"Since love and fear can hardly exist together if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved." – Gellert Grindelwald
The purpose Chapter 61 The seventh heaven
June 6th, 1976, 4 :38 am
Keywest Pier
Seth had transfigured and placed a shed big enough to fit two cars to block the sun where he was waiting for the vampires. He had placed muggle-repelling charms that he knew would not work for vampires, at least half a kilometer away in all directions. He had seen helicopters that turned around after being close enough from his enchantments. No vampires had come so far, and he wondered if his message had reached any of them. He admired the crescent moon and the stars with the sound of the ocean which reminded him of the night Kathleen had died.
''You know, I sometimes wonder if your mind is following your heart.'' Said Albus behind Seth.
Seth had felt Albus's magic from far away, and it did not surprise him that he had found him. Before Danyck's death, he did not hate the man. He had even respected his power, but now, knowing he was right here with him made his blood boil.
''What do you want?'' Asked Seth without turning.
A seagull cry was heard above them.
''Major changes has happened concerning the wizarding laws of America, and it happened so fast, I'm worried Gellert is behind this and has bigger plans.'' Said Dumbledore.
''But you approved them.'' Stated Seth.
And it was part of his and Gellert's plan. No one suspected a thing, the world did not notice how they were taking control of everything with extreme subtlety.
Albus sighed, the wind moving his beard to the side.
''I had, a long time ago, believed that wizards needed the same freedom here like Britain. But, they always refused before… something about having extreme control and their fear to break the statute of secrecy made it so.'' Said Albus. Seth stayed silent and Albus continued. ''I detected a lot of magic being used at a police station. They did not remember anything. What did you do?'' Asked Albus.
''Why should I tell you what I did? No one was harmed, and they don't remember anything. According to the laws, I did nothing wrong.'' Said Seth dryly.
''I saw your message on the television. There were no aurors that intervened, which I strongly find suspicious since any magic done in muggle environments in America are heavily monitored.'' Said Albus.
''I know you have seen it, since you are here.'' Said Seth, turning around to face Dumbledore. ''You know my purpose in this city then. No harm, no fowl. The magic I performed was minor and there was a ritual to make them forget massively, thus not being detected by them. Let me ask you again, what do you want?'' Hissed Seth.
''What is Gellert trying to accomplish?'' Asked Dumbledore.
Seth went closer to him and sighed in irritation.
''Albus, are you really asking me that, or are you wondering if my plans are the same as his?'' Asked Seth. ''You think you could stop me, or him, if you even knew what we were doing?''
''Then what am I supposed to do? If not at least try.'' Asked Dumbledore.
''You did what you came here for as a supreme Mugwump. Go back to Britain and protect your people. There is nothing for you here.'' Said Seth.
''What reassurance do I have that innocents won't die?'' Asked Dumbledore.
Seth shook his head and looked at the stars.
''The same reassurance that war brings, Albus, casualties on both sides. I think we already have our share. If what Gellert and I want could be done peacefully, we would have used that way, just like he tried, thirty-five years ago.'' Said Seth, his gaze now on Albus. His tone had changed to more menacing.
Albus's heartbeat accelerated.
''What cannot be done peacefully?'' Asked Albus, his voice lightly shaking as If dreading the answer.
''Protecting the wizards from muggles.'' Said Seth, his wand sliding in his hand. ''Leave for Britain. I will not let you interfere here.'' He added with a hiss and pointing his wand at him.
Albus took a few steps back with a confused face. That was not what he had expected at all as an answer.
''Interfering for that? I don't underst…'' Albus stopped, thinking furiously, then shook his head. ''The ministry would never let you use methods that would harm the muggles in order to save wizards from a threat that does not exist!'' Said the Headmaster.
Albus avoided a curse at the last second, then placed a shield to block the second one.
''Are you as blind as you are old?'' Said Seth. ''I will not repeat another time. Even if you don't think there is a threat, you still have people you can protect in Britain.''
