"Remember that all through history, there have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they seem invincible. But in the end, they always fall. Always."

Harry Potter and the Vulkens Chapter 2 The Philosopher's stone

Unused classroom, January 9th, 1992

Ruma waited that Harry goes back to his dorm before entering the unused classroom where the mirror of ERISED was, joining Dumbledore who had just talked with Harry about not returning there. She walked to the Headmaster who stood in front of the mirror. He had a face filled with sorrow and he had never looked as old as he was in that moment.

''Ruma, do you know what I see in that mirror?'' Asked Dumbledore quietly.

''Surely not you with a pair of socks.'' Answered Ruma as she looked in the mirror at her turn.

She saw herself kissing Severus with no crown on her head while Seth looked proudly behind her with arms crossed, his crown shining and Corban by his side. Behind him was several vampires and wizards looking happy and at peace. Yes, this was truly what she desired. A world at peace with Seth as its ruler while she had no obligation and was with Severus.

''If you still see yourself with Gellert, you should not.'' Said Ruma in a barely audible tone.

Dumbledore looked at her with a light frown.

''Because of his last attempt to kill me, you would think? It is not the first time.'' Replied the Headmaster.

Ruma looked away from the mirror and gazed at her feet.

''No. For a few years… when I was in Egypt, he used to tell me about how he saw the world and told me things he had done, and how you eventually stopped him.'' Said Ruma, her eyes going up to stare at him. ''I hated you. I idolized him. He took my blood while I was underaged and used me to get visions. Seth did not know, and no one else did. It's the first vampire law Seth had made with his father, and Gellert did not respect it.''

''What Seth wrote when I hired you. The past mistakes…'' Said Dumbledore.

Ruma nodded and swallowed.

''When Regulus was born, I… I exploded. I feared Gellert would go after Regulus if I raised him in New York, but before I could interrupt myself as I spoke with Seth, I insinuated what Gellert had done to me. Seth was furious… I had never seen him like that, and he told me… that Gellert was no ordinary vampire, and that I did not truly know just how far he would go to get visions since he did not get access to me for a time. Now, you know why I was forced to be a teacher.'' Said Ruma.

''You… you mean to say Gellert went after children?'' Asked Dumbledore, already knowing, and dreading, the answer.

Ruma nodded again.

''There's something else you should know. You would not have believed me before. It might finally bring your mind at peace after the horror I just told you.'' Said Ruma.

''What do you mean?'' Asked the Headmaster.

Ruma took a deep breath before speaking.

''There's a reason you won, even if Gellert had the elder wand.'' Began Ruma.

''You know about the wand?'' Asked Dumbledore.

Ruma dismissed the matter with a wave of her hand.

''Yes… the moment where he could have ended the duel, he felt guilty, and hesitated, and that's where you disarmed him.'' Continued Ruma.

''Guilty?'' Asked Dumbledore, a knot forming in his stomach.

''Albus… Gellert was the one that killed your sister, not you.'' Said Ruma.

Dumbledore took a step backwards and briefly shook his head.

''All those years…'' Mumbled the Headmaster.

''I spent four years studying under his wing, where I also lost myself in his words, in his manipulations, in his power he held over me, but as he had visions with my blood, he spoke of things he did not realise he said out loud… Secrets I should not be aware of…'' Said Ruma, feeling as if a giant ball was in her throat.

They both stayed silent and Ruma saw all sorts of emotions passing on the Headmaster's face, and she began to walk away, thinking he might need time alone.

''Ruma.'' Called Dumbledore and Ruma stopped walking. ''You begged him to forgive you… that day…''

She turned towards him, her eyes swelling with tears.

''I did. He refused. I betrayed a vampire for which I am Queen when I am not. I betrayed someone I admired, someone I loved… someone I hated.'' Said Ruma before finally leaving.

OoOoO

February 2nd, 1992, Nurmengard castle

Dumbledore stood in front of Nurmengard castle with the need to speak with Gellert. Gaspard met him outside, his eternal cigarette in his mouth, and a cloudy breath from the outside cold.

''You have some guts to come here, Dumby.'' Sneered Gaspard.

''Charming as ever, Mr. Leclerc.'' Replied Dumbledore.

''Hmph. Good thing you came today, he fed this morning, but good luck if you can have a word with him.'' Said Gaspard as Dumbledore passed in front of him to get inside the castle. ''Don't forget she has never forbidden him to use magic.'' He added loudly before taking a puff of his cigarette.

