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Chapter 29
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As if things could not get any worse. He was hanging by a thread to sanity. Achieving that solely due to Totti supplying him with cow's blood. But what he needed was to drain the animal all at once, not by the gobletful. He would have done so if the animal would not be completely useless after doing so. And now he was stuck here until Severus returned. Severus, who had already expressed ill feelings about this night, had forbidden him from leaving the castle while the three bloody Gryffindors were present.
Blood and bloody ashes. Things could not get any worse.
"Irvan, I want to talk to you." Damn werewolf. He really should stop saying things like that because everything could always get worse.
"What do you want to talk about?" Irvan turned to face the werewolf. "Where are the others?" Not that it mattered where the others were. He could just leave now, but that would only have the werewolf following him. It was really just a hope the man would veer off topic.
"What was that all about?"
He never thought it would be likely. "I am afraid I do not understand what you mean."
"I am certain you do." Remus advanced closer; this time Irvan did not step away. Irvan was not sure if it was because he had accepted the idea that this werewolf would not tear him limb from limb just for the pleasure of it, or because the rising Hunger was affecting his instincts adversely. He was inclined to agree with the latter. "The entire conversation back there obviously had a point--"
"And if you are asking me what that was, then you are far denser than I gave you credit for."
"No Irvan. I am not here to ask what the point was. You made that inescapably clear. What I want to know is why you are choosing now to make your revelations."
"There is no why, werewolf. I want that boy out of my head and unless he learns how to do so, I am stuck with his useless prattle of thoughts." Remus was taken aback at the vampire's forcefulness and resentment. Having his condition thrown in his face like an insult no longer meant anything to him; however, he had thought that Irvan had felt something for Harry other than annoyance. The man in front of him sighed slightly. "Don't get me wrong. He's a fine lad, but he's just a child. With the thoughts and desires of a child. I have enough trouble dealing with adults. As the three of you are proving. There are times when I believe Harry's more mature than the three of you put together."
"So that's why you lashed out."
"No that's not why I lashed out. That was the catalyst which caused me to lash out. The why is because I am stuck here with the likes of you." Irritation was prominent, leaving Remus to wonder at the vampire's sanity.
"Funny, I would see it as the other way around."
"Of course you would. But you are not stuck here. You were just told to come here. I on the other hand didn't have much of a choice in the matter. Now I'm stuck baby-sitting a small group of adolescents." Irvan stopped abruptly. "Blood and bloody ashes, you mean you left them alone! Of all the ... I'm going to kill Severus for this." With that the vampire began to stalk of for the main hall, no doubt onwards to Cicero's Keep.
"Irvan, what on earth are you babbling about?" He called in frustration. And the conversation had not been going too badly, unless you took into account Irvan's useless answers.
Having Irvan spin and suddenly present his face and fangs for observation had not been his first expectation.
"Babbling? That was not babbling. It was muttering. There is a complete semantic difference between the two. As for the content, that is none of your business."
"Then it had better become my business."
"Be that as it may, I am not in a position to decide that."
"You aren't in a position to do much, are you?" Irvan's eyes just hardened for a proper glare. That's when Remus noted the blending of red in the hematite. "So that explains it."
"Yes, 'so that explains it.' That, as you so cleverly put it, tends to explain a lot. Not the least of which involves temper. Now if you will excuse me, I have other business to attend to."
"Since that business seems to include Harry and Sirius, I don't see why I shouldn't accompany you."
"If you had remained with those two 'children,' trimming that bloody Christmas Tree, we would not have to have had this conversation."
"What is going on, Irvan?"
"Let's just leave it at Voldemort, shall we. You can badger Severus about it later. Or better yet, have a conversation with the Headmaster. Now I'm going to make sure they're still alive and then find a satisfying meal. And to ease you obvious worry, the three of you are not on the menu. And I want you to stay with those two and take note if anything strange occurs."
"Anything strange?"
"Yes, anything strange. You know the two of them quite will, I would think you could point out anything strange in there mannerisms."
"Tell me what is going on."
"First and foremost, I have given my word not to tell you. Second, I have already let slip enough that you should have some idea as to what is happening. And third, telling you would only serve to hasten my demise. And I am quite partial to my current state of existence."
