Many many thanks for all the lovely reviews!
Kira Bartholomew – camel of doom?
Jade – Anvil? Whale? Um okay…
Madnarutofan – mmm…cooked phoenix…yum…perhaps.
Fire and napalm – kidnap Daray and Silas and do what with them? Please, details. My poor little vamp muses got frightened and are hiding under the bed.
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Chapter 28
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"It's getting too dangerous to remain here any longer Ron. Especially if you keep speaking out against vampires."
"Too dangerous? He's not even in the country! How can he know?" Ron snorted.
"He knows because he knows a lot of them, and he's studied them. He has an inside look at what they can do and what they're really like."
"And he thinks we're not capable of stopping them." Ron said flatly. Hermione avoided that question, Ron wouldn't like the answer.
"The Ministry's anti-vampire laws are unnecessary. And they're tired of being persecuted." Hermione said. "They're not just going to let themselves be killed."
"They're dark creatures! So what if they're all killed!"
"He's just saying that because he doesn't want us around when the fighting really starts." Hermione said, trying again and knowing she was getting no where.
"Why? Because he's worried we might stop the bloodsuckers and get some recognition for ourselves?" Ron snapped back at her, like he had a dozen times. "He's left and missed his opportunity for fame and now he doesn't want us getting any either." He stood and moved restlessly around the chairs. "I'll show those bloodsuckers what real magic users can do. I'll be the head of the unit, the best in the world." Ron turned away and walked across the room, "how hard can it be to kill a vampire anyway? You've only got to tie them up long enough for the sun to come out. A binding spell is all it takes."
"Ron, for someone who seems to have chosen a career you haven't the faintest clue about what that career entails. Vampires do not die from just sunlight." Hermione told him.
"Fine I'll find out what it is and do it." Ron said with a shrug. "This is my big chance. Hey anyone who saves the world from vampires is going to be really famous; I bet I could make Minister some day." He looked delighted, the type of look on a little boy's face at an unexpected present. And Hermione was reminded once again of how young, mentally especially, Ron was.
"Ron, many vampires can do magic just like we can, and because they're vampires they've got telepathy, empathy, and telekinesis too. You can't even throw off an imperius curse, how can you possibly expect to fight them?"
"What you don't think I can do anything either? I thought you were on my side!" Ron said angrily.
"I am, I'm try to keep you from asking vampires to kill you." Hermione said sharply.
"No Ron you can't, you aren't capable, you don't know how, you can't do anything." Ron mimicked angrily in a whiny female voice. "Just what everyone else always says. All it'll take is a killing curse."
"Ron, those don't kill vampires either." Hermione pointed out. "And you aren't capable of fighting vampires, I'm not capable of it, and nor are the vast majority of the aurors."
"Hermione they're vampires! They're evil incarnate! If we don't kill them they'll take over the world!" Ron shouted.
"Ron they've been around longer than magical society has and they've never tried that. And if they wanted to they certainly have the power to. Their power grows as they age and Harry says there are some of them over three thousand years old-"
"So we'll have to kill them first!"
"Almost impossible. No one knows how. Harry said-"
"Just because Harry doesn't know doesn't mean I can't do it. Just because he's too scared doesn't mean I am!" Ron bellowed. Hermione shook her head, got up and left.
"Hermione!" Ron called as the door slammed shut.
Hermione walked up to the owlery and handed a letter to one of the school owls. "For Mad Eye Moody." She told it, Harry had some way to safely contact the old ex-auror, he'd make sure Harry got it. Then she watched the owl wing off into the dark. "Oh Gods Harry, you were right. What are they going to do to him?" She whispered, rubbing her temples and gazing sadly about the dark unkept grounds. Ron was determined to make himself a target.
Being methodical and always wanting answers she had done her research. There weren't many articles on vampires in the Hogwarts library – god forbid any children should learn what they really were, but she had read all that there was, she'd even order a book from a bookstore in Knockturn Alley and snuck into the restricted section. There had been many statements made by powerful vampires over the centuries about exactly what they all thought. Someone like Ron, bigoted and racist, was exactly what they hated most. The vampires judged each individual for themselves, and the elders usually ensured that any vampires who didn't do that didn't live to adulthood.
