"Perhaps the mourners learn to look to the blue sky by day, and to the stars by night, and to think that the dead are there, and not in graves."-Kathleen Vulken

The purpose part 53 Lose you

August 1st, 1975, 1:34am

'Seth.'

Seth's gaze was on the ocean horizon. He thought he heard an owl fly over.

'Seth.'

Kathleen was resting peacefully in his arms, without a sound, or breath.

'Seth.'

A hand on his shoulder made him flinch. He looked over his shoulder and there was Corban and Gellert behind him. He thought he should have seen worried faces on them, but instead it told something grave happened. Seth hesitated to open his mind, for his emotions were all over the place, but Corban's expression showed deep concern too. He had an opened parchment in his hand. So, he really did hear an owl.

*Seth. Danyck was captured by aurors, you are demanded at once at the ministry…*Said Corban quietly.

He saw Corban's lips move but had not heard anything. He heard him repeat what he had said again, and slightly faltered for a second. He briefly opened his mind to feel Danyck unconscious, then closed it again. Corban took a step back; his heart had flickered at what he felt from Seth.

*Colpy.*Muttered Seth and the house-elf apparated.

*Sir.*Said the elf, bowing.

Seth looked down on Kathleen again, brushing his thumb on her lip.

*…please, bring Kathleen in a bed and prepare a… two funerals.*Said Seth.

The elf hesitated for a second before placing a hand on Kathleen. Seth had blurted the numbers of funerals as if his subconscious knew a haunting decision was about to come.

*It will be done, sir.*Said Colpy and he disapparated with Kathleen's body.

The weight of her body left Seth's knees and he stood up before turning towards Gellert.

*Why are you here?*Asked Seth, a coldness as if devoid of emotions.

He was still mad at Gellert for the visions he was not sharing and was now very irritated at the fact that he could have perhaps prevented this. Gellert opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again. Corban was the one to speak.

*We felt you. At first, I… respected the distance, but I felt something… deep inside. I was at the ministry, the aurors were frantic, the ministry was in disarray. It took… time for me to finally know what had happened. Aurors led by Dumbledore managed to kill several deatheaters, and they set a trap for Danyck, even if they lost many too. It seems they had taken the opportunity from the event to do something. They are keeping him under many stunning spells, perhaps even a draught of living death potion because they also used the binding bracers, but they don't know if it would work on him since he is not a wizard. When I had enough information… I could not locate you, so I quickly came back to the castle and asked around, but then Gellert apparated too.*Said Corban quite rapidly.

*We were drawn to your sorrow outside.*Mumbled Gellert.

Sorrow.

Grief.

Despair.

Is that what a dementor does? Is this real? Seth looked up at the cloudless sky.

'I want to see the stars. Take me in your arms.'

Seth shook his head, trying to think about what his next step should be after news like that. He took a step forward, then stopped.

'Two funerals.'

*Seth… you need to change and go to the ministry.*Said Corban.

Seth's head twitched. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Change clothes. He looked down and saw his shirt was damp. Right.

*Get my parents and meet me there.*Demanded Seth before apparating away.

Corban and Gellert looked at each other.

*This won't end well, no matter what happens in that courtroom. Seth just lost someone… I never thought I'd ever see tears on his face. And now…*Began Corban.

*Oh… I know what will happen.*Said Gellert with an evil grin.

Corban frowned. How could Gellert find this situation amusing?

*You saw something?*Asked Corban.*You do know he will hurt you for not saying anything, Gellert.*Hissed Corban.

Gellert hummed, placing his hands behind his back, and walking towards the castle, followed by a sighing Corban. They could not apparate outside of the living room, compared to Seth.

His body was numb as Seth looked at himself in the mirror. He blinked at his black and silver garment. He had to cast several scourgify in his face, trying to remove the look he had in his eyes he had never seen before.

'Remove that frown from your beautiful face.'

*God, it hurts.*Said Seth softly as he rubbed his chest.

