Arc 1: The Awakening
Chapter 10: The First Alliance
Year: 1960 – Age 8, Blacktorn Manor
POV: Cassius Arcturus Blacktorn
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A castle of shadows. That is what this world has become.
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I have learned that the strongest forces in this world are not the ones seen with the eyes, but the ones felt beneath the surface. And as I prepare to make my move with House Avery, I realize that power isn't given; it's taken.
I have already set my pieces. The clock is ticking.
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The day of the meeting with Percival Avery arrives. He is the patriarch of House Avery, a man known for his cold, methodical ways, and his obsession with maintaining the family's wealth. He is nothing but a pawn to me, but even pawns have their uses.
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I arrive at the Avery estate, a sprawling mansion nestled deep in the English countryside. The air is crisp, the morning fog still clinging to the trees as we approach the main gates. It is a sight to behold, this family that prides itself on its respectable name. They, like all the rest, are waiting for someone like me to pull the strings.
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The Avery family greets me with false warmth, but I see through it easily. This meeting is nothing more than a formality—a test, a negotiation. They must feel they are in control. But that will soon change.
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"Lord Blacktorn," Percival Avery greets me in the grand hall, his voice a polished mask of civility. "It is an honor to finally meet you."
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I smile, my eyes cold and calculating. "The honor is mine, Lord Avery. I have long respected your family's accomplishments."
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We exchange pleasantries, but beneath it all, I feel the tension building. There is something more beneath the surface. I know Avery is no fool, and I can already see that his mind is working just as mine is. He is assessing me, just as I am assessing him.
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Eventually, we sit down in a darkened study, the room heavy with books and the scent of aged wood. It is here that the negotiations begin. House Avery needs my support—my connections. In return, I will provide them with the prestige they crave. A marriage alliance. My influence. My resources.
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"A proposal, Lord Blacktorn," Avery says, leaning forward in his chair, his fingers drumming lightly on the table. "A union between our families would secure the Avery name for generations. And in return, you would have the financial backing you need to expand your influence."
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I let his words sink in, watching him closely. He knows I am more than just a wealthy heir. He knows what I am capable of. But he underestimates how much power I truly hold.
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"You misunderstand, Lord Avery," I say, my tone smooth and calculated. "I do not need your financial backing. You need mine."
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Avery's face tightens, but he hides it well. He knows that his family's fortune is in decline. He needs connections to keep the Avery name relevant. He is trying to secure the future for his children, and I am the key.
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"I offer more than just wealth," I continue, my voice barely above a whisper. "I offer power. True power. A chance for your bloodline to stand at the top of the Ministry, at the very core of the Wizarding World. All you need to do is pledge your loyalty to me."
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Avery's eyes flicker. There it is—the moment of truth. He can either accept my terms or try to refuse and lose everything. I know his pride won't allow him to accept easily, but I am patient. The game is never won in the first move. It's won in the slow, deliberate twists of strategy.
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"And what do you want in return, Lord Blacktorn?" Avery asks, his voice a little more strained now, the mask slipping just enough to show his vulnerability.
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I smile, letting the silence stretch between us like a taut rope, ready to snap. "A marriage contract. One of your daughters. Your loyalty. Your family's influence. I don't need your wealth—I need your name, your connections, your respectability."
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Avery's eyes narrow, the tension in the room thickening. But his desperation is evident. He knows I am offering him a lifeline, a chance to climb back to power.
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"I will need to discuss this with my family," Avery says, his tone cautious but resigned.
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I nod. "Of course. But I do not have time to waste. You know how quickly things can change in our world. You have one week to make a decision."
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I rise from my chair, my movement deliberate. This is only the beginning. Avery knows now that his options are limited. He will either accept my terms or face irrelevance.
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The following week, I receive the letter confirming Avery's decision. They are mine now—no longer a mere family, but a tool I can use to further my goals.
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I sit back in the comfort of my family's private chambers, a glass of wine in hand, reflecting on the move I've just made. The game has only just begun.
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This alliance will strengthen my position in the Ministry. It will give me the leverage I need to expand. But I must move carefully. There are other families, other opportunities, and each must be handled with precision. I cannot afford to make a mistake.
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But for now, the first step has been taken.
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The Blacktorn legacy has officially begun its ascent.
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