Rewriting History
Summary: Whenever Harry does something drastic, he always ends up in a strange situation. Time-travel fic.
Pairing/s: AbraxasAstus.
Warnings: Harry was never in love with Ginny (They were only very good friends), blood and violence at some part in the story. Harry a bit out-of-character. It follows pretty much the books, except for the Harry and Ginny-love, some minor details and the ending battle (lots of character-death there). Severus Snape's life-history is different. And this is a time-travel story. Did I get everything now? Probably not, but who cares? You'll find out soon enough.
Disclaimers: I don't own Harry Potter.
On with the show.
-o-
Final chapter up ladies and gentlemen! I want to thank everyone who's been so patient with me, and also… please don't hate me for the end.
And as for the delay, I have no excuse. I've started some distance courses I could always blame on, and they're making me very nervous (freaking terrified more like, because I don't know if I can do it) and all this freaking out is making me so tired… not that it's any excuse to delay chapters. But it's a reason at least ^^
Enjoy!
Warnings: Some AbraxasAstus, some violence and blood (not explicit).
-o-
Chapter Twenty-Five
Astus tugged at his clothing as he waited on Severus. Abraxas stepped forward and calmed his hands.
"You look stunning in Muggle clothes," the blonde said. "And no, I never thought I would say that to anyone."
Astus smiled a little, and wrapped his arms around Abraxas' waist. He knew the blonde would come barging in, Lucius and Narcissa behind him, then probably followed by Bellatrix and her wild hair and cackle, and it all would be fine but he didn't want to spend too much time away from Abraxas. It was just so damn comfortable with him.
"Dad, I don't think Abraxas will fit in your bag," Severus said as he came down to the hall.
"Just watch me," Astus said. "I'll shrink him."
"Oi!" Abraxas said.
"My own little puppet, safe and sound in my pocket," Astus said and smiled up at him before letting go. "Got everything, Severus?"
"Yeah."
"I suppose we'll be seeing you lot soon?" Astus said to Abraxas who only smiled.
"I won't make any promises," he replied. "But you know us."
"All too well."
-o-
Petunia stared a little at Astus as she showed them her little flat, and he laughed whenever he noticed.
"I was thinking we'd have some tea before going out," she said later and began to get up.
"No, no," Astus said and took out his wand. "Let me do the tea."
Petunia watched in fascination as the teapot was filled with water and was put to boil on the stove.
"I'll never get tired of seeing magic," she said then with a grin.
As he smiled, Astus hoped she never would. Remembering her horrified look as magic was performed before her, and now this… it wasn't like looking at his aunt. It was so much better. With some luck, she'd be smart enough not to marry Vernon Dursley.
After tea and scones (he didn't let Petunia or Severus have any biscuits to which they pouted at him) they went out into a frosty London. Astus had never seen much of the city, having lived first in Surrey and then being on the run after his seventeenth birthday. Even now he had barely visited Muggle London.
Petunia was happy enough to show off all her favourite places, and while Severus was exploring a bookshop Astus and Petunia walked together through the aisles of books.
"I haven't told mother or father," she said as conversation came to relationships, "but there's a man asking me out on dates."
"And who might that be?"
"His name is Vernon," she said and his heart froze. "I've rejected him, but he doesn't give up."
"You rejected him?" Astus said. "Why?"
"Because he's not my type," Petunia said and took out a book about paintings. She showed him some of the famous ones before putting it back. "He wants everything to be so normal. Every time anyone mentions magical things or supernatural things he gets angry. I'm starting to think about telling him I believe in witches, just to make him stop buggering me."
"Well, you wouldn't be telling a lie," Astus said with a smile.
"And I'm scared it'll only make him try harder," she sighed. "He's stubborn. Can't take no for an answer."
Astus hummed as he looked around. Inwardly he was seething. He never liked Vernon, and Vernon never liked him.
"Does he go to the same school as you?" he asked.
"Not the art classes, that's for sure," she laughed and picked out another book. "He's in economics I think. All numbers and reason and boring logic. Suits him. Doesn't suit me."
Once it did, Astus thought. He felt happy to have opened up some doors to his aunt's life. Doors that hadn't been open before. Like say, a half-crazed pureblood with a mess of hair and full grin because honestly, Bellatrix was on the good side but she would always look like a madman. Astus couldn't imagine her any other way.
They exited the shop, Petunia with a new book in her bag and Severus with a few that he said looked interesting. They wandered around for a while before deciding to eat outside. Severus stared around in the restaurant, having barely been in one whilst Petunia said to Astus:
"You're sure you want to pay? Have you got our sort of money and not… I can't remember what they're called but Lily showed me and they look all funny."
"I always carry both kind," Astus said and smiled at her. "Just in case."
"Not scared to be robbed?"
"Oh, I would like to see a wizard or witch trying to rob another wizard or witch."
"If it's a Muggle robber?"
"Then I guess I'll kick him in the balls," Astus said and Petunia clapped her hands over her mouth to not start laughing. Severus only shook his head. "What? Never heard that expression before, young lady?"
"Not in those words! Astus, that's vulgar!" she insisted.
"Well, it's true."
"Astus!"
-o-
The bed was a bit small after Astus had gotten used to Abraxas' bed, and his own at Malfoy Manor but he didn't complain. He turned to his side and watched the rise and fall of his son's chest.
Severus had fallen asleep just mere minutes after lying down, and Astus had gone to bed a little while later. But he couldn't sleep just yet.
