5: Ned II

It took a few moments to recover after Ned and his men turned themselves into torches, taken completely by surprise by the impossible nature of the Wizards' Fire Whiskey. Truly, none of them had expected to belch great gouts of flame like Volantene street performers. Their Wizardly hosts laughed at their sudden predicament, as did Jon and Robb who were 'unlucky' enough to be stuck with simple sweet beer.

It was not malicious laughter, more the good-natured sort of mockery that initiated men to each other. The kind to be found in taverns across the lands or an army's camp. Through this laughter, bonds would be formed and morale would be raised. Ned knew that much from personal experience.

And after the initial shock had passed, Ned found he quite liked the Wizards' 'Fire Whiskey'. It was strong and smokey, with good flavor for sipping or well-watered gulps. Robert would sell his firstborn for a supply of the stuff, Ned noted both fondly and bitterly. The 'Butter Beer' that Jon and Robb partook in was not bad either. A touch too sweet for Ned's liking but he imagined his Lady Wife and other Southron Ladies would greatly enjoy it.

A few moments more were taken — as Lord Wyman jested — 'digesting' the information already revealed. It was staggering. Almost unbelievable. Yet Ned had seen enough proof to satisfy his doubts. The true sticker — other than the undeniable magic the Wizards wielded — was the foreign coinage they had in abundance. Even with magic, Ned could not see someone wasting so much gold so pointlessly. The only explanation in his mind was that it truly was the currency of a kingdom now lost to the Wizards.

Then, of course, there was the Dragon in the room. Magic. Something simply so far beyond words. Even now, looking up, Ned could see the sky as if he stood under it himself instead of sitting within a castle's Great Hall. They'd even experienced it for themselves, breathing fire from a mere sip of strong alcohol.

This revelation… It may very well change everything for the North. What else could their magic do? A boon to food production? A solution to the harsh winters this far north? An unbeatable, magical shield to defend the realm? They were truly fortunate to host Hogwarts and its Wizards. As was Hogwarts fortunate to have appeared in the North and not anywhere else.

For his honor and his duty to those under his rule, Ned felt the need to meet Hogwarts on fair ground. No matter what some of his bannermen or even his Lady Wife would say, securing Hogwarts' friendship and loyalty was paramount. He'd already prepared himself to offer reasonable concessions to achieve that, and he suspected Lord Wyman was the same.

Despite what Ned had worried, the Lord of White Harbor was not fearful of the magic on display by the castle in his lands. A miracle, honestly, perhaps one sent by the Seven. Ned knew better than to expect it to repeat with the Southron Faithful. But that inevitable backlash was a bridge he'd cross when he came to it. It would be good to remind the Faith that they held no real sway in the North.

Even leaving aside Ned's desire for peace and friendship, a decision would have to be reached here today. Hogwarts was a sizeable castle, stuck right in the midst of the North. While not as defensible as Winterfell or the Dreadfort, it couldn't be allowed to simply 'exist'. Not without securing it in some way. Ned would much rather it be secured through alliance than through siege.

For the time being, Ned and Lord Wyman had scant information on the inner workings of Hogwarts, of this veritable faction that had suddenly appeared in their domains. And it was a faction. If their magic didn't see to that, then the nature of Castle Hogwarts would.

It wasn't held by a single House, rather it was a school for Highborn youth. All of whom were now the heads of their noble families due to their involuntary migration. Ned shuddered slightly at that thought — both for everything the poor youths had left behind and the fact that Westeros had suddenly received an influx of noble Houses on par with a second Andal Invasion.

Ned did not doubt that Hogwarts' noble Houses would be recognized as such eventually. The power of magic would see to that, even as it caused them to be loathed by some in the South in equal measure. Still, the North would be the first to recognize their noble claims. Ned would make sure of that. Honor demanded that their now-lost lineages be acknowledged and it was one of the concessions he was prepared to make regardless.

Once recognized and properly elevated, Hogwarts' noble Houses would be an alliance bloc to rival one of the kingdoms. In Highborn numbers at least. Thankfully, not in land or martial size. Having all of their alliance concentrated within a single castle was a precarious situation — one open to decapitation — but Ned expected they would cover that vulnerability rather well with magic.

