The Purpose, Rewritten, Chapter 44 Healing
December 5th, 1971
Seth rested, having taken more potions by swallowing instead of taking them in his veins. A few hours later, Abraxas Malfoy entered the infirmary, opening both doors to make an entrance with a crowd that wasn't there. He looked up with his head held high and a smile upon his lips as he saw Seth.
''Seth? You asked for me, and here I am.'' Said Abraxas, completely disregarding Merebelle, who had woken again.
''Mr. Malfoy.'' Greeted Merebelle as Abraxas went beside Seth.
''Miss Dumont, I'm afraid this will have to be more private.'' Said Malfoy before closing the curtains with a swish of his wand.
''You have some explaining to do.'' Said Seth.
''Oh, no, I don't.'' Replied Abraxas, before landing a kiss on Seth's lips. ''How do you want me?''
''Get a room.'' Said Merebelle.
Abraxas laughed and placed a Muffliato spell at the curtains.
''Too bad I can't sit on you so that I could ride you. This will have to do.'' Said cheekily Abraxas before placing his wrist in front of Seth's mouth.
''I'm not a dog.'' Said Seth.
''Oh, I know that. Do you want me to slice it for you? Just like my stupid son did?'' Said Abraxas a bit more coldly.
Seth glared at him, but nonetheless took Abraxas arms and sank his teeth in his wrist. Abraxas frowned as he felt no pain, but also, no pleasure. Seth was done after a minute and licked the wrist to heal the wound. Abraxas removed his arm and tilted his head.
''Well, that's a first.'' Said Abraxas.
Seth pushed Abraxas as he stood up.
''No. Why would you get any fun? The attack on Meadowfields brought the deaths of five magical children! Your attitude is disgusting.'' Said Seth. ''Your son knew about this, and he thought that he had to give me blood. I strongly think you had a part in that. You know I don't touch children, even less my own family.'' He added angrily.
''Lucius is 17.'' Argued Abraxas.
Seth shoved a finger on Abraxas's chest.
''That's not the point! Lucius is my godson. I would never ask that of him, and he's also my student! Now there's a risk he wants me to do it again! You know that.'' Said Seth.
Abraxas smiled with arrogance.
''All the better.''
Seth let out a growl of frustration.
''Get out!'' Hissed Seth, moving the curtain which broke the silencing charm.
''You're still both invited for Yule, you are expected.'' Said Abraxas before making a reverence and leaving, still with his head high.
Of course, the patriarch Malfoy had to come in the morning and strut around the castle. Now everyone would know he came at Hogwarts to see Seth.
''What happened exactly, Seth?'' Asked Merebelle.
Seth went to her and gently caressed her face.
''Lucius knew something was going to happen, but not the details. He made sure the Slytherins were not there when the trolls appeared, but not the other students. He did not warn anyone. I will not forgive him any time soon.'' Said Seth.
''He has a lot of pressure from his father and what he represents.'' Said Merebelle.
''All magical blood should be protected. Voldemort does not understand that. The pureblood elitists don't either, and most are drawn to power.'' Said Seth.
''What are you going to do?'' Asked Merebelle.
Seth stopped caressing her face and held her hand.
''I can't fight two wars. I can try to fix this one, but I can't protect wizards from muggles if no one sees them as a threat.'' Said Seth.
Merebelle made a sorry face.
''Wizards are scared. They hide because of the witch hunt that happened between the 1560s and the 1630s. They think by hiding indefinitely, it will keep us safe. It has made them lazy too.'' Said Merebelle.
''When Grindelwald ruled, we knew when everything was going on and vampires finally had their place among the wizarding world.'' Said Seth, almost choking on his words as he remembered Corban telling him the good news for when the vampires were finally free.
''It could have continued… perhaps, if you had not fled.'' Said Merebelle.
OoOoO
December 6th
Ruma pouted as she walked to the defense against the dark arts class. Dumbledore had forbidden her to go see her father. She had seen him before the nurse got to him and she thought she had lost him again. So much blood…
''How long you think it will take him to recover?'' Asked Sirius behind her.
''Maybe faster since he's… uh…'' Began Rosanne.
''Who's replacing him?'' Asked Peter.
Ruma sighed and entered the DADA class first, only to see her father sitting on a big cushion by the window.
''FATHER!'' She cried as she ran to him, but only stopped as he placed a hand in front of him. ''You're okay… you're okay…''
''I am… just, please, no hugs.'' Answered Seth.
She made a soft giggle and blew a kiss before going to her desk. The other students also greeted him with a ''Welcome back, Sir.'' Even though most of them only had heard partially of what happened. They all sounded curious of the events, and they were discussing it until the class begun.
