Sephtis

by CAGRIFF-I-DOOR

Betrayal by the one you considered your father, can be soul shattering. If he lied and omitted such an important fact as his death, what else was he hiding? Harry asks death, he needs to know. Death gives him the straight truth. Dumbledore knew of the abuse. He let the Dursley’s continue treating him like a slave. Not only that but he made it impossible for him to fight back

Sephtis Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at /works/38353432.

Rating: Mature Archive Warning: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Underage Category: M/M, F/M, Multi Fandom: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling Relationship: Harry Potter/Tom Riddle, Harry Potter/Voldemort, Harry Potter & Evan

Rosier, Harry Potter/Tom Riddle/Evan Rosier, Thaddeus Nott/Walburga Black, Harry Potter/Tom Riddle/Minjun Jae-won

Character: Harry Potter, Tom Riddle Voldemort, Abraxas Malfoy, Nott Sr. (Harry Potter), Lestrange Sr. Tom Riddle's Schoolmate, Albus Dumbledore, Eileen Prince, Evan Rosier, Corvus Lestrange IV, Orion Black, Walburga Black, Minjun Jae-won

Additional Tags: Dark Harry Potter, Immoral Harry Potter, Insane Harry Potter, First Time, Master of Death Harry Potter, Death, Blood and Gore, Violence, Knights of Walpurgis (Harry Potter), Hogwarts, Time Travel, Consensual Underage Sex, Magically Powerful Harry Potter, Deadly Harry Potter, Abused Harry Potter, Possessive Tom Riddle, Albus Dumbledore Bashing, Manipulative Albus Dumbledore, Memory Loss, Master/Slave, Child Neglect, Twisted Romance, Insanity, Boys In Love, Boy Love, Full Moon, Sacrifice, Blood Magic (Harry Potter), Dark Magic, Dark Lord Harry Potter, Threesome - M/M/M, Creature Fic, Creature Mates, Creature Harry Potter, creature sex, vindication

Language: English Stats: Published: 2022-04-13 Updated: 2022-05-03 Words: 93,963 Chapters:

9/?

Sephtis by LaviniaKatt

Summary

Betrayal by the one you considered your father, can be soul shattering. If he lied and omitted such an important fact as his death, what else was he hiding? Harry asks death, he needs to know. Death gives him the straight truth. Dumbledore knew of the abuse. He let the Dursley's continue treating him like a slave. Not only that but he made it impossible for him to fight back by adding magical suppression wards around the house on Privet Dr. He set up every situation that guided Harry to believe solely in the 'Light' minded people that he himself approved of. In the school all his food and drinks had been laced with compulsion potions. His bed charmed to drain his magic while he slept. So many more and Harry wants to truly die. How could they all do this to him? They did and he died for them! Death offers him a new life. A chance to start over. Harry will forget all of who he was, all of the first life he has lived will be lost to him and Death will give him a completely new life. Of course, with a few personal touches to Harry's new psyche.

-Please leave a kudos if you like this work, and a bookmark to come back and read future /users/LaviniaKatt/pseuds/LaviniaKatt

Notes

Sephtis never received his Hogwarts letter because the owl sent with it could not get to him while Sephtis is locked up in an asylum. Sephtis is moved from orphanage to orphanage to an asylum to an orphanage during his eleven years of life. Experiencing many horrifying things at the hands that should have protected him. When he lands in Wool's Orphanage in July 1939, he is a far cry from sane. He is twelve years old and will be thirteen on October eighteenth. The records on his full name got lost in all the transfers and is simply known by the name Sephtis. This year, he will receive his letter. -- (Seph-tis)

Ch 1

Sephtis Tempest Selwyn

Chapter One

July 1939

Sephtis stares openly at the black haired boy across from him. He doesn't know his name yet. It is late, way past lights out and he had been drifting in his nightly meditation when across from him, the boy he shared a room with, did something to cause a whooshing sound that brought Sephtis out of his meditation to look over at the boy through the darkness. What he saw, had his little heart stilling and his breathing to stutter and shallow out. The boy was holding fire, literal fire in his hand! Fire in his bloody hand! Sephtis had sat up, excitement rushing through him. He climbed off his bed to fall to his knees at the other boy's bed side. The other boy snarled, suddenly realizing his unwanted audience. Sephtis ducked his head quickly. "Please, I…" He is ashamed now, but he desperately wants to see the fire again. It made him wonder if the things he has done and can do are similar to the fire the boy did. His cheeks flush, remembering the pure joy on the other boy's face. It has filled Sephtis will elation and want.

He lifted his flushed face, his opal eyes filled with adoration and longing. It seemed to please the other boy because his snarling face lost some of its severity. "Please can you show me the fire again…?" The other boy narrowed his eyes watching Sephtis with heavy contemplation before he suddenly leaned forward and took hold of Sephtis chin in an iron grip. His gaze penetrating and fierce. "Swear that you won't tell anyone else. Swear it." Sephtis smiled with reverence and his eyes light up. "The others could never hope to deserve to know. I swear that I will keep all your secrets." His answer must have been more than adequate because the other boy grinned ferally and nodded before releasing his chin and sitting back. "My name is Tom, that is what you may call me. Come, I will show you more fire." Tom said, patting the bed beside him. Sephtis scrambled up from the floor and up onto the bed to kneel facing Tom. "If it pleases you, you may call me Sephtis."

Tom smirked at him, enjoying this boy's subservient behavior. He nodded and then held out his hand in front of Sephtis. Tom's face screwed up in concentration for a moment and Sephtis watched avidly. A few seconds later little orange flames combusted into life and Sephtis couldn't help the excited giggle that lept out of him. He reached a hand out and reverently stroked the warm air around the small flames. "This is brilliant, Tom. Utterly brilliant!" Sephtis whispered in awe and Tom grinned again, thoroughly reveling in the worship like behavior coming from Sephtis. It felt thrilling to finally be able to show his brilliance to someone who truly appreciates it. He decided in this moment that Sephtis would be his friend and only his. He watched as Sephtis continued to stroke the air around the flames dancing in his hand. He extinguished the flames and felt gratification when Sephtis mewled sadly at the loss of them. "I can do more brilliant things, Sephtis, would you like to see them?" His offer was rewarded with Sephtis's beautiful pale eyes lighting up to the point of almost glowing in the darkness with his excited desire of Tom's offer.

"Yes! Yes I want to see it all, Tom. Please show me more." Sephtis's voice was almost pleading he wanted more so badly. This only reaffirmed Tom's decision to keep Sephtis as his friend. His friend only. No other shall be able to have such a claim. He would never allow someone else to receive Sephtis's worshipful adoration. Sephtis being muggle beside it all. He will be the only muggle that Tom will allow in his life.

That night Tom showed Sephtis how he could summon objects from one place to himself. How he could make things float up off his hand. Sephtis's awe and reverence only grew. Tom does not tell him about Hogwarts, he doesn't tell him about his wand. He leaves all of that out. A muggle only deserves to know so much. What Sephtis doesn't know won't hurt him. He looked to Tom akin to a God by the time they both fell asleep that night. Sephtis had looked reluctant to leave Tom's side when they both knew they couldn't stay awake anymore and it had filled Tom with curiosity. How much could he make Sephtis his. In how many ways could he have Sephtis's utter devotion. What would Sephtis be willing to do for him? What depth could he anchor Sephtis to him. He felt Sephtis's eyes on him until the boy had inevitably fallen asleep and it had filled him with great satisfaction. Sephtis is HIS. But now he is afraid to think about what will happen to Sephtis when he has to leave for school, he won't be here to protect Sephtis from the other kids…it fills him with sick dread.

After that night, the two were nearly inseparable. If Tom went somewhere Sephtis was at his side. He was a extremely loyal friend without being suffocating and Tom felt powerful having someone be so devoted to him. Of course, this did not go unnoticed by the others in the orphanage. The Matron started purposely separating them during the day. The first time that she had kept Sephtis away from Tom for the who day he had nearly had a break down and that night was the first night that Sephtis had with a pink flush asked Tom if he could hold his hand. Tom knew his friend had sunken even deeper into his claws that day. Sephtis now needed his contact to reaffirm that he needed Tom for comfort. The other children turned out to be much worse though. They took to making quiet jabs at them in passing. The quiet jabs turned into physical beating shortly after.

Sephtis earned Tom's loyalty one day when Tom had been coming back from the little garden in the back yard when suddenly three of the older boys had stepped into Tom's path. Sephtis had been tasked with laundry duty that day, so he was not with him. Tom had adorned a bland expression and simply looked up at them. However, they didn't take kindly to this. They didn't like Tom acting as though he was better than them. "Wipe that look off your face Tom, you know you're a filthy little bastard." Tom seethed inwardly but refused to let them see it. They had no worth, not worthy of his emotions. HE simply quirked an eyebrow at them. "You scum! I guess we will just have to teach you your place again." Dread filled Tom, there was no way he could take on all three boys. They were way bigger than him and there was bloody three of them. The biggest boy, the one who had done the speaking stepped forward with his fist raised. And then Sephtis was there coming up from below and delivering a sharp under punch to the bottom of the bigger boy's chin. The boy's head snapped back with a crack from the sheer force of Sephtis's fist.

Sephtis wasted no time dropping down and swinging his leg out to drop all three of the boys to the ground by knocking all their feet out from underneath them. Once they went down, Sephtis gave them no chance to retaliate, he stood over each of them in turn with burning fury in his iridescent

opal eyes and gave them each a few solid blows to the face. "This is a warning. You will leave Tom alone. If I so much as hear you talking about hurting Tom, I will make your life utter hell." Sephtis said, his voice rigid and cold. What Sephtis hadn't told Tom yet was his own little abilities. One of his abilities made it so no matter how many times or how hard he hit or hurt them, the boys would not bruise or bleed. There would be no obvious sign that he had beat them. He wouldn't risk getting him or Tom is trouble. When he was done with the boys he turned around and rushed to Tom, worry clear in his eyes. "They didn't hurt you did they, if they did, I will destroy them." He said with a sneer back over his shoulder at the boys who lay on the ground still, groaning in pain. Tom couldn't help the incredulous laugh that burst forth from him. Oh, how he loved Sephtis. He is simply perfect. Sephtis gave a relieved chuckle and blushed under the attention. Tom took his hand and pulled him inside and through the building up into their room. Not wanting anyone else to see Sephtis like this.

Once inside Tom shut the door and pushed Sephtis down on his bed. Sephtis looked up at him with unabashed eager curiosity. Tom stood with his knees pressed against Sephtis's, staring down at him. His eyes on fire with greedy passion. Sephtis blushed beautifully under his gaze. "Would you kill for me Sephtis?" He asked outright, he knows Sephtis prefers his blunt curiosity. Sephtis feels sheer delight roll through him at the thought of killing for Tom, the knowledge that Tom would trust him enough to kill for him. He looks up at his friend through heavy half lids. A sick grin twisting his boyish, pale, petal pink lips. "I will slaughter the world for you, Tom." Tom hissed in pleasure at Sephtis's words. He struck like a snake, leaning down over Sephtis, bringing their mouths together in a hard kiss. His hands going to the bed on either side of Sephtis, like a cage. Sephtis purrs like a kitten and brings his hands up to Tom's neck. The kiss is nothing more than lips on lips, but it is more than enough for the both of them to confirm they feel the same.

Sephtis pulls back, his gaze sated and heavy with satisfaction to look into Tom's pretty blue eyes. "I can do things too Tom…" His voice is barely a whisper against Tom's lips. Tom's eyes widen as he registers what his friend just said. He stands up straight and doesn't know whether he should feel betrayed that Sephtis didn't tell him before or proud that his friend is special like him. Regret and fear take over Sephtis's features as he watches Tom's face. He hates seeing that suspicious, hurtful gaze being directed at him. He hadn't meant to hurt his friend. "I wasn't hiding it from you Tom…I…I just wasn't sure what I could do was really like what you can do, and I was so caught up in the beauty of your gifts that I sorta placed mine in the background… I didn't mean to hurt you…I'm sorry…" Sephtis looked down, he didn't want to see Tom's reaction to his words. Too scared his friend will reject their friendship because of his foolishness. "What can you do?" Tom's voice is even, not cruel but not forgiving either. Sephtis closes his eyes in sorrow. Tom hasn't ever used that tone with him before. "I can hurt people with my fists and feet without ever leaving a mark. I can make myself move faster than normally possible and I can make my steps silent. I can….I can kill animals just by looking at them and wishing them dead…"He trails off, his voice pained. He hears Tom suck in a shocked gasp. A tear slips down across his cheek. He can't lose Tom. He can't live without Tom at his side. He can't.

He slides down onto his knees on the floor at Tom's feet and slowly lowers himself until he can place his forehead to Tom's shoes. "I am nothing without you. Please forgive me?" Another tear slips free from his eye. He doesn't like this silence. His chest hurts. "Look at me, Sephtis." Tom's words are a command but there is now a touch of warmth in them. Sephtis sighs in relief before he rises up to sit back on his knees. He looks up at Tom, his face flushed from his sorrow and the wet

trails of his tears still evident on his cheeks. Tom sighs, he doesn't like seeing Sephtis in pain like this. He doesn't like the idea of his Sephtis in pain at all. But this time, Sephtis brought this on himself by keeping something so amazing to himself. Tom had shared his secrets with Sephtis, but his friend kept his secrets silent. But he can understand why his friend has done it. The things Sephtis can do are much different then what Tom himself has discovered what he can do. At least now he can tell his friend about Hogwarts. But he doesn't understand, if Sephtis is a wizard like himself then how come he didn't attend last year?

"Do you have any more secrets to tell me, Sephtis?" He asks, needing to know before he can give Sephtis his forgiveness. Sephtis's blushes and ducks his head. Clearly there is something, but it's something intimate that Sephtis feels. "Do desires count as secrets Tom?" The question catches Tom off guard, and he raises a brow. "No, I do not suppose so, but I would like to be privy to every desire you have Sephtis." He is not ashamed to demand as such. Their kiss just moments ago is more than enough to ensure that Sephtis is his in all ways. Sephtis's blush darkens, and he shifts on his knees. "I…I want to sleep in your bed…with you." Tom smirks, he already knew this. It was evident since Sephtis's first night at the orphanage and Tom had shown him his wandless magic.

"Anything else, Sephtis?" Now his friend does raise his face to look up at Tom and he sucks in a breath at the heated desire there in his friend's face. He almost stumbles back from the sheer insane force of it. "I want to be the only one you seek comfort in. I want to be the only one who inspires your arousal. I want to be your everything. I want to kneel at your feet and worship your magnificence. I want you to kiss me. I want you to take me for everything you so desire. Use me. For I am yours completely." Tom's heart is thudding loudly in in ears and his body is quivering at the weight of Sephtis's complete and utter devotion to him. No one from Hogwarts could ever compare to Sephtis. His insane, beautiful, dark to the core, murderous, his sharp little dagger. He reaches down and pulls Sephtis to feet and then pushes him back down on the bed. This time he climbs on top of Sephtis and looks down at his friend. His knees on either side of Sephtis's hips and his hands on either side of Sephtis's head. Sephtis places his hands on Tom's small hips.

Satisfied with the excited and aroused look in his friends alluring eyes. He has never seen eyes like Sephtis's. So pale, yet they reflect different colors under different angles and lighting. Tom leans down and places a trail of soft kisses from the corner of Sephtis's mouth to his ear. "From now on, you are to be known as Dagger. You shall be at my side always and you will strike down any who dare to cross my path." Sephtis shudders hard under Tom's body as the words are whispered with hot breath against his ear. Tom decides that if Sephtis doesn't receive his letter this year, he will talk to Professor Slughorn about it when he comes to take him to Diagon to collect his supplies this year. For now, he will have Sephtis read every one of his book from last year and he will teach him as best as he can to do the spells wandlessly. "T-Tom…Please, Tom." Sephtis pleads under him, his smaller body writhing with want. They both know their bodies are too young for any real activity, but Tom is sure he can help his little Dagger in a different way.

He nips at the ear lobe under his mouth and Sephtis turns his head to give Tom better access. Tom suckles at the delicate pale ear for a few moments and then he moves down along Sephtis's neck. He places open mouthed kisses along the sensitive skin and Sephtis moans loudly. Tom grins manically knowing just what to do. He is positive it is what will get Sephtis off. He moves his

mouth to the dip in Sephtis's neck where it meets his collar bone and then he starts suckling. Pulling the pale skin into his mouth and then licking it to sooth it. Sephtis gasps and bucks under him. "Oh. Oh. Oh. More, please, more T-Tom." Sephtis moans and gasps out. Tom knows his little Dagger is already close. With that in mind, the fixes his mouth over the already ultra-sensitized skin where he had been sucking and then he bites down hard. Sinking his teeth deep into the skin, breaking past the outer layer. Blood trickles into his mouth and Sephtis practically shouts his name out and his body arches up against Tom, his body quaking with his release.

Tom watches his debauched little dagger, coming down from his orgasmic ecstasy. He is enraptured by the lithe boy under him. He has never seen anyone more exquisite and delectable. He knows in the future when they are both in more mature bodies, he will ravish his little Dagger until he is unable to leave their love bed. If he is like this with only his claiming mark then he will be utterly destroyed by the actual act of true love making. Tom cannot wait for that day. "Mine. Mine. Mine." Tom hisses out in parseltongue, unable to stops himself. But he was surely not expecting to hear it coming back at him. "Yours, always yours." Sephtis hisses in return only for his eyes to widen comically as he realizes that both he and Tom had not in fact just spoken English. His eyes shoot to Tom's face. "W-What was that?" Tom sits back on Sephtis's lap, staring down at his little Dagger. Sephtis props himself up on his elbows.

"Sephtis, did you truly not know you could speak to snakes?" The owl eyed look Tom receives at that question and then the bright excitement that follows it are more than enough of an answer. Sephtis shakes his head and giggles with delight. "No, I didn't I've never had the opportunity to be around any snakes. The places before here always kept me locked away because they were too scared of me." Sephtis says, dropping a fact of the abuse he suffered as though he was talking about seeing a pigeon in the park. Tom stares incredulously down at his little Dagger. A horrifying feeling sinking in his gut. Parseltongue momentarily forgotten. "Dagger, what else have you suffered in the previous orphanages before you got here?" Sephtis tilts his head to the side, thinking about it. "Mm well, in the first place, I can't remember all that much, I know I was sickly because they hadn't fed me enough and frequently left me in dirty nappies for sometimes whole days. Other times, when my powers-"

"It's magic. You can do magic, Dagger." Tom interrupts for a moment, his voice filled with venom. Sephtis nods and then continues because he knows that that venom is not being directed at him. "When I started doing accidental magic when I was four and then things got worse. They called in priests several times and they tried to exercise the magic out of me." Sephtis grins wickedly, remembering fondly what happened the last two times. "They stopped after the last time because the priest died. I guess I can kill more than animals. I just didn't think about it before." Sephtis says with a giggle. Tom while utterly horrified to hear some of what his little Dagger has lived through is ecstatic to hear that his little Dagger can kill in such a way. The gift will definitely come in handy later. He wonders if this magic can be traced…

"When I was ten they sent me to an asylum because clearly nothing else was working to stop my demonic 'powers' and they did lots of stuff to me. There wasn't a day that they didn't use some sort of experimental treatment. I don't know the names of all the things they did then and to be honest, I am not entirely sure how I am alive because some of the things they did…" Sephtis sighed lightly. "But I know they hurt a lot. I was kept in a tiny, padded room with only a bed pan. It was so small I couldn't even stand up. Which was fine because most of the time I couldn't stand

on my own anyways. The nurses used to call me 'The Devil's Bastard Child'. They only kept me for a little over a year until it was clear I wasn't improving or dying, and they needed the space, so I was sent to a new orphanage." Sephtis says this all with a calm, dream like expression, occasionally smiling in such a creepy way that it sends horrified shivers down Tom's spine. Just how the bloody hell is his little Dagger alive?

"I am going to teach you how to use more magic Dagger. I won't allow anything like that to happen again to you." Sephtis's opal eyes light up brightly at the sound of learning more magic and he smiles. "I have books about magic for you to read first." Sephtis sits up abruptly and wraps his arms around Tom's waist. "There are actual books about magic?!" Tom laughs, enjoying his little Dagger's excitement. He nods and then points the chest near the head of his bed. "Can we start right now?" Sephtis doesn't even try to hide how eager and hungry for knowledge he is. Tom places a hand on his little Dagger's cheek and kisses him softly. "Of course." He would never deny Sephtis the option to become stronger. Especially not if Dagger is going to be at his side, as his personal assassin. He climbs off of Sephtis's lap and walks over to his trunk. He pulls out three books to start with. A History of Magic, Magical Theory, and The Standard Book of Spells, Grade one. He comes back and holds out the stack to his little Dagger. Sephtis scoots back so his back is against the wall and then takes the books. He opens the history book first and is immediately immersed. Tom grins at the sight. Gratified that his chosen is so dedicated to learning about what they can do. He can't wait to bring him to Hogwarts and show him off. His followers are in for a scary treat. None of them will be expecting him to come back with a consort at his side. Not that he will use that term in front of anyone for a few more years. Not until he can properly ravish the body of his most devoted little Dagger.

Three weeks later, halfway through August, two Hogwarts letters come. To Tom's great delight there IS one for Sephtis. The letter is also how they discover Sephtis's whole name. Sephtis Tempest Selwyn. Tom doesn't recognize the last name so he can't tell his little dagger if its wizarding name or not. It certainly sounds like one, but if it is, it will probably be an extinct line. Sephtis envelope contains an extra letter. This one is a form of questions to verify if Sephtis is able to join the second-year classes or if he will have to join the first years and be a year behind his peers. Luckily his little dagger seems to be just as hungry for power and knowledge as him. Dagger read every book in Tom's trunk in only two weeks and Tom is exceptionally proud because he has large number of books in his trunk. Sephtis fills out the test sheet with ease. Two days later they are waiting out in the hot sun for professor Slughorn. His little dagger stands at his side, their hands entwined, completely chill about the whole thing. But Tom knows that under that careless exterior Sephtis is a rolling ball of excitement. He's been talking about getting his own wand since Tom showed off his after Sephtis finished his first book.

He has never seen some one cherish a wand like his little Dagger did when Tom handed his over for Sephtis to get a feel of it. Which is saying something because he had spent almost a year around hundreds of witches and wizards with wands at Hogwarts the last year. Dagger had acted like it was the most precious thing on earth. And to be honest with himself, Tom had gotten more than a little aroused at the sight. He shook himself out of his thoughts when a pop sounded around the corner of the building next door and he watched Professor Slughorn come striding into view in a tailored, tan, muggle suit. Tom squeezed his little Dagger's hand to get his focus. Sephtis turned to face the same direction as Tom. Sephtis had to admit that the middle-aged, rotund man does not look like a wizard. Which is good because he knows thanks to Tom that Wizards are not supposed

to reveal their presence to muggles.

Professor Slughorn stops a few feet in front of them with a kind smile. Sephtis looks the man up and down, creating his own opinion of the man. "Tom, it's good to see you again. This must be Sephtis Selwyn?" Professor Slughorn says jovially and holds out his hand to Sephtis. Sephtis looks to Tom, he isn't going to do anything without Tom's approval. Tom smiles, very pleased and nods ever so slightly. Sephtis turns his attention back the professor Slughorn who is watching them rather bemused. Sephtis shakes the offered hand and smiles, letting a twinkle shine in his eyes. "Yes, I am Sephtis Selwyn. It's lovely to meet you Professor Slughorn. Tom has told me so much about you." Tom was right, charm was definitely the way to work professor Slughorn. The man positively preened at Sephtis's words. "All good things, I hope. Eh Tom?" Professor Slughorn said to Tom, who smiled sweetly and nodded. "Of course, Sir. Potions is my favorite class after all."

Professor Slughorn laughed heartily. "Alright boys, best be off. Don't have all day. Much to do. Sephtis, do you have your first-year test sheet? We will have to have a talk once school starts on why you didn't receive your letter last year." Sephtis nodded and removed the folded sheet of parchment from his pocket. He handed it to the professor who put it in his own pocket and then they were off down the street. Professor Slughorn apparated the three of them straight into Diagon Alley. Sephtis rained in his excitement, not willing to show how new he was to all of this. He clutched Tom's hand tighter, feeling a little overwhelmed. Large crowds are something that make him paranoid and nervous. Too many people to keep an eye on. Too many noises to properly focus. Tom sensing his little Dagger's rising distress pulls his friend closer. "Breath, my Dagger. Remember your meditation breathing exercises." Tom whispers quietly against his little Dagger's ear. Sephtis shivers pleasantly at the contact and does as told. Breathing in deep through his nose and then letting it out slowly.

More thankful now that he had told Tom about his meditations he had started while in the Asylum to help deal with the constant pain and to center his mind that was nearly lost to him after every treatment. Tom smiled ever so slightly, feeling his little Dagger calm beside him. This is supposed to be a good day for them after all. Sephtis's first time in the magical world and they got to be away from the orphanage for most of the day. Professor Slughorn led them to the tallest, cleanest looking building on the long stretch of alley. "This is Gringotts, the banking system for all of the Magical world. It is run by Goblins. They work best when treated with respect and prefer their clientele to be straight to the point." Tom informed Sephtis quietly as the trio made their way up the grand marble steps.

Inside Sephtis made sure to scan the room, taking in ever face, goblin and human alike. The goblins certainly looked like the name. Short, dark-skinned creatures with sharp, menacing mouths and large noses. Each one dressed with the utmost care about their appearance and Sephtis had to admit inwardly that he was rather impressed and knew now he would have no problem respecting the little creature race. At the large center desk at the front of the room Professor Slughorn stopped them. "Greetings may your gold be every growing. I am here on behalf of Hogwarts to get young mister Sephtis Selwyn here tested for his possible inheritance." The short goblin leaned over the edge of his tall desk to get a look at the two young boys. "May your students be ever studious, Professor Slughorn. Should you not be enquiring about two inheritance tests, Professor Slughorn?"

The professor looked started by the question and Tom stiffened. Sephtis looked at his friend, mildly curious as to what is happening. Professor Slughorn looked down at Tom. "Tom, were you not tested last year on your tip to Diagon Alley?" Tom looked confused and shook his head. "No Sir, Professor Dumbledore didn't even bring me here. He used his own pocket money to buy my things." Professor Slughorn paled a shade, a little alarmed and more then a lot confused as to why his old friend would forgo such a formality. Sephtis felt his friend bristle and he knew he was furious at this discovery. He pulled Tom closer to his side rested his head on his shoulder. Anchoring his friend's emotions. The goblin eyed them speculatively before turning back to the professor. "That will be six galleons, Professor Slughorn." The professor still in a state of shock sputtered back to reality hearing the goblins words. He waved a hand in dismissal. "As usual, take it straight from the Hogwarts student vault. The Goblin nodded sharply and turned away from the begin scribbling away on parchment on his desk.

"Mister Selwyn, Mister Riddle, if you will follow me. I will take you to your private rooms for testing." They both nodded and went to follow the Goblin. "You boys go on ahead, I will wait here for you." The professor informed them. Knowing full well they are perfectly safe with the Goblins. The Goblin took them down a short white hall with several doors on it. He stopped at a seemingly random door. "Mister Selwyn, if you will step in here, Griphook will be waiting to perform your test." Sephtis froze. He was supposed to go in alone. Without Tom? Bad things always happened when he was forced away from Tom. He can't do this! "Sir, if it is of no trouble, Mister Selwyn and I would like to be tested together." Sephtis almost sighed in relief hearing Tom come to his rescue. The Goblin nodded sharply and gestured for them both to enter. Sephtis bowed his thanks to the Goblin and then followed Tom into the moderately sized office.

Four white walls, each adorned with an assortment of different battle axes. Sephtis smiled approving at the choice of decoration. He wondered if they are willing to craft them for potential buyers. He brought his attention to the Goblin sitting at the regal black desk as they approached. He stopped before the desk and bowed in greeting. "Greetings Griphook. May your axes cut swiftly through your enemies." Sephtis greeted with a shark like grin. Griphook smiled to hide his surprise. Not many would choose such a dark greeting. Tom smirked beside him and bowed his own greeting. "Good morning, Griphook. As my partner says, may your axes be ever sharp and swift." Griphook grinned at the pair and gestured to the seats in front of his desk. They each took a seat, but they never let go of each other's hand. Keeping them together between the chairs.

Griphook produced two identical long, white feathered quills. Placing them atop two separate pieces of parchment. One each in front of the two boys. "They are low level, goblin crafted blood quills. They are crafted for the sole purpose of these tests. After their use if done they will be properly destroyed. All you must do is write your name at the top of the page and magic will do the rest. There will be a slight sting." Both boys wasted no time letting go of the other to sign their names. The pain was more like a subtle itch in Sephtis, opinion. Nothing compared to any pain he has endured. They finished at nearly the same time but both stayed leaning forward so they watch the results appear.

Sephtis Tempest Selwyn

October 29, 1926, 3:30 A.M.

Father

Thorton Jacoby Selwyn, August 22, 1903/December 17, 1928 – Pureblood

Mother

Aldora Elizabeth Selwyn nee Ichabod, July 15, 1904/December 17, 1928 - Half-blood

Bonds

Master of Death

Vaults -Paternal

7- 875,964,332 /77- 65,462,987 /777- 888,764, 934 /397- 8,622,399,997 /481- 854,511 /136- 907,871,222

Sum = ʛ 11,361,317,983 Galleons / £58,169,948,072 Pounds

Vaults - Maternal

359- 68,997 /261- 704,640,335 /544- 336,547

Sum = ʛ 705,045,879 Galleons / £3,609,834,900 Pounds

Status

Lord

-

Pureblood

Thomas Marvolo Riddle

December 31, 1926, 2:52 A.M.

Father

Thomas Ulfred Riddle – Jr, May 11, 1880 -Squib

Mother

Merope Blythe Riddle nee Gaunt, January 3, 1907/December 31, 1926 – Pureblood

Bonds

--

Vaults – Paternal

171- Empty

Vaults – Maternal

198/226 – no access

Status

Heir

-

Pureblood

The only thing of note on Sephtis as far as he can tell is the bond labeling him as Master of Death. He wonders what exactly that means. Apparently he is wealthy as well. That part is splendid news. He detests these horrible clothes that will never fit his small body. It will also please…his partner? Is that what Tom called them? He cocked his head to the side in curiosity. Wondering what exactly they would be called. Certainly, friends do not kiss, do they? He shrugged and slid his parchment

across the desk to his partner. He looked to Tom now and noticed he had gone rather pale. Alarmed he reached out and placed a gently hand on Tom's wrist. The other boy flinched and this alarmed Sephtis even further. He stood from his chair and kneeled down in front of Tom. Making his presence small and controllable for Tom. He moved the hand he held still and place it over his pulse point on his neck. Letting the steady rhythm and his position calm his partner.

Tom's eyes snapped down to his little Dagger who kneeled at his feet, anchoring him. Sephtis smiled warmly up at him and then leaned forward to rest his head on Tom's lap. Calmer now, Tom picked up Sephtis's results and carefully read through them. His eyes went wide at the sheer amount of wealth his little dagger has under his possession. The bond though, made him nervous. If Sephtis had known about it, he would have told him. They have no secrets between them, and he trusts his little dagger. Thoroughly calmed now he taps on Sephtis's shoulder and indicates for him to rise and retake his seat. Once he has, Tom hands him his results. But he is not expecting the disgusted sneer that splits Dagger's face. Dagger's gazes shoot up from the parchment to the Goblin who has sat watching them in steady silence.

"I want to add Heir Riddle to my accounts. Give him full access to every vault." Griphook nods in acceptance and begins to gather the necessary paperwork. Tom however is staring at Sephtis with open incredulousness. "Sephtis, no. This is your-" Sephtis whips his head to the side hear his partner's words. His opal eyes strong and on fire with determination. "I am yours. I am yours for all eternity. In every way. What is mine, is yours." Sephtis hisses thickly. Tom reaches out and takes his little Dagger's hand, intertwining their fingers together. "Yes, you are mine. Mine." The hissed words sit like a pool of pleasure on his tongue and if they were alone he would have kissed and claimed Sephtis again as he had done weeks ago. Sephtis as though sensing his thoughts brought his hand up to caress the area over the mark that still scars his pale skin from where Tom and broken through skin. Sephtis eyes fluttered closed for a moment, reliving the orgasmic memory. He winked at Tom and then turned to sign the necessary paperwork, his hand never leaving Tom's.

Paperwork done, Grip hook present's Sephtis with his Lordship ring and then apologizes to Tom that the gaunt heir ring was sold decades ago. Tom seethes at this. How could his mother's family be such wretched, vile creatures. Sephtis sat forward, the fire back in his opal eyes. "Whatever the cost, I commission a new Gaunt heirship ring. I shall not have my partner be disgraced in such a despicable manner." Griphook grins, thoroughly enjoying his meeting today. This young Lord in front of him is rather amusing. Respectful and utterly loyal to his proclaimed partner. "Of course, we of the proud Goblin nation would be honored to create such a ring." Griphook said, pushing two new forms across the desk. One in front of the Gaunt Heir and the other in front of Lord Selwyn. He points to the one in front of the Heir. "Draw a rough design of what you desire the ring to look like or give a detailed list should that be more favorable to you, Heir Gaunt." He turned the young Lord. "As usual, sign at the bottom to agree the purchase amount and which vault you would like to have it withdrawn from." Sephtis still immersed in his own anger leant forward to sign the paper work, not bothering to look at the price.

With that done he slips out of his chair and goes back to kneeling at Tom's feet and resting his head in Tom's lap. He focuses on his breathing exercises and closes his eyes. Tom's anger

dissipates seeing the raven-haired head in his lap. He can feel his little Dagger working to calm himself. He feels a bubbling glee inside of him. His little Dagger is furious over his family screwing him over, and then working to right the issues. He gave him money, a new family ring, his utter and undivided devotion and so much more. Using his left hand, he begins to card his fingers through Sephtis's soft hair. Sephtis's emits a purring sort of noise feeling Tom's hand in his hair. Sephtis stays on his knees for the several long minutes that it takes for Tom to sketch out the ring design he wants. When Tom is done he slides the parchment back across the desk to Griphook. Griphook takes it and looks over the design.

"This will take a week to make. Stop here before you head to the express on September first and I will have it ready for you. Do you have any other business to discuss with me today?" Sephtis speaks without moving his head from Tom's lap. "Give Tom a ring for direct access to our vaults. It would hinder us to have to carry around pockets full of heavy coins. I assume I am correct in thinking that my Lord ring has this accessibility?" The Goblin chuckles and snaps his fingers. A ring box pops into existence in front of Tom. He opens it to find an obsidian band, and a green jade outline, with the Selwyn coat of arms engraved in it. He tapped on his little Dagger's shoulder and waited until he had sat up on his knees to properly look up at him. He smirks at the sight; he will never tire of seeing Sephtis so willingly kneeling at his feet. He holds the box down in front of his little Dagger's face and holds out his other hand next to it. "Put it on me, Sephtis."

Sephtis blushes light pink at the request and he picks up the ring, taking Tom's hand gently in his. He slides the ring onto Tom's right index finger and then he brings the hand to his mouth and places a soft kiss to it. The action causing warmth to flood through him, and he feels weak. He is glad he is already kneeling for he knows his knees may have given out on him. He presses his warm face into Tom's leg to let himself cool down and his breathing to even out once more. "Are you alright, my little Dagger?" Tom asks, carding his fingers through Dagger's hair. Sephtis nods against his leg before raising his flushed face to look up at Tom through his lashes. "I am more than alright, My Keeper. I am only affected by the honor you bestow so easily upon me. It creates desire within me, that is all." Tom's eyes flash greedily at the sight of Sephtis so debauched just from having him put the ring on him. He doesn't care that they have an audience in this moment. He cannot and does not want to hold himself back from such a delectable sight. He leans down and captures Sephtis's mouth with his. Sephtis groans greedily, bringing up his hands to cup Tom's cheeks. This time, Tom wants more. He opens his mouth to lick against Sephtis's warm lips. Sephtis gasps in delight and parts his mouth immediately. Tom slips his tongue into Sephtis's hot mouth and swipes it across the tongue eagerly waiting for him.

Sephtis shudders and moans softly into Tom's mouth. He never imagined kissing like this would be so good. When the need for air becomes to great Tom pulls back a few inches, watching the delicate string of saliva stretch between their parted mouths. Sephtis is a panting mess at his feet. Tears of ecstasy rolling down his cheeks that are flushed so beautifully. Tom very much wishes he could take a picture of Sephtis like this, in this moment. He brushes his knuckles across Sephtis's warm cheek. "Breath and cool yourself, now my little Dagger. I promise to take care of you when we are done for the day." He promises and Dagger nods, fresh excitement flooding through him. He rests his forehead against Tom's knee and forces himself to clear his thoughts and focus on breathing in deep and out. It takes only a minute for Sephtis to cool down completely. He places a soft kiss to Tom's knee before he fluidly rises to his feet. He bows to Griphook. "Thank you for your services today Griphook. May your decapitated enemies strike fear into others who dare cross

your path." Griphook chuckled in delight and stood to bow in return.

"May your enemies fall swiftly under your fists, young Lord Selwyn. Today you have made a friend with the Goblin nation. Heir Gaunt- "Griphook turned to the young heir and bowed to him as well. "As you are Lord Selwyn's partner, you are our friend as well. May your power be ever growing." Tom nodded his thanks and bowed in return. He took Sephtis's hand in his and lead them out of the office and back to the lobby where Professor Slughorn was still waiting. When they arrived next to him Sephtis ducked his head in apology. They had taken almost half an hour to conclude their business. "Sorry Sir, it turned out I had a few other things to go over with my accountant, but all is well now. Thank you for waiting for us." Slughorn waved off his apology with a small laugh. "No problem at all, Mr. Selwyn. I trust both you and Tom are ready to go?" Sephtis grinned and held up his right hand to show the professor his newly acquired Lordship ring. "It is actually Lord Selwyn, Sir." He does not reveal Tom's heirship title for it is not his place disclose his partner's secrets. Professor Slughorn claps his hands together in delight.

"So it is, Lord Selwyn. Congratulation on such a fortuitous inheritance test!" Sephtis only nodded his thanks, choosing to remain silent. After that the professor takes them to Olivander's so Sephtis can get his wand. They walk through the door and Tom can't help but smirk lightly at his little Dagger beside him, he's nearly vibrating with excitement. He can feel it through their conjoined hands. Ollivander comes around from the back of the store. Upon seeing Sephtis he gets a rather intrigued, thoughtful expression and turns right back around. He can feel the boy's dark, hungry core from clear across the store and he has a feeling he knows just the wand…but he has deeper, gut feeling that today he will have to do something he never does, create a new wand. He plucks the long box he needs from the shelf and blows the dust off of it. On his way back he stops at a row of shelves holder much bigger boxes. He pulls down two of them, from one he pulls two long pieces of wood and from the other he pulls out a package. Putting the boxes back he returns the front of the store.

He places the items on the counter and gestures for the young boy to come forward. "You are going to be my most interesting customer in over three decades, Lord Selwyn. I am rather excited." Sephtis looks on, expressionless. He isn't sure he likes that this stranger knew his title before he introduced himself. He watched the old man switch his attention from him to the things he placed on the desk. He opened the wand box and set it aside. Then he set the two pieces of wand wood in front of the boy. "Put your hand over each piece of wood. Choose the one that reacts the strongest to you." Sephtis does as told, holding out his hand over the first branch, a very pale white wood. He gasps in shock when both branches of wood literally jump up into his open palm. Ollivander laughs with delight and rocks back on his heels. "Even more intriguing. Now onto the second core." Ollivander takes both wand woods from Sephtis's hand and sets them near the already crafted wand. Then he pushed for the brown package and opens it with a gentle flick of his own wand. Out floats a wispy, twisting and curling thin length of black cloth. The edges seem to be made of dark shadows. Sephtis held out his hand once more and the piece of cloth zipped over to his hand. It floated over his hand, quivering slightly with an influx of power.

Ollivander made a pleased humming noise and went to work separating the already crafted wand from the core he had a new use for. The work required quite a bit of strong spell craft, but he only

found that this made it more exciting. More thrilling. To craft a newly invented creation is exhilarating, leaving him breathless. In a short second the holly wand snapped in half, length wise, and a beautiful blood red phoenix tail feather floated up freely. The edges of the feather appeared to actually be burning. Burning with raw power. Now was the best part. He set each of the four objects next to each other. The cores in the middle the woods on either side. To use TWO wand woods is mostly unheard of. The be a wielder that requires two wand woods speaks of unspeakable power levels and most importantly, two magical cores. Magical cores that are in complete harmony. The last know Wizard to require such a wand was Merlin and his wand would even come close because Lord Selwyn's wand also choose TWO cores. Two drastically different cores. The phoenix feather is the embodiment of life, light, protection, and guidance while the dementors cloak is the embodiment of death, darkness, destruction, and chaos. But he could see in Lord Selwyn's magic that the two would meld seamlessly. So, with that in mind Ollivander held his hands out over the gathered objects and became chanting the sequence that only master's of the craft know.

The pieces began to vibrate and shift closer together, taking on and unearthly golden glow. The light so bright that all but the crafter and to look away from. Sephtis stepped directly in front of Tom and used his own magic to create a dark, veiled shield around them that blocked out eighty percent of the light. Him and Tom had been practicing wandless shields for the last week and this shield had come particularly easy to Dagger. Sephtis stared into Tom's crystal blue eyes and just let himself get lost in them while he wand was being crafted. Tom stared right back down at him. But his mind was whirling once again on just how strong his little dagger was going to be. Especially with the wand that was being crafted for him. How could he hope to keep Sephtis as his when he may be even more powerful then himself? How could he hold a candle to that power? It is impossible. He couldn't. He had no ground to stand on when it comes to Sephtis. As if sensing his inner turmoil, Sephtis let his emotionless mask slip away and worry replaced it. He brought up his hands and placed them on either side of Tom's face. He brought their faces closer together, so close Tom could almost feel Sephtis's nose on his.

"I vow to be yours and only yours forever and always. In every way, soul, magic, physically, and mentally. Even in death I shall always swiftly return to you. I bind myself to you irrevocably, Thomas Marvolo Gaunt. So, mote it be." Sephtis whispered the words in parseltongue, and a barbed like whip of his dark magic wrapped around and around them like coils, bringing them even closer together. When the vow sunk into place Sephtis let out a keening moan and fell lax against the Master of his everything. Tom utterly speechless just wrapped his arms possessively around Sephtis. What had his little dagger just done? How did he know about such vows? How could he do such a thing, release such strong magic needed to enact a complete soul bond and still maintain the powerful shield around them. Sephtis didn't even add in any stipulations for Tom to have to adhere himself the same way to Sephtis.

Sephtis sighed, blissed out of his mind. Feeling full and complete. He could tell Tom's mind was racing but now wasn't the time to discuss it. So instead, he settled on nuzzling his face into Tom's neck. Tom's hold tightened around and Sephtis giggled happily. A moment later the blinding light vanished completely and Sephtis stepped fully away from Tom so he could turn around and see his wand for the first time. He walked forwards with quiet steps, approaching the desk like a hunter stalking its prey. Ollivander sensing this shift, he stepped back away from the half black and half white wand that lay on silk cloth it had started on. Sephtis with very gentle movements picked up

his wand for the first time. The second his hand made contact with the wood his power rushed down into the wand and then it flooded through-out the room and filled the room with a thick abundance of warm, mist like, tingling, dark magic. Sephtis start giggling madly, with pure abandon. Reveling in the intoxicating and alluring power in his hand. He brought the wand up to his face and drew its long length down his cheek. His eyes fluttering closed at the tingling magic seeping into to his skin with every contact the wand made on his skin. With a regretful sigh, knowing they had much more to do today he began sucking his magic back into his self. Back behind the steel barriers he had been crafting for the last two weeks with Tom's guidance.

In no time at all the shop was completely devoid of his magic. Coming back to the present, Sephtis looked around him and had to restrain himself from giggling again at the sight of both professor Slughorn and Ollivander sitting weakly on the floor with dazed, pupils blown, blissed out expressions. His heart swelled warmly and possessively at the sight of Tom standing tall and firm behind him, his blue eyes literally glowing with desire and possession. And all of it was for Sephtis. Sephtis blushed bright pink from his toes to his ears and he crossed the distance between him and Tom. He wrapped his arms around Tom's small waist, and Tom's were around him even faster. His arms like an iron vice around Sephtis's waist. Sephtis brought his face up along side of Tom, pressing their cheeks together so his mouth was pressed to the curve of Tom's ear. "All of that is yours Tom. Avery single molecule of magic in my body burns for you and only you. I yearn to wield it at your command." Tom hisses tightly, not words but a literal, feral hiss. Sephtis's vow, his seductive words sinking into Tom's soul and taking permanent residence. Sephtis truly is his, his in every explicable way. And Sephtis wanted him to ravish him and use him to his every whim and desire. And to think they were so bonded after only meeting for the first time only a month ago… Tom had known that first night that Sephtis would be worshipfully obsessed with him, but he never in any way could have imagined this.

Nothing to this extreme.

Nothing to the degree that he would be given complete authority of another sole.

A god like powerhouse soul at that.

The power rush in this realization, the very literal power rush of Sephtis's magic combining with his is breath-takingly indescribable. Sephtis grinned and licked the curve of Tom's ear, slowly, tantalizingly. "I am really going to need you to ravish me tonight. I might burst if I can not let loose…I need you Tom." Tom closed his eyes and shuddered. More than thankful that both of the adults on the floor are stilled blissed out of their minds from Sephtis's raw magic because he couldn't stop the visceral moan that tore out of his throat hearing Sephtis's words. "I will. I will ravish you completely. You are mine. Mine. Mine to devour and mine to ravish and destroy." The last word sent a delicious tingling thrill up Sephtis's spine and he let out a shaky breath before slowly pulling away from Tom so he could place a hard, needy, but chaste kiss to those soft lips of Tom's. The sound of the adults finally coming to made Sephtis's with a heavy pout pull out of Tom's arms completely and settled with holding his hand instead.

Ollivander started full body laughing as he climbed to his feet, tears of joy streaming down his cheeks. To be blessed by Mother Magic in the form of young Lord Selwyn, is truly an amazing thing. Professor Slughorn was simply, jaw dropped staring at Sephtis. With something akin to the awed worship to the likes of how Sephtis had stared at Tom the night they met. Sephtis felt more than a little disgusted and wanted to hide behind Tom, to escape that look. It made him feel disgustingly dirty. Luckily Tom took the initiative and he stepped forward, placing himself just slightly in front of his little Dagger. He fixed the two adults with a cold stare. "I am sure you realize that the both of you will have to swear a vow of secrecy to protect Lord Selwyn from the onslaught of attention that would befall him should this ever reach the ears of the public?" Tom's voice left no voice for argument. Thirteen he may be but there is no mistaking the power and strength in his voice. Ollivander finally getting his laughter under control he wiped his eyes with a teal hankie from his pocket.

"That is no problem for me. Today Lord Selwyn, you have blessed me with a once in a life time experience and that is more than worthy of a secrecy vow." The professor mumbled his agreement and a couple minutes later the vow was sinking into place around the two older men. Neither of them noticed the maniacal, mad, gleam in both boy's eyes. It was gone in the next instant. Back to business now, Ollivander stood behind his desk and cleared his throat to bring the attention of the group to him. "Now, I shall explain the properties of your new wand, Lord Selwyn. The white wood half of your wand is Aspen. Aspen wood is drawn to magic users who will be skilled in dueling, charms, and martial magic or physical brawling. The black wood half is Blackthorn. Blackthorn wood is drawn to magic users who are warriors. They channel dark magic the best and are better with casting the dark arts then most other woods.

On to the two cores in your wand, phoenix tail feather and a willingly given strip of cloak from a dementor. The phoenix feather is actually a brother to another that happens to reside in the wand of Mr. Riddle." Sephtis bond to Tom sings with this news. They are connected in ways he hadn't even been aware of. How utterly thrilling. He tightened his hand on Tom's but showed no other physical sign of his enjoyment of this news. Tom squeezed his little Dagger's hand back just as tightly. Spending the rest of the day in Diagon Alley never sounded so dreadful. Not now when all he wanted to do was go back to their room at the orphanage and do what he promised to do with Sephtis. "The two cores are exact opposites and normally would never go together. One light and life giving and one the epitome of death and darkness. But like the magical explosion earlier, this is a rare occurrence. Both cores blend seamlessly together because of your exuberant magic Lord Selwyn. Ten inches, slightly bendy, Aspen and Blackthorn. It has been an honor to create such a Masterpiece for you." With that said Ollivander put one foot back and fell swiftly to his knee in a deep bow. Sephtis snarled only loud enough for Tom to hear him. He didn't want anyone to bow at him he wanted them to bow at Tom's feet. He had told Tom as much.

Tom inwardly roared victoriously; on the outside he only gave Sephtis a reassuring squeeze of their conjoined hands. Sephtis is his perfect companion. Strong and utterly ruthless, mind blowing magically powerful, and the masses would flock to him to even be in the presence of his magic, but he didn't want them for himself. No, he wanted them for him. FOR TOM. Sephtis wanted to bring people to their knees, faces to the ground solely to follow Tom. Sephtis would draw in the ones that wouldn't normally have fallen to their knees for Tom. Then Sephtis, HIS Dagger would kill anyone

in his path that dared not fall to their knees for him. And his Dagger would enjoy doing it.

The trio left the shop shortly after that, having paid a good price for such a wonderful creation. They stopped into Flourish and Blott's for their school plus of course, all the extra books both boys exclaimed they simply needed to have. Then they went to get Sephtis's new trunk, which much to Slughorn's humor, Sephtis bought one of the largest, most expensive, well-crafted trunks available. But not only that, the boy had then gone on to make Tom buy a better one then the cheap one he had been forced to get the last year. One of the same grand quality as the one Sephtis himself picked. Then it was off the buy their robes. Sephtis insisted that they not get the standard ones from Madam Malkin's, so he had asked the professor if he knew of a more upscale place. At the upper-class store, Sephtis had pleaded innocently for the professor to let them go in on their own. He had taken one look at Sephtis's large, puppy dog, opal eyes and caved. Telling them he would wait for them at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor.

Inside the shop is where Tom took over. He wanted to be in charge of Sephtis's wardrobe. His Dagger would be the best-looking boy beside himself in the school when they arrived on the first. He hand-picked every item for Sephtis's new wardrobe. Of course, now that he had unlimited access to money, he got a new top-quality wardrobe for himself as well. Adding a few pieces that his little Dagger had brought to him, exclaiming he needed to see Tom wear them because he would look so delicious in them. Tom had gotten weak in the knees at the hot image that that word produced in his head. He did wonder is Sephtis's sexual hunger at such a young age was due to his obvious insanity or if was due to all the trauma he had suffered that had made him grow up much faster mentally. Maybe both. Not that he was really complaining because Sephtis's sexual prowress was waking up Tom's too. Which was a whole other thing because Tom had honestly thought that he would never crave to have the pleasure of another. No one had been worthy anyway. Not until Sephtis had entered the picture and turned his world upside down. He looked over Sephtis now who stood on a pedestal being fitted for dark, shimmering silver dress robes that he would need for the Yule Ball this year. The sight of Sephtis in such beautiful clothes made Tom's mouth dry and the breath leave his body. Merlin he was going to enjoy being the envy of every witch and wizard in Hogwarts. They would all be so jealous to constantly see Sephtis on his arm whenever they went somewhere and Sephtis fawning over him. Hanging off of him. Kneeling at his feet. Sephtis was a power rush in so many ways.

Sephtis caught his wanton look in the mirror and looked at him through his eye lashes. The tip of his pink tongue coming out to wet his bottom lip. Tom swallowed thickly and had to look away. Lest he have a problem in his trousers he certainly couldn't take care of here. Dammit why did it take so long to shop. They left the store ten minutes later, purchases safely ensconced in their new trunks that sat in shrunken forms in their pockets. They met Slughorn at the ice cream shop and both were treated to large Sunday's curtesy of Slughorn. Sephtis had been utterly giddy with bliss at the first taste of ice-cream he's ever had. Tom had inwardly scowled furiously at the bitter reminder of the nasty way Sephtis had been raise. Muggles truly are despicable. After that they stopped in at an apothecary where Slughorn took care to select only the best of the best for his two favorite boys. Plus, extra for side projects because both Tom and Sephtis loved brewing. Not that Sephtis had had the chance to brew anything yet, but he loved the theory and he had devoured the potions books that Tom has in his trunk back at the orphanage. Both boys bought a regal eagle owl. Both beautiful black birds. When Slughorn had dragged Tom into a discussion about some sort of rare animal on the other side of the shop, Sephtis had sneakily bought a baby magical, brilliant

green pit viper with an aquamarine colored under belly. He planned to surprise Tom with her later. He bought a years-worth supply of mice that he had paid to be put under sleep stasis so he would keep them in trunk and wake them as needed to feed the beautiful snake.

