Well the poll is in and it turns out that people want me to make this into its own little story. So I shall, don't say I don't give you anything. This chapter was a little rushed but hopefully you'll be able to understand what's going on. So here you are.
EDIT: Chapter had been checked for spelling and grammar.
H - HP - P
Chapter Three: Scars of the Arcane
When Briar had first discovered Harry's realm she had been quick to establish herself somewhere quiet, away from the hustle, bustle and the prying eyes of towns. She had been worried about how her finances and treasure hordes would amount to in this strange futuristic world (by her medieval standards), she had no idea about how the currency would translate from her world to this world but she quickly discovered that the people in this realm placed a higher value on gold and silver than from her own realm. Briar had used just a tiny portion from the hefty sums of money she had gained from just a few bars of pure gold and silver to buy a manor on the outskirts of the town Lily had lived in as a child. Lily and a few of her friends had come to play inside its halls many times when the witch had been younger and as she had grown up. Nox Noctis Manor had been built in the grounds of a decrepit Tudor manor that had been left to rot after a fire had gutted it sometime in the late sixteenth century. When Briar had bought the land the old ruins had been preserved by a historic society and the new Noctis Manor foundations had been set a little way further into the four hundred and twenty acre grounds, the Tudor ruins were now a heritage site and the public paid to see them.
The new manor had five separate bedrooms on the top floor, en suites, a library and a training room. The ground floor had a large entrance hall, ballroom, kitchen, a tiny dining hall, studies and a stable on the West side of the building, Briar just didn't like cars, they were far too loud. From the outside, Nox Noctis Manor looked rather unassuming, but if you could see several floors under it you'd soon get the feeling that nothing was quite as normal. The seven basement levels had been carved out by the minions and transformed into a flooded, hot chasm under the manor complete with minion holes linked across realms to the Minion Burrows. Netherworld shards had been scattered around the centre of the chasm and, feeding off of Briar's magic, they had grown to become a stable gateway between the two realms. It was nothing like the Netherworld Tower but Nox Noctis Manor was considered a good home; especially by Corvin.
The manor was permanently staffed by minions, brays and a small army of trusted witches and wizards. The two most senior staff were Jasper, a thin, late thirty-ish man with slicked back, grey hair who tended the grounds and acted as butler when Briar and the family were in, and a tall, severe woman who saw to the care of the horses, Mrs Keller. It was Jasper that Corvin saw first as his vision cleared from the light of the Netherworld gate, minions had already taken the few belongings he had taken from his room in the Netherworld tower up to his bedroom, he already had clothes at the manor so the only thing he carried with him was his sword. A simple little thing no where near as intricate or as strong as his mother's. "Good morning, Master Corvin." Jasper said coming to a stand just beyond the reach of the gate's light.
"Hello Jasper, how have things been here?" Corvin asked, more as a formality. Whenever he saw Jasper he felt like it was just the proper thing to do; he was a very good butler after all and the tragic man kept a firm grasp on the minions that helped keep the manor proper. Corvin was quite sure that without him and Mrs Keller they would return to find the manor had turned into a disaster area.
"Very well, sir. Rather boring actually." Jasper anwsered politely as he and Corvin watched Roan come from the gate next. "Ah, with you and Roan around I'm sure things will soon pick up again." he added with a hint of a smile gracing his thin lips.
"I don't think I'll ever get used to that tingling sensation." Corvin heard Roan groan out behind him. "Hi Jasper, minions haven't given you any trouble have they?"
"Of course not, Master Roan. Not after last time." the butler said taking a hold of some cases containing clothing for Roan. Since Roan did not often come to Corvin's realm he had to bring some clothes with him.
"Wait Jasper, Lady Briar wants to talk to you about something when she gets through so I'll take my own things up to a bedroom." said Roan quickly, taking the cases from Jasper's hands.
"Oh, very well, sir. I shall wait here then for the Lady." With that the two boys followed the paths and walkways up to the manor, some minions cheering and calling out to them as they past. Slick had silently weaselled his way past the two and was now leading the way up to the house proper. The hidden entrance to the Manor Burrows, the name given to the Minion Burrows under Nox Noctis Manor, opened up at their approach and the two young lords and the runty green minion stepped out into the basement which was filled with food and drink stuffs and even scattered with old minion equipment like helmets and broken weapons. They were likely storing it until the pile got a bit bigger before they could reforge new armour in the small forging area of the Manor Burrows.
"I thought the minions would keep their forging materials a little more organized." Roan commented as they passed the pile.
