Chapter 4: The King & the red string of fate

Lily Eveningshade marveled at her room, she and her sister were sharing a room but it was still larger than their entire house. Complete with two private bathrooms, one each. Their bathrooms not only had showers, but also had baths, a private sauna and even a spa. She felt like she was still yet to wake up from a dream, or a prank that Potter had pulled.

"How are you settling in?" Morgause asked her youngest daughter, while Petunia was out on the balcony looking over the courtyard of the castle of Avalon.

"It's been two days and I still don't know if this is real, and I still haven't met his Majesty just yet either. Shouldn't I apologise for missing the dinner?" Lily asked, slightly worried that the young king would be upset with her.

"Harry's had a lot of paperwork to do since his coronation, he's been trying to catch up on the reformed laws he has been looking at as well as the changes he wishes to make to the wizarding and non-wizarding world. That young man is really something else," Morgause murmured as she picked out their outfits for dinner.

Harry unfortunately hadn't joined them for dinner since the night they arrived as he has had to put all of his attention to the positive changes that he wanted to implement into the wizarding world. Not to mention getting his elite elf scouts geared up and sent all around magical Britain, muggle Britain, and to all the other major wizarding communities and governments in order to scope out the reaction to a King of Camelot coming forward.

He was currently working on what he perceived as one of the most critical changes, the changes to Hogwarts curriculum. He had been working with Merlin, Arthur, Morgana and Morgause to come up with changes that would change the way that the magic-born view the non-magic world, and the non-magic born view the magic world.

While Harry knew he could implement it as his right as King, he preferred to go through the Wizengamot and try to get the various Lords and Ladies of the noble families – sacred 28 included, to agree to the changes. It would be more beneficial to get them to see the good of the changes than to force them into it.

This now meant that after drafting and presenting the legislation, Harry would have to go around to the different political party leaders and try to get them to agree that the changes would serve to progress in the development of the wizarding world, without ignoring traditions that were so valued.

"Even as King, I can't make so many critical changes in a single day," Harry grumbled, putting down his quill and stretching.

"Rome wasn't built in a day Harry, you can't change the world with a snap of your fingers. Things take time and by choosing to do it through the proper avenues you're bound to be looking at a lengthy amount of time. I know many of the other Lords and Ladies are putting together legislation for changes you informed them you would be putting in place. Which means for every change you want, you will likely have to read through, memorize and identify any issues to the changes that you want that others are putting together," Merlin said.

"The current political leaders are as follows – for the light faction we have Albus Dumbledore, Valentine Prewitt & Augusta Longbottom. For the grey faction we have Caine Greengrass, Charlus Potter & Grisha McLaggen. Lastly for the Dark we have Marvolo Gaunt, Arcturus Black & Cassius Nott," Arthur added.

"You forget, Wiglaf Sigurdson and Lazarus Smith are also voice's that are listened to as well. Though, Lazarus isn't really politically savvy, he tries his best," Merlin sighed.

"I need a break, all this legal stuff is doing my head in. Honestly, how is this worse than history with the tutors I had at the Bureau – I only skimmed the basics of wizarding legislation," Harry groaned as he got up from his desk and stretched.

"I think I might go for a stroll around the gardens, have Cassandra bring me dinner in my office later," Harry said.

"Are you going to avoid dinner with them again Harry?" Arthur asked and Harry froze.

"I'm not avoiding them… I'm just… very busy with the changes I want to put into place."

"You can spare the evening to see your family Harry, Lily has been beside herself worrying about offending you by fainting before the dinner. She's been difficult to deal with the past few days because she's always worrying. Why don't you put the poor girl out of her misery and forgive her for the sake of those who have to be around her all the time," Merlin chuckled.

"Face it Harry, you're scared of seeing her. And it's okay, but, the longer you wait to meet her. The more time you spend avoiding her is time that passes which could be spent getting to know her, think about that," Arthur said before her and Merlin shared a look before they left the office and Harry.

Elsewhere, Gathering of the Fates

The illustrious pavilion of fates was bustling with activity, it only happened every few centuries when a being of immense ability would be able to cause the Red String of Fate to write their story. There had been many such individuals whose fates were very important to the universe, Leonidas, Achilles, Jason, Atalanta, Medea, Medusa, just to name a few. One of the most recent had been Arthur Pendragon, Merlin Emrys and Morgana Le Fey. The newest and arguably one of the only ones who has an impact on the realm of the immortals is the cause of the newest uproar, luckily, they had figured out a way to tell prior to the event, when the red string of fate would be writing a new chapter for the newest chosen legend – as they would no doubt, become a legend.

