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Chapter 4
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Severus Snape was going to yet another Dark Revel. He knew there was a time when he had enjoyed these, but now he was disgusted. He had crumbled a year or two back and confessed everything to Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. Why him? To avoid the hassle of the Ministry. Dumbledore would either kill him or send him to Azkaban without further bother. There the Ministry would give him the Kiss. If he had gone to the Ministry first then the interrogation would be ten times worse and he had no desire to be brutally mauled because he could not supply all of their answers. Dumbledore was the better choice. He was still working out the reasons for his betrayal even now.
What had happened was a shock, just when he thought he had seen and done everything that could shock him. He was to return and spy. Simple request, but one that completely changed his outlook on everything Dark. Still intriguing and desirable, but the Death Eaters and the Dark Lord himself brought everything he desired to know to a pathetic low. He had never seen it as the forbidden fruit, but it was not knowledge you could easily build a cult on. Dark Magic was built on personal desire not a godlike figure to devote you life to. It was safe to say that he was no longer enraptured by such things.
"We are in for a real treat, Snape." It was Malfoy, his old friend. The man had met him near the entry way of the building ready to escort him to the Lord's present 'court.' "We have an Ancient Vampire locked away and our Lord has something special planned for it. You should love it." Malfoy was grinning like a child on Christmas.
Snape easily managed a genuine looking grin. Some prejudices were hard to mask. "A Vampire? This will be intriguing. I would have preferred a werewolf, but a vampire is just as good. Though I suspect I werewolf couldn't provide much amusement on any night other than the full moon. What is planned?"
"I heard it was someway to force the vampires to follow Lord Voldemort. They were fool enough to refuse to join him. Something about Grendelwald I believe. They are Dark Creatures and belong to Him."
"So when do the festivities begin?"
"Oh they have already been going on. This past week was preparing the Vampire. I'd say he his half dead from Hunger. A pity you are working at that blasted school or you could have joined the fun. Tonight is the main event. And your expertise will be needed."
Snape arched an eyebrow in question, but Malfoy did not answer. So they continued to the main arena. The Inner Circle was granted prime seating for the show, seats near their Master. Other Death Eaters had standing room only. But everyone could see the sand pit below.
They approached their Lord, bowed deeply and waited to be told to rise. "Severus," his Lord and Master said. "You are familiar with the attributes of unicorn blood, are you not?"
"I am, my Lord."
"And the affects of unicorns on vampires?"
"I know of them, my Lord, though never witness them."
"Tonight will be your chance. If the legend is correct. There is a legend that says if a vampire drinks the blood of a unicorn it will die unless given human blood. Then it is bound to that human for a lifetime."
"So you intend to bind this vampire to you, my Lord?
"If the legend is correct, otherwise we should get quite a show. Much like the Gladiators of Ancient Rome. Who do you believe will win?" Voldemort address this question to his entire Inner Circle. Many of them chuckled at the wager.
"I'd say you, my Lord," Lucius Malfoy said, always one to covet good favor. "I, for one believe, the legend."
"I was referring to the outcome of the battle, Lucius," Lord Voldemort laughed, good humoredly. There were the odd times when the Dark Lord appeared more human than others. Now was one of them. "But I do intend to win over the vampire."
"The vampire will win the battle, my Lord," Rosier said confidently. There were many mummers of agreement.
"What say you, Severus? You seem to have a knack for predicting." The assembly shared a good laugh and Snape smiled and nodded acknowledgment to his Lord. They all knew he despised Divinations, but did have an uncanny ability to read people and situations. It was a common joke among them when times allowed it.
"The unicorn, my Lord." Many, including Lucius, scoffed at this idea. The Dark Lord merely smiled at the suggestion and waited for the explanation that always followed. "The vampire is in a lose-lose situation. He drinks from the unicorn; either he dies from the toxins or he becomes yours." He too knew the powers of coveting favor. "Either way he loses. He doesn't drink and dies of starvation. Or the unicorn somehow overpowers him in his near death state. I feel that any way you look at it, my lord, the unicorn is bound to defeat the vampire." Snape did not feel the least bit sorry for the Vampire, but he did for the unicorn. The beast did not deserve to be murdered for the fun of watching a vampire suffer. He was certain the vampire would suck the beast dry.
"I believe you are correct, Severus. Bring him out," the last was directed towards a man down by the gates. On one side a silvery blue unicorn was shoved into the arena. On the other, a ragged vampire, lost to Bloodlust. It was chained within a cage to keep the handlers from being harmed. It was a pathetic scene; the graceful and sexual creature that vampires were was nothing more than a wild, ravenous beast the stories spoke of. Its robes were torn to shreds, loosely draped about is form. Its body was no longer tall and beautiful, but emaciated and thin and sunken in on itself. Perhaps he could find some pity for this creature. At least the unicorn looked healthy.