His headache had move down his chest. His eyes darted towards the goblin-made weapon underneath a glass container. Did he want to start a war? Did he want to protect Danyck?

'THE KING WILL HAVE TO KILL YOU DANYCK.'

Isn't he the King now?

'Caring too much hinders his duties.'

Seth tried to put a glamour on his face, hiding the haunted eyes he now bore. The spell hung to his face. His magic felt uncertain, broken. What was happening to him? With a last look at the mirror, he apparated to the ministry.

OoOoO

Danyck was held on a chair, unconscious and bound by magical means, with bracers supposed to remove magical capacities. His head was low on his chest, his dark red bloody cloak had not been removed, proof of who he was. The Wizengamot was at its fullest, in the middle of the night, with aurors who had taken part in his capture, ones that should have been there, but had been killed by him. They were all waiting for the vampires to arrive. Dumbledore was nervous, wondering what Seth intentions and reactions would be. He held his wand firmly in his hand. If this took a wrong turn, he would have to protect everyone as much as he could. He had insisted for many aurors to be present and had not been denied.

He felt waves of magic coming from the corridor and frowned. Surely, he would not be the only one magic sensitive. He looked around and saw Graves who was frowning and grinding his teeth. He was sitting two seats further from him, Maugrey in between them. The auror eyed Dumbledore and shook his head.

*This won't end well. We all feel that, right? They are here.*Said Maugrey quietly.

The whispers died down as Seth slowly appeared in the doorway with the vampires behind him.

*Why is he here?*Hissed Graves between his teeth, looking at Gellert with a deadly stare.

*Moral support.*Said Gellert with a grin.

Seth had closed his eyes briefly in annoyance, not missed by Albus, then walked beside Danyck, passing a soft hand on his hair. He wandlessly removed every stunner, and potion effects on him. He felt him stir in his mind, so he opened his thoughts to him.

*Don't speak, don't move.*Ordered Seth to Danyck in his mind as a precaution, without speaking Venthyr.

Danyck stayed still, listening. His heartbeat accelerated as he realized where he was through Seth. Somewhere behind, Gellert made a powerful notice-me-not spell wandlessly on himself.

*I can feel them all, I can kill them all, let me… LET ME!*Thought Danyck resisting the urge to move. He misinterpreted Seth's emotions and wanted to destroy everything around him. Seth winced at the yells in his mind.

The aurors that were not in the stands, had wands drawn and pointing at Danyck for any subtle movements. He had, after all, taken many lives before his capture.

*I said… don't move, please… I… need time.*Thought Seth, feeling his heart clench and hitting painfully his ribcage.

Danyck stayed silent, and did not move a muscle, except for clenching his jaw. He would obey, for now.

*The magic feels broken, coming in waves from Seth.*Whispered Dumbledore beside Maugrey.

Graves glanced briefly towards Albus.

*That's impossible.*Mumbled the Director.

Maugrey held his staff harder. The head of magical enforcement cleared his throat and hit once his gavel on the sound block.

*Mr. Vulken, we will begin. This is an exceptional case. We had stopped holding court sessions for deatheater activities, but the fact that Danyck here is a vampire, we had to hold our agreements towards vampire laws which consist here as of warning the King should a vampire break magical laws. This vampire is accused of murdering several aurors and muggles, destroying property and buildings, and to partake into deatheater activities, not without mentioning the repetitive no respect of the secrecy law.*Said Bartemius Crouch.

Seth looked up around him. Every member of the Wizengamot was present, and Corban had taken his seat beside Malfoy. Vincent and Brian looked at him with worry.

*I have seen how you deal with vampires. If he had been a wizard, he would have been executed on sight, or given the dementor's kiss, without trial. I do not believe he deserves anything less for the horrible crimes he committed.*Said Crouch.

Gellert was moving fingers with subtlety, fixing Graves with intensity and a smirk plastered on his face. The director's head twitched, and his lip curled in disgust.

*He said that that vampire did not fly, Seth clearly lied to protect him! He should be prosecuted too!*Said Graves, standing up.

