Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter in any way, shape, or form… but I wish I did.
Summary: After a bout of magic that leaves Dudley paralyzed, four-year-old Harry Potter is left for dead in London by his uncle. Fortunately, he was found and rescued. Unfortunately, he was found and rescued by a gang of vampires. What happens when the saviour of the wizarding world is raised by creatures of the night?
Warnings: NOTE THAT THERE IS VIOLENCE AND DEATH IN THIS CHAPTER.
A/N: After much debate, I have decided to post all 17 pages under one chapter with a total of over 6,600 words. I read through it to see how long it took and it wasn't that long. Well, also since I love to read but yeah. I don't like splitting up chapters.
This chapter basically goes through Harry's next years, going through important events and some not-so-important ones. As that's quite a few years since I plan to pick up the main story when he's 17, it's pretty long and each recount is like a mini chapter so they are not all told from Harry's point of view.
For reference, Harry's age is listed in brackets and this might just be a start to a Dark/Evil-ish!Harry. Sorry if you don't like that! I have a thing for it. Lol…
Questions? Comments? Review!
Enjoy and I hope you like it!
Siri
11.18.06
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Zayn Callunde: Saviour or Traitor
Chapter 3
Through the Years
One Year Later 5
"What is four plus six?"
The little boy pouted. "We've been going at this for hours!"
Darren scoffed. "It's only been thirty minutes and we've only just started going over your maths work and this is merely review!"
"Darren…" Harry carried out his name in a sing-song voice. "it's been hours!"
"Minutes," the brunette vampire replied.
"Hours," the ebony-haired child insisted. Darren swallowed a growl.
"Minutes."
"Hours!"
"Minutes!"
"Hours." The little boy crossed his arms and glared at the floor.
"Fine! Hours! This still doesn't make a difference!" he threw up his arms in frustration at the stubborn human child before him. "What is four plus six?" Harry seemed to think about it before answering.
"Hmm… four plus six."
"Yes, that's what I said."
"No, silly! The answer is 'four plus six'!" Darren groaned.
"Okay, I give up. We're moving onto history."
Harry brightened considerably at that and Darren shook his head. He's lucky he's so adorable… and the fact that I would have seventeen vampires on my back if anything were to happen to him.
"So where were we last time?"
"I think we were on the Vampire-Wizard Conflict in 1617."
"Right… right. So, it started when a wizard named Archibald Clogg" Harry snickered at the odd name. "got into a dispute with a vampire named Archimedes—"
"Why are the names so weird?" Darren raised an eyebrow at the question.
"I suppose that's because most vampires change their names after they are Turned, but then, this was a long time ago so this Archimedes was probably his real name." Harry's mouth was in an 'o' shape.
"So… how come you don't have a weird name like Lirovev?" Darren snorted.
"Uh, well, I think that's his real name as well. He's kind of old, you see."
"I see. So the older you are, the weirder your name is?"
"I suppose you could put it that way," Darren allowed.
"So you're young?"
"Well, sort of, but I never wanted to change my name in the first place. I never felt the need to. Most vampires who are Turned usually led troubling lives and they want to keep away from it." Darren looked thoughtful as his mind tried to process the amount of information he had been given.
"So why don't I have a weird name?" Darren looked decidedly uncomfortable at that and cursed his luck for being the one to tutor the inquisitive boy that day.
"Well, you're not a vampire but I guess you could change your name if you wanted."
"Will I be one?"
"Maybe. I'm not completely sure. I suppose, if you wanted to."
"Oh, okay. I want to wait. The red stuff you drink is stinky."
Darren laughed. "You get used to it real soon." Harry shrugged.
"I guess." He looked at Darren with a look on his face that he knew all too well.
"Ask the question, Harry," Darren said, resigned.
"How do you figure out your names?"
