Disclaimer: Harry Potter and related characters, situational references and related objects belong to J. K. Rowling, Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Inc., Warner Bros, and anyone else with the copyrights. I do own the plot of this bit of fanfic and any original items, situational references, original characters, developed spells and like referenced original magical items.
A/N: Just a reminder…this is/will be a SLASH story! Oh and this is unbeta'd, don't shoot me. Feel free to point out errors, the only way I'll learn to be a better writer is if I get feedback on how I write and where I mess up. Thanks to all who've reviewed, it's good to know there's some interest. One more thing, for the most part, any referenced languages or non-English words (that aren't Czech) are purely products of my imagination, unless noted otherwise.
2.
-- "As for who I am, my name is Marjeta Vlcek, Clan Anata, House Arsaelan. And 'we' are vampires.--
Harry sighed, as if enough strange and inexplicable things hadn't already happened in his life, he was now in Prague, drawn by some unfathomable pull, chatting in the Arrivals terminal of the Muggle airport with a very beautiful woman—a very beautiful woman who was evidently, a vampire emissary.
Lovely.
Harry scrubbed his hands over his face, "Look, Marjeta. I came here because of this pull thing. It's been making me twitchy and wreaking havoc on my life. What has that got to do with any of what you just told me?"
Still smiling, Marjeta nodded, "The 'twitchy' feeling is part of the pull. It is an indicator that you needed to make your way to the source of the pull, to answer its call. It will go away once you've met our High Lord. He is the source of the pull you feel. You are drawn to him. You'll feel much better once we've reached Kynaston, the royal settlement within The Citadel."
Harry snorted, "That's assuming I actually go with you."
Marjeta sighed, "You do have a choice young man; I will not force you to accompany me, but the pull will grow stronger, the feeling of unease and disruption will increase and eventually you will either go mad or neglect yourself to such an extreme that you will die." She looked at him earnestly, imploringly, "Come with me to Kynaston, meet our High Lord and decide then what you wish to do. We will not hold you against your will Intended. You are free to leave The Citadel at any time, but you must meet our High Lord to break the nascent connection between you."
Harry shook his head.
Why do these things always seem to happen to me?
"Great. So you're saying I've formed some kind of bond with a vampire lord? Why?"
"Yes, you've formed a sort of bond," Marjeta nodded, "with the vampire High Lord. His soul calls out for its match and the Intended answer. Your soul has answered. But if you are not meant to complete the Amoraj you will know as soon as you enter the Kynaston. I warn you though, not in a millennia has the pull been rejected by an Intended."
She smiled at him gently, "If nothing else young man, this will be an adventure. Not many are granted access to true vampire domains. Often what is taught in your Wizarding schools is misinformation stemming from the study of rogue vampires and outcast clans. We are rather secretive beings. But come, you will learn more later. We should go now so you can settle in your rooms." She extended her hand to reveal a silver galleon-sized medallion with the impression of a lion at its centre, runes were carved at the directional points and an unfamiliar script ran the border.
"It is an Auris," she answered his questioning look, "a portkey to Kyanston that only responds to members of the Most High Noble house." She met his gaze and held it, "Trust me Intended. I swear by all I hold sacred and the honour of my House, you will not be harmed."
Harry studied her and the coin. The Auris he corrected. He didn't know why but he felt through and through that this was the right thing to do, finally he nodded. He clenched his suitcase handle in one hand and reached for the portkey with the other. Immediately he felt the disorienting pull behind his navel and with a stomach dropping lurch they disappeared.
When Harry opened his eyes he was astounded. He wasn't sure what he'd been expecting, but this certainly wasn't it. They'd landed in a spacious and sunny courtyard. There were flowering trees everywhere that released the most delicious scent. The walls of the surrounding buildings were warm, golden-coloured stone. The spires and turrets he could see were brilliant purples, reds, greens and blues in patterns that were both exotic and soothingly familiar. He felt incredibly at ease and more surprising (and pleasing to him), the ever-present annoying twitch was nearly gone. The buzz of excitement took its place, but it wasn't nearly as perturbing as its predecessor.
