Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its contents therein. However, any new characters, realms, and certain ideas belong to me. Any unauthorized use of any of the aforementioned items is subject to copyright laws and appropriate action will be taken forthwith.

A/N: Revamping is hard work~ But I'm excited for this. My beta, Superbia, is a slave driver, so let's see how long it will take to hammer out all the gaping plot holes of the original! Onwards to chapter two, Supie! –cackles maniacally-

Chapter 2: Découverte

Harry –now Dmitri – merely gazed blankly at the sour-faced professor, hardly daring to believe the audacity in that tone as it proclaimed the statement. As if it was the most natural thing to say in the world!
"An explanation would be lovely," he countered flatly, eyes barely open, affixed languidly at the elder male.

Severus sniffed haughtily. "An explanation of what, exactly, are you referring to, Mr. Li? You should practice specificity more often."

So he was going to play ignorant, was he? Dmitri's infuriated gaze deepened as he reclined further in his seat.
"Alright, specific you say. Then, what is this Second Realm you speak of, and how many different realms are there? Where is Inverness Academy, and why have I been enrolled there? What do you mean by half-bloods like me? And why are you so miserable all the time?"

The emerald-eyed teen finished his list with a beatific smile that only grew as the Potion's Master shot him a decidedly dirty look. "I shall answer your questions forthwith, though it would be wise not to be so impertinent in the future."
All Severus got for his troubles was an arrogant grin that set his brow twitching. 'Brat.'

"To begin, the Second Realm is not entirely its own dimension. If we say Earth is one realm, then the Second Realm is a sub-space within it; an extension of the planet that is hidden and sectioned off from the rest of the world. This is a stretch called Dnoxces Mlaerm. As to how many actual sanctioned realms there are… Currently, I believe there are four, though there are tales of a forbidden fifth.

"Each realm is home to different species and races of all sentient and magical beings. There is Earth and Dnoxces, the Ariaus, the Elbas Meuqorab, and the Lan'raellis. The so-called fifth one, in which I am stating for educational purposes, is called the Lan'yemael. It is supposedly home to the foulest of creatures and can only be reached by the blackest of Magics," he paused with a sniff of his hooked nose, braking his vocal train to observe his former student's reaction.

"What resides in each realm then? Are they mono-species or diverse, like earth?" Dmitri posed after a breath, leveling his gaze to the snide countenance. Severus was struck by the aberrant astuteness of those eyes.

Snape shook his head minimally, breaking the sudden stare. He was marginally amused, despite himself, at the torrent of questions coming from the adolescent. If only the boy had been half so productive in school. "Each domain is unique in that respect. The Light Realm, Ariaus, is singularly the home of the Seraphim and high Pegasi. Whereas the Shadow Realm, Elbas, is its exact opposite; it is home to Nauctrals, Nederites and the original high demons: The Undaminh."

The Potions Master tapped his fingers on the table between them, as if contemplating further on his words. "Lastly, the Elemental plane of Lan'raellis is home to the Sidhe and Elves. Though, it is unclear if they're the only ones."

Dmitri nodded slowly, processing what he'd been told with a mildly overwhelmed expression, though grateful as the new-found knowledge overwhelmed the panic he could sense lurking beneath. There was so much more to the world he had thought he'd known. Yet somehow, it seemed he was still at the center of trouble. "So… What about the second realm?"

Snape scowled lightly and conjured up a cup of tea, absently stirring the liquid before taking a sip. "I was getting to that. Dnoxces Mlaerm was essentially created to house non-mortals and the hybrid offspring of inter-realm couples. It is nearly impossible for a creature of one domain to enter another and those that can, cannot readily reside there, if at all. When a child is born from parents of different realms, the child will often show attributes descending from both planes. Thus, it is difficult for the child to live in one or the other, especially when puberty or prepubescent abilities arise.

"Because of that, a neutral environment was needed to house the brats so they could learn to adapt. The goal was that they would glean enough experience to control themselves in order to live in whatever land they preferred. Earth was the chosen plane for a long time. However, when the mortals began to hunt down the half-breeds, an alternative was made. The 'Second Realm' was created so that they would grow protected and safe from humans."

Dmitri took note of both the use of 'the mortals' and 'humans' before speaking again. Which, once he thought about it, made perfect sense. Growing up with the Dursley's had certainly shown exactly how deep humanity had a scorn for anything outside of its perceived norm. Yet, he pondered, did that mean there was no need to distinguish between muggles and the magicked populous? "And I suppose the different species found the half-bloods distasteful as well?"

Snape nodded once, his lips quirking from the lightest indication of disgust. "Of course; though, for diplomacy's sake, the blame is strictly placed on mortals."

The younger male scoffed, curling his knees up to his chest subconsciously. He hardly seemed aware that he was shaking, though the Potions Master noted it. "Well, that answers the basics about the realms," Li trailed, "but what does all of that have to do with me?"
After all, he could hardly imagine that Severus had told him all of that out of his love of inter-dimensional geography. Hermione would have been so fascinated by all of this.

Dmitri ruthlessly shredded the thought and flinched visibly, determinedly refocusing on the conversation at hand. That thought was much too close to recent events. He would break down later, when all questions were answered and once he had time to reflect: Though, certainly not in front of Snape.

"Well, as I mentioned before, Earth is a neutral zone on which all species can reside. With humans as the perfect prey for most creatures due to their lack of natural defensive ability, many beings have set up homes here. The Potter's were one such set of beings, mainly Seraphim—"

"What are Seraphim?" Dmitri interjected promptly, causing Severus to scowl heavily at him for the interruption.
"Don't you know anything?"

