The University of Avalon
A Harry Potter UNIVERSE/ Sasporilla Bucket Fan Fiction
by Darren Kelly
Chapter 19
"So let me get this straight," Angelo asked taking notes, "Arithmantic Birth date (AB) is equal to wand materials and lengths?"
"Correct." Sasporilla Bucket smiled.
"And the Tuned core is equal to a resonant harmonization of the core and the wand in tune with witch or wizards biorhythm?"
"Correct!" Sassy said excitedly.
"So the core...?" Angelo asked.
"Has traditionally always been made from parts of magical creatures like Unicorns, or dragons. Hairs and heart strings that can be tuned like the string of an instrument."
"I don't know that much about instruments but I know different strings make different notes because they're tuned differently, and of course you can't string a viola with a string for a cello!"
"You could but it really wouldn't be a pleasant effect." Sassy said. "Not all instrument strings, as not all wand cores, are one size fits all."
"Hence the difficulty in choosing wands." Angelo nodded looking into Sasporilla's playful eyes. "What?"
"What if," Sasporilla grinned, "someone designed a core that could be one size fits all?"
"How is that possible?" Angelo asked.
"By weaving it out of the fabric of magic itself!" Sassy said excitedly. "Then tuning it to the proper harmonic!"
"Is that possible?" Angelo asked?
"It's a theory." Sasporilla said. "But I'm going to test it. I can weave it myself no problem."
"This is an amazing break through honey I'm so proud of you!" Angelo smiled hugging Sassy proudly. "How is the other project going?"
"Good." Sasporilla nodded. "I'm hoping it will be over soon. The elves have gathered all the information I needed. I was able to form a council amongst the worker elves. They have an agreed upon plan for the future they wish me to implement on their behalf."
"You are a very different kind of Queen," Angelo said hugging and rocking his beautiful young witch, "my Sasporilla."
"I want only to be a good Queen, for the time that I am one." Sassy smiled kissing her fellow and slapping his derriere. "You having a meeting to get to young man."
"Yes." Angelo said looking into Sasporilla's violet eyes. "Suddenly I don't feel much like going."
"You've made a commitment Sir." Sassy said stepping back. "I expect you to keep your commitments! Even though I'd love it if you'd spend the day with me."
"You are a strong one." Angelo grinned taking Sassy's hand and kissing it. "Until we meet again, my beautiful maiden."
"I long for the hour when I once again may feel your warm embrace my love." Sassy said, then started to laugh, covering her face.
"Oh that was beautiful." Angelo said.
"But so cheesy." Sassy laughed. "Go, before I say something else 'Plein de Fromage'."
Angelo, laughing at his beautifully funny young love, turned and left her dorm stepping out onto the terrace. Jorge squawked at him as he passed.
"Yes good morning to you too Jorge!" Angelo said drawing his wand and disapparating in a curling flash with a pop!
Angelo appaerated, mid back alley behind the old Armatage theater. The theater had been closed for renovations for about twenty years now. It always seemed rival interests in a company could provide the perfect hiding place in plain site, no questions asked. A loose board on a back doorway lead to hidden steps down into a cellar beneath the theater.
Angelo pulled his wand and cast "INOBSERVATUS", disappearing from the view of any on looker as he crossed the dusty old hall and stepped into an illusionary pile of rubble, that blocked an open doorway.
"VENTUS!" Angelo cast back into the hall causing a wind to blow the dust into a cloud. Had anyone tried to conceal themselves by spell or invisibility cloak the dust cloud would have revealed them. In turn as the dust settled it covered his tracks on the floor. Angelo turned and cast "LUMOS" as he started down a long set of ancient carved circular stone steps.
The walls going down, were inset with the carvings of some of the bravest knights any world had ever known. Sir Tristian, Sir Lancelot, Sir Gallahad, Sir Percival the knights of the table round. Those extraordinary muggles who stood with their King, Arthur Pendragon of Camelot, who under the council of Merlin, ran the known world in piece and harmony.
A flowery child’s vision. A faery tale told to placate muggle fantasies. It was hard austere time when a few muggles dared stand with a single wizard against the wizarding world to push them back! To protect muggles from mass murder and enslavement. It was only through Merlin's gift, the spell to protect all muggles, that the War was won! The spell is commonly remembered by all muggles, but forgotten is why they know it, or how it is used?
"ABRACADABRA!" spoken by any muggle while touching one hand to the ground will protect them from any witch or wizards spell! Such power left those with less than peaceful intent impotent, and looking for a world of their own.
When the wizards came to Avalon Merlin decided he would not allow them to live unchecked and formed a new council of knights. A council of Witches and Wizards of the table round.
The steps ended in a small chamber in a deep dungeon far below the theater. Two large heavy Iron doors sat shut before him. The face of Merlin cast into the metal plate.
Angelo approached the door knocked three times and bopped Merlin's visage on the nose with his wand.
"Password." The Iron Merlin spoke.
"Abracadabra." Angelo said quietly.
"You know you don't have to hit me on the nose every time you rude child!" The Iron Merlin barked as the doors swung open.
"I know." Angelo smiled. "But for some reason, it always makes me laugh!"
