Celestial Ascendancy
Chapter 49: The World Stirs.
Hogwarts.
Elias Black.
Groaning softly as I came awake, I rubbed my eyes, feeling a strange sense of 'something is wrong' lingering in my mind. It was difficult to place, but it fully snapped me out of sleep as soon as I realized it.
I glanced down to see Iris snoring softly, adorably sprawled over me, her body warmth was something I had grown used to in these past months. She was… clingy in her sleep, much, much more than Mione, for sure.
Trying not to disturb her too much, I craned my neck around, searching for Hermione and Fleur, but Iris's tight grip severely limited my movement. Seeing that they were nowhere in sight and I couldn't hear them close, I sighed and decided to ask Iris.
"Babe," I murmured sleepily, kissing gently against her messy hair. "Love, where are Mione and Fleur?"
Iris groaned softly, shifting against me as she slowly began to wake. Her eyes fluttered open, panic flashing across her face before she calmed back and closed her eyes sleepily.
"Hey," I whispered soothingly, caressing her back gently, "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
"Oh, sorry," Iris muttered, her voice raspy from sleep. She stretched lazily, pressing herself closer. "I just forgot for a moment where they were. Hermione woke me up earlier; she said she was taking Fleur back to her carriage. They wanted to talk privately for a bit, and Fleur didn't want Madame Maxime to worry."
I let out a relieved sigh, relaxing further into the bed and holding Iris a bit tighter. "Why didn't they wake me up?"
Iris smiled affectionately, her eyes warm and filled with Love as she rested her head on my chest. "Because you deserve the rest, Eli. You were exhausted yesterday, and we all noticed."
Her words warmed me deeply, and I softly kissed her forehead. "Thank you, love."
"Always," she murmured contentedly, closing her eyes and snuggling deeper into my embrace.
"I wasn't the only one who had a long night, Love. How are you feeling?" I asked gently, tickling Iris slightly as she attempted to drift back to sleep.
We couldn't waste any more time… a shame, really, but I knew for sure that this day was going to be eventful.
I began soothing her body with my healing energy just in case, savoring the peaceful moment for as long as I could.
Now that cooler heads prevailed, I realized the trouble I'd stirred with the Minister last night was perhaps a dumb decision. While I didn't regret my actions, I knew he was petty at best.
I hoped we could work around him since he certainly wasn't suited for wartime leadership… or any leadership for that matter. At least during peace, his incompetence didn't directly endanger lives.
"I'm… torn," Iris grumbled, realizing I wasn't planning to let her sleep longer. "The bastard who killed my parents is back, stronger than ever, and he's being aided by that insane woman who almost killed you, Eli. I'm not okay."
"Hey," I murmured softly into her hair, "We'll handle this. They won't tear us apart; I promise you that."
"Uhm," she nodded, "It's just that… I'm scared, Eli."
She took a deep breath and leaned back against my chest. Smiling gently, I rested my chin on her shoulder and began massaging her scalp just how she liked it.
"I… I'm not strong enough, Eli," she spat the words bitterly, her eyes darkening in anger. "That bastard tied me up, tortured me, and used my own blood to resurrect himself… and I couldn't stop him!"
"Hey, hey," I increased the pressure of my massage slightly, trying to soothe her. "I know how you feel, Iris.I truly do… and I felt the same against Walburga."
Taking a deep breath, I continued, "I should've lost. The only reason I survived was a miracle beyond my control that I still don't fully understand. But I won't stop training until I'm strong enough to cut her head off."
"We just need to train harder, right?" I grinned into her hair, certain she could feel it as she nodded resolutely.
"So, what's the plan?" she asked earnestly, wiping away the tears forming in her beautiful emerald eyes.
"I don't have one yet," I shrugged. "I think things in Britain will escalate fast. Initially, I thought the Minister would try to hide everything. Still, we have Rita working for us, and she'll publish what we decide should become public knowledge."
"The bastard," Iris scoffed. "I hoped you'd do more to him."