At the moment the baby was small enough that she could only curl herself twice around Sephtis's thin forearm. She is about as wide as pencil. But she would grow to be quite large. Far surpassing that of a common non-magical breed. He hopes Tom will like her. It will be his first gift to Master. With her safely up his sleeve and out of harm's way, he makes his way over to Tom's side, slipping his hand into Tom's. The rest of their shopping trip went on rather smoothly, Slughorn even treated them to dinner at the Leakey before taking them back to the orphanage. Which both of them equally dreaded, but tonight it was exactly where they wanted to be. They waved their professor off just before their curfew that night. And luck must have been on their side that night, or maybe it was Mother Magic watching over them this night. But they managed to make it to their rooms without encountering another soul. The second the door shut behind them the sexual tension sky rocketed.

But Sephtis wanted to give Tom his gift first. Tom currently was turned away from him, going through his pockets from the robes he had worn to Diagon alley that day. Sephtis used this time to remove his own outer robes and vest. Leaving him in a simply, ratty t-shirt and jeans that a couple sizes to large. Clothes given to him upon his arrival. With Tom's back to him still, he made sure the little baby snake was in place on his wrist. He silenced his steps and snuck up behind Tom to surprise him with one arm going around his waist and the one with the beautiful baby snake went over Tom's shoulders so he could bring her to Tom's face level. The reaction was instant. Tom froze in his hold, his eyes wide, staring at the snake. Sephtis kissed Tom's shoulder. "I bought her for you today…I know you have always wanted one…and well…I thought it would be good gift to make up for all your past birthdays, when I wasn't around to be there for you…You will never be alone again, Tom. I will be at your side through everything now…" He lets his voice trail off. He knows Tom hates talking about his past. Especially his past birthdays and Christmases where he was alone and neglected. Tom's body starts to quiver in Sephtis's hold, and he knows it isn't caused by anger. Tom is crying. Sephtis nuzzles the back of Tom's neck and tightens his arm around the small waist in his hold. He can feel Tom's sorrow and pain as though it is his own.

After a few minutes Tom has calmed enough to reach out and let the little snake scent him. "Hello little one, do you know you are very beautiful?" The little snake's head perks up hearing Tom speak her language. "Do you think so, human? You are a human speaker?" Tom chuckles and holds out his hand so she can slither into his hold. Sephtis steps away from Tom, giving him some bonding time. Tom takes a seat on his bed and begins to stroke the baby snake gently. Hissing a quiet conversation with her. Sephtis sits across from them on his bed and summons his wand to his hand so he can feel the comforting magic once more. He leans back against the wall and closes his eyes to mediate. His focus has been slipping all day. It's like going to Diagon Alley unlocked some of the power he didn't have access to before and now he has no outlet for it. The burst of power when he picked up his wand is simmering like a cauldron over high heat under his skin. He was hoping to have Tom help him as they had discussed but now he has the snake and Sephtis is feeling rather bitter and more than a lot sexually frustrated. They hadn't worked it too much today and now he feels like he might lose control. He lays down on his bed, on his stomach so he can bury his face in the lumpy pillow. His nerves feel like they are on fire with all the new power residing under his skin.

Tom who had been completely focused on his new little snake friend was broken out of the trance by movement on the other side of the room. Sephtis has lain down and Tom can see how rigid his little Dagger's body is. He curses himself mentally for forgetting him. He quickly put the baby snake in the warm pile of robes he had taken off and put them in his trunk. That done Tom moves quickly over to Sephtis's bed. He leans down to place a hand and on Sephtis's arm, only to curse out loud when he feels how hot Sephtis skin is. Sephtis turns over on to his back on the bed to look up at Tom. "I thought…I thought you had forgotten about me…" He whispers, not bothering to hide pain at the thought of Tom forgetting him. Tom scowled and crawled onto the bed to properly lean down over Sephtis, so their faces are close together. Tom reaches up a hand to place it on Sephtis's forehead and he curses again feeling the burning heat there. He can literally feel the heat radiating off of his little Dagger from where he has leaned over him. "Are You sick? You feel like you have really high fever." Sephtis chuckled darkly and reached up to pull Tom down on top him so he can place a hot kiss to the side of Tom's mouth. "No, it is my magic. It wants to be used. It is fighting my control to contain it. I told you I need you give me release. An orgasm is a great way to relieve magic." Tom nods sharply but his mind is panicking because while he can kiss good, at least he thinks so going off of Sephtis's reactions, he has never done any of it, not even thought of it before Sephtis.

Sephtis smiles gently and reaches up to circle his arms around Tom's neck, while using his legs he moves Tom until he is laying between Sephtis's legs. "Do not overthink this Tom, I do not intend for us to do anything that our physical bodies are too immature for." With that said, Sephtis curls one of his legs over Tom's and pulls him down the rest of the way, bringing their bodies flush together. It sends a full body shiver through Sephtis. Tom stares down at his little Dagger. He can fully feel the burning heat of Sephtis's magic against every inch of his skin now and it is beguiling. Mind numbing. Sephtis pulls Tom down to him and initiates the kiss. That simple contact of lips on lips changes the way Tom feels the burning on him so instantly it leaves him breathless. Now it is burning pleasurable feeling that seems to sink into his very bones. Sephtis guided Tom's mouth down to his throat, biting his lip hard when Tom starting tracing lazy circles on his tender skin with the tip of his wet tongue. He shivers and tenses up at the pleasure suddenly coursing through his smoldering magic. "Use your teeth. Mark my skin, claim my blood and skin. Taste my magic. I offer this in sacrifice to my bond with you so that Mother magic will bless it. " Tom didn't wait a second to comply. Sephtis's words fueling a starving, possessive need in Tom's heart. He sank his teeth straight down into the soft skin, no hesitation to be found. Sephtis cried out and he arched up off the thin mattress. His opal eyes blown wide with searing pain and heady lust. Tom licked away the trickle of blood tasting the coppery blood, sweet and tangy from the deep saturation of Sephtis's intoxicating magic. Tom moaned throatily at the rush of magic that swept through him and leaving in its wake tingling, hair raising pleasure. He moved his mouth down an inch nearing Sephtis's shoulder to bite down just as hard again . Greedy for more of that rush he bitt into Sephtis's tender skin, again and again across the top of his shoulders and along his collar bone. Anywhere Sephtis's shirt wasn't covering or could be ushed aside. Leaving a trail of bloody bite marks in his wake, turning Sephtis's normally porcelain pale skin red with smeared blood and his flaming pink flush from burning arousal.

His little Dagger a quivering, mumbling and gasping mess under him. Tom was getting off just at the sight and sound alone. Sephtis groaned incoherently and vanished his ratty shirt with a flick of his fingers, baring his upper body to Tom. Who stared down at the body crisscrossed with hundreds of pale white scars marring almost every inch of Sephtis's flesh. He would hunt down and kill every single cruel, disgusting muggle who had dared to raise a hand to his beautiful little Dagger. HE didn't waist a second bringing his mouth down to the closest scar and kissing it tenderly then doing the same to the next. Sephtis whimpered and pressed up against his mouth. Eager to bring Sephtis over the edge, to give his little Dagger his much-needed release Tom snuck a hand down between them and placed his hand, palm flat against Sephtis's small erection. Sephtis arched his whole body up off the bed with his mouth open wide in a silent scream. Sephtis's magic burst forth from his skin as he climaxed. It created a thick black miasma incasing their bodies in an oblong cocoon. It filled Tom's every sense and his vision swam from the exhilarating rush. Tom felt his very first climax explode from him, and it stole his breath away, his mind falling into a state of blissful silence. He fell slack against Sephtis's body. Tom barely registered Sephtis's arms wrapping around him, holding him tight. Protecting him is his weakened state. They slept in the same bed that night, for the first time.

Ch 2

Chapter Notes

Sephtis-Eternal Death/Tempest-Violent Storm/Selwyn-Manor Friend (Seph-tis)

Thomas-Twin/Marvolo-Ill Will/Riddle-Small Hill

Hellebore-Serenity

Achlys-Darkness

Methuselah-To Bring the End

Sephtis Tempest Selwyn

Chapter Two

August 1939

Sephtis is laying back on Tom's bed, his arm resting over his closed eyes. They've just come up from finishing their chores for the day. The sun had been hot and brutal today and they had both been on yard duty today. Tom is sitting at their shared, wobbly desk and is writing in his diary, the sound of the quill on paper, soothing his exhausted mind. "Tom, will you tell me what Professor Dumbledore has done to you? I know he has done something; you don't react so viciously without excellent reason." Tom's writing hand stilled, he looked over his shoulder at his little Dagger. "What will you do with the information after I tell you?" Sephtis smiles, not uncovering his eyes. "I can not properly plan his punishment, his torture, until you tell me what it is he has done. But-" He finally removed his arm and opened his opal eyes to roll over on to his stomach and look at Tom. A smirk on his pretty mouth. "- I will of course, tell you every little detail I do come up with. I will need your permission to act before hand, anyways. A Dagger does not wield itself." Tom grinned and turned back to his diary to shut it before standing up and moving over to the bed to sit next to Sephtis. Sephtis scrambled into a sitting position so he could properly listen to the Master of his everything.

"The first time I met him, I thought he was yet another doctor come to try and figure out was wrong with me. He came into my room and to show me that magic exists and that he is a Wizard too, he started my wardrobe on fire. I of course thought he was destroying all my things. I was ready to freak out." Sephtis narrowed his eyes. Scaring a little boy just to show off magic is despicable. "He canceled the spell, and my stuff was fine, but I still remember the fear I felt that I had just lost everything I had. After that, I told him about my abilities…his face got so serious and

dark. I was confused because I thought he would be proud that I had such amazing abilities." Dagger frowned; how could anyone not think what Tom can do is amazing? Why would the Professor who teaches magic, be so sour when learning about a child's brilliant magic? "He found the objects I had taken from the boys who used to pick on me and beat me. He made me return them and apologize to THEM. Apologize to the ones who had made my life hell." Sephtis hissed viscerally and climbed off of Tom's bed so he could pace. "He made you go and humiliate yourself to your bullies!" He sneered the last word. Tom sat and watched his little Dagger with gratified amusement. Thoroughly pleased to see his little Dagger so understandingly upset over what had happened to him.

"A teacher who believes humiliation is a good learning tool for young children is sick and should NOT be a teacher." He turned his head to look at Tom, not stopping his pacing of their small room. "What else, I do not believe he stopped there." Tom chuckled remorsefully and scooted up further onto his bed to lean against the wall so he could watch his little Dagger's pacing. "I told him I can speak to snakes, just as he was leaving, he got this scared, almost sad expression on his face…I still don't understand how my speaking to snakes could upset him as such. He wasn't exactly cruel when he took me to Diagon Alley, but as you saw, he completely went off formal guidelines and did things in a strange way. I don't know why he didn't want me to find out who my family is. I can only think that for some reason, he didn't want me to know I am a pureblood. Later on, at Hogwarts, he took to completely ignoring me in class. He never calls on me when I have my hand raised, he takes away points for things I hadn't done. In the halls between classes, he often follows me, I feel him watching me all the time. He is also the reason why I am forced to come back to this wretched place every summer. He said something to the headmaster after I had gotten permission to stay and then later I was informed that I did have to return." Tom's voice was low and hard by the end of his story and Sephtis's magic was reacting to his anger like vicious snapping snakes coming out of his skin. "That old man is obsessed with you. That sick, cruel old man is just as much a bully as the kids who beat you and abuse you here. But he is much worse because he is an adult, a teacher! I shall make him suffer. He won't realize it at first, I will start out small. By the time he does realize something is happening to him, my end game will already be in the works. I shall find his favorite things and use them against him. I will humiliate him just as he has humiliated you." Sephtis says, his opal eyes glazed over, deep in thought. Tom just sits back with a growing malicious grin and watches Dagger plot out his vengeance. Dumbledore will not have an easy year with Dagger, Sephtis Selwyn at Hogwarts. Sephtis Selwyn, his personal, little, poisonous Dagger.

September 1st, 1939

The day to leave for Hogwarts has finally arrived and Sephtis is a nervous wreck. He is used to new places bringing cruel and terrible things to him. They are currently sat in one of the government's cars, on their way to the train station. They had already made a stop at the Leakey Cauldron so that the two of them could go to Gringotts to pick up Tom's heirship ring. Sephtis had taken with great honor the duty of putting the stunning, thick silver band with a snake all in precisely cut emerald, coiled in the center, with two tiny black obsidian eyes and tongue, on to

Tom's right ring finger. He had promptly placed a kiss of worship upon it after. Now back in the car Tom kept glancing at his little Dagger, inwardly worried. Sephtis has been staring out the window since they had gotten back in the car. He reached over and pulled one of Sephtis's, small, fidgeting hands in to his and squeezed it tightly. Sephtis glanced at him and smiled weakly at him. Just then they pulled into the station and the two were left to their own devices with their trunks and cages containing their eagle-owls. Tom took the lead and trusted Sephtis to pay attention and follow him through the rushing throngs of muggles. Sephtis did a good job, keeping his pace and staying right behind Tom. Every time a muggle tried to push his way rudely between them, he would quicken his steps and glare poisonous daggers at the filthy muggle.

At the brick passage way, Sephtis eyed it with weary trepidation. His mind trying and failing to explain how magic made it possible to walk through solid walls. Tom simply motioned for him to go first and Sephtis trusting his partner, set off in a brisk pace. He fights down the urge to close his eyes as the barrier gets closer and closer. And then he is stepping through to the other side. He releases a heavy breath of relief, while quickly moving aside so Tom can come through after him. Seconds later Tom is stopping next to him. He nods to Tom, letting him know he is okay. Tom nods his understanding and then looks over to the large, steaming red train. Sephtis follows his gaze, and his eyes widen at the beautiful, gleaming train. They are earlier than most so there are only a few families loitering about the platform. Tom guides him across the long platform, choosing a door in the middle of the train to enter. They had both cast feather-light charms over their trunks so they wouldn't be a huge hassle getting onto the train. Sephtis casting the spell after Tom had explained the basics of the spell. Tom led Sephtis into the first empty compartment, shutting the door behind them. Sephtis wasted no time removing his wand from his trunk stroking it reverently before slipping it into his wrist holster, he selected a book and a set of his new clothes. They hadn't wanted to get their new clothes confiscated by the matron, so they had decided to wait until they got on the train to put them on. Sephtis closed the blinds and Tom locked the door.

They removed their old, ill-fitting muggle clothes, neither looking too much at the other. While Sephtis doesn't really have any modesty when it comes to Tom and vice versa, they both value the other enough to not be openly eyeing the other. Sephtis finished dressing first. Tom had chosen his clothes for him the night before, simple, elegant black slacks, a pressed, matching vest with opal buttons that match Sephtis's eyes. A light, sky blue button up shirt underneath the vest to bring out some color in Sephtis's opal eyes and shiny, black, high-quality shoes. Tom had chosen clothes very similar to what he chose for Sephtis, but his buttons matched his dark blue eyes, and his shirt is light grey. Sephtis turned to Tom and held his arms out from his body so Tom could assess his choices. He stepped closer and gave a few gentle tugs, making sure things are straight and then he grinned. He had chosen very well. His little Dagger looks impeccably cute. Sephtis blushed under his approving grin, his skin flushing light pink. Tom couldn't resist pulling his little Dagger against him for a hungry kiss. Sephtis hissed in delight and wrapped his arms around Tom's waist. They stood in the kiss for several long seconds, neither wanting it to end. They had no idea when they would have the privacy to do so again. When they knew they had to part, they rested their foreheads against each other. "Mine." Tom hissed out in a whisper. "Yours." Sephtis hissed in answered agreement.

Finally, they parted to finish sorting their things. Sephtis putting his trunk up on the rack and opening Hellebore's cage. His pitch-black eagle owl with large, round, burnt orange eyes. Named after his favorite flower. There had been an old torn picture of a thicket of them in one of the

orphanages he had stayed at in his room. He had spent endless hours staring at the image. So, he found solace in have his first pet named after that small comfort. Hellebore hopped out on to his waiting forearm and then he fluttered his wings to give him lift to jump up on to Sephtis's shoulder where he softly nibbled the tip of Sephtis's ear in gratitude for his freedom. Tom opened his eagle owl, Achlys's, (Meaning darkness) cage so she could fly out and land on top of her cage up on the rack. Tom choosing to hold his snake that he and Sephtis had named together, Methuselah. (To bring the end.) They decided it was an appropriate name for a magical, will be large, deadly, venomous snake. Sephtis couldn't wait to watch her strike her eventual first kill. Tom had chuckled at this statement when he said it after they named her. She liked the name and the nickname they would call her for short, Zena. The two took a seat right next to each other, their legs pressed together. Tom had also gotten a book from his trunk. So that's what they did for the next half hour, reading and occasionally petting their chosen pets. Zena lay in a lazy coil around Tom's small neck, she had grown several inches the short couple weeks they had had her. It hadn't been hard to hide her from unwanted eyes because Tom had learned warding to keep others from going into his trunk last year at Hogwarts.

A knock at their compartment door had them both looking up from their books. Tom looked over at Sephtis, making sure he was ready to meet his friends, his followers. Sephtis nodded and shut his book. Tom stood and unlocked the door to let the waiting students inside. He retook his seat next to Sephtis, keeping their closeness, their legs once again pressed together. Tom watched Abraxas Malfoy, Corvus Lestrange, and Orion Black step into the compartment. They each gave a half bow to Tom before taking a seat on the bench across from the pair. Sephtis was getting quite a few side looks. They had decided not to explain Sephtis's presence at first. Tom wanting to test his follower's competence and their observation skills. He refused to have dim-witted followers in his inner group of friends. Sephtis was watching each boy, his face an unreadable mask. Hellebore hooted loudly at the boys, he preferred solitude. Sephtis reached up a hand and to gently stroke Hellebore's feathers to calm him. His cold opal eyes never leaving the new boys. "Hello, Abraxas, Orion, Corvus, I assume you had a good break?" As one they all greeted Tom. "Good morning, My Lord." Tom arched a brow, looking at Orion who seemed to be looking at Sephtis more than the others. "This is Lord Sephtis Selwyn. Sephtis, this is Heir Abraxas Malfoy, Heir Orion Black, and Heir Corvus Lestrange." Sephtis simply stared at them. They have not proven their worth to him yet that they are good followers to his partner. They nervously glanced between him and Tom. It was customary to either shake hands or exchange bows, but the new boy wasn't getting up to do either. It means that he does not see them as worthy, and they know it.

Abraxas seeing that Lord Selwyn wouldn't be offering his own greeting turned his attention to his Lord to answer the question he had asked a moment ago. "Yes, My Lord. I had a pleasant break. We decided not to travel for safety reasons. With Grindelwald running rampant in Germany my father decided it was best to stay home this summer. It was all very dull."

"My father felt the same. We had planned to visit Japan, but Mother had a fit and convinced my father the idea was foolish." Corvus said with a light frown. "My father used that as an excuse to bring in extra tutors, claiming we should be productive since we had nothing else to do."

"My summer was the same, as I imagine it will have been for most families. The only thing that

happened to be of anything noteworthy was the betrothal contract my father signed for my cousin Walburga and myself." Sephtis froze beside Tom, his shocked gaze falling on Orion. "Your father is signed off on an inbred marriage? Does he not know that that there are thousands of case studies done in Britain alone that show inbreeding causes insanity, genetic disorders, reduced fertility and so many more disastrous effects? I imagine in our world that loss of magical abilities and magical power levels will also come into effect." His tone incredulous and his eyes flashing. Tom had turned to look at him, stunned at his outburst. He looked at him, keeping up his incredulous expression. Orion on the hand was rather angry. Who is this outsider speaking to him in this manner about such long standing tradition. His eyes narrowed and he glared hostilely at Lord Selwyn. "My father would curse you if he heard you speaking such blasphemy. Purebloods have always interbreed. It is the only way to keep our blood pure. A mudblood like you would obviously never understand such simple tradition." Orion spat at Sephtis.

Sephtis kept his face impassive but inside, his fury was rising. He had his wand in his hand in a split second and with a simple flick, Orion was clutching at his throat and gasping for breath. Tom watched on with the same impassive expression as Orion struggled under his little Dagger's curse. "You think it wise to insult Lord Selwyn? I should think it obvious his rank is higher than yours when he is sitting directly at my side? What would your father say about you insulting a Lord at all?" Tom's words are ice cold, causing Abraxas and Corvus to scoot away from Orion. Not wanting to attract that anger onto themselves. Sephtis rose from his seat with easy grace and with feline elegance he stepped across the compartment so he could lean over Orion's shaking form. He let his opal eyes take on a hard, cold glint. "You shall never doubt my words again, not in public, not behind my back, not anywhere. If you have questions, ask them. But if you ever insult my blood which you know nothing about…"A short-bladed knife with a thin black handle appeared in his other hand and he trailed the razor-sharp edge along Orion's brow line, causing a micro-cut. Blood pooled at the corner and dripped into Orion's eye. "I will make your body my personal masterpiece." Orion even as he fought to breath, his vision darkening around the edges and his lungs burned, shrank back as far as he could away from Lord Selwyn.

Sephtis released the curse and Orion started coughing, trying to suck in panicked short breaths. His alarmingly red face finally began regaining some of its normal color. He leaned in closer to Orion's face, his face set in stone, opal eyes glinting maliciously. "Do you understand, Heir Black?" Orion nodded quickly and Sephtis smirked darkly before standing up. The bloody blade vanishing from sight. "Pity, I was hoping to have a bit more fun." He calmly retook his seat next to Tom, who reached out and slid his hand into Sephtis's. His little Dagger spared him a small, pleased smile. Tom's face was split in a feral, possessive grin. Sephtis turned away before he was tempted to succumb to the pleasure that look gave him and kiss Tom. Instead, he turned back to face all three boys. "Tradition or not, your families are indeed participating in the destruction of your family lines. Can none of you think of family magics that have disappeared from your lines over the last several generations?" This question seemed to send them all into deep thought for several minutes. He was beginning to think none of the were going to answer, but surprisingly it was Orion who decided to speak up first.

"I am not admitting you are right, Lord Selwyn, but I will admit that my family has lost our metamorphmagushas abilities. It hasn't appeared in our line in five generations." Orion said with some obvious reluctance, his grey eyes flitting away from Sephtis's steady gaze. "Thank you for sharing what I am positive is a closely regarded family secret, Heir Black. How about you, Heir

Malfoy? Has your family experienced anything similar?" Sephtis said with a tip of his head to Orion in gratitude. Abraxas looked at Tom, internally debating if he should share his own family secrets. But the hard look from his Lord said he had better. He sighed internally and gave his attention to the expectant, elfin, face of Lord Selwyn. "My family used to have a natural affinity for ice fire magic. It has only been absent in the last three generations. I am sure you will not be sharing this with anyone, but I have to ask anyways. Please do not share this information with anyone outside this compartment, Lord Selwyn. My father would have my head if he found out I was talking about such things outside of the family." He said with a tight, pinched expression. Lord Selwyn smirked in answer and nodded before turning to face Corvus Lestrange. He arched a delicate black brow, clearly waiting for him to share next.

However, Corvus wasn't feeling like sharing a secret with a stranger he had only met a few minutes ago. He met the gaze with a steady glare. Tom was not about to let this drop. He wants to know now too, and if he didn't make Corvus answer, this would give Corvus fuel to continue to disrespect Dagger in the future. "Corvus, Lord Selwyn will keep all of your secrets. I trust him and that should tell you all you need to hear. I believe he knows what he is speaking about." Tom didn't actually know this yet because it hadn't come up in any of their conversations previously, but he does trust his little Dagger. Sephtis would not have proclaimed something like this unless he trusted his facts one hundred percent. Corvus scowled and closed his eyes in exasperation for a moment. "The Lestrange's have lost our affinity for mind magic. We used to be renowned for our Legilimency and our Occlumency as well as a few other sub categories. Now we are a disgrace in mind magic society circles. A tale told to younger generations. My family has hired countless professionals to look into our magic and none of them have come up with any plausible reasons. My father would lose it if it came out that the reason we have lost the greatest honor our family carried, due to our own choices to marry in the immediate family." Corvus said with obvious strain.

"Inbreeding is very dangerous. Whole family lines could burn out or fall from power because of it. I am positive there are families out there that have already died out, but no one is paying attention to what's actually happening. The evidence is all around you, all you have to do is look." Sephtis said, his voice strong and full of conviction before his face split into a mad grin and he giggled. "I would, at least before you continue down this path and marry your second cousin, Lord Black." Tom watched Orion blanch and he grinned, squeezing his little Dagger's hand. He would praise him later in private. Sephtis squeezed Tom's hand back and nonchalantly leaned a little closer to him. No one felt like talking much after that and they all fell into their things to distract themselves on the long train ride. Sephtis and Tom had re-opened their books and Sephtis was twirling his wand in his hand. The compartment door slid open a few hours later to reveal a young woman with a sweets trolly. Tom stood up to get them some stuff, knowing Sephtis wouldn't know what any of the items were.

He got them each a few cauldron cakes, pumpkin pasties, some roasted chimera crisps and two bottles of bubble brew. Plus, extras for later that he put in their trunks. Sephtis had eyed the haul with barely contained curious glee. Tom handed him a cauldron cake first, knowing fully well that Sephtis has never properly tried a baked chocolate treat. Or any sweet confections other than the ice cream they had been treated to by Professor Slughorn. He watched as Sephtis took his first bite and the resulting cry of decadence made Tom smirk, while inwardly patting himself on the back for being the one to introduce his little Dagger to these small edible pleasures of life. Sephtis practically melted in his seat when he tried the pumpkin pasties and Tom couldn't contain his

possessive grin. He would be the only one to introduce such things to Sephtis. He sent a glare at their three compartment buddies who were watching Sephtis with mixed levels of curiosity and attraction. They quickly averted their eyes and went back to focusing on their own sweets.

Some of the girls came and went, Tom denying them entrance, he wasn't willing to ruin his little Dagger's current serenity by overwhelming him with more people in their already almost full compartment. He also wasn't ready to see how Sephtis would react to Parkinson hanging herself off of his every word and action. Sephtis might kill her and that would only bring suspicion down on him. He would inform him later in the dorm. He had absolutely no doubt Sephtis would get sorted into Slytherin. It is the only house that fit his personality in the slightest. Ravenclaw a tiny bit because Sephtis craved knowledge just as hungrily as he but not in the manner Ravenclaw's do. They changed, putting on their school robes at the ten-minute arrival announcement and put away the goodies they hadn't eaten as well as their books. They walked up to the carriages together, somehow avoiding the rest of his followers. He went to climb up in but stopped when he noticed that Sephtis had stopped beside the carriage and was staring at the front of the carriage. His eyes wide with wonder. Tom stepped up beside him and took his hand. "Come on, we need to get in the carriage." Sephtis just shook his head and continued staring.

"What are those winged, skeletal horses? I've never imagined I'd see something so majestically dark." Sephtis said, his voice taking on that awed quality that Tom was used to hearing directed towards him. He looked back at the empty space in front of carriage and then back at his little Dagger. "I don't see anything, Dagger. Come on, you can look it up in the library some other time." Sephtis stared at the odd horses for a second longer and then let Tom pull him up into the carriage. The carriage ride was short and quiet. None of them felt much like talking. Sephtis because he isn't used to talking to anyone but Tom and the others because they are thinking about being back in the castle and starting classes in a few days. Tom was excited to show Sephtis around the place he considers his home, and he has two full days to do so. Two full days to teach his little Dagger all the best paths and most direct ways to each class so Sephtis has less chance of getting lost when classes do start.

Stepping out of the carriage a few minutes later, Sephtis's jaw drops open as he takes in the sight of the majestic castle, lit up like a beacon in the dark of the night. It outshone event even the moon. None of Tom's explanations and stories could do the school justice. It felt improper to call a literal castle a school. Almost like he was spitting on all the grandeur. Tom stayed right next to him, holding his hand tight. His expression one of all the homesickness he has felt for months falling away and the warm, lovely feeling of being home replacing it. "Welcome home, Sephtis Selwyn." Tom said with a bright smile, and he bowed to his Dagger. Sephtis giggled at Tom theatrics. "Welcome home, Thomas Gaunt." Then he started forward, pulling Tom with him. Inside the castle Sephtis was separated from Tom, when he was held back to be sorted with the waiting first years. They had discussed this previously but none of those preparation talks could sooth how distressed Sephtis felt watching Tom disappear through the heavy wood doors of the great hall. He wanted to fidget but knows better than to show such an easy sign of weakness. So instead, he clasps his hands behind his back and waits patiently. He smooths down his raven hair that falls just above his shoulders in straight, shimmering lochs. Not wanting a hair out of place when he walks into a hall where hundreds of eyes will be on him. He takes a deep breath, returning his hands to their position behind him just as the first years start climbing up the stairs in his direction.

Tom takes his usual seat at the Slytherin table, his back to the wall. He has perfect view across the entire hall and will be able to watch Sephtis the moment he enters the hall. His three main followers know better than to take the seat directly to his right but Harley Parkinson, didn't seem to notice or care as she plopped down, ungracefully into the empty seat. Tom turned his head to the side and sent her a sharp glare. She froze mid-movement but didn't move to leave to he sent her a strong stinging hex. She yelped and was about send him her own glare, but she remembered at the last second just who she was about to glare at and thought better of it. Wise girl. Tom didn't bother watching her leave to find another seat. His evicting of Parkinson seemed to warn everyone else away for no one tried to take the seat. But he did receive a few confused glances. Normally his right-hand seat was reserved solely for Corvus, his closest follower. The one he might really consider his friend, but tonight Corvus is sat on his left. He ignored everyone, that is normal for him. They are all used to this behavior. His followers know he will address them later, in private.

It seemed like forever for the doors to swing open and the large group of first years start to file in. Tom didn't care about any of them, his eyes were searching for one raven haired head that stood taller than the rest. There he is, at the very end, his head held high and his face impassive. Completely unreadable. Tom felt very, very proud of his little Dagger, knowing full well just how nervous Sephtis is feeling. The whispers started around him almost immediately. It was next to never that a new student who isn't a first year starts at Hogwarts. Transfers happened about once or twice a decade. Meaning most here have only seen this happen once or twice, most not at all. Tom listened in on a few of them, just to hear what the main whispers would be.

"He looks like a pureblood…"

"Probably home schooled…"

"I wonder who his family is, he doesn't have characteristics from any of the known pure blood lines."

"He's really kind of cute!"

"Probably a Ravenclaw, no Gryffindor would hold themselves like that."

Nothing important, so Tom instead focused solely on his little Dagger. Headmaster Dippet got up and welcomed everyone. Then his least favorite person appeared, levitating the old sorting hat and stool. Albus Dumbledore, started the sorting the second the hat finished it customary song. Slytherin received eight new first years, Hufflepuff received thirteen, Ravenclaw received twenty

and Gryffindor received a resounding twenty-eight first years. Professor Dumbledore stepped forward. "This year, we are also going to sort a young lad that will be going into second year with his peers. Selwyn Sephtis!" Tom watched his little Dagger stride forward with confidence and take a seat. He smirked when Sephtis snatched the hat out of Professor Dumbledore's hands with a coyly sweet smile and put the hat on himself. The hat had barely touched his head before it was shouting for the whole hall to hear- "SLYTHERIN!" Sephtis smiled brightly for real this time, just for a split second before he schooled his features and stood, handing the hat back to Professor Dumbledore. Walking with perfect grace, down the short steps, and around the table. He slid into his seat next to Tom and immediately sought out Tom's hand under the table.

Tom looked at his little Dagger in veiled concern when he felt how badly the hand in his was trembling. Something must have happened. Tom internally sneered and could barely focus on the food that appeared a minute later. All he could think about was finding out what had shaken Dagger so badly. But he did dutifully fill Sephtis's plate with some of his personal favorites. Sephtis would eat anything Tom gave him. He hadn't ever had any real food like this, which Tom could understand completely. Until last year Tom too had only ever had the horrid orphanage food. Sephtis stared at the food, barely controlling his shock. All this food…they just magically appeared all of this food…so much food… The Matron would kill to have even a portion of the steaming hot food. The other orphans would fight to the death just for a plate. He sincerely hopped none of this food would go to waste. Tom bumped his shoulder lightly and nodded at the food on his plate. Sephtis smiled weakly at Tom and turned back to his plate. He picked up his fork and scooped up some mashed potatoes. He had to close his eyes to stop the tears that wanted to fall when the warm buttery flavor filled his mouth.

He had no idea potatoes could taste like this. He had never been privileged to even good, mashed potatoes. He never cared about the trauma he has undergone but food…Sephtis's mind even as it slipped away from his hold and changed, food was the one thing he could count on…and to know that the food he had been receiving was slop compared to what it should have been. He felt sick suddenly. His whole world tipping on its axis. A hand in his suddenly squeezed painfully tight and he was able to push the sick down. He took a deep breath and swallowed the bite of potatoes. He opened his eyes and was extremely pleased that no tears fell. He took another bite of potatoes and chewed it just as slowly, savoring every second. His eyes fell upon a dark meat chop he didn't recognize at sight but wanting to taste more of what he has missed out on, he cut a piece off with his fork. It was so tender his fork cut clean through it. He put the piece in his mouth and almost repeated his first actions from the first bite of potatoes. The meat was savory, and meaty with a slight tang from something in the seasoning.

But the hand still painfully clenching his acted as a good anchor and he managed to keep his mind. He finished both the meat chop and the potatoes before moving on to the steamed veggies and then to a small portion of mince pie. Over all Sephtis felt rather tired and was riding a sensory high from all the rich foods he has just eaten. He groaned internally when all the food was replaced by lush deserts. He turned his head away from the sight, if he ate that he knew he would be sick for real. Instead, he chose to close his eyes and rest his forehead against Tom's shoulder. Tom took to rubbing slow comforting circles with his thumb on the back of his little Dagger's hand. He was very proud that his little Dagger has managed to eat everything he had put on his plate. If Sephtis doesn't want desert, he isn't about to force it on him. He knew that if he did put something on the plate, Sephtis would eat it, but it was clear he wasn't up to it. Tom selected a chocolate biscuit for

his desert. Even though he was more used to these foods, it has been months since he's eaten it, so his stomach is also rather small and sensitive.

Finally, the meal was over, and the Headmaster was wishing them all a good night. He received a nod from one of the Slytherin Prefects, Ardell Bromley, clarifying that Tom was taking charge of Sephtis. Who was walking next to him, with his raven head once more held high. He had done some quick meditation and clearing of his mind while desert had been being consumed and now he felt much better. Still tired but no longer so utterly overwhelmed. The walk down in to the dungeons was loud until they split off from the Hufflepuffs. The Slytherin's are a much quieter house Sephtis took notice and knew then that he would be able to feel at home with this house of students. Refined, quiet, ambitious, and cohesive. No one was fighting and no one was making rude comments. The dungeons themselves were much cooler than the rest of the castle, the parts Sephtis had been in anyway, but the chill was rather soothing to him. He was finally able to feel some of his usual confidence coming back to him. That and knowing Tom would always be at his side, Sephtis was properly soothed. And just like that, Sephtis remembered his revenge plans for the manipulative fool, Professor Dumbledore. He would start in a few days. Monday morning would be best. Give the bastard a right bumpy start to his day. Sephtis smirked darkly which drew the attention of his chosen Master.

Tom who had been trying to think of ways to properly acclimate his little Dagger to this new place and had realized just how hard it was going to be going off of Sephtis's reaction to dinner. But the subtle change in Dagger's magic had him glancing to the side, only to be delighted with the sight of a smirk he knows well. His little Dagger has managed to find his own bearings after all. Now all he could think about was kissing his Dagger. They hadn't touched each other beyond simple kisses since the night they had returned from Diagon Alley. They simply hadn't felt the desire to but now, now Tom was feeling the rush of possessive need rise in him once more. Sephtis's deadly insanity drove him up a wall that he was more than willing to be up against. Sephtis, being ever observant of his partner, sent Tom a salacious wink. Tom growled internally. But first, they had other things to do, like always. Tom taught Dagger how to get into the common rooms, told him the password and when it changed and how to find the new password. Slytherin's weren't the house of the cunning for no reason. Slytherin house has its own weekly news pamphlet. Mostly containing tutor schedules and inner house rank and changes that went with that. But their head of house always has a weekly potions article in the pamphlet as well. In the articles somewhere was the password for the new month. Each of the four papers of the month held a set number of clues and it was up to them to decipher the clues and then put them together to find the correct password.

Older students wouldn't directly give you the password, but they would sit with you and help you find it. After a while it became easy and second-hand nature to decipher the password. Sephtis was positively aglow at the sound of such a fun challenge. He has always loved word puzzles. Even more so now with his loss of sanity. Less barriers to conform his thoughts to a sub-standard focus. He used to the steal the puzzle sections from the Matron of his second orphanage. Until he got caught with them near the end of his stay there. She had had him flogged twenty-five times for that transgression. He had stopped stealing them, instead he took to fishing them out of the bin the next day. No fishing these papers out of the bin. Or getting flogged for having them, he thought with a contented internal sigh. Walking into the common room he was treated to an exquisite sight. Dark grey stone walls, forest green armchairs and couches with dark brown wood detailing, a second- floor balcony with tall, to the ceiling, full book shelves and tables near the banister that surrounded

the entire room. Two large, ornate fireplaces with roaring fires going in them, at opposite sides of the room. Plenty of tables for them to do their homework and what not. For lighting there is one vast crystal and wrought iron chandelier hanging in the middle of the room with thousands of sparkling, bright stones that gave of brilliant amber light. Making the large, spacious room feel warm and comforting.

Tom smirked at his little Dagger's awed expression. Sephtis followed Tom to the closest seating area around one of the fireplaces. They claimed a short, stuffed loveseat and waited for the first years to be escorted in shortly after. The room was full already, every table and chair filled with the second through seventh years before the First years walked in. But as they did, Sephtis noticed with beguilement as the room seemed to magically expand and more seating and tables appeared on the first floor. Magic truly is brilliant. Once the first years were settled near the front as a group, Professor Slughorn, their head of house made his appearance through a side door. He sauntered into the middle of the room and gave a slow spin with a bright, calculating smile as he took in all of his house's student. His eyes paused briefly on Tom and then Sephtis, where his eyes got especially bright, remembering Sephtis's magical display when they bought his wand. Sephtis felt proud, he could bring about that look on his teacher. It meant he would be able to easily manipulate the older man, for his and Tom's needs.

"Welcome to the house of the cunning, the ambitious, the loyal, and the intelligent. We are a house that looks after one another. We are loyal to each other. We put are best effort forward in everything we do. We pride ourselves on our intelligence and our crafty ways we use that intelligence. We are Slytherin and we are proud!" The professor said, his voice strong and passionate. "The number one rule, what happens in Slytherin, STAYS in Slytherin. We do not fight in the corridors; we do not demean our fellow Slytherins in front of other houses. Rule number two, any disputes are to be handled within the confines of the common room. Rule number three, if you are struggling with your class's you are NOT to let your self fall behind. You WILL sign up for a tutor in the areas you are suffering. Slytherin prides itself for inner house unity and intelligence, you are failing those standards should you choose to ignore your need for help. Such actions will reap befitting consequences. Older students, your peers, the ones you are disgracing by allowing you self to fall behind will be the ones to decide on and act out your punishments." A few of the first years shot nervous looks around the faces of the common room. Wondering who would punish them and how. Would it be painful? Would it be embarrassing?

Sephtis felt rather surprised that professor Slughorn is capable of such a speech. He knew the man to be good with potions and certainly good at favoring his select favorites. But He had not expected the man to be able to motivate the entire room. "If you have questions, seek out our two prefects for the year, Ardell Bromley, a fifth year and Bethany Burdough another fifth year. If you can not find them, seek out the resident, seventh year, Slytherin King, Elwin Kirkwood. Lastly, if you can not find him, you may seek out the second year, Slytherin Prince, Thomas Riddle. "As each name was mentioned, said Slytherin would either stand or raise a hand to bring the attention to their person. Tom had stood and tipped his head at the curious first years. "Schedules will be posted on the notice board on the second floor on Sunday morning. We like to be the house that is more prepared then the others who hand out their schedules in the great hall-" Slughorn said with a mocking tone. "-the same morning classes are to begin. Leaves a lot of room for mistakes and students to get lost, trying to find the class room that they hadn't been prepared for." He went on to explain the pamphlet that Tom had already explained and with greater detail to Sephtis and then he

told them about meal times and curfew. After that he bid them a good night. He winked at a select few including Tom and Sephtis before he finally left the room.

A third of the room cleared out after that. First years were directed to their dorms to get settled in their new lodgings and other wanted to get settled in, in general. Tom got and held out a hand to Sephtis, who took it without hesitation. Tom led them down a short flight of stairs and into a dimly lit, chic, smooth, black brick hallway. Several silver doors on either side spanned the long corridor. Tom stopped them at a door on the right side, four doors down. He opened the door and pulled his little Dagger inside. This rooms décor is much like the main common room, but with only one large fire place and three tables with four settings each. Along three of the four walls stood three doors each. The fourth wall was half floor to ceiling book shelves and the other half was a grand, window that gave view to the inky darkness of the lake in the night. Under the window is a long day bed area with black, silver, and green throw pillows. Tom stopped in the middle of the room. "This is the second-year boy's dorm common room. In here we get to decide who rooms with who, how many we want to room with and the size of each room. The school's innate magic will take in to account what we desire and change the rooms accordingly. All you have to do is place your hand on the door, push a small amount of your magic into it and then state what you want." To demonstrate Tom pulled Sephtis over to the first silver door that held only one name plate 'Tom Riddle' he placed his pale hand palm flat on the door.

"Make the room larger, add a second desk, wardrobe and bookshelf." Just as Tom finished speaking a second name plate popped into existence 'Sephtis Selwyn'. Sephtis felt warmth wash through him, and a light blush flushed his cheeks pink, Tom wanted to continue sharing a room with him. Tom seeing this, quickly pulled the door open and pushed Sephtis into the room and shut the door behind himself. Sephtis didn't have time to look at anything before Tom was pulling him against him and their mouths came together. Dagger didn't waist a second looping his arms around Tom's neck and leaning into the kiss hungrily. A moan sliding out of his mouth and into Tom's who was actively trying to devour Dagger's mouth. Tom's hands gripped tightly at Sephtis's petite sides. Their tongues worked together in a frenzy, heads tilting to the side for better access. Sephtis nipped at Tom's bottom lip, causing Tom to growl and bite back. His teeth split Sephtis's lip and blood spilled onto Tom's waiting tongue. The magic he has tasted twice before filling his tastes buds, he moaned at the intoxicating, rich, sweetness. Sephtis pulled back after a long moment to catch his breath. Both their chests heaving. Dagger rested his head against Tom's and kept his eyes closed. Tom slid his arms around his little Dagger's waist, embracing him. This. This is home. His partner in his arms, as they stood in Hogwarts, in their own room, with almost endless privacy… this is home.

Tom regretfully opened his eyes, knowing he had some things to talk about with Sephtis, things that had been bothering him all evening and things to praise for him for. Plus, Sephtis deserved to see the room he would be living in for the next six years. Sephtis openly pouted with a small whine when Tom pulled half way out of their embrace. He smirked at his little Dagger who just pouted more. Giving in he leaned in and gave Sephtis one more lingering kiss. Dagger purred in delight and grinned against Tom's mouth. "We shall have to christen our room…and our bathroom." Sephtis hissed throatily with a devious, mad grin. Tom's blue eyes darkened with lust at the sound and the images Sephtis's words brought forth in his mind. This time it was Sephtis who pulled away, not leaving time for Tom to reply. Tom growled in frustrated need at Dagger's back who has turned away, looking at their room. Tom's design from last year still in place, wine red walls, wrought iron black sconces with more of those large glowing stones along the walls. Dark silver trim and details along the walls. A massive, black, four poster bed with layers of sheer black silk

for curtains. An alcove with a domed window and day bed sat in the wall to the left of the bed, a large roaring fire place opposite the bed with a love seat in front of it. Twin chocolate brown, wood desks on the right wall next to the ensuite door. Finally, two tall bookshelves took up the spaces on either side at the head of the bed. The left side already half full of last year's book collection, from Tom.

Sephtis made his way around to the right side of the bed where his trunk sat near the head. He leaned down and pressed his thumb pad to the Selwyn family crest. Intertwining, barbed filigree in delicate loops and spirals surrounded the image of a three-point shield, In the shield is a pair of winged serpents reared as if to attack each other. The crest is done in opal, the same color as Sephtis's eyes. The second his finger pressed against the crest, a sharp prick, pricked his finger, withdrawing a miniscule amount of his blood and the lock popped open. The cut healed immediately and Sephtis lifted open his trunk. The book he had read on the train was about common house hold cleaning, and sorting charms so with his wand in his hand he flicked it sharply to the right at his trunk and all of things began floating out in to their new proper homes. Clothes went to the tall dark wood wardrobe. Writing supplies went to the desk, his books went to the empty book shelf and his toiletries went to the ensuite. Tom was doing the same on his side of the room, hanging up his brand-new wardrobe with a delighted smirk to see each finely crafted, expensive piece of clothing put its self properly away.

Dagger made his way over to the love seat in front of the fire and curled his feet up under him. His knees to his chest. Tom came over a minute later and sat down sideways to face his partner. "Alright, start with telling me what upset you so much when you got sorted." Sephtis cocked his head to the side as he looked at Tom. Deciding the best way to describe what happened. "When I walked up to the stool, I felt a compulsion curse wash over me. It was intended to make me ask the hat to put me any house other then Slytherin. The protection my Lordship ring has in it, blocked it but not before I felt and identified the intent in it. That is why I took the hat from the bastard. He was going to push another one on me by way of transference when he put the hat on me. The hat knew what that old man was doing. It whispered such to me the second it was on my head. Slytherin is the only home for me, it said. I wasn't expecting to be attacked so suddenly. So openly. He did that in front of hundreds of people." Tom's face had morphed into a furious cold mask. Sephtis shivered in disgust at the memory. "Tom, you didn't have your heir ring last year, what if he had already used those curses on you? He has never met me before, yet he did it to me. What would stop him from doing it to a boy he obviously is unnerved by. The attention he gives you…Merlin I want to kill him." He snarled out the last part. He got up from the couch to pace out his in front of the warm fire, like a caged tiger. Tom was in much the same state. That bastard had tried to control HIS little Dagger. He has actively acted against something that is HIS. Tom is seething. He needs to hurt something. He needs to kill. He needs to kill something before he does something stupid like going after the old bastard.

The feeling of Dagger's sharp, angry magic ebbed Tom out of his killing trance to look up and see Sephtis's eyes aglow, insanity ridden, the pearly white color of his eyes like pearls of radiant, burning light. His black magic is whipping out around him. Suddenly Dagger's head shoots up and he walks over the wall. Placing his palm flat and pushing his angry magic in to the wall. "Give me a room and things to kill." He demanded, his voice cold, low, and dripping with vehemence. Tom's eyes widened and he shot to his feet when a black door appeared under Sephtis's hand. Sephtis stormed through the door, his wand already out. He screamed, he screamed with his whole body,

his voice full of venomous hatred. His multi colored wand whipping up, a bright purple curse shooting out from the tip and striking a deer that had appeared a second before, in the chest. The deer let out an agonized squeal and dropped down on to its side, convulsing rapidly. Blood started pouring out of its mouth, anus, eyes, and ears, it pooled in a growing puddle under the deer. Another deer appeared and Sephtis was already cursing it. This time a violet curse, the deer made no sound as its skin began to ripple and bubble, the bubbles grew and grew and grew until the deer finally exploded raining guts, brain, fur, and gore around the room.

Tom was getting rather jealous of his partner getting to do all the killing and venting, so he stepped to the side, his own wand out and up just as another deer appeared, his red curse struck before Sephtis even knew the new deer had appeared. The deer's skin began to peel away from muscle and connective tissue, all the while the deer is screeching and running in place. Loud splats of blood hitting the marble floor, was a beautiful sound in both boy's ears. As the hide of the deer fully separated the deer gave up its struggle and submitted to death. Sephtis walked up to his first kill and sank to his knees and edge of the large puddle of warm blood. He leaned over and sank his pale hands into the fresh blood, closing his eyes in ecstasy. He let his head fall forward, an animalistic grin splitting his mouth. Tom on the other hand was taking out more of anger, killing three more deer in the most gruesome manners he could come up with. Sephtis sat back on his heels and brought his crimson covered hands up to watch the glistening blood drip down his pale skin. He put his head back and started cackling wildly. After that died out, he turned his head to the side and eyed Tom, the insanity still very present in his opal eyes. "When we kill that manipulator, I want to bathe in his blood. I want to desecrate his very life blood. I want you to claim me, as we bathe in the glistening, warm, pool of crimson blood. We shall celebrate that night by taking away his ultimate dignity." Tom raised his strong jaw, his chest heaving, he looked down at his little Dagger, his blue eyes now black with fierce possessive lust. He stalked over to Sephtis, leaning down he pushed Dagger down to his back on the floor. Tom dropped down in a straddle over Sephtis's hips.

He leaned down over his little Dagger, his hands burying themselves in Sephtis's silky raven hair. Sephtis shot up like a snake, his mouth connecting to Tom's with deadly precision. His hands ripping apart Tom's clothes, using his magic to rips the clothes completely away. Leaving them to pile around them on the floor. Tom's upper body finally naked in the cool room, he broke their kiss and dropped his mouth to Tom's pale, exposed chest. His tongue swirling around a small pert, pink nipple. Tom sucked in a sharp breath and forced his eyes to stay open so he could watch Sephtis. Dagger nipped gently at the bud with his sharp teeth, his hands sliding around to Tom's back. Wanting to touch every millimeter of skin. Tom shivered at Sephtis hungry assault, his hands tightening painfully in his little Dagger's hair, Dagger hissed against his wet nipple. Causing a small breeze to flutter over the wet bud, sending another round of shivers through Tom and he cried out. Sephtis moved his mouth leaving little bites across Tom's small chest to the other pert nipple. Beginning a new assault on the neglected nipple. He licked in a slow tantalizing circle around the puckered flesh of the nub. And then he closed his mouth around it and sucked greedily. Tom let out a guttural moan; he couldn't control it. He never knew how sensitive his nipples could be.

Sephtis dragged his sharp nails down the sensitive skin of Tom's back, leaving raised, angry welts in their wake. Tom hissed and let his head drop back, the painful, searing pleasure penetrating his every thought. He could feel the familiar tightening his gut growing steadily stronger as Sephtis

continued to attack his body. Sephtis let off the tortured nipple and blew a cool breath across it, causing Tom to moan and tremble. He brought his mouth back to Tom's delectable skin, right on the bottom tip of his sternum, he sucked a healthy portion of soft skin into his mouth and bitt down sharply. Tom screamed before his brain could catch up with his body. His orgasm ripping through his young body. Sephtis who had leaned back just in time to watch Tom's shudder, and jerk out his release, came just moments after. The delicious sight of Tom completely loosing himself, more than enough to bring a soul crushing climax to Sephtis. He fell back against the cool floor, bringing Tom with him. Both of them sucking in ragged breaths as their body's came down from the postal orgasmic bliss.

It was several minutes before either of them moved. Tom slowly opened his eyes and took a deep breath before gently climbing off of Sephtis. He had just a moment to register the sticky mess in his briefs before warm, tingling magic washed over him and the sticky mess vanished. His torn clothes began floating back up to his body, reattaching themselves together seamlessly. The magic faded away from him just as the last button on his robes reattached. He looked down at Dagger who grinning lazily up at him, his wand held loosely in hand before he let his arm drop back to the ground and he sat up. He leaned over and pressed a tender kiss to Sephtis's bruised lips. Then they both climbed up to their feet and turned around to take care of the gory mess they had made only to find the room in pristine condition. Sephtis giggled with relish and walked over to the wall to press a hand to it. "Thank you for accommodating to our more…darker needs. You may leave the room; we shall need it again later." Tom walked up beside him and took his hand to pull out of the room. He still needed to meet with his followers, and he has no idea how long they had spent in the room.

