August the 1st. Hogsmeade.
Crack of the apparition sounded in the sleepy village, located a small distance away from Hogwarts. Henry looked around, seeing that the village was still largely sleeping, as he fixed up the collar of his coat, as he moved past it. He wasn't fearful of either Dumbledore or his cronies tailing him, or catching the wind of him being so close to their de-facto headquarters. He has shielded himself via several charms, as well as one of House Le Fay's artifacts, which would make certain that his magical trail wasn't traced. And along with that, Dumbledore and his cohorts have had their hands full, dealing with the massive storm that Harry had caused them in the Wizengamot yesterday.
Yesterday was the golden mine for the journalists, as todays' newspapers would be brim filled with all kinds of headlines and stories about him. He was already guessing just what kind of rubbish Rita Skitter would write up about him, although she was strangely absent during the meeting in the Wizengamot, not that she was missed by anyone.
Harry certainly didn't miss her, considering that he owed a very great deal of his original infamy to that horrendously dressed harlot, who eat out of Potters' palm stories about how dark and bad he was. And from what Rose had told him about her writings about his trial… It was safe to state that Rita Skitter won't be getting any exclusives from Prince Le Fay. And speaking of exclusive interviews, he'd have to find someone for that role, someone who could write up the truthful and backed up by facts story, not to mention who would make a good PR messenger for Prince Le Fay.
But for now he decided to leave those thoughts out of his mind, instead focusing up on what was really important to him at that moment. And that was his first love and girlfriend, and a quite possible wife, had things turned out differently, Tracey Davis. If there was ever someone whom Harry had trusted to the same extent as Rose, Nymphadora and Cassiopeia Black, it would have to be Tracey Davis, his first friend, his closest friend and later on, his lover.
Their relations have formed up from the fact that the rest of Slytherin House had despised them and saw them as weaklings and beneath the general class. Even Snape regarded them just as badly as he belittled those of non-magical origin, despite the two being his very best students in nearly every field. At first, the two seemed to be on route to becoming rivals in studies, but as the stigma of outcasts settled in, and Tracey's only friend, Daphne Greengrass, had distanced herself from Davis because of her own reputation, Harry and Tracey found themselves growing closer and closer.
They started to hang out with one another, first making up their own small study group of just two of them, and then later experimenting with some of the more obscure and forbidden forms of magic. One such field of magic turned out to Blood Magic, which they decided to try and practice, which was an incredibly foolish move for the two second year students. They evidently had made a mess of things, when they've formed up a Blood Oath between the two of them, which bound them for life to a certain condition.
Such Oaths, or Pacts as they are also known, can enforce Wizards and Witches to do something that they may not want. For an example with Harry and Tracey, they made an Oath to tell and hold no lies from one another, but also to not reveal the secrets of one another. And as they've soon discovered after that, they were utterly unable to hold any truth from one another, when Harry had truthfully admitted to Tracey that she was just as important to him as Rose was. Tracey was in shock, before blurting out that she has been crushing on him probably since the end of their first year.
This and some other revelations had put a small dent on their relations, forcing them to keep a distance from one another for a bit. However, not two weeks later, the two were back together, only now learning to trust one another even more with their truths. As it turned out, they adjusted quite well to it, so much so, that by the beginning of their third year, they were officially dating one another, and in their fourth year, they've admitted their love for one another, before consummating it.
Harry and Tracey were secretive of their relations, and for a good reason. Very few knew of it, with Rose and Nymphadora being included. Neither had wanted to become something that their enemies could use against each other, which in their case, they considered most of today's members of Light and Dark families. Not even Daphne Greengrass, who had later managed to see past her folly and rebuild her friendship with Tracey, and later become a friend to Harry himself, didn't know of her two friends' relationship. It was something very precious to Harry and Tracey, something that had silently vowed to protect no matter what.
Their relations had proceeded throughout the entire course of their learning in Hogwarts, all the way until Harry's trial, when he had to make a choice between saving his sister and damning himself to Azkaban, or speaking the truth and still damning himself, but also Rose. He knew that there were no alternatives, not with Ministry and Dumbledore working against him, so he chose to sack himself, and break the vow to Tracey.
He could still remember her eyes filled with tears and how he stayed off her with his mere gaze at her. Memories of them being together had been among the most favored and delicious snacks to Dementors, but Harry had managed to preserve it all in his mind, keeping it all to himself. To a certain degree, those memories had saved him in Azkaban, along with memories of Rose and his true family.
It has been over two years now, and as Harry approached a small clearing some distance away from Hogsmeade, he once more gazed at the beauty that was Tracey. She stood there, waiting for him, eyes locked on to him, studying him, analyzing and waiting for him. Harry had carried the memory of them throughout the entire stay in Azkaban, and even though he was now sharing his heart with Nymphadora, he could never abandon or forsake what he had with Tracey.
Just one look at her inflamed the feelings inside his heart once more, and Nym knew of those feelings, and she knew how much Tracey meant to Harry. He was honest with her yesterday, when they were alone in his room, and Nym took it surprisingly well, stating that she always knew that Tracey was someone absolutely special for him, and she wouldn't stand between them. So she accepted the fact of her lover still loving his first love, and allowed him to go to her and talk to her.
Harry knew that he and Tracey would have much to talk about, and that he would be completely and utterly honest with her, not just because of the Oath, but also because he wanted to be honest with her. As he reached the clearing of the ridge, that overlooked the thick forests below the hill and far away in the distance, Tracey looked at him and spoke up.
