COUP ďÉtat

The Ritual

In the ritual room that night, Cassiopeia drew the runes all the runes given by Lord Death with her blood. She had made the potion required to remove some of her essence from her.

The little Cassiopeia was present there.

Hermione had blackmailed Regulus into giving her for the night, for they might be leaving the next day.

No one else could be in the room because the ritual was one of Lord Deaths, and no one other that than his Mistresses could stand his aura.

The Dark Lady Morgana cleansed herself and the little girl, who had been put to sleep. Then she dipped the child in the potion made so that the child is open to acquire her essence and then placed her inside the runic circle. Then she herself stripped up to her birthday suit and bathed in the potion for her. She walked into the circle and started chanting in deaths language. The runes started glowing and unearthly toxic arsenic green. The air in room started growing heavier and heavier with each passing moment.

As soon as her chanting was finished, the elder Cassiopeia screamed. Something came out of her body and went into the little Cassiopeias body. She too woke up from the pain and started screaming.

It was all over as soon as it was started. The elder Cassiopeia collapsed with pain gone. Her muscles were sore. But she heard the cries of the child and got up.

In all these years that she had lived, she had never been very fond of children. Even her friends children knew to disturb her too much.

But this child in her arms was precious to her. She was the reason that she had travelled across time, space and realms. Her younger self would make her feel what she craved to. She would give her all the happiness that she craved.

She cradled the child to her bare bosom. Her magic started soothing the girl. The little child looked at Cassiopeia with wide eyes. Her cries subsided a bit.

Awww. She is absolutely precious. How did I not notice on Samhain night. Well maybe because I had so much to accomplish. And ofcourse she is precious. She is me.

She dressed herself and the child with wave of her hand, then apparated to the seating room where everyone was gathered.

As soon as she appeared, all looked her.

Yes, the ritual was successful. We will be leaving tomorrow if the news of Sirius getting caught comes. She said.

Cassiopeia handed over the child to Luna, who sat down and tried to get her to sleep. Afterall, she should be tired due to the ritual.

Cassiopeia also started to leave. She was feeling very tired and was quite sore.

As soon as she reached her room, Hermione and Luna came to her.

May we come in? We want to talk to you about something. Hermione asked.

Is it really important? I am feeling quite drained from the ritual. Cassiopeia said.

It is about the ritual. And I swear it wont take time. Hermione persisted.

Cassiopeia sighed and let them in. she could guess what it was about. Afterall Luna was a seer.

They all sat down.

Cassiopeia, what are the effects of the ritual on you. I was there when you read and translated the ritual for me, but I dont know why am I unable to recall a few things. What have you done? Hermione asked.

Cassiopeia sighed and summoned a bottle of firewhiskey and three glasses. She decided that it would be needed for the conversation.

This ritual transferred my essence into the kid. Though her body has accepted it, the essence needs certain amount of magic to remain there. Now, according to the original ritual, this magic comes from the vessel. That means little Cassiopeia would have to feed some amount of magic to it. This I did not want. I did not want my essence to become a leech. So, I, with the help of death, tweaked it a bit. Now, the source of magic is the person whose essence it is. It is a good enough solution. But here comes the problem. I could have easily given the magic but the glitch here is that the magic required to maintain it will be coming from a different space and time. So the amount of magic also increases. Usually, as a person lose their magic, it slowly gets replenished, but in this case the magic required is very huge. So my core will start depleting. Now, as soon as the essence will complete its work, i.e., the soul bond is consummated, it will return back to me. Now this will also require a lot of magic, more than before. My core will take a huge hit. I may even lose my magic. And because I have so much magic, the loss of it may cause me to lose my life. Thats it.

She looked at the two intently, expecting denials.

Both were looking at her in tears.

I know you expect us to stop you or rather scold you, and believe me, we want to do exactly that, but we understand. If you have taken a decision then it will be good for everyone. Luna said.

Yeah. You will never do anything to harm the magical world. So, I say it again. I stand with you. I also know that you need this ritual. Hermione said.

Cassiopeia hugged them. My magic is making me lose my mind. I tend to get lost in a red haze. I donot want to harm the world that I have built so painstakingly in my insanity. So this for the best. I will get what I want.

Well, lets hope that Voldemort is not a pervert and does not bed little Cassiopeia until she is atleast sixteen, so you will have some years to live. Hermione joked.

They all shared a watery laugh and then the two girls departed.

Cassiopeia stripped and went to sleep.

She woke up a few ours later, refreshed and went downstairs. Bill, Charlie, Oliver, Blaise and Theo were up and about. They were having their breakfast.

The girls and rest? Cassiopeia asked.

Lying in today. After all, the weather is getting colder. And we boys had been up till late last night, drinking and stuff. So, guess they are still asleep. Blaise woke me up because he thought he would be up alone. He clearly did not remember that Oliver and Charlie wake up early everyday to play quidditch. Theo grumbled in his coffee.

Cassiopeia laughed. And Bill you? she asked.

I thought one of us should stay awake. After all, someone might have some emergency and come here. He said.

Cassiopeia nodded at the sound thinking.

If you are wide awake, she said, addressing Charlie and Oliver, Why dont you two come with me to sort out the Sirius business.

They both nodded and got up to get ready.

By the time they were ready, Cassiopeia had finished her coffee.

They got up to leave. Cassiopeia summoned the golem for Sirius and activated it.

She then brought Peter Pettigew and imperiused him. She wanted the repeat of what had happened in her time. The golem Sirius knew what he had to do.

Both of them left.

These three followed them.

The two led them to a street in London.

The confrontation was a piece of art. Moody and Fudge apprehended Sirius and he was taken away. Through her connection to the wards, she realized that Wormtail was back in the castle.

They followed Sirius to the ministry and saw him thrown into Azkaban without a trial by Dumbledore and Bagnold.

Cassiopeia smirked. Everything was in place. She really was great with all the planning she had done.