Author's Note:
I know, I know... this one's massive. I definitely could've split it into two chapters, but what's done is done. I guess this should be enough to keep you fed for the week, lol.
A lot happened this chapter, and now we're finally stepping fully into DxD.
Like I've said before, within this upcoming month (story-wise), two major arcs will wrap up: DxD Season 1 and the Wizarding War. So buckle up. While the next one or two chapters might be relatively tame, things are going to heat up fast, and nothing will ever be the same for our lovely friends.
Celestial Ascendancy
Chapter 53: Of Threats and Hunts.
Hogwarts.
Elias Black.
For the first time since I got the Celestial Grimoire, I genuinely regretted having a particular perk.
My enhanced senses were working against me. I almost threw myself out of the Knight Bus, completely ignoring the snickering girls behind me. That thing was horrible, and not even my modified body could handle the suffering it inflicted.
The Knight Bus was chaos personified, and like hell I would ever get inside again. I silently vowed to learn how to Apparate the second I had a free moment. Or better yet, I'd just rely on Ash's teleportation. That thing was vile.
"Are you two done?" I scowled at Iris, who was hugging her sides, laughing like she was about to choke.
"Sorry, sorry, Eli," Hermione snickered, snorting between words. "It's just been way too long since we've seen you like this. We have to ride the bus again sometime."
"Absolutely not!" I shook my head so hard that I probably looked deranged. "That thing is the product of the devils at their worst, and it should consider itself lucky I haven't done the world a favor by erasing it from existence."
"Oh, you big baby," Iris rolled her eyes and helped me up. "I swear, I missed your whining. You've been so unflappable lately; I almost forgot you even had this side."
"Laugh it up," I muttered as I rolled my eyes and tugged on her cheeks. "Someone has to be the unflappable one."
"Ex-bloody-cuse me?" Hermione crossed her arms and put her hands on her hips. "I'll have you know, mister, I am the only normal one in this relationship."
I grinned and scooped her up, tickling her as she squealed and kicked in protest.
We'd spent the whole morning and afternoon securing everything valuable inside her parents' house. They'd taken time off work to help, and while it had been rough and sad for the Grangers, I was genuinely glad to see them face everything without complaint.
Dan was... well, things were good between us after last night. A miracle, honestly. But I liked him, and Mione loved that I was getting along with her family. That alone made the hidden glares more than worth it.
It was just a shame that Mione tried to keep her relationship with Iris hidden. But I knew it wouldn't last. I had seen her mom looking suspiciously whenever we were together.
We'd finished just twenty minutes ago before we summoned the bus to Surrey for a meeting I was almost certain would end badly. Iris's relationship with the Dursleys was complicated at best.
Were they abusers? I'd say yes. Some of the things they'd done to her while she was growing up were disgusting.
There hadn't been physical abuse, which was the only reason they still breathed, but they'd forced her into labor no child should endure. There were times they'd even kept her from eating.
They were scum... but Iris would hate herself if they died because of any connection to her.
In a way, this was their final farewell. I doubted she'd ever see them again after tonight unless it was for some petty revenge. And as wild as my raven-haired lover was, she'd never hurt them unless she absolutely had to.
"You ready, love?" I asked softly, setting Hermione back on her feet.
Iris grabbed my hand and squeezed it tight. Mione wrapped her arms around her, showing her support. The bus had dropped us off at the park just outside the neighborhood, and I was on high alert, scanning for anything unusual.
I didn't expect trouble, but if Canon had taught me anything, it was that some people, especially the Ministry, were stupid and petty. I was pretty sure I'd already put the fear of God in them, but I couldn't rely on that holding up.
"I am," she whispered, taking a deep breath.
We strolled through the park, the atmosphere tense despite the silent surroundings.
I frowned as Iris suddenly froze mid-step.
She was staring at a small group of guys about our age loitering around the swings. Something about the scene tickled my memory, then it clicked.
The Dementor attack from the canon timeline.
Would they really be stupid enough to try something like that after showing I could destroy those things?
I sure as hell hoped not. If they did… well, so much for my plan to stay low-key.
"That's Dudley," Iris said softly.
"We should take him home," Hermione replied in an equally soft voice, gently caressing Iris's back.
"I know," Iris nodded and started walking again. She headed toward him confidently, but I could see the flicker of hesitation in her movements. From what I'd gathered, Dudley wasn't as bad in this timeline. They didn't exactly get along, but there weren't many hard feelings between them either.
"Hey, D!" Iris called out once she was about twenty feet from the group.
Dudley turned at the sound of her voice with a surprised look on his face.
His eyes widened even more when he noticed her hand clasped tightly in mine.
"Iris? When did you get back?" he asked almost casually, "Mum mentioned something about you leaving the house, but I wasn't really paying attention."
"That sounds just like you," Iris snorted and shook her head. "Before I explain. This is Elias, my boyfriend, and Hermione, my girlfriend."
She squeezed my hand a little tighter before continuing. "We just arrived, and I need to have a serious conversation with your parents. I think you should be there. I'm lucky I found you here."
