A government cannot simultaneously pursue its limited role of protecting life, liberty while engaged in redistributing income and wealth. If it pursues the latter goal, it does so at the expense of the former and if it pursues the former goal, it does so at the expense of the latter.

The purpose Chapter 58 Avarice

Brian Vulken frowned at the paper in front of him. His investment had not worked like he expected. No one was better than him in finances. No one. Not even that pompous blonde man standing in front of him.

He was 198 years old, and since the very first day Nathaniel had told him the ministry had finally allowed him to work there, he had rarely been seen out of his office. He had found his passion, that turned into addiction, then into an obsession. He had marveled at the numbers moving in front of him, being able to predict the results with almost the exact accuracy, and he was oh, so rarely wrong. His abilities exponentially grew ever since he had been turned into a vampire. He could see and feel the potential longing of everyone simply standing in front of him, and he always used his ability to use it for his King… and his own ambitions.

When Gringotts was built, he had not been there, but how he wished he had been there, in 1474, just to see how he could have multiplied everything with his keen mind. The goblins liked him very much because the way he thought resembled their own. William, the one who actually worked at Gringotts was a hundred years younger, and even if some nuances were missed by him, he had seen clever ideas that benefited the Vulkens too.

He placed his paper on his low pile of files, placed a lock of his, also blond, hair behind his ear, then turned his attention towards the wizard in front of him. Lucius's aura screamed his fears of being tortured, obviously not by him, and the desire to be reassured of his unsaid demand. The blonde wizard had doubled check the previous privacy wards he had already placed, and Brian snorted, his eyes back on the parchment in front of him.

''You don't need to speak, Mr. Malfoy.'' Brian's clear voice chimed in the office. ''Just the way you are behaving is telling me enough. Just tell him the funds will be transferred to the other already overflowing vault for his little… transaction.'' Said Brian with a smirk as he scribbled with the modified magical quill the goblins had made for his unauthorized affairs.

He heard Lucius swallow, perhaps a little louder than someone would normally do. His icy blue eyes moved away from his parchment to fix the pale greys of Lucius. What he saw in those too young eyes could have been interpreted in so many ways, but he must admit that hearing the accelerating heartbeat and the shift in his aura told him just enough of what he actually wanted without even voicing it.

''Mr. Malfoy, Seth is not coming back until Christmas. Should you simply ask any vampire of your… true needs, I am sure you can find satisfaction, even to your standards.'' Said Brian with a glint in his eyes.

He had aimed right, like always, for Lucius turned away quickly and left his office, while he laughed as he took another muggle investing result paper from his other pile.

OoOoO

September 14th, sunday

A twitch of his lip, showing what would appear satisfaction, went on the Dark Lord's face as he read the Daily Prophet. Sighs of relief went around the deatheaters. They had managed to take mudblood lives in a large quantity, if not using the imperius curse on them.

No matter what Seth thought or said. Mudblood should not be considered like any other wizards. Their stench was barely tolerable. They posed a threat they did not even recognize themselves, and it was truly disgusting. He wandlessly spelled the mouthwash charm, hoping it would change the imaginary taste of his thoughts.

His glowing red eyes lifted from the Newspaper and gazed at his deatheaters. He was so proficient with legilimency, he could see their surface thoughts and only a few knew he was watching their thoughts as of now, shivering at his mental touch.

'If I crush one more beetle and add its juice to it, would it accelerate or decelerate the speed of…'

Snape.

'If only he could touch me.'

Bella.

'Maybe I should have gouged her pretty pleading eyes.'

Dolohov.

'I have to make more Triunes…'

Rookwood.

Triunes? Was that something he was working on in the department of mysteries? Whatever he was doing, he always let Rookwood free reins, for his machinations were often fruitful for his plans, but curiosity got the better of him. With a simple swish of his hands, he dismissed his followers, except for Rookwood. He placed the Newspaper on the little table beside him and stood up from his throne-like chair. After all, he was a Dark Lord, and was expected to have such things.

He glided towards Rookwood who bowed even lower.

''Tell me, Rookwood, what are those Triunes you thought of?'' Asked Voldemort, a promise of pain should he not answer.

Rookwood thought it, he did not voice it. When he tried to open his mouth to speak, he became blue in the face, unable to breath.

An oath, or a binding spell.

Voldemort frowned. Who could have bound one of his deatheaters? Rookwood was an unspeakable. Perhaps something related to his work? No. The ministry was not binding his workers like that.

