Pairings: Cedric/Krista
Warnings: AU Universe. Gender switch. OC characters. Some character bashing. Mature scenes. Violence.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and any of the characters, but the OC characters belongs to me
Chapter Four: Ever Yet Was Blessed
"Mors certa, hora incerta (Death is certain, its hour is uncertain)." - Julius Morgenstern
XXXXXX
It was a very angry High Warlock that contacted a confused Amos Diggory two days after a forest to the far north of Scotland mysteriously went up in flames. And just as long since the entire Avalon Council had to persuade the extremely angry vampire council to not wage war against the British wizards when said fire was caused when an unsanctioned hunt was carried out on a group of underage Downworlders, thus ending up killing a daughter of one of the ruling vampire houses who had managed to take twelve of those hunters with her, and leaving one in critical condition.
And from there, things started to get moving.
It didn't take long for Amelia Bones to get down to things, though the annoyed DMLE head wished that her department could take a break. Things around the DMLE haven't been really quiet ever since Kristina Potter's death. Thus, two whole days since Amos Diggory and the entire Department of Magical Creatures Regulation have to find all kinds of ways to placate the upset Downworlders lest they wage war against Magical Britain. Because honestly, they have every reason to want to do so.
And from there, things started unravelling when one of the best Occumulens in the Auror forces headed straight to St. Mungo's Burn Unit to look into the head of the sole survivor of the unsanctioned hunt, despite Minister Fudge and Albus Dumbledore's protests. The two were however thwarted by Amos, Amelia and Charlus Potter who had been ridiculously yin to Albus Dumbledore's yang for five years now.
And then, from there, the truth came out and was all over the papers of nearly every single publication in Magical Britain.
An unsanctioned hunt ordered by Minister Fudge and Albus Dumbledore due to the sudden change of feelings that the Downworlders had towards Magical Britain due to the recent spate of events. An unsanctioned hunt towards a group of underage Downworlders who are barely old enough to even learn how to utilise their Downworlder gifts.
Needless to say, all the Downworlders are extremely angry, and it took Amos using up just about every excuse that he had just to placate them. And not to mention that the ICW are demanding answers from Britain as well—they wanted something done, and they want it now before they make a vote of no confidence at the next ICW meeting, and then Magical Britain will be lucky to still have a magical Ministry left as the ICW representatives will likely go straight to the Queen of Britain.
Needless to say, a full court Wizengamot session was called by Amos Diggory and Amelia Bones within the week. It had lasted nearly three hours, but at the end of it, a vote of no confidence was called, and Cornelius Fudge was booted out as Minister, with Albus Dumbledore right behind him—with the man losing his position as Chief Warlock. The only reason why Dumbledore wasn't dismissed as Headmaster due to all his mistakes is because if they replace Hogwarts' Headmaster at this point, it will likely make things worse.
Rufus Scrimgeour was voted in as the Minister of Magic unsurprisingly, and Moody who was one of the Aurors acting as Amelia Bones' guard wasn't surprised to see that several of the extremists were unhappy to see that it is Rufus who had became the new Minister and not someone else whom they can easily manipulate (Dumbledore) or bribe (Lucius Malfoy).
Unlike Fudge and several of his predecessors before him, Rufus Scrimgeour had actually been a trained Auror and had been one of the best on the force—having also studied under the tutelage of both Charlus Potter and Alastor Moody. There isn't a single corrupted bone in his body, and he is too strong willed and stubborn to be cowed by threats or bribes.
With someone like Rufus Scrimgeour in charge, he'll likely shake things up in Britain, and he'll make damn sure that everyone feels it—regardless of their feelings towards him.
Even as the Wizengamot meeting came to an end, and Albus Dumbledore took his cue to leave—still in shock over losing his Chief Warlock position and also at risk of losing his Order of Merlin medal—he can't help but feel as if Rufus and his group actually meant for this to happen.
In a corner, Charlus Potter glared at Albus Dumbledore with contempt.
XXXXXX
In the middle of Avalon, the hidden home country of the Hidden Circle lies a massive tower known as the Raven Tower that is basically the Downworlder equivalent of the Tower of London in Great Britain—the most haunted place in the entire nation with a long and bloody history of bloodshed ever since its inception.