"Serious talk, huh?" a blond guy beside Dudley sneered. "What, did you get knocked up or something?"
He elbowed a fat guy beside him, who chuckled at the remark.
"You know," the blond smirked, "I can take care of you... after fixing that problem."
I frowned, but Dudley was already moving before I could react like any civilized human being.
He stood in one fluid motion from the swing and slammed his fist into the blond guy's face. A clean, brutal hit that made the other guy whimper. The crunch that followed was sickening and satisfying. The idiot collapsed like a sack of bricks.
Color me surprised.
"Don't you ever fucking say anything like that, Jason," Dudley growled, standing over the guy's head, "Not to anyone. Ever."
The fat guy looked like he wanted to vanish on the spot. He opened his mouth but said nothing.
"Get out of my sight," Dudley ordered coldly.
"I didn't know you had it in you," Iris said with an owlish blink, clearly shocked.
To be honest, I was just as stunned.
"Mum got drunk a few months ago after Dad got a promotion," Dudley started, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish look, "I asked her about magic, you know? She told me a story about your dad turning mine into a frog for, like, six hours."
"Knowing you," he added with a dry chuckle, "I doubt you would go that easy against Jason. Not that he wouldn't deserve it, but… he'd probably end up dead, and I don't feel like explaining that to the police."
"My dad is awesome," Iris said, her eyes bright and a wicked smile on her face. "You're lucky you moved first. Eli gets protective."
"I can see that," Dudley muttered, glancing nervously at my hands.
I followed his gaze and noticed they were coated in a thin layer of frost.
"Sorry about that," I said with a grin that made Dudley visibly shiver. "And thanks for acting before I did."
He nodded slowly, then shook his head like he was trying to clear it. "Don't you kind of need a wand to do stuff like that?" he asked, glancing at Iris.
"Eli's special, even for our kind," Hermione smirked. "Good job back there. But we should get moving. We've got a house to visit."
Right... the Dursleys.
Dudley fell behind us as we followed Iris through the quiet neighborhood. It wasn't a long walk, but it didn't take long before I sensed something off.
"Don't you guys feel cold?" Dudley asked, rubbing his hands together with a confused frown.
"For fuck's sake, I swear to Merlin..." I scowled and looked up.
Iris and Hermione immediately raised their wands, both turning their focus to the sky.
Dementors.
"Why aren't they attacking?" Iris asked sharply. Her wand hand was ready, but I knew she wouldn't use any spell right now. The Dementors were outside of the normal range. Close enough for us to notice them but far enough to have a hard time proving it was deliberate.
"Because they haven't been ordered to," Hermione replied through clenched teeth, "This is a message."
"What?" Iris snapped with a hiss, "You think they just sent them here to let us know they're watching?"
"Yeah. And if we strike first, we're the ones in trouble... or worse," Hermione said grimly.
"I'm going to enjoy hurting whoever thought this was a good idea," I muttered, shifting my attention to Dudley.
He was frozen in place, shivering, pale, staring up at the sky like he was watching death circle overhead. He wasn't entirely wrong.
"Let's get home, Iris," I said softly. "I want to leave this place."
Then I raised my hand and called on my Aetherium, letting the warmth of my magic coat Dudley like a soft, invisible shield.
He shivered again but for a completely different reason. Then he exhaled, his eyes fluttering shut as a peaceful calm settled over his features.
"Thanks," he murmured, barely getting the word out.
-Scene-
I did my best to ignore the huffing and puffing pig I had pinned against the wall.
Vernon Dursley was somehow even worse than I'd imagined. If anything, the bastard deserved a medal for surpassing my expectations.
"What do you think you were doing?" I hissed in his ear, not bothering to acknowledge Petunia clawing at my hand as I kept it tightly around her husband's throat.
"Let him go!" she pleaded, her voice cracking once she realized she couldn't pry me off him.
Vernon's face was turning an impressive shade of purple, but I held firm. I wanted him to remember this moment and burn it into his thick skull.
No one, absolutely no one, had the right to raise a hand against any of my girls.
"Will he act like a civilized man… or an animal?" I spat, tightening my grip for just a second longer.
Dudley stood frozen beside Iris, who stared at her uncle with fury blazing in her eyes.
Finally, Vernon gave the barest of nods. He struggled hard to do it, but I scowled for a second longer.
"Eli," Iris said gently, "let him go. I think he got the message."
Her voice was soft, but the glare on her face said she wasn't feeling merciful.
"You did, right?" she asked coldly, just as I dropped him to the floor.
Vernon collapsed in a gasping heap. Petunia immediately rushed to his side, fussing over the man like he wasn't the most pathetic excuse for a human in the room.
"Why are you here?" she asked through tears, looking up at us. "Why did you bring this… abomination into my home?"
"We're here because your niece would hate herself if something happened to you," Hermione snapped harshly, "Even if the longer we stay here, the more I think we should let you hang."