"I did, too," I chuckled softly. "But Mione was right… it would have complicated things significantly and likely ruined our relationship with Madam Bones. She is a good woman, and I really hope that she will support us."
I shook my head gently. "No, this is for the best. But we must grab the rat quickly and stash him safely while Bones prepares the trial. We also need to meet with Arcturus to discuss our next steps."
"Politics?" Iris grinned teasingly.
"Indeed, my dear," I nodded thoughtfully before cracking a smile. "Unfortunately, these problems can't be solved by dropping a sun on their heads, as tempting as that is. I neither have the time nor desire to take control of the Wizarding World."
"The supernatural world is far more interesting," Iris nodded thoughtfully, "And I doubt we'll manage to stay away from it for long."
"I know," I sighed deeply, "but we must prepare for all eventualities."
"Speaking of preparation, I should use the points I've gathered since last time," I grinned, laughing outright at how excited Iris became at the mere mention of the Grimoire.
She was oddly childish when it came to the rolls.
I would worry about our money if I didn't have practically infinite gold.
Taking out the Grimoire, I breathed deeply before opening it to calm my nerves.
800 CP available.
Treasure Compass-Genshin impact 200 CP.
Every Treasure Hoarder's dream would be to have one of these. It is a magical compass constructed from rare and expensive resources. Rather than using any kind of magnetic field, the needle of this Compass taps into the local ley lines in order to lead the user towards the nearest treasures. With so many treasures abound in this world, that needle will be almost guaranteed to be pointing to something. It is said that some adventurers vehemently dislike these devices.
Bought 600 CP remaining.
Second Life Coffin- Dark Souls 2 200 CP
"What a bizarre curiosity. It resembles a coffin, though far greater in size than those meant for man. Despite its immense size, you always seem to be able to manipulate the heavy lid and push it around with a bit of effort. The coffin will be nearby when you look, as despite the ease of pushing, it's still large and awkward. Most notable, however, is what happens to any living thing that sleeps inside of it once sealed. After a period of time has passed, the one sleeping inside will have swapped physical gender. Men become women, and women become men. The process is reversible and can be performed infinitely."
Bought, 400 CP remaining.
Sword and Shield-Fate, 400 CP
Offense and defense remain ever as important as each other. The common shield-bearing spearman may not be impressive to look at, but he remains highly effective, only more so when he's a budding demigod with this sort of magical weapon. The two options here are bought separately, both at a discount for this origin. You may import a spear/sword or shield into the options.
The first is a spear, Durindana. A golden throwing spear that is said to be able to pierce anything. While it's not quite that impressive, even a Demigod like Heracles could see it cutting through his nigh-impenetrable skin. Short of extremely potent magic specifically focused on defense, like the shield to come next, it's impossible to defend against the weapon. Certainly, anything mundane will be pierced and cleaved without issue. The spear itself is also able to shorten its long staff and become a simple long or short sword. It's not looking like much, but it's surprising what being able to instantly extend the reach of your weapon to that of a long spear can do for you.
Rho Aias, a seven-layered shield of impenetrable might. The shield itself is as capable as any magical shield could be asked to be; it is not invincible, but close enough and a handy weapon at the same time. Its true power is when a small amount of magical energy is poured into the shield, which will cause seven enormous bounded fields to be created, appearing like petals of light layered over each other. These petals are an absolute defense against any thrown weapon, negating the attack without question. Even against attacks that are not thrown, the layers themselves are as tough as a mighty fortress and significantly reduce the power of an attack as it breaks through each layer.
While energy must be constantly put into the shield, though the cost is low, to maintain the petals, they can be summoned at any place and in any orientation that you can see from your current position in a moment. Not only can you protect yourself from surprise attacks while wearing the shield, but you can potentially extend the petals to cover entire castles in their embrace.
I deadpanned at the coffin that dropped with a heavy thud next to the bed, scaring Iris half to death and causing her to jump into my arms.
"Eli, what is that?" she asked, staring open-mouthed at the massive coffin.
