Chapter 1
Nathaniel Augustine was by no means a vain person but the way the girls follow him around like a pack of wolves searching for a prey is already starting to get on his nerves. Sure he was used to the fact that his family is one of the most influential (not to mention) extremely wealthy and powerful members of the wizarding community in Ireland. He was not a tad bad looking either, his long blonde hair was like gold at his back, longer than most men and rivaled even that of the women sometimes. He had a slight sharp look also that could make any fashion designer pine to get him to model for them. All in all he was a handsome person even if he won't admit it to himself.
The only backdrop was his ears. It is angled and all in all, his appearance was that of an elf like one of those from the movies in Lord of the Rings. He had been teased by his fellow classmates when he was still younger about it. He had asked his Father many times about his ears, his father merely shrugged off the inquiries and told him that is just a birth defect.
Many at first thought he was gay when he started to grow up especially when he favored to lengthen his hair and have a great tendency to wear light colored robes that is a complete anomaly from the black ones that normal wizards wear. At first many laughed at his oddities but at a later age people found it looking endearing and noble. Not to mention the small fact that it accentuated his rather enticing looks to adoring for the ladies.
Another round set of giggles from his unwanted fan club sent Nathaniel's teeth on edge. He didn't like being pined over. Sure he was aware of the bright fact that he is much more desirable than the regular number of boy multitudes, but still the young Irish wanted o be recognized as who he is rather than what he was.
After another hour of superficially ignoring the ever increasing number of admirers that trailed after him like leaches, Nathaniel finally mad a small sigh of relief as he opened the ever familiar gate of the big house he called home.
The House Augustine was the ancestral home of the family itself. It is a five storied house made of stone and wood bearing the crest of the Augustine family for five generations. At first impression it is just any normal house, but in fact the secret passed down only from family members, the house is a fluke and serves as a portal to the Augustine's original home.
"Da, I'm home," Nathaniel called out the moment he entered the heavy oak doors.
"Nat" a male voice responded and the young Irish can't help a small grin to enter his face as his father emerged from the side wearing an apron over his wizard robes and a couple of mittens on his hands.
"What's the food Da?" asked Nathaniel curiously as he dumped the bag of carrots that his father ordered him to buy from the Muggle-market. A faint aroma of food wafted in the air making the boy's tongue water.
In all aspects Gregory Augustine was a very respected member of the Irish wizarding community. Not only because he held a seat at the legislative part of their ministry but also because of the fact that he was an excellent Auror at his young age. Even now despite his old age of fifty seven, Gregory Augustine was still an exceptional duelist. And that's where his professionalism end.
At the office, the remaining head of the Augustine family is an imposing figure, respected by all, only the minister of magic is above him when it came to politics. But at home that's where all the facade ended. Widowed for sixteen years, Gregory Augustine never took another wife and instead focused on raising his only heir, ignoring the endless parade of suitors that not only came for his wealth but also because of his good looks that his son inherited. However long terms of being alone at home during school months when his son attended the wizard school of Durmstrang have left an odd normality at the father.
Still grieving for his wife the head of the Augustine Family have taken the odd work of being both the mother and the father of the house. That includes doing odd jobs like having an obsession at cooking, doing the laundry and cleaning the house much to the house-elves that serves the Augustine's house displeasure.
"So what are we doing today Da?" asked Nathaniel, slumping on his seat at the dinner table while his father served out the food. "Are you going to the office again later?"
"Sadly yes," smiled Gregory faintly to his son. School days have just ended a week ago and the heir of the Augustine House was looking for the bonding time with his father. His father knew that as well. "The legislation have convened this morning to pass another law and I will be needed for the votes against it,"
"Really? What is it?" asked Nathaniel interestedly as he took a chunk out from the pie laid out in front of him.
Gregory looked at his son approvingly. While not the best at the academic affairs, Nathaniel was practically one of the best arguers he ever knew. A career on politics would suit him very well, and would be very useful later when he took over from him as the head of the House. Life at the Legislative of the Irish was very stressing after all where it is continually needed to be devious to avoid the outmaneuvering of the more corrupt members. Gregory despite his experince even find it mind numbing at the best of times.
