A/N: First off, I want to thank Elebereth, Dragenphly, Itsuko-chan, PsycoSuicide,illmtl, DemonRogue13, ak-alterego, BlahnessMucho,Hiei's fiancee, Henio41, Morena Evensong, Kamui5, andMistal: The Poisoned One, for reviewing for chapter 20!!!! (where were the rest of you???)
Disclaimer: I OWN JACK SQUAT…. sigh but not Harry Potter. Nope… Damnit.
------21------
Remus rushed out of his classroom with his final batch of students, eager as they that the bell had rung. He had kept his excitement and worry concealed as best he could, and as he rushed up the steps to the Headmaster's Office, he couldn't help but thank the gods that he would be given his wish, to see Sirius again.
As Remus came to the entrance hall on the seventh floor, he calmed instantly. He walked up to the stone gargoyle, eyeing its onyx eyes for a moment as he thought. Finally, he said quietly; "Cherry pie and almonds." And the statue groaned against its gears as it began to rise. Remus caught the steps and rode them up, head craned back as he stared above. He arrived at the door, mahogany and ancient, and knocked.
"Come in!"
Sighing, Remus opened the door, and walked into the dusty room. "Headmaster," he said upon seeing Dumbledore seated behind his large desk, Fawkes sitting on his perch like the faithful bird he'd always been.
But Dumbledore looked up, and smiled slightly; "Remus," he said; "What brings you up here? Normally you are in the Great Hall by now!"
Remus smiled half-heartedly; "I've come to ask of a favor, Albus," he said; "One regarding Harry."
"Oh?" Dumbledore said, setting his papers down and looking at Remus intently.
Remus nodded; "He confided in me today, and Albus, I believe it would be best if he were to get away," he paused; "Apparently, the pressure of the war and his being the only weapon capable of ending it has taking its toll, as well as his recent loss… I propose I take him out, to the country, just for a day so he can clear his thoughts and focus on what is most important. Whatever he misses I will catch him up on, and I will find a suitable substitute for all of my classes."
Albus was silent as he thought this over, then he said; "You've presented your case quite well, Remus, and for that I commend you. But, Harry is much safer here than anywhere else. What with Lucius Malfoy now free from Azkaban, and the recent appearances of Death Eaters…"
"Sir I can assure you that where I plan on taking Harry is secluded and guarded by wards almost greater than those of Hogwarts," Remus interrupted firmly; "I am looking out for my godson's best interests. I will not have him dying on us. We've already lost him to the Slytherins; do not let me lose him all together."
Again, Dumbledore was silent. Fawkes cooed quietly, and the no longer twinkling eyes glanced up at the phoenix. The old wizard sighed, eyes closing for a moment, before opening back up to gaze at the waiting werewolf, who hid his anxiety well, though he knew him rubbing his hands together was not a wise idea.
"Fine, Remus. You may go. But if you intend to leave tonight I must object. You may leave in the morning, and return the following day."
Amos couldn't help but swear as the bullet grazed across his shoulder. Holding his hand against it, he held out his hollow wand, and shouted out a curse in Portuguese. To his horror, he saw his pursuer's wand light a vile green, sadistic in intention and respected out of fear and loath. Its wielder, a man of age and regal stature, dressed in robes neither old nor new, a devilish smirk upon his face.
"Avada Kadavra!" and Amos barely dodged it, falling to the ground. His wand fell from his hand, and he heard it snap and break as he landed on it. Again, Amos swore.
"Damn you, Malfoy, I know it is you beyond that pitiful illusion, it holds no bar to my power!" Amos shouted angrily as he stood, conjuring a hex in his right palm. The green orb, deadly as the last curse, was now rimmed with white fire.
The man laughed, coldly, maniacally, and Amos saw the other two, darkly clad and their faces masked, one holding a revolver. Amos turned to see the one to the left rush, and tackle someone to the ground.
"Morgan!" Amos shouted, and turning he threw the orb, yelling; "mate seu espírito!!!((1))" as it hurtled through the air.
