Chapter 6 : Time needs not be lived again
Books : Harry Potter
Rating : M
Pairing : HP / OC and others
Status : Incomplete
Words : 8 248
Chapter : 6
Disclaimer : Same as before – I do not own Harry Potter. I only own the beautiful magical creatures, people from other times and all the others whom you do not know about when you've only read J.'s books.
N/A : Sorry guys it doesn't have anything to do with the story, but does anyone know if and how I can keep my typographic alignment when publishing the chapter ? I alway put a "justified" alignment because I think it's cleaner that way, but keeps putting it "Left", and no justified alignment is available in editing the document on doc manager !
"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again."
– Maya Angelou
11 November, 1964. Unknown Forest. 520 miles away from Hogwarts. 9 am
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"We're going to help him" The voice left no place for reply. But he didn't intend to oppose his wife as he shared her train of thoughts, so he nodded with a small smile.
Their son had come home. Coming from the future, he wouldn't babble and learn to speak, play with his mother's hair and fine dresses, nor would he giggle at his father pinching his rosy cheeks. They would have none of this happiness that comes with raising a child. But they had him by their side, all grown-up, and his presence alone was enough to warm their hearts and open their arms so wide that they could have embraced the sun.
Their son was beautiful, with hair dark as the the sacred ground they inhabited and eyes green like the grass that made their world. He had the features of a stranger, but to anyone who looked closer, he was indeed their child. He had her smile, and his father's brow. His lithe figure was reminiscent of her own tall and thin body, but his hands, strong enough to give her a feeling of protection when he hugged her, were his father's.
She stared in the distance as if searching for an answer to her questions in the rustling of the leaves or the rhythmical singing of the waterfall nearby.
"We will organise a meeting with the Nachimir clan when their leader thinks it is time", her husband said, breaking her reverie.
"It would be a good idea, indeed. Their leader seems to be a fine friend but I have heard too few good things about his family" Adalhedea remarked.
"Their leader alone will be enough of a friend for our son. He is capable and cherishes Eliel more than anything. He will be his shield till his death" Hedeon replied in a tone that told his age and spoke of his experience.
"He will need allies" Adalhedea's voice was laced with the kind of worry that only a mother can display towards her cherished child.
"He has his friend. And he's got us. We will be strong enough to help him"
Neither spoke for a while. Then Adalhedea's eyes recovered their calm, blue orbs shining softly with the rays of the sun that played between the green leaves of the trees. Like a deep blue sea, they sparkled with life and hidden wisdom. Adalhedea had found her answer.
"Yes, we will" she exhaled softly.
They would be strong for their child. They would move trees and rocks, they would lift the earth if needed. But they would ensure the happiness and safe return of their most precious legacy. A warm hand encased her own. She revelled in the kindness her husband was emitting through this mere touch and closed her eyes.
Time was running out, but they would be ready when Eliel would need them. As if to confirm her thoughts, Hedeon put his other hand on her shoulder and gently pressed down. She had no need for worries, she had her husband and she had her people.
12 November, 1964. The Ministry. 8 am
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"I'm here for an appointment with Rainer" the old wizard said with a smile to the secretary.
"Yes, a moment please"
After several scans, Albus Dumbledore was deemed non-dangerous and authorized to enter the mysterious room of the Unspeakables. Even he did not know exactly how many Unspeakables there were, or who they were. The only one he knew was Rainer. The mysterious man's real name itself was unknown. Unspeakables had code names. No real name, no real identity. There were façades, beings that were here and there, hidden behind secrets and lies.
He stepped into the room that he had become familiar with throughout the years and was met with Rainer's stony face. The man never changed. He still wore the same frown that Albus had seen on his face when they had first met, some ten years ago.
"Hello, Rainer. How are you ?"
"You were at Diagon Alley, were you not?" Rainer never spent time babbling about the weather or, worse, personal issues. Formal niceties were not needed here.
"Yes. Although I arrived a bit...late" Albus conceded. The bitterness lacing his words seemed to take its toll even on his body as his shoulders slouched a bit.
"Less than fifteen people died. The others were only injured. According to the team of Aurors who were there first, it was thanks to a young student from your school. A Ravenclaw. Did you see him ?" Rainer's gaze became more piercing, as if he could discern any lies the young Headmaster might be tempted to make.
"No, I didn't see him. As I said, I was late. But I heard many things about him, indeed. Although I am currently unable to know of his identity"
"Unable? Even though he's a student of yours?" Rainer's frown deepened, and Albus was not sure if it was from mere concentration or if the man was suspicious of his good intentions. He chuckled silently. Unspeakables were always an enigma.
"From the description the Aurors gave me, such a student does not exist in our school. Either he is not a student and merely borrowed the Ravenclaw uniform, or he does attend Hogwarts but wore a glamour when he fought" Albus explained.
"Very well. What have you heard about him?" Rainer had heard numerous tales about the mysterious and genius student himself, but he needed to double-check. One was never too sure about his sources.
