Chapter 21
Meeting All Kinds of New People
Ginny yawned tiredly and rubbed the sleepy out of her eyes. Draco was still snoring softly next to her, with no intent of getting up anytime soon. They'd been excused from class for the day due to their meeting with the Council of Eiram at 12. Remus had dropped off four pairs of robes that they were required to wear for the meeting and Ginny wasn't looking forward to putting it on. She was beyond frightened about what this council was going to say to her and her friends.
"Would you stop thinking so hard," Draco mumbled from his spot where he was buried under a pillow. He pulled Ginny down under the sheets and under the pillow with him. "What's the matter?" he asked. Ginny sighed and kissed Draco's forehead.
"Nothing really," she tried.
"Don't lie," Draco chastised softly. "The thoughts running around in your chaotic mind woke me and I'm trying not to pry,"
"I'm…" Ginny paused. "Scared," she finished. "I mean…it's…"
"Me too," Draco cut in. "And I'll deny it like a dog if you tell anyone,"
"We should probably get up," Ginny stated. She snuggled closer to Draco hiding her head on his shoulder.
"Ten more minutes won't kill us. It's only nine in the morning," Draco replied.
10 o'clock and Remus Lupin, Defense against the dark arts teacher, sat quietly in an armchair deep in the dungeons. He sipped his tea as he watched Hogwarts own Potions Master scowl and pace up and down the room. Severus Orion Snape was far from being happy at the moment. He was in no mood what so ever to be dealing with the idiots that belonged to the Council. And he wasn't in any way anticipating seeing one particular person on that said Council. Of course just his luck that the head council woman herself put her foot down and demanded his presence. If it wasn't for the fact that he refused to leave Draco alone with those sharks, Snape would've used everything he had not to go.
"Severus, your running a thread in the carpet?" Remus drawled, smiling in amusement at the man's pacing.
"Remus you're aggravating me," Snape growled, glaring. He stopped his obsessive pacing though and grabbed the robe lying across the arm of the couch, grimacing as he pulled it on. He hated them he decided. Fifteen years had faded the once inky black to a dingy grey, yet the trim of the sleeves and collar where still a vibrant red in color. It signified his rank among the vampire's. It told the world he was top dog. What it didn't say was the price he had to pay to get there.
"Your heads going to explode if you don't stop thinking so hard," Remus chortled. Snape glared at him but sat down. "You insanely over thinking things,"
"You don't know what you're talking about," Snape said monotonously.
"I may not have ever really been your friend, Severus but I know you well enough to know you only scowl so ferociously when your thinking about something you don't like," Remus explained, taking another sip of his tea. Snape continued to glare at him in annoyance. "You do realize your foul mood will only make things worst,"
"I expect you want me to smile like some idiot," Snape growled again.
"No, of course not," Remus smirked. "It might just kill you,"
"Are these robes for real?!" Draco exclaimed, scowling at himself in the mirror. Ginny shrugged from next to him, not really knowing if he really wanted an answer or not. "Seriously, pure white!" Ginny laughed because Draco's robes were a bit on the extravagant side. Pure white in color and crafted from silk, they were robes fit for a Malfoy. The trim of the sleeves, collar and bottom, all shone with a dark purple. Ginny's robes where similar in fashion expect blue in color with a white collar and a purple trim everywhere else. Neither teenager could say they didn't look good in their respective attire because everything clung in all the right places showing exactly why Siren were noted as the most beautiful of creatures and Draco, as the Slytherin Sex God. Emily knocked down the door then, dragging Blaise into the room by his hair. Draco looked on in amusement at the Siren manhandling his housemate, but knew for a fact he probably deserved it.
"What did Blaise do?" Ginny asked in a knowing manner, poking a finger in Blaise's direction, as if he was a bad child.
"My rat of a mate said I looked like a bloody blue berry," Emily scowled. She let go off Blaise's hair, letting him hit the floor. At least the Slytherin had the common sense not to complain. He did rub his head in pain though and glared at the back of Emily. The tan robes he wore were quite a bit dirty now, so Ginny took pity on him and cleaned them. Emily huffed in anger and left, saying she was heading to Snape's room.
"Nice going," Draco teased, turning away from Blaise to fix his hair in the mirror. "It's going to take a year worth of saying sorry to get you back in her good graces,"
"Shut up Draco," Blaise replied, annoyed. Ginny rolled her eyes.
