Summary: Remy grows up, gets a present, and Victor shows he's got some surprises up his vampire sleeves.
Disclaimer: Do I really have to?
Warnings: none for this chapter really
Sorry I took a bit long to update my parents are anal about comp time, and they saw fit to boot me off the internet for a couple of days so I typed this on my laptop and then transferred it to my main comp….not an easy process as my laptop dates pre stone-age. ENJOY! Tell me what you think, I love feedback, even a constructive flame would be ok…. since I am in a good mood.
Sixyears passed and Remy grew from the innocent little child, to a strong and loyal follower of his master. Now 12 with a birthday on the way, Remy had filled out and sported even darker purple eyes. At Victor's command, Remy had grown his hair long, and the slightly wavy ebony mass hung down to his shoulders. When Remy turned ten he was attended his first Death Eater banquet with his master, and he was terrified. He had been given a new uniform, still black, but the pants hung loosely to the floor, and the tunic, instead of bearing Victor's crest on the chest, had it emblazoned in bright red on the back. Remy had spent the evening going over the proper protocol with Adele. As soon as night fell, Victor, resplendent in his best vampire robes made one last check over of Remy and together they grabbed the portkey that would take them to Riddle Castle.
The sentries at the gates took one look at Victor and then allowed the large mahogany gates to swing open to admit them. Victor strode towards the main entrance and Remy was hard pressed to keep up, walking appropriate 3 paces behind. At the door Victor was greeted by a servant and taken to the great hall, no notice was taken of Remy, and he was glad, He felt as though his kneecaps would fall off from all the shaking they were doing. As they entered, Victor turned to Remy and told him to get him a drink, bowing slightly Remy went off to the table to get a glass of wine for his master. Returning from his task he found that his master was not where he had left him. Frantically looking for his master he nervously scanned the room seeing only unfamiliar faces. Getting a bit worried, he scanned the room again, this time spotting his master off in a corner talking heatedly with a greasy looking man with a hooked nose and a sour expression. ((a.n. Hmmm, I wonder who?))
Rushing over to his master as fast as he could while balancing the delicate crystal goblet of wine, Remy felt relief flood through him. His master was his lifeline among all these strangers, and Remy never liked crowds. Hustling to Victor's side, where the man was still in heated discussion, Remy couldn't catch many of the words but he thought he heard "prophesy", and what sounded a lot like "overthrow." Remy didn't hear any more because with his arrival the greasy man broke off abruptly and made his exit as quickly as politely possible. Remy handed the goblet to his master, who accepted it gratefully.
"Talks with Severus are always taxing" said Victor with a tired smirk. "I am sorry Master," replied Remy. "Ah, but there is nothing you can do about it, and this wine is helping a lot. What took you so long anyway, were you delayed?" asked Victor.
"I had trouble finding you Master, I couldn't find you with all these people."
"I am sorry Remy, I forgot you have never been here before. From now on stay close, I would hate for you to get lost."
The rest of the evening went without hitch until dinner, Remy went to kneel to the right of his master and slightly behind like all the other slaves but found his way blocked by a tall lanky boy, not much older than himself. Remy looked up and stared into a cold face, almost devoid of color framed by light brown wispy hair." Out of my way" the larger boy muttered before shoving Remy hard. The larger boy's light blue eyes shone with menace and spite as Remy went crashing to the floor. Luckily, Remy landed on a stray cushion so his fall was not as painful as it could have been, but his pride had been wounded, and he struggled to stand and hurried to his master who had been oblivious of the situation. Wiping the tears from his eyes, Remy knelt down and began to serve his master.
Later that evening, as Victor and Remy were leaving, Victor called Remy closer, "What is bothering you, you haven't been the same since dinner"
"Oh…nothing Master….just tired I guess." Lamely replied Remy.
"Now you wouldn't be lying to me, now would you…. because I know you never lie."
"Well…the truth master is…someboypushedmedownandIdon'tknowwhy."
"That last part again please, I don't believe I speak hummingbird."
"I got pushed at the party by another slave, I fell, and he laughed, I don't know why, I never did anything to him."
"Ah…. I see, Remy, I had hoped this wouldn't happen, but apparently it did. As a servant to a high-ranking officer in Voldemort's special corps, you are bound to get trouble from jealous lesser slaves. Most of it is non-serious, taunting, or shoving, but occasionally, they will resort to bodily harm. Now that you are a target, I think it would be a good idea to give you lessons in martial arts, just incase you get more that a little shove."
