"When the first baby laughed for the first time, the laugh broke into a thousand pieces and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies."
The purpose Chapter 65 Black family funeral
April 11th, 1980
''She's asking me to meet her in the Black's home, alone if possible. Well, if possible, does that mean it's not a trap?'' Asked Sirius to James.
Thunder erupted over their heads, and they hurried at the Order's headquarters. James tossed his hat on a hook then made his way in the living room.
''Did she say when?'' Asked James.
''As soon as I can.'' Said Sirius.
James waved his wand towards the alcohol dispenser and two glasses of Firewhiskey went on a table.
''That would be pretty weird for an ambush. Let me go with you, yeah?'' Asked James.
Sirius took his glass and emptied it in one gulp.
''Yeah… directly apparating at the front door then. You have your emergency portkey with you?'' Asked Sirius.
James also emptied his glass and showed his wrist with a red and gold bracelet.
''Never leaves me!'' Said James with a wink.
James went to Sirius and placed his hand on his arm to side-along apparate. They arrived right in front of the door of Grimmauld Place. They cast the usual detecting spells, including Revelio.
''There's a fucking dead body in there, a woman, and a baby. You think that's Ruma?'' Said James as he waved his wand for curses detectors too.
''Maybe. Don't bother for detecting curses, this house has plenty in it. Be careful, for all we know, it could be my dear cousin.'' Said Sirius as he grabbed the door's handle. ''Stay behind me, okay?''
''Always behind you, Padfoot.'' Said James.
Sirius glanced inside carefully.
''You can come in, Sirius, I'm… alone with a baby. No need to do your fucked up auror training.'' Said the distant voice of Ruma, with a cooing of a baby in the background.
Sirius froze in place and looked at James who shrugged and passed in front of him, pulling him inside by his jacket. Ruma was in the living room, bottled-feeding young Regulus, when she saw the two marauders in the doorframe.
''You can leave, James, I have no intent to speak with you, nor is Sirius is any danger.'' Said Ruma.
''There's a dead person in here. I'm not leaving until I know what went on!'' Said James.
Ruma sighed and swallowed hard, her emotions going up again.
''It's Rosanne Black… Yaxley, you know… your sister-in-law?'' She said while looking at Sirius. ''She died after giving birth to your nephew. Now, please send your friend away.'' Said Ruma.
Sirius looked at her in shock, then at the baby, at his friend, and back at Ruma in disbelief.
''Nephew? Where's Regulus?'' Asked Sirius.
Ruma closed her eyes briefly, then looked at the baby, caressing his cheek with a finger.
''Your brother is dead. So is your father. I… Do you want to assist to any funeral? We… I thought about doing it at the same time.'' Said Ruma quietly.
Sirius sat down on a nearby chair, looking at the floor. James squeezed Sirius's shoulder, then turned around to leave the house.
''How… how did this all happen? Who is to care for my nephew?'' Asked Sirius. ''I… I can't…''
''Nobody is asking you anything. I'm… his name is Regulus, I'm his godmother. I'll repeat myself, I asked for you to see if you wanted to come to any funerals, not take responsibilities you don't even want to!'' Said Ruma.
Sirius scoffed and shook his head.
''Tsk, Regulus, really? Going to make him grow into another deatheater?'' Sneered Sirius.
Ruma's eyes narrowed. Orion had told her Voldemort had something to do with his death.
''How, dare, you? YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHA…'' Began to yell Ruma before taking a deep breath. ''Never mind I asked you here. Get out.'' She added.
Sirius stood up abruptly, his nose flaring in anger.
''My family was rotten to the core. If you think I won't fight for my nephew and…'' Sirius stopped as he saw Ruma holding her hand up, the Black family ring on her finger.
''Out.'' Repeated Ruma, her eyes watering.
''So, you are a Black now? What did you do, marry my father?'' Said Sirius, not listening to her demand.
''I would not have minded marrying a great man like him! But, no, I'm your sister now.'' She said dryly. ''I'm returning to New York after I bury Rosanne, and the empty casket of Regulus.'' Said Ruma.
''Empty caske…'' Sirius began to say as an apparating sound was heard in the hallway.
