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 Six: Ever I Had Sought

Albus Dumbledore isn't a happy wizard.

All the extreme changes that Rufus Scrimgeour and his team have been making to Magical Britain for the past four years have been making several people uneasy and uncomfortable—as it is rattling them out of their normally comfortable lives and tossing them into an almost foreign environment.

Albus had always known how to handle the more high-strung members of the Wizengamot and the Minister in order for them to do what he wants. But now with half of the Wizengamot being members that the public had voted in, he isn't so sure that he can pass the decrees and bills that he wanted any longer.

Even Rufus Scrimgeour the new Minister of Magic is a problem.

The man is a former Auror and had trained under Charlus Potter and Alastor Moody, and had even fought in the last war. Several of Azkaban's cells were full because of him after all. Hence, he isn't easy to manipulate.

In fact, Rufus seems to take great delight in denying and defying Dumbledore at every turn.

The fact that Rufus had even opened the doors of Magical Britain to foreign companies whose products or services had mundane origins is like a slap in the face to Dumbledore as well. Back when Fudge was still Minister, those same companies have actually approached him to open branches on British soil. Fudge was initially interested, as it might help to boost Britain's economy, but Dumbledore had subtly 'suggested' that it might turn the pureblood houses against him as those companies had muggle origins.

In fact, ever since Rufus had taken office and had declared martial law on Magical Britain with Amelia Bones, Amos Diggory and Charlus Potter behind him, several changes have been occurring.

Doge had even told Dumbledore about the explosive Wizengamot meeting when Rufus had announced that they'd be opening the doors of Magical Britain to the Downworlders.

Dumbledore had paled at that when Doge had informed him about it.

Downworlders in Magical Britain? The Hogwarts headmaster is just one amongst the many in Magical Britain that thinks of the Downworlders as abominations. Filthy creatures of the night that should be exterminated like the vermin they are.

No one should be immortal, Dumbledore had believed. You live and then you die, and go on to the next great cycle of life.

Charlus Potter on the other hand had always been one of the biggest advocates of Downworlder rights, right alongside Amos Diggory, Amelia Bones, and of late, Arthur Weasley.

And Dumbledore honestly couldn't understand just what he had done to make Charlus Potter so pissed at him.

Sure, maybe he could have done something a little more to ensure James and Lily's safety. But there was a prophecy in place about Voldemort and a child born at the end of July that is fated to defeat him. That prophecy is needed to happen, and if it costs the lives of the Potter heir and his wife… Well, it is for the Greater Good.

It had been four years since Rufus Scrimgeour had became Minister, and nearly two years now ever since their doors were opened to the Downworlders.

And in Albus' opinion, things were getting from bad to worse in Magical Britain.

A peace treaty was also drawn up between the Downworlders and the Ministry of Magic—nearly every single paper and magazine in Magical Britain have gone into a tittering frenzy when that had happened.

And the changes in the media are another thing that had Dumbledore uneasy. Previously, papers like the Daily Prophet have always reported what the Ministry wants. But now, the media are reporting only the truth as it is—obviously under strict orders from Rufus to do so. More so after Amelia Bones had passed a law that any reporter and newspaper office is to declare neutrality and report only the truth or risk getting imprisoned and their office shut down permanently.

A few of the medium sized papers and magazines didn't take it seriously at first, and had reported what some of their 'sponsors' wanted them to report. By noon the next day, they were all surrounded by Aurors and arrested, and their offices shut down.

It happened five times before all of Britain got the message, and by then, the damage is done.

Dumbledore is almost afraid of the dark path that Rufus Scrimgeour is obviously leading Britain down. It's almost a dictatorship. It is no different from how Tom had done things at the height of the war when he had used fear and power to get what he wants.

The peace treaty between the Downworlders and the Ministry of Magic isn't too complicated. And even so, Dumbledore had actually heard from Doge that Rufus and Amos have to do lots of convincing for the Downworlders to accept their proposal, as the Downworlders are still pretty miffed about the treatment that they've been receiving at the hands of Magical Britain for the past century. The death of a daughter of a noble vampire house didn't help matters either.

And it didn't help either that Britain is the only country in the world with wizard hunters. The other countries with magical Ministries generally report any wrongdoings associated with the Downworlders to Avalon's ruling council where they will handle it. If anything, the Downworlders generally implant pretty harsh punishments on rule breakers or even oathbreakers.

Punishments that is harsher than anything that the human Ministries could come up with.

Hogwarts is another thing that had several changes implanted into it, much to Dumbledore's displeasure.

