Chapter 2: The King and the Sacred 28
The Isle of Avalon was said to have been formed by the gods themselves, its unnatural beauty, lush green forests and crystal-clear lakes make perfect home for many species of wildlife – both magic and non-magic. The mists surrounding Avalon kept it hidden from the eyes of the world, it was elemental magic that was unclear as to whether or not someone cast it or it just naturally existed. Furthermore, it was guarded by ancient Fae warriors, meaning that even if Avalon was able to be found, they'd have to get through a race of ancient warrior guardians. Not to mention that there was also the Great Dragon, and several Elder Dragons – courtesy of Gringotts. Although he wouldn't really say they gave him the dragons as the seven Elder Dragons were guardians of the Pendragon line.
When Harry emerged in the courtyard of the Castle of Kings, he inhaled a breath of fresh air. Something that different from the city and even the magical parts of the city was that Avalon's air was clean, pure and radiated the very magic around it.
"You managed a morning, one single morning, without calling us. Dear lord Harry, how are you going to run an entire country?" Merlin appeared next to Harry, though the smile on his face told a different story.
"When it comes to the magical community in England – they tend to need their heads taken out of their asses before they listen. Summoning the three of you… hey where is Morgana?" Harry asked, noticing that it was only Arthur and Merlin who had appeared in Camelot.
"Morgana said she had to have some girl time with some of her friends, I tell you harry – women need their girl time. When you eventually have wives, they will spend time away from you and with other women talking about lord only knows what. Harry, let them have their girl time, it saves you a lot of trouble later on," Merlin placed a hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Come, let us settle into the Castle of King's. Call the Knights and start sorting through everyone's responsibilities. They've been catching up on history over these past few years, knowing they would be needed again," Arthur said walking towards the castle.
"What about you three? Will you three fight once again?"
"If fate, destiny and the aspects of death allow us back to do so. We will, but Harry, unlike the Knights, the three of us are beings of legend our paths were forged by a far greater power than our own. We may walk among you again, but it is unlikely that we will be able to aid you in battle. We cannot have two Kings of Avalon ruling at one time. It goes against the natural laws of this world," Merlin said sadly.
Location – Bureau
Morgana walked into the room and sighed, shaking her head as she looked upon the girl – yes, she would dare call Queen Hela a girl. Who was so absorbed in a book that really should be shelved in the archives as a part of history long forgotten.
"Your majesty, are you still brooding about his return to the world of the living," Morgana asked with a smirk.
"I am not brooding!" Hela protested, standing up with her hair flaring wildly.
"Sure you're not, why did you keep the other options from him? Why didn't you show him the rest of what his life would have been if he went back? Voldemort's soul was taken in exchange for his after all," Morgana asked noting that many of Hela's fond memories now included Harry in some kind.
"You saw the look on his face, how was I supposed to tell him? Morgana, how was I supposed to tell him that his closest friends would betray him, he would die at the hands of the woman he loved? Or that no matter what he does, it's his destiny to eventually rule over all of the aspects of Death?" Hela slammed her hand through the table.
"Oh dear… Hela, you've fallen for him?"
"I… it will never be, Harry has a mortal path to walk. This book is all I have left of him for my own – his legend is now being written by the fates and destiny," Hela clutched the bound book close to her chest.
"Hela, just because the future once written will not come to pass – that does not mean that the fates have not written you into his future. You know as well as I do, that even the deities are bound by fate."
"I miss him."
The King's chambers inside the Castle of Kings was bigger than the entire property of Privet Drive, his bed alone likely could fit all of his close friends on it for a study session – that includes Hermione's habit of having three source references open and two roles of parchment, one for her essay and another for her notes.
The ornate bathroom had a bath the size of a small cabin, complete with dragons that spouted water into the bath, and jets that somehow were powered by magic. There was also a modern toilet, and shower attached. In the far-right corner was a small sauna, Harry wondered just how an old castle got so modern.
The glass windows were stained with various scenes throughout history, ones that Harry wasn't quite sure about. But he had neither the time to replace them, nor think about whether or not they belonged as he had to prepare for the arrival of the sacred 28.
The warm water soother Harry's sore muscles, it felt strange being alive in the world of the living again. Sure, the Bureau tried its best to make everything as if it was the world of the living, but Death can never fully replicate life. Despite how much the Bureau had become home in the past 2 years, he did miss being alive. And he knew that one day he would return to the realm of the dead – when his job as King is complete and the world is a better place.
"Mum, Dad, Ron, Hermione, Sirius, Remus, Tonks – I hope that I can give you the future you deserve," Harry spoke his prayer towards the ceiling.
Dear Baron Lord Charlus Fleamont Potter,
Your presence is required at the Court of Avalon in the Castle of Kings. As a Member of the Sacred 28, you are to attend the summit under the order of King Hadrian Pendragon. Your family is also required and will be expected to meet with the King after he has spoken business with the Lords of the Sacred 28.
