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Annabeth knew little about the rites of sacrorum amor magicae, or 'ceremonial love magic,' other than it existed and was practiced by witches in the Philippines, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, and, coincidentally as part of Santeria in Kingsley home, Jamaica, and elsewhere. It had been practiced in the US and Great Britain during the prerevolutionary days by covens, who would gather around fires naked chanting at night both to commune with natural and demonic spirits in a quest for greater power, but to her knowledge had not occurred since well before the Secrecy Act. Not because it became illegal, but because it didn't really work unless getting raped by a demon was the goal.
Chase had learned of it sociologically as part of her world magic course at Ilvermorny but only superficially. Never in a million years would she have expected to encounter it in her life.
Practitioners believed that during sexual congress, if two or more persons achieved climax simultaneously a 'sprite' of magical energy was transferred and shared between them, making both stronger and more powerful. It was considered more of a spiritual act than a sexual one, but from all outward appearances looked like a Roman orgy, something else she never expected to encounter. New Rome did nothing of the sort, as Hazel, Frank, Jason and Reyna would not have put up with that shit. At least she didn't think Hazel would. Reyna, maybe, who knows?
Still, perhaps because of her near epic horniness, Annabeth was intrigued and wondered if that was why Kingsley had invited her. She didn't bring it up as she didn't want to appear to be a slut, but if the conditions were right… well, for the moment she wasn't even sure what those conditions might be, but since it would definitely involve getting laid she was at least open to the possibility.
"Ah! Professor Chase! Oly! I'm so glad you've returned. Annabeth, this is Anton Markov. He was recently named the Headmaster of the Drumstrang Institute. We have much to discuss," Kingsley exclaimed on their return.
"Dr. Chase, it is a pleasure and honor to meet you at last. We have heard much about you since you arrived and look forward to working with you," Anton said as he bowed slightly and extended his hand towards her. Thinking he wished to shake hands Annabeth extended hers, only to have the Headmaster kiss the air above it properly without touching it with his lips. Chase was impressed that he knew that.
Professor Markov was about ten years or so older than Chase and quite handsome. He had almost black hair, dark brown eyes, and appeared to be quite fit. A bit taller than Annabeth, by a couple inches, he was dressed in the formal attire of Drumstrang, a bright red military cut jacket with gold and black trim, and black slacks, all of which was pressed and starched to perfection.
He appeared to be rigid, as if he had been toilet trained at gunpoint, and would have fit in well with the Marines. Perhaps the most impressive thing to Annabeth was that he was self disciplined, meaning he didn't seem to be mentally undressing her, instead he just looked into her gray eyes with a simmering sensuality when he spoke.
The Minister, Chase and Markov made small talk for a moment, Annabeth didn't realize Oly had stepped away until she returned a minute later, so distracting were the two men's looks. This libido thing was getting out of control she realized, but at the moment could do nothing to abate it.
Markov had graduated Drumstrang a decade before, and then returned as an instructor. He had never been to Hogwarts as he stayed as acting director at the Bulgarian school four years earlier during the last Tri Wizard Tournament. It became apparent that he was a perfect metaphor for Drumstrang; isolated, but strong and determined. It was clear he was a very focused individual and soon Annabeth was thinking that his current focus, based on his eyes crawling all over her when he thought she wouldn't notice, was finding a way to get her out of her dress and into his bed, no matter how gentlemanly his behavior otherwise. Anton was looking Annabeth and her dress over, but not for the reasons she thought.
Annabeth wasn't repulsed by the idea, but still felt she should be reserved if they were to work together professionally and she was there as Kingsley's date so sneaking off with Anton just seemed sordid, rude and beneath her. Of course she had once thought the same of Kingsley but arousal had caused that reserve to be ready for jettisoning. The Minister joined Markov in steering the conversation towards Annabeth and asked the usual questions about her background. She gave the usual answers that had already been published and known, careful not to reveal her divine born status. Finally Anton Markov asked the first interesting question.
