** this is a fanfic of a fanfic... lol head trama... running in the HP universe of "Adopted by the Darkness", I took such a liking to some of the characters my mind created this... Much of it is creation of mentioned but not explored other regions of the HP universe. **
- I do not own Harry Potter, that universe or any of the characters there in. -
Chapter 11 – Trouble
The celebration had gone on well into the morning, and the chaperones had allowed it. After all there would be no game tomorrow, or even the day after. Most students had completed the bulk of their work, and it was a spectacular game.
Although the team celebrated long into the night, Durmstang student were called to class by 10 am. This was rather generous as classed normally began at 8 am. Breakfast was before, and the team was usually expected to have a short practice prior to that. The morning practice was cancelled, and the students were allowed to eat breakfast in their first class. Very generous indeed!
Lucius, sat nibbling bored in class. His thought drifting to His Valkyrie. He wanted to see her. To celebrate with her. He'd seen player from Trotenhiem at the festivities but not her. Although, Father and the family had been there. He would have liked her there, that would have made things as near to perfect as he could conceive.
Although, Father had warned them off Valkyrie, Lucius still wanted to see her. He wanted to share his victory with her. Lucius did not understand why Father mistrusted her so. He didn't see why he couldn't be alone with her, nothing bad had happened on their date. Yet still the old man was against her.
Lucius managed to sneak off, while Prof. Gniss was holding lessons. He'd finished the work for that lesson, and was given time for independent study. Antonio had stepped out, making it easier. He left the ship, and headed over to the Nords.
"Looking to cause trouble?" One of the Nordic players. "Trying to stack the odds?"
"No." Lucius stated. "I was looking for someone." Lucius replied pleasantly, while imagining turning him into a fish and watching him flop on the deck. It made the smile easy and not at all threatening.
"You are looking for someone here?" The boy asked.
"Yes, the Valkyrie. Is she here?" Lucius asked charmingly. The image of that fish, being fired up and served for dinner, was now playing in Lucius's head.
"Who?" The boy asked. "Oh, I know who you mean. What do you want with Miss Hrafnsmál?"
"Now, now Malek be nice." She came up behind the boy on the deck of the long ship. "Part of this is to make friends and create good will." Her voice sounded sweet yet reprimanding at the same time. Lucius loved that tone. "Now, Mr Sharp, I hear congratulations are in order. What brings you over to our fair ship?"
Lucius looked at the boy on deck and wanted him to swim away. "I wanted to talk with you." Lucius said. She glanced at the boy on deck.
"Oh?" She smiled at Lucius. "Malek, don't you have a charms project?'
"Yeah." He sighed disgruntled. As if catching the hint, he replied. "Fine. I'll go work on it." He scowled at Lucius a moment. "Remember, he's the competition."
Lucius growled at him. "As I said, good will. Off you go." Valkyrie told him. "I'll be back in an hour." She jumped off the deck, and onto the ground. "Mr. Sharp, can I treat you to a drink in honour of your victory?"
"Aren't the winners supposed to treat the other teams?" Lucius teased. She smiled, and tutted at him.
"You haven't beaten Trotenhiem yet." She teased. "I'll buy."
"That might be a bad omen for the next game." Lucius teased back. "I suppose that means Dutch."
"That might be wise, but it does not feel like I am helping you celebrate." She smiled, her eyes sparkled. "But it is likely best."She sighed. "Given, all that is happening." She laughed.
"I guess." Lucius didn't sound happy. Astrid could not help but notice that he seemed to want to spoil her, be the man, so to speak. Not wanting to upset him, for he was trying to be sweet, she took his arm. He looked down, shocked like he wasn't fully understanding a moment. He looked up at her and smiled.
"Did you have a nice dinner with your family?" She asked pleasantly as they walked. "It was wonderful that they could come to see you play."
"It was a good dinner and rather a surprise that my father came. I am somewhat shocked that he brought the family." Lucius admitted.
"Why? From what I've heard from both you and Antonio, your family is very close. I would have thought that it would not be unusual behaviour for them to come cheer you on." She asked sounding concerned.
"Oh, we are tight. Just Father tends to be busy with things, and this is not really the sort of thing that he attends." Lucius shrugged. At her worried eyes, he quickly added. "Not that Father isn't proud, just not his taste." Lucius felt the need to defend his Father from the negative spin.
"Alright, I believe you." She smiled at him. Her eyes sparkling with mirth, as she pulled him along.
"You seem in an especially good mood today." Lucius commented. "Is it because I came to visit?"
