Audience Room, Escoffier Coven, France
"So we agreed then, these are our questions?" Andromeda asked one last time just at the right moment as the double doors opened and the queen with her maid slash granddaughter made their way back to the table.
"So, do you have any last Questions?" The queen didn't waste any time picking up the conversation. With her schedule something that should surprise nobody. Harry needed to calm himself down and Andromeda took her parchment back and prepared to address the monarch.
"That we do, your Highness. First, would a baby born out of the ritual with your granddaughter have any claim to any titles Harry could pass on? In our society as you might know that is a big thing. Should ever come out who it was that Harry had relations to? In the climate we observe today it could lead to bad consequences for my charge." Andromeda opened up the session and the queen smiled. It was like she appreciated Andromeda's way of addressing things.
"That would depend on Lord Potters's decision, maybe he would be fond of him or her or have fallen in love with my Heiress? You never know about that. Something only time will tell but back to your question, No whoever would continue my line would not have any inherited claims as in our world my line is superior to a simple magical line. It would solely depend on how much Lord Potter wants to include everyone involved in the ritual in his family life." she answered.
Andromeda noted that down and gave a short nod. "How about all of the teachings, who will he be allowed to share the knowledge with? Would they classify as family magics of the house Escoffier gifted to house Potter to teach members of their house or alliance?"
Ophelia looked approvingly. "To be honest, if Lord Potter would take a wive or more, oh," she looked into the eyes of her maid, only for Lilith to curtsy and leave the room. "Something we will also have to address. My teachings would qualify as family magics you wizards are so fond of calling simple acquired traits and perks. I will agree for them to be included in all grimoires Lord Potter will have access to except for the Soul Extraction one. That will be exclusive to the direct Potter or Peverell Branch."
Andromeda frowned a bit.
"Pardon me your Highness but Peverell Branch? I know that we magical folk intermarried often, sometimes even more than we should have as far as I am concerned but the Peverlls are to my knowledge extinct and possible cadet branch members have not surfaced with enough of the magic in them to claim the title."
Ophelia sighed a bit dramatically. "One could think that you magicals would have a better understanding of how the family magic worked after all this time. But, maybe that you all focused so much on wiping yourself out led to knowledge of it getting lost in time." She paused for a moment to maybe bath in the shocked expression of Andromeda as Harry just looked like his head was gonna burst. Erebos looked like he wanted to agree with Ophelia though.
"Let me educate you. For a magical line to develop family magic it needs to claim a place or more places as places of power and their residence. For this, you need certain rituals to kickstart it or just stay long enough in the same place." She noticed with a smile that Harry was now the one taking notes.
"Now after a family developed this some things will happen to its members. This magical connection will imprint itself on them and also allow for certain wards and enchantments to be placed in defense but what really will solidify a house's place in your world is the guardian spirit that some will be able to gain."
Harry looked up. "A guardian spirit? I thought those have been a myth, while some of the so-called sacred 28 claim to have those."
Ophelia smiled at the young wizard. "Oh. Let me tell you those that who are instructed in the right way, will be able to make that myth a reality. As far as I understand it, to this day, this spirit is only called upon to judge an heir or heiress claim to the title of the Lord or Lady of the House. Such a waste." She sighed. "With the many magicks banned in Britain, it's not a big shock that many other applications are not practiced anymore. First and foremost the way to use this spirit's form as a way to introduce members to the family but also to combat their enemies. But I digress from the original question." the vampire queen explained.
"You wizards are so fixated on those bloodlines but can't keep track of them. All the upper echelon of your society care about if the blood is pure." She shook her head for a moment.
"Yes blood is important, but magic as I explained it just some moments ago is much more important." Ophelia started. "If blood is too pure, because there is too much inbreeding it will lead to something called diminishing return of magic. Forgive me I digressed again."
