Although deceit is detestable in all other things, yet in the conduct of war it is laudable and honorable; and a commander who vanquishes an enemy by stratagem is equally praised with one who gains victory by force.

The purpose Chapter 64 The prophecy

April 9th, 1980

Seth apparated at Lestrange's manor. He felt the wards go through him. They had changed them, that much was obvious. Rodolphus's dogs barked at him, but quickly whined after seeing who it was. He could have broken the wards, but he instead decided to wait before crossing the gates. A cloaked and masked man hurriedly walked to the gates. Seth recognized Rodolphus's mask's patterns. The deatheater looked at his dogs, then back at Seth but still hesitated. He waved his wand towards Seth, making several detecting spells, then without a word, changed the wards for Seth to come in.

''Seth. Long time.'' Greeted Rodolphus.

''Rodolphus.'' Replied Seth.

They made their ways to the manor in silence where Seth did not hide his magical power. Only someone like Voldemort could feel him from afar, and so he turned it back down once he passed the manor's doors.

''I guess he already knows you are here… no need to announce you, right?'' Said Rodolphus.

Seth detected a hint of fear in his voice. Even the prospect of announcing someone to the Dark Lord instilled fear in them.

''Of course not, Rod.'' Assured Seth.

He heard him exhale in relief and Seth mentally shook his head. He followed Voldemort's presence, seeing masked deatheaters in other rooms as he passed. Muffled screams could be heard somewhere, and some music tried to cover them. Seems like not all deatheaters were able to stomach torture. He thought he caught a werewolf smell, standing in front of a closed room with double doors where he felt Voldemort. Rodolphus had not followed him, and he entered without even knocking.

''WHO DARES? CRUCIO!'' Yelled Bellatrix at the intruder.

Seth saw everything in slow motion whenever he used his vampiric powers concerning his speed. It was so natural to him, he did not even blink as he appeared to walk towards her, seeing her wide-eyed and full of maniacal eagerness, almost frozen in time. What he did not expect was seeing Voldemort following his every move with a faint smile. He stopped using his power as he was beside Bellatrix, his face an inch from hers.

''Your aim is wrong.'' Said Seth by her ear.

Bellatrix screamed then fell backwards, pointing her wand again at Seth.

''VULN…'' She began to spell a nasty cutting curse.

''Stop, Bella.'' Interrupted the smooth voice of the Dark Lord.

Bellatrix made a whine, then stood up before patting her dress, bowing her head. Voldemort was sitting straight in his throne-like chair, harboring a proud grin to show he had done something to see vampires despite how fast they could go.

''Yes, my Lord.'' She mumbled.

Fenrir made a small growl, turning back his attention on the prisoners that were hung by their wrists with ropes.

''Well, would you look at that, an American is visiting us.'' Said Dolohov who had been leaning on the wall with arms crossed.

''I got lost on my way to Russia, but I could easily compensate with you, Antonin.'' Sneered Seth.

''Fuck you too, Seth.'' Laughed Dolohov.

Seth also laughed then walked back in front of Voldemort. A prisoner pulled on his chains then spat on the floor.

''I've always known vampires were with that monster. Neutrality my ass. I hope you all die along with him.'' Said the man.

Voldemort pointed his wand towards the man.

''I guess your time has come to an end, Mr. Bones. Avada Kedavra!'' Hissed Voldemort.

The green jet of light passed in front of Seth and hit the prisoner who hung dead, still attached by the wrists. The woman tried to scream but a piece of rag was in her mouth, and tears flowed on her cheeks.

''She's all yours, Greyback.'' Said Voldemort with a sweet voice again.

Mrs. Bones thrashed against her bonds, muffled screams escaping from her throat as a vicious, yellow-skinned werewolf bared his teeth and lunged at her.

Seth looked at the barbaric scene unfolding in front of him, knowing that even if vampires could also do the same thing, it was not something you heard about. Perhaps it was just how Greyback was, but people were more scared of werewolves than vampires from what history revealed.

Bellatrix was giggling madly but Dolohov seemed pissed off, probably would have wanted to torture the woman himself. Seth clicked his tongue then looked at the Dark Lord who also seemed to enjoy the show. Seth began to speak in Parseltongue.

''I was with Orion when he received the news from a ministry letter about his Wizengamot seat. I do not think he will be able to take it either from his current health state.'' Hissed Seth.

Voldemort's red eyes moved to Seth in slow motion. He tilted his head to his left. Seth felt Voldemort go briefly into his mind before retracting as fast. It was an act of habit, he thought, before Voldemort realized who he had been prodding at.

''Do you know how?'' Hissed the Dark Lord.

''Do you?'' Seth hissed back.