Rookwood was beginning to panic as air was not making its way in his lungs anymore.

''Stop thinking about it, idiot. Don't tell me.'' Ordered Voldemort.

As if the magical oath was waiting for that, Rookwood heaved in relief as air came back to his body. Voldemort swore in Parseltongue, his voice hissing in the room.

''Can you tell me who bound you?'' Asked tentatively the Dark Lord.

''…G-Gellert… Grindelwald.'' Breathed the deatheater once he could speak again.

Voldemort turned his bone white wand between his fingers. He had noticed the hesitation from Rookwood.

''Bring me Yaxley.'' Said coldly the Dark Lord.

''Yes, my Lord. Thank you, my Lord.'' Said Rookwood before retreating with his head bowed low, knowing he had just avoided a cruciatus.

Seth had spoken about a project in America. Not that he cared much, but his lackey had used one of his own lackey, and that was unacceptable. Not knowing what that thing was, called Triune, occupied his thoughts like an itch he was unable to scratch. He cursed Seth again for being the one responsible for the lack of dark mark on Yaxley.

He eyed the opened books he had been reading on the small table beside his throne-like chair. One of them was about finances. How he loathe finances, even if he knew how the system worked, and he had made sure to give those chores to Lucius, which he had taken that with a little too much enthusiast. Lucius had studied to two law and finance universities after Hogwarts, and one had been muggle. He made a short laugh, remembering he too had gone in muggle universities, the… medical one, before working in Borgin and Burkes shop. Who knew how many ways a human could die or how many illnesses muggles could suffer from.

The other book was about vampires. Even if Seth had told him to take vampire books with a grain of salt, he had been curious, especially when he said there were muggle vampire slayers. Voldemort did not like to be surprised, and so, just like Seth had done in New York, he too had read vampire books made by muggles, and had been sent by him. One can never have too much of two things, knowledge, and power. He sat again in his chair, taking the book and reading from where he had left off. Rookwood might take time to find Yaxley anyway.

OoOoO

Rubbing his eyes with his thumb and finger, Corban swore in his mind, trying to keep his calm. He had accepted the international magical cooperation representant job… Seth's old job.

Just why?

He had not planned to be assaulted by giggling women all day long. Had Seth dealt with that without him knowing? Or since Seth was an intimidating vampire, which was public knowledge, that did actually made the women fear him, thus leaving him alone?

So many shows, so many concerts, so many… feasts. Were they supposed to be at war? The ministry will never cease to amaze him with their stupidity.

Corban stared at the untouched bloody steak in front of him and the small salad on his plate. The light balsamic vinegar smell was hurting his nose. Suzanne, a pretty lady perhaps with a too strong perfume for his taste, was not stopping talking beside him. The Bulgarian minister was laughing with the Italian minister a few seats beside him, something about a Quidditch player.

Suzanne placed her left hand on Corban's arm, still chatting with more vigor. Of course, she was at her fourth glass of wine, now empty, while he was at his second cup of tea, black.

Just why had he not taken the time to drink blood that morning again? A thought about taking her to the bathroom and shagging her mercilessly while drinking her blood passed through his mind. He preferred men way more. Hell, he would never have sex with another while he was in Britain with Seth since no one could make him feel like he did.

But it had been more than a month now, and he missed his lips.

''Ah, Mr. Rookwood, is there something we can help you with?'' Asked Bartemius Crouch.

Corban snapped out of his thoughts and looked at the deatheater, still dressed in heavy black robes with the ministry unspeakable sign on his chest.

''Actually, I am here for Mr. Yaxley. I'm afraid there is something that requires his attention immediately.'' Explained Rookwood.

Ass. Like he wanted to go see Voldemort of all people right now.

Corban cleared his throat, then excused himself. Little Suzanne pouted, removing her hand from him before he stood up and followed Rookwood outside of the building.

''He's at Lestrange's manor.'' Said the unspeakable quietly before apparating away.

Great.

Superb.

Wonderful.

He would stop at Vulken's castle first. Blood lusting on the Dark Lord would surely not be a good idea. What was Seth doing anyway? He went to his link only to find Seth sleeping.

Great.

Seth needed his sleep, for he knew the vampire King never took enough time for it. He sighed after apparating to the castle. He called for a house-elf who at his turn went to call for a servant. At what point the Dark Lord would wait for him? Was he really under Seth's protection ever since he became a vampire? Maybe he should not test it out.

Was he stronger than the Dark Lord because of his vampiric powers?

