May 12, 1992
Most of the class sat around chatting with their friends since the defense teacher had nothing to teach them the week, with finals coming in only a couple weeks Quirrel and most the other teachers had turned their classes into recap. Draco sitting next to Pansy on the desk watching the only one actually casting with a strange eye. In fact the whole class seemed curious by the only child of James and Lily Potter.
He would not actually cast a spell, rather following the pattern Lexi taught him he would mock casting and with crisp steps turn to his rear falling into a crouch mocking yet another spell. He seemed to ignore his peers and solely focus on his footsteps, even ignoring the slight burn from his scar as the professor gazed over at him with a cautious eye.
"What are you doing Harry?" Hermione finally asked breaking his concentration.
"You must have good footwork in a duel Hermione or all the spells in the world will not help you."
Nott who was humiliated at the end of last month before the whole school just walked up to the boy sneering.
"Like that footwork will help you the next time we cross wands Potter, you got lucky I was distracted. Had it not been for your cheap tricks you would have been the one humiliated."
Draco had to roll his eyes at friend as Nott now smirked arrogantly.
"Actually come to think about it from a certain perspective I won, it wasn't me in the hospital wing come to think about it. Didn't you just get cleared to do lumos?"
Harry did not even need to respond though as the professor now walked to the center trying to break up the fight before it began.
"Mr… Poottter is using theeee…. time wisely for recap, use it or else an e..ssay." At this, all the children who were so focused on the savior just minutes prior found a partner and started going over spells from DADA and other classes. Nott ended up with both Crabbe and Goyle and Draco was pleased with his partners in the Snakelets and Pansy.
Currently, Draco and Tracey tried to smoke each other out and the other two sat on desk when Pansy lit up remembering her letter from that morning. She pulled it out from her book and showed it to Daphne. On the top of it was the Black sigil and in it showed the name of her parents, her and her eldest brother and recently graduated First Heir Geoffrey Parkinson.
"I actually received this in the mail from father today, he sent me a copy of his original and in his it said to make sure I am there." She said with excitement and Daphne tried to still hate the girl, and at times did but could not help but smile softly looking at it. Naturally, with Greengrass and Black marrying into each other through her sister and Marius they were invited, in fact they would be given a spot of honor at the ring ceremony for the new Lord Alphard Black.
"Do you wish it was you Draco? Lord Black I mean. I know your father tried to have you installed as First Heir after the death of Cygnus." Daphne asked looking up at Draco who had just disarmed Tracey much to her anger. He thought about the question and sat in a chair looking up at the stone tile above.
"At first when I heard my father describe it. That was until Alphard had Cygnus killed, who knows, probably Lord Arcturus as well." Draco shrugged and they all looked over at him. Even Harry who was working with Neville had now listened in.
"You are going to tell me that during the offseason for pox that his cousin who is the First Heir just happens to get sick. Four months later before our nutcase lord losing his mind could name another first heir he then dies of a heart attack. It would not be the first time in Black history an heir killed someone to move up and become heir, then lord. Honestly I rather live and be Lord Malfoy than be killed and be Lord Black."
Tracey and Daphne who adored the older Black now looked at each other in concern.
"Do you think he will poison his snakelets? He will be more likely find harm done to those who seek you harm. Now help me with my damn shield, the thing won't last longer than three seconds." Draco said frustrated and Daphne now helped the Malfoy heir with the remaining time left in class.
Tracey had crossed the great lion/snake divide once again and now practiced with Harry. She had now nearly perfected her own shield as time now ran out.
"If you want to practice again Tracey we can do that before our flying lesson today?" Harry said to her and seem to perk up and quickly agreed.
"That would be awesome Harry, between you and Alphard I will become the most powerful witch since Morgana." She said and struck a battle pose holding her wand high in the air causing him to burst out laughing, even ignoring the Alphard part of it.
"Well as long as you do not go as crazy as she did then I will be there to help you." He agreed and now cleaned up his books. Hermione getting ready for the history quiz later that evening had to be guided by Harry and Neville as Ron now talked to them about the favorites for the upcoming Quidditch season.
