The Snake and the Eagle

Title: The Snake and the Eagle

Pairing: AdrianxBlaise, MilliexOFC,

Fandom: Harry Potter

Disclaimer: I don't own HP franchise. If I did there would have been slash.

Summary: A bird may love a snake but where would they live? The only child of famous Veela model Gabriella Baianchessi, Blaise Zabini grows up mostly unloved, limited social interactions and distrustful of people and promises. Adrian Pucey grows up the pampered only child of neutral Slytherins, Lord and Lady Pucey. Blaise's mother expects him to bond to the elder Greengrass heiress Daphne and become consort to the future Lady Greengrass. So her prospective grandchildren might be titled. Adrian's parents wish for him to bond to the beautiful Giselle Goyle. However, Blaise was born Veela therefore only one person can satisfy him and ground his magic. Will Blaise be able to open his heart and learn to trust or will he become an emotionless shell trapped in a loveless relationship?

A/N: Adrian attends the Board of Governors meeting on his parents behalf...

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Chapter 35

June 22, 1996

Two days after Draco’s bonding to Harry Potter was the meeting of the Hogwarts’ Board of Governors.

All meetings were usually considered closed and held at a Governor's home.

This time however, the meeting was to be held at the Ministry in Courtroom 10.

Wizards were riding the Knight Bus, flooing, flushing and Apparating to the Ministry.

Adrian had received his father’s letter via house elf the day before and Blaise had decided not to attend for obvious reasons, while Adrian curious as to how the adults were going to handle this mess had decided he would go.

Arrangements had been made for the Muggles and the one Squib parent. The two-point spell had been cast between the Leaky Cauldron and Courtroom 10. It would transport only those who were nonmagical and had the invitation.

For the parents with magic Aurors Kingsley and Dora checked them at the door for invitations. Minister of Magic Fudge had given parents of Hogwarts students the day off with pay after severe arm-twisting by multiple members of the Board of Governors.

Since the Members of the Board were also seated members of the Wizengamot today’s session had been postponed.

These were sealed proceedings and only parents were allowed to attend but Adrian who was the rightful holder of the Slytherin and Peverell Governor seats. Persons like Rita Skeeter were not welcome...

At five till ten after two-point spell stopped delivering Muggles and the one Squib, Madam Emelia Bones stood, "Madam Longbottom may I speak?"

Augusta nodded, "You did call this meeting and made the historical and unparallel arrangements. I, Augusta Longbottom bring this meeting of the Hogwarts' Board of Governors to order."

Emelia bowed, "You have all been invited to discuss the danger that our children are in. At least six are found in danger..."

“What sort of danger?” Arthur Weasley asked.

Since his father held the family’s governor seat he was merely a spectator.

The doors opened once more.

Professor Severus Snape entered Courtroom 10 and bowed. “My apologies for being late Lady Longbottom. Permission to take my seat?”

Augusta nodded, confusion dawning.

To Adrian’s knowledge since Snape had accepted his inheritance, not once had his former potions professor taken part in a Meeting of the Board of Governors. Nor had he ever sat in a Meeting of the Wizengamot having allowed Lucius Malfoy to vote in his stead.

Severus took his place among the other Slytherins, at Lucius’ left. The Prince Seat was part of the four assigned seats to the Board of Governors by Slytherin himself.

Emelia raised and eyebrow at Severus.

He shrugged at her.

Deciding to let the matter rest, Emelia went on. “The danger is evidence that a Lilithean is or at least was loose in Hogwarts.”

Geoffrey Goyle sneered at her, “What rubbish is this? What is a Lili-what’s it?”

Emelia sighed, Goyles were not known for their brilliance. “A Lilithean is the proper name of a Succubus or an Incubus. For in truth they are merely aspects of the same creature.”

“Refresh my memory Madam Bones,” Madam Edgcombe said boredly, “just what is the danger of such a creature.”

Emelia was astounded and just how obtuse they were all being. “A Succubus takes seed from one magical human and implants in another when it becomes an incubus. The genders of the two individuals who are sexually connected this way need not be male to female. An Incubus is capable of impregnating females and males with genetic contributions from either gender.”

The Muggles started talking over one another about impossibilities. 

“We have found six incidents of pregnancies conceived in this manner. All but one couple were virginal at the time of conception. Four of them are still virginal.”

Augusta knew that Emelia was telling the truth, Neville had never slept with Luna but she still was pregnant with the fruit of their love.  “What proof have you of this?”

“The testimony of well-respected birth healer Andromeda Tonks.”

“Why should we trust the word of a known bloodtraitor?” Malcolm Bulstrode sneered.

“Well don’t complain to us if your daughter has sired or conceived a child unknowingly.” Lucius spoke up.

“Lucius you actually believe this nonsense?”  The Head of Bulstrode Family asked.

Lucius nodded, “My son was a victim of this creature. It sired two children, sons with the heir to a respected line. No Malfoy is born a bastard; they have recently bonded and are in seclusion. After the birth they will be finishing their interrupted exams.”

“Who are the others?”

