The purpose

Part 38 The project (August 1st 1973)

A soft wind in the garden brought the fragrance of the flowers everywhere. Ruma looked at Seth and Gellert talking near the cliffside. Seth's crown shone brightly from the sun reflecting on it. They had not changed clothes from the day before, and Seth could not look any less than a king.

*Truly a sight to see.*Said Vinda behind her. *Yet, again, I don't know what Grindelwald sees in you. Another child on which he places his faith on.*She added.

Ruma frowned. If Vinda was Gellert's childe, wouldn't she know everything through their link? Unless… he did not reveal everything to them.

*What amazes me… is even with the mind link, Gellert did not deem your question important enough to tell you about it.*Said Ruma, turning towards her then passing beside her in direction of the castle.

Gellert turned his head towards Vinda and saw Ruma going back to the castle. He had felt a twinge of anger and jealousy from Vinda.

*How do you do it? Having so many childes inside your head.*Asked Seth with a questioning look.

Gellert's attention went back on Seth, and he joined his hands behind his back.

*I block them all, unfortunately. I am still trying to figure out a way to talk to them individually. If I let them in, they speak all at the same time. The only thing I can do perfectly is hurting them as I want. It seems the blocking Nathaniel had done on me, made me search for other means to… perfect my vampire powers.*Said Gellert.

*Hmph, I bet you did not tell them about that part before you sired them.*Said Seth and Gellert only grinned in response.

An owl flew over their heads and dropped the Daily Prophet and Seth caught it as it fell. He removed the ribbon holding the paper together and began to read. 'Charity ball for the national defense is a success' It also mentioned the questioning behind the Blacks and Malfoy fortune, as stated by Seth yesterday and he only chuckled in answer. He was on the front page, and you could see his satisfied face. Little did they know he would be made King that very day. He called his house-elf to give him the newspaper and the elf apparated away after giving it to him.

*What are you going to do about that crown?*Asked Gellert as if following his thoughts.

*Nothing. Gellert, you know the power of artifacts, just like the deathly hallows, right?*Asked Seth.

Gellert nodded.

*I searched many years for them, and found one, now in the hands of Dumbledore. It is, also, my coat of arms.*Said Gellert.

*This crown, I now wear, is a legendary artifact that had been in our vault for hundreds of years, made by a goblin and a vampire that was once a wizard. It was said to only be worn by a powerful and magical King. It implied to be someone magical, then, a King. Since wizards don't have Kings, it could never be worn by anyone. Each time I went to my vault, I could feel it calling to me, but since I was not King yet, I could not take it. Yesterday, I did not even have to go in the vault.*Said Seth.

Gellert passed a hand in his face and looked out towards the ocean.

*Oh, we felt it all, Seth. It was not your father I asked to give me back my magic yesterday, it was you. Right then, the magic shifted in the room, perhaps from your state of mind… but the decision to confront your father made you King.*Said Gellert.

Gellert's wand slid in his hand from his wand holster, and he conjured birds that flew around them for a few seconds before flying away.

*The Elder wand… is truly undefeatable. When Albus came to confront me, in 1945, we dueled for hours. Many times, I almost succeeded in… ending that duel. When came the time to kill him, I could not do it. I felt remorse… for his sister.*Said Gellert with a pang of regret in his voice. *I know I screamed to you that he had done it, back when I was in your prison. He made a silent spell, which I do not know what it was, but I made the Omnibus Abiit, which is a very dark curse comparable to the death curse, and as our spell clashed together, it was mine that diverted to Ariana, making her vanish into nothingness. So, when we confronted each other again, I hesitated, and he disarmed me.*He added.

*Mmm, the Elder wand. Something Voldemort would want if he knew about it.*Said Seth.

A silence came where they looked at each other, knowing neither of them would ever tell Voldemort.

*You said you won that duel with Albus, why don't you bear the Elder wand then?*Asked Gellert.