Neville had tried to get him to be a Puddlemore United fan while Ron unsuccessful yet again tried to get him to wear the orange of the Chudley Cannons. Frankly, he refused to choose until he saw a proper match for the teams.
They all now went back to the dorms before the night meal and it was as Harry was walking up the stairs while daydreaming about what he saw in the mirror is when a taller figure seemed in a rush and bumped into Harry which in turn forced Hermione to bump into a passing Ravenclaw with a stack of books.
Everyone now was so distracted by the clean up that Harry had been the only one to notice it was Lexi now walking away from them quickly. Unsure of what to make of it he just helped with the cleanup and made it up the dorms and got started on his potion's essay.
Finding a corner table Harry now resided there for the next hours while Ron and Neville now engaged in a thrilling game of wizarding chess. Wood stopped by and went over some plays with him towards the end of the scroll. It surprised Harry that making a single goal in a game had sparked the imagination of Oliver Wood.
It was just past ten when Harry was finally able to escape Oliver and made it up to his dorm room. Seamus now sat on the bed looking up at the ceiling while Dean Thomas and Ron both looked over each other's wizarding cards looking for possible trades.
"Tell me Potter, how do you never get caught? I snuck out once and was nabbed just near the library." Dean said looking over and now saw Harry try to put on an innocent look.
"Come off it mate, they know as well. We will not say a word, I swear it." Ron said now collecting his cards from Dean's bed seeing no new witches or wizards for him.
"Just allow your magic to become one with the halls and just listen. If you do that than Hogwarts herself will tell you where the teachers are. Also learn the cushioning spell, a wonder for silencing your footsteps."
Ron now confused looked through his charms book from cover to back looking for that spell. "Telling us spells that are not even in our books is not fair Harry. Where did you spy it?"
"He read it in the second year charms book Ron, we are not quite that talented yet. Although by the time we learn it Harry here will be on conjuration." Neville said and had to dodge a stinging hex. Neville now being forced to test out his shield had to absorb three more hexes. Neville was surprised how quick he was able to the cast the shield at all.
"Not as much rotation Nev, you are wasting movement." Harry said and now fell to his bed. Neville went to check on the sickly rat pet of Ron to notice the note from his pocket fall onto the ground. Harry quickly picked it up and placed it under his pillow as the boys now gathered around the sickly rat.
"Hey Harry, how long do you reckon' a rat can live? I would say take Scabbers to Hagrid to see if he knows any good home remedies." Seamus now said inspecting the long thin tail. Harry putting on a good show now walked over and joined in on the conversation.
"Hagrid might just prescribe his rock cakes, even a rat would not be able to chew through that. Ever think about an owl… or a frog?"
Ron now looked over at Harry dumbfounded. "If I was to get an owl it would cost 10 galleons for a barn owl, not to mention then Gin would be wanting one. I guess mum would give me one if I made prefect or quidditch captain, something like that." He shrugged. "Percy got Hermes only because of prefect. There are seven of us in that house Harry and Malfoy makes fun of us for being poor, he is not far off."
Harry now looked ashamed that he just took for granted the vault of thousands of galleons but Ron cheered him up by smiling and slapping in on the shoulder.
"Have no worries mate, mum makes sure we are fed, clothed, and have a bed to sleep on. We've got by before and we will continue to."
Harry now joined their conversation and pulled out a fledgling collection of wizarding cards and Ron even gifted over some of his duplicates to fill out the collection of Harry.
Harry was now getting ready for another adventure 20 minutes laters when he finally had an opening to look at that note.
Detention tonight, see you same time tomorrow.
LG
Neville looked to just be getting comfortable and Harry had a brilliant idea. Walking over he plopped on the end of his bed.
"Oh godbrother of mine, how would you like to help me find the kitchens?" He asked and Neville looked up like he lost his mind.
"It is near the Hufflepuff entrance. There we found it." Neville said and went to cover up but Harry pulled the covers off of him.