It was a moment or two before he realised that he and Marjeta were no longer alone. A very young man, no more than 16, Harry guessed, bowed to them both. "Welcome to Kynaston of The Citadel, Intended. I am Etienne, Clan Anata, House Auberon. And welcome home Marjeta, thank you for meeting the Intended."
"The honour was mine Etienne. Let me warn you now though," a mischievous glint sparked in her eyes, "this one is rather suspicious. I fear you will be spending the afternoon in explanations."
Harry turned to her, "You're leaving me? Didn't you say your duty was to me, I thought you were going to explain all this?"
Marjeta shook her head. "I was only to meet you and bring you here Intended. This is Etienne," she extended her arm toward the boy, "he will explain all that I have not and bring you to your chambers. Don't worry Intended," she reassured him, "we will meet again, perhaps after you've met with The Council."
She turned again towards the young man, "I leave the Intended in your hands Etienne."
Still confused by the whole situation but more accepting that this wasn't some nefarious scheme, Harry held his hand out to Marjeta, "Uh-thank you for meeting me at the airport Marjeta."
She took his hand graciously and smiled, "The honour was mine Intended."
Harry bristled, "I do have a name you know. I'm Harry. Harry Potter."
She laughed lightly and shook his hand, "Well Harry. Harry Potter. It was good to meet you and I hope you will enjoy your stay in The Citadel, however long you choose it to be." She bowed slightly when she released his hand and swept out of the courtyard in an ice blue swirl.
In the next moment Harry realised he'd been left alone with the enigmatic young man. He fidgeted under the young man's steady gaze. And heaved a sigh of relief when…Etienne, his name is Etienne, broke the awkward silence.
"So Harry, why don't you come with me and we'll see you settled into your rooms." Etienne snapped his fingers towards Harry's suitcase and it disappeared. As Harry gaped, he took the raven-haired man's arm, "I can answer your questions as we go and then perhaps if you are still unsatisfied I can tell you more over tea. I'm sure you must be hungry after your long flight."
Harry nodded, still dumbfounded, "Er-that would be good. I guess I am feeling a bit peckish. And I'm still trying to absorb all Marjeta told me. She answered some of my questions but left me with a lot more."
Etienne nodded and led Harry through the courtyard and down several large corridors. After they'd been walking a while, Etienne asked him what he wanted to know.
Oh…I don't know--how about everything!
"Let's start with this Intended thing. What does it mean to be Intended? I've figured that it's a title of some sort but what does it mean? Who are the Intended?"
Etienne smiled approvingly, "Good question. Did Marjeta tell you about the Pull?"
Harry rolled his eyes.
What's the point of asking a question if the answer is just another question?
He huffed, "Yes, but I still don't understand exactly. She said something about your lord's soul calling out to mine and others."
"Yes, that's exactly right. That call, signals the Amoraj, which is a love quest or love journey. No one knows what causes the souls that answer to respond the way they do, but for millennia, the Intended have made their way here to The Citadel to be courted." Etienne answered as he continued to lead Harry through a maze of brightly lit hallways hung with beautiful tapestries or decorated with intricate mosaics.
Harry's head doubled back in shock as he looked up from a particularly beautiful mosaic of a woman emerging from the sea. "Did you say courted?"
The young man smirked, "Yes. Why else would we call it the love quest? After a new High Lord or Lady ascends to power his or her soul will call for its mate, it may be months or years or decades from the time they claim the mantle of leadership, but it happens as soon as the High Lord or Lady begins to reach the apex of his or her abilities. The Intended are those whose souls answer that call, whose souls are compatible with our Lord or Lady's soul. The number of Intended has varied through time. There have been no less than seven, no more than fifty-six, though the number who answer is considered a gauge our current the Most High's innate magical ability and power, the fewer the better."
Etienne waved Harry down yet another corridor and continued as they approached a broad staircase, "The four times I have witnessed the Amoraj, the Intended have numbered fourteen, twenty-one and twenty-eight twice. I must say that I am most honoured and excited to witness this Amoraj and expect great things of our High Lord as there are only 7 of you this time. That has only happened twice before in all our history." He grinned as they climbed the stairs.
Tbc…
A/N: Still want more? Review!