Chapter 14

Albus stepped forward confidently, "Lady Nimue," he said with practiced calm, "We seek Merlin's staff."

The lake stilled as Nimue's expression, once serene, twisted into something angry. Her eyes narrowed, and the glow around her dimmed slightly.

"Oh, of course," she snapped. "It's always Merlin. Merlin this, Merlin that. Do you know how many centuries I've stood here, guarding his precious stick while he gallivants through time like some glorified wizard influencer?"

James blinked. "Did she just say..."

"Storage shed!" Nimue barked, cutting him off. "That's what I am to him. A glorified magical locker. No thank you, no offerings, not even a birthday card. Just 'Nimue, hold this for me, I'll be back in a few centuries.'"

Her voice dropped into a dangerous calm. "If you want his staff, then you will pay my price. One of you will remain here. One of you will serve me, forever."

The four men froze. Slughorn's mouth opened, then closed again. He said nothing, only stared in shock at the demand. Both Albus and James exchanged a quick, silent, and merciless look.

"Sirius," Albus said firmly as he pushed Black forward.

"What?" Sirius barked, eyes widening. "No, no, you can't be serious!"

"Actually, we are," James uttered with only a little bit of remorse.

"My dear boy, sacrifices must be made. This is all for the Greater Good."

Before Sirius could protest further, the lake shimmered. A chain of liquid silver rose from the water and snapped around his neck with a faint glow as it tightened. Sirius clawed at it, but the chain pulsed with Nimue's magic, binding him to her will.

"You'd betray me?!" Sirius shouted, his voice cracking between outrage and disbelief. "After everything..."

"Sit," Nimue ordered, and magic compelled Sirius to flop onto the ground. Her lips curved into a satisfied smile while Sirius looked shocked at his sudden compliance. "The choice is made. The servant is bound."

She lifted her hand, and from the depths of the lake rose Merlin's staff. It was made of wood and crowned with a large and elongated crystal. She extended it toward Albus. "Take it," she then ordered. "But remember the cost."

Sirius yelped as he was dragged into the murky depths of the lake, as Nimue departed with the chain leash in her hand. James looked sad, but he had convinced himself it was all for the Greater good. Albus looked quite gleeful as he admired the staff, not even looking at Sirius, while Slughorn stood frozen as he stared at the callous disregard for life he had just witnessed from his old friend.

Hours later, dawn spilled across Bassenthwaite as Nimue sat perched on a rock near the lake's edge. Her gown was trailing into the water and becoming one with the liquid. In one hand, she held a lit Muggle cigarette and exhaled with practiced indifference.

"You know those things will kill you," came a dry voice.

Death appeared beside her, "Though I suppose that's my department," he muttered.

Nimue smirked. "You're late."

"I'm timeless," Death replied. "And nosy. You did what Lord Slytherin asked. But I have questions."

She flicked ash into the lake. "Well, ask them then."

"You're the last of the Water Fae loyal to Sirona," Death stated. "You could have asked for anything in return for fulfilling my Master's wish, your freedom even! But you chose to have a servant? Why? You don't need a servant. You need, well, let's be honest, a therapist."

"We all need a therapist, Mortem. I am your sister's executioner when her gift is misused. Nothing more, nothing less. Unlike the other fae who rebelled, I actually take pride in my work." Nimue laughed slightly. "Therapists don't scrub floors. My castle is a mess. Centuries of dust and clutter. I am a slob, I will wholly admit, Mortem. And I like to see pretty boys clean."

Death tilted his skeletal head. "So you put him in chains and servitude... for housekeeping?"

She exhaled smoke in a perfect ring. "Obviously. He's nice to look at, especially when he bends over."

Death groaned, covering his face with skeletal fingers. "You're incorrigible."

"I'm practical," Nimue countered. "Besides, Merlin treated me like a storage shed. I deserve some entertainment. My new servant is loud, reckless, and vain. Perfect for polishing silver and scrubbing stone floors. He'll curse me under his breath, but he'll do it shirtless. The view is really all I care about."

Death chuckled despite himself. "You fae are all the same. Drama, bargains, and a taste for chaos."

Nimue stubbed out the cigarette against the rock, tossing the butt into the lake where it dissolved into mist. "Chaos keeps the world interesting. And Lord Slytherin wanted the staff delivered. I've done my part. Now I get mine. Say hi to Harry for me and tell him I have a new pet to train." With that said, she disappeared into the lake once more.