(Look up Mont Saint-Michel for reference on Isle Avalon.)
APOV
"HOW DARE THEY DISMISS ME!" I barked the moment I arrived at the driveway of our enormous villa on isle Avalon. My guards moved away from me to join the other contingent of red knights laughing casually in the ambling gardens. They knew I had spoken to myself and not them.
I grunted loudly, kicking at a large pink pebble. What is my life even? Guards and villas and power games. Now dragons and baba yaga hags. Suddenly an image of a small cramped room in a cupboard beneath a staircase flashed inside my minds eye. To think how vastly this life differed from that of my dad's considering his modest upbringing beneath the Dursley's floorboards. He hadn't been raised with any of this grandeur… although he had always been the boy who lived…
"Back from yet another reckless adventure big brother? How much tax money did you waste this time? The Minister for Magic's son can't just abscond with a Dragon Albus. Its simply not done." Lily shot at me from her seat opposite the Scamander twins.
I had rounded the bend in the gardens, intent on having myself a quiet think in my favorite sitting area, when I found instead the three figures who were now sat at the table playing a game of cards. I realized I didn't recognize the game they were playing but noted Lily's heap of silver sickles. Only Lily had kept here eyes down at the hand in front of her at my arrival. I watched her eyes darting over the gilded cards and that sharp slytherin mind calculate her available moves.
The twins instead immediately laid their cards down and rose to greet me. Watching the scene tugged a small grin loose from my lips. Scheming sister versus stalwart friends.
"Al!" The adorable blond twins shot in unison, their bright blue eyes lighting up with such naive warmth at the sight of me that my grin widened fast into an enormous smile. They came and hugged me at the same time.
"Hey Lys, Lorcan."
"Thank you so much for saving mum. She told us last night how brave you were to rescue her from the dragon. You're our hero Al."
I felt myself blush harder at the heartfelt thanks, not least because I was now sandwiched in the arms of two angelic boys.
"If you ever need anything please let us know." Lorcan began. "Yes truly. We would be honored to help repay you in whatever way we can. No matter the cost." Lysander finished.
I shivered a little at the way they both spoke together. More so I shivered at the way Lily looked up at me during their pledge. She mouthed the words I had heard echo into my head several times already. 'We would fight for you if you needed.'
"I suppose I really should decline—which would be the honorable thing to do—but my sister's glare leads me to fear for my health should i refuse that gracious offer. I believe if you both mean it, that I will hold you to that?"
They looked at each other seriously and nodded. "We're with you."
A sudden vision flashed of an enormous battle raging in the streets of London. As the images assailed me I felt my right hand clamp violently shut.
Before me stretched out like ants were countless warriors. Scores and scores of colorful flashes trailed through the air like shooting stars only to erupt into angry crackling explosions. It was the largest set of magical forces I'd ever seen assembled anywhere. Armies… I realized darkly. Full sized armies...
Fires could be seen raging wildly on both sides of the Thames as smoke rose from the city in plumes like winding serpents. The wind pushed this way and that at the columns of acrid fumes making them roil and dance wickedly into the night sky.
As I watched myself battle in glittering armored robes of purple and gold I spied fighting at my left and right each of these twin friends of mine. My personal guard? Generals? What was I looking at? We seemed to be around eighteen… maybe twenty? What shook me more was that a glowing circlet rested softly atop my brow. Seven gleaming jewels rested inlaid into the gold metal. For SCORPIUS! All of you rally to me!" I heard the voice boom angrily into the air and in response incensed cries of "Albus, Peverell, King, Fontling" echoed and cheered over the din of battle. As quickly as it had come the stream of images and cacophony of destruction ceased.
"Are mum and dad terribly furious with me?" I inquired of my sister with a wince, trying to shield my friends from any sign or hint of the premonition that had just struck me. She shook her head mercifully and I heard myself release a sigh of relief. She usually notices everything…
"It was a fluke that you were with Charlie when the death eaters attacked. Their target was Luna dear brother, not you. That Charlie is one of your red guards and you were with him as he finished his duties at the dragon ridge was just bad luck… or good luck for Luna as it happens. The parentals don't blame you at all If that's what you were wondering."
