Harry Potter: Keeper of the Lost Cities (crossover)

The Lost Cities

When their eyesight cleared from the leap, Harry and Hermione found themselves in front of an elaborately decorative gate, shining way too bright to be good for their eyes.

"Welcome to Everglen!" Hermione announced.

"Why is it so bright?" Harry asked, shielding his eyes.

"The gate absorbs all the light, so no one can leap in. My dad had the feature installed when he moved here."

"Why shouldn't-" Harry had started to ask why it mattered that no one could leap straight inside, when Hermione licked the gate.

The light from the barrier made her hair a frizzy halo. Which would have been beautiful, if she hadn't been licking a gate. Ew.

Hermione must have noticed Harry's pause, because when she turned around, she explained, "It's a DNA sensor. That way only my family can get in."

The gate swung open behind her, revealing a sprawling estate, complete with a forest, lake, and grand mansion.

"You really live here?" Harry asked. He hadn't realized how rich Hermione was.

"Yes, now hurry up. We shouldn't keep the Councillors waiting."

"Councillors?"

Hermione sighed. "I'll tell you on the way."

Their walk to the mansion was accompanied by a long history of Councillors, elvish birth funds, and all other things that made elves and humans different. When Hermione got to the part about elves getting pointy ears as they grew older, Harry's hands flew to the tips if his. Hermione just laughed, and assured him he would have to wait a lot longer before that happened.

Finally, the two elves pushed open the grand double doors to Everglen's formal dining room.

Inside, four elves sat in crystal thrones, at the far end of a long crystal table. Harry's eyes grew wide at the obvious display of wealth, even though he now knew that all elves were that rich. Including him.

"Hermione!" A male elf, who looked a lot like the girl, called. He even shared her crisp accent.

"Father," she acknowledged.

"Come over here and introduce yourself, Harry," a female elf with a tangle of brown hair and a stark gray suit interrupted. Harry wondered if she might be Hermione's mother, although her sickly sweet voice was nothing like the other Grangers' accent.

Hermione grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him forward.

"I'm Alden Granger, Hermione's father," the elf who had first spoken said.

"I am Councillor Dolores," the sweet-voiced elf added with a smile that was probably fake.

"And I am Councillor Kenric," a cheerful, red haired elf announced.

"Lastly, my name is Councillor Oralie," a female with blond ringlets and a truly sweet smile finished. Harry realizes that all three Councillors were wearing matching gray suits.

"We are here to test you," Councillor Dolores told him.

"T- test me?" Harry stuttered.

"Yes, although I can't say I expect you to succeed, seeing as you haven't even remembered to bow," she answered.

Hermione's cheeks flushed, and she dipped a hasty curtsy. Harry followed with an awkward bow.

"Much better," the Councillor said with another probably-fake-smile.

"Don't let Dolores scare you," Councillor Oralie assured Harry. "The test will be simple. We just want to see where your skills and abilities stand, and to ask you a few questions. Kenric is a Telepath, so he will test your ability. Although, seeing as you manifested at such an early age, I hardly feel that we need more proof of your strength.

"I am here because I'm an Empath. My job is to monitor your emotions during the interview. And Dolores is here because she can be very... convincing."

"No need for the subterfuge, Ora," Councillor Dolores said, causing Oralie to grit her teeth. Turning to Harry, the nastiest Councillor said, "I am a Beguiler, an ability which allows me to convince other elves that they agree with me. When I'm allowed to, that is."

Harry hoped that she wasn't allowed to right then.

As it turned out, the test was simple. Harry was asked to read Kenric's mind, which he easily did. Then, he was asked several seemingly random questions, while Oralie held his hand, monitoring the honesty of his responses. Dolores then insisted that he levitate something, to prove that he could use his skills as well. Apparently, she was suspicious that he really was an elf.

"Almost no other elf, and certainly no human could sneak past my blocking," Kenric pointed out.

"That may be, but any fool could guess that you were thinking about sweet Ora."

Now that someone mentioned it, Kenric did seem to be staring at Oralie a bit.

Thankfully, Harry's telekinesis was up to the task of impressing the impossible Councillor. Remembering the way the girl in his book had humiliated her torturous principal, he lifted the pitcher of water from the table, and flung it on Dolores. Her screaming dance was an excellent imitation of Principal Trunchbull, even if there was, sadly, no newt involved.

Oralie and Alden grinned, while Kenric burst out laughing. Harry and Hermione had to fight not to join him.