Chapter 11 – Always With You

Both Severus' and Dumbledore's heads snapped up when Gabriel and Draco all but burst into the room moments later.

'Gabriel? Are you alright?' Severus asked in concern.

Gabriel glanced between his father and the Headmaster several times before nodding. 'I'm fine, Father. Draco and I need to shower and change. Headmaster Dumbledore.' Gabriel gave a slight bow with his head before disappearing into their bedroom with Draco leaving the two older wizards looking at them curiously.

Severus heard the shower turn on and rose from his seat by the fireplace. 'I also must get ready. I do have a class in a little over half an hour.'

Dumbledore rose reluctantly. He spent an hour in the potions master's room and barely been able to find out a thing. He knew it, deep down in his gut he knew Gabriel Snape was Harry Potter but without further proof, there was nothing he could do. He glanced at the dark haired man as he walked over to the door. Severus held it open, his expression as closed off as ever and Dumbledore knew that if he was looking for any sort of admission, it wasn't going to come from the stone faced man in front of him.

'Yes, thank you, Severus. It has been…enlightening.' He said cheerfully.

Severus barely restrained himself from rolling his eyes. 'Indeed.' He sneered, closing the door the moment the headmaster was through it.

He walked swiftly across the room and through the unlocked door to his son's, sitting down on the immaculately made bed as he waited for the young men to come out. He knew that they knew he'd be waiting and they wouldn't keep him long. Sure enough, less than a minute later Gabriel walked out, still dripping with a towel around his narrow waist.

Severus flicked his wand and cast a drying charm as the teenager walked across the room to his closet and pulled out a set of fresh robes. The potions master waited until Gabriel was fully dressed before he spoke.

'What happened to cause you and Draco to burst in here? It was very unlike you.' He offered curiously.

'What did Dumbledore want?' Gabriel asked his own question as he ran a brush through his long black hair and tied it back turning to his father when he got no answer and seeing the raised eyebrow.

Gabriel sighed and sat down beside his father. 'We ran into Moody in the entrance hall when we came back.' Gabriel began as they heard the shower turn off in the background. 'He asked me where we'd been and I told him it was none of his business. He then threatened to tell Dumbledore about Draco being out too.'

Severus watched as his son's face darkened. 'Then what happened?' He murmured gently.

'Then I opened my stupid mouth.' Draco said from the doorway, a black silk night robe cinched tightly around him, shoulder length blond hair already magically dried and styled.

Severus frowned. 'What did you say?'

Draco flushed angrily. 'I told him that Gabriel was my guardian and that he could take me wherever he damn well pleases.'

'And then?'

'And then I mentioned 476.' Draco anger instantly faded and he folded his arms over his chest as his eyes radiated guilt.

Gabriel was up off the bed and by the Slytherin's side in an instant. 'It doesn't matter, Dray. It would come out eventually.' He murmured soothingly, hugging the blond to him and gently stroking his hair.

'I can't believe I was so stupid.' Draco mumbled. 'I just wanted him to leave you alone. To leave us both alone.'

'Gabe's right, Draco. It matters not. Eventually it will all come out.' Severus said calmly, standing up off the bed and walking to the door.

'Just think, when it does I'll be able to kiss you in the middle of class and no one will be able to say a thing.' Gabriel smiled at him, gently cupping his cheek.

'Not in my classroom you won't.' The potions master's voice was dangerously low but the comment had the desired effect on Draco who let out a shaky laugh.

Severus rolled his eyes and left the room as Gabriel pecked Draco on the lips. 'Come on, let's brave this day together.'

Draco smiled and nodded, hurrying to get dressed before they left for the great hall together.

That day passed quickly, as did the next, but as Gabriel and Draco swept into the great hall the next evening the triumphant glint in the headmaster's eyes caused Gabriel's stomach to drop. His expression showed nothing though as he escorted Draco to his seat and made his way up to the head table and sat beside his father

The potions master raised an eyebrow when Gabriel cast a silencing charm with a flick of his wrist. 'I don't think it matters any longer.' The young man sighed as he took his place at the table. 'The question now is just how long it will take to hit the Daily Prophet.'