"Each family is different and some don't change their names, but ours happen to have a… unique way. We pick ours by drawing a name from—" he stopped at the blank look he was getting from his charge. He tried to explain again. "Drawing is when you put a bunch of names on pieces of parchment into a bowl or container and someone closes their eyes and pick a slip of parchment up. Basically, what ever name you pull out will be yours, or something like it. That is sort of why we have weird names if you choose to change it. Everyone in the family puts in one name they like so, in your case, you have a one-in-eighteen chance. Of course, if you already know what you want to change it into, you won't have to do that. Hm… like you know Armen?"
"'Course! He's like you!" Darren nodded his head.
"Yes, he can't do magic. Well, he was raised in the muggle world, as I did, but he loved a book series called Lord of the Rings and there's a girl elf in it named Arwen. Well, Armen liked it so much that he changed her name to a more… manly name, I suppose."
Harry giggled. "So, what happened with the vampire and the wizard?"
"Hm… like I said, they had an argument over the price of the bat wings Archibald needed for a potion and Archimedes was not a negotiable vampire…"
IOI
One Year Later 6
Two emerald eyes peered around the corner to see what the angry voices were.
"Darion! What are you saying?" Ravaena, Harry's adoptive mother, asked in a deceptively calm voice to a tall, regal-looking vampire, though her eyes belied the shock and disbelief she was feeling.
"I'm merely suggesting that someone get rid of the humans who did this to us," the vampire replied. "It is not a big deal for you, surely?"
"No, it is not, and I would gladly do so but you must remember that if we do this, the entire village would be wiped out – not just a couple." Harry puzzled over the information and he made a note to ask his mum when she was done.
Darion raised an eyebrow. "And…?"
"We'll be found out! Have you lived so long that you have forgotten that we can die! We are grossly outnumbered by the humans!"
Darion snarled at the accusation. "No, Ravaena! I haven't forgotten but they killed my mate! They deserve it!" She sighed.
"I understand. I'll see what I can do. We can get the leader of the village and if you know who killed your mate, then we'll do so."
Darion gave a curt nod. "Thank you," he intoned softly before he swept past the hallway. "By the way, your child was listening." Hearing that, Harry's eyes widened and he made to get out of firing range before his mother got to him.
"I know."
Harry gulped and stopped. When he felt his mother's hand resting on his shoulder, he slowly turned his face up to her but what he saw thoroughly surprised him: his mum was smiling. Just to make sure though, he asked, "Uh… so am I in trouble, mother?" A sad look fleetingly passed Ravaena's face before she shook her head.
"No. I had to tell you something about it anyway and it's about time that I did, though I wish I needn't. Come, little one. Let us go to my room." She took her hand from her son's shoulder and headed towards her room with Harry following at her heels. When they finally got there, Harry climbed onto the bed decked out with royal blue silk covers and his mother sat down gracefully beside him. He looked at his hands and glanced around the elegantly decorated room before looking at his mother.
Ravaena smiled as her son fidgeted. "Now don't do that. It's a bad habit to have and a Callunde cannot go around fidgeting, can they?" Harry gave a smile at that. Even though he was born a Potter, he considered himself a Callunde, even though it was not official. Even with how much he loved his family, he didn't think he was ready to become a vampire just yet.
"No, mum," he mumbled. At the raised eyebrow on his mother's face, he straightened up. "No, mum," he said more clearly. She nodded, pleased. She held out her arms to her only child.
"Come over here, Harry." She waited until after he climbed onto her lap. "You know what we are, correct?" Harry nodded.
"Vampires."
"Yes, dear." She paused. "And do you know how we work?" Harry looked confused at that.
"What do you mean, mum?"
"Do you know the politics behind it? The leaders? How our clans work?"
"No, mum. I don't think so." Ravaena brightened up.
"Well, then! Let me tell you." She waited for his consent and attention before she continued. "As you know, each clan is basically a family, sometimes outsiders call us a 'gang'. At the head is usually the oldest member but besides that, we have no ranks. In the Callunde clan, our head is Lirovev, as you know." Harry nodded. "Well, the only thing he does different is that he goes to a meeting with the heads of the twenty-seven other clans in England every twenty years. A family grows as people are Turned by the head or by members of the family. Even so, the families grow slowly as we cannot just Turn anyone. There are laws on this like how you can only Turn someone if we have their consent and a member of Britain's Vampiric Council's approval or if the person is dying, etcetera. There are more but you will get to them over the next year while you do your schooling. These are merely the basics."
