Chapter 5: The King's Contract
It had been days since the Wizengamot session and Harry had frantically been trying to find a way around the damned law that was sprung on him. It was already the end of Summer and according to the law he had just one year until next summer where he would be forced to choose a Queen from amongst the families of the sacred 28. Safe to say, he was very much pissed off.
After finding absolutely nothing that could help him legally, Harry had locked himself in the training room and entered such a rage that the residual magic he had been casting was felt throughout the whole castle which concerned all of the occupants though they knew better than to ask the young King just what the source of his rage was at this current time.
However, that didn't stop a determined Lily Evans from apologising to him for her behaviour. She paced back and forth outside of the training room where all of the explosions and noise was coming from. 'Come on Lily, Gryffindor courage' she steeled herself before pushing the doors open, immediately she was assaulted with the battle that was raging on around her.
It looked like the battle was taking place at Hogwarts, but the castle was in ruins and Lily couldn't quite tell what was going on. She saw students from all four houses united together against people with dark cloaks wearing metal masks – throwing around the killing curse at students! Lily was only able to watch for a few moments before it froze and then disappeared leaving her looking at the King whose emerald eyes seemed to glow.
"I really wish you didn't see that, Miss Evans," his voice broke the silence which had taken up in the room.
"That was Hogwarts… who are these people? And that's you isn't it!" Lily pointed at Harry who had his wand pointed at the leader of the invaders.
"This was the Battle of Hogwarts; my friends and I were young but we fought for those who couldn't. Hogwarts became the next target, we banded together, everyone – no matter the house. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and even Slytherin – the ones who weren't apart of the invading forces," Harry explained.
"But when did this happen? Everyone would be aware of it and it would be talked about in history wouldn't it? And –"Lily stopped when Harry's hand touched her forehead.
"I'm sorry Mum, but, I can't have you remembering seeing this," Harry's magic entered Lily's mind and changed the memories.
When Lily woke up she found herself in her bed again, sitting next to her bed was Harry himself who offered a small smile.
"Your majesty! I'm so sorry I barged into your training room! Uh… what happened? I don't remember."
"Calm down Lily, and you can just call me Harry. I'm sorry, but one of the stray stunners caught you and you hit your head, Morgana and I healed you up as set you to rest but I wanted to make sure you were okay."
"Thanks, you really didn't have to look after me personally, I'm sure Mum, Pet or Aunt Morgana could have."
"I know, but I wanted to. I also wanted to apologise for being such a bad host, I should have greeted you personally sooner. Unfortunately, politics got in the way. It's been a major headache at some points especially with some old laws that are still enforceable," Harry sighed sitting back in the chair.
"I read in the prophet about what you were doing! It's absolutely amazing that you are bringing equality to the magical world, it's appalling how muggle-borns and magical creatures are treated by the 'purebloods' of society."
"I do agree that it is abysmal how they were treated, hence why I am making changes to the related laws and make it so there will be fairness in all aspects of society. One's birth or species should not make them immediate higher than lower than another."
The two spent the rest of the day talking about the reforms Harry wanted to put in and why, with Lily offering her opinion and finding it very surprising that the things she said were considered and noted by Harry himself.
Dear Lord Black,
His Majesty cordially invites you, lady Melania Black, Miss Bellatrix Black, Miss Narcissa Black & Miss Andromeda Black to the Castle of King's for dinner. The purpose of this dinner is not political, rather, the King wishes to meet all of the daughters of the lords and ladies of the sacred 28.
The dinner will be held on the coming Friday, this invite will open a gateway directly to the receiving room of the Castle of Kings at 6pm sharp. The dress code is formal.
His Majesty wishes to outline a warning that any acts of violence whether it be verbal or physical towards other guests or the attendants that run the palace will be met with an instant banish from the Castle of Kings – and he has made it quite clear that any who are banished from the Castle will never be considered for the position of Queen Pendragon.
It should also be noted that other sovereigns from other humanoid species have been invited to this event and any prejudice shown towards any guests towards another will be met with immediate ejection from the Castle. You have been warned.
Regards, Kree
Account Manager for the Pendragon, Le Fey and Emrys vaults.
Arcturus hummed to himself as he set the letter down on his desk to which Melania quickly read through it herself, the two looked at each other before a silent agreement was reached. Melania approached the Floo and called a meeting of the entire House of Black for that evening before she went to the Kitchen to organise the house elves to cook.
He thought to himself about the benefits of the young King taking a daughter of the House of Black as Queen. Then he reached for a quill and parchment then started writing them down.