The handlers retreated from the arena and opened the cage. At that moment Snape realized the arena was bewitched to trap the vampire on the pit and make it appear as though there was no one else near by. The Vampire sprang from the cage enraged. Its first sight was that of the unicorn. It advanced slowly, careful to not startle the skittish beast. But the unicorn was not going anywhere. It stood its ground and watched the advancing vampire, waiting to make its move. When the vampire was a little to close it stuck, gouging its horn through the predator. He shrieked with rage and pain, fleeing the scene. Recovering, he tried to approach the beast again, but stopped and backed away, shaking his head wildly.
"What's going on?" Malfoy demanded. He had come to see the show.
"Malfoy," Snape began coldly. "I believe it has figured out it was trying to hunt a unicorn and does not want to risk killing itself by ingesting that blood."
"Hmm. I had thought we had left him without blood for a long enough period for him to fall into a complete Bloodlust," Lord Voldemort mused as he watched the vampire cower in a corner away from the unicorn. He was holding his head between his knees in an obvious attempt to keep himself from the unicorn. He looked in pain. It was the only explanation Severus could find for its condition. "That can be easily fixed." And Voldemort fired an illusion spell at the unicorn. Suddenly the silvery blue coat of the unicorn flashed into a pale yellow of a bicorn, a creature that would not poison a starving vampire. Firing another spell at the vampire, the dark wizard smiled maliciously. "No need to waste good entertainment because of an uncooperative victim."
The vampire was now standing, shuttering. Whatever Voldemort had fired had broken his concentration against the Bloodlust. It was advancing on the unicorn again, thinking it was a bicorn. Then the games began. The unicorn gouged and gutted the vampire countless times. Flung him around like a rag doll. Somehow, miraculously, the vampire bit down to drain the beast. Snape guessed that the unicorn was half drained, still alive but weak, when the vampire broke away as though from a fire. It had figured it out. Backing away, it collapsed into a shuttering wreak. He should have pitied the creature. No one should be forced to drink the blood of a unicorn. No one deserved a cursed life, but a vampire was safe from that, it would die after while. The toxins would slowly work their way to destroy the creature just as the other elements worked to feed it. Snape knew unicorn blood was poisonous only to vampires, he did not know why, but every part of a unicorn ingested raw, not used in a potion, would kill them.
With a flick of his wrist, the Dark Lord summoned a goblet into the arena in front of the vampire. "Drink and be mine," he hissed. The vampire looked up. The changes were startling. Its eyes were no longer red with Lust, but silver and slightly glazed. The toxins were already at work. The face was fuller now, its cheeks no longer sunken in. In effect, it looked healthy, not dying. Then he looked at the goblet.
"No." It was a whisper, but everyone heard it. "I refuse your offer." The voice was cold as ice, driving its way to your heart, resonating with resignation. Then he reached out, grasped the neck of the goblet and decisively flipped it over. Red blood seeped out of the edges. It must have been bottomless, receiving a large amount of blood from somewhere.
Voldemort was in a rage. Rising, he raise his wand against the prone figure. "Then you shall die. I do not offer twice. Snape, take him and preform whatever studies or experiments you wish, but he is to die from that blood." A thick leather muzzle appeared on the passive vampire. "You may Apparate with him from there. Get him out of my sight." Snape bowed deeply, not desiring to anger his Master any further. Thanking him silently for the chance to escape his rage.
He Apparated with the vampire into the Forbidden Forest. Far away from his usual Apparation destination. He removed the muzzle. It did not suit anything that resembled a human. "I will leave you here. Do as you wish," he drawled with his voice dripping with disgust. Part for the Dark Creature, part for what had occurred. He turned away, feeling no remorse.
"Please," the voice was so soft, Severus barely heard it. "Don't let me die." The vampire was pleading. It went against every grain he knew about the creatures. They were proud and stubborn, not given to pleading. Quietly, yes, but still begging. Snape had no reason to help him, but he was trying. "I don't want to die, not like this." It was odd to hear that icy smooth voice plead. It was deep like a river, but the words did not fit a river. Severus turned around. The vampire had not moved from his knees, he was still looking up at him, desperation prominent in the glassy, silver eyes. "Please, not like this."
"What do you want me to do?" he demanded harshly. He never was one to be moved by begging. Especially from a creature that did not deserve to live.
"I don't know," it said defeated, turning its eyes to the ground, spilling stringy black hair over his visage. It was uncharacteristic of the proud and dominate animal authors enjoyed spilling their ink over. "Kill me. Help me. I just don't want to die like this."
"Help you how?" Merlin, he was slowly becoming as sympathetic as Dumbledore.
"Let me feed," it said simply, hope struggling to show itself in the eyes. "I won't drain you, I promise. I just need to remove the toxins."
"You can do this?" Severus was skeptical, but listened curious. Removing toxins? He could list dozens of potions that could have the same affect, but not against unicorn blood. Not even any of the Dark Potions he was familiar with.
"Yes. I can force the toxins out. Will you let me?" it asked. Severus could see fear drift into the mirrored eyes. Fear of what? Dying? Being refused? Having hope dragged out of him only to be squashed?
Severus sighed. What was he doing? The creature before him was a bloodsucking leech. A creature to be despised as useless and worthless. And he was considering helping it? He had definitely been around Dumbledore far to long. This was something worthy of him. He had helped that werewolf, Lupin. Why not a vampire, as well? "What do you need?"