"What are you talking about?" Petunia asked, fear creeping into her voice as she helped her husband sit up against the wall.
"Do you remember Voldemort?" Iris asked coldly.
"The madman who killed Lily and her husband? What about him?" Petunia whispered.
Iris took a deep breath and began explaining. I stayed quiet, only half-listening, as I kept an eye on the surroundings. Something felt off.
Then I saw it.
Aetherium buzzed in my senses, reacting to a subtle ripple by the window. Since I used it to locate the Horcrux in the Room of Hidden Things, I'd been testing it like a magical sonar. It was just a theory before now, but it worked well enough to spot a presence trying to stay hidden.
I narrowed my eyes. Fucking bearded old man. I had told him we would deal with this.
"Who's there?" I said sharply, "You've got three seconds to show yourself."
I conjured an ice spear in my hand.
"Three."
Silence.
"Two."
A rustle of movement.
"One."
"Wait! Wait, it's me!" a voice squeaked from the window, high-pitched and clearly feminine.
A tuft of unmistakable bubblegum-pink hair peeked through.
"Oh, for... what are you doing here, Tonks?" Hermione groaned, dragging a hand down her face, "And for Merlin's sake, get inside before someone sees you."
Tonks scrambled toward the door and hurried inside, slamming it shut behind her.
"How in the name of Merlin did you know I was there?" she panted before she frowned, "And seriously, stop pointing that thing at me; I'm not dangerous!"
"Of course you're not," I muttered, rolling my eyes.
She made an indignant squawk in response. Heh, she was fun.
"Dumbledore sent you, didn't he?" I deadpanned.
She nodded sheepishly.
I sighed. Of course he had. I told the old man we had this under control.
"Whatever. Just sit over there... we're almost done." I waved vaguely at the couch, and she hesitantly sat beside Dudley, who stared at her like she'd just grown a second head.
Meanwhile, Iris hadn't stopped explaining. She finished her rundown a few minutes later.
"So… he's really back?" Petunia asked, pale and trembling.
"Then why are you here?" she added, confused, "Why tell us this?"
"Because you need to leave," Iris said firmly and with a complicated look. "We've asked a friend to relocate you to another country. You'll have work, a house, and everything you need to live at the same level you do here, if not better."
"We don't need freak help," Vernon growled, finally finding his voice. He struggled to his feet with Petunia's help, wiping sweat from his brow like that would restore his dignity, "We've done just fine without your kind, and we'll keep it that way. I won't be... "
"Dad, stop," Dudley cut in, startling everyone with his voice's sharpness.
Vernon turned to him, red-faced and ready to snap, but Dudley stood firm.
"They're trying to help. And if what Iris said is true, then staying here is just stupid," he said, glancing between his mother and cousin, "I don't want to die because you're too proud to accept help."
Petunia looked like she might faint.
Her eyes darted around the room, from me to Iris, then to the wand Hermione still held loosely in her hand. The mention of Voldemort had clearly gotten through. Her skin had gone pale as chalk.
"I… I don't want to die," Petunia whispered in a trembling tone. "If there's a way out... if you're offering it, we'll take it."
Iris gave her a single nod.
"You have fifteen minutes to pack the essentials," I said calmly, "After that, we leave, whether you're ready or not."
"I won't...!" Vernon started again, raising his voice with a finger pointed at me.
I was done.
I sighed.
He dropped mid-sentence, my magic flaring for just an instant before he collapsed unconscious with a dull thump. Petunia shrieked and scrambled toward him, but I was already walking past her.
"Fourteen minutes," I muttered, brushing my hair in exasperation.
Dudley blinked and opened his mouth, "That was… fast."
"Could've been faster," I said flatly, "He's lucky I didn't turn him into a frog for old-time sake."
Hermione coughed lightly behind me, clearly trying not to laugh. Tonks didn't even try; she let out a wheezing snort on the couch.
Petunia was shaking and stared at Vernon for a few seconds before quietly saying, "Come on, Dudley. Help me pack."
They left without another word.
I watched them go for a moment, then turned to Iris, "You good, love?"
She didn't say anything at first. She just looked at the hallway where her relatives had disappeared.
Then she exhaled. "Yeah. I think… I'm ready to move on."
-Scene-
I walked out of the Hollow with a bit of a bounce in my step, grateful that dealing with the Dursleys was finally over. It hadn't been a pleasant experience, but it could've been worse.
Petunia and Dudley had entered willingly, and I doubted Vernon would wake up before morning. That gave Rias's people more than enough time to retrieve them.
Dudley was good in my book now. He'd genuinely surprised me. I told him he could ask Dobby for anything he needed. The dangerous items in the Hollow, especially the Horcrux, were sealed inside a moleskin pouch buried deep beneath the largest dune in the ecosystem. Far enough that it wouldn't be a threat, so long as Dudley didn't wander. Dobby had strict orders to keep him away from it at all costs.
Ash chirped softly, perched on my shoulder, practically purring as I ran my fingers through her plumage.
"It's done?" Iris asked, her expression difficult to read.
