This is War

Chapter 9: The Pariah

Peverell Manor was squeaky clean, the elves had set up the halls and a banquet for the guests and everything was ready. Harry was wearing a formal suit and tie with the Peverell family crest on the pocket and the Lords ring on his finger, he would one day retrieve the resurrection stone from the Gaunt Family ring if it was the same as before, but another time.

"Lord Peverell, thank you for this honor," Charlus said as he and Dorea approached while each holding a glass of wine.

Today was the meeting of all the Sentinel Families who had contacted him, and Harry didn't want to meet them alone so he had invited both Charlus and Dorea along with Arcturus and Melania. Charlus and Arcturus had insisted on providing security even if Peverell Manor was essentially off the maps for most of the people, they didn't want Harry to be without help should something go wrong. He was introduced to Saria Whitmore, who was their head of security and three others who had Charlus and Arcturus' trust. He had to admit that Reginald White nee Yaxley was someone he was weary of name wise, however, when he learnt that Reginald was disowned by the Yaxley's for marrying a muggle-born American Witch who was a nurse in the Grindelwald War, he took her family name after his family stripped him of his own. He couldn't care less but the burly, grizzled man made him feel a little uneasy simply cause of sheer size and the scars on his body. But Charlus and Arcturus trusted him so he would too.

"The pleasure is mine Charlus, I'm glad the two of you could make it," Harry said honestly.

"My Lord, the guests are starting to arrive with their invitations," Saria said, appearing at their side.

"Geezus woman! Get a bell or something," Charlus grumbled shocked by her sudden appearance.

"Shut it old man, you and I both know you appreciate my stealth capabilities," Saria bit back and Dorea giggled.

"Remember Harry, don't let them see you weak, don't falter and make sure they don't disrespect you in your own home. While we may all be Sentinel Families, some are more hostile than others," Michel Devereaux added, joining the group.

"Besides, having both the Blacks and the Potters here was a good choice. Even amongst our circles, both of you are highly respected as being the best your country has," Michel added nodding to Charlus and Arcturus who was arriving with Melania and… Bellatrix who was surprisingly dressed up.

Bellatrix Black was wearing a strapless black dress which hugged her curves in all the right places, her hair was curled slightly and her pale features were accentuated by light amounts of makeup, he didn't miss the fact that the slit in her dress gave way to long legs and what appeared to be a garter which contained knives.

"Harry!" Bellatrix beamed, racing over to him and almost stumbling in her heels.

"Bellatrix, what are you doing here?" Harry asked.

"Grandfather and Grandmother told me to come with them, I was in Black Manor cause of an… incident at school so they told me to just come with them today and head back to school tomorrow for class. Hi Uncle Charlus! Aunt Dorea!" Bellatrix replied then greeted Charlus and Dorea and then turned to Michel before giving a polite curtsey.

"You must be Lord Devereaux, it's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Bellatrix Black, I have had the pleasure of becoming friends with your grandchildren at Hogwarts," Bellatrix said and Michel let out a chuckle.

"Lovely to meet you Miss Black, Apolline speaks highly of you. Nadine and Veroniqua are a little jealous of you and Jean-Paul respects your skills. I say whatever you are doing to challenge those two girls, keep doing it but it's Apolline you should be worried about," he winked at her before gesturing with his eyes to Harry and she blushed.

More and more people started arriving and Harry sighed as he would have to start playing host at what many was considering the most important gathering of the century as there hadn't been a meeting of all of the Sentinel Families for a few hundred years, not since the last Peverell's roamed the lands.

"Lord Harry Peverell, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I'm Lord Felix Hamilton, this is my wife Alexandra, and our two children Eliza and Angelica. The rest of our family members were unable to attend due to dealings back home unfortunately," Felix Hamilton was the current head of the Hamilton Family of America.

"The pleasure is mine, thank you for coming," Harry replied shaking his hand, kissing Alexandra's hand and then the two daughters.

Eliza and Angelica Hamilton were beautiful women, both of them were older than Harry and they were both fair skinned with dark hair and hazel eyes. Eliza was slightly taller than Angelica but Angelica had a slightly larger chest and seemed to have more confidence than her sister.

"Please enjoy the gathering," Harry said welcoming them.

