The Purpose, Rewritten, Chapter 40 To be a teacher

September 14th, 1971

''No… not like this. Look at its wings… if they are chipped, it messes a little from getting an optimal liquid.'' Said Severus, trying to help Ruma with potions.

Ruma looked at the beetle wings and one of hers was indeed chipped a little, but she read the book instructions again.

Take six beetle wings and crush them in a powder.

''It doesn't say anything about it…'' Muttered Ruma. ''How do you know it changes anything?''

Severus continued crushing the wings until it was in a fine powder.

''I… read a lot this summer… articles.'' Said Severus.

''About beetle wings?'' Asked Rosanne Yaxley.

Rosanne was Callum Yaxley's daughter, and somewhat Ruma's cousin by marriage. They had never seen each other, since Callum always hated Corban, but she had been glad to meet her, on top of being sorted in Slytherin.

''I like potions. It's… interesting.'' Said Severus, his cheek reddening.

''First year potions? More like dreadful potion year. Can't wait to make actual interesting stuff like liquid luck.'' Said Rosanne.

''We don't really get to make it, I think… only potion masters can do that, and under ministry surveillance.'' Said Severus.

''It was in an article?'' Asked Ruma.

''No… the sixth-year potion book.'' Replied Severus, his face reddening even more.

''Hey, it's fine… potion's your thing. I'm good with charms. We can help each other.'' Said Ruma.

''Seems like Malfoy doesn't like you do your butterflies.'' Said Severus.

Ruma huffed and looked at the three butterflies that were still floating around her head.

''I like them. I've learned that charmed things can develop a personality.'' Said Ruma.

''Isn't that just on objects?'' Asked Severus.

''Her father invented the Vulkanis, and very few people are able to replicate them… saying they lit things on fire randomly instead of doing what they are supposed to do… like, lit the area around you.'' Said Rosanne.

''That's because kids can't control emotions.'' Ruma said in a tone where she imitated her father from the last lesson they had in DADA class.

''Yeah, who would have thought that your father was…'' Began Rosanne.

''He's amazing.'' Muttered Severus, putting some rat bile in his potion.

Rosanne scoffed.

''Huh, sure… meditating sure does bring… NOTHING!'' Growled Rosanne.

From the two classes they had, the first twenty minutes had been dedicated to meditation, and most of their classmates had a silencing spell on them that lasted a good fifteen minutes after DADA classes because they wouldn't shut their mouths during their lesson. That very lesson had been to focus their magical core and get to feel it. Of course, they all failed miserably, and Rosanne huffed too loud, getting her a silencing charm.

Her father had all done that without moving a finger, and they all thought he was hiding his wand or doing a trick, but Ruma knew better. She dared not say anything about her abilities, since Merebelle had already shown her what they did back in Uagadou. Her father had noticed she could do some wandless magic, all thanks to Merebelle, and he had granted her five points for her house simply because she had been listening.

''It will help you do wandless magic later, Rosanne.'' Mumbled Ruma.

''Why would I ever need to do that?'' Asked the girl.

''If you get disarmed?'' Sneered Severus.

''Oh, please, we are first years, we need to know how to do spells, like now!'' Whined Rosanne. ''I'm betting he can't do magic anyway. Vampires can't do magic! My father was a way better DADA teacher than he will ever be!''

One of Ruma's flying butterflies disappeared in thin air. Severus eyed Ruma a short second.

''Why is he not the teacher now?'' Asked Severus.

Rosanne grunted.

''He got in an accident two years ago at the end of the year. One of his spell backfired as his wand had been tempered with and he can't use his arms very well.'' Explained Rosanne.

''Oh. So sorry to hear that. There's nothing that can be done?'' Asked Ruma.

Her tone had not been sincere, since Rosanne had insulted her father, but she was curious, nonetheless.

''Not really. He has tried many potions and magical therapy, but it's not getting better.'' Said Rosanne.

''Your father always hated mine. Did you know your uncle was a vampire and a wizard?'' Said Ruma.

