Author's note: So I've decided that one galleon equals ten dollars, regardless of what JK Rowling said. So be it.
We see a little Nathaniel's authority towards his son. He must act as a king to protect his nation, but also finally face his son and act as a father, which is not always easy.
The Purpose, Rewritten, Chapter 24 Projects
July 31, 1945
His thirtieth birthday was wonderful. Among the wizarding guests were the Malfoys, though Armand, Abraxas' father, had spent the evening with Tom more than anyone else. Malfoy must have enjoyed the same topics around dangerous artifacts since the Malfoys had plenty of them.
Merebelle had also responded to his invitation and had danced with him for a good part of the evening.
"You two are so beautiful to see. There's something you're not telling me." She whispered in his ear.
Seth glanced at Corban in the distance, who was talking with Nott on a sofa. No one would have guessed that Corban was a vampire now.
"Our bond is strong, that's for sure." Seth said, smiling.
"Is that your father over there? And your mother?'' asked Merebelle pointing to her parents who were in conversation with the other vampires.
''Yes.''
''That's crazy! They look so young!" Said Merebelle. "Well, I look older than them." She added with a laugh. The king looked at her for a second before returning his attention to Lazarus. "Damn it! Do you think he heard me?''
Seth laughs heartily.
"And even if they did, do you really think that saying they look young would be an insult?" Seth asked.
"Bah." Said Mérébelle, shrugging her shoulders. "The whole world revolves around appearances, Seth. How would you act if you were in front of a child, for example, but would be the most powerful being on earth? Would you take him seriously?'
"We're not talking about the same thing." Seth said.
"Oh, do you think so? You're thirty today, and you look like a young teenager…despite your…size…'' began Mérébelle sliding a finger on Seth's chest. ''And…um, muscles…''
Seth raised an eyebrow and grabbed Merebelle by the waist.
"Do you want me to show you how much of a teenager I am?" Seth hissed.
Corban spat out his glass of wine and burst out laughing. Nott cried out in indignation, not understanding his sudden reaction.
Nathaniel groaned and Corban stopped laughing. Seth let go of Merebelle and looked at his father, raising his arms, not understanding the futility of his intervention. The music drowned out the other conversations and no one else had seen anything.
Seth sighed and stopped dancing with Merebelle when the music was over. Their dinner was far behind them and some of the guests were starting to want to leave. Seth had installed, in spite of himself, the Floo network system in his main living room. On that single day, it had been activated, but he had been assured that the system would be closed, after the elapsed twenty-four hours, and that no one, even himself, would be able to access it. Only that day's archive would be saved, and he could activate it again if needed, but would have to ask the Department of Magical Transportation. In this case, he had paid the sum of twenty galleons to activate it, and forty galleons for twenty-four hours. Either way, he remained in control of his island's wards, and he could feel every wizard that crossed those wards.
Merebelle led Seth by the hand towards the sofas. She moved her lips to his ear.
"I have a present for you, although you will have to go to the tattoo shop in France." Merebelle muttered.
''What? A tattoo?'" Seth said.
"You remember my tattoo, yes?" Laughed Merebelle.
It was Seth's turn to whisper in her ear.
"Are you talking about the shark on your butt?" Seth said with a smirk.
She closed her eyes and concentrated. Seth suddenly saw the shark slipping under his skin and was now on her left hand. He was very impressed.
"It's very nice to have. There are enchantments much more complex than making a tattoo move, but mine only allows it to change its place.'' explained Merebelle.
Seth remembered the book in Parseltongue that talked about the protean spell, linking objects to a master object and he wondered if it could be used with tattoos.
"A beautiful flower on the buttock, that's her gift, yes?" Corban asked, laughing as Seth took his place between him and Nott.
Laughter was heard as others joined them, wrapped packages in their hands. Abraxas was the first to push Nott, who protested, onto the couch and he sat down giving Seth his present.
"Happy birthday, Seth." Abraxas said.
Seth removed the silver ribbons and was not surprised to find red diamond candies when he removed the lid.
''My favorite. Thank you, Abraxas.'' Seth replied.