Albus looked around the castle where a bat flew up high. He took the large stairs and made his way up. He could feel Gellert's gaze on him and as he looked up, he saw him, arms on the wooden guardrail. Gellert was clean and dressed like he always did with a shirt and vest buttoned on the middle ornated with a golden chain. He wore a long coat and long boots over his black pants. Dumbledore thought he looked sane for someone who just passed ten years with the same person, but then again, he had not talked with him yet. Once at the top of the stairs, he stayed about three meters away from Gellert, who had moved away from the guardrail, with his wand in hand. Gellert stayed silent and had a blank expression.

''I won't stay long. I just wanted to… '' Began Dumbledore, now wondering if he should have come at all.

Ruma had told him the one thing he had been longing to hear for so many years. His very heart desire, his guilt, his self-loathing, and he doubted her words even then. He wanted to hear it from him, but would he even do that?

''She said the truth.'' Said Gellert. ''If that was the last thing I could say to you, so be it. Your death is coming, and it is not by my hand.'' He added before closing his eyes. ''Leave.''

Dumbledore nodded, placing a hand on the guardrail, feeling the soft wood on his skin. He turned around and made his way back downstairs. Gellert had opened his eyes and had placed both his hands on the guardrail, looking, for the last time, at the man he once had called his lover, his partner, his friend, his other half.

On his way out, Dumbledore saw Gaspard throwing his cigarette on the ground and approaching him.

''He knew you were coming, and he also knows the events that will happen before your death, back in London. He told me to give you this if he had been able to control himself to change your fate.'' Said Gaspard as he held a small phial looking like an hourglass filled with blood and a golden chain attached to it.

It looked identical to their blood pact they had made so many years ago.

''And what is that?'' Said Dumbledore, not making a move to take it.

''That, is one of the most powerful and dangerous thing you can get your hands on in the whole world. It's vampire blood and in this case, that's Gellert's blood. If wizards or even no-majs knew about what that can do, it could create a war you would have never seen before.'' Said Gaspard.

''Why?'' Asked Dumbledore.

''You know just how dangerous Gellert, and his alliance was, because they were wizards with vampiric abilities, but they have one weakness, and that's the King's or Queen's words. Now, imagine if you could have vampiric abilities with no one to stop you, in the palm of you hands.'' Said Gaspard going closer to Dumbledore. ''Can you guess just who knows about that, hmm?''

Albus frowned, then shook his head.

''Voldemort.'' Realized Albus.

''Hn. You get it, right? The thing is, Seth is the only one, beside perhaps Corban, that could inform you if he has done something to enhance his abilities without being dependant of vampire blood, but that's what Gellert would have done. He gives you this, in hope you don't have to use it, and if you do, you better be ready for its effects.'' Said Gaspard as he took Albus's hand and placed the phial in his hand.

Albus looked at the phial for a moment before placing it in his robes, then looked back at Gaspard.

''You don't strike me as someone who would not take advantage of that.'' Said Albus.

Gaspard scoffed.

''You don't know me, Dumby. I've seen and done my share of things in this world. I have everything that I want, and I do everything that I want. The only sad thing I don't have is none of your business, but it will happen eventually. I have no use for vampire blood, but you might, and maybe he feels guilty and gives you that chance to finish off a Dark Lord as pathetic as Voldemort!'' Said Gaspard before apparating away.

OoOoO

April 17th, 1992

Ruma flew around the forest, having learnt by Hagrid that unicorns had been killed recently, and she knew it could only mean that Voldemort had been drawn out of his hiding place and was somehow finding a way to drink unicorn blood to survive. It just so happened that she saw Harry and Draco as they were walking near the corpse of a unicorn, but a cloaked man was hovering above it. Draco screamed and ran away while Harry clutched his forehead and stumbled on the ground.

She could not let Harry be hurt, no matter who that cloaked man was. She dove towards the enemy, her claws out and succeeded into ripping strands of fabric from the chest before another massive form attacked it from behind. She realised it was a centaur and she flew away, landing on a nearby branch. The cloaked man had run away, and the centaur began to speak with Harry, and she mentally grunted as she heard Harry speaking about the stone with the centaur.

Hagrid arrived shortly after where she learned the centaur was named Firenze.

''You are safe now, Harry Potter. This is where I leave you.'' Said Firenze.

Harry's gaze went to her, and she suddenly wondered if she should not have been there.

''What is it, Harry?'' Asked Hagrid.

''Well… that bird. It defended me too.'' Said Harry.

They were all looking at her. She slowly blinked and chirped.

''It's a peregrine falcon. It's a female because she is very large.'' Said Hermione.

''You really know everything.'' Said Ronald.

