The Elden Lion - Midgard. (Patreon)

Amelia Bones, Saint Mungos – England.

Amelia's life had changed greatly in a short amount of time; there was no doubt about that.

Obviously, everything revolved around her Lord and Master, Harry Potter, who, in only a couple of months, had taken the magical world and turned it upside down with alarming ease.

As ruthless as he was powerful, Harry was not someone who took offenses well, generally using cruel and merciless punishments against his enemies. Amelia could only shudder whenever she remembered the fate of Augustus Rookwood, something she would not wish even upon her worst enemy.

Well… perhaps Antonin Dolohov, Amelia thought with fury and contempt, but that was another story.

The time for her sweet revenge would come eventually, the redhead thought with satisfaction, fully aware that the attack on Azkaban was imminent.

But that was not important now, Amelia thought, smiling as she watched the emotional reunion between young Neville and his parents, Lord Frank and Lady Alice.

Both Longbottoms' bodies were still quite weak, so they had to remain in their beds for a couple of days, but both were conscious once again and more than willing to make up for the lost time with young Neville.

The Longbottom heir clung tightly to both of his parents, while tears streamed uncontrollably from his eyes, his body trembling with relief and happiness at being able to speak to his mother and father, and at having them recognize him.

All of that without even taking Augusta into account, who stood a little apart from the scene, but had tears of happiness on her face, something Amelia had never thought she would see in the formidable witch.

Alice gently and tenderly held Neville's face, completely lost in his eyes. Lady Longbottom's face was overflowing with happiness, but behind it, Amelia could detect a deep sadness, hidden within the depths of the blonde Lady.

Alas, as much as she did not want to, Amelia had to interrupt the emotional moment to take Lord Longbottom's formal statement.

"Lord Frank, Lady Alice, I apologize for interrupting this important moment between you and your son, but I find myself in need of taking your statements. Lord Potter has declared that he will declare a Blood Feud against House Selwyn for what happened, so I need your statements for the Ministry," Amelia said calmly.

Immediately, Augusta frowned and stepped forward, her face displaying severity and disapproval at Amelia's presence.

"I'm sure that can wait, Amelia. My son and his wife have just recovered and…"

However, Augusta's words were interrupted by Lord Frank, who gently raised his hand, stopping his mother and staring directly at Amelia.

"Enough, Mother. I will feel much safer and relieved after answering Amelia's questions," Frank said, his voice still rough but firm.

To the amusement of the DMLE Director, Augusta fell silent at once, gently nodding before taking a step back and allowing Frank to speak with the recently recovered Lords and Ladies.

"It happened a couple of nights after James's death and the disappearance of little Harry. Since the one who must not be named had died, we thought we would be safe… we were wrong," Frank said with a grimace of anguish and a distant look in his eyes.

Amelia simply remained silent. She knew perfectly well that this was a very complicated subject for Frank and Alice.

Lady Longbottom did not speak at all. She hugged and kissed Neville, but…the sadness in their eyes was more than evident, and Amelia could not help but ask about it.

"Is everything all right? You seem… distracted, although considering the circumstances, I cannot blame you," the redhead said calmly, while she could hear the commotion outside the room.

Tonks and Shacklebolt were guarding the door, and judging by the screams of both the mediwizards, Amelia would have to go outside and give an explanation soon. This news was momentous for several reasons.

First of all, the miraculous recovery of Frank and Alice, something that had eluded the brightest minds in the Magical World for years. Harry had done what many had thought impossible, although that was not really news to Amelia. Her Master was the most powerful wizard in the Magical World.

What was truly concerning was the malicious intention to keep Frank and Alice in a vegetative state, completely unaware of the world. She would only have to wait until Harry finished interviewing the nurse in question, who, to Amelia's complete lack of surprise, was absolutely terrified.

"We… Frank and I dreamed all these years, Amelia. We created a life, we had more children… Neville as an older brother, Agatha and little Lily and Augusta… I…" Alice tried to say before beginning to cry, still overwhelmed by her sudden reality.

