Disclaimer: No money is being made or received for this work in her playground of characters.
A/N -- I know I have dumped a lot of chapters tonight, but I won't be updating this weekend and am not sure I will have any time tomorrow. Enjoy... and keep your fingers crossed that Eliza will beta this weekend and give her OKAY for the next week's chapters!
CHAPTER 31 -- Lycans and Respect
They were deposited in front of an old building in New York City proper. She turned to the group as the second port key deposited Remus Lupin behind Harry. "Hello Remus. Now, everyone, listen closely. My family has covenants with the Vampires. We were very fortunate that Viktor was awakened early. However, with the Lycans, we have covenants that should be remembered without question. The man we will meet with is named Lucian. He is the oldest of the living Werewolves."
She paced a moment, took a deep breath and continued, "He has agreed to see us for the same reason the Vampires did. I must insist that a small memory charm be placed on each of you regarding what you have seen in the Coven home; the reason being that we will not discuss with the Lycans about what we met with the Vampires, nor will we be able to discuss the other side. You must trust me. When we leave here, we will have only one more stop. Then we will be going home. Dumbledore will be removing the memory charm when we arrive." She waved her hand over them and muttered, "Obliatiuous," which was a less intense form of memory charm. Remus used the scourigifying charm on the eight of them and then, in turn hugged each of them. It would assist if the smell of Vampires was not the first thing to assault the senses of the Lycans.
Remus was very excited. Although Rowan would be the liaison between the wizards and the Lycans, this would be the first available opportunity to actually meet the leader of the North American Werewolves. His European reign ended almost 600 years ago, and Remus would not be surprised to find that this was a descendant of the great Lucian. However, Rowan assured him that he would be meeting the legend himself.
There were differences between the Lycans they were to meet and the ones like Remus. He thought of it as a mutation of sorts. While he transformed only at the full moon, this group could transform by will, at any night by any amount of moonlight. Additionally, while he would always become the animal, these could retain their human intelligence. The prospect of meeting them and perhaps giving Remus more control over the transformations than Wolfsbane potion could give was intriguing.
After entering the building, they were immediately met by Raze, the enforcer of the Lycan group. He was an imposing figure, tall, black, sleek, and carried an air of defiance. Rowan met his eyes, introduced herself and her group, before making the handsome man aware of her appointment with Lucian.
He eyed her carefully. She had said the name Lucian with a casual air. She was accompanied by a young, English werewolf and seven teenagers. He could smell no other werewolf among them, but he was unsure of the power of this woman as he offered his arm for the woman. He nodded to the confident woman and led them deep underground until at last they were met by no less than one hundred men and women. The group did not look as though they would allow Raze to bring the strangers into the deepest part of their lair. Raze introduced Rowan Black Cowan and Remus Lupin, as protectors of the young ones. When told they had business with Lucian, the group backed down at once.
They left the dank cavern and entered into a beautifully wood paneled office, much like that of Viktor. Fashioned in the ways of the old masters, Lucian's desk was massive. The walls and decorations were that which would be found in the oldest of estates in Europe.
Lucian's meeting with Remus was shorter than expected. Because Remus was considered a classic English Werewolf, who had been bitten as a child; Lucian assured him that he would be welcome to learn the ways of the old ones should he choose to join them at some point. Lucian spoke to Rowan as the meeting began, "Why are you here Rowan?"
"I am here to invoke the Covenants between the Lair of Lucian and the Clan of Cowan, set forth by your own hand and the hand of my ancestor, Mary Precious Cowan."
"You realize, Rowan, from the Clan of Cowan, that this covenant only lasts as long as I have breath in my body."
"And who will lead your lair once you cease breathing?"
"Raze, unless we can find the one for which we search."
She locked eyes with the second in command. "And will you continue to honor the covenants which Lucian set so many years ago?"
"I know of no covenants which should be upheld in Lucian's absence." He was almost smirking with contained irritation.
"Perhaps you have traveled in Europe?"
"Of course, Lucian has taken me many places."
