Harry Potter Universe

The Felix Burton Story

Book II: Imperium Arcana

Summer sun's rays radiated down on them, past the semi collapsed vaulted-ceiling. Lichen and other plant life hang from it dispersing the sunrays with the gentle breeze shaking them left and 1: King's Goblet

The granite floor echoed their steps.

"Who knew! I've been here so many times in the past and…how can it not be ruins? I always saw it as complete ruins in the past!" Charles remarked, one more time, excited.

"You were a muggle, or the concealment charms and wards thought you were. Any muggle comes near Hogwarts, they'll see it as complete, unsafe ruins as well."

"I know, but still! Look at this place!" Charles motioned at the large corridor, with tapestries and stained-glass windows, adorning the granite walls and floor.

Emerick chuckled. "It's still ruins, just less derelict than muggles are able to see. This used to be King Arthur's Palace and at one point held Merlin's library. Only logical it is under the protection of the Ministry."

They entered a circular room, with a chair made out of white marble, split in two and time-worn in the center of the room.

"Says here, this was Arthur's throne room, where's the round table?" Charles noted, reading on a plaque near the entrance.

"Things may be…exaggerated a tad", Emerick noted. "Look around the room."

"Yeah, what?" Charles looked around, as if expecting to see a revelation of sorts.

"It's circular. This was the Dark Ages, the throne and all the tables were still rectangular, but the room is round. And it's been nearly one thousand five hundred years since then, or something."

Dreogan had moved off to the far side of the room, behind the damaged throne. "Look here, I wonder what it says here", He pointed on a pedestal with a carved niche on it and two words on it.

"Mughtern Gwedrenn", Charles' dad came closer. "The text's worn out but I think it says, "King's Goblet" If my school's memory of Cornish is still good", He told him.

"So here they placed Arthur's drinking goblet, when he wasn't using it? Why isolate it like this?" Dreogan wondered.

"You don't know the Arthurian legend?" Charles corked an eyebrow.

"I know what I've read in our History of Magic, of it", Dreogan shrugged.

"Arthur, according to -muggle- legend, left Albion in search of the Holy Grail. This pedestal wants us to believe he found it and brought it back", Charles told him, trying very hard not to explode from all the excitement.

"Holy Grail?"

"You really don't know much about the muggle myths, do you?" Charles chuckled. "The Holy Grail was, supposedly, the cup from which Christ drunk during the last supper. Drinking from it is said to distill life and knowledge eternal. There's been a few who have sought it across the centuries."

"I wonder what it'd look like? Something so powerful", Peter remarked in a low voice.

"Power affects how something looks?" Dreogan inquired, perplexed.

"Don't humans embellish items they want to attribute power or significance to? Golden crowns, precious stones in scepters and engravings in swords. Thrones with carvings telling of stories of might and feats of conquest."

"I guess so, what if Arthur did not care for all of that?" Dreogan asked.

"Power? I do not know which version of the legend is true, but Arthur lived and reigned in the Dark Ages. As just a king he might have been, the age and his rank would force him to desire power."

"Power to protect his people, or power to amass wealth?" Dreogan touched the circular niche on the pedestal, feeling the cold stone.

"Depends", Peter replied.

"On?"

"Do you want to believe the fable of the legend or historical, empirical knowledge and evidence from the era?"

"I dunno, I live in a world were myths and legends are true, or can be, and what muggles see as old dilapidated ruins is…this!" He motioned to the space around them.

"It's still ruins, but much better preserved, with rooms and s….tuff! And, you know! I, Emerick and Charles go to a school where they teach us magic, actual magic!"

"Indeed. Yet history is history. Specific events or characters may differ between historical recounting of "my" world and yours but what history teaches us about an era does not", Peter smiled at the boy's facial expressions and hand and body language displayed in his effort to emphasize his point.

"Doesn't mean Arthur wasn't noble in spirit", Dreogan pushed.

