10/26/08

More story less Author Note this time. Started this last night and I finished it after a college tour—really stunk in my opinion.

Rating

PG13 for swears and violence, rating may change in certain chapters, you will be informed when such happens.

Harry Potter and the Inner Demon

Chapter 18

Natsu gaped up at the man who stood above him, a chain attached to an orb not unlike his own swinging back and forth between them like a pendulum. Green eyes met obsidian and the dog demon managed to choke out, "How-"

"I was young," Snape answered abruptly, snapping the chain up and catch the orb like a yo-yo. Stepping back, he paced in front his desk, like a fire had been lit within him, leaving him restless and undeniably awake. " When I was young," Snape started, Natsu could hear the anxiousness in his voice, "before Hogwarts, I found myself lost in Knockturn Alley—purely accidental, my mother and I had been separated—and was confronted by a vampire. I don't know why or who they were—perhaps it was a rogue who wished to start up their own clan and planned to come back for me later—but they turned me." Natsu stiffened, unsure of whether he should reply. However, Snape didn't seem to expect one as he kept on talking.

"Vampire magic is very similar to wizarding magic, Potter. Did you know that?" Bitterness was rising with each step he took. "Most wizarding folk like to overlook that detail and brand vampires as dark creatures, as well as all the other humanoids. The only difference between a wizard's magic and a vampire's is the shade. The shade and effect." None of this made sense to Natsu, it seemed garbled as he seemed to be drawn into the emotion in this man's voice. Emotions that he had never heard come from anyone, much less his Potions Professor.

"My two magics would have mixed fine, they wouldn't have rejected one another so violently if it hadn't been for the prejudice in the Ministry and those that followed in its stead. My muggle father, disgusted by Wizards, was even more agitated by my being a vampire. I was twice as filthy as my mother in his eyes and he made it clear. Oh so clear." A shudder ripped through Natsu's spine, violently rattling his bones at the mood that had befallen the dungeons.

"What happened?" he whispered beseechingly.

"My…distress…was noticed by my magics. They fought for control and worked to annihilate one another—make me hated just a bit less by my father." Distaste was imminent. "My Vampiric magic won. I am no wizard, but my mother pretended I was. The truth is, the Ministry can find no difference in the magics. Only by name and knowledge do they separate them. The fools."

Snape turned to Natsu again. "My eyes were once this grayish blue. When my wizarding magic left me, so did the color of my eyes. All that's left is a cursed, dead magic that looks out on the world with black eyes."

He waited for Natsu to respond, but the boy hadn't a clue what to say. He nodded instead. "My wizarding magic formed this orb when I was nine years old. My mother feared I might not be able to perform the spells I would be taught here, so, she made me a potion's expert by the time I was thirteen. Despite my exceptional grades she was always afraid. I was lucky the Headmaster was so willing to allow me schooling. "

"Then why were you so angry about Remus being a werewolf here?" Natsu was so confused right now, and his condensed magic seemed to be drunk off of one thing or another as it started humming only to die down and start up again, making his chest feel somewhat numb.

"Lupin nearly bit me, Potter. That is pure death for a vampire. Werewolves have always been our enemy, we are incompatible as lovers, friends, and even acquaintances—there is rarely a middle ground between our races."

"Oh," was Natsu's somewhat lame reply. Snape flipped open the book he had dropped on the table and Natsu recognized it as his first year Potion's book. He felt just a hint of dread fill his heart. "I'm going to make sure you always have a tie Natsu," emerald eyes shot up to look into obsidian. "A tie to the wizarding world, be it made of string or thread. I know you long for your magic, as it longs for you—quite obviously." Snape glanced at where the orb was as it hummed again.

"We will start with boil cure."

Natsu gave a small groan and Snape gave a small chuckle, silencing the boy as he stared up at him—absolutely stupefied.

Once the Potion had been completed, Natsu had a whole new respect for the man called Severus Snape. He had shed his robes and was quite glad he had worn the shirt he had; it was filthy by the end of the session and there was no doubt that the stains had set in immediately, leaving permanent blotches all over it. As they set about making the Potion he could see the progression of Snape's hair from smooth and—dare he think it—soft to limp and greasy with each fume that swirled up into the air around them.

Natsu had to rush back to his rooms to shower for supper. Once clean and dressed, with his magic—once again—bouncing happily on his chest beneath his robes, he set off for the Great Hall. Swinging the doors open, he was found himself nearly lifted off the floor as he was pulled into a tight hug. "Mr. Potter!" Natsu definitely knew who that was.

McGonagall pulled back from her hug and looked him in the eye and Natsu could see the pity that shone there. "The Headmaster just told us everything after lunch, you poor boy!" Natsu certainly didn't feel he was a 'poor boy' but kept his mouth shut as not to be scolded afterwards.

