~ *~* ~ *~* ~ *~* ~ *~* ~ *~* CHAPTER XXII *~* ~ *~* ~ *~* ~ *~* ~ *~* ~
Harry quickly made it to his Alter room, the walls were deep sheets of smooth onyx, obsidian, and volcanic ash, dusted in diamond dust, crushed moonstones and Persephone Pearls made up the constellations. The alter was pure white and made from a multitude of bones with the a statue of a tall being, draped in cloth of shadow and darkness, a tall staff with a simple, but still menacing scythe blade at the end held in one hand the other held out as if waiting for payment. The room was lightless and yet because of the materials that absorbed and amplified magic, the room glowed like the night sky. It was as if he were walking in outer space. The floor was sunken in and filled up to the ankles with an inky black substance that felt like water, but was clearly not.
He summoned the Oldest House Elf, Humming, who brought him the Book of Ages and he waves a hand at it, which causes the book to open to the exact page he needs.
"Humming, I need the ingredients, hurry." He orders and the old Elf pops a way, not even a full second after he left he appears again with the items.
Harry cuts, crushes and mixes them, pouring them into the basin carved into the alter before carefully adding Phoenix tears, a piece of Dementor cloak, blood of a newborn Unicorn freely given and a whole Basilisk fang as he recites ancient rites. The Statue comes to life and the bony hand reaches for a goblet made from a skull and dips it into the concoction and brings it back as Death in his summoned form takes it and drinks the offering. He appeared like a demonic version of Harry, dressed in solid black and extremely pale.
"Hadrian?"
"Dumbledore made his move... He grabbed me and I could not move, it was as if my magic was turned against me. It was like it was trying to suppress me... I- I al- almost wanted to do as he wished of me... it was almost visceral in its intensity!" Harry tells him with fear evident in his voice and Death crushes the goblet as he walks through the Alter and grabs the same wrist that Dumbledore had and growls.
"That will simply not do..." He snarls and for a moment an enslavement contract band appears, only partially formed and quickly losing whatever ground it had gained due to the the sheer amount of protections and Harry's own devastating power.
If the old fool had placed it closer to Hadrian's mind or heart/Core, he might had succeeded in enslaving the young man. However, Death was thankful for small mercies. He might have showed a little mercy to Dumbledore, but now that chance as flown out the window. Death was a cruel monster when he wanted to be and the fool dared to harm his child, his Master! The binding strains under Death's touch and ire, wriggling in its death throes before it shatters a moment later and in its place is a blood red Curse band that absorbs with one that shined with Lady Magic's power. They absorb into his skin, but he can feel it still, a warm comfort and protection.
"Ah, your mother's love is till so strong... now the next time he touches you with any intent not wholesome, he will pay dearly, but not instantly. Oh no, death is too good for him.. I think an eternity of suffering is more than fair, do you not agree, my son?"
"I don't care... I just want this over with... Now." Harry growls out, but leans on Death in thanks. "Papa... I've... I've never felt this scared before... I don't like it."
"It happens, you are mortal even if you are immortal... your mortality is what makes you humans so interesting and fun... and it is because you are such a strong, caring person, I chose you as my master... Now then, Magic says thank you for the wonderful gift and sends this..." He places a ring that looks like Hecate's Wheel on his left index finger and with it he feels Lady Magic and Her power.
"Whoa..."
"It will make speaking to you easier... now then, gather yourself and go do some damage control..." Death orders as he waves his hand at the basin, bottling his offering of Life and Death and vanishing.
A moment later, Humming arrives, bowing low.
"Humming has trappeded Old wrinkly one..." Humming growls lowly and Harry smiles. "Humming bes punishings?"
"Has he tried anything other than harming me?"
"Stealies fakies he tries! Magi books and cherished things!" He growls again, even if they were fakes, he did not like thieves!
"Then yes, you can punish him, but no killing. Father Death has claim." Harry tells him.
"Humming knowsing, Humming nos wants to make Spirit Collector angry! Humming soon go, no wants to makes it painful or scaries!" He nods firmly and then pops away as Harry takes a few deep breaths, calming himself down and checking himself over one last time. While he knows Death made sure nothing stayed, he has always been taught to triple check anyway.
After shoring up his defenses and centering himself, he walked out and smiles when the liquid pulls the thing that had been on him off as he leaves, its dying wail echoing as the doors slam shut behind him. Walking back to the party where chaos seemed to be running rampant, Harry sends a pulse into the wards and they lock everyone in place for just a moment before lifting. Everyone looked at him in shock before Legolas was at his side, checking him over.
"I'm fine now, Meleth nin... I sought Papa's aid to cleanse what he was trying to do..." Harry tells him and those who spoke Elvish tense.
"What did he do?" Legolas growls, eyes slowly glowing red.
"He tried to enslave me." Harry tells him and Legolas grabs the wrist that Dumbledore had grabbed and his eyes turn starlight blue and he frowns at the spell work he sees on Harry's skin. "My mother's protection with all the others that Papa and the other Gods have deemed to give me over the years with my own protections... I am safe, for now..."
Aragorn snarled darkly, drawing his sword as did Lord Elrond, his sons and Thranduil. Haldir shifted to protect the pregnant woman as Arwen translate for the non Elf speakers and Gimli spits a nasty curse in Khuzdul which Aragorn agrees with. Amelia seeing this quickly comes forward, holding her hands up in a placating manner.
"Lord Potter? Are you alright, what has happened to cause this?"
"Albus Dumbledore attempted to use an enslavement binding on me just moments ago and I had to quickly retreat to my personal Alter Room to pray to the the Deity I am aligned to for aid. Thankfully my plea was heard and the binding was removed before it could finish taking root. You may scan me and you will find my words to be true." He offers and she nods, she slowly removes her wand and watching Legolas warily, knowing that he is more than capable of ending her if he perceived her as a threat(the examiners could not help but show off Harry's and Legolas' mock exams and how skilled they both were).
She begins carefully scanning him, a parchment appearing at his side and filling out with the details as she runs several scans. When she is finished she backs away and looks over the results. She was not expecting the Divine Declarations that appeared on the sheet declaring that the Blood Feud between Houses Potter and Dumbledore was now fully ignited and that Lady Magic herself was checking all who side with Dumbledore and removing the innocent from the front lines if you will or removing the guilty parties from their family trees, it depends on the majority and Her benevolence. It also declared Lady Magic's Marshall Law that Albus Dumbledore is to be stripped of any and all titles and positions of power by the new year or she will punish them all. Then under the declarations was a list of spells, bindings and potions that were either currently active or had been in place within the last week.