"I'm not even sure I want to explain," I answered, my lips twitching as I fought back laughter. It was probably the most insane roll I'd ever gotten… and hilarious.
At first glance, it didn't seem particularly useful, but gender-bending someone on command? It may be amusing to use on specific irritating but unimportant individuals. Perhaps some of the wannabe death eaters in school. They didn't deserve harsh punishments yet.
The other two rewards, however, were genuinely impressive. The Compass alone was incredibly valuable, and I had already noticed it pointing decisively in one direction.
The supernatural world and wizarding worlds alike have countless stories about hidden or lost treasures, and Britain is a hotspot for such legends.
But the final roll? That one had me practically drooling in glee.
Until now, I hadn't possessed a defensive spell capable of effectively countering powerful supernatural beings. Wizarding shields simply weren't strong enough at my current level. While I could mold Aetherium into a makeshift barrier, it wasn't ideal.
Rho Aias changed that completely, especially considering my absurdly large energy reserves. I needed to practice a lot with it, but I was hopeful.
And then there was the spear.
I grinned widely, pulling it from my soul. It was truly magnificent… it was so beautiful that I barely felt guilty about potentially setting aside my sword for a while.
"That's beautiful," Iris marveled softly, her eyes glued to the spear. "I can feel its power."
"I know, right?" I smirked, rising from the bed and performing a few practice swings to gauge its weight and balance.
"According to its description, it can cut through absolutely anything," I explained eagerly. "And I have a matching shield, equally as good."
"You should test it against Sai," Iris suggested thoughtfully, "With that spear, you might finally match him in his Balance Breaker."
I froze mid-swing at her words, thinking carefully. She had a good point… I might finally be able to stand toe-to-toe with Sai, and the thought had me practically vibrating with excitement.
Sai was a good sport whenever he won, but I had grown tired of the damn cat making fun of me for not being able to match them together yet. I could already smell my vengeance.
"First, though, we should prepare the celebratory dinner," I decided, scooping Iris up into my arms and heading straight for the bathroom, ignoring her startled squeal. "Afterwards, I'll challenge Sai to a proper fight. Brilliant idea, Love."
Beauxbatons was leaving in three days if nothing changed, and I genuinely wanted Fleur to be part of it and meet my few friends outside of Britain. I just hope that we manage to do everything on time.
Akeno Himejima.
Occult Research Club
The sunlight barely slipped through the curtains, just the way the president liked it. Akeno didn't have a preference, and small things like this made Rias happy, so it wasn't like it was a bother.
Kiba sat ramrod straight, his eyes focused on something, but his mind was obviously elsewhere. Ever since they'd met the wizards, he'd been like this… haunted, focused, and, more importantly, driven.
Akeno sometimes wondered if losing to Elias had lit the fire in him… considering how fast he had lost, but she doubted that was the only reason.
No, it wasn't just Kiba. All of them had changed.
Meeting the wizards had been one of the best things to happen to them, at least in Akeno's humble opinion. Kiba trained harder and tried to use his sacred gear more imaginatively, but Akeno herself had grown in power at a pace that she didn't fully believe. Elias lit a fire in Rias, showing her that there was hope as long as she had enough time. They liked the Wizards enough that she had been training to control the Power of Destruction for a couple of months without faltering.
Something that had never happened before… Even Koneko did her best whenever they visited, even more so if she was promised treats by the girls, who absolutely adored the little cat girl.
"That's the third time you've sighed in the last five minutes, President," Akeno said softly, her eyes still on the book Hermione had gifted her. It was a fascinating account of the war against a Dark Lord named Grindelwald… and Cowriten by Iris's Grandpa himself. It was very different from what devils usually considered 'history.'
While the conflicts were not of the same magnitude as conflicts between factions, this war happened not that long ago.
Akeno couldn't even remember the last 'big' conflict between factions, so she was really interested.
When Rias didn't respond, Akeno looked up and sighed. "President. What's on your mind?"
Rias blinked, startled, clearly pulled from her wandering thoughts. "It's nothing, Akeno. Don't worry about it."
