The purpose, Rewritten, Chapter 46 Friendship and blood
July 9th , 1972
In a bar in London, Danyck was listening to the heartbeats around him while two deatheaters were drinking beers. Lord Voldemort had asked if him in the last year to kill a dozen muggles every two weeks or so, but lastly, it had been every week from this day forward as one of the deatheaters had a new artefact supposed to be able to transport dead people in higher numbers and, in longer distances.
Danyck had been wearing tight cloths over his mouth, nose, and forehead, so that only his icy blue eyes were visible. He knew of Owen Avery, the wizard at his left, but they had brought a new one, supposed to test his skills in combat. He knew not of his name, nor did he care. Likewise, he didn't have the Dark mark yet, of that, he was sure.
''Did he tell you when we are supposed to act?'' Asked the new guy.
Danyck had been waiting for the number of muggles to go down in the bar before doing anything. There was not supposed to be any bodies left behind. Danyck's eyes followed a muggle who bid good night to the bartender before leaving. Little did he know that by doing so, his life would be spared that night.
''Lock the door.'' Ordered Danyck to Avery, who smiled devilishly under his mask.
The trio stood and walked to the middle of the bar. ''Remember, we have six minutes before aurors know of this and come here after you cast the death curse.''
Avery and the new guy nodded. Avery went to lock manually the door while Danyck began to concentrate and get as much heart energy within his palms. He had gotten better at this and could now deliver the fatal blow to seven muggles at the same time. The adrenaline rush stirred in his mind and body as the muggle actually felt him inside them, but it was too late for them to do anything, too late to flee… one after the other, they fell to the floor as screams erupted in the bar.
''AVADA KEDAVRA!''
''AVADA KEDAVRA!''
Green light illuminated the bar. The two wizards killed the remaining ones standing as Danyck went to the bartender and lifted his hand up, making the muggle hover in the air.
''Please! I have a family!'' Pleaded the bartender.
''And… I am hungry.'' Replied Danyck before bringing down slightly the cloth covering his mouth, then used his powers to bring the man to him before sinking his teeth in his neck.
The man struggled against him, but Danyck was stronger, holding him in place as he drank blood.
''What the fuck!?'' Yelled the new guy. ''A vampire?''
''Shut up, idiot, and get over here.'' Said Avery.
''He said we only had six minutes, It's already been three… we have to get the bodies together, right?'' Said the man.
''Dane will take care of them, just wait.'' Said Avery, using a different name for the vampire.
After a few more seconds, the bartender was thrown in the middle of the bar, dead. Danyck then lifted his hands by his sides, using his abilities to raise the dead and bring them in a pile. His eyes flashed in a blue haze as he grinned.
The new guy had taken a step back, his wand aiming at the ground, but he was shaking. Avery took a triangular shaped gemstone from his pocket, then pointed his wand at it, making it hover near the pile.
''Are we ready?'' Asked Danyck.
''We are.'' Answered Avery before activating the stone.
They were all transported away, and the bar was left empty, a few seconds before aurors stormed the place and found… nothing.
OoOoO
10th July, 1972, Vulken's isle
''Dad. Look.'' Said Ruma as she handed the muggle newspaper to her father.
Her father always took his coffee while she had breakfast with Merebelle. Seth took the newspaper and began to read.
''Mysterious disappearances…'' Read Seth. ''In bars… never to be found again. It has been going on for how long exactly?'' He mumbled for himself.
''It says at least a year…'' Said Merebelle as she read over his shoulder. ''But now it's more often, and more people at once. You think Voldemort is behind all this?''
''Most likely.'' Answered Seth, wondering if Dumbledore would want him to do something about that.
''Your majesty.'' Said Colpy after appearing by his feet.
''Yes?''
''There is a wizard going by the name of Igor Karkaroff who wishes to enter by the floo network. Should Colpy let him in?'' Asked Colpy.
Seth blinked, unbelieving what he was hearing.
''Who's that?'' Asked Merebelle.
''Uh… sure, Colpy. I will let the wards let him in.'' Said Seth before standing up and readjusting his tunic. ''Ruma… perhaps it is time you meet your brother.''