"And where did you find refuge during your time of need? Any need you had?"
He nodded, "Large grand estates."
"No need to live in streets or pits as you do here?"
"No."
"And where do you stay when you travel through the southern states of your homeland?"
"We stay in various Estates; we always know where to go for protection."
"Exactly, it is because of Lucian's covenant with my ancestors that you receive such protection during your travels. We will always protect the members of this lair. Just as the members of this lair are expected to stand by the covenants set forth so very long ago."
"What covenants are these… exactly?"
"My family from the beginning has protected your secrets. We provide you with protection from the outside world in whatever form is needed. In return, my family is safe from the bite of the Lycan and in battle. Although you may choose not fight on our side; we will not come against you in declared battle." Turning to Lucian, she added. "You may not join us. But my children, Mason and Madison have chosen to fight against the one known as Voldemort. Should you choose to fight on the side of the Dark Lord, you will choose to forgo the covenants of old."
"What of your covenants with the Vampire Coven?" Lucian asked.
"They have chosen to honor the Covenants. When we left his counsel, Viktor will not fight for either side."
"And you expect me to do the same thing that the great vampire Viktor does?"
"I expect you to honor the covenants which you chose many centuries ago. As long as there is a female witch of the Clan of Cowan, the covenants remain fulfilled."
"But these are pure blood children which sit before me. Mason and Madison are completely magical."
"Their blood lines are not for your concern. I am tired Lucian. I have come for your assurance that as the Vampires of the Coven of Viktor and Amelia will not be on the battlefield, that we will not be forced to fight the Lair of Lucien. For your assurance that you will instruct any stray Lycan within your realm to follow the covenants. Should you choose not to fight on the side of the Clan of Cowan, I respectfully request that you stay out of the battle completely."
"He has sent an envoy; this Dark Lord Voldemort."
"Yes, I assumed he had."
"He says that he will reinstate the rights of the Lycan within the Wizarding World."
"And if he succeeds, I cannot tell you that he will fulfill his promise. However, the more probable scenario is that he will turn on you and yours once the battle is complete. He is not known for keeping his promises."
"Is it true, Rowan, that you have visited the Slayer?"
"Yes. We have secured her and her partners for some additional training in the spring."
"And is it true that one of her partners is a Lycan?"
"Yes. His name is Daniel Osborne, considered a classic werewolf, bitten by his nephew a few years ago. He is also friends with my children."
Turning to the silent teenagers, Lucian studied each one. "You like this werewolf?"
Harry answered, "Remus Lupin was my parent's best friend, the classic English Werewolf, also serves as my Godfather. Oz is a friend beside whom I have fought. He saved my life. I now proudly owe him a life debt." Harry had not stood nor in anyway attempted to be confrontational. Yet, Lucian listened to him, as did Raze.
"You owe a Lycan a life debt?"
"Yes. We hunted rogue vampires near the Hell mouth. He staked a vampire rather than let it bite me."
"I am impressed. It is not often that you find a young wizard who is close to a Lycan in any form; let alone one who is prophesied to destroy evil, still allow a life debt to one."
"They are people. I respect people for their actions, not for what they have no choice about. Oz is still close to the nephew who bit him. It is not the fault of either that they carry the blood of the werewolf. Just as Remus carries the blood, he was bitten as a young child. But my parents found him to be one of three people they would trust to rear me should something happen to them. Voldemort killed my parents to get to me. My mother sacrificed herself to save me. Her protection is carried through me. Even thought I was just over a year old, I respect their decisions. I would lay down my life to protect my Godfather, just as I would to protect any of the people in this room."
Lucian was again impressed. He would have liked to have taken more time to get to know this band of youth. To talk to the adults that brought them, but their time was through. "I will not act against you. I will do research, however, before I pledge my Lair to fight with you. Is this sufficient?"
"Of course, Lucian; we are honored by your pledge." Madison said.
"Please lead them out Raze."
"Lucian? Is this area protected by Magic? Or would you allow us to use Magic to leave your presence?"
"It is not protected by Magic, yes, use yours to leave."