''And you don't?'' Asked Albus in a serious tone.
Hatred sparked in Seth's eyes, and he casted another series of curses at Albus which he blocked again. Thoughts of Danyck entered his mind. How he had been powerless to protect him that day.
''Don't you dare threaten me. You know what I can do. My goal is to make every vampire on this world feel protected, and I can only do so if you STAY OUT OF HERE!'' Said Seth angrily.
''I could…'''
''NO! YOU CAN'T! NOT ANYMORE! GLENN-!'' Yelled Seth, his last word said with magic and in Venthyr.
Albus felt the power behind his word and faltered for a second. He looked at Seth who was furious, his wand still pointing at him. With a defeated look, Albus apparated away. Seth breathed heavily, the emotions still swirling in his mind and body. He moved down his wand arm and rubbed his face with the other. His black ring never became warm in Albus's presence, meaning he never had harmful intentions. Of course, he did not. Albus had always wanted the same thing Gellert wanted, and this was just another proof that Albus had only stopped Gellert because of his harmful methods.
Seth had to wait another hour before a black car with shaded windows came towards the beach quite fast, spinning in the sand. The car went directly in the shed that had been placed by Seth for that reason. The sun had risen, and he figured the vampires could not stay in the sun like the ones in New York. Seth entered the shed and the car doors opened fast. Four men went out and pointed guns at him. His ring was almost burning his finger.
Guns, again.
''Cin glenn- ú- negr- nin. I will not hesitate to remove this shed and burn you into oblivion if you ever react like that with me ever again.'' Threatened Seth.
''Who the fuck are you? Why was I compelled to get the only other vampires I know and meet you here? What kind of sorcery is this?'' Said the one who had been driving.
''I said I was the vampire King, I am not here to hurt any of you, on the contrary.'' Said Seth, calmly.
''Vampire King? And what, you expect us to just bow and obey you?'' Said another.
''What if he works for the ones that killed Theodred?''
The others hesitated. Seth repressed a snort.
''I… I can't fire my gun.''
The others were obviously trying to fire their gun too at Seth and their hands were trembling.
''Theodred was your sire?'' Asked Seth, not being phased by the sudden life-ending situation he would have been.
The driver moved down his weapon, realising this was useless anyway.
''Stand down, we obviously can't attack that guy. Besides, his appearance is also… very peculiar. And that was stupid, Jacob. Why would a vampire kill another, huh?'' Said the driver eyeing Seth with narrowed eyes.
The three other listened to him and Seth raised an eyebrow.
''Yeah… You knew him?'' Asked one.
''No, but I know his sire, Sanguini and Sanguini's sire is my father, the previous king Nathaniel.'' Said Seth. ''I killed the men who killed Theodred in New York. I came here to gather the vampires here in Miami, so that you know about me, and my world. There are other ways to live if you so desire, because I am here to protect you from those who had harmed vampires before.'' Added Seth.
The four vampires looked at each other.
''Like some kind of godfather?'' Asked one.
''His world?''
Seth snorted, then walked past one to go beside the driver who seemed to be the leader of some sorts. The man fidgeted, unsure of Seth's intentions.
''I am sure you are all involved into drug dealing and shady stuff. Let me tell you that I am not here to stop you from doing any things you are currently doing.'' Said Seth, his gaze moving from one to another. ''With me, you won't need to hide from the sun, and I can give you means to feed without killing anyone and drawing unwanted attention.'' Said Seth in almost a whisper.
''What… W-What do you want?'' Said the driver nervously. ''This can't be just from good will.''
Seth went closer and cupped his face with his right hand where the man flinched under his touch.
''Jonathan.'' Called the one behind him, fearing for the man's life.
''So that's your name? Jonathan.'' Said Seth like a whisper. He went to his ear, and he felt Jonathan tensed under him. ''Sog- nin narunen.'' Ordered Seth, wondering how it could make him feel if they all drank from him.