"The Potter Line founded by one Linfred of Stinchcombe, in the late 12th century has absorbed some British houses some of them of equal or higher standing at the point of the joining. One of those houses was House Peverell, known for their ruthlessness against enemies of the land of Wales, they were later known as the reapers of Britain around the 13th to the 14th century. The main line died out when Iolanthe Peverell married one Hardwin Potter. There was a second branch that if my memory serves me right had claimed the Slytherin line only for them to later be absorbed into the House of Gaunt. Stupid Inbreds were the last of a once prestigious house." Ophelia paused in her explanation.
Ophelia pointed at Harry's notes and looked at him. "After my explanation what do you think could that mean for those families young Lord Potter?"
Harry blinked for a moment, he had immersed himself very deeply in his note-taking. He looked up and noticed the attention on him. "Well, er…" He started with pure eloquence only to blush as he noticed his problem. "I think that would mean that members would gain access to the other family magic but maybe miss the stay in seats of power of those families or proper instruction to use them?" He half asked and stated at the same time.
The vampire queen smiled and Erebos growled happily. "Very true young Lord. This will lead, over time, that those families will lose access to the family magic of the other families they absorbed and with that won't be able to claim those Houses anymore. Something that is mistakenly understood as the blood is too diluted. Let me tell you as an authority on blood," she winked at the young boy who blushed at her action before she continued. "The dilution of blood is not something that will ever be a problem in claiming family magic as long, as you have access to the magic of the family or its patron spirit. Back to the Peverell story." Ophelia stated and waited for Harry to finish taking notes.
"Not only were the Peverells like magical reapers and people who cleansed the world of vermin. They also had the reputation of being gifted enchanters without competition. They were on a level above their peers. Something the Potters of later Generations had shown if you know where to look of course. All this secrecy, decoys, and false names for their ward inventions or rune matrixes but death seems always to catch up on them."
Harry had wide eyes listening to the history of his family from this point of view. Some of it was new even for him, It looked like some potters took their secrecy a bit too far.
"I would not be surprised that Lord Potter could hold claim to some houses. Even if some of them could provide a possible heir on their own. It is known that Godric Gryffindor was a Ladies Man and had many possible heirs by blood. to inherit the Title Lord of Gryffindor you would have to meet certain criteria. Convince the Guardian Spirit. Unfortunately, this Ruffian never noted it down." She huffed.
"Only those who have a claim and are Heirs can find the Grimoire and uncover the truth of the history of Houses like Peverell or Gryffindor."
At that moment Lillith came back with a plate. On the plate was a silver knife, a bowl with some runes on it, a black feathered Quil, and a parchment with some runes on it. Andromeda got big eyes and took in some air as Ophelia thanked her maid with a smile.
"This my honorable guests," the vampire queen began, "is a ritual basin needed for the blood magic variant of an inheritance test. Nowadays only seen executed by the Goblins of Gringotts."
She smiled. "Good that I am quite gifted in blood magic and have my own to use so we can clear things up quickly without the need to invoke their fees isn't it?"
Andromeda and Harry blinked and the queen melodically laughed a bit. "Excuse me I couldn't control myself for a moment. While I had explained before that blood was not the only way to trace back a connection to a house it still carries the information we would be able to see what family magicks are currently slumbering in the young Lord."
Harry looked at Andromeda, conversing in his mind with Erebos was difficult to hold over the duration while still paying attention to the queen and his surroundings. Andromeda took a moment only for her to give him a short nod. He looked back at the queen.
"Is it agreeable that my Solicitor draws up the contract and we sign in blood?" Andromeda had prepared him in the last hour what they should do if they came to the point of accepting the deal.
Ophelia nodded and looked at Andromeda. "I think you can do so while Lord Potter takes the test and I trust in your honesty." Andromeda nodded only for Ophelia to explain the proceedings to Harry.
"Well Harry, I think that is more appropriate now. How you will address me in private or in a company will be addressed later. The Test is really easy. You will have to cut yourself with the knife. Pour some blood into the bowl, and wait for at least seven seconds for the runes to charge up. After that, you dip the quill into the blood and write your name, your full name of course."
Harry nodded and did exactly as told. The parchment glowed a soft green color. Out of his names branched some lines and listing his Parents. Lily and James Potter. The Parchment glowed again this time golden. Vanishing everything. It took exactly three seconds for cursive writing to appear.