Hogwarts would stand together though, that much Ned was certain. They wouldn't have any other choice. They were strangers in foreign lands. If they didn't stand together, they would be weak — relatively easy for the rest of Westeros to divide and conquer. Thankfully, they were already unified by their school. The removal from their homelands would only strengthen those bonds. Ned did not envy the poor souls who would try to break Hogwarts' alliance.

Ned's mind was set on getting into Hogwarts' good graces early. Forming strong ties to the North and Starks, if possible. If the prospect of magic didn't make the course of action logical enough, Ned still saw Atlas' Direwolf showing as a sign of some sort. He was curious about the young man and more than willing to extend the first hand in friendship.

"If I may ask, Lord Atlas, what is your role in Hogwarts? That of your House?" Ned asked. "And your Lady Wife's as well?"

Ned turned to the impossibly beautiful woman who all but declared herself for Atlas before the meeting, giving a respectful nodding bow. The woman preened much like the peacocks of Dorne at the attention. Atlas blinked in surprise. Then, to Ned's surprise, the younger half of the Hogwarts delegation began to laugh as if he'd said something ridiculous.

Atlas' wife sputtered, blushing in the face of the laughter, "W-What?! It is not so ridiculous that he would mistake me for Atlas' wife, no~?! I am the most beautiful among us~!"

"Debatable, Sister," An equally beautiful woman, younger than the first and obviously sharing the same blood, interrupted.

Atlas' wife ignored her, "Yes, I believe I shall assume the title immediately! Oh~! My vows, I must work on my vows~! Then he will bless me with the most divine of wedding nights~… O-Oh, the wedding night~! Ma body, ma heart, ma mind are already his but he will soon show this new world as well~! Quickly, Atlas, my beloved~! Quickly~! Take me~!"

The indecent moaning and mewling mess she almost immediately dissolved into made Ned's hardened men-at-arms blush like boys with their first whore. Some even outright turned around as the scene became too much for them. Only Ned's steadfast loyalty to his Lady Wife and shielding Jon and Robb from the salacious display kept Ned from doing the same.

Uncaring of her audience, Atlas' wife — of which Ned was beginning to have doubts — physically threw herself at the young Lord. Atlas simply sat there, impressively unmoved. But then, even the others at the table were not so offended. Thankfully, Atlas brought the wanton woman to heel with a firm chop to the top of her head, bringing about the almost unthinkable scene of a beautiful maiden face-faulting comically onto the table.

"Down, Fleur. We're in good and polite company," Atlas chided. "Company that is decidedly not used to your usual… everything, must I remind you."

Lady Fleur looked up at Atlas with tearful, dramatic eyes. The beautifully bewitching sight made more than one man from Ned's entourage outright gasp, sucking in sharp inhales to keep themselves from going to the unfairly fair maiden's aid.

"D-Do you not love me, Atlas~? Am I not enough~?" Lady Fleur mourned and pleaded with a fervor that matched any romantic play. "I will prove myself worthy of standing by your side, my beloved~! I swear it so~! My love burns bright and eternal~! My Veela flames will match any star for you~!"

Atlas merely rolled his eyes at his Lady's 'plight', "I love you plenty, Fleur. Something I'll happily prove to you. When we're not in public, that is. Now, please get up. You're making a scene."

"She's always making a scene~," The White Raven Skinchanger — Lady Luna, Ned recalled — maiden giggled.

"Alas, 'tis the consequences of being French, I fear," Headmaster Dumbledore declared with an amused flair, his eyes twinkling like mad.

"I… am very confused," Ned said frankly once the dramatic scene came to a close.

"And as bloody roused as I've ever been…" Robb muttered, earning a stern look from Ned for his troubles.

"P-Perhaps-…" Lord Wyman began, his portly face sweaty from the scandal of it all. "Perhaps further introductions and explanations are in order…?"

Lady Fleur nodded and enthusiastically took the initiative to do just that, "Very well! I am Fleur Delacour, a Veela most divine, and Atlas Black's most esteemed and gorgeous wife~!"

"You're not," Atlas cut in flatly.

"Yes, Sister," The younger Lady Delacour tittered. "After all, did I — the graceful and beautiful Gabrielle~ — not get to Mon Ange first~?"

