Meet the Mother in law

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Chapter 04: Meet the Mother in law

- Albus Dumbledore -

Looking over a letter from Molly Weasley, he stroked his beard in thought. Damian Raum had visited the Weasley Twins, and bragged about ditching both of his Heirship's onto young Grayson.

He found this somewhat inconvenient in truth. Damian Raum was thoroughly a Light wizard, which a dislike of anything Dark due to his fathers death at the hands of Lord Voldemort. Having a Light wizard at the head of two traditionally Dark families would help tremendously when Tom finally returned.

He'd also been hoping to check through the Raum Manor Library, rumoured to be one of the biggest and most varied Libraries in Europe. He was hoping it would hold an answer to his Horcrux problem, with that many books on Dark and Forbidden magic surely there would be something that would allow him to remove the Horcrux from young Rose without killing her...

Damian would have become Lord Raum-Black within the year, and then he planned on approaching him and asking for permission. He wouldn't have told him about the Horcruxes, merely claiming that he had a Dark magic curse to break.

Lady Raum was no fan of his, but then Yennefer liked very few people, and had no problem making sure everyone knew it. Her daughter Morrigan was going the same way, incredibly intelligent, very powerful, and more than a little aggressive.

He'd worried at first when she showed her genius and power, but it had become clear she cared little for political power or ruling over people. She simply wanted to be left alone with her magic.

People that introverted didn't tend to become Dark Lords or Ladies. She lacked the sheer charisma to gather followers.

Keira was another great genius, but an incredibly lazy one.

Grayson... Grayson was someone who had concerned him at first. Intellectually, he was a genius on par with Tom, Gellert and himself, he breezed through classes and was usually studying spells years in advance. Albus had long since known of Grayson's secret trips to the restricted section, and the skill he showed in disabling the wards was highly impressive for his age.

He didn't confront him over it because there was nothing in the restricted section he wouldn't be able to find at his home, and it wasn't worth alienating the young prodigy over.

He'd kept a very close eye on young Grayson, as he did all geniuses that passed through the hallowed halls of Hogwarts (a habit he had picked up after Tom's rise to power), and quickly realised that Grayson was rather weak magically, it was only his struggles in the practical tests that stopped him from completely dominating the rest of his year in grades, as his theory and written exams easily surpassed even Miss Granger's.

Still, one couldn't dismiss the weak. Necessity was the mother of invention after all, and as intelligent as Grayson is, he would find a way around his weakness eventually. The weak came up with the most innovative means of working around their issues. His love of the mind arts showed that.

Grayson as Lord Raum-Black could be a problem or a blessing, there was no denying that Grayson was far better suited for the political arena than his brother after all, but Albus simply didn't know his political views.

He had no problems socialising with the sons and daughters of Death Eaters, though he kept everyone except his sister, Keira, at arms length. He also had no problem socialising with Miss Granger or the other muggleborn students, but he did seem to place a lot of importance on blood purity. His Occlumency skills were incredible for his age, clearly taught by his mother (another curious thing given that Lady Yennefer seemingly did not bother teaching either Damian or Keira the mind arts), and his mind could not be penetrated without alerting the boy, which left his political views hidden from Albus.

It was essential that the Raum-Blacks remained neutral at worst when Tom returned. He had hoped to put their resources to use in the war with Damian leading the family, but that had quickly been stopped.

He didn't blame Damian, it was an endearing act of brotherly love, no matter how Damian would claim he did it, so he didn't have to play politics.

The Raum's not lonely had one of the most impressive libraries in the world, and one of the few places where books on Demonic magic could still be found which was why Tom was so interested in them, but they also had a vast network of relatives and allies from the centuries of marrying into Pureblood families around the world, a brilliant way for them to stay 'pure' while not inbreeding. It got them some scorn from the more... extreme blood purists who saw marrying foreigners, especially ones from outside Europe, as almost as bad marrying half-bloods, but the Raum's didn't care.

The heavy inbreeding of the British Purebloods had a clear correlation to the increase in squibs being born and the weakening of their magic.

It was no coincidence that the most powerful magic users in recent memory, Himself, Tom and Gellert were all half-bloods, and young Rose was quickly following in their footsteps. The Raum's, with their carefully selected partners to stop any close relations from breeding no doubt helped explain why three of their four children were so powerful. Young Grayson had simply been unlucky.

That vast network of connections would be incredibly helpful to either Albus or Tom if the Raum's ever picked a side.

He would be satisfied, though not happy if they remained neutral, but gaining their assistance against Tom when he returned could save countless lives.

He would have to consider how to approach Grayson.