Severus glanced past his son, seeing the Headmaster and Moody in heated conversation. It was the first time the two had been at a meal since the morning before and that fact alone was unusual. Just before Severus glanced away Dumbledore looked up and he caught that same look in the twinkling blue eyes that Gabriel had.

'I think you could be right.' He murmured. Gabriel just grunted softly, dropping the silencing charm and waiting for the summons he knew would come.

Sure enough, just before the meal ended a piece of parchment appeared on his plate, requesting that he remain behind. Gabriel passed it to his father before placing his knife and fork together and waiting. He could feel Draco's eyes on him and quickly sought them out, telling him without speaking what was going on.

The blonde raised an eyebrow in question but Gabriel shook his head and gestured to his father and Draco nodded in understanding. He would return to their rooms and wait, knowing that with his mate absent, and out of the line of fire, as they say, the veela would be in far more control.

In small groups the students left until only Moody, McGonagall, Dumbledore, Gabriel and his father remained. Gabriel signalled his father and they both stood, this was one conversation they wanted to be able to walk out on.

'I gather you know why I've asked to speak with you, Gabriel.' Dumbledore said before they could take another step. It was clear that McGonagall had been included on the discussions of the last twenty four hours as she seemed unsurprised as to why they were there. It was also clear that denying it any longer was fruitless. Dumbledore had obviously looked into it and knew that in neither the Meritoit nor the Snape lines was there any trace of veela blood but he would be one of the few people who was well aware of the true lineage of Lily Evans.

'Yes.' Gabriel said bluntly, calming when he felt his father's hand land on his lower back.

Dumbledore looked between father and son, taking in the protective stance of the two. 'Were you ever going to say anything?'

Gabriel glanced across at his father. 'No.' Severus replied.

'Why not? Don't you think people had a right to know?' McGonagall snapped.

'Not to mention the fact that you performed an illegal blood adoption, Snape. I should put you in Azkaban just for that.' Moody said gruffly.

Gabriel stiffened. 'You can't. Father did what needed to be done. If it wasn't for him I'd be dead.'

'He could have just brought you here to Hogwarts. We could have looked after you.' McGonagall tried a different tack.

Gabriel snorted and Severus hand moved up to his shoulder. 'I'd already had a taste of the sort of care Headmaster Dumbledore provided thank you very much.'

'This is getting us nowhere.' Dumbledore jumped back into the conversation before it could turn but it was all in vain.

'He couldn't have known what would happen when he placed you there.' McGonagall said incredulously. 'He's not omnipotent.'

'Minerva.' Dumbledore tried again.

Gabriel growled, his eyes alight. 'Perhaps not, but visits between when I was three and when my loving family dumped me on the street with a dislocated shoulder and three broken ribs at five should have been enough to show him he was wrong.'

'ENOUGH!' Dumbledore roared, silencing the argument that was rapidly turning nasty. He needn't have worried however as with Gabriel's revelation the Transfiguration professor had turned to the headmaster a look of disbelief on her face.

'Albus, is this true?' Moody's voice was tinged with something Gabriel couldn't name.

'It doesn't matter.' Dumbledore said angrily.

'Too right it does.' The teenager snarled. 'I was half dead when father found me. I wouldn't have survived more than a day or two. And you were responsible. You placed the Boy-Who-Lived with those people. You knew they hated him…that they hit him, they starved him, and yet you did nothing. Father saved me, he looked after me, kept me safe, loved me; which is more than anyone else had ever done. You deserved to lose your saviour. Even if he'd survived long enough to come to Hogwarts he wouldn't have trusted you.' The potions master stepped up fully to Gabriel's side and wrapped his arm around the young man's shoulder, calming the quickly growing anger.

McGonagall looked at him curiously. 'You talk about Harry Potter as if he was a different person.'

Gabriel shrugged and felt his father's arm tighten around him. 'He is a different person.' He muttered. 'He is a myth. He died the night his parents did. From then on there was only the Freak and finally, Gabriel.'