"Do you remember how we first met one another?" Tracey asked of him, with Harry nodding to her. "We were both looking for a spot to study in quiet, and both ended up here through our separate ways."
"And we've argued for a better half of an hour before we decided to simply sit on the opposite sides of it, each having turned our backs to one another, seemingly buried in our books." Harry said to Tracey. "And can't say for you, but I personally was stealing quite a few glances at you."
"So was I, when I knew you weren't leering at me." Harry and Tracey chuckled a little. "You never did have much of a talent to keep such things hidden, didn't you?"
"Not from you, especially if I wanted to a certain degree to be found out." Harry said softly to her, taking a few steps closer to her, with Tracey not stepping away from him. "Tracey, I… I know you must be mad at me…"
"Mad?" She repeated, with her ember eyes flashing up with anger, but also welling up with tears. "Do you think I am mad at you, Harry? Do you think that I am mad at the man I've loved, who had decided to go to Azkaban for the crime he didn't commit? Do you think that I am mad at the fact that for the last two years, I've spent near every waking moment of my life mourning you and trying to move on?! Is that what you think?!" Tracey screamed at him, with Harry not even flinching.
"Yes." Harry admitted to her without any hesitation, their Pact in action. "That and the fact that chose to do what I did, instead of trying to fight on, like I used to do. Weren't you mad at me for that?"
"Of bloody course I was mad at you! I was bloody furious that you've seemingly given up, but that's nothing, compared to the realization that the man I love, the man I've given my heart to, was taken away from me!" Tracey screamed at him, as her tears began to fall without any restraint. "Two years, Harry… I-It took me two agonizing years, j-just to start thinking about moving on, f-for the pain to settle down a little. And then you come back, like a blessing, or a curse…" She said in a weak voice to him, not bothering with the tears running on her chocolate dark skin.
"I didn't know how much you were hurt, not even remotely, but it was an agony for me too to do what I did. And in hindsight… I may've done differently if I had the chance to turn it all back." Harry admitted to Tracey.
"Then why didn't you do it back then, why not stand your ground and fight on?" Tracey demanded to know of from Harry. "Why, Harry? Why didn't you tell them the truth? I was there, and I had helped you find out what was going on, I could've testified for you. I would've even shared your fate, just to be with you, but instead… Why didn't you tell them the truth, Harry?"
"Because if I did so, I would be condemning not just myself, but also Rose to Azkaban, Tracey." Harry said to her in a grim tone of voice, with Tracey looking at him with slightly widened eyes. "You of all people know how much I care about those that are my true family, those that are truly important to me. Can you imagine me ever putting Rose into any kind of danger? And do you think I would ever allow you to suffer alongside me?"
"No, you would die before letting Rose get hurt, and Dumbledore with others knew it all too well." Tracey said in a calmer tone of voice, with Harry nodding to her. "This is why you've never considered making our relations official and known in public. You've always been afraid of it being used against us."
"Used agaisnt those that I love, as it was done. I can bear with pain done to me, but not to the others." Harry admitted to her, with Tracey smiling to him a little.
"You were always a bit of a naïve hero, Harry… And I am glad that you still are." Tracey said to him. "Even though the looks have changed significantly, I can still see the real you. However, do you mind explaining, how did you manage to get out of Azkaban and find yourself becoming Prince Le Fay of all things?"
"After the Triwizard Tournament and return of Voldemort, Amelia Bones was contacted by Rose, who was in the hiding with our aunt Cassiopeia Black. She provided Bones the evidence of me not being guilty and fighting Tom Riddle reborn. After checking the records of the trial and finding it to be rubbish, she came to me in Azkaban in the beginning of July and offered a deal: I'm getting out in exchange for destroying Voldemort. I agreed, and with the help Andromeda Tonks, her daughter and one other Auror, they've orchestrated my death in the dungeons of Azkaban, before transporting my unconscious form to Cassiopeia for recovery." Harry explained to Tracey. "After I've recovered to a certain degree, Nym informed me that in light of my death, Potters had now wanted to obtain my vaults and treasures of Houses Potter and Peverell, which turned out to be mine all along. I rushed to Gringotts, where I've exposed a corrupt Goblin accountant, before Ragnok, my new accountant and head of Gringotts in England, had me take a blood test. It revealed that I was a former Horcrux of Voldemort, having absorbed a piece of his soul in me, and through that, and my blood, I was an Heir Claimant to both House Slytherin and House Le Fay. After Morgana Le Fay herself had tested me, she had made me in magic and blood her son and Prince Le Fay." Harry took a breath, with Tracey blinking a couple of times after hearing it all.
"I know that it all sounds crazy, but it is true. I, along with Rose, are now biologically and magically children of Morgana Le Fay and Arthur Pendragon." Harry continued. "I've hatched a scheme with Ragnok to let Potters have access to two of my vaults, each one from Potter and Peverell Houses respectively, to make it seem that they were now the only Potters left alive, while in reality they've been ousted from the House because of breaking the Magical Code. They may be spending my money, but at the same time, they are being indebted to me without their own knowledge, and when I'll want, I'll grab all the money they've cashed and then some more. I know it sounds convoluted and too complex for its own good, but…"
"You needed to leave not a single trail of your continued existence linger, and your account in Gringotts would've alerted the Potters and Dumbledore, leaving you exposed and vulnerable." Tracey concluded, interrupting Harry. "Let them have what they want, play into their hands and make them lower their vigilance, while being left to move about and around unopposed. A plan truly worthy of Lord Slytherin, one that you now hold, but that still doesn't mean there are some things I am not entirely sure of, even with our Oath to each other, Harry."