He could play into the boy's thirst for knowledge, perhaps even tutor him like he did Rose... but Grayson was unlikely to trust him if he tried that, they had no connection after all. While he was Rose's magical guardian, he had no real reason to approach Grayson, and Lady Yennefer would no doubt be suspicious of him as well.

Hm, something to think about.

- Grayson - 21/08/1994 -

"Are you sure about this?" I ask, looking into Morrigan's eyes as she grabs the contract from my hand as we sit in the living room, having cleaned up after our ritual.

My Moke is sitting on my shoulder, happily pushing itself against my hand as I pet it.

"Will you make me more powerful?" Morrigan asks, looking over the contract with a disinterested eye.

"Naturally, but you would be forced to obey my every order." I point out, a mind slaver contract with straightforward terms, in exchange for me making her more powerful, Morrigan will become a reluctant slave type, keeping her mind but being forced to obey me. With no time-limit or an easy out.

"Then I care little, as much as I may not want to admit it... I do trust you, and I have little interest in leading myself. I want in on your little group, and I want to learn the magic you and Keira are practising in secret. I don't care if I have to listen to you to do it... but there is one thing." Morrigan adds, her smirk returning as she looks at Keira. "Why should I sign my freedom away... when you haven't?" she continued, making Keira's eyes widen.

"I... I'm more trustworthy than you." Keira countered, scowling as Morrigan went to respond. "And I trust Gray as well. Gray, pass me some parchment." she asks, making Morrigan smirk at her.

It takes her moments to fill out a second contract with almost identical wording. Once signed, there are only two ways for the contracts to be escaped... one, the contract is destroyed... or two, I release them myself.

With Morrigan watching, Keira signs it with a triumphant smirk, passing the active contract back to me as she gives Morrigan a challenging look. Sighing, Morrigan hesitates for a moment before she takes the quill, signing her freedom away for power.

Handing me the contract, she frowns as she looks herself over.

"Did that truly work? I certainly don't feel any different." Morrigan points out as she stares at us with suspicious eyes.

"Morrigan, Keira. Kneel." I order, watching them both rise from their seats, dropping to their knees in front of me, Keira rolling her eyes as Morrigan's eye widen in shock.

"Is that evidence enough, sister? You can stand now." I say easily, staring down at her as she rises to her feet. "Allow me to help you... catch up. Our Ancestor, Raum, was a Demon Lord, after finding a grimoire and potion left behind, I became a Demon and now I have to build my own faction to stop a secret society from turning me into their weapon for world domination. Mother is a member and has raised me to overthrow them and take over the world myself." I explain, watching her eyes widen.

"A demon? Truly? I had suspicions on our ancestor's true nature, but I could find little evidence..." Morrigan says, more to herself.

"Someone, or a group of people most likely, have spent a long time trying to hide any evidence of demons being real. Even our library has been almost completely stripped... I believe mother took all the books on demons and demonic magic into her private study given that Keira managed to find a book on demonic runes in there." I admit.

"Hmm... that makes sense, I've plundered the restricted section of its knowledge repeatedly over the years, but mothers study has always been too well protected for me to get in... tell me, could I become a demon as well? Am I not also the descendant of a demon?" Morrigan asks, making me pause.

"Possibly, there was only one dose of the potion, and I think it was made with Demonic Alchemy, recreating it could be difficult... but not impossible. A project for the future, I think." I say, making Morrigan smirk slightly, deep in thought.

"And what 'projects' are you working on now?" Morrigan asks, looking between us.

"At the moment, we are working on creating a demonic version of Voldemort's Dark Mark to ensure everyone we recruit to our cause stays loyal. We can't risk my true identity or our studies getting out after all. We're also looking into making a ritual to sacrifice our virginities in exchange for power." I admit, making her pause.

"And mother, she knows of all this?" Morrigan continues.

"I do, naturally. You can't hope to perform a demonic ritual on the lands of a Demonologist without me finding out." Yennefer's voice says, making Keira jump as we all turn to see her leaning against the door frame.

"Mother." I greet calmly.

"You've done well, Gray. I was watching in case your ritual went wrong, but you did wonderfully. I must say, I didn't expect you two to give up your freedom so... easily." she drawls, looking over her daughters.

"Well, someone has to look after Gray while your plotting and scheming." Keira counters, flinching as Yen's violet eyes lock onto her.

"I want power, and you are hoarding this... demonic magic for yourself." Morrigan says easily, staring down mother.

"Because you are reckless, or do you think I don't know about your misadventures with dark magic? You'd have gotten yourself killed if I let you practice demonology." Yen counters. "And for over a decade my 'plotting' has been what has kept Gray out of the Lodge's hands."

"So, that's almost the entire family in on this little scheme." Morrigan adds, sitting down as Yen takes a seat as well.

