Chapter Six: The Ouryuu Who Protects
***Snape***
Slowly, Snape stood up from the classroom floor, the images from Zeno's mind flashing before his eyes. His gut squirmed at the memory of Zeno's headless body, despite having seen the worst work of the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters; not because of how gruesome the scene was, but because of how unfair it was. It didn't feel fair that after being stabbed so many times this boy could live while Lily…while Lily could not.
This is the power that the Dark Lord is after. Eternal Life. It was something that the Dark Lord desired all for himself and him alone.
No one to keep him company…
Thinking about it this way made Snape realise how unfair it was to Zeno, who could not die at all. How many times has this boy yearned for death? If Lily had this power and survived, she would have lived an unhappy, cursed life. Seeing those around you grow old and die, over and over again losing those most precious to you in an endless cycle.
He has to make sure of it, that this boy is the Immortal One.
Grabbing a fistful of Zeno's scarf, Snape yanked the boy closer to him and glared into those eyes that were as blue as a clear sky on a sunny day. "Is it true? Are you immortal?" Snape snarled. Upon hearing that question, Zeno's eyes became more like the blue sky you would see on those days when the Sun's harsh rays are scorching you. There was an intense gleam in his eyes. So intense, that Snape almost released the boy as if burned by his very gaze.
"Why would you want to know? Do you wish to obtain immortality?" Zeno asked, serious.
"No…I do not seek immortality like the Dark Lord. I do not wish to see it fall into…the wrong hands…I am sure you are aware of the fact that the Dark Lord has targeted you," Snape's answer was softly spoken, as though he didn't want anyone else to hear his words, "He will do everything in his power…disposing anyone who stands in his way…to get his hands on you and that power. The Dark Lord does not wish for anyone else, other than himself, to be immortal like him. Now answer me…is it true you can't die?"
After hearing Snape's explanation, Zeno's eyes stared directly at him with a sorrowful sapphire blue hue. "I can't die," Severus Snape's grip slackened causing Zeno's green scarf to slip free. The two of them stood solemnly, beside them the curtains fluttered as a gentle breeze entered the gloomy classroom. This action caused a few rays of sunlight to slip through the exposed parts of the window and highlight Zeno's golden hair in a soft glow.
"Follow me…" instructed Snape as he pivoted on his heel and strode out of the room, leaving Zeno to catch up himself. Down a few sets of stairs and several corridors, Snape led them to the gargoyle guarding the Headmaster's Office. He pronounced the password curtly: "Pumpkin Fizz," and the gargoyle instantly leaped aside, revealing a secret staircase to which Zeno applauded. The office was unoccupied except for the Headmaster's pet Phoenix, Fawkes, who released a low melodic note as if asking: What's wrong?
"Where is the Headmaster?" He questioned the portraits, to which one of them responded:
"The Headmaster told us he should be back by one o'clock,"
Snape turned to see that Zeno was admiring Fawkes. When the yellow-haired boy reached out with one of his hands to touch the Phoenix, Snape opened his mouth to warn the boy not to. However, Fawkes did nothing but chirp delightedly when Zeno's fingers carefully stroked the Phoenix's scarlet feathers, his melodious voice filling the room and soothing their restless souls.
***Zeno***
Caressing the magical bird's feathers beneath his fingers, Zeno felt the most at peace he has been in the past few hundred years. With each beautiful note, his soul felt more and more serene.
CRACK!
The sound was so unexpected and abrupt that Zeno's heart felt as though it would jump straight out of his mouth. He was surprised at how unruffled the handsome bird was by the loud entrance that signalled the arrival of the Headmaster. Dumbledore's eyes scanned the room briefly before falling on Professor Snape.
"What brings the two of you here at this hour rather than enjoying your precious lunchtime?" Dumbledore placidly asked, blue eyes twinkling behind half-moon glasses.
"With all due respect, Headmaster, this is an urgent matter that cannot be discussed later," requested Professor Snape. The Headmaster stared at Snape for a moment, eyes flickering briefly to Zeno, before he dipped his head and gestured to the seat opposite his desk.
"Very well then, take a seat," with an elegant and fluid motion, Dumbledore manoeuvred his wand to non-verbally cast the spell to conjure an armchair for Zeno while Snape took the seat that was already there. Once comfortable, Dumbledore asked: "Now what is this urgent matter you speak of, Severus?" To answer, Snape silently waved his wand which caused a shallow basin with strange symbols carved around the exterior of it, to hover towards them from one of the cupboards. The unusual object landed soundlessly on the desk before them, a cloud-like liquid swirled inside it.
Professor Snape then lifted his wand and pointed it at his own temple. As he pulled his wand away, a silvery substance was siphoned from his head that was neither a gas nor a liquid. This substance was then poured into the dish, the surface rippled and an image appeared but before Zeno could get a good look at what it was, both the Headmaster and Professor Snape had submerged their faces inside the basin's mixture.
