'Vampires are not dark creatures like we once thought, they used to be muggles, and some even wizards in rare cases. They don't forget who they are, they don't become monsters. I don't think they should be feared, but respected as their own nation, contributing a lot to the wizarding community, perhaps even the bridge between muggles and wizards.'-Newton Scamander
The purpose part 26 Hogwarts again
Chapter 74
A light rain was tapping against the office window. The weather made it, so it was darker in the castle.
*I did ask you under what circumstances you wanted it, Rodolphus.*Said Seth.
Seth went right in front of him, arms crossed and waiting for an answer that would not come.
*I… I…*Stuttered Rodolphus as he scratched his head.
He suddenly felt intimidated even if the very people he had gone with in the mountains were the only ones there. Seth clicked his tongue and placed a finger in his mouth and passed it over his sharp teeth, and it began to bleed. Rodolphus swallowed and looked at Corban, who was completely indifferent, standing behind Seth, then at Danyck who only had a wicked smile on his face. He looked back at Seth whose eyes had gone black, holding his hand in front of him, bleeding from the tip of his finger.
*I would sure as hell not give it to you any other way, Rodolphus. You want to know how it feels to have the strongest magical vampire blood in the whole world…*Said Seth with a cold voice that gave shivers to the deatheater.
Maybe he wasn't so sure anymore. Seth went even closer, and he flinched.
*I will not do that twice, Rodolphus.*Said Seth as the blood was now dripping down his arm and onto the floor.
Danyck had a hard time keeping himself from running to that hand. Corban was staring intensely at Rodolphus.
*He wants to fight you. He thinks your blood will make him feel… whatever he feels from doing dark spells.*Thought Corban as he had used legilimency on him.
A creepy dark laugh went out of Seth's mouth and Rodolphus made a step back. Seth now wondered how much blood a wizard could take before going mad. The Slytherin locket pulsed on his chest at the dark thoughts. 'Do it.' Voldemort's voice whispered.
*Don't.*Blurted Danyck out loud, a few seconds before Seth's intent was realized.
Seth looked at Danyck angrily before grabbing Rodolphus by the collar and kissing him violently, pouring the blood he had silently accumulated in his mouth. Rodolphus had pushed Seth, or tried to at first, but succeeded, choking on the blood, and spiting out whatever was left in his mouth. Rodolphus was heaving, his heartbeat going so fast, his hand laid on his chest and he fell on one knee. He took his wand from his hip with his free hand and pointed it at Seth, looking from his dilated eyes at the vampire. Seth had blood dripping from his mouth and some sprayed on his face from Rodolphus's spit and only kept laughing darkly.
*Tell me, how are you feeling? Does it correspond to the effect you wanted?*Said Seth, not even phased of having a wand pointed at him.
Corban knew he was going to attack and shared his thoughts as he stepped away from the oncoming duel. Danyck backed away too until his back hit the wall. Rodolphus stood up again.
*Abrumpo.*Said Rodolphus, making a small triangle movement with his wand.
The very dark curse flew directly towards Seth.
PANG!
An extremely loud sharp sound resonated, having hit Seth's tail blade. The stopped curse had made heavy sparks fly in the room and making the lights flicker. Rodolphus was now trembling, a demented smile on his face, from the after-effects of using the body sizzling curse. Seth simply stayed there, unnerved.
*You can't stop every curse, Seth, fight me! Oh… fuck. Shite.*Swore the deatheater, placing a hand again on his chest.
*I'm curious what you are feeling.*Said Seth, tilting his head.
Rodolphus made a jerky laugh, lowering his wand.
*You are the one asking me that? The number of times you gave blood to Corban, and you are curious of what it does to me? It's the most wonderful…, no, godly feeling, anyone could have! Ruptura!* Said Rodolphus as he made a swift slashing move of his wand.
Seth's eyes went wide but managed to jump away from the curse and it slashed the desk unevenly, like a crater, and also the wall behind cracked heavily. Rodolphus had fallen on the floor and cackling madly. Seth moved to the deatheater and crouched beside him.
*You know… dark magic addiction is real, Rody. I don't think the dark lord would be happy with your…, ah, newest behavior.*Said Seth.
*Well… I don't regret it. You are welcome, Corban, I'd save your ass anytime!*Said Rodolphus.