Even if the young, formerly muggle or weak magic user vampires were over populating and uncontrolled, there was a very powerful, very old, and very intelligent mass of vampires, organized and unwavering, that was very angry. The young and foolish weren't the ones to really worry about. The smart thing to do would be to ask the elders to take care of things. Outlawing all vampires and calling for their execution had the same ramifications as signing a death warrant.
The elders were waiting for a reason; they were giving time for the public to be turned against them by the Ministry. Only the intelligent witches and wizards, who saw through the Ministry, would be left alone. They hadn't attacked yet because they wanted to get rid of all the idiots and glory-hunting fools at once. And Harry's guesses about Ron had proved correct.
"Oh Ron, they're going to kill you, you're falling right into a trap set for people they hate. And you think you're going to get one over your best friend by becoming famous." Hermione murmured.
She made her decision that night.
XXXX
"None of your aurors will protest?" Andrew Farov asked. Mad Eye Moody shrugged, his one eye watching the few people at the tables around them.
"They're not mine. The ministry may protest. Pity Voldemort's assassins got old Rufus, he would have sent you a personal thank you letter. This new chap Dawkins, don't know him well, old crony of Fudge's. Very much like him."
"Oh dear." Andrew muttered, rubbing his temples, and people claimed vampires didn't get headaches. Ha. "Any chance Rufus will be able to give a message any time soon?" Few people knew the former minister was alive. He was hidden away with a private set of doctors, trying to get him out of the coma the poisons and brain-wrecking spells and sent him into. They had announced his death, and told only four people otherwise. Since the master of London was helping to find a way to awaken him Farov knew as well.
"Not a chance. He's probably gone for life. They'll keep trying though."
"Will the aurors defy the ministry if…when, it come to war?"
"They already did by sending that letter. They may do so again. I'll contact my old pals and students, see if I can't stir up some trouble." Moody's grin was gleefully nasty. "Now, some questions of my own."
"Very well." The vampire agreed.
"The captured vampires?"
"Locked up in the cells he used last time below the city. The tastiest ones will be at the gathering. They'll be executed afterwards. The others…we'll see. He' snot feeling very merciful." Andrew said, Lord Hadrian was not currently in the mood to grant any leniency, though after keeping them locked up for a century he might. "Why? Interested in coming to the gathering? You know how much fun they are." Andrew said with a challenging leer. Moody snorted and rolled his eyes all the way around.
"Not likely. I know what you walking corpses" Farov glared, Moody smirked and continued, "like to get up to once business is finished and I'm way too old for that kind of stuff."
"Or too scared."
"No, but I never was into necrophilia." Farov's bark of laughter at the old joke caused momentary pause in all other conversation. Moody waited out his mirth, his own twisted smile showing off his scarring. "The mortals?"
"Ah. They were nice. We tested all their blood. They'll be divided up at the gathering. Lord Hadrian is keeping the few best for himself, and Kylara is going to try to retrain some of them so one or two may be released." Moody snorted again, not much chance of that. "She's had success with that in the past. All it takes is a complete change of heart and mind. Once they stop fearing us and begin to cooperate and befriend their owners many former slaves have become reliable allies." Andrew assured him.
"How many did you get?"
"Two, though my master may give me three. If no one else wants them."
"Anyone I'd know?" Now the vampire started grinning, showing both fangs.
"Oh yes. Lucius Malfoy ring a bell?" At Moody's wide eyes he smirked, "must have a gong rather than bell." Moody started laughing. His harsh crackling laughter drawing winces from other diners.
"That good!"
"I thought you might approve." Andrew agreed, "and now my old friend, my secrecy and disguise spells are weakening from the revealment charms being cast by the off-duty auror in the corner. He seems certain I'm no good, keeps casting the spells, but he's not very good at them." He rose and quietly left, Moody waved the waiter over, still chuckling, Rahkesh would really get a laugh out of this, Lucius Malfoy, perhaps Farov would give him a few pictures to send to Rahkesh. Rahkesh would love it, now if they could just nab the son as well they wouldn't have to worry about that clan ever again.
However Narcissa on her own could be a problem. He would have to check on what was happening to her these days. Couldn't be too cautious, constant vigilance.
