ARC II: LORD GREENGRASS TAKES A GAMBLE:
It`s a quiet summer evening Hogwarts students are riding the train home in a week after the year of the toad as some are calling it. On the Greengrass state at the south of England a big white mansion at the top of a small hill the architecture is beautiful surrounded by grassy fields as far the eye can see with a lake on the horizon. This is the ancestral home of House Greengrass a member of the sacred 28 British families whose origins could be trace back to before the time of Camelot and Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardly. They settle on this land when the romans were the rulers of the known world, for their service to the empire they have been awarded this land, since then they have been growing the family business in trade and potion making.
But dark times are coming and we find lord Edward Greengrass in his study planning the best course of action to keep his family save, when Elizabeth nee greengrass enters his study carrying her daughters letters telling her everything that has happen this year and some others, it seems it's time to talk about the future of Britain and of their family.
Lord Greengrass office is warm with a big desk in front of a large window with a nice view of the state plains a big chimney with a roaring fire and some sofas in front make for a nice room.
EDWARD POV:
Dark times are coming, it`s the end of Daphne 5th and Astoria 3rd years and finally it seems the war is beginning to take its course as I read the newspaper in front of me, after a year of trashy propaganda against the potter boy and that piece of shit Albus, it seems the ministry has finally take their head out of their asses, and realize the danger we are all facing.
DAMM IT ALL!, all I wanted for my daughters was a normal childhood but now it seems I need to act to save my family, it`s at that moment when I hear the door creek open only to see my beautiful wife Elizabeth nee Greengrass enter the study, o how lucky I am really Elizabeth has short blond hair falling to her shoulders a slender figure that both my daughters have inherited smooth white skin and a pair of beautiful green eyes that since I can remember can read me like an open book. Both my daughters have inherit my wife looks. She walks and stands in front of my desk. Then I say.
``Hello my love come there is much we need to discuss, I had lost count have many letters they have send seeking to negotiate a marriage contract for our daughters as if any of their sons are worthy of my babies `` Then Elizabeth tosses the marriage letters to the fire.
``Yes the dark lords followers have finally step out of the shadows and are growing more bold with their treats, we need to keep our daughters save if words gets out about my family origin they are going to be in as much danger just as the potter boy and that cannot happen. We have erased every trace but if they found out, Daphne could be in grave danger. ``. Says Elizabeth with worry on her face.
Yes my love they are getting bolder, today lord Nott came to tell me the benefits of joining his lord side and the consequences of not supporting their new order. They want our daughters hand in marriage for their pureblood status, especially because of their magical ability which is really high compare to the other purebloods. Of course we have always been careful with the marriage in my family, with the Greengrass curse we couldn't afford to further weaken any descendant with inbreeding. But if they discover your family's abilities then I'm afraid I can`t keep them safe even with your gift and our family's business. Thankfully thanks to your family gift there is no trace from the course from Daphne and Astoria symptoms are not as bad as they should be. `` I say with sorrow on my face only thinking about the curse that runs in my family`s blood. Astoria was diagnose last year.
Elizabeth takes a seat on her sofa, near my desk and the fireplace. That`s her favorite spot. Then she puts our daughter's letters on her tea table for me to read later. She then cross her legs while sitting and takes a comfortable position on her sofa.
``So tell me what have you found, you look a lot more relax compare to last couple of days now spill it`` says Elizabeth while narrowing her eyes at me.
As always she reads me like a book, o well the price of a happy marriage life. Oh shit she is getting impatient better tell her or my live is in danger.
``After taking into consideration every single option, I was getting desperate then I remember when I was young my father always used to say, When the family is in great danger look for our oldest contract it carries the greatest power of our world. So that`s what I did. I went to gringotts this morning and with the help from the goblins found this in the main vault it belonged to one of my ancestors it`s 5 years after the fall of Rome here take a look`` I opened the first drawer from my desk, and pass the contract to Elizabeth. It looks completely new even though it's a 1000 years old. The seal of the 21st legion is still intact.
Elizabeth looks surprise and takes the contract and begins to read its contents I can`t wait to see her reaction this is a godsend I can`t believe it was never use before forgotten in our vaults o well, I can only thank my ancestors for not been the hasty type. At that time when the contract was made that family was in dire need of help, my ancestors were offer this contract as thanks. They must have kept it for insurance if they could rise again to their former glory, and what a good investment it was. This will keep my family safe forever. Then I heard shock gasp from my wife.
`` This is impossible Edward some idiots may have forgotten or believe them to be a legend, but my family has always held a great amount of respect for them and their battle progress. How your ancestors did managed this? The contract is completely on our favor. This is crazy every pureblood family without a doubt would give away their whole fortune and land for a contract like this. `` Said Elizabeth with and astonish expression on her face.