Inheritance Test for Hadrian James Potter:
Head of House Potter
Heir Apparent to the House of Black
Eligible Heirship for three or more Houses
Ophelia looked at the parchment and shook her head. "We have to add another clause. I will not be responsible if Harry forces five or more kids on his wife, only to fulfill his obligations to the house separation act, which is still in the British magical law." Andromeda sighed but added the clause without much trouble looking at Harry with an 'I will explain later' expression.
"I would say one of the possible Houses is Peverell, the rest are only wild guesses, he may never need to know because he can't claim them."
Andromeda had finished changing her standard contract form to the needed points with everything listed under each party and took out a Bloodquill. Moving it over to the Queen, the Vampire had to smile.
"I approve of the 'I am not allowed to cause him permanent harm clause' Such nice wording Mrs. Tonks. First of all, we have to look to add blood magic to your syllabus Harry it should not have, to protect you from that permanent harm." She took the quil and with a practiced flourish signed only to move it over to Harry.
Harry looked at everything. Nothing which he had not already cleared with Andromeda beforehand. He looked at the quill and took it up. One last look at Erebos who gave him some smoothing images while he signed with a bit more scrapping than the queen. Andromeda took it up to copy and seal all three of them, levitating one to the queen while pocketing the two others.
"Very good Harry, be here tomorrow at 9 am sharp for your orientation and with your trunk. Weekdays will be spent here. Weekends you may use at your leisure. Mrs. Tonks and your Dragon are always welcome to join you after your duties. Again I have to apologize but a coven won't lead itself, unfortunately." She stood up and exchanged pleasantries with them before she and her maid left after the latter had brought them back out.
Potter Castle, One hour later
" What do you mean I will have to take more wives? Andy, I am not even twelve yet! That sounds completely bonkers to me." Harry was pacing in the Lord's Study. Andromeda sitting on an elegant wooden chair and looking at him.
"I know Harry, but it is just like that you know. In the magical world, polygamy is nothing new. It isn't even frowned upon. To be honest it is very much encouraged that a wizard with the claim to many houses splits them again to broaden the magic. In our laws, it is even enforced that for each house you claim you must provide one heir. What would force your wife, if you just had one for example to fulfill that role? Something not only incredibly hard on the body of the woman, no she would have to give up on her career perspectives and everything just that she can provide you enough offspring."
Harry looked a bit shocked only for Erebos to give his two cents to the topic.
"A male dragon usually seeks out more than one female. You are qualifying as a male dragon under certain circumstances. While the females look for the strongest to give seed them."
Harry shook his head, he changed into his Drake form, and stretched his wings out, nearly pushing over a chair as he looked like he was deeply immersed in his own thoughts.
"I will go and fly to get my mind off that topic." He looked at Andromeda who was about to say something but gave him an understanding nod. "Thanks, Aunt Andi, for going with me and yeah.., but you know... It is very strange and all." Andromeda gave him an understanding glance before Harry was off. Still a bit unsteady but slowly getting there. Erebos gave a short roar and followed him later. Andromeda made her way to his room asking Lordey to help her pack some things for Harry.
Private Reception Room, Escoffier Court, France
"This room will serve as your main classroom for the next years. Here you will learn Occlumency, Legilimency, ritualistic Arithmancy, Bloodmagic, and mundane things like French or dancing" Ophelia looked at her two charges. Lilith was in her maid uniform with kitten-heels, while Harry had a tailored suit that had a good resemblance with a butler uniform with a ruby necklace.
The necklace was enchanted to let him look different, the scar was covered, his hair was a dark brown and his eyes looked like hazel. All to protect his overall image so that he would not have to worry about getting detected. "You have a question, Harry?"
The boy looked a bit bewildered as he nodded. "Err yes. Your majesty, dancing?"
His gaze darted to the queen who looked sharp as ever in her forest green dress. And after that, Harry's eyes looked at Lillith who also suddenly had a hunted look.
