It's a strange thing, but when you are dreading something, and would give anything to slow down time, it has a disobliging habit of speeding up. -J.K. Rowling
The purpose part 43 Leniency
Angel Beaudelaire was born in 1667, in Paris, France. His life had been simple, growing into a modest family. Growing up, he developed a love for food so much, he had traveled around France for the sole purpose of experimenting everything he could. He worked in inns and bar. His life was going as great as a muggle could, well into his thirties, and respected. He had never taken a wife, or had any children, for only men captured his heart.
It was on a beautiful cold night of November 1705 that his life changed, by none other than François. Vampire laws were different in the reign of Emrick Vulken, and it was without hesitation nor regards for wanting or not to be a vampire that he showed François how to Sire someone.
Of course, it had to be Angel. The food lover.
He had denied it. Their existence was not possible. Even when his thirst ravaged his body, he refused to quench it with all his might. His sire could not even make him drink blood. Emrick had been impressed by his sheer will, repressing the Zelith menacing to come out at any second. The King did not accept it and with the power he possessed, ordered him to drink each and every victim he would have dry for each feeding he would need.
How he loathed him. Detested himself, and everything to do with vampires. Emrick had even forbidden him to commit suicide.
For twenty long years he had roamed around France aimlessly, feeding until his victims died. They had no taste. Bland, tasteless, flat, and ill giving. Until one evening… the compulsion had stopped. Inquiring distantly at the bond he kept with François, he had gotten his answer: Emrick had been killed.
He contemplated suicide again, as he watched a man coming out of one of the first restaurants. The smell coming out of the building was incredible, and he longed to taste food again. His usual thirst came in full force, and he must have looked like a poor man who should have been begging, but instead looked at the man with hungry eyes.
The man had brought out a small bag of coin, but as he did, Angel had grabbed him and sank his teeth in his neck, drinking his blood… his delicious blood. Parsley… Oregano… garlic, and… chicken… with a hint of sea salt, and olive oil. The memories of his past and of the man had flowed his mind. Never had he taken so much pleasure into drinking someone's blood.
He did not have to kill him, he could stop. The man had been pitifully weak in his arms. Nonetheless, he could taste food again. He could enjoy life again. As that joy filled his mind, the heart of his victim stopped.
Angel grabbed whatever he could of the man's belonging: his clothes, his wallet, his identity. He had a short recollection of the man's memories and spotted his horse not too far away. He discreetly tossed the body in the dark alley they had been. He looked at the man for a moment, thinking he should be sad or feel something. He bent down, looking at the man's features and suddenly disfigured the man with his sharp nails.
The man had blue eyes and black hair, just like he did, except his own vampiric eyes were icy blue. They also were around the same age, considering he was turned in his forties. He figured he could really steal his identity.
And so, he did.
For 270 years, he had gained renewal, a joy of life. Not having to kill anyone anymore had helped tremendously, being able to stay in one town. He gave so much pleasure to his victims, that they never even noticed he was actually feeding on them. He had used ruse and cunning to pass as his own son over and over again. He had moved to the USA in New York, in 1910. He made his renown among the muggles as Allen Robuchon, then as his own son Joël Robuchon, the best chefs in the world. His close acquaintances still named him Angel. While there, he eventually became aware of the MACUSA, and magical people. Of course, François had tried to teach him things in his early vampire life, but he never listened, or wanted to and his link with him had faded to nothing after a short time. He saw wizards obliviating muggles, reconstructing the city when magical things were the cause. He even was a subtle witness to Gellert Grindelwald's threat.
He could see magical places, and occurrences. But they never saw him, hiding in the shadows, or even blending in the muggle world. One day, in the 1940s, he had faced a blood-enraged vampire, who he had have no choice in killing right away. He found it weird to see one, since he had not been aware of other vampires in New York. He felt he should have communicated with the King about that Zelith. He had avoided the MACUSA by minding his own mighty business in the muggle world, but he briefly used the minister of magic to send an owl, then quickly went back to his things. Sanguini had sought Angel when he made muggle news, instinctively knowing he was a vampire. After discussion. Sanguini had confirmed he, too, had encountered Zeliths.