Severus bent his head and murmured softly in Gabriel's ear and the teenager closed his eyes and took a shuddering breath, nodding slowly before lifting his head, giving his father a grateful smile. Severus stared intently at him before nodding once.

'What now?' Gabriel said finally turning to look at the other three.

'We'll the public really should know.' Dumbledore said hesitantly. 'They think you're dead.'

'When they find out who I am, and what I can do, they will probably want me that way anyway.' Gabriel muttered.

'What are you exactly?' Moody's magical eye was spinning so fast those watching thought it might come out.

Gabriel snorted and glanced at his father before giving the Ex-Auror a sly smirk. 'What? You're eye can't see through the glamours?' He drawled.

Both Moody and Dumbledore stepped closer to the young man and studied him intently.

'You've got a glamour on your mouth.' Dumbledore stated. 'And your hair.'

'And your ears.' Moody added. 'Your back too.'

'We already know what that is?' Dumbledore seemed to straighten as the memory of that stunning tattoo inlaid in the skin on Gabriel's back.

Gabriel smiled wryly.

'Well, you must be at least part veela, going by Mr Malfoy's comment of yesterday.' McGonagall offered. Gabriel nodded and dropped the glamour on his hair, letting the full length of it be known, sending it cascading around him to his hips and glowing as it caught the light from the candles and torches around them.

'Elf?' Moody guessed and Gabriel nodded again, dismissing the glamour on his ears. Both Dumbledore and McGonagall looked surprised for a moment, even though they'd seen them at the ball on All Hallows.

'I thought they'd been glamoured to look pointed.' McGonagall muttered, thinking the exact same thing. 'That it was for effect.'

Gabriel snorted and shook his head. 'No.' He whispered.

'You can't be.' Dumbledore said suddenly. 'There isn't a vampire in any of the lines.'

There was a long pause before Gabriel spoke. 'Not in Gryffindor, Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw, no.' He said finally.

'But there…' Dumbledore trailed off. 'Slytherin?' The single word was so full of incredulity that Gabriel almost laughed. 'That's why the veela inheritance showed itself in the first place.' It seemed the old man wasn't as dense as he looked at times.

'Yes. Best as Father can work out. We had hoped the adoption would negate most of the gifts but no such luck. My veela inheritance showed itself when I was eleven. I found out Draco was my mate. That's why I went to Arcadia.'

'I still don't understand why you would do such a thing, Severus.' Minerva conjured a chair and sat down as if the conversation was just too much for her. 'After all Albus had done for you. You know how devastated he was when he found Harry Potter missing.'

Gabriel waited as Severus studied the witch intently. 'That was one of the reasons why, Minerva. It took Albus more than eight months to find out that his little weapon was even missing.'

'It was just after a war, Severus. There was much to do.' Dumbledore insisted.

The potions master's eyes darkened. 'It was four years later, Albus. You'd checked on the boy several times, and seen the injuries, you cannot tell me you didn't have some sort of ward up to alert you should something happen. And if you didn't then your negligence almost cost a child his life.'

'Now, now.' Moody cut in. 'No matter what the circumstances there is still the matter of the blood adoption. I still think the Ministry would not take such a thing lightly.'

'Forget it.' Gabriel said firmly. 'Continue to pursue that line, Mr Moody and you will quickly find out just how much sway the Mage Council holds in this world.'

'I doubt they could circumvent the Ministry if they made a decision to arrest that Death Eater.' Moody retorted stiffly.

Gabriel's eyes darkened and there was a gust of wind that swept through the room and ruffled the house flags that hung from the ceiling. Severus grasped Gabriel's shoulders and turning the angry young man away from the others.

'Calm down, Angel.' He murmured. 'He is old and set in his ways. You will not change his views.'

Gabriel swallowed and nodded, turning his head back to Moody. 'If you want some idea of the strength of the Council, old man, just look up the laws set into effect after the goblin rebellion of 1756.' He spat. 'Now, if you don't mind, it's late and I'd like to get to bed; but I will make a deal with you, Headmaster.'

'Go on.' Dumbledore said curiously, if a little warily.