The queen followed and looked at her two young charges and smiled. "Exactly dancing. You will do this with each other. And you will learn both sides of the pin. You need to be able to adapt sometimes a woman may want to lead and you have to indulge her Harry. If you need help to get into the role I can even change you into a girl temporarily if you struggle with that. So don't mind asking this queen for help okay?"
He gulped but quickly nodded. "Yes, your majesty I will do so." The queen nodded and patted his cheek caringly. "Very good Harry, now, sit down you two. We will start with the basics of mind arts today."
She snapped her finger and a blackboard appeared, the chalk rising without a hand and writing down while she lectured. "The Mind Arts are considered as an obscure and grey part of the magic by most human standards. As I already told you at the beginning of this, there is no classification to magic only to the intent behind it. Most humans are just confined in their way of thinking. Paired with the fear of the unknown you have the recipe for disaster we have today. Magic is classified into dark, grey, and light magic. Most of the dark kind is banned in the ICW which did not help reduce victims to it. No, it just led to more people using them without the right people that can not only defend them but counter those magicks." The vampire queen looked at her students with smoking akin to pure disgust for that.
She had calmed herself before she smiled again and looked at the black board where she noticed that her chalk had picked up her rambling about magic. Smiling she resumed. "Back to the mind arts. Often pictured as Occulumency, the way to sort and defend your mind, and Legilimency the way to attack and change the mind. This is another example of the limited thinking of this era. As we knew for five hundred years you can use Legilimency to copy your knowledge to a prepared practitioner. If the targeted individual is on the stage of Occlumency to have built his mind place. He can filter the planted memories and adapt accordingly. Let us know have a look at the basic exercises of Occlumency…"
With that Harry and Lilith's time of learning started. Ophelia was a demanding teacher in the classroom. The notes and script had to be of top quality. Even if she delegated a lesson to one of her subordinates.
Each Thursday Liltih and Harry had to bring their notes to her. The queen looked them over and if the errors were over her margin of acceptance she quickly found a way to motivate the two youngsters. Knowing of their aversion to each other she would give the one with more errors to the other to decide their punishment.
It did not take long for both of them to give their best. Both had ways to torment the other like siblings would do. Lilith had Harry dress up in a frilly pink dress for an hour to hold a tea service with her. While Harry forced her to do physical labor in the dirt. The queen and sometimes her daughter enjoyed the show unknowingly to both of the children. Even if she thought that Harry sometimes had sensed their presence.
Quickly the structured life had become a routine for Harry. The four to six hours of serving the queen each day, followed by three to four hours of learning let the days fly by. Besides the lessons in the classroom environment, Harry learned another thing while waiting on the queen and serving her drinks or snacks while she entertained her guests.
He learned to listen. Sometimes the queen would ask both of them what they thought of the situation or how they would deal with some case she was presented with.
Without them understanding at the moment that the leader of the French vampires groomed the two of them into attentive listeners. While it was clear why such a skill would be needed for someone like Lilith, Ophelia knew that the Boy who lived, would also play a crucial role in the coming days and years. Having one prepared to take on the many battles ahead with the mindset of a leader and someone used to listen well and plan accordingly, would be fruitful in the long run.
To boost the results she newly found out the best encouragement was by giving points to the one with the better answer and those points counting to the Friday punishments. Sometimes she would send them away and both quickly found out why. One day a rogue Vampire had been caught turning a muggle without permission. The queen personally had whipped him bloody. The children had run to their respective bathrooms to throw up. The lecture they got after was even worse.
The queen had stuck them together by gluing the tip of the nose to each other.
After that both had to write lines, why that had been a bad idea to go against her wishes.
After that, they never repeated it or maybe just got better at covering up their tracks. Time flew by and Harry could not say that he regretted deciding if all would go to plan they could start with the ritual to get rid of his scar problem at Samhain in 1990.
Night of the 31st of October 1990, Ritual Chambers Escoffier Court.
Harry was lying on a stone altar. Clothed in a white robe made out of finest silk looking at the Vampire Queen in a similar attire. Again he was very glad that his hormones did not have kicked in already. Looking at the woman with her ethereal beauty and body some would kill for. And in her case even have done so already, if you would want to believe in the stories she told.