Vibrant green eyes shot him a decided frosty glare, and the verbal response was no less glacial. "My education from my time at Hogwarts appears to be somewhat severely lacking, so you'll just have to excuse my ignorance."

Hooded eyes held the irate look for a few moments before the older man nodded shortly, trying to lock away his disdain for the moment. The boy hadn't been entirely too insufferable and he could at least try and extend the same courtesy. Dmitri had every right to be curious, after all.

"Seraphim are, for lack of better terminology, angels. Though not in the human biblical sense at all," the brooding man supplied, refilling the tea cup he had drained during their exchange. "However, they do share some similarities. Seraphim have wings and their skin gives off an unearthly glow; a byproduct of their food source. You'll undoubtedly learn more about them at Inverness, so I won't go into the subject anymore."

He glowered before Dmitri could interrupt again, inwardly heaving a sigh. "But as I said, the Potter's are such a family. All of them Seraphim who decided to live on Earth amongst humans. Your father fell in love with your mother and had you, a half-blooded Seraph. But…"
Here, Snape trailed off, a pensive look on his face. The curled up boy tensed in shock, his instincts telling him he would not enjoy this train of thought.

When it became clear the elder wasn't going to continue, the gangly youth shifted awkwardly in his chair. His thoughts were threatening to start spiraling away again; he had lost a lot more than just his friendships in that dungeon. He was grateful, despite himself, when Severus finally broke the silence.

"I'm curious to know how you ended up in that predicament with Albus, Dmitri," he intoned lightly, the question unsubtle in his statement. The aforementioned teen worried at his lip and absently traced his fingers along the few faint scars that ran across his arms and palms from the cutting curse.

"Well, I don't know the reasons why, but I can certainly explain the events leading up to my capture," came the soft reply as he began to tell his tale. "I was gardening for Aunt Petunia, as per usual. I hadn't eaten yet, since Dudley had caused me to get in trouble with Uncle Vernon..."

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

"Boy! Get in here!" Vernon boomed out into the yard, face a sickly puce color in his rage. Harry, meek in his hunger and fatigue wearily traipsed inside, preparing himself for another bout of punishment.

His uncle who was nearly speechless in his anger merely pointed at his previous bedroom under the stairs, hissing, "Explain. Now!"

It was an impossible request.

The door was wobbling and shaking by itself. A purple smoke fragrant with the scent of heady cedar wood permeated the air, causing a misty haze to settle around the first floor. Strange laughing noises echoed eerily about, and as he stepped closer, Harry felt a strong compulsion to open the door.

"I… I don't know what this is, Uncle Vernon," he whispered, sweating as he fought against the urge to get closer. "Perhaps my potion ingredients reacted because they've been locked in there all summer."

Vernon responded by backhanding him across the face, splitting his lower lip.

"Now look here, boy! I don't care what happened, but I will not tolerate your freakishness tainting my house," he growled, grabbing him by the hair. Harry screamed as he was slammed against the door. The urge was becoming more than he could bear, and the wood of the door felt like it was burning his skin.

The waif-like boy didn't hear Vernon's yell of alarm as he opened his eyes, revealing them to have filled in their killing curse green completely, eradicating both the cornea and the pupil. He didn't even notice when his hair was released. All he could focus on was the door, and how much he wanted to open it.

The only thing that had stopped him was the sound of Dumbledore's voice when he'd gotten hit with a stunner.

When his senses returned, he was in a strange cell. The walls were lined with a queer, sickly yellow stone that glowed, and his body ached as if he'd just undergone the most rigorous training of his life. His head felt stuffy and he had a headache the size of a Hungarian Horntail.

Not really knowing what was going on, he simply waited for his captor to show, trying desperately to recall the last moments before his blackout. To his surprise, when someone showed up, it was Professor Dumbledore, flanked by a serious looking McGonagall and another Mediterranean looking man he'd never seen before in his life.

Dumbledore smiled down at him kindly manner, eyes twinkling as merrily as ever.
"How are you feeling, my boy?"

Unsure of how to respond, Harry merely shrugged as he tried to figure out why his every sense, down to the bone, was telling him to get as far away from the other man as possible. Unfortunately, nothing was immediately forthcoming.

Dumbledore moved and stood in front of the door to his cell, lightly leaning against the metallic bars.

"Tell me, Harry… what do you remember from earlier today?" he asked kindly, voice soothing, yet only managing to stir Harry's instincts into a further frenzy.

"To be honest, Professor, not much," he answered, running his hands haphazardly through his hair. He noted quietly how all three of the adults in the room seemed suddenly to shift and relax at that. With narrowed eyes, he watched as McGonagall handed Dumbledore what was obviously the key to his cell, proving that they were indeed the ones who had imprisoned him.

Suddenly, as Dumbledore moved to put the key into the lock, Harry felt a bout of nausea wash over him. The unsettled feelings continued to grow, pulsing beneath his skin and prickling around his eyes until, with a burst of agony so intense he was sure he tore his throat screaming, all the memories from earlier that day burst free and flooded his mind.

Dimly, he could hear alarmed shouting and a spell: Legilimens. A foreign presence invaded his mind, trying to suppress the flood of his thoughts. But they were too strong and agile, too fluid, and they slipped between the cracks of the shoddy golden barrier. When the pain finally eased, he was left staring up into cold blue eyes.

