his arm forcefully away from the girl and stood up abruptly. “Shift over, Goyle,” he demanded. Gregory Goyle slid down the bench settling next to Pansy without even a backward glance as Draco sat between the large boy and Vincent Crabbe.

Satisfied with the seating arrangement and smirking to himself at Pansy's indignant cries of outrage, Draco looked back up to the head table, catching Harry's confused expression. Draco merely smiled and nodded his head graciously at the faery.

Draco glanced several times at the Gryffindor table. Secretly, he was overjoyed as he watched them discussing Harry Potter. He knew that Granger would be hell bent to know what had happened to Harry and annoyed to no end that he knew more than she did. He did not get along with Hermione Granger at all. And not because she was Muggle born. She was a galling know-it-all, who constantly stuck her nose into everyone else's business. Before Harry had disappeared, Hermione had been somewhat a busy body, but not nearly to the extent she was today. For some reason, Hermione had become even more driven after Harry disappeared, and she had become more of a stickler for not breaking the rules. Perhaps it was because it had been rule-breaking that had lead to that detention on that night four years ago. Draco didn't know and truthfully, he did not really care.

Draco turned his attention toward the dim-witted redhead beside the Granger girl. Ronald Weasley. Draco loathed the boy. Partly, because Weasley had taken Harry's friendship away from Draco in their first year, at least that is how Draco saw it, and partly because Weasley hated everything Slytherin. Since He Who Must Not Be Named's demise, things had changed at Hogwarts. The other houses had made a conscious effort to get along. There still was inter-house rivalry, but now it was more a friendly rivalry and all in good fun. Except for Ronald Weasley. Weasley hated everything Slytherin, despite the fact that Dean Thomas was dating Daphne Greengrass, a Slytherin and despite the fact that Neville Longbottom's best friend was Theodore Nott, again a Slytherin. Even Seamus Finnegan got on with the Snake house and could be seen at Friday night poker in Slytherin commons. Only Weasley and Granger still displayed animosity toward Draco's house. It was absurd. But then again so was Weasley.

Draco's contemplation was interrupted by a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Professor Snape behind him.

“Draco, have you finished?”

“Yes sir,”

“Your parents wish to say their goodbyes, and I would appreciate it if you would keep Mister Potter entertained this evening while Gyre-Carlin and I meet with the Headmaster.”

Draco grinned. “Of course, sir,” he said happily as he rose and followed the professor toward his waiting parents and Carlin and Harry. Glancing back one more time at the Gryffindor table he noted with malicious pleasure the sour expressions of Weasley and Granger.