"Lord Peverell! Thank you for your hospitality! I am Lord Maximo Giovanni, my wife Madeline, my sister Helena, my oldest son Hector, my daughter Delilah and my youngest son Grayson," Maximo Giovanni was an Italian man, speaking with his hands and must bravado as he hugged and kissed Harry's cheeks in a traditional Italian greeting.

Madeline and Helena were beautiful aristocratic Italian women, Helena was clearly the youngest sister of the Giovanni family as she barely looked over 25 while Maximo himself looked to be in his late 40's. Their children didn't look much older than fifteen either by the way they looked and acted with Delilah and Grayson hugging their mother's leg shyly and Hector looked nervous.

"You are most welcome Lord Giovanni, please enjoy yourselves," Harry said.

This is how it went for the first hour as more Sentinel Families arrived. Harry met Lord Akash and Lady Rashini Patel of India and their teenaged and adult children, Rama, Bheem, Rani, Hala, Nikesh, Amina & Chatali. Lady Amelia and Lord Heliar Salazar of the Caribbean though Harry admits they looked more like Pirates of the Caribbean more than a Lord and Lady. Lord Virgilio and Lady Beatrixe Martinez of South America and their daughter Maria. The Egyptian Sentinels were strange as they held onto their god names and titles and roles within their family, Amon-Ra being the Lord. The Celtic's weren't much different with their Lord being Odin Odinson, Harry wanted to roll his eyes but didn't as the pantheon-based Sentinels were some of the oldest families. That being said, he didn't miss how many of the older teenaged, young and even middle-aged single women of the families looked at him like a piece of meat they wanted to sink their claws in, he shuddered at the thought.

He played host and mingled with each and every family, while they also talked to each other and amongst themselves. There were tensions between a few of the families, the Egyptians and the Celtics weren't on friendly terms and it seems that the Salazar's of the Caribbean and the Hamilton's weren't exactly on friendly terms either.

When the time finally came for the Demonstration, Harry was anxious, it was a common practice that when a new Lord or Lady is announced amongst the Sentinel Families that a gathering and Demonstration take place to show the others that they are suitable to lead their families. It consists of other families challenging the individual to a duel to determine the skills. Some of the lower families would use this as a way to usurp the more high-class families by being more skilled than their new head of house.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please follow the outlined path to Peverell Manor's dueling room. The demonstration will be taking place shortly," Michel Devereaux announced, Harry sighed as he made his way to his dueling room which had been configured like a mini colosseum.

Shortly all the families began filtering in and taking seats in their groups while Harry stood in the arena with Michel, Charlus, Arcturus, Dorea, Melania and Bellatrix made up the Peverell block in lieu of his blood relations, unknown to them that he was actually related in a previous life.

"As per the laws of the Sentinel Families, any may challenge a new Head of House if deemed unfit for the name of the house. The house in question is the Peverell family, should any of you deem Harry Peverell unfit to lead the house, announce your challenge. Should you win, you become the new head of house, should you lose, you must offer up something of equal worth to your claim," Michel announced.

A few of the smaller Sentinel Families rose up to challenge Harry, this was a way for them to take over a prominent house for their own and integrate that families magics into their own. He couldn't fault any of them for trying. That being said, when the first few challenges came, Harry had made sure to put them down swiftly. He had to admit a few of them were skilled but not quite near him, he even thought Bella could have won against many of them.

"I challenge you, Harry Peverell, as per the conditions of the Demonstration. Should I win, the Peverell House will be headed by myself, should I lose, I will offer up my Granddaughter, Hela Odinson," Odin Odinson of the Celtic family was one of the first from the major families to challenge him.

Hela aptly named, was a beautiful Scandinavian girl who was two years older than Harry, he had spoken with her briefly and the girl had been shy but told him she loved to read and study instead of practice battle magic like her brothers and uncles. She had a distinctive look with half of her hair being a raven black and the other half being platinum white, her eyes were offset with hazel on the white side and blue on the raven side, her face was perfectly symmetrical and she was a beautiful developed young woman despite her shyness.

"The terms are agreed, as with all of the duels, the first one to yield shall be the loser. If the opponent is unable to yield then they are also the loser, if death shall occur then they are obviously, the loser."

"Who will represent the Odinson Family of the Scandinavia?"

"I will," Thor Odinson was the brutish and bulky eldest son of Odin, uncle of Hela and he was a man covered in scars from battles he had fought and started.

"Harry Peverell, who will represent you?"