Sephtis sank down on to their bed and casually cast a tempus. His eyes widened and his gaze shot to the black door they had just exited. "Tom, no time has passed since we went in there. Its still eight fifteen. " Tom quickly cast his own tempus and then he chuckled, pressing own hand to the wall. "I thank you for your thoughtfulness. We shave honor you with a sacrifice on the next full moon." The magic within the wall pulsed once under his hand and Tom's eyes widened comically. He hadn't expected the magic to be sentient. "She is truly brilliant, isn't she. Our home is truly brilliant. Very befitting for our home to be so amazingly powerful." Sephtis said quietly, his gaze distant as he looked around the room, seeing beyond the physical structure. Tom simply nodded; he had no words to describe how he felt in this moment. A strange tightness was curling in his chest, bringing prickly tears to his eyes. He closed them to stop the tears from falling. Thin arms slid around his waist from behind. Dagger's chin coming to rest on his shoulder. "It's alright, Master…you do not have to face your feelings now. I will feel them for you. Neither of us may ever be capable of feeling love. We can be broken together…forever." Forever filled Tom with a new sense of need. Yes. They would live forever.Together. He and Dagger would rule the wizarding world together, forever.

Ch 3

Chapter Notes

With the holiday weekend, chapter four may not be finished and published until Monday. Enjoy this new chapter and have a wonderful weekend.

Love Lavinia 3 3

Sephtis Tempest Selwyn

Chapter Three

September 1st, 1939, 8:30 P.M.

Tom sat in his throne like armchair for the first time this year, in the second years common room. Sephtis is kneeling upon a thick emerald cushion directly at his feet, a cold impenetrable look on his face. His group of followers are slipping into the room, one by one. Each of them coming to bow low in front of him and give him the customary greeting, 'My Lord'. Then they move to find a place in the room, some are standing against the wall, and some have claimed seats at the tables. His closest followers, Orion Black, Abraxas Malfoy, Corvus Lestrange, Evan Rosier, and Thaddeus Nott are seated around the fireplace, closest to their Lord. No one has dared to make a sound, but many are openly gazing at Sephtis. Those his heavy gaze lands on, flush and look hastily away. There is about twenty in the room when the door finally stops opening. Tom's wand slides into his hand and those who notice flinch at the sight, but Tom simply raises it and flicks it in a few complicated patterns, setting up privacy, silence, and impenetrable wards. It wouldn't do to be interrupted.

The subtle tension in the room goes down a notch as the last ward fixates in place. "Welcome back, my loyal followers. It is good to see none of you have defected since we last met on June thirtieth." His words carrying a low-lying threat. "The war in Germany with the current Dark Lord Grindelwald has seen many family going into hiding out of fear. But here we all are. This year, we shall continue to grow in numbers. When Grindelwald advances on Britain, he will be met with futile resistance. The wizarding world in Britain is weak, and afraid of their own shadows. But eventually he will fall and when he does fall, the wizarding world will collapse in to a state of weakness. Confusion and sorrow for all the dead will run rampant while our world tries to right the wrongs that were wrought upon it. In that confusion we will rise up in the shadows, we will use the darkness that has been cast and we will craft a world that does not fear all magic. We will bring back the era of wizards and witches that are not afraid to fight for their rights. We will be a strong

world once again." A collective applause sounds around the room.

Tom waits for them to quiet before looks down at Sephtis at his feet. "I am sure you are very curious to know why the new student is kneeling at my feet?" A few murmurs of agreement rise at that statement. Sephtis keeps his gaze cold and emotionless. "I introduce you to, Lord Sephtis Selwyn. He is my partner. Your second Lord. You will refer to as Lord Dagger." Cries of outrage filtered through out the room. Mainly from the older years who had seen sense and joined his cause last year. Tom nodded at Sephtis, and he rose in one fluid movement to his feet. His head held high. "Your Lord Dagger will accept any and all duels from those who do not think he is worthy." At Tom's words Sephtis let some of his insanity leak out onto his features and he let half of his wild black magic free from its tight constraints. The room plunged into darkness, all the witch lights around the room going out from the heavy influx of magic. All of the standing students sagged before collapsing completely to the ground. The ones in chairs, slid bonelessly out of their chairs. The magic floated and swirled around the room in silken, black, misty tendrils. It touched on several students. Sephtis licked his lips and grinned. Some of these followers have really yummy tasting magic. One older girl for certain, she has long lanky black hair and striking fragile features and black eyes. He turned his gaze to Tom and indicated to the girl. Tom followed his gesture. "That is Eileen Prince, fourth year." Sephtis nodded and turned back the room. His magic circled and coiled around one particularly vicious and black core of magic. Sephtis let his gaze fall upon one of the inner group. A boy with golden blond, curly hair, a strong jaw, a long neck, broad shoulders, and the boy is staring right back at him with a depraved, savage grin. Sea green eyes matching close to his own in insanity. Sephtis drifted forward through his thick magic to stand right in front of the delicious boy. They stared at each other for several long minutes, Sephtis slipping into his real insanity then, the insanity that is always gnawing, hungry presence in his mind. His opal eye's reflecting this burgeoning insanity. The boy slid off the couch he sat on and into a prostrating bow, his head resting on Sephtis's feet. Dagger let out a giddy, mad giggle and knocked his head to the side so he could look at Tom. Tom who is watching him avidly, his chin resting on the knuckles of his left hand. The possessive fire Sephtis knows so well is alight in Tom's eyes as he watches him.

Sephtis bent down to lift the head of his new favorite toy. Once the boy was on his knees, he kissed his forehead. Marking him internally with his magic, branding the boy as his on his magical core. The boy trembled hard, his eyes closing in ecstasy. Sephtis released him gently and made his way back to Tom. As he sank back down on to his pillow he drew his magic back into himself, putting up the restraints once more. The witch lights all flickered back on and there was a collective groan across the room as everyone started rousing from the magic induced state of euphoric bliss they had just succumbed to. Sephtis rested his head over Tom's knee and started purring quietly when Tom's hand came down to start gently stroking his head. "That boy, is Evan Rosier. Do you like him?" Tom whispered in parseltongue. Sephtis, detecting a hint of jealousy in the Master of his everything's voice, smirked and rolled his head over so he could look up at Tom with out removing his head from the knee it rests on. "He shall be my personal toy. His magic is delicious and riddled with dark insanity. I feel a kinship to him. He will be very useful to our cause. Do not forget, I bound myself completely to you. There will never be another to capture my attention in such a manner. No one is as dark and talented at using dark magic as you are. I will only ever worship you." Tom grinned ferally and nodded. He went back to petting his little Dagger's head.

The followers were now recovered enough to climb to their feet. With surprise to both Tom and Sephtis, one by one as they got to their feet, each follower came to kneel and bow down in front of Sephtis. "I vow my services to Lord Dagger." They each proclaimed while in their bow, adding their own name to the vow. A light golden magic was slowly saturating the seating area, thickening with each vow. The inner circle went last. They went a step further and placed their head against his bent knee. But Evan, Sephtis's new toy went the furthest yet. In a daring move he took Sephtis's hand in his and kissed his Lordship ring. He has just pledged himself personally to Lord Sephtis Selwyn, not just Lord Dagger. The magic senses the closure of the vows vibrated once, causing every single person who had vowed to shiver and then the magic surrounded Sephtis and sank into him. He gasped in shock at the rush of magic settling upon his core. He took a couple subtle deep breaths to calm his racing heart. Then he turned to the boy who made the slave bond. Sephtis dug his hand into Evan's blond curls and gripped them painfully. Evan closed his eyes and shivered at the pain. Sephtis jerked his head up and then to the side so he could look directly at Evan. Each tug more painful than the last. Evan shuddered at the last one and fought to control the rising arousal within himself so he could open his eyes and meet his new master's penetrating gaze. "Stay after dismissal. I shall have different orders for you and your Lord shall test your worth." Sephtis said with a twisted grin before using a little magic for extra force and he threw Evan to the floor away from him. "Crawl back to your place, Evan." Sephtis commanded with a mad glint in his opal eyes. Evan chuckled and did as commanded. He crawled on his hands and knees back to the couch where he pulled himself up.

Tom gave out a few orders and some more information to those who had questions and then the meeting was over. He dismissed them all and they cleared out. It was after nine now, lights out. Tom rose to his feet and then held out his hand for Sephtis who instead of using the hand to get up, brought it to his mouth and licked from the tip of his middle finger, across his palm and up to the underside side of his wrist with the tip of his tongue. He kissed the palm, looking up at Tom through his long black lashes, who was watching him with avaricious grin. His dark blue eyes taking on a hint of crimson. Tom pulled Sephtis to his feet with one solid tug and his little Dagger giggled in delight. Sephtis looked over his shoulder to Evan who sat on the couch with his head bowed in obedience. "Come Evan and be a good boy and crawl." Sephtis said with a grin and then let Tom lead them into their room. Evan crawled in shortly after, the door swinging shut behind him. Sephtis walked over to his wardrobe. "Lay down on the on the floor, on the right side of the bed and close your eyes, Evan. If you open them, you will face severe consequences." He watched Evan until he had obeyed and was blind to the room. Then he began undressing, wanting to put on some pajamas. Tom came over and started going through Dagger's pj's looking for what he wanted his little Dagger to wear tonight. He settled on a pair of fuzzy, dark blue flannel pj's. He went to hand them to Sephtis but just as he was reaching out to take them, Tom caught his wrist and tugged him up against him. Tom brought his face to Sephtis's naked neck and rubbed the side of his face up the length of the neck to Sephtis's ear where he nuzzled gently. Sephtis closed his eyes and leaned his head to the side, giving Tom more access to his skin.

Tom brushed Dagger's raven hair back out of the way and then he leaned back in and bitt down hard on Sephtis's neck. Not breaking the skin this time. His little Dagger stiffened and opened his mouth in a silent cry of pleasure. Sephtis is still covered in the claiming bites that had pierced the skin and bled. They are all at varying stages of healing. This one is solely to have a more visible, bruised claim. Evan will be able to see this one and a few others since the pj top is a lower cut. He released Sephtis who only pouted lightly before getting changed into his pj's. Once he was done, he stepped over Evan and crawled up on to his and Tom's bed. He laid down on his side and propped himself up on his elbow. Tom stood over Evan, looking down at him with a cold glare.

"You may open your eyes now, Evan. Get on to your knees and bow to your Lord." Evan did as his master commanded. He turned on his knees and bowed at Tom's feet. "It was very bold of you to give your self to Lord Dagger when you had already pledged your service to me, Rosier. Do you have a good reason?" Tom asked, it's clear in his tone that if Evan doesn't have a good answer, Tom will punish him. And not in a way that Evan would enjoy.

"I see the way he worships you; I believe he is bound to you already. Binding myself to Lord Dagger, is binding myself to you, my Lord. Seeing and feeling Lord Dagger's chaotic, overwhelmingly dark magic, I could not resist the call it placed on my own magic. My master's magic is greater than I have ever felt. If I did not do this, I would live a half life full of regret and sorrow." Evan leaned down further and pressed his forehead to Tom's shoe. "I shall be a loyal, worthy servant to my master and to you, my Lord." Tom sneered but he didn't feel the hatred behind it. "Go to bed now Evan. You may walk." Sephtis said quietly. Evan bowed to his master and Dagger leaned forward to pat Even's head and then his new servant silently left. Tom turned to Sephtis, already working on removing his robe. "It is kind of embarrassing that you start school and on your very first day, you not only gained the loyalty off all my followers, but you have also accepted a willing slave bond. It took me almost six months to gather any of my followers." Tom said with a rueful smile as he pulled his shirt off. Sephtis chuckled and reached out to grab Tom's wrist and pull him down on the bed. He leaned over him and placed a few tender kisses long the bottom of the Tom's lip. "They only follow me because you taught me how to lead them. You are too good a teacher, so you can only blame yourself. Besides, they don't follow me, they follow US. Evan may be my slave, my toy, but in the end, he is still our follower. You have Corvus as your confidant and I have Evan. Shall I make Corvus swear special fealty to you too?" He said with a wry grin because it would truly be a sight to see the proud Corvus Lestrange prostrate at and kiss Tom's feet. Tom laughed and rolled away to finish dressing for bed. A few minutes later, the witch lights were dimmed, and Tom was pulling Sephtis's back up close to him. Morpheus claimed their minds and they slipped into a dreamless sleep.

September 2nd, Saturday, 1939, 6:00 A.M.

The boys woke slowly that morning. Sephtis rolled over and pressed himself closer to Tom's chest. Tom slid an arm over his waist and held him close. With his eyes still closed, Tom kissed the top of Sephtis's bed head. Sephtis kissed Tom's shoulder and then they lay there, content to just be with the other in the silence of early morning. A good fifteen minutes later and Sephtis was wondering into the ensuite to run a hot bubble bath in the deep claw foot tub. He added in some sage and lavender bubble soap and then went to brush his teeth just as Tom was coming in behind him. They brushed their teeth together in silence and then they both stripped and stepped into the tub with a relieved sigh. Tom lay against the slanted back of the tub and Sephtis lay against him. They closed their eyes and relaxed in the comforting scents and hot water exfoliated their tired bodies. Puberty is hitting them hard this morning. Tom is pretty sure Sephtis has grown a couple inches over-night. After a few minutes Tom has his little Dagger sit forward so he can start pouring water over his hair. Making sure to tilt Sephtis's head back so no water goes on his face. Sephtis closes his eyes, enjoying being pampered. Tom summons Sephtis's shampoo and conditioner, both are lilac scented. Magical soaps have the capabilities to actually smell like the freshly blossomed flower. Not the manufactured scent muggles create that never actually smells like the real flower.

He squeezes out a healthy portion of the shampoo and lathers it up in his hands before starting to gently scrub it into Sephtis's hair. Sephtis keeps his eyes closed, basking in the good feeling of having his scalp scrubbed. When its all good and sudsy Tom uses the handheld shower head to rinse out Sephtis's hair. Being careful again to avoid getting any soap in his little Dagger's eyes. While Dagger likes some forms of pain, this isn't one of them. He does the conditioner in the same way and then moves on to summoning the gentle, antiseptic body soap that has oregano extracts in it that are good for healing wounds like the bite wounds from his claiming along Sephtis's shoulders, upper chest and the base of his neck. He lathers it up in his hands and then starts the careful, slow process of cleaning each wound as tenderly as possible. Sephtis hisses a few times, because while Tom is gentle, the bruises are still extremely tender. And in some areas the soap stings his wounds. But every time Sephtis hisses in pain, Tom places a tender kiss to the back of his neck. A few minutes later and it is Sephtis's turn to wash Tom. They drain some of the water because with the washing of Sephtis, the level had risen almost too high. They switch places and Dagger goes to work wetting and washing Tom's hair with the same care Tom had used for him. But Tom's soap are scented oak and patchouli. He took special care to wash the bruised bite mark over Tom's sternum. And he summoned a special healing salve he had purchased in Diagon Ally for small cuts and wounds. Tom is very picky about his image, and his flawless skin so he had bought this with that in mind. Because he knows just how much he likes to draw blood and Tom is always a willing participant in pleasing him. With that in mind her began the delicate process of applying the salve to the many thin, welted, scratches on Tom's back he had created yesterday.

Another ten minutes later and they are wrapped up in fluffy burgundy towels and Tom is picking out Sephtis's outfit for the day. Since it is a Saturday, and the formal school dress code is not required he chooses a slightly more fitted pair of slate gray pants with a boot cut at the bottom. A matching vest and a simple off-white button up. To tie the look together a pair of matt black ankle boots with dark grey laces. He laid the clothes out on the bed, letting Sephtis pick his own undergarments. Sephtis eyed the clothes and started humming quietly as he got dressed. Tom chose to match his little Dagger by using the same color scheme, but a different cut of pants and his shirt has a higher collar. Back in the bathroom he set out his little Dagger's hair supplies and then got to work on his own. He preferred to be in charge of every aspect of Dagger's image. It brings him a sense of control he has never had, and he relishes it. It only helps that Sephtis absolutely preens under his very attentive hands. His little Dagger thoroughly enjoys Tom controlling nearly every aspect his life. Tom smirked smugly at himself in the mirror when he had achieved the perfect wave in the longer part of his short black hair at the top of his head. "Tom, nothing you set out for me is going to cover your latest claiming mark." Sephtis exclaimed airily as he walked into the bathroom. Tom looked at him in the mirror. "You do not sound as though you mind that fact." He pointed out impassively. Dagger giggled and bounced on the balls of his feet. "Of course, I don't. In fact, I would proudly wear even more of them. I would even go on to say that if you carved your name in to my flesh, I would never want to hide it. But the mark will draw some unwanted suspicion down on us from the old bloody Bastard." Sephtis says with slightly mad giggle because he is picturing bleeding out the Professor when he uses 'Bloody' to insult the man.

Tom motioned for Sephtis to sit on a stool next to the counter so he could start work on Sephtis's hair while they talked. Dagger's raven, blue/black hair is almost shoulder length, thick, and always silky to the touch but in the morning there always seems to be an impossible amount of tangles. Tom lives for a challenge and Sephtis never shows any signs of pain, not even on some of the bigger, rattier snarls that Tom sometimes has no choice but to brush them forcefully out. Not once

has he even winced. So, he picks up the conditioning spray and starts to work. "I do not want to hide my claim on you, not even from him, but if you desire it, I shall allow it." Sephtis's brows furrow together in thought for a moment. "No, like I said before, I do not want to hide them. But if we aren't going to, we will have to come up with more safety measures. He may not be able to use compulsion spells on us, but that wont stop him from trying different methods. Especially when he sees the mark and us sitting together, he is too smart, he will put it together. After that, I will have a metaphorical target painted on my back." Tom was painstakingly working on a snarl at this point at the base of Sephtis's skull. "We will go to the library today and look up different enchantment's we could use on items similar to that of the simple protections on your Lordship and my heirship rings offer. In fact, we could simply owl Griphook enquiring about specially crafted items made for the pair of us with many more advanced protections. He may even be capable of warding our minds from intrusion too. Maybe an amulet or bracelets. We'll still go to the library and look up protections, possibly venture into runes. If there are ruin sequences we could put on our skin for permanent protection I would feel much more secure." Sephtis hummed in agreement. He has been wanting to request a set of blades from them as well. He had forgotten to talk to Griphook about it when they had been there the last.

Not counting yesterday morning when they had picked up Tom's ring because that had been a quick in and out. He wants a full set, some different lengths, several of the same but each pair will have their own set of enchantments or magical properties. Thinking about the protection items again. He liked the ideas Tom had suggested but they also seem rather common. Maybe… "Master, what do you think about an earring? Possibly an emerald? I think agates are stones that offer protection as well. But I was also thinking that we should have a backup pair on us at all times, possibly in the design of cufflinks or buttons. With several different design and colors so that we do not draw attention to an item we wear over and over again. If he decided to check us over for protection pieces, he would never think to check if we are wearing more than one. Nor that they would be something so common as a cuff link or button. Especially for you since he has been stalking you for so long, he will know you prefer showy, extravagant pieces." Sephtis said his lilting, airy voice taking on a worshipful tone at a thought of Tom sitting in his throne, lavished in expensive, extravagance. His alluring dark magic filling the air around him. Sephtis purred in appreciation, he wants to kneel at those deserving feet.

He opens his eyes, he hadn't realized he had closed and looked up to find Tom watching him in the mirror with a curious smirk, his brow quirked. Sephtis giggled and licked his bottom lip in a slow stroke. Tom's eyes snapped down to the movement. "Look into my mind Tom, let me show you what I was envisioning." Tom paused his work on his little Dagger's hair so Dagger could tilt his head all the way back and Tom could look down into opal eyes that worship his everything. He whispered the spell and then he was sliding into Sephtis's mind. With Sephtis's binding to him, part of it being his mind, being in his little Daggers mind was as smooth as being in his own. Sephtis would never be able to keep him out, not that he would ever think for a moment Sephtis would want to keep him out. His little Dagger finds great enjoyment out of giving him everything he is. Sephtis's landscape, unsurprisingly is the asylum he had been admitted to for over a year. The place is full of echoing screams of rage, sorrow, and madness. The hallways are long, dark and narrow with flickering yellow lights on the ceiling. Countless cell doors lining each wall, in every hallway. Sephtis shimmers into view but it isn't the Sephtis he sees every day. This Sephtis is the emaciated, gaunt little boy who had stayed in this hellish place. Sephtis silently leads him to a seemingly random cell door and pulls it open. Inside the cell is a broken, rusting metal cot with a thin mattress on top that has sharp, rusty springs sticking up out of it. He picks up a sole little dirty teddy bear that Tom suspects used to be pink but is now so filthy it's grayish brown. As soon as his

hands touch the bear, he is sucked inside the vision Sephtis wants to show him.

He is standing in a large room. A throne room going by the sight of the immaculate silver throne in the center at the head of the room. In the throne is him, but he is obviously older, and he is clothed in the finest clothes money can create. A smattering of opulent jewelry adorning his fingers, neck and wrists. Just enough glam without being too much. An older version of Sephtis is kneeling at his feet. His hand curled around one of Tom's calves and he is staring up at Tom with utter reverence. His magic is a black force to be reckoned with, around the area around the raised dais. He pulls himself out of his little Dagger's mind and leans down to kiss the upside-down pink lips of Dagger. Sephtis smiles against his lips and Tom pulls back. "We will have our own castle one day. Wizards and witches will come from all over to bow down and pledge their service to you. They will see your power and they will worship it out of fear, out of awe, out of allure. And if they don't…" Sephtis grinned manically. "If they don't, I shall paint the world with their beautiful blood. They will service you with their death if they will not service you with their life." Tom grinned cynically, his eyes glinting, at his little Dagger, a rush of heady power surging through him at Sephtis's words. He stood back up straight and tilted Sephtis's head forward so he can continue working on his long hair.

September 2nd, 1939, Saturday, 7:45 A.M.

Tom and Sephtis slid into their seats at the table for breakfast, Tom started making their cups of tea. A splash of cream in and some honey in Sephtis's and honey no cream in Tom's. They both prefer strong dark teas. It had taken them a few extra minutes to leave their room after Tom finished with his little Dagger's hair so they could write a letter to Griphook. They wanted to get a start on their protection items right away. After they eat they plan to head up to the owlery to send the letter off. Tom glances up at the head table, he sneers internally at the outlandish aquamarine robes that clash horribly with the orange crooked hat on the old fool's head. Luckily the old man wasn't looking at him in this moment. He turned away and focused on filling Dagger's plate with a large scoop of scrambled eggs, a sausage link, two slices of bacon and piece of toast. He couldn't give Sephtis too many fatty foods this early on in changing Dagger's diet. Otherwise, he knows he will get sick and that's definitely not a good way to start the day. Sephtis eyes the plate for only a single long moment this morning, mostly to wait until Tom has finished making his plate. Then he takes a bite of his toast, that should be safe to start with, as buttered bread should always be fairly similar in taste. He was wrong. The bread is much softer in the inside and the flavor is subtle yet yeasty. He forces himself to not close his eyes and groan. Instead choosing to try the sausage. The salty, meaty juices burst in his mouth as his teeth snap through the thin casing and his eyes widen. The sausage is really good. He takes small bites to saver it as long as he can but its gone too fast. He pouts and vows to ask Tom for two of them tomorrow morning.

Bacon is something he has always dreamed about trying. Every second Sunday after shopping Saturday the Matron in his second orphanage would make her self a large plate of bacon and the delicious aroma would waft all the way through the building. It had been such a torture to smell something so yummy and enticing for hours and never be able to taste it. For that reason alone, she had the ire of every single child in the orphanage. While she ate bacon, they ate unseasoned powdered eggs and stale, toast that had a smear so small of butter it was more like they were imagining the taste of it instead of it actually being there. The eggs where a privilege they only had for a week each month. Every other morning it was bland, grey porridge and sometimes a scoop of

nearly uncooked mostly flavorless beans. His first bite of the bacon on his plate made him moan quietly and slump against Tom. He chewed the salty, smoky, crispy meat slowly. Making sure to coat every one of his taste buds for full impact. Tom wrapped his free arm around Sephtis's waist. Letting his little Dagger enjoy his moment of bacon induced ecstasy. Bacon is definitely his favorite food and he vowed he would eat some with every chance he got.

The eggs were certainly good, but nothing compared to the bacon and sausage. They also were the easiest food for him to eat since they weren't laden with fat and heavy seasoning. Tom's plate had been similar, but he had also had some roasted tomato and two slice of ham instead of sausage. Sephtis sat sipping his tea in peace while Tom kept eating the food on his plate. Evan had made his appearance a few minutes ago and had sat down next to him. He had bowed his head in greeting before fixing his own breakfast. Sephtis looked at the boy with the golden curls now, wondering if he could use this new bond for another form of protection. He couldn't see Evan having a problem using himself to deflect Dumbledore's schemes. He would have to order some form of protection for his slave. It would be upsetting to loose his new toy so soon after all. No, Evan would be his right hand for a long time. "Good morning my Lord! I hope you slept well." Sang Harley Parkinson as she leaned over, putting herself directly between Sephtis and Tom. Rudely pushing Sephtis over in her bid to have Tom's sole attention. Sephtis's, eyes darkened and with a flick of his wrist, a small knife with a short, triangle shaped blade slipped into his hand. He discreetly reached around her side and pressed the tip of the blade in to her side. Simultaneously silencing the wretched girl so her shriek of pain would go unnoticed by those not in the immediate area around them. His blade still digging into her skin, he took a calm sip of his tea before turning his deadly gaze on her. She had turned her head to look at him, pain marring her cute but homely features. He reaches up and takes hold on her long brown hair and yanks her head painfully down to his eye level.

"You will cease such improper acts, immediately. If you ever come between me and your Lord again…I will cut up your pretty face so badly that no decent Lord will ever willingly marry their son to you. And you wont be able to tell a soul about what happened. You will have to relive the torture of every slice of my blades every day, every time you pass a mirror for the rest of your pitiful existence." He dug the blade in further to prove his point and knew she would have beautiful blood dripping down her side in big drops now. She cried out silently. "Do you understand Parkinson?" He spat her family name like it was rancid food. She flinched harshly, tears streaming down her face but nodded none the less. "You will not make a noise when I lift the silencing spell. You will turn around and walk calmly back down to your rooms and clean up the mess you made by tripping over a suit of armor. If I hear even a whisper about what has happened here, I will make your life a living nightmare. Again, do you understand, Parkinson?" He lifted the spell on her. "Yes, I understand Lord Dagger, I tripped on some armor in the halls and got a small cut. If you will excuse me, Lord Dagger I must go clean my self up." Her voice squeaky and edged with the pain coursing through her from her side. Sephtis vanished the blade from her side and let her go. She made a hasty but properly slow exit.

Tom gives his little Dagger a satisfied smirk and puts his arm back around Dagger's waist before returning to finish the last bits on his plate. Sephtis picks up his tea and leans into Tom's side. Evan is shaking with contained laughter and Abraxas is the same, his face flushed from laughter. Orion is shaking his head; he knows first-hand not to get on Lord Dagger's bad side. His throat is still a touch sore from the day before and he is lucky that his Lord hadn't used a cursed blade to cut his brow with or he would have had a permanent scar. Corvus has chosen to ignore the scene

entirely. A few minutes later they all rise together, and the two Lords lead their close followers out of the hall under the scrutinizing gaze of one light, blue eyed, manipulative old man. They make their way through the castle heading to the owlery, Tom pointing out paths and secret passageways to Sephtis as they pass them. Leaving out of a side door into the sundial garden and down a short dirt path to the west tower. The climb up the tower is filled with hundreds of stairs and the higher they climb the more owl scat and discarded feathers cover the stone steps. Sephtis scrunches his nose up in disgust. Hellebore would bite him if he let his cage get this dirty. "Do they not bother to clean up here? This is filthy!" His outburst earns him a few chuckles and sounds of agreement. "What? These owls carry our post mainly for free and they travel hundreds of miles. I think they deserve the curtesy of a clean tower." Sephtis exclaims and then his eyes light up with an idea and he stops suddenly, turning to Tom.

"I want to prank the bastard; do I have your permission?" Tom regarded him thoughtfully. He is curious what plan his little Dagger could have that has him so excited. He nods his acceptance and Sephtis beams. "Have you ever been in Professor Dumbledore's office? I need to see an image of it." Tom shakes his head. "No, and I am not put out by the fact. Abraxas has though." Sephtis turned to the mentioned follower, his wand slipping into his hand. "Heir Malfoy, if you would?" Abraxas eyes the wand wearily before sighing and pulling up the memory to the forefront of his mind. Sephtis whisper the spell, his wand aimed between Abraxas's eyes. He slips in and gets a good look around the overly cluttered office. Every single surface is covered in knickknacks. It's a headache inducing sight. He slips back out of Abraxas's mind and turns to face the disgusting, scum coated passageway. He draws a short swirl of patterns with his wand, whispering under his breath a transporting spell in parseltongue and then flicks his wand. Every pile of scat and shed feather vanishes in and instant. Known only to him at the moment, every single spec of mess from the whole tower has just appeared in the old bastard's office. Coating every single surface in filth, and because he said the spell in parseltongue, the mess couldn't be vanished or cleaned magically without the spells said in parseltongue. Even better, Sephtis has removed his personal signature from the spell. The bastard won't be able to trace the magic back to him.

Sephtis isn't exactly sure how he is able to do that yet, him and Tom have discussed possibilities, but nothing seemed be a good explanation. The only thing they do think is it is linked to is his bond as Master of Death. Which neither of them can understand. Is death even capable of having a Master? Sephtis thinks it would be hilarious to be in command of such a force as death. Tom's eyes widen when all the filth vanishes, and his eyes shoot up to Dagger's opal ones and who is smiling like its Christmas day. Some of his insanity leaking in to it, making for an extremely unnerving smile. To Tom it attractive, alluring even. He thrives on and craves Sephtis's insanity. Tom understands a second later as to why his little Dagger would be so happy. "You just vanished all of that to Dumbledore's office, didn't you?" The other four boys gasp and Sephtis starts giggling uncontrollably, clapping his hands in glee. Evan breaks out in whooping laughter, clutching his chest from the force of it. "Do you think he will enjoy my gift?" Dagger asks, his voice still full of mirth and he tappers off into more giggles. Tom reaches out, wrapping his hand around the back of Sephtis's neck, pulling him close. He doesn't care in this moment that they have a small audience. He kisses his little Dagger full on the mouth. Sephtis moans in delight into the kiss, bringing his hands up to Tom's chest to clutch his robes tightly. The others contain their gaping shock well. Evan's green eyes light up in arousal at the sight of his master and Lord locked at the lips.

Tom releases Sephtis's mouth, licking the bit of spit away from Dagger's lower lip. Before he

leans back to admire the beautiful pink flush on his little Dagger's face. Dagger is smiling drunkenly from warm delight. He is proud of himself for being able to please the Master of his everything, so thoroughly. Tom brings his other hand up to cup Sephtis's cheek, his thumb stroking the warmed skin. "Thank you, my little Dagger." Sephtis's eyes dilate a fraction hearing the term of endearment and he grins. "It is my pleasure to carry out vengeance for you, my Master." Tom grins heatedly and leans back in to kiss Dagger again. This time the kiss is shorter but not less passionate. When they finally separate they take notice of the four bewildered, shocked expressions the other four boys are sporting. Only Corvus has been lucky enough to hear Tom speak in Parseltongue, but he didn't know Sephtis could do it too. Tom smirked at them but offered no explanations about the kiss or the parseltongue, instead he takes Sephtis's hand and begins pulling him up the stairs again. The others snapped out of their shock a second later and raced to catch up. Up in the tower finally, Dagger called Hellebore down to him from one of the top wracks. He swoops down to his master with long, regal, black wings spread to full span and lands on Dagger's waiting arm, tucking his wings back in. Magic in the owl to wizard bond grants the eagle- owl a balanced landing on their wizard and prevents his long talons from piercing or hurting Sephtis's arm.

Tom steps closer and tucks the letter in to the tiny pouch on Hellebore's leg that has an expansion charm in it, enabling it to carry letters of any size to packages up to ten pounds in weight. Sephtis gives Hellebore a small piece of bacon he had taken from the breakfast table just for Hellebore. The eagle-owl eats it with a satisfied coo and then he is taking flight and carrying the letter away.

After that Tom leads the group back down to the main doors where the group split. Orion, Abraxas, and Corvus split off to go do their own thing. Evan chooses to stay with his master, which earns him a side smirk from his master. Tom takes Sephtis on a tour of the first three floors of the castle. Shows him where the classrooms on those floors are. The most direct paths to them and then the hidden passage ways that are nifty to know if one needs to make a quick escape or if one is late getting to class. Then he shows him the tricks to navigating the moving staircase, which steps like to prank students. He introduces him to the portraits that can be very helpful in directing students when lost and some are wells of untapped knowledge about Hogwarts itself. They meet several ghosts during the tour, interestingly enough, Peeves take and instant liking to Sephtis. The pranking ghost offers his pranking services to Sephtis who promptly asks the ghost to play subtle tricks the transfiguration teacher. Peeves is delighted with this task and soars off right away, bellowing about the nasty tricks he going to play.

They head back to the great hall for lunch. Tom fills Sephtis's plate as usual. A bowl of chicken soup, a couple of small sandwiches and then a handful of crisps. Sephtis easts the sandwiches first, thankful for something light. He can handle this subtle salty foods much better. Tom takes the same as him and they eat in comfortable silence. That is until the great hall doors slam open and one unusually irate Professor Dumbledore comes striding into the hall. Feathers sticking out in multiple places over his grey hair. The normal twinkle in his eyes is no where to be seen. A foul smell starts wafting out across the hall and Sephtis really has to fight himself not to burst in to mad giggles. Tom is barely containing a vindictive smirk. Sephtis leans over and whispers very quietly. "Looks like he was actually in his office when I sent the mess in there. Gods he reeks!" He says, covering his nose and letting out a slight chuckle. Tom drops his head to hide the thrilled smile on his face. Dagger's prank has worked much better then they could have expected. Dumbledore is picking feathers out of his beard the whole of lunch, the smell coming off of him is so bad that

several teachers leave their lunch entirely and vacate the head table. Some of the students at the fronts of each house table even have to rush to the infirmary for stomach soothers. Just as they are about to leave the hall, Peeve comes into the great hall through the open doors. He soars straight up to the head table with a running caretaker chasing after him, yelling about the ghost steeling a bucket of the waste. Peeves stops right over Dumbledore and promptly dumps the large heaping bucket of stinky droppings and feathers on his head. The students cannot contain themselves, the hall bursts into laughter.

Dumbledore, completely red in the face with embarrassment and fury, rises from the table with an undignified cry and rushes from the room leaving a trail of filth behind him. Sephtis almost falls over in laughter, his eyes screwed shut and he's clutching his arms around his stomach. Even Tom is laughing and the Slytherins have never been seen laughing so openly. But their burning hatred of the teacher that constantly favors his own house and unfairly punishes them makes this prank just as rewarding for them. It is several minutes before they are calm enough to get up and leave the hall. Back in the common room, everyone is talking about the scene in the great hall. When Tom and Sephtis step in to the room, all eyes turn to them. Sephtis steps forward and bow's regally to his audience. "Your welcome!" Cheers erupt around the room and Sephtis steps back to Tom's side. "If you would like to show your, gratitude, you may speak to our Slytherin Prince, Tom Riddle." Sephtis turns and bows low to Tom. Tom grins down at him and then around the room. Almost every first year in the room and some of the older years rush forward to gather around Tom. Asking about the prank and how they can show their thanks. How he got Peeves to do his bidding. Sephtis is aglow with pride as he watches his Master, his spontaneous prank has had much bigger results then he could have hoped for, and so many more people are looking to Tom in worship and awe. Wanting to follow him. So many potential new followers. Their empire growing before their very eyes.

September 2nd, 1939, 5:00 P.M.

Tom had spent the afternoon showing Sephtis around the massive underground maze of halls that make up the dungeons. Dozens of unused classrooms, state rooms, teacher's quarters, ritual rooms, dualling rooms, meeting rooms, even a large, spacious auditorium. Sephtis had been ecstatic upon the discovery of the large auditorium. He had mentioned it would come handy later when their mass of followers grew too large to fit in their rooms or the common room. The auditorium is already equipped with sound muffling wards, privacy wards and the stage has a permanent sonorous charm they can activate and deactivate with a brush of magic. The dualling rooms are equipped already with the normal protection charms, magic muffling, sound absorbing, self- repairing dummies. Set dualling rings with protection rings to keep stray spells contained. And of course, on the lowest, most forgotten level, five levels down is the literal dungeons. Sephtis had had a small daydream about locking up Dumbledore in one of the cells and forgetting where he put the key for a week or so. Also, a dirty one of Tom, ripping an orgasm out of him in one of the cells, amidst the dark history and gruesome tales the cell's magic told. He saved that dream for a different day when they are older.

Now they are back in the common room sitting in the love seat they had claimed as theirs next one of the large fireplaces. Tom is holding Zena and reading a book on runes. Sephtis had been reading

as well but for the last five minutes he has been staring into the dancing flames, thinking about what he would do to Dumbledore next. He still needs to decide what he wants to do on Monday morning. Out of the corner of his eyes he notices a silvery ghost float into the room through the wall beside the fireplace. He looks up properly and is surprised to see that the ghost is covered in blood. His interest perked now, he turns towards the ghost and stands to bow. "Hello Sir, I do not believe we have been introduced yet. I am Lord Sephtis Selwyn, it's a pleasure to meet you." The ghost stopped in concealed shock. No one was ever brave enough to talk to him, except for a few of the older Slytherin's occasionally. But it's been hundreds of years since anyone has paid him the proper respect by bowing to him in greeting. He looked down at the tall boy in front of him. He understood with one look into the boy's strange opal eyes. He could see straight into the hidden depths of insanity and writhing, gnawing darkness.

The ghost tipped his head in greeting. "I am the ghost known as 'The Bloody Baron'. A Selwyn you say. That is indeed most interesting." Sephtis tipped his head to the side in thought. "Well Baron, it is proper to introduce yourself by your name not by what others have been rude enough to call you for centuries." The Bloody Baron outright smirked. This boy's sharp tongue is truly a delight. He gave Sephtis a real bow this time. "I am Johnathan Robert Selwyn. It is a pleasure to meet a decedent to our noble family name." Sephtis choked on air, and he had to catch himself on the couch behind him. Tom got up swiftly and placed a steadying hand on Sephtis's shoulder. Zena hisses in displeasure at the sudden movement. Tom is just as shocked if not more. The Bloody Baron is a Selwyn!? Somehow the blasted Bloody Baron and his little Dagger are related. Everyone knows that the Blood Baron never talks to anyone, and he has certainly never told anyone his name. How in Merlin's name does Sephtis get beings to open up to him. The Goblins, his followers, Peeves, and now the Bloody Baron, his ancestor. Sephtis has now regained his composure. "You are the first family I have ever met. It truly is an honor to be in your presence." The Baron nodded with a pleased smirk. "Indeed. It has been almost a century since one of us has graced these halls. I believe you will do our dark family proud." They talked for a few more minutes before the Baron continued on his way. His spirit thoroughly lifted. Helena would be proud.

Dinner was quiet, and truly peaceful since Dumbledore was absent from the meal. "Rumor has it that it will take days to clean out Professor Dumbledore's office. The waste is several feet thick. Gabe Hawthorn said he saw the caretaker, Calum McDiggle carting out several rubbish bags of the Professor's trinkets." Corvus shared with an amused smirk. Slytherin house has been in high spirits all day. Sephtis snickered and picked up his pumpkin juice. "I don't think it will make a dent. He has so many of those useless things. It's amazing he gets any work done in there. I took a detention with him last year and it was nearly impossible to concentrate on my homework because most of them emit strange noises." Evan pitched in from beside Sephtis. Tom shook his head. He will never understand that old bastard. Not that he wants to. Another plus side to the prank, the old man has been so preoccupied with the mess in his office that he has completely left him alone. He has high anticipation to see what Sephtis will come up with next. "It would truly be a wonderful start to the year if this keeps him preoccupied all day tomorrow too. I can hope in the mean time." Sephtis's said with a wan smile and a hopeful tone.

"If the rumors on his disgusting office are true, it may well be days before he can concentrate on anything else. I hope all of his homework plans were ruined. He always assigns five feet after the very first lesson each year." Said a female voice Sephtis doesn't recognize he looked across the

table a few seats down and he recognizes the older girl from last night. Eileen Prince, a fourth year. The girl with yummy dark magic. He gave her his full attention. "Hello, Ms. Prince." She bowed her head to him. "Lord Dagger." Sephtis smirked. "He truly gives out a whole five-foot assignment on the first day? When is it usually due?" Eileen nodded. "Yes, five feet and he always excepts it by Wednesday." Sephtis internally sneered. His outer face growing tight. "It is the same for each grade? Even first years?" This question causes her to laugh with bitter incredulousness. "The only students he would want to give less to are his pathetic, dimwitted Gryffindors. He makes up for that by never properly punishing them for late or missing assignments. Instead, he gives them a subtle disappointed look and tells them to try harder next time. It's the same spiel over and over again." Sephtis is nearly fuming when she stops talking. "Well, I don't think he will even have time for them this year. His life is going to be rather stressful this year. With that said, after dinner would someone escort me to the entrance to the kitchen, there are some elves I need to talk to." At the same time several people spoke up, Orion, Eileen, Evan, and some from other years that he doesn't know by the name yet.

He looked to Tom for help choosing. Tom sighed and looked out at the waiting faces. "Evan and Eileen shall escort myself and Lord Dagger to the kitchens." Sephtis nodded and took Tom's hand under the table. Tom squeezed it for comfort. He was curious to see why his little Dagger needs to talk to the castle elves. Plus, it is good to know where the kitchen is. He has heard rumors that the elves are usually more than willing to hand out food to the students who find out how to get in. Why Orion and Evan haven't told him before now where the kitchen is. Apparently when he was requesting information about the school last year, they decided not to tell him. This error in their decision making will have to be rectified. Punishment would be in order for this over sight. He felt rather excited to see how his little Dagger would react to seeing him use some of his darker magic. He has some expectations of his little Dagger. Sephtis quirked his head to the side in question. Wondering what Tom is thinking. Tom just winked at him and then turned away. Curious beyond reason now, Tom only keeps information from him when he is planning something he can't talk about around other ears. Sephtis tightened his hand on Tom's and turned to finish his roast pork and carrots and broccoli. Most of plate tonight had been veggies. Sephtis has a feeling, that Tom is trying to correct the malnutrition he's suffered from.

Tom, Dagger, Evan and Eileen leave the table a little earlier then the others to head to the kitchen before the big rush of all the students heading to their common rooms. Evan stays at his master's side so Eileen takes the lead. They follow the same route to they take to get to the dungeons, but they stop after the first flight of stairs going down into the dungeons. She leads them to the right, down a long hallway. About halfway down she stops at a lone portrait portraying a light brown, wood table with a pile of fruit on it. Some of the fruit is spilling across the table. Evan steps forward and reaches out to tickle a green pear. A second later the pear turns into a golden handle. Evan opens the door and steps back to let first his Lord and then his Master go through. He would have wanted his Master to go through first, but he knows that Sephtis would never want to precede his chosen Master. Evan Rosier is no unobservant fool. He can see how Sephtis worships the very air Tom Riddle breathes. Whereas Evan worships Lord Dagger for his ingenious insanity and his insane amount of dark magic. The rest is just the icing on the cake. He is drawn to his master like a moth drawn to flame. The moth is drawn to the flame regardless of the danger the flame brings. Eventually the moth will get to close, and its wings will catch on fire and the moth will die a slow and agonizing death. The thought of such a death by the hand of his chosen Master makes Evan shiver with pleasure.

Sephtis walks with confident steps into the kitchen next to Tom and stops by the end of one of the replica tables from upstairs in the great hall. The kitchen is massive and teeming with the little house elves that serve Hogwarts school. The aroma in the kitchen smells like heaven and Sephtis wants to just sit in here and read so he can be surrounded by it. First on his priority/favorites list is Tom, then in order its blood, magic, torture/murder, learning, and then its food. Those are best reason's to be alive. Evan may make that list one day, depending on how fun his new toy turns out to be. And if Tom can stand his existence enough to let Dagger keep him. One of the little elves pops up in front of him. Dagger smiles and bows to the big eared creature. "Greetings little one, I would like to thank you and your fellows for your wonderful food and countless services to the school." The elf has big tears rolling down its face. "Ooh little master be being far too kindses to us lowly little elveses." Sephtis smiled warmly and crouched down to eye level with the elf. "No, you must take credit where credit is due, little one. It is no easy job even with magic catering to hundreds of students and staff every day, year after year. You deserve every kind word I am giving you. It is clear to me that no one else has ever thanked you and yours for all your magnificent hard work." The little elf is all but sobbing now. Sephtis suddenly realizes that dozens of large round eyes are trained on him and all activity In the kitchen has ceased.

An older looking elf makes his way slowly to the front to stand near the sobbing one. "No other masters of this school have ever thanked we elves'es for our hard work. May us lowly little elves'es know the name of such a kind master?" Dagger is glad that this elf is a little more accustomed to the English language. "My name is Sephtis Selwyn, and while it is an honor to be the first to properly thank you, I am horrified that no one has done so before. May I know your names?" The old elves eyes widened comically in surprise. "Master Selwyn be wishing to know our names? We elves'es are not worthy!" The old elf exclaimed with a cry. Sephtis shushed him soothingly. "You are all more than worthy of being recognized by your own names for the great services you have done, are doing, and will continue to do." All the elves in the kitchen blushed madly. Which is quite the sight on their oddly colored skin. It made Sephtis want to laugh but he easily contained it. He needs their loyalty and laughing at them isn't the way to go about getting it. The older elf stepped forward. "My name be Bibble and this-" The elf gestures to the one who had approached first and was now sniffling quietly. "- is Bobble, my younger brother." After that each elf came forward and stated their name to Dagger. Appy, Thistle, Bobben, Daisy, Dilby, Pippin, Zilby, Rose, Bonbon, and many more. Bibble came back to him after the last elf, Mipsy, told her name. "Master Selwyn has gained the trust of us elves. Is there anything we can be doing for great and kind Master Selwyn?" Sephtis grinned and stood up, feeling victorious.

"Yes Bibble, I would like to ask you for your services. You see, there is a teacher here who takes joy in neglecting children not of his own house. And he has hurt my dear partner, Tom Riddle." Sephtis gestured to Tom and took his hand in his. Tom has been watching this all happen with an unreadable expression, Evan and Eileen are trying to do the same but Dagger can see the shock and slight disgust in their eyes and features. "This teachers hates that my partner is good at using his amazing magic, and he inappropriately watches and follows him all the time. Not only that but he…" Sephtis drops his voice down to but a whisper and he crouches back down closer to Bibble. "He uses bad magic on the students he is supposed to protect. He uses his magic to control their minds and actions. I want to make his life too hard to be able to do this. But if he knows it is me, he will try to hurt me…" He screwed up his face in fear. "I fear he might try to kill me and probably my partner too." Bibble gasped and then snarled viciously. He put his small, long fingered hand on his chest and stepped forward, his big eyes angry but burning with passion. "Bibble pledges himself to Master Selwyn's noble cause. You be asking and Bibble will be doing." Almost all the elves called out the same thing that Bibble had proclaimed.

"Alright, but you need to vow to me that my partner's and my secrets, stay secrets. Can you do me to honor of vowing your secrecy to me?" Bibble chuckled rather darkly before he stepped forward and replaced his hand over his heart. "I be head elf so my vow be working for all of us. I Bibble, house elf to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, do so vow that no secrets of Masters Selwyn and Riddle will be shared in any way." A blinding orange light filled the room and they all had to close their eyes to shield from the assault on their eyes. When dagger opened his eyes again it was to the sight of everyone of the elves bowed to him. He turned his attention to Bibble. "Starting from tomorrow morning, I want you start adding less flavoring to Albus Dumbledore's food. As the days pass the flavor shall slowly vanish. After the flavor is all gone, I want you to let it remain that way for awhile and then I want you to start making his food taste bad. In a few days I will bring you a potion, I want you to slip it into his morning pot of tea. The potion will work to make any and all things the teacher eats, flavorless. I may need you for other things later. May I call on you or once of the others?" Bibble is grinning darkly at Sephtis. "Of course, Master Selwyn. We elves be responding to both master's Selwyn and Riddle. We be honored to carry out any and all of young master's requests. We be making naughty man's food be not tasting good." Sephtis grinned, withholding the darkness from it until he was stepping into his and Tom's room, twenty minutes later. He started laughing and spinning in circles with his arms out, letting the full extent of his malicious delight fill it. Tom caught his little Dagger's hand and twisted him around the room in little spins and dips. Dagger is giggling madly, his heart bursting with exhilaration.

When they slowed to a stop, Tom pulled his little Dagger flush against him, wrapping his arms tightly around Dagger's waist. "You did absolutely brilliantly, my little Dagger! Those elves will be eating out of our hands and returning for more every time. How did you know they would help us?" Sephtis wrapped his arms around Tom's neck. "I didn't know for sure but from what I heard around us at meal times, the elves are just as mistreated as we have been by the ones who are supposed to protect us. They are neglected and not properly cared for, but they love and wish to protect all the students they work for. I was positive that if I told them some of what the Bastard has done to you, they would be angry enough to pledge themselves to us. Did I do a good job, Master?" Tom grinned wickedly and leaned in to kiss Sephtis's soft mouth. "You did very, very well. I think you deserve a reward for you have pleased your master beyond words." Sephtis flushed darkly, his lids falling half shut, as ecstasy from Tom's words swept over him. "Oh my Master…" He moaned out thickly. Tom began walking Sephtis over to their bed, removing his little Dagger's robe and upper clothes as they went. By the time he had Dagger backed up against the bed, he was down to his button up shirt, unbuttoned and hanging open on his small frame. He brought his hands up to slide his hands up on his little Dagger's flat stomach, over his small, pert nipples, pushing the shirt open. His hands moved up onto Dagger's shoulders and he pushed the loose shirt over and off of Sephtis's shoulders. Trailing his fingers down Daggers arm as he guided the shirt down them. It fell off completely and Tom tosses it aside.

Sephtis is quivering, and breathing rapidly, his chest, neck and cheeks flushed brilliantly pink in heightened arousal. He is watching Tom with dilatated opal eyes through half lids. Tom licked his lips hungrily. No sight has ever been more bewitching, more alluring. "Take the rest of your clothes off and wait for my next order. Leave your briefs on." Tom commanded, his young voice low and throaty, before he turned and went to the bathroom, gathering one of the large bath towels and then wetting a hand towel with warm water. He returned to the room to find Sephtis standing next to the bed in only his briefs just like Tom had told him. He can see his little Dagger's body is quivering with excitement at what's to come. Tom walks over to the bed and lays out the towel

across Sephtis's side of the bed. "Lay down flat on your back." Sephtis did so quickly, being careful not to disrupt the towel. Tom watched until Sephtis was settled completely and then he walked over to Dagger's wardrobe. He pulled the doors open and leaned down to open one of the smaller drawers at the bottom. He ran his finger over the shiny selection before settling on one that tapered down to a fine point. He turned around and held the item up in perfect view for Sephtis. The sight of it sent a full body shudder through his little Dagger, and he moaned in enraptured bliss. Tom removed his robe and vest, unbuttoned his sleeves and rolled them up. And then he climbed up on the bed and straddled Sephtis's hips.

"Now, you mentioned this morning that should I carve my name into your flesh, you would wear it proudly…" Tom said quietly, twirling the wickedly sharp dagger in his fingers. He brought the blade down to rest flat against his little Daggers chest. Sephtis let out a guttural growl and flexed his restless body. "I believe that this is something you have thought about before…I believe you long to have my name permanently etched in to your skin. Do you want this, my little Dagger?" Sephtis eyes fluttered open and close for a moment, trying to regain enough coherence to answer. "YES. GODS YES! Please, oh please, Master…" Tom grinned sadistically, his blood roaring in his ears. An enthralling wave of exotic possessiveness washed over him at the debauched, needy, begging words coming out of Dagger's mouth. He trailed the sharp tip with a breathy light touch down Sephtis's skin. "Where do you want my name, Sephtis…" His voice slipping into reverent parseltongue. Sephtis jerked and squirmed under him, fighting himself for control. "Eve- everywhere…everywhere…my skin is yours…" Tom chuckled darkly, a mad gleam in his dark blue eyes. He looked over Sephtis's pale body, already riddled with scars. Scars that he had not inflicted. This angered him to no end. But right now, right now he was about to start changing that. He leaned down and brought the tip of the blade down on to Sephtis's left shoulder and went to work. Sephtis went deadly still under his blade. Tom hissed his thanks and began his delicate work in earnest.

