Chapter Six, Wrath of Walburga

Previously on Mistress of Death and the New Start:

~ Castle Black ~

After the eventful day of ten trials that had successfully sent Dumbledore to Numenguard and the nine Heirs to Azkaban for the rest of their lives (much to the ire of one Tom Marvolo Riddle), Arcturus, Nikolai, Alexsie, Dimitri, Ignatius, Orion and Monty led Vasilisa, Natalia and Lucretia back home to Castle Black where Charlus, Dorea, Cassiopeia, Euphemia, Yelena and Melania were all setting everything up for the celebration while they waited for them. This celebration, the Summer Solstice or Midsummer as it's otherwise known, was at a time when food and nature are in abundance so they would hold festivals that are often focused on fertility and the life-giving powers of the sun.

They would light bonfires and dance all night on Midsummer's Eve. Like on Samhain, it is also a time when ghosts can cross over from the afterlife into this world. Which is why witches would wear light, bright coloured flower crowns to ward off the more malevolent spirits. The lighting of the bonfires is intended to boost the sun's strength for the remainder of the crop season and would ensure a healthy harvest. Midsummer traditions focus on reconnecting with nature which is why the wixens gave several offerings to Mother Magic that they would throw into the bonfires as they danced. The offerings are made up of five main items, such as: Oak - its Celtic word is duir, and it means doorway - it is seen as the King of the Forest.

As to wixens, oak symbolises a doorway to both the mystical realms and the new, darker cycle of the year that is about to begin. Mistletoe is long believed to have fertility and healing powers and is thought to harness the soul of the tree and be at its strongest when it grows on oak at Midsummer. The Beech tree, that brightens the forest with its fresh lime green leaves, is seen as the Queen of the Forest and consort to the Oak King. It symbolises ancient wisdom and is a sacred wolf of the Summer Solstice. It is believed that if you write your wish on a beech twig then bury it, your wish will come true as Mother Magic will answer and make it so as the twig decays. Hazel trees are believed to have magical properties and can protect against evil spirits.

They are also a symbol of fertility. The beautiful, shimmering leaves of an Aspen were believed to carry messages from this world to the afterlife. Wearing a crown of aspen leaves allowed the wearer to travel to the underworld and back. While traditionally, shields were made from aspen wood as it was thought to protect against evil, so its symbolism and its part in not only the offerings but crowns as well, played a huge part in Midsummer. Most if not all witches would create flower crowns with a bit of each of these items along with bright colourful flowers; but like all things, how the crowns look and what is added is all down to that particular witch.

"How'd it go?" Melania asked the three young witches, as she expertly weaved her daughter's hair in and around the flower crown that Lucretia had made earlier that week. Which also went with the dusty blue floral gown she was wearing. While Yelena weaved Natalia's hair and Euphemia weaved Vasilisa's hair.
"Dumbledore was sent to Numenguard and the ones who attacked us were sent to Azkaban." Vasilisa answered.
"Despite their parents trying to fight otherwise." Natalia added, causing the three elder witches to relax slightly.
"That is excellent news, Svetlyak." Yelena breathed ecstatic as she kissed her daughter's forehead and then Vasilisa's. "Your Mama and Papa would be so proud of how far you've come." She praised her niece, hugging her tightly once Euphemia was finished.

Everyone knew this was most likely extremely hard and painful for Vasilisa as it was the first holiday without her parents, but they were all so proud of her and would always support her.
"YA tebya lyublyu, Tetya Yelena." Vasilisa whispered emotionally into her aunt's chest. "And you Nattie, Tia, Mia and Melania."
"O, Dorogoy! Ye tebya lyubly, lyuBEEmaya! Always." Yelena whispered, hugging Vasilisa tightly and kissing her forehead once more.
"We love you too, Lisa." Euphemia smiled, glad she and Monty were learning Russian as she brushed a strand of Vasilisa's dark locks behind her ear.
"Your family now. All of you are, and us Blacks protect what's ours like a dragon does its treasure." Melania added, bestowing her own kiss to the three young witches' foreheads.

"Now, let's head down." Lucretia cried, clapping her hands with a mischievous smirk upon her lips that made Vasilisa's heart lurch and drop into her stomach as it was identical to Sirius's, and made her and Natalia what she was up to; they didn't have to wonder much longer. "I'm sure Orion and Alphard are most eager to start the celebrations with a bang with you and Natalia, Lisa." Lucretia laughed, ignoring the blushing witches and the admonishment from her mother as she led the way out of the bedroom.

