For Harry the last few weeks of classes and the last Hogsmeade weekend was surprisingly quiet. He had expected to have to face off against recriminations against his house from the Ministry by now. A recrimination from Lord Le-Fay he did not expect until after he got back from his holidays in Egypt, but Marvolo was a Slytherin and a patient planner. The Minister and his cabinet were not, the glares from Umbridge had not helped his senses either.
But as Midterms passed and the end of term feast passed without incident, he began to calm down and lower his guard. As the students boarded the express Harry could not help but feel a quiet sense of anticipation enter him. This Christmas had been highly anticipated as well as confusing. He had written a reply to their Majesty's Nefertiti Ramses, and Alomar Ramses to inform them that both he and Neville were taking up their offer to celebrate the solstice. Her reply had startled Harry a little.
Dear Lord Potter,
Thank you for replying to my letter, I know that the past few days have been trying. You need not fear your visit here, my son is aware of house Potters new ranking, but I have already informed him as to the House of Potters continued allegiance to Albion. He was most disappointed but made the promise that I requested that he not try to persuade you to Egypt, it would not work and would later cause irreparable damage to a house he will need in the future.
I am happy to show you the proper way to celebrate the solstice though I fear you will be engaged elsewhere for this solstice. I wish that I could give you warning as to what could happen over this break, but I find myself in a position where I am forbidden from interference. The decisions that come from it are too important to the convergence point. The pain it will cause you though I find myself wishing I could spare you from.
I look forward to your visit and welcome you to the Court of the Nile. May it feed you and bless you, despite the secrets held beneath her shores.
Sincerely
Nefertiti Ramses
Her Royal Majesty
The Dowager Queen of the Nile.
Harry was confused by the letter but also wary, he had placed his house on notice that something could happen over break, but he couldn't give any more notice than that.
Once embarking on the train just like he had done on the train to Hogwarts back in September, he merged the compartments of the car into one, and his friends quickly joined him.
"So, Draco what are planning to do this break?" Daphne asked as the Slytherins settled in.
"Well, we are hosting the annual Malfoy Winter Solstice Ball at the manor, and I have a few trips to Diagon Alley planned as well as a possible trip to Rome planned, but nothing to specific. What about you Daphne?" Draco answered.
"Well my family and I are going to Greece for the majority of the holiday, we'll be back for the Malfoy solstice ball of course but other than that, nothing. Father said Britain was to politically tumultuous to make any more extravagant plans." Daphne answered.
"Well unfortunately my mother and I won't be attending the Malfoy Ball this year, I have to deal with my cousins as Rome is having a large solstice celebration this year that grandfather is requiring everyone to attend." Blaise Zabini commented. "What about you Granger?"
"I'm spending this break with the Weasley's. We don't have much planned just family time mostly." Hermione answered.
"Well, that's nice to know what about you Longbottom?" Theodore Knott asked.
"Well, I'm spending my break with Harry, we received an invite to a celebration overseas that we couldn't exactly say no to." Neville answered.
"What did some other royalty invite you to spend Solstice and yule, with them? Seriously saying no to a Malfoy invite will not help you politically Harry." Daphne scolded.
"Well sort of, Neville and I will be the personal guests of the Dowager Queen of the Nile, for the solstice holidays." Harry answered.
"Well that would be excused." Draco said nodding.
"Besides I never received an invite to the Malfoy Ball." Harry continued. Silence fell over the car as people understood the enormity of the snub Lord and Lady Malfoy had given to the house of Potter. "Your parents are not endearing themselves to me Draco."
"No, I suppose not. A pity really all things considered." Draco said as the train car lapsed into silence for a moment. Other topics would rise on the trip, but Draco could not help but turn his mind to other things. Draco had not meant to eavesdrop on Sirius and Harry the other night but learning that Harry was the heir of Evan-shade, made his blood run cold.
The house of Slytherin was practically worshiped in his house to find the heir of the only house that the house of Slytherin feared was the one that his parents and Lord Le-Fay was attacking had honestly scared him. Draco glanced up and looked at Harry who he saw was also looking straight at him. He nodded to him before focusing on his own thoughts. It wasn't long before they arrived at the station. After exiting the station Harry and Neville both left for two days with their families before leaving for Egypt on Monday.
~~~~~Power of Ancestral Magics~~~~~Seeing as it was only Friday, Harry was happy to have the weekend with Marcus, and Tyler, before leaving on Monday. Friday night was reserved for getting the break homework done, but upon waking on Saturday he tickled both Tyler and Marcus awake, letting him chase him down the stairs to the breakfast table. They spent the day laughing and playing, inside and out in the snow, between snowball fights, snowmen, and snow angels, they all enjoyed warm hot chocolate when they finally came in. Sirius laughed and after they had all warmed up, chased them back outside to join in on the fun.
