SPOV

"Fuck" I cursed when I turned around to find Al was nowhere in sight. I ran to the parapet and leaned over to spy the last vestige of fabric trail inside through the balcony doors. I had to chase after her.

'She's not ok at all. Fuck, how am I going to get down from here?'

I tried a summoning spell to conjure a rope ladder, but the palace security magic impeded my attempt.

I looked up at the French flag next and cursed, severing it's rigging with an elegant strike from my new unicorn horn wand. The Valois-made trinket had obeyed eagerly, almost as if excited to demonstrate its power to its new owner. Its gems glistened marvelously against the gold inlay and white bone of the baton.

I grabbed the nylon rope of the fallen flag and tied it firmly around the ledge, issuing a silent prayer that nobody would notice the act of vandalism until we'd left the palace. The rope allowed me to sort of repel my way down the slanted panels until I was able to access a circular window on the top most floors of the structure. I knocked on the pane a few times, listening for a sound that might help me to locate the lock. The room inside was dark and I couldn't see where…

"There you are. Alohamora." I whispered, unlatching the window at the left side of the frame. I slipped inside the storage room and raced to the door through rows of sheet covered chairs and tables collecting dust. A few of the house elves in the hall leapt in alarm at my eruption from the vacant chamber but I didn't have time to worry about it.

"How can I get back to the ball room?" I barked in French to the staff. The younger elves stuttered fearfully, one even dropping their feather duster to the floor. A senior attendant, however, waddled up to me and was able to calmly explain how I might reach my target. I thanked the wrinkled creature profusely and sped off in the direction of the servants staircase. I heard the older elf round on its juniors, issuing harsh reprimands for their lack of composure.

'I need someone to scold me too.' I thought tipsily to myself. "What have you done Scorpius?"

I could not help be fraught with confusion over the memories of our bodies joined together in the heat of passion. She had called my name over and over throughout our encounter. At the time I had lapped up every syllable in heated delight. Now I couldn't help but feel embarrassed at the sound of the echoes drumming in my head.

'Scor… Scor… fuck… Scorpius!'

I almost collided with a familiar face just as the hidden wall of the servants stairwell swung open near the ballroom corridors. 'Not the face I was looking for.'

"Mate. What's going on? Are we still all meeting in the gardens in ten? Everyone's sort of gone missing. I guess they're headed over there now?" Max asked me.

"Yes, as far as I'm aware"

I craned my head to either side of him to see if I could spy the gorgeous brunette anywhere.

"Have you seen Al by chance?"

"What? The last time I saw him he was with you? Well she I mean." Max corrected in his confusion.

"Ok then… never mind. Go to the rendezvous point in the gardens. I'll meet you there with the others."

"Is everything alright?" There was a curious worry in his expression but I didn't have time to reassure him. I had to find Al before our mission or it would be hours before we could speak privately.

"Why wouldn't it be? We're all just a bit on edge inducting you new members into the order." I explained, offering Max a crooked smile that I knew would convince no-one. "Go on. I'll catch you by the portal" I threw back at him as I half trotted away through the marbled hall.

I didn't want to run for fear of drawing attention to myself but I descended the grand staircase at a healthy clip, bypassing guests and staff in an attempt to get to the ground floor as fast as possible. Everyone stared or bowed as I passed, the shock of my performance still fresh in their minds.

The clock struck midnight and fireworks began to whistle into the air to the delight of all.

In the gardens I caught up with the Scamander twins and strode through the lawn with them towards our designated meeting point. All the while my heart felt like it was going to explode.

What have you done!

What have you done!

What have you done!

A small group was forming in front of the portals that were to lead us back into the mystical forest to meet our dragon mounts.

Present already were Al and Vivienne, Lily and Markus, Alex and Louis, Melody Abbot, Izanagi Muramasa and Aurora Parkinson.

To our right on the other end of the gardens approached Max and Izanami Muramasa as well as Ariana Dumbledore and Rose Weasley. To my surprise, Alexander Sorensen and Vexler Avery were also pacing their way towards us from our left. They were joined by Victoire Weasley and Mizuki Maxus.

The non members all converged in front of the portal, examining each other skeptically.