I smiled softly at her. I was so damn proud of my girlfriend.
"Yeah, love. Do you need anything else from here?"
She shook her head with a sad little smile. "No."
"Oh, you poor thing," Tonks murmured, hugging Iris from behind and making her groan.
I chuckled at the sight and motioned for everyone to gather around.
"What are you doing?" Tonks asked suspiciously as Iris grabbed her hand and tugged her in with surprising strength. She was also following Sai's training regime along with Mione. And it showed. They looked awesome, and I hope we will visit some beach in the future because damn.
"We're visiting Sirius," Iris said with a grin.
Ash flapped her wings twice before Tonks could ask anything else, and the house vanished around us.
In a blink, we appeared at the entrance to Grimmauld Place.
I grinned, "Welcome to our family home, cousin," I said, winking at Tonks, who was now staring at Ash with wide, amazed eyes.
"You're such a cutie," she cooed, reaching her hand toward Ash.
My phoenix, ever the diva, closed her eyes and dipped her small head, giving Tonks permission to pet her.
Tonks lit up like a Christmas tree and began gently stroking Ash, earning a pleased trill from the bird.
Still chuckling, I stepped up to the door and knocked twice.
"Who is it?" came Sirius's voice from inside.
"Your nephew," I deadpanned, "I sincerely doubt that you get many visitors, uncle."
The door swung open, and Sirius immediately pulled me into a hug.
"Elias! How've you been?" he asked, grinning as he let me go. He gave Hermione a gentler hug, then moved on to Iris, who got squeezed just as hard as I had. She kicked him in the shin for the attempt, but the wide smile on her face betrayed her.
"And this is…?" he asked, turning to Tonks. His brow furrowed, then lit up with recognition, "Wait… I know you."
Tonks met his gaze with a complicated look and soft eyes.
"You're Nymphadora, right?" Sirius grinned and swept her into a hug. "The Last time I saw you, you were the size of a cauldron!"
Tonks punched him in the gut, making him double over, "Don't call me that, Uncle Siri."
Then she hugged him back tightly, "I heard Elias talking to Bones about your imprisonment... You've no idea how glad I was to find out my favorite uncle was innocent all along."
Sirius laughed and motioned us inside, "Come, come in. Remus is at the dinner table."
"What about the old fart?" I asked with a grin.
"He is stuck in the Lord's Solar," Sirius grinned before he frowned. "Now that I think of it, I'm not sure if we put him there because I was tired of him or if he manipulated us to put him there because he was tired of us. You never know with that bastard."
I shook my head and snorted. It was good that they were getting along.
"Remus!" Iris grinned and launched herself at the werewolf, who stood frozen in place like he'd seen a ghost.
"Oh god, not again," Hermione muttered, facepalming as she gave me a reproachful look.
"The fuck do you expect me to do, love?" I said with a wry smile. "I feel bad, but there's absolutely nothing I can do for him."
Iris reached Remus and gently slapped his cheek. Not hard, but enough to jolt him.
"Hey, Remus… breathe," she said softly, "Eli won't hurt you. Calm down."
Remus blinked rapidly, finally sucking in a shaky breath. His eyes flicked to me. They were wild and scared.
"I... what the hell happened to you?" he asked hoarsely, "You were just absurd before, but now?"
"Yeah," I cut in gently, stepping closer, "I know."
He looked at me for a long second before glancing at Ash who thrilled in greetings, then back at Iris.
"We'll talk," I said quietly, "When Arcturus is here, I'll explain. I promise."
Remus gave a tight nod, clearly unsatisfied but willing to let it go. His hands still trembled faintly at his sides.
"You're safe here," I added softly, trying to help. I felt bad for him and wondered why it was so different with him. Like, Fleur and Flitwick also had inhuman instincts, but they didn't get this scared.
That seemed to help. He straightened, nodded again, and gave a shaky smile to Iris, who wrapped an arm around him before steering him inside.
"Right then," Sirius clapped his hands with a hesitant smile, "Let's get you all settled in. I think old Arcturus has been dying to see you again, Elias."
"Oh, joy," I muttered under my breath.
Tonks snorted beside me, and Hermione grabbed my hand.
"Let's get this over with," she whispered tiredly. The day had been taxing to her, and she was still worried her parents would stay home while we finished things here.
We made our way to the solar, chatting along the way. Sirius was cracking jokes with Tonks, who fired back with even sharper ones, sending him into loud, barking laughter. I wouldn't be surprised if he declared her his new favorite niece by the end of the night.
I should be jealous but would never say no to a bigger family.
Iris and Hermione were walking with Remus, reassuring him that everything was fine. I made a conscious effort to appear as unthreatening as possible. To his credit, Remus was gradually returning to his usual self, even if he kept glancing at me every few steps.
"So, who's this?" Tonks asked, eyeing Remus with thinly veiled interest.
I snorted at the look on her face. I wouldn't interfere, but you go, cuz.
"Remus Lupin," Iris said brightly, waving her hands theatrically toward him. "And this is Tonks. Just Tonks."