The figure that brought Morgan to her feet roughly was caught between the shoulders, and he fell, the orb stealing his soul away and maiming his back forever. Morgan stood there, shaking slightly, her hands held as fists at her chest, one hand holding desperately to her pendant that hung around her neck, the small portrait of Saint Jude on silver. Her watery teal eyes, now shining with her anxiety and built-up power, looked at Amos as he rushed to her.
"I told you to run and not look back!!!" he said, standing in front of her. He glared at the old man and the remaining figure.
"I couldn't leave you," Morgan whispered, placing her hand on his back, between he shoulder blades, where she knew there was a tattoo of a large, Celtic cross.
Amos glanced at her, then returned his gaze to the aged man; "What do you have with Muggle weapons, Malfoy?" he asked accusingly; "I thought they were below you."
"You're quite right, vampire," the old man said, and this caused Amos to stiffen, Morgan as well. The female came up to Amos' back, resting her head by her hand as she stared off, even though her ears caught everything.
Amos watched as suddenly, the potion began to wear off. The old man grew and straightened, his grey hair becoming blonde. Soon, the head of the Malfoy Line was standing there, a look of mad, baleful intention in his eyes and the smirk he wore too-proudly on his face.
"But then, some Muggles have nothing to live for," Lucius continued; "I've hired quite a few to aid me. When this is over, I'll obliviate them. You may be starting to feel…differently…"
Amos didn't move, he wouldn't admit it. Lucius chuckled; "It's nearing the Harvest Moon, isn't it, vampire?" he asked, more so stated, and for a moment, he glanced up at the sky.
"You're to be in jail, Malfoy, carrying out your sentence with pride, like a Malfoy should," Amos said; "What do you want? We were merely passing through the city," he caught, out of the corner of his eye, one man steadily beginning to circle around them.
"My Lord wishes that more of your kind was on his side, on the right side," Lucius said steadily, taking a few steps forward; "He believes that your kind would benefit if he were to win. He also knows that you are in line with werewolves and veelas and banshees, and several other creatures," he paused; "My Lord expresses his desire that you side with him… before it is too late," he added quietly.
"Nay," Amos nearly spat; "I speak for my race when I say that I would never join you. Your 'Lord' brings not but death, destruction, and a small case of insanity. I hope you burn in hell, all of you."
Morgan looked around, lifting her head. She stepped back, and turned around. She took Amos' hand, and he looked back when she projected there are ten who just Aparated here. Amos, we're heavily outnumbered.
Amos looked back at Lucius, who was now smirking, his gaze wavering. Amos followed it, realizing he was staring at the wound on Amos' shoulder. Amos stared as he realized that it was still bleeding. The reflection of silver in his blood dazzled in the vampires eyes, but he cringed when he saw that crimson and silver were mingling slowly with a blue, dark to almost pass as black.
"Hellfire," Amos swore, glaring at Lucius; "Damn you," he hissed, before holding out his free hand and shouting, "Apodreça a Medula ((2))!!!!"
Lucius laughed as he easily stepped out of the path, but he looked back in horror as he heard a scream and gurgle of horror. The spell had traveled into the shadows, and struck a death eater. The victim stumbled out, falling to the ground. He flopped over, still gurgling, as a reddish-black substance came from his mouth, ears, nose and eyes. He flipped back over in an effort to stop the curse, but died then and there. Lucius stared at the macabre scene of death, and then looked back at Amos. The vampire now held his hand over his wound, glaring and breathing raggedly. The female was no where to be seen.
"You will die for that," Lucius snarled, holding his wand out abruptly; "AVADA KEDAVRA!!!"