Sirius promptly went to hide out of view of the door, his wand out. Ruma rolled her eyes, then stood up, still with the baby in her arms, who was asleep. She peaked around the hallway and saw Seth.
''Ruma. How did you managed to come here?'' Asked Seth before seeing the ring on her finger. ''Oh, he gave you his ring. Has he already passed away?'' Asked Seth, his eyes went to the bundle of covers in her arms. ''I guess that's Yaxley's baby?''
Ruma went closer to Seth, looked at him with sorrowful eyes, and placed the baby in his arms, where he clumsily, and almost did not, took him. She then passed her hands in her hair, then moved one over her mouth.
''Yes, to both of your questions. His name is Regulus… everything to be original.'' She said while holding a sob. ''Seth… my friends are dead. I… I thought I'd come back here… sooner… have a cup of coffee, laugh about… peaceful things… not… not this.''
Seth looked at the almost sleeping baby who wrapped his hand around his finger. He could hear the fast heartbeat of someone in another room, wondering who it was, while Ruma was breaking into sorrow right in front of him.
''Ruma… you can't just place a baby in my arms… and…'' Began Seth and Ruma flung her arms in the air.
''And what? Expect someone like you to not feel anything holding a baby? Am I even allowed to feel something? Or am I also supposed to stare at a tree for three fucking days!'' She almost yelled.
The memory of Danyck's death went through his mind again and as he looked at Ruma, now yelling at him, he was reminded how he had felt losing two people at once too. He could not blame her, little Ruma that was now a woman, a human, to feel those things. She went on and on about the past four years until she began to scream. Was she aware someone else was listening?
''… AND I CAN'T LET ANYONE RAISE HIM HERE BECAUSE OF THAT FUCKO, AND I CAN'T RAISE HIM IN NEW YORK BECAUSE OF THAT OTHER FUCKO, WHO'S GOING TO TRY AND GET HIS BLO…'' She stopped, crashing on the floor, a hand over her mouth, trembling and sobbing.
Seth narrowed his eyes at what she was going to say, then saw the man who's heartbeat he had heard, pointing his wand at him, shaking and fury in his eyes. He never forgot a face, and this was clearly Regulus's brother. Young Regulus stirred and began to cry.
''You are Sirius, right? Just by name, though. You can't possibly think you can curse me, hm?'' Said Seth.
Sirius was breathing hard, had sweat on his forehead and a twitch over his lip.
''What did she mean by that?'' Spat Sirius.
''Something I need to discuss with her alone. You plan to attack me while I hold a baby in my arms? What exactly did I do that makes you think you can even raise your wand at me?'' Asked Seth.
Ruma had calmed down and stood up before taking back Regulus from Seth.
''I'll go feed and change him. Ceri- ú- belth- hon, lup.'' Said Ruma.
''Ruma… what did you say?'' Asked Sirius, eyeing Seth with a sudden, increasing, worry. ''What did you say?'' He repeated.
Ruma left them alone in the hallway, and Sirius had followed her steps, turning his gaze away from Seth. When he turned again his head to focus on Seth, he was gone. A breath later, he was gripped from behind, his arms held against his body, his hair pulled on the side, exposing his neck. He was paralyzed, unable to make a sound, from shock or a curse, he was not sure, but sharp teeth pierced his skin, and a shooting pain went through his body, as if someone had placed him under the cruciatus. He dropped his wand as his arms went numb and silent screams passed through his lips. The pain stopped a fraction of second before he was pushed on the floor violently.
''This… could have turned so differently. Your father was a marvellous man.'' Said Seth, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
Sirius moaned in pain, holding his bleeding neck with a hand.
''You fucking jerk! My father was an asshole all my fucking life, I don't care how he was with you.'' Said Sirius.
''I assume you also don't care that your little brother died without leaving his body for you to weep over?'' Said Seth.
Sirius moaned again, trying to sit up. Ruma's voice echoed from far away.
''Stop it, Seth, please!'' Said Ruma's distant voice.
Seth clicked his tongue then crouched beside Sirius and grabbed his collar.
''Earlier, she spoke in the vampire language. She said not to kill you, and god knows I HATE AURORS!'' Said Seth before letting him go back on the floor again. ''But you mean something to her. Be grateful for that, Black.'' He added before stepping over him.