The deatheater suddenly went on his side and vomited before getting spastic and went on his back again before losing consciousness. Seth could hear his shaky heartbeat and mumble a healing spell, calming it down. He stood up again and repaired the desk and wall in a swift motion.
*What does Ruptura do?*Asked Corban.
*Spills your insides out.*Said Seth darkly.
*What caused that mental breakdown? The dark curses?*Asked Corban.
Seth shook his head.
*No. I gave him too much blood. I used him to test a theory, from that time… Sanguini's pub.* Said Seth.
Danyck did not understand and could not follow Seth's thoughts as he only saw fire and madness.
*You mean… the vampire blood used as drugs?*Said Corban.
*Apart from the ones here, Sanguini, and Voldemort, no one knows about vampire blood and it's effects. Rodolphus's little stunt will be taken care of.*Said Seth quietly.
*Understood.*Both thought his childes.
Chapter 75
They were sitting in their defense against the dark arts class, watching the new professor for this year. Her name was Mafalda Hopkirk, a ministry worker. Her hair was in a tight knot over her head and her face showed there would be no joking around. She had told Dumbledore she had other duties as well and might not always follow the curriculum, like showing everyone the same material, no matter the year. Considering the past teachers and the extreme difficulty to even get a teacher, the headmaster had resigned to take her, to which she agreed for a year only anyway. On their desk was a brand-new book titled vampires. Mafalda sat on her desk, her legs crossed and eyed the students silently awaiting instructions. She had a sheet of parchment with the students names on it and made a grim smile.
*Hello students, my name is Mafalda Hopkirk, I am sure some of you already recognize my name from receiving a little letter from me this summer. I am a very busy woman, having to deal with the likes of you, always trying to defy the rules. I shall do the same here and place you all in the same boat. There will be no foolish behavior unless you want to pass detention with me. Now, nothing hard for this first class, I want you to read the book on your desk, even you, Miss Vulken. When everyone is done by the next class, there will be homework and then we shall see another creature.*Said Hopkirk sternly.
There were a few sighs heard from the task asked but most were eager to learn about vampires. Ruma had never read a book about them and was curious about what the author described them as. Of course, one hour was not sufficient into going through the book and so the professor had mentioned they had to finish it by next week for the assignment.
OoOoO
*You knew about everything in this book?*Asked Rosanne as they walked to their next class which was herbology.
*I was curious, since I have never actually read anything about them, but nothing was new.*Said Ruma. 'Except, it never mentioned how it really feels when they take your blood.' She thought.
Flashback
Her mother had purchased muggle schoolbooks about everything. Mathematics, history, science, geography, biology, and even other languages. She was banging her head on a difficult mathematic problem.
*What's wrong?* Asked Gellert, a little big annoyed by the sound.
She loved being with Gellert. He was calm, resourceful, and had this strange way of making her laugh.
*Sorry, math problem.*Said Ruma and Gellert scoffed.
*You'll be in Hogwarts next year, why are you still doing muggle schooling?*Asked Gellert who always thought muggle knowledge was useless.
*My mother… or, no, I know it's the King who asked her to buy me those. Apparently, I should be able to know what muggles know too. Didn't you tell me about the world wars and how the wizards were totally oblivious to it? Not even realizing the dangers wizards could really be?*Asked Ruma.
Gellert looked at her intensely, rubbing his chin in thoughts.
*Indeed, I did. There was a time where I was almost the wizarding supreme leader. I wanted to show everyone how dangerous muggles are…*Said Gellert as he laid back in his chair and placed his chin up, looking at the ceiling.
*Almost? What happened?*Asked Ruma.
Gellert's face went down, staring again with another intensity at her. He stood up and walked to her and sat beside her.
*I was stopped by Dumbledore. That wizard that is going to be your headmaster at Hogwarts.*Said Gellert.
She swallowed.
*Stopped? Why… he's bad?*Asked Ruma and Gellert laughed.
*What is being bad, Ruma? They didn't want to see it… they still don't. I wanted a new era for wizards, an era where muggles feared us, respected us!*Said Gellert, his voice slightly rising.
Ruma's heartbeat went faster, and a veil of fear passed in front of her eyes. A weird emotion passed on Gellert's face upon seeing Ruma and his eyes softened.