The Lady Fleur glared at her sister. The rest of the Hogwarts contingent ignored them, seemingly used to the byplay. They went around the table, introducing themselves to Ned and his party. Ned greeted them all in turn. But as the introductions went on, he only grew more confused as Lady after Lady declared themselves for Atlas…

And not merely concerning Atlas. Other relationships were also made evident and several other women declared themselves for the same man. Ladies Amelia Bones and Phoebe Parkinson for Atlas' father Sirius. The younger Lady Susan Bones declared herself and another who wasn't present for the young Lord Neville Longbottom. The Lady Angelina Johnson was rather open about being in a four-way relationship with another woman and twins of all things!

By the end of the introductions, Ned's smile was strained, Lord Wyman was physically fanning himself, and the boys were wide-eyed as if they'd just been enlightened. The Ladies were so open about it! If there was any jealousy between them, it wasn't shown in the slightest. The relationships in Castle Hogwarts dwelled firmly within the realm of debauchery and yet… was there truly anything to protest if the Ladies themselves seemed happy…?

"I'll be blunt," Ned said. "I'm quite lost at the moment."

Atlas asked a question instead of answering one, "Lord Eddard-… Ned, have you heard of a 'coven' before? Do your people know the word?"

"Not as such…" Ned slowly shook his head.

"They're the basis and origin of the majority of our noble houses," Atlas explained. "They're an essential part of our society. Similar to a harem in some ways, quite different in others. You have to understand, Ned, that magic changes things."

"And how we handle our relationships and unions is key among those things. In the end, it is merely a difference in culture and personal experience," Lady Narcissa continued. "Do not forget, we are practically of a whole other world to what you know, my Lord."

"We practice monogamy as well," Lady Ada added pointedly.

"Haha! Yes, I would not have any other woman!" Lord Cygnus laughed boisterously. "None other than my Ada! You might say I'm Ada-icted to her!"

The young Lady Daphne took out that stick of hers and sent a startling bolt of light at her Lord Father — making him jolt in his seat and laugh goodnaturedly — without missing a beat, "Atlas is rather desirable. Naturally, many Witches would flock to the side of the Man-Who-Helped and the Girl-Who-Won."

"Historically, covens of Atlas' size are exceedingly rare," Lady Hermione lectured, intelligence and education pouring off the young woman. She was as much a Maester as Maester Luwin of Winterfell. "Forming only around the most powerful Wizards. The vast majority of the time, they're more in line with Neville, Susan, and Hannah's. Or Sirius, Amelia, and Phoebe's. That is to say, only three Houses coming together to found a fourth or even just two with a pair of brides from the same House."

"We are the last of our people," Headmaster Dumbledore declared, his voice somber and wise. "We would be loathe to fully give up our ways in this new world. But in truth, we aren't so different from you. We bleed, we drink, we love… We're merely more open with that last quality."

"That doesn't lessen the love and commitment we share with each other," Lady Septima finished with a soft and brilliant smile.

"B-But what of matters of succession, my Lady?" Lord Wyman sputtered slightly.

"Simple," Lady Narcissa explained. "The firstborn is declared for their mother's House. Both Witches and Wizards can inherit, though Witches tend to be slightly favored there. Because while a Wizard can anchor a coven and head a House, a Witch will always produce an heir for the House of her birth. All children after the first take on the coven's name and form the first generation and its branches of the new House."

"That…" Lord Wyman paused. "Is not as disagreeable as I had expected. If nothing else, it seems to be a remarkably efficient way to secure alliances."

"Covens have mostly dwindled in the past century or so with so many established Houses but this younger generation seems to be suffering from a resurgence thanks to a certain someone…" Headmaster Dumbledore chuckled.

"Don't blame me," Atlas denied. "It was Septima's idea to start. I didn't even know I was Heir Black at the time."

Lady Septima blushed bashfully, "I always wished to found a new House…"

Atlas took her hand in a clear sign of love and support, "And I don't regret acting on that dream one bit, love."

"Pardon me a question, milord," Jory spoke up hesitantly. "But how did you not know you were Heir Black?"

"I thought I was an orphan for most of my life. This shaggy mutt and this mad pussycat," Atlas shrugged, jabbing a thumb at his parents. "Went and got themselves imprisoned for crimes they didn't commit shortly after their youthful dalliance that resulted in yours truly."

"You're a bastard?!" Jon couldn't stop himself from blurting out, unknowingly making Ned flinch.

