Knights, Wizards and Priestesses: (Once Upon a Girl I)

(1st Chapter: News upon the old world. Draco Malfoy is being engaged to a Drumstrang student. His fellow students are ready to... piss him off?)

***

And then... I just closed my eyes, enjoying the new feeling... a life of my own.

It seems like yesterday when my father was murdered and Mom decided to leave Bulgaria at once. We came back to London, a place that I haven't been to since I was three.

So far so good. If I was just an ordinary girl, I would probably have had the best time of my life...but I wasn't quite ordinary, even for a witch.

***

O'Connell's Manor, Bulgaria - December 1st

"Eyelleenn P. O´Connell aren't you ready yet?" Astrid was packed, standing in the hall. "We'll miss the plane if you don't hurry up!!!"

"Plane!!" This Muggle transportation was one of my mother's favorite, I'd rather use a Portkey but she had said it would be fun and that was the first part of my birthday gift. Hope the other is not an Euro Disney tour.

"Come on girl... you will love it."

Eyelleenn smirked to the mirror. Astrid Pendragon O'Connell always had a different idea of fun. Eyelleenn had been a chaser on the Drumstrang Quidditch team since her second year at school. Her cousin, Victor was the seeker and told her that Bulgarian team would have won the Cup if she had been old enough to play with them... whatever... she enjoyed speed, danger, even a few challenges... but her mom preferred books to action. Nevertheless, Astrid was one of the direct descendants to the pure line of Avalon, being brought up inside the magical thick fog that kept the island isolated from most wizards.

"If we miss this flight I swear I'll make you help me to translate all those ancient Egyptian spells until your engagement day!!!"

That certainly worked. Eyelleenn stepped down almost instantaneously. "There you are!!! Ready for a nice trip the Muggle way?"

"If you say so..."

"Lynx, you shouldn't be that down."

"Odd, isn't it Mother?"

"Hum?"

"Dad was... what is this?" Lynx (Eyelleenn) stared at her mothers hand which was handing a large package. Her face was as sweet as ever when she said, "Happy Birthday sweetheart."

"Wow... is this... could it be..."

"Something to make your first year at Hogwarts better."

"A Broomstick of my own? I can't believe it!!!"

"Ivanov sent an owl to Dumbledore and he said that your fiancé's house would love to have you as a Chaser..."

"Bet my hawk that the new Headmaster told Dumbledore about my skills..."

"So do I... oops! Lets go, the airport bus arrived."

"But..."

"You can open it on the Avalon boat... come on hurry up."

Eyelleenn gave a last look at the house and faced her new fate bravely as always.

Hogwarts - December 1st

Potions class:

"...and she belongs to the most ancient clan of wizards alive. She's related through her immediate family to the Great Lady of the Lake, Higher Priestess of Avalon, Vivienne..."

"I think I'm going to be sick!" Ron, Herm and Harry had been hearing about Malfoy's fiancée since Halloween but it was really bad during potions class. Snape was either talking about the new student or her special skills. As all school already knew by now, the new girl was a great potion brewer and, as a Drumstrang student, top in Defense Against Dark Arts too.

"... and father told me that she was also thought ancient and foreign languages since she was five, as a special skill."

"Well, Malfoy. It seems like you got the perfect wife then... hope you don't get sick of her accent so soon." giggled Pansy.

"Ugh! I guess someone here is jealous now!" said Hermione to the boys.

"She seems to be really cranky to me," smirked Ron.

"At least the Slytherins will leave us alone for a change, this new prat..." But Harry had no time to finish his thoughts, Snape has just kneeled behind them as if he was interested in their conversation.

"Prejudice... is not Gryffindor like." his icy eyes stared at Hermione and than back to Harry "ten points... from Gryffindor." He got up and went back to his desk. "I've got a new and interesting research project to all of you."

"What now?" Ron muttered

"Incenses."

Ughs and what's could be heard all over the place. "What is that to be amazed at? I want a full report about them. This project will also be part of your History of Magic grade. You should understand that a potions brewer or an Alchemist, must have patience. We are both wizards and artists in the science of mixing the most ordinary and the exotic together to achieve our goals."

"But... why incenses?"

"Because, Miss Parkinson, there are so many of them and a long Holiday ahead," Snape smirked at them, "Mr.. Malfoy, of course, is relieved from this project, considering the circumstances."