"Then why not take the answers right out of my head then, Tracey?" Harry asked of her. "You are a born Telepath, a natural Leggimence and Occlumency user. My mind would tell you everything that you'd need to know, and no false memory, feeling or anything of that sort would be enough to fool you."
"And you know that I do not use my abilities as freely as I used to in Hogwarts." Tracey reminded him. "Not to mention that even with our Oath… I wanted us to be able to trust each other, to know that one won't pry each other's secrets without permission. And you remember just how much it had hurt me in the past, how much hate and bad thoughts of everyone had hurt me." She put her hand on the small silver medallion with ember on it.
It was one of the very first gifts that Harry had made to Tracey, first as to his friend. It was a rare amulet that could shield one's mind from probing by Leggimence and Telepathy, but also could weaken the powers of a Telepath, prevent her powers from being active all the time. Tracey's powers have been inherited from her father, a very powerful Telepath, something that was a very rare sight in the Magical World.
Along with the Metamorphs, like Nymphadora, Telepaths were a very hard to come, and most preferred not officiate them being such. Telepaths bore a stigma of being invaders into minds of others and being able to alter it to their own design. There used to be a great number of Telepaths present in the world, but the Witch Hunts, purging by hateful and distrustful Wizards and Witches, and hunting by various Ministries had reduced the numbers of mind readers from several thousand around the world to measly dozens.
Even to this day, British Ministry maintained not just a zealous watch out for Telepaths, but there were even rumors that those that were found out of being even suspected never were seen again. And Telepaths themselves had to learn to live with their powers, as well as fear of not just for their own lives, but also of their own powers, as they could be devastating to both them and their closest people. Tracey had to live with this fear for all of her life, and her telling this secret to Harry was the beginning of their relations, their trust in one another.
Harry stepped closer to Tracey, putting his hands into her, looking into her ember eyes and speaking softly and caringly to her.
"Yes, I know, and I remember how much you wanted us to have this kind of trust." Harry softly lifted her hands and placed her palms onto his head. "And now, I am placing my trust into your hands, my trust of my mind and soul. I will answer every question you ask me, Tracey, but I want to make it clear to you, that after everything that had happened and all this time, I trust and care for you the most."
"Harry, I…" She let out a sigh. "You won't be able to hide anything from me: feelings, memories, fantasies, plans, imagination. I will see it all, all of you and your soul and after that… Do you truly want it? I don't want to ruin the chance I have now, one where… Where there is hope of us…"
"Tracey, I want you to see me as I am true." Harry softly told her, rubbing her cheek affectionately. "I know you love me too much to simply invade my mind, but I want you to look into it, and see that I still love you enough to share soul with you." Tracey let out a defeated sigh, before the two closed their eyes and connected their foreheads.
For a Telepath to connect her mind to the others like that was to read their entire being, every single bit of their being. Tracey had done so several times, and every time, she had found people shunning her for that and for the fact that they've felt robbed. So she had sworn not to use it recklessly and without permission, and has never even dared to try it out with Harry. Harry knew why and respected her for it, but now… He wanted to hold no secrets with her, and he wasn't going to push her away. He wanted Tracey, he loved her and wanted to be with her, but he needed this to be true and pure, like it was with them before. This time, it wasn't Tracey's partner that would have to make a choice, but Tracey herself.
She felt her mind connecting with Harry's, and in the span of a real life seconds, she saw years of life and memories of her lover. Every single bit of feelings, pain, joy, happiness, sadness, everything mixed in and sorted at the same time. She saw his incarceration and his thoughts of her, how he suffered because of Dementors. She felt the pain he had, and the only thing that didn't break her contact with him was Harry himself, somehow easing the pain she received by the link. She had felt his fury and anger when he saw what Potters had done with Potters, as she had felt despair and even hopelessness at the sight of Rose near death at his eyes. She felt the warmth and love he felt for Nymphadora when she admitted her feelings to him, something that Tracey's heart felt a pang of hurt and jealousy. But the feeling of it was silenced when she was through with his mind and the leaving touch was her getting the read of his feelings towards her, what he felt and what he wanted with her.
Tracey saw and felt that Harry hasn't forgotten her, nor did he want her hurt, and he wouldn't want to let her go. But he would, if she had wanted it, if she no longer wanted to be with him and wanted to move on. He loved her just strongly and caringly as he did all those years ago, but he also shared a love with Nymphadora Tonks, a different, yet similar feeling. Tracey could sense and feel it all, see what he meant and what she meant to him. She disconnected from his mind and his head, opening her eyes and removing her hands off his face, as did he, before he spoke up to her.
"Now you know everything, Tracey." Harry told her, with Tracey looking at him with a near emotionless expression. "If you want to let it all go and move on, then…" Tracey hadn't given him a chance or a choice to finish up his sentence, when she smashed her lips right into his, pulling him towards herself with all her force.
