The purpose part 4 The third year
Chapitre 14
Another summer alone. Seth arrived by the fireplace and went directly to his bed. He let himself fall on the mattress in a big thud, which made a letter that was on his bed fly away. Curious, he dragged his body across the bed and looked on the floor where the letter had fallen. His name was on it and it was the messy writing of his father. He quickly took it and ripped the envelope.
Son, we are well and hope you are too. Flamel made it all easier with the apparition and we should be home for a short time next Christmas. Your mother had told me what happened last year with the prisoner. It took a very long time, but you have a new *gift* waiting for you. With the help of Flamel and his knowledge of this wizard's past and our capacity, we managed to capture him from his previous prison. We already have taken the time to put a lot of his blood in vials ready in your room. Flamel loves to warn you about lots of things and he urged me to tell you to be careful with his blood since he was considered the strongest wizard after Dumbledore: Gellert Grindelwald. May you have a nice summer Seth. Elena, Nathaniel
He lifted his eyes from the letter and looked on his dresser in front of him. There laid 10 golden vials all evenly placed for his to take. Curiously, he got out of his bed and went to take one. He opened the first one and smelled it. Smelled very spicy and tickled his nose. Should he really taste that? Should he go see the wizard first? Seth put back the cap on and placed the vial how it was on the dresser. Again, with curiosity, he went to the cells.
He opened the cells entrance door and there the man was. Sitting his back on the bars, facing away from Seth. Long blond hair, dressed in white and talking to himself. He could smell the spices on him just like the blood he smelled earlier. He had several cuts on his wrists, probably from the blood taken. *Gellert.* said Seth. Gellert's head twitched to his name. He slowly got up and went to sit on his bed. Seth saw dried blood on the floor. Servants had tried to remove the previous owner's blood on the cement floor with great difficulty. A flash of him vomiting blood passed through his mind. A raspy voice broke his thoughts. *A kid? What's a kid … doing here?* Gellert said and coughed. The light was dim and no one could see Seth's feature. Seth approached the cell and held the bars, the light was now in Seth's face. Gellert tried to laugh, but only coughed again. *Yeah, you sure is that vampire's kid, right? You look just like him!* Seth was almost 24 years old or 13 in the magical world. His body had grown in spurts since the last Christmas, to Seth's pleasure and since vampires normally never age, his father still looked like in his early twenties, when he was turned. *Right* answered Seth. Gellert passed his hands in his hair and sniffed. *What's with my blood anyway? You have plenty here as I can see.* asked the wizard while pointing at the other prisoners. *You, are a wizard, that's why.* stated Seth.
Gellert scoffed. *So, I taste better?* He asked. *Something like that.* said Seth. *I don't think ill last that long if you are already out of what they took.* Said Gellert. *No, I wanted to see you before I take it.* Said the prince. Gellert passed his hands on his face. *So, it is for you? And here I thought vampires always took directly from the source and loved that shit. And why me? Huh!?* Gellert had gotten up, angry and spoke louder. He was very tall, maybe more than 6 feet. *You aren't strong enough to do it yourself?* He continued and pointed at Seth. *You want me to help you?* Gellert put his arm through the bars and waited. Seth had recoiled and put a few steps back. What was his problem? Second strongest wizard of all time?
*I do not need your help, Gellert. I vaguely remember your story and you wanted wizards to be free roaming around the world, not hidden…* Said Seth, thinking Gellert could have more in common in what himself wanted for the vampires. Gellert removed his arm from between the bars only to hit them with his fists repeatedly. Loud bangs echoed in the cells. *YEAH! I DID! UNTIL THAT STUPID ALBUS RUINED EVERYTHING AND KILLED HIS SISTER!* Gellert yelled. He sat on the floor. *And here I am, in just another prison, and I'm…. Food! FOOD! To a freaking teenager.* He scoffed and passed his hands on his face again.
