Chapter Text
Despite how mind numbingly boring cleansing the towers of traps had become, they still helped to hone Bellatrix's senses. After her numerous blunders throughout the past decade she had become quite proficient at detecting any potential danger. Take a step forward and hear a clicking sound? Jump backwards as soon as possible to avoid the oncoming threat. Move around a corner and feel the air in the corridor begin to warm? Get out of that corridor instantly to avoid being turned to ash. It was the little things, and just now she was confident that she could hear the faintest sound of people landing on the balcony behind her.
She didn't hesitate to draw her wand and snap off a curse at the first of the two figures. Her thought process being simple, since they approached her with the aim of remaining hidden - they were clearly a threat. A simple body bind curse would eliminate one of them from the fight while she dealt with the other one. The added benefit was her target would remain unharmed and coherent for questioning. However despite her preemptive strike the spell had no effect as the target blocked her spell with a pair of beautiful white wings, which they swiftly positioned in front of their body when they realised they had been noticed.
That did catch Bellatrix by surprise and at the same time put her on the back foot in this encounter. She was faced with two unknown creatures who could apparently nullify magic with their wings. All Bellatrix could see of her assailants beneath their heavy cloaks were matching self assured smirks, telling Bellatrix all she needed to know of just how confident they were. While one moved to Bellatrix's left, the other moved in the opposite direction, forcing Bellatrix back just so she could keep them in her line of sight, lest one manage to get into her blind spot. An intelligent move that proved they were not some random untrained thugs.
Unlike every other opponent Bellatrix had fought, these two individuals carried no visible wand, instead holding their hands out in front of them in clenched fists. A stance more befitting a boxer than a witch. Bellatrix refused to become complacent when she noticed that, instead shifting her stance so that she was better prepared should they close the distance between them. She knew that if her hunch was correct, and they were seasoned fighters, then any moment of weakness would be exploited. They continued to try to circle around Bellatrix, akin to a pack of predators closing in on a meal. All the while the grins on their faces grew ever larger, savouring the hunt. But Bellatrix was not a helpless animal. She came to the conclusion that sitting back and waiting for her opponents to attack would be suicidal, but attempting another curse would be pointless if it had no effect. However she was far too experienced to have a reliance on a single method of attack. If a curse was ineffective then she simply needed to alter her approach.
In quick succession she fired off multiple spells at the duo, while simultaneously moving herself further into the tower to prevent any kind of flanking. She was grateful that she had already removed all the traps from this part of the tower as the narrow hallways would have been just as dangerous as her attackers otherwise. Instead the narrow width gave her an advantage, preventing her opponents from moving as freely as they would have liked. Their instant reaction to her attack was to once again move their wings to intercept, a reaction Bellatrix was keen to exploit. For if they truly believed in their defence then that overconfidence would be their undoing.
First she turned the rubble in the tower into fast moving projectiles that she launched at the duo. Broken furniture, loose stone and anything that wasn't nailed down all collided with her targets. The cries of pain that came from both of her adversaries told Bellatrix that they were both women, and that they were vulnerable to a follow up attack. Their wings appeared to provide resistance, perhaps immunity to purely magical attacks like her previous curse, but they provided no protection from physical attacks. Instead they prevented the women from seeing her attack coming.
With such an obvious advantage Bellatrix refused to give the two women a chance to retaliate, already preparing her second attack. This time she conjured several small balls of flame around herself, which she fired without delay. While small and lacking in direct lethality they were very easy to control and excelled in lighting flammable materials aflame. While still recovering from the witches first attack the two women failed to properly defend against the second as their cloaks were easily set alight. Once more they tried to use their wings to block her attack, failing to defend against her real target.
Still dazed from the first attack the women threw themselves onto the floor in an attempt to extinguish the flames. Bellatrix allowed herself to smile at the sight before her as their confident smirks had gone up in smoke.