Rufus had restored several of the lessons that Dumbledore had cut out from Hogwarts' teaching plans that he had seen as either unnecessary or 'dark'. Lessons like wizarding etiquette and customs were amongst the first to be restored—much to the pleasure of the purebloods, and this had in turn earned Rufus some brownie points with them. One of the core subjects, Defence Against the Dark Arts had now been renamed as Magical Defence, and also had the lesson plans given a complete revamp. Instead of just focusing on the 'light' spells, the lesson plans now had that subject covering all spells—light or dark. Alchemy had also been restored to the lesson plans, but it is only applicable as an elective starting in third year. Mundane Affairs that had formerly been known as Muggle Studies is now no longer considered to be just an elective. Instead, it had now become a core subject, with all students taking it starting from first year. History of Magic had Binns 'fired', with the lesson plans also given a complete revamp. The teachings of the Old Ways would also be part of the lesson plans—much to Dumbledore's displeasure who had neither liked nor approved of the Old Ways to begin with.

Part of the peace treaty that Britain had with the Downworlders is also to open the doors of Hogwarts to them. Hence, two of the teachers were also Downworlders themselves—with one holding the position of the History professor, and with the other being the professor of a new lesson—Combat.

Filius Flitwick along with Pomona Sprout and Minerva McGonagall were amongst the professors roped in to assist Amelia and a Downworlder to create a living space for the Downworlder children as is part of the agreement made as no Downworlder would agree to share sleeping space with witches and wizards—no thanks in part to the extreme bigotry and prejudice in Britain for the past century or so.

All in all, the changes happening to Magical Britain is making Dumbledore uneasy and unhappy, as it is going against everything that he had working for nearly his entire life.

Grim Avenue is also another headache amongst the many.

As Dumbledore no longer had the influence that he once had, he couldn't do anything to stop Amos Diggory from reopening Grim Avenue—the Downworlders' district. Due to the century long state of abandonment, Grim Avenue was left in a rather desolate state, and hence, extreme reconstructive work must be done to restore it.

With magic however, it could be done pretty quickly.

Grim Avenue's general outlook is extremely different from Diagon Alley and even Knockturn Alley. Part of the agreement that the Downworlders had with the Ministry is also that Grim Avenue is theirs and theirs alone. The Ministry will not be able to interfere with what goes on in there, and what they sell.

Unlike Diagon and Knockturn that are so cramped that a person could barely walk down the streets without bumping shoulders with one of the walls, Grim Avenue's general outlook is more spacious.

It is built in a circular format—with the shops all surrounding a circular water fountain. And unlike Knockturn and Diagon, the roads were paved with white cobblestones to make it easier for people to walk. The fountain area is also more reminiscent of a courtyard, and there were even benches around it.

The shops were mainly run by Downworlders too. And their products are typically those that you could find nowhere. Though there are a few shops that are run by humans; though in those cases, the humans are approved by the Downworlders to hold shops in their territory.

Rufus and Amelia have also met with the head of the Department of Magical Education along with Arthur Weasley to come up with a new system for the mundane-born students instead of the old one that they've been using for hundreds of years.

Clearly, Kristina Potter's death had set a lot of things in motion in Magical Britain. And not all of them are good.

Apparently, several of the pureblood lords have been raising concerns over the welfare of the children of their society. 'Mudblood' or not, they still have magical blood, as what Lucius Malfoy had said scornfully when Elphias Doge had tried calling him out on it during the Wizengamot meeting that was called to raise this concern. And all children are precious to the magical society.

As a result, the Child Welfare Office as well as the Mundane Liaison Office will likely have their budgets raised in order to employ more people to keep checks on the mundane families of the mundane-born students. Unfortunately, because of Kristina Potter's demise, the restrictions on what the mundane-borns could and couldn't do are stricter as a result.

Even as Albus Dumbledore sat at his desk in his office in Hogwarts school—honestly, that is about the only place he can be in these days without seeing some scorn or disgust shot his way even from the members of his staff.

He stared at the Pensive in front of him, the memories that he had placed in it over the past four years looking like silver smoke even as faint images of his memories could just be seen vaguely over the surface of the bowl.

"You got my granddaughter killed!"

Charlus Potter.

"…Since clearly, they've shown that they couldn't be trusted if they hold the same abilities that we have, we should restrict what they could or couldn't do while they're still students until they've proven their own allegiance—"

Lucius Malfoy.

"I will do what needs to be done even if it means I have to break down this entire society and build it back up."