Udyr - Norn of the past, Verdandi - Norn of the present and lastly Skuld - Norn of the future were all in attendance as soon as the counter had gone off. As were many of the other aspects of fate. Once the countdown timer reached 0, the red string of fate pulled up the book of fate – a bound book which detailed the life and expected feats of the chosen legend – and began to write. They marvelled as their recent piece of work, the one who would make ripples across the realm of immortals was none other than Hadrian Merlin Pendragon – or rather, Harry James Potter.

However, not only was Hadrian's book of fate pulled forth from the library, but other books also came flying, all being connected to Hadrian's book. Then they watched in awe and whispers as a single book from the Golden Library – which housed the fates of the immortals themselves – was pulled into the fray.

Hadrian Merlin Pendragon – King of Avalon, Lord Le Fey, Lord Emrys, Master of Death.

Lady Le Fey – Narcissa Black of the Ancient and Noble House of Black

Lady Emrys – Princess Diana of Themyscira

Queen Pendragon – Bellatrix Black of the Ancient and Noble House of Black

Mistress of Death – Hela, Goddess of Death – Head of the Bureau of Soul Society Services.

It was the last name that had everyone talking, Hela was known to everyone as the newest aspect of death on the council of the dead, the youngest of the group having served a short two centuries as the head. While she was regulated with administration work and was praised for not being the type to destroy a soul when they pissed her off. She was still a force to be reckoned with, and now, her fate as the Mistress of Death to match Hadrian's Master of Death has been written.

The Red String of Fate does not write the destinies of the mundane, only those of extraordinary individuals who make ripples across the universe, and it seems that with these new developments, the ripples would last long into the future, quite likely to span across an infinite amount of time.

"There's got to be something somewhere… Ah! Here it is!" Regina Parkinson shouted in victory.

"What did you find Reggie?" Bellatrix put down her own stack of books.

Bellatrix and Regina were but two girls amongst a whole gaggle who were going through the past laws in reference to a King. All had the same thing in mind, whether or not he had to marry someone of noble lineage and by what age that would be required. Given the story of how King Arthur selected his Queen, there was some doubt as to whether or not there would be something they could use.

"It says here in the ancient laws, that should the current King not find a suitable queen by the time he has maintained the throne for two summers, he is required to pick a queen from amongst the noble families," Regina said reading the withered and somewhat preserved book as best as she could.

"And summer is almost over so that means that he has a single year before he has to choose a Queen from amongst the families of the Sacred 28," Bellatrix's grin became predatory and many of the other girls looked at her with concern.

"I'm going to bring this to my father! He'll have no problems presenting this at the next meeting of the Wizengamot that his majesty has called," Regina said snidely, Bellatrix tactfully conceded to let Regina do that. She had no doubt that whichever family brought up this ancient law, they would never be looked at as an option by the young King and she wanted, no, needed Hadrian to want her.

It was only a few days, but, when her Grandfather announced that he was going to the next meeting of the Wizengamot. Bellatrix had to go and watch, Andromeda was off doing who knows what, Narcissa also decided to come along and watch as she was interested in politics.

The Wizengamot chambers had changed a bit to incorporate a throne which was positioned in a way where Harry could observe the entire chamber, with stairs that allowed him to walk to the floor if he needed to address something.

Everyone's collective talking immediately stopped when the young King appeared, exchanging pleasantries with various members of the Wizengamot before heading to the throne. As he did so, all of the Lords and Ladies were making their way to their seats with all their parchment in front of them.

"Lords, Ladies and Your majesty, welcome to this month's session of the Wizengamot. Minister for Magic Millicent Bagnold, Chief Warlock Albus Wulfric Percival Brian Dumbledore, King Hadrian Pendragon – on behalf of his majesty I now call this month's session in order. Your majesty, you have the floor now," she said bowing her head to him.

"Thank you, Minister Bagnold," Harry said standing and descending the stairs he had just climbed, really, he would have preferred to stay on the floor but protocol was protocol.

"A few months ago during the meeting of the Lords of the sacred 28, I detailed what I envisioned and what I wanted done. Yet, hardly any progress has been made in terms of the laws I wanted reversed and new ones I wanted to be put in. While I am not pleased with the speed in which this is taking, I am understanding that the laws are being reviewed by all of you as well as myself and my council. However, today's discussion will be about something that I will adamantly be changing and I wish to hear all of your points about the new classes I am adding to the Hogwarts curriculum. For the coming year these classes will be mandatory for all students and there will be an OWL and NEWT test on them as well, the classes are split into subjects for pureblood students and muggle-born students. Aside from that, the classes that will be mandatory until 4th year in Hogwarts will be as follows:

No-Maj Education – We will be removing muggle studies altogether and be replacing it with No-Maj education. No-Maj education will be taught by two different teachers whom I have yet to recruit, one will be a muggle-born with magic and the other will be a No-Maj squib or even No-Maj in general. The purpose of No-Maj education is to broaden the knowledge of purebloods in regards to the non-magical world, its state of affairs and how advanced their world has become compared to ours. This will be a requirement for all pureblood students this coming year, there will be no arguments.