Harry rolled his eyes, the question had to be asked but only he could represent himself. He spoke his affirmation that he would be fighting for himself like with the other challenges.

The magical barrier that protected the audience materialized as Thor entered the arena. Harry was glad for his months spent training as he had yet to break a sweat, the minor families that challenged him weren't too bad but they weren't on his level. As the brutish man drew his wand and cracked his limbs while stretching, Harry surveyed him with a keen eye, this man was dangerous and Harry knew it.

"On my mark… fight!"

Thor didn't waste any time before he was casting various lightning inspired spells towards him, Harry moved swiftly to intercept or block the spells with debris, shields or just avoid them with expert footwork. Thor moved and cursed like a proper warrior, the two were never stagnant as they maneuverer themselves around the arena. Harry allowed his Elder Wand to slip into his left hand while this world's elder wand was in his right, the magic of the two wands were similar yet different. One accepted him as its master and was devoted as a proficient tool to carry out the will of its user, whereas the wand that came with him from his world was a part of him, an extension of himself and his power.

Harry began casting with both wands and swiftly Thor began to fall back on the defensive as the arena around them was torn apart from their clashing of spells. The man slammed his wand into the ground summoning a wall of lighting to protect himself while he healed a few of the more minor curses Harry had managed to slip through. Harry's next spell barrage broke through the wall of lightning; however, Thor was ready with his own spell chain launching off and Harry twisted just in time to avoid an ethereal hammer slamming into him. The hammer then returned to Thor's off hand, being made of lightning Thor threw it again while casting. This was going to be a problem for Harry now, he ducked and weaved around the destroyed arena making sure to not lose his footing. After minutes of frustration for Thor, he abandoned the use of crafty spells and decided to attack Harry solely with his conjured elemental war-hammer. In retaliation, Harry growled and transformed into his animagus form and Nundu met Hammer in a physical altercation with Harry taking hits to his side and jaw before clawing into Thor who was laughing like a maniac as they clashed. This is how the scrappy battle went on before Harry managed to get the upper hand, he took a harsh blow from Thor in order to tear into his leg and almost ripping it clean off, Thor's cried of pain echoed through the chamber as he fell and Harry pounced, slamming the bulky man into the grown with his body before pressing his claws to the man's chest and bringing his jaw close to Thor's face, his acid breath threatening to burn Thor's beard and face.

"Thor Odinson, do you yield?" Michel asked looking to Odin who looked frustrated, and then to the downed Thor.

"Aye, I yield," Thor echoed after seeing a nod from his father.

"Very well, victory goes to Harry Peverell. As per the agreement for the challenge, Hela Odinson shall now be given to the Peverell family as compensation. You may discuss the finer details later."

After his showing with the Celtic man, Harry could see most of the more powerful families were looking at him with newly refreshed respect. As he changed back he winced as his bruises made themselves known and he immediately went about healing himself, he looked up to where the Blacks and Potters were sitting to see them looking at him with concerned smiles, though Bellatrix wasn't looking at him, he followed her glare to see her trying to stare holes right into Hela Odinson who was frowning as she spoke with her grandfather heatedly, in addition to a man who appeared to be her father, a woman who he assumed was her mother and a now being healed Thor.

"If there is no one else who wishes to challenge Harry Peverell, then we shall announce this demonstration over. Thank you for - "

"Wait! I challenge Harry Peverell!" A familiar voice announced and Harry frowned as he saw Michel's face go red with seething anger.

Lancel Devereaux was the source of the voice, he marched down into the arena with a cocky smirk on his face. Up in the stands Lauretta, Nadine, Veroniqua, Apolline, Jean-Paul, Enri, Vincent and Mirabella all paled and looked at Michel.

"Are you sure you wish to go through with this challenge, Lancel Devereaux of the Devereaux Family?" Michel's tone took on a warning but the man ignored him.

"I so, should I win, I will take over as Head of the Peverell family. Should you win, I will offer up whatever my lord deems worthy as compensation," Lancel said, he was looking directly at Harry who frowned at him.

"Lancel what the fuck are you doing!" Vincent hissed, clearly thinking that he would have to give up one of his daughters or his niece because of his brother's stupid actions and need to prove himself.

"The challenge and terms have been issued, Harry Peverell, do you agree?" Michel asked, his tone a lot quieter knowing that Harry wasn't going to be able to refuse.