"Yup," Atlas nodded, taking no offense. "Yet I'm also the eldest son of the eldest son of House Black's main line. Hopefully, when Sirius gets himself into gear and pumps out a few pups, I won't have to worry about that title anymore."

"Shouldn't take too long!" Lord Sirius barked.

"It better not~…" Lady Amelia growled.

Jon had eyes only for Atlas at that moment, "H-How…? How can you not care? How can you be so nonchalant about your family and your birth? Don't you want to be recognized…? To be legitimate…?"

Ned flinched harder, his heart aching for his secret nephew. Lyanna's boy… He sounded so lost, so vulnerable. Ned wasn't the only one to notice the vulnerability in Jon's voice. Robb's brow furrowed for his brother, even going so far as to glance at his Lord Father with suppressed rage. Headmaster Dumbledore turned to examine Ned and for a moment, he felt his whole being laid bare before the wise old Wizard.

Atlas watched Jon for a moment, taking in the boy's pain, before he spoke again, explaining himself with conviction, "Because I'd much rather have a legacy I built for myself than one handed down to me by a family who — by large — didn't know I existed until last year."

"B-But what can we build for ourselves…?" Jon asked, still torn and practically pleading for direction. "W-We're just baseborn. Unwanted complications… Stains on our father's honor…"

Ned felt his Wolfsblood rage in his veins. Someone had to be putting those thoughts in Jon's brain. Ned surely hadn't. Septa Mordane, Ned knew. And though he hated to admit it, likely his Lady Wife as well… He hated that she would lash out so far, especially against an innocent boy. Something would be done about that. Without fail, Ned would see Catelyn brought to task, even if he had to take her over his lap himself like the child she was acting as.

"And?" Atlas' response — so simple and challenging — brought both Ned and Jon up short in their respective anger and vulnerability.

"W-What?" Jon stuttered.

"And that's it? You're just going to accept your circumstances as inevitable? Static?" Atlas continued. "Would your father be proud of that? Your mother?"

Jon glanced at Ned. Ned firmly shook his head, the most he could bring himself to do. Yet even that small action was full of conviction and rebellion, lacing hints of steel through Jon's spine.

Still, he hesitated, "That… That's not how the world works."

"Then change it," Atlas said. "Rage and rage and rage against the norms, against the limits upon you and the challenges against you. The moment you stop is the moment everyone's expectations of you become true. The moment you become 'nothing more' than a bastard, and me 'nothing more' than a supposed orphan."

"Hells yeah, Jon! I'm with you!" Robb declared fiercely, sounding so much like his late uncle Brandon to Ned's ears.

"It's not that simple…" Jon insisted weakly, already taking heart from his brother's declaration and Atlas' determined words.

"It never is, young Jon," Headmaster Dumbledore advised, looking straight at Ned. "Though I believe relieving some of that complexity will be up to your father, if he so chooses."

Ned stiffened. He knew. Somehow. Impossibly. The Headmaster truly had seen into Ned's soul and sniffed out his deepest secret. Undoubtedly some potent magick, and yet, Dumbledore said no more, leaving the decision in Ned's hands where it had languished for so long already.

Ned swallowed around a lump of shame in his voice, "A-… Aye… It would, I suppose…"

"Father…?" Looking at him, Jon's eyes lit up with so much hope, and Ned knew his decision had come. "You'd tell me about my mother?"

"Not here, not now," Ned shook his head sadly. "But… it's hardly a secret I want to take to my grave. You're nearly a man grown. You deserve to know, son. You will. And you, Robb. Don't think I didn't notice you supporting your brother as if he were trueborn…"

"I-! Father!" Robb puffed himself up as Ned trailed off, unwilling to back down.

"Good, son," Ned said, his face stern but his eyes soft and proud. "I raised the two of you side by side. No matter who Jon's mother is, you're brothers. Pack. Don't let your Lady Mother tell you differently. One way or another, I'll be having words with her when we return to Winterfell."

"Inspiring! Excellent! Splendidiforous!" Lord Cygnus declared into the climatic silence that followed Ned's decision. "Oh, I do so love to see family come together in spite of societal expectations!"

"I-Indeed," Lord Wyman coughed into his hand. "I honestly feel as if I am intruding on a private moment. But, my Lord… and Ladies… we should return to the matter at hand. No matter how it came to pass, Castle Hogwarts now sits in my domain. And the North beyond. This cannot go unaddressed, I'm afraid."

