Magical Origins
Year 2: The Talk
Harry says nothing as he puts his things in his trunk and walks down the stairs for breakfast. He walked down and was surprised to see Olivia was already awake and drinking her coffee.
"Morning, Harry," Olivia said as she offers a seat across from her.
"Good morning, Artemis, still asleep?" Harry asks.
"She normally sleeps in till ten on this day. We don't leave until ten-thirty. She'll be sleeping for most of the morning." Olivia said as she sips her coffee.
"And Samuel?"
"Left early to handle some papers at work."
Harry said nothing as a couple house-elf brought him his breakfast.
"Thank you," Harry said as he begins to eat.
"You have questions, I know you do," Olivia said with a smile on her face.
"I do, I have many. I just wasn't sure when to ask them." Harry said.
"We have plenty of time, you can ask me anything," Olivia said calmly. She still had that smile on her face. It wasn't creepy but wasn't warming either. It was more like she was enjoying herself.
"You're not from England or Scotland, are you?" Harry said.
"It's my accent, isn't it? I still have bits of it. No, I'm not a Briton. I'm Scandinavian." Olivia stated, calmly.
"That explains your skin and hair. Your hair is like snow. And your skin is really fair. Almost like you were born in…"
"Born in winter, because I was. Scandinavia is far colder and has harsher weather than Briton does. I grew up in Scandinavia and went to Drumstrang Institute."
"Drumstrang?" Harry said in a slow voice.
"It's a magical school in Scandinavia. They control most of Northern Europe and Eastern Europe. Beauxbatons Academy of Magic is located in France and deals with much of Western Europe. I grew up in the Northern lands before I moved here." Olivia said, her smile never leaving her face.
"You know Artemis has been teasing me relentlessly, you're really okay with that?" Harry asks.
Olivia said nothing but sips her coffee before slowly putting it down.
"All Artemis ever wanted," Olivia said slowly. "was to serve you."
"Are you saying?" Harry said slowly.
"Ever since she was old enough to want anything, all she ever wanted… was to serve you. We never force her or told her she couldn't. Before even being aware she was a vassal under you, she wanted to serve you." Olivia said. "When she learned, she was to be your vassal, she smiled brightly. I never saw her so happy." Olivia said with a warm smile.
"Then why does she tease me. I'm at the age where girls do enter my mind, but she overdoes it."
"We told you much about being a Lord and the relationship you'll have with your Vassals, but if you think about it, how does your magic work with ours?" Olivia asks calmly.
Harry paused, calmly. He never thought of that. He said nothing as he puts his fork down and stares into empty space as he thought about it.
"If I had to guess, I would be the master, and you would be the house-elf," Harry said slowly.
"Exactly," Olivia said with a smile on her face.
"But…I don't want slaves." Harry said.
"We're not slaves. That's now how our relationship works. In my family, we have a saying. 'To use magic is to serve.'" Olivia said.
"What do you mean?" Harry asks.
"We're servants. All of us. I'm a servant, even you."
"How?" Harry asks in confusion.
"When you use magic, who do you use it to serve?" Olivia asks, kindly.
Harry opens his mouth but stops before he answers. That was something he couldn't answer.
"I don't know, myself, I guess."
"In a way, you do. At the same time, you don't. You may use magic to serve another. Whether it's to attack or defend that person. For instance, if you use magic to defend yourself against being an attack, who are you serving?"
"That would depend on the person's point of view, wouldn't it? Some would say myself. Others would say for another," Harry said slowly.
"You would have done well in Ravenclaw. My daughter almost become a Ravenclaw. You know how she ended up in Slytherin?" Olivia said; Harry shakes his head. "She asked the Sorting Hat which house would best suit her to serve you. That's why it placed her in Slytherin."
"I'm still trying to find myself. I'm not sure…"
"Part of a Vassal role is to help their Lords and Lady when they need help. It's one reason why I agreed to marry Samuel." Olivia said softly.
"You married him to become a Vassal?" Harry said slowly.
"I know my place. I don't have some great ambition. My desire is to be a Vassal to a good family. I was seventeen when I married Samuel and became a Vassal to the Potters. We had already had Artemis."
"Wait for what?" Harry said as he took this in.
"I was sixteen when I gave birth to Artemis," Olivia said. "Samuel and I were already together, but he waited until I become a legal adult to marry me."
"How old are you?" Harry asks in curisousity, she looked incredibly young. Barely hitting her early twenties. Harry assumed Olivia was Artemis's stepmother.