Augusta glared, “Surely the privacy of minors ought to be respected.”

“We’re going to hear eventually. Kids talk.” Arthur shrugged.

Lucius snorted, “You’re one to talk. At least one of your children is affected by this.”

Arthur turned puce, “Who? Fred?’

Andromeda shook her head, “Odd that he was your first suspicion. Wrong twin.”

Arthur stammered, “George’s never dated someone.”

“Didn’t I say that five of the six couples known to have conceived were virginal?” Andromeda glared exasperated. “One of your nephews is also affected, as well as few distant cousins. This creatures seems especially drawn to those with Black Ancestry.”

A slight exaggeration but Neville’s great grandmother; Harry, Calibom and George’s grandmothers and Draco’s mother were all Blacks. Only Adrian and Blaise seemed exempted from having close blood to a Black; close as in the last three or four generations or so.

“Who discovered the Lilithean connection?” Arthur’s estranged father Lord Septimus Weasley asked.

“A former Hogwarts Professor who specialized in Dark Creatures.” Andromeda answered

“Is he present?” Septimus prodded.

Andromeda nodded,  “Yes.”

“Can he be questioned in front of the parents?” Augusta asked.

Andromeda shrugged, “Ask him.”

“I don’t think we’ll trust her or anyone she claims to be knowledgeable of this laughable story.” Edmund Parkinson sneered.

Geoffrey Goyle nodded.

Severus rose, “Perhaps I can help.” He reached into his robes and withdrew a vial of veritaserum. “If anyone cares to verify that this is veritaserum. That is if there are any decent Potion Masters or Mistresses present.”

Andromeda bowed, “Though not all would accept my verification, I am a First Class Potions Mistress.”

A man stood up in the back of the room, “My name is Damocles, my daughter is a first year.”

Severus blinked, “Damocles? The creator of the Wolfsbane potion?”

The former Ravenclaw glared, “Poorly named. It is not dangerous to werewolves. Any brewer worth his price or a herbologist knows that werewolves are easily poisoned with Wolfsbane. It can’t kill them but it makes them ill. I can verify the vial is veritaserum and check for the potion or spell that allow one to resist veritaserum.”

“You can ignore his testimony. He’s a bloodtraitor too. He allows a werewolf to use him sexually.”

Damocles winced, “I am bonded to a werewolf yes but he is an honourable man. Corey seeks to better his kind rather than to enslave them or terrorize others. My brother chose like my father to cut me off for my choice. I have no interest in being involved in a farce. I am willing to take an oath on my wand to tell the truth about the veritaserum and those subjected to that potion.”

Emelia remembered the man, he had been two years behind her but he had been known for his skills at brewing almost as much as Andromeda who had been Ted’s tutor. “That will do.”

“I Damocles Eran Martin born to and cast off from the House of Belby do swear to tell the truth regarding veritaserum and any existence of false truth creating potions or charms in any person to be questioned’s body.”

Remus stepped forward from the audience, “Damocles.”

The man grinned at him, “Remus! So it’s you? You’re the one who is the expert? “ He laughed, “I shouldn’t be surprised really.”

Remus hugged him, “It’s been a while hasn’t it.”

“Haven’t seen you since you went to take that job at Hogwarts really.”

“Gentleman.” Augusta said sharply.

Damocles blushed, “My apologies, Remus is a member of my mate’s pack.” He cast the spells; “Mr. Lupin is free from any charm or potion that would render Veritaserum ineffective.”

Remus grinned, “Of course. What benefit would there be to lie about this?”

Severus conjured a silver dish and it hovered towards Damocles.

The young potion master took the vial; he opened it, sniffed and tipped a drop on to his hand. “Veritaserum.” It was clear like water but thick and slightly viscous.

“If you will administer it Potions Master.”

Damocles bowed, “Very well but first can I check to see if he is allergic to an,”

Severus interrupted, “He is not allergic. I tested him prior. I knew he would be questioned under it and I had to be sure that he would not react poorly due to an ingredient.”

Damocles nodded, “I shall take your word for it as a colleague.”

Remus held out his tongue.

Damocles tipped three drops on it.

Remus sat stiffly onto a chair that was conjured for him.

His eyes had the well-recognized glaze of someone under the influence of veritaserum.

“Now tell us how you discovered that any of the affected students were once exposed to a Lilithean.” Emelia ordered.

“While both the first two affected had feelings and an attraction to one another, nether had any evidence of sexual contact with another. There were no recognizable human magical echoes. There was something off about their magic. They had conceived but both were honest when they said they’d never had sexual intercourse. I cast a spell that I thought might explain it. Although my knowledge of Hogwarts’ wards should prevent such a creature from being present, it seemed the only likely option. The bearer bore the echo of an incubus but the sire had that of a succubus. It was in turn verified by a different spell but one that had a similar function.”

“You are positive that the children involved were joined only in this way?”

Remus nodded, “Yes. They had never had sex. The first time they did so was after they were bonded and consummated their bonding.”

“Due to the cases you are familiar with what similarities are there?”

