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I'd like to first off thank you for all your wonderful reviews and suggestions! This story is my baby, it kind of just started off because i was wondering what would happen if the Dark lord had a son and well, now i'm writing a sequel! The usual warnings ladies and gentlemen....NOT FOR YOUNG EYES....CHARACTERS DON'T BELONG TO ME...YATA YATA YATA...
Mistress Slytherin
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Dante sneered down at the house-elf, it was lunch time and there was absolutely no food in the dirty kitchen. His Potions master would be hungry. He glared down at the pitiful creature who glared back up at him defiantly, Dante's eyes flashed red and the cabinets began to shake. "That's it!" He shouted before grabbing one of the floppy ears and dragging the defiant house-elf out of the kitchen and down the hallway. Dumbledore, Severus and Sirius who were just then making their way down the stairs froze when they heard his shout and felt Dante's magic flare.
"Oh, boy." Sirius said stupidly. They watched as Dante stalked down the hallway, his eyes narrowed as he dragged the protesting house-elf behind him.
"This should be interesting." Severus quipped as they watched the enraged teen stop in front of the infamous row of house-elf heads that were lined up on the wall.
"You are a disgrace to the house of Black elf!" Dante shouted angrily. "You are to serve your masters, no matter who they are and that includes meals!" Dante growled, Sirius was amused to see that the elf actually looked properly cowed.
"He's good." Dumbledore said, his eyebrows high on his forehead.
"How do you think your mistress would have responded to such treatment?" Dante shouted before sneering. "The house of Black has guests and what do they find!?" He called out. "Dust and grime everywhere!" He stomped his foot for emphasis and dust rose into the air. "And a house-elf who refuses his master!" Dante snarled. Kreacher's eyes watered and he began whimpering pathetically.
"Master!!!!" The house-elf wailed finally. "Forgive Kreacher Master!!!" Dante looked down at the pitiful creature.
"You realize that you must be punished?" Dante said dangerously. The house-elf nodded his head morosely, Dante raised his fist and pointed it at the first stuffed head along the wall, a bright white orb flew from his fist and blew the head of the wall taking part of the drywall with it. Kreacher dropped to his knees, his eyes wide; he looked up at Dante and whimpered.
"Master is cruel." He said softly, tears coursing down his withered cheeks, Dante shook his head in exasperation.
"Kreacher, every time you dishonor this household you dishonor your ancestors." He gestured to the heads on the wall. "When you disobey, disrespect or are negligent in your work I will destroy one of those heads, because they will be a physical representation of your transgressions." Dante glared at him warningly. "If I have to destroy the last head I will also destroy the portrait of your former mistress because you will have dishonored her memory completely...and you will receive clothes. Do. I. Make. Myself. Clear?" He asked, bending forward so that he was directly in the house-elf's wrinkled face. Kreature looked horrified, but nodded, Dante rose an eyebrow.
"Yes, master!" The house-elf amended.
"Good, now I'm going to make a list of food items we will need, you will retrieve them and have them in that kitchen before one o'clock understood." Dante said, Kreacher nodded his head rigorously. "Good." Dante said before waving a hand, Sirius , Dumbledore and Snape had to duck when A piece of parchment came flying out of Dante's room, down the stairs and into his waiting hand. Sirius gulped.
"He's scary." He said softly.
"Agreed." Dumbledore and Snape chorused. Before all three snuck down the stairs intent on escaping to the living room.
"Professor?" Dante called, all three froze and slowly turned to look at him.
"Yes?" Snape managed.
"What's your favorite food?" Dante asked innocently, Severus let his shoulders sag in relief.
"Pork-chops and potatoes." He replied softly Dante grinned, causing all three to gasp, it was only then that they realized that they had never seen him smile before.
"Thank-you!" Dante said, oblivious to their open mouthed stares. They looked at each other and quietly made their way into the dusty sitting room.