Harry didn't waste any moment to reciprocate, as he embraced Tracey without hesitation, caringly holding her back and black hair. The kiss wasn't just pure love, but also raw passion and aggression, like a drug for the two of them. Tracey's tongue danced with Harry's, as she drank in the feelings and emotions that she hadn't felt for years. She had spent two years holding on to her love, their love for each other, praying to once more hold him in her arms and have him. And when she was starting to let go, he appeared again… And Tracey didn't hesitate to grab onto him and not let go anymore.
She was going to make sure that what they had, their passion, their love and lust for one another remained and were never broken again. And as for the condition he was now in with other women and additional wives… Tracey was a brilliant witch, and she would make do with it, not to mention reap the benefits, just like Nymphadora. After all, even in Hogwarts he had proven at times to be too much for her alone to handle, so a little help and entertainment would only be beneficial for them both.
She disconnected from him with a hunger in her eyes, before speaking up in a passionate and loving manner.
"I am not letting you go, and don't you even dare to be a hero like last time." She said to him, not letting go from her arms, before kissing one more time with passion.
"Never." He said between kisses.
"Hope you have the morning free, because you are mine, and I want you." She said in a lustful manner, before the two disappeared with a crack of apparition.
Several hours later. London. Tracey's house.
To say that Tracey had wanted Harry badly, would be saying nothing. Dark skinned goddess was always one to prefer actions over words, and what better way to find out if love, lust and passion still remained intact then through ravenous, wild and unstoppable act of love. Tracey had barely enough of a mind functioning properly to get them into her room, before that part of mind overtaken completely by her passionate and lustful side. Telepaths, in addition to being able to read any mind and feeling without trouble, were also emotionally more attuned people, feelings and emotions for them being stronger felt then for others, and Tracey's mind was overwhelmed with love which she felt for Harry, and earning of flesh, for which she developed a taste with and for Harry. And she had two years of hunger in her that she wanted sated.
They sated it together, going at each other like wild animals in the heat, with Tracey uncaringly literally ripping away their clothes and taking her lover in herself without stopping. Only after an hour did they calm a little from wild and passionate mating that the two had silently decided to continue it in a softer and caring way, as Harry worshipped Tracey slowly, lovingly and caringly. Dark skinned goddess was all for it, and enjoyed just as much as the wild sex they had before, when she took in every bit of his flesh with either her hands, her lips, tongue or her sex.
By the time the two were sated and finally tired, the comfortable and nice room that Tracey had always tried to keep as tidy as possible looked like there was a hurricane just a moment before. They lay bare in the bed, with Tracey resting her beautiful body on Harry's, as she took in their combined smells and spoke up with a smile.
"Mm, I've almost forgotten how wonderful it felt…" She said, as she looked up to him with a smile. "Lying in the bed like that, with us connected… You really my curse, Harry, but one that I'm only glad to have."
"Wouldn't you call it a blessing then, my Isis?" Harry caressed her naked body with his left hand. "I certainly believe you to be one for me." He kissed her in the lips.
"Mm, I just might, even though you see Nymphadora as blessing too." Tracey laid her head down on his chest, her voice carrying no ill. "But in lives like ours, we do need to count our blessings and keep them closer than ever. You can tell her that I am on board with that idea of hers, and that she's got my permission on having you take her, just like you did with me now."
"Are you really okay with it all?" Harry asked still, slowly running his hand through her soft hair. "I know how you wanted us to and…"
"I won't say that I wasn't distressed or hurt when I learned of it all in your mind, because it really hurt." She said truthfully to him. "For a split second, I felt betrayed and unwanted, like I was nothing more to you, especially after all we had. But then… I felt all you felt for me and I know that our love is unique and separate from one you and Nymphadora have. If anything I can see her being jealous and even hurt to some degree, since I have been in your heart and will remain as your first. And besides, if you really are going to be sharing life with multiple women, why not let us women enjoy the benefits of the big family. We might even form up our very own little Cabal." She looked at him with a look of cat that ate a canary.
"Since when did you become such a wanton and lustful Witch, my Isis?" Harry asked jokingly of her.
"Since I've had to endure two years without you in my bed." Tracey stated to him, kissing him and climbing on to him, having gotten a second wind. "Now shut up and fuck me." She ordered him, mounting him and taking his lips for her own.
Harry did just as his Isis had wanted him to.
August the 3rd. Diagon Alley.
A great number of Wizards and Witches of all ages stood just outside of the shop, with many reporters and photographers taking photos of what was happening inside. And that was Rose Morgana Le Fay, Heiress to House Le Fay and sister to current Prince Le Fay, former Potter and currently one of two most sought out persons by the press on Albion. She was waiting for her new Wand being made in the recently opened up wand maker shop, which she had been recommended to come into by Skadhi, who stated that the wand maker working there was of far better qualification than Garrick Ollivander.
Rose decided to follow the advice of her de-facto vassal, and has come here, along with Faye and three of her children, who had decided, along with Rose, to buy the needed things for school. They were mostly through, until Rose had decided to go to the aforementioned wand shop, accompanied by the Black family, which instantly came under siege, when someone had finally realized who Rose really was and with whom she was in Diagon Alley.
Faye looked outside, nearly closing her eyes from the flash of camera, before speaking up.
"And I thought that photographers in US were insufferable, but this is just ridiculous. At least there they had the manners to leave people to their own devices when shopping, but here…" Faye shook her head.
"It's almost like we are on a photo shoot for all those naughty magazines that Percy keeps under his bed." Lyra Cassiopeia Black, Faye and Regulus' eldest daughter, smirked when she looked at her brother's scandalized look.