At exactly 6:30 tomorrow night, this letter will activate a portal granting you safe passage to the Courtyard in the Castle of Kings. You are hereby warned that drawing your wand at any stage during your visit to Avalon will result in your arrest pending an explanation where your fate may be up to the King himself. Furthermore, you will be greeted by the King's personal attendants should any of them be threatened, you will answer to the King.
All matters that the King is concerned about will be discussed during the court meeting, any attempt to contact him prior will be returned unopened as he has made it very clear that you will all receive the information at once.
Regards,
Kree, Account manager of the Pendragon, Emrys & Le Fey Vault.
Charlus Potter handed the letter off to his wife who read after him, the two shared a worried look before they called in James and Sirius. They then explained everything that had happened over the day and what was to come, even though Sirius would be coming with the Potter's – he would dress as well as James was and be expected to be on their best behavior as they will be attending a court with the King in the fabled Isle of Avalon. Dorea and Charlus made it very clear that there would be zero tolerance for any kind of pranks – as even drawing their wands could end up a potential death sentence when in the presence of the King.
"James, we should warn the King about the dark houses," Sirius said as they were getting dressed.
"Sirius, I would normally agree with you. But you heard Mum and Dad, we could get ourselves killed. Padfoot, tonight is not a night we can have fun – Dad's never been one for being strict and you know that, but he's told us that if we mess up, he'd only be able to beg the King for mercy and I don't want to put him in that position."
"But Prongs!"
"No, Padfoot. Tonight, is one night the Marauder's cannot mess up," James said sternly, looking Sirius in the eye who eventually conceded.
By 6:15 they were all in the entrance hall, Charlus had the letter in his hand and they were dressed in their cleanest and best dressed clothes. Every single part of their outfit was immaculate, no signs of dirt, no smell, nothing of the sort. Once 6:30 hit the letter shot out of Charlus' hands and then incinerated itself, from the ashes shot a blue doorway. Charlus took a deep breath in before he stepped through, followed by the two boys and then Dorea.
The members of the sacred 28 houses were as followed; Abbott, Avery, Black, Bulstrode, Burke, Carrow, Crouch, Fawley, Flint, Gaunt, Greengrass, Lestrange, Longbottom, Macmillan, Malfoy, Nott, Ollivander, Parkinson, Potter, Prewett, Rosier, Rowle, Selwyn, Shaklebolt, Slughorn, Travers, Weasley and Yaxley.
Harry had recognized many of them as Death Eaters as well, and likely knew that many of the family's present would likely already be Death Eaters – something, he was going to correct. Furthermore, he was going to have his eyes focusing on Lord Marvolo Gaunt, the Gaunt's were descendants of House Slytherin and it was the alias Tom Riddle went by when he was first drawing purebloods to his cause.
One by one the families arrived, all of them had brought along their families as he had requested. The High Elves that had maintained the Castle for centuries received the guests, checked them over for any foreign weapons and then led them from the entrance hall – they had been informed to not respond to any of the disrespect that they may receive but they would inform him when they arrived if a family did, and any physical harm would be met with extreme force from the Elves – as Harry had directed.
Harry sat on the throne when the Elves started bringing in the arriving members of the Sacred 28 and their families. He could recognize a few of them as younger versions of the parents of people he had known.
Harry's brows and eyes darkened when a few of the families came escorted by guards who had their weapons out, the Lords had been detained with extreme prejudice and their wives and children also held now at enchanted sword point.
"Report," Harry all but growled.
"Your majesty these savages…"
"NOT FROM YOU!"
"Your majesty, these lords raised a hand at us – and the two sons over here tried to grab at one of the elven handmaidens that you assigned to assist the ladies," the head Elf stepped forwards, following his lead the others shoved the Lords and the boys on the ground in front of them.
"Lancelot, their wands," Harry gestured.
"Yes my lord, Gawain, Percival, Leon," Lancelot gestured forwards and the four of them walked down, grabbing the lords in question and forcibly removing their wands.
In total they ended up with seven wands, Lords Lestrange, Avery, Bulstrode, Malfoy, and Heirs Rodolphus Lestrange, Rabastan Lestrange and Lucius Malfoy. They struggled a lot as the four knights brought up their wands to Harry who levitated them in front of him with a wave of his hand.
"What part of, should any of my personal attendants be threatened, you will answer to me – did you not understand?" Harry's eyes were glowing as he stood.
"They're creatures, they serve us just as they serve you," Lord Lestrange bit back.
"No, they are friends! They are the guardians of Avalon! As King they are my subjects and I am their protector!" Harry snarled, the entire throne room rumbled at his voice.
"But they are below us, My lord. Only good for serving and warming the bed," Rodolphus said holding his head high.
"Tell me, boy, which wand is yours?" Harry asked calmly, Rodolphus pointed to the one on the far left.