"Except Damian, but I wouldn't call trying to take over a secret society and magical Britain a 'little scheme'." Keira counters.

"I can't fully join you yet, the Lodge... Philippa Eilhart to be exact, is watching me carefully, and I have work to do for them as well that I can't ignore." Yen admits. "But I am 'in' for lack of a better word. Keira, you're grounded until Hogwarts starts again, by the way. I'd punish you more but Gray has need of you." Yen says coldly, making Keira look away quickly. "Now, Gray... what are you planning? You are in charge, after all..."

"Still testing me?" I ask, amused. "Keira, keep working on the loyalty mark. Morrigan, I want you to look into sacrificial rituals, you don't mind letting her into your study... do you?" I ask mother, making her pause, before she nods.

"Very well, I'll key the three of you into my wards." Yen agrees after a moment. "Morrigan, if you want to learn about rituals I can recommend a few tomes to begin with." she says, getting a wide-eyed nod from Morrigan, I can almost feel her greed.

"Morrigan, don't try any rituals on your own." I order, feeling my command taking hold. She frowns slightly at the order, before she nods.

"Mother, keep the Lodge of our backs for as long as possible. As for myself, I need to accumulate as much Essence as possible. We need a place we can work in private, and while the Raum manor is great... it's not perfect. There's a demonic spell to create a hidden lair but it needs five hundred essences to use, and I barely have twenty." I admit. "The more magic in the area I use to make it, the cheaper it will be to create... in the Raum lands it needs about three-hundred and forty."

"Hmm... then can you not make it in a place with more magic?" Morrigan asks, getting our attention. "The Forbidden Forest, for instance, almost every mana ley-line in Europe meets there, and the Forest is mostly unexplored, if you made it deep enough even the Centaurs would not find it."

"It would be risky to build it right under Dumbledore's nose..." I counter. "But when I go back to Hogwarts I won't have anywhere to practise my demonic magic. Having a lair accessible from Hogwarts would be useful... we would have to find a way to reach it without trekking through the forest every time... and we'd definitely need some security wards... but that could work." I admit.

"Dumbledore rarely goes into the forest as much of it is 'Centaur' territory, and while the Centaur tribe aren't openly hostile they are rather insular. There are entire sections of the forest untouched by wizards or centaurs... I summoned my own familiar in the depths of the Forbidden Forest. Plus, there are hundreds of species of magical creatures and plants that could be used in rituals and Demonic Alchemy within the forest." Yen admits. "The wards of Hogwarts block apparition and portkeys, but there are other ways to travel, I do believe there is still a damaged vanishing cabinet in the room of lost things... and if I recall correctly, Borgin has one half of a vanishing cabinet as well. I could acquire it easily enough, but you'd have to fix the other cabinet yourself."

"I can do that, runes are my speciality after all." Keira says easily.

"Morrigan, you're good with wards aren't you?" I ask, getting a nod. "Start thinking up a ward scheme for the lair, secrecy is our most powerful weapon at the moment."

"Very well, I know a considerable amount about security wards, it's a requirement of being a beautiful woman in Slytherin and not playing their ridiculous political games, but I will look into bigger ones while you gather this 'Essence'." Morrigan agrees.

"There's a tome called Demonic Defences in my study on wards that are powered by sacrifice, they are more effective than the common wards." Yen adds, getting Morrigan's attention. "It's why our manor is so well defended, I sacrificed a dozen Death Eaters to power the wards that kept us safe... it was the least I could of after they tried attacking us."

"Human sacrifice?" Keira asks, hesitating.

"I'd barely call them 'human'. I prefer to use criminals, either magical or muggle, for my sacrifices. Magicals are worth more, but muggles will do in greater numbers. For the starter wards, less will be more... if you place too many down, people like Dumbledore will be able to sense their presence, a small collection of wards prioritising keeping the location hidden would be better, and one or two to suppress the magical traces of Demonic magic. Morrigan, when you finish the ward scheme, send it to me and I'll check it over." Yen offers

"I... as you wish, mother." Morrigan agrees, unusually polite for her.

"Now, I need to speak with you in private, Gray. My office will suffice." Mother says, rising with a smile.

"Very well, good night, sisters." I say, giving them a nod as I follow behind mother.

Instead of going to her desk as we enter the office, she moves over to a pair of comfy armchairs she has in the corner, taking a seat as I do the same opposite her, my Moke hopping off my shoulder and scurrying down onto my hand.

"To begin with... well done, using Morrigan's lust for power and forbidden knowledge against her was well played, and Keira was certainly an easy recruit. Triss has been avoiding me, but my familiar saw her masturbating in her bedroom... with your name on her lips." Yen said, clicking her fingers as a pair of glasses appear, both filled with fine wine. Taking one, she sips it slightly staring at me as I do the same.

