Author's notes:
I set myself up for multiple conversations with Umbridge so this is my own damn fault, but wow are these hard to write.
I only just found out YESTERDAY that there's an actual magic academy in Menzoberranzan. Where was this wiki link when I needed it months ago?
I love writing 7 chapters ahead because I can edit previous chapters before I post them to hint to things I'm working on in later chapters. Having a fantastic time with this. Unrelated, perhaps, but I'm allowing Kronnis two whole unhinged moments in chapter 14, what a freak. Actually, the Emperor also gets an excuse to indulge in mean illithid habits. Good for him, I think he deserves it after playing nice at school for a couple of weeks.
Speaking of, I hope everyone is ready for the start of my high school AU next chapter.
Beta read by Circade and Nibenay
Kronnis wasn't surprised when Harry burst into the drawing room. In fact, he'd purposely stalled their departure to give the boy a chance to speak with them before they left. Fortunately, Snape had shown a great deal of interest in the darker potions books that Kronnis showed him as they'd organized their belongings for departure.
It hadn't been hard to figure out the best way to sell their plan of keeping in contact at Hogwarts. The truly difficult part lay in judging whether Harry would be willing to trust a new set of authority figures.
Based on what they'd heard about previous years, the track records of the other adults at Hogwarts weren't exactly squeaky-clean. An alarming number of teachers had either tried to hurt Harry, kill him, erase his memories, bullied him regularly, or just dismissed him whenever he came to them with information. Not to mention the way the Order had kept him in the dark all summer and refused to tell him anything about their plans – or lack thereof – regarding Voldemort.
The Emperor's prediction had turned out to be correct, once again. Whether it was their offers of personal assistance with the strange magic in the boy's mind, Kronnis' blooming friendship with the one adult Harry appeared closest to, or the approachability they'd fostered over the past two weeks, something they'd done had been enough to sway the answer in their favor.
Harry seemed to constantly find himself right in the middle of things. As long as they played their cards right, actually listened to him, and helped with any problems that came up, he'd make a good informant.
Kronnis turned back to Snape after Harry bolted out of the room. "As I was saying, we'd be happy to let you borrow or make copies of these."
Snape thanked him, thumbing through one of the books in question. "I believe this is one of the first manuals published by Swoopstikes. Worth quite a fortune now, its publication was outlawed by Minister Milliphutt in the 1840s during a spree of legislation changes."
"A foundational education on potion brewing is certainly necessary before this knowledge is of any use to us. Would you mind reviewing your lesson plans for the year and recommending the ones most helpful for us to attend?" The Emperor's question brought Snape's eyes away from the text.
"Most of the first-year classes throughout the first weeks should help you get a grasp on the basics. I will see which potions in later years are simple enough for beginners to attempt – pairing you with an experienced student would mitigate most of the dangers. Extra copies of textbooks can be found in the library," Snape said curtly.
The Emperor nodded in acknowledgement. A moment was taken to finish fastening a veil to his face, hiding the tentacles coiled around his own neck and shoulders. "Let us depart then, I do not intend to get lost in the castle because we spent all our time chatting instead of learning the halls."
Snape handed the book back to be stowed for the trip. "Quite. I trust you did not have issues apparating with the headmaster?"
Still thankful that he hadn't lost his breakfast in the middle of the Ministry Atrium, Kronnis gave a cheery "Nope."
Satisfactory answer received; Snape held out an arm for them to grasp. A vaguely familiar sensation pulled at Kronnis' navel, and with a swirl he was suddenly standing in a field, staring up at a large castle.
Squinting in the harsh light of day, he quickly brought up his trusty umbrella, its black canopy opening to shield him from the sun's rays. He had been promised dour weather in this country, and desperately hoped today's bright sunlight was a fluke.
The Emperor casually levitated the trunk he'd been carrying, no longer needing physical contact to transport it with them. It was magically expanded, provided to them by the headmaster to transport their belongings for convenience's sake.
Following Snape up the path towards what must be Hogwarts, Kronnis tried not to gape. The castle truly was striking, larger than any freestanding structure in Baldur's Gate. "We need to meet up with Harry as soon as possible to take a look at that map," he told the Emperor privately, realizing that their concerns about getting hopelessly lost might be more realistic than he'd first assumed.
Agreement flowed into his mind, and they quickly decided to contact Harry at breakfast the next day.