"He is powerful. The Head Auror from the team told me the young man could perform wandless and wordless magic, as well as produce a corporeal Patronus. I have to admit I'm very impressed. It also seems that he takes to heart the safety of people, especially children, as he had them led out of danger as soon as the fight began. I also heard he is a Parselmouth. Voldemort seemed surprised, according to the Aurors, but also very interested. I think the situation might get a bit difficult with that man whom we don't even know. I even – "
Rainer held out his hand, effectively stopping Albus.
"I don't need you to share your thoughts, I only need you to tell me what you have heard" he reminded the older man. He gave him a level gaze, silently urging him to keep speaking if he ever had any other information, or to remain silent if he was done.
Albus kept silent.
"I have heard all of that" Rainer then said.
"So ?" Albus ventured. He was not used to being intimidated, and now was not the time to cower before someone, Unspeakable or not.
"So, if you find a Parselmouth in Hogwarts, that would be a good beginning" Rainer's words held no malice or irony despite the phrasing. It was indeed a sensible thing to do, and possibly the easiest way of searching for this man. But it was still akin to looking for a needle in a haystack.
"Do you expect us to start conjuring snakes everywhere to see who speaks to them?" Albus sighed
"Find your ways, we'll find ours. If the Unspeakables need you again, we will call you. If you have any other information regarding the incident, send a message to my secretary and ask for a meeting. You know how it works" Rainer abruptly ended their conversation and left the room.
Albus stared at the open door with a sense of despair, feeling his body become numb after hours of thinking and worrying. Nothing had ever been easy since Tom had ascended to power as Voldemort, but they had a new player on the board and they knew nothing of him. He was powerful, probably as powerful as Voldemort, if the Aurors' bewildering tale was true. But could they count on him to defeat Tom ? Was he a possible ally ?
His leaving before Albus and the reinforcements came hinted that he didn't want to be involved with them. On the other hand, he had fought with Voldemort. Was it staged by Voldemort himself ? A mock play with a powerful and trusted Death-eater ?
No, it would be too far-fetched.
But Tom was so far gone in his madness and pursuit of power... Theoretically, nothing was really impossible. Still, staging a fight...
He gripped his head with both hands and sighed deeply. Only silence answered him. He waited for a few minutes, enjoying the sense of void this room gave him, then got up and walked out of the Ministry with more resolve than before. Time to find someone.
15 November, 1964. Hogwarts. The Library. 1 pm
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Elena glanced at Harry. He had been particularly withdrawn after their excursion at Diagon Alley. She had panicked after noticing he was missing, and had feared he may have been killed there. He had resurfaced the next morning, emerging from his bed as if he had been there all along. No one had dared to ask him anything. "Where the hell were you" and "Did you fucking know how worried we were" were kept behind closed lips and only eyes full of worry and relief told him how much people had looked for him.
Apart from a contrite smile that didn't quite reach his eyes and a small pat on everyone's shoulder as if to remind them that, yes, he was really well and alive, Harry had become more closed off than ever before. He didn't even indulge in trivial niceties such as 'good night' or 'good morning' with his dorm-mates. Even Severus Snape seemed a bit put off by Harry's sudden change of attitude. They were still seen reading side by side at the library, but things were different. Harry and Severus didn't exchange understanding gazes while preparing potions any longer, they didn't disappear together during dinner time – Snape came to eat in the Hall and usually stayed alone, much like before Harry arrived at Hogwarts – and Harry didn't invite Snape to read books in the Ravenclaw dorms.
Alastor and Alexis had confessed to her that they didn't even see Harry fall asleep in the dorms. He seemed to be sleeping elsewhere, although he always came out of the bathroom in the morning, neatly clothed and freshly bathed.
Today, she had decided to stick to him, taking a book to read alongside with Snape and him. Nobody talked. Harry most certainly didn't want to talk. Snape, she didn't know, but as for herself, she did want to talk but did not know what to say.
Harry's sudden but almost imperceptible jerk of the head caught her attention. His breath hitched for a second, but he quickly went back to normal. His eyes, though, roaming in empty space and no longer through the open pages of his book, betrayed his shift of focus. The answer to Elena's unspoken question materialized behind her, bringing with him a distinctively masculine yet sweet fragrance. Blonde hair took over her field of vision.
"Hello, Harry. How studious of you" Lucius Malfoy's rich voice echoed in her ears and made her involuntarily shiver which earned her an elegant snort and contemptuous glance on Regulus Black's part. He probably thought she was turned on by the, "oh so desirable", Malfoy... She repressed her urge to sneer back at him, if only because she knew it would look much less elegant and dignified than when Black did it.
Harry raised ever so slightly his head and shot the Malfoy heir a dispassionate gaze that seemed to reach unseen spaces. However unsuccessful, Snape tried to hide behind his book while throwing worried glances at his new Ravenclaw friend. Seconds ticked by and Elena wondered if Harry ever intended to say or do something. A few tables away, third year Gryffindors had not so subtly turned towards them to witness whatever would happen. As was expected of a library, only silence floated in the room, but today's silence had an unusual weight that wore down all students in the vicinity. They all either tried to make themselves as small as possible or, on the contrary, stared with undisguised curiosity at the infamous Slytherin pair and their new target. Some students even wore a ferocious look on their face, hungry for entertainment, eyes shining with unveiled malicious amusement.