"Is it true that as an ICW Agent you're allowed to kill in combat? I mean, intentionally? With forbidden curses?"
"Yes, if the circumstances require it. A death is always subject to review so you try to avoid it but if necessary to protect yourself or others, sure. Why?"
"I see, I ask as it is my impression that is forbidden in the British system."
"I think aurors are allowed the same leeway, aren't they Kingsley?" Annabeth asked.
"Of course, but it is discouraged. We don't have a death penalty so usually when cornered dark artisans surrender. When they choose to fight then it can get deadly, but it is a terrible hardship to take a life and as that tends to stay with you, it is best avoided."
"Have you had to Minister?" Annabeth asked.
"Twice actually. I still wish there were a way to avoid it. Even at the Battle of Hogwarts we avoided it, although there were many deaths due to well cast spells other than the killing curse."
"And yourself Professor Chase?" Markov asked.
"Oh please, we are friends and off the clock as they say, call me Annabeth, and yes. I have," she smiled.
"Oh? Just the once I take it?"
"No, our school had a woods that was stocked with monsters for training purposes, and between that and my missions, I guess I've killed eight or nine hundred times. If you include all those on missions I commanded that goes up of course. I don't recall using the killing curse that much though, it has been rare for me."
"Dear god!" Oly gasped as she overheard this on her return. Shacklebolt and Markov just stared agog.
"If you just count people though it's a lot less," Annabeth added after seeing the shock on their faces.
"Really?" Anton asked, still shocked and apparently alarmed at this information.
"Yes, but I promise they really needed killing. Let's talk about something more pleasant. I understand there is a desire to bring back the Tri Wizard Tournament?" Annabeth asked.
"Indeed, and we have everyone here, but first may I ask for this dance?" Kingsley asked.
"Of course!" Annabeth smiled.
A small chamber orchestra was playing Strauss as he offered his hand and Annabeth accepted it. This wasn't the sort of dancing she was accustomed to, but the Minister was pretty good and led her gracefully around the floor. A dozen or so couples were dancing, but most eyes appeared to be on what was clearly the power couple of the night. A photographer snapped a shot that made them look particularly graceful and it ran with a story about the reception the next day in the Prophet.
The flash startled Annabeth but Kingsley whispered to not be alarmed, as the reporters would be made to leave shortly. The embassy wanted the publicity for the reception to show the cooperation and good will between the congresses, but kept the media on a short leash to avoid any gossip stories. At that moment Annabeth was quite happy and relaxed, although when Estelle asked her about the photo the next day it was a bit of a rough spot. At that moment she only wished that a waltz allowed her and Kingsley to press their bodies together as she was used to on slow numbers, but rationalized that was her horniness talking and in the end completely enjoyed the dance, finding it to be both charming and romantic. They stayed at arms length apart as a result. She felt like Cinderella in a fairy tale, if Cinderella had been hell bent on getting laid. 'If that glass slipper fit her so perfectly, why did it fall off in the first place?' Chase wondered. As the dance, and the night, wore on Annabeth's arousal and desire increased. It had been too long since she got some.
A passing waiter supplied flutes of champagne for the couple as they returned to the group, and Kingsley offered a toast to friendship between the schools. Oly introduced one of her aurors, Claire Roche, to the group and said she would be the one travelling during the planning phase of the project. Claire was young, maybe 20, and beautiful. Her silver hair and gown reminded Annabeth of the Hunters and she wondered if Artemis recruited Veela. Then given her knowledge of Veela sexual proclivities she doubted it.
"Perhaps we should retire to somewhere more private to talk, it would not be good for rumors about our project to spread through the public before any decision is made, in that our students and parents have trepidations regarding school safety already," Oly suggested.
"Given the events at Hogwarts last spring that would be wise I think," Kingsley agreed. "Shall we?" he asked directing the group towards a side room.
