Chapter 31: chapter 31
The flapping sound of a newspaper hitting the bedside table woke the drowsy Tribrid from her sleep. Glowing golden eyes with dark veins edging out to the corners of her face became predominant as she turned around to face the person, who so rudely interrupted her sleep for the second time in less than 12 hours.
A pair of crossed arms greeted her as Hope narrowed her blurry eyes to see a blonde figure. Hope forced her eyes to stop glowing before throwing her body onto her back with a groan and bringing her hands up to her face to rub at her tired eyes. "Morning Daph."
The blonde gave her lover a soft look as Hope tried to wake up, Daphne thought she looked adorable before her facial features changed to frustration when she recalled why she was here so early.
"What part of 'contact me once you got home' did you not understand? That was part of the deal." Daphne remarked as she sat on the edge of the bed and placed a hand over Hope's hip, rubbing circles against the Tribrid's strong body before finishing off weakly with sorrow in her voice.
"You promised me."
Hope sat up quickly using her superspeed and crushed Daphne into a hug all within half a second, murmuring reassurances in the Heiress's ear. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I had a lot on my mind and the thought to contact you literally escaped me last night. I'm sorry Daphne."
Daphne collapsed into Hope heavily and started sniffing back sobs against Hope's shoulder. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost you."
"I know and I'm sorry." Hope replied wisely, choosing not to mention that she was immortal and practically nothing could kill her. Hope knew that reason wasn't the reassurance Daphne wanted to hear.
Hope's possible demise and lack of safety due to her immortality. "Love, nothing happened to me. Not even one spell touched me. I'm perfectly fine. See for yourself."
Daphne pulled back for a moment, cradling Hope's face in her hands as she searched down Hope's muscular figure since all she was wearing was a singlet and some boy shorts to bed. There wasn't a mark on Hope but Daphne knew even if someone did manage to cut her, the wound would've been healed in seconds.
The blonde witch used her magical sense on Hope and her lovers' attributes of her magic appear to be calm and honest. The lightning was streaking gently inside Hope's mental landscape, while the blood was subtle but still giving the air a metallic tang. The forest was calm but softly rustling softly in a breeze, all the while Hope's magic pulsed like a heartbeat. Strong and steady.
Daphne sighed as she opened her eyes clenching tighter to Hope before letting go and picking up the newspaper she brought with her, placing it on the edge of the bed beside them.
Instead of the front page being dedicated to the riot at the Quidditch World Cup there was a moving photo of Hope in her black gear. The Emrys ring was clearly visible as she snapped her fingers to destroy the incarcerous charms.
Hope let out a chuff of laughter as she remarked sassily. "At least they got my good side."
Daphne had a look of annoyance cross her face as she whacked Hope's shoulder lightly with a laugh.
"Smart ass." The blonde replied as she looked at the photo, there wasn't even a hint of Hope's identity being shown, other than the ring.
The cloak gave her Consort a little extra height and flowed loosely around her obscuring Lady Emrys actual height and build.
Basically there was nothing there to show what Lady Emrys looked like. "There's nothing there to even show your good side."
Hope smirked at the blonde as she brought her hand to the back of Daphne's head.
"That's because my good sides are for you alone to observe." Hope promised as she grazed her lips across Daphne's.
Daphne opened her mouth and moved forward, intensifying the kiss Hope started.
But Hope reluctantly extracted herself from the kiss before leaving a feather light kiss in her wake. "We've gotta get up. I can hear Nic and Nelle practically tapping their feet impatiently at the table while they sip tea waiting for us. Also I need to brush my teeth."
Daphne stopped Hope from getting up with a hand on top of Hope's arm. Hope was about to question what her lover wanted but all Daphne did was sweep her shining blonde hair over her left shoulder and tilting her head to the left.
"If you woke up with veins in your eyes first thing this morning, it probably means you need blood. Nic and Nelle can wait for us… Also I see your sage burning by the door to the verandah." Daphne remarked casually as she looked at Hope in a slightly lopsided view.
Hope shrugged slightly. "But I fed off you about 2 days ago. I shouldn't be hungry again for a while." Hope replied in confusion.
"You also normally don't use as much magic as you did last night." Daphne pointed out with a deliberate stare.
The Tribrid gave a tiny grunt of acknowledgement as her fangs descended, almost piercing her bottom lip. Hope scooted forward wrapping her whole body around Daphne even though she was still covered by sheets and blankets. The part Vampire cuddled against the sweet smelling blonde as she trailed kisses all along the line of Daphne's neck, pulling out a pleased moan vibrating through the taller girl's throat.
