The Ward and the Queen

They continued to discuss various things and caught up on each other's lives. It was a sisterly conversation, but both sisters were subtly trying to dig out important information from the other. After a while, Bellatrix decided that Narcissa didn't know much about the Death Eaters and Narcissa decided that Bellatrix wasn't going to let anything vaguely useful slip.

Finally, Narcissa brought up the all-important topic that had overshadowed their whole conversation, though it wasn't much of a concern for Bellatrix. "What are you and your husband going to do with me?"

"You'll live here for at least three years." Bellatrix responded carefully. "Harry has decided that he'll protect you and help you in any way he can. However, you need to keep an open mind and learn how to respect people."

"What about my wand?" Narcissa frowned.

"Once you earn his trust and respect, he will return your wand to you. Until then, you're not allowed to do magic." Bellatrix answered, not mentioning that Harry probably thought Narcissa to be a spy for Voldemort. If she was in his position, it would be stupid not to.

Narcissa sighed bitterly as rebellious thoughts and impulses shot through her mind.. "He expects a lot."

"If you say so." Bellatrix commented. "When you feel like eating dinner or any other meal, politely ask one of the servants to assist you. Harry and I will not be around for a few days due to prior engagements. When everything is cleared up Harry will probably want to talk to you sometime, so practice your good manners. You may explore the castle, but stay out of Harry's two studies, my study, and the library unless invited." She then left Narcissa to her own devices for the rest of the afternoon.

...

"Be welcome to Savvire." Queen Xerina IV said formally with a curtsy as soon as Harry and Bellatrix simultaneously Apparated into her private meeting chamber. Harry nodded to her as he gaped at his surroundings. The building they were in seemed to be made entirely of ice or crystal. Maybe both.

"Thank you for your invitation." Harry said, not quite as formally. He had not been raised that way. "We've been looking forward to this visit."

Xerina smiled at him. "The pleasure is ours, my lord. My people are most anxious to see you. However, before we get onto that, I thought that we might take a moment for me to explain some basic social situations that you should be aware of now that you are our overlord." She gestured to several chairs that had been set up.

"I would be delighted to learn more about the Ice People." Harry stated as he and Bellatrix sat down across from where Xerina chose to sit.

"I suppose that I should begin with out history." Xerina mused. "The Ice People have existed since before pre-historic times. We thrived during the Ice Age and even after it died out. However, humans began to populate the planet. This became a serious problem when wizards and witches started practicing a certain brand of magic. Not only were they unpleasantly disposed toward us, but we had a most difficult time standing up to them. The Arctic soon became our home."

"So you're not human at all?" Bellatrix asked in a curious voice.

Xerina shook her head negatively. "Human blood flows through our veins. That is of course the next part of the story. After a great many years of isolation in the Arctic, it became apparent that we would have to . . . breed with wizards to give our race the magical power to survive."

"Let me guess," Harry said, "the House of Polairix became involved. Am I connected to the Ice People by blood?"

A blush bloomed on Xerina's face. "Yes, but not as closely as you might imagine. The leaders of the Ice People decided to breed just as wizards and witches were trying to establish their own private realms. At that time, two prominent wizards were fighting for dominance in Britain. Duke George and Baron Evane. They were both powerful wizards and both had good character and the Ice People could see that one of them would eventually lose the fight.

"So you picked one of them?" Bellatrix guessed.

Xerina nodded affirmatively. "Yes. Baron Evane had a special affinity for magical creatures, so we approached him with a proposal. The North islands, seas, and Arctic consisted of a large amount of land and contained many magical creatures. An alliance between he and our people would give him enough power to dominate the North completely."

"And what was the price?" Harry asked, already guessing.

Xerina's normally pale composure was scarlet now. "He would mate with women of the Ice People until he had provided us with fifteen of his daughters. Male children, which the Ice women rarely bore when mated with a human, were pure human, so we also bargained that he would be able to keep any boys."

Harry and Bellatrix were now blushing as well. "I take it he accepted the proposal." Harry said.

"Yes, he did." Xerina replied. "He was skeptical until we promised that he would be allowed to marry the Ice woman who bore him a son. He provided us with fifteen daughters. In return we bound ourselves to him and his line. We are like the House-Sprites that reside in Nair'icaix. We serve you, and in return, you make us powerful enough to serve you better."

"I see." Harry said slowly. "Where did Nair'icaix and the Polairix name come from then?"

"The Ice People built the fortress for your family. To signify your connection to us, you were formally made the House of Polairix."

"Did the wizard blood change the Ice People?" Bellatrix asked.

A smile crossed Xerina's lips. "Yes, it did. It made us much more powerful and for that we are eternally grateful to Lord Polairix I."

"Wouldn't the blood get thinner as time wore on?" Harry asked, trying to figure out the whole concept in hid mind.

"The wizard blood does not die out as quickly as would be expected." Xerina responded. "Several Lords of Polairix took Ice women to be their wives and sent their daughters to live with us and every once in a while a wizard comes North and we convince him to stay. Thanks to that, our blood is stable for now, although- If you had not been married when you inherited your birthright, I would have offered all of my daughters to be your wives."

"I'm honored." Harry said as diplomatically as possible. It was just too strange for him to swallow.

.....

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