As nor Harry neither Malfoy – and even less Black – seemed inclined to talk, Elena sat up. The sound of the chair scraping on the floor was metallic and ominous, unlike what Elena had ever heard within this library smelling of comforting old books and warm dust.
"Ravenclaws are the most studious, isn't that a well-known fact?" Harry's voice cut the heavy atmosphere with an underlying raspy tone, words hurriedly yet hesitantly tumbling out of his lips like prisoners seeing freedom after an eternity of captivity.
If some people were pretending not to look at him, now all eyes swivelled towards him. Elena had to admit she was surprised. She wouldn't have thought he would – Oh. Yes, of course. She knew that look. Harry was playing.
"Don't you agree?" Harry pressed on, pointedly looking at the two Slytherins.
Harry was playing a dangerous game. He was playing the Slytherins' game. Toying with the opponent and enjoying it – if the smirk discreetly adorning his lips was anything to go by, Harry had chosen to attack head-on. Elena knew Slytherins were highly proficient at that game, but Harry didn't seem to be a novice either. All Slytherins present, Snape included, seemed to have noticed too, as their gaze now shone with surprise and took on a more calculating glint.
"I have to agree" Lucius graciously conceded while sitting on a chair as if he belonged here. On the chair in front of Harry. Regulus Black, unsurprisingly, sat next to him, facing Severus Snape who all but looked at him.
Unfazed by their act, Harry's smirk only grew and he leant closer on the table. Elbow on the table, chin in his palm, he was so close to the blonde heir that Elena could swear their knees were touching under the heavy wooden table. His eyes danced with mirth, excitement and almost childish joy. Elena thought it was beautiful. It reminded her of the way the grass swayed along the summer wind in the backyard of her family house. The new student's verdant green eyes seemed to be searching for something in Lucius's equally captivating stormy grey gaze.
"I have to admit you're much less interesting than what the rumours make you out to be" the raven-haired Ravenclaw said out loud and clear enough for everyone to hear, not departing from his seemingly innocent smile.
Elena saw him for what he was – a true Slytherin. She was surprised the Sorting Hat put him in Ravenclaw. He was good. If there was one thing Lucius Malfoy was not good at, it was modesty. Challenging Malfoy on the grounds of self-esteem was sure to elicit an answer from the Pureblood.
"How so?" Lucius reclined back in his chair. Whether it was because Harry's proximity unnerved him or because he just felt like it, Elena did not know. But the tensing of his jaw and almost unnoticeable nervous twitch of his right hand delicately placed upon his knee didn't escape her keen gaze. One point for Harry.
Harry leant even closer, his chest fully touching the table.
"Well..." – he paused in a dramatic show of fake thinking. "You're less composed than I would have thought. More brash. I could even say –" his eyes glinted with merriment as he suddenly locked gazes with Regulus who didn't have time to hide his surprise at this unexpected attention – "less Pureblood than other students depict you to be".
Two points for Harry. No, make it three points. He had touched a nerve, judging from Lucius's left hand that twitched discreetly under the table. Insulting Slytherins' Purebloodedness was undoubtedly a blow for their ego. Having switched his attention from Malfoy to Black was an additional attack destined to the blonde aristocrat.
"We'd still be more – " Regulus replied with fury lacing his voice, only to be interrupted by Lucius's cold words.
"Regulus, I believe I am having a conversation with Harry here".
A clear reminder as to who was in command. Divide and rule strategy ? Four points for Harry.
"I don't recall being on first name basis with you, though, Lucius Malfoy" Harry bit back, amusement gone in a split second from his whole demeanour. His gaze, though, remained fully trained on the Black heir and a pensive look settled on his face.
"You lose so much by doing this...opposing me" Lucius sighed with practised disappointment shining through his words.
"What did I tell you? Attacking head-on...so unlike a proper Pureblood" Harry kept mocking him. He was still looking for something in Regulus Black's face, and Elena didn't know what it was. His face scrunched up with focus and eyes glazed by confusion, he was giving the black-haired Slytherin his whole, undivided attention. She glanced at Malfoy. Five points for Harry.
"What would you know about Purebloods, Harry?" Contempt now freely shone through Lucius's angry retort.
"Nothing. After all, I'm a mix as you so clearly put it last time. Just like you, if I may remind you" Harry's feral smirk made Elena openly snort, although nobody cared as they were too engrossed in the tense fight engaged by Lucius Malfoy and Harry Evans. Almost everyone knew that the Malfoy family had Veela blood running through their veins, but the news that Harry Evans might also be a hybrid made several people whisper in hurried and excited tones.
"That conversation from last time was very interesting indeed. How about we continue it?" Lucius jumped on the occasion.
Harry didn't reply, and Regulus tried to keep himself from fidgeting in his chair, clearly uncomfortable and clueless as to why the Ravenclaw was staring at him from so close.
"Ancients" Lucius casually dropped the word.