Kiba chuckled lightly. "President, come on. It's obvious something's bothering you."
Rias tried to fake her usual elegant smile, but it faltered halfway through. Her Peerage knew her too well to be fooled by simple gestures anymore.
She took a deep breath. "My parents wrote to me last night… They're pushing harder about the engagement—about Riser."
"Why are you worried, then?" Kiba asked, tilting his head. "We've gotten so much stronger… and unusually fast, too."
"You noticed it as well?" Akeno asked seriously. "I don't know how to explain it, but even with all our training, it feels like we've grown faster than we should have."
"I've felt it too," Rias admitted, then turned to Kiba and shook her head firmly. "And that's the problem. I've grown stronger. A lot compared to before. But I can realize that we are still behind him," she finished distastefully.
"You think Riser could still beat us?" Akeno asked with a teasing lilt in her voice.
Rias didn't laugh.
She nodded, unusually serious. "I used to think of him as nothing but an arrogant lecher who ruined my life. Someone spoiled, coasting on his family name."
"And now?" Akeno's voice was gentler, more curious than teasing.
"Now I realized that I wasn't much better than him," Rias whispered shamefully, "Training with Elias and the girls… it made me realize how lazy I'd been. I wasn't pushing myself. I wasn't leading my Peerage like I should have. I was even worse than Riser in that regard."
Her voice grew quieter, "I just thought I deserved more because I hated him."
Akeno stood and crossed the room to wrap Rias in a warm hug. "The fact that you see that? That means you've grown, Rias. You've matured more than you realize."
She smiled faintly, then looked down in shame, "And you're not the only one," Akeno added softly.
"We all have things we've ignored. Weaknesses we haven't fixed. But we're working on them now… and that's what matters," she smiled softly, forgetting the teasing front she used as a shield.
Rias nodded slowly. "Riser isn't brilliant like Sona, but he's experienced. He's led his Peerage into real battles, and they trust him. They work like a group, unlike us. We might be stronger individually… but we're not a true unit yet."
"Some of us have different definitions of friendly fire," Kiba scowled playfully, shooting a look at Akeno.
"Ufufufu~" Akeno giggled, "Guilty as charged… but I've been better."
She sobered a moment later. "Still, do we know how long we have before the marriage is finalized?"
Rias shook her head, "No… But it will happen soon. A month, maybe less."
There was a tense pause before Kiba spoke again. "Did you ever find out what happened to Hyoudou-kun?"
Rias looked sharply at Akeno.
Akeno's smile faded. "I've tried everything. His whole family just… vanished. There is no trace of magic, no relocation records, nothing. It's like they disappeared overnight."
Kiba scowled. "There was no sign of that in the information from his parents' minds. That's not normal."
"I know," Akeno said thoughtfully, "If someone took him, they were far beyond my ability to detect. Whoever it was… they knew how to erase their trail."
Rias looked down, her expression hollow. He had been her final option… her ace in the hole. Now he was gone, and Rias had no idea what had happened to him.
Silence settled until Akeno finally broke it again, this time more gently. "You know… we could ask Elias."
Rias looked up with a frown on her face, "Why?"
"He's a friend," Akeno said simply, although there was a genuine smile on her face, "He's already helped us more than once, and if you asked, genuinely, I know he'd help you fight Riser. Or get you out of this. There must be a way he can help without joining the Peerage."
Kiba nodded in agreement.
Rias looked conflicted. Torn between pride and desperation.
"I'll… think about it," she said at last. "And I'll ask Sona for suggestions on how we can bypass the rules, as he is not in my Peerage. I know she can find some loopholes in the contract."
Akeno didn't push anymore. She had done what needed to be done, just as a last resort.
She looked outside the window and smiled, reminding herself of the good times they passed inside Elias's hollow.
Cornelius Fudge – POV
Minister's Office, Ministry of Magic
The office was quiet. Too quiet for his taste.
