~ *~* ~ *~* ~ *~* ~ *~* ~ Chapter XXIX ~ *~* ~ *~* ~ *~* ~ *~* ~
Harry sat at the edge of Hedwig's nest, Tarian was sitting on his golden perch over his mate. She was preening away at the praise that Harry was giving her as they waited for the eggs to finally hatch. She checked frequently, fussing at the ruby and gold flecked eggs. She settled again for only a second before she was jumping up with a startled bark and then chirping excitedly, nothing but nonsense to Harry due to excitement and nervousness. Tarian croons softly, encouraging. There are 7 eggs and they are all shaking, slowly gaining strength as the faint sounds scratching can be heard and finally a crack in an egg appears.
"Come on, little one. You only need a little more and you can greet the world..." Harry coos, Hedwig nodding her head, chirping her own encouragement.
It takes only a handful of minutes, but it feels like hours before the first of 7 hatches. The chick is covered in pink and black quills, the eyes are still shut, blind for a few more days yet. Hedwig quickly goes to gently clean her child, regurgitating some food for them as another soon pops out quickly followed by another. Harry giggles as they little chicks all chirp up a storm, curious and hungry. Tarian carefully jumps down to help his mate, who nuzzles him, cooing at him seductively and Harry blushes hotly at what passes for a bird's pick up line. Tarian puffs his chest out, looking heatedly at Hedwig.
"No." Harry states firmly. "You can wait until these guys at least have down and are a bit mobile before you decide to do the nasty again." He tells them.
Hedwig gives him the stink eye, but she knows he is right. She can calm her ovaries long enough to make sure her perfect babies grow nice and strong. Harry watches on a while more until all seven have been born, fed and are now tucked under their father, who produces more heat than their mother, so they will be nice and warm. Hedwig gives Tarian a final nuzzle and a birdie kiss before she takes off to hunt for both of them and for the babies. Harry knows that for the first year there will be weekly burns for those who show the Phoenix trait more than the others, but if what Mr. Scamander told him, he doesn't not need to worry about the non Phoenix babies getting hurt due to the burns, if anything it would be good for them as well as their siblings. Tarian would be due to burn in about three months, which will really help the chicks since his ashes hold more nutrients.
He bids Tarian a goodbye, chuckling as he heads down to his bedroom where Legolas is reading on the bed.
"We have 7 hybrids! 7 is a very powerful number, I wonder if it will give the babies more strength and luck?"
"Oh, how were Fawkes and Hedwig?"
"Hedwig tried to seduce Tarian into getting her with chick again... stop laughing you bastard!" Harry growls when his mate bleats loudly in laughter. When he doesn't stop, Harry tries to smother him, growling about finding a better mate...
The recovery was slow as was expected, but because a good chunk of the ground work was done before the Battle of Hogwarts. So Harry walked into the Wizengamont to finish arranging the last few laws, sub-laws and bylaws, the articles and sections that would lock everything in place for hopefully the next 1000 years, as long as idiots don't try and fuck with his hard work. There was also the trials of the too few Dumbledore supports left as well as taking care of some of the Ministry garbage as well. So when he walked into the Wizengamont chambers, he was reasonably annoyed to see one of Fudge's stooges sitting in the Minister's box.
"Ah, the traitor has finally deigned to join us! Aurors, arrest him!" the man yells, Umbridge at his side smiling meanly.
Harry actually blinks in shock, because he honestly forgot about the bitch and that she was still alive. She was almost anorexic thin, her skin sallow and like brittle parchment. It looked translucent in some spots too. The woman was ready to collapse dead at any moment, but my god is she stubborn in her beliefs! Oh well, he did promise to rip her heart out and he's gonna do just that at the first chance he gets. He merely cocks a brow at the two fools who work for Fudge, who glares at him.
"As a Creature of near human intelligence, you are hereby stripped of your titles and powers as a Lord of an Ancient and Noble House and all the perks that come with it. These seats and titles will be held in Trust by the Ministry of Magic!" The man says loudly, ignoring the outraged shouts of the other lords and ladies, many of whom are also Creatures. "However because you are a Devi, you will not be executed like the filth you are. Instead you will kneel and accept this collar, binding yourself and your powers to the Ministry until your dying day!"
Harry blinks. Well let it not be said that Harry is not impressed by both the carefully thought out plan and how utterly asinine these idiots were. He simply ignores the advancing Aurors and calmly goes and sits on the Peverell Throne, a gift from Death as he smiles at the four Hooded figures sitting in the Founders' Seats.
"Potter!" Umbridge manages to bellow, though she quickly clears her throat to cover her wheezing and cough, she was too ill to be yelling, but this freak needs to learn to obey! And as a Devi, he can heal her so whatever is robbing her of her health can finally be laid to rest. "You will obey the Acting Minister and submit or you will find that we can and will hurt your... 'mate.' After all we have Hit wizards at our disposal."
"Madam Umbridge, that is a a blatant abuse of power as well as this farce of an attempt to subjugate Lord Potter, who is not only the True Lord of the Light, but in the eyes of the people, he is our King!" Madam Bones snarls, finally able to get over her shock. "You have no power or clout after your attempt to kidnap several children under the pretense of arresting them to bring harm! And let us not forget how you tortured our children with Blood Quills!"
"Blood Quills, Madam Bones?"
"Ah, I see that the Professors haven't told you." She says when she sees the confusion on his face. "A Blood Quill is a particularly powerful piece of Dark Magic as it is used to sign special contracts or as a torture device back when they were discovered around the Founders' Time. It does not use ink, but rather your blood since your magic is potent in your blood. Once a contract is signed with a Blood Quill, it is immediately banished into a Hex Fire, the only thing other than the Demon Fire spell powerful enough to destroy not only the quill but any lingering blood. Blood Magic is very powerful and sadly will remain a Dark art because of far to many use it for less than friendly reasons."
"That is understandable." Harry says, cocking his head slightly as he glares at Umbridge, who looks both smug and terrified. "So if these are meant for a single use and to be destroyed, have you destroyed the ones she used?"
"We cannot find them." Kingsley Shacklebolt speaks up from his place beside his Uncle, who is the current Shacklebolt Lord. "It is not for a lack of trying, my Lord. If we leave them in her possession or if someone stumbles over them and realizes that they are bonded to a person, they can write with it themselves and it can control that person, for them to agree to whatever the wielder wishes. Many of the children she's tortured are the soon to be newly instated Lords and Ladies of the Ancient, Honorable and Noble Houses being returned from the Muggle World. Let's say she uses it on Ms. Granger, who is not only a brilliant Witch, but she's proven from her first day in the Magical World, that she is powerful and will not back down from her beliefs. Could you imagine the horrors that could be wrought by forcing Ms. Grander to make up iron clad laws and legislations that benefit people like Madam Umbridge and Fudge, or worse someone like Dumbledore?"
"..." Harry glares and everyone gulps. "That is simply handled... Humming!"
The Potter Elf appears at his side, as always proving that his people can get anywhere they want as long as they have either been there before or had a powerful enough connection to one summoning them. He bows, the motion much more stiff and shallow. Humming did not have long and Harry hated to do this, but the Old Elf wanted to go out doing something rather confined to his bed where his children, their children and their children will wait and weep.
"Mistress summons Humming?"
"Yes, Madam Umbridge has been particularly naughty and has used nasty Blood Quills on innocent children." He tells him and smirks when the old Elf gives a terrifying hiss, his old face looking fierce and demonic with his glare. "I want you to take the Madam and find those Quills and I want you to bring all of them here, even the unbound ones. You will then purge them and destroy them. You can finally rest after that."
Humming pauses and looks at him, his eyes wide and a pleased smile dances on his face.
"Humming thanks kind Mistress for his final orders. Humming bes doings it rightings away... Come Nasty Wretch!" He snarls and pops over to Umbridge and then out of the chambers ignoring her scream and the protest of the Acting Minister and his entourage, Fudge's Aurors were trying to get at Harry but were being held at bay by a barrier of some kind.
"Lord Potter, what did the Elf mean his final Orders?" Lord Malfoy asks, Draco at his side.