"Ancients are not beings you could ever compare to. Not when you're such a new-born creature" Harry airily replied in an absent-mindedly manner.
"Do explain why you think...new-born creatures –" Lucius all but spat with disgust and contempt the word
"You were suddenly born centuries after many other creatures had already tread upon this earth. You were newborns then, you still are, you will always be" Harry's tone left no room for argument and his voice spoke tales of experience and wisdom. Elena was now truly inclined to think he really was a vampire.
"But some of the most new-born of all, wizards, have established superiority over those outdated creatures" Lucius remarked with a hint of mockery. His allusion to dark Lords, especially Voldemort, was not lost on anyone.
"Would they actually disagree and earnestly fight your beloved Voldemort, all of you would only be bloodied heads at the tip of swords and burning corpses in a dump" came the swift and amused reply.
If most shrieked with fear upon hearing the Dark Lord's name, several Slytherins seethed with anger at the casual mention of their feared Lord and hissed their disapproval.
"Watch your mouth, Harry" Lucius warned, all semblance of friendliness completely wiped from his voice burning with low, simmering fury.
"Don't fret, we're all newborns compared to them anyway"
"Some of us will surpass –"
Harry suddenly leant even closer to Regulus, so close their nose were almost touching. Only Regulus's years of rigorous training as a Pureblood heir prevented him from hurriedly recoiling back. His erratic breathing and slightly wider than usual eyes, though, betrayed his astonishment. Vibrant green became alight with renewed amusement and recognition.
"I know now" Harry whispered, breath fanning over Regulus's pallid cheeks.
Nobody dared utter a word, fearfully glancing from Lucius' furious face to Regulus's frozen features. Severus had laid his book down on the table. As Lucius was about to break the tense silence, Harry's voice echoed in the room once more.
"You look a lot like him, now that I'm properly looking at you" his whisper died as he raised elegant fingers that could rival Purebloods' dainty hands. Fingertips slowly and gently traced the curves of Regulus's aristocratic features, navigating through hollow dimples, along a defined jaw, down to an elegant chin and back up to a well-defined brow.
Regulus was staring in disbelief at the boy who was unabashedly touching him without any sense of propriety or personal space. Lucius, like every other student here, was trying hard not to openly gape at the Ravenclaw. Elena stared, fascinated by the way Harry caressed the Black heir with a gentleness she had not expected to see from him. His fingers were flat on the Slytherin's face, so that nails didn't scrape at the tender skin. Wonder and affection seemed to seep through his hand into the face he was carving so tenderly with an intense gaze.
"It's amazing how similar you are... Even though I thought you to be so different at first" Harry murmured to himself, completely oblivious to anyone else but, perhaps, Regulus.
"You do have the same smile...if one looks close enough" he whispered on, a genuine smile making its way on his face.
He raised his other hand and cupped Regulus's face, holding his gaze with a determination that made Elena's heart squeeze. It was the determination of someone who has known death and cursed his powerlessness to prevent the death of cherished ones. She had seen that look on her relatives' faces when...
"You never give into the thing that makes you cower in fear and cry behind closed doors, Regulus. You hear me? And never, ever forget the people you want to protect" Harry's firm words mirrored his steady gaze and more forceful grip on the Black heir's face.
"I need to know that I can count on you, Regulus" he added with what seemed, to Elena, like a hint of despair laced with limitless hope.
But the Slytherin was at loss for words. Unlike his usual Pureblood persona, his wide eyes were staring at the Ravenclaw. Only that it wasn't confusion, but something else that shone in his cloudy grey eyes. Elena was startled by her own conclusion. Whatever Harry was talking about, Regulus Black understood.
"You have him. You also have me, if you need" Harry pressed on – "But you never, ever forget whom you want to, whom you have to protect"
After a long silence, Regulus breathed a shaky "Yes", his eyes anchored with full trust in the Ravenclaw's own gaze that now shone with relief and happiness. Harry slowly let go of the Slytherin's face, thumbs softly caressing the skin before laying his hands flat on the table with the look of someone who is not really there.
He looked back once again at Regulus and flashed him a genuine smile. Regulus and Sirius would protect each other now. He didn't have to worry any longer. Although younger, Regulus would be the perfect protective brother Sirius would need in the next few years. Regulus would leave Voldemort, refuse to bow down to what made him fearful and feeble. It would take time but Harry had faith.
Without another look for Malfoy who was sure to have an explosive explanatory conversation with Regulus, Harry stood up abruptly, packed his books and hurriedly left the library.
After long minutes of baffled silence, students resumed their studies while whispering about what had transpired before their eyes. Severus and Elena shared a look and left after their friend. When Lucius led him to the Slytherin dorm, Regulus was still shaking with new-found hope and determination that made him giddy and even uncaring of whatever fury Lucius was sure to unleash on him as soon as the door of their common room would close.
15 November, 1964. Germany.
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He sat up, long dark hair interspersed with very few white, almost silvery strands coming alive as the wind unlocked them from behind his back. A long sigh escaped his lips as a frown settled upon his brow. Since a little more than a week ago, he had difficulties to rest. Emotions would come and go at any time of the day or night, stirring his entire being. They were as diverse as they were swift to appear or disappear. Anger, sorrow, happiness...he could not rest, even less work like that.