"I agree, though the compensation, should I win, will be discussed between myself and Lord Devereaux." Michel looked at Harry with a grateful expression, after this match it was clear there was going to be a discussion between the two of them.

Harry watched as Hela Odinson walked to where his family stand ins were seated, briefly introduce herself shyly before sitting down with them. He hadn't taken anyone else as even the daughters of the minor sentinel families weren't equal to his lordship of the Peverell family but he did take businesses or money from them. Hela was the only person he had been forced to claim as compensation.

"Very well… on my mark… fight!"

For a few moments neither Harry nor Lancel made a movement, Harry was watching his actions carefully both wands at his side. He hadn't spoken with Lancel much or at all, but from his limited interaction it always seemed like Lancel had the pathological need to prove himself. Lancel held his wand in a traditional fencers grip and stance, while Harry was more lose and relaxed without poise but ready to react in any way.

The stalemate was broken when Lancel sent his first spell chain, Harry noted that he was whispering his spells, having no doubt much trouble with silent casting that Harry can do. The spells were unfamiliar to him, and the speed wasn't as fast as he expected. He was able to block or side-step all of the spells coming his way. He then returned with his own spell chain, lowering the speed and the power of the spells as a way to just test Lancel's defense.

Apolline watched her uncle and Harry exchanging spells completely perplexed as were the rest of her family, her grandfather straight out looked like he wanted to murder Uncle Lancel. She didn't understand why he would issue a challenge after grandfather made it known that they would be returning the help their own family had received centuries ago. Her mother had told her that Uncle Lancel sought power constantly and to prove himself to their grandfather but challenging and attempting to take over Harry's family wasn't the right way to do it.

Not to mention Apolline would have to face the music herself, something she was dreading and she couldn't help but look at the young woman from the Celtic Sentinel Family who would be forced to join Harry's house. Not that she would be mistreated, Apolline had no doubts that Harry would treat Hela well, far better than her own family likely. The other night Apolline had confided in her mother and sister that her inner Veela has chosen Harry as her mate and now that it has done that she and it won't accept anyone else other than Harry. It was a daunting feeling knowing that her creature has picked Harry and the thought of him rejecting her would absolutely cause her to go insane. Not just that, but she knew that Harry would have more than one wife and was content to start picking them for him. Now her uncle was threatening to take away Harry's family name and the Veela in her wanted to tear him apart. She was now watching as Lancel and Harry's duel started becoming more intense.

She was horrified seeing her family spells flying towards Harry, spells that she was taught could cause such violence and weren't to be used unless ones lives or others' lives were in danger. But at the same time, Harry moved out of their way, or deflected them into the barrier or the ground, or he blocked them with transfigured debris.

"It'll be okay," Nadine said quietly, her hand in Apolline's as the younger girl clutched it like her life depended on it.

"Lancel is good, but, it would seem that Harry is better," Lauretta murmured.

There was much truth in that statement, while their duel in the room of requirement was won by her, and he was trying to take it seriously. She had no doubt she would have lost if it came to a battle to the death. Here though, Harry had no reservations and while she could tell he was doing his best to avoid seriously harming Lancel, he was getting more and more pissed off. It was in the air, the smell of decay and rot, the smell of death, the smell of the Peverell family magic demanding the slight against its blood relations be paid. Was it odd that Apolline could sense the ambient ancient magic in the air? Perhaps, but she could dwell on why her senses were picking up on that later. She looked over to where the Black's and Potters were seated, all of them were tense as they watched the Demonstrations. Bellatrix Black had in the past week, become a dear friend and her Veela sensed that Bellatrix would also make a fitting additional mate for her mate and as such her attraction to the dark-haired witch had also grown. Veela were known for their possessiveness but they were also mostly polyamorous as they seldom find a partner solely for themselves but usually for members of their enclave, it's only a few Veela families that claim a sole male for their own, or as is the case of the Devereaux family, their Veela nature comes from their family sentinel magic and thus they generally have just one chosen mate.

Harry is better than her uncle and he is proving it in the way he is handling the demonstration, how he's handled everyone who challenged him and the way he moves, how his magic flares up and how it does his will as if he were conducting an orchestra of magic. A conductor masterfully reading and leading others in his symphony. As proven she and everyone watching was enchanted as Harry weaved between spells her uncle sent and tore up the ground in front of him banishing them forwards while at the same time transfiguring them and enchanting them. The spikes that missed their target hit the ground and pulsed around them with a powerful paralysis spell. Lancel had been busy repelling the spears that may have hit him he failed to notice the trap that he had walked into, Harry had spent much time directing him into a small limited area of movement and then had struck with something her uncle couldn't have escaped. Caught in the paralysis spell, Lancel was held down in his position mid spell. Harry sighed approached, waving his wand allowing Lancel to use his mouth.

