After the confrontation with the Veilborn Peter, Linus now sat in his favorite chair in front of the fireplace in his room. Hati laid beside him on the rug. The confrontation may not have gone as I wanted it to, but I learnt a lot. The Veilborn are most certainly looking for these fragments, I only have one out of unknown. So even if they have the others they won't be able to do anything without the one that I have. But that leaves the question, how is my family involved with this, did dad know about it too, did he have any fragments? This hole is just getting deeper and deeper the more I find.
*Ding reward received 2, Found the once responsible for the tragedy of the Gray family*
*Reward claimed: skill Berserker (increases pain tolerance, health and stamina for 5 minutes, spells also become more powerful during this time), herbology +1*
That skill would do wonders in battle, not so much in duels but I can see the use.
{status window}
{Title: Head of House Gray
{Linus Gray}
Age 10
Bloodline: Pure-blood (Gray), ???,
{Attributes}
*Magic power: 6
*Leadership: 7
*Potions: 4
*Herbology: 3
*Charms: 3
*Transfiguration: 3
{skills}
Wolfs eye (much easier to see other in the dark an in general will also highlight people friend or foe)
Berserker (increases pain tolerance, health and stamina for 5 minutes, spells also become more powerful during this time)
{trait}
Nordic cold (resilience against cold weather and magic, also help user keep a cool mind) Rune-sight (Ancient symbols are easier to read) Born leader (The people respect you, hold your head high) veilmark (grants resistance to illusion-based magic and mind magic) ice wolf (ice magic deal more damage and spells are cast faster) Cauldron bonded (dormant)
{items}
Gray family book of spells SS tier, Gray family book of potions SS tier, silver ward charm, Charmstone x1, cauldron of Nordic ice S tier. veil fragment, Veritaserum x1,
Linus looked at his progress happily, but I really want to find someone to duel and find out how strong I really am, these numbers really doesn't mean much to me if I don't know what max is, at least give me some preference Yrsa.
One week later April 18.
Linus was on his way to the Mörkhed's, after the meeting with them Linus had told them to stay withing their manor. And I'm going to make sure they are not stupid enough to try this shit again. Stepping out of the carriage outside the manor. Who would freely live in a swamp. It was humid, wet, smelt like wet dog and the mosquitos… walking towards the manor reveled a rather good-looking manor, I had light colors making it stand out against the dull colors of the swamp. I thought the manor was going to be dull and black.
Standing on the steps leading up to the house was Viktor and Sigrun and another women could be Viktors wife?
"Good day to you, lord Gray" Viktor said as he bowed his head slightly
He looked happy. "Good morning lord Viktor" I said as I reached to shake his hand.
Sigrun stepped forward and gave a bow. "It's good you see you again, Lord Gray" she had a very fancy black dress, her jet-black hair and green eyes made her look very beautiful.
"It's lovely to see you again Sigrun" i reached out to shake her hand, it was soft, warm. Her nails were a deep blue, trying to match my eyes, are they trying to win me over? Out hands held a little too long.
Viktor motioned towards the other lady standing beside him. "Lord Gray this is my wife, Kasandra Mörkhed" Kasandra bowed gracefully. She had brown hair and the same green colored eyes as Sigrun.
I reached out and shook her hand lightly "pleasure to meet you lady Kasandra"
"The pleasure is all mine lord Gray, welcome to our home, please step. We prepared tea" steeping into the manor was like being transported to another world, it was bright and cozy, they had a lot of plats scattered around and hanging from chain held pots that hung from the ceiling.
"You look surprised" said Kasandra with a smile, "We tried to make it feel like you aren't in a swamp anymore once you step inside."
We walked through the house until we stepped inside an oval room, the room had windows all around making it very bright with natural lighting. In the middle was 2 white couches and a round table in the middle. Viktor and his wife Kasandra sat down I the right couch and I sat down on the left one with Sigrun. It was unusual for someone to sit in the same couch as the quest, but I don't mind.
As we chatted and enjoyed the tea, almost like that meeting never happened. Viktor asked the inevitable question "So, would you share anything about the meeting between you and the mysterious contact?"
Sigrun shot a dangerous look towards her father. "Dad! You really are so nosy, after what happened do you really think Lord Gray would share such thing?"
That shocked even me, I didn't think she would stand up against her father like that, she has a fire inside her. Dangerous but it suits her. "I do not mind sharing, I didn't really give anything worth while anyway" a lie but oh well. "We interrogated the man a little, found out his name was Peter, but when we kept asking questions he suddenly stopped. And died." The three looked at me as they saw a ghost. "We came to the conclusion that he had made an unbreakable vow, and when he broke it, he died."