''What? That can't be true. He's dead anyway.'' Said Rosanne.

''Yea…'' Said Ruma with a sad tone before she placed some potion in a vial and went to bring it to Slughorn.

Ruma grabbed her things, then left the class.

''Why did she react like that?'' Asked Rosanne.

Severus shrugged and also brought his vial to Slughorn. He tried to hurry after Ruma, but something made him trip and fall right as he crossed the door. His books had flown everywhere. He heard snickering and when he lifted his head from the ground, he saw James Potter running off a corner of the hallway.

Rosanne helped him up and insulted the Gryffindors.

''Your shoes… they made them tie together. I wonder what spell is that.'' Said Rosanne.

Severus grumbled and grabbed his books.

''Someone giving you trouble, Mr. Snape?'' Said the voice of Seth Vulken.

Startled, they made a step back, then Severus shook his head.

''No, Sir.'' Said Severus.

Seth moved forward and bent towards them.

''They are several spells to counter small annoyances. Unless… you want that to happen to you again. I believe Ruma would know about them.'' Said Seth softly before going in Horace's classroom.

Severus blinked as the door was closed behind Seth.

''Why did he go see Slughorn?'' Asked Rosanne.

''How the hell am I supposed to know?'' Said Severus. '' Come on. Let's get Ruma.''

OoOoO

''Seth! You got my owl, I see. Come in, come in.'' Said Horace as he went to his cabinet to retrieve a blueish potion.

Seth crossed his arms. He had asked Slughorn to try to make a potion so that he could perhaps eat solid food again. It had been only two weeks before he received an owl from him to come try a first sample.

''Was I supposed to be with an empty stomach?'' Asked Seth who had just drank deer blood from the forest.

Slughorn held the vial and looked at Seth, thinking.

''Uh. This… is experimental, so maybe it could influence with… with blood. Is it… uh…''

''Deer. Animal blood, Horace.'' Said Seth, trying to ease the nervous man who clearly was not comfortable around him ever since he had made his request.

''Right… right. I, um… I could give you the potion and you wait a few hours and perhaps you could try something light… like bread.'' Said Horace, giving the vial to Seth.

Seth grabbed the vial and placed it in his inner pocket.

''I'll do that. I'll tell you the results later tonight.'' Said Seth.

''I do hope that works.'' Mumbled Horace as Seth was going out, but he had heard him.

It was dinner time for everyone, but Seth went outside to get some air again. It was NEWTS year for Malfoy, and he saw him outside, his nose in a book. A few others were with him: two Slytherins and one Ravenclaw. They had not said a single word in his class, listening to everything he told them and even doing the ten minutes of meditation. It was shorter for higher years, and he saw some real determination from the students.

From the immense curiosity he had felt from the first years to the fifth years, he also felt gut-wrenching fear from some students in sixth and seventh year. He read the books the students had to have for school, and he understood why the sixth- and seventh-year students had such fears. The books talked about Zeliths and everything that was wrong about vampires. The ministry had kept the old books from even before he had modified them or had never sent them to Hogwarts. He would send an owl to Abraxas later. He was on the board after all, and it was now or never to change perceptions.

He waved hello to Hagrid who was taking care of the growing pumpkins, then walked to the lake to sit down on a large stone. He took the vial Slughorn gave him and looked at it closely. It was a light blue tint like many medical potions. He had a feeling it would not work. He sighed and placed it back in his pocket when he felt his daughter's aura coming towards the lake, quite rapidly.

''Father. What are you doing by the lake?'' Asked Ruma.

Seth raised an eyebrow.

''What are you doing by the lake?'' Asked Seth back.

Ruma dismissed the matter with a wave of a hand.

''Trying to get away from Rosanne.'' Said Ruma.

''Why is that?''

''She insinuated her father would be a better teacher than you… and she also mentioned Daddy's death, so…'' Said Ruma.

