Heritage of the North: The Power of Ice and Betrayal

"Where is she?" Bellatrix demanded immediately.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"That went well." Bellatrix commented happily.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To the so-called 'Lord Polairix:' Greetings.

After a week of consideration, I've decided that the Ministry of Magic will not comply to your demands expressed last week. We don't recognize your power or authority to issue such commands and proclamations. Especially the one concerning Azkaban. The prison will remain under our control.

Cornelius Fudge

Minister of Magic

"Interesting." Harry said dryly. He then passed it to Bellatrix who read it.

She quickly skimmed the letter and looked up at him. "I think that it is high time Fudge learned who has the power in this world." she commented. "I believe that I know precisely what to do about this. Allow me a few days to engineer and carry out a plan of action. When I'm finished, you'll be able to pulverize him."

"If you want to do that." Harry said, giving her permission to do what she wanted.

"Send a short reply, make it sound ominous." Bellatrix advised as she left the room, letter in hand.

"I'd hate to have your wife mad at me." Bess snickered, before leaving to return to her normal duties.

Harry wrote out a quick note to Fudge with a grim smile. He knew that he could trust Bellatrix to come up with something effective and satisfying.

Fudge-

I feel sorry for you.

-Lord Polairix

That night, Neville and the rest of Potter's Legion were in the dungeons holding one of their meetings. The Room of Requirement had been out of question due to the fact that too many others knew of it. Snape had kindly pointed the way to a large classroom that was rarely used.

"That's enough training for tonight!" called Neville from the head of the classroom as he observed one group produce corporeal Patroni and another group of younger students disarm each other. Other groups were performing a wide variety of spells. "If you got anything out, put it away and I'll tell you some important news."

Parvati and Lavender quickly flanked him as they waited for everyone to clean up. The two girls had basically appointed themselves his assistants as they met more and more often. Neville didn't really mind because they were masters at getting new members and keeping the current members together. They were pretty good at Defense too.

As soon as the room was once again clean and everyone had turned their attention to Neville, he spoke. "What I'm about to tell you is top secret. Harry has escaped from Azkaban."

Excited whispers broke out among all the students present. Neville calmly waited for them to quiet down before continuing. "It has also been discovered that Harry's mum wasn't quite as much of a Muggle-born as was thought. Based on her lineage, Harry has been made the Lord of Polairix."

"What's that?" called out several students.

"It means that he controls the Lands of the North." Neville explained briefly. "He has a lot of power and the Ministry can't even touch him now. According to Professor Snape, who is in contact with him, Harry is slowly planning how to take Voldemort and the Ministry on. Our job right now is first- to continue our training, and second- to spread the word that Harry is 'good.' No one knows that he was sent to Azkaban excepting a few people. Any questions?"

"How do we spread the word that he is good?" called out a second-year girl excitedly.

Parvati stepped forward for this answer. "Don't let people get away with speaking ill of him. Correct them and defend him without revealing information about him. You can also talk about Harry to others in reference to Voldemort. Always show him in the good light." Lavender nodded in agreement.

Neville looked at his watch and sighed. "It looks like we've run out of time. Next time we'll discuss Ministry politics and what we know about Death Eaters. It helps if you can understand those you're fighting against."

Everyone nodded and began to filter out of the room in twos and threes. Neville watched them go happily. He would have told them more about Harry, Bellatrix and Nair'icaix for example, but for now, it was best if they couldn't betray the important things. Besides, Harry deserved to be the one to tell. Neville also was slightly confused about the Bellatrix connection. She was partially responsible for his parents condition. However, he would reserve judgement until he met her. Maybe she had changed.

"I think that went well." Parvati said to him as Lavender left with the last students.

"I hope so." Neville said. "After this latest news, I've realized that Harry doesn't necessarily need us. We and the Wizarding World need him more. Instead of Potter's Legion, we should be Ambassadors to Potter."

Parvati nodded. "Yes, there's no doubt that Harry will be angry toward those who betrayed him. I certainly would be. Maybe we'll be able to keep him from holding a grudge against everyone in general."

Neville nodded and was about to leave when Parvati spoke up again, rather quickly and seemingly out of breath. "Uh, Neville?"

He turned around and looked at her. "Yes?"

"I was wondering, if well, you would go to Hogsmeade with me on the next weekend we're there." Parvati blushed and kept talking before he could answer. "We could just get some drinks at the Three Broomsticks."

"Sure." Neville said cheerfully.

"Really?"

"Yes."

Parvati was blushing madly, but still seemed happy. "Well, see you then." She then darted off.

Neville smiled as he made his way to exit the classroom and go back to Gryffindor Tower. Apparently Potter's Legion had benefitted him as well. Although it was somewhat a Harry Potter fan club, some of the girls thought that Neville was a good catch too.

"Wormtail!" Voldemort barked from his sickbed. "Get in here now!"

The door opened and Peter Pettigrew came in very slowly, closing the door behind him. He was shaking. "Yes, my lord?" Voldemort was in a sickbed, but he still could shoot off the Cruciatus Curse with deadly efficiency.

"It's time that the Muggle-loving fool learns a lesson. Hogsmeade weekend is coming in two weeks or so. Tell Malfoy to get the Dementors located and moved for an attack. There's a nice hiding spot that I know of near Hogsmeade." Voldemort said.

"That can't be done, my lord." Wormtail whimpered, closing his eyes in anticipation of the word 'Crucio.'

"Why not?" Voldemort whispered, staring intensely at his servant.

Wormtail gulped. "The Dementors are gone. They left."

"And why was that?"

"The Lord of Polairix summoned them to return to Azkaban. Our spy in the Ministry also indicates that Polairix expelled the Ministry from the prison. The Ministry has taken the return of the Dementors as a sign that they are the ones truly in control. They've decided to stay on Azkaban." Wormtail explained, hoping that he wouldn't be blamed.

Instead of torturing Wormtail, Voldemort considered the news and what he knew about the House of Polairix carefully. "Fudge is a fool if he thinks he can defy the Lord Polairix. Even if Polairix was a squib! My books have revealed that much." he finally pronounced. "We must get those Dementors back before their overlord is able to establish absolute control. Scratch the Hogsmeade plan."

"What do we do then?" Pettigrew asked.

Voldemort grinned evilly and sat up. "We'll send a group of 'junior' Death Eaters to Hogsmeade to act as a distraction while we siege Azkaban."

"Didn't you just say that Lord Polairix was powerful?" Wormtail asked, confusion etched in his voice.

"Silence!" Voldemort commanded, rising from his sickbed. "Fudge may be a fool, but he has bought us time. Azkaban can and will fall if it is still under the control of the Ministry. If we can get a hold on Azkaban, we might be able to get a grip against Lord Polairix. A bargaining chip if you will."