''Indeed, she is, Hermione. Her name is Mischief. She's been around fo' ten years now.'' Said Hagrid.

Ruma assumed it was safe for her to go now so she flew away, returning to the castle. She went straight to see the Headmaster, waiting in front of the Griffin staircase. It opened after a minute. Dumbledore was reading a letter as she entered his office.

''Headmaster, since when does punishment includes going in the forbidden forest? Voldemort was feeding off a unicorn and encountered Harry! Haven't I been there or Firenze, the centaur, he could have simply died, right there!'' Said Ruma, slightly flustered.

Dumbledore joined hands under his chin.

''You defended Harry?'' Asked Dumbledore with a raised eyebrow.

Ruma was taken aback by the question.

''What? Because you expected me to help Voldemort? Harry is just a child, and you perfectly know what it implies.'' Said Ruma, outraged.

Dumbledore made a faint smile, then got serious.

''Voldemort's proximity is worrying, but what he did by drinking unicorn's blood shows he is getting desperate. We have to be careful.'' Said Dumbledore.

''Quirrell is surely helping him, somehow…'' Said Ruma.

''That's why Severus is unto him.'' Replied Albus.

''Yeah, lucky he has not been hurt again.'' Said Ruma dryly.

''We are lucky to have you.'' Said Dumbledore with a wink.

Ruma huffed then left the office.

OoOoO

June 17th, 1992, Ruma's office, 22:57 pm

Ruma was passing through her students finals when her wand suddenly warmed up, alerting her that the philosopher's stone had been removed from the mirror. She knew Albus had received an urgent owl from the ministry and had left the castle. She could bet anything that Voldemort used that opportunity to go steal the stone. She had not told Albus about her runes that she had placed on the mirror. She ran out of her office and went flying to the third floor as fast as she could.

Arriving in front of the dog, she began to sing a soft melody. It took him several seconds, but the Cerberus eventually fell down and began to snore. She lifted the trap, still singing and jumped down. She waved her wand, producing solar light to pass through the devil's snare. In the next room, a troll was already dead on the ground. She passed through quickly and went to the flying keys room where the key was still stuck in the other door, ready to pass through. The next one was the chest game, where the magic had not yet repaired the chest pieces, but she saw Ronald Weasley unconscious on the ground.

Hermione was beside him, trying to grab him, when she saw Ruma.

''Professor! You have to help Harry! He's in the other room with Snape! Please!'' Pleaded Hermione.

''Snape?'' She asked with confusion, then realized they thought wrong all along. ''It's not… anyway, Miss Granger, bring Mr. Weasley in the room before the devil's snare, and wait for me.'' Said Ruma.

''We have to warn Dumbledore! I… I can get back no problem!'' Said Hermione.

Ronald was waking up, holding his head.

''Welcome back, Mr. Weasley, you have the cloak, right?'' Asked Ruma and Hermione nodded. ''Okay, there is a ladder by the devil's snare. Use the cloak to get pass Fluffy, he should not have time to smell you, but you can sing a song to snooze him a little. Get the Headmaster an owl, I will go help Harry.''

Hermione agreed as Ruma hurried to the last room. Flames blocked the view of where she knew the mirror stood. She heard screams as she spelled a huge amount of water to douse the flames. She saw Harry on the floor, looking unconscious, but she froze as she saw a ghost-like figure in smoke staring back at her.

''Voldemort.'' She mumbled.

She also saw Quirrell's clothes on the floor with heavy dust where his body should have been. She realized Voldemort must have been possessing him and was now bodiless again. She looked back at Voldemort's spirit, and she swallowed hard. He was the key to bring back Seth, she had to say something to him.

''The vampires seek to see Seth again, and we want to bring you back.'' Said Ruma.

Voldemort's spirit moved towards her, and she took a step back but was too late to realize that he took her words for something more and he went inside of her.

Her skin was on fire, and she felt her mind get invaded on all sides. She fell on the floor on all fours and began to breath heavily. She could feel it all, the rotten soul, decaying, leeching on her.

''You want to bring me back, Ruma Vulken? I know you despise me, little girl. Why is my resurrection linked to Seth? Is he not dead?'' Hissed Voldemort's voice in parseltongue in her head.

His voice felt like a drum in her head, pounding and throbbing in her veins. She had felt a glimmer of hope coming from him. She moaned in pain, refusing the possession, and began to fight with her occlumency.

''The Queen? YOU are the vampire Queen?'' Hissed Voldemort, pressuring against her mind even more.

But Voldemort had been weakened and could not fight her.

''GLENN- ED- -O NIN DOL!'' She screamed in Venthyr.

