Unraveled
Epilogue: Draco's Initiation
Months had passed since the events that led up to the powerful spell that Harry Potter had cast. It was now March 15th. It was a very special day indeed. It was the birthday of Fiona Lily Black as well as the initiation of Draco Malfoy into the holy order of Avalon.
Avalon had many guests arriving for both occasions. Among the guests was the king of outer wizards, or Merlinians, Harry Potter. Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Nell Lawson, Severus Snape, and many teachers from Hogwarts, including Albus Dumbledore, were coming as well. There were also guests from America, along with the first Muggle to ever set foot on the enchanted isle, Dr. Richard Lawson of San Francisco, California.
The Blacks had arrived from their home in England. Sirius' properties were preserved despite his long absence. His wife had taken the time to secure Black Manor prior to leaving England because it was Fiona's inheritance. Fiona was met by a very happy house elf, Mimi, who had served the family more than two generations.
A settlement had been arranged as to the instruction of Fiona Black. Sirius decided that she would not attend Hogwarts because the school did not teach Avalonian magic and he would rather have her at his side at home. Sensei Ran was assigned as the permanent teacher to Fiona by Lady Desdemona. He came to Black Manor three times a week for long hours of instruction, while Nell Lawson took over teaching Fiona basic magic. Fiona had shown marked improvements in Transfiguration and Potions, but she still preferred Avalonian magic.
Remus Lupin remained as a teacher in Hogwarts and hadn't taken a single day off since everything went more or less back to normal. Severus Snape also kept his position as Head Master.
Hogwarts had changed dramatically inside and out. Gryffindors had new found glory because they had the king in their house. The houses of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff went back to normal, but they had a new feeling of awe towards Harry Potter. The only house that did not remain the same was Slytherin. Many of the students of Slytherin did not return and most transferred to Drumstrang to complete their schooling. Severus Snape found himself more able to have his academic pursuits and research.
Hogwarts also served as headquarters for the king. Harry had dozens of presents sent from different people around the world along with countless letters and cards. Hedwig had to get help from the other owls to keep up with the influx. The world's had entrusted Albus Dumbledore and the rest of Hogwarts' staff and faculty in training the king.
The world had changed. There was a surge of new found hope and prosperity. Everyone was looking forward to the coronation of the King. Harry was getting more than tired of the attention. The only place where he could get any peace was at Black Manor.
In the past few months, Harry and Fiona spent time together at her father's house. They were just happy to be at each other's side. They learned more and more about each other as time went on. The only thing that was left unsaid by Fiona was her love towards Harry. She could not find enough courage to say it because of the way he did it before, but Harry didn't need to hear it. He knew that she loved him. He didn't need any reassurance of it. He loved her more and more everyday.
Rufus started to hint at the idea that Harry should considering asking Fiona to marry him in the near future, but it was quickly squished by Harry.
"Perhaps you should think of marrying Lady Fiona as soon as you are crowned, Milord," Rufus said.
"Percy, could you tell him why I can't get around to it?" asked Harry lazily one afternoon.
"Do you want to be the one who has to tell Sirius Black that Harry's going to take his daughter away so soon?" asked Percy without looking up from the paperwork he was doing.
"Excellent point. Suggestion cheerfully withdrawn," said Rufus quickly.
"What's wrong with my father? He's a big teddy bear," said Fiona defensively.
"With claws," added Harry with a chuckle.
"Hey!" exclaimed Fiona.
So, there were no immediate plans for Harry and Fiona to marry any time soon. This suited them just fine. Harry had a hard enough time picking something out for Fiona. In the end, he had to ask Hermione and Ginny to help him out. Hermione was invited to Avalon for the ceremony. She and Ron wanted to make sure that Draco was really leaving, not that they had any hard feelings left.
Lady Desdemona greeted everyone as they arrived. It was one of the grandest celebrations that Avalon had not seen in a while. Lady Desdemona wanted to talk to Fiona directly before the ceremony.
"There is something I must talk to you about," said Lady Desdemona.
"What is it?" asked Fiona.
