Disclaimer: Read in previous chapters

A/N: A little surprise before book 6 comes out. Beware that the chapter is unbetaed.

Origin of Sin

Chapter 6: Foundations

Draco closed his bag and shouldered it waiting for Damien who was closing his own but the Blake waved him away and told him he'd see him in the common room. The blonde gave him a measuring look then looked at the Potions Master who was just entering a storeroom used for keeping the examples of the students' work, and then with a small nod he exited the room confident he would know what was happening sooner rather than later.

Professor Snape was putting away the samples from the class's potions thus facing away from him as Damien approached.

"Professor Snape" He said his voice neither questioning nor demanding.

If the teacher was surprised with his student's presence behind him he didn't give any outward signs though Daemon detected a slight, almost imperceptible quickening of the dark man's heart beat. Instead he calmly put away the last of the vials and secured them in their places. Taking special care with the slytherins'.

At last he stepped back and turned to face Daemon with an expectant expression.

"Mr. Blake" he said with no emotion coloring the words" What is it that you need?"

Nothing short of a necessity, a dire one at that, brought students to the cruelest teacher in Hogwarts. Even his slytherins rarely bothered him.

"Perhaps we should go somewhere we could seat while we talk Professor?"

Snape's brows furrowed at the student's presumptuousness.

"Perhaps not Mr. Blake." He said his authority over the young man shining trough" What could this matter be that it would require a long talk. I assure you any problems that you have in my class can be dealed with swiftly."

The man brushed past him and into the class room.

Daemon's mouth flickered into a brief smile before he turned to face the Potions Master.

He looked directly into Snape's eyes and felt the wall of Occlumency shut tight behind them.

"I am pursuing a Mastery in Potions and am currently beginning work on my final project" his look on Snape turned intense and he saw the man brush off some imaginary dust of his sleeve "but as you know I need a certified Master to supervise it. I would like to ask you to supervise my project should you be willing."

Whatever Severus Snape had expected this wasn't it! A Potions' Mastery? The boy was only 17 for Merlin's sake! Wait … final project? That would mean he had passed the initial two stages of the testing.

Seeing the man wasn't about to answer Daemon continued, his tone all business.

"Your help would be greatly appreciated and of course repaid accordingly, Master Snape" By Merlin how long it had been since some had used his proper title!" after all you are one of the worlds best and one of the reasons for my being here at Hogwarts."

It took quite a lot to render the man before him speechless and Daemon was pleased to see that from that moment on he would know he was one of the few who had managed the feat.

After overcoming his surprise Snape's eyes suddenly sharply focused on Daemon's and the vampire felt the barriers around his mind being probed. A brief flicker of approval was the only reaction Snape had when faced with his unbreakable shields against the mental attack. Slowly the eyes raked over him as if they were trying to judge his skills by his appearance only then returned to his face and their owned gave a small nod.

"Meet me here this evening after dinner and we will talk."

Damien gave a small bow that was more of an incline of the upper part of his body than a real bow, before wishing Snape a good day and exiting.

Severus looked pensively at the door as it closed after his student.

He needed to think. Informing the Headmaster would wait for after he met the boy that evening.

SSS

Daemon sat down at dinner greeting Malfoy and taking his now customary seat across from the blonde.

'Soalr?'

'Yes Daemon?'

'I suggest you ready that pint of griffin's blood.'

He could feel Soalr's resignation.

'I don't know why I even bother. I mean if the great Daemon Blake couldn't make someone fidget then no one could.'

Daemon was content not to answer but simply let his smug satisfaction leak trough to the other.

'Ok, ok. You got your blood but I want proof first! Undeniable proof he fidgeted!"

Suddenly an image of the Potions Master brushing away inexistent dust from his robes assaulted both Soalr and Velin's minds.

Only years of getting used to the connection and living with Daemon prevented the two from toppling over their seats and into wild bouts of uncontrolled laughter.

They had heard stories about the 'evil greasy bastard' from Daemon when they had had one too many drinks and let them get to their heads. Those tales had been of course accompanied by visuals.

But as it was Soalr simply snipped a witty reply to something a Susan Bones was saying and let himself laugh it out along with the others. The ravens never even having a chance of suspecting that the reason for his laughter was something entirely different.

Velin on the other hand simply took a long sip from his juice to hide his wide smirk.

Finally after the laughter quieted Soalr's mental voice was heard again.

' That doesn't count! He may have had dust on his robes. There's no way to know!'

'I didn't see any Soalr and I'm sure neither did you.'

