Disclaimer: No money is being made or received for this work in her playground of characters.
A/N -- There is one wonderful beta out there ElizaBlaine that continues to help and inspire me. I should have thanked her long before now, but here it is... THANK YOU! Eliza contacted me when I first published and has continued to correspond with me throughout my adventure... I don't think I could have had the cast iron ovaries to continue to publish without her encouragement!
Covens and Discoveries
The teens were bordering on exhaustion. Rowan knew she was asking a lot for them to keep an open mind and continue on to another place. She promised a full nights rest and a day of play when they finished with the second appointment. She distributed vials of potion which Snape left with her for the kids. It was meant to keep the user from sleep and still have a clear head. When they each finished, they were ready to greet the next group.
Rowan had timed their arrival for 8:00 PM. They were to meet with a large and ancient coven of vampires and seek their allegiance. Ron and Ginny were uncomfortable at the initial meeting, but had long since learned to cover their emotions well. Draco seemed to take to these people however, when they were shown into the main foyer to meet the leader of their coven.
Draco knew his family's history: His ancestor, Gilles de Rais was convicted and burned in 1440 for the murders of young boys by decapitation and other ways of intense murder. Gilles had been only nineteen when he was burned. Very few people realized that he had left a young wife and child from the house of Malfoi, before he was sired by Viktor. Draco looked forward to meeting with those people in the room, knowing that one would not only know his ancestor, but was his sire as well. Draco felt that if he could understand the thought process of this man, and although he was tired, hoped that he could learn much family history from him.
Viktor would know much about his family. At the age of 1413, he had been sleeping for some time. He was only recently awakened, well early of his scheduled 200 year leap-frog through history. Selene, apparently wary of the current Coven leader Kraven, woke him in an effort to seek advice. Because Viktor was still not restored completely, they would only be granted one hour in which to present their situation and persuade the coven's allegiance. If they could not, they would be given freedom to walk away. If they could, they would be given time at a later date to discuss their situation completely.
Rowan knew it was a battle from the beginning. She did not realize how personal it was for her young charge, Draco. Her family was associated with both the Lycans and Vampires; however, Kraven refused to meet with Dumbledore. Rowan and Albus had to circumvent Kraven and approach Amelia; who had agreed to the meeting. However, she was relieved to find out she would be meeting with Viktor rather than Amelia or Kraven. Mason and Madison did not know about the history. They would just play along.
Selene, when contacted originally, had said that another envoy had already approached Amelia and asked for allegiance. But in her infinite wisdom; she decided to wait until both sides had approached. They would weigh the outcome and make a decision based on what was best for the advancement of the coven.
It was long known that the Vampires had no rights in the magical community. Even as they were told to wait for Viktor, Rowan knew they had nothing to offer. The parchment from the Minister of Magic only gave assurances of reentry into the European Magical Community as a whole for the coven, but with no real offer of rights. It was risky, but they were there and needed to know what else they expected from Voldemort.
Viktor entered the room as Rowan was completing her thoughts on the rights of Vampires, when in 1749; they were stripped of their rights under the Wizarding Convention. He had been there; remembered being told that he had no right to be alive or vote in a magical community of which he had been a part of for over 1000 years. He was offended, and it was never a good idea to offend someone as powerful as Viktor. Viktor nodded his head in the direction of the lone adult which had joined them, the group of teenagers stood, something of an angle behind Draco. They bowed low as he went silently to his throne to await their presentation. Once they heard him sit, they all raised their bodies and looked to the powerful vampire.
As he sat, his eyes met with the thin blonde boy. The nose and angles of his face reminded him of a long ago friend. Searching his memory, he remembered… but quickly decided that this boy could not be a relation. That man, he had sired him when at the age of seventeen. Was it possible that he had a family of which Viktor had not known? He dismissed the entire thought process as he sat in his seat on the Dias. Selene and Kraven flanked their overlord and sat on lower seats to the right and left of Viktor. Harry and Ginny were in awe of the power that radiated in this room. Viktor spoke first, breaking the thick silence. "What brings you to our coven?"
Draco drew in a deep breath before speaking, "I am Draco Lucius Malfoy. My ancestor, Gilles de Rais, was sired by you. However, prior to his service to the darkness, he had a wife and son. That son grew to be my ancestor. I am proud of the bloodline that flows through my veins, and I seek counsel with the one that sired his greatness." Draco finished with a dramatic bow that the others were smart enough to follow. When he rose, he continued. "My companions are Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron and Ginny Weasley, Mason and Madison Black, and Rowan Cowan. We have come to ask for your great Coven's support during the upcoming Great War which approaches. There is a Dark Lord, Voldemort, which seeks to destroy everything we know. Knowing this, we seek your counsel, Sir Viktor, who has lived through many dark times in the Wizarding world…" he trailed off when he saw Viktor's mouth open.
