Chapter 9: Journey to the Circus of the Damned
Jean-Claude watched the young teen silently and carefully. Harry had been with them for five weeks and his voice was thankfully back. Slowly, but surely Harry was becoming accustomed to his new life and Anita and her pard had taken Harry under their wing. Jean-Claude surmised that Harry did not know exactly what that meant, but Anita and her pard would protect Harry as one of their own. Now, though, Harry was seated on one of the few couches in Jean-Claude's sitting room waiting for the Master of the City's answer. Jean-Claude leaned back into his chair and stared at Harry. "You wish to speak with Melanie, Mon emeraude?"
"Yes, sir. I have never talked to another human…well someone who is at least human in parseltongue. I hope that she'll be able to further my grasp of the language. It won't be a problem, will it, Jean-Claude?" The vampire smiled and shook his head.
"Non, Mon emeraude. It won't be a problem. I will send word to her and see if she will join us for a talk. I wish to supervise your meetings for your safety. Melanie is a bit insane. She is immortal and she holds ill will towards many. Will that suffice, Mon emeraude?" Harry nodded quickly and sat up straighter, his eyes wide with curiosity and hopefulness. Jean-Claude stood and beckoned for one of the wererats that guarded the Circus. "Please retrieve Melanie. Tell her I wish to speak with her." The rat nodded and left just quietly as she entered.
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Harry jerked his head up when the door opened and Melanie stepped through. Her black hair still fell to her waist, but her outfit was different this time. The dress was made to look as if she were naked, but to still be clothed and modest. A blush rose to Harry's cheeks and he averted his eyes quickly in embarrassment. Melanie glanced over at him with an arched eyebrow before turning her entire attention to Jean-Claude. "You summoned?" The words were cold and Harry could see that she hated every moment she was in contact with the Master of the City.
"Oui. Melanie, this is Harry. He wishes to speak with you." Melanie turned her full attention to Harry and arched an eyebrow.
"What do you wish to speak about?" Harry flushed and bit his lip before sitting up straighter. The sibilant hisses erupted from his mouth and Melanie looked shocked.
"I wanted to learn about this language better. It would probably help me in the upcoming war, ma'am." Harry watched the lamia's features quietly and nervously. No sound came from her and for a moment Harry believed that he had made a terrible mistake when she seated herself by his side. Jean-Claude made a movement towards them, but stopped when Melanie spoke.
"You know my language! How?" Harry shrugged.
"My old mentor said that it was passed to me when I was but a child after the Dark Lord tried to kill me. He is the one that speaks your language. I did not know about it until I turned twelve. It's been passed down through the Slytherin family. That's all that's known. I was hoping you could tell me more?" Melanie smiled and nodded. Jean-Claude watched the two and relaxed back into his chair allowing the two to converse happily.
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Melanie was quite intrigued by the young creature in front of her. The boy, who told her his name was Harry, was very soft spoken and yet he still commanded her presence. She could smell that he was submissive to someone, but to him, she was the submissive one. Of course, Harry probably did not understand the true relationship between dominant and submissive. Something about this young boy was immensely powerful and she shifted in her seat to still the fluttering in her stomach. She wanted to be owned by him and that was making her blood boil in rage. She was immortal! No one should ever own her!
Harry paused in his story and bit his lip in worry. "Are you alright, Melanie?" The lamia gazed at him and he was shocked to see the rage warring with need in her eyes. Jean-Claude must have felt the shift of emotions or something of the sort because he quickly stood to his feet and pulled Harry into his side.
"Melanie! Control yourself!" The lamia seemed to be acting purely on instinct because one moment there was that beautiful woman and the next a large snake was bearing her fangs at them. Jean-Claude started to move slowly towards the door, pushing Harry with him. The movement agitated the already distressed lamia even more and she hissed in outrage. Harry stopped Jean-Claude from moving by placing a hand on the vampire's arm.
"Don't move. Melanie, you need to calm down. You don't want to hurt either of us." The lamia arched upwards, bearing her teeth, but made no other movements.
"I will not be owned!" Harry frowned in confusion and stepped away from Jean-Claude. Said vampire made to grab Harry, but Melanie hissed in warning. Harry glanced at the Master Vampire before turning his attention back to Melanie.
"No one wishes to own you, Melanie. You are owned only by yourself."
"You wish to force me to choose between submission and madness! I submit to no one, let alone a child such as yourself!" Harry understood and silently crept closer to the angered lamia.
"I have no need to force you into submission, great Queen. I only wish to have a companion to speak with in this language. You are the key to my learning and mastering this language and this language only. I know you knew Salazar and I can see that he abused this language. I will not turn into him. In this teaching you are my master and I will respect the lines between us. Please, great Queen, help me and teach me." Jean-Claude watched as Harry laid a comforting hand upon the enraged lamia and though she flinched at first, she let the hand continue stroking the glimmering scales. Harry smiled softly as Melanie melted back into her human form and bowed his head to her. She was still breathing raggedly, but she was calmer. "We are one and the same, Melanie, and I meant every word. Now, let us enjoy the rest of our conversation another time. You must be exhausted and need the company of your serpents. We will speak another time."