The King had actually come in the USA about that problem, especially in Miami, but he had met him briefly, along with… his magical son, and four other wizards, in New York. Two among them were the Flamels, which had heard by name, by his sire so long ago. After passing a few days with them, they traced back the Zelith to its source and had finished them off, quite easily.
*How is it possible to have them here when you are the only vampire around?*Asked Nathaniel.
The King had looked at him, exhausted and anxious, waiting for his answer.
*I… I have never turned anyone… my King. Possibly… Sanguini could know more in Miami.*Said Angel nervously.
He had felt something going in his mind, which could not go further due to his vampirism, but someone had tried to see his thoughts. He did not know how he was supposed to react with royalty, or with wizards. He stayed the most passive he could during the whole time they had been in his home.
*He's telling the truth.*Said a wizard with a weird badge on his arm.
Angel studied the wizard, narrowing his eyes. He was not sure he had ever even liked wizards, but that one did not inspire much conviction to that appreciation.
*We have to leave but see if you can find the original point of this mess here. Thank you, Angel.*Said Nathaniel.
Angel looked at them with an incredulous look. The King had been… nice, and even wondered if he had used the Vulken's fortune to build his mansion, which he had shook his head. He had not even known such fortune existed and had made his own money and renown with his cooking.
*I… yes, sir.*Said Angel.
And they left.
He had wondered about what he said. There was another vampire, somewhere, in his city. He did not show it, but the idea of another vampire doing who knows what, did not please him. He had a lot of influence, even more than he could muster. It took him three days to find him, or rather her.
Lenore. A comare, a mafia mistress.
And the reason behind making a vampire without the link? Boredom and ignorance. Because of it, that vampire did not control himself and was wounded by his supposed victims, where he became blood-enraged due to extreme blood loss. Ensued more Zelith because of him. Lenore had laughed at the situation. Who had sired her? Sanguini, without a link.
*You have the audacity to confront me, here, comrade. Can we not mind our own business?*Asked Lenore as she laid back on a large sofa, her red dress showing her long perfect legs.
She had a cigarette hung on a plastic device, making it longer and easier to hold, or look pretentious. She had heavy long red hair with freckles on her nose. Her mesmerizing beauty hid a vicious woman. Two 'guards' cleared their throat beside Angel, which he completely ignored, knowing muggles could not do anything against him. Instead, he looked at Lenore in annoyance. He spoke in Venthyr.
*Lenore, the King actually came in New York to kill off those blood-enraged vampires. He was with the queen and their son, a magical vampire son! If more Zelith are created because of you, or if the wizard secrecy is broken because of it, they could end your pathetic life. I do not desire to die anytime soon, I love my life just as much as you love yours, I am sure.*Said Angel.
She suddenly sat straight and looked at him in confusion. She did not know anything.
*A King? Magic? Wizard secrecy? Tell me more.*Said Lenore, with sudden intensity in her eyes.
…
November 1974
Angel stretched after another done day. The master chef of one of his famous restaurants was the only wizard that actually worked for him. His other thirty-five restaurants around the world were muggles. This specific restaurant had a magical part, and a muggle part. Although they were in the exact same place, the wizards passed through a magical barrier, which functioned just like King's cross, or any magical place. The muggle master chef, Ty Duncan, closed the restaurant with him, but as he turned the key in the door, he looked at Angel nervously.
*What is it, Ty?*Asked Angel.
*I have… this idea, for a new appetiser.*Said Ty.
*Sure thing, you are coming with me tonight then? I'm sure I have the ingredients home, if not, I can make them arrive by morning.*Said Angel with a grin.
*Yes, why not.*Answered Ty.
They took Angel's car, carpooling to his home about twenty minutes from his restaurant. What he did not expect as he passed through the security gates, was sensing a heavy magical presence waiting for him. He hesitated as he closed the car's door, Ty imitating him.
*There's someone in my home, perhaps you should not come in, Ty. Take my car, I'll see you tomorrow.*Said Angel sternly.
Ty did not question him and went back into the car, this time driving, and went away. He had known to never question his boss, no matter what. Angel went in his home and followed the presence he felt until he arrived in his study.
Undoubtedly the King. A crown shone upon his head, and he was not sure if it was Nathaniel or Seth until he turned around, harboring a satisfied smile.
*Evening, Angel.*Said Seth.
