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Of Blood and Magic
Chapter 23: A Different Sort of Dance
"What are we waiting for?" Tevelle set down the chess piece with a sharp clack.
Xeven pinned her with a look that implied she was being incredibly dense.
"We are waiting," he explained carefully, "for Albus to request our assistance with whatever is troubling him."
"He knows you aren't stupid though. So he knows you have to be aware of what is happening. Especially, what happened with Crouch last night; Karkaroff hasn't exactly been close-lipped."
"He is not aware, however, precisely how much we know. It is important when dealing with wizards to let them believe themselves to be in control. If I were to broach the subject and offer my assistance, he may become suspicious that I know more than I say and act upon such suspicions." Xeven took a sip from his goblet, allowing the words to sink in. "However, if we wait until he makes the decision to politely inform his allies of events that he has handled but may concern us later on…" He trailed off, inviting Tevelle to complete his reasoning.
"Then," she hazarded, working out the details as she spoke, "he will assume that what he chooses to share is the extent of our knowledge on something we shouldn't know the details of already." At the elder vampire's approving nod, she continued. "You are still in control of the situation, but because he thinks he has control, he will not fight you for it."
"Very good," Xeven said and the warmth Tevelle felt at his praise was dimmed only by his capture of one of her knights. The chessboard on the table between them was looking rather sparse of pieces that belonged to her.
"I thought you were friends, though." Tevelle asked after a few minutes of comfortable silence. "Friends don't tend to be so manipulative of the other."
Xeven seemed to consider his words carefully for a moment. "That is true, but our case is a unique one. As the headmaster of a school and a wizard of some note, Albus must be cognizant of how his actions may be interpreted and affect others. He is also aware that, as a Coven Head and the vampire ambassador to the Ministry of Magic, I must always put the needs of my people first, even if that means politics come before friendship."
Unsure of how to respond to that, Tevelle took a sip from her own goblet of blood to gather her thoughts.
"Even if I could compartmentalize like that, I don't think I'd have the patience."
Xeven favored her with a small wry half-smile. "And that my dear," he said, his words laced with amusement, "is why you will never go into politics."
Tevelle snorted. "And so we wait," She eventually said, once her laughter was under control.
A thoughtful nod in agreement, "And so we wait."
Waiting, as it turned out, only lasted until the following Monday. Tevelle had nearly finished her lunch when Xeven contacted her mentally across the dining hall.
"The Headmaster would like to meet with me after our meal for a private discussion in his office pertaining to a matter he deems important." It was quite obvious from his mental tone that this was the opportunity they had been waiting for. "I would like you to be in attendance at this meeting, though that would mean you will have to forgo your evening classes. It is a necessary sacrifice. Meet me outside the doors shortly."
"Of course," Tevelle thought back to him, knowing she would be overheard. Dumbledore could write her a note for missing Defense Against the Dark Arts. Unfortunately, Moody would be both the most understanding, but also the nosiest of professors as to the reason for her absence.
Ten minutes later, Tevelle considered the idea that a note might be a little too much to hope for. Blue eyes peered at her from behind wire-rimmed spectacles, and the glint in them was decidedly disapproving. Xeven motioned for Tevelle to take a seat in one of the armchairs in front of Dumbledore's desk and hold her ground. Xeven followed his own advice, taking a seat in the other armchair before the headmaster could invite him too. The subtle play of power was not lost on the wizard.
"Xeven, my friend. I am not certain a student should be privy to this meeting. Not only is this information sensitive, but Miss Nightshade is expected in a class, Defense Against the Dark Arts, if I am not mistaken."
Tevelle could feel her muscles' involuntary reaction to the tension in the air, but she controlled herself and remained rooted to the cushion.
Xeven's voice was smooth as ice. "A student at your school she may be, but my apprentice first and foremost. It is not your decision to make."
"Very well," Dumbledore conceded, though the tone made it clear he felt he did so against his better judgment.
The headmaster took a moment to collect his thoughts before launching straight into the matter at hand. There were no pleasantries, no polite offerings of lemon drops or tea. The delicate dance of words had begun.
"I believe you have been made aware of the disturbance on the grounds several nights ago."