XXXX
"Rahkesh are you listening?" Silas asked. Rahkesh blinked and looked up, he'd zoned out again. He shook his head and straightened, trying to remember what they were doing.
Erm, sorry." He muttered, he hadn't been aware anyone was talking. He could hear thunder rolling, it seems far away but it was getting louder. Air whipped around him and the electrical power building up in it made him shiver.
Silas was talking again, but Rahkesh's mind was elsewhere already. He could feel his wings beating through the air, and feel lightning crackling over his body.
"Rahkesh!" Rahkesh jumped, and shook his head again to clear away the clouds and flashes of light. He was creating sparks and tiny shocks again. A ferocious cry rang through his mind and he tried to shut it up, but the thunderbird refused to be silenced.
It was dark out, what time had they started this study session? After lunch, that must have been around midday. It felt like no time had passed. He could feel his wings beating; hear the whumping sound they made against the air on each down sweep.
Silas and Daray were watching him warily as if he might transform indoors. Which he might at this rate. He hadn't been able to concentrate on anything but the thunderbird since his transformation. The library was not a good place for that.
Not bothering to explain anything Rahkesh got up and left the library without a word, returning to his rooms and throwing himself onto his bed. He hadn't been able to go to class in days; in fact he hadn't been able to do anything at all since his transformation but think about his animagus form. He didn't remember eating, he hadn't slept. And despite his friend's best efforts he couldn't concentrate of anything.
The door opened and Daray drifted in, followed by his cousin. The vampires put his books, which he'd left in the library, on his desk. Rahkesh not only didn't notice them but didn't even notice his anti-vamp wards going off. The two vampires traded looks and sat down on the couch and armchair.
"Rahkesh?" Silas asked softly.
Rahkesh flinched and jumped upright. The thunderbird magic had been blocking him from feeling the wards.
"Aw crap." He whispered, dropping his head into his hands.
"Indeed." Daray agreed, "apparently this is distracting you enough that you don't notice people sneaking up on you."
Rahkesh ran his fingers through his hair distractedly; already he could feel a faint rumble of thunder that felt like it was flying through his mind. This was very bad.
"Rahkesh, how many days has it been since you transformed?" Daray asked abruptly.
"Um, eight?" Rahkesh guessed, realizing that he had no idea what day of the week it was.
"No, fourteen." Daray said, "I'm calling Namach and the headmistress, whatever they have you working on it isn't working." Rahkesh saw his eyes glaze a little as he reached out telepathically. But, when Rahkesh tried to sense the telepathy, the thunderbird's scream shot through his mind instead and he jumped again. He couldn't even use his mind magics anymore.
Apparently the headmistress had been coming anyway because she arrived only a few second later. Rahkesh was already starting to drift again, seeing crackling flashes of light. The headmistress took one of the armchairs and watched him for a few minutes, feeling the strange raging aura around him and trying to decide how stable he was.
"It's becoming annoyingly constant." Rahkesh muttered, examining his mind from the outside looking in, as the headmistress had asked him to.
"It will only get worse." Nvara told him softly. "Did you try what we discussed last time?" Rahkesh nodded, then opened his eyes when he started feeling the nonexistent feathers and started hearing rolls of thunder. He focused on the others in the room to drown out the thunderbirds persistence.
"It isn't there."
"What isn't?" Silas asked. Nvara opened her mouth to explain but Rahkesh started first. If he kept talking maybe it would distract in subconscious from his animagus.
"If I have one form like the thunderbird I should naturally have another to balance it. Now I know I'm currently developing multiple animagus forms, but none of them are anything like the thunderbird. I've been meditating to search out each form and feel what sort of power it has. None of them can match the thunderbird." He closed his eyes again and took a deep breath as a sudden wave of feeling, as if he were flying, washed over him.
"Rahkesh if you have one form as powerful as the thunderbird there must be at least one more to balance that one. That isn't optional; it's the closest thing to a law of magic as there can be." Nvara pointed out. Rahkesh shrugged helplessly, he knew that it had to be there, but it wasn't.
