Summary: Remy has a party, gets a title, and gets presents…. lots of them

Disclaimer: um…yeah…. you know this by heart already I am sure, just say it in your head

Warnings: Nope 

After Remy and Victor returned to the castle for the rest of Remy's party, Victor pulled Remy aside. Leaning over to whisper in Remy's ear he said, "Before you go into all of your friends, I want you to go up to your room and put on the robes on your bed. They are the other half of your present from me. Oh, and you wont be needing this anymore," Victor then gently reached up and removed the collar from around Remy's neck. After wearing it for years, Remy almost felt naked with out it but he really didn't need it anymore and it felt good to be free, and adopted. "Ok, sir!" said Remy cheerfully.

"Remy…"

"Yes, sir?"

"Could you call me…father?"

Smiling broadly, Remy said. "Of course…. father" then he bounded away and up the stairs to see what clothes Victor had mentioned.

Remy sprinted all the way to his room, and bursting in he rushed over to the bed in his excitement. When he saw what had been laid out he gasped in surprise. A full set of vampire dress robes had been laid out. They were all black, made of black silk, with a large Sagoicci crest on the back in red velvet. There were narrow strips of red velvet on the sleeves and the collar as well as the bottom of the pants to show his newly gained rank. The pants were loose fitting and comfortable and there was also a pair of sturdy boots. On further inspection, Remy noticed that the boots had a small sheath with a simple dagger on the inside. Remy stripped and almost reverently put on the new clothes, savoring the feel of the silk against his skin. Admiring himself in the mirror, he then fixed his hair before hurrying out of the room and back to the stairs. Slowing his pace as he reached the doors to the large great hall, he paused momentarily to catch his breath then, grunting slightly, opened the doors and entered.

Remy was shocked to see not only his friends on the staff, but the Sagoicci clan in it's entirety save a few guards, were also in attendance. At his entrance all rose and applauded. Tables had been set up all around the room and trays piled high with delicacies adorned them. In the front of the room a larger table had been set up and sitting at it were the commander of the clan's army, Victor's most closest advisors, and even a few members of the Vampire council. At the center of the table were two large and very ornate chairs, one just slightly smaller than the other. Unsure of what to do, Remy just stood there and gaped, until Victor came over and smiling took him by the arm and led him to the head table. As he passed he was met with many reactions from beaming smiles to wary glances and withering glares, but Remy was numb to all of this as he was led to the slightly smaller chair to the right of Victors.

Once they had arrived, the man to Victor's left, a middle aged man by vampire years, raised his goblet and said "To Our Lord, Lord Victor Sagoicci, and to his son the young heir Lord Remy Sagoicci, may they both have long life and prosperity!" Then the hall rang with cheers of "To Lord Victor!" and "To Lord Remy!" Remy was still a bit in shock but the reality of the situation was beginning to sink in. He was a lord now, and heir to the leadership of the entire Sagoicci clan. Making up his mind to enjoy himself at his newly achieved status, he followed in his new father's suit and smiling raised his goblet of pumpkin juice, he would get wine in a few years. The last thing Victor needed was a drunk heir, enough people would be drunk tonight as it is. Victor simply couldn't get why perfectly sane vampires and humans alike could allow themselves to sink so far into a beer enhanced stupor that they practically obliviated themselves, without a wand.

When the toasting was finished, Victor spoke up, "Thank you, and on behalf of Remy, my son, I thank you all for coming. Please enjoy yourself, there will be entertainment after the meal, then we will adjourn to the ballroom for small talk and presents." As Victor said the word presents, Remy's face lit up and Victor smiled down at him amusedly. "Now, I would be very much pleased, if everyone began before the food gets cold." And with that Victor sat followed by Remy and the rest of those in the hall. Remy had only seen such food at the few Death Eater parties he had attended, and even then he had never tasted them. He was eager to try a bit of everything, and immediately piled his plate with some of all he could reach. He then caught himself and made himself slow down and eat in a manner befitting a lord. Noticing this Victor gave Remy a look of pure pride, noticed by none, accept a dour looking vampire sitting at lower table. His features were so twisted in malice directed at Victor and Remy that he appeared as if he had eaten a rotten lemon whole. Remy, however noticed the man, and startled by his confusing expression, filed the event away in his head to ask Victor about later. Turning back to his food, he forced his mind back to the party and enjoying himself and ignored the unpleasant man.

