"That's the beautiful thing about innocence; even monsters have a pocketful of childhood memories with which to seek comfort with."

The purpose Chapter 67 Third time defied

June 14th, 1981

Dumbledore's office

''Can't say I'm not impressed by what you did this year, Mrs. Vulken. The end of term is in five days, the exam week, and fortunately, nothing happened to you. Would you be willing to continue, with salary, even if you do not need it?'' Asked Dumbledore.

Seth had not said anything to her, and she had learned so much by reading in the library and also showing to her students what she had learned too at the same time. She had to admit she had learned to love what she did, and spending time with Severus had been marvelous.

''There's nothing saying the contrary, Headmaster.'' Said Ruma.

Albus smiled and leaned back on his chair. Fumseck chirp joyfully, and Dumbledore looked at his phoenix for a moment.

''There's something I need to ask you, Ruma.'' Said Albus, using her first name as a sudden familiarity.

Ruma frowned, wondering what he wanted.

''Anything.'' Said Ruma.

''At what point are you willing to fight against Voldemort?'' Asked Dumbledore.

Her stomach clenched and her throat constricted.

''No. Don't bring me there. You perfectly know Severus works for him and I would never do anything that could be conflicting with what you would ask and what Voldemort could ask! I already did everything I could to sway the students that were going to him this year! Don't ask me for more.'' Said Ruma dryly.

Albus placed his hands on his lap and sighed.

''Very well, I won't. Your skills in runes would have been very useful, I thought this could have been an opportunity for you to show me what exactly you trained for.'' Said Albus.

Ruma opened her mouth and closed it. Albus sported a mischievous smile.

''W-What exactly do you mean?'' Asked Ruma.

''I'm sorry, I thought you said you did not want to help. You are dismissed, professor Vulken.'' Said Albus.

Ruma scoffed and stood up.

''Fine, I'll do that, but don't play with me, Headmaster. I don't want Voldemort or any spies of your order to even know I had anything to do with that.'' Huffed Ruma before leaving the office.

Fumseck chirped.

''I think we might just have found another ally, my dear friend.'' Said Albus.

OoOoO

July 14th, 1981

Azkaban's prison

''It's Snape's fault! HE'S A SPY! I'M INNOCENT!'' Yelled a recently caught deatheater.

Lazarus sighed, rolling his eyes as he closed the cell door with a light touch. He looked at the neighbouring cell where Igor Karkaroff was and raised an eyebrow. The man was listening to what the deatheater had been saying.

''What, you want another session, Igor?'' Asked lazily Lazarus.

Igor shook his head then went to sit back in a corner. Lazarus walked to his cell door.

''I didn't hear you.'' Said the vampire.

''N-no… sir.'' Said Igor fearfully.

''Yes, that is what I thought.'' Answered Lazarus.

Greisha appeared in the hallway and walked to him.

''They keep arriving every week now, something is going on.'' Said Greisha.

''Indeed, and most of them are innocents placed under the imperius. The real deatheaters are relentless.'' Said Lazarus with a bored tone.

''You seem so bothered.'' Said Greisha with a grin.

''Obviously. Can't you tell?'' Said Lazarus as they walked back to the office. ''I miss my things. I'm not a prison man.''

''Anton enjoys himself, I'm sure you can ask to stop being here if you really want to.'' Assured Greisha.

''Right. Where is he anyway?'' Asked Lazarus.

''You know him. Probably shagging the guards somewhere.'' Said Greisha.

Lazarus sighed and closed his eyes.

''That vampire has got no dignity.'' Said Lazarus, shaking his head.

OoOoO

September 22nd, 1981

Magical defense classroom

Ruma was teaching the seventh-year students about the Patronus charm, having them write about five happy memories, and remembering them the happier they were, the easier they would produce the charm. After several minutes, a slytherin raised her hand.

''Yes, Aliza.'' Said Ruma.

''Professor, why didn't you teach us about vampires last year?'' She asked.