Compelled by the King and sudden desire, Jonathan placed a hand behind Seth's head then moved his mouth to his neck before sinking his teeth in it. The smell of Seth's blood drove the others crazy, and they surrounded Seth, who moved his arms up, offering them to indulge that sudden bloodlust. One went behind Seth and bit the other side of his neck while the two others took each one a wrist. The bites were not pleasant, but he did feel powerful and loved the control it gave. They stopped after Seth ordered them to. He shortly explained where they could find him and that he would come back to buy a tavern for their sustenance with Sanguini as the same old boss when he used to live in Miami. They exchanged phone numbers and Seth apparated away, not without first removing the shed, and leaving them panicking for no more a valid reason, thanks to his blood.
OoOoO
June 24th, 1976
Ruma had asked Regulus or Rosanne to come with her to the musical show, but they both refused, not wanting to be surrounded by muggles. She was still mad with Severus and sending an owl to Sirius had crossed her mind, then thought it would be awkward. Besides, she could go alone and enjoy herself.
She had asked her father for a private plane from London to Los angeles since Portkeys were strictly forbidden across seas and she did not want to ask anyone other than Gellert or Seth, but they were not in Britain or anywhere nearby. Her father had insisted for security guards in which she had refused, reminding him she was a witch.
''Does being a witch prevents you from being raped?'' Asked her father over the phone.
''Well, no… but I can defend myself better than anyone, you know that.'' Answered Ruma as she played with the phone cord.
''What if you get drugged?'' Asked Thomas.
''I won't take anything, father.'' She said with an exasperated sigh.
''You are still a minor.'' He stated.
''Not in the wizarding world!'' She replied.
She heard someone talking to her father.
''Wait a second, love. Dorian is speaking to me.'' He said.
She waited for a short moment, looking through the office window.
''Sweetheart, as soon as you get off the plane, you take the limousine, that's my only condition.'' Said Thomas sternly.
''What? A limousine? I'm not a damn celebrity! Everyone is going to stare! I don't want attention!'' Exclaimed Ruma.
''My. Only. Condition.'' Repeated Thomas with more intensity.
She wanted to argue some more, but she really wanted to go to the musical show, so she agreed reluctantly.
''Keep your wand on yourself at all times, no matter what you wear, please.'' Added her father.
''Yes! Ugh.''
''I love you, daughter.''
''Same… Dad.''
She thought she heard him laugh before he hung up. And so, she was sitting in a plane for a long twelve-hour flight. She had left school that morning and took the plane at five in the evening, where she would arrive at nine the same day because of the time difference. There was a flight attendant offering her alcohol and kept asking her if she needed anything. She settled to sleep most of the flight.
They woke her up half an hour before landing. The limousine was waiting for her like her father has said, but so was several people taking pictures as she moved down the plane.
''Oh, for Slytherin's sake.'' She mumbled to herself.
'Who are you?'
'What's your name?'
'Why did you come in the city of angels?'
'Are you here for the musical show?'
She thanked her mindfulness of not wearing witch's clothes as the limousine's door was opened for her. She went inside and sat without looking first and her eyes landed on a cross-legged grinning man she had not seen for a long time.
''You?'' Said Ruma, her eyes wide.
Gellert tilted his head and licked his lips.
''Me?'' Asked Gellert with a raised eyebrow.
Ruma huffed, then sat down in front of him before the door closed behind her.
''That's why my father wanted me in the limousine because you were coming to guard me.'' Said Ruma, crossing her arms.
''Do you want to go or not?'' Asked Gellert as he pressed a button that was for communication with the driver. ''To the seventh heaven, Paolo.'' He said to him.
'Right away, sir.'
The driver had a heavy accent.
''The seventh heaven? What is that, a hotel?'' Asked Ruma.
Gellert placed a hand like a L and held his head by leaning on it.
''No, it's a restaurant.'' Said Gellert.
Ruma frowned, wondering what Gellert's goal was.