Cornelius Fudge drummed his fingers against his desk, watching Dolores Umbridge gather her things in uncharacteristic silence. There was no simpering, smug commentary about Hogwarts, or self-righteous declarations about "order." Just… silence.
That alone unsettled him.
He might not have been brilliant, but he wasn't stupid. There was a reason people voted for him at the start of his campaign. He could accept that he wasn't the best Ministry of Magic… perhaps at the start, he had even been righteous… but green was his sin.
"You're… sure you're alright, Dolores?" he asked seriously.
She paused by the door, her hands folded neatly over her crocodile-skin bag. "Quite alright, Minister," she said with an eerie little smile. I'm just tired. What happened at the castle was… enlightening."
Fudge didn't like the way she said that. Not one bit.
Without another word, she stepped out, leaving only the sound of the door's soft click behind her. And then, only silence again.
Fudge sat there for several seconds, blinking at the empty space she'd left behind. The tension in his chest didn't go with her. If anything, it got worse.
Fudge trusted Dolores most of the time, but he wasn't blind. He could see the darkness that plagued his undersecretary. And seeing her act so calmly after being embarrassed by a student… no, she was planning something.
It had been gnawing at him since he woke up. That boy… Elias Black, a Black, for Merlin's sake.
The power in him... The sunlight he called down like it was nothing. He had made the whole castle tremble simply by releasing his magic. Fudge could still remember his sheer panic once the young man glared in his direction.
He wanted to think it was all an illusion. Some elaborate trick by Dumbledore. But deep down, in the place that feared the dark, he knew. There was no controlling Elias Black.
He was a storm in human skin. A damn second coming of Merlin himself.
A flash of movement behind him made Fudge jolt to his feet, wand half-drawn.
But it was too late… Cloaked figures were already in his office. He hadn't heard them arrive. The door hadn't opened. There had been no sound. Not a single alarm blaring.
"What… who-" Fudge sputtered, almost shouting and repeating the shameful display he put inside the castle.
One of them raised a gloved hand… and Fudge froze. He didn't mean to. His body simply stopped responding. The wand slipped from his fingers and clattered uselessly to the floor.
Since when was Merlin's damned wandless magic so common?
"No need to shout, Minister," the figure said, his voice smooth enough to make Fudge shiver in his seat.
"We're not here to hurt you. Merely… to talk."
Fudge's heart pounded in his chest. He tried to speak, but even that seemed difficult. Panic bubbled in his throat as he was reminded how lacking he was in the magical arts.
"You may call us… a division of the Department of Mysteries," the figure continued in the same neutral tone, his real voice hidden by some sort of spell, "Hidden even from you. A necessity, you understand. Some truths are too dangerous to be governed by politics."
Fudge opened his mouth again, finally able to speak. "This is illegal. You… you can't just-"
"We can," the figure said simply, "We have done so for centuries, and we will not stop."
Another figure stepped forward from the shadows.
Fudge's eyes were drawn to them instantly, not by the abrupt movement but by something else. Their eyes. Brilliant, almost luminescent, like twin stars piercing through a sky full of clouds.
Looking into them felt like snorting pixie dust… something Fudge regretted trying in his youth.
His mind blurred at the edges. His thoughts jumbled.
"What happened last night," the voice continued, "should have never occurred. But the boy made a spectacle. And now, people are asking questions. That is… inconvenient. There is a reason why the Wizards are kept in the dark about the Supernatural."
Fudge nodded faintly, though he wasn't sure why. His mind was a mess, and he just wanted to sleep.
"You are still the Minister. A symbol… But you are only useful when your house is in order. You will tighten control of Hogwarts in any way you can. You will discredit Dumbledore. And you will remind the people that order… Your order is the best way to go. Do whatever you can to keep Elias Black from acting out while we prepare to control him."
The eyes glinted again, and a whisper slithered through Fudge's mind like smoke.
He's dangerous. He could destroy everything. He must be watched. Controlled. Or removed if there's no other option.
Fudge inhaled sharply. The idea had been planted so subtly he thought it was his own.