A few gasps were heard in the room. Seth did not show emotions and was fixing Crouch, awaiting questions. Bartemius looked at Graves, then at Seth.

*Is this true? You knew about the red hiding hood's identity and his whereabouts?*Asked Crouch.

He never said he did.

*No.*Answered Seth coldly. His insides were turning uncomfortably, the pain in his chest amplified, his throat constricted. He felt his glamours fall down. How was he supposed to act? What was he supposed to say? How could he even take a decision now?

Graves hit the guard-rail with his fist.

*Liar! He is always aware of that vampire, HE MADE HIM!*Said Graves, pointing at Seth in anger. More gasps and whispers were heard in the courtroom.

*I can make them all die, all of them… let me remove that pain from your chest, let me end your suffering.*Thought Danyck, pleading.

Seth clenched his jaw, a finger twitched, his wand waiting to be pulled out of its holster. The wizards in the stands began to fidget on their seats. Dumbledore held his wand tighter and noticed Seth's face, showing emotions of grief and despair. Gellert mouthed silent words, his eyes still on Graves, never wavering.

*This… situation should be dealt on another day. You have to take a decision, Mr. Vulken, for the vampire Danyck to be executed by your own means, or ours. We shall not accept any other judgment.*Said Crouch, clearly uncomfortable but with approval nods all around him.

A growl. A whisper. A hand wave. A yell.

*NOT AGAIN! THE MINISTRY SHALL NOT REMAIN INACTIVE AGAINST MURDERERS! AVADA KEDAVRA!*Yelled the Director, madness in his voice, eyes, and body.

Eyes widened. Screams. Silence. Horror. Time slowed.

Gellert smiled, his silent compulsion charm had worked. In surprise, even Albus did not have time to act.

'I need more time.'

Danyck's head had jerked, his bracers were gone, his bounds were lost, a single heart in his hand was crushed, and a few vampire steps later, his light was gone.

'Remove the pain from your chest, my King.'

Graves laid on the guardrail, dead. His hand on his chest, and a painful look on his face. Danyck had moved in Seth's arms, protecting him from the death curse aimed at Seth. The vampire King held on to his lifeless childe as the wizards in the stand had risen from their seats. Some had gone to Graves, others spoke in blurs, some were shocked. None had expected the director to cast the killing curse, especially towards the vampire King in plain sight.

*No. NO!*Said Crouch, not believing his eyes. He made a loud bang with his wand, and the members of the Wizengamot flinched before looking at the head of the law enforcement. The minister had also brought out his wand.

Time was lost as Seth looked at Danyck's white eyes, showing a vampire's death. He could not feel him in his mind anymore. His first mind link, gone. Corban was right in front of him, whispering things he could not hear. He felt his warm hands upon his face. He wanted to scream, but something was stuck in his throat. A hand on his shoulder, the smell of his father. Corban had turned his head and said something to the minister, the low rumble of his voice echoing in his mind. Whatever the minister said made Corban angry. His hands were not on his face anymore. A wave of energy came from Dumbledore as his voice rose in the midst. Gellert moved in front of him and pushed his arm to turn him towards the exit. His mother went on the other side of him and did the same. Seth lifted Danyck in his arms and they proceeded into leaving the ministry.

Corban had stayed behind as the vampires left the courtroom.

*What do you mean he's not responding?*Asked Crouch.

A few members of the Wizengamot had taken Graves's body and proceeded to bring him to St-Mungo's, where a final diagnosis of death would be pronounced. Corban turned his tongue several times before answering. He could only feel emptiness, a void, in Seth's thoughts, as if he went elsewhere to an inner battle.

*He's… grieving.*Said Corban quietly, trying to search for the right words.

*Grieving? For that murderer who just killed the Director before our own eyes? Who was he for him?*Said Crouch coldly.

*Before… before coming here. It took time to find him because someone had just died in his arms. A woman who had raised him along his parents and stayed by him for sixty years died. Then he comes here, already shattered, unable to process or judge a vampire, that happened to be one he sired, from a muggle that used to live in his castle. Yes, Danyck did horrible things behind his back. It turns out Seth was uncapable of stopping Danyck's murderous cravings, and so Danyck went to the Dark Lord.*Said Corban.