"The Macragge's have again proposed another law stating that magical related animals be hogged and tied down to protect the community from their attacks," declared Gregory.
Nathaniel grimaced at the words. "Now that's just plain stupid Da. We haven't have an attack from the magical creatures of our world from a decade. The latest before was just a werewolf who had accidentally misbrewed his Wolfsbane potion and went on a rampage. And even that was taken down easily,"
"I know," agreed Gregory. "In fact I think, its another pompous move by those purebloods to remind us of their ever disgust at the other half-human of our society,"
"Does the new legislation included Veela, merepeople, centaurs and werewolves?"
"Unfortunately yes,"
"Those idiots," Nathaniel shook his head sadly. "They are so engrossed in their supremacy and pure-blood satus that they think anyone else who is a little different is nothing more than dirt on their shoes.
"Sadly that's just the way it is," sighed Gregory. "That's why we must be constantly reminded Nathaniel that as heirs of the name Augustine, we are obligated to defend those who cannot themselves. Our House has the responsibility to keep the balance neutral as much as possible,"
Nathaniel smiled and merely remained silent at his father's small speech. He knew one day that it would be his responsbility to keep the traditions of his House. He also knew that it would not be easy, the House Augustine have stood as a beacon of hope for Irish muggle-borns and half-bloods for many generations. Sure he had many cousins but the fact remains that his family was the wealthiest and mot influential of them all.
"There is another thing I liked to discuss with you son," Gregory quipped and Nathaniel grimaced. It is a topic that is unsavory for both of them but needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
"You're talking about the arranged marriage right?" asked Nathaniel looking at his father who had sat on one of the chairs.
"Oh no it's about Druff learning how to swim. (Druff was the name of their lead house-elf) Of course it's about the marriage,"
Despite himself Nathaniel smiled. His father did know how make a serious conversation to a joking one. "I'm going to be sixteen tomorrow Da. Will I meet the one my grandfather contracted for me?"
"Yes son," sighed Gregory. "I know it is really unpleasant but we gotta deal with it. Planned marriages are traditional in our House after all,"
"Like you and mom?" quipped Nathaniel. He instantly regretted asking his question. His father's shoulders slumped and his smile faded. It was no secret to him that his father still loved his mom after all these years and has never truly gotten over her death. Even though their marriage is planned, his father and mother have been able to make it work and have fallen for each other making their relationship love-based rather than paper-based.
"Yes, like me and your mother," he said slowly unwilling to meet his son's eyes.
"Da I'm sorry,"
"No its alright kiddo," sighed his father. "I just miss your mother after all these time,"
"Don't worry Da. I'm still here for you," comforted Augutine.
"I know son, and I'm mighty thankful for that," answered Gregory gratefully patting his son in the back.
There was a sudden loud crack and both Augustine's flinch in alarm when a house-elf wearing a white shirt bearing the Augustine crest suddenly materialized in front of them.
"Geez Marty, how many times have I told you to keep your surprise apparitions to a minimum?" asked Gregory after he recovered from the initial surprise.
"I'm sorry sir, though I have to admit it is very amusing to surprise someone like you sir," apologized the house-elf although a grin materialized into his features.
The House Augustine have been home of course, not only to wizards but also by House-Elves. In fact if truth be told, the entire family put together had the largest amount of House-Elves in Ireland composing nearly a hundred and fifty in population. The little midgets of course like any house-elf are extremely loyal to the House. Not only because of the magic binding them, but rather of the kindness their masters gave to them. Ever since the first generation of the House, it has been a complete taboo for the family members to hurt their servants. As a result of the reform, the small elves not only consider their owners as masters but also friends.
"Keep practicing your good humor Marty, it certainly is improving," chuckled Nathaniel as he extracted himself from the floor. Being one of the lead Aurors in the society, it would take a very talented and devious wizard to catch his father off guard. Apparently his father thought that it would be fun if one of the house-elves tried to surprise him every now and then to keep up his skills even in times of peace. Marty have risen up to the challenge wonderfully and have been trying to beat his dad for three years now.
"Thank you sir," bowed the elf before taking a small neatly folded paper from his tunic and handing it to Gregory.