Entering the castle, the interior was no less impressive. Sconces lit up the Gothic and Romanesque features studding stone walls and ceilings. Moving paintings littered the halls, and the doors they passed were of a much more agreeable size to the Emperor's tall form, which had often forced the illithid to stoop in Grimmauld Place.
Snape led them down seemingly endless corridors, up through an impressive set of moving staircases, and eventually brought them to a painting depicting a group of wizards feasting at a long table. "Like many others in Hogwarts, this painting is enchanted to open when the correct password is spoken in front of it." He drew his wand and tapped the painting's elaborate frame. "I will change it to one of your choosing. An innocuous phrase or word that cannot easily be guessed would be ideal."
Faced with having to come up with a password on the spot, Kronnis looked at his partner in the hope that he would have some ideas. The Emperor's eyes were fixed on a particular place, and when Kronnis followed his gaze back to the painting, he found a thin wizard to the side of the table filling his bowl with vegetable soup. "Fiddlehead?" the Emperor suggested out loud, his warm voice bringing Kronnis back to the unforgettable night when they had first intertwined their minds and bodies.
"Fiddlehead," he agreed with a smile, turning back to Snape. The wizard nodded and waved his wand over the painting, repeating their chosen passphrase. The frame swung off the wall to reveal a well-furnished sitting room with large windows overlooking the courtyard. Kronnis could see a door in the back, likely leading to a bedroom.
The Emperor directed the trunk to settle on the floor next to one of the plush sofas. Unpacking could be handled later; a tour of Hogwarts awaited them.
The following hours were spent wandering the castle and memorizing routes between their rooms, the Great Hall, the library, and several other points of interest. Individual classrooms would be a bit harder to locate, depending on where they were coming from, but they could always ask passing students for directions if needed.
Even without the energy of hundreds of warm bodies crowding its halls, Hogwarts felt alive. Every time they returned to the moving staircases – seemingly a hub of travel – the chitchat an entire tower's worth of paintings droned through the air. Some even tried to engage them in conversation, asking for opinions on topics ranging from historical arguments to which painting wore the most fashionable dress.
The subtle movements of statues and suits of armor played games with his eyes, but somehow always remained still once Kronnis' full attention rested on them.
Sunlight streamed in through large windows, infusing the interior with a welcoming glow. As the hours passed and not a single cloud dimmed the light, Kronnis resigned himself to once again relying on his umbrella, unfurling it as they exited through the main entrance to wander the grounds.
The Emperor turned to Snape as they crested a hill. "How far do the Hogwarts grounds extend? This area seems empty enough, but surely muggles would not miss such a large castle if they wandered through the region."
"Numerous wards protect the school grounds. The castle itself is bewitched to appear as a crumbling ruin to muggles, discouraging investigation," Snape replied, his finger pointing out the borders of the protective spells. "The Black Lake, the Quidditch field over the hill, and parts of the Forbidden Forest are all included in the wards."
"Forbidden Forest?" Kronnis raised an eyebrow, looking in the direction of the dark mass of trees the professor had gestured to.
Snape followed his gaze with distaste. "The Forest is infested with all manner of dangerous magical creatures, and is normally off-limits to students. Not that it stops them." His lip curled.
"Infested, you say?" A sharp smile cut across Kronnis' face. "As in, these dangerous magical creatures are an unwanted presence?"
Snape looked back at him, schooling his expression. "Some. The Forest is home to several benign creatures, such as centaurs and unicorns. The majority of its denizens, however, would likely cause a significant hazard to a student wandering around unaccompanied."
"Would there be any… problems… if someone were to take a walk through the Forest to familiarize themselves with the local fauna and, say… cull back some of the more dangerous populations?" Kronnis couldn't even remember the last time he'd had the chance to blast apart some regular monsters. No complicated schemes, no figuring out who was behind anything, just him and mindless beasts intent on murder and savagery. The familiar itch of wild magic surged under his skin at the prospect.
The professor paused before responding. "If that individual had the time and inclination to wander around looking for trouble, I would suggest starting with the Acromantula colony, or hunting down any trolls that remain in the forest." He had clearly picked up on the implications of Kronnis' words. "Acromantula fangs in particular are valuable, as their venom can be extracted and used in various potions."
"And what are Acromantula, exactly?"
"Giant spiders, roughly the size of a horse, but specimens with a leg span as large as fifteen feet have been found."
"Giant spiders," Kronnis echoed softly, reminiscing on past skirmishes he'd had with similar monsters. "I almost feel like I'm back home." His wistful sigh could have been misinterpreted for a homesickness and yearning for the drow cities of the Underdark, had this conversation taken place in Baldur's Gate.