Seth went to the basement where he had felt the horcrux, the prime reason why he had gone to the Black's home in the first place. He felt it in a compartment behind a pantry. If he took it and wore it, he would be influenced by it's power again. He could not let anyone else wear it, nor could he resolve himself to destroy it, for he knew the horcrux would be able to manipulate him. It was either that or his promise, his feelings…
'Come to me.'
He licked his dry lips and shook his head. He heard light footsteps behind him.
''Seth. You are still here…Why are you here anyway? It's dangerous to apparate from such a long distance… are you alright?'' Asked Ruma.
Seth turned around, seeing her without the baby and Sirius's heartbeat was gone. Had he spaced out for a long time?
''I healed Sirius's wound and he left. Reg is sleeping in his father's bedroom. I'm sorry for… my burst…'' She added.
'Let me inside you.'
''I… I'll let you know about the burials. Kreacher… tell him he must never be seen by anyone else than you. You are his master now.'' Said Seth softly before apparating away.
Ruma was about to ask further, only to shut her mouth, and pouted. She waved her wand around, wondering what could have made Seth wander in the basement, but could not detect anything abnormal, unless you counted the curse on the sink. She opened some cupboards and pantries for a while. She sighed then went back up to check on baby Regulus.
She went into the bedroom where she had left him, only to find him in the arms of Bellatrix. Her heart skipped a beat, and her wand slid again in her hand, but she kept it down, unsure of how to act when facing a deatheater. She had barely ever seen the woman, but she knew she was a devoted and powerful follower of Voldemort. Bellatrix was cooing, moving her body slowly, lulling him.
''Hi.'' Said Ruma. ''Can I help you with something?''
''Nah. I'm good. I'm so going to raise you, little babycoo.'' Said Bellatrix.
Ruma held her breath at her words. She knew that this could not happen. Not her, or anyone else for that matter of fact!
''I don't think your master will let you do that.'' Said Ruma dryly.
Bellatrix stopped her rocking movements, then placed Regulus back in the cot. Bellatrix moved her hair behind her shoulders and licked her lips as she gazed at Ruma from head to toe. She made circling movements with her wand and her tongue was on her front teeth.
''You… are Seth's girl, right? You want to take my cousin from me?'' Said Bellatrix.
''I'm not taking him from you. I'm his godmother, and my responsibility.'' Said Ruma, lifting her chin.
Bellatrix walked to her and Ruma tensed up, her wand burning in her palm.
''Oh. You want to fight me for him.'' Said Bellatrix in a sugary voice.
''He's not a prize to be won, Mrs. Lestrange.'' Replicated Ruma.
Bellatrix lifted an eyebrow and raised her hands above her waist.
''It was not a question, dumb mudblood! Crucio!'' Said Bellatrix.
Ruma had seen it coming miles away and a primal shield in a bright blue color had erupted in front of her blocking the red dark curse from Bellatrix, making a gong sound echoing in the bedroom. Bellatrix frowned, eyeing Ruma from another angle.
''No one knows how to do that except my Lord.'' Said Bellatrix in a light soft voice.
Ruma's nose flared as she took a deep breath. The shield had taken a lot of energy, but she had proven a point.
''I'm not only Seth's girl, like you so well said.'' Said Ruma.
''Not only… who?'' Asked Bellatrix.
Ruma answered by sending a curse of her own which Bellatrix barely had time to block.
''Why did you come here anyway?'' Asked Ruma, eyeing the sleeping baby.
Bellatrix moved down her wand arm and placed a finger on her lips, as if she wondered If she could tell her why.
''Would you happen to know where my cousin Reggie has gone to?'' Asked Bellatrix.
Had the Dark Lord given her that mission?
''He's dead. Thought you would have figured it out.'' Said Ruma.
There was no reaction on the woman's face indicating that she cared about her cousin.
''Do you know how?'' Asked Bellatrix.
''Only that Orion knew because of… no. We are burying an empty casket.'' Answered Ruma.
Bellatrix made a maniacal cackle.
''Oho, did uncle Orion learned the news with a ministry letter? Haahahaa.'' Giggled Bellatrix.
