TITLE: Blood and Potions - Section One: Of Snakes and Night Skies
ABBREVIATED TITLE: BaP:S1
Part: 3/? ("Violent, aren't we?" )
AUTHOR: Cardinal Syn/Jamie Carlson
RATING: PG-13 for Language and Adult Themes
SPOILERS: Misc. Harry Potter spoilers
DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all things HP belong to JK Rowling. Not me. The characters Lilium Beryl, Liam Crescent, and Nii Nah Maxwell belong to me.
NOTES: Dhampir is one of the many spellings for a creature that is half-vampire and half-human. Also, this is a "continuation" of my first Harry Potter Fanfiction, "Searching for Acceptance", (which wasn't very good in my eyes, but I'm trying harder here!) and contains the characters Liam and Nii Nah, introduced in S4A.
WARNINGS: Language and adult themes.
PAIRINGS: Hints at Ron/Hermione, Snape/OC (original character), and a one-sided Liam/Nii Nah later on
MAIN CHARACTERS (in order of most prominent in the story): OC (original character) and Severus Snape; Harry, Ron, Hermione, Draco Malfoy, Liam and Nii Nah Maxwell; Albus Dumbledore and the other teachers at Hogwarts School of Witchraft and Wizardry
FANFICTION.NET SUMMARY: Albus Dumbledore has taken it upon himself to hire a Defense Against Vampires specialist, who accepts with great hesitation - as she is a dhampir herself.
EXTENDED SUMMARY: Albus Dumbledore has decided that it is time for Hogwarts to have a fulltime Defense Against Vampires teacher, and has chosen a renowned vampire specialist. But this vampire specialist is a bit hesitant to take the offer as she, herself, is a Dhampir; half-vampire, half human. When she decides to turn down the position, something interesting happens that changes her mind, and makes her decide to stay....
A/N: Apologies for any mistakes in relevance book-wise. I still need to finish reading what books are out, and it has been almost two years since I finished reading even the first book. Feel free to correct anything in a review, or email me at vampgirl0009@yahoo.com with notes about mistakes, whether it be name-spelling or whatever. (Kindly put "Your Harry Potter fanfiction" in the subject, and copy-paste the offending line, paragraph, or word and tell me what I did wrong. The same goes for reviews!) This story, I hope, is better than Searching for Acceptance was. I rushed S4A.
Story Last Updated: September 15, 2002
Story Notes (added September 15, 2002): As you have seen, I have decided to revamp this fanfiction to coincide better with books 2, 3, and 4. The Triwizard Tournament WILL take place this time, and a few things will be mentioned (such as WHY Professor Lupin is still with Hogwarts.. nyurhurhur... I hand't finished reading Book Three when I had finished these next few chapters.. hehehehehehe, my bad ^^;) Things WILL be DRASTICALLY changed from the fourth book, however; Moody will not have come, Lilium is added, Lupin's still around... This is almost an A/U.. oi.
r/r is appreciated. Flames will be used to burn Severus Snape hate-mail.
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Blood and Potions - Section One: Of Snakes and Night Skies
PART THREE -
"Violent, aren't we?"
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"Welcome back, old students, and a warm welcome to the new!" Headmaster Dumbledore said, his kindly voice penetrating the excited talk of the students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He stood at his place at the High Table, smiling down at the shining faces of new students and old students alike.
His eyes wandered over Gryffindor table. More accurately, to Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and their newest friend made the previous year, Nii Nah Williams. The blue-haired, blue-tailed cat-girl was lapping up a bowl of milk, to the bemusement of her friends. Albus chuckled to himself. He liked that girl.
His eyes then went to the Slytherin table, where Draco Malfoy was trying to talk to Liam Crescent. Trying was indeed the word - Liam had the tendency to flat-out ignore him, but Draco would keep trying. Liam's green eyes were focused on nothing Albus could see - she was probably thinking to herself. The sharp-witted Lamia did that often, and Albus felt confident she was thinking about her classes for the year.
He then turned his attention to his own table - namely, to the two people sitting near each other but who made it clear they had no intentions of speaking to one another.