The Raven Tower is also said to be the Morrigan's symbol—it is said that the Tower is where she will be if she should ever descend down to the Earth. The Downworlders also uses the colour of the Raven Tower to convey messages, with its usual colour being gray.
Gold for marriages and celebrations. White for mourning. And red for danger.
Much like the Tower of London, flocks of ravens are always flocking around the Raven Tower, thus giving its name, as ravens are the messengers of the Lady Morrigan. The Raven Tower is also the place that only the Shadowguardians and the High Warlocks could enter—with them being the Lady's chosen.
The Raven Tower is also the place where the Shadowguardians trained in combat. It is where both the Shadowguardians and the High Warlocks held their meetings on the rare occasions when there is a need for one. And it is also the place where the powerful ritualistic magicks are performed.
And it is also the Raven Tower where Krista Nightray could be found nearly two weeks after the unsanctioned hunt that had all the Downworlders up in arms, and just as long since House Rosario had buried a daughter of their house in their clan's burial plot.
The sounds of wood clashing against wood resounded again and again from the training room of the Raven Tower. Perched on the windowsill, the ravens that called this Tower home all watched with interest. Unlike their feathered brothers and sisters who resided in the mundane world, the ravens of Avalon seemed to be much more intelligent and self-aware. It is said that these ravens are the Morrigan's personal messengers—that is why their life spans are unusually long for a raven.
Seated with their backs against the wall in the training room, Nathaniel Krauss and Alexander Mikaelsson watched with wide eyes as Krista Nightray and Julius Morgenstern went at it against each other with wooden swords.
Julius Morgenstern is the current second-in-command of the Shadowguardians, and thus, always made it his duty to train the younger ones of the Shadowguardians in combat until they're old enough and confident enough in their skills. He is also amongst the eldest of the Shadowguardians—being just nine years old. The eldest of the Shadowguardians is actually their leader, Elijah Romanus who is just three years short of his majority.
Much like most of the vampires from one of the ruling clans, Julius had silver hair that reaches to just below his earlobes. Unlike most of his clansmen however, Julius' silver hair had tips of gold to it—more easily visible beneath the sun. It had been a bit of a running joke amongst his peers—that Julius is literally a walking representative of the Morgenstern name that translates into 'Morning Star'.
"They've been at it all morning." Alec murmured, wide-eyed, twirling a strand of his raven hair around his finger. He turned towards Nathaniel who is like the Day to his Night in terms of hair colour, with Nathaniel's hair being more of a silver-gold much like Julius. Unlike the Shadowguardians' second-in-command however, Nathaniel's eyes are a serpentine electric blue—with his eyes being his warlock mark. "You want to catch a breath of fresh air?"
"Yeah." Nathaniel nodded before the pair slipped out of the training room carefully—careful not to let either Julius or Krista notice, though neither Nathaniel nor Alec doubted that Julius or Krista would stop them either way even if they did notice.
Krista winced as Julius' wooden sword smacked with hers once more, with the older vampire stronger than her in terms of brute strength, and not to mention that he easily dwarfed her in size.
"On your feet, Krista." Julius said firmly, not letting up on his assault, and Krista barely managed to dodge the sudden flurry of fast strikes. Though the fact that she is able to dodge it now instead of getting smacked by it is a vast improvement as compared to when she'd first begun training. "Don't hang back and stay your hand. Continue onward. Finish it off. Your enemy won't show you any mercy. So you shouldn't either." Krista had a determined look on her face, and a muscle in Julius' cheek twitched upon seeing that even as the smaller dhampir rushed at him from the side before Julius tripped her up by using his feet, thus causing the smaller form of the dhampir to land painfully on her behind. "Get up, Krista. Use your size and speed to your advantage—not make it your disadvantage. There is no enemy that is unbeatable."
Krista wiped a bead of sweat from the bottom of her chin before she got to her feet once more, her auburn hair now already matted to her head with sweat, and her training sword felt almost slick with sweat beneath her hands. The fact that her fingers already felt numb spoke wonders of just how long that they both have been going at it.
Krista knocked the back of her right heel against the wooden floorboards of the training room, and Julius narrowed his eyes, adjusting his grip on his own sword. Then before his eyes, Krista vanished in a blur before he brought up his sword just in time to block the attack from a determined Krista, and his lips stretched into a grin.