"All the clans over the world are friendly and we live in peace, as we have a kinship with one another. This is mainly because there are so many mortals out there and we have to stick together. Vampires are actually one of the wealthiest races in the world because of our long lives and because using the way we get money… we make a lot more at a time." Ravaena looked at Harry who gazed up at her in anticipation. She smiled and continued, though this time more slowly. "Each clan has their own profession. Their own work that they do. You know the Gregorovitch's in Bulgaria? Their family is in the wand-making business. Not many people know of their race though. They keep that a very well-hidden secret. Also, the clan that you meet a lot, the Berring clan? They specialize in producing weaponry for both the muggle and magical worlds." Ravaena stopped.
"What about us, mum?" The smile she gave was a little strained.
"We… we specialize in ridding the world of people." Harry frowned.
"I don't understand."
"Harry, our family deals with… killing people. For money." His eyes widened as he realized what his mother was trying to tell him. He turned sorrowful eyes to her.
"But why? Was that was you were talking about to the Darion man?"
Ravaena looked straight ahead; she felt no need to look at her son's innocent eyes that were pleading with her, confused. Even with his past life, he was still a child. "Yes," she whispered. "It is our family's job. We are one of the best, but we don't kill everyone. We kill, yes, but not everyone. We also choose which assignment to take and we compromise. We are not mindless murderers. We only kill when provoked, but when a vampire does kill needlessly, he gets severely punished. We only kill for the well-being of the vampires. Our race."
"Mum?" She looked down at her son's sad eyes. "But I'm human too. Will you kill me?" Ravaena's eyes widened in horror.
"Oh no, Harry. No vampire would ever harm you. You are a Callunde and, perhaps, one day if you want to be Turned, you will, but you are still my baby." Tears of happiness slipped down his cheeks as he buried his face in his mother's chest.
"Love you, mum."
Ravaena smiled. "Love you too, dear." With that, she looked upon the head of messy raven locks and hoped that once Harry was old enough to truly understand, he wouldn't shun them like so many other humans. Humans like his parents.
She could not bear it if he did.
Even so, she knew he needed to know the truth. She made a note to make sure Harry knew the story about his parents. Hopefully, he would make the choice to stay with them.
IOI
Two Years Later 8
Lirovev dodged a stunner from a wizard while cursing his luck under his breath. Another spell lanced by him, missing him by mere inches. He growled as he looked around to make sure his family was as safe as the situation allowed. He was thankful that the newly turned eight-year-old was back home; Harry's birthday was the day before and they had had a large birthday party in his honour. While he was distracted with looking after his family, a curse opened a gash in his arm. Spinning around, he snarled at the wizard who looked frightened out of his mind. Lirovev pounced on the poor man and with a vicious swipe of his claws, a spray of blood, and a faint gurgle, the man lay still upon the blood-stained ground.
He moved onto the next human that was threatening his family and grinned sinisterly as he continued to fight back, for the sake of his clan.
Twenty minutes later, a high-pitched shriek pierced through the night and Lirovev spun around only to meet Ziratra's pain-filled eyes. She had been impaled straight through the heart. The battleground froze for a moment watching her fall to the ground in a slow arc. Lirovev swallowed hard and used a good deal of his self control to keep himself where he was. People died when they got too emotional on the battlefield.
A second later, he heard another shriek, but this one of anger and the light sounds of footsteps rounded around the corner to show Harry, his eyes burning in rage at the sight of his sister being felled by a human. Lirovev's heart fell and he ignored his earlier thought. He ran forward to intercept his adopted son and crushed him to his chest.
"Harry! Get out of here! You can't be here?" The little boy's body was wracked with sobs.
