Erza also had a familiar who was once a warlock. He was once one of the greatest warlocks of all time, Makarov Dreyar. He wise and fair and just, almost adored by magic user, mortal, and monster alike. Well he used to be adored that is, but years back he had been made the scapegoat for the mysterious murder of the ambassador between magic users and monsters. Porlyuscia was the only member on the witch's council who defended him and she was overruled by majority, this led to poor Makarov having to spend a hundred years as a witch familiar just like his grandson. He was transformed into a great Barred Owl, one with large eyes full of experience and wisdom.
Irene, being one of the few witches who believed in Makarov's innocence, chose him to be Erza's familiar. She knew that he would prove to be more than just a suitable guide for her daughter. He would help her achieve greatness, and probably become the greatest witch in their entire family. But Makarov was more than just a guide to Erza, he was also her only confidant. Someone whom she could confess her troubles and true emotions to without feeling as though she was burdening him. But best of all, he sheltered her from the awful darkness that was her father.
When Irene Scarlet reached her 20th year her father had arranged for her to marry the warlock Rung Belserion. They weren't in love but his
magic was equal to Irene's in every aspect and he had been a loyal apprentice to Lord Scarlet for years, so the two were considered to be a perfect match by arrangement standards. At first all was well within their marriage, no love bloomed between them but they were amicable. Then the birth of their first and only child came, and that's what sparked the abuse.
Rung had expected Irene to give him a son yet it was a daughter that she had brought into the world. A useless daughter he had called Erza, and his disappointment turned to rage which he took out on his wife. This led to many fights and marital problems.
Many nights little Erza had cried over the discord between her parents and Makarov would just soothe the tiny girl the best way he could. Other times he would write to Anna, asking her to come by and take Erza for a few days so she wouldn't be too exposed to such wretchedness. Makarov always made certain that Erza would never be left alone with her father, and if that hate-filled man had ever tried to raise a hand to the child, he would end up having talon marks over his eyes. He was a familiar and it was a familiar's job to protect and watch over the magic user they were assigned to, and portect and watch over he would.
"I'm really glad you're coming with me Makarov." Erza told the owl as they waited at the train station for her uncle and cousin to arrive. "But are you sure you want to come? You won't be able to do as much in the Mortal Realm."
"Honestly I could do with a change of enviorment." The owl spoke. "And I've always wanted to observe how mortals live their daily lives and how magic users adapt to living in that world.Plus I'll get to see the lovely Anna again, hoo-hoo!"
"Makarov you dirty old man in owl's clothing!" Irene scolded. "Don't you even think about it! Besides, you know she never really moved on from my grandfather."
"And I never really moved on from Renée but I still get lonely."
"I seriously doubt that Nanny will be interested in a bird." Erza said.
"Wait a hundred years, she'll change her mind. Back in the day, I couldn't keep the witches off me."
"Back in the day perhaps." Irene said. "But wasn't your previous form short and blading?"
The owl sighed in disappointment.
"You hit your four-hundreth year and then everything goes."
Erza rubbed her knuckles against his feathers in a comforting manner.
"So Mom, will you and Uncle Jude be staying the night at Nanny's house or leaving once you drop us off?"
"Actually we're just putting you and Lucy on the train." Irene said. "Grandmother will pick you both up from the other station."
"You're not coming on the train? But don't you want to see Nanny Anna? She misses you and I know you miss her."
"I wish I could come but I have to get back to my shop. I'm expecting a delivery of eye of newt."
"But this is your chance to meet Juvia. Your niece, Nanny says in her letters you'd like her. She's just like Auntie Ondina."
"I'm sure she is. I'm sure half of her is just like my sister."
"What do you mean half of her?"
But it wasn't long before Erza got the message and when she did disappointment and frustration became evident in her eyes.
"So that's it, you don't want to meet her because she's half mortal."
"No. I'd like very much to meet her. I'm just not in the mood to be around..." She trailed off, unable to finish.
"Her father?" Erza deduced, and when Irene remained silent, Erza knew she had deduced correctly. "Mom I can't believe you're still upset about that. Aren't you the least bit sorry about what happened between you and your sister?"
"She did something that was strictly forbidden in our family."
"She fell in love and you never spoke to her again."
"It's not that simple. She ran away with a mortal."
"Only because your parents made her choose between her family and her true love. That's a sadistic choice. They were wrong to do that."
"Don't disrespect your grandparents like that."
