House of Caliban

Chapter 6

Contessa Vivianna Zabini was not a stupid woman. So as she sits at the breakfast table telling her darling son of the drama he missed at the Caliban Ball, she kept a sharp eye on her son's reactions. She had found it suspicious that he had left so early the night before. While her son wasn't the most social, he also wasn't rude or disrespectful. Leaving before dinner could be considered a direct insult.

Her son was also not paying great attention to her or her story, eyes staring off into space.

"Blaise. Please for the love of Merlin, tell me what is wrong with you?" Vivianna finally huffed out.

"Nothing Mother, just tired still I guess," Blaise responded without even focusing back on his mother, hand absently stirring his tea.

Before Vivianna could reprimand Blaise for his behavior, the largest vulture she had ever seen flew into the room and landed gracefully in front of her son. Blaise was clearly not expecting any mail, because he just stared at the bird with a frown on his face.

"I do think the vulture is expecting you to take the letter off of him caro mio." Vivianna pointed out dryly.

Blaise took the letter carefully off the intimidating bird, offering it a piece of bacon in hopes it wouldn't bite him. "Good scary vulture, there is food and water up in the owlery if you want it?" Blaise tried, but the vulture just hopped onto the back of the chair next to him and stared expectantly at him. "...Or not."

Blaise didn't recognize the graceful handwriting on the letter, nor did he recognize the bird that looked like it wanted to eat his liver.

"As you do not possess x-ray vision caro mio, I suggest you open the envelope to read the letter. Maybe then this beautiful vulture will look less like he wished to pluck out your eyes." Vivianna said with a chuckle, enjoying her son's discomfort as he kept a wary eye on the looming vulture.

Blaise made a face at his mother but he did finally open the letter.

Heir Zabini,

I hope I am not crossing any lines by sending you this letter, especially so soon. I also hope I did not offend you in any way last night as I saw you leave my ball rather early. Please let me know if I did so, so I may make amends. Maybe you can meet me for a late lunch this Sunday afternoon so I may do so?

Please let me know your response via my vulture Eon, he will protect your letter so it may get back to me without anyone intercepting it.

Looking forward to hearing from you and hopefully seeing you again soon,

Lord Haylan Caliban

Blaise hadn't realized that his mouth had dropped open upon who had sent him a letter. Vivianna couldn't help but lean over to read the letter as well. Her squealing in happiness brought Blaise's attention back to his mother.

"Oh, caro mio! The emperor-to-be is interested in you!" Vivianna exclaimed happily.

"Mother! Don't be ridiculous! I probably offended him with my departure last night and he wishes to take me to task about it. Don't be suggesting such things. Lord Caliban will want a spouse of much higher standing than me." Blaise spoke with a frown.

"Nonsense, a mother always knows. The young handsome emperor has his eyes on you. I suggest that you write back to him quickly, Eon looks like he wished to bite your hands caro mio." Vivianna tutted.

Looking over the letter again, Blaise couldn't help but think back to the bright green depths of Lord Caliban's eyes. It couldn't hurt to accept the invitation, he wouldn't want to offend the future emperor any more than he already had. The excuses he gave himself did nothing for the butterflies moving around his stomach. He would write back immediately, and not just to keep the vulture from hurting him.

—----

When Hadrian Jameson Sirius Potter had gone to the bank years ago, he never expected to be landed with an even greater duty and responsibility than being the boy who lived. Being told he was somehow the last of Caliban's lineage and that would make him the future emperor over all of the magical world had made him laugh himself into hysterics. Which had offended the goblins and took some time to smooth over and explain he was overwhelmed and on the brink of falling to pieces. He couldn't possibly become Emperor, he couldn't rule over anyone, and he was just a kid with mediocre grades!

None of this seemed to be an issue to the goblins and quickly they pulled in two unlikely accomplices to whip 'Just-Harry' into Lord and Emperor-to-be Haylan Iacob Dacian Caliban.

Ladies Narcissa Malfoy nee Black and Andromeda Tonks nee Black couldn't have been more different and no one would be able to say they were raised in the same house nevertheless were sisters. But they both took their pureblood training quite seriously. When they were both told they would be training the next in line to be Emperor Caliban, they both agreed to put their animosity aside and aid the young heir.

They were both shocked to learn just who exactly they would be spending the next several years tutoring and helping under secrecy from even their own families.

A year after they first started training Harry they decided he needed to take on his proper royal title full-time, and the goblins were able to find a ritual to remove the glamors and blockers that had been placed on him by an unknown magical signature.

Wearing his true face and sinking into the comfort of his magic finally being unleashed, it felt much more natural and easier to take on his new name and title. Also after hearing so many questionable things about his father, Haylan was quite happy to be looking more like his mother.

A couple of months ago, feeling secure in his power and his name, he finally called upon Andy's daughter and Sirius. It was hard to see what his disappearance had done to Sirius, but he knew it had been necessary. After an amazing shouting match that had sent the portraits running for cover, and then Sirius breaking down into sobs, Haylan and Sirius were building a new and better relationship under the watchful eyes of the Black sisters. Nymphadora was just happy that Haylan was okay and she finally knew where her mother was disappearing to all the time.

Haylan still doubted his abilities to step into the role as emperor and provide the guidance the wizarding world so desperately needed, but with so many supporting him and the freedom to make his own choices in his life, he felt it was worth the occasional bought of anxiety.

He also never expected to be picking a lifelong spouse at his current age. He knew he should just be happy that his parents never made any bonding contracts and the one that Dumbledore tried to make in his name was quickly nullified. He had the chance to pick his own spouse, but it was a daunting task. Not just trusting someone with his heart, but with his empire as well. If anything happened to him then his spouse would rule over the empire. He needed to be sure whoever he tied himself to will take care of the people and won't be swayed by greedy politicians or steamrolled over by the likes of people such as Voldemort or Dumbledore.

But now he sat, in disguise, waiting for the one person who had caught his eye. Haylan only vaguely remembers Blaise Zabini from his four years at Hogwarts, but something about the Italian Lord to be just begged for Haylan's attention.

Sirius and Dora were going to tease him so badly once they found out who he was pursuing. All the possibilities in the entire magical world and he was deciding to chase someone he had gone to school with. Well, Sirius would probably say something like 'Potter luck' and Dora would just try to make him blush.

So here he sat, at a cafe of all places in the muggle world, under a glamor that made his red hair darken to almost a brown, pulled up into a messy bun, and his eyes more of a muted blue-green than his normal vibrant shade of killing curse green. Looking at the time he wondered if he of all people was going to be stood up. That would be embarrassing, and maybe he would stay single for the entirety of his reign. Who needed love anyway?

Just as he was about to get up and leave, he sees Blaise entering the cafe, and against his will, his smile brightens. And then just as quickly his smile fades as he sees that Draco Malfoy tagged along with Blaise as well.

Damn his Potter luck.