"A pleasure, Miss Tonks," Remus said politely. "Like Iris said, I'm Remus."
Tonks gave him a curious grin and started chatting with him. Still, the conversation didn't last long since we made it to Arcturus location.
Sirius threw the door open dramatically, and I just shook my head at his antics. He really was a child sometimes.
"Grandfather," Sirius smirked, "we brought visitors."
"I can see that," Arcturus drawled, then gave me a curt nod. "Elias, my boy. How are you?"
"Why do you treat him so much better than me?" Sirius whined.
Iris patted his head with a smirk like she was comforting a particularly dumb dog.
"Because he's the future of this house," Arcturus said, rolling his eyes.
"And who's this?" he asked, gazing at Tonks.
"She's Dromeda's daughter," Sirius said proudly, "and a Metamorphmagus. Funny how that turned out, eh?"
"Shut up," Arcturus gritted out, clearly irritated.
Then he focused on Tonks, "Come here, child. Let me get a look at you."
Tonks walked forward with her head high and her shoulders squared. I nodded in approval; if there was one way to win Arcturus over, it was by showing spine. And Tonks was nailing it.
"Humph," Arcturus sneered, but I caught the flicker of approval in his eyes. "Acceptable. Bring your mother sometimes. There are things we need to discuss."
"Will you apologize?" Tonks asked, one brow arched high.
"For what?" he grumbled. "Looking out for my family?"
"You left her to rot," she snapped. "Just before a damn purist war started."
"And what, you think your family would've survived if I hadn't watched?" Arcturus shot back with narrowed eyes.
Tonks blinked, dumbfounded, "What?"
"Your mother broke tradition," he said sharply, "She turned her back on everything the family taught her. So I did what I had to; I cast her out. But that doesn't mean I stopped protecting her."
"You protected us?" Tonks asked bitterly.
"Bah," he scoffed. "I did what I had to. For my family."
My phone pinged at that moment, and I smiled when I saw Rias's message; she was ready.
The day was just starting for me, and I still had much to do.
"Sorry to interrupt, but this is important," I said, already typing a response, "We didn't explain this in the letters in case they were intercepted, but… we're leaving Britain. At least until things calm down."
"What?" Remus and Sirius asked in unison.
Arcturus only narrowed his eyes. "Explain your reasoning."
I rubbed the back of my head with a sheepish chuckle. "So… I may or may not have threatened the Minister."
Remus sighed, already bracing himself.
"In my defense, he was being an idiot, but that's beside the point." I took a breath, "Saul Croaker, from the Department of Mysteries, showed up at Hogwarts after my fight with Walburga. He explained a few things about his colleagues…"
I paused. "Long story short? We might be facing a lot of problems soon. And with Voldemort and Walburga still hidden, we figured it'd be smarter to step away for a few weeks and keep the heat down before my presence accidentally sparks a war."
Arcturus nodded once, taking it in. Sirius and Remus still looked skeptical.
"Voldemort knows I'm stronger than him. Walburga knows I'm her match; even if she nearly killed me last time, I managed to cut off her hand and seriously injure her. That means they'll take time to regroup and plan countermeasures."
I gestured to the girls. "A friend of ours is doing us a favor, protecting Hermione's and Iris's families. In exchange, we're helping her with a situation abroad. It won't take long. We'll be back if anything important happens… like your trial, Sirius."
"My what?" he asked with wide eyes and a hopeful look.
"Your trial," Iris said proudly. "Eli and I caught the rat. Madam Bones questioned him thoroughly, and she's planning your trial to finally clear your name. It might take a few weeks, but it's happening."
Tonks hesitated before chiming in. "I… probably shouldn't talk about this, but… yeah. Bones is facing resistance. Still, everyone in power knows what really happened in Little Hangleton. No one wants to say it outright, but the lines are already being drawn. Everyone is waiting for the other shoe to drop. At least the ones that aren't hiding their heads in the sand."
"So yeah," I said, clapping my hands, "We're heading out with one of our friends for a bit. If it's alright with you, Sirius, I'll summon her now?"
He nodded, still looking dazed.
I pulled a small pamphlet from my pocket, poured a little magic into it, and grinned as the Gremory crest glowed softly in the center of the room.
Rias appeared in a flare of crimson light, looking as beautiful as ever.
Iris didn't hesitate and launched herself at the redhead, hugging her tight. Hermione followed just a second later.
"Thanks for the help, Rias," Hermione said softly, her voice warm, "You have no idea how much this means to me."
"You're my friend, Hermione. I'll always help you," Rias replied with a gentle smile.
Once the girls finally let go, I stepped forward and pulled her into a hug of my own. "How have you been, Rias? Are you feeling better?"
"Yeah," she nodded with a bright smile. "I'm excited about the training, to be honest."
I laughed, "And this miracle of you being alone?"
"You just miss Akeno," Rias teased with a smirk. Then she giggled, "She's with the team that will escort the Grangers, just waiting for my signal."