Malfoy grinned, at least something was good about this engagement thing, he thought.

Later, in the Slytherin 5th years dormitory, Draco Malfoy was laying on his bed. Crabbe and Goyle were still eating, which gave him time to think. It was better to do on his own since his brainless friends, if he could call those two stupid pitbulls friends, whose hadn´t even able to plan what to do during a Hogsmeade holiday.

He was confused. Nevertheless he was going to be engaged to a pure blood girl... but what if she ...

"I've got news for you," Pansy's bulldog face appeared at the door. "Really?" Malfoy only turned his head towards the door. "Just think," Pansy began "your new bride will arrive in Hogwarts after Christmas and New Year... so... you still can come to the Yule Ball with me and..."

"I won't be at Hogwarts for the Ball... I'll come back with her... The Ceremony... the engagement will take place in Avalon on December 24th."

"Oh! I see. Just something to cheer you up... She's Victor Krum cousin, and I heard they're much like," Pansy grinned before leaving a stunned Malfoy alone on his own but now the worst image of all had come into his head. He remembered Krum from last year. When he arrived to the castle for the Triwizard Tournament he became Drumstrang Champion but didn't won the cup... Now his image was clearly pictured in Draco's head, but, instead Krum was wearing a very frilly pink robe... like Pansy had at the Ball last year. Krum's big hooked nose and black eyes were staring at him. Krum was holding him tight. Harry's voice could be heard, "Now I guess he doesn't think Hermione is so disgusting to kiss." Loud voices and Krum lips was making Draco breathless.

"I'm... I need air... air..." Draco woke up, sweating. He still needed air. He touched his mouth and noticed that there was a plastic thing glued to him. He ripped it away before he could breath again. Draco took his wand, "lumos." A beam of light revealed an empty pack of Bertie Bott's Every Flavored Beans in his hand. Crabbe and Goyle had probably eaten them thrown the pack away... "Damn them!"

Draco couldn't sleep anymore so he decided to go for a walk. Yes, a walk would be great in that moment. He left the common room and watched the dawn from the astronomy tower.

*

Far from there, also watching the dawn from the Avalon boat, Lynx was imagining what is coming for her next. The trip had been quite funny. Astrid had allowed her to chose any Muggle artifact to take with her as a souvenir. She picked a book called Lord of the Rings - special edition and had a lot of fun reading how those Muggle writers pictured how the magic world was supposed to be. It's amazing how disappointed it would be to them if they found all the truth about elves, fairies and other magical creatures.

On the other hand, Lynx's late behavior had stunned Astrid. The new Firebolt had been lying inside the girl's trunk and she was so interested in reading that Astrid couldn't believe her eyes. "Maybe she only needed a few fantasies after all," she thought. "Tell you what," Lynx raised her eyes to her mother face "as soon as the ceremony arrangements are done, we can go to the movies."

"You are quite used to Muggle culture, aren't you?" Lynx asked looking again to the book.

"Wow. Yeah, of course I'm," Astrid said "If I wasn't I'd never met your father at all... we were studying the way Muggles believed in magic and their fantasies about it, we were at the movies, for the Star Wars Premiere..."

"And you listened dad laughing about the way that the writer made a simply summoning charm look like the most powerful ability on the world..." this time Lynx didn't look to her mother, her attention drawn to the book, Frodo Baggins was doing something stupid again.

"Well what a cold and foggy morning. Welcome to England sweetheart," the small boat was now really close to the magical thick fog that hid Avalon from normal view.

Astrid got up and muttered,

"The land of The Great Lady, where peace was kept alone Great wizards met their fates, the greatest found their tombstone Yet fear and power Bravery and heart Nothing but doom will tear us apart

The last home of Merlin Excalibur and the Grail Where truth kept harm away from our wall

Beware The darkness shall fall By the hand of the warriors and priestess

Those whom walk on the holly veil Drink from our goblet and eat from our soil Live forever while forever is here to be lived."

The next moment the magical thick fog was gone and now Lynx was looking at the most amazing sight she'd ever seen. Lynx heard the words and a mixed feeling formed within her. "Avalon oath," said Astrid simply. Lynx had never seen her mother like this before. Astrid was taller than ever, even if Lynx had stood up she was sure that her mother wasn't the same woman she was joking with five minutes ago. "That must be the Avalon strength," Lynx thought.