Amos closed his eyes, the green curse jetted towards him, glowing against the cobblestones and puddles. But then there was something in front of him and a final exhale as a hooded figure slumped and fell to the ground. Amos opened his eyes, feeling hands on his shoulders and hair by his cheek. Morgan was knelt behind him, eyes staring ahead, though not on Malfoy, or on anything. She had levitated and thrown a man in the way of the spell, to protect him. Her hand rested over his, which covered the wound, and as the road filled with more people, and many curses were fired, Amos felt time slow, the air chilled around them as Morgan sang in a whisper out her incantation that would rescue them from this…
"Tornamo-nos um com o ar
Tornamo-nos um com o céu
Tornamo-nos um com a lua
Durante este momento nós morreremos
Durante este momento nós viraremos
Em espíritos de etheral
Durante este momento nos comprará vida
Como partimos e vamos aonde os nossos Corações orçam-nos…" ((3))
Amos bowed his head as she whispered, closing his eyes as they became a glowing statue, together. Morgan embraced him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and neck, her head beside his, her voice sweet salvation in his ear.
And they disappeared, like mist on the wind, a hazy apparition.
Back lot behind St. Mungo's was dark and destitute, Muggle businesses nearby having used it to park their cars and to dump their garbage. Faust grimaced at the stank odor, and Adam held his breath to his best ability.
"We need to get inside," Adam whispered, walking up to the wall and placing his hand on it. Slowly, his eyes graced upward, and he looked at the fourth floor window; "There," he said, pointing; "That's the room we need to watch."
"Why would Sabet want us to do this?" Faust asked as he joined Adam, both vampires craning their heads back to view the window.
"Because whoever's in there will be in danger soon, he says," Adam explained; "Can't say it's a bad thing, Sabet said that the person was one of our own… respectably of course."
"Well, you get in there, I'll check the perimeter;" Faust said, beginning to walk away.
"What?! Are you nuts? What if I got caught?"
"You don't have to appear as human, Adam. You think I'm roaming the streets like this?" Faust asked, turning to his companion. Already his skin was beginning to darken, he was changing then and there before Adam's eyes.
Adam nodded, and as he thought the incantation, his back arched and he cringed with the pain of shifting bones and. Soon he was a black raven, and he cawed as he flapped his wings. Looking around and getting accustomed to his vision, Adam saw a black hound a few yards away, bluish-grey eyes staring back at him. Faust too, had changed. Both nodded, and as Adam took flight Faust trotted off.
Adam flew up to the window sill, and when he landed, he hopped to the window and peered in. the room was dark, vacant except for one person who was lying in the bed, asleep. Adam pecked at the window, but there was no movement on the other side. Annoyed, he went to the clasp, and began pecking at it. The window rose up, making a slight crashing noise as it hit the wood frame at the top, and Adam flew in silent as a wind. He landed on the back of a waiting chair by the bed, and stared at the bed's occupant.
Fine blonde hair long and unkempt was splayed against the pillow, a pale, thin and elegant face on its side as its owner lay in slumber. Body covered in a blue hospital blanket, the figure seemed comatose, if not dead. Adam shook his raven head and flew back out the window to perch on the sill. He cawed three times in slow succession, and was replied to by a short bark. Adam flew back into the room, landed on the floor, and shifted back into his human form. At once the alarms went off, and the vampire threw a quick shield up around the room.
Adam went to the bed, and stared down at the sick woman. "enervate," he whispered, waving his hand over her face, and slowly, her eyes opened; "Miss Narcissa Malfoy," Adam whispered; "It's come to our attention that you will soon find yourself in danger should you remain at this place. I am here to take you to a residence far safer—"
Before he could continue, the door was blasted off its hinges and several wizards entered the room. Adam readied himself.
Sabet sighed as he walked down the hall, Evan at his side. The young werewolf had become one with himself again; he hadn't even bothered communicating to anyone at all. Sabet knew the toll of the absence of his mother and teacher was great on the young man. Morgan was all the boy had, the only one who would take him in besides Sabet himself. And Sabet was far too busy, so of course Morgan's absence was bad. She had been gone for over two months, after all. Evan was by no means needy or lonely; he was just busy worrying, thinking.