Somehow, he thought the Dark Lord would not have wanted to be inferior to vampires, and especially inferior to Seth. Yes, definitely, he did not want to test that anyway. He thanked the servant before apparating away.

Of all the manors he had gone to, Lestrange was the creepiest. The dimwits had Thestrals in their forest, and those horse-like creatures always creeped him out. He had a dozen dogs, that looked like they wanted to tear your throat, only stopped by a fence. No less than six shrunken heads were also dangling on the way to the manor and kept uttering profanities to the ones approaching.

At least the dogs kept quiet when he passed in front of them, knowing perfectly what he was.

He continued his way, passing through the main door and went up some stairs, then turned left. The Dark Lord was reading, sitting on his throne-like chair. No one else was there.

Shit.

Corban made a curt bow in respect, not wanting to bend his knees for him anymore. Voldemort was not holding back his magic and it was saturating the air around him. He took a deep breath before speaking.

''My Lord, you called for me.'' Said Corban.

He would not tell excuses, not that Voldemort would want to hear them anyway, except if you wanted to be crucioed. Voldemort placed down his book, then crossed his legs.

''Is Seth with you?'' Asked Voldemort with a neutral voice.

Well, of course, he had to serve as an owl. He tried to keep a blank face, not looking into the red eyes.

''He's… sleeping.'' Answered Corban.

He expected the Dark Lord to ask him to wake him up, laugh, or perhaps even cast a cruciatus because of just how unstable he was.

Nothing.

He tentatively lifted his eyes. Voldemort was rubbing his chin. A silence lingered. Was he doing that on purpose?

''What's a Triune?'' Asked Voldemort.

Did he think about that? No.

Rookwood.

Would Seth tell Voldemort if he had asked? Yes, and so he did.

''… it's a device meant to place a permanent imperius curse on someone. It takes a whole day to make and has to be redone completely if one strand of runeword is off. For now, only Rookwood and Gellert knows how to make them.'' Explained Corban.

He dared not use his legilimency on the Dark Lord, even if it had become second-nature for him. He looked away again. Voldemort still rubbed his chin.

''How many have that device in them? I assume it's placed somewhere in the head.'' Said Voldemort.

Corban closed his eyes, reaching for that part of his mind where the little Triune link dots were.

''Seven. And if you want to know who has those Triunes in their head… there's the Zonko shop owner, a muggle female from London, two muggle policemen and two investigators in Italy. The recent one is a MACUSA auror.'' Said Corban.

''Who has power over them?'' Asked Voldemort, now leaning towards Corban, his white wand rolling on his ring finger.

Why did Seth not tell him all about this? Corban cleared his throat.

''The vampire King and two sets of childes. So, if Gellert has eights childes, and Seth has three alive… means twelve vampires can control them, even if no one has used the victims yet.'' Counted Corban.

Voldemort was now holding his wand firmly in his hand. He was probably angry because that was an idea that could have been beneficial for him too.

''What if it fails?'' Asked Voldemort quietly.

''We don't know if there is long-term effects. Seth knows you don't rely on uncertainty. He figured if it worked in America, then you could use a modified one later on. Since this is a very difficult project meant to take several years, he had not deemed important enough to tell you about it, especially since he had… other problems to deal with.'' Said Corban.

Voldemort leaned back in his chair and smirked.

''He does know me well.'' Answered the Dark Lord with an even quieter voice. ''Anyone noticed how untouched your plates always are in those numerous feasts?'' Added Voldemort with a smirk.

Corban snorted; he could not help it.

''I use the vanishing charm when no one is looking. It did help me avoid… awkward situations.'' Explained Corban.

''A true slytherin.'' Said Voldemort with a grin.

Must be a good day.

Voldemort took back his book, and flapped one hand in the air, dismissing Corban who repressed another snort. Corban bowed again, then took his leave.

OoOoO

Sometimes, Severus Snape assisted in potion class. He tried to avoid Ruma, knowing she would miss her potion by distracting her. He could not also ignore her almost constant worried stares, and so he had invited her to his quarters later that night. It was in the dungeons near the Slytherin's common room, but separate. It was not without surprise that he heard two short knocks, followed by a pause of two seconds, then two short knocks again. That way, he always knew it was Ruma, and that she was alone. He had not prepared any potions for the evening, so he would not be interrupted.

He waved his wand at the door, and it opened. Ruma made her way in, observing the room where Severus was now residing. She eyed the large bed in the corner of the room, the neat cupboards with identification of all the ingredients, the clean cauldrons on a shelf, and of course, his personal library.