She gasped at the sheer number of protections Lord Potter had on him, some as old as that fateful Halloween night, like Lily's Protection and Blood Ward spell woven into her son's skin and blood. But also a number of worrying spells and potions that were meant to subjugate the target, to alter their minds and break them down in such a way to allow the one who brewed it to rebuild them as they desire. An illegal gender changing potion which had no affect because it was meant to turn Lord Potter into an Omega, but he admitted he was an Omega, so why would someone -she sees Dumbledore's name and growls- do something like that? And then she sees several, for now, still illegal mind spells that according to the minor descriptions beside them, were almost on par with the Imperious Curse.
And then she saw it, a forbidden Enslavement Binding contract, one that was used back in the time before and even during the Founders' time to capture and force unwilling brides into marriages and forcing entire kingdoms to their knees. The Founders and even Merlin, Morgana and Mordred had forbidden its use! She was as white as ash and then she flushed with so much rage, she looked like she might suddenly breathe fire as she spins and sends a vicious stunning spell at Dumbledore just as Harry lifted the bindings on him and smirking when the man was suddenly locked up tight and slammed face first into the floor, breaking his crooked nose and maybe a few teeth when his face met the ice like marble floor.
"You used the Xerxes Bridal Binding!?"
Everyone gasps in horror, those who knew what it was and Narcissa managed to hiss out a quick explanation, thinking of what she read in the papers, she compared it to what Saruman and Sauron tired to do to Harry when they tried to tempt him to join them. This made the Ardans grab for their nearest weapon and snarl in their native tongues, too angry to bother with English(which they had been learning as a gift for Harry). Dumbledore could not speak or move so he could not escape or try and talk his way out of it as the bindings being used were newly legalized once more after extensive testing by the Unspeakables in the Department of Mysteries as well as the Auror of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
It was 5 times stronger than a normal stun, while not as powerful as the Petrificus Totalus, it did not have a time limit nor did it allow you to power your way free of it. In some ways it was better than the Petrificus Totalus, and his great great grandfather had worked hard to make it illegal so that only the Dumbledores could use it since it mimicked the PT, but only the caster can set victim free and it came in handy when dealing with enemies or raping their reluctant brides.
Now it was being used on him and he wanted to scream in rage. Two Aurors picked him up, only casting a blood clotting spell to keep him from bleeding even more on Hadrian's very nice floors.
"Do you know what this is!?" Madam Bones growls like an angry Badger, the look in her eye just as doggedly stubborn as the very animal that represents her former House. "This is a formal declaration by Lady Magic herself! It says that the Blood Feud issued by the late Lord Potter is now in full affect and anyone and everyone who sides with you, who is fully on your side are now enemies of House Potter and all his affiliated houses, that means Black, Gryffindor, and Peverell! If he demands it this instant, he can pass judgment and Lady Magic will do it, even kill you!"
She snarls darkly as everyone watches on in shock, the reporters, dutifully writing away, avidly paying close attention because by morning all of the Wizarding World, not just Britain will learn of this! To use a Binding Contract that had once nearly taken over almost the entire world during the Persian Regime would not go over well, especially by someone as famous and supposedly good as Dumbledore.
"Lady Magic has already put it into affect and because of you, innocents might be pulled into the crossfire! She has also already stripped you of your Titles and positions of power! Meaning you are no longer the Chief Warlock, the Supreme Mugwump or even the Headmaster of Hogwarts as of this moment forward and according to Her decree, you are never again to be in a position of power! If you ever make it back into such a position, I hope you are ready to face Her ire... She also declared Marshall Law on you, I do not know what that is, but I'm certain that if I was your ally, I would cut ties with you to avoid it!"
"Marshall Law when declared by one of the Divines, is similar to the 10 Plagues of Egypt, it is punishment of the worse imaginings by the Gods on those who have greatly angered them. Lady Magic is invoking them on only Dumbledore and his people, as long as no one else stupidly angers Her or any other Deity, you will not have to fear such punishment. This means that you cannot help anyone who sides with Dumbledore and his people, cannot associate with them in any manner that is not the business end of your wand aimed at them. If you show them even a modicum of pity or mercy, Lady Magic will declare you a fair target. Gods are known for their fickleness and their tempers. You might get lucky and lose your magic verse the horrors that the guilty will be facing." Harry explains for them and they all gape at him. "What? I told you, Papa Mors taught me a lot of things and he always told me that I never, ever want to be on the wrong side of any Divine, Demonic or Eldrich beings."
"Thank Mahal for that!" Gimli grunts, nodding firmly. If this was what one of Hadrian's Gods could do, he is glad none of their people back home every angered their own Gods to such an extent. He does not know what Plague is, but if it was anything like when Erebore fell and her people forced to journey far to the west, then he would rather not think of it.
"So fair warning now, things are going to go completely topsyturvy and only going to get worse until Lady Magic deems them forgiven, which if I recall, anyone who has gotten on Mother Magic's bad side, never gets forgiven." Harry tells them. "She will not harm Healers, only they can safely interact with the Damned because She would not want them dying too quickly, it defeats the purpose of punishing them and humiliating them." Harry tells them. "Now then, if you will kindly remove him from my home, I would greatly appreciate it, yes I am pressing charges and am severely annoyed because now I need to speak with my fellow Founding Lords to find a suitable replacement Headmaster."
Amelia nods, apologizes and bids him a good night before she and her men leave with Dumbledore in their custody; her niece joined the Abbots, knowing that her aunt was going to be working during the holiday and she would be alone. The Minister and his party leaving with them as several other guests collect their children and leave as well, not wanting to remain now that the pleasant atmosphere had been ruined. Though as they left, they thanked Harry again for the wonderful evening and hoped he hosted another Ball soon. Soon enough all the Human Magicals had left leaving only the Creatures and the Ardans behind. Harry called the House Elves to escort their guests to their rooms before he turned to face his Coven and sighed when he was instantly enveloped in a group hug.
"Are you alright!?" Eowyn fusses, checking him over, as if she could find any type of damage.