"You mean the same Wizarding community that stripped us of our rights and banished us from Europe?"
Draco had the sense to delay his answer for only a moment. "Yes sir, the same." He did not continue; not have a wish to aggravate the situation further.
"What could you offer me to possibly want to get involved with your petty squabbles?"
Rowan stepped forward, "Sir, I am Rowan Black Cowan. Perhaps you know of me?" His eyes actually sparked recognition, but said nothing. Harry turned to her with his mouth opened, which matched the same look as the others at Viktor's acknowledgement. "I bring you assurances from the new Minister of Magic that the Vampire Sanctions of 1749 would be reviewed. While he cannot promise to return all rights to you and your coven, he does send his assurances of bringing it before the Gamut for review."
She stepped forward and handed the parchment to Selene, bowed, and returned to her place. Selene opened the parchment, a smile flicked over her lips as she read the words. In essence, all Rowan had said was correct. However, without promises, she could not see Viktor being swayed. She handed the parchment to Viktor without comment.
Viktor took the parchment. He said nothing for a moment. When he spoke, he was speaking clearly. "Voldemort had the nerve to make promises. At least your Minister made no promises that he could not keep. For that honesty, I will not say with an absolute certainty 'no', but I will not give you a commitment either. I will consult with the other covens before I answer you. I assume you still correspond via Owl?"
Rowan nodded. "Yes sir, thank you for your time. We will take your leave now, and be of no further inconvenience to you."
"Before you go, I would like to speak to young Master Malfoy alone, for he seems to have questions which only I can answer. While we speak; Selene will take our young warriors to see Kahn. Give them whatever weapons will best help them in this quest to defeat those that currently support Voldemort. Come Master Malfoy, Ms. Cowan, we will speak in my private chambers."
Selene rose and took the other teens into the corridor and down the hallway to the Weapons master. Rowan and Draco followed Viktor into his private office. He turned as he sat at his desk and offered them a seat and a glass of wine which they both declined. With apologies to Draco, Rowan asked to speak to Viktor first; Draco nodded and sat where indicated. "Viktor, I have a few things that I wish to give you outside of the view of your underlings." She removed three charms from her ever present bracelet, putting them in the middle of his large desk. She waved her hand over them. One was restored to reveal a flat box; the other two became an ancient roll of parchment and an equally ancient book. Draco sat up a bit straighter in an effort to watch her every movement. "Viktor, I offer you the old laws of the Wizarding Community; this box contains the older parchment covenants which have been broken by the Wizarding community. I have no control over those, as you know." She pushed the box across the clean desk to the ancient vampire.
"However, as you have recognized my name, I want you to have this parchment. It is a copy of the covenants which have been kept since they were declared in 1284 AD. My ancestors and I have carried the originals at all times since its writing. I believe you and Mary Precious Cowan drew these covenants and my family has lived within their guidelines for centuries. While I cannot and do not expect you to assist in our quest to defeat the Dark Lord, I do wish to invoke these covenants which prevent you and your coven from entering as our enemies; just as we will not enter as your enemies. Do you agree to the binding covenant between the Clan of Cowan and the Coven?"
"My Coven has always kept the covenants. However, a question would be when you leave here and approach the Lycans; will they find the same covenant that you have with me?"
"At no point, since the covenants were secured, have they been betrayed. I will not begin now by giving details of either to the other. However, as you assumed the correct answer, you will not find me in disagreement. I will offer the leader of the Lycan Clan the same offer I have you. If you choose not to fight with us, we expect you to not allow your coven in to fight against us. Stay out of it. Do not force me or any of those which I represent to break the covenants with you. If you do enter into the upcoming war, I expect you to fight only against the enemies of me and my daughter, just as I will expect the Lycans to honor the agreements set down generations before."
"Mary Precious was just that, a precious human being."
"Mary Precious was a very strong seer. Her mother, Catrina, was more powerful than she. I have read her prophesies, and just as there is a prophesy for the upcoming human wizard war, there is one for the upcoming vampire Lycan war. The last item I wish to give you is that prophesy of Catrina regarding the upcoming Vampire-Lycan war; whether you read it is your decision."