"That's right. That's it," he almost crowed. "You got it." An almost evil smirk then appeared on Julius' face. "But you're still too naïve." He quickly switched the grip of his sword to a backhand grip and quickly knocked Krista's wooden sword out of her hands. Said sword landed with a loud clang at the back of the training room.
Krista only blinked as she looked towards where the sword had landed and sighed. "Still not enough training, I guess," she mumbled.
"Well, you're already doing very well compared to when I was your age." Julius joked, ruffling her sweat drenched hair. He then turned serious, studying Krista intensely. Ethan Nightray had approached him nearly two weeks ago when Krista had started spending most of her free time in the training room of the Raven Tower. And between the both of them, they've managed to figure out just why Krista had started receding back into her shell once more—the same way that she did when Ethan had first brought her to Avalon. "Are you still dwelling on Eve?"
Krista looked surprised as she looked up at Julius' knowing face. "It's just…" She hesitated, then stared at her clenched fist that is still shaking due to how long that she had been training. "If maybe I was just a little stronger…"
"Do you honestly think that you're the only one thinking alongside those lines?" Julius sighed. He had heard from some of the others that the fledglings that have been there that day were all blaming themselves for Evelyn Rosario's death, much to the dismay of House Rosario. "You probably wouldn't understand now—but you will someday in the future." Krista looked irritated with those words—Julius had better not start on 'you'll understand once you're old enough'. "Eve made her choice—she knew what is going to happen." Julius explained to Krista. "She was prepared for it—she is prepared to die. Protect the children. That is something that every Downworlder learned once we're old enough. Eve isn't the first person to die for the sake of protecting those younger than her. And she likely won't be the last."
"It's just… If only we were stronger…" Krista murmured, staring at her fist. Nathaniel and Alec have said the same thing too. If only they were stronger…
"If you feel that you lack in strength, then grow stronger." Julius said simply, and Krista looked up at him, surprised. Julius had an almost gentle look in his eyes. "I'm your mentor. I'm here to make you stronger, and also to protect you until you're strong enough to do that on your own. Nathaniel and Alec and Lyssandra and Natalia. All of them as well. Elijah and myself just make damn sure that all of you are strong enough to handle yourselves before we unleash you outside Avalon." Julius then bent down to Krista's eye level so that she doesn't have to keep looking up. "We are the Shadowguardians, Krista. The Lady's chosen warriors." He emphasised. "Mors certa, hora incerta (Death is certain, its hour is uncertain)." Julius recited the Latin phrase of the Downworlders' code. "We protect, Krista. But we don't do it alone. There is a reason why Shadowguardians work in either pairs or teams of three. We work as a unit."
Krista gave a small smile and nodded. "…I understand," she said.
Julius gave a small smile at the young dhampir before he straightened to his feet and started walking across the training room to retrieve Krista's downed training sword. "So are you ready for the big day?" he enquired even as he threw the sword across the room without any warning, and was pleased when Krista managed to pluck it out of the air easily without even batting an eye. Battle is in the blood of all Downworlders after all. They have the instincts to do that. It is why those foolish British wizards feared them so much, not just because of their Downworlder powers. "We're going to send you to the Tower of London in another month to finalise the Lady's blessing via her avatars."
XXXXXX
Number 10, Downing Street received a very surprising visitor on an early Monday morning even as Great Britain's Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher sat down on this day to work on her endless amounts of paperwork.
The woman who is the first in Great Britain's history to become their first female Prime Minister had made it to her current position with extreme hard work. And thus, when she had first taken office, her predecessor had deemed it fit to brief her on the occasional visits from the people of 'the other world' as he'd put it. Ever since the Magna Carta was established between the monarch of Britain and the magical side of the nation, it had always been the Prime Minister who acted as the liaison between the two worlds to ensure that everything is going fine.
According to James Callaghan however, throughout his reign, there has never been a single Minister of Magic that is competent and not a damn fool. And may the Lord be with you if you asked them to meet you in a non-magical setting. They won't even know how to dress themselves not to stand out. He had one Minister coming to meet him at the Prime Minister's residence one time dressed in a bathrobe, much to his secretary's confusion as well as everyone who had seen him on the street.
The magical side of Britain is so stagnant—still remaining stuck in the 16th century that it isn't even funny.
Especially after their war with that terrorist of theirs. Margaret knew that Her Majesty isn't too pleased with how the wizarding world is handling their affairs, and is this close to declaring their independency void and placing Magical Britain back under the rule of the Crown.