*Funny how that's probably what a young teenager wants too, the same as you, and I'm not talking about me.* Said Seth. Gellert looked up at Seth. *You might be useful after all. For my part, I want the vampires to be free, too. But I was born a wizard!* Said Seth and pointed his wand at Gellert. Gellert scoffed and got up and went to put his forehead on the bars. *What are you trying to prove to me, young man. You have my blood, I gave you my arm, and I AM the prisoner here!
Seth eyes went black. *Endoloris.* Whispered the prince. The curse hit Gellert directly on his chest who fell on the floor and had terrible pain spasms. The fresh wounds on Gellert's wrists began to bleed again and Seth stopped the curse. He bent down and grabbed Gellert's right arm through the bars, pulled him until his head and body hit the cell bars and licked the blood dripping. A few drops were all he needed to feel a torrent of magic flow through his body and reenergize him completely. Flashes of green light, death, muggles screaming and Gellert laughing passed through his mind. He let go of Gellert and left the cell.
He asked from the servants to keep his prisoner clean and fed, before going back to his room. In his bedroom was a giant mirror next to his dresser and Seth stood in front of it, looking at himself. He had grown, he was about 5 feet tall. Lean and fit. Not a single body hair. He pointed at his face with his wand. *Tergeo* And the blood he had on his face disappeared. Another 2 months in front of him. He had to learn or do something during this time, again. He could fall from any height, he could run fast, he had stealth, he could speak to animals and had incredible hearing on top of being a wizard. Maybe he should stop thinking about wanting more. His goal was to have equality between wizards and vampires. So how could he do that? Becoming the minister? No, not that. Becoming a king? … Somehow, it did not feel right.
He sat down on the floor, cross-legged, still in front of the mirror and held his head with his hands. How about killing everyone that would bother him as he grew older? He chuckled. No. The obvious would be to rally hundreds or thousands of people on both sides. His father had told him that the part of the problem was vampires being sired and roam free without their makers. As for wizards, they seemed to be too muggle-loving and that was just wrong. Muggles… muggles should revere us. There's too much of them on the planet, they are destroying it. Good thing they could be our livestock. Seth snickered. He laid down on his back with his arms and legs like a star on the floor.
A flash of a dark robed person kissing him passed through his mind. The bedroom was spinning. He jerked up, a hand on his heart and breathing fast. Who was that? No, he knew who that was. Those flashes… is it all the future? He thought about Grindelwald for a moment, or the past sometimes? He decided he would be reading, this time, the most books he could before school.
Chapter 15
The library was a mess, for Seth had opened so many books, put them on places and remembering another part in another part and so on. He thought he finally knew all of the vampire's history and from the oldest source he could find. A wizard had fail an experiment, this part wouldn't tell which experiment as it was hand written on old parchment and almost all erased, and the wizard felt the need for blood to sustain his life. He had lost his magical powers over time and developed others. His name was Vlad III, or Vlad the impaler or simply Dracula. Each time he had sired a wizard, the wizard lost his powers. His father himself had been sired by Dracula 500 years ago. He was the first to have ever been born from vampires and have magical powers. Their historian had written this feat in a recent book, telling Seth's life. The book was protected by a heavy spell Flamel had put on.
Seth had also read about the magical world and the recent war with Gellert Grindelwald. He was now his prisoner and Seth decided he would stay that way. If another Dark Lord was to rise, he didn't want that Grindelwald to try to take that place! Dark Lord… is that what he should be pursuing? He thought about the feelings he got while drinking blood or done dark curses and knew it was something to be very addicted to. He closed the book he had in his hands and dust flew away. Time for the third year, he thought.
In the train, Seth and Tom were very happy to see each other again. Yaxley and Nott, the eternal friends hanging with them, talked with vigor of their summer and how exciting third year should be with the new classes. Yaxley was eyeing Seth a little too much to Seth's taste. *Yaxley, you want a picture of me? Asked Seth. Yaxley's ears went red, and Seth chuckled. *Corban, it's okay, I was just teasing you. You guys should change, we are almost there* Said Seth to Nott and Yaxley who were in muggle clothing.