"I meant no disrespect but do you really think what they did to Auntie Ondina and what they made you do was for the best?"
"I am not discussing this with you. You're too young to understand."
"I'm not that young. I'm eighteen."
"But you're not a fully mature witch yet and until then, you cannot possibly understand what happened back then."
"What about Nanny Anna? You're the only grandchild she has left. She's probably eager to see you as often as she can, and I thought that with both your sisters gone, you wouldn't be so distant from her."
"Erza please. I already have enough emotional and psychological issues to resolve, curtesy of your so-called father. At least let me get over one obstacle before setting me up for another." She said. "By the way I was finally able to get a restraining order on him. If he comes within ten feet of us, he'll instantly change into a newt for a thousand years. Ha-ha! Part of me wishes he'd make the attempt."
"Does Dad know I'm going to be living in the Mortal Realm for a year?"
"No and he's not going to know. You're not to contact him ever."
"Don't worry Mom, I don't want to contact him. I just want to know if he'd be able to me if he wanted to?"
"No. The restraining order prevents that, but he wouldn't look for you. I can promise you that. But just in case." Irene turned to the owl. "Makarov, if you hear anything about my ex husband in the Mortal Realm, anything at all, report it to me immediately and guard Erza with your life."
"You can count on me 'oh great and terrible one'." Makarov saluted with a wing.
"Makarov don't call her that." Erza said.
"Oh no dear that's my nickname." Irene explained. "Before I married, I was both the greatest and worst witch there was. Other witches wanted to be me while warlocks, mortals, and monsters feared me. Ha! My sisters and I were a real plague on the world."
"But I thought you three were good witches."
"We were but even good witches love a little mischief now and then. Running amuck and mildly tormenting those who distressed us. Of course I was the brains of the operation but your aunts had creative ideas of their own."
For the first time in awhile, Erza saw her mother's eyes light up and smile as though she didn't have a care in the world.
"One of our greatest disasters was when I was your age, and one perverse warlock thought it would be a good idea to chase after your aunt Layla who was only thirteen at the time. Naturally we couldn't allow that filth to go without punishment so you're sixteen year old Aunt Ondina lured him into our secret hideaway where we turned him into what he really was. A pig."
"Did he stay a pig forever?"
"No. He only stayed a pig until we took him to a butcher. Then he was turned into bacon and smoked sausage." She licked her lips. "For a pervert he was quite delicious."
"You three ate him?!" Erza cried out in horror.
"No. I ate him. Your aunts had reservations about that sort of thing."
"Mom that's murder and cannibalism."
"Not according to the witch's council. They were going to give him the death penalty anyway so as far they were concerned, I did them a public service."
"Just so we're clear Mom, you've never served me anything that used to be a person right?"
"Heavens no! Person turned food is just full of empty calories. You'd never be able to grow big and strong on a diet like that."
Erza shuddered and for a moment she thought that she would gag.
"Mom that's sick on so many levels."
"Oh so it's perfectly fine for vampires to drink blood but if a witch turns someone into a pig and eats him, that's just wrong." She said.
Although Irene was technically a good witch, she could easily be mistaken for a wicked one. She had a cunning mind, a nasty temper, and a sadistic streak that could send an ice cold chill up your spine. Those who crossed Irene would have their lives taken by her or ruined by her in the most ruthless and brutal methods imaginable, believe me you would not want that witch as your enemy. But what kept her from being classified as a bad witch was that the people she killed and tortured were never innocent victims. She would only target the lowest of the low, immoral and vile beings who would never seek redemption. Wretches who would be given the death penalty if caught by the witch's council or by law enforcers that the mortals called the police.
"Irene you're the scariest witch I've ever known in my entire life." Makarov said.
"Thank you. Ah, ha-ha!" Irene let out a proud laugh that left all who heard it shaking.
"Oh really Mom, the witch's cackle?" Erza said embarrassed. "Could you be anymore of a stereotype?"
"Sometimes stereotypes are fun Darling." Irene said. "And you know green skin actually looks fabulous with red hair."
Erza sighed and facepalmed while shaking her head. It was moments like these where she would question her relation to her mother. Then again pretty much everyone in her family was strange or disturbing in someway. She wondered if her mortal uncle and her half mortal cousin would be the same.
"Well whether they are or not." Erza thought to herself. "They won't scare me half as much as Mom. Nothing can scare me more than my mother."
"Nothing can scare me more than your mother too." Makarov whispered to her.