"You… you're right," he murmured. "The boy… he's too powerful. He must be monitored. Watched carefully to prevent him from harming the population."
"Good," the figure said smoothly, "I'm glad we are on the same page, Minister."
The room began to fade around him, and he blinked… suddenly alone, standing behind his desk, his heart hammering against his chest.
He didn't remember sitting down again, but somehow he was. His hands were shaking, and he had no idea why.
Heaven, Seventh Heaven.
Michael's POV
The chamber was brightly lit; the light of his Father still shined in the seventh heaven, where all his brothers and sisters could return after a hard day just to find peace.
Golden pillars shimmered with inscribed verses from the Empty Throne, and the endless sky gave it otherworldly imagery.
Michael entered in silence.
Gabriel followed beside him, her usual smile absent, replaced by a serious expression that silenced the low hum of conversation before either of them spoke. Her grace always had weight… but her silence weighed even more.
It had been centuries since Gabriel last showed this visage, which was the same one she used to have during the Great War.
The ten Seraphs were already assembled. At the head of the table, Uriel, Raphael, Zadkiel, Sandalphon… and Metatron, the Voice of the System. All turned at once, some rising from their seats in surprise.
"Gabriel…?" Raphael asked carefully, "You're troubled."
Gabriel simply nodded and took her place. Her silence was enough for all of them.
The room tensed. They knew that the news was dire.
A loud crack shattered the stillness. Uriel, the Fire of God, slammed a burning fist into the crystalline table. His flames flickered harmlessly as they dispersed by the Holy Power that filled the room.
"What happened?" he demanded, his voice tight. "Why is she like this? What in Father's name is going on, brother?"
"Patience," Michael said firmly, leveling him with a calm stare, "Do not let your fire become wrath. You are not a child, Uriel."
Uriel grunted, withdrawing his hand, though the heat of his anger could still be felt.
Michael stepped forward, trying to appear calm, but everyone could feel how tense and hopeful he was.
"The System moved."
A ripple passed through the room. Even Metatron, whom few took seriously, stood up from the table.
"It moved?" Zadkiel asked, disbelieving, "Of its own accord?"
Michael nodded. "Without a command or a prayer. It acted... Without my input."
Some of the archangels looked hopeful.
"Could it be… Father's will?" one whispered.
"I don't know," Michael said thoughtfully, "But the System released an enormous discharge of holy power toward Earth."
The air grew still. All of them understood what this could mean.
Raphael's eyes narrowed. "How much holy energy, Michael?"
Michael hesitated. Then looked up gravely, "A lot, brother."
The reaction was immediate.
Voices rose in panic as all of them tried to make themselves heard.
"We cannot afford to lose that much faith!"
"If it destabilized the Flow…"
"What if something is hijacking the System?!"
Michael raised his hand, and the noise ceased. This alone showed that he was the one in charge of the angels.
"I don't believe this was stolen. It wasn't chaotic. It was… guided. Somehow it felt Intentional, as if… someone was directing the energy. I can't confirm it was Father's will because it never happened in the past… but it could be."
The Seraphs remained silent at that.
Uriel stood again, more controlled this time. "Then we must descend. We must find out who or what drew that power."
"And go where, exactly?" Gabriel finally spoke, her voice calm. "There was no anchor. No prayer. We don't even have a location."
She looked across the table.
"Are we to scour all of Earth based on a guess? Abandon our stations, our duties, our charges?"
Uriel clenched his fists but tried to calm himself, "This could save the system, sister… or ruin it."
Gabriel turned to Michael after shaking her head in Uriel's direction. "Inform the Church. Let them investigate. If this is divine in nature, it will reveal itself. If not… then it's even more reason not to act in haste."
Michael gave a slow nod. "Agreed. As Gabriel said, we need to be careful about this. We need the faith… but if the system believed it was needed somewhere else, we must accept that."
He didn't add what they were all thinking.
If this wasn't their Father's will, something else had seized their reason for existing.