As visitors and allies joined the four for dinner that evening some where rather surprised by the difference between the boy they saw today, and the Lord they had seen in the Wizengamot a scant few weeks before. Reconciling the difference between the two had several lords shaking their heads, while older lords could only draw similarities between him and Charlus, who they remembered spoiling young Alexandria, at such dinners. The following evenings fully formal dinner with many other lords and ladies of the Wizengamot, allied, and not saw the return of the strict and professional man they were coming to know.
The topic of discussion for most seemed to be, when Cornelius would make his last blunder, and have the floor discussing a vote of no confidence. His actions displayed a confidence rarely seen in the man, but his recent meetings with Lord Malfoy, and several other lords said that he was plotting something. Some said he was plotting action against the house of Potter, other said he was merely preparing the ministries defense for the ICW trials now set for the 8th of January. Harry could say at the end of the weekend that he felt closer to both Tyler, Marcus, and to Sirius.
~~~~~Power of Ancestral Magics~~~~~Harry and Neville both arrived in Memphis Egypt at six o'clock in the evening Egyptian time. After leaving the train station at three, the constant spinning from the portkey for the last two hours and the hour time difference between Egypt and Britain had at first confused the two before it was explained to them.
Harry and Neville were then both escorted to a private dinner with the Dowager Queen and then to a suite of rooms that would be their rooms for the duration of their stay.
Harry woke the next morning and pulling on some traditional Egyptian morning robes slipped out to the upper balcony attached to the bedroom that had been chosen for him. From the balcony he took in the view of both the city and the surrounding countryside. Hearing Neville calling his name he walked back out through the bedroom to their shared living room area.
"Good morning Neville."
"Good morning Harry. It is a fine morning isn't it?"
"I dare say so, the weather outside is stunningly beautiful." Harry answered before a knock on the door caught both their attentions. Opening the door, they were greeted by a servant boy.
"Good morning fine sirs, are you ready to dine for the morning meal, Prince Alomar and several of his guests have gathered on one of the dining Patio's and have invited you both to dine with them if you are interested." The boy said.
Harry and Neville shared a glance before Neville answered, "I believe that would be lovely, any specific attire needed?"
"No, casual morning robes are preferred, but other than that you are both fine as you are."
"Thank you," Harry responds, "will you be escorting us, or will someone be sent up?"
"If you are ready now, I can escort you." The boy answered.
Harry and Neville grabbing a few things quickly followed the boy down and through the palace, until they arrived at the dining patio, a young man older than both Neville and Harry rose at their entrance as the two both slightly bowed to him spotting the Ramses heir ring on his hand as he walked over.
"No, need for such formalities. You are guests here, guests of my grandmothers, you need not bow to me. My father may require such things of you, when you meet him but not I. Forgive me for my impoliteness, I am Crown Prince Alomar, these are my friends, Cayden Aswin, Micah Sorwyn, and Sirencea Nimera. The four of us have been raised together their fathers serve on my father's advisor council."
"A pleasure to meet you, Prince Alomar, I am Neville Longbottom, Lord of the Most Ancient and Most Noble house of Longbottom."
"A pleasure to meet you as well, Prince Alomar, I am…" Harry was interrupted before he could finish his introductions by a young lady from another table.
"Oh, it is an honor to meet you Lord Potter, Grandmother has spoken of you so very much. I can't wait until we get to know each other, I have a feeling you will fit in just perfectly here along the Nile, and your skin, it's just perfect for the weather here." She said giggling as she openly tried to flirt with him.
"My apologies, ma'am, I do not believe we have formally introduced." Harry stammered trying to place her.
"Almeria, come here, you are shaming both yourself and your royal father." A woman said entering through the door behind the two boys. "My apologies for Princess Almeria's behavior, I am Celeste Ramses, Queen of the Nile."
"Thank you, Queen Mother, I trust that you will see to Almeria's shameful actions this morning." Alomar said before turning back to Harry and Neville. "My apologies, here please join us, at my table." After both Neville and Harry had been seated, he explained. "There is a one-way, silencing spell of the tables. Once you are seated no-one can overhear your conversation, but as long as you are standing you can hear the conversations of those not seated at a table. I apologize for my sister's rudeness; she is the first daughter of my father's main wife Celeste Ramses. Not to speak bad of her, but she has not raised my siblings of her brood very well. They believe themselves entitled, even after my grandmother said you would not be swayed from Albion, she and her children remained very confident that you would eventually bend and bow to the Nile's will."