Summoned shackles cut into the skin around his neck, ankles, and wrists, pulling him taut against the wall. Harry, struggling against his new bonds, peered terrified up at the man whom he had sincerely looked up to, wincing at the sheer force of hatred and disgust he could see in those familiar eyes.

"Professor, why?" he croaked, spitting out a blob of red tinged spit, confirming that he had indeed torn his throat. Dumbledore's eyes, if possible, got even colder.

"Because of what you are, Harry," he said frostily, his gaze sharpening. "I had hoped that the Potter gene had been overridden by the Evans gene in you, since she was muggleborn. But, once again, you've managed to defy my expectations."

Dumbledore stepped back from Harry, leaving the cell again. "I'm afraid it would have been better for you to have forgotten. Yet like a true anomaly, this option has been proven impossible. So I'll have to break you to my will."

For a moment, the man seemed to resemble his old mentor. Then a steeled look crossed his features and his torture began.

He screamed, long, loud, and way past the point any human should scream. Especially once his open wounds hit the strange rock, sizzling and proving to be acidic. His very bones shook with an icy cold, as his very essence and life source seemed to be sucked from his bare skin.

After each bout, Dumbledore would wait a few hours for him to writhe in aftermath of agony before healing the wounds crudely, his countenance the very picture of a man practiced with this form of torture. The cobalt-eyed teen would then get a temporary reprieve before the process started again, until he felt as if he was going mad. No, knew he was descending into insanity.

By the end of each day, he was grateful when Dumbledore hit him with a stunner, welcoming the darkness like a long lost friend.

After what had seemed like an eternity of pain, his rescue had come in the form of one Severus Snape melting his bonds and freeing him, dragging him and cursing his sorry ass for the state he'd gotten himself in.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

"Hm..."

If Dmitri hadn't suddenly been so exhausted by the end of his tale, he was sure he would've reacted with more than a quaffed brow at Snape's less than eloquent response. As it were, he merely ended up yawning into his hand as the day's events finally took their toll on him. Despite the fact that his body was somehow healed from his torture, his psyche didn't have that luxury. He'd have to remember to ask the elder about his miraculous recovery sometime soon. For now, he was willing to overlook that particular detail.

"Well?" he intoned waspishly, fatigue causing him to grouch.

Severus snorted very lightly. "I have many theories about it, Mr. Li. But I'd have to do a bit of reading first before I can give you the specifics."
Here, he looked his charge over. "Besides, I don't think your infinitesimal mind can handle any more shocks for the night. Even I am feeling a tad sluggish. I suggest you rest up before your next inquisition."

The malnourished adolescent glared daggers at him for the slight to his intellect before nodding in acquiescence. Even though he wanted to delay his impending breakdown further, weariness was fuzzing his thought process, making it increasingly difficult to stay in control. Snape merely smirked in response.

"Come, I will show you to your room," he continued smoothly, standing with a disturbingly fluid grace.

Dmitri stood shakily, staring absently at the retreating back of his form Potions Professor as he noted the changes in the man he hadn't noticed before. Gone was the familiar greasy hair; it was replaced by lustrous inky black locks that fell with a slight curve about his face. And the usual sallow pale skin was paler still, like porcelain, and just as unblemished. Despite the darkness of the corridor they were in, he could see the elegance practically oozing from every step the elder man took - a far cry from his usual terrifying, bat-like swooping. A thought occurred to the waif-like teen.

"Sir?" he intoned lightly, forgetting in his new-found discovery to use Severus' name.
The subject of his puzzling merely turned to glance at him as he lead them up a flight of stairs to his room.
"I was wondering... are you perhaps a half-breed too?"

He was surprised when they stopped walking until Dmitri realized they were outside of his new room. Glancing at the closed doorway, he began practically swimming in his thoughts. It was then in the quiet of the hallway, Dmitri grasped that Snape wasn't going to answer his question.

Turning to press the issue, he gasped. Li's eyes met carmine orbs so dark their kohl hued rims could barely be distinguished from the irises. The taller man smirked down at him while opening the door. His limbs gestured inside to a bed barely illuminated by the little light the hallway provided.

"Sleep now, Mr. Li. Your questions will be answered tomorrow," Snape drawled before exiting the doorway, leaving behind a thoroughly flabbergasted teen.

Dmitri shook his head as he closed the door behind him, completely enveloping himself in the darkness of the room. He proceeded to strip down to his boxers; strewing what was left of his clothing in a disjointed line behind him as he staggered to the bed. When his shins hit a frame and his hands hit the smoothness of blankets, he crawled to the center of its expanse. He hadn't turned on any lights, and if there were windows they must have been shuttered, so the contents of the room stayed hidden. Sighing, Dmitri sank into the pillows and let the silence press him. And press him.

The break-down started slowly, with small tremors that turned into shakes, which then wracked Dmitri's slender frame. Then the sobs came. Piercing sobs that tore violently from his throat, leaving him gasping for air after every cry. His body felt feverish as he tossed and turned. He found himself trapped in the memories of his torture and betrayal. The shock of the day hit him nearly as hard; battering him about like a plaything whilst he was on his emotional roller-coaster. The former Potter wailed for the loss of his past and of the parents that would've told him everything; lamented for all the things that had been taken from him, and then raged for all those who played him for a fool.