Pros of the King taking a daughter of the House of Black as Queen;
Having influence over the King and his court
Having influence over the other Lords
Having the protection that the crown brings
Securing the Black Bloodline and mixing it with an even more ancient and powerful bloodline
Any children will likely be powerful and will have future potential to carry on the Black family
Cons of the King taking a daughter of the House of Black as Queen;
Having a target on our back from anyone that is upset by the coupling
Having to submit ourselves even more to the King's scrutiny
Potential to have no influence over the King's decisions
Political backlash from the other Lords who are disgruntled
There were many more pros and cons and they would be discussed in further details but Arcturus liked to think that he had the main points down to begin the discussion. It would likely be a few long days before they decide how to properly take the Ancient and Noble House of Black into a new era.
That night the whole of the Black family gathered in the formal dining room of the Black Ancestral home in Grimmauld Place. Arcturus watched his children converse with each other and looked at his grandchildren and how they interacted – he did silently note that Sirius was absent and frowned but knew very well that the boy would be in Charlus and Dorea's care.
"Now that everyone has settled in, we have a very important matter to discuss," Melania started off getting everyone's attention before she silently handed the spotlight to Arcturus. While he could very well get everyone's attention and they would listen, Melania always seemed to be able to do it without being loud as he would be – it was probably because she was the mother of the boys.
"This morning we received another letter from his Majesty. With the law regarding his crowning as King and the requirement that he finds a Queen by the end of next summer – his Majesty has invited the families of the Sacred 28 who have daughters of marriageable age to dine with him this coming Friday," Arcturus informed, immediately he saw Cygnus and Druella sit up straighter as did Bellatrix and Narcissa – he noted that Andromeda frowned for a brief second, hardly noticeable but yet he saw it.
"As the Lord and Lady, myself and Melania will be attending the dinner with Bellatrix, Andromeda and Narcissa. The reason I have decided that only the 5 of us will be going is because I do not trust some of you to behave properly and I do not have the patience to babysit you while worrying about the girls."
"This is a big chance, if a daughter of the Ancient and Noble House of Black were to be selected as Queen. The influence the Black family would have would be unparalleled with the backing of his majesty," Walburga spoke up, her eyes looking at her nieces with greed.
"I have considered the benefits and the less than desirable attention that we'd get should that occur. But, his majesty does not see the purity of ones Blood in those he converses with and as such this meeting was called so that I could inform you how I expect the members of the Ancient and Noble House of Black to treat the others – whether they be half-breeds, muggle-borns or even inhuman."
"What do you mean how we should treat those beasts? And the Mudblood's too?" Regulus asked slightly confused.
"Surely you would not make us treat those foul disgusting creatures with respect," Walburga sneered.
"That's exactly what I expect from the members of this House!" Arcturus roared impatiently, silencing the room by letting his magical aura permeate throughout it.
"His majesty has shown that he holds everyone he meets with in some form of respect, he treats Goblins like friends and his elven servants are also treated with respect. As such, the House of Black will now do the same. Do you understand me?"
Location; Themyscira
Princess Diana walked into the palace with purpose, she had been summoned back home to Themyscira by her mother and she knew that it was for an important reason otherwise her mother wouldn't have demanded her to come back. So much had happened since the battle with Ares, and the war with the outside world.
"Diana, so good to see you again," Hippolyta greeted her daughter with a tight hug.
"Mother, as wonderful as it is to see you after so long. What is the reason you needed me to come back?" Diana asked slightly confused.
"Diana!" Donna shouted seeing her older sister and running to give her a tight hug.
"Donna, you look as lively as ever," Diana replied with a fond smile.
"Well, without you here I'm now the top Amazon, the others can't keep up with me," Donna grinned and Diana rolled her eyes.
"Enough boasting Donna, we have other matters to discuss. You remember the old stories? About the time of great peril where Earth was threatened by Steppenwolf and the Mother boxes of which we hold one here?"
"Yes, you told Donna and I about it a few times as we grew up."
"As you are aware it was myself, King Atlan of Atlantis and King Arthur of Camelot with our combined forces to defeat him and his invading army. Of course, the mortal world has changed as you discovered and Atlantis is now underwater. But, we received a letter from the Goblins – Arthur's heir has finally revealed himself and we have been invited to a ball in Avalon to meet with him."
"Avalon, as in the Avalon," Diana asked.
"I know right! Diana we get to go to the place Mother described as being an otherworldly beauty and meet this new King!" Donna appeared beside Diana and she was jumping up and down.
"Donna, why don't you go and see the tailor about our dresses, I need to have a private word with Diana myself," Hippolyta gently placed a hand on Diana's shoulder and gestured for Donna to leave them alone.
"What aren't you telling me about this mother?" Diana asked as Hippolyta led her to the longue and sat them down.
"I honestly didn't think this day would ever come, but, Diana this meeting will be very different for you. Diana, you need to understand that when Arthur and I signed this contract it was a different world," Hippolyta started and Diana started connecting the dots.
"What did you do, Mother?"
"Diana, this King you are meeting is your betrothed. You will be meeting your future Husband. We will be visiting and staying with him for the rest of the month before Donna and I return here to Themyscira while you continue to get to know him on your own."
"Do I get a choice in any of this!" Diana shot up shouting at her mother.