"Very well, keep Severus's secrets. But I am going with you." The muttered reply was hard for even Remus's ear's to detect, though it was without doubt another insult. The vampire was keeping many secrets. The one Remus was most interested in was how Irvan knew the Snapes.
Walking into Cicero's Keep was now akin to walking into another world. Between Sirius's transfiguring and conjuring ability and Harry's willingness to assist, the morning room had taken on a festive holiday air.
"Hi, Remus!" Harry greeted from behind a box of tinsel. "Sirius and I decided Snape doesn't like Christmas because he can't stand the thought of Gryffindor red and gold sharing the same holiday as Slytherin green and silver."
"Sounds like something you said when we were at school, Sirius."
"Oh, does it?" Sirius smiled sheepishly. "Must be true then."
"Master Irvan arrived just in time for eggnog," a high pitched voice interrupted.
"If it doesn't relate to blood, then don't bother, Totti."
Remus saw the tiny House-elf set rather large tray filled with a pitcher, cups, and sweets next to the protesting vampire. "Totti isn't forgetting Master Irvan." Totti proceeded to uncover a dish, revealing many red candies.
"Disgusting. Blood Pops? Those are positively disgusting."
"If Master Irvan doesn't appreciate Totti's gift, then Master Irvan can find his own."
"Believe me, Master Irvan would much rather find his own." Irvan groused. "Blood Pops? Totti, those things have no nutritional value, taste nothing like blood, and are only named that so the wizards can have fun at playing a vampire. Now, Berttie Bott's has a flavor that is remarkably similar."
"I thought Blood Pops were made for vampires."
"No they were not, Harry. Do you think, given the wizards' notion of vampires, one would walk into a candy shop just to sate his Hunger with one of those?"
"Guess not."
"What are you doing here anyway, Irvan?" Sirius asked taking a dish from the tray. Remus drew his attention back onto the conversation at hand from where he had been wandering his gaze around the ornaments. It was still shocking him that Sirius was on speaking terms with the vampire.
"Haven't the faintest." Just then Totti reappeared with another goblet. "Thank you Totti. I had begun to wonder if we were out." They watched as he drank deeply. When the vampire looked back down, he grace them with a tired glare, looking less ferocious than he had in the Cavan. "Don't you have something better to do? Like trimming that bloody tree?"
"There's something wrong with you."
"Very observant, Sirius." Irvan did not sound happy, more like he was moping. He hadn't intended to sound that way, he would have much rather had kept the anger he was feeling not an hour ago.
"Master Irvan is experiencing the first stages of Hunger."
"Thank you Totti, that will be all," he said in a strained voice. "As pleasant as you company might be, I am afraid I am not in a mood for entertaining." He rose to leave.
"Now, hold on just one minute." It was the mutt. "You're going to explain you connection with Harry."
"Sirius!" Harry managed in a fit of frustration.
"Oh, well, is that all? The answer is quite simple." He paused for a dramatic effect. It would be lost on the spectators, of course, but then it was really a pause for him to regain his composure. Not that he could keep it long. "I don't bloody know how that bloody connection formed. It's there and I did not put it there purposely. Satisfied?"
"Not really."
"You'll just have to learn to deal with it."
"Er, Irvan? When do you think Severus will return," Remus asked nervously. For a werewolf he did not have a constant stream of high self-esteem.
"You always were a killjoy, Moony. Did you have to bring him up?"
"We are all wondering about it, Sirius. I know you are included."
"I only want to know how long he'll be gone, so I'll have time to search the rest of this place. Want a good look before we're kicked out."
"I wouldn't advise it. Severus has place far too many wards within these walls. Many more date back to his ancestors. I doubt you'd survive."
"You are worse than Remus."
"Let's face it, it's a gift bestowed only to us dark creatures," Irvan stated dryly. The surprise was having Remus crack a smile. That shock did not last long as the werewolf lost his grin almost immediately.
"Do you know when he will return?" Back to the original question then.
"No, I don't. I will know when he returns, but I don't know when he will return." Not the answer they were wanting from the slight frown growing on the werewolf's face and the definite scowl from the mutt. Nor was it the answer he wanted to hear. Though his reasons were much different.