"We best not let Emily get too far ahead of us," she cut in before a fight could start. Both boys nodded reluctantly, noticing her attempt to stop their fight and followed Ginny out of the room. Draco slipped his hand into Ginny's; pouting as if to say sorry and Blaise wrapped an arm around her shoulder. They both received a dazzling smile as acceptance to their silent apologies. Emily was waiting outside Ginny's common room, throwing water balls at the adjacent wall. She tried unsuccessfully to ignore Blaise, who had stopped next to her and seem content in sulking next to her. He poked her side, saying a soft sorry and continued to pout and in the end Emily's anger melted away to nothing. She smiled at his childishness and rolled her eyes.
"I didn't mean to make you upset," Blaise was saying. "I think you're beautiful no matter what," he added. "Forgive me?"
"I guess," Emily whispered, still smiling. "But next time I won't hesitate to send you flying off Gryffindor tower," Blaise nodded and pulled Emily over for a kiss; of course he was dodged and only ended up kissing her on the cheek. He pouted but Emily ignored him…this time.
They were late meeting Snape and Remus and Snape made sure they were very aware of their tardiness. He spent the whole ten minute trek outside of Hogwarts ground, lecturing the group on punctuality. Blaise kept the mood cheery though by cracking jokes behind the Professor's back. Upon arriving somewhere between Hogwarts and Hogsmeade, a man in black robes similar to Snape's greeted the group of six. He introduced himself as Lykain Zepol and it was instantly noted that Snape despised the man's existence and vise versa.
"Hello children," Lykain greeted. "It so very nice to meet you all," the four "children" replied with a murmured hello, while Snape scowled and Remus chuckled. "If you would all please join hands, we can get to leaving immediately," Ginny snatched up Draco's hand again, and Draco grabbed Emily's who yanked Blaise over. Snape took Draco's hand, still annoyed, while Lykain reached for Blaise's. Remus rolled his eyes at the two grown men's childish behavior and took both Snape's and Lykain hands, completing the circle. Everything was quiet then and Ginny could swear nothing moved, then a dull roar started and the wind picked up. As the winds got faster and the roar reached a deafening level, you could swear it would never stop but just when everyone's feet started to rise from the ground, everything stopped.
Ginny opened eyes she didn't know she closed and laughed instantly at the sight of Draco sprawled out on the ground where he fell. She then noticed where she was. A vast mountain rage greeted her with what looked to be a huge town nestled in the valley. Houses were perched in the sides of the mountains and children ran between them, screaming in excitement and joy. And looming in the distance was a magnificent palace that made Malfoy Manor look small in comparison.
"Welcome to Eiram," Lykain said, waving his hand out at the town. "Our destination lies at the Palace,"
"Epic!" Blaise exclaimed, causing most of the group to giggle. They followed Lykain threw the woods, down to Eiram, almost everyone happily chatting. Remus pointed out rare creature, loving the enthusiasm his students showed, while Lykain told bits of history about where they walked. Upon reaching Eiram everyone's ears were met with the sounds of a happy town. Children ran laughing and chasing their friends threw the streets. Mothers chatted and gossiped with each other, while shopping and even men where out working and talking up the single girls. The only thing that made them any different from the human world was the obvious fangs, wings and other various magical creature traits everyone exhibited.
"I wasn't really aware people actually lived here," Ginny said aloud to Lykain. He smiled a charming smile that quite possibly charmed his way out of a lot of trouble and replied.
"Yes, few magical creatures stray from here once they've gotten a taste," he said. "Though there are always those exceptions…" he trailed off. Snape snarled at the man, who ignored him. "I warn you, your all going to receive a lot more attention that you might be use to as we proceed threw town. Everyone's been told of your arrival,"
"Why's our "arrival" the talk of the town," Emily asked.
"All in good time," Lykain replied in a manner similar to Dumbledore's, much to everyone's annoyance. They did indeed receive quite an abundance of attention as they walk. They were very few people who simply let them walk by without staring or waving and a few children wondered over to ask silly questions. Ginny, Draco, and Emily waved back and answered questions out of politeness but all of them were still very confused. Blaise complained about not getting any attention so Emily took his hand and introduced him to all the people who came up to her. They finally reached the stone steps of the supposed Palace, Lykain still telling them odd facts about it. He led them into the main hall, through a set of huge double doors and right into the presence of the Council of Eiram.
"Finally!" came a voice that sounded aggravated but excited at the same time. "I thought you'd gotten lost or something,"
"I didn't get lost your ladyship," Lykain scowled.