Inside was a large room with a polished stone round table. Twelve chairs sat around the table with a witch or wizard seated in each one... with the exception of two... Lyra Lee-Ashwolf, leader of the Knights stood before her chair at the top of the room, speaking to the knights.
"Nice of you to finally join us, Sir Lazarus." Lyra said.
"I got here as soon as I could." Angelo smiled. "Life and all."
"Yes would that ‘and all’ be pretty with pink hair?" Sir Draco Malfoy asked.
"Watch your mouth Malfoy." Lyra said. "Sasporilla's my best friend! Take your seat Lazarus and I'll bring you up to speed."
Around the table, besides The head witch Lyra Lee-Ashwolf were the other knights. Sir Draco Malfoy, University student in his final year of study looking to make a difference for the misdeeds of his family and bring honour back to the Malfoy family name.
Sir Hugo looked like a hobo... smelled like one too. He was an older man with stringy salt and pepper unwashed, everything, but especially hair. He wore a dirty trench coat over his dirty clothes. He slept the streets of Avalon and had his ear to the ground. He knew everything going on in this city and had dedicated his life to it for the knights.
Dame Dina Splatterpalette was a powerful witch who kept the CAMELOT newspaper running! Though unpredictable, wild and often out-there, no one ever questioned her bravery or her loyalty!
Dame Hannah professor of Magizoology, was not just a witch and the head of the University zoo but a very powerful Animagus who changed into an Occamy. Not only a beautiful but a fearsome creature that will stand up to any other!!!
Sir Borwhen was a half giant who many made the mistake of thinking dim because of his size. However he was as intelligent as he was strong. A mountain of a man he found himself often ostracized and feared by other wizards and witches. He tended to hide himself away with his books, studying spells, history and anything he could.
Dame Josie Phenix was a very powerful witch just itching at the chance to get her hands on the Witch Queen. Josie Phenix, the child of two well-known magical rogue scholars and adventurers, had enjoyed the education of several fine institutions. Most of which she had politely been invited to leave due to her over zealous defense of weaker students or magical creatures from bullies. It was at Hogwarts Josie Phenix had crossed paths with the future witch Queen. Both had been in Hogwarts together and had never liked each other. Josie had always known Bougainvillea Bent was the meanest and cruelest girl capable of great evil. After their tussle , which ended badly for Bougainvillea, the Bent family had Josie Phenix kicked out of Hogwarts. When Bougainvillea became Witch Queen, Josie feared for the people of Avalon and swore to what she could to protect them.
Sir Keaton was the oldest amongst the knights, often called the Colonel, the gray haired old military man. A wizard who served for years in the muggle military. He signed up to fight against the wizards who were secretly fighting for the enemy in World War two. He stayed in after to make sure all magic traps, left behind by the enemy, were found and destroyed. His training and knowledge were invaluable to the knights.
Sir Stoffer was a young Second year technomancer, from an advanced society. He studied a higher program than most and was considered quite brilliant, even by their standards. Though he was a bit nerdy and cautious, his heart was pure.
Sir Griffin was a fourth year Broom design major who's father was the owner of Triumphant brooms. Great things were expected of him in the business and he wanted to make his family proud, but his real dream was to play Chaser for Ireland. He was a young man of honour and integrity, who put his families needs before his own dreams. Griffin may never play professional Quidditch but no one disputed he was one of the fastest flyers anyone had seen on a broom!
Dame Beatrix Zonko was the second daughter of the famed Zonko family of Hogsmeade. A renowned potions mistress she now studied for her doctorate in potions making so that she might become a well sought after professor of potions. Her father had always wanted her to join the family business building better stink bombs and love potions but Carol Zonko wanted more from her life than japes and gags! She saw potions as important, not some grand joke! She would use her knowledge to help and to teach and never to harm or to trick.
Those were the twelve knights of Merlin's council that sat in defense of the table round.
"Dina's brought something to my attention." Lyra said out her hand.
Professor Splatterpalette stood and lifted her wand "WINGARDIUM LEVIOSA." A stack of newspapers, old and yellowing, levitated up onto the round table. The twine, which bound the bundle, untied and a copy flew to each knight seated at the table. The papers were a couple of decades old copies of the Avalon Examiner. A photo showing a two girls switching places just as a finish line is crossed in a race was topped by the head line "PROOF BENT CHEATS TO BECOME WITCH QUEEN"
"A cache of these papers was left in my care years ago," Dame Splatterpalette said, "by Augustus Ramagast. The former Editor in chief of the Avalon Examiner and one of my dearest friends. When he ran this story he was taken prisoner by the Witch Queen. She'd have killed him except in doing so these papers would have appeared upon his death. The fact that my garage filled up with these last night means Augustus has past in the Queens dungeon. I must now fulfill the second half of my promise to him."
"What's that?" Sir Hugo asked through his dirty baked bean teeth.
"We release the truth." Lyra smiled. "We deliver the papers."
"Expose that Bi..." Dame Phenix caught herself, "Witch for the pathetic cheat she is."
"We're going to need every operative we have." Dame Splatterpalette said.