Suddenly, Dmitri's self-pitying turned into wrath, into pure unadulterated rage that filled him till he couldn't breathe. If there was but a mirror before him he would have seen his eyes like the greenest alexandrite, and his skin faintly glowing with its own luminescence. But there wasn't, and he couldn't see past his grief and anger. A deep, guttural, and inhuman growl permeated the air as he clawed at his bed sheets.
"No more," he whispered, voice raspy from misuse. "No more."

And he meant it. No more would he accept lies and betrayal; no more would he be a puppet. The Boy-Who-Lived, the Savior of the Light, Gryffindor Golden boy was no more. His anger would fuel him, push him to new limits. The half-Seraphim suddenly laughed; it was a sound utterly devoid of humor. He would have his revenge: On Voldemort, on his so-called 'best friends', the fools who used him as a poster boy, and most definitely on Dumbledore.

Dmitri settled suddenly back into the sheets, exhausted from the outburst. It wasn't the first, and it wouldn't be the last, but it was the most important. Even as he fell into a deep slumber, a cynical smile still lingered on his lips.

Completely betrayed and far away from everything he'd once believed in - Harry Potter died that night.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

When he next woke, it was to the usual pounding headache one experienced after falling asleep amidst an emotional breakdown. Light streamed in through circular windows and a set of glass doors that lead out to a balcony.

Yawning as he sat up, Dmitri took his first glimpse at the room and smiled.

The floors were a soft coffee-brown Australian beech -of an almost consistent hue, with a large cream rug in the center. Atop said expansive rug was the four-poster Dmitri had slept in the previous night. The queen-sized oak bed was framed in cream chiffon curtains over-set with velveteen emerald hangings. These were tied to their masts with beige ribbons to let the light onto the bed. This motif was repeated in the drapery askance the windows and french doors.

On either side of Dmitri was a bedside table. Both were made of the same oak as the bed. Upon further inspection Li noted their twisted stands resembled the trunks of trees wrapped in carved vines that actually moved every now and then.

"You know, at this point in my life, I should be used to the furniture moving on its own..."
Trailing his gaze along the pale mocha walls, framed in oak wainscoting, he spotted the sole bookshelf. With hardly any books on it, whether an illusion or its construction, it seemed to grow right out of the wall.

"I'm beginning to detect a theme here."

Finally slipping off the bed, he made his way past a whitewashed, moss-colored dresser. Its matching vanity was just a step further along the wall. Its mirror was large and vaguely smoky, though it cleared when he walked past. Before he could look at the anomaly too closely, however, Dmitri's attention was caught abruptly by the en-suite bathroom reflected in its surface.

Turning swiftly, he marched to its entrance. Pushing the door ajar further to enter, Dmitri's brow rose considerably up a notch. The floors were a glossy black marble, streaked with veins of jade. Roman columns and intricately carved counter tops had polished silver fixings; again, all in the Gothic style of the floors. The toilet was the same shade of obsidian, though solidly so, which sat next to a small flight of steps leading into the bathtub that was at least three feet deep. Though the carvings were minimal, the steps had a set of fairies dancing in each corner. The walls were a white tile that gave off a silver sheen under the soft light, and a few silver starflowers framed the large mirror that overlooked the entire place.

"Clearly, there is a conflict between designers," Dmitri said with a bemused smile as he leaned against the door frame between both rooms.

All in all, though, he felt comfortable. Despite the oddity of the decor, the natural lighting and construction of the room left him feeling out in the open, yet protected and safe. It was a place he could definitely see himself growing to adore, and hoped he wouldn't have to leave anytime soon. Though, if what Severus had implied the night before was true, then he'd be going to school shortly, as it was already way into August, if not the end.

Come to think of it, how did Severus expect him to go to school? His wand had been taken from him by Dumbledore, so he had no means of practicing magic.

A spike of anger welled in him once more at the sheer injustice he had suffered at the hands of the manipulative bastard. The more he thought on it, the more certain events began to make more sense in his life. The Dursley's and why he had to go live with them; it was a ploy to keep him ignorant and dependent on the Headmaster. The Weasley's at the train station; for no self-respecting wizarding family would go about yelling about muggles and other such oddities in the middle of non-magic London, conveniently around when he needed them. The useless teachers at Hogwarts and his lack of personal training; keeping him under thumb and easily controlled by authority.

Really, the old coot certainly kept his playing cards close. There was Sirius, who had been innocent all along, and Remus who'd been kept away on grounds of an affliction that could have easily been dealt with. Even Severus, who'd been toyed with as a weapon, was used for all manner of dirty work. All these lives had been played with and manipulated by that man. It was frustrating how much blind faith Dmitri had given him; how much they'd all given.

Scowling, with a sudden acidity at the back of his throat, Li peeled off the remains of his clothes and set to work filling the tub. He decided to forgo his righteous anger in favor of washing away the accumulated dirt and grime collected since his capture.

An hour later had him feeling more relaxed and refreshed. Dmitri clambered out of the tub cheerfully, a small whistle on his lips... Only to stare at himself in shock in the mirror. Apparently, his birthday had brought about more changes than just the complete destruction of his faith and beliefs. Wonderful.

Normally unruly hair fell in tamer waves around his head. It was uneven, of course, and badly in need of a trim, but glossier and healthier than ever before. Where his hair used to be a dark brunette, it now shimmered an unnatural hue of jet black; almost blue in its intensity. Dmitri's skin, once tanned golden by the sun, now seemed to hold that tone naturally, softer and free of the blemishes of youth.