*He is then guilty of protecting his identity and not respecting his own laws!*Said Crouch as he hit the desk with a fist. *What if there are others working for that damned sorcerer?*He added.

Corban gritted his teeth and let a moment of silence pass before he answered. He looked away as he felt his transfiguration spell on his eyes wavering. He took a deep breath and its with darker blue eyes he spoke again.

*Would you have preferred letting him go out like you did just now or having everyone in this very room all dead?*Said Corban.

Dumbledore felt his heart sink low. This time, the minister leaned in.

*Is that a threat, Mr. Yaxley?*Said Minchum.

*Obviously not, Minister. I'm merely saying you avoided a blood bath by listening to Dumbledore and letting him go. Now, if you will excuse me, I believe we are done for the night, justice has been made.*Said Corban with a sneer before glancing briefly at Dumbledore and leaving.

OoOoO

*What did I miss? Why did Wilhelm cast the killing curse at Seth?*Mumbled Dumbledore to himself as he paced in his office.

Placing his memory of the night in his pensieve, he dived in to see it again, and again.

*Why is he here?*Hissed Graves.

*Moral support.*Said Gellert with a grin.

Dumbledore looked closely at Gellert who made a hand gesture, kind of in a circle, and his vision of him became translucent. His presence was there, but something was different. The Headmaster's heart skipped a beat. Gellert had done wandless magic, a powerful notice-me-not charm, and he had not seen it. For the remaining of the vision, he focused on Grindelwald, which was very difficult considering of the feat he had made. Gellert's eyes were fixed on the director, his fingers moving slowly. Then he mouthed silent words.

A compulsion spell.

Gellert only made the Director's own deep desires come forth, without reasoning or filters. Gellert was a vampire. Gellert could do magic, just like Seth.

He watched the memory again, focusing on Danyck and Seth this time. Danyck was awake the second Seth had touched his head, of that, he was sure. That was why, when the killing curse was cast, Danyck had killed the director, crushing his heart in his hand, then had moved faster than a human can possibly move, right in front of Seth, receiving the curse in his back. How could he have even intervened? Everything had been done in two seconds.

He recognized that look in Seth's eyes. The void. Unable to respond to outside stimuli under severe shock. He had lived the same thing when his sister died. Corban had whispered reassuring words, then asked the minister for the vampires to leave. When he had refused, he had asked the warlock to step in, which was himself. He knew he had to accept. The headmaster perfectly knew all the lives that were at stake with this simple decision to let them go.

'You realise how dangerous I really am, don't you?'

The phrase that had haunt him came back in full force, but in that moment, he had never seen so much humanity in someone such as Seth. Such a flagrant difference with Tom Riddle and it had made him wonder: was Tom Riddle more dangerous because he was devoid of humanity? Was Seth's purpose of something greater and was he supposed to have done things differently?

He sat on the stairs of his office after he had watched his memory so many times. He passed his hands in his face, trying to brush away the sleep he desperately needed. His plans for the day would have to wait, his bed awaited him.

OoOoO

August 4th, 1975

They had buried Kathleen and Danyck in front of a weeping willow near the garden. Seth sat under the tree in between the two mounds of dirt where he made flowers grow magically. His headache had gone, his dread feeling had followed. He looked emptily at a white flower with blue lines. He wondered where he had seen it before, since he had made it from memory. Corban was sending constant waves of comfort, which he was under the impression of not feeling them. His lover had told him he had stared at the graves for three days before he had finally answered him.

*I was… fighting with myself.*Said Seth, turning the flower's stem between his fingers.

*Who won?*Asked Corban.

*Neither.*Seth closed his eyes.*Both.*He opened his eyes half-way.*If Danyck had not placed himself in front of me, would I have died? If so, what would have happened?*Asked Seth.