Thus, imagine Margaret's very pleasant surprise when her secretary had received a phone call approximately a week ago from that side (when according to her own unpleasant experiences with Cornelius Fudge, the wizards don't even know what a telephone is and how to use it), with the new Minister of Magic requesting a formal meeting in a formal setting with the Prime Minister of Great Britain.
This new Minister at least knows how to dress himself not to stand out, currently dressed in a smart business suit with a tie and boots. And Margaret's first cursory glance of Rufus Scrimgeour had pleased her, as he doesn't seem to be a fool like his predecessor and he must have served in the magical side of the army at some point, as he carries himself like her father did.
"You're a pleasant change from Fudge at least, Mr Scrimgeour." Margaret Thatcher commented, arms crossed over her chest as she eyed Rufus. "You at least seem to be a man that knows what to do and how to get things done without running off to one of your 'advisors' every single time I asked you a question." She had a look of disgust on her face at that, recalling the compulsory yearly meetings that she had with Cornelius Fudge to give a report on the magical world to the Queen.
Every single meeting always ended with her running for her herbal remedies or even a quick headache cure.
Rufus Scrimgeour coughed into his hand to disguise his laugh, as that definitely sounds like Cornelius Fudge. "I'll take that as a compliment, Ma'am, and say thank you," he responded politely. "And I like to think that I'm a far more competent Minister than former Minister Fudge, as I am here to request royal backing in what I and several others hope to achieve for the magical side of Britain."
Margaret Thatcher only raised an eyebrow at that. Internally however, she is literally jumping for glee at not having to deal with an idiot like Fudge for the rest of her career as Prime Minister until she could do as her predecessor did and hand off said idiot to the next person unfortunate enough to sit in the Prime Minister's seat.
The Magna Carta that King William the Third had signed with the newly established Ministry of Magic in Great Britain at that time isn't just with the witches and wizards residing in his kingdom. It is also with the Hidden Circle—the Downworlders.
Needless to say, Margaret had regular yearly meetings with their representative too, and to say that she is nervous is an understatement the first time that she had met the vampire, Sanguini. With the magical side of Britain, while they are idiots and the ways they think don't always make sense, at least they are still human. But the Downworlders are different.
At least until James Callaghan had sat her down and explained about the Downworlders to Margaret, telling her that she has nothing to fear from the Downworlders. Her Majesty had also backed up the former Prime Minister, stating that they've never done anything to displease her, and had always answered the calls of her and her predecessors when the British monarch are in need of their assistance.
It is true that the Downworlders have a set of very peculiar laws. Their morals are different from those of humans as they lived on entirely different laws and rules. They ruled themselves, having a type of democracy system in place. And unlike Britain and majority of the world that believed in the Lord of the Church of Heaven, the Downworlders worshipped a different goddess—she is real to them. They will believe in no other.
However, as what James Callaghan and Her Majesty have explained to Margaret, the Downworlders are an extremely loyal people. If you give them no reason to want you harm, they will not harm you. And unlike Magical Britain, they at least know how to dress themselves and have moved on with the times like the rest of the world. It seems to Margaret at times that it is only Britain's magical world that still remains stuck in the 16th century.
Not that Margaret didn't try. Oh, she did try to make the Minister of Magic move their world with the times, but he is stubborn, and refuses to change a system that had worked extremely well for eons.
It had made Margaret despair at that point in time, especially with the fast advancing technologies, especially with computers and then emails being invented, and then handheld phones. It won't be long before civilians will be able to take photos and videos with their own phones even, at the rate of how technology is advancing.
It will only be a matter of time before the magical world of Great Britain will be discovered if they refused to advance with the times. And Margaret feared for the future of their country if that does happen.
In fact, Margaret had a rather unpleasant meeting with Sanguini and the High Warlock Nain just over three years ago—with the two Downworlders stating their displeasure with Magical Britain, and how the Downworlders have been treated as compared to the other nations.
The Hidden Circle are not happy with Magical Britain. And Her Majesty isn't either when she'd found out how the magical side of Britain have been treating those under her rule as well.
