Chapter Ten.
Callian ignored the questions thrown at him as he levitated the unconscious and bound form of the Auror through the many halls and corridors of the Pillar, he could hear them falling into step behind him but he paid them little heed as he continued on his path. He had sought to flee the confining chaos that had fallen over his family's lands, but it seemed that it was not his fate to escape it.
He reached up to clasp the amulet of Delvaryn as he softly spoke, his words seeming lost in the clamour that refused to abate behind him.
"So much for being an Arbiter of Fate, huh?"
It may have been his imagination but he thought he could almost hear the faintest traces of rich, booming laughter reach his ears, it was there for only an instant as the amulet seemed to pulse with the now familiar warmth before he dropped his hand with a scowl.
Floor by floor, he made the long journey back up to the heights of the Pillar.
"My father needs to invest in a thrice damned lift!"
His sullen grumblings were heard by a few of those around him and more than one voiced their agreement. Guardsmen jumped aside as he levitated the stunned and bound Auror, it was only as he reached the heavy bronze doors of the chamber containing his family.
He watched as several of his father's guards startled in alarm at the sight of him before he watched as Harl stepped towards him, his axe appearing in his hand as if by Magic.
"Kaladin's Ball's, Cal! What the hell happened?!"
Callian grinned at the dwarf's outburst before he nodded his head in the direction of the Auror floating behind him.
"I went for a walk outside and stumbled into my new friend here. I was halfway to the east gate when he dropped his enchantments right in front of me. He says he brought a message for my Grandfather, but I do not know if he was alone in carrying it."
The words sent a ripple through the crowd and Harl's eyes took on a dangerous edge, the dwarf quickly began barking orders for the crowd to disperse and he sent word for search parties to be sent out and double the number of guards at all entrances. At once his father's guard began to push back the milling crowd of staff and officials as they ensured that none gained entrance to the hall, a command from Harl had the door of the chamber thrown open as Callian and his unconscious companion were quickly escorted into the room.
He saw a look of surprise on the faces of everyone present as his mother rushed to his side.
"Cal! What is going on?!" He was quick to soothe her concerns as he explained to them all that had transpired since he had left, his grandfather was quick to usurp the Weaves from his control. He found himself momentarily reeling as he felt the incredible strength of the man's magic simply engulf the Weaves he had wrought about the Auror.
Belor was on his feet the moment he had entered the room and he had seen Ironmane already heading for the door as the ancient dwarf hurried to join the search. He caught his father's eye and nodded at the unspoken question that was burning in the dwarf's gaze.
Denevan wasted no time in restoring the Auror to wakefulness.
His grandfather's face was furious as he tossed the stirring man onto the hard stones of the chamber's floor. The Auror grunted in pain as he gave a desperate shake of his head to clear the mugginess from his mind, an unfortunate side effect of the stunning spell. Callian had been sure to feed as much power into the spell as he had dared and knew that the Auror would be feeling the effects for a while yet, but to his credit, the man clumsily gathered his knees beneath him as he pushed himself upright to look up blearily at the towering figure of his grandfather.
"I gave you ample warning Auror! Any of the Ministry's puppets left within my lands are forfeit to my law."
Callian watched as the Auror gave a harsh shake of his head in a desperate attempt to clear the after of the stunning charm.
"Mckinnon, My Lord! I am Lord Harwyn of House McKinnon. I come bearing a message from my father!"
Callian watched as his grandfather's face flickered between outrage and disbelief. "McKinnon?! Your father is Ardane McKinnon?" He saw the flicker of a glance his grandfather shot towards his mother and noted the slightest shake of her head in return. It would seem that she and Narcissa had not been aware of House Mckinnon's interest in them either. He knew the two of them had been reaching out to the Ladies of the other prominent Houses, they had learned much from their little get-togethers but it seemed that both of them had missed this.
"Speak plainly, manling! I don't care who yer daddy is, all I see is an Auror sneaking into my Halls!" Belor's voice boomed across the chamber and Callian could tell his father's patience was wearing thin.