I can't get drunk, but I can still enjoy the taste.

"Next, Damian... as ridiculous as it seems, has decided to pass both Lordships down to you. As of today, you are Heir Raum-Black." she continues, smirking as I cough up some wine that went down the wrong hole.

Damian did what? Why would he... doesn't he realise the fortune he just gave away? Does he have no sense at all?

"He did what? But... is he insane?" I ask, watching as she pulls a ring out of her pocket, passing it over to me.

A small silver ring with the house emblem of Raum and Black on a black stone.

When Damian became the Heir of House Black, the ring gained the Black emblem on it... and it can only be worn by the heir of the house. Slipping it onto my finger, I feel its magic course over me for a moment, the ring resizing to match my finger.

As it does, the Seal of Raum burnt into my hand comes into sight as it erases Keira's cosmetic magic, before it fades again.

"A simple illusion spell, mixed with a minor compulsion to not pay attention to the back of your hand." she says, sipping her drink. "And yes, I thought the same... but Damian has always been a strange one. He seemed relieved to get rid of two titles men would kill for."

"Does this affect my betrothal at all?" I ask, watching her shake her head.

"No, you'll be the lord of all three families, which while unusual isn't that irregular due to the heavy inbreeding in Britain. Everyone is related to everyone, and many families were driven to the brink of extinction during the two wars. It isn't that strange for one person to end up with various lordships or titles. It will make you rather sought after in the political world as you'll have three votes in the Wizengamot, but you needn't worry about that until you turn seventeen. You should expect various lords and political factions to approach you to test the waters as words spreads of your new titles, and there will certainly be more betrothal offers sent to me, no doubt minor lords hoping for their daughters or sisters to become Lady Black or Raum." Yen admits.

"Hm, tell me if any of them seem interesting." I order, getting a small smirk from her as she nods, almost looking proud.

"Of course... you've taken to giving orders easily." she points out with a smile.

"It just... comes naturally." I admit making her chuckle.

"Naturally, you're a demon descended from a Demon Lord. Even without the sin of pride, dominating is in your very blood. Do you have a plan for gathering the required Essence for your lair?" she asks, staring at me.

"Gorging myself on food helps, but sex seems to be my best choice. My time with Triss gave me more than anything else." I admit, making her nod. "There are mentions of rituals where I can sacrifice people and turn their life essence into my demonic essence but I'm still looking into them."

And honestly, I'm still slightly... hesitant to start with the human sacrifice.

"Understandable, you are a lust demon after all." she agrees. "Lady Greengrass has asked to meet you before Hogwarts starts, if you are willing I was planning on arranging for you to visit the Greengrass Manor in two days time, to meet your future wife and in-laws."

"Hm, that's fine. It would be useful to meet Daphne out of Hogwarts. I have a feeling it is going to be an awkward conversation and it will be better if we can have it in private." I agree.

"Very well... just remember, Anastasia Greengrass is a lower-ranked Lodge member, watch your words around her and assume she will be reporting to Philippa." Yen warns easily.

"I'll keep that in mind." I say, making her smile.

"That's all I ask. Now, it is getting late, and I think it is time I go to bed... are you coming?" she asks, standing up with a sultry grin.

- Next Morning - 22/08/1994 -

Waking up to something warm and wet wrapped around my dick, I lazily open my eyes and look down into mothers beautiful violet eyes as she stares up at me, bobbing her head as she suctions her cheeks in.

Well... I usually get out of bed quickly and get to my daily tasks... today I feel like having a lie-in.

Pulling her head back, she smiles at me as she wraps her fingers around my length, gently stroking it.

"Good morning, Gray... I thought I'd give you a nice wake-up call." Yen says, leaning back down placing a kiss on the side of my shaft, nuzzling it.

"Morning, Yen." I say, reaching down and stroking her raven black hair. "It's certainly a wonderful thing to wake up to..." I admit as she smirks.

"'Yen'? I suppose it would be weird to call me mother when I'm doing this..." she admits, taking the tip back into her mouth, not stopping until her lips are pressed against my crotch.

Last night we actually mostly just slept... aside from some groping and a handjob... and sleeping with Yen naked next to me was definitely an improvement over my typical nights... though if she hadn't given me that handjob, I might have lost control as she spooned me, her flawless ass pressing against my crotch.

Every... release takes the edge off my lusts, which is important to remember.

Leaning back, I groan as she starts gulping, her throat tightening down on my shaft, never breaking eye contact with me as she starts to move again, a slender hand fondling my balls as she smirks around my shaft.