"I might get jealous," Iris muttered playfully, "Well… I would say that, but honestly? I want to watch."
"You're such a horn dog, Iris," Hermione groaned, smacking Iris's butt with a soft slap that made her yelp.
A heavy silence fell over the room.
I blinked and looked around, sheepishly recognizing we had an audience.
Arcturus studied Rias with narrowed eyes. Sirius stared, mouth slightly open. Remus looked tense—like really tense—and Tonks… Tonks was just wide-eyed.
"Those have got to be fake," Tonks muttered, nearly drooling.
"Oh, I can assure you, miss," Rias said with a playful smirk, "they're very real."
Iris and Hermione nodded behind her in unison.
"The Dursleys are in my Hollow," I informed Rias. "And do you have a decent picture of Akeno? I'd like to send it to Mione's parents and tell them to only open their doors to her."
"That might be a problem," Rias smirked, "I doubt she would mind if I showed you the kind of pictures I have of her, but most aren't appropriate to show Hermione's parents."
Iris whined, and I looked at her. She was blushing and getting closer to Rias.
"You know I'm your friend, right?" Iris batted her eyes, and Hermione sighed before pulling her ears.
"Ow, ow, ow," Iris whined pitifully, enough to make me feel a little bad for her. I squashed the feeling. The minx didn't deserve my pity after laughing at me for the bus.
"Iris, focus," Hermione deadpanned.
Rias giggled at the scene before turning her attention to me.
"I think I can find one, don't worry. You'll see the other one later," Rias winked.
She pulled out her phone and sent me the picture. I grinned when I saw it was from her school. That uniform was downright sinful, though at least it was within reason.
"By the way, Rias, did you bring what I asked for?" I asked, ignoring the others.
"Uh-huh," she nodded and reached under her skirt. "Here you go. It's the only one I had on me... We'll get more for the girls once we're in Kuoh."
"Thanks," I said with a smile, taking the devil's phone. I fiddled with the settings and added my contact information, nodding satisfactorily once I was done.
"Here," I said, tossing the phone to Remus, who caught it with a surprised look, "I assume you know what this is?"
"I've seen them," Remus replied, examining the device carefully, "But I've never used one. Most electronics don't agree with our kind."
"We know," Iris nodded excitedly, "But these are special. We can use them without much trouble."
I glanced around and smiled at Sirius and Tonks inching closer to Remus, their eyes wide with curiosity as they looked at the smartphone.
"You know what, girls? Why don't you take Sirius, Remus, and Tonks to the dinner table and order some food? I need Arcturus for something, and Rias can help, too. It won't take long. In the meantime, you can show Sirius and Remus how to use the phone," I suggested with a grin.
They nodded and headed out.
"What's this about, Eli?" Rias asked confusedly, "Why did you send them away?"
"You got me," I sighed, slumping into the seat.
Rias looked at me with concern while Arcturus remained silent, his eyes cold.
"Is there any problem you haven't told your girlfriends, boy?" Arcturus said knowingly, "Take this as advice from an old man… hiding things from those you love will only end badly, whether big or small."
"Well, thanks for the advice, but I doubt it applies to this damn situation," I muttered and rolled my eyes.
"What do you know about Horcruxes, old man?" I asked bluntly.
His eyes widened slightly, then narrowed as he exhaled slowly.
"What's that, Eli?" Rias asked seriously.
"Have you heard of a phylactery, Rias? In anime?" I glanced her way and almost smiled when I saw her eyes light up with recognition.
"So that's how Voldemort managed to come back," Arcturus muttered darkly, "This is bad news… but I still don't understand why you've kept it a secret from Charlus's girl."
The mention of Iris made something flare inside me. I took a slow, steadying breath to calm myself.
"The problem, old man," I said quietly, my voice tight, "is that the fucking lunatic tore his soul apart so badly that a piece of it embedded itself in Iris's scar the night he killed her parents."
Rias's eyes widened. Her hands instinctively ignited with a faint coat of Power of Destruction. She gritted her teeth but held back, taking a calming breath.
Arcturus reacted like the war veteran he was, cursing with enough force to make a sailor blush.
"Fuck, boy," he growled. "You better save that girl. Promise me. You will not let Charlus's granddaughter die because of this."
His voice cracked near the end. My eyes widened; I hadn't expected my great-grandfather to show that kind of vulnerability about anything.
"I will take care of it," I said seriously, meeting his gaze. "That's why I asked Rias to be here."
"Me?" Rias blinked, pointing to herself, "Eli… thanks for the vote of confidence, and I promise I'll do everything I can. But I don't know how to fix something like this. Dealing with souls… it's a lost art among devils. At least the ones my age."
"I know, I know," I shook my head slowly, "You might not be able to do anything yourself, but I was wondering if your brother might know someone. I get that this is huge, but I'm getting anxious. We can't kill Voldemort for good until all the Horcruxes are destroyed, and there's no way in hell I'm letting anyone kill Iris."
