The Beauty and the Greed

In a time long past there lived a wizarding family who went by the name of Enoria. Their wealthy and powerful status saw them the rulers of Larkluster, a town inhabited by witches and wizards only. The Enoria couple bore two sons, the elder named Arcius and the younger Ulfridus. The young men had everything their hearts desired. Although Ulfridus had a kind heart and knew better than to let power and wealth get to his head, Arcius rejoiced in the lavish gifts his parents could so casually buy. He became infatuated with his ascendancy and material goods, turning him into a very selfish and gluttonous man.

Eventually, the time came for Arcius to be married. Being so vain, he wanted only the most beautiful woman in the land. Gold hungry women flocked to their manor, eager to win the heart, and wealth, of Arcius. Each one he would dismiss, growing more infuriated and more desperate to find his perfect beauty. As the last few witches in Larkluster were refused by the frigid wizard, one woman caught both the eye and heart of Aricus. Her hair the most luscious blonde, her eyes the most brilliant blue, her skin the most delicate ivory.

“Fair maiden,” Aricus said as the moved towards the mysterious beauty. “What is your name?”

The girl bowed before the powerful wizard. “Gratia, my good sir,” she replied.

Immediately, Arcius knew that she was to be his mistress, a position she was most happy to accept. Ulfridus was not happy with the proposal and told his brother she wanted only their fortune – and that something was not quite right about the mystical witch. Aricus disregarded his brothers comments for he was in love with Gratia and would not be swayed by his younger brother whom he believed was acting out of pure jealousy.

Days after meeting, the couple were wed at a ceremony which everyone of importance in the wizarding world attended, including the Minister Of Magic himself. However, the bliss was short-lived. Arcius became more controlling over his new wife, his new wife demanded more and more from him. But every time he looked at her, he become enchanted by her beauty and voice, buying her the most lavish of gifts at her request.

Ulfrido began to grow more suspicious of his sister-in-law so took to spying. After finding her alone, he watched as she fumbled through a chest used only by Aricus and filled with powerful wizarding artefacts. He entered the room, having at last caught her in the act. As soon she as realised she had been discovered as a thief, she only smiled. At once, her head transformed from such beauty to that of a large beaked bird. Scaled wings began to emerge from her shoulders. Ulfrido immediately reached for his wand before a burning ball of flames hit him, blocking the attack. Gratia flew from the room to her husband, slashing at him with her large wings in the hope she could end his life before seeing the end of her own. The revealed Veela flew at once from the manor.

Shocked, Ulfrido ran to his brother who had received such a violent blew he lay on the floor, with death fast approaching. As his time drew to a close, he said to his brother, “I have been a fool, Ulfrido. I was cruel enough to judge each girl solely on their outwardly appearance, when in fact I myself held no true beauty at all.” With one final cough, Arcius was no more.

Eventually, Ulfrido went on to marry a very much non-Veela and have his own family, but the words of his brother, killed by greed an beauty, rang forever in his ears.

Translated by Moony