"They- they k-killed her!" Lirovev ran a hand down Harry's back, trying to soothe him as the battle around them picked up in intensity.
"Shh… I know. I'll get them for you, all right?"
"No!" Harry screamed. "I'll kill—"
At that surprising exclamation, Lirovev gasped. "No! Harry, no. Get out of here! I don't want you to get hurt." He glanced at his mate to see her looked at them sadly before she moved on to the next human. "Harry? Listen to me." He set Harry down and knelt before him, keeping an eye around him even though several vampires had made a circle around him to give him some protection. He could see that the vampires were getting the upper hand and suppressed a faint smile; this was not the time. Lirovev placed his hands on the boy's shoulders. "Listen. Run to that corner over there and back home. I don't want you to stop until you get there, understand? Here, Ahkren will go with you." Harry looked at him with red eyes and sniffled.
"Yes, father." He nodded his head and he was swept into a hug before he was placed into Akren's arms. Lirovev exhaled a sigh of relief when he saw the pair disappear around the corner and he went back to the battle.
As Lirovev was in the action of snapping a human's neck, Ravaena ran up to him, her eyes searching the area frantically as the remaining humans attempted to flee before the vampires got them.
"Where's Harry? Where's my son?" Lirovev gave his mate a puzzled look.
"I sent him back with Ahkren. Why?"
"Where? Which way did they take?" Lirovev started getting worried; his mate was hyperventilating. Out of all of his years, he had never seen Ravaena hyperventilate, especially since vampires had no need for breathing in the first place. He pointed a finger in the direction he sent them.
"There. I pointed them at the least direct path. Is something wrong? Ravaena?" His mate has clasped her hand over her mouth, whispering "no" over and over again. "Ravaena!" She snapped her eyes back at him.
"I heard someone say there was back-up down there. For the humans." His eyes widened.
"Oh, shit." He grabbed Ravaena's hand and took off in the direction he sent his son in all but name. He could hear the vampires behind them. In minutes, they could hear threatening voices, harsh breathing, and the rush of blood through veins. Lirovev's veins went cold. Rounding the corner, they saw a sight no one wanted to see – ever. Ahkren and Harry were surrounded by a large group of wizards, all with their wands trained on them and they were not unscathed. Harry had a nasty cut above his right eye and he seemed to be favoring his left leg. Ahkren was worse off, however, as he was on the ground, still and unmoving. At the faint sound of the vampires arriving, Harry turned towards them, his face white with fright and full of desperation.
"Daddy!"
Half of the humans turned their heads to see who 'daddy' was and as they recognized him, they all seemed to reach a similar decision. The vampires saw the change in stance and they ran full out towards the boy who tried doing the same, but before he could, he was caught and held to the chest of a wizard, a gleaming knife was held above him before it plunged deep into the boy's chest. Harry's eyes widened in shock and pain and a trickle of blood escaped through his lips. Blood spurted from his chest as the knife was yanked out of the small, fragile body and Harry fell to the ground in a pool of rapidly growing blood.
The sound of the body hitting the floor seemed to spur everyone to action as vampires tore into humans in a desperate need to get to Harry. In two minutes, the humans were obliterated and Ravaena ran to Harry and pulled him into her arms while everyone else stood around them in silence. No one said anything. No one had to.
"Harry… Harry. Come back to mummy. Please," she pleaded to the boy. In her panic, she didn't realize he was still breathing, raggedly and irregularly, but still breathing.
"Mum," a small voice was heard. Everyone's eyes trained on the pale figure on the ground. "Mum." Harry coughed and a stream of blood followed. Ravaena wiped the blood from the boy's face with her thumb. "Love you." His eyes fluttered as he struggled to stay awake. He took in another laboured breath.
"Shh, little one." She turned her face to her mate, her eyes asking a silent question, but was obvious to all. Lirovev gave an almost imperceptible nod. Ravaena turned back to her little baby. "Harry. Harry?"
Eyes fluttered open, revealing glazed, green eyes. "Hmm."