APOV

"What are we all doing here?" Markus complained, gripping the emerald coin and blood vial in his hands. He was one of the last to arrive at the portal in the gardens.

Of the order, Alex and Louis had arrived first, followed by Lily and Vivienne and finally the twins who came with Scorpius and Markus in tow. Everyone was still exquisitely dressed from the ball and I had to struggle not to blush when I saw Scorpius again. Our dance had me a little nervous still… As had our other activities only moments ago on the roof…

Fireworks continued to erupt and I spied several guests and servers talking farther off on the grassy grounds. Still too close for comfort.

A finger rose to my lips before I motioned for everyone to follow me through the portal. I wouldn't dare elaborate further while on Valois territory. I warped first walking quickly away from the gateway so as not to jam up the many on my trail.

We emerged into the moonlit air of Broceliande, finding ourselves in a completely different area than the clearing Scor and I had arrived at the day before.

Once the last member of the group had materialized behind me, I shot a blue spark into the midnight sky, watching as the small star hung itself above us and the immense primordial trees.

"Vivienne is the first adult to join, so before we begin i'd like to welcome her to the order of the Jade Rabbit." I began, motioning to my old teacher who'd surprised me by swearing the full blood oath earlier this morning. I had only expected her to swear secrecy but to my surprise she'd offered to join our ranks in full.

"Ok great, welcome Vivienne. Now can I ask why we're way out in the forest for this? Couldn't we have done the ceremony back in Paris?" Markus inquired out of annoyance.

"Ceremony? Scor what's this about? Some of us aren't entirely certain why we were asked to be here." The Muramasa twins shot skeptically.

SPOV

"First off I'd like every member of the order already inducted, to gather behind me." Albus instructed easily.

I was first to move and stand by his side, trying to get his attention with a stare. I heard his reply through our mental link. It was one of the rare times he'd ever been able to send me a message consciously before. 'Not now Scorpius. We have work to do.'

Slowly, a little over a third of the assembled individuals separated themselves to stand next to or behind Albus. They withdrew our glimmering emerald vials and placed them around our necks almost in unison. I was the only one who had not been made to swear to Al. If anyone had noticed, nobody commented on my lack of glowing talisman.

"It seems many of us already know why we were summoned…" Alexander Sorensen noted curiously. "I admit however that I am among those who remain ignorant."

"Before me stand family, friends, and some of the most noble royals in our society. You may, as some of you have voiced concern already, be wondering why you've been gathered here?"

"Max and I are in, so can we just sign something or what?" Aurora shouted from the back of the little group.

Al sighed noisily at the interruption, nodding his head towards his pretty blond cousin. "Rose, Max, Aurora, and Melody would you four please step forward."

Louis handed out needles and emerald coins to the four before us and motioned for them to prick their fingers.

This was decidedly more appropriate an induction venue than Vivienne's rushed vows had been this morning in an industrial freezer of the Valois kitchens. I almost laughed at the memory of the slabs of frozen meat as they hung about our small shivering group. That was before the Valois had even summoned us for breakfast. Will this day never end?

"Repeat after me."

"I, **** , do solemnly pledge to serve the order of the Jade Rabbit. To guard its secrets from those who would seek harm against its members or its interests. I vow to serve Albus Potter or his representatives unflinchingly, at all cost, in order to seek peace and stability for the greater magical world. I will be bound to obey his direction but not to act in violation of my conscience or in excess of my abilities. In exchange for my loyalty I will be granted a right to voice my counsel, a home in perpetuity should I require one, income and a position within our order for life should I choose. I will be owed the respect that is due admission to this noble society from each and every member, no matter their social rank or outside station. I so swear on my honor and on my life that I shall never betray the safety of those gathered here. For I know they are now my family, and would sooner die than forfeit my interests or security for their profit."

After the first four candidates were sworn in, the imposing unspeakable took a small box and went to collect the remaining wands of those wizards and witches whose loyalty was… less established.

"Brother? Why are we relinquishing our wands might I ask?" Louis's sister inquired dubiously. The Muramasas, being royal, were equally on edge.

