Last of The Fae Chapter 126: Fae Manor

Dumbledore couldn't help but frown as he stared at the open letter in his hand that had arrived in an envelope shaped to resemble a broad silver leaf. The now broken seal had been the unmistakable insignia of House Fae, which caused Dumbledore no amount of trepidation. He employed every method possible to determine that the letter wasn't cursed or bewitched, only to discover a latent enchantment set to trigger nearly three months after it was set. 

After that discovery, Dumbledore nearly disintegrated the letter on the spot. At the time, it had only been a week since his almost openly hostile confrontation with Thane. Within that short time frame, Thane had convinced Rita Skeeter to write another glowing article about his fight against the Basilisk of Salazar Slytherin and the discovery that its venom contained powerful healing properties when appropriately utilized. As usual, Dumbledore didn't believe anything from Rita's publication, which made it all the more shocking when Professor McGonagall rushed to inform him that Thane's missing limb had miraculously regrown. 

However, Dumbledore quickly realized that he was being slightly paranoid instead of clear-headed caution that the situation required of him. So, after getting his emotions in check, Dumbledore opened the envelope to find the most surprising letter inside. 

'You have been formally invited to attend the engagement party of Lord Thane Fae, Head of the Most Noble and Anceint House Fae, and Lady Daphne Greengrass, of the Most Noble and Ancient House Greengrass, on May 1st, 1993. The event will be held at Fae Manor, open to visitors for the first time in its history and accessible only by authorized Portkey in the form of your invitation letter. 

PS. 

All guests are allowed a date; however, word must be sent at least a month in advance. Fae Manor retains the right to deny or revoke admittance to any personnel at any time for any reason. All guests will also undergo a brief screening for the security and ease of mind for all attending.' 

Now, as Dumbledore sat in his office dressed in his finest robes, ready to attend such a joyous occasion, he couldn't help but frown. While it was no secret that Thane and Daphne had been seen enjoying each other's company, Dumbledore would never have predicted that they would be officially engaged. 

The window for Dumbledore to directly target Thane had closed rather firmly, as now any action he took against the young man would draw the full ire of House Greengass, an entity deeply entrenched in the world of wizard politics that extended far beyond the British Isles. 

In a single move, Thane had eliminated one of his greatest weaknesses by entering himself with a political powerhouse. 

'On the bright side, at least out of all the Dark Houses, he hooked up with a Greengrass. They're truly more grey in their voting, just less passive than the other neutral houses.' 

Dumbledore, thought reluctantly, before the letter in his hand pulsed with a wave of mana as it transformed from an ordinary piece of silver paper into a portkey. After a moment of hesitation, Dumbledore pushed his mana into the enchanted paper, and he felt himself being whisked away. 

A moment later, after he had brushed aside the usual unease that came with using a portkey, Dumbledore looked around to see that his surroundings had changed entirely. He stood in the middle of a spacious but secluded grove, thanks to the wall of wild trees and hedges hiding the meticulously tended space. 

A carpet of moss covered the floor, and large slabs of grey slate created a walkway around the circular grove. In the center was a large bonsai tree that had been manipulated to grow wide, spread-out branches, which were used as stands to present platters of ordurves and glistening fruit. 

At the very end was a large stone arch providing an exit from the grove that quickly filled up with people as they activated their portkeys and arrived in their finery and jewels. Looking around, Dumbledore quickly realized that anybody who was somebody was present. 

Before long, the grove was occupied by over a hundred people, but despite the influx of guests, it wasn't cramped. Sensing something, Dumbledore subtly probed the surrounding space and found the powerful enchantments woven like an intricate tapestry to create the isolated grove.

'We're inside an expanded space,' Dumbledore realized with a start. 

"So you've realized it as well." 

A familiar gruff voice caught Dumbledore's attention, and he looked over to see Mad Eye Moody limping towards him with his apprentice Nymphadora in tow, "Indeed I have old friend, though you don't seem that surprised." 

Moody grunted as his magical eye dashed back and forth, seemingly looking at nothing and everything at the same time. "Anyone who's felt that boy's aura wouldn't be, though I have to admit the last time I felt a place so heavily warded I was at Azkaban." 

"I have to concur," Dumbledore agreed, before pausing, "What do you make of Lord Fae?" 