"Namach says that animagus forms are usually reflected in bloodmagic, and while the dragon blood forced the thunderbird to come into existence many years earlier than it should have the thunderbird was there from the start. Based upon the bloodmagic I've done so far he can determine that there is a focus of sorts about my shoulders and upper back where the wings begin from and two more about my eyes and feet, which are consistent with winged animagi. I haven't done a whole lot of bloodmagic but the fact that those runes that show a winged animagus are already apparent mean that the thunderbird has been with me the longest. That form is one I developed in early childhood; it is probably the first of them to exist." Rahkesh said, trying very hard to ignore the thunderbirds insistent calling, but it had taken over his vision and he could see only mountaintops below his and flashes of lightning in the storm that coated his wings.
Namach had said that had the thunderbird not been pushed to the front by the dragon's blood he might have had time to develop a second form to calm it, but Nvara's meditation exercises had revealed that he didn't even have the beginnings of anything that could halfway block a thunderbird. Namach however claimed that the dragon's blood would not unnecessarily endanger him and so he had to already have something to stop the thunderbird from consuming him. Rahkesh hadn't asked how he could possibly figure that out. He had checked into the relations between bloodmagic and animagi months earlier and been completely bewildered - that stuff wasn't even taught in the regular classes.
"If the thunderbird came about first your magic had plenty of time to find something to match it. But you say that nothing else seems to exist." Nvara said, "If an animagus form is too powerful, or too strongly connected to the person, they usually have another to balance it within the subconscious. Which begs the question of why your magic hasn't self destructed."
"Which means that I'm a magical anomaly." Rahkesh said with a resigned sigh. Daray turned a laugh into a cough and Rahkesh rolled his eyes. Great, more experiments and testing. He heard the thunderbird scream again and thunder rumbled.
"You're doing that again." Silas muttered, glancing out the widow.
"You heard that?" Rahkesh asked.
"That one was real, not just your mind." Daray told him.
The crackling was starting again, waves of magic rolling and swirling around him, cold air over massive wings. Rahkesh blinked and tried to shake himself back to reality. Lightning crashed, this time just in his mind, followed by several massive beats of thunder and the smell of ozone.
The three on the couches and chairs watched as Rahkesh crumpled to the floor from where he'd been leaning against the post at the foot of his bed. Sygra shot down from the headboard and coiled on his chest as they approached, she hissed threateningly and opened her mouth, ready to throw venom at them. They both stopped.
Lightning flashed, this time real lightning. Then electricity began to crackle across Rahkesh's body in patterns not unlike feathers. He convulsed as a loud bang of thunder shook the windows.
"Sygra we're trying to help." Daray told the snake, who didn't understand and rose, raising her hood and getting ready to spit as Silas moved to try to shake Rahkesh awake.
The shape of Rahkesh's' eyes began to change, rolling open to reveal the black and gold – no whites – of the thunderbirds. Nvara had to duck as a bolt of lightning leaped away from him and hit the ceiling. Blasting a charred crater into the stone.
The door banged open then closed as Namach finally arrived. He took one look around and hurried towards Rahkesh, who was shaking as he tried to keep the thunderbird contained.
More thunder sounded, but this time the sound was coming from Rahkesh, sparks of lightning leaped form his body to lash across the floor. The two teachers countered them wandlessly and held the lightning away. Sygra, not harmed, struck at Namach, who moved too fast for the cobra and picked Rahkesh up, placing his fingers on Rahkesh's temples and sending a wave of telepathy through.
Rahkesh heard the thunderbird's scream of fury as another presence appeared and hurled it away from his mind. The intruder slammed the thunderbird aside and drained away the magic it was sending out.
The thunder and lighting stopped.
Abruptly Namach dropped Rahkesh and leaped back, all the way across the room, faster than any of them could see. Then a massive blast of lightning forced them all to the floor as it shot in rippling waves through the air at head height. The air sparkled and the cracks of thunder shook the room.
"I don't think he liked that." Silas said needlessly.
"He does seem to have an immense aversion to any sort of invasive mind magic when he's not entirely conscious." The ancient vampire agreed, remembering how Rahkesh had nearly killed himself rather than let the fae into his mind. "He should have been able to shut down the thunderbird, but instead he chose to allow it to attack rather than have any other magics in his mind."