"I'll be frank here, Mr Scrimgeour." Margaret said at last. "I had an extremely unpleasant meeting with the representatives of the Downworlders a few short years ago, and it seems to me that they've gotten steadily more unhappy with your Ministry as each year passed." Rufus Scrimgeour winced internally. Oh boy, so the Downworlders did gripe to the muggle Prime Minister after all. "The Downworlders are very unhappy with your Ministry and the magical side of Britain. If it wasn't for the fact that the mundane side of things have never wronged them, they would never have stayed quiet this long." Margaret knew by now that the Downworlders are vindictive and vicious when angered or slighted. They are an extremely proud people. "And after we've heard what your Ministry had done to force them from the shores of Magical Britain years ago, we aren't too happy either." Rufus winced. Damn that idiot Fudge for leaving behind a giant mess for him to clear up! At this rate, he really does need to play the dictator or the bad guy to bring Britain back to the top. "We meet with the Downworlders at least once a year the same way that I do with the Minister of Magic ever since the Magna Carta was established between the monarch of Britain and the Ministry of Magic as well as the Hidden Circle." Margaret explained calmly. "But unlike you wizards, Her Majesty still wishes to abide by the treaty that her great ancestor had made with them. Honestly, with your Ministry voiding one of the most crucial agreements set in that treaty—'treat all men equal', I'm actually surprised that you still had your magic."
Rufus Scrimgeour cringed, though he wondered if that is what the American Minister of Magic had meant when he said that Britain is right at the bottom when it comes to the magic and power levels, what with them banning everything. In fact, Britain is likely the only nation whose adult wizards and witches still uses their wands for everything well into adulthood whereas in other nations, once a magical leaves school, they will be able to freely cast wandless magic.
Is it because Britain had voided the agreement and the pact that they've made with Magic herself that they are losing their magic and power? After all, even Rufus can see that more and more squibs are being born each year, and the muggle borns that came to their world are also leaving in droves—disgruntled at the unfair treatment that they received just for their blood status. Whereas in the muggle world, the people don't care if they're of noble birth or not as long as they're fully qualified to do their jobs.
"The Downworlders are all extremely upset with your Ministry, Mr Scrimgeour." Margaret stated coolly. "And also with a great number of your population. Her Majesty is upset with how the magical side of things is run too. If you don't clean your act up fast, Her Majesty is going to act. And I don't have to tell you that if the queen is upset, bad things will happen. So I'll ask now. What is it that you wish for?"
XXXXXX
Charlus Potter, now decked out in full mundane wear, stepped in front of the most haunted place in all of Great Britain, already feeling the impressive wards surrounding the Tower of London prickling at his skin, warning him against any ill doing.
The Potter lord felt a surge of excitement in his chest. He hoped for a moment that that letter that he had received over a month ago isn't just some cruel joke.
Dear Lord Potter,
You don't know who I am, but I do know of you. My name is Ethan Nightray, and I am writing to inform you of a matter of great importance…
A loud squawk greeted Charlus' ears even as he paid the entrance fee to enter the Tower, and he turned only to see two black ravens nestled amongst the green grass, and the Potter lord felt a smile form on his face as he recalled all the stories that every magical was ever taught about the Tower of London, and how they are warned to never approach.
The guardians of the Tower
If the ravens leave the Tower, the Kingdom will fall
It had been an ancient myth ever since the Tower's inception, but one that the locals steadfastly held onto. Thus the reason why there are always six ravens at any given time at the Tower of London with one spare. And like the human soldiers of the Queen's forces, those ravens are treated like one—protected and revered though they might be.
This might sound like a joke, especially after you've received word of the untimely death of your grandchild and Heiress. But I will swear upon the name of the Lady Morrigan if I have to—that every word written in this missive is true—and may the Lady cast me down into Nastrond if one word of this missive is written in lies.
Your grandchild, Kristina Seraphina Potter still lives.
"Excuse me, sir. We are closing early today." A man whom Charlus assume to be one of the Tower's Yeoman Warders approached the Potter lord. "If you like, you can come back tomorrow—"
"I was given an invitation by Master Nightray." Charlus answered promptly—reciting the words that the person who had written that missive had told him to tell the Yeoman Warder.
I rescued her from Little Whinging over a year ago from abusive mundane relatives, and while I normally never take the lives of mundanes and children, I made an exception just that day when I found out how bad the abuse had been. I also destroyed all evidences with fire.