The hissing between the two of them eventually removed the attention from the carnage Fenrir was doing and were now on them. Nagini began to eat the already dead man.

''Bella. Your cousin is missing. Find out how.'' Ordered Voldemort.

''What? Reggy? I mean… yes, my Lord.'' Said Bellatrix before leaving the room.

''He does not know.'' Thought Corban.

He does not know.

''If he used Kreacher to place the Horcrux in there, then, it is truly missing, Kreacher has it.'' Thought Corban. ''Seth… what exactly do…''

Seth's mind went blank, not listening to his other half. Should he tell Voldemort? The Blacks that knew about the horcruxes would all be dead if Orion passed away anytime soon. No one would know but Kreacher. Kreacher. Voldemort thought Kreacher was dead in the cave.

Like Corban was about to ask him, did he want to betray him? Was not saying anything a form of betrayal? Even if Kreacher had the Horcrux, could he even destroy it? That was just one, among six.

He knew what Voldemort wanted.

Power, domination, no equals. And he just had the proof that the Dark Lord could rival with even his vampiric powers, not that he had not offered him his blood before. Seth had always counted on his vampiric side to surpass anyone, and now he chewed on his tongue, wondering if he should search for the horcrux, or not. If anything, the Black's home, where he thought the horcrux now was, was warded beyond comprehension and as a house-elf, Kreacher would never betray Regulus, and what he had tried to accomplish. Didn't he tell the Blacks about the horcruxes because he wanted someone to do something about them in where he could not resolve to do it himself?

''Seth. You did not come to Britain to just tell me this, hm?'' Asked Voldemort, his red eyes piercing through him.

Seth had been staring at the mangled corpse of Mrs. Bones as he was thinking.

''No. This… I wanted to see Corban, and my father.'' Said Seth quietly, a lie floating in the air.

''How touching.'' Snickered Dolohov.

Fenrir wiped the blood off his mouth with his sleeve.

''Both of you, leave, and bring your corpse with you, Greyback.'' Said Voldemort.

''Yes, my Lord.'' They said before leaving, Fenrir had grabbed his victim on his shoulders.

''My Lord, Severus Snape was behind the doors.'' Said Dolohov before knocking his shoulder into Severus's. ''Snooper.'' He added in a mocking tone to Severus.

''Cretin.'' Hissed Severus under his breath.

''Severus, come in.'' Said Voldemort.

Seth stepped to the side and crossed his arms. There was something off about the man. Severus closed the doors where the privacy spells from the runewords engraved on the doors took effect again. Severus went in front of the Dark Lord, taking a glance at Seth before kneeling and bowing his head.

''My Lord… there is something you need to know.'' Said Severus, his voice lightly shaking.

Voldemort's face changed with genuine concern, and quickly went back to neutral. Seth could tell Severus was an important deatheater for him.

''What is it, Severus?'' Asked Voldemort.

Severus removed his mask and took a deep breath before speaking.

''I was spying on Dumbledore like you asked. I was at the Hog's Head inn where he was interviewing a woman named Sybille Trelawney. Her family is known to have seers, and Dumbledore was looking for a Divination teacher. At one moment during the interview, her face changed, and she began to speak differently.'' Severus paused.

Voldemort stood up.

''What did you hear?'' Asked Voldemort. Severus glanced again at Seth. ''There is no person I trust more than Seth, Severus, speak.'' Added the Dark Lord dryly.

''Yes, my Lord. S-she said… The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... She stopped, and repeated it, somewhat, again with different words, the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord, thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies… and I was… thrown out by Aberforth because he had seen me.'' Said Severus.

Seth felt a cold shiver run down his spine. He looked at Severus Snape, then Voldemort, who kept a blank face. The Dark Lord took the few steps towards Snape then grabbed his arm and placed the tip of his wand on the dark mark. Severus's jaw clenched from the pain but did not make a sound.

''Your mask, Severus.'' Said Voldemort quietly and Severus placed back his mask on his face.

''A prophecy… does it concern you?'' Thought Corban.

''He has not heard it fully. But… I…'' Thought Seth before making an inaudible sigh.

A few moments later, a knock was heard on the door. Voldemort waved his wand at the door where it opened to reveal two masked figures, one Seth knew was Lucius, simply by his delectable smell. The other, he did not know, and the man had looked at Seth, or so he thought through his mask. The door closed behind them, and they kneeled before bowing their heads.

''Tell me, what infant is supposed to be born at the end of July?'' Asked Voldemort.

''Potters and… the Longbottoms, my Lord.'' Said Lucius.

Seth heard Severus's heartbeat accelerate dramatically. He thought he saw Severus glance at him again, through his mask. Seth's eyes narrowed. What was going on? Voldemort brought fingers to his lips, in thoughts. He gestured towards the one he did not know.