"I wanted to tell you that I have decided on what your position in Avalon will be," said Lady Desdemona. "As you know, Draco Malfoy will be training on this isle for the next seven years to be a scout like Sir Ran, but I have decided that you will be Avalon's official representative to the king of the wizards of the outer world."
Fiona nodded. She knew being part of a family came with responsibilities. This was a responsibility she was willing to take on. Harry had taken his and so she didn't mind taking on hers. Besides, she would get to work more closely with him.
"You will have to continue your training in both forms of magic and I expect to hear good reports from your teachers. You should also follow your father. He may appear to be a fool to me, but even fools have wisdom to offer," said Lady Desdemona.
Fiona smiled. She knew that her grandmother and father would always be like this. It was the way most in-laws were towards each other. "I'll do my best," she said.
"Very well. By the way, happy birthday, my granddaughter," said Lady Desdemona as she kissed Fiona's cheek.
"Thank you, Grandmother."
*
Draco was preparing for the ceremony. He had to make sure he was ready for it. It took months for him to be prepared just for the ceremony. He had to be tested and challenged during those months. He was dressed in a set of white robes. The robes of a novice. He had the necklace that Sensei Ran had given him.
Sensei Ran was not his teacher, but he was the one who had sponsored Draco. Sensei Ran was one of the first people who ever treated Draco with respect. He didn't expect him to be anything more than what he was. It made Draco want to be better than he already was.
The others on the isle were kind to him. They welcomed him into their world. And soon he would be an official Avalonian. He wasn't like Fiona, who was born into it. It was going to take time and training for it all to become natural to him.
He smirked at himself as he gazed at his reflection in the mirror. Draco thought back to the person he was. He was immature and a bigot. To think, he had mocked people like Hermione Granger for going to Hogwarts and now he was trying to join Avalon. He had apologize formally to Hermione. It was the only thing he could do to make amends.
Draco had to make amends for everything his family had ever done. By giving his life to the preservation of good magic, he hoped to redeem himself and his name. Draco had lost everything and had changed the most. He had changed for the better. Only when he had lost everything did he have the chance to gain more. He had saved himself from the brink.
He could have never done it without the aid of others, especially Fiona. He wished he could have gotten her a present, but Draco was now poorer than the Weasleys. It was all right because Avalonians really didn't need wizards' gold to survive. Draco felt like he had everything he ever really needed.
"It's time, Draco," said Sensei Ran as he showed up at the doorway.
"I'm ready," said Draco with a nod. He had a trace of nervousness, but it was to be expected. "Take a deep breath and let it out, Draco," instructed Sensei Ran.
Draco did what he suggested. He didn't feel any better, but his head felt a little clearer. They didn't even rehearse the ceremony. Draco was told that all he had to do was follow Lady Desdemona's instructions and everything would be fine.
He followed Sensei Ran to the temple outside. The Avalonians did the same ceremony that he had seen them perform before. They displayed their magical prowess by changing into the elements: fire, air, water, and earth. It went by much quicker than the last time. At least that was how Draco felt.
Lady Desdemona did her display of earth magic, which was an impressive ending. Sensei Ran kept his hand on Draco's shoulder throughout the ceremony. "Welcome to Avalon. I am the Lady of the Lake. Tonight you have been invited to a very rare ceremony. The last one took place many moons ago. We have a new candidate joining our isle from yours," said Lady Desdemona.
"We welcome this young man into our ranks. For the next seven years, he will go through intense training that will not only test his skills but also his mind, body, and soul. Only then will he be a member of Avalon. Please step forward, Draco Malfoy."
Draco stepped forward. He walked up to Lady Desdemona. "Please lay down on the altar," she instructed. He walked up to it and lay down on the marble altar. Four young maidens of Avalon walked up to the altar. They each carried a stick that resembled a wand, but the end had a sharp tip on it.
"Avalon gives you control over the element of air," said Lady Desdemona as she took the first stick and warmed it in the torch nearby. She marked Draco's head with it and passed it back to the first maiden.
"Avalon grants you the power of fire magic," said Lady Desdemona took the next stick and marked Draco's forehead.