Narcissa grumbles as she starts scanning him, being a Mediwitch and a fully licensed Healer, she wanted to triple check her nephew. Harry assures them he is well, he got to the Alter in time and removed the blight, told them that because of the sheer power he had and the amount of protections he had, it would not have taken root, at least not without constant contact from Dumbledore(and Death is glad that Harry did not realize that had Dumbledore aimed for a more critical spot, he would have succeeded). Thranduil nods, while he was not an Alpha, he had learned how to release his presence like one would and it had proved to be most effective to make everyone bow to his will.
"My son, I will remain. I cannot leave you with an obvious threat."
"Neither can we!" The Fellowship voice as one. Haldir just smirks at him, holding his bow up, when he had grabbed it was beyond them. Galadriel gives him a soft, almost knowing smile, but there was a tinge of darkness, one that was born from a very protective mother and grandmother.
"Will Arda survive without their rulers?"
"We have very trusty replacements keeping things in balance and we've also cleaned up what we could find of what remained of Mordor and its ilk." Aragorn assures.
"Very well. It is very late and I'm frankly too tired and emotionally unsettled. Follow me." He guides them all to the Family wing and points out their rooms before it is only him and Legolas.
Once in the master bedroom, changed and ready for bed, Harry curls into his Alpha and begins to shiver and cry. The Alpha says nothing, simply holding him tight and making soft soothing noises. He knows how scared Harry had been, he had seen it in his face, had smelt it and was so glad his father had been so close. How Dumbledore managed to get by all of them when they had been watching him like vultures all evening was beyond them. Legolas swears as Harry eventually falls into a fitful sleep, that this will never happen again. He was done playing by the rules, Now he was playing by the Alpha Rules.
And Dumbledore had broken one of the most sacred of all rules: Never try to lay claim to a Committed/Mated Omega. Now Legolas can legally kill him and no one can say or do anything to stop him, Creature or not...
Harry was a little surprised that the Quibbler Quartet had waited until the morning of the 26th to dawn before they put out their articles. But then again, the 25th had been a very sacred day and he was sure that they were still feeling high and drunk from the power boost they had gotten only the night before. But whatever the reason, Harry was vastly amused and thankful. He had woken to Hedwig chirping at him incessantly until he woke up.
It was just before dawn, but she was wide awake and determined.
± Hatchling! Wake, look look! The Noisy Crows!± Hedwig calls and Harry gives up trying to sleep, Legolas, groans a little, rolling away and burrowing under his own pillow, trying to stay asleep. ± Tree walker too! UP!±
Legolas jolts when Hedwig jumps on his pillow, finds an opening and gives a loud hoot. He sits up yawning, grumbling about it being too early to wake up.
± Hedwig, why are you so noisy this morning? It's not even sun up!± Harry asks, and then whines a bit when he realizes it's only 4:56am.
± The Noisy Crows! Look, they made enough noise! I had been up all night flying to collect your 'mail' and chasing away the cocky little brats who think they can deliver your 'mail.' Only those belonging to the Clutch are here and many letters flash red and smoke, I do not like it!±
Harry blinks and then grabs the rolled magazine and opens it to the first page and almost chokes. There is a photo of Thranduil pinning Dumbledore at sword point and then it moves to when he forced everyone outside of their protected group to submit. Under it the caption:
Dumbledore, former Headmaster, Chief Warlock and Supreme Mugwump, attempts to Xerxes Bridal Binding on Lord Gryffindor! Stopped by Silvan High Elf King! Blood Feud between House Potter and House Dumbledore ignited!
Harry blinks and then actually reads what was written, just to make sure he knew how best to work this to his advantage and to also cover his tail.
R. Skeeter: That is right, my dear readers! As you know Lord Potter had invited the entire Wizengamont, several Ministry officials and yours truly with my lovely associates to his first ever Yule Ball! And weren't we just tickled pink to learn the extent Lord Potter went to ensure everyone's comfort and safety as well as inviting several Leaders of the Creatures!
You read that right! As you can see in the Picture to the right, among them was Count Vladimir Tepes and Lord Lycaon. The Original Vampire and Werewolf Kings! There were even the Furies, the three Queens of the Harpies and so many others! For information on what Creatures were represented and who they are, please go to pages 15 to 25. Photos have also been included!
Anyway, before I get to the juicy bits, I am certain you are all dying to know what the Ball was like and where it was! Well if you continue to Page 2 you will find a lovely spread of Lord Potter's home, Potter Manor and how beautifully decorated it was! These photographs were approved of by Lord Potter, please note this!
Yes, it was in the Ancestral Home of the Potters! And our Host had even prepared wonderful gifts for all the children, set aside playrooms for the different age groups with hired Professional Caretakers, who were also trained guards to keep the children protected and safe! Now Mr. Bobb with a quick break down of the safety measures!
N. Bobb:
While I cannot list the Wards around the Potter Property, I took note and have permission by Lord Potter to explain the ones he created and used to ensure the safety of the children.
Lord Potter told me that he carved Dream stones with various Cultures' ancient runes, one of which is Gaelic, that monitor for threats, danger or harm of any kind and will lock themselves and those within into a barrier that will render those who intend harm in a dream like state. A second set of ward stones, again made by Lord Potter were carved from Fool's Gold. I was severely confused but when Lord Potter explained it I got a better understanding.
You see, if anyone broke free of the dream state created by the Dream Stone Barrier, they would then run into the Fool's Gold ward, which will create elaborate illusions meant to fool the targets. The stones were carved with Runes that he declined to tell what they were exactly, not wanting to give away all his secrets, in combination with Protective Runes in Ancient Chinese, and a few other languages,Ancient or modern depending on their use, the second Barrier would be much harder to get passed.
A third Barrier made of a Threefold Elemental Knot ward. As the name suggests, this barrier is by far the most aggressive of the others. Lord Potter informed me he chose Lightning, Water and Fire as the three elements to be used. When I asked why, he said that they were the most direct, not to mention versatile of the Natural elements. Each famous for their beauty, but destructive power.
He assured us that this was the last barrier before the Wards of Potter Manor blocks the room off from any and all access, only Lord Potter would be able to release them or the Head Elf should something have happened to Lord Potter. The three Caretakers would activate each barrier and defend the next. For their credentials please turn to Page 6, now back to Ms. Skeeter.