“The individuals involved are equally attracted but separated. They are almost star-crossed or separated by a variety of factors. Perhaps, they think they haven’t a chance but clearly they are bound one way or another. The Lilithean merely tied them closer together.”

Andromeda conjured a chair for herself, and stuck out her tongue.

Damocles sighed, tipping the three drops on her tongue.

“Tell us why a Lilithean would be needed.”

Andromeda was stiff; eyes glazed. “Under normal circumstances, most of the couples affected would have no chance at being together. Except perhaps, one.”

“There need not be questioning on names.” Augusta interrupted.

Andromeda was completely aware of what she said but had no control over it. She was quite happy to avoid mentioning names. As a healer protecting the privacy of her patients was paramount.

“You found these couples how?”

“I was summoned to the first when he arrived at his guardian’s home unconscious. I am slightly related to the young man. The other pregnancies were discovered at his bonding. They were guests and witnesses to the ceremony.”

“In the handful of teenagers you examined or had contact with all of them sired or were carrying a child. They were all unaware of the conception?” Emelia asked.

Andromeda shook her head, “No. One had suspicions but did not trust the nurse at school. She was waiting to go home for the summer, she trusted her father to help her. She is young, a mere Fourth Year, only fifteen. Yet it seems that the sire is just as much in love with her as she is with him. I believe they have acquired the consent of both their families. The others were unaware because they were virgins. One was Muggle-raised and had no idea that wizards could conceive.”

“As a healer, how dangerous is it for a wizard to carry a pregnancy unaware?”

Andromeda frowned, “Very dangerous. After all they can only deliver through a caesarean. Any witch or wizard who has born a child knows that they must gain a proper amount of weight; they must eat properly and take care to have enough rest. A miscarriage is doubly dangerous for a wizard, if it is not diagnosed and removed in time it can poison a body and possibly kill them. Very rarely can a miscarriage require surgery in a witch but it can happen.”

Emelia swallowed, “I see. How large of a percentage of the student population do you think is affected?”

Andromeda shrugged, “Worst case scenario? All the sexually mature students though the first and second years are probably safe. I doubt many of the third years would be mature enough to be so attached to another student to draw a Lilithean to them. I believe anyone fourth year and older are more likely to be pregnant. I discovered more of the students currently known to be affected were fifth or seventh years.”

True George and Adrian were seventh years, while Harry, Susan, Draco, Blaise and Neville were fifth years. Calibom Weasley was a sixth year while Luna was a fourth year.

“How will you handle this?” Madam Greengrass asked.

Emelia answered her, “I would like to have the students examined prior to their being returned home. Any discovered pregnancies will be immediately passed on to the parents of both sire and bearer. The idea of counselling by mind healer specialists had been brought up as an option by Mind Healer Tonks.”

Lord Damian Crabbe, Vincent’s father scowled, “Why would that be needed?”

Andromeda answered immediately, “These children were practically raped. They had their essence stolen and mingled with another without their consent. They were forcibly impregnated. Tell me Damian, how you feel if you fantasized about someone, dreamed about them and found yourself six months pregnant and you never slept with them?

The large man paled, “Dunno what a man would see in another…”

“Well then how would you like it if a woman you didn’t sleep with was found to be pregnant with your child?” Severus tossed back at him.

Damian sneered, “I wouldn’t take responsibility for it that’s for sure. As far as I’d be concerned it isn’t mine. I didn’t do the deed. She must be some tramp up to no good who wants something that ought to belong to my Vince.”

Lucius sighed, “That is where we’re different Damian. It’s not the child’s fault. You could take the child from the hypothetical woman, have your wife adopt them and raise it as yours.”

“You’d do that?”

Lucius nodded, “If I were bound to a woman yes. Surely she’d have enough room in her heart for a child who wasn’t responsible for being conceived. I would prefer to sire children with my bonded but if that was impossible then I would hope she would welcome any child.” His words were clearly directed at Emelia- that is if anyone was looking.

Severus, Remus and Andromeda weren’t blind but most were concerned with other matters.

Augusta spoke up, “Are there anymore questions?”

There were a lot of murmurs but no questions.

Emelia nodded at Kingsley who reversed the two-point spell.

“Very well then. The Board is dismissed.  Hopefully, the situation isn’t as dire as Healer Tonks speculates. Some of you might be lucky and your children are neither bearers or sires of children conceived through the influence of a Lilithean.” Augusta said, she stepped over to Xeno Lovegood who held the Ravenclaw seat for his daughter, “You and I have much to discuss.”

The very odd former Malfoy nodded, “It would be wise to discuss the arrangements. After all I would as I hope you do as well, prefer that the babies are born properly.”

Augusta nodded stiffly and they left together.

Adrian had sat in his seat and merely was present as an observer.

So they thought that it was possible that many more were affected by the Lilithean?

He used the charmed doorway to travel to Diagon Alley and then picked up a potion’s vial to place his memory of the meeting to send on to his mother.

Let her disbelieve him then.

 

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A/N: What do you think? Outstanding? Exceeds expectations? Acceptable? Poor? Dreadful? Troll?