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Dante glared at the dirty kitchen, he glared at the floors that desperately needed polishing and the cabinets so filled with spiders webs that they looked like they were made to hold cotton instead of food. Counters wore layers upon layers of greasy dust, making it impossible to see what color they were supposed to be. There was a magical ice box that though it still worked seemed to be filled with a fuzzy, moldy science project that had actually moved when he had prodded it with a rusty spatula. Dante cringed, his eye-brow twitched and his eyes swirled to red. "ARHAAAAAAA!" He had shouted frustrated before raising both his hands. Dumbledore, Sirius and Snape rushed to the kitchen when they heard his yell only to find something that they'd never thought they'd see past Molly Weasley on spring-cleaning day at the Burrow. Scrub brushes appeared out of no where, flying from Dante's out stretched hands. A large metal tub was magically filled with water while all manner of cleaners flew out of the storage room and poured themselves into the tub. Dante opened his eyes and glanced around the kitchen.
"You three!" He yelled at a few brushes that perked up when he called to them. "The counters!" He ordered, the brushes flew to the counters and began to scrub rigorously only stopping to swoop into the tub, and clean them selves.
"Merlin!" Sirius whispered.
"You!" Dante shouted at the five feather dusters. "The cabinets!" He called. The Feather dusters flew into the cabinets, spun the webs into their feathers until they could hold no more, and then magically plopped them down onto a counter.
"Oh my." Dumbledore said.
"Broom! Dust pan! The floor!" Dante demanded. He seemed to look around for a moment as if trying to figure something out, finally he snapped his finger. "Aha!" He said triumphantly before reaching his arm out, a look of concentration marring his features. Finally twelve plastic garbage bags flew from the palm of his hand. "Stand ready for trash!" he ordered. The bags opened themselves widely letting the feather dusters put their webs into the bags and the dust pan it's dirt. Finally he grinned evilly at the ice box. With a satisfied smirk he pointed a finger at the green mass and closed one eye. Fire shot out from his finger and the moldy creature screamed and writhed in agony till it was nothing more than ashes.
"Aren't you glad he's on our side?" Severus whispered in awe. Sirius and Dumbledore nodded their heads slowly watching as Dante conjured more scrubbing brushes and ordered them to clean the ice box.
"Ugh that is nasty." Dante said when he looked into the metal tub. The water was murky and looked more like really thick coffee than water. With a flick of his wrist the water flew out of the tub and smoothly down the drain while the other hand shot more water into the tub. More bottles of cleaning solution ambled into the room and emptied themselves into the tub before throwing themselves into the trash bags. The broom and dust pan, having done all they could to clean the floor tapped Dante on the shoulder. He waved them off and into the cleaning supply closet and conjured more scrub brushes to clean the floors with. The tub floated into the air and onto the clean part of what appeared to be very nice black granite counter top. The feather dusters zoomed past Dante and into the closet, and the brushes that were now done cleaning the Ice box began cleaning the inside of the cabinets, while the brushes that had been cleaning the counter tops moved on to the stove which had rusted over though was still in working condition.
"I don't think I'll have to worry about entertaining him this summer." Sirius muttered, Severus snorted. And watched as white linoleum showed its self where the brushes had managed to clean it. Rags soon joined the mix, cleaning the polished cabinet doors and rubbing the tarnish off of the elegantly crafted knobs and handles.
"Hogwarts could always use a bit of clean up." Dumbledore said thoughtfully, Snape rolled his eyes.
"He does seem to be having fun." He said softly and indeed he was. Dante stood proudly in the kitchen the sleeves of his robes rolled up passed his elbows with a smile on his face.
"I'm sure it must be a relief to him as well." Dumbledore said, both men looked at him curiously.
"Why?" Sirius asked, Dumbledore smiled rubbing his arms.
"People who have larger magical stores must use their magic generously and often." He whispered Sirius looked confused while Severus nodded his head in understanding.
"Not using your magic for long periods of time becomes painful." Snape supplied. "Almost as bad as crucio can be."
"Oh." Sirius said turning his head only to freeze when he saw Dante standing in front of him with his hands on his hips. A bar of soap hovered beside his right ear while a washcloth fluttered beside his left ear.
"Sirius?" Dante asked kindly. Sirius gulped.
"Yes?" He replied timidly, not liking the scowl that was placed firmly on his nephews face. Blue eyes narrowed and Sirius chewed his lip nervously.