''I know you are all too young to go to Hogsmead, so all you have heard are guesses and speculations.'' Said Seth. He did not have the energy to walk around, and coming to his class had taken everything. He hadn't told the nurse either and Merebelle had been sleeping when he walked out of the infirmary. ''There was an attack on my village Meadowfields which is beside Hogsmead. Four mountain trolls came to destroy it. You may not know yet, but I was the one to fund and build Meadowfields, so that Muggleborns could have a place to live when their muggle parents… were not favorable towards their children.''
He saw the Purebloods make faces, but they were also concerned about the last phrase he had said.
''What do you mean… not favorable?'' Asked Rosanne.
''Muggles have a hard time accepting what is out of the ordinary, Miss Yaxley, I'm sure you know that particular detail. Now, imagine when those muggles are… extremist concerning their own children.'' Said Seth.
He heard some heartbeats going faster, and among them was Severus Snape. It was true he had never heard about the Snape family and wondered where he came from.
''You don't mean like beat them up?'' Asked Rosanne.
Seth felt Dumbledore's aura behind his class's door. Seth cleared his throat.
''Nonetheless, those trolls meant to harm the muggleborns in my village, and I barely managed to… intervene and stop them. Unfortunately, five magical children died.'' Explained Seth.
''Four trolls?'' Asked James Potter. ''How are you still alive?''
Dumbledore opened the door, making everyone look at him.
''Exactly, Mr. Vulken. You were not supposed to be in class for another week at least, and since the holidays are around the corner, I expected you to be back in January.'' Said Dumbledore.
''I can still teach while sitting.'' Said Seth.
''No, and I will ask every student to leave this class until next week, and possibly January. I am sure Professor Vulken has given you plenty of homework and studies until then.'' Said Dumbledore.
There was some protest, but they took their books and schoolbags and left the class.
''I wanted them to know the truth.'' Said Seth.
''I am not sure first years should know about details.'' Said Albus.
''I did not go into details, but… we are at war as I'm understanding, and they have to face the truth and know about the dangers.'' Said Seth.
Albus nodded, and they stayed silent as he walked to Seth and offered a hand.
''Are you able to come with me?'' Asked Albus.
Seth winced as he stood up and wavered on his feet.
''With help…'' Mumbled Seth.
''Mr. Malfoy Senior came in this morning, and he did not see you there. He threw a tantrum I thought was not possible to see in adults.'' Said Albus.
Seth chuckled. ''Well, let's not make him wait any longer before his head explodes.''
Albus hummed and helped him walk back to the infirmary.
OoOoO
December 24th, Malfoy manor
''Dobby, what are those things?'' Whispered Ruma to the house-elf under the table.
Some tiny black pearls had been put in a plate in front of her.
''Caviar. Fish eggs, miss Vulken.'' Whispered Dobby before disappearing for yet another chore.
''Manners, Ruma, and don't talk to that thing.'' Hissed Lucius beside her. ''And remove those damn butterflies!''
Ruma huffed, sitting again properly but not doing anything to remove her butterfly charm.
''You are not going to tell me what to do. I am not your spouse and never will be!'' Hissed Ruma back.
''He is still the future Lord Malfoy, and you have no right to talk to him like that.'' Said the young Regulus Black on her other side.
Regulus was Sirius's brother and would begin Hogwarts next year. Sirius was not here because he had stayed at Hogwarts.
''Why am I stuck between two gits tonight? I'm not hungry.'' Said Ruma, pushing herself away from the table and standing up.
''Where do you think you are going, young girl?'' Asked Abraxas.
''I am not going to let some pureblood jackass rule over me and forbid me to be who I am!'' Said Ruma.
Abraxas glared at his son while Seth's eyebrows reached the sky.
''I am sure my son will be better tonight.'' Warned Lord Malfoy silently. ''Please, miss Vulken, enjoy the meal with everyone.''
''Please, accept my apologies, Ruma.'' Said Lucius.
Ruma huffed but sat again. Regulus made a soft chuckle.
''Oh, I like you a lot. Usually, Lord Malfoy would never let anyone be more important than his son.'' Whispered Regulus.
Ruma eyed her father who was back speaking again with Abraxas. Her father was not letting it show, but he was still in some kind of pain from the attack, and she could feel it coming off his aura. She wondered if the pain potions had already run their course through his body for the night.
Dobby had removed the fish eggs and had given her a bowl of spaghetti with chicken breast. Smiling, she eventually ate that excellent dinner and waited for someone to leave the table before she excused herself. She went to the library where she knew she would find peace and actual things she was interested in.
''Are you sure you are allowed here, girl?''
Startled, Ruma placed back the Dark arts book where she took it and turned around.