''My brother?'' Asked Ruma, also standing up.
''You have another child?'' Asked Merebelle as they walked to the main living room where guests could arrive by floo.
''Of course not.'' Dismissed Seth. ''Monica Greengrass is Ruma's mother, but she was married to Sergei Karkaroff, and they had a boy together… which I am the godfather of.'' Explained Seth.
''Really? Why has he never come here before?'' Asked Merebelle.
''He was too young then, and when Monica died… let's say, Sergei was not too fond of a baby that wasn't his and to protect Ruma, I took her with us, but had to leave Igor there, in Norway.'' Said Seth, who now felt a pang of guilt as he had never written to him for many years and had no idea how he was now, except knowing he would be turning 24 years old this month.
''Oh my. Would he be angry with you? Tell me you don't have another enemy…'' Said Merebelle with worry.
''A brother! I can't believe it! You never mentioned it before in your diaries!'' Said Ruma.
''Diaries?'' Asked Merebelle with curiosity, then frowned at Ruma and Seth.
''Uh oh.'' Mumbled Ruma.
''We shall talk about this later.'' Said Merebelle more roughly.
Seth felt uneasy. He had never seen Merebelle angry towards him before. Although he did not approve his own daughter reading his diaries, he could not make her unread them…
The trio and servants waited in front of the fireplace for a short moment before flames appeared and turned green. A tall man, wearing a heavy coat with fur, went through the flames and placed his right fist on his chest, over his heart, then bent his head.
''It is great to finally see you again, King Vulken.'' Said Igor, rolling his R's in a thick Russian accent. He went down on his knees and took Ruma's hand in his. ''And you, little sister, our mother's portrait without a doubt, I am delighted to see you after twelve long years.''
Ruma giggled softly.
''I'm so happy to see you, brother. Welcome home!'' Said Ruma.
Igor smiled, then stood up.
''I heard about you, for so many years.'' Said Igor as he looked at Seth. ''I followed as much as I could, before you disappeared… I finished my studies and went abroad myself before returning to… my father who got really ill. I was a teacher at Durmstrang, and my father died not too long ago.''
Seth's couldn't hide his surprised face, but deep down, he was glad that Sergei was no longer in this world. If he had ever seen that man again, he would have ended his life himself.
''I… I know you hated him… for what he did to my mother, but he was not the same with me.'' Said Igor.
Seth's nostrils flared, but he stayed silent.
''Igor. We welcome you in Vulken's castle. You are part of the family, being Seth's godson… if you need anything, always feel free to ask us.'' Said Merebelle.
Merebelle glanced at Seth, but Ruma took the lead and grabbed Igor's hand.
''Let me show you around, brother.'' Said Ruma.
Servants bowed as Ruma and Igor passed. Merebelle punched Seth on the shoulder.
''Hey. What was that, exactly? You did not even say a word to him! And what about the diaries?'' Asked Merebelle.
''He goes and talk about his father, what he thinks Sergei did, to his own mother… I am sure he does not know ANYTHING about what he did to her! I let her go… Mer… I let her go, and she died giving birth to Ruma… I…'' Seth spilled what he had been bottling up moments earlier and Merebelle grabbed his face.
''You loved her too. That's okay… why don't we just take the time you lost and let Igor stay for the summer?'' Said Merebelle.
Seth shook his head in defeat.
''Perhaps you are right. This could be interesting, and I have never said no to knowledge.'' Said Seth.
''Oh, you.'' Smiled Merebelle.
OoOoO
July 13th, 1972
''Nin Aran.'' Said Lazarus as he bowed his head.
Seth stood at the end of his dock, looking at the ocean, emptying his mind, or at least, trying to. His arms were crossed and didn't think someone would come to him that soon.
''What is it, Lazarus?'' Sighed Seth.
''I'm sorry to disturb your peace, but I maybe thought you would like to know your island's activities.'' Said Lazarus.
Seth raised an eyebrow.
''What activities?'' Wondered Seth.
Lazarus cleared his throat.
''In… your absence, there has been modifications to the… care of the villagers. Apart from the magic you did restore, villagers often get wounded, and they do not have any magical supplies, like the potions you used to do for them.'' Explained Lazarus.