"Thank you Master, I would love that" said a now ecstatic Remy
"I will start looking for a teacher in the morning."
"Thank you Master, thank you very much." Replied Remy, bowing as low as possible. Then, grabbing tight onto Remy, Victor apparated them both back to the Sagoicci domain.
The next morning, Remy rose early and drawing a bath for his Master, he went about tiding the chamber. Soon after, his master got up, and made his way to the bathroom. Stripping, Victor stepped into the warm water and began to wash. By this time, Remy had straightened the room, set aside yesterday's dirty clothing, and made the bed. Then he walked to the bath, taking up the sponge he scrubbed his master's back. Remy took pleasure in how his master relaxed under his ministrations. Remy carefully took up shampoo and massaged it into Victors long blond hair. Rinsing, careful to keep the soap out of his eyes, Victor exited the tub and wrapping a towel around his waist, Victor went to get dressed. Remy made to follow him but Victor stopped him. "You go take a bath, you had a long night last night, it's relaxing and I think I can get dressed on my own" said Victor with a smirk. At first Remy made to desist, but gave in in the end and happily sank into the still warm water. Scrubbing away the sweat from cleaning the room was like scrubbing away the tension of his desire for perfection.
Draining the tub and redressing in his uniform, Remy entered the master bedroom. Remy found his master curled up on the bed with a book. "Ready," inquired Victor, "I believe I said I would look into your martial arts classes today, why not now, then we can go to the kitchens to get something for breakfast."
"Ok" piped Remy cheerfully. Victor carefully closed his book and then strode out of the room, a damp Remy in tow. On the way out, Remy grabbed a hair tie to tie back his long wet hair and then he was ready.
They went outside of the castle and to the guard barracks. On the arrival of their lord, all stood at attention and waited for orders. "At ease," barked Victor, then, turning to the senior officer, he said "I am looking for someone to teach my slave how to defend himself, do you have any recommendations?" After thinking a moment, the grizzled war veteran responded. "Yes sir, as a matter of fact I do, Sargent Jameson has proven well versed in hand to hand combat and I don't think the extra task would be too much a strain on his schedule." "Thank you, send him up to my quarters as soon as possible, Dismissed" Victor saluted the corps and turned to leave, Remy following, and walked back up to the castle. Once inside, the smell of cooking food drew them through the great hall to the spacious kitchens.
As they entered the kitchen they were accosted by a large woman of around 40, who scooped Remy up in a big bear hug, and quickly bowed respectfully to Victor. "Remy! It's been so long, how is my little Remykins?"
"Just fine Jennifer, but if you keep squeezing like that I might have to change my mind." "Oh…silly me. Let my enthusiasm get the better of me, why are you here anyway. You didn't come to raid my kitchen again did you?" "Again?" queried Victor amusedly. With a sheepish grin Remy said "We were playing battle, the other boys and I, and I, thinking this was another room to hide in. Hid under one of the big brass bowls and waited for the boys to arrive. Jennifer found me and though I was a bandit" rubbing his arse at the memory he added, "She packs a mighty hefty punch with a wooden spoon."
Victors eyes lit up with laughter and he chuckled.((a.n. a bit scary, the idea of vampires chuckling, but I thought, Hey why not))
"What am I going to do with you Remy. Well first things first, we came to get some breakfast for the go, as we will be out most of the morning." Said Victor with a sly grin in Remy's direction. "Yes milord, right away, would you like toast or scones, and I can pack preserves or marmalade I assume you want a blood flask too milord?" "Why don't you pack scones and marmalade, and yes one, or actually, two blood flasks." "Yes, milord, I'm on it, you can sit by the fire while you wait, there are some comfy chairs over there." She said, indicating with her infamous wooden spoon.
While waiting by the fire, Remy noticed an odd expression on his master's face, like he had a secret he wasn't going to share but he knew would make someone happy. Remy thought over the possibilities, and came to the conclusion that Victor must have a girlfriend or something, because otherwise Remy was quite stumped at the idea of a very giddy Victor. Soon after, Jennifer reappeared this time with a cloth wrapped parcel and sack, putting the parcel in the sack she handed it to Remy who set it down before receiving another large bear hug. Donning the sack, Remy and Victor exited the kitchen and walked toward the main doors. Stopping just before the doors, Victor asked Remy to turn around and Victor deviously pulled a blindfold out of one of his secret pockets. "Come here Remy, wouldn't want to ruin the surprise." Pulling the blindfold over Remy's eyes, Victor then led him out the door and onto the spacious Sagoicci grounds.