''Right. I remember that he was the DADA teacher.'' Said Seth, now knowing the reason why Callum was not the teacher anymore. ''What happened to him?''

''Rosanne said someone had tempered with his wand and it backfired. He has problems with his hands now.'' Said Ruma.

''I see.'' Said Seth.

Ruma went up the stone and sat beside her father.

''I'm still mad at you for leaving me.'' Said Ruma.

''I did not leave you, Ruma. I… I had to get away. I did not handle Corban's death in a proper way.'' Said Seth, who had delved into drugs and alcoholism.

Ruma stayed silent for a moment, then sighed.

''You did not think about how I was going to handle his death.'' Said Ruma.

''You had Merebelle… and you were only four…''

He felt her anger flare up. What had he said wrong? He noticed she tried to calm down before speaking, and that alone showed incredible self-control.

''That day… I did not only lose Daddy. You left me there, without ANY regards or thoughts about my feelings. That I… that I would need you to grieve…'' Her voice had broken at the end of her phrase. Tears were swelling in her green eyes.

No. He had not passed a second thought about what she would need, because his own pain was beyond measure. Now that he did come back in part for her, her words stung him more than it should, and he had no idea how to react or what to say to make things better. This was not a spell he could use or something he could fix easily. Seeing he had nothing to say, she jumped off the rock and ran back to the castle.

Seth cursed under his breath and took the blue potion back in his hand and removed the cork before swallowing it down in one gulp. He needed to become… human again. No, not human, but normal. Like before… before Corban.

He felt his inside churn and move uncomfortably, and a sudden nausea appeared. He quickly jumped down the rock, then vomited by the lake. It was not the potion, but all the blood he had drank from the deer a few hours ago. He became light-headed and felt the urge to throw up again.

Did elves listen to teachers within Hogwarts wards?

''Is there… a house-elf to help me?'' Muttered Seth in the coming darkness of the night.

A soft pop was heard behind me.

''You asked, sir?'' Squeaked the voice of a house-elf.

Seth swallowed with difficulty and sat down, his back laying on the rock.

''Yes. Can you tell Merebelle Dumont, erm, the history teacher, where I am… and bring me some… some cooked chicken breast?'' Asked Seth.

''Warm or cold, sir?''

''Doesn't matter.'' Said Seth. ''Thanks.''

''Right away, sir.'' Said the house-elf before disapparating in a soft pop.

Seth's head fell back on the stone, and he closed his eyes. He didn't have to wait long that the elf apparated again with a plate of steaming chicken in long threads and gave it to Seth before bowing and disapparating again.

He looked at the chicken and immediately felt his throat constrict and his insides move. He knew it would not work. He vanished the food and waited for Merebelle which only took another minute.

''Seth! What happened? Why did a house-elf say where you were? Are you okay?'' Asked Merebelle.

Seth stood up and shook his head.

''I… took a potion I thought would make me eat normally again. But, I know it didn't work, and instead made me vomit all the blood I had ingested.''

Merebelle looked worried, but also understood his needs, and it was without hesitation that she offered her blood to him. Drinking magical blood had been a great replacement from all the things he had taken for seven years, and some part of him was not into trying to fix that problem anytime soon.

''I don't mind it.'' Said Merebelle as they were heading to Hogwarts. ''In fact, I actually love it… maybe a little too much. You don't even seem to realize how much venom you pour into me, and I swim into intense pleasure every time you hold me.''

''You want me to hurt you instead?'' Asked Seth, knowing the answer.

''Of course not, but it would be very difficult to say no to something like this.'' Said Merebelle.

They stopped in front of the front doors.

''What are we, Merebelle?'' Asked Seth.

''What do you want us to be?'' Asked Merebelle, cocking her head to the side.

Even though he liked her a lot, he did not imagine he would consider her as a lover. He shook his head and sighed.

''You are my best friend, Mer.'' Said Seth.

''And I would not say anything else about it, Seth.'' She replied, smiling.