The now-named Harwyn Mckinnon climbed unsteadily to his feet, something that earned a warning growl from Belor. The Auror shot his father a wary glance, but Callian could not help but admire the man's strength as he squared his shoulders and stared back at them resolutely.
"My Father, bid me to make contact with you. He and his allies within the Wizengamot are keen to meet with you and the young Lord Black." He said with a nod in Callian's direction. "It was he that tasked me with abandoning my position within the Minister's guard and making my way to you in secrecy, I do not know the full extent of his plans but he wished to broker a union between our Houses."
Callian's eyes widened at that, and he felt the first stirrings of an icy cold dread form in the pit of his stomach. A Union between Houses could mean a great deal of things, but more often than not it was a political alliance sealed with a betrothal.
He saw his mother's eye flare in alarm as her head turned sharply to stare at him. His heart was racing as he returned her stare, it was something that had always been a possibility for him. As the heir of a powerful and ancient family, he knew many would seek to tie their family's fortune to his own. He had just never given it much serious thought, it had always seemed a far-off thing to his young mind and now it seemed to be hanging over his head like an executioner's axe.
He saw his grandfather's face twist with disgust, he knew the man had his misgivings about such unions. He and Althena had married for love, something that had caused a scandal among the Houses centuries ago, especially as she had been betrothed to another. His Grandfather had often told him how the both of them had been willing to risk war and ruin just to be with each other.
Harwyn seemed to realise that his words had not been well received and quickly moved on.
"My Lord, I have an artefact with me that allows me to communicate with my father. If you would be willing, I will use it to allow you to speak with him. It is limited in function but it has served my House well in recent years."
Denevan seemed to ponder the man's words for a moment before he gave a stiff nod of his head and a snap of his fingers vanished the ropes ensnaring the man's arms.
"Why now?" The rasping voice of Sirius Black finally spoke up causing all eyes to turn towards him. The man stared hard at the Auror, a grim darkness seemed to hang about him and Callian realised that he out of everyone in the room had every reason not to trust anything the Auror said.
"Why come here now? Surely there would have been a better time to reach out to Lord Blackwood, won't your absence be noted? Especially if you're telling the truth about standing as one of the Minister's guards."
Harwyn nodded his head at Black's words and Callian could not help but realise the truth of the man's words. The Minster and his party had been sent fleeing with their tails tucked, but it would not be long before they realised that one among their number was missing.
Harwyn looked hard as Black, and Callian could not help but think that despite the man's claims of abandoning his role as an Auror, there was still something of the law enforcement officer within him. "Events are happening within the Ministry, the return of the Dark Lord has reawakened old wounds and there is already a clear divide among both the Houses and the Ministry itself."
This was not news to any of them, Lucius Malfoy, for all of his reluctance had given them a clear outline of the political landscape. The man was as untrustworthy as they come, but there was no denying he understood the deadly game of politics better than most.
Harwyn let out a heavy breath through his nose, there was a pained look upon his face as spoke into the silence that had fallen.
"I do not wish to see a new war tear our country apart. I lost too many friends during the Dark Lords' last rise. My father hopes that an Alliance among the Houses can allow us to mitigate some of the damages that had crippled the country during the war."
A strong voice spoke up then as the Headmaster made himself known for the first time. "A worthy goal. I know your father well along with many of the friends that stand behind him, I believe it was he who spoke so highly of Lord Mayweather as my replacement as Chief Warlock."
Mckinnon nodded his head at the Headmaster's words. "Yes sir, Lord Mayweather has always been a close friend of my father's, they were after all in the same year and House during their schooling."
The Headmaster offered the former Auror a dazzling smile that Callian watched the younger man return, "Ah that's right, they were two of Horace's favourites if I remember correctly. I recall your father was even Headboy during his last year at Hogwarts, something your grandfather was incredibly proud of I can assure you. He even brought me two bottles of pear brandy as a means of saying thank you, I think there was only one left by the time he departed my tower."
The Headmaster chuckled at the memory, something he noted put Mckinnon even more at ease.
"My grandfather always spoke highly of you, Headmaster. I know you were there for him after my uncle and his family were murdered by the Dark Lord."