It's only my demonic nature and my occlumency that lets me last more than a couple of minutes under her expert blowjob, and with a satisfied groan, I cum, watching her easily swallow it all down as she pulls back, a bit of my seed leaking out of the side of her mouth.

Watching as she wipes it with her finger, licking it clean I can feel my shaft immediately re-harden at the sight.

"Somehow, I'm not surprised that wasn't enough... very well, I have some time before I have to go to the Wizengamot meeting anyway." she says, lowering her head back down with a smirk. "Maybe it's your nature... but you taste delicious." she admits, right before she parts her lips and starts again.

- Later -

Essence is weird.

I got more for that morning session than I did for my time with Triss... quite a bit more. I came twice both times, and I did return the favour and made Yen cum as well... so was it the girl that made the difference? The direct blood relation might have made it more sinful?

I have no idea.

Morrigan and Keira are researching today, Morrigan plundering mothers study now that she has permission, which has left her more friendly than usual.

Given that they are both busy, Mother has gone to the Wizengamot meeting, and Triss is still avoiding me, I had a free day...

So I've decided to test some things out.

Which is why I'm currently in the muggle world, dressed in a simple pair of jeans and a white t-shirt.

I can't use my wand out here, not with the trace applied to it, but wandless magic can't be traced by the ministry... which is why I learnt to Apparate without my wand.

I don't have my licence, obviously... I'm a couple of years too young to take the test, but as long as I'm not stupid, I can get away with it.

I have a minimal selection of spells that I'm good enough to cast without my wand, firstly... Accio because if I get disarmed, calling my wand back would be essential.

Legilimens because what's the point of reading minds if I have to point a wand at my target and give away what I'm doing?

Apparition, just in case I need to get away in a hurry.

It would be ideal to get a wand without the trace... but those are both highly illegal and hard to come by, even harder to get one that matches you.

I've got my wand in its holster just in case, made of Walnut with a Hungarian Horntail Heartstring, I've always been proud of it. Walnut is known for being well-matched with highly intelligent masters, and Dragon Heartstrings make for powerful wands. I've heard other people with Dragon wands claim their wand disobeys them a lot, but I've never had that problem.

Sure, it's a bit headstrong sometimes but my wand has never failed me, not even once.

Curiously enough, Ollivander told me that he'd only seen one other person to use that same combination as me... Bellatrix Lestrange. Not sure what that means since my aunt is a psychopathic mass murderer, but it is nice to...

Bellatrix's wand would have had the trace removed from it.

I don't think it was destroyed... but where would it be? Something to look into.

Anyway, I was getting off subject.

I want to know if the rumours about sacred ground hurting Demons is real, if scripture can hurt me, if religious artifacts can ward me off.

Which is why I am in an idyllic little muggle village.

Looking at the church I hesitate before I head inside.

There's an innate sense of wrongness as I walk through the building, a strange pressure on my shoulders telling me that I don't belong here, and as I walk into the main hall, taking a seat at the back, the old man's sermon to the half-full room pierces my skull, ringing through my head.

With my Occlumency, I can prevent myself from showing any outward reaction as pain courses through my body, and it's nothing I can't handle.

The crosses on the wall make me force down a scowl... they couldn't drive me off, but the mere sight of them is enough to make me clench my fists in foreign anger.

Staring at the old man in his priestly robe... I can feel my wrath building up, something deep within me wants to rush forwards and rip his throat out, to slaughter these sheep gathering in this 'House of God'.

I force them down, naturally, but that doesn't lessen my anger.

The moment the sermon ends, I practically flee the building, checking no-one is watching as I down a head-ache potion. I planned ahead.

Watching the muggles leave the church slowly, I can feel my desire to crush them growing, to destroy their petty lives...

Heading away, I feel my rage lessening as I work through my Occlumency meditation methods to calm and control my emotions, I haven't had to do these in years.

It was an interesting experiment... and slightly worrying. If the 'word of god' hurts me, does that not mean that God is real? There was definitely an effect, and I'm not sure what that means for me.

Christianity is basically non-existent in the Wizarding World, due to that whole 'Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live' thing'. Some Muggleborns have tried to bring their religion with them into our world... but it never lasts.

Or perhaps they never last?

Similar to every other idea the Muggleborns try to bring with them, the Purebloods shut them down hard and fast.

Do I have to worry about the muggle Church knowing about Demons? I rarely go to the muggle world, but if they have demon hunters or something similar, they could be a problem in the long run.

I need to find out how many people know about Demons. Are there demon hunters? Demon worshipping cults? Does the ministry of magic know? Does Dumbledore?

All questions I have no easy way of getting the answer to.

I'm not stupid enough to indulge in my desire to hurt the sheep, not when I don't know how harsh the response would be... but I have to admit, muggles seem... less alive than magicals to me.