Sygra, spitting furiously, coiled up again over Rahkesh, the rose up as high as she could and started swaying, watching them all. Rahkesh's eyes rolled and began to glow he began to become blurred as the thunderbird tried to force him to transform.
Namach moved Sygra out of the way with a wave of one hand and tried again. Sending another wave of magic through Rahkesh's mind.
Rahkesh could feel the thunderbird raging, trying to break free. It's fury and sizzling magic filling his mind and senses, leaving no room for thought.
Then another presence appeared, white blinding power followed by a feeling of such icy cold that his mind screamed in pain. A roar sounded, pounding through his skull, followed by more ice and the sensation of two massive presences colliding. Realizing that the thunderbird was distracted with this new invader Rahkesh imagined leashing it and shutting it away. Second later the thunderbird's defiant scream made him clamp his hands over his ears, as if it was actual sound and not coming from within his mind.
Whatever the new creature was the waves of wind and cold and magic it was hurling about slammed the thunderbird back, and Rahkesh could think again. He pressed the thunderbird back further until it was just a dull rustle of feather and low rolls of thunder in the back of his mind.
He opened his eyes, seeing spots at first. He was lying on the couch, Sygra leaning down over him from her spot coiled on the backrest. Silas was casting spells on the walls, which were charred, chipped, and even melted in some places. Daray was putting out a fire on the armchair.
"A good thing you have such strong wards, I don't think anyone noticed." The headmistress said, coming into view.
"What was that?" Rahkesh asked, his voice was hoarse and his throat hurt, as if he had been screaming.
"Best not to talk, thunderbird calls were not meant to come from a human throat." Namach's deep voice came from across the room. Rahkesh glanced over and saw the vampire was wandlessly repairing his bed and desk, which were shattered and blackened.
"It almost got you that time. Tristan used his own animagus to convince it to back off a bit. But that's not going to last." The headmistress warned him. Rahkesh nodded and reached up to pet Sygra, she wrapped herself around his arm and slid down onto his chest.
You know, I was having a nap. She told him, not pleased with his timing. And what are you doing turning into a bird anyway? Snakes are much superior.
Rahkesh wanted to hiss a reply, but everything was fading quickly. As he passed out again Sygra flared her hood and arched up to glare at the four moving about the room.
"Parselmagic." Namach said suddenly, watching the snake as she swayed threateningly over her unconscious master.
"What?" Silas asked.
"Parselmagic, he's a parseltongue so he can do the snake magics. Parseltongues have an additional non-human form. A snake. What type of snake depends upon the individual." Namach explained quickly. "He couldn't find an animagus to match the thunderbird because he doesn't have one. His parselmagic provided its own counter."
"I don't think Rahkesh has practiced any of the parselmagics in depth. He never had the time and his guardian who trained him apparently didn't like parselmagic much, probably thought it was dark magic, which is of course evil." Daray said sarcastically. Rahkesh's complete lack of interest in the snake magic was a source of ongoing argument amongst them.
"Well, that parselmagic has apparently decided to take the place of another animagus, since he couldn't handle creating more than one that powerful." Namach said. Sygra finally seemed to decided they weren't going to try to harm her master and coiled up on his chest.
XXXX
If you try to eat me you are in big trouble, and by trouble I mean dead. Sygra warned him. Rahkesh looked up to see his familiar coiled warily up on a rocky ledge just above his head.
"What did she say?" Daray asked from his position flopped on a pile of very sharp and uncomfortable looking rocks. He had the ability to lounge on any surface, and was apparently actually comfortable, or just very good at acting.
"Threatened to kill me if I tried to eat her when I transform."
"I'd be more worried if she tried to eat you." Silas said. He'd been a little worried about his own familiar eating him ever since he'd learned his animagus form was significantly smaller than the large panther.
"Can't wait to see Nuri chasing your six legged venomous mousey arse around trying to eat you." Daray purred, he'd been teasing his cousin mercilessly.
"It doesn't have fur and it isn't a mouse…and I don't know how many limbs it has." Silas growled, "now shut yer fanged trap and let Rahkesh concentrate."
Namach bit back a chuckle at the two younger vampires, "yes please, if either of you starts up again you'll both be part of the menu at the master of London's gathering." The two younger vampires quailed in what appeared to be real fear, and nodding quickly.