"How about we go find it then, I have never been to their dorms and I know you have not. I am told they have toffee there, a whole closet full."
Neville perked up at this and now pondered and looked into the convincing eyes of Harry before giving in.
"If we get caught you are writing to Gran and telling her that it was your idea the whole time. Let her send you a screamer."
The boys now laid in their beds until their three dormmates all were snoring away. Ron though seemed to sound like snore as loud as a horse neighing in pain. Taking out his cloak the two boys now slinked into the common room where they passed Percy the prefect now asleep on the couch before the flames. They looked beside him and saw a box of candies shaped in a heart, it had been signed by Penelope, most likely forged by the twins.
Pushing their way past the portrait she had stopped being surprised to be woken at this time and simply went back to sleep.
"Are you sure about this?" Neville asked now looking around for prefects or teachers. Where Neville took small nervous steps Harry took bolder more confident steps.
"We have 5 more minutes before the rotations move up here. Let's hide here for in this alcove and go down when they come up." Harry said and pushed Neville to an alcove. Just like Harry said the sixth year prefect of Hufflepuff now walked up with Penelope Clearwater. They slinked past the two and now made their way to the area the twins told them but had no luck having been ran off by the Hufflepuff prefect just starting her rounds.
The heart of Neville was now beating a thousand beats a minutes as they now quietly stepped through an abandoned hallway. Neville went to speak but Harry hushed him quickly and then pointed to a cat that now walked down the hallways.
Ms. Norris seemed to look their way and went to investigate but the sounding of footsteps now ran past him as a Ravenclaw fifth year with her boyfriend now turned the corner. Not that far behind them was Filch who was right on their tail. The cat abandoning the hunt for them now ran after her master.
"And you were worried Neville, did you want to do anything before we head back Nev?"
Neville's immediate thoughts were hell no, then he thought about his knockback jinx.
"Teach me the knockback jinx. I connected with Ron squarely and he barely moved back an inch, Nott went flying back to the wall when you hit him with it."
Harry agreed and soon went to the study hall and entered a new study room for him. For security purposes, Harry took Neville to a different one than he and Lexi studied in. Neville now started and Harry could not for the life of him figure out why the spell was not working.
Harry would put up a paper thin shield in defense and the jinx just seemed to bounce lazily off the shield.
"I don't know Nev, it makes no sense why it is not working. Can you feel your core when doing it?"
"For the hundredth time Harry, yes. Maybe I am destined to be a squib like Malfoy said."
Harry walked over and gave him a pat on his shoulder. "Do not say that Neville. You are gonna be brilliant one day and I will be there when you rub it in Malfoy's face. Now let's continue and practice." Harry said and walked to the other side again and Neville through sheer repetition had increased the strength slightly where it actually broke Harry's thin shield.
It was 1 am and the two boys were now back under the cover of invisibility when they were passing a hall but heard voices coming from down there. Neville tried to move away but was dragged to the voices by Harry. The two came to a hall where it looked as if Snape was chasing down their defense teacher Quirrell. They now hugged the wall as both teachers came closer.
Snape grabbed the collar of the stuttering professor and glared at him for a second before looking puzzled their way. Releasing one hand from the defense teacher Snape now reached out their way but came up three inches short on his grab. Pushing it aside Snape now turned his attention back to the quivering fool.
(Taken from the book on page 180-181.)
"…don't know why you wanted to meet here of all places, Severus"
"Oh, I thought we'd keep this private, students aren't supposed to know about the Philosopher's Stone after all."
"Have you found out a way to get past that beast of Hagrid's yet?"
"but, Severus, I-"
"You don't want me as your enemy, Quirrell"
"I don't know what you-"
"You know perfectly well what I mean."
"- your little bit of hocus pocus. I'm waiting"
"But I don't-"
"Very well. We'll have another little chat soon, when you've had time to think things over and decided where your loyalties lie."