''There are so much I could talk about in one year, I had to divide the subjects into appropriate years, and I thought about going in depths about them in the seventh-year, rather then covering just the surface.'' Said Ruma.

''Are you the official DADA teacher now? It's the first time we get to see one a second time.'' Said Aliza.

''Well, that's the thing, it's not really DADA. I named it Magical Defense.'' Answered Ruma with a wink.

''Why did you not do your seventh-year?'' Asked another student.

Ruma frowned, not knowing how any could know this information.

''How do you know I did not do that, Sebastian?'' Asked Ruma.

''I remember seeing you here as a student, since I was in my second and you in your sixth, five years ago.'' Said Sebastian. ''We just did not talk to each other.''

The students looked at each other and whispered, vaguely remembering her. She had stopped doing her deals and what-not, so she had not bothered much to talk to lower years.

''Well then. To answer your question, I went to the United States, where I deepened my knowledge about medicine, runes, and enchantments. I went back to Britain because I have a godson and wanted to be near him. At the same time, the Headmaster asked me if I wanted to come to teach here, to which I agreed on my terms because of how the DADA had bad reputation.'' Explained Ruma, eyeing each student carefully. ''Does that satisfy your curiosity about me?'' She added.

''Right-on, professor.'' Said Sebastian with a wink, then he suddenly clutched his arm. ''Ow!''

Ruma had cast a silent stinging hex at him.

''None of that with me.'' Said Ruma sternly. ''Now, back to the subject, can someone tell me the use of a Patronus charm?'' She asked.

Several students raised their hands, and she pointed at a Ravenclaw.

''The incantation is Expecto Patronum and is used to repel dementors with positive energy. It requires heavy discipline of the mind and the intense focus on a happy memory to make it corporeal. Very few manage to produce one in the presence of a dementor.'' Said the student.

''Good, five points to Ravenclaw. What else?'' Asked Ruma.

Only two hands were up now.

''Yes, Nina?'' Said Ruma.

''The Patronus is unique to each wizard and is believed to mirror the soul, thus some are weary to show it to people, should they know how to do it, because of that very reason.'' Said Nina.

''Good, five points for Slytherin.'' Said Ruma.

''Can you show us yours?'' Asked Sebastian with a grin.

Ruma sighed and her wand slid in her hand. To find a happy memory was not hard since she had seen Severus the night before, in his bed.

''Expecto Patronum!'' Said Ruma as she waved her wand around herself.

A silvery white unicorn went out of her wand and ran around the giggling students and disappeared when it came back to her.

''A unicorn! That's amazing, professor.'' Said Nina, as others approved her saying.

''Thank you, Nina. You will all be able to make one at the end of term if you so desire. Being able to produce one will not be on exams, just a bonus. For the second part of this class, I want you to tell me what is a dementor.'' Said Ruma.

And so went her Magical Defense class, another year that looked in the right direction.

OoOoO

October 31st, 1981

''Seth. Wake up.''

Corban's voice felt distant.

''Seth. You know I never bother you when you sleep, WAKE UP!'' Thought Corban harder.

''Mana?.'' Thought Seth in Venthyr, his eyes still closed.

Corban was not alarmed, but felt instead pissed, so Seth had not bothered moving yet out of bed.

''The Dark Lord wants to talk to you, like… right now, in Britain, at Lestrange's manor.'' Thought Corban.

Seth swore loudly as he sat up in bed. A knock was heard at his door and Michael softly asking if he wanted him to come in, to which he denied.

''I'll be there in a few minutes. This better be a life and death situation or I'll drink him dry. I don't have a portkey made and I'm in a foul mood.'' Thought Seth, knowing that the apparition will tire him immensely.

Silence lingered for a short moment, then Corban's thoughts were heavier.

''He says it is.'' Thought Corban.

''You are with him now?'' Thought Seth.

''Seth.'' Warned Corban.

Seth swore again then quickly dressed up in a dark blue buttoned shirt and black pants. He grabbed his wand and his holster from the bedside table.