The eyes showed hope now. The vampire had not moved an inch, but the eyes revealed what the voice would not. "Blood. The wrist is the most painless."
Severus hesitantly walked closer to the vampire. He did not understand why he was doing this. It would not help him gain anything. In fact he was disobeying a direct order from Lord Voldemort. He reasoned doing this would help bring the downfall of the Dark Lord. He doubted it, but it was the best possible explanation available at the moment. Perhaps disobeying Voldemort was the best way to help Dumbledore. He still did not believe that. He was not even sure that Dumbledore would consent to this action. But no one should be forced to drink unicorn blood, voluntarily was a different matter. This thing was not given a choice and did have the decency to choose death at least until it be came delirious from the toxins. "The Dark Lord cannot know you are alive, if you do manage to survive."
"I will not reveal myself to Voldemort, unless you desire it," the vampire answered. And Severus believed him. He pulled up the sleeve to his left arm and allowed the vampire to take it. Delicately, he slid his fangs into the skin and began to draw blood. He had been right, the process was mostly painless. The more he drew the more it hurt, but Snape remained stoic. Some time passed and the vampire withdrew the fangs, that hurt the most. It felt like someone was removing part of his body. "Thank you," he heard faintly.
Stepping away, Snape was now able to observe the vampire. He was still hunched over, but a silvery, mirror substance was dripping from his mouth. Stringy black hair obscured most of sight. Severus suspect the unicorn blood was dripping from the fangs. He moved to better watch; the vampire did not seem to notice the movement. Sure enough, the liquid mirror was oozing from the fangs like venom. It formed a rapidly enlarging pool at the creature's knees. It was intriguing that a creature could command so much control over it's bodily functions that it could consciously remove deadly chemicals. He resolved to asked the man later.
He waited long into the night for the vampire to finished, deciding it would take longer to remove half the blood of a unicorn than to drink it. Suddenly an overgrown arachnid attacked the unaware vampire. The vampire was toppled by the sudden weight, pinned to the forest floor by the other creature's fangs. Snape fired a spell that dislodged the spider, killing it. Alert for more he waited. The vampire was still extruding the blood when another attack came. He was prepared, blasting every spider that came into sight. At some point the vampire had begun to help him, savagely tearing the arachnids apart. Bloodying himself thoroughly. Severus suspected him to be feeding as well. "Give my your hand," he yelled once the Dark Creature was close enough. "Appearo!"
Instantly they were at Snape's usual Apparation point. He staggered. He didn't think one of those spiders bit him, but he wasn't certain. He didn't remember much other than flinging spells at the arachnids and Apparating. "Hold still," a deep smooth voice said. "You've been bit." Fear confirmed. "Not bad, but there is still venom in your veins. Let me remove it." Numbly he nodded. Oversized incisors entered his wrist again. But this process was much more painful. When he was aware the pain had lessened, he opened his eyes and searched the clearing for the vampire. It was hunched over just out of his line of sight, retching. White goo streamed forth, sending Snape's stomach into turmoil. He too empty his stomach. "I fail to see why you are vomiting," the river-like voice said after a few moments. "You did not have anything toxic in there." Snape looked up to see the vampire standing over him. Porcelain white framed in midnight black dripping in blood red.
Dread fill him as the first thought that crossed his mind was of become its next victim. When that settled down, appeased by the fact that the vampire had promised not to drain him, he was staring dumbfounded at the altered creature before him. His skin was white and flawless, eyes black as pitch, his form filled out and once again beautiful. Stringy black hair from sweat and blood had been pulled into a fairly neat tail revealing the face. High cheekbones, slender nose, long face. Everything in perfect proportion. Even disheveled from the nights tortures, the vampire managed to appear a complete gentleman. Surpassing even Malfoy's bravado. He reached out and pulled Snape to his feet.
"I must thank you for what you did, though I doubt if you fully understand what you have done. I assume you work at this school. And must be returning. Allow me to create a way for you to call me at anytime you desire. Then once you are settled, set a place and time when you are ready to know exactly what has transpired." He spoke already knowing the answers and giving Severus no time to respond. Everything said in that calm, collected, patient voice.
"First tell me your name," Snape demanded, his voice cold and emotionless. He was not going to loose face completely in front of the creature.
Undaunted, the vampire answered. "Vampires normally go by one name, though if times demand it we will pick up another. Mine is Irvan. May I ask yours? I heard him address you as Snape, but I do not think you wish to have me address you as that constantly." Irvan stood waiting patiently.
"Severus."
"Please to make your acquaintance, Severus," he said giving a slight bow from the waist. "Now about that link. Do you wish that I do so now or that you owl me once you have settled?"
"What does it entail?"
"A quick, but painful, bite to the neck and an injection of chemicals that will activate the portion of your mind that functions for telepathy. The fact that it is chemicals from myself ensures that I am the only one that can hear you and enables me to isolate you should I need to."
Snape stopped to consider. What had he gotten himself into? He had saved the vampire's life not once but twice. "Very well. Proceed with it now, if it means I'll be rid of you all the sooner."