"I am thirty-one." She said and Harry gave a look of shock on her face. "Your surprise, I don't blame you. I look far younger than I really am. Scandinavia witches and wizards are known for looking younger than their years. We're called the enchanting people."
"What does this have to do with Artemis, why does she tease me?" Harry asks.
"Now that you've returned to the magical world, Artemis is going to be approached by many suitors. However, it's safe to say that none will ever truly love her. In fact, many of them could use her to get to you. Artemis refuses to let that happen. Before she started her fifth year, she took her oath. All for you."
"Wait, you mean people would use Artemis to get to me?" Harry said slowly.
"That's correct. You may have not noticed, but Molly Weasley was attempting to set you up with her daughter. Though having the Weasley family owing you debt is cruel but brilliant." Olivia said.
"You're okay that I did that?" Harry asks.
"Hmm, I rather avoid spending time with the Weasley's. After they fell into disgrace, no family would take them in. Even though they owe you a great debt, you can be sure they'll try to wiggle themselves out of it. However, it does give you great leverage against them. Besides, I do admit it was fun to torment them like that. Now they owe you greatly, it depends on how they'll pay you back." Olivia replies.
Harry said nothing as he listens to her.
"As for Artemis, with your return, a mark has been placed upon her. The world now knows she's a vassal under you. That means people will try to gain favor with you through her. That's why she seeks that you would reward her for her loyalty." Olivia said, calmly.
"Reward her?" Harry said.
"That you would give her a child," Olivia said as if it was the obvious thing in the world.
"What? But I can't… shouldn't a lord and a vassal…" Harry began as he stuttered to find the words.
"It's a practice that hasn't died out. But it's not really in use anymore." Olivia said, calmly. "A lord can marry a Vassal if he desires. Or, if he wants, impregnate a vassal so the vassals' line won't die."
Harry drops his fork as he stares at Olivia.
"You're okay with that?! I'm only twelve…" Harry stated.
"You won't do it now. When you are ready if you desire. As much as I would like my daughter to find a husband, the truth is that it will be hard. Boys her own age only desire her for her beauty. Now they'll want her because she's connected to you. You may not have noticed, but many men want my daughter. Even Gilderoy Lockhart."
"You're kidding!" Harry said.
"I am not. I've had many suspicions about Gilderoy Lockhart as to why he never married. A young witch like Artemis presents a golden opportunity for both wealth and fame. Artemis has always distanced herself from countless suitors. I also know she desires to have a child. There are… many wizards would abuse her just to claim your titles and positions."
Harry put his hands together and was thinking hard.
"A Vassal may protect their Lord, but a Lord must protect his Vassals," Harry said slowly.
"I see you're beginning to understand. James and Lily did their best to protect all their Vassals. They failed countless times, and it devastated them greatly." Olivia stated, calmly.
"If that happens, and I do give Artemis a child… then how does that work for us?"
"The child will be proclaimed a bastard. Meaning they will not inherit any of your titles or positions. In this case, the child will not have your last name, but Artemis's last name. Meaning her child will carrying the name Wynter. The one thing I failed Artemis, was giving her siblings." Olivia said, sadly.
"What do you mean?" Harry said, looking up and at her. Olivia Wynter showed great sadness in her eyes. Tears fell from her face.
"When I had Artemis, it nearly killed me. I was on the verge of death. It took a lot of healers and midwitches to save my life. After I awake from my ordeal, they told me I couldn't have any more children. I would die the next time, and I could even lose the next child. I know Artemis has craved to have a sibling; in a way, she got one… even if she must serve him." Olivia said as she looks at Harry.
"Does Samuel know that Artemis…"
"He is aware," Olivia stated, calmly. Harry looks at her in surprise. "He won't like it," Olivia said, knowing how her husband would take their daughter having his lord's child. "But he will respect it. I know he wants her to find a good husband, but he knows the odds of that are slim."
Harry said nothing as he looks down.
"It's a big decision. One you don't have to make, you can wait. Just know that Artemis is telling you she's available should you desire her."
"I don't want to hurt her," Harry said slowly.
Olivia sighs as she closes her eyes and drinks her coffee slowly. She sets down her cup and opens her eyes at Harry.
"As you know, we exist to be your servants. We serve you, you are our lord and master. Artemis is more than aware, you could use her body as much as you want without being tied to her. She as accepts this as her fate long ago."
"Didn't you try to stop her," Harry asks.
"I did. I warn her if this is what she truly wanted, she couldn't turn back. Just as I was warned, I warned her." Olivia smiles at him. "I served your parents proudly. I will continue to serve you. I know you've been told this, but you look like your father. However, I can see you inherited your mother's charm and gifts. If you're like your mother, then you're a lord and master, I will be proud to serve. Artemis will be happy too."