"And how do you propose we address it, hmm?" Headmaster Dumbledore sat back in his chair, his eyes twinkling. It was an unassuming posture, yet Ned and likely Lord Wyman beside him felt shivers run down their spines. There could be no doubt in their minds that Headmaster Dumbledore was an old hand at this, at this game, even if the setting might now have been unfamiliar to him.

"An agreement of sorts?" Lord Wyman suggested. "I wouldn't dare impose my rule upon you and your culture. But I am also unwilling to give up more land in the area than I must. This stretch between the White Knife and the Broken Branch could largely be considered the North's bread basket. Carving out a chunk of it for yourselves would be asking too much."

Headmaster Dumbledore smiled gently, "Then I suppose it's a good thing we don't have any real need for leagues upon leagues of land."

Lord Wyman breathed a slight sigh of relief, "Yes, I suppose it is, my Lord."

"I'd like to elevate you to one of my bannermen," Ned said, blunt and to the point as was his style. "The others might protest but magic is too potent a weapon to have beared against me and mine in any way. The problem becomes which House to elevate. You have many within your walls, my Lords. Who speaks most prominently for Castle Hogwarts?"

"A case could be made for House Black…" Lady Narcissa began, her tone sly and scheming but not malicious.

"None," Atlas cut in firmly. "Hogwarts stands together or not at all, in this new world we've found ourselves in."

"Don't look at me," Lord Sirius raised his hands all too quickly. "I'm dogshite at all of this 'politic' stuff. Atlas, uh… He speaks with my voice.

"Very well," Lady Narcissa sighed, yielding easily to her Lord's Heir. "Still, 'House Hogwarts' might be a bit too wide of a banner."

The Hogwarts side of the table fell into a brief, silent deliberation. Ned didn't envy them. Coming up with a solution that pleased nigh-on 400 Noble Houses — mostly individual youths as they may have been… It was not the sort of situation he thrived in.

"What about a… sort of city-state solution?" The young Lord Neville eventually put forth. "Or 'castle-state' in this case. A way for the North to deal with Hogwarts as a whole while leaving the individual Houses as a mostly internal matter."

"We could even begin an actual city around the castle," Lord Cedric considered. "Hogwarts will still need a supply chain and a whole manner of logistical issues to manage. Better if some of those things could be provided by a single settlement, offering some semblance of self-sufficiency. New Hogsmeade does have a certain ring to it…"

Fond smiles and excited murmurs greeted Lord Cedric's consideration — a story Ned and the others weren't yet privy to — and Lord Neville nodded, "It wouldn't even take away that much of Lord Wyman's lands. Maybe a league or two in every direction so farmsteads and the like could be put down. So the city has room to grow, even if it'll be mostly concentrated around the castle."

"A center of commerce, industry, and population would be an excellent addition to the area!" A wide smile split Lord Wyman's face, sending his jowls jiggling. "White Harbor would happily trade with this 'New Hogsmeade'."

Ned nodded slowly and deliberately, "I could agree to that, given the entire city and the castle within was sworn to me and House Stark in the same way a bannerman swears. I'd write Hogwarts the deed to develop a town and later a city. All I'd demand in return is loyalty and a reasonable tax."

The Lady Hermione squealed quietly in the background, doing a poor job of keeping hold of her sudden excitement at an agreement being reached, "Eeeiii~…! So much room to test out the new developments…!"

"It seems that's agreeable to at least some of us," Atlas chuckled, fondly ruffling the learned Witch's hair.

"Quite," Headmaster Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling with amusement and affection. Then his aura shifted to be as serious as the Wall. "But I must ask… What of our school? I tell you now, Eddard Stark… If threatened by you or any others, I will strike down your Old Gods themselves for Lady Hogwarts and her charges."

Ned didn't stop himself from shuddering. Couldn't. In his bones and blood, he knew Dumbledore to be deadly serious. And with the air heavy as the moments before a cavalry charge, Ned wouldn't be at all surprised if the old Wizard carried out his threat. Dumbledore's eyes no longer twinkled, locked on Ned's as they were, and Ned was given a bare glimpse at why the Headmaster led a school of magic.

"You'll find no issues from the Old Gods," Ned swore.