Sabet was about to speak, when he suddenly felt a wave of anxiety. There was a breech in the wards, someone had Aparated in and had been running from danger.
"Evan, alert the mediwizard!!!" Sabet said immediately, leaving the young werewolf behind as he began running for the second floor, to the foyer. It was late in the evening, something had to be wrong and someone would more than likely be hurt. Dissatisfied with his speed, Sabet closed his eyes, whispered a simple spell, and found himself on the second floor. He saw Morgan supporting Amos, who seemed unconscious.
"Morste, quickly, help me!!!" the female said without her eyes drawing away from Amos; "We were attacked!!!"
"You'd best explain where you were!" Sabet said, worried anger evident, appearing at Amos' free side and slinging his arm over his shoulder; "I'll take him from here. You need to find Evan and tell him that you're safe… for the most part," he added, and then he was gone, like vapor on the wind.
Morgan nodded dumbly, feeling lost as she sank to her knees, hands clutching her chain and Saint once again as she stared at the floor. She'd almost caused Amos' death, it had been her idea… she was to be blamed. Morgan let the tears fall, didn't care as they rolled down her pale, rosy cheeks, down her chin and to her cloak and dress that pooled around her lithe form. She closed her eyes and sobbed quietly, almost silently; not looking up as she heard hurried footsteps, a slide along the floor that came with quickly rounding a corner.
Mother…
Morgan's eyes snapped open as she felt someone embrace her; a relieved, powerful hold that said simply "Thank God you're here" and Morgan closed her eyes and sighed. Evan was with her, she could freely cry now.
And she did, wrapping her arms around her adoptive son in a weeping, weak, enfold.
The morning sun brought Harry to consiousness, but hekept his eyes closed as he inhaled and sighed. Opening his eyes slightly, he saw that he was being held. He had his arms around Draco, and the blonde was doing the same. Memories of just hours before came, then, and Harry rubbed his eyes with a weary yawn. He rose, propping himself up on his hands and stretched arms, looking at Draco again. He could sense that the blonde was awake, and Harry leaned down to kiss Draco's cheek and jaw. The blonde mumbled, opening one eye half-way to look at Harry, a smirk showing itself slightly on his lips. Harry stopped, looking at Draco with a small smile.
"Thank-you," he said quietly, and Draco chuckled.
"Anything, love, just so long as you stop having nightmares," Draco admonished as he sat up, Harry leaning back. Draco yawned; "So… when will you be leaving?" he asked, forlorn flashing through his silver eyes for a moment.
Harry shrugged slightly; "Remus will come for me, I suppose," he said; "But, I packed last night. I probably won't—" he stopped as they heard a knock on the door. Harry turned around and crawled out of the bed, pulling the strings at the waistband of his pajama bottoms and tying them off securely as he walked languidly over to the door. Yawning, he opened it, and was surprised to see Snape.
"Severus!!!" Harry exclaimed, backing up slightly as the Professor walked in; "I… what are you…?"
"Sev?" Draco called, crawling out of the bed.
Severus silently, slowly closed the door, and both vampires knew something was wrong for the atmosphere had turned somber quickly.
"Sev…" Draco repeated again, weakly, dragged out as if he did not wish to speak willingly.
Harry walked over to Draco, wrapping an arm around him when Snape said; "Draco, it's concerning your mother…"
Draco gasped; "What?" he asked, and Harry strengthened his hold slightly when the blonde threatened to charge forward. "What's wrong with her?!"
Snape sighed; "She was… taken, from St. Mungo's last night. We've only now just received word."
Draco groaned and held his tongue as he shouted in rage, turning into Harry chest and beating against it lightly with a fist. Harry was unfazed by this, and wrapped his other arm around Draco as Snape wearily sighed before continuing.
"She was stolen away," he explained; "The staff was found unconscious or stunned, and every charm and ward had been lifted and removed. Her room was found unscathed, as if there had been no clash—"
"Well of course there wasn't, she was incarcerated!" Draco snapped angrily, glaring at Snape for a moment; "How could they let this happen?" he asked quietly, looking at Harry for support.
