Demon's Calling
Chapter 6: Vermilion Renaissance
An: Whoa what a trip. Alright I want to know where all of my reviewers are although I know that lately I haven't been updating quite as much, but! I have an excuse. Believe it or not I found 12 worm viruses in my computer right now which is screwing it up royally.
An: Anyway enough with my blabbering already. I promise that I will be starting to update more frequently. OH and Black Dragon Lady will be restarting "Demon Tears" Although she says….. That I am not helping, that's because her dumbass didn't tell me. I hope those who have read the original story will enjoy this new revised version that we are trying to do.
Warnings: More Sev angst, lots more. Harry finally gets a clue and well what more do you want.
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Severus walked stiffly through the cold dungeon room of his potion's class. Routinely checking his pupils' potions for consistency and accuracy, he gave small praises to those who succeeded and corrected those who were not as adept in the art of potion's making. However, Severus kept his steps light and slow, moving only when needed. He had felt considerably week in the past few days since his new silver laced diet had begun. Everyday he found himself feeling heavier and it had become increasingly harder to stand in the morning rise. He suffered many burns from the coverless windows that poured sunlight into his rooms like and endless river. Fortunately, Malcolm, his Slytherin Prefect, had taken it upon himself to creep into his rooms and cover the windows before the raven haired man stepped out of his bedchamber. This had allowed a subtle ease in the pain that Severus had been enduring. However, today, as he stepped slowly around the room filled with his seventh year Slytherins and Gryffindors, he felt the stirring of death warmed over in his belly, and the rotting of flesh prickling his shallow bones and pale skin.
Suddenly his vision blurred and his steps stumbled, his body swaying in the effort to remain erect. The raven haired man braced himself against the stone wall with a firm hand as he tried to make his way to his desk. A few more steps, just a few, the tall slim man gasped softly as every step suddenly began to cause stabbing pains in his abdomen.
His focus solely on the increasing agony in his abdomen and the fact that he did not wish to alert his students, Severus didn't notice the small group of Slytherins approaching him quietly or the green eyed boy staring at him with such intensity that it would freeze water and melt sand. Suddenly, the intense stabbing in his abdomen shifted and vanished, Severus tried to straighten himself, however as he moved away from the stone cold wall the pain returned with a fury that took everything the raven haired man had, not to scream. He doubled over, his knees hitting the stone floor hard as he hunched himself into a ball in an effort to quell the pain. Hacking coughs erupted from his throat and he vaguely had the feeling a hand, gentle hands on him; comforting him, and soothing him. He heard the quiet whispers of young voices laced in worry asking him over and over what was wrong.
What was wrong indeed, for Severus had never felt the touch of death as he felt it at that moment. The cold sliver of liquid agony rising from within him, the slow torture of decay and detriment enter his flesh and consume his soul as he gasped from the pain and coughed his throat raw in the need to empty the feeling of death, the air of terror from his very being.
Blaise and David quickly rushed to their fallen professor. They had been watching his agonizingly slow movement through the lecture but had deterred in acknowledging it for his own sake. The Gryffindors after all would use any slight weakness about the professor to their advantage. However, as their professor began supporting himself against the far wall, they grew more concerned. At that point David had decided to go to the raven haired man but a tight grip on his wrist had stopped him dead. The young werewolf had turned towards the intrusion only to find the firm gaze of Harold staring back at him. Harold had shaken his head in a silent command that offered no argument. Thus, David settled back to watching his professor suffer whatever it was that ailed him.
However when Severus had eventually doubled over, that had been the final straw for the Slytherin pair and they hurried to the head of house's side; Harold continued to stare intently at the suffering at the suffering man, not yet moving to his aid until the prudent time.
However, the sudden stilling of movement caught his eye, he watched as Blaise and David stepped away from their professor who was heaving heavily. Then without warning the raven haired man became still. For long moments that were in reality only minute seconds of time, Severus Snape did not move, did not make on whisper of a sound; then just as quickly as it came, it went and with it all pretense.