"We're going to need more men!" The colonel barked, rolling his eyes as he saw the looks he got from his female knights. "People! More people! Draft a few in! We all know some who'll help even if they won't want to. Just make sure you can trust'em to keep there yaps shut!"
"Pretty sure I know some one who I can trust to help." Angelo smiled. "She might be able to bring a few friends."
***************
Sasporilla sketched a cylinder in journal. Around it, she sketched three strands of magical fiber and stared at them for a moment.
“They do indeed represent the three lines of the biorhythm, but they wouldn’t lattice. Unless…”
Sasporilla drew three more strands in the opposite direction to represent magical fibers for the basics of the wand components. The intersecting strands did indeed form the lattice she was looking for.
“That’s it!” Sasporilla said. “One flexible base tube wrapped in strands of three that can be tuned to the numbers that correspond to the Biorhythms and arthimantics! A Woven core!!!”
"Queen Sasporilla?" A small voice said from behind the fading pink haired witch startling her.
"What in track nine and three quarters!" Sassy yelled, making Jooble, a rather small house elf jump. "Jooble you scared me! What's wrong?"
"The Elves my Queen." Jooble said. "They have finally summoned you before the council."
"It's about time." Sasporilla smiled bowing before the small elf. "Ask the Minister to choose a delegation along with the emissary and wait for me at the village."
"It's my honour my Queen." Jooble smiled and disappeared.
Sassy had a dress, not the grand lavish royal gown of your standard Queen, but a dress made from the same kind of sacks that her people were forced to wear. It was very plain, roughly stitched by design, and had a similar cloak with the royal symbol of the Stilskin house, a double spinning wheel under a crown embroidered on the back. Placing the simple gold crown upon her head Sassy felt her ears turn pointy and grow out. She saw more strands of her hair turn to the dull red of her mother’s hair colour.
With a snap of her fingers Sasporilla Bucket disappeared from her room and reappeared in a small elven village deep within the forbidden forest. Centaurs stood guard at the road in to the small grottoed hamlet.
The delegation of worker elves, came out from the largest of the temporary buildings in the village. Sasporilla Bucket took a knee before them.
"Prime Minister Wurloo." Sasporilla smiled. "The village is looking wonderful. With luck you all won't need to stay here much longer."
"It was very gracious of your friends the centaurs to make this space for us temporarily, my Queen." Minister Wurloo smiled. "Please stand. You do us too great an honour bowing before us. We are all humble equals here."
"As you wish." Sassy smiled Standing. "I've been summoned to the elven council. It's time we make our presence known!"
"Agreed." Prime Minister Wurloo smiled.
"Is the Emissary ready?" Sassy asked.
"Yes." The minister smiled. "We've chosen an indentured elf."
"Not a free elf?" Sasporilla smiled. "Good for you. This should cause issues and force them to see more of our issues. Who was your choice?"
"One of your cousins, from the Hogwarts laundry." The Prime Minister of worker Elves smiled. "Zerlo."
"What a wonderful choice!" Sasporilla smiled. "Shall we be off?"
"Please lead the way my Queen." The minister smiled.
The crown gave Sasporilla much greater power when it came to control her elven magic. With a snap of her finger the air before them shimmered and a portal opened between the Worker Elf Village and the road leading up to the Elven city of Elthloriel.
Queen Sasporilla Bucket followed behind her people humbly. It had taken weeks negotiate a temporary home for the worker elves who needed a place to live. The centaurs, though her friends were by nature a suspicious people of everyone not their own. It was only through Sasporilla's long time trust with them and her personal promise that the imposition in the forest would be temporary, that an agreement was reached.
Sassy encouraged the worker elves to learn about how different societies successfully, fairly governed them selves. She helped her worker elves build not only their temporary homes but the Ministry that governed them. A government by and for worker elves, free of their Queen who was now the final word on important decisions, until they felt comfortable enough in their own abilities to vote her out of the process. She was so proud of them.
At the gates of Elthloriel they were met by four guards sent by the council to safely escort the worker elf delegation through the city. Stores looked half bare. Walls were dirty and the streets were strewn with garbage. Many places of fine dining were closed. The high elves that walked the streets looked at the worker elf delegation with grungy disdain. With no one to tend to their laundry these days the High elves were looking more the down trodden. Sasporilla found the state of the city very satisfying.
The worker elf delegation was lead into the council chamber where there were met with the glares of disheveled elven council members.
"Thank you for coming Queen Sasporilla." High Chancellor Eldin frowned. "We have acquiesced to your demands and provided you a seat on the Elven council."
There was s polite but reluctant round of applause.
"Oh you misunderstood." Sasporilla smiled and took a knee before her delegation of worker elves. "May I speak for us in this matter minister?"
"You may." The Worker elf Prime Minister granted permission.
"Thank you." Sasporilla said standing.
"What foolishness is this?" High Chancellor Eldin demanded. "You are their Queen?"
"Yes!" Sasporilla said. "But I serve my people, I do not RULE THEM. I have given them the power to govern themselves. That seat on the elven council will be held by an elected official who will execute choices of the Worker Elves as a people."
"This is ridiculous!" The high chancellor said.