Nathaniel's curiosity suddenly peaked up the moment he recognized the seal of the Legislation marking the back of the paper. A frown touched his face, it is just eight in the morning. The Ministry of Magic have just opened, years of experience on dealing with politics have taught him how to notice this subtle details to guess what is going on. And now looking at his Father's smile turning slowly to a frown, he knew that definitely something was up.
"Da?" he asked after a little while making his father sigh and slump tiredly to the chair wiping his glasses with the apron he is wearing.
"Does master Gregory need anything?" squeaked Marty coming to his master's side.
"No Marty, but thank you nevertheless" smiled the man tiredly as he patted the small elf's head affectionately making the small creaure close its eyes with bliss.
"Da?" repeated Nathaniel making his father look at him with a sigh.
"Nathaniel would you mind looking over the house for today? I need to go to the ministry now,"
"Why Da?" Nathaniel asked curiously. It isn't everyday that his Father would be found depressed over something. During summer vacations he would usually prefer to spend time with his son, Ministry business or no.
His father merely handed him the letter and the moment his eyes read the words, his brow furrowed in anger.
"Those cheating scum!" he hissed. "How could they move the time table of the Bill approval without the consent of the Minister?"
"I don't know Nathaniel, I guess it goes all the way to the top, and I'm pretty sure there's money involved in it too,"
"And that's the problem," thought Nathaniel. While the reform over the wizarding community had changed things a lot, the pure-blood fanatics still hold majority of the power. That alone is not a threat, but rather the fact that majority of these families are insanely rich and are using the money to create laws they want, or delay and null those which they do not like or pose as a threat. Here in Ireland, if not for the fact that a fair amount of Houses like his do not stand in the way of these fanatics, the country would be in serious trouble.
"They're trying to change the schedule to make you unaware," said Nathaniel glancing at his Father who is now removing his kitchen attire and being helped by Marty to his Ministry dressed robes.
"Yes," agreed Gregory. "It would be really bad, not to mention disastrous if a prominent member of the society would be late or absent in such a bill passing such as this,"
"And what would happen if we are discredited and bills like this are approved?" asked Nathaniel, though he already had a fair guess of what his Father's answer would be.
"Well we might just kiss the non-humans in our society goodbye, not to mention the civilized rights of our Muggle-Borns would be completely taken away," he replied cheekily with a grin. Nathaniel groaned, inwardly. Leave it to his father, to turn a disaster topic to a funny one.
"Speaking of that, have you decided yet?" Gregory asked, making Nathaniel stiffen suddenly at his words. He placed a hand on his temple and gave out a tired puff of wind. He didn't like doing it, especially leaving his friends, but he knew it was necessary. His family does not associate with the dark arts for whatsoever reason. It had been a hard decision, but he was confident that he made the right one.
"Yes, I'll be transferring. What year will they put me in?" he asked.
"According to the head of Educational affairs, it would be fourth year," shrugged his Father.
"That's a pretty bit low isn't it?" commented Nathaniel. "I'm sixteen years old after all,"
"Don't worry Nathaniel, you are already a fully-fledged wizard in our country, its just to satisfy the idiotic rules of others that we agreed to this,"
"Yeah, I guess it is,"
Gregory just smiled and put on his hat before patting Nathaniel on the back. "Well son, I'm off now. I'm sorry if I leave it to you to fix our things for tomorrow,"
"Don't worry Da. I'll get it done,"
Gregory patted him once again in the back before putting on his hat and glasses and entered the fireplace. Taking a handful of Floo powder from a box, there was the familiar swish of green flames, and in an instant his father was gone.
Nathaniel spooned his half-eaten food half-heartedly. He knew its going to be a long day after this. He had to prepare his things after all for one of the largest event tomorrow. Speaking of the event, something clicked on his mind and he immediately stood up surprising Marty who is busy dusting the fireplace.
"Does master Nathaniel need to finish his food?" asked the House-Elf pointing at the half-eaten bowl lying at the table.
"No, I'm quite done Marty," grinned Nathaniel sheepishly scratching his head. "Sorry if I forgot to put it in the sink,"
Nathaniel barely took two steps back to retrieve the dining utensils when there was the familiar "CRACK!" and the House-Elf was now at the table clearing the plates with his small hands.