"How would you like to be a Callunde… forever?" Harry merely smiled before eyes fluttered shut once more.
"Like v'ry much, mum."
At that, Ravaena unsheathed her fangs and lowered her mouth to her son's white neck and gently bit down, the sweet taste of blood filled her mouth as she drank.
Five minutes later, Harry was lying in her arms, pale as the moon, his chest still.
Harry was officially a vampire and a Callunde.
IOI
One Month Later
"Okay, Harry. You know what to do, right?" The boy nodded his head vigourously.
"Can I pick now?"
Eteir laughed; he had gotten close to the little boy when Ziratra had died. With Eteir's ready smile and laughter, he quickly got to the mourning boy and the two had a similar relationship that Harry had had with Ziratra. Of course, in no way was he a replacement, he was just a new brother and best friend. "Oh, I don't know. We could do this tomorrow…"
"You wouldn't dare!" Eteir grinned at the boy.
"Joking! Just joking!"
Harry turned to his parents and pouted. "Can I pick now?"
Ravaena and Lirovev smiled at their precious son. "Of course! Now where did we put the bowl…" Lirovev shrugged and looked around and the rest of the family searched for the elusive bowl.
"Found it!" A petite vampire named Jade called out. She held out a bowl from which strips of parchment could be seen.
The bowl was passed along to the boy who was grinning like the Cheshire cat. Eteir held out the bowl to him after he had re-scrambled the names.
"Now close your eyes and reach in!" Harry's hand grasped blindly for the bowl before it was placed into it. A tongue stuck out between his lips as he felt through the parchment.
"NOW!" someone shouted. Startled, Harry's hand, already clutching a piece of parchment carrying a name on it, jerked out of the bowl. Harry opened his eyes and scowled.
"I wasn't ready yet!"
Lirovev smiled. "You know the rules. Now, let us see what your name is!"
Peering onto the slip of parchment, he saw the name "Zane" written in a neat script.
"Zane?" He looked up at the expectant faces. Gabriel whooped.
"Yes! He got mine!" The vampire beside him snorted and elbowed him hard. Meanwhile, Ravaena studied her son's face.
"You don't like it?"
The whooping stopped.
Harry, now Zane, shrugged. "I like it. It's just… something." Ravaena smiled and nodded.
"How about Zayn?" Harry stared at her, along with everyone else. "Z-a-y-n. It means graceful in Arabic." Harry smiled.
"Zayn…" he tried out. "I like it. It's… different, but not really." Gabriel huffed, but Zayn ignored him.
Lirovev came up to the boy and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"May I present to you, Zayn Callunde of the Callunde Clan."
The introduction was met by whistles and cheering. Harry stood there, his face beaming with pride.
Zayn Callunde, he thought to himself. Yes, I like it a lot.
IOI
Three Years Later 11
Zayn jogged after his father's long strides.
"Father, what is going on?" Lirovev glanced back at his son before slowing down a little.
"There has been a new… occurrence and I need to see to it." Zayn furrowed his eyebrows.
"What is happening," he repeated. "Where are you going?"
"I'm going to meet with the Council. This is an emergency." Lirovev stopped and turned around, looking down at his son fondly. "I'll be back soon and when I come back, then we'll talk, okay? I'm in a hurry right now."
Zayn gave a sigh. "Yes, father."
"Good boy." He smiled. "Or if you want, you can ask anyone else here and they'll tell you." Zayn gave his dad a bright smile and a quick hug before rushing off to find someone to ask his questions to.
"Bye! I'll see you when you get back," he called over his shoulder, his smartly cut robes flaring out behind him majestically. Lirovev chuckled at his young heir and he headed back on his way.
Zayn raced down the tiled hall, his boots clicking sharply against the ground, as he scanned the pathway for any signs of his family. Grinning, he saw Eteir walking down the hallway.
"Eteir! Oi! Eteir!" The said man turned around, an eyebrow raised.
"What would Lirovev and Ravaena say to that?" Zayn rolled his eyes.