Immediately, Neville and Frank embraced the woman, although it was evident that Lord Longbottom was also quite bewildered by the situation.

Amelia was about to respond when Harry's imposing magical presence manifested, commanding complete silence in the room.

"I've finished," he said calmly, causing Amelia, Frank, and Alice to look at him with complete attention.

"What did you discover, my Lord?" the redhead asked with the deepest respect, while everyone in the room moved closer, curious about his words.

Harry merely sighed before answering.

"The nurse is a young Muggleborn, the bastard daughter of Lord Selwyn, who has threatened to murder her Muggle mother and siblings if Lord Frank and Lady Alice awakened. Apparently… he was organizing an assassination attempt against Augusta Longbottom. He wanted to use the blood relationship between the Selwyns and the Longbottoms to take custody of Neville and secure the entire Longbottom fortune for the Selwyns. I imagine Neville would have been the last loose end, nothing that an accident couldn't solve," Lord Potter said naturally, causing the Longbottoms to gasp at Harry's words.

Amelia watched everyone's reactions with curiosity. Augusta looked apoplectic, the veins on her forehead practically glowing with fury. Alice gently held her son against her chest, but her face displayed tremendous fury, which was shared by Frank's expression.

"I will send a squad of Aurors to secure the nurse's family. In the meantime, I will make sure to bring Markus Selwyn here to…"

Alas, Amelia apparently had nothing to worry about.

An instant after those words left the redheaded witch's mouth, a golden door, like those Amelia had seen and crossed herself in Leyndell, appeared in the middle of the room, startling everyone except the Elden Lord.

From the golden threshold emerged Silvaryth, her imposing figure almost naked, with only a thin golden tunic and a silver necklace adorning her beautiful body. And although Lord Potter's pet was beautiful, the truly interesting thing was what the dragon in human form carried in her hand, dragging it along like a sack of potatoes.

It was a man, one familiar to Amelia, having seen that face many times during Wizengamot meetings. The large nose and pale skin, wrinkled like a raisin, with those blue eyes, as cold as two icebergs.

"Let me go!! I demand that you let me go, damn it!! You will pay for this, you damned bitch!!" the elegant man spat, at the same time Silvaryth threw the old man at Harry's feet, who merely looked at the man with veiled contempt, at least for the moment.

"AHHHG, FUCK!" Markus Selwyn spat in pain, his voice filled with agony, as he rolled pathetically and struggled to his feet, looking around.

Amelia paid particular attention to the way the old man looked around. The veiled contempt toward Augusta, the surprise upon seeing Frank and Alice awake, and the absolute terror in those blue eyes when he saw Harry's imposing silhouette.

The man opened and closed his mouth with difficulty as he looked around, trying to find a way to escape, an idea that was completely forgotten when he saw Silvaryth reveal her powerful fangs, her beautiful body blocking the door, the only escape route.

Therefore, the pathetic creature focused his gaze on Amelia before having the audacity to give her orders.

"Director Bones!! Lord Potter's beast has kidnapped me! I demand my release and protection! As well as for that putrid creature to be executed for daring to touch me and… AHHHHHHGG—"

The pathetic speech was interrupted by Augusta, who swiftly drew her wand, launching a couple of well-placed low-powered Bombardas directly at the old man's kneecaps.

"Disgusting, damned cockroach!" the formidable and furious woman spat, angrier than Amelia had ever seen her.

Without waiting for a response, Augusta continued casting spells, which Amelia completely ignored, watching impassively as the old woman became increasingly creative with her punishment.

The torture lasted for several minutes, until Amelia's Lord stepped forward and spoke, his voice firm and filled with magical power, making it more than clear that it was an order.

"Enough."

Augusta immediately ended the spell, causing the glass needles she had conjured and had been burying into Markus Selwyn's groin to disappear, although the damage had already been completely done.

Amelia, for a moment, became lost in her thoughts over how much being taken by Harry had changed her, being claimed as a witch of House Potter, causing her total loyalty to belong to her Lord and lover.