The Emperor took over the conversation as they resumed their wandering. "I believe a nearby wizarding settlement was mentioned. Hogsmeade? We were considering a visit to experience its culture." Another move to cement their cover story.
Snape was well aware of their plans, but they had to be careful to get into the habit of keeping up their personas, even if it looked as though the castle grounds were bare of eavesdroppers. And honestly, Kronnis was curious to see what a purely magical village would be like, so it wasn't even a lie to say that they were interested in visiting it.
They changed direction, Snape steering them towards the path that would lead them to Hogsmeade, passing by the impressive-looking Quidditch pitch along the way. As they crested the next hill, they were able to make out a lone figure in the distance approaching the castle.
"It appears the rest of the staff is arriving. Hogsmeade is a popular location for apparition. if you follow that path it shouldn't take too long to arrive in the village," Snape informed them.
Meeting up with the figure, Kronnis recognized Professor McGonagall, the transfiguration professor and Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts. They'd met her once before, during the Order meeting where Dumbledore had introduced them to most of its members.
"Professor McGonagall, good to see you again," the Emperor greeted her, pretending that they had instead met her upon their supposed arrival at Hogwarts just over a week ago.
She gave them a curt nod and a wry smile. "I hope you've settled in well since I last saw you. I know Hogwarts can be daunting to new arrivals."
"It is a magnificent building. The grandest constructions in Baldur's Gate would have tough competition here." His deep voice played up their conversation for an imaginary audience.
Snape interrupted the subsequent small talk, taking several steps in the direction of the castle. "If I may, we should return to Hogwarts. Minerva and I will need to prepare our offices before the start-of-the-year staff meeting."
"Of course," McGonagall nodded, resuming her pace up the hill.
The Emperor fell into step beside her, with Kronnis trailing just behind. The walk back to the castle entrance was filled with questions and answers about the inner workings of Hogwarts, Snape and McGonagall taking turns to explain their duties as the heads of their houses and other responsibilities they held as professors.
Back in the entrance hall, their group split up, McGonagall heading to her office and Snape confidently leading the way back to their guest rooms. The potions books were handed over, and then Snape departed, his last words a reminder on where the staff room was located.
As soon as the painting closed again, Kronnis felt his partner's words in his head. "You intend to venture into the Forbidden Forest." It was a statement, the Emperor being perfectly aware of Kronnis' preferred leisure activities.
"The idea is tempting," he admitted with a smile. "It's not too far from the castle for some evening entertainment."
Purple eyes lingered on him for a moment longer before the Emperor focused his attention on their trunk, manipulating its latch with telekinesis and waving a hand to begin unpacking their belongings. "I only ask that you are careful. We are still unfamiliar with the creatures of this world."
Touched by his words, Kronnis deepened their constantly lingering mental connection to let waves of emotions meet and mix. The Emperor trusted him to hold his own, but rarely admitted to worrying about him.
The response he received in return contained a complicated wash of emotions, concepts bubbling up in the seafoam that collided with his own. An all-too-mortal unease at the unknown, smothered under the pressure of logical thinking, a fondness that came from years of familiarity, and a not-so-small hint of possessiveness.
They stayed like this for a while, letting each other's emotions ripple through the backs of their minds as they sorted out their rooms. To Kronnis' surprise, the bedchamber was already set up with a single bed that dominated the room, saving them from having to request a change to their furniture.
The Emperor commented that Dumbledore – either insightful enough to notice immediately, or simply familiar with the concept himself – had already figured out that when referring to each other as 'partners' they had meant a deeper connection than many would first assume. It had been one of the few insights the illithid had managed to glean from the headmaster's mind during their practice bout of mind-reading.
"I'm surprised no one at Grimmauld said anything. Hermione keeps giving us weird looks, but Harry's totally clueless. He didn't even bat an eye when he saw how our beds were rearranged."
"You are being unfair to the boy, he had other things on his mind at the time."
The quip, a reference to the passenger in the boy's mind, brought forth a chuckle. "Is that supposed to be another joke?" He could sense the Emperor's faint delight at amusing him, but no answer was forthcoming.
It did not take long before the last items were put away. In a couple of days, they would have to return to Baldur's Gate to collect several additional supplies and sort out their affairs in the city.
"You should brush up on your illithid potential if you are going to seek out fights." The suggestion reminded him that he had not practiced with the Emperor in some time now, their current situation limiting their activities.