Once everyone had finished, Victor clapped his hands and the food and empty plates vanished to be replaced by deserts and clean dishes and cutlery. Then a trumpet fanfare sounded and the doors to the great hall opened and six servants entered, carrying a layered cake the size of one of the tables. It was covered with white frosting and in red and black on the center of the topmost layer was script that read, "Happy Birthday Lord Remy!" There were 13 candles on the cake that flickered and gave off gold and silver sparks. When the cake reached the head table a smaller table was conjured in front of it and the cake placed upon it. To cheers, Remy blew out the candles, but instead of going out like normal candles they shot off like rockets to explode 15 feet above the gathered crowd where gold, black, and red confetti then rained down eliciting cheers and laughter. The cake was then cut and pieces passed out to all. Once everyone had been served, the six servants moved to the sides of the room as the entertainment arrived.

A small troupe of 12 or so entertainers entered the great hall, they all wore dark traveling cloaks and carried trunks of props and costumes. They bowed respectfully to Victor and Remy and then acknowledged the other guests. Then, with flourish, the traveling cloaks disappeared to reveal brightly decorated costumes. A stage was conjured so that all could see and the head of the troupe stepped forward. "On behalf of our troupe, and for the viewing pleasure of Lords Victor and Remy Sagoicci, may they live forever, We are pleased to present The Tales of Alessandro Sagoicci and the rise of the Sagoicci Clan. Enjoy!" This proclamation was met with tumultuous applause. Apparently this was a favorite, Remy, knowing next to little about the history of the Sagoicci clan, made sure to pay close attention. The troupe readied themselves and prepared to start, then with a flash of sparks the play began. Everyone was so engrossed in the play that for a while everyone's attention was focused solely on the show. No one noticed the man sneaking up slowly towards the head table.

About half way through the production, Remy heard a soft sound behind him, at first he thought nothing of it until he heard the unmistakable sound of a blade being drawn. In his peripheral vision he saw that Victor was still focused on the show, but he also saw the dark clad man coming up closer and closer behind him and Victor, he also saw the dark metal dagger in the man's hand. As unobtrusively as possible, he made it look as if he were scratching his foot as he carefully pulled out the concealed dagger from his boot. Remy pretended to watch the show as the man drew closer and closer. Just a little bit closer…and NOW!" thought Remy. Rising up abruptly, and using this leverage as well as the element of surprise he shoved his dagger up and through the would-be attacker's neck. Gasping with pain and anger, the assassin brought his blade down in a wicked slash that tore open Remy's sleeve and cut deeply into his arm but that was all he could do before he fell to the ground dead.

The fight had captured the halls attention and at first the hall was dead silent (a.n. no pun intended) then everyone cheered and began clapping. Blushing slightly, Remy turned to Victor who was looking at him with a look of confusion mixed with amusement. Remy bent to examine the failed assassin's face and he was only mildly surprised to recognize it as the man with the odd facial expression from earlier. He was about to voice this, but the blood loss finally got to him. The floor rushed up at him at an alarming rate and he sank into unconsciousness. There was a flurry of motion as the fallen Remy was examined, his cut, spelled closed and his shirtsleeve magically repaired. The he was enervated and placed back in his chair.

Weakly he accepted a blood filled canteen from Victor and drinking, weakly at first, then with fervor, Remy began to regain his strength. Once the canteen was empty he felt fully restored and he muttered his thanks to the gathered sea of worried faces. As it was proven that the young lord was alright, a new bout of cheers broke out and Victor stood "Thank goodness for Remy's intuition and youthful intelligence, an assassination has been foiled, but lets not focus on that just now. Let us finish the play the players have so diligently prepared, then adjourn to the ballroom for well earned gift-giving." Sitting he motioned for the players to begin where they left off.

An hour later found Remy, Victor, and the guests in the ballroom where a raised dais had been set up at one end where there were chairs for Victor and Remy. Each guest approached the dais, placed their gift at Remy's feet, said a few words of well wishes and praise, bowed, and then left to get drinks and engage in small talk with the others. This continued for sometime, and to Remy the faces began to blur. Whether this was due to the increasingly late hour or the sheer number of guests, Remy was unsure, but eventually it was over and everyone had paid their respects and was off chatting elsewhere. Remy looked at the small mountain of gifts and wanted desperately to open them all right now, but a firm hand on his shoulder restrained him. "Not yet," Victor gently said, "let it wait until everyone has left. Anyway, there is someone who wants to see you, sneak out the servants door and head to the kitchen, I think I can hold down the fort for a while, just hurry back soon." "Ok, I guess," said Remy reluctantly, but he did as he was told, successfully leaving the room full of chatting vampires unnoticed. Following the short servants hallway to the kitchen he wondered who the person could be.