Rufus Scrimgeour.

"…The packs couldn't be found anywhere. It's like they've all disappeared. I heard rumours that the Praetor are calling them all back."

Remus Lupin.

Dumbledore frowned even as with a wave of his hand, a visage of Remus Lupin's face disappeared from his Pensive. Four years ago, not too long before the entire thing with the Downworlders went down, Lupin had reported that the werewolf packs whom he had been trying to get in contact with had all somehow vanished mysteriously—presumably answering the calls of the Praetor Lupus.

Even with his century long worth of experience and what Lupin could tell him, even Dumbledore doesn't know a whole lot about the werewolf hierarchy. The Praetor Lupus is a name spoken with revere amongst the werewolf community—even by Fenrir Greyback, Europe's most notorious werewolf. As Lupin had never actually embraced his werewolf side, he had never met them, and no werewolf had ever given him the time of day to fill him in on what they are.

The little that Dumbledore knows is that the Praetor Lupus are the rulers of all werewolves. They generally taught young werewolves that were recently bitten to learn how to control their minds when they shift and taught them how to hide from wizard hunters and even how to hunt.

They don't often interfere in the worldly affairs much, but when the Praetor Lupus calls for the werewolves, they answer. Failure to do so will result in the werewolf or his pack being branded as oathbreakers and hunted down.

Like most Downworlders, the Praetor Lupus are a ruthless bunch.

Possibly, the only ones they might listen to is Avalon's ruling council—the rulers of the Downworlders.

Remus Lupin is a rare exception, as his father had been a former wizard hunter before Remus was bitten by Greyback. And even now, Dumbledore suspects that Fenrir Greyback might have done it on purpose to save more of his kind from getting killed. Thus why the Praetor Lupus had left Remus alone—as Remus' 'condition' is the Praetor's revenge against Lyall Lupin for what he had done to their brothers and sisters.

But the fact is that the Downworlders are acting up once more, and with the situation in Britain being what they are, and with the Downworlders having access to Magical Britain and Hogwarts…

Dumbledore hates it. Having those vermin dirty the soil of that which he'd worked so hard to protect.

He is however determined not to make it a comfortable stay for the Downworlders in his school.

Unfortunately for Dumbledore however, he clearly seemed to have forgotten that the Downworlders are a vicious bunch, and they always takes care of their own.

And may the Morrigan be with the person stupid enough to piss them off.

XXXXXX

"Where are you taking me, Emily?" Severus Snape questioned almost morosely as he allowed the auburn haired witch currently dragging him around to lead him.

Once upon a time, Severus Snape would never have allowed another to touch him. Only one person was afforded that privilege, but she had been dead for nearly a decade now. But after Kristina Potter's death, it is like whatever that had been fuelling Severus Snape's desire to live had died. He couldn't even muster up the energy to be mean to people or even sneer at Sirius Black whenever he sees him with his girlfriend Marlene McKinnon, with Lord Black carrying his girlfriend's shopping bags. He is just so tired. He had failed in his promise to Lily—to protect her only daughter.

And it is Albus Dumbledore who had made him break his Vow!

Thus, every single Hogwarts staff meeting held normally ends with Snape snaking some bitter response or two at Dumbledore.

The Potions Master is just going through the motions of mundane life every single day ever since his entire world had came crashing down upon his head when he'd received the news that Kristina Potter is dead. Lily's little girl—the child whom he'd swore to protect.

The little girl that looks almost exactly like a carbon image of Lily that it almost made Severus' heart ache.

Only Emily Prewett, a second cousin of Molly Weasley had refused to let him live almost like an Inferius.

The woman had been a formidable witch just like most of the Prewett clan had been. And because Dumbledore doesn't possess the power to perform any hiring of teachers any longer, with that privilege falling to the Department of Magical Education and the Minister of Magic, for once in a long time, Hogwarts' staff are all competent teachers.

Emily had been a new addition to the panel of professors—especially after Rufus Scrimgeour had started bringing back all those lessons that were either dropped or cut out from the teaching plans of Hogwarts' teaching curriculum. She is the professor assigned to teaching wizarding etiquette and customs, and even teaching the lessons about the Old Ways.

And much like Molly Weasley, Emily is stubborn when she wants to get her way, and refuses to leave Severus alone. Minerva and Poppy always have this really amused smile on their faces whenever they see Emily drags Severus around after her during weekends and even during the summer holidays.