R. Skeeter:
Whoo! Impressive no!? Anyway, the playrooms held toys and had a secondary room attached with beds to sleep in, though the much younger children got a lovely pillow and blanket fort to sleep in! As seen in this picture to the left. There was also a room set aside for the gentlemen to smoke cigars, talk business and play billiards or poker. And there was a tea room set aside for the women to knit and sew, play some cards of their own, though bridge and gin rummy.
At some point I and Ms. Crysta had popped in and joined an intense game of Gin Rummy, I will admit this! It was nice to forget for a while that I was playing with and bantering like old school friends, with some of the most Elite women and Omegas of the Magical Britain!
But I digress, the Ballroom was the centerpiece! I felt I was transported to a Winter Wonderland, with tall snow covered great pine trees, where sitting in the branches were the musicians, dressed in glittering white and plum suites with spun sugar fairy wings to fit the motif! Muggle and actual Fairy Lights twinkled in the boughs and in the air as the ceiling was enchanted to snow! The Marble floor was charmed to look like snow and ice with an actual Ice Ring in the center for a bit of fun!
The set up of everything reminded me of a snowflake and in varying shades of white, blue and gray with splashes of red and green, trimming in silver and gold! A wonderful surprise was that a large portion of the food had been cooked by Lord Potter himself with the aid of his House Elves, foods that were carefully selected for all of his guests and even foods that were pregnancy friendly!
I congratulate many Ladies and Gentlemen who will be welcoming bouncing little bundles of joy this coming spring and summer! If they wish for us to announce who they and when they are due, we will tell you!
The music was festive and wonderful to waltz to, I saw Mr. Lovegood and his daughter skating at one point and it brought back fond memories of when I was a wee girl and my daddy would try to teach me to skate! Oh, it was so wonderful! The food was divine and I got to speak with so many Lords and Ladies, both Human and Creature alike! I honestly forgot these things! And then the beautiful ceremony Lord Potter preformed!
The Burning of a Yule Log is a simple ceremony that I honestly do not know why it fell out of practice or when it became deemed 'Dark.' The log was a decent size, was carefully decorated and according to what I heard form Lord Potter, had prayers carved into it with his own magic. By doing this you are gifting back to Lady Magic that which she has given us!
Yes, my dear readers, the purpose of offering the Log is to give back the Magic, even if it is a small bit of it, to Lady Magic. Along with small plates with samples of the food you consumed. This offering of food is like breaking bread with our Divine Lady and is also for those of our families who have passed away and can longer join us.
When Lord Potter had did this, the blue fire he had made in the giant Fireplace that sat in the Ballroom burned white and sent out a shockwave of power! That power brushed over us and I personally felt like I was being embraced by my mother, my magic positively sang and even now, a day after the event, I feel so much lighter, my magic flows much easier and dare I say it, I feel so much stronger!
I have to admit that I'm quite confused about why this was banned in the first place? As you know from Mr. Bobb's and my articles about the revising the Laws and the many things that had once been banned are now being made legal again, or at least tested out before a final vote is cast. Are the other ceremonies and rituals that fall under the Old Ways truly evil or is it because we have become complacent and arrogant?
Never you fret, I will continue to look into this and tell you my personal thoughts and feelings on such things! But thank you for being so patient! Now to the juicy bit!
After the ceremony and everyone was able to come back to themselves, the Ball began again, though some were slowly making their way either home. I will admit there was some tension, most notably whenever Madam Umbridge came nearby, but because Lord Potter had made it very clear what would happen if someone caused issue, it was barely a blip on the radar as the Muggles say!
So it was rather shocking when suddenly the Elvin King, Prince Legolas' father, Thranduil had suddenly drew a sword to threaten Lord Dumbledore. Yes readers, House Dumbledore has a Lordship, though with all of the man's previous titles, it is very easy to forget that, though they are not a very old or powerful Lordship as far as I know. I promise to look into it as soon as possible!
At first I thought that this was surely a mistake until I looked at Lord Potter. For someone who seemed so calm and confident in and outside of Wizengamont meetings and even when he greeted his guests and hosted the Ceremony. I could not believe it, but Lord Potter had looked utterly frightened!
I was so confused, what could have possibly frightened someone who fought a war, who took on 50 plus hostiles during his Mock NEWTs with only a grin on his face? I only saw Lord Dumbledore holding his wrist. I admit I was too far to hear what was said, but it looked like Lord Dumbledore refused to heed the threat and suddenly I felt this immense presence, and fell to my knees. It was strange because King Thranduil did not feel like a typical Alpha, but perhaps it was merely his age that made me feel this way? But he looks so young...
Regardless of the matter, whatever his Majesty did, had removed Lord Dumbledore from Lord Potter's person and his Highness went to check on his intended. Lord Potter said something about an Alter, his tone frantic and I could almost smell his fright, mind you I am a Beta, before he ran from the room. As soon as he was gone, King Thranduil allowed us, but Lord Dumbledore up and the tension was thick, you could poke it with your finger! Lord Potter had summoned a House Elf to guide King Thranduil and Lord Dumbledore to the Potter Dungeons until Lord Potter was ready to deal with him, however they never got to leave because chaos soon erupted.
I kid you not, my dears, I was scared. Lord Potter is one of the sweetest and most kind hearted people I have ever met. To have seen him so shaken was jarring and then to see Prince Legolas, an Alpha so in control of himself, so centered, lose his composer was terrifying. It was honestly terrifying.
Prince Legolas had demanded that his people be allowed to try and punish Lord Dumbledore. The Minister was not pleased and it soon became a bit chaotic. Several of Lord Dumbledore's supporters were trying to defend the man, the Minister was either damning him or trying to protect him, I'm not even sure, and of course Prince Legolas and his people were demanding justice. Thankfully Lord Potter returned not long after.
He was not as shaken as he had been, but you could sense his unease. To be uneasy in your own home? It's unthinkable! But it seemed that even if he was unsettled, he was still the Lord of his House and he managed to calm everyone down. We could only watch on as Lord Potter calmed his Alpha and then speak with Madam Bones. He even invited her to scan him.