OoOoO

The next day he had to teach the fourth and fifth years. He gradually could see the differences in his students about how at ease they were becoming with him. Some still tested his patience and his knowledge, but quickly reconsidered when he had the answer to every question.

At the end of September, Dumbledore had summoned him to a room near his office, but he was not the only one: all the staff members were there. There were privacy spells on the door and there was no portraits either. Only Argus, the caretaker he had not known from before, and Hagrid, were not in the room. It was the first time, beside the sorting at the beginning of the year, that he saw all the teachers together. It was different though, since this time, the teachers could speak to him, or about him, right in this room, and no students were there to deter the others from saying anything.

McGonagall was looking at him with pursed lips, while Slughorn still avoided his gaze. Dumbledore cleared his throat, then went on speaking about the students and asked if anything was out of the ordinary. He also told the recent news about deatheaters attacks on villages around London. They still did not know why muggles were being killed by the dozens every few days and trying to catch the deatheaters was proving difficult.

''If there was a way to figure out who is a deatheater?'' Mumbled Hooch.

The daughter of Edgard Hooch, Rolanda, had been the new flying instructor for three years now. She looked fierce and determined to help anyone with strategies to fight the Deatheaters, even within Hogwarts. That's the first impression Seth had had of her.

''Not at this time.'' Said Dumbledore.

Seth frowned, wondering why wouldn't Albus know about the dark mark tattoo on Deatheater's arms.

''They have tattoos. The Dark mark… just like the one you see in the clouds; they have a mark on their arm.'' Said Seth.

''A tattoo?'' Asked McGonagall.

''You are saying we could inspect everyone?'' Asked Sinistra, the astronomy teacher.

''That might be more complicated than that. If we start to suspect everyone, people will lose faith in the ministry.'' Said Dumbledore.

''I can feel who has them. Avery, Rosier… Nott…'' Seth said the names from the ones he saw at the ministry.

He was sure all the ones who had been the knights of Walpurgis were deatheaters. He did not say Malfoy's name. His heart constricted at the thought. Maybe he should speak with his old friend again.

''What do you mean… feel?'' Asked Slughorn.

All looked at him in a weird way, except for Albus and Merebelle.

''Because I'm me. In case everyone seem to always forget, I am a vampire. And not any kind of vampire. I am the only one with magical powers, and vampires also have their own abilities. I can feel each and everyone of you. Your auras, or more precisely, your wands, and that's how I know who is who, even if you would be concealed. Once I meet you, I do not forget who you are and what you feel like.'' Said Seth. ''At the ministry, I felt the Dark Mark on their arms… and… they were mostly the students you all taught while Tom was here.''

''Tom?'' Asked Slughorn. ''As in Tom Riddle? What would that have anything to do with… no. You can't be serious?''

Seth looked at Dumbledore.

''You did not tell them?'' Asked Seth.

''Saying who Voldemort is, is not going to change anything, except perhaps knowing more who his Deatheaters are.'' Said Albus.

''It can't be. It's not him.'' Said Slughorn, shaking his head. ''A brilliant boy… who worked at Borgin and Burkes. I won't believe it!''

Horace's lips were trembling. He looked behind as he left the room, looking completely shaken.

''How can you be so sure?'' Asked the little Flitwick. ''That boy was a perfect gentleman. He helped many students.''

Seth's face twitched. No. Tom had never helped many students, if none at all, except perhaps his Knights. Seth did help everyone from every houses and many said that Tom had helped them, exchanging their words for favors from Tom.

Seth stayed silent, chewing on his tongue, and preventing himself from saying how blind they all were. He doubted how useful he really was in here, when he should be out there, hunting the deatheaters one after the other.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he looked at Seth and Seth felt him brush his mind. The Headmaster had not wanted to read his thoughts, but instead sent calming waves that cruelly reminded him of what Corban always used to do.

Albus changed subjects and instead spoke of the students and what were their progressions. One teacher after the other, they resumed the first month, and his daughter had been mentioned more than once, saying how skilled she was and very knowledgeable.