"Why haven't you taken a bath yet?" Date asked. Severus and Dumbledore watched the tub in the kitchen empty it's self out and refill its self with steaming water and decided to make a hasty exit. Sirius, oblivious to the tub filled with water whimpered when he realized he had been abandoned.
"I-uh" He began only to take a step back when Dante rose an eye brow and began tapping his right foot impatiently. "-forgot?" He finished lamely. Dante chuckled darkly.
"Then I suppose I'll just have to make sure you don't forget again." Sirius let out a shout as he was flipped into the air and divested of his Azkaban garb. He let out what Severus would later call a very girly scream when he was plopped into the hot water and accosted by a soapy washcloth.
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Sirius frowned petulantly as he sat at the dining room table. It seemed that this place too had not been able to escape the fury of Dante on a cleaning spree, the large elegantly carved red oak table gleamed under the light of a now shimmering crystal chandelier. He sighed and tugged at the high collar of his robe. It had been his fathers, but when Dante had realized that Sirius didn't have any clothes that fit him, other than the rags from Azkaban...well let's just say that it wasn't pretty. His skin was raw and he itched in an uncomfortable place where his hair had started growing back in. He scowled at Severus who was watching him, amusement clearly written on his face. He toyed with his newly manicured nails and shuffled his feat on the newly shampooed Persian rug. Now he knew how Kreacher felt. Finally the newly polished door opened and trays upon trays of delicious-smelling food floated gracefully to the table. Ice-cold lemonade filled their tall crystal glasses (products of Dante's cleaning escapade) and cloth napkins (ones that Kreacher had bought when shopping) gracefully fluttered onto their laps.
"Sorry for the wait!" Dante said cheerfully, Sirius pulled uncomfortably at his collar while the others assured Dante that it was not a problem. Dante smiled he removed the lids from the steaming platters and sent them back into the kitchen to wash before following them.
"Dante?" The headmaster called, Dante turned. "I noticed you missed a table setting." He said, Dante frowned.
"Is someone else joining you?" He asked, he counted, there were three places, one for the headmaster, one for the potions master, and one for his uncle. Dumbledore looked just as confused.
"No, but my dear, where is your place setting?" Dante's blue eyes glazed over.
"Dogs eat in the kitchen." He said robotically before slipping out of the room. All three men immediately stood and followed him, Dante looked up at them in confusion and slight fear. "Is something wrong?" He asked, Sirius sighed.
"You are not a dog." Sirius said, Dante looked at him in confusion, Professor Snape snorted.
"What he means to say is that you are to eat with us." He drawled before pinning Dante with a hard gaze. "Who made you eat in the kitchen?" He asked. Dante stiffened; Severus pushed Sirius to the side and put his hand on Dante's shoulder. "You are not in trouble Dante. Who told you that you were a dog?" Dante bit his lip and took a deep breath.
"I don't remember." He said softly, Severus narrowed his eyes.
"The truth Dante." He demanded tightening his grip on the young man's shoulders. Tears began to well up in Dante's eyes.
"I don't remember!" He cried out. "Please believe me, I've always been told this!" He panted slightly and closed his eyes. "In Azkaban it was mother, then Avery, and after that I don't remember!" He shouted. Severus pulled Dante into his arms. "There was pain! That's all I knew was pain a-and cold, and hunger!" He began babbling. "Sometimes it was fire with ashes and brands, while other times it was cold chains, cold stone, cold bars!" He pressed his hands against his ears willing the noise to go away. The whip was hard and unforgiving across his back again and again and again. Laugher echoed in his head, pain ripped him open from the inside. He was hungry, he was thirsty, he was tired but could not sleep. Liquid was poured down his throat but he did not want it because he knew it would only mean more pain. His head felt foggy and the screams and the pain receded, gentle words broke through the agony and shame. Warm arms such as he had only ever dreamed of were wrapped around him, while a pleasant scent filled his nostrils replacing the smell of copper and burnt flesh.
