A Different Kind Of Fairytale
DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling. This story also takes plot elements from various fairy tales namely but not limited to: Mulan, Ever After, Sleeping Beauty and Shrek. Obviously, I do not own these as well. I can only take credit for weaving those elements together.
WARNING: Fairytale AU. A bit OOC. Fem! Harry. Some language and violence
A/N: My first take on the ubiquitous fem! Harry plot line. As the title suggests, this story will try to do away with the clichéd 'knight saves the damsel in distress' plot. I am also experimenting on a new writing style… so reviews, feedback and the like will be greatly appreciated. With that said, here is the first chapter. Enjoy!
PROLOGUE: Once Upon A Time: The Prophecy
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Once upon a time, in a kingdom far, far away, there lived a good king and his wife, the queen. They were called King Albus and Queen Minerva. The kind and gentle monarchs ruled the magical kingdom of Godric's Hollow and made Hogwarts Castle their home. The King and Queen were well-loved by their people; their rule brought about prosperity amongst their subjects and their lands. Their reign could be described in one word: peaceful. It was almost perfect, if not for one fact: The King and Queen do not have an heir. For many years they have tried and tried –healers, mages and even sorceresses –but no one can find anything wrong. The Queen simply cannot conceive a child.
Until one day, twenty years into the rule of good King Albus, a seer was attacked by wildebeests in the Forest of Dean. Her name was Luna. It so happened that the King and his loyal right hand and knight commander James Potter were inspecting their troops in the nearby camping area when they heard the commotion.
"Halt!" King Albus commanded. He turned to James. "Do you hear that sound, my good man?"
"Your Highness, it seems to be a woman I distress,"
"Take a few good men and inspect the commotion, James,"
"Right away your highness."
James, together with a couple of soldiers went deep into the forest and saw a wildebeest about to strike a woman with skin and hair that glowed like the sun. James immediately took his sword and aimed for the beast. The sword of Gryffindor struck right through the middle of the animal's heart. In a few seconds, it was no more. He then turned to the woman.
"You are saved, my lady. The beast shall harm you no longer." He offered his hand to help the woman up to her feet. The lady smiled at him.
"Thank you, James Potter." It was not a question. She took James' hand and up righted herself. James frowned.
"You seem to know me my lady, but I am unaware of your identity. You look and dress like a foreigner," he gestured towards her periwinkle dress made out of a sheer material –it almost looked like it was made out of fairy wings.
"And yet, you still saved me," the woman just continued smiling at him. "Bless your good heart James Harold Potter, son of Charles Xavier, right hand of King Albus, commander of the Knights of Hogwarts." The woman curtsied. "My name is Luna, a seer from Glen. I come in peace, bearing a prophecy for your almighty King."
"Very well," James said, still eying the woman carefully. "I shall take you to the good King," He then motioned for her to follow him. King Albus was waiting for them in the clearing. James addressed the monarch.
"Your highness, a seer from Glen approaches with a prophecy."
King Albus raised his eyebrows as Luna approached him and curtsied. Her eyes shifted and her voice deepened.
"My good King," she began. "Dusk heralds the great and the just as the barren fig tree shall bear its coveted fruit in the hours of darkness. Dusk heralds the loyal and the true as the seeds of the mustard plant shall grow strong amongst the rubbles. Dusk heralds the dawn of discord and among the forgotten ruins shall rise anew, a fountain of all that is evil. The fruit of the fig tree shall be eclipsed by the new moon as the world lay in deep slumber –until the flower of the mustard plant emerges and triumphs over the enmity and despair. The flower shall cause the evil to wither and allow the fig to stand firm. The flower shall drive the clouds to non-existence with a power that pure evil cannot touch nor ponder. A power that shall awaken the seed in the fig's heart and awaken the world that lay in deep slumber."
The king and his commander exchanged looks. The seer's eyes were back to their normal color, a pale blue. She eyed King Albus.
"Darkness approaches, your Majesty. You must make haste."
"My dear seer," said King Albus. "Forgive me for my rudeness, but can you tell me why should we believe such prophecy?"
Luna smiled serenely.
"It will come to pass my good King, whether you have faith or not." And with that, she turned in her spot and vanished, leaving the King and his men in awe. James addressed his King.
"Was –was that –"
"Possibly a sorceress, James." The King sighed. "A prophecy from a sorceress of Glen. She may be a descendant of Rowena Ravenclaw –gather my loyal advisers. We must know what this prophecy pertains to."
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"Dusk means an end, possibly a fall," an advisor suggested. A number of protests erupted. The King waved his hand. They were gathered in the throne room: King Albus, Queen Minerva, James and the King's most trusted adviser and scholar, Fillius Flitwick.
"Continue, my dear Fillius, with your wise discourse."
"My dear King, 'Dusk heralds the great and the just,' –it could mean your downfall." The King frowned but motioned for Fillius to continue.
"The barren fig pertains to your Majesty, the Queen. It seems that your downfall shall be ushered in by the conception and birth of your royal heir."
Queen Minerva gasped. She eyed her King as she brought a hand to caress her bosom. The healer had just confirmed that morning; she was with child, but she hasn't told anyone yet. King Albus nodded at her briefly before turning back to Fillius.
"Continue, Fillius"
"My King, the proceeding part though becomes a little hazy." Fillius sighed before continuing on. "The mustard plant refers to a loyal, faithful and devoted servant –it could mean any of your people –this person too shall fall. Forgotten ruins could mean an old enemy that will rise one more." This statement caused the King to stare off into space, that is, until the Queen touched his shoulder, bringing him back to the present. The King nodded once more at Fillius, who spoke on.
"The fruit of the fig tree is clearly your heir, your Highness. That he or she shall be eclipsed –"
"He too will fall?" The Queen mused out loudly. Her child will be doomed even before it was born? How cruel can the world be?
Fillius thought about it for a while then let out a deep breath.
"Your heir will meet a champion, my fair Queen, fear not. The flower of the mustard plant shall be the savior of us all –a knight if you must."
"But knights are born into the knighthood," James interrupted. "Then that must mean that the mustard plant you are talking about is one of the knights of Hogwarts –for a knight cannot emerge from the commoners r the peasants, only the nobles."
"Indeed," said King Albus, looking at James thoughtfully. He then turned to his trusted advisor. "But the prophecy pertains to a flower… Fillius? Could this mean a –female knight?"
Fillius pondered for a moment.
"Perhaps, your Majesty –"
A rousing chorus of dissent came from the knights.
"Preposterous! A woman cannot be knighted!"
"That is absurd! None of us have a female heir!"
The King raised his hands for silence. He looked over to his commander.
"James?"
"It is out of our customs, you Highness. There has been no woman to ever be knighted for they would not survive the rigors of training."
"I see," the King sighed. He turned to Fillius.
"Perhaps, a figurative Knight, my dear friend?"
"Perhaps, your Highness," Fillius said dejectedly. "Perhaps."
With those words, the Queen faltered. Tears began flowing from her eyes. King Albus turned to his wife.
"Hush my Queen,"
"Oh Albus, what shall become of us? Of our heir? We have waited for so long, and now –"
"There is always a silver lining, love. Now at least we know that our child will be redeemed even if we fall. All will be well in time, my Queen."
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A/N: Okay, something different. I had always wanted to do a Snarry fairytale. So where's Sev and Harry? Well, they won't be up for a little while. I still need to establish the back story. Next Chapter: Hunt for Old Forgotten Ruins –a little bit of a history lesson. And we'll get so see more of James.
So, 10 reviews before I update, yeah? I will only update if there is enough interest. It's not mean. It's logical. Until next time! - Eastwoodgirl