Ch 4

Chapter Notes

As promised, here is chapter four. Don't forget to drop a kudos if you haven't already. Enjoy and love Lavinia!

Sephtis Tempest Selwyn

Chapter Four

September 2nd, 1939, Saturday, 9:15 P.M.

Tom pulled, twisted, sliced, and nipped the dagger in Sephtis's skin on his shoulder. He had just finished the M on his name, 'Tom'. He pulled his hand back and let it rest at his side. He looked down at Sephtis now, his head is turned to the side and there is a dopey, gentle smile on his face and there are occasional tears sliding down across the bridge of his nose and falling down on to the towel. He reached down and brushed his knuckles tenderly across Dagger's jaw. "How are you feeling?" Sephtis closed his eyes for a moment, the smile on his petal pink lips tugs further up at the corners and then he opens his eyes and looks up at Tom. Tom sucks in a sharp breath, the unmitigated happiness in those opals eyes sends a trill of foreign emotion straight to the core of his being. No one has ever looked at him like that…all his childhood he longed to be looked at like that, but it never happened. Now, this boy…this amazing, psychotic boy, is looking at him like HE, like TOM is the light of his world. Like TOM is the only one in the world he sees. Like Tom is his EVERYTHING. "I feel whole. I feel like I finally belong. I feel like I finally love being in my skin. I feel like I am irrevocably YOURS." Tom smiled. The smile wasn't dark, it wasn't sinister, it wasn't malevolent, it is AWE. It is warm. It is tender. It is CARING. Sephtis reached up his hand and cupped Tom's cheek. No words could capture the emotions passing between them. It isn't love, not quite. But it was more. For two boys who have never known love, who have never felt love, who will probably never feel love. It is more. It is stronger. It is belonging to each other forever.

Tom leaned down and pressed his lips to Sephtis's forehead, another to each eyelid, another to the tip of his nose. Another to his right temple. Another to his left temple. One to each cheek. Before landing on Sephtis's waiting lips. Their mouths move together slowly, passionately. They rest their foreheads together, both their eyes closed. Tom sat up a minute later to look down at his work on Dagger's shoulder. The carved letters are neat and sweeping. Blood has stained the pale skin

around it, red. He picked up the wet hand towel and began wiping away some of the blood. Tom is very proud of what he has achieved with the first one of the many carvings that his little Dagger has requested. "Will you conjure me a mirror? I want to see your work." Tom didn't say anything, he picked up his wand from where he had sat it on the bed next to him. A swirl, a wave, and a quick flick of his wand. A gilded silver mirror popped into existence in Tom's hand. Sephtis reached out for it and then angled it over his shoulder. His opal eyes lit up at the sight. "Tom…it is…" Tom smirked smugly. "I know. It's perfect." Sephtis chuckled, his gaze going back to the mirror. The cuts are radiating stinging pain out across his shoulder and down his arm. But knowing what the pain signifies, what it is causing the pain…it sends pleasure shooting down his spine, mixing with the pain. He bites his lip sharply and looks to his Master. Tom is twirling the blade in his fingers, watching his mouth, where his bottom lip is between his teeth.

Sephtis frees the bruised lip and tilts his head back, looking up at Tom through his dark lashes. "I would like the next one on my stomach. If you please, my Master." The dagger stopped twirling in Tom's hand, and he grinned before scooting him self back a bit so he is straddling his little Dagger's thighs now. He can feel and see his little Dagger's steady arousal in his briefs. He spares it a single, lingering gaze before he in leaning down and bringing the tip of his dagger to Sephtis's stomach. Right about his navel. Only to pause as he realizes some of the white scars there actually crudely create a word. 'Freak'. His gaze darkens to almost black in fury. He looks up to Sephtis's face. Dagger is watching him with a curious and excited expression. He is hungry to see how angry Tom will get for his benefit. He lets out a pleased sigh, thoroughly enjoying the fury radiating off of his master. Tom's strong, controlled, dark magic is like the dagger in his hand with its razor sharpness. It seeks to go out and kill the ones who dared to insult his Master's bonded. Tom Riddle's little Dagger. It wants to find and brutally torture the one who dared to brand him with something so foul and demeaning. Tom's deadly magic is enthralling and so utterly effortless. He desires to watch his master use his magic, in all its rapturous, phenomenal, glory; it fills him with such a strong sense of longing that it physically pains him. "Who did this to you?" Tom's voice is icy, fierce. "I don't know. I've had it for as long as I can remember. I remember the nurses commenting about a couple of times when I was really young, but that's all I remember of it." Tom's eyes narrow in concern. Did someone have the despicable, inhumane urge to carve this filthy word on a baby? He scowls and shakes his head. There is plenty of time for this anger later. Not now when he has his precious little Dagger nearly naked under him, wanting him to mark him as his own.

He leans down and presses a tender kiss to each crude word. Knowing that should anyone call his perfect little Dagger dipped in insanity, a freak again, he will magically rip their tongue from their body and then feed it back to them. Sephtis purrs at his kisses and Tom smirks before sitting back up and bringing the dagger back to Sephtis's stomach. He will cover the horrid word with his own title. Heir Gaunt. Sephtis is the first one to ever deserve to use his proper title. The others will wait until it will become an advantage for him, to tell them and have them in the know. Sephtis goes still once more as the tip of the blade makes its first slit. This name is much longer and has more curving letters. He will have to be slow and precise. But control and precision are the base of his every decision and action. The capital H is fairly simple in it basic form, but Tom has never been one for being basic. He adds more shape to the ends, and elongates the middle bar , giving it a short, delicate tail. Blood is running in thin rivets over Sephtis's side. The H being further to the right side to make room for the whole title to be centered. He moves on to the lowercase e giving it a graceful, flowing shape. The lower case i is much more simple, only small improvements can be made. He finishes the first word with the lower case r and then pauses to clean up some of the blood pooling around Sephtis's cutely protruding belly button. The rag has been charmed to clean

itself so he can keep using the same rag, only applying small heating charms on it to keep it warm.

The blood pool mostly forgotten now, he moves to begin the larger, uppercase G that leaves plenty of room for creative shaping and intricate design. The sharp silver blade moves smoothly through the thin layers of pale skin he is breaking to create his master piece. He is very careful not to dip below the thin layer of skin into the fat. That could cause serious infection and possibly death. So, his hand guiding the dagger is light and firm. He will take every precaution to keep his Dagger safe through his given reward. When he is done with the last letter, the lowercase t, he sits back to begin cleaning away some of the blood. He suspects Sephtis has been using his magic actively to keep himself from bleeding too profusely. There is much less blood then there should be on and around his little Dagger. He brings his dark blue eyes up to his little Dagger now, only to find Dagger had propped himself up on a pillow at some point and has been watching him avidly while he worked. There isn't a trace of pain on Sephtis's face, no tightening around his opal eyes. No fidgeting hands. No tightened jaw. Sephtis grins, his eyes sparking. "Pain is nothing compared to the pleasure I feel coursing through me with every touch of your skilled blade, Master." Tom shook his head with a small laugh of glee. Sephtis took up the mirror from before and angled it over his stomach for a better view. His sharp eyes taking in every enflamed detail. He gasps softly in surprise seeing the full title for the first time. "You gave me your title?"

Tom cocked his head to the side, smiling deviously. "Of course. You belong to me in every way. It is only proper to put my title on the things that belong to me." Sephtis giggled in delight. "Do you want them to heal the muggle way?" Tom looked between the two, still lightly bleeding carved names. Pondering what he wanted to do. Doing anything the muggle way felt wrong to him. Especially since muggles had caused all the other injuries on his little Dagger. He looked towards the bathroom and pointed his wand. "Accio healing salve!" The salve came flying out of the bathroom and straight into his waiting palm with a small smack. "I would never submit you to such barbaric, muggle methods. Unlike them, I take proper care of the things that belong to me. But, to keep the names from healing completely and not leaving a scar, first I will cauterize the letters with my wand. Then I will apply the healing salve." Sephtis's eyes widened. He hasn't been burned with magic before. He wondered what it's going to feel like. "Are you going to give me a visible marking name? I want wear it proudly. Only you will ever see these ones." Sephtis asked, his tone portraying he would beg if necessary. Tom smirked and arched his brow. "Is that how you ask for something from your Master?" He said with a haughty, teasing look down at his little Dagger. Sephtis flushed in arousal. "Please, oh please Master, will you mark this mad little servant of yours by carving your name on to a part of my body that will be visible to all who dare to look?" Tom grinned darkly and leaned down over his little Dagger, his hands going to either side of Dagger's waist. He crawled up his body until his face was directly over Dagger's. He leaned down and placed a kiss to Sephtis's lips for a few seconds and then he moved to the corner of his mouth… across his cheek with little pecks and then to his right temple. Finally, down the bottom side of his jaw. "Mmm, I think right here is an excellent place." He said, placing a string of chaste kisses along the upper line of Dagger's jaw, to just under the temple in front of the ear. Sephtis shuddered, his eyes fluttering. "Yessss." He hissed in throaty want. His face is the only place that hasn't carried a scar before, it's a perfect canvas for his master.

Tom licked the soft skin with the tip of his tongue, causing Sephtis to shudder again. Dagger's

hand coming up to sink into Tom's hair, holding him in place for a moment longer. He idolizes that skilled tongue of his Master. The feeling of it on his skin drives him insane with rising lust. Tom repeats the movement with his tongue, licking along the pale jaw under his mouth. Sephtis moans and shifts under him. With a devious grin he pulls back from his teasing assault. Sephtis hisses in displeasure instantly, sending a scowl up at his master. But the pleasure and agonizing pain laced lust running hot in his blood make the scowl look more debouched then anything. With a quick hand, Tom brings the knife up between their faces and lays it flat against Sephtis's cheek. "Be my well behaved little Psycho Dagger now and hold perfectly still for your Master. I will not have you making me mess up and ruin your lovely little face. I am quite literally obsessed with it, so you better be good and lay still. Are you ready?" Sephtis stuck out his tongue with a naughty smirk. "Of course, Master. Anything for you." That being said he laid back and went completely lax. He learned a long time ago in the asylum that tensing up always made things hurt fifty times worse. He let his gaze drift over the features of his master's face. Tom switched into focus mode and tilted Dagger's head to the side, pushing his raven hair up and out of the way. Then he got the most delicate work of the night, carving 'Riddle' in fine, flowing script that mimics that of writing with a quill.

R

I

D

D

L

E

Each letter done with exact precision. Dagger kept his face unflinching even though the pain this time is arguably far more severe then the other two times. He kept his eyes trained on his master's handsomely serious face. It helped to push the pain to the back of his mind. After all, he has felt much, very much worse before. Mostly in the Asylum during the doctors' experiments but sometimes the nurses and guards could be obscenely brutal to him too. Though he supposed that biting a couple of their ears, cheeks, and chunks of neck, off didn't serve to do him any good. But they were bastards to begin with so they deserved every chunk of flesh he could remove when his teeth got close enough. Not that he always had the energy or the coherence to do so. But it was enough that they started muzzling him during transport. Though admittedly he had also gone about killing three of them as well… But the muzzles…The thought of them made him feel ill. They were so suffocating, wearing them had made him dizzy with lack of air. They didn't use the normal ones on him, they used ones that completely blocked off half of his face. Then they synched them so tight to his head it left him barely a trickle of air. He was so caught up in the memories he didn't even realize Tom was done and was staring at him with thinly veiled concern. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a second. Centering his spinning mind. Then he opened them again and looked straight to his master. "Use the spell, see for yourself what I was thinking about." Tom didn't waste a second bringing his wand up, performing the spell and slipping into Sephtis's mind. Sephtis led him through the asylum once again but this time, the halls weren't completely empty. There a random nurses in ratty, rotten uniforms, their skin grey and molting. They ambled down the halls on unsteady feet, often stumbling. But the most curious thing was that most of them were missing an ear. Though some were missing chunks out of their cheek or neck. One oddly enough

was missing two fingers on one of his hands.

Eventually He was led into what appeared as a cafeteria. The rickety, collapsing, tables are mostly barren except for the random tray with long since abandoned, rotten food. The gaunt Sephtis guided him into the kitchen that was black with grime and mold in some places. Sephtis picked up a broken rusted whisk and handed it to him. Tom fell into memory after memory, some explained the nurses with missing chunks of flesh and some of them were of the times when Sephtis was muzzled and nearly passing out from lack of oxygen. Tom had seen enough. Seeing the living memories as though he was experiencing it himself was just too real. He came out of the memories gasping for air and climbing off of his little Dagger, where he collapsed on his back on the bed. Dagger didn't move, he stayed on his back, his face staring up at the ceiling of their canopy bed. His opal eyes dull, dead of any emotion. Even the ever present madness was fearfully absent. When Tom had regained his composure he rolled up onto his knees and his chest tightened painfully at the sight of Sephtis's face. He reached out quickly and placed both of hands on his little Dagger's face. He tightened his hand painfully, trying to rouse his little Dagger. "Come on my little psycho dipped Dagger, come back to me. Remember who you are now, where you are now. Focus on the sound of my voice. Focus on the pain on your cheek where my name is, just as you desired so. Come on my darling one. My partner." Ever so slowly light started flittering back into those alluring opal eyes. Tom kept his tight hold on Sephtis's cheeks only being mindful of the cut open flesh where his name is now carved into the side of the face.

Sephtis closed his eyes and tears slipped out the corners. "There were many times that I wished I would just die… That they would finally do something to me that would tip the balance just enough and I could fall from the world of the living. So many of the other kids I saw go in right after me to get the same experiments done to them that I had just endured, they never made it back out of those rooms. I never saw them again. I wanted to die. I wanted to know no more. But my body just kept on healing the worst of the damages, it didn't help my sanity in the least. That's when I started retaliating. If I was going to survive no matter how much I wanted to die, then I was going to do my best to make their lives hell too. The first nurse I killed, I had bitten her in the neck, unknowingly right over the major artery in her neck so when I bitt down harder and tore the chunk out, I tore out a large section of the vein too. The blood had sprayed out like a fountain. It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. The blood was so warm on my skin, and it felt so good. I was always could in that place but that, that was the first time I felt true warmth. I knew after that that I had to feel it again. That I had to live if only to feel that blessed red warmth on my skin again. It wasn't long then before I killed two more of them. I made sure to target the same areas so I could feel the most warmth. When I couldn't reach the neck, I got their ears, their face's… Until they started muzzling me. Then, not only could I not breath, but it meant I would also not be able to achieve that warmth again. I really started losing it then. I was insane before that but after, I really lost it. The only thing I could do that would give me enough focus for a few even five minutes a day was meditating. It took me weeks to be able to clear the rampant feral madness from my mind. The first time I achieved it, I could only hold it for forty-five seconds. It wasn't much but I was so relieved to be able to form a full, coherent string of thought. I had felt so powerless… I kept up the meditations as long and as frequently as I could so I could have more and longer moments where I wasn't so powerless. It wasn't more then a month after that they finally sent me away. I had stopped attacking the nurses and I still wasn't dying so they found an orphanage that had a history of dealing with problem children…" Sephtis fell into silence again. Tom leaned down and rested his head on his little Dagger's shoulder, the potent, powerless misery he had felt in Sephtis's memories, the hollowness in his voice as he spoke about his past. He had always thought what he had been through was horrible, was despicable.. But while he has shared a few exorcisms and

abuse by other children and adults with Sephtis, he hasn't had to experience anything in the level of his little Dagger.

"Master, may we cauterize your names now? They are currently still bleeding, and I would like to move." Tom's eyes shot open, he had been so caught up with Sephtis's memories and story that he had completely forgotten about the open wounds. He felt uneasy, and confused, no one has ever been capable of making him forgetting of the present time. A warm hand on his cheek almost startled him. "Are you alright?" The hissing language that he has always cherished the most about himself, grounds him. He focuses on Sephtis's anxious, worried gaze and realizes that he will always have someone at his side who shares this amazing ability. It is theirs and theirs alone. Suddenly he is okay with not being in complete control around his little Dagger. He smiles and nods. Sephtis smiles with relief in return and the world shifts on its axes. They have reached a new level this night and in some way, they know it. Tom gets to his knees, picking up his wand and gets ready to cauterize the sliced words on the flesh of his Dagger. Sephtis closed his eyes and nods that he is ready. Tom whispers a medium level heat charm and begins to slowly trace the bloody letters. Dagger takes to breathing in slow long breaths and even slower exhales. The smell of burned flesh is in the air and it is not a good smell. Both of their noses are scrunched up in distaste. Sephtis summons his wand, not willing to deal with this for two more names. Tom has started with his stomach as it has been bleeding the most and it is the longest of them. Sephtis swishes his wand, calling a small gust of purifying air to very lightly swirl around the room, eliminating the nasty smell. By the time they are done Sephtis is ready to run a mile with need to get up being so fierce. Tom has just finished applying the healing salve. He sprung up off the bed like a cat that's been held down against its will. He spins in a few circles releasing some of the pent-up energy and madness. Repressing it sometimes was to much. He stopped after a moment and turned to look at Tom who staring at him with a grin. "Do you see something you like Master?"

Sephtis asked coyly and Tom crawled off the bed and began walking towards his little Dagger. His movements like a predator on the hunt. He lunged forward and grabbed around Sephtis's bare hips, pulling them tight together. He danced Sephtis around the room in quick spins and long steps. Sephtis let his head fall back during the fast spin, laughing with glee. Tom danced them into the bathroom and spent the next half hour with Sephtis in the shower, washing away all the dried blood on his little Dagger. He washed his hair and then Dagger washed his. Later they curled up together under the duvet. Clad in fuzzy pajamas and blissed out, tired smiles. Sephtis with his head tucked up under Tom's chin and Tom with his head resting on the top of Sephtis's silky head. They danced into Morpheus's waiting arms and forget about reality and the world for the next eight hours.

September 3rd, 1939, 4:00 P.M.

The boys have spent nearly the entire day in the library. Both finding books that could have anything to do with physical protections. Tom looked up mostly ruins that offer protection against a multitude of the things. Sephtis has been looking up spells and enchantments for the same purpose. He was quite excited when he came across an enchantment that would capture the curse, or spell sent at the one wearing the protection and then it would send it straight back at the caster.

It is nearly impossible to deflect because the enchantment sends the counter back completely invisible. Even the famed killing curse, Arvada Kadavra. He wondered why this enchantment wasn't more well used? Why if everyone believes that the killing curse can't be stopped? Should it not have been an easy connection that if the spell can't be stopped by any shield that it could be redirected? Sephtis turned to the cover of the book Enchantments of Olde from the Elfin Society by Carlotta Brogansbee. Could it be because of the unfounded racism against all that are creature born that no one has capitalized on this enchantment? Sephtis scoffed, how unbelievably moronic. He wrote out the incantation and the ritual instructions on a piece of parchment. He would send this to Griphook, telling him to add it to the protection pieces they have ordered. He folded the parchment and then sat back in his chair to look over at Tom. He is still bent over his book, a look of focused interested on his handsome boy features. Sephtis got and started returning some of the books that had ended up being useless to their needs. He found neat enchantments in a few of them like one to control a hoard a cows if you needed to start a farm. Another to control a swarm of bees to rapidly produce honey. Another to make it appear as though one has a full head of luscious hair. Useless. Utter useless. Hogwarts library may be large, but it is also lacking on a large spectrum.

Sephtis is reaching up above his head, sliding a book back in the shelf when the hairs on the back of his neck start to rise. He's grown accustomed to that meaning one thing, incoming danger. He ducked down swiftly and spun around on his toes, all he managed to see was a swirl of magenta robes swishing around the corner of a bookshelf. Dumbledore. Heading in the direction of Tom. Sephtis's opal eyes glowed furiously and then he was moving. Luckily he is closer and has a clearer path. He fully enforces his magically quickened steps and is stepping in front of Tom in a matter of three seconds. Down two rows of shelves away is Dumbledore, pretending to casually be browsing a bookcase walks into view. Sephtis's eyes narrow, not letting up his heavy stare. Watching for any slight movement of the bastard's sleeves where he is sure that a wand is hidden from sight. An idea comes to mind just then. If he is capable of killing with enough wish of it, maybe he can do other things. He takes a slow, very deep breath in his nose and holds it. Gathering the intent of what he wishes to happen, quickly. When he is sure the intent is strong enough he lets out the held breath, it is as cold as ice. Simultaneously sending his wished intent through the space, straight at the Bastard. A few seconds later Dumbledore brings his hand up to the bridge of his nose and pinches down. Sephtis smirks and takes his seat back at the table. Rather proud of himself as he watches out of the corner of his eye as Dumbledore glances over at them and then hurries out of the library. A hand on his wrist has him looking over at Tom. "What happened?"

"The old Bastard tried to curse me. I don't know what it was, my magic alerted me to the incoming spell, and I managed to duck just in time. When I turned around I saw him head your way. Unlucky for him I am faster then most beings when I want to be. He was pretending to browse a bookshelf a couple of rows away. So, I sent him a nice large migraine. He will be struggling to rid himself of that for the next week if my intent works as well as I wanted it to. Turns out I am capable of more than killing simply by wishing it." Tom sneered and shut his book. "I don't understand why he is attacking you like this. I spent a whole year in his presence last year and I never saw him acting like this. It cannot simply be for the reason that you are mine. There has to be some other reason for him trying to control you and now trying to harm you." Sephtis shrugged with a weary sigh. "Maybe he can sense something about me. I know it's not my magic because I have perfect control over that now. Maybe…maybe he somehow knows about my past? I don't know how or why though? Maybe it is simply to take me away from you. We both know he has an extremely unhealthy and dangerous obsession with you." Dagger said with a furious growl. NO one is allowed to be obsessed with his Master except him. "Maybe he 'believes' that the two of us together will be strong enough to defeat him one day." He is careful of his wording, saying

'believes' instead of knows because one never knows who is listening. But they both know that they WILL one day defeat the old Bastard. Together they will be unstoppable. Right now, even as twelve-year old's, they are a powerhouse force to be reckoned with. One deadly psycho, obsessive, devoted, dark powerhouse and one brilliant genius, possessive, masterminded, dark powerhouse. Tom looked at the books he has stacked around his reading space with a scowl.

"I've found something." Sephtis offers with a grin and hands over the parchment he had folded. Tom takes it and unfolds it. His eyes lighting up with plans and excitement. "Wizards should never have underestimated creature being's intelligence." Tom shoots his little Dagger a surprised, questioning look. Sephtis smiles widely. "That enchantment comes from the royal elves. No one has seen them for three decades. It was assumed that they were extinct…but I am beginning to believe that they are just to brilliant and have found ways of hiding from the prejudiced world of wizards and witches. I mean just look at what we do to werewolves and vampires." He pulled a book from one of the stacks he had yet to put away and set it between them. Vampyr Magics, The How and Why they have Been Banned by Gilbert Stoden. "Everyone believes that when a wizard or witch is turned that they loose their magic, but according to this book, that's not true. Turns out that Ministry has passed a law requiring all turned witches and wizards to wear magic suppressing amulets. They started doing this in eighteen-fifty-six when a noble lord was turned, and he was running to become minister of magic. Creature laws weren't so sever back then. They could still have regular jobs; rights and their every movement wasn't tracked like vermin. This Lord turned out to be powerful and influential, he was going to get the position. He had support from nearly the whole Wizengamot. The current minister at the time got scared and selfish. He let his prejudiced ways cloud his mind. He passed the Vampyr suppression law a week before the new election. He had gone under the law to hire a rouge vampire to create a mindless horde of newly turned fledglings. They went out and attacked anyone with their new, stronger magics, that they passed. The Minister then used this as evidence that Vampyr magic is dangerous and that they shouldn't be allowed to have it. For surely they would use it against regular witches and wizard." Sephtis scoffed in disgust and pushed the book away. Tom is eyeing the book with deep consideration. His minds spinning with ideas and possible future plans. A neglected society is a society hungry for freedom and revenge.

"I am going to send this to Griphook. I want it added to every single one of our items. It is more than clear now that the bastard will do whatever he wants, whenever he wants. He is not afraid of being caught." Sephtis stood up, collected the stack of books he wants to take with him, making sure the parchment is tucked in to his book bag. He helps Tom collect his books as well and then together they head to the front desk to check out their books with the librarian. "You boys are the first ones this year to check out any books and look at these impressive stacks. Be sure to handle these with care, some of these are rather old tomes." Madam Zelbos exclaimed with a pleased smile. They both sent her a heart-warming smile. "Of course, Madam! Books hold vast amounts of untaught, untold knowledge; they should always be handled with the greatest respect." Tom said and Madam Zelbos beamed. She finished signing them out and then shooed them out with a light flush. As soon as they were out of the library and away from ear shot, Sephtis gaged in disgust. Kindness is not his preferred trait and to see his Master acting that way disgust him greatly. Tom chuckled beside him at his antics. They are both not kind hearted wizards. But acting to be so will garner them respect and trust from those that would normally wish them death. Fear is a wonderful, intoxicating, weapon but here is not the place to use it openly. There are those that thrive off of fear, like Evan and Eileen. But most need kindness or at least something like it. They walked into the second-year common room only to have Thaddeus Nott, one of their inner group rush over to them and give them a quick, low bow. "My Lords, may I speak to you?"

Tom stepped around him and Sephtis followed. "Come on then. You can tell us after we've put our things away." Thaddeus stood up and went to wait in the sitting area around Tom's chair. The pair went to their room and put their books away on their perspective shelves. Sephtis sat on their bed and flopped back with a sigh. "I wonder what he has to tell us. It sounded important. Thad is usually pretty quiet from what I've seen." Tom remained silent, thinking about it as well. He opened his wardrobe doors and pulled out a clean robe. Choosing a simple but high quality, black robe. His favorite color, aesthetically. His favorite color used to be green but ever since the first time he saw his little Dagger's pale, opal eyes glow with power, they have been his favorite color. Some of the items he has requested from Griphook will even be in that color. He went to Sephtis's wardrobe and selected the same for him. Reading in the library is quite dusty. He had noticed his little Dagger being especially dustier. The creature section of the library is one of the least traversed sections. Meaning much more dust collection. He walked over to his little Dagger and set the robe to the side. He looked down at his partner with a 'come on, I'm waiting' look. Sephtis giggles and gets up, unbuttoning his dirty robe. Tom impatiently helped him out of the robe and then he tossed it across the foot of the bed to the hamper. He picked up the clean robe and Dagger moved his arms for Tom to put it on him. Then Tom did up each of the buttons. Sephtis walked around him when he was finished and went in to the bathroom to look at his reflection in mirror. Tom followed him in. His little Dagger may adore him dressing him bit he does like his image to be just so.

Sephtis eyes the look with the addition of the black robe. He had been wearing a navy blue one that brought out the blue shine in his hair. This charcoal black one took that away but also made his pale eyes glow. He would still prefer a closer fit, and smooth silk materials but being this young and having to adhere to school boy standards means he is stuck with this for now. Plus, at the moment they have a certain image to portray. He turned to face Tom. "Alright, let's go see what Thad has to tell us." Tom exclaimed and took Sephtis hand in his. Out in their dorm common room they took their spots. Tom in his throne like arm chair and Sephtis on his knee pillow at his feet. Thad got up and bowed to them once more. "Rise Thad, tell us what you have to report." Thaddeus took his seat in a much more relaxed manner, its just them in the dorm. "I have a list of students who want to join you. After the master prank that made the Great Albus Dumbledore loose his cool in front of the whole school, they realized how resourceful and inspiring you can be." He chuckled shortly. "They were also really impressed that you managed to get Peeves to work with you. The menace has been seen dumping buckets of the muck that had been removed from the deputy head master's office back into said office. Unfortunately, the professor has decided to relocate for his office quarters for the time being. He is now on the third floor instead of the fourth. Near the suit of armor with the double ended spear." Thaddeus held out the parchment with the list of names on them. Tom waved his hand and the parchment picked it's self up out of Thaddeus's hand and it floated over to Tom's waiting hand. Sephtis purred at the sight of Tom's wandless magic and leaned over to rest his chin on his master's knee. Tom scanned over the surprisingly decent sized list. Even more surprising is that the list is not entirely comprised of Slytherins. There are eleven Ravenclaws and four Hufflepuffs.

He handed the list down to his little Dagger and then rested his hand on Dagger's head. Dagger smirked, moving his left arm so it rested between Tom's legs where he could hold up the parchment to read it properly. Reading the list over he felt quite pleased. He would have to put on more of a show next time. If its this easy to sway the student's loyalty, he will have them like cats to catnip. Mmm if only he could cause some blood spillage. The pranks would be more personally

satisfying. He looked up to Tom. "Call for an inner meeting, right now. I have a plan for my next prank, and I will need of some of our new members." He hissed, a sinister smile lighting up his features. Tom grinned down at the look, he knew what ever it was, would be good. "Thaddeus, go fetch the boys. Bring Ms. Prince as well. I want them here immediately." Thaddeus who was staring at Lord Dagger jumped in surprise when his Lord spoke to him. He is unnerved still that his Lord has found the sole other person who can speak the serpent language. However, he got up immediately and gave them one more bow before rushing from the room to gather the others. Dagger started laughing. "I do wonder if they shall ever get over hearing us speak our language. They are not very good at covering up their shock or fear when they hear it. Honestly for pureblood trained Heirs, they do not have a lot of composure. I think we shall have to give them our own training." Tom nodded. His little is of course, correct. "Yes, and if they cannot learn they will have to swear vows, be obliviated of many important memories and sent on their way. I would prefer to kill them but unfortunately while we are that is not an option. I also do not want to spill more death blood then necessary. Our population is far too small as it is." Sephtis eyes lit up at the mention of blood, his tongue darting out over his bottom lip. He brought up a hand to run his finger tips over the name on the side of his face. Tom watched him, smirking.

The reaction to his name on Sephtis's face had been very amusing. Many of their following had been horrified. They had openly gawked at their Lord Dagger. The letters are fairly small, a little smaller than a green olive. Sephtis had almost had an orgasm seeing the fully healed scar the next morning. They had healed very nicely into curving, quill script letters in white, slightly, raised, scars that offsets just enough from Sephtis's pale skin making them visible to anyone who really looks at his face. From the bottom of the temple, along the curving edge of the cheek next to the ear and down along the curved bone of his jaw. The other names healed in the same manner but those two are much larger and only Tom will ever see those. Anyone who had dared to stare too long to be proper was promptly hexed from the tip of Tom's wand. Only he is allowed to look at his little Dagger longer then is proper. The door to their dorm opened and in filed their inner group. Evan, Abraxas, Orion, Thaddeus, Corvus and then Eileen. They each gave a bow to them. Only Evan prostrated himself before Lord Dagger. Sephtis ignored him, even when his pet stayed beside his cushion. Laying on his side on the floor. Propped up on his elbow. Once they had all taken a seat, Tom started. "I am glad to see you have all arrived so promptly, even on such short notice." They said nothing, knowing if they hadn't come, a punishment would have been due. Tom turned to Eileen. "Welcome, Ms. Prince, to my inner group of followers. You have begun to prove your worth to this group beyond that of the lowers. Lord Dagger has taken a special liking to you, so from now on, you shall be among these fellows at full meetings and when only the inner are summoned that now includes you." Eileen simply nodded, containing her expressions far better then three of the boys. Evan didn't give a crow's tail feather; he knows his place by his master is secure. Thaddeus Nott has been raised in a Norse household; woman held the same values as a men. He knows personally that woman are fully capable and that they can even be better then men. His mother would give him a thorough beating if she even thought he had similar thoughts to the likes of his friends.

Tom examined the thinly veiled outrage on Corvus's, Abraxas's and Orion's faces. "You three seem to think what I just said is beyond ludicrous. Explain to me, why you think so?" They paled a stich and tore their gazes from the older girl. Sephtis wanted to hear their excuses too. Especially since Eileen has already proven to him she is more capable of being in their inner group more than these three have. Evan doesn't care in the slightest and Thaddeus seems to think his friends are acting like buffoons. Tom let his wand slowly slide into his hand from the holster on his forearm. The steady sight of it made the boys shift uneasily. "If you don't explain yourselves, I will have

Lord Dagger get it out of you and he will enjoy it immensely." One look at the predatory grin on their other Lord's face is more than enough to tell them that it's the truth. Corvus looked at the two beside him which of whom were both looking at him. He swallowed thickly, but then took a short breath and steeled his nerves. He believes their outrage to be perfectly reasonable. He looks to their Lord. "I shall speak for the three of us. We have had these reactions because, My Lords, Ms. Prince is a girl." He said, as though it explained everything. Tom sat back in his chair, keeping his face unreadable. "And? What is it to matter if she is female or no?" Corvus's jaw dropped again in even larger incredulousness. "My Lord, woman are not strong enough to be in roles of leadership. Their magic is far inferior to ours! It is simply not a woman's place to be a part of such a th-th-thing…" Corvus stuttered seeing Lord Dagger slowly rise to his feet. It scared him more that he couldn't see a flicker of emotion on his Lord's face.

Sephtis walked over to the idiotic boys and stared them down before turning to Eileen and holding out his hand to her. "Come along now Eileen, I believe these boys need to be taught a lesson. I believe you shall agree." She hesitated for only a second before placing a tentative hand in her Lord's waiting one. Sephtis helped her up from the couch and then led her to a blank space on the wall. As he passed Tom, he glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, seeking permission to continue. Tom knew it and nodded curtly. Sephtis held his excitement internal and then placed his hand on the stone wall. "Hello powerful one, will you please give me a large dualling room, much like the other you so graciously provided before?" The wall pulsed gently under his hand, letting its pleasure be known that it liked the way Sephtis was speaking to it and that it is pleased to give him exactly what it knows Sephtis wants. A large dark, gleaming, polished wood door. Long, black, decorative, iron hinges at the side of the door. It had to be at least eight feet tall and four feet wide. Truly an impressive, and imposing sight. Sephtis took ahold of the curved black iron hand and pulled the trigger release into the underside of the handle. The door swung open silently on its own after that. Sephtis guided Eileen inside the vast, cavernous, dark marble room. The room is empty except for a floating magical ring in the center that expanded to cover most of the space. A protection ring to keep spells inside during the dual so bystanders wouldn't be hit with a wayward spell.

He led Eileen into the center of the ring and stood beside her for the moment. He turned around and was glad to see the three boys had been smart enough to follow behind them. Though they stood waiting a good distance from the ring. Tom stood just outside of it, waiting for the show to begin. Evan stood a few feet behind Tom, waiting just the same, but he was grinning like a mad boy. Sephtis turned to Eileen. "Now, those boys over there do not think you are worth more than being a simple-minded house wife and a bearer of children. However, they do not know what you and I know." He leaned in and let a slow grin split across his face. "They do not know that your core is far darker then theirs. They do not know that you can wipe the floor with them. Would you like a chance to show them? Show me how you really feel for a moment, I wish to see the darkness in you." Eileen cackled like a mad woman and nodded quickly. She is sick of boys thinking of her as a delicate little flower. "Yes, Lord Dagger, I would like to do this very much." Sephtis's grin widened and promptly turned to face the boys. "Come along now, don't be shy. Corvus, since you decided to be the spokesperson, you shall be first. Step into the ring and take your proper place." Corvus didn't let his jaw drop this time, for he was sure it would hit the floor. He couldn't believe what he is hearing. But he listened none the less and did as commanded. He didn't think the girl capable of much, but he knows Lord Dagger is more than willing to force him to comply.

Once Corvus stood beside Eileen, Sephtis stepped to the side of the pair. He clapped his hands together in glee. "Now, I want you to dual until the other is incapable of standing. Eileen, since Corvus here, thinks you so incapable, I want you to stick to second year spells and below. That way when you win, he cannot be a sore loser and claim it is because you used spells he isn't familiar with." Corvus snorted at that before he realized too late who he had just disrespected. Sephtis well known triangle dagger is pressed up into the dip just above the center of his collar bone. The blade pricks him and a drop of blood drips down the razor edge of the blade. Sephtis is pressed up close, staring down into Corvus's eyes. "If you make such noise in disregard, again at the words I speak, I will cut out your pretty little voice box and then sew you back up myself. Am I understood?" Corvus wanted to swallow but knew if he did, it would make his throat press harder into the blade and then he would really be bleeding. "Y-Yes, Lord Dagger." Sephtis giggled in delight and twirled away. He stepped out of the circle and stood next to his partner. "Corvus, if you hold back in the slightest because Ms. Prince is a girl, I will dual you myself and I wont stop until you have to be carried out of here unconscious and bleeding." Corvus nodded stiffly, looking like the twelve-year- old he really is in this moment. Young and weak is how Sephtis would describe it. "You both know the formalities and the rules. Begin." Sephtis ordered and then took Tom's hand in his. He leaned over and rested his head on Tom's shoulder.

The dual commenced in full after the short intro. Eileen struck fast and first, using a simple levitation spell on Corvus's unsuspecting foot, causing it to lift from the ground and float into the air, higher and higher. Just before Corvus was to fall he scowled and quickly canceled out the spell. Shooting out one of his own, by the color Sephtis guessed it be incendio. Eileen yawns and side steps the under powered spell. Corvus's scowl deepens, and he cast again. Engorgio this time and aimed straight for Eileen's nose. The girl bends over backwards with ease, the spell flying right over her. She is bored now; this isn't challenging enough to actually be entertaining. She righted herself and fired off two spells with quick precision in easy succession. Expelliarmus and then flippendo. Corvus wand goes flying and lands several feet away and before Corvus can react his is being flipped head over heels and landing flat on his back. Knocking the air out of him completely. The dual is done. Eileen bows to Corvus and then makes her way over to Sephtis. Sephtis pats the top of her head happily before turning to face the boys. The other two had come to help Corvus up. They keep giving icy glares to Eileen. Tom, seeing this, steps into the ring. The boys freeze immediately. "I made you my inner group because I believed you to be more capable than others. More intelligent, well mannered, and capable of keeping an open mind. Today, over the simple matter of a girl joining your ranks, you completely disregarded your composure and then went on to spout unbelievably sexist nonsense. What would your mothers do if they heard your opinions of woman today?" The boys paled drastically; they could feel the danger in their Lord's words. And none of them truly wants to think about their mother knowing what they think. All three of their mother's are forces to be reckoned with. They had just never thought about it like that.

"You have disappointed me greatly today. You have shown me that you are not ready to hold such a title. Now, I can do one of two things. I can expel you from your positions and find fitting replacements or, you can prove me that you are worthy to be trained." Sephtis shifted in place, getting aroused at the sight of Tom terrorizing the incompetent boys. The boys fell to their knees in front of Tom. "Please, my Lord, we promise to show you we are worthy! We have seen the error of our ways. We wish to be better for you." Orion begged, going down on his hands. The others followed, echoing Orion's words. Tom sneers at them and lets loose the control he uses to keep his magic constrained. His magic, much like Sephtis with its inky darkness floods the room and darkens it considerably. But his magic is not alluring, his magic inspires fear. Great, terrorizing fear into all that feel it power. Sephtis on the other hand has to clench his jaw shut to keep the

keening moan that was rising in his throat. He had to clench his legs together as well, to quell his painfully throbbing little erection. He would never show such a display of his needy, growing, aching, lust in front of anyone but Tom. Tom is the only one who will ever be deserving. Tom is the only one he will ever react this way for. The three boys on their hands and knees cry out in sheer terror and fall to the floor flat. Evan has gone to his knees, his head bowed, but he is silent. Eileen has done the same but even she has tears on her cheeks. Sephtis wants to laugh in glee at the sight. Tom is staring down at the pitiful boys before him. He raises one foot and puts it down atop Corvus's head and then pushes it down hard onto the cold marble floor. He leans down over the terrorized, quivering boy. "If you do not prove your worth to both me and Lord Dagger, we shall each take a turn giving you your due punishments. Lord Dagger does not believe you are worthy and at this point, I fully agree. It is only your past loyalty that saves you from our wrath now." Tom said, his voice cold as dry ice. He pressed down harder with his foot, making Corvus hiss in pain and then he let up and stepped back swiftly. His black robe snapping with the quick movements. "Get up your worthless idiots. I expect you to be out of my sight in six seconds. No more, no less. Go back and wait for us to join you. Now." The three boys scramble to their feet and run from the room. Tom pulls his magic back to him now, placing his controlling barriers back in place. Thaddeus who had stayed back by the wall, saunters out after the disgraced boys, hiding his recoiling fear like a true pureblood. Eileen rushes, ladylike like from the room, her head held high. Tear streaks still evident on her face. Evan looked over at his Master who has not moved an inch since Tom released his magic. He isn't sure what to think on how his master might be being affected. Sephtis shot a sharp stinging hex at Evan without even looking at his pet. Evan jumped in pained surprise and then hurried out of the message. The message clear.

As soon as the door shut behind Evan, Sephtis is striding over to Tom, wrapping his arms around his waist and kissing him roughly. Tom had not thought about how his fear inducing magic would affect his little Dagger. He has before now only had to release small amounts. This is the first time he released the full extent. But with how Sephtis is walking them across the room as they kiss. Until they near the wall and then he is pushing Tom up against the wall and laying a real claiming on that small mouth. Tom knows now how it affects his little Dagger, and this brings out his famished, possessiveness. Only his psycho Sephtis would be so turned on by his heavy, nightmare inducing magic. He brings his hands up, pushing them into Sephtis's hair, holding his head and bringing their mouths together tighter. Dagger moaned, feeling Tom's just as hungry mouth strengthening the kiss now. Their mouths open as one and tongues seek out each other. Sephtis cried out in need, pressing his hips against Tom's. "I need you Master…Please, I need it…" Sephtis begged against Tom's mouth, his voice low and weak with need. Tom moved his hands down to Sephtis's waist and spun them around, switching their positions. With Dagger's back to the wall, Tom thrust his hips forward. Sephtis choked on a moan. His breath coming out in stuttering short patterns. They needed to be quick this time, so Tom moved his mouth from the hungry kiss and down to Sephtis's throat. He bitt down hard while simultaneously thrusting his hips forward. Sephtis hisses out a scream, his body shuddering hard with an immediate release. Tom thrusts once more against the bucking body between him, and the wall and he came as well. He shut his eyes and groaned, going stiff with the overwhelming pleasure of his shooting release. This one lasting a few seconds longer the others. Sephtis, let his head drop against Tom's shoulder, his body still shaking with the dredges of his release. Tom breathed in slow, calming his shot nerves. He brought up a hand to stroke Sephtis's longer hair.

"My Darling little Dagger, you did very well containing your heady arousal for me. I will reward you better next time." Sephtis moaned lowly at those words, tightening his arms around Tom's upper waist. "Master, it is reward enough to be able to observe your greatness. The sight of you

exerting your boundless power over those bloody idiots, arouses me so very much…Your uncontrolled raw power is like my own personal drug. When you expose it, all I want to do is kneel before you and kiss your divine feet. To worship every part of you." Sephtis's voice pitches lower near the end and he moans again at the image his own words produce. Tom bites his lip hard, envisioning it as well. Merlin this boy will drive him mad with the power those images inspire in him. He moves a hand back to Dagger's head, digging his fingers into the back of his raven hair. Then he tugs Dagger's head back so he can look at the lust drunken face of his partner. "You shall have many opportunities to do exactly that. But if I deem it as not enough of a reward, I will do as I deem fit to fix that. Your rewards are mine to determine the befitting gifts. If I want you to simply lavish me with worship, that is what you shall do. If I want you to lay on our bed and let me ravish your body, that is what will happen. If I want to put on one of the sexy, delectable pieces of skimpy clothing you picked out for me, for your viewing pleasure, that's what you shall have." Sephtis is panting, his face completely flushed red, and his pupils are blown. Tom licks his lips, his chest constricting. He will have this memory magically painted one day. He is impossibly hard again at the sight of his little Dagger. He steps back completely and Sephtis almost collapses. Tom sends out a small wave of his magic to hold his little Dagger up against the walls.

Feeling that hard, dark power directly used against his body, Sephtis cries out, tears of pure ecstasy sliding down across his cheeks. He whimpers in pleasure, writhing under the touch of the magic. Tom's breath catches in his throat. His hand going down to touch his aching little member. The sight of Sephtis's reaction to the touch of his magic, is the most exotic, provocative things he will ever see. His groin throbs painfully in response. Tom needs to see more. He sends out a stronger wave of his magic, watching as the rippling, rolling black magic comes into contact with his little Dagger. Sephtis's eye widen to their full extent and his body thrashes against the magic, his hips jutting forward. Forcing more contact on his aching, throbbing member. The magic is like a cool, semi, solid wall against him and he begins actively thrusting his hips against the magic. Grinding against it hard. He is incoherently hissing and moaning. Tom sinks to his knees, his body giving out against the intense onslaught of possessive pleasure coursing through him like a fierce torrent at the breathtaking, over stimulating sight. He starts palming himself eagerly. He closes his eyes for a moment losing himself in the sounds of ecstasy coming from Dagger. When Dagger screams out of his title 'Heir Gaunt' with his explosive release, Tom follows him with a long, stuttering shout, his body spasming rapidly with each pump of ejaculation. His skin is covered in sweat, and he is breathing heavily. After a long moment he finally opens his eyes and looks up at his little Dagger. Still pinned to the wall with his magic and quivering with over stimulation. Moving as fast as he is able in his post climax state, he cleans himself and Dagger and then crawls closer to catch Sephtis against him when he releases his magical hold. He pulls the magic in completely and catches his limp little dagger against him. He adjusts Dagger so that he is sitting in his lap, his legs wrapped around his waist and Sephtis is leaning heavily against his chest. Tom takes to running one of his hand down Sephtis's back, in long slow motions. Anchoring his quivering partner. Sephtis's eyes are closed, and he is breathing erratically but with Tom's ministrations, it is slowly evening out.

After several minutes Sephtis is finally quiet and breathing evenly. Tom chuckles. "I hope this room is the same as the other because otherwise we will have been in here for quite longer then we should have." Sephtis turns his head and nuzzles into Tom's throat. "I don't care if isn't. That, that was more than worthy enough reason to keep those pathetic servants waiting. By the gods, I swear that that will not be the last time we do that." Tom laughed but he fully agreed with every word. He turned his head and kissed the side of Sephtis's head. "We should get a move on now; we can collect a pepper up after we finish the impromptu meeting. And at dinner I will let you have a third

cup of tea." Sephtis groaned weakly in protest at the thought of moving and leaving this heavenly contact with his Master. But in the end, the third cup of tea made it worth it. At dinner Tom only ever allowed him two because it was too much caffeine before bed. He slowly disentangled himself from Tom and staggered to his feet before pulling his arms up above his head and stretching. Then he leaned down and helped Tom get up. Tom fixed their appearance back to perfection and then they are walking out of the room. The sight of the other just now taking their seats is enough to tell them that time had not moved in the dualling room, just as Tom had hopped. They took their spots, their masks firmly in place. No one would ever know what just happened in that room. Once everyone was sat and comfortably, well as comfortably as three of them could be with their positions in jeopardy. Sephtis started explaining his prank. They would dole out tasks at a full meeting later after dinner, when the new members would be sworn in.

The prank is one Sephtis found while researching creature made magical enchantments in the library earlier that day. It's an enchantment that works with the basics of delayed activation tied to key words. Made for born werewolves. When the proper key word is said, all the clothes on a person's body would vanish. With another key word, the clothes would re-appear. But Sephtis wont make this easy to be removed or for the key words to be discovered. He has come up with several words . Good. Greater. Evil. Students. Boy. Socks. Light. Order. Phoenix. Lemon. Each word would have to be given by a separate student. And it will take a full five seconds for each time to take effect after the bastard says one. Making it almost impossible know which words will be keys. Now that he would have other houses to work with, the enchantments would take ages to remove. He himself would not be able to set a key because he would be an obvious suspect. The enchantment can be removed in three ways, firstly knowing the name of the one who has laid the key and chanting the reversal spell with the name added in. Second is death, and well, Sephtis doesn't see Dumbledore choosing that option. Third is much longer and far more time consuming, he will have to go through mind healing/manipulating courses and unlearn each word. His mind must forget the very existence of each key word. If he leaves even one, the others can be re- triggered when he relearns the words. Tom is thrumming by the end of the explanation. When the enchantment completely activates, Dumbledore is going to be completely humiliated.

Ch 5

Chapter Notes

Hello my lovely Lavinia-etts! I apologize this chapter took a bit longer than previous chapters! Never fear, this fic is still heavily underway. I took one day to rest and read other's works. The next day I was feeling rather ill. So work was slow for a bit. I almost finished last night but I kept catching my eyes drooping shut. I am glad I finished this morning, I ended up changing the ending of this chapter from what I was going to write last night, and this is much better.

As always, enjoy the new chapter. Starting on six as soon as I post this one.

Love Lavinia 3

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Sephtis Tempest Selwyn

Chapter Five

September 3rd, 1939, Sunday, 8:00 P.M.

Dinner had been uneventful. Dumbledore stared at them consistently. They ignored him the whole time. Sephtis had enjoyed three steaming hot cups of tea that Tom poured and served for him. Tom served him a healthy helping of roast beef, mince pie, some roasted potatoes, and a large scoop of steamed cauliflower with butter garlic sauce. Sephtis had ate it all and ignored desert once again. Choosing to enjoy a treat from their stash in Tom's trunk when they get back to the common room. Which is what he is doing now. Their large meeting is due to start in just ten minutes. Sephtis is in their room, bent over Tom's trunk and getting out a pumpkin pasty. They are currently his favorite. Just as he was about to take a bite Tom appeared over his shoulder and stole a large bite. Sephtis giggled and whirled around to see Tom smirking deviously while he chewed. "What? Food is always better when it's in your hands." He asked after he had swallowed. Sephtis shook his head and leaned in to Tom. Licking the sticky remains from Tom's lips. "Mmm I personally think it taste better from your mouth." He lifted the pasty up to Tom's mouth, his eyes focused intently on his master's mouth. Tom took a bite and watched his little Dagger lean back in and cover his mouth. Gently swapping the piece from his to mouth, to his own. The small tongue bent at a curve to scoop it out. Tom kept his eyes open even as spicy desire trickled in to his body at the sight of

Dagger, a lecherous gleam in his opal eyes and the hot, sweet, wet sensations in his mouth. And then it was over and Sephtis is stepping around Tom. He walked towards the door, eating the bite they had swapped with a contented moan at the delicious pastry. Tom growled under his breath at his mischievous little psycho minx. He closed his eyes and centered himself. Time to slip back into his 'Lord' persona. Sephtis is waiting for him at the door when he finally turns around. He is just plopping the last bite of the pastry into his mouth. Tom walks over to him with a confident gait, sending him a sly glare for the toying he had just submitted him to.

Sephtis cocks his head to the side, his eyes sparking with mad glee. Tom slips his hand into his little Dagger's, and they walk out of their door that magically widens to allow them passage side- by-side. They walk into the already full room. Ignoring all the waiting students who each bow quickly upon seeing them enter. They take their spots and Sephtis props his elbow up on Tom's lap, resting his head to the side on his fist. Tom lets them all wait in their bow for a few seconds longer. Really enforcing the atmosphere that they are bent at his will. He is pleased to see the smattering of blue and bronze ties and the four dots of yellow. Ten of the new recruits will be assigned a key word to vocally pass onto the vocal key word. The key words at this point are pinned to a transference hex. The hex will act as a contagion to a specified target. Each assigned student must speak the words in one form or another directly to Dumbledore or aimed at him within range of six feet. The curse will detach itself on the directed word and will implant its self in Dumbledore's brain like a magical parasite. Effecting him physically and magically. It is up to the intelligence of each assigned person to fulfill a successful transference. This shall serve as a test for their entrance. If they succeed, then they are sworn in under the complete Lord Follower vows. If not, they will be obliviated of the test and either get assigned a new test or are turned away with a higher-grade secrecy vow. Four Ravenclaws, three Slytherin's and three of the Hufflepuffs will submit for this testing. The others will be tested at a later date. For now, they are simply under the secrecy vow.