Confused, Zeno glanced around, waiting a moment before his curiosity got the better of him and he too followed the other men's actions. There was a falling sensation the moment he dipped his head into the basin, looking down he saw that beneath him was a battlefield from his past. Zeno touched down mutely beside Professor Snape and Dumbledore, who were standing close to where what seemed to be another Snape. Dumbledore acknowledged Zeno's presence with a nod, then the Headmaster requested "Would you mind explaining to us who it was that you were fighting against in this memory?" Zeno looked away from Dumbledore's persistent gaze to observe the raging battle before them, frowning slightly.
"They're stragglers from the Kai Empire. When the Kouka Kingdom army suppressed the Kai Empire's army at Kin Province in the Kai Empire, these were the few who refused to retreat. They were frustrated with their loss, so they pillaged the nearby villages…" Zeno's gaze was drawn to where his friends were, mournful blue eyes watching those most precious to him battling for their lives. Seeing them like this, although he was aware that was just a memory, Zeno felt as though he was with them once again. They looked so alive, breathing heavily and eyes alert for danger.
During the battle back then, Zeno didn't have the luxury of time to look at things other than his target. Now, however, he could see the expressions of pure horror on their faces; their eyes wide, as they watched the soldier decapitate him. He could see how worried they were for him, how frightened they were of losing him. Glancing back towards where Dumbledore stood, he saw how pale the Headmaster become as he watched the battle unfold, like the memory-version of Snape, his eyes slowly widened with each and every sword that cut Zeno's body.
The terrified soldiers eventually fled on their horses, leaving Zeno to pick up the crest that had been cut off from when he was fighting. Zeno watched as Yona, Yoon, Kija and Shin-ah rushed over to embrace the memory-version of himself, Jae-ha and Hak stood nearby. He could feel hot tears welling up at the corners of his eyes as his heart clenched painfully. How he wished he could hug them all, talk with them and laugh with them like in the days long passed.
Around them, the battlefield dissolved away, leaving the group of friends embracing for a moment longer before they too vanished, and the three of them were pulled towards the surface. Lifting their faces out of the stone basin, Snape and Dumbledore shared a look before turning to face Zeno.
"H-how…What are you?" Dumbledore stuttered, Zeno could see the Headmaster was still quivering from the memory he had just witnessed.
Looking the Headmaster directly in the eyes, he said "I am Ouryuu, Zeno," forgoing his usual use of third person.
"Ouryuu?" Snape asked, perplexed.
"It translates to 'Yellow Dragon'," Dumbledore informed, "What is the Ouryuu, Mr. Zeno?"
"A person who possess an immortal body…that's the Ouryuu. Do you know the Founding Legend of the Kouka Kingdom?" Zeno asked, remembering the book Hermione had found in the library. If they owned a book about his homeland then it was likely that Dumbledore may have heard of it.
"That is the one where Hiryuu becomes the first king of the Kouka Kingdom and is protected by the four Dragon Warriors, correct?" Dumbledore's answer confirmed Zeno's thoughts.
"Yes, one had sharp claws that could tear anything apart…another had eyes that could see far off into the distance…" Zeno trailed off, a reminiscent expression on his face.
"Ah yes, I remember now, the third one had legs that could jump high into the skies," Dumbledore interjected.
"The last one was given a strong body that could never be injured," finished Zeno.
There was silence as the two wizards absorbed this information. It was broken by the Headmaster: "Are you a wizard, Mr. Zeno?"
"No, I am not. I understand that many magical objects and creatures cannot be seen by ordinary people, without magical blood. I think…the reason why I am able to see your world is due to the dragon blood inside me," For the second time the three of them fell silent.
Professor Snape spoke up first this time, "The Dark Lord discovered you and your power because you were caught trespassing on Malfoy Manor. Was there a reason why you had thought that was good idea?"
"Oh, Zeno travels a lot, he didn't realise that was someone's property," The sudden use of third person accompanied with a cheerful tone almost made Dumbledore and Snape fall out of their chairs.
"How could you even pass through the wards without any repercussions?" Snape questioned.
"Wards? Oh, so that's what was hurting Zeno..." Seeing the concerned expressions of Snape and Dumbledore, Zeno quickly corrected himself "Don't worry about Zeno! The pain disappears very fast,"
"Voldemort will come after you, Mr. Zeno, so for now I think it is best that you stay put here at Hogwarts. You can stay here for as long as you desire, as many years as you wish, in exchange will you aid us in defeating Voldemort?"
Images of those he had befriended in Hogwarts flashed before Zeno's mind. The Hippogriff, Fawkes, Luna and Ginny, along with several other students of various years and Houses, "I will be everyone's shield," Zeno vowed, determined to protect them from harm.
Zeno isn't going to let this Dark Wizard hurt them. No matter what sort of injuries that would be inflicted on himself in the process.
Author's Note:
I hope you all enjoyed Chapter Six! Thanks for reading! You are all amazing readers, thank you for all your support!
See you soon,
~PurpleFlyingBird