With both women on the floor completely defenceless Bellatrix wasted no time as she prepared her final attack. With an elegant swish of her wand the ground directly beneath the flailing women began to liquefy. By the time her assailants realized they were sinking it was already too late as Bellatrix had solidified the ground once more, trapping them within while simultaneously extinguishing the fire. Both women found themselves unable to move with only their heads visible. Luckily for them they were prone at the time or they would have found the legs dangling down towards the lower floor. Regardless, they were helpless as Bellatrix began her approach, her wand held high in case of any unexpected surprises.
She was thankful that she did as just as she was about to begin her interrogation a new figure burst in from above, destroying a large stained glass window in the process. Large shards of glass rained down from above causing Bellatrix to take a step back to defend herself. She waved her wand above her head in an arc to create an umbrella-like shield which deflected the glass. She cursed to herself as she turned to look at her captives, expecting to see them skewered by several large shards of glass. Instead she saw the newcomer standing between the two trapped women with a pair of gigantic angelic wings, easily double the size of either of the other women, held above their prone bodies. Protecting them from any potential dangers, which included Bellatrix.
In an instant Bellatrix was already prepared to continue the fight but unlike a moment ago she waited. There was something different about this new woman that put Bellatrix on edge. She was wearing a similar black cloak to the others, but unlike them she didn't wear a hood, allowing Bellatrix to get a perfect image of who her new opponent was. Her hair was as white as her wings, and despite a few wrinkles she showed very few signs of age taking its toll on her. Despite her appearance Bellatrix was confident that this new woman was older than herself, by a decade at least. It was in the confident way she held herself that showed no signs of ego. And a stance that had been perfected over countless battles much like her own instructor, Professor Flitwick. Just as she was preparing for the fight to start anew the woman spoke.
"Enough!"
She demanded with only a slight raise of her voice. That single word put Bellatrix even more on edge than she had been previously. That was because she wasn't dealing with another nobody, no, this was someone who people followed and respected. Everything about her radiated authority in a way that many had sought after but never claimed. Both Dumbledore and Tom Riddle demanded obedience from those that followed them but neither could hold a candle to the ease at which this woman handled the pressures of leadership. And that is what Bellatrix determined with a single word.
"State your business with this tower."
The woman demanded in an even tone. Bellatrix could tell that this woman had no need to raise her voice in order to get the answers she sought. Bellatrix chose to lower her wand to her hip but refused to let her guard down. The reason she did so was simple, fighting this woman could perhaps be the greatest challenge Bellatrix had ever come across. And it was not a fight she was sure she could win. However another option had presented itself, conversing with this woman could reveal some answers that poking around this ancient tower wouldn't.
"Headmaster Albus Dumbledore of Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry sent me here to recover ancient artifacts. What about yourselves?"
Bellatrix replied. Her tone was guarded and free of any of her usual sass as her eyes stayed focused on the woman, ready to react at the slightest hint of danger. Instead she watched as several emotions flashed across the woman's face despite how she was clearly trying to keep her expression neutral.
"I see our ancestors' attempts failed."
She muttered to herself, only just loud enough for Bellatrix to hear before her entire demeanor changed. Where she had been passive before, now she appeared actively hostile. Her stance widened, her eyes focused on Bellatrix with an unmatched intensity and even her wings had changed their angle. Bellatrix didn't stand ideally by as she witnessed this change. Her wand once more pointed towards the woman. Still she held back knowing that as soon as the first spell was fired there would be no turning back. Instead of attacking, the woman instead decided to answer Bellatrix's earlier question. The tension was thick in the air so much so that the two women still trapped in the floor dared not to move a single muscle in an effort to make themselves as forgotten as possible.
"Our purpose here is to watch over this dwelling and to eliminate any of his servants who would seek to reclaim it. So tell me witch. Who are you and Is he your master?"
Bellatrix ensured she was looking into the eyes of the woman before she spoke. She had to make sure that every word she spoke was clear and left no room for misunderstandings. Any mistake and there would no doubt be a fight, and as much as she craved duelling against skilled opponents this was not the time.