''I… taught her many things, but she spent her time in the castle's library…'' Said Merebelle, her face reddening. ''… She had free reigns everywhere and even if I tried my best to lead her in the right direction, she is very stubborn and could evade me so often… maybe learning things she should not.''

Seth remembered Ruma saying she knew things he would not approve of. Learning was not bad in itself, but some things should remain unsaid.

''There is nothing wrong with that. I'm sure you did your best, with the circumstances.'' Said Dumbledore.

''Considering she is my daughter and part vampire, that does not surprise me.'' Said Seth.

''Does that make her dangerous amongst the other students?'' Asked McGonagall.

Her question made Seth angry, but he understood her fears.

''Not any less than keeping Remus Lupin here.'' Said Merebelle dryly, drawing a point.

Her being a Veela also had triggered her feelings.

''She speaks Parseltongue. I heard her.'' Said McGonagall.

''So can I.'' Hissed Seth which made the others shiver. '' We are descendants of Slytherin.'' Added Seth normally.

That alone reminded him he should warn Ruma about the Basilisk, and not let her open the chamber of secrets should she ever learn where it is.

''It does not change anything! It's not just a language, but a great way to learn Par…'' Began Merebelle, but Seth interrupted her.

''Farn! Cin glenn ú- on- hain alia ratione na nifred hen!'' Said Seth in Venthyr in a hard tone.

''That was not my intention.'' Defended Merebelle.

The others were intrigued about what he had said, and so he sighed before speaking.

''She's not a danger to anyone. She just knows how to control her magic better than others at an early age because of who she is.'' Said Seth as he looked at every teacher. ''I hope you do not act any different simply because you realize what she is.''

He turned away and left the room, heading to Slytherin's common room. He had to speak with Ruma. It was just after curfew, but that did not mean she had to go to sleep. If she was anything like him, she did not need much sleep anyway.

The Slytherin common room's door opened for him without any passwords. There were several students still up. He noticed right away the ones with Deatheaters as parents were hanging with each other, no matter the year difference. Ruma was reading and was sitting beside Severus.

''Professor.'' Greeted Lucius with a nod.

Of course he would. Always eyeing whoever entered the room and keeping everything under his control, just like he did with the students in his class. A cat meowed at him as he walked in Ruma's direction. Ruma lifted her eyes from her book as her father stood before her.

''Did I do something wrong?'' Asked Ruma.

''Should I think you did?'' Replied Seth with an eyebrow raised.

''Teachers don't normally go in common rooms unless something happened.'' Said Declan Selwin, an older student standing behind them.

''Nevertheless, Ruma, if you please would follow me.'' Said Seth. ''It won't take long.''

''It's past curfew.'' Mentioned Ruma as she placed her book on the table.

''I don't know why it would be relevant when a student is in the presence of a teacher.'' Said Seth.

He walked towards the exit with Ruma behind him. There were a few hidden rooms all within Hogwarts, but one in particular answered to Parseltongue. He hissed the word open as he reached a stone wall near the potion classroom and the stones moved to show a door. It was a very small room with some books and two small sofas. Ruma entered, impressed at the discovery.

It had not changed since he left foot in Hogwarts, which Seth knew no one could have known this place except Tom and him. The magic it contained kept it from accumulating dust. He spelled his Vulkanis to appear with a small gesture from his hand, then sat in one sofa. Ruma sat in the other one.

''Ruma. I'll be straight to the point. You and I speak Parseltongue because our ancestor is Shilo Slytherin who was Salazar Slytherin's half-brother.'' Said Seth.

''Yes. I have read the Family book, Father. I know where I come from. I did not mean to say anything in Parseltongue in Professor McGonagall's class, but… something happened, and I got mad, and blurted a swear… When I get angry… Parseltongue seems to be easier to say.'' Said Ruma.