'Harry Potter is dead. To all intents and purposes he died that Halloween night in 1981. But I am here and I have the capability of helping you with your little problem. You keep my secrets, all of them, and I will destroy Tom Riddle for you. Agreed?'

Dumbledore hesitated again. One the one hand it would be good to have Gabriel on side, ridding the world of Voldemort, but the power he could gain by the re-emergence of the Boy-Who-Lived was another thing altogether. Eventually he spoke. 'Would you consider joining the Order?' He asked, knowing the young man would know what it was. Moody and McGonagall were gaping at him. That was obviously unexpected.

Gabriel snorted. 'I think not.' He said bluntly. 'Are we agreed?' He asked again. It took another few moments but Dumbledore finally nodded. 'Fabulous. Good evening.' Gabriel turned on his heel, nodding to his father before heading towards the door.

'Gabriel?' Dumbledore called out after him and the seventeen year old gritted his teeth but obligingly stopped and turned around, raising an eyebrow. 'I'm sorry.'

If the headmaster thought he'd receive thanks for this admission of guilt he was to be sadly mistaken. 'You should be.' Gabriel replied tonelessly before continuing his way out of the hall not noticing the pair of brown eyes following him from a hiding place behind a statue just across the hall, the owner of whom had heard the entire conversation and who now sat in a stunned silence that took several minutes to shake off.

There were another few days of nervous tension before Gabriel realized that Dumbledore was going to keep to his end of the bargain. He actually found it much more liberating now that the Headmaster knew the truth. Moody went back to his funny little house which meant Gabriel and Draco could walk around the school un-accosted once more.

Classes became lighter as the end of term exams finished and the final Hogsmeade weekend before Christmas passed without incident. More than three quarters of the school had signed up to stay for the holidays and while Severus would have to stay for at least most of the holiday to supervise his Slytherins, Gabriel and Draco were looking forward to some time alone, or at least with just Lucius and Narcissa, at Malfoy Manor.

Gabriel had argued to stay at Snape Manor but Severus had put his foot down, saying that he'd really feel better knowing his godparents would be nearby. Gabriel had protested loudly, but had conceded eventually, knowing that his father was only worried for him.

Everything seemed to be going smoothly with only three days before the students left for the holidays.

Then it all fell apart.

That morning as Gabriel and Draco swept into the great hall, Severus dropping off a load of potions they had completed the night before to the hospital wing, the loud chatter dropped to a deathly hush and everyone stared at them.

Their step faltered for an instant, but as always, Gabriel escorted Draco to his seat halfway down the Slytherin table. Before he could walk away however, Blaise grasped his sleeve and held him in place, thrusting a copy of the Daily Prophet into his hand.

He didn't even notice when Draco stood up again and moved to his side. The students and teachers around him faded away as he stared in horrified silence at the headline.

GABRIEL SNAPE IS THE BOY-WHO-LIVED

There were several others scattered about the front page, continually changing along with the stories written under them. "Illegal Blood Adoption" "Harry Potter Abused As Toddler" "Harry Potter: A Necromancer" "Veela/Vampire, With A Malfoy For A Mate" among others all danced before his eyes.

Glimpses of sentences flashed in rapid succession before he finally tore them from the paper and looked up at the headmaster. He could easily read the expression on the man's face and knew that he'd said not a word. The agreement they'd come to had not been broken by him.

'Angel.'

His father's voice at his elbow startled him and he wondered just how long he'd been staring at the paper. He could see the students still gaping at him. Not one person in the room had made any noise since his arrival and only Blaise had actually moved, sprinting from the hall to find the potions master the moment he'd passed Gabriel the paper. He lowered the parchment and looked up at his father, his expression filled with anxiety.

'Come on.' Severus murmured placing an arm around Gabriel's shoulder and guiding him towards the door. Draco had grasped his hand and Gabriel could feel the swell of emotions flooding the bond between them.

Those emotions only lasted a moment though before they were smothered by a well of anger that seared through him, the scar on his forehead welling and dripping blood and the pain that coursed through him caused Gabriel to let out a chilling scream as he stumbled and fell to his feet.

'Gabe!' Draco cried, dropping to his side instantly. Wild whispering breaking out around them as Dumbledore, McGonagall and Poppy hurried in their direction.

