The purpose, part 3

Chapter 9

Seth had ordered that they keep the wizard alive and well, with clean white clothing and three meals a day. He was his pet, his blood source and had to be treated with care. Gerald Buttler was his name and was well known in the ministry and so a small notice passed in the newspaper mentioning his disappearing. His cell was in the dungeons and was the nearest from the door. There were about 20 cells in all. Several ones were occupied by former slayers, traitors, food source or simply for fun, albeit the last one were rarest on this island. A dementor glided back and forth stopping every few minutes in front of each occupied cell.

Dementors were vampire ancestors. Simple enough to understand, when they died, their souls were ripped from their bodies and all went in the shadowlands. Since vampires had the possibility to live eternally, if they died, they also spent an eternity in the afterlife, in a void. The majority accepted their deaths and stopped existing after a few centuries. A very few powerful vampires held on for so long, searching for happiness, anywhere, so badly, they went back as shadows in the world longing for a soul and happy thoughts. The only way to push them away was the patronus spell, which made a barrier of happy thoughts, feeding them enough to push them far, for a time. If they gave you a kiss, your soul would be lost in the void, forever.

Back to Hogwarts, Seth felt more confident than ever, now being able to do any spells without worry. His teachers had seen the difference and thought he practiced a lot during the holidays. Tom and him awarded so much points to their house, they were well in advance to win the house cup easily. Spring came and Seth was sitting by a tree near the lake, enjoying the smell and reading a burrowed second year charm book from the library. His attention diverted to seeing Tom walking not too far. He seemed angry and Seth could hear Tom's heartbeat going fast. He closed his book and got up, walked towards Tom. Tom had not heard Seth coming from behind and startled when the prince put his hand on his shoulder. He looked angrily at him, then sighed. *What?* asked Tom. *I don't know, you tell me, comrade.* answered Seth. Tom looked at his hands, then at the castle, then back to Seth. *I can't find my father anywhere, not in any books or any magical places or history.* Tom sighed again. *That would mean just one thing and I just can't fathom it.* Seth looked down, tried to be empathetic to Tom, not knowing where he came from must be hard for him. Not just hard, Tom seemed obsessed with it. Seth knew his own heritage, just not the reason why yet. Seth had read a couple books about history of magic and schools and when he had received his letter, he had not passed the opportunity to read Hogwart's history and the founders.

*There might be no Riddle in magical history, but there is a Marvolo Gaunt in the slytherin line.* Whispered Seth who had stopped walking. Tom looked at Seth's eyes and searched for lies. *I am sure you can find books easily at the library, Tom, no need to look at me like that. I think you should at least feel pride knowing you would be the heir of the slytherin's house.* Chuckled Seth. No wonder Seth had felt something from Tom since the first day he looked at him.

Power.

A tingling feeling was felt in his belly and flashes of snakes, dark laughter and blood passed through his mind. *Seth?* asked Tom. Seth had brought his hands to his face and shook his head. *I'm fine, sudden headache for no reason. * Explained the prince. They walked back to the castle and without needing to say where Tom was going, they parted ways.

Chapter 10

The end of the school year was coming. They only had exams left and the house cup ceremony. Students were frantic, studying non-stop and staying late in the common rooms before going in their beds, exhausted. A few were confident enough in their skills and rather had nice sleep. One evening, Seth saw Tom in front of the fireplace, lost in thoughts with a disgusted face. Seth went to sit cross-legged on the floor between Tom and the fireplace. Without looking at Tom, he said *Why the face, Tom?* Tom's face changed into a frown. *School is ending, that's what. I do not want to go back there.* *I see.* answered the prince. *I hope those two months passes quickly.* Continued Seth. They appreciated the silence for a moment and eventually got up and went to bed.

Slytherin had won the house cup with 350 more points than Ravenclaw. Green colors were everywhere in the dining room and laughter, cheers and uproar filled the rest of the day. Eventually, all the students left the school, the train and waved good-byes to friends and teachers.

