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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 0:10:37 GMT -5
“Here we are. This is the living room, you will sleep there, on the couch.”
She arched her eyebrows, “The couch?”
“My flat is designed for one person only. If you have a problem with the accommodations, I suggest you blackmail someone else to take you in.“ He said icily, “And another thing, I expect you to keep your end of the bargain, and not say anything about, about things…”
“I wouldn’t dream of betraying your trust.”
“You’d better not, or an Amanita phalloides might ‘accidentally’ find it’s way into the pantry.”
“Even if you did put a death cap in the pantry, I know what one looks like. And how can you be so certain that it wouldn’t ‘accidentally’ wind up in an omelet with your name on it?”
His mouth quirked up slightly, “I wouldn’t expect someone going into sixth year to know the proper name of the death cap mushroom”
She smirked and rolled her eyes, “At my Hogwarts, poisons were all we ever learned about. It got very tedious after a while… Professor Black could talk for hours and hours about various ways to make untraceable poisons. I finally gave up on that class and you started tutoring me on more practical potions making. I learned from the best.”
The near smile faded, “Stop.”
“Stop what?”
“Referring to me like you’ve known me forever.”
“That’s because I have.” She said simply. She walked over to the couch and transfigured it into a comfortable looking bed.
“I hope you intend on transforming that back when you are done.” He went over to his side cabinet and took out a vial of Vampire’s Bane. It had been three days since he’d taken it and as much as he was looking forward to being somewhat normal again, he wasn’t looking forward to the readjustment process.
“What’s that?” He realized Hermione was peering around his shoulder.
“None of your business.”
“Is it blood?”
“Not quite.”
“What is it?’
“It’s something to make silly little girls ask silly little questions.”
She rolled her eyes, “Ha. Ha. Very funny.” She snatched it from him and uncorked it. “It smells like blood.”
“If you must know, it has dragon’s blood in it.” He snatched it back from her and before she could do anything, he drank it, “I’m going to lie down for a while. If you need anything, don’t bother me with it, ask a house-elf.” With that, he shut the door, leaving Hermione on her own.
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 0:11:49 GMT -5
The Three Broomsticks was bustling and busy as Jeremy Darkur sat back and milked his glass of cognac. His ice blue gaze driffted over the crowd lazily, looking for tonight's amusement.
He caught the gaze of a young woman who had been covertly looking at him, while giggling with her friends. Jeremy smiled slowly at her and laguidly leaned back in his chair.
After a moments consultation with her friends the woman drew up enough courage to walk over to his table. As soon as she drew near, Jeremy stood up and offered her a chair.
"Care to join me, M'lady?" he asked in a velvety purr. The woman blushed and smiled as she took the offered chair. Jeremy once again took his seat and called the bartender over. After a few strong drinks and a few of his honeyed words the woman was wrapped around his little finger.
It was no problem leading her into the room he had reserved earlier, she went with him happily. Half an hour later she wandered back into the pub alone, looking a little pale, her eyes glazed over slightly, her clothes ruffled, but a with huge grin plaster across her face..
Jeremy layed back in his bed, a smirk playing on his lips, when he was suddenly startled by a tapping on his window. He looked over and saw a large crow waiting paitently outside. Jeremy sat up and reached over to unlatch the window, and the crow flew inside. In a swirl of mist and shadows the bird turned into a tall man. His black clothing contrasted with his marble white skin. Waist-length black hair was tied into a long braid that trailed down his back. Silver eyes reguarded Jeremy with wry amusement.
"I see you've been keeping yourself occupied. You are such a messy eater, little brother.." the stranger chuckled. Jeremy smiled and shrugged, darting his tougue out to catch the smear of crismson liquid on his lips.
"Well what else was I to do? You've kept me waiting here for hours, Marcus."
"Get dressed, you have work to do," at this Marcus tossed Jeremy some clothing. Jeremy slowly got dressed as Marcus kept talking.
"Dumbledore wants to strike up an aliance with the community and we're sending you as a liason Tell him the council is willing to open a discussion."
"Why are we doing this again, and why are you sending me?" Jeremy asked as he finished pulling a shirt over his head. He grabbed a small black crucifix that layed on the nightstand and fastened it around his neck.
"Because if we let this Voldemort take over, it will cut down on our food supply among other things." Marcus replied rolling his eyes. "As for the reson we're sending you... You went to Hogwarts and know Dumbledore personally so, you are the obvious choice. On top of that you're a daywalker so you can easily pass off as human."
Marcus handed Jeremy a rolled up parchment. "Just give Dumbledore this letter, and do what ever he tells you.." Marcus gazed out at the night.. "I had better go. I want to get home before sunrise.." he turned back to Jeremy and smirked, "Remember to behave yourself."
Jeremy chuckled as he watched his half-brother fly off into the night. "And spoil my fun?" he purred softly, "I think not.."
* * * * * * * * * *
Jeremy walked out of the pub, the scent of booze, cigarette smoke and cheap perfume clinging to his skin. His collar was stained with various shades of lipstick from the day's conquests. He slowly sauntered out of Sinner's Row and made his way to a less seedy part of town.
His eyes scanned the area, until he found what he was looking for. He stode into a rundown looking inn. The desk clerk was a wrinkly old man, who was so engrossed in reading a copy of the Daily Prophet, that he barely acknowledged Jeremy's presence.
"Do you have showers in your rooms?" Jeremy asked.
"Hmmmm?" the old man replied, not looking up from his paper.
Jeremy got out a handfull of gold galleons and jingled them in his palm. That got the inn keeper's attention real quick. Jeremy smirked. "I want to use a shower. How much?" he asked again, jangling the coins together.
"Room costs 8 galleons." the clerk sneered, "You gotta pay for a full nights stay.."
Jeremy dumped his handfull on the desk in front of the clerk. It was about 10 galleons. The clerk oggled the pile of coins, then quickly handed him a room key.
Jeremy began to walk towards his room, when he suddenly turned back to the clerk. "By the way.. Is there a church nearby?"
The clerk raised an eyebrow, taking in Jeremy's apearance, then rolled his eyes. "Go two blocks west of here. You can't miss it."
Jeremy nodded in thanks and continued his way upstairs to take a much needed shower.
* * * * * * * * * *
Twenty minutes later Jeremy was slightly damp from his shower, and his clothes were clean, no longer reeking from his previous activities. He walked into the hallowed grounds of the church and headed straight for the confessional. Jeremy steppened into the booth while absentmindedly rubbing the black crucifix that hung at his neck.
After a moment, a panel slid back, and Jeremy could make ou the shadowy form of a priest in the next booth. After a few minutes, Jeremy found his voice.
"Forgive me father, for I have sinned.."
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 0:13:44 GMT -5
Eustace, was still eating at the table, long after Raven had left to make final arangements on their new quarters. As he ate, his mind processed everything that had happened thus far. Specifically his new name. He liked it, but it would be hard work to keep reminding himself to no longer respond to the name of Draco Malfoy.
As far as he was concerned, that person died back in the other world. Suddenly his thoughts were rudley interupted by someone poking him hard in the ribs.
"Hey Draco," said Hermione as she sat across from him. Eustace threw her a dark look.
"Nutdruhko," he mumbled around a mouthful of food, "Cullmehustace."
"What?!" Hermione scowled, "Swallow first then talk.. That's really disgusting."
Eustace swallowed then spoke again. "My name's not Draco anymore. It's now Eustace, Eustace Xavier."
Hermione smirked and laughed. "What kinda stupid name is Eustace?"
He scowled at her, pushing his half-empty plate aside. "Not half as stupid as Hermes.." he sneered.
She scowled back at him, “Alright then, what does it mean?”
“Huh?”
She rolled her eyes at him, “Names mean something you know. Draco means dragon, Hermione means well born. What, may I ask, does Eustace mean?
“I don’t bloody know!”
“Then why did you pick it!”
“I liked the way it sounded.” He said indignantly, “It’s much nicer a name than Draco.”
She snorted. “If you say so, Eustace Malfoy”
“Actually, it’s Eustace Xavier now. Raven’s adopting me, remember? Her last name is Xavier.”
“So you're going to go through with it huh? You barely know her, you only met her two days ago!”
“At least I met her, it’s not like most orphans get to choose their parents. How are things going with you and Severus?”
She sighed, “He’s being a crab, just like our Severus. Don’t worry, I’ll wear him down eventually. I always do. ” She smiled wickedly.
“Slytherin all the way, you are.”
“I’m not a Snape for nothing you know.”
* * * * * * * * * *
Snape awoke sometime later to find two great green eyes staring at him.
“Aargh! Just what are you doing in my bedroom?!” It was Hermione Snape
“Jeez, no good deed goes unpunished does it? I was seeing if you were okay you git! Excuse me for caring!”
“What would give you the impression that I wasn’t okay?”
“Oh gee,” she said sarcastically, pushing a cold washcloth to his head, “I don’t know. It could have been the fever, or maybe the fact that you’ve been asleep for nearly two days, or uh, maybe that you were moaning in your sleep. You’re lucky I’m here to make excuses for you. Otherwise you’d be at the infirmary right now. ”
“I’ve already told Madame Pomfrey that I was going to be under the weather for a couple of days.”
She looked at him incredulously, “So you planned on being sick?”
“It’s not any of your business.”
“Really? It seems since I’m the one who’s been taking care of you for the past two days, I think you owe me an explanation at least.”
He sighed and sat up. His head still hurt somewhat, but the worst was behind him, “A long time ago, I invented a potion to suppress my…baser vampire instincts. I hadn’t any of it when I was in your dimension.”
“Ohhh…that explains a lot.” She smirked evilly. He ignored the comment.
“If taken regularly, it has no ill effects. But if one stops taking it, one must readjust to the potion again. During the readjustment period, it causes flu-like symptoms for three or so days. I'd thought I'd sleep it off with a sleeping draught.”
“Oh….” She said, sinking into thought. Finally Hermione broke the silence, “I wish my real Uncle has some of that potion. Maybe things would have been different.”
With that she slipped out of the room
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 0:15:01 GMT -5
After spending three days indulging in carnal vices, Jeremy finaly dragged himself back to his hotel room, only to find that someone had placed a ward on his door so that he could not enter. A note was placed on the door from his brother.
Jeremy read it and let out a disgruntled snarl. Aparently Marcus decided that now was the time Jeremy had to meet with Dumbledore. Jeremy let out a tired sigh. He was so looking forward on taking a nice long coma.
He made his way towards Hogwarts, as old memories washed over him. How long had it been? Eighty-two, Eighty-three years? His lips quirked into a ghost of a smile. Dubledore ahd been a Professor back then..
Jeremy retraced his steps till he finally found his way to the Headmaster's office. He didn't know the password to enter, and a large part of him was sorely tempted to just phase into the room as mist. But common sense previaled. He was here to preform a mission. He decided on saving his strength for later, seeing as he was near dead on his feet as it was...
He rapped his knuckes against the door of Dumbledore's office and waited. After a moment the door opened to reveal Albus Dumble door, a man he han't seen in over eight decades. Dumbledore had aged well for a human.
"Hullo, Albus, Got time to speak with an old student?" Jeremy said, hoping he didn't sound as tired as he felt.
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows as recognition lit his features. "Jeremy? Jeremy Darkur?" He smiled warmly at Jeremy and stepped out of the office, closing the door behind him. "It's been quite a while my boy! Come walk with me. You caught me in the middle of something, but we can still talk." Dumbledore began walking down the hallway, and Jeremy fell in step beside him. The headmaster gave the younger man an apraising look. "You haven't aged a day I see."
Jeremy casually shrugged. Dumbledore knew a little of his condition. Jeremy had to take a year off school back when his nature revealed itself during his fifth year.
"Well, those are the perks of my family legacy," he replied smiling. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the letter that Marcus had given him and handed it to Dumbledore. The older man paused and read the letter. Aparently something in it made his eyebrows furrow for a moment.
"So you are the liason to the vampires in Romania?" he asked, "I never though you would be involved in politics like this.."
Jeremy shrugged once more. "Aparently I'm the only one with enough free time to do the job," he replied with a wry grin.
"Well I suppose I should introduce you to the representative I want to send along with you..."
Jeremy perked up a little at this. Hell, if it was female, maybe this trip wouldn't be so bad after all. "Do I know this person?"
Dumbledore chuckled as he recognized the gleam in Jeremy's eye, "No, but I'm about to go inform him now that he's going.."