Severus had a strange premonition about the coming evening. Severus had not shared the revelation, but Irvan had felt it. And Irvan had not liked what he saw. Damn his superstitions. If he had not been a vampire and inexplicably drawn to divinations he would have scoffed at those small hints of warnings. But no. Something was going to happen tonight and that something was going to happen to Severus Snape.
Fate always had a way of making life worse.
* * * * * *
"Master Irvan?" a small, panic filled squeak woke him. He had been dosing? Irvan did not think that sounded right. He should not have been dosing. Not at night. And most definitely not with other people in the room. "Master Irvan?" the voice struck again.
"What is it, Totti?" he answered quietly. There were still others in the room, sleeping. They had been insistent on knowing when Severus return, for Merlin knows what reason. Remus claimed it was concern. Sirius said it was to keep Remus company. Harry told Irvan privately that he didn't want to be alone in case he had another vision. Irvan had not informed the boy of his interference. Nor did he plan to, unless absolutely necessary.
"Master Irvan," Totti began again, shaking badly with terror. It was not terror of the vampire, for house-elves and vampires could not easily harm one another. Their respective magic all but canceled each other out. "Master Severus is returned. Master Severus is in a bad way. Master Severus be dying!" she said in a crescendo, ending in a high pitched squeal.
"Hush, Totti." Irvan scolded. "They are sleeping and I don't think Severus would appreciate them finding him so soon."
"But Master Severus be DYING!"
"Nonsense, I would have felt..." He never finished what he wanted to say. Totti was right. He had not noticed because he had been dosing. "Blood and bloody ashes, Severus. I did not mean what I said about suicide."
"What's going on?" Remus mumbled, sitting upright on the sofa he acquired.
"Go back to sleep, Moony. It's still early." The animagus shifted his position on his chair to get more comfortable.
Lot of good they'll do. And he was wasting precious time. "Remus," Irvan filled his voice with the inherent power of the vampire race to influence others. He doubted it would work against the werewolf, but it would show that he was serious. "Remus," he repeated stronger. "I need you to floo Dumbledore and have him bring a healer. The password to enter is 'Iron Shards.' If you can not reach him through the floo, call for Phineas."
Thankfully the werewolf left immediately.
"Remus? Where are you going?" The boy. The boy was awake. He needed to do something with him.
"Harry," Irvan spoke again, the controlling element in his voice growing stronger. Not that it was needed for the boy. "I need you to go with Totti and collect some potions she is unable to touch. Then go with her to prepare Severus's rooms. Hurry now." He spoke in a friendly manner. In a way that suggested that he was merely an old friend you would do anything for.
Irvan turned to the last person in the room. Sirius Black. The man watched anxiously as his friends were ordered out of the room, undoubtedly wondering about the situation. Why did it have to be this one. Irvan frowned. Because he did not trust the animagus to go directly to the Floo Network. His influence would wear thin immediately after leaving his presence.
"Sirius, I need you to come with me, and bring your wand." Need. People wanted to sate another's need more than a desire. Irvan lead Sirius down many corridors, ones never meant to be seen by the man, at a quickening pace. All the while keeping up a light murmur to keep the animagus following without question.
The Portkey Room. The one place Severus could return to within the castle without lowering the wards.
The litany stopped upon seeing Severus. Collapsed in a heap, shuddering in vain attempts to rise, and sticky sweet blood oozing slowly from the body. Self-control. How he hated that phrase and condition. "Sirius?" Damn, he sounded uncertain, loosing his hold on the man. "Do you know a blood clotting spell?"
"Why don't you do it?" At least the wizard sound unnerved.
"Because I don't have a wand! And without one, vampire magic does not respond well to CLOSING bleeding wounds!" This was not good. He was loosing control. He had been too long without a decent meal. And now he was presented with one he could not take. "Now can you are can you not cast a blood clotting spell!"
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AN: Bear with me for a while. I am reviewing some plot line points that I want to incorporate as well as reviewing clues left in earlier chapters to make sure everything is flowing right. I do apologize for not being able to make steady and predictable updates.
The integrity of this chapter worries me. I needed a way to set up the characters for the big unveiling, and I'm not sure how well this worked.
