ARC IV: BETROTHAL NEGOTIATIONS

3 days have passed today is the meeting of House Greengrass and the Rapax in order to activate the contract, Hogwarts students are returning home the next day. On the gates of the Mansion we find both lord Greengrass and his wife waiting for the delegation of the Rapax to join them.

Edward POV:

I couldn't help but being nervous Elizabeth and me were dress in our finest wizard robes ready to greet our guest, my wife is looking beautiful as always. She braid her hair and apply little make up. It seems she wish to impress our guest. And judge the young Rapax heir that will be marrying Daphne she has always been very protective of our daughters.

``Edward I can`t believe we are finally meeting them, my family was a great ally. I think we can trust them with my past, they have never broken their oaths in all their history one of their biggest regret was failing to save my family`whisper my wife

`` If you are sure my love you know how dangerous your true family name is. But I know this is for the best of the family, the gringotts representative are waiting on our hall we just need them to arrive to begin and seal the contract``

`` Yeah the house elves are going nuts in the kitchens as always hahaha, I tell them to take it easy but they always go overboard``

My wife then rubs her temple it seems this visit is stressful enough for her after all even if she isn't showing it she must be remembering all those harsh memories from her teenager days, her hidden identity the fear of been discover.

``I know well let's get…..``

CRACK CRACK then for the first time in our lives we fear the thunder

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

``HIAAAAAAAAAAAAA`` screams my wife

Whatever I was about to say was interrupted by a great explosion like thunder nearly knocking us back from the force, as the head of the family I could feel they broke through the wards, ``that's impossible`` I thought those wards are a thousand years old each family member feeding them with their magic getting stronger with each generation, the whole house tremble with the force of the impact. I went to grab Elizabeth her high heels make her lost her balance.

``What the hell was that`` Says Elizabeth a little scare grabbing to me for fear of falling after all that explosion could have been heard all the way to Scotland

``It seems the first card was play, they broke through the wards, a show of power in its finest`` Then I turned to look across the gates and see a 100 men crouch on the floor and the XXI banners with the storm dragon roaring proudly.

After looking at their banners I could relax ``It seem our guest have arrived``

``They sure like their flashy entrances, which scare the shit out of me`` said my wife with and angry huff.

A sudden pop and Norpy appear she was trembling house elves are a lot more sensitive to magic than we are ``my lord your guest have arrived they strong, never had I felt so much raw magic you be careful sir`` with that Norpy disappear.

Once Elizabeth regain her balance and calm down `` Come my love let`s meet the legend made flesh``.

Holding my wife hand we moved to meet the Rapax. But before I could take a few steps I almost lost consciousness.

Maurice POV:

As always dad loves to show off, o well nobody ever die because of a thunder strike right?… well no blood on our shoes or ash so I guess we were lucky now back to business.

``COHORT FORM TESTUDO`` the strategic procedure after teleporting to a battlefield, secure your surroundings and be ready for any attack. The 100 men we brought with us unleash their shields, our shields transform from the watch every legionary has to carry on missions on their wrist. The men are quick to form ranks and activate the shields as they have drilled thousands of times. They can even do it blind.

The Legionaries carry a set of Roman lightweight armor, which is enchanted to be almost unbreakable and aloud a lot of mobility. Then they carry a small back that is enchanted to store a lot of items (like Hermione bag on book 7) where they take all of their gear. After the testudo formation is secure I use my senses to feel the area around us just in case. Thanks to my magic my senses are heighten to beyond human capabilities that`s all you need to know for now. Well it seems it`s clear. What a beautiful state this is.

``CLEAR SIR`` yelled back the men

``COHHORT MARCH FORMATION`` the legionaries drop down their shields and get ready to march.

`FORWARD`` then we begin our march in good old roman military fashion to the house of Lord Greengrass my future father in law, I'm a little nervous after all I remember what my father talked to me before coming here.