"What is it, exactly?" Nott asked. The others looked at him like he was stupid. ''What? … Oh.'' Nott realized, blushing as he understood.
"Do you want one, Ronan?" Seth asked, presenting the box to him, not without putting one in his mouth first.
Nott shook his head and the others started laughing. Nott sighed, then took the thin, long package from behind him and offered it to Seth.
"Here, Seth. I know you love to write, so…'' Nott said as Seth opened the package which contained a long green quill feather which was undoubtedly from an Augurey. "An Augurey's feather. The end is enchanted with a space that allows you to write for several hours without refilling ink.''
The tip was gold and silver, and Seth could, indeed, feel a slight thread of magic emanating from it.
"Wow, that's much appreciated, Ronan. Thanks.'' Seth said sincerely.
Corban took a small package from his pocket and gave it to Seth who raised his eyebrows, not knowing what Corban could have offered him without him knowing.
"I was trying not to think about it...which wasn't very difficult because I was rather preoccupied with other things, and I had already bought your present several weeks ago." Corban thought.
Seth smiled at what he was thinking and was delighted to see a half-inch-wide silver hoop earring and an engraved snake that went all the way around.
"It's gorgeous." Said Merebelle.
"Yes." Seth agreed, immediately placing it in his right earlobe with a quick transfiguration spell, and then a perpetual sticking enchantment.
He couldn't believe all the gifts they received. Lazarus arrived with several packages, mentioning that the village servants had made him several clothes to thank him for what he did since the last time he was in the village and made a speech in front of them.
"You left quite an impression on them, Nin Còon. I believe they spent several months doing all of this." Lazarus said.
Seth opened the packages one by one and was amazed at how gifted muggles were. There were tunics and handcrafted garments that seemed to come from another culture. High quality fabrics were used.
"Galea and Steven have something to do with it, I'm sure. They had these fabrics imported from far away.'' Seth said.
Hoofbeats were heard in the hallway leading to the ballroom and servants opened the doors, letting in Nicholas Flamel who was holding a huge winged white horse by a bridle and leading it towards Seth.
Seth jumped up, grinning from ear to ear.
"No…by all the gods there is…don't tell me you brought me an Abraxan!" Seth almost yelled in delight as he walked quickly towards it.
''Of course, yes. I know you've always wanted one." Nicholas said with a big smile.
Seth approached the Abraxan very closely with one hand out in front and his head slightly lowered. The Abraxan raised its head, and its ears were pointed forward. It brought its muzzle close to Seth's hand and rested it in his palm.
"You've always known how to handle any animal." thought Corban.
Seth smiled at his remark and took advantage that the Abraxan readily accepted him and put his left hand on his long neck and caressed it. Its hair was soft as if it had just been washed and brushed. Seth knew she was a female by her energy, and he was dying to ride her.
"She has a name?" Seth asked.
"Snow." Flamel said giving him the reins.
"Snow." Seth repeated.
He looked longingly at her wings and did not hesitate: he embarked on her back, whispering sweet nothings to her. With a wave of his wand, Seth opened the large exterior doors on the other side of the room that led to a terrace.
"Hiya!" Seth shouted, clutching his heels to the flanks.
Snow whinnied and began to run towards the doors, directed by Seth. He lowered his head as they passed through the doorway and Snow opened her wings before jumping over the railing.
The effect was extraordinary. It was even better than using a broom. He felt the strength of her wings near his legs and the heart beating calmly, but with great power. He was so high now that he could see his whole castle from above, and the village beyond and the marina. Snow was going as fast as lightning and spinning through the air, splitting the sky as if nothing had happened.
It was only a good half hour later that he decided to go down again, but towards the stable. He was assured that Nicholas had shown the stable servants how to care for an Abraxan, since she was much larger than a normal horse. His horses were always well treated, and he had no doubts that they would take care of her just as well.
He returned to the castle in time to finally say goodbye to his guests. Only his parents, Lazarus, Corban, and Tom remained in the ballroom, along with some servants who tidied the room with Colpy, but there was also a vampire he didn't know who was chatting with his father.
"Did he have time to get away?" Nathaniel asked the vampire.
He looked worried, just as much as the other vampire.