"Oh I thought you killed him" Sigrun said, "Not that it would surprise me if you did, it was just I didn't think you would share that with us" she said lightly.
Viktor had his hand on his chin, probably thinking. "An unbreakable vow… that's not something one does just for the fun of it, it must have been very important." He leaned back "A shame" it was indeed.
The conversation shifted to more normal talk, about news and such.
Sigrun looked at me and spoke. "So, Linus, what school are you going to attend?" she used my first name already? I like this girl, she steps on thin lines like she owns them.
"I haven't decided yet actually, I'm still considering." I said.
Sigrun looked and smiled. "I'm going to Durmstrang, I thought about going to Beauxbatons, but I don't really think I will like the fancy style they have." She said proudly, I thought she was going to France actually, all girls dream so to say.
Well, Durmstrang has been the school that I been thinking about the most… "I think I'm going Durmstrang, I have also considered going to both schools, a couple of years at each."
Sigrun looked like she was about to explode, she had the biggest smile. "Great! Then as per durmstarng tradition, how about a duel?" oh really Sigrun, you surprise me every minute.
"I would love to" She stood up fast, and walked to the door in the oval room and opened it. "We have a duel spot just outside, come!"
I stood up as well, I took a look at Kasandra and Vicktor who were smirking. Walking out the door reveled a beautiful garden and in the middle of it was a duel circle. Sigrun stepped into the circle walking towards the car area of it, I entered and stood on the opposite side.
The garden smelled of earth and moss, the air was humid. Runes lined the dueling circle, as they hummed to life a protective barrier enclosed the circle.
Sigrun drew her wand in a flash, sleek, dark wood, polished but scarred from use. She held it with the confidence of someone who had trained since childhood. Her green eyes glimmered with anticipation.
"Standard rules?" she asked, lips curling. "No unforgivables, first to three clean strikes, or until one of us yields?"
"agreed" I replied, stepping into position.
Kasandra's voice drifted from behind us, soft but commanding. "Bow, and begin"
Sigrun bowed gracefully, never taking her eyes off me. I mirrored the motion. The moment we straightened, she struck.
"Expelliarmus!"
A crimson bolt shot across the circle. Fast
"Protego!" the shield hummed around me, the spell rebounding off in a flash of light.
She laughed, delighted. "Oh, you're quick, good."
I quickly waved my wand. "Confringo!" the blasting cure shot out fast
"Protego!" the spell hit her shield with a bang and dust from the ground was thrown up into the air. But I didn't let het continue.
"stupefy" the spell shot out, sigruns eyes widened, she quickly dropped low, the spell flew over her head.
"You're dangerous" she said, breathless with excitement. "I like that"
We looked at each other for a moment, the she aimed her wand. "Bombarda maxima!" oh shit. The spell roared across the circle.
"Protego Glacis!" a wall of ice formed in front of me, the Bombarda hit it and a blast erupted, the wall broke. The dust created was thick. But from the dust came a light towards Sigrun.
"Accio Sigrun" I whispered. Sigrun was suddenly pulled by an invincible force towards me. As she got pulled closer, I caught her. She was now in hug distance. We looked eyes for a moment before I said.
"A draw?" she looked shocked for a moment and blushed a little. The laughed.
"Alright a draw" she said with the cutest smile.
She smirked, tilting her head. "Call it a promise, at Durmstrang, I'll demand a rematch. And next time Linus, I wont stop until one of us hits the floor."
Kasandra clapped lightly from the sidelines, her face warm but calculating. Viktor said nothing just watched. But lightly smiled.
After the duel Linus headed home. His mind still stuck Sigruns eyes as she laughed. "I'm I falling in love…" I muttered to myself inside the carriage. He blushed a little but put his hand over it to hide it.
Astrid sitting in front of them just smiled.
Arriving at the Gray manor. Alaric greeted them as the dismounted the carriage. Alaric held out a letter. " My lord this arrived by owl just an hour ago, seems like it's from the British ministry of magic." What do they want. Why not go through the Swedish ministry first?
Reading the letter, Linus frowned at the content. "I've been summoned? Seems like a council meeting… why am I invited?"
"My lord, the Gray family has long held a very important role, even in Britain. This could be a Pure Blood meeting, I know Lord gray attended many of these types of meeting all over the world" aha, it's a useless meeting where Pure bloods go to feel superior, got it. Don't really want to go but feels like I have no choice. The meeting I taking place on may 15 so about a month.
I put the letter in my pocket and went to my office, I need to train a lot. The duel today was fun but, I held back alot. I didn't want to hurt her, not like that on or first duel. But next time won't be a draw.
