Disclaimer: Well, you know the details.
This Chapter is dedicated to Darth Stitch. Hey, are you still out there? *waves*
Sorry this has taken so long.
Well, there is a great deal of Ginny/Draco action that I am not going to include. Things involving Lucius and prophecies and Dobby and many other fascinating topics.
Harry and Sev do not live in a vacuum, the thoughts and actions of others are important, but this story is about them. Their relationship. Sigh. Once again, I will say that their story is nearly finished. (Four maybe five chapters left) I do promise to finish.
By the way, I am aware that the sense of time passing is a bit messed up. I may clean it up some if I ever go back and edit all previous chapters. Please try not to let it interfere with your enjoyment of the story itself. We are going to pretend that it is both Sunday and Halloween. The attack was yesterday. *Scratches her head* I think that's right.
Since my beta has moved away, I am forced to post this without her knowledge.
*****
Dumbledore was conspicuously absent when the Halloween feast began. It added a jarring note to the already subdued proceedings.
Madam Pomphrey had released many of the students, so the Hall was nearly as full as usual. Only the most serious injuries were celebrating the holiday in the Hospital.
Severus surveyed the students almost sadly. As much as he frowned on rule breaking and lack of discipline, he did not like to see his students injured physically or emotionally. Like the young of any species, they would survive adversity and flourish. However, he wished they could have sheltered them a while longer.
There was laughter in the Hall. Jokes were being told. But the silences stretched on as well.
Just as the sweets were presented, the main doors were thrust open with a bang. Dumbledore strode in, a stern look on his face and a manic gleam in his eyes.
He said nothing. He just took his seat and a large portion of lemon custard.
The students, who had all fallen silent at the Headmaster's dramatic entrance now all began talking at once.
Sev winced at the noise. He tried subtly to catch Dumbledore's attention, but was unsuccessful.
"Albus?" He finally said, eyes questioning.
"Later, Severus, later. All is well." Dumbledore said with a small, satisfied smile. He returned all of his attention to his plate.
Severus turned to look over the hall. His eyes met Harry's. Sev twisted his mouth wryly and shrugged.
Harry blew the fringes of his hair out of his eyes and scrunched up his nose. He shrugged as well, and turned to speak with his friends.
Sev watched his son, not realizing how tender his gaze was.
At long last the plates were cleared and Dumbledore stood.
"The recent disturbances have left their mark on us all. Tonight we celebrate All Hollows Eve. The dark night when the veil between the past, the present and the future is at it's thinnest. It is a time to honor friends and loved ones who have gone before.
"In joy and light we chase away the evils that would attempt to haunt us. It is a night for caution, not fear. Now, I believe that a further celebration has been planned in your common rooms. Our customary curfews will not apply, but I will caution you not to leave the safety of your houses this night, for deep magic indeed will be afoot."
Dumbledore sat and curious murmurs spread over the hall. Slowly, the students rose and made their way in groups and clumps out of the Hall.
Sev noticed that Harry and his friends were still seated. He again shrugged to signify he still did not know what was going on.
"Albus?" Sev said again, masking his second inquiry in the noise of the hall.
"Yes, Severus?" Dumbledore smiled mildly, not even looking in his direction.
"Well, what did you discover?" Severus hissed impatiently.
"All in good time, Severus. In the meantime, you have an appointment tonight, I believe?"
Severus sighed. "Right." He had forgotten, actually.
He hoped Blaine's coming meant good news, but he knew better than to expect it.
"Do you still have the key?" Severus asked.
"No, I put it back where it belongs. Be sure to see our friend off the school grounds after you have spoken with him."
"He wouldn't…" Sev began hotly.
Dumbledore raised his hand. "It is the law of this place. You know it, and he knows it, and it has never been broken."
"Yes, Headmaster." Sev agreed.
"Join me in the hospital wing when you're finished." Dumbledore smiled his most inscrutable smile. "All will become clear."
Severus stood and exited by the staff door.
He stopped in his room to change his clothes.