* * * * * * * * * *
Hermione opened the door, “Can I help you?”
“Yes, is Severus here?”
“Nope, he’s not home right now, but I’ll tell him you stopped-“
“Who’s at the door?” Snape called from bedroom.
“Ermm…why don’t you come in.” She smiled sheepishly at Dumbledore, who was giving her a bemused expression.
“Who’s there?”
“The Headmaster and…?”
“Jeremy”
“….and Jeremy”
“Tell them I’ll be right out.”
“He’ll be right out." She looked around the room. The couch was still transfigured to be a bed, so she went to Snape's writing desk and grabbed the ladder-backed chair there. When she returned, however, she found Jeremy had made himself at home and was nearly asleep on the bed and Dumbledore had not thought it at all undignified to be sitting on the floor.
Less than five minutes later Snape entered the room, looking ready to bite someone's head off. Dumbledore gave him an amused look and stood up. But the Potion's Master didn't notice him.
His attention was drawn to the bed that used to be his couch. Hermione was perched on one end, while most of the bed was taken up by a young man, who was sprawled across it, snoring softly.
"Who is that?" Snape hissed in a low, dangerous tone.
"That is Jeremy Darker.." Dumbledore said as he nudged Jeremy's leg with his foot. Jeremy sat up instantly and blinked in disorientation. He gave everyone a sheepish grin.
"Jeremy, this is Severus Snape," Dumbledore told the half conscious young man. Jeremy stood and waved at Snape, who scowled back. Snape turned to Dumbledore, totally ignoring Jeremy.
"May I ask why you've come?" Snape asked in a clipped tone. He had a sinking feeling that this wasn’t a social visit.
Dumbledore suddenly looked very serious, “Do you remember the discussion we had the night Barty Crouch Jr. was caught?”
Snape nodded, "And he is to be my contact?" Snape blanched, pointing to Jeremy who, at some point during the conversation, leaned up against a wall and instantly fallen asleep again while standing up.
Suddenly Dumbledore turned to Hermione, “You know, I think I heard that Professor Xavier and Eustace are going to be going shopping today. If you hurry up, you might still catch them.” He smiled at her warmly.
She slipped off the bed and got ready to leave, “Wait a second, you’re trying to get rid of me.” She smirked at Dumbledore.
Dumbledore’s eye shone merrily, “I see I can’t pull one over on you, can I?”
“You won’t get rid of me that easily mister.” Although she was addressing Dumbledore, she walked up to Snape and held out her hand, palm up.
“What?”
She said nothing but still held out her hand.
“What on earth do you want from me?!”
“I’m going shopping….”
Snape stared at her blankly, hoping she’d give up.
“…and when one goes shopping, one needs….?”
Snape continued to play dumb.
“Isn’t it obvious,” Jeremy said, while stifling a yawn, “that the young lady needs some money?”
“Oh you’ve bothered to wake up, have you?” Snape threw darts at Jeremy while getting out his purse and shoving a handful of coins in her hand. She looked them over, the handful contained, 4 galleons, 3 sickles and 15 knuts.
“Thank you Uncle.” She smirked and ran out of the room.
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 0:15:45 GMT -5
"Never, ever again..." Raven muttered under her breath.
whats that now? Thorne asked in a innocent tone as he readjusted his position on her shoulders, so as not to fall off.
"Next time I get the bright idea to take a pair of fifteen year olds shopping, hit me upside the head," Raven moaned, "Very hard. Then remind me of this..."
Her first mistake was stopping at an an ice cream shop and letting Eustace and Hermione fill up on sugar.. Her second mistake was letting them decided where to go. They were like kids in a candy store, darting from place to place. It' was all Raven could do to keep up. After several hours of intense shopping, she finally convinced the two hyper adolecents that they should break for lunch at the Three Broomsticks.
Raven leaned back in her seat, letting out a sigh of relief as they waited for their food to arrive. She picked up her glass of water and took a sip.
"So," Hermione said with a knowing smile, "what's the deal with you and Snape?"
Raven nearly choked on the water, and went into a coughing fit. After it subsided she looked up at Hermione, who was grinning from ear to ear.
"What do you mean?" Eustace asked, obivously clueless.
Hermione just smirked. Raven closed her eyes while rubbing the bridge of her nose, and begged every deity she could think of for patience.
remeber it was your idea to take them shopping..
You're not helping.. She sent back to Thorne.
"There is no 'deal' as you say, between me and Professor Snape," Raven sighed, mentally kicking herself at the note of bitterness that managed to creep into her tone.
Hermione rolled her eyes, obviously not beliving her. Then a slow grin spread on her face. "You know," the girl began in a casual tone, "Dumbledore was by earlier today."
Raven raised an eyebrow, "Really? Why?"
Hermione shrugged, "Not sure, they wanted me out of the room. Probably some top secret mission or something."
Raven's brow furrowed, but she said nothing.
Their food came shortly afterwards and the trio dug into their meal, the conversation seemingly forgotten. Afterwards as they left the Three Broomsticks Raven pulled Hermione aside for a moment.
"Look.. If Sever- I mean Professor Snape is sent off on some mission before talking to me, I need you to do me a favor.."
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 0:19:19 GMT -5
Tap Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap Tap. Tap. Tap…
It was almost a half hour into the four hour journey across the Eurotunnel and Snape was already thoroughly annoyed.
Tap Tap. Tap. Tap…
Snape had given Jeremy ‘the look’ but Jeremy didn’t seem to notice.
Tap Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap…
Now, the tapping was all Snape could hear, even though the large muggle woman in the seat next to him had fallen asleep and was snoring obnoxiously and there was child running up and down the aisle with a toy aeroplane.
Tap Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap…
Jeremy started bobbin his head in time to music Snape obviously couldn’t hear…
“Mr. Darkur.” Snape hissed…
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
“Mr. Darkur.”
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
“Mr. Darkur!”
“Huh? What?”
“Stop making yourself so conspicuous!” Snape hissed so others couldn’t hear, “May I remind you that we are among Muggles? Dancing to music no one else can hear has never been a good sign, even among the wizarding population. And do take off those ridiculous earmuffs, surely it’s not that cold in here!”
“Earmuffs?” Jeremy snickered, “tell me Snape, just how well did you do in Muggle Studies?”
“I haven’t the faintest idea what that has to do with anything.”
“Apparently, that muggle over there thinks it’s plenty cold to be wearing ‘earmuffs’.” Jeremy pointed to a teenager with a lime green Mohawk.
Snape looked at the mohawked teenager, apparently confused. Jeremy rolled his eyes and removed his headphones, holding them out to his unwilling traveling companion. Snape looked at them, as if he expected them to bite.
"Just put the Damn things on your head," Jeremy hissed in irritation. After a moment’s hesitation, Snape gingerly took then and placed them on his head. Jeremy 'accidentally' raised the volume, and Snape got a loud earful of Punk Rock. Snape clawed the headphones off as if they were made of fire.
"What the hell was that...noise?!" Snape hissed, as Jeremy calmly placed his head phones back on, being carefull to readjust the volume.
"That is what the Muggles call music," Jeremy smirked as his eyes wandered to a young woman who was sitting across from him. She smiled and giggled. Jeremy turned off his CD player and smiled back.
"Hello there," he purred. the girl shook her head, obviously not understanding. Jeremy tried again. "Parlez-vous français?"
The young woman smiled and nodded, "Oui."
Jeremy could see Snape scowling at him out of the corner of his eye. Obviously the man didn't understand a word of french.. This could be fun..
"Ainsi, où vous titre?" So, where you heading?
"Maison arrière," she giggled, "Je suis des vacances d'école. Et vous? " Back home, I'm on vacation from school. And you?
Jeremy leaned back and motioned his head towards Snape.
"Moi et mon associé voyagent sur des affaires," he smirked. Me and my associate are traveling on business.
The girl leaned over slightly to get a better look at Snape, then threw Jeremy a glance.
"Il ne regarde pas très amical." She said, noting the dark scowl Snape was throwing the both of them. He doesn't look very friendly.
Jeremy laughed. "Il n'est pas." he said, sending a smirk in Snape's direction, before turning his focus on the young woman. "Mais asse'au sujet de lui, m'indiquent davantage au sujet de vous-même...." he purred. He isn't. But enough about him, tell me more about yourself...
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 0:40:45 GMT -5
Snape was itching to get out his wand and perform the lingua franca spell. He glared darkly at the woman and Jeremy. It was obvious to Snape that they were talking about him. Why else would they keep glancing at him and then smirking.
He refused to acknowledge such childish behavior. Opening his bag, he went to find a bit of light reading (Macbeth, a muggle paperback version he bought at the small bookshop situated conveniently near the bus terminal) when his hand closed on a larger volume. He peeked in his bag (he didn’t take it out in case it was a wizarding book) and saw a black leather travel journal he didn’t recognize with bulging parchment envelope attached to it. Making sure no one was watching, he pulled the book out of his bag and opened it, it contained a vial of…..something. And behind that was a letter. It was in Raven’s handwriting.
Severus,
We left a lot of things unresolved. I wish I could of talked with you before you left, but.. I supose we were both avoiding each other, weren't we? Me and Thorne had a heart to heart, I know you two had words, even though he tried to hide it from me. I know what you told him about the way I feel about you...
Can’t that cat keep any secrets?Snape thought.
You are wrong. You will find a journal and a vial of a potion of my making. I asked Hermione…
Snape mentally rolled his eyes. There was no doubt in his mind which house she would be going into, much to Snape’s frustration; there would be no escaping her.
…to slip this in your bag, should you leave before we had a chance to talk. The journal explains everything, and although I know I will never be as good at potions as you are …
Snape recalled her excellent marks in his classes. He remembered giving her three N.E.W.T.S. in advanced potions making, something he rarely felt justified in doing.
… let me assure you that this potion works. I hope that after you read this, maybe you will believe what I feel is genuine.
He colored, hoping Darkur didn’t notice. Or anyone else for that matter.
I hope that when you return, we can talk...
He quickly shoved the note back in the envelope and the envelope back in his bag, being carefule to put it where the small vial wouldn’t be broken.
He settled back in his chair, trying to block out Darkur’s incessant French chatter (all about him, he was convinced) with Raven’s lab notes.
The young french woman giggled as Jeremy whispered in her ear as his hand rested lightly on her knee. Usually he only indulged in flirting, if there was also the possibility of a chance to feed. But in this crowded bus, it would have been rather awkward to do so unnoticed. Although he was sorely tempted to try.
At any rate a little fliting was a lot more fun than annoying Snape. And the girl was deffinetly a lot better company. He brushed light kisses against her neck, and was pleased to find that she didn't object.
His fangs began to extend as his body instinctually began to react to the girl. He kept his eyes closed to hide the golden specks that began to infuse into the blue. He ran his toungue down the side of her neck, his saliva numbing her skin ever so slightly, so that she didn't noticed as he lightly grazed a fang against her flesh. He was rewarded with a tiny scratch.
'Just a little taste...' he smirked to himself.
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 0:41:47 GMT -5
5/10 It's been two weeks since I almost attacked Kiyoshi. I've kept myself locked in this godforsaken room ever since, in fear that I will do it again… It’s been three days since I attacked that Malfoy brat, the stupid git. He’s gone whining home to his mother. When is he going to let go of her apron strings? (Or should I say purse strings). I barely scratched him, and what did he think he was doing following me around at night? I don’t know if he suspects anything…It's getting harder and harder to control the beast inside of me. I have urges.. Frightening urges. The blood hunger is hard to control but what really frightens me is what I almost did to Kiyoshi. His scent nearly drove me insane. I was like a cat in heat. Luckily for the both of us, Thorne manage to pull me away before I did anything. It’s getting more difficult to avoid prying eyes. Professor Saruman is wondering what happened to her lab rats. I know what happened to them, and I suspect Headmaster Dumbledore does too, because he’s glossed over the whole incident and ignored the obvious puncture wounds on the dead, bloodless rats. I am so stupid. Rumors of vampires are bandying about the school. Luckily, Professor Dumbledore has allowed me access to the dungeons, where I can find more ‘free range’ prey. What frightens me most is what could have happened if there weren’t any lab rats available…. Lucius is done sulking and doesn’t ask me where I go every night anymore.All I've done since the incident is lock myself in this room and read. There must be some way to control my baser instincts. I can't go around attacking every male I see now can I? There are some herbs that sound like they may help. Must send Thorne to get them for me, and try to brew up something to help put this beast back in it's cage... All I’ve done since the ‘incident’ is lock myself in the dungeons and do my homework. I never sit in the common room anymore, even during the daytime. All my other housemates are git (Malfoy being the biggest git of all). I swear the next person to make a stupid garlic joke is going to see how funny being a vampire is…firsthand. Professor Dumbledore has given me special permission to go to the dungeons any time I need to. I wonder if incessant nastieness counts as ‘needing to’. No one else goes down there and I like how quiet it is anyway.