They had perused the list of new recruits just before dinner and decided together who of their new recruits would be the primary deliverer's. Now Tom called each one of them forward, took their vows of secrecy and either gave them their hex/key or sent them back to their spots immediately. One of the Ravenclaw's is a sixth year, two of the Ravenclaws are in fifth year, five are fourth year, and the other three are in second like most of the group. One Hufflepuff is in third year and the other three are in second year. Slytherin's it is nearly the whole second year, a large portion of the third year, a handful from the fourth year two from fifth year and lastly half of the new fist years. All together the new recruit's number in at thirty-three. Rounding their followers up to fifty- three. Tom looks out at the gathering with everyone now seated, his eyes gleaming at the sight of the full room. Sephtis leans over further. "We will have to start using a larger room for full gatherings now." He turned his head to look up at his partner. "We can source out one of the rooms on the third floor, below us. There are plenty of abandoned rooms down there. We could even ask Professor Slughorn to let us set up a 'study' room. I am sure he would be delighted." Tom nods, not taking his eyes off the room. Sephtis turns back to them as well to see them all watching them with varied expressions of shock, awe, and fear. It is a thrilling sight to see. There is a small air of excitement in the dorm common room. With the reveal of the coming prank, the mood had lifted to joyous glee. Even the other two houses had been sporting shocked, amusement.

Each of the three houses outside of Dumbledore's grasp have all been snubbed by him countless times. And the Ravenclaw's are known for their intelligence, most of them see right through the

bastard's façade. The carriers are ready. They will start right away in the morning. The hope is that one of them will have an opportune moment before breakfast so that they may start the day off with 'stark' clarity. Sephtis inwardly chuckles manically. Only allowing an insane grin to split his face. Evan looks up catching that grin. His pet has taken to being there at his knees, laying on the floor at every chance now. Whenever Sephtis is on his cushion, Evan is on the floor in front of him. Evan had pouted when they told him he would not be a carrier. They couldn't use any of the inner group. It would be much too obvious for the old man. He would certainly try using all their names for the counter spell. After the ages it would take him to discern what spell has been used. It is known that Dumbledore thinks that all creatures are dark. He would certainly not know or would have looked into magics that help them transform. If and when he found the spell he would then have to identify what words are the key words. Some of them he may be able to go through his memories and find the words but others, he will have use other longer means. That horrible old man will incapacitated for quite a while. "Master, if I may?" Sephtis looked down at Evan. He had been watching Eileen talking to Thaddeus. They seemed to be talking more since the incident earlier. He would keep an eye on them. "What is it pet? You may speak your mind." He grinned then, a dark, mad glint flashing through his eyes, and he leaned down closer to Evan. "But if I don't like what you have to say I will use my favorite dagger to split your tongue in two." Evan's eyes dilated and fluttered, open and shut. "I would like to be used to carry out your next prank. I want to prove my worth to you as well."

He also wants to have more of his master's very selective attention, and this would be a good way to get it. Sephtis tilted his head to the side, his eyes lost in thought while still focused on Evan. What could he have him do? He wouldn't know if any of his other teachers needed pranks for bad behavior or faulty teaching. Tom has refused to tell him anything. Proclaiming he wants to see Sephtis's real first reactions to each of them. Sephtis's already thinks they will be incapable of being better teachers then his master. Tom taught him almost the whole first year curriculum in a month. So his expectations are very low. In the morning their new protection items will arrive from Griphook. Him and Tom will be collecting the package from the Owlery before heading to breakfast. Otherwise, Dumbledore will see the package and they want to avoid that. That means he will have Evan's new collar as well. Returning his focus to his pet now. "I do not have need of you yet. You are only a hinderance to me and your Lord until you have better protection from the Bastard. After that, I will have something for you. Now, put your head down, kiss my feet and remain silent. If you are a good boy, you shall be rewarded." He said with a devious grin, thinking of Evan's reaction to come in the next day when he slides the collar around his strong throat. Evan didn't waist a second, raising himself to his knees and crawling the foot closer to reach out and slide his hand under his master's robe. He reverently curled his hand around Sephtis's ankle where it had been tucked up against him and pulled the expensive shoed foot out. He leaned down to place not one but two kisses to the shoe. Sephtis petted his head. "Lay down now, keep your head on my pillow. I will pet you for a bit." Evan did as commanded and closed his eyes when long fingers started carding through his thick golden curls.

Sephtis ignored his pet after that except for the hand he kept in the soft curls of hair. It felt marvelous against his fingers. He instead turned his attention back to Eileen. He hoped she would acclimate well with their inner group. He is still upset with Tom's three useless followers. Such disrespect they had shown to one who had been previously claimed to have his personal attention. Such foolish, brash behavior must be punished. They will each be target to some of his more devious little pranks. His pet shall help in this regard. He tilted his chin up just slightly and flexed his jaw. Yes he is quite angry. He hopes Tom will let him do as he desires because if not, he will hate those boys, and his hatred runs deep. At one point even if it not for decades, he will kill them

for this act of rebellion to his power as their Lord. A hand in his own hair brought him back to reality. "What are you thinking so much on that you do not notice your magic slipping out of your control?" Sephtis froze and inwardly assessed his walls. They are riddled with deep gauges and long cracks. He closes his eyes and repairs them hastily. Snarling at each one for daring to let his power slip. "I am thinking on how I want to punish Orion, Abraxas, and Corvus. They openly disrespected my power and authority when they learned of Eileen's new place. You must let me punish them now, or I will kill them later and make it look like a commonplace accident." Tom looked down his nose at him, his face hard, impassive. "Of course, you shall be allowed to punish them. You are their Lord, just as I. If you did not, I would have for when they disrespect you, they also disrespect me. I already plan to punish Orion and Evan for their neglect of not telling me where the kitchen is last year when I made them tell me everything they knew of the castle." Sephtis turns to look down at his pet. "Make sure it is something he will not enjoy. Pain is out of the question. I suggest forcing him to do something he greatly dislikes." Tom nodded and went back to watching their followers.

The meeting dismissed shortly after their discussion. Curfew in fifteen minutes and the Ravenclaw's have to walk all the way back through the castle up to their tower on the fifth floor on the west side of that floor. Sephtis and Tom adjourned to their room. They would call their four victims together this weekend and exact their punishment. Sephtis wants to take his time devising an appropriate punishment. It can't be too severe as he doesn't want them to loose their sense of loyalty simply because their Lords are too cruel. Which is why he decided they would come up with a reward system for good behavior, successfully accomplished tasks and the likes. Loyalty based solely on fear leads to defection, coups and traitors. "We should open the inner circle ranks to adding those who prove their unyielding, worth and dedication to us. Demote members who have disgraced the position you have gifted them with. Maybe even make a list of rules and laws of ascension and descension within the ranks. We should add a middle group between the lowers and the inner. Give them something to work towards by earning a better rank. When we are older, we will have to adjust it more with more and better rules, new guidelines, new rewards, and definitely more severe punishments. Because now they are children and are still learning but later when they are adults, they will be making mostly informed mistakes. Mistakes that could bring our side into unsavory light and or get us and ours injured. Such acts of insubordination in the future should be dealt with by my hand. It is best that they trust you to be the level head-ed leader. What they will trust with me is that I will cut off the hand that reaps. I will be your Psycho Dipped Death Dagger." Sephtis finished with parseltongue, and Tom growled at him, letting his pleasure be known at hearing this new term. He is possessive and overly fond of such endearments in regard to his little Psycho Dipped Dagger.

"Yes, I agree. But I believe we should wait at least one more year before adding the third tier of rank. I want to garner the respect of most of the older years first and age is a large factor in that. Most of them will continue to look down their noses at us simply because of the number of years since our birth. On to the fact of me being level headed, aren't you going to miss seeing me punish them? You do tend to…get all hot and bothered when I use my magic." Sephtis turned around from where he was standing at his desk. A sultry smirk on his face. "Just because I shall be your punisher does not mean I want you to stop entirely exerting your force with your magic. I shall just be the one they fear to leave their children around. The one that keeps them in battle mode every single second they are in our presence. The one they see in their nightmares. It shall be me that they fear to face should they garner your ire." He walked over to his Master and sank to his knees

directly in front of his legs. He looked up at Tom who is watching him through narrowed eyes. "You shall control them with the full might of your magic. They tremble and weep at your feet, but they are also awed by it and want to be in it's presence. They will be honored that you are willing to allow them to be in it's magnificent…" he leaned in closer, brushing Tom's robed aside so he can press his nose into the soft pant covered thigh. "…delicious, and incapacitating power." Tom's eyes glinted at the feel of his little Dagger's face in such a delicate area. They've never touched quite this intimately in that are before. A few presses and rushed thrusts but never something so… deliberate. Sephtis just nuzzles gently into Tom's thigh. Never shifting closer to the center prize. Neither of them is ready for such a venture into that unknown territory. Tom sighed and relaxed, knowing his little Dagger would never rush them to that part.

Sephtis looks up at Tom, his face lightly flushed from the arousing contact he was initiating by worshiping his master with touch. "When we are both fifteen, I will truly desire this part of you, and I will ask you for such things." Tom's lips tightened into a line, and he reached down to take Sephtis's chin tightly in his grasp. "And if I should be ready before that, will you truly deny me the right to take what you have already vowed to me?" Dagger giggled with surprised delight. "Master, you may take my body right this second and I would never think differently of you. I gave you my body. It is yours to do with as you so please. However, I only said fifteen because our bodies are growing and changing right now. Our pleasure will be very limited in this area, it may even cause permanent damage to my body if you decide to penetrate me now. At fifteen they will have settled much more and will be much more prepared to handle such things. However- " Dagger laid down on his back on the floor and looked up at Tom. "-we can do many other things before then. Like showing and watching." He reached down and slowly started stroking his small hardening length. Tom's dark eyes fixated on the hand's menstruations, and he swallowed thicky. "I will wait until I deem us both ready. It may be sooner than you think. Especially if you continue to make my sexual knowledge and frustrations greater. Get up, I do not wish to see you do such things on the floor like a filthy animal. I am your master in all ways and as you are my Darling Little Dagger, you will never belong on the floor. Kneeling at my feet on a cushion is vastly different." He added the last sentence almost as an after thought as he reached down with both hands to help his little Dagger to his feet. "Come, I wish to bathe before bed tonight. I still feel dirty from being in the library for so long today." Sephtis smiled with a nod and then walked with his Master into the bathroom. They stayed in the hot water until their skin's were near prune state and then they climbed out, pulled on soft, thick robes and went to bed. Deciding to wash themselves properly in the morning. Puberty making them both far too tired to stay up that late and so Morpheus claimed the entangled pair with welcoming arms.

September 4th, 1939, 7:55 A.M.

Charms class with Professor Seger Verbean is the first class of the day. Sephtis and Tom choose a paired desk near the front of the large theatre style classroom with each row of desks going up one level to round out at eight rows of eight levels. The classroom seats one-hundred-twenty-eight students. The color scheme is rich, dark wood desks and chairs, pale grey stone walls and floors, three very large copper chandeliers with hundreds of brilliantly lit witch-lights. Two of them hang over the students seating and one over the long dais where the Professor's desk, huge black chalk board, cabinets, and book shelf sits. It resembles almost a cozy open office at the front of the room. However, the stern, styled grey haired, male professor with a thin scar from his nose to his ear looks anything but cozy. He is standing in front of his desk, leaning back against it with his arms

crossed over his chest and his ankles, one rests over the other. He is clad in striking, speckled, ash grey, suit clothes. His teaching robe hanging on a peg behind his desk next the bookcase. His vibrant grey eyes trail over each student that walks in the door. In this class the Slytherins are paired with the Ravenclaw's. It's rumored that Professor Verbean refuses to teach the Slytherin's and the Gryffindor's together because the Gryffindor's create chaos when paired with the Slytherin's and Professor Verbean likes his class's calm and to order. This class of second years takes up about three quarters of the desks. More Ravenclaw's than Slytherin's. The followers take the direct desks around them. Evan and Thaddeus take the desk directly to the right of them. Orion, Corvus, and Abraxas are smart enough to take seats in front of them. As they are not in a position to be sitting at their other side with the disgrace they made of themselves the day before. They are lower on the totem and that is signified in their current seating arrangement.

Instead at their left side sits, Walburga Black and Cadmus Beldrought. They had been selected to take the places of the three in disgrace as well as Nyle Yaxley Heir to the house of Yaxley, he sits just behind them with a lower follower. Cadmus while a pureblood is not the heir, his older brother, Jacoby Beldrought is the families Heir. He is a sixth year and not a part of their group yet. He has been seen giving Tom and especially Sephtis, curious, contemplating looks this year. Sephtis choose Walburga because he has heard from Orion and a couple of the other Black's among their ranks that Walburga is one strong willed and powerful witch. She has peaked his curiosity. He also wants to know her stance on the outrageous marriage contract between her and her first cousin. He sneered in disgust internally at the thought. Their children would surely be mad and reckless children. He will put a stop to this foolishness if he has to storm into every pureblood manor and throw the evidence in their faces. No, he will not accept anymore lines dying out due to extreme negligence. He is sure muggleborns are coming from someone in their family with magic or at least latent magic. He simply refuses to believe that two disgusting muggles could ever create a magical child.

"Welcome back to charms, class of nineteen-thirty-nine, second years. Many of you know me as Professor Verbean, one among you does not. Lord Selwyn, please stand. I would like a demonstration of your skills to determine your place in my class. You may stay where you are. Can you show me the wand movements and incantation to the levitation charm?" Sephtis stood gracefully and bowed for greeting. "Of course, Professor Verbean." His dual wood wand slid into his hand and professor Verbean straightened at the sight of such a rare wand. "Wingardium Leviosa!" He pronounced precise and clear accompanied by a swish and flick of his wand. The book: The Standard Book of Spell, Grade Two floated up in to the air as though it is as light as a feather. Sephtis controlled it with his wand, raising the book higher and higher and then he brought it slowly back down to his desk where landed gently without a sound. "Excellent, how about the engorgement charm?" Sephtis nodded. "Yes, Sir." He wasted not a second aiming his wand at the long feathered, tawny brown, quill on his desk. "Engorgio!" A jab and a swish. The quill immediately began growing rapidly in size. Sephtis let it go until it was roughly the length of their desk. Then without being asked, he cast the counter. "Reducio!" The same wand movements. He smirked internally; this Professor really is testing him, because the engorgement charm is a second-year spell that they will cover later in the year as it is a second-year spell not a first-year spell. He wouldn't have known these two if he hadn't already read through all his course books and practiced the spells wandlessly. Both he and Tom had. He looked back to the front of the room to his Professor who had a curious curve to his eyes. "Well done, Lord Selwyn. Ten points to Slytherin for excellent pronunciation and wand movements. And a extra five points to Slytherin for studying ahead of class. Thank you, Lord Selwyn, that will be all. You may retake your seat next to Mr. Riddle."

Then the professor turned his attention to the rest of the class. "Today we will be starting on the theory of the Skurge charm. Can anyone tell me about the specifics for this spell?" A dozen hands went into the air, from both houses, including the two boys. "Very good, it appears we will have a well-advanced class this year. Ms. Walburga Black?" Walburga stood proudly. "The specifics to the skurge charm: The incantation is skurge and the wand movement is three connecting, deep, rounded swoops. The charm is used to clean up ectoplasm which is often left behind roaming ghosts." She said clearly, her voice strong and sure. Professor Verbean nodded. "Correct, Ms. Black. Five points to Slytherin. Now, today we will be focusing theory on why this spell was created, who created it, and why it is taught in this class." With a raised arm and the swish of his wand, writing began appearing on the large blackboard. "Please open your books to chapter one." And with that the class began in earnest. Nearing the end, Sephtis is fairly certain this will be one of his favorite classes. Professor Verbean is strict without being cruel and he speaks in a way that captivates their attention. His points are interesting and well informed. He is clearly a Master of the subject. It is also clear that his knowledge of spell theory is vast and Sephtis is hungry to learn more from the commandeering man. "Now, I will not assign you an outrageous amount of home today but by Wednesday I want you to each come up with one valid reason why this spell should remain a part of our curriculum. I expect well thought out answers. You are dismissed." A flurry of calm movement sounded around the room. Books closing, bags opening, ink well caps being screwed into place, chairs moving back across stone. Sephtis and Tom are the first out the door.

They have their first potions class next and then lunch. After lunch it will be their first transfiguration class. Sadly, none of the few key words that had been managed to be planted had been activated this morning at breakfast. So, they are hopeful for some entertainment at lunch, if not then, then perhaps in their class with the bastard. Surely most of the key words will have been planted by then. Even without the expected excitement, the morning has been going very well. They received their protection items this morning as expected from Griphook. Each of them had ordered three full sets of both shirt and robe buttons. Each button for a set had a different protection. Poisons, compulsion, minor hexes, physical blows, minor healing, charms, toxic fumes, magic approach warning, disillusion reveal, curses, and a special button that would capture a trace of the magic from each thing that was sent at them, That way they could transfer the trace to a different object and send it away to Griphook for analyzing and then it is to be kept as evidence for the case they decided to begin building against the old man. Tear down his image, take everything away from him, and then the real fun would begin. Sephtis hopes the bastard will try to run at that point. He raring to go on the hunt. All the sweeter the reward when he catches his prey. Then he and Tom will torture him together. Sephtis is already planning the cell he will build to contain the bastard. In the castle he and Tom will have acquired by that point. Over yule break, they plan to visit Gringotts and get a list of all the properties under his name. The other protection items they hard ordered are a collar for Evan with all of the same protections as the buttons as well as the ones in the ones in Tom and Sephtis's matching bracelets, Tom's amulet and Sephtis's earing.

The bracelets protected specifically against cursed objects, mail, and books. Tom's amulet and Sephtis's earing protects them specifically from all form of the mind arts and hides their magic from being traced. So, no scrying, seeing, spell, charm, or magical object would be able to trace them through their magic. The only thing Evan's collar didn't have was the enchantments from their six sets of cufflinks. Those protected them from the underage trace on their wands. The cuff links essentially nullified the magic used to activate the trace. As long as they are wearing the cufflinks and feed a tiny amount of their magic into them, the trace will not be able to track or send

information to the ministry no matter the spells they use. Getting the cufflinks had been the most expensive out of all the items they had ordered. And it was only available to them because they are considered friend to the Goblin nation. The Goblins are willing to work just beyond the scope of the law for the very rare and privileged friend of their nation. But none of that meant anything in the regards of a discount price. No, they had paid for each set a whooping fifty-thousand galleons. All together the order cost just over eight-hundred-thousand galleons. Tom's eyes had almost fallen out of his head when he saw the price on the invoice from Griphook as Sephtis was signing it with his own blood. Besides on his little Dagger's inheritance test, he had never seen so much money, let alone that that money was being spent half on him. He still couldn't believe that that money is now his too. He and Sephtis would never have to worry about money and their plans would be well funded. Plus, with the slave bond from Heir Evan Rosier to Sephtis, all of Evan's money would be completely under Sephtis's control once Evan comes into his inheritance at seventeen. The Rosier's aren't the wealthiest of the purebloods, but they are near the top in that order. They will be set for their eternity.

Not that Tom is just going to let the money dwindle, no, when they visit Gringotts during yule he plans to start Griphook on getting some investments going. A vast fortune only stays that way by being smart and keeping a healthy return coming into their accounts. They are extremely wealthy as it stands now, but Tom's wants them to be at the very top of the list. Aside from all of that, this morning's breakfast had been calm, even Dumbledore had been absent. No one was sure why, but some think he was still trying to get last minute assignments done. The mess in his office was still being cleaned out. The mass was out but a majority of it had cemented itself to every surface, including the walls and ceiling. A specialized cleanup crew from London is supposed to be coming to try and tackle the cemented, stinky mess. The first class of the year, charms, had been brilliant. His little Dagger had met one of the best professors in Hogwarts and had thoroughly enjoyed the class. They had even scored Slytherin the first twenty points of the year. Which will be wildfire around the whole of Slytherin since the one who had scored the majority of them had been Sephtis Selwyn, the twelve-year-old that no one knows a thing about except that he is always glued to Tom Riddle's side, the Prince of Slytherin. The only ones who know a bit more are the fifty members of their own group and even they know next to nothing. At least they know of his little Dagger's power level, or well, half of it. Only Tom has been touched by the full force of it and even he could hardly remember it because it had rocked his entire world. The first time they had been truly intimate in a sexual manner. Sephtis hasn't let it out fully in about three weeks.

He would have to release it soon; Tom knows firsthand what happens to his partner when his magic stays cooped up under his skin for too long. He would have to bring Sephtis into their private…he isn't sure what to call the room because they hadn't asked for a dueling room and don't plan to use it for that necessarily. Sephtis had called it to use it to release their extreme desire to kill something. Killing room just sounded so very pathetic. Possibly the Purging room? To rid themselves of the excessive magic, or darker desires that they can get rid of nowhere else while at Hogwarts. No matter, Sephtis would need to go in there soon and release his magic. Evan should come too; he should be made aware of the true extent of his master's power. He had stayed lucid last time unlike everyone else. Tom, since the magic is bound to him will never be forced to succumb the unconscious state others always are. The only reason Tom can think that Evan managed to stay awake last time is because he as insane as his little Dagger had claimed he is. An inside mind does not fall under the same types of pressure that a sane mind will. There are less restrictions, less conforming boundaries inside the insane mind. Sephtis looses it completely when

Tom uses his magic on him or around him. But in a completely different way. Sephtis more then worships him and his magic. He lives and breaths for it. A hand slipping into his brings him to awareness.

Sephtis is pulling him into the low-lit, well-organized potions class room. He is also casting him inquiring looks from the corner of his eye. Tom winks at him and the very corners of his little Dagger's opal eyes lift in amusement. Otherwise, he doesn't react outwardly. Tom takes the lead now, directing his little Dagger to his normal station. The one that he used to share with Corvus or Abraxas. The two better skilled brewers of his inner group. Sephtis shows promise of being a very skilled brewer already. When reading the potion's text book from last year, Potion's, Brew's and Magical Drafts. For Students and Beginners. By Morely Ravinger. He had pointed out many things about each potion after reading the short theory behind each one that some ingredients could be prepared different for stronger affects, shorter brewing times. Adding or reducing counter or clockwise stirring rotations. After he read the three potions theory books Tom had had in his trunk, Sephtis had taken to writing down his own variations to the brews he wanted to change. When Tom told him they always tasted rancid and absolutely horrible, Sephtis had reverted back to his insanity for the rest of the day, only becoming lucid again when darkness fell. Truly insane Sephtis, means random bouts of giggling, random bouts of magical out bursts, and at random times he would think he is somewhere else. He always seemed to know and recognize Tom no matter what, but he wouldn't focus on how or why Tom came to be important to him. Which Tom is sure it is because of the bond in which Sephtis has tied his very existence to Tom. Meaning even when his little Dagger is lost in his own mind, he will still recognize in some form, his bond to Tom. Another constant is that Sephtis still never wanted to leave his side. Even with the random outbursts his little Dagger usually just sat, curled up next to him and stared. Often times at Tom himself. Occasionally he would see flickers of knowing in those opal eyes but nothing real would happen until Sephtis came back to himself. When he came back that night, he vowed he would change the way potions taste. Brewing is an art and it's a tricky one but by no means does that mean they have to taste foul. In a quiet whisper later that night he told Tom that, that's what he used to be like every day in the Asylum until he learned to meditate and find himself.

The others take up the same positions around them from charms only this time the stations are on one level and there are only enough stations to seat 60 students. In this class they share the room with Hufflepuffs, and everyone knows it's because Professor Slughorn favors his Slytherin's and won't subject them to the foolhardy Gryffindors. Who on a daily blow at least five cauldrons. Not always their own either. "I expect a few select of you are quite thrilled to be back in my classroom. Brewing wonderous things. Concocting dangerous substances. Creating mysterious and brilliant, useful potions. Others among you will learn more this year and may yet find a passion for the subtle, meticulous art of potion brewing. While some of you…" The Professor's eyes landed on his new student. "One of you, I believe we shall know by the end of this class what your aspirations are when it comes to brewing." Sephtis gave the Professor a winning smile. Slughorn beamed in delight to see his new pupil so excited to be here. He remembered from Lord Selwyn's first year evaluation test, the potions theory had been exact and darn near brilliant. On par with his favorite student. Thomas Riddle who is sat with Lord Selwyn. He remembered from the day he took them to Diagon that they seemed very close to each other. That certainly hasn't changed since then. He has a plan to ask the boy to stay after class and schedule a meeting time for them to talk. He needs to ask the young Lord if he knows why he did not receive his letter after it was sent out to him. Usually, the school owls are very good at finding the recipients to the letters they carry. So, it has to have been something rather serious for the boy not to have been able to receive his letter.

"Today for review we will be brewing the strengthening potion. Who remembers what this potion does and the basic properties?" Only about six hands went into the air and most of them were Slytherins. Both Tom and Sephtis had raised their hands to answer. Professor beamed again when he saw that Sephtis's hand is up. "Well, I would have called on you Tom, but I believe hearing what Lord Selwyn has to say is important. I think you will agree?" Tom smiled. "Of course, Professor! I am sure his answer will be well thought out and interesting." Slughorn looked like he wanted to laugh with excitement, he gestured for Sephtis to answer. Sephtis stood from his stool. "The strength potion is a low-level potion that uses ingredients such as: Fanged Geranium, a human arm bone, snake fang, and re'em blood. The fanged Geranium is directed to be plucked of all its petals, the body of it sliced in half and then diced up in three-millimeter size pieces. To be added directly to fifty ounces of purified boiling water. However, according to renowned potions theory text, Common Ingredients Used Improperly by Bafkin Tildy states that the flower is better crushed as a whole in a quartz mortar with a copper lined pestle. That being said, the correct method for the Fanged Geranium to be used in the strength potion is to grind the whole flower in to a thick paste with the specified mortal pestle. The paste is then added to simmering water and than brought to a full boil. The water heat change is made so that the paste blooms at a slower pace, allowing for maximum saturation and potency. This process will bring the potion a longer lasting, and stronger affect. Requiring less dosage. Which makes the potion less addictive because it is the higher dose of the re'em blood that acts as the addictive additive. This method removes half of the amount of the re'em blood ingested. The resulting potion will be lavender in color instead of the common murky brick red. The taste will change as well. The petals of the fanged geranium actually have a sweet taste similar to pineapple. That combined with less of the overpowering iron taste from the re'em blood makes the taste very much more palatable." The room is silent. Every eyes is on him, Sephtis ignores everyone but Professor Slug horn who has blushed and sat down on the edge of his desk from shock.

"Lord Selwyn, are you interest in becoming a potion's master in your future? Potion recreation is work that something only master brewer's have been known to attempt to do. But no one has ever been able to create a better flavor." The professor ended on a note of incredulous, awed glee. A bright hungry look on his face. Sephtis purred internally. This man will be licking his feet by the end of the year. "Have you already tested this theory?" Sephtis grinned. "I will today Sir. If I am correct in my hypothesized results, will you allow me access to a personal brewing space on the fourth level of the dungeon? As well as a loaded cupboard stores?" Slughorn laughed, thick with mirth and delight. "Of, course! If you are correct you will have done something thousands before you could not. I am delighted to see what else you recreate or create." Sephtis kept the insanity ridden mad grin within his mind only. Ooh if this professor only knew of some of the recipes he has already crafted. Like the one for Dumbledore…With this space and stores he will have everything he needs to make his new creation. He will be able to deliver it to Bibble just before dinner tomorrow. His potion will be brewed tonight, vialed and then it takes a full eighteen hours to cool and set. The class shifts shortly after, a giddy professor directs them to start. While he is brewing his revised version, Slughorn passes by his station multiple times. Often stopping to examine his process. By the time the regular potion's brewing time finished, Sephtis has already vialled his new, lilac colored potion, cleaned his station and put away the things Tom was done with. He now sat writing in one of his journals. Updating the theory recipe, he had written down back at the orphanage. During the process he had had to alter the amount of the last counter clockwise stirs. From twelve to 8. If he had not been paying full attention he wouldn't have noticed the subtle shift in consistency the potion should have taken after the twelfth stir. He smoothly, turned the heat down to a bare simmer for five minutes and the potion deep purple settled down

into its last stage, completion. Settling in the light shade of freshly bloomed lilacs.

"Alright I expect everyone to be bottling your potions and want to see spotless stations. Once you are done, bring me a vial of your completed potion." Sephtis got up after a small beat, plucked one of his vials from his station and went to the front to hand his vial personally to Slughorn. As well as sheet of parchment containing the complete revised recipe. Minus of any of his personal notes. The professor took them with greedy hands and immediately began them both. He opened the vial to smell it and his eyes lit up. "This truly does smell like pineapple! How marvelous! We shall test this out. Do I have any volunteers to Lord Selwyn's potion?" Evan immediately stood; his hand raised. Tom looked at him with a very slight sneer and stood as well, raising his hand. Professor Slughorn spluttered at the sight. Heir Rosier has never volunteered to do anything for another student before and Tom has never volunteered to try a fellow students' potions. Heirs Malfoy, Black, and Lestrange stood with their hands raised as well. Sephtis returned to his desk and picked up four of the other lilac vials, Tom reached over and picked his own up. Sephtis handed a vial to each participant. All five uncorked, smelled it, and then each drank it down. Evan swallowed and then punched his fist up in the air with a loud, celebratory whoop!

Tom is eyeing his empty vile with a mixture of possessiveness, awed, delight. "It tastes like pineapples too." Sephtis giggled happily and rocked on his heels clapping his hands together in front of himself. "Try picking up one of the largest, iron cauldrons. If the potion works, the cauldron should feel as light as a small melon." He directed. Tom was first to move to the east wall with the shelves of cauldrons. He took hold of the handles on each side and lifted. He starts laughing light and lets the cauldron dangle from one of his fingers. A two-hundred-pound cauldron picked up with the ease of a single finger. The other boys did the same. Clapping sounded through out the room. Professor Slughorn is laughing, clapping his hands the loudest with the most enthusiasm. "Well done! Simply WELL DONE! Fifty points to Slytherin for absolute astounding, genius potions work. Lord Selwyn, stay after class. We have things to discuss." Sephtis nodded and after the excitement calmed down, he helped Tom finish cleaning his station. Then they both waited at their station for the others to leave. Tom being bound to Sephtis, as his Master, he has a duty to be at his Bonded's side in discussions like this with a professor. He would have stayed without the bond anyways. Sephtis is his, bond or no bond. The door to the classroom swung shut and professor Slughorn walked over to the station. "Why don't we step into my office for this conversation? Lord Selwyn, would you like Mr. Riddle to join us?" Sephtis nodded and took Tom's hand visibly in his. He has a feeling that this act will show the Professor all he needs to see. He is right. The Professor smiles warmly at the sight of the conjoined hands. "Yes Sir, we take part in every part of each other's life. Lead the way, Sir." Sephtis says with a smile. Tom steps closer to Sephtis to really enforce their show of intimacy. Slughorn blushes lightly and then turns away from them and to head to a door at the right side of the room. They follow him into a large spacious room, very similar to their house common room. Large bay windows looking out into the bottom of black lake. He directs them to take a seat in front of his lavish, expensive desk.

There are over a dozen pictures on his desk. All of different students, smiling and waving. Showing off objects of their accomplishments. Tom pushes the two chairs closer and then directs Sephtis into one and he takes the other. Professor Slughorn calls for tea from one of the kitchen house elves and after that is served, he settles into his chair and fixes Sephtis with a serious look. "While we will be discussing matters to do with what you just accomplished during class, there is something else we must discuss." Sephtis quirked a brow. "What is it you want to discuss,

Professor?"

"I am wondering if you can enlighten me of your circumstances last year around the date off July twenty-fourth?" Sephtis's hand in Tom's turned ice cold. "You see, we sent you your Hogwarts acceptance letter last year, but it was returned to us a day later. It is highly unusual so you can understand why Headmaster Dippet and I as your Head of House, are concerned and curious why that happened?" Sephtis turned his head to look at Tom, his opal eyes panicking. Tom is the only one he has told about the Asylum. Tom gripped his hand tight and looked into his eyes, asking him silently if he wants him to do the talking. Tom can talk about it without out being affected like Sephtis. Sephtis nods and closes his eyes. He leans his head against Tom's shoulder. Tom turns his head to look at the professor. Slughorn in watching Sephtis with great concern. "I will be the one sharing this information. Sephtis is still quite affected by his past." Well mostly he is affected still by the memories of being powerless and the shame that he was subjected to such a place. A noble wizard child subjected to such a horribly cruel muggle institution. Slughorn nodded, his eyes not leaving Sephtis. "Shortly after Sephtis turned eleven in nineteen-thirty-seven, he was sent to a children's asylum. The Matron of his last orphanage was scared that his accidental magic was happening because Sephtis's mind was broken and or the work of the devil so she had had him committed. While in the Asylum, Sephtis was abused, experimented on and kept in a room smaller than a broom cupboard. The Asylum did not allow any patients to have mail. He wasn't released until late December of nineteen-thirty-eight." Slughorn has turned a light shade of green, and his expression speaks of absolute horror. He puts a hand over his eyes and sinks back in his chair. "What…What has he done?" The professor mumbled under his breath. But both boys heard him. Sephtis felt his blood freeze in his veins. His head turning very slowly to the side to look at his professor. "What WHO has DONE?" His voice reflecting the ice he felt in his veins. The professor dropped his hand, his face a mask of guilt. "Boys, I must floo the Headmaster. He will need to be included in this talk. I have no choice." What the bloody hell is going on, is the thought both boys are thinking.

Five minutes later Headmaster Dippet is stepping through the green flames into a room so thick with tension one could brew a potion with it. Slughorn vacates his chair and offers it to the Headmaster. He conjures a new one for himself at the side of his desk. Then promptly moving things along he tells the headmaster what Tom said about Sephtis's past. The reason Sephtis had not received a letter. Headmaster Dippet had quite a different reaction to the news than Slughorn. He had turned red in the face with outrage. "He said that the boy turned him away! He said the boy had a loving family!" Headmaster Dippet said with great incredulousness to Slughorn who was turning the same shade of red. Sephtis and Tom are getting furious themselves. Who is this person they are talking about. Sephtis stood up and stepped in front on the headmaster. Staring him down. "WHO. Who claims to have spoken to me? Who claims that I had a loving family?" The headmaster straightened in his chair and sighed in anguish at the realization of what one of his students has had to go through because of one of his own staff. "Last year, the duty of checking up on possible first years in the muggle world was given to Deputy Headmaster Albus Dumbledore." HE KNEW! THAT BASTARD KNEW WHERE HE WAS!? HE KNEW WHAT KIND OF PLACE HE WAS IN?! HE COULD HAVE BEEN RESCUED MONTHS EARLIER?! Sephtis dropped, his legs giving out, his mind going dark. Tom shot forward like a cat and caught his partner. Both adults jumped to their feet. "Horace please send for Madam Astaia. Inform her we may need a reneverate potion. Mr. Riddle, would you like some help holding Lord Selwyn?" Tom shook his head quickly, he had swung his little Dagger's body up into arms when he had caught him. He took a seat with him now, propping his limp partner against himself. He would never let someone other than a healer touch what is his. The healer appeared through the fire in some what

of a frenzy.

The tall, middle aged Grecian woman walked quickly to the boys. She took notice of the open fear and defensiveness on Tom's face and acted accordingly. "Mr. Riddle, I am healer Astaia, will you let me check your friend's pulse?" Tom looked her over, he hadn't been to see her personally yet. But he supposed she seemed honest in her intentions, so he nodded his assent. That obviously doesn't mean he didn't watch her every movement. The woman brought two of her fingers up to Sephtis's neck, Tom moving the raven hair out of the way. Not wanting her to touch it. She pressed her fingers over the pulse point for a few long seconds and then sighed and pulled away. She turned to the two older men. "His pulse is erratic, not to the level for great concern but it is at a level for a tad bit of worry. May I enquire as to what sent him into this state?" The two adults to her what they had learned, and she whipped around to look down at the boy in Mr. Riddle's arms. "I need to do a full work up. Who knows what the wretched muggles did to him. They can be vicious creatures." She said this, already pulling out her wand. But there is no way Tom was going to allow that. He scowled up at the woman. "Do NOT cast a single spell over him!" His voice low and full of warning, the woman paused but it is Headmaster Dippet who speaks in response to his words. "Thomas, the healer needs to see if there is any damage that can still be treated." Tom shook his head. "No, she will not cast a thing. Sephtis is not awake to consent to this."

"I am sorry but in this case, he is a minor, and in our care. We do not need his consent to check him over for injuries. Proceed Madam Astaia." Said the Headmaster. Tom snarled and erected one of the shields from his buttons. It would keep out even healing spells. "No! You will not! Sephtis has had his rights ripped from him over and over and over again by adults who think they know better. If you do this, Sephtis will see it as a severe violation of his privacy, and he will sue." Madam Astaia sucked in a shocked breath and drew her wand back. Mr. Riddle's words striking a motherly cord inside of her. She knelt down next to the boys. Her face tender. "I have a proposition then. How about you bring him to the infirmary, and we will do things in a much more private setting? You have my vow as a healer that none of the information from the scans will ever go beyond those present." Tom thought for a minute and then nodded. He stood, ignoring the other two adults and walked out of the room, Sephtis cradled in his arms. Years of chores at the orphanage have left him with a decent amount of muscle, so carrying his little Dagger isn't much of a challenge. Madam Astaia is right behind him. They walk into the empty infirmary, and she directs Tom to put Sephtis down on the bed closet to her office. As soon as he is stepping up to the bed, Madam Astaia is pulling privacy curtains closed around them. She turns around to see Mr. Riddle with his wand up and pointed at her. "Swear a vow that what you see one these scans will not be condoned to your personal feelings. Swear a vow to keep not only Sephtis's secrets, but mine too." She looked at him like he had grown a second head. "Mr. Riddle, a vow is a very serious thing. But…" She paused and looked down at the boy on the bed, remembering what she had learned minutes ago. "I can do that for you and Lord Selwyn. It is obviously important to the both of you." So, she made the vows and Tom finally put his wand down.

She cast two different scans. One for internal injuries both present and past and then one for external injuries, past and present. Two separate sheets of parchment started materializing in front of her in mid-air. It was nearly five minutes before they stopped growing. It is the most injuries she has ever seen in her long years of being a Healer. She gathered her wits with a heavy mind and

began reading over the lists. Tom ignored her, choosing to instead sit down next to his little Dagger on the bed, picking up his hand. He is a little alarmed to find it a little too warm to be normal. His eyes shot down to Sephtis's face, worry beginning to filter through him. Sephtis couldn't use his magic here in the open. Tom could only pray to mother magic that she would help her child contain his magic until they were safe away in their Purge room. Madam Astaia had to sit down in the chair next to Sephtis's bed. She had started at the beginning when Lord Selwyn was a child, and it was already absolutely horrifying. But when he reached the Asylum, she could not keep her professionalism, tears streamed down her honey-brown colored cheeks. The sheer number of different things those foul, horrendous monsters had done absolutely mutilated this poor boy. How he looks this normal is completely beyond her. How he looks human at all is beyond her. Nearing the end, the recent damages. She could not find it in her self to judge the boys. It is clear and understandable that this boy is beyond the scope of normal sanity. He is bound to need a different life style to cope with his trauma. The boy seemed to have a talent for natural healing. There is no way else to explain how his body healed itself from all this repetitive trauma.

The only thing she really can understand how the boy is sane at all. By this point, his mind should be completely beyond him. No human can undergo this amount of torture and come out anywhere near a lucid state of insanity. The only thing that could possibly make sense…her eyes glanced over at the other boy in the bed. Mr. Riddle. Tom is intently watching Sephtis, his thumb rubbing soothing circles on the back of the hand in his. She watched this silently for a minute. Contemplating the possibility. She decided the best way was to ask. "I have a sensitive question to ask you Mr. Riddle. No matter the answer, I will not judge, and my vows previously should assure you the knowledge is safe." Tom looked up her, his eyes narrowing in caution. She continued on. "Has…Has Lord Selwyn bound himself to you?" Tom did not outwardly react but internally he was rearing up to defend his little Dagger. He stared blankly at her. It seemed to answer her question for her shoulders relaxed and she sighed. "I suspected as much. It is the only reason he is sane enough to even attend this school…had he not…I fear that eventually his mind would have been completely lost to him. The sheer amount of trauma that has been inflected upon him…it would have caught up to him sooner then he would have thought. It is a wonder how he managed to stay as lucid as he did with the level of insanity that was already present, before he bound himself to you. He has made you his anchor to the realm of sanity. Though I doubt he knows it. His magic would have been actively seeking an anchor. Magic will always want a master that can properly harness her gifts. And with the sheer amount young Lord Selwyn must have, to have healed himself hundreds of times, and found a way to have lucid moments…it must be massive."

Tom remained silent, she is rambling, and he is not going to confirm anything she is saying. It makes sense what she is saying about Sephtis's sanity, or extreme lack thereof. Not that he cares much. But it is wonderful to have a partner in building his empire and having a non-lucid Sephtis would mean he would be more of a pet then a partner. Being Sephtis's anchor is just another way that Sephtis relies on him, and Tom loves the power in that. Its addicting and he shall never give it up. Sephtis would never give him up either. They are addicted, and possessive of each other and neither will ever give up the other. Sephtis's hand in his is already warmer than it was ten minutes ago. Not as much as it could be, and he only has Mother Magic to thank for it. Just then Sephtis's hand shifts in his, flexing. Tom leans in closer bringing his other hand up to Sephtis's cheek. He hopes beyond reason that his little Dagger hasn't slipped into one his true insane moments. Sephtis's eyes are flitting around rapidly under his closed eye lids. His face scrunching up in confusion and fear. Tom leans down completely to press his forehead to Dagger's. Madam sensing an incoming moment gets up quietly and departs. She will check up on the boy if a few minutes. As soon as she is gone Tom casts some privacy wards and a silencing ward. "Open your eyes my

Darling little Dagger. We need to get out of here and soon. Your magic is heating up rather quickly and I can not help you in here." Sephtis moaned in sorrow. "He could have saved me from that place. He could have gotten me out of that torturous place……. He left me there. He left me there. He left me there. He. Left. Me. There! That foul, loathsome BASTARD!! I will never kill him he deserves to live the rest of his life in the same tortures that we're inflicted upon me. I will create a living nightmare for him. Idk how yet, but I will. I will destroy his will to live." Sephtis said all this with his eyes closed. Hissing in erratic bursts. A random tear slipping out in the beginning. Even with his insane mind he knows to feel hurt when you discover that someone who should have wanted to save you. Left you to rot in your hell. A wizard leaving a wizard child in the hands of muggles that are doing unspeakable things to said child, deserves to be dismembered in a public setting.

"Sephtis. Listen." Tom's voice taking on a hint of command. Sephtis snapped to reality in an instant. He finally opened his opal eyes. To find Tom's dark blue ones just an inch above his. "You need to cooperate with the healer. Her title is Madam Astaia. She knows about our bond, and she has done magical scans that revealed the full extent of your past injuries." Sephtis eyes widened in outright horror. "No! No! No! No!" He squeezed his eyes shut tightly, his breathing becoming erratic. Tom moved his hand to grip Dagger's chin painfully tight. "Stop it. You can not freak out here. I will allow it because you very much deserve it but you must wait until we get down to our Purge room. To do that you must calm yourself-" He was cut off by a hand appearing on the back of his neck and a mouth meeting his with bruising force. Tom didn't hesitate to know that Sephtis needed at least this modicum amount of release. He kissed back with just as much force. Their lips mashing together in a frenzy for several long seconds before Sephtis finally sank back against his bed and stared up at Tom. "She knows, I want to kill her. She knows more about my body's past then you, so she needs to die." Tom's eyes widened in shock before he started laughing in heady amusement and delight at the obsessive way of his little Dagger's thinking. Finally, he shook his head with a grin. "We can change that fact and you know it. She is a good witch. The world and this school need withes like her. She even swore vows to keep our secrets and to not judge us on our actions." Sephtis sighed in frustration. "The room better give me stuff to kill again. Since you are denying me this. I can't believe you let her scan me. I should maim her even if I can't kill her. I vowed never to let another doctor touch me in anyway and magically scanning me definitely falls under that. She will have found nothing to heal. My magic healed any injuries I've received with-in hours. No matter how severe. I do not ever want you to allow another Doctor to do this again. Will you do this for me, my Master?" Can I trust you this way, is what he is really asking.

Tom closed his eyes for a moment. He should have known Sephtis would be more that sick of doctors. This part didn't even occur to him. He let his head fall down against Sephtis's chest. "Of course. You needed have only told me of this before and I wouldn't have allowed her to even see you. As your bound Master I have the legal right to make any and all decisions on your behalf." The curtain to the left of Sephtis's bed rattled and he sighed in irritation. Shooting Tom a look of irritation before he let his face clear of emotion for the most part. Tom shook his head at his little Dagger's antics and then he canceled the spells keeping their moment private. Immediately the curtain slid open, and Madam Astaia stepped in with a look of dark disapproval. Sephtis looks up at her with a curl of his lip. "Do not make that face Madam. I value my privacy and so does Tom. You being this angry tells me that you were trying to listen in on us. If that is the truth, you are a very dishonorable witch." Madam Astaia flushed in embarrassment at being called out. She had been trying to listen. If Sephtis hadn't had rolling his eyes beaten out of him in his second orphanage, that's exactly what he'd have done just now. Honestly, this woman. A doctor through

and through. Thinking they should be privy to everything in their work space. Utter, bloody, bollocks! Instead he fixed her with a disgusted look. "As I am sure your intrusive, inane scans told you, I am fine. Could you be honorable now and let me leave? I still need to eat lunch, or is that another thing I am not allowed to have a say in, in regard to my own person?" Her eyes widened even further, and she fumbled for something to say. The anger coming off this young boy, she had not expected it. But he was right, there is nothing wrong with him now. "You may leave. Have a good lunch, Lord Selwyn, Mr. Riddle. Do come back if you feel faint again. Sephtis just laughed, his voice full of spite. Not in the mood in the least to act kind. Tom took his hand and led him out of the infirmary.

Sephtis strode through the castle, caring only slightly for the elegance he prided himself on having in nearly every waking moment. But he couldn't care too much, Tom was right, his magic is really heating up. He can feel it like a fire being stroked to life in his blood. Tom is right at his side, matching his strides. It is lunch time, so they do not see anyone on their way down to their room. However, they do find Evan sitting on the couch in their dorm common room. He jumps up the second he sees his master come through the door. But he does not approach directly. He can see the turbulence around his Master, the simmering fury. But his Lord does catch his eye and gestures for him to come along. They go through a very large door in his master and Lord's room he had not noticed last time. The second the door closes, Tom pushes Evan back against the wall and Sephtis goes straight to the middle of the cavernous room. The room knows what its creator wants of course, and a very large ram appears across from him, unlike the deer, the ram tries to run, sensing the imminent danger coming off of Sephtis in droves. Sephtis doesn't even bother pulling out his wand this time. He just lets loose the full barrier of his magic. The room plunges into almost pitch darkness. Darkness Sephtis is just fine seeing in. But among the darkness are thousands of tiny little lights, like stars in the night sky. The hooved feet of the ram running on stone is loud and clattering. All he has to do is follow the flow of his magic that surrounds the ram. He reaches out with both hands, they start together, fingers laced through each other. Then he starts to pull them apart. The ram starts bleating in long, wailing screams. The sound of blood splattering across the floor. Skin ripping. Louder, wet sounding plops fill the darkness. The ram goes silent abruptly and a new one appears, running just like the last. Sephtis whirls around and around in tight circles, pulling his magic into the motion as well. Slowly creating a vortex with his thick, star dotted black magic.

The magical vortex picks up the ram, entering it in to the whipping, spinning vortex of insanely powerful magic. The magic going so fast that the heavy weight of the ram slows itself down too much. It is no match for the fierce force of magic. The hair and skin of the rams start to pull away from the ram itself. Getting sucked into the vortex. As more and more of the skin pulls away from the ram's body, blood streams out into the vortex, creating a haze of misty blood. Sephtis is soon coated in the warm thick blood, he laughs happily, finally having the warmth he missed so much. The ram is completely torn apart now, into millions of shredded bits. Sephtis lets the vortex die down again until it settles completely. He pulls two thirds of it back into himself now, feeling much better now, but he isn't done. Another animal appears but this one is a deer like last time. Sephtis uses his sped-up steps and zooms across the room before the deer can even blink. Sephtis has slid a sleek dagger in to his hand and has slit the throat of the deer in a long, deep, gash. He kneels directly in front of the flow of gushing hot blood, letting it drench him. He falls down on to his hands and knees, giggling in sheer joy. He has missed this feeling more than anything he can remember. The blood washes down over him in thick rivulets. From his head to his shoes, he is soaked in the crimson blood. When the deer falls away, Sephtis joins it on the ground to lay in the blood. He lays on his back and closes his eyes, purring quietly. He is sufficiently sated now. His

magic is calm and happy, he pulls the rest of it back into himself. Tom and Evan are still standing back against the wall, the room had protected them from any danger of the rams running into them and from the mess as well. They both are bound to the boy in the middle of the room so they can see through his magic too. But that does not mean they were immune to its effects. The both of them are sporting stiff erections and manic desire. Both for the boy currently laying in a large pool of blood and already thoroughly coated in it. Tom puts his hand to the wall asking silently for it to clean the room.

The moment the blood is gone, Sephtis lets out a pitiful wine of displeasure. He opens his eyes and turns his head to the side so he can look at the two by the wall. The sight of Tom's obvious erection has hunger gnawing at him. He wants to taste that hidden delicacy. But now is not the time, as his stomach reminds him at this very moment that he is hungry. More so after all the magic he has just released and used. Tom walks over to him and waves his wand over him, vanishing the blood mess on his partner. It's not perfect but it gets most of the blood. He crouches down next to his partner and pushes his fingers into Sephtis's hair. Sephtis closes his eyes in comfort. "Come here Evan, kneel next to us. Bibble!" Bibble popped into existence next to Tom and bowed to them. "Master Selwyn be calling Bibble?" Sephtis didn't bother opening his eyes or answer, still too much enjoying Tom's hand in his hair. It is Tom who answers. "Yes. The horrible teacher has been far naughtier than we thought Bibble. Today has been very trying for Lord Selwyn. Would you kindly bring us a large platter of sandwiches and each a bowl of today's soup? Also, three flagons of bubbly brew." Bibble nodded quickly and popped away. He was back in what felt like seconds but the time in this room is different. He reappeared levitating two platters and the three flagons of the bubbly brew. He sent them down to the floor next to the group. Just before it all landed a short, lap level table appeared under it and fluffy thick cushions materialized into existence under Sephtis and Evan who had knelt next to his master. Another appeared for Tom who took a seat on it. Sephtis finally opened his eyes to look at Bibble who stood waiting next to the table of food and drink. "How is the mission coming along?" Bibble looked to the young master. "It be going well, we done removed a whole quarter of the seasoning used in naughty human's foods. He not be noticing a thing." Sephtis chuckled and finally sat up when Tom picked up a sandwich and held it out to him. "Excellent Bibble. I will have the potion ready for you tomorrow sometime before dinner. Thank you for lunch, you may go now." Bibble nodded and bowed before popping away.