*

"What are you doing?" Zabini, the new Slytherin keeper yelled at Malfoy "We play against Gryffindor next and I won't pretend to have a headache to change the game schedule again!" Malfoy was pissed. Of course Zabini or any other player won't understand him. Malfoy was not going to tell them that he was distracted because of...

"Stop thinking about your new girlfriend and concentrate in the game Malfoy," Pansy giggled.

"Mental note: women are capable to read minds." Hell it's her fault too, if only she had not told him about his fiancée's relationship to Krum... "Ouch!" Draco thought it was a Bludger that had hit him. But it can't have been, it hadn't hurt him much... "The Snitch!!!" even that stupid golden thing noticed that he was distracted, well he missed it at least twelve times since the beginning of the training session.

Pansy was laughing loud and even Malcolm Baddock, the second year chaser, couldn't help himself. "SHUT UP!" Malfoy dove. When he caught the Snitch he shouted, "Training over!"

Pansy pretended to do the Wronski Feint before she smacked with a loud thud at the ground. "Ha!" Malfoy said in amusement. That made him feel better.

*

"Care with Magical Creatures next."

Where was the time going? Malfoy wondered as he walked towards Hagrid's cabin. Last week of freedom. His nightmares had been worse than the first one. His ears burned as he remembered the last one.

"That's disgusting!"

"You know what... I... I agree," a stunned Malfoy jumped aside when he heard his worst enemy's voice. Both were now staring at a box lying at their feet. "But it also... no... disgusting is the right word"

Potter... in agreement... with... me... Oh My! Ill get engaged to a Troll. But the scene below them wasn't cute either. Two Grindstein probably a male and female, were...

"Geez that's little strange... they're supposed ther be the same sex!!" said an amazed Hagrid.

"Ouch"

"Eww"

"Get out!" Malfoy was the first one who laughed

"Please just don't tell us which," said an amazed Ron

"Yeah we're not supposed to be taught about the bees and birds this way..." Pansy smirked at Draco. "Some probably prefer the self practice rather than being engaged at the age of fifteen" Pansy hissed.

"She's definitely pissed" hissed Ron

"Tell me... She often came to me asking about forbidden Potions... Guess she want to learn how to make a love potion!" muttered Hermione

"Ha! Bet my Firebolt on that," smirked Harry.

"Are we signing the nobody-wants-me-home-for-Christmas list this year, Potter?" Damn! Is that the best I can do? Draco said himself.

"Better than I-shall-be-come-a-death-eater-for-Christmas, Malfoy," Only Crabbe, Goyle, Ron and Herm were close enough to listen to the reply. Harry waited for some reaction but instead Malfoy said... "Gotta go.. lots to do... come on both of you," Crabbe and Goyle followed Malfoy to the castle.

*

Lynx has never been to the movies. She spent a lot of time training with her cousin rather than her own home especially on holidays and Astrid noticed that her daughter had had the time of her life. "It's amazing how Muggles... how they do stuff like that... it's... like..." but Astrid finished the sentence for her, "magic?"

"Yeah... I mean... No... Because Magic is real but fantasy is not... they're actors but..."

"Think of it this way. What if someone out there knows more than us? And we don't even believe them because we think we are on top of human pyramid."

"Nobody knows more about these things than WE do! Muggles have no idea we exist! As they're mistaken about lots of our culture! Our fauna and wow... everything, Mom."

"That's the reason, don't you see?"

"Ugh?"

"Yeah... if there was something unknown to the magical world, people more powerful than wizards... we would never knew about them!"

"Like that's possible Mom! We know it all, for example, me."

"Wow... lets see that."

"My school provide me every subject I needed for my wizarding life. My mom thought me how to survive during a no grill cheeseburger crises... what else do I need to know?"

"Yeah let's skip the diapers change for a while."

That was enough to wake Lynx. In two days she will be introduced to her fiancé, whomever he was. He had been chosen by the High Priest, right hand to the Great Lady, second in command in Avalon until the blood ties are strong enough to bring the next Lady of the Lake to The World.