''Sev, what's going on? You keep avoiding me.'' Said Ruma.

Severus shut the door and waved his wand again, placing wards up.

''I'm not. I did not want you to mess up your potions.'' Answered Severus.

Ruma snorted, then went closer to him, taking his right hand in her left. Their eyes locked.

''Potions. That the only thing you ever think about?'' Asked Ruma with a soft smile.

''Of course not, sometimes I think about cursing a student for improper use of their distiller.'' Retorted Severus.

Ruma made a soft giggle. She moved her right hand to his cheek. She thought about the time he took the dark mark and knew that the subject was bringing a tension between them.

''It changes nothing to me, the decision you made. I wanted to stop you, but if that's what you wanted… I respect that, like I respect his power. Do let that stop you from kissing me.'' Said Ruma.

She placed her head against his chest and her hands in his back.

''Why… why didn't you go with Seth?'' Asked Severus, his deep voice vibrating in her head.

''Partly because of you, silly. And because, well, I want to finish school here.'' Said Ruma.

''I see…'' Answered Severus.

Ruma looked up again in his eyes.

''I'll ask Colpy to bring you dark arts books from Seth's library if you kiss me again.'' Grinned Ruma.

Ruma saw his eyes dilate at the thought, then he closed the gap between them and kissed her.

''I still know what you want, don't I?'' Said Ruma, placing her arms around his neck.

One of his rare smiles appeared on Severus face before he grabbed her legs and brought her in bed.

OoOoO

October 2nd, 1975

The blind pig

''Even if you paid his debt, I still wanted to see his pretty little face under my boot. Now, I can't. You can't do that with any others… buying their debts and letting those scum be free.'' Said Gnarlak, clearly pissed off.

Seth took a sip of his wine, then placed his empty glass on the table and turned it slowly with the hilt.

''You are old, Gnarlak. You seem to forget who you are talking to.'' Said Seth with an underlying threat.

Seth could not decipher Gnarlak's facial expression, but he could still hear his heartbeat accelerate.

''Oh, I know who you are. It was far from my intentions to sound rude, your majesty. I think we can still come to a mutual agreement and stick to it, can we not?'' Said Gnarlak.

Seth made a wry smile, flicked his fingers on the glass and made it chimed.

''Do you still have what I came for?'' Asked Seth.

Gnarlak snapped his fingers and two parchment appeared on the table. One was a female called Leila Lopez and the other was Pierre Fontaine. Seth raised an eyebrow at the two aurors.

''Don't tell me that you want one of them, under your boot?'' Asked Seth.

Gnarlak pointed at the man.

''That French auror needs to die. I dreamt of his head in a bowl and serving as my lamp in my room. Is that possible to imagine?'' Said Gnarlak.

Seth laughed, then shook his head.

''Oh, but my sweet goblin, what I do with the aurors is worse than death. Perhaps, you would enjoy that he comes to lick your boots, literally, instead?'' Said Seth.

Gnarlak frowned and rubbed his chin.

''But you can't place the imperius curse on them, it's impossible.'' Stated Gnarlak.

Seth laughed again, then made the parchments disappear with a wave of his hand.

''Give me three days, at most, and he will come.'' Assured Seth.

Gnarlak had doubts, while Seth had none. The vampire King eyed another table where a wizard had been looking at them since the start.

''Is that a friend of yours, that wizard who tried badly to be unnoticed at listening to our conversation? Even with the privacy charm, he can still read lips, I presume?'' Asked Seth.

Gnarlak eyed the other table where the wizard was and snorted.

''That's one of my informant, Alexander. His curiosity has brought him trouble before.'' Sneered the goblin who snapped his fingers and the wizard flinched from the goblin's stinging hex.

Seth eyed the goblin with curiosity. He had read about goblins in his youth since vampires had formed an alliance with them for centuries. Books did not mention what kind of magic they could do, but he knew it was different than wizards, and goblins usually used their magic while making artefacts and armory.

''Can you duel, Gnarlak?'' Asked Seth.

''No. Goblin magic is different than wizards. I may have acquired wands, but since the wizards never allowed us to study wandlore, our magic is not compatible with wands… I can do a few spells without a wand, but Goblin magic is more about enchantments. The little *Magic trick* you just saw me perform is a modified stinging hex.'' Explained Gnarlak.

Seth hummed, gazing at the patrons around, laughing, drinking, and talking. He thought about how Sanguini used to have taverns with several vampires that fed from muggles by paying them, among other services.