"The last message we received… is that he would do anything to leave the island, but he does not know if he will. The others managed to take a boat.'' Said the vampire.
"What's this about?" Seth asked as he approached.
Nathaniel waved at the vampire who curtsied and walked out of the room. Ignoring Seth's question, the king pointed at Corban briefly.
"Ho golodh?" his father asked looking at Tom who was sitting cross-legged on a couch.
"He knows our language, father, and no, he doesn't." Seth replied.
Tom looked up from his book and uncrossed his legs before standing up and nodding at the vampires, then leaving the room. Seth pursed his lips because he had sensed Tom's curiosity and he knew very well that Tom hated being ignorant above all else.
Corban wondered if he should stay or go and he took a step towards the door.
"Dorth-." Nathaniel said. Corban froze. Nathaniel had said an order. "Cericin sinte i as er minei peth, im cala meth cín cuil?"
Corban gulped and Seth stepped between his father and Corban.
"There's no point in making threats, father." Seth said. "Corban has…"
''DAIN!'' yelled Nathaniel.
Seth had never received orders from his father, and he had always respected the one who wore the crown knowing that the king had absolute power. The order hit him hard, and his mouth automatically closed, held back by that…magic that only the vampire king could have. A thought, by reflex, of wanting to hurt the person who had silenced him had crossed his mind and his right arm, which had his magic wand, had moved an inch before he remembered who was in front of him.
"Don't do it again." Nathaniel said closing his eyes briefly. "You have to learn for yourself. I can understand that you love this man, but in giving this... these powers that we have to other wizards... I have to remind you how vulnerable we are. You're making yourself vulnerable, Seth, because you're showing how unique you are and how people might wish you harm."
"Do you think I can be locked up so easily?" Seth said not believing that having made a vampire had to have so many consequences.
Nathaniel moved closer to Seth.
"No one is almighty. Only the Gods are.'' Said the king.
''I'm damn close to being one, right?'' Seth replied arrogantly.
Nathaniel narrowed his eyes.
''You do not understand. Not so long ago, you would bow your head to me. Do you want to suffer the same fate as Grindelwald, too, Seth?'' hissed Nathaniel.
"You wouldn't dare." Seth said hesitantly.
His father grabbed his chin between two fingers. His father was the only one who rivaled his size. For the first time in his life since he was an adult, he feared his father.
"Cin glenn- ú- ech- a lamia ú- treneri- nin." Nathaniel said in Venthyr, a command Seth could no longer ignore.
Nathaniel let go of Seth's chin and looked at Corban, who took a step back. He was not a king for no reason, nor had he lived more than five hundred years without knowing how to demonstrate authority when necessary. What did he intend to do to Corban?
"I don't know you, but if you were to pose any threat to us, I would never hesitate to take your life, no matter what relationship you have with my son." Nathaniel said.
"O-Of course…sir." Corban replied.
Seth looked at his mother who seemed sympathetic, understanding better the reasons why Seth would have done this. An awkward silence took place.
"Is that all?" Seth asked hesitantly.
"It's still your birthday." Elena said. "We're glad you found someone, Seth, despite everything."
Nathaniel gave Seth and Corban one last look and walked out of the room with Lazarus behind him. Elena sighed and wrapped her arms around Seth. She was a head shorter than him. Since when was her mother so short? She pulled back and her eyes went to Corban who looked down at her in submission.
"Welcome to our family, Mr. Yaxley. Despite what your king said, you are very important to us. It will be enough to make the right choices.'' Elena said with a wink, but not reassuring Corban.
"Yes...my queen." Corban stammered as she walked past him and went to join her husband.
Corban's heart was hammering in his chest, and he was startled as Seth took his hand.
"Your father…seriously, he can be extremely scary. I felt your fear and it didn't help with my own fear. I really thought he was going to hurt you." Corban said.
Seth sighed.
"Despite everything I do, I have a lot to learn. I sometimes forget my place, despite the powers I hold." Seth said.
"But comparing yourself to a God…really? Vampires have one?'' asked Corban, half-smiling.
Seth looked serious.