Tradition was always the way of Avalon. Pride was also strong and the family was the cradle of the mightiest wizard. Eyelleenn Pendragon O'Connell was able to trace her family history to the three great kings who ruled Great Britain by the name of Arthur more than 2000 years ago until her mother's time. She had a longer list from her father side, the heir of brilliant warriors from Pharaohs' times in Egypt, and the mightiest culture in all wizarding world. The great Egyptian owners of the most advanced civilization as the Atlantians were before them.

But it all ended with Lynx wearing Muggle clothes, shopping during her time in the streets of London. "Diagon Alley is our next stop. We'll meet your fiancé's parents there." Eyelleenn nodded.

*

It was the last Hogsmeade visit for the year. Both students and teachers were going to the village that afternoon.

Malfoy's owl arrived at breakfast and gave him a note from his father and a package:

"Put it on when you depart from school. This is a gift from your fiancée, we met at Diagon Alley yesterday. We will be waiting at the train station. Don't be late and use that thing whether you enjoy it or not. I sent the ring and the necklace which are in the biggest pack. You'll give them to her as soon as we introduce both of you. Use the gift!!!

Lucius Malfoy"

Draco was petrified. What kind of gift comes with so many warnings or orders... oh hell!

"Geez! That must be something really ugly or odd," Pansy read the letter over his shoulder.

"Have you ever heard about one's privacy?" Hissed Draco

"Nope... come on, open it!" giggled Pansy, taking the package.

"Hey give it back NOW!!!" But Pansy had run among the students and because she was shouting out loud that Malfoy's fiancée sent him a gift all the students in the great hall moved to help on her escape so she would find out what kind of gift the mysterious student had sent to her groom. Rather than help a Slytherin, Harry, Ron and Hermione stay seated but gave Pansy very curious looks.

When Pansy arrived at the Gryffindors table she started to open the package. Harry and Ron stopped Malfoy from getting any closer and the package was opened.

"What the hell..." But Hermione took the package from the Slytherin girl's hands and said with a boring look.

"Big deal..." the package was handled from one student to another on both Gryffindor and Ravenclaw tables until it reached Harry.

The boy gave a deep look at the gift and said grinning over Malfoy, "Nice necklace." Malfoy took it from Harry's hands.

"Now that you all have your moment of fun..." said Snape, who had arrived in time to see a stunned Malfoy staring at his new jewel.

"Miss Parkinson started it Severus." Professor Flitwick head of Ravenclaw house joined them.

"I don't think that any points should be taken..." Snape gave Harry a dirty look "...this time."

"Swell," Ron said happily "Did you see his face? Wonder what he was expecting."

"From a Drumstrang girl? Probably a Death Curse!!!" Said Hermione sharply.

"Are you buying your girl some gift Malfoy? Or just say thanks and save money for future lovers?" Pansy didn't give up easy.

But Draco was more concerning about his own gift. What did the Malfoys would give to Miss Malfoy to be? Once he was on Slytherin common room he looked both ways and decide to find out.

"Hogsmeade visit. Lets go!" Crabbe and Goyle were leading the Slytherins way to the doors. Draco dropped the package on his bed, once he arrived at his dormitory, doesn't feeling like going to the village, instead he decided to take a long look at his own necklace.

Draco Malfoy spent the night before his departure looking to his new treasure. He wondered why his father gave so many warnings. It was a nice necklace. Silver chain was not too thin like a girl's, it was just... it fits. Hanging on the necklace a 5cm sword inscribed with four foreign words he had never seen before:

Nausa Malda Mela Mellon

"How in hell could that be something to be worried about?!" It was a nice gift after all. The kind of thing that no one knows you're wearing if you don't say so. Draco was so deep in his thoughts that he couldn't tell when he fell asleep, he only knew that night he didn't have any nightmares at all.

When morning came Draco felt he was lighter somehow. He wasn't able to explain it. Just he was feeling better until... "Good luck then" Pansy was grinning at him.

"Why are you saying that?"

"Because I'm not that fool to tell this on the train... you could hex me if I gave you that chance!"

"Who says I won't have the chance?"

"I do. I'm not going home for Christmas."

"Hey, Malfoy!" Zabini was standing in the common room. "Lets go, party on the train!!! It's your single party, come on."