Professor Severus Snape, Potions teacher at Hogwarts for a very, very long time now, and Head of Slytherin House. He was talking to Professor McGonagall, which under normal circumstances he would avoid. But apparently, speaking to Minerva was preferable to speaking to the woman sitting next to him.
The woman sitting next to him happened to be the new Defense Against Vampires teacher, the Dhampir, Lilium Beryl. Lilium's red-brown hair was pulled back away from her face with a black silk cord, her wavy bangs still allowed to frame her pretty face. Her wide violet eyes were looking out over the young witches and wizards with boredom, her chin in her hand.
Although Lilium had never even finished her first week at Hogwarts due to her abusive father, since she had been Sorted into Slytherin, she was to be recognized as a Slytherin teacher, and wore colors accordingly - a black velvet dress with a silver rope-belt around her waist, the frayed end tassels held with a large jade bead. She wore her teacher's robes as well.
She noticed Albus looking at her, and her brilliant violet eyes flicked over to him. He nodded at her, and she closed her eyes briefly, a visible sigh and her way to show she understood. She stood slowly, and Albus noticed the brief look Severus threw her.
"Now, students of Hogwarts," Dumbledore said, calling their attention. The room became silent, and expectant faces were turned toward the High Table. Albus noticed the excited looks on Liam and Hermione's faces when they saw Lilium standing up with Albus. "There are a few announcements I would like to make before we begin our feast!
"First off, I would like to welcome back Professor Lupin. I have made arrangements for him to be able to stay on at Hogwarts, and although he is reluctant to stay, I'm sure many of you will be glad to have a teacher that has stayed on for more than one year in the Defense Against the Dark Arts position!" Deafening cheers filled the room, startling Professor Lupin and the few Hogwarts students (mainly Slytherins) who didn't want anything to do with him.
"Good, good," Dumbledore said, smiling, his blue eyes twinkling. "Second things, I would like to introduce to you a new teacher, and a new subject of study here at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." He gestured to Lilium.
"This is Madam Lilium Beryl. She is the newest instructor here at Hogwarts, and will be teaching Defense Against Vampires, which most of you heard about last year," Dumbledore announced. "Although she herself was never allowed to finish school here at Hogwarts when she was younger due to insidious circumstances involving her father, Madam Beryl was Sorted into Slytherin House, and after some discussion, it was decided that she would be recognized as a Slytherin teacher." Cheers from a few of the Slytherin students, sounds of disappointment from the children at the other tables. An annoyed frown marred Severus' features. "Madam," Albus finished, allowing Lilium to speak.
"First, I give my greetings to all First, Second, and Third years, as you, unfortunately, will be the only classes that will be able to get the most from Defense Against Vampires, as it is as four-year class," she said, "with additional snippets throughout the rest of your years at Hogwarts." She took a deep breath and looked out among the students of Hogwarts, and collected her thoughts. She blinked slowly, then nodded to herself.
"I am considering only taking this position for a year, and being replaced by next year, but the performance and general attitude of this school for this school year will determine whether I stay or go." Lilium smiled at Hermione and Liam, and then at Neville Longbottom. "When I visited last year, I met a handful of rather extraordinary students, who I really look forward to teaching. I hope to meet more of you as the year progresses, from the older classes as well as the new First Years.
"Not all of the First Years will be beginning my class this year, as there are so many of you. Same with the Second Years. But all of the older students will be taking my class four days out of the week, and I'm warning you now - you all have a lot to learn about vampires. So be prepared. And the school year for this class will be shorter than that of a normal class, with one or two days out of the month, and a smattering of days throughout the year where you will be on independent study, as I will be leaving Hogwarts on those days for various reasons, none of which are open for discussion." She said the last firmly, her expression serious.
Albus nodded to himself - she would be a wonderful teacher. The right mix of sternness with kindness.
"Are there any questions?" Lilium asked. Several dozen hands went up. She nodded at someone. "Yes?"
"Um, if you didn't finish Hogwarts, um, why are you, um, recognized as a Slytherin teacher?" a young Hufflepuff First Year asked. Lilium's face contorted ever so briefly in a look of distaste at her House, but then she smiled.
