"May I suggest we both venture downstairs as I suspect there is little more we will be able to discover this evening. I would suggest you remain close to Mr. Warden if you can. I trust that Mr. Ward will be calmer by now and seeing Mr. Warden somewhat restored may assist

Professor McGonagall was seeing the family of a prospective new student this afternoon and I believe they may still be here."

With that he ushered Randal out of his office and made his way towards the Great Hall.

On his way to the Great Hall, Professor Dumbledore descended the main stairway and saw there the figures of Paula, Weatherlite and Mahou.

He realised with a smile that Paula Amberstone must have acted very quickly indeed upon his invitation sent only that morning for her daughter to visit the school.

He swept down the stairs towards them, a tall, thin imposing figure with long silver hair and beard wearing his distinctive brightly coloured robes and wizard's hat. Behind his half-moon glasses his blue eyes twinkled merrily and he was smiling very warmly at them.

Mahou stared openly at the ancient-looking man with wonder. She didn't think humans could live this long. She didn't think they could grow their hair that long. But, this was Albus Dumbledore, and Paula had spoken about him a lot.

Pulling her hat down farther over her ears, Mahou just stood by her mother, watching the headmaster.

"How delightful to see you all. May I welcome you back to Hogwarts Miss Hickory or rather now Mrs. Amberstone. What a pleasure it is to finally meet your husband and of course your daughter."

Reaching them, he offered his hand to Weatherlite. Dumbledore certainly showed no surprise that Weatherlite was an elf.

"Oh, headmaster," Paula gushed, clasping her hands in front of her, "it is ever so good to see you again. Yes, this is my husband, Weatherlite Amberstone, and my daughter, Mahou." She moved closer to him, so that no one else close could hear. "You won't tell anyone.. that they're elves, will you Headmaster? Mahou, especially, would rather have it kept secret."

She smiled, standing back, knowing that Dumbledore was one to keep his secrets.

Weatherlite shook Albus' hand and grinned, his features clearly elfin to those who knew what to look for. Mahou's face was similar, her nose was perfectly straight, her eyes slightly slanted but still rather large, her face a little thinner than a normal girl's her age. And of course, her ears. She was sure to keep them covered.

"Well, Headmaster," Paula announced. "What do we do now?"

Dumbledore smiled warmly at Paula and said quietly, "Of course, I wouldn't dream of revealing it to anyone."

Paula grinned and reassured both Mahou and Weatherlite. They nodded.

Still he was a little concerned that Mahou would find it difficult to keep her hat on all the time and that he might suggest to her Mother that she grow her hair a little longer into a style that would camouflage her ears. Of course, it was hard to tell with their hats on how long they might be - maybe a slight illusion spell.

More than anything he wished to put Mahou at her ease.

"Well as for what now" he said addressing the three Amberstones, "The Great Hall is emptying now that dinner time is past. With it being examination week most of the students will be studying in their common rooms after their meal.

So I suggest that the four of us walk briskly through the Great Hall to a small side dining room which is reserved for private meetings. It's a bit like playing a game at the funfair - will the Headmaster be able to cross the room without being stopped? Quite the challenge!"

His eyes twinkled. It was obvious he enjoyed interacting with the students and staff.

Mahou raised a brow at the Headmaster. She wasn't sure that all this joking stuff would be good to have in a headmaster of such a famous school..

"Now I know Mahou was wishing to undergo the ritual of the Sorting Hat so that she would know for sure where she belonged at Hogwarts. Therefore, I have arranged for supper to be brought to us there as well as the famous Hat. After that I would propose to introduce her to the Prefect assigned to the current Third Years for which ever House that turns out to be. Then if Mahou is happy to remain with us tomorrow she can have the full guided tour and meet with some of her classmates. By then she will know which House she will be in when she returns in September and claim her own bed, wardrobe and the like.

How does that suit you, Mahou?"

Mahou blinked at being so personally addressed. She gulped and replied, "Tha' suits me fine, Headmaster. Th' Hat be wha' I had been lookin' forward mos' ta. Ma told me abou' th' singin' an' the shoutin' an' everythin'. I be lookin' forward ta tha' most, Sir." She smiled. "An' I ken ye ken tha' I be.. half elf, Sir.. an' I need ta wear a hat all th' time. Me ears jus' be too long.." She lifted the hat to show one long ear, about 3 inches in length, fervently tucking it back into the hat. "We tried ta cast illusion spells on it at Cerridwyn's but it did no' work, Sir. Forgive me fer bein' so informal, Sir. It no' be my place ta speak such ta ye." She bowed lowly, her hands clasped before her. "Forgive me."

Paula smiled as Mahou stood straight again. "Headmaster," she began, "we could go through the Great Hall now. I can't wait to see it again." Her eyes became glassy as she thought about it.