"My name is Bellatrix Black and I am currently in the employ of Albus Dumbledore, however he is not my master. Our goals have simply been compatible up until now. Also, he is unaware that I suspect his true identity to be that of Merlin."
When the attack didn't come Bellatrix relaxed slightly. If anything was going to start a fight it would have been that. Instead her answer only seemed to peak the woman's interest. Her gamble might have paid off.
"What do you know of his true identity, witch?"
She asked as she calculated the truth of Bellatrix's words and speaking the truth was exactly what she planned to do. It had taken her a while to piece it together but she was now confident that Merlin and Dumbledore were one in the same. Her ancestors' journal claiming they saw the same person appearing with a new face. Dumbledore just happening to know the location of every powerful wizard's dwelling, all with the same layout and traps. It just made sense. The final source of information that helped her put everything together was the story that Andromeda had been told by Ollivander. Andromeda was reluctant to share the story at first but after several meetings she gave a brief summary. Perhaps this woman would know more, especially about Hermione having a possible connection.
Thinking back on her ancestors' journal led to another potential discovery, the magical sensation she felt around a decade ago, that could have been the sign that Morgana had returned in some way. Which in turn caused Dumbledore/Merlin to feel threatened. The only unanswered question she had was, how was Hermione related?
"Very little. All of what I know is pieced together from my ancestor, Luwae's journal, as well as the suspicious behaviour of the headmaster."
The woman's eyes widened in shock and in the blink of an eye her hostility vanished. Replaced by an eagerness that had Bellatrix confused.
"Please, come with us, child of Luwae. Allow us to converse in a more suitable place."
This was not an opportunity that Bellatrix was going to ignore but she couldn't stop herself from looking around the now even more chaotic space that was the tower. She still believed that many of the tower's secrets were hidden from her, but this stranger knew otherwise.
"You will find no items, artifacts or relics remaining here. My people claimed them all long ago. If you join us however I can assure you that nothing shall be hidden from you."
With a resigned sigh Bellatrix tried and failed to hide her obvious excitement. Trying not to appear too eager, she asked a question she had been wanting to ask since she first saw those magic resistance wings.
"Before we go anywhere I have a question. What are you?"
Bellatrix asked, unable to place their race in any that she knew.
The woman turned her back towards Bellatrix, no longer fearing an attack of any kind so that she could finally see the state of the two scouts. She shook her head in disappointment as the two in the ground refused to meet her gaze.
"Upon our return you will report to Apolline for additional combat training."
She informed the two women who meekly replied.
"Yes elder."
Before Bellatrix could ask if this 'elder' wanted her to undo her spell a giant cloud of dust erupted from the ground where the prone women lay. For a brief moment all Bellatrix could hear from within was the coughing of the two women but as the dust finally settled she could see that the ground where they had been trapped had been turned to rubble. Bellatrix was at a loss. She had no idea what had caused that destruction because as far as she could tell not a single spell had been cast. She recalled the more martial stance that all three women adopted but couldn't believe that this 'elder' woman broke the ground with a punch. That was when she looked at the tips of her wings, now coated with a fine layer of dust. It baffled her but that was the only explanation, she had somehow destroyed the ground with her wings to free her comrades. Bellatrix recalled the first spell she used against the other women and how the debris gave her the upper hand. This woman would have been completely unfazed by that attack. She finally returned her gaze to Bellatrix and with a slight smile she finally answered her question.
"My dear. We are the veela."
Bellatrix expected a journey, as she was certain that these veela were not from anywhere she knew of. However she was not expecting to have to fly over the English Channel in the middle of the night. Apparition would have made the journey easier but seeing as how the creatures leading her were a secretive bunch she had no prior knowledge of a plausible destination. She had never even left the United Kingdom.
Her travelling companions were also not the best company on a multi hour journey either. The leader of the trio spoke little, claiming answers would be provided when they arrived at their destination. But that was still preferable to her other two travelling companions. They had taken to flying behind Bellatrix and throughout the whole journey she could feel the eyes of the pair staring directly at her. On its own that would have been tolerable, if annoying to deal with. But of course they had to throw in snide remarks, bickering on how they could have easily defeated her given another attempt.
