CHAPTER TEN: SHADES OF GREY
Hermione Granger sat at the Gryffindor table for the Christmas meal in the afternoon. Beside her sat her father and opposite Hermione sat her Mother, Tessa, next to her adopted brother. Earlier that day to the surprise of the students many of their parents had arrived including the Creevey parents who now sat with their boys. Dumbledore had announced that Christmas was a Family occasion but Hermione had her doubt that was the real reason behind this act. Hermione noticed that many of the Order of Phoenix were sat at the Head table and few of the Slytherin's had their parents with them.
" Congratulations Hermione on the Golden Arrow, you performed well," Molly said.
" Thank you Mrs. Weasley, I don't think I did well on the Archery though," she answered somewhat distracted.
" You excelled at the Un-armed combat though," Arthur added.
" Are you okay?" Ginny asked startling the girl out of here reverie.
" Something's up," Hermione whispered, " All the order is here and Dumbledore lied about the Christmas and parents act,"
" Where's Harry?" Arthur asked, " I expected him to be here,"
" He received a peace of parchment from a Great Horned owl early this morning and disappeared," Ron replied, " We haven't seen him since,"
" I'm sure we'll see him today," Molly said.
" He likes to be on his own sometimes," Kristen said.
" Kris this is Molly and Arthur Weasley, Ron's parent's," Hermione introduced them, " Mr and Mrs. Weasley this is Kristen Silverwolf,"
" Hermione, please call me Molly," the plump red head said.
" Our daughter ever the polite one," Tessa Granger said, " This Hall is magnificent,"
" It's all magic, mum," Josh supplied. A soft tinkle interrupted any conversations. At the head table it had been extended to allow room for guests, which included Remus Lupin, Alastor Moody, Nymphadora Tonks and Drakus Sanguine. Upon entering Hermione had glanced at Draco and met his gaze. She looked at the Silver-haired young man now and he raised his glass of red wine but she did notice only his mother was there.
" Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen, students of Hogwart's welcome to another Christmas at this beautiful Castle. I would just like to thank all the parents for coming, Christmas should be about Family," Dumbledore began, " Here at Hogwart's we form bonds that live with us through the rest of our lives,"
Hermione on the other hand wasn't listening but was watching Derrin Monahan closely, she had never liked him and now he seemed to be chatting amicably to Snape while Dumbledore spoke on.
" Derrin Thomas Monahan, stand before me to face your judgement as a Death Eater and Murderer," a deep voice spoke cutting off Dumbledore mid speech. Everyone turned to see Harry dressed in his full Mage uniform. The blue/black scales glittered amongst the candles that were in the Hall. The guests looked surprised including the Aurors.
" Mister Potter you will step down, Professor Monahan is a respected man and teacher," Albus Dumbledore said sternly. Harry didn't even look at the Headmaster taking another step towards the Head Table.
" Monahan you have been tried and convicted of Murder, Treason against the State and Heresy," Harry said looking directly into Derrin Monahan's eyes
" On whose authority, Mister Potter?" Derrin's slick voice echoed across the silent Hall.
" By the Watchguard of the Elvin Nation and the Council of Mages," Harry answered to uproar; the Council of Mages had not been heard of in centuries.
" They don't exist," Monahan scoffed and smiled though this smile seemed cruel.
" I assure you sir they exist. I am your executioner," he replied. A gasp came from the watching student's.
" Who are the Mage Council," Ron asked on the Gryffindor table.
" Before the Aurors the Mage Council were the law enforcement however they were often very powerful men and woman. Only seven served and they were the purist of heart, time and again they were judge, jury and in this case executioner. Though the last mage died 400 years ago," Hermione said.
" Mages were true to the law, they created many of the laws our foundations are based upon," Arthur explained.
" What has he done?" Albus spoke again.
" He has murdered numerous people in the last fifteen years and has committed treason to the Magical world, under Article Two Five Seven section B 'No Muggle Is to be or allowed to be harmed, killed or controlled by magical persons or beasts except in extraneous circumstances'," Harry said in Noble speech, only six people could understand switching to English he said, " Come Monahan we can settle this here or in private,"
" He is not a Death Eater son, that is why I allowed him to return," Dumbledore said kindly.