"I see your ego, is not damaged." She laughed. "Well that does help, but that is not the sole reason. I have found supporting research, published research, for my thesis. It is most promising." She beamed at him. Lucius thought her joy made her radiant. She was practically floating.
"That is great news! I know that you were stuck for a bit." Lucius returned.
"I know you likely think it's stupid, my topic." She sighed. Lucius was shaking his head 'no'. "It's alright. I don't mind, I've come to expect it."
"I don't. Honest." Lucius tries to convince her. She just smiled indulgently. "I may not have considered that view before. But I admire you for attempting to bring light to it." He told her, she was looking at the ground. "Are you going to give in so easily when you fight in the Ministries?"
"I'm not giving in." She said indignantly. "There is simply no reason to start a discussion on this topic, when I still do not have enough support to convince people." She returned stubbornly. "It is not only you, but others that will speak up regarding this." She swallowed looking about the pub tent. "I think you would believe me, without evidence, men lille bekymring-maker (1). However, that is not what I want." Her eyes got misty. "I want others to be able to think beyond." She took a deep breath. "Beyond, the accepted."
He took her hands, "And you will show them. I know you will show them that they are wrong. You will help them to think beyond the narrow accepted view. Lady Valkyrie you never let other's control you. You are better than them, if they can not see your vision it is their loss." He told her. "I would like to be there when you do. I rather like watching you put people into their place."
"Oh Lucius." She smiled. "I wish I could hold that faith that you have in me." She shook her head. "But enough seriousness. Let us make marry."
"Of course. As my Lady wishes." He mock bowed to her. Lucius was well into his cup when he looked about. "There should be music and dance. Muggles have this pub thing down." She laughed and he looked at her.
"And just who has caught your eye, to dance with?" She teased.
"There is only you!" He told her. "You are the most beautiful woman here, or anywhere." He fervently proclaimed.
"You need not say such things for me to like you." She told him, "Though it is sweet of you to say and flattering." She blushed under his gaze. Lucius thought the Norse boy must be stupid, not to have fallen over themselves for a smile for her. All the while, selfishly devouring all her attention.
"It is truth." Lucius said, lifting her chin. "And I plan to collect that kiss you owe me." She smirked, Her eyes dancing with mischief, that paired to Lucius own.
"After." She warned. "Remember, an honest game."
"I know, you would not wish anything less than best effort." He raised his cup and toasted. She clanged the mugs.
"Skull! (2)" Valkyrie called. She laughed as Lucius made a face. "What?"
"I like when you are like that." He smiled. It was her turn to raise a brow. He laughed. "At times you relax, and you are beauteous." He took a swallow. "Other times you are fierce, I like those too."
"I had noticed." She teased, laughing.
The youngest two Sharp boys were out in the market of the tournament. Father had allowed them the freedom but told them to stay close the tent. It wasn't often that they were left without an elder sibling to watch over them, Father was most protective. So this was a novelty that they surely enjoyed.
Harry, was shy, and stayed close to Veritus. He, like usual, let Veritus lead the way. After being some over-priced souvenirs the two boys headed for a drink. "Did you know Lucius was such a good flyer?" Harry asked.
"I knew he flew. I knew he was on the team." Veritus shrugged, then smirked. "I always figured he liked it because it was a legalized way of hitting people." Harry chuckled.
"Still, half expected the bludger to come into the crowd." The boys laughed. "Why do you think Father mistrusts that girl?"
"Any girl that likes Lucius has to be as crazy as he is." Veritus stated. "That is reason enough not to trust her." He through his arm over Harry's shoulders. "And Father does not want us alone with him." Harry nodded agreeing with that logic.
The boy ordered drinks enough for everyone, thinking to take them back to be kind. Harry paused, looking over at the pub section. "Isn't that Lucius?" He asked softly. Veritus looked over.
In the bar was the elder blond brother chatting away with Astrid. Veritus motioned for Harry to get a table as near the pub as they could. The bouncer man caught the boy's eye and shook his head. "Can you hear what they are saying?" Veritus asked. "I don't see Antonio."
Harry shook his head. He felt as if he were spying, which he sort of was. Not that he'd intentionally followed Lucius or anything, but he felt wrong about this all the same. He stayed quiet with his head down. He didn't see the harm in the girl, but Father had said they were not to be alone with her. "I suppose that we need tell Father." Veritus nodded, gathering the other drinks.
"Yes," His voice quiet. "Lucius was told, so typical of him." Veritus smiled. "Let go before his prank springs." They ran back to their tent. It was not that they were actually fearful, they just didn't really want o be tagged in one of Lucius pranks.
