Disclaimer: All recognizable characters, etc. are the property of JK. Rowling and Rick Riordan. The OC characters and storyline are purely my imagination running wild. My story is for entertainment only and is not part of any official storylines. I do not have any association with J. K. Rowling or Rick Riordan even though I wish I had. No copyright infringement is intended.
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While Lyra was speaking with the professor, Artemis rounded up her girls and set off to her cabin, hoping to have a private meeting of her own.
Moments after returning to the comfort of their cabin, Artemis waited patiently for all her girls to get comfortable. Artemis allowed her gaze to fall upon the four girls who had risked their lives on this stupid quest that caused her so much pain and burden.
"Well, while we wait for Lyra to finish up, why don't the five of us have a quick talk?" the goddess finally stated, after her intense scrutiny. "I want to know how you feel about the recent developments that happened these last few days?"
The four young questers took all the time they needed to consider what to say to the question their lady had just asked of them. Meanwhile, the other young huntress decided to listen from where they all went to relax, curious about what went down on the quest.
Thalia was the first of the four to respond to the question, taking only a few minutes to articulate her answer. "To be honest, I feel great. For the first time in my life as a demigod, I don't have the great prophecy looming over me. I also hope to find the same kind of family relationship that I witnessed between Skye, Lyra, Bianca, and Zoe. It would also be great to live my life as normally as a demigod in my position could."
The next one to answer Lady Artemis was young Bianca. "Honestly, these past few days have been a roller-coaster of emotions that I still need to fully deal with; however, I am glad that I finally found a chance to be part of a family. There will be times when I will miss Nico. He is still my brother and a bond like that cannot be broken. Not only that, but finding out that you lived in a hotel that froze the aging process is quite shocking, but it is as it is. There is so much that I've lost, so much I've forgotten, however, I'm also certain that the hunt, Lyra, and you, Milady, will help me and be there for me and help me to relearn or to remember the things I have lost and forgotten."
Zoe looked over towards Skye to see if she would be next to answer their lady. However, the young hybrid still needed a bit more time to compile her answer. The lieutenant took a few more moments before she answered their lady with a slight sigh. "Milady, I truly don't know how to feel. Foremost inside me, I have this overwhelming sense of guilt. It was my father who took you captive. It was my father who almost caught the beast to sacrifice and start the war. Not only that, but it was my father that harmed and almost killed Skye. Then there is the anger. So much anger. This is mainly directed at myself. I wasn't good enough. I was too slow or too far away when you and Skye needed me the most. I have let down my family, and I have brought disgrace to my title as a lieutenant of the hunt. Then there is the hatred that I can feel building within me. I want to tear my father and those who wronged our family apart. I wish to see the light leave their eyes. But I can feel hope. Somewhere between all these negative emotions is hope. I am the lieutenant of a strong, powerful family. I may have failed in protecting this family in the past week, but in the future, you can be sure that I will do everything in my power so that this event never happens again. Furthermore, I will live up to be a better lieutenant. I will protect and ensure my family's safety."
Artemis stood next to her lieutenant as she listened patiently to what each of her four girls had to say. However, she had to interrupt before Skye could speak her mind. So, with a heavy sigh, Artemis spoke up. "Zoe, my dear faithful lieutenant, I too feel guilt, anger, and hate for much the same reasons as you, but it is important to not let ourselves be consumed by it. We all must stand strong, even against our emotions at times, to do our duties and protect those we love. You are a great leader for my girls, and they all look up to you. You did not fail me in that regard. Furthermore, when the time comes for us to engage in battle against our enemies, I'm certain that my girls will follow you under my command. Finally, don't forget that we also have to protect not only ourselves and our loved ones but also all innocents."
No matter what her girls feel or believe, Artemis will always have faith and trust in them. Not only that, but she had to let them know in her unique way. Artemis turned her gaze over towards the only huntress that has yet to express her feelings regarding everything that had happened these last few days.