"Exactly that. Humming is nearly 900 years old, he is dying. He did not want to be on bed rest and have to watch his family suffer as he waits to die. As the Head Elf for the Potter family, I can feel our bond graying and fading as he reaches his end. This task will exhaust what is left of his magic and he will enter the Eternal Sleep as many Creatures refer to death. I don't want to do it, but Humming's last wish should be fulfilled so he can be at peace."
They all blinked in shock, either at how old the elf was or that Harry was doing this as a finally gift and thank you to the old Elf as was his last wish in this life.
"We see..." was murmured by many as thoughtful looks take over their faces.
"We see nothing!" Snapped the Acting Minister, as he points at Harry. "You will obey me, Potter! Get over here and kneel at my feet like your worthless ass is supposed to!"
"Let me think... Fuck off and kiss a Demigoron's ass." Harry snarls out, eyes blazing ultraviolet in his anger. "You have no power or say here. There are no laws that allow for you to strip a Lord of their power unless they have betrayed not only the Wizengamont but the Crown as well. We may be Magicals, but we are still loyal to her majesty, the Queen." Harry says, glaring. "And before you claim that I betrayed the Ministry, it hard to betray something that was corrupted long before now and was just festering like a corpse left to road on the side of road under the midday sun in hell. So no, I will not allow you to collar me nor will I kneel to anyone who is not my Alpha and even then, he prefers to kneel to me."
This caused several stuffy Alphas to balk at the idea of kneeling for their Omegas while others purred pleased at knowing how much one must love their mate to kneel, to submit to the whims of their Omega. Lucius in particular looked very pleased at this thought if the slowly widening grin on his face was any thought. Draco coughed and blushed brightly. Harry caught his eyes for a second and the Blonde allowed him into his mind and he saw that Draco had walked in on his parents. Oh my...
Humming appeared again with Umbridge, tossing her onto the floor like a particularly filthy rag no longer of use. He snaps his fingers and a Hex Fire bursts into being before him as he then waves his hands and several boxes appear enlarging and he pulls out the first of many bonded quills. He chants, everyone is amazed at the musical tone as the deep blood, almost black color of the quill changes white as the blood and magic are leeched out of it the blood it tossed into the fire first, breaking the binding on the Blood Magic and the child before the quill is held over the licking flames and like flash paper, flashes in a quick burst of flames, gone from existence. The magic is sent into a container that will be smashed with what is called the Hephaestus' Hammer.
They watch as each bonded quill is given the same treatment until all that is left is the unbound ones.
"Madam Bones, I believe you should look those over before Humming destroys them."
"You can't!"
"Will you shut up!" Dowager Longbottom snaps at the Acting Minister, glaring hatefully at the rude little upstart. "I am certain the Unspeakables can make more, but these need to go because we do not know what the intent for them were and I am certain if it was your child that these were used on, you would be raising hell! So shut up!"
"Thank you Dowager Longbottom." Amelia says as she carefully checks each one and then nods. "Humming can destroy them, these have enslavement enchantments on them. I guess she never got to use them on the ones she wanted under control."
"Humming's be glads to dos, Policing Lady." he sneers at the quills and sets back to work, separating the magic from the quill before sending the quill into the fire as the magic joins the others in the container. Once he is done, he snaps his fingers and a large war hammer appears in his hand. It is bronze and gold with the crest of Hephaestus on it. The tiny Elf hefts it with ease and slams it down with a war cry down on the container. A shower of sparks and a flack of black, deep indigo and blackish red lights flashed. With a shout, the remains were cast into the fire and the Hammer was sent back to Potter Manor, in the War room before Humming shakily, turns and bows to Harry.
"Humming's task is completeds! Does Mistress be needings anything else?"
"No. Thank you for your hard work and your years of loyalty. Please go home and have a rest, Humming."
"Yes, Mistress... So kind to old Humming..." He pops off and Harry closes his eyes as he feels the tie to the old Elf snap, clean and painless. "Rest well in the Halls of Macaria..." He prays.
Many bow their heads to show respect. In the past, they would not have cared, but as they have learned since Harry arrived almost a year ago, that the world is not as black and white as they were led to believe, that everyone and everything had a life, a spirit and a name. Hell some families killed off their Elves and mounted their heads like trophies to show their power and status. Many Elves claim to be loyal to their families, but how truly loyal are they? It seems that Lord Potter still had much to teach them.
"Why are you showing respect to a stupid Elf!?"
"Okay, I've stayed quiet long enough." Godric snarls, ripping his hood off as a pair of great dragon wings burst open on his back and a stream of silver white flames shoot out of his mouth. "Not only are you trying to subjugate my Grandson, but you are insulting the memory of that Brownie and all the other Brownies to come before him! You are insulting Creatures, who came before your pathetic arse!We were born first and we never disrespected your kind unless you did it first! Every one born with magic comes from a Magical Creature!"
"Hem, hem!" Harry's eye twitched, his nails taking on a slightly draconic appearance. "That is lies! Potter already tried that trick once-"
"Oh for the love all things Magical!" Rowena groans loudly, cursing in Ancient Greek for good measure before she pulled off her hood and stood up as well. "Humans evolved from Prime Apes, correct? Monkeys and their various cousins! If they developed from animals, so did we as Magicals! I may be human, but my son married a Shade and ever since my descendants have all been some form of Elf, primarily Shades, I think there is a Fairy somewhere in there, but oh well." She shrugs before snapping back into fury. "My grandson, Lord Ravenclaw, is a Shade and the Queen of the Shades!"
"Another freak!?" The Minister snarls.
Helga is up and about to use her war hammer on the bastard, but Salazar was quick to catch her and pull her close, even as she cursed up a storm in Old Norse.
"What Helga is trying to say is: Your mother is a half troll and you are the ass end of a Blast Ended Skewert." Salazar says calmly, pulling their hoods off, still holding the tiny woman, who is kicking, trying to inch her toes closer to the Acting Minister's throat, despite there still being a good 20 or so feet between them. "But my lover and sister in all but blood are correct. How dare you assume you are superior when in actuality you Humans are Squib offspring of Magical Creatures."
"What!?"
"Forgive me, since you started off with the bullshit, I forgot to make introductions. Please welcome back from the grave, Lord Godric 'The Brave' Gryffindor, Lady Rowena 'The Wise' Ravenclaw, Lord Salazar 'The Cunning' Slytherin and Lady Helga 'The Kind' Hufflepuff." Harry says happily, even as everyone stared at the practically foaming at the mouth Original Badger.
'The Kind, he says...' is the thought in everyone's minds looking at the half feral woman.
"In case you are wondering, the reason for Hufflepuff's Crest being a badger is because Helga is tiny, cute, but oh so feral like a Honey Badger when it's angry." Salazar says happily, shifting his hold on the woman when she aims a kick for his crotch at the short comment. "Hel, calm down..." He croons, scratching her jaw and forcing her to calm down as she purrs and nuzzles into the sensation. "There you go..."
"I still wonder how you two ended up together when Helga practically melts when ever Sal touches her." Rowena sighs, rubbing her face in a tired manner, as if this is an age old mystery. "She's suppose to be my lover, not his!"
"He's got magic fingers..." Godric says, smirking at his lover.
"That is lies!" Umbridge sneers. "Salazar Slytherin was the strongest of the Four Founders, he wanted Hogwarts to be for only Purebloods, not the filth that is Halfbloods and Mudbloods! He certainly would not side with filthy Creatures!"
Salazar calmly sets down Helga, who is now giggling and chanting softly 'You're gonna die' like an immature child. Rowena simply grabs her lover and moves up to Harry's level while Godric sits down in his throne, grinning like a shark in the water as Salazar slowly walks forward and then right before their eyes changes into a Basilisk, keeping his inner eyelids closed as he glares at the freaking out Blood supremacist.