''You are… friends with the Potters, yes?'' Asked Voldemort.

The man nodded, but Seth could clearly hear also his heartbeat going crazy, and the man smelled very bad.

''Get me the whereabouts of the Potters, now.'' Ordered Voldemort with venom.

''Yes, my Lord.'' Answered Lucius.

The other man had also said it very quietly, but he did not remember ever hearing his voice before. The man and Lucius had bowed again before leaving. When the door closed, Voldemort sat back down on his chair, Nagini slithering slowly behind with a full belly.

''Please… my Lord. Can you… can you… s-spare the mother… Lily Potter?'' Begged Severus, his head so low it almost touched the floor.

Seth raised an eyebrow at the deatheater's demand. He knew Snape once harbored feelings for the woman, Ruma had told him so. He thought Ruma and Severus would have ended together for a time, but it seems something happened between them.

''She had a fight with him, her last Hogwarts year, because he would not let go of his feelings for that woman. With Gellert all over her, and the last reason to stay in Britain gone, she stayed with you two, in New York.'' Thought Corban.

''You shall never tell a single soul of what you heard. Do I make myself clear?'' Threatened Voldemort before dismissing him. ''I will… think about your request.''

''Yes, my Lord.'' Said Severus.

Seth saw Severus hold his hands together, preventing a trembling. He stood up and glanced again at Seth before leaving. Voldemort stayed silent; his eyes blank as he was thinking.

''Don't bother with that, V.'' Asked Seth.

Voldemort looked at Seth with an intense piercing gaze.

''Don't bother with that? You perfectly know a seer, why don't you speak to me about it, hmm?'' Said Voldemort.

Gellert.

''He sees things, not make prophecies. Severus said he got thrown out before hearing the rest. What if that part was important? It could mean so many people, including me.'' Said Seth.

''You? I heard plenty of that prophecy. No one, NO ONE CAN KILL ME! NO ONE SHOULD EVEN THINK OR DARE DEFY ME, PROPHECY OR NOT!'' Yelled Voldemort as he walked towards Seth, now an inch from his face.

They stared at each other; Voldemort's breath on Seth's face. Seth placed a hand on the Dark Lord's chest, feeling his heart beating on his palm. His ring remained cold.

''I have a feeling I am the only one you shout at, V. Showing your emotions like that. I said that because I am worried, not because I meant that I'm against you.'' Said Seth in a low calming voice.

Voldemort tsked and went back to sit on his chair. Seth had not even flinched at Voldemort's reaction, knowing how to deal with the man like no other. He could not help but find the situation deplorable at how the brilliant man he once knew had become unstable.

''Leave me.'' Said Voldemort quietly as he rubbed his eyes with his thumb and finger.

Seth's lips thinned as he looked down briefly, then turned and left the room.

''So, you are not going to tell him.'' Thought Corban.

''I am not going to tell him.'' Though Seth.

OoOoO

''Take this.'' Said Orion as he passed his family ring on Ruma's finger which adjusted to her size.

Ruma frowned as she looked at the writings on the ring (Toujours Pur) and at the crow engraved in it. In her other trembling hand was a magical contract she had just signed. She swallowed hard as she looked at the laying form of Orion on the sofa, taking back his hand in hers.

The last four years in Angel's manor had been intense. Orion had tried to help Seth commune with the vampires he had found, to introduce them to the wizarding world as much as he could. Never did he let a vampire drink for him, and even in some instances, he had to use magic to defend himself, his own life, for not every vampire had been wanting to bow to Seth. He had barely made it, once, managing to summon a Patronus in time to send a message. After that moment, Seth had thought about a way to know if Orion was in danger through his family ring, connected to his own. When his wife died, he got sick and would never talk about it but still managed to do what he could until it became worse, way worse.

He made Ruma sign an adoptive form paper, leaving her to become his adoptive daughter.

''No one will know about it, Ruma. You can freeze that seat.'' Said Orion weakly.

''If… If what you said it's true… Rosanne will die. How am I even supposed to deal with her father? Let alone a baby! Don't you think he will fight to raise him or her? What about Sirius?'' Asked Ruma.

''You are already the baby's godmother, and it's a boy. You have the right over him, and even more now! There's not a Black alive who can do anything about it! Not even Cygnus's daughters! I don't see how my grandson would have a better, powerful mother from noble blood! You should have been the one to marry Regulus before my father said anything about it!'' Said Orion.

His words had been desperate, pleading and he was out of breath by the time he was done. A long, very long moment of silence passed.

''You could still live, you know that…'' Said Ruma quietly, implying he could be a vampire.