"For the hundredth time, I don't keep 'em under my bed. When will you let go of it, sis?" Perseus Orion Black glared at his younger sister, who simply stuck her tongue out.
"Children, please don't give those vultures any more possible gossip then necessary." Faye lightly chided her eldest children, shaking her head, before turning to look at her third child. "Have you chosen the elements for your wand, Sigrun?" Sigrun Iris Black turned to her mother nodded.
"Yes, Mom." Sigrun she showed the wood and the core, which she then placed on the table with the rest for the time, before glancing at the gathered crowd and back at her mom with a bit of a pleading look. "Can't we go home after that? I mean, not like Grandpa's house, but our home? I don't want to go to that Hogwarts. I want to stay in Illvermony, with all of my friends."
"I'm sorry, dear, but we can't. Even though I want it more than anything." Faye sincerely said to her, as she came closer and hugged. "Your Daddy and I never wanted to send you three there, but it was out of his hands, because the cunning Headmaster of Hogwarts decided to play tricks on us all. I may've studied in the Hogwarts, Sigrun, but I'd much rather not have you attend it. I know it will be hard for you, and I don't blame you for wanting to go home, but we don't have a choice." She caringly rubbed her daughter's black mane of hair, as she hugged her protectively.
Rose glanced at this family, with a small smile on her lips and a pang of sadness in the heart. She couldn't help imagine herself being in place of Sigrun, with Faye hugging her like this, not Lily though. She honestly couldn't see Lily Potter as a mother material or simply as a mother. In the past, Rose would've willingly given both her arms to have a mom like Faye for her and Harry, one that is protective, caring and loving, like a real mother should be. And it showed that Faye was a truly good mother, as it was projected from her children.
Perseus Orion Black looked like a younger version of Regulus, but with his mother's fiery red hair and emerald eyes, making him look like a Weasley. But instead of irritation or need to vomit, Rose felt herself comfortable around him, as he looked a boy who could take the responsibility and carry it, but wasn't afraid of being relaxed. He didn't try to start up any senseless banter with her, knowing that if she wanted, she'd talk to him, and Rose respected it. He took after his father in not just looks, but also in style, though instead of black, he preferred white pants and jacket with blue shirt and black vest over it.
Lyra Cassiopeia Black in the past may've looked like a copy of her mother, but instead of same red fiery mane of hair, she sported short and slightly spiky haircut, reaching to the base of her neck. But what was most striking was the fact that her hair was a striking bright green color, while her eyes were of two different colors, one being golden, while the other being green, and the two changed colors every time she blinked.
Rose was surprised to see another Metamorph, and one practically as outgoing and free willed as Nymphadora. Apparently the metamorphic abilities did come from Black family, though Lyra didn't change her looks on the fly, instead preferring to keep to her present look, only adjusting the haircut and changing eye color like she did. Other than that, she was outgoing, nice, ready to speak her mind and mess with others for laughs, but in good way. She and Rose were the same age, and already Rose felt at ease with her and two hit it off without a hitch.
Sigrun Iris Black was a black haired witch, with long and thick locks of hair reaching to the upper part of her back, and with emerald eyes. Sweet, innocent and overly nice, Rose saw Sigrun as a reflection of what she once was, and couldn't help but feel sad for the girl. Despite the fact that she was 11 and it would be her first year in Hogwarts, she was already a student of Illvermony since age 7, as is custom there. She had to leave all of her friends and homeland because Dumbledore decided to play God again. Rose felt confused and lonely when she went to Hogwarts, only warmed up by the fact that Harry was there for her, and she imagined that little Sigrun felt the same way.
Lyra glanced at her little sister, before stepping closer to Rose and speaking to her.
"Um, I know that it may sound weird, but I've heard rumors that Hogwarts has like a major crisis every year, and that when you attended it last, there was a freakin' Basilisk on the prowl. Tell me that all that is just some sick bad joke." Lyra looked at her almost pleadingly.
"Wish I could, Lyra, but…" Lyra let out a defeated sigh. "These days, Hogwarts and some major crisis, as you've put it, go hand in hand. I suspect that Headmaster Dumbledore has some weird obsession about it, like keeping life interesting and on edge for us. You ask me, I'd much rather be studying in Illvermony. You don't hear of any wraiths, Basilisks, Dementors and dumb tournaments from there, just peace and quiet."
"Yeah well, we may not have anything catastrophic going down every year, but we sure know how to have fun there." Lyra smiled to Rose, who smiled back. "Asides from all the subjects, teachers and whoever runs the place know that we need to let off some steam, so they allow us to do so in a healthy and good way. We've got over twenty different clubs, from culinary to alchemical, not to mention parties every end of the month, plus all the celebrations, proms and more. You don't get to be bored in Illvermony, that's for sure."
"Yeah well, sorry to disappoint, but Hogwarts doesn't really have anything like that, safe for feasts during some holiday, like Halloween and Christmas." Rose told Lyra, looking at Sigrun. "It's going to be difficult for her, especially if she gets to be sorted into Gryffindor or Slytherin and without one of you to help her out. She'll be picked upon mercilessly, and trust me, I know that. Not to mention that there ain't a teacher that really cares about the well-being of students, especially Snape and McGonagall."
"I'd like to see them try and pick on my lil' sis." Lyra said in a low tone, cracking up her knuckles. "Might just get a good opportunity to put all those lessons I learned in Free Martial Arts Club to use. Any jackasses I should look for in advance?"