Chapter 29
_________________________________________________________
As if things could not get any worse. He was hanging by a thread to sanity. Achieving that solely due to Totti supplying him with cow's blood. But what he needed was to drain the animal all at once, not by the gobletful. He would have done so if the animal would not be completely useless after doing so. And now he was stuck here until Severus returned. Severus, who had already expressed ill feelings about this night, had forbidden him from leaving the castle while the three bloody Gryffindors were present.
Blood and bloody ashes. Things could not get any worse.
"Irvan, I want to talk to you." Damn werewolf. He really should stop saying things like that because everything could always get worse.
"What do you want to talk about?" Irvan turned to face the werewolf. "Where are the others?" Not that it mattered where the others were. He could just leave now, but that would only have the werewolf following him. It was really just a hope the man would veer off topic.
"What was that all about?"
He never thought it would be likely. "I am afraid I do not understand what you mean."
"I am certain you do." Remus advanced closer; this time Irvan did not step away. Irvan was not sure if it was because he had accepted the idea that this werewolf would not tear him limb from limb just for the pleasure of it, or because the rising Hunger was affecting his instincts adversely. He was inclined to agree with the latter. "The entire conversation back there obviously had a point--"
"And if you are asking me what that was, then you are far denser than I gave you credit for."
"No Irvan. I am not here to ask what the point was. You made that inescapably clear. What I want to know is why you are choosing now to make your revelations."
"There is no why, werewolf. I want that boy out of my head and unless he learns how to do so, I am stuck with his useless prattle of thoughts." Remus was taken aback at the vampire's forcefulness and resentment. Having his condition thrown in his face like an insult no longer meant anything to him; however, he had thought that Irvan had felt something for Harry other than annoyance. The man in front of him sighed slightly. "Don't get me wrong. He's a fine lad, but he's just a child. With the thoughts and desires of a child. I have enough trouble dealing with adults. As the three of you are proving. There are times when I believe Harry's more mature than the three of you put together."
"So that's why you lashed out."
"No that's not why I lashed out. That was the catalyst which caused me to lash out. The why is because I am stuck here with the likes of you." Irritation was prominent, leaving Remus to wonder at the vampire's sanity.
"Funny, I would see it as the other way around."
"Of course you would. But you are not stuck here. You were just told to come here. I on the other hand didn't have much of a choice in the matter. Now I'm stuck baby-sitting a small group of adolescents." Irvan stopped abruptly. "Blood and bloody ashes, you mean you left them alone! Of all the ... I'm going to kill Severus for this." With that the vampire began to stalk of for the main hall, no doubt onwards to Cicero's Keep.
"Irvan, what on earth are you babbling about?" He called in frustration. And the conversation had not been going too badly, unless you took into account Irvan's useless answers.
Having Irvan spin and suddenly present his face and fangs for observation had not been his first expectation.
"Babbling? That was not babbling. It was muttering. There is a complete semantic difference between the two. As for the content, that is none of your business."
"Then it had better become my business."
"Be that as it may, I am not in a position to decide that."
"You aren't in a position to do much, are you?" Irvan's eyes just hardened for a proper glare. That's when Remus noted the blending of red in the hematite. "So that explains it."
"Yes, 'so that explains it.' That, as you so cleverly put it, tends to explain a lot. Not the least of which involves temper. Now if you will excuse me, I have other business to attend to."
"Since that business seems to include Harry and Sirius, I don't see why I shouldn't accompany you."
"If you had remained with those two 'children,' trimming that bloody Christmas Tree, we would not have to have had this conversation."
"What is going on, Irvan?"
"Let's just leave it at Voldemort, shall we. You can badger Severus about it later. Or better yet, have a conversation with the Headmaster. Now I'm going to make sure they're still alive and then find a satisfying meal. And to ease you obvious worry, the three of you are not on the menu. And I want you to stay with those two and take note if anything strange occurs."
"Anything strange?"
"Yes, anything strange. You know the two of them quite will, I would think you could point out anything strange in there mannerisms."
"Tell me what is going on."
"First and foremost, I have given my word not to tell you. Second, I have already let slip enough that you should have some idea as to what is happening. And third, telling you would only serve to hasten my demise. And I am quite partial to my current state of existence."