Callian was amazed at the way the Headmasters' simple conversation seemed to be diffusing the tenseness that had hovered over all of them within the chamber. Mckinnon's words also seemed to remind his grandfather that he and his House had suffered more than most during the War.
Denevan finally offered a nod towards the former Auror, an acceptance of the man's words of peace. Callian watched as Harwyn slowly reached behind his back, his fingers carefully working a small leatherbound book from a secret pocket.
"How did you bring an enchantment past the purification spell? Its magic should have been disrupted?" He found himself the centre of everyone's attention and it took him a moment to realise that he had spoken his thoughts aloud.
Harwyn smiled genially at him as he offered him a respectful nod. "You are correct, Lord Black. Under normal circumstances, the power behind Lord Blackwood's purification spell would have broken the enchantments, but my belt is lined with a double layer of silk that I soaked in a potion to diffuse magic. On top of that the belt itself is made of Dragonhide, which makes it very resistant to magic of all sorts and does wonders on protecting my waist from a few less than scrupulous individuals that like to fight dirty."
Callian was amazed at the man's answer. Somehow he felt cheated there was not some terrible potent artefact that allowed the man to sneak his enchantments through his grandfather's spell, but the solution was brilliant in its simplicity.
More often than not most Magi overlooked the simplest solutions to their problems, he could tell from the look on both his grandfather's and Dagün's faces that they were already working on solutions to the problem Mckinnon's words had revealed to them about their defences.
They watched as the man activated his stylus with interest, he could see the Headmaster and his grandfather were already reaching out with their own magic as they poked and prodded the blatant display of blood magic, even more so when they realised how the enchantments only seemed to become active once the stylus had consumed the man's blood. It was an interesting concept and something that Callian vowed to look into later, he only had the barest understanding of the field and that was more due to his education under his mother and grandfather to assume the title of Lord Blackwood. There were ancient rites involved that would require him to at least have a layman's understanding of what was required when the time came for him to ascend to the position of Head of House. Many of the family's properties, both House Blackwood and Black that lay scattered about the world, would require him to provide proof of his right of ownership.
He watched attentively as Harwyn began to write, he drew forth a small tendril of magic from his Reservoir as he tentatively reached out and began probing the foreign magic of the book and its stylus.
It was enchanted, that went without saying. Even if he had not seen Mckinnon activate and use it, to his second sight the book and stylus glowed brightly. The longer he studied the Magics that went into the enchantments the more respect he had for the Magi that had created them. He could see the probing threads of the Headmaster and his grandfather prodding around a knotwork of crimson magics that lingered within the book and added his own thread of power to the mix. He could feel their Magic momentarily pull back as his own joined theirs and he smiled as he slipped into the gap they had left, his mind was quickly assaulted by flashes of words and half-faded messages. He realised with a start that he was glimpsing past missives that still lingered within the pages of the book, his curiosity got the better of him and he tried to absorb as much of that information as he could.
He felt his questing thread being pulled back and he opened his eyes to see the twinkling eyes of the Headmaster staring at him in amusement.
He felt a featherlight touch against the borders of his mind as he heard the man's deep mental voice within his head.
Skillfully done, my boy. Yet, you must be wary of venturing too far into a foreign enchantment lest you be lost to it.
Callian frowned at the man's words, yet as Mckinnon finished arranging for a time and place for his father to meet with his grandfather we watched as the enchantments collapsed in an instant. He could not help the cold shiver that sped down his spine as he imagined the backlash he would have felt if his probing magic had been caught within that collapsing array.
For the first time he reached for the Headmaster's mind, he was immediately met with a wall of sheer mental energy. It was akin to running headfirst into a granite wall, but as soon as he brushed against the borders of the man's mind he felt the full might of the Headmaster's presence looming before him as he broached a tentative mental contact.
Thank you for the warning, Sir.
The Headmaster gave him a small nod as they idly listened to his grandfather agree to meet with Lord Mckinnon and his allies, Callian assumed that he, Harry and Draco would all be attending that meeting. They were each the heir of a powerful and influential House, two in his case and despite their ages, they would provide a reminder that House Blackwood was not without allies of its own.