''Colpy.'' Said Seth quietly and his house-elf apparated instantly in front of him, bowing low. ''Colpy, I'll be in Britain for a short time, I hope. Tell Gellert where I am.'' Added Seth as he placed his holster and wand on his arm.

''Yes, sir.'' Said Colpy before disappearing.

Seth took a deep breath, closing his eyes and clearly seeing the gates of Lestrange's manor. He felt the pressure around his body, and the magic of his crown taking over his own, swirling around and protecting him of wandering thoughts. His heartbeat went faster, and his knees became weaker, but there he was, holding on the gate's cold metallic bars, and out of breath.

He straightened himself and waved a hand over the wards and the gates opened to let him pass. He took a few seconds to take deep breaths, then walked to the manor, following Corban's energy, not wanting to focus on the other energy he was feeling everywhere.

The manor was awkwardly empty. He pushed the door of where they were. Someone else was with the two of them, the same one he had seen last time he had been in that room.

''Good. You are here. Wormtail, say again what you told me, now.'' Hissed Voldemort.

Wormtail?

''Peter Pettigrew.'' Informed Corban through thoughts, but that did not tell him who he was more.

''S-Seven S-Sudbury ro-road… G-Godric's hollow.'' Stuttered Wormtail.

Voldemort stood up, walked to Seth, and grabbed his arm before apparating away. Even if it was with side-along apparition, the compression gave Seth nausea and he vomited upon arrival on the damp street. Children laughter could be heard around them about a street away. It was Halloween, after all.

''He brought you there?'' Thought Corban.

Seth nodded mentally as he was being dragged by his sleeve by Voldemort.

''What do you think you are doing?'' Hissed Seth, removing his grip from him.

''The Potters, I know where they are!'' Said Voldemort.

Seth now realised what he was about to do but wondered why he had brought him along.

''V! You have to stop that, NOW! STOP BELIEVING IN WHATEVER HE SAID!'' Said Seth angrily, grabbing Voldemort's wrist.

Voldemort removed himself from his grip.

''I can't be the best sorcerer in the world if a child is prophesized to KILL ME! STEP ASIDE!'' Said Voldemort, suddenly agitated.

''Hey! You asked me for guidance, or I don't know what. You drew me out of New York to do what exactly? You are going to kill that kid anyway? What if it's a trap? Did you ever see a prophecy been made before?'' Said Seth with precipitation.

''Yes, I did. Rookwood said there are hundreds of them! And NEVER as important as this one.'' Mumbled Voldemort, stopping in front of a house.

''Because it concerns you? Let me repeat the question: what do you need me for, V?'' Asked Seth as he placed himself between him and the house.

Voldemort stared at Seth, breathing heavily and his heart beating unevenly. Seth's eyes widened in realisation. Voldemort feared death above everything else. He did the only thing someone, in a crisis situation, would normally do, and had called the only person someone like Voldemort could think of: Seth.

''You're afraid.'' Mumbled Seth.

The Dark Lord's eyes changed to anger.

''NO! A Dark Lord is not afraid of anything!'' Hissed Voldemort.

Using third person. How exactly sane was he?

''You called me because you trust me if something goes wrong!'' He hissed back.

Seth was not so sure he wanted to do anything. If the prophecy was something real and that he was supposed to…

No.

Seth stepped aside and Voldemort crossed the gates of the small cottage house. Then, he heard him.

''Lily, take Harry and go! It's him! Go! Run! I'll hold him off.'' Said James Potter.

A glass was broken somewhere. A cat hissed.

''Avada Kedavra!'' Hissed Voldemort.

Green light illuminated the house for a second. High-pitched laughter. Just like that, another Potter's life was ended. Seth still stood outside by the gates, indecisive until his lover spoke again to him.

''You are going to let him kill a child?'' Thought Corban softly.

''I…'' Said Seth out loud, hands turning into fists.

A vampire shall never knowingly harm, kill, feed off of or sire a child no matter what.

''Not Harry, not Harry, please not Harry!'' Pleaded the mother.

A vampire step later, Seth crossed the doorframe of the child's bedroom.