He'd already known about his eyes being corrected, but the bright and piercing color startled him, framed, as they were, in thick lashes that were thankfully straight. Reaching up to follow the curves of his face, Li peered at his aristocratic features, nose more defined and aquiline, and lips fuller and richer in hue. He had lost the fat of youth around his cheek, his visage slightly gaunt from his torture, but no less noble. Each new discovery he touched in wonder.

However, more shocking to the adolescent than the morphing of his facial features, was the subtle difference in his form. Pinching the skin of his stomach experimentally, he was pleased to observe the meager muscles he had possessed from his scant Quidditch practices were now much leaner and more toned. They were still very faint and softer than he liked, but he knew with the right training, he could hone them into something deadly.

Due to his treatment at the Dursley's, he'd never been able to gain muscle properly: Malnutrition was never conducive to athletics. The only bulk he'd ever experienced was the bulbous fat of his uncle and cousin. Thus, Dmitri had resigned himself to the fate of never being strong. With this transformation, which to him really was magical, he finally had a chance.
"Maybe there is some use to this Seraphim business yet," he whispered to himself, continuing to poke and prod at his now sleeker body.

He'd also grown a few inches, noticing then his eye-level in comparison to the ceiling as his gaze unfocused. Li was now a rounded five-feet and nine-inches. Not the tallest figure in the world, but certainly not his previous diminutive height of five and four-inches.

Pleased with these changes, Dmitri reluctantly peeled himself away from his reflection when his stomach let out a noticeable rumble, alerting him to the fact that he hadn't eaten in a long while. Bypassing the towels -for he'd air-dried during his pleasant surprise- he sauntered back into his room in a oddly cocky manner, displaying his new changes like a proud peacock. It wasn't every day Li was buoyed by self-confidence.

By now used to the strange happenings in the fairytale cottage, the youth was not surprised when he found clean clothes waiting for him splayed on the bed; though he did look around suspiciously, suddenly conscious of his nudity. Pulling on the clothes quickly, he stopped for one last once-over in the vanity, once again noticing the misty surface clearing. Peering at it curiously, he ran a hand through the soft locks adorning his head, eyebrows rising as the action uncovered his now slightly pointed ears. "Brilliant," he muttered sarcastically. "What next: Fangs?"

He practically flew from the vanity when the mirror started to laugh. "Only if you were a predator or some sort of demon, m'dear," it wheezed in an oddly whimsical manner. Heart in his throat, Dmitri simply chose to flee the room in a swift lope, having had enough surprises for the morning.

His pace leveled at a long gate when he was yards from another distinctive door down the hall. Said hallway looked quite different in the light of day, but that was to be expected. Li also had to take into consideration the lack of discernible thought he possessed the previous night, much less the energy to memorize the image of such a passage. This and other thoughts drifted through his mind as he wandered in what he surmised was the direction of the kitchen.

"Can't all this wait at least until I get some bloody food in me?" Dmitri grumbled minutes after, somewhat grouchily. He was beginning to become frustrated by the situation. No way had it taken this long to get from the library to his room, even if he was exhausted. This sudden extension coupled with the disembodied voice in his bedroom was jarring the stasis he'd finally established. With a sudden soured countenance, he did not look where he was stomping off to until he walked face first into a dead end. Hadn't there been a staircase leading to the second floor? How could he get lost in a house the size of a large cottage, however enlarged it was for the library?

Blinking in surprise, the half-Seraph realized that nothing around him was recognizable, and that the hallway behind appeared to be miles long behind him. A heavy sense of foreboding filled him as he slowly started to make his way back down the hall. It had only been this one hall, so if one direction led away from the goal, one simply needed to turn around. Dmitri sorely hoped this house was at least mildly practical in its magical applications. Magic messing with the laws of physics always made his brain fuzzy.

Finally traipsing the length of the hall in the time he remembered it taking, Li found himself not past the interesting door he remembered to the open doorway of his bedroom, but to an entirely different hallway he'd never seen. With walls such as these, if they had been anywhere near his room he would have noticed it instantly.

They were covered entirely by vines, with strange and vibrant red-orange flowers blooming intermittently along them. Each bloom emitted a golden light that served as the only luminescence this part of the way. There were no windows shuttered beneath the flourishing vines with their lily-shaped blossoms, nor light fixtures buried beneath the broad foliage.

"Just what is this place?" Dmitri murmured to himself, scowling at the sheer distance ahead of him. It, again, was not as if he could be truly justified in his notably flabbergasted perception, seeing as where he went to school, but still! The sudden reference to his now -former- education and its facilities sobered him. Lines creased his brow as he forced himself to think on other things, more pertinent and present at the moment things. He turned his gaze outward to the most interesting hall in an attempt to do just that.

As he walked, the corridor seemed to fill with sound, eerily reminiscent to the ones he'd heard from behind the door at the Dursley's. For a second, he thought he might have really gone over the deep end. High-pitched laughter and ethereal voices teasingly brushed against his senses and filled him with a deep sense of urgency.

"Noasmi ol ollog… ol pashs… ol hoath… noasmi ol ollog…" 1

Gasping, Dmitri clutched at his head as the voice thundered inside it, half translating itself in his mind. He staggered blindly under the perceived attack, mind in such agony he almost thought it was an attack from Voldemort.

Unable to continue walking, the teen awkwardly fell to his knees beside a peculiar ivory door. A large chain dangled on either side of the frame, end jagged as if it had been torn, but Dmitri didn't notice either of them until the door swung open.