Seth caught on.
''You're telling me the vampires are getting out of control?'' Asked Seth.
If the villagers bled more than usual, the vampires would surely take advantage and unfortunately kill them, thus creating discord within the village.
''You do know there are not many vampires left, your majesty?'' Said Lazarus, uneasy.
Seth grunted and nodded.
''I'll see what I can do.'' Said Seth.
Seth went to see his daughter and proposed her to make some potions for the village, as well as learning about the many ones that was useful for muggles. Ruma was so excited, and she wanted to invite Severus to help her for it.
He accepted, but also suggested she invites Roxanne. He then realized, after Ruma accepted that too, that it also included asking Callum Yaxley, and that was not something he had thought beforehand.
Before he knew it, children invaded his home, and unwanted guests came to judge him. Callum Yaxley would have been the spitting image of Corban, had it not for his scar over his face, and also because he had aged, as Corban had not. Callum wore hands prosthetics hidden by black gloves and long sleeves. He still had his wand in his inner pocket, but Seth know all too well he had been practicing wandless magic for months as a residual aura sparkled around his rubber fingers.
''Potions. Wasn't it the one thing you always struggled in? After all, you did get poisoned easily too, am I right?'' Taunted Callum.
Seth scoffed and shook his head. As if he needed someone else to hate him.
''You do you, Yaxley. You are welcome to stay and prance around my castle, but my hospitality has it limits when it comes to insulting me.'' Said Seth coldly.
Callum smiled cheekily and looked around briefly, seeing Abraxas crossed-legged on the sofa.
''Nah. I'm sure my dear daughter can learn something, somehow, by the end of the week. I'll come back to get her when you can't handle her anymore.'' Said Callum before leaving by the floo.
''Git.'' Muttered Seth.
''What did he mean by poison, might I ask?'' Said Abraxas, who had been sipping on wine in Seth's sofa and listening to the small exchange.
Of course, the blonde HAD to have been there since morning, bringing his son along. When he learned the children had been brewing potions, Abraxas had jumped on the occasion and shooed his son with the others.
Seth sighed and sat beside his friend.
''The reason why I can't eat food anymore… I was… poisoned by an auror, and I failed to… ugh…'' Seth stopped his train of thought, and drank the offered wine by Colpy before disappearing.
''I see. Was that the reason why you went after Grindelwald?'' Asked Abraxas, making some deducing of his own.
''I can't hide any details from you, hm?'' Said Seth.
''Oh, and the fact that I'm sure you spoke of that damn Maugrey auror. I see no one else clever enough to succeed in such a despicable method.'' Said Abraxas.
''Right again.''
OoOoO
July 20th, 1972
''That should be enough.'' Said Ruma as she wiped her forehead.
She placed the hundredth blood regen potion in a box and closed the lid.
''At least these will last several months, and if preserved right, a whole year so we can make them again next year.'' Said Severus.
''You think so? I think I've had my doses of potions for the whole year already.'' Said Rosanne.
''Oh… you don't want to do the healing ones too? The uh… Wigg… something.'' Said Ruma.
''Wiggenweld. It is quite easy; we are supposed to do it in second year.'' Said Severus.
''Ugh, does it involve hair?'' Asked Rosanne, twirling a strand of hair around her finger.
''Of course not.'' Hissed Severus. ''And you didn't wash your hands before touching yourself, and your hair is turning green.''
''WHAT!?'' Yelled Rosanne as she began to panic.
''Calm down! It washes away with soap, Rosanne.'' Said Ruma, rolling her eyes. ''Severus, that was mean.''
Rosanne scurried away, almost crying.
''I was not mean. I simply stated a fact.'' Said Severus.
Lucius waved his wand around the boxes, moving them outside of the room.
''Let's get this over with. We can tackle the Wiggenweld potion tomorrow.'' Said Lucius, his chin up as he walked away.
''Something tells me he does not want to be here…'' Said Ruma.
''Its his last year, and he has a lot to prove to his father.'' Said Severus.
''Why?'' Wondered Ruma.