Emotions were not his strong point and he did not know where those suddenly came from. On the other hand, he doubted someone controlled him, as the emotions were very faint. Faint, but there nonetheless. It was as if something was calling for him. But it was too weak for him to know where it was coming from. It still interfered with his everyday life and mission.
"Going mad at my age?" he scoffed to no one.
Tonight, again, he had been roused up from his short rest by a sudden rush of warmth and happiness that had been so unexpected and so much more intense than before that it had left his shivering on the ground for several minutes. He had considered writing to his Prince about this matter but had decided against it. It would not do to bother Vladimir for such personal matters. Vladimir had already so much work to do. Aïon's role was to support his Leader as he could, and what Aïon could do was to fight.
Right now, some excursion in the nearest forest seemed a pretty good idea.
He got up, a feral grin distorting his otherwise harmonious features. Vladimir had sent him here to get rid of the nuisances tormenting his cousin. Although Vladimir's cousin had not enough power to create a clan of his own, he led a small group of vampires who did not want to be permanently tied to a City or to a Leader. Not fully recognized by official vampire clans, he still received continuous support and armed help from his cousin Vladimir whenever he needed it. As the General in chief of the Army, he was sent to tackle rebellions, crush on-coming enemies and help the Clan's closest allies. But he had to admit he liked it. He had only ever known this world of ruthless violence, a delicate harmony between broken necks, freely flowing blood and savage swordplay. He revelled in the raw sensations fighting provided him, without caring about death. He had already lived for centuries, witnessed thousands of deaths and betrayals, lost hope in the genuineness of people's apparent emotions. Death was not something to be feared, he would welcome it when his time would come.
Since he had come here to help Vladimir's cousin, fewer enemies came trying to attack the small group of lonesome vampires. But Aïon knew better : they were hiding like cowards in the nearest forest, waiting for the moment he would drop his guard. Too bad he was never one to patiently wait for his opponents, even less foolishly drop his guard.
He rushed head-on towards the deepest and darkest part of the forest, where no bird could be heard singing. Darkness welcomed him with open arms, and he plunged in it, swam through thick bushes and light rustling of leaves. There, he felt them. Two – three weak vampires.
"Hello there" he stopped in front of them, towering over them and displaying a predatory smile that blended to perfection in his obscure surroundings and silent forest.
His preys froze upon gazing at him. They recognized him, of course. A build slightly taller than others, strong hands that could weave the tale of numerous trainings done bare-handed and with diverse arms, a confident aura that only an accomplished warrior could reek of, but most of all, a blood lust that only he and a few select others were known for exuding as naturally as humans breathed the air.
He was on the first one – the one who trembled like a leaf from the mere sight of him – in a split second. He had him fall on the ground, his powerful build pinning him with no chance of escaping. Strong hands were gripping the head with a swiftness that was still unrivalled and soon, the face with eyes bulging with fear was thrown away from the bloodied neck.
"I feel so much better without those useless emotions" he breathed out to no one while grinning at the other two vampires. Yes, enjoying his opponents' fear was much better than having to go through strange cycles of happiness, sadness and anger all in an evening.
The night seemed to agree with him as it provided him what obscurity he needed to go after the two preys who had begun to flee. Leaves rustled with every step he took and he could smell he was getting closer to the two weaklings. Too fast for a human eye, he promptly jumped in the air and harshly gripped one vampire by his clothes as he flipped over to the ground. The young vampire landed with a pained grunt on his back, his neck bruised from having fallen in such a brutal way. His companion wasted no time to attack Aïon, throwing balls of fire one after the other in a desperate attempt to gain time to cheat death. Aïon wholeheartedly laughed at his futile try and skidded to the side.
"What should I use for you?" he asked with malice
As neither opponent dared answer, his smirk only grew wider, his eyes glimmering with upcoming madness driven by blood-lust.
"It rained a few days ago..." the young vampires tensed up – "but I'm not particularly fond of rain or ice. Should I gift you with metal instead?"
The one who had been thrown on the ground trembled uncontrollably.
"Or maybe I should just bury you under layers of heavy earth. Or simply burn you" he let a long pause stretch out between them, enjoying their anxiety.
"But all of this is so old-fashioned...I think I'd prefer to just use what I have in front of me" he trailed with a dark glint in his eyes.
The young vampires glanced at each other with confusion but they soon understood what Aïon was talking about as the injured one let out a high-pitched scream, his limbs distorting at odd angles. His companion didn't know what to do. Just by seeing it, he knew what the older male was doing – blood control. But he didn't know how to counter it, nor could he himself use such techniques. He gulped nervously. He was tempted to flee, but his friend …
Another scream ended on a soundless exclamation as Aïon abruptly let go of his control over the young vampire's blood. As suddenly as he had let him go, he appeared behind him and held him up in the air by the neck.
"Do you know what is most entertaining with blood techniques?" he asked with an unnatural calm to the other vampire.