"Do you yield?" Harry asked monotonously.

"I yield," Lancel seethed, Harry nodded and cancelled his spells before turning his back and walking away.

"Vincent, Lauretta, come grab your brother. We will be discussing this later," Michel couldn't even look at his youngest son.

"Father I - "Lancel began.

"Save it. Now, does anyone else wish to challenge Lord Peverell's ability to lead his family?" When no one answered he took a deep breath.

"This demonstration is called to a close, if you owe Lord Peverell assets, his account manager will be in touch to handle the exchange. If you owe Lord Potter a person, you will meet with him now," Michel said.

As the different families took their leave, save the Celtic Family and the Devereaux, Potter's and Black's, Harry allowed his exhaustion to show as his shoulders slumped and he rolled them as he let out a sigh.

"Let us meet in my office, one family at a time. Odinson, you first as you challenged first," Harry said, partially because he needed time to calm down from the betrayal of Lancel Devereaux and for the matter he had no idea what he could ask of that wouldn't take one of the three girls he had come to see as a friend away from their family, they didn't deserve to lose their family because of their uncle's idiocy.

"Of course," Michel replied.

"Odin Odinson, please follow Lord Peverell to his office," Michel said, once the Odinson family had left following Harry, he stormed up to Lancel and struck him, hard, causing everyone to wince.

"How fucking dare you! After the hospitality and debt that our family owe the Peverell family, you try to usurp him!" Michel roared.

"I saw a chance to make us more powerful and I took it! I did nothing wrong, the demonstration is so we can challenge those we feel can't lead their family properly! He is a 17-year-old boy! He shouldn't be leading one of the most powerful sentinel families," Lancel argued, only to be struck again.

"He had you from the very start," Bellatrix cut in, all eyes shot to her.

"What do you mean?" Lancel asked, his voice shaking.

"I've seen Harry in a real fight, I've been training with him and I've watched him duel, not to mention fought by his side. His actions, spells and the like are always calculated, especially when something is at stake. He gave you the benefit of the doubt to back down before he tore you apart. You didn't back down, so he made it so you could only possibly lose and nothing else," Bellatrix replied with a shrug as she followed the Black's out of the room leaving the Devereaux's alone.

"Not to mention he made you look weak in front of the other families the way he did it, we all saw what he was doing by making you move and taking away the arena around you. But you in your egocentric need to prove yourself didn't see what he was doing and fell for it," Lauretta sighed.

"He made you a pariah, an outcast, it was no secret to the other families that ours had already integrated itself with Harry Peverell, given that he had asked father to oversee the demonstration. And your challenge was a stab in the back that Harry couldn't do anything but make an example of you less he look weak," Vincent said quietly.

"There is now the matter of what our family now owes his by demand of magic, less we all suffer the potential backlash," Michel's voice was tired and broken.

"I do not wish to part with any of my granddaughters, but, being in service and a member of his family is a far cry from a bad fate… the matter of who…" Michel trailed off, unable to look his granddaughters in the eyes.

"Me, it will be me," Apolline said, Lauretta's eyes bulged out as did Veroniqua's but Nadine and her mother looked at her with a smile and an understanding.

"Are you sure Apolline?"

"Go on honey, tell them," her mother encouraged and her sister gave her a smile and a nod.

"I'm sure, I meant to speak with you after the demonstration grandfather. But my Veela, she has chosen Harry as our mate. I hand wanted to speak with you and them him privately once I had your blessing, but it seems fate has dealt her own hand. I can't imagine myself with anyone other than Harry. My Veela won't allow it and I don't want to fight her claim either," Apolline sighed.

"I see…"

"I still wish to speak with him and explain it, but, I believe I would be more than suitable to be our families compensation," Apolline said.

I appreciate you all! Especially the ones who signed up at the start!

Azure

Jake Dunham

Kevin Beck

& AB for being the first ones!

Shoutout to my upper tier follows!

Jake Dunham, PigPen & Kyle Wrightsman!