The groundskeeper, Hagrid, has allowed me access to the Forbidden Forest, he leads me a little ways into the forest and leaves me (and his rather nasty rotweiller aptly named ‘Sweety’) to my own devices, no questions asked. I know he knows, but it’s nice that he never mentions my ‘condition’.
My favorite class so far is herbology. It’s amazing the things plants can do, I wonder if there is a plant out there that can help my condition. The only thing is, wouldn’t somebody have found it yet? At any rate, herbology and potions is bound to come in useful. Maybe someday I’ll invent something to put the bat back in the belfry.5/12 After two days of brewing, I think I finally got on the right track. I relied heavily on Marjoram, Witch Hazel and Hawthorne leaves. After two years of research, I think I’ve finally got on the right track. I notice while out in the forest that I was less…hungry when I was around a very distinct ocean green colored moss. I brought back a sample to ask Prefessor Sprout, the Herbology professor their identity, when she saw me holding handfuls of the stuff (I had not brought a bag with me) she nearly bit my head off, apparently it’s toxic, even to the touch. I’ve got a rather nasty rash now. Madame Curie, the head nurse said, she’d never seen a rash quite like that one. I don’t see what’s so amazing about it. I spent the rest of the week layed up in hospital. (She and Sprout said it was contagious). The funny thing is, I don’t feel the symptoms of my condition as acutely as usual…I think it’s the moss. I don’t care what Curie or Sprout say. It’s the first lead I’ve had in my research. I’m going to do more research. Even if I had to live with a horrible itchy and painful rash for the rest of my life, it’s got to be better than being a vampire.Before I took this mixture, every time Kiyoshi came near my room, his scent would come to me, and I'd throw myself at the door in an attempt to get at him. I'd come to my sense a few moments later, my fingers bloody from scrabbling at the heavy door. I’ve set up a small lab in one of the dungeons. I’ve found the moss in 1001 Poisonous Plants and Fungi, it doesn’t say much about it, but the book has a nice section detailing the testing of poisonous plants. I want to see if I can’t nick my brother’s invisibility cloak that he says he doesn’t own and sneak into the restricted section to find out more.
- - - I nicked a cage from the store room and have begun to keep some of the rats I’ve caught for experiments. So far all the rats have died from the potions I’ve come up with
- - - I am so stupid, of course they’re dying. They aren’t vampires, are they? I’ve begun turning my lab rats into vampires. The potions I give them no longer kill them now.
- - - Correction, no longer kill them as quickly. All my lab rats are dead…Must find some more rats.
- - - That stupid git Malfoy tried to follow me into the forest last night. If he didn’t know before, he definitely knows I’m a vampire now. He put a nasty hex on me and I woke up sometime later my fingernails smeared with blood. I don’t feel sorry for him.After I took the potion, Kiyoshi came to the door and waited. His scent was still very tempting, but I didn't lose myself this time. I still didn't trust myself enough around him, so I've been adding to the some Fleabane and Vervain to the potion just in case. I'll wait a few days to see if it works. The rats are no longer dying from the potions. They have stopped trying to bite each other. This is a very good sign. After a few minor adjustments, I should have one ready to test soon. I hope it works. * * * * * * * * Jeremy sunk back into his seat, with a satisfied smirk on his lips. The young woman, her name escaped him, had excused herself to go powder her nose. He idly licked his lips, relishing the trace of her blood left over. His eyes turned to Snape, who had his nose in a book. "What are you reading?" Jeremy asked, not because he was interested, but because he knew it would annoy his companion. Snape ignorned him, still totally engrossed in his reading. Jeremy raised an eyebrow and was going to say something, when a young boy wizzed by, runing back and forth down the aisle. Jeremy scowled at the child. "Hey kid!" he called out. "Could you please stop?" Either the kid didn't speak english or he was ignoring him. Jeremy tried again. "Hé! Arrêt cela." The kid stoped and stuck his tougue out at Jeremy. The Dhampir looked around to make sure no one was looking, before turning to the kid. Subliminally quick he dropped his human facade and smiled, showing glowing golden eyes, and a mouth full of sharp fangs. The kid paled and ran back, persumitably to his mother. Jeremy calmly leaned back in his seat, putting his headphones back on, and smirked again.
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 0:42:26 GMT -5
5/15 It worked! I am now able to act like a normal human being. My sense of smell is still highly sensitive, but Kiyoshi's pheromones no longer effect me. Maybe everything is going to be alright now.. I think it’s working, the potion I took seems to lessen the cravings, the food in the great hall is having a greater appeal to me. I’m starting to remember what real food tastes like before I was bitten. The potion doesn’t work on the garlic allergy though. I gave some to one of my rats and it still went into allergic shock. So I still sit at the head table with the professors.
- - - I went into anemic shock yesterday during Defense Against the Dark Arts. Ergh! I feel dreadfully ill. Madame Curie doesn’t know what could have triggered the anemia. I know it has to do with the potion. Apparently the potion only affects the feeling of the cravings and not the need for the cravings. If it wasn’t for Hagrid sneaking a live roebuck into the castle, I could very well have died.
On a more amusing note, Malfoy’s decided I am ten time more interesting now that he knows I’m a vampire. He defended my fainting spell to the rest of my housemates making up some outlandish story involving a troll and a pretty Ravenclaw girl whom I don’t even know. Now that he apparently wants to befriend me, I wonder if I can use this to my advantage. On the other hand, I’m wondering what he wants in return for his loyalty. Also, that kid named Black has finally broken down and told me how to stop the whomping willow from smashing me to bits. I’m going to follow them the next time my brother decides to go to hogsmeade. I bet they’ll get into loads of trouble. 5/28 (writing is shaky and hard to read) The potion isn't working anymore.. I took more and more of it but it doesn't do any good. I think the new moon triggered it. I didn't realize that the potion was failing until I practically seduced Kiyoshi. Then it hit me like a bucket of cold water. I was reacting to his pheromones once more. I locked myself back in the room. Looks like its back to the drawing board... Damn him, Damn him. What the hell were they thinking? How was I supposed to know that Lupin was a bloody werewolf! If James hadn’t got cold feet…I was inches away from the werewolves great jaws. I could feel the cloying smell of it’s breath. I am very lucky to be alive today. (Is there such a thing as a vampire werewolf?)And, unfortunately, I owe it all to Perfect Potter and his Band of Merry Men. I bet they planned the whole thing. Scare the bejeezus out of Severus, that way he’ll stop trying to get their bouts of troublemaking noticed by the teachers and as an added bonus, we can say that he owes his life to us. How many people am I going to have life-debts to before I get out of school? At least the professors and Hagrid don’t rub it in your face.
- - - I am so frustrated, I can’t find a single lead for treating the blood cravings. (I did find out some interesting information on a sunblocking potion I’m going to try. I’ll see if I can’t tinker with it.) Someone knows about my lab, I haven’t figured out who it is yet, but they had carelessly left a book here. Thankfully, nothing was touched. I can’t imagine what they were doing down here. I may move to a different dungeon anyway. The book has actually been quite useful. It’s all about different potions masters and mistresses that have advanced the field of potions-making. There is even a section on proper research methods. Very interesting stuff. I wish we learned things like that in Professor Sarumon’s class. She just drones on and on ad nauseum. I’m so far ahead of the topics she’s covering that it’s become quite bothersome to go to class at all. I’d rather be here working on my project. The next time she gives us another tedious report on alchemy tables, I’m going to ask for a pass to the restricted section and say it’s for my report. 6/15 I am such an idiot! Why didn't I see it before? It was staring me in the face the whole time. Camphor! It makes the potion taste like hell, but it does the job. I have to wait till the next new moon to see if it really works this time, and I'm making sure to stay in the room so I don't traumatize poor Kiyoshi again. Gods please let it work this time.. I am such an idiot! Why didn’t I see it before? It was staring me in the face the whole time. Dumbledore! All the strange things that have been occurring last year and this year seems to fit together, books in unexpected places, the casual dropping of some fact or figure that turns out to be dead useful… he’s been helping me along this whole time. For a Gryffindor, he sure thinks like a Slytherin. I wonder if I should tell him outright that I know what he’s doing or I should just let it continue. It would certainly be more efficient without the secrecy. Also, looking back on the first book (the first one I found in my secret lab) I think he’s wanted me to tell him the whole time. I guess he was sort of waiting for me to do it on my own terms. Using the first book as a guide, I’ve drawn up a proposal to officialize my research. Hopefully the project will be approved.
- - - It was approved. And just as I suspected, Professor Dumbledore has volunteered to work with me on the project. I would have thought Professor Saruman would have done, but I wouldn’t doubt my little ‘secret’ project has been the topic of conversation of many staff meetings and it must have been decided ahead of time that he would volounteer should I decide to legitimize my research. I haven’t confronted him about the books and the well placed casual facts, but I think we both have a sort of silent understanding about it. I’ve set up a my lab on a first floor room facing north, it is the least sunny room available.
- - - Dumbledore has suggested that moving the lab back into the dungeons might be a little easier on the vampiric rats (and by extention me, although he didn’t actually say it) So I’ve brought all my equipment back down to the Dungeons again. I’ve dropped divination to make room in my schedule for the project. The headmaster’s wangled it so I get credit for a whole elective course for doing this independent study. A very nice bonus, not only do I get to drop that useless course but I also get credit for trying to cure myself.
- - - Death Eater activity has increased in the past few months, there’s been an attack on the Bones’. Leonard M. Bones’ mum and dad were murdered. The school is in mourning and Professor Dumbledore has had to cancel lab sessions for the next month to take care of some official things he didn’t explain very well to me. Leo Bones is now an orphan, I think when the year is out he’s going to live with his aunt. At least he’s got a solid group of friends to fall back on. Which reminds me; I’ve never seen Lucius more…..alive. I can’t put my finger on it, but he just seems more alert lately. I think he’s actually enjoying the mayem caused by the Death Eaters. I should have realized before that he liked danger, What other type of person befriends a vampire?6/29 The new moon has passed. I had to force that vile concoction down my throat every day the moon was gone from the sky, but it worked. Usually the potion seems to last a week at a time, but during the new moon I have to take it everyday. I can live with that. Fifth year has passed, and sixth year is half over already, and only now has my years of research payed off, my vampire rats are all living comfortably on the potion that Dumbledore and I have devised. If it wasn’t for the fact that the headmaster was working on his own thesis on dragon’s blood, the connection might never have been made. Frankly I would have never thought of it my-
- - - myself. Sorry about the interruption, Lucius was trying to look at my journal. Stupid git was reading over my shoulder. He didn’t see much though. Unfortunately I shut the book so quickly that I upset my ink bottle and spilt half of it all over my book (see large inkspot above.) and my robes. I am very glad my robes are black. He’s been acting very strangely lately (yes, stranger than usual) he’s been going around wearing a sort of cocky smirk on his face. You’d think he was head boy the way he’s acting. He’s also been being extremely nice to everyone (even the Gryffindorks.) I don’t know what he’s playing at. After years of Gryffie torture, I don’t suppose anyone will believe he’s somehow turned over a new leaf. I intend to find out what all this niceness is about…I wonder if he’s under some kind of congeniality hex. Anyway, I will try to reconstruct what I had written earlier:
The blood of a dragon infused with the moss create a potion that not only dampens my own vampiric nature, but also is sustaining. I will present my research to board next week. I’ve never been so nervous. I can barely pay attention in class, and my NEWTs are coming up next year. Plus I’ve never spoken before an audience. I hope I do well. On the one hand, it’s very big discovery. No one has done anything like this before, On the other, people will ask questions about my motivations… why would I want to help vampires? The only logical conclusion would be, because I am one. Which is true enough, but I don’t want the whole bloody world to know. I may be somewhat of a pariah at school, but I don’t want it to extend into the rest of my life. Especially not now that I have the chance to live a somewhat normal life. Even if I have to make the potion for the rest of my life, I can live with that.