"This is hard to take in," Harry said slowly.
"I suspect so. Not many twelve years old have to worry about having kids even with a girl who is a vassal. However, I know this as all boys go through this." Olivia said with a sly smile. "Soon, all you can think about is how to charm a girl's robe off. If you desire such attention and affection, Artemis is here for you. I've already talked to her about this. She is happy to do this for you. She knows what this means, and she is happy to serve you."
"Do boys really start…"
"Worse than girls. I have many memories of boys trying to charm me. Your father is one of them."
"What? Did you and my dad?" Harry asks in shock.
"No. Your father made many attempts, but I never did fall for his charms. I already knew he had his eyes for your mother, but that didn't stop him from seeking out other girls. He and…" Olivia stops before she caught herself. "His best friend was known to be Casanova's at Hogwarts. They slept with dozens of girls."
Something in her words causes Harry to remember something.
"My dad's best friend? Do you mean Sirus Black?" Harry said.
Olivia chokes on her coffee.
"How do you know that name?" She said in shocked. It was clear she was surprised.
"I receive a gift from that oaf Hagrid, he sent me letters and pictures of my parents during their time at Hogwarts. He has black hair and is next to my dad a lot, right." Harry said.
Olivia looks at him sadly.
"We didn't want you to know. You're too young." Olivia said slowly.
"You knew him," Harry said in realization.
"I cannot lie to you," Olivia said in a sad voice. "Yes, I knew him. Or at least I thought I did. James Potter's greatest friend was Sirus Black. They started Hogwarts together and ended in Gryffindor together. Throughout their year at Hogwarts, they were inseparable. They were troublemakers and pranksters. Yet they always had a smile on their face. Despite the trouble of war that surrounded them. When Dumbledore learns You-Know-Who was targeting you, the Potter were advised to hide at once. Their best bet was the Fidelius Charm."
"What?" Harry said in confusion.
"I'm not surprised, that charm is way above N.E.W.T. level. Only a charms master can pull off that spell. It's not something you can learn at Hogwarts. The Fidelius Charm is a powerful concealment charm. It hides a place and a sole person because of a secret keeper. The one with the secret. The Secret Keeper can tell anyone of their desire the location of the secret."
"If other people know, won't that make them reveal the location?"
"It doesn't work like that. You see, you can know a location, but you can't reveal it. No means of magic can make this information known unless the Secret Keeper themselves reveal it willingly."
"So, if you had a key to a door, only you can let others pass through it?" Harry said slowly.
"That's a good way of looking at it. Yes, the Secret Keeper is the person with the key. Dumbledore offered himself along with every Vassal of the Potters offered to be the Secret Keeper. We all were prepared to die to protect you. Your father, decided on using his best friend, Sirus Black." Olivia looks down sadly. "We lost countless friends, and the Potter's lost almost all their Vassals for a year. The Morgan's, the Pearce's, along with the Wynter's, were the sole survivors of the Dark Lord's hunt for you."
"What happened?" Harry asks.
Olivia sighs as she wipes her tears.
"When the Fidelius Charm was placed; set by your mother, James decide to add confusion to hide you. He ordered us, the Vassals of House Potter, to scatter. He thought by scattering, he would have hidden his location. We did as we were told, even though we insisted that we be better off if we stuck together. James believes that by scattering, the Dark Lord wouldn't know where to look. A month before that Halloween, Samuel and I got into an argument. He wanted me to return to my homeland with Artemis as he didn't want us to die. He feared we would be next. I argued that my place was with him and I had to obey my lords' command. He spoke to James, and he agreed that I should leave the country with Artemis. I ask him if I could bring you with me, but James refused."
Olivia wipes her tears from her face as Harry could feel tears coming down from his.
"Then I heard what happen and immediately rush back. Everything fell apart. Sirus Black was sent to Azkaban for the murder of Peter Pettigrew and twelve muggles as well as betraying James and Lily, and House Potter was broken. Morgan's and Pearce met with us, and we talk about our next steps. We had no lord, the house we served was broken. That meant our power weaken greatly. We talk about our next step. As we debated, many Great Houses offered us a place at their side. We, instead chose to wait for your return. We stayed strong and swore not to abandon you when you needed us."
Harry said nothing as the tears flowed down. It was an emotional story. One he knew he needed to hear, but wasn't ready for. He wipes his face as Olivia wipes her own.
Then Harry paused.
"Wait, you knew much of what was going on with my family," Harry said.