"Well, there is Will Potter and his arselicker Ron Weasley, the two are practically inseparable." Rose began. "Plus Malfoy and his cronies, they are in Slytherin… Anyway, just look out for Slytherin and Gryffindor, and you should be in the safe. Try and make it to Hufflepuff, people there are the best, even if the rest of school thinks them to be just dunces and all that. Hufflepuff has the lowest concentration of jackasses in the entire Hogwarts."
"Sounds like the right kind of people." Lyra commented, while the wand mistress returned.
"Lady Le Fay, I have your wand all ready. Please, have a look." A tall, young woman with blonde hair made into a ponytail and sky blue eyes, dressed in black cardigan and jeans, showed Rose and others the wand. "12 inches, ebony with a Fury's hair, a very rare and unique combination. Ebony is for the people confidant in being themselves and assured in them, excellent in Transfiguration and Charms, while Fury's hair as a core seeks out a host that prefers to be just and seeks to cleanse injustice. Such cores are very aggressive, best suited for combative spells and charms, but the spells produced from them are powerful and precise. You have an excellent wand for self-defense and defense her, milady."
"A marvelous work, Ms. Bellstone." Rose took up her new wand into hand and felt warm and comfortable with it. "Now, how much do I owe for it?"
"Nothing, milady." Ms. Bellstone smiled to her, before leaning in and whispering to a surprised Rose. "Please consider it as a gift from me personally, as thanks to your brother for dealing with spiders. My husband, a Jotann, had told us thanks to whom we may now sleep easy. If he ever desires to procure a wand of best quality, my skills and talents are at his disposal."
"I will inform him of that, as I do believe he was looking for a new wand." Rose smiled to her, before putting her wand away, before motioning to Sigrun. "And it looks like Sigrun had already chosen her materials. Can you make it a present for her, I'll pay if need be."
"No money is needed, milady. We are in your debt and I am glad to repay in best of my abilities. Now, young lady, let us see what materials you have chosen." Ms. Bellstone stepped closer to Sigrun and looked at her materials. "Ah, Rowan and unicorn's hair, a very loyal, kind and nice combination. Excellent choice for an aspiring mistress of Charms, as this combination is ideal for casting defensive and protective charms, which are strong and very hard to break, not to mention that such a wand will never turn on its owner, and will actually seek to shield them from harm. You are a very lucky Witch, miss. I shall be done with the work in a few minutes, so please wait." Ms. Bellstone took the materials and rushed back to her workshop, before being back with the ready wand.
"It's so pretty, almost like my previous wand." Sigrun took her new wand. "Thank you, Ms. Bellstone."
"Always a pleasure to work with such polite and cute Witches like you." Bellstone smiled to her, before turning to Faye. "Free of charge, madam. Friends of House Le Fay are always welcome, especially with such nice little cuties."
"Thank you." Faye nodded to her, before turning to look at the crowd outside. "Still, how are we going to get out of here with such a crowd outside?"
"You can use the backdoor of my shop. It leads a few ways away from those vultures." Ms. Bellstone said, earning her a smile from Faye.
"Well, why don't you three go and use the backdoor, while I give those paparazzi and sheep what they came here for?" Rose suggested, before winking to Faye. "I'll keep them off you, so you can slip out without trouble. Meet at Leaky Cauldron?"
"Alright, and thanks Rose." Faye nodded to her, as she and her family proceeded with Ms. Bellstone, while Rose left the building.
"Lady Le Fay! Lady Le Fay, is it true that your brother has already made a marriage contract with House Malfoy, with you to be a wife of Malfoy Heir?" One of reporters shouted out, just as Rose left the building.
"Whoever told you such nonsense clearly wasn't in the right state of mind, since my brother, Prince Le Fay, wouldn't have done such a thing. He cares for me too much and wouldn't want me to be a wife of those that prostrate themselves before every Dark Lord and Minister." Some of the crowd and reporters laughed. "Now, ladies and gentlemen, I suspect that you have lot's questions. Well, make them count, because I am on a time table today."
"Lady Le Fay, after what Prince Le Fay had stated during the Wizengamot, do you believe that you are also worthy of being a Girl Who Lived, along with William Potter? Do you think that it was you who defeated He Who Must Not Be Named?"
"Absolutely not, I'd sooner believe that Dumbledore and Grindelwald were lovers." Rose responded. "I've got no interest in whatever rubbish title press or public may grant the slayer of Voldemort, but in my personal opinion, he had met his end at the hands of my birth grandparents, Charlus and Dorea Potter. From my Black family, I know that those two were a truly great and powerful couple, capable of putting to shame and fear even the likes of Voldemort, and they most certainly did. And their reward? Being buried on some small and half-ruined cemetery in Godrik's Hollow, instead of family mausoleum, courtesy of current Lord Potter." An angry muttering swept through the crowd.
"Lady Le Fay, it has come to the attention of Daily Prophet that you were engaged to marry Ronald Weasley." Another reporter spoke up, with Rose turning her attention to him. "Does Prince Le Fay intend to honor the pledge, or was it one of the reasons why you had left your House?"
"Clearly, you haven't been in the Wizengamot, if you ask such stupid questions." Rose commented. "My brother, Prince Le Fay, would kill every and all Weasleys before allowing any of them to lay claim on me. I know that matriarch of the family, one Molly Weasley, may claim so, but I assure you, that I'll never bind my life with the House as disgraced as this one, who had nearly destroyed our World with their stupidity."