He had quickly went to his Alter, I am assuming the Alter he made for his Patron God, to be cleansed. He assured us of this, but Madam Bones still scanned him and it turns out that Lady Magic had seen what happened and did not like what She saw. For the Declarations, please turn to the next page. However it was the knowledge that Lord Dumbledore, Defeater of Grindelwald, -Lord of the Light!- had attempted to cast the Xerxes Bridal Binding on Lord Potter.
Mr. Lovegood has put an exposé on the Binding on page 13, so if you wish to know what it is and what it entails, please proceed to that page. But for those of us who already know, you know how utterly terrible it is and the utterly heinous crime Lord Dumbledore was about to commit! Needless to say the Ball ended right then and everyone was either escorted out or shown to a guest room for those could not make the trip home!
Now we are waiting for word on a trail since Lord Potter agreed to press charges and even accepted the Blood Feud between Houses Potter and Dumbledore! As many of you know from my article a month or so ago, that the Late Lord Potter issued the Blood Feud, but Lord Hadrian Potter had not been active in it until now. So I suggest you all look at yourselves, pick a side or choose to remain as a bystander. I personally am going to remain on the sidelines, I do not want to make enemies of either man.
Well that is it for now, until next time, my lovelies!
Rita Skeeter
Quibbler Special Edition
Harry quick read through the other articles, Mr Bobb as always remained as unbiased as possible, though you could see he was clearly in Harry's corner. Ms. Crysta covered more about the actual Ball, listing what Harry had told her about the decor and had copies of some of the recipes he was willing to part with. She also had a small spread of young couples, possible couples and had talked about how many of the Alphas had quickly took protective positions over their Omegas, cooing over how Legolas had managed to terrify everyone with his barely restrained calm. And Xeno had covered the Creatures, the Xerxes Bridal Binding and had given a detailed breakdown of all those from Arda, making sure to explain just how exactly Alphas and Omegas were treated by their peoples, the level of offense Dumbledore committed and that they were within their rights to have reacted as they had, especially Thranduil as Harry's soon to be Father in-law.
"Leggy`?" Harry asks so many questions in that one word, handing him the magazine.
Legolas quickly skims it and nods, "Father was not willing to hold back and was ready to kill the would be Saruman. And I barely kept him at bay because I was very tempted to have at him myself. I was actually about to allow Arwen, Eowyn and Lady Malfoy at him."
"I thought I was supposed to be the evil one in this relationship?" Harry almost laughs, but gasps when Legolas suddenly pins him down and cages him in his arms. "Legolas?"
"We have faced legions of monsters, convinced an army of murderous spirits to fight beside us, we out ran a Balrog... I've seen Death Himself, for the love of the Valar! And you were raised by Him, yet I've never seen that sheer level of fear in your eyes. Not facing any of those things... For the love of Lady Magic, you faced down the Nine Nazgul and you hardly flinched! What is it about this old man that none of those, not a single damned one, caused so much fear? What is it that has shaken you so? Please tell me so I can protect you..."
"I'm alright. I promise you, I'm alright." Harry reaches up and gently kisses him.
It did not stay chaste because Legolas began to devour his mouth, making him gasp feeling the desperation, the love and the trembles of fear. The emotions were intense, almost too much, but Harry accepted them. Legolas carefully caged Harry between his arms, laying his body over his in a comforting but protective manner. They gasped between kisses, eyes glowing their respective gender's color as their scents mixed in a heady cloud of One. They slowly rubbed against one another as arousal began to take over, but Legolas had formidable control and merely brought them both to completions via dry humping.
It was a slow, sensual dance as he whispered words of love and praise while Harry mewled, gasped and moaned soft words between soul melting kisses. His toes curled as liquid fire burned through him and he ached at his core for the impressive length rubbing against him. He was sure that his underpants and pajama bottoms were ruined due to his slick and the secretion that acted as cum for Male Omegas. Legolas' weren't much better, his knot had swelled and the sheer volume of cum ruined his clothes and helped to finish ruining Harry's. He bit his forearm to keep from biting Harry's neck before they properly mated and bonded, his teeth more like fangs, broke the skin and he is certain that if he applies anymore pressure and pulls, he could rip a chunk out of his own arm. Perhaps he could bite an enemy in the throat and tear it out, much like he's seen the predators do to prey and enemies alike.
He shakes off his odd thoughts as he slowly eases off of Harry and growls with desire seeing the glowing flush that spreads from one cheek to the other, making his nose just as pink, his eyes are closed as he gasps softly, shaking with aftershocks. He rests there, murmuring softly in Elvish, sweet, dirty things that make his cock twitch in interest, but he quickly pulls off and carefully gathers his mate into his arms and they are soon heading into the bath that had been prepared by the Elves.
After an hour of lazy soaking and washing one another, they finally get ready for the day and head down to the informal dining room where their whole family and their guests were gathered and waiting for them, a few others trailing in behind them. They all stood and Harry took his place at the head of the table and smiled, waving his hands in welcome.
"Please, sit and let us enjoy this meal." He tells them and they all sit down.
Food appears and everyone digs in, Thranduil asks Harry how he is feeling this morning, which causes many of the Creatures at the table to all begin snickering and giggling like primary school children who know a secret but won's share it. Harry sends a mock glare at them, making a few burst into full on laughter as others coo. Legolas blushes something fierce and is trying to drown himself in his morning tea. Thranduil is about to ask what is so funny before it suddenly clicks and he feels his cheeks turn slightly pink.
"My son, I hope you will properly bond to Hadrian before you make me a Grandfather." He orders in tight, but highly embarrassed voice.
Legolas slams his head onto the table as the others from Arda suddenly get what the joke is and either start laughing, start scolding Legolas or give him the stink eye.
"Alright, enough!" Harry says when he feels they have pushed it a tiny bit. "We didn't do anything other than comfort each other after what happened at the ball the night before. We all kept so busy yesterday that we hadn't had time to actually sit and discuss what had happened."
"Lady Malfoy explained it as best she could, and we understand that it was terrible, extremely so if the rather violent reactions were any indication, but what exactly is the..." Elrond begins, but pauses trying to remember the title.
"The Xerxes Bridal Binding." Severus says, which the Nodolin Elf gives a nod of thanks. "To best explain it, we need to give a bit of history. Back when our world was still very young, many of our cultures and peoples greatly divided, there was a young King from a land called Persia. His name was Xerxes. You see in a lot of the older civilizations, many believed the Kings, Emperors and Pharaohs were Gods made Man. These God Kings were often very ambitious, power hungry and cruel, very few actually did a world of good for their people, not so much the others."