"For once at least." I sighed again at that. "I thought for sure they would blame me for being at the heart of more drama."
I felt suddenly a dark chill that differed entirely from the sensation of my premonition a moment before. I knew this hair bristling fear. I caught a glint of surprise forming in the scamander twins expressions and I instinctively raised my arms in a defensive position. I spun just in time to catch a blow from my battle trainer Amelia. Too late. The second blow came from her opposite leg as she swept my feet out from under me. Before I impacted the ground I used a small shred of flight magic to suspend my hand several inches from the ground. It had saved me from the brunt of the fall but as I looked upwards towards my attacker I saw a wand drawn on me like an angry blade, a mere inch from my throat.
"Interesting spell Albus. Too bad you weren't quick enough to defend yourself. Wand or dagger that would have been it for you." She observed.
"You're always coming out of nowhere you know that! Its hardly fair to test me like this!" I protested angrily as I managed to right myself. She launched a series of jabs and close quarter strikes that my smaller arms were barely able to intercept or out maneuver. I caught most of the blows on my forearms, bruising myself badly against her own hardened limbs.
Unfortunately Amelia moved in past my guard and her last gut jab came so quickly and had so little distance to close that I physically felt the air whooshing out of my lungs as she struck me in my diaphragm. She was a full grown woman, I was still only fifteen.
"If you're as serious as you mentioned about developing your new style of fighting then you have to learn these muggle hand to hand skills as much as your dueling skills or elemental theory."
"Amelia… I'd really like to take the day off… since you know… I just escaped a titan class dragon and a serious terrorist attack. I haven't even seen my parents yet."
She shook her head disappointedly before turning her back to me and the other kids.
"Fine Albus, tomorrow then. And I subcontracted a gymnast to teach us some more acrobatic maneuvers. I hope you'll be rested by then. As it happens I have business setting up the new junior training program today anyway." She turned back to look at me momentarily as she finished. "Actually do you have anybody at Hogwarts you might recommend for it? None of you will see combat for years but it will look incredible on anyone's CV. What about members of the dueling club? You're still president of that right?"
'Incredible on a CV? is she joking?' I thought of the grim reality of the likely wars that were to come. Was training us all a good idea or was it what helped lead to the conflict i saw? Who were my forces even fighting? I couldn't make out the enemy at all. I had only noted the Malfoy's golden company of dragon knights as well as five full squads of red guards spread out in my line of sight from the air. Their colorful armor made Identifying them easy. There had been other forces too spread around. I saw countless Dark elves and other creatures fighting savagely in the parks and on the streets.
While goblins and acromantula and wizards fought on the earth, I noted that the sky had been no less violent a scene. A maelstrom of wings raged as mounted wizards set spells against each other or upon those on the ground below.
There were present the elite armored griffins of house Maxus as well. The knights who rode them bearing the standard of Marcus's house beneath a larger sigil of a seven starred crown. Thestrals, Pegasi and Peryton carried those wizards for whom a broom was less suited. There were three enormous roc's, several white and red Kitsune also and to my horror a monstrous black ahool upon which sat the unmistakable figure of Marvolo Lestrange in emerald robes. The creature's red eyes blazed like embers beneath the eyeholes of its white bone helm shaped like a skull. In the vision Marvolo had worn a sigil on a clasp but I couldn't make out the hazy design of the crest. It looked similar to the seven starred crown but i could easily have mistaken that. Farther in the distance I spied an enormous white thunderbird embattled with a familiar pitch black dragon. Lightning and blue fire erupted furiously from their shrieking maws as they dove and evaded each others deadly claws and talons.
"Albus?" Amelia asked drawing me out of my memories.