Rias nodded thoughtfully, "The only one I can think of who might be able to help is Lord Ajuka… And while my brother is his best friend, he might not be interested from what I know about The Beelzebub."
"I was afraid of that," I muttered wryly, "But I honestly don't have any better ideas right now. I know where all of Voldemort's Horcruxes are hidden, and I could try to purify the damn shards from the objects. Still, I have no idea what would happen if I tried that on a living person. I don't want to risk it."
I sighed.
"I know it's a lot to ask… but could you try?"
Rias nodded firmly, "I will. Iris is my friend, and like hell I'm going to let something that vile stay inside her."
"When will you deal with the other Horcruxes?" Arcturus asked seriously before muttering how insane one had to be to make multiple ones.
"If Rias is willing, right now, at least the ones at hand," I said, "before we leave for Japan. I want them to try purifying the objects without destroying them. Maybe I can save Iris myself with enough training."
Rias smiled and nodded. She wandered around the room, her eyes scanning the bookshelves with interest. I couldn't help but smile at the sight; she looked almost childlike.
She had told us before that she didn't use much traditional magic, relying mainly on the Power of Destruction, but her curiosity had always been genuine.
"Kreacher, can you come here?" I called out.
A moment later, the grumpy old house-elf appeared with a faint pop. His eyes widened with awe as they always did now that he knew I was Regulus's son.
"What does young master want?" Kreacher asked, bowing his head low.
I knelt and gently patted his head.
"Do you remember my father's last wish?"
Kreacher let out a choked sob, "How… how does young master know about that?"
Before I could answer, he began to bawl, slamming his head against the floor. I stopped him with a firm hand.
Through the sobs, Kreacher told us about Regulus's last night alive. And as I listened, something burned deep in my chest... anger, sadness, I didn't know.
I usually tried not to think about my father. Most of the time, it was easy since I'd never met him. But damn… it still hurt to know he died trying to do something right, and Voldemort had erased him like he was nothing.
Arcturus wiped at his eyes when he thought I wasn't looking, and even Rias wore a sad smile as she listened to my father's story.
"He sounds like a good person," Rias murmured sadly, "I'm sorry to hear about all this, Eli."
"I never knew what happened to him," Arcturus added quietly with a complicated frown, "But I'm proud to call him blood. He died like a true Black."
I rolled my eyes at the old man. As if that was the best compliment he could come up with. Died like a genuine Black? Whatever.
"Can you bring the locket, Kreacher? I might be able to do something about it."
Kreacher nodded and disappeared with a faint pop. The room fell silent until he returned, clutching the locket tightly in his gnarled hands.
He clearly didn't want to let it go, but I gently smiled as I took it.
"This makes the third Horcrux we've secured," I said to Arcturus. "One of the others is in the Lestrange vault at Gringotts. Do you think we can use Sirius's position to deal with that once he's free?"
Arcturus's grin turned sharp.
"The marriage contract between Bellatrix and that dunce of a husband she has can be exploited. I never knew her obsession with showing our superiority would be useful someday."
Rias giggled at that, and I rolled my eyes again. At least that part of the plan sounded easier than expected. I just had to wait for Sirius to be cleared so we could put it into motion.
I was just glad that I wouldn't have to wage war against the goblins just for this. My identity and power made things more complicated than what happened in the canon timeline. Someone with my power attacking a whole race would set a problematic precedent, and I wanted to avoid it if I could help it.
"Good," I muttered, nodding as I turned my attention to the locket. I held it in my hands and began channeling Aetherium into it.
The locket hissed violently, its surface warping and melting in my palm. Then, with a spectral shriek, Voldemort's shade burst from the Horcrux, writhing in agony.
"Like hell you're escaping," I growled as it lunged toward Rias, who had the PoD ready just in case.
I conjured spears of light and launched them at the shade, impaling it mid-air. My magic surged, and I poured a bit more oomph into it, amplifying the light until the twisted fragment of Voldemort's soul dissolved completely, leaving nothing behind.
-Scene-
I held the object in my hand, staring at it in awe.
Rias looked curious, but I just shook my head and stayed silent.
The Resurrection Stone felt heavy... not in weight, but in its existence.
The Horcrux embedded in the ring hadn't been difficult to destroy, thanks to my brief but intense practice with the locket. But the stone itself… it hadn't reacted at all.
No matter how much Aetherium I pumped into it, it was indestructible.
I hadn't paid much attention to the Deathly Hallows in this life. There had been too much chaos, too many priorities, and no real way to get them safely.
But now… we had two of them in our possession.
And I couldn't help but wonder what would happen if we ever brought all three together. Considering the world was bigger than Canon, these little trinkets could be mortal, divine, or even worse.
"Are you going to explain what that is, Eli?" Rias asked after a sigh.
I stiffened slightly, then gave a hesitant chuckle.
"Rias… you're a dear, dear friend. But I honestly don't know if this thing is cataclysmic or just a fancy trinket," I said with a wry smile, shaking my head, "I think it's better if I keep it to myself, at least until I know more."
"You really think it's that bad?" she asked, raising an eyebrow in skepticism.
