"Shadows of the Past, Light in the Present"
As they walked back, the atmosphere was relaxed and the conversation flowed unhurriedly.
"And you still haven't talked to the younger redhead? "Einar asked curiously.
"Ron?... No. Not yet "Harry replied, frowning. His tone revealed a mix of irritation and discouragement.
"They're just two idiots with bruised pride "Hermione jumped in immediately, a bit irritated by how the dispute between her friends was affecting her.
"Well, if you want my advice "Einar shrugged", challenge him to a fistfight and get it over with. Simple as that.
"I don't think it works like that… "Harry replied quickly, wearing an awkward smile.
"Why not? He's frustrated with you, and you're frustrated with him. A good fight gets everything out, cleanses the soul "Einar said with such absolute calm that it sounded more like he was talking about a homemade recipe.
Hermione stepped ahead, clearly uneasy with the idea.
"Harry is not going to fight Ron! He's just… jealous. He's the youngest, and also… "she trailed off mid-sentence, glancing toward Einar.
"He got upset because Harry's been spending a lot of time with me "Einar concluded calmly. His words brought a heavy silence between the three of them.
"Don't worry "he added with a half-smile". I recognize that look of resentment. I've seen it plenty of times. Whether it's for being stronger, better looking, or"like the twins say"too damn cool.
The tension broke instantly. Harry let out a short laugh, and Hermione shook her head while smiling. Einar, despite his usual seriousness, had a very unique way of bringing calm.
As they passed by Hagrid's hut, they noticed the half-giant had already left for his date with Madame Maxime. Only Sirius was waiting outside, leaning casually.
"Alright, go get some rest. Tomorrow we continue training… and, by the way, be ready to learn a new language "Einar said before saying goodbye to Harry and Hermione.
They both left with a wave, while Einar stayed behind, watching Sirius, who was observing him with a serious expression.
"Want a drink? Hagrid said I'd be selfish if I didn't share the mead "Sirius said, raising a bottle while already pulling out two cups.
"Sure "Einar replied, sitting down calmly.
Sirius quickly poured the drinks, and Einar took his glass naturally.
"Talk. I don't like beating around the bush"he said bluntly, taking the first sip.
"Then I'll get to the point "Sirius looked him straight in the eyes". Why are you so interested in helping Harry? That day… I saw how you took out those killers without even breaking a sweat. You didn't even use magic. And I highly doubt that's all you can do. A guy like you… what's in it for you?
Einar watched him in silence for a few seconds. He seemed to be choosing his words carefully.
"When I was five years old…
"Wait, are you about to tell me your whole tragic life story? "Sirius interrupted with a mocking grin.
"Shut up and listen "Einar replied, annoyed.
"Go on "Sirius nodded, pouring himself another drink with interest.
Einar went quiet for a moment. He looked down at his glass and then began, his voice deep.
"Until I turned five, I lived trying to earn my parents' affection. My father was a warrior hardened by war. A man who didn't believe in showing emotions… except toward my mother. And she… she couldn't even look me in the eye when she spoke to me.
Sirius tensed, his face serious.
"One day, my mother, a great mage, was preparing potions. She was missing one specific plant"one that grew near the edge of a cliff. I… I wanted to help. I wanted to be useful, to prove I was worth something.
Einar paused, his gaze lost in the distance.
"I ran toward that cliff. The plant was there, right on the ledge. I tied a rope around my stomach"yes, around my stomach, like that would've been enough"and I jumped to grab it. But the rope didn't hold. I fell fifteen meters.
Sirius clenched his teeth.
"You should've died… "he muttered.
"I almost did. Broke several bones. My arm was twisted all the way around. But I got up. With blood on my face, with my legs trembling, I walked back home.
Einar took a sip before continuing.
"When I walked in, my father, who worked in the forge, looked at me for a second… and all he said was, "Go to the village healer. Don't bother your mother." He threw me a pouch of coins and kept hammering like I didn't exist.
"That's not a father… even mine, who despised me, weren't that cold "Sirius said, his voice low and angry.
"From that day on, something inside me shut down. I stopped trying. I stopped feeling. I focused on training, on learning, on preparing. And at thirteen… I left. Disappeared from the village. By my own choice. Never looked back.
Silence took over the night. Only the crackling of the fire broke the stillness.
"I made mistakes. Got caught up in conspiracies, used by people who claimed to follow a prophecy. But at least… at least those were my choices.
Einar looked him dead in the eye.
"Harry didn't get that choice. He was thrown into all of this without any preparation. First year: he faced his parents' killer. Second: he was poisoned by a substance that nearly killed me… me, someone immune to most poisons. I trained my body since childhood by ingesting toxins in small doses to build resistance. Third: he thought a traitor was chasing him to finish the job… no offense.
Sirius raised his hand casually.
"None taken.
"And to top it all off, he's realizing that the man he trusts most in this school… seems to have been present at every tragedy in his life.
"Dumbledore? "Sirius asked, more serious than ever.
"Who else? Harry… is weak. And I don't say that to insult him. I say it as a fact. Since I was five, I fought to survive. He, on the other hand, has been swept along by the current. That's why I decided to help him. Because he's not a bad kid. He just needs someone who'll be there, no lies.
Einar finished his glass in one gulp.