Bellatrix was able to ignore them as they flew over the British countryside, the street lamps giving just enough illumination so the four flyers could make out the ground below while still remaining obscured. However once they started to cross the channel the only thing to distract Bellatrix from the chatter was the cold biting winds. Since she wasn't expecting any sort of journey she hadn't packed a cloak, instead only wearing her signature black dress and corset. Which unfortunately provided little protection against the weather, and there was only so much a warming charm could accomplish.
Several hours had passed since they first left the tower and Bellatrix was reaching her limit. She was cold, irritated, hungry and sore from having to ride her broom for such an extended period of time. Even before the intrusion she had been working non stop since the early hours of the morning. Thankfully it seemed they had finally neared their destination if their leader's descent was any indication. Bellatrix had no idea how far into France they had flown but if she were to guess they had travelled towards its southern border. The reason why. She could already feel the temperature becoming more accommodating as the sun began to rise over the horizon.
The chirping of the song birds and the warmth of the rising sun did help to improve her mood, combined with the fact they were landing and she would almost say she was thrilled. Yet her enthusiasm waned when she saw their destination. Before her was a very simple cottage. Its thatched roof, small front gate and pleasant front garden were the perfect image of a rural home but it didn't feel right. Something about what she was seeing was wrong but she couldn't figure out what.
The elder looked back with an approving smile.
"You have good instincts."
She said before walking through the gate and simply vanishing. The two younger women pushed past Bellatrix with a grumble and they too vanished into the air. Cautiously Bellatrix approached the gate, but as soon as she touched it she couldn't stop the wide smile that appeared on her face. Walking through not a moment later.
"A door that reads a creature's magical signature, with a different destination for those with and those without magic."
Bellatrix muttered to herself as the elder stood waiting on the other side, the smile still on her face.
"You have impressed me, Bellatrix Black. Now let us impress you."
She said. Her words drawing Bellatrix's attention away from the gateway. As soon as she did so her mouth hung open in shock. Before her was a forest right out of a fantasy story. Houses were built up in the trees with ornately designed landing pads. The light filtered through the leaves illuminating the forest floor below, highlighting a wide variety of vegetation. Some of which Bellatrix was sure had gone extinct centuries ago. Finally a crystal clear river flowed serenely through the center of this paradise.
"Welcome to our home."
The veela elder led Bellatrix towards the largest building as the other two women flew off in another direction. The building she was being led to was so large that it had been built suspended between two of the largest trees in the woodland instead of within a single large tree like many of the other buildings. It was a sight completely alien to Bellatrix who had grown up in London's urban jungle. The closest resemblance she had was the forbidden forest at Hogwarts but the sheer scale of this place was on another level. Entire homes were built directly into the trees. Those from the forbidden forest could only claim to be a quarter of the size of the trees she was seeing now, in both width and height.
The building she was led inside was just as foreign to her. The entrance was not a door at all, just a massive opening that more resembled a cave entrance that let in a large amount of light. Easily 10 meters wide in every direction at the least. On either side of this entrance wooden walls were carved in intricate patterns that Bellatrix believed to be works of art. Even the inside of the building was unique. It was a single hall with a massive circular wooden table in the center that could easily sit 50 people if not more. The walls were decorated with a mixture of paintings, sculptures and other various pieces of artwork. However the one item that stood out the most was a single staff by the back wall. As tall as a person and as white as the cliffs of Dover. It had an incredibly smooth circular base and a hand-like shape at its tip. Held within the 'fingers' was a single blood red gem.
It was fascinating and a truly unique item but all Bellatrix wanted to do as she looked upon it was vomit. She didn't know why, so in an attempt to provide a reason she put it down to the fact she hadn't eaten in roughly a day.