"I'm afraid you will never be rid of me, Severus," Irvan said as though to a small child. "Whatever Voldemort told you about his offer to me was quite true. Had I let his blood pass past my lips I would be his. As it is, I am yours. Not to mention the Wizards' Bond you created by removing that spider. I assure you I had no desire to become anyone's. But time and unicorn blood can change one's mind rather quickly. I do not pretend to understand your reasons for this, but I will make it clear that while I do not resent the situation, I despise myself for allowing it to come about. I hold no hatred towards you except for the fact that you are the one who holds my life, which I had asked you to take." At the end of this speech, annoyance filtered through.
"You're taking it pretty well, all things considered," he muttered under his breath. Why did he put himself in such ludicrous predicaments? "How old are you?" Severus asked randomly.
The vampire paused as if surprised. "I will estimate my age for I have no exact measurement. Either at or just past two millennia. I was old when the Founders built Hogwarts and was a good friend with Salazar, who allowed me access to any part of the property without invitation, except the castle itself."
"How were you captured in the first place?"
"I would rather not go into that just yet. It is very humiliating." Irvan took his eyes from Severus and placed them somewhere to his left.
"Like that situation within the arena was not? Nor your begging me when we first arrived?"
"I assure you, to my sense of pride that was a small dent. I am not completely above begging, and being forced to hunt while with Lust cannot be considered on the same scale as I was not 'all there' during that episode. Shall I establish the link now? Or do you wish to continue with your verbal questions?"
"Go ahead with it," Snape resigned. Irvan merely nodded and stepped behind him. Without warning sharp points pierced his neck, when he was accustom to that feeling they were withdrawn with similar sensations as his wrist. Part of him was being remove.
"I suggest you go and sleep it off. The discomfort will not last that long, but the adjusting will."
"Where will you be?"
"Here in the forest. Though I might go out and find some new robes," he said, disdainfully looking at the tattered cloth draped over him.
"I will not let you harm anyone from the school or Hogsmede."
"Understood. I made a similar promise to Salazar that I still must keep. Until you call," the vampire left it empty and left deeper into the forest.
* * * * * *
Severus snapped out of his flashback as Irvan finished up the story. He had learned far more about vampires after that then he had ever wanted to know. He had lied to Voldemort about the vampire and just refused to tell Dumbledore. But now the situation demanded that Irvan be brought to the surface, a lie rearing its ugly head. Surprisingly, Irvan held no malice against him.
"Severus, was there a reason you did not inform me of the outcome of that meeting?" Dumbledore pressed.
"Yes, there was, Headmaster," he replied silkily as was his nature when pressed with a stressful situation. "But at the moment I no longer recall why." It wasn't a lie. He never knew why. It seemed like the best thing to do at the time.
"I'm still curious as to why you sent him to watch Harry in the first place," McGonnagall spoke for the first time in that conversation. Snape had actually forgotten she was there.
"Minerva," he began condescendingly. "I am certain you are familiar with the Wizards' Bond between myself and James Potter. Well, since I failed to save the father I am forced to live with the Bond including the son." This was not something he was proud of. Failure to repay a debt was humiliating.
"Which brings us to another point. Will Irvan continue his surveillance of Harry?"
Severus failed to see the connection between to two topics but did not pursue. Irvan remained silent on the issue, knowing it was Snape's decision as to what he did. There were times when Severus felt awkward deciding another's fate. He fully believed that a person should be able to make his own decision about his own life. But to an extent he was a hypocrite. Both Voldemort and Dumbledore were allowed to decide for him. "Yes, he will," he answered finally. "But you must understand that once the Dark Lord sees him alive and well, all suspicion will fall on me and we jeopardize everything you have entrusted me with. Not to mention that he already holds some suspicion on me because of Malfoy."
"It will have to be risked," Dumbledore said. Severus felt a wave of resentment rising. Of course the boy was more important than himself. A Griffindor was always worth ten Slytherins. That was the math of the Ministry. His emotion must have been intense because Irvan was looking askance, eyebrow raise.
*If you really want to know than you will have to wait,* he said through the mental link. Irvan lowered his brow and returned his gaze to the Griffindors. Severus usually kept the link blocked and Irvan could only intrude if absolutely necessary, even then it was hard work. He had to knock to enter and sometimes Snape refused to answer the 'knock' leaving Irvan the choice of returning later or barging in. The latter option usually hurt.
"Now, about Harry's belongings," Dumbledore interrupted his thoughts. "I assume they are still at his house?"
"No, they are not. I took the liberty of removing them from his various hiding places," Irvan announced. If anything the vampire was thorough. Reaching into his breast pocket he removed a small tin. "They are all in here. You only need to open it in a large space and everything will return to its proper size." Potter accepted the tin cautiously avoiding contact with the vampire. Not that Snape could blame him. He still found it disconcerting when he was in the same room as the man.
"Well, with that settled, we'll adjourn for the time being because I am certain we all have things that need to be done." Albus Dumbledore, the voice of all things obvious and everything uncertain.
