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Heavy is the Crown (Harry Potter) Chapter 102: Reunited
🕑 Added 2025-09-24 15:32:50 +0000 UTC[Third Person POV]
Arthur and the rest of the group traveled ever deeper through the twisting underground tracks of Gringotts Bank, their cart rattling and swaying as it plunged into the earth. The air grew damp and heavy, carrying the faint metallic scent of gold and ancient stone. Darkness pressed in from all sides, and not even the flickering torches mounted along the walls were bright enough to pierce the oppressive black. They were little more than seven pairs of eyes glimmering in the void, each set straining to catch the faintest outline of the path ahead, before Goburk finally leaned forward and yanked down a large iron lever with a grunt.
A burst of sudden sparks flared along the track, briefly illuminating the jagged walls of the tunnel in a shower of orange light. The cart began to descend at a slower pace, racing toward a distant glimmer far below. The golden glow shimmered faintly like a star at the bottom of a bottomless chasm, beckoning them toward their destination with an almost otherworldly pull.
When their eyes adjusted and the dim light at last enveloped them, the group finally caught sight of each other again. Arthur’s appearance drew immediate alarm—his face was swollen and badly bruised, one eye puffed almost shut while his lips jutted out in a painful, reddish swell. He looked like he had gone three rounds with a mountain troll. Merlin stood beside him with her arms tightly crossed, her posture radiating icy disapproval as she deliberately looked away.
“Next time,” she said sharply, her voice echoing off the cavern walls, “watch who you are speaking to. Do not think for a moment that I won’t discipline you simply because of who you are.”
Arthur winced and gave a sheepish nod, his words slurred through swollen lips. “I’m… sorry…” He raised a trembling hand and quickly summoned a healing magic circle, a soft glow spilling over his battered features. Slowly, the bruises receded, his eye unsealed, and his face knit itself back to its usual shape.
As the cart screeched and finally slowed to a halt, Arthur placed Sylvia behind his back while hoisting Cosmos carefully onto his shoulders. Nicholas and Perenelle squinted into the strange, shimmering light that now bathed the cavern. When their eyes finally adjusted, both of them froze where they stood, stunned into silence by the magnificent sight that awaited them.
A creature of breathtaking splendor lounged before the towering gates of the Pendragon Vault. Her scales shone like liquid fire—gold and silver threaded with streaks of soft pearl—and each slow movement sent ripples of light dancing across the chamber walls. Her great wings were folded neatly against her sides, but even at rest she radiated the regal presence of an ancient queen.
“Seraphenix!!” Arthur’s voice rang with unmistakable joy. Without hesitation, he vaulted over the edge of the cart and sprinted across the stone floor toward her.
“Woah…” Nicholas and Perenelle breathed in unison. They had lived for centuries, seen dragons in nearly every corner of the magical world, yet never—not once—had they laid eyes on a creature so divine, so dazzlingly perfect, as the legendary Seraphenix.
“I know, right? A sight for sore eyes if there ever was one,” Merlin said with a small, knowing smile as she extended a hand to help the others climb out of the cart.
“Artorius!” Seraphenix exclaimed, her voice a melodic rumble that vibrated through the chamber. She lifted her massive, jewel-encrusted head and almost bounced in excitement, her long neck curling upward
“Art—” Perenelle began to call out, perhaps to warn Arthur to be careful, but Merlin calmly raised her staff, the tip glowing faintly, and held her back.
“There’s no need,” Merlin said, her tone both gentle and commanding. “Just watch.”
Arthur slowed as he neared the great dragon, his steps light and deliberate. Seraphenix lowered her head until her massive snout reached his waist, nudging him affectionately along the stomach. Arthur smiled and laid one hand along the smooth, warm scales of her face, caressing the curve of her jaw as he greeted an old friend. With his other arm still kept carefully behind his back, he leaned in and placed a soft kiss on the edge of her glowing snout.
“Have you been well?” Arthur asked, his voice dropping to a tender murmur.
“Never better,” Seraphenix replied, a low, endearing growl rolling from deep in her throat. “Especially now that you’ve come to visit. And you, little one? I hear you have officially begun your schooling in the magical arts.”
Arthur grinned, his eyes gleaming. “It’s been… alright,” he said casually, though the twinkle in his gaze betrayed his excitement. “Made a few friends, fought a demonic spirit, you know—typical stuff.”
Seraphenix let out a melodious laugh, her wings shivering with delight. “Only you would consider such matters trivial. It seems you are enjoying yourself—that is wonderful. Now then…” Her golden eyes narrowed playfully. “Care to share what you’ve been hiding behind your back?”
“Hehe, I’m glad you asked,” Arthur said with a mischievous grin, taking a few careful steps backward. “Are you ready?”
“I wonder what it could be?” she teased, her tone rich with warm amusement.
“Ta-da!” Arthur finally exclaimed, swinging his arm forward to reveal a tiny, shimmering figure. “She hatched!”
Sylvia blinked up at the towering dragon, tilting her small head curiously. For a moment there was only silence. Then, instinctual recognition flared in her bright eyes and her own scales shimmered, the magical disguise dissolving in a soft cascade of light.
“Mama!!” she cried out, her little voice ringing across the cavern.
To everyone else, the word came out as an adorable but unintelligible roar—but to Seraphenix, it was the sweetest sound in the world.
Sylvia almost leapt from Arthur’s arms the instant Seraphenix greeted her, her tiny wings flapping furiously in an eager but clumsy attempt to fly. The effort sent her wobbling forward in an unsteady tumble, and for one terrifying second it seemed she might pitch straight to the stone floor below. Arthur reacted with lightning speed, tightening his hold.