''What's that look supposed to mean?'' Asked Gnarlak.

''Would you be interested in a broader… clientele?'' Asked Seth, tapping fingers on the table.

The goblin frowned, being suspicious.

''You mean your kind? What could I even offer them?'' Wondered Gnarlak.

Seth grinned, then threw a galleon on the table for his wine. He stood up and made his way to the other table where Alexander was sitting, under the questioning gaze of Gnarlak. The bar was very crowded, and the music was loud. Seth half-sat directly on the table in front of Alexander, who looked up at him and swallowed hard. Seth reached inside his inner pocket and brought out a pouch of galleons.

''Tell me, Alexander, how grand is your curiosity with vampires, hmm?'' Asked Seth with a grin.

Alexander looked at Gnarlak with pleading eyes, who only shrugged in answer, then looked back at Seth.

''I… uh, well… hem, you know… stuff…'' Stuttered the wizard with a blush appearing on his cheeks.

''My, you are sporting a nice red color now. What if vampires paid wizards like you to drink your blood? Easy galleons, no?'' Said Seth.

The clients who could hear the conversation now were really interested, nudging their neighbours, and pointing at them. Alexander hesitated, but Seth kept dangling his bag of galleons if front of him.

''How… how much?'' Asked Alexander.

Seth placed his bag on the table and leaned in towards him.

''Five galleons for a simple feed. Evidently, some vampires may lack experience and some pain could be involved… but also…'' Seth said as he looked around the listening patrons with a grin. ''Extreme pleasure.''

''Just how much pain? I mean…'' Began Alexander.

Seth clicked his tongue before slowly grabbing Alexander's collar, then lifted him up on his feet. In reflex, the wizard had placed his hand on Seth's, and he swallowed again as he stared into Seth's obsidians eyes.

''I, do not cause pain, unless I desire to do so. Would you like a demonstration?'' Said Seth before passing the tip of his tongue on he neck, making Alexander stiffen.

Seth released him and the wizard took a step back, breathing hard. Seth took again the pouch of galleons in his hand.

''Blood is much sweeter when taken from a willing person… tsk, fifty galleons, right now, in your hands, just to give you a little foretaste. What do you say?'' Said Seth.

''FIFTY? Just take me now!'' Said a man behind him, standing up.

Seth raised an eyebrow and looked at the bearded man who had spoken.

''No… wait, I… accept.'' Mumbled Alexander.

The bearded man swore before sitting down, still looking at the interaction.

''What… what do I do? Just stand there?'' Asked Alexander.

Seth's smirk went wider.

''If you want to.'' Answered Seth, placing the bag on the table once again.

Seth stood up and closed the gap between them in one step, moving his left hand behind Alexander's head. The wizard tilted his head to his right, his heartbeat was thumping madly in apprehension.

Seth would make them see, make them realize what vampires have to offer them. What power they could hold over wizards and muggles. That every vampire had the rights to be in the wizarding world and be protected from things like slayers to happen. Every grand things begin with small steps.

Besides, he was not going to hurt him, far from it.

Seth moved his right hand behind Alexander's back and pushed him closer as he pulled his hair with his left and sank his teeth in his neck. The wizard gasped and pulled on Seth's clothes. He felt Alexander relax after a few seconds, under the watchful eyes of everyone around. Even the music had died down, bringing the attention to them. After a short moment, Seth stopped, passing his tongue on the wound. He knew that Alexander had probably felt an intense sexual arousal and seem mortified about it.

''There is nothing to be ashamed of.'' Laughed darkly Seth before pushing him away.

Alexander tripped on a chair and fell on the floor, causing a few laughs around. Seth threw the bag of galleons beside Alexander, then turned around, licking the few drops of blood that were on his lips as he looked at the patrons that had been curious about the scene.

''Was that so hard to understand?'' Asked Seth before looking at Gnarlak. ''Let's see how fast news spread from here, hmm?'' He added.

Seth was suddenly submerged by people wanting him to drink their blood for galleons, and he only laughed.

Author's note:

Thank you for reading! Any review would be appreciated!

I am writing another story and will post the chapter 1 soon enough. Here's the synopsis.

What if the horcruxe Voldemort made accidently within Harry interacted with him right from the start? Very Dark! Harry. Harry will have his own personality but manipulated a lot by his only friend in his mind who will eventually care about him because of how Harry's humanity and emotions mixed with Voldemort's soul. Slytherin Harry, Voldemort wins story.