Chapter 4
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Severus Snape was going to yet another Dark Revel. He knew there was a time when he had enjoyed these, but now he was disgusted. He had crumbled a year or two back and confessed everything to Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. Why him? To avoid the hassle of the Ministry. Dumbledore would either kill him or send him to Azkaban without further bother. There the Ministry would give him the Kiss. If he had gone to the Ministry first then the interrogation would be ten times worse and he had no desire to be brutally mauled because he could not supply all of their answers. Dumbledore was the better choice. He was still working out the reasons for his betrayal even now.
What had happened was a shock, just when he thought he had seen and done everything that could shock him. He was to return and spy. Simple request, but one that completely changed his outlook on everything Dark. Still intriguing and desirable, but the Death Eaters and the Dark Lord himself brought everything he desired to know to a pathetic low. He had never seen it as the forbidden fruit, but it was not knowledge you could easily build a cult on. Dark Magic was built on personal desire not a godlike figure to devote you life to. It was safe to say that he was no longer enraptured by such things.
"We are in for a real treat, Snape." It was Malfoy, his old friend. The man had met him near the entry way of the building ready to escort him to the Lord's present 'court.' "We have an Ancient Vampire locked away and our Lord has something special planned for it. You should love it." Malfoy was grinning like a child on Christmas.
Snape easily managed a genuine looking grin. Some prejudices were hard to mask. "A Vampire? This will be intriguing. I would have preferred a werewolf, but a vampire is just as good. Though I suspect I werewolf couldn't provide much amusement on any night other than the full moon. What is planned?"
"I heard it was someway to force the vampires to follow Lord Voldemort. They were fool enough to refuse to join him. Something about Grendelwald I believe. They are Dark Creatures and belong to Him."
"So when do the festivities begin?"
"Oh they have already been going on. This past week was preparing the Vampire. I'd say he his half dead from Hunger. A pity you are working at that blasted school or you could have joined the fun. Tonight is the main event. And your expertise will be needed."
Snape arched an eyebrow in question, but Malfoy did not answer. So they continued to the main arena. The Inner Circle was granted prime seating for the show, seats near their Master. Other Death Eaters had standing room only. But everyone could see the sand pit below.
They approached their Lord, bowed deeply and waited to be told to rise. "Severus," his Lord and Master said. "You are familiar with the attributes of unicorn blood, are you not?"
"I am, my Lord."
"And the affects of unicorns on vampires?"
"I know of them, my Lord, though never witness them."
"Tonight will be your chance. If the legend is correct. There is a legend that says if a vampire drinks the blood of a unicorn it will die unless given human blood. Then it is bound to that human for a lifetime."
"So you intend to bind this vampire to you, my Lord?
"If the legend is correct, otherwise we should get quite a show. Much like the Gladiators of Ancient Rome. Who do you believe will win?" Voldemort address this question to his entire Inner Circle. Many of them chuckled at the wager.
"I'd say you, my Lord," Lucius Malfoy said, always one to covet good favor. "I, for one believe, the legend."
"I was referring to the outcome of the battle, Lucius," Lord Voldemort laughed, good humoredly. There were the odd times when the Dark Lord appeared more human than others. Now was one of them. "But I do intend to win over the vampire."
"The vampire will win the battle, my Lord," Rosier said confidently. There were many mummers of agreement.
"What say you, Severus? You seem to have a knack for predicting." The assembly shared a good laugh and Snape smiled and nodded acknowledgment to his Lord. They all knew he despised Divinations, but did have an uncanny ability to read people and situations. It was a common joke among them when times allowed it.
"The unicorn, my Lord." Many, including Lucius, scoffed at this idea. The Dark Lord merely smiled at the suggestion and waited for the explanation that always followed. "The vampire is in a lose-lose situation. He drinks from the unicorn; either he dies from the toxins or he becomes yours." He too knew the powers of coveting favor. "Either way he loses. He doesn't drink and dies of starvation. Or the unicorn somehow overpowers him in his near death state. I feel that any way you look at it, my lord, the unicorn is bound to defeat the vampire." Snape did not feel the least bit sorry for the Vampire, but he did for the unicorn. The beast did not deserve to be murdered for the fun of watching a vampire suffer. He was certain the vampire would suck the beast dry.
"I believe you are correct, Severus. Bring him out," the last was directed towards a man down by the gates. On one side a silvery blue unicorn was shoved into the arena. On the other, a ragged vampire, lost to Bloodlust. It was chained within a cage to keep the handlers from being harmed. It was a pathetic scene; the graceful and sexual creature that vampires were was nothing more than a wild, ravenous beast the stories spoke of. Its robes were torn to shreds, loosely draped about is form. Its body was no longer tall and beautiful, but emaciated and thin and sunken in on itself. Perhaps he could find some pity for this creature. At least the unicorn looked healthy.