He reached out a hand and tucked up the covers higher up his son's body, and Severus snuffled a little before turning to his stomach, arms tucked underneath the pillow and head turned towards Astus who smothered a chuckle at the sound the teen had just made. Oh, sometimes he wished he had a recorder, or a film camera. The blackmailing material he was letting slip by was almost criminal.
Astus settled into the pillow and closed his eyes. Petunia had been ready to sleep on the mattresses while one of them got her comfy bed but Astus had herded her off to the bedroom with a no-nonsense face on.
"There is such a thing as magic," he had said, "as you might now. There are spells to make small mattresses very comfortable."
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"Petunia, I once slept on the ground yet managed to make it feel like I was in a fluffy bed. We'll manage."
"Fluffy bed?" she hadn't helped but added.
"There is nothing wrong with a fluffy bed! I had never had one, so I wanted to try it out."
Petunia had merely laughed, and moved to her bedroom.
Severus turned again, making Astus' eyes open for a moment. The teen turned to his back with a little fuss, and then stilled. Astus just smiled, and closed his eyes again.
-o-
Abraxas, Lucius and the two Black sisters invaded Petunia's flat two days later. They fought for space with beds and at the small table Petunia owned, and ended up sitting on the floor in the living room, on mattresses, because there was no way they could make the table larger. It wouldn't fit in the room, nor would you be able to walk anywhere (unless you walked on the table).
Narcissa and Bellatrix set up camp with Petunia whilst the Malfoys and Mentis remained in the small living room. Of course Petunia had to give another tour, but this time Abraxas and Astus let them go on their own. Astus felt safe leaving Severus with them, and so the two adults ventured into Muggle London on their own.
The weather was lovely, and Astus had even managed to dress Abraxas so he wouldn't stand out. The blonde man liked the sunglasses the most, which he was quick to remind Astus about.
Mostly they just walked, and stopped at some cafés to indulge themselves. Abraxas found it all very fascinating, and Astus enjoyed it too. He had lived years solely in the Muggle world, but seeing the insides of the Dursley home, or their garden, hadn't been much of a social life. School wasn't much better.
They found some shops, but Abraxas let Astus handle the paying, since the blonde couldn't for the life of him figure out the pound.
At night they were all tired from a busy day on the streets, and retired early. The mattress still was a bit small, but Astus hardly noticed it. He was tightly encased in Abraxas' arms, the blonde's body spooning his. It was lovely and he had hardly lain down before sleep found him.
Lucius and Severus remained awake a little longer, and the blonde nudged the teen.
"Look at them," he drawled. "Love-birds."
Severus glanced over. Both Astus and Abraxas were asleep, Abraxas holding on so tightly one almost thought he was awake.
"He missed dad, that's all," Severus said.
"Two days," Lucius said. "It's been two days."
"And how long before you start missing Narcissa?"
"Obviously two minutes. I can't for the life of me figure out how father managed to hold on for two days!"
Severus chuckled quietly and marked his book before rolling over to his stomach. The two slept next to each other, and he rolled over his head so he could look at his friend. Lucius lay on his back, blankets to his waist and arms under his head.
"You guys are the love-birds," he said. "It's me, Bella and Pet against you lot."
"Oi! Nothing wrong with being in love," Lucius said with a grin. "Besides, I can complain about father to her."
"How Cissy ever stands you I have no idea."
Lucius shoved at him a little before yawning and turning to his side, facing Severus and able to glance over the teen so see the two men.
"I'm glad father and Astus finally realized they were perfect for each other," the blonde said. "Father was already snogging him before they even made it official."
"Wasn't that a dare or something?"
"Yeah, but you couldn't hear either of them complaining could you?"
That was true. Severus yawned and closed his eyes.
"I'm just glad he found someone," he said. "He's been alone for too long in that department. Now he won't be as depressed when I graduate and perhaps move."
"You wouldn't have to," Lucius said and squeezed his wrist lightly. "You're welcome to stay at the manor for how long you want."
"I know. I also know when I become of age I will own a manor of my own," Severus said. "I want to make that a home. And perhaps have a room there so dad always can come over. Malfoy manor is his first home, but I want to give him a second one."
Lucius was quiet for a while and Severus was almost asleep when he heard the blonde murmured:
"You're so kind… that's good."
"You're supposed to be asleep to be able to sleep-talk," Severus sleepily reminded, and only received a grunt in response.
-o-
The girls awed over Abraxas and Astus in the morning. Despite one of them being Narcissa's future father-in-law. Both she and Bellatrix were very delighted when Petunia snapped a photo of the two, still asleep, and managed to hide the camera before Astus woke up.
"You're up to evil things," was his morning greeting before burrowing down again. Severus only shook his head and asked what was for breakfast.
The two men did wake up again with all the noise, and got up just in time to eat.
"Lazy sods," was Lucius' greeting to them.
Abraxas responded by pulling his son's hair and flicking jam into his face. "Too early for all that taunting-nonsense," he said and took a cup of tea.
"Too early for a food-fight," Lucius retorted and cleaned the jam away.
Apparently it wasn't too early to get outside again, and this time shopping. Well, the girls wanted to shop. Abraxas and Astus took Lucius and Severus with them, mostly doing what their sons wanted to do.
They met up again in time for dinner, and Petunia had decided to cook. Astus helped her as the others were thrown into the living room and told to entertain themselves (without destroying the flat) until dinner was ready.