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Chapter Six, Wrath of Walburga

- Slytherin Castle -

Lord Voldemort had never felt such rage before! He paced up and down in the drawing room of Slytherin Castle, his throne behind him with Nagini curled up looking like a creepy, deadly cat, and three cowering Blacks kneeling before him. After two of his followers had not only failed in killing Lady Peverell, her cousin and Lucretia Black Prewett but had also been sentenced by the three ladies he was determined to get his own back and make them pay. Which brought us to why Walburga Black and her parents Pollux Black and his wife Irma Black nee Crabbe were with him.

He was disappointed that only three members of House of Black had joined him, but he would get more. He knew the three were still sour over Heir Orion Black had found his soulmate in Lady Peverell and had cancelled the betrothal contract between the two cousins. Dashing all hopes they had for their family, which was something he was going to use to his advantage. The greed that broiled within these three would certainly be their downfall; as long as he got his way first he didn't really care.
"My Lord, may I –"
"NO YOU MAY NOT BLACK!!!" Lord Voldemort or Tom Marvolo Riddle raged, turning to face Pollux who quickly bowed his head not able to face the red eyes glaring at him from the handsome face.

That had always secretly ionised him that his Lord, despite the creepy red eyes, had always been more handsome than him from his thick dark brown locks and always dressed impeccably in suits with outer robes draped elegantly over the top. He didn't know how he could look like that given his dubious blood even with being Slytherin's Heir, no one had known who he was until his later years at Hogwarts. Unbeknownst to Pollux, Voldemort had just read his mind and what he had heard only succeeded in making him angrier. Taking a deep breath so he didn't Crucio him, yet, for his disrespect and competence Tom paced until he was under control once more before he pinned them with his angry glare.

"Not only do I have to deal with your competence but also the humiliation for being denied to Castle Black and that afternoon tea all together when important Lords and Ladies were in attendance. I heard there were even some from different countries or had allies in different countries but the head of D.M.L.E Lord Theseus Scamander was there! Then your niece, Lady Peverell and her cousin get two of my followers sent to Azkaban when they failed in their attack. They will be dealt with as well! You promised me the Black family and so far you have failed to live up to any of your promises! I cannot let this stand otherwise the rest of my followers will think they can take such liberties!"

"My Lord..." Irma simpered, but the words quickly died in her throat when she was pinned under his red gaze.
"It is not our fault!" Walburga protested loudly, ignoring the alarmed gazes of her parents, her Lord wouldn't do anything to her as he had told her that he liked her bold personality and the fact she spoke her mind no matter what the situation was. She was too blind with her devotion to see that it was all lies or that it didn't apply to him. As he only needed and wanted subservient followers.
"Crucio!" Walburga screamed under the curse her Lord cast on her twitching upon the cold flagstone floor.

Ignoring the sobbing parents Voldemort held Walburga under it for a few minutes before he released her and cast it on her mother followed by her father.
"Now, have we all learnt their lesson from my mercy?" Voldemort asked as they were panting below him.
"Ye-s m-my Lord." The three Blacks panted, out of breath.
"Good. You will fix this otherwise I will not be so lenient with any of you." Tom ordered. "And Walburga, speak that way to me again and you will not like the consequences of your actions."
"Sorry my Lord, it won't happen again." Walburga apologised, berating herself for how she spoke to her Lord for only a moment before she started to blame her cousin Orion and his hussy Lady Peverell.

"Now get out of my sight and get it done!" Voldemort ordered, picking Nagini up to drape her around his neck as he sat in his throne. They didn't need to be told twice. But as Walburga left with her parents she plotted in her mind how she could carry out her Lord's orders. When they finally returned home she had a plan formed within her mind. She would dose Orion with Amortentia but would also cast the Imperius Curse on him as an extra measure; to have total compliance out of him.

Next, she would make Orion kill his own soulmate, Vasilisa Peverell before she married Orion. If she had to keep him under the influence of the spell and potion for the rest of his life – or at least until she had an Heir and a Spare – and kill off several of her family to ensure it was carried out then so be it. What she didn't know however, was that Thanatos had seen what she was planning and was determined to stop it. Even if he had to smite them himself then he would. He would eliminate all threats to his Mistress and her family.