“Easy there,” he said with a soft laugh, steadying her tiny body. “Your wings aren’t quite ready for that yet.”
Sylvia chirped in protest, eyes shining with excitement. Her tail flicked in restless delight as Arthur carefully lifted her upward, finally placing the little dragon atop Seraphenix’s enormous snout. The elder dragon lowered her head to meet the movement, her eyes glowing with maternal warmth.
“Hello, my child,” Seraphenix rumbled, her voice deep yet tender. She closed her luminous eyes with a look of pure bliss as Sylvia scrambled forward to nuzzle against the warm scales of her nose.
“Wha—!!” Nicholas and Perenelle exclaimed together, their voices overlapping in shocked disbelief. They leaned forward instinctively, as if their eyes might deceive them at such a revelation.
“She was a dragon?!” Nicholas blurted, swiveling toward Merlin as though she might somehow provide a rational explanation.
“Always has been,” Merlin replied with a knowing chuckle, clearly enjoying their stunned expressions. “Sylvia is, in fact, Seraphenix’s own daughter—entrusted to Arthur’s care so he might raise her in secret.”
Perenelle’s mouth fell open in an awkward grin. “But… but owning a dragon is completely illegal,” she managed, the words tumbling out more as a nervous observation than an accusation.
“It’s only illegal if it’s discovered,” Merlin said lightly, lifting a single finger in mock admonishment. Her eyes glinted mischievously. “You’re not planning to snitch, are you?”
“Eh? Snitch?” Perenelle repeated, the unfamiliar word sounding odd on her tongue. But from the context—and Merlin’s sly grin—she quickly pieced together its meaning. “Are you kidding? That could get Arthur into trouble. I would never do that.”
“Good,” Merlin said with a satisfied nod. “Because now you’re officially an accomplice to this little crime. Welcome aboard.” She gave Perenelle a playful pat on the back as though inducting her into some mischievous secret society.
Both Nicholas and Perenelle could only stare at her, their faces a mixture of disbelief and reluctant amusement at her shamelessness. They shook their heads in unison, defeated, before turning back to watch the heartwarming scene unfolding before them.
Seraphenix gently bounced her snout up and down, creating a smooth rocking motion that made Sylvia squeal with pure delight. The baby dragon let out an endless string of high-pitched giggles and tiny warbles, her small claws clinging to the ridge of her mother’s nose as her tail flicked in ecstatic rhythm. Arthur stood nearby, his warm grin softening even further at the sound of her laughter, a quiet chuckle escaping him as he watched mother and daughter reunite.
Merlin stepped closer, her own smile warm as she observed the joyous reunion. “Would you like to head into the vault?” she asked softly, turning her gaze toward Arthur. “It might give them a bit of privacy to catch up.”
Arthur nodded without taking his eyes off Sylvia. “Yeah… good idea.”
He extended his hand toward Merlin, and with a subtle motion of her staff, a shimmering golden key began to materialize in his open palm. The key pulsed with faint magical energy, the ancient crest of the Pendragon family glowing faintly along its shaft.
Guiding the key forward, he directed it with a delicate touch toward the intricate keyhole embedded in the center of the towering golden gate. As the key slid home, a deep clang reverberated through the cavern. The lock mechanism shifted, and the Pendragon sigil blazed to life—an emblem of dragons and sword—before the massive doors began to part with a thunderous groan, revealing the secrets hidden within.
Arthur turned back to Nicholas and Perenelle. “You two coming?” he asked, his voice echoing softly through the chamber.
The immortal couple exchanged a quick look before shaking their heads in perfect unison.
“This is your family’s vault,” Nicholas said calmly. “It’s only right that some things remain yours alone.”
Perenelle added with a small, reassuring smile, “We trust you, Arthur. Go on.”
Arthur hesitated for a moment, meeting their eyes as if weighing their words, then gave a slow nod. “Alright. If that’s what you’ve decided.”
With that, he stepped forward, Merlin falling into stride beside him as they crossed the threshold into the Pendragon Vault. The air inside was cool and faintly metallic, rich with the scent of age and magic.
“Is there anything specific you’re searching for?” Merlin asked, her voice soft as it echoed through the vast, treasure-laden hall.
“Yeah,” Arthur replied after a moment of thought. “During our battle with Ifrit, I realized just how limited my arsenal really is. You were the ones dealing most of the heavy damage.”
Merlin frowned in confusion, her brow furrowing as she glanced at him. “What are you talking about? You dealt the final blow. And it was your strategy that allowed it to happen in the first place.”
Arthur gave a small, rueful smile. “That only worked because Ifrit was weak to holy artifacts—it was a lucky advantage. I can’t rely on luck forever. Even with the Iron Golem, the only reason I won was because Lance distracted it long enough for me to land a decisive hit. Both times, I had help.” He paused, his eyes sweeping across the endless rows of glittering relics and dusty tomes. “This time, I want to make sure I’m not caught unprepared… We’re looking through my ancestors’ tomes—knowledge I’ve ignored until now because I thought it wouldn’t be useful. I mean I had you what use could they be to me, right? But I realize now that it was foolish thinking”
Merlin’s eyes softened as she studied him, pride flickering faintly beneath her calm expression. Together, they ventured deeper into the vault, the heavy golden doors closing behind them with a slow, echoing finality.
Comments
KingSpy25i .
Thank you for the great chapter 🙏
