Chapter seventeen

Preparing for War

Getting all their troops out of Hogwarts proved to be easy enough. All they needed was a properly timed distraction. They had quite a few secrets that could be used to that effect. They alerted all their people of the plan the night before so everyone was ready. At breakfast the first day after Demetrius successful meeting with the werewolves and vampires they put the plan into motion.

It was delightfully simple. Severus and Demetrius joined their magic and carefully removed the memory modifier they had placed on everyone three years ago. It was like everyone waking up to find themselves still in the nightmare. Everyone was confused then angry. In the ensuing panic all those that supported Demetrius calmly stood and left the hall. By the time Dumbledore restored order he was left with only his and Voldemort's supporters and two very irritated Vampires.

"Time to reap what you have sown Dumbledore. You brought this on yourself. I am declaring a new side in this war, mine. Do yourself a favor and step down before it is too late. You will pay for what you have done to my kind and my family. Make the right choice and no one else will be touched on your side." Demetrius informed him in a deadly calm voice then he went over to his mate held him close and apparated out of Hogwarts.

Demetrius had found out while it wasn't impossible to apparate out of Hogwarts it took a great deal of power. He just happened to have extra power that needed to be burned off. Even with all his power he felt a bit overexerted breaking through the wards. It was a feeling he actually wanted it reminded him that through everything he was still a living thing. He knew now the pull power has on a person. It was alluring and intoxicating. Like the poisoned fruit after just one taste you were doomed to a life of want. He knew why both Dumbledore and Voldemort's original ideals were corrupted. The lure of power was too strong and it neatly switched the reason for this war.

The only reason he had the vampires and Werewolves on his side was the other sides' arrogance. They couldn't believe how anyone could refuse more power. That's what they had offered power. Demetrius had offered much more, freedom.

Now it was time to polish off the training the final battle was coming. Ready or not they would have to meet it. Demetrius was determined to give his fighters the best advantage he could. He arranged with several key werewolf packs and vampire clans. They agreed to help him train the troops.

The first time all three armies met it was pure chaos. All the fighters had to be given several days to calm down. Some of the born werewolves and vampires had never met someone other then their own kind. The students while they knew about Severus and Demetrius neither vampire had been able to act like a vampire for fear of discovery.

Demetrius had followed through on his promise to himself. He completely stopped taking his presence masking potion. Most of the other non humans in his army had done the same. Now they were even finding tutors among the full blooded creatures. They were busy developing the talents they had received in their blood.

In return for their help Demetrius brewed his advanced wolfsbane for the werewolves. For the vampires if they wanted or needed to enter wizarding areas he would give them doses of the masking potions and glamour the branding marks. It wasn't a true glamour because the marks repelled it. What he actually did was encourage light and shadow to hide it like camouflage.

The creatures were very grateful and Demetrius's approval amongst them grew. They helped him train with his magic. The werewolves were stronger so he fought them giving him more of a challenge. The vampire's immortality saved them from accidents. They were always present when he worked with the elements. He now had a great deal of control over them. It was a constant battle though as time wore on his power grew. With every power leap he had to relearn a lot of techniques. Ciaran kept him informed of just how much power he was gaining.

Months passed with small skirmishes with the other sides. They were waiting gaining power. They learned more from the older vampires and werewolves then they learned in class. Everyone was gaining strength. Demetrius was not the only one with power. While no one was on his level there were some that had no challenge left among their peers. If they wanted to get better they dueled with the high ranking werewolves and vampires. The elite few were actually dueling with Demetrius. No one ever beat him but that didn't stop the others from trying. Actually Demetrius not losing was a good thing. I mean he was the leader of that side. If someone on their side could beat him then maybe he shouldn't be the leader.

Johnny's training was going so well he pretty much dueled his fathers exclusively. He even won several times against Severus. Demetrius was a very good teacher. He never failed to give his opponent something new to practice when he dueled with someone else. No one stood a chance when Demetrius drew his Sai the other weapons he was a little shaky on.

The higher level vampires and werewolves decided to test him. They put five of their best fighters from each race against him. Needless to say the next duel they set up was against twenty. Demetrius was beautiful to watch in battle. Since his power was based on emotions his fighting still was full of emotions. He fought with such passion and flair that spectators often forgot that one day that would be living flesh beneath his blades.

In fact that was what gave Demetrius the strength to fight like that. He knew he would have to kill but he couldn't forget his sire's words during their first hunt. If you must kill give them some dignity in their death. Treat them as he would wish to be treated as it could just as easily be him lying bleeding in the dirt. He fought so well so that if you had the misfortune of coming against him you would die quickly. All his compassion and empathy towards those he slayed put the passion into his movements.

It was absolutely amazing to see. He moved with ease practicing with his Sai. He would often just go for hours on end fighting invisible opponents. It was like he was fighting a ghost. He went through all the movements with fighting grace. One day he was practicing in his usual spot when a blade intercepted one of his drills. It was the vampire who had officiated at his bonding.

She held in her grasp a beautifully crafted sword. It was ancient and deadly. Without a word they fought. Demetrius didn't know what her intentions were and didn't care. He just moved with her, matching her move for move. The duel speed up and both immortals were breathing hard without the need for breath. After a good hour Demetrius longest duel since he was 13 it ended with the women disarmed and Demetrius only had one of his Sai left in hi grasp locked onto the side of her neck.

He helped her up and retrieved their discarded weapons, sheathing his Sai and handing her the sword. "I assume My Lady that you wanted to talk to me about something other then that enjoyable duel?" Demetrius questioned.

"Yes I did, and please use my name. The formal addresses get to be a nuisance after awhile. Call me Natasha." She answered.

"Alright Natasha, now what did you want to speak to me about?" He asked curiously.

"There are some things that you need to be made aware of. Severus has kept a secret from you on my request but the time has come for you to know. I am the one that took Severus in after his Sire abandoned him. He is the heir to the largest vampire clan in the world, and you being both his childe and his bonded are co-heir. You couldn't know before now because with all this power converging in you I am not sure if your potion would mask your presence anymore. Knowledge of ones bloodlines is what controls the strength of our presence. Yours is already so strong you feel like an ancient to the rest of us.

There is something Severus himself is not aware that I know. I happen to know the name of both of your original Sire. I know he told you that you share the same sire, and you do. The thing is I happen to know your Sire personally. He is not a fugitive as he would be if he truly abandoned his Childe. I was alerted before he made Severus, and he turned you knowing that Severus would find you. He is not necessarily the first of us but he is the strongest. He told me that when the strong one comes I was to give him a message. I know he was referring to you. His exact words were. 'Tell the Star Childe that he was chosen for a reason.' He mentioned two names that never made sense to me, do you know an Aurora or Ohanzee?" she told him gravely.

"Yes I know them, they are the lord of shadow and lady of light. So everything I have been through. Why me? Why was I chosen?" Demetrius asked. There was no betrayal just a need to know what happened. His Turning had not been a coincidence Severus becoming his Sire was a coincidence. He wondered what fate had in store for him she sure loved messing with him.

"Why are you telling me now?" he asked Natasha.

"Because your Sire has returned to us. The final battle is upon us. We must be ready to meet Voldemort and Dumbledore by next Friday." She said seriously.

Demetrius thought that was fitting the next Friday was the sixth anniversary of his turning. That was it he no longer believed in coincidences. Fate either loved him or hated him. He was reserving judgment until the end to figure out which it was. Oh well rest today because Hell was tomorrow. This war was going to be large and bloody. Death and suffering were going to be rampant.

A/N another short one but the next chapter will be the finale. What do you think so far? Please review.