Whipping his head up in shock, a distorted yelp escaped him as he came face to blob with an inky shadowy mass. A pungent aroma that stank of evil and ill-will followed behind it, filling Li's lungs with its putrid redolence. He scrambled back, alarmed, and hit the opposing wall, prompting the vines to start writhing angrily. His panic only grew as each spindly tendril curled around him, seizing him, binding him tightly in place. Thorns that were unnoticeable before now cut into the thin material encasing his shoulders and torso.

The half-Seraph struggled futilely, the stench of the strange creature making him feel nauseated as it came towards him. It oozed slowly over his bare feet, caressing his shins in a cold mockery of a lover's embrace. The foulness was making Li's eyes burn in their sockets as all the hairs stood up on his skin.

Shuddering in utter disgust, nightmare after nightmare re-surfaced, some Dmitri definitely knew were not his at all. Bile rose in the back of his throat as lightheadedness overtook him. He saw his mother fall, the scream, an army of monsters, the flash of green, a cold laugh, a pit of darkness, pain, Voldemort on Quirrell's head, a river of blood, Aragog… memory after memory.

Once more, Dmitri's verdant eyes filled solidly in color, dotted with flecks of silver that swirled in his agitation. He glared solidly at the vile thing though his gaze was unfocused. Unperturbed, the horrid mass squelched even further up his body.

/ Pathetic human… ssssss… asssss if yousss could be the onessss from the prophecy…./

Dmitri gasped again as his already battered mind was assaulted telepathically. He blinked, trying to abate the battering to his senses. The creature laughed cruelly.

/ Ohsss, I sssshall have funsss killing yousss… maybe even makesss yousss my petsss… yessss…. Wertlossss likessss thissss plansss… maybe I even ussse your pretty little face… yesss…. /

The thing stroked Li's face slowly, leaving a sticky trail as it pinned him further in place. Images of the literal removal of his skin were linked to him, making him wretch and gag. The act simply made the smell worse. Thoroughly disturbed, the gangly boy looked up fearfully. The demon, Wertlos, grinned; it was not a pleasant sight. The mouth was pitch-black in color, lined by grotesquely disfigured and rotting teeth. A wave of rancid breath washed over him, making him choke, and his eyes watered as a gnarled hand-like limb burned across his skin.

"Get off of me!" Dmitri cried angrily, heart pounding as he tried to wrench himself free to no avail. The open slices ripped into him by the lily thorns, no thicker than paper cuts, burned from the malodor that was as much an odor as it was a physical quantity. The instinct to flee and being unable to comply was sending Li to the cusp of a panic attack.

Wertlos cackled gleefully. / No… with yousss, I will… becomessss… a full-fledged sssshadow demonnn… andsss thosssse foolsss will laughsss at me no moresss.../

The slithering glob was working itself into quite the euphoric cackle at the expense of its victim. Dmitri's demeanor changed suddenly. It became much more anger, than fear. Yes, he was becoming the victim again. Pulled from normalcy into a situation he had no control over. The likelihood of his death was almost certain given the circumstances. He had not the strength to overcome the living vines, nor the viable magical ability to fight this Wertlos unarmed. Mastering the concepts of wandless duels was nowhere near the actual application. Li had neither the time nor the proper circumstances previously to perfecting these most basic life-saving skills. Between the gagging and the vertigo, he still felt like an idiot.

Before Dmitri could attempt some kind of counter-attack, any kind of counter-attack, there was a flash of searing light. It was radiantly beautiful despite its brightness, and it brought forth a much needed burst of fresh air to his abused lungs and throat. He gasped at its sweetness.

From between squinted eyelids, Dmitri saw the distorted silhouette of Severus appear, hair whipping wildly about his head in response to the sudden change in air currents. Briefly, he pondered on the unusual length of the older man's locks, but the thought soon vanished as the demon peeled itself off of him. All that remained of Wertlos on Dmitri was the sludgy discharge from the pores of the violent creature. In the same stretch of a second the demon launched its body at the Potion's Master. Li grimaced, seriously considering hurling whatever was in his stomach at the moment, as he realized tendrils of slime connected him to the abhorrent monstrosity in stringy mucus similar to that of a slug.

The ex-professor simply side-stepped the attack with a practiced ease. With that dodge successful, Severus flourished his hand with the most minimal flick of his wrist.

"Thosi… Shes!" 2 he bit out tersely, glare narrowed on Dmitri in disdain and irritation.

Tendrils of fire flew from Snape's outstretched palm and wrapped around Wertlos. The wails the demon emitted were so awful, Dmitri ears began to ache. He was thankful when the flames' heat raised enough to cause the vines still wrapped around him to release him, retreating further up the wall.

Incensed, the demonic fiend then spat out globs of black fire, which Snape deftly blocked with another word and a swipe of his palm. This pattern continued, until finally the retaliation stopped. Using a sharp gesture to levitate the jelly-like creature, Severus smirked.

"Speak now your purpose, demon, or be silenced in contempt."

/ Neversss… you disssgusssting lower breed… dissssgrace to our kindssss… taintedsss bloodsss… /

Snape's mouth twisted up into a disgusted sneer. "The only disgrace here is you, Wertlos."