"It was decided in a council meeting a few weeks ago." She shot the tiniest of looks at Professor Snape through the corner of her eye. "Other than one or two votes, most of the other teachers were for granting me House privileges - and the reason I'm in Slytherin was because, as Headmaster Dumbledore pointed out, I was Sorted into Slytherin when I had a chance to take school here."
Several more students asked her a few questions, and she skillfully avoided answering personal or class subject-related questions. Finally, a young boy raised his hand eagerly.
"Yes?"
"Are yeh really gonna teach us about Succubæ?" the young Irish boy asked. This drew laughter and whistles from the rest of his classmates. Lilium rolled her eyes heavenward.
"Only in your Seventh Year." The younger students were clearly disappointed. Shaking her head, and checking to make sure there were no more hands raised, Lilium took her seat.
Albus nodded at her, and she smiled back, looking rather relieved. He then turned back to the students.
"And finally, the annual Quidditch Cup has been canceled -" he raised his hands to stave off the boos and angry cries of the students, "Now, now - listen, please. This is because the Triwizard Tournament has been reinstated."
Gasps, looks of excitement passed throughout the tables. Dumbledore told them of the tournament's rules and past history, disappointing almost everyone when he spoke of the age limit.
When he was finished, he smiled. "Let the feast begin!"
[* }i{ 3 }i{ 3 }i{ 3 }i{ 3 }i{ 3 }i{ 3 }i{ 3 }i{ 3 }i{ 3 }i{ 3 }i{ 3 }i{ 3 }i{ *]
"The dinner went very well," Professor Minerva McGonagall said, complimenting Lilium. McGonagall was on her way to make sure the students were settled in their dorms for the night.
"Yes, it did," Lilium acknowledged. "I'm looking forward to classes beginning tomorrow, and the Triwizard Tournament! I'd had no idea it was being reinstated."
"I can see it now, you will be very happy with this position!" Madam Trelawney said happily, gliding over to them from across the room. Lilium's lips quirked.
"I don't think it takes a Third Eye to predict that, Madam, but thank you," she said politely. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to prepare for tomorrow."
Quickly slipping away from the other instructors, Lilium made her way down to her own room. It was in the Slytherin teacher's quarters, which, to her dismay, meant she had to pass through the same halls as Snape. She prayed she wouldn't run into him....
Lilium's prayers are rarely, if ever, answered.
"You have a way with words, Miss Beryl," came a silky, masculine voice. Lilium stopped, sighing in annoyance. She turned with a very false smile.
"Thank you, Professor Snape, but I believe you are to refer to me as Madam Beryl," Lilium said sweetly. Severus Snape walked forward out of the shadows of the hallway, his long black hair falling across his forehead. With a deft toss of his head, he threw his hair back away from his eyes. He smirked at her.
"I intend you no offense, Miss Beryl," he said, that sarcasm and infuriating superiority in his purring voice, "But I hardly think you have the experience or age to be referred to as a Madam." Lilium's smile became less false and more razor-sharp. She grinned, more of a bearing of her teeth than anything.
"Well, that depends on one's point of view, I suppose, Severus." She rejoiced at the annoyance that flared in the depths of his black eyes.
"I would greatly appreciate it," he said, his voice dangerously leaning toward menacing yet again, "If you would refer to me only as Professor Snape."
"You can't always get what you want," Lilium said flippantly, losing her patients with this insufferable man. "And if you wish to refer to me as Miss Beryl, I will continue to refer to you as Severus. If you have a problem with that, stop calling me Miss."
"Your childishness is greatly disturbing for a teacher," Professor Snape snapped angrily.
"Your arrogance is greatly disturbing for a Potions Master."
"If I am arrogant, I very well have a right to be - I have earned my title as Potions Master." He stepped closer to Lilium, that sneer set into his features. "Unlike some people, my position was earned rather than granted out of pity."
Lilium glared at him. "What exactly are you imposing, Severus?"
"Only that you received this position because no one else would hire you. Which is true, is it not, Miss Beryl?" Severus asked, mimicking her tone of voice.