Snape now strode down the hallway leaving the defense teacher there alone. Quirrell now looking at the leaving form of Snape now spoke to himself gathering his wits again and now left through the other hallway.
"Snape is trying to steal the stone Nev." Harry said leading Neville into a nearby classroom. The Grey Lady seemed to be sitting alone and reading but at seeing students enter her quiet place just floated to another room to find more quiet.
"You saw how he treated Professor Quirrell, it was probably Snape who snuck the troll in as well. We must figure out why Snape wants the stone, or who he works for." Harry said feeling his blood start to flow.
Neville though looked unsure and found a seat on a table. "Gran is a board member for the school Har', let's just tell her what is going on. We are only 11 years old, do you think we can take on a fully grown wizard?"
Harry did not look convinced though and shook his head. "We can trust your gran but who else is in on it? We must figure out what is going on Neville and come up with some proof. Come on, it is getting late." Harry told him and both boys now went under the cloak and slinked their way back to dorm rooms.
Harry tried to get a restful sleep but all he could think about was what was under the castle in his way. It was the image though of his mother in the mirror that stuck with the boy and finally helped him doze off to sleep.
(Scene Change)
The two girls stood before the adults with expected faces on as the married couple seemed to quaril before them.
"I insist they stay here Arthur, I still do not trust those little girls." Molly insisted as Bill walked into the kitchen.
"Now Molly dear you cannot judge them by simply their last name. You are on the Black lands often visiting Isla, Bill, are the Carrow girls evil and cruel?"
"It was not Hestia nor Flora who invited us though, Astoria was the one who wrote me." Ginny said stamping her foot as Luna simply sat on the side with a daydream smile out the window. "Her and Marius are like super nice and you do not even know Hestia and Flora. Please, can we go? I mean if I cannot visit my own cousin than when can I leave?"
Bill walked over and much to the excitement of Ginny came to his sister's defense.
"Marius is a good lad mom and her mom Megan runs a tight household. Isla wanted me to drop off a book anyways, I'll go with Gin and Luna and make sure they are not corrupted." Bill now said and was engulfed in a hug by Ginny and received a sweet smile from Luna who looked just along for the ride.
"Come now Molly dear, you met the lad at the funeral and even the Carrow girls. Away from the influence of their parents and aunt they may grow into respected members of our society. Go ahead Ginny but you two are to be back here at 7 pm. If you get asked over for dinner do not leave us guessing, tell us. Deal?" Arthur now said walking around the counter and looked towards Bill. "Be careful with Isla son, she may be very sweet but if you lead her on falsely do not forget what her last name is. I will not judge young Alphard unfairly but he was raised and trained to be Blackest of the Black as second heir." Father now advised son and Bill who never had any reservations about spending time with Isla now thought on the words while leading the girls to the fireplace.
They emerged through the flame to the smell of something sweet filling the room of the sitting area. Luna looked around the room and saw a room decorated in antiquity but over the fireplace was a massive portrait of their future lord so Marius and his kin never forgot who they served.
"Gin, look what Lola made us." Hestia said with excitement running in with a plate of eclairs on a plate. The girl that along with her twin shared the plain looks of their Aunt Angela had on a summer dress that had a smear of chocolate already on it. She put it on the end table and Luna lit up seeing a white chocolate eclair, taking it and biting in her mouth filled with happiness.
"Oh Hestia, this is my friend Luna Lovegood, Luna may I present you, Hestia Carrow." Ginny said now looking at the plate herself. Hestia expected the look of distrust on Luna's face but saw a genuine smile as white chocolate now graced the edges of her mouth.
"It is a pleasure Hestia, if we could stop by the lake so I can make sure no moon frogs are hiding here? Father tells me he saw one once on the Black lands visiting for a wedding as a child." She said with wonderment in her voice and it caught Hestia off guard, she simply shrugged not wanting to press the issue.