"Right," he said uncertainly, and slowly made his way to the staff table and sat between Snape and his brother. The Gryffindor Head of House—thankfully—did not follow him there. Instead she returned to her seat by the Headmaster. "Severus!" Professor Flitwick squeaked, trying to peer around several other teachers. "Why weren't you at the meeting? Young Janfrer is actually-"

"I already knew, Filius," Snape replied smugly, and Natsu rolled his eyes at the smirk that formed on the Slytherin's face. Hagrid gave a loud bark of laughter from across the table, saying," Shoulda known! Sev'rus would be the one ta find out first!" This did not stop the ever growing smirk, it only served to widen it.

For the rest of dinner Natsu barely said a word; he wasn't too sure he liked everyone knowing about his old self. He found it difficult to remember that he himself was 'Potter' when someone addressed him and it tended to shock him a little each time he realized it was him they were talking to.

Natsu was glad to head back to his rooms with Seshomaru, and hopped from his seat quickly as his brother made to leave. "Natsu," he stopped just a few steps from the table and turned to see the headmaster watching him with twinkling blue eyes. "Would you come to my office in an hour?" Loathe as he was to agree—quite tired from the day's events—Natsu nodded and promised to be there. "Thank you, my dear boy," Dumbledore chirped, "the password is cauldron cakes." A wave of snickers passed over the tale, making the old man smile even more brightly.

On the way back to their rooms, Natsu leaned on his brother as he stumbled sleepily through the halls. Seshomaru wrapped his arm around the boy's shoulders and kept him steady. A murmured password to the statue and they were in their living room. Seshomaru made Natsu comfortable on the couch with the promise of waking him up in time for the meeting with the headmaster.

Removing the ribbon that held his hair up—black today—he felt his hair float down to land on his back and shoulders, pooling on the sofa next to him. It would be strange, no doubt, to the students for their male teacher to have such long hair—silver too—with their gender policies. It was a surprise to him, the way humans separated males and females. He had heard a funny comment or two in passing, his colleagues seeing it as a disgrace. Demons had no such barriers; there were no gender comparisons. As far as he remembered, his mother had been incredibly strong. Her death had been a shock to him, his father, and many family friends.

Natsu rolled over in his sleep, his tail—lately it had been wrapping itself around his waist like it was glued to his body—had uncurled to sink onto the floor. Seshomaru pet his own tail and smiled as it twitched. As a pup in his true form, he had found great pleasure in 'chasing his tail' as his mother and babysitters had called it. It really was time for him to show Natsu, but deep in his mind he remembered the loss of his arm.

Inuyasha had hacked it right off—in his true form no less—and he was fearful for his midnight haired brother. Sure, he could get his arm cut off even if he hadn't been in his true form, but at least it would be so permanent. If his half-breed brother had cut off his arm in this humanoid form, it would have grown back within the decade. However, that was not the case and the loss of the limb as his true self would never heal.

Rubbing his eyes, Seshomaru glanced around in boredom. He really was curious as to how Natsu and Severus' meeting went. The man was quickly becoming some one Seshomaru was accustomed to having around—a companion. He knew of demons and—as a vampire—lacked the prejudice that many purebloods possesed. The Headmaster had given Seshomaru information on the current world, views, technology, Dark Lords…The last concerned him greatly.

Natsu was only a pup and he had people out to kill him. It was after he learned more about this 'Lord Voldemort' that he started Natsu on Kendo and asked Severus to teach him Western forms of swordmanship. He would not let any more harm befall his brother.

The clock on the fire mantle read twenty minutes to eight and Seshomaru decided it was as good a time as any to broach the idea of Natsu's learning to control his true form. The boy wouldn't be able to sleep that night if he allowed him to nap much longer. Reaching over to give him a nudge, Natsu groaned and kicked at him.

With a devious smirk, Seshomaru grabbed hold of the foot and pulled, literally dragging the boy from his slumber. "S'wats tha fer?" Natsu mumbled, voice slurred with sleep and eyes hazy from exhaustion.

"We need to talk about something before I send you off to the Headmaster."

"Well what is it then?" Seshomaru's lips turned downward in a disapproving fashion, causing Natsu to wince and mutter a quick apology. "You're at an age that you should learn to control your true—or beast—form . I want to start teaching you soon." His brother gave him a look of absolute horror.

"I can't!" He sputtered, sleep wearing off as his irritation began to grow. "I've got Kendo practice, Potions and training with Snape—which," he added spitefully," You never even asked or told me about."

"I just want you to be prepared," Seshomaru growled warningly. "I don't want to take you ome to lose you again—this time irreversibly!" Natsu sent a glare at him, one that nearly broke his heart.

"I need to go see the Headmaster." He left and had there been a door to slam, a thunderous bang would have followed him.

Seshomaru put his face in his hands, wondering just what it was he had done wrong. He only wished to keep his brother safe, but it seemed that he only succeeded in angering Natsu. Perhaps he was just holding on too tightly.