A Betrayal Too Deep
Chapter 14
Talking And Presents - Zarek's first appearance
Valerius hadn't seen nor heard from Harry since he left that afternoon. He wouldn't admit it to anyone, but he was worried about the young Dark-Hunter. He was exactly that, compared to everyone else, he was a child in comparison. In looks only, for he had no doubt suffered a mind blowing betrayal at hands of someone he trusted. They all had, whether it was friends, family, their clan or even worst enemy. He often thought on everything Harry had said to him over the past few days, trying to see if he could perhaps, read between the lines. Understand the young one better, but he was good at giving explanations yet revealing nothing. Harry reminded him of Ash, not only in power but speaking in riddles and revealing nothing much about his past.
He would miss Harry, he'd gotten so used to the companionship in such a short space of time. It was odd, because Valerius had been adamant about remaining alone. Even if inwardly he'd wanted someone, anyone who'd care enough to ask him how he was. He knew his attitude put a lot of people off, but it was to much a part of himself to stop it. Harry had seen past that and became a good companion if not perhaps friend.
At the end of the night he made his way home, wounded but not overly so, keeping an eye out for Harry. Sometimes they passed each other, Harry had a habit of wandering off his allotted area. It was a good thing really, otherwise he wouldn't have known about him being hurt the night they met.
Shaking off his thoughts, he realized he'd arrived home, he pressed the intercom and waited on Gilbert answering. Perhaps it was time to get a new car, he loved walking, back in his time it was either walk or ride on horseback and carriages. He'd never felt fully comfortable in these metal contraptions humans used. Perhaps it was time to live here and now.
"Hello?" asked Gilbert his voice mechanical over the intercom.
"It's Valerius Gilbert. Open the gate." said Valerius, stopping a groan from passing his lips, he ached everywhere. Two Daimons had stabbed him during the course of the night. One in the shoulder and one more painfully in the side, one of his ribs were cracked for sure.
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to say 'It's me' you know," said Harry appearing on the spot. Valerius almost jumped, would have jumped if composure hadn't been beaten into him as a child.
"How are you?" asked Harry noticing his bloody tear stained clothes, walking forward, his hand automatically touching him. Valerius flinched back, a curse leaving his lips in Latin. Yet a few seconds later, his wounds seemed to become numb. Looking down he realized they weren't just dumb, but they were healing, he wasn't even asleep! He was amazed.
"How did you do that?" asked Valerius straightening up now that he no longer hurt. That wasn't the question he'd meant to ask, so he said what his mind had thought. "You did not heal yourself, why?"
"Magic, I cannot self heal, well not as quickly as that anyway, probably because my magic is already healing it I think." said Harry shrugging his shoulders. "Although Potions can do it quicker." not that he'd had potions in a long time. What he'd had he'd used by now, its not as if he could just Apparate to a magical shopping centre and get supplies to brew with.
"Potions?" enquired Valerius as they walked towards the manor, he was learning something new every day he spoke to Harry.
"Yes, a branch of magic, they can harm, kill, heal, de-age, age you, even remove warts." said Harry grinning in amusement. It felt so good being able to talk about magic, things that weren't necessarily connected to his betrayal.
"Impressive," said Valerius as both of them entered the manor, Harry as always was first to greet Gilbert like an old friend.
"Dinner my lord?" asked Gilbert.
"Yes Gilbert," said Valerius taking his usual seat, staring at the snowy white owl who was once again comfortably sitting across from him. Her amber eyes stared at him, as if she could see right through him into his soul (or the lack of it). She then hooted at him before turning her head and snuggling into her back. One claw curled up inside her body presumably keeping it warm.
"He's yours by the way," said Harry smugly.
"Excuse me?" asked Valerius his eyes comically wide, not liking how it sounded at all.
"Gilbert, he's your squire." repeated Harry a wry grin on his face.
"How could you know that?" asked Valerius his eyes narrowed he had gone to the squire council. Valerius though didn't and couldn't believe Harry would go to them for him. Nobody in his life had helped him, well unless he included his servants but they were paid to do so.
"I warned them," said Harry simply, his face impassive, his black eyes twinkling in merriment that would have put the Weasley twins to shame. He had enjoyed himself, the thought of the planned murders turned his stomach. He had to do something about that, and he would. He just had to speak to Ash, which he would do as soon as he moved into his new house. Which he would do doing as soon as the sun went down tomorrow night. "You'll have a letter tomorrow morning, in the coming week he will need to go to one of the meetings and be sworn in." his lip unconsciously curled at that, unable to believe the actions of one such squire.