''I see. You do manage to control your emotions well though. I do not worry you will get better as you grow up. That is not the reason I made you come here. As you have probably read in Hogwarts's history, it spoke briefly of the chamber of secret.'' Said Seth and Ruma nodded. ''It truly exists… and since I have been in that chamber when I was at school, I wanted to warn you to not open it, since you can, too. It holds a… Basilisk, who is now sleeping, but I do not want you to get hurt since I do not think for a second that it would obey you or even me.''

She did not appear scared or impressed, but instead looked down at her feet.

''I know.'' Said Ruma.

Seth did get scared for a second and stood up.

''How can you know that? You did not already go in there?'' Said Seth, agitated and worried.

He had not heard any hissing, but still was alarmed at her knowing about the Basilisk. He refrained from going into her mind to see what she meant and waited for an explanation.

''I… I-I read your diaries.'' Said Ruma.

Seth gasped and blinked several times. His diaries? He had written his life, and everything he had done, even the murders he had committed, when he was in Uagadou, to help him free his mind to learn wandless magic. It had worked, and he had written every now and then until his parent's death. Then, he had placed those diaries in his bedroom in a box under his bed. He did not know someone would have been able to read Parseltongue, or even break the small locking charm in Parselmagic. He did not know he would have a daughter after that who could have read everything… She did really say she knew things she was not supposed to.

''All of them?'' Asked Seth.

She looked at her father and nodded.

''I will not go after her. I understand the way you think about magical blood and would not release such a beautiful creature only to let her kill wizards, like she killed Myrtle. She haunts the bathroom where the entrance of the chamber is.'' Said Ruma.

''She came back to haunt the bathroom?'' Asked Seth.

Ghosts came back after they had lingered into what wizards called The Void. Only wizards had a choice to pass on or come back forever as a ghost. It saddened him that someone as young as Myrtle had decided she could not move on, all because of Tom.

''Yes.'' Said Ruma.

His thoughts swirled as all the information he had written in his diaries came back to him. How he had killed his first wizard, and drank blood, not without mentioning how he felt when he cast the cruciatus curse. His lust and thirsts in school. What he did with Abraxas and Tom… But he had not written about the Horcruxes nor the blood pact.

''Does Merebelle know?'' Asked Seth.

''No. I placed back your diaries under your bed every time after I was done.'' Said Ruma.

Seth could feel hundreds of questions oozing in her mind all at once, but she remained silent. She did have amazing self-control for her age. Seth sat back down, and wondered if he should answer her every question. Perhaps it would narrow the bridge between them.

''You have questions.'' Stated Seth.

''Am I a vampire?'' Asked Ruma suddenly.

''What?''

She licked her lips and moved forward on the sofa; her hands joined.

''No one could answer me. Not even Lazarus. You began to drink blood only when you did magic, at first, and you were double my age when it happened… I have done wandless magic ever since I was seven. Doing charms, mostly, and I have never felt I should be drinking blood. I am faster than my peers, and feel magic around me, in the air… and can manipulate all that with a snap of my fingers. What am I?'' Asked Ruma.

Ruma was searching for her identity, and Seth could understand her so much as he had wanted to know why he existed all his life. He had no answer for that question, only one thing to tell her.

''Ruma. Your mother was Monica Greengrass, a pure-blood witch. She had a blood curse that I managed to remove because she fell in love with me. But, when she got pregnant with you, she fell sick… perhaps because of the blood curse, or because of me, or even because you are a girl, we will never know. I never want you to blame yourself for her death. I don't have a better answer than Lazarus, or Merebelle even, but if you ever need help, because you do feel the need to drink blood, you have to know this as true as you are: I will always be there for you and guide you should you ever feel the need to.'' Said Seth.

''Thank you. I guess I needed to hear that.'' Said Ruma.

She stood up then made a few steps before going to hug her father. He hugged her back, feeling as if he had found the reason he existed.

Venthyr translation

''Farn! Cin glenn ú- on- hain alia ratione na nifred hen!''

''Enough! You will not give them another reason to fear her!''