Petunia watched in slight fascination as Astus chopped the vegetables with startling efficiency, and the man glanced over.
"What?" he said.
"Nothing," she replied and returned to the meat. "I was just… I thought you had others cook for you."
"I've done my fair share of cooking," Astus said. "It's nice. The house-elves at the manor have even gotten used to me helping out."
"What happened the first time?"
"They all ran to Abraxas, crying, and he told me I had to stop giving them heart attacks. Just a few days before that I had shocked them by cleaning my own room."
The woman laughed at that. "Oh my god!" she said. "The house-elves, they're so funny! I love hearing about them! And seeing them. They're so sweet."
"Yeah, once they get over the fact I just like cooking," Astus said. "They thought I thought their food was horrible since I came to the kitchens trying to cook something on my own. And when I cleaned my room they thought they hadn't done it good enough."
"How could they think that when it's you?"
"Well, we had just moved in," the man said, "and Abraxas told them to get me and Severus the best rooms so apparently they thought we were very important and should they screw up their heads would be flying."
"Would you actually do that?"
"No!" he said, horrified. "However, I've been in a house when the cut off heads of the house-elves are on display. Quite disturbing. They were watching me, I swear. Didn't dare to drop a pen, they would surely have woken up and screeched at me." Not to mention what old Mrs Black would screech. Then again, at present time she was not locked up in a portrait, as she was actually really alive. Astus nearly shuddered at the thought of meeting her eye-to-eye.
They managed to finish dinner whilst talking, and Petunia served it with as much dignity one could when you ate sitting on the floor.
"And for those who don't eat up their vegetables," Astus said, "won't be getting any of that delicious cake we made."
"Understood, mother," both Lucius and Severus said. Astus took out his wand and smacked them over the head with it.
"Next time I will accidently colour both your hairs blue," he said. "And make it stick."
Lucius, all too careful with his hair, shut up. Severus thought about it for a minute, then muttered:
"Bloody hell, it isn't worth it…"
Satisfied, Astus sat down, wand once more concealed.
-o-
They returned to the manor around a week later, tumbling through the doors just in time to be treated to lunch by the house-elves. Bellatrix and Narcissa were after that forced to go home and re-pack; tonight they'd be travelling to France with their sister for a few days. They were staying at some relatives to Ted, who would be joining them later.
Severus fell asleep in the middle of doing homework not long after the two women's departure and Astus carefully extracted the mostly done Transfiguration essay from the teen's hand to ensure no ink would be spilled on it. He dried the ink written on the paper, and rolled it up, putting it aside carefully. He then worked Severus up from the table, and to one of the couches. The teen had been sitting on the floor, but fallen asleep with his head on the table, one arm folded to be used as a pillow.
Soon though he was comfortably laid out on the couch, a quilt spread over him and Astus straightened up the books before leaving the library. He met Abraxas in the hall who quite promptly stopped him, pushed him up against the wall and gave him a good snog.
"What… was that for?" Astus panted out afterwards. Abraxas' fingers danced on his hips, up his waist and turning to stroke the thin back.
"I just wanted to do that," Abraxas replied. "And I want to do it some more. Come to bed?"
"When such a gentleman asks so nicely, how can I refuse?"
He didn't even care that it wasn't even time for dinner. Lucius came walking downstairs as they walked up, and the only thing he said was:
"Don't be too loud, alright? Or at least put up some silencing charms."
"I'll charm you," Abraxas muttered and sent a stinging hex on his son. The yelp told them it had hit its target, and with a laugh the blonde man dragged Astus behind him and ran down the hallway as Lucius shouted at them.
-o-
It was in the later days of July that all turned to hell. And, for once, it had taken Astus completely by surprise. And shock. And probably some slight horror, if one thought about it.
The day had begun normally. He woke up with his head buried in Abraxas' shoulder, and had stayed there until the blonde groggily woke up a half-hour later. Breakfast was eaten outside, in the fresh morning air and in the shade. The sun was already high up on the sky, shining brightly down at the grounds. They had talked about taking a swim in the small lake near the house. The one with wonderful, soft sand bottom and clear water.
Instead a message came from Albus. There was an attack.
"We'll be back before you know it," Astus told Severus while Abraxas and Lucius got ready. Bellatrix had been called and arrived just now with Narcissa in tow.
"I'll stay with Severus," Narcissa said, taking a hold of his shoulders. "So don't worry about us."
Astus smiled gratefully to her and kissed Severus' forehead, despite Severus being a bit too old for that. The teen didn't protest, just looked up at him.
"It's alright," he said. "Nothing's going to happen."
He should have learned saying that didn't exactly bode well.
-o-
It had gone well at the start at the very least. It was a large-scale attack though, so Astus was quickly separated from the others. He worked his way through the burnings houses, a small village had already been destroyed, and out on the open fields surrounding the place. Screams were scattered all over the place, along with the sound of flames devouring homes.
It was around then Astus snapped it up. A coincidence, but one so happily received he lost his bearings for a moment. He whirled around hearing the voice, stunned the man who had uttered those wonderful words, and was off with him moments later.
A forest nearby served as a temporary stop, and Astus looked down at the unconscious Death Eater. He didn't recognize the face. Then he aimed his wand towards the man's head and said:
"Legilimens."
The man's shields were torn down within moments, and Astus dove through the memories until he came to the right one.
The location of Voldemort.