Walburga POV
Unplottable location, Britain.
The stone beneath her feet cracked with every step. After the fight, her magic was raw and unstable, and it pulsed through Walburga's skin like fire under her flesh.
Her cloak hung heavy with dried blood… some hers, most from the young man that left her in this state. Her right arm throbbed at the edge of her consciousness with phantom pain, ending at a stump sealed with scorched bone.
She had lost.
Worse, she had lost to someone younger than her.
Her lips curled in a snarl as she stalked across the chamber. Behind her, Voldemort watched silently, his expression unreadable, but she could feel his thoughts. The ambition that rolled out of his body like it had sentience.
Let him try.
She was still stronger than him, for now.
But the failure of her sacred gear still gnawed at her. It had recognized something in Elias Blake, enough to break the chains that were used to keep it in place momentarily. It had hesitated.
That was no ordinary young man. He was no mere wizard.
Her phone screen flared to life as she groaned, taking a seat.
A distorted voice echoed through the room. "We've relocated. The Valkyries hit our position in Prague. Six casualties. The rest of us slipped into Vienna. They're hunting us like dogs."
Walburga gritted her teeth. "Hold the position and wait for further instruction. I'll send new coordinates later."
She hung up.
Voldemort finally spoke, "What happened, Walburga?"
She turned slowly, her eyes hard.
"How," he continued, "does a boy like that… a student, manage to overpower you?"
Her lips pulled into something between a snarl and a smile. "I don't know what Elias Blake is," she spat, "but I have hypotheses."
Voldemort's eyes narrowed, "Then tell me. If we are going to work together, I NEED TO KNOW!"
She stepped closer, movements stiff from pain but no less imposing as she stalked toward him.
"What do you really know about wizards?" she asked coldly.
He frowned, "We are better humans, capable of making magic our own, unlike you."
"So, nothing," Walburga interrupted with a sneer. "You know nothing, Tom Riddle."
She leaned in slightly, her voice dripping with venom.
"They were created. Crafted by the most hated, the most reviled faction in existence. A kind so despised that both Heaven and different pantheons sealed them away. A mistake given form that no one knew when it would blow up."
Voldemort stared at her with a frown, "Who was it?"
Walburga said nothing. She was tired and hurt.
"What do you want to do?" he asked again when he realized that Walburga had no plans to explain.
She straightened in her seat, "It's already begun. You will not be able to remain hidden after tonight. We need to put you in charge as soon as possible."
"And you?"
Her remaining hand clenched across the phone. "I need access to the Department of Mysteries. Specifically…", her eyes gleamed with obsession. "...the Veil of Death."
Voldemort raised an eyebrow. "What do you want with that relic? Is that what you seek?"
Walburga's expression shifted into madness, "The Veil is no relic. It is a door, you fool."
"To what end?" Voldemort asked curiously.
She smiled slowly, her smile poisonous, "To the beyond."
She turned toward the flames flickering under the chimney, "Merlin's last prophecy wasn't about light. It wasn't about peace. It was a warning that people tried to keep hidden… and I want to be the one that opens it."
She looked back with crazed eyes.
"It was meant to keep something else out."
Amelia Bones.
Hogwarts, Wardroom.
The room was far beneath the castle, older than even the stones that made up Hogwarts' current foundations. It was filled with old magic, dust, and something more subtle… secrets.
Amelia Bones exhaled, tugging off her gloves as she stepped back from the stunned and unconscious forms of two Death Eaters and the rat-faced man now barely recognizable as Peter Pettigrew. "That's the last of them," she muttered tiredly, "Three confessions, three testimonies, and a neat little photo of Nott's charming decapitated head."
She looked toward the dark wooden table where the head now sat in a reinforced containment case, surrounded by bright enough-to-be lampposts.
"Disgusting, but necessary," she added with a chuckle, "I'll take this back to the Wizengamot with the others."
Croaker was hunched beside a series of intricate wards along the wall. He didn't reply. His hands moved slowly as he sealed the final spell. Magic thrummed in the room before vanishing.
