Alright! I cave! I'm sorry! Chapter Twenty was a little short, I know. I'm sorry! But this one is going to be longer, I promise! Forgive my short chapterness! I have gotten mixed reactions on the last chappie. Some are waving 'Kill Heero and Duo' flags, and some are just excited to see what happens next. But I'm going to take a poll. I already have the ending planned out but I'm just curious. Which pairing do all of you want to see the most? RaiKinauTom, HeeroKinauDuo, or RaiTomKinauHeeroDuo? Review and let me know. I'm very curious. Sirius is very OOC in this chappie and it all sounds really formal near the end but it is meant to be that way.
Disclaimer: Don't own them so suing is kind of null and void, huh?
Chapter Twenty One
Kinau was still shaking in Tom's arms when they arrived home. Tsuki met them at the door looking concerned. Her ladies in waiting were gathered around her anxiously.
"What happened?" She asked with worry but her tone was demanding.
Even if she hadn't been his sister, Rai would not have refused her.
"Those Fighters! Everything was going wonderfully until that Yuy showed up! And of course Maxwell followed him like a dog."
His voice was hissed and angry. Tom laid a gentle kiss on Kinau's forehead. The green eyes looked up at his lover, and tried to force a smile. Tsuki watched him calmly, not wanting her worry to bring him down more. Kinau was trying hard to not be afraid and to be happy for their sakes. Not for his own. She gave him her dazzling smile in an attempt to cheer him up.
"Well, ducky, since you're home early, why don't we go down to the training area? I love when we have those little spars together." Tsuki purred and Kinau's mood instantly perked a notch.
Tom set him down and let him be escorted downstairs by his new sister-in-law. He could see Rai still fuming slightly. They both walked silently into Rai's study and did not say a word until the door was shut and the appropriate silencing charms put in place. The vampire just slid unceremoniously into one of the brown lounge chairs and began pouring them both a glass of brandy from the tray on the side table.
"He was doing so well…" He sighed, handing Tom his glass.
The Dark Lord sighed. Rai was right. Kinau had been making progress. He had gone back to smiling and laughing and playing games with them. He was so loving and innocent it made Tom never want to let him go. He and Rai, despite how they had thought of each other before were good partners. Once they got over the competition thing, they realized that they both had two very compatible personalities. They made good partners and good lovers, especially when it came to Kinau. Tom tipped up his glass and took an appreciative drink. Lovely. The amber liquid burned down his throat.
"Our new guest is set to arrive by Floo tonight. We will have to speak to him about his words. His Gryffindor stupidity and recklessness could break this fragile little situation we have here." He said, situating himself in the chair across from Rai. The vampire sneered. He remembered the first encounter their guest had with Kinau. This time though, it would be under their control, as per the contract they had signed. The Lady was visiting tomorrow with the rest of their guests. He was mainly concerned with the man coming tonight, though.
OoO
Kinau plopped down happily on his bed, the terrible experience from earlier, forgotten. So what if something bad had happened back then? He had a loving family now and that's all that matter to him. He didn't remember those people, so it was irrelevant. He'd been sparing and training with Tsuki for hours, getting used to his vampire blood fast. Despite his unique abilities, however, he was fragile. Tsuki had to be careful with him. His bath had been calming and eased his tired muscles. Kinau's wet hair spread over his bed. He could have purred in contentment. The only thing he needed now was a good feeding. Maybe a snack, too. Mmm….cup ramen sounded good. Rai and Tsuki explained to him since he was only a youngling, their blood alone couldn't sustain him. It satisfied the vampire side of him, but his human side still needed food. Not as much however. A knock sounded on the door softly, but assuredly.
"Come in."
The door opened and Rai stepped inside with a tender smile at the sight of his beloved sprawled haphazardly on the bed, damp and adorable. He had no choice but to bend down and give him a loving kiss.
"We have company downstairs, Kitten. Won't you come down with me?" He asked gently, running a finger along the teenager's collarbone.
Kinau smiled and put on the most adorable pout that he could muster.
"Carry me?"
"Of course, love."
With the ease of the supernaturally strong, Rai hoisted Kinau up onto his back. The fledgling vampire giggled and snuggled into Rai's neck. The feeling of Kinau's breath on his skin made small shivers run through him. He hoped that their guest retired early, doubtful as it may be. He jogged down the halls, ignoring how humiliating the situation could be. If it pleased his mate then he did not care what anyone else thought. Plus, if they worked under him, he could just punish them later. Perhaps not how the Dark Lord would punish his Death Eaters but in a more discreet and long lasting way. His minions only lived and breathed because of his power. It made pissing him off a death sentence. They turned the corridor leading to his den when Rai slowed down to a lazy walk. He needed to give Kinau a heads up so he was at least somewhat prepared for what was about to come. These negotiations were very important to his future and it would not be good for him to become upset when they were so close to total freedom for their people. The Ministry of Magic's ambassador was here to see them tonight. Tomorrow, the Minister himself would visit. He quietly steeled himself.
