Chapter-9

[Jan 25th, 1945]

[Late Evening]

Daily Prophet

Special Edition by Aurelia Flint

Chaos Unleashed: The Stark-Lannister Betrayal and Grindelwald's Treachery

The wizarding world awoke today to the shocking news of a devastating betrayal and a ruthless backstab that has left the Northen house in ruins and House Stark teetering on the brink of annihilation. Late last night, an alliance between House Lannister and Gellert Grindelwald, forged in secrecy, was shattered as Grindelwald turned on his supposed allies, leaving death and destruction in his wake.

Sources confirm that Cornelius Lannister, head of the illustrious House Lannister, had allied with Grindelwald in a plot to exact revenge on House Stark and seize control of their northern stronghold. The plan was executed with cold precision, resulting in a brutal assault on the Starks. But in a stunning twist, Grindelwald betrayed Lannister in the final moments of the attack, killing him and decimating the Lannister forces who had thrown their lot in with the dark wizard.

The betrayal has sent shockwaves throughout the wizarding community. What was supposed to be a coordinated strike ended in chaos, with two-thirds of Grindelwald's forces lost in the ensuing battle. Despite the heavy losses, Grindelwald emerged victorious, but his victory is marred by treachery and the uncertainty of his next move.

The Northen houses, once a bastion of strength under House Stark, now lies in tatters. The Stark lineage, known for its unyielding resilience, is facing extinction. Their ancestral Manor, has been ravaged, and the fate of the surviving Stark members remains uncertain.

In the aftermath of this betrayal, the vassal houses of Reed and Romanov have stepped in to manage what remains of the Stark estate, while the Briggs family has seized control of House Lannister, moving swiftly to consolidate power in the wake of Cornelius Lannister's death. This dramatic shift in power has left the wizarding world reeling, with the future of these once-great houses now hanging in the balance.

Lord Briggs, the new de facto leader of House Lannister, was the first to alert the Auror Headquarters to the treacherous alliance. His swift communication has helped the Ministry take immediate action, though the full ramifications of the betrayal are still unfolding.

The events of last night have thrown the Ministry into disarray, with Aurors working tirelessly to piece together the true extent of the disaster. The wizarding world now stands on the edge of a precipice, with the balance of power irrevocably altered. The destruction of House Stark and the betrayal of House Lannister by Grindelwald have set in motion a chain of events that may change the course of history. The Daily Prophet will continue to bring you the latest updates as this story develops, but one thing is clear: the world we knew is gone, and what comes next may be even more perilous than the dark days that preceded it.

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[Jan 25th, 1945]

[Early Morning]

[Somewhere in the Sea]

[A Place Hidden from Both the Mundane and the Magical Alike]

[A Cluster of Islands with Three Large Ones at the Center]

[One of the Smaller Islands Among the Three]

[Stormhaven Isle]

The grand hall of the Romanov estate is dimly lit by the early morning sun filtering through heavy curtains, casting long shadows across the cold stone floor. The atmosphere is thick with grief, a somber reflection of the catastrophic events that have left the North in ruins. Benjamin Romanov, the head of House Romanov, sits in a high-backed chair, his expression heavy with sorrow. His son, Artem Romanov, stands before him, tense with barely restrained anger, while Henry Reed, the young scion of House Reed, paces restlessly nearby.

The room is silent, save for the crackling of the fire in the hearth, which does little to chase away the chill in the air.

Artem Romanov his voice quivering with suppressed fury "Father, we can't just sit here and do nothing! House Stark is gone—obliterated by that treacherous bastard Grindelwald! We have to strike back, make them pay for what they've done!"

Henry Reed his eyes blazing with the same fiery determination "Artem's right, Lord Romanov. They've destroyed everything we stood for. Our loyalty, our honor... it means nothing if we don't avenge the Starks. If we don't act now, their deaths will have been in vain!"

Benjamin Romanov's gaze shifts between his son and Henry, the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him like a mountain. His hands grip the arms of his chair, knuckles white, as he struggles with the immense sorrow in his heart.

Benjamin Romanov, his voice low, almost a whisper, but filled with profound sadness, "Artem... Henry... I understand your anger, your thirst for vengeance. It's a fire that burns in me too. But now is not the time."

Artem, frustrated, his fists clenching at his sides, "Then when, Father? When will it be the time? We've lost everything! The Starks, our liege lords, are gone! What more can we lose?"

Henry, his voice rising with emotion, "If we wait, Grindelwald will think us weak. He'll come back to finish what he started, and by then, it'll be too late to fight back. We have to act now, strike while the wound is still fresh!"

Benjamin rises slowly from his chair, his posture that of a man burdened with a lifetime of duty and loss. He steps towards the two young men, his face lined with grief but his eyes filled with a quiet resolve.

Benjamin, placing a hand on Artem's shoulder, his voice steady but mournful, "My son, Henry... I know the pain you feel. The Starks were more than just our lords—they were our kin, our family in spirit if not in blood. But vengeance taken in haste is vengeance poorly served."

Artem, voice breaking with emotion, "But Father... we can't just let them get away with this. We owe it to Lord Stark, to Markus, to their memory!"

Benjamin, gently, yet firmly replies, "And we will. But not now, not like this. The North lies in ruin, its people scattered and leaderless. If we rush into battle now, we'll be condemning what's left of our house—of all the northern houses—to certain death. Our first duty is to protect those who cannot protect themselves, to bury our dead with the honor they deserve, and to safeguard what remains of House Stark's legacy."

He turns to Henry, his eyes softening with the weight of his next words.

Benjamin, "Henry, I made a vow to Lord Stark long ago, as did your father and his before him. We are bound by that vow, not only in life but in death. That means ensuring that Aryan Stark—the last hope for House Stark's future—survives. That he grows strong enough to carry on his family's name. Our time for revenge will come, but it must be when we are ready, when the North is ready."

Henry, swallowing hard, his anger giving way to a painful understanding, "So... we mourn now. We rebuild. But we don't forget."

Benjamin, nodding solemnly "Yes, we mourn our losses. We bury our dead with the honor they deserve. And we protect Aryan Stark with our lives, until he's ready to take up the mantle of his forebears. Our time for vengeance will come, but it will be when we can ensure that the North rises stronger than ever. And when we do, Grindelwald will know the true meaning of Stark loyalty."

A heavy silence falls over the room as the gravity of Benjamin's words settles in. Artem and Henry exchange a glance, their youthful anger tempered by the wisdom of their elder. The fire in the hearth crackles softly, the only sound in a room heavy with grief and resolve.

Artem, finally, with a slow nod "You're right, Father. We owe it to them to do this right."

Henry, his voice quieter now, but no less determined "And when the time comes, we'll make sure they pay."

Benjamin gives them a nod, the smallest glimmer of pride in his sorrowful eyes. He pulls them both into a firm embrace, holding them close as they prepare to face the uncertain future together. For now, they will mourn. But deep in their hearts, a seed of resolve has been planted—a resolve that will grow into the vengeance they so desperately crave when the time is right.