''And what are you going to order? A nice handsome man for an appetizer?'' Asked Ruma.
Gellert made a short laugh, then shook his head.
''I prefer looking at you, little bird.'' Gellert removed his hand from his face, then winked. He grabbed a letter from his inner pocket then gave it to Ruma. ''Your NEWT results. I'm pretty disappointed you scored a Troll in divination.''
''What?'' Said Ruma as she opened the letter. ''I can't have… I don't even have div… oh, you arse.'' She realised he was teasing her because he was a seer, and she could not even have guessed he would be there.
''Outstanding in every classes, I could not expect less from you, Ruma.'' Said Gellert with a grin.
She read the letter where she indeed had only O's in every classes. She breathed a sigh of relief. She had given everything for those results. She wondered how her friends had fared and how he even got the results so soon. Gellert served two glasses of champagne and gave one to her.
''Cheers.'' Said Gellert before taking a sip from his glass.
She imitated him and savoured the fruity bubbles. Gellert tsked and waved his wand at her, transfiguring her muggles clothing into a dark green dress like she wore at the charity ball, only, he made it shorter, and her neck and shoulders were exposed. She suddenly felt vulnerable. Her wand had been underneath her sleeve on her right arm. She sighed, then emptied her glass in one gulp and placed it in a small compartment beside her. She quickly removed her holster and spelled it to be a leather handbag where she then placed her wand inside.
''I see you still wear the necklace I gave you several years ago.'' Noticed Gellert as he looked at her neck.
''I see you have no restrains into almost making me nude for the world to see.'' Retorqued Ruma.
''You are a beautiful woman.'' Said Gellert.
''And here I thought you only liked men.'' Said Ruma.
''I'm sure you can find another woman pretty.'' Said Gellert with a glint in his eyes.
''I'm seventeen, I look at men, Gellert.'' Said Ruma, rolling her eyes.
She mindlessly tried to lengthen her dress by pulling on it, and even took out her wand again to try to make it longer, but Gellert had obviously did something she could not undo. He laughed silently and she swore under her breath. They arrived at the restaurant a few minutes later where she saw several people making flashes with their cameras.
''Who do they even think you are? Are you supposed to be known?'' Asked Ruma.
''Not me. You… as the African president's daughter.'' Said Gellert as the door went opened for him.
He stepped out and readjusted his jacket, looking back at her. She had frozen in place; her father had not told her he was the President.
''Come, princess.'' Insisted Gellert, holding out his hand.
She blinked several times, then took his hand. He pulled her out of the limousine and lights assaulted her eyes. She brought her hand in front of her face to cover the flashes and let herself be guided by Gellert. She heard questions being asked about her whereabouts, her age, and even her favorite color before the noise was abruptly stopped by the doors of the restaurant closing.
''Oh my god. That's what celebrities live everyday? How awful.'' She said before noticing how pretty the inside of the restaurant was.
It screamed money everywhere, fanciness, cleanliness, where she was sure even a Malfoy would be impressed. She looked at Gellert who moved and stood like he was the king of the place and a regular. She kept her thoughts to herself, not for a second imagining going to a musical show would be so complicated. A waiter brought them to a square table with four chairs around it. It was also surrounded by a blurry wall, making it very private from the eyes of everyone else. The waiter served immediately red wine to Gellert, like as if someone had already instructed him to. Ruma sat down on the seat in front of him and looked at him with a glare.
''What does this all mean, Gellert? Why did you bring me here?'' Asked Ruma, the heat coming to her cheeks.
Gellert took an excessively long sip of wine, then smacked his lips before placing his joined hands on his lap. His stare gave her a chill down her spine.
''Can't you enjoy what life can offer you? You could be more grateful. Your attitude is really starting to raise the little hair I have on me.'' Hissed Gellert.
A knot appeared in her stomach, and her thoughts first went to Seth, wondering if he would have let Gellert speak to her like that. She looked down and played with the hem of her dress. What was she thinking? Had she forgotten that Gellert once had been a dark lord? She only wanted to have fun. This was really not what she had expected. That was not the way he used to be with her.