***

- Ceffyl Sanctuary, The Tywi river near Rhandirmwyn –

Vasilisa looked around in wonder. Orion had taken her on another courtship date at the Ceffyl Sanctuary in Rhandirmwyn near The Tywi river in Wales, that housed, rescued and rehabilitated Hippogriffs, Thestrals, Abraxans, Granians and Aethonans. Which doubled as a gift as he knew how much she loved animals and magical creatures. Natalia and Alphard were there as their chaperons but also on a double date as well with Vasilisa and Orion acting as their chaperons. The four had even brought nine-year-old Cygnus Black the third as they had wanted to give him at least some good childhood memories. He was a sweet little boy, attached to Vasilisa's hip, and didn't deserve to be shut in his manor with either his sister and parents (who were horrible to him) or just with house-elves for company.

"LISA!! LOOK!!!" Cygnus exclaimed excitedly, bouncing on the spot with such a force that he was shaking her arm that held his hand while the other was pointing in the direction to the Hippogriffs beyond the fence in all different coloured plumages.
"I know sweetie, they're beautiful." Vasilisa whispered reverently, her Russian accent thick with her awe and wonder. "But you need to calm down sweetheart, we don't want to spook them. Do you remember what I taught you about Hippogriffs?"

"Yes." Cygnus nodded his head rapidly that Vasilisa and Natalia were worried that he would give himself whiplash. Alphard had to stifle his amusement at his little brother, but it was refreshening and heartening to see him be himself and be so happy, without any fear or caution in his countenance. As for Orion, he literally had heart-eyes as he watched Vasilisa interact with his cousin. He knew right then that she would be an astonishing mother to their children, there would be no one better and that thought made the Black Dog and himself beyond happy as the Black Dog oozed happiness.

"You have to slowly approach and bow deeply keeping your face upturned so they can look into your eyes. When they bow back, you can then approach them, you also have to be very respectful towards them as they are very easily offended." Cygnus explained, his excitement mounting.
"Good job little swan." Natalia and Vasilisa praised, Natalia ruffling his hair with her white lace gloved hand. They had thought that Cygnus couldn't get any happier but when Natalia and Vasilisa praised him his eyes seemed to shine with light and happiness.
"Are you ready to meet them? And find out what the second part of your gift is, Lisa?" Orion asked, holding her free hand, bringing it up to his mouth to kiss her knuckles through her black lace glove.

"What is it? Ori, what is it?" Cygnus asked before Vasilisa could, making them all laugh and look at the nine-year-old fondly.
"Well," Orion drawled, laughing when Cygnus whined and complained at his cousin. Now it was Vasilisa's time to look at her soulmate with heart-eyes. She knew then it hadn't been Orion's fault why Sirius and Regulus had a rubbish life – to put it lightly. She couldn't help her heart, as thought how the man before her would be with them this time and their other children (she wasn't waiting for 1959 to have a child with him). If how he was with Cygnus was any indication he would be a wonderful father.

"Don't tease him, cousin." Alphard laughed.
"Like you're any better." Natalia admonished with a laugh, gently whacking him on the chest. Alphard held his hands up conceding to her, pressing a kiss to the corner of her lips.
"Fine. Fine." Orion laughed. "I have brought some Hippogriffs, a male and a female, to start her own herd. As well a male and female pair of Thestrals, Abraxans, Granians, Griffins and Aethonans. As Peverell Castle is nearly ready thanks to the Goblins, they'll go straight to Peverell Sanctorum Castle in Scotland once it's complete but will stay here until then." Orion explained to the shock of his cousins, Vasilisa and Natalia.

All the animals that had once resided within its grounds now lived in Potter Manor. For the last few months Vasilisa – with help from her aunt, uncle and cousins Fleamont and Charlus were assessing the plants for both normal, Herbology and Potion use and if they weren't intact they were doing away with them and replacing them. Thankfully, the majority of the plants and ingredients had been under advanced Stasis Charms, so they weren't losing historic plants and ingredients or even just normal ones. But as they were going to be living there once they were married (Orion planned to gift Castle Black to Alphard and Natalia upon their marriage), Orion wanted to have the grounds teaming with life for his love and their children.

Plus the sanctuary survived off of donations so this helped them immensely despite the pretty Knuts it cost him to purchase all of them, as you were looking at 5,000 Galleons just for one.
"WOW!!!" Cygnus cried, staring at Orion in wonder. "Can I meet them when they get there?" He asked, looking from Vasilisa to Orion hopefully.
"But of course." Vasilisa agreed. "But only after they have settled into their new home and have got used to Ori and me first. We won't risk your safety, Dorogoy. It means sweetheart in Russian." She added at Cygnus' confused expression.
"Okay." Cygnus nodded in agreement. "What does the name of the sanctuary mean? And can we go meet them now? We have to bow to all of the others here too, don't we?"