"This time," someone chuckled. Ginny, Draco, Emily and Blaise all took this chance to look around the room. It was nothing more than one huge bending table where only eleven chairs where scattered, and five were empty.
"Be quiet Dalia," Lykain glared half heartedly. "You're not even supposed to be here," he laughed. Draco seemed to be the only one who noticed how Snape stiffed at the mention of the girl Dalia.
"I'd like to start if that's okay with you two," came that same demanding voice again. It belonged to a woman, who was beautiful beyond comparison. Her short curly hair fell in waves around her face making her look only 18 or so. She was short in height but the power she commanded was obvious. Lykain took his seat two chairs to the right, away from her. He poked the girl sitting in the chair behind him, who giggled. Snape sighed annoyed as usual and followed Remus over to their seats. Snape took the chair to the left of Lykain and Remus took the seat to his right. Emily looked at Blaise who shrugged and looked at Draco, who rolled his eyes and looked at Ginny who gave him an annoyed look. All of them stood there not knowing what was going on.
"Umm…" Ginny tried, scratching her head. "We're just a tad confused,"
"Oh where are my manners," smiled her "ladyship". "My name is Corinne Fagan, we welcome you to Eiram and to our dear Council of Eiram," she took a breath as if bored by her own speech. "To my left and right are the heads and seconds of each magical species," she pause with a smirk. "And one interloper,"
"Hey!" the girl noted as Dalia exclaimed. Corrine laughed at her scowl.
"For the sake of those not informed could you please state your name and magical species?" Corrine asked.
"Emily Daultmen, Siren," Emily said first, in a quiet voice. A few people nodded at the name, remembering her mother.
"Draco Malfoy, Veela," Draco said next. A chorus of gasps rang threw the room at Draco's answer. He rolled his eyes in boredom though. Ginny was next, and took Draco's hand and sighed, knowing full well the reaction that she'd receive.
"Ginny Weasely, Siren and Veela," shouts of impossible were called out, along with whispers of fear and wonder, following Ginny's reply. The room continued to get louder till Corinne shut everyone up.
"Quiet," she yelled. "Honestly," she added. "And you." She said pointing at Blaise. "Why are you here?"
"I'm human," Blaise replied.
"Yes I'm aware," Corinne glowered. "The robes tell me that. Why are you in our realm human?"
"He's my mate," Emily spoke up, louder than she had before. "I demanded his presence be allowed here,"
"Very well," Corinne replied, letting the matter slide. She folded her hands under her chin, staring out at the group of four. "Severus, Remus, care to explain why such children where never bought here when they were supposed to,"
"I assure you, certain circumstances prevented it, my ladyship," Snape drawled in a bored tone.
"Oh rubbish," Corrine explained. "Ms. Weasley and Mrs. Daultmen aside, Mr. Malfoy here had no circumstance other than your disobedience in informing us of his birth," she accused. "He's the only remaining male Veela for Merlin sake; you can't hide things like that,"
"You ladyship…I,"
"Excuse me," Draco cut in. "Would you not talk about us like were not standing right here,"
"Well excuse us," someone whispered loudly.
"You're excused," Ginny growled at whoever had said the comment. Corinne sighed, getting aggravated with the whole situation.
"Severus, Remus, Lykain and Dalia, cause I know you'll follow anyways, meet me in my study in ten minutes," Corrine, head Council lady, demanded. "Everyone else you're welcome to leave," she added. "You four follow me,"
Corinne led the four confused children a little way a ways from the room they'd just been in and escorted them into a huge room with all sorts of books, muggle inventions and chairs.
"Make your selves comfortable," she said snickering at Blaise's astonished face. "If you need anything push this button," she pointed to a button by the door. "Someone will assist you in any way possible,"
"Thanks," Emily replied, pulling Blaise away from said button and trying not to laugh. Corinne replied with your welcome and shut the door. Ginny ran a hand threw her hair, irritated, and plopped down in the closest overly expensive chair. Draco followed and sat next to her, resting his head on her shoulder.
"Ridiculous," Ginny seethed.
"Remus warned you this might happen," Draco said in a soothing voice. Ginny glared at him, remember Remus telling them nothing might make any sense and watched Emily tackle Blaise to the ground.
"I just wish they'd hurry up and explain everything to us. I just know there's something no one's telling me," Ginny grumbled. Blaise screamed from somewhere at the pairs left, begging Emily to unhand his hair. His second scream noted that she must have pulled harder. "I'm glad you two are having so much fun," Ginny laughed at the still screaming Blaise.