Angel swallowed. Why would the King even come to his home? His thoughts quickly went to the numerous times he had place a drop of his blood into wine glasses of high society clients to enthrall them and fuck them endlessly an all-nighter, until they begged him to stop. He had heard of Sanguini's pub in Miami. Nevertheless, he was not selling his blood, and only used it on others for his own benefits. Something must have betrayed his thoughts, for Seth was now frowning.
*Am I so intimidating to not even receive a greeting?*Asked Seth.
Angel blinked and snapped out of it before lightly bowing with an arm behind his back.
*Oh, how ungraceful of me. Welcome back to America, my King.*Said Angel.
*Hn.*Mumbled Seth. *This is just a courtesy visit; I have no business here. Sometime next year, or in two years, your home will be used for Gellert Grindelwald and his childes.*Said Seth.
Angel took the time to process what he had just said. The King was imposing vampires to live in his home. His mouth curled in disapproval. He had worked too hard to have all of this imposed on him.
*Why?*Asked simply the chef.
*I have to give a reason?*Asked Seth.
Angel scoffed, not believing his ears. Was this King as bad as Emrick? The sudden thought paralyzed him with a cold shiver running down his spine.
*I… I have lived for over three hundred years and built my own renown for the last 70 years, to be reduced to obey someone that I do not even know. This is inconceivable.*Said Angel with a hint of anger.
Seth closed the gap between them, towering over Angel, and passed a soft hand on Angel's cheek, who flinched upon his touch. Angel felt the King's power radiating from him in waves, tempting to close his eyes and forget what he had said a second ago.
*I am sure you went through challenging times in a vampire's life, Angel. I want to bring this world to our feet.*Said Seth softly, passing a thumb over Angel's lips. *You may like your life, right now. What would you do if you did not have to hide?*Asked Seth in a purr.
Another shiver went through him as he heard the King's words, but this time, it was in anticipated pleasure. No, this was not Emrick. Seth broke his thumb's skin on Angel's bottom teeth and drops of blood fell into his mouth. Angel gasped, eyes turning black, and grabbed Seth's hand, sucking on the thumb like his life depended on it. The only magical blood he ever had was from his master cook in his restaurant in New York. It was not comparable. His body trembled and was filled with warmth and extasy. Seth pulled away, a grin upon his face. His thumb healed instantly, and Angel was left breathing heavily, his eyes going back to their icy blue, looking at his King with new perspective.
*What do you ask of me?*Asked Angel, enthralled in the effects of his blood.
*Gellert is also a vampire, as you might have guessed when I said he would come here with his childes. He is a powerful wizard, just like me, and he will protect your home, and your life since he will use this place as his headquarters. There is a wizard woman who might join him. She is my heir, even if she is not a vampire. She holds the same authority as any royal vampire, Angel. But she is very young, and can be put back in her place, should she cross a line. What I ask of you? Your home, your influence, your contacts. There is nothing better than knowing powerful people, even if they are only muggles, for what we… Gellert plans to do.*Said Seth.
Angel frowned upon his last words.
*What do you plan to do, my King?*Asked Angel.
Seth turned around and admired the decoration of the room. There were rows of culinary trophies on the wall.
*How exactly are you able to cook?*Asked Seth, not answering Angel's question.
*Hn. Drinking blood.*Said Angel.
Seth's eyebrows raised in surprised.
*A vampire's power will never cease to amaze me. It must be unique, just like Danyck's telekinesis. He is one of my childes. You never made one in three hundred years?*Asked Seth.
Angel stayed silent. He never did, because of how it was imposed on him, of how he had to cruelly kill each and every victim he had fed on. He never wanted something like that to happen to anyone, even if technically it would not. Seth was young enough and never even knew Emrick. Angel's eyes darted away, fixing his old piano.
*No. I told the truth to your father last time you saw me.*Said Angel.
*You don't have to make childes. If new vampires are not taken care of, there is more risks of Zeliths anyway. We would not want another vampire war. Tell me, you never had the mark placed on your hand in the 1950s?*Asked Seth.
*The mark? No. Sanguini told me about it… about his pub's fiasco. I guess… he is more volatile or loud about being a vampire, where I am not. The MACUSA don't know about me, except for one single person… hmm, Goldstein. She likes to suck information out of me… because of my relations. Just like you want to use me for those… Let's say, villains of this world.*Said Angel.