"I am sorry to hear that, I came with no intention of changing allegiances, I apologize your majesty if this offends you, but I am needed still in Albion." Harry answered.
"I find no offense in that, I only wish that instead of Albion, perhaps the Nile had gained the allegiances of your house. The loyalty your house shows in the current age is a rarity, and something I and my father both admire. He may have been reluctant to agree to grandmothers promise but understood why it is needed. Your people need you and I can understand the necessity for such a thing." Alomar paused here as his friends made their excuses and left. "As much as I love my friends, we differ in our political views. They were born to wealth and power and see them as a right. They do not understand my insistence that the people to must believe in us and if we do not act in their best interests we will fall."
"I can say that Britain has much of that mentality as well. The Wizengamot has become more a place to embarrass and twist the laws to your advantage than to protect the people." Neville answered, though he was reluctant to do so, even after this short of time, he could see the chemistry between the two. A server brought both Harry and Neville the morning meal as Alomar explained to them much of the current climate in the court.
"I do not mean to scare by explaining all the intricacies of the Nile's court, but I fear if you do not understand you may offend." Alomar cautiously explained.
"It is fine Alomar; I would be more offended if I did not know later and needed to understand a reaction but could not because I did not have the information to understand. Now as we have all finished our meal, if you are not pressured on time Neville and I would both like to explore a bit before the heat of the day, you may join us if you wish?" Harry asked.
"I do wish, are either of you interested in the pyramids I can show you around a few?" Alomar asked his eyes on Harry as he smiled.
"That would be an immense pleasure." Harry answered. With that the three left the patio ready for a day of adventure.
Above the patio where the three had been sitting the Pharaoh sat his mother by his side. "I told you they were compatible, and a binding between the two will give us a tie to Albion as well." Nefertiti told her son.
"It is not just a matter of them being compatible, you know the prophecy as well as I, with the return of one, and the ascension of another, the Peverell house shall return, as the current crown prince Alomar is already promised to the first daughter or bearer Lord Peverell. You know this." The Pharaoh, Xerxes told his mother.
"Except that the next lord Peverell will be a bearer and have stronger ties to Albion than he will to us. I may not be able to say more but I can say this: Grindelwald will wish Charlus Potter had been allowed to give him his death by time that young man is through with him. He will change the political climates of all the empires and lead our people as a whole through the trials that come after the convergence point." Nefertiti answered him.
"Xerxes my love, do not listen to her, her age is finally catching her, that Potter boy will be a fine addition to the court here, and a fine husband for little Ameria, you know this." Celeste said pushing her way into the Pharaohs arms gaining his quick attention. "The boy knows nothing of the Nile court, his power is useless here, it would not take much to bind him to this land Xerxes."
"The path you seek Celeste will see to the death of our empire. The Nile will grow barren and death will rule where fertile ground once stood. You should be wary of that which guides you. Haldris path is protected from the interference of those like us. He has his own path to walk, and if we hinder him Celeste, we will find ourselves the first victims of his true power once he fully realizes what he is." Nefertiti rebutted the queen's words.
"Enough, I have had enough of your bickering for the day be gone from my presence until the celebration on the morrow be gone." Xerxes said, and the guards standing forward were quick to escort the glaring bickering women away.
~~~~~Power of Ancestral Magics~~~~~In the desert Harry and Neville found themselves captivated by the magics of the old Egyptians. "It is a pity that it is so difficult to cast this magic any longer. The lapse in proper guidance from a pharaoh at the time the Ptolemy line ended, and Rome conquered the non-magical empire left its marks, half the elder magic gone and my family left searching the tombs for the secrets of the past." Alomar said.
"The defensive and offensive wards these runes create are spectacular. I've never even read of something like them existing anywhere." Harry said him eyes never leaving the rune clusters.
"That would be Harry, he has a fascination with runes, he almost took apart the time warp runes that our tutors had with them. They had to threaten to give him detention to get him to quit." Neville says.
"That sounds like a Potter thing rather than just a Harry thing, my Great, Great, Grandfather had a visit from Charlus Potter while he was still Pharaoh, the transcripts of that visit also say just how interested Charlus was in runes. Which is actually rather surprising." Alomar asked as Harry catching the attention of a local curse breaker, had started a debate with him.
"Why is it surprising?" Neville asked.
"Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, usually those are the skills that go hand in hand with the defense family gift, Runes, and Arithmancy usually are the tools of the masters of Battle Magic. I see by your face I have stumbled onto something, it does not surprise me, I was already aware of the original Potter family gift being that of Battle Magics, no the surprising thing is that even though the gift has shifted the family has retained its ability with runes and arithmancy." Alomar paused as the curse breaker Harry had been talking to ran to another one and they both came back over and began discussing things with Harry.