'Riddle.' Gabriel gasped, prying his eyes open and searching until he found his father's. His head swum with pain as he reached out and felt along his father's arm until he place his hand over what he knew was a burning Dark Mark.

'Gabriel?' Severus tried pulling his arm from his son but Gabriel's grip was like a vice. The young mage had his eyes tightly closed and was murmuring rapidly under his breath. Blood still dripped from the scar on his forehead and he swayed alarmingly where he knelt until he was supported by both Draco and Poppy. 'Gabriel…Angel…please, talk to me.' Severus pleaded softly.

It was in vain, for more than a minute, that seemed like an hour to all those watching, Gabriel stayed in that same position, on his knees, with his father's arm clasped tightly in his hands.

'Severus?' Dumbledore questioned but the potions master shook his head. He had some idea of what was going on and moments later as a jaw clenching pain shot through his arm causing him to grunt loudly he knew he'd been right.

The moment the burning stopped leaving just a lingering numbness in his forearm the potions master moved forward and lifted his son in his arms, striding forward without stopping towards the door.

'Draco, take Blaise and floo from my office to your Manor. Your mother will need assistance with your father. Bring him here, to Gabriel, and hurry before it's too late.'

The potions master didn't give the pale Slytherin any time to argue before he swept from the hall, leaving several hundred stunned students and a number of professors in a similar state.

Gabriel took several pain potions, resting lightly for almost ten minutes before Draco returned with an almost hysterical Narcissa being supported by Blaise, and an unconscious Lucius floating behind him. Severus had allowed none to ask Gabriel any questions and the young man had pretended to be asleep in order to hold them off, but he leapt up very quickly when he'd felt his mate rush into the room.

'Put him here.' Gabriel said firmly, instantly taking charge.

Draco did exactly as he asked and the moment he'd ended the levitation charm Gabriel had grasped his left arm, tearing the sleeve to reveal a horribly red and swollen Dark Mark.

'He just started convulsing.' Narcissa was sobbing on her son's shoulder.

Gabriel ignored them and placed his hand over the Mark, closing his eyes and dropping himself into the magic that linked his godfather to that monster as he fell to his knees beside the bed. The magic was suffocating and Gabriel was in no doubt that, as with his father, Riddle wanted his godfather dead very much. He began murmuring softly in Parseltongue, using the same magic the Dark Lord had used to build the link, to destroy it, and free this important member of his family.

It took longer this time as whereas the Dark Lord's attention had been divided between his father and his godfather, it was now solely focused in one direction. He could normally have not done this but the sheer desperation to save his family gave his magic a purpose it hadn't had before.

He could still feel the anger surging through him, even stronger now as Riddle realized what he was doing. His leg trembled under him and he was thankful he was already kneeling on the floor moments later when the link finally snapped and he was thrown forcefully away from his godfather and into the bed behind him.

He cried out as his shoulder hit the iron side rail of the bed but suddenly felt better as several sets of hands lifted him and laid him down, one of whom was Draco. He was in no state to fight the numerous potions that were subsequently forced down his throat but he had regained his equilibrium by the time his father lifted his shoulders and hugged him close.

'You clever, foolish boy.' Severus whispered into his ear.

Gabriel sighed and melted into the strong arms of his father. 'He would have killed Uncle Luc.'

'It must have taken a lot out of him to send that much anger through the Dark Mark that it could have killed you and Father. He's never been able to do that before.' Draco murmured, sitting on the bed beside Gabriel and smiling as the young man grasped his hand in his and lifted it to his mouth and kissing it softly.

'Thank you.' He breathed.

Severus raised an eyebrow as Draco blushed. 'I don't know if it helped but I tried.'

Gabriel nodded and lifted a hand, gently cupping it around Draco's neck and drawing him closer, knowing they were sheltered by his father from any prying eyes. 'You helped a lot. I couldn't have stayed conscious without you.' He said sincerely, moving his head forward and kissing him chastely.

Severus was just about to ask a further question when Lucius groaned alerting those in the room to the fact that he was waking up.