" Sir, with all due respect you were wrong, Sirius was innocent, Severus Snape is innocent," Harry smiled at the last one looking at him, " But this murderous bastard is a piece of filth,"
" Am I dear boy?" Monahan sneered, " Your mother and father was a pushover, they died within seconds like trash,"
" I am already going execute you, do not fuel the fire for me to kill you in front of these fine folk," Derrin moved around the table to step in front of the young mage. His son looked with surprise; maybe the hat knew something was going to happen. Potter was allowing his anger get the better of him he closed his eyes and he seemed to draw power towards him. When he opened his eyes they were hard as stone.
" Do you know Severus Snape isn't as innocent as you think?" Snape looked ashamed but Monahan continued, " nine months before you were born we raided Godric's Hollow wishing to kill the Potters being as powerful as they were but only Lily Potter was in. Voldemort forced Snape and we were entertained. So can it be you are not James Potters son but Severus Snape's son,"
" Your last thoughts shall be recorded," Harry merely replied. Harry did not look away but looked defiantly into the eyes of the murderer who flinched under the intense gaze.
" You will receive your comeuppance," Monahan shouted raising his wand.
" As an Imperial Mage of Great Britain I sentence you to death under the Laws of the Wizarding Charter," Harry said, " I ask again please come with me so that your death will not stain this meal,"
" Expelli-," He never finished for Harry's reactions were far faster.
" Avada Kedavra," Green light flashed from his hand hitting the Derrin Monahan Square in his chest. He fell to the ground as a cry echoed across the Hall.
" Aurors," Shacklebolt roared.
" That will not be necessary," replied Harry, " I have Authority to perform that,"
" Come with me," Dumbledore said angrily leading the way to his office followed closely by the Mage, Shacklebolt and Tonks the Ministry representatives. Cornelius Fudge and Amelia Bones came too.
" You will be detained until further notice," Fudge screamed as the door closed in the headmaster's office.
" Minister, I am in complete authority," Harry said mildly.
" But you are just sixteen and you just murdered a man in front of the student body, the Minister for Magic and the Lord Chief Justice of the Ministry," The man spat.
" You know the laws Chief Justice better than anyone?" Chief Justice Amelia Bones nodded, " then you will know that Mages are still in the Law, they have level one clearance as well as acting as Judge, Jury and/or executioner on criminals,"
" That's correct, Mages have the authority and only answer to the Chief justice if they have the evidence but there has not been a Mage in over 400 years,"
" I am a Mage," Harry said with absoluteness.
" We cannot prove that," Fudge said.
" Yes we can," Tonk's said surprising everyone.
" What was that Auror?" Fudge said angrily.
" We can prove whether Harry is or is not a Mage," Tonk's said, " When I worked in archives I had access to Annexe A which holds the oldest records. Inside there is a book similar to the one here at Hogwart's, when a Mage is sworn onto the Council their name is added to the Book. Historians have been studying it for over fifty years and no one has ever been able to crack the magic upon it, it is said to be locked by the secret magic of the Mage's,"
" How do you know so much?" Albus asked.
" I did my thesis at university on Mages," she explained shyly, " Doctor Royston Baltimore is the foremost expert on the subject,"
" I want him and the book in this office in ten minutes,"
Harry was lounging in one of Dumbledore's suede chairs looking comfortable when exactly twelve minutes later a dignified man in a smart jacket and grey hair appeared from the fire with an old leather bound book.
" This is Dr. Royston Baltimore, Royal Wizarding Museum," Tonks introduced the man. He pushed his glasses back up his nose.
" Good Afternoon Dr Baltimore, I'm sorry to interrupt you on Christmas day," Professor Dumbledore spoke.
" Thank you Professor, I am pleased to finally meet you. I have been waiting a long time," He shook the older man's hand warmly.
" Ah hem," Fudge cleared his throat, " we are here for a reason, what can you tell us about the Mages and their council?"
" There were always seven, seven extraordinary people that have a power only they are born with. They are usually pure of heart and were often used as Law enforcement officers instead of Aurors because they had the ability to see if you were in a sense light or dark. Call it Empathy they could see the soul some said. They were above the Law; they created the law because they were so pure though seemingly powerful they could be killed. The book that I hold is the only living record of Mages because their initiation and teaching's were so secret," The doctor explained, " As I said there was seven, when the oldest was leaving the council he would initiate the new one in and would die. The Leader was called the Imperial Mage and that would often fall on the purest,"
" So how do we know if someone is a mage?"