"Why did you do that?" asked Valerius shock worming its way into his heart. Harry truly had done it for him, he'd gone to the council and successfully gotten Gilbert accepted into the squire council. He felt something he'd never felt before, it went beyond simple happiness. Valerius had a feeling it wasn't solely because of Gilbert being his squire but because of Harry too.
"I hate prejudice." growled Harry his black eyes filled with unreleased rage.
Valerius remained quiet at that, he had learned Harry hated Roman versus Greek prejudice. It seemed as if that wasn't all, he seemed to view the world black and white. It unfortunately wasn't like that. He was just as prejudice and he made a mental note to refrain from speaking about it. If the rage on Harry's face was anything to go on, well he didn't want to be on the receiving end, thank you very much.
"Wine sir?" asked Gilbert carrying over a bottle and two goblets.
"Thanks Gilbert," said Harry, accepting one, and Valerius picked up the second one.
"To your new home," said Valerius raising his glass.
"To your new Squire," said Harry both of them then drank some and tucked into their meal which had been brought through by Grace. Harry saw Gilbert smile as he went back through, and he knew Gilbert had been listening. Whether he'd overheard by accident or not was another thing altogether.
Not much was said as they ate their meals for the first time, both of them seemed preoccupied. Other things must be on their minds, at least it was a comfortably silence otherwise there wouldn't have been much hope for them.
"Would you like me to make some dinner for you tomorrow night? I'm sure you won't get a chance," asked Grace as she removed their plates. "Or perhaps some soup and pasta you can heat up later at least?"
"I'd appreciate that Grace, thank you." said Harry, after looking at Valerius to make sure it was alright. He didn't seem surprised by her offer, either he'd told her to do it or he was kinder to his staff than even Harry realized.
"No problem!" said Grace nodding, a big smile upon her face at getting her own way. She took the tray of dirty plates away and disappeared into her kitchen. Already planning tomorrows meal, and ensuring they had everything needed for it.
"How's the ribs?" asked Harry as they stood up, it was time for their beds.
"I've felt nothing," said Valerius awe was still evident in his voice, no matter how much he tried to hide it. Not only had Harry healed him, when he hadn't needed to, but also ensured he had Gilbert as a Squire. Valerius was getting his first taste of what a true friend would do for someone they cared about.
"Good, and the wounds seem to have closed." said Harry as he stared at the ripped clothing where the wound had previously been gaping and oozing blood.
"Indeed," said Valerius in agreement.
Harry had an amused smile on his face, despite his shadowed eyes. He had a feeling it was at his word rather than anything else. Curious, what memory could Harry have associated with 'indeed'?
"Night," said Harry, opening the door to the room Valerius had given him for the duration of his stay, which was coming to an end tomorrow. He smiled sadly as he looked around the room, before quickly grabbing his laptop. Hopefully Zarek would be on tonight, he was getting worried that someone else might have succeeding in killing him.
Once it was loaded he headed onto the Dark Hunter website, and was gratified to see Zarek was online. He immediately began speaking to him, and found out his generator had been frozen, thus preventing him from having any light, or communications. Why didn't Zarek have a house that could prevent that? An idea struck him, it was just a question of whether Zarek would accept it or not. He had to try, he grabbed two of the amethyst jewels from his trunk, the ones Artemis gives him every month and poured his magic into them, his intent clear in his mind. Amethyst was the strongest for this kind of thing, he then added an unbreakable charm on them so it would never stop working. Grabbing a duvet purely as an afterthought and added a charm. It would be whatever Zarek needed it to be, cold or warm. He magically created a box for the three items. Once it was closed he shut his eyes and willed it to Zarek in Alaska. He prayed it worked, his magic hadn't let him down now so hopefully it wouldn't today.
Once the box disappeared he wrote to Zarek and let him know he'd sent him something 'teleported' of course. He didn't want to tell him about his magic yet, there was only one person, maybe two, depending on how much Gilbert had heard or listened to, that knew about his magic. Maybe he would tell him when he came, if he didn't already suspect with the three items he'd already sent. He doubted that it was a common thing to be able to do. After that Harry signed off, just too exhausted to stay up and partly afraid that Zarek would be unhappy with his interference/gift. He didn't know why but its what he felt, which was strange since Harry had always felt very good at giving people presents. It meant he had people he loved, and cared about deeply. Yet he always felt more special getting gifts, knowing people loved him in turn. Of course he had been a naïve little shit back then.