"I did."
Harry bolts up and runs back up the stairs, leaving Olivia shock at his sudden action.
Harry opens his trunk and quickly goes through his things until he found the photo album. He rushes back down and sees Olivia waiting patiently for him.
"Can you answer these questions I have about my mother's letter to Sirus Black?" Harry asks as he grabs the letter.
Olivia said nothing as she grabs it and reads it carefully. She went over it several times before she sets it down.
"I'm afraid I'm very confused as I don't know what your mother meant," Olivia admitted.
"Is it true, Voldemort…" Olivia flinches terribly. "Sorry," Harry said quickly. "Is it true… he wanted my mother to join him?"
"Yes, it's true. She was asked three times, and she defied him three times. Your mother was a very gifted witch, she was also brilliant. One of the smartest witches of her age. Made your father look dumb and he was a smart man himself." Olivia said, sadly.
She went back to the letter.
"Involving Peter." She mutters. "That would only imply Peter Pettigrew. I don't know what plans they had that involved Peter or what made him a better choice. I know James didn't tell his Vassals everything."
"Why?" Harry asks.
"Because there were rumors. Rumors of a spy, someone reporting your parent's activities and secrets." Olivia said.
"He thought one of his vassals had turned on him?" Harry said slowly.
"I'm sure the thought had entered his mind. Direct betray is one thing, but there is a betray of another kind. By finding ways to usurp their Lords position. This happens when a Vassal becomes a new Great House to replace a fallen or an extinct line. It may be safe to say that James thought one of his Vassals had turned on him." Olivia said.
"That kind happen without oaths breaking?"
"Indeed, oaths are powerful, but they are loopholes," Olivia said as she returns to the letter. "As I thought, your parents didn't know why you were targeted either. Only the Dark Lord knows, and I suspect Dumbledore knows."
Harry said nothing as he waits for her to continue. The last two pieces.
"Heart and Begin, I have no knowledge of these meanings. This letter only raises questions and gives us no answers." Olivia said.
"There is one person who knows," Harry said, strongly.
"You cannot be serious," Olivia said in shock.
"Can't we get Sirus Black to tell us what my mother means. Also, for him to explain why he betrayed my parents."
"The Ministry of Magic isn't going to want to reopen Sirus Black's case."
"I need answers," Harry said, strongly.
"We all do. Very well, I'll speak to Samuel to see if we can get this started. However, I cannot make promises that you'll get to see Sirus Black." Olivia said, strongly.
"Mom, it's almost time to go," Artemis said as she walks down the stairs. She was wearing her Hogwarts uniform as the House-Elves were bringing down the trunks. Olivia looked at the time and realized they had less than ten minutes to get on the train.
"We must go." She said in a hush.
They quickly enter the Floo and rush to the station. They didn't stop to say hello to the Weasley's who were going through the barrier. Olivia hurried them through the barrier, but as soon as they reach the barrier….
Harry and Artemis fell on their backs as their trunks fell off their carts. Ron and Lily paused in confusion.
Olivia walks forward and places her hand on the pillar.
"The barrier has closed itself," She mutters.
"How are we going to get to Hogwarts?" Harry asks in a worried tone.
"Wait here, Artemis watch Harry, use magic only if you must." She said, and with a soft pop, she vanishes.
Harry and Artemis sat down and waited. Ron had dragged Lily off with their things. Harry could have sworn he heard the sound of a car starting before seeing Ron driving one.
Olivia reappears in front of them, looking a bit out of breath.
"I've notified Sam. Someone should be here…"
Another soft pop and a wizard appears in front of them. Harry was half amazed that the muggles didn't even notice people popping in and out.
The wizard walks to the barrier and waves his wand.
"No good, it's sealed shut. Also, the train has already left." The wizard turns to Olivia. "If you have the floo, you can transport your kids to Professor McGonagall's office." In saying that, he disappears with a pop, the muggles walking by as if nothing had happened.
"Come with me," Olivia said. She walks them around the corner and with a soft voice, says, "Norby, Cakbey, and you too, Ceely."
Three soft cracks reveal three house-elves.
"Norby and Ceely, take my daughter and my lord to Hogwarts immediately. Straight to Professor McGonagall's office. Cakbey, you take their things and owls to Hogwarts."
"At once, mistress." The house-elves said.
Harry grasps Norby's hand and with a crack, disappears from view, leaving behind a concern Olivia who watches as her daughter and Lord disappear from view.
Author Notes: I hope everyone enjoys this chapter before the holidays! Also, hope this clears things up.
Please R&R and tell me what you think