Harry walked Draco over to the bed, and down with him. Draco moaned and held his face in his hands, and Harry rubbed his back, unsure of what else he could do. Snape watched for a moment before moving over to the bed, and bending down in front of Draco; "Draco," he said, "I know this is a hard blow for you, especially with everything that's happened, and probably will. But you must keep face and not to let anyone know of this. Dumbledore has left to see if there is anything he can do, but it may come to you accompanying me to the Malfoy Estate to aid the Ministry in finding her."
"Why would we go there?" Draco asked suddenly, fearfully, eyes wide as he moved his hands to look up at Snape.
Snape sighed; "Think clearly, Draco!" he said exasperatedly; "I too am worried for your mother, but I would expect you to know…"
Draco continued to stare at his godfather, then nodded with realization; "Oh," was all he said, and he looked down dejectedly.
"What?" Harry asked.
Draco exhaled slowly, before looking at Harry; "You remember why my mother was in St. Mungo's?" he asked.
Harry nodded; "It was a curse the bounced off of armor, right?" he asked, and Draco nodded.
"Yes," Draco said; "My father was the one who sent the curse. They, the Ministry, intend to go back to the Manor and search for any thing that might aid them. Left behind books, pictures, maps…" he sighed, not wanting to go further. Harry nodded, and Draco leaned against him.
"In the mean time," Snape said, his onyx eyes moving to Harry; "Remus wants you to meet him outside Hogwarts' Gates by nine with an away bag packed for one nights' stay. You two will be visiting someone and you're not to be coming back until tomorrow. Unless, that is, you still want to…"
Harry looked at Draco, and the blonde looked up at him. Already the Malfoy had set his face in royal indifference, as if nothing had gone wrong and everything was fine; "Go," Draco said; "I can't go anywhere, anyway. There's more than likely a price on my head now," he added with a smirk.
Harry smirked slightly, though not at all convinced things were "fine"; "Well, suppose I should get ready and get going, then," he said, getting up slowly.
Severus nodded and rose, groaning as he held a hand to the small of his back; "Oh I am afraid old age is catching up with me," he complained comically, causing the two teens to chuckle and smirk at the Potions Master. Snape showed a rare smirk, almost smiling. Almost. "Well, I'll see you both later," and with that, he left.
Draco sighed and fell back onto the bed, curling up and fisting his hand in the sheets while his other arm was bent, his head laying on his forearm as he stared off. Harry dressed in warm Muggle clothing, then walked over to the bed again as he slung the over-night bag over his shoulder. He leaned over, crawling onto the bed with one knee braced as he bent down and kissed Draco's cheek.
"You sure you'll be okay?" he asked quietly, seriously.
"I'm sure," Draco mumbled, closing his eyes; "Hurry. I'm sure Sirius is waiting…"
Harry smiled, and ruffled the delicate blonde hair as he rose, knowing it would succeed in pissing the blond off. Draco groaned again, but as he through a pillow, Harry dodged it, and was gone out the door.
Harry walked out of the gates of Hogwarts without so much as a breath of his departure, a light bag over his shoulder. Once he was clear of the boundaries, he began to run for the train platform, reaching it in record time. He looked around, frozen still, searching for any sign of his second godfather. He sighed with relief as he picked up traces, and walking around a corner he saw Remus waiting for him, leaning against an expensive, ritzy Muggle car. The wizard was also dressed in Muggle clothing.
Remus smiled warmly as Harry walked up; "Well, we've got a good drive ahead;" he said, the door opening for him with a wave of his hand.
Harry climbed into the backseat, and saw Remus crawl in after him; "who's going to drive?" Harry asked, perplexed.
"Harry, we're wizards," Remus said exasperatedly, hitting him on the side of the head lightly; "Gods, what a wonderful memory you have!" he said sarcastically, and Harry swatted him back.