That was swiftly rectified as the elder had a platter brought out for them. A girl no older than 13 brought out a mixture of fruits, berries and nuts but Bellatrix didn't care as she greedily dug into her portion. The manners she had drilled into her since birth held no sway over her hunger. Unlike Bellatrix, the elder ate her portion with a refinement that would have made her parents envious.
Once they had both eaten their fill the mood in the room became serious once more. Bellatrix was the first to speak and even without looking at it the elder knew what she was referring to.
"That's Merlin's staff. Isn't it?"
"Yes. Yes it is."
"It was originally at that tower. Wasn't it?"
"Yes. Yes it was."
Bellatrix held the elders' stare as she asked her next questions.
"Why couldn't Albus, or well, Merlin remember where he last had it? And why do you have it now?"
The elder didn't break eye contact as she replied.
"To answer your second question, are you familiar with a wizard who went by the name 'Storyteller'?"
Caught off guard by the question Bellatrix blinked owlishly.
"I assume he's another of Merlin's personas?"
The elder nodded before continuing on.
"The Storyteller was exactly that, a man who created stories. Many of which are still known today. King Arthur and his wise mentor, Merlin. His knights of the round table. The evil witch Morgana and her never ending goal to destroy Camelot."
She paused for a moment to scoff at the tales. Clear disgust at just the thought of them.
"So how does Merlin… reincarnate?"
Bellatrix asked only to be met with a sigh.
"All we know is that whenever Merlin 'dies' his soul and mind reincarnate into a new body. We don't know if he has a spare body waiting for his death, or if it is a new born baby that he… replaces. The fact is that there has always been a Merlin threatening our existence and all of our attempts to stop the cycle have ended in failure."
The pair sat in silence for a few moments. Bellatrix contemplated the new information she had been given while the elder thought back on the numerous people who had lost their lives in their fight against Merlin. It was Bellatrix who spoke up first, eager to learn more.
"So why were you watching over the Storyteller's - this Merlin's tower."
"Why that is simple dear. Our ancestor killed the Storyteller and since then we have kept watch over his tower for the past 1000 odd years in order to kill any other future incarnation of the monster or his minions. All in preparation for our mistresses return. That was why my flock attacked you. "
She explained. When Bellatrix raised an eyebrow at that final remark the elder let out a small chuckle.
"While those young women are skilled they are still very inexperienced. The plan has always been for the scouts to contact our more experienced fighters when a potential threat is spotted. Those two however became too impatient and attacked before I arrived."
Bellatrix nodded in understanding. She knew of many inexperienced duelists who struck before gauging the strength of their enemy. Sometimes meeting a gruesome ending as a result. Shaking those memories from her mind she instead refocused on what the elder said.
"Your ancestors managed to defeat Merlin?"
The elder gave a mirthless chuckle at the question.
"I wish I could sing a triumphant song of the heroic valor of my ancestors but Merlin in his prime is simply untouchable to all but the mistress. One of my ancestors became the monster's maid. They never revealed their wings, never contacted the flock, they lived in complete isolation - but with every meal, every drink, every bath they would slip in the smallest quantity of poison they could manage. It took decades upon decades but eventually it worked. First his eyesight failed him and then his memory. It was a slow enough effect that he just assumed age had caught up to him, so as we predicted he began preparing a ritual. Before he completed it my ancestor struck. Hindered and distracted as he was, they emerged victorious, taking his staff as their prize. Sadly the victory cost my ancestor her life."
Bellatrix watched as a single tear made its way down her cheek but she remained silent as the elder continued her tale.
"She was alone for so much of her life with only him for company but in the end she was surrounded by her family. Unfortunately it appears it was all for naught. The monster remains."
They let the silence sit for a moment before Bellatrix spoke up.
"I wouldn't say that it was all for naught. Dumbledore's… Merlin's memory has clearly been affected in some way. I can't say if it was due to your attack on him centuries ago or if his mind can no longer keep track of the millennia worth of memories but the fact remains. He can't recall where his staff was so he's been sending me to different ruins for at least a decade to find it."