'Ruma, you are the only one who can talk to me like you just did.'
Seth's words echoed in her mind, and she suddenly thought she may have crossed the line with Gellert.
''Sorry.'' She mumbled, almost inaudible.
Someone entered their little cubicle.
''Good evening, princess. Can I sit here?'' Said a man as he took the chair beside Ruma and placed it right beside her, almost touching her leg with his as he sat down without waiting for her answer.
Ruma noticed right away the icy blue eyes that vampires bore, and his chef attire meant he was probably the owner of the restaurant. He took her hand and placed a kiss on it. This one was old, that was for sure.
''You obviously don't need me to take the decision, Sael Er.'' Answered respectfully Ruma softly with a smile.
He smelled her skin before releasing her hand. Goosebumps went on her skin, and the temperature grew warmer. Since when did she even get those kinds of feelings from a vampire?
''Mm, lavender.'' Said the chef.
Gellert cleared his throat, and the vampire ignored him anyway. Maybe she began to like that vampire.
''My name is Joël Robuchon, but you can call me Angel. Is there anything that tongue of yours would love to taste tonight?'' Asked the chef with a very pleasant tone to her ears.
''Mm, tell me, Angel, how exactly are you able to be the chef of restaurants?'' Asked Ruma with curiosity.
He was still holding her hand, with his cool to the touch hands of his. He leaned closer after bringing the chair nearer, then brought his mouth to her ear. How could his breath be so warm when his skin was so cold?
''I can show you after you are done relishing on some… shrimps?'' He whispered, offering a choice.
She let out a small giggle, then felt embarrassed at having giggled. He retreated from her proximity before standing up with elegancy.
''Beaudelaire, since when do you prey on ladies?'' Asked Gellert.
Angel lost his smile, turning his head towards Gellert.
''You try to live for three hundred years, Mr. Grindelwald, and you will find beauty everywhere. Mrs. Thomas just happened to be one of those beauties that knows what I am, and there exist none like her that don't look at you with fear in their eyes even knowing what you are.'' Said Angel before making a curt bow and leaving the cubicle.
Ruma placed a hand over her face, trying the fact she might be flushed red all over. Gellert drank his wine silently in answer.
''Do you think like him?'' Asked Ruma tentatively.
Gellert crossed his legs and pursed his lips. His eyes were on his wine glass, swirling the remaining contents.
''Well, he is right. I have been a vampire for less time than him, and no matter who we look at, even the servants, even your own father, have that lingering fear back there, in their eyes, in their smell.'' Said Gellert, his eyes shifting to stare at her. ''Except you.''
''No… why? I mean… knowing…'' She looked down, unsure how to phrase her thoughts.
''It's no surprise, Ruma. You were raised by them, taught dark arts by me, and Seth… even your biggest fear was the idea of being a vampire too soon, which now you know won't happen.'' Said Gellert. ''Do you know what your deepest fear is?'' He added.
''Do you?'' She replied with raised eyebrows.
Gellert did not reply, and a waiter came to place a dish in front of Ruma. Shrimps were placed in an artistic way, and she almost felt bad that she was starving. Without looking at Gellert, she ate the shrimps slowly, savouring every bite from what Angel had made especially for her.
''This is truly divine. It's not like they ever serve seafood at Hogwarts.'' Said Ruma.
''I'm glad you like.'' Answered Gellert blankly, as if his mind was elsewhere.
She was almost done, when Gellert suddenly stood up, and looked at the other side of the restaurant. She saw a face she had never seen before on Gellert. It looked like happiness, but it felt wrong, oh so wrong.
''I'll be right back, Ruma.'' Said Gellert.