§I am indeed the strongest of the four because I am willing to do anything and everything to protect my family and loved ones! I died to protect my school and students, my lover felt my death and was killed in battle while our sisters ruled long into their golden years before they succumbed to death as well! Our bodies, when they were able to find mine, were buried into the very foundations of Hogwarts! I have never believed one's blood had superiority over another! My issue was the students who felt their gifts were a curse and would go back to their Muggle families where they were abused and beaten, often killed because of their gift! I wanted to take those children from their families place them with families who would teach them properly, would raise them correctly and love them no matter what!§ He roars as Harry calmly translates for him.
"How dare you claim to be Salazar Slytherin, monster!"
"My goddesses!" Harry groans. "I know stupid breeds stupid, but this is a completely different breed!"
Helga and Rowena nod solemnly in agreement as Godric bursts into roaring laughter.
§It amazes me the level of utter asinine stupidity our human children reach... But then again generations of bigotry, inbreeding and pure stupidness does a lot of damage...§ Salazar sighs, handing his massive head before he changes to his Naga form.
"This way, I can talk to you without needing a translator and Lord Potter can save his voice for when he rips into you if you are still being stupid later." The snaky hybrid says crossing his arms and glaring at the lot. "I am ashamed of you and am certain that many of your ancestors are just as disappointed. Dunderheads, all of you!"
Severus snorted a snicker from his place with his husband in the neutral section, they were under their other titles since their Ancestors were in their proper thrones. Tom was holding his hand over his mouth to keep his giggling under control. If he didn't know better, he'd swear that someone hit him with a Cheer charm. Severus and Salazar were a lot alike, which is weird since Rowena was his Ancestor, but then again Tom was more like Lady Ravenclaw, yet he was the progeny of Lord Slytherin. They had quickly learn during the months of recovery and burying the dead, that Helga Hufflepuff, while like her House, would hug you and cuddle you into good health, was a hard working woman and filled with all the compassion in the world, but that quickly flipped into this wild feral thing, more cunning than a Slytherin, just as wise as a Ravenclaw and three times the bravery of any Gryffindor worth their salt.
She had no issues slipping deadly poisons or dangerous plants into your living area if you piss her off and she was giving Neville tips, Neville, who had admitted to doing similar things to his former bullies and others. And to find out her many great grandson was a Dryad, Helga was positively pink with delight and her evil cackles set Godric on edge. The Dragon had to often real his fellow Viking in, which sucked because she knew how to tame him down without trying. He normally leaves her manic behavior to Sal to handle, since as a snake, Helga cannot bribe him half as well as she does Godric.
Tom shakes his head and pays attention again, his many great grandfather was sitting on his coils as if they were a throne and he glared down at the Umbridge woman as she tried to argue with him about Creature rights, what is 'fact vs fiction' by her definition and that Salazar was a liar. Fudge was sitting in the guest section, nodding with his stooge's arguments. He tried to get the reporters to snap a few photos of him, hoping to endear them and thus the public into voting him back into office, never mind that he was permanently stripped of his status and power as Minister by not only the Lords' votes, but even Lady Magic had made sure he could never be in the position ever again.
Harry finally had enough of the run around arguments and could tell Salazar's eyes were flashing a brighter shade of yellow as he fought back the urge to get in her face and stare into her eyes as he let his Killing Gaze end her miserable existence.
"Lord Slytherin, please stop..." Harry says as he gets up, moving elegantly down to the floor and up to where the woman stood, smirking at him, smug that Harry was finally obeying her like he should have done from the beginning.
"Hadrian-" Sal started, but a chill shot through him and he bolted so quick toward the nearest pillar and climbed it hissing up a storm in fright.
The other Creatures int the room all tensed, seeing the King of Snakes terrified. Godric sniffed the air and his eyes went wide as he grabbed his two sisters and jumped up, settling one of the giant coils and wrapped his wings around his lover and the two women, who didn't need to ask. If Sal and Rick were on edge, it was for a good reason.
Severus felt a pull and moved toward his nephew in all but blood, dropping to his knees at his back, a shadow merging from under him and out of it stood one of Death's children, Mani.
"You summoned me?" They asks, bowing to Harry's back, using Severus to speak for them. They were the personification of the Dead Spirits, though the full story of their creation is lost, Harry knows enough that this particular Sibling of his often handed some of the foulest souls that are due to die.
"Hello my dear Sibling... If you are here, it means it is time I finally make good on my promise..." Harry purrs and it is a dark sound, bone chilling like the deadly aura he is putting out, the almost violently acrid smell of his festering hate for this woman.
"Yes... Father told me to give you this first..." They grab Harry's hands and bow over them, wailing horridly both through Severus and from their shapeless being, thick tears of white fell and formed great big pearls into Harry's hands before they stopped as suddenly as they had started. "You know what to do with them."
Harry examined them and his eyes grow bright as he smiles and nods, leaning up to kiss Mani's cheek.
"Thank you for giving this to me, tell Papa I will bake him his favorite pie and what would you like as an Offering?"
"... Treacle Tart, Lemon Custard and that delicious Shepard's pie... I will be in Church Hill Cemetery." Harry nods and puts the peals in pouch on his hip before he turns to Umbridge and grins like one of the foulest demons of hell.
The woman yelps as she is trapped in a bubble and Harry raises his clawed hand, it looked like a cross between dragon talons, some type of raptor and demon claws, black marks ran up his hand, going up his arm, but no one could see it as Mani grins like Harry, giggling as Harry stalks forward.
"You have run out of time, Dotty... time to pay the Pied Piper." He says at the same time as Mani, their voices echoing with a deadliness that leaves all quaking. "You have tortured children for your own sick pleasure and as a means to gain control of the House of Lords. You have created laws and regulations that make it impossible for my fellow brethren to earn a living, to provide for not only themselves but their families and then punish them unjustly simply because they are not human, you pride yourself on the laws that test newborns for Creature blood and then euthanize them, lying to the parents that it was a stillborn or that the baby just suddenly died mid exam..."
This makes many lords and ladies jump up and scream in horror, outrage and anguish.
"I- I only did what needed to be done to keep the bloodlines pure!"
"Halfbloods and the so-called Muggleborns are filters that can take the tainted blood in your vein and clean it out so any offspring they have will be born with lesser issues, more power and 'cleaner' blood. Muggleborns are Purebloods being reintroduced back into our world while your so-called Purebloods are the true Mudbloods..." Harry snarls, spiting the word Mudblood like it absolutely disgusts him. "Did you know that Hermione Granger is slotted to revive the Ancient and Noble House of Sylwen? Or that the Creevy boys are sons of the Lost House of De Ghent?"
Umbridge gags in shock as the House of Lords begin whispering and chattering, naming off House that have been 'Lost' or have died out. If what Harry says is true, they will see newer Lords and Ladies, will have newer blood to mix with and to clean the impurities out, to will out the bad and accept the new and good.
"But, no, since your precious Minister didn't say it or your own 'research' lead to this, I must be lying. I am a heretic causing descent in the House of Lords and must be punished, correct? If you are so powerful and confident, why not remove that glamour and show everyone what you really look like, after all those nightmares must be finally taking their toll."
"Wh- How did yo- You did this, I don't know how, but you did it!" She screeches, pointing at Harry accusingly.
"I have long mastered the art of Occlumency and by proxy, I also mastered Legilimency. You have no protections around your mind, in fact you are broadcasting all your thoughts, anyone with even a modicum of talent, skill or training can read you like an open book. As for those who have actually studied the art, they can easily glean what you are thinking at a mere glance while Masters of the art are practically invited in for tea and biscuits. I can see that your sleepless nights, the nightmares began more than a year ago, in fact I believe you started having these back in what would have been my fifth year, which we both know I was not present for, I was still living in Bree, having just lost Papa Mors." He tells her, smiling in a sweetly condescending tone of voice, one she often used and it gave him a thrill to see her glare and puff up like an insulted Puffer fish.
"Reading another's mind is illegal, especially that of a Ministry worker!" She sputters.
