The Crow Lord - a Ghost of the Past. (Patreon)

Daella Targaryen, Main Atrium – Potter Hall

Words failed the young Princess. She stood completely frozen as the reptilian eyes looked at her with obvious curiosity.

A...

A dragon!

Daella thought, paralyzed, caught between excitement and terror.

It was enormous.

Not as large as the dragons of her family were described in the histories, but still more than large enough to be ridden.

Swallowing hard, Daella desperately recalled every one of her High Valyrian lessons. According to the books, dragons responded to the language of their ancestors.

"Dohaeras... Dohaeras!" Daella commanded with as much authority as she could possibly muster.

Which, truthfully...

Wasn't much.

The dragon seemed utterly indifferent to the young Princess's words, lowering its enormous snout toward Daella and beginning to sniff her with obvious interest.

"Daella! My love, don't move!" her beloved father shouted, making a titanic effort not to throw himself at the dragon.

The Princess took a deep breath, closing her eyes as the smell of sulfur struck her face, making her tremble.

"Likyri... Likyri!" the young Targaryen said in a trembling voice as the dragon's enormous snout drew closer and closer to her face, making her let out a tiny squeak.

The reaction varied among those present.

Every Targaryen and Martell looked on with concern.

Meanwhile...

Both Potters merely rolled their eyes.

"Relax, Daella. If she had wanted to kill you, you wouldn't even have seen her. She's sniffing you because your scent... is familiar to her," Harrys said calmly as he walked toward her, his wand already in his hand.

Daella watched as Harrys moved his wand above her head with elegant precision, causing the spectral dragon he had summoned after Tolland's execution to emerge once more.

Both Daella and the dragon stared in utter amazement as the immense ethereal creature soared gracefully through the vast hall, filling the entire chamber with an overwhelming sensation of peace and serenity.

Whatever this magic was...

Daella wanted to feel it every day.

Every hour.

As though she were wrapped completely within a warm blanket.

The feeling was addictive.

It felt...

Like Harrys himself.

Within seconds, Lord Potter was standing beside her, placing one hand upon Daella's shoulder and gently moving her behind him, pulling the young Princess out of her trance.

"Hello there, my dear," Harrys said with a broad smile as he opened his arms wide.

The dragoness recognized Harrys instantly, lowering her enormous head against Lord Potter's chest as he embraced her tightly while, much to Daella's astonishment...

She began purring softly.

"Good girl," Harrys said as he gently guided the dragoness toward the enormous painting in the center of the chamber, under Daella's dumbfounded gaze.

The young Princess was so distracted that she barely noticed her beloved father rushing to her side, wrapping her in a fierce embrace, the relief on his tense face impossible to hide.

"Daella, my daughter! Are you alright?" Prince Maekar exclaimed, refusing to let her go as he held her tightly.

"Yes, Father, I'm alright, but..." the young Princess tried to say, only to be interrupted by little Egg, who barely seemed capable of containing his excitement.

"DRAGONS! BY THE GODS, FATHER! LIVING DRAGONS!" the young Prince shouted, his radiant smile and wide eyes never leaving the breathtaking sight beyond the painting, where the entire flock could be seen soaring peacefully through the skies.

"It would seem Lord Harrys' secrets simply never cease to accumulate... living dragons... by the Gods," her uncle Baelor said in utter astonishment as he watched Lord Harrys herd the massive dragoness back through the enormous painting before raising his wand and beginning a series of complex movements, conjuring what appeared to be a golden barrier.

It spread across the entire wall, undoubtedly some sort of containment spell meant to prevent the dragons from escaping once again.

Lady Lily stepped forward with a quiet sigh, not the least bit surprised by the presence of the majestic creatures.

"Didn't you reinforce the containment enchantment?" the redhead asked with genuine curiosity, as though seeing such magnificent beings was something perfectly ordinary for her.

And apparently...

Daella was not the only one who noticed that small detail.

Her uncle Baelor looked at Lily in surprise before asking,

"Wait... you already knew about all of this?" the Heir to the Iron Throne asked his betrothed, still stunned and overwhelmed by the fact that they had just become the first people to see living dragons in more than fifty years.

Lily looked at her uncle before rolling her eyes and answering,

"Of course I knew. I used to take care of them when Harrys was still a child," the redhead replied with complete naturalness, causing every single Targaryen present to stare at her in utter disbelief.

Daella looked at the redhead in astonishment, unable to believe that all this time dragons had still existed in the world.

And even more astonishing that they had apparently been living in Potter Manor all along.

The young Princess opened her mouth to ask another question when Egg suddenly spoke again.