''Oh, madame Black. I'm sure Lord Malfoy has a private collection he would not want prying eyes to look at.'' Said Ruma.
Bellatrix passed her and grabbed the book Ruma had placed back.
''Defense against the dark arts, fifth year. Interesting choice but really harmless.'' Said Bellatrix. ''And not that interesting…'' She mumbled.
Ruma was looking at the woman's clothes and found her style really pretty for she wore a black tunic that sharpened her thin waist. She also wore long sleeves that seemed to have been added and not part of the ensemble. Her magic was strong, and dark, and she had not felt her coming in because she had been distracted by the book.
She knew of her that Sirius and Regulus were her cousins. Bellatrix had two sisters and one of them was Narcissa, a beautiful blonde in the same year as Lucius.
''I should be going, I guess.'' Said Ruma.
''They are going to the ballroom for the dance. You think your father is well enough to dance with me?'' Asked Bellatrix.
The attack on Meadowfields had been the big titles for over a week and his father had been mentioned as a hero more than once.
''I… uh, can't speak for him, but he was walking fine without help a week ago.'' Said Ruma.
''Alright. You are coming with me, right?'' Asked Bellatrix, moving a hand towards her for her to take.
Even though she'd rather stay with books, she placed her hand in Bellatrix's, and they went to the ballroom.
Seth was dancing slowly with Merebelle among the others who were a bit faster, but they seem to be alone on the dancing floor. Ruma stared at them, and they were both smiling and whispering things. Merebelle placed her head on Seth's chest, and he caressed her hair softly.
For all she knew, they looked like a couple, and she had always considered Mer like her mother. After all, Merebelle had raised her when Corban had died, and she had been only four years old. It all seemed natural for her to see them like that.
She suddenly regretted how badly she had treated her father who never stopped trying to make amends ever since he came back. You can't just forget seven years either. She sighed and saw Bellatrix go to the dance floor as the song had ended and a more rhythmic one begun.
''Care to dance with me, Mr. Vulken?'' Asked Bellatrix.
Seth looked at Merebelle who shrugged and went to take some refreshment at the table. Bellatrix grabbed Seth by the waist and his hand before beginning the movement as the song started. She took the lead and Seth followed her. Many couples had joined them.
''Did I hear your father right, Miss Black? You are marrying next summer with the Lestrange boy, Rodolphus?'' Said Seth.
''He's not a boy, but… yes. I don't see you getting married again, aren't you?'' Asked Bellatrix.
Seth eyed Merebelle further away by the refreshment table.
''No. There is no rush for me to do that again.'' Answered Seth.
Bellatrix chuckled.
''Oh yes. After all, you are immortal, isn't it?'' Asked Bellatrix.
Seth looked at Bellatrix, trying to brush her mind, but she had an impenetrable wall.
Interesting.
''I do not know. I believe vampires could have an age limit, but none has survived more years than my parents did.'' Said Seth truthfully.
''You are a dream come true. Everyone fears death, and you can make others like you.'' Said Bellatrix.
''Not everyone fears death.'' Said Seth dryly. ''And there are reasons why vampires are not roaming every corner.''
''Drinking blood sure could be a hard task to maintain secrecy… why don't wizards become vampires though? You have speed, strength, and even some powers, like… flying.'' Said Bellatrix.
Seth frowned at the last word she had said. She was not supposed to know about that, especially if she meant Danyck. She was way too young, and Danyck rarely used his flying ability, mostly inside Britain. Was it just a coincidence?
''Who told you that?'' Asked Seth.
A smile appeared in the corner of her mouth.
''So, it is true?'' She said eagerly. ''Would that be one of your childe? Ohh.''
Seth had taken control of the dance and had bent her backwards in a swirl, following the rhythm of the music.
''Wizards do lose their ability to do magic once they become vampires.'' Informed Seth.
''But who gave Gellert Grindelwald's his magic back? Didn't he cast the death curse at you?'' Asked Bellatrix.
Getting back the souvenirs of Corban's death had not been in his intentions for Christmas Eve. Bellatrix Black sure had done research somewhere or had gotten her information from Voldemort. He moved his hands on her forearms and gripped her tightly. That's when he did feel the Dark mark on her inner left forearm.
''Why don't you ask your master?'' Hissed Seth with venom in his voice.
He let her go as the music had just ended. She stumbled back but remained proud and a smirk was on her face. He looked for Abraxas who was chatting with Merebelle, sitting on sofas. Likewise, he did feel his dark mark, and Abraxas knew that Seth knew about it. So, he would not be hiding it… did that mean that many other guests had the Dark mark without him knowing, right here? The Malfoys had not invited the Nott family, nor the Averys, whom he knew had taken the Dark mark. He inspected the other guests, whom he already knew every single one of them, despite some seeing physically for the first time.