"Oh shut it. They're not here right now, anyway. Plus, I have something to ask you!"
A smile tugged at Eteir's lips. "Oh really? What is it that is so important that has you screaming down a hallway in a manner unbefitting of—" He cut himself off at the glare his foster brother was giving him. "Oh, all right. What is it?"
"Well, why is everyone in a hurry today? I asked father and he said he was going to an emergency Council meeting. He told me to ask someone else." He looked at Eteir with large, pleading eyes. "Will you tell me?"
Eteir almost snorted at the innocent look his baby brother was sporting. Zayn was far from innocent. In fact, he went on his first assignment for the family a mere three months before and had excelled at it. Little Zayn was looking to be one of the most sought after assassins the family had to offer and Eteir was rather proud of the burgeoning heir, even when he lapsed back into shouting at people in the hallways. He smirked.
"Oh, I suppose so." Eteir reached over and ruffled Zayn's messy locks which received a glare for his effort. "Well, lets go to the library, shall we?" The pair walked together a little ways down the hallway and turned into a large, majestic room filled with numerous tomes of all shapes and sizes containing all sorts of information covering the walls from top to bottom. A set of carved, wooden stairs led the way to the floors above that held even more tomes. Sitting down on a pair of leather armchairs before the fireplace, Zayn looked at Eteir impatiently.
"Well?"
"What do you mean 'well'?" Zayn shot him a look that clearly said 'you know' and Eteir refrained from rolling his eyes. "Okay, this is rather hard but it has to do with the Dark Lord."
"The man who killed the Potters, you mean." Eteir gave a quick nod.
"He has come back and… he's asking the vampires in the United Kingdom to take a side – his side." Zayn did not look surprised in the least. In truth, he knew it was bound to happen sooner or later.
"All right, what are we going to do?"
Eteir sighed. "Zayn, there is no easy way to say this but there is a large chance that we might side with him."
"I know, and I don't care. I will fight for him if need be." Eteir's eyebrows rose into his hairline.
"Are you sure that is what you'll support?"
Zayn nodded solemnly. "I will follow my family – and I only have one family. The humans have hurt me, us. They deserve it." Eteir gazed at his brother's face, trying to figure out what he was thinking about, but it was useless. Zayn's face was in a blank mask he had perfected in order to hide his emotions. It was a useful trick in many situations, especially as the heir to one of the most powerful and dangerous vampire clans in Europe. At this point, though, Eteir wished Zayn didn't know how to use it, or at least at this time. Giving up, he asked his question.
"What about James and Lily Potter?" There was a pregnant pause as both vampires stared into the flickering flames, making eerie shadows dance on their faces and on the walls.
"What about them? They may have given life to me but they never raised me." He looked at his feet. "As for the Dark Lord, he may have taken them away from me and left me to rot at the Dursleys' but you guys gave me so much more. I will fight for Voldemort if that is what the Councils choose, until Voldemort starts to turn on us." At the concluding sentence, a smile spread across Eteir's face.
"I didn't think you would catch that."
Zayn gave a laugh. "With all of the political and history lessons father has put me through, how could I miss it?"
"Hm… true enough. So, as a pop quiz, why do you think this?" The eleven-year-old vampire shrugged.
"The Dark Lord is powerful and ambitious, all trademark of Slytherin, and like the house, he would go through any means to get what he wanted. In order to fight the Light, he would need powerful allies and in order to get them, he would need to make many promises, much of which he would not be able – or he would not want to – keep, once he wins. I think he is not to be trusted long-term."
Eteir nodded in agreement. "You are right. You know, you are going to be a great vampire one day."
Zayn flashed a cheeky grin at him and winked. "Why thanks, Eteir! I had great role models."
"And don't you forget it," he laughed. "Do you have any other questions or can I go do my important work?" Zayn snorted and Eteir swore he heard Zayn mutter something like "important my arse", which is promptly ignored, and he lifted his chin up arrogantly. Zayn shook his head at his brother's antics.
"Actually, I do have one more question."
"Yes?"
