Time of Change
Chapter 10: The House of Ares, part 2-First Ones
A/N: I don't own the Lochsha or Lyage. This has been revised.
Parseltongue
Thought sending
# Language translation
Beast Speech
Romania
January 11, 1997--
Fred and George flooed into 'The Hydra' a small pub nestled in the middle of the dragon reservation. As soon as they exited the green flames Charlie Weasley pulled them into a brotherly embrace. Charlie looked every bit the dragon wrangler decked out in his flameproof robes and dragon hide gear. "Alright Gred Forge?"
"Alright Charlie." They replied. They gave him a pair of mischievous grins similar to the one that was gracing his own face. Charlie settled into a corner booth before ordering three mugs of Romanian ale. They sipped at their ale enjoying the chilling sensation as it trailed a slow burn down their throats. "This is good stuff."
After about thirty minutes of small talk Charlie cast a subtle privacy charm. "I take it you got a letter from Mom and Dad." They both nodded. "I was told to expect some extra company and I'm not sure they meant just you two."
"I keep thinking that Harry and Ron will show up but if everything I'm hearing out of England is true then they'd be crazy to visit any of us."
Fred's voice shifted to a bare whisper. "Maybe we're supposed to meet up with a member of the Order."
"There's no telling who'll show up. I guess they'll contact us so keep your eyes open." The crowd thinned out some as the lunch crowd left and filled back in as the dinner regulars appeared. The day was almost over and the evening was winding down. The brothers continued to wait. Their conversation shifting from Charlie's work to Fred and George's work then over to which team they thought would win the cup this year.
They began to grow tired as time continued to tick away. "Tempus." An eerie green 11:30 appeared above the table. George leaned back in his chair to stretch and bumped into a tall brown haired man in a faded dragon hide duster. His deep tanned skin was out of place in this land of ghostly pale people. He didn't say a word as he stepped to their table. As he reached into his coat the three Weasley men looked ready to go for their wands. The man pulled out a small brown card and laid it on the table. The three men watched as ink began to rise from the card's surface forming the words, 'I solemnly swear I am up to no good.'
Charlie looked on in confusion while Fred and George looked from the card to the man with a gimlet eye. The man just stood there waiting. "Mischief Managed." The ink vanished and an image, of a flaming sword piercing a star with two wands crossing its path appeared burnt into the card's surface. Charlie watched as his brothers moved aside to allow room for the newcomer. As soon as he sat down a privacy charm was erected.
"My name is Gideon but that is all I can tell you for now. You are going to have another mug of ale and then we're going to get up and leave. Some friends of mine are waiting for me outside." As Gideon finished the privacy field dropped. "So who do you feel will win the cup this year. My money's on Bulgaria." He motioned for another round of ale.
"I think that England has a chance this year that is if Puddlemere United doesn't throw and upset at the quarter finals." The drinks appeared a few minutes into the quidditch banter.
"I hear your minister is not holding things together. He should have sent the Russian Ministry aid since this dark lord is a product of your country's complacency. Word has it that he now controls most of Russia and has many sympathizers. When he captured Durmstrang he captured the hope of many people in Western Europe. Ah but enough politics drink up." Gideon downed his ales in one go and began muttering under his breath. "I will wait for you outside." He stood up and headed for the door.
The three Weasleys downed their mugs and followed the mysterious man. Outside they found the man lounging against a fence. He pulled red ball out of his pocket motioning for the others to touch it. As they touched it all at once there was a great heave as they were jerked violently forward. They found themselves in front of the mouth of a cave. "It's only a little farther now. "Obfuscate." Gideon said as they entered the cave. The entrance vanished replaced by deep shadows.
"What was that?" Charlie exclaimed once more looking suspiciously at their guide.
"You have nothing to fear. It's only a shadow arts spell. It works similar to a Notice-Me-Not but is more effective." Charlie didn't look like he believed the man. For the second time that night he wondered why his parents wanted them to come in contact with this man.
The light of a campfire invaded the darkness. Four individuals appeared right next to it. Fred and George both looked startled at their quick appearance. Charlie had had enough cloak and dagger for one night and pulled his wand. "Who are you people and what's going on? I want some answers."
A woman's voice cut through the tension. "I believe we should introduce ourselves or we'll be scraping poor Gideon off the cave walls."