"Minions 'ere have tiny Forge, nowhere else to keep the metal." Slick told him as the green held the door open that led to the kitchen where several house elves came up to greet them. From the gorgeous smell that was wafting around the stoves and counters it was roast lamb. Briar's favourite. Getting past the house elves and going up the stairs, again seeing some minions guarding the hallways and doors and some house elves cleaning the furniture and rooms as they climbed the stairs to the manor's second floor. Reaching the top of the stairs Corvin and Roan turned left to enter the fifth bedroom which Roan always claimed as his own whenever he visited the manor.
"A week without training!" the burly blond shouted in ecstasy as he fell onto the bed after putting his cases at the foot of the solid oak frame.
Corvin left smiling at his surrogate brother's antics and went to settle into his own bedroom which was located in on the west side of the manor and was the first bedroom; most people would call it the master bedroom, but most people didn't realise Briar had her own bedroom which took up the whole space in the attic. Corvin walked into his bedroom to find it exactly how he'd left it. His large oak frame four poster bed was hand carved by the minions (as was most furniture in the manor) and was kept clean and dust-free by the house elves, his huge wardrobe and tables were also carved from oak and like his bed held motifs of the minions and Overlord symbols. Reds, blacks, golds and wooden hues were the colour scheme of the manor broken by huge paintings and portraits of Briar's generals and mistresses from the past. In his bedroom was a painting of Briar and his birth mother, Lily, when she was about fifteen. Corvin's eyes fell upon the painting on the western wall the room as he put away his personal items. Briar was stood regally in a beautifully intricate white and red dress, her jet black locks held out of her piercing blue eyes by silver and gemstone fastenings. His mother was dressed in a periwinkle blue dress with small amounts of purple trim, her long red hair allowed to hang loose around her shoulders. Harkim had painted the picture, he had shown Corvin the photos he had taken to help him complete the project several times in the past. He loved the picture, not because it held his real mother, but because it showed Briar smiling. "There are few times I remember Lady Briar smiling, Corvin." He heard Harkim's voice telling him in one of his science lessons when the wise desert wanderer had shown the pictures for the first time. "Your mother was just one of a few. She was very special to the Lady. It hurt her deeply when your parents died, deeper than perhaps even she realised." He tore his eyes away from the painting to see Slick had taken his place on top of his four poster bed, it was where the runty Green minion had set up a perfect vigil to protect his young master throughout the night. It was this time that Corvin heard his mother coming into his room and looked up to her. She was dressed in Muggle clothes and her weapons were no where in sight.
"I've decided that we shall wait until tomorrow to go to the Alley. You and Roan can do as you want for the day, but make sure you return for dinner."
"Thanks Mother. Can I take Gypsy out?"
"I don't see why not, see if Roan wants to come with you." with that Briar left and Corvin saw her take the stairs up to her bedroom while he returned to Roan's bedroom to find the Nordbergian lad stuffing his clothing into the draws and wardrobe.
"Roan, Mother's decided to take us to Diagon Alley tomorrow so I'm taking Gypsy out for a run."
"Hey, let me take Warek!" the older boy asked excitedly. Gypsy and Warek, in simple words, were Corvin and Roan's favourite steeds and the two had not been able to see the riding animals for some weeks.
The stables of Noctis Manor were huge, the stable attached to the manor itself was capable of holding over thirty individual horses alone in their own spacious stalls. The stables that had been built separate from the manor was capable of holding over sixty. Briar was an avid horse and pony breeder (as well as other livestock kept at a farm located on the manor's vast grounds) the best specimens from her horses were sent back to her realm to be trained and used as warhorses and tireless pack animals to support her armies. The stables were maintained and the horses cared for by an army of farmhands and minions all working for Mrs Keller, who was tending to a Friesian stallion when the two boys eventually reached the large stables. "Hello, Mrs Keller, is Warek okay to go out?" Roan asked bouncing over to the severe woman who looked at him with a strange mix of relief and utter contempt.
"Where have you been Roan? I told Briar I need you here at least twice a week to exercise that damn animal! Greg is off work with a fractured leg because of Warek! Get that wretched thing's reigns and get him outside before he tries to break out again!" the thin woman barked, sending Roan to the area of the manor stables that held the tack for the horses and ponies. Mrs Keller's moods were renowned for being 'explosive'. When she fixed Corvin with a glance the boy froze to the spot, daring not to say anything in case she started on him. After a minute where Mrss Keller was able to gather herself she spoke to Corvin in a much more calmer voice. "Gypsy's stuff is in its usual spot, Corvin. I'm sure she'll be pleased to see you."