I think I could sacrifice a muggle without feeling particularly guilty over it.

I have nothing against muggleborns... when they aren't trying to change my society to match the one they left, and I don't particularly have anything against muggles either, but there's so many of them...

Would a disappearance even be noticed? I mean, sure the family might notice but I've heard people disappear in the muggle world every day, what's one more?

Voldemort used to hold 'revels' where they would kidnap muggles, usually a muggleborns family, to torture and kill them, and the muggle world never really knew what was happening. Sure, the Prime Minister might have known, but the average muggle had no idea where they had gone.

Finding a private spot, I apparate back home with a small frown.

If I found the right muggle, one without a family who was insular, then would they even really look for them beyond the initial police investigation?

I want to gather a fair amount of power before I return to Hogwarts, especially if I'm going to be wandering into the Forbidden Forest.

Which means its time to get back to reading through my Grimoire.

- Next Day - 23/08/1994 -

My research provided worth the time... I gathered a new way to use my demonic power after all.

As a demon, I might look human but I am not one... and I can change to my true demonic form with some focus.

I can't use it outside my manor, obviously... but it doesn't mean it isn't useful.

In my demonic form, I grow a pair of large black horns from my head, my ears grow pointed, elven even, and my eyes turn completely black. My lower arms and hands turn black with large claws, and a long prehensile tail grows from my behind.

I also get stronger and faster... but not that much. I am a lesser demon, after all. My skin grows tough enough to resist a steak knife I borrowed, but spells can still cut into it... I checked.

I've also learned to summon and manipulate hellfire, not much at the moment and it is tiring to do, but I've made a start. The purple flame doesn't burn my own skin but it eats away at almost anything else.

I can barely summon a snitch sized ball of flames at the moment, and controlling it is difficult as it resists my attempts to mould it, but the saying is true...

Practice makes perfect.

There are also explanations about how to summoner weaker demons and bind them to your will, but I'm not going to risk that until I have a safe hideout. Damian finding a demon would be a bit of a problem.

Coming out of the floo network, I brush the ash off my robe and straighten up as I make eye contact with my future mother in law, a pair of grey eyes staring into mine as she smiles slightly.

Despite her age, she could pass for a woman in her late twenties in the muggle world. Her hair is pure white, tied in a bun as she smiles at me. Her eastern European traits are noticeable, I believe she was a part of a minor Russian family before she married into the Greengrass family.

Her accent is very English however, posh with no traces of her Russian heritage... she must have worked hard to get rid of it, an accent from another country is a negative in the British Noble circles after all.

"Welcome to the Greengrass Manor, Heir Raum-Black." Lady Anastasia Greengrass says with a deep curtsey. Mother's already told her about my... promotion?

Her respectful behaviour makes sense, despite her being a Lady and me an Heir. Both the Raum and Black families are far older than the Greengrass house.

They are both Great Noble Houses, while the Greengrass Family are just a Noble House... a new one at that. They were a minor house until a couple of generations ago, which makes them new money compared to the much older families like mine.

"Lady Greengrass, it's a pleasure to finally meet you." I say with a slight bow.

"Please, there's no reason for you to be so polite, we are going to be family after all. It's Anastasia." she says with a smile which I return.

"Then it's Grayson, or just Gray in private." I return easily.

"Well then, Gray... please, call me Ana. If you would follow me, Daphne will be here shortly but I wanted to speak to you in private beforehand." Anastasia says as she leads me to the sitting room, despite myself I can feel my eyes moving to her backside as she walks, a tight green dress sticking to her skin and accentuating her... features. More importantly, it's made of Acromantula silk, and that's not cheap.

My robes are made of the same thing, but less decorative than hers. Mine is probably worth more though with the enchantments, cooling charms, self-repair, minor damage resistance and a dozen others. Also, mine has a Moke hiding in the pocket, so I win by default.

I really need to think of a name for the tiny lizard that has stuck to me ever since I summoned her, and it is a her despite my original thoughts. She's growing on me quickly, and not just because I can see through her eyes even when we are separate. She makes a wonderful spy.

Ana is wearing a very expensive Italian perfume, I know that scent after all, it's the same one Keira likes to wear when we attend the various Balls and Events.

As she sits down, I take the seat opposite with her, thinking hard.

She's wearing an expensive necklace, silver with emeralds that dips into her cleavage, drawing my eyes. The necklace itself is well made, Goblin-made even, but the enchantments on it are what make it so valuable. It's old, older than the Greengrass family at the very least. Not an heirloom then, it must have cost her a fortune.

She's dressed to impress... which raises some alarms since she has little reason to be so dressed up when I've already agreed to marry Daphne.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, your Mother and Triss speak about you, fondly and often." she says, clapping her hands as drinks appear on the table between us.