"Doesn't mean he didn't seek or need power. It's not all black and white, Dreogan. In the Dark ages, after the fall of the Roman Empire, feudal Kings, Lords and Aristocrats needed to be strong and powerful, or another kingdom conquered them and enslaved the populous", Peter asserted.

"I guess."

"Can't protect anyone without strength, without power. The difficult part's in not obtaining so much that it corrupts you. And humans have a horrible track record on that."

"How do you avoid that?"

"Not easy, power is as seductive and addictive as few things are. Delegating, sharing, enabling others to be inspired and strong by you not under you can help."

"Makes sense, it's just…" They moved on to the next room. "My father, my siblings and my ancestors have only used power for one purpose. To inflict pain and death."

"You need not be defined by their choices, or deeds. Make your own choices and be defined…and judged by them. Choose how you want to acquire power and what you want to do with it." Peter sought to alleviate his worry.

"I'll try", Dreogan tried a smile.

They continued walking through the various rooms of Tintangel Castle, before descending the stairs to the cave and the beach.

The four of them had gone on ahead, when Dreogan heard Helen yell her husband's name, clearly distraught.

"Peter! Peter!"

"What is it?" She showed him her mobile phone's holoscreen.

His face darkened, nodding. "Charles, take Alfred's hand, we're going."

"What is it? What happened?" Charles asked, seeking the older of his two younger brothers who was with them.

"Nothing, we're going to the beach you all like, near Truro."

"I'm not a baby anymore, and I have a smartphone! Just tell me, please", Charles insisted on his father's effort of vagueness.

Peter sighed. "There was a terrorist attack on a stadium near here, in Exeter. First reports say of, at least, a thousand dead and injured and the authorities advice people to stay indoors if they can. So, please let us go."

Charles grabbed Alfred's hand, following his parents. He guessed his mother was calling the parents of the friend his youngest brother was with, to make sure everything's okay.

They got in the car. "Will it be safe in the beach? I don't think we mind going home", Charles said, trying not to sound as scared as he was, in front of Alfred.

"Should be okay", His mother replied, having terminated the call. "Susan will meet us there with William and his friend."

For Dreogan seeing, these past few weeks, the family interactions between the Blakes was something of a revelation, at times funny and hilarious at times a cause of sadness for what he now understood he never had. Funnier of all were the efforts of Alfred and William to gain their older brother's attention through scandalous, mischievous and playful behaviours.

Now, as the day drew to a close in Towan beach Dreogan saw them giggle between them, looking at the direction he and Charles.

Dreogan and Charles had been chatting with Emerick, while lying in the surf's edge, their legs and thighs getting wet while their upper bodies remained nicely dry and sunbaked.

Alfred, nine years old, a miniature version of their father with wavy black hair and blue eyes he tried his best to be loud, hyperactive and gregarious. He moved closer to them.

Dreogan hid a grin, bringing his legs closer to his stomach. The boys were up to no good, whatever they intended to do this time.

Alfred came in front of them. "What is it like? In Hogwarts? Mum says I'll go there in two years or somethin'!"

Charles begun explaining, for the umpteenth time this summer, completely missing William coming from behind, crouched in ambush, holding a bucket-full of liquid mud.

Dreogan got his hands under his torso, moving slightly to his left.

William at seven years old had brown hair like his older brother and mother, he too wore it longer, the wind moving it left and right over his green eyes. He was more timid than either of his two brothers, but also way more mischievous, his brain always working overtime on how to one-up or annoy them with alliances changing on a daily basis.

Now, he moved silently behind Charles, a wide toothy grin adorning his lips, his green eyes sparkling wildly.

Dreogan waited until William was ready to eject the bucket's content, Emerick as oblivious as Charles he was looking at Alfred and the boy's seeming concentration at Charles' explanation of life in the school.

William let out a prolonged giggle and unleashed his bucket-full of slippery, runny mud at them.

Dreogan launched himself away to the left, rolling out of danger, but Emerick and Charles were not as fortunate, getting inundated with the brown sludge.

Alfred, probably, had wanted to get out of it but his legs seemed paralyzed by the intense laughter.