"The dragon was getting close to Daella! Was that the beginning of a bond? Is my sister going to become a dragon rider? Can I have one too?" the young Prince asked, practically trembling with excitement, completely unable to contain himself.

Those words froze the young brunette Princess for a brief instant as uncertainty and hope began to bloom within her chest at the notion Egg had planted in her mind.

Daella allowed herself to indulge in the fantasy her beloved little brother had created.

For a moment, the Princess lost herself in the image of soaring through the skies upon the back of that magnificent creature, far away from worldly concerns and the endless demands of the Crown.

Until Harrys' words brought her back to reality.

"A dragon? So your family can drive them to extinction once again in another meaningless war born of greed and power? Treating them as beasts and instruments of war instead of the magnificent magical creatures they truly are?" Lord Potter said firmly, silencing everyone present and making little Egg grimace uncomfortably at Harrys' harsh...

But truthful words.

"Besides, you're mistaken. Carys and the rest of my dragons are not of the Valyrian breed. They originate from Britannia, and therefore there is no blood bond that would allow the Targaryens to bond with them," Harrys added gently and tactfully, shattering little Egg's dreams...

Along with those of the rest of the Royal Family.

Prince Maekar stepped forward and, frowning, asked,

"If that is true... why did the dragon seem to recognize Daella? There was familiarity in her behavior," her father asked with obvious curiosity.

The answer did not come from Harrys.

But from Lily, whose face was filled with unmistakable amusement, while Harrys, for some strange reason, began blushing.

"Because Carys recognized Daella's scent as something familiar, undoubtedly after smelling it on Harrys for years," the redhead replied with obvious amusement, making both Daella...

And Harrys...

Blush from head to toe.

Her uncle Baelor let out an amused snort.

Valarr quickly followed suit, finding the entire situation hilarious.

While her father wore an expression of complete agony.

Much to Daella's amusement.

Harrys stepped forward and took control of the situation once more.

"That doesn't matter. We should be focusing on finding out who the hell intercepted the messages between Ser Daemon and the King and for what purpose," young Lord Potter declared with determination, making the amusing atmosphere vanish completely.

"You're right, Harrys. Your mother and I have theorized that it is the same group responsible for cursing Kiera," the Prince said, immediately drawing the attention of every Targaryen and Martell present.

"What? What do you mean, cursed?" Daella asked, frowning as she looked directly toward her cousin, who was holding his wife's hand in silent support.

Daella noticed that both Prince Maron and Princess Daenerys looked just as shocked by her uncle's words.

She also noticed...

That neither her father nor her brother Daeron appeared surprised in the slightest.

Apparently...

Her family had been keeping secrets the Princess thought bitterly.

Daella was about to demand an explanation when Harrys stepped forward once again and interrupted.

"Speaking of that, Kiera, Valarr, I have everything prepared to break the curse. And it's better to do it now, while you're pregnant again, to avoid any complications," Harrys said with complete naturalness...

Delivering a monumental revelation in the most casual manner imaginable.

Daella, along with every Targaryen and Martell present, looked toward the young couple, waiting for confirmation of Lord Potter's words. The moment the Princess saw the astonishment on Kiera's face and the look of resignation on Valarr's...

She knew Harrys, as usual...

Was right.

"How... How do you know?" Kiera asked, placing a hand over her womb, confirming Harrys' words.

Lord Potter merely rolled his eyes before replying.

"I simply do. Come to the infirmary. I have everything prepared to break the curse. That will also give everyone enough time to digest the fact that the history you know... is a lie," Harrys said as he began walking, leading the Prince and Princess toward the upper floors of the Manor, followed closely by his cousin and his wife.

As usual, Daella watched Harrys with conflicted emotions. The young Lord had just revealed that dragons, the mythical creatures tied to House Targaryen, were still alive.

And not only that...

They were tied to his own lineage.

The Potter bloodline.

A difficult truth to accept, Daella thought with resignation before watching Lily prepare to take control of the situation.

"Very well, it's been several years since I was last at Potter Hall, but I remember perfectly well that there are several sitting rooms where we can rest for a while and have some refreshments. Perhaps if..." the redhead began.

Only to be interrupted by Harrys himself.

"That won't be necessary, Mother," Lord Potter said in a calm yet firm tone, silencing the surprised redhead.

"What do you mean, Harrys?" the future Princess asked, frowning in confusion as she looked toward the black-haired Lord.

Harrys remained completely impassive. Holding her gaze, he answered.

"That is Lady Potter's responsibility, Mother. Therefore, it is no longer yours to bear, nor your right," Harrys declared, silencing Lily completely as she stared at her son in utter surprise.

Without the slightest hesitation, Harrys turned toward the young Ashford Lady and continued.