"Lady Le Fay, would please share some words about your now passed away blood brother, Harry Potter, and tell us, what a person in your eyes he was?" A female reporter asked of Rose, who answered.
"I didn't know Harry Potter, my dead brother, as a monster everyone wrote him to be. Instead, I knew a brother, who tucked me into my bed, read me fairy tales and loved me more than my parents combined. I knew a brother, who taught me to read, write, helped me with my homework and mended my scratched knees and cuts when I fell. I knew a brother who loved and cared for me when my own parents looked at us like a waste of air and space." Rose stated with heat. "And before any of you ask, he and Prince Le Fay were close friends, with Henry Le Fay honoring the promise of my brother to care and protect me at all costs. Do I miss my big brother? Yes, but I know he can rest easy, as I am in good hands."
"Lady Le Fay, can you tell us, what are the plans of your brother and House Le Fay? Does he plan to secede from Magical Britain and Ministry?"
"I am not privy to his plans, but I do know that he has none of such plans in mind. No, he plans to keep his territories and subjects safe from all magical threats. That goes for all those that live in his lands, magical and non-magical included." Rose stated.
"You mean that he intends to fight even for Muggles and Squibs? Does he value them as much as he does Wizards and Witches?"
"Unlike the vast majority of Magical World, Prince Le Fay does not discriminate and cares equally for magical beings, magical and non-magical people." Rose stated. "I share his view. In fact, in last couple of years, I have come to view non-magical people as equals to us in all areas, and I honestly envy their ingenuity, as they can come up with many ways to compensate their lack of magic. Not to mention that unlike most of Magical Britain, they don't give a damn about if you were born with or without magic."
"Lady Le Fay, your brother has already been admitted by Witch's Weakly Magazine to be the most wanted bachelor, as well as the most handsome and possibly the richest one at that. Are there any Witches that have already claimed his heart?"
"No comment, as I am not that privy into his personal life, and I don't intend to reveal what goes on in his bedchambers." Rose simply stated.
"Lady Le Fay, have there already been any suitors lining up for your hand and affections, after your stunning appearance?"
"Aside from the aforementioned Weasleys, all those unfortunate suitors will have to wait for very long time, as I am in no mood or age to want to become someone's wife." Rose responded. "But, if you are curious, you may want to ask Houses Nott, Longbottom, Zabini, Flint and some others, as I don't recall all those countless letters from Noble Houses. But do please leave out House Diggory, as Cedrik is a dear friend to me, so please let him off easy." Rose asked in an innocent and cute way.
"Does that mean that young Heir of Diggory family is the prime candidate to become a lucky husband to Lady Le Fay?"
"No, he is simply one of the very few males that don't make me want to throw up when looking at them eat." Rose responded dryly. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have great many things to complete and not a great amount of time."
Rose masterfully moved past the crowd and walked past gawking people and annoying reporters. She had mastered the art of not giving a damn, another unfortunate perk she had picked up from her time with Potters. But, when in the past she looked and moved like a meak little mouse, now she walked like a lioness, with regal, strength and power. Who would've thought that power would be so good for one's disposition and health? Just as Rose neared the entrance to the Cauldron, she noticed that the street had cleared up to a desolate lever, as if a charm was put over the area. Feeling in danger, she stealthily reached up to her wand, as well as gave a small signal to certain people, just in case. But before that would happen, Rose suddenly found herself in front of Sirius Black and Remus Lupin, who put up their false smiles.
"Rosy, what a pleasant surprise!" Sirius addressed her in a highly false tone. "Don't you want to hug your uncles Padfoot and Loony?"
"Not as much as I want to castrate you two flee bags." Rose reached to her new wand, while the two scowled at her. "So, a massive notice me not charm, as well as a hiding and repelling charms linked up. What's next, trying to kidnap me?"
"Not if you come along without any trouble, young lady." Rose wasn't even surprised to hear the voice of her mother, as she turned back and looked at her and James glaring at her. "Rose, you have quite a lot to explain yourself for, as well as some declarations to make."
"Oh ho, so it is a kidnapping." Rose practically laughed, though internally was stiffening up. "And how do you see that going done? A wayward daughter returns back the place of her misery, meekly proclaiming that all she said in Wizengamot to be a lie, which would look like utter rubbish, especially when it was confirmed by magic itself."
"We will figure out the way to deal with it, but you will be coming home, before you decide to blurt out more lies about us." James moved closer to her, until he noticed her slip out of her pocket her new wand. "Oh, don't make me laugh, girl. Do you really think that you can hold off all four of us, veterans of war with He Who Must Not Be Named? Give up and come quietly, and I can assure you that we will deal with it without any… physical reprimanding."
"You mean like another round of Caro Mortui, along with having most of my left arm turned into a rotten piece of infestation and illness?" Rose responded in a chilly and cold way, making James flinch a little. "Tell me, did you even know what that curse would do to a body? Or were you hoping that the gangrene would kill me? I'm not even going to ask you if you were even really going to kill your daughter, as you don't even know the meaning of paternal feelings."
"Rose, please don't make this harder than this has to be." Remus, ever the diplomat, asked of Rose. "Just come along without a fight. You and I both know that with all us here, you don't have much a choice anyway."