"Is it?" Sasporilla asked directing Drooble to step forward and take his seat. "Perhaps you forget how you look? How the city look? Why not use elven magic to just "snap" it all clean? Oh wait, you lot can't, can you. You're kind of elves all have different kinds of magic. All those wondrous creations of the elves the wood work, armour, weapons, fine clothing... all made by worker elves! You lot just put a bit of embude spells on at the last. Even this grand city? Who built it?"
"It was a common effort between..." the High chancellor began until Drooble lifted his hand.
"Stop please." Drooble said. "Embarrass yourself, you do. Truth is documented very well it is!"
"Indeed it is Zerlo." Sasporilla said. "This city was the city of the WORKER ELVES! When the Magi came here they attacked the Elven lands, and the city which is now Majesty Station! You fled to here and were gladly taken in as refugees."
"Now see here." High Chancellor Eldin tried to interrupt but Sasporilla would not allow him the opportunity.
"You can try to deny it all you like High Chancellor," Sasporilla said approaching him pulling copies of scrolls from her bag, "but you were there at the signing of the treaty between the Magi and the high elves, where you surrendered your lands. A people who knew immortality had never known a death like one that came with the death curse.
"It was a massacre." Eldin hung his head. "You have no Idea. We had no choice."
"From my human half I deeply apologize." Sasporilla said. "If and when it is within my power to change things I will. I promise you that. Until then I must focus on the needs of my people. You do not use 95% of the ancestral worker elf homes in this city. They're blocked off and forgotten to my people. Why?"
"They're to small to access for anyone." The chancellor sighed.
"And too opulent for slaves." Sasporilla said. "Now lets talk about that. When the worker elves were pledged to the MAGI for one thousand years of servitude, there was NOTHING about being enslaved to the elves. How you convinced those who will was broken to serve you for free??? It angers me. The sheer gaul and manipulation of my people!"
"What do you want?" The High Chancellor asked of the highly angered Queen of the Worker Elves.
"The city." The Queen said. "The city rightly belongs to my people."
The council murmured with freight as the High Chancellor became noticeably angry. Tempers flared as people started to shout at one another. One small calm voice cut through the din.
"Excuse me!" Zerlo said standing on his seat. "My friends, as the representative for our people I have posed a voted solution to our people which they found acceptable. May I propose it to you?"
"Please speak Representative Zerlo." Sasporilla said. "I'd like to hear a calm intelligent voice."
"As would I!" The High Chancellor Agreed.
"The Worker elves Agree 95% of our original homes are blocked away, and are not in use. We see no reason why we can not all equally share the city with those we invited here as guests originally. We would be willing to split the deed to the city calling it joint owned. We would like to take back a few important spots however. These can be negotiated at a later date."
"I think that is a very fair and a very wise offer from my people." Sasporilla said winking at Zerlo. "What do you say?"
"The council must vote on it." The High Chancellor said.
The decision was not unanimous but it passed. The worker elves had their ancestral home back.
"Anything to get them back to work." High chancellor Eldin said.
"Oh." Zerlo smiled. "To house us was all this was! Now discussing contracts for our work we must!"
"Ah!" Sasporilla smiled. "My work as Queen has born great fruit indeed!"
******************
Sasporilla Bucket returned to her dorm room just before dark, still wearing her the humble dress of sacks and the gold crown which pointed her ears and had, through out the day, almost completely drained her hair of pink. She looked at herself in the mirror and fumbled with her dull red hair. She reached over to her dresser and picked up the small box her father had left to her.
"I do I wish I knew what spell it was you used to protect me all those years ago that turned my hair pink my whole life." Sassy smiled.
"That's a sexy look on you HOT STUFF!" Angelo said from the door way.
"Oh!" Sasporilla jumped, dropping the box in her bag. "You startled me."
"You look so house elf Queeny!" Angelo smiled hugging his girl friend.
"You're incorrigible!" Sasporilla laughed. Taking off the crown causing her ears to shrink to normal, but leaving her hair dull red. "I think the crown nullified the rest of my fathers protection magic. I look just like my mum now."
"Then your father was a very lucky man." Angelo smiled.
"She would have liked you," Sasporilla said giving Angelo a peck and walking up stairs to change, "My man. How did the top secret meeting go?"
"That's why I'm here." Angelo said. "The knights are looking for volunteer's. I could use your help but..."
"But what?" Sasporilla asked.
"The knight's ask a favour of the Queen of the Worker elves."
Sasporilla stopped on the steps. A very serious look fell upon her face as she set the crown upon her head. She stood there very still as she asked. "I am always of service to my people. If a favour you ask of us, understand that I will ask the Ministry council. The people will vote and the worker elf people will decide to grant or deny your favour. The decision will not be mine alone. And know this, if we accept and help, the Worker elves may at some time ask the Magi knights of the table round for a favour in return... some day. Agreed?"
"Agreed!" Angelo smiled.
"Your word is bond Angelo Lazarus." Queen Sasporilla smiled. ""What favour do you ask of us?"
"So let me get this straight," Angelo asked taking notes, "Arithmantic Birth date (AB) is equal to wand materials and lengths?"
"Correct." Sasporilla Bucket smiled.
"And the Tuned core is equal to a resonant harmonization of the core and the wand in tune with witch or wizards biorhythm?"
