Chapter 2: Secrets of Vassalage
Lily and James sat in the living room, bathed in the soft glow of the fireplace. Tension hung in the air. Lily was still trying to process what James had told her.
"You're saying your family is a vassal to the royal family?" she asked, wrapping her arms around herself as if a sudden chill had settled over her. "But why have I never heard of this?"
James ran a hand through his hair and sighed.
"Lily, most Muggle-borns believe the Ministry of Magic is the only governing power, but that's far from the truth. The true authority belongs to the British Crown. The Ministry is just a bureaucratic institution managing the magical community."
Lily shook her head, a tight feeling growing in her chest.
"But the royal family hasn't interfered with the magical world… not for centuries."
"Exactly. They haven't publicly exerted their influence in over seven hundred years. But power isn't always about open action. Magical aristocratic families are still bound to the Crown."
James looked at Lily and continued:
"The Potters, the Woods, the Princes, the Ollivanders, the Notts, the Greengrasses… and that's not all. There are also the Blacks, Boneses, Bulstrodes, Shafiqs, Burkes, Flints, and the Rosiers. All of them are tied to the royal family by ancient vassal bonds, in one way or another."
Lily felt her heart quicken.
"That… that explains why they guard their power and traditions so fiercely," she whispered. "But what about the Muggle world?"
James nodded.
"The House of Lords. Many of its members are aware of the magical community and support us. Old British lineages — like the Percys, the Cavendishes, the Howards, the Montagus, the Churchills — they're not just aristocrats. Their influence extends into our world too."
Lily ran a hand over her face, realizing the scale of what was unfolding.
"And Sirius? Remus? Are they somehow connected to all this?"
James paused for a moment, then sighed.
"Sirius, like me, knew about it from childhood — even though he hated his family. The House of Black has always been on the edge — sometimes against the Crown, sometimes aligned with it. But officially, they're still vassals. As for Remus… He doesn't come from one of these families, but he's far too clever not to understand how it all works. He knows more than he lets on."
Lily bit her lip.
"Why didn't you tell me this before?"
"I…" James looked away. "I didn't want to worry you even more. The prophecy, the Dark Lord… We already have enough weighing on us. I didn't know how to tell you that our family also bears a duty to the Crown."
Lily took a deep breath.
"I'm scared, James. Our family, the baby, the prophecy, the Dark Lord… and now this."
James squeezed her hand tightly.
"We'll get through this. We always do. And for Harry — we'll find a way."
Lily nodded, but the worry didn't fade. Now she knew: their family was woven into a web that stretched across centuries. And breaking those ties would not be easy.
——a few days later——
Darkness gently wrapped around the Potter house, the only source of light being the flickering fireplace, its reflections dancing across the walls and casting strange, shifting shadows. A tense silence hung in the air — the kind that heralds change, making the heart beat faster.
Lily sat in an armchair, gently rocking Harry, feeling his warmth and steady breathing. Her fingers unconsciously stroked the baby's soft hair, while thoughts swirled in an anxious whirlpool. So much had happened lately…
James stood by the window, gazing thoughtfully into the night sky. Beyond the glass stretched a dark, silent garden, and beyond that — the forest, swallowed by the depths of the night. He couldn't shake the feeling of unease gripping his chest like an invisible hand. Everything was too calm, too quiet.
And then came a knock.
Sharp, distinct, shattering the night's stillness.
Lily flinched, holding Harry closer. Her heart raced, and her fingers clutched the edge of the blanket wrapped around her son. James turned instantly, his hand flashing to his wand. He exchanged a look with Lily — fear flickered in her eyes, but she nodded, signaling that she was ready for anything.
The knock came again.
Without hesitation, James strode toward the door. He took a deep breath before throwing it open.
A black owl flew into the room, wings flapping. It landed on the edge of the table and extended a leg, to which a note was tied, sealed with a deep crimson-gold wax seal. James recognized it instantly — the symbol of the Crown's vassals.
"It's from one of the Houses," he said quietly, carefully taking the letter.
He ran his finger across the crest, then quickly broke the seal and unfolded the message. His eyes scanned the lines, and the more he read, the deeper his frown grew.
"James?" Lily called softly.
He didn't answer right away, still absorbed in the contents of the letter.
"It's…" He looked up, his eyes filled with worry and realization. "It's about the gathering."
Lily frowned.
"What gathering?"
James ran a hand over his face, as if gathering his thoughts.
"It's a summons," he replied. "Tonight, all vassals are to assemble. A magical godparent will be chosen for the children."
Lily's brow furrowed.
"But parents usually choose godparents themselves…"
"Under normal circumstances, yes. But if the parents are in danger, the decision lies with the Queen. The godparent won't even know who their charge is unless the need arises. It's a safeguard — in case someone tries to eliminate a child to end a bloodline."
Lily pressed her lips together.
"This all feels so… official."
"Because it is," James nodded. "We're not just wizards. We're vassals of the Crown. No matter what people believe, the Ministry isn't the highest authority. True power has always rested with the royal family."
"The second reason," he added, "is tradition. Godparents are appointed in advance, but their identities remain secret until needed. No one but the Queen knows whose child each godparent will protect."
Lily frowned.
"Not even the godparents themselves?"
"Not even them. It's protection. If a parent dies, the child is placed with the one who can protect them best. Sometimes it's a wizard, sometimes a noble from the Muggle world… and sometimes even a member of the royal family."
Lily turned pale.
"You're saying… Harry could end up under the care of one of the Windsors?!"
James sighed.
"Lily, it's been this way for centuries. And if anything happens to us, we have to trust this law."