'I didn't have a chance to look properly and you mightn't have seen it! As good as your eyes are, they aren't perfect!'

'Yes, they are.'

Soalr seemed to consider this for a moment.

'Well. I'll have to agree with that.' he paused for a second before his resigned voice entered Daemon's thoughts again 'I'm going to have to give you that blood, aren't I?'

'Yes.'

Soalr seemed to grumble something under his breath on the ravenclaw table but no one paid him attention since he seemed amerced in a book on arithmacy.

'Do you know how long it's going to take me to get that blood!'

'A day.'

Soalr paused again.

'True. Why am I trying to get out of this again?'

'Because you can't stand not to argue with me when you think you'll get away unpunished? My personal opinion is that that backlash from that insane ritual you tried is affecting you. You used to be such a nice, quiet boy.'

'I did not! How can you even use the word nice in connection with me!' Soalr voice was full of righteous indignation.

'Watch me.'

'Well sure you can, you're the boss…But I'm better company this way!'

'I'll concede but would also like to point out that you are at the same time a hundred times more annoying.'

'I'm proud of who I am!'

'I'm sure you are.' Came the dead pan answer.

It was only is this little mental universe of theirs that the three allowed themselves some measure of immatureness that was showed in life only when needed for completing a mission or in cases where they were sure they were completely alone. In the real life everything was a big game of chess that required their undivided and concentrated serious attention.

'Velin? How is your work on the 'princess' going?'

'Quidditch trials are Saturday morning. I was planning on approaching her after them. We know she prefers players and it'll be a big plus.'

'Good. Everything is according to plan'

'It is. Also Granger has already sniffed our trail up. I found her digging trough genealogy books of the pureblood in the library. It would not be long before she finds out.'

'I never thought it would. It would be better if she found out before Halloween. Make sure to leave some clues.'

'Yes, Daemon'

'Soalr. How is your mission progressing?'

'I think I'll be able to get invited to spend Christmas at his house, probably even a visit to his uncles' under the pretense of curiosity, everything else is according to plan.'

'See if you can have that visit before Halloween?'

'I think I'll manage'

'Perfect. I'll see you tonight for some hunting. Now I have a bat to impress.'

His two companions' snickers could be heard quite clearly even via the mental connection.

SSS

He waited patiently leaning against the wall in front of the potions classroom idly studying the cracks in the massive old door.

"Come." Was all Snape said as he passed him without even stopping.

Daemon pushed off the wall and followed in the same brisk pace a step behind and a little to the side of the Master as it was appropriate for an apprentice. He knew Snape would not acknowledge it but it was a good impression to show he knew the proper conduct and was ready to abide by it. From what he knew about Snape the man was very strict and would not stand for anything less than that which answered to his high standards.

The office wasn't too far away and was guarded by a stone figure of an old hunched-over wizard.

"Otrova" Daemon murmured and he saw Snape glance over his shoulder then give him a curt nod and lean closer to the statue to whisper the password.

The office itself wasn't very impressive to the casual observer, it could even be considered repulsive by said observer, but to an experienced Potions Master it was a genuine gold mine. Shelves upon shelves of bottled, dried and otherwise preserved ingredients lined the round walls making it seem like a mad-scientist's lab and it could be considered as such seeing as how some of the experiments Potions Masters' carried out were a direct hazard to their health. One had to be dedicated to the point where he would be willing to give his life or the occasional limb in the name of the Art.

Snape indicated the chair in front of the desk that was positioned in the centre of the room to Daemon as he himself took the one behind it.

"You recognized my guardian." Was the first thing Snape said.

"Petar Otrova, Bulgarian Potions Master, born in the year 723. He was part of Khan Krum's circle of highly valued allies and the Khan's wizard. He is the first to develop an untraceable poison and is considered by some as one of the founders of modern Potion-making though is name is shunned by many because of his field of work and the uses he put it to."

"Quite a few of the Khan's opposition suffered from unexplainable illnesses that eventually led to their death." Snape nodded.

Daemon smirked.

"He was a great Potions maker"

"He was." Agreed Snape. "You seem familiar with his person. Are familiar with is work also?"

"Indeed I am. In fact my project is based on some of his late works."

"Attuned potions?" Snape guess a sparkle of interest entering his black eyes.

"Yes. I believe I have found a way to bypass the resistance of the inane magic while keeping the efficiency and consistency of the poison. Pardon me, potion."

Snape leaned back on his chair and looked at him, appraising.

"How long have you been working on this project?"

"Over a year but I've been fascinated by it since I was old enough to read and understand Otrova's works."