"Kinau, the man that is here is an ambassador from your Ministry of Magic. He was present at the club when the old Headmaster first found you. He won't hurt you or take you away from us. I promise. He is on your side." He explained gravely, making sure that his childe understood.
Kinau seemed surprised but nodded as a determined glint entered his eyes. Rai laughed to himself. His childe was so determined to be strong and stand on his own two feet. What he hadn't yet realized was that sometimes he would need aid. That was why he had Rai and Tom. They were there to pick him up when he fell. Once upon a time, not too long ago, Kinau had been lost in the darkness. They had picked him up so he could see the light once again. He carried his beloved down the hall before knocking on the second door on the right.
When the door opened, the small house elf ducking behind it, Tom and the Ministry's ambassador sat in two of the chairs around a small ornate glass table. The love seat was unoccupied and was where Rai gently deposited his giggling bundle on his back. Kinau ended up hanging half upside down off of the couch and Rai plopped down beside him. He grinned up at everyone, even the surprised Ambassador. He recognized the man immediately. It was the man who had said that he was his godfather. Sirius Black.
"Mr. Black. It's a pleasure to see you under less extreme circumstances." Kinau said calmly, righting himself at Rai's side.
Once he was right side up, he looked more closely at the man. Apparently, Dumbledore's death had been good to him. He was dressed nicely and was well groomed as opposed to the haggard mess he had been the last time Kinau had laid eyes on him. Sirius nodded looking at him in an almost calculating, thoughtful way.
"Sirius, Kinau, please. I did not expect…to see you so happy here. No offense to your lovers, of course." The man said smoothly, not wanting to offend the people he was staying with.
"He has amused me greatly, my love. The alleged convict has quite the amount of knowledge about the now deceased old man. He was manipulative indeed." Tom purred in parsle, his amusement evident even to the two men who couldn't understand him.
Rai frowned. He got annoyed when they used parsletongue around him. In retaliation, he would often speak Greek just to get back at them.
"Has he now?"
Sirius just stared in disbelief as parsletongue came spilling from his godson's mouth. He knew that Kinau had a connection with the Dark Lord but he had no idea that it was to such an extent. Then again, he was still in shock over the fact that he was sitting in the same room with Lord Voldemort, the Vampire Lord Rai and his godson, after not seeing him since he was just over a year old, with the exception of that night at the club. He was ready to stand by Kinau's side though, whether he wanted to be Harry, Kinau or even Grande! He was determined to make up for all of the lost time. Kinau looked at him once more.
"I am very happy here. My home is an unconventional one at best, but it is my home and this is my family. That aside, Mr. Sirius, why exactly are you here?" He asked, tilting his head to the side with a small smirk.
Sirius seemed amused. He gestured to the parchment lying on the table in front of them.
"The Ministry of Magic had acknowledged the sorry state that our world is in and that the strife within it will destroy us all if we do not step in. They are taking full responsibility for these problems as well as the terrible situation that Dumbledore placed you in. They send with me their deepest regrets and hopes that you may forgive them and work with them to create peace between us all, The Light Faction, The Dark Faction, The Vampires and your Lady's Neutral Faction. Lord Voldemort, your crimes will be put in the past as long as you desist in killing muggleborns and muggles. The Minister asked f you specifically to be given the title of Headmaster of Hogwarts, if you should accept it. He has come to realize that with hate between the Ministry and the Dark Faction, the Wizarding World will fall to pot."
Tom's eyes were wide but he was very pleased indeed. He liked this new side of the Minister. Maybe the man wasn't a complete moron after all.
"I will gladly accept the position and only ask that a few things be discussed with the Minister at our dinner tomorrow night."
"Excellent. Lord Rai, the Ministry will give full citizenship rights to vampires and acknowledge your clan as the highest authority for vampires on this continent. He will give over the right to deal with all matters that come to the Ministry concerning the vampires, their well being, punishment and their rights to you if you will be willing to work with him on laws pertaining to the vampires that will protect our people from becoming lunch unwillingly. You will receive the funding to start blood banks where willing donors will stay for feedings any time they are needed."