"OY! You buggers!" Charles bellowed, not nearly as angry as he looked. Alfred tried to make a run for it, only too late.

"Noooooooo!" Alfred whined, giggling as Charles started grabbing copious portions of mud, rubbing them on his torso and cheeks.

William tried to run back the opposite way, away from the foray but Dreogan was faster and better prepared than the others and in but a few strides caught him, and a wild tickle-fight begun.

"No! Stahp! I'll pee meself!" William said amongst hiccups from the intense giggling.

"Oh, then it's a good thing we're so close to the sea!" Dreogan feigned apathy to the younger boy's plea, but soon stopped.

Charles grabbed Alfred from under his armpits, throwing him up in the air and in the, cold, water.

Alfred gave a mix of yell and giggle that vanished under the waves, before coming up for breath.

"Who is top dog? I Aaammmmm!" Charles started saying when Dreogan tackled him from behind, sending them both head first in the water.

And their games continued until it was time to leave for home.

It was much later at night, the younger, rowdy brothers having already gone to sleep and Dreogan was playing holopoly with Charles and Emerick. Dreogan was winning by a mile and a half, 'owning' most of the hotels, apartments and services.

"How is it you always win in this game!" Charles moaned.

Dreogan shrugged. "I dunno, I guess I might be good at this game."

"Imma make you swallow that grin of yours!" Charles declared making Emerick laugh.

Meanwhile Helen and Peter were watching the news, which had largely concentrated on the morning's stadium attack. "Authorities do not yet know what weapon was used in the attack, or which group is responsible as none have yet to claim responsibility. A symbol was carved in all of the victims' foreheads. Two wings with a Greek Theta in the middle. Authorities are still investigating, the motives, means and method of the terrorists and are advising anyone who doesn't have to be out to stay indoors. In other news, there was a heist in a museum in Ath…" Peter silenced the TV.

"Time to sleep, guys. Y'all have a big day coming tomorrow", He told the three boys.

"Daaad! It's only eleven and we're on summer vacations!" Charles complained.

"Bed! Now!" Peter ordered, half-smiling.

After all of the day's activity it did not take long for Dreogan to fall asleep.

He was slowly zooming in, in a Victorian-looking building, shrouded in darkness, unable to see any other buildings, cars or pedestrians. Then a low-whisper of a laughter filled the still air.

Silence, complete silence.

Dreogan shook and turned in his bed, his breathing becoming faster.

The building exploded, sending shards and pieces all over, two wings circling a Theta erupted from within the scorched remains.

Dreogan woke up, drenched in sweat. It didn't take him long to fall asleep again.

With sun rising high above them, he walked to the kitchen, tasty smells guiding his groggy-just-awaken brain.

William was already there, devouring pancakes.

"Morning dear", Helen greeted him with a smile.

"Morning Ms. B. Morning William", He sat down in a chair next to William, rubbing his eyes and cheeks.

"Yo, D.!" William grinned, maple syrup escaping his mouth.

Helen served him breakfast. "What's eating ya?" She asked, gently yet firmly.

"Hm? Nothing, just the stadium attack", He replied, taking a bite from the pancakes.

"It is very upsetting. Now, why don't you tell me what's, really, bothering you, dear?" She smiled a "don't give me bullshit" smile.

"She's irritating like that, mum", William giggled.

Charles came in the kitchen, in his pajamas. "He's right you know, you can be irritating like that", He tried hiding a smile.

Dreogan bumped fists with him. "Nothing, just bad dreams", He returned to his breakfast.

Emerick joined them. "When's Claudia arriving?"

"I thought it was today, isn't it?" Dreogan replied, raising a brow.

"Oh, yeah right!" Emerick exclaimed.

"Just waiting for sleepyhead Alfred to wake up, then we're going to town for some grocery shopping before picking up Claudia from the coach station", Helen told them. "Then, your father will meet us at the beach for some picnic on the sand", William "yay'ed!" stretching his hand, holding his plate for seconds.

Two hours later they were welcoming Claudia."