*Why are you even asking? You perfectly know it would have been the end of the ministry. They know it, they are alive because of what Danyck did for you.*Said Corban.

'Remove the pain from your chest, my King.'

*They won't see it that way.*Mumbled Seth, staring towards the cliff where the vast ocean lay. *So peaceful. Funny how two lives are gone, and it makes absolutely no difference in the world, but it does to me. You think if I kill enough people, it will make a difference to the world?*Said Seth, now looking at his lover.

*No.*Answered Corban.

Seth knew that answer already and snorted, now looking at his flower again.

*Gellert. I felt him enter the courtroom with me and leaving it with me. He did something during the session, he disappeared. Why would Graves cast the killing curse at me? In front of everyone?*Said Seth.

*I…*Began Corban, frowning. *He said he knew what was going to happen. I asked him if he saw anything to which he had not answered before he went to get your parents.*Said Corban.

*Hn. So, he did do something. Only by the imperius or a strong compulsion charm someone like Graves would have acted like he did. No one saw him… hmm, notice-me-not charm. I should be mad at him, but if Danyck would not have died that way, then… the alternative would have been my doing.*Said Seth, turning his head towards Corban, eyes locking with him. *Did you hear what he kept screaming in my head?*Asked Seth.

*More like felt it. I believe you were preventing him from killing everyone, which I am sure he could have.*Said Corban.

'So, what, you think I should be the world's King?'

'Like any King, not alone, but yes.'

Seth stayed silent as Kathleen's word echoed in his mind again. A ministry's owl flew to them and landed beside Seth. It had a letter and the daily prophet. He took them from the owl then told it to fly to the owlery for sustenance before it flew away. He remembered the owlery was in old Flamel's room, and his thoughts went towards the man whom he realised he missed dearly.

*Graves's and Danyck's death were on the front page the same day it had happened. Someone managed to take a picture of you holding Danyck as you left the ministry. People may be scared of vampires again… even if the event was very successful, Voldemort attacked Dartmoor as the international ministry officials were still there.*Said Corban.

Seth followed Corban's thoughts and knew what he implied: Seth had had his day off on his birthday, and Voldemort had taken that opportunity to act behind his back and cause mayhem the day he was not there, but also when no vampire was there either.

Vampires are not a threat, the ministry asking for calm. The title said on the daily prophet.

*Scrimgeour is a cunning man, just like Graves was. They won't tarnish what we tried to build. Besides… it was just… Danyck. No one condemns a whole species solely based on one individual.*Said Corban.

Seth made a grunt, then opened the letter written by the head of law enforcement.

Mr. Vulken,

The vampire Danyck destroyed many lives. No matter what happened during the courtroom, we believe it should never happen again. There was never a report of any other vampire implied in criminal activities. For this, we would strongly suggest you speak with the media, and return to your duties shortly. -Bartemius Crouch.

Seth snorted and burned the letter. His duties. He had plenty of duties to take care of, especially now towards a certain vampire called Sanguini. He had to speak with his father, and again with Steven, Galea, and William at Gringotts. Slayers were more important than the ministry. He would resign from the ministry, and he had to speak with Voldemort.

OoOoO

August 5th, 1975

Flashes of cameras flocked in the ministry atrium where Seth stood, waiting as the minister finished a speech about the safety of the citizens and the collaboration they always held with vampires. When he was done, the attention was on the vampire King.

*I served the ministry to the best of my capabilities. We are not perfect and just like wizards can't all be good, the same goes for vampires. Danyck had telekinesis, which is an astounding rarity among vampires, but it also drove him mad. Having power come with enormous responsibility that he was not able to overcome, and so he sought more, towards an individual that was able to answer his needs, where I did turn a blind eye. I am at fault, and so, I resign of my duties I had with the ministry. Do not let fear of vampires grip your hearts, for you have everything to gain in an alliance.*Said Seth.

The speech Seth gave had surprised everyone, and an uproar had started with even more questions that Seth did not give. The minister had not anticipated his resign and had tried to make him change his mind after insisting to come to his office. In his haste, he had not taken guards with him. Seth felt the usual defensive wards placed around the minister.