"I take it he was not in fact a god?" Galadriel asks, sipping her tea, curious.
"No, madam, he was not. However that did not stop not only him and people from thinking so but many others who fell under his rule thought the same. You see, the difference between us mortals and the Gods is that no mortal weapon can make a God bleed. While I understand your species of Elves are immortal until you are killed or you fade away, you are still counted as a mortal because I can cut you and you will bleed." Tom takes over, he sees the Ardans nod in understanding as many of their guests nod along. "Xerxes was the next King in a long line of them who ran a campaign to conquer back then what was known as the Known world. Sailing was rather limited so such places like the Americas and Australia had yet to be discovered and even then it was rather difficult to get to Africa."
Here, Harry conjured up a map, large enough for all to see and showed them Earth.
"This is the entire world now, back then only this was considered the world." he changed it to show only Europe, Asia and Africa. The three continents were one massive body. A spot was highlighted to show where Persia was and began spreading out. "If I recall correctly in only three generations, almost all of Asia and a good chunk of Europe was under Persian command. Their downfall began when they tried to conquer Greece. Like many countries, Greece had smaller cities and groups of people living there. Athens, the home to the Athenians, the island of Crete, and many more, most of Greece had fallen under Persia's strengths. But one King, of a city called Sparta, dared to defy Xerxes."
"Ah, yes, King Leonidas and his 300. He broke sacred tradition to march to a narrow path called the Hot Gates that had a strip of beach off to the side that one can normally take to avoid that spot, but the Spartans had slaughtered a scouting party from the Persians and used their corpses as mortar to build a tall wall that was impossible to move around or knock over. This forced the Persian army to march toward the Hot Gates." Vlad smiles. "The Spartans are a warrior nation, they eat sleep and breath fighting and war, their patron God was Ares, the Greek God of War. Even their women were trained to fight because according to Spartan mentality, only a Spartan woman can give birth to a real man."
This made many laugh, the others blinked confused.
"Don't ask, we will never finish if we get distracted, by basically its like the Dwarves claiming only their women can give birth to the finest warriors." Harry says and the Ardans make noises of understanding, Gimli grumps and mutters that the Dworrowdams only birthed the finest Dwarf warriors. "The Spartans have a unique battle tactic called the Phalanx. They each carried a shield that covers their body from neck to hip when standing up straight, but down to their thighs when they got into battle position. They would set themselves up where the first line will stand shoulder to shoulder, shields raised and settled like dragon scales to make an impenetrable wall. Behind them would be spear men read to thrust said weapon into their enemies faces. It sounds weird but it is actually ingenious."
Harry changes the map to a series of pictures showing the Spartans in the Phalanx position.
"As you can see from this side view those closest to the front have their spears aimed towards the enemy while the rest are at their back. The reason for this is to push them forward. The enemy would charge them from the front since getting to the sides or even to the back is impossible in the Hot Gates, leaving only one choice, the enemy will press into the shields, regardless of a number of them being felled by a spear or two, trying to use the sheer number and strength of their men to break through the wall of shields. The men at the back press forward and act as a block to prevent the front lines from being pushed back too much. Once they stop being pushed back, as one, the shield wall shoves the enemy back, thrusting swords, at them to kill a few more before quickly ducking behind the new wall of shields that has formed from the spear men that were behind them. Essentially they form a machine, switching out to allow the men who were in the danger zone to get medical treatment if needed, catch their second wind or even to grab their spears as each link in the Phalanx keeps the enemy at bay."
"Impressive..." Thranduil murmurs.
"I believe the Muggles made a movie about the 300. If you thought fighting over 10,000 of Mordor's worst was daunting, it was a measly 300 again a massive legion of over 10 million, granted most the the army was made of slaves previous conquers lands, but still." Severus tells them and they pale. "And if you are thinking that it is impossible for 300 to best such a beast of an army, you are correct. They were betrayed, the enemy was shown a goat herder's path that took them around the Hot Gates to get to the back. By that point the 300 were slowly being cut down while hordes of Persians were slaughtered with maybe a Spartan or two falling with them, they held strong for weeks. Another Spartan tactic is forming a massive dome of all the shield with only enough space for the spears to poke through. It was impossible to get around ti unless you were a particularly skilled marksman. In the end it was for naught the 300 fell, but in the time that they fought, word had spread far and wide through Greece and everyone rose up, not just the Spartans and their own army charged into battle."
"Yes, the Greeks forced the Persian army to retreat, but before his death, King Leonidas did the impossible: He made a god bleed." Tom grins darkly. "You see at some point during the slaughter, Xerxes himself came to speak with Leonidas, offered him a position in his army. He saw the talent, the loyalty and the skill of not only the Spartan King but his men too. Who wouldn't want that kind of power under their command? All Leonidas had to do was kneel. He declined and when Xerxes claimed to be a God, that he could make all his wildest wishes come true, Leonidas told him that by the end of the day, he would make the God King bleed. So during their last stand, Leonidas had his best man throw his spear at Xerxes, who had come to watch the Spartan be crushed under the full might of his army. The spear sliced open his cheek leaving behind a scar that he hid under a gold mask, least his men realize he was mortal like them."
"Wow... But you said the Greeks only beat them back..."
"Yes, because this is not the only time the Persians had tried to take over. Some few hundred years or maybe a 1000 years later, the Turkish Empire arose to power and was making progress taking over the World. This was another Persian world conquest, just a different name. Though they were a bit smarter this time. They would collect all the sons of ages 10 to 13 from not only the common folk, but from nobles and royals to force complacency if they hoped to see their children again. These boys are then starved to the brink where they are willing to kill each other over scraps, thus beginning their long and hellish training and conditioning. Failure is met with harsh punishments, severe injuries or even a crippling one is met with death and you could be the best of friends, brothers in arms or by blood, but during training it was literal survival of the fittest. I should know, I was one such boy." Vlad says, a distant look in his eyes as he sits back in his chair.
