a.n. so...some of my last few chapters were done on my phone. I'm in the process of moving so my computer isn't always an option. As you may have guessed, auto correct has not been kind to me. I am so very sorry. Just know that if you see errors, I am not an idiot, I'm just preoccupied.
Carina was escorted by her sister, father and uncle to the castle gates where they apparrated into the darkness. Draco and Minerva kindly offered to clean up the mess from Carina's party and Dumbledore stayed as well to spy and be sneaky in general.
"Mr. Malfoy, what an excellent party! I understand you're responsible for this beautiful night?" Minerva inquired.
"Yes, Professor, thank you."
"Hmm." She nodded. "I wonder if you might like to lead the Halloween and winter ball plans coming in the next few months?"
"R-really? You want me to do it?" Draco was surprised to say the least that his rival house's head would ask him for anything.
"It would be stupid to ignore talent, Mr. Malfoy, and anyway, I think you'll find I do not carry house rivalries."
"I'd be happy to help, Professor!" Draco smiled widely. "Thank you."
"Thank you, Mr. Malfoy."
Off to the side, the headmaster was steaming. While it was important for the war effort that house rivalries be dissolved, it wasn't supposed to happen without his say so and certainly not without his interference.
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"Bloody Hell, that was worse than the portkey." Carina muttered. Severus grimaced at his daughter's poor language but said nothing. It was bloody awful. Carina caught her breath and looked up at the towering manor as Dante appeared in a cloud of black smoke at her side.
"Oh, my..." She whispered. "This is the manor that was abandoned for bigger and better things?" Pansy laughed and nodded.
"It's ours now." She said. "Yours and mine."
"What about our uncle?" Carina asked.
"He has his own wife, and his own manor. All the pack do but they all stay here for the most part."
"And the spouses and partners, do they know about all this? Uncle's wife, does she know?"
"They are all a part of it." She answered. "They founded the pack together. The wolves found their mates in each other afterward."
"So, no one on the outside knows?"
"Your Godmother does." Severus said.
A beautiful woman with long copper hair, dressed in a long white robe met them at the gates. Carina realized as the woman kissed her uncle that she must be her aunt. She hadn't been at the party. Pansy, noticing the look of confusion whispered, "She stayed here to prepare for tonight. The ritual is extremely...involved."
Carina nodded as the woman looked from her uncle to her and knelt on the grass in front of her. "Oh, my dear Carina! Black hair, just as when you were born! You look so much like your mother." A tear slid down the woman's cheek. "Thank Merlin you've returned to us!" Carina's aunt grasped both of her hands and kissed them, then led the sisters up through the manor to get prepared for the ritual with Dante following closely behind.
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"Is it going to hurt?" Carina asked as she fingered the fine white robe hanging from the changing screen.
"I didn't feel any pain, if that helps. Actually it felt as though I floating. All I can associate with that night is freedom."
Carina nodded, though she still worried as she chewed on her bottom lip. She emerged a moment later wearing the robe.
"All ready, girls?" Their aunt called from the doorway.
"Yes, Aunt." They answered.
The trek down the winding stairs was unbearable for Carina. She felt panic in her chest with every step. She decided that if she survived this, she would come back to admire the intricate carvings and gorgeous tapestries. Before she could catch her breath, Pansy was giving her hand a squeeze as she left her side to take her place at the far end of an enormous cavern. Carina's panic doubled. She saw her father to her right, no mate beside him. He smiled reassuringly and looked at her feet to make sure Dante was with her. She already felt safer with him there. She looked back up and did her best to pay attention as the men in the room, including her father, approached her. They introduced themselves as they did with Pansy. The only difference was Severus. He humbly approached his daughter and fell to his knees.
"I no longer know my place in this pack, my daughter. It will be your place to assign me a position. I will serve this pack well with what ever task you see fit to assign."
Suddenly, Carina was terrified. Here was her father, on his knees, asking for her leadership. What if she failed him? What if she failed them all? Severus stood up and held his hand out to her. She took it as he escorted her around the cavern to each of the women as they carried out their part of the ritual. With each essence she inhaled, she felt lighter, but also even more anxious. She felt a twisting in her chest, as though there were something trapped inside. Finally, with Dante at her side, she was taken to her sister's side. Pansy could hear the hammering in Carina's chest; she was sure of it. Carina felt as though she would start to scream any moment as her ribs burned.
"Now that the pack has both of its leaders, we can introduce ourselves to the earth spirit that gave this pack its life and power. Will you join me in making a new oath?" Pansy asked.
"Yes." Carina's voice shook, but she knew more than anything she gave the right answer, and she knew what promise she would make.
They took hold of each other's hands as their uncle and Severus went to work adding two new branches to the massive tree and intertwining them into the knot work. Carina stood before one branch and Pansy stood before the other and they used magical knives offered by the men to carve their symbols. Pansy promised that the pack would continue to carry out its duty to the earth; a promise she knew was required since the passing of her parents. Carina made the solemn vow that she would see an end to this war, and that their pack would bring balance back to the earth. This, she knew would be of utmost importance to the earth spirits. Balance is everything. The sisters stepped back as the roots of the massive tree came to life, just as their mother described, and a woman climbed out of the earth.
Dante began to growl, but Carina was unable to reassure him. She was enchanted by the woman, and rightly so. The misty figure bent at the knees and placed a hand on the pup's head.
"It's alright, my friend. I mean your master no harm." An ethereal voice echoed through the chamber. The woman rose and addressed the sisters as Dante sat on his haunches and was quieted.
"Your mother's promise is fulfilled. I now recognize your promises and offer the same gifts. My wolves will stay with you until there are no more promises to be made. Do you accept what I offer?" The sisters bowed and accepted with grace.
"I shall recognize you as leaders of the pack." The woman turned to Pansy and whispered, "It is time to free your sister from her body. Let the pack greet their new Mistress."
The woman stood back and beckoned to the crowd of snapping jaws behind her. Gone were the pack members. Wolves were making their way to the center of the chamber. Carina began to see spots in her vision as she lost her breath. She turned her head from the pack and sought out her sister and father for comfort. They were not there. Only wolves were with her now. She looked down at Dante and instead found a whining wolf pup leaning against her leg. The only thought that crossed her mind; as silly as it was in such a moment; was, Lucifer is not going to be happy about this. She held her breath as though she were jumping into a pool of cold water and soon everything drifted away from her.
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"Sometimes I just don't know about you, Miss Snape." Lucifer knelt down and picked up the little wolf pup by the scruff. "Only you could take a vicious hell hound and let some spirit turn him into a drooling mess of uselessness." The pup whined at him and tried to lick his face. Lucifer rolled his eyes and let the pup join the pack of wolves desperate to find their way outside and into the night. He stood up and tapped his cane on the rock floor. A darkness followed the pup and settled over him. "He still has a duty to uphold. Carina will not be without protection, so don't interfere with my creations again!" He shouted at the dusty air. He could swear he heard laughter in the air around him. Worry not, Angel, he will still fulfill his duty. Lucifer swatted at the air as though he could rid his mind of the delicate voice in his head. He huffed and banged his cane down, disappearing in the smoke.