*Where exactly do you think you'll go? The country is held in quarantine, and we need more resources to fight that madman! I can't accept your resign!*Said the minister, pacing behind his desk.

*Minister, in case you have forgotten, I am a King among my own people. I have plenty of obligations towards my own. I have recently been made aware of a danger that cannot be avoided, and so, I ask of you immigration papers for America, more precisely New York.*Said Seth dryly, standing stiffly with his hands behind his back.

Minchum stopped his pacing, then placed his palms on his desk.

*What? A danger? W-What danger? Immigration papers? No… No, no, you can't leave like that!*Said the minister, blinking in surprise and fidgeting.

Seth clenched his jaw before answering.

*Minister, normally I would not have asked you for the papers, but I must leave very soon, and the MACUSA is quite strict with whom enters their borders too. Mr. Yaxley will stay here, and perhaps he can take my place if that bothers you. I will be leaving with Gellert Grindelwald if that can add a reassurance to your… reputation.*Said Seth.

The minister blinked several times, then waved his wand, bringing a parchment in front of him and scrambled a fast note. Seth would have probably smiled in that situation, but knowing what he had to do, and the fact he had a hard time to feel anything recently, prevented that. The minister made a copy of the parchment he had just written on, then handed one to Seth.

*Thank you, minister.*Said Seth, taking the parchment and rolling it before putting it in his inner pockets.

Seth turned to leave.

*Mr. Vulken. I heard you lost someone dear to you that same night of…*The minister cleared his throat.*Well… my condolences anyway. I hope you can take care of your problem rapidly.*Added the minister.

Seth stayed silent and left the office without a look behind. He quickly glanced around to see if he was alone, and since he was not hearing any heartbeats, he apparated in knockturn alley. He made his way to Gringotts and upon entering, the goblins eyed him respectfully. One came to him immediately.

*What can I do for you, Mr. Vulken?*Asked Griphook.

*William. I need to speak with him.*Said Seth, gazing around the bank to try and see if William was nearby.

*Of course, he is in his office, third door on your left.*Said Griphook with a curt bow.

He thanked the goblin and went as directed. He knocked twice before opening the door and closing it behind him. William looked up from his papers and smiled.

*My King, glad to see you.*Said William, gesturing for him to take a seat.

*I need to be quick. Sanguini, what has been his transactions in the last year?*Asked Seth, still standing.

William made a grim smile and shook his head.

*Nothing serious, and I would not think enough of a bother to speak to you for it. But if you come here, then… he's the one to spend the most, just below Darthael, you, Gellert, and… ugh.*Said William with a disgusted look on his face, which Seth knew he meant to say Voldemort.*Don't get me wrong, he generates just enough profit out of his initial expenses for him to continue as he meddles… I will send you the amounts he did withdraw in the last forty years, his profits, and in some cases, it tells what he bought or sold if it had anything to do with the bank. Although, the shady stuff, like Darthael is so good at, won't show in our files. By the way, he did make a huge withdrawal before he went to America. It just started to generate profit, but I do not know how.*Said William as he was scribbling fast and looking through old parchments.

*Thank you, William. I'm leaving the country soon… if there is anything, speak with Corban.*Said Seth.

*Anytime, my King.*Said William with a curt bow.

Seth apparated in Egypt, for he needed to speak with his father. He found him at the bank too since Nathaniel had accumulated work to do because of the event. Seth sat in his office and his father joined him minutes after his arrival.

*Father, did you know anything about muggle slayers?*Asked Seth.

Nathaniel joined hands on his lap.