"Why not, Flora is at the lake with the lovebirds. Oh, Bill, I should warn you Isla is all dressed up for a date, I wonder if this mystery man will like her dress?" She pondered and grabbing the plate ran off with the two girls leaving Bill confused and… jealous. He got startled hearing a laugh from the entrance of the room. He had to force himself not to oogle the lovely Isla Black who wore a body shaping black dress that highlighted every curve she had and a set of matching black heels.
"The brat just seeks to work you up Bill. I am still waiting for someone to properly ask me out." She said pondering and walking towards him with a sway of her hips. "In reality Heir Alphard skipped out of Hogwarts for the weekend and is demanding to question father on some of his spending, we must all be dressed at our best and ready to grovel." She said shrugging and looked up at the portrait now feeling uneasy, almost like the portrait itself was spying on them.
"Is your father going to be okay? If you were to be cast out of my life I would be…. sad." He now said and she just smiled kissing his cheek.
"Grandfather took the liberties of investing coins that was not his on behalf of House Black and losing the chest 100,000 galleons. That said though we have also brought in 500,000 galleons the short time we have been here so he will be forgiven, just a shorter chain. Now come help me set up tea and the table. I am sure you being there will soften the blow on grandfather, Alphard seems to like you." She said and grabbed the confused man by his elbow and walked him towards the formal parlor.
Outside by the lake they came across Flora laying on a towel with her swimsuit still wet from the swim.
"Sissy, where are the lovebirds? I imagine they are practicing the kissing part of their ceremony." Hestia now said laughing causing Flora to look up and wave to Ginny.
"Something about seeing a baby unicorn, I told them not to but like Astoria would ever listen to me." Flora simply shrugged and put her sunglasses back on and went back to sunbathing. Hestia though racked her mind trying to figure out where they could have gone and gasped loudly.
"Was it the unicorns by the veelas or the ones by the giants?" Hestia now asked in concern looking across the lake where you could see the small veela village of maybe 150.
"You have veelas and giants here?" Luna asked amazed with a happy excitement in her voice.
Hestia pointed to the village on the other side of the lake where you could see a small row of docks and fishing boats. "Princess Abril, King Louis niece is a veela and their lands were being invaded by vampires since Louis' father promised them the land in a deal long ago. Well Fleur wrote to Alphard asking to offer the abandoned village as a favor to her and he approved, the king also approved personally paying the taxes from his personal vault. Now Black lands are officially a protected sanctuary according to the ICW, offering a tax break for Alphard." She said and Luna strained and saw some young witches along with their mates of both sexes or children rebuilding the village. At the edge of the water Ginny looked awestruck seeing three unicorns seemingly being watched over by a veela witch.
She now pointed over into the woods to the east where a dense forest lied.
"Over there is more unicorns and well… a lot of scary monsters as well including a group of 8 giants. We give them their space and they respect ours. Well Hestia which way did they go?" Flora now asked and her twin pointed to the wooded area. Flora ran inside the house and came out a few minutes later with Pollux by her side. He was dressed in very formal attire for the meeting and looked concerned as Megan now stomped out angry in a dinner formal cocktail dress. It was very kind to her figure and they saw where Isla got most of her looks from.
"I told them over and over again to not venture out into those damn woods. Go and find them Pollux, I will entertain Heir Alphard until you return. I swear I am going to switch Marius for the first time once he gets back here." Megan said with concern clear in her voice and walked back into the manor.
"Can we help Pollux? Ten eyes are better than two. We will not leave our brooms, we swear it." Hestia said speaking for the group of four girls and Ginny looked excited but nervous as well while the same daydreaming smile of Luna still graced her face. Pollux looked uncertain but nodded.
"If I send you home you will fly home quickly and obey or else I will tell Andi it was you who broke her vase." Pollux warned Hestia who tried to look innocent and annoyed someone else knew but shook her head. He gave safety instructions to the girls as they walked to the broom shed and retrieved their brooms.
Ginny who only expected to have a boring, relaxing day by the water now flew high in her broom as Luna now with a wonderment smile upon her face now sat sideways on the broom but rose evenly as well.