"Very well, keep Severus's secrets. But I am going with you." The muttered reply was hard for even Remus's ear's to detect, though it was without doubt another insult. The vampire was keeping many secrets. The one Remus was most interested in was how Irvan knew the Snapes.
Walking into Cicero's Keep was now akin to walking into another world. Between Sirius's transfiguring and conjuring ability and Harry's willingness to assist, the morning room had taken on a festive holiday air.
"Hi, Remus!" Harry greeted from behind a box of tinsel. "Sirius and I decided Snape doesn't like Christmas because he can't stand the thought of Gryffindor red and gold sharing the same holiday as Slytherin green and silver."
"Sounds like something you said when we were at school, Sirius."
"Oh, does it?" Sirius smiled sheepishly. "Must be true then."
"Master Irvan arrived just in time for eggnog," a high pitched voice interrupted.
"If it doesn't relate to blood, then don't bother, Totti."
Remus saw the tiny House-elf set rather large tray filled with a pitcher, cups, and sweets next to the protesting vampire. "Totti isn't forgetting Master Irvan." Totti proceeded to uncover a dish, revealing many red candies.
"Disgusting. Blood Pops? Those are positively disgusting."
"If Master Irvan doesn't appreciate Totti's gift, then Master Irvan can find his own."
"Believe me, Master Irvan would much rather find his own." Irvan groused. "Blood Pops? Totti, those things have no nutritional value, taste nothing like blood, and are only named that so the wizards can have fun at playing a vampire. Now, Berttie Bott's has a flavor that is remarkably similar."
"I thought Blood Pops were made for vampires."
"No they were not, Harry. Do you think, given the wizards' notion of vampires, one would walk into a candy shop just to sate his Hunger with one of those?"
"Guess not."
"What are you doing here anyway, Irvan?" Sirius asked taking a dish from the tray. Remus drew his attention back onto the conversation at hand from where he had been wandering his gaze around the ornaments. It was still shocking him that Sirius was on speaking terms with the vampire.
"Haven't the faintest." Just then Totti reappeared with another goblet. "Thank you Totti. I had begun to wonder if we were out." They watched as he drank deeply. When the vampire looked back down, he grace them with a tired glare, looking less ferocious than he had in the Cavan. "Don't you have something better to do? Like trimming that bloody tree?"
"There's something wrong with you."
"Very observant, Sirius." Irvan did not sound happy, more like he was moping. He hadn't intended to sound that way, he would have much rather had kept the anger he was feeling not an hour ago.
"Master Irvan is experiencing the first stages of Hunger."
"Thank you Totti, that will be all," he said in a strained voice. "As pleasant as you company might be, I am afraid I am not in a mood for entertaining." He rose to leave.
"Now, hold on just one minute." It was the mutt. "You're going to explain you connection with Harry."
"Sirius!" Harry managed in a fit of frustration.
"Oh, well, is that all? The answer is quite simple." He paused for a dramatic effect. It would be lost on the spectators, of course, but then it was really a pause for him to regain his composure. Not that he could keep it long. "I don't bloody know how that bloody connection formed. It's there and I did not put it there purposely. Satisfied?"
"Not really."
"You'll just have to learn to deal with it."
"Er, Irvan? When do you think Severus will return," Remus asked nervously. For a werewolf he did not have a constant stream of high self-esteem.
"You always were a killjoy, Moony. Did you have to bring him up?"
"We are all wondering about it, Sirius. I know you are included."
"I only want to know how long he'll be gone, so I'll have time to search the rest of this place. Want a good look before we're kicked out."
"I wouldn't advise it. Severus has place far too many wards within these walls. Many more date back to his ancestors. I doubt you'd survive."
"You are worse than Remus."
"Let's face it, it's a gift bestowed only to us dark creatures," Irvan stated dryly. The surprise was having Remus crack a smile. That shock did not last long as the werewolf lost his grin almost immediately.
"Do you know when he will return?" Back to the original question then.
"No, I don't. I will know when he returns, but I don't know when he will return." Not the answer they were wanting from the slight frown growing on the werewolf's face and the definite scowl from the mutt. Nor was it the answer he wanted to hear. Though his reasons were much different.
