Chapter 6
The House of Pain, Pleasure Alley,1988
Year older, Mameha mused. So many things had happened and yet so little had happened at the same time. After finding his Aunt creature inheritance, she had become one of the secrets that Pleasure Alley hold in it. Their neighbors knew of course and quiet few more permanent residents of the Knockturn Alley knew but no one would ever tell about her. Not if they wanted to still be alive. It wasn't like he had done something. No, it was all his Aunt own doing.
Flashback
Grimson Blood, Knockturn Alley, 1987
It was one of those nights that Mameha had accompany his Aunt out. They were both regulars in the Grimson Blood. A pub that catered more creatures than humans. Werewolves, vampires, shades, elves of all kind, even couple of nagas were known to come to this inn. It was deep in the Knockturn Alley. Only those who lived in the Alleys or those who were lost usually found the place.
It wasn't dark or gloom or dirty, rather, it was almost posh. The first time he had come there, it had been accident. He had been following his next vic... my mist take, sacrifice, to satisfy the wards. The man had had very dark aura around him and that had attracted his attention. He had followed the man through the Knockturn Alley, waiting for the perfect moment to act, when the man had vanished in front of him. What he didn't know was that the man had known he was following him and had lead him right in front of the Grimson Blood. He had been in very bad mood afterwards and after his initial hissy fit, he had just look around him and had seen blooming blood red rose and sign that said Grimson Blood. He had come curious about what it was and the rest was history so to speak. He had liked the place and after he had proved to be able to defend himself, the owner of the Grimson Blood had added his name to very short list of humans that were welcomed to Grimson Blood.
He had talked to his Aunt about the club and she had wanted to see the place herself. He had had no trouble to find Grimson Blood again, nor had he had any problems to get in. His Aunt though… She had been targeted. She had been furious and magnificent in her anger. Pure instinct driving her. Dagger in her hand she had killed all three that had the misfortune to attack her first. All three of them vampires. There aren't many quicker than vampires nor more resilience and Nymphs aren't even close to them. But they had underestimated her and her fury. And it had been wonderful sight to see.
There were no attempts of her life.
End of Flashback
He sighed. He was hunting again but this time it was for knowledge and not for the wards. It was possible that the knowledge would be in one of the Knockturn Alley's many pawnshops, like Borgin and Burkes, but he didn't want to waste his time on maybe. So, instead of doing that, he went to Gringotts to see Gerald. His Magical Guardian. And Keeper of his vaults. They had double the money in his school vault, making in nearly two million Galleons. That had been fun. But now he needed information and best place to seek it was Gringotts. It doesn't matter what kind of information you needed, if you have enough money, you could buy it from Gringotts.
"My Lady, what can Gringotts do to you today?" asked the goblin behind teller from Mameha respect in his voice.
"I'm here to see master Grimblood if he is available," Mameha answered with flat voice.
"Of course, my Lady. Right away, my Lady." The goblin said and waved one of the guards to him and told the guard to escort Mameha to Grimblood.
"Just fallow Knucklebreak. I have already message Master Grimblood that you are here." Goblin said hurriedly and waved them of.
Knucklebreak beckon Mameha to fallow him. After leaving trough golden double doors and walking long, very long, hallway, they finally were on the familiar crimson red double door. Knucklebreak knock the door, waited for a while and then opened the door for Mameha and indicated that Mameha should go inside.
"Gerald," he said warmly or as warmly as he could.
"Mameha. I take it that you need something from me or the Bank or you would have not come to me," Gerald said amused.
"You are right. I need Information. Information that I could not get from other resources." Mameha said in his strait-to-the-point-voice.
"Ah, I see. What is it, that you need so much?" Gerald asked curiously.
"It's about Lord Voldemort. I am aware, that that is my Soul-mates alias, but what I don't know, is what was his end game. What he wanted to change, improve, or replace. I only have some second-hand information and that is never to be trusted. I also know that you are more than you seem to be. So, I ask from you, could you share this information with me. I could pay for it, if you need me to do so." Mameha said with feeling just the tiniest bit off embarrassed.
Gerald squinted as he looked critically at the b- girl, in front of him. He had known for a while, that she was gathering information about his Lord but to come him, when in need of said info… That he had not seen. It made his chest swell in pride and his heart all warm and fussy. But at the same time, it did not sit well on him, that she even knew as much as she knew about his Lord. He wanted to Obliviate her but knew, he could not do that. Not to her. Anyone else yes, in a heartbeat, but not to her. She was his ward. The apple of his eye, as he did not have children of his own. Nor did he want any other than his Lady.
"You are awfully quiet, Gerald. I take that, you know answer but don't know should you tell me." Mameha said after a long pause.
"Yes. I know. And you are right. I do not know should I tell you the truth or should I tell you, what the truth as your Ministry wishes it would be." Gerald answered slowly.
It was Mamehas turn to be quiet. He was debating, if he wanted both or only the one or other. He wanted the information but what would Gerald want from him exchange for it, was what made him hesitate, even if only for moment. He nods his head slowly.
"I want both. No matter the price. I am willing to pay even in Blood for this information. No matter where I looked, no matter who I asked, no-one was willing to tell me anything about Him. As I am his Soul-mate, I think it is in my rights to know." He said knowing that he took huge risk. Being Blood mage, he knew very well what one could do with blood, willing or unwilling. He never would have offered his own blood as a price for anyone else but Gerald. Having known him for years had build very strong trust between them and both saw the other as a friend.
Gerald felt how his eyes widened from shock. He knew what it meant for her to even offer blood as a payment. The amount of trust she showed to him was mind-blowing. He felt, how his heart fall in love with the child even more. He made his mind. There would be only truth. No matter what, only truth would find home between them. Slow smile found its way on his face. When looking back, this would be the point where future could have been different had he told lies to her.
"You must know, what I am about to tell, cannot be told to anyone, "Gerald told Mameha seriously. Mameha nods his head.
"Alright. Lord Voldemort was chosen by Magic herself to be Champion of Balance. Too long has the Light been in control and been discriminating the dark arts and telling how evil they are. I will not lie to you and tell you that dark arts are all good and fluffy like bunny, but it is not all evil either. After Grindelwald was defeated by Albus Dumbledore, the dark arts got even worse reputation. Albus was heralded as a Champion for the Light but that is not true. He is more manipulating than a Slytherin would be. More prejudiced against anything dark or creature. He only cares if he can benefit from it. People, and I mean the witches and wizards now, can't see it. To them, Albus bloody Dumbledore can't do anything wrong. But we know better. He is the reason why your Soul-mate is in the mess he is right now." Gerald ranted.
"What you mean by mess?" Mameha asked with frown.
"Ah, well… Your Soul-mate made some… mistakes." Gerald stumbled.
"What mistakes? Gerald, please, tell me" Mameha asked and he just knew he wouldn't like the answer.
"He made… He made a horcrux. Several of them, if what Gringotts has discovered is true." Gerald whispered.