Seth smiled at the thestrals who brought them to the castle. The welcoming ceremony was the same again and the feast began with the usual uproar of laughter and conversations going on. Seth talked quietly with Tom. *My parents should be home this Christmas, but not for long… maybe (…) maybe you would like to join me?* asked Seth. Seth knew Tom was far from stupid and would have high chances to then know what he was. But if Tom is the next dark lord and Seth beside him, or that's what he thought he wanted for now, as he never liked ordering around, then why should he wait to reveal himself? Tom had continued eating without answering Seth right away. *Anything better than be with Dumbledore, right?* Tom said while eyeing the teachers eating. Seth followed his gaze. The teachers were drinking, laughing and Dumbledore had a cylindric object in his hand that suddenly exploded, and confetti went all on the food of the teacher's table which just resulted into some of them sneering at the transfiguration teacher. Seth chuckled *Right. *
Seth had taken care of magical creatures and study of ancient runes and Tom had taken ancient runes too but also arithmancy. Yaxley had taken the same as Seth and Nott the same as Tom. Seth had affinity to any creatures and seemed to be able to talk to them and the first class he had was with unicorns and Seth recognized the one he always pet in the glade. She had a baby and it had gold fur. Seth had not even waited for the teacher, Sylvanus Kettleburn, to talk about them and already began to pet and whisper to her. Kettleburn had made a move to stop Seth but let it go when the unicorn had seemed happy to be with him. *Uh, yeah, so unicorns don't mind the touch of people and are usually more comfortable around girls.* Began the teacher. *See? Vulken looks enough like a girl!* A Gryffindor had spoken: Rather short and red head with a face you would want to hit, he made the gryffindor's laugh. The Slytherins sneered back at them. *How about you shut your poop face, Weasley, you'll scare them with your smell.* Said Orion black.
The teacher sighed. *Enough, children, bullying will not be tolerated in any classes.* He turned and pointed Seth. *Mr. Vulken here has the right approach towards any magical creatures, he took the time to show his hands and the unicorn accepted his approach, rather… easily. You still impress anyone as usual. 10 points to Slytherin.* Seth made a small smile. Of course he would have been made fun of his appearance sooner or later. He loved his white long hair, just like his parents, and his face was feminine because of his vampire traits. He took a brush and happily brushed the whiter than snow newly mother who neighed with joy. The teacher had continued his class talking about how to take care of unicorns and their magical properties. *Your first homework will be 40 cm about their magical properties and in what they are used for. Dismissed.* Finished Sylvanus.
Chapter 16
The students were talking more about Seth in the corridors and girls giggled when they saw him. *He can see thestrals!* one said *I wonder who he saw dead* another said. *Did you see how nice the unicorns were with him* and the blabbers never seemed to stop. *how about the nifflers, he was covered with gold so easily!* Seth sighed. He got attention, again. *Having troubles with girls, now Seth?* Tom said. Seth looked at Yaxley who was talking to black and nott at another table in the common room. He could hear them talking about him. Seth grunted *not only girls apparently.* and Tom chuckled.
Holidays were coming and that only meant Seth seeing his parents again. Tom had taken the train with Seth and they now stood in front of a fireplace with floo powder in hand. Seth made a look at Tom. *I prefer to tell you now, I live in a big castle and there's servants (…) err, they will want to give you everything you'll say to them and… I do not think we will see my parents until the actual Christmas day…* Seth felt like talking for nothing so he threw the powder in the fire and they both stood in it. *Vulken's home* Said Seth and they reappeared in the Vulken living room's fireplace. Seth had not removed his charms on ears and eyes yet, nor did he want to until necessary. Tom could hardly keep his astonishment upon seeing Seth's home. *Well, you did say your parents worked with banks, I shouldn't be surprised.* said Tom. *Right* simply answered Seth. He showed Tom the main rooms and where he would be sleeping.
