Disclaimer: see Chapter 1

A/N: Sorry for the late update. I have decided that it would be better if I update on weekends as I have very little free time on weekdays. Thanks for the reviews guys. I hope you review again.

To BlackDecember and SLNS: Thanks

To XxMaraxusxX: Thanks. I'm not probably the one you should ask as i'm still quitea beginner myself but i guess that one of the best tips ever given to me was to just letthe imagination flow and then try to put them into words.It doesn't have to be perfect. Heaven knows howminegoes bad most times. But practice helps one improve. Or so i am led to believe.

Chapter 2

Raven's POV

I found myself standing in the middle of a big dining hall with Draes, also known here as the infamous Draco Malfoy. It's ironic that a Wizarding line that used to be so proud and noble has all but completely vanished and how the surname Malfoy will always be twined for next hundred centuries with the stain brought by the last few generation, almost rejecting all the contributions done by the past ancestors. It is a pity. I've known several decent Malfoys in the course of over one thousand nine hundred years that I've come and gone in this world. The ideals and values of the family have been grossly misinterpreted ever since the seventh century which began when…

Forgive me, I have the tendency to get carried away with my thoughts and memories. It annoys Draes mightily when I fall into idle chatter about such things. But then again I do love to jest with Draco, he amuses me. And I will admit to engaging in merciless teasing and deliberately behave like a mischievous little child instead of my proper age, as I am often reminded, but when you have infinity in the palm of your hands…you have to find ways of amusing yourself. Otherwise, you'll be eternally bored. And when you're bored, you become idle. Wasn't there a muggle saying that 'an idle mind is the devil's workshop' or something? Anyway enough about me for now. I could go on for days or years talking about me and the magnificence that is my life, and yes, I can be even more self-absorbed than Draes, if that is possible. I have after all, almost two millennia of track record behind me. But anyway back to the Great Hall…

Our unannounced arrival produced my young companion's desired effect of making everyone in the hall abruptly cease their lively discussions. The faces of the adults seated at the long table before us had an interesting variety of expressions and in different shades and colors. It was an interesting sight to say the least. I found myself taking a discreet glance at the slayer of Voldemort. He was one of the reasons why we were sent here, if I'm not mistaken. And I rarely am.

Such vivid green eyes he has. And yet there is something in them that is vaguely familiar…

The air was very tense for some moments that I almost anticipated it to solidify. Beside me, my Draes began to radiate powerful, conflicting emotions that barraged my keen senses with anger, loss, desire, hurt, pride, etc. etc. Its intensity overlapped everyone elses, it's giving me a headache as I have acceptable emphatic abilities. Lucky I am not as good as my father or else I'd be writhing on the floor in pain. Draes was fighting for control, I can't be certain if he is winning. I realized then that I must address the situation immediately before things got out of hand.

As Draco had become somewhat indisposed, I took the initiative to greet the Headmaster and announce ourselves. He wasn't hard to recognize as Draes had described him to me before. Using very interesting adjectives. Then again, his vocabulary becomes highly extensive when he speaks of his past. It bordered on blasphemy, I dare say. Not that I could blame him. But we are here on a formal mission. And a Slytherin is always painstakingly proper outside the clan, unless ordered otherwise. Otherwise meant going all-out ruthless. In this case, we were ordered to be polite. I cleared my throat and gave a little customary diplomatic bow, quite bothersome in my opinion, but then again I am a Slytherin…

I should just note that while our earth based stereotypes are crude, barbaric and almost too bloody idiotic for their own hides, the Aerial communities of Dragons are all about rigid social structures, rituals, formalities, age-old customs, and integration of new lines. You wouldn't believe the kind of creatures some dragons mate with. But enough of that for now.

"Greetings Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! We are emissaries sent by Lord Saleus Slytherin of the Shadowlands." I addressed the old man wearing a hideous, animated starry robes. I stepped closer to the head table until I was directly in front of the him. I lowered my voice.

"We are here to request an audience with you and a Mister Harry Potter. We are to relay a highly important message from our Lord."

The old man looked at me quite knowingly with intelligent and twinkling eyes. I then understood what Draes meant. If I were anyone but me, I'd be unnerved. But the splendid creature that I am allowed me to look back levelly, not revealing anything about myself or my emotions. I believe he was quite taken aback by my move.

"Your name young man?" he inquired casually.

"Forgive my rudeness. My name is Raven Cael. You may address me as Sir Cael. This is companion, Sir Draco Raelius." I gestured to Draes. He gave a slight, stiff bow as was customary in our world. "I believe Sir Raelius is appropriate."