"No Marty! Let me clean those," protested Nathaniel as he tried to wrench the bowl from the House-Elf's grip.
"Marty's going to be the one cleaning it," replied the elf stubbornly latching on the utensil like a wart, refusing to give it to the long-haired person.
'"I'm ordering you to give it to me," snapped Nathaniel as he felt himself losing the tug-of-war against their small servant.
"If master Nathaniel's going to be the one cleaning it, then I won't follow his orders," grunted the tiny elf. It gave one more pull and Nathaniel lost his balance when his hands slipped from the food bowl. That's when the elf Apparated with a small "crack" again making good on his escape with the utensil.
Nathaniel chuckled softly as he heard the small elf's voice cackling below in victory where the kitchen was situated. Pushing himself off the floor, he went to the fireplace and inserted his head in. Pinching a small amount of Floo Powder, he dropped it inside and the moment the green flames intensified he mouthed:
"National Bulgarian Quidditch Tent,"
As usual Nathaniel felt the ever sickening feeling of spinning like a million miles per hour as his head teleported automatically to the fireplace designated to the Bulgarian Quidditch team. He grimaced inwardly, Floo powder isn't the best mode of communication after all.
The moment he felt himself right again, he was staring at a tent interior filled with massive draping's and comfy chairs that is unusually empty for now. Large tables holding small Quidditch miniature maps are also present and most importantly the six well-polished brooms that bears the name "Firebolt" on their endings. However Nathaniel was not staring at any of them, but his attention was focused on the figure seating on a chair fidgeting every noww and then.
"Oi! Viktor!" Nathaniel called out and he grinned seeing the said person turn at his head on the fireplace with an expression of surprise then slowly to one of relief. Of course the person he is speaking to was Viktor Krum, the Seeker of the Bulgarian Team, and most importantly one of his classmates and friend at Durmstrang.
"You look like you are trying to hide from someone mate," joked Nathaniel as Viktor slumped down in the fireplace beside his head with a tired grunt.
"You ave no idea vat you are sayin avout," scowled the International Seeker to the head in the flames.
"Come on Viktor. Is the ladies really that bad?" teased Nathaniel making Krum scowl even more.
"I like to see you try wiv all ov vem following you where ever you vo," Nathaniel just laughed and even Krum chuckled a bit at the old joke between them.
"So Lyon have arrived there yet?" inquired Nathaniel breaking the silence between them.
"Vo, I vink he's goin to arrive later vis evening," replied Viktor before going silent again. Nathaniel noticed this and sighed.
"You nervous?"
"You know me Navaniel. Ov course I am," scowled Krum. "Veels like I've eaten stones vor dinner,"
"Don't worry mate. You're going to be doing great tomorrow," encouraged Nathaniel making the International player smile a bit.
"Is vis true vat your goin to be transvering schools this year?" asked Krum.
"Yeah," sighed Nathaniel. "Damn politics is quite demanding. I'm going to miss you guys,"
"And ve you," replied Krum. "Iv's not everyday I could've meet a person who can see past me as just a Quiddivch player,"
"Don't worry man. I'm sure you're going to meet a woman someday that's going to swipe you off your feet," Nathaniel reassured and the two of them chuckled for one last time.
"So ven are you going here?" asked Krum.
"Tomorrow morning," replied Nathaniel. "I am going with the Irish Minister with Da. Don't worry man, I'm cheering for you,"
Krum merely chuckled one last time as Nathaniel pulled himself off the fire and he felt himself spinning again before hi head returned to his body at the House. He sighed inwardy, he would terribly miss his friends, but family comes first always. That's what his Father ingrained in him every day.
"Marty!" he called out and there was the usual cracking sound as the house-elf appeared in front of him.
"Yes Master Nathaniel?"
"Prepare the bags and the clothes of Da and me, we are going to the Quidditch World Cup tomorrow,"
REVIEW GUYS! NATHANIEL AUGUSTINE HAS MANY SECRETS. I'M GOING TO SHOW THEM ON THE NEXT CHAPTERS ONE AT A TIME HAHAHA!