Kronnis had lost most of his ability to access illithid powers, no longer having a live tadpole reclining in his brain to facilitate their easy use. His own consciousness simply wasn't designed to pull upon psionics in the same way.
Several weeks after the death of the Netherbrain, they'd discovered by accident that some latent talent lingered in him. A pitifully small mind blast, loosed in frustration at the escaping back of a cultist he'd been tracking – one of the remnants of the Bhaal temple – had been a pleasant surprise.
The Emperor had taken a great interest in the development of his abilities and eagerly took the time to help him refine them. The current theory was that the mind-boggling amount of tadpoles that Kronnis had allowed to wriggle through the gap between his eye and skull must have permanently altered his brain.
Some things remained beyond him, such as the flight he had enjoyed freely using in the past, but mind blasts came easier to him now, as well as several other favoured abilities he had been well acquainted with.
Kronnis agreed easily and they settled themselves comfortably on chairs before connecting their minds, the alien intellect of his partner opening up before him. He let himself be enveloped by it, feeling its emotions, its swirling astral otherworldliness, and its psionic energies pulling him in. The Emperor was magnetic, and Kronnis quickly focused on drawing up similar energies within himself, lest he find himself distracted and overwhelmed by the indescribable textures of their shared minds.
The approval radiating off of his partner's mind was intoxicating, pushing him to dig deeper, seeking out all the scraps of power that he could find. His splintered and torn brain, half-subsumed and replaced with illithid tissue, slowly surrendered its essence. Kronnis gathered it in his mind's eye, presenting it to the presence surrounding him.
A ghostly touch – mental coaching from his partner – instructed him through the process of shaping it. Wisps of energy flowed through Kronnis as he went through practiced motions – exercises that had helped him learn to draw on his power faster and more skillfully throughout the years. He could feel the hum surrounding him and knew that if anyone were to walk in on them now, they would see him surrounded by a faint shimmer, concentrated tendrils of energy visible to the naked eye and easily mistaken for tentacles that curled in the air around him.
"I continue to be impressed by your progress." The Emperor's voice was stronger through their connection. Pride dripped into Kronnis' brain, invigorating his nerves with a heady burning sensation that he desperately drank up. "Your mind is truly something special."
Silent appreciation poured from within Kronnis, as well as his own admiration for the Emperor – lavished upon the celestial body his mind was a satellite to. "Coming from a creature as… magnificent as you, that must be the highest praise in the world. Though, your capabilities are akin to that of the gods, shining as bright and blinding as the sun." His telepathic response triggered a dichotomous blend of hunger and satisfaction in the mind flayer, paving the way to a gratification that Kronnis was all too eager to indulge.
"We will be late to the meeting." The implication was clear. As though rallied by his partner's words, Kronnis could feel the soft skin of tentacles seeking out contact with him, prompting his eyes to open.
The light in the room had barely changed, and a quick look out the window told him that it was not as late as he feared.
"I would say we have some time left." He met the heated gaze of the Emperor and focused lingering psionic energy to caress the mind flayer's thoughts with emotions and desires, mental hand much more present than usual.
A brief shudder overcame his partner, glowing eyes clenching shut. When they opened again, a clawed hand was raised in the air and Kronnis felt a familiar telekinetic grip envelop him, drawing him well within reach of tentacles that yearned to show him just how magnificent and capable they truly were.
It was a couple of hours later when Kronnis opened the door to the staff room. The sun had made progress on its descent towards the horizon, signalling the fast approach of the Hogwarts Express.
Many of the mismatched chairs in the long room already had occupants. He recognized Snape and McGonagall at the far end, speaking with a very short man that reminded Kronnis of a gnome or halfling, and a woman with curly grey hair and hints of dirt on the hem of her robes.
Two seats near the door had been left unoccupied. He quickly claimed them, the Emperor settling down next to him. Curious eyes had followed them ever since their entrance, but it was not until they sat at the table that a woman in red and white spoke up. "You must be the Ambassadors from Baldur's Gate. We're glad to have you joining us for the year." Smiling at them, she introduced herself as Madam Pomfrey, the matron working in the Hospital Wing.
Kronnis thanked her. "It's been a refreshing trip, your rich culture has been wonderful to learn about."
A different witch spoke next, declaring herself to be the Arithmancy teacher, Septima Vector. "Your own must be intriguing as well. You simply won't believe the speculation that's been circulating this past week." Her statement was made with eager words and an expectant expression.