Zarek - Alaska - :D First Appearance ;)
Zarek was huddled down under his covers, most of which were animals he'd skinned and used to keep him warm. There was nothing better than animal fur to keep warm. His laptop was open beside him, as he created sculptures, wooden sculptures. It's what he always did to pass the time in his little hole he called home. It wasn't much, but Zarek preferred it that way. He'd never had much, or rather anything at all as a human, so this little place would have been heaven if he wasn't so damn cold and isolated by everyone.
Talking to Harry helped relieve some of the boredom, but he knew sooner or later it would stop. He'd spoken to another Dark Hunter a long time ago, until they'd found out he was banished. Sundown, or Jess as he'd called him. It had been a long time since he heard from him. Zarek could pretend he didn't care, but deep down he did. He felt weak for wanting company, for needing it, and it wasn't something Zarek was comfortable with.
Zarek jumped when a large pop interrupted his solitude then a thump. There sat a small box innocently by his fire place. He eyed it suspiciously before using his Telekinesis to throw it out into the snow. Fearing it was something that could cause him harm. Turning back to his computer he read the last message from Harry, and realized it had been the Dark Hunter that sent it. Seeing as he was already logged off, he turned his own computer down. He curled his lip at the thought of the gift, he did not like them at all.
For the next two hours, he resolutely ignored the box, until it was bugging him to such a degree he actually went outside to get it. He told himself he was doing it out of pure curiosity. Nothing more, he saw the snow surrounding the box had turned into water. Arching an eyebrow in curiosity, perhaps there was truth in what the Dark Hunter had said. It was just a matter of how it was bloody possible. His metal claw covered hand grabbed it and he ventured back into his house. If one could actually call it that, he absolutely hated the cold! Yet he didn't feel the bitter chill, which should have followed him - he had, had his door open after all. Which was of course tightly shut now, he didn't want animals coming in and trying to make themselves at home. It had happened once, never again.
Taking his seat once again, he after an additional ten minutes opened the gift. He didn't know whether it was a joke or not, and the thought of anyone laughing at him was enough to make him furious. He rose a sardonic eyebrow at the two gems, with his normal hand he picked it up and gasped at the feeling of warmth radiating from it. It wasn't burning him, but it was like being immersed in a bath. Now all he had to do was decide where they'd do the most good. Generator? Food cupboard? Or right here where he could use its constant warm and to keep his electronics warm.
In the end he'd chosen to place one right next to his generator to stop it freezing up again. The other went to his food storage, so nothing could be frozen, it would come in handy during the colder weather. More often than not, his cans froze stopping him from having any food to eat. Nobody had ever given him a gift before, he was more curious about Harry than ever. How had he managed to do that? What kind of powers did he have? He couldn't wait to meet him when he got transferred to New Orleans. Truth be told he was just glad to get out of this hell hole and the freezing cold.
Only after he sat back down did he notice the box wasn't empty. Inside there was a duvet. Curiosity got the better of him as he took it out, immediately he realized it was like the gems. It was a material hot water bottle, he truly was grateful for it. Zarek sneered at his maudlin thoughts, regardless he draped it over himself and began carving again.
Zarek concentrated on the wood, stopping himself counting down the hours until he was in New Orleans again. The plane would be here for him tomorrow, and he wondered who he'd be staying with. That's if Ash let him, and didn't put him somewhere by himself. Nothing would surprise him, at this rate.
He seemed to have forgotten about Harry's little surprise. Unfortunately Zarek was good at deluding himself. Always had been.
I wanted to give you a longer chapter but im afraid it wouldn't let me go any further I was just stuck as to what I could add to this chapter. Well anyway, I know Zarek isn't in character but I'm afraid only Sherrilyon could possibly keep him in character...He has to change a little for what I have in mind for them. I do hope you wont be too disappointed in that don't worry though he will be ... Snape like still ;) for everyone else but harry in the end...anyway lol will Zarek make it difficult for harry? or will they bond over their hard lives? how will zarek and valerius find out they are brothers? how would you like to see it done? unfortunately it will have to happen earlier than at the end of the book lol :D I loved that bit likes! hm wonders what to do...ideas anyone? R&R PLEASE!