"Unfortunately, the same could not be said for the Faith of the Seven," Lord Wyman winced. "The North should accept you. The blood of the First Men still runs heavily through our people's veins, even my family after so many generations of marriage. But the Southern Kingdoms… You'll likely encounter staunch resistance, especially from the septons and Most Devout."

"Heh," Lady Heather smirked. "Sounds like plan 'Hearts and Minds' is a go, eh, Madam Pomfrey?"

"Yes, child," Madam Pomfrey sighed. "It sounds like my services will soon be in high demand."

"I shall prepare the 'Tincture and Elixer' aspect of the plan," Lord Snape drawled.

"The Hogwarts Cartel shall answer the call as well~!" Lady Sprout declared. Her voice was light and bubbly but Ned couldn't help but shiver at a sinister twist to her words that he couldn't place. He didn't know if he wanted to…

"Err, Lord Father…? My Lords…?" Jon spoke up hesitantly. "If I may?"

"Aye, Jon," Ned nodded encouragingly. "I would hear what you have to say. Always."

Jon seemed to take heart from Ned's support, sitting straighter and speaking clearer, "Hogwarts should be made the Citadel of the North."

There was a beat of silence as Jon's idea set in. Lord Wyman hummed, a smile growing across his face, "Ohoh~ Now, that is a thought…"

"One that some of us unfortunately don't have the context to appreciate. Please, enlighten us, my boy," Headmaster Dumbledore smiled genially at Jon.

The Headmaster was a complex man, Ned noted. One Ned certainly wouldn't want for an enemy. He could be as terrifying as he could be gentle. And he seemed to carry a constant amusement with him, one earned only by living and seeing so much in his old age. A sort of unending confidence that said the Headmaster knew life was too short to always be taken so seriously.

"The Citadel is the most learned place in all of Westeros," Jon explained, drawing courage from Dumbledore's gentle guiding hand. "It sits in Oldtown, alongside the Starry Sept of the Faith of the Seven. All Maesters learn there before forging the chains of their station. Having a place of equal knowledge here in the North would be an enormous boon, my-… Headmaster."

"I see," Headmaster Dumbledore nodded. "While I'm unsure if we'll be taking new students any time soon, we can certainly act as a center of knowledge. Especially one shared with our new patrons."

Lord Wyman looked practically giddy at that. Ned couldn't blame him. The benefits of a font of knowledge — magical and perhaps otherwise — at the North's disposal first and foremost couldn't be denied. And Ned had a certain, more personal interest in the prospect as well…

Something his son Robb couldn't contain himself from voicing, "Does that mean we can learn to Skinchange like Lord Atlas and Lady Luna? The Starks are famous for it but the magic has been lost for hundreds of years!"

"Not to demand anything, of course, my Lords," Ned softened Robb's request even though he rather agreed with his son's excitement.

"There's no shame in wanting magic. We've all been there, lad. Magic should be learned and shared, and even rediscovered…" Lady McGonagall said, her eyes soft and sympathetic. Then, her expression shifted into something stern and Ned felt like he was a boy learning at the Maester's knee again. "But becoming an Animagus is no easy feat. It requires dedication and intense studying. Perhaps years of your life and even then, there is no guarantee."

"But it's possible?" Robb shot back. The fires of his Wolfsblood were undeterred.

"Perhaps," Headmaster Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling. "The magic within you, your brother, and your father is different from that of a normal Wizard."

"I thought so as well! The magic here, it's fascinating!" Lady Septima cut in with an enthusiastic chime that seemed to amuse Atlas in particular.

"But I suppose there's a chance for it to blossom in a wholly unique way," Headmaster Dumbledore finished. "I'd like to work with you personally if we were to see that chance realized."

From the murmurs of the younger generation at the table, Ned knew that was a great honor. Learning directly under Headmaster Dumbledore had to be the same as squiring for the Sword of the Morning or the Kingslayer. Ned was tempted to agree outright. But he knew his Lady Wife would protest fiercely. A long, tense discussion lay in Ned's future, he expected. But it would be worth it for his children and perhaps even himself to relearn the ways of old.

"A fostering exchange, perhaps? Have Heir Robb and the young Lord Jon attend Hogwarts for a year or two in exchange for young Witches and Wizards fostering in Winterfell and perhaps with the other Houses of the North?" Lady Narcissa suggested slyly before shaking her head. "Thoughts for the future. Hogwarts will need to establish and announce itself further before such arrangements can be fully considered."