Word of Lord Hadrian's plans had spread like wildfire, it had been a long time since all the old ones got together, and this time they were discussing war. The vampire students were very excited, and, in the habit of young of all species, were each going on about how great the master of whatever area they were from was compared to the others. The ruthlessness/power of the ruler of your home city/country/territory seemed to be something the young took a sort of personal pride in. Which seemed completely ridiculous to Rahkesh, but there were enough vampires in the school that he wasn't about to voice that opinion.
"Remember, first speak, and then start searching for where that power of language comes from. This is a type of deeper mind magic so you'll need to find the threads of magic and follow them into your own mind. I know that sounds crazy but once you start speaking parseltongue the magic will awaken and create a strong enough tether between your outer mind and magical center so that it should be easy to sense the source." Nvara told him. The headmistress had decided to be present, and had, after much pleading from the two, allowed Rahkesh's vampire friends to join them. On the off chance his form was exceedingly venomous Ally and Tyler hadn't even asked. Rianae, showing remarkably more common sense then Daray and Silas, had decided she didn't feel like risking having a fang stuck through her head and wasn't present either. Namach claimed he could overpower whatever Rahkesh turned into. Rahkesh didn't doubt that, he just hoped he'd have enough presence of mind not to go after the headmistress, who could kill him in a heartbeat, or either of his friends, whom he might eat if the serpent was big enough to regard them as edible.
Then again, vampires were already dead and he didn't think many snakes would willingly eat something that wasn't alive, that hadn't been alive since becoming a walking corpse only one year after being born. So they were probably safe. From him, Namach had tossed them both off the mountainside once already for the incessant chattering.
If I turn into something that might eat you you can transform. There aren't too many serpents willing to go after a wyvern, and you'll be able to fly away. He told the black cobra. When she began to reply he closed his eyes and sank inwards, searching for the parseltongue magic.
Yes, and if I fly away you might switch to the thunderbird and fry me. If I'm going to be eaten I'd prefer to be eaten fresh thanks, cooked meat is disgusting. Sygra said fatalistically, she had apparently decided that there was no way out of being eaten by one or the other of his animagus forms.
Even if I have changed shape we are still connected and it is unlikely that I would eat you in any form. He told her, he could sense the parseltongue magic fairly easily; it was being snakelike. He'd assumed it would act like a snake and it was, twisting slowly about in his mind. Avoiding all thoughts and all mental functions, like a serpent through a thick jungle.
So I start screaming telepathically when you try to bite me? Sygra grouched. She flicked her tail around, a sure sign of nerves, then she raised her head and looked over the edge of the ledge again. You know, I do have several venoms, and we know one is a sleep agent.
Yes, that might work. Oh and use that on Daray if he tries to dye my snake form any ridiculous colors. Rahkesh requested, just imagining himself becoming a wonderful orange and black and pink python. Silas had a camera and he'd never hear the end of it. Sygra hissed her amusement.
What if the colors aren't ridiculous?.
This is Daray we're talking about; they will be ridiculous. I'd rather not be turned into a pink and blue anaconda. He had the magic now, following it, he wasn't sure what he was looking for, but Namach, who had known several parseltongues in his long life, had said they had all described it a little differently. He should try to get inside the parseltongue magic, and search for his reflection, as a snake.
Can I use the acid? Sygra asked, she could also spit acid. Very accurately. He had chosen well when he'd gotten her for a pet.
I suppose, it's not like it would permanently harm him.
Rahkesh waded around in his mind, finally wrapping the threads of magic tightly around him and attempting to do as Namach had suggested, find his snake reflection and become it.
Easier said than done, the minute he began to open his mind and let the parseltongue magic wash into his consciousness he started finding a lot more than just an image.
Along the threads of magic there were voices, and lives, calling out, sending bolts of parselmagic into him. It took Rahkesh several minutes to realize that he was finding information, knowledge contained in the parseltongue magic, placed there by every previous parseltongue as far back as the beginning of the snake magics.
He caught little snippets of things, small slices of information concerning parselmagic. Knowing he didn't have long, the thunderbird was starting to act up again, he set them aside, the task of sorting through everything contained in the parselmagic would take a very long time, and it was all very fragmented. He was looking for himself, not the names and characteristics of every snake species to ever exist.