" Bless me there hasn't been a mage in over half a millennia but there are two ways, the first is that person would be marked with one of the seven symbols of the Mage," here the man drew each symbol:
Alfa Α
Thelta Δ
Psi Ψ
Fi Φ
Omega Ω
Vita Β
Kapa Κ
" But these look like tattoos and often can be faked so the only genuine way of discovering if the person is Mage is in this book: Imperius Magus," Dr Baltimore finished.
" When was the last time you checked it?"
" I was doing some work on it at the end of July so I read it, the last entry is Richard Roxborough III born 1421 died 1500. He was Fi,"
" We have had a claim of a Mage, he killed under the assumption he was a mage," Fudge said disapprovingly.
" Well we'll check the book, that is just outrageous there haven't been any new Mages," Royston Baltimore placed the book on the Headmaster's desk and opened it gently riffling through the old paper slowly until he reached the last written page where abruptly he gasped. Everyone looked over his shoulder and tension filled the room.
Φ Richard Roxborough III September 1421 – March 1500
Α Harry James Potter July 1980 - Imperial Mage
" Merlin's beard," Amelia Bones said.
" Mr Potter, I am honoured to make your acquaintance. I'm actually meeting a live mage," Baltimore babbled shaking the young man's hand.
" Thank you Doctor, I'm glad you could prove my claims were true," Harry said, " As I explained Professor, Lord Justice, Minister, Derrin Monahan was guilty of many crimes as a Death Eater,"
" I-I'm sorry my Lord," Minister Fudge grovelled trying to find the words to butter the man that now had lot's of authority.
" This is going to get around, Professor, people will start believing I'm a Death Eater," Harry said.
" Auror Tonk's and Doctor Baltimore could visit the Daily Prophet and perhaps publish something of the event's that happened today and the return of the Mage's," Dumbledore suggested stroking his beard. He was calmer now he had discovered Harry was truly a mage. With that everyone left returning to their homes, Tonk's and Royston Baltimore stepped through the fire chatting to each other about Mage's only Harry remained.
" Harry,"
" Don't Professor!" he said angrily.
" I'm sorry I did not believe you, my boy," the old man said.
" You don't seem to have much faith in me lately," Harry answered.
" Would you consider returning as the DADA teacher?" Dumbledore asked.
" Because I like the job I will," Harry replied and left the office.
A week later Harry sat at breakfast once again with the Gryffindor's. The noise was at excess levels in the Great hall all discussing the Daily Prophet that had released an article on Mage's and how Harry was the first in half a millennia and how much authority he had. In the letter's section some questioned that one so young could not hold that badge of Authority. Many of the Slytherin's looked at Draco Malfoy wondering what he thought of Potter being rich and powerful Magically. Most of the Slytherin's didn't know how to respond to the fact that Draco was on friendly terms with Harry Potter. The Slytherin's virtually all had parents who were Death Eaters and some supported Draco not wanting to follow their parents paths while others followed the Dark Lord vehemently. Alexander Chambers narrowed his eyes at Draco Malfoy, High king of Slytherin and Slytherin's heir. He would bide his time then he would become the most popular with the Dark Lord; he'd already begun installing a network of informants over the school.
He had informed the Dark Lord of some Gryffindor plans. Chambers was especially pleased with his Gryffindor agents. Two of them were even in Potter's own year. He grinned knowing he would be You Know Who's favourite soon. Perhaps Voldemort will name an heir, Chambers knew he had been looking and deciding. Over on the Gryffindor table Harry was talking with Ginny but the talk seemed colder than usual.
" How's school going?" Harry asked.
" F-fine, since the Incident I've been studying hard to avoid any mishaps," She replied. His thoughts siphoned away as he began to pick up ghost emotions from a couple of the students. The train had arrived last night but Harry hadn't come down for dinner choosing to remain in his dorm. One feeling directed him to look at a young girl in Gryffindor, Cary Mitchell. He was picking up feelings of nervousness, guilt; fear someone would find out her secret. But he already knew she had the scent of a Werewolf. She didn't have before Christmas so she must have been bitten while away. Two more ghostly emotions drew him to a Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff in turn. Devon Rose in a fifth year in Ravenclaw was definitely a Vampire. Most likely a Nosferatu Harry realised. Tanya Harding in a third year Hufflepuff was a Vampire.
As a mage he was able to tell whether people were mortal, Fey, Werewolf or Vampire. Though this was already in-built he had honed the skill with Elves. Recently he had been working on gauging how 'powerful' a witch or wizard was. Groaning he got up and ambled to the far end of the Gryffindor table and sat next to Cary, the third year smiled nervously at him as he winked at Josh across the table. Her dark brown hair was in ringlets and her green eyes bulged slightly as she realised who sat with her. Harry remembered Cary was Muggle-born not knowing about Magic until she received the letter from Hogwart's.