Upon receiving no response, he slowly sunk his fingers in the tender flesh, eliciting another scream from the injured vampire. Keeping a level gaze at his companion, he made a show of controlling the young vampire's blood so that veins bulged out in a grotesque manner along his feet and legs up to his head.
"I'll tell you. I don't need to kill him with blood techniques. I just need to push his blood to the non-turning point. If done properly, once I release him" – he let his prey fall on the ground with a soft thud – " his body will do the rest. Blood is rushing back to where it should be, but –" a strangled scream interrupted him, " his body can't handle it. Too much blood is flowing too fast in his whole body. And he's just dying by himself" he finished with an amused lilt in his voice, as he stared at the young vampire whose body was indeed battling against the suddenly freely flowing blood. A split second after, the taut skin was marred by dark red veins peeking out from under their usual envelope. Veins and arteries broke, and the young vampire could only stare with undisguised horror as his companion's body exploded with the uncontrolled influx of blood.
Legs gave out and the surviving vampire let himself fall on the murky ground. As if mocking him, freshly fallen leaves from the nearby trees were greedily drinking his now dead friend's blood.
"What about you? How should I kill you?" Aïon turned towards him with a taunting smile.
The younger one opened his mouth but no sound came out.
"Would you prefer physical death?" Aïon stalked towards his prey with a deceivingly sweet voice.
"P-Please don't..." Ah, begging. Begging always came before death. Aïon didn't like people who begged.
"Wrong answer. I would have killed you in a honourable fight, were you less of a coward. But I'll settle with this" he finished by locking gazes with the young vampire.
Although mind techniques were innate to most creatures, mastering them took time. What wizards could do with legilimency, creatures could do twice as much if they trained, and highly proficient ones could damage ten times what the Voldemort could destroy in someone's mind. Invading his young mind, still unprotected against such brutal attacks, Aïon ravaged memories and crushed intellect, killed emotions and quietened down instincts. Self-preservation, thoughts, physical abilities, learnt techniques... everything was gone in a few seconds and before him stood only the shell of a former vampire. He was not even on the level of a wizard or of a regular human. Unmoving and theoretically dead, it was the end for him.
Aïon snapped his neck with a casual and many times practised movement of the wrist and let the corpse fall on the carpet of leaves.
He felt better now, emotions gone from his entire being. It was time to head back to the camp.
16 November, 1964. Hogwarts. Great Hall. 7 pm
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A huge hubbub had taken over the Great Hall. Specific names were on everyone's lips. Evans. Black. Malfoy. Everyone knew and was talking about what had happened the previous day at the library. Various versions of the story were being thrown at each other, navigating through the black mass of students, without regard to the usual House division.
"I heard –"
"Black, Regulus Black !"
"Touched his face –"
"Malfoy –"
"...livid ! Can you imagine?"
"Serves him –"
"...thing for Black? –"
" gay – "
"...saw it too –"
"Snape too –"
"...gorgeous –"
"wouldn't mind –"
"do you think –"
"...fine couple –"
"jealous –"
"green eyes ! –"
The protagonists of the story had surprisingly come down for dinner, earning them heated stares full of curiosity and hungry questions. Regulus was more silent than usual, having been on the receiving end of Lucius's anger as soon as they had reached the Common Room. Chrysie, but also Agatha and Gloria were glancing at him with subtly veiled worry whenever Lucius wasn't looking. Only Aristide seemed uncaring of the sudden rift between the two Slytherin boys.
Lucius's pursed lips showed his anger had yet to abate.
Severus was unsurprisingly located at the very end of the Slytherin table but he too was clearly more withdrawn than he normally was. As if it would effectively shield him from all rumours that were thrown from one side of the Hall to the other, his shoulders were hunched and his hair covered most of his field of vision.
Among the non-protagonists, the most vocal were undoubtedly James Potter and Sirius Black. Their voices laced with disbelief, they loudly argued about whether the new student actually had views on Sirius's young brother and if the latter had actually been gay all that time.
"Can you imagine our family's reaction?" Sirius guffawed, already picturing his mother's crestfallen face and horrified scream upon discovering his favourite son's sexual preferences.
"You have to immortalize the moment !" James shot back with a loud laugh of his own.
"Guys, quieten down. It's better to talk about it when we're at the dorms" Remus tried to reason them in a soft and appeasing voice though the reddened tip of his ears showed he was highly embarassed by such a display.
"Come on, Moony ! You can't say it's not funny !" Sirius exclaimed.
He jerked his head left as he saw his brother make deliberate eye contact with him. He could only gape as Regulus addressed him an imperceptible smile that only Sirius, his brother could have noticed.
"Pinch me. No, just hit me. I'm dreaming" Sirius gasped with a haggard look.
"What?" James frowned at his friend's unusual behaviour.
Voices grew louder in the background and a shadow loomed behind them. They turned around, coming face to face with none other than Harry.
"Hello" Harry greeted them with an dispassionate smile and a small wave of the hand that was anything but natural.
"Er –"
"Hello, Harry" Remus and Lily piped in with warm smiles.
"Can I eat with you?"