Linus spent the month training, he trained spells, potions and even some herbology from the book Monika had given him on his birthday.
On the 15 of may, Linus stood in the Swedish ministry of magic, they had organized so that a portkey could be used directly to the British ministry. Very nice of them.
Using the port key. The world became a swirl, everything faded and appeared again shortly after. Weird feeling. I found myself in the famous Ministry of magic, the big halls, all the floo stations. It looked really old, even compared to the Swedish one this looked ancient.
"Lord Linus Gray" a man said, I looked at him and he bowed. "I'm here to guide you to the designated hall, if you would follow me, please." I nodded
Astrid and I walked behind the guide, looking around as we went. Not long after we arrived at a double door, the door swung open and the guide held his hand to tell us to enter.
Entering the room, my boots clicked against the wooden floor of the hall. People turn and looked to me and started to whisper to the person next to them.
"Is that the Gray boy? He's so young"
"No doubt that's him, with that Gray uniform and robe."
I walked through the hall, chin held high, confident steps. I found my seat and sat down. There were a lot of people. Looking around people were still looking at me as if I was a ghost. I glanced to my left, there was a cute blond girl sitting next to me. She looked over at me and smiled.
"Were you forced here as well?" the girl asked
"Well yes and no, I was summoned, but not really sure why I'm here" she looked at me confused when I said that. "My name is Linus Gray, nice to meet you." Her faced shifted as if she remembered something.
"Oh, you are Lord Linus Gray, from Sweden right" I nodded. She held out her hand. "My name is Daphne Greengrass" oh how did I manage to get this seat next to the most important family in Britain. The oldest purest family.
I shook her hand gently. "It's and honor to meet the Greengrass family." she smiled. "Do you know what this is all about?"
She shook her head. "No clue, the letter said nothing other then that we must come." She sighed "It's probably nothing important just some talk between the families."
The hall filled, murmurs all over, I just sat there arms crossed. Then a loud bang. the doors behind the altar area opened. The loud bang echoed through the hall, silencing the murmurs instantly. And in walked several figures, each draped in long flowing robes. Their steps were deliberate, their presence heavy. At the center was a tall man with white beard. Dumbledore the great wizard.
"The council is now in session" his voice boomed across the chamber. "you are gathered here today, not for idle politics. But because a storm is brewing across the wizarding world"
Whispers started again, though hushed this time, as though the weight of the announcement pressed on everyone's chest. Daphne leaned slightly closer to me, her soft voice "This feels different. Not like the usual meetings"
Linus stayed still, sharp blue eyes fixed on the altar.
Dumbledore raised his hand and silence fell once again. "in the past months, several pure-blood families have been attacked. Ancient houses burned, heirs slain, names erased from our history. The perpetrators are unknown."
A collective gasp rippled through the room. Linus felt his jaw tighten, could this be connected to the Veilborn, did other families have fragments too?
Dumbledore continued "we are here today not only to discuss this threat but to remind ourselves of our duty. Pure Blood carries weight, responsibility and power. We cannot let our heritage be extinguished"
Linus felt the eyes on him again, whispers.
"Gray… wasn't his family attacked too?"
"He survived though, strange boy" rude
"Maybe he knows something."
The Dumbledore's gaze shifted across the hall, stopping squarely on Linus, his voice lowered, deliberate.
"Lord Gray, perhaps you would enlighten us. You, more then most, understand the fire of bloodshed. What say you about this threat."
The room turned, all eyes on him. Daphne sat straighter, curious.
Linus Stood slowly, he looked around the hall, his calm but dangerous aura settling over the crowd.
"I say…" Linus began, his voice steady. "The group responsible for the death of my family… they will be caught, and they will be slaughtered, burned and hanged for their crimes. No mercy shall be shown to those unwilling to show it themselves. "Linus paused letting the words or threat sink in. I wonder if they are sitting in this room. "They are searching for something, I don't know what." I looked at Dumbledore and gave a short nod, and sat down.
Murmurs started once again, this time quieter, some just looked at me. Dumbledore looked around the room and nodded. "Lord Gray is right, from what we have seen they are indeed looking for something. It is unknown if they have found anything from the families they have hunted down." He paused. "My last words are, be careful…" the meeting dragged on with questions, speculations and other useless things. Linus just sat and didn't listen much anymore.
After the meeting was concluded Dumbledore looked at me and walked up to me. "Its good to finally meet you officially lord gray. I've heard a lot about you." He said with a smile.
"Headmaster Dumbledore the pleasure is mine." Do I call him Headmaster or what?