Flashback

``Son there is something you need to know our spies has heard rumors that this voldemort is dealing with things that could potentially harm and destroy our world. His control over the dementors is a little worrying specially if he digs deeper and mess with the things beyond his control and we vow to protect this world against``

``I know father, the things mom fought to stop cannot be allowed to walk this earth again the wizards are too week and blind to deal with them they will get massacred and will only grow their numbers``

``Yes my son I have always regret all the duty's you had to carry on your back since you were young, your mother left us before we could give you a brother so you had to carry the heavy weight of leadership and our family legacy on your back from a young age, and that is something I regret.

I always have your uncle helping me which is why I'm sending you to Hogwarts to keep your fiancé safe and get to known her also to find what that dark lord is planning, and also to keep an eye on that old cunt that try to subjugate us all those years ago after we save their asses on the front line from Grindelwald forces.

But what I want the most is for you to enjoy 2 years like a normal teenager for once that is long overdue that is my gift to you my son, for your loyalty and your service to our legion and our family duty. ``

``Thank you father I will try to not to kill those conceited wanna be wizards, but I don't make any promises though hehehe

After all I might go crazy if I have to learned their weakling magic, I can't believe they have to use wood sticks`` I said rubbing my temple

``HAHAHAHA GIVE THEM HELL MY BOOOY just try not to use our magic too much you might scared them for life as we did with the Germans and Russians

Also see if your fiancé can learn any form of our magic that might keep you from getting bored with Hogwarts curriculum``

``we shall father see we shall see. So are the Greengrass good? What do you known about them? Nothing we need to worry about? ``

'' Yes I can`t find anything worrisome from our spies report they seem to have a blood affliction but that`s something you can deal with one of the Egyptian rituals, and they also were very careful with inbreeding. To keep their family strong. After all our blood is strong and it keeps getting stronger with each generation.

The only curios thing is that it seems the mother is a mystery here it says she is a half-blood but my gut is telling me something is going on. O well that is something we will have to see after all our abilities are not just useful for combat``. With that I went to train as always

Flashback end.

As we were starting to move to the mansion I felt fathers magical output. If a mage is not used to elemental manipulation the raw magical strength of the elemental mage can knock you unconscious before you can figure out was going on. And father is a level beyond Elemental manipulation as am I.

``Father try to hide your magic, you will knock the Greengrass out otherwise`` I tell him with our communicator on our helmets. As I see Lord Greengrass grabbing his head but Lady Greengrass seems fine that's interesting.

I have a lot more practice at not showing the mighty magical energy of our family, because I like to hang out with the muggles that share the forest with us in exchange of protection. And also the muggles make great things, it would be a Hassel if I went to a store to buy something on a crowded street and knock everyone down. Like the new PS5 and Nintendo switch yeah muggles are great.

`` Yes yes always such an annoyance give me a second` `my father relaxed his posture and then drop his magic power really low to a bearable amount for my future family. They sure have a good piece of land though and the mansion looks really nice too. But nothing can compare to the beauty of our city and our forest.

We arrive at the mansion Lord Edward Greengrass is waiting for us with his wife they seem more calm now, I take a second too long to look at her I have never see a woman as beautiful as Elizabeth nee greengrass if any of her daughters look remotely like her then I'm the luckiest guy in the world. If I could describe her it would be a holly type of beauty something you would expect from a princess in a fantasy book.

And not only that I could sense a weird type of energy coming from her that would explain how she could stand father base energy, strange this feels like the Romanov father told me about, I turned to look at my father and I see a shocked expression on his face then a grins like it's his birthday believe me I know that look too well. And it only means trouble.

``My son it seems things are getting interesting here lets go`` then father proceeds to walk a little faster.

Then we proceed to walk the rest of the way taking a feel of the Manors and families magic. Nothing impressive though

Once we arrive at their door, it's my turn again:

``COHORT STOP MARCH`` All the soldiers stop at once, in perfect sync with each other.

``FORM A PERIMETER``

After the men break ranks to form a perimeter and patrol the family state we do not expect and attack but only a fool marches to unknown territory without taking some defensive measures. After the soldiers go to do their duty my father and I went to shake hands with Lord Greengrass and kiss Lady Elizabeth hand.