Severus released Gabriel who scrambled up off the bed with Draco's help and quickly crowded around the bed.

'Great Merlin, the bastard's completely psychotic.' The blond aristocrat gasped, causing several in the room to snicker softly as he slowly opened his eyes and looked around the room. 'How did you know?' He asked once he'd caught sight of Severus.

'Gabriel.' Was all the potions master would say.

Lucius nodded and glanced about once more, taking in those watching and realizing that he certainly didn't want to be lying down in this company and pushed himself up painfully before swinging his legs over the bed.

'Lucius, perhaps you should.' Narcissa began but was cut off when the man waved at her dismissively.

His eyes almost fell from his head though when he caught sight of his now unmarked forearm. He yanked the ripped sleeve back and stared at the still red limb, a number of others in the room also stunned at the Mark's disappearance.

'How on earth?' The blond aristocrat looked up to see Narcissa and several others gaping at him, Severus smirking, Draco beaming and Gabriel shifting nervously as he stared at the stones under his feet. Lucius stood shakily and stepped towards his godson, gently lifting his hand and placing it on Gabriel's shoulder. 'Little Angel.' He whispered before hugging the boy tightly to him.

It was a joyous group that dined in the privacy of the Snape rooms that evening. Both Gabriel and Lucius rested for the rest of the day after Dumbledore suggested that it might be safer for the Malfoys to remain at Hogwarts for the immediate future, especially after the revelations that had been printed in the morning's paper, and while they were all wary of what the future would bring, the sense of freedom now present without the overhang of the Dark Mark could not be ignored.

Both Severus and Lucius looked as if they'd lost several years off their ages and seemed determined to prove it. After a wondrous dinner and several loud and long toasts Draco and Gabriel finally left the adults to it and went to bed.

'You really are an incredible, amazing man.' Draco breathed as he ran a hand down Gabriel's side and licked the shell of his ear.

Gabriel shuddered. 'Oh god, Dray.'

'Roll over.' Draco urged, nudging Gabriel's shoulder and the veela didn't need to be asked twice and a minute later he let out a groan as Draco's hands began massaging the muscles in his back.

'Merlin, Dray.'

'Do you have any idea of how much I love you?' Draco leant down and whispered in Gabriel's ears as his fingers deftly massaged away another knot.

Draco was on his back in an instant with Gabriel staring intently down at him. His eyes were bright and they seemed to delve deep into Draco's very soul. Another minute later and Draco gasped as the bond between them flooded with the warmth of love and lust.

'You are my life, Draco Malfoy. With you, I am complete. Without you, I am nothing.' Gabriel murmured, placing gentle kisses across Draco's face as he spoke.

'You will never be nothing, Gabe.' Draco responded. 'Because I will always be with you.'

The bond heated further and Gabriel bent his head and endeavoured to satisfy it.

Most of the school were still staring at him the next morning when the group of five swept into the great hall. Although truth be told, the appearance of the senior Malfoys certainly garnered some interest as well.

Gabriel actually let down his pureblood hair long enough to leave a steaming kiss on Draco's lips before following his father and his godparents up to the head table.

There were a couple of wolf whistles, mainly from Blaise and Theodore Nott as a blushing Draco sank low in his chair.

Dumbledore rose as he sat down. 'Good morning students.' He called out, several in the hall looking to him but most still staring at Gabriel as if expecting him to say something. 'As you can see,' Dumbledore went on. 'We have some guests with us who will be remaining here at Hogwarts for the moment. I ask that you treat them with respect and I'm sure they will do the same.'

'About as much respect as Death Eater deserves.' Came a muttered voice from the Gryffindor table.

Gabriel's eyes darkened and Severus placed a hand on his arm to calm him. 'They are just ignorant children.' He murmured softly.

'Thank you for that completely unwelcome comment, Mr Weasley. I trust the rest of you will be able to accede to my wishes and prove that this school is not completely intolerant. Thank you.'

Dumbledore sat down again and gave Lucius an apologetic look but the other man just waved it away and reached for a slice of toast. This seemed to be a signal and most of the hall returned to their still unfinished breakfasts, Severus placing a number of items on his son's plate even though he knew he had barely a chance in Hades that the teenager would actually eat it all. Well, pretty much any of it really.