Hope bit down softly before lapping up the blood that oozed out at a slow rate, easy enough for Hope not to waste a single drop while Daphne's head dropped back with a sultry groan.
The Emrys couple walked out of Hope's room maybe 5 minutes later, newspaper in hand as they sat at the dining table. Mixy popped in, bowing slightly at Hope in awe before placing down a cup of coffee in front of her and a peach-flavoured tea in front of Daphne.
Hope arched an eyebrow at the drink placed in front of her Mate before looking up at Daphne's perplexed expression.
Hope looked back at the House Elf with a curious gaze. "Thank you… And Mixy? How did you know what Daphne's favourite drink is?"
The House Elf raised his head to look at Hope for a second before lowering his gaze slightly in reverence.
"You know, we House Elves do communicate with one another as we go off and do shopping for our families." Mixy replied with a mischievous smile.
Nicolas and Perenelle both froze in shock with their cups half way up their bodies ready to take a drink when they heard their House Elf make a sassy reply.
Hope's other eyebrow rose in surprise as well at the unexpected sassiness.
The House Elf giggled before answering simply. "Relax. I asked Silvy of the Greengrass House Elves."
Hope gave a small snort of laughter. "Yeah I guess that makes sense."
Perenelle let out a small groan. "Great. Now Hope's influencing Mixy. Whatever will we do Nicolas?" The kindly Healer mirthly asked her husband.
Nicolas shrugged halfheartedly. "I suppose there is nothing we can do. Hope's just a bad influence on us all. I mean did you read the paper this morning?"
Hope rolled her eyes at the Flamel's antics as Daphne and Mixy snickered to themselves. "Oh you guys are a riot."
"Actually the riot is on the next page." Perenelle quipped back with a grin on her face.
The Tribrid rolled her eyes again before wondering if it was possible to accidentally roll one's eyes into the back of their head permanently.
A totally unimpressed look was plastered on Hope's face as she picked up the newspaper and read the damn thing. "I wonder which way they wrote the article? Am I an avenging angel or a cold-blooded murderer?"
"Basically since they couldn't describe the brutal method of some of the deaths that was written in that article, I would go with option 2. But at the end of the article it changes its tune slightly as Madam Bones announced 'what murderer would leave their memories behind for the DMLE?' So there might be hope for you yet." Daphne answered as she took a sip of her tea with a pleased hum at the flavour.
Hope noticed something in the paper and spoke aloud. "The Wizengamot is holding a session this afternoon to discuss the events that happened after the Quidditch World Cup."
Hope clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth as she asked Mixy for a quill and parchment which appeared almost instantly as she scribbled out a quick note for Ragnok before extracting another copy of her memories last night. The same copy she gave to the DMLE explaining the rule she found about when a lesser house attacks a greater house with the intent to kill. Their life is forfeit in the eyes of the law.
Due to there not being a greater house then a Legendary House and since Hope had her Emrys ring being shown the entire time, in fact the memories would show her displaying it for her opponents to see. Basically clearing Hope of any manslaughter charges the Wizengamot would try to pin on her.
After Hope sent the message and memory off she picked up her cup of coffee and took a swig of the hot drink, needing the caffeine hit to wake her up.
"It's too early for politics." Hope complained as she lowered her cup with a groan.
Daphne laughed at her Mate. "Too bad. You'll have to get used to it, darling. Considering you'll be announcing yourself to the Wizarding World this year."
Hope groaned loudly as she banged her head on the table muttering into the wooden surface.
Perenelle gave Hope a disapproving look as she could only imagine what Hope garbled into the table. "You're lucky I couldn't understand a single word you mumbled into the table. Otherwise I'd have you doing chores for a year, since I know you swear like a sailor."
A loud grunt came from Hope as she turned her head to the side so she could face the brunette woman she regarded as a mother. "You'd probably be right."
Hope lifted her head off the table before she asked the others around the dining table. "Anything else I should know?"
Nicolas and Perenelle shrugged while Daphne considered Hope's question. "I guess that depends."
Hope regarded her lover in curiosity as the blonde continued her explanation. "There could be consequences depending on who you saved and who you killed that could present potential problems."
"Yeah… After the First Task I'll probably need to speak to Sebastian Delacour." Hope remarked with an angry look on her face before standing up and waving her hand.
Wordlessly summoning the pensive into the room before dropping the memory of last night into the liquid basin much to Nicolas, Perenelle and Daphne's confusion.