Mahou's eyes, too, became glassy, but for entirely a different reason. She pulled her hat down even lower....

Dumbledore had smiled warmly at Mahou's words.

"No need to apologise Miss Amberstone for your informality. We have a few students at Hogwarts whose background is somewhat unconventional even among wizarding-kind. Some choose to be open about it while others less so. I help as much as I can. "

Mahou bowed deeply, she was beginning to really like Dumbledore, even if he did have a funny name.. and a funny demeanour. "I thank ye, Headmaster. No' too many would take kindly t' th' ramblings o' one such as me." She absently chewed on her pinkie fingernail, nervous.

I am aware that your father's people," with this he bowed slightly in Weatherlite's direction, "are naturally rather disinclined towards contact with humans whether muggles or wizards. I have a strict policy of respecting such cultural differences."

Mahou nodded slightly, her eyes averted from the gentle, yet piercing, gaze. She knew that rarely did elves reveal themselves to common humans, their pride in themselves too high, their love for secrecy too great. She thought it best to keep her heritage hidden, not because she was ashamed of it.. but because she had always been taught to do so.

"As for the Sorting Hat - well there isn't a great deal of singing or shouting when we do the private ceremony. Regretfully as I enjoy the singing." he smiled at the memory.

"Now Mahou you can wait if you like until you are admitted in September though the Sorting Hat ritual is usually reserved for First Years and we are most concerned to distinguish you from a First Year after that little administrative mix-up.

It is a bit of a rite of passage as it were. Quite a lot of teasing and the like beforehand and general clapping over whom gets assigned where. Have a think on our way across the Great Hall as to what you'd like to do best."

"Will I be able ta witness it come fall, Headmaster?" Mahou asked. "I would rather ha'e a private ceremony fer me, to save on any teasin' tha' I may get. But I would still love ta hear th' singin'." She looked up at him, her slanted, vivid green eyes glittering.

"Yes, of course you will Miss Amberstone. All the older students arrive at the castle ahead of the First Years and gather in the Great Hall to witness their Sorting. We then have a grand Feast to welcome all new and old to Hogwarts followed by the whole school singing the School Song. It can be a greatly moving experience. I am sure your Mother can teach you the words!"

With that he led the Amberstone family to the main doors of the Hall. "Now for the Great Hall!"

Opening the doors he could see that a fair few students were milling about, others still engaged in eating and conversation.

He noted that Miss Hawkwood, whom he had every confidence would be escorting Mahou Amberstone around Gryffindor Tower either tomorrow or with the fresh intake in September, was talking with Sarah Taverner and Katia Drachenstein along with a young man whose identity the Headmaster registered immediately. It was proving to be an interesting day.

Mahou hung back, well behind Dumbledore, her heart pounding in her chest. Never had she seen so many children in one place. Never had she has so many opportunities for her heritage to be accidentally uncovered. She raised a hand slowly, her eyes darting from one person to the next, then to the apparent staff table, and finally, back to Dumbledore.

She took small steps, the half elf, and careful ones, her eyes locked on different people at different times. Weatherlite seemed about as nervous as she did, but he was used to such crowds. Mahou preferred the forests and the streams, to the tables and the walls. Her eyes roamed to Miss Hawkwood and her company, tugging her pointed hat lower over her ears, almost hiding her eyes. She didn't want to take any chances...

Paula, on the other hand, was chatting at Dumbledore about what all happened since her graduation. About her meeting Weatherlite in Blackwater, Ireland during a trip to see the wildlife there. About Mahou's stay at Cerridwyn's, and many other things.

The Headmaster led the Amberstone party deliberately past the little gathering at the Ravenclaw table.

He paused briefly and addressed Luis.

"Mr. Verga, your arrival is somewhat unexpected to say the least. I would appreciate it if you could remain close to hand so that we may speak later."

This request appeared to rather put a dent in Katia's plans for a guided tour of the castle!

Luis had replied quietly to Dumbledore's prompting of being close by. "Of course, sir. Thank you."

Mahou looked at the man named Mr. Verga, her strange, lime-green eyes glittering oddly. She was very curious as to why his arrival was unexpected. She just watched him as Albus Dumbledore spoke, and then turned toward the next person.

As the Headmaster had addressed Luis, Nimue's gaze had fallen upon the Amberstones. It was obvious from the light that came into her eyes that she was aware of a subtle 'otherness' about Weatherlite and Mahou though was too well bred to stare and shifted her attention swiftly to the Headmaster.

Mahou caught Nimue's eyes and flinched, nearly tripping and falling on her bum. She caught hold of her mother's dress and stopped her from falling. Blushing a little, Mahou averted her eyes from the strange girl, staring at the headmaster instead.