Pureblood Traditions – this is the other class for muggle-borns that is being added this year to the Hogwarts curriculum. It will again be taught by two different teachers, one male and one female and the classes will be split by gender. The purpose of Pureblood Traditions is to educate muggle-borns in the traditions and mannerisms that pureblood children grow up with in their homes.

Intro to Hogwarts – the last class that we are introducing is only for the first years, both muggle-born and pureblood. This will only be a class for the first two months of the school year and will teach students how to properly write with a quill, allow them to familiarise themselves with Hogwarts in a safe way. Prefects will be assisting with these classes for the first two months as well. After the two months are up, all students should be able to adequately write with a quill and not get lost around Hogwarts.

I want you all to read through these changed very thoroughly, and then we will discuss the finer points and I am willing to amend a few of the points that I have made in the class outlines. I will also be working with the Department of Education to make sure that the content taught within the classes is accurate and the teacher's hired are suited for their position," Harry explained, he waved his hand and his prepared parchment sailed over to each member of the Wizengamot. He then returned to his throne as everyone had a few moments to go through the relatively thin but solid paperwork he had worked endlessly to compile into a solid educational plan for the students of Hogwarts.

He then listened in on a couple of debates for repealed laws that he had wanted reversed or edited to allow more leniency, the current was allowing magical creatures who were the closest relatives to the modern wizard or witch and could use a wand into Hogwarts. He wanted students like Remus to be able to study at Hogwarts and not have to hide who he is, if he has to organise some private funding so that werewolves who were forced to be infected by the likes of criminals like Greyback, then so be it.

"Lords, Ladies and Your majesty, we will now take an hour lunch break before resuming our meeting. Please make your way to the conference room across the hall where lunch has been prepared," Minister Bagnold announced, no one moved until Harry had already made his way to the exit and was heading into the conference room followed by the lords of the sacred 28 and then all of the other lords. It always seemed interesting how the royal hierarchy had taken form and everyone fell in line behind the young King.

When the Wizengamot reconvened after lunch, more proposals and bills were talked about, some of which Harry took part in the discussion when he thought it was necessary but from what he could tell, a lot of the Wizengamot had now decided to try and better their society. While Harry spearheaded the critical changes he wanted put in place, he was pleasantly surprised to see that both Charlus Potter and Arcturus Black were leading both the light and dark factions into a brighter future.

"Thank you for giving me the floor Minister, now, I don't exactly have a new law to propose. However, I wish to address one of the ancient laws that was put into place. Due to the newly rediscovered and confirmed coronation of his majesty Hadrian Pendragon as King, it begs the question as to when he we pick a Queen. I've done some researched and discovered that an ancient law put in place during the foundation years of our society. It states that upon the crowning of a new King or Queen, they have two summers to decide on a partner otherwise they are to choose from one of the families of the sacred 28. I believe that since his majesty wishes for changes at Hogwarts to be put in place, why not suggest that he spends the coming year at Hogwarts where he can get to know and pick a Queen of his own."

Harry was shocked and his jaw had hit the proverbial ground, a flick of his wrist and the parchment which displayed the law in question appeared in front of him. He scanned it a few times and noted the time and date it was enacted. 'Well… Shit'.

Location; Nurmengard

"Excellent news Masters and Mistress! The Wizengamot has managed to confine the King to a single central location that we have power over for this coming year!" Gellert announced when he arrived back from the meeting.

"Do not keep us waiting! Tell us where he will be," the shadows in the room expanded to reveal the pairs of eyes.

"Hogwarts! HA HA!"

"The Wizengamot – or rather, Victor Parkinson, presented a law that required that if a newly coronated King hadn't married a Queen by the end of his 2nd summer on the throne. He would be required by law to pick a daughter of the Noble and Ancient Families of the Sacred 28. Because he wants to make reforms to the classes at Hogwarts and will be required to get to know the various ladies who could potentially be partners of his, he will have to spend the year at Hogwarts! Especially since he was crowned before summer so he only has until the end of the next summer!" Gellert announced gleefully.

"Excellent news! This means he will be in your sphere of influence for an entire year. This means we will have multiple opportunities to possess or eliminate him."

"Fetch me an appropriate body, slave, I wish to see this King in person myself," a feminine voice spoke coming from the glowing emerald eyes within the darkness.

"Sister, do you think it wise? If the body he brings you can't contain your energy the body will be destroyed instantly and you may be weakened," the first voice said concerned.

"I will be fine to speak with him and interact with him if you bring me a female host with a strong magical core, Brother. Make sure to find me a suitable host."

"There are few with magical cores that are of note, but, I believe I have the influence to provide you with a suitable host body Mistress," Gellert spoke up.

"See to it that you do, slave. And do not disappoint me," the threat was unspoken.