"Even after the Potter house lost its ability to cast Battle Magic to the degree they had before, they were still sought out for the weapons of war. One of the greatest treasures in the pharaoh's treasury is a sword forged with Mithril and inlaid with runes and gems. The swords abilities are numerous but its main ability to drain the magic of those whose lives it takes and store that magic in the gems, has made it a treasure here. It was forged by a head of the Potter family generations ago, before the family swore to Albion." Alomar said.
"I have heard of the Potter family skill in such things, there pottery not to make fun of them is second to none, and pieces are treasured across Albion, especially those pieces not just made on Potter lands but by those of the house as well. The Longbottom house had several of those, I was furious when I learned my grandmother had broken a full set, because she was angry." Neville answered.
"Well. Let me know what set and we can discuss replacing it, Neville." Harrys said walking away from the curse breakers that had grown from two to six and where now pulling out wands and maps of the pyramid. "Our friends say that they were missing a section of this pyramid but could not find a passageway to it, it seems we just did."
"I cannot say I am surprised; Runes are almost an additional gift for your family, come this place is going to get busy and we will wish to be inside during the heat of midday." Alomar said before leading them back to the palace. From there the three splits up as Alomar had princely duties to take care of and Neville and Harry had duties to attend to as well. The rest of the day passed quickly for Harry and Neville and it was with knowledge of the daylong celebration the next day of Alomar's ascension to Prince that they retired early.
The next morning Harry and Neville both rose and quickly getting dressed in much finer clothes than the day before where quick to join the celebration already going on outside the palace.
"This is incredible, Harry," Neville commented as the passed from vendor to vendor on the streets that the day before had been clear. "Even when Bones or Malfoy, or one of the other houses choose to have an open fair like this it is rare that is of this magnitude and it doesn't just get set up overnight." Neville gushes and Harry are startled by the voice from behind them both.
"That is because Albion stands without a king," A young lady looking very similar to Alomar stands behind them. "Pardon me, I am Serenity Ramses, Alomar is my slightly older brother."
"It is nice to meet you your majesty, I am Neville Longbottom, and this is Haldris Potter. What did you mean that, it is because Albion is without a king?" Neville asks.
"Egypt suffered for a century without a king after Cleopatra was slain by Rome, when a pharaoh finally rose, we found many things easier to do again. The theory is that Gaia the great mother, set up our empires long ago, and that we the magical peoples were created to have people rule over us. Even if you look at the Oceanic, and African Congresses, only specific lines can be nominated to the head position of absolute President, there may be some form of people's representation involved but ultimately it is still somewhat decided beforehand. Even here in Egypt when our father the Emperor chose an heir, many assumed it would be Xander, the oldest of my fathers' sons, his ascension was supported by much of the court yet when the people spoke, they said Alomar. When the priests were asked, they to spoke Alomar's name hearing the will of the people." She took a breath and stopped them to get drinks for a moment before continuing.
"Even once Egypt had a Pharaoh again, it was some time before some of magics returned and some have still not. We are not the mundane who can prosper so well under the power of a republic, or under the power of a democracy, we are people whose greatest triumphs happen under a king, a pharaoh, an emperor. Those families that strictly rule us but also give us so much in return for what we give them. For you who have never known a king's rule, it would be strange…" She was stopped by a gruff voice behind them.
"And you think my dear sister that Alomar can give Egypt, the type of leadership it needs, you think that our dear soft brother can rule Egypt justly. For a priestess, you are a fool. Alomar, will only give Egypt grief and loss, he is not strong enough to rule Egypt, the peoples voice is nothing, it is the voice of the nobility father should have listened to." The man said.
"That may be your opinion Xerxes, but Alomar has proven himself capable, and the decision was our fathers, not ours." Serenity said before continuing. "Now before you continue shall I remind you that the streets have ears, furthermore I am with Grandmothers guests, I would think you would want to make a better impression on them."
"I,"
"Enough Xerxes we have somethings to discuss come with me." Nefertiti said appearing, she grabbed the prince's arm and dragged the elder prince away.
"Well, that was unexpected." Harry said before laughing as Neville too couldn't hold back his laughter. Neville and Harry moved on after that, escorted by Serenity for some time, Harry was focusing on pushing her words out of his head, it couldn't be that bad, could it? The power of the king wasn't that vast was it?