"Unsurprising. I hope we will be able to dispel most rumors in time. It is regretful that we were only available for a short interview while at the Ministry," the Emperor replied.
They recounted the basics of their cover story again, and then regaled the professors with some sanitized facts and stories about Baldur's Gate, drawing the attention of most of the room.
Shortly before the meeting was due to begin, and right in the middle of a watered-down explanation of cobble parties, a familiar figure in pink entered the room, taking one of the last chairs available. Kronnis spared a moment to give Umbridge a friendly wave after she'd gotten comfortable. Her seat was at the end of the table, just on the fringe of the circle of professors that had monopolized the chairs around them.
They would have to find the time to speak with her after the meeting. No one else in the room looked pleased to see her there, which suited Kronnis just fine. If they were the only friendly faces she had in Hogwarts, it would be much easier to sway her influence.
Dumbledore swept through the door right on time, taking the slightly more elaborate chair that was obviously arranged for the headmaster to sit in. "I'm glad you were all able to make it back for another year at Hogwarts," he began, looking around the room at the assembled witches and wizards. "And I see you're already familiar with our guests."
Nods greeted this statement, some professors stealing glances at them before focusing again on Dumbledore. "As part of an arrangement to promote cultural exchange, Mr. Teken'rret and the Emperor may be sitting in on some of your classes and are open to any questions or discussions regarding the magic and culture of Baldur's Gate."
The topic was soon shifted to regular school-year business, with teachers bringing up scheduling concerns and updating patrol routes for the prefects.
After almost an hour of this, with Kronnis growing increasingly bored, the meeting was officially ended. Dumbledore took a moment to remind the room to make it to the Great Hall before the students arrived, but didn't stay much longer, leaving to prepare for the arrival of the Hogwarts Express. It seemed the responsibilities of a headmaster were ever-present.
Chatter in the room picked up again as professors moved around to catch up with late arrivals and close friends. Kronnis felt the Emperor's intent to stand and joined him in walking over to Umbridge, who had so far not said a single word to the other staff members.
"It's a pleasure to see a familiar face," he greeted her warmly. "I've been looking forward to your class. We were hoping to hear more about the new curriculum you'll be teaching."
She cleared her throat. "It's a long overdue decision, in my opinion. These poor children have barely had a competent teacher in years. The position almost seems like a revolving door, and each one hired after Professor Quirrell has been a disappointment. Why, two years ago the headmaster employed a werewolf! Dangerously reckless, if you ask me."
"Really? This is the first we've heard of this." Kronnis raised his eyebrows in feigned shock.
"Simply dreadful," Umbridge shook her head, "and just last year, an escaped Death Eater was able to impersonate the man Dumbledore hired. Trust me when I say that the Ministry will not be making mistakes like these. The education of young witches and wizards is of vital importance to us."
The Emperor nodded. "We are glad to see the matter taken seriously. I trust a competent witch like yourself will be able to correct past mistakes and oversights in the syllabus."
A pleased smile grew on Umbridge's face as her simpering continued, taking on a well-practiced tone. "The Ministry exists to serve the people. Reforms in education are being worked on and traditions will be evaluated to determine if they need to be pruned or perfected. Changes will be polished to ensure that only the most well-structured innovations are kept, as progress for progress's sake should be discouraged. We cannot allow our world to lie stagnant, but a balance between modernization and our traditional culture must be kept."
Kronnis thought her self-satisfied smile made her look like a bit of a toad, but wisely kept that to himself.
"I must say we agree wholeheartedly. We ourselves are excited to be part of Baldur's Gate's efforts to innovate and pioneer a new era. If we can assist you in any way, we would be happy to."
This echo chamber was getting a bit crowded, but Kronnis knew the Emperor was bouncing his response off of her thoughts, saying what she wanted to hear.
"I appreciate that. I trust that our new course will be just what the students need. I've assigned a textbook that will go back to the theory, giving them a strong foundational knowledge of defensive strategies."
Nodding approvingly, Kronnis took the time to briefly delve into her thoughts himself, skimming information from the periphery of her mind.
Flashes of the book she'd just mentioned gave the impression that it was tailor-made to be as dry as possible. She certainly hadn't exaggerated when she said it would be going over magical theory in depth, it barely covered the casting of spells! She had no intentions of actually teaching the students how to use magic.