He saw the manor. He saw the man. This Death Eater had been taken there personally. Big mistake. Astus grinned and came back out, the route to Voldemort's hiding place firmly planted in his head.
That's when he was attacked.
Not by a spell. Not from the front. No, from the back. Someone jumped on him and they fell to the earth floor. Astus rolled off, kicked out and hit something that made the attacker howl. He saw the man's face, a sunken-in and wild face, and then he saw the teeth.
Vampire. But as it was light outside, and he wasn't shrieking in pain, he was also a day-walking vampire. And from the looks of it, very hungry.
Astus got up, but the vampire caught him by the foot and dragged him down. The wand slipped out of his grip and suddenly there was the smell of old blood, rotting and horrible, and Astus pushed the hardest he could to get the vampire away from his body. No such luck. The vampire, whilst seemingly hungry, was by no means weak. Astus didn't stand a chance as long as he was on his back on the earth floor with the enraged vampire on top of him.
Still, he tried to fight the vampire off, but sharp nails dug through the robe and into his arms, causing rivulets of blood to flow. He twisted and turned, kicking out but everything shut down the moment the vampire's fangs sunk into his neck.
His magic swirled around them, but he couldn't attack. The vampire kept him immobile, and he felt a great deal of pain before it all sort of flattened out. The teeth pulled away, sucked the blood out and Astus' eyelids fluttered shut.
He didn't remember how long it took, only that the vampire finally let him go and ran away. He moved sluggishly, feeling blood running down his throat. His vision swam and he felt the poison move inside his bloodstream.
It took him a few dizzy moments to realize he was changing.
And that terrified him.
-o-
The battle was over, but Abraxas couldn't find Astus. He tried tracking the man, tried 'Point-me' with the wand but there was no sign of him.
"Something troubling you?" Albus asked.
"I can't find Astus," the blonde replied. "Have you seen him?"
"No," the aged headmaster said and looked around. "Ah, there's Miss Black. Perhaps she has."
Bellatrix came running over to them, and from the looks of it she had no good news. Paler face than normal, she looked between them both. Lucius came jogging and slowed to a halt next to his father.
"What is it?" Abraxas asked.
"Found this… in the forest." She held out a wand. "It's Astus'. And not far from it I found blood, and signs of a struggle. Also, some magical residue of someone Apparating away."
Abraxas took the wand from her and turned it around in his hands. The familiar wood hummed briefly before quieting. Astus' wand had always accepted Abraxas. He looked up at Bellatrix.
"Show me," he demanded.
She led the way to the forest. They all saw the dark spots of blood lingering on the ground. Abraxas kneeled down next to some splatters and heard others approaching, probably because of Albus. He didn't care.
Lucius' hand on his shoulder.
"Maybe he Apparated away from an enemy," the younger Malfoy said. "And didn't have time to take his wand."
"Unlikely," Abraxas said. "This wand… it's too important. He'd never leave it unless he was out of options."
"Perhaps he was," Bellatrix said. "Abraxas, he's only a man. We do make mistakes, and you of all people know how reckless he can be."
"This is something else," the blonde man said and rose up. He looked over at the headmaster and the Order who were now preparing to move out to Hogwarts. "Maybe he'll come there."
"You can't track him?" Lucius said.
"No," Abraxas said. "He didn't leave a trail."
He clutched the wand and slowly walked away from the spot, Bellatrix and Lucius following.
-o-
Astus didn't know where he had gone, but his magic wrecked havoc on his body if he tried to Apparate too far. He muddily thought he might have tried to go to Romania and the day-walking vampires there, but now, lying down on the ground he realized he'd never make it. His whole body throbbed and ached, pain coursing through his limbs and he remembered Albus saying something before the battle that they would meet up at Hogwarts afterwards.
Hogwarts seemed like his only choice. At least Madam Pomfrey was there. He doubted she could do anything, but he didn't know any other healers that wouldn't kill him on sight.
He slowly got up, struggling for each minute and coughed. The bitter tang of blood clung to his nostrils, flooded his mouth and he gagged at the same time as he wanted to lick it up, swallow back the blood into his body. Instead he let it trickle out on the grass before he got into a standing position. The magic inside him twisted around as he gathered enough to Apparate to Hogsmeade. It protested, wanted to fight off the threat raging inside his body but there was no other way. He would most certainly not make it by foot.
Crashing into the gate hadn't been his plan, but Astus couldn't afford to be picky. The pain had increased, and fumbling with the gate's lock he wondered where his wand had gone, and also why he couldn't get his hands to stop shaking.
The gates swung open and he nearly fell flat on his face. Astus looked up at the castle, so close yet so far, and whispered:
"Thanks, dear."
Then he began the trek up to the Entrance doors.
-o-
Abraxas was getting more and more agitated as no signs of Astus came up. Pacing around in the Great Hall while the Order members discussed what had happened during the battle, he wasn't exactly calming his son and Bellatrix down.
"Maybe he's gone home," the blonde man suddenly said.
"Yeah, like he wouldn't tell you then," Lucius said. "He would've contacted us if he had."
"I know," Abraxas muttered and started pacing again.
Another five minutes passed when the doors to the hall rattled. Everyone stilled. Abraxas drew his wand before he really was aware of what he was doing.
Albus rose up from his seat and crossed the hall, coming to a stop next to the blonde man.
"Perhaps it's Astus," he said.
"Yeah? And why would he do that noise?"