Skye had remained silent throughout most of the conversation between her quest mates and her Lady. She wasn't sure whether she could share everything that had transpired in the last few days. However, she knew she couldn't keep her emotions bottled up like this, especially when finding the family she had always wanted. So, Skye decided to open up about some of the things she felt, and perhaps doing so would help her understand and work through some of the emotions she had yet to deal with.
Skye sighed deeply before she started to speak. "Milady, I feel… ah, overwhelmed and very uncertain about many things. I almost died a few hours ago, and to be honest, in the past, I would have been ecstatic about death, but since I joined the hunt, things have changed."
The young hybrid took a moment and let out a heavy breath. "I've just had so much happen to me lately. Things I always believed to be impossible. But now, I have friends and a family around me, something I never dreamed of having before. My life has become so much more bearable. And yet… well," Skye bit her lip as she looked away from her Lady and sisters.
"I still have this ungodly pressure within me, saying that this isn't real, and I do not deserve to be happy and loved. Not only that, but I also have a sort of primal instinct in me pushing for your happiness and love and respect, and I don't know what to do with it. And on top of it all, I finally found someone who knew my parents. And I know she wants to be part of my life, and I don't know how to deal with everything that has happened in the last few days. So…"
At this point, Skye had run out of steam and was left staring at the ground, fighting off the tears that surely would come at any moment, afraid to look up at her Lady and sisters.
She didn't want to admit it, but Skye was getting anxious about all of this. The fact that there are recent changes in her life that have caused so many problems to occur was terrifying. But Skye knew that despite all these new challenges that she's faced, her sisters were right by her side no matter what happened. They will be there for her, and they always will. This she must believe, for if she doesn't have faith, then what's the point of living?
After what felt like an eternity of silence between the group of maidens, Lady Artemis slowly stepped forward and gently swiped some of Skye's hair from her eyes. "My dearest Skye, you are not alone in any situation, as you were in the past. You all know that I had my fair share of trials these last few days. Something I never want to experience again. Not only that, but I have this unknown primal feeling as you call it, calling out to you, everything about you draws me in, your voice, your look, and even your smell. This is something I have never experienced before, but this is something we will work out and deal with as time goes on. However, back to the last few days, in the end, everything worked out in our favor. We all survived, even if it was a narrow escape with you, my dear. Furthermore, I would say everything worked out rather well in the end. And know this, our future will only get better from here on out. Yes, there will be challenges and maybe heartache, but we will always be together to deal with everything that's to come. That I am sure of. So dry those tears and know that we will take one day at a time."
Meanwhile, back at the Big House, Lyra was quietly examining the REC room waiting for Dumbledore to start speaking. She just hoped with all her might that whatever was so important wouldn't place her goddaughter or any of her newfound friends in danger.
"Professor," Lyra sighed, noticing that the man had no wish to start the conversation, as it would seem. "Why are you here? How did you find me?"
"Sorry my dear, I am quite hesitant to start explaining the true reason why I am here, as I know that you would hate to hear this." Dumbledore sighed. "But needs must. As for how I found you, well, I had help from the Goblins and Fawkes in finding you."
The woman frowned, but nodded as he continued speaking.
"I suppose I should begin with the little information that I can give before you rejoin your companions. You see, Lyra, an emergency Wizagamot was meeting these last few days. Unfortunately, some new laws have been created which make things harder for Skye Potter. The first law that was passed required that any magical child who was born in Britain and is under seventeen years old must be registered with the Ministry. The guardians of the child need to register them with the House they are eligible to inherit. If they were unable to comply, they would lose their legal status and any inheritance held by Gringotts. While you no longer qualify for this, your god-daughter unfortunately does."
Lyra gasped at his words. "No! That can't happen! I will not allow such a thing!" Her voice was filled with anger, and she clenched her fists as tightly as she could.
Dumbledore put a hand on her shoulder, trying his best to calm her down.
