The Purpose, Rewritten, Chapter 43 War Casualties
November 17th, 1971
Nine aurors perishes. Bodies not found. Area devastated. The dark Lord Voldemort strikes again.
Seth sighed as he read the newspapers. Nine aurors, it was a terrible loss. Not counting only the muggles, but the death toll was concerning, as there had been many sightings of Inferi and muggles were describing them as zombies. Many were killed by policemen with gunshots to their heads as last resort.
''I need you here, Seth.'' Said Dumbledore as he passed behind him and seemed to read his thoughts again.
''Yeah, as much as I need a loaf of bread.'' Replied Seth.
''I take it potions have not been working.'' Deduced Dumbledore.
Seth took a long sip of coffee before answering.
''No. And some students are persistent enough to try to enrage me, as if they want me to cave in and take their blood.'' Retorqued Seth. ''Three months here and I haven't had so little control over myself in my life! It's as if I'm back in my first year again.''
''I am sorry. Is that why you spend all your time in the forest?'' Asked Dumbledore.
''Yes.'' Said Seth.
He had been spending most of his time outside, far from the students, only showing up for his classes, and some mornings to check on the news.
''Can I do anything?'' Asked Albus.
Seth finished his coffee and stood up, lingering on thoughts. Then he faced Dumbledore closely and pointed a finger on his chest.
''Maybe. Tell me what potion Maugrey gave you when we dueled.'' Said Seth dryly.
''I can try to talk to him again.'' Sighed the Headmaster.
Seth chuckled.
''As if you'll ever get an answer.'' Hissed Seth before making his way to his classroom.
After two months, most of his students were eager to go to his class, especially the years one to five, and it was not without surprise that the students were already sitting and ready for the class to begin.
The desks had been moved to a side, and his first years sat on little mattresses, ready for the meditation.
''You can begin.'' Said Seth with a smile.
They were making big progress. A few of them glowed as their magic was brought forth, but they had to be a little older to know where their magical core was and how to call upon it.
''Good. Now that you know how your magic feels, everything else that you will learn will be easier. My class will often overlap with Flitwick's class, so do not be surprised if a few spells gets repeated either here or there. A quick example is Wingardium Leviosa, which can only be used on non-living things, but Levioso can, and can be used defensively.'' Explained Seth. ''Which brings us to the title of this class.''
They were all hooked on his words, not daring to divert their attention on other things. Seth made them practice simple spells like green, red, yellow and blue sparks as well as Lumos, and even show them his Vulkanis. But, he would not expect them to be able to make them until they grew older, since you needed self-control, any other than his daughter would surprise him.
Class ended minutes later, and he felt hungry again. He found his blood cravings were lessened when he was in his Animagus form: a wolf. So, most nights, he slept by the stream of water in that glade where unicorns and Thestrals went to see him. He also needed desperately to find a solution to the curse Voldemort had put on the DADA teacher. In this care, him.
In the glade, he took that a long time to think, and sometimes brought papers to write ideas and possible runes that could work. While he was resting against stones, he felt his daughter's aura coming near. Alarmed, he jumped to his feet and ran to her. He knew she probably had felt his own aura, but she jumped as he had arrived behind her.
''How dare you go in the Forbidden Forest, Ruma?'' Asked Seth.
''I can defend myself!'' Answered Ruma angrily.
He grabbed her arm and pulled her, walking towards the castle.
''And how exactly? I haven't taught you any spells to do so just yet!'' Said Seth just as angry as her.
''Mer told me how to, you know. She was not absent like you!'' Said Ruma as she tried to get free from her father's grasp.
Seth stopped and let her go. She stumbled and fell down but got up quickly. She had said hurtful words, and he took a moment before speaking again.
''You tell me… that you can kill wolves, bogs and giant spiders, among other things that roams here?'' Said Seth.
She answered him with a mean look, then looked at her feet.
''No.''
''Then, you have NO reason to even be here!'' Said Seth.
''I can run as fast as you can. I can feel the danger and I am strong too.'' Muttered Ruma. '' I don't have my teeth or claws yet, but I can defend myself!''
''Yet? You think you will magically grow teeth?'' Asked Seth, disbelieving what he was hearing.
''Why not? You were 22 when everything happened to you! 23 when you could run faster around the isle!'' Said Ruma.
''My diaries.'' Seth remembered. ''But we are not… like… I don't know...'' Seth stopped.
''Know what I am?'' Replied Ruma. ''Exactly! No one knows!'' She cried.
Seth was taken aback from her emotions. Something must have happened at school for her to react badly. She had no butterflies around her head ever since he saw her in the forest. Nevertheless, he couldn't let her be endangered like that.
''I said I would support you in any way. For this, I can't, and I'm your father and your teacher. I forbid you to come here for your own safety!''
''But…''
''Twenty points from Slytherin. And if you protest any more, you will get detention with Argus Filch. From what I heard; he can be quite nasty.'' Said Seth.
She flared with anger but said no more. Seth escorted her back to the Slytherin dorms.
''Where were you?'' Hissed Lucius, before seeing Seth, and clearing his throat. ''She was with you, sir?''