"Why would the council want to join if we know that Voldemort will not support us if he wins?"
"I'm not really sure myself. You would have to ask Lirovev, but I think it has mostly to do with what you said before. It's to get back at the people who harmed us with no reason and only because they think we kill for fun." Eteir sneered the last words. "Bloody humans; they're the murderers. Hm… I also believe the fact that a majority of the people who shun us are Light wizards. This is just a way to get back at them with help."
Zayn nodded to himself and the two settled down, pondering the recent conversation.
IOI
One Year Later 12
Zayn stood tall and proud, dressed in an expensive ensemble in preparation to meet the Dark Lord for the first time with his father as well as the other clan heads and their heirs. He straightened his deep green silk robes that were lined with silver and gold thread and checked to make sure that his hair was not unnecessarily messy; he had given up trying to tame the beast. Clearing his throat, he gave a weak smile at his slightly hazy reflection in the mirror, a small price to pay to being a vampire. Even with the lightly blurred image, he knew he looked perfect. The color in the robes brought out his sparkling, emerald eyes even more and made his fair skin even paler. He looked every bit the part of a Callunde heir, deceptively beautiful – yet deadly. Straightening his stance once more, he placed his mask on, placed a glamour over his infamous scar with a wave of his hand, and turned around and walked out the door to his father's study where his parents and most of his family were waiting.
It turned out that he didn't need to go that far. In fact, his mother was right outside his door, waiting for him and when he was completely out of the door, he was embraced in a tight hug.
"Mmph. Mum! I just fixed my clothes!" He hurriedly checked to see if his robes were perfect and looked up to see his mother's eyes sparkling in amusement.
"You're so handsome!" Zayn looked at the floor in embarrassment as he heard his numerous sisters giggle.
"Mother!"
"Ravaena, you know not to upset—"
"I'm not upset," Zayn interjected but was ignored.
"but you know how sensitive" Zayn growled. "he is to things like that." Lirovev turned to face his son, his feature betraying none of his emotions, which were currently having a blast at embarrassing his son. "Oh, Zayn. You know I was only joking. Now let us go." He placed a hand on his son's shoulders before nodding to everyone.
"Now you take care, dear!" Ravaena called out.
Zayn groaned.
Lirovev let out a booming laugh. "You know she just cares for you." As they approached the stairs the led them out into a tattoo and piercing parlour and into the world above. Father and son slipped quietly through the store and out the door into the night air. "Now, hold on tight and remember to not show your emotions. You'll be fine."
Zayn nodded and with a small 'pop', the pair disappeared and reappeared in a dark, foreboding room made entirely of cold concrete and occupied by several people, most of whom were vampires, but Zayn could sense that at least five were human Death Eaters and there was Voldemort himself. Zayn took a deep breath, braced himself, and stepped forward, respectfully behind his father and little to the right.
As they made themselves known, the small crowd parted for them to let them in and the meeting began.
"Welcome, my alliesss." Voldemort started with a serpentine hiss, his crimson eyes in his inhuman face studied all those before him and with a wave of his wand, a large, circular conference table appeared. "Pleasse, sssit." With the occasional sound of a chair against the concrete floor, everyone was seated, with the heirs standing behind them. The Death Eaters that were present were stationed on the wall behind their lord. "Over the passt monthsss, we have made a lot of progresss between usss. We are on our way to victory!" Voldemort surveyed everyone with proud eyes and as his gaze passed over Zayn, he had to bite his tongue from crying out; his scar had given a burst of pain that was quite unexpected. To everyone, however, he appeared to be the ever impassive heir with only a slight thinning of his lips to hint at what had happened.
Lirovev stiffened slightly in his chair when he saw the Dark Lord's eyes linger on his son for too long. Maybe this was a bad idea. Zayn must have seen his father tense up for he leaned forward a little and murmured, "It's all right." Standing up straight once more, he saw that Voldemort's eyes were once again on him. He swallowed the panic threatening to swallow him whole and he forced his gaze to meet those of the Dark Lord's. Several emotions crossed Voldemort's face and Zayn knew he would not like what came out of it.