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 0:47:15 GMT -5
With a reluctant sigh, Jeremy pulled himself away from the young french woman, as the bus came to a full stop. He glanced at Snape who had long since finished reading his book, and had been sitting with an unreadable look on his face. Jeremy pushed the girl's grabby hands off of himself and collected his things. The girl pouted prettily, but Jeremy ignored her. She had been useful to kill time during the trip, but now he had no need for her. "Hey. Tall, dark and moody." Jeremy said, getting an angry snarl from Snape in reply. "Get moving, we got a train to catch." With that the Dhampir walked down the bus aisle, ignoring the sputtering protests of the young french woman. * * * * * * * * * Several hours later Snape and Jeremy were in a private train car, on their way to Romania. Jeremy sat slouched over, with his eyes closed and his headphones on, tapping in time with the music. Snape looked up from his copy of 'Macbeth' and shot a dark glare at him. "Mr. Darkur," he hissed in a low, dangerous tone, "I suggest you stop that incesent tapping, or I will make you stop." Jeremy lazily opened his eyes and gave Snape a challenging look. "Really? I'd like to see you try." "Don't tempt me," Snape growled. Jeremy smirked, and closed his eyes, raising the volume on his cd player. Snape gritted his teeth and went back to his reading. There was silence for a while, but soon Snape became aware of a low humming sound. He looked up, and saw Jeremy sitting with a smirk, his eyes still closed. Snape scowled and turned back to his book. After a while the humming stopped, replaced by soft singing. "One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster The bars are temples but the pearls ain't free You'll find a god in every golden cloister And if you're lucky then the god's a she I can feel an angel sliding up to me." Snape threw aside his book and pulled out his wand. "Thats it! I've had ENOUGH!" Jeremy sprang to his feet, his ring glowing an ominous red. "Bring it on!" * * * * * * * * * A conssesions witch raised her hand to knock on the door that led to Snape and Jeremy's private car, but stopped when she saw the flashing lights of spells spill out from under the door. She stepped back at the sounds of cursing. "Stupid Greasy Git!" "Lecherous Lout!" "That the best you can do, ya Hooked-nosed Bastard?!" "Why you degenrate little..!" The last curse was muffled by a loud explosion. The consessions witch shook her head and decided to try back later. Several hours later the concessions witch headed back to Snape and Jeremy's car. An eeries silence eminated from within. She cautiously opened the door and peeked her head in. The walls of the car were scortched from random spells. Luckily the car had a special ward placed upon it, so that any spells cast within, stayed there. The occupants of the car were in opposite corners, licking their perspective wounds, and undoing the damage that they had done to each other. Snape was using his wand to reduce his large front teeth, care of the Densaugeo curse. Jeremy threw murderous glares at Snape as he reduced the boils all over body, caused by the Furnunculus curse. Both men were covered in scorch marks, their clothes burned and torn. The concessions witch cleared her throat and two furious gazes turned on her. "Uh.. er.. Would you gentlemen care for something to eat?" "NO!" came the thunderous and dual reply. The witch squeaked in fear and quickly pulled her head out of the car and shut the door. She let out a little huff of indignation and stalked off. * * * * * * * * * * * * When they finally reached Romania, Jeremy was all to happy to get off the train and get this stupid journey done with. "What now?" Snape growled. Jeremy threw another dark look at him before replying. "We have to make contact with some of the local vampires. They will put us up for the night." Jeremy gathered his things and stalked off. "Try not to slow us down," he snarled over his shoulder.
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 0:50:47 GMT -5
“Two Dracula Tour Tickets, yes?” Snape’s head snapped up, “What?!” “The Dracula tour,” he pointed to Snape’s outfit, “Are you not von of those ‘Goths’ that request the Dracula tour?” Snape had changed his robes for a very long and high necked black shirt, and black pants (to block out the light) and he had carefully applied sunblocking potion to any part not covered by cloth, the sunblock made his hair look slick and greasy. Jeremy was also wearing black jeans and a black tee. Together, they both indeed looked very gothic. “I’m sure I have no idea what you are talking about.” Snape snapped at the teenage ticket booth worker at the place they were supposed to be staying. He glared at Jeremy who had suggested a place in Brasov for them to stay. He hadn’t told him it was a tourist trap. “Vatewer, it is just that you do not look like you vould be here for research purpose.” “I am a professor.” “Wery vell. And vill you be needing a tour guide?” “Certainly not.” “Vanderful. Here are your tickets. Enjoy your stay at Bran Castle.” * * * * * * * * * * “Why are we here?!” Snape hissed at Jeremy when they had gotten far enough away from any muggles. “I don’t have to explain myself to you.” Jeremy snapped back, “follow me.” Jeremy led Snape through dank hallways, until they reached a hallway that had signs in various languages stating that the area was restricted. Jeremy skirted around the signs into a stairway leading upwards. "Well?" Snape snarled irritably. Jeremy ignored him and searched along the edge of the steps until he found what he was looking for. He pulled out a sharp black raven quil. He drove the sharpened end of the quill into his finger, bringing forth a drop of blood. "What the hell..?" Jeremy took the quill and wrote the name Vlad Tepes on the first step. The name began to glow brightly for a moment and the glow spread up the steps. Suddenly the glow was gone and the steps now lead downwards. "C'mon," Jeremy growled before heading down the stairway. They wandered down more hallways, Jeremy ignoring Snape's growls of impatience, until it empied out into what appeared to be an underground village. Snape gaped for a moment, until Jeremy's irritated voice told him to follow. The Dhampir led them to what appeared to be a tavern. As soon as they entered, they were greeted by a roomfull of hostile eyes. Jeremy smirked. "I need to speak with Magda of the Skarsazi." he called out in Romanian "Who's askin?" came an angry voice. "The son of her cousin, Anastasia." He called back. A young man ran to one of the back rooms, and after a few moments he returned, but not alone. A woman, who apeared to be in her fourties, with steel gray eyes and a silver mane of hair, followed. Her hard gaze softened when she caught sight of Jeremy. "Remmy, it's good to see you." She smiled, then cast a look at Snape, "And you bring a friend?" Jeremy snorted, "No friend, but he is someone who has to talk with you." Magda narrowed her eyes at him, "Jeremy," she said in a warning tone, "I know my cousin brought you up with better manners than that." Jeremy at least had the grace to look a bit sheepish. Magda turned back to the room she had just come from. "Come, let us talk somewhere a little more private."
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 0:52:10 GMT -5
“Now.” She said, leading the two of them to a back room, “Why have you come?”
Darkur cleared his throat and repeated the Romanian phrase in english for Snape.
Snape smirked at Darkur and addressed the woman directly, in perfect Romanian (if not a bit too formal), “I am here to ask your citizens, mine and Darkur’s kinsmen, for aide. As you well know, the last time vampires got involved in a war, they, we, were on the losing side. It was a very unfortunate blow to vampire heritage everywhere. But it is said that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has fooled the wisest. So now, I beseech vampire people’s everywhere to rectify the grievous error and clear the name of vampire once again. To make it an honorable thing.”
The woman paced the room, considering. Finally she turned to them, “Hmmm…your cause seems worthy, these things are true that you say. I will bring this up with the other Elders… I do not think your journey will be in vain.”
“Thank you Madame.” They made to leave the room, but just then, the door opened.
“Elder Skarsazi, I am sorry to inturupt you. But I must speak to you,”
“You may speak.”
The man who stood in the doorway seemed somewhat familiar to Snape, but he couldn’t put a finger on exactly who he was. This man was balding, and was very, very fat. He was also breathless, as if the exertion of finding her was terrific.
“An- another vampire has disappeared!”
“Disappeared?” Darkur asked.
Snape was only half paying attention, because he was staring hard at the portly man. It bothered him that he could not place the face, it seemed so familiar somehow. “Yes, we are all on edge at the moment, there have been several disappearances in the past weeks. And there has been no trace of the culprits. We think perhaps vampire hunters, but we have no evidence. Mr. Potter, allow me to attend to my guests and I will be with you an a moment.” Snape stood in disbelief, “Uncle.” He whispered and then immediately wished he could take the words back. It had seemed his uncle hadn’t recognized him yet, but now the man’s large and sweaty face turned to look hard at Severus.
“Severus! Is that you?!” The portly vampire smiled, jowls shaking, “Look at you! All grown up! Come to visit your uncle at last, eh? Sick of England? Come to visit your ancestor’s homeland eh?” The jovial vampire made a motion give his nephew a hug, but Snape nimbly stepped back out of reach.
Snape stared at him as if he had two heads, “How dare you address me,” Snape said in that dangerous quiet tone which meant he was really angry, “How dare you address me as if, as if It never happened. You Sir (and I use that term very loosely), are an immeasurable fiend of the worst kind. I have nothing to say to you, and if I thought for an instant you’d be here, I never would have agreed to come. You violated me, my trust. And I will never forgive that. Not ever. Good day to you.” Snape turned to make a hasty exit, before he would say something that would ruin his chances of making an alliance with the vampires, but his uncle blocked the only exit.
“Severus, my dear lad! You’ve got your father's spirit! You definitely got at least that from the Potter side, you did!” He didn’t seem the least bit perturbed by Snape’s dangerous tone, or maybe he hadn’t even noticed.
“Out of my way.” Snape growled.
“Well, I can’t possibly let you leave on bad terms, my dear nephew!” He smiled congenially but was now sweating profusely.
“ ‘bad’ terms!? Nephew! That’s some nerve you have. It’s seems you’ve not only doubled in size since I last saw you, but also in callousness.”
He seemed flustered and shifted pompously, which reminded Snape of Cornielius Fudge, “Well, I don’t think I need to listen to this from a young whelp like you.”
“You can’t bully me.” Snape said defiantly, “I will not allow you to scare me any longer. I’m not a frightened little boy anymore! I’m a grown man! I’m forty years old!”
“Yes and I’m a hundred and thirty-seven. The point is, I am still your uncle and you WILL learn to respect your elders. You always did have a temper. Little Jimmy (“Perfect Potter.” Snape muttered) never had that problem. Luckily I knew how to deal with little boys with tempers, didn’t I?” His smile seemed more like a leer now.
Severus looked like he’d been hit in the face. Jeremy wasn’t sure if Snape was going to burst into tears or fly into a fit of rage. Memories suddenly flooded his consciousness: ”Severus, what did I tell you about making messes?” The stern voice made eight year old Severus Potter cringe and drop a flask he had been carefully pouring into a small toy cauldron his mother had said he could bring over his uncle’s house. He hated staying over his uncle’s but it was no use telling grown ups that if they had things they had to accomplish and he was the only babysitter available. Of course, he never told the grown ups why he hated it…
“I’m- I’m sorry Uncle. I’ll clean it right away.”
“But I’ve already told you the last time you were here that that thing was not to set foot in my house again. Do you need reminding so soon?” Snape really didn't see what was so bad about the cauldron, any stains weren't permanent and the potions created only lasted minutes. Sometimes he thought his uncle actually looked for reasons to punish him.
“I forgot!” Severus’ great green eyes watered and the pinkish hue to his cheek seemed to drain out of him. His lip trembled slightly. “I’m sorry Uncle!” He begged, “Please, I’ll clean up the mess I’ve made! I promise I’ll never bring it here again. I’ll remember! I’ll be a very good boy.”
“Yes, I’m sure you will.” His uncle smiled horribly and his eye had a redness behind them which told him it was time to make a run for it. He threw the tiny cauldron at his uncle as hard as he could and sprinted away from his uncle’s grasp.”
“Going to make me work for my supper, eh boy?” He said in a wild sort of tone which sent chills up Snape’s body and made him run faster. Panicking, he frantically looked for a place to hide and he shut himself up in the cupboard under the stairs. He strained his ears, waiting for the sound which meant his uncle had tired of looking for him and had left him alone in the house. Severus waited and held his breath. The door slammed and Severus carefully poked his head out of the cupboard. He realized his mistake almost instantly, but it was too late, the door was forced open and Severus was dragged up the stairs back into the kitchen.
“No! Let me go! Please I promise I won’t do it again please! Please!” His uncle held him roughly by the middle and Severus fought with all his eight year old might. His uncle tore Severus’ robes away to reveal the nape of his neck.
Snape felt something inside himself twist like a knife and he no longer thought or cared about alliances and politics. Only one thing was on his mind.