The handlers retreated from the arena and opened the cage. At that moment Snape realized the arena was bewitched to trap the vampire on the pit and make it appear as though there was no one else near by. The Vampire sprang from the cage enraged. Its first sight was that of the unicorn. It advanced slowly, careful to not startle the skittish beast. But the unicorn was not going anywhere. It stood its ground and watched the advancing vampire, waiting to make its move. When the vampire was a little to close it stuck, gouging its horn through the predator. He shrieked with rage and pain, fleeing the scene. Recovering, he tried to approach the beast again, but stopped and backed away, shaking his head wildly.
"What's going on?" Malfoy demanded. He had come to see the show.
"Malfoy," Snape began coldly. "I believe it has figured out it was trying to hunt a unicorn and does not want to risk killing itself by ingesting that blood."
"Hmm. I had thought we had left him without blood for a long enough period for him to fall into a complete Bloodlust," Lord Voldemort mused as he watched the vampire cower in a corner away from the unicorn. He was holding his head between his knees in an obvious attempt to keep himself from the unicorn. He looked in pain. It was the only explanation Severus could find for its condition. "That can be easily fixed." And Voldemort fired an illusion spell at the unicorn. Suddenly the silvery blue coat of the unicorn flashed into a pale yellow of a bicorn, a creature that would not poison a starving vampire. Firing another spell at the vampire, the dark wizard smiled maliciously. "No need to waste good entertainment because of an uncooperative victim."
The vampire was now standing, shuttering. Whatever Voldemort had fired had broken his concentration against the Bloodlust. It was advancing on the unicorn again, thinking it was a bicorn. Then the games began. The unicorn gouged and gutted the vampire countless times. Flung him around like a rag doll. Somehow, miraculously, the vampire bit down to drain the beast. Snape guessed that the unicorn was half drained, still alive but weak, when the vampire broke away as though from a fire. It had figured it out. Backing away, it collapsed into a shuttering wreak. He should have pitied the creature. No one should be forced to drink the blood of a unicorn. No one deserved a cursed life, but a vampire was safe from that, it would die after while. The toxins would slowly work their way to destroy the creature just as the other elements worked to feed it. Snape knew unicorn blood was poisonous only to vampires, he did not know why, but every part of a unicorn ingested raw, not used in a potion, would kill them.
With a flick of his wrist, the Dark Lord summoned a goblet into the arena in front of the vampire. "Drink and be mine," he hissed. The vampire looked up. The changes were startling. Its eyes were no longer red with Lust, but silver and slightly glazed. The toxins were already at work. The face was fuller now, its cheeks no longer sunken in. In effect, it looked healthy, not dying. Then he looked at the goblet.
"No." It was a whisper, but everyone heard it. "I refuse your offer." The voice was cold as ice, driving its way to your heart, resonating with resignation. Then he reached out, grasped the neck of the goblet and decisively flipped it over. Red blood seeped out of the edges. It must have been bottomless, receiving a large amount of blood from somewhere.
Voldemort was in a rage. Rising, he raise his wand against the prone figure. "Then you shall die. I do not offer twice. Snape, take him and preform whatever studies or experiments you wish, but he is to die from that blood." A thick leather muzzle appeared on the passive vampire. "You may Apparate with him from there. Get him out of my sight." Snape bowed deeply, not desiring to anger his Master any further. Thanking him silently for the chance to escape his rage.
He Apparated with the vampire into the Forbidden Forest. Far away from his usual Apparation destination. He removed the muzzle. It did not suit anything that resembled a human. "I will leave you here. Do as you wish," he drawled with his voice dripping with disgust. Part for the Dark Creature, part for what had occurred. He turned away, feeling no remorse.
"Please," the voice was so soft, Severus barely heard it. "Don't let me die." The vampire was pleading. It went against every grain he knew about the creatures. They were proud and stubborn, not given to pleading. Quietly, yes, but still begging. Snape had no reason to help him, but he was trying. "I don't want to die, not like this." It was odd to hear that icy smooth voice plead. It was deep like a river, but the words did not fit a river. Severus turned around. The vampire had not moved from his knees, he was still looking up at him, desperation prominent in the glassy, silver eyes. "Please, not like this."
"What do you want me to do?" he demanded harshly. He never was one to be moved by begging. Especially from a creature that did not deserve to live.
"I don't know," it said defeated, turning its eyes to the ground, spilling stringy black hair over his visage. It was uncharacteristic of the proud and dominate animal authors enjoyed spilling their ink over. "Kill me. Help me. I just don't want to die like this."
"Help you how?" Merlin, he was slowly becoming as sympathetic as Dumbledore.
"Let me feed," it said simply, hope struggling to show itself in the eyes. "I won't drain you, I promise. I just need to remove the toxins."
"You can do this?" Severus was skeptical, but listened curious. Removing toxins? He could list dozens of potions that could have the same affect, but not against unicorn blood. Not even any of the Dark Potions he was familiar with.
"Yes. I can force the toxins out. Will you let me?" it asked. Severus could see fear drift into the mirrored eyes. Fear of what? Dying? Being refused? Having hope dragged out of him only to be squashed?
Severus sighed. What was he doing? The creature before him was a bloodsucking leech. A creature to be despised as useless and worthless. And he was considering helping it? He had definitely been around Dumbledore far to long. This was something worthy of him. He had helped that werewolf, Lupin. Why not a vampire, as well? "What do you need?"