Seth returned home by the floo network and was greeted by his parents, Kathleen and servants. With a wand movement, he removed the charms on his eyes and ears and let his tail free. He removed his wizard robe and let out a breath of relief. *Home.* said Seth.

At meal time, Seth never stopped talking about the year that passed, his friends, the spells he learned and done and about Tom, his inheritance. *I never confirmed it with him, but there's a very high chance he might be heir of Salazar Slytherin.* Beamed Seth. *What a great ally that would make for us. He seems to have enormous ambitions and I cannot wait to see the things he will do and (…)* Seth stopped talking when he saw the ministry tattoo on the servant's hand who just brought him food. He grabbed his arm angrily. *Mother, Father, I thought you said the ministry was not here!* He let go of the servant's arm, who was apologizing profusely, and got dismissed by Seth. Nathaniel and Elena looked at each other and seemed sad, defeated. *It is getting worse around the world, for us.* Began the King. *We… have to leave tomorrow and we have no idea when we will come back, Seth.* Seth was suddenly very worried. *Flamel tried to help us but the ministry would not hear him, saying he had no business with us. Until we try to do something before we lose what we built for centuries.* The king emptied his cup and poured himself another one. *We are losing control on our species and that is why most of us, including your mother, are leaving to make treaties and new laws to… buy peace.* He held the queen's hand firmly. *We are reduced to drinking blood from animals and more and more vampires are being sired by random vampires that do not take care of their childe, which results into blood rages and entire villages being consumed. So they get exterminated and putting obliviating charms on the muggles.* Said the King gravely. *We want to make a stop to that, but the world is very big and it is going to take years. If we do not do anything, only the vampires on this island could remain and eventually disappear. We have control over a large portion of the banks which is, I am sure, the only reason why the ministry hasn't made big moves now.*

Seth took time to swallow the information. His nails had pierced his hands and blood flowed on the table from his closed fists. He opened his hands in front of him, looking at the blood drip slowly. Images of blood seas, blood-raged vampires and houses burning flashed in his mind. Seth got up quickly and hit the table with his fists. *ARRRGH!* He yelled, fuming, eyes black. He stormed away, knocking down his dining chair and slammed the doors behind him. *I do not think that went well.* said Elena. Nathaniel shook his head negatively.

Servants scurried away from the fuming prince, scared for their lives. Crimson lights lit up on the carpet underneath his steps as he walked to the cells. The cell door burst open at his approach and screams were heard from the prisoners. The first cell contained the wizard previously captured for Seth. He had fallen on the floor from the blow and hit his head hard on the stonewall. He wasn't fat anymore and wore clean white clothing. Seth stepped forward and opened the cell door with his wand. The man was barely conscious. Seth's heart was filled with rage. *It's all your fault!* spat the prince. Tears ran down his cheek, burning him. He had never bitten anyone before and one reason was simply his height. He approached the now unconscious man, heart pounding against his chest. He knelt down and grabbed the man's hair with his left hand tilting to the left. You could see the jugular with the regular heartbeat on the skin. Something was screaming in his head. Bite him, bite him, bite him. Sharp fangs pierced the skin and blood began to pour in his mouth. As he swallowed, he tightened his grip on the wizard, never letting go. The warm blanket surrounded his heart again, filling his stomach, his mind, his need of power.

The man's heart stopped beating.

Seth only stopped when no more blood came out. When he backed away, he vomited what was way too much for his stomach, staining his white shirt. He got up slowly, ears twitching from the other prisoner's whimpers. In the dim light of the cell, Seth looked absolutely terrifying. Eyes still black and blood dripping from his mouth and clothes, tail down slowly brushing the floor. His mother had followed him and watched the whole scene. She was sad his first time had to happen that way. She went and hugged her son tightly. More tears came out of his blue eyes. He let himself be cradled in his mother's arms and fell asleep.

Chapter 11

Seth opened his eyes. He was in his bed in clean clothes. There was a dead silence in the castle, he knew they almost all left. Only servants had stayed for maintaining the castle. The prince got up and wrote a letter to Tom.