Severus suddenly began retching on the floor with a force that would leave his throat raw for many weeks. However, as their professor retched not on e sound was uttered from those amongst the room. Even Harold was momentarily floored by what he saw.
Their before them lay a man retching what could only look like black blood; it was a sickening site, blood as black as night oozed from the vampire's mouth and then flowed thickly on to the stone floor, the air around them suddenly began to reek with the smell of decay and rot as well as the scent of freshly burning flesh as the black liquid burned the man's lips and throat only to sizzle slightly on the floor below.
Finally, with some effort Blaise arose from his stupor and quickly headed to his professor's side.
"Stop!"
Blaise ceased moving instantly at the command. Harold stood quickly and with meaning in his stride came to stand next to David, who was still far way from the retching professor.
"Do not touch him. Make sure that the blood does not touch you as well" said Harold, a sympathetic look towards the fallen vampire.
"Why?" asked David, as the rest of the class listened intently
"I would have thought that someone such as you would know the scent and look of dead blood. Death in its most tangible form."
"Silver?"
"Yes. This black defilement; it gives life to the dead and death to the living."
"How do you know all this!" screamed a small thin blond haired girl, sporting the Gryffindor badge on her robe.
"You forget that Professor Malfoy was my teacher at my previous school, he teaches a lot more than just Defense Against the Dark Arts" said Harold coolly.
"What can we do?" asked Blaise quietly, his features a web of concern as he looked at the worn body of his professor gasping as if in need of a breath that would not come.
"I do not know" said Harold sadly, his heart aching at the broken form of the man before him and unable to truly come to his aid for, it would give him away and that – could not happen at any cost.
Harold sighed deeply before turning to David, his eyes holding the boys gaze firmly before he spoke.
"You of all people cannot come near him" whispered Harold knowing full well that the young werewolf would hear him clearly.
David nodded his amber eyes, sharper than any hawks, stared at the raven haired boy before him, a silent message transpired between the two before they turned back to the immobile professor.
Suddenly Severus' crouched form stilled for a fraction of a section before retching violently onto the stone black floor. Many of the Gryffindors sneered in disgust, while the Slytherins fought a losing battle, wanting desperately to aid their fallen mentor. Many of them owed a debt of gratitude to the man for protecting them from the perverse pleasures of Klaith's detentions and his influences within the Lion's den, but could do nothing but watch as their professor suffered and burned from the inside out.
Time came and went, no one noticed that end of the class period had long passed. None made a move to leave until the loud bang of the dungeon door being opened resounded throughout the class like a drum. Everyone turned stunned eyes towards the door. There, with arms crossed and a cold icy scowl on his face stood the beautifully pale form of Draconis Malfoy. He stepped lightly and gracefully into the classroom not bothering to take in his surroundings and turned his look on Harold who held it steady yet submissively like a student caught in the act of something mischievous.
"Is my class not important enough to adhere to proper attendance?" said Draconis his voice cold and cutting yet calm.
"Professor we don't know what to do. Harold said not to go near him, we need your help professor!" cried David his pale gold like eyes pleading desperately as they glared into the man's stony silver pools. Draconis knew this boy to be a werewolf, one of many wolf children within this school and all of noble clans. These children were pure and selfless, like the true wolf clans of past times, they were taught to embrace their gift and control it with keen discipline. Draconis was truly impressed by this boy who led his life amongst secrecy and caution.
Draconis looked around the class and with a commanding boom in his voice instructed everyone to leave to their next class. Slowly they exited the room leaving only Harold, Blaise, and David behind.
"Did you not hear me?" asked the blond haired man coldly.
"Are you going to help him?" asked Blaise he eyes challenging and angry as if expecting the man before him to laugh at his professors plight.
"I help those who are deserving boy. Now do as I say before you test my patience."
"You…." Blaise suddenly felt his arm being pulled by Harold who gave him and hard glare before shaking his head. I was a clear sign not to anger Draconis and Blaise felt he needed to heed this warning thus, sighing he nodded his head and turned back to the pale man before him.
"I am sorry."
"Go."