The doors rattled again, and then opened. Abraxas dropped the wand.
Astus was pale, much paler than normal, dark red blood covering his throat and part of his robes. They could all see the marks of fangs, the bloody depths in his normally emerald eyes. He was panting as well, teeth looking a little sharper than normal and then he fell forward.
Madam Pomfrey began to run despite calls for her to not do it. Abraxas stood frozen, hell everyone did, all until the healer turned Astus over and held him in her arms.
"Vampire… attack," came Astus' gasping voice. "Couldn't fight… him off. It's inside… I'm turning."
By this time Abraxas had moved, and hearing those words his eyes widened. Astus flailed wildly with one hand, only calming once the blonde had caught the hand in a gentle grip.
"Infirmary," Madam Pomfrey said.
Abraxas nodded, got Astus up and saw the looks from the other Order members. They wanted Astus out. He was infected. He was going to turn into a dark creature. Abraxas felt like cursing them, thought better of it and held Astus tighter as he followed the healer out from the room.
-o-
Astus groaned as he was put down on one of the beds. He clawed at his throat, then his arms. His body was on fire. He felt Madam Pomfrey's magic dance, crackle, over his skin as she ran a series of spells over him, and Abraxas eased him out of the bloodied robe.
"It's spreading so fast," the healer said. "There's no stopping it. But it's daylight!"
"And there exist day-walking vampires," Abraxas replied. "And apparently, not all of them are good. How long does he have?"
"He's already on good way becoming one. Look at me, dear." She grabbed Astus' face, waiting for his eyes to sluggishly lock onto hers, and then Madam Pomfrey smiled quite sadly. "Hello there. It hurts, doesn't it? I can't help you there, I'm so sorry."
"Burning," Astus gasped. "It's burning…"
They couldn't do anything. Madam Pomfrey tried though, cleaning off the blood and helping him into a new shirt while Abraxas held him as much as Astus' fevered mind could stand.
"Severus," he managed a few minutes later.
"You want him here?" Abraxas whispered.
"Yes, but don't let him see…" Astus gestured to his throat, where the wounds began to look infected. "Please… don't let him see."
Abraxas nodded and looked up at Madam Pomfrey.
"Stay with him, please," the blonde said and after getting a nod in reply, he left the Infirmary.
Madam Pomfrey wrapped Astus' throat with bandages before tucking the shirt up, concealing most of it. She stroked back the hair as his whole body tensed in pain.
"It's alright," she whispered. "Oh Merlin, this shouldn't have happened."
"Well, now it did," he said and smiled slightly. "I was foolish, didn't think. Will do so next time."
"You better," Madam Pomfrey said sternly.
Astus closed his eyes and tried to breathe. It was getting harder. Flames licked through every one of his veins, causing his body to shudder and writhe. He could feel it coming. His turning from human to vampire. And he was terrified.
Somehow, he lost track of time, because the next thing he became aware of was Severus sitting down on the bed. Astus opened his eyes, hearing his son's heartbeat and hating it. He grasped Severus' hand, tugged at it gently at the teen complied, lying down despite they both knew he was too tall to curl up with his father on the narrow beds of the Infirmary. But soon enough they were both comfortable and Astus swallowed, held Severus close and tried to control the twitching of his limbs.
"Abraxas said you got hurt," Severus said quietly. "He looked scared."
"I'm fine," Astus lied. "He's just worries, like you. I'm sorry if you got scared."
"Is something wrong?"
Astus looked up at Abraxas. The man bent down over them both, resting a hand on Astus' shoulder, keeping the other one clenched at his side. Astus swallowed again.
"No," he began slowly. "Just here for observation. You know Madam Pomfrey; one does not disobey her. Or there will be dire consequences."
Severus chuckled a bit. He took his father's hand.
"So you'll be alright?" he asked.
Astus closed his eyes painfully, breathed deep and let out:
"I'll be just fine."
-o-
Severus was taken to the Great Hall with Lucius and Bellatrix after a few hours, under the pretence Astus needed to rest. The moment his son left the Infirmary, Astus gripped the bed sheets and arched his back, growling. His teeth were beginning to sharpen and his eyes shone in the dim room. Abraxas still held his shoulder, holding it for as long as Astus could stand it.
"It'll be fine," he whispered as the pain raged through Astus' body. "It'll just be a little change. Being a vampire isn't the end of the world. You know others vampires, who live in peace. You won't turn into a monster and kill us. You'll just happen to drink blood instead of eating."
Astus whimpered as pain tingled down his spine. Why did this happen when he just had discovered where Voldemort were? He hadn't even had time to tell anyone. Should he tell them? Albus should be strong enough to defeat Voldemort. Or was he?
Astus wanted to finish it by himself. He knew that. But fighting internally was messing up his magic. He wasn't sure he could even fight normally, much less defeat Voldemort who was climbing to the height of his power.
The pain passed and Astus found himself almost dozing between the fits of pain, Abraxas moving down and kissing his forehead. The man's heartbeat sounded in Astus' ears but it wasn't distracting, not as much as he thought it would be.
He heard Poppy's from the other side of the room, a gentle, calm beat that made him sink into the bed. Power began to surge through his limbs. His fingers twitched, stretched. The nails were a little sharper, longer than before and his teeth began to ache.
He must have made some sort of sound because Abraxas shushed him, rubbing his shoulder and laying his forehead against Astus' temple.
"I'm alright," Astus mumbled. "It's okay."
"You sure?"