"Igor Karkaroff has not been silent on the matter, as I am sure you are aware." Xeven responded, not lying, not exactly. He spun his words expertly, allowing Dumbledore to fill in the blanks and reach his own conclusions. But he did not lie.
Dumbledore nodded, as though that was the expected answer. "Bartemious Crouch was discovered on the grounds by two of the students. By all reports he was not entirely lucid and alternated between hallucinating events months past and desperately trying to send a message to me." He paused for a response, and when none was forthcoming, he continued his tale. "One student ran to fetch me. By the time we arrived back on the scene, Crouch had stunned the second student and disappeared into the forest. Sweeps of the area by both Professor Moody and myself came up empty. Crouch seems to have vanished."
Xeven nodded once, encouraging Dumbledore to continue. The room was silent as the wizard chose his next words.
"This is not the first of such disappearances, disappearances that I believe to be linked. Bertha Jorkins, Mr. Crouch, and a muggle man by the name of Frank Bryce, these all have one shared factor, a tie back to Lord Voldemort. Bertha Jorkins vanished where Voldemort was last thought to be located. Frank Bryce lived in the village where Voldemort's father grew up. Both locations are associated in some significant way to Voldemort."
"The forest of these grounds do not follow the pattern," Xeven pointed out carefully.
Dumbledore grimaced. Xeven had managed to steer the conversation in a direction that would require the headmaster to reveal more than he preferred.
"The warning Crouch was so fixated on giving me, he mentioned Voldemort and an approaching danger that was very closely associated."
A tense silence descended. Tevelle fought the urge to fidget or speak up and break the tension herself. As soon as Voldemort had been mentioned, an odd feeling had started creeping up her spine. It made her restless.
"I thank you for thinking to inform me of this matter. I feel, however, that only time will tell if the situation merits the severity you have accredited to it." Xeven offered nothing in that statement, putting the pressure once again squarely on Dumbledore's shoulders.
All Dumbledore has at this point is conjecture and he knows it. Xeven just made it abundantly clear that he knows this as well, Tevelle thought with grim satisfaction.
There was a slight crackle of power surrounding the wizard as he realized he had been backed neatly into a corner. If he wanted anything from Xeven he would have to tip his hand and ask for it.
"My request is this," Dumbledore stated stiffly, "that should my suspicions prove correct you ally with the side that opposes the destruction Voldemort would bring." That Dumbledore meant his side was quite clear.
Xeven considered for a moment, then answered gravely. "Unfortunately, I can not guarantee such an action." He held up a hand to forestall any protest. "It is vampire policy to remain neutral with regards to wizarding politics so as to prevent a repeat of past tragedies. I must retain this non-interference with all wizarding policies, not only the ones that agree with my personal opinions. To do otherwise would break the careful balance between my kind and wizard kind and risk another Purge. Unless a faction were to declare war specifically on vampire kind and it is necessary to defend our own, I and my people cannot cast aside our neutrality."
For a second it looked as if Dumbledore might argue, but that soon passed and he settled for a resigned expression.
"However," Xeven continued after a moment. "Even though we cannot act against the Death Eater movement should your suspicions prove true, my apprentice has a very personal grudge against Voldemort.
"It is within Vampire Law that a vampire, as well as his or her mentor if he or she is still a fledgling, is permitted to exact vengeance on an individual who has inflicted grievous personal harm of a physical, mental, or emotional nature. This extends to humans as well as other sentient creatures both magical and mundane.
"As a result, Tevelle is within her rights to seek vengeance from Voldemort, formerly Tom Marvolo Riddle, with my assistance."
The silent message was simple. It would be prudent to maintain communications as our paths and goals may still converge.
With nothing more too say, the two vampires rose together and took their leave, allowing Dumbledore the privacy of his thoughts. The wizard had a great deal to think about after all.
A/N: sorry about the unusually short and dialogue heavy chapter. Things will be coming to a head very soon and this chapter is the calm before the storm. I was shocked as I was mapping out the details of the next few chapters how close to the end we are. Don't worry, that does not mean it's almost over, I have a sequel planned and in the works. As my plan currently stands, however, this particular installment has only one more chapter and an epilogue remaining... yikes! Please review! Reviews inspire me and will make me write faster!