"And that was?"

"Since I was eight."

"Hm" was all the answer he got before another pause followed. Another would have been already unnerved by the Potions Master's unwavering gaze but Daemon met it head-on calmly. "And what do you plan to do with your discovery if it does indeed work?" he said challengingly.

Daemon allowed a small smirk to play on his lips.

"I will use it to bring end to all diseases and world peace" he said his tone completely flat.

Snape who was still looking at him tilted his head to the side in subtle amusement and curiosity but his face was blank with only his cunning black eyes gleaming.

"Why did you choose me to supervise for you?"

"You are the best."

"The best is not always the most appropriate."

"But you are. Your own project had been in this field."

"But I haven't worked with poisons for some time. I am, after all, a teacher and as much as I loathe the sorry excuses of wizards and witches that infest this castle I haven't the option to let them kill themselves." The tone of regret in his words was faint but there none-the-less and it brought a smile to Daemon's face. A chilling smile that would make children cry and people step back but a smile nevertheless.

"I am sure you haven't lost your touch Master Snape." He countered in a tone that said he was more than sure and knew more than he let on.

"And what makes you so Mr. Blake?" the Master's eyes narrowed.

"One does not forget things he has put so much effort in Master Snape." Daemon said with shrug but it was obvious it was a diversion answer. It was not yet time for the 'real' one.

Seeing that he discussion was going in a territory that was not be entered Daemon changed the subject.

"Are you interested Master?"

Snape seemed to accept the change of topic and his tense shoulders relaxed a little.

"I may be. I have one more question though. What form of an apprenticeship are you considering Mr. Blake?"

"Would the Veneficus variation be to your wishes?"

Snape raised an eyebrow.

"It is rarely used but I do find its terms favorable." he paused "I would contact you soon with my decision. Good night Mr. Blake."

Daemon nodded then stood and bowed as proper wishing his own goodnight and glided out the door.

SSS

"Will he take you on?"

"I think he will. I offered the Veneficus apprenticeship."

There was a pause.

"The Veneficus?"

"Yes. I don't believe he would agree otherwise."

"Hm, true. But will he be able to…help you with everything you need?" the voice held a certain undertone that showed it wasn't referring to the project only.

"We'll see though if I do manage to persuade him to present my work and me to Him I think I'll manage to interest Him enough."

"I wish you luck. Snape does not look like someone who would easily trust enough as to risk his own exposure to introduce you. After all you are unknown to him and he has no way to know your dedication to the cause is as strong as it is."

"I intend to do anything needed to prove myself and you know it. That is why I offered the Veneficus."

"It is your decision Daemon. Just be careful, you might burn on the fire you kindled."

"You know I wouldn't let a little burn stop me."

"Too true Daemon, too true. You can more stubborn than an ass before a bridge!"

"At least my ass is better looking!" came the teasing answer that broke the solemn moon of the previous line of conservation and the voices were lost as the two figures disappeared down the hallway.

A minute later a shadow moved out from behind the armor that had been its hiding place and silently slid in the opposite direction of the one the voices had gone. As it passed a tall, tainted with age but still clear window a stray moonbeam hit its profile outlining its beak-like nose and briefly reflecting off narrowed black eyes.

SSS

Snape was standing over a cauldron that was filled with a sickly green substance bubbling and puffing yellow smoke directly into the make's face but he didn't seem to notice. Years of practice had taught him that the fumes were something unavoidable as were the greasy hair and face as a result so he didn't bother to keep away from either. He'd tried to in his younger years, at school, but as time passed he became accustomed to the smells and the nature of potion making then gave up on any attempts to make his appearance, affected by them, any more pleasing in favor of working on more projects.

He'd never regretted giving up his social life for his greatest passion. He'd learned to live alone but he wasn't lonely. It wasn't hard since he wasn't a very good company as he was naturally suspicious of everyone and had a cruel streak a mile long. He'd never had any real friends, just allies and people he'd used as means to an end. To lie and deceive was a profession for him and his hobby was mocking and making others' lives as hard as they could be.

He was smarter than a very big percentage of the population and knew it. The thing was that people refused to acknowledge it and that was the only thing that angered the Potions Master. Instead they brought up on pedestals pretty-boys and imbeciles that's only knowledge was how to show off, whore themselves to the crowd.