Snape drew his wand, “I’ll kill you, you bastard! Spiniferate!” Snape’s wand honed itself into a sharp point and he wielded it like a stake. Snape lunged forward.
“Snape!” Jeremy said as he leapt at him and managed to pry the stake from Snape’s fingers.
“He’s the bastard who did it! He’s the bastard who did it!” Snape howled repeatedly as he wriggled from Jeremy’s grasp (still wandless) and lunged at his uncle, who’d gone very pale (even for a vampire).
“Do you want to see what you did to me you sod? I’ll show you!” Snape’s glassy fingernails dug into his uncle’s flesh and his uncle fell backwards. When his uncle attempted to push him away, Snape sank his fangs deep into his uncle’s hand. His uncle howled in pain and Snape had never heard a more satisfying sound. He didn’t care anymore about killing his uncle, (he had only pictured it a thousand and one times as he laid awake in his bed as a child) Now, the only thing in the world that mattered was causing him as much pain and suffering as possible so he could hear those delicious howls of pain and anguish. It was exactly in that moment that Snape seemed to hear Voldemort’s high, cold laughter echoing in his brain and truly understood what it felt like and where it was coming from.
And suddenly, Snape realized he had become the very thing he hated most of all.
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 0:54:34 GMT -5
"Get a hold of yourself!" Jeremy snarled as he pulled Snape off of the portly vampire. Snape stopped trying to attack but Jeremy could feel the man was trembling with barley controlled fury.
"What is the meaning of this?" Magda hissed, turning her now silver eyes on Snape. Snape refused to look up, but raise a damning finger to point at the quivering vampire behind her.
"That bastard.." he began in a tight, quavering voice, "was the one who turned me into a vampire. I was just a child and he.." Snape's voice broke off, unable to continue.
Jeremy blinked in surprise and looked up at Magda, and felt a shiver run down his spine. Her eyes glowed with anger and her lip curled up to reveal sharp fangs. She very much resembled the silver wolf whose form she favored. Magda turned her wrathful gaze on the fat vampire behind her.
"Is this true, Marian?" she snarled.
"Well ah, er.." he stammered, unable to meet her eyes.
Magda hissed in anger, as she her hand shot out and lifted him up by his neck. Marian cringed in her grasp. Magda glanced back at Jeremy and Snape. "Remmy, take him to my office, you know the way. I will be there momentarily," she once more turned her burning quicksilver eyes to the vampire in her hand. "After I deal with this."
Jeremy hearded Snape towards the back of the room and pressed a pannel in the wall to reveal a room. They stepped inside and the wall slid silently shut. The room hadn't changed much from when he was a child. There was still the large mahogany desk, that Magda usually sat behind to do her work; the plush couch in the corner, that Jeremy used to take naps on; the extensive booksheves filled with literature from all over the world.
Snape just stood there unmoving his shoulders hunched over, staring at the floor. Jeremy figited uncomfortably.
"Sit down." the Dhampir finally said, "You're making me nervous."
Snape sat on the couch, with no complaints, moving like he was a zombie. His shoulders trembled with emotion and his fists curled and uncurled in his lap. Jeremy idly picked thru books on the bookshelf, his discomfort growing as the uncomfortable silence streched on.
Then the silence was broken by Magda's thuderous roar. Her voice was muffled by the walls but Jeremy could make out at least half of what she was saying.
"....HOW COULD YOU!..... BROKEN ONE OF OUR MOST..... LAWS......"
Jeremy could hear a whimpering reply, but couldn't make out the words.
"......DEAL.... LATER..GET HIM....MY SIGHT!"
A few moments later, the wall slid open again, revealing a drained Magda. She turned a tired gaze on Snape, who still refused to look up, then back to Jeremy.
"Remmy, I need to speak with your friend alone for a moment." she said softly. Jeremy's tensed shoulders sagged with relief. "There's someone in the tavern who is anxious to see you." Jeremy nodded and slipped out of the room, as quickly as his feet could carry him, and headed for the main room of the tavern.
As soon as he got there, he heard a peircing squeal. "REMMY!!" Suddenly all the air had been knocked out of his lungs as a slight figure hurled itself at him and squeazed him for all he was worth. He managed to pry away the person giving him the hug of death long enough to see her face.
"Claudia?" he smiled at the plesant surprise. She was vitually unchanged from the last time he saw her fifty years ago. The same mass of auburn curls, the same bright violet eyes, the same... Jeremy's eyes goggled and his jaw dropped. "You're... Pregnant?!"
"Remmy!" The petite woman repeated, banging a small fist on his chest, trying to draw his attention away from her buldging stomach, back up to her face.
"You're pregnant?!?!" He repeted dumbly, still not over the shock.
"REMMY!" she snarled, as her violet eyes took on a golden sheen. Jeremy was startled out his his shock by her anger. Claudia never, ever got upset at anything she had always been a fountain of patience. Something must of been really wrong.
"I'm sorry, Laudie," He replied in a apologetic tone, hoping that the use of his pet name for her would calm her down. "You just surprised me is all.." Her eyes returned to their violet hue, but now they filled with tears. Dear Lord! What was it about people breaking down today? He hastened to prevent her from turning into a sobbing mess before him. "What's wrong?" he asked, hoping that she didn't note the slight panic in his voice. "What's happened?"
"It's Lucca," she whispered, managing to keep her tears at bay, much to Jeremy's relief. He never knew what to do when a woman cried. "He's disappeared..."
"What do you mean Lucca's disappeared?" Jeremy asked, as his brow puckered in worry. His old childhood friend always seemed joined at the hip to the pretty little Claudia, and with her being in this current... 'condition', (which Jeremy was 100% sure was Lucca's doing) he couldn't belive that Lucca would go anywhere without her.
"He's one of many who have been disappearing as of late. I'm so worried, Remmy" She grabbed his hand as her eyes pleaded with his. "Please tell me you'll help find him?"
Jeremy pulled her into a brotherly hug, then led her out of the tavern. "Of course I'll help. Luca is my best friend.. C'mon, lets take you back home."
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 0:57:17 GMT -5
“Now.” Magda said gently after a lengthy silence, “First off, I would like to apologize on behalf of the vampire community. What happened to you should not have happened. How familiar are you with vampire law?” “There are laws?” She rolled her eyes, “No, I suppose he wouldn’t have… When one is turned into a vampire, there is usually a procedure, which includes the knowledge of a set of rules and regulations so one knows exactly what one is doing before choosing to become a vampire. And, according to those laws, it should be a choice, one that is only allowed to be made after one is already an adult. Obviously, none of that happened.” “No. It had not.” Snape didn’t look at Magda, but straight ahead at the wall. “And he wouldn’t have told you about them because that would mean you would have known to seek out law enforcers … not to mention press charges.” “Legal action?” He had never thought there were laws put in place to prevent what happened to him, he always had thought Marian had run because he would be charged by the wizarding world, the fact that their might be a vampire world had never really occurred to him, “Is it too late to take legal action? Should I find a barrister?” “No and yes. The statute of limitations is one hundred years and there is no doubt in my mind that he will get the death penalty. We take very seriously such accusations, because if people turned into vampires who didn’t want to be one, it would undermine the civilization we have built. Not to mention turning children, that in itself is immediate death. As for a barrister, one will be provided for you by the tribunal. He doesn’t have much of a chance, there is a lot of paperwork involved in becoming a vampire, and if the British Vampiric Government (the BVG) cannot provide it (which they won’t be able to), then the defense will probably question how long you’ve been a vampire, and what evidence there is that it was, in fact Marian Potter who turned you. Were there witnesses?” “Yes. My half-brother James Potter on several occasions.” “We will contact him.” “I hope you know a good medium. James is dead.” “Oh…any other close relatives.” “I’m afraid all my relatives are dead, they were killed by the Dark Lord in an attempt to stamp out the Potter line. I guess because Uncle Marian left, he must have escaped this fate. I changed my name from Potter to my mother’s maiden name, Snape. For obvious reasons, I no longer wanted to be a Potter. I suppose that has saved my life in an obtuse sort of way ( Dammit, does that mean I owe a life debt to my abominable uncle? Snape thought.). We were never in contact with my relatives on the Snape side.” “hmm… close friends, maybe?” “No, not really, except… but I couldn’t possibly call him… He is far too busy at the moment to testify…” “Who?” “The only person I can think of is Albus Dumbledore, he knows the whole story of my condition. But I cannot call him now as he is very busy running a school. ( And trying to undermine the Dark Lord Snape thought.)” “But he might be able to provide proof you think?” “Most definitely. He is the one who advocated for my admittance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry when no one else wanted a vampire in their hallowed halls.” “Excellent, there will be school records, just the thing.” There was another long silence. Snape slipped back into thinking about all the things that might have been avoided if he had not been a vampire. The what ifs and if onlys that plagued him every day seemed to have become clearer and more tangible, almost as clear as they had been thirty two years ago when he had just been transformed. Old memories he had thought he’d forgotten surfaced again and he had wished he hadn’t left his pensieve at home. As a defensive reflex he tried to thinking of things which would not have occurred if he wasn’t a vampire. For one, he wouldn’t have become friends with Albus or Hagrid, and he certainly wouldn’t have been a potions master… Suddenly he looked up, “Madame, I just remembered something I had planned to do. Have you a floo network here?” “No, however we are connected to the nexus. You probably don’t know about the nexus, it’s similar to the floo but also similar to apparition, and portkeys. Where do you need to go?” “I need to get to the Transylvanian Alps Magical Wildlife Preserve, I need to stock up on an ingredient I’ll be needing for a potion. With this ordeal with seeing my uncle, I nearly forgot.” He pulled a vial case out of his vest pocket and removed one of his vials Vampire’s Bane potion, (he’d remembered to charm the vials so they were shatterproof this time), “This is something I devised to help me… cope with…my condition. I thought I’d offer something of my skills in potions-making and share the formula with your people, should you want it.” He handed her the vial. “What exactly does it do?” “It dulls the blood craving while at the same time replacing nutrients, also, although it doesn’t completely mask them, it dampens the pheromones, which helps stop mortals from falling all over you. I find that quite annoying.” Magda looked at the vial in her hand and chuckled. "That's a problem of you're kind but not mine." Snape gave her a puzzled look, and Magda smiled before explaining. "I forgot, you know little of Vampires other than what you read in you're world's books. There are many different types of Vampires, many subspecies. Each one with it's own defense mechanism." she gave the vial another pensive look. "This would be a great asset to those in our community who have to feed off animal and cold storage blood." “I will warn you that it has a nasty adjustment period. Fever, headache, hot flashes, these subside in about two or three days after regular dosage leaving one with no ill effects. Should you decide to stop taking it, you will have to go through the adjustment process again. With your permission, I will begin making more. I’m afraid I only brought enough for myself.” “Very well,” She said, standing up, “I will bring you to the nexus, follow me please.” * * * * * * * * * * * Claws flexed as saliva dripped off sharpfangs, exposed by lips pulled back in a feral snarl. Fingers terminated into sharp claws which dug at the earth in frustration. must feed must rip tear eat kill must KILL- - - - - - - - - - - "Mina, time to come in!" "Comming Mama!" the young girl answered as she gathered her favorite doll to her chest. The sun dipped below the horizon, as darkness quickly spread. Mina knew her mother warned her to be in before dark, but she had lost track of time. In her haste, she didn't notice the rock in her path, which she tripped over. She fell hard, her precious doll flying from her grasp. Mina's mother saw her daughter fall and hurried towards her. She stopped when Mina stood with a sheepish smile on her face. That expression changed when she noticed her doll was gone. She looked around for it. "Leave it Mina!" her mother snapped, wanting to get inside ,where it was safe. "We can find it tomorrow." The girl didn't listen and dove into some nearby bushes. "Wait mama, I found it, Just let me go get it.." - - - - - - - - - - - Sensing that the deadly sun was no over above it, the creature scrabbled at the earth surrounding it in earnest. It was dirven by pure instinct to feed and it sensed something was near. something warm and tasty... - - - - - - - - - - - Mina ignored her mother's voice as she saw her dolly sitting on a mound of dirt. "Mina! Come here this INSTANT!" Mina scowled, "Mama! My doll's right here, lemme just reach it!" She reached out a hand to grab the doll.. - - - - - - - - - - - The prey was so close, almost here.... fresh blood feed kill kill kill kill KILL- - - - - - - - - - - Mina grabbed her doll just as a white hand burst from the mound of dirt and caught her arm in an iron grip. "MAMAAAAAAAAAAA!"