Still, there was hope. And that made all the difference in the eyes of young boys and men, something Ned could easily see in both Robb's and Jon's eyes.

"Yes, we'll continue that discussion soon enough," Lady McGonagall said imperiously. "But first, there are a few more immediate concerns to be addressed. Hogwarts needs supplies. It needs trade. And I would hope certain agreements for such could be reached with the castle's newest allies…?"

Lord Wyman's eyes lit up at the change of topic, not with greed but with profit, "Oho~? What a coincidence! White Harbor just so happens to be the fifth largest city in all of Westeros and a major port beyond!"

Ned sighed, taking that as a sign to thankfully step back from the fore of the negotiations. Logistical arrangements weren't his strongest suit. And while Winterfell could offer some assistance, it couldn't hope to match the material support of White Harbor. Though Ned had a feeling Lord Wyman had his work cut out for him in this negotiation, if the shrewd eyes of Ladies McGonagall, Narcissa, and Ada were anything to go off of…

IIIII

Ned and his party stayed the night in Castle Hogwarts, and a few nights afterward as well. Agreements had been reached but this was only the beginning of the relationship between Hogwarts and the North. An important period for establishing further rapport. Ned, his sons, and Lord Wyman made sure to do just that.

Lord Wyman spent much of his time during the following days in barter and business with the leading Lords and Ladies of the castle. He seemed altogether ecstatic with the challenges and talk at hand. This was the arena where he and the House Manderly truly thrived. Skilled stewardship was prized amongst the Manderlys, a trait that had allowed White Harbor to grow into the sizable city and important nexus that it was.

Ned, his sons, and his men spent their time observing the ongoing routine of the castle. For a people who had been uprooted from their lands, they were surprisingly organized and morale was still good. There was a feeling of if not hope then determination in the air. The Wizards of Castle Hogwarts would sooner die than let their current situation defeat them.

The castle was constantly abuzz with activity. The youngest students were still as old as Robb and Jon and contributed just like their older peers. Hogwarts trained and learned and altogether prepared to face a world unknown.

Ned saw firsthand the effect of widespread education. Every student he talked to was easily as well-learned as his own sons, often more learned than even Ned himself with the oldest among them. Truly, Jon had been right to suggest Hogwarts become the Citadel of the North.

The only place the castle's education struggled was in their martial arm. But even there, they weren't wholly lost. Lord Cygnus was a fine swordsman, evenly matched with Ned when they sparred. Though Ned was confident he could beat the all-too-friendly and lively Lord if he used Ice. But such was the advantage of Valyrian Steel…

Ned was quick to offer the services of himself and his men-at-arms in aid to Lord Cygnus. Teaching such large groups was certainly new. But an interesting challenge nonetheless. The students were attentive and disciplined, if rather softer than Ned expected.

The Witches trained with weapons just as readily as the Wizards did. Something that would have been practically unthinkable in the South. But the North was a cut apart — and above, Ned liked to think. They would not keep a blade from a woman's hand if she showed interest.

For the most part, the Hogwarts students were woeful novices. Ned didn't press for the reason. An aspect of their homeland, most likely. It was largely irrelevant. They were learning now and Ned would guide them to the best of his ability. Quickly, several students showed great promise in his eyes.

Lord Atlas was fit, strong, fast, and a decent talent. Dedication and a mind such that Ned never had to repeat advice more than once made up where that talent failed him. In comparison, Lord Neville was an undeniable prodigy, with instincts and inclination toward the blade the likes of which Ned had never seen. Lord Cedric was somewhere between the two: good talent, dedication, and instincts, but not overly prodigious in any one field.

The young Lords Victor Krum, Blaise Zabini, Draco Black, Ronald, Fred, and George Weasley were men to keep an eye on. Ned could easily see them earning Knighthood or winning tourneys to their names. Eventually, Hogwarts would have a coterie of champions to call upon that would match any of the Seven Kingdoms.

For the Witches… Lady Heather was a demon. And somehow, Lady Susan was worse — or better if she fought by your side… Lady Luna was unpredictable at the best of times and Ned was thankful she seemed to have no true interest in the sword. Lady Daphne was more suited for word and dagger but her sister Lady Astoria took after their father with a manic enthusiasm that ever-so-slightly terrified Ned, he wasn't ashamed to admit.