Rai looked pleased as a cat with cream. He shared a look with Tom. Things were definitely starting to pay off. One may think that the Minister was trying to get into their good graces because they had the Boy-Who-Lived. Then again, it was possible that Fudge really had seen the light. Metaphorically speaking, of course. The Ministry usually only took the side of the faction that would benefit them. This was a new experience altogether.
Sirius looked at his stunned godson. Everything was finally going good for him. In some aspects at least. The fact that he would chose an Obliviate over the truth was a sad fact in itself.
"And Kinau, since you are the Lady's heir, Lord Rai and Lord Voldemort's lover, as well as the Boy-Who-Lived, the Minister sees you as the link between them all. That is why he wants you to be the Grand Ambassador between all of them to insure that peace alone reigns. He offers you Hogwarts as your home. The school is yours now. The deed, signed by all four founders will be brought to you. A treaty will be signed tomorrow night at the dinner hosted here and the fighting will finally be brought to an end. It can all be over and everyone wins this time. Now that Dumbledore is gone, everyone is seeing this situation clearly. It will be a great day for us all."
Kinau's surprise grew. Hogwarts…? It was his? And Tom was the new Headmaster? He was the new Grand Ambassador too? Merlin's beard…He was willing to bet that Dumbledore had not seen that coming! And Tom wouldn't be the most feared Dark Lord now. He would be the most revered for helping to bring an end to the age old conflict between the Dark Factions and the Light Factions that had been brewing since before Grindlewald's rise to power. Sirius was right. It would be a great day for them all. There would be no more running from their enemies because their enemies were now their allies. Everyone was now working toward the same goal. There would be more rejoicing than the day that Tom had been believed to have been killed all those years ago. More rejoicing than when Grindlewald had been defeated and when Hogwarts had first risen to the skies. Those were all celebrations of triumph in war. This was to be a celebration of peace.
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Kinau sat at the head of the table with his beaus at his side and the Lady on the other. Fudge sat beside them chatting amiably about the status that Tom's Death Eaters would hold. Apparently they would be given the status of his Elite guard and would be free of punishment or persecution. The Lady found all of this talk to be rather amusing. Kinau found it all surreal. He could hardly believe that all this good came out of the death of one manipulative old man. Maybe he should look into death a little more.
"Don't even think about it." Tom whispered in his ear.
Rai was smirking lightly beside them, apparently catching the conversation. Kinau shrugged, and turned his attention back to the people gathered about the room. The Assistant Headmaster, Professor Snape sat beside his lover and Narcissa talking about the new Wizarding Alliance of Nations and how he was certainly looking forward to seeing how the students would benefit, as surely they would from such a great alliance. Narcissa seemed to enjoy his presence and Kinau was willing to bet Hogwarts that Lucius was Severus's mate and Narcissa was on for the ride. Sirius was happily poking at Lupin about something involving Fenrir Greyback who stood at his side. Bellatrix Lestrange and her husband Rudolphus were ecstatic to finally meet the one their lord had been pining after for so long. Tom glared at them at the word pining but decided to suck it up when he saw how flattered his lover was.
"So, pup, your Lady tells me that I'm to help teach you with Black and Lupin." Fenrir said gruffly after stepping over. He seemed to size the teen up before a grin broke out on his face, an odd occurrence in itself. "I hear you're the one that made the Pack members legal law abiding citizens again. I think I can learn respect for a pup like you, even if you are just a runt."
Kinau grinned like a Cheshire cat at him.
"Well, then when this runt gets you legalized in oh, say the next four minutes, you can give the Pack members my regards. The Wolves deserve citizenship just as much as we do." Kinau said while trying to hold back a laugh.
Fenrir nodded.
"Aye, we do, pup. And your type as well." He said while walking away.
Kinau looked up at Tom in astonishment and his lover merely rolled his eyes.
"He can smell it, lovely. Weres will always recognize those with even the slightest bit of vampire blood on sight."
Corinth Sartor (think back to chapter twelve!) approached next and his smile was just as big as Fenrir's had been.
"Kinau, it is so good to see you on a much happier note. Congratulations." He said with snakelike English.
Tom clapped him on the shoulders fondly. They had known each other for some time.
"Thank you so much, Lord Corinth. I'm glad you were able to come. It means a lot to me." Kinau admitted, honestly happy to see the man again.
Tsuki bustled up with a very expensive looking set of elegant feather quills and Fudge clapped to get everyone's attention. Socializing time was over. It was time to draw up the plans for the treaty. And thus, the very first Wizarding Alliance of Nations Summit began.
A/N: So close!! We are so close to being finished it is not even funny!! Are you all enjoying this? I had to bring Corinth into this chapter. Just a little blast from the past kind of deal going on. Read and review because the next chapter will more than likely be the last!