"No… I'm not sure." He looked up at the blonde man. "But it's happening whether I want it to or not."
"I'm so sorry."
"It's not your fault," he said.
"I should've gone with you," Abraxas said. "Shouldn't have left you at all."
"Don't blame yourself," Astus insisted. "Please, anything but that. It's been enough people blaming themselves for things that fucked up my life."
They looked at each other for some time, Astus working his jaw and sighing in relief when Abraxas pried his mouth open and rubbed at the gums.
"We'll make it work," Astus said. "You know day-walking vampires. You know friendly ones."
Astus nodded.
"Well, I'll take you there once it's finished. They will be the best for you. But how should we tell Severus?"
"Let me," Astus mumbled as Abraxas finished. "He deserves to hear it from me. His stupid old man can't even protect his own neck."
They both smiled tiredly at that. Astus looked at Abraxas, wondering why he was trying to commit the man's face to his memory and then realizing it. He fought down the sob that wanted out and pulled Abraxas down, kissing the corner of his mouth before hugging him.
"Could you get him for me?" Astus asked.
"What, now?"
"Yes. I want him to hear it now."
"Alright."
Abraxas stroke his face before turning to leave. Astus listened to his lover's heartbeat, closed his eyes and whispered:
"I'm sorry."
The moment Abraxas closed the doors Astus turned to look at Poppy. Her back was turned as she arranged some potions on a tray. He leapt up from the bed.
-o-
Abraxas wasn't even down in the Great Hall when he heard something akin to an explosion coming from the Infirmary. People came running out and he was already on his way back, heart beating wildly in his chest.
He threw the doors open, felt Albus stop behind him and they stared at the scene presented to them.
One wall had been partially torn down, glass and debris lying on the floor. The windows in the Infirmary couldn't be opened without Poppy's help, and she lay stunned on one of the beds. Astus must have placed her there.
"Where the hell is he?!" Moody shouted. "Why would he flee, huh?!"
Abraxas saw the clear signs of Astus' magic. He was leaving a trail for them to follow.
"I'm going after him," he said but was stopped by the Order members.
"He's becoming a vampire," Moody said. "He's going to kill you."
"He's not!" Abraxas shouted, and then saw Severus' face.
The teen was pale, eyes wide.
"Dad… dad's becoming a vampire?" he whispered.
Abraxas turned to look at Moody, shoved him away.
"Thank you for telling," he said through clenched teeth. "But I would have preferred to do it myself. Lucius, stay with Severus. Don't let him out of your sight."
"Will you go after him?" Severus said. "Get him back?"
"Sev, your father didn't leave because of what he was becoming," Abraxas said, ignoring the people around him. "He wouldn't do that."
"Then why did he leave?"
"I have an idea of why," Abraxas said. "Just trust me? Stay with Lucius."
Severus nodded and Lucius took him away.
"He's going after Voldemort," Abraxas told Albus. "That has to be it. He's been trying to figure out if any of the Death Eaters knew Voldemort's location; he must have found out before he was bitten."
"Then why not tell us?" the headmaster said. "Why go when he's in so much pain?"
"Because that's Astus," the blonde said. "Always doing things himself. Always think he has to be the one to do the sacrificing, not exactly helped with your fan club here."
"Hey!" Moody began.
"Shut up! Just shut up before I have your tongue removed," Abraxas said darkly. "Just because I play on your side, don't think I'm an innocent lamb. I'm going after him; he's left a trail of magic for me to follow."
-o-
Astus didn't know how he managed to get to the house, or how he got inside the wards, but he was in.
The hall of the small manor was surprisingly normal. But then again, he wasn't sure what he expected. Skulls decorating the walls? Avada Kedavra-coloured lights? Voldemort standing there laughing?
Well, whatever it had been it wasn't this. Chestnut walls, a smooth marble floor, high ceiling and frozen portraits on the walls. Muggle portraits he realized.
"How come I'm not surprised?"
Voldemort's voice made him snap his eyes from the walls, and he stared at the Dark Lord's form. The man himself was staring at him.
"That I'm here?" Astus asked.
"Correct."
"Well, heard a guy mention you," he said. "Tore through his head and found out where you lived, that's all." He straightened up slightly.
"And something is wrong with you," Voldemort continued as he started walking towards Astus.
"Yeah, got sloppy," the man replied, holding onto the wall as a wave of pain hit him. "Got bitten by a vampire… and you know, some vampires just gotta fuck with fate, just play around with us humans. Well, you human. I'm not going to remain human for long."
His teeth tingled and his gums were getting sorer for each minute. He flexed his jaw, and saw Voldemort inhale sharply.
"The teeth, right?" Astus said and moved away from the wall, withdrawing his wand that Abraxas had given back earlier. "They feel a bit weird, to be honest."
"How can you even stand?" the Dark Lord asked. "You should be in bed, in pain, unable to move."
"I'm the man who survives an Avada Kedavra," Astus said and spread his arms, magic running free and creating a wind around them. "You think becoming a vampire's gonna stop me for long?"
Voldemort got out his wand as the wind slashed at the tree panels on the wall. Astus' eyes gave off a glittering, hungry hue and they both ran forward.
Now, had anyone been around they would have been terrible startled. Or more likely, terrified.
A wide arch of light tore the manor's south roof right open, vanishing up into the heavens. Green light, Avada Kedavra, lit up the windows just moments later. A crash sounded. Then another one.