They went through a door and down a hallway with doors to either side, most closed. Two were open however and Kingsley guided the group through one of those, where they found a plush room with beautiful carpets, tapestries, and three beautiful antique couches. Two faced each other, and the third, which was more like a psychiatrist's couch with no back and inclined at one end, was parallel to the others and between them. It took a moment for Annabeth to consider the layout of the room and figure out that it was not for meeting, but instead was set up for purely sexual purposes. Perhaps it was her arousal doing the thinking, but the two leather covered Victorian couches facing the center seemed set up for participants to either view, or wait to participate in, activities on the one that was in the middle. Otherwise, there seemed to be no reason for the arrangement.
Oly and Anton sat on one of the couches, while Claire and Kingsley took the other, leaving the center one for Annabeth. She was nervous about where this was going, but still intrigued.
"So I guess the main topic on everyone's mind is the Tri Wizard Tournament and whether we should bring it back this year. I confess to having mixed feelings. I think it would be great for Hogwart's reputation both as a source of pride for Britain, and to show we are still here and undaunted by the events of last year. On the other hand it may be more work than my faculty wishes to take on and given how the last one ended might scare the hell out of the parents. So I guess you could say I'm interested, but not sold on the idea, and would want to consult my staff before committing" Annabeth said to start the conversation.
Oly was quite happy to share her ideas on how to make the competition both exciting and safer, and one of her ideas that was immediately adopted was that the selected school champion would pick a mentor from their faculty to accompany them through the tasks as a helper and coach. Points could be deducted for occasions when the mentor did too much as their paramount purpose would be to ensure the student's safety. Everyone thought this was a good idea, however Anton pointed out that the visiting schools would not have as many faculty to choose from. It was decided that the champion could choose a professor that wasn't there who could be brought in for the competition itself and consult by flue travel if the work group chose the mentor option.
"I'm not sure how to cope with the dragons. Last time the Ministry worked all summer to procure and transport them, and of course we had to notify the muggle Prime Minister we were bringing them into the country. I doubt we would have time or the resources to commit to that again with all that is going on," Kingsley remarked.
"Well perhaps there is an easier and more socially palatable option. What if for the air portion we have a round robin Quidditch tournament where the champion picks his or her team from all students at their school? Like an all-star team? That would increase student involvement and give the families something thrilling to watch." Annabeth suggested.
"And we could award a separate cup to the winners of the Quidditch portion of the tournament, as well as recognition to each of the participants. What a lovely idea," Kingsley suggested.
All agreed this was a good idea, but Oly pointed out that it would be heavily skewed towards Drumstrang as their current broom instructor was none other than Viktor Krum. Anton agreed that would be unfair so he suggested that for the tournament the mentor not be allowed to actually play, only to coach from the ground. This seemed like an equitable solution.
"Am I to understand that during the water portion of the contest students were taken and placed under the lake for the champions to recover?" Anton asked.
"What?" Annabeth asked, surprised, as she was unaware of this.
"Yes, but they were never in actual danger," Oly said.
"True, but only the judges knew that. For the better part of an hour the students and parents were terrified. In retrospect, not our finest moment," Kingley responded.
"No, we will not be kidnapping students and potentially drowning them," Anton added.
"I agree. Was the task otherwise appropriate?" Annabeth asked.
"Yes, but to torture the students, no, I would not stand for that."
"What if instead of students, the champions had to recover something else? Jewels or the like?" Oly asked.
"That would work I guess, the motivation would be back on winning the cup, instead of the panic at saving someone dear to them. That leaves only the maze for us to deal with and I would love to just get rid of it," Kingsley said.
"Because of the death of your student?" Anton asked.
"Well certainly that was a horrible conclusion to the competition but even before that was learned, well candidly, the maze was just boring to watch, at least with the water there was a time limit to build excitement," Oly said.
"The maze is boring. The champions went in, and then we saw nothing for an hour, and the interim was just dull. I was surprised that no one left," Kingsley confirmed.
"What about an obstacle course?" Annabeth asked, then added, "the spectators could see everything and we could make it challenging and difficult, but not deathly hazardous, just, you know, reasonably hazardous."