A faint smile appeared in the corner of Seth's mouth.

*I knocked his wand off physically. I wanted to show him I meant the words I said to him once, vampires do not need magic to be powerful.*Said Seth. He looked at Vinda for a second before looking at Gellert again, his anger suddenly sparking. *Do you understand Gellert? By giving you your freedom again, you are stronger than any wizards on this earth. Because of me!*He continued. The new King's face contorted in disgust. *AND YOU EXPECT ME TO GIVE THAT POWER TO THEM?*Yelled Seth as he pointed to Vinda.

She gasped and stepped back before looking down.

*But… Corban…*Began Gellert, but Seth did not want to hear it.

*Corban had been with vampires for a long time and refused to be one for many years. No… your followers have time, now, don't they? Why don't they learn how to behave as vampires before being granted such thing as also wielding magic?*Hissed Seth.

A moment of silence passed before Gellert wanted to talk again. Seth looked away, bringing a hand on his face, then rubbed his left temple with his fingers.

*What do you want me to do then?*Asked Gellert.

*I have something in mind, and it will take years to accomplish.*Said Seth.

Gellert frowned, wanting to know more.

*Which is?*Asked Gellert.

*Whatever Voldemort is doing here in Britain, I want you to dismantle the MACUSA and infiltrate the US government, as to prevent weapons to be used against us… when the time comes.*Said Seth.

*And how exactly do you think I would do that this time?*Asked Gellert.

*How? A brilliant mind like yours will come with something, I am sure. Didn't you already do it once?*Asked Seth.

Seth went closer to Gellert and placed his hands on his cheeks. His childe closed his eyes at his touch.

*So many years ago, you had the same effect on them as I have on you. They don't need promises, Gellert. You have offered them eternal life. Show them what you have given them, not what I can do.*Said Seth as he looked at Vinda again, but now the rest of his old alliance had joined behind her. *Although, I am not saying it will not happen soon.*Whispered Seth.

Gellert opened his eyes and turned his head towards his childes.

*I need information…*Said Gellert as Seth removed his hands.

*Of course, you do. I will give you time and the contact in New York. You will have full authority.*Said Seth.

*I want Ruma with me, even if I have to wait that she finishes Hogwarts. She won't need her seventh year anyway, it's optional, I know that.*Said Gellert.

Seth frowned.

*That's still almost three years, and you are asking me this as if she was mine…*Began Seth. A realization came to him. *You… you said yesterday, or rather implied, that you have visions again.*Said the King.

Gellert eyed his childes briefly again, then looked at Seth.

*I do. She will be important in this.*Said Gellert.

*It's still her decision.*Said Seth.

*Obviously.*Said Gellert with a grin.

Seth looked at Gellert's childes and chuckled.

*Why don't you take that time to show your childes some manners?*Said Seth.

*Hmph.*Answered Gellert.

OoOoO

During the month of August, Ruma learned spells again, but this time, from Gellert. He showed her the shielding charm, then showed her to protect her mind with Occlumency.

*Mmm, show me, little bird.*Said Gellert.

*What?*Asked Ruma.

*White falcon. I want to see you as one.*Said Gellert.

Ruma looked around her, and she saw Vinda looking at them from far away. They were a little far from the castle, in an area where only grass grew around them.

*I… did not plan on having everyone know about it, since I'm not even registered.*Said Ruma quietly.

*Don't mind her, she was always obsessive with me, she would know anyway… you do know how childes and sires work, hm?*Said Gellert.

*… right.*Said Ruma, uneasy.

She placed her wand back in her wand holster and looked at the sky. She imagined herself flying with her falcon Mischief. She placed her arms up and as feathers grew on them, she jumped. She took flight and happiness went into her heart. She flew up high towards the castle where she could see everything. From the little rat scurrying in the high grass, and the small birds flying far away from her, she could decide to attack them in a swift motion in a matter of seconds.