As he entered the kitchen however, he was elated to see Adele, now in her 20's pacing back and forth followed by two spy youngsters of about 2, twin boys by the look of them. At his entrance, Adele stopped her pacing, and turned to Remy, and dropped to her knees in the bow appropriate to her status. Remy quickly assured her it was not necessary and bid her to rise. Embracing Adele happily he enquired as to her health and how she had been managing lately. She had been given a leave of a little over a year when it was discovered she was carrying twins and Remy had not seen her for some time. "I've been fine milord, these are my sons, Derrik, and Dominic, they turn two in about three months, and they make rearing hippogriffs look easy." Said Adele with a smirk. "Adele, no title is necessary, we are alone and you are more like a sister to me than anything, just Remy is fine." "Whatever you say my Lord" she said sarcastically, curtsying deeply. Then she added "Just kidding," when she saw the annoyed look on Remy's face. "Oh, I almost forgot. Drew and I, Drew's my husband, we wanted to give you a gift too." Adele said, rummaging around in a sack on the table behind her. She pulled out a small square box, wrapped in dark red paper and tied with a black leather string. Holding it out to Remy, who accepted it, cradling it reverently. This gift he wanted to open right now, and Victor couldn't stop him. Remy gently untied the string and peeled away the paper, he opened the box to reveal a small medallion, about the size of a galleon.

"It's not much I am afraid but I found it in a small market while Drew and I were on our honeymoon and I thought you would find it useful. It carries a powerful protection charm that will suck in all curses, all you have to do is put a little of your blood in it." Adele said meekly as Remy stared in awe at the gift. "Adele, I-I don't know what to say…but thank you, thank you so very much, I will treasure it always, and wear it forever. He took it out of the box and holding it up he bit his finger and held the bloody finger to the medallion, which absorbed the liquid to turn a deep crimson. Licking his finger, Remy healed the small wound. Then he tied the narrow leather cord around his neck and let he medallion slip under his tunic.

"Thank you so much for your kind gift and for your friendship Adele, I hope to see you soon, but I must return to the party before I am missed." Remy said then turned to leave. Suddenly he turned back.

"Adele, do you think you could meet me for lunch this weekend, how about around 1:30 here in the kitchen, we have so much to catch up on."

"Won't you be missed by Master Victor? What about the clan?"

"I will make time for you, and father won't mind."

"Well in that case, I would be honored, Remy. Thank you, now you should probably go back."

"Yea, I probably should, see you Saturday Adele!" and with that he went back along the servant's hallway to the ballroom to rejoin the partygoers.

He reentered the ballroom successfully avoiding detection once again and found Victor who was talking with the greasy haired man from the most recent Death Eater party. This time though the conversation was utterly benign and didn't break off as soon as Remy approached. Noticing Remy, Victor made to introduce Remy to the man. "Remy, I would like you to meet Mr. Severus Snape, he will be your potions teacher if you get accepted at the dark lord's new school." "How do you do Lord Remy?" inquired the man in what appeared a strained measure of civility. "Fine, thank you Mr. Snape." Then Remy's features were overcome by the yawn that crept unbidden to his countenance. Noting this Victor cast a quick sonorus then said, his voice ringing through the ballroom. "It is getting late, and as Remy is tired, we shall let him get to bed, you are welcome to stay and finish your talk, but Remy and I will be taking our leave, I bid you all good-night and again thank you all for coming."

Victor then sent the pile of presents to Remy's room and led Remy off to bed. Remy was so tired that he didn't even notice the alterations done to his room. The bed had grown considerably and now sported deep blue velvet curtains, and the floor was covered in fluffy carpet of the same color, One the bed was a blue down comforter with the Sagoicci crest on it in gold. In the corner was an ornately carved ebony wardrobe with the Sagoicci crest in rosewood inlay. If Remy had gone into his bathroom he would have also noticed that it had grown considerably and now sported a sizeable bath and shower, a marble sink .Off to the side a toiletry cabinet with big fluffy towels in royal blue with the Sagoicci crest on them in gold. A full exploration of the alterations and the pile of presents at the foot of Remy's bed would have to wait for the morning though because Remy was already asleep, still in his clothes. Victor carefully removed Remy's boots, and placing them on the floor by the bed, pulled the covers over Remy and dimming the lights, exited the room. Outside the door, Victor stationed two guards with strict instructions that no one was to disturb Remy before 10 the next morning then went off to bed himself, smiling slightly at the success of the day. A good nights sleep was insured for all.

Well, there it was, a much better chapter if you ask me. Tell me what you think…. also am currently looking for a beta, seeing as I am only one person and can miss things editing wise. Comments and constructive criticism are welcome.