"Stay above the tree line and if you see any danger do not land, fly away and find me or another adult. Am I clear?" Pollux now told the girls as Ginny now became mesmerized by the view of Lake Orion.
"Of course, sissy I bet I'll find them before you." Hestia now said to Flora flying around the group full of energy.
"This is not a game Hestia, if you are even scratched I hate to see how angry Alphard would be with us. Now calm yourself if you are going to help us." Pollux ordered and Hestia did slow down and nodded.
"Well then let's go girls and stay tight."
With those instructions, the four girls now followed close to the tail of Pollux and now flew to the wooded area. Luna looked around the mystical lands and felt alive. Emerging from the forest was a creature that all her companions seemed to not even notice, a fully grown thestral now with full wings spread out flew gracefully away from them as a youngling just past foal now tried to keep up with his mother. She started to drift off but came back to reality when Ginny tugged slightly on her sleeve getting her back on track.
"Did you know they have thestrals here Ginny, this place is so amazing. So many creatures."
Pollux looked behind him sadly knowing no ten-year-old girl should ever have to be able to see them. "Like Ginny, you have an open invitation young Luna, just let us know and we will prepare your favorite treat."
"Sugar lumps to feed the unicorn foals." She said happily and went back to daydreaming. It was not much long after that they flew over the canvas of the forest and Ginny was enthralled seeing a herd of centaurs now chasing down a buck.
"Look, there is the giants and unicorns but I don't see Tori or Marius." Flora said pointing down to a camp that sat on a stream that led to Lake Orion. The tents were the sizes of houses and behind the camp was the unicorns that the giants seemed to adopt, some 30 unicorns. The girls watch with great humor as a newborn foal now danced around the large leg of the leader of the giant colony.
Ginny had never seen the creatures before besides in textbooks of Bill's and Charlie's so seeing 19 giants make a colony and live much like the way she lived at home just astounded her. The sight that made her chuckle was seeing two young giants that now with smaller clubs in hand now play fought each other. The girl giant with a larger tooth protruding from its mouth seemed to have to upper hand as the mother just lounged by the large fire.
"Apparently they move down here setting up fishing nets during the spring but move farther up stream near the cave system during winter. Do not break the canvas of the trees girls, I will ask Hoarp if they have seen them." Pollux now told the girls and flew to the floor of the forest where the giants seemed to brace for intruders, they relaxed their fighting stance but still looked angry seeing the lord of the nearby village fly to them.
They were in mid-conversation when a giant now let out a gruesome cry causing all eyes to turn east. There were a group of 4 trolls that were passing by that tried to steal one of their massive oxen for food. The giants on the edge now with their large clubs now ran the trolls out of their camp and Pollux came flying back up to the girls.
"It seems they passed through there and Hoarp had to save them from a group of spiders. They ran off as the giants fought off the acromantula that some how found their way here from Borneo. Hoarp said they moved north, come on girls. And watch out for large spider webs."
The girls now looked more scared than before but followed him to a couple miles north to the cave system and Pollux using a detection spell found the cave now held four people and four creatures.
A fifth person now showed up walking towards the cave in the light of the pink haired future auror, Nym. Seeing this him and the girls now landed at the cave and Ginny nearly wretched seeing her clothes covered in a strange green liquid that smelt putrid.
"Pollux, girls. I see you were worried about them also. They were lucky that I was leading a team to kill these damn spiders. I swear I will kill the person who introduced them to these lands." Dora spat and ushered the group into the large cave system. They were only using the front of the cave and Ginny now jumped behind Hestia who inturned jumped behind Flora seeing the large laying and panting form of a cerberus who looked weak. On the side to the mother was a dead pup that stood no more than 4 feet and a large acromantula now was dead between the two of them.
"Tell me Dora you killed the nest?" A smooth voice said next to the mother cerberus patting its side. The dog rather than attack just quietly enjoyed the motions.
"I killed that nest that but a single queen can lay 100 eggs in 6 weeks. We do not know how many were laid throughout the forest. I would suggest reaching out to the goblins who are experienced in this and just offer them the venon for payment."