"It's illegal to use Legilimency on a minor unless for medical purposes, done by a parent to aid their child or under extreme cases where a child has witnessed a horrible crime, or is victim of said crime and to avoid traumatizing the child more, a licensed professional will preform it. And while indeed it is illegal to read the mind of Ministry worker, you are no longer a Ministry worker. And it is only counts as being illegal if I break into your mind to do it, essentially unless I am Mind raping you, I am not doing anything illegal." He smirks at her. "Don't worry, I will be working on that little issue, but thankfully almost everyone in this room knows how to Occlude and are keeping their thoughts to themselves instead of painting a sign that says 'All welcome, come find out my deepest secrets!' With a red carpet rolled out and offering snacks for free to the show."
She sputtered and Harry just grins wider as she finally pulls out her pitifully tiny wand and Harry actually bursts into hysterical laughter.
"And what amuses you so, little brother?"
"Look Mani, for someone as big and bad Madam Umbridge, someone so greatly feared and hated, she is practically a squib!" He points at her wand and starts laughing again.
Mani and everyone for that matter does, cocking their head before laughing through Severus getting what is so amusing.
"For someone who wants to keep the Bloodlines pure, you have almost no magic. A Squib is a Pureblood who cannot use a wand because there is something wrong with their core that does not allow the wand to connect and draw out the magic. The smaller the wand, the smaller the amount of magic you have."
"Ollivander said it doesn't matter how big or small the wand is, but the power of the Wielder!" Umbridge screams, red faced and then coughing as she overexerts herself.
"This is true, the size of the wand has nothing to do with the power of the Wielder, but Ollivander, like all Wand Makers has to be polite and give an optimistic view and opinion because the ugly truth is, that you are weak and pathetic." Harry says softly at first before spitting out venomously afterwards. "Think about it, in the Founders time and before that Staffs were used to channel magic, in many countries and sub culture, they are still used. The bigger the staff, the more powerful the Wizard. Lord Slytherin fights with a Staff, even if he only uses it to summon his undead servants. The longest wand in history was Merlin's being 15in exactly with Unicorn, Dragon and Shade Blood as the core. The only wand of its kind and only out classed by the Elder Wand, which as the most powerful Medium in the world, is shorted by 2 and ½ inches." Harry points.
"What!? No! That's not true-"
"Actually Lord Potter is correct." Ollivander says, standing up from his small Lord chair. "If I were to tell children, who are excited about getting their first wands that they are weak or average, their dreams will be crushed before they even get to school. The point of attending school is to exercise your Magical core, to make it stronger and as it grows, you will find your wand grows too, not physically but in power and loyalty to you as the Wielder. It is not our place to tell you the truth, our job as Wand Makers is to match you with the best wand available, to set you on the path of self discovery. What you choose to do after that is no longer our concern or worry unless it is something large scale like with the First Wizarding war and our most recent one. Had I known what Voldemort would set out to do with the wand I gave him, I certainly would have not given it to him. However hind sight is 20/20 they say."
"Yes, my 'cousin's' misguided attempts to save the Magical world ended up damaging it further, however I will do what I can to correct 'his' mistakes." Tom says.
"But that is besides the point, the point is, Madam Umbridge, if you were to duel me right here, right now for the Title of King of the Magical world; you would lose because I doubt you use magic outside of being lazy, I doubt you have any skill in combat and we all know what my Mocks had looked like and you all saw what I can do on the battlefield, especially if you stupidly go after my Alpha..." Harry growls.
No one could deny that, Harry had proven he was in a Class of his own with only very few able to join him.
"Well I never!"
"No you will never..." Mani sneers.
"What my Sibling means, is that you will never again be a threat." Harry breaks her glamours and everyone is shocked to see her.
Her skin is yellow and translucent, wrinkled, scabbing and leather like. Her eyes are almost alien big in her sunken face, her bones are practically jumping out of her skin. Her hair is limp and falling out, there are deep shadows around her eyes, permanent due to the lack of sleep. Her breathing is raspy and wheezy, her looks like her own weight, what little there is, is too much for her. Her clothes are unkempt and she looks more like Gollum's twin sister. But then again that was insulting to Gollum who had been a victim to the Ring. This wretch knowing did horrible things and had slept peacefully at night, comforted by the misery she caused and spread.
"As I said, not sleeping and nightmares must be taking their toll... You are anorexic due to extreme stress, your weak from how tired you are and due to the weight loss. You spend what little magic you have left to maintain those glamours, hoping that your little plans will work for you in the end. I bet you set up this little farce of a charge to force me to heal you back to your former... 'glory' and I use that word very, very, very loosely." Harry smirks darkly as the woman pales more, giving her a greenish gray cast as Harry stalks forward.
Mani perks up and begins grinning as well.
"Since you are clearly a threat to me and my people, I have little pity for you... You see, even as far away as I was, as out of reach by everyone like you would would use an orphan child to get what you want in the end. A child you would use as a puppet and a weapon as it suits you, to control the people and kill your enemies.." He snarls darkly, his smile nothing more than a parody of a smile, meant to frighten and intimidate. "I got word of you, Madam Umbridge. The stories painted you as this Yaga Baba creeping in the dark, a monster to terrify children. And to see you finally, to see what has become of you, to know that you are hardly more powerful than a Squib, I feel a bit cheated... But that does not absolve you of your sins..."
"Sins!? What sins!? I've don' nothing wrong!" She yells in fright, as she tries to back away, but the bubble holds her prisoner.
"You may not have done it yourself, but you ordered that hundreds of innocent babies be killed. You threatened many of the healers to do as you decreed or they will be sent to Azkaban or Kissed, for disobeying your orders. You threatened their children and then tortured said children just because you could. You bribed others, who will be facing their own justice soon enough like the others. And there are those who are like minded. Everyone with magic has some form of Creature blood in them, it depends on the power of the child, the ambient magic they absorbed while in utero, and if certain unknown requirements are met that allows one to be born a Creature.
So you killed off innocent children, who would have grown up and been 'normal' human witches and wizards. You have made enemies with every member of the Wizengamont by killing their children and having someone say that 'these things happen', 'it must have been something you did while pregnant', 'is there a possibility you have Muggle blood?' These are the lies you spread to cover your infanticide, to make the parents feel it was their fault! And we already know what you have done to the older children, making them write lines, the lies you want them to carry with them forever and ever. I met a sweet little girl who had the words 'Infants are monsters and must be destroyed' carved into her left forearm. I asked how she got it and she told me that you made her write that after you stole her letter from her parents, who had just told her she was a big sister.
You have used and abused your status to further your agenda and to aid the Minister to control the Sheeple with fear. You allow people like Ms. Skeeter use to be, write lies and pass it off as the truth. Do you have any idea how many lives you have ruined? How many suicides and murders stain your soul? And then you had the nerve to sleep peacefully at night, guilt free. Well then... hem, hem, I think it is time for you... to be punished..." Harry mimics her voice and she screams.
"Avada- Ack!?" She gasps and looks down to see Harry's fist in her chest, blood spraying out around his fist and ruining his elegant robes. He cocks his head at her, seeing the confusion on her face, "Uck... wha... ugh!?"
Harry leans in closely to her ear and purrs, "As I had thought, your face is just priceless... Oh, I'm so sorry, you see I have a bad habit of claiming organs when the mood strikes me... it seems a bit of my Grandpa's dragon blood has manifested despite my being a Devi... Oh and in case you are wondering how I know all this, my Elf, Milly spied on you as did several others and the Goblins keep very tight records... I gave Milly a lovely little potion called the Sinner's Sleep. If you were innocent of the crimes that I keyed it to, you would have slept just fine, no harm done. But you are indeed guilty and very much so if you are like this... I promised then that I would rip your heart out and I am going to do just that... Goodbye Dotty, it was never a pleasure knowing you..."
He pulls back and holds her heart in his hand before he burns it and her blood off his person. Mani steps forward and grabs into her chest and pulls out her soul and opens Their maw and eat it whole before nodding and vanishing as they had appeared. This allowed Severus to finally stand and break free of the trance he was placed in to allow Mani to manifest.
"Are you alright, Lord Prince?"
"I'm alright... Just a bit sore and a little dizzy."
"Please go sit. Milly, please come clean up this mess, make sure there is nothing left for even a proper burial, she doesn't deserve it." Harry commands as he turns and walks up to his throne, his temper calmed and allowing the Creatures to calm down. Godric jumped down and set the two women down as Salazar slithered his way down, cautious of Harry's ire.