He sounded excited, and a weird feeling went to her stomach. She lightly nodded, then waited that Gellert goes out of the cubicle they were before she also stood up to see where Gellert was heading. She could see his wand protruding from his sleeve as he took the direction of what seemed to be the bathrooms. That's when she noticed more security guards surrounding a table where she recognized the United States president's wife.
She slowly sat back down and swallowed hard. Gellert was going to do something to the USA president. Her heartbeat went faster. She did not know what to feel. She was still weary about any torture done to anyone, but she kept reminding herself that muggles did not matter, and that any means to protect vampires and wizards from them was a priority over everything.
Angel came back and sat on the chair he moved again beside her.
''Do you know what Gellert is doing?'' Asked Ruma.
Her voice had shaken very lightly, but Angel had heard it clearly. He took her hand again.
''Does it really matter what Gellert does?'' Asked Angel.
She looked aside as she thought. She did not believe Gellert would ever hurt her, nor her family or anyone she cared about. What, indeed, did it ever matter what Gellert was doing? She felt warm lips going up her arm right until he was at her neck. Her heart was now flipping everywhere. She had never been bitten in the neck before, and she was embarrassed to even wanting to know the feeling.
Gellert had never crossed the line, even if it was forbidden to feed from a child. She thought of the bite to the neck like a first kiss, like it was intimate and private. The kisses became a wet tongue passing on her neck. As if sensing her hesitation, Angel stopped.
''Would you let me, princess?'' Whispered Angel, moving a hand behind her head and through her hair.
Such a gentleman.
He waited for her answer by softly kissing her neck again, giving her goosebumps everywhere. She moved her hands on his hips, touching the soft expensive material of his chef attire. He smelled of food and something sweet. Perhaps she had done a sound or made a move that betrayed her willing thoughts for Angel had sunk his teeth in her neck.
The world stopped turning. A soft gasp parted from her lips. An intense warmth went through her body, and especially between her legs. This was nothing compared to being bitten on the wrist. She closed her eyes in delight, feeling the gentle caress in her hair, the pressure of Angel's body against her breast. She could even feel how pleasurable it was for him too as a low growl rumbled in his throat. His other hand was hot behind her back. She felt her mind beginning to spin, was Angel not able to stop? She could not find the strength in her to move him away, but someone else did it for her.
Gellert had violently spelled Angel away, then healed Ruma's neck with a swift swish of his wand, then before she knew it, Gellert was holding Angel by the neck several feet in the air. Ruma felt dizzy and held her head with her hands. She wondered if Gellert had not placed several spells around their cubicle for no one seemed to even see or hear them.
''Gellert…'' She mumbled weakly, wanting him to not hurt Angel.
He ignored her, glaring with black eyes at the chef. Angel stayed calm, unmoving.
''How dare you don't control yourself, Beaudelaire'' Hissed Gellert before dropping him on the floor and pointing his wand at him.
Ruma stood up and went in front of Gellert as fast as she could.
''Cruc…'' He began before stopping himself.
''Princess, I'm sorry. Gellert did the right thing.'' Said Angel before standing up.
He wiped the blood he had on his chin with a cloth he had in a pocket, keeping his clothes as white as snow.
''We're leaving.'' Said Gellert dryly, taking Ruma's hand and apparated away with her.
Angel stared at the empty plate on the table and licked his lips, still tasting the shrimps in her blood, but also could taste the subtle sweetness of youth and the Vulken's royalty. He never thought something like her existed, not since Seth had given him a few drops of his blood. He readjusted his jacket and looked over the blurry wall where he saw the patrons still eating and chatting like nothing happened. Gellert was a powerful wizard, that he knew, and he silently thanked his princess again for he surely avoided a terrible curse when she stepped in front of him. He vowed he would never take her blood again, not wanting to be responsible for her death. He had a feeling he would see her often, and if he kept that promise to himself, it would only make it easier.
Venthyr meaning
GLENN-!
LEAVE!
Cin glenn- ú- negr- nin
You will not hurt me.
Sog- nin narunen.
Drink my blood.
Sael Er.
Wise one.