''Stand aside you silly girl … stand aside now.'' Hissed Voldemort.

Voldemort had granted Severus's request: he had tried to spare her. Lily gasped at Seth, opening, and closing her mouth. Her eyes reflected the exact same ones Porpentina had given him before she had the Triune inserted.

Hope.

''You…'' She began, then looked at Voldemort again. ''Not Harry, please no, take me, kill me instead.'' Said Lily. ''Not Harry! Please … have mercy … have mercy…''

Seth felt a sudden heavy magic fill the room and a dreadful feeling got in his stomach. Something was wrong. Voldemort laughed again, lifting his wand.

''As you wish, then. Avada Kedavra!'' He said again in a cold voice.

The boy looked at his mother on the floor and began to cry softly. Voldemort raised his wand again.

''V, there's something wrong. Don't do it.'' Said Seth, stepping again in between the Dark Lord and his objective.

''He's right there! Do you want that boy to grow and end me?'' Spat Voldemort.

''Don't you feel it? Can you even hear yourself? Are you blinded by what you already have?'' Said Seth, his voice rising, conflicted between saving a child and siding with someone he once called a friend.

''YOU DARE DEFY ME?'' Yelled the Dark Lord.

No… Maybe.

Voldemort screamed, waving his wand to push Seth aside and pointed his wand at the boy.

''AVADA KEDAVRA!'' Yelled the Dark Lord.

The green light filled the bedroom, and a loud explosion noise was heard everywhere. The magic cracked and waved, pulsing through furniture and walls. Voldemort's body disintegrated as a dark purple star shone brightly on the floor where Seth had been, then vanished into nothingness.

'How was I supposed to protect you both?'

OoOoO

''SETH! NO, SETH! SETH! NO, NO, NO!''

Corban was screaming until his voice had given out. The palm of his hands were on where Seth had disappeared, a light purple star residue laying on the floor.

''YOU ARE NOT DEAD! NO, YOU ARE THERE! IN MY HEAD! WHERE ARE YOU? WHERE? SETH! SETH! WHY ARE YOU NOT ANSWERING BACK!... Why?''

Corban hit the floor with his fists, breaking the wooden tiles. The boy was crying loudly beside him, in his cot. He stood up rapidly, pointing his wand at him.

''YOU! It's all because of you! WHY ARE YOU NOT DEAD, YOU STUPID CHILD?'' Cried Corban.

Wormtail was in a corner, trembling, and observing the scene when he noticed the wands on the floor. He dared not take Seth's while Corban was in disarray in front of him. He silently grabbed his master's wand and apparated away before someone else came.

Wormtail's disapparition caught Corban's attention for a second and he also noticed Seth's wand which he promptly took and placed in his inner pocket. Not far from where the wand had been, the goblin-made weapon of Seth's tail was there too. He carefully took it, knowing nothing could touch the blade without cutting it instantly. He took a deep breath, trying to think more clearly. Surely Dumbledore would be alerted somehow. This was a hidden auror cottage, and his presence would be suspicious. He took a last glance at the boy, not knowing what he should be doing, and apparated to the first place he thought was logical: Egypt, to warn Seth's parents and to know more about the protective enchantment Seth had on his shoulder.

OoOoO

Same time, Six hours earlier in New York

Porpentina Scamander was having lunch at home with her husband when she felt a veil of memory lift up in her mind. The images of the day she received the Triune in her mouth came flooding before her eyes and she screamed, falling on the floor as the burning smell and sensation filled her mouth. She passed her tongue on her mouth roof and she felt it, the scar tissue, confirming the horrid event that had transpired. The face of Grindelwald and his malevolent smile that haunted her came in front of her thoughts too.

Newt had stood up and went to his wife, worried, and took her by the shoulders.

''What's wrong? Tell me what's wrong!'' Said Newt.

Tina heaved, trying to calm herself, looking at her husband.