The power of her crown took over and expulsed Voldemort's spirit from her body. In a last-ditch effort, she tried to speak to him.

''Seth's fate… is… linked… to… you.'' Said Ruma before falling on the floor, exhausted.

OoOoO

June 18th, 1992, Hogwarts Hospital, 14:43 pm

Ruma heard Dumbledore speaking to Harry beside her as she laid on a bed. She kept her eyes closed, not wanting just yet to face an interrogation. Dumbledore spoke about the stone and implied that Nicholas Flamel would eventually die. She had not met the man, but she knew he had been a father figure for Seth when he was younger and wondered if Seth would be angry that Dumbledore took that decision since he would not be able to see the Flamels ever again. They spoke about Quirrell who could not touch Harry without burning and Ruma wondered just what kind of heavenly protection was in Harry or if he was, after all, truly the light savior and had powers beyond imagination. Dumbledore spoke about the power of love, but maybe he was too young to be told anything else.

''Sir, what happened to professor Vulken? Why is she here?'' Asked Harry.

''She came to you moment after you lost consciousness and encountered Voldemort too. Luckily, he was not able to harm her more than try to possess her but failed. The amount of energy it took to bring him out made her exhausted.'' Explained Dumbledore.

''Oh… possess her? Like he did to Quirrell?'' Asked Harry.

''Indeed, Harry, but unlike Quirrell, she did not want to share her body.'' Said Dumbledore.

''So, he is on the run again.'' Deduced Harry.

''Unfortunately.'' Replied Dumbledore as he stood up, going to look into Harry's candies he had received from admirers. ''One day I tried one of those jellybeans and was unlucky to get a vomit-flavored one. Maybe if I'm careful this time…'' Said Dumbledore as he looked inside the candy box and picked one to eat it. ''Alas… earwax.''

Harry chuckled and Dumbledore left the infirmary. Ruma sat up as Madam Pomfrey was going near Harry. A throbbing headache made her wince.

''Ah.'' She whined, massaging her head with her fingers.

''Oh, Ruma. Would you like a pain-relieving potion?'' Asked the nurse, turning towards her.

''Yes, please.'' Said Ruma.

The nurse clicked her fingers and a potion appeared on Ruma's table. Ruma promptly took it and drank it in one gulp, feeling the effects immediately.

''Will you be alright, professor?'' Asked Harry.

Ruma placed the empty phial on her table and looked at Harry.

''I'll be fine, thank you, Harry.'' Said Ruma.

The nurse cleared Harry to leave the infirmary, then Ruma too. There was an hour left before the end of term feast and she took that time to go to Severus's office.

She knocked twice fast, then one knock after two seconds. She heard him removing the locks and spells on his door to let her in, then placing back his locks and spells.

''What a foolish thing you did.'' Said Snape coldly.

Ruma smiled at his unsaid concern.

''I did not want the stone to be in the wrong hands, and I did not have time to warn anyone.'' Said Ruma.

''Time? You mean you did not think! As I recall, you could have perfectly sent a Patronus message.'' Said Severus.

Ruma sighed and nodded.

''You are right. But, anyway… can you imagine that Voldemort had been possessing Quirrell all year, and we did not even suspect it?'' Said Ruma.

Mild shock went on Severus's face. He mindlessly grabbed his forearm that had the dark mark on.

''Did you manage to speak with him?'' Asked Severus.

''Barely, when I mentioned that vampires wanted Seth back by the means of his return, he tried to possess me. He said that he did not even know Seth was alive, and he was madly surprised when he noticed I was the vampire Queen when going in my mind. I kicked him out of my body, and I weakly told him that Seth's fate was linked to him before I was wiped out.'' Said Ruma.

Severus sat down on his office chair, passing a hand over his face. Ruma went to him and placed a hand on his back.

''I know what you are thinking. The moment he comes back… I'm sure you'll find a way to be his spy again. You did not know… we did not know he possessed Quirrell.'' Said Ruma.

''By what means does he plan to get his body back?'' Asked Severus.

''Corban and I looked into it for several years… it seems whatever book he used to get immortal was destroyed, probably by himself. I do remember one single thing, though. You and I, when we were looking into ways to heal my curse back in school… we read about Horcruxes. But only about how to heal your soul by experiencing deep regret, which I doubt that would be something Voldemort would ever do.'' Said Ruma.

''Clearly… that would be exactly what the Dark Lord would do… split his soul… but in order for him to get his body back, he would need to tell someone. And now… he doubts he even has any allies. I can't even imagine his fury when Potter killed Quirrell.'' Said Severus with disgust.