Sirius looked at him for a few seconds before speaking softly:
"Thank you. James and Lily would be proud to know Harry has a mentor… a bit violent, sure, but with his heart in the right place.
Both smiled. The night continued, and when Hagrid returned with a big grin on his face, the three of them gathered around the fire, sharing laughter, stories, and more mead. And so, between drinks and tales, a small moment of peace was forged.
"So, Einar… do you have any family back in your country? Or wherever you come from?" Sirius asked with a laugh, his cheeks red from the alcohol.
Einar set down his mug of mead on the wooden table, still smiling.
"Oh, yes… I have a family. Not by blood, but by heart.
During a mission in Ventalia, I met a little girl named Sofie. She was selling flowers in the snow, her hands numb and her lips purple from the cold. She slept between old crates, wrapped in whatever she could find. A lonely child in a city ruled by a crowned fool.
I adopted her without a second thought. Sofie is sweet, smart, curious… she reminds me of the humanity that still lingers in a world where the gods seem to have forgotten us."
Einar smiled tenderly, but Sirius leaned forward, intrigued.
"And you said you had another child?"
"Yes… Aretino. His story is a bit darker, but no less important to me.
I met him in Ventalia as well. Back then, everyone was talking about a boy trying to contact the Dark Brotherhood"a guild of assassins feared even by the most powerful. Apparently, he wanted them to kill the headmistress of the orphanage where he lived… a soulless witch who tortured the children in her care."
Sirius and Hagrid's eyes widened, caught between horror and surprise.
"Curious, I infiltrated his house. Aretino was performing the 'Black Sacrament,' an ancient ritual meant to summon assassins of the Brotherhood. When he saw me, he thought I was one of them, sent to fulfill his request.
I wasn't… but after hearing what that woman did to the children, I went to the orphanage and… well, I brought justice.
Aretino followed me from that day on. He was my shadow for weeks, until I finally accepted him as part of my life."
"By Merlin…" Hagrid murmured. "In your land, people kill each other like they're slicing bread, don't they?"
Einar chuckled softly, like someone who's already made peace with horror.
"In Skyrim, death is part of breakfast. You walk down a path and might run into bandits, frost trolls, witches, wolves, or dragons.
And if you're lucky, that's all you face. Sometimes you stumble upon Daedric cults… fanatics who worship Dark Princes. Entities that feed on human suffering for fun.
I once found a community of cannibals living inside a city, hidden beneath fake temples. I had no choice but to… cleanse the place."
"What about giants?" Hagrid asked, half-joking.
"Strangely enough, giants are the most peaceful… as long as you don't touch their mammoths."
"Uh-huh… yeah, I'm suddenly not so keen on visiting your homeland," Sirius said with a nervous smile.
"It is dangerous, yes. But also beautiful. Full of ancient ruins, forgotten tombs, and thousand-year-old secrets.
There, every shadow tells a story, and every mountain hides a legend."
Sirius took another drink and pointed a finger at him, now more serious.
"You mentioned those… princes several times. Who exactly are they?"
Einar crossed his arms, leaning back with solemnity.
"Imagine beings as ancient as time itself, as powerful as gods, but who follow no human morals. They aren't good. They aren't evil. They just… are.
Some may seem benevolent. Others, monstrous. But they all have one thing in common: they toy with the fates of mortals like pieces on a board."
"You talk about them like you know them," Sirius said, frowning.
"I do know them. I've dealt with several… and rejected their offers. One even blessed me with power without me asking for it.
And they're not the only ones. There are also the Aedra, their counterparts. One of them, Akatosh"the Father of Dragons… he's the one who sent me to this world. To prevent a war from breaking out in mine because of my existence."
Sirius ran a hand through his hair, his expression dazed.
"I'm way too drunk to process all of that. Let's change the subject…"
"Haha, as you wish," Einar laughed deeply.
"Do you have any plans now? Or are you just going to stay teaching at Hogwarts until you can return?"
"For now, I'll keep my promise to teach. I also want to annoy Dumbledore a little, I won't deny it. But when the holidays come, I want to go out and explore this world."
"That sounds awesome," said Sirius. "Though… I wanted to ask you a favor. Would you take Harry with you?"
Einar raised an eyebrow, surprised.
"Why?"
"Because you're strong. And you'll protect him better than anyone. Plus… his family sucks."
Einar laughed heartily, nearly spitting out his mead.
"Alright. But I'll train him too."
"Good. Just don't tell him I asked you, or he'll hate me for making him train during the holidays."
And so, between stories and drinks, the night faded away.
Sirius, cloaked under Nocturnal's veil, stumbled back to his hideout, hungover but with a calm heart.
Hagrid slept soundly in his armchair.
And Einar… rose as if nothing had happened, his mind clear, ready to prepare Harry and Cedric's training. For him, darkness was routine. And duty… a promise sealed in blood.
As he thought of his two children, who were surely worried about his disappearance, Einar felt a faint ache in his chest. But he was certain that, in Whiterun, they were well taken care of.
The Companions, though full of idiots in his own words, were trustworthy people. Besides, Einar had left a hefty sum of gold to ensure their well-being"even for the orphanages in the nearby regions.
And all his titles weren't for nothing.
The Dark Brotherhood would protect them with their lives.
Not to mention the Thieves Guild.
And the others.