"Gwyn, my dear, please escort our guests to the Rest Room we prepared. Have Bella bring everyone tea and refreshments," the young Lord instructed, prompting the young Ashford to step forward and answer.

"As you command, my Lord," the dark-haired young woman replied as she steadied herself before beginning to guide the Targaryens and Martells toward whatever room Harrys had prepared for them.

"This way, Your Graces. Harrys prepared a room specifically for the occasion," she said as she began walking toward the opposite side of the chamber.

Princess Daenerys and Prince Maron quickly followed the young woman, closely followed by her brother Daeron and little Egg, who continued staring longingly toward the place where the dragons could still be seen soaring through the skies.

"Come along, my daughter. We have much to process," her father said, placing his hands upon her shoulders, ready to follow the rather plain young woman.

But Daella's attention remained fixed upon Lily, who was still standing there, staring in shock toward the place where Harrys had disappeared together with Valarr and Kiera, while her uncle Baelor gently held her hand.

"Come, my dear. I'm certain your perspective will prove crucial to understanding everything that is happening," the Heir to the Iron Throne said, prompting the redhead to nod uncertainly before turning around and walking toward where young Ashford had disappeared.

"It would seem the tension between Harrys and his mother has not disappeared," her beloved father remarked as they began walking.

Daella simply nodded before replying.

"It would seem so, Father," the Princess answered uncertainly.

She truly had no idea what was happening.

The only thing she knew for certain was that the relationship between Harrys and Lily was far from being at its best.

That much was obvious.

And although Daella could not be certain...

She had a slight suspicion as to why.

The Princess took her father's arm, and together they walked through the Manor's elegant corridors, marveling at the sheer amount of luxury and wealth surrounding them. This place made the Red Keep and Summerhall look like beggars' pigsties.

It was...

A rather painful blow to her pride, if she was being honest.

After a short walk, the two of them reached the room in question, opening the door and finding themselves in a...

Rather complicated situation.

The room was beautiful, overflowing with luxury and exquisitely decorated. Masterfully carved stag statues dominated the chamber, the golden armchairs were of finer quality than anything she had ever seen, while both the walls and the floor were works of art in themselves, filled with literal magic and artwork that moved with elegant grace, allowing black and gold to dominate every corner.

However...

No one seemed captivated by the room itself.

Quite the opposite.

And Daella understood the reason immediately.

At the center of the chamber, directly above an enormous fireplace, hung a painting.

It was immense.

It dominated the room entirely.

The craftsmanship was sublime.

A beautiful painting.

And it portrayed someone familiar.

Lady Lily.

Much younger.

Perhaps the very same age Daella was now.

She was seated upon the lap of a handsome, magnetic man, extraordinarily similar to Harrys, with the only noticeable difference being his brown eyes. Both were dressed in elegant robes of exceptional quality and obvious expense. Lily wore the very same jewels now adorning young Ashford.

The painting conveyed one thing above all else.

Power.

And the inscription beneath it read...

"Lord James and Lady Lily of the Noble and Ancient House of Potter," Egg read aloud innocently, completely oblivious to the uncomfortable atmosphere that had settled over the room.

Daella turned toward the redhead, who stood staring silently at the painting while everyone else watched her with quiet concern.

"How did this get here, Gwyn?" Lily asked cautiously as she slowly approached the foot of the fireplace, gazing at the portrait with eyes filled with longing, much to her uncle Baelor's obvious discomfort.

The young Ashford, surprised by the question, answered honestly.

"Oh... I don't know, my Lady. The painting was already here when Harrys showed me this room," the young woman replied sincerely, prompting Lily to nod absentmindedly before drawing her wand beneath the uneasy gazes of everyone present.

"Lily? Is everything alright?" her uncle Baelor asked.

The redhead did not answer.

Instead, she moved her wand with elegant precision, causing a white light to emerge from its tip and drift gently toward the painting.

For several long seconds, the redhead stared at the portrait expectantly, the hope shining openly in her eyes for everyone to see.

Then...

Something deeply unsettling happened.

"By the Seven..." her beloved father whispered as everyone watched in utter disbelief.

The man...

Lord James, Daella remembered...

Began to move.

Inside the painting itself.

Just like that madman who had frightened Daella earlier.

The man yawned, blinking several times in quick succession as though awakening from a very long sleep. Then he slowly looked around before fixing his gaze, overflowing with joy and affection, upon the trembling Lily Potter.

"Lily, my love... it's wonderful to see you," Lord Potter said, leaving everyone present utterly frozen as their eyes darted between the man within the painting, the trembling Lily, and her conflicted uncle.

"It would seem our discussion about the Rebellion will have to wait," her father said cautiously.

And Daella knew...

He was not mistaken.