"Hmm," I murmured, closing my eyes and thinking about this little rock's worst possible origins. "Yeah… I think this could be really bad. But it could also be nothing. Just give me a little time, yeah?"
Rias sighed but nodded, falling into step behind me as we walked.
We'd returned to Sirius's house with Ash's help, and I couldn't stop the slight bounce in my step. Things, for once, were progressing relatively smoothly.
From inside, I could already hear laughter coming from the dining room.
I pushed the door open and smiled.
"Hey everyone, we're back!" I called out with a grin.
I barely stepped into the dining room before several heads turned, and the scent of food hit me like a damn punch in the gut. Someone had gone all out, enchiladas, tacos, white beans and rice, spicy salsas, and what looked like homemade tortillas stacked in the center of the table.
My stomach rumbled before I could even say anything.
"There you are, Eli! We were about to start without you two," Hermione said with a bright smile, standing up to kiss me quickly. Iris followed a second later, her eyes shining with mirth.
"Well, well," she drawled, arms crossed and eyebrow raised as she looked between me and Rias. "Took you two long enough. Were you too busy snogging somewhere or just staring into each other's eyes dramatically?"
Rias froze briefly, a bit of pink blooming on her cheeks before she smirked.
"Oh, we weren't in a closet; I prefer doing things wide in the open," she said sweetly but with a sharp smile, "But you know, if you're jealous, I'll try to avoid hogging him during our trip."
Iris choked on her own breath, and everyone else just kind of stared.
Remus paused mid-bite, Tonks covered a laugh with her hand, and Sirius blinked like his brain had just blue-screened.
Hermione let out a long-suffering sigh but laughed a bit.
I glanced between them as they smirked at each other, and I could feel the air around them practically crackle.
Iris had met her match in shamelessness. And I had thought that she had learned with Fleur. If anything, Rias was even worse.
Sirius finally broke the silence with a low whistle, "Lucky dog," he muttered under his breath.
I glanced at him and smirked, "Please, we've heard some stories. You should know it runs in the family."
That got a laugh out of him and from everyone else, too. Remus, in particular, was blushing, probably remembering some of Sirius's escapades during Hogwarts. Professor McGonagall had been quite open with Iris about the Marauders, and Iris wasted no time letting us know.
"Come on, eat before it gets cold," Tonks said, waving us over to the table, "And yes, that salsa is as spicy as it smells. You've been warned."
We all dug in. I found myself glancing at everyone around the table. Sirius looked more alive than the last time I saw him.
Remus, too, was happy. I patted my back, feeling that I had done the right thing.
These two needed each other and worked wonders in healing their injuries—not the physical ones, but the ones inside.
Tonks was already telling Hermione about when she accidentally turned her mother's hair pink for an entire month. Iris was laughing at something Rias said under her breath.
For a second… it all felt good. Normal. Like we weren't about to start the bloodiest war in Britain, probably in centuries, if not more.
Then Rias's phone buzzed, and she turned serious.
"Akeno's ready. I will send the message now," she said, looking at me.
I smiled at her in thanks and nodded.
Rias's fingers flew over her phone as she wrote Akeno. A moment later, the message was sent, and Rias nodded in satisfaction.
"The Grangers will be picked up within the hour. Akeno will make sure they have everything they need. They can also contact me before we get your phones."
I nodded again, my chest a little tight. That was one less worry on my list.
We stood shortly after, and I gave the other wizards a look.
"Thanks," I said sadly. "We'll be one call away, so don't hesitate to ask for help. Take care, and for Merlin's sake, don't put yourselves in danger. Voldemort is a pussy, but don't go acting like heroes; let me deal with him."
Tonks gave me a rough hug. "Take care, cousin. We have to get to know each other better once you return. Maybe you can show me some of the world."
"You got it, Tonksie." I grinned and ruffled her hair, earning a huff.
Remus firmly touched my shoulder, "Take care of Iris, Elias. You are a good man, and we're entrusting her to you."
I gave him a wry grin, "You know how she is... but I'll do my best."
Sirius didn't say anything. Just pulled me into a tight embrace that lasted longer than before.
"I'll be waiting; take care of yourself. You are the only thing of Regulus left," he said roughly, his eyes moist.
Then, they gave my girls their well wishes and waited silently while Rias prepared.
Rias stepped forward and summoned her teleportation circle.
Iris stood beside me, Hermione at my left, and Rias just ahead. The circle activated with a soft hum, and we were gone in the blink of an eye.
We landed softly on polished stone, the cool air of Kuoh washing over us. The sun was starting to rise, casting long shadows across the courtyard Rias teleported us to.
Two familiar faces were waiting for us at the entrance to an old building.
Kiba greeted us with a warm smile, "Welcome to Kuoh!"
Koneko just gave a slight nod and kept silent. She, as always, was munching some cookies. Who was she kidding? I could see the cute smile she was trying to hide between bites.
Well... it was time for a new adventure.
And I knew it was going to be exciting.
..........
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