Ruma shook her head in disgust.
''You really are as heartless as your master. You have your answer, and I don't want to fight you here of all places. In fact, I don't want to fight you AT ALL. You perfectly know this would not end well…'' Began Ruma as she was pointing a finger at her, but Bellatrix suddenly shot a rapid stinging curse at her, which she received in her shoulder.
''HOW CAN YOU WEAR THAT RING?'' Yelled Bellatrix as Ruma was clutching her aching shoulder. ''ANSWER ME!'' Heaved Bellatrix.
Ruma breathed heavily, standing up straight again and went into defense position.
''I guess I'm your cousin too, now.'' Said Ruma.
Bellatrix's eyes went wild in anger.
''NO! MUDBLOODS ARE NOT WELCOME IN THIS FAMILY! CRUCIO!'' Yelled Bellatrix.
Ruma had had enough. She made the primal shield again and immediately shot three silent curses in retaliation. Bellatrix avoided and shielded from them. Regulus began to cry as debris from the walls fell on the floor and beside him. Ruma rolled aside, avoiding spells and flying objects. Ruma used her Animagus abilities. Her eyes became red, Bellatrix's movements became slower and clearer. She could see the wand movements, knowing perfectly which curses were being thrown.
Ruma used a time-reducing charm in the air, that could only last a few seconds, and rolled towards Bellatrix while removing a dagger from an attached holder on her leg. She was too fast for the deatheater, no matter who had trained her, and Bellatrix dropped her wand on the floor, having her wand-arm nerve sliced in a precise swift move from Ruma. Blood sprayed on her and the floor. Bellatrix was pushed on the wall behind her, a dagger an inch from her throat with Ruma's arm on her chest. Blood drops had gone on Bellatrix's face and she sticked out her tongue, licking them and she giggled again.
''Mudblood fighting like a despiteful muggle.'' Hissed Bellatrix.
Ruma glared at her with her eyes as red as anger can be. Regulus was crying loudly beside them.
''Far from it, dear Bella. Besides, you take pride in being defeated that way? I'm going to give you this last chance to take your wand and leave while you go beg your master to heal your arm, hm? Unless you want to become a lefty the rest of your life.'' Said Ruma dryly and Bellatrix laughed in her face.
Ruma moved away from her, and Bellatrix bent to grab her wand with her left hand instead. A small pool of blood had accumulated on the floor. Bellatrix took a last glance at Regulus, then left the bedroom nonchalantly under Ruma's glare. Ruma waited to hear Bellatrix apparate away before exhaling.
'What can I say Ruma? Outstanding.'
Gellert's word echoed in her mind. No matter what she told herself, that it was self-defence, she knew he had formed her to be a ruthless, and effective assassin, even if she had never actually ended a life. Using dark curses was exhilarating and holding a knife to Bellatrix's throat had created a rush of pure adrenaline and it had taken her an extreme self-control not to go any further. Bellatrix licking her blood had also excited her beyond belief, thanks to her vampire-loving regular sex with Gellert. She had almost kissed the damn witch. She took another deep breath and tended to Regulus.
OoOoO
April 12th, 1980
They had done the funerals at Vulken's castle. Orion's body had been transported there too. The three diseased, including one empty casket, had been buried beside Danyck's and Kathleen's graves. Many vampires from New York had used portkeys made by Gellert to go and pay respect for the wizard that had showed them their world. The vampires had also met Nathaniel and Elena, and could see where vampires originated, or at least, where the royalty had lived.
''My brother is on the verge of cursing Lucius. Anyone related to the Dark Lord's doings just signed a death sentence in his eyes. Perhaps we should intervein.'' Thought Corban.
Callum kept glancing at Lucius, his hands turning into fists repetitively and his heartbeat turning the attention of every vampire present. His wife beside him was crying silently. He saw Ruma walking towards him with the baby Regulus in her arms.
''Seems like Ruma is ahead of us.'' Thought Seth.
Seth heard her speaking softly to Callum, saying how sorry she was and that he could raise him if he wanted to. Seth could still feel Ruma's sorrow, and the prospect of raising a child was perhaps too much for her. Maybe his parents could do it. He still needed to speak with her about her outburst at the Black's home.