Severus felt a slight nudge in his ribs. 'They really are going to get a nasty shock when they find out you are unmarked, aren't they.' Gabriel murmured with a smirk, his eyes still focused on the Gryffindor table.

Lucius let out an elegant snort. 'Most definitely, Angel.'

Just as Severus had predicted Gabriel's breakfast remained untouched as his continued his study, his head cocked curiously to one side. After a couple of minutes he tore his eyes away and looked down. 'It was her.' He whispered.

Those around him looked at him curiously.

'Who was her?' Narcissa questioned, completely confused.

'It wasn't Dumbledore. He was telling the truth. It was her. She told the Daily Prophet.'

'Who?'

'Granger.' Gabriel whispered, standing abruptly.

Severus went with him and all heads looked in their direction, but they were diverted moments later when there was a screech from the Slytherin table.

'You're a traitor, Draco Malfoy.' Pansy yelled, throwing a small disc at him before he could duck or shield himself.

In that single moment Gabriel's world collapsed as Draco was yanked away by Portkey. His breath caught in his throat as he stared unblinking at the now empty seat.

'Dray.' He breathed incredulously; his heart beating almost out of his chest with fear for his mate.

'Gabriel.' Severus grasped his shoulders and tried to get his attention as a sharp pain shot through the veela's chest and his hands clenched into fists.

The hall was deathly silent as Gabriel's eyes rose from the seat to see Pansy standing and staring back at him defiantly. His onyx eyes blazed as he looked at his father. 'Let me go.' He hissed ominously. Severus stared pleadingly at the young man in an effort to get through to him but Gabriel was completely closed off. His mind was on his mate who had just been stolen from him. After several moments Severus let him go. The law was quite clear. The veela was well within his rights. Gabriel stepped out from behind the table and his eyes returned to Pansy. Every glamour he had melted away under the onslaught of the anger he was directing at the seventeen year old girl who had in effect taken his mate.

There was a mad scramble away from the Slytherin table in general, and Pansy in particular, as Gabriel's full heritage was displayed in the form of a set of silver tipped black wings that tore from his back, through his shirt and robes, and splattering those around him with flecks of blood.

Those watching winced at the pain they must have caused but Gabriel was oblivious. He stalked towards the Slytherin table like a predator, power swirling around him at a level not previously felt by any in the room. Pansy had frozen in place when Gabriel had all but transformed but now, as he leapt over the table without breaking stride, she turned and ran.

'Oh no you don't.' Gabriel growled, magic flooding out of him and holding not just Pansy in place but all in the hall.

Pansy squeaked as Gabriel held out his hand and she flew into it as if with a silent summoning charm. 'Where?' He demanded, baring his teeth at her.

Pansy struggled to get away but that only seemed to anger the distraught Mage who had her throat held tightly in his hand, her feet dangling in the air and kicking uselessly.

'Please.' Pansy begged.

'Where?' Gabriel snarled again.

'The Dark Lord.' Pansy whimpered, realizing just how much trouble she was really in.

Gabriel's eyes glowed with an internal fire and he swallowed heavily in an effort not to rend the witch in his arms limb from limb. Instead, he threw her to the side and watched dispassionately as she slid off the Ravenclaw table and onto the floor.

As she looked fearfully up at him from her position on the floor he growled. 'The only reason I haven't torn out your heart is because Draco wouldn't want me to. But if I ever see you again, you can rest assured that I will not be so restrained.'

The entire school watched as he stalked past the girl and headed towards the door.

'Gabriel, where are you going?' Severus called out, still held in place by the power filling the room.

The teenager turned back to survey the still full hall, his eyes finally landing on his father. He took a deep breath and the magic suddenly disappeared as if sucked away by a vacuum.

'I'm going to get my mate.' He whispered darkly.

One look at the young man; the part veela, part vampire standing in the doorway, his hair and robes floating around him and framed by those stunning wings, it was easy to see how he came by his name.

The Archangel Gabriel had arrived.