"Grandson, your temper is terrifying..." Godric says. "And what a waste of meat..."
"I was not putting anything of that thing in my body, I have standards, grandfather." Harry sniffs and Godric bellows out a laugh and goes to sit down. "Now then, if you want to continue, Acting Minister Eustace, please, give me a reason to end you as well, assuming no one else wants a crack at him first?" When the man can only tremble in fear with everyone else in the room, Harry smiles sweetly and that makes them all the more terrified. "Then shall we? I have a date later this evening and will be severely putout if I am late..."
In the aftermath of Harry killing Umbridge, not that anyone could blame him when they found the physical evidence and after a small trial that was more pomp and ceremony than any legit urgency to try him, the Public was told and whoo, boy were the people enraged. Not everyone could be punished through the law system, since some offenses were rather minor by comparison to others and since Azkaban was essentially a one size fits call kind of deal, most of the minor offenses were allowed to go home under a form of House Arrest, coupled with having the people policing them, watching their every move because if they so much as put a toe out of line, they were gonna get bounced right into Azkaban or worse, the Muggle world with their magic bound and their memories wiped.
Sirius had suggested sterilizing those banished to the Muggle World, which was almost a unanimous decision in favor of the punishment, Harry and a few others hadn't felt that level of extreme was needed, but didn't hold it against anyone because in the long run it helped to ensure that the evil died with the punished instead of having a chance to come back in the form of a descendant to bite them in the arse. The trails ended with a relative happy reception from the public and with Hogwarts once more thorough checked top to bottom, her wards updated, her library replenished and so much more upgraded or added, she was ready for September to welcome back her students.
But not everything was all work! Draco had purposed to Hermione halfway through June and they were set to marry in August before both would return to Hogwarts to further their education. This was met with delight from the Creature half while the gossips wondered at the short engagement, speculating that they were trying to marry so a possible babe Malfoy was not born out of wedlock! Draco rolled his eyes and blew a plume of icy smoke out of his nose in distaste while Hermione rants at one bold woman about minding her damned business and so what if she was pregnant, it was none of the Public's business! She was not in fact pregnant, but still the sheer rudeness of some people!
Neville and Luna married in a small private ceremony on Summer Solstice, only close friends and family were allowed to attend and it was announced that they were married about three months later when they also announced their good news of conceiving a baby. Many more got married or renewed their vows, many of the dead began to return to their final rest, but as October came around, everyone was flutter, Harry Potter was finally going to marry and everyone was wondering about the ceremony, why in October and why on the day that changed his life forever?
No one could get details and everyone's hope was to get an invite, which was very unlikely. The trend seems to be private ceremonies this year. Especially for the young Devi. Only those who were sent private invites knew when and where, were given special Portkeys to get them to the location and told the dress attire. Harry was both ecstatic and nervous because his Parents would be walking him down the aisle, but as soon as the Ceremony was over, they and the Founders would have to return to their eternal rest, which disheartened him because he liked having them around. His Aunt Helga was a blast to have around while he enjoyed tea time with Aunt Row, Uncle Severus and Grandpa Sal. He loved racing with his grandpa Rick and telling him about the things he saw and learned, about his battles across Arda and the Dragon couldn't have been more proud if he tried to be.
So as October came and slowly drew to its close, everyone arrived in Arda and arrived around a tree much bigger than the Hobbits' Party tree. The Location was a bit strange for even the natives, that is until they saw main 13 Gods of Arda step out of the tree. Everyone bowed in both awe and reverence. Harry stood and conjured up a grand table with a feast befitting royalty with the finest wines he could find and food that he and his Brownies had worked themselves into exhaustion to make.
"Welcome Valar, break bread and be merry for I beseech that you preside upon my Bonding to your great son, Legolas of the Greenwood, Prince of the Silvan Elves and my Alpha..." He begs, bowing lowly to them.
"Oh, dear, no need to bow! You are practically my son..." coos a high feminine voice and a gentle touch to his chin forces him to rise and look at the beautiful woman, her hair is a flowing mass of crimson red and her eyes are like teal jewels. Her skin is a rich brown, perfectly bronzed all around and blemish free. "After all this time that Mandos has spent raising you and guarding you, his self chosen Master..."
"Mandos..." Harry breaths and then shoot s a pout at the silver haired Death God, who chokes on his wine at the look. "Meanie, papa! You said you wound not be here for the wedding!"
"Husband?" his wife frowns at him and he is weak to her glare and Harry's pouting face.
"I fibbed so I could surprise you!" He admits and the others burst into laughter, the Death God growls at them and they roll fond eyes at him. "This is why I prefer my other siblings to you lot. At least they show the proper respect of someone of my power and status..." He gripes, but the dancing twinkle in his eyes tells them he is not truly offended. "Hadrian, my wife, Vairë. Beloved, your son in all but flesh and bone."
Vairë hugs him close and bids the others to stand, Legolas coming up beside his mate and hugging him as he continues to give the 'Pout of Disappointment' to Death. It is a very effective weapon, no one has managed to beat it except Lady Potter, but as his mother, he assumes she is immune to any of his tricks. The selfish woman will not share her secrets. Introductions are made and shocked reveals when the remaining Istari appear, the Two Blues, Yüri and Yänri, made surprise appearances as well as blasting Gandalf out of the water, revealing his status as a Servant of the Gods.
Mandos was preening away as he introduced Harry to each of his friends and 'siblings' personally. His wife, giggling as he told Harry random things, blackmail Harry realized, about the Gods.
There was Yavanna and her husband Aulë, Manwë and his wife Varda, Ulmo, who was married to his work, Vána and her husband Oromë, Irmo and his wife Estë, Nessa and her husband Tulkas, and Nienna, who is also single and very proud of it.
"Melkor is imprisoned behind the Door of Night, never to be released if I have my way..." Mandos, Námo, says as they walk back to where the large camp is being set. "Go now, Yavanna and the others are waiting. I will keep Legolas from too much bodily harm before the Ceremony upon the morrow..."
"You get to claim back the six souls you allowed to roam free as well as a gift of new life in the form of my formal bonding and hopefully the Goddesses of Mothers hear my plea to allow me to fall with child soon..."
"You need not worry about that, my son, after the evil taint of Dumbledore vanished and Hecate was able to cleanse the world in her holy flames, the 'curse' you asked for was lifted. You will have no issues falling pregnant soon enough." He promises and kisses his brow. "Go, it is terrible luck for the Groom to see his bride before the wedding. I also left items for you to bless your gown and your tent for the evening so any malevolent spirits cannot attack you."
"Thank you, papa..." Harry kisses his cheek and hurries away.
"Beloved, you are smiling..." Vairë says and smiles happily at him.
"Indeed... I want another baby..." He admits. "My Hadrian is fully grown and I found that I miss the sound of little ones..."
"Well good news then..." she whispers in his ear and he gives a choked gasp and faints away as she walks away giggling. "Your papa is so silly, he's raised hundreds in his many years, what are five more, huh, my little ones?"
Legolas was amazed as he watched the camp move like a well practiced army clearing away a spot, setting up seats, a massive feast table, fire pits decorated with freshly caught kills that were being manned by the best cooks in the camp, Little Milly stood guard over the pit meant for her Master and glared menacingly, her cast iron skillet in her hand, ready to bonk any idiot who dared to come too close. Tonight was Samhain, the moon that rose was full and unnaturally big, the forest around them slowly encased in pitch, one that was so dark, that black sounded too pale in comparison.
He smelt many sweet things being baked and knew that it was Hadrian's handy work, the scent had the subtle flare of his little mate in it and he could see the Ladies of the Valar standing guard, a sulking Mandos hiding behind Lord Ulmo, who chuckled and rolled his eyes at the Death God's pouting and fear of getting on the women folk's bad side. Legolas knows the man will not be so smug for too long once he's had a bite of one of Hadrian's pies. The Water God had enjoyed the meal from a few days ago, muttering about inviting Hadrian to be their personal cook, which Mandos had shot down at the same time that said Omega had calmly told him to dunk his head in the ocean and left.