The party was awesome. Butterbeer and lots of food. It was almost like the time when he arrived as prefect and Potter didn't make it. He was feeling better but once the train begin to slow down his stomach started aching and he thought he's going to be sick any moment. "Swell," he thought, "she gave me a nice jewel and I'll throw up in front of her. This is not going to be easy to explain, she won't believe that it was a compliment." He was feeling awful and decided to go to the toilet when the train stopped. They had arrived.

*

Lynx was amazed. Diagon Alley was the most wonderful place she had ever been to. It's not that there aren't stores in Bulgaria but that place was just... "Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor has the best ice cream ever," Astrid sat down under the colored umbrella "I bought our favorite flavour ..."

"Chocolate with cocoanut?"

"Right on first!!!"

"Mrs.. O'Connell?" A cold voice asked from behind Astrid

"Yes?"

"Lucius Malfoy. This is my wife, Narcissa" They both shook hands. "And I presume you're Mrs.. Malfoy to be?" Lucius gave Lynx a complimentary look. The girl was quite stunned. Somehow, she thought, he looks familiar to me. Lucius Malfoy bowed to Lynx and kissed her hand, the girl blushed, not that no-one had ever kissed her but she suddenly realized how much Mr.. Malfoy looked like Legolas, the elf in the movie, The Lord of The Rings.

For a second Lynx was speechless but after the first few words from Mr.. Malfoy Lynx spoke. "I can't believe it! Mom, he is just like... he's so much like Legolas!!"

"Oh! I see. A friend of yours I suppose," Mr.. Malfoy's drink had just arrived and he took a sip, thinking that that girl thought he looks like a young friend of hers, maybe a Qui...

"No, actually he is an elf" ( do I must describe how was Lucius Malfoy reaction? OK! OK!)Lucius split his drink all over the place. It's amazing how a small sip could turn into a big wave of liquid when someone spits it out in anger.

"A what?" His voice was nothing but a whisper.

"Not a real elf sir, he's a Muggle in elf clothes."

"A WHAT IN WHAT?" Lucius was imagining himself in a pillowcase just like Dobby's and he didn't like it at all. Lynx wasn't aware of the damage she had done because her attention was focused on a Muggle magazine she had bought earlier

"Here, you see?" Lucius face was mixed with panic and wonder...it wasn't that bad but... "It's a Muggle way to talk about elves, this is fantasy."

"You realize that house-elves are not like this don't you?"

"Of course I do sir, but this is just a fantastic story about a quest and Legolas..."

"The article says... Orlando Bloom?"

"Sure, that's the actors name, Mom told me a lot about movies sir, and I just loved it. You know, cinema and all that stuff to imitate magic..."

"You know a lot about Muggles for a pure blood, don't you?"

"Guess I introduced my child to the Muggle fantasy world too soon!" Astrid hadn't been able to talk until now. For the first time of her life she was afraid that she was going to be killed trough another wizard's fiery eyes.

"Well Mom, but at least I liked. This is better than ancient Egyptian anyway. Can you tell me a little about your son?" her eyes now glaring at Mr.. Malfoy.

"I think surprise is part of the ceremony."

"Guess he's also blond and has blue-grey eyes, doesn't he?"

"I said..." Lucius was having fun with this game.

"But it's genetics! Recessive genes, both of you..."

"Beg your pardon?"

"Genetic, two people with blue-grey eyes and blond hair will bring a blue- grey eyed blond hair child to the world, simple as two and two makes four."

"I don't think you've learned all this at Drumstrang," hissed Malfoy

"Oh no! You see, we've got a computer at home and I like using it a lot... I took some classes online during summer vacation just for fun."

"And because of a broken leg and arm that took a lot to heal considering how you broke it."

"How did you broke your leg?" Lucius asked

"A hex, I pointed at a stag, it's painless, we practice in animals before... well I aimed at a stag but a unicorn appeared and the hex rebounded back to me increased with the unicorn's strength. So it took a while until I was able to walk properly again."

"Quite amazing," Malfoy said. "I'm impressed. You where very well taught I suppose."

"Well I'm a good potion brewer and also learned a lot about..."

"Time to go, I want to finish some Muggle shopping before Lynx leaves to go to Hogwarts."

"Yes, guess what, I saw something that would suit your son, Mr. Malfoy, remember that silver chain at the Movie Entertainment shop Mom? Written in Elvish?" Lynx was definitely happy with the though "I'll buy it... it's so gorgeous."