"My father had no choice but to give me up when the Emperor came knocking, but you see, my father had long since opened trade with the Turkish, which kept them from ravaging our home in Transylvania. But that kindness only lasts so long, I was taken to be the Emperor's son's playmate, his guard and later his attack dog. I was not treated nearly as harshly as the other boys, but it does not mean that watching them suffer and die did not have its affects. By the time was a young man, I had not only excelled at my training and my duty, I was a force of nature on the battlefield... Forgive me, I have not properly introduced myself. I am Vladimir Tepes III or as I became known as, Vlad the Impaler. I got this name because one my preferred method of execution."
The Vampire changes the images to a field of stakes with bodies impaled upon them. Thankfully it is one the hand drawn ones and not the actual images he created in his youth. The Ardans were disturbed by this.
"It's horrible I know, I am not exactly proud of this, but I am not ashamed either. The old Emperor was killed one day and his son was made the knew Emperor and he allowed me to leave. I returned to my people, who rejoiced. I was married to my beloved and we had a son. For 10 years we had peace, but then my former friend came, demanding my son... as you can imagine, I did not take that well. This led to not only war with the Turks, but me becoming what I am now. I bathed in the blood of my enemies as a child and young man, often drinking it and I did not realize that I was becoming a monster. That I craved blood. A rather touched man realized what I was becoming and gave me blood, taught me to use the strength and power it gave me to become more, to do more and then the Turks attacked my home, they took my son and I was forced to kill my beloved. She knew what I was becoming, and gave me her life blood to fully awaken. You see, one of my former 'friends' had pushed her off the highest tower of my castle and while I had gained some powers, such as flight, I was not fast enough to save her, the fall broke every bone in her body and she was going to die anyway. So she gave me the power I have now... Needless to say I went to get my son. I made them pay... I drained every single one of them of their blood and impaled their bodies as a warning to all to back off... my son did not fear me and stayed with me well until he grew old and died of old age, married and having several beautiful children, who grew up and so on... Eventually my beloved was reborn and I got to spend time with them, they were killed, but some generations later they were born again... and again... and now, my beloved is here with me and I am content for now... But we've strayed way off topic."
"Indeed, though this is very fascinating..." Elrond agrees. "But it does put a good perspective on just how terrible Xerxes and people like him are. Definitely similar to Sauron."
"Yes. What we have not covered was the inner workings of Xerxes household. Like many kings in that time and even few modern ones today, he had a harem. A harem is a set of rooms or even an entire building where women and sometimes men of exceptional beauty are kept for the King's pleasure and his pleasure only. The guards and servants who work in and around the building are all either Eunuchs or are castrated. A eunuch is a man who's had his sac cut off, making it impossible for him to become aroused, let alone give into temptation to sleep with one of the concubines who live in the harem. And castration is full on cutting off the cock and balls." Harry tells them and all the men present hiss and cross their legs.
"Barbaric..." Arwen winces. "Though I do see the merits... Aragorn, we can use that to punish rapists. Make them suffer instead of just executing them."
"..." Aragorn looked horrified, but Harry was giggling.
"It would be very effective. I am actually surprised Arda does not have this form of punishment, your time frame actually matches close to the time period we are talking about and while castration has long fallen out use, outside of some of the most sadistic of murders or tortures, there are some areas, though very small that still employ the practice of making and employing eunuchs. Some times it is medically needed and unless you are transitioning from your birth gender to your true gender, castration is also used medically. But that's a topic for a much later time when I can actually focus on the topic and pull up the reference materials and even introduce you to a few people who were once men and are now women, or women who are now men and those who are in between." Harry says.
"Alright..." The Ardans simply agree because not only are getting distracted, but they are still rather mentally scarred over the whole castration bit, especially the males.
"So they did this to prevent unwanted rape?" Galadriel asks, trying to get them back on topic.
"Yes and no. You see the Harem is strictly for the King. If anyone touches his Concubines without his permission, they will be tortured and executed, if not simply executed. But that does not mean that the women are innocent either. The issue about having a Harem is that eventually your beauty fades or as new concubines are added, you get pushed to the side. So much so, that you are basically forgotten and left embittered. This normally results in the less favored concubines being used to pleasure nobles or guests at the King's command, which often results in the concubine being gifted or sold to said noble or guest. This only happens with those who are without children. Those who have children, remain with the king because they are the Mother of his heirs." Harry says.
"Well they are considered the heir until the King's queen, if he has one, gives birth to a son and then they are demoted to his royal bastards, the spares to either be traded and sold off when not needed, especially the females. However that is the more pleasant out come of being in a harem. If an unfavored concubine seduces a man without permission and is reported by her target, she is lashed and forced to work as a servant. This is also not that bad. However if she seduces a man and he gives into the temptation and they are caught, the man is usually humiliated and then killed before the public while the woman is given to the army as a whore. This can lead to someone claiming her as a wife or at least their personal whore, or she is raped to death. Any concubine who tries to run away is hunted down, raped in public and then strung up as an example for why you should never disobey the king." Severus continues.
Everyone who did not know this pales considerably while those who did, nod solemnly.
"Xerxes had a very large harem, concubines from every corner of his kingdom. You would think the issues we pointed out would be a big problem, but you see, Xerxes was a Warlock, hence why he thought himself a God. Magicals were pretty rare back then and are still rather rare now, even if our numbers have tripled since the dawn of man. He had seen the issues his father had had with keeping his women under control. A number of Magicals had been captured and enslaved, used to make spells and potions to help the army as well as to tutor a young Xerxes. That was when he learned about Bindings. Normally Bindings can be used to help during medical procedures, to trap a dangerous Magical or Mythical Creature or to punish criminals. Xerxes had studied and worked night and day to create the perfect Binding spells to use on his future brides and what he created was a monstrosity." Sirius finally speaks up.
"The only reason any of us in the modern age know of it is because of Creatures as old as Count Tepes and Lord Lycaon." Remus tells them. "Lord Lycaon is actually the only surviving Greek from Xerxes' rule. He's seen the Bindings first hand and I believe it was one of your best men who got the notes about it?"
"Yes, you are correct, pup. The Binding when it is completed forms a torque like collar on the victim that not only has no seams to open it from nor can it be damaged in any way, but it embeds itself into the very skin, it is flexible to allow head movement but once on nothing, not even death can remove it. I've seen the skeletons of a few poor souls who had it placed on them and it was still there, fused into the very bone. The only way to get rid of it is for the bones to turn to ash naturally, we can't even cremate the bodies because of the sheer power and magic in the collar alone. While this doesn't sound so bad, wait until I tell you what it does." Lycaon sneers in distaste, even as his eyes are haunted by the poor souls he watched suffer. "The Binding can be placed using the victim's blood, an object that has their magical signature seeped into it, assuming they are Magical to begin with, or being touched by the Binder, who would have already began reciting the enchantments needed. Either audibly, non verbally or even mentally.