He then addressed the slender dark haired girl, who was wearing school robes bearing the Gryffindor House crest.

"Miss Hawkwood, I understand that you are about to sit your Alchemy exam." he consulted his pocket watch, "in about 3 minutes and 45 seconds. However, may I request that you return here when it is concluded."

"Alchemy.." Mahou whispered. Her ears perked within her hat. Her eyes roamed to Miss Hawkwood's face, sensing something.. different about her. She had this nagging feeling that Miss Hawkwood could sense what she was, and she pulled her hat down lower, which had snaked up at the perking of her ears.

Nimue had hoped that the Headmaster might introduce her when he had spoken her name and was surprised when he reminded her that she had less than four minutes to reach the Dungeons! Still she would wait until the Headmaster and his party had moved off before leaving.

Before they moved off, Mahou held out her hand, right before the young woman. "I be Mahou Amberstone," she said softly, shyly. She smiled at the girl as her hand was shaken.

Nimue whispered back, "I'm Nimue Hawkwood, I hope we can met again later."

Nodding to Sarah and Katia, the Headmaster then continued to lead the Amberstones to the side dining room, where awaited the Sorting Hat and a delicious supper for them.

The Amberstones followed, with Weatherlite almost losing his own hat in the process. Paula grinned broadly at the sight of the hat.. but for some reason, Mahou cowered behind Dumbledore and her parents...

Nimue made a quick apology to Sarah and the others for her rudeness and headed towards the doors as quickly as she could without breaking into a run.

"Headmaster?" Mahou asked as they continued. "Who be teachin' Alchemy ta make her take a test this late at night?" She put a finger to her lips, thinking. "I never had ta take any exams this late b'fore..."

"Ah, that would Professor Snape our Potions Master," said Dumbledore in reply to Mahou's question.

"Snape, hm?" Mahou mused. She pursed her lips and thought for a second. "I guess his class would be one o' th' one tha' I would be likin' th' most. I be pretty good at potions." She smiled at Dumbledore, a slight hint of pride in her eyes. "Ma always liked me potion tha' cheered her up." Paula giggled and squeezed Weatherlite's hand.

"However, it was Miss Hawkwood who requested to take the examination this evening as she was unable to sit it yesterday with her classmate rather than the Professor making her take it."

"A student requested ta take an exam this late?" the half-elfin girl balked. "An' ye an' Master Snape approve?" She blinked several times, looking severely perplexed. "I guess there be some things abou' this school tha' I must be learnin' b'fore I be makin' judgements.." She nodded to herself and continued her trek behind Dumbledore.

Having reached the side dining room, Dumbledore opened it and gestured the Amberstones to enter. A table was laid with supper and to one side was a four-legged stool upon which rested a large pointed wizard's hat - rather frayed and patched.

"Now Miss Amberstone, when you are ready you need to sit on the stool and place the hat on your head - though if you'd like it will sing for you beforehand to explain its purpose."

Mahou stopped in her tracks upon entering the room, her strange, vivid eyes locked on the Sorting Hat. She knew that that was what it was.. her mother had described it time and again.. and again.. and again! She slipped her hat off her head, her ears resting on either side of her head, pointed and long. She was shaking. She couldn't control herself enough to stop.

"Mahou?" Weatherlite prompted from his daughter. "Mahou, dear Angelears, are ye alrigh'?" Worry scorched his eyes as he knelt beside his daughter. "Wha' it is, Mahou?" He gently shook his daughter on the shoulder.

"Da.." she whispered, clutching his arm, "tha' be th' Sortin' Hat.. Wha' if I donnae belong in Gryffindor? Wha' if I be in Slytherin? Ma hates tha' House, Da. She's said time and again.. I donnae want ta go here, Da.. I donnae want ta go ta Hogwarts!" She threw her arms around Weatherlite's neck, the man offering Dumbledore an apologetic glance.

"Donnae think tha' way, Angelears," Weatherlite told his daughter, rubbing her back soothingly. "Hogwarts be th' best school in th' world fer witches and wizards. I ken it no' be like Cerridwyn's, but this place will get ye ready fer th' world out there, dearlin'. There be more than jus' girls who wield magic, sweetling. Donnae be afraid o' no' bein' in yer ma's House." He hugged Mahou briefly, holding her at arms length to wipe away the tears. "She willna mind, Angelears. I ken this fer a fact."

Turning back to Dumbledore, Mahou bowed low, remaining in the bent state for a full two minutes. She spoke while in the bow: "Headmaster, me actions speak o' fear. Fergive th' whinings o' a small child. I take full blame o' me actions and fully expect a punishment. Me screams and shout be good fer ten lashing on me back. Turnin' me back t' ye result in twenty more. I accept these lashin's wi' me eyes dry an' me throat closed. I accept." She recited the Lament of Punishment she learned at Cerridwyn's, much to Paula's dismay and alarm.