Seth's eyes glowed of euphoria before a laugh parted his lips.
*Ha. Villains. This is perfect.*Said Seth.
Angel observed his King for a moment and thought he might as well know more. Seth had his back turned, still looking at his trophies.
*I had a contact… well, she went to France, you might know her by the name of Lenore. She used to be the comare of a Mafia boss here. They often come to my restaurant for illegal transactions since she had given them my name as a contact. Let's say I have seen and heard my share of bloodshed, even in my own restaurant.*Said Angel.
There came an eerie silence, where Angel became nervous. Seth grabbed a trophy on the top shelf.
*She was the source of the Zelith, is it not?*Asked Seth.
A sudden pain went through Angel and brought him to his knees. He gasped, feeling as if he was being choked, even if vampires without a heartbeat never needed air, the feeling was unpleasant in any form. Seth placed the trophy back and turned, facing the kneeling vampire.
*You were supposed to tell the King, Beaudelaire.*Said Seth menacingly.
*She… she did not know… any… anything!*Said Angel as he tried to speak through the curse Seth held.
*I ech- hen?*Hissed Seth between his teeth in Venthyr.
Seth moved his hand upward and lifted Angel in the air. His fingers placed like a hook, still cursing a painful spell on him.
*San… Sanguini.*Choked Angel before Seth let him fall on the floor.
*Hn. Don't ever withhold information again, Beaudelaire.*Said Seth before apparating away.
OoOoO
In a room Nathaniel had used for reunions before was now empty. A single chair was in the middle of the room. Curtains blocked the sunlight and small magical balls of light floating in the room was used as an eerie glow. The former King and his queen were standing beside the windows. Seth waited on another side, hands holding behind his back. He wore a formal attire worthy of a King. A silver wolf head on his right shoulder held a black tunic with golden strands. He had asked Lazarus and Vincent to be part of his judgment decision that was about to happen. Corban was also there with the head of magical enforcement, Bartemius Crouch Senior. The office door opened to let in Darthael, François, Sanguini and Lenore. Serious faces greeted the accused.
*Lenore, you are to sit in the chair. You are the one being judged for actions you did.*Said Seth without emotions. His eyes went to Sanguini, who flinched upon his gaze. *Sanguini, you are indirectly guilty, you are to stand by your childe.*Added the King.
They had been told it was a political reunion. After the initial shock that it was not, they went into position. Darthael and François went beside Nathaniel and Elena. Lenore sat, wondering what she had been accused of since she did not recall doing anything wrong since she had been in France. She looked at François with whom she had stayed, but he seemed as confused as her. Crouch had been asked to assist to the first official judgment of a vampire, where he had accepted, mostly by curiosity.
*We shall begin. In the year 1902, Lenore was sired by Sanguini without the mind link. Even if this situation is not condemnable, it is the duty of the sire to ensure the childe was not to be left alone. Sanguini did not leave her alone but did not ensure to imply basic laws the King Nathaniel, in that period, had produced since 1730.*Said Seth.
Corban had parchment and a quill floating beside him who was writing everything said in the room. Sanguini swallowed and began to understand where this was going. Seth waited for the quill to stop writing before continuing.
*For nebulous reasons, Lenore sired a vampire without the link. The year is not known. Can you confirm you did sire a vampire? Again, this is not condemnable.*Said Seth.
Lenore looked at Sanguini, then at François, who both remained stoic. She lightly nodded in answer. Seth took a deep breath and glanced at his father for a second before looking at Lenore again.
*The vampire you sired was presumably left alone, and did not process the difficulty of such transformation, which resulted in him to become a Zelith. He then attacked several muggles, where some became Zeliths, and others died. This situation was made known by my father receiving an owl from New York, who then alerted the aurors that were taking care of this problem in the vampire war between the years 1938 and 1953. I was there with my parents to eradicate the Zeliths present in New York and Miami, at that time.*Said Seth who paused again.
*Say it now.*Thought Seth to Corban.
*Must have been difficult for the ministry to notice, since Gellert Grindelwald occupied the world at that time. Fear of losing control after the war actually made them build a device against vampires…*Said Corban.