[A/N: Bad Gusha]
Except for the high collar, his clothing would not have been out of place in most of Muggle society. He surveyed the effect in his mirror and then donned the black cape with a flourish. He considered leaving off the top hat, but then sighed and put it on as well.
He left his rooms, only pausing for a moment as he passed the Slytherin common room. He should have looked in on them. Should he do so now, dressed as he was? He winced.
No. Later.
After he had seen Blaine would be soon enough. After he was back in robes, but before he joined Albus in bringing the holiday to the hospital patients.
In the depths of the second dungeon level there was a narrow, winding stair leading down…
Severus paused at the first landing placed his hand on the wall.
"Open to me, for I am a delegate of the Headmaster." A small alcove appeared when the ancient magic that hid it sensed his sincerity.
Severus surveyed the contents of the small space. A silver knife, a wooden stake with matching mallet, fresh garlic, myriad and sundry other useless objects and a single, silver key.
As always, Severus contemplated the morality of such an arsenal so near what should be a place of safety and refuge.
He picked up only the key and drew his hand away. The alcove and its contents once again disappeared in shadow and magic.
Sev cautiously descended the rest of the stairs. When the light of the last school lantern grew dim, he lit witch fire at the end of his wand.
When he came to the blank wall at the foot of the stairs he said. "I come, with the consent of the Headmaster, at the bidding of the being inside." Like the alcove upstairs, a door coalesced out of the shadows.
Severus fitted the key in the lock and the door opened soundlessly. He stepped in and pocketed the key. The door slid shut behind him.
He shook his head. The tunnel he found himself in was one of the features of Hogwarts that predated the school. It wound, back, forth and around, deep into the bedrock.
How the parents would complain if they knew that Hogwarts maintained one of the oldest vampire lairs in Briton.
Not that there was a permanent occupant. The very idea that there could be such a monster so close to their children… as if Lupin didn't count. He scowled, but forced himself to relax.
Massive precautions were always taken. Some necessary, some not.
The tunnel ended in another door.
Severus knocked on it. It creaked open of its own accord.
"Come in." A cool voice invited.
Severus entered and the door swung shut with an ominous clang.
"I have come as I was bid, My Lord." Severus said in the ancient formula. He pulled down his collar and tilted his head so his neck was fully exposed. "My life is in your hands."
The shadowy figure shuddered. "Ugh. Don't be so disgusting, Severus. Pull up your collar. The very idea is enough to make me ill."
"Are you quite sure, Blaine?" Sev smirked. "It was a long day, I'd hate to leave you hungry."
"Yes." Blaine made a gesture and lamps lit themselves around the room. "I remember the last time I tried that well enough not to risk it." The vampire rubbed his abdomen. "Why can't you just bring me a cat like any other, normal non-prey?"
Sev pulled his collar back up. "We tried that once before, if you recall."
Blaine shuddered again. "That mangy thing? I'd scarcely call that a cat." He growled. "It was nearly as toxic as you are. I never did ask, whatever did you feed the thing?"
"Me? Why nothing." Sev smirked. "It certainly isn't mine. I have neither the time nor the inclination to look after a cat. It belongs to the caretaker."
"You know, Severus," Blaine said, becoming very solemn. "I believe you could be more offensive if you really tried." He shook his head. "Come have a seat, boy."
Severus snorted as he approached. "Boy is it?" He folded his cape around himself as he sat.
"Yes. It is how I remember you best, after all. You were such a sweet, succulent little boy. They never should have taught you to read. Then you would never have found that deuced toxicity potion."
Severus relaxed into the comfortable chair. "I never thought it would last this long." He lifted a hand to his hair. "Yet it seems to be as potent as ever." He had been seven when he'd brewed the potion Blaine referred to. Sharing Alde Craig's dungeon with a vampire was not a healthy way to grow up; even if they were friends.
"Yes." Blaine agreed, wrinkling his nose. "I can smell it." He sniffed, as if to emphasize his point. "Huh, not quite the same as before. Your relationships with other humans must have shifted." He drew in another odor filled breath. "Your father is still alive, isn't he?"