"Please, Headmaster," Paula interjected, allowing her daughter to remain in the bow, "please go on and let the Hat sing. Maybe it will put Mahou's nerves to rest.. And perhaps.. one of your talks with her will help. About.. not having lashings." She took Weatherlite's arm, smiling weakly to Albus Dumbledore as Mahou remained in her bow...

"Dear Miss Amberstone, please arise! Hogwarts does not condone corporal punishment. Rather students are punished by detentions and the deduction of House Points. We find it an effective system of self-regulation for our young people."

He smiled. No need to mention that Argus Filch regularly submitted requests for stronger methods of punishment for various infractions of school rules. Or that he kept hanging from the ceiling of his office chains and manacles that he kept polished up in case he was ever given permission to use them on students.

Mahou, now more perplexed than ever, straightened, her face a mask of puzzlement. She -really- didn't understand this school.. nor the Headmaster...

"Now, I don't think the Hat has had a chance to compose its new Song for the coming school year but let it sing one of our favourite tunes that is most instructive of its nature and of the virtues of the Four Houses."

With that Dumbledore said to the Hat: "Whenever you are ready"

A few seconds later the rip near the brim became more mouth-shaped and sang to Mahou and her parents the following song:

" A thousand years ago or more
When I was newly sewn,
There lived four wizards of renown,
Whose names are still well known:
Bold Gryffindor, from wild moor,
Fair Ravenclaw, from glen,
Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad,
Shrewd Slytherin, from fen,
They shared a wish, a hope, a dream,
They hatched a daring plan
To educate young sorcerers
Thus Hogwarts School began.
Now each of these four founders
Formed their own house, for each
Did value different virtues
In the ones they had to teach.
By Gryffindor, the bravest were
Prized far beyond the rest;
For Ravenclaw, the cleverest
Would always be the best;
For Hufflepuff, hard workers were
Most worthy of admission;
And power-hungry Slytherin
Loved those of great ambition.
While still alive they did divide
Their favourites from the throng,
Yet how to pick the worthy ones
When they were dead and gone?
'Twas Gryffindor who found the way,
He whipped me off his head
The founders put some brains in me
So I could choose instead!
Now slip me snug about your ears,
I've never yet been wrong,
I'll have a look inside your mind
And tell where you belong!"

The Hat then became quiet. Dumbledore clapped.

Mahou blinked, her vibrant, lime-green eyes glittering brightly. That was... interesting to say the very least. She smiled and looked up at Dumbledore.

"There now - are you ready to be Sorted? Just sit on the Stool, place the Sorting Hat on your Head and then we shall see where you belong."

Dumbledore winked at Paula Amberstone.

Obeying the man without question, the half-elf walked to the stool and picked up the hat, holding it at arms' length to look at it. She smiled a little and plunked herself on the stool, setting the hat on her head. Without tucking in her ears, the hat stayed atop her head, not falling over her eyes at all. She sat there, looking up into the hat with her slanted eyes, waiting for something to happen.. then..

"Oh, I see something here.. something no student has ever had," a voice said in her ears. Mahou blinked. "You're an elf! That's it! Elves are intelligent.. and should be in.. But, no. You're only half! Where to put you..." Mahou squirmed. "Oh.. your mother was Paula Hickory? She was a lion, to tell you the truth. You have a lot of her in you. But you have more elfin than human. Hmm.. this is a tough one indeed.. You show great promise, elf, yes.. There will be someone for you to help, and be helped by in..." Mahou flinched as it shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!!!"

Yelping at the loud sound, Mahou toppled off the stool to the floor, rubbing her ears as the Hat covered one eye. "Talk to the spirits, Mahou," the hat said to her. "They will talk back." Slipping the hat off, Mahou set it back on the stool, climbing to her feet. She knew what the hat meant: spirits of nature.. trees, streams, and everything else.

"Thank ye, Headmaster," Mahou said, still rubbing her ears. "When do I get ta meet some o' th' other kids?" She looked up at him, a new sort of admiration in her glittering eyes.

The Headmaster had smiled broadly at Paula Amberstone when the Hat had shouted its result.

"Well, then." he said as Mahou picked herself up and addressed him. "It seems I was quite right in requesting Miss Hawkwood to join us after her examination. She is our Third Year Prefect for Gryffindor House. A policy instituted in recent years which has been quite successful." He said in explanation to Paula and Weatherlite about the assigning of prefect status to 3rd Year students.

"So, let us sit and have some of this wonderful supper." he motioned the Amberstones to sit and partake.

"Now Mahou, would you like to see Gryffindor Tower this evening or wait until the morning? The Guest Tower is comfortable but you might enjoy sleeping in the bed that will be yours in the new term."