Cygnus black arrived at Hogwarts after he had left, but he had known Bellatrix's mother, Druella. The same was for Orion and Walburga. Not really a friend, Orion remained courteous. Irma and Pollux Crabbe were also present, but he could not imagine them doing anything for Voldemort, except maybe provide some financial support, or keepsake of the blood purity appearances of all the family.
The deatheaters that attacked Meadowfields could have been anyone, he realized. He gritted his teeth as he walked towards Abraxas.
''Father.'' Ruma said behind him. He stopped in his tracks and turned round. She had been dancing with Regulus Black. ''Something wrong?''
''We should leave.'' Said Seth.
''Are you sure it would follow the… proper decorum?'' She asked with a smile and a tilted head.
''For this one time, I would not mind.'' Answered Seth, turning around on his way to fetch Merebelle.
''He has already made arrangement with the Veela convention in Worcester. Certainly, you would think this is the proper way of considering how valued you are compared to the ministry.'' Said Abraxas.
''You can't possibly mean I am a teacher at Hogwarts because of him?'' Asked Merebelle.
Seth interrupted their conversation by grabbing Merebelle's hand and landing a kiss on it.
''Are you coming home with me?'' Asked Seth.
''So soon? Only an hour left before midnight.'' Said Abraxas.
Merebelle stood up, still holding hands with Seth.
''If he wants to leave, you can't stop the vampire king, Mr. Malfoy.'' Said Merebelle.
Abraxas's eyebrows went up, and he stood up before bowing.
''As you may, my King.'' Said Abraxas. ''It was a pleasure to be in your presence, like always.''
Seth made a small smile at his friend.
''Let's go, Ruma.'' Said Seth before they left for the manor's atrium.
OoOoO
Seth sat in the lounge he had gone to for so many years with Corban to watch the Nutcracker. Only now, Merebelle was sitting by his side. She had been the one to bring him here as a surprise and a gift for Christmas.
He closed his eyes as the music went into a crescendo, announcing the end of the play. His heart tightened in his chest, and he suddenly had a dry throat. He stood up, like everyone else did, applauding the performers.
''You're crying. I'm so sorry, Seth.'' Said softly Merebelle.
''What?'' Seth wiped his face and looked at his hand, which was wet.
His lips were met by Merebelle's. They kissed for the longest of time, forgetting everything that was around them. Seth listened only to her fast heartbeat and focused on her flowery smell. She tasted just like the wine they had been drinking.
''I love you, Seth.'' Said Merebelle.
His heart hammered in his chest. They stared at each other and Seth only felt love for her. She made him laugh so often and no one understood him more than her or accepted his past and everything he was.
That night, he made love to her, with a passion and care he had only expressed for Corban before. She fell asleep in his arms, and he caressed her most of the night.
''I don't see you getting married again.''
The words Bellatrix had said made him think for a long moment that night. Merebelle had raised his daughter and he did love her dearly and would do anything to protect her, just like he had done in Meadowfields. He should not look any further and perhaps ask for her hand.
''I have a gift for you.'' Said Merebelle as she joined Seth in the living room the next morning.
It was Christmas after all.
Seth opened the box she gave him and saw many artifacts and objects of all sorts. A pair of glasses, a modified timeturner, a triangular shaped crystal and a tiny box, among pens, pieces of papers and a diary. Seth took the glasses and frowned, remembering those from a brief thought Corban had had.
''He said those were for seeing Thestrals, but something went weird, and he was seeing, um…'' Said Merebelle, thinking about what Corban had said. '' Wrackspurt… or something. He invented that word.''
''Oh?'' Said Seth as he tried them on.
Some tiny flying bugs circled Merebelle's head briefly before they disappeared. ''Those things look like bugs, and they are gone now.''
''I wonder what they truly are.'' Wondered Merebelle. ''That time-turner does not work, but he did try to make it work more than twenty-four hours… and that crystal was a portkey to bring in magical creatures from long distances, like giants and such…''
''This could be dangerous in the wrong hands… he always wanted to invent things when he worked in the department of mysteries.'' Remembered Seth before taking the little box for last.
When he opened it, he saw Corban's wedding ring.
''I-I thought… you'd want to wear it… until you find…'' Began Merebelle, but Seth went in front of her, kneeling, presenting the ring.
A smile reached her eyes and she giggled shyly, a hand covering her mouth.
''Will you marry me, Merebelle Dumont?'' Asked Seth, smiling wide just like her, his heart already full of love.
''You mean Vulken?'' Laughed Merebelle before embracing her future husband.