"Take this portkey to the Miami, Florida Hotel, go to room 1343, and wait for me. The name is under yours Mason. I will meet you there." The children left the office as the portkey glowed. Rowan and Remus stayed behind with the intention of speaking to Raze and Lucian. "Lucian, you seem to trust Raze in all correspondence." He nodded. "I must tell you that there is a dark time coming for your lair. The battle you seek with the Vampires will not come without cost."
"And did you tell this to Viktor?" Raze asked.
"Of course I did. I will not give him an upper hand against the Lycan, any more than I will give you one against them. I brought these for you." She removed three charms from her bracelet and set them on his desk. She muttered the correct incantations, which returned the box and books to their correct size.
"These are for you, Lucian, and apparently you too, Raze. These are copies of the texts of the Covenants with the Clan of Cowan. There are also ancient texts of the magic of your origins. The box contains prophesies which pertain to your part of the Great War which is coming, soon, between the Lycans and Vampires. I suggest you read them, carefully. The Vampires have prophesies that pertain to them, but have not chosen to read them. My ancestor, Mary Precious Cowan, and her mother Catrina, were the seers," she explained to Raze, "they saw things that others did not. She predicted that I would have this meeting. She was specific of the role your Lair would have in the Lycan War with the Vampires. She refers to it as one of the Great Wars." Raze nodded, but said nothing. Lucien was looking into the small box with interest.
"For what it's worth Lucian, I do not wish you ill. I do not care which of the sides wins. I believe that the war you fight is old and tiresome. At least Voldemort has only been around fifty years. You have been fighting with the House for more than five hundred years. It's a wonder neither side has been exterminated."
"Then it is fortunate that you support neither side." Raze said carefully. She met his eyes. She delved quickly into his memories, finding that he had found refuge within the covenants, and brought the memory to the surface. Her ancestors had protected him, personally, with their lives. "I did not realize."
"No, you did not. My blood line kept the covenants then, as you are expected to keep them now. I walk a very tight rope. I expect loyalty within the confines of the Covenants; nothing more or less. I keep your secrets from the Vampires, as I keep theirs from you. I will not apologize for it nor will I, at any point, betray the trust bestowed upon me. But for now, I must leave. I have seven teenagers to get settled back at school. Should you wish to speak to me, touch this coin and say Rowan Black Cowan out loud; its sister will heat up wherever I am. I will return here to speak with you. Agreed?" Lucian nodded. "Good day then." And leaving Remus to speak to Lucian for a few moments, she left.
b center /b /center
And with a snap of her fingers she found herself at the Miami Hotel. Entering room 1343, she found all seven teenagers relaxing. "Hey guys."
"Rest of your meeting went well?"
"Not bad. Look, we stay here one night, but we have two quick stops to make tomorrow. Well, at least I do. If you want to come, you can. I have a meeting Warren Zevon in London. I thought it would be nice for you to enjoy a day off and go to the beach." They looked at her with questions. She waited for Mason to figure it out.
"Hang on, the guy that sang 'Werewolves in London'?" She nodded. "What do you have to meet with him for?"
"He's one of the leading researchers on Werewolves and the Lunar cycles."
"Mom, he's a song writer. Have you spent too much time flooing again?" The group laughed out loud. She stuck her tongue out at her son.
"No, smart ass, the song was just to fund his first research project. He's actually a wizard, one that rivals Flamel." Hermione snapped her head up so fast, it startled Ron, "The same one Hermione. Anyway, I need sleep. If you want to go, you can, or you can stay here, relax, swim, whatever. The pool is indoors and heated." The general consensus was that they would stay and play. After some pleading, even Hermione agreed to stay behind with Ron.
Remus joined her in her room about thirty seconds after the kids left to swim. She slept in his arms for a few hours before waking later to find three girls in bikinis lying on the deck of the pool being splashed by four boys in the pool. She laughed at them for a minute, waved, and went back to her room for more sleep. The next morning, they left Miami, the kids went to Hogwart's and Rowan went to Mr. Zevon's.