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 0:58:33 GMT -5
As soon as Jeremy walked into the DeLaCroix household, he was drawn into his second bone-breaking hug of the day. Actually this one felt like it was grinding his bones into fine power rather than just breaking them. "Jeremy! I'm so happy that you've finally come to visit us!" came the dulcet voice of Claudia's mother, Catherine. As Jeremy tried to force air into his lungs, he marveled how that even though the women of this family were rather petite, they had enough power in one hug to aphixiate a dinosaur. Finally, to his utmost relief, Catherine noticed that he was turning an odd shade of blue from lack of oxygen, and let him go. Claudia's father, Peter, chuckled as Jeremy tried not to be too obvious about catching his breath. It wasn't long before Jeremy found himself at the family dinner table with a glass of cognac, and Peter was explaining what had been happeneing in the past few months. "So far, Lucca is the twentieth vampire who has vanished so far," Claudia's father said in his deep baritone. "It's been causing an uproar around here. They just vanished without a trace." "Have there been any witnesses?" Jeremy asked. "None at all," Peter rumbled. "There's a possibility that we may have a Vampire hunter on the loose. Magda and the other elders have been running around doing damage control, we lost to many of our kind to the Hunters. We don't need them running around the one place we are truely safe." A dark scowl crossed Jeremy's face. "Yeah, the last thing we need are Hunters going around killing both the innocent and guilty." Peter nodded in agreement. "Tomorrow night we plan on forming a search party to find the missing vampires." Jeremy looked pensive for a moment, his brain processing all this new info. "I'd like to help. I've know Lucca since I was ten. He's like a brother to me." Peter grinned, "We'd be happy to have you. Oh and Magda arranged for you and you're friend to stay here while you're in town. We have plenty of room and good food." Jeremy chuckled softly. Magda worked quickly. He and Snape had been in town less than 20 minutes and she already had a place set up for them to stay. It would be rude to refuse and he and Snape needed a place to stay. Dammit, now he had to be nice to the greasy git. * * * * * * * * * * * * * It took a moment for Snape to get his bearings. Under normal circumstances it would have been a difficult trip. It was indeed like using a portkey, the same dizzying, nauseating feeling and the sickening pulling in the abdomen. But Snape wasn’t in usual human form. When he came out of the small spacial rip, he was flung headlong into the side of a building as a bat. The nexus had been a cave filled with dark little holes only big enough to accommodate a small animal and each leading to different, very general locations around the world (like the Floo Network), it was only when the vampire concentrated on a specific location that the holes took you where you needed to go (like apparition). Unfortunately, the only thing Snape could remember about the Magical Wildlife Preserve was the large main building. So that’s where the portal ejected him. Snape bounced off the nearest window of thick, magic-enforced glass. He didn’t quite know what happened next, but the next thing he knew a large ball of feathers and claws had swooped down and grabbed him with one claw. The other held a large red envelope. It was a post owl. Snape tried to change back to human form before the owl decided to bite his head off, but he was still to disoriented to transform. With his keen bat hearing he heard some people arguing. Luckily, the owl noticed this to because it lifted off the ground with Snape and the letter, and began to tap on the window Snape had just smacked into. The window opened and the owl swooped in, perching on a chair. “Oh dammit, here’s another one.” An agitated voice said. “You want to get this one? My ears are still ringing from the last one.” “But I got the last two, I’ll be lucky if I’ve got any hearing left. You get it.” “You could hear enough to answer my question.” “Shut your gobs, the both of you. I’ll get the bloody Howler.” Said a harried voice Snape recognized, “I think you’ve got more important things to do than worry about blinking howlers. Blimey, I daresay there will be a mob of people declaring dragon season to be open any minute and your worried about the hate mail?” The red haired man took the letter, which had begun to smoke, from the waiting owl. Snape knew that once it had delivered the letter, it wouldn’t hesitate to tear him to pieces. He began flapping his wings franticly trying to wriggle out of the owl’s sharp talons. “Has anyone got an owl treat handy? I left mine in my other robe.” “Looks like he’s got his payment.” The ‘deaf’ wizard pointed to the large bat that was struggling in the owl’s grasp, “That bat’s much better than any owl treat.” Snape began squeeking frantically and the red haired man dropped the howler, which looked like it would explode any minute, “Blimey! That’s no bat! Don’t you know a vampire when you see one!?” The red head scooped up the owl with one arm and pried open the bird’s talons. Snape took off like a flash and zipped across the room, the owl tried to follow, but the red haired man shoved it out the window and shut the pane. Snape took this opportunity to transform back into his human form. “There! You see? And you call yourselves Romanians?” Snape got shakily to his feet, picking up the smoking and shivering howler, “Cover your ears.” Snape broke the wax seal. “DEAR SIR OR MADAM, I HARDLY NEED TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE HAILSTORM OF OWLS I’VE RECEIVED TODAY. MAY I REMIND YOU THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION EXISTS AT THE BEHEST OF THE ROMANIAN MAGICAL GOVERNMENT? YOUR GROSS INCOMPETANCE HAS LEAD TO THE DEATHS OF FOURTY ROMANIAN CITIZENS, MUGGLE AND WIZARD ALIKE. WHY HASN’T YOUR DEPARTMENT STOPPED THESE ATTACKS RIGHT AFTER THE FIRST ATTACK? IF YOUR COMPANY DOESN’T DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS IMMEDIATELY ALL FUNDING WILL BE CUT AND I CAN’T GUARENTEE THE FUTURE EXISTANCE OF YOUR ORGANIZATION. VERY SINCERELY VLADIMIR GABORE – MINISTER OF MAGIC
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 0:59:19 GMT -5
After several hours, Jeremy finally parted company with the DeLaCroix's to get his things, which he had left at Magda's tavern. He suposed he should collect Snape as well. A disgruntled sigh escaped his lips. He did want to deal with the man after what happened earlier. Maybe he could have Magda derect Snape to their tempoary lodgings. When he stepped into the tavern he was surpised to find it empty except for a small group of elders, deep in discussion. "Magda?" Jeremy called, his voice filled with curiousity. Her silver head shot up from the huddled group. Jeremy smiled at her, but his grin fautered when he saw the look on her face. Anger, disapointment and worry warred for dominance on her face. "Whatever it is, I didn't do it!" Jeremy said indigantly, thinking that he was the cause of the look she gave him. A brief smile pulled at her lips before her face settled into seriousness. "I know you didn't do anything, Remmy," Magda replied, looking very tired. "You have come at a very bad time." She let out a tired sigh before turning to the other Elders. "Give me a moment to speak with him, since he is indirectly involved." They nodded and headed to the tavern's back room. Magda motion to a chair near her and Jeremy sat down, utterly puzzled and confused. The elder ran her hand through her silvery mane before speaking. "Jeremy," she began and he instantly knew that whatever she was going to say was going to be bad. She only used his proper name when she was angry at him or when she had to tell him something serious. "It's about your friend Snape. We took his uncle, Marian into custody for his crimes, but it seems that he has escaped.." Jeremy raised his eyebrows, "Well from what I saw earlier he's gonna have a coniption." Magda sighed, "At anyrate, he needs to be found and brought to justice. I was wondering if you could help-" Jeremy shook his head and interupted. "Sorry Magda, I've already promised Claudia that I would help find Lucca." Magda's eyes narrowed, "Chylde, you should know better than to interupt you're elders and let them finish what they are saying," she snapped, her eyes gleaming with quicksilver. Jeremy looked contrite and lowered his gaze. "As I was saying, before I was rudely interupted, I was going to ask for you help for when I let your friend know what has happened. I don't know how he will react." Jeremy shrugged. "I've known his for about a day, so I know about as much about him as you do." he replied sullenly. A low growl came from Magda and Jeremy quickly added, "but I'll help. Where is he anyways?" Magda's eyes returned to their normal steel gray shade, before she leaned back in her chair. "He went to the local Dragon sanctuary." * * * * * * * * * * * * * “What’s happening Charlie?” Snape was the first to speak after the voice of the Romanian Minister had died down. Charlie Weasley shook his head, “We have no idea. Apparently, someone is claiming a dragon has gone on a rampage. The only thing is, none of our dragons have left the preserve. We’ve got security spells lining the place, there’s no way one of our dragons could have escaped, I was just about to go count them myself.” “And have you informed the Minister that this is so?” “Yes. And do you think for a second he actually believes us?” Charlie started pacing the room angrily, “The worst part is, I just know we’ve been caught in some kind of political game. We’ve been on thin ice ever since the Minister and our organization went to blows over a disagreement about land rights. The government wanted to develop part of our land to use for housing. So far, we’ve been able to prevent it, but even the flimsiest of excuses could be used as leverage to get us shut down. We’ve become quite unpopular with the Ministry. Forgive me for saying this professor, but it’s the vampires. Vampires are big business here, they’re sort of a matter of national pride. Where does this leave the dragons? Are they not part of Romanian national heritage too? With the recent renovations to Bran Castle, the tourists, muggle and wizard alike have been flocking to Romania. Now the Minister has started the ‘New Blood for Romania’ campaign. Dear Merlin! It’s enough to make me want to move back to England.” Charlie stopped pacing and looked toward his two colleagues, who were looking at Snape, “Oh, I’m being rude aren’t I? Professor Snape, this is Boris and Viktor. Boris works with the gryffon class animals, Viktor, the unicorns and other horse class animals. We don’t do just dragons, you know. Viktor, Boris, this is Professor Snape, he teaches potions at my old school.” “You’re not my student anymore Charlie, Severus will do.” “Alright then, Severus it is. What brings you to Romania? Visiting relatives?” Snape snorted involuntarily, “Not if I can help it. Actually, I’m on Hogwarts business but I also came to speak with you. I would have sent an owl ahead of time, but, well, I hadn’t known I was going until I was practically on the train. I’m sorry I’ve caught you at a bad time, had I known…” “No, you couldn’t have known. This came upon us quite suddenly. My office is just down the hall, why don’t we speak there? I think Vik and Boris can handle any ‘fan’mail?” Charlie gave them both a stern look. Charlie closed the door to his office, “If we do get shut down, I just… I hope they don’t… I couldn’t bear to see any of my dragons put down. I’ve been calling other preserves, so far I haven’t found any openings, but even if I did find takers, transporting dragons is no easy business, and funding being what it is… my hands are tied, my back’s against a wall and I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place.” Charlie sat heavily into his chair and looked seriously at Snape, “I think I know why you’ve come, professor. I didn’t want to talk about it in front of the dynamic duo back there, mainly because no one knows I’ve been furnishing you with your potions ingredients. I’ve saved up a few barrels of dragon’s blood for you. It’s down in cold storage. But may I ask, could you possibly start looking somewhere else for your supplies? I don’t know how long I can keep Gregori, that’s our manager, from noticing, especially now that our sanctuary is under close scrutiny by the government. If they saw it, they’d probably throw some bogus law at us about keeping blood from tests too long after initial testing or something like that. I know Headmaster Dumbledore asked me, and I’m really sorry I can’t keep this up but-“ “I understand, apologies are quite unnecessary. I was under the impression that Dumbledore had worked something out with your superiors, but I see that isn’t the case. I’m sorry for the inconvenience I’ve put you through, you’ve risked your job, which you clearly love, for my health and I won’t forget that.” “Thank you professor, shall I ship the barrels to Hogwarts?” “No, actually I have different plans for these barrels, you see, the task I’ve been sent to complete is actually a goodwill mission. You remember what happened at the Ministry?” “How could I forget it? Blimey. I remember the first time he’d been… God it was terrible… the killing… So many of my classmates’ families were… I just remember the Dark Mark, hovering in the air… terrible, just terrible.” “Those were dark times. But this time won’t be like the last time. That’s why I’m here. The vampires were on the side of Voldemort during his first reign of terror. So this time we are going to try to persuade the vampires to join us this time. I am offering my services in making the Vampire’s bane potion as a kind of goodwill gesture.” Charlie nodded, “I hope it works. I really do hope it works.”