"Correct!" Sassy said excitedly.
"So the core...?" Angelo asked.
"Has traditionally always been made from parts of magical creatures like Unicorns, or dragons. Hairs and heart strings that can be tuned like the string of an instrument."
"I don't know that much about instruments but I know different strings make different notes because they're tuned differently, and of course you can't string a viola with a string for a cello!"
"You could but it really wouldn't be a pleasant effect." Sassy said. "Not all instrument strings, as not all wand cores, are one size fits all."
"Hence the difficulty in choosing wands." Angelo nodded looking into Sasporilla's playful eyes. "What?"
"What if," Sasporilla grinned, "someone designed a core that could be one size fits all?"
"How is that possible?" Angelo asked.
"By weaving it out of the fabric of magic itself!" Sassy said excitedly. "Then tuning it to the proper harmonic!"
"Is that possible?" Angelo asked?
"It's a theory." Sasporilla said. "But I'm going to test it. I can weave it myself no problem."
"This is an amazing break through honey I'm so proud of you!" Angelo smiled hugging Sassy proudly. "How is the other project going?"
"Good." Sasporilla nodded. "I'm hoping it will be over soon. The elves have gathered all the information I needed. I was able to form a council amongst the worker elves. They have an agreed upon plan for the future they wish me to implement on their behalf."
"You are a very different kind of Queen," Angelo said hugging and rocking his beautiful young witch, "my Sasporilla."
"I want only to be a good Queen, for the time that I am one." Sassy smiled kissing her fellow and slapping his derriere. "You having a meeting to get to young man."
"Yes." Angelo said looking into Sasporilla's violet eyes. "Suddenly I don't feel much like going."
"You've made a commitment Sir." Sassy said stepping back. "I expect you to keep your commitments! Even though I'd love it if you'd spend the day with me."
"You are a strong one." Angelo grinned taking Sassy's hand and kissing it. "Until we meet again, my beautiful maiden."
"I long for the hour when I once again may feel your warm embrace my love." Sassy said, then started to laugh, covering her face.
"Oh that was beautiful." Angelo said.
"But so cheesy." Sassy laughed. "Go, before I say something else 'Plein de Fromage'."
Angelo, laughing at his beautifully funny young love, turned and left her dorm stepping out onto the terrace. Jorge squawked at him as he passed.
"Yes good morning to you too Jorge!" Angelo said drawing his wand and disapparating in a curling flash with a pop!
Angelo appaerated, mid back alley behind the old Armatage theater. The theater had been closed for renovations for about twenty years now. It always seemed rival interests in a company could provide the perfect hiding place in plain site, no questions asked. A loose board on a back doorway lead to hidden steps down into a cellar beneath the theater.
Angelo pulled his wand and cast "INOBSERVATUS", disappearing from the view of any on looker as he crossed the dusty old hall and stepped into an illusionary pile of rubble, that blocked an open doorway.
"VENTUS!" Angelo cast back into the hall causing a wind to blow the dust into a cloud. Had anyone tried to conceal themselves by spell or invisibility cloak the dust cloud would have revealed them. In turn as the dust settled it covered his tracks on the floor. Angelo turned and cast "LUMOS" as he started down a long set of ancient carved circular stone steps.
The walls going down, were inset with the carvings of some of the bravest knights any world had ever known. Sir Tristian, Sir Lancelot, Sir Gallahad, Sir Percival the knights of the table round. Those extraordinary muggles who stood with their King, Arthur Pendragon of Camelot, who under the council of Merlin, ran the known world in piece and harmony.
A flowery child’s vision. A faery tale told to placate muggle fantasies. It was hard austere time when a few muggles dared stand with a single wizard against the wizarding world to push them back! To protect muggles from mass murder and enslavement. It was only through Merlin's gift, the spell to protect all muggles, that the War was won! The spell is commonly remembered by all muggles, but forgotten is why they know it, or how it is used?
"ABRACADABRA!" spoken by any muggle while touching one hand to the ground will protect them from any witch or wizards spell! Such power left those with less than peaceful intent impotent, and looking for a world of their own.
When the wizards came to Avalon Merlin decided he would not allow them to live unchecked and formed a new council of knights. A council of Witches and Wizards of the table round.
The steps ended in a small chamber in a deep dungeon far below the theater. Two large heavy Iron doors sat shut before him. The face of Merlin cast into the metal plate.
Angelo approached the door knocked three times and bopped Merlin's visage on the nose with his wand.
"Password." The Iron Merlin spoke.
"Abracadabra." Angelo said quietly.
"You know you don't have to hit me on the nose every time you rude child!" The Iron Merlin barked as the doors swung open.
"I know." Angelo smiled. "But for some reason, it always makes me laugh!"
Inside was a large room with a polished stone round table. Twelve chairs sat around the table with a witch or wizard seated in each one... with the exception of two... Lyra Lee-Ashwolf, leader of the Knights stood before her chair at the top of the room, speaking to the knights.
"Nice of you to finally join us, Sir Lazarus." Lyra said.
"I got here as soon as I could." Angelo smiled. "Life and all."