Heated murmurs returned with a vengeance. James and Sirius's mouths opened and closed rhythmically like a fish's. Once again, Remus and Lily came to help with reassuring smiles.
"Of course !"
He looked over at them, seemingly giving up trying to talk to the two boys. A genuine smile crept on his still boyish face as he stared at the most sensible pair.
"Would you mind if I bring a friend with me?" he pointedly looked at Lily.
She returned his gaze with questioning eyes until she let out a small sound of surprise. She bit her lip and slowly nodded at Harry who answered with a half-smile. Elena, Lily and the whole body of students as well as the teachers stared at Harry as he walked towards the Slytherin table. Upon reaching Severus, he put a hand on his hand.
"Everything alright?" he asked
Severus could only nod. Although he liked Harry's companionship, such attention focused on him made him nervous. He almost regretted his lonesomeness from before. An amused yet apologetic smile found its way on his Ravenclaw friend's handsome face.
"Then, I hope you forgive me for actually having to leave you among people who don't recognize your worth" he said loudly.
Lily turned around as most students, clearly surprised. Didn't he just ask if he could bring Severus with him at the Gryffindor's table? Was he also mocking Severus like others ? Lily felt anger at him, until she heard Harry's poised voice rise again amongst the indistinguishable tumult of hushed whispers and covered gasps.
"Let's eat together some other time. I just need to break some tension somewhere else"
With that he patted in a friendly manner Severus's shoulder who awkwardly smiled at him to show him he understood, and walked further along the Slytherin table until he was behind Regulus.
"See? He got –"
"By Merlin's beard !"
"Oh my gosh that's –"
" – cute"
" gross –"
"really ?"
"what is – "
" – Malfoy's face"
Lily's eyes widened comically. She had been completely played by Harry. She had deduced that he would bring Severus with him because he had focused his attention on her when mentioning a friend, but it was actually all a ruse... She briefly wondered if Harry was a Slytherin as much as he was a Ravenclaw. Thinking about it, it would explain Harry's mysterious yet beautiful companionship with the lone Severus.
Unfazed by the growing whispers, Harry bent down and gripped Regulus's soft hand with his own and pulled him up. Unprepared, the Pureblood almost tripped down on the bench, only to be caught by steady hands.
"Careful" Harry said with a smile.
Glancing at Lucius, then at Agatha and Gloria's stony faces, Regulus tried to get out of the Ravenclaw's grip and sit back down. The last thing he wanted was to get another mouthful of Lucius's anger. Yesterday was enough for a whole year ! He found he could not escape Harry's careful yet strong fingers. Regulus fleetingly wondered how such a body, almost as thin as his, could hold so much force inside. The word 'vampire' swiftly flew through his head, almost getting a snort out of him, were it not for the precarious and unprecedented situation he was presently in.
"What did I tell you yesterday, Regulus?" Harry spat with anger that was, however, laced with what Regulus recognized as disappointment and sadness.
"Yesterday –"
"Harry, it would be agreeable to us that you let go of our friend. If you wish, we could leave a place open for you at our table" Lucius intervened.
As if he had not heard him, Harry increased ever so slightly the pressure on Regulus's hand and whispered with as much desperation as the day before : "Never ever forget who you protect, and never bow down to what makes you cower in fear, Regulus".
Disappointment was raw in the vibrant green eyes and after seemed to him as long as an eternity, Regulus could only nod and let himself be led away from the Slytherin table and in front of his older brother. A stony silence fell over the Great Hall. No more murmurs, whispers, gasps of surprise or giggles. Harry calmly sat down next to Sirius who was lost in the turn of events and let him do as he pleased. The young Gryffindor on Harry's other side ever so slightly shifted a bit away from him, not that Harry minded. He raised his head and smiled at Regulus who was standing awkwardly behind Lily and Remus who were equally at a loss of what to do.
"You should sit down, Regulus. The meat is exceptionally good tonight" the Ravenclaw's melodious voice held an airy tone, as if commenting with great amusement the weather.
The casual and almost delighted statement seemed to wake Lily and Remus up who hesitantly but warmly left a place for Regulus to sit between them. The latter glanced at Lily who suppressed the angry blush that was creeping up to her ears. She knew what he was thinking – sitting next to a Mudblood, ha ! But Regulus finally sat down without a word and took a serving of meat.
"Big brother huh? Sirius looks more like the younger one with his optimistic and hyperactive demeanour" Harry lightly piped up, earning him an amused glance from Remus and gob-smacked stares from James and Sirius.
"Hello Si– Hello brother" Regulus softly, almost shyly said.
Sirius's head jerked and as he looked at the nervous face of the brother he had spent most of his life hating, the young Gryffindor could only gulp down nervously and nod without a word. Now was not the time to make friends with Regulus who was still a Death-eater, but … only for dinner time, he would tolerate his presence.
The atmosphere was almost back to normal, when a black owl came through the window and flew at an alarmingly quick speed towards the Gryffindor's table. Younger female students shrieked as they felt the tip of the owl's feathers brush their face. The owl landed in front of Harry and held out his leg. The Ravenclaw could feel everyone's stares. It was becoming a common occurrence. So much for discretion in the past, he mentally snorted.