"Thank you, Mrs Keller. I hope the stallion is okay."
"He's just getting used to his shoes, first time this one's been shod. He'll be fine, go and see Gypsy."
Knowing the horse was in good hands with the tall woman Corvin walked to Gypsy's stall, grabbing her saddle and reigns from a rack as he went. Gypsy was a friendly mare who was a mix of so many different horse breeds it wasn't apparent what she was, Briar had bought her mainly because the young mare was a very laid-back and good natured creature, perfect for teaching Corvin how to ride. The brown and cream mare was in her normal stall and had her head sticking out from her stall as Corvin approached, her ears perked and an excited whinny. In her stall Corvin was able to put the equipment down and greet the friendly mare who was sniffing at his hair and allowed him to scratch her neck and pat her ears and nose. "You okay girl, want to have a run yeah?"
The mare of course said nothing but allowed Corvin to tie the saddle to her and put the reigns over her head. Once she was ready he led her back through the stables, past the stallion Mrs Keller was seeing to and outside, Roan and Warek weren't outside so Corvin climbed into the saddle and walked Gypsy around for a bit while waiting for his older friend and his temperamental steed. Eventually, there was a sound from the stables and Corvin could hear Roan directing Warek outside.
"Go on boy, go on, out we go. There's a boy!" and out trotted Roan atop a dark brown Exmoor Pony.
Warek had been brought by Briar for his endurance and tenacity; his fierce loyalty to his rider had come as an added surprise when Roan had first got onto the pony's back. The pony held Roan on his back like the young viking wasn't even there, his ears swivelling around his head as he trotted up to the larger mare and Corvin.
"We ready to go?" Corvin asked
Roan nodded and together the two boys and their steeds rode out from the stables and into the fields of Nox Noctis grounds.
H - The Dark Prince - P
Briar watched from her bedroom window as her sons trotted across the grounds towards the woods to the West where they would probably stop to look for deer tracks, but with them occupied she could finally begin her own plan. The Dark Lady pulled herself away from her window and walked to the middle of her vast personal space where a circle of patterns was carved into the wooden panels of the floor. Brair would take Corvin to Diagon Alley tomorrow, but she had other things to sort out first of all which required only her. She did not want to bore her sons with the incessant prattle of Goblins and the intricacies of their society and the Gringott's banking systems until necessary.
Briar however, had business that she felt could not wait any longer.
Her eyes and the veins in the palms of her hands began to glow as she called forth her magic, she clapped her hands together and there was a great flash of white light which cleared to reveal that she was standing in front of an oak door. Just as her hands came to rest at her side the door opened and a minion-sized goblin stared up at her and grinned.
"Lady Rose, your timing is as impeccable as always." the aged goblin complimented allowing her into his office.
"Thank you for seeing me at such short notice, Gobbletoad." Closing the door he took her hand and led her to a seat at an ornate table before sitting himself opposite her.
"After your many contributions to this bank, Miss Rose, I still consider it a personal honour to consult you in any meeting. Short notice or otherwise." Gobbletoad explained, valued customers among the wizards were rare commodities to goblins. Briar had always ensured to be a customer that showed good faith in the goblins and she was rewarded handsomely for it. She used an alias name with the bank to protect her interests and, of course, her identity. Through the many years since she had first opened her personal account and a savings account for Lily when they discovered the existence of the wizarding world she had been sure to keep good faith with the goblins. Respect, appreciation and a deep coffer got you far in their society. "Speaking of the meeting, what was it that you wished to discuss so urgently."
"It is in regards to some accounts that belonged to a very good friend of mine, the late Lily Potter, formally Miss Lily Evans." Briar explained.
"The Potters, Miss Rose?" Gobbletoad asked with a surprised air.
"Yes, Gobbletoad. Before the death of her and her husband Mrs Potter had come to see me regarding the guardianship of their most precious pocessions should anything... untoward... happen to her family. While I verbally agreed to take sole care of their most important treasure I tried to explain to her that she should find a Steward for the Potter accounts and estates who could properly care for them. But I believe that she and her husband may have placed my name down as the sole steward to their accounts, disregarding my wishes. I wish to find out if my feelings are correct." Gobbletoad nodded as he listened to her words before he spoke.