"If I were able to just cancel the contract without at least fulfilling the minimal requirements, then I would. But this contract was bound with old magicks, we cannot just circumvent it."
"You have no idea how angry I am with you! But, after facing Ares in the war I understand better how old magick works no thanks to you. I am still very pissed! However, I will approach this the best way I can."
"Ragnok! it is always a pleasure to see you my friend. To what do I owe the visit?" Harry greeted the Goblin King fondly as he, his daughter Kree –the account manager of Harry's vaults, as well as their entourage of guards.
"Harry! It is a pleasure to see you as well, unfortunately I am not here for a social call. Though, perhaps you could humour an old goblin for a friendly spar sometime?"
"Of course, we shall make it a grand event for your people and mine! Come, follow me to my office. We can discuss any business in there," Harry led the way to the study where they sat at the round table, Kree handed her father a stack of files in which he passed a few over to Harry before opening ones for himself.
"Would you like to go over family business first? Or go over your financial businesses?"
"We can go over finances later, let's discuss family matters – you said there were some very important decisions regarding some family organisations and contracts that became active?"
"Yes, firstly this would likely be the most concerning thing for you Harry – but please take a few moments to read it first before reacting," Ragnok gestured to the closed folder on top of the pile of folders.
Betrothal contract
I, King Arthur of Camelot do hereby enter my descendant into this contract of sound mind and whole being.
My descendant should this contract be activated in an age where neither myself nor my court advisers are here to help you, know that this contract can be undone should both you and the other party wish it. But that requires the completion of a certain period of time together the minimum amount of time being one rotation of the season during which the contract becomes active.
Know this, we are currently at War with an invading alien race – its leader a demon. We are unsure as to where the future will lead us or even if the world will still exist by the end of the battle. As such I decided that should this war last the generations that were projected, it would be beneficial to bind our two people together so that our descendants can face the invaders should they ever return assuming we win.
As such, I, King Arthur of Camelot do hereby agree to a magically binding marriage between my descendant and that of the descendant of Queen Hippolyta of Themyscira. It is the hope that by uniting our two descendants we unite our people and come together to build a better future.
Signed,
Arthur, King of Camelot.
Signed,
Hippolyta, Queen of Themyscira
Witnessed,
Antiope, General of the Amazon Army
Merlin Emrys, High Warlock of Camelot
Morgana Le Fey, High Sorceress of Camelot
King Atlan, King of Atlantis.
The contract was short and to the point, Harry didn't really know what to make of it just that he was unhappy that such a contract was pushed upon him. However, from what he had read about wizarding customs – at least Arthur and this Queen Hippolyta put in an out clause so that the individuals involved were able to at least choose whether or not they wanted to marry each other after spending at least until the next summer together.
"Arthur, I need your wisdom."
In a flash, Arthur appeared in the meeting room standing right next to Harry. Harry silently handed him the contract to which Arthur made a small "Ah" sound to before putting the contract down and sighing, he then pulled out a chair.
"The demon's name was Steppenwolf, a monster from beyond the stars harnessing inconceivable powers within what he called a 'mother box'. Queen Hippolyta and myself created this contract in case we failed to defeat him in our lifetime."
"You did defeat him though, didn't you?" Harry asked, Arthur frowned.
"No, we didn't. We merely mortally wounded him pushing his army and him back and managed to capture the source of his power. The Mother Box's which were split into three. The Amazons keep one guarded on their Island, the other is in Atlantis and the third I ordered buried in the depths of the Black Forest and then unmarked so that no one may find it."
"The contract then?"
"We decided to leave it in place, serving to unite our people in the future should Steppenwolf and his army ever return to reclaim his weapon."
"And now it's active."
"So it would seem," Arthur placed a hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Between you and me Harry, I probably wouldn't let Hela find out about this," he winked before disappearing leaving Harry groaning and wishing he could hit his head against something.
"Queen Hippolyta, Princess Diana and Princess Donna are scheduled to arrive here in two days' time. Would you like me to organise them their own personal house in Avalon?" Ragnok asked.
"No, I'll have rooms made up for them here in the castle. I'll also have to inform the Evan's family about the nature of these guests," Harry said with a sigh, holding his head in his hands.
"Very well, would you like a few moments before we move onto the next order of business?"
"No Ragnok, it's fine. What's next?"
"You have an request to attend a meeting in Japan for one of the businesses that the Pendragon family created, it's a guild for magically gifted individuals who use their talents to provide a service to paying customers."
"A guild of magically gifted individuals? Okay, what's it called and when would they like me to come visit them?" Harry asked, his interest piqued.
"The master in charge of the guild asked if you could visit him within the next month if that were possible. It's called Fairy Tail and while they are one of the most respected guilds, they've had their issues and from what we've been told quite a lively crew but a tendency to have trouble makers," Harry snorted when he heard the last part, he always seemed to be a magnet for trouble.