*You mentioned you have a guardian?* asked Tom. Seth nodded. *Yeah, her name is Kathleen, she tends to the servants and general care of the castle when we are not there. I don't really need her anymore, but if you need something, like a specific book, she could show you the library.* Tom's eyes widened. *Books? Like… forbidden books? Seth chuckled upon hearing Tom eager for knowledge. *Yes, Tom. Rarer books not found at school, too.* Tom's eyes sparkled maliciously. He followed Seth around and was brought in the library Seth had told him about. Why wait for Kathleen anyway? Seth pointed at the chair in front of a giant window. *Take your time, this chair is very comfortable.* Said Seth while looking around. The servants had cleared all the mess he had made in the summer and was quite glad they did, since the pages were opened at specific historical moments. *I'll be outside, Tom, if you need anything, snap your fingers and servants will come.* Seth said. He stepped out by a near door and breathed the nice winter air.
He went by the beach, far from Tom, where he could untie his aching tail. It had gone pretty well with Tom. Never talked much, but Seth could always feel Tom's emotions so he didn't need him to speak anyway. The icy water collided with his bare feet and brought light shivers to his body. He went further from the ocean and dried his feet with a spell and conjured small white shoes. The sun was coming down on the ocean and it made they sky very colourful. His stomach rumbled, he was hungry. He took the vial from his pocket and emptied the contents. He felt instantly better and could have moved a mountain if needed. No matter how many times he drank from Gellert's blood, he was ecstatic each time and had fear of not being able to control himself. This year had been difficult for that and he started drinking the blood in the middle of the night, while he was in the forest, far from everyone.
He never noticed the time passing. He tucked his tail under his robe and when back to the castle. He could still feel Tom in the library but as he went to get him, Tom had fallen asleep, book in hand. On a table near him were several empty wine glasses and an empty plate of sort. Seth grunted and snapped his fingers. He did not need to tell them what to do and they clean around Tom right away. At least, he had eaten, and apparently, drank too. *Tom* Whispered Seth. Tom did not hear or move. Should he bring him in his bed? Or leave him there? Seth hesitated but figured if Tom wanted to go in bed, he would wake up and go by himself. On this Seth went to his bedroom for the rest of the night.
Chapter 17
His parents arrived in the living room around noon on Christmas day by apparating with Flamel and Perenelle. A pop sound had resonated and was heard by Seth from the dining room. Tom and him had been eating their lunch while discussing a few books Tom had read. From far away, he could hear Flamel quickly saying lots of cleaning and repairing spells. His eyes narrowed. *What's wrong? Is that your parents?*Asked Tom. Seth had gotten up and nodded. The dining room doors were opened by servants and there stood his parents, as beautiful as they always were, wearing a mix of green and crimson robes with complicated designs. Tom stood up too and inclined his head. *Sir, madam, thank you for your hospitality. My name is Tom and a friend of your son.*Said Tom with his suave voice. *Welcome Tom.* said the queen. She looked at her son, who had not removed his charms. *Son, we need to talk with you right away.* She continued then spoke to Flamel. *Please, attend our guest, would you.* Flamel nodded. *Of course my lady.* Flamel closed the doors after Seth had joined his parents. Nathaniel had taken a look at Tom before the door closed. The three of them walked to the ball room where the usual giant Christmas tree was.