The downcast eyes of the elder shot wide open in shock as a mixture of pride and relief flooded her. The efforts of their ancestors might truly have tipped the balance in their favour. All they needed now was for their mistress to return to finish him. Once and for all.
With her questions as to why these veela were at the tower answered, Bellatrix decided to ask a more personal question.
"The name Luwae changed your opinion of me in an instant. What do your people know of my ancestor?"
She asked. Since she mentioned that name the 'elders' attitude toward her shifted completely and as a result she wanted to know why.
"Indeed I am familiar with the name. For it was Luwae that aided our escape from England after our mistresses' defeat."
Now it was Bellatrix's turn to look at the veela in shock. There had not been a single mention of the veela in any of Luwae's entries so to find that they had such an important role was a massive surprise. The elder sat up straight in her chair, the sun had risen fully by now and shone directly behind her through a gap in the hall's ceiling.
"Our records say that the fight between our mistress, and her eternal enemy has been raging since before civilization itself took hold in your country. Their fight had forever been back and forth, neither truly able to gain a conclusive victory over the other. That was until Merlin and one of his allies began to use parts of us to make his weapons."
Bellatrix whispered out "wands" causing the elder to nod before she continued her story.
"The intensity of the fighting increased but unfortunately for our mistress Merlin only became more powerful as time passed, as did the number of his allies. With each new wand, he fought even stronger magical creatures who then became nothing more than a material for his next weapon. Still our mistress held on, saving as many lives as she could. While she fought Merlin, her court would escort magical creatures off the island and onto the continent. Luwae was a member of Morgana's Court and while she fought Merlin in our ancient woodland home, Luwae offered to take us someplace safe."
She gestured around herself.
"Those too young or old stayed here while those who still had some fight left in them returned with Luwae and joined the mistress in fighting against Merlin. For decades we fought at her side until Merlin crossed a line that should never have been crossed."
She stopped for just a moment as she glared at the staff. Expressions of hate, sadness and fear all appeared before she closed her eyes and took a deep calming breath. Slowly she opened them and looked back to Bellatrix so that she could continue her story.
"He took the life of a fae child to create what you see behind us and with that he had enough power to defeat our mistress. With her defeat we fled. We hid. Some continued to fight but from what I hear only the goblins remain. Regardless we had to survive so that when our mistress reveals herself we will once more return to her side. As will every other creature that Merlin once sought to eliminate."
There was a fire in her eyes. A determination that Bellatrix couldn't understand. In her life she never once had a goal that she could say she would give her life for. No, that wasn't quite right. She would do whatever it took to defend her family and she couldn't help but feel that they were in danger, and not from Merlin Dumbledore. It all came back to what everyone was saying. Morgana's return.
"Luwae mentioned that Morgana would return, you have also said something along those lines. Do you know how? When or where?"
A feral grin slowly grew on the elders face, so much so that it put Bellatrix on edge.
"You felt it. Didn't you? That surge around a decade ago. She is already back, building her strength. She told us that she would return when a suitable vessel was born. One who would have the potential to surpass her old limits. Now all we have to do is wait for her signal."
There it was. Bellatrix had a feeling that whatever this vessel was, it wasn't going to end well. Especially if the vessel turned out to be Hermione. What she lacked was information, thankfully she had a reliable source right in front of her.
"What is the vessel?"
She asked. She needed to know for sure if Hermione was in danger. She didn't know for sure if Hermione was even this vessel at all but she wasn't going to leave any stone unturned.
"Our mistress described the vessel as a host. She didn't know when someone suitable would be born but the condition was that they would have the potential to surpass her old limits. When the host had the strength necessary to contain her power she would take over their body for herself so that she could lead her people into a new age."
She finished. There was something unhinged about the way she was now speaking. It reminded Bellatrix of the fanatics that followed Tom during the first wizarding War, only a lot worse.
"What happens to the vessel once the mistress awakens?"