"Those three for a start. If they're interested." I shot, motioning to the twins and my sister. They looked at each other excitedly.
"Noted. Who else?"
"Scorpius Malfoy is already receiving advanced training at the ICW… so i'd say… Max Macmillan, Melody Abbot, Aurora Parkinson, Louis Weasely, oh and Alexander Greengrass…" I added to the ministry dog. She was the most skilled weapons trainer and martial artist in the wizarding world but too loyal for my liking. My dad had insisted we start teaching some muggle techniques in the department of defense and she was the only person fit to lead the programs. I often saw my dad training with her in his spare time and so he insisted recently that I start training with her too. I had never seen him so fit before in my life. I guess when your predecessor gets assassinated you start to worry about personal security and physical fitness.
"Grand, I'll send letters to their parents inviting them to the program."
"Great… I hope they don't blame me for the extra work…" I scowled thinking how my friends would react to being 'invited' to 'join' all the extracurriculars I was saddling them with. Lily began to cackle as Amelia walked away into the gardens.
"Whats this about your own fighting style Al? What are you a wizard monk?"
"Sounds rather cool If you ask me." Lysander noted defensively, this time on his own accord. His brother simply nodded, sipping at the ice cold drink in front of him as he observed his twin quizzically with a smirk. I had never seen them disagree with each other before. Lysander's cheeks began to tinge red as he broke eye contact with me.
"Well... you could say its combining martial physicality with spellwork. If you fight with a sword and can enchant the blade to cut through magic… or if you can carry a small shield reinforced with magic you could change the whole dynamic of fighting. Agility and maneuverability, elemental magic, dual wielding wands, using knives or krav maga all could be thrown into the mix. There are a myriad ways to enhance the way wizards engage in combat."
"Why do we need that?" Lorcan asked curiously. Duels were the traditional way of settling violent disputes for the majority of our people's history.
"You've heard that hundreds if not thousands of teenagers are popping up with their magical power awakened? The population of wizards is going to dramatically increase in the coming years. More wizards means more conflict. More conflict means trained soldiers."
"A war? Is that really likely?" The twins asked, their ravenclaw minds working quickly to guess at what I was suggesting.
"Ever more so unfortunately."
My sister eyed me suspiciously before releasing a smirk. "Wizard soldiers? Why not wizard ninjas? I could teach a class or two on that I think."
We all laughed at that. "That you could Lils… That you could."
It hit me then that the twins had definitely not come to hang out with my baby sister. What were they even doing here? Was Luna giving my dad a report of the attack? Or—
"Albus thank Merlin!" My mother yelled racing over to grab me in her arms. When she pulled back to examine me I noticed behind her the imposing figure of her former mentor approaching. It was Arcanis Hecate the Supreme Mugwump of the Intercontinental confederation of wizards.
"Alright, Alright! I'm safe now mum. No need to smother me."
"You don't know how worried we were when we heard the report. I cannot believe Alex got you out of there unharmed."
"Happy then that I convinced you to let us keep our memories? He couldn't have saved me if we hadn't been hanging out. We wouldn't be hanging out if you'd wiped our memories… again." She sighed at my relentless maneuvering.
"Point taken Al."
"My dearest protege… I need a word alone with your son. I would like to thank him for saving my granddaughter Luna." When Arcanis spoke, his words carried enormous weight. It never ceased to amaze me how he could command the very air around him without so much as raising his voice. My mom released me and nodded towards her former boss.
"Boys. I won't be long. Be ready to go when I return." He tossed to his great grandchildren. The twins looked at each other curiously before turning their attention back to my sister and their game. That explained what they were doing here. Why were they spending the nice summer day with their great grandfather was its own mystery.
"Good to see you again master warlock." I offered politely as we began to stroll through the expansive gardens of my family estate. Ministry personnel and strategists could be spotted arguing, planning or plotting amidst the hedges and the enormous sections of ponds and flowers.
