The Queen of Albion

Chapter 2: More Than What She Seems

Severus was seething. His daughter was in a seat beside him. His godson, Emmett in a seat beside her. He was sending his most killing glares across the table to the grandpa in bright purple robes while said grandpa was introducing the two newcomers to the rest of the Order of the Phoenix.

'This is Nicole and Emmett, they are representatives of the Albion Royal Military Service and they are here to update us on negotiations with the Seelie and Elf Military Services of Albion. So, Nicole?'

'Thank you Albus, well, there aren't many significant updates. We started negotiations last week, it's being led by our Queen and the highest members of the Military Service. Unfortunately, we're not done. They took the weekend off and will be resuming on Monday. Currently, the sticky things are the concern for the protection of Albion and well, loss of lives in a fight that is not ours. However, the Wizarding Military Service is committed to the extermination of Voldemort and his followers and will be working on a solution to that end.' Nicole said in an almost perfectly rehearsed way, formal and professional. Severus rolled his eyes, internally of course.

There was a reason Severus had never introduced his family to the Order of the Phoenix. And that was because his work and his position was dangerous and precarious. It was better for his family to be separate, for him not to be a part of it, to pretend that his daughter didn't exist. But he couldn't do it when the time came. When his daughter arrived, he couldn't leave and cut himself off completely. He left for Hogwarts but visited Nicole regularly and watched her grow. As he rolled his eyes, he was proud.

'Thank you Nicole for that very detailed update. I'm sorry Remus, I must have cut you off, please do continue'.

The members of the table were still gaping at Nicole and Emmett.

'Remus?' Lupin started a little and shook his head.

'Yes, of course Albus. I'm sorry, but the werewolves are still far too angry about their treatment by the Ministry. Even if we win this war, I cannot offer any guarantees that their condition will improve. Besides, many werewolves do not place importance on the same things we do, Albus. Trying to figure that out is already difficult –

'Erm, sorry Albus, am I correct to assume that you are pursuing alliances with werewolves and giants?', interrupted Nicole suddenly.

'Yes we are, is that a problem?' the wolf answered sharply, a bit defensive.

'Well, yes seeing as that you did not appraise us of those decisions, it is a problem. This kind of knowledge is key in our negotiations with the Seelies and the Elves. They may not take too kindly to an alliance with dark creatures. This could seriously harm our alliance if we are found to be withholding important information.'

'Yes, I see that point, Nicole,' Albus replied. 'But unfortunately the werewolves and giants are strong and powerful creatures and we would suffer if they were to pledge their alliance to Voldemort.'

Nicole sighed heavily, 'Just give us a list or something of all the people and groups you are in alliance with and keep us appraised of any new updates,' she said dismissively.

Albus responded with a few nods and moved on to the report from Hagrid. Severus sneaked a glance at Nicole and their eyes met across the table. He gave a short nod of approval and Nicole gave a small smile back.

The meeting droned on about updates from the Ministry and other miscellaneous things. Severus had zoned out a while ago. These parts of the meeting were irrelevant to him, he knew what they were discussing as the Dark Lord had been interested in the same information. Finally, the meeting was at an end and Severus almost jumped up to drag Nicole into a private room to talk.

'Ah sorry before we go, Nicole, we need some help with the warding of this place,' Albus said smoothly from the other side of the room.

'Albus, negotiations are one thing but you can't possibly trust a Death Eater's child with warding of our headquarters?!' Moody shot through strongly.

Albus looked down and pinched the bridge of his nose before replying tiredly, 'Alastor, I trust Nicole and she is incredibly skilled at warding, we would be privileged to have her magic protect this house.'

Severus snorted, if only they knew how true that was.

'You mean skilled with dark magic Albus, I don't doubt the greasy git taught her all he learned from kissing the hem –'

He looked up surprised that Black had been cut off mid-sentence. Black was still talking, face turning red as he rose in anger.

'Nicole, my dear, if you would please release Mr. Black from your silencing spell', Albus intoned boredly.

'I would, if he can keep his mouth shut with his insinuations about my father and I', Nicole says with her hands folded on the table.

'Nicole, release the silencing spell', Severus says.

Nicole releases the spell with a wave of her hand, the rest of the table now properly gaping at her very obvious use of wandless magic. Albus signals that they would speak about it later and adjourns the meeting. 'We've had far too much excitement for the day', he says as the members start filing out and the children start coming in.

He stands up and gestures to Nicole to follow him ignoring the stares of the children coming in. He smirks internally, if only they knew who this was.