''We do. Our ancient scrolls demonstrate that vampires were created by Morgulben, or by a wizard who sought eternal life by performing a ritual to summon this God." Seth said and Corban blinked, wondering if Seth was joking.
"So, vampires are the result of a failed ritual?" Corban asked.
"Hn, that's what I believe, and that's why I think vampires have rights just as much as wizards. My... birth proves it even more.'' Seth said.
"Do you think they'll wake up one day and realise that you're not just a wizard?" Corban said.
''I feel like they either know it unknowingly or act like it's not important until the day it will…The other day Sharp noticed that I moved a chair like a muggle instead of doing magic like everyone else. Maybe there was an implication that he didn't believe I could do magic, but he also talked about my duel…'' Seth said.
"Well...I hope they don't hunt you down when that happens." Corban followed with an awkward laugh.
OoOoO
august 7th, 1945, ministry of magic
"The International Confederation of Wizards?" Seth asked Dominic who suddenly looked nervous.
"Yeah... an emergency... I don't know what it is, but to summon all the magical ministers like that..." Sharp said as they quickly walked towards the magical transport department.
"The secret would be broken, do you think?" Seth asked following his lead.
"Hmm, the last time the confederacy met was to elect Albus Dumbledore after the defeat of Grindelwald." Sharp said.
They were joined by Graves and a few Aurors. They arrived at the Magical Transportation department and went to a room where Minister Spencer-Moon was waiting with some members of the Wizengamot.
The head of the Department of Magical Transportation, Bundy, came almost running with a long feather in his hands which must have been the portkey.
"I've got it!" Cried Bundy breathlessly. "Portkey to New York." He handed the quill to the minister. "Just tap it with your wand, sir, and say MACUSA."
"Thank you, Bundy. Is everyone there?'' Spencer-Moon asked. Sharp looked around and nodded affirmatively and everyone touched the quill with one finger. ''MACUSA.''
Seth felt the unpleasant sensation of the hook at his navel and a few seconds later they found themselves in another even larger room with several golden clocks. They were not the only ones since several other wizards arrived by portkey in all corners of the room.
Seth had let go of the feather as soon as he could and surveyed the scene.
"Macusa? We're in New York?'' Said Alastor Moody.
Graves put an arm over Alastor's shoulders.
''Yeah! Welcome to the town where I grew up!'' Graves said proudly before laughing.
"This way, everyone, please. Follow me.'' Said the voice of a woman that many seemed to recognize.
"Heyyy, Scamander, you're going to break my fun showing them around." Graves said.
"Now is not the time, Wilhelm. The urgency of the situation demands it.'' Said the woman.
The whispers died down and the wizards followed the woman in silence.
"Scamander...is that Newt Scamander's wife?" Seth asked in a whisper to Sharp.
"Yes, formerly known as Porpentina Goldstein. She's the one who took Graves' place, since he's with us now." Sharp said.
"Ah."
Porpentina led them through New York's Ministry of Magic, which Seth found to be twice the size and grander of London's. The house-elves also worked in the ministry, polishing shoes, wands, and operating the various elevators.
They arrived in a large rectangular room with stages already filled with wizards and witches from all over the world. They were so many… as they were so few. Was that a reason for the danger?
Seth was surprised to see François alongside the French minister and made his way towards him. When he was seated next to him, one of the only places available, François gave him a smug smile.
''Nin Còon, did you free this witch from her curse?'' Asked François as greetings.
"Yes... how come you're here?" Seth asked.
François looked over to the person next to him, then to the rest of the room.
"I'm an adviser...when I'm not somewhere else." Francois replied vaguely.
Seth went to ask more questions when Albus Dumbledore entered the room and stood in the middle, raising his wand which emitted a light in order to attract attention.
''Welcome everyone. We are gathered today, because a grave event has happened among the… muggles, or non-magicals.'' Albus said, going straight to the point. Everyone listened to him attentively. "Nuclear bombs." He added sadly.
Albus waved his wand in a circle, making clouds appear, then he held the wand to his temple and pulled out a thread, a thought, and propelled it towards the clouds which formed... terrifying images. It was a replica of a muggle-made bomb. Albus mentioned that Japan had been attacked for a long time by several countries. In the face of the…threat Muggles saw as such; they crafted weapons of mighty powers that could kill thousands of people at once. In the city of Hiroshima, Japan, this bomb was thrown and hundreds of thousands of muggles died.