An impressive trick, and the same one Dumbledore does ever feast... which is why I'm not impressed. All she did was signal the house-elves to bring the drinks.

"I'm afraid that puts me at a disadvantage, Ana... I know a little about you but less than I would like to." I say returning her smile as I sip the drink.

Again, a very expensive brand of wine.

She's showing off... no, she's showing me the Greengrass families significant advantage, its vast wealth and ability to get things from all over the world.

"Well, we will have plenty of time for you to learn everything there is to know about me..." she says, the slightest hint of a flirty tone beneath the polite manners. "I must say, I was surprised at how quickly you agreed to your betrothal, it took me the better part of a year to convince Daphne to accept it, and you accepted in a single night... may I ask why you accepted it so easily?"

"I could see the benefit of uniting our families. The Raum and Black Houses are two of the oldest Noble families in the world, and certainly some of the most powerful. That said, while we are... very wealthy, most of our wealth is simply sitting in a vault or it is in artifacts and tomes. The Greengrass family are relatively young in comparison and lack any real political power, but you are one of the wealthiest families in Europe, better yet your wealth is in your vast business empire, giving you connections throughout the world. Between the political power and respect of my family and the connections and businesses of yours, we stand to be one of the biggest powerhouses in the world." I explain causing her to smile.

Anastasia Greengrass, Lady of the Greengrass Family

Faction – The Lodge of Sorceresses

Thoughts about you – Impressed, Ambition

Lesser Secrets – She is a member of a secret society, she uses her connections to the Russian underworld to assassinate her business rivals, she is worried Daphne will ruin her plans for the alliance with the Raum-Black House and is willing to do almost anything to keep it on track

Major Secrets – ???

Biggest Secret – ???

"Impressive, Gray... very impressive, I see the rumours of your intelligence aren't over-exaggerated." Anastasia says with an impressed nod. "I wish Daphne could see things as clearly but she tends to let her emotions cloud her judgement."

"The 'Ice-Queen' letting her emotions control her? I don't think I've ever seen her show them even once." I admit making her giggle.

"I'm afraid she only keeps that act up in public, in private she can be quite emotional at times." Anastasia admits with a smile.

"I was under the impression she had agreed to this betrothal." I say, trailing off as she nods.

"She has, but that doesn't mean she is happy about it. I'm afraid she is rather put out about this, you might have to be patient with her... allow me to apologise in advance for her behaviour." Anastasia admits hesitantly.

"I'm sure we can get over any... hesitance she has in time." I say diplomatically. I wasn't expecting Daphne to be overjoyed about this.

She's worried I'll use the escape clause Mother put in the contract to cancel it, only I can use it so Daphne is stuck unless she can convince me to do it. Given the clause about me having basically unlimited access to Daphne's body even before our marriage it would be dire for the Greengrass family if I took Daphne's maidenhood and then cancelled the contract, she'd be 'used goods' and Anastasia would have a tough time finding a good offer for her.

I wonder if she's expecting Daphne to be outright hostile in the hopes of sabotage the marriage, being as unpleasant as possible to make me cancel the contract myself.

"Wonderful, I can see why Lady Yennefer boasts about you so much." Anastasia praises, giving me a smile. "If Daphne proves... unwilling to work with you, please don't hesitate to come to me, I'd be happy to help you with her... or any stress she has caused you." she says calmly, making my eyebrow raise.

Her tone keeps gaining a sultry edge... but I am sensing no lust from her.

"I'll keep that in mind." I say neutrally, keeping my eyes locked with hers.

"That's all I ask, now... I think it's about time you meet your betrothed." she says smoothly, rising up. "If you would follow me, she's waiting in a more private room. Mostly because my youngest has a bad habit of being more nosy than she should be." Anastasia admits.

"Astoria is a twelve year old Slytherin. I'd be surprised if she wasn't nosy." I admit making her laugh. "I'm well aware of her personality."

"Have you met her?" she asks as we walk through the expensively decorated manor, paintings on every wall. It's all a bit to... excessive for my tastes.

My family prefer a more subtle form of wealthy, extremely expensive furniture instead of paintings and artwork. In truth, my family manor is probably worth twice as much as the Greengrass manor even if you take the artwork into account, but we have no reason to show off.

"Professor Snape had me tutor her in potions on occasion since I'm ahead of my year." I admit. I know Astoria fairly well... and frankly I'm surprised she hasn't popped up and bothered me like the little gremlin she is.

Snape is an excellent teacher... if you're a member of the Slytherin House. He gives the Slytherins some supplementary tutoring in the common room, it's all very... Slytherin.