"The Potter family are one of the oldest of the Ancient Families with links to King Arthur and hence, to Merlin himself, so their estates would be in the billions, if not billions then they would be considered priceless. Luckily, the Diagon Alley branch of Gringotts is the home to the old Potter family accountant and I'm sure he will be most delighted to help in this case. Unfortunately, he is rather old and cannot walk well any more, dear Lady, if you could follow me Miss Rose we shall go see him."
"I would be most honoured to see the Living Areas of this fine bank, Gobbletoad." Briar said with an honest smile "I will relish this chance to see them with my own eyes." Her accountant lifted an inquisitive eyebrow as a genuine smile graced his large lips. The chance to walk through the very heart of a Gringott's bank was to walk through a goblin city where the many accountants and their families lived, it was why they guarded the banks so ferociously. But few wizards or witches understood this and so very few ever got to see these special streets set aside from the Alley and built into Gringotts, the few that did often saw the experience as a waste of time, but Briar had many lifetimes of experience underneath her young facade. To walk through the Living Quarters was a goblin invitation to see through their armour, past their defensive walls; it was a test of character.
Where others would have shown distaste at having to journey down to the deepest levels of the bank, Briar saw the experience for what it was, a chance to show that she was a trusting customer. Some would call her an idiot; but few of the other magical races choose to remember that it was grave sin, punishable by death, to cheat or extort or beguile another out of their hard earned money in goblin society. No reputable goblin accountant, like Gobbletoad, even thought of doing such things.
Still smiling, the goblin again offered his hand to the regal lady and led Briar down to the glittering city that lay buried under the white halls of Gringotts.
H - The Dark Prince - P
The goblin who had served the Potter family as their accountant was a very haggard little thing who reminded her of Gnarl but his skin was a dusky colour instead of grey, he was dressed in rich finery as he greeted the both of them warmly and allowed Briar and Gobbletoad into his home. After explaining the situation to him the goblin fixed Briar with an inquisitive if somewhat disbelieving glare. There was silence for a long time as Briar and Krule stared at each other, Gobbletoad just continued to drink the tea he had been offered by the senior member of the bank. Finally, the ancient goblin said, "James and Lily Potter did place a single name down as the Steward to their estates until their heir reached the age where he could reclaim them in the family name. But that name was not Rose, my lady."
"Mrs Potter must have given you some way for me to prove my identity?" Briar asked. Krule reached behind him and recovered a vial of orange liquid and past it over to the young woman.
"Please drink it." he said.
Taking the stopper out Briar swallowed the potion whole, not letting it touch her tastebuds. She replaced the stopper and handed the crystal vial back to Krule.
"That was a Truthful Intent potion, designed by the best goblin minds and our strongest magic, we use it to ensure a person is being truthful in their words. Since Harry Potter has been missing for many years we must be sure you are who you say you are. I will not have the noble Potter name stolen by an imposter."
"I understand. What must I do?"
"The sole person the Potters signed on all their forms had some very unique magical scarring on their hands and arms as well as other interesting qualities. The Truthful Intent potion you just drank also contained another ingredient. For most witches and wizards aria is a substance that suppresses the flow of the magical properties in their blood, it can cause them to lose their ability to cast spells. For some very, very rare arcane individuals however, those whose blood contains amazing quantities of mana the aria will have no effect on them at all. I will point out Miss Rose, that the only person who could possibly possess such arcane talents is the person who Mrs and Mr Potter named as their Steward." Krule explained, Gobbletoad and Briar listening carefully. "If you are this individual that the Potters put down on their forms, than all you have to do, is show me these unique scars."
"Truat Lily to come up with something like this. Such a clever girl." The Dark Lady thought fondly as she removed the Shadow Cloak from her shoulders and her coat, leaving her arms bare to the room. She concentrated and with the vast amount of arcane mana in her blood the aria dissolved and dim lights began to shine under her skin. The eyes of both goblins widened in awe as arcane light began to map out the veins across the palms of her hands and then up her arms as her ice blue iris' began to shine on the craggly faces of the goblin accountants. Krule smiled and bowed his head. "Dark Lady Briar, Overlord to the Netherworld. We have a lot to discuss."
"Thank you, Krule, before Gobbletoad leaves I wish to ask him one more favour before today ends." the older goblin nodded his consent. "Gobbletoad, could you send a letter to the Headmaster of Hogwarts School and please inform him that Harry Potter has returned to Britain."
H - HP - P
Its all kicking off now. What's going to happen when the wizarding world learns that somewhere out there their hero has returned.