He caught a hint of fear and suspicion that lingered like a dark stain behind her surface thoughts, although its presence deep in her subconscious suggested that it wasn't directed at them, otherwise it would have tainted the half-formed thoughts and impulses that dictated a person's primary thought process. His best guess was that it was somehow related to Dumbledore, and possibly Harry as well.
Dismissing further investigation as risky, Kronnis turned back to her emotions during their conversation. Satisfaction and self-righteousness filled her at the thought of withholding defensive magic from students. He got the sense that she felt she was keeping an important tool from the headmaster by teaching in this manner.
If he didn't know any better, a conclusion could be drawn that she was deliberately setting the students up to be easy targets for Voldemort, but it was clear that she didn't believe a word Harry had said about the wizard's return.
"I'm keen to have the chance to sit in on your lessons. A strong foundational knowledge of your magic is just what we're looking to learn," he commented.
As she tittered and began explaining her schedule and lesson plans, Kronnis saw several staff members filing out of the room, likely to join the headmaster in preparing for the opening feast in the Great Hall. Soon it was just their group and Professor McGonagall, who approached them on her own way out.
"Professor Umbridge," she nodded stiffly at the shorter witch. "I'm glad to see you at Hogwarts."
A very frigid exchange followed, with McGonagall offering support as part of her duties as Deputy Headmistress, and Umbridge faking politeness and gratitude in return.
Kronnis thought it clear that she would never go to McGonagall if problems arose. The senior professor was too deep in Dumbledore's pocket, and probably also a target of whatever the Ministry's plan was at Hogwarts. Staying neutral among the rising tension between Umbridge and the rest of the staff would be a tight rope to walk.
The witches quickly broke apart once it was evident that neither enjoyed the other's company, and Kronnis took the opportunity to mentally nudge the Emperor with a hint that it was time for them to depart as well. They offered to accompany Umbridge to the Great Hall, continuing their discussion where they had left off.
Entering the hall almost took Kronnis' breath away. Magic permeated the air, and the energy in the room eclipsed what they'd experienced when they'd briefly stepped into the room with Snape earlier that day.
Thousands of candles drifted through the air, illuminating long tables filled with glittering plates and glasses. The enchanted ceiling, previously shining with warm daylight, was now a velvety mix of deep blues and alluring purples, speckled with bright points of light as the death of twilight gave birth to stars. His eyes followed unfamiliar constellations down the length of the hall, until his gaze fell to the staff table, where most of the faces he had seen just a short time ago now populated the seats.
The long walk between empty tables to the end of the hall gave them time to compliment the extensive use of magic, flattering Umbridge through her association with this cultural treasure.
Dumbledore waved them over once they made it to the staff table, and requested that they take the seats to the left of his suspiciously throne-like chair, as his guests. Kronnis could feel the discontent radiating from Umbridge at this arrangement, having kept a faint awareness of her surface thoughts. Outwardly, she gracefully accepted the seating arrangement, and took the empty seat to the left of Kronnis, leaving them sandwiched between her and the headmaster. An apt position, he thought to himself with some amusement.
"I must admit, this is a view I could get used to," he said, making small talk with the headmaster. "I had no idea you had such impressive enchantments in the Great Hall. I see now that having our meals delivered to our rooms may have been a mistake."
Dumbledore chuckled. "I fear it may have been a bit lonely if you did eat in here. I personally believe the Great Hall can only be enjoyed to its fullest when filled with students. I trust you will see the difference once they arrive."
"Soon then, I hope? Our lunch was quite a long time ago."
"The first carriages should be making their way up now, although we'll have to wait for the first years to be sorted before the feast can begin."
"How will they be sorted? I do not believe we came across this information during our investigation," the Emperor asked.
"Ah, I shall have to recommend you Hogwarts, A History. We have several copies in the library. I'm sure you'll find the chronicle interesting – the enchantment on the ceiling of the Great Hall is also explained in detail, if you wish to read further into it." The headmaster then began a longwinded explanation of the history of the four houses, beginning with the founding of the school, and ending with a dramatic retelling of how he himself had been sorted into Gryffindor as a child.
Several professors sitting nearby listened in and brought up their own houses with a lighthearted competitiveness.
"You're a bit old to be sorted, but in the spirit of fun, which house do you think would have suited you best?" Dumbledore asked them, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
"Slytherin," the Emperor answered promptly, likely having already come to a conclusion upon learning what the school houses actually were.