"Hello, dear. I'm H…oh right we met last year on Christmas in platform nine and three quarters!" Helen corrected herself, making Alfred and William to roll their eyes.

"Since when are you shy?" Charles asked his brother, seemingly trying to tip-toe behind their mother.

"Shut up!" William replied, his cover blown. "I'm William, and he's Alfred, we have a question for you!" Charles pressed the index and thumb of his right hand on the ridges of his nose, rubbing them. Dreogan had to laugh.

"How do you put up with him? I mean we kinda hafta, we're his bros and all! But what is a cool-looking girl like you doing with him!" William asked Claudia, immediately ducking away from the incoming slap to the back of his head, from Charles.

"Ignore them, they're trying to impress you", Charles smirked.

"Eeewww!...eeehh, I mean you're cool and all!" Alfred responded.

"Well I'm honoured", Claudia hid a smile, kneeled both Alfred and William, each a peck on their cheeks.

Blushing more crimson than blood, they entered the car, mumbling something or another thing.

"You must tell me how you just did that!" Helen burst. "That doesn't work with me!" They laughed.

"Well, I'm not their mother, and I am both fashionable and cool. And well, half Italian, the better half", Claudia said with self-confidence and flare.

"Oh, I like you. Get in, we're gonna leave your luggage at home, have you change and head to the beach", Helen told her after a hug.

The sun burned hot, bombarding their skin with ray upon ray of radiation, giving them their summer tan as they run out of the car and headlong into the sea, dumping sandals, and t-shirts along the way.

Claudia helped Helen with the beach accessories, before slowly walking in the water. Dreogan, Emerick and Charles aided as well, after taking a dip in the cool ocean's water.

After an hour's worth of swim and water-play, they begun to walk along the surf's edge. Chatting and laughing.

Then, suddenly Charles froze on his tracks.

"What's up?" Dreogan asked, sensing fear.

"Nothing, wanna go explore the other way?" He tried to redirect, but Dreogan, more than the others, was no stranger to fearful eyes.

"Why are you afraid of those boys, there?" He asked, not in accusation but concern. "I've not known you to be afraid of anything, before."

"I'm not, wanna go the other side of the beach?" Charles insisted. "Plenty of coves and rocks there as well", He tried to sound calm.

"Don't bullshit us", Dreogan demanded. "What's up?"

"They bullied you in elementary school, didn't they?" Claudia asserted, in a gentle yet matter-of-fact voice.

Charles nodded, lowering his face.

"Fought back, yes?" Dreogan asked, trying to understand the cause of his friend's excessive fear.

"I did, but it's kind of hard when you're alone against three."

"Alone? You must have had friends? I find it impossible to believe you didn't", Emerick chipped in.

"I had friends, they feared the Haylong brothers more than I did. It's one of the reasons I loved Hogwarts so much. I met you and I was no longer alone against the bullies like Harold, plus we learn some wicked stuff there!" Charles sighed trying to smile.

"I will walk to the Haylongs, and you can walk with me or you can let me be alone against them", Dreogan told his best friend and started walking at the boys' direction.

"You're not alone anymore, mate", Emerick gave him a pat on his back and followed Dreogan.

"Fine, but you two are going back to mum and dad", He told his younger brothers, pointing there with his finger.

William and Alfred looked at each other, grinned and run after Dreogan.

"Why do I bother…" Charles hang his shoulders.

"Come on", Claudia nudged him on, smiling wickedly.

Dreogan saw the Haylongs grin evil smiles and hid his.

"Cornwall is so beautiful!" He said just loud enough for everyone in the vicinity to hear. "We don't have this in Cambridgeshire, it's bleak and dreary in the Mansion."

One of the three boys bared a toothy smirk. "Mansion? You mean you have someone who is not poor as a friend?" He sniggered.

"L-leave us alone David!" Charles tried to sound strong.

"Booohooohoo…", David jeered him on. "You think you're safe because you changed school, Blake?"

"No", Dreogan cut in. "He's safe because he no longer has to fight daft, imbecile morons such as yourselves alone, anymore."