"Father still lives. I have a son." Severus explained swiftly.
"You do?" The vampire raised a sculpted eyebrow. "An infant? You? I don't smell the mother on you."
Severus looked away. "He's fifteen. His mother is long dead."
"Della?" Blaine breathed. Severus just nodded. "Now there was sweetness. The scent of an innocent and the strength of a nation. So many 'if onlys' attached to that memory."
"Hey! Keep your mind off my wife." Sev growled.
"Yes, yes. Protocol. Friendship ties and protocol." Blaine laughed. "Which brings us to the purpose of my visit."
"Yes, I am anxious to hear your news." Sev agreed.
"I have come directly from the British Vampiric Council, 1276th session." Blaine said with a grin. "It is the consensus of the council not to support Voldemort if he should apply for our collective aid. It was nearly unanimous."
"Dumbledore will be pleased to hear it." Severus said.
"Indeed. I would have told him myself, but I wanted to see you again. I miss our old nightly contact." Blaine smiled. "It is the further consensus of the council that 'Voldemort is a megalomaniacal imbecile who would have done better to at least change his name after being defeated by an infant.'"
"Is that the general feeling among other Dark Dwellers as well?" Severus asked.
"Yes, except among the Giants," Blaine's nostrils flared in disgust. "who are too thick skulled to grasp the concept."
"So, would you say there is much chance of him recruiting new followers?" Sev asked.
"Very little." Blaine smiled. "Those he can get will be mostly too foolish or too ignorant to be worth much."
"Excellent."
"Of course, the Council is not about to link with the Ministry of Magic either." Blaine cautioned. "No such question was even advanced."
"No." Sev agreed. "We didn't think it would be."
Business concluded, the talk turned to old times.
*****
A/N - Well, that was roughly planned from the start as well. But only roughly.
There will be more Father/Son time in about two chapters… maybe… I think.
Unfortunately, I do not believe the next posting will be quick. I still need to write it.
This Chapter is dedicated to Darth Stitch. Hey, are you still out there? *waves*
Sorry this has taken so long.
Well, there is a great deal of Ginny/Draco action that I am not going to include. Things involving Lucius and prophecies and Dobby and many other fascinating topics.
Harry and Sev do not live in a vacuum, the thoughts and actions of others are important, but this story is about them. Their relationship. Sigh. Once again, I will say that their story is nearly finished. (Four maybe five chapters left) I do promise to finish.
By the way, I am aware that the sense of time passing is a bit messed up. I may clean it up some if I ever go back and edit all previous chapters. Please try not to let it interfere with your enjoyment of the story itself. We are going to pretend that it is both Sunday and Halloween. The attack was yesterday. *Scratches her head* I think that's right.
Since my beta has moved away, I am forced to post this without her knowledge.
*****
Dumbledore was conspicuously absent when the Halloween feast began. It added a jarring note to the already subdued proceedings.
Madam Pomphrey had released many of the students, so the Hall was nearly as full as usual. Only the most serious injuries were celebrating the holiday in the Hospital.
Severus surveyed the students almost sadly. As much as he frowned on rule breaking and lack of discipline, he did not like to see his students injured physically or emotionally. Like the young of any species, they would survive adversity and flourish. However, he wished they could have sheltered them a while longer.
There was laughter in the Hall. Jokes were being told. But the silences stretched on as well.
Just as the sweets were presented, the main doors were thrust open with a bang. Dumbledore strode in, a stern look on his face and a manic gleam in his eyes.
He said nothing. He just took his seat and a large portion of lemon custard.
The students, who had all fallen silent at the Headmaster's dramatic entrance now all began talking at once.
Sev winced at the noise. He tried subtly to catch Dumbledore's attention, but was unsuccessful.
"Albus?" He finally said, eyes questioning.
"Later, Severus, later. All is well." Dumbledore said with a small, satisfied smile. He returned all of his attention to his plate.