Legolas always found it amusing how casual Hadrian could be with his dismissal of everyone, even Gods, but then again he was raised by the Oldest of them all. If what he knows of his own history and the lessons that Professor Nubia had given, no matter the Culture, Death and Chaos have always existed, they are never created, or born. They just were. One would think Chaos was Life but Legolas watched carefully how Mandos, he had a sneaking feeling that there was more to the Death God than his preferred form and title. He couldn't believe he missed it all this time when the most obvious clue was his beloved Hadrian.
His sweet Omega valued life and wanted to avoid death at any cost, only when there is no other choice has he ever dared to show that he is more than capable of violence as well as ending lives if it means his Coven and all in his care can survive another day. He has seen him mourn ally and enemy alike, his soul was too gentle, pure and blessedly kind. Someone like that would not have a Patron God such as Lord Mandos. He smiles softly as he sees it, just a small movement, as a breathtaking crown of flowers appears with living butterflies fluttering on it.
"My son..." He turns away from the little viewing portal and faces his father, who holds out the glittering green, silver and gold formal uniform, armor and accessories. "Your mother had this prepared for you so many moons ago, she wanted to give it to you upon you're coming of age, but I had not the heart to give it in her place..."
"Ada..." He breaths, feeling the gut wrenching pain again of knowing his Nana was not here.
"Hush, Little Greenleaf... no need to be sad..." a soft, familiar voice coos and he gasps as out from behind his father was his mother, as she had been in life. "My little Leaf, why makes you tremble so?" She asks and is suddenly in the arms of her son as he cries into her chest. She only coos and pet's his hair until he calms and even then, she continues to hug him as he rambles in High Elvish.
Thranduil merely set about laying the items on the impressive bed in side of the Magical tent. He had been unimpressed at first seeing the small tents, but after seeing how far too many people managed to get in and out of the tents that looked hardly big enough to fit three grown Men, never mind the 10 or so who vanished into one, he had allowed curiosity to finally win out and went to inspect one. To find a grand manor in side of one, a lovely rustic cabin in another, and even one each that was strictly for cooking and brewing potions, he had changed his tune. He allowed his wife to sooth their son, he had his own emotional breakdown mere hours before and had hardly pulled himself together enough to spring this surprise on his son.
Elvish souls were not as easy to bring back from the dead as Men were, by definition of the Men of Terra, the Ardan Elves were akin to Gods among their people and once a God dies and moves on, it is next to impossible to bring them back. However, the Elves are not Gods and it was Lord Mandos who had went to fetch her from the Great Beyond. She would be returning like Hadrian's parents after the Ceremony, but for now, they are here and that is what matters. He looks up when his wife ushers their son into the bathtub that had been brought in and filled by the Brownies. She was on her knees gently combing his hair and washing it. He rolled up the sleeves of his own tunic and began to attach his son's feet, how he manages to get them so filthy even with leggings and boots to protect them, is beyond him.
By the time they have him dressed, Thranduil carefully weaving his wife's hard word into the crown of Spring green leaves, ripe cherries and healthy sprigs of pinewood into his son's hair, making sure the braids fell where they needed to and did not get caught in the crown. He stands back and finds that Spring and Summer colors fit his little Greenleaf better than the harsh colors of Winter and Fall that he prefers.
"Thank you, Ada, Nana..." He breathes and they smile proudly at him. "Will you both stand with me as I marry?"
"Oh, of course, my dear!" His mother breaths and kisses his cheek, and he gives a happy purr.
"Certainly, my son... ah, it is nearly time..." They looked up when Lord Slytherin knocked on the door.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I have a gift for you, Elf Prince." The man states firmly as he walks in, his dark green robes move with nary a sound, even as they were made from heavy velvet and fine cotton with bits of silk and precious metals and jewels. "Since you are marrying the son of my mate's line, the Heir of both our lines, I thought it only fair for you to be able to understand the Serpent tongue as well. It is not a gift often given, but Aldeztaile vouches adamantly for you and I can hardly deny her any more than I could deny my wife or daughters. I am weak to females it seems." He chuckles and pulls a small vial out of his sleeve.
"It can be gifted?"
"By only those who are born of Snake blood or form. I am a Naga, a human and a snake hybrid. I am from a clan of them. We are nature spirits, we are peaceful until provoked. However because we are monstrous in appearance, we were hunted down and often captured and sold as pets, or killed and our remains harvested. We stopped trusting humans, hid ourselves as normal snakes or even as one of them. But that is a story for another time and you can always talk to my portrait, we are connected so even from the Great Beyond you can talk to me. Now then, this vile is a mix of Aldez's and my venom, both of them are very powerful, both are very dangerous but they hold so much more than just the Serpent tongue as a gift. You will be immune to most poisons, if there is one more powerful than Basilisk venom, I have yet to come across it. You will be able to face many a Basilisk without fear of their gaze killing you. You will find that if it bonds well with you, you will develop venom sacs of your own and your fangs will hollow out and grow a bit longer, allowing you to inject your venom through even something as tough as Dragon Hide. You may also develop a bit of scaling, natural armor against most spell work. I offer this to you, child because you will need it to keep a mate as powerful and as valuable such as my mate's grandson protected. I offer this as a sign of my acceptance to you as a member of my Clan and the mate of my Heir. Do you accept?"
"I accept, however if your venom should reject me?"
"I would not offer it if that was even a risk. Why would I kill you the day of your wedding?" Salazar asks, cocking a brow.
"Because Hadrian drilled it into all of us to never take something at face value." He states.
"I still say he is my a child of my direct line, but that neither here nor there." He sighs, smiling amused and proud. "I swear it on what remains of my magic, that I do not offer this vile with the intent to harm or kill you, with Mother Magic as my witness, so mote it be..." He swears and then the vile glows a rainbow light and it vanishes.
Legolas nods and accepts it.
"You may want to lay down, it will be painful, sadly there is nothing to be done, but it will be over in 15 minutes. We still have two hours before the Ceremony." Salazar suggests, as Legolas carefully moves to his bed and gets comfortable before allowing his mother to pour the vile into his mouth.
Thranduil carefully leans his body down and across his son as the first wave of pain begins, using his weight to keep the thrashing to a minimum. Salazar easily changed to his Naga form and carefully drapes a few coils over the Elf Prince to help keep him still. The next 15 minutes are indeed painful for Legolas, but he drowns most of it out by reciting spells, their meanings, their origins and original purposes, listing Harry's favorite foods, the many faces he makes when he is pleased or annoyed, he thinks of anything he can even as his eyes burn, his throat on fire and his body trying to spasm, but his father's weight on his chest is comforting, his mother's gentle hands petting his brow and cheek and the weight of Lord Slytherin is also an odd comfort. By the time it is over, he feels as if he has been tortured beyond recognition and yet is still whole and the same.
"My son?" Thranduil asks, slowly easing up.
"Water please..." he rasps as he is helped into a sitting position.
"Here." His mother gets him a goblet and he carefully sips it and sighs when the burning pain leaves and his voice no longer sounds like he has used the rough cloth to scrape years of grime away from the metal works of their palace, sandpaper as Harry calls it.
"There..." Salazar says with a pleased hiss, flicking his tongue out in a long pause, gathering as much scent as he could on it and pulling it in and analyzing it. "You will have to train up a bit, but now you will find it easier to understand Aldez and Hadrian when they talk, you will also be able to read Parselscript and preform some Parselmagic as well. I welcome you, Son of Thranduil to my Clan." Here he slithers over and bends himself down so that he can carefully press his brow to Legolas', however it down in such a way that it cannot be mistaken for the intimate gesture the Elf does it with Harry. It is a light butting of their brows and he pulls away just as quick. "Rest, Hatchling, your Bride is nearly ready..."
With that he leaves and Legolas tries to distract himself by speaking of his time in Terra with his parents, telling them of what they missed. They are both amused and proud of their son. Thranduil had enjoyed teaching; if barking orders, a few insults and even being allowed to throw a student(Ron Weasley) or two around was counted as teaching. However, he could not abandon their people and would remain in Arda, he would groom another for the Throne, knowing that his son will not be happy here, despite his love for his home and people. To remain trapped on a throne, bored to death with petty issues and trivial things. No, his son was indeed like a leaf on the wind and would go wherever the wind took him.