"Who might you be then?" David's face oozed of venom. "His boyfriend?" He laughed as did his brothers.

"His friend, and someone infinitely wealthier than you."

David's lower lip curved upward on the sides with his nose contracting. "Doubtful, my father married into old money", He replied with fervent arrogance, his self-confidence marred. "We have a large cottage in Truro."

Charles, jaw slacking, had his eyes nailed on Dreogan. On the boy's relaxed pose and calm demeanor. "Ah, well my father is old money. I'm sure he must have some property around here, he loves purchasing old Manors and renting them out to his rich…friends. Come to think of it…isn't Penzance in Cornwall? I think we have something there, London, Amsterdam, New York…I could go on if you like?"

Claudia stifled a snort.

"Bullshit! As if someone with money would have Charles as friends!"

Dreogan shrugged, looking increasingly bored of the boastful teen. "Why not? His parents do more than okay, they are honourable people and have integrity, as does he. Something that I'm sure you clearly and most severely lack."

"What? I have money!"

"You have nothing, your father has nothing. His wife has. You have no honour, integrity or intelligence. You are a leach", Dreogan dismissed him.

"Let's beat 'em up, Dave!" The middle of the three brothers declared.

"Mindless violence", Claudia entered the fray. "The tool of the uneducated, unintelligent male brute. How unoriginal. How do you even live with such low self-esteem?" She said, her mouth curved in disgust.

"What did you say to me?" The boy walked in front of her, looking menacing.

"I know your vocabulary is poor, but come on you can't even understand something as simple as this? Disappointing", She dismissed him further.

"Go on, Tom. Get her already! What are you waiting for? Harris get the youn' ones!" Tom, the middle boy grabbed Claudia's wrist while Harris stood between Emerick and Charles' brothers.

"You don't want an enemy of us, boyo", Emerick flexed his fists.

"They're not worth it", Charles tried one more time to get them to leave. "Let's go."

"It's worth that you get your power back from these guys", Dreogan replied him, with Claudia nodding, seemingly ignoring Tom's hold on her wrist.

Dave cackled. "He's a powerless wuss. I ought to mess with your brothers, like I warned you last year I would if you talked", He had misunderstood the situation.

Charles dove in decking him with a punch across his face.

"Do you know what your weakest point is?" Claudia asked in a sickly-sweat tone of voice.

"My lack of vocabulary?" Tom replied in sarcasm, readying to punch her.

"That as well", She kneed his tender area in one quick, merciless motion of her foot and knee. "These first, though."

Alfred jumped on Harris' shoulders trying to restraint the boy's arms, as William dove for his legs and Emerick punched his stomach first and face second, in quick successive motions of his hands and body.

Charles had landed on top of David punching him. David pushed him off and regaining his footing he readied to hit back.

Dreogan pivoted around and putting his whole weight behind his left leg, kicked David in his junk.

David joined Tom in howling from the excess pain.

"Claudia, you're correct", Dreogan announced before kneeling down, his face on David's side.

"Let me tell you what will happen if you or your brothers ever harass my friend or his brothers, again", Dreogan brought his lips on David's right ear so only he could hear what he had to say.

As Dreogan whispered, David's eyes bulged out in fear before he just bolted limp-running away, as fast as his pained balls would allow him.

"Hey! W-wait for us!" Harris yelled at his older brother as both he and Tom run after him.

Dreogan stood up, dusting his swimming shorts. "See? Nothing to fear", He told Charles with a smile.

Charles hugged him. "Nothing at all", He smiled back. "How did you know? That he would react to you telling him you're richer than him?"

"Oh, I've grown with people like him, Cillian always wanted to flaunt his wealth on others, and come-ups and digs come natural after a while in those "circles"", Dreogan said. "These guys were a joke compared to some of the Old pure-blood wizarding family members, and easy to read. I don't care for any of it, though."

"What on Earth did you tell him? I've never seen his as scared as this!" Charles

Dreogan shrugged and with an impish grin he began his walk back to Charles' parents.

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