Severus turned to look over the hall. His eyes met Harry's. Sev twisted his mouth wryly and shrugged.
Harry blew the fringes of his hair out of his eyes and scrunched up his nose. He shrugged as well, and turned to speak with his friends.
Sev watched his son, not realizing how tender his gaze was.
At long last the plates were cleared and Dumbledore stood.
"The recent disturbances have left their mark on us all. Tonight we celebrate All Hollows Eve. The dark night when the veil between the past, the present and the future is at it's thinnest. It is a time to honor friends and loved ones who have gone before.
"In joy and light we chase away the evils that would attempt to haunt us. It is a night for caution, not fear. Now, I believe that a further celebration has been planned in your common rooms. Our customary curfews will not apply, but I will caution you not to leave the safety of your houses this night, for deep magic indeed will be afoot."
Dumbledore sat and curious murmurs spread over the hall. Slowly, the students rose and made their way in groups and clumps out of the Hall.
Sev noticed that Harry and his friends were still seated. He again shrugged to signify he still did not know what was going on.
"Albus?" Sev said again, masking his second inquiry in the noise of the hall.
"Yes, Severus?" Dumbledore smiled mildly, not even looking in his direction.
"Well, what did you discover?" Severus hissed impatiently.
"All in good time, Severus. In the meantime, you have an appointment tonight, I believe?"
Severus sighed. "Right." He had forgotten, actually.
He hoped Blaine's coming meant good news, but he knew better than to expect it.
"Do you still have the key?" Severus asked.
"No, I put it back where it belongs. Be sure to see our friend off the school grounds after you have spoken with him."
"He wouldn't…" Sev began hotly.
Dumbledore raised his hand. "It is the law of this place. You know it, and he knows it, and it has never been broken."
"Yes, Headmaster." Sev agreed.
"Join me in the hospital wing when you're finished." Dumbledore smiled his most inscrutable smile. "All will become clear."
Severus stood and exited by the staff door.
He stopped in his room to change his clothes.
[A/N: Bad Gusha]
Except for the high collar, his clothing would not have been out of place in most of Muggle society. He surveyed the effect in his mirror and then donned the black cape with a flourish. He considered leaving off the top hat, but then sighed and put it on as well.
He left his rooms, only pausing for a moment as he passed the Slytherin common room. He should have looked in on them. Should he do so now, dressed as he was? He winced.
No. Later.
After he had seen Blaine would be soon enough. After he was back in robes, but before he joined Albus in bringing the holiday to the hospital patients.
In the depths of the second dungeon level there was a narrow, winding stair leading down…
Severus paused at the first landing placed his hand on the wall.
"Open to me, for I am a delegate of the Headmaster." A small alcove appeared when the ancient magic that hid it sensed his sincerity.
Severus surveyed the contents of the small space. A silver knife, a wooden stake with matching mallet, fresh garlic, myriad and sundry other useless objects and a single, silver key.
As always, Severus contemplated the morality of such an arsenal so near what should be a place of safety and refuge.
He picked up only the key and drew his hand away. The alcove and its contents once again disappeared in shadow and magic.
Sev cautiously descended the rest of the stairs. When the light of the last school lantern grew dim, he lit witch fire at the end of his wand.
When he came to the blank wall at the foot of the stairs he said. "I come, with the consent of the Headmaster, at the bidding of the being inside." Like the alcove upstairs, a door coalesced out of the shadows.
Severus fitted the key in the lock and the door opened soundlessly. He stepped in and pocketed the key. The door slid shut behind him.
He shook his head. The tunnel he found himself in was one of the features of Hogwarts that predated the school. It wound, back, forth and around, deep into the bedrock.
How the parents would complain if they knew that Hogwarts maintained one of the oldest vampire lairs in Briton.
Not that there was a permanent occupant. The very idea that there could be such a monster so close to their children… as if Lupin didn't count. He scowled, but forced himself to relax.
Massive precautions were always taken. Some necessary, some not.
The tunnel ended in another door.