He heard the Headmaster's voice within his mind again as the man caught his eye.
How much of the repository did you access?
Callian frowned slightly as he focused on the information he had gleaned from the enchanted book.
It's hard to make out, but I have fragments of messages going back months if not years.
The Headmaster looked pleased at the news.
Very good, your grandfather and I were trying to find a way of pulling what information we could from the diary when you barged your way in.
Callian felt his cheeks warm as he noted the slight reprimand behind the Headmaster's mental words. He would remember to be more cautious in the future, he had not realised the folly he had courted and the potential ruin of the alliance that loomed on the horizon.
Rest easy, Callian. What is done is done and may yet grant us an insight into plans the Lord Mckinnon has for you and your Family.
Callian frowned at the man's words, and could not stop the thought from slipping across the mental connection they shared.
Why have you involved yourself in this Headmaster?
He watched as the Headmaster smiled at him, his eyes alight with amusement as they both offered a genial nod of their heads as Mckinnon made his way towards the great doors of the chamber alongside his father and grandfather.
The truth, my boy, is that I am simply bored.
Callian found himself snorting at the forlorn note that filled the Headmaster's words. He knew the Headmaster had been a busy man, he had after all managed to juggle three full-time roles in some of the most stressful positions within the Magical World. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his mother shoot him a concerned look before her gaze flicked to the Headmaster, her furrowed brow only deepened as her gaze lingered upon the man for several long heartbeats.
It is nice to know that the Fate of My House can provide you with some entertainment.
This time it was the Headmaster's turn to laugh as they watched Denevan and McKinnon disappear through the great doors.
"Funnily enough, that is exactly what your grandfather said to me when I told him."
Callian grinned at the Headmaster's words before they watched as Amerytha began to hurriedly cast an array of spells. A dozen orbs of silvery light shot forth from her outstretched hand, and Callian could not help but note the very pleased smile that graced her face.
"I take it this does not change your plans, my lady?"
Amerytha smiled at the Headmaster. "No, in fact, it will allow Narcissa and myself to extend our little webs. The Mckinnon's have always been keen to make their name known within the Nobility and they hold more balls and functions than half the Houses combined, this will allow us to reach those who were too far removed from our individual circles."
Albus smiled at that. "It is good that I have a fondness for chamber music then, I shall endeavour to polish off my dancing skills. What is your plan now?"
Amerytha smiled at the headmaster's words before her eyes lost some of their cheer as she turned grey eyes to take in both Callian and Sirius.
"Now, we are going to take a well-deserved holiday and leave the troubles of England far behind for a time, our estates in Alexandria have already been made ready for us. I know my father wishes to travel to Greece, he has been arranging plans for an excursion into some ruins the Centaur nomads have discovered."
The Headmaster lost some of his good cheer as he continued to watch Amerytha carefully.
"If I may be so bold, do you know when you will return? There will be many eager to seek the truth regarding the events of the past few days, a long absence could be detrimental to your standing in the public eye."
Amerytha's smile turned cold at the Headmaster's words, "Believe me I have no intention of being out of the public's eye. Did you know I am good friends with Raheema El Sherif?"
The Headmaster's eyes widened at the name and Callian could not blame him. The House of El Sherif had a long and notorious history, its origins were so old it is said its roots began in ancient antiquity and some even claimed it descended from the Mage Priests of ancient Egypt. It was also as close to royalty as anyone with Magical blood had come to be in recent years, and the family held incredible influence across most of Africa and many Middle Eastern realms. Raheema El Sherif in particular was a name that many spoke of in hushed whispers, she had gained a name for herself as a powerful figure both politically and militarily. As a young and powerful Magi, she had sought to carve out her own place away from the influence of her father and brothers and through hard work had established herself as a reputable trader in exotic goods. It was how she had come to know his family, many of the enchantments that his family's businesses provided were exported abroad for an extortionate amount of profit for both parties.