''Funny how you ask f… f-for me, what you would not do y-yourself.'' Said Orion weakly.

She took a deep breath, not wanting to go there.

''What do I do with the loss of my two only friends I had in school, then having to raise a baby, a… a Black, and I'm not even a pureblood! You want me to go back in Britain with those supremacist savages? At least here, I have a purpose, I am… useful.'' Cried Ruma.

Orion pulled on her hand gently.

''Pureblood… I have stopped believing in that shit ever since I have been with Seth… ugh.'' He coughed and Kreacher was by his head, wiping a wet cloth on his forehead. ''I… I was working for Seth, bowing my head for him like the true King he deserves to be. There is a maniac in Britain, that is not a pureblood either, that needs to be stopped… and my son… my son died for that. Ruma… Rosanne… is still alive and she needs you.'' Said Orion with increasing difficulty. ''That ring… is also a p… oh Salazar… p-portkey.''

Tears began to fall off her cheeks and unto Orion's sleeve.

''Sorry.'' She stupidly said as she wiped her eyes.

She listened to his raspy breathing, holding his hand tightly. An hour must have gone by before Orion spoke again.

''Ruma, if you become a vampire… you will never see how beautiful it is.'' Said Orion.

''What is?'' Asked Ruma, repressing a sob.

''Over there.'' He sighed.

Orion drew out his last breath as Ruma heard the familiar clicking boot sounds of Gellert behind her. Kreacher made a silent whine, went down the sofa and hid behind it.

''Pity. I would have loved to make him mine.'' Said Gellert with his haughty voice.

''He was not yours to take.'' Replied Ruma dryly, her back turned from him.

Gellert made a smile and walked towards her.

''No. Seems he got to you first, miss Black.'' Said Gellert as he tossed her hair aside and placed a kiss on her shoulder, then her neck.

She hated herself to feel pleasuring shivers. Ever since she had learned about the Triunes and his barbaric methods to control not only muggles, but also wizards, she had developed a love-hate relationship with him. In her lessons with him, he was a perfect teacher, caring, patient, and loveable. When he dealt with anyone else that was not a close follower, he was ruthless and cold, and he almost always killed his victims every time he fed, not even using the servants at home. The MACUSA was not there anymore to stop him, and even Seth let him do anything he wanted, which he could not really be blamed for, since he was always gone, searching endlessly for vampires.

''Please, don't. Let's prepare a decent funeral for an incredible man.'' Said Ruma quietly.

OoOoO

April 10th, 1980

Ruma had used her portkey to go back in Britain. Rosanne happened to live in the Black's home. She told her everything and as they spoke, Rosanne went into labor. She refused to go to St-Mungo's hospital, knowing her fate would not change if she went or not. They were in Regulus's small room where Kreacher had made his best to clean despite his wounds. Everything had been prepared for a newborn.

''My father… he tried to cast the Imperius curse on me! He… he wanted me to forfeit my son's life for my own, Ruma! Ah!'' Said Rosanne as she had a contraction. She held Ruma's hand tightly. ''I'm scared… he should have been there… I feel… so alone.'' Said Rosanne.

Ruma took her special quill she used to write runes from her purse and began to draw runes on Rosanne's belly meant to remove the pain, but she stopped her.

''No… it's the last thing I'll ever feel… the birth of my son… let me feel alive.'' Said Rosanne.

''Rosanne…'' Said Ruma, worried.

Rosanne had another contraction. Ruma tried to make her comfortable, rearranging the pillows. Her contractions went on for several hours, but just before the eleventh hour of the night, her son was born. Baby cries echoed in the room of the father. Ruma wiped the mucus and fluids from the newborn, enveloped him carefully in covers then waved her wand over his tiny body, checking his health, before giving him to Rosanne. She waved her wand again, healing the wounds the baby coming out did, waited for the placenta to come out and vanish it in another swirl of her wand.

She looked at her friend, who had the sweetest smile on her face. She had removed the cover off the tiny feet, touching the little toes. Tears began to fall off her cheeks. Ruma wondered how exactly the wedding curse worked. Rosanne looked up to her left, then shook her head before looking at Ruma.

''Name him Regulus, okay?'' Asked Rosanne.

Rosanne motioned her to take the baby and Ruma's heartbeat accelerated, a dread feeling shaking her.

''Rose…? What's wrong?'' Asked Ruma, holding Regulus in her arms.

Rosanne leaned back on the pillow and looked to her left again, a tear falling down her cheek.

''It's beautiful, over there.''

Author's note: Well, this is exciting. Next chapter, we see a little bit of Sirius. I think chapter 66 will be where Voldemort attacks the Potters, so bear with me =) Thx for reading as always, and a first real review after 270 000 words would really cheer me up!