Three fourth years rose from the table, and crossed to Avalon's table.

"We challenge you to a duel. Three on three..." Severus and Arabelle stood at the high table.

"Lords Argentclaw and Malfoy, and Lady Slytherin of Avalon House have been challenged to a duel by the Triplets of Gryffindor House." The headmaster buried his head in his hands. The one part of the lore he had been informed of. Arabelle glared at him.

"By the lore that binds Avalon House the duel has been accepted. Each duellist may have no more than four magical foci, and any blades must have the blunting cast on them and the signature pain curse. Holsters and scabbards are permitted but no other protective items. The duel will take place at 1730hrs in the Great Hall. The formal witnesses for this duel are myself, and Professors Snape, McGonagall and Sprout. Professor Flitwick will be referee." The Gryffindors all looked positively pained as the triplets returned to the table they had obviously hoped to make the duel for somewhere else, and therefore get them into trouble.

"Maybe we should make a few of the inscriptions in the common room public Raven..."

"Amaryllis when did you find time to find the inscriptions? I only know because Mama told me of them. Which ones did you suggest?"

"Skill of mine - I can always find time, plus I have a photographic memory. Only two- we welcome this and do not be afraid. ...

Do not be afraid of destiny, for thee shall fight beside deities.

Thy blood will boil with battle lust, embrace it and battle thy enemies.

Thy blood spilt will make the earth cry, avenge thyself on those who spill it.

We do not seek fame or leadership but it finds us anyway. Use them wisely.

We seek neither a hard life nor an easy one. We merely wish to live, as we will.

They forget who we are heir to, and who will be heir to us.

We welcome this. They will regret this.

They forget we are neither light nor dark.

We welcome this. They will regret this.

They forget we are not to be manipulated.

We welcome this. They will regret this.

They forget that although our house's fate is decided, our destiny is our own.

We welcome this. They will regret this.

They forget that our revenge is vicious and our mercy is bloody.

We welcome this. They will regret this.

They forget we stand by the deities' side, and fight with them.

We welcome this. They will regret this.

They forget we were the first to arrive and shall be the last to leave.

We welcome this. They will regret this."

She intoned the words quietly. Draconis smirked. "Do you mind if I place copies of the second in the Slytherin common room?" The other two gave their consent.

The three finished breakfast and exited, but not before Amaryllis had drawn her sword and examined it leisurely, before trying out one of the battle curses she had picked up while watching Professor Snape duel this morning. Pointing at one of the Gryffindor table legs with the blade she whispered "Reducto" to the trio's surprise the spell was colourless, but caused the leg to collapse. The table collapsed and all the Gryffindors' food ended up on the floor. Sheathing her sword to the Hufflepuffs' general relief, she and the boys twisted directly out of the Great Hall and straight into the Slytherin Common Room.

Raven and Amaryllis occupied two of the high backed chairs by the fireplace, while Draconis tried to remember what his mother had taught him about conjuration. Concentrating, he reached out to the other parts of his soul and tried to touch their magical cores gently. When they submitted he pushed some of their magic through his wand as well as his own and forced the object in his imagination into existence. Draconis was surprised to see the plaque perfectly formed when he opened his eyes. He turned to Amaryllis and Raven to thank them, when one of the shadows spoke.

"An interesting technique you used Dray. Were you all capable of using will magic before the bond?" Severus' voice rang out.

"I think I am." Raven was the first to speak. "At first it was accidental, but absolute control was the only way to survive my relatives."

"If you mean my magic has always done what I told it, even before I knew what it was, then yes." Was Amaryllis's answer.

"Father was determined I should be the perfect weapon. All my pre-Hogwarts training was done without a wand and failure meant Crucio" Was Draconis' contribution. Severus pinched the bridge of his noise.

"I apologise for letting it get that bad Draconis. I should have stood up to him for you and Narcissa."

The four of them were seated in the high backed chairs talking when the Slytherins entered the common room. The first in, one of the seniors, upon seeing the trio and their head of house, activated the alarm charm that was programmed to all Slytherins. To the trio's astonishment students started to flood in through the doors and two men rolled out of the abruptly green fire. Within a matter of seconds they had gone from being the only ones in the common room to being surrounded, with all their exits covered and no possible escape.

Professor Snape's only reaction was to stand and cast "Finite Incantum".

"Flint. I believe the alarm was not warranted, but you were right to call for it, for non-Slytherins had appeared to breach the common room. I congratulate you on your reaction times, but they need to be improved further." He turned to the two young men who had rolled through the fire, ready to duel for their lives. "Nice entrance, but you only need to react if the alarm is hit for the second time." They nodded.

"Prefects commit roll call"

The year groups quickly formed into ranks and were counted.

"For the first time in nearly five hundred years, three non-Slytherins have been granted access to our dungeons. They request I give them a semi-formal introduction. They have access because they are parselmouths. First, Lord Draconis Lucifer Malfoy, He is mater of the line Daemonicus and blood heir of the line Malfonicus." Draconis stood and bowed.

"Second, Lord Raven Octavius Rowain Argentclaw. He is master of the lines Argentclaw and Corvax. And lastly, Lady Amaryllis Black-Slytherin, She is mistress of the lines Slytherin and Black. Otherwise known as Draco, Vius and Ryll." The Slytherins looked at them curiously. Sighing he realised what they wanted to see.

"You need to call one of the serpents that act as house guardians. Speak with your heart."

Raven closed his eyes and began to hiss.

...A friend calls you...

...Who is this friend that calls me?...

... Vius, of line Argentclaw...

...Salzaar said a child of his line would return with the children of his two apprentices...

...Thankyou for answering my call. What is your , destined to be bonded to the child named Raven, through the temple snake Corvax...

...That is my name...

...Then you are my master...

Raven felt his torque shift. Those who watched saw a ghostly snake blend into the torque they could see now around his neck.

Draconis tried to keep his eyes open as he used the hated gift from his pater's master, but it was so much easier to shut them.

...A child of Avalon seeks a favour...

...How can I be sure you do not seek this favour for the false heir?...

...I am Draco, of line Malfonicus...

...Is the true heir with you?...

...Vius and Ryll are with me, yes, but who are you?...

...Lythian, the one destined to be your familiar, master...

Draco felt the near legendary sensation of a true familiar bonding, as something seemed to slither under his skin. He opened his eyes to see a slim golden snake coiled tightly around his lower right arm; head rested exactly where the dark mark would be placed.

Ryll just began to hiss quietly from her seat, eyes wide open as two snakes who will...

...We come mistress...

...Who comes?...

...Raeth and Raith mistress, liege lady Slytherin...

...Why?...

...Because we choose to lady...

One snake coiled around each wrist, tail in mouth. They sank into her skin, a wizarding tattoo. Both were red and silver.

...Do not worry lady. Only those of our blood and bound to our blood can see our brethren or us...

"You truly are worthy of honorary membership of house Slytherin. You are now of our house as well as your own. You are children of our blood, our brethren. The protection of this house extends to you know. Be guarded by the magics that protect all of us. Be bound to protect us as we are now bound to protect thee."

The slim adult sat down in the chair he had risen from as a soft silver cloud surrounded the trio. A silver snake wrapped itself around the sword that represented Avalon House. The next hour was spent on introductions, and mentors chosen for the 'other lessons'.