Ginny now stepped closer to find the source of the voice and saw Heir Alphard comforting the beast while his regent stood behind him. They looked towards the far wall and there were three more pups that seemed to be crawling all over Astoria and Marius. The nine heads of the pups now took turns licking the faces of the children.
"Is she going to die Al?" Hestia said stepping forward closer to her cousin. He now smiled sadly and nodded waving her closer. She walked forward on calmer steps and then he grabbed her hand gently and guided it to the spot he was just petting. He stood up and looked at the new arrivals.
"I recognize the lovely Ginerva but may I ask who I have the pleasure of meeting?" He said walking towards Luna who now lit up and blushed having the attention of the handsome older boy.
"I am Luna Lovegood, I love your lands Heir Alphard. So magical." She said in a faraway voice and she shook his hand as he laughed but turned back to the dying dog sadly.
"Pollux I need you to take all the children out so we can get to some nasty business. Also it seems like your future daughter in law in the name of Marius has adopted the three pups. I will find a new home if this arrangement does suit you and your wife. I am sure Hestia and Flora would not mind a little company at the main manor."
Pollux looked at his son who actually looked quite smitten by the pups, and with Astoria. While they were still 6 years away from exchanging their vows the two seemed to grow closer and closer together.
"Your cousins will obviously always welcomed but us at Cygnus' Retreat will be more than happy to give them a home."
Alphard now laughed slightly and looked back at Pollux. "The old man finally named his home huh? I take it after his father?" Pollux nodded and started waving the children together.
"Grab a pup and we must leave the cave for a little while. Come children."
He now said ushering them out. The puppies tried to walk back to their mother but Astoria held onto a little girl pup tight while Marius held onto a boy puppy. The finally puppy was given to Luna who now had to wipe a tear away knowing what was going to happen.
"What is going to happen to the mother Pollux?" Ginny asked as they were now led farther away from the cave. Ginny got her answer seeing green light up the cave for a mere second and she was left speechless.
"That my dear is the legal use of the killing curse. The mother would just suffer for days, now I imagine Andromeda will be filing a report to the ministry of the events. Do not be sad Luna, I know what happened to your mother but as sad and insensitive as it sounds that is the circle of life. All we can do is try to make the memory of those lost proud." He said hugging her and she cried a little bit leaving all the children quiet. She did not need to wipe the tears away since the puppy heads now did that for her causing her to laugh.
"We will keep the puppy here Luna but you can name her and she will be your very own puppy if you like." Astoria said and she held up her little girl. "I am naming mine Angie, Daphy, Alphy." She said and the three heads all looked towards her.
Luna was just thinking of names when the figures of Dora, Andi, and Alphard walked out. The future lord flanked by his aunt seemed amused by the names and now petted each of the three heads.
"It seems they have found a good home. Pollux, this adventure has wasted my entire day home so your father is spared today. Tell him though we are watching him now." He now said towards Pollux who nodded back at the soon to be lord. Turning to Andi she was playing with the puppy in the hands of Luna.
"Have a team eliminate all those damn spiders from my forest and get the help of the giants and the herd of centaurs. Promise them food and supplies in the name of land unity. The last thing I need is Dororn and his herd to launch an attack on Alphard's…. Andromeda's Hamlet."
Ginny still saw the flash of green in her eyes and now pictured the dog laying dead in the cave. Alphard and Dora had left them to go back to school and the girls plus Marius finally made it back to the water by the manor enjoying the day. Luna's pup seemed to take to water the most and even barked as the merpeople now swam by the shore.
They were later joined by three of the Veelas that lived across the way who decided to row their boat over. Ginny only having seen Fleur was surprised that while the one would be considered cute she was not beautiful as she had read in the book on them. That said though the elder sister now watched her two younger ones and chatted with Lola.
Megan Black had even brought out treats for the girls looking like she had a lot less stress to deal with with the news of Alphard back at school. They all even started teasing Bill who looked to be getting cozy with Isla down by the beach.