He was also very vindictive and wasn't above any means to give those he felt deserved it retribution. Anything he had ever done had been done with a hidden reasoning as well as the obvious – it was an inbred part of a true slytherin's mentality. But not all of the Snakes were true slytherins. A true slytherin rarely played small if it wasn't a part of a bigger plan that would eventually bring some kind of profit for him. Since he'd become a teacher he'd seen very few true slytherins and one of them was the Malfoy heir.

While they boy had shown little potential in his younger years he had matured extremely fast and had proved to bear the inherited Malfoy cunning and was with the help of his family's fortune already a force to be reckoned with. He'd made some very bold moves to ensure his father couldn't re-usurp the position of Head of the Malfoy family no matter what happened. There was no love lost between them.

The boy had stuck to Blake like glue ever since he'd arrived and that was a very good indication that the new student was someone to watch out for. Malfoys were naturally drawn to power and if that was any indication Severus would have to add another player to the equation soon, especially after what he heard the other night.

He'd known the second the boy had approached him that there was more to the offer than met the eye and he'd guessed part of it but had become a fact. So he had to decide what to do. It was a given that should the Dark Lord hear about the boy's work he'll want the young potential for himself and that could endanger Severus' position as his most valuable Potions Master that would result in him becoming expandable. It was not an acceptable option but the boy had given him the perfect opportunity to make sure his place was ensured. The question was had he done it deliberately? If he had it was a clear indication that he wasn't interested in the Potion Master's place in the Circle. What else did he have to offer the Dark Lord?

The Dark Lord needed three types of people – those with influence in the magical community and monetary funds, those with abilities and a brilliant mind as the Potions Master and those who could do the "dirty work" – his fighters, assassins, infiltrators etc. Since the boy didn't seem to have any solid contacts in the political circles and didn't seem to be interested in the Potion Master's place there was only one other thing he could offer the Dark Lord aside from money – a fighter. Was he boy one? He hadn't seen him fight so he couldn't judge but the way he acted, his stance and mannerisms did hint him to be someone who could hold his own in a fight and was used to a hostile environment. And that name – Daemon. His friend had called him that in the corridor last night. Why was it so familiar? Something about the boy had been bugging him ever since his arrival at the school. There was something about him and not only the fact that his friends were vampires…Vampires, Daemon…Blake…Of course! It had been so obvious…but it made things so much more complicated. Oh, he'll have fun explaining to Dumbledore that the most powerful clan's horror striking assassin and warrior was allying himself to the Dark Lord. But if he was the feared Daemon then…his two friends must be the other two Angels. Angels, he enjoyed the irony a bit too much.

He put out the fire and moved the potion to the work table to cool while he prepared the last ingredients. He caught a bat from a net that hung above him and held it to the table as it tried to fight its way from his grip. He chose one of the heavier knifes and cut off its head in one smooth move, not really acknowledging the kill aside from the fact that he needed to collect as much blood as possible. He quickly moved it over a bowl and held the decapitated body upside-down so the blood could be collected. He wondered what the vampires fed on while at the school. Not students for sure, probably animals from the forest.

He'd have never guessed these boys were the terrible Angels of the Blake Family. In fact from what he knew they were supposed to be a bit older. They were probably wearing some kind of glamour; blood magic had some very good uses with vampires. It was almost invincible as far as spells went but it did have its flaws and he knew a fair share of that how to work with and against it.

The boy had offered the Veneficus Apprenticeship. It was a lot of trust to give to a stranger but if he saw him as his way to the Dark Lord's Circle he'd understand it. He hadn't taken on an Apprentice in his years as a Master but considering who was offering …maybe he could use a hand around and at the same time keep a closer eye on the boy, maybe…

SSS

Snape was bottling the potion when a knock on his door made him pause and using a code word activate the spell that allowed him to see who was at the door. Malfoy was standing before the statue with an air of arrogance that was usual for him. It seemed the blonde had finally decided they needed to have a few words.

"Enter" Snape said returning to his work, his check lasting less than two seconds.

The passage opened and Malfoy stepped in wrinkling his nose at the smell.

"Would it kill you to use an air-freshening charm in here Severus?" he said not bothering to greet the teacher.

"No but it will make some of my ingredients useless and I refuse to ruin valuable ones to make a spoiled brat like yourself more comfortable in my laboratory"

He said with a sneer continuing with his work. The brat would have to wait.

"Ah, it was merely a question of curiosity" said the blonde pacifying

"Curiosity is not a healthy habit for a slytherin to have"

"Allow me to disagree. In fact it is curiosity that brought me here tonight"

"…really now? And might that curiosity have something to do with a particular housemate of yours?" he answered mockingly

"Why yes, it does. I was wondering… how do you think he's doing in your class?" Malfoy said unperturbed.