Inside, Astus jumped up on the wall, running along it and crashing paintings down onto the floor. He escaped another Avada Kedavra thrown at him, jumped down and twisted at the same time, shooting off a series of spells towards the Dark Lord who swiftly deflected them.
Voldemort began attacking harder, and Astus felt a grin work itself up on his lips. The smell of blood, both his own and Voldemort's, sent his brain into overdrive. He wanted to drink. His mouth already salivated at the thought of drinking the blood down. He could hear the man's heart beat, felt the anger roll over him.
The second crash had been Astus' attack on the unsuspecting serpent. Nagini's head had been severed clean off from the rest of her body. Voldemort was now mortal.
Still, he put up a hell of a fight. He wasn't the Dark Lord of England for nothing. His attacks were swift, and only Astus' newly acquired speed kept him from harm. Sure, his left arm had a deep gash on it but he didn't feel the pain. And if he did, he wouldn't have cared.
Power surged through his limbs as he jumped up in the air. A spell, unvoiced, tore out of the tip of his wand and created another wide beaming arch of light, this time tearing through the floor. The noise of blood splattering onto the floor and the smell that touched the air told Astus he had managed a pretty good hit.
Voldemort appeared next to the stairs to the second floor. His left hand held together the wound in his side, the wand turned onto Astus.
"You've turned into a monster," the Dark Lord panted. "At least when you fight. How many have you preyed upon?"
"None," Astus said.
"None?! Yet you have all this power?" Voldemort said. "Impressive. I dread to think what you can do once you've fully transformed."
"Yeah, I dread to think that as well."
The next spell tore open Voldemort's leg, and fresh blood coloured the wood. But the blow Voldemort got in poured blood into Astus' left eye. He simply closed it and licked some of his own blood into his mouth.
"How does it taste?" Voldemort asked, raising his wand again.
"Sweet…" he began. "Oh, it tastes so sweet. Why does it do that? Before, blood only tasted bitter."
"For a vampire, I suppose it's a different taste."
Astus lashed out with his wand. The spell was deflected, flew up and severed several pillars. A rumbling sounded. Voldemort looked up at the same time as Astus.
"I believe we just destroyed the pillars keeping this manor standing," Voldemort remarked. He looked back at Astus. "One last spell each? Whoever lands the heaviest blow wins. The crippled one has to stay."
"Agreed," Astus replied softly, and stood ready.
Voldemort moved his wand and shouted:
"Avada Kedavra!"
At the same time, Astus closed his eyes and said quietly:
"Sectumsempra."
The spell created in the future by his own son. Astus wondered briefly if Severus would ever think up such a spell in this time. Now when he had a father, a family, and while James Potter wasn't a friend, he wasn't really an enemy either.
The Avada Kedavra flew past his head. He could almost feel its malice, how it wanted to hit him. But it didn't.
Voldemort coughed up blood. The Sectumsempra had slashed him open from shoulder to hip. He began to fall and Astus was there, catching him. The manor rumbled once more as Astus settled him down on the floor comfortably. Voldemort gazed up at him.
"Who are you?" he asked quietly. "How can I have never heard of you… yet you're the one who will be known as the one who defeated me?"
"Because I come from a different time," Astus said. "A time where I still won over you, but everything was lost. Gone. Dead."
Voldemort's eyes widened and he coughed again, more blood spilling down. Astus' nostrils flared at the scent but he didn't try to drink any of the blood that escaped the Dark Lord.
"You… are a time-traveller," Voldemort gasped, then laughed breathlessly. "Oh my… now when I think about it… it doesn't seem like such an unlikely idea."
There was a crack, and Astus looked up. A hand tugged at his wrist, and Voldemort wheezed in a few breaths before saying:
"How… was all lost? Where you come from?"
"Battle," Astus said. "Hogwarts fell. She was in ruins. Just stone and dust mixed with blood." He gripped his stomach, and worked his aching jaws. Fangs had already sprouted out, poking at his lips when he wasn't careful. "Almost everyone I knew was dead."
"My side… killed them?"
"Yes. Some people who died weren't even on my side from the start. They were on your side. Then they changed. Sacrificed their lives for people they'd seen as enemies for years."
They both heard the south wing of the manor collapse. Dust and stones tumbled into the hall. Astus knew he should get out. Yet he remained on his knees next to the dying Dark Lord.
"Why? Why did they abandon their cause?" Voldemort asked.
"Because you weren't the kindest man," Astus said. "Lucius Malfoy was on your side."
"No," the man breathed. "Abraxas' boy? No way. Abraxas may be of the dark families, but he's never agreed on my ideas. He'd never allow his son to join me."
Voldemort coughed after that and Astus picked him up a little, so he wouldn't have such a hard time breathing.
"Abraxas wasn't alive in my time," Astus said. "He died when Lucius was young. Very young. It doesn't matter now. That Lucius Malfoy fought at your side, but his last moments… he defended his own son, who in turn defended someone who wasn't on your side."
"You're… from the future?"
Astus bent over a little, the pain coming back. The floor shook as another part of the manor collapsed. The dark magic danced in the air as the walls and roof shook it loose from its defences.
"Yes. Astus isn't my name."
"Yes… I did figure that one out. You should get out now."
"I should." Astus looked up at the roof. It had begun to creak. The walls shook, and the wood panels started to crack.
