Author's Note: I don't own Harry Potter or A Song of Ice and Fire. Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling and ASoIaF to George R.R. Martin. I had this plot bunny and just had to write it down. English is not my first language so i hope i haven't mady any grammar or spelling mistakes.
The Serpent and the Lion
~Prologue~
The great formidable castle Casterly Rock was built into an immense rock formation protected and surrounded by the sea. The castle's fortifications were built into and on top of the rock so it was impossible for intruders to sneak into the giant fortress. The castle was the seat of House Lannister, one of the greatest and most powerful pure-blood families in Europe. Their sigil was a golden lion on a red field and so far the lions have kept their independence in the wizarding world. They didn't feel the need to concern themselves with the Ministry of Magic and lived by their own rules. But they also knew that they had to live in secrecy to maintain their special status. Tywin Lannister, Lord and Castellan of Casterly Rock made sure that the Ministry wouldn't have a reason to act against them, to take away their freedom. His family was old and proud and Lord Tywin always used to say that the Lion doesn't concern itself with sheep.
So the Lannisters kept to themselves. They didn't send their children to Hogwarts, the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to learn the arts of magic. Why should they? The Lion was above everyone else. No professor would be good and gifted enough to teach and tame a Lion. After his wife's death Tywin kept his three children close. They learned what it meant to be a Lannister. What it meant to uphold their family name. That everything was connected to the honor and pride of their house and everything else was second rate. Yes, magic played an important role in their daily lives. But it was just a tool to achieve their goals, nothing else. Lord Tywin believed that the most important thing was a strong and intelligent mind. The mind was the greatest weapon a Lannister possessed.
His daughter, Cersei couldn't agree more. Manipulation and cunning were her specialty. Simple words were far more effective than any spell she could think of. The young woman was often surprised herself that she didn't have to rely on magic than other witches. Her unrivaled beauty, her wit and charm were all that she needed. She didn't need an unforgivable curse to get rid of her enemies. Sometimes sweet words and poisoned wine were enough to silence them for good.
Her twin brother Jaime often told her that she sometimes frightened him. That she was becoming as cold and calculating like their dear father. She didn't mind. It only reassured her that she had learned her father's lessons well. That she would one day be the true heir to rule over Casterly Rock.
She silently stared at her twin, her soul-mate standing at the window. His eyes scanned the dark sky, a smirk on his face as he watched a black shadow slowly fading away, "Ah, look, sister. Father has turned down another Death Eater. They sure are persistent, aren't they? Always coming back like flies."
Cersei shrugged, "They never learn. The Lion isn't interested in snakes."
"Such a pity, really. I wouldn't mind if father would decide to join them. It's getting rather dull to stay here and do nothing while a war is raging outside. Sometimes you need a bit entertainment in life, don't you agree?"
As in response Cersei could only sigh. Her brother was always eager to go out there and fight with that magical sword of his. Maybe he was aware of the consequences of taking a side in that war but he just didn't seem to care. There were times when she liked his boldness and she sometimes wished she'd have a little bit of his spirit in her too. But today she felt otherwise. Maybe it was her father's voice in her head, telling her that a Lion waits in the grass. That it waits for his prey to come to him. It was never the other way around.
Patience, she thought. You need to have patience, Jaime. Everything comes to those who wait.
"It's better this way.", she finally said. "Our family hasn't joined the first wizarding war. Why participate in the second war now? This doesn't concern us. It would only be a waste of our precious time."
"Oh, sweet sister.", he began and moved closer to hold her hand, a smile playing around his lips, "You really need to turn off father's voice and allow yourself to have a bit more fun in life."
He kissed her forehead and continued, "If you don't change your ways, I fear you'll turn into a female version of our father. And by the seven gods, I swear to you, one Tywin is enough for me. I don't need two. That would surely kill me."
She looked up to him and his handsome features tried hard to imitate his father's stern face.