Was that what his father had talked about with the vampire he didn't know? He feared that vampires hadn't had time to leave the island. How did he know that? Did his father make many childes in his life and could thus communicate with several vampires around the world?
And that bomb... Seth grimaced, and noticed he wasn't the only one.
"Grindelwald warned us." Said a wizard.
Grindelwald?
Several people wondered what he was talking about. A sudden hubbub ensued where Albus had to make a loud noise with his wand to bring silence.
"Even if he had warned this, we have to think about protecting ourselves and strengthening what already exists." Porpentina said.
Seth frowned. She really believes that the current methods are effective?
''It's awful! If they turn that weapon against us, there's nothing we can do about it! We have to do something!'' said a wizard.
"I know you don't have the same methods in your countries but keeping rules like wand permits and... avoiding marriages with non-magicals..." Porpentina said, but she seemed to lack conviction.
Seth knew very well what to do. Protests erupted again, stubbornly arguing over Muggle rights and wizard-to-Muggle marriages. Even among wizards there was great discord.
"Does anyone know what they intend to do?" shouted a witch louder than the others.
The voices fell silent, looking at each other in turn.
"Et bien, oui." replied François, looking at his fingernails.
All the attention was now on him.
"And you are?" asked Albus.
"Ah, introductions? My name is François, adviser to ze Minister of France since… mmm 1715.'' Said François.
The uproar and protests that followed pissed Seth off.
'But it's impossible!'
'No wizard lives that long!'
'What is that? We accept anyone here now?'
'A vampire, what?'
Albus silenced the people by making yet another deafening sound with his wand.
"Mr… Francois? Please continue.'' said Dumbledore.
"Ah, les humains… hm, I eagerly participated in World War II." began Francois before being interrupted again.
"Non-magicals knew you were a vampire? You contributed to the breaking of the magic secret and…" began Graves.
"Non." Francois cut in with venom in his voice. "If you interrupt me again, I von't zay anything more." Seth held back, and the others didn't say anything either. "I know very vell how to deal wit' humans and eet doesn't matter what I did. Vhat you need to know is t'at dis bomb was de first, but far from the last. Dis technology vas stolen from ze hands of one country and made by another. I already predict dat dey vill send anot'er of zese bombs on Japan. Vhat will happen next... is only speculatiôn being accustomed to t'eir... behaviors.
''What are your predictions, then?'' asked Porpentina.
Francois licked his teeth before speaking.
"Ze war will end, now seeing the force of devastating technology… and most certainly vill follow a moment… of peace. I don't believe doing anyt'ing where panicking is good for you, but know t'at dis technology is just the beginning. I see their intelligence developing faster in recent years. However, you 'ave to find a way to predict de day when you vould be laid bare.'' Francis said.
"We're not enough, and that's one of the reasons our world has to be kept secret." Graves said. ''We must prevent marriage with no-mages, like we do in America!''
"That's not the solution." Albus said.
"Our ministry in America is extremely efficient! I've seen the reports from the Obliviators: you have ten times more interventions in a month in Europe than in America as a whole in a year! All because you allow, and encourage, unions with non-magicals in addition to having an ineffective system for punishing wrongdoers!'' Graves said.
"It's still better than the death penalty, Graves, and as you so aptly put it, we're not enough!" Sharp said.
Touché.
Unfortunately, another hubbub started, and Seth put a hand over his eyes shaking his head. He had a solution, albeit a very long-term one, and he was taking advice from his father where Seth realized he could know what was going on, quickly, across the world, all because of the bond that vampires had with their creators.
"Yes, that's very useful." Corban thought while he was still at the Ministry in London.
"Does anyone have another solution to offer?" Albus asked after several minutes of suggestions.
"I have one." Seth said.
The attention was now on him.
"I'm listening." Said Albus.