Blaise and David left quietly but not before looking back at their fallen professor, who continued to gasp and moan in the agony that was liquid death. Draconis heard the timid whisper of a quiet and grateful "thank you" from David before the boy vanished through the door.
"Draconis?"
The silver eyed man looked at his brother, a burrowing stare that would send any other cowering, any except Harold.
"Yes?"
"What are you to do Draconis?"
"Go Harold and present your next performance in this game you play. I will take care of the vampire."
The raven haired man looked pleadingly into his brother's eyes but followed his instructions none the less "very well. But tell me, can he be saved?"
"No"
"I do not understand"
"His strength is like a summer rose, Harold. He will not survive this ordeal as he is now."
"I see. As the oldest, it is your judgment." Harold walked out of the class, closing the door behind him, leaving the tall fair skinned man to his charge.
Draconis looked at the man currently kneeling, holding his abdomen in evident agony. Slowly he walked towards the vampire being careful not to touch the black ooze that covered the floor; he came to stand behind the raven haired vampire.
"Tell me vampire, is this the penance that you endure for the worthless sins that plague your soul?"
Draconis received no response except for the soft moan of woe that consumed the man. Draconis violently fisted a clump of thin greasy hair and painfully pulled the kneeling man's head back, exposing his disheveled face and neck.
The burn marks that occurred within him ran clearly down the outward skin of his throat, his lips chapped and peeled from the continuous vomiting. His face marked tear tracks of endless torment and shame.
"What is your shame vampire? That you would allow this desecration of your body to occur, that you would allow such abuse on your person and swallow the pride that is your clan. Yes vampire I know of what clan you come from and of your status, so tell me have you found redemption through this foolish irreverence of yours. Or do you enjoy this abominable existence? Shall I end it for you vampire or do you wish for more? Tell me now or be judged by one as I and you will know me as I am!"
Severus coughed harshly and he attempted to clear his torn and abused throat from the remnants of dead blood. A thin trail ran down the corner of his mouth smoldering the skin it touched, but Severus did not care any more. He heard the words and something drew him to answer honestly.
Onyx colored eyes, deeper than a moonless night stared into the blond haired man's and for a moment Draconis could feel the despair that rolled off the man. However, he continued to glare coldly into the black dull eyes. What he saw was not a man seeking redemption but a vampire seeking forgiveness. For the first time since his arrival Draconis understood what Harold saw, on fateful night, in this lowly being. However, there was still much more to behold before his judgment could be final.
"I see your soul vampire" said Draconis releasing the painful grip on the other man's hair. Quickly the silver eyed man brought his wrist to his mouth, swiftly creating a thin cut across the pale flesh with an extended fang, which went unseen by Severus since he had his eyes closed, and allowed small droplets to fall on the dead oozing liquid at their feet. A small white glow shimmered momentarily as the black substance became a ghostly ash that was swept away until nothing was left but the original stone the lay before them. The blood had been cleansed and then disintegrated until it left no mark.
Draconis then kneeled gently in front of a semi-conscious Severus extending his hands; long graceful fingers gathered each side of the raven haired man's face as the blonde inched himself closer to his face, his lips forming the words "to see without seeing is to walk the blind path vampire. This is not the way that is ordained for you. When will you show me the true strength of your character vampire?" and with those whispered words he felt the soft flutter of soft thin lips against his own. They were a warm touch against the cold burn within him and the raven haired man began to feel the pain ease from his person. The sensation of Hades flames no longer exhibited unimaginable agony but were merely a small ache in comparison. The churning of death and decay within his being vanished completely and Severus once again felt whole, albeit weaker, but no longer did he feel the stir of liquid death within him, he shed small tears of joy in his relief from the harrowing nightmare that had beheld him.
All too soon the soft sensual lips moved away from him and the slender fingers that held him released their gentle hold. Severus lowered his head, exhausted and his throat still sore from its previous abuse. However, when the silver eyed man before him rose to his feet, Severus lifted his gaze immediately to the man.
"Thank you" came the quiet raspy voice of the raven haired man.