*You were bad?*Said Ruma quietly.
*There is no such thing as being bad. It's a different perspective of things.*Said Gellert as he took her hand, gently caressing it.
*You are surrounded by muggles, my parents are muggles, you must hate us so much.*Said Ruma.
Gellert turned her hand, palm up and passed a finger on her wrist.
*It's a perspective. Have you ever had a vampire's kiss, Ruma?*Asked Gellert before he placed a kiss on her wrist.
Her cheeks went red, and she felt uneasy. It was a vampire law to never touch a child, no matter in what way.
*N… no. It's forbidden…*Said Ruma in a low breath.
*I would never hurt you.*Said Gellert before passing his tongue on her wrist, numbing her.
Gellert's eyes went black as he sank his teeth in the young flesh. She gasped at the touch but there was no pain. She felt a warmth growing in her belly and her extremities were tingling. She looked in fascination at Gellert who let out a muffled moan, his eyes closed. The warmth in her changed to something more pleasurable and she bit the inside of her cheek, foreign to this feeling. It suddenly stopped as Gellert removed his fangs and licked the wound clean. He took a deep breath, and his eyes went white for a moment, before getting icy blue again. He then stood up and went to the window, not looking at her anymore.
*A child's blood and I can see the future again.*He had whispered, unheard by Ruma, who kept staring at her wrist.
End of Flashback
It had become their little secret. His behavior had changed towards her. She seemed more… precious. She would do her studies, and he would tell her more about the time he rose to power, his views... It ended every time with him, murmuring a gentle phrase and drinking her blood, but only at her wrist for he wasn't sure he would be able to stop if it was directly from her neck. After he drank, he often had that white haze in his eyes, and he mumbled incomprehensible words to himself.
*Mrs. Vulken, which of these plants in front of you blooms instantly?*Asked Professor Sprout.
She snapped out of her reverie and eyed the multiple plants in front of her.
*It's… this one, but the name, ah, Puffalod?* Said Ruma pointing at a plant where the bulbs were closed.
*Puffapod, but you identified it correctly, 5 points to Slytherin. Can you tell it's properties?*Asked the professor.
*Yes! It produces Dittany when it blooms which is used for healing.*Said Ruma.
*Indeed, and they have to be watched carefully, for they do not bloom for a long time before fading. Five more points to Slytherin.*Said Sprout.
The Slytherins smiled at her. At least she wasn't ignorant.
Chapter 75 (October 31st 1970)
During the Halloween feast, a choir had been set up by the upper years and they sang beautifully. The singers were applauded from everyone, and they thought the show was done. Suddenly, the candles were all extinguished and everyone screamed or gasped. The dining room doors opened violently and made a strong gush of winds making hairs fly. A sparkling green ball emerged from the darkness between the doors and went in the enchanted sky. It exploded in a thousand light dust writing Happy Halloween. The students… and the staff, who did not seem aware, felt slight relief at the sight. But it did not end there as everything on their tables, including cutlery, plates, and cakes lifted in the air and swirled around. Dark voices started singing a Halloween song. Each time a creature was mentioned, like a werewolf, a perfect illusion of said being ran like a ghost on tables. There was a thestral, an inferi, and even a dragon. Dark cloaked men walked in the middle, in front of the staff table as their songs ended and the things in the air went down again. They removed their hoods and bowed. They were vampires, except one who, with a swish of his wand, lit up all the candles again. The students cheered and clapped. Seth made a wicked smile as he looked straight at Dumbledore, who did not seem pleased at all. When there was silence again, whispers now were heard from everyone.
*That's the prince!*
*Isn't that your uncle?*
*Merlin, they are so beautiful.*
*You think they are hungry? I hope not.*
*They are way scarier than I thought.*
Dumbledore stood up, making the whispers die down.
*Thank you, Mr. Vulken, for coming. You know how to make an entrance, even if it was not necessary. Please follow me.*Said Dumbledore.
Seth made a sign with his hand and only Yaxley followed him. Vincent went straight to the staff table, more precisely in front of Mafalda Hopkirk. Danyck went to the Slytherin's table, Darthael went to the Gryffindor's table, Lazarus to the Hufflepuff table and Brian went to the Ravenclaw's table. Dumbledore looked back and sighed, thinking his students were not in danger, and made his way to his office, followed by Seth and Yaxley.