The sound of music some time later alerted them that it was finally time and they exit. His mother and father hook arms and proceed him, and he walks out after them, standing tall, powerful and brilliantly handsome in his formals. He can see the Fellowship at the front of the rows with many of their Terran friends mixed behind them. The Quibbler Quartet were given special permission to attend the ceremony and Mr. Weasley had managed to create the first ever Magical video recorder, to record the even. It followed a similar setup and function as the tape recorders. He had worked hard to perfect it for this moment knowing that many would wish to see the wedding of the Century. There were even members of the Wizengamont. Ministry and of course Griphook and almost every member of the Britannia Branch of Gringotts in attendance, even his Majesty the Goblin King stood among them with his wife and their two children.
Once standing before a shrouded figure under an arch of flowers, they only needed to wait a moment before the music changed out out came the bridal party. Legolas smiled seeing the stern faced Professor Snape in his formal gowns, the Shade Queen held Narcissa's youngest child, a baby girl, who was the flower girl, the man sprinkled the flowers for the baby, who looked around confused and gurgling up a storm. If one looked carefully, they could see his belly was steadily growing, a babe of his own on the way. Behind him was Gimli in his finest armor and formal dress, a pillow in his hands where he had worked for days creating the perfect rings for Legolas and Harry. He even had a flower grown in place of his helmet, the soft yellow flowers looked like a crown of gold upon his red hair.
Then came Ladies Hermione and Luna, dressed in similar dresses and robes, with matching veils, even though there was 13 Gods and a literal army of people in attendance to protect the Bride from any attempts on his life or bad spirits harming him, they were still paranoid. Finally the music changes and instead of the traditional wedding march that the Terrans are use to, Lady Arwen stands and begins singing a beautiful aria, it is an ancient ballad of two star crossed lovers who find one another, fall in love and are torn apart by war, strife and greed. The ballad tells of the male lover facing untold dangers, trials and preforming many great feats to win back his beloved, to make his way to her.
It is so filled with emotion, both happy and sad, some angry and so much love. Eventually he finds his beloved and they are reunited just as they are killed in the end, but their love brought about peace to the land and they lived eternally in peace and happiness. As she sang Harry walked out with his Parents on either side of him. His gown was made from pure moonbeams, he literally glowed. The shine was not so much they could not see him, but it emphasized his natural beauty, his great wings like brilliant stain glass mosaics behind him as his hair is braided in a matching style to Legolas.
The gown was actually a gown shaped robe with a long train, he wore silver leggings with veins of gold racing up them in the shape of whimsical smoke. His feet were clad in soft white boots and his tunic was made of Mithril with the same whimsical smoke dance of gold and yellow topaz. He wore no makeup, his natural beauty needing no help. Legolas could only stare, his breath stilled in his lungs as this vision of loveliness was too perfect to be real.
Lily wore a deep crimson dress with cream accents and a shawl, she kisses her son's cheek and moves to stand opposite of Legolas' mother as Legolas moves to bow before Lord Potter, who gives him a clear once over, scanning him both physically and spiritually before he turns to kiss his son's cheek after removing his veil, he then hands his son's hand to Legolas, bowing his head and moving to stand beside his wife as the couple move to kneel before the shrouded minster.
"Dearly beloved, I bid you welcome. This eve, we pay witness to the greatest display of Life and Death, the marriage of two souls, who shed the confines of their previous life and are reborn anew in this union." they say, their voice is neither male or female. "With this union we are bridging not only these two fine young men, this Alpha and this Omega, but their peoples and their worlds... May Arda and Terra forever be joined with your Union."
There was a murmur of agreement form the congress, who bow and stand tall. The couple bow as well and straighten again.
"Before I begin in full, is there anyone who takes issue?" this was asked with a hard, deadly edge.
No one, dared to breathe. When no one contested, the minister nods and holds their hands out along with the 12 other Gods of Arda, Mandos looms behind the Minister, but does nothing more than smile at the two about to be united on his Patron Day.
"Before the Gods, Ancient and New, of this world and the Worlds beyond the Veil, pay homage this day, may they find you worthy and bless your union always. May you live long and prosperous lives, fulfilling and always happy, peaceful and filled with love. May they bless you with children, precious gifts, the physical form of your love and souls in one being. Cherish one another always, cherish each moment as if it were your last, every smile, every laugh, every tear... You will fight, you will be angry and often say things you do not mean, but never doubt your love for one another, never allow anger to join you in bed." The Minister says, their voice filled with such strong passion and emotion many a couple held their significant other closer, nuzzling and purring, others shared heated looks that promised a good roll between the sheets as those courting blush and smile shyly at one another.
Harry and Legolas agree to this and the Minister then dips their fingers in a few bowls and begins painting their faces with naturally made pains, blood and blessed oil. They chanted various blessings upon them, taking up a braided red, white and gold ribbon, robe and shawl, giving one end to Legolas, walked around them until they were forced to face one another, taking the end back and tying them together before taking the excess and binding the couples hands together. It was a mix of Viking, Old English and Ancient Greek with a dash of Indian traditions. Harry felt honored and dizzy with pleasure as he knew that the shawl was a representation to always shelter and provide for another, the bind of their hands was to symbolize the binding of their lives from hear on out, the combining of their souls.
Red was often used in Old English ceremonies before it became white with gold. White was always used in Greek weddings, gold when one could afford it or had favor of Hera and Aphrodite. Vikings used a rope made of a silk like material, often it was red, but could be any color with golden weights at the end to symbolize the tethering of their lives, their souls to each other and to the Living world. In India, or at least in the past and still in some parts of the modern age, when a couple is married, the Husband wraps a shawl weaved by the women in his family around his bride and then himself, a promise to shelter her frame harm, to always provide for her and to keep her always safe and happy. He smiled at Legolas, who smiles back, their eyes only seeing each other.
"With this shawl, do you agree to always provide for for your Omega, Prince Legolas?" The Minister asks. "To guard this precious gift always, to shelter him from harm, no matter the form it takes? To provide always for him and any child he bears?"
"Always..." Legolas swears and Harry gives a soft Omegan whine.
"With this shawl, do you Child of the Valar promise to protect your Alpha, provide for him should he suddenly become invalid? To shelter him always?"
"With all that I am and more..." Harry swears, getting a pleased growl from his Alpha.
"With this ribbon and rope, I bind you together in this Handfast, do you swear to join together your strengths, your weaknesses? Do you swear to look after one another always, in times of peace and in times of war? When Sickness and famine strike, when times are lean? When times are plentiful?"
"We swear it..." they say.
"Then Prince Legolas take this fruit and feed it to your mate, say your vows." They pick up a blood red fruit that looks like nothing they have ever seen, it smells almost too sweet and forbidden.
They place it in his hands and Legolas carefully holds it to Harry's lips, staring him in the eyes, "With this fruit, may you never know hunger at my side, may you always be full on my love, my devotion. Know that I shall always provide for you and our children, no matter what comes to past. Should you accept this, accept me, take a bite of this representation of my heart, hold it forever within you..."
Harry takes a delicate, but deep bite of the fruit and he almost gasps at the forbidden taste of Ambrosia. He chews and swallows, the fruit has stained his lips a bloody red and Legolas is so very tempted to suck the juice from them, but holds off the urge as the Minister takes the fruit and hands Harry a cup.
"Lord Hadrian, take this cup and feed it to your Alpha, swear your vows." They order again.
The cup is a simple claw thing, but the wine, or at least they think it is wine, is thick, coiling sweet smelling, and the color is almost black from how deep it is.
"With this cup, know that you will never thirst, for my love will be your wine and water. Never fear that your cup shall ever empty for my soul will always fill it, my devotion and love, a whine so fine and sweet, nothing shall ever compare. May the love our future children provide you with sweet nectar as you drink from this cup, the container in which I gladly pour my love for you. Should you drink it, accept it, know I will live for you faithfully always..."