"For those who don't know me, my name is Seth Vulken, and I work for the Director of International Magical Cooperation, Dominic Sharp. I also represent the entire vampire nation, under the sole authority of my father, King Nathaniel Vulken.'' Seth said, raising his chin.
Might as well make himself known among the whole confederation of wizards.
"Are you... a vampire?" Asked Porpentina.
Ah, the question to which he will always repeat the same thing.
"I'm a wizard." Seth answered without telling a lie. Whether they find logic in his appearance, he won't care. His icy blue eyes roamed the stands. "One possible solution would be to create vampires and position them across countries so that they are always alert to everything new and the technologically muggles make. Not only do vampires know how to mingle with muggles perfectly, but they also have the ability to communicate with those who created them, being able to relay vital information quickly.
''This is insane...'' Said a wizard looking around. "Vampires need blood to survive. How do you plan to tackle this simple problem? Not even to mention the monstrous costs it would cause!" he added.
Seth took a deep breath before speaking. Revealing the island to everyone was bound to happen one day or another.
"I am aware of the responsibilities that this generates. The vampires mainly reside on an island near Liverpool, where we are regularly supplied. The muggles residing there know magic exists and they've been serving vampires for hundreds of years.'' Seth explained as he braced himself for several comments, which he did.
'Slaves?'
'Hundreds of years?'
"Minister Spencer, did you know that?" asked Porpentina.
"Uh, yeah... But why look for a problem where there isn't one?" Spencer said. "Let's instead look at the option that Mr. Vulken offers."
"It's a multi-decade plan, but it would give an extreme informational and communication advantage for all wizards." Seth said.
"Having so many vampires out of the control of the Ministries would be suicidal!" Graves said. "Creatures like them just can't..."
Francois gave a grunt that cut short what Graves was saying. He started hurling insults that only Seth could understand, then with a solemn step, François got up and left the room. Seth wanted to do the same, but he just cringed. He took a deep breath and concentrated on drawing his magic out of him, a soothing magic of positive suggestion, so that the wizards in the room would be more inclined to listen to him this time.
"Like I said, if you decide to go ahead with a project like this, I'll be responsible for it, especially being the bridge between my nation and wizards." Seth said before looking at Sharp who nodded. "And it is with Mr. Sharp that we will be able to protect wizards all over the world in this way. We are all concerned, each and everyone of us, by what has happened, and we must take this as a lesson in the danger that muggles can cause and know how to prepare ourselves in the best possible way by being proactive, and not to keep wanting to prove who's the best.'' added Seth, still looking at them in turn. The effect of his magic seemed to take effect and murmurs of approval were heard. Seth looked at Albus who was frowning. Seth smiled, thinking that if there was anyone who could feel that magic, it was Albus Dumbledore. ''The first steps before doing this project will be to educate yourself about vampires, because although Graves is right, in a way, vampires don't rely exclusively on humans for sustenance."
Seth withdrew his magic, bringing it back to him. He saw that some looked worried again. It had the desired effect as the minister in London requested a report and the detailed draft on his desk within the next few weeks.
Porpentina recalled the various measures to keep the magic secret and Albus nodded, albeit with reluctance. When the session was over, Seth remembered that he hadn't yet mentioned his other project at Sharp for Muggle-born wizards and was quick to do so once he got back to London.
"Full of ideas, dear boy." Sharp said, scratching his growing beard. "This project interests me more, but we will have to make a choice, Seth. In addition to all the work we already have… me, I need to sleep, even more tonight. What a day!''
"Do you think François is right and another bomb will be dropped?" Seth asked out of curiosity.
"Hm, I thought you would know more than me. You carry a heavy burden, Seth. Be careful what you decide...your speech was very convincing, but only a minority will approve of vampires being found all over the world, and I'm afraid there will be years between what you expect to do.'' said Sharp.
"Years, I have plenty." Seth assured.
Venthyr Translation
"Ho golodh?"
''He knows?''
''Dorth-.''
''Stay.''
"Cericin sinte i as er minei peth, im cala meth cín cuil?"
"Did you know that with just one word, I could take your life?"
"DAIN!"
''SILENCE!''
"Cin glenn-ú-ech-a lamia ú-treneri-nin."
"You won't make a vampire without telling me."