Both boys were laughing as they burst though the flaps of the tent. Veritus was the first one in, being slightly faster than Harry. "What is going on?" Alek asked. "Why the rush? Did you boys find mischief?"
"No, but Lucius did." Veritus smiled. Harry was still catching his breath. He handed Ashe one of the bottles that they'd brought back.
"What has he done now?' Alek sighed.
Veritus smiled. "Go on, you wanted to tell him." He motioned to Harry.
"I said we should, not that I wanted to." Harry protested.
"Will one of you share?" Alek requested. Actually he wanted to know how much he was going to have to do in order to keep this mess quiet.
"We saw Lucius at the pub alone with that girl." Veritus replied.
Alek closed his eyes and counted to five. This he could deal with. Lucius had just gone against him, nothing that the boy had not done in the past. "I see. Anything else?"
"Not that we waited to see." Harry replied.
"Good. Both of you wait here." Alek said, mussing up his hair. Even though he had spent the best part of the past two days looking into Astrid's history, and he was really no further ahead. "I will go speak to Lucius." He would have let it go, had he been able to find something more about her. Yet she remained elusive.
Ashe went with Alek to the pub to check on Lucius. "Do you think that she means him harm?"
"No," Alek shook his head. "But her wild magic worries me." He was looking about. "A burst could be lethal. Perhaps that is what has attracted Lucius." He mused the last bit. Alek felt the thread to his son. He and Ashe went over to where the barely legal teens sat.
Astrid smiled as they approached. "Mr Sharp, welcome."
Lucius turned to his Father, he knew he would be in trouble, but did not care at this moment. Heck, it might have been a bonus to be facing his Father's wrath. "Hello, Father, Ashe."
"Greeting my son, Miss Hrafnsmál." Alek smiled pleasantly. "What a surprise to find you both here?"
"I offered to buy Lucius a drink to celebrate his win, but we agreed that it might set a bad precedence for the final match." She smiled shyly at them, teasing. "Would you care to join us?"
"Thank you." The other two men took up seats at the table. Ashe smirked, "I would have thought that for propriety sake, if nothing else, you would have had other people with you."
"I assure you, that there is nothing inappropriate going on." Astrid stated. "I have made it very clear to Lucius, that a certain decorum needs to remain while the tournament is in process." She smiled. "Additionally, that we are both going to do our best for our respective teams."
"That is most comforting," Alek replied. "But I do think that was actually directed at Lucius. I believe I asked that you not be alone with Miss Hrafnsmál." She looked pained an instant then seemed to gather her.
"Lucius?" She asked. Lucius had the grace to look confused and embarrassed. "I see. Well, I'm sorry if I upset you Mr Sharp. I was unaware of the chaperone rule, you had set forth." She stood up. "I assure you, it will not happen again." She was used to people doing worse when they heard that trolls raised her. They mistrusted her, at the least. "Excuses me."
"Wait." Lucius called. He took her arm. "I'm legal Father, I can see who I like."
"Lucius, enough." Valkyrie ordered. "I will not be the cause of your family discord." Her confidence was back. Alek realized that it was a shield. "Your father makes a good point, given the positions that we both hold, any relation that we have could be misconstrued. I mean if your own family could think that inappropriate things were occurring, than strangers no doubt think worse."
"Who cares!" Lucius huffed. "It's not their business."
"Now Lucius." Her voice had a soft soothing tone. "We agreed." He pouted, but did not argue further. Alek was in awe. He'd never known Lucius to give in so easily. She looked at them, not meeting their eyes. "Good day."
"Lucius, finish your drink." His Father stated. "We have much to discuss."
Lucius finished and followed them to the family tent. On the way, Alek debated on way to say and do as punishment. Technically he was still at school, so really Alek shouldn't, it should be Antonio. However, it would work better coming from his hand.
"Lucius, did you misunderstand me when I asked you not to see that woman alone?" Alek asked in calm and darkly quite.
"No Father." Lucius said. "But she has never done anything to harm me."
"Lucius, I have reason for my request." Alek said. "It is not as if I forbade you from seeing her. I simply asked you to have a chaperone." He could see the snarl on Lucius lips. "You could have waited for you brother. You do not have the best judgement." At that Lucius smirked. Alek shook his head, whatever was he going to do with him.
*** Author's Notes:
1 my little trouble-maker = men lille bekymring-maker: I used Google translations so may not be wholly accurate
2 Skull = cheers ; common drinking cry