"Lirovev Callunde." Lirovev's hands clenched together.
"Lord Voldemort."
"Your heir isss not your sson, is he?" The vampires present braced themselves, for they knew exactly who Zayn was. It was no secret among the vampires.
"No," Lirovev forced through clenched teeth.
Voldemort inclined his head slightly to look at the heir. "You look so much like your parents." Zayn's jaw worked before he could answer politely.
"My father is standing right here. I would much appreciate it if you would stop insinuating that I had other parents, sir." To everyone's surprise and horror, Voldemort gave a high-pitched laugh.
"Lirovev, you have raised him well." He turned back to Zayn. "I will look forward to working with you young… Zayn." Zayn gave a nod at the compliment of sorts and the meeting continued, this time with no comments on anyone's biological parents.
Even so, Zayn was tense for the duration of it.
IOI
Two Years Later 14
A dark figure crept along the wall in a large house belonging to a certain Longbottom family. Zayn never really paid much attention to who his assignment was, only what it was and on this one, he was under orders from the Dark Lord himself; he could not fail. He had scoped out the area for a week before choosing this day for the family was out for the day so he could get in without notice and with minimal risks. Darren, Loren, and Armen, the three non-magic vampires in his clan helped him out as they were experts at breaking in and surveillance and they had somehow obtained the blueprints of the place. Zayn glanced around a corner to look upon an empty tastefully furnished parlour and he silently passed it to spot the stairs. Climbing the steps, he arrived in a hallway. He knew that there were five bedrooms on this floor, three to the left and two to the right.
The Longbottom boy's room was the last one on the right.
Zayn crossed the hallway and through the already open doorway into a fairly large room that was painted in a pale blue. The furnishings were simple, there was a table with a writing set atop it, a queen-sized bed was set against the wall, a bookcase was against the opposite wall, and a trunk that had the initials N.L. inscribed upon it was up against the bed. Two doors led out of the room into the bathroom and a closet. Checking the time, he realized he still had an hour left before what remained of the once prominent family was expected home so he sat down besides that door and relaxed and waited.
Croak.
Opening one eye, Zayn spied a toad sitting before him. He raised an eyebrow. Reaching over he scooped up the creature and pet its head.
Croak-croak.
Zayn smirked. So, Dumbledore's Golden Boy has a pet toad. He shook his head in amusement as he continued to pet the toad. Too bad I didn't accept the invitation. I would have loved to torment the boy. Indeed, Zayn did receive an invitation to Hogwarts, but he declined and chose to stay with his family. Even so, he knew he wasn't missing much with what the friends he had made through Death Eater gatherings told him.
Suddenly, the toad leaped out of his hands and into the hallway. Straining his ears, Zayn could hear faint footsteps and a heartbeat and he cursed his stupidity. Leaping up, he stood beside the doorway, ready to pounce and when the boy took a step into his room, he did. With one quick movement, he had the Longbottom boy's neck snapped. He stood over the still body for a moment, listening for a non-existent heartbeat. He spotted the toad sitting beside his dead master and with a quirk of his lips, Zayn bent over, petted its head, and said, "Thank you, Toad."
Croak.
Zayn shook his head. He very much doubted that the animal knew exactly what he helped do. Zayn proceeded down the stairs and heard someone humming in the kitchen that was directly in front of the stairs. In a glance, he could see the elderly Longbottom unpacking groceries and noiselessly slipped into the room and behind her.
"Hullo, Mrs. Longbottom."
The lady spun around rather impressively for her age and her eyes widened at the strange, man before her. The man smiled, showing his sharp canines and she screamed out for help – but before she could do anything else, a flash of green light flew towards her and she knew no more.
Leaving the house, he drew out his wand and shouted 'Morsmordre', leaving an ominous warning to those around Longbottom Manor and he apparated back home, content with a day's work done and earning several thousand galleons for the family and a step closer to being Voldemort's right-hand man.