" Hello," he said.
" You're the Defence teacher," she said timidly, " can I ask Sir, why you're sitting with the Gryffindor's?"
" Well firstly I'm only eighteen still so I hang around with my friends and secondly sometimes the older teachers are a bit stuffy especially Snape," Cary snorted into her cereal at that, " How was Christmas at home?"
" Good," She squeaked dropping her spoon and looked at him with wide eyes realising what he had said or rather more what he didn't say.
" It's nothing to be ashamed off," Harry said, " Remus Lupin has lived with it for long enough,"
" But if-if I tell people I will be disliked and I won't get a job," she lowered her voice and added, " I know what werewolf prejudice is like from Professor Binn's lesson,"
" How did you expect it not to get out?" Harry asked kindly, " With you needing to change once a month. Have you told any teachers?"
" No,"
" I'll tell you want come and see me after your Defence against the Dark Art's lesson when we return and we'll speak more then,"
She nodded and he began to have a conversation with the eleven-year-olds in the immediate vicinity. All were eager to tell him about their Christmas's and how they had told their parents about Hogwart's and Harry Potter. Inwardly he groaned but it was to be expected from eleven year olds. Finally telling them goodbye he moved to the Teachers' table to sit in his seat in between a jovial Albus Dumbledore and disgruntled Severus Snape.
" Alas I forgot to congratulate you on your NEWT scores," Dumbledore said, " they have been stored safely and you know can get a job of your choice,"
" Did you know you have two Vampires underneath your roof?" Harry shot back.
" No!" Albus said stunned.
" One was made maybe during the summer I think and the other is a Nosferatu, born of a vampire father I think,"
" I trust you'll keep an eye on them," the headmaster said, " they weren't involved in the attacks were they?"
" No," Harry replied. A commotion outside drew their attention to the doors of the Great Hall; a woman strode purposefully into the hall with a young boy and teenaged daughter in the company of an annoyed caretaker on their heels.
" You cannot just barge into Hogwart's, Milady," Argos Filch was saying.
" Harry Potter," the woman said loudly looking around, " I vas told you vould be able to help us, you have allies over the world,"
Her accent was distinctly Slavic, probably from Russia. As she spoke though he felt two probes examine Hogwart's looking for someone or something. Harry met Dumbledore's eye and closing his own eyes whispered in an ancient tongue creating a bubble that was impenetrable to probes. He opened his eyes a fraction of a second before Kristen and Dumbledore, knowing all three had strengthened the wards. Turning his attention back to the three strangers.
" Mr Filch, I will take care of this,"
" As you say Professor," he answered annoyed and stalked off. Some students were still shocked at the eighteen-year-old being a teacher. The woman was a witch, not very powerful but the boy hit him straight away. Perhaps ten-years-old his magical aura was close to that of Devon Rose but much stronger. Harry gasped; he knew that in Vampyric circles it was a crime to have relations with a Muggle or Witch. He saw that a powerful Full-blood Vampire had mated with this Witch that had created these three offspring. The boy would grow up to be a Mage like Harry. A Full-blood vampire usually does not come into their strength, thirst and talents until they reached fifteen. However the boy was extremely pale and his electric-blue eyes were bloodshot. He had entered Vampire puberty young and was extremely powerful. That is why the woman had claimed sanctuary though she didn't know it. The silence in the Hall was strange; the students were watching the three new people.
" Christ," Harry's voice cracked across the hall, " Professor Dumbledore, can I use your office? If you'll bring the ladies and Mister Rose in about Ten minutes,"
He didn't wait for an answer but vaulted across the table running towards the boy and grabbed him as he collapsed straight into Harry's arms. The boy was light and his once-gleaming chestnut hair was dull.
" What's his name?" He asked.
" Mikhail," she returned.
" Ms Weasley, would you be so kind as to help me," Harry asked and fled the Great Hall, Ginny Weasley quickly following. They soon stood in the Headmasters' office.
" What do you want help with?"
" Well the situation is that Michael here is a young Vampire but he doesn't know it, therefore he hasn't fed. Would you allow him to drink some of your blood?"
" I…um…okay," she responded and sat down.