She suddenly remembered why she was flying around and went back to Gellert. She screeched just before diving fast. She stopped abruptly by placing her wings up and wide right in front of Gellert's risen arm, making a gush of wind, and blowing his hair away. She landed on his forehand as carefully as she could, but her claws pierced his skin, and he winced.

*You are so beautiful. Your clothes colors your feathers beautifully, even if you are technically all white.*Said Gellert with admiration.

Ruma made a small chirp then flew down beside Gellert and morphed back to herself.

*Sorry about your arm.*Said Ruma as Gellert healed it wandlessly.

*It's nothing. Tell me, Ruma, would you want to come with me in America after your sixth year?*Asked Gellert.

She looked at him in confusion and blinked.

*What? For what?*She asked.

Gellert placed his hands in his back and joined his fingers.

*Infiltrate the MACUSA.*Said Gellert.

Ruma made a soft gasp, and she looked down.

*Why? … and why me?*She asked.

He went closer to her, then uncrossed his arms before grabbing left hand, bringing it to his mouth as he looked at her. He placed a soft kiss on the top of her hand, and she made a fast inhale, her eyes going wider.

*You are my eyes when I can't see, Ruma.*Whispered Gellert.

Her heartbeat accelerated as Gellert's eyes went black. He slowly turned her hand and sank his teeth in her wrist, bringing yet again another gasp from her. She thought she had forgotten the feeling a vampire's kiss gave her, but the warmth in her belly told her otherwise. Gellert made a soft moan, and his eyes went white. After a moment, he stopped drinking and licked her wrist, closing the small wounds of his bite. She brought her arm on her chest and looked down. Gellert took her chin between his fingers and lifted her head softly.

*You don't have anything to be ashamed of, precious little thing, I am the one doing this to you.*Said Gellert.

*I don't… I want you to stop doing that… giving me that feeling and trying to make me want more! You don't even love me.*She spat the last words and backed away. Her eyes filled with tears, and she looked up, not wanting them to fall down. *I hope it was worth it.*Said Ruma.

Gellert blinked slowly, then realized something. She thought wrongly about the anklet.

*The anklet was to mainly show you who you could trust blindly, I thought you would have figured out the runes by now, unless you mixed up deep love and trust, which are too similar, thus thinking I do not love you, which I do, but not like you think. True, the feelings usually goes together, but I am me, and if not even you can trust me completely, then I won't hear it.*Said Gellert.

She blushed as she thought Regulus loved her. Gellert studied her reaction and laughed.

*Oh, don't be mistaken, I'm sure the boy who could hear it loves you.*Said Gellert as he read her mind easily. *If you want to hide your mind, keep practising the meditation I showed while you are at Hogwarts… or now.*Finished Gellert as he turned and made his way to the castle.

Seagulls passed over her head as she looked at Gellert going away. She sat down in the grass and pouted for a moment before closing her eyes and emptying her mind.

As Gellert arrived near the castle, Vinda walked beside him.

*Did you see anything?*She asked.

Gellert nodded and a malicious smile appeared on his face.

*I did, and I now know how we will succeed what was planned fifty years ago. Do not worry, Vinda, Seth will give you back what I promised you.*Said Gellert.

OoOoO

*Rookwood, you have a letter.*Said Bode.

Augustus was working on a broken time-turner, and he hummed at the mention of his name. Bode dropped the letter in front of him on his desk and went back to his worktable. The letter had fallen beside a tiny broken piece of the artefact which rolled off his table. He had swiftly moved his wand and brought back the tiny piece carefully on the table.

*Seriously? Bode!*Said Rookwood with anger.

Bode only smirked in response. Rookwood grunted and only thought about cursing him into oblivion as he opened the sealed letter with a tap of his wand.

Rookwood, I require to speak with you. Tomorrow, 8:00 Knockturn Alley. -Gellert Grindelwald

*Grindelwald?*Whispered Augustus to himself as the letter burned, erasing any proof.