"Yes would that ‘and all’ be pretty with pink hair?" Sir Draco Malfoy asked.
"Watch your mouth Malfoy." Lyra said. "Sasporilla's my best friend! Take your seat Lazarus and I'll bring you up to speed."
Around the table, besides The head witch Lyra Lee-Ashwolf were the other knights. Sir Draco Malfoy, University student in his final year of study looking to make a difference for the misdeeds of his family and bring honour back to the Malfoy family name.
Sir Hugo looked like a hobo... smelled like one too. He was an older man with stringy salt and pepper unwashed, everything, but especially hair. He wore a dirty trench coat over his dirty clothes. He slept the streets of Avalon and had his ear to the ground. He knew everything going on in this city and had dedicated his life to it for the knights.
Dame Dina Splatterpalette was a powerful witch who kept the CAMELOT newspaper running! Though unpredictable, wild and often out-there, no one ever questioned her bravery or her loyalty!
Dame Hannah professor of Magizoology, was not just a witch and the head of the University zoo but a very powerful Animagus who changed into an Occamy. Not only a beautiful but a fearsome creature that will stand up to any other!!!
Sir Borwhen was a half giant who many made the mistake of thinking dim because of his size. However he was as intelligent as he was strong. A mountain of a man he found himself often ostracized and feared by other wizards and witches. He tended to hide himself away with his books, studying spells, history and anything he could.
Dame Josie Phenix was a very powerful witch just itching at the chance to get her hands on the Witch Queen. Josie Phenix, the child of two well-known magical rogue scholars and adventurers, had enjoyed the education of several fine institutions. Most of which she had politely been invited to leave due to her over zealous defense of weaker students or magical creatures from bullies. It was at Hogwarts Josie Phenix had crossed paths with the future witch Queen. Both had been in Hogwarts together and had never liked each other. Josie had always known Bougainvillea Bent was the meanest and cruelest girl capable of great evil. After their tussle , which ended badly for Bougainvillea, the Bent family had Josie Phenix kicked out of Hogwarts. When Bougainvillea became Witch Queen, Josie feared for the people of Avalon and swore to what she could to protect them.
Sir Keaton was the oldest amongst the knights, often called the Colonel, the gray haired old military man. A wizard who served for years in the muggle military. He signed up to fight against the wizards who were secretly fighting for the enemy in World War two. He stayed in after to make sure all magic traps, left behind by the enemy, were found and destroyed. His training and knowledge were invaluable to the knights.
Sir Stoffer was a young Second year technomancer, from an advanced society. He studied a higher program than most and was considered quite brilliant, even by their standards. Though he was a bit nerdy and cautious, his heart was pure.
Sir Griffin was a fourth year Broom design major who's father was the owner of Triumphant brooms. Great things were expected of him in the business and he wanted to make his family proud, but his real dream was to play Chaser for Ireland. He was a young man of honour and integrity, who put his families needs before his own dreams. Griffin may never play professional Quidditch but no one disputed he was one of the fastest flyers anyone had seen on a broom!
Dame Beatrix Zonko was the second daughter of the famed Zonko family of Hogsmeade. A renowned potions mistress she now studied for her doctorate in potions making so that she might become a well sought after professor of potions. Her father had always wanted her to join the family business building better stink bombs and love potions but Carol Zonko wanted more from her life than japes and gags! She saw potions as important, not some grand joke! She would use her knowledge to help and to teach and never to harm or to trick.
Those were the twelve knights of Merlin's council that sat in defense of the table round.
"Dina's brought something to my attention." Lyra said out her hand.
Professor Splatterpalette stood and lifted her wand "WINGARDIUM LEVIOSA." A stack of newspapers, old and yellowing, levitated up onto the round table. The twine, which bound the bundle, untied and a copy flew to each knight seated at the table. The papers were a couple of decades old copies of the Avalon Examiner. A photo showing a two girls switching places just as a finish line is crossed in a race was topped by the head line "PROOF BENT CHEATS TO BECOME WITCH QUEEN"
"A cache of these papers was left in my care years ago," Dame Splatterpalette said, "by Augustus Ramagast. The former Editor in chief of the Avalon Examiner and one of my dearest friends. When he ran this story he was taken prisoner by the Witch Queen. She'd have killed him except in doing so these papers would have appeared upon his death. The fact that my garage filled up with these last night means Augustus has past in the Queens dungeon. I must now fulfill the second half of my promise to him."
"What's that?" Sir Hugo asked through his dirty baked bean teeth.
"We release the truth." Lyra smiled. "We deliver the papers."
"Expose that Bi..." Dame Phenix caught herself, "Witch for the pathetic cheat she is."
"We're going to need every operative we have." Dame Splatterpalette said.
"We're going to need more men!" The colonel barked, rolling his eyes as he saw the looks he got from his female knights. "People! More people! Draft a few in! We all know some who'll help even if they won't want to. Just make sure you can trust'em to keep there yaps shut!"
"Pretty sure I know some one who I can trust to help." Angelo smiled. "She might be able to bring a few friends."
***************
Sasporilla sketched a cylinder in journal. Around it, she sketched three strands of magical fiber and stared at them for a moment.