"We're going to reveal to you all a great secret and the nature of our order before asking you to swear the binding oaths you just witnessed. Otherwise we doubt you'd be inclined to pledge yourselves so permanently to Albus and the order."

"And the reason our wands needed to be turned over?" Ariana Dumbledore asked again, dropping her silver wand into the box with the rest.

"Why? We're going to wipe your memories of tonights revelations should you decline the invitation. Of course." Vivienne clarified, stopping in front of Victoire who was one of the last to forfeit her wand. The Japanese twins had only done so when they'd receive a nod from me. Mizuki Maxus had dropped hers in without hesitation.

The strange creature stared down Al's cousin Vicky but even the imposing blonde with her Veelish blood did not defy the Unspeakable for long. "We wouldn't want you few, who are exceedingly powerful, to defy us on this." The Fey added sharply.

The wooden baton thunked into the bin with the others and Al motioned for Lorcan and Lysander to block the entrance to the exit portal.

"Izanagi and Izanami Muramasa, Sorensen and Vex, Dumbledore and Victoire. Mizuki. You seven have been on our radar for your sympathies and views but have no direct loyalty to myself, the leader of this order. So I will make my case to you now and allow you to choose whether or not my goals seem worthy enough for you to risk fighting for."

It was time to begin the great game.

"Answer me now. Do you seven value loyalty?"

All nodded yes.

"Do you value friendship?"

Again all nods.

"Do you seven consider yourselves particularly gifted in your magical abilities."

Slower to admit it but all nodded their agreement.

"Would you die without hesitation to protect those you love?"

A pause.

Victoire, Mizuki, the warlock and his attaché nodded. Ariana agreed next and finally the twins as they examined one another.

"Do you love this world and the life afforded to you by your magic? Do you feel fortunate to be a part of it?"

Again slow nods of assent. They were uncertain where Al was going with his line of questioning.

"Well then, before you stand thirteen witches and wizards who have pledged on pain of death to follow my direction and serve the interests of my order. The Jade Rabbits were formed out of our joint belief that the shifting politics in France, Spain and now Russia may lead us to a great and final war. With each other… and perhaps the muggles. We believe based on our relative intelligence and positions in the global machinery… that forces will seek to manipulate myself and Scor, as well as many of you present—"

Al indicated a hand towards Markus and the Muramasa twins and then to Ariana and the Scamanders.

"—In order to effectuate a preferable outcome to such a war. The Jade Rabbits are here formed to confound all who would abuse us. We are here to be each other's family. We are here to attempt to preserve peace at all costs and short of that to forge a secret body in Britain, Italy and Japan that will be permanently dedicated to the protection of those most at risk of tyranny. To that end we have several objectives. To be a family we need a home. I would like to discuss amongst our first orders of business a palace for the organization, situated in a pocket dimension on the moon. Here I offer you a retreat and a permanent residence amongst your new family should you ever require it."

The seven gathered were all adults more or less, they guarded their skepticism of our ability to accomplish this enormous endeavor to themselves. Nobody whispered or turned to each other this time. Although Rose, Aurora, Max and Melody did take audible note at the ambitious suggestion.

"I also will need funds to support our family and its operations. Scor and I have invested in my father and uncles international chain of retail stores and have profited handsomely from it. I invent potions and Scor has reallocated our profits into real estate and other ventures. We make enough now to offer income and other benefits to members, although we are aware many of you are already… well… loaded."

A chuckle ran through the crowd at that.

"The order therefore will front as a business organization running potions research as well as real estate development and some music components also."

"Where does music come into this?" Victoire asked out of curiosity.

"Al is the Asp. We anticipate he's going to make more off his music now that there are all these talbloid mentions of our performances during the carnival." Alex shot at Victoire. "We have an idea for a nightclub we'd like you to be involved with as well. Great place to run a spy network." The black haired boy added to Louis's sister.

That one did elicit a wave of shock from our younger members who had not yet been informed Al was the ASP.

APOV

"Let me get this straight. You want my brother, who will one day be emperor of Japan, to bow to you?" Izanami questioned haughtily. Her twin held a hand up, still interested in this clearly mad proposal. I marveled at the shimmer of their silver hair beneath the glow of the moon. It was a platinum silver so like the eyes of the dark elves of the deep places.