Edward POV:

I don't know what I was going to see but I felt the cold breath of death on my back for a moment, the wards of my home are consider to be one if not the strongest in wizard Britain, and they were penetrated in a second by the Rapax. They took no more than 3 seconds to begin their military march, as far as we were we could feel how the magic in the air change it became stronger more ferocious and primal like a dragon ready to unleash its fury to the world. I almost lost consciousness if it wasn't for Elizabeth who share some of the magic with me.

Here comes the legend in the flesh men with roman like armor and shields, on this day weird, but well they make and impressive force marching like that to our home. I turned to see my wife smiling at a young man who was looking at us a moment ago, that must be Maurice the heir and future leader of the legion he is tall and looks build for war. That's exactly what we need. I hope he is worthy of my daughter. And not and arrogant ass like Lucius son.

Then they send their soldiers to make a perimeter he has a strong command voice, a quality he will need, as he helps Daphne on the wizengamot.

Then they shake our hands and kiss my wife hands as our customs dictate, they have a strong grip and I could tell they weren`t applying any pressure, a scary thought for later.

``Welcome Augustus Rapax and Maurice to the ancestral home of the Greengrass family please follow my wife Elizabeth she will lead you to the meeting hall, there we will negotiate the final terms of the contract and celebrate this glorious union the goblins are waiting for us there``

``If you will excuse me I need to restore the wards after your impressive entrance`` I can't help to feel a little embarrassed for that after all it's a pain to restore wards as they have never been breached after de 15 century.

``hehe sure Lord and Lady Greengrass as praetor of the XXI I'm honor to keep the promise of my ancestors and pay back our debt to your ancestors`` As my father was saying this, my father only had eyes for Lady Greengrass as if looking for something in her features.

Then we went inside the manor following lady Greengrass.

MAURICE POV:

The manor is impressive we follow my future mother in law whose beauty is hard to put on words alone, We go through some hallways were we see portraits of Greengrass ancestors saying hi to their lady and looking at us with curiosity after a while we reach the hall were the goblins greet us. After looking at the paintings on the way it seems the ethereal beauty comes from the mother side of the family, now my father seem familiar whit her magical energy as I feel his magic trying to look for something I guess I will find out soon enough.

``Praetor and heir it`s an honor as always to be in your presence`` Says one of the goblins once we reach the main hall, after all Gringotts is a dear ally of ours as they also make their own weapon and armor. And share some cultural similitudes both being warrior societies.

``It's good to see gringotts present`` my father then turns to lady Greengrass

``Now before we begin I must offer you my regret for failing your family my lady and be overjoy that I finally found the last survivor of your family, I heard rumors that one member survive but I'm happy to see they were true``

I turned to look at Elizabeth now very curios the only failures of my father were two, the death of my mother who died honorably on the battlefield and the magical Romanovs death on after World War I. There where two Romanian lines the muggle one that died out and the one that rule the magical side of the country but they were also hunted down and slaughtered.

``Wait don`t tell me`` I widen my eyes for a second. So that's the energy I felt.

``It seems your son has figured it out praetor``. Says Elizabeth with a smile on her face almost laughing while looking at my surprise expression.

My name is Elizabeth nee Greengrass granddaughter of the last magical Romanov king my family was hunt and kill because of a magic ability unique in my bloodline, but for me it's nothing more than a curse that brought my family downfall`` Elizabeth said with a sad look on her face, after all she must have lived a harsh life, never trusting anyone, always looking behind your back. Lying who she was in order to survive. Most likely like her mother before her.

``Not a curse Lady Elizabeth but a gift which we fail to protect and for that I'm sorry`` said my father bowing to Lady Elizabeth then she blushes after all we do not bow to the weak. That simple act it's impressive on its own unique way.

``Worry not Praetor I survive thanks to my grandmother and mothers sacrifice they were sent into hiding after the fall of our family before my mother was discover after years of hiding she save me and fake my death when I was born. I was raised by a British family basal of the Greengrass but ally to the Romanovs, they raised me like their own daughter and told me of my heritage when I went to Hogwarts. I was supposed to marry my husband for protection but we actually fell in love.