"To Grim Avenue." Emily said cheerfully even as she continued dragging Severus down Diagon Alley and towards the direction of Grim Avenue. "You need a place where you can relax without someone sniping at you every half-an-hour, and I for one, is getting sick of it."

Severus flinched. It was made pretty public after the end of the last war that he had been a Death Eater who had switched sides, though his trial was made too public for him to be able to return to Voldemort's side if he ever returns—much to his relief. He has no desire to spend the rest of his life being shackled to two masters.

As a result of his trial however, majority of Britain's population had looked at him with disgust. Even amongst his colleagues, it is only Poppy, Minerva and Filius who have treated him with respect like any normal human being. And recently, Emily and the two Downworlders who are professors to one of the newer subjects.

And after Sirius Black's release from Azkaban no thanks to Lord Potter, he had met the two men when Charlus Potter had handed him a letter left behind by Lily to be imparted to him as is stated in her will.

Azkaban had clearly hardened the Lord Black, as he doesn't even seem to want to sneer or taunt at Severus and vice-versa. They would likely never be friends, but just mere acquaintances maybe.

After Lily's death, Severus honestly didn't think that he'd meet another person or even another woman who would look at him and not feel disgusted. But clearly, Emily Prewett is cut from a different cloth.

While most would avoid him like the plague, she refuses to leave him alone.

"So this is the place?" Severus grunted as they finally entered Grim Avenue, and it is far more spacious than either Knockturn or Diagon. The pair are currently standing in front of what seems to be an inn-cum-bar that had the words 'Moon's Dew' written on the ivory signboard in cursive writing, with the designs of what seems to be silver moon behind a black pine tree on the signboard itself.

The establishment was a few storeys high, with the windows slightly tinted to prevent anyone from looking inside. It seems spacious and well to do. And according to what Severus had heard ever since the peace treaty with the Downworlders was made about four years ago, there are wards and charms placed on Grim Avenue to protect the inhabitants from any disgruntled wizards. Though to begin with, it's not like they can hurt the inhabitants even if they want, as the Downworlders are pretty powerful to begin with.

A bell tinkled somewhere in the establishment even as Severus and Emily both entered, and the Potions Master was pretty impressed by the layout even as he stepped in, and he knew that Emily is too, judging by how she is looking around.

Moon's Dew is even bigger than it looks from the outside, and it even had a staircase heading upstairs to what Severus assumed must be inn rooms. A bar counter was at the front of the bar, and there was an assortment of drinks displayed in the ivory shelves against the wall.

A raven haired man—a vampire judging by the red eyes was mixing some drinks together—presumably the owner of Moon's Dew. He glanced at the two newcomers before nodding to them politely, with the pair nodding back. Severus had to remind himself that most of the shops in Grim Avenue are run by Downworlders, and thus, he shouldn't really be surprised that Moon's Dew is run by a vampire. It is almost common in other countries, but in Britain, it is still something that needs time getting used to. That, along with the fact that Hogwarts opens their doors to at least three new Downworlder students every single year.

A room with the entrance partially covered by a black curtain is just visible behind the counter that Severus guessed must be the kitchen. A large tree tapestry with several leaves painted on it is visible on the wall not far from the bar counter. Several numbers were written on the leaves, and a few numbers were glowing orange.

As it is mid-day, there aren't many people around. The few tables that were occupied were occupied by goblins chatting after a day of hard work. There were even a few customers at the other tables that Severus could have sworn were vampires and even werewolves.

Several house elves were running around, delivering food and drinks to their customers, with a few taking orders. All were dressed in smart black and white uniforms like that of a bartender's that Severus had seen once when he'd gone to the mundane world, but the house elves also each have a mini dark blue apron tied over their uniforms with the words 'Moon's Dew' written on it in silver.

There was even a black plaque of sorts hanging on the wall just next to the entrance that details a few rules in Moon's Dew. The most prominent rule being that no discrimination of any sorts is to take place here. Do so, and it is a month's long ban, and maybe even more depending on the number of times that it had already taken place.

"Welcome." The vampire greeted as Severus and Emily both settled into seats at the counter. "If you both would prefer a couple booth, I can show you to one?" He offered, looking between the two who flushed.

"We're not like that." Severus said quickly. "Here is fine. And I'll have an Odin's Apple." He added, glancing at the menu in front of him.

"Same for me."

"If you say so." The vampire shrugged. He took several moments before mixing the drinks and passing them to the two before him. "I've never seen you around before."

"He needs to get out more, or the students are going to start mistaking him as a vampire." Emily smiled wryly even as Severus scowled. "Seriously, Severus, live a little. It can't kill you."