“They do indeed represent the three lines of the biorhythm, but they wouldn’t lattice. Unless…”
Sasporilla drew three more strands in the opposite direction to represent magical fibers for the basics of the wand components. The intersecting strands did indeed form the lattice she was looking for.
“That’s it!” Sasporilla said. “One flexible base tube wrapped in strands of three that can be tuned to the numbers that correspond to the Biorhythms and arthimantics! A Woven core!!!”
"Queen Sasporilla?" A small voice said from behind the fading pink haired witch startling her.
"What in track nine and three quarters!" Sassy yelled, making Jooble, a rather small house elf jump. "Jooble you scared me! What's wrong?"
"The Elves my Queen." Jooble said. "They have finally summoned you before the council."
"It's about time." Sasporilla smiled bowing before the small elf. "Ask the Minister to choose a delegation along with the emissary and wait for me at the village."
"It's my honour my Queen." Jooble smiled and disappeared.
Sassy had a dress, not the grand lavish royal gown of your standard Queen, but a dress made from the same kind of sacks that her people were forced to wear. It was very plain, roughly stitched by design, and had a similar cloak with the royal symbol of the Stilskin house, a double spinning wheel under a crown embroidered on the back. Placing the simple gold crown upon her head Sassy felt her ears turn pointy and grow out. She saw more strands of her hair turn to the dull red of her mother’s hair colour.
With a snap of her fingers Sasporilla Bucket disappeared from her room and reappeared in a small elven village deep within the forbidden forest. Centaurs stood guard at the road in to the small grottoed hamlet.
The delegation of worker elves, came out from the largest of the temporary buildings in the village. Sasporilla Bucket took a knee before them.
"Prime Minister Wurloo." Sasporilla smiled. "The village is looking wonderful. With luck you all won't need to stay here much longer."
"It was very gracious of your friends the centaurs to make this space for us temporarily, my Queen." Minister Wurloo smiled. "Please stand. You do us too great an honour bowing before us. We are all humble equals here."
"As you wish." Sassy smiled Standing. "I've been summoned to the elven council. It's time we make our presence known!"
"Agreed." Prime Minister Wurloo smiled.
"Is the Emissary ready?" Sassy asked.
"Yes." The minister smiled. "We've chosen an indentured elf."
"Not a free elf?" Sasporilla smiled. "Good for you. This should cause issues and force them to see more of our issues. Who was your choice?"
"One of your cousins, from the Hogwarts laundry." The Prime Minister of worker Elves smiled. "Zerlo."
"What a wonderful choice!" Sasporilla smiled. "Shall we be off?"
"Please lead the way my Queen." The minister smiled.
The crown gave Sasporilla much greater power when it came to control her elven magic. With a snap of her finger the air before them shimmered and a portal opened between the Worker Elf Village and the road leading up to the Elven city of Elthloriel.
Queen Sasporilla Bucket followed behind her people humbly. It had taken weeks negotiate a temporary home for the worker elves who needed a place to live. The centaurs, though her friends were by nature a suspicious people of everyone not their own. It was only through Sasporilla's long time trust with them and her personal promise that the imposition in the forest would be temporary, that an agreement was reached.
Sassy encouraged the worker elves to learn about how different societies successfully, fairly governed them selves. She helped her worker elves build not only their temporary homes but the Ministry that governed them. A government by and for worker elves, free of their Queen who was now the final word on important decisions, until they felt comfortable enough in their own abilities to vote her out of the process. She was so proud of them.
At the gates of Elthloriel they were met by four guards sent by the council to safely escort the worker elf delegation through the city. Stores looked half bare. Walls were dirty and the streets were strewn with garbage. Many places of fine dining were closed. The high elves that walked the streets looked at the worker elf delegation with grungy disdain. With no one to tend to their laundry these days the High elves were looking more the down trodden. Sasporilla found the state of the city very satisfying.
The worker elf delegation was lead into the council chamber where there were met with the glares of disheveled elven council members.
"Thank you for coming Queen Sasporilla." High Chancellor Eldin frowned. "We have acquiesced to your demands and provided you a seat on the Elven council."
There was s polite but reluctant round of applause.
"Oh you misunderstood." Sasporilla smiled and took a knee before her delegation of worker elves. "May I speak for us in this matter minister?"
"You may." The Worker elf Prime Minister granted permission.
"Thank you." Sasporilla said standing.
"What foolishness is this?" High Chancellor Eldin demanded. "You are their Queen?"
"Yes!" Sasporilla said. "But I serve my people, I do not RULE THEM. I have given them the power to govern themselves. That seat on the elven council will be held by an elected official who will execute choices of the Worker Elves as a people."
"This is ridiculous!" The high chancellor said.
"Is it?" Sasporilla asked directing Drooble to step forward and take his seat. "Perhaps you forget how you look? How the city look? Why not use elven magic to just "snap" it all clean? Oh wait, you lot can't, can you. You're kind of elves all have different kinds of magic. All those wondrous creations of the elves the wood work, armour, weapons, fine clothing... all made by worker elves! You lot just put a bit of embude spells on at the last. Even this grand city? Who built it?"
"It was a common effort between..." the High chancellor began until Drooble lifted his hand.
