Okay, so I got a review the other day that brought to my attention something very important. I did not tell you all how Julien just happens to have ONE baby with TWO(technically three) fathers. It's simple really. Julien was stuck in his animagus form for too long, and thus acquired many of the traits of one. Cats can have kittens in the same litter from more than one mate. With purebred dogs, so I have been told, once a purebred mates with a dog not of it's breed, no matter what other dogs it mates with, it puppies will still have some characteristics of that first mate. With Genevieve, she has Julien's eyes, Jean-Claude's hair, and when she grows older, she will Asher's body type. There are also cases of human twins that have separate fathers. It's rare, but they are there. Or so I have been told. If I'm wrong, please bring it to my attention so I may remedy my sources. Thanks abunch BOOMrobotdog! I would have never noticed without you.

Chapter Twenty

Julien got well again, along with the rest of the school, and before long, was giving Valentina rides up on his broom, much to his lovers' dismay. It was just two days before they would leave and the young Nimir-Raj was already dreading it. Severus had cooked up several batches of a potion he himself had created over the summer that would allow Bartholomew and Valentina to walk, not in broad daylight but in dim light and shadows. Jean-Claude was overjoyed to learn of this new potion. It opened up endless possibilities for their lives as well as Julien's safety. Bartholomew looked bored as he swallowed the stuff. He didn't really hold any interest in seeing the sun again, but Valentina was excited, even though she wouldn't show the depth of that feeling to anyone. Julien could see it though. Nathaniel had refused outright to leave but the twins were to be ordered to return back with Jason. Samuel and Thea seemed to be ready to return home as well but were worried for their younger friend. Thea was often caught watching him with a frown as if thinking of something trying and difficult. However, Julien had finally come to the unhappy truth he had both dreaded and longed to realize. He was going to send Genevieve back to the Circus of the Damned. There was no longer any way around it. She was unhappy and it was selfish of Julien to try to keep her by his side. He hadn't told everyone yet. Anita and Edward planned on staying until the next change of the guard. That at least was a relief. The feeling made Julien somewhat guilty though. Damien was probably all alone in their empty home, tending to the dull albeit colorful angel fish Anita had accumulated over the years.

At present, Julien was comfortably seated at his breakfast table in the main living room, staring over his coffee. His bagel lay untouched. Just the fact that his daughter and lovers would be leaving soon made him repulsed at the thought of food. Nathaniel sat across from him, reading his Basic Spells Year One book. It was theorized that, being magical creatures, even wereanimals that were born as muggles developed magic in its raw form, and with enough practice and training it could be harnessed and used just as normal wizards used their magic. They were going to test that theory. First, though, Nathaniel had to learn the proper spells, so he was studying as if his whole future rode on it.

"Why so glum, Juls? Is it because Jean-Claude and Asher are leaving?" His friend and Freki asked, not even looking up from his book.

Julien shrugged slightly. He didn't really care to tell Nathaniel about his decision before even his lovers knew about it. It wasn't fair to Jean-Claude or Asher.

"That, among other things." He answered his voice still somewhat brittle from being sick.

At least Genevieve hadn't gotten sick too. Nathaniel replaced his bookmark and set the spell book aside, only to stare at his Nimir-Raj over the table. Apparently, he wanted to talk about it. Julien really didn't want to talk about it.

"I know that it can't be your school work. You excel at everything. Learning has never been a problem for you. You're not sick. Weaslby hasn't said a word recently. Everything is all and well with the Dark Lord. Hmmm…Come on, Juls. I need some help here. How can I help if I don't know what's wrong?"

Julien leveled him with a look. Not a glare or an angry look, but not a pleasant one either. It was a look that clearly said, 'You're moving into dangerous territory. You better back out now'. Nathaniel had seen that look before and quickly threw his hands up in surrender. He knew when it was in his best interest to stop. Now was definitely one of those times. He gently took Julien's hand and licked the palm of it, a show of submission and greeting in a way. Julien smiled at him just barely, understanding his silent message. Nathaniel would respect his wishes if he didn't want him to pry. He was good like that. Nathaniel was a good person. He could handle this whole separation thing. Nathaniel would still be here. Edward, Anita, Valentina, Bartholomew, and Dominic would still be by his side. On a plus note, Winter Break was in just a short month and a half.

. (rawr!)

Julien stood at the head of the table, his glass in hand, glad to finally have everyone's undivided attention. His beaus sat at one side, and Belle next to them. Anita and Edward sat on the other side with Dominic, Nathaniel, Jason, and the twins beside Samuel and Thea. Bartholomew was entertaining Valentina at the coffee table by the loveseat but even their attention was now on him. He cleared his throat before beginning.

"I know that when I first starting coming to Hogwarts, many of you expressed concerns about mon enfantaccompanying me. Well, I have thought it out more and decided that my school schedule just does not safely and healthily accompany a child. She misses her peres and is very tired much of the time. As much as I dread it, I have come to a decision. I believe that it would be…wisest if Genevieve was to go back to the Circus of the Damned for the remainder of my stay at Hogwarts."