''Because he's a Malfoy. In the wizarding community, they are regarded as the purest wizards and lots of people look up to them, especially since they have been working, in a way, for the ministry for hundreds of years.'' Said Severus.
Severus was obviously impressed by the Malfoys, and Ruma bit her lip. Even if she was a princess herself, her father never said anything about trying to impress anyone, nor did Merebelle. Besides, her father was supposed to live forever, so she never would have to worry about taking his place, and she could do anything she wanted.
She wanted to be just like him, the defense against the dark arts teacher, or perhaps charms.
''Oh look, he forgot a crate.'' Said Ruma. ''Err… Wingardium Leviosa!''
''NO!''
Ruma was caught by surprise and dropped the crate where a few vials broke, and the red liquid spilled on the floor.
''What?! What's wrong?''
''The restriction of magic use! You'll get a letter from the ministry!'' Said Severus.
Ruma breathed in relief.
''Oh that, no. Not on this island, Sev. My father's magic surrounds this island and even blocks whatever is going on here… the Trace… is not traceable.'' Explained Ruma.
She even waved her wand again, muttering the repairing charm on the few vials that broke but the potion would be a waste.
''That's… convenient.'' Said Severus.
''Come on, let's bring them to the truck outside.'' Said Ruma.
They went out the potion room, stopping in the corridor. Ruma looked at the door further down where she knew it was the dungeons, or the prison she had been forbidden to ever go in. Usually, Lazarus followed her around, or always kept an eye on her, but this time, he was not there.
''What's over there?'' Asked Severus.
The crate hovered in front of her, and she moved her wand down, so the crate went on the floor.
''The, uh… the prison.'' Said Ruma.
''You have prisoners?'' Asked Severus, surprised.
''I…I don't know.'' Said Ruma, softly approaching the door.
''Ruma, are you even allowed to be there? What if your father knows about you going there?'' Asked Severus.
Ruma frowned, then pouted. Wasn't she the princess, thus allowed to go anywhere she wanted? Severus's questions only made her try to open the door, which was locked. She pointed her wand again.
''Alohomora.'' Said Ruma and the door made a clicking sound.
''Ruma…'' Whispered Severus as he looked behind his shoulder, but no one was there.
''Come on…'' Said Ruma before opening the door.
It was very dark, apart from some lit torches that reflected a dim light on the walls. To her right was an open room with books and papers on shelves. Several empty bottles of alcohol were on a table where scratch marks and ink covered it. The air was damp, and the smell was pungent. A rat scurried away as she moved forward. Severus was behind her, barely making any noises with his shoes.
''Someone? Anyone!'' Said a voice weakly.
Ruma stopped, unsure. Should she investigate or turn around?
''Ruma, we are not supposed to be here!'' Whispered Severus.
''Why would we have prisoners?'' Asked Ruma as she decided to go to the voice they heard.
She turned right, then left. The cells were separated individually by a thick wall between them and metal bars prevented the prisoners from escaping.
''You! Come here! Please, let us out!'' Said a prisoner.
Ruma could barely see him in the dark.
''Who are you?'' Asked Ruma.
''I'm a teacher in the village. My name is Reynolds…'' Said the man.
''A teacher? Why are you here?'' Asked Ruma.
She looked around and more prisoners were listening, their hands on the bars.
''We refused to get our blood taken! They threatened the children… I could not take it. I tried to fight them, but instead they threw me in here… amongst the others that tried to protect the children.'' Said Reynolds.
Ruma was suddenly confused.
''Why would you refuse them to begin with?'' Asked Ruma.
Reynolds skipped a breath.
''She's with them, don't bother Rey.'' Said a prisoner behind her.
''We… we deserve our freedom.'' Mumbled Reynolds.
''They are muggles.'' Said Severus softly, realizing who they were.
''Oh, look what we have here.''
Ruma and Severus gasped as they saw someone appearing with a torchlight in his hand. Ruma recognized him immediately.
''Keith.'' Said Ruma, her wand out and pointing at him.
''Tsk, what is our lovely princess doing in a dirty place like here, hm?'' Asked Keith.
''Since when do we take prisoners? And since when do you take children's blood. My father's law are there for a reason!'' Said Ruma.