Another woman's voice joined hers. "I agree." The second woman removed her hood and brushed back strands of short blonde hair. "My name is Ambrosia Roberts and these are my friends…" she gestured to a brunette with long curly hair and a man with sandy-blond hair. "Isabella Troy and Tiberius Alder. You've already met Gideon Weston."
"Should these names mean anything to us?"
"Not really Charlie. Will this help?" Gideon waved his hand in front of his face and his features changed. His face visibly pales and hair became a vibrant red. Freckles danced along the edge of the tattooed markings adorning his face. To say that Charlie, Fred and George were shocked would be an understatement. The last member of the group stepped out of the shadows. Power spilled from emerald eyes in waves like a live wire.
"R-Ron H-Harry what are you doing here?" They stammered out. Their mouths gaping like fish as Neville, Hannah, and Lavender revealed themselves.
"We had the letters sent to you because we need your help."
"What can we do for you?"
"We need to get in touch with an old acquaintance of yours."
"What acquaintance?"
"Dimitri Rastov."
"What? But Dimitri's a vampire why would you need to contact him."
"Because things are getting out of control. Voldemort has taken over Durmstrang and a good chunk of Europe. We cannot allow him to make certain connections. So I need you to…"
In the deepest part of the 'Forest of Eldarbane,' five ladies sat patiently on a huge slab of stone. Beside them lay a large gray wolf; it was several times larger than any normal wolf its eyes gave off an eerie silver glow. Another lady sat upon the ground running her fingers through his long soft fur. She softly cooed at the great beast.
Before long the gentle padding of canine feet could be heard in the distance, the new scents and strange sounds within their woods drawing them ever closer. As they neared the clearing they parted circling the strangers. The only tell tale sign of their presence were the glowing eyes in the darkness. The forest guardians didn't make a move. Usually their presence was enough to scare off any invaders. They could smell no fear on the invaders.
Out in the darkness they spoke amongst each other. Reyani, the intruders have brought a cursed one and a Lochsha with them. They do not seem to fear us. Shall we teach them fear?
No Gaius. They seem to want something. Their stance is open not hostile.
# We are peaceful. You need not fear us. My name is Persephone. #
You speak Lyage tongue. How is this possible? There has not been a beast speaker for five ages. A white wolf exited the tree line walking towards the gathering of humans.
# We are not beast speakers. We have just acquired the gift of the tongue recently. #
Then you are mage-kin. That is the only explanation. Why do you bring Lochsha and a cursed one within our realm?
# They are Tomas and Niameh our kin. They are not responsible for that which Fate has dealt them. The others in our party are Aglaia, Athena, Thalia and Amon Sun. #
They may be kin but I sense that these are not true names.
# That is truth. These are names given outside of pack for there are enemies in the woods of the world. #
There is much truth in your words. What is your purpose here?
# The outerworld has bred an abomination that threatens to spill across the borders of all realms. This being kills without reason raping and pillaging nature. His goal is to become immortal. We fear he will not stop until he has destroyed the entire world. We seek the first ones to reunite beings of the great council. Will you join us? #
DA Hideout—
The remainder of the group waited with baited breath for the signal to apparate. Harry told them that they'd know it when they saw it. These first two missions would be the hardest and the most beneficial according to Hermione (Athena).
Padma (Fatima) and Pavarti (Fiona) could only sit and wait. They all had their own part to play. Every single member of the DA trusted Harry so they would wait and come when needed. A blue fireball appeared and turned into a blue ball. Dean whistled to the others. There was a ripple of air as everyone cast a glamour. With a series of pops they all vanished.
TBC…
A/N: There was a comment made that the aliases of the DA were confusing and that some were having trouble figuring out whom was who. The names are as follows: Hannah (Ambrosia), Lavender (Isabella Troy), Susan Bones (Thalia), Cho (Amon Sun), Hermione (Athena), Neville (Tiberius), Luna (Persephone), Remus (Tomas Wolf), Padma (Fatima), Pavarti (Fiona), Harry (Ares), Tonks (Niameh), Ginny (Aglaia), and Ron (Gideon). These are the public faces (the ruling council or inner circle) of the House of Ares the rest will come to be known in time. I'll try to be clearer about names in the future.