How I hoped our palatial summer residence could have remained free of these goons. Dad and Mom had made an incredible decision buying this place after the war. Property prices had dropped with fewer rich wizards walking around free in England so the previous owners had had to sell it cheaply. It wasn't until the next generation started to make their lives in a post voldemort world that property prices had begun to rise again. Not only that but magical immigration caused by Voldemorts defeat had increased Englands prosperity. Dad pooled his money along with moms earnings from her time as a world famous professional quidditch player for the Hollyhead Harpies to buy several properties and expand my uncles potion shops before and during the boom.
"Good to see you again Marquess Peverell." The imposing man returned flawlessly. "I wanted to thank you in person for your decisive act of bravery in facing down that dragon. I heard it was a legendary titan class no less. A remarkable feat for a fifteen year old wouldn't you say? I hear you are hoping to qualify for warlock status by the end of your seventeenth birthday. That would be just as equally remarkable."
"More remarkable than facing Ancalagon down was winning his loyalty, your excellency. Take a look at this if you would." I offered, handing the spymaster and meddler in chief the dragon's heart stone.
"Astounding. This looks like Dumbledore's design. What is it?"
"It is his work actually. Voldemort made that as a bargain to save his own hide from the Yaga witch who defeated him. It was based on Dumbledore's study of the dragon race. We both know the Avalon bloodline are linked to dragon magic through the font of time."
"So then this Dragon you faced belongs to the Yaga witch? You're trusting me with this knowledge?" The warlock inquired surprised.
"My mother trusts you… and I trust my mother."
"More so than your father?"
"Infinitely so. The minister for magic is loyal to the country above even his family."
"And my protege Ginevra is not?"
"My mother… is playing her own game… what she's plotting even I don't know… but you do… don't you?" I inquired sharply, watching the aged wizard's handsome face for any sign of surprise or acknowledgment. To my dismay I noticed none. Naive of me to think i could catch him out.
"So then you've won the loyalty of a titan. Tell me, was my teacher—was Dumbledore correct? Are they sentient?"
"They are as smart as us if not more so." I returned, reclaiming the gem from his outstretched hand. "I however would refrain from the use of the word 'belongs' if chance ever sees you having to speak to Ancalagon. He was Niime's companion, not her pet. Now it seems he's my companion…"
"Extraordinary. You seem to inspire dramatic reactions wherever you go. Fear, hatred, respect, curiosity, and most notably… loyalty."
"Speaking of trust and drama… How can you detach so effortlessly your position as prince of the font of nature from that of the chief of the ICW?"
"Easy. Your mother was like a daughter to me. Ginny helped me reconnect with my granddaughter and she worked tirelessly for years to advance my agenda. She wants a better world for her family and as a matter of fact so do I." He was serious. Of his conviction in creating a better world I was certain.
"Master… When you came to me right after the attack on Azkaban… when you asked me to do for you that secret thing… I must admit that I was beyond shocked. Scorpius suspected i was up to something when i did not show up at the battle of Azkaban to help. So too did Hermione i'm afraid. He had no idea his boss had slipped away to recruit the son of your former lieutenant. Does mum know what you had me do for you?" I asked darkly of the old prince.
"She does not. For your assistance that day I must thank you profusely. It cannot have been easy for you. Does Hermione suspect you meddled in the department of mysteries? She can suspect nothing of my involvement. That is vital."
"Nobody would ever suspect what you sent me to do. In fact its one of the reasons I think I can trust you."
"Ahhhh, if sides are to be chosen I am on yours am I?" The old wizard laughed at that. I saw a good natured smile radiate from him and I felt myself relax a little.
"You are though. You suspect you know what I am… although not even Scorpius or I know what we are exactly…"
His smile and laughter stopped so abruptly i wondered if i should have said anything at all on the subject. He gulped… and seeing the fear in his face sent such dread through me that I felt a tingle rippling through the dragon stone in response to it. The titans concern could be felt from hundreds of miles away. That possibly the most powerful man alive should be afraid by the mention of two boys made me want to vomit.