Tom, my parents left home for a very long time, perhaps years, for their work. I never felt so alone right now. I did something yesterday and I do not have anyone to talk to. I do hope those 2 months pass quicker than ever. Seth

He put the letter in an envelope with Tom's name and went to Flamel's room. He was about to knock the door but he didn't feel him… he had left too. He opened the door and went to Flamel's small private owlery. He attached the letter to an owl and mentioned the name. The owl flew away and Seth looked at it until he couldn't. He thought about what he could do for the next two months.

He decided to run everyday all around the island, which could take for a normal human around 20 hours. After one month, he could do it in five. By the time school was soon starting, every time he ran, he felt like the birds were paused in their flight. I am sure my speed will be useful one day, he thought.

In the train, he felt Tom right away and went directly to the compartment. Yaxley and Ronan were with him already. He was greeted warmly and smile was on everyone's faces. *Finally, glad to be back.* said Seth. *How was your summer, Seth?* asked Yaxley. *Very long, my parents had to leave for work and I was alone so I decided to run.* the prince answered. *Run? Like run away or?* said Yaxley. Seth chuckled. *No, I mean running for… fun. Also, don't get any ideas, I still have a guardian that watches over me.* Ronan and Yaxley accepted that answer. Not Tom, he never answered my letter also, did he even receive it? Seth wondered. They discussed their summer although Tom merely listened.

The welcoming ceremony for first years never changed and all the houses greeted the new students when they were called. Then a feast, and then classes the next day. The only notable event was the half-giant Rubeus Hagrid in his first year (Gryffindor) where the headmaster warned the students to be as welcoming as any student coming to Hogwarts. *A giant with magic, what can we not see anymore, ha!*sneered a 7th year Slytherin. Laughter erupted from the green table but got silenced with Professor Slughorn's look at his students. You could hear Hagrid mumbling excuses as he tried to sit down at Gryffindor's table which just made the Slytherin laugh again. Seth and Tom only rolled their eyes at his comrades which cut short to their laughs.

Chapter 12

Apart from being the best students and awarding non-stop points to their house, nothing notable happened. Tom was almost never seen in the common rooms since he passed all his time in the library and questioning teachers. Teachers fell to his charms and only praised him, and Seth was really happy with that, not being the attention for once. Tom's charms got to other students and admiring his growing influence. Even some older students sometimes came to him for advice on spells they had difficulty with. Seth felt that Tom had found his identity, for his charisma and self-esteem had spiked through the summer. Seth had forgotten to confirm what he had told Tom about being the Slytherin's heir. Perhaps that was it then.

Christmas was coming soon already. Light snow had made its way on the castle and trees. Seth was petting a unicorn in the forest's glade, by the small sparkling lake he always went. He looked up at the night sky, snowflakes falling slowly on his face. I hope my parents are fine, he thought. He made his way back to the castle before the sunrise, tucking his tail around his waist and putting the charm on his ears and eyes again. He stealthily went to his dorm but before he could go on his bed, he froze. Tom was staring at him. *I had to pee!* explained Seth. Tom's eyes narrowed. *Liar, you were not here for over an hour. And not just today… I tried to follow you but you disappeared each time.* Said Tom. Seth sighed *So, I love to go outside at night, it is simple as that. There is a different… music in the night and the view is beautiful with the moonlight.* Tom did not detect a lie and scoffed. *Weirdo* Seth had said a part-truth, as it was mainly to be free as himself everyday.

Seth stayed at school for the holidays since no one was home so he was at the Christmas feast with the teachers and some students, including Tom and Yaxley. Ronan had gone with his family. *Merry Christmas everyone!*cheered the headmaster. *Cheers!* said the other teachers in unison. Seth had his usual fried chicken and mashed potatoes while Tom had a nice piece of angus steak. Slughorn made a hand move towards Seth with his cup. *Mr. Vulken, you joined us for Christmas this year, how is your family?* asked the professor. Seth took time to swallow before answering. *My parents are away for their work so they could not be home.* Slughorn shook his head. *Sorry to hear that, what do they do, perhaps I know them? Although your family name does not ring a bell!* he asked. Seth scoffed *No, they have business in muggle banks and had to travel for … bargaining.* He would have wanted to say pests problems but thought otherwise because it would have caused other questions and that's not what he wanted. Tom had listened too and he changed the subject by talking potions to Slughorn and remove the attention from Seth. Seth had a grateful look at Tom, who smirked in return.