"No need to over think something we obviously have no control over," Emily replied, her head popping up from behind the couch across from Draco and Ginny. She hopped over, falling hard into the seat then peered over the back, looking for Blaise. "Might as well have some fun before doom hits and what not," Emily added still trying to locate Blaise. Her mate though, was currently crawling around in front of the couch she was sitting on, making shushing motions at Draco and Ginny. "Where is…" Emily began only to end up screaming when Blaise tackled her forward off the back of the couch. Ginny took one look at the couple then Draco and ran over to join in, Draco not far behind.
"Dali, cut it out," Corinne laughed and tired to scowl at the girl. "I can't be professional when your making faces like that,"
"Aye, aye, your ladyship," Dali mocked, sticking out her tongue. "This whole meeting is ridiculously boring,"
"No one's asking you to be here Dalia," Lykain said, smirking at the girl's now aggravated glare he was receiving.
"And everyone wishes you weren't here," Snape complained childishly.
"The faster we resolve this, the sooner we can all leave," Corinne cut in, glaring at Snape.
"There's nothing to resolve," Snape glared back.
"You knowing hid the last born and remaining adult Veela, a hybrid that's never existed AND Jessica Daultmen's daughter," she turned to Remus at the mention of Emily, knowing it was his niece.
"And I'd do I again," Snape replied. "Growing up here would've done nothing to aid those children in any way,"
"And I was under oath to hide Emily when something happened to her mother," Remus added. "It's only because she wanted to come that the oath even let me,"
"Okay, Remus' excuse is passable but Severus you haven't any reason other than your own stubbornness…" Corinne ranted, wagging a finger at Snape.
"Aww, Cor, be nice," Dalia chastised. "I'm sure Sevy did what he thought was right,"
"For once, Dalia, you've actually said something I can agree with," Snape smirked, crossing his arms. "It's done and over with. I did it, move past it. They're here and you can go about corrupting..."
"MY FATHER IS DEAD!" Corinne yelled slamming her fist into the table in front of him. "He's dead and I'm in charge and I won't ever be like him," she reached across the table and grabbed Snape's collar practically dragging him towards her. "Keep it up Severus and I'll rip you to shreds,"
"Cor," Dali exclaimed, dashing across the table and trying to coax the anger out of her friend. She dropped Snape with an angry growl, while Snape gasped for breath and Remus tried to help him, only to be swatted away. "Calm yourself woman," Dali whispered.
"You're all so annoyingly childish you know," Lykain drawled. "Getting into such a state over three children is far from…"
"Shut up, Lykain," everyone shouted.
"Ginny," Blaise whispered to the girl curled up in the couch next to Draco. "You awake," it was a stupid question really. He knew Ginny didn't really sleep half the time if she didn't feel like it.
"Yes, Blaise," Ginny replied peering at him from one eye.
"I'm bored, wanna go for a walk?"
"I guess," Ginny replied. She untangled herself from Draco, who didn't even wake or move and met Blaise at the door. The Slytherin boy was nearly jumping up in down in excitement. "What if we get lost," Ginny asked. Blaise shrugged.
"Can't you just sniff your way back," Blaise chuckled, taking a left at the first corner they came to.
"I'm not a dog, Blaise!" Ginny exclaimed in anger. "How about we leave a trail of your blood, that should bring someone running,"
"Joke not appreciated, got it," Blaise grumbled. He took another left then a right further ahead. "Man this place is massive,"
"You could fit the burrow in here four times and still have room," Ginny gaped. She ran her hand along the walls feeling the hum of magic and magical creature calls that had echoed for year, decades, in the wall of the Palace. Ginny felt at home here, like she'd lived here for years of her life. Blaise stopped walking ahead of her, deciding which way to go and Ginny walked past him.
"Hey!" Blaise called out. "Where are you going?"
"This way," Ginny said as if it was perfectly obvious, which in a way it was.
"Smart aleck," Blaise growled. He followed Ginny though, deeper into the Palace, mentally remembering paintings and plants so they could get back later. But the further they went it was almost as if Ginny knew exactly where she was. "Ginny, do you…"
"Shush," Ginny told him. She'd stopped at a door now. Nothing really amazing could be noted about the pure black door they now stood in front of, yet Ginny stared at it as if it told the mysteries of the world.