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 0:59:47 GMT -5
Jeremy rumaged around the bar, looking for something that caught his fancy. Magda had gone back to her office to continue her meeting with the Elders. Jeremy had tried to follow, but she had given him her infamous look, and he had instantly decided that it might be safer for him to just stay at the bar. Usually his sense of curiousity would have driven him to sneak a listen, but Magda would instantly know he was there, and have no qualms about ripping him a new one. Pulling out a bottle of cognac, Jeremy poured himself a large tumbler full, seeing as he had nothing better to do. If he had his way, he'd be out exploring the "night life", as it were, of the city, looking for entertainment. But Magda had been implicitly clear. He had to stay until Snape showed up. After his fourth glass, Jeremy noticed the door of the tavern slowly open. "'Bout time you got back, you greasy-" Jeremy began, snarling, but stopped when instead of a tall brooding Potion's Master, a young boy of about 14 came through the door. The kid looked pale and scared out of his mind. "Is Elder Magda here?" the boy asked, straining to keep his voice from shaking. Jeremy put down his glass and leaned against the bar. "What buisness do you have with her?" he asked. The boy's eyes narrowed and a trace of defiance entered his voice. "My buisness with her, has nothing to do with you," the boy hissed. Jeremy chuckled. The kid had guts. "Follow me." he said walking to the back room. He led the boy to Magda's office and knocked on the wall panel. After a moment it slid open, revealing an annoyed looking Magda. "Don't look at me like that," Jeremy pouted. "You got a visitor." he said, pushing the kid in front of him, as if he was a sheild from her wrath. "Elder Magda," the boy said, his voice quaking, "I have news, there's been another-" his words were suddenly cut off as Magda placed a finger over his lips to silence him. "Hush Nikos," she said drawing him into the room, "You can tell us you're news in a moment." She turned to Jeremy. "Thank you Remmy. Now, go back up front and wait for me please." Jeremy scowled and was tempted to argue, but a warning growl sent him back to the bar. He poured himself another glass, and muttered about the things he would to do Snape if he didn't show up soon. * * * * * * * * * * * * “So, you finally decided you’d grace me with your presence you greasy haired git?” Jeremy shot a nasty look towards Snape, as he entered the bar. “Been waiting long enough for you. What took so long? Not that I care much.” “Good, because it’s none of your business anyway. And what are you waiting for me for anyway?” “Wasn’t my choice of evening, believe me. Magda wants to see you.” Jeremy knocked on the door, “Magda, Snape is back.” The door slid open. “Thank you Jeremy.” She motioned for them to follow. After she’d shut the door, she surveyed Snape for a moment, as if deciding what to say next, “Why don’t you sit down?” Snape’s eyes narrowed and he didn’t sit down. “What is it? What’s gone wrong now?” “Ah, er… Marian was apprehended and brought to a holding cell, awaiting trial. When the guard looked in on him… he wasn’t there.” “What do you mean, he wasn’t there? He escaped?” “Yes.” “Bloody hell.” Snape breathed, “Why is it, that nothing in my life ever seems to go as planned? I must not have inherited the Potter Good Luck gene. It seems every single Potter but me has some ability do wheedle out of any situation without being the slightest bit reprimanded. They always get off scott free.” Snape paced around the room flailing his arms expressively. “Didn’t you say all your relatives were dead?” Snape scowled, that was true, all Potters except two (three including Snape) were alive today. That didn't sound like the mark of good luck. But still, while they were alive... "Has there been any attempt to find him?" "We are planning a search party to locate the missing vampires, we will look for him also." "When will this search party start?" "Tomorrow morning." "I wish to attend." Magda nodded brusquley, "very well, we can use more people. For now though I think everyone should get some rest." * * * * * * * * * * * * Jeremy led Snape walked down the darked streets towards the DeLaCroix home. They both walked in silence, Jeremy was still sulking about his ruined night. Finallythey reached their temporary lodgings and Jeremy turned to Snape, his face carefully blank. "These are good people," he growled softly. "They are putting us up for as long as we stay here, out of the goodness of their heart. I suggest you treat them with the upmost respect, or you'll have to answer to me." Snape snarled back, his eyes narrowing dangerously, "I am not some ill-bred young welp, unlike yourself, Darkur." he hissed angrily. Jeremy chuckled darkly, "I'm not as young as you think I am." he said before opening the door. Like a chamelion, Jeremy's entire personality changed. No longer was he scowling, but smiling and happy, as if he didn't have a care in the world, introducing his companion to the ladies of the household. Claudia and Catherine greeted Snape as if he was an old friend, and bullyed him into sitting down at the famiy table, plying him with food, stating with firm authority that he was too thin for his own good. Luckily for Jeremy, there were so wrapped up in the needs of their new guest, he was able to sneak up to his room unnoticed.
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 1:00:07 GMT -5
Snape was just setting up his cauldron when Jeremy ambled down for breakfast. “What are you doing?” “I’ve decided I’m going to stay. I did a lot of thinking last night, and I’ve realized my time would be better spent brewing.” “Oh, I see … too scared then?” “No. I’m merely sticking to my mission statement. I’m here to make allies of the vampires, not play at being a hero.” “And what does potions have to do with the goal of making new allies?” “It will be ready by the time you’ve returned.” Snape had his scales out on the counter now. A new blank journal was propped open and it’s pages pinned flat, a bottle of ink and quill set at the ready, and something like and eye crossed with a golf ball, except with legs. “Reverso Microlatum.” One of the barrels of dragon’s blood snapped back to it’s original size, he did the same thing with the other two barrels. Jeremy sniffed, “What’s that, blood?” “Dragon’s blood.” “Is that what you were doing at the Preserve?” “Mmmmhmmm.” A dark scowl crossed Jeremy's face. It was like pulling teeth to get a simple answer from this man. He opened his mouth to make a sharp retort when suddenly the door to the kitchen opened and Claudia and Catherine swooped in. For a second Jeremy had a 'deer caught in the headlights of a mac truck' look on his face, before regaining his composure. He replaced the look with his friendly smile, while he mentally calculated the best and quickest route to get him out of the kitchen. "Remmy, sit down," Catherine said in a authoratative tone. "You haven't eaten yet. Plus we have much to catch up on." "Yes!" piped Claudia, "We want to know when you going to settle down and have a family." A muscle twiched in Jeremy's face, as he tried to keep the panic off his face. "Um well, you know.." He stammered as he covertly inched his way to the door. "I'm not really hungry and I promised Magda that I'd have breakfast with her.." He inched a bit more, just a foot away from his escape. "Sooooo, Igottagobuhbyee!" and he slipped out of the kitchen before the women could stop him. The two women turned their attention to Snape, “And you! Have you eaten yet? It doesn’t matter, even if you have eaten. I’m sure you haven’t eaten enough. Sit!” Snape was amazed how she could smile genially and still sound authoritative at the same time. “I ah..er.. madame, I assure you I am quite well fed, and may I say the food has been excellent. It’s just that I have a very high metabolism, people in my family…” Snape shut his mouth, ready to say that people in his family don’t put on weight, but that obviously wasn’t the case, now that he saw his uncle resembled a walrus. Then he wondered if his uncle had been friends with the De Le Croix, “Besides, I have a potion I must-“ “Nonsense! Food first, potions later!” “But madam-“ “Tut!” “But I’m-“ “Tut!” “…vampire metab-“ “Tut!” “…blood…” “Tut!” “Vampire’s Bane..” “I’ll not have another word! You are a guest in my house, and while there is a guest in this house I expect them to be well fed and watered as well as comfortable and well accommodated. What kind of host would I be if I allowed the good professor to starve!” “Madam! I’m hardly starving!” Said Snape, exasperated. Snape found himself in the dining room once again having a second breakfast, much to his, and his stomach’s annoyance. He began wondering if they were fattening him up so they could eat him later, like in Hansel and Gretel. They both sat on either side of him, watching him eat. It was very unnerving. He didn’t dare refuse or complain, not so much because he feared the wrath of his hosts, or because he had to be a representative of Dumbledore, but more because he had to prove to Darkur that he was no ‘whelp’. Only after he had forced down two more eggs, three pieces of toast with butter and treacle, a large glass of orange juice, three sausages and four slabs of bacon, was he saved by a visitor. “Why yes! He’s right in the dining room enjoying a nice hearty breakfast! I daresay he hasn’t seen one of those in a long time, by the look of him.” “Oh yes, he’s much to thin to be healthy.” When Magda entered the room he gave her veiled pleading look that his hosts could not see. He could have sworn he saw the corner of her mouth quirk up. “Are you nearly finished with your breakfast, Professor Snape?” She asked him, “If you are, I’d like to get started on that potion as soon as possible.” “Yes, Elder. I am. Thank you.” Snape added the thank you more out of genuine relief for the excuse to stop eating than out of politeness, “We can get started right away.” * * * * * * * * * * * * As dusk settled over the land, a large brown wolf loped through the forest, occasionally sniffing the air, looking for an elusive scent. The creature stopped, cocking its shaggy head as its ears twitched. A doggy grin spread over the lupine muzzle and it bounded off towards the sound of human voices. The wolf slowed it's pace and began to stalk quietly through the brush, closer to the people gathered in a nearby clearing. It paused choosing it's victim, it's body tensed, ready to pounce.... "Stop playing around Jeremy," came Peter's irritated voice. "And get your sorry carcass out here." The wolf slunk out into the clearing, flashing a goofy, doggy grin. Then the wolf's image blurred for a moment, replaced by the form of Jeremy Darkur. "Sorry, Peter," Jeremy grinned, not looking the least bit apologetic. "I kinda got caught up in the moment. Any luck finding anything?" Peter rubbed the bridge of his nose, his face in a fixed scowl. "No, we haven't been able to find anything. How can twenty people disappear into nothing? Without a single trace?" "I don't know.." Jeremy sighed. "Maybe if we-" Jeremy suddenly stopped mid sentence as a sharp, coppery scent reached his nose. "Peter-" "I know, I smell it to. Let's go..." Peter motioned for the others in the clearing to follow. The group stalked silently through the forest, following the strong scent of new death. They came to a small cottage and the sight that greeted them caused Jeremy to turn away, so as not to lose his breakfast. It was clearly the work of a rogue vampire, the now bloodless bodies were covered with fang bites and scratches. What distressed Jeremy the most were the children. They layed there, looking like broken dolls. Peter looked grim as he turned to one of the men in the search party. "Go get Elder Magda. Now." * * * * * * * * * * * * Magda watched Snape carefully add the last few ingredients to the potion. She jotted down some notes, wanting to make sure that when she taught this potion to the other Elders, she wouldn't miss a crucial step. She had closed down the Tavern again, to make sure that they weren't interrupted. So when someone burst through the front door she immediately assumed it was Jeremy. To her surprise, she saw one of the men that had gone out on the search party. Mikhail, was it? He looked winded and worried. "Elder," he panted, "You must come. There's been another..." he paused and cast a wary glance at Snape. "...incident." Magda's eyes narrowed and she cursed under her breath. She turned to Snape and gave him an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, but I must go see to this. I will return shortly." A puzzled look crossed Snape's face. "Has there been another disappearance?" "No," she replied tightly, "This is something else. I will tell you more after I confirm what has happened." With that she followed Mikhail out of the tavern.