Since Dumbledore grabbed Lord Potter, I will use that method to finish this explanation, the other two are pretty much the same minus a few steps and details. Grabbing the victim anywhere works as long as you have a solid grip and they have no means for an escape. Xerxes favored using a potent incense to get his brides too drunk to realize what is happening and by then it is too late. He would hold them as he recites the spells needed and once the collar is on them, he controls everything about them. How they walk, talk and behave; their free will is completely stripped from them! He can even erase their personalities and mould them to how he desires them to be. And the worst of it all?
The victim doesn't even know its happening to them, or so we thought. The person they were dies the moment that collar appears. They believe themselves in love with their Binder and will do anything they ask of them, and I do mean anything. Unfortunately, I was a trusting fool and this led to the enslavement and deaths of hundreds of thousands in the years to come, it wasn't until Merlin had become a full ranked Sorcerer that the Xerxes Binding was finally banned, thankfully by then it had fallen out of practice since many went to the extremes to get rid of any and all evidence of the spells and processes, though I'm sure in the most obscure corners of the world, in the deepest and darkest areas of the Black Market can you find traces of the Binding, though I am sure a few families hid it in of their family grimoires..."
Everyone who knew of this growl in anger, or sob in mourning while the rest sit shell shocked and horrified, slowly their eyes turn to Harry and he is very pointedly focused on the snow falling outside. Legolas suddenly jumps up and slams his fists into the table, cracking the aged Oak with his full strength and he lets out a deep guttural roar of anger. His eyes are solid red and his Alpha fangs are rather impressive for a non animal Alpha. His nails are almost like talons when he is able to pry them from his bloody fists. He lets his Alpha slip, and for a moment just a moment, everyone is suffocated by the power the Alpha has because of his 2000+ years.
Harry quickly grabs Legolas, giving a pitiful Omegan whine and it seems to catch his attention. He whimpers and whines, pleading without words. His eyes are full on ultraviolet purple, he bares his throat and Legolas dives in, sniffing and sucking vicious hickeys into his neck. As this happens, the unadulterated presence is being pulled back in and as it eases, the others are slowly able to breathe again, to move. Even Lycaon and Tepes, two of the oldest Alphas alive were knocked down by the raw power. Eventually, Legolas calms down and slowly pulls away form Harry's severely kiss bruised neck. Harry is sure he looks like a leper or even a leopard at this point.
"Hush, Legolas, hush... You can smell me, hear my heart. You know I'm telling the truth when I say that I'm alright... I admit I'm terrified of that Binding because what Lycaon does not know is that the Binding causes the victim's body and magic to turn against them. The moment he grabbed me, my magic suddenly froze me in place, was trying to reach deep inside me to do whatever it was going to do. I could feel my mind telling me to do as Dumblefuck wanted me to do and that's how I knew something was wrong. Thankfully Adar came when he did. Once Dumbledore's hold broke on me, I made for the Alter. I could still feel whatever it was burrowing under my skin, tainting my magic. It was like a parasite and I didn't know how long I had before it had full control of me. But I swear by Lady Magic's might, I am alright. I am still your Hadrian..." He kisses his Alpha, who growls low and pleased before pulling away.
"I am going to torture him for the next 1000 years and heal him and do it again... I will make him suffer eternally..." Legolas swears and it honestly makes Harry wet and very aroused, especially with the rather dark undertone to his Alpha's voice, Legolas sounded... Demonic and it made him wish Legolas would carry him back to their room and fucking bond with him!
Harry has never wanted dick as much as he did right now.
"... I am going to assume that you got lucky he grabbed your hand and not your head or placed his hand on your heart?" Lycaon says, only to have his wife and mate, Lupa, punch him in the stomach. "Oof!?"
"... Why do you say that Fleabag?" Severus snarls, the shadows growing and dancing eerily around them. The Shade Queen was fingering his butter knife in a manner that suggested it would be best to answer him or else.
Lycaon yelps, because Shades were terrifying, they could find you no matter what because of your fucking shadow! There was no running away or hiding!
"..." Legolas glares with red eyes again, his hold on Harry bruising from how tight he held his mate close. The slowly building pressure of his presence was starting up again which forced Lycaon to spill because he did not want to make his demise more painful than it was going to be.
"I mean what I said! Xerxes, from what I know always grabbed his brides by their heads. I originally thought he needed eye contact with them to bind them. But around the time of the Peverell's, a rather corrupted Magician had kidnapped a princess who was born blind and used the Bindings on her to not only become king but to start to begin his own campaign and become King of what later became Albion, I believe he a descendant, Cenred or something like that, a rival King who tried many times to kill Arthur Pendragon as both a Prince and young King of Camelot. Cenred was thankfully a Squib because the idiot decided he was going to bind his daughters and impregnate them too and their daughters and their daughters before he was finally killed. But as I said, she was blind, and he had from what I heard from one of his son's, who sought asylum with one of my packs, he would place his hands on their hearts."
"Wait..." Sirius snarls as he stands and then grabs Lycaon by his shirt and shakes him. "Are you saying that it's an instantaneous Binding if Dumbletwat had touched Harry's mind, which is what actually dies when the Binding is complete or close to where his Magical Core is, using his own magic against him!?" by now he was all but strangling the Werewolf king.
"Ack! Lu- Lupa! H- Help!" He yelps out as his wife shakes her head. "Bi- Bitch! Ack! Okay! Yes, that is what I mean, stop- Stop strangling me!"
Remus grabs his mate and holds him on his lap, even as Sirius grumbles up a storm, his cane was up in his room or he would be trying to stab the Werewolf king with it's silver tip right now. Harry has paled drastically at this point and then he seems to just close off. For a heartbeat everyone is wary because they cannot feel his emotions, his state of mind or being. It was empty. Suddenly, he gives a loud unholy screech of rage and somewhere in the Divine Realm, Death shivers in fright.
Uh-oh...