As the Flamel's and Greengrass Heiress watched the memory, they were impressed with Hope's magical ability to swat away so many spells without the use of a wand. Even though they were all used to Hope not using a wand unless at school or at the Duelling Competitions. However it still amazes them when Hope performs such powerful spells without any issues.
After a few minutes they heard the femine scream and saw Hope pause before heading off to help. When Memory-Hope arrived at the site, Nicolas actually growled in anger as he watched some men try to force themselves onto a young girl. Perenelle had gasped as tears started to run down her cheeks knowing that the girl was suffering the after effects of the cruciatus curse before she was about to get raped.
Daphne actually managed to keep a stoic mask on her face until she heard a child sob from underneath the crumpled figure. The young woman raised her head slightly while trying to curl around the younger girl she was protecting.
"Fleur… and Gabrielle?" Daphne murmured aloud as her magic became a very cold and frosty manifestation in the room.
Hope cocooned herself around Daphne, containing the blonde's icy magic in a barrier while her wolf pumped out calming pheromones by the bucket load in the small cocoon, trying to help her Mate calm down. Daphne never took her eyes off of the memory playing for a second until Memory-Hope snapped their necks.
Once the men were dead Daphne only just realised that her magic was flowing out of her like a blizzard. The blonde took a deep breath as she drew her magic back in, returning the temperature back to normal and Hope unravelled her containment spell.
During the final moments of the memory the group watched as Madam Bones's eyes widened in shock at the appearance of Myrddin. Right before Amelia's head shot back to look at Hope's concealed form and noticed the Emry ring on the figure's finger before the memory stopped on the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement gobsmacked expression as she realised who the figure was.
Hope collected the memory and returned it back into her mind before turning around to face her family.
Nicolas cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Well we now know the Delacour's will be on your side for this. That basically ensures the French Ministry's support."
Perenelle slowly nodded, distracted as she tried to return her thoughts back to the present before confirming absentmindedly. "Yes. The French Ministry will help."
Daphne looked over to Hope stoically for a moment as she considered everything she saw, the blonde let her facial features relax into something more natural. "Not in a single one of those fights did you attack first. I'm assuming you told King Ragnok this?"
Hope nodded in agreement before adding. "There is a law that protects me."
Daphne waved her hand dismissively as she continued Hope's thought process. "I know the law you're talking about. That was smart. They can't charge you for manslaughter, no matter who you killed."
The blonde picked up a piece of parchment from the table that Hope didn't remember being there earlier.
"My father sent this to me while you were banging your head on the table," Daphne explained as she opened it, "It's a list of the people 'Lady Emrys' killed."
The taller girl looked back at Hope with a roll of her eyes. "Apparently the Ministry doesn't think the people who were killed last night were Death Eaters, but rather DE fanatics."
Hope's face scrunched up at the wording as a sour taste coated her tongue. "Fanatics?"
Daphne sighed in annoyance. "Better to keep everyone blind than admit Death Eaters are returning."
The Flamel's all shared a look before swearing in French simultaneously. Daphne chuckled quietly at the family's displeasure.
"Anyhow, the good news is that the death count matches the amount of people you killed. We watched you kill the two at the beginning and the five with…" Daphne trailed off as a spike of anger surged through her and Hope finished Daphne's sentence with regret in her voice, "The Delacours."
Daphne nodded, barely as she looked down at the list. "Alright. So the dead people are: Augustus Rookwood, Corban Yaxley, Crabbe Sr, Jugson, Nott Sr, Avery Jr and Antonin Dolohov."
Hope thought about the people that were killed before mentioning. "I think some of those people would've killed some of the members of the Order of the Phoenix when it gets reconstituted… Wait! Did you say Avery Jr?"
Daphne double-checked the list before nodding as she found the name. "Yes. Why?"
A pleased grin stretched across Hope's face as she answered Daphne's query.
"I think we'll also get Madam Bones's vote. The Avery's killed Susan's parents." Hope admitted.
Daphne nodded her head as she took in the information. "You'll probably get Madam Longbottom on your side. With the Lestrange's in prison as well as the Black family being unable to make a vote, you've got Emrys, Greengrass, Bones and Longbottom on your side with the Carrows opposing you. I guess Dumbledore will be opposing you as well with the Potter House."
Hope rolled her eyes at the last part of the information. "I'm hoping Harry will emancipate himself when his name comes out of the Goblet of Fire, since 'only of-age Wizards or Witches can compete'. When Harry does that I can work with him to exonerate Sirius."
Daphne stopped completely still before she turned to face Hope at a ridiculously slow pace. "So Harry could become Lord Potter in a few months?"