" Do not worry, I will not let him take more than he needs," Placing the boy on her lap she cradled him and barely felt his weight. Urging the boy Mikhail nuzzled the young woman's throat like he was kissing her then suddenly sharp points pierced her skin and he began to drink from her main artery. She gasped and slipped into a confused coma seconds later as the boy fed on the hapless Ginny Harry cleared his mind and let tendrils release until he felt them probe the boy's mind.
Opening his eyes as though waking up he found himself in a green forest in the middle of summer. The sun burned down hot on the back of his neck as crickets chirped nearby. A rustle and a doe appeared eying the stranger. Deciding he wasn't a threat the doe bent down to crop on the emerald green grass of the clearing. A path led out to the left so Harry followed the well-worn path. He found Mikhail on the outer edges of the beautiful forest looking serene.
" Mikhail," He hailed him and the boy looked startled.
" Who are you?" he asked.
" My name is Harry, I'm a friend,"
" I'm a freak," He said miserably in perfect English, " for just over a month I have felt urges to attack my friends and feed on them, I cut my self off from them,"
" You are a vampire, Mikhail, a creature that uses blood for substance," Harry replied, " I believe your father was a Vampire, you are half-caste and both your parents are extremely strong,"
" I never knew my father,"
" You were born a Dhampyre or what's known as a Half-Vampire. Usually this means you could live out your life normally except when you hit fifteen when either strength or a number of characteristics could become apparent," Harry explained, " However your magic is extremely strong and its activated your Vampire genes earlier than normal,"
" Okay,"
" At the moment you're currently feeding on a close friend. Do you feel stronger?"
" I do," he responded.
" Slowly release her or you will kill her then we can talking properly,"
He opened his eyes wincing as his muscles cramped then he looked up into the faces of Albus Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, the Rose family and Devon Rose. They all had looks of interest upon their faces.
" Devon did you know your father?" Harry asked.
" No, I didn't meet him even when he returned to father my sister and brother," Devon replied, " Mickey has what I've got, hasn't he?"
" You've learnt about Vampires have you not?"
" Yes briefly from our books last year with Professor Umbridge," Devon Rose was porcelain pale with red cheeks. Blond hair was cropped short away from a regal, cat-like face. A thin smile lay beneath a blade of a nose and Dark green eyes. His accent was perfect, probably from five years of Hogwart's.
" When did the Lust start?" Harry asked noticing the young man was very pale, " Have you fed?"
" It started after my fifteen birthday on the fifth of December," Devon gulped looking at his feet, " I-I felt hungry, I didn't know why at first but I wasn't hungry for normal food. I nearly attacked one of my friends; while they slept I drank some blood. I was so ashamed but the boy didn't remember or feel anything. I didn't know what was happening? Professor Lupin had told us Vampires detest light so I thought I had some disease,"
" What's going on?" asked the woman.
" What is your name?" Harry asked kindly.
" Anastasia Violet Rose," She answered.
" Miss Rose, I need you to tell me the truth, was the father of your children a Vampire? What was his name?"
" I have for the past sixteen years lived in the shadow of Castle Roche, in a small Wizarding community. We knew a Vampire clan lived in the castle and surrounding mountains but as long as they left us alone we did not acknowledge them," she explained, the accent coming through strongly, " I served as a maid in the castle working during the day and soon become personal servant to the young Prince Nikolas, however I didn't count on falling in love with him,"
" Continue," Harry said.
" After I fell pregnant with Devon I left the service of the castle. Eleven years ago Nikolas found me and I instantly fell into his arms, soon afterwards Mikhail was born," Anastasia replied, " but three years ago he came back to me and told me things so I began to live with him in the castle,"
" Then what happened?"
" Three weeks ago the castle was attacked and we fled but Nikolas told me to come to Hogwart's and seek out Harry Potter,"
" Not Niko," Harry stuttered, " Vampires have a royal hierarchy, King Dracul Von Rathraine is the current monarch but many do not like the way he has been seeking Allies with Wizards and their Mortal enemies Werewolves. Prince Nikolas Illiyari Rathraine is the current heir. Devon seems to have inherited much of his mother's magic, which is why the Vampire genes did not come to light until recently. Michael is extremely powerful especially for one so young; he has both Vampire Gifts and Magic within. He is the next evolution of Vampire, Nikolas's heir,"
It went quiet as all eyes turned to the young vampire tucked into Ginny's embrace like a mother holding her son. He opened his eyes and electric blue met pale green and a wide grin broke out.
" Hello Harry," He said.
" Hello Michael, Welcome to Hogwart's,"