Regulus was now in Callum's arms and the tension that had been building around had finally calmed down and the vampires were focused on Michael up front who began to say a mournful speech about the departed. Gellert had walked to Seth, his six childes…, at least the main ones, behind him.
''We are supposed to be back in the US before noon tomorrow, I hope you know that. The Mexican minister is coming and…'' Began Gellert.
''Yes, Gellert. You can leave, now, if you want. I will be there tomorrow.'' Snapped Seth.
Gellert and his childes bowed their heads and went further away with a portkey ready for their departure.
''Is the bowing new?'' Asked his father as he came by his side. ''You look angry at him.''
''Gellert insisted on it. He said to remember how anyone acted with you and why it was important.'' Said Seth. ''Yes, I am angry. He… I can't tell you, father.'' Conceded Seth.
''You always had a misconception of authority figures, son. They are there for a reason. The Vulken servants are taught that since their births. Kathleen was supposed to take care of you and tell you that.'' Said Nathaniel, disregarding the fact he would not tell him why he was angry.
Seth looked down at the thick grass under his feet.
''She did. Even before she died. She said I cared too much and that it hinders my duties. I'll never forget it… I was too preoccupied by her death, that I lost Danyck because of it, I am sure.'' Sighed Seth.
Nathaniel stayed silent for a moment, proving his point.
''As long as you don't make the same mistake again, and no, I would not have raised that baby over there if you had asked me. I made an exception before with Ruma because Elisabeth is your childe, but that will never happen again.'' Said the previous king.
Michael had finished the speech and the caskets were being dropped in the holes previously made the night before. He sang a melancholy worthy of the Blacks. Lucius made his way silently towards Seth as his father left.
''Lucius.'' Greeted Seth.
Lucius made a curt nod.
''Could you please tell me what Aran's garn mean? I keep hearing those words when I walk around vampires.'' Said Lucius. Seth chuckled. ''Should I feel insulted?'' Asked Lucius.
''No. It's Venthyr for King's property. They most likely still smell me on you.'' Said Seth.
It was notorious that Malfoys don't blush, but Lucius was now harboring a nice shade of pink, and that made Seth very amused and thinking about his other things.
''Send away those thoughts Seth or I'll make him a shade darker.'' Said Corban, suddenly appearing beside them.
Lucius grinded his teeth and regain his composure. He looked around as if trying to see if anyone was listening, but most had vacated the garden, except for Ruma who was still talking with Callum and his wife far enough away.
''The Dark Lord wants to know if you were planning to stay in Britain.'' Said Lucius quietly.
''No.'' Answered Seth.
Lucius nodded before glancing at Ruma briefly, then at Seth's tail.
''He… also wants to know why Bellatrix received a cursed wound on her wand arm that was very… laborious to heal. She would not tell who did it but mentioned she had been to the house of Black. This, happened yesterday.'' Said Lucius.
Seth raised his eyebrows in surprise. He had not seen her there, but he knew Voldemort had asked her to gather intel on Regulus, and she might just have crossed paths with Ruma after he had left.
''Seems Mrs. Lestrange encountered a worthy opponent at the time. You can tell him her adversary is not a threat to his deatheaters, nor himself.'' Said Seth.
Lucius tried to take a deep breath without showing his uneasiness, but his heartbeat betrayed him. Corban made a smile he rarely made, always taking pleasure in seeing deatheaters show fear. He went very close to Lucius, right beside his ear.
''You would never think possible someone could hurt Bellatrix, right?'' Said Corban with a snicker. ''Then again… what are you even afraid of, when you are the Aran's garn, hm?'' Taunted Corban.
''Jealous much?'' Thought Seth.
''Always.'' Thought Corban.
Lucius pointed his cane towards Corban.
''I. Am. NOT…'' Began to hiss Lucius, but Seth placed on a hand on his shoulder.
''Lucius. She's not staying in Britain. Calm yourself, would you? To the outside eye, you are the perfect powerful, elegant, man you should be. You can't hide from vampires, especially from Corban who is just taunting you. Come with me for some wine.'' Said Seth, gesturing for him to come inside.