Mizuki smiled, clearly entertained by her half siblings.

Victoire's hand rested firmly on her chin in a thinking pose.

Raven, ever my brilliant tactical mind, had enticed her with the musical aspect of the arrangement. Victoire had always wanted to own a nightclub. Like her mother, she was extraordinarily gifted with healing magic, but that was not her true passion. She was in fact currently a weekend promoter for one such club in London, trying to learn the ropes while she served as nurse during her day job at Saint Mungo's.

"This is not strictly about obeisance. We may follow Al's commands, but make no mistake he serves us. The reason we have pledged ourselves to this cause is a huge component of our pitch. I don't know why Al is being so modest as to ignore this." Scor began stepping forward to further sell everyone on my vision for the order.

"Al jumped in front of dragon fire to save the Scamander twins mother from immolation. He has jumped in front of certain death to safeguard me as well. His magical prowess saved Louis Weasleys father from death at the hands of very dark magic. He leaps to his loved ones defenses, and he's taught me to do the same. I would not have joined the battle at Azkaban were it nor for his example. Prince of the font of Love indeed."

"It's true." Max added. "Al and Scorpius risked a huge sum of money recently to save my family from ruin! They had no idea if the bailout would be repaid and Scor leapt at the opportunity to convince his father of my family's cause. I would be destroyed if not for these two."

"I would give everything to the boys. They're my best friends." Aurora explained simply.

"We would die to protect Al. He already risked the same for us." The Scamanders proclaimed bravely. Smiling at me.

This time Louis spoke up, catching my hand and eyeing me his obvious support. "I would be fatherless if not for Al's reckless galdrar. He saved Bill and the weasley-delacour clan owes him everything as such."

"Ok then… so your valor and charisma command loyalty and respect. Despite your youth. Clearly your performance during the duel, hunt, and tonight, set you young ones apart. Why does this mean we should follow you into the creation of a covert spy organization? We two will inherit Japan, Markus will command all of Italy. The Potter clan will further consolidate power in Britain. Clearly you have huge plans. But how can you deliver on them?" Izanagi inquired logically. The older teens and adults nodded.

"Spy network? Al aims at far greater things than mere power Agi. Do not forget that he is already prince of the font of Love. His rank is equal to Markus, equal to Hermeus and Arcanis Hecate, equal to Aberforth Dumbledore and Augsutin Valois, equal to Harry Potter, and to your grandfather the emperor."

"What purpose does Al claim to have that could possibly eclipse the one already outlined by our illustrious earl Muramasa?" Sorensen inquired skeptically. "A spy organization is ambitious enough as is… and so far that's all he's claimed to want."

"He wishes to turn the muggles into wizards. All of them." Raven proclaimed imperiously, not a hint of doubt in his tone. His conviction in my ability was blinding.

Everyone but Victoire laughed this time. The laughter died down when Scor began singing the lyrics of Asheras Aria that we had performed just an hour ago. Memories flashed in my mind of me naked on the roof. The blond had sung the words softly to me as he circled then too. I pushed the thoughts and feelings aside, the soreness inside of me a fearful reminder of the events that had occurred not fifteen minutes prior.

"And how do the boys intend to accomplish this folly?" Ariana teased in disbelief.

Everyone turned to us then, even Vivienne and our other inducted members. Not even Lily and Raven had been told about this secret yet. They all were waiting with bated breath for some sign. I knew my hidden red knights, who were carefully positioned out of sight, were equally eager to hear this. 'They would soon be emerald knights… mine… not my fathers.' i thought to myself.

"It pains me but my first official order is to command those of you present to protect this secret with your very lives. You will seize or kill anyone who attempts to leave here with knowledge of it who has not sworn likewise to die protecting it." I ordered. It was invasive to have to issue binding commands to my friends. It however was entirely necessary. The blood vials glowed hot against our skin as the contract bound us all to act at my direction. Lily and Aurora drew their wands and so did Raven and the Scamanders.

"BEHOLD THEN, THE WISDOM OF THE GODDESS ASHERA!" I shouted.