Sephtis gestured to the food, indicating for Evan to eat his fill. He wasn't in the mood to be the master at the moment, he is far too hungry. He took a look at the sandwich Tom had handed him. Cucumber and turkey, no cheese. Just the way he prefers. He eats it happily and takes another when Tom hands it to him. Peering over at his partner it appears he is enjoying a tomato and chicken sandwich. Tom likes tomatoes a lot. Cooked or raw. His favorite is definitely roasted tomatoes. Sephtis prefers them raw. The soup appears to be leak and potato today. Finishing his second sandwich he picks up his steaming bowl and brings it up under his nose to inhale the savory aroma. He hums at the delicious smell and spoons up a shallow bite to blow gently on it. He hums some more while he chews the chucks of potato and softened leaks. It is as delicious as it smelled. The meal is quiet except for the sounds of their eating. The bubbly brew is tangy, slightly sweet, and refreshing after the hearty soup and the filling sandwiches. Done, Sephtis lays back down to stretch out like a languid cat. He waits for Evan to finish before he gets on his knees next to Tom. "Come and kneel in front of me Evan." Tom gets up on his knees behind him, pressing himself up against Sephtis's back, wrapping his arms around his little Dagger's waist. Sephtis purrs lightly and leans back into him. Evan crawls across the short distance and then sits back on his knees. Sephtis cocks his head to the side, examining the sturdy-built boy with the short, golden honey

curls in front of him. His mark on Evan's core is glowing strong, he can feel the steady thrumming rhythm through his magic. "Today is an important day for you Evan. Today…" Sephtis reaches into his robes and pulls out the slim ivory colored, thick leather collar. There are very faint runes branded into the surface of it. They are the protections in the collar and the only ones who can see them and the three sitting together. He holds it up with a finger. "Today you become publicly labeled as being owned by a Master. Do you accept this gift from your Master, with honor, Heir Evan Rosier?" When Evan puts this on, he will be telling the world that he is an owned pet. There will be no keeping it a secret. Lord Rosier will no doubt know by the end of the day. Evan doesn't even hesitate, he goes down to his hands and knees, baring his neck to his master. "I will proudly wear the collar of your ownership, Master. I will honor you and our bond. I will stand fierce in the face of adversity and defend your person and honor against any who dare to slander or harm you. I will not ever deny our bond to any who asks." Sephtis grinned down at the boy before he leaned down and brought the collar around Evan's neck. It sealed together magically. Sephtis held his hand over the spot where it had sealed, pricked his finger with the tip of his triangle dagger and dripped exactly seven drops onto the ivory collar.

As soon as the crimson blood landed on the pale surface of the collar they were absorbed, and the color of the collar started changing color. The ivory giving way to the crimson color of Sephtis's blood. The only thing that remained of the once striking ivory is a detailed outlined image of the Selwyn family crest. The collar sits high on Evan's neck, resting at about half way up his thick neck. Sephtis puts his fingers under Evan's chin and brings his face up so he can see his master. He leans in and places a kiss to Evan's lips. It's chaste and nothing like the kisses between him and Tom but it is claiming none the less. "If anyone else touches you, no matter the manner of it, I will kill them in front of you. I do not share my toys with any but my own Master. Your Lord has as much right to you as I. Should he desire to touch you, punish you, or anything else, I will support his claims. You see, what is mine, is his." He brings the dagger in his hand up to Evan's shoulder and presses the flat of the blade against it. Evan closes his eyes, basking in the pleasure coursing through him. His master had kissed him…his first kiss given to him by his Master. Though it does bring him to wonder if it will be the only one he will ever receive. He opens his eyes to look up at his master and Lord. "Shall I be celibate for all of my days? Shall I be able to earn your touches?" Sephtis ponders this and then looks over his shoulder at Tom. "We shall see what he does to deserve our touch." Sephtis raises a brow at the 'our' he hadn't expected that. Tom grins and leans forward until his lips are almost touching his little Dagger's. "I am not willing to share you with out taking part as well. You are mine, your body is mine to enjoy. If he is going to be rewarded by such gifts as intimacy with you, I shall be joining in to enjoy you as well." That said he pressed his mouth to Sephtis's. This kiss is not chaste, and it is hot and passionate. Tom is staking his claim on the pert pink lips under his. Making sure Evan, who is watching with rapt focus, knows who this mouth belongs to. He broke away after a minute and nipped at the bottom lip, making it bleed lightly. He lapped up the blood with his tongue and then rested his chin on his little Dagger's shoulder. Sephtis returned his gaze to Evan. He brought the dagger in his hand up to mouth, licked the length of it and then pressed a kiss to it. Some blood from his bitt lip transferring to the blade. He holds it up in front of Evan's mouth. "Lick it. This will serve as your first taste of your Master. A hint of what you may be rewarded with in the future." Evan set his intense sea green eyes on his master and then leaned in to lick the length of the blade.

Chapter End Notes

I want to know what everyone thinks about Evan? How do we feel about this addition? He wont be a third partner. He will still be just a toy, a highly valued and bonded one yes, but still just a toy.

Our boys will always only have eyes for each other.

But that aside, Evan will be taking part in some fun with them. *

Also I want to add to avoid confusion, the protection buttons are charmed to adhere themselves to the pre-existing buttons on the boys clothes. They can be removed and added to other clothes. For the earing, and Sephtis's piercing, Tom did it for him of course with a simple spell of his own creation. Like he would let someone else put a mark on his Darling Little Dagger's body.

Class Schedule

Chapter Summary

Sorry, everyone who thought 'Hey two chapters in one day!!" Nope sorry, I just finished putting together the second year's Slytherin schedule and wanted to put it up for everyone who may want to see it.

Periods Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

6:30 Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast

8:00 Free Period

Charms -

Prof. Verbean

Herbology -

Prof. Beery

Potions –

Prof. Slughorn

Free Period

Charms –

Prof. Verbean

Free Period

9:00 Free Period

Potions –

Prof. Slughorn

Care of Magical Creatures –

Prof. Laibrook

Potions –

Prof. Slughorn

Transfiguration

-

Prof. Minjun

Charms –

Prof. Verbean

Free Period

11:00 Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch

12:10 Free Period

Transfiguration – Prof. Minjun

Free Period

Charms –

Prof. Verbean

Care of Magical Creatures –

Prof. Laibrook

Herbology –

Prof. Beery

Free Period

1:30 Free Period

Defense –

Prof. Merrythought

History of Magic –

Prof. Binns

Free Period

Defense –

Prof. Merrythought

Potions –

Prof. Slughorn

Free Period

3:30 Free Period

Free Period

Transfiguration –

Prof. Minjun

Herbology –

Prof. Beery

Free Period

History of Magic –

Prof, Binns

Free Period

5:00 Free Period

Muggle Studies –

Prof. Edbert

Defense –

Prof. Merrythought

History of Magic –

Prof. Binns

Muggle Studies –

Prof. Edbert

Free Period

Free Period

6:30 Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner

8:00 Free Period

Free Period Free Period Free Period Free Period Free Period

Free Period

9:00 Curfew Curfew Curfew Curfew Curfew Curfew Curfew

Ch 6

Chapter Notes

Here is another chapter, I know it's been a couple days, but that will probably be my pace for a while. Enjoy my lovely Lavinia-Etts!

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Sephtis Tempest Selwyn

Chapter Six

September 4th, 1939, 12:00, P.M.

The pet, the Darling Dagger and the Lord made their way back out of the dungeons. The Purge room kept their activities and lunch from passing any extra time. When Sephtis and Tom had left the infirmary, they would have had only ten minutes left of lunch time. The trip down the Slytherin common room alone takes at least three minutes. So there and back up meant that lunch is just finishing. They are first to arrive at the transfiguration classroom door which is still shut because the class doesn't actually start until ten after twelve. Meaning the door usually opens at five to. They are standing next to the door waiting patiently when three to ten the rest of the second year Slytherins wandered towards them down the hallway. The rest of the inner group is at the head of the approaching group. It's clear that news of Sephtis's unconscious trip to the infirmary has spread because many of them are giving Sephtis odd looks. Evan had been the only one worried enough when Sephtis and Tom hadn't shown up at lunch to come find them. Sephtis gave the inner group members a cold look. Their Lords go missing in action and they do nothing? They have never missed a meal in the few days they have been here, yet everyone didn't think it strange that they were absent. Tom must be thinking similarly because his expression wasn't much better. "We will be talking about everyone's lack of attention, tonight." Which means, inner group meeting. That list now consists of Evan, Eileen, Thaddeus, Walburga, Cadmus, and Nyle. Orion, Abraxas, and Corvus are still on the list, much to Sephtis's displeasure but Tom wants to give them a second chance. However, they are on the back burner of the group at the moment. They are allowed to attend meetings but not to speak or raise from bowed positions on their knees. This is to show them that they have disgraced themselves in front of their Lords and for part of their atonement, they must take places lower than all the others.

But the looks Sephtis is getting are nothing when Evan's new collar is noticed by Walburga. Her

eyes widen in surprised recognition immediately. She knows better then to touch a master's property because she was raised in a noble dark house. Traditions and Bonds were drilled into every Black generation. Just like her Lord's name on Lord Dagger's face is an open claiming that a bond connects Lord Dagger to Lord Riddle. The others who do not know, do know better then to go about asking about in the openness of the hallway outside of Dumbledore's class. They are Slytherin's after all. But that doesn't stop them from looking at it. Some with veiled disgust. Some with incredulous envy. Outright jealousy. Some anger. Some confusion because not all of them have ever even seen a collar. Especially not on a human being. Just when the door swings open, the first few Gryffindors round the corner coming into the corridor. Tom and Sephtis don't waist a second heading to their seats. In this class room they choose desks in the middle of the room. They refuse to put themselves at the back but in no way are they going to put them selves any closer to the Bastard either. He had been a key role in a nightmare Sephtis had had last night. He had woken with cold sweats and Tom trying to wake him. He had been back on one of the operating tables in the asylum and one of the masked doctors were leaning over him. Just as he was about to start, the Doctor's face had shifted to Dumbledore's who had then smiled at him with a kind, grandfatherly smile and then proceeded to cut his head open while he was awake on the operating table. Sephtis withheld a shudder of hatred and fear. He is certainly not about to show the older man at the front of the room what he is feeling.

Only about two thirds of the Gryffindor's are present. Dumbledore doesn't seem to care. He addresses the class with a kind professional smile. "Welcome back boys and girls. I hope your summer vacation went well and you and your families were all safe." He says this with his gaze firmly planted on the side of the Gryffindor's. Then two things happened at once. The rest of the Gryffindors burst through the door and to the Slytherins immediate satisfaction Dumbledore's clothes vanished. The very first key word having been triggered. The room freezes for several seconds and then chaos. The Gryffindors burst out into raucous laughter. They don't even care that it's their head of house. A prank is a prank to them. The Slytherin's are much more subdued, they are quietly snickering. All except Tom and Sephtis who are withholding malicious grins. Only allowing show of mirth in their eyes. Dumbledore who had froze in the beginning is panicking, trying to spell his clothes back on. Spell after spell and no clothes appear. Finally, he seems to realize he is in his birthday suit in front of a large class of twelve-year old's. He flushes and dashes to his office door. But not before everyone saw every floppy and flabby, pale, wrinkly bit. The blush had gone way done south. While it is highly amusing and excellent revenge, it is also disgusting. Sephtis feels ill. It is his prank design, but that doesn't mean he has to want to look closely upon the results. Tom shoots him a pleased, vindictive grin and Sephtis blows him a kiss, a twisted grin on his face. Making his Master happy is worth any of the sick he feels personally. He vows then and there that he and Tom will never look like that. It is only a minute before Dumbledore is coming back out of the door he had gone through. A new set of puce robes adorning him. The normal twinkle in his eye is there but it's dimmed considerably. "Alright, we have all had our fun and good laugh. But it is considerably bad behavior to prank a teacher. I ask that who ever did this, please come forward." This time and most predictably he is only sweeping his gaze around the Slytherin half of the room. He waits a beat longer.

"Come now, your prank was well executed. Come forward and be proud of it no matter the consequences." Again, none of the Slytherin's moved. No, instead their masks are back up and they are all staring at him with blank expressions. His face took on a 'regretful' expression that every Slytherin worth his or her salt could see straight though. He is angry and they know it. Dumbledore sighs. "Fifty points from Slytherin for pranking a professor." Sephtis stood up immediately. Not about to let this stand for a second. "Excuse me, Professor but I must inform you

that taking unfounded, unearned loss of points as a punishment goes against Teacher code of conduct, according to Teacher Rules and Code of Conduct edition two-thousand-eight-hundred and ninety-one. Section thirty-nine dash eleven. Taking such a action will result on the offending teacher being reported to the board of Governors. His position will go under review and will be monitored for two months to make sure no more biased based actions are being taken. I will go to Headmaster Dippet myself with the report. Would that be amenable to you, Sir?" His voice is even, innocent, and factual. As though he does not blame the professor for making such an error. Dumbledore is gob smacked; no student has ever used a legal code against him before. IN fact, he is fairly certain that no other student has even read the teacher code of conduct books. The boy must be jesting, there is no way that this boy had the brain capacity left to read such dry texts. He had left him in that place on purpose. This boy had been too dark to let come to Hogwarts. No, this is a jest. So, he laughed as though it is. The boy tilted his head to the side a confused, affronted frown appearing on his face by his laughter. The tension in the room skyrocketed. "Oh, that is a funny one my boy. A good jest you made." The boy smiled ruefully and shook his head lightly. "No Sir, this is no jest. I promise you that if you do not rescind your punishment of house Slytherin, I will go to Headmaster Dippet's office right this minute and report your crime. If he does not want to hear of it, I will contact the board of Governors personally. Either way, you will not get away with this unfair travesty to Slytherin house. If you still refuse to listen, the current Hogwarts Legislation handbook also states in chapter sixteen, paragraph four, that a house as a whole can petition to the Board of Governors directly if they believe they are being mistreated by one or more of the staff. In nineteen-zero-two (1902) of October the seventeenth two Professors were terminated from the staff. Because they unlawfully took away one-hundred and fifty points from three Ravenclaw's. Shall I go on, Sir? I have dozens of other references to go on to if you should need more proof that I am not 'jesting' you." Dumbledore is so caught up staring incredulously at the him that he hasn't even realized that his clothes have vanished again. Have been since just after he started speaking. Dumbledore's eyes narrowed at him dangerously. "Where did you find all of this information? Surely, you don't believe that I would just take the word of a twelve-year-old little boy. You-" Sephtis's held up a hand and shook his head.

"Excuse me Sir, but I feel I must also point out that any teacher who appears in front of a student in anything less than proper attire, is liable for immediate and permanent release from their teaching responsibilities." Dumbledore stared at him like he is strange, confusing, poisonous little bug. Before he realizes what Sephtis is implying and looks down at himself. He lets out an undignified squawk. And rushes from the room with a red flush. Sephtis however calmly turns to look at Evan, his opal eyes now containing a subtle insane light. "Pet, why don't you go fetch the Headmaster for me. I believe Professor Dumbledore is going to continue to play ignorant." Evan nodded at once and shot out of his seat. Sephtis stayed standing. This position will alert the old Bastard to the fact that he will not be cowed under his absence. It's several long minutes this time that it takes for the Professor to return. Wearing just as ghastly robes as before. He sighs in contempt seeing Sephtis still firmly standing. "Don't worry Sir. I have already sent for the Headmaster. He will solve this I am sure. Being as you are unable to comprehend what is happening here, I decided it was in my and Slytherin's house best interest as a whole to go above your head." These words have the once again fully clothed man, fuming. This insolent little Brat! How dare he make a fool of him in front of his precious Gryffindor's!! In his own classroom to boot! AND WHY THE BLOODY HELL DO HIS CLOTHES KEEP VANISHING!!?? He sighed and took a deep breath. He needs to calm himself. This is only a little boy. A foolish, should be insane and broken beyond repair boy. Armando would never trust the words of a mere student over his, his long-time friend. If only he could figure out who was spelling his clothes away. It has to be one of the blasted Slytherin's. Tom would never do something so brash so it probably wasn't him but there are others who would do exactly this.

Just then the classroom door opened, and Evan led the Headmaster in. The older man is huffing slightly. Sephtis withheld an amused shark like grin. He would give Evan some praise later in private for getting the old man to literally run down here from his office. The Headmaster took stock of the of the tension in the room, Lord Selwyn standing tall at his desk and Dumbledore in front of his own wearing a irritated but relieved expression. It is very off putting to see the man with out his customary twinkly eyes and smile. "What is going on in here? Heir Rosier only explained that there is a heated issue happening between Professor Dumbledore and Lord Selwyn." The last title on his tongue left an extremely bitter taste in his mouth. He will have to have a talk with the young Lord. There is no way on earth he will be sending that poor child back to a place of torment. He also needed to have a very serious discussion with his Deputy. What the man has done is illegal and it will have to be dealt with. He fixed Dumbledore with a resigned but equally irritated look. "What is going on here Professor Dumbledore?" The man in question flushed lightly. Realizing he is going to have to explain the situation from the beginning. "Well, you see, shortly after I started the class all of my…clothing disappeared from my person. I of course attempted to spell them back on, but it was to no avail. After I had gone to replace my clothing and came back, I asked the students responsible to come forward and accept their due punishment. When no one came forward I asked again. When yet again no came forward, I took points to make sure they knew that they would not get away with humiliating a teacher." Sephtis cleared his throat, bringing Headmaster Dippet's attention to himself.

"Now, I shall give you the details that Professor Dumbledore so negligently left out. What Professor Dumbledore failed to tell you is that he asked the Slytherin's what we did to him. He did not once direct his questions to the Gryffindors. Next when no students came forward to this blatant biased blaming he proceeded to then deduct fifty point from Slytherin for not accepting the blame he laid upon us with absolutely no proof." The headmaster shot Dumbledore a dark look. He has known Albus likes to show some favoritism, but this amount is absurd. "Then I took my part. I stood up and politely told Professor Dumbledore about the article in Teacher Rules and Code of Conduct, edition two-thousand-eight-hundred and ninety-one, section thirty-nine dash eleven. That taking away points from a student, students or house with unfounded allegations and severe lack of evidence will result in said teacher being reported to the Board of Governors. The punishment for such a crime is two months of supervision and his position will undergo a strict review. This action is taken to assess whether said teacher has taken these same biased actions before and might continue to do so in the future. I informed him then that if he did not rescind his unlawful action, I would come straight to you, Headmaster. Professor Dumbledore-" He turned a politely accusing look to said man. "- continued on to start laughing at me like I am an unintelligent foolish boy." The word is spat out. The Headmaster has taken to looking at Dumbledore like he has grown a second head and he finds it as an entirely foolish thing. Dumbledore is getting angry. Armando is not taking his side as he should be. "Is that all, Lord Selwyn?"

Sephtis shook his head with an apologetic look at his Headmaster. Laying on the act thick. "No Sir, I am sorry to say that Professor Dumbledore continued on to tell me that my jest while highly amusing was a good one. I went on to inform that I was not jesting in the slightest. I informed him then that is he still did not rescind his biased actions I would take it to you personally and if things still did not get done, I would enact the right of Slytherin House to petition the Board of Governors with our right of seeking out Professor Dumbledore's complete and permanent removal from his teaching responsibilities. He will be henceforth declared unfit for teaching and stripped of his license. As it is stated in Hogwarts Legislation, chapter sixteen, paragraph four, it is the right of

any house in Hogwarts who feel they are being severely mistreated under the biased actions of a teacher or teachers." The Headmaster is beyond shocked that Lord Selwyn, the child he watched collapse just an hour earlier knows anything about the book: Teacher Rules and Code of Conduct, the current edition and the Hogwarts Legislation handbook. And it is clear he has read them. It is even more clear that his selected staff, Deputy Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore has in fact not read them. If his acts of thinking the young Lord was truly jesting are serious. This is a gravely serious problem. This on top of the transgressions he and Horace had found earlier regarding Lord Selwyn. This will have to not only go the Board of Governors but also to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Albus has really landed himself in a boiling cauldron. And Armando after learning what he did earlier, will not be standing up to support him. He looked to Dumbledore now. "Albus Dumbledore, I need you to come with me now. There is much to be done. Slytherin, I grant you back the fifty points that were unjustly taken and for Lord Selwyn's extensive knowledge of school politics, I grant you an additional fifty points." A round of soft applause from the Slytherin's and cries of indignation and unfairness from the Gryffindors erupted at those words. While Sephtis strode forward to speak quietly with the Headmaster before Dumbledore gained his footing to listen to his boss.

Once close enough Sephtis stepped in closer and dropped his voice down low enough that only the Headmaster would hear him. "Sir, I must warn you that Professor Dumbledore is very adept at using compulsion spells. Keep up your guard and protect yourself or you may find yourself sweeping this all under the rug." The Headmaster shot Sephtis a narrow eyed, thinly shocked expression. Sephtis only nodded to confirm they could touch back on this subject later. So, the Headmaster nodded with another sigh, accepting that today is going to be very, very long. Not only all of this but now, one day into classes, he has to go out and try to find a suitable replacement transfiguration teacher. He gave the young Lord a thankful smile and then turned to call Dumbledore out of his stupor. The two men left the room and leaving behind a room that erupted into chaos the instant the door shut. Sephtis ignored it choosing to make his way back to his desk next to Tom. He did what he had needed to Dumbledore but dealing with foolish students like the likes of this he was not in any capacity to handle. He pulled his chair over next to Tom and sank down into it. Tom is looking at him with open astonishment. He had known that Sephtis had boughten many political books about Hogwarts from the shop in Diagon Alley, but he didn't know he was actually going to read them. He didn't think it would be for this. For yet another way to get vengeance for him. Even if this is rather different then his little Dagger's usual style, he is absolutely certain that this is for him. Not only had Dagger just gotten back the points Dumbledore had taken, but he also managed to get an additional fifty points! Slytherin has got to be in the lead, by a major head start. Fifteen points this morning, fifty during potions class and another fifty now. One-hundred and twenty points in half a day. Including the five Walburga won. Sephtis will be bringing in a new flock of followers after today's events, he knows it. He finds his little Dagger's hand from where he has sat next to him and gives it a tight squeeze. Sephtis closes his eyes at the touch and fights to keep a purr silent. His master is proud of him, he did good. The thought makes his chest tighten pleasantly.

Ten minutes later of the class being completely unsupervised, the Slytherins are either reading or chatting quietly and the Gryffindors are goofing off or trying to pick fights with the Slytherins. An adult Sephtis doesn't recognize steps into the room. It's a tall younger man with sharp Asian features. Very dark, near black, upturned, hooded, eyes. Sleek hair that's just as black, falls from a ponytail straight down his back, all the way to his hips. His exotic robe of jade green, pale blue and

white are regal, elegant and flowy. They move around him as he moves with confident flowing steps up to the front of the room. Once at the front the handsome man turns to face them all. He dips in to a half bow before standing and sweeping his gaze across the room of silent, awed students. Sephtis and Tom are equally captivated. Neither of them having seen a man of foreign culture before. A beautifully striking man of foreign culture at that. "Good afternoon, class. I am Master Minjun, I shall be here as a temporary teacher for your transfiguration class until a suitable permanent replacement is found. As I am to understand, this class has yet to be started today. I think with the time lost today, we shall stick to going over what you all learned last year and then tomorrow afternoon we will start on our first lesson." Master Minjun's voice is melodic but serious and give off an air of 'no nonsense'. A Gryffindor boy raises his hand. Master Minjun's eyes follow the movement. "Yes Mr.?"

"Heir Ignatius Prewitt, Sir. What has happened to Professor Dumbledore? When will he be returning?" Every student, Gryffindor and Slytherin alike want to know the answer to that question. Though for two vastly different reasons. "Mr. Dumbledore is no longer a professor in this school. If you have questions, you are permitted to ask your head boy or Headmaster Dippet. Now, who would like to tell me what you were taught last year?" That answer sends a wave of silent delight through the Slytherin's, and they need know no more than that. But the Gryffindors start trying to ask question after question, becoming unreasonable the more Master Minjun tells them to enquire else where after class as he has no answers. "That is enough." Master Minjun hasn't raised his voice, but it has sharpened and there is an air of a threat in it. The Gryffindor's fall silent in stunned shock. "I do not know what kind of behavior Mr. Dumbledore let you get away with last year, but I will not have it. I expect well mannered questions and good behavior from my students. If that cannot be abided by, there will be repercussions. Now, we are done talking about Mr. Dumbledore, as I have stated over and over again, you shall find answers elsewhere. This is a classroom, and you are here to learn. With that in mind, is there at least one student in this class that can inform me of what you have learned in the last year?" Tom raised his hand. "Thank you, Mr.?"

"Mr. Riddle, Sir. Last year we were taught the transfiguration alphabet, the formula, a match into a need, the switching spell, mice to snuffboxes, the avifors spell, flintifors, and beetle buttons." Master Minjun nodded, pleased to get the answer he has been wanting. "Ten points to Slytherin. Thank you Mr. Riddle." Tom smiled. "Thank you, Master Minjun."

"We shall now go through each transfiguration you learned last year. We will start with the match to a needle. After everyone has done that we will move on down the list, so on and so forth. Alright, wands out everyone, I want to see perfect, sharp, and shiny needles." High expectations. Tom, Sephtis and most of the Slytherin's pride themselves with meeting such standards. Five dozen wands come out and the spell is cast. Tom and Sephtis's are simultaneous. They are still sitting next to each other, Dagger his chair still beside Tom's desk, his needle on Tom's desk. Sephtis's needle is curved, longer and has a thinner point. A surgical needle. He giggles madly under his breath. Tom eyes it with disgust, knowing why his little Dagger's magic would supply that particular type of needle. Master Minjun who had started walking around, inspecting the needles, stopped at Sephtis's desk and eyes the needle with interest. Most magical people will not know the significance of this particular type of needle as it is only used in the muggle medical practices. Dark eyes rise from the needle to look at Sephtis's opal eyes directly, searching his gaze. "I would like to speak to you, Mr.-" He paused for an answer. "I am Lord Selwyn, Sir."

"If it is amenable to you, I would like to speak with you and Mr. Riddle later today." Sephtis looks at Tom. Tom meets his questioning gaze for a moment before looking at the new professor. It is clear that this strange man knows something about their bond… He looks back at Sephtis after a moment and gives him a barely perceptible nod. Sephtis brings his attention back to Master Minjun. "Yes, we can agree to that." Master Minjun bows his head for a short moment, "Thank you. I will see you in my office after dinner. It is located down on the second level of the dungeons in the north wing just down from the portrait of the woman on the black horse." Sephtis nodded and the handsome man walked away. Sephtis watched him for a moment, thinking about what this mysterious man could want to talk about based on the sight of his transfigured surgical needle. Tom linked their fingers together, grounding Dagger's thoughts from straying away from the class. The rest of the class is simple. They go through each transfiguration and then they talk a little about the basics of transfiguration. Master Minjun asks them at one point what each of them could use this skill for out in the real world. They go desk by desk answering the question. Most of the answer are unimaginative and simple. A quill on the go from a piece of hair. Random usefulness. The Slytherin's are a bit better but not by much. Sephtis leans forward at his turn. "I could use transfiguration to hide an object or myself right in plain sight. Say I am being chased and I am in a long hall here in Hogwarts and I have nothing but the clothes on my back, I could transfigure my cloak into a suit of armor around myself and hide in plain sight. With the hundreds on them in this school, no one would think mine is any different than those. Or if I am out in a shopping district I only need to transfigure my cloak into a large cage and catch my pursuers within." Tom chuckles quietly and shakes his head. He knows that Sephtis would have preferred to give much more bloody answer. Like hiding his freshest corpse. But hiding and capturing are still excellent answers to the question.

"That is a very thoughtful and useful answer. Thank you, Lord Selwyn. Five points to Slytherin for being creative. Mr. Riddle I believe it's your turn." Tom nodded. "Transfiguration is useful in many aspects, especially during this time in the world. Being able to transfigure something that not only protects myself but defends me would be extremely useful. I would transfigure in a duel my cloak into a large wolf. It would be quick; It would defend me, and he would attack at my command. Most magical opponents do not expect an animal to come after them like this in a dual and it will throw them off, giving me time to attack during this opening." Sephtis smiles almost wistfully imagining the sight of a large black wolf viciously ripping Tom's opponent apart, piece by piece. How glorious a sight that would be. "Another very thoughtful and useful answer, good job Mr. Riddle. Another five points to Slytherin. I want everyone to reflect on Mr. Riddle's and Lord Selwyn's answers. I believe most if not all of you could be capable of answers like this too. That will be your assignment for today. I want three paragraphs on a useful but thoughtful transfiguration. I expect to see some better answers than a piece of parchment turning into a burger. Everyone needs to eat. I want you give me an example of a transfiguration that is something useful personally to you." And then class was over. Next class of the day is Defense Against the Dark Arts. Tom's favorite class beside potions. He is most excited to see Sephtis's abilities and hunger for knowledge grow in this class. His little Dagger is masterful at using wordless magic to kill and summon things but not most other things. But he lacks knowledge in creatures and the best ways to avoid or defend from them. The basic magical knowledge he has is limited to what he taught him personally during the summer and everything he has read in books in the meantime. They have practiced most of this year's class spells wandlessly but now Sephtis has to learn it again using a wand. And his little Dagger seemed very eager to learn more about the creatures mentioned in the books. Tom is equally excited to learn more about the deadlier creatures. But the creative spells that have been made to fight these creatures is just as intriguing. It will be fun to see Dagger learn

and participate in each class with him. Plus, Sephtis seems to enjoy being taught the theory behind the spells which is mainly taught by the professors alone. Professor Merrythought is excellent with defense theory, and entertaining with her live creature demonstrations, but her own spell work is rather dull. Tom personally thinks she may be getting a little old. She is far older than Dumbledore and the Headmaster, that is for certain. But dull and old does not dimmish the strength behind her spells. She is powerful and knows her subject very well.

The seating in this room is single desks again but the space is the most different then all the others. The room is absolutely massive. White washed stone walls, witch light sconces line the wall far above their heads. A single, simple but large, teachers desk sits at the very front. Dueling equipment, mats, dummies, and cushions line the walls on either side of the class room. A wide variety of cages hang in cluster high in the rafters. Some house little creatures and others are empty. But they vary in many different designs, sizes, and types. Different creatures require different cages. Merrythought likes to split her classes by halves. One half is theory and learning about the various creatures and the best defense methods. The other half is practicing the spells themselves. Whether it is a spell that's affective against a human opponent or a spell that is affective against a certain type of creature.

Each end of the month also holds a small dueling tournament. They are only allowed to use the spells they learned that month against each other. This class they are paired with the Ravenclaws again. Which is smart because should they be paired with the Gryffindors in this class, the Slytherin's would see it as their right to be as vicious as possible to their rival house. But with the Ravenclaw's they are on almost friendly terms and are fairly matched in power. Well with the obvious exception of him and Sephtis. Professor Merrythought herself sits up at the front of the class, behind her desk. She is watching them passively, her white hair pulled back in a tight bun. Once they are seated she leans forward in her chair and gets up. She begins walking among the desks, looking down at each one of them. Assessing them. She is the first teacher to pay no special attention to Sephtis. She gives him the same assessing look as everyone else. When she is done she steps up in front of the class, her hands clasped behind her. "This year, I except to see some real improvement in everyone's magical core. Last year we were focused on building a stable connection with your magic. Learning defense is useless if you do not have a solid connection with your magic. But all of you managed to build that connection last year and so I believe you will be just as capable of building up your core. A stronger core means more magic available for you to use, stronger shields, curses, and spells. A stronger core can mean the difference between a vampire over powering you and either killing you or turning you. If your core is strong enough, you can withstand the turn by using your magic to disintegrate the poison in your blood stream that causes the affected change. But that strong brand of magic is sixth year curriculum. Today I want a demonstration on the size of your core. I want to see what each of you are working with. To do that, each of you will cast the easiest spell available, the lumos charm. When you go to cast the charm, I want you to first find the connection with your magic that we worked on last year. Once you have found it, I want you to use that direct link to power up the lumos charm. When you feel the steady flow of magic going to your wand, cast the charm. The brighter your conjured ball of light, the bigger your core." Sephtis hummed internally, debating whether it is a good idea to use the full force of his core. It may irreparably burn the corneas of every person in the room. Glancing at Tom, it is clear to him that he is thinking the same. They share a secretive wink, deciding together to make theirs clearly overly powerful but nowhere near their full potential.

"Everyone get your wands out now; we shall do this one at a time so I can accurately determine the full strength in the charm." One by one the front row went. Each of them managing an orb that would easily light up a small narrow broom cupboard. In the second row sat three of theirs, Orion, Abraxas, and Corvus. Theirs were a bit brighter than the whole front row. Corvus's being the duller of the three, Orion having the middle power and Abraxas's was the brightest. In the fourth row, Walburga's beat her cousin Orion's. Hers being even matched with Abraxas. Cadmus's is on par with Orion. Then it's Tom's turn, he holds up his wand with a small smile and casts the spell. He has no need to find the connection because he never let's go of the connection. He is always in tune with his magic. A small ball of light forms at the end of his wand. He smirks and then let's his magic flow into the ball of light. It gets brighter and brighter. Far surpassing any of the ones before his. It's so bright now that it could fully light their dorm common room and people start closing their eyes against the light because it's so bright in the already bright room. Sephtis claps his hands together with delight, letting out a small giggle of adoration. He loves watching Tom's magic, any form of it. If he wasn't in class, he would have gone to Tom's feet. He longed to do so but he settled for fixing Tom with his most worshiping gaze. Tom smirked at his little Dagger, seeing his adoring reactions to his magic. He cancelled the spell and turned to watch his little Dagger's spell. Wondering just how much magic Sephtis is going to use. Sephtis raised his dual wood wand in front of him and cast the spell. He let it maintain the simple glow for a second before beginning to feed it with his magic. In this class, Sephtis wants Tom to shine, so he settles with making his only about as strong as Tom's, a little less powerful.

"Well Mr. Riddle, your core seems to have grown quite a bit a from last year. Now we have Lord Selwyn who is almost on par with you. You two have very stable connections and good control over your flow of magic. I think I will be giving the pair of you harder work from this day onward. A few others have good cores as well. I am pleased to see this. Alright next we have Heir Evan Rosier. Please perform the spell, Heir Rosier." Sephtis turns his head to watch his pet. Wondering how good Evan's connection to his magic is. Other than the few spells he has seen him cast today, he hasn't really seen him cast anything strong. Evan cast the spell with a quiet 'Lumos' and a ball of light lit the tip of his wand, getting stronger slowly but surely. It got much brighter than the others of their inner group by far. About half way to Tom's and his own. Mmm he can work with that power level. He couldn't wait to start learning some dark magic and then teaching it to Evan. What a good little pet he will be. The rest of the class was interesting to say the least. She talked to them about some of the creatures they would be learning about this year and glossary of the spells they would be learning to use. By the end of it, Sephtis needed to use the loo and he wanted to go to the library for some more books. He wanted to learn more about the skeletal horses that pull the carriages. He felt a familial pull on his magic when he had been near them, and he wants to find out more about their existence and magic. He wondered if professor Merrythought would ever teach them about the skeletal horses. He felt certain she would know more than the books available in the library. Luckily this is now their free period. Him, Tom, Evan, and the others all gathered together to walk back down to the common room. All around them people are talking about Dumbledore being gone for good. A lot of gossip is about what happened in his defense class with the second year Slytherin's and Gryffindor's. Some have snippets of truth while others are completely off the truth. One small group of Hufflepuffs are chattering about how Dumbledore had a large duel with the whole class of second year Slytherins. This gave Sephtis a good laugh. Did they honestly believe that a bunch of kids could take on a fully trained professor? Even he and Tom being as powerful as they are do not have the necessary skills and knowledge yet to outright duel him. Sephtis could just have wished him dead but that would have put the whole room of Slytherins and Gryffindors under suspicion and if the Wizengamot approved the use of Veritiserum, Sephtis would be forced to admit that yes. He did kill him. Not that they want him dead yet. He hasn't suffered nearly enough. Especially now they know what the bastard did to

Sephtis as well.

Granted, getting their payback will be put on hold for a long while because said target is now gone from their school. But Sephtis still felt good with knowing that his last prank on the man would still be in affect no matter where the man is. He hoped to see it take affect at the bastard's eventual trial. With his Lordship status he is allowed to sit in on any trial he wants. But for the most part I isn't interested in that yet. That will be more of Tom's area. Sephtis will do his duty to vote on bills that Tom will want passed because the Selwyn House holds five seats available for voting. Five votes can be a big deal in a trial or used on a new bill. Tom is lucky Sephtis adores every aspect of him including his aspirations, he even shares ninety percent of his views as they are his own as well but if he didn't he would not use his seats. He hates dealing with moronic old witches and wizards. He'd rather have fun torturing them. Not killing them because he doesn't want to kill off more of their small magical population but a good spot of bloody torture wont harm too much. Blood…Blood…Blood….Glorious rivers of blood. Tom's amused laughter beside him brings him out of his thoughts he looks over at him with a raised brow. "You were thinking about something fun weren't you? You had a manic grin on your face and your eyes were swimming in madness." Evan laughs too. "When is my master not thinking about something fun?" Sephtis holds his head up higher and pouts. "There is nothing wrong with my thoughts, thank you very much. It's rather boring if I don't entertain myself with thoughts of fun. Especially during the next class, we have. Muggle studies. I do not believe that children who come from the muggle world need that class. We are well versed in their horrid, hypocritical, judgmental ways. Their cut open and dissect, experiment on, or kill anything that's different, ways." His face morphed into the uncaring mask, shutting down his rant before it got him trouble. Tom is chuckling at him again, Sephtis chooses to ignore his partner for now. Evan is staring at him in horror. He doesn't know how bad it is in the muggle world to be a magical child. So, hearing his master talk a bit about how bad it is, is very revealing. Eye opening.

Walking into the nearly empty common room is a relief. Quiet at last. The halls had been loud with roaming talking, laughing, or arguing students. This free period is only shared with the seventh year Slytherins and this is their NEWT year so they will be spending most of their time in the library on the first floor or in the second story of Slytherin's own personal library. The group takes a seat around the fireplace except for Sephtis who still needs to empty his bladder. So, he makes his way to his and Tom's room. He uses their bathroom, stops to check his appearance in their floor length mirror and is heading back out of the room, the door just shutting behind him when a hard body shoves him against the cold wall. It knocks the breath out of him. An arm comes to his neck with crushing force, cutting off his air supply. His eyes shoot open, and he struggles to look up to see who is attacking him. Its obviously a seventh year as they are towering over him. He recognizes muddy green eyes, ugly mishappen teeth and scar pocked skin. It's a boy named Harlan Goddard. A half-blood bastard. His breath is rancid, and the boy is breathing heavily on him. It makes Sephtis want to gag. But the boy is an idiot if he thinks Sephtis is scared. Fear is not an emotion that Sephtis feels when it comes to physical altercations. His faces splits in half in a deadly grin. His opal eyes gleaming in excitement, even as his lungs begin to burn from lack of air. He has had enough now, a dagger slides into his hand and in a split second he has brought it up and split on the boy's arm. Straight through his sleeve and into his arm, carving out a deep ravine. Sephtis purposely avoids the major artery in his arm. He only needs to hurt the older boy, make him bleed, terrify him. The arm at his throat erupts in a fountain of blood, coating the two of them. The boy screams in agony and the butchered arm falls away from his throat. Ignoring the sharp pain in throat Sephtis strikes out, his closed fit landing a solid blow to the side of the older boy's face. There is a wet crunch and the boy reels back, slamming into the wall behind him and dropping to

the ground, cradling his bleeding, sliced open arm against his body and is sobbing in great disgusting wails.

Tom appears at his side in the next second, his hands going to Sephtis's shoulders, turning him to face him. But Sephtis is still staring down at the blood seeping out of the open wound, a dazed look on his face. "It's so warm, isn't it?" His voice is a harsh and broken whisper from his windpipes being crushed but the whisper is full of warm reverence. His fingers touching the blood on his cheek. Tom shakes him harshly to get his attention. Sephtis snaps out of it and his gaze shoots to Tom's face. Tom is seething, his eyes burning brightly. "What. Did. He. Do. To you?" Sephtis swallows only to wince. Now that he has come out of his daze the pain in his throat is heightened. "He was trying to strangle me. But I wasn't afraid of him. I could have killed him easily…but we don't need that kind of attention. I want to know why." Tom growled sharply and pulled Sephtis bodily against him, wrapping his arms tightly around him. He buried his face in his hair. Someone has tried to kill his little Dagger. "He will die for this; we can handle with this attention. As far as anyone knows, we have never even talked to Harlan. His disappearance will not reflect directly on us." Sephtis grins against Tom's neck. He knows exactly what to do to kill this fool. "I will have Evan kill him. My pet needs to start dipping into his darkness. This will be his test of loyalty to me. If he plays with him first, I will be most delighted, and he shall have earned his first reward." Tom nods, though he is kind of bitterly jealous that Evan will kill a human before him. He can not be jealous of Sephtis because his little Dagger's first kill was out of spite and self-preservation. "Darling, I don't want your first kill to be some one so useless. Your first kill should hold importance. Evan will see this kill as important because this person tried to kill his master. He does not know that the boy would never have been able to, you do. We shall find someone else for you to kill. Do not despair." Sephtis says while place soft kisses up Tom's neck. He knows his Master wants to kill someone to. He will feel less than for not getting a kill when both his partner and their toy have killed. Tom tilts his head to the side, deciding to remain silent for the moment and just focus on the mouth of his partner on his skin. Sephtis's way of soothing his jealousy. Sephtis leaned back after a moment to look down at the older boy, he grimaces. The boy is quite pale now. Sephtis may have avoided the artery, but such a large wound will still bleed a lot, too much. He sighs heavily. He will have to heal him just enough to keep him alive for Evan.

"I have to heal the idiot, or he will die before he has finished serving his purpose. He is just lucky that I bought a book on basic healing when we went shopping last time. Or there would be nothing I can do." Tom frowned; this arse doesn't deserve Sephtis's healing magic. He remembers the book because he had read it himself after Sephtis finished with it. He wants to be able to heal his little Dagger should something happen. He is even considering taking healing classes in fourth year. Being able to heal what is his makes him feel safer for the both of them. Sephtis pulls out of his arms and crouches down to jerk the older boy's arm closer to him. The older boy cries out weekly, his mind slow and heavy from blood loss and the excruciating pain. Sephtis snarls at him. "Shut up, you sack of hippogryph shit. You did this too yourself. Never attack an enemy when you do not know their skill level. It's your fault you tried to kill a psychotic killer." He leaned over the larger, now shaking boy. "Have you ever bathed in blood, Harlan? Do you know it feels like liquid silk on your skin? So warm, and the color is so exotic and alluring on pale skin like yours. It will make even your ugly mug, beautiful." Sephtis said with a heady, mad look on his face, his eyes trained down on the bloody arm. Harlan whimpers in fear. Sephtis chuckles and pat the ugly cheek on the boy's face. "Come now, hush hush. I am going to help you become desirable. Don't you want to be desirable for once in your life, Harlan?" Sephtis says while his fingers are trailing down

in the open wound, withholding a pleasured coo at the feeling of the warm blood between his fingers. Harlan starts crying again. What a pitiful action. Doesn't the boy understand that Sephtis is going to have Evan make him beautiful for the first time in his life? How can he be sad about this. Doesn't he desire death? Why else would he try to kill if he does not wish to be dead himself? Sephtis hummed in pity. What a waste of magic. He would offer Evan's kill to the purge room. It will enjoy having a new influx of magic. Castle's as old as this often need new magic to keep the power strong and resilient.

Tom had gone to fetch Evan for him while he was crouched over the boy. By the time Tom came back with Evan just behind him, Sephtis has healed the worst of the cut and sped up his blood production with a wish upon his magic. He has also vanished away to bloody mess on the floor. He wants Evan to have a proper first kill and for that the boy needs to not be at deaths door already. The boy has fallen into unconsciousness, the healing had been just a touch too painful for the older boy's already shot nerves. Watching his reason for living and his favorite pet approaching he stands up tall with a serene smile and reaches out to take Evan's hand. He pulls him over to stand in front of the unconscious boy. Positioning himself directly behind Evan, he rests his head on Evan's broad shoulder, his hands at Evan's waist. They are both staring down at the Harlan, Sephtis can feel Evan is thrumming under him. Excited by his touch and the sight of the passed out, bloody older boy on the floor. "Evan, my pet. Would you like to kill this boy for me?" Evan twitched, his mind racing. The collar on his throat is thrumming warmly with the contact of the Master. His master wants him for something…he could moan at the thought. His master wants him to kill for him. Master wants him to kill this seventh year. Master wants him to kill. He grins and closes his eyes, excitement thrumming through him. "Yes, I would be honored to kill this pig for you." Sephtis chuckles and slaps Evan's arm playfully. "Evan don't insult pigs like that. Bacon is my favorite food. This boy can be referred to as hippogryph shit." Evan chuckles and shakes his head at his master's vulgar language. "Alright, pick him up and bring him through before someone comes along and finds us here." Tom said from where he had been leaning back against the wall watching them.

Now he stepped forward and pulled his little Dagger away from Evan. Wrapping an arm around his waist so they can stand next to each other. Their dorm knows they like to walk like this by now and has magically widened the entrance door permanently. Evan leans down and pulls the large boy over his shoulder. Harlan may be older and bigger, but Evan is very strong for his age. His father would never let him be anything but. He's had tutors training him in martial arts since he was six years old. But Evan doesn't complain much, he likes being strong. Even if his mother says his father is far too cruel to him. He is especially glad for it now, because his master has need of his strength. Also, because he is sure that his dark core and skewed sanity is what attracted his master to him. Which is due to his father's cruelty and unloving parenting. His mother had tried her best but eventually his father started locking mother in her rooms so she couldn't 'make his son soft'. Evan followed his master and Lord into the dorms and through the common room into their rooms and through the imposing door leading into their Purge room. This time the room has supplied a cozy, black, leather couch at the left side of the room. "Put him down in the middle of the room pet. We shall sit back on here. I want to watch every decision you make." As stated Tom sits down and Sephtis places himself down on his lap. Leaning on his side against the puffy arm of the couch, getting comfy. Tom lays an arm lazily over Sephtis's hip. The other propped up behind Dagger's head so he can curl his fingers through the silky raven strands. Evan turns away from the pair and drops the larger boy to the floor unceremoniously. He lands with a heavy thump. Evan walks a few feet away from him and then stops to stare and ponder.

Master said to kill him. Kill him, yes, but he didn't say he could only kill him. But why, why does his master want him to kill him. He turns around to face his Master, who is watching him with trepidation and is purring softly from his own master's touch in his hair. "Master, if I may, what did this boy do to you?" Sephtis smiled. What a good pet. "He tried to kill me by crushing my windpipes." Evan stiffen and his sea-green eyes flashed with indignation. He nodded sharply and bowed his head. "Thank you for telling me Master, and thank you for allowing me the honor of killing the moronic, sack of hippogryph shit." He turned back to the boy, more ready then before. He has some idea what he wants to do now. And it is definitely something that will greatly please his master. If only he had some tools… a small clatter near him has his gaze snapping to the side and wry grin stretching across his face. A waist high metal table appeared, with a white clothe over the top has just appeared. On top of the clothe sits a variety of short knifes, some serrated some flat blades, some with a sharp curve, some with a hook at the end. A melodic pleasured laugh sounds from Sephtis behind him. He smiles happily and runs his fingers over the handles of the blades, he has to make this special. It will be his first kill and what an honor it is that it is for his new master. He selects a flat blade first, six inches in length with a bone white handle. He moves the short distance back to the boy on the floor. And whispers a question to the room. "Please restrain him, I need to make clean cuts. A pretty picture and gift for our master." He doesn't see the magic, but he can see the older boy straighten out on the floor. He is lying flat on his back now. His arms firmly at his side. Evan walks around and then kneels down behind the boy's head. He is about to cast a reneverate to wake the shit, but his master speaks just then. "Before you make the first cut and spill his blood, I want you to gift this boy's life blood and magic to the castle. She is rather hungry and hasn't had a proper feasting of freshly sacrificed blood and magic in a long time. This shall be our first gift to her." The room thrums with magic almost visibly at his master's words and Evan smiles darkly. He isn't exactly sure how his master communes with the castle, but he always has a way of getting the room to give them whatever he wants, and he the rooms always responds notably to Sephtis's words to it or of it. He leans down, placing the blade aside for a moment and then pressing both of his hands to the bare stone. "Today, September the fourth in the Purge room, I offer the blood soon to be spilt to you, our cherished and revered Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. When the sacrifice has breathed his last, I offer the conquest of his magic to you. Let it power you and feed you strength." The room thrummed again, almost excitedly. Sephtis giggles softly and rest his body back against Tom. Tom tightens his arm around his waist.

Finally, it is time to begin. He casts the reneverate and Harlan comes to with an anguished cry. His body twitching madly as he tries to move. Evan leans down over his face, a maniac grin in place. "What are you doing? Where am I? Why can't I bloody move?" Each question a bit more panicked then the last. Evan tisks and picks up the flat blade knife and holds it over the older boy's face. "You don't deserve any answer after what you did and tried to do to my Master. But I suppose you knowing will make this all the more entertaining. Plus, I have a question or two of my own. If I answer your questions, do you promise to answer mine?" For an answer the boy angrily spits in Evan's face. Evan sneers and strikes the boy hard across the face. His punch hitting the same cheek Sephtis broke earlier. The boy screams in agony and Sephtis laughs in sheer delight. Evan smiles happily at his master before turning his attention back to the older boy under him. "Now, that wasn't very nice was it. How about we try this again. You answer my questions, and I will answer yours." The boy whimpered in pain, not even trying to keep up his mask. Evan sneered, how in merlin did this worthless sack of hippogryph shit make it in to Slytherin. "I will start. Why did you try to kill Lord Selwyn?" The boy's eyes widened, and he ground his teeth, which he regretted immediately because his shattered cheek made the action feel like a hot knife was being dug into his face. Evan brought the knife to the older boy's cheek and used the butt of the handle to press

into the shattered mess of a cheek bone. The boy screamed in agony, tears streaming down the sides of his face. Evan tisked, waving a finger in the boy's face in a 'no , no, no' with a mocking grin. "Would you like some more, or will you be a good sack of hippogryph shit and answer?" Another set of disgusting whimpers and then a tiny nod. "Why did you try to kill my master, Lord Selwyn?"

"Professor Dumbledore told me that if I killed him, he would help me become an auror when I graduate. It's all I've ever wanted." He said through gasps of pain, more whimpers and tears and now plenty of running snot. Sephtis leaned forward with a low venomous growl. "That old Bastard! He just doesn't know the concept of 'light' and 'good' does he? He seems to be just as dark as me and that's saying something. But at least I have the decency to kill people for the fun and pleasure of it. At least my victims always know it's me, because I make sure they see my face when I kill them. I mean how else are they to see the light in my eyes get brighter as theirs dims?" Evan snorted before bursting in to full blown laughter. Tom chuckles and kisses the side of his little Dagger's neck. "Yes, you are an honorable killer, and he is a lying, cheating, abusive, killer with false morals. They should be calling him the Dark Lord. At least Grindelwald doesn't kill children or lie about the fact that he is a mass murderer." Sephtis giggles cutely and ends it with a long purr. "Just another reason to torture the old bastard. Now, continue my Pet, we are getting to the good part. I think you will thoroughly enjoy it. Just make sure to cut in a diagonal line. Best access that way. More blood too." Sephtis said with a wave of his hand. Evan nodded, taking his master's words to heart. He ignored the whimpering and snotty sniffling and brought a hand to the boy's chin, tilting his head back. Creating better access to the throat. He smiled, looked at his blade of choice and then brought it down to the pale neck. It sliced through like butter and blood spilled immediately down the sides of the throat. Sephtis cooed in rapture. Tom curled his hand tighter in his little Dagger's hair, causing Sephtis to arch in to him. The sight arousing them both.

Evan cut an open a slit of about four inches in length, from just under the chin and down. The whimpers turned into frighten cries and broken pleas. Asking him to stop through short screams of pain. He chuckles and then got up to grab one of the serrated knifes. He came back, kneeled back down and got to work cutting through a layer of cartilage and baring the windpipes to the outside world. He grins madly and just looks at them for a moment. Wondering what they would like if they were outside of the body. Hmmm, it would take a long time to cut it all out and while they have the time, he personally isn't ready to do that in-depth into cutting a person open. So instead, he uses his blood free hand to cast a spell, summoning the lungs and windpipes out all-together. With a very loud ripping, squelching, sound the bloody mass lands on the floor next to him. The boy is dead immediately and Evan is kneeling in a large pool of crimson blood. The room begins to absorb the offered sacrifice, taking the blood, the discarded bloody mass of lungs and tubes, and the body into the floor. The room around them glows eerily red for a moment and then settles with a small rumble of satisfaction. Evan is left spotless, and all the evidence of the sacrifice is gone. Evan is staring at the floor where the body had been. Sephtis climbs up off of Tom's lap, making his way over to his pet. Tom is following right behind him. He stops just in front of his pet. "My what a very good boy you are. What a splendid first kill. Stand up now, my pet." Evan stared at the spot for a moment longer, where his master's shiny black shoes now stand. Then he climbs to his feet and looks at his master. He blushes almost immediately at the lecherous look on his master's face. Evan is captivated, his throat constricting. His master said he was a very good boy. A very good boy. He grinned dopily, feeling a warm rush go through him. He has never been told he was good at anything before and now his master is telling him he is a good boy. His master held out his hand in invitation. "Would you like a proper reward for being such a good boy, my darling pet?"