Lily looked down at her son, her hands trembling slightly. She had always thought she'd protect Harry at any cost, but for the first time, she felt how little control she had over her child's fate.
She closed her eyes for a moment, cursing the shiver that ran down her spine.
"But why now?"
James pressed his lips together.
"Because the war is escalating, and we must be ready."
Lily took a deep breath.
"It's frightening. I've only just gotten used to being James Potter's wife, and now… everything is so much more complicated."
"I know," he said gently, stepping closer and wrapping her in his arms. "But we'll get through this."
Suddenly, the fireplace flared with green flame, and Sirius Black stepped out.
"You got the letter too?"
"Yes," James replied.
"Then let's go."
They exited through a hidden portal in the corner of the house and stepped into the night.
---
The gathering took place in a grand, majestic hall. Towering columns, tapestries bearing the crests of ancient houses, and the gentle glow of candlelight spoke of traditions honored for centuries.
The hall glowed with the soft light of candles, casting strange shadows upon ancient banners adorned with the sigils of Britain's oldest magical houses. The air was heavy with ancient, unbreakable magic, binding the Crown to her loyal vassals with ties of honor and duty.
At the center of the hall, upon a raised platform, stood the Queen. In her eyes gleamed the awareness of power and duty, mingled with pride for those who had remained loyal to the throne through the ages.
"Tonight we gather here," her voice rang out across the hall, echoing with the voices of ancestors, "to fulfill our duty to the Crown. Vassals of the Royal House, step forward and pledge your oath!"
Silence hung for a heartbeat before the first House representative stepped forth.
He walked to the center of the hall, knelt on one knee, and bowed his head before the Queen.
"I, Lord Severus Tobias Snape-Prince, swear loyalty to the Royal House. I vow to serve the Crown, protect its interests, and defend its honor. In times of peril and times of triumph, in darkness and in light, in peace and in war — I will remain a loyal vassal. My name, my blood, and my magic belong to the Crown, and should I break this vow, let magic itself abandon me!"
The Queen watched him closely, her eyes reflecting the flicker of the flames.
Next came Sirius.
"I, Sirius Orion Black, swear loyalty to the Royal House. I vow upon my magic, my honor, and my bloodline. I will serve the Crown as long as blood runs in my veins, and even in death, my name will remain forever inscribed among the loyal vassals!"
The Queen bowed her head.
James stepped forward next.
"I, Lord James Fleamont Potter, swear loyalty to the Royal House. I vow to be its sword and shield, protector and guardian, keeper of law and defender of magical Britain. My house, my blood, and my descendants shall remain loyal to the Crown as long as my heart beats."
The Queen nodded.
"I, Lady Lily Eleanor Potter,
swear loyalty to the Royal House. I vow to be its sword and shield, protector and guardian, keeper of law and defender of magical Britain. My house, my blood, and my descendants shall remain loyal to the Crown as long as my heart beats."
Then, one by one, the other Houses stepped forward.
"I, Lord Christopher Edward Greengrass, swear loyalty to the Royal House!"
"I, Lord Lucian Augustus Nott, swear loyalty to the Royal House!"
"I, Lord Actaeon Cassius Flint, swear loyalty to the Royal House!"
"I, Lady Amalia Virginia Bulstrode, swear loyalty to the Royal House!"
"I, Lord Atlas Gideon Shafiq, swear loyalty to the Royal House!"
"I, Lord Valerian Edmond Burke, swear loyalty to the Royal House!"
"I, Lord Gideon Felix Rosier, swear loyalty to the Royal House!"
"I, Lord Garrick Dominic Ollivander, swear loyalty to the Royal House!"
Each oath was followed by a flash of magic — an invisible bond sealing their words to the Crown.
When the last vassal had spoken, the Queen stepped forward. Fire blazed in her eyes, and her voice rang with authority:
"I, Her Majesty, the Queen of Magical Britain, vow sovereign protection to each vassal who stands before me. I vow to shield you, preserve you, to be your patron and your support. I vow that no vassal shall be left in need, that my magic shall be your shield and my authority your protection. As you are loyal to me, so am I loyal to you, while my heart still beats and this throne stands!"
Magic burst into the air, sealing the ancient bond.
The vassals knelt before the Queen in a sign of respect. It was a moment when past and future converged, sealing vows that could never be broken.
Then came the time for the godparent selection.
"Now we shall appoint the guardians."
Lily took James's hand; her fingers were ice-cold.
"How will they be chosen?"
"It's a magical process, Lily," he said softly. "Each vassal draws a stone," James explained as they were summoned to the circle. "In that stone is a sealed fate. It could be any of us — even someone from the royal family."
"So," Lily swallowed, "it could be anyone?"
"Any vassal… even the royals."
Lily looked down at Harry, anxiety clutching at her heart.
She nodded, squeezing her husband's hand.
One by one, the vassals approached the bowl filled with glowing stones, each drawing one. The stone would change color — its hue matching a particular child. But only the Queen knew which child each stone was linked to.
Once the selection was complete, the ceremony moved toward its end.
And then…
The hall was suddenly bathed in a cold, silvery light.
Before the Queen appeared a massive phoenix — the Patronus of Albus Dumbledore.
When he spoke, his voice was filled with urgency:
"James! Come quickly! The Longbottoms are under attack!"
A heavy silence fell, like the calm before a storm.
James jumped to his feet.
"We have to go!"
The Queen met his gaze.
"Go."
Without wasting time, the Marauders and Severus headed for the back exit to get out of the Anti-Apparition dome.
A moment later, they were already standing in front of the Longbottoms' house.
And before them lay bodies.
Two figures, cloaked in the night.
James felt the blood freeze in his veins.
—No...