"Well I would love to see a plan for that, that sounds quite exciting!" Oly grinned.
"The boy that died, he was a gifted seeker wasn't he? I seem to recall that," Anton asked.
"Yes, Cedric Diggory, He was not in Krum's class, of course no one is, except maybe Harry, although Harry has a bit of work to do before he could go pro. I know his father Amos well from the Ministry. He is still heartbroken as you might imagine," Kingsley answered.
"Perhaps we could name the trophy for winning the Quidditch portion the 'Cedric Diggory Cup' in his honor," Anton suggested and Annabeth decided right then that Anton was to be admired and respected. Maybe even lusted after if truth were to be known.
The group kicked around ideas for over an hour and Annabeth was becoming more and more sold on the prospect, but still wanted to consult with the staff and maybe the student prefects. It was becoming more difficult for her to focus as she was daydreaming about being railed by Anton and Kingsley. It was becoming quite a distraction for her and she wondered when the sacrorum amor magicae was to begin, and how exactly one started such a thing. Then she became confused.
Claire rose and asked Annabeth what time she should flue to Hogwarts the next day for what she referred to as their "side project," and as if on cue both Anton and Oly stood to excuse themselves, saying they had other meetings to attend to.
'So you're not going to fuck me? What's wrong with me? I'm a great fuck!' Annabeth thought, before telling Claire she should arrive at the Headmistress Office promptly at 11:30 in the morning. Claire smiled and affirmed she would be there, while Oly offered a handshake to Annabeth saying how she looked forward to working with her, loved her ideas and what a pleasure it was to meet her.
Anton kissed her hand once more and after telling Annabeth he was charmed to meet her and that he as well was looking forward to developing the project with her, and then excused himself to leave with Oly, leaving Annabeth alone with the Minister.
"Well, not what I expected," Annabeth said.
"What do you mean? I thought it went well, even better than I hoped," Kingsley replied.
"Oh, yes, yes it did, but when we were alone Oly told me they practice sacrorum amor magicae here at the embassy and led me to believe that… well, I guess I was wrong about that," she laughed.
"Really?" Kingsley replied. "Yes they do, but you must be one of the social circle, you and I would never be invited to participate as we are new here. Did you think that is why I asked you? I hope I haven't offended you."
"No, I didn't know anything about it until Oly mentioned it and no, I'm not offended, more intrigued than anything. And the way Anton was, you know, acting around me, I thought…"
"Anton is gay. I thought you knew that," Kingsley grinned.
"Really? No, I didn't pick up on that. My gaydar must be on the blink. So you're not interested in that sort of thing?" Annabeth asked as she leaned towards Kingsley and placed a hand on his knee.
"If I'm to be with a beautiful woman publicly, I would rather start more privately," he smiled, "were we to tarry here too long tongues would wag all over the magic world and neither of us could afford that. I'm wondering what sort of gossip might arise as is."
"Then perhaps we should depart for somewhere more private?" Annabeth smiled.
"As soon as possible" Kingsley grinned.
Annabeth picked up her purse, placed the strap on her shoulder and as she was already touching the Minister's knee, attempted a side by side apparition to her hotel, but nothing happened.
"That won't work here, or any other embassy I'm aware of. One needs permission to apparate or to use the flue network in order to maintain security. We should probably be seen leaving anyway else the gossips think we are back here doing, uh, "
"Sex magic?" Annabeth giggled.
"Exactly,"
The pair walked side by side, but not arm in arm, through the front door. Both felt it would be better if they did not seem like a couple in the public eye. The plan was to apparate to the Ministry, then from there to somewhere private, but things didn't go as planned.
Just after saying their last goodbyes to their hosts and hostesses, which took a bit of time, they stepped outside through the front door. Annabeth reached into her purse to check her electronic wand to see if there were any updates when three people in black robes and silver masks apparated in front of them, wands drawn. A fourth materialized just behind them, his wand at the Minister's neck.