Chapter 37: Revelations
A dark shape shot through the open space between trees and alighted gracefully on a thick, low hanging branch, which bent only slightly as the bat shifted back into a rather smugly smiling Erheldt. Three other wobbly shapes lagged behind, quivering through the air awkwardly. The white bat, which brought up the rear, suddenly pumped his wings furiously, perhaps to try and catch up with the others. Instead, he merely propelled himself into the other two and sent all three of them spinning out of control into a rather prickly bush. All three squeaked loudly in terror as they tumbled down in a crash landing, their impact against the trunk of the tree making the leaves in the tree shake.
"It is a good thing that this forest is well known for being inhabited by loud, ungainly creatures." Severus said bitterly as he stood, brushing brambles and leaves off of his robes. "I do believe that you shall fit right in, Sanguini."
Hermione stood as well, spitting out a leaf and pulling her wand to divest herself of brambles with a quick silent spell. She did the same for Severus, dislodging a couple of brambles that were stuck to the back of his robes where he couldn't see them. Both of them stepped from the bush without looking back at the little white bat who lay on its back with wings akimbo as it lay stunned. Finally, Hermione turned back, rolling her eyes, and cast an Ennervate on the bat, who transformed into a rather sheepish-looking Sanguini moments later.
"I am truly sorry about that." Sanguini said apologetically, hanging his head with shame. "It was not my intention to cause either of you bodily harm."
"And yet, somehow, you managed to fail. I can't say I'm surprised, though, considering your track record thus far." Severus replied, crossing his arms.
"We don't have much time left." Hermione said with a sniff as she turned away from Sanguini and crossed her arms. "So, can anyone tell me why we landed here?"
"Simple." Erheldt said. "Can you smell it? We are downwind, so I am fairly certain he has not caught our scent, but still, even young ones such as yourselves should be able to detect it."
Both Hermione and Severus lifted their noses simultaneously and sniffed the air, their brows furrowing slightly as they caught the curious scent. Sanguini finally stepped free from the bush, though his clothing was worse for wear and he was still covered with brambles.
"It smells like..." Hermione's voice trailed off as she tried to place the scent.
"...Power…" Severus finished, his fist tightening as he looked towards the silhouette of the Whomping Willow ahead.
"No…it...it can't be…" Sanguini stuttered, his face frozen in shock as he took in the scent as well.
"Ah, so you are familiar with this particular scent as well, ma doux-sang." Erheldt replied softly, his eyes growing hard. "While I did not wish to believe that I was being used as a tool to further an unjust agenda, it looks more and more certain that this is indeed the case. It is most fortunate, Sanguini, that you decided to intercept my path before I did something...that could never be undone."
"If you'll pardon my ignorance, do you mind explaining what the scent has to do with our mysterious kidnapper?" Hermione said tersely.
"It is simple." Erheldt replied. "It is the scent of Garbor, a most ancient vampire and the head of the Council. Most incidents like this are investigated more thoroughly, especially one with such suspicious circumstances. Of course, most younger vampires can excuse the confusion due to lack of power and experience, but Garbor has none. But I do suspect that he does have some sort of grudge."
"Gar-who?" Hermione asked. "But why would he be out to get us, anyway?"
"Hermione." Severus interrupted, placing his hand on her shoulder. "We cannot stand here and play a game of twenty questions. There is a Blood Oath tied to this ransom letter and if we do not heed its words, the worst could happen."
"We will stay here and wait until the Blood Oath is fulfilled." Erheldt replied darkly. "Simply send a shower of green sparks into the sky and we shall come like death in the night."
"Oh, and Severus….and Hermione?" Sanguini said, approaching them. "If I may…"
He grabbed both of them by the hand and placed their hands together.
"Stay together." Sanguini said, an edge of sadness in his voice. "Do not allow him to separate you at any cost. Together you will be...unstoppable, even against one such as Garbor. You are soul-bonded. And, though I hold no love for the man, your Dumbledore was correct when he said that love triumphs over all. Remember that, even if all seems lost."
"Thank you for the vote of confidence." Severus said sardonically, but when Sanguini looked back down, his fingers were tightly intertwined with Hermione's.
"Shall we go kick another monster's butt, then?" Hermione asked, her wand at the ready.
"I don't see why not." Severus replied, his expression somewhat bored, though his body was tensed as though readying for the fight ahead. "After all, we've both beaten our share of monsters."
"What's one more?" Hermione replied, grinning widely enough to show her fangs.
"Spoken like a true Gryffindor" Severus replied, smirking until he flashed his fangs as well. "But then again, I'd never want you any other way."
The two nodded at Erheldt and Sanguini curtly, their expressions growing solemn and focused before the two set off towards the Whomping Willow at a breakneck pace.
"I wish I had more time to explain." Sanguini said sadly as he watched them disappear over the rise in the hill.
"There will be time." Erheldt replied. "When you live as long as I have, there is always time."
"If they survive." Sanguini said bitterly. "I do not doubt that Garbor will have some truly nasty tricks up his sleeves."
"Then our tricks will simply have to be nastier." Erheldt replied, palming his fist and grinning predatorily. "Prepare yourself, old friend, for once we see green, it shall be, how do they say it? Party time?"
"Indeed." Sanguini replied, his eyes narrowed with hatred. "A retirement party fit for a murdering bastard."