*Before you were born, vampires mostly stayed in Britain. There were not many means of transportation and difficult communication around the world. That did not stop some vampires to leave, but then they created the Zeliths… from lack of control. Good thing we intervened.*Said Nathaniel. He cleared his throat and sighed.*Now, a few years ago, I received owls from the vampires in other countries that muggle slayers made their apparition, but also rumours of vampires who could not go out in the sun, that did not have any links with their sires, and that could hardly be recognizable physically. Contrarily to them, we have bright blue eyes and after a time, our skin gets smoother, brighter, and our ears get longer, and those traits made us distinguishable among humans. My childes have not been the ones to be attacked by those slayers, but the ones rumoured about.*

*Another kind of vampires. I see. I want to go to the bottom of this and see what I can do for them and how they are created. I have a feeling Sanguini is the culprit behind the ones found in Miami and New York. He has used the Vulken's gold a lot.*Said Seth.

Nathaniel chuckled and shook his head.

*That does not surprise me at all, son. Sanguini is one of the oldest vampire I sired. He always had a knack to get himself in trouble, but he is a very good businessman.*Said Nathaniel.

They continued to talk a little about this and that, the past and recent events, until the bank even closed for the day. His father told him that Elena was at the creature care centre since a few creatures had been harmed during the assault of Voldemort, but fortunately none had died. Colpy apparated beside Seth and bowed low.

*Colpy is sorry, sir. Mr. Malfoy is waiting at Vulken's castle to speak with you.*Said Colpy.

*Thank you, Colpy. I'll be there shortly.*Said Seth and Colpy disapparated.

Nathaniel stood up at the same time as Seth, then went to hug him with a force he did not know he had. He felt his son falter under him.

*I'm so sorry, son. About Danyck. I shared your sorrow and your despair. But, you also lost Kathleen, and for that, I don't even know how you are still standing.*The old King whispered softly.*Ni mel cin réd.*

Seth hugged his father back. He felt a lump in his throat, but his mind felt empty.

*Ni mel cin, Adar, egleri- cin.*Said Seth softly.

Then he saw it, on his father's desk, was a moving picture of a young smiling Kathleen holding a five or six years old white-haired boy and in his small hand was the blue and white flower he had recreated from memory.

They parted and with a nod, Seth apparated back to his castle.

OoOoO

Voldemort gritted his teeth, gazing upon his deatheaters bowing in front him. He looked to his right, where usually stood Danyck, only to find it empty.

They had known.

The aurors had known how to deal with Danyck. They even protected themselves with some spells and prevented Danyck to kill them as easily as he could have.

Still, in the end, Danyck had managed to kill Graves and protect his sire. He had seen it several times in Malfoy's memory. Seeing Seth falter like that completely unnerved him. He could have ended the ministry that day if he had not been so weak with the emotions that himself dared not to live or have. This war was getting long enough as it was. The ministry was even more careful than before. The minister is well guarded, the homes of aurors and ministry officials are heavily warded, and even some under the difficult Fidelitus. No one is trusting their neighbours, and as he attempts to wage this war with subtlety, it is beginning to press heavy on his nerves, and mental capabilities.

At least, he has the favor of more and more families, creating slowly a civil war that might just be the thing he needs to break the current minister.

*My Lord.*Said Dolohov.

Voldemort's gaze went to him, with half-lidded eyes. Dolohov was one of his best wand, always successful in everything he asked of him.

*I have gathered the necessary ingredients for our stock, and we are ready for brewing again.*Said Dolohov.

*Hn. Not that I doubt your potion skills, Antonin, but we need to find a potion master.*Said Voldemort quietly. His cold voice did not deter his most loyal deatheaters from speaking openly to him.

*My Lord, Horace Slughorn has taken an apprentice for the school year that comes. Lucius has told me so.*Said Rookwood.

*Yes. Indeed. The young Severus Snape. I have seen him at the Christmas gathering. Ah, Lucius should be coming shortly.*Said Voldemort, feeling a shift in the wards of the Lestrange Manor.

A short moment later, the door opened, and Lucius entered, followed by Seth. He had asked Lucius to get him. He could not decipher his expression, and his mind seemed sealed shut from any intrusion. Seth looked at him, and a shiver passed through him, but the feeling quickly went away.

*Everyone. Leave, except you, Lucius.*Said Voldemort, with a dismissal hand gesture.