"It means horse in Welsh." Alphard explained to his little brother. "As the majority here are essentially winged horses. The others are further within the sanctuary, Cy." He added knowing what his brother's next question would be.
"We do, little swan and if you're calm we can go meet them." Natalia agreed, taking Cygnus' hand to allow her cousin time with just her soulmate. Winking back at Vasilisa, she and Alphard led Cygnus further into the sanctuary.
"Thank you Ori. You didn't have to but thank you." Vasilisa whispered, smiling brightly at him.

"You're welcome, Lisa. I wanted to, I know how much you love them, and I want Peverell Castle to feel like a home for you, and I want our children to love them just like her mother. Plus all the purchases help out this sanctuary as they rely on donations and transactions." At his words Vasilisa's heart swelled with love; the pair leaned in to share a sweet kiss. "Have you heard anything from any of the Alphas?" He asked once they pulled back. He took her hand as the pair followed sedately behind their cousins.
"Yes, all three of them in fact." Vasilisa replied, stumping Orion.

"All three of them?" Orion questioned, pulling them to stop so he could clearly stare at her. Vasilisa nodded, humming her agreement.
"All three Alphas have agreed to meet and hear us out. Alexsie has contacted Ivan to be there as well as he reacted well to the potion and saw a significant improvement before and after the Full Moon. That way they can see that the potion does in fact work and we aren't just assuming it will work. Of course, the effects may differ per person. Some may wake up the day after with no pain at all while others may either be just sore or with minimal pain."

Orion nodded as that was a smart approach.
"I'm sure even just being sore or having minimal pain will be better than what they had to go through before you, Alphard and Uncle Regulus came up with the potion." Orion pointed out.
"True." Vasilisa agreed, nodding her head.
"I am so incredibly proud of you, my love and so lucky you're my soulmate. When do we meet them?" Orion asked as there was no way he wasn't going with her even if she wouldn't be alone and was more than capable of handling and protecting herself.
"Next Friday." Vasilisa told him. "10th September."

"Okay when we get back I'll add it to the calendar." Orion stated, as they finally approached the fence and bowed to the Hippogriffs, waiting for them to bow back which they eventually did; bowing back to Vasilisa quicker then the rest. Just as they were enjoying their date and day out, halfway through the day just after lunch, Orion, Natalia and Alphard noticed a change in Vasilisa. While Cygnus was distracted by the animals they asked her what was wrong, the explanation they got certainly wasn't what they thought or hoped they would get.

Vasilisa explained Death just told her of what had happened between Tom Riddle, Pollux, Irma and Walburga. What Walburga had been tasked with and what she was planning to do to the family, what she planned to do to Orion and what she planned to make Orion do to Vasilisa. Leave it to Walburga to bring down the mood.
"When we get home we'll let Mother and Father know, Lisa. I won't let her succeed. I promise." Orion swore, holding her close to him for his own peace of mind as well as his own.
"I can send them a Patronus Message as well as sending one to my uncle." Vasilisa suggested.

Once the messages were sent, they tried to put it to the back of their mind and enjoy the rest of their date and day out together. They would not let them ruin this day as they knew the moment they did then they would have won. And that was something they wouldn't accept. They will deal with the three family traitors, and they will severely regret the decision to betray the family; a family that also included Vasilisa, Natalia (with her betrothal to Alphard) Alexsie, Dimitri, Yelena and Nikolai. And as for Tom Riddle the self-proclaimed rising Dark Lord, he was on his way to his destruction; a destruction that was of his own making.

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Author's note: DO NOT ask me to update in any way shape or form. There are other ways of telling me what you thought of this.

Main Ships:

• Vasilisa & Orion
• Natalia & Alphard
• Lucretia & Ignatius

Ship votes:

• Alexsie & Eileen Prince: 5

• Alexsie & Nala Okoro: 1

• Alexsie & Sofia Krum: 4

• Dimitri & Alyssa Scamander: 6

• Dimitri & Hana Kim: 1

• Dimitri & Emma Greengrass: 2

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Russian to English Translations:

• Dorogoy = sweetheart
• YA tebya lyublyu = I love you

• YA tebya lyublyu, lyuBEEmaya = I love you, my darling.

• lyuBEEmaya = darling, my love (feminine).

• Svetlyak = firefly.