Snape bottled the last of the potion and turned to the blonde, crossing his arms over his chest.

"So far he hasn't made any disasters of his potions"

"Hm, is that your way of saying he is not bad?" said Malfoy not really as a question, smirking as he picked up a vial of belladonna extract and examined it" If it is so then why does he need your help?" he said his cunning silver eyes flickering towards Snape.

"Why do you think he does?"

"He stayed to talk to you after class and why else would he do that if he didn't need help with his school work?" the blonde put the bottle down and picked another, this time filled with poison from a King Cobra and smirked as if remembering some pleasant memory.

"A number of things actually, he could have wanted to meet his Head of House" countered Snape

"Of course. But then why would he meet you in the evening again in your, warded, office?"

Snape raised a brow and Malfoy turned to look at him finally giving up on his inspection of his ingredients and moving to lean sideways on the work table a foot away from the teacher. Snape smirked.

"Can I offer you a drink in my office?"

SSS

Gryffindor tower was silent, the only light coming from the moon trough the tall windows and the dieing fireplace. In front of it sat a bushy-haired girl with books thrown on the ground all around her as he leaned back on the couch, her head lolling to one side as she slept. A sudden creak made her eyes flutter and then open as another creak was heard. She blinked a couple of times and was about to yawn when she caught sight of a silhouette against one of the windows. She froze and watched as it moved trough the empty common room and then open the portrait. As it did a stray moonbeam hit his face and she held back a gasp as she recognized the new boy – Velin. He opened the portrait and looked out, then took out his wand and whispered a spell that hit the canvas.

"Velin?" a whisper was heard from the outside.

"Here" he slinked out and Hermione with her heart thundering moved to catch the portrait before it closed and looked out of the crack wondering if the ones outside could hers her heartbeat.

"Where's Damien?" Velin whispered to his companion.

"He has to get around Malfoy and the goons but he'll be here"

"Good. Are you sure of the passage?"

"Yes, I managed to make a ghost show it to me earlier today. It is a bit unused but it is perfect"

"Make the ghost? Do I even want to know?" Velin said with a note of amusement while Hermione tried to place the other voice.

"No unless you want a lecture on how to creatively use the Animi spells" She noted to look that up in the library.

"No thanks, I've done my homework for the century. I swear that Snape has it for the students!"

"Yeah, he's a slave driver…"

"Shut up!" a third voice entered the whispered conversation" Soalr lead to the passage and not a word! The walls have ears in this castle!" Soalr! The new Ravenclaw!

"Yes, Damien" the voice sounded humbled and then the sound of light footsteps walking away was the only one in the hall.

Hermione waited a few seconds then slowly closed the portrait and went back to sit on the couch staring at the dieing fire unseeingly. There was something about the new students that bothered her and now this, she looked at her watch showing one am, rendezvous in the middle of the night was making them even more suspicious. Yawning she shook her head and started gathering her books. She'd visit the library tomorrow and look up the spell the Ravenclaw had mentioned but at the moment she needed sleep. She yawned again and started climbing up the stairs to the girls' dormitory.

SSS

Three figures cut trough he thick bush in speeds that made them no more than blurs as they weaved around the trees, tearing trough the thorny shrub and ignoring it shredding their pale skin in long cuts. One of the figures leaped up a tree soon followed by its two companions and they continued to move fluidly, bounding from branch to branch with ease. They reached a clearing deep into the forest and stopped balancing on the branches like they were born for a life off the ground. They had circled the open space forming a triangle. They stood unmoving, wicked claws gripping the branches and biting in them as slitted eyes focused in the inky blackness of the night. One of the figures' nose twitched, sniffing the air and it bowed its head looking ready to pounce.

A minute later the noise of hooves was heard and two centaurs trotted into the moonlit clearing.

They stopped in the middle of it and turned their heads to the sky above them then.

"It so says in the stars…" one murmured gazing at the clear skies as the other suddenly looked around wildly and brought out a bow and loaded an arrow, his hoof digging into the dirt in unease. The other centaur closed his eyes, a rustle of leafs in the trees and three burs shout down, falling on the horse-men, their wicked claws shining briefly in the moonlight. A stray arrow sailed trough the air and hit a tree, resonating imbedded in it as the fingers that had shot her spasmed while a dark figure lapped the centaur's blood running from the gash that cut its throat. Wide open amber eyes stared unseeingly at a starry sky that watched on with eternal serenity and held no compassion for the creatures whose death it had predicted.