"Let's just get going," Harry said excitedly, and the door slammed and then they were off.
Harry must have fallen asleep because when he woke, Remus was getting out of the car. Harry stuck his head out of the door, and automatically crisp autumn air stung his face as it rushed with the wind. He pulled his collar up, then got out. He gasped.
"But… when was a road put here?!" he shouted, infuriated.
They were at the Manor, Sabet's estate, and if the road had been there the entire time, like the second path had been, Harry would have sworn up and down and hexed the Elder into oblivion for such trickery. But Remus only laughed quietly, and placed his hand on Harry's shoulder to calm him.
"Morste fashioned it so the car wouldn't 've had to be levitated or we wouldn't have to bother with portkeys," he explained; "Now, we should be meeting our…" his voice trailed off as he sniffed the air.
"what?" Harry asked looking around.
"There are werewolves," Remus muttered; "Quite a few, if I can count I'd say about thirty-five…" he looked at Harry, "One's heading for us."
"I'm sure it's just Evan," Harry said, "Morste told me about a few residents here. Evan's a type four lycanthropy and he's a mute, as well."
"Oh, what a lucky combination," Remus said; "At least he can communicate telepathically, he doesn't need to talk."
Harry blinked slowly, then nodded. Of course Remus would know about the different classes of werewolves; he as one after all; "what class are you?" Harry asked.
Remus was silent for a moment before replying; "Two," he said; "The monthly shifts are painful, but my senses are heightened dramatically and my alternate Animagus form can go undetected. I can also communicate with other wolves, were- or normal."
"Wow," Harry said, "Cool."
Remus smiled slightly; "Yes, suppose it is," he said, then he sighed; "Well, 'Evan' has stopped… oh never mind."
As Remus said this, the front doors opened, and Evan stuck his head out, brushing shaggy brown bangs from his large amber eyes. He smiled slightly, opening the doors completely and showing the interior of the castle off. Harry and Remus walked up, and introduced themselves.
Evan then explained that Sirius was in the royal chambers of the red and gold, and that the quickest way to get there was for either Harry to run them up, fly through the halls, or for Remus to Apparate. Remus chose the last, and Evan produced a map from his robe sleeves. After explaining the floors and walls, Remus was confident he could Apparate them to outside of the room. Sighing and clasping hands, Werewolf and vampire bid Evan farewell, and with a loud crack they were gone.
Sirius jumped as he heard a loud cracking noise, but almost instantly got his hopes up. He stared eagerly at the door, wishing now more than ever that his legs could work and his back wasn't still stiff. He was still confined to the bed, after all. He heard the door open and rushed feet crossing the sitting area. A hand drew back the large decoration curtains by the wall, and a smile cracked Sirius's face as he saw Remus and Harry rush to him. Without word the three embrace, Remus and Harry on either side of Sirius, and for a moment, it was perfect.
"We thought you for dead;" Remus whispered, breathing in the scent he had missed for so long.
"I missed you both," Sirius managed, overcome. Remus and Harry let him go, sitting on the bed. Sirius sat up fully and wiped the back of his hand over his eyes quickly, then looked at Harry; "Harry… you've changed… a lot. Can't say it's a bad thing, though, sure all of the ladies are crawling over you," he added good-naturedly as he laughed quietly.
TBC
A/N: I've decided that vampires speak their spells, hexes, and curses in Portuguese, well, they can, and it's preferred because it's a direct link to an ancient language I'll talk about later. It harnesses every ounce of magic and what not. Anyway, chapter 21!!!!! Yay go team!!!
translations:
((1)) "kill his spirit".
((2)) "rot the marrow" (like what's in your bones).
((3)) "We become one with the air
We become one with the sky
We become one with the moon
For this moment we will die
For this moment we will turn
Into etheral spirits
For this moment will buy us life
As we leave and go to where our Hearts bid us"
there are the translations!!!! more to come (possibly). ---Boom-Rhapsody