Severus grunted, but the vampire looked interested. "Students? Hogwarts professors then?" Emily nodded. "I see."

"I wonder who we'll be seeing attending Hogwarts this September." Severus mused. "It'll probably be easier on all of us if Dumbledore doesn't tries to make it so uncomfortable for us all!" He scowled.

Hell, Dumbledore couldn't have made it more obvious to anyone with eyes and a brain that he doesn't like the Downworlders being in his school if he tried.

The bell tinkled somewhere in the bar once more even as a dark haired vampire walked in, looking so similar to the owner that they just had to be related. The newcomer nodded to the owner. "Ethan, can we talk?"

Ethan, the owner sighed. "Hey Krista, can you man the front for several minutes?" he called out before an petite auburn haired figure appeared at the top of the stairs leading to the upstairs, a rag in her hand.

"What?" The auburn haired figure—and Severus is almost startled to realise that he had almost thought that he'd seen Lily standing there for a moment.

"I need to talk to Klaus." Ethan jerked a thumb towards the vampire who had just stepped in. "We won't be long."

"All right."

In a blur of vampire speed, she then appeared behind the counter, nodding to the vampire who had just stepped in—with Klaus and Ethan both disappearing up the stairs.

Severus stared at the child vampire—though judging by the mix of red and green in her eyes, she is most likely not full vampire. Almost as if sensing Severus' eyes on her, she looked up, and gave a small nod to the two adults in front of her. "I'm Krista Nightray," the auburn haired dhampir introduced herself, "how may I help you this afternoon?"


"Damn it, Klaus, we've already been through this a year ago!" Ethan said through tightly gritted teeth the moment that the two brothers were both in his room, with the door closing behind them. "Krista is going to Nightshades with Alec, not Hogwarts!"

"Ethan, we should give her a chance to see the wizarding community with her own eyes at least." Klaus said patiently.

"And she will. But not the ones in Britain." Ethan said grimly. "I don't care what Father or even the British Minister is saying. This peace treaty is doomed to failure if what Helen and the others were reporting about how they've been treated in Hogwarts is true. And it stems from the man that they call a headmaster. How he hasn't been replaced yet never fails to astound me. I'm not letting Krista near that man."

That and the fact that it is that same man who had placed Krista with the people who had abused her to the point where she'd almost died if Ethan hadn't found her.

Klaus sighed. "Krista needs the experience to grow, Ethan. You know that," he tried yet again to reach through to his stubborn brother. "Not just the few wizard interactions that she had with Moon's Dew when growing up, or even her friendship with Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott. They're as much her family as—"

Clearly, that is the wrong thing to say, as Ethan slammed one hand down on the table, effectively breaking it in half.

"We're her family, not them! At the very least, I'll have some peace of mind if she goes to Nightshades with Alec, as I won't be worried if someone accidentally lights her on fire or something!"

Klaus almost winced at his brother's rare show of anger. Between the two, Ethan is the more cool headed one. There is a reason why he often acts as Klaus' advisor. "I understand your concerns. I really do." Klaus tried again to convince his upset brother. "But we need to send the minimum of three representatives every year as part of the peace treaty—you know that."

"Why Krista then?" Ethan looked irritated. "Why not someone else?"

"Let her choose, Ethan." Klaus said firmly—he knows how to get through to his brother. "It has to be her decision. And if she decides to go, I'll talk to Nathaniel to see if he's willing to accompany her. Alec might too."

If Krista's two best friends are willing to go with her into 'enemy territory', it might at least appease Ethan some.

Ethan has a frown on his face, but he seemed to be getting around to his brother's way of thinking. "If something happens to her at Hogwarts, you're the first one I'm coming after," he said darkly.

Klaus winced, as that is the same thing that his wife had told him. If Krista happens to so much as get a scratch on her, he would likely be banished to the couch for a month. And that is not atop of what Charlus Potter would even do to him. Say what you will about humans, Charlus Potter is someone whom even the Downworlders have respected.

"Let her choose, Ethan." Klaus said again.

Ethan sighed and nodded. "So it's time," he murmured. "It's going to be Krista's stage from here on out. And something tells me that I'm not going to like it."


A/N: This chapter is more focused on the aftermath of everything rather than Krista. Apologies, guys! Next chapter will be more Krista centric. And honestly, I'm not all that pleased with this chapter, as I feel it isn't up to my usual standards.

Anyway, I hope that you like this chapter, and please read and review! Reviews give me inspiration to update!