"Hard to say," Kronnis mused as he thought of his own response. "I'd probably lean towards Slytherin as well, but Hufflepuff has some traits that fit me." Depending on how loyalty was interpreted, of course. He had no trouble planning the betrayal of others, but his devotion to the Emperor? Few things defined and drove him as the depth of his attachment.
A victorious and smug bubble of emotion surfaced in Umbridge, prompting Kronnis to scrutinize her thoughts with a curious eye. Now that he looked closer, he could see that a faint sense of kinship was growing in her. He spent a few confused seconds going through their recent interactions, before realizing that she had also claimed Slytherin as her house.
Looking back at nearby professors, he could see faint mixes of disappointment and approval on their faces, and surmised that they must be having similar reactions. How fascinating that these house rivalries appeared to extend past childhood.
Before any conversation could restart, a trickle of black-robed teenagers began entering the hall, and Dumbledore's attention was drawn away from them.
Umbridge seemed to have been waiting for this opportunity and brought their focus to her side of the table with a question. "Your influence in Baldur's Gate must have afforded you the prestigious position of representing your people. I was curious, perhaps you could enlighten me on the details of your government and its functions?"
Ah. Fishing for information on how well-connected they were. A shark-like smile formed on Kronnis' face as he prepared himself to answer her bait.
"The city is governed primarily by four dukes, with one being elected Grand Duke to break stalemates. Ulder Ravengard is currently Grand Duke, and has held the position for almost a decade now. I'm actually rather familiar with his son, Wyll Ravengard." A fond tone entered his voice. "We spent some time adventuring through the city together in our youth. I've met with many of the other dukes and members of Parliament, although the Emperor could describe their work in much more detail."
Taking the prompt for what it was, his partner began an elaborate explanation of the inner workings of the Council of Four and Parliament of Peers, rattling off names and complicated congressional laws that even Kronnis struggled to follow.
"-Innovations in the breeding of giant spiders have prompted discussion in Parliament on the topic of changing tax rates on the production and sale of spider silk. Most unfortunate, as this affects our investments in various clothing stores." The irritation in the Emperor's words at the situation was quite real, although Kronnis remembered that it was the importation of a new weave of spider silk from the markets of Menzoberranzan, and not its production in Baldur's Gate, that was currently in danger of increased tariffs. "It is likely that in a couple of weeks, once they are finished debating the topic, it will be brought before the dukes for a final ruling."
"That sounds rather convoluted, I think I prefer our own method of electing a single Minister to represent the people."
"It can be," the Emperor replied with some amusement. "I understand the value of having one individual in charge. The process of enacting new legislation often takes a long time in Baldur's Gate. I remember one year – decades ago – there was a shortage of feed for Rothé. Instead of gathering to quickly resolve the issue and subsidize alternatives, the Parliament argued for months because some members held controlling stock in the cave moss industry – the main feed used for livestock – and did not wish to allow other crops a chance to dominate the market. I distinctly recall the price of meat plummeting during this time, as quality decreased and the market flooded with product once farmers were unable to afford feed for their herds."
"Have you ever considered making a play for a position on the Council?" she asked, believing herself to flatter him with the suggestion.
The Emperor shook his head after some consideration. "My interests lie more on the commercial side of Baldur's Gate. I can think of numerous conflicts of interest my appointment would create. Perhaps one day, but I am happy where I am at the moment."
Ulder Ravengard would never allow it. The Grand Duke had already made teeth-grinding concessions by allowing the execution of two criminals per month by way of the Emperor's maw. Kronnis held public sway, but not enough to bring Ravengard to his knees in capitulation of their every demand. Each bit of influence the Emperor was allowed in the city was traded for; services exchanged and backing given in political matters. Lifetimes of knowledge made for a good advisor.
Perhaps in half a century – once the duke was rotting in the ground and the Netherbrain crisis nearly forgotten. Perhaps then, the Emperor could make a play. A mind flayer could wear the crown in Baldur's Gate. Claim the guardianship that stolen memories and a bloody birthright owed him.
Kronnis laughed in his head, picturing the declaration. An illithid, standing tall before crowds, dressed in the best finery the city had to offer, the Ducal Palace and Old Wall his stage and backdrop. Proclaiming himself Balduran, the city's founder returned to bring his former stomping grounds to heights of greatness never before conceived.
No, the Emperor would never be so blatant. Although the fantasy in his head was clearly being watched with great interest by an outside perspective ripe with illithid desire for control, it was just that – a fantasy. They would continue to influence the city together from the shadows, carefully poking and prodding developments in their favor.