Toward the Elden Lion, she thought proudly.

She had just watched Augusta commit a crime, and yet it had not even crossed her mind to stop her or anything of the sort. This disgusting pig deserved nothing less than what Regent Longbottom had done to him.

Amelia knew perfectly well that Markus Selwyn was already living on borrowed time. It was only a matter of time.

"Do you think you won?! The Dark Lord will return!! HE WILL RETURN AND KILL YOU ALL! HALF-BLOODS! BLOOD TRAITORS AND FILTHY MUDBLOODS!!! I…"

Alas, Harry did not let him continue. He simply grabbed the old man by the neck and lifted him until his weak and fragile body was left dangling, his old face directly in front of the now-interested Elden Lord.

"Curious choice of words, Selwyn. You speak as if… you know where Voldemort is," Amelia's Master said with interest.

None of those present said anything about it. They simply watched the now-terrified man look death in the eyes, completely helpless and with nowhere to escape.

"Now… be a good boy and tell me where your Master is, dog. I have a date with him," Lord Potter spat, at the same time the irises of his eyes began to glow, undoubtedly preparing to delve into Lord Selwyn's mind.

When…

"Lord Potter," exclaimed an old but powerful voice, familiar both to Amelia and to the rest of the wizards and witches present in the room.

The redhead looked toward the entrance of the room, finding herself face-to-face with none other than Albus Dumbledore, wand in hand and looking directly at Harry.

The Elden Lord interrupted his incursion into Markus Selwyn's mind and looked toward the Headmaster with confusion on his face.

"Headmaster," Harry said with curiosity in his voice, looking at the old man with evident amusement on his face, undoubtedly detecting the hostility in Dumbledore's expression.

"I must ask that you release Lord Selwyn, please," the meddlesome old man said in a calm but firm voice, to Amelia's disbelief, Lily and Sirius's annoyance, and the Longbottoms' fury.

Harry's response?

He raised an amused eyebrow before answering.

"And if I don't, what will you do?" Harry challenged with amusement on his face, clenching his hand and causing a sort of golden spectral hand to appear around Markus Selwyn's neck, gently choking him.

A more than evident challenge to Albus Dumbledore, and apparently one the Chief Warlock did not take very well, judging by the way his eyes narrowed and his hand tightened around the wood of his wand.

Amelia did not know how this confrontation would end, but it was more than evident that neither man was willing to yield.

All that remained was to wait.

Cirilla Fiona Ellen Rianon, Midgard – the Nine Realms.

"So… this is Midgard," said the Princess of Cintra with a frown, as she observed the desolate and frozen wasteland before her, before shivering at the relentless cold she felt.

Although, to be honest, the view was simply marvelous.

An immense fjord stretched out before the Princess of Cintra, its waters dark and crystal-clear, surrounded by colossal snow-covered mountains. Waterfalls descended from the cliffs, while pine forests covered the slopes and thick mist drifted between the rocks. In the distance, ancient ruins and stone structures rose from the landscape, like remnants of a forgotten civilization.

This… had been a great kingdom, a prosperous one, long… long ago, and Ciri could not help but shiver at what she felt, at what Avalach had taught her to do.

Detect the White Frost, which, apparently, was present here… in Midgard.

The traces were very subtle. It was evident that the process had only just begun, and worlds could take centuries to succumb to the relentless fury of winter, but once the infection appeared… there was nothing that could be done.

This place was doomed. Of that, she had no doubt.

I breathed slowly. There was magic in this place; I could feel it in the air. It was ancient, powerful, and different from anything I had ever known. I cautiously lowered my hand toward my sword.

This… was the land of Gods. Of that, I had no doubt.

More or less powerful than Harry? Only time would tell.

"That seems to be the case. The magic of the coin the outsider gave our Master emerges from this Tree… from this Yggdrasil. Powerful in its own way, but no more than a gentle breeze compared to the gale that is our Golden Tree," Malenia said, her calculating golden eyes observing everything around her.