I never knew that Kristina Potter had a living relation still until the entire fuss with her death had come out. But by that point in time, it was a little too late, as House Nightray had already claimed her as a Daughter of our House via a Downworlder adoption ritual. It not only healed all external injuries that she had suffered, it also allows the High Warlock to remove the soul parasite of the Dark Lord that had caused fear in Magical Britain that resides in that lightning bolt scar.
Charlus added another thing to his list of why he should make Albus Dumbledore's life a living hell when he'd read that part. Which idiot wouldn't check a toddler that had just been exposed to Dark Magic for a case of Dark Magic? And is the letter trying to tell him that until this Nightray guy had rescued his precious princess, there is a piece of that accursed coward who didn't dare to use his real name residing in his grandchild's head for five years?
Heads are going to roll, Charlus had sworn to himself. And Nightray. He recognised that name—having been involved with the Downworlders and their politics for as long as he had, and Charlus Potter had also been heavily involved with advocating Downworlder rights ever since he'd first ascended to his Lordship.
Nightray is the name of one of the twelve ruling vampire clans—a noble vampire house. And if whoever had penned the letter is telling the truth, he is basically telling Charlus that Kristina is full human no longer.
And yet, Charlus doesn't care in the least. He meant what he had told Sirius when Augusta and Sirius have managed to get him home on that day when he broke down in the DMLE. He doesn't care even if Kristina lived on the streets amongst the dregs of society or even if some Downworlder had claimed her and turned her into one of them as long as she is still alive.
That is all that Charlus asked for—for Kristina to be alive and well.
I wish that I can apologise, but I won't. Because I've never regretted taking her in. Her name is now Krista Nightray.
Krista, as she is known as now told me once after the adoption that Kristina Potter is the name of the 'Freak' who had nothing, and who simply acts as her mundane relatives' slave. Krista Nightray is the name of the daughter of Ethan Nightray; the niece of High Prince Klaus Nightray and Her Ladyship Vivian Nightray de Rosario; and is also the name of the grandchild of Lord Nikolai Nightray and Lord Charlus Potter.
Charlus Potter waited in a corner of the Tower's Rookery, ignoring the curious glances sent his way by the Ravenmaster and the Yeoman Warders—all of them were obviously preparing for something.
I am sorry that I took this long to inform you of your grandchild's survival when enough heartbreak and pain could be spared if I'd just sent you this letter earlier. But before I could do that, I need Krista's consent—if she wishes to reconnect with the family belonging to her former human life.
As you might be aware of, Lord Potter, a vampire—half-blood or not is not human. We don't have the same morals that humans do. Krista might not be the person whom you'd once known as your grandchild.
And even if you can accept that, please understand that there are several people in Magical Britain who still seeks her as Kristina Potter for their own selfish reasons and desires for power. Thus, if you ever reconnect with her again, please understand that you can tell no one that your grandchild is still alive. If your Ward and Lord Black is agreeable with this, and could be trusted to keep his mouth shut, then he can be told, but no one else.
If you can still accept these terms, then please head to the Tower of London before 4PM this coming Sunday. And if the Yeoman Warders or the mundane caretakers of the Tower stops you, recite this to them word for word: "I was given an invitation by Master Nightray."
They'll understand what it means. And don't worry about the secrecy, for the Tower's inhabitants are one of the few that knows about the wizarding world and the Downworlders and are sworn to secrecy for certain reasons—reasons that you'll find out if you should come.
If you would like to meet her, please pen a reply to this letter, and in turn, I'll send you an amulet that would allow you to enter the Tower's wards that would repel any magical.
May the Lady Morrigan bless you.
Yours sincerely,
Ethan Nightray
The inhabitants of the Tower of London are one of the rare few that are actually aware of the existences of the wizarding world and the Downworlders for several reasons. One of the main ones had been the fact that several of the Yeoman Warders are either squibs or magicals themselves or are married to witches or wizards.
Another reason is the fact that whenever a Shadowguardian was discovered by the Downworlders, said Shadowguardian will have a year to settle their Downworlder magic before they will be brought to the Tower of London to finalise the Lady Morrigan's blessing.
For ravens are Her messengers, and the Tower's ravens are rumoured to be Her Servants.
In fact, the last Shadowguardian that had ever entered the Tower to receive the blessing and is witnessed by the Queen as is done every single time one entered had been nearly four years ago.
The Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth the Second, watched with fond pride as Julius Morgenstern led the small auburn haired child with him to where the Queen is standing—with the pair keeping a considerable amount of distance to show the respect to the monarch of the kingdom, and also not too far to be shown as insulting.
In a corner, Ethan Nightray was leaning against the wall, eyes filled with pride and a little sadness as he watched his adoptive daughter.
"It's been quite some time, My Liege." Julius Morgenstern stepped forward and took the Queen's hand before turning it over and kissing the knuckles like the way the men of old would greet the ladies. "It is good to see you well."
"And you, Julius." The Queen noted with a smile. "It has been quite some time. So is this child the one?" She questioned Julius, eyes flickering towards the small child by the vampire's side.
"…Yes, My Liege." Krista Nightray took a short bow before coming up again with her right fist against the left side of her chest—the way of showing the monarch of the nation respect for the Downworlders as they bow to no King. "My name is Krista. Krista of House Nightray."
"It is a pleasure to meet you." The Queen said warmly. "And now, if you would, I permit you to invoke the blessing."
"…Yes, My Liege."
For several moments, everyone in the Rookery fell silent even as Julius Morgenstern stood by the Queen's side with her bodyguard on the other side—with Julius to remain there as Downworlder protection if things go wrong, which rarely did.
Then, everyone watched as the tiny form of the auburn haired dhampir walked to the middle of the Rookery. The ravens who were perched on their perches were all watching her with interest.
Then, Krista stretched out her left arm to the side where a silver bangle is visible—and below it, just on the under wrist, is the Morrigan's Mark. Right on cue, the ravens all cawed as one excitedly—as if welcoming a brother or sister the same way they did whenever a Shadowguardian enters the Tower to invoke the Blessing.
And then, Krista Nightray started speaking in a string of long words in an unfamiliar language—in Chthonian, the language of the Downworlders. At the same moment, all six ravens took flight and started circling around Krista, cawing in time with the words that she's speaking.
Almost as soon as it's begun, it ended, with the six ravens now docile once more, and back on their perches, preening their feathers.
"So that's the Blessing?" One of the Yeoman Warders who were present questioned with interest, with this being the first time that he had seen one. "Pretty intense."
"It's not over yet." Ethan Nightray spoke from behind him, and the man almost jumped. "Watch. The Lady is sending a sign over."
A raven who seems to be barely a fledgling left his nest, fluttering over to Krista's outstretched arm and landed on it. He cawed thrice—the beak pointing upwards before staring at his new partner.
A Raven familiar to each of my Chosen. They will be the Guides for my Chosen Warriors.
"…Hugo." Krista spoke after a long moment at staring into the young raven's eyes, and she then felt something establish as a bond formed between the two. A Messenger belonging to the Lady Morrigan herself, this raven familiar will live as long as she did, and will return to the Lady once it is her time to die.
"It's over." Julius said, watching as Ethan Nightray approached Krista, giving Julius a nod, and he nodded back—he knows what Ethan wants him to inform the monarch of Great Britain, and hopefully, if the truth should come out, Krista will have some protection from the idiots of Magical Britain. "And begging your pardon, My Liege, but there is something that I need to inform you."
Ethan Nightray took Krista Nightray by the hand even as her new raven familiar sat perched on her shoulder even as the pair approached a corner where a tall man dressed in a casual summer shirt and long pants was standing. He looked at Krista with a warm smile and with a look of longing visible in his eyes before he turned his gaze to Ethan.
The gentleman nodded to Ethan. "…Mr Nightray."
"Lord Potter." Ethan nodded back in greeting.
Krista gave a small smile at the gentleman. "…Hello, Grandpa."
A/N: This chapter has more of Downworlder stuff going on, and also a hint of what Rufus is up to. There will be power plays in action the next chapter, and the situation in Hogwarts will go off-canon due to several differences. Additionally, some of the characters that are Hilda's friends in the previous version will not be her friends in this version. And I'm still wondering what to do about Hermione especially in regards to Krista's unique situation.
Krista is a Downworlder, and Hermione is a mundane—she wouldn't accept unknown things right off the bat and has a tendency to fear and hate them. Suggestions, peeps? Also, I'll appreciate some suggestions for how you want Cedric and Krista's first meeting to be. He was originally going to appear in this chapter, but the scene doesn't fit, thus, I cut it out.
Anyway, I hope that you like this chapter and please read and review! Reviews give me inspiration to update!
