The Ice Queen

Nasil was grinning uncontrollably. "Ivory, thirteen and a seventh inch, and a core of Phoenix Fire sealed in with gold and platinum. The wand is indestructible. You'll have to practice with that one to develop its full potential though."

"Phoenix Fire?" Bellatrix repeated. "I'm not familiar with it."

"No one is." Nasil explained. "It's a new substance that I've discovered. That's the miracle. Just when I began to work on the ivory for my lord's wand, seven phoenixes appeared in my workshop. It was as if they knew who the wand was for. They provided me with phoenix tears. After that, they somehow . . . demonstrated a magical process that lit the tears on fire. Thus, Phoenix Fire."

"Wow." Harry said as everyone fell silent.

The door then opened to admit a wide-eyed Bess. "My lord! The Ice Queen is here and seeks and audience with you!"

"Where is she?" Bellatrix demanded immediately.

"Awaiting Lord Polairix's pleasure in the entrance hall." Bess replied weakly.

Bellatrix then turned to Harry. "I've done some research and the Ice Queen currently controls the biggest part of your domain. There are a few islands, estates, and cities, but the Ice People are the bulk of it. You must make a good impression on her."

"I don't have any formal training!" Harry retorted.

"That doesn't matter." Bellatrix coached. "If she sees you come down from a throne, no matter what else you do, she will always remember that. You are her overlord and things could go sour if she doesn't put her loyalties with you."

"So I need to receive her in that one room with the throne and banners?"

"Yes! We mustn't keep her waiting either."

Harry then stood up and made his way out the door with Bellatrix and Bess following closely. "All right then. We'll receive her there to make a good impression. I'll decide what to do based on what happens. What is her name?"

"Xerina IV." Bess replied as she motioned to some of the other members of Harry's staff to join them. Bellatrix was seeing to their attendants.

The assembled group entered the large room and took various places as assigned by Bellatrix and Bess. Harry made his way to the imposing black throne that sat on the dais. Closer examination revealed that phoenixes were carved into the black stone. He 'imagined' a similar throne next to it for Bellatrix, but at her insistence, made it slightly smaller and less imposing. ("You're the Lord of Polairix and Earl of the North, not me.") Bess stood on his other side.

"I guess I'm ready then." Harry said.

Bess nodded to the attendant at the main door to the room who opened it to admit the Ice Queen and her entourage. Harry watched as Xerina IV majestically strode toward him. She appeared to be in her late thirties, and instead of the silver hair that Bess, Tess, and many of their fellow employees had, her hair was a stunning white. A crown of clear crystal was enmeshed in it. The most striking feature was the way in which she carried herself. Even if she had not been wearing the white and silver jeweled robes she now wore, there would be no doubt that this was a woman of power and great authority.

When she arrived before the dais, she stopped instead of stepping onto it and studied Harry, her eyes flicking from Harry's signet ring before settling on his emerald green orbs. Harry then returned the stare and careful study. This lasted for a long moment as they each sized each other up.

Finally, the queen fell to her knees before the dais with her head bowed in total submission to Harry, no longer even daring to look at him directly. "Hail to the House of Polairix and the Earl of the North." she spoke. "The House of Corsairix reaffirms its fealty to thee and swears to serve and obey in all things."

There was a long pause during which Harry heard Bellatrix slowly let out a sigh of relief. Apparently an important obstacle had been overcome. Finally realizing that Queen Xerina would not rise or look at him unless he did something, Harry stood up and walked toward her knelt form. He then chose his words carefully. "Rise faithful steward." he commanded.

Harry then stretched forth his hand to help her up. Instead, she kissed his ring and then stood up on her own. However, she still had her head bowed. Feeling rather bold, Harry took her chin in his hand and gently tilted her head up until they were looking each other in the eye again.

After a little Legillimency, Harry was able to discern that Xerina was a very proud woman and had humbled herself before him because she truly felt that Harry was her overlord and had faith in his power and skill. She also seemed to be under the impression that she had just put herself in complete servitude to him.

"You need only defer to me." Harry whispered to her, still holding her head up. "There's no need subjugate yourself to me." He let go and her head remained eye level with him.

"As you wish, my lord." she whispered in return. Then she spoke in a louder voice. "I ask your leave to return to my stewardship to prepare for a visit from you in the near future. The Ice People wish to see you."

Harry nodded. "As you wish." Queen Xerina IV bowed and left the room slowly with her entourage.

"That went well." Bellatrix commented happily.

Bess seemed to be in shock as she waved her hand to dismiss all of the attendants that had escorted them. "Do you know what this means, my lord?"

"No. Not really." Harry replied as they left the room and made their way back to Harry's private study.

"The Ice People are not normal humans." Bess explained. "They're people who possess a powerful brand of magic. You've just been confirmed as their overlord. With a flick of your hand, you could summon the most powerful army on the face of this planet."

They returned to the private study where Nasil was still waiting. "Is everything to your satisfaction, my lord?" he asked, gesturing toward the wand cases still sitting on your desk.

"Yes, of course. They're wonderful!" Harry said. "I'm sorry that I left like that."

Nasil bowed with a smile. "That's perfectly fine. I'm very pleased that you like your wands. Your secretary was most generous in paying me. I thank you. If you'll excuse me." He then Apparated.

Harry sat down at the desk and found a letter from the Ministry of Magic sitting on it. "This must have just arrived." he commented to Bellatrix and Bess. He opened it and read it.

...

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