The deatheaters mumbled 'yes, my Lord', except for Bellatrix who sighed angrily before leaving behind the others.

*Lucius, I want you to send an invitation to Severus Snape, the sooner the better.*Ordered Voldemort.

Lucius glanced at Seth briefly, who did not react, then nodded and curtly bowed before leaving. Seth and Voldemort were now alone in the room, staring silently at each other.

*You are mad at me.*Stated Voldemort.

Seth pursed his lips and sighed through his nose. Of course, he was. Danyck died because he was captured. Captured because he went and attacked Dartmoor park when aurors were still there.

*I'm leaving.*Said Seth bluntly.

The Dark Lord frowned.

*Leaving? I heard about your resign. What do you mean, leaving?*Asked Voldemort, slightly irritated.

Seth reached inside his upper shirt and removed the Slytherin locket from his neck. Voldemort's mouth opened slightly in mild shock, and his brow narrowed even more.

*Leaving Britain. I have a matter that I need to take care of. I'm thinking you should take the locket back, perhaps place it where it should have been, in your cave.*Said Seth with the locket hanging from his hand as he approached Voldemort.

Voldemort grabbed the locket with still confusion on his face.

*I don't understand. You make it sound like as if you would not know what could happen to you, and my locket could be in danger. Just how long is that matter going to take exactly?*Hissed Voldemort.

Seth thought about what he had asked Gellert and knowing he would not only have to take care of the slayers, but probably investigate the vampires there, and those in Miami, before continuing the project. He no longer wanted to partake into Voldemort's war directly. Maybe the loss of Danyck had made him realise that he needed to concentrate more on his own.

'You ignored me again.'

Seth closed his eyes, hearing Danyck's voice in his mind once more.

*Long enough for me to have had thoughts to give you your locket. Corban will still be working at the ministry. He might take the position I had.*Said Seth, now staring at him.

*Do I even want to know what that matter is?*Asked Voldemort.

*Remember the time we went in Miami?*Asked Seth and Voldemort nodded.*There was a vampire named Sanguini. He might be the source to a new breed of vampires… weaker but causing enough trouble to actually have muggle slayers killing them. It is more in New York that I will first investigate. After I'm done there, I will go in Miami, and after that, I aim to bring down the MACUSA.*Added Seth.

Voldemort's eyes widened and frowned again.

*The MACUSA? And how…*Began Voldemort but Seth shook his head.

*I'm bringing Gellert with me, he has already knowledge of the ministry there. We will see what we can do.*Said Seth.

*I need you here. Not over the ocean.*Hissed Voldemort.

Seth blinked and narrowed his eyes.

*No, you don't. I am needed somewhere else.*Answered Seth, irritated.

Voldemort closed the gap between them in two strides and grabbed Seth's jaw between two fingers.

*You will come back and take my locket back.*Hissed the Dark Lord in Parseltongue.

Seth slowly grabbed the wrist that was holding his jaw, closing his fingers on the cold skin of Voldemort. He stared in those red eyes that had a hint of uncertainty. He softly kissed Voldemort's fingers, then brought his hand down. A shiver had passed between them.

*I see you are weary of the protection I gave your soul for twenty years, V. I also feel you somehow care that I am your only real friend on this earth. You have lost me a childe, and you had connected to him because of me. Let me take care of my mind, by letting me go for a while. I will stay available in extreme circumstances for you.*Spoke Seth softly in Parseltongue.

Voldemort looked at the vampire King turning around and leaving the room without a look behind. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. How could that vampire have so much effect on him? No one turns their backs on Voldemort and live to tell the tale!

*Slytherin damn it, Seth. You'll be the death of me.*Muttered the Dark Lord.

Author's note: The title is from a song, Pete Yorn Lose you. I strongly suggest you listen to it, it's beautiful. Review please! Please! PLEASEE! =) Thanks for reading.

Venthyr translation

*Ni mel cin réd.*

I love you son.

*Ni mel cin, Adar, egleri- cin.*

I love you father, thank you.