Dispite the fake language used on it, the chain was okay, but Lucius Malfoy only sent it reluctantly, accompanied by a thick letter, the silly girl's engagement ring and the Malfoy's Medallion which had been passed from father to son each generation since, well, forever.

*

"We'll wait in the car." hissed Lucius.

"Why?" Lynx asked

"Because..." Lucius gave Lynx a long look "... I won't blow the surprises that involves your first departure to Hogwarts." That was a despicable lie. Lucius never cared about such things. He didn't believe in surprises or that they gave a special meaning to any kind of event. He told Draco all about the Triwizard Tournament last year and about the sorting hat when the boy first came to Hogwarts. All the surprises his son would find inside school. The only thing he had kept to himself was the information about Tom Riddle's diary when his son was in his second year, but that was just precaution. He kept the mysteries about his daughter-in-law to himself, didn't he? The truth behind his unusual behaviour today was just his own prejudice against Muggles.

The Malfoy's big limousine was parked near the station so the four people inside could see when the first package of students left King Cross, most of them carrying their trunks to cars or cabs.

Two boys as large as wardrobes were following a pale silver haired boy who had just left the station. His blue-grey eyes were staring at the limousine. Lynx saw her Fiancé for the first time and she was enjoying the sensation of seeing him without be seen. It gave her just enough time to realize how gorgeous Draco was, and also, how cool... a look of admiration was on Lynx face when her fiancé entered the car. Draco looked at his bride, he smiled softly, sat on his father side and introduced himself as her presence there was no big deal. Treating her like she was just one of his parents friends for Christmas. He seemed to be so calm and cool, damn it he was looking at the person who's about to become his wife, the woman who will wake up every day beside him... for the rest of his life.

That was how Draco was as Lynx first met him. Cool head, prepared to take up his duties, brave (through Lynx's eyes), her fiancé just suited her wildest desires for a man. Yes, because he could not just be an ordinary boy, he was a great wizard with all the qualities required.

For the first time in her life, Lynx though she was weak and needed protection and the only man who could give that was sitting right in front of her. From that moment she knew she loved him for what he was.

*

When Draco saw the limousine, his stomach begin to ache. Raising his head he walked like an aristocrat til he reached the car. Helping the chauffeur with his trunk was not how he usually behaved, but it delayed the inevitable meeting for a few more seconds. It's just a girl, another giggling, selfish, pure-blood girl. OK, we'll get married at 21 and our engagement ceremony is in... he checked on his watch "fourteen hours, so... nothing to worry about... steady... cool... wand ready, if she's too ugly, hex her! Are you a wizard or a rat?" That last thought reminded Draco about something disgusting that happened last year. Mad Eye Moody had transformed him into a ferret. The memory was so bright clear in his mind. The shame and pain. That was it, while he was opening the car door, he pretended that he would find a frightened Moody inside the car.

As the door opened a sense of power radiated from Draco and with a cold look he faced Lynx for the first time. It took only a few moments until he came back to reality "That's not Moody, Lord Voldemort is not here, and you're not supposed to hex her." In-between his thoughts they were introduced

"...and this is Mrs.. O'Connell, your mother in law to be"

"I'm honored to meet you madam." Honored? Oh my is it really me? Draco was definitely stunned and than he noticed her.

Lynx Pendragon O'Connell was not like anyone else he had ever met before. Her hair was black with a deep blue streak which suited her tanned skin. Her eyes were... something. The black spot on her eyelids were surrounded by a thin red circle which was mixed with a second circle of deep purple, and a tiny deep blue line traced the edge.

"Wow!" thought. Draco was so amazed that he spent all the way back trying to memorize those eyes. He had no idea of what they were talking, during the trip back home. He could only nod and give short answers to avoid saying something stupid.

Author's note : Draco could not figure at that time whether his unmixed feeling/reaction was interpreted as strength or fear. That was the basic reason why this story is. A lot could be different if Lynx was able to, as Draco once said, read minds, but if that happened, this would be the end of story and it's just the beginning.

(Next: The engagement Ceremony at Avalon. Young Mrs.. Malfoy arrives at Hogwarts and The Defense Against Dark Arts first class with Professor Lupin.)