"I wonder what's behind it," Blaise said aloud. Ginny nodded in agreement and put her hand in the middle of the door and both Hogwarts students watched as it glowed a bright blinding green in color then swung open. A room of immense elegance and grandeur was present to the two teens. The walls glowed with a dark green, a bed in the middle shown mysteriously from its black silk sheets, and the carpet was an even blacker color.
"Wow," Blaise gasped.
"Yeah," Ginny agreed stepping into the room, not noticing Blaise couldn't. "It's so Slytherin looking," Ginny mumbled.
"Hey, uh Ginny," Blaise called out, Ginny turned around raising a brow at the boy.
"Aren't you coming in," Ginny laughed at Blaise pushing against an invisible barrier.
"I would if I could," Blaise glared at the laughing girl. "Ginevra!"
"I'm coming!" Ginny chuckled. She walked back to the door and reached out to touch Blaise and her hand connected so she yanked him forward. "So what was the problem now?"
"I don't know," Blaise replied in frustration, yanking his arm from Ginny. "I couldn't get in, I wasn't making it up," he added.
"Okay, I believe you," Ginny smirked, throwing her hands in the air. "Just come on would you," Ginny whined and turned to explore the room. She was instantly in love with it. Everything about the room was so perfect to Ginny, from the cream ceiling right down to the mahogany desk in one corner. A portrait with a sheet hung over the same desk and both teens ended up staring up at it, and pulling it off. Blaise gasped in pure amazement but Ginny was lost.
"What, who is it,"
"Salazar Slytherin," Blaise replied, mouth still literally hanging open.
"Why's he here?" Ginny asked again, Blaise shrugged.
"You know it might benefit you more to ask the portrait itself, why it's were it is," Slytherin's portrait said, obviously put out.
"Sorry…"
"Salazar," Slytherin replied.
"Sorry, Salazar," Ginny apologized and kicked a gapping Blaise, who then also apologized. "So why are you here?"
"One of my descendents lived in this room," Salazar answered, crossing his arms. "I fear something dreadful has befallen her though," he added sadly.
"How…exactly was she," Ginny paused and looked at Blaise. He was wondering the same thing she was; Salazar Slytherin's only living descendant was Tom Marvolo Riddle a.k.a Voldermort. "Related to you," Ginny finished.
"Elizabeth, that was her name, was my third daughter's descent. While more girls were born to that branch of my line, my blood still runs dominate in any of my kin. Most people assume, only the men continue a blood line. Someone along the line though, someone from that branch mated with a Siren, thus Elizabeth's presence in this realm and this room. She was first in command among the entire Siren clan," he exclaimed and now even Ginny stood in awe.
"It explains the copious amounts of Slytherin colors," Blaise said smiling in amusement.
"Why was the door warded then," Ginny asked.
"And why couldn't I get in without Ginny's help," Blaise asked also.
"That's a very good question," Salazar pondered. He scratched his head, staring down at the two children. "What's your name dear, girl,"
"Ginevra Molly Weasley," Ginny replied. "My mother was a Prewett,"
"Peculiar," Salazar mumbled. "Prewett's do have Siren blood but….very peculiar,"
"What!" both teens exclaimed.
"I'm sure there are no Weasley descendants in my line. Elizabeth was the only one and only those in this realm knew of her existence,"
"Are we done here then," Snape sighed annoyed. He'd been arguing with these idiots for the last hour trying to come to some agreement as to the training of Emily, Ginny and Draco. He had screamed, growled, and glared for an hour now and his face was starting to hurt. Dali sat perched on the table between Lykain and himself, swinging her legs back and forth in a bored manner. Lykain and her were laughing and making silly jokes about something no one understood. They'd finally agreed that Monday thru Thursday would be spend at Hogwarts, to continue the teens educations while Friday thru Sunday would be spent in Eiram. Of course Blaise had been included in matters when the fact that Emily would throw a fit was bought up.
"Yes, were done you can…" Corinne froze then, jumping to her feet in a frightened manner. She swung around and marched towards the door and ran out, zooming down the hall. The rooms remaining occupants took after her.
"What's your problem," Snape yelled when they caught up three turned corners later. Corinne ignored him and continued to the room where she'd left the children. Emily and Draco were up and playing chess.
"Where's Blaise and Ginny," Corinne asked. Both shrugged knowing there mates weren't in any danger.
"What's the matter," Dalia asked.
"Someone's broken the wards on Elizabeth's room,"
"But only,"
"Exactly," Corinne exclaimed and she was off running again.