Although, being honest with herself, there was not much to observe. The place was practically deserted. Ciri could see no signs of inhabitants in this beautiful but relentless Realm.

"Any news?" Ciri asked as she gripped Zirael with all her strength, completely alert to her surroundings. She had the feeling that she was being watched by someone or something… but the young Princess of Cintra was unable to detect anything.

Something that, apparently, Malenia had managed to do.

"We are being watched," said the redhead with complete calm, unlike the caution and wariness in Ciri's gaze.

"Friend or enemy?" asked the ash-haired maiden.

"We will soon find out," replied the Blade of Leyndell, the new title Malenia now possessed as the Elden Lord's supreme executioner and sword.

In the blink of an eye, Ciri watched in astonishment as the powerful warrior disappeared in a golden flash. The movement was so sudden and fast that Ciri barely noticed that Malenia had left her.

A moment later, Ciri saw another golden flash appear among the branches of the trees, followed by the sounds of slashing, magic, and…

Cawing?

A moment later, Ciri's eyes widened as she heard Malenia's cry, followed by a powerful magical slash that tore through four trees and caused an enormous brown eagle to begin flying at full speed, desperately trying to get away from the place.

"Follow it!" were the words of the deadliest warrior Ciri had ever known, before the Princess began sprinting after the imposing bird, following it toward what appeared to be an enchanted part of the forest.

During the pursuit, it became more than clear to Ciri that the bird was no ordinary creature. Malenia launched powerful arcane slashes with lethal precision, and the eagle was able to dodge every single one of them.

And if there was something Ciri had learned during her stay in Leyndell, it was that the only ones capable of avoiding attacks from the redheaded Demigoddess were Lord Harry and his wives.

Full Gods.

Therefore, there was little doubt that this mysterious eagle was a Norse God or Goddess.

The real question was… whom were Ciri and Malenia pursuing? And, more importantly, was she alone?

The pursuit lasted almost a quarter of an hour, until Malenia launched three precise slashes at the bird, which dodged every single one of them…

Only to fall into the runic trap the redhead had prepared, using the pursuit as a distraction.

Golden laces emerged from the runic circle, shooting like darts toward the distracted bird and binding it with arcane ropes.

The result?

The magic of the Elden Rune forced the bird to change, revealing the identity of the spy to Ciri and Malenia.

"CAAAAAW… AHHHHG!" screamed a female voice, belonging to a beautiful woman with brown hair and snow-white skin, who was completely subdued and trapped by the runic magic, helpless before Malenia and Ciri's desires and whims.

The woman was beautiful, with a particular magical glow that betrayed her divine nature. She wore a humble brown tunic, more suitable for a forest witch than a Goddess, but her power was unmistakable.

There was divinity in the Being standing before them. That was certain.

"Who are you? Your magic… it is foreign magic, I can feel it. What are you doing here?" the woman spat, evidently indignant at being caught, while looking toward Ciri with eyes demanding an explanation.

Ciri opened her mouth to respond when the redheaded warrior made her presence known, appearing in a golden flash beside the Princess of Cintra.

"We have been following a trail. An ancient God, powerful but arrogant, tried to invade our Realm. My King has decreed that he must die. Do you recognize this?" Malenia asked, while showing the silver coin to the trapped woman, who widened her eyes in surprise, evidently recognizing the object in question.

"Aye… I do. I suppose then… what unfinished business do you have with the Lord of the Hanged?" the woman asked, now with great interest, looking toward Malenia with calculating eyes, causing the redhead to gently nod.

"Aye," was all the warrior of Leyndell replied, causing the mysterious woman to nod.

"Then… I think we have a conversation pending. My name is Freya," said the woman, much calmer now, to Ciri's relief, knowing she would not have to fight a Goddess.

Malenia gently nodded before deactivating the runic circle and beginning the introductions…

Unaware that among the trees, another magical presence was watching them. She lacked divinity, but not arcane power. A woman with snow-white skin and golden hair, a warrior wielding a particular weapon.

An enchanted Axe.