A globe formed around the blob with a barked word from Snape who sneered at the creature.
"O, shai porali os vali, jhaeli sor vaer! Balor!" 3

Wertlos vanished with an enraged scream, and Snape was left standing within a string of runes that Dmitri had never seen the likes of before. They gave him the faintest sense of familiarity, but yet again his attention was pulled away for more pressing matters at hand. For a moment, neither said anything. The silence only broke when the younger one shifted, looking down at his legs and the slim still smeared upon them. Dmitri grimaced.

"Decided to explore the deeper bowels of the house, did we?" Snape remarked blithely, turning glowing red eyes onto him. Li didn't even bother responding to the quip, though he made sure his irritation was clear. Instead, he set about checking over his minor injuries, shuddering every time he encountered a sticky patch on his now ruined and tattered outfit. It was only when he was finished with his inspection that he tilted his head to look up at the other man from his seated position, quirking an eyebrow thoughtfully.

"I had been wondering why you knew so much about everything. It's because you're not human either, are you?" he guessed, sinking more comfortably against the lightly bloodied wall, "You're a half-breed too, but… from the Dark Realm, right?"

The silence that followed his question was decidedly awkward, and Dmitri frowned in confusion. Before he could remark upon it, however, Severus chose to respond. "No, I am not. My father was a half-breed, which makes me a quarter breed, though I was born. Apparently, that was not enough to be eligible for Inverness, on the grounds that my inheritance hadn't manifested enough."

The bitterness was evident in his voice, making Dmitri regret asking him the question. "Oh… I didn't realize the quantity of the inheritance mattered for the schooling. Though, I'm curious as to why you emphasized being born?"

"Because, Mr. Li, I am a Vampyre. A 'vampire' that is born," Snape stated, his voice as silky as ever. "Usually, only full-blooded Vampyra can have children who are born, thus creating either more purebloods, or a half-breed, like my father."

Li nodded thoughtfully. "Oh, so vampires are mostly born, then?"

The recently outed quarter-Vampyre shook his head. "No, most of the vampires you hear about in the Wizarding and Muggle world are those that were 'turned' from their original species. Vampyra are born, Vampires are made. This is usually done by half-breeds who aren't fortunate enough to mate with a pureblood, because they don't possess enough strength to mix DNA well enough to form a child. In fact, most half-breeds and all Vampires are sterile."

"So, how were you born then, Sir?" he replied, eyes wide as he realized the implications behind the elder man's words.

"My father was apparently an usually powerful half-breed, and thus appeared to have enough ability to mix with my mother, probably drawing on her magical core as well. I was born nearly equal in strength to a regular half-breed, but without as many abilities passed down from the bloodline. My father wasn't strong enough to pass more than a couple of special talents on to me, which rendered me unable to attend Inverness."

Dmitri frowned as he nodded in understanding, finally finding the ability to stand. His stomach chose that moment to announce, quite loudly, how hungry it still was, and he looked at Snape sheepishly.
"How about we talk over breakfast?" he intoned lightly, attempting to clean himself up as best he could without a wand. "Because, I assure you I have many questions about this blasted illogical cottage."

The Vampyre smirked, flashing a previously hidden fang, "I'm sure you do," was the infuriating response, followed swiftly by a sharp burst of cleansing magic that cleaned and mended his clothes.
If he hadn't been so grateful, the Seraph would have uttered quite a few choice words at the condescending attitude. As it was, he merely gestured impatiently at the hallway, stalking after the cloaked male in a decidedly angered manner. A state which quickly intensified, as after a minute or so of walking and a couple of doors later had them striding straight into the kitchen. To think, he had been so close all along!

"Bloody wannabe-farmhouse: Stairs disappearing, hallways moving, fucking bi-polar shanty," he grouched irritably, immediately stalking over the fridge and cupboard for milk and cereal, not really in the mood for cooking. He thumped his rear soundly in one of the elevated seats of the island's bar.

If his companion was amused, of which he had no doubt, then it was hidden well. For that much, at least, Dmitri was thankful. After finally arranging his meal and savoring a few mouthfuls, he returned his attention to Snape. The man leaned ever so slightly against the corner of the island counter. Li wondered at the Severus' ability to make such a movement simultaneously nonchalant and sarcastic.

"Well?" Dmitri questioned after swallowing another spoonful. "What is this place? And which realm is it in?"

Relaxing back against the marble fully now, Severus gestured for Li to get comfortable in his chair; it seemed a long explanation was ahead.
"To put it simply, this place is safe house. It's currently in my possession and passed down through my father's line. As for which realm it is in, the answer is none.

"In between each realm, there is a non-dimensional space, a pocket so to speak, which people call Oiad Niiso. It means 'The Way' in Enochian, the Angelic language of the Seraphim. Originally, these pockets were dominated by the Light Realm, but after a particularly violent dispute between Ariaus and Elbas, some were taken over by the Undaminh."

He paused there to make sure Dmitri was following and received an affirmative nod to continue.

"This cottage is inside one of these pockets. It is a Nia-Cod Oali: A safe house. The Seraphim originally used these places during war time to hide those who couldn't fight, or house those who were injured in battle too badly to heal right away. And, because of its unique positioning and illogical existence, unless one is keyed to the property, it is almost impossible to break into. Though, I do get the odd lost fae from time to time." Severus added offhandedly.

"So, this place isn't governed by any of the realms? A completely independent place under the jurisdiction of the families it is owned by?" the half-blood asked as he gazed around in approval. "Bet the Roasted Turkeys wish they had a place like this."

Snape snorted at the aptly bestowed nickname for the Order. "This, and much more. Back onto topic: Why do you think our wounds from outside have not given us any trouble?"