Chapter 13

Spring had come and the air was definitely warmer. One night, Seth got up as his usual to go outside and as he whispered the password to go out of the common room, he felt Tom's presence behind him. *Let me come with you.* said Tom. It was not a question. Seth nodded and Tom followed him, but Seth knew about his stealth and how Tom would be seen for sure by the patrolling teachers, cats or janitor.

After a long corridor, Seth stopped, the janitor was coming. *Take my hand, Tom.* whispered the prince. Tom did not hesitate and took Seth's left hand. Seth closed his eyes and poured his stealth power into Tom. It had worked since the janitor passed with his lantern, oblivious to his surroundings. Seth continued slowly until they were outside near the gardens and the herbology classes. Seth let go of Tom's hand and walked near the forbidden forest. He stopped and looked at Tom. *You know I was telling half a truth the other day.* Tom nodded. *I go in the forbidden forest every night, Tom. It is a whole other world there. I do not doubt your skills, but you are (…)* Seth was going to say young without thinking that, technically, he was 12 years old too, even though he was really 23. He also realized that he wouldn't be able to remove his spells on him that night. He sighed. Tom look at him weirdly. *Young? You have something I don't perhaps, Seth?* Said Tom venomously. *Ugh, fine. There's centaurs and unicorns, mostly, in there. I don't approach the centaurs, there is no use to that and they would probably tell the teachers anyway. The unicorns are nice magical beings to pet and talk to.* Said Seth. Tom laughed. *Ha, unicorns! You go in the forest to talk to unicorns, Vulken! Ahahaha!* At this point, Tom was bent in half laughing. It made Seth smile, seeing his friend laugh like that. He was sure he would not see that often. He felt a weird magic aura around Tom, as if his emotions were conflicting with his nature.

*Right, unicorns… there's thestrals too, you know. Or, maybe you do not care, those creatures are really interesting, although I'm not sure you read the book of care of magical creatures yet? Asked Seth while they were walking in the forest. *Look, there's one just there.* Pointed Seth between some trees. *No, I cannot see it and have not read that book yet, nor would I really care about creatures.* Tom answered with disgust. Seth shook his head. *Thestrals can only be seen by people who have seen… death. They are like horses, although more clever and they can fly and bring you anywhere you want.* Tom simply nodded of acknowledgment. *Death… I take it you have seen someone die already?* Asked Tom.

Seth had stopped in his tracks and had a grave look. He had seen quite a few people die by the hand of his parents, but then a flash of his teeth plunging in a wizard came back to him. He looked away from Tom as he felt his eyes had flashed black at the thought. He quickly took in a deep breath to calm down. *I did.* Seth answered, not wanting to elaborate.

They had continued to walk to the pristine glade Seth always went to. Even though Tom didn't seem interested, he was still fascinated by the present magic at that place. *I like this place, there's magic everywhere here and I always feel better after I leave.* Seth explained. Tom bent to touch to water with his hand. The water flowed between his fingers and let a sparkling skin for a few moments. *I love magic.* said Tom.

*We should go back, the sun is rising soon and you walk awfully slow.* Said Seth. Tom snorted and followed Seth. They were back in bed just before the sunrise and the night after, Tom never followed Seth again, his curiosity had been satisfied, to Seth's relief.

The rest of the year went by smoothly and again, they had to depart. On the train, on all the way back, Seth could feel Tom's anger. He had heard Tom asked the headmaster if he could have stayed at Hogwarts who answered negatively. Seth was not in a better mood for he had not heard from his parents for the whole year.