House of Caliban

Chapter 20

Much to the shock of everyone except maybe Blaise who had seen Haylan face Voldemort, Haylan started to laugh.

Dumbledore's wand didn't waver from where it pointed at the laughing emperor, but Dumbledore was looking a little confused.

"Oh Albus Dumbledore. You speak like your words actually matter." Haylan's grin was sharp and a little bloodthirsty looking. Haylan takes several slow purposeful steps closer to Dumbledore, Haylan's crown looking sharp and deadly in the dim lighting.

"You accepting me as Emperor doesn't change anything. I am still emperor, I am your emperor and you will kneel." Haylan commanded, his power mixing with what was left in the air from Lady Magic and Lord Death, forcing Dumbledore to his knees in front of Haylan. There were gasps and shouts from Dumbledore's group and even from some others in the crowd, but everyone else was dead silent, nearly holding their breaths to see what the new Emperor would do with the Leader of the Light Dumbledore.

Dumbledore struggled to keep his wand pointed at Haylan, it was humiliating enough to be forced onto his knees, but he would not drop his wand in the face of this threat.

"You are just another tyrant trying to take over the magical world. I will not let you spread any more dark idealogy!" Dumbledore shouted but Haylan still didn't lose his grin.

"Seeing the Gods you keep bad-mouthing and denying was scary for you wasn't it Dumbledore? You will keep your blinders on and tell everyone that I am tricking them, that it was a mere illusion even if they had been standing right here feeling the power of the Gods in front of them. You just don't want to be wrong. As Tom Riddle is afraid of Death in all its forms, you Albus are just as afraid now. What happens when you die and you meet the Gods you told so many not to worship? What happens when they stand in front of you and know that you dirtied their name and image to increase your own power? What happens when Lady Magic denies you entry into the Summerland because you almost killed Magic by denying her in front of the world? What will your pride and greed cost you in the afterlife I wonder?"

Dumbledore was pale as Haylan talked, rubbing salt in the wound that Dumbledore could ever be wrong.

"Illusions! They were just illusions and you are trying to trick wizards and witches alike into following you!" Dumbledore argued, starting to sound a little unhinged.

"Liar," Haylan said in a singsong voice, getting closer to Dumbledore, stalking him like prey. Dumbledore kept his wand pointed at Haylan, arm trembling with the effort.

Dumbledore had clearly had enough at this point, firming his hold on his wand he cast, "Avada Kedavra!"

Everyone cried out in shock as the green light left Dumbledore's wand. The Romanian Aurors were too far away to protect Haylan.

Narcissa and Sirius both cried out in shock also not close enough to protect him.

But Haylan's smile never faltered even as the green light hit him.

Everything inside the hall seemed to freeze the moment that light hit Haylan head-on.

But then the light faded and Haylan was still standing there grinning.

No one moved, no one breathed.

Haylan's smile got wider, leaning in closer to Dumbledore before quietly saying, "Boo."

Dumbledore felt fear down into his bones. "Impossible." He rasped.

"No. What is impossible is that you think you can harm me with a wand that rightfully belongs to me. That is the elder wand and I do believe I will be taking it back now." Haylan said while plucking the wand from Dumbledore's shaky grasp. Haylan then turned and walked back toward his throne, leaving Dumbledore kneeling on the cold stone floor.