I felt something stir within him suddenly. Something akin to bile rose to my throat. I didn't think the people in this room are ready to deal with him right now. I had to cut this visit short.

"I know that it was impolite of us to turn up without notice but our purpose is a bit urgent. Perhaps you would be so kind as to arrange a meeting for us tomorrow?"

"If it is urgent then perhaps we could step into my office after dinner?"

"Our message can wait until morning, headmaster. We are quite fatigued from our travels and in need of a good night's rest." It was a lame excuse, I know, and the old man became aware that something was amiss. I was quite relieved that he dismissed it.

"Would you join us for dinner then?" he invited knowing fully well that I will turn it down.

"I'm afraid that I must respectfully decline as it is not in our custom to dine with others after taxing activities… like taking long journeys.."

"Understood. May I ask someone to show you your quarters then?" he politely offered. And again I had to refused.

"No need for that, sir. We had already arranged for a comfortable accommodation elsewhere. If you would just give me a time as to when we may convene with you, we can be on our way."

"Very well, around nine o' clock will suffice."

"Acceptable. We thank you for your time tonight, Headmaster. We will see you tomorrow."

I stepped towards Draes, who had been standing quietly all throughout my conversation with Albus Dumbledore. I wrapped my hand around his waist gave a small bow to the headmaster and sunk back into the shadows with my companion ignoring the gasps that ensued. I forgot that Draes told me that one cannot apparate or disapparate through the wards of this place. Well, he didn't say one cannot shadow walk. Shadow walking is one of the unique special abilities of the Slytherin clan.

"Beloved," I started. Draes turned into my arms and embraced me. He was trembling all over. I stirred him towards our room. As we were walking in the shadows earlier we heard whispers from the walls of Hogwarts. Apparently, one of the founders also walked in the shadows and left some interesting objects in the darkness. One of these was a map pointing to some of the owner's rooms in Hogwarts. It seemed that Salazar Slytherin had many hidden chambers. We had chosen one before we entered the dining hall.

We stepped into a comfortable, well-preserved bedroom. It was decent enough for a night's rest, I reckon. I would have thought that the millenias would have weathered it a bit but I have no doubt that this place was like what it was thousands of years back. I don't think that this is Salazar Slytherins bedroom by long shot, but it was perhaps a guest room of sorts for people that he wouldn't want running around the halls of the castle. Perhaps for guests, or maybe for a lover. I obviously am not in the position to tell.

The space was cozy enough for two, I suppose, but it was not large by any means. Well, perhaps it is large enough by the standards of this world but it is about one-fifth the size of the bathroom in my bedroom back home so I have a valid defense! The furnishings were very elegant. Horribly outdated, but very elegant nonetheless. And quite lavish as well, I mean the bed was made of pure gold and emerald gems. The sheets were made of fairy silk and the lights that littered all over the place were colored pixy dusts sealed in crystals. But as a true Slytherin would know, nobody in our line would ever think of having a bed of yellow gold in his or her personal chambers. Or if one has good taste, never. Our clan favors black onyx and diamonds for special reasons.

I tucked Draes in bed and began to strip him of his travel garb before I slipped out of mine. I slid beside him under covers and he immediately leaned into my arms. He needed a lot of reassurances for the night. He hadn't been this shaken for nearly a year now. For the outside world Draco appeared to be the perfect Slytherin lord that he is being groomed to be. He is exceedingly attractive, amazingly skilled, highly intelligent, awfully proud, incredibly confident, exceptionally eloquent, dreadfully proper, extremely bossy and horribly vain. But his ability to care is as vast as his capacity to be ruthless. This made him vulnerable as much as he is strong.

I remembered the day he was taken into our domain. His appearance was far from perfect. To be blunt, it was horrid really. He had a bad hair day. Not to mention bruised and dirty. And blood, lots and lots of red dripping on very expensive fox fairy hide entrance carpet…

Flash back…

"Is that him?" I asked as I saw the unconscious form Nyx carried in his arms.

A nod was all I got in response. He seemed quite tired from the long journey.

"He is scrawny… and injured. How bad?" I was curious. This was what the fuzz was all about. The first will arrive soon, they said. This pale, weak little creature was going to be first lord. I would have laughed had I not known the whole story.

"We only had time to retrieve him. His injuries are quite extensive. We reached him only after he was hit by a fatal curse." Nyx explained as he hurriedly carried the fallen boy towards the household infirmary. The young wizard hung limply in his arm that one would believe the boy was dead.