The eyes showed hope now. The vampire had not moved an inch, but the eyes revealed what the voice would not. "Blood. The wrist is the most painless."
Severus hesitantly walked closer to the vampire. He did not understand why he was doing this. It would not help him gain anything. In fact he was disobeying a direct order from Lord Voldemort. He reasoned doing this would help bring the downfall of the Dark Lord. He doubted it, but it was the best possible explanation available at the moment. Perhaps disobeying Voldemort was the best way to help Dumbledore. He still did not believe that. He was not even sure that Dumbledore would consent to this action. But no one should be forced to drink unicorn blood, voluntarily was a different matter. This thing was not given a choice and did have the decency to choose death at least until it be came delirious from the toxins. "The Dark Lord cannot know you are alive, if you do manage to survive."
"I will not reveal myself to Voldemort, unless you desire it," the vampire answered. And Severus believed him. He pulled up the sleeve to his left arm and allowed the vampire to take it. Delicately, he slid his fangs into the skin and began to draw blood. He had been right, the process was mostly painless. The more he drew the more it hurt, but Snape remained stoic. Some time passed and the vampire withdrew the fangs, that hurt the most. It felt like someone was removing part of his body. "Thank you," he heard faintly.
Stepping away, Snape was now able to observe the vampire. He was still hunched over, but a silvery, mirror substance was dripping from his mouth. Stringy black hair obscured most of sight. Severus suspect the unicorn blood was dripping from the fangs. He moved to better watch; the vampire did not seem to notice the movement. Sure enough, the liquid mirror was oozing from the fangs like venom. It formed a rapidly enlarging pool at the creature's knees. It was intriguing that a creature could command so much control over it's bodily functions that it could consciously remove deadly chemicals. He resolved to asked the man later.
He waited long into the night for the vampire to finished, deciding it would take longer to remove half the blood of a unicorn than to drink it. Suddenly an overgrown arachnid attacked the unaware vampire. The vampire was toppled by the sudden weight, pinned to the forest floor by the other creature's fangs. Snape fired a spell that dislodged the spider, killing it. Alert for more he waited. The vampire was still extruding the blood when another attack came. He was prepared, blasting every spider that came into sight. At some point the vampire had begun to help him, savagely tearing the arachnids apart. Bloodying himself thoroughly. Severus suspected him to be feeding as well. "Give my your hand," he yelled once the Dark Creature was close enough. "Appearo!"
Instantly they were at Snape's usual Apparation point. He staggered. He didn't think one of those spiders bit him, but he wasn't certain. He didn't remember much other than flinging spells at the arachnids and Apparating. "Hold still," a deep smooth voice said. "You've been bit." Fear confirmed. "Not bad, but there is still venom in your veins. Let me remove it." Numbly he nodded. Oversized incisors entered his wrist again. But this process was much more painful. When he was aware the pain had lessened, he opened his eyes and searched the clearing for the vampire. It was hunched over just out of his line of sight, retching. White goo streamed forth, sending Snape's stomach into turmoil. He too empty his stomach. "I fail to see why you are vomiting," the river-like voice said after a few moments. "You did not have anything toxic in there." Snape looked up to see the vampire standing over him. Porcelain white framed in midnight black dripping in blood red.
Dread fill him as the first thought that crossed his mind was of become its next victim. When that settled down, appeased by the fact that the vampire had promised not to drain him, he was staring dumbfounded at the altered creature before him. His skin was white and flawless, eyes black as pitch, his form filled out and once again beautiful. Stringy black hair from sweat and blood had been pulled into a fairly neat tail revealing the face. High cheekbones, slender nose, long face. Everything in perfect proportion. Even disheveled from the nights tortures, the vampire managed to appear a complete gentleman. Surpassing even Malfoy's bravado. He reached out and pulled Snape to his feet.
"I must thank you for what you did, though I doubt if you fully understand what you have done. I assume you work at this school. And must be returning. Allow me to create a way for you to call me at anytime you desire. Then once you are settled, set a place and time when you are ready to know exactly what has transpired." He spoke already knowing the answers and giving Severus no time to respond. Everything said in that calm, collected, patient voice.
"First tell me your name," Snape demanded, his voice cold and emotionless. He was not going to loose face completely in front of the creature.
Undaunted, the vampire answered. "Vampires normally go by one name, though if times demand it we will pick up another. Mine is Irvan. May I ask yours? I heard him address you as Snape, but I do not think you wish to have me address you as that constantly." Irvan stood waiting patiently.
"Severus."
"Please to make your acquaintance, Severus," he said giving a slight bow from the waist. "Now about that link. Do you wish that I do so now or that you owl me once you have settled?"
"What does it entail?"
"A quick, but painful, bite to the neck and an injection of chemicals that will activate the portion of your mind that functions for telepathy. The fact that it is chemicals from myself ensures that I am the only one that can hear you and enables me to isolate you should I need to."
Snape stopped to consider. What had he gotten himself into? He had saved the vampire's life not once but twice. "Very well. Proceed with it now, if it means I'll be rid of you all the sooner."