"The waters of Avalon run deep. Water covers this world and the outer world. May water magic give you the ability to see things that others cannot. May it give you the ability to understand the hearts and souls of others," said Lady Desdemona as she marked Draco's forehead.
He knew that she was piercing through skin, but he felt no pain. The last maiden stepped up and handed the last stick to Lady Desdemona. "The most powerful magic of all is the power of earth itself. Life runs on it. Life comes from life. The earth is everywhere. Avalon gives you the power of earth itself."
Draco felt a strange sensation coursing through his body. It was an odd tingling sensation that made him feel alive. "Welcome to our world, Young Draco. You are now an Avalonian," finished Lady Desdemona.
There came an uproar of applause from the onlookers. There came more ceremonies and everything ended up in a grand banquet in the castle. There were presents brought, but not for Draco. It was for Fiona. She didn't enjoy the party as much because it was her first birthday without her mother. Sirius kept her close to him throughout most of the celebration. However, towards the end of the banquet he allowed her to go off with Draco.
Draco and Fiona went off together. "So, you're not going to come and visit for the next seven years are you?" asked Fiona quietly.
"Come on, Fin. That doesn't mean you can't visit me here," said Draco. "Everything has changed. I feel like this is something I have to do."
"It is a matter of finding yourself. I understand. I still haven't done that yet," said Fiona. "There's still plenty of time for us to do that."
"I'll miss just being able to talk to you like this, Fin."
Fiona smiled. It was something she needed to hear from him. "Thank you, Draco. You made me happy just saying it." She hugged him.
"Let me go! Don't do that!" exclaimed Draco, but he didn't make a move to stop her. He reluctantly hugged her back. "You little brat."
"I'm going to miss you, too, Ferret," said Fiona.
"What are you two doing?" asked Harry as he walked up to them.
"Nothing for you to worry about Potter," said Draco. "I have to join your grandmother."
Draco left them alone. Fiona looked at Harry. She started to feel shy. Her words were caught in her throat as she gazed him. She wanted to say it out loud, but she couldn't find the strength to say it.
"What's wrong?" asked Harry.
"Nothing," replied Fiona as she looked away from him.
"Draco. He's going to stay here for the next seven years," said Harry. He could tell that she was going to miss him. He could not see why.
"I would miss more outside Avalon," said Fiona in a soft whisper.
"Your father," said Harry.
"Not just him," said Fiona. "There are many things on Avalon that aren't in our world. But there are others I would miss more. I would miss you more than I would miss Draco."
"You would?"
"How can you keep doubting me after all that we've been through?"
"I don't know."
"If you love me, then you don't doubt me," said Fiona.
"I'm sorry. I can't help it," said Harry.
Fiona moved her lips to say something, but Harry couldn't hear what she was trying to say. "What?" he asked.
She moved her lips again. She wasn't looking at him. Harry tilted her chin up to face him. Fiona looked up at him with shining eyes. "I love you," she managed in a very small and quiet voice.
Harry looked at her. "Say that again," he said.
"Don't make me say it again," said Fiona with some annoyance.
Harry and Fiona gazed at each other again before laughing again. Harry remembered something important. He handed her something. "It's a birthday present," he told her. "I hope you like it. If not, you can blame Ginny and Hermione."
Fiona didn't open it. Instead, she decided to do something else, she kissed him. He held her tightly. "I have something to ask you," said Fiona.
"What?"
"Are you free next week on Saturday?"
"I think I can get some time off for you, why?"
"Aren't you going to ask me out on a date? Today is my birthday."
"That's right. Would you like to go through Muggle London with me on Saturday? We could spend the day together," said Harry.
"I would love to. There's nothing else I would rather do," said Fiona with a smile.
It was nice to be able to think of the next day. The day after and all the days after that. Nothing could be brighter than the future. Together Harry and Fiona had something more powerful than any magic that Avalon and Excalibur could create.
Love was the magic that could heal anything. It was the dawn of a new day for all.
AN: This is the very end of Unraveled. It was a wonderful ride for me and I hope it was for you. The next story that already has a preview chapter online is Lily In Full Blossom. It will be a different pace and genre for me. I hope to see you all there.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. I've been saying that for the last forty-four parts. Where have you been?