Dmitri had to pause to let the question sink and gasped in surprise; he'd been so overwhelmed the day before, it hadn't occurred to him that he should have been holed up in an intensive ward for all that was done to him. Yet, aside from the expected fatigue and long-term effects from malnutrition and mental overload, he hadn't really felt too bad. "I'm assuming it has something to do with the cottage, or perhaps the dimensional pocket itself."

"Yes," Severus nodded as he observed the cleanliness of his nails. "In here, the same rules don't apply and things like injuries work differently. That is not to say you can't get harmed. Just, injuries you receive here will not be present when you leave, and whatever you had before you came here will not be present whilst you remain. However after you leave…"

"Everything returns to the way it was?"

"Precisely." Their gazes met.

"What about things like knowledge, such as those gained from the effects of potions and such? Or even spell-work and permanent transfigurations, alterations, and physical training?" Dmitri inquired after a bit of contemplation. Snape paused, surprised at the pragmatic question, not expecting the inquisitiveness. Dmitri spotted the expression and glowered, knowing exactly what the other was thinking. "As much as I admit I acted like one, I am not a complete idiot, Severus. One has the tactical advantage when others underestimate you."

The validity of the statement was inarguable, and not a little shocking to be coming from James Potter's son. Little by little, the Vampyre was seeing more of Lily in Dmitri, though he'd never admit it even under pain of death.

"Yes, well, in answer to your questions: Things like knowledge will be retained, but it depends on the potion for the effect to forgo the boundaries. If you took healing potions now, they would not heal the injuries you received outside of the realm, since the injuries technically do not exist here. Potions to enhance the mind and make the body efficient will carry out, however, if made by ingredients bought outside this pocket. The house itself can provide you with any ingredient desired and the effects of which will last inside this space, where it exists. Once outside however, the potion or changes you made will be nullified. Any knowledge gained would still be accessible, since your brain is doing the storing, not the potion.

"As for exercises and stamina building, again, as long as it is your muscles that are building and your body alone that is undertaking training, it should stick. I stress that your body came from outside this realm. Altering your form like replacing your eyes with fake ones, or getting a peg-leg probably won't settle, as that falls under the injury category. Since this place was originally crafted solely for the purpose of being a safe-house, it is rather finicky about the health of its inhabitants. Any major adjustments would need to be made in an actual realm: Which is convenient, since time flows differently here."

"Ah, makes sense," Dmitri admitted, an intent look on his face. Snape studied him silently, unused to seeing the boy so focused. "But what's different about the time flow here?"

"I'm not too sure about the logistics," the Potions Master articulated carefully, as if weighing his words, "but it's supposedly different for each pocket. In this particular Oiad Nisso, time works at a ratio of one month here being the equivalent of a day out there. And before you ask, there are twenty-five days till the beginning of the new school year at Inverness. This gives us just about two years - give or takes a few days spent in the real world to get you healed completely and fully disguised- to get you prepared for classes."

Li gaped at the gleefully sadistic look his ex-professor-now-guardian-and-tutor shot him and suppressed a shudder.

"This means, Mr. Li, you will be devoting the equivalent of the next two years of your life to the cause of education under my hands."
This particular statement was delivered with another fanged smirk as Severus leaned his chin absently on his wrist. The man's eyes were starting to become borderline ruby in his mirth. The combination of smirk, sadism, and lack of characteristic posture set Dmitri's hair on end -and not in the good way.

"I... look forward to it, Sir," he stated as firmly as able. He tried finishing the last of his by now soggy cereal dejectedly. Two yearsof nothing but Snape for company.

Li watched as the aforementioned Vampyre poured himself a glass of something thick and dark that looked suspiciously like blood from the fridge, and was rewarded for his grimace with Severus' satisfied chuckle. The man chose a bar stool for himself and stretched much too casually in it. With as snap of his fingers, a stick of celery appeared in the tall glass. Severus used it to stir; a wicked gleam shining in his eye.

Dmitri's cheek twitched. He was doomed.

Or, at least that's what he thought until the sound of a doorbell rang throughout the cottage, startling them both. Snape scowled and drained his glass hurriedly.
"Which imbecile has managed to blunder their way here?" he growled irritably, stalking out of the kitchen towards the door. Without thinking, Dmitri set off after him, arriving at the door right as it was opened...

… only to wish he hadn't bothered.

"Potter? What in the name of Merlin's tits are you doing here? And what happened to your hair?"

1 "Come to me… my child… my love… come to me…"

2 "Fire… Burn!"

3"You, who disgrace our race, leave this realm: Vanish!"

E/N:

Superbia: Free at last, free at last! Thank God almighty, free at last! –flourishes editing hands- I shall slave drive Luxie to get through chapter three. With love, Superbia. –goes to lay down-

Deca (aka Luxuria): Haha, it is as Supie says! Finally, after months of pounding this little beauty and more out, chapter two is complete. I know it's been eleven long months since chapter one went up, and for that I am forever apologetic. However, I can assure you, chapter three will not take as long to be uploaded. To my reviewers and the many who put this story on alert, I thank you for your incredible amounts of patience with and my folly with the English language. I hope you will continue to enjoy the story and support me as you have been. Important questions about the story and the like in reviews will be answered at the top of every chapter here on out, so don't be shy to ask. –bows deeply- Again, thank you all, and hope you enjoyed the (ridiculously delayed) chapter. :3 [10/27/11]