"I wasn't looking for a long-term job."
"Ah ha.. Well, At least you don't have to rely on Daddy's money anymore, correct?"
Lilium's form became deathly still. Snape's eyes narrowed a little - she wasn't even breathing. He had the feeling he had stepped over the line as to just what she was going to tolerate.
"For your information," Lilium said, her voice saturated with barely controlled rage, "I have never relied on him for anything! And even if I had, I would never have gotten it. You don't know my family history very well, do you?" She stalked silently closer to Severus, closing the remaining few feet between the two of them. Her violet eyes burned in the darkness of the evening halls. "It's a shame I don't know enough about your family history to make a comment about your family. But then, I wouldn't want to know about the history of someone who found themselves so lacking in any good qualities that they had to go off and join Voldemort's Death Eaters!" She hissed.
Lilium was shocked at how fast he moved. One hand was at her throat, the other pushing her back from her shoulder. She found her back pressed against the cold stone wall, the back of her head making a loud snap as it hit the wall - hard. Trying to see around the stars dancing in her eyes from lack of air and from the pounding in her head, Lilium raised her hands up and grabbed Snape's wrists.
"How the hell do you know about that?!" Snape growled, his face barely inches from her own. "Who told you?!" Lilium pulled at his hands, desperate for breath and for self-control. Emotions, fear and anger the most prominent, raged through her. She hissed in a breath as she managed to loosen his grip on her throat.
"Violent, aren't we?" she rasped. Her eyes pulsed, and she closed them tightly, gritting her teeth. She felt the tensing of Snape's muscles. She could feel the fangs drop down, and knew that this was what startled him. "Oh, don't be so shocked," she snapped, frustrated and annoyed. "I'm a Dhampir, the fangs come with everything else, and are purely a defense mechanism."
Unbeknownst to him, she was fighting every instinct in her body now, all of which screamed at her to begin ripping at him with her nails and fangs, drain him of his blood and life for daring to attack her. But she fought, and, eventually, won out over her instincts. This took the merest of seconds, but it felt like hours before Severus had replied to her previous statement.
"I'm not taking your bloody class, Beryl, I asked you a damned question!" Snape's voice was barely louder than a whisper, but carried the strength of a shout. She winced, opening her eyes slowly, almost dazedly.
"I could sense It on you, Snape," she said weakly. He blinked, obviously shocked by the sudden change in her tone. The fire in her eyes had all but died, and the fangs had gone. She was drawn, and paler than normal. She saw in his eyes that he realized that she had just used whatever strength she had left in her after the day's exploits to quell the vampire within herself. Even if she hated him, even if she wasn't above petty bickering, she still refused to attack him outright.
Now, rather than the angry, potentially dangerous creature Snape had pinned against the wall in his own anger, he was veritably holding up nothing more than a spent human woman quivering from exhaustion under his hands. The change disturbed him, although he couldn't figure out why that was.
"It?" he demanded after a moment, when it became evident she wouldn't speak without provocation. She sighed.
"I can feel that Dark Mark on your arm, Snape," she whispered. Both of their eyes trailed to his left forearm. "I could sense that darkness inside of you. A Death Eater, Snape, is like a human vampire. I can feel them just as I can feel anything that doesn't belong in.. the.. Light." She suddenly collapsed, and Snape caught her, surprise registering in his eyes and face. Which, he noted gladly, no one was around to see.
Snape stood in the hallway for a moment longer, the unconscious Dhampir in his arms, before quickly going to her room to deposit her on her bed.
All the while, he couldn't help thinking that she had drained herself of energy, possibly in saving his life. She was stronger than even he physically, and he had seen her use her mesmeric powers on Draco Malfoy during her "visit" to his class last school year. Although he doubted her mesmerism would have worked on him, he knew she moved fast enough kill him before he could even reach his wand.
The thought was disturbing. The thought was enticing.
Again, as with the last time he had confronted her, he waited for his heart to slow down.
Once he was finally in his own chambers, in his own bed, and on the verge of sleep, he gladly relinquished thoughts of Lilium for the blackness of dreamless slumber.