Hope shrugged as she took another gulp of her coffee. "Theoretically, yes. Honestly, I have no idea. I've spoken to Harry about potentially becoming the Head of House Potter as well as the Heir Black over the past year or two."
"Right… I know that with the families you already have allies with, especially with 3 out of the 7 Most Ancient and Noble Houses along with your own Legendary House. You'll practically almost have enough votes to win whatever legislation comes your way. If you manage to get Harry on your side…" Daphne trailed off as she walked into the kitchen to stare out the window over the sink.
"I can win or deny any legislation depending on what they are. However I will not use you, your father, Harry, Susan, Neville, Amelia or Augusta to achieve my goals. If my vision for the future here reflects what they wish for. I will happily accept their help but I won't force them or corrode them into thinking they must follow me." Hope replied sincerely as she moved to join Daphne and ran some water in the sink so she could wash their cups.
Daphne hummed with a pleased smile.
"You're a good person Hope. So honourable in your endeavours. It makes me love you more." The taller girl mentioned as she hugged up against Hope's back, resting her chin on her girlfriend's shoulder.
The orphaned girl from another world let out a quiet chuckle. "I'm not so sure about honourable. I'm planning on calling in some of the favours Amelia, Augustus and Marcus owe me to help exonerate Sirius Black."
"They owe you favours?" Daphne mumbled against Hope's shoulder.
Hope gave a single small nod. "Simply Marcus owes me for curing Stori and eradicating your family's Blood Curse."
Daphne's head lifted off Hope's shoulder as she felt her girlfriend ready to turn around.
The blonde levelled the Tribrid with a puzzled expression. "I broke the Blood Curse on your family a while ago. I think I managed to break it before I cured Stori now that I think about it."
Daphne blinked in shock but Hope continued with a cheeky smile. "Apparently I have a favour as Hope Mikaelson with the Longbottom family. I've saved Neville's life repeatedly in Potions classes and Augusta offered a family debt through Neville. As for the Bones."
Hope reached to her right hip before gripping something invisible and pulling it free so she could show Daphne the ivory bone dagger. The same dagger Susan got Hope for her first Yule.
Hope angled it to Daphne to showcase the Bones Family Crest and Daphne's jaw dropped in shock. "Susan gave me this blade with her crest on it."
"Meaning she put you under her family's protection… When did she give you that knife?" Daphne finished with wide eyes.
"Yule 1991. Nic and Nelle told me to always keep it with me since Susan was able to visibly protect me unlike everyone else I know, including myself. So I keep it strapped to my thigh. It actually makes me feel safe… protected." Hope tried to explain but paused over some of her words as if she was trying to express her feelings and thoughts to Daphne.
As Hope looked at Daphne she was expecting anger at keeping a blade from someone else's House, but all she was doing was smiling at Hope as if the entire thing made sense which caused Hope to smile back at Daphne before giving her a loving kiss.
Later that night, there was a knocking sound coming from the fireplace. Nicolas and Perenelle shared a look of astonishment between themselves as there has never been a knock on their Floo network since Hope added her protections to the house.
The immortal couple turned to face their daughter with skeptical expression while Hope just looked out of the living room and towards the study before standing up.
"I never actually thought he would take me up on my invitation." The Tribrid remarked distractedly.
"Why do I have this feeling we should follow her?" The normally icy blonde asked her in-laws.
The other 3 occupants stood up and followed Hope to the fireplace and watched as Hope opened the network to let the guest through.
To their surprise it was the Goblin King, grunting and holding papers to his broad chest as he moved his way to the desk and dropped the papers and documents on the table with a whoosh before turning around to face Hope with a displeased face. "I kinda hate you a bit."
Hope snorted as she covered her mouth with her hand trying to stifle her laughter but she cleared her throat once before removing her hand and moving to the desk. "Sorry… Parchment work?"
This time the Goblin grinned at the young woman. "Oh yes. All of these are about you and your 'stunt' at the Quidditch World Cup."
Hope scratched the back of her neck nervously as she reached out to turn a piece of paper around to read it, which took her about 4 seconds while speed reading. Hope brought her hand in front of her face again and moved another parchment around to scan through before a chortle of laughter left Hope's throat.
The Goblin King's expression houses a look that was so done with life while also trying not to give up faith in humanity or in this case Wizards. But as he watched Hope laugh as she read through the papers it brought a smile to his face as he recounted to the Wizengamot about the law Hope had mentioned and he located, Law 39, Subsection 2, Line 8.