Tuning out the rest of their discussion, Kronnis watched as a professor he vaguely recognized from earlier that day came in through a side door to take a seat at the staff table. The rest of the occupants noticed her arrival and seemed to sit up a bit straighter in preparation for something.
He didn't have to wait long to see what the anticipation was building towards as the main doors to the Great Hall opened again with a heave of old wood and magic, having fallen closed just minutes ago behind the feet of what he had assumed to be the last of the late arrivals.
Professor McGonagall led a new group of children all the way to the front of the staff table, wonder playing over their young faces as they stared at the awe-inspiring sights of the room. Once the hall quieted, names were called in a no-nonsense tone, and McGonagall placed a ratty old hat atop the head of whichever child had scampered to sit on the stool.
Some looked just about ready to faint from the pressure, while others had wild looks of excitement as they joined their new housemates. Kronnis applauded politely with each new addition, although it appeared others at the staff table were not above favouritism and were much more enthusiastic in welcoming children sorted into specific houses.
Once the last child was sorted and Dumbledore had said a short welcome, a clap of the headmaster's hands summoned forth a feast of exotic dishes. Tables bowed under the weight of the sheer decadence suddenly filling them. Cries of delight from younger students sounded through the hall, but were rapidly drowned out by loud conversation as hundreds of children were freed from decorum and dug in with enthusiasm.
Kronnis himself picked out a few interesting-looking selections, leaning towards Umbridge to ask if she could explain those unfamiliar to him. Baked pumpkin didn't look too appetizing, but he ended up helping himself to a second piece of the steak and kidney pie she recommended, the first forkful of meat delightfully savory on his tongue, if a bit overcooked for his tastes.
She took notice of the Emperor's empty plate and asked if she could suggest anything for him.
"No, thank you," the Emperor responded to what was quickly becoming a common question, although his answer would be less honest from now on. "Once the initial population of Baldur's Gate migrated underground, illithids evolved rather quickly and severely to adapt to the new conditions. Our physiology tends to only tolerate specific foods back home, such as the magically-grown fungi that supplement our telekinetic abilities."
"Ah." She scrunched her face, unsure of how to respond to that, and returned to her own food.
At the end of the feast, Dumbledore stood, drawing the attention of the hall. Rules were outlined, including an entertaining comment about the Forbidden Forest being off-limits to students, bringing to mind Snape's earlier words about how often students deigned to follow that particular instruction.
Kronnis then found himself waving at the hall as Dumbledore introduced them and explained their presence to the student body.
Staffing changes followed, and just after the man finished announcing Umbridge as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Kronnis felt her prepare herself for something.
"Hem, hem," she cleared her throat loudly, interrupting Dumbledore just as he was about to explain the schedule for Quidditch tryouts.
A charged pause enveloped the room as the headmaster cut himself off, turning to stare at Umbridge. She stood, and Kronnis settled himself into his seat in anticipation of a show.
The speech that followed was a masterful construction; an elaborate way of saying that the Ministry was planning to interfere with traditions at Hogwarts and make changes, without much explaining. He recognized some words and phrases as ones she had said earlier in the staff room.
An attempt had clearly been made to cater to them. Comments about nurturing the magical talent of students echoed their own statements to the Minister that their culture valued the education of the next generation.
He nodded along in polite recognition, opening a channel of communication with the Emperor. "I'm not quite sure that her teaching methods will polish the gift of magic she seems so obsessed with preserving." Umbridge's words on 'nurturing', 'honing', and 'perfecting' the students' skills through careful instruction sounded amusingly illithid, as though the pliable minds of children were hers to manipulate like wet clay on a potter's wheel.
The mind next to his own twitched as this line of thought formed in Kronnis' head. "Oh?" The Emperor seemed to think it very ironic, distractedly recalling some recent memory that Kronnis was too preoccupied to investigate, a faint chuckle resounding through their shared mindscape. "We will have to wait and see. Perhaps it is true that the students have little to no knowledge of the actual process and theory behind the spells they are casting."
The staff table reluctantly applauded as she finished her speech, startling the mass of students who had lost focus on her words. The rest of Dumbledore's announcements passed quickly, and soon the floor of the hall thronged with bodies as the students were dismissed.
They waited until prefects had collected and led the first years away in various directions before they too rose to retire for the night. After such a long day, Kronnis had no intention of mingling with what was sure to be a curious horde of children. The following weeks would likely test their patience enough.