Severus had a strange premonition about the coming evening. Severus had not shared the revelation, but Irvan had felt it. And Irvan had not liked what he saw. Damn his superstitions. If he had not been a vampire and inexplicably drawn to divinations he would have scoffed at those small hints of warnings. But no. Something was going to happen tonight and that something was going to happen to Severus Snape.
Fate always had a way of making life worse.
* * * * * *
"Master Irvan?" a small, panic filled squeak woke him. He had been dosing? Irvan did not think that sounded right. He should not have been dosing. Not at night. And most definitely not with other people in the room. "Master Irvan?" the voice struck again.
"What is it, Totti?" he answered quietly. There were still others in the room, sleeping. They had been insistent on knowing when Severus return, for Merlin knows what reason. Remus claimed it was concern. Sirius said it was to keep Remus company. Harry told Irvan privately that he didn't want to be alone in case he had another vision. Irvan had not informed the boy of his interference. Nor did he plan to, unless absolutely necessary.
"Master Irvan," Totti began again, shaking badly with terror. It was not terror of the vampire, for house-elves and vampires could not easily harm one another. Their respective magic all but canceled each other out. "Master Severus is returned. Master Severus is in a bad way. Master Severus be dying!" she said in a crescendo, ending in a high pitched squeal.
"Hush, Totti." Irvan scolded. "They are sleeping and I don't think Severus would appreciate them finding him so soon."
"But Master Severus be DYING!"
"Nonsense, I would have felt..." He never finished what he wanted to say. Totti was right. He had not noticed because he had been dosing. "Blood and bloody ashes, Severus. I did not mean what I said about suicide."
"What's going on?" Remus mumbled, sitting upright on the sofa he acquired.
"Go back to sleep, Moony. It's still early." The animagus shifted his position on his chair to get more comfortable.
Lot of good they'll do. And he was wasting precious time. "Remus," Irvan filled his voice with the inherent power of the vampire race to influence others. He doubted it would work against the werewolf, but it would show that he was serious. "Remus," he repeated stronger. "I need you to floo Dumbledore and have him bring a healer. The password to enter is 'Iron Shards.' If you can not reach him through the floo, call for Phineas."
Thankfully the werewolf left immediately.
"Remus? Where are you going?" The boy. The boy was awake. He needed to do something with him.
"Harry," Irvan spoke again, the controlling element in his voice growing stronger. Not that it was needed for the boy. "I need you to go with Totti and collect some potions she is unable to touch. Then go with her to prepare Severus's rooms. Hurry now." He spoke in a friendly manner. In a way that suggested that he was merely an old friend you would do anything for.
Irvan turned to the last person in the room. Sirius Black. The man watched anxiously as his friends were ordered out of the room, undoubtedly wondering about the situation. Why did it have to be this one. Irvan frowned. Because he did not trust the animagus to go directly to the Floo Network. His influence would wear thin immediately after leaving his presence.
"Sirius, I need you to come with me, and bring your wand." Need. People wanted to sate another's need more than a desire. Irvan lead Sirius down many corridors, ones never meant to be seen by the man, at a quickening pace. All the while keeping up a light murmur to keep the animagus following without question.
The Portkey Room. The one place Severus could return to within the castle without lowering the wards.
The litany stopped upon seeing Severus. Collapsed in a heap, shuddering in vain attempts to rise, and sticky sweet blood oozing slowly from the body. Self-control. How he hated that phrase and condition. "Sirius?" Damn, he sounded uncertain, loosing his hold on the man. "Do you know a blood clotting spell?"
"Why don't you do it?" At least the wizard sound unnerved.
"Because I don't have a wand! And without one, vampire magic does not respond well to CLOSING bleeding wounds!" This was not good. He was loosing control. He had been too long without a decent meal. And now he was presented with one he could not take. "Now can you are can you not cast a blood clotting spell!"
______________________________________________
AN: Bear with me for a while. I am reviewing some plot line points that I want to incorporate as well as reviewing clues left in earlier chapters to make sure everything is flowing right. I do apologize for not being able to make steady and predictable updates.
The integrity of this chapter worries me. I needed a way to set up the characters for the big unveiling, and I'm not sure how well this worked.