He had barely seen the man in his life and curiosity got the best of him. He wondered for a moment if he had to tell the Dark Lord. Before anything, he wanted to know what he could possibly want to speak to him for. He continued to work on his broken time-turner, but his thoughts were now on the day after.

The next day, he apparated in Diagonalley, and identified himself to the examinators since the law for apparition had changed, then he made his way towards Knockturn Alley. He barely had the time to pass the brick wall that he was gripped by the arm and forcefully apparated with his abductor. He immediately recognized the Vulken's castle living room but had nevertheless pulled out his wand. His abductor was Gellert, and he quickly turned his head around, noticing several vampires he had never seen before. He felt threatened, until Gellert went to the sofa and sat down. The other vampires went to sit on other sofas nearby.

*How… I thought you were a vampire?*Asked Rookwood wondered how Gellert could have apparated.

*Hmm, interesting, your Lord does not tell you everything. But first, let me thank you for answering my letter. Secondly, I need you to magically swear that you will not repeat anything you hear in this room to anyone that is not in this room.*Said Gellert, staring intensely at him.

This was a basic magical bond and could be avoided so many ways. Why would a great renown wizard ask him something pitiful like that?

*Fine.*Answered Rookwood with narrowed eyes.

Gellert made a malicious smile and moved a finger in circle.

*Sit in ore esse signatum.*Spelled Gellert, not only binding with a magical oath, but also with his personal spell he had showed Ruma, only, he created it.

Rookwood saw a silver band go on his wrist then disappear, followed by an odd sensation in his throat as if he had a pair of socks stuck there for half a second. A feeling of dread crept on him, as he may have realized what he had accepted. He swallowed with difficulty.

*I'm listening.*Said Rookwood.

Gellert gestured towards another sofa.

*Please, sit.*Said Gellert and the deatheater obeyed. *I asked for you, since unspeakables are renown to invent artefacts for the ministry, but I want you to invent something for me, and I already know you will succeed.*He continued.

Rookwood had opened his mouth and closed it again, frowning.

*Which is?*Asked Rookwood.

*A small chip that you would insert near the brain by the means of a small surgery, a cut in the flesh if you don't know what surgery is, through the mouth's roof. That chip would do the same thing as an imperius curse. Any attempt to remove it, would kill its carrier. Any attempt to fight the curse upon it and chosen wizards through my alliance would immediately know. I can help with the runeword, which I am quite efficient on this. No longer we shall have the limitations of what an imperius curse can do with this little invention of ours.*Said Gellert, a sparkle in his eyes.

Augustus couldn't hold his glee and a small laugh escaped his lips. He could not believe his ears at whom he had in front of him, or rather the brilliant mind, and it was not the Dark Lord. Gellert's wicked smile grew wider.

*I knew we would think alike.*Said Gellert.

*Who would you want that used on? I would need… subjects…*Asked Rookwood.

*Oh, do not worry about subjects, there is plenty of victims available where I'm going. You are welcome to join me, if that interesses you.*Said Gellert. Rookwood suddenly hesitated, and Gellert knew what he was thinking. *You can stay here, if you show them, once you have done it, and still work for… your Lord.*Said Gellert as he pointed to his childes.

Abernathy and Cassius waved in response.

*But… they are vampires?*Said Augustus. *Aren't you?*He added with confusion.

*We are. You have nothing else to know, but you can guess, Augustus.*Said Gellert.

Seth apparated in the living room between the deatheater and Gellert. He looked around briefly, before staring at Gellert.

*Curious place for you to speak with a deatheater, Gellert.*Said Seth.

Gellert crossed his legs and still had a smile on his face.

*Everything is going as planned. Isn't it that so, Doctor?*Said Gellert, adding the name for Augustus.

*Doctor?*Asked Rookwood.

Gellert only laughed in answer and shook his body excitedly.

*Whatever you were discussing right now… you may choose a childe, and follow me.*Said Seth darkly.