''She was and was punished accordingly. You can go rest. I will patrol the rest of tonight.'' Said Seth.
''Yes, sir. Good night.'' Said Lucius.
Seth left, and Lucius turned to scowl at Ruma anyway, but she had already gone to her dorm. He sighed and shook his head. When Seth was the one patrolling, and he didn't know about it beforehand, many Slytherins were caught and that only meant losing points for that night.
His father wanted him to woo Ruma and no one else, but she was way too young for him to even attempt anything. He had other families that approached him directly, and Narcissa Black was way more interesting than a girl who already broke school rules.
For one, he was deeply scared of his godfather, even more than the prospect of serving the dark Lord. He had known Seth when he was younger, and he did remember many situations in which Seth had proved his ruthlessness. If he were to marry Ruma, he would not hear the end of it. For seconds, he knew Ruma was not interested in the slightest of marrying someone for blood purity, but for someone she loved.
That was also the case for him, and he preferred men just like his father, but would gladly take Narcissa Black to continue the Malfoy lineage. He just needed to convince his father to go with the black patriarch. The next day, he was woken up by a Rodolphus Lestrange.
''Malfoy. Wake up your pretty hair, it's Quidditch today.'' Said Rodolphus, and Lucius went to the bathroom to relieve himself,
He did his morning care routine, only this time, his hair would be in a ponytail, Quidditch obliged. He adjusted his tie and made sure there was not a single speck of dust on his clothes, then proceeded to go to the Great Hall for breakfast. He spotted Ruma with Rosanne and Severus, the two she made friends with pretty quickly, although that silly girl seemed quite annoying and seemed to only hang out with Ruma because of who she was.
Most teachers were sitting at their table because of the upcoming match between Slytherin and Ravenclaw, so cheerful needed. Most teachers were sitting at their table because of the upcoming match between Slytherin and Ravenclaw. Even Seth was there, sipping on his coffee. He never saw him eating food while here at Hogwarts. He did remember him eating numerous times eight years ago whenever he came in his manor.
Not only that, but he had heard him speak with Slughorn about some ingredients, and when he looked them up, they had digestive abilities in common. Was Seth only drinking blood now? Was that why Slughorn was so nervous around him? Dumbledore would not let him teach if he had been a danger. Lucius admitted he had been immensely impressed by Seth's teachings. Callum Yaxley had been very good too, before his accident.
Owls came through the windows and his eagle owl dropped a letter on his lap. He gave a piece of bacon to his owl, and it flew away.
''That's from your father, isn't it Malfoy?'' Asked Rabastan.
''Yes. I don't expect you to read above my shoulder.'' Said Lucius before standing up and going to a hallway nearby.
Son, I wish you success in the first Quidditch match. I'm hoping to see you soon in Hogsmead, since crows are expected to be there. There has been recent developments concerning our friend's health, and I have been told you should strongly help him in any way possible. I expect you to give your all. Like always, keep me posted. Abraxas Malfoy.
Deatheaters in Hogsmead… what for?
His father also wanted him to… give blood to Seth? Was that what he really meant in the letter? He swept his wand on the parchment, and it burned, reducing the letter in ashes. What was his father thinking? Was that what he had been told to do by the dark Lord?
He swallowed with difficulty. Surely, he had a timeline. He took a deep breath, then went back to the Slytherin table. He glanced at Seth, who was laughing at something Merebelle had probably said. He turned his eyes on his plate, but he was not hungry anymore.
During the match, he was focused on the game, but they had barely won against the Ravenclaws 210 to 200 points.
Roger Rickett, their seeker, had been injured, and their replacement was average, but managed to catch the snitch. Two weeks later, it was the Hogsmead visit, and he made sure his Slytherin friends would not linger in the village, or they would stay at Hogwarts. It was a good thing he had, for four mountain trolls had attacked Meadowfields and three families, where five muggleborns lived, had been killed before Seth had managed to intervene.
He was gravely wounded, but so had two other teachers, Merebelle and Flitwick, although Flitwick's injuries had been minor. Lucius tried to spy within the infirmary, out of sight with a disillusion spell. It was the middle of the night, and the doors were closed. He heard voices inside, more precisely the headmaster talking with McGonagall and Poppy.
''The potions I gave him in his veins does not seem to work on him. Miss Dumont will be fine. She woke up earlier, and I gave her potions that she took herself. She is half-Veela, and we know more about them than vampires. Actually, we don't know anything about vampires, Headmaster. That might be why when my potions do not work properly'' Said Poppy.
Dumbledore said something Lucius did not hear, but the nurse reacted strongly.
''Blood? I do not carry anything of the sort here!'' Said Poppy.
''Time for a little hunt.'' Said Dumbledore.
''You can't be serious, Albus.'' Said Minerva before the door opened.
All three of them continued arguing and Lucius went inside. The five bodies had been brought here, and a white sheet covered their small bodies.
Lucius shivered at the sight. Dead kids were not something he expected to see so soon. Flitwick had already been cleared, and also the ones who had scratches or small bruises. Merebelle was sleeping. A few scales and feathers adorned her neck and arms. She had used her Veela's abilities to fight the trolls. Seeing Professor Vulken was a whole different story.