The woman couldn't help but laugh at his ridiculous attempt to sound like the mighty Tywin Lannister. These were the times when she saw the strong resemblance to their younger brother Tyrion. Maybe Jaime was spending too much time with that little dwarf and subconsciously copied his manner of speaking. She wished Jaime wouldn't love that monkey-demon so much. Yes, she couldn't deny that Tyrion was as cunning as she was. But his flaw was that he didn't seem to take everything related to their family seriously. He lived a lavish life, generously spending their father's money and only thinking about his own enjoyment. She recognized traces of Tyrions's personality in her twin and it annoyed her greatly.
She shook her head and gave him a disapproving look, "You should learn to think about our family first. It's disconcerting that I'm the only one of us who seems to care."
Jaime couldn't help but sigh. Cersei knew that her brother didn't like to be lectured. Before she could say anything more she discovered a servant entering her personal quarters.
The man bowed deeply and said, "Mylady, forgive my interruption but your Lord Father requested your presence in the Hall of Heroes."
Cersei looked annoyed. "Now?", she asked dryly.
"Immediately.", he promptly added.
She nodded, "I'll be on my way then."
The blonde woman gave her brother a good-bye kiss and left the room, heading straight to the great hall. The hall was located at the center of the castle. It was usually used to welcome guests and to hold audiences. She wondered why her father had summoned her here.
It must be something important., she thought.
She arrived at the hall and was greeted by the loud roars of the stormy sea beneath them. Her father stood at a great table, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Good, you're finally here. I began to wonder what took you so long.", he said with an accusingly tone in his voice.
"You requested my presence, father?"
The old man nodded and gestured to her to take a seat at the table. "I have. There have been disturbing reports. There are changes that I can no longer ignore and I guess it's time to adjust our plans."
"What do these reports say?", she wanted to know.
"Lord Varys has recently informed us that the Dark Lord has taken control of the Ministry of Magic. We can no longer afford to play the role of the silent observer now. We have to act quickly if we want to ensure the safety and position of our House.", he explained.
"So, what is your strategy? Do you want to join Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix?", she asked him curiously.
He snorted, "Do you think the Lion would join the loser's side? On the contrary, we will establish an alliance with the Snake. I've given the Death Eater a message for his Master. It says that I will send an envoy to seal the pact."
Her green eyes gave away a look of surprise but her face remained an emotionless mask. "And who do you want to send as your messenger? I hope it's my little brother Tyrion. It's about time he does something useful in his life."
"Your brother may be up to the task but sending the lowest of the Lannisters might insult the Dark Lord." He eyed her carefully, "No, I've decided that you will go to Malfoy Manor. You have a way with words and I know you won't disappoint me. I'm sure you'll represent our House with great care and act according to the best of our interests."
He now moved to her side and placed a hand on her right shoulder, his blue eyes piercing intensely into her green emerald ones. "I need you to be the Lioness I always wanted you to be. You'll agree to his terms but you will never, I say never bow down to the snake. We are Lions. And Lions don't kneel down before a snake. If he tries to place his Dark Mark on your forearm to mark you as his own, you will resist. Do your hear me? The honor of our house is at stake here. We can't allow to appear weak before our enemies. We are not like the Malfoys who cower and tremble in fear. We are his equals. Remember that and if he's reluctant be sure to remind him of this fact ."
She slowly nodded, "I understand, Father. So the snake will not really be our ally?"
Her father shook his head, his eyes never leaving hers. "Have you forgotten, Cersei? Everyone who isn't us is an enemy."
"I know, Father. I'll never forget this."
He suddenly moved away and turned his back to her. His voice a cold whisper, "Go now, child. And don't disappoint me."
She stood up and glanced at him for a few seconds. She wanted to ask him why she was the chosen one to be his envoy.
This is unfair. Why not Tyrion? Or Jaime?
She felt betrayed. Why did she always get the most complicated assignments? Walking right into the snake's lair was more than dangerous. Almost suicidal. She wondered how she would manage to get out alive of this predicament. She took a deep breath and straightened herself.
I am a Lion of Casterly Rock. I can do this. Yes, it's a challenge. But it's been some time that I had a good challenge. I have to look at it like Jaime. This will be fun.
She allowed herself to smile. No one could resist her charms. Not even a certain Dark Lord.