His decision was met with sympathetic looks and silent nods. Jean-Claude took his hand calmly. He knew how hard it had been for him to make that decision. Nathaniel clearly understood his earlier gloom now. At least he wouldn't have to explain it. Julien's hand shook as he sat back down and he found his appetite strangely lacking. For the remainder of the meal, he pushed his food around his plate, barely taking another bite, under the watchful and slightly worries gaze of Asher and Jean-Claude.

Dumbledore seemed cheerful at breakfast that morning. Bastard. Julien was in a foul mood. Of course, it was truly just a front to hide his misery. Tonight was the night that his lovers, the vampire equivalent to his mother(or would that be grandmother?), his friends, and his baby were leaving. And classes had resumed. Severus had caught him last night on his way to the library and asked him how he was holding up. He had replied that he was doing as well as could be expected. In a way, he felt a little…abandoned, no matter how unreasonable the logical side of his brain told him that he was being. Draco had given him a big bar of chocolate that his mother had sent him with almonds in it. Julien did love chocolate. He was glad to have a friend like Draco. The day seemed to go by in a blur. Hagrid was an ass, Transfiguration didn't hold nearly the interest it usually did, He didn't even go to History of Magic, and Defense Against the Dark Arts just irritated him. The feeling of despair was only added to by the curse on the castle, courtesy of Tom, and the Dementors gliding about, always stopping to watch him as he went by. Perhaps he would go and have a chat with the Dementor Lord tonight. It would at least get his mind off of his beaus for a little while. Professor Black watched him all through class with a look of intense curiosity on his face. Valentina and Bartholomew were very interested in his classes. They had never gone to one before, due to the fact that they were always asleep during the day. They found it most fascinating indeed and Julien often had to stop and explain things to them. He caught Weaslby and Granger staring over at him and whispering during Herbology. Probably about how 'evil' and 'repulsive' he was. It was no real surprise. Without Julien's permission, the sun set and the vamps rose to say goodbye. In their rooms, Julien was tearful.

Jean-Claude smiled at him with a tenderness in his eyes that said if he had a choice, he would never let him go. Asher held Genevieve safely in his arms. He knew that they had to go but it never made it any easier. The tears flowed freely, and he was for once glad that he had already said his goodbyes to Samuel, Thea and Mama-Belle. They had gone before Jean-Claude and Asher the latter had a baby coming through with them.

"I don't want you to go." He whispered, holding onto Jean-Claude with all of his might.

Loving circles were being rubbed on his back and Jean-Claude whispered in his ear in soothing French. But it only served to make him sob harder. He had been so determined earlier that day not to cry when they left. He would see them in a month and half, so it would be ridiculous to cry…right? Now here he was, putting on the waterworks for everyone to see. He would be embarrassed if he weren't so miserable. Nathaniel pulled him away gently and silently, still sobbing. They whispered their last goodbyes before stepping into the grate. The Floo Network whisked them away from his eyes in seconds. He let Anita and Edward tuck him into bed to get a nap, promising that they would take care of dinner if he wasn't awake by then. He could only nod and curl up under the covers. He let the healing blackness of sleep overcome him with open arms.

It was some hours later when Julien woke up. Bartholomew and Valentina were the only ones awake. Edward and Anita were fast asleep in the attached room and Nathaniel and Dominic didn't stir when he slipped out of bed. The two vamps were once more, pouring over his subject material for classes.

"I'm going for a walk. I'll be back eventually." He muttered.

It was a wonder that they even understood him as incoherent as he sounded to himself. He slipped on a winter cloak and slipped out of the portrait hole. The castle was black as the pit in the middle of the night. Julien had the good sense to spell a Chameleon Charm over himself before he got far because McGonagall was patrolling not far from his rooms. He slipped by her without incidence and met no one else along the way except the Bloody Baron who never once made a peep about his presence. The doors to the outside were unguarded. It seemed somewhat irrational to have a patrol on the inside of the school to make sure students didn't get out but not to have one at the doors to make sure strangers didn't get in. Then again, when was Dumbledore ever known for rationality? Or even sanity for that matter? From the sloping lawns he could see the Dementors patrolling the borders. That threw the whole irrationality thought right out the window. It would be even more irrational to attempt to break in to a place so heavily surrounded by soul sucking wraiths. Without pause, he strolled down to the edge of the lake. There, the Dementor Lord seemed to be waiting for him.

"Nimir-Raj…You come at last." He rasped, reaching out to run a cold as bone hand down Julien's cheek.

"You were expecting me?"

The wraith seemed to give a shrug if that were possible.

"I knew that you would seek me out eventually. You have allied with the Dark Lord."

The teen didn't even bother to deny it. Why try? He would smell the lie and if he lied, it would merely make the Dementors distrustful of him. Truth was much more interesting any ways.

"I have." He answered stoically.

The Dementor Lord seemed to ponder this for a moment. Was it so odd? He didn't believe so. Anyone who had really spoken to him would see his distaste and abhorrence for the old, thought not wizened, Headmaster. The undead seemed to nod inwardly more to himself than to Julien.

"Very well, then. We shall side with you. Where you are bound, we will follow. Our alliance is with you and you alone and will be for as long as you walk this mortal realm."

Wow. Wait till Tom heard about that. He would be ecstatic. Julien nodded in acceptance. It seemed that their conversation would be longer than he thought.

I need feedback guys! Am I doing a good job? Reviews are the meat and potatoes of every authors diet here!