IMPORTANT! DO NOT SKIP! THE STORY WON'T MAKE SENSE IF YOU DON'T READ THIS!
A/N: Alrighty then, thanks for checking out my fic. This is my first Harry Potter fic, though certainly not my first fanfiction, so…we'll see. Just so you know, this is a crossover. But it's sort of a weird crossover. If you've read Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, then you are already familiar with the characters of Oberon and Robin Goodfellow, aka Puck. If not, then here's a little background info for you. Be warned though, the fairies in this story are based more on mythological fairies.
Background info:
Oberon: Lord Oberon is the king of the fairy realm. He is also known as the King of Shadows. Oberon can change his shape and is pretty much the most powerful fey that there is. He will appear in this fic in two forms: mortal and fairy. Think tall, dark, and handsome.
Robin Goodfellow, aka Puck: Now, traditionally, Puck is viewed as a male. However, in my fic, Puck is female. Theater productions have often cast Puck as a female, and my local theater did the same thing when they performed A Midsummer Night's Dream. Puck is a shapeshifter and a trickster; her purpose is to do Lord Oberon's will and to amuse him. In this fic, I will say Puck when she is in fairy form, and Robin when she is in mortal form. Puck is only about four feet tall, though she is closer to five feet in her mortal form.
Other info: The fairy court does have lesser lords in it, at least for the purpose of my fic. My fairies are distant cousins of the ones in the normal Harry Potter world. Also, please note that in fairy form, the fey are invisible to mortals unless they want to be seen. Also, sometimes the fey, especially Oberon, will use a little Old English in their speech. I'll try not to confuse you.
Disclaimer: Okay, so I really don't own anything. Other than my interpretations of fairy lore and whatnot, the world of Harry Potter does not belong to me. Don't sue me, you won't get anything but a mountain of student loans and a really messy room.
A lot of this will make more sense as you read the fic. Be warned: this story technically takes place in the third year of Harry Potter, however, the events of that year will not really be mentioned. That's why they call it AU people—if you have a problem with it, don't read it.
Well now, that's enough of my absent minded rambles. Enjoy the show!
Prologue: The Trouble with Mortals
Puck sat idly in front of a massive willow tree that served as the entrance to Oberon's bower. Head cupped in her hands, she stared at the various forms of wildlife that wondered about the wood and wished there was some mischief nearby for her to take part in. Standing guard for Oberon was proving to be no fun.
Suddenly, Puck sprang to her feet as a familiar figure hurried through the woods towards the willow. 'Ah, perhaps I shall have some fun after all,' she thought.
"Out of my way, Puck," Lord Franteligon spat, saying the trickster's name as though it put a bad taste in his mouth. Puck merely crossed her arms across her chest and looked at him somewhat smugly.
"Lord Oberon does not wish to be disturbed," she answered. Franteligon huffed and glared angrily at Puck.
"This is important!" he seethed. Puck only shrugged her thin shoulders.
"I have my orders. It is Lord Oberon's will that he not be disturbed, and certainly not by the likes of you," she answered, clearly enjoying Franteligon's frustration.
The young lord glared at the trickster with hatred, and tried to go around her. Puck quickly side-stepped into his path-first to the right, then to the left, blocking his progress.
"You're going to have to be faster than that," Puck quipped, grinning like a chesher cat. Franteligon growled in frustration and considered lashing out at the infernal creature before him. However, at that moment, the long branches of the willow tree were swept back and Oberon came out laughing with a nymph on his arm.
Puck turned to her lord and Franteligon quickly seized his opportunity. "Lord Oberon!" he called, stepping around Puck and walking up to the King of Shadows.
Oberon rolled his eyes at the sight of one of his most annoying underlings. He dismissed the nymph at his side with a smile and straightened to meet Franteligon. "What is it?"
Franteligon straightened to his full height to give his report. "My lord, we have received word that Illyria has been seeking out changelings. She has her eye on four wizard children that she plans to raise up against you."
Oberon looked at the young lord sharply. "Really?" He looked at the pictures of the children that Franteligon conjured up.
"One of the children is twice fey-blessed. As you can see, my lord, we must protect them from Illyria's grasp."
"Indeed we must," Oberon mused. He gazed at the images for a moment longer, as though pondering the proper course of action. Franteligon looked at him expectantly.
"Puck!" Oberon called without lifting his gaze from the pictures. On command, the sprite swung down from the perch she had taken in the tree above her lord and stood awaiting instructions.
Oberon bent low to the trickster's ear. "How would you like to play in the mortal realm for a bit?" Puck's eyes lit up mischievously.
"Does my lord have some new game to play?" she asked. Oberon smiled almost wickedly.
"Get thee to my lady and inform her that she will have to be without my presence for a little longer. Meet back here before daybreak. You and I are going to England."
"The old country, m'lord?" Puck's expression went from mischievous to excitement.
Oberon nodded and waved her off. "I'll explain everything to you later. Quickly now, make haste! We have precious little time to set our plan in motion."
Puck nodded, and in a flash she was gone. Franteligon stared at Oberon in shock, and as the fairy king turned back to the willow, he hastily moved in front of him.
"My lord, surely you do not mean to send Puck on this mission?" Oberon stopped and looked down at his underling, perturbed that he would dare question his judgment.
"You disagree with my course of action?"
Franteligon opened and closed his mouth a few times before sound succeeded in coming out. "Well, my lord…shouldn't you consider a bit more…mature for such a service?"
Oberon glowered at Franteligon for a moment, before responding. "Tell me, Franteligon, when was the last time you walked among the mortals?"
Franteligon hesitated, thinking back over the years. When he couldn't immediately come up with an answer, Oberon nodded knowingly.
"Exactly. Besides, who better than a jester to blend in among children? Especially wizarding children." With that, Oberon turned and ducked into the willow. Franteligon was left outside, fuming silently.
"Who better, indeed?"