"It's ok little one, we're here...shh...that's better...come back to us..." The three men sat with tears coursing down their cheeks, they nodded their heads at each other. They wouldn't tell Dante that he had projected his memories so that they could see them; they wouldn't tell him that he had been screaming and sobbing in shame and grief.
"No....o-one's...ever...h-held...me like this..." Dante whispered aloud, the effects of the calming drought finally working their magic. Blue eyes fluttered open and looked around confused.
"It's ok Dante you're safe." Sirius encouraged, Dante scrunched up his nose at the sight of the man on his knees when he'd only just been bathed.
"You'd better be glad that I cleaned these floors uncle." He groused bringing a watery chuckle from Dumbledore. Sirius pouted.
"S-not my fault! You made me wear the blasted things." Dante rose an eyebrow before smirking at his Potions master.
"You know, not that I mind or anything, in fact I'm quite enjoying it, but it seems to me like you simply can't keep your hands off of me professor." Dante grinned impishly only to grunt when he found himself on the floor looking up at an exasperated Potions master.
"I'm hungry." Severus said bluntly before flicking his wand and sending a place setting to the table. Dante sat very still, emotions warring in his eyes. Severus sighed before he leaned over, easily scooped Dante up, and tossed him over his shoulder. Sirius and Dumbledore could not suppress their laughter. Needless to say, the pork chops were delicious, and the potatoes were cooked to perfection and after a single heated glare from his beloved potions professor Dante knew that he was doomed to eat at the table forever more.
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Dante scowled at the umbrella stand. It was the first time that the Headmaster and his professor had used the front door and what had happened? The umbrella stand had reached out a clawed foot and tripped his professor, his eyes glowed eerily red. The curtains that had been placed in front of Mrs. Black slid open just the tiniest bit so that she could watch what she knew would be the ultimate demise of the ancient umbrella stand. Two floors up, Sirius glared at Severus when an explosion rocked the house, Dumbledore as always seemed quite amused by Dante's protectiveness.
"He gets it from Bella you know." Sirius groused. Severus simply rolled his eyes as the high pitched sound of metal warping reached their ears.
"That'll teach you." Dante said looking at the now elegantly crafted mirror frame which shuddered in response. "I know what I'll do with you!" He said brightly, as he skipped up to the Black library, frame trailing behind him. Shelf upon shelf of priceless books and tomes lined the enormous room causing Dante to frown, after looking around for a moment he smiled; he closed his eyes with his hands outstretched and grinned when he opened them to find a small pile of books on a dusty old work table. Lovingly he traced the cover of the first one, it purred contentedly. This was one thing that Dante had never told any one, a product he believed of the dark ritual that had been used to create him. He placed the books into two piles and sat down in the chair, with a wave of his hand the door swung closed. He knew he wouldn't be bothered and gently placed his hands on the covers of the top book on each pile.
"Speak to me." he whispered letting his magic flow into the books to unlock their secrets. If any one had seen him, they probably would have fainted. His eyelids fell shut and his eyes began flickering beneath them, a wind seemed to pick up in the room swirling about him and toying with his long wavy hair. It seemed as if a chorus of voices began to speak at once, and curiously, words began spinning their way up his arms like moving tattoos. Time passed slowly, one hour, then two, then three hours and still Dante did not move until finally after four hours the wind died down and the markings stopped trailing up Dante's arms lastly the voices echoed their final words of wisdom. Dante grinned contentedly and gently sent the books back to their shelves before turning and smirking at the frame.
"I'll work on you after dinner." He quipped before heading down stairs.
"What's for dinner?" Sirius asked coming out of the kitchen with a glass of water. Dante grinned.
"What ever Professor Snape wants." He said. "Did you get the price for the ingredients?" He asked, Sirius pouted.
"How come he always gets to decide what we eat!" Dante smiled widely showing his strait white teeth.
"Because I have a crush on him!" He said brightly. "Now did you get the prices?" He said, Sirius pursed his lips.
"Yes, though I'm not going to give them to you." Dante glared.
"Sirius." He warned, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him from continuing. At first he flinched away from the touch, but Sirius moved forward and carefully squeezed his shoulder. Dante watched the hand warily before relaxing and leaning into the touch.