"Everything's in place," he said, "I'll remain here until Black returns. He wants to keep Pettigrew personally, and I don't want anyone else meddling."
"You mean the Minister?" Bones asked flatly.
Croaker gave her a sharp look but said nothing.
Dumbledore adjusted his half-moon glasses, glancing around the chamber with fondness. "This place was built to protect the school from the outside," he murmured, "Very few know it exists."
"I wonder why that is," Bones said dryly, "It's not like you love to keep secrets, Dumbledore."
Then her expression shifted into something more biting, "Actually, no. I don't wonder. I just want to know why you, Croaker, of all people, are suddenly groveling to a teenager's whims."
Croaker didn't flinch.
He stood slowly and turned toward her with an unreadable expression. "You think this is new?" he asked softly. "Amelia… I didn't kneel to Elias Black. I know what he will become."
Bones crossed her arms, "That sounds suspiciously like a cult believer."
Croaker's eyes gleamed with madness.
"Then maybe it's time the world had someone to follow," he said calmly. "One that doesn't want stagnation."
Dumbledore's head tilted slightly, confusedly. "Saul... explain. Please."
Croaker leaned against the stone wall, his voice turning bitter, "There's an order buried within the Department. Not officially recognized. It's not something the Minister knows about. We were born out of necessity, in the ashes of Merlin's disappearance. We were meant to watch, record, and if needed… act against those who follow chaos."
He looked at Dumbledore with narrowed eyes, "You must know part of it. We called ourselves the Custodes Aeternum, the Eternal Watch, the ones who safeguard the truth behind the greatest secret in wizardkind."
"The Veil of Death," Dumbledore said quietly.
Croaker nodded once. "Or, as we refer to it, The Pathway."
Bones stiffened, "You're saying it's not just a passage to the afterlife?"
Croaker snorted amusedly, "That's the lie we told the world to keep it from looking too closely. The Veil isn't just death, Amelia. It's a gate. An entrance to somewhere else. Somewhere older than some of the gods."
He stepped forward slowly, his pitch rising.
"And we, the Custodes, were tasked with guarding it. Preserving what little knowledge Merlin left behind, encoded and broken, scattered through vaults, prophecies, and sealed memories."
Bones frowned deeply, "What does this have to do with Elias Black?"
"Everything," Croaker whispered.
He turned to Dumbledore again, his voice barely a whisper, "You know about Merlin's last prophecy, don't you?"
Dumbledore's face went pale, and he staggered against the wall, "…Just a few lines… most of it was lost. It was said that only three people were present when he made it."
Croaker raised a brow, "You and I both know that's a lie. I only know myself the last four verses. The full version is inside the last door of the Department of Mysteries."
He began to recite slowly, almost reverently.
He shall bring the storm or end the tide,
Open the gate, or break the lie.
And all who dwell beneath the sky,
Shall choose to kneel... or learn to die.
Bones looked between the two men in disgust, "…And you think Elias is the one of the prophecy?"
Croaker's eyes brightened, "He is the storm, Amelia. I can feel it."
Dumbledore exhaled slowly. "You believe this so completely."
"I've watched him. I've felt the magic around him shift. The way the world reacts to his presence. The boy is a nexus of things that shouldn't coexist. He isn't bound by the old rules, which terrifies everyone else."
"Which is why the others want him controlled," Bones said grimly, "Or dead."
Croaker nodded. "I don't doubt that my colleagues will begin to move soon, the foolish bastards."
Dumbledore looked weary. "You still haven't told us what to do."
Croaker smiled sharply, "We prepare for war; we keep Elias alive. And if we're lucky, maybe we don't all burn."
He stepped toward the door, pausing only once to glance back.
"And next time you think I'm groveling, Amelia… just remember, some of us are just bracing for the flood that is coming."
.......
you want to support me or read up to FIVE chapters ahead, you can find me on patr*e on . co m (slash) Infinityreads99
Warning? I post them edited and all, but they can change minutely before going live in here