Leaving the knowledge contained in his magic behind he opened his mind again and waited for an image to come to him.
But nothing came. Trying a different tactic Rahkesh took the parseltongue magic and called it into his physical being, and allowed it to manifest itself however it would.
This time he felt something change. He was so deep into his mind and magic that he had little input form the real world at all, but he could no longer feel his arms or legs, and for a moment he nearly panicked.
Then the pain started, sparking along his spine and ribs and running down to his tailbone. Rahkehs bit back a scream as his spine grew hundreds more vertebrae and his ribs and lungs extended. The rearrangement of his internal organs hurt horribly, but Rahkesh needed whatever form the parselmagic was giving him so he kept going letting the magic take over and change him. Slowly the pain subsided. His senses had changed, and while he could not feel his arms or legs he didn't feel like he was missing them either. Momentarily he could hear, then his eyes change and he felt his nose vanish. He couldn't smell, but snakes could smell he had to be able to somehow. They smelt with their tongues. Rahkesh flicked his tongue out and in and a wave of smells washed over him. The scent of the vampires - dead but alive - felt wrong and struck some warning deep within the snakeish part of him. Then he calmed himself with a deep breath and forced his eyes open.
He was falling off the ledge. Rahkesh noticed this first and without thinking backed up, curling back onto the massive plateau they had selected for the transformation.
Only the plateau didn't seem so massive anymore.
Formerly it had been where an Akren student, needing space for some sort of magical experiment, had cut the top off one of the lower peaks, leaving a huge flat area. But Rahkesh was almost too large to fit onto it.
The three vampires ad the headmistress were standing beside him, he could see them, in full color. So whatever he was it could see color. They looked rather puny. In fact it seemed that the top of his eye ridge was nearly a foot above Namach's head. Rahkesh raised his head and looked back over his now nonexistent shoulder.
He was coiled around and the ledge, how long he was Rahkesh could not tell, but with his body moving to get away from all the edges the only open space was where the four humans were standing near his head.
"Well you needed a powerful form, and you certainly got it." Namach said approvingly.
What am I? Rahkesh asked, only to realize he was speaking parseltongue.
Big. Sygra complained, too big, you nearly squashed me. Her ledge had been shattered by his transformation, she crossed the small open area and coiled up Namach's legs into his arms, hiding behind his hands. Don't eat me?
You're too small. Wouldn't be worth it. Rahkesh replied. Sygra apparently found that insulting, and glared at him.
Rahkesh looked around at the others and tilted his head to the side in question. Knowing they couldn't read snake body signals like he could, after well over a year with Sygra, he pushed a thought outward, a question that all four of them caught. What am I?
"An Asian Basilisk." Namach answered.
What? Rahkesh thought, he knew what Basilisks were, but he hadn't known there were different breeds.
"An Asian Basilisk, there are three, well theoretically four, different species. No one's ever actually seen the fourth type. By your size it's still fairly young. They grow throughout their lifespan. They're also very powerful magically." Namach said, he was holding a small book with a four headed basilisk on the cover, and color pictures and descriptions inside. "The other Parseltongues I knew said their magic could tell them things about snakes, is this true for you as well?"
Thinking about it Rahkesh realized that he could have figured that out for himself, the information stored in the parselmagic probably contained everything possible to know about every type of snake. He would have to meditate on it later.
Yes. He replied.
"Is the thunderbird quiet?" Nvara asked. Rahkesh closed his eyes and searched. He found the thunderbird readily enough; it was near the surface and as powerful and destructive as ever, if roused, but it was quiet now. Sleeping, waiting. As the snake would be when he became human again. It and the snake were well balanced. If only he could keep them from warring within his mind…but they weren't so maybe that wouldn't be an issue.
It is quiet. He agreed. His mind was his own again, and he had two of the most fearsome creatures in the world at his command. Oh Voldemort was going to cry when they next met.
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Those who like Ron, sorry. It needed to happen. For the greater good and all eh?
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Reviews please!
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Happy Holidays (grin, I thought an update in time for the Holiday would make everyone happy.)
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