"You're asking whether I think the boy is up to no good?" Moody clarified before snorting, "I think that depends on your definition of good. All I know is that kid has a plan and the resources to see it through." 

Dumbledore hummed at Moody's answer before stroking his beard. But before he could respond, a crisp clap echoed through the grove, and everyone turned to look in the direction of the arch. 

"Welcome, esteemed guests, and thank you for attending this historic day." The speaker was a witch wearing dark green robes and a pointed hat adorned with leaves that complemented her dark red hair, which was done in two thick braids that rested on her shoulders. 

"My name is Mirabel Garlick, and I am the Head Gardener here at Fae Manor. Lord Fae has entrusted me to welcome you to his home and give you a brief tour as we make our way to the manor proper." Mirabel introduced herself before gesturing to the arch, "Now if would would please step this way, and just so there isn't any shock, the arch will scan you for any curses or malignant magic but I doubt that will be a problem for anyone here." 

People made their way towards the arch, passing through to the other side, which was concealed by a shimmering green field of magic. 

"Why are we just hanging around here? Come on let's go!" Nyphadora insisted as she tugged on Moody's arm, who grumbled but nonetheless moved to follow his apprentice. 

Dumbledore smiled, seeing his old ally finally allowing his scarred heart to trust another person as he shuffled behind them, eager to see what lay beyond the manor. 

"Ah, Headmaster Dumbledore, Lord Fae will be glad you could attend." Mirable, greeted Dumbledore as ge stepped up to the arch, "Please be welcomed to Fae Manor."

Dumbledore nodded his head in thanks before stepping through the green portal and emerging from the other side. 

The moment space stabilized, the distortion of travel settled into a quiet stillness, leaving behind a faint shimmer of residual magic in the air. As Dumbledore stepped forward, a fresh breeze stirred against his robes, carrying with it the rich, earthen scent of soil and the crisp fragrance of greenery. The warmth of the golden afternoon sun bathed the land before him, stretching endlessly into a vast expanse of cultivated wilderness.

Acres upon acres of farmland sprawled across the landscape, yet it was unlike any agricultural land Dumbledore had ever encountered. Instead of the neat, methodical rows of a traditional field, this place was alive with organic harmony, a masterpiece of untamed cultivation. Towering canopy trees stood proudly across the expanse, their enormous branches providing gentle shade for the thriving layers of flora beneath them. In their shadow, lush undergrowth of fruit-bearing bushes, vegetables, and herbs interwove seamlessly with vines creeping up the trunks, forming a natural symphony of biodiversity.

The land itself seemed to breathe, radiating a sense of ancient magic, as though the very soil pulsed with the lifeblood of nature. The occasional glow of enchanted runes flickered between the roots, faintly illuminating patches of fungi and flowering plants that thrived in their presence. Birds flitted between the branches, and in the distance, shimmering wisps of magical energy danced lazily above the fields, as though responding to the rhythm of the land itself.

But at the heart of it all, standing in majestic dominance, was the centerpiece of the entire domain—a colossal tree, its trunk wider than any castle tower, stretching impossibly high into the sky. The bark shimmered faintly, veins of silver and emerald magic pulsing across its massive surface. Its branches reached outward like great arms, forming an intricate network of terraces, outdoor walkways, and courtyards, all hundreds of feet above the ground.

Dumbledore’s eyes widened as he realized the truth of the structure.

The tree itself had been magically shaped and cultivated into an entire manor—Fae Manor—woven directly from the living wood, rather than built by human hands. Thick roots curled elegantly into archways, forming natural corridors that led inside, while balconies of woven leaves and branches extended outward, overlooking the entirety of the thriving agricultural expanse below. Delicate wood-carved lanterns hung from the branches, softly glowing with silver light, suggesting that even at night, the estate remained vibrantly alive.

A grand staircase, formed from natural ridges in the trunk, spiraled gracefully up the side of the tree, connecting the levels of the living manor. The sheer scale of it was almost unbelievable, an architectural wonder that defied conventional magic and nature alike.

A voice broke through Dumbledore’s reverie.

"Welcome to Fae Manor!"

The words rang with pride, echoing through the open air, as if the very land itself rejoiced in its welcome.