''Newt… Newt… Grindelwald… he has found a way to take control of the MACUSA without anyone knowing! There…. There is something inside my mouth that acts like the Imperius curse! I… I… I don't know why I remember everything, but this thing could still kill me! Oh my god… it could still kill us all if he finds out…'' Blurted out Tina.

''C-Control? You mean… how long? How long have you had this?'' Asked Newt.

Tina stood up and thought about the events.

''Six… it's been six years.'' Said Tina.

The memories went back in her mind again, feeling the burning sensation as if it was yesterday. She moved a finger on her mouth roof, shuddering at the sensation.

''I have to remove it; I have to remove that thing!'' Cried Tina.

The radio that had been playing a soft music suddenly got interrupted.

'We bring you these terrible flash news happening right now across the country. We confirm the deaths of state ambassadors as if there had been a terrorist attack. Authorities are in complete disarray at what is actually happening, I just got informed that the president has been transported to the hospital, but we fear he has already succumbed to the same wounds as the ambassadors in which they describe as an intense bleeding from their mouths as if they had been shot…'

The radio became silent for a moment as Tina and Newt looked at each other.

'Ladies and Gentlemen… the USA leaders are under attack… who is behind all…'

Newt turned off the radio.

''You think he is doing that? Or something else happened?'' Asked Newt.

Tina shook her head.

''I don't know, but you will remove that thing from my mouth, and we will gather the others and help them with me. After that… Gellert will cease to exist, no matter what it takes!'' Said Tina with anger. ''I have a plan, but we will need Leclerc's cooperation. I now know why he had been evading us so much, he is a metamorphmagus! We will have to bribe his freedom out of this. As for Gellert's followers, it will be complicated, they are all linked through him… they are vampires that can do magic, just like Seth.'' She added.

''Whatever your plan is, if we encounter Seth, I am not sure you can execute it.'' Said Newt worryingly.

Porpentina nodded and licked her lips.

''I… I know… I feel like he was not too fond of what Gellert was doing. Maybe, just maybe, we could still talk to him.'' Said Tina.

OoOoO

Angel's manor

Gellert held his head, closing his eyes and breathing hard as his childes assaulted his mind in confusion and demands. He ordered them to stay calm and play ignorance at the unfolding events. Why did the Triune fail? Did it affect only muggles? He carefully checked his mind for the Triune dots, and there they were, only wizards left still alive. Did he still have control over them? But that triggered another question. Colpy had told him earlier that Seth was going to Britain again. Did something happen to him like his vision had shown him years ago?

''Colpy.'' He called, unsure if the house-elf would present itself.

But he did. Colpy apparated with a worried face and ears hanging low.

''Where is Seth?'' Asked Gellert.

Colpy looked away, pulling on his ears.

''Master is not in this realm! Colpy does not understand how he can't go to him!'' Whined the house-elf.

''Get out of my sight.'' Snapped Gellert.

The elf whimpered again before disapparating. Gellert thought about the only other person that could know what had transpired and that was Corban.

''Anton. Ask Corban what happened to our King.'' Ordered Gellert through thoughts.

Sudden confusion was felt from Anton.

''I will. Might explain why major deatheaters are being taken here recently. Something's fishy.'' Thought Anton. ''Fishy like a…''

''I don't need your rambling!'' Answered dryly Gellert. ''If anyone knows what happened to Seth, say so, if not, do dot dare speak to me unless I do.'' Added Gellert to his every childes.

Gellert hit the table in front of him which broke upon contact. He yelled out of frustration and kicked broken wooden pieces on the floor. He needed to feed, and he needed to kill something.

OoOoO

Hogwarts's dining hall

Dumbledore was sitting among the other professors at the table when he felt his wand warm up. It meant that an alarm had been triggered in his office. He swiftly stood up and walked in the direction of it. In his haste, he had not noticed that Ruma had been following him.

He quickly examined his artefacts; it was the Potter's cottage. He turned around and saw her. Ruma had a small crown on her head, that looked like metallic leaves in gold and silver colors. Her expression had lost all innocence she bore just a few minutes ago, as if the weight of a nation was on her shoulders.