Bill now chased the children around
Overall the day had been one she would not forget and as nightfall was hitting her and Luna were now flooing to their own home. Emerging in the Burrow with Bill, Molly rose to greet her children as the elder William now seemed to be sitting in the living post Molly meal with his wife.
"Ah Gin you just missed Serra, she waited for a bit for you after dinner but decided to go do her homework." Her Aunt Cecelia said to her niece. The adults instantly saw the long face on Ginny and looked concerned.
"What have those lousy Blacks done to my little niece?" William now rose up in anger and was checking on her. The younger Bill now pushed his uncle away slightly perturbed at his uncle.
"Do not paint them all with the same brush as Bellatrix or the Blacks of the past uncle. I will remind you that Isla's mother is accepted in the family and she is a muggle. Not to mention the squib Phineas and his muggle wife Mary."
William was caught off guard with the passion in his voice but smirked remembering how much him and Isla danced at Christmas.
"If you must know Ginny here from a distance had to experience the real purpose of the killing curse, a humane death." He told them and in a panic Molly wrapped up her daughter in a tight hug patting her head.
"Was it a traitor to the family? I told you, Arthur, I should have stood my ground against your mother and refused to allow them close to that family."
Ginny though separated from her mother and told the story and soon had an engaged audience. William hearing about the acromantula had to wince facing off with a nest or two in the previous war. Molly hearing the state of the dying mother with pups now felt slightly ashamed jumping to conclusions but smiled hearing the end of the story with the three pups being adopted and raised on the lands.
"As much as we drill into your head that the killing spell is wrong Gin that is what the spell was designed for. Do you know where they found the killing spell first?" Arthur said now approaching his daughter seeing her conflicted on the use of the killing spell. She shook her head.
"Old farming journals by wizards in the 1200's used to put their livestock down without pain. The mother would have ended her life in miserable pain and they did the right thing." Arthur told her and Gin now looked towards her uncle who nodded in agreement even though he wished his niece would have been much farther away.
"Now tell us what creatures you saw on the lands." Her father said to her and now pushing aside the killing curse she launched into every last detail about the giants, veelas, and apparently the theserals that Luna saw.
Getting leftovers and wishing her Uncle William and Aunt Cecelia goodnight she soon founded her bed pulling out a picture from one of those new cameras. There with the lake as a background was Flora and Hestia who stood in the center and Astoria now took the place on the other side of Flora. Next to Astoria was Marius who had a bright smile on his face while on the opposite side was Luna and Ginny. All the children grabbed each other's waist and moved in close for the picture with wide grins on. In the center before them all were three little cerberus puppies that seemed to find enjoyment in wrestling with each other.
Looking back at her friends once more she now found a sound sleep.
A/N:
So now we know what is actually on the Black lands and they all live in relative harmony. The veela are an arrangement with the King of France to protect some of the veelas and they along with a herd of giants watch over the unicorn on the lands. That is their price along with taxes paid by King Louis XI for living on the land.
Also I want to develop Ginny into a deep character right from the start of her introduction and no better way to develop character than make sure she has some future Slytherin and Ravenclaw friends. But will she end up in the house of the lions with her cousin Serra :O Honestly unsure yet so it will be a surprise to me.
Oh and Astoria named each individual head just so you know, Angie after Angela Black, Alphie after Alphard, and Daphie after Daphne. Anything you would want either Hestia or Luna to name the pups?
Oh the Harry scene is just to show that his sense of adventure is starting to grow and he is becoming a very bad… or very good influence on Neville. Missed the part of Harry nearly falling off his broom during the match so here is how they know to target Snape.
Well I will shut up and hope you enjoyed and are enjoying my story so far. Any reviews/comments/messages you wanna pass on just shoot them towards me and I will be sure to get back to you as quick as possible. Also any pairings you would love to see I am interested. No harems for Harry, Neville, Hermione or any character though.
Well see you next week.
Ric
"Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary."
Dead Poets Society, 1989