*Which was taken care of, fortunately.*Interrupted Seth, trying to cut short Corban's rambling, continuing the situation he perfectly wanted.
Crouch frowned and cleared his throat.
*Was it not by fiendfyre? It destroyed a room in the department of mysteries. It is after that moment that vampires became more present in the ministry with negotiations with… Nathaniel. You speak of the years 1700s, of a vampire war… your laws protected muggles and wizards alike and we never…*Said Crouch with consternation and realisation of how much the ministry is in the wrong.
*You did it.*Thought Seth as he grinned internally.
A moment of silence passed where the vampires stared at Crouch, where he cleared his throat again, this time in embarrassment.
*We thank you, Mr. Crouch for this… epiphany about vampires. Let's return to the main subject. For breaking laws, in which consist of : making sure a person desires to become a vampire, to teach him or her the vampire ways, to inform the King of a childe without a mind link, for exposing the muggles to a dangerous vampire and breaking the statute of secrecy, you are to serve Nathaniel Vulken here in Egypt for the duration of his desire. And that is because Sanguini did not inform you properly that I grant you leniency.*Said Seth.
Lenore looked down, hands turning into fists. Seth had been informed she was working with the woman he had met at the bar, that Miranda Priestley. To now work under the previous King was a knife to her way of life. Seth glared at Sanguini who flinched again and looked down. Seth made two slow steps forward.
*If you even think how little our actions count, Sanguini, just look at the situation you have created just by ignoring to tell her our laws. Another thing you did, again. You expect me to be lenient to you? You lose the Royal Oak's ownership this instant and will return to America, where you will find Angel. Im fori cin na ech- lamia oiale ad- a cin erit obeui nin hén conn-!*Hissed Seth, ending his phrase in Venthyr to bind Sanguini.
The vampires all had a shiver pass through them, an eternal reminder of the King's power. Crouch looked curiously at their reaction, seeing for the first time how someone could have so much power over a person, and there was nothing they could do. The head of law enforcement wondered what the Royal Oak was, and who Angel was. Most of all, Seth had said something in a language he did not understand and where all the vampires had somewhat reacted.
*Darthael, your presence here was only to give you the ownership of the Royal Oak. See that you give it more respect than Sanguini did. My decision is done, the session is concluded. Thank you, Mr. Crouch, to have been a witness as to how we judge our vampires, since Azkaban is useless to us. As time is the most valuable thing a man can spend, for us, it is not.*Said Seth.
The quill finally stop its scratching on the parchment, then it rolled itself before moving into a suitcase not far from Corban. Crouch thanked the King and nodded to Nathaniel and Elena before apparating away. Lenore and Sanguini fell to their knees, begging and knowing perfectly their sentence was not done. Seth's wand was already upon them as he whispered the cruciatus curse. Their bodies hit the floor and they were not able to hold their screams. They had uncontrollable spasms and Lenore had involuntary kicked the chair she had been sitting in where if flew to the wall and shattered. Seth let go of the curse and clicked his tongue.
*That was for my father and mother, for the trouble they had to go through because of your stupid decisions. Now, get out of my sight.*Hissed Seth between his teeth.
*Yes, my King.*They said in unison.
Corban went to Sanguini and grabbed him by the collar before apparating away with him. His father went to Lenore and ordered her to go into another room, then after a nod to his son, he left the office, followed by Elena who had nodded to him too. Corban apparated again, this time to bring François with him back to France.
*I wish I could say this was nicely done, but I have no comparison in where it happened before, so… I think it was nicely done! There I did say it.*Said Lazarus with a grin.
Darthael scoffed.
*Peuh! Let's hope it never happens again, you mean. Judging vampires… Hey, who's that Angel guy you mentioned?*Asked Darthael.
Seth rolled his eyes at their attitude.
*Apparently, he is the best cook in the world. He is our contact in New York. He was the one to tell my father about the Zeliths, and to tell me about Lenore. Just like you said, Darthael, let's hope I never have to do this again.*Said Seth with a glare at Darthael as a warning.
Venthyr meanings
*I ech- hen?*
*Who made her?*
*Im fori cin na ech- lamia oiale ad- a cin erit obeui nin hén conn-!*
I forbid you to sire vampires ever again and you will obey my childes commands!