Something didn't only happen to Voldemort. Something also happened to Seth.

''Take me with you. I want to know why I have this burden on my head now.'' Said Ruma as she extended her hand.

Albus glanced at his phoenix who chirped before flying towards them. Albus took Ruma's hand, then Fawkes's tail as he passed, and they disappeared in a flash of fire.

Distant children laughter could still be heard this late at night. Ruma looked around, seeing the destroyed roof of a house. She instinctively spelled muggle repelling charms.

''Wit thinking.'' Said Dumbledore, his wand also out.

''Professor… whose house was this?'' Asked Ruma.

Before he could answer, a soft cry was heard, coming from the house. Ruma did not hesitate and ran inside.

''Ruma!'' Said Albus, alarmed.

Ruma gasped in horror as she saw James's body on the floor of the living room. She had known that man, no matter how detestable he was. She suddenly thought of Sirius how it could have been him. She ran upstairs where the cries of an infant could be heard, and she saw Lily, at her turn, unmoving. She placed her hand over her mouth and shook her head.

''Lily… Severus… oh my god.'' Mumbled Ruma.

Her eyes went to the boy in the cot, his forehead was bleeding, and he was whining softly, as if he had cried too much already. She walked to him and took him in her arms where he hug her desperately. She made shushing sounds as Dumbledore arrived in the bedroom.

''I know an incantation that will show us what happened, but I might fall unconscious right after.'' Said Ruma.

Dumbledore looked at the floor where a faded purple star was and frowned before looking at Ruma.

''Very well… I can bring you safely to friends nearby, same as… Harry, the boy in your arms.'' Said Albus softly.

Harry had already fell asleep in her arms, probably from exhaustion. She placed him back in his bed, then placed a Muffliato on his cot, so she would not disturb him.

She raised her wand, then began chanting as she wrote runewords in the air. The runewords were glistening blue, green and purple and as she spoke, the runewords glowed brighter and brighter. Albus recognized the type of magic she was performing, having it seen so many times in his past before.

Gellert had taught her.

A ghost like version of Lily came back running in the room with Harry in her arms. She placed him in his cot, murmuring soft words to him. Lily gasped as she probably had heard something coming from the living room. James had been killed.

A ghost like version of Voldemort came in the room.

''Not Harry, not Harry, please not Harry!'' Had pleaded Lily.

Another ghost like figure appeared: Seth crossed the doorframe of the bedroom.

''Stand aside you silly girl … stand aside now.'' Had hissed Voldemort.

Lily had gasped at Seth, opening, and closing her mouth.

''You…'' She began, then looked at Voldemort again. ''Not Harry, please no, take me, kill me instead.'' Had said Lily. ''Not Harry! Please … have mercy … have mercy…''

Seth had looked worried as Voldemort had laughed again, lifting his wand.

''As you wish, then. Avada Kedavra!'' He said again in a cold voice.

An image of the boy looked at his mother on the floor and had begun to cry softly. Voldemort raised his wand again.

''V, there's something wrong. Don't do it.'' Had said Seth, stepping again in between the Dark Lord and Harry.

''He's right there! Do you want that boy to grow and end me?'' Had spat Voldemort.

''Don't you feel it? Can you even hear yourself? Are you blinded by what you already have?'' Said Seth, his voice rising.

''YOU DARE DEFY ME?'' Had yelled the Dark Lord.

Voldemort screamed, waving his wand to push Seth aside and pointed his wand at the boy.

''AVADA KEDAVRA!'' Yelled the Dark Lord.

A lighter green light had filled the bedroom, and a loud explosion noise was heard everywhere. Voldemort's body had disintegrated as a dark purple star shone brightly on the floor where Seth had been, then vanished into nothingness.

Ruma fell on her knees and the runewords disappeared, bringing the room into almost darkness. She chuckled softly.

''You see… Dumbledore… Seth was trying to protect them both, can you believe that?'' Said Ruma quietly before falling completely on the floor, unconscious.

Venthyr translation

''Mana?''

''What?''