"I'm your uncle Dante I'm supposed to spoil you." Sirius whispered. Dante looked at the hand and then at Sirius and then back to the hand.
"Wh-What am I supposed to do?" He asked trembling, Sirius cringed as he realized that Dante had never received a gift before. So, Sirius being who he was made light of the situation.
"You say thank-you!" He chirped. "A hug would be nice too..." He said winking. Dante hesitated before a determined look crossed his features.
"Th-Thank you..." He said before leaning forward and carefully wrapping his arms around Sirius' middle. Sirius smiled and wrapped his own arms around the smaller figure.
"You're welcome." He said. Dante, to his own confusion felt like he didn't want to move. He was warm and comfortable, it was a pleasant feeling and he realized that he probably wouldn't mind getting another one of these hugs. Finally they pulled apart, Dante feeling more than overwhelmed; Sirius smirked and leaned forwards pressing a soft kiss to his nephew's forehead, before sliding out of the room and letting Dante puzzle through the emotions. Never had he known such...what was it they called it...affection. Dante lifted his hand and touched the place where Sirius had just....what was it he did?...kissed him? Dante shook his head to rid himself of the confusing thoughts though a smile stayed on his lips and he knew that there was one thing he was sure of. He wouldn't mind getting more of this affection.
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Dante looked calculatingly at the mirror he had just created, once he was satisfied that it would fit perfectly into the frame he conjured a soft cloth to cover the work table with and slid one of his wands from its holster. Carefully and precisely he began carving the shapes and ruins necessary onto the back of the mirror softly he chanted in Latin bending his magic so that it would bind its self to the ruins grounding it and giving it direction. He sweated as he traced around the edges of the glass, most wizards could not do what he was doing now because they simply did not have the amount of magic to cover such a large plate of glass. He worked tirelessly continuing the long string of words that the book had whispered to him earlier, his eyes burned and his head ached from the sheer amount of concentration he had to have. Finally with one last complicated design he reached the first design and looped the two together. This would make certain that the magic would continuously recycle its self and never have to be recharged. Dante smiled tiredly before adding the last detail he grabbed the ceremonial dagger he had found earlier and cut his wrist watching the blood drip into the shimmering carvings. A small light wrapped around his wrist, the gentle tendrils of his own magic caressed his wrist as it pulled the blood from him until the last ruin was coated before letting go. The markings glowed bright red and then white before settling and making it look as if there were no markings at all.
"Perfect." He whispered proudly before lifting the glass with magic and settling it into the frame. The metal from the frame hugged the glass warping until the glass was in no danger of falling out. The mirror glowed in the frame and it seemed like the frame sighed in contentment. Dante waved his hand and carefully floated the mirror down the steps till it rested safely by the front door.
"Dante?" Dumbledore inquired softly.
"My own version of a foe-glass sir." He said proudly.
"Oh?" Dumbledore pressed curiosity shining in his eyes. Who was Dante to deny a scholar his knowledge? So he described his creation, feeling smug as amazement showed its-self on the old man's face.
"This way..." he continued. "When some one approaches the door we will be able to see their name, age, and magical prowess." Dumbledore rose his eyebrows. "So, say that Severus stands behind the door, I will be able to see that he is a potions master, and I will be able to see if he has any ill intent, though I doubt he will unless uncle manages to piss him off!" He said brightly. He hadn't realized of course that he had gathered an audience.
"Would you be able to see my mark?" Severus asked. Dante blinked and nodded his head.
"Yes, but we wont tell anyone that, incase someone tries to betray us." Dante said causing Dumbledore to frown.
"What do you mean by us?" He said, Dante stilled, a dark look crossing his features.
"Lucius made me aware of the Order of the Phoenix." Dante said cringing. "Especially when he was angry." He all but whispered. This time it was Sirius who pulled Dante into a hug, Dante smiled softly in response.
"Hey, you're ruining my tactics uncle! The Professor was supposed to sweep me into his arms not you!" though instead of pulling away, Dante leaned into the arms. Severus shook his head and Dumbledore looked amused. It was a start Dante believed, and he could defiantly use some more of that affection.