"I do have a choice, and the way I see it, it is you who should be running for the hills." Rose simply stated. "You did know that I wasn't alone, and Faye will soon notice me not being there in Cauldron. That's not to mention that much like my dead brother, my new brother shares Harry's protectiveness of my wellbeing."
"That arrogant ponce and my brother's whore of a wife won't be able to do jack, so don't count on them, girl." Sirius told her boldly, as the circle around her started to close up. "We've made sure to take precautions about anyone coming through that wall, or into our small area. So, be a good little girl, put that new fancy wand down and come quietly, before Uncle Padfoot will have to get all grumpy and mad at you, and we won't want that."
"Rose, listen your betters for the first time in your life, and put that wand down." Lily pointed her wand at her own daughter. "If you don't, I won't hesitate to put you down."
"But, if you are like that idiot of a traitor, make our day and to resist." James suggested to her. "I'll gladly remind you the price for disobeying your parents." He pointed his wand at her and was ready to cast up the curse.
"I would've listened to Lady Le Fay here and ran for the hills. Your reputation is already in tatters, and now you are preparing to make the most powerful House of Britain into your mortal enemy." Faye spoke up in a calm manner, standing behind Sirius and holding him and Remus in scope, while she turned to glaring Lily. "Did you really think I wouldn't recognize the charm work in this area, even inactive one? Seriously, Freya, I thought you were better than that."
"Faye, do you really think that you and that weakling of a Witch will be enough to stop us?" Lily asked of her, with Faye simply smirking to her. "What are smiling about?"
"Oh I just revel in how utterly foolish you four can be." Faye stated to them. "Did you really think that Heiress of House Le Fay, de-facto, a princess of the small kingdom, would travel alone and without any guards?"
In the single moment, the would-be kidnappers were surrounded by four graceful, dressed in colorful cloaks and coats persons, armed with short curved blades and elegant looking firearms. They pointed their weapons at the four, while two more took a stance in front of Lady Le Fay, armed up and ready to defend her. Their faces were covered by what seemed to be carnival masks, only more menacing and sinister, and gave away an uneasy feeling of dread from them. Rose spoke up, putting back her wand.
"I think you've ever heard about the Harlequins, have you?" Rose spoke with a near amused tone. "High Elf elite warriors, who worship the God of Mischief and Deceit, Loki. They devote their lives to this path, which leads them to tell the tales and perform quite entertaining circus performances, telling many tales during said performances. However, above all else, they are masters of assassination, schemes and mastery of every weapon, and are near impossible to kill in direct combat. I hear that a Harlequin can kill with such precision and speed, that even blood won't be fast enough to stain his blade. Perhaps I we should see if there is truth to that." The armed escort of Lady Le Fay was all too eager to prove her their mastery, until Lily spoke up.
"Perhaps… Perhaps we had reacted a tad bit too rashly to all that." Lily had changed her tune to one of appeasement and diplomacy. "Rose, w-we just wanted to talk and…"
"You have quite a humorous way of saying it, Lady Potter." Rose responded dryly, before letting out a sigh. "Dispell the charms here and don't come near me. Be thankful that I am in a relatively graceful mood." The four nodded, and after taking away the charm work, disappeared through apparition.
"The gall of those four… To think that Dumbledore would order a kidnapping of Le Fay Heiress in broad daylight and in the eyes of near all Wizards of Britain." Faye spoke in anger.
"Dumbledore probably knows not a thing about this little attempt. I'm ready to bet my new arm on that." Rose simply stated to Faye, as the Elven Harlequins disappeared without trace. "No, that old coot isn't as dumb as to order it, nor is he as desperate as they. They know that Harry and I hold them by the metaphorical balls, and that is making them nervous. Nervous that we will reveal what they've done to me to the general public."
"Then why not do so? It would destroy them in an instant instead of just put their integrity and reputation in question." Faye noted out.
"Because, Faye, there is still a ground work to be done until we can put a final nail in the coffin of those four idiots. For now, it's best to let them continue give us the nails like this one, because for as long as we hold the information they need, we make them play by our rules." Rose smiled to Faye, who looked confused at her. "Trust in my brother. After all, he is Lord Slytherin for a reason."
In that, Faye had no reason to doubt.
A shorter one than the rest, but still a pretty lengthy chapter, one that I hope will come to your liking. Now as for a few explanations.
Harry and Tracey do indeed love each other after all the time, and Tracey is in the harem. Now as for her abilities, it is something that I believe would be present in the world of Harry Potter, even if it's something of X-Men thingy. But anyway, through telepathy, Tracey can read through Harry like a book, and not a single thing about him goes unnoticed, so she knows about him more than anyone now, and has accepted him.
Also, sorry, but I'm not in the mood for any lemons, so don't hold it against me. As for why she jumped his bone, so to speak, she had went through her lover's memories about their time together, plus two years of sexual frustration, need for love and touch and so on.
Now, as for Harlequins, you can Google Eldar Harlequins and you'll get the right idea. Also, Elven races, unlike in most other fics and stories, actually prefer to stay on top of military advancements, so they've gone past bows and arrows, and use firearms, as well as their own special and magical weapons of same principle. Oh, and as for their pantheon, it is bit of a mix of Celtic, Greek and Norse Pantheons, but only in human understanding. Elves have their own interpretations of their Gods and simply let humans use the names they already are familiar with.
With all that out of the way, have a pleasant day!
Next time: House Black assembles to greet House Malfoy; Regulus and Bellatrix
See ya!