He nodded. "As I pledge my Coven to honor the covenant, I speak to the other covens about these ancient texts that you have brought. I thank you for bringing them back to my care. I will return them to you after I review them."
"Of course; now, if you will allow me to leave your presence, I will join my young charges and leave you to talk to young Master Malfoy. I am sure you have a great deal to talk about." Viktor's eyes narrowed for a moment, before he tapped a small box on his desk. The door opened and Kraven entered. She rose without another word to either.
Kraven offered his arm as they walked down the long deserted corridor toward the Weapons Master domain. As they turned the first corner, she found herself pushed up against the wall. Kraven's hands held her arms tightly; his face, mere inches from her own, was twisted into a snarl. He could hear her heart beat, but was a bit surprised to find that it had not increased. His eyes met hers and she saw them narrow; secure in the knowledge that she could not move from his grasp. He knew she was a witch, but helpless without the wand which now was covered by her robe. She looked down from one hand then the other, assessing the grip of the vampire that held him. "Did you want something?" She asked coolly.
"I want to know why you have come here and asked for assistance. What would give reason for a coven of ancient vampires to assist seven idiot children and one lone witch in a fight of dark magic?" his words hissing as they left his mouth.
"That is between Viktor and me. It has nothing to do with you."
"I have been in control of this coven for almost two hundred years. It very much so is my business."
"However, dear Kraven, as you are no longer in charge of this Coven, it is no longer your concern. Unless you plan to bite me, I suggest you not break the ancient covenants between my house and the Coven which Viktor and Amelia lead. Should you choose to accost me, you will find that you have broken a long standing truce between my house and your Coven. I suggest you release me…. now."
He looked down at his hands gripping the arms of this woman, feeling a small vibration of power radiating from her shoot up his arms. He knew of the legends of the covenants between the Clan of Cowan and his Coven, but they had never been enacted. He had no personal knowledge of the details. He was certain that she knew the exact text of these covenants but would not be forthcoming with the information. "And if I choose not to release you? Or I choose to throw you out a window? What then will you do?"
Her eyes, still narrowed in dislike, met his. "Why would you put the peace your coven has enjoyed for centuries at risk for the life of one single mother?" he had no answer, "I will only tell you once again: Let me go. Take me unmolested to the Weapon's Master and I will overlook your inhospitality. The hour of our protection grows short and I must meet with my charges," after a moment more, he released her, "I suggest you call one of your minions to take me the rest of the way. You should concern yourself to explaining your actions to Viktor."
"And how will he know?"
"He knows everything, besides the small fact that are four of his assistants behind you. Two have already been dispatched to give Viktor the knowledge." The look on his face was priceless. She would have laughed had it been a different situation, confident in Viktor's protection, as well as that of the Coven. She had no doubts that he would be expelled from the Coven if he broke the old promises. He snapped his fingers and a small blonde woman appeared. She was instructed to take her directly to Kahn's domain. As the women turned the corner, a messenger had summoned Kraven to speak to Viktor after his guests left. Their eyes met for a brief moment and she smirked at him.
The Weapon's Master, Kahn, was giving the group a crash course on how to kill a Lycan, or werewolf. He had set out many different projectile type weapons. Each teenager was to be given a set of weapons and ammunition to assist with their fight. Harry was sickened with their accuracy, but said nothing. Hermione and Ginny were putting each weapon in their charm bags which could hold anything. Hermione took the weapons and Ginny the ammunition. They did not want to mix them. Once completed, Ron noted that they had about eight minutes before they were to activate the portkey to their next meeting. Selene led the group back to the main floor, stopping for a moment for Rowan to retrieve Draco. She sent him to wait on the front lawn, giving Rowan and Viktor a short moment to talk.
"Viktor, please be careful with Kraven. I don't know what is going on with him, but he is deceitful. He has no respect for the old ways. His quest for power has made him ignore the ancient laws. Much like your Coven's rights were taken away from them by the wizards, he is taking your personal power away from you without your knowledge. Also, as I have said, I respect your decision where you choose to fight. I beg you to remember that the Estate of my ancestors has always been a safe haven for you and your coven. It will continue to be so with or without your decision tonight."
He nodded. She reached to hug him and found herself swept in his ancient bony arms. "Kraven has much to learn, I will watch him as you suggest." She whispered her thanks and left his arms. With one final look, she left the office and went to the front lawn. She hugged Selene, thanking her for taking care of her young charges. She whispered her concern about Kraven. Selene already was aware of the Kraven situation, but assured her that she would be careful.
When regrouped on the front lawn, they held the small gold chain as the port key activated.