Legolas allows his mate to carefully tip the cup to his lips and he drinks from it. He cannot begin to describe the taste, it is so sweet, but filled with spices, rich and hearty, but it is not alcoholic in any form. The cup is taken and a few blessings are said over them, they murmur accent and acceptance, they swear fidelity and more before the Minister carefully helps them stand.
"Before the Valar of the Universe and beyond, before the Living and the Dead, who pay this union witness, kiss and end the loneliness of your previous lives. With this kiss you begin your new life as mated couple, Alpha Legolas, you made bite your Omega and kiss the Bride..."
Legolas does, injecting his new venom into his mate, who moans lewdly, feeling hot and aroused by the burning bite, the venom harmless to him before he pulls back and they kiss, tasting the Ambrosia and the Nectar of the Gods missed with the tang of blood. The crowd erupts into cheers and celebration, Elves begin singing a song, one that apparently the Dwarves knew for their deep voices soon joined in. It was not long before the whole congregation was singing as the Minister carefully cuts the robe near the knots, folds the shawl and turns to Mandos, who holds a box of Angel Silver in his hands, the shawl is laid in it with the knotted rope and ribbon, the cup, which had been emptied and cleaned is laid in it with the seeds of the Ambrosia fruit in it. The box is sealed, never to be opened again and with it, the shackles of their old lives fall free, turning to ash.
In the next second, Mandos pulses with power, glowing brighter than the moon that hangs over them and for a brief second, he becomes a woman, who giggles, before he is back to himself. No one but the other Valar, Harry and a few others who pay close attention noticed this. As the couple walk back down the aisle, rice raining down upon them, they laugh and smile. Soon everyone is in the center of the camp around the Valar's tree, the reception is in full swing with singing, dancing, good food and so much merry making it is wonder they do not wake the entire world.
Harry and Legolas sit patiently with their mothers and fathers behind them and the Four Founders behind them as a portrait is made by Mandos, one that when will act like the other movie paintings back in Terra. The only ones who will not move are Legolas and Hadrian until they have passed away. When that is done the Founders hug the newly Bonded couple and wish them eternal happiness before Mandos undoes his spell and their souls dance a moment around the couple and vanish back to their respective afterlife. He paints the parents and their children next and then he gives the couple a few minutes to say goodbye.
Harry hugs his parents tightly, he takes this lose so much harder because he never knew his parents as he should have. Yes he spoke to their spirits often, he knows the sacrifice they made for him. He loves his Papa, but it is not the same as having his parents at his side, however he would never change Fate's design, that was his Papa's job, the bloody troll. Legolas wasn't much better, but he had grown up with his mother for a good chunk of his childhood. He holds his mother tightly and she whispers softly, soothingly before she kisses his brow and then she faces her husband, she sees the deep pain and sadness, but knows that he will not allow depression to take him again, to make him cold and cruel. No, he had to live for them both, to spoil their grandchildren when they came.
"Goodbye, my beloved..." She whispers.
"Goodbye, Haereldis, I will always love you..." He swears.
"I know... but you had better get your head out of your arse, Thranduil, and take Elrond as a second spouse! I know you have watched him for some time... do it or I will come back and do it myself..." She says and before he can speak or protest, she is gone, only her Will'o'wisp lingers, booping his nose and then blinking out of sight.
He is blushing horridly and it turns 10x worse when he sees his son giving him a blank stare.
"Um, do not-"
"You have my blessing, Ada. However, if you hurt Lord Elrond, I will be most cross with you." Legolas states. "Hadrian is most fond of him and will help me get revenge if you mess it up. And I am certain he will be more than happy to help you woo him, if you take too long." With that he turns to his mate and they sit for one last Portrait of them just them.
Mandos is a fast painter so he is done quickly, shooting smug looks at Thranduil who blushes and goes to find the nearest bottle of wine. If he's passed out drunk, maybe he can pretend that he imagined that last little bit. Mandos only laughs wickedly, spelling everything that Thranduil drinks into non alcoholic drinks. Indeed, he is a troll! Especially on his Patron day, it is the day of Tricks and Treats after all!
The tent that had been set aside for the Wedding night, was a simple, but beautiful thing. It is similar to their townhouse in London, with a bit more of a country feel to it. However Legolas and Harry hardly pay it attention, spelling each other's clothes off into random corners they fumble their way to their room and thus into the bed. They cannot stop kissing long enough to care or pay much attention. Once on the bed, their hands are everywhere.
Teasing caress.
Bruising grips.
Sensual drags of nails.
Legolas snarls low as he bites his Mate again, making the Omega keen and mewl, digging his nails into his shoulders before the Alpha pulls away. Turning his head, Legolas allows his mate to bite him back, he will take no other mate should Harry ever pass away, but with as strong as their bond has become, he doubts he will live long after his mate passes, if they do not die at the same time. He will only live on if he has children to provide for and only then. The sting of small Omegan fangs sends a jolt of pleasure through him, he growls with want and when his Omega pulls away, he begins leaving blazing kisses and love bites all over the place.
He teases two perky nipples into cherry blooms, whispering soft filthy promises of filling his mate with his children and getting perfect Omegan breasts filled with milk to form. Harry only moans, mewls and arches into his mate, dizzy with pleasure and delirious with the images. He however surprises his Alpha by knocking him back, while carefully flipping himself around so that his dripping quim was before Legolas' mouth and he quickly took said mate's cook to the root down his throat. The shout of shocked pleasure, makes his Alpha dig his slowly forming claws into the meat of his ass before the Alpha growls and pulls his hips down, his mouth quickly engulfing his cocklet as payback.
They pleasure one another, sucking, licking and teasing. Harry mewls as his quim is devoured, his mate having learned that his cocklet, while feeling pleasure is not as mind numbing as having his clit tormented or that wicked tongue deep in his wet folds. Harry relishes the size and heat of his Alpha's cook in his mouth, the weight of it perfect and dear good is he big. He never realized how much of a size queen he could be, but his mate was very well endowed. He nipped at the crown, tongued the base and sucked his balls before fucking his own face on his mate's cock before going back to teasing touches and caresses.
Legolas grow tired of the easing and quickly flipped his mate off, onto his back and slid deep into him all in one move. Harry keened loudly, eyes rolled back into his head from the pleasure before he yanked his mate down, kissing him hard, desperate. They grind against one another, slowly, maddeningly. They can feel the intense heat form their cores slowly filling them, like a heady drug or the burn of venom. They moan and gasp, words of love, adoration and devotion on their lips, never faltering in their promises. They make slow, love before the gentleness becomes too unbearable and Legolas picks up the pace.
It is divine to be in his Omega, the silky walls of his quim are tight and warm, always so wet. They grip him as if afraid to let him go and it all he can do to shove himself right into his mate's womb and fill him to capacity and beyond. He is barely holding back the animal, the urge to completely dominate and fuck his mate raw. His claws did into the bedding, his fangs burn and itch to bite to claim again, his eyes are solid red, that he knows because Hadrian's eyes are solid Ultraviolet. He drags out the pleasure until they cannot stand it and finally he gives in. He feels his mate cling to him, screaming in pleasure, begging for his knot, for his cum, for his child! And this time he knows they will have one, prays they will have one.
He is moving so fast, with so much power the bed gives a moan of protest and suddenly collapses under them. In the dip created, his mate is trapped and helpless and it turns the Alpha on further. He moves faster, harder and the loud scream of an orgasm from his mate, spurs him on, his mind short circuiting as he feels his mate spasm through a second orgasm and a third before he snaps his hips in tight, biting his neck again as he finally, finally cums, his knot growing and locking them together. He gives shallow thrusts as he feels his mate bite him back, his little claws digging into his back. When they come down, he carefully moves them so they stop crushing those beautiful wings, they oddly fluffy little wings, almost like cherub wings when they are in 'hiding' mode, flutter and ruffle before settling as he lays in the bowl of their broken bed, his mate held close to his chest and dazing.
"I love you, Hadrian... no matter what happens..." He swears to his sleeping mate, before allowing it to claim him as well...