When they split at lunch, Harry and Neville sat and ate with some of the students of the Royal academy of Memphis. They laughed telling stories of their adventures and comparing classes. Harry and Neville were surprised to discover the different classes offered by the Royal Academy not offered at Hogwarts. The hours of the day slipped passed them quickly as they shopped the vendors and joined in the merriment. That evening a ball took much of their attention, with the flattery of the nobility trying to press upon them, all that Egypt had to offer them.
Late into the evening Harry found himself on a balcony watching the festival in the street below, getting a breath of air, when he was approached.
"I do not know whether or not to curse you, honor you, or bind you to my court, young Lord Potter." Harry turned and seeing who spoke went to bow. "Do not kneel." Harry stopped and stood uncertainly before Phariah Xerxes. "Join me young man, your visit has brought strife to my lands. We are the land the Peverell's called home, we recall well the daughters who left our shores to secure the alliance between your house and there's. Whispers abounded in the court even then that we should bind your house to these sands. But Rome held your family's allegiance, and when it fell, a people saw your worth, and your house found in them a place to call their own. Your house has flourished in the North, I will not deny that, but it has suffered to. Look out into the streets the people rejoice they know no fear, despite that a man that brought us almost to the brink of war with Albion is free again. Your visit has been noted by them, but they see your strength, they see the honor of there former queens words."
"I'm not sure I understand," Harry answered.
"Our kings are chosen by the land, the Ramses were chosen by the land, almost two millennia ago, over two millennia before that another house was chosen to rule these lands. The earth knows what its people need, she cares for us and is our mother, she doesn't raise men to be king for no reason. You have battled my daughters words all day, but if the magic of Albion chose you over all those others their must be a reason. I see that reason, it is the reason that from the Hittite, to the Mandarin, to even Japan, your last name is both a curse and an honor, they all desire your houses power to stand at their sides, but curse you when that power is used against them. The power of house Potter is known to them, and they feared most of all, the day that an Albion daughter would bind herself in marriage to a Potter son, knowing that with every instance, it gave the house of Potter one more tie to throne. For some of us, it is unsurprising that a child of your house would be named Albion's next king."
"I don't want it." Harry interjected.
"Nor did I, my father died to young Haldris, I wasn't the one chosen, but for all that my sons argue about it, I was the choice of the land. You may not see it know, but Albion chose you for a reason, you have the power to defend her, and to raise her from the squalor she has fallen into." Xerxes answered him. "You may not understand it yet, but you will in time."
"Understand what yet father?" Alomar asked from behind them as he approached. Harry turned to greet Alomar before the heir ring on his hand shifted with a flash of light freezing most in the room behind them. As Harry reached down to the Black ring he stiffened before screaming in agony as he passed out, captured by the memories of his godfather's ring.
~~~~~Power of Ancestral Magics~~~~~Neville and Alomar paced outside Harry's room it had been four hours now. After he had passed out the party had been quickly declared over. As Harry and Neville where both royal guests the royal medi-wizards were seeing to Harry. They both jumped up as the medi-wizards exited the room. Nefertiti, Serenity and a few of the other royals also rose. "What is the verdict?" Alomar asked.
"Well, beyond the boy suffering from a mild case of exhaustion that has shown signs of being a few weeks old. Lord Potter or as I should say Lord Potter-Black is suffering from a violent death transfer. For those of you who don't know what that is. A violent death transfer is when the heir's ring transfers into the Lords ring due to a violent death of the previous lord or head of house." The medi-wizard answers.
"But then that means that Sirius, Sirius is dead." Neville says.
AN:(I thought about leaving it here but decided not to.)
Neville reached into his pocket and pulling out his mirror quickly called Tonks. After it was answered he said. "I'm sorry I know its late Tonks but…"
"Neville is Harry with you, we've been trying to get ahold of one of you for hours now."
~~~~~Power of Ancestral Magics~~~~~AN: Cliffhanger, I know I hate them to, but it only means you must wait for the next chapter. No, I can honestly say I am not sorry. Sorry? Anyways I apologize now that this chapter is a bit short, it just really did not want to be written. Now for all of you throwing a fit that Sirius is dead, wait and hold on a minute. Without giving away any spoilers I will say that this is not the end of Sirius Orion Black. Really, this twist has been waiting in the wings since I wrote like the second chapter. I've built Harry up on the point that he really doesn't want to be king of Albion. And this Harry really does not he is satisfied just protecting his own. So, without giving away any spoilers I changed things up a little. If any one can read between the lines, I have dropped a little bit of foreshadowing around in the previous chapters. So, if you go back and reread a little you may know what happened to Sirius. P.M. if you think you've got the right answer, I'll give you a shout out if you get it right. So long and I'll see you in the next chapter.