"You are both to be either our civilizations destruction or our evolution. I cannot say for sure which age you will lead us to. The age of Destruction... or Enlightenment."
"And you won't share any classified information or suspicions with us though… right? Even though its about us?"
"I haven't even shared my suspicions with your mother. Only that people are frightened of you enough to start a war. People see the noble heirs as scions, as potential leaders. Never have the fontlings of a single generation been as powerful as those who live today. You two in particular."
"I'm not anyones savior, nor am I anyones antichrist. I'm just me. I'm just Al."
"Prophecies exist for a reason my boy…"
"Ah and finally we get to the point of it… So then… since we're on the subject… what did mine say exactly…?" I asked darkly, rounding on him with a hint of venom in my voice. "Come now Supreme Mugwump… if you hadn't sworn that unbreakable vow to never betray me, Scorpius, or my mother… I would not have agreed to sneak it out of the ministry for you… let alone agree NOT to listen to it beforehand. You are the only one who's heard it. Am i not one of your little agents now? Surely after saving your daughter and pilfering my own prophecy from the department of mysteries for you means I can be trusted with that much?"
"You are a bold one Albus Potter. I'll give you that. However, that I, Arcanis of house Hecate, a Prince of the font of Nature, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Warlocks chose to vow anything to a fifteen year old boy, is proof enough of your worth. Don't push it youngling. Your fate is complicated. If the world is to overcome the great war that's to come we will need to move extraordinarily carefully. Just as Dumbledore maneuvered your father to defeat Voldemort so the task now falls to me to play this chess game now."
"Yes yes. I'll continue to train, continue to excel at Hogwarts and continue to watch the players on the board. I know how you operate your excellency. You trust my mother with a different piece of the puzzle, you've roped Alexander Sorenson into another path and who knows what piece of the damned thing you've revealed to Malfoy. Everyone compartmentalized to prevent compromising your grand design. Am I right?"
"You know you are quite possibly the smartest, most powerful fifteen year old i have ever come across. Your potential could be limitless."
"I don't care about that… I just want to live a normal life… i want to love who i love and not be tormented for it."
"Your eyes are pink Albus. Do they often change color like that?" Arcanis noted as I felt the magic swarming in my head. The goddess's song. My vision flashed as my vision swam. For a moment I thought I spied two towering black robed figures on the roof of the tallest spire on the island. When i blinked they had vanished. A flash of a long white beard tumbling from beneath the black hood had a curious kind of familiarity.
"They do that sometimes… red when angry… pink other times… black silver yet others…most of the time my eyes are their normal green though."
"Hmm, mine are always this emerald shade of green. Like yours for the most part. You know the Prewits are related to my family. You have some of my font in you as well."
I was shocked to hear that of all things. The blood of another font resided within me?
"I don't also have Hecate blood do I? No wonder you've included me in your political games…"
"You have more going on with you than you realize. We are investigating the Evans line as of this year. I have a curious suspicion about Harry's mother Lily that I have yet to confirm. For now try not to worry. You have an explanation for your power and you know its not because you're a freak. Take heart in that at least."
He stared off then into the distant sea. From our villa's position near the top of the mountain island our garden looked out into the vast blue expanse of the light blue waters. A gentle breeze enveloped us and realization dawned on me. How had he learned the significance of that word to me?
"Scorpius! How dare he share that with you! That was private!" I barked angrily, revealing my emotions carelessly. Only Malfoy could have shared that story with the Supreme Mugwump. This man was so bloody dangerous! He knew too much and had too many key players under his direction. I would have to be more careful.
"Care to hear my opinion on your little boyish squabble?" The aged man began.
"I am quite certain that I do not. Why you would care about a childish feud escapes me. By your age I thought you might have dispensed with interest in such drama."