"I could have taken the world…" Voldemort said, almost dreamily. "You look like you could have too…"
"Had I been born in a different time," Astus said. "Then perhaps. Or maybe it's because I grew up the way I did that I could have done such a thing."
"Perhaps. Now get out."
"You're trying to save my life?"
Voldemort smiled a little. His breathing was slowing down. His heartbeat more so. "You have a child. Even if he would have the Malfoys should you go… for some reason, I don't want him to lose such a character like you. Now get out."
Astus nodded. But before he rose up he placed Voldemort's wand back in the man's hand and pressed it over his damaged chest, careful to not make it hurt. Voldemort managed to squeeze his wrist.
"One day, we will meet again," Astus said. "In a different life, a different time… maybe only in our afterlife, but one day. I know that. And then, I won't let you be alone."
The Dark Lord chuckled, red mist colouring his pale lips. "I'll look forward to that."
Then his eyes closed. Astus rose up as the breathing ceased. Then went down as the pain exploded throughout his body.
"Astus!"
He heard Abraxas' scream through the rumbling of the manor. He looked up to see the blonde man at the entrance doors, face white and eyes wide. Then there was a crack in the roof, and Astus looked up to see it come rushing down towards him.
"Severus…" he whispered.
-o-
The manor came crashing down, and Abraxas screamed his lover's name before he had to quickly move away. Stones and wood fell down where he had just been, and great clouds of dust and ashes rose up from the collapsed house.
After a few minutes, things were finally still. He stretched out his magic, searching for Astus'…
And he didn't find it. Abraxas whipped out his wand and ran a diagnostic spell over the house. The ground floor had collapsed into the cellar. Lifting one piece of rubble could cause others to fall down. He couldn't get inside.
"Astus," he still said, as if expecting the man would answer him. "Astus!"
There was no answer.
-o-
Abraxas barely remembered the journey back to Hogwarts. All he knew was that he was suddenly leaning against the Entrance doors, hot tears burning in his eyes. Dust and ashes from the manor clung to his robes, and he opened the doors, walking up to the Great Hall. His heart thudded in his chest.
"Oh, Severus…" he whispered. "Oh dear Merlin, you stupid idiot, Astus… you can't be…"
But he had checked several times. Astus' magic was nowhere to be found. He hadn't found much magic at all, as the defences around the manor had collapsed. Some dark magic remained, making him feel sick. Voldemort had manipulated the magic to the point that even Abraxas, a man born with dark magic, didn't want to get too close. It would probably disappear over the next few days, as Abraxas had seen Voldemort's corpse next to Astus.
The doors to the Great Hall stood open and he braced himself. He still hadn't accepted it. How would Severus ever do it?
Walking inside and everyone's eyes were on him. Albus rose up from the Head Table and Severus jumped up from where he had been sitting. The Order members watched him warily.
"Abraxas?" the headmaster said. "You didn't find him."
"Voldemort's dead," he said. "Astus killed him."
"Are you certain?" he said while the others around him gasped.
"I saw Voldemort's corpse," the blonde said. He looked over at Severus, then his own son. "I'm so sorry… the manor collapsed… Astus didn't get out in time…"
Severus had already started shaking his head, and now his legs buckled. Only Lucius' quick reflexes caught him before the teen ended up on the ground. Whilst the others stared in shock Abraxas hastened over to them, just as Bellatrix got up and ran to their side.
"No," Severus whispered. "No, it can't… he must have gotten out, he must have…"
"I'm so sorry, but his magic vanished. I couldn't feel it anymore."
The teen screamed. Several of the Order members flinched as Abraxas caught the flailing body and held it tightly.
"Abraxas," Albus said. "It can't be…"
"I'm not willing to believe it either," the blonde said, "but what was left of the manor was too fragile to move. But I will move it. Every single rock and piece of wood, I will remove them until I find him. Alive or dead."
-o-
Night fell. Around the collapsed manor there was only silence. The forest nearby had gone quiet with its fall. Not a single animal made a sound. The dark magic that had surrounded the place was slowly crawling away, vanishing into thin air. Becoming nothing.
The moon climbed up onto the sky. Shining down on the manor, some of its light shone straight into the cellar, between bits of debris. The previously tasteful interior couldn't be recognized anymore.
Pierced by several pieces of sharp wood lay a corpse. Already slashed open at the chest, it hadn't bled much from these new wounds. The impact with the cellar floor though had caused Voldemort's eyes to open half-mast, but they were sightless, blankly staring up at the sky. Blood that had dribbled out of his mouth was now dried and looked almost black in the moonlight.
Just a few feet away, practically unharmed lay another body. The long, black hair covered the pale face as the body lay on its side. One arm resting on the waist, the other stretched out. Where nails previously had been short on graceful fingers was now a slighter sharper version of them. From what little one could see of the mouth was a pair of fangs poking the lips.
The moon shone down on Astus Mentis' body. And then, just as a cloud was about to take its light away, one of his fingers twitched.
End
Oh god. I'm horrible. I'm absolutely horrible. Well, at least I just didn't leave it off with Abraxas' part.
This is still the last chapter of Rewriting History. The next you will see of this timeline and universe, is in a sequel. I've planned writing one after like after just a few chapters.
I hope you have enjoyed my story, and that you can patiently wait for the sequel. I will try to have it up as soon as possible, it's just that my distance courses are a bit exhausting (learning a new language's grammar and relearning another one, it's never easy) and therefore I've been running late on this one.
Until another time (hopefully soon)
Ja,
Tiro