"Relax Harry, you had something similar like this with the Riutal you did under Onyxia's guidance. This time I even drew the runes and prepared the offerings. Think of it as a second birthday." She smiled. Yes, he thought. The second birthday was something scarily close to the description he had of the ritual.
Consisting of two parts the mind walk and the siphon the first step was to put him in a death-like state. Using runes to hold him there and offerings to power the cluster. In the seven-pointed star, seven different ingredients were carefully laid out. Ashes of a phoenix, the cloak of a dementor, Scales of Onyxia, a donation of blood from Ophelia's daughter. What was the next best thing to her own, but that was out of the question she would perform the mind walk. Venom of a basilisk. Freely given the blood of a Unicorn, how Tinky had got this Harry could only guess she had asked one of her contacts and the last exactly three drops of Phönix tears. After Harry had heard the list of ingredients, most of them provided by the queen his mind had only tried to come up with a sum and how she had come at them.
The different symbolism was not missed by him either. It was a careful balance of things connected to death and life. With the Ashes of the Immortal Phenix symbolizing his rebirth. He knew why the Queen had started to joke about his second birthday. The date of the ritual was exactly the date he got that scar and his parents had died. After some calculations, he should be finished with the process exactly on Samhain thirteen years after it had happened. With all those numbers in place, he could only hope for the best even if the chances were ridiculously high for a success he was scared. One of the reasons was what happened now. The Queen had put on black lipstick. It was not any lipstick. It was something she referred to as the Black Widow's Kiss. A mixture of the drought of living death and some other ingredients would take him to death's door and hopefully not straight through. One last encouraging smile and her soft lips had laid on his, and everything faded to black.
Somewhere
Harry opened his eyes struggling to orient himself because everything was in tones of Grey, even he was like that. That did not look like his mind palace where he would have met Ophelia.
"Because it is not. Peverell Spawn."
Harry turned and looked where this strong voice had come from. Only to see something materialize before him. It was something very close to the stories he had read about death.
"My form is influenced by your thoughts whelp. You will listen to me Peverell and listen close or you will end like all the others of your blood before you. Once back far in time, your ancestors cut a deal with me. Not this stupid fairytale you read about in that book, but something different. They promised to return the gifts I gave them after finishing their task. They did not. And all coming after them did not either. So I cursed them. As long as they would not try to give my gifts back to me they would die before their time. Now after many centuries, the task is still unfulfilled. Something you now inherited. Find the Wand, Stone, and Cloak and throw them through the veil where you can hear the voices of the doomed. If you do not hear my words you will see me even before most of your line did. My patience runs thin Peverell. Hurry or perish. Maybe I will even bless you when you offer me something as penance."
Before Harry could even say or ask something he was sucked into the void.
In his Mindscape
As Harry opened his eyes again he looked straight at the form of Ophelia standing before a rotten tree. "What happened Harry? I waited for over an hour. We have to hurry now! Quick you know what to do. An explanation can be made later" She said in a hurry.
Harry nodded thinking of what he wanted, a spear appeared in his hands the tip looking like a very sharp dragon fang. He changed into his Drake form and pushed the spear right into the trunk of the rotten tree. Thinking the spear out of existence he watched as something like a dark red blood bordering black was seeping leaking out of the hole he had made. He laid his hand on the wound in the trunk and chanted.
In a calm voice but with the pure hatred given form in words Harry started to chant. "You that you are not belonging here, rotten and cursed, nothing more than the excuse of my former enemy. An enemy I already have conquered, I claim what is mine." His hand glowed in a golden light as the vampiric rune for victory appeared on his palm. It glowed for a second before Harry could feel something throwing him out of this part of his mind.
Ritual Chambers Escoffier Court
As Harry blinked his eyes open he could see the outlines of the victory rune but it was only filled on the bottom. It would grow over time and he would slowly witness the spoils as long as the procedure would take to finish. Ophelia looked at him waiting for an explanation.