Keith scoffed and went closer to them. Ruma's hand was suddenly shaking, and Severus placed an arm in front of her.
''You can't touch us.'' Said Severus, unsure of what he had just said.
Keith's eyes turned to black as his nails and teeth got longer.
''And how are you going to do that?'' Asked Keith, smiling evilly.
All went way too fast. Ruma made a blinding light and grabbed Severus's sleeve, pulling him to pass by Keith who screamed in pain from the blinding light. They ran out of the prison, but they were stopped by Lazarus who looked at them angrily. Keith had followed them but also stopped upon seeing Lazarus.
''You had been warned, Keith.'' Said Lazarus before himself sparring his vampiric features and sprinting at Keith.
They fell on the floor and Lazarus bit on Keith's neck. Keith screamed in pain, and the terror did not stop there, Lazarus pulled away, then took pliers from his pocket and pulled the canines from Keith's mouth.
''NOOOOOOOOO! ARGHHHHH!''
Ruma pulled again on Severus's sleeve, and they ran until they couldn't anymore, meaning the main hall.
''What are you running from?'' Asked Seth, who had heard some commotion.
Ruma was out of breath and was searching for some answer, but did not want to put Severus in trouble as she had been the one insisting on going there.
''It's… my fault.'' Said Ruma.
''For…?'' Began Seth, but soon enough, he saw Lazarus coming their way with a bloodied chin, and he was pulling Keith by the hair.
Lazarus dropped Keith near Seth. Merebelle joined them and seemed to understand faster than everyone in the room.
''He went after Ruma again, didn't he?'' Asked Merebelle.
''What?'' Asked Seth.
''I-I-I was not supposed to have gone in the prison… I-I…'' Began Ruma.
''Don't try to defend that pitiful vampire, princess.'' Said Lazarus. ''He knows the rules, and the simple fact of even thinking about touching you in any way only meant one way to go from this point on.'' Said Lazarus.
''P…P-Please… I'll leave the island! I'll never set foot here again!'' Said Keith.
His face and neck were covered in blood. Seth saw red and his magic pulsed everywhere in the room. Knowing what he was about to do, Merebelle squeezed his hand in hers.
''Not in front of the children.'' Said Merebelle.
In a split second, Seth had grabbed Keith and at a vampiric speed, they were gone.
There was a moment of silence, as everyone wondered what would be Keith's fate, but Ruma felt it in her body as dark magic was performed not too far away. Ruma knew she had been in the wrong, too, but feeling the dark magic performed by her father was more scarier than anything she had felt before, and he did that to protect her.
''If you'll excuse me, your highnesses, I will go clean myself and return to my duties.'' Said Lazarus. ''I have some business to take care of in the dungeon now.''
''Of course, Lazarus.'' Sighed Merebelle, then addressed Ruma. ''I thought you were doing potions in the… oh, I see now. Your curiosity almost cost you dearly, Ruma, and the life of your friend. Do you even realize…'' Merebelle closed her eyes in defeat. ''Keith deserved whatever happened to him, and…''
''There's muggle prisoners in those cells! I was just…''
''There could have been anything in that prison or not, there was a reason why you were never allowed to go there! We are already dealing with the problems going on here, and those muggles were going to be released soon as we dealt with those problems!'' Said Merebelle.
Realising the huge mistake she had done, she swallowed with difficulty as tears formed in her eyes. Taking a run for it, she left the hall to go to her room.
''It's perhaps best if you would return home, Severus, I'm sure you are shaken from what you have witnessed…'' Said Merebelle.
''I'm… I'm fine. What about the Wiggenweld potions we were supposed to do tomorrow?'' Asked Severus.
''Hm, why doesn't that surprise me, coming from you? You are Slughorn's pupil after all.'' Said Merebelle.
Severus smiled weakly, not seeming to be traumatised from the recent events, but he did worry about Ruma.
''Is Ruma going to be fine? I wanted to stay, but if Mr. Vulken does not want me here…'' Said Severus.
''You'll be able to come back, I am sure, just wait a few days, alright?'' Said Merebelle.
Severus nodded, and went to get his things in his room, although he planned to stop by Ruma's bedroom to make sure she was okay.