I took a deep breath and start updating Elizabeth of what I found on the family vault specially my ancestor's journals.
`` As you know after the death of the Cedric boy I send our agents to the dark shades of our society (knockturn ally) to find the truth, after we discover he is back as you know, we realize that neutrality will not keep us save this time. ``
``So following my father's words I went to gringotts to look at our family vault, that`s where I found this magical contract, we can activate the contract because the requirements are met. The contract was made to unite our current heir in this case Daphne of the most noble house of Greengrass. To the current heir of the RAPAX of the 21 XXI legion in marriage. Second to aloud house Greengrass access to the cities on the Caledonian forest and their permanent protection as one of the Rapax house vassals. Third Greengrass exports will aid the 21st legion on its sworn duty to this world. And to add some other conditions if the Greengrass so wish with the approval of the current praetor. ``
``It all began after they arrived on Britain, it was winter they were worn out by the harsh battles of trying to save the empire, their greatest shame. They were vulnerable and this close to facing the end on these harsh lands. But my ancestors help them and ensure their survival, in exchange they wrote this betrothal contract for our family as thanks. ``
As I finish my story I can see my wife fingers playing with her necklace a gift from my late father on our wedding, her long nails tapping the ruby in a timely manner, which means she is nervous.
`` My love after our union we swore to never marry our daughters of to a loveless marriage. We were lucky to grow our relationship in what it is today and I had no other option it was marriage or face a fate worse than death because of my family magic. But now I think I'm the luckiest wife in the world. `` says Elizabeth
She tells me with a radiant smile on her face, o how I love my wife. But with a sad expression on my face I push my auburn hair back my blue eyes looking at Elizabeth's green eyes like emeralds.
I sigh `` yes I know but I can`t find any other option besides I manage to contact the clan head the praetorian, the heir to the clan is a year and a halve older than Daphne and is a male by the name of Maurice Rapax heir of his families legacy.
``Which means the contract can be activated guess lady Fortuna has smile upon our family in this time of danger. ``. Says Elizabeth while putting the contract on the small coffee table between the sofas.
`` We need to meet him first, but I'm afraid of Daphne's reaction we are taking a future choice out of her`` Says Elizabeth with a worry expression on her face, I also share her opinion our daughter can be very stubborn sometimes.
``Worry not my love, I asked Tracey and Astoria it seems our daughter is embracing her ice queen persona to level greater than yours as funny and convenient as it sounds``
`` O sod off, you would have took the same choice if you couldn't walk from class to class with halve the male population trying to take a look or gain your attention including you at the beginning``.
My faces turns red for a moment, trying to bury my teen hormonal picking lines that should never be spoken of again `` that's just how breath taking beautiful you are my love, but we know I didn`t fall in love with you because of your Aphrodite like looks``
Know it`s Elizabeth turn to blush HA I still got it, better keep my face neutral or I will regret it later.
I know my love, I know`` she tells me with a smile on her face. As she picks a lock of hair behind her ear.
`` Don`t worry Elizabeth, Daphne only male friend Blaise seems to be just that, and who knows maybe they are meant for each other and they would have never met if I didn't find this contract``
``Well it seems our plans is on the move, once they know who our family will marriage some of the wizengamot will keep to themselves, maybe some will be as stupid as challenge them, thanks to that old cunt who wants to play god with the lives of others and all of it for his greater good, with his headmaster and chief warlock influence every trace of them has been destroy`` says my wife with and angry scold on her face, I stand and go to give her a hug,
`` I know your family needs to be avenged and maybe the Rapax will finally bring justice to your family``. I give her a kiss on the temple
`` Let's hope that's the case Edward, now come it`s almost time for dinner let's not anger our elves by being late again`` She leaves my embrace and pushes her hair over her shoulders to her back. And starts going to the dining room.
`` I will send the owl for the activation of the contract as is our right and asking for a meeting, then I will join you``
`` Don't make me wait long my love. I might send the elves after you if you take too long`` I then proceed to hurry up, elves can be scary when they want to be.
The girls are arriving home in five days. I hope Daphne takes this well, let`s hope I'm making the right choice for my family. After I activate the contract I summon Norpy my personal elf.
``Please Norpy make a copy and send one to gringotts and for the other one, send one of our owls to Caledonian forest, to house Rapax``
Norpy eyes widen like dish's and goes to do his duty it seem even the elves know the might of house Rapax, well now we wait. After that I leave my study and join Elizabeth for diner. Without knowing that my decision will make the Greengrass family rise to heights never achieve before.