I think he actually likes me, but that's mostly because I never need to ask him questions or waste his time with failed potions... other than that, he's simply pointed me to the best potions to practice at my skill level and ignored me beyond that which with Snape is as close to 'nice' as he gets.

He is only 'nice' to Lyra Malfoy and strangely enough, Rose Potter. If you believe the rumours, she's fucking him. It's nonsense obviously, but that's not stopped it from spreading. Snape gets... weird around her, nostalgic even.

"Hm, she never mentioned that. Regardless, you have my thanks." Anastasia says with a slight bow.

"It's no problem, she's a good student... when she is focused." I admit with a slight frown, making her laugh.

"Oh. You've definitely met her, I know that expression all too well, what was she bothering you over?" she asks.

"My love life, whether there was really Unicorns in the Forbidden Forest, why Hagrid is so big, why Goblins are always so grumpy, how Professor Snape's cape always billows even when there is no wind, does Professor McGonagall licks herself when she's a cat, why Professor Snape doesn't clean his hair, where she could find a Phoenix to become her familiar... that was during our first session." I deadpan, making her laugh louder, possibly the first real emotion she has shown.

She's a good actress, but not that good.

"Yes, that certainly sounds like Tori, I wonder why she never mentioned that you were tutoring her?" Anastasia asks herself.

"I've long since given up trying to work out why she does anything she does." I say with a sigh.

Astoria is the bane of my peace and quiet. She's lucky she's cute... and that I'm used to being bothered by Keira.

"Probably the best decision if you want to keep your sanity, raising her was a... challenge." Ana admits with a fond smile.

Reaching a door, she pauses before turning to me.

"Daphne is inside, would you like me to come with you? She's rather unhappy with me at the moment I'm afraid... my presence will likely make her less... pleasant." Ana admits.

"I'll be fine, Ana. We have been classmates for three years after all." I say calmly, getting a smile. "Say hello to Astoria for me." I say, walking towards the door as she gives me one last bow before moving aside.

Opening it, I walk in calmly before I immediately pause in my step, making eye contact with my future wife.

Closing the door, I give her a polite smile as her icy blue eyes glare at me, her face utterly blank except the anger in her eyes. My demonic senses are picking up something from her... and it certainly isn't lust.

Huh... so that's what wrath feels like?

- Bonus Scene – Philippa's Plots -

Yennefer was keeping her away from Grayson... and Triss might be in on it as well. Had they grown soft? Possibly, or maybe they didn't trust her.

She didn't blame them, but she couldn't let this continue. She had great need of the new demon, she had plans beyond what the lodge wanted, and she needed a Demon Lord to complete them.

The Lodge had no 'leader', but she had always been able to get the others to see things her way... but if Yennefer decided to change their plans and she had Triss's support, she might be able to convince some of the others as well.

Margarita would side with them. Maybe Francesca and Ida as well. Fringilla would just to spite her and the others could go either way.

Wincing, she got her dittany and soaked her hand in it, the mark burnt into her hand aching again as her hunter used it to torment her from a distance.

She was running out of time.

In her youth, she'd formed a contract with a demon for great power and knowledge, arrogantly believing she could avoid the consequences... and she had, for a time.

The Demon Earl Radovid wasn't that powerful in comparison to the other Demon Lords, it was why she thought she could escape ever having to 'pay' him for the power she was granted.

She had been a fool, and Radovid had long since realised she had no plans on giving him her servitude and certainly not her soul, and had grown enraged.

He could not enter the world of mortals, but that did not mean he was harmless, and like all Demon Lords, he had agents in the mortal world.

The mark on her hand meant she could not hide from his agents, and it ensured that if she died her soul would go to him.

His assassins got closer with every attempt, the most successful of his agents managed to capture her and decided to torture her first, whether on Radovid's orders or simply because they were sadistic cultists serving a mad demon lord, she didn't know.

In truth she was lucky, instead of being killed, her soul claimed by Radovid so he could torture her for all eternity, she had her eyes cut out instead.

She'd escaped by begging them to stop, claiming she'd do anything to stop the pain, offering her body to them... and when they accepted her offer she killed them all and escaped.

Her eyes were a lost cause, the demonic taint of the wounds stopped any attempts at replacing them from working... but she made do without them.

Summoning Radovid to this plane and killing him was possible... but Demon Lords are bound to their plane of Hell, and he would simply reform in Hell if he was killed. It might take years, or it might take days... and then he'd come after her harder than ever.

She needed Grayson Raum to take his ancestral seat of Demon Lord and conquer the realm Radovid ruled over, only then could the Demon Lord that hunted her be slain.

She agreed with the Lodge's goals... but her main priority was making sure she didn't get killed by Radovid, and she would do anything to survive the consequences of her youthful arrogance.