He was covered in bandages and his hair had dried blood on it. Poppy had tried potions on his bruises, but it did not work, and his original pale skin was purple and blue in many spots. A star-shaped purple mark adorned his left shoulder. Was it a tattoo? He walked closer to him, standing by his head.
''Ab…'' Muttered Seth, stirring his sleep.
Lucius looked at the door: the teachers were not coming back yet. Should he give Seth blood now? Was that what his father wanted or meant in his letter?
Maybe.
Probably?
He lifted his arm and pointed his wand at his wrist and held his breath for a second.
''Diffindo.'' Said Lucius, with clear intentions in his mind.
A thin line appeared on his wrist, and blood began to pour out. He moved it above Seth's mouth, trying to let the blood go in it. A few seconds passed where nothing happened. Then, he gasped as Seth had grabbed his arm with both of his hands, his long nails scraping his skin. Teeth had pierced his skin too, and venom quickly went into his bloodstream.
''Oh, Salazar.'' Said Lucius, feeling heat in his body and a reaction to his groin he never thought would happen with a vampire's bite.
He bent forward and held himself on the bed with his left hand. The feeling of lust in his body only grew, and he thought he would be spent right there, in his pants. But Seth opened his eyes, staring at Lucius for a brief instant before pushing Lucius's arm away and grabbing him by the neck as he stood up abruptly.
Lucius's eyes went wide in surprise, and he grabbed Seth's arm, trying to get away from him.
''How dare you make me drink your blood!'' Bellowed Seth, his eyes black and teeth out.
Lucius choked and desperately tried to get away, hitting on Seth's arm. He was turning blue. Seth growled and threw him across the room.
''You knew?'' Spat Seth.
Merebelle woke up, startled by Seth's yell.
''Seth, what's going on?''
She stood up, wavering on her feet, and went to him before she saw Lucius on the floor, coughing and trying to breathe again.
''Lucius? What?'' Asked Merebelle, frowning, before seeing the blood on Lucius arm.
''I… I wanted to help you.'' Said Lucius as he stood up.
Seth growled before a jolt of lightning pain shot through his back and he fell on one knee. Merebelle tried to help him, but she was still very weak herself. Rapid steps came back to the infirmary. The Headmaster had come back with rabbits levitating behind him. Minerva and Poppy were shocked at the scene before them. Poppy tried to help Lucius.
''I'm fine. I… I should leave.'' Said Malfoy.
''Mr. Malfoy, perhaps you can explain what happened.'' Asked Dumbledore, as Minerva helped Merebelle and Seth to go back on their beds.
Seth pushed Minerva away and stayed silent.
''I…'' Lucius swallowed with difficulty. ''I gave blood to Professor Vulken, and he pushed me away once he woke up.''
Seth was wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, a murderous glare staring at the blonde. Dumbledore pursed his lips and turned to the nurse.
''Poppy, why don't you give Mr. Malfoy a blood regenerative potion, and he will go back to his dorm?'' Said Dumbledore.
''Gladly. Come with me, Mr. Malfoy.'' Said Poppy.
''How are you feeling, Merebelle?'' Asked Dumbledore.
''A bit drowsy, but I'm okay. I'm more worried about Seth. I'm glad he woke up.'' Said Merebelle.
Lucius had left the infirmary and Albus turned to Seth, who was back in his bed in a sitting position.
''You can put those rabbits back in the forest, Albus.'' Said Seth quietly.
''Minerva, can you do that?'' Asked Albus.
''I'll go with her.'' Said Poppy, and both left with rabbits floating behind them.
''You are quite the hero, defeating three of those mountain trolls is an incredible feat.'' Said Albus.
Seth looked at the bodies behind Albus and clenched his jaw.
''I was too late, and my runes could not protect them. They were disabled by deatheaters. I managed to see them, but something was wrong. I could not feel their auras nor hear their heartbeats. It reminded me of the concealed charm you placed on yourself when we dueled.'' Said Seth.
''Someone was informed of your abilities, and this was a planned attack.'' Said Albus.
''It was, and it was meant for me. Those trolls went for my village, then after Merebelle once they saw her.'' Said Seth.
''I would be dead without you, Seth, and so many others had you not been there.'' Reassured Merebelle.
Seth winced as another jolt of pain shook his body.
''Is there anything I can do to help you?'' Asked Albus.
Seth laid back his head on the pillow and said nothing. Hearing the Headmaster ask again what he could do only angered him more. Merebelle noticed and spoke for him.
''He needs magical blood, and I cannot provide for him for a while. Ideally… not from you either, Headmaster.'' Said Merebelle.
''Other teachers… perhaps?'' Asked Albus.
Seth rolled his eyes. As if other teachers would be willing to do this, and they were still scared of him. This would only worsen the situation. Merebelle sighed, waiting to see if Seth would say something.
''Abraxas Malfoy.'' Said Seth.
OoOoO
Author's note : It had been several months since I published because I play World of Warcraft, and the expansion went out in September… I love writing too, and planning to write my own books, which I have already started. I wish my readers would comment and say some things to help me better my writings, but you are all silent lol. Glad you enjoy!