Evan stared at the hand and then at his master's face for only a few short second before placing his hand in the offered one of his master. Sephtis tugs him right up against his body. Tom steps up behind Sephtis, wrapping his arms all the way around both the boys in front of him. Bringing both him and Evan completely flush to Sephtis, who lets off a strangled keen of need, his skin flushing pink. "You may kiss your Master properly now and use your tongue. Its best that way." With the sight of his needy, aroused master and the feel of his body pressed tightly against his own, he didn't waste a second leaning into kiss his master full on the mouth. Sephtis purred in bliss and brought his hands up to Evan's hair, tugging their mouths tighter together. Sephtis opens his mouth in invitation to his pet, trailing the tip of his tongue across Evan's upper lip. Evan shivers in pleasure and opens his own mouth to suck his master's tongue in. Tom mean while is suckling and kissing at the side of his little Dagger's neck, leaving vibrant claiming bruises in his wake. Evan cums shortly after they start, his young body overstimulated from the adrenalin rush of his first kill and his first real mouth to mouth kiss. His knees give and his mind slips into euphoria induced unconsciousness. Both Tom and Sephtis catch him around the middle. Tom picks him up and carries him to the couch to sleep it off. In the room no time is passing so Evan can sleep as long as he needs. Another couch appears as well as a coffee table and a full tea set with snacks. Sephtis giggles with delight and plops down to have some while they wait. Tom just smirks and joins him, setting out to make their tea. What a brilliant day.

Chapter End Notes

Well, I wasn't planning to get rid of Dumbledore from the school that fast but when inspiration strikes, you just follow it through. What do we think of Master Minjun? I have some ideas to make him a reoccurring character in this work. I'm not sure whether he will be dark underneath his flowing, beautiful image or just understanding and grey.

Ch 7

Chapter Notes

Chapter seven will be quite interesting. I really enjoyed writing it. I do so hope you enjoy it as well. Enjoy as usual my lovely Lavia-ett's.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Sephtis Tempest Selwyn

Chapter Seven

September 4th, 1939, 7:55 P.M.

Muggle studies had been just as bad as Sephtis thought it would be. Several times Tom had to restrain his little Dagger from getting up and murdering professor Edbert. He restrained and calmed him by sending regular pulses of his magic in to Sephtis's hand in his. So instead of getting up to kill the professor every five minutes, Sephtis had been barely refraining himself from actively rubbing himself bodily against his partner. But it had worked, Sephtis had made it through the class. Evan carrying a pleased, satisfied smirk the whole class and all the way into dinner. Which was wonderful with Dumbledore's seat filled by Master Minjun. Tom and his Dagger ate a very peaceful and delicious meal. Tonight, would be a late night. After this meeting with Master Minjun, Sephtis needs to go down to his new potion's lab that professor Slughorn had come by just before dinner to let him know it was ready for him, what the passcode is and where to find it. He is going to go directly there after the meeting. He has the books and things he will need. Dumbledore may not be in the school but that does not mean he does not need to suffer. It just means that he suffers, but he and Tom will not be able to see it. A pity but a worthy one if it means that the Bastard is gone from a school of innocent children. Their plans would go much more smoothly now, and they might even enjoy this school year with-out having to watch their backs. Though now they feel rather silly having spent hundreds of thousands of galleons on protection items. Well, they would still be useful, just not as much as they were made for.

Tom and Sephtis walked hand in hand past the painting of the tall, naked woman on the dark horse. A ways down they finely came to the door that could only be Master Minjun's room. They had been slightly surprised that the new professor had selected to have his rooms down in the dungeon. Tom knocked on the door, three sharp wraps with his knuckles. A brief moment later and the door was opening. The smell of slightly sweet incense comes wafting out through the open door. Sephtis takes a deep breath in, inhaling the smell….mmm it smells wonderful. Tom's face says he agrees if the softening edge of his mask were anything to go off of. They walked over the quiet threshold. As soon as they stepped over it in to room, the melodic, soft noise of a bamboo flute playing itself over an ornate dark, red wood side table. An intricate lotus shaped, copper bowl of slowly smoking, burning incense. The dark cherry red wood played an overall theme in the cream-colored room. Intricate detailed latticing around edges of the walls, matching cream-colored, padded, armchairs around a small table near the fireplace, a book shelf in the same wood runs along the back wall behind an ornate desk. Delicate brass paperweights in the detailed carving of gazelles, with tall, slightly curved, pointy antlers. Some standing tall, some ducked down as though grazing. Some laying down, their heads up looking around, their legs folded under them. Master Minjun is standing at a different dark cherry wood side tables, fixing a large pot of hot water and tea. He turns toward them then. He has changed his robes from the regal, professional, flowy robes to equally as flowy, silk robes of light lavender purple that shimmer with the soft glow of lights in the room. They are open and the chest, revealing a deep, narrow v of porcelain pale, toned chest. The robe is held closed by a two-inch-wide clasped silver belt. The clasp is a life sized, matt silver, frail, flower with scooped, lightly overlapping petals. If Sephtis remember from one of his potions book about rare ingredients the flower is normally white or pale pink in color and its called Frangipani. They have a coyly sweet fragrance and are whispered to house ghosts or spirits. They are both enthralled by the sight of him. The feeling of the room. Master Minjun gives them a slight bow, his long hair now loose falls over his shoulder. Sephtis wants to touch it. Tom wants his little Dagger in robes like those one day. If this entrancing man makes them look this good then on Sephtis they will be ethereal. They both bow the same back.

"Welcome, Master Riddle, Bonded Selwyn. Please, take a seat. I will pour you some tea." He said, gesturing with one long sleeved arm. Tom stiffened in caution and pulled Sephtis to the two chairs sitting next to each other around the small round table. The tea service is set on the table, Master Minjun takes his seat across from them, sitting in a relaxed manner. He leans back in his chair, his arms resting on the arms of the chair. Sephtis leans into Tom's shoulder, wanting the contact with his Master. He tilts his head down until it rests into the crook of Tom's neck. Neither of them trusting the tea yet. Not after their experience with Dumbledore. Tom had trusted him right away the day he met him and that had been a dangerous mistake. This man is beautiful in an exotic, captivating way and that can be extremely dangerous. Especially since both he and Sephtis are attracted to the man. Exciting and Dangerous. He used a set of their titles that none other knows of for sure. He can feel Sephtis's weariness through their bound. "I am not usually one to be surprised by others. But I was certainly not expecting to come across a soul bonded pair like the two you." His voice rhythmical, lilting, and elusive. Like a sleek, stunning fox hiding among the roses. "I certainly was not expecting to find a Death Vorare among the throngs of children and foolish mortals. I imagine it is your bond to Master Riddle that is responsible for that. I also believe that you do not know you are a Death Vorare. A consumer of death. An immortal that draws in darkness and creates death to devour it whole. And now, you have bonded your immortal soul to a mortal. Tying his life line to yours. Made a mortal, immortal. What a wonderful little creature you are. And you have found yourself an equal in the form of a Master." Sephtis's mind feels like it is stuck. Tom is unabashedly staring at Master Minjun, and then over at his little Dagger, his mind

screaming the word immortal over and over again. Sephtis is stuck on the term the man had used to refer to him, a Death Vorare. An Eater of Death itself. His world seemed to be endless pathways with no answers about himself. Before Tom, those pathways had not even existed. It was like he had been trudging through thick mud…but then Tom came into his life, and he had been lifted onto a wooden path way that had appeared under his feet, holding him up out of the mud. But now, he knows that the pathway has handrails, and the handrails were always there, he just did not know it.

"Sir, that statement does not really explain what a Death Vorare is? You have also not told us how you know of our bond, and do not say it is because of my name on Lord Selwyn's face." Tom said, tilting his head up in a show of confidence. Master Minjun regarded the pair for a moment in silence, before pulling one of his feet which they see is bare now, up on to his chair. His knee at his chest. Sephtis cocks his head to the side, following the movement like a cat. Master Minjun is watching this with eager, intrigued dark eyes. He responds to Tom's question with out looking at him. "A Death Vorare is a rare creature. So rare that there are not any laws regarding them. But they are one of the most universal creatures known. Every inhabited part of the planet has once had one or more Death Vorares. Where ever there is death to be found, you would surely find a Death Vorare. But that was many centuries ago. No one knows where they all went. Death Vorare are always born into lives destined for suffering and sorrow. They thrive and feed off of all the death around them. But one thing that is most interesting is that Death Vorares are immortal because they quite literally eat the death of their own body and replace it with renewed life." Sephtis giggled lightly, closing his eyes. That would explain why he never died in the Asylum. He was literally eating his own death before it could claim him. He had been feeding off of himself for over a year. But it also made sense now that he had started being able to reclaim his mind with meditation after he started killing the nurse staff.

He giggles again and then sighs. Tom sighs too but in exasperation. He needs to know more! Master Minjun hums and takes a drink of his own tea. "After you turn sixteen, you will come into your true form and special abilities will fully open to you. I am guessing that you already have some limited access to them now. You can kill by looking at someone or something?" Sephtis opened his eyes and turned his head on Tom's shoulder so he can see Master Minjun, a wide, unhinged smile on his petal pink lips. "Oh yes, the first time was during an exorcism that Matron Burgundy had ordered from the local monastery. The priest was going to purify the demon out of me by filling me with his Holy Seed." He licked his lips remembering the feeling he had gotten at the time. "He was just taking his briefs off when I looked at him and I wished that he would die before he could defile me. And then, just like that, he was dropping to his knees and then to the floor like a sack of potatoes. Mmm I remember the warm rush and the thrill I felt that I had discovered a new power within myself. Here they were trying to rid me of it, and I was only coming into more of it." He laughed and shook his head from side to side on Tom's shoulder. Tom is grinning at him, proud of his little Dagger. Death Vorare or not, he does not care. His little Dagger will always be his Darling little Psycho Dagger. Master Minjun nods. "Yes, that is the basic form of your power. Later after you come into your true form, you will be able to be much more specific on how they die, and when. The rush you felt was the activation of your immortality. When you consumed your first death, it fully activated your creature. I imagine you also went through a growth spurt that night too. Death Vorare are always tall creatures. It is said they are born that way because they like to tower over the living, it is better to pick out their meals if they can see them all."

"All this talking about eating death, what exactly does that mean?" Tom says when Master Minjun has paused to sip his tea. "It is not entirely known exactly. Not many wizards have gotten close to a Death Vorare and lived to share its secrets. Death Vorare are extremely reclusive creatures, rarely are they ever seen in the presence of another and being friendly with them. Unless they are being mischievous and playing with their food. But that is quite different isn't it. That aside, I will tell you what I do know. The actual act of eating death has been hypothesized to mean that when a body dies, it creates a miasma of dark energy around it. Death Vorare eat that energy. The energy is dark because the absence of life is death and life is light, so death is dark. Darkness always fills in the space that is in the absence of light. Death Vorare only need to eat human food until they fully mature. After that, their bodies only need to consume death to live fully." Sephtis sprung up to his feet, his eyes filled with terror. "Does that mean I can not eat it after? Does it!? I need food! I cherish food! "Sephtis is pacing in his anxiety. Master Minjun's slanted dark eyes crinkle with amusement. "No, they can still eat, they just have no need to." He looks to Tom now, thinking about some things. "No one has ever seen a Death Vorare have a Master before. There is not a single record of a Death Vorare having a long-term human partner at all. Let alone a Death Vorare that has a submissive complex and a Master." Tom snarls and stands, pulling Dagger to his side, effectively stopping his bacon induced pacing. He knows his little Dagger was concerned mostly about the idea that one day he could never eat bacon again.

"Sephtis is not submissive. He very much likes to be his own Alpha. Just because I am his Master does not mean he is low-born submissive. He takes just as he gives. We are equals! " Sephtis just finds great enjoyment and pleasure out of Tom controlling and taking care of him. Sephtis also takes care of Tom, just in a vastly different manner. They take care of each other and support each other in every way. Sephtis turns his body into Tom's and burrow's his face into his neck. He is confused by Tom's words. He does not mind the term submissive. Afterall, he really likes to kneel at Tom's feet, he worships his Master. Tom does not worship him at his knees. But Tom does praise his love for death and blood. He does praise Sephtis's body. He even put his name permanently on to his skin. They are equals in many ways, in fact most ways. But Sephtis will always want to kneel at Tom's feet, placing himself completely in his master's control. "I did not mean offence. Submissive was only explanation I could see. Your bonded Death Vorare is quite different then I thought a Death Vorare would be." Sephtis growled softly into Tom's neck. Tom smirked and firms his arm around his little Dagger's waist. "I do not think that my bonded likes you assuming things about him. He is very particular when it comes to me, its best not to assume anything about me either. He is very protective and possessive. "Sephtis purrs in agreement and nuzzles Tom's neck. Master Minjun tilts his head to the side a slight smirk on his full pale lips.

"I imagine that that is his natural instincts coping with his personal feelings for you. I imagine he will happily kill and eat the death of anyone who tries to touch you or come between you. I would like to personally help you and your bonded. I will help him with his creature abilities. I will help you in learning how to be an immortal Master of a Death Vorare." Tom narrowed his eyes in suspicion. It would be nice to be able to trust an adult, but what does this man gain from this? Why does he want to help Sephtis and he? "What is your benefit for doing this? Why do you want to be a part of our life?" Master Minjun smiled coyly. "You are immensely powerful, attractive, and ambitious boys. I am of course, also drawn to your bonded being a rare creature such as a Death Vorare. In Korea where I come from, magical creatures are revered and protected. Some are even worshiped in temples. There is even a temple just for Death Vorare. There are those of us who believe that death is just the bridge that takes us into our next life. Into our next cycle. We praise the Death Vorare for allowing us the opportunity to move on. There is a legend in my land that there once was a Death Vorare that only ate the deaths of those who sought him out, wanting to

die. Whether they were already dying or disgraced or had other reasons to want to die. The Death Vorare would grant you the wish, but on the condition that he was allowed to care for and use the body you left behind. It is told that he used the bodies as sacrifices to fuel the protections of his home and grounds. Only those who truly wished to die could enter his territory. The temple for the Death Vorare is now in the spot that used to be his home. No one knows what happened to him, just like all the others. I am a master in transfiguration, as well as a Master magizoologist. I specialize in rare creatures like the Death Vorare, that is how I know so much." Sephtis lifted his head from Tom and turned it to face the alluring man. Something about him felt familiar just as the skeletal horses do. He detached himself from Tom and prowled over to Master Minjun, letting out a tendril of his magic and using it to gently probe the air around the man. He prowled around behind the man's chair, tasting the bit of magic the man was not concealing. He smiled like a hunter who has found its prey. He looked to Tom over Master Minjun's head.

"He is not human either, he did not tell us that." Sephtis said lowly before leaning down to smell Master Minjun's hair covered neck. Richly sweet, a hint smokey spiciness, and evocative with rich spices that he can only describe as the scent of death to him. He whispered quietly into the ear close to his mouth. "You smell like death…it coats you like a protective skin. Why is that?" Master Minjun grinned fully now and reached up to move his hair away from his neck, exposing the creamy pale skin to the Death Vorare nearly scenting him. Sephtis's eyes gleam in satisfaction and he purrs lowly, bringing his face down closer to the offered neck. The tip of his nose just a centimeter away from touching the skin there. But his magic is hungry to taste the familiar scent of death magic. The tendril he had released moments ago now comes up to stroke the exposed neck. Master Minjun closes his eyes with the contact and smiles in subtle pleasure. "What are you if you are not human?"

"I am a Bandemonee. (Ban-De-Mon-Ee) A cross breed between a demon and a banshee. Both are creatures of death and darkness. That is what your bonded smells. He will feel the desire to be in my presence solely because I am familiar and the death magic in me will help sooth his creature instincts. As he is drawn to me, so shall you be. Do not be frightened. I mean no harm to either of you." Tom growled quietly at those words, seeing his little Dagger, smelling, and leaning into the man is making him jealous. Sephtis looks up, meeting his eyes. He grins and beckons for him. Tom goes to him immediately. Sephtis pulls him into his side, giving him a quick bruising kiss. Assuring Tom, he has nothing to be truly jealous of. After he breaks the kiss he gestures to the neck still bared for him. Master Minjun is silent, letting the pair do their thing. "Smell him, like I have. Our bond will grant you the use of my abilities and magic." Tom's eyes widened. He had not thought of that. Dagger has indeed bound all of himself to him and specifically worded the vow to say that Tom is to use him. He just never thought it meant to use it like this. Physically use it. He leaned down, eager to see if his little Dagger is right. Not caring how odd the sight of him in Sephtis's arms, leaning over Master Minjun must look. When his nose is almost touching the neck, he inhales sharply. His eyes close on contact with the sweet, spicy, alluring scent. It smells similar to how Sephtis does. He had not even realized before now that he has been smelling his little Dagger. Had not realized what is was. The smell is very alluring but not as good as his Dagger. But still intoxicating. Sephtis leans down to join him, the sides of their faces pressed together. Sephtis has the desire bury his nose into the strong scent point just under and behind the delicate ear close to his face, but he refrains. Tom would not like that and Sephtis would never betray his master like that. However, Tom is feeling the same desire. As well as the same hesitation that stops Sephtis from doing it. They pull back as one and Tom links their hands tightly together. They retake their seats across from Master Minjun. Sephtis leaning heavily against him, desperately needing the contact. Tom switches the hand holding his little Dagger's so he can wrap that arm around

Sephtis's shoulders.

Master Minjun fixes his long hair back over his shoulder and watches the boys snuggle together, the Master soothing his frustrated Death Vorare. He is proud of them. If they had scented him now like he knows they were drawn to, they would not have been able to leave his presence for a minimum of three days. Depending on how strong they are and if they desired to leave him that soon, otherwise they would not be able to leave his presence for at least a month. A Death Vorare will feel inexplicably drawn to a demon and a banshee as they are both creatures associated very closely with death. Especially demons as they are death creatures at their core. A demon and Death Vorare will always seek each other out. In all of the recorded history a Death Vorare will only ever lay with a demon. But with the bond these two have, Mr. Riddle will feel and have the same desires as his bonded Death Vorare. But for a Death Vorare to physically scent a demon, the demon and the Death Vorare will instinctively bind each other together. In this case, it would mean all three of them binding. They are too young for now to be that close. But the need and desire of it will never go away. It will lessen lightly should they ever give in and scent him. The bond that will form, will give them almost constant access to a light lingering sense of his scent. But they will still be drawn to regularly scent him. But it is not one sided. Demons and Banshee alike are drawn to Death Vorares because the strong sense of darkness and death that they naturally exude around them is like an enticing, soothing and comforting, blanket. A calming addictive presence for normally chaotic predators. Death Vorares never attach themselves to humans, but they do attach themselves to demons. Banshees attach themselves to the Death Vorare. He would get as much enjoyment out of the pair binding themselves to him, as they would by being bound. "I feel as though there is a lot you aren't telling us." Sephtis spoke softly, his eyes closed. "But I also feel that we can trust you. However, what ever happens next will only be decided by my Master." Master Minjun nodded his head in understanding to Tom.

"Yes, there is a lot to learn that I can teach you." Tom finally reached forward and picked up Sephtis's tea, surprised to find it still warm and set it in front of him. Then he assumed his. Deciding to trust the man a little. Their enchanted protection items will protect them against most things that could be in the tea anyway. Sephtis exclaimed in joy and let go of Tom to pick up his cup and hold it in both hands, close to his face. He keened in delight, smelling the subtle aroma of oolong and hibiscus. He ignored the other two to focus intently on his tea. Insanity is best served with warm tea. Tom smiled at the sight of Dagger with his tea. Then he turned to look at Master Minjun. "If you are going to be a mentor to us, you will have to remain close to us. You cannot do that if you are only going to be here temporarily while a new Professor is found." Master Minjun smiled slightly. "I was not going to stay because as a part demon, I tend to like foods that are considered inhumane. You see, I will be teaching the thing that I eat. Not specifically children but one day the will be adults and then they will be food for me. I find it immoral to teach my food. Plus, I despise them, so that doesn't help. Demons, Death Vorare, and few other creatures, usually don't surround themselves with crowds of humans. We prefer solitude outside of the chaos that we are drawn to. Which is partly why I was so surprised to find your bonded here. Death Vorare would never purposely surround themselves with idiotic blubbering children. No matter what age they are themselves. They would rather kill them all and eat their deaths. It is so literal that if they are born to a family with kids, they will kill their siblings and eat their deaths. Sometimes they even kill their own parents, depending on the parent's behavior and energies." Tom looked over at Sephtis, cherishing his cup of tea like it is the only thing that matters in that moment. "He does want to kill almost all of them. But he behaves well because he knows that I have plans and he likes and shares my desires for my plans to succeed. So, he is good at tempering his desires. His desire for me outweighs anything else. I was the first one to show him real magic, he saw me

conjuring fire the first night he was at the orphanage I live at." His gaze at Sephtis now turning wistfully possessive. His tone calm. "It was the first time he ever saw real magic happening outside of his own unique abilities. He came to me on his knees with the hungriest, excited expression I have ever seen. His bewitching eyes alight with awe and reverence. He begged me to see more. I made him swear his secrecy and then I showed him everything I could do wandlessly. I thought he was a muggle." He said with a bitter chuckle. Master Minjun rested his chin on his pulled knee. "It was not until he saved me from some of the other boys who were going to beat me up, by appearing next to me in an instant when he had been nowhere near me. He punched the lead bully so hard he cracked his jaw. He took them all down in a matter of thirty seconds. After that, in our room he told me about his gifts. He had not told me before because his abilities are very different then what I had shown him. Which knowing what you told us, makes sense now because he was right, it is different. Those abilities are his natural gifts from being a Death Vorare."

"When did he bind himself to you? I can not tell by watching him as he seems to be completely settled in the bond." Tom sighed and turned his eyes back to Master Minjun. "I will tell you all you want to know if you decide to stay and teach us. If you swear a vow to keep our secrets only between us. If you swear not to leave us before you have taught us all you can." Tom feels like he should not be offering this, but he also wants to continue to be able to be in this beautiful man's calming presence and he knows Sephtis feels the same. Plus, Sephtis said he feels trust worthy. And the idea that a well of knowledge is within his reach is enticing. Both he and Sephtis love to learn. The man also knows more about his little Dagger's creature. So, if the man swears to them, he will tell him. Master Minjun grins like a cheshire cat and snaps his fingers. A contract settles on the table between them. "This contract promises you my eternal, complete secrecy. It states that I will teach you both and remain with you until a time comes that you both do not desire my presence further. I will be your Mentor until I have taught you all I know. Should you both still desire my presence, we can discuss a new label for my position in your life." Tom let his eyes travel over the man's revealed bit of bare chest and withheld a smirk. Desire is definitely the correct term. He leaned over and picked up the contract to read it.

Minjun Jae-won. So that is his true name. The contract appears to be airtight; Master Minjun will be completely incapable of sharing their secrets. No one even using Legilimency could get the information from his head. He would teach them whatever they desire to know and everything he knows. There is also a non-secrecy clause to be between them, meaning they cant keep anything from each other. Sephtis and he will have to tell their Mentor whatever he asks, and they have to tell the truth. No lies. At least it goes both ways, the man can't lie to them either. His eyebrow raised coming across an age of decency clause. That could only mean that the attraction he and Sephtis feel towards the man is reciprocated. But he will not touch them in a sexual manner until they are of age. Should they desire such a thing. Apparently he is not shy about telling them that this is a fact, and he is serious enough about it that he felt the need to add it to the contract. Interesting. Good thing he does not expect anything now because Tom is not willing to share his little Dagger. He still has yet to clarify with Evan what his parameters are for touching Sephtis and being touched. He sighed heavily. This will also affect Evan because Evan is Sephtis's bonded slave. His future is tied to theirs. He laid the contract down and fixed a resigned look on Master Minjun. He quirked an eyebrow at this behavior. "What is it? You do not seem put out by what you read so it is something else."

"Sephtis has a bonded slave. He is our pet. He hand picked the boy two night ago. His future will

have to be added into the contract. None of the main points of the contract have to change exactly but another will have to be added. The boy is entirely human. But I do not know if he is bound to my Bonded's lifeline like I am. I did not know it was that way for me." He chuckles. "We didn't know anything when it concerns my Darling Bonded when we walked in here tonight." Master Minjun hums quietly and looks over at the boy who is now staring away from them. Sephtis is dazing out, sipping his cooling tea. Letting his thoughts wonder far away. Letting go of the day's happenings. Staring out of the underwater window in Master Minjun's office. Into inky, shifting darkness. "Round and round, we go again. The darkest of nights and the blood runs red. My story lays in nights like these. When the moon is round and new, the forest is quiet and sly. The dark beds of the forest are alive with prey. Things to kill and wounds to give, with wicked grins scream my bloody insanity." Master Minjun grins and slowly climbs from his chair to refill Sephtis's cup with hot tea. He raises a hand to pet his head, stopping it just over his hair to give a questioning look to Tom. Asking for permission. One does not simply touch that which belong to another. Tom nods sharply. Master Minjun bows his head in thanks and then lays his hand flat on Sephtis's head and then trails it down in long repeating strokes. Sephtis gasps, his eyes going wide. "Master… come to me please. Let him touch you. You need to feel this." His hissing voice is almost a loud purr as he tilts his head into the touch. Tom feels significantly relieved that even in Sephtis's obvious bliss he wants him. Tom leans over in his chair to rest his chin on Sephtis's shoulder. Some how knowing what they want, Master Minjun brings up a hand to stroke Tom's hair too. He nearly moans aloud when the hand makes contact with his hair. The intense feeling of peace and serenity seep into him further with every stroke. He closes his eyes and feels his body relax.

Master Minjun speaks softly. "This is what it is for a demon to touch a Death Vorare. When Sephtis bound his body to you it created a direct link between his creature and you. Now my touch on you will feel the same way as it does for him. This is why they do not normally bind themselves to humans, because their touch does nothing for them. But you are special Tom, mother magic herself seems to have chosen you to be Sephtis's bonded. I will teach you, I will take care of you, and I will never abandon you. Sign the contract and your pet, as he is bound to you will fall under the bindings of it regardless of him signing it because he is Sephtis's slave. He would not be legally able to sign his name anyways since Sephtis owns him." When he finished speaking he cupped both of their cheeks and crouched down so they can see his face. "You will be my beautiful students of death and destruction and I will help you achieve all your goals as if they are my own." They leaned into the warm hands on their cheeks. Tom nodded his head, after feeling this with Sephtis how could he not and deny himself this and everything else that is in the contract. Thumbs stroked over their cheeks just thrice and then the hands left both boy's faces. Sephtis mewled in distraught his eyes flying open at the loss of contact. Tom composed himself and opened his eyes, not liking to hear his little Dagger in such a state. He tucked a hand under his chin, turning his face towards his. He leaned in the short distance and pressed their mouths together. Sephtis almost wept, he brought his arms up and turned in his chair to kiss his Master better, closer. By the time they broke apart Sephtis in panting and half laying across Tom's lap.

Master Minjun is back in his chair and watching them with amused interest. His dark eyes narrowed in desire. "He is quite the voracious one, isn't he." It is a statement and Tom laughs softly with a curt nod. Then he reaches out with one hand and signs the contract over Sephtis in his lap who is cuddling into his chest. Him being the Master he can sign both of their names. Master Minjun reaches out to turn the contract to himself and signs his own name. The contract promptly rolls up with a snap and vanishes. "When we are alone, you may call me just Minjun. Now that I am your mentor for the foreseeable and unforeseen future, during the holidays and in the summers you will come live with me in Korea. I do not care to be surrounded by these humans any more

than necessary, nor do I like to be away from my home for too long and now I shall be here teaching for many months." Sephtis turned in Tom's lap so he could stare at Minjun just as Tom already is. "Live with you? In Korea?" Sephtis's voice is riddled with incredulousness. Minjun scoffs. "Like I would allow my two favorite students to go back to a filthy muggle orphanage. I do not know of your past yet but you have already mentioned one exorcism and anyplace that is muggle, is not a place for magicals. Especially creatures. They are unworthy, dirty scum under your feet. Neither of you should have been left there in the first place. In Korea magical children born in the muggle world are taken the same night as their birth. The mother healed of any traces of her child bearing and then both parents are obliviated. " Sephtis starts giggling madly, letting some of insanity leak into it. It is unnerving sound and the sight of the tears on his cheeks only add to it. Tom feels like a heavy weight has just suddenly slipped off of his entire being. His mind is racing his chest aching, his vision swims. He is abruptly overwhelmed. Sephtis notices immediately and slips down to knees at Tom's feet. He bares his neck and pulls one of Tom's hands to his pulse point.

"I am here Master. Focus on the pulsing of my lifeblood. Hear my words and know I am with you. Breath, my everything. Breath… That's it, there you are…It is alright now. We never have to go back there." Tom listened to his little Dagger's hissed words and let it sooth him. The steady pulsing under his palm, the reassuring, steadying sight of Sephtis on his knees at his feet. Reminding him of his control and strength. Minjun is watching the sight curiously, watching them interact. Sephtis knows how to calm his Master like an expert. They are truly fit for each other. Mother magic knew what she was doing joining these two. Now he has been blessed to have them join his life. In ways he does not even for see yet.

The pair stays for another ten minutes, finishing their tea in silence. Each of the trio just absorbing the recent changes in their life. Sephtis and Tom have now learned Sephtis is a creature. They are both immortal, they never have to return to the orphanage and now they have a mentor that they are both inexplicably drawn to. Who is taking them to live in a new country. Dumbledore is gone from the school. Evan had his first kill. What a day. Minjun had walked them to the door and for a good bye he had cupped their cheeks once again and then placed a kiss to the crowns of their head. Filling them both with the intense, addicting feeling from earlier. Then he had bid them good night and watched them leave before shutting the door. They are walking down to Sephtis's new lab now, needing to still brew the potion for Dumbledore. Each of them has an arm wrapped around the others waist. Not willing to be further apart after the overwhelming time they had just spent with their new mentor. They did not speak until they had closed the door behind them, and it locked into place. Further still until the ingredients for the potion prepped and the copper cauldron filed with thrice purified water was coming to a boil over open flames. Sitting on stools close enough to be pressed against each other's sides. "We are immortal, and I consume death. How wonderful." Tom nodded, his eyes on the pot. "One day. We did not make it through wone day of classes before we changed our whole life. " Sephtis hummed softly. "We don't ever have to go back to that place…I can't even believe it." Tom said quietly, his voice thick with emotion. Sephtis continued humming, it is a haunting, lilting tone, soothing and bewitching. They brewed the potion in sync, as though they moved as one. Sephtis humming the whole time. Keeping the mood calm and entrancing. When they had finished, bottled, and returned to their rooms they undressed and climbed into bed, wrapping themselves around each other. "Tom…" He said from his place on Tom's shoulder. Tom shifted his eyes took into Sephtis's. He is slightly surprised to find worry and a touch of fear in them. "What is it, my Darling Dagger."

"I allowed Evan to properly kiss me today…his tongue was in my mouth…"He trailed off, his face becoming haunted. "What is causing this? I thought you wanted to reward him this way. He did earn it?" Sephtis tilted his head closer to Tom's. "I do. He did. But it was not yours…" Tom smirked in realization and gratification swept through him. He leaned forward and swiped his tongue across Sephtis's lips. Sephtis shivered in his arms and Tom did it again. "Like this…?" He asks in a whisper. Sephtis arches his hips against his Master. "Y-Yes…please I need you to touch me and replace my memories. I cannot go to sleep with his touch being the last left on me…I need you." Tom growled possessively. Extremely pleased with his little creature Dagger. He opened his mouth fully and placed it over Sephtis's mouth, sucking his lips into his mouth. Sephtis shuddered, mewling in pleasure, thoroughly enjoying the wet, warmth encasing his lips. Tom bitt down gently, not willing to risk serious injuring his little Dagger by piercing through his lips on accident. He released Sephtis's mouth to whisper against his lips. "Show me where he touched you, my Darling Eater of Death." Sephtis moaned outright hearing the new term. Tom pulled away from Sephtis and kneeled beside his little creature Dagger. Sephtis held up his hands, where Evan had touched them. Tom reaches out and takes the hands in his. He brings them up to his face, place a kiss in each palm and then placing them both flat of cheeks, watching Sephtis's pale eyes watch him, transfixed. Whimpers of need start tumbling out of Sephtis when he starts sucking each finger into his mouth. One by one. His eyes never leaving his little Dagger's.

As he finished sucking the last finger, the little pinky on Sephtis's left hand, he let off it with a small pop. "Where now, my Darling Dagger." His low, husky voiced caused a shudder so strong in Sephtis that he squirmed in place, biting down hard on his lip. Tom watched, enraptured by the sight of it, his eyes flashing. "Ev-Everywhere." Sephtis stuttered out. Tom licked his lips crawled to Sephtis's feet, pushing the blanket back and away as he went. Kneeling at Sephtis's feet, he realized that he has never kneeled at Sephtis's feet before and a thrill went through him. He shuddered and clenched his hands. He never thought he would be so aroused by the act of kneeling at his little Dagger's feet. Sephtis is watching him, thinking remarkably similar thoughts. He had just earlier thought of how Tom has never kneeled at his feet. The sight of it happening right at this very moment is arousing to no end. "Oh, my Master…too see you there, at my feet… it makes my head spin…please touch me…or I might combust." Tom grins devilishly and places his hands on Sephtis's toes, trailing his hands up his feet, across the skin of his ankles. Until he reaches the bottoms of Dagger's pajama bottoms, and he moves his hands to go up the legs on top of the fuzzy clothe. Sephtis moves his hands up above his head to grip into the pillows under him. He arches up into Tom's caressing hands that are now slowing traveling over the hollows between his hips, his fingers splayed wide to touch as much of his little Dagger as possible. Sephtis hisses in pleasure at the shivers Tom's hands are inducing in him. At this point Tom has crawled up Sephtis's body so he can keep his hands going up across the hollow dip of his stomach. Fingers scrape across already hardened nipples. Sephtis gasps and arches up sharply into Tom. His whole body quivering. Tom lays himself flat on top of his little Dagger now, covering every inch of him with his body. Sephtis's eyes dilate in thrilling pleasure.

Tom brings his mouth down to Sephtis's wanting to capture what he is positive to come with his next move. He coaxes Sephtis's mouth open with his tongue and then ravages the mouth greedily. He thrusts his hips hard against his little Dagger's. The result is a silent scream, the body under his shuddering violently with its climax, it brings Tom's out of him in turn. He stiffens and jerks with

his release, panting lowly. Sephtis starts laughing softly and his arms come down to wrap around Tom's neck, holding him in place on top of him. "Mmm you always know just how to touch me… just how to build me up and then bring me off. Make sure you always reclaim what I allow him to touch. I don't ever want his touch to linger, longer than yours…" he trails off as a new thought comes to him, and his chest grows heavy with disgust and possessiveness. Tom lifts his head from Sephtis's chest, feeling the sudden shift in mood. "What? What is it? Are you hurt?" Sephtis looks down at him and the raw look in those opal eyes makes Tom's chest ache. "What is the matter?" Sephtis's bottom lip trembles. "Please don't ever let him…inside of me…" He cannot finish the thought, his heart aching sharply and his stomach churning in filthy disgust at the thought of anyone but Tom touching him like that. Tom growls fiercely, reaching up to grip Sephtis's chin in an iron vise. Dagger's eyes shoot to his is slight shock. Tom bears down over him. Angry possessiveness rolling off of him in waves. "The only one who shall ever enter your body, is me. Your body is mine." He growls out the last word. Sephtis's mood shifts immediately, he moves like a striking snake, his mouth meeting Tom's in renewed hungry fervor. Tom's hands are a bruising force on his hips and Sephtis cries out into Tom's mouth.

The kiss is so fierce and harsh that both of their bottom lips split and bleed. Tom breaks away when breathing becomes an undeniable need. Sephtis is a flushed, bloodied, debauched mess under him. Tom moves his hand down to Dagger's knee, drawing it up along his hip. Sephtis keens at the touch and movement. Tom slides his hand down the underside of the leg, caressing the thigh. It stops just over the clothe covered entrance of his little Dagger. Sephtis's eyes go wide and his body shoots up into a high arch. He comes again just from that simple touch. Tom waits but doesn't move his hand away from the spot. When Sephtis falls back against the bed, spent. Tom speaks. "This is mine and mine only. I will never let Evan touch you here in any way. Nor will I let-" He moves the hand now to gently cover the spent, soft member of his partner. "-you enter him. When it comes to rewarding him with such things like that, we will come up with alternatives." Sephtis's eyes narrow. "If you think for a second I will let you use your body, think again. Because I'd kill him myself if you did such a thing." Tom chuckled and shook his head. "No, I will only ever touch and enter you with my body." He lays down beside Sephtis, spelling their bodies clean of the sticky messes. His little Dagger curls up on him, his leg going between his and his arm across his chest, head on his shoulder. "Well, except possibly Minjun in the distant future. He wants the both of us when we are of age." Sephtis blushes, remembering just how good those simple touches felt earlier. "He does?" Tom nods. "Yes, he even put it in the contract that when we are of age and if we want him as well, he wants to ravage and enjoy both of our bodies. He also worded the contract in a way that stipulates, we could stay with him forever should we desire to keep him. Should we desire to bring him into our fold." Sephtis yawns and closes his eyes contentedly. "I am glad he wants to wait. That gives us two years to do things just us after we turn fifteen and try it for ourselves. Two years to be utterly and completely selfish of each other. Also means that should we desire to try him out, we will be experienced and not going in to it as blind virgins."

Tom's drawing slow lazy circles on his back. "Yes, I think that will help when we need to decide things. I mean he looks like he is barely twenty-three but knowing he is a creature, a Bandemonee, he could be hundreds of years old. How much experience does one gain from living that long? How many other partners will he have lain with? We are both selfish, possessive and obsessive, that fact may bother us when he tells us the answer." Sephtis giggles sleepily. "So, then we hunt down each of the past others and we kill them. I will eat their deaths and we will feel better having reclaimed his honor for ourselves. He will never step out on us, I feel it. My creature knows it instinctively. Thin tethers of a bond between us are already forming, and a bond between a demon and a Death Vorare is for eternity. I imagine fidelity plays a heavy hand in that. We are both

creatures of death, to betray one another, could only ever lead to death." Tom closes his eyes with a smile. "Yes, he would be faithful. And we will be hunting the past partners. We already signed the contract. It is our right to hold conquest over such a matter." Sephtis shooshes him, almost asleep. "Mmm what a feast that will be for me………….delicious…" Tom is asleep before the ' i ' in the last word and Sephtis follows right after. Morpheus takes them both away.

September 8th, 1939, Friday, 6:20 P.M.

It's been a long four days since the last the first day of the school year. But it has been good for the most part. Sephtis tried to kill Professor Edbert in class again yesterday. But he really loves care of magical creatures if only because he gets to be around the creatures. Because Professor Laibrook is daft and full of herself. The hodag, a frog headed dog like creature with glowing red eyes, seemed to only want to eat her. Which after she explained that they mainly only eat mooncalves, it seemed highly suspicious. Sephtis felt sure she must be mistreating the creature for it to hate her so much. Herbology was interesting and informative, but Sephtis only liked the class because the knowledge of the plants would further his studies into potion crafting. Professor Beery being much more interested in his showy displays and theatrical bouts of sonnets from plays he has 'personally written.' Amusing but also annoying. History of Magic turned out to be the worst however for Sephtis because he had really been looking forward to learning the proud history of the magical world. Only to sit down to a class about a goblin war that happened TWO BLOODY CENTURIES ago. The second the class had let out, Sephtis had turned on Tom and asked him point blank if the class was the same every session. Tom had smirked and nodded. Fueling his little Dagger's ire. Sephtis vowed to talk to Minjun about getting rid of the seriously incompetent teacher. If he could not, Sephtis would kill him and viciously eat the death.

Potions, charms, and defense continued to be excellent, educating classes. Sephtis continued to impress professor Slughorn with his potion creations or recreations. Charms had become his favorite class, teacher wise. Not counting Minjun because they have a different student/mentor relationship entirely. But their first full real day of class with him on Tuesday was very amusing and vengeful for the Slytherins. The Gryffindor's had of course come late to class again, clearly expecting the same entitled treatment from Master Minjun as they had previously received from Dumbledore. They had burst into the class almost ten minutes late. Master Minjun had asked them for a reason, of which of course they had no valid one. He had deducted fifteen points from Gryffindor and sentenced each student to three nights of detention with the caretaker. Most teachers it turns out assign their detentions to the caretaker because he does the job alone and the castle requires a large upkeep. So all the students on detention help considerably. Minjun's classes are very well taught and the man is very professional. They would never suspect him of being a creature if they did not know he is one. He appears to be a perfectly normal, well taught wizard. The other interesting news to note is that despite what Tom, Sephtis, and Evan thought, there was no reports of Harlan Goddard having gone missing. No one seemed to notice a thing. Its been four days and no one has even asked a question about where he went.

They are currently making their way down from the library to Minjun's rooms. They hadn't been

able to meet with their new mentor once after Monday night. Except for on Thursday when he had them stay after class to give them a very brief update on what is going on and to invite them to dinner in his rooms the next day. He told them that his offer to permanently takeover the class had been accepted, and the updated schedule would be handed out by the heads of houses at their discretion. Minjun had also told them that he had refused Headmaster Dippet's offer to be Gryffindor's head of house. It was with great relish now, that they stepped into Minjun's rooms and were welcomed by the delicious smell of food cooking. Sephtis bounced on the balls of his feet and closed his eyes to smell the air without distraction. It smelled like nothing he had ever smelt before. Which admittedly was not a lot of experience, but he knows it doesn't smell like British food. A soft hand on his cheek and the feeling of tranquility seeped into his being. He smiled dopily and leaned into the hand. "Hello, my beautiful boys. It is good to be in your presence again. Come in, have a seat. Dinner is almost ready. I do hope you like spicy food." The hand left his cheek and Sephtis's eyes flew open. He giggled and turned to Tom, tugging on the hand he always held. "Tom, have you ever had spicy food?" Tom gave him a droll look. If Sephtis has never had it, it's likely that he has not either. Sephtis just smirks at him in retaliation at him and then turns to take in the room they walked into. A living space with the same theme as the office they first visited. Cream walls, dark hard red wood detailing, tables, bookshelves, and furniture. A large fire place with a long cushy couch in the color of warm hazelnut brown, three large, tall backed, cushy arm chairs in the same color. A table similar to the tea table they sat at in the office, but this one is a bit bigger and square. Three hard red wood chairs with cushy nude-colored cushions. One chair on one side of the table and two directly to the right side of the table. Sephtis pulled Tom to the table more excited by the second to try the delicious smelling, 'spicy' food. He put himself in the chair closest to the one at the other side. Tom helped him into his chair, pushing it in for him. Tom sat down and looked down at the table, noticing two pieces of wood at his place setting. The thinner ends of the sticks are propped on a small wooden block with a shallow dip in it where the tips of the sticks rest. They look almost like wands, but they are much thinner then wands and he has never seen 'two' wands together at a table for eating. They are pretty though, all black up until the handle where and intricate details, painted on aqua blue, dragon wrapping around he wand. Tom rather like them. He eyes Sephtis's next to his plate. They are all black, the same as his except the images painted on his are different. They are of Skeletal winged horses painted in opal, the same mystifying white-ish color of Sephtis's eyes. Sephtis is staring at his painted sticks too. His eyes alight with curiosity and burning with questions. The plate and bowls in front of them have the painted design but it is on fancy black clay , not wood like the sticks.

Minjun comes into the room then, from an off to the side kitchen that they had not even noticed. This evening Minjun is wearing a pastel purple robe, just as open on the chest as before, but this one is less flowy and the thin delicate material hung closer to his body. Sephtis is a little jealous, he wants to try wearing clothes like that. He imagines it must feel very freeing and it must feel so good on his skin. Minjun's hair is pulled into a loose pony tail behind his back and Sephtis fights the urge to get up and free it from its constraints and then put his face in it. He distracts himself by looking at the three large dishes floating next to him. They are all steaming hot. Minjun puts them each on the table and then another set of dishes comes floating in but these ones are a variety of smaller dishes. A bowl of white rice lands in front of their plates. Sephtis and Tom both lean over to look into the bigger dishes. Minjun points them all out, explains a little about what they are. First up was a thick red stew: Kimchi Jjigae (Spicy Kimchi Stew). He explained kimchi, its a spicy, pickled cabbage that is served as a condiment with almost every meal in Korea. Kimchi stew combines kimchi with other ingredients such as beef, onions, garlic, and tofu. It is meant to be eaten slowly, and it's served bubbling hot. Sephtis eyes it with ravenous curiosity. He was excited to try the fluffy looking tofu. Next up in a deep plater is chuncheon dakgalbi: this dish has chunks of chicken that have been marinated in a sauce of spicy chili paste and other spices, and stir-fried in

a large pan with tteok, cabbage, carrots, and slices of sweet potato. To which he explained is one of his favorite foods. Tom is thinking back to their conversation on Monday night about what Minjun actually eats. He looks at the food with a curious eye as Minjun explains the last main dish.

Tteokbokki: steamed and sliced rice cakes (tteok), cooked with fish cakes (oden) and scallions in a sweet and spicy sauce made of chili paste. Well if Tom felt a little off about trying his mentor's 'other' food he could always eat this last one. Fish and rice cakes, he could handle that. If he likes spicy food that is. Sephtis looks like he is on cloud nine. Tom shakes his head; he will probably never tire of watching his little Dagger get so excited over food. At least he can eat in the great hall now with out moaning. He is curious to see their Mentor's reaction to Sephtis's reaction to food. The smaller dishes on the table contain more kimchi, green onion kimchi, cucumber kimchi and radish kimchi. "I want to give you a variety to try from at our first meal together, since this is your first time trying any Korean food. I will do multiple at our meals together until you have been able to try most of it. I admit, I am a little excited to see how you two like spicy food. The tteokbokki is a common food used to start children on building their tolerance for spicy food at an early age because it has some sweetness. Children are more drawn to sweet foods so it's enticing for them." At the mention of sweetness, Sephtis's eyes shot to the mentioned dish. He would definitely try that second. Tom, however, needs some clarification before they started. He looked at Minjun and fixed him with a narrow-eyed look. "You told me last night that you eat humans as your main diet. Is there anyone else on the table tonight?" Sephtis giggled madly at the Tom's words. Minjun just grinned. "I've not tried cooked human before! Their raw ears tended to be a little chewy. This is exciting!" Tom turned his head to look at his little Dagger, eyebrows raised. "I didn't realize that when you said you bit chunks out of the nurses that you ate the chunks you bit off." Sephtis blushes under Tom's words and turns his gaze to the food. "Well, I certainly wasn't about to waste it…" Minjun chuckles softly, eyeing the cute blush on his little Death Vorare. "Well, I assure you that when cooked, their ears can be very tender. Or crispy depending on how you cook them."

Tom sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. He is sitting at a table with his partner and his mentor and both of them have eaten human. Well, Minjun 'eats' them. "You did not answer my question, Minjun. I would like to know what I am eating. Is the beef in the kimchi stew, beef?" Minjun picked up his napkin, put it in his lap and then looked at Tom, not Sephtis because he does not believe Sephtis really cares. "Demons, while they can eat regular beef, it usually does not settle well in our bodies. Banshees tend to eat mostly white meat or seafood. The beef is not beef. If you would prefer to have beef in the future, I will make some specially for you." Sephtis chirped in delight, wanting to start, the food just kept getting more appealing. Tom watched him, thinking about how he felt about this. He himself is a human, unlike his two table mates. Him eating the kimchi stew means he will be considered a cannibal. But does he truly care about that? "If you are worried about the health effects it could have on you, you won't be affected like a normal human when consuming human. Your body bond to Sephtis takes care of most of the varying affects like that. His creature part of the bond will protect you against most things you eat like this." Tom sighed. He hadn't been worried about that. He hadn't even known he could get sick from eating it. That wasn't even part of his internal debate. "I will try everything else first and think about it further. What are these?" He picked up one of the sticks. Minjun smiled slightly. "Those are chopsticks. It is the equivalent to a fork in many Asian cultures. I will show you how to use it." They spent the next three minutes learning to use the chopsticks, using some of the kimchi varieties to test their ability to pick things up. Surprising and delighting to see, both of the boys seemed to be naturals at using the chopsticks. They are both easily picking up the different kimchi's. Sephtis nearly pouting by the end of the practicing, but he kept his decorum. "Can we please eat now?" Tom chuckled, not feeling guilty for making his little Dagger have to wait.

"Of course, now that I know you know how to pick up your food. The best way to eat it is to take small portions on your plate and eat it with the rice. Eat as much as you like." Tom made Sephtis's plate, adding a small portion of the tteokbokki and the chuncheon dakgalbi to his plate beside the kimchi already on his plate and then some of the stew to his small bowl. Sephtis waits until the other two have served themselves before he reaches out for his first bite. Unlike Tom, he wants to try the stew first. He really wants to see the difference to beef. He spoons some up with rice, making sure to get some tofu and meat in the same bite. Minjun sits watching him with a hungry desire to see what he thinks of it. For a demon to please their Death Vorare with food, it is a pleasurable decadence. He has been looking forward to this meal all day. He wonders how the meat would taste from a human killed by Sephtis's killing magic. Sephtis puts the bite in his mouth and chews slowly for a couple seconds before reacting. His eyes dilate a fraction, and he makes a noise of delicious ecstasy. The tofu is so soft on his tongue and the meat is tender and so yummy with a richness he wasn't expecting. As for the spiciness, he isn't sure what he expected but he certainly thought it meant spicy. It has a very slight burn but it's more a tingling. Minjun smiles, incredibly pleased with himself. He looks to Tom who has just eaten some of the tteokbokki and is currently chewing up the thick rice cake. He coughs just once, his face flushing pink from the heat and slight embarrassment. Sephtis looks over at him, not speaking in favor of chewing another bite of his stew. "How is the spice level for you both?" Tom frowns and turns head away for a moment. Sephtis swallows quickly to answer. "Which dish would you say is the spiciest? The kimchi stew is not really spicy at all." Minjun coughs slightly and laughs, it's like a light tinkling bell. "That is the spiciest food I made tonight. I prefer my kimchi stew to be quite spicy. If you would like it spicier I have some peppers chopped up in the box."

Sephtis's eyes light up. "Yes, please!" Minjun held out a hand and the glass bowl came soaring though the air, landing gently in his palm. He pops off the lid and dumps about half the bowl into Sephtis's bowl of stew. While Sephtis stirs his stew up, Minjun turns his gaze to Tom. Tom is staring at Sephtis with a pink flush. The heat clearly affecting him more. The flush is adorable on the usually stoic boy. "Tom, is it alright?" Tom snaps his gaze up. "Yes, it's very good. I see why you start children on this. I find myself jealous of Dagger's tolerance…" He trails off, flushing darker. He hadn't meant to reveal that much. Especially not right to the handsome man's face. "It is okay, don't be ashamed. Even I find things quite spicy. Sephtis is just one of those rare ones with a crazy tolerance for spicy food." The meal progressed with only the sounds of eating for a while after that. Tom did feel comforted by his mentor's words and managed to eat all the food he took, with plenty of rice to help ease it. Sephtis loved it all. Tom had to stop him near the end when he wanted a third helping but knows Sephtis would have only gotten sick from it. Minjun had watched this with fond amusement. "You may always come to my rooms for left overs. You are both welcome here, in my rooms at any time. Even if I am not here." Sephtis giggled and clapped his hands together, pout forgotten. They retired from the table to the sitting area. They all claimed a spot together on the couch. Sephtis in the middle of the two but tucked into Tom's side.

"I think we should talk about what you two have planned. Our futures are combined now, I would like to know what I am getting to be a part of. I already see that the whole of your second-year class is devout to you both. I imagine that that is a part of it?" He also wants to know the symbolism behind Tom's nickname for Sephtis , Dagger. Sephtis grins and looks up at Tom, the floor is his for this talk. "We plan to over throw the current government some time after we have finished school. There are many laws that are far to constricting or are outright ridiculous. We want to be able to practice whatever magic we desire. A world where creatures have equal standing with Witches and Wizards. We want to completely separate ourselves from the muggle world. They are too dangerous to let our discovery come to happen. Grindelwald is oblivious to the weapons

they have in their arsenal. He does not know they have bombs that can level the entirety of London. We want the same situation that Korea has for taking muggleborn magicals from the muggle parents right after birth. We know first hand what most muggles treat things that they don't understand like. We want to expand our magical zones so that no magical ever has to live or work among the muggle filth." Tom did not go into detail because they had time for that later, but those are the basics.