*I thought we were going to meet tomorrow.*Said Dumbledore.
*I knew everyone would be there for Halloween, Headmaster, and could not help myself with the attention.*Said Seth.
Dumbledore looked over his shoulder and saw Corban, his hands behind, a blank face on.
*Ah, good evening, Mr. Yaxley.*Said Albus.
*Dumbledore.*Said simply Yaxley.
'He totally knows you were a deatheater.' Thought Seth.
'Technically I still am. Even the dark lord doesn't know.' Thought Yaxley.
They were climbing up the stairs of Dumbledore's office, then the headmaster went to sit behind his desk. Seth went to sit on the seat in front and spotted the phoenix, who inflated its feathers at his sight.
'Stay by the door, I did not even know he had a bloody phoenix.' Thought Seth.
Corban mentally nodded, and closed the door behind him, laying his back against it, and crossing his arms.
*How does it feel to be in this castle again?*Asked Dumbledore.
*Very nostalgic, I actually wish I had finished my studies, even if I knew it would not last.*Said Seth.
*You knew even before you had to leave?*Asked the headmaster.
*I did. I do not regret anything.*Said Seth.
*I'm sorry the wizarding world did not help more than that, losing a promising wizard like you.*Said Dumbledore with a genuine empathetic voice.
Seth shifted in his seat. 'Even now, he truly seems to care' Thought Seth.
'He's Dumbledore.' Thought Yaxley with a slight mental disgust.
Seth looked up and saw a few artifacts floating in the air. They looked unphased, if they were supposed to alarm Dumbledore someway, none seemed to move for that. He eyed the portraits of the previous headmasters and saw Mr. Dippet. They were all staring at him.
*There's nothing wrong with becoming a vampire, Mr. Dumbledore. You have read the book, vampires can and do serve the wizarding world in many ways.*Said Seth as he looked back at the Headmaster.
There was a pause where Fumseck made a sad chirp.
*Why so much in public, now? Would it be because of Ruma Vulken?*Asked Dumbledore.
*No. She is a… coincidence, a timing of some sorts. With the help of Newton Scamander, I figured it would be the appropriate time to make myself known. After all, when the King and Queen leaves this plane, I will rule.*Said Seth.
*Rule… Are you aware of… what has been going on in France?*Tempted the headmaster, staring at Seth more intensely than earlier.
Seth felt like a prickle upon his mental barriers. He had tried to be subtle. Albus Dumbledore had tried in all his mastery to go around a foreign mental barrier that was HIS MIND. He knew he would never see anything and simply broke eye contact, now eyeing the phoenix.
*So, has Voldemort contacted me? Was that your question, Headmaster?*Said Seth as his gaze had returned upon the headmaster.
Dumbledore looked at Yaxley, who had not moved a single muscle, then looked back at Seth. His fingers twitched, as if ready to take his wand, and he laid his back on his chair.
*Yes, Mr. Vulken.*Asked Dumbledore in a sigh.
His voice has sounded tired. He looked suddenly older in the dim lights of the office. Seth stood up and walked to the desk, placing his hands on it. His loose hair brushed the surface of the papers beside his hands. When Seth spoke, it was more of a whisper, and it was cold.
*Of course, he did, Headmaster. Why wouldn't Tom Riddle, the friend I had in Hogwarts, not approach a powerful and influential creature, like me? But tell me this, what would he offer me, that I don't already have?*Asked Seth quietly.
His tail was itchy beneath his upper garment. The tip of his wand brushed against his wrist. Seth made a clicking sound with his mouth and went back to sit on the chair. Dumbledore moved a finger towards Yaxley.
*Magic. I would tend to think… Mr. Yaxley isn't only here to be an assistant.*Said Dumbledore.
It was too funny not to laugh. Yaxley coughed a little and cleared his throat and Seth bit his cheek.
*Magic.*Repeated Seth quietly before he stood up again.
*That's what he gave you, then? One of his loyal servant.*Said Dumbledore, devoid of the warmth he had since the beginning and also stood up.
*You better watch your mouth, Headmaster. Corban is… my lover, and I have no need of magic.*Said Seth with hate.