"The death curse?" I inquired, knowing fully well that Avada Kedavra don't have the same effects on our kind as it have on wizards and other creatures.

There was a pause.

"No, worse," was the quiet reply.

"Please don't tell me…" I faltered as it came to me.

A look of affirmation was all I needed.

"Vinculum Animus Mors? How could anyone have known?" Vinculum Animus Mors is an old, old curse banned in every realm, wizarding world and beyond. I was informed that it has not been used for several thousand years. The last victim of the curse was someone quite dear to me. She died thousand years ago.

"We think that this little one was desperate…" Nyx gave the young one a look that I seldom see on his usually impassive features. Sympathy. I was quite taken aback. I didn't know he was capable of feeling such things.

"The other---?" I knew about the other, passive party involved with this young one's ordeal. As we glided through the barely lighted, narrows twist and turns that led to the healing rooms, I tried to pry as much as I can from me companion..

"He was never informed. But I believe a certain headmaster realized what happened before the end. We don't know if he would say anything."

"So all along this little one was…" I had to admire our unconscious patient.

"I'm afraid so." Nyx voice had a tinge of something I can't describe. I feel that there is something that he was not telling me, but I am not going to force it. For now.

"So stubborn." I muttered.

"Just like someone we all knew, don't you think?" He gave me a sad smile, remembering her…

"Yes." I whispered. "This will mean that we have to go through that process again."

"I know. But I have the feeling that this one might last a bit." He said. "He is Slytherin after all."

"He was turned?" I stopped. "When? Why wasn't I informed?"

"Because you were out Nuckelavee hunting." Nyx chuckled a bit, shifting the bloody bundle in his arms and started walking again. I can see the entrance up ahead.

"Ah. So when?"

"Two weeks ago, while he was aimlessly wandering on the forbidden grounds. He fell asleep on the damp ground and that presented an opportunity."

"Hm. He seemed survived that ordeal. And now this as well. He must be pretty special indeed." I stated.

"I heard those lines just before we got here." Ah. Yes, the proud new father.

"He lost a lot of blood." I opened the huge marble doors

"But not enough to kill him, fortunately for us." Nyx laid him down on black sheets. The young wizards breathing is barely there.

"And woe to him." We backed away as the healers began their work silently. They had been informed earlier by messenger to prepare for a patient. The two of us sat down on one of the corners as the rest of the room bustled to and fro.

"He decided to come freely at the last moment…" Nyx wore a distracted look.

"I will do it." I said suddenly.

"Huh?" With a questiong look, black orbs bored into my own, studying me intently.

"For the first five years. I volunteer." I bowed my head little.

"Are you sure? You hardly know him."

"Yes, I'm sure. I should think that I am more than qualified to take the job." And that I am indeed.

"Ever the meek one, aren't you?" He laughed a bit before turning his eyes to the busy healers and our little patient.

"Of course. I'd like to teach him lot of things about us and about anything else. It would be a nice way to pass five years of eternity don't you think?"

Even as I said I am sure Nyx can tell that it was a half truth. I was really more for me than for the young one over there.

"Oh the spirits forbid that you make him a replica of yourself!" He tried to look mortified.

"Oh hush. I know you love me any way." I retorted. Then looking over at the healing table I smiled. "Welcome to the family little one…"

End Flashback…

As Draco recovered I found myself inexplicably drawn to him. The healing of his physical injuries was easy. He was up and walking after two days. But the effects of the curse will continue to haunt him to this day until he decides to rest forever. It was an ancient curse, almost as old as the Wizarding world itself. There is nothing that can be done to undo it. Not that I know of anyway. All I can really do is fulfill my duty to him and also to guarantee that I will be there for him. His family will be there for him till the time comes. Dragons maybe immortal but they can choose death when they grow weary. It is quite ironic that many creatures often wish for immortality. But those that were given all the time in the world eventually get tired of living forever.

I lay there holding Draes till he fell asleep. It is still early in the evening but I am not looking forward for the coming of the sun. I somehow know that tomorrow Draes spirit will be screaming in anguish belying his infernally calm façade. And it will hurt. For both of us. Why was he sent here?

I sense his restless dreams, eternally haunted by a pair of emerald green eyes.

Please let us make it through this night.

End Chapter

A/N: sorry that the plot's a bit slow. Shall I go on?

Vinculum Animus Mors: I made this up… it's crude Latin… Vinculum: bond Animus/Animo: soul, spirit Mors: Death… you do the math…