He knew how much she loved her goddaughter and couldn't stand seeing Lyra upset about something like this.
"I do understand your anger, my dear, but we cannot change the laws now, I have tried, but unfortunately my fraction was outvoted. However, if we do nothing, Skye Potter may end up losing everything, even her family name and magic."
"Then what should we do? You said I had no choice but to register Skye now, so what do I have to do?" Lyra asked worriedly.
"There is more to this law, my dear, and it might cause some problems with Skye's situation" Dumbledore sighed. "The moment you register Skye is the moment you bind her to a magical contract that will force her to attend Hogwarts until she receives her NEWTS. The final part of the law states all British-born magical children are required to register with the Ministry and attend Hogwarts until 17 or until they have received their NEWTS, making them adults in the eyes of magic. It will force her away from the hunt and the family she has made here in America."
Lyra felt numb, as if all the air had left the room, as her mind raced. This could not be happening. Not right now. She didn't want to force Skye away from the hunt to attend a school back in England. She had only recently found her goddaughter, and now she will need to go and break her heart with this law. But how was she supposed to tell her this? How could she tell her that if she does not comply with this new law then, her sweet goddaughter would likely die from this?
The thought caused pain to settle deep within her heart, and tears filled her eyes. She hated how helpless she felt. How utterly powerless. All she wanted was her god-daughter safe and happy, and yet here she was, forced to make this decision. She was afraid. So very afraid. There was little doubt in her mind that this law would ruin any freedom her goddaughter had achieved these last few years.
Lyra shook her head as her eyes stung and took a deep breath, trying to regain control of her emotions, despite them being far more difficult than usual. She looked up towards Dumbledore, only to notice that he had more to say.
"What else is there you need to tell me?" Lyra sighed, looking tired.
Dumbledore, however, did not want to inform Lyra about the next law that was created recently, but unfortunately, needs must. "My dear, the next law is likely the worst one of the two that the Wizagamot agreed to pass this last week."
"Just tell me, Professor," Lyra murmured. "I need to know everything that can affect my god-daughter."
He really did not want to be the one to inform Lyra of this, however, if not him, then who would?
"My dear…" Dumbledore sighed. "The new law that the Wizagamot decided to pass stated that every eligible heir is required to be entered into a magical, binding marriage contract by next week. If they do not comply with this law, then the Ministry will forceable strip the eligible heir of the family right and inheritance. However, heiresses are exempt from this rule unless you are the Head of your house or the young heiress volunteers as a possible bride for an heir."
"Wait, what?" Lyra gasped in shock. However, Lyra quickly realized that this new law was tied to her.
"I see you seem to realize that this law includes you, don't you?" Dumbledore stated. "I am unsure why the Dark and Grey fractions pushed so hard for these laws, but I would believe they are after your inheritance and your connection to the girl who lived. The only thing the light fraction was able to achieve was to push back the time limit for the creation of the marriage contracts and only by one week."
That was another thing that caught Lyra off guard. How exactly did they manage to convince everyone to agree to this? Did they somehow persuade them that it was for the best? She wasn't sure how to feel at the moment. On one hand, her goddaughter would be free to choose who she could marry, while Lyra herself could lose her inheritance and life because of this marriage law.
However, she quickly came to a decision as to what she would do. She needed to speak to Artemis and Skye, though she would need their advice and help.
"Professor Dumbledore, may I talk to the rest of my companions, please?" she asked, as she got up from her chair and went over to the door.
Dumbledore watched her leave, slightly puzzled as to the sudden shift in attitude from just moments ago. Nevertheless, he let her go without argument, as this was her decision, and so he decided to keep quiet.
Besides, it would probably be best if he didn't interfere with any decisions that Lyra was going to make. After all, she was the adult in the situation and should make the decisions on her own. He would merely provide whatever assistance she may require while allowing her time to think things through.
In the end, he hoped that she would be able to find her way out of this dilemma.