"So, you are making yourself a following now, growing in your numbers and strength so when you leave school, you can start immediately?" Minjun says in thought. Tom nods. "Yes, the earlier that we start, the better prepared we are to make our first big move as soon as we have the chance." Minjun looked at Sephtis who was looking up at Tom with bright admiration and devotion. "And what is Sephtis's position in this?" Sephtis chuckled and in a flash, quicker than the eye can follow he has moved from his position cuddled against Tom, to be crouched on the couch leaning over Minjun with a dagger at his throat, carefully not physically touching him. An insane gleam in his eye, a toothy grin on his face. "Among other things, I am the dagger in my master's hand. I am the killer among the snakes. I cut down those who will oppose him." Minjun's heart is beating loudly in fear spiked arousal. Knowing about a Death Vorare's skills is much different than seeing it in person. Not even vampires can move that silently or quickly. It took less than a second. Sephtis leaned in further, still not touching his mentor. He leans in close to his neck and takes a deep breath, inhaling the intoxicating aroma. "Why do you smell so good?" Tom asked, coming up beside Sephtis, deciding to join him in smelling their mentor. Minjun closed his slanted eyes and bared his neck to give them more of his scent. "You may smell as much as you want, but do not scent me." Sephtis growled lowly, he desperately wants to do just that. The smell is like a physical pull. By the way that Tom had eagerly and unabashedly joined him, he knows he is feeling the same pull. "Why? Why can we not scent you?" Minjun slows his breathing down, he has been purposely avoiding smelling the little Death Vorare. The intoxicating smell goes both ways. But demons are even more drawn to the Death Vorare because they have the closer, stronger connection to death. Demons are drawn to death like a vampire to blood. "Because if you scent me, we will unavoidably mate. We are not ready for that. I will not accept that bond until you are both of age. I know it is difficult, I feel the same draw to you as you do to me. But you must contain yourselves." Tom and Sephtis pulled back at a reluctant pace. They do not move far away this time; they settle on the middle cushion closer to their Mentor. Sephtis is curled up in Tom's arms on his lap, staring at Minjun.

"But why would that happen? Why are we drawn to you? Why are you drawn to us?" Minjun pulls his feet up on the couch and turns to sit facing the boys, his toes touching Sephtis's. "Both demons and Death Vorare are drawn to death. We are both creatures of death, we exude it in our magic and skin. It is a stronger connection for Death Vorare. That being said, as we are drawn to death, we are drawn instinctively to each other. In the history written about Death Vorare's they have only ever taken mates with Demons. Occasionally they would have a banshee as a submissive. Banshees are drawn solely to the stronger connection of death, the Death Vorare. But since Death Vorare are usually very solitary, they often never mated. We would mate, because we have already met, and our creatures have already laid claim. That is evident in the fact that you feel the need to scent me. That is your creature acting on instinct. Once our creatures have begun to create the physical scenting exchange, our instincts would lead us into completing the scenting/claiming. After we have mated and bonded, we will not be able to leave each other for about a month. We will be voraciously hungry to claim each other over and over and over again. Now that I have smelt you, I am now drawn to you as though I need you to survive. It is hard to not allow either of us to do so but by remaining close, our creatures will wait until we are ready. So long as you do not attempt to

scent me. "Sephtis's eyes widened at the information, and he sank further into Tom. He is not ready nor wanting to be shared or to share Tom. He DOES want Minjun, he does feel the need to scent and claim him, but he doesn't want to do so anytime soon. He only just got Tom, and Tom is all he really desires. He turns his attention away from Minjun and turns in Tom's arms to straddle his lap and bury his face in Tom's neck. Tom grins and tightens his arms around his little creature Dagger. "I don't think we have a problem waiting. We are quite happy with just each other right now. But that doesn't mean we don't want to know more about it and will eventually like it to happen. We were wondering the other night, how old are you?"

Minjun smiles slyly and tilts his head to the side. "Do not worry yourselves, I am not hundreds of years old. I may be a Bandemonee but I am young. I only stopped ageing five years ago. I am twenty-eight, physically I will always be twenty-three. Sephtis released a relieved breath he hadn't known he was holding. Tom too is very relieved, sleeping with a hundred-year-old man sounded perverse and gross. Sixteen years is perfectly fine. "How many beds have you shared?" Minjun starts at the question, not expecting such a blunt question. "I have only lain with four others." Sephtis hisses in displeasure and leans back in Tom's lap just far enough to level Minjun with a burning, possessive snarl. "We will be taking those lives. You are not to try and stop us from reclaiming your honor." Tom grins darkly, looking between Dagger and Minjun, who is staring with shock at Sephtis, he had not expected such a visceral reaction. So, Tom explained. "We are extremely possessive and obsessive, even without Sephtis's creature. It only makes those two traits stronger. For us to leave alive others who have seen, touched, and enjoyed your body, is impossible. We are much to selfish. We will track them down and kill them until only we remain who know these personal things." Minjun smiles with relish then, realizing that the two boys have truly accepted him as theirs. Even if it is as a mentor and mate with no physical ties for now. This arrangement will work out exceedingly well. He gets to watch them obsess over each other and be as near to them as he desires. They even like to be pet…he could work with that. He would have fun breaking down Tom's walls and infiltrating that uncaring mask he always wears except for Sephtis. The Death Vorare…he is almost salivating with the smell of the boy wafting over him. He must be very powerful, Minjun can smell just the hints of his dark magic, but the boy seems to have iron clad hold on his magic. He wonders why the boy saw the need to hide it, what has happened to him. Tom wears his a little more freely, there is always a thin layer over his skin. IT is very dark and reeks of danger. The feel of it when Tom is close to him sends shivers up his spine. Mmm his future mates are rather succulent; he can't wait for them to be ripe.

"I want to watch you use your magic, and feed." Minjun said calmly. Sephtis brought his head up from Tom's neck, where he had been pressing little kisses, frustrating Tom. A sickening grin split across his face; he turned his head to look at Minjun. "You have to ask Tom; he is in control. But if you do and he says yes…be prepared to stop yourself. You don't know the scope of what you're asking for. Tom…" He looks back down to his partner and licks his lips hungrily. Tom is watching him with a sharp gleam in his eyes. "I am overcome with lust when he uses his magic. Is what he is trying to say. His warning is valid. It does not help that watching him kill is like watching an erotic performance. Especially when he uses his magic. He is like his own brand of porn." Sephtis purrs loudly and closes his eyes tilting his head back, turned on by Tom's words and the look he is giving him. Tom reaches up to press his fingers to Sephtis's lips and then trails it down his chin, his throat and collar bone. Sephtis shudders under the touch, biting his lip hard. Minjun is transfixed with the show in front of him. Tom turns his gaze to him, never stopping his roaming hands on his little Dagger. "You will see why I am so possessive over him, why I am not willing to

share him yet. You will see what Sephtis does not show others. You will see things that will give you wet dreams for weeks. You will see, true darkness when Sephtis lets go completely of his control." Minjun swallows thickly in desire, resting his chin on his knee, watching Sephtis shift and shiver under Tom's hand. Just how powerful and enthralling is this, Death Vorare? "I will supply the victim. After Sephtis is done performing, I will prepare it as a meal. Perhaps then you will try the food of my necessity." Tom cackles loudly and pulls Sephtis down for a kiss.

Chapter End Notes

I will tell you that this is NOT what I was going to do for Minjun's character. As I stated before my inspiration comes to me as I am typing. That said, I love this direction. I have also been trying to come up with ideas for what I will do with Evan in the new relationship. He isn't going anywhere; I just have to decide what to do for his rewards and such. How will Minjun react to him, will he be possessive over his boys and hate Evan. Or will he enjoy watching the pet.

I want to know what you all think about these developments.

Class Schedule on page 6 has been updated, replacing the Bastard with Minjun.

Ch 8

Chapter Notes

I've been tired lately. I'm still writing, never fear but one of my other tentative works has been also getting some attention. I hope you enjoy this new chapter, my lovely Lavinia-etts!

Love, Lavinia

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Sephtis Tempest Selwyn

Chapter Eight

September 10th, 1939, Sunday 7:00 A.M.

Sephtis is leaning back against Tom who has his eyes closed in relaxation as they soak in the hot bubble bath. They are eating breakfast with Minjun later this morning so there is no rush to breakfast in the great hall. "I think we should have Minjun attend the meeting this evening. He should know the extent of our following this early on. The more he knows, the better he can teach us the things we need to know." Sephtis says and then blows some of the thick white bubbles on his palm. "He will have to be unseen. If any of the followers know a teacher is present, they will get unduly scared that they could be getting in trouble." Sephtis smirked, how fickle these children are. Afraid so easily. "I have no problems with that. I don't want to share our relationship with him to the school anyways. The darkness contained in keeping a secret like this is deliciously deceiving. Just think of the chaos we can bring about in the future when we reveal to the world that we are mated. Mated Dark creatures and a Dark Lord. The Dark Lord and his Dark Creature mates. Ooh it will be so very fun to see the world explode at the news. So many people for me to eat that will surely oppose us. Mmmmm…" He licked his lips greedily at the thoughts of the future. Tom is stuck on the titles Sephtis has used. The Dark Lord and his Dark Creature mates. All creatures of the dark and the magicals who practice dark magic will flock to them by the hordes. Never before has a Dark Lord been mated to a creature. Let alone two creatures. Two dark, death creatures to boot. The magical world will fall to their feet. Whether out of choice or Sephtis's magic and daggers. "After the meeting, we shall introduce Evan to Minjun. I am curious to see what they will think of each other." Sephtis said before turning his head to the side on Tom's bare chest so he can look up at his face. Tom eyes are still closed, but the relaxed, contented smile on his face shows

Sephtis he is listening. "We need to talk about Evan's rewards. I am fine and enjoy giving him kisses and touches, but he will need more. Eventually he will be older, and we will have to have a way to give him proper sexual stimulation. Which neither of us will be giving him. And if he even looks at Minjun with that in mind, I will gouge his eyes out and feed them to the giant squid." Tom laughs, his chest heaving against Sephtis who lay against him. Sephtis giggles lightly.

"In this case, you shall remove the right eye and I will remove the left. He is ours and ours alone. I do not want Minjun to ever be touched by Evan." Sephtis hummed in happy agreement, playing with the bubbles in front of him. "What do you have in mind for Evan then?" Sephtis tilted his head to the side. "I think Evan will respond well to the use of toys, Domination, and pain play. I will touch him only enough to implement these and keep my pet hungry for more. Maybe I can craft him a golem for singular use when we are kept busy too much or are otherwise occupied with each other. That will have to wait until I understand the magics behind creating a golem though. That is intricate magic and heavily involves ritual based runes. We wont be learning about those here until fourth year. However, I can study independently now. The class work here is easy and we always finish our homework during free periods, so weekends are open for self-study and our lessons with Minjun." Tom is now staring down at Sephtis's raven head. His little Dagger talks about dominating and pain play like its painting. How astounding. Sometimes the different depth of Dagger's insanity shock him. The depth of death and sexual insanity have got to be the deepest. Tom does not think that there has ever been a pre-teen before that knows so much about sex. Only his little Dagger. Only Sephtis. He leans down and kisses the top of Sephtis's head. Causing Sephtis to look up at him curiously. He smirks and kisses those pale pink lips. Sephtis doesn't care what prompted this, but he will never turn down free kisses. They stay in the tub for another twenty minutes. The first ten is spent sharing passionate kisses and then the next ten is spent actually washing up. Then they are out and in towels while Tom picks out their outfits to get them ready for the day.

Breakfast with Minjun consists of reheated kimchi stew from the night before, to Sephtis's great delight. Vegetable omelets, rice with red and black beans, kimchi, radish kimchi, and tofu in a seasoned soy sauce. Served with hot ginseng tea. It is a quiet meal, none of them feeling much like talking. When the meal is done they retire to a side room off of the kitchen, it's an underground conservatory. Large, luscious plants, hundreds of different kinds are growing everywhere in varying sizes of pots, planters, shelves, hanging from the glass ceiling. In the center of the room is a cozy seating area with cushy pale blue armchairs and a low coffee table sits in the middle of the chairs. A fresh tea service is already at the table. Tom sits in the middle of the group this time, after Sephtis skipped ahead of him and stole the outer chair where Tom was planning to sit. Sephtis wants Tom to be just as involved in this new relationship as he is, and that means he needs to be more comfortable with Minjun. Sephtis is fine having two alphas but only if they are getting along just as well with each other as they do with him. He knows they are the alphas, no matter what Tom likes to think, he is clearly their submissive. Him and from what he can tell from Minjun, they will both take care of his every need or desire. But if they neglect each other, Sephtis will step to the side and make them fix it. He can be the top Alpha if they are going to do things like that. He wont have it. They make their respective cups of tea. "We have a meeting tonight; we would like you to come and witness it. You can see our public dynamic and the size of our group. Afterwards we will introduce you to Evan, Dagger's pet." Minjun sipped his tea, listening intently. Sephtis hisses quietly into his tea, his insanity peeking through for the first time this morning. Minjun raises a curious brown and looks at him. Sephtis feeling the attention blushes but grins. Tom just smirks, he knows what that is about. "If you are so worried, all you need to do is make it clear when the introductions are made." Tom says calmly. Sephtis gets a mischievous gleam in his eyes

and grins darkly into his tea.

"What am I missing? Make what clear?" Minjun asks, his curiosity peaked. Sephtis slips a short dagger in into his free hand and twirls it between his fingers. He looks over to Minjun. Minjun's eyebrows raise at the mischievously possessive look on the Death Vorare's face. " I am going to make it abundantly clear to my pet that if he ever touches you, I will remove the offending limb. If he thinks about it, I will curse his mind with terrible visions and nightmares until I am satisfied that when he thinks of you it will be thoughts of terror and staying well away from you. Tom says he will castrate him…among other things." Minjun smiles and it is devilishly handsome on his exotic features. Sephtis blushes darkly and swiftly climbs from his chair to settle on his knees between the other two chairs, needing to be closer to Minjun, but also needing to remain close to his Master. Minjun looks to Tom who nods, and they both place a hand on Sephtis's head, over lapping their pinky fingers so they are touching as well. Dagger's face falls slack, his eyes closing and his heart stutters in his chest. He moans softly, feeling deliriously happy. Somehow the feelings Minjun's touch induces are intensified by Tom's accompanying touch. He has never felt more like he belonged then he does in this moment with both Tom's and Minjun's hands on his head. It makes him want weep it feels so good. Tom grins down at the sight and Minjun smiles with sly delight.

"I would be delighted to join in on your meeting tonight." Tom nods, internally pleased. "We will arrive to pick you up at about four-forty-five. We need to be early, the room we are going to use is large and hasn't been cleaned in ages. You must be disillusioned for this meeting and probably all future ones that take place in the school. Our followers are still children who will no doubt be fearful of your presence as a teacher. Besides, Sephtis is excited for the chaos that ensue when we reveal ourselves after we mate in the future. The world will explode when the new Dark Lord's come out as mated to Korean prodigy Minjun Jae-won. And it is revealed that Dark Lord Dagger and Minjun are both dark creatures." Sephtis chirps, an insane glint in his eyes. "It will be a feeding frenzy…I am salivating just by the thought of it…"He trails off, his voice thick with longing and pleasure. Minjun pets his hair, in long repeating strokes. Sephtis purrs loudly at the touch and takes to sipping his tea. "Our lessons will start next week; each Sunday I will teach you from lunch until dinner. We will come together at breakfast and spend the whole day together." Sephtis giggles in delight at the plan. Tom hums in approval. Whole day in Minjun's presence and away from the idiotic classmates of theirs. "I think we should have dinner together every Friday too. I am sure the headmaster would approve if we tell him you are giving us lessons as a mentor. Besides, I don't think he will ever tell me no, not after he found out about my past." Sephtis says vindictively, twirling the dagger in his hand again. Minjun looks across to Tom, at the mention of Sephtis's past again. "Friday dinner sounds lovely. It will give us more chance to learn about each other. It is clear I am missing out on some key details from your past." He says down to Sephtis, who just nods and drinks his tea. Tom shakes his head and looks to Minjun. "For now all I will say is that at some point in the future, we have a long list of wretched muggles to kill." Minjun quirks a brow, that could only mean that their little Death Vorare has a sickening, horrific past of mistreatment and abuse. At the hands of muggles. They finished their tea in silence, Tom and Minjun still petting Sephtis's raven haired head.

September 10th, 1939, Sunday 5:00 P.M.

Tom is on his throne, Sephtis is on his cushion at Tom's feet. Evan is laying at the foot of Sephtis's cushion and Minjun is under a heavy disillusionment standing a short distance behind Tom's throne. They are settled for this meeting in the large, unused auditorium. It had taken them just a few minutes to clean the space with Minjun's help. He seemed to have a deft hand for household cleaning charms. The boys had been quite impressed. Tonight's meeting will be a long one. They have an induction ceremony of thirty more students who got ahold through various channels to the inner group about joining. Surprisingly there are even seven third year Gryffindor's joining. Mostly from pureblood grey families. They had heard about Dumbledore's naked prank and Sephtis legal approach in the class on Monday and they had gained new respect for the pair. Thirteen new Hufflepuffs and ten new Ravenclaws, from various years. No new Slytherin's but that is not surprising because most of their house is already a part of the group. After the induction ceremony there will be an open discussion period for questions and teaching the new members their goals. To really wow all the new members, Sephtis is going to let out half of his magic again. Anyone who might have thought of defecting later, will rethink that after they feel Sephtis's alluring, bliss magic. The doors at the entrance unlocked at exactly five o'clock, it's been five minutes and the first six rows of theatre style red seats are filled. The inner taking the center front seats. After the main meeting, they would be keeping the inner circle back. Three of the members are due to be punished. Evan after his proving himself with his first kill, has risen in Tom's good graces and will not be punished.

"If you are here tonight, you are here to become a part of the future. You have come because you see our world is in need of new laws, in need of current laws being dismissed, you are here for freedom. Today you become someone better. You become someone willing to stand up and fight for the world you want to live in. In that case, I welcome you all. If you are new here tonight, come forward and pledge yourself to our cause. Pledge yourself to me, Lord Riddle and to Lord Dagger." He said with a small gesture to Sephtis at his feet. The new group rose as one from their seats, Sephtis watched each of them for any signs of hesitation or ill intent. His magic waiting like a coiled snake in his wand, it sits just up inside his sleeve, in its holster anxious to be used. The new members form a single line, coming down the stairs to stop, kneel and bow first in front of Tom, vowing their allegiance and servitude. Then to Sephtis, but with Sephtis, they kneel, bow, and press their foreheads to his bent knee. Sephtis just stares at them each with unnerving opal eyes. The Gryffindor's have looks of awe and slight idolization on their faces when they look at him while getting to their knees. Making Sephtis's eyes glint in satisfaction. He has done that. He has brought the Gryffindors, the fabled children of the light, to their dark cause. He feels glorious. After they are done with the last member Tom shares their main goals with them all and then opens the floor for questions. A dozen hands go up. Tom calls on a Gryffindor boy. "Tell us your name, year, and state your question." Tom received a few looks when he did not ask for blood status.

"My name is Zachariah Burley, third year. What do you plan to do about werewolves?" Tom quirked a brow at this first question. "I think you need to be a little clearer with your question, Mr. Burley." Burley flushes on the spot. "Um, well, what do you plan to do about the current laws prohibiting them from keeping their children?" Sephtis nearly growled, he had not known about this law. Taking magical babies from muggle parents was one thing but taking a creature away from its creature parents is out right cruel. "We will abolish that law and others like it. Creatures are gifts from Mother Magic, just like us. They should never have been subjugated. The same goes for vampires, succubae, fae, elves, and countless others. Equal protection rights, equal rights to wands, their children, jobs, their freedom, and equity." This answer had several of the waiting

hands going down. Some with scowls of disgust, other with relief and some with a considering look. Sephtis took in each look and made sure to remember the faces who looked disgusted by Tom's answer. He will have to deal with them before they become a problem later, and he will use his creature abilities to do it. The next is a girl from Ravenclaw. "I am Dacey Eadbhard, a fourth year. What are your views on the class, Muggle Studies?" It is well known that most everyone in Hogwarts hates that class with a passion. "I believe that knowing what the muggles have created is important, as well as our history with them. I believe it is important that we know how to dress and how to act should we ever need to venture out in to their world. Because our secrecy is PARAMOUNT. But the current professor is an idiot who I fully believe has never even set foot in the muggle world. Learning about the current candy companies and the muggle's 'great children programs' teaches us nothing useful. We need the class, but we need a competent teacher. One who teaches us all things we actually need to know. One that teaches us about the very real danger they pose to us should the secret of our existence get out." Murmurs break out amongst the followers for several minutes. Sephtis props his elbow up on Tom's knee, resting his head on his fist. The voices finally start to lessen and go quiet. Another hand goes up, Tom calls on the second Gryffindor.

"My name is Edgar Roxbury, third year. I want to know what your blood purity stance is. Everyone believes that you will only accept purebloods. I am a half-blood and I want to know if my position in your ranks will be affected by that. I can support all of your other goals, but if your about to go on a blood purist tyrannical purge, I can't support that." Almost every face that isn't a Slytherin watches Tom with anxious expectancy. Tom realizes then that they truly do believe him to be a blood purist. How idiotic! Don't they remember everyone calling him the muggleborn slime of Slytherin last year? They believe he will support such cruel actions? Sephtis starts cackling madly, throwing his head back and letting loose. This sets most of the followers on edge, making them nervous. Making them doubt this absurd belief they carried. Sephtis stops abruptly and sits rod straight on his knees, fixing them with a glacial glare. "How foolish can you all be? Is this the capacity of your brain power? I was not even here last year and yet I know how you all treated Lord Riddle. You treated him like the grubby filth that you scrape out of your cauldrons when cleaning them. You treated him as though he were less than a muggle." He gets up to his feet and prowls forward with dangerous grace. "You treated him like that and now you have the audacity to sit here and ask him that question? Look at you! Is it him who cares about blood purity, or IS IT YOU?" His last words are said with such ferocious strength that a ripple of magic sweeps over them. The tension in the room is palpable. "If I ever hear you questioning your chosen Lord over such utter foolishness again, I will curse you where you stand. And you will never know what happened. One day your sitting at lunch eating a bowl of soup and the next…your arm has shriveled up into a pussy black mess and died. It will be excruciatingly painful and will be all on your own head. I hope to Mother Magic that you learn to utilize the brain behind your eyes and think before you speak. This is the only warning you shall receive on this matter." He sent them all one more deadly glare and then turned away, walking back to his cushion, retaking his kneeling position. His face going stone cool once again. Tom put a tender hand in his long raven hair and carded his fingers through it. Thanking him through touch for his words defending him.

Does anyone else have a question?" Not a single hand is raised this time, they are all cowed by Lord Dagger's words. The seriousness of his threat still present in the forefront of their minds. "Now, I am not sure if you all deserve it, but Lord Dagger will be giving you a feel of his magical prowess." Those who had felt it before shifted in excitement. They clearly remembered just how good Lord Dagger's magic feels. Sephtis wonders how Minjun will react. He can't even turn to see his reaction because they don't want to alert anyone to his presence. He wants to seriously pout

over this. How unfair is it that he doesn't get to see his future mates first reaction to his magic. The only thing saving his face from a serious pout is that he will still get to see Minjun's first reaction to his full release of magic. A nod from his Master, tells him to start. They do not deserve this. He lets half of his control fall away like a tall castle wall, crumbling to nothingness in less than a second. He has gained a bit more power then last weekend when he did this. The constant use of his magic during the week of school having made his core stronger. So, the resulting wave of his magic is intense. Only due to the scooped like theatre seats, the followers do not fall out of their seats this time. They simply go slack in their seats, eyes glazing over, mouths dropping open. It takes mere seconds for everyone of them to be out of it and in to bliss induced, awake, dreamlike state. His thick dark magic hanging over them like thunderous clouds dotted through with thousands of stars. The hand in his hair tightens painfully and Sephtis shifts on his knees. "Master…" He says in a pleading hiss. Tom pulls his head back by his hair and leans down to capture his mouth in a searing kiss. If Evan just so happens to be watching with wide, lust induced eyes, all the better for it.

Tom runs a hand down Sephtis's chest, slipping it inside of his robe. Making sure Evan is watching each action. Tom bites Sephtis's lip between his teeth, causing a sharp gasping moan to pour out of Dagger. Tom's hand finds purchase on a hardened nipple through Dagger's shirt, and he squeezes. Sephtis breaks off from the kiss with another gasp, clenching his knees tighter together. "If you keep doing this, I might loose total control. I don't want to miss Minjun's reaction to that…" Tom sighs bitterly, he was enjoying himself, pleasing his little Dagger and staking his claim in front of Evan. But he understands Dagger's desire. He wants to see that as well. He pulls his hand slowly out, savoring the contact for as long as he can. He captures Sephtis's lips in one more kiss and then pulls back. Replacing the hand in his hair. Sephtis wills his aroused member to go back to sleep and forces himself to think about Evan who is watching him like he is Merlin reincarnated. A merlin he wants to screw to the moon thrice over. Sephtis feels slightly sick at the thought and forces his face to remain impassive. To not show his pet his discomfort. No matter, he will do right by his pet, that just doesn't mean access to his body. He can handle kisses just fine… for the most part. Evan only thinks that Sephtis's body is what he wants. But Sephtis will teach him better. Evan will learn his true desires. Or Sephtis will change his mind for him. Quite literally. He ignores Evan.

Minjun meanwhile has had to grip onto Tom's throne to center himself. His dark eyes are closed, and he is breathing deeply. His demon is roaring with desire within him. He has not once in his travels and studies come across a magic like this. Death Vorare are said to be very powerful, but nothing to this extreme. And this isn't even a full release. Minjun withheld a sharp groan of yearning. Waiting the next five years to claim that Death Vorare and his master is going to be torture. But worthy torture. If Sephtis's magic is this potent now, in five years it will be completely incapacitating. Luckily then, they will be mated, and their bonds will prevent him from falling under the bliss induced coma like state of euphoria. He will still feel its magnetic, alluring, seductive pull, that will never stop. But at least then, then he can act on it. He can wait, even if it is going to be hell at moments like this. Watching Tom touch and kiss his bonded at least provides him with an adequate place to center all of his desire and heady need. He will use this to help himself tonight in his rooms. He will bring himself off multiple times tonight, he is absolutely certain. But now, what does Tom's magic feel like? Sephtis chose to bind himself and worship him with awed reverence for a reason, so he can only think that Tom's magic is also very strong and very dark. The two are completely devoted to each other. He is still counting his lucky vials that he just happened to be visiting the British Wizarding Ministry and accepted the hasty request from the Minister himself to be a substitute professor for Hogwarts.

The moment he had seen the surgical needle, he had known its creator would have a dark, traumatic past. A chaotic past. Then he had looked up and into those pearlescent opal eyes that held untold insanity in their depths. The magic still lingering in the air from the cast spell, saturated with the sweet scent of death. Never in his wildest fantasies did he think he would actually come across a Death Vorare, the true mate to demons. Then his eyes had noticed the delicate white lines of scar tissue spelling out a name on the side of the boy's face, and he had felt his world squeeze around him like a narrowing funnel he was falling into. He finally finds a possible mate and he is already bonded to another? Then he had looked at the bonded Master and seen the interested, attraction clear in those dark blue eyes staring back at him and he knew he had a chance at the both of them. Two possible mates. The rest was history.

Sephtis takes a shallow breath and starts pulling his magic back into himself. It's been only about three minutes, but the followers dazed out and lax in their seats will feel as though they had been like that for over an hour. He isn't exactly sure why his magic does this, why it induces such a reaction to others. Tom and Evan are resistant to such heavy affects because of their bonds, and he is sure that Minjun will take it differently because he is a Bandemonee, and they have the fragile beginnings of a bond in place. He wonders though if it would be different for muggles? What would happen to a muggle under the direct contact with his magic. Would they die? Would it be a beautiful bloody mess? Would the affect be much different? Could a non-magical even live with active magic forcing its self on to it? He wants to know and vows to himself he will test this out when he is next given the opportunity. The followers are already slowly coming too, their bodies shifting in their seats, soft groans sounding throughout the room. Tom waits until the last of the followers is sitting to attention once more before addressing them.

"What you have all just felt is only a taste of Lord Dagger's magic. A plus if you will say, to joining our side. But do not be fooled, that enticing, blissful, beautiful dark magic, can be just as deadly as it is lovely. Lord Dagger is named as such for his love to punish those who would defy me. He will be the one that delivers your just punishments should you decide to defy me. Should you decide to break our rules. Do not forget however that where Lord Dagger's magic is beautiful, mine is deadly and fear inducing." Tom let his own magic out, about two thirds of it. It is like a rushing, raging, wave of turbulent water, carrying promises of death and destruction. A few small screams break out amongst the followers. Tom pulls it back to himself just as quickly. Sephtis, has half closed his eyes and bitten down on the inside of his cheek to keep himself quiet through the storm of lust prickling, twisting, and whirling around in his gut and mind. Tom's magic is too delicious, it fills him with burning need every time he is introduced to it. "You have joined us, and it will be one of the smarted decisions you will ever make. We are young now, but one day, we will be out in the real world as adults and our goals will really become active then. For now, I want each and every one of you to learn, grow in your knowledge, become stronger, grow your magical prowess and become someone you and I can be proud of. Make us proud to call you our followers. You may go, I will call you again in two weeks. Inner please remain behind." It took about five minutes for them all to leave and then all that remained was Evan, Thaddeus, Eileen, Walburga, Cadmus, Nyle, Orion, Abraxas, and Corvus. Tom and Dagger stare the three near the end down like hunters watching their prey.

"I have kept you here today because, three of you have openly disrespected me and Lord Dagger's

decisions. You have greatly lowered yourselves in our eyes. As my inner circle, I am supposed to trust you above all else. You carry my trust with you. But when you fail to give the same level of trust and respect in return, consequences are to be given out." Orion and Abraxas paled at Tom's words. While Corvus drew up his shoulders, preparing himself to take his punishment. Over the past week, being shamefully put behind the others in an obvious display of disgrace from their Lords has made him rethink his views. What he had done that day truly was shameful. He had disrespected Lord Dagger's authority and trust. Lord Dagger knows well how to select strong, smart, and worthy members. He should not have immediately jumped to sexist disrespect. He had disrespected himself in the process by showing his Lords he is unable to think things through properly and study their decisions first before deciding what he should think. It is obvious that the two beside him will need more than a weeks' worth of disgrace to learn from their mistakes. "As you heard me just say, Lord Dagger will be responsible for your punishments, he will serve you the punishment that he sees as befitting for your actions. You know which three you are, come forward. Stand before your Lord." As the three got to their feet, Sephtis began his punishment. A small flick of his wand that is barely peeking out of his sleeve and Abraxas trips over his own feet while coming walking towards them, he goes flying and sprawls out in a heap on the floor. Landing on his face and hands.

Evan chuckles in amusement and Thaddeus snorts in the same. Walburga cackles lowly. The three boys line up and as they go down on their knees if front of Lord Dagger, they find themselves falling flat to the ground, and unable to move. Sephtis climbs to his feet and walks around them in a lazy circle. "I wonder, have any of you thought about what we talked about last weekend? Have you gone over in your mind what you have done wrong to spite me?" His voice is toying, deceptively light. He stops beside Orion and crouches down; he will never kneel beside these lowly minions. He reaches out and takes hold of the boy's lanky black hair. He jerks it back, making Orion looks up at him in a awkward painful angle. He leans in closer and traces a finger nail down the length of Orion's nose. "Do you know what happens when you destroy the trust your Lord has in you?" He Tilts his head to the side, his opal eyes gleaming with madness. "Do you know what happens when you humiliate that trust?" Orion stares up at him with wide eyes, trying to contain his rising fear. Sephtis sneers in disgust. "Everyone believes that purebloods are trained from infancy to be cold, unaffected , and learned from infancy. How wrong they are. They do not see you here, almost wetting yourself at my mere touch. You are a failure in your parents teaching. I am ashamed that you are part of my circle. Orion Black, this shall be your punishment." He pressed his two of his fingers to the underside of Orion's jaw and set to work creating a web of delicate spells. A fine combination of spells he has learned from reading and key words added in from his wish magic. "You will prostrate yourself before Eileen any time you see her in the common room. You will serve her as her loyal servant. You will not speak, outside of 'Yes, Ms.' to Eileen and 'Yes, my Lord' to me and your Lord. You will be able to answer questions from teachers. Every time you think a rebellious thought towards me and your Lord, your body will seize in great pain, and you will start reciting your parents' teachings out loud. Every time you think a cruel thought of Eileen you will feel as though you are being buried alive. Since we are Slytherins and we show a unified front, all of this will happen in your head unless you are in the common room or our rooms." Where Lord Dagger's fingers pressed under his chin, the skin feels like it is burning, cracking, and splitting away. Orion wants cry out in great pain, but he keeps his silence. "I will remove this network of spells once I am satisfied you have learned your lesson. It is more than a single moment of punishment because when you break our trust, it takes more than a single moment to regain it." Sephtis pulls away and stands, moving to Abraxas now.

Abraxas has his eyes closed and is trying to listen for Lord Dagger's approach but there are no

steps to be heard. He shuts his eyes tighter, not wanting to think about what is going to happen to him. A cold metal touch to his cheek, just under his right eye, has Abraxas's eyes flying open. Lord Dagger is crouched inches in front of him, a mad, curious look on his face. "I wonder what would happen if I spelled your eyes to drip tears of acid whenever you show a trace of emotion on your face? How much of your face would it eat away? Would the damage and pain force you to finally learn to keep an impassive face? What would happen if I turned up the volume of your own thoughts to be as loud as a cast sonorous? Would your brain melt and break under the pressure? Maybe I should cause your body to function at full capacity every time you are in the presence of your Lords? You will get a ragging erection, your bladder will suddenly be full, and you will have a full painful rectum until you are able to relive yourself? Would you have the control to keep yourself from creating a mess of yourself? Have your parents taught you well enough to keep decorum even under circumstances such as those? Or will you humiliate yourself as you humiliated my power as your Lord? While the first two sound the most fun for me, I feel that such a punishment now would be too scarring to give you while we remain in school. The third it shall be then." He took out his wand and pointed it directly down the length of Abraxas's body. "When out of the Slytherin territory, you shall only suffer at half potency. In classes since we have them all together, it shall be a long slow build up. Now. Because this is your punishment, I better not see you avoiding us or trying to spend unusual amounts of time out of our presence. You are to act as though everything is completely normal. I want this punishment to serve as a lesson in teaching you how to have better masks. This will take affect the next time you are in our presence after you leave here tonight."

Now, it is on to Corvus. However, and much to his pride, Corvus in perfectly still and staring straight at the floor, not a single emotion on his face. Sephtis tilted his head to the side and remained standing. "On your knees, Heir Lestrange. I believe you have something to say to me?" Corvus slowly rose to his knees, not giving anything away on his face. At his knees, he kept his head bowed. He had not earned the right to look his Lord in the face. "Yes, my Lord." Sephtis nodded, pleased that at least this boy knows his proper manners. "Then you may speak, tell me what you have learned on your own during the week of disgrace amongst your ranks." Corvus dipped his head in thanks, gratitude for being able to explain his revelations. "I have learned that I lost my decorum during the last meeting on Sunday. I disgraced myself, my parents, My chosen Lords, and Ms. Prince. I chose to act on heated feelings rather than calm myself and think things through. Had I done so, I would have seen that my Lords are not fools and would not select some one weak and incapable for the inner circle. I will accept with honor any further punishment you see as fitting." Sephtis hummed in surprised satisfaction. Hmm how to deal with this situation. On one hand, Corvus has done very well with the simple matter of the disgrace of his position during the week. He was smart enough to discover what he had done wrong and what he could have done better. "What day was it this week that you came upon this realization." Corvus almost frowned at the question. What could the purpose of this information pose to Lord Dagger. He kept his face straight and answered with the truth. He had a feeling Lord Dagger would know immediately if he lied. "I realized my mistake on Tuesday but not what I could have done better until the next day." Sephtis walked in a slow, thoughtful circle around Corvus. Pondering the possibilities. The insult had happened on Sunday afternoon and on Tuesday, two days later Corvus had realized his error. On the third day he discovered what he could have done better. But in the meantime, Corvus also seems to have remembered his parent's teachings. He has stopped showing every emotion on his face. Emotions should only be shown around close friends and family. His punishment would not need to be severe.

"Alright Heir Lestrange, I have decided your punishment. Since you are a quick learner and are already gaining a modicum of my respect. A short, painful punishment should be enough." That being said, Sephtis stopped circling in front of Corvus and brandished his wand, directly pointed at Corvus. "Acutus dolor!" A Latin spell for sharp pains. It will feel as though small knives are being dug up under Corvus's skin. There will be no physical damage but in the throes of the spell, it will feel real. Corvus starts convulsing and falls forwards to land on the floor. Screams rip from his throat, Sephtis is pleased. He is not put out that Corvus could not contain them, he is a child after all. Sephtis stands over the thrashing, screaming boy, watching with amused fascination. He keeps the spell on the boy for three minutes. One minute per day it took Corvus to fully to realize his mistakes. When he lifts the spell, he crouches down next to the boy and brushes the sweat damp hair from Corvus's eyes. They are unfocused and spinning about. Still coming down from the high amounts of pain. Sephtis waits calmly. When Corvus is finally breathing normally and closing his eyes adjust, Sephtis speaks once more. "You have done very well, Heir Lestrange. I am proud of you. Continue to do so and you shall never find yourself under my wand. For I will enjoy it, and the next time, you will not come out of it without scars." He says with an airy, slightly crazed chuckle and a flippant wave of his hand. "Now, get out of our sight. We will see you all on Monday. Evan, stay." Sephtis walks back to his pillow and goes back to kneeling at Tom's feet. The inner group leaves in sedated, elegant pace. Some a little faster than others. Mainly three of them. Orion, Abraxas, and Nyle. Hmm, hopefully the two of them will learn their lesson soon. Or they would be in for it for sure. If this punishment doesn't teach them, they will be removed from the inner circle. Possibly to a more severe position.

The doors closed with a silent click as Corvus left the auditorium, leaving the remaining four alone. Sephtis rose from his cushion once again and walked a few steps around the throne and twirled lightly on his feet. Excited to see Minjun. He twirled once more before reaching Minjun. He came to a stop just before where he knows Minjun is standing. He bows with one hand across his chest and the other out at his side. A bow to end his performance for the evening. Minjun canceled the disillusionment charm with a flourish of his wand and then placed a hand on his little Death Vorare's bowed head. Sephtis chirped in delight and then went back around the throne, Minjun following close behind. He climbed up onto the throne, kneeling over Tom's lap. Tom looked up at him. "Did I do a good job for you, Master? Did I please you?" Tom grinned up at his little Dagger and placed his hands around Sephtis's neck, pulling him down until their mouths are almost touching. "You did very, very good. What a perfect performance, my Darling little Dagger. You have greatly pleased your Master." Sephtis moaned lowly at the praise and bare his neck for his Master, wanting a mark to show off how proud his master is of his actions. Tom trailed the tip of his nose along Sephtis's jaw and then down his neck, stopping just above the collar of Sephtis's robe and shirt. He pushed Dagger's raven hair out of the way and then licked the pale flesh. Suckled the wet flesh for a moment, causing Sephtis's thighs to squeeze down on his. Then Tom opened his mouth wide and bitt down hard. Sephtis cried out in ecstasy, his mouth falling open. Minjun stood beside the right arm of Tom's chair, watching the show his future mates are displaying. He ignores the pet's existence entirely. Not even glancing at the boy. Until Sephtis introduced the pet, he was not worthy of Minjun's attention. He is much to aroused and hungrily watching the boys in the chair, anyway. He wondered how Sephtis is able to speak parseltongue. It is certainly not from his Death Vorare abilities. How can either of his boys speak it? He would have them perform a ancestry test, as well as a magical reveal test, at some point in the near future. Perhaps over the yule break. He would not rather come across any unwelcome surprises in the future.

Tom releases Sephtis's neck from his teeth and then kisses the newly forming raised, bruise.

Sephtis licks his lips and then turns his head to capture Tom's in a hungry kiss. They pull apart after a short minute and Sephtis licks Tom's lips with the tip of his tongue before turning and sitting on lap. "Come here pet." Evan gets up to his hands and knees and crawls over to his Master. He kneels beside the tall, backed throne, his head bowed. Tom reaches out for Minjun's hand, who takes the offered hand, watching the pet now. "Evan, this Master Minjun, as you know. Minjun this is pet and slave, Evan Rosier. Master Minjun is my and your master's mentor and future Mate." Tom informed the burly boy. Sephtis watched the tightening of Evan's shoulders, and the redness coloring Evan's ears from his spot-on Tom's lap. He clicked his tongue and reached down curl his fingers tightly into his pet's golden curly hair. He tilted his pet's head up so he could fix him with a cool look. Evan met his gaze heatedly. "You don't get a say, you don't get an opinion and you definitely don't have the right to be jealous of Master Minjun. What I give you is all you get to be possessive of. I have not given you myself, I am not yours. I do not want to see you even looking at Master Minjun. Except for the obvious exception of class. He is a permanent part of our future. You best heed my words carefully; I will not tolerate disobedience. You will follow his orders, should he need to give you any, but you are not to speak to him." Evan kept his eyes trained on his master, feeling jealousy rise in him, nonetheless. First he has to share his master's attention with his Lord and now he has to share it with a professor. He sneered internally at the thought. That filth is not worthy of his Master.

Sephtis got a gleam in eye, sensing his pet's rising anger though the bond. He slid off of Tom's lap, pulling Evan along behind him by his hair. Evan stumbled after him, withholding the hiss of pain. Not that he minded it, he was getting his master's attention regardless. He also liked pain, especially from his master. Sephtis tossed Evan harshly to the floor in front of him. Evan not expecting this fell flat to the floor. Withholding a sharp hiss as his elbow cracked down hard on the floor. Sephtis stood over him, his hands on his hips. "What did I just say, Evan? You belong to me, not the other way around. You will respect my orders, or you are blatantly disrespecting me. Is that what you are doing , pet?" Evan's eyes went wide, he hadn't thought of it like that. He didn't want to do that! That was not his intention! He pulled himself bodily across the floor to his master's feet. Not daring to touch him. "No. No I would never purposely disrespect you, my Master. Please forgive my misjudgment." Sephtis arched his neck higher, staring down his nose at Evan. A cold glint in his opal eyes. "A slave does not get to ask for mercy, or forgiveness. The master may choose to give it, but you will not ask for it unless I tell you to." He crouched down next to Evan's head and pushed his head to the side with one long index finger, so he could see half of Evan's face. "Would you like to beg for forgiveness, pet? Do you want to beg for my attention?" He said the last one with cruel mocking tone. Evan's eyes fluttered in pleasure at the tone. "Yes, Master. Please let this unworthy pet beg." Sephtis clucked his tongue and shook his head, standing up. "Alright, beg, show me how much you love your master. I will determine your worth afterwards."

Evan pressed his head to his master's shoe. "Please master, forgive my thoughtless desires. Please let me wish to be jealous…please let it fuel my desire to please you. Please let me stay at your feet and revel in your radiant insanity. Please let this lowly slave, worship your blood craft." Sephtis cocked his head to the side at the last sentence, a dagger appearing in his hand. "Look up at me, pet. Good, now open your mouth." He promptly slit his palm open and held his hand out over his pet's face. Blood dripped down onto Evan's face, some landing in the open mouth, some splattering his pale face in crimson drops. Sephtis licked his lips at the sight. Some of his blood landed on the floor and he hissed in displeasure at the waste. "Lick up blood you missed pet; I don't want to see a trace of my blood left behind." Tom came up behind his little Dagger and wrapped his arms around his waist from behind. He stared down at Evan on the floor with sick

satisfaction, watching the boy lick up his little Dagger's blood from the floor. Sephtis giggled darkly at the sight. "What a good boy you are, pet." Evan blushed under the praise and looked up to his master, blood still spattered on his pale face like a canvas. Tom took Dagger's cut open palm and brought it to his mouth, licking up the remnants of blood. Sephtis has already healed the cut with a silent, wandless healing spell. Evan's eyes dilate at the sight. "Now, as long as you follow my orders perfectly, you will continue to be a good boy. Should you choose to be a bad boy…" A long-bladed dagger slid into his free hand; the one Tom is not holding. He brought the blade down until it was pointed straight in the center between Evan's eyes. "I will cut out your eyes so you can never look upon me again. Only good boys deserve the right to see their master. Are you a good boy, pet? Or a bad boy?" Evan grinned and raised himself up to lick the tip of the blade. "I am my master's good boy. I will not speak to, touch, or think about my master's and Lord's future mate."

Sephtis nodded, pleased. "Now get out of my sight, be a good boy and go back to your room. I want you to touch yourself tonight, and you may leave my blood on your face until morning. It's time you start learning the pleasures you body can offer you." Evan said nothing, the orders playing on repeat in his head. He's never touched himself before, he's only cum once and that was when his master had rewarded him after his first kill with an open mouthed, tongue tasting kiss. But if he looked in the mirror and saw the blood of his master on his face, if he tasted it again…he knew he would have no problem touching himself as his Master has ordered. He kisses both shoes on his master, rises and bows to his Lord. Then he retreats from the room. Sephtis tosses his head back over Tom's shoulder and giggles madly. The sight of Evan licking his blood off the floor replaying in his head. "I don't think he will have any trouble touching himself for the first time after this." Sephtis agreed, wholly with Tom. He turned with his master and regarded Minjun. "Did you enjoy the show?" Minjun was leaning on the throne, an aroused gleam in his slanted eyes. His chin resting in his hand. "You certainly both know how to create inspiration and fear in your followers. It is a good combination. It would not be good to have those amongst your followers who believe they can do what they want. It is also wise and good leadership to teach your followers how to be better in hiding their emotions." He flicked his dark gaze directly to Tom. "It is good that you reward them, not only punish them. If it was only punishment, they would eventually deflect or betray you."

Sephtis smirked, he knows this already. He has told his master similar things before. "What of my pet? Do you think my slave bond to him has given him immortality?" Minjun stared at the spot where the pet had been laying moments before. Withholding a sneer. "He seems to be very loyal to you. I do not find him worthy to be in your presence, but I am biased and jealous. However, I do not think your bond has gifted him immortality. Compete soul, magic, and body bonds are required to enact that level of connection to you. You have only claimed his magic and he has only sworn to protect you and serve you. He will die as any other normal wizard or witch. Unless of course you kill him, then I am sure he would die happy, and you would kill him in a way you would personally enjoy. But do not be offended, I do not want to eat your slave. It would leave a bad taste in my mouth. A foul, wretched, loathing taste." Minjun added the last part lowly, almost a whisper. But both boys, having grown up in situations that required them to use all their senses to avoid unwanted attention, heard the mutterings. Sephtis leaned further back into Tom's hold. "Good. Toys are temporary amusements. I will grow tired of him one day; it would have been bothersome if he was to be around forever. Besides his jealousy, while cute and flattering, infuriates me. He has no right to be possessive of me when it comes to my mates. He is the toy; you are my equals." He says with a small pout, looking to Tom. Tom kisses his nose and Sephtis purrs. "Alright, come along, I wish for a cup of tea, and I want to teach you both how to cook, so we'll start with what I have planned tonight." Tom chocked in shock. Him cook? Him? Sephtis snickers at Tom's face

and pulls him along to follow Minjun who is already walking away.

"I think that that will be only me and you, Tom loves to brew but he does not like to cook. What are we making? Anything with 'beef'?" Minjun couldn't help but laugh quietly at Sephtis's pointed question. It seems his little Death Vorare has a liking for his creature's food. He waited until they were safely ensconced in his rooms, tea made, Tom is reading by the fire and he and Sephtis are in the kitchen to answer. "We are going to make Haemul-kal-guksu, Bulgogi, and Haemul Sundubu- jjigae. Haemul-kal-guksu is a seafood soup with handmade, knife cut wheat flour noodles. It usually contains a variety of seafood, makers personal choice and is all about the deep flavors of the broth and each ingredient shining. It is not overly spicy, but heat can be adjusted to taste. I believe Tom will like this one quite a bit. Bulgogi is a slightly sweet dish normally made with beef, but of course, we will be using, long pig (human). Every dinner and lunch we have together will consist of at least one dish that offers the meat I need to eat to live." Sephtis takes the black apron Minjun hands him with a gleeful bounce on the balls of his feet. He really likes the 'long pig' dishes that Minjun has made already a couple of times for them, so he is sure he will like this one too. "We will just have to wait and see if our Tom will ever partake in our shared acquired taste of meat." Sephtis made a mocking face of horror at the idea, Minjun eyed him with veiled amusement. Sephtis snickered and turned away from him, picking up a knife to start chopping a yellow onion. While Minjun is cutting up the long pig, at least that's what Sephtis assumes, as it doesn't quite look like beef but it's definitely not pork. The only other meats on the countertop are the different bowls of seafoods. As well as a plate with another yellow onion, green onions and a couple different kinds of mushrooms he doesn't recognize. They prep for many ingredients for the next fifteen minutes, when everything is prepped and waiting in bowls or on plates they start cooking. Minjun has set him to cook the Haemul Sundubu-jjigae.

Minjun himself is cooking the bulgogi and Sephtis watches out of the corner of his eye in envy. He has never cooked with long pig before, he has eaten it but now he wants to try his hand cooking it. He wonders if there is any part of long pig that can be made into a bacon like cut. Bacon from a pig is from the belly where it is most fatty. Are long pigs the same? He will have to get a few books on animal and human anatomy and see the full extent of differences before he starts experimenting. Once the first two dishes are done, they sit under stasis charms that Minjun cast with a simple wave of his beech wood wand. They cook the Haemul-kal-guksu together. While Minjun fishes it, Sephtis makes the table. Asking Minjun where everything is. He decides against practicing his levitating on something so delicate and priceless as Minjun's antique set of plates, bowls and cups. So, he sets the table by hand. By the time that Sephtis has gone to fetch Tom and bring him back to the table, Minjun has brought the food to the table and is waiting for them beside his chair so that they may sit down together. Tom pulls out Sephtis's chair for him and then they all take their seats. Tom once again avoids eating the long pig dish and mostly eats the Haemul-Kal-guksu with a bowl of rice and he has found he really enjoys the radish kimchi. He like all the kimchi that Minjun has introduced to them, but the crunch radish kimchi is his favorite. Sephtis eat some of everything and gives Tom a look when he takes his first bit of the sweet bulgogi. Tom give him the side eye. "I wish you would just try it. This version is even sweet, and you love sweet things." Tom narrowed his eyes and purposely turned away from Sephtis who withheld a slight scowl.

"How are you supposed to know if you like it not if you don't ever try? It's not exactly like your fully human yourself. No human can be immortal. You are, because of our bonds, part of me resides in you now, you'll never be truly human again." Tom gave a furtive glance to Minjun, who

is acting like he isn't listening to them. He closes his eyes with an inward sigh. Sephtis simply isn't going to give up unless he tries it. And he supposes that his little Dagger is right, he isn't really a human anymore. So he can't let himself be held back by the thought of cannibalism anymore. He opened his eyes and turned to look at Sephtis who is watching him with thinly veiled concern and fear. He leaned over and scooped up a tiny portion of the meat and put it on his plate. Sephtis watched him, holding his breath in trepidation. Tom picked up the small chunk with his chop sticks and regarded the piece wearily. He steeled his nerves and put it in his mouth. It is sweet! He chewed and his eyes widened a tad, this is bad…this is bad…he likes it. He likes it a lot. Sephtis is beaming smugly at him and Minjun has a small twinkle of approval in his dark slanted eyes. Tom takes a bigger portion of the long pig bulgogi.

Chapter End Notes

6/23/22 Update, chapter nine is coming. I was in a dry spot for a while but I am back now and the new chapter will be up soon.

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Sephtis

Ch 1

Ch 2

Ch 3

Ch 4

Ch 5

Class Schedule

Ch 6

Ch 7

Ch 8