They went in the living room, joining at the same time Gaspard, Steven, and Galea, and chatted for an hour, drinking wine, and Lucius even tried to smoke a French cigar that Gaspard had brought. Lucius coughed a little and Gaspard chuckled.
''You don't have to worry about cancer or any of that shit. Wizards invented a potion specifically for that, but it does not remove the nicotine addiction, so be careful if you begin to like that kind of thing.'' Said Gaspard. ''I, personally, love the little high it gives in my brain.''
Lucius looked at the cigar in his hand and burned it to ashes in one silent wandless spell.
''Barbaric and disgusting.'' Said Lucius.
''Hey. You just burned a two hundreds euros cigar, man.'' Said Gaspard.
''Yes, I'm sure it was your money you spent, Leclerc.'' Answered Lucius as he glanced at Seth.
''Well, I may not have investments like you all do, but Seth gives me a salary, so yes, it was my money, Malfoy.'' Said Leclerc with a scoff.
Lucius reached inside his pocket and took out a small pouch that tingled. He threw the pouch at Gaspard who caught it mid-air and placed it inside his jacket.
''Well, I like the sound of that.'' Said Gaspard.
Steven and Galea stood up then bowed their heads at Seth.
''We have work to do. See you soon, Sire.'' Said Steven.
Seth lifted two fingers, motioning he heard them, then the two vampires left the living room.
''Maybe I should go too, I need a portkey though.'' Said Gaspard.
''Let me do that for you, come on.'' Said Corban.
They both stood up at their turn. Gaspard made a salute with a two-finger movement to his temple and followed Corban. Seth turned the rest of his wine in a swirling movement before finishing it and placing the glass on the table beside him. He cast a Tempus to know the time where it showed 16:31 pm.
''You will have to leave, Lucius. Thank you for coming.'' Said Seth.
''You know, I must have a hundred bottles of old Cabernet in my wine cellar, and it's the one I take a glass of, almost everyday.'' Said Lucius before standing up.
''Hm. Is that an invitation?'' Asked Seth.
''You are, most definitely, always welcome.'' Assured the blonde.
They smiled at each other, and Lucius made a curt bow before apparating away. Seth followed Corban's thoughts who went to speak with his brother briefly and escorted them to the living room. Callum still had Regulus in his arms, and Ruma was following them.
''You are taking him with you then?'' Asked Seth.
It was Callum's wife that answered.
''I think… it will help heal our hearts… We won't stay in Britain though. Callum wants to go away from all this, maybe Paris, for a time. Of course, you are always welcome, Ruma, Mr. Vulken.'' Said Mrs. Yaxley.
''I know you probably don't, but if you ever need…'' Began Seth.
''No. I work for your father, you know that.'' Said Callum dryly.
Seth nodded.
''I wish you health, Mr., and Mrs. Yaxley. Jobry, please bring back the Yaxleys in Egypt.'' Said Seth.
The house-elf Jobry had apparated beside them at the mention of his name, then promptly took their hands to disapparate again. A baby was better to be transported by elf magic or by normal means. Now that everyone else was gone, Ruma grabbed her arms and rubbed herself, as if she knew something was coming.
Seth looked at Ruma with a serious glare. She swallowed and sat straight after Seth had motioned her to do so. Seth crossed his legs and held his hands on his lap.
''You do know what I want to talk with you about?'' Asked Seth coldly.
Ruma nodded and a shiver went down her spine. She had never heard or seen him, truly angry. He had yelled before, when he had been worried about her health, but this, this was completely different.
''Know that I find you as guilty as he is. You have been an adult for some time, so what you do with your body has no longer been a concern of mine. What is a concern, is the lack of you telling me immediately when it had happened.'' Continued Seth in the same tone.
''I… I was eleven… it started when you sent Gellert in Egypt and where I spent most of my time in his company.'' She swallowed hard and looked down. ''I… I loved the feeling each time he took my blood, although he had never gone to my neck before I was seventeen. He got visions too, but he never spoke to me about them. I could sometimes tell what they were about because he muttered some words without realising it.'' She said in a quiet voice.
''Do you think I am angry because he did that to you?'' Hissed Seth in Parseltongue.
Even if she could understand what he had said, having learned it in the last four years, the hissing made her tremble in fear. Seth stood up and she gasped, leaning back in the sofa.