At supper that first night, Ned and his party had been announced to the castle. Until then, Ned hadn't fully realized what a whole school of Highborn students meant. There were hundreds of youths within the Great Hall — each representing a noble House that Westeros had never known. While Hogwarts lacked the resources of ruled land and the manpower of sworn Smallfolk — for now… — they made up for it in Highborn numbers and diversity.

That wasn't even mentioning the obvious. Every Hogwarts student was a Witch or Wizard, blessed by the Old Gods with magic that never failed to leave Ned speechless — and leave Jon and Robb practically bouncing with excitement… The advantages were incalculable and the potential was seemingly endless. Ned felt they were still keeping certain magicks close to their chest and yet, he couldn't fault them that. As it was, he was already thanking all of the gods — old and new — that he'd secured Hogwarts to his side.

Ned pitied the fools who would stand across the battlefield from the Wizards. Arrows of magic that could strike with the force of a war hammer or strike a man unconscious without struggle in equal measure. Magic to transform the very earth out beneath a man's feet. Elements of nature that answered the Wizards' beck and call.

But Ned had also seen that magic could be as wonderful and blessed as it could be terrible. The Skinchanging and ghosts of joy were only the beginning there. On the last day before they left Hogwarts, Ned and his party watched the Wizards raise the foundations of a town from nothing, even casually joking and japing with each other as they did.

"Gasp! A sneak attack, Sir Cedric?! How devious!" They even went as far as playing in the snow as New Hogsmeade was raised around them. Ned noticed that Lord Atlas said the title strangely. But as he gathered his coven to himself and led a 'snow charge' against the forces of the 'evil Sir Cedric', Ned knew that even with magic, the Witches and Wizards of Hogwarts were as human as any man he'd ever met.

By the end of a half-day's work, the foundation of a town had sprung up in front of the castle, on the other side of the road where the land was clear. Two teams of Witches and Wizards were assigned to improve the already existing road, turning it from worn dirt and gravel to solid, unbroken stone in either direction. Plazas and smaller roads were marked out. Warm buildings of stone and lumber and materials Ned didn't immediately recognize were erected, almost literally standing up on their own.

A longhouse, a center for storage and trade, an exceedingly large tavern and inn, and a public bathhouse. The Ladies Hermione and Aurora seemed intent on utilizing the 'power of water'. They'd carved out a canal — running deep and decently quick — that would weave throughout the town, starting from the lake and eventually leading back into it. A series of water wheels and mills along the carved canal quickly joined the first foundations of New Hogsmeade and the canal would feed the public bathhouse, along with potential expansions for transport, industry, and other utilities, according to Lady Hermione's 'master plan'.

It would be an ongoing development, subject to change and improvement at any time, the young Witch claimed. But she aimed to see New Hogsmeade become the most advanced town in Westeros. A lofty ambition. Yet Ned couldn't bring himself to doubt her. Not with magic and the minds of Hogwarts at her disposal.

Thoughts of magic and wonders plagued Ned's mind the entire trip back to Winterfell. He was sure it was the same for his sons and the men under his command. At Headmaster Dumbledore's request, he hadn't sworn any of them to secrecy. Hogwarts seemed to want word of their magic to spread. A 'refuge in audacity', the Headmaster called it. He claimed that even the Southern Kingdoms would know of Hogwarts' existence soon enough, though he hadn't shared his plans there. Merely chuckling that he wished to be a fly on the wall when they went into effect.

His lovely family were arrayed to greet him upon their arrival, bringing Ned back to the present. Little Arya was grinning like Lyanna-reborn. Bran and Rickon were toddling excitedly. His darling Sansa beamed at Ned and her brothers, loving and gentle as ever.

His Cat greeted them with soft smiles, though Ned saw the brittle hardness in her eyes when she looked upon Jon, "Welcome home, my Lord Husband. Did you handle your duties to your satisfaction?"

It firmed Ned's determination to have the conversation needed, and never one for prevaricating, he said as much, "Catelyn, my love, we need to talk… Jon as well. The time has come to lay secrets bare."

[AN: Early chapters are available on my Patreon. Chapter 12 should be going up in the next hour or so.]