"You made me swear an unbreakable vow before you allowed yourself to trust me… yet there exists a boy who would die for you in a second with no blood oath or unbreakable vow in place. As a matter of strategy it is a level of stupid I cannot condone. You and Scorpius share a bond that few wizards in history can boast of. Yet you distance yourself from your strongest ally! For what? It cannot go on for too long. You are weaker without him by your side. You should forgive him already."
"It's none of your business you meddlesome prince" I ground out angrily. "I may be young but I fail to see how you think it appropriate to dispense unsolicited advice to me. I am not your servant or underling. I do not answer to you."
"I'm Scorpius's mentor and his teacher now… I know you weigh heavily on his mind. You distract him still from his summer studies. He's not the same since he so shamelessly destroyed his wand for you."
I flinched at the reminder, looking away from the older man's piercing stare.
"He trusts you enough to share such personal details about his life?"
For the first time i registered a small glimmer of shock strike across the warlocks lightly lined face. It was the only time I had seen him give away any emotion he had not intended to.
"I was certain you had been told. I was their Godfather Albus or didn't you know?"
I stopped in mid stride at the announcement.
"Scor and Ella? You?" I asked curiously, shifting to observe the sharp face of the enigmatic man at my side. What is his endgame? Even Hermione was no match for him.
"Indeed. Now on to the last order of business before I depart."
"The Carnival of the Moon? What more do you want from me old man?" I groaned the question more as a complaint.
"Too smart by a mile. How can you be so quick for your age? Yes the Carnival. Actually, I won't instruct you. I want to hear your analysis first. Your father is head of state for a major first world magical country, lets see what your thinking is on the politics of this."
"Fine… well… for one… every player on the global scene will be present for The Carnival. It will be the social event of the year. Now that the Valois are almost as powerful as kings in France, nobody would dare miss an opportunity to attend. I hear invitations have become as valuable as a mountain of gold. The emperor of Japan's daughter and grand children will be there, fontlings of fate. Also the Italian nobles will be present and i believe Aberforth Dumbledore the last descendent of the font of time—besides the malfoys—will also attend. We have you and your family representing the Hecate clan… we have most of my immediate family joining to represent the font of death. The castle will be brimming with every faction and political leader across the globe. Even the president of Macusa will be in attendance with his American plutocrats."
"Yes and the implications?"
"Beyond scheming, potential attacks, and generally keeping my eyes and ears open? If you would have me embark on another mission I will not be made to guess at its nature or goals. Have out with your request already you damnable chess master."
He smirked my way then and I shuddered. I was nobody's puppet.
"I do have another mission for you. As it happens... You are going to draw enormous attention to yourself. I've arranged for you to be one of the duelists that commences the three day festivities. Its always performed by a child of the seven families so this shouldn't seem too out of place. I want for you to obliterate all expectations of what a magical prodigy is capable. I want you to create a spectacle the world will be talking about for years to come. Some attention has already been drawn to you over your musical release. Let us build up your public presence as apposed to trying to hide you away from the world as your parents have done."
I scrunched my nose distastefully at that.
"That is exactly the opposite of what I want. I don't want to make myself a target. Those closest to me might be hurt."
"Those closest to you are already targets you silly boy. This will actually strengthen your hand and force Hermione, Ron, Harry, The Valois, The Magistratum, The ICW, The Japanese, The spanish… ALL OF THEM to calculate you into the great game."
"Why do I want that?"
"Because we need more time. We need to force the other players to move more carefully... more... slowly. They all are suspicious of power and will adjust their own children's moves according to the appearance of a new potential ally or foe."
"No no… I know why you want that. I meant tell me why I want that?"
"Come on Albus. You may be smarter and more skilled than a fifteen year old but you've got the emotional range of a teaspoon. You think i don't know what you want? You want a better world. A safer world. You want not to be a freak. You want those close to you to be safe from war and terror. More importantly because as you've stated you want access to my institutions secret knowledge and artifacts. To rid yourself of your slytherin blood or to sever the bond between you and Malfoy… who cares whatever naive core reason you've decided on... this is the only way to achieve it. You will move how i tell you to if you want the book of nature from me."