Bellatrix asked while trying to keep her voice as neutral as possible. The veela elder dismissively waved her hand.
"The vessel's body will then belong to the mistress and their mind will cease to be. Anyone should be honoured to be given such a role."
That was what Bellatrix feared. This woman didn't even notice that she had felt sickened by Merlin doing the same thing. All Bellatrix knew now was that a war would likely be coming, and she didn't want to be on either side of the conflict. These people didn't care for the vessel at all, to them it is just a random stranger that will become their leader. Unfortunately, that meant that their goals no longer aligned, especially if Hermione was the vessel. She needed to find a way to either eliminate whatever presence Morgana already held, or to prevent her from ever fully awakening. Neither of those goals met those of the veela. She couldn't go to Albus for help either because if he is Merlin then the most likely response from him would be to kill Hermione.
"Do you know something, Bellatrix?"
The question came out of nowhere and caught Bellatrix completely off guard. Thankfully she has had experience with coming up with false stories in the blink of an eye. Such as when she had a 'friend' visiting and she convinced her family they were practicing dueling. A perfectly reasonable explanation for why two young ladies would be drenched in sweat and breathing heavily
"Maybe."
The veela elder lent forward in her chair. Fully focused on the woman in front of her.
"Around 10 years ago, around the time when the sensation occurred there was a dark wizard who tried to kill a newborn baby. That baby survived the killing curse. Perhaps they are the vessel you are seeking?"
A bluff, but not an implausible one. The veela nodded in thought at the possibility.
"That is certainly a miracle that deserves a closer look."
Bellatrix didn't know if the diversion would work but she hoped that it would give her enough time to figure out a way to protect Hermione.
"I believe it is time for me to take my leave. It is a rather long journey home after all."
The elder nodded with a small smile on her face. Agreeing that the conversation had run its course, before indicating to a fireplace at the far wall.
"Please, use our fireplace. It is connected to a hidden alcove in the French ministry building. From there you can easily return home."
Bellatrix would have preferred avoiding the hassle that came with international floo travel but she wanted the veela to think of her as highly as possible, if only for the slight chance that they wouldn't expect her to lie to them. Intentionally avoiding an act of kindness would only raise suspicions. So with a final nod she set off toward the fireplace, before disappearing into the green flames.
Shortly after Bellatrix had disappeared the elder once more summoned her assistant. The fanatical look she had on her face was now gone and in its place she looked calm and composed once more.
"Bring Fleur to me."
Was the only instruction given but the young girl didn't hesitate to do as she was commanded as she ran out of the building before taking flight deeper into the woodland.
Several minutes passed while the elder contemplated everything they had learnt today. Merlin's new form was a difficult one to oppose, not just due to his strength but his influence and standing in the country. Teaching children, what a joke. She could only scoff at that image.
She was brought out of her thoughts as the sound of a person landing. A girl in her early teens with silver hair purposely made her way toward the elder with a stride full of purpose, her back straight and her head held high. When she was directly in front of the elder she gave a small bow in a sign of respect.
"How can I be of assistance elder?"
She asked in French, momentarily confusing the elder who had been speaking nothing but English all day. She was quick to adapt and encouraged her successor to raise her head.
"The time for hiding is over. Our mistress has returned and we need to be ready for when she reveals herself."
"I understand elder. What are you going to do?"
There was a brief moment of silence which had Fleur tilt her head in confusion.
"I am going to notify the other clans while you are going to lead our youth back into society. There is a magical school nearby, Beauxbatons. I will ensure you are all enrolled in the next school year. While you are there you are to learn about anything and everything possible so that we can be of use to our mistress when she returns to us. If the opportunity arises you are to scout England for the vessel. Do you understand?"
Fleur knew from a very young age that she would be the next leader of the Delacour clan. The next leader always skipped a generation to ensure that tradition is always adhered to while new ideas are allowed to flourish. With the knowledge that Fleur would take the position herself one day she stood tall under the piercing glare of the elder, allowing her confidence to be revealed.
"I will not let you down elder."