Ragnok almost laughed at the memory when a majority of the magical senate became so silent you could hear a fly rubbing its feet together. After Hope had read through a few more pieces of paper the mighty Goblin cleared his throat gaining the attention of everyone in the room.
"Good news, your plan worked. The Wizengamot was unable to formally place any charges against you. So you're 'free'." The Goblin mentioned as he made speech marks around the word free with a roll of his large dark eyes.
Hope nodded knowingly while Daphne asked. "If that's the good news, what's the bad… or complicated? Probably should add that term knowing that when Hope is involved anything is possible."
Ragnok points a finger at the blonde in approval. "I like you. You notice what I say or in this case, didn't say. You're a bit like your father when it comes to that. He taught you well."
The Greengrass girl blushed slightly at the praise before the Goblin continued, "However your Consort is right."
Hope brought her full attention to the Goblin and moved to stand beside Daphne wrapping an arm around her waist. "Alright, let's hear it."
Hope paused for a second before looking back to her parents. "Oh and we can discuss this freely here. I trust everyone here."
The Goblin let out a toothy grin.
"I thought that would be the case, why do you think I'm speaking English?" Ragnok mentioned in consideration before starting, "First off, bad news. The Carrows have personally placed Lady Emrys on their shit list."
Daphne groaned as she smacked Hope's arm. "Stop teaching people the wrong names of actual laws and bylines. Sweet Merlin!"
Hope snorted quietly as she recalled what the real name was. "The Courtial Order of Complaint and Disagreement. It's too long and sounds stupid. 'Shit list' is more accurate and simple. Straight to the point."
Nicolas released a barking laugh as he heard the name and Perenelle shook her head in displeasure, rubbing her temples with the pads of her fingertips.
"Exactly. Shit list." The Goblin reiterated with a grin causing Hope and Nicolas to smirk with light laughter while Daphne and Perenelle both sighed and rolled their eyes at their partners' antics.
"You reign in yours, I'll get mine?" The Healer suggested as she pulled Nicolas away from Hope and whispered in his ear playfully scolding him before telling him to compose himself so they could continue.
Once the family was back to being serious again Hope asked. "Any more bad news? Dumbledore?"
The Goblin shook his head. "Surprisingly no. He's not even on your complicated pile."
Hope pursed her lips in thought and narrowed her eyes as she tried to guess what this meant.
"Thankfully there is no more 'bad' news. But the complicated is… intriguing. Madam Bones wishes to talk to you obviously like everyone else, but she wants to offer you a favour for taking out Avery Jr." Ragnok informs them.
Hope made a noise of acknowledgement. "I'll message her later. Maybe I'll use the favour later in the year for Black."
"The Delacour's were also there and they recognise the Life-Debts they owe you for saving their kids as well as healing them. As we discussed over your Magical Maturity, I'm assuming you will use one of those debts to neutralise the one against the Flamel's?"
"Wait… What?" Nicolas looked over at Hope with confusion in his eyes and perhaps a little bit of hope.
Perenelle moved over to Hope and cupped her cheeks, staring into Hope's eyes with love in them.
"You don't have to do that my sweet girl." The brunette whispered to her daughter as she rested her head against Hope's.
"I know I don't have to. I want to. You are my family. And I protect my family with everything I am." Hope told Perenelle before sharing a smile with Nicolas including him into the conversation as well.
"Besides, I have 2 Life-Debts with them. Two people were saved. Two debts formed." Hope mentioned with a shrug.
"Will you even use the second debt?" Daphne asked as she leaned against the doorframe.
Hope thought about it for a bit.
"Probably not… Depends on the fuss Sebastian throws when he realises he has no more claims to the Most Ancient and Noble House Flamel. So just wait and see I guess." Hope answered.
Hope turned to look at Ragnok again. "Any more?"
"No."
Hope blinked and looked back at the pile of paperwork. "Then what's all that for?"
The Goblin grinned evilly. "Bedtime reading. I thought you'd get a kick out of some of these. They appeared on my desk before the first person spoke and accused you of premeditated murder. Which technically it kinda was, according to the fact you know the future."
Hope shrugged while muttering. "Technically it wasn't premeditated. I didn't know who would try to attack me."
Ragnok snapped his fingers suddenly and pointed at Hope with a predatory grin. "And that is why you can get away with it. You're smart, powerful, cunning and paranoid as hell." The Goblin listed as he counted on his fingers.
"Which means that you are practically ready for anything."
"What can I say? I like being prepared. My family is notorious for being ruthlessly prepared for anything." Hope replied casually like it was completely normal and for her it probably was.