When they were alone, Seth made an embrace to his parents before they sat down on the sofas. *Merry Christmas son. I hope you enjoy being at school with your new friends.* said the King. *Yes, I do. Thank you for your presence and the wonderful gift, it was very useful and resourceful.* Said Seth. *We have serious matters to discuss of what we did and still need to do. We were not sure we would be here today.* Sighed Nathaniel who didn't seem to know where to start. *We spent the majority of the time in Russia, specifically in Moscow. Aurors showed us the horrors over there, I'm not saying they are right, but they had to work day and night with obliviating charms and actually… help us kill hundreds of vampires. They were out of control and could not even be reasoned with! It felt like war! The ones that were fine were either controlling bars and underground brothels or what I first thought, banks.* The king put his hands on his face, wiping sweat and got up, started pacing. His mother continued. *The wizards did not care about the business, only the uncontrollable. (…) You should have seen them, those aurors, each time they killed one of us, the look on their faces.* The queen looked down. *We went to a city, in Mexico, Veracruz. The culture there was very different, but we had to do about the same there. The leaders recognized us and begged us for help, which we did.* Elena sighed. *Seth, this war we are having is even bigger than we thought and seems to bring the worse out of us. We had to sire a few around and install new laws and regimes before going to another city. You probably heard Flamel cast several spells at us, even this morning we were still fighting. Flamel has been the most valuable friend with us, same with Perenelle, and perhaps because of them we are still in front of you.* Nathaniel had stopped pacing. *And not just once. His stone is giving him eternal life and I'm sure he never wanted to see all the horrors he did just in the last year!* Said the King.
A knock was heard on the door. *Enter.* said the King. Flamel opened the door and had a grave face. *My liege, we must leave.* said Flamel, Perenelle behind him. Seth got up *When… when will I see you again?* asked Seth. His parents made a sorry look and Nicholas put his hands on the King and Queen's shoulders. *Soon, we hope.* Elena said before they disapparated.
Chapter 18
Seth now wished he could control time, not just with his timeturner. He had used it so much he might just be a year of two older and that could have contributed to his height and more mature look, thus the comments from girls AND boys he had received. No, he wanted to fast forward time so that Tom could grow up faster. He sighed and returned to the dining room. Tom had finished his plate it seemed a long time ago and was discussing with Kathleen. She was laughing and seemed to have a good time. Of course she did.
Tom looked at Seth who sat beside him. *My parents left again.* Said Seth. *I'm sorry, Seth.* Kathleen answered, excused herself and left the room, leaving Tom and Seth alone. *What a great wizard, Nicholas Flamel, and very interesting.* said Tom, sipping on a half empty wine glass. Seth wondered what they discussed. *I did not know something as incredible as a philosopher's stone could exist. Or that he was so old. Fascinating.* said Tom. *Yes, Flamel has been in our family for centuries. *Said Seth. Tom got up and went to look by the window. Snow was slowly falling on the already white garden. *Did I hear right, Seth, when Flamel had said he knew your parents for centuries, not your family.* Said Tom while putting more force into the words *knew* and *family*. Seth's heart skipped a beat. He got up and went by the window, about 2 meters away from Tom. He would say it, Seth was sure Tom now knew! He kept his tongue. Tom pointed his wand at Seth and the prince did not move. *Your parents… look way too young to even be parents, let alone having piercing blue eyes and pointy ears! REVELIO!* Tom shouted furiously at Seth. Upon receiving the spell in his chest, he stepped back with recoil but did not fall. He winced and grabbed his chest. The spell had revealed his unnatural blue eyes and pointy ears. *A freaking vampire! I knew you weren't who you pretended to be the first time I saw you! The first time the students heard your family name and whispered things about vampires. When you brought me in the forest and now this!* quickly said Tom, still pointing his wand at Seth. *And what exactly do you want to do now, with all this information? Kill me?!* asked the prince who had only but one thought in his mind: take his blood. He knew it was only self-defence talking. Tom blinked and was breathing fast, his heart racing, only music to Seth's ears. Seth wasn't even sure Tom could even hurt him in any way. Tom was almost 14 years old and probably did not know the killing curse or any unforgivables yet. Frustrated, Tom put away his wand. Tom was torn between staying here or going back to Hogwarts. His thirst for knowledge and power overcame his need to flee. His breathing and heart slowed down, calming Seth's mind in the same time.
*I do not forgive, nor do I forget, Vulken.* Tom paused. *Anything else I should know?* He asked. Seth smirked and removed his robe. He had his usual black pants and sleeveless white shirt. His thin tail untied from his waist and his purple mark on his right shoulder seemed to shine.