Complete surprise was now on Albus's face, and he flinched.
*Lover?*Said Dumbledore in a whisper.
Seth made a groan and took one step towards dumbledore.
*Yes, lover. You wanted to meet me just so you could ask me if Voldemort made an alliance with me? Well, we may be sympathetic to him, mostly because he was the one to destroy the vampire device in the ministry, Dumbledore. Let's just say… vampires won't be the ones to stand in his way. (…) Have a good evening with your students.*Said Seth as Corban opened the door and left, followed by the vampire prince.
Dumbledore opened and closed his mouth several times.
*what did he mean by vampire device?*Asked Dippet's portrait.
The actual headmaster went to look in the vampire book again, flipping quickly through the pages where it spoke of the vampire war. His eyes went left to right as he read and frowned.
'To make sure blood-enraged vampires would never happen again, the ministry built a device where it controlled and prevented the vampires to feed directly from humans. It resulted into a great conflict, where vampires had helped slaughter hundreds of their own, only to be chained by wizards as reward. For a time, the wizarding community were glad and felt safe, until one day, the vampire device was destroyed by fiendfyre. Knowing only a wizard could have done such a feat, they could not accuse the vampires, and no more investigations were done. It took time but seeing there was never a single murder associated with vampires, they were granted to have their own set of laws and rules within their own community. Since then, vampires and wizards live at peace, working in harmony.
*Fiendfyre.*Said Dumbledore to himself, knowing perfectly who could produce such feat.
Seth sympathized with the one who actually helped them. Dumbledore knew how Tom thought and it was logical for him to do something like that. Even more, Tom could easily manipulate Yaxley, and by him, Seth. Lovers… Maybe Gellert knew something.
OoOoO
*It was you that made all those plates fly? Not my uncle?*Asked Rosanna.
Danyck made a satisfying smile and nodded.
*I have telekinesis. Take it like… ah, a levitation spell, for everything, any object or substance you can see.*Said Danyck.
*Wingardium Leviosa.*Said Ruma, doing a swish and flick at her cup which lifted in the air, following her wand.
Danyck moved his hand up in a swish movement and all the cups and plates lifted again and swirled around the Slytherin table, then piled up in a tower in front of him. Ruma's cup was now dandling above her, held by a fork stuck between plates.
*The levitation spell… why only one object, when Danyck can make so many move around like that?*Huffed Rosanna.
*Oh, it explains it further in the book, Rose. Practice and intent in your mind. If you focus only on one object, only one will levitate. I'm sure it worked the same way for Danyck.*Said Ruma.
*Exactly. At least… you never had to deal with the aftermath.*Said the vampire quietly.
*What aftermath?*Asked Regulus, who had been staring silently at them.
Green eyes locked with Regulus's.
*What do you want to do after an intense exercise?*Asked Danyck.
*Oh.*Realized Regulus, but so did the others around them who had been listening.
Avery sat abruptly beside Regulus who made a protesting groan.
*Are you hungry now? Seeing all that pure-blood … blood, around you.*Taunted Harper.
Danyck made a confused look at the mention of pure-blood.
*Pure-blood?*Asked Danyck.
*Careful now Danyck, you'll shock everyone here with your muggle origins.*Said Lucius, slowly walking by.
*Vampires are all mud-bloods.*Said a seventh year slytherin quietly.
Whatever the vampires were doing by the other tables, they stopped in unison and seemed to have teleported beside the student who flinched.
*You know, we have a law, that forbids us from touching children. Something tells me… you are already of age.*Said Lazarus, eyes going black.
The staff had stood up and brought out their wands.
*Enough. Out of here Lazarus.*Said Seth darkly as he came back in the dining hall and walking fast between the tables, not even stopping or looking at what was going on.
Darthael gripped the student and smelled him before giving a loud kiss on his forehead, then pushed him away. The Slytherin whimpered as he fell down, bringing a few laughs around him. The vampires left to follow Seth and Corban was the last one behind, hands behind his back. Their boots clicked on the floor as they passed, countering the light unheard footsteps of Seth in front.
*Why did I wish he had been bitten, and not because of something he deserved?*Thought Ruma as images of Gellert feeding on her came to her mind.