At that he withdrew one of the seven books of magic. A key tome linked to the second font. Its emerald and moss colored patterns swirled delicately across its binding. I could feel energy radiating off of the object as my skin prickled excitedly.
"I didn't believe you actually had it. How is this yours to give and not your older brothers?" I asked as the green glow of the book enthralled my gaze.
"Its mine to give. That's all you need understand. I would caution you as well… Scorpius intends to try and read the book of time very soon. He has it in his possession and I think would not attend the Carnival without first reading it."
"That fool! He knows first hand what reading one of those tomes can do to you! How could he be so reckless as to attempt to read it! Why would he even share that information with you in the first place?"
I stopped stupidly in my tracks. I'm the fool! I thought to myself angrily.
"He knows first hand? My oh my... dear boy. That part he hadn't told me." I grew angry at how he'd tricked me into revealing information he hadn't already known. He always spoke in a way that made you think he knew far more than he played at… a dangerous way of getting his opponent to reveal more than they intended.
I reached into the secret pocket of my robes to withdraw the book of death.
I watched as the two legendary items seemed to glow as they drew nearer each other.
The Roman numeral II appeared on the green tome and the Roman numeral V appeared on my tome.
"It is said, Albus, that the Goddess's knowledge resides in the seven tomes. If one possessed all seven and the insight to read them… one would possess the power to reshape the entire world."
I examined him closely at that. Did he believe as firmly in the myth as I did?
"Hmmm." It was more sound than reply.
"Well, It appears you didn't burst into flames upon reading the Peverell Tome at least. A lucky happenstance?"
"We both know otherwise. Anyway I really must get on your excellency. Is there anything else you require?"
"One last thing Albus." I turned back towards the aged wizard to regard his chiseled face. There was something in his expression I couldn't read.
"Lorcan and Lysander… They are yours now… that you dove in front of a dragon to save their mother… has won you their complete loyalty. They have told me much about your time at school together. Your little club in the Hero's beacon. Your friendship is very dear to them. So look after them. I want them trained and ready if they are to fight alongside you. Show them the battle tactics you've learned and teach them to duel at a higher level."
"Is that all?" I wanted to make sure he was done with me this time. I was contemplating what he had said about the two angelic twins when he added a curious detail.
"Lysander in particular has a… special fondness for you Albus. Just take good care of them Prince Peverell."
I blushed a little thinking about what he had just revealed about one of my closest friends.
"Now before I go there is just one more thing we must deal with." He offered handing me the Tome of Nature. I sputtered in shock as he released the book into my hands. I nearly dropped it as the weight of the action overwhelmed me.
"What are you doing? I haven't yet… and you… I never thought you'd just… i mean. Are you sure its quite safe if I… have this?" I stuttered, gibbering incoherently at the magnitude of what now lay in my hands.
"Its locked young one. You won't be able to read it right away."
I looked down at the twin keyholes that sat beside each other on a magical lock which sealed the legendary book shut.
"There have always been a propensity for the Hecate family to produce twin heirs. My brother and I. Lorcan and Lysander. They both have one of the keys. I've instructed them under what conditions they are to release them to you. They each have a different set of preconditions so don't think you will win access to that book's secrets so soon or so easily. If you continue to perform for me I will tell you what you will need to do. Unless of course you figure it out first. Know however that that tome is their inheritance. Once you've studied it I will demand you return it to my family. Is that Understood?"
I nodded gravely as i registered his words. He returned my nod with a swift tilt downwards of his head before turning to walk away from me. I finally allowed myself a sigh as I darted behind a tree to lean my back against its trunk. I quickly hid the ancient artifact with its brother in the secret pocket of my robes and allowed myself a few quick breaths.
"FUCK ME. WHAT HAVE YOU GOTTEN YOURSELF INTO AL."