Severus knocked on it. It creaked open of its own accord.
"Come in." A cool voice invited.
Severus entered and the door swung shut with an ominous clang.
"I have come as I was bid, My Lord." Severus said in the ancient formula. He pulled down his collar and tilted his head so his neck was fully exposed. "My life is in your hands."
The shadowy figure shuddered. "Ugh. Don't be so disgusting, Severus. Pull up your collar. The very idea is enough to make me ill."
"Are you quite sure, Blaine?" Sev smirked. "It was a long day, I'd hate to leave you hungry."
"Yes." Blaine made a gesture and lamps lit themselves around the room. "I remember the last time I tried that well enough not to risk it." The vampire rubbed his abdomen. "Why can't you just bring me a cat like any other, normal non-prey?"
Sev pulled his collar back up. "We tried that once before, if you recall."
Blaine shuddered again. "That mangy thing? I'd scarcely call that a cat." He growled. "It was nearly as toxic as you are. I never did ask, whatever did you feed the thing?"
"Me? Why nothing." Sev smirked. "It certainly isn't mine. I have neither the time nor the inclination to look after a cat. It belongs to the caretaker."
"You know, Severus," Blaine said, becoming very solemn. "I believe you could be more offensive if you really tried." He shook his head. "Come have a seat, boy."
Severus snorted as he approached. "Boy is it?" He folded his cape around himself as he sat.
"Yes. It is how I remember you best, after all. You were such a sweet, succulent little boy. They never should have taught you to read. Then you would never have found that deuced toxicity potion."
Severus relaxed into the comfortable chair. "I never thought it would last this long." He lifted a hand to his hair. "Yet it seems to be as potent as ever." He had been seven when he'd brewed the potion Blaine referred to. Sharing Alde Craig's dungeon with a vampire was not a healthy way to grow up; even if they were friends.
"Yes." Blaine agreed, wrinkling his nose. "I can smell it." He sniffed, as if to emphasize his point. "Huh, not quite the same as before. Your relationships with other humans must have shifted." He drew in another odor filled breath. "Your father is still alive, isn't he?"
"Father still lives. I have a son." Severus explained swiftly.
"You do?" The vampire raised a sculpted eyebrow. "An infant? You? I don't smell the mother on you."
Severus looked away. "He's fifteen. His mother is long dead."
"Della?" Blaine breathed. Severus just nodded. "Now there was sweetness. The scent of an innocent and the strength of a nation. So many 'if onlys' attached to that memory."
"Hey! Keep your mind off my wife." Sev growled.
"Yes, yes. Protocol. Friendship ties and protocol." Blaine laughed. "Which brings us to the purpose of my visit."
"Yes, I am anxious to hear your news." Sev agreed.
"I have come directly from the British Vampiric Council, 1276th session." Blaine said with a grin. "It is the consensus of the council not to support Voldemort if he should apply for our collective aid. It was nearly unanimous."
"Dumbledore will be pleased to hear it." Severus said.
"Indeed. I would have told him myself, but I wanted to see you again. I miss our old nightly contact." Blaine smiled. "It is the further consensus of the council that 'Voldemort is a megalomaniacal imbecile who would have done better to at least change his name after being defeated by an infant.'"
"Is that the general feeling among other Dark Dwellers as well?" Severus asked.
"Yes, except among the Giants," Blaine's nostrils flared in disgust. "who are too thick skulled to grasp the concept."
"So, would you say there is much chance of him recruiting new followers?" Sev asked.
"Very little." Blaine smiled. "Those he can get will be mostly too foolish or too ignorant to be worth much."
"Excellent."
"Of course, the Council is not about to link with the Ministry of Magic either." Blaine cautioned. "No such question was even advanced."
"No." Sev agreed. "We didn't think it would be."
Business concluded, the talk turned to old times.
*****
A/N - Well, that was roughly planned from the start as well. But only roughly.
There will be more Father/Son time in about two chapters… maybe… I think.
Unfortunately, I do not believe the next posting will be quick. I still need to write it.