"Stop please." Drooble said. "Embarrass yourself, you do. Truth is documented very well it is!"
"Indeed it is Zerlo." Sasporilla said. "This city was the city of the WORKER ELVES! When the Magi came here they attacked the Elven lands, and the city which is now Majesty Station! You fled to here and were gladly taken in as refugees."
"Now see here." High Chancellor Eldin tried to interrupt but Sasporilla would not allow him the opportunity.
"You can try to deny it all you like High Chancellor," Sasporilla said approaching him pulling copies of scrolls from her bag, "but you were there at the signing of the treaty between the Magi and the high elves, where you surrendered your lands. A people who knew immortality had never known a death like one that came with the death curse.
"It was a massacre." Eldin hung his head. "You have no Idea. We had no choice."
"From my human half I deeply apologize." Sasporilla said. "If and when it is within my power to change things I will. I promise you that. Until then I must focus on the needs of my people. You do not use 95% of the ancestral worker elf homes in this city. They're blocked off and forgotten to my people. Why?"
"They're to small to access for anyone." The chancellor sighed.
"And too opulent for slaves." Sasporilla said. "Now lets talk about that. When the worker elves were pledged to the MAGI for one thousand years of servitude, there was NOTHING about being enslaved to the elves. How you convinced those who will was broken to serve you for free??? It angers me. The sheer gaul and manipulation of my people!"
"What do you want?" The High Chancellor asked of the highly angered Queen of the Worker Elves.
"The city." The Queen said. "The city rightly belongs to my people."
The council murmured with freight as the High Chancellor became noticeably angry. Tempers flared as people started to shout at one another. One small calm voice cut through the din.
"Excuse me!" Zerlo said standing on his seat. "My friends, as the representative for our people I have posed a voted solution to our people which they found acceptable. May I propose it to you?"
"Please speak Representative Zerlo." Sasporilla said. "I'd like to hear a calm intelligent voice."
"As would I!" The High Chancellor Agreed.
"The Worker elves Agree 95% of our original homes are blocked away, and are not in use. We see no reason why we can not all equally share the city with those we invited here as guests originally. We would be willing to split the deed to the city calling it joint owned. We would like to take back a few important spots however. These can be negotiated at a later date."
"I think that is a very fair and a very wise offer from my people." Sasporilla said winking at Zerlo. "What do you say?"
"The council must vote on it." The High Chancellor said.
The decision was not unanimous but it passed. The worker elves had their ancestral home back.
"Anything to get them back to work." High chancellor Eldin said.
"Oh." Zerlo smiled. "To house us was all this was! Now discussing contracts for our work we must!"
"Ah!" Sasporilla smiled. "My work as Queen has born great fruit indeed!"
******************
Sasporilla Bucket returned to her dorm room just before dark, still wearing her the humble dress of sacks and the gold crown which pointed her ears and had, through out the day, almost completely drained her hair of pink. She looked at herself in the mirror and fumbled with her dull red hair. She reached over to her dresser and picked up the small box her father had left to her.
"I do I wish I knew what spell it was you used to protect me all those years ago that turned my hair pink my whole life." Sassy smiled.
"That's a sexy look on you HOT STUFF!" Angelo said from the door way.
"Oh!" Sasporilla jumped, dropping the box in her bag. "You startled me."
"You look so house elf Queeny!" Angelo smiled hugging his girl friend.
"You're incorrigible!" Sasporilla laughed. Taking off the crown causing her ears to shrink to normal, but leaving her hair dull red. "I think the crown nullified the rest of my fathers protection magic. I look just like my mum now."
"Then your father was a very lucky man." Angelo smiled.
"She would have liked you," Sasporilla said giving Angelo a peck and walking up stairs to change, "My man. How did the top secret meeting go?"
"That's why I'm here." Angelo said. "The knights are looking for volunteer's. I could use your help but..."
"But what?" Sasporilla asked.
"The knight's ask a favour of the Queen of the Worker elves."
Sasporilla stopped on the steps. A very serious look fell upon her face as she set the crown upon her head. She stood there very still as she asked. "I am always of service to my people. If a favour you ask of us, understand that I will ask the Ministry council. The people will vote and the worker elf people will decide to grant or deny your favour. The decision will not be mine alone. And know this, if we accept and help, the Worker elves may at some time ask the Magi knights of the table round for a favour in return... some day. Agreed?"
"Agreed!" Angelo smiled.
"Your word is bond Angelo Lazarus." Queen Sasporilla smiled. ""What favour do you ask of us?"
PLEASE REMEMBER
I am in no way affiliated with Warner Bros. or with J.K.Rowling. My work is purely that of fan fiction & do not ask for, nor accept money, gifts or other compensation for my work. If you really feel you must do something, donate to J.K.Rowling's charitable foundation LUMOS! Link below! ( https://www.wearelumos.org/ )
I am in no way affiliated with Warner Bros. or with J.K.Rowling. My work is purely that of fan fiction & do not ask for, nor accept money, gifts or other compensation for my work. If you really feel you must do something, donate to J.K.Rowling's charitable foundation LUMOS! Link below! ( https://www.wearelumos.org/ )