Ruma turned away from him.

''I felt it. He also felt hope… when I told him about Seth.'' Said Ruma, her voice lightly trembling.

She passed hands over her arms, shuddering at the other feeling the possession had placed in her mind. A cold, unforgiving, broken soul mixed with pure hatred. She flinched when Severus embraced her from behind.

''I may not read your mind, but I know when there's something wrong.'' Whispered Severus.

She swallowed and repressed a sob.

''He's vile. He only wants destruction and power.'' Said Ruma. ''And I could feel him inside me, rotting away, trying to leech on my mind, on my soul.''

Severus turned her around, placing his hands on her either side of her jaw, cupping her face.

''I'm here.'' Said Severus as he stared into her deep green eyes.

Their lips met in a tender kiss.

OoOoO

Hogwarts dining hall

When Dumbledore gave points to Gryffindor making them win the house-cup, Ruma bursted in laughter.

''Seems like you were not able to strike a seventh combo.'' Said Ruma as she nudged Severus's elbow.

''Git.'' Sneered Severus, probably talking about Albus.

Ruma chuckled again and began to serve herself some dinner after the feast had appeared.

The next day, the students departed by taking the train. Ruma bid good-bye to students and teachers for she always went to New-York each summer and this one was no different. She took a portkey for Angel's manor and was greeted by Colpy. She made her way to her office where she knew an enormous pile of reports, events, and other things were waiting for her.

The first few years had been difficult to manage all this, but now she got the hang of it, especially since Lazarus had asked to stop working at Azkaban and had been helping her in every aspect of vampire management. Vincent and Brian had also helped her with everything related to finances and laws. She also communicated with Nathaniel and Elena by phone.

Apart from making a small percentage with already established banks by Nathaniel centuries ago, Sanguini had also spoken with Allen and Bernard who, being part of a now massive methamphetamine dealing across the world, were now making enough to sustain every vampire in the USA. Ruma's wards kept any muggle law enforcement to different locations, and they could not get caught. The MACUSA had not been able to go after vampires since it took nearly three years to bring back, or undo, everything that Gellert had done, or at least take back control of the wizarding citizens.

After that, Gnarlak had died of old age, leaving his tavern to his nephew, Bristak, who had been just as devious as him. Darthael and Sanguini managed their own taverns among other things. They thrived in their job, and they could not be any happier, unless their true King came back to them, and brought the dream world they all secretly wanted.

Ruma sat on her chair, a tall cup of coffee brought by Colpy appeared on the table. On her right was a large file containing the complete financial report for the past year made by Brian. On top of it was a small note.

Nìn Rìs,

No baby muggles were harmed in the making of this report.

Yours truly, Brian.

She made a snort at the inside joke and threw the paper in a garbage can. Her time at Hogwarts was so different. It felt like two completely different worlds, where in one she would defend her students and teach them everything she could and be a mentor for them. When she was in New York, she changed her mental state as being a vampire Queen, and had to take decisions that implied, albeit indirectly, harmful things to happen to muggles.

The door opened where Lazarus made elegantly his way in, and bowed, a smile on his beautiful face, for another summer would quickly pass by in his company.

Author's note: I had to explain, somehow, the world where Gellert and Seth had lived in before Gellert was arrested. Gellert had managed to take control, massively, of the USA government. Some of his childes, now mentally cut from Gellert because of the Queen, are still in it, but living as normal muggles. They still answer to Ruma, should something happen, but her main goal is keeping the vampires alive and well as the MACUSA has taken back control and made a reinforcement into the statute of secrecy (which wont hold in about 15-20 years in my story so way after Voldemort, which is supposed to be part of a sequel) I used Methamphetamine instead of human trafficking, because it would cause problems with underage muggles and vampire laws. Also, I watched the entire series of breaking bad, so it helped a lot into understanding how that shit works, with a few episodes about the drug dealer Pablo Escobar. I try to make it as realistic as I can, and yes Ruma might show a certain face when she teaches at Hogwarts, but she has another one when she has to act as Queen. (Let's not forget she took pleasure into torturing a muggle while she was with Gellert, that she was manipulated by him and taught so many things in the four years she spent with him before she even taught at Hogwarts.) But there's a problem with Ruma, she is a human, and it makes the whole difference concerning her emotions while a vampire has a darker tendency for everything.

Next chapter: year 2, the chamber of secrets. (I hate Lockhart) But I love Lucius, so hm. Yusss!

Venthyr translation

''GLENN- ED- -O NIN DOL!''

''GET OUT OF MY HEAD!''