"This one?" Harry walked forwards bringing the wand with him.
"Let this be a lesson to you all, upon the Isle of Avalon and especially in the Castle of Kings for which you may only come when invited – if you seek to harm what I protect, this will be the most lenient punishment you receive," and with that Rodolphus' wand burned quicker than a match, dropping onto the stone as ash.
"NO!" Rodolphus struggled against the elves superior strength and watched as his wand became ash.
"The Lords and Lady's of the house will remain, the offending boys will not be permitted to remain," Harry's eyes glowed before Rodolphus, Rabastan and Lucius were forcibly removed from the Castle of Kings with a pop.
"Is there anyone else? Should you lay down a challenge, I will respond to it as a King should anyone who challenges his rule. IS. THERE. ANYONE. ELSE." Harry snarled, all of the Lords and Ladies, and their children took a few steps away from him.
"Good. You will receive your wands back when you leave, Ladies and Heirs, you will be showed to the ballroom I will join you all after I conclude business with the Lords. My Lords, you will follow and the Knight's will be escorting you at all times. Now, come," Harry walked off and out of a door while the Knights surrounded the Lords and gestured for them to follow, the first of which was Baron Lord Arcturus Black along with Baron Lord Charlus Potter.
Bellatrix Black had seen many things in all of years at Hogwarts, she had dealt out her fair share of pain. The dungeons of Slytherin had its fair share of accidents, threats and schemes – Bella being the cause or at least a participant of many of them. However, many things changed in one day.
When her grandfather Arcturus had called a meeting of the entire Black family and informed them of his summons to the mythical Isle of Avalon, Bellatrix like her sisters couldn't believe what she was hearing, but the letter held the seal of the King.
But to see the King in person, the man who she would say is barely of the age to be out of Hogwarts, yet, so knowledgeable and in his element. A command of magic of the likes she had never seen before, furthermore a command of people that she had never seen before.
"He's really something, isn't he? The King that is," Regina Parkinson was drinking wine that was served by the elven handmaidens.
"Oh I agree, completely Reggie. But I don't think he'd be your type, imagine having to been Queen of that," Bellatrix snickered.
"You have an objection to being a Queen Bellatrix?" Regina asked.
"Oh no little Reggie, but I doubt you'd be able to handle a man like that – all you do is gossip and shop. A daughter of House Black like myself is better off with a man like that, we know how to finish everything he would start," Bellatrix shot back.
"Like he would go for any one of you bitches, you're all from dark families. He will go for a daughter of a light family as his Queen," a red-haired girl interrupted their conversation, she was flanked by two older boys.
"Oh look, the Banshee is here to make noise again. Come to shriek at us already? Bet you couldn't wait to get your blood-traitor hands on the free wine and food. As poor as the Prewett family is, maybe the King will rescind your membership of the sacred 28 because you don't have the finance to back him," Regina shot back.
"At least we wouldn't stab the King in the back, you Black's surely would. Like you did to Sirius," One of the red-haired boys sneered in response.
"He was a blood-traitor and as such he was cast out of the family by Aunt Wulburga. As he should have been, and implying that we Black's would be so foolish at to betray a King? You are the absolute epitome of stupid, Prewett. Unlike your whore of a sister, we keep our blood always pure. How many has she slept with already? I've heard everyone in the Gryffindor Quidditch team has had a turn with her except for Potter. Wait, are you two beaters? You've been sleeping with your own sister?" Bellatrix cackled, Molly's eyes narrowed and she went for her wand.
"I would hope, that you are not about to draw your wand. Molly Prewett," a cold voice cut through the argument, its owner leaving everyone stunned.
They had been so busy arguing that they failed to notice his return along with that of all the Lords. Harry's killing curse green eyes seemed to cut through everyone present, the girls nearby all unconsciously licked their lips, Bellatrix being the most noticeable as she had been standing right in front of him.
"Your majesty I…"
"No my Lord, she was not drawing her wand she was about to check her makeup. Weren't you sister?" one of her brother's cut in.
"I see, Aethyta will show you to the ladies room to refresh your makeup," Harry snapped his fingers and an elven girl appeared.
"My King?" she asked.
"See to it that Miss Prewett gets to the ladies room, I believe she needs to touch up her makeup."
"Yes my King, Miss Prewett please follow me this way," the elf said, walking in another direction soon followed by Molly as she did not want to be humiliated in front of the King. Once she was gone his attention turned to the small group who had been arguing. He looked each of them over, a few of the women blushed and looked down but others held themselves high while he gave them a once over.
"Do not believe for one second that I think you innocent in this incident, Bellatrix Black."
"You know my name, my lord?" Bellatrix asked surprised.
"It is my job to know the names of all of the members of the families who serve me, especially the ones who are liable to serve another over their duty to the people and the country," Harry replied before walking through the group and greeting another group of lords and their families leaving a slightly panicked Bellatrix.