"Save your thanks vampire, remember my words, there is a great battle coming vampire and you will show me your worth before its arrival or I will kill you myself" said Draconis his voice as sharp as a finely sharpen blade slicing through flesh and bone alike. There was no mercy in his tone and Severus knew that this man was more than what he seemed. Suddenly Severus had a new fear; not of death, but of failure.
Severus stood shakily as he watched the pale haired man walk quietly out of his class, his steps hardly heard as they softly padded down the hall leaving a very confused but grateful vampire behind.
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The day passed rather quickly to Draconis. Having done what needed to be done with the vampire, the rest of the day's activities seemed like nothing more than a blur. Of course he had had to endure the snide ignorance of the older children as they ridiculed their potions professor, but that was hardly any concern of his. Having finished his routine appearance at dinner the blond haired man made his way to his room.
Taking off his pearl white robes, he laid them out neatly on the large canopy bed and entered the very grand bathroom that resided to his left. Inside there was a large pool size bath befitting the length of his extensive wings, he slowly undressed himself and began to extend beautiful white feathered appendages from his back. They flapped momentarily as if shaking out the feeling cramped unpleasantness. Draconis submerged himself in the warm soapy water his feathery wings creating small splashes as they moved and flapped in the water. The pale skinned man began pruning the front feathers of his wings, sliding gentle fingers between them as the water drenched the silky feathers.
Suddenly, soft pristine fingers glided gently between the soaked feathers of his back. Slowly parting and pruning the rumpled feathers back into clean smoothness. Then, gentle hands slid around his waist and up his side hugging him from behind as the light whispered touch of black feathers encircled him with warmth and comfort. Draconis heard the small whisper and light touch of moving lips brushing against the tender flesh of his back.
"It is uncomfortable reaching for the back feathers is it not?"
"Yes. Always"
"Thank You"
"There is nothing to thank, this changes nothing for him. As I said he will not survive."
"You showed compassion even though it was not required of you. For that, I thank you."
"Will you help me finish the back of them?"
"Of course, it must vex you to have them hidden for so long. Forgive me - I have brought you great distress."
"Never Harold" Draconis turned his face towards the raven haired man behind him, a soft smile on his face and a loving gaze in his eyes "for your happiness brother I would endure Hades' fury itself. Never doubt it."
Harold smiled then chuckled loudly "If you prune your feathers anymore they will become translucent."
"Humph, and if yours become any filthier they will become darker than the bottomless wholes of Darshka" Harold pouted at the small jab but gave a feral grin when he jumped on the blonde's back submerging him under the warm water.
Harold laughed even harder when his brother resurfaced, blond locks plastered to the front of his face, wings ruffled and shaking off water, and an evil glare of death in his eyes as he looked at his brother.
"For that Harold, I will not help you with your pruning"
Harold's laughter died momentarily "oh Draconis". Harold wrapped his arms tightly around the man before him, laying his head on his firm back "you will never leave me right Draconis?"
Draconis sighed, sometimes he wanted to tear Lucius apart for his betrayal, but Harold and he knew Harold had forgiven him. Harold who had the purest heart of all their people and the blond feared for his brother's plight in the battle ahead. However, he could not hold back the soft smile that came to his lips "no Harold I shall never leave you".
With that both men began the process of pruning each others wings, each content in the comfort of brotherhood; for now that was enough but many challenges still lay ahead, this realization was not dawned upon just by the winged duo but by a certain raven haired vampire as well.
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An: well there it is. I hope everyone likes it. Remember I love reviews the more I get the more I want to write. M.O.T.I.V.A.T.I.O.N!
An: I apologize if the last scene between Draconis and Harold was a bit odd especially with their characters and everything but I thought it would be good to see a bit more of the interaction between brothers. OH and the bath thing is completely innocent but I'll let you come up with your own conclusions. Buwhahahhah.
Lost But Not Yet Broken 12 will be up soon. I'd like to thank all my readers and reviewers who have patiently been waiting for my slow ass carcass to update. But hey at least I don't update on a yearly basis huh? Lol.
Next Chapter: ………..I don't freaking know. Have to wait to find out.
REVIEW! PLEASE! FOR I AM A PATHETIC BEING!