Gellert's smile faded, and his eyes went to his childes.

*Rookwood, you can leave now, I will contact you soon.*Said Gellert as he stood up and went after Seth, followed by Vinda, whom he had spoken with in his thoughts.

Seth had gone to his office where Corban had been waiting with several potions on a table beside him, his wand ready in his hand. Gellert entered followed by Vinda who closed the door behind her. Seth removed his cloak and threw it on the backrest of a chair, then went to Vinda and grabbed her by the neck. His eyes went black as he pushed her towards the wall behind her. Paintings fell on the floor when her back hit the wall, making her gasp.

*What I'm giving you, is beyond any wizard's dream. Gellert might be your sire, but I will forever be your King. I decide of your pathetic life. Am I being clear?*Hissed Seth.

Vinda tried to look at Gellert for reassurance, but he remained with a blank expression. Seth did not know how much blood she would need, nor if he would not be able to move like last time. He hoped being a King and wearing the crown gave him more power and would not be as difficult again. She nodded and he placed his hand behind her head, pulling her to his neck. Her arms went around him, and he felt her breath accelerating on his skin. Her eyes went black, and she sank her teeth in her King.

He did not feel pain, and he could still move. Although, it felt just like when Gellert drank from him, he felt his magic go into her. She made muffled moans and held him tighter. After a moment, he knew it was enough for he felt her magic soar around her.

*Dár ha.*He ordered in Venthyr.

She stopped, trembling, and Seth stepped away. He went to Corban who handled him a potion which he drank rapidly. Vinda had fallen on all fours and was sobbing.

*Th… thank you… so much… I'll be forever in your debt.*Said Vinda.

Seth had healed his own neck with a swish motion of his hand, and he laughed.

*Forever is a long time, when you are a vampire, Vinda.*Said the King.

Vinda stood up and brought out her wand from her robes. She cast a simple Lumos but smiled happily as she saw the light at the tip of her wand.

*What about the others, now?*Asked Gellert.

Seth looked at him with anger.

*In time. I seem to be fine even if I'm starving right now.*Said Seth.

His eyes softened as he looked at Corban. They had been ready with blood replenishing potions and also pain relievers. Corban had been also ready to intervene in any way possible should had this gone wrong. Seth left the office followed by Corban and went back to the living room where Rookwood had been discussing with Gellert's followers. Cassius and Abernathy walked to him with apprehension.

*You are fine! You did it?*/*How soon can we have it back?*They said at the same time.

*Crucio.*Said Seth quietly after his wand had slipped in his hand and had pointed it at them.

They fell on the floor screaming their lungs out. Rookwood who had been confused about their babbler, was now smiling at their fate. So was Corban, and Seth could not repress his enjoyment from the dark curse flowing through his body. He reluctantly stop after a short moment.

*Impressive how living comfortably had made you all forget manners, and whom you would be even talking to.*Said Seth, watching Gellert's childes whimper. Seth looked at Rookwood who flinched at his stare. *At least you still remember who I am, don't you, Augustus.*He continued.

The unspeakable made an uncomfortable smile with a twitch of his lip, clearly remembering the only time he had angered Seth, resulting into him getting a bite he'd never forget. All that had happened because he had made fun of the muggle servant named Michael. The following years, he had come to appreciate more the vampires by going to Darthael's pub, where Greisha took pleasure into feeding from him, and where he enjoyed it too. Gellert and Vinda came in the living room as Abernathy and Cassius stood back up with difficulty.

*What did they do to anger you?*Asked Gellert.

Seth made a loud exhale by his nose and shook his head.

*Took me for granted.*Said Seth before apparating away, followed by Corban.

Gellert made a snort and shook his head too. He grabbed Abernathy's arm and helped him get up properly.

*Your time will come, now let's engage the next part of my project, shall we?*Said Gellert with an amused smile.

Venthyr meaning

*Dár ha.*

*Stop it.*