Dumbledore smiled and just looked at me for a minute. "Can I borrow a couple minutes of your time for a meeting?"
"of course."
They walked to a smaller chamber with comfortable chairs, Astrid was also there standing behind me. Sitting down in the chairs there was silence for a moment.
"You look so much like your mother." What? Mom? How did he… "She was a Hogwarts student, I was one of her professors." Oh, right forgot. "Tell me Linus, I hope I may use your first name, it gets so stale with the formal talking. Have you considered going to Hogwarts?" I'm not even allowed to go there?
"Dumbledore, I'm confused. I thought only British born may attend."
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes quite right, that is a rule. But as headmaster I see no problem allowing you to join, since your mother was such a good student, I have no doubt in my mind that you will be just as impressive, if not even more." He smiled.
Should I really go to Hogwarts… no I'm sticking to my plan, a couple years at Durmstrang. "if I may trouble you with a question, is it possible to start Hogwarts a bit later? I have been wanting to attend Durmstrang because my father attended there. And now that I know that Hogwarts is a possibility, I would like to try both schools."
Dumbledore didn't seem surprise by the question, it seemed like he expected it.
"That can be arranged, I see no problem in that. I will talk with the headmaster of Durmstrang, Igor Kakarov, so that he is aware."
"Thank you."
"Now I do have another question for you Linus." Dumbledore got a bit serious. "What do you know of the Veil"
What… how does he know, what is this. Should I tell him. He's one of the most powerful wizards in the world. I looked at him, thinking what I should reveal.
"I had a run in with one of its member. He said that they are part of a group called the Veilborn. When asked what the Veil was, he died. Most likely because of an unbreakable vow. That is what I know."
Dumbledore seemed to think for a moment, I wonder what part he is in all this. How long has he known the Veilborn. "They are a mystery to me too I'm afraid. I haven't had a run in with them myself, they have been attacking families all around the world, but its kept hidden to not spread panic." He leaned back his chair. He knows something, there is now way that the Dumbledore doesn't know what this veil is. There was a silence. But it didn't feel awkward, it was as if we both just enjoyed the silence for a moment, I've never been one for large crowds, I like to keep to myself as much as possible. So this silence after sitting in the chamber with hundreds of people felt good.
"Thank you for telling me this Linus, we are currently working to find them but it is a slow progress." He stood up and held out his hand. "I have other meetings to attend, it's been a pleasure to meet you Lord Gray, and hopefully I will see you in school soon." He smiled
I shock his hand. "It's been a pleasure Headmaster."
So I'm going to be able to see the legendary Hogwarts after all, this could be fun.
Linus and Astrid walked from the meeting. As this was my first time on London it would be a shame not to see the legendary Diagon alley. Inside the ministry they had a network of floo travel points making the travel to Diagon alley easy and fast. The green flame rose, and suddenly I was standing in Diagon alley.
It really was magical. Flying books everywhere, kids running around with prank items. I walked around slowly taking in the sight. There were a lot of people going about doing their thing, some probably getting school supplies early to read up before school. While walking around I got a few glances. My Gray uniform kind of stand out here. it is it the Gray emblem that they are looking at.
Looking to my right I saw the legendary Ollivanders, the wand shop famous all over the world for their excellent wand making. I already have the Gray family wand. But it could be nice having an extra… no I should only use this one. Father told me that this wand has been the only wand for every heir, so I will keep that going.
We kept walking, I really want to visit a book shop. Some books on transfiguration would be good to learn.
We kept walking until we found one, it looked old and run down. But so did most stores here just to look new on the inside. The store had a few customers. Looking around the store were a few people my age, they looked so at least.
They have an impressive collection of books, old and new.
"Excuse me?" a girl's voice came from my left as i was looking for books. Looking towards voice, there was a brown-haired girl. She looked very typical British.
"Yes?" I said lightly
"Are you Lord Linus Gray?" she asked.
"I am indeed" kind of obvious with my uniform and so but okey.
She looked confused for some reason. "Are you going to attend Hogwarts?"
"No, I'm going to Durmstrang" I said with a smile
She looked surprised but still confused. "Why are you here then, aren't you looking for school supplies."
"No, I'm just looking round, I had business here in London so I took a moment to explore a little." This girl hasn't even told me her name.
"Oh, I'm sorry for disturbing you then" she said with a light nod and walked of with steady steps. What was that about. Did she just want a reason to talk with me?
Looking at Astrid who just gave a shrug in response, I kept looking for books. I didn't find anything I seem to need right now.
"Lets head back home Astrid"
"alright Linus" they went back to the ministry where a portkey waited to take them home.