"I'm afraid you will never be rid of me, Severus," Irvan said as though to a small child. "Whatever Voldemort told you about his offer to me was quite true. Had I let his blood pass past my lips I would be his. As it is, I am yours. Not to mention the Wizards' Bond you created by removing that spider. I assure you I had no desire to become anyone's. But time and unicorn blood can change one's mind rather quickly. I do not pretend to understand your reasons for this, but I will make it clear that while I do not resent the situation, I despise myself for allowing it to come about. I hold no hatred towards you except for the fact that you are the one who holds my life, which I had asked you to take." At the end of this speech, annoyance filtered through.
"You're taking it pretty well, all things considered," he muttered under his breath. Why did he put himself in such ludicrous predicaments? "How old are you?" Severus asked randomly.
The vampire paused as if surprised. "I will estimate my age for I have no exact measurement. Either at or just past two millennia. I was old when the Founders built Hogwarts and was a good friend with Salazar, who allowed me access to any part of the property without invitation, except the castle itself."
"How were you captured in the first place?"
"I would rather not go into that just yet. It is very humiliating." Irvan took his eyes from Severus and placed them somewhere to his left.
"Like that situation within the arena was not? Nor your begging me when we first arrived?"
"I assure you, to my sense of pride that was a small dent. I am not completely above begging, and being forced to hunt while with Lust cannot be considered on the same scale as I was not 'all there' during that episode. Shall I establish the link now? Or do you wish to continue with your verbal questions?"
"Go ahead with it," Snape resigned. Irvan merely nodded and stepped behind him. Without warning sharp points pierced his neck, when he was accustom to that feeling they were withdrawn with similar sensations as his wrist. Part of him was being remove.
"I suggest you go and sleep it off. The discomfort will not last that long, but the adjusting will."
"Where will you be?"
"Here in the forest. Though I might go out and find some new robes," he said, disdainfully looking at the tattered cloth draped over him.
"I will not let you harm anyone from the school or Hogsmede."
"Understood. I made a similar promise to Salazar that I still must keep. Until you call," the vampire left it empty and left deeper into the forest.
* * * * * *
Severus snapped out of his flashback as Irvan finished up the story. He had learned far more about vampires after that then he had ever wanted to know. He had lied to Voldemort about the vampire and just refused to tell Dumbledore. But now the situation demanded that Irvan be brought to the surface, a lie rearing its ugly head. Surprisingly, Irvan held no malice against him.
"Severus, was there a reason you did not inform me of the outcome of that meeting?" Dumbledore pressed.
"Yes, there was, Headmaster," he replied silkily as was his nature when pressed with a stressful situation. "But at the moment I no longer recall why." It wasn't a lie. He never knew why. It seemed like the best thing to do at the time.
"I'm still curious as to why you sent him to watch Harry in the first place," McGonnagall spoke for the first time in that conversation. Snape had actually forgotten she was there.
"Minerva," he began condescendingly. "I am certain you are familiar with the Wizards' Bond between myself and James Potter. Well, since I failed to save the father I am forced to live with the Bond including the son." This was not something he was proud of. Failure to repay a debt was humiliating.
"Which brings us to another point. Will Irvan continue his surveillance of Harry?"
Severus failed to see the connection between to two topics but did not pursue. Irvan remained silent on the issue, knowing it was Snape's decision as to what he did. There were times when Severus felt awkward deciding another's fate. He fully believed that a person should be able to make his own decision about his own life. But to an extent he was a hypocrite. Both Voldemort and Dumbledore were allowed to decide for him. "Yes, he will," he answered finally. "But you must understand that once the Dark Lord sees him alive and well, all suspicion will fall on me and we jeopardize everything you have entrusted me with. Not to mention that he already holds some suspicion on me because of Malfoy."
"It will have to be risked," Dumbledore said. Severus felt a wave of resentment rising. Of course the boy was more important than himself. A Griffindor was always worth ten Slytherins. That was the math of the Ministry. His emotion must have been intense because Irvan was looking askance, eyebrow raise.
*If you really want to know than you will have to wait,* he said through the mental link. Irvan lowered his brow and returned his gaze to the Griffindors. Severus usually kept the link blocked and Irvan could only intrude if absolutely necessary, even then it was hard work. He had to knock to enter and sometimes Snape refused to answer the 'knock' leaving Irvan the choice of returning later or barging in. The latter option usually hurt.
"Now, about Harry's belongings," Dumbledore interrupted his thoughts. "I assume they are still at his house?"
"No, they are not. I took the liberty of removing them from his various hiding places," Irvan announced. If anything the vampire was thorough. Reaching into his breast pocket he removed a small tin. "They are all in here. You only need to open it in a large space and everything will return to its proper size." Potter accepted the tin cautiously avoiding contact with the vampire. Not that Snape could blame him. He still found it disconcerting when he was in the same room as the man.
"Well, with that settled, we'll adjourn for the time being because I am certain we all have things that need to be done." Albus Dumbledore, the voice of all things obvious and everything uncertain.