And now your son has to keep my daughter safe because she is carrying the same burden as I did when I was her age, a burden that has been pass down in my family from one person per generation to the next``

I looked at my future mother in law eyes only looking at them I could feel the worry and the undying love she has for her daughter. I gave her a small but reassuring smile then I unleash lightning magic that surrounded me and shower the room in a yellow glow low enough for them to keep. The only sound you could hear is the sound of electricity cracking.

`` You have nothing to worry about lady Greengrass I will not fail your daughter I swear this on the dragon of our flag`` everyone turn to look at the emblem of our Legion the storm dragon.

Then my mother in law gave me a radiant smile that made me blush,

`` I'm glad and please call me Elizabeth we will become family after all``

``We will be in your care I will also help your daughter with your family magic as we deal with something kind of similar. `` My father it's almost laughing after all we deal with something a 1000 times worse.

In that moment Edward Greengrass enter the hall.

``Good everyone is here now let's negotiate the terms of the contract, as we have already send in letter we want the protection of the XXI legion against the dark lord Voldemort and join the legion as vassal to house Rapax.

In exchange we will marry my heir Daphne, heir to the Grenngrass and carrier of the Romanov gift to your son and heir Maurice Rapax, also Greengrass exports will join the legion as a business partner. ``I couldn't help but be happy, that's good after all Greengrass Exports is one of the biggest companies in Britain in both the muggle and the wizard world.

``What else my love``` Lord Greengrass asks his wife.

``Also we want Maurice to join Daphne and Astoria at Hogwarts to protect them`` She is looking nervous after that request but lucky for them my father wants the same.

``We would like that for my son to experience a normal school live we own him that much for all he has done for our legion on the battlefield.`` My father says this with a smile on his face. ``Also you need to help me with the transfer after all we do not exist for your government`` if there is one thing my father sucks at its doing errands.

``Welcome house Greengrass may our union be bless by the gods`` Says my father

What happens later was the signing of the contract and the discussion on the finer details it seems we will marry when Daphne reaches 20 years of age so in 4 years I will also go to Hogwarts as a transfer student to keep her safe, some on the things that had happen on that school on the last 5 years sound like fun. We will meet on the train to give us time to come to terms with the contract, also one of our sons must carry the greengrass name which is fine by me and that`s basically it and some other business minor details.

Well let`s hope my future wife doesn't kill me after all she is coming home in two days and I will see her after 3 months because we have legion business to deal with, it seems a crazy vampire in south America is making stupid soul experiments and has to be deal with. Well all I can say is that I have seen her picture and can`t wait to meet her, she is even more beautiful than her mother and I thought that was impossible.

After the contract was sign by our parents, me and my father are walking back to meet our soldiers. When suddenly my father stops. And suddenly before us is Augustus Rapax Praetor of the legion.

``Just a quick warning Lord and lady Greengrass as we are now allies we will bleed and die for you.`` Then he looks directly to their eyes and all I can see is fear in my in-laws as my father raises his magic and unlocks the level 2.

`` But betray us and you will see firsthand what we are capable of``` my father is not focusing on unleashing more magic power that's just the standard amount at that level but it seems enough to bring the Greengrass to their knees.

I put a hand on my father's shoulder

``Father I think that's enough`` Lady Elizabeth is holding her own, but lord Greengrass is going the get knock out any moment. Then my father turns off the magic and with a big smile he said.

``Welcome to the Legion`` after that we help the Greengrass with some potions, at least they kept their guts most of their kind would have faint. It seems my future wife family is not too bad, well considering their kind that is. Then I go to lord Greengrass who is a little paler than his wife.

`` Lord Greengrass as long as you stay true to your oath`s this power will keep your family save this I swear on my honor`` after that I shake his hand in a sign of respect.

After that we left by our teleport magic, and start the preparations for our battle on the South American Amazon jungle.