After taking the envelope, he warily scrutinized it. Vladimir would never use such a wizarding way of contacting him. His parents neither. He knew no one else in this era. Who could send him a letter ? He ran a few security spells on it, to make sure there was no danger and eventually decided to open it.
As soon as a deep breath echoed in the Hall, he knew he should have waited before opening it. His dread grew up tenfold as he immediately recognized the voice that now resounded between the stony wall, echoing in his head and instilling fear deep in the students' hearts.
Hello young one.
Harry Evans, was it ? Or should I say it is your alias?
Murmurs once again rose and everyone turned to take a full look at the receiver. Harry clenched his fists under the table. He knew such a letter, enchanted to be read out aloud, could not be destroyed before the whole letter was read. Oh, of course he knew of other ways to make sure the letter was utterly annihilated, burned to crisps before the next word could even be uttered, but it would involve using vampiric fire. And that was surely an even worse situation for him to be.
How have you been since our last encounter ? I have to admit I thoroughly enjoyed our little...meeting in Diagon Alley. Although I plan to successfully get rid of these incompetent Aurors next time.
Albus Dumbledore got up in a brusque movement, his silverware clattering to the ground with a clear sound and attracting all the teachers' attention.
Of course, that voice ! The way the dark voice echoed with malice and drawled with innate superiority with each word. The power that could even be felt from merely hearing the voice utter such simple yet cryptic words. Tom. It was Tom. But Harry, Harry Evans was the mysterious student he was searching for all along? Harry Evans, the more than average student was the boy who could rival Voldemort in a duel ?
If you wonder how I found your identity, I am sorry to say I won't divulge much. I only thought about it a long, very long time after I came across another piece of … information which helped me recognize your very ... peculiar magical signature.
Agatha's eyes widened imperceptibly. It was her memory, she was sure of it. When the Dark Lord had invaded her mind, he had absorbed what she had felt and seen. But then, did that mean that Evans was actually the one with powers on par with their Dark Lord ? The one Death-Eaters and Teachers secretly murmured about, with secretive glances and hand-covered mouths in dark corners? Oh yes, she had heard of the wonderful, unprecedented duel. Her father whispered about it late in the night with other associates in his study. Albus Dumbledore questioned teachers about the mysterious Parseltongue wizard who held much power.
And you see, I have always been very interested in creatures, and I know for a fact you could provide me invaluable...insight. If not - tangible, corporeal contribution.
Harry clenched his fists tighter, eyes swirling with unsuppressed fury. The nerve of Voldemort ! He was openly threatening his mate. He was actually planning to have Aïon as a hostage for possible negotiations, or rather enslavement of the Vampires ! However impossible a feat it would be for Voldemort to effectively hold Aïon hostage, the mere threat was unforgivable.
The letter ended and the paper soon burnt, leaving only fleeting specks of ash on the table. Regulus shot anxious glances at his new help and Elena looked worriedly at her mysterious friend. Everyone knew of the sender of the message. Everyone had heard even if only once in their lives the voice that made hundreds of people cower in fear and Aurors run through fields of corpses.
"A Death-eater !" James exclaimed abruptly, almost hysterically as he jumped up and pointed an accusatory finger at the quiet Ravenclaw.
"Don't be childish James, you heard the message. It's clear Harry isn't a Death-eater" Remus tried to appease him while showering the Ravenclaw with a motherly though confused stare.
"Ha ! And what do you know? They could fake it ! He's even brought his … friend here !" James shrieked, this time unabashedly pointing Regulus.
In a time of war and fear, such a simple and childish observation was enough to make people doubt. Fearful glances were shot at Harry and Regulus. Surprisingly Sirius's voice was the one to cut through the noise.
"Stop it, James. Harry isn't a Death-eater and Reg... – Reg is just eating dinner with his friend and us" Sirius trailed hesitantly, as if to convince himself that his brother was someone he could eat with, without fearing to be hexed.
Upon hearing the affectionate surname Sirius had stopped using many years ago, Regulus smiled.
Harry's gaze remained hard with wrath and swirls of turmoil still darkened his usually vivid green eyes, but upon gazing the newly reunited pair of brothers he cracked a smile.
Yes, whatever costs he would have to pay for his bold and thoughtless actions, he did the right thing. Sirius wouldn't be alone in this battle.
Adalhedea (Harry's mother) :
It is actually a name that doesn't exist. I created it from the name "Adelhaide" or "Adelaide", which originates itself from the Germanic name "Adalheidis". "Adal" means "noble" and "Heid" means "sort/type". I only slightly changed the end of the name. I thought it fitting for Harry's mother as she will prove to be noble, possibly the most noble of all characters. "Adelaide" was also a name given to several empresses and queens.
Hedeon (Harry's father) :
It is a variant of the name "Gedeon" which itself comes from "Gidown" – a hebrew word meaning "mighty warrior".
Rainer (the head of the Unspeakables) :
It is a derivative of the German name "Reginar" which means "wise warrior".