Yet, civil unrest and Political infighting among the nobility and kingdoms within Africa and its surroundings had seen the El Sherif family brutally attacked, leaving only Raheema as the survivor of her once prosperous House. She had been the recipient of several assassination attempts that had left her badly wounded; he had only been a child of five or six when she had come to them seeking aid and sanctuary. His mother had wasted no time in returning with her once Raheema was healed and together they had organised a fighting force of war magi that had ensured that all those who had murdered her family and sought the destruction of her House were eradicated.
Those very same War Magi now guarded her day and night and she had only used their power to increase her influence, she had the African Ministers in her pocket and many there called her The Queen in Shadow and knew it was she that pulled the strings behind the scenes. He just called her Aunty Rahma and knew her best as a speed fiend. It had been she who had taught him to fly on a racing broom when he was seven, much to his mother's horror.
The Headmaster's face twisted as if he tasted something foul.
"I have met Lady El Sherif before. The meeting was not a pleasant one."
Amerytha smiled knowingly at the Headmaster and even Callian could not stop the grin that bloomed across his face. Two years ago the International Confederation of Wizards had found a rift forming within its ranks, members of the African representatives had found themselves growing discontented with how much say a governing body, half a world away had over them and the people they represented. Callian could understand the sentiment, the ICW had once served a purpose, but the days of its usefulness had long since passed. It was a bureaucratic sinkhole, and it did not realise its member states effectively ignored its laws as and when they wished. When the African states threatened to pull away from its governance, the ICW with the Headmaster in his role as Supreme Mugwump had decided to send a nearly two-hundred-strong diplomatic party to try and curtail a large portion of its wealthiest member states seceding. The ICW's party had just happened to contain a good portion of its combat forces, their warnings of political upheaval and promised difficulties had been met with a cold silence but their threats had sent a ripple of shock throughout the Magical World.
The House of El Sherif had not taken those threats lightly, and Raheema had taken her own War Magi to the very doors of the ICW and told them in no uncertain terms that if they wished to force her hand she was more than willing to comply. All knew that this was no idle threat, Raheema El Sherif had already waged a war to ensure her House survived, and she would gladly do the same to protect her people.
The ICW's diplomatic party had been sent back, each without their wands as a stark warning and from that day forward that the African states were free of outsider influences.
"I will send her your regards, Albus. I am sure she will be pleased to know that she has left a lasting impression upon you."
The Headmaster grimaced at her words as he looked towards the great doors of the chamber, they could see Denevan making his way back towards them seeming lost in thought now that he was finished with the Mckinnon heir.
"I will take my leave of you then Lady Blackwood, I will need to discuss our plans for the meeting with Lord Mckinnon. Callian, I look forward to our next meeting. Hogwarts already seems far too quiet without you and Mr Potter to prowl its halls."
Amerytha's face lost some of its good cheer at the Headmaster's words and her words sent a chill running down his spine as Callian watched the two.
"It is still up for debate if I will allow the boys to return to your school, Albus. It has after all proven less than safe for my Son and ward."
The man's face paled but before he could voice a protest to her words Callian watched as his mother spun on her heel and left the chamber.
He could not blame the headmaster for his reaction. He knew his mother had been furious following the events of the past few days, but he did not think that she would go so far as to pull them from Hogwarts.
He did not linger much longer himself and fled the chamber as quickly as he could, lest he be caught in the middle of more drama than he already found himself. He was several corridors away before he noticed the heavy patter of paws behind him and he shot a look back over his shoulder to find a large, thin emaciated wolfhound following closely behind him. He paused as he shot the animagus a concerned look, a sense of unease creeping into him. He had never spent any time alone with the man before and was unsure of how to proceed.
He watched with a feeling of trepidation creeping over him as the canine before him began to stretch and grow, fir rippling and the faint popping of bones reached his ears as the wolf-hound stood upright like some pale approximation of a werewolf before the form settled into the dishevelled and gaunt figure of Sirius Black.
The two stared at each other for several long moments, and Callian found himself debating whether or not to walk away from the growing uncomfortableness that bloomed between them. Eventually Black spoke, his rasping voice seeming to fill the corridor with its grating sound.
"Any chance you know somewhere this old dog can get a warm meal?"