''W-What do you mean?'' She asked, confused.
''It never occurred to you, that this was never just about you? This… is Gellert Grindelwald! NOT ANY RANDOM VAMPIRE, RUMA! HE HAS PROBABLY KILLED DOZENS OF CHILDREN BECAUSE OF YOU! AND I.. WAS… '' Yelled Seth. ''Blind…''
She had flinched at the yelling, and she was frozen in the sofa, unable to think. She thought she heard the air crackle of dark energy, and then… there was nothing. A ringing was heard in her mind, thinking she had gone deaf. Seth had turned away, and she was facing his back. He seemed to have calmed down, but she did not dare utter a word. His tail kept twitching from time to time as if reflecting his thoughts. She did not know how much time passed before he turned to speak to her again.
''I can't punish you for something that is not really your fault.'' Said Seth, more calmly.
Ruma thought she could breathe again. She also knew there was a 'but' coming.
''You will, however, make amends for those deaths. You will get a teacher's job at Hogwarts where you will protect children and teach them about us.'' Said Seth.
''What?'' She got usage of her voice again. ''You think Dumbledore would even hire me? And how can you be so sure G… Gellert did that?'' She asked.
''Do not question me. You do as I say.'' Said Seth dryly.
''Or what.'' She said so quietly, no one except Seth could have heard it.
Seth tilted his head before taking a few steps towards her and placing his face an inch from hers. He gripped her chin, and his thumb's nail slowly made a cut on her lip.
''You become a vampire and be forced to forever obey me.'' Said Seth.
Her stomach clenched at those words, and a taste of bile went in her mouth.
OoOoO
April 13th, 1980, 12:00 pm
Empire State Building
Seth was fuming, and so was Corban, unable to even calm him like he usually did through his mind. Seth was looking at a cup of coffee in front of him, concentrating on the slow white vapor going up. Gellert's voice was heard in the background of his mind, speaking so fluently in Spanish to the ones present in the room.
Money, power, promises, corruption…. And so on.
Seth gritted his teeth. For six years, under his nose and his parents, Gellert had used Ruma for his own, and Seth perfectly knew he would have tested it on any other type of children he could to see if he only had visions from Ruma. It was the first vampire law. Never harm a child. The only one that mattered most to him.
What could he even do to Gellert? What was Gellert afraid of?
He's not afraid of pain, nor even death. Blocking his magic would be idiotic, and he could never resolve himself to do that. He closed his eyes. Gellert had been his first childe, a first weird love.
''King Vûlkan.'' Said the Mexican President.
Seth's eyes went up, fixing the man. All the attention of the eighteen present were on Seth.
''We just need your final approval, Seth.'' Said Gellert. ''Like we discussed.''
To let Gellert make them vampires.
And he needed his approval because it concerned direct major muggle figures of the world.
''Treneri- nin, ceri- cin alar bo belth- beleg hén?'' Asked Seth in Venthyr.
Gellert lost his smile, knowing now why the King was mad at him.
''Im n- sorrui. Mín tur- ped- nia ha efer hi.'' Said Gellert.
A silence lingered, making the muggles uncomfortable, their eyes going from Seth to Gellert. Seth clicked his tongue and stood up, placing the tip of his fingers on the table.
''You can do whatever you want, Gellert, except for one, single, thing. Im fori cin, a anui -o cín héns, na oiale sel, thír te a sog- narunen ed- -o hîn oiale ad-.'' Said Seth dryly before walking to Gellert and placing his palm on his chest. ''And that, my dear childe, was an order.''
Venthyr meaning
''Treneri- nin, ceri- cin alar bo belth- beleg hén?''
''Tell me, do you plan on killing more children?''
''Im n- sorrui. Mín tur- ped- nia ha efer hi.''
''I am sorry. We can speak about it after this.''
''Im fori cin, a anui -o cín héns, na oiale sel, thír te a sog- narunen ed- -o hîn oiale ad-.''
''I forbid you, and any of your childes, to ever smell, look at and drink blood out of children ever again.''
Venthyr translation
''Ceri- ú- belth- hon, lup.''
''Do not kill him, please.