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 1:01:12 GMT -5
Snape yawned and bottled the last of the batch of potion he and Magda had finished. She had been an excellent student, asking all the right questions at the right times, and knowing when it was time to just watch and learn. He wished more of his students could be that attentive. He cooled the cauldron with a freezing spell and set about cleaning the equipment. The scale went back into it’s special holder, the empty barrel was shrunk back down and stored away again, and the cauldron was once again spotless. They had made about three hundred doses (used only one of the barrels of dragon’s blood) that would last one vampire a little under a year. Snape thought it would be enough to start out with, a sort of test run. If they needed more, there were still the other two barrels which he was planning on leaving with them. It turned out that the moss Snape had brought with him liked the environment of the underground city. The plant was not native to Romania, so he was planning on leaving that with them too. All the other ingredients were readily available at any local wizarding apothecary’s shop. They should have no problem brewing it for themselves. In truth, it was not a very difficult potion to brew. But just to be sure… Snape picked up the eyeball with legs. It was, of course, the wizarding equivalent of a camcorder. (except it played back full sized three dimensional images) He had recorded for them the making of the potion (he had made sure to talk through the whole process as if it was one of his classes) Magda had been an excellent student, but still there was still no substitute for an exact replica of the events. He would give the recording to them as well. He just had to turn the camera off. Snape reached into his pocket for his wand but found he’d misplaced it. He looked on the counter where he thought he might have left it, then the floor, as it might have rolled off. “hmmfph!” Snape grumbled in exasperation now spreading out his search into ever widening sweeps. “Are you looking for something?” A cold drawling voice made him drop the Seeing Eye which he was holding. Even though he was on the floor looking under the cabinet with his back to the only door in the room, he didn’t have to look up to know who it was and exactly where his wand had gotten to. Marian Potter stood blocking the door and in between his pudgy hand was Snape’s wand. And he was not alone; two other people, vampires, flanked him like bodyguards. One was blond, wiry and held a stake and what seemed to Snape to be an end of an electrical cord (which instantly reminded him of Arthur Weasley’s infamous plug collection) the other had a magic wand trained on Snape and was at least a head and a half taller than Snape and very muscular. He also had an odd device of muggle origin although he couldn’t think of the name of it. But he seemed to remember that the two fit together somehow. Snape stared from one person to the other, “What are you going to do?” “Nothing, dear boy, if you come quietly. Really, I don’t think you have much of a choice, eh?” Marian chuckled, sounding every bit as genial as ever. It made Snape feel ill. “Well, yes, I do see your point. Outnumbered, overpowered,” Snape took some vials casually from the cooling rack, (which was difficult because the potion was still very hot as dragons blood has the tendency to hold heat for a long time), “But not outwitted.” He uncorked the vial and splashed it’s contents in the hulking vampire’s eyes. The vampire gasped from the pain and his hands flew up to his eyes invouluntarily dropping his wand and the small box with holes in it to the ground. Snape made a dash for the wand, nearly getting himself speared by the other vampire. “No! You fool! I want him alive! He’s not strigori! He’s not strigori!” Marian took Snape’s wand from his pocket, “Expelliarmus!” The vampire holding the stake flew backwards and Snape made an attempt to grab the stake which was now flying towards Marian’s waiting hand. Snape missed it by inches as the thin vampire bodyguard hooked Snape’s leg with his foot, knocking him off balance. Snape tumbled ungracefully to the floor and the brutish bodyguard pinned him to it by stepping painfully on Snape’s upper arms. The wiry vampire was on his feet again and casually collected the plug, he friend’s wand and the wall socket. Snape tried unsuccessfully to kick at him with his legs, which were still free. “You always were a coward, Potter! Picking on poor defenseless children. You can’t even get revenge on your own, can you? Had to get hired help.” “Is that what you think this is about? Revenge? My dear lad, you very much mistaken! Oh…this is much bigger than you or I. Yess much bigger,” He had a wild, hungry look in his eye, “ Revenge is just an added bonus. But I think we’ve worn out our welcome, don’t you? Sven! Rostov, if you would please get us out of here?” They nodded and the muscular one picked up Snape with one arm while putting a large hand on the blonde’s shoulder. Marian grabbed a handful of Snape’s hair and pulled it hard causing Snape to grunt in pain. “That’s for before, in front of the elder. I rather fancied her.” “I’m glad she got to see what a monster you really are, you-“ He didn’t get to finish, as the blonde one plugged the cord into the socket, Snape felt that strange tugging sensation that could only signal the beginning of a portkey journey * * * * * * * * * * * * An hour after she had left, Magda returned to the tavern with Jeremy, Peter and his men in tow. The bodies and the house, that they had been found in, had to be burned, to cover the signs of what had happened. Jeremy was troubled throught the entire situation. Magda could tell that the dead children had brought up old memories that he had long since locked away. Magda sighed, knowing she would have to talk to him about it later, but now.. She pushed open the door to the tavern and instantly sensed something was wrong. There appeared to have been a struggle and the smell of the potion that she and snape had created, was strong in the air. "Professor Snape?" she called out, as the others searched the back rooms. Jeremy's eye caught on a small contraption that appeared to be an eye with legs. He picked it up and studied it. "Hey, this is still running." "What?" Magda asked, looking confused. "Here, let me show you," he said as cast a spell, his ring glowing. Suddenly a realistic image of Snape and Magda apeared at the table, industriously working on the potion. Magda stepped back and gasped. She knew he had been recording them, but hadn't realized how realistic it would be. Jeremy scowled and he tapped the eye. The image blurred, as he fast forwarded to something more recent. Finally they got to the part where Magda had left and Snape was busy bottling the potions. Jeremy tapped the eye again and the image returned to normal speed. They both watched for a moment, as a regognizable figure entered the scene. Magda's eyes narrowed. "Marian..." she hissed angrily. "At least we now know how the other vampires have been disapearing," Jeremy scowled as the recording terminated. Peter and his men had come in at the end of the recording to see the betray at the hands of their own kind. "Sven and Rostov," Peter growled, "How can they do this?" "I suspect Marian payed them off," Magda spat with disgust. "Those two have always been motivated by money." "Well at least we know who did it," Jeremy said. "Sven has a sister, doesn't he? Strigori blood is can be traced by family. I'm sure she would be able to tell us where he is." Magda nodded, "Peter, go get his sister. We need to have a long talk with her." * * * * * * * * * * * * Five minutes later, a pettie blonde sat trembling on a chair, surrounded by a group of male vampires, and one very irrate felmale elder. "Elsa," Magda said, her eyes flashing quicksilver, "We need to find Sven. It's important we find him." "I don't want to get him in trouble," Elsa whispered. The Elder sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "ear, he's already ina world of trouble as it is. Twenty-one people have gone missing. All we know is that your brother is involved." The young girl lowered her head and looked absolutly miserable. Magda placed a hand on Elsa's shoulder. "Chylde, those who have disappeared have loved ones who want to know what has happened to them." Magda said in a soft tone. "You are the only one who can find your brother, and maybe find those missing people." After a long silence, the girl finally spoke. "Alright.. I'll tell you where he is." * * * * * * * * * * * * Sven gasped for breath as a clawed hand squeezed around his throat. Rostov had decided to spend the day at a local topside brothel, and unfortunatly that left Sven to return to the hideout alone. So he was easy prey for Magda and her group of men. One second he was ambling through the silent forest, the next Magda had him by his neck. He watched in horror as silver fur errupted from her skin, her fingers lengthened into sharp talons that dug into his flesh, and her face elongated into a lupine muzzle. Black lips curled up to reveal rows of sharp, dagger-like teeth. Sven looked at the others, hoping to get some sort of sympathy from then, But he only recived angry and betrayed glares. Magda's gunmetal eyes glared deeply into his and he quavered with fear. "Sven," she growled around a mouthfull of fangs, "I belive we have some things to talk about."
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 1:01:51 GMT -5
Snape didn’t get up when the door to his room opened. It would have hurt too much. The portkey had brought them to what looked like an old manor house. It was well kept and wouldn’t have appeared out of the ordinary to anyone who happened to look. Snape was led to a room ornately decorated with frescoes depicting angels at war. Although the room clearly was a bedroom at one time, there was not a stick of furniture in the room except for a rush seated chair which was in front of the large alabaster fireplace. The focal point of the room was a large bay window that looked out on the manor’s east garden. Snape didn’t notice any of this, as the room, for him, was no more than a prison cell. When he woke up on the morning after his kidnapping, he found himself in thin robes of undyed wool that itched and chafed. Everything he had on him had been taken, even his hair band. He didn’t notice any of this either. He had been awoken by an intense stinging sensation in his foot. He looked down at the offending bare foot to find it had taken on a decidedly angry pink tinge that was threatening to turn to an even angrier red as the morning sun pouring from the bay window caused his milky white skin to blister and burn. It was then he noticed the rooms lack of furniture, the very large and naked bay window facing east and how terribly thin his garments were. * * * * * * * * * * * * The sun had long since gone out of the room when the door creaked open, but Snape didn’t leave his dark corner in the fireplace, one of the few spots the sun did not reach in the room. He was covered from head to foot in ashes which contrasted greatly with the vivid, sun-burnt red of his skin. The ashes seemed appropriate to him, because he felt as though he were being consumed by invisible fire. “Come on you. Out of there.” A hand reached in and pulled him out of the fireplace, “S’dinner.” Snape complied with the guard, limping painfully behind him. Every movement seemed to bring on a fresh wave of pain. He tried to go as gently as possible, to keep the blisters from rupturing. But it was difficult when the guard wouldn’t slow up. “Got a bit of a sunburn eh?” The guard laughed. Snape didn’t know whether the guard was being malicious or just didn’t realize he was a vampire. Snape gave him a dirty look. “I got a sunburn like that once. My girl and I, we went to Nice on holiday. The second day we were there, we went to the beach, fell asleep in the sun. Woke up two hours later, the same color as you. Spent the rest of the vacation doing cooling spells on each other. I’ll never do that again.” Snape thought of about a dozen acerbic comments he could have made, but he bit back his tongue. “Last year, we went to India, during monsoon season… it sure was wet- ah, here we are. In you go through this door.” The room he was now in was thankfully much cooler than any of the rooms he’d been in so far. Snape eased the heat of the sunburn against the cold white tiles which ran from ceiling to floor. He would have stayed like that, not particularly caring about eating, except he noticed he was not alone in the expanse. Three other pale figures, vampires also, stood staring hungrily into empty space. “Where’s the grub!?” One howled to the ceiling, which caused Snape to look up as well. The ceiling was lined with hooks and also, what appeared to be showerheads. Snape realized with a start what this room was used for. He looked down at the floor and the gently sloping, tile lined floor confirmed his suspicion that the room was once used as the manor slaughterhouse and meat storage. That explained the coolness, it was refrigerated. Suddenly a door Snape hadn’t noticed before, slid open and four small figures, were shoved into the room. The other three didn’t waste any time in advancing on them. The figures screamed shrilly and ran away from the advancing vampires. “Dear lord, they’re children!” Snape gasped and sprang between the advancing vampires and the retreating children. He reached involuntarily for his wand, which, of coarse wasn’t there. The vampire closest to Snape sprang upon him and attempted to knock him down, but he was actually much smaller and older than Snape and he had no trouble knocking him out. The next one sprang upon him from the right and knocked him to the floor, Snape banged his head on the tiles and lights danced before his eyes. “Trying to get more than your share are you?” Said the vampire which pinned him to the floor, “The little bitties are mine.” “Oh, I don’t think so,” The third vampire answered him and dragged him to his feet, off of Snape. Snape got to his feet, “I believe the extra, will be mine.” He held the other by his collar. “Now, now, why don’t we settle this all civil like? We kill Mr. Sunny over there first, then we each get two?” The other vampire considered and then released his collar, “Fair enough.” They both turned to Snape who blocked off the corner where the four children were cowering. Maybe it was the fact that he was shaking with rage and with pain, or maybe the whole ordeal had opened old wounds he thought had healed over, but before he had a chance to asses what he thought he’d accomplish, he held out his hands in front of him as if to ward them off. Snape hands tingled with what felt like electricity, and the next thing he knew both the vampires fell face first, following the momentum they’d been taking. They were dead. Snape blinked and thought he must have been hallucinating. There, standing in the doorway was a very angry looking Lucius Malfoy.
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 1:02:47 GMT -5
Magda had the entire day to get all the information she needed from Sven. She and the rest of their men regrouped back at her tavern, since only Jeremy and Mikhail could tolerate the sun's deadly rays, seeing as they were Dhampirs. Sven sat on a chair in the center of the tavern, his hands bound behind his back, as Magda stood before him, her eyes narrowed in anger. She had spent the better part of the day striping through his mental barriers, something that she was loathed to do under any other circumstance. He tried to resist, but Magda's will was stronger. He held information that might bring home missing sons and daughters to the families that loved them. After several hours, which left Sven crying and trembling and Magda pale and grim, The Elder finally pulled away looking ready to rip Sven's head off. "Peter," she hissed with barly controlled fury, "Get him out of my sight and place a guard on him. No several guards. We will not have a repeat of what happened with Marion." She turned to the others, her gaze cold and angry. "The rest of you go home and get some rest, but be here and hour before sunset. It's time we ended all this." * * * * * * * * * * * Claws teared at the earth, as the deadly rays of the sun retreaded from the growing darkness that crossed the land. Marble-white arms burst from the ground, as the creature pulled himself from the loamy soil. He stared at the mansion, his red eyes glowing with demonic hatred. He did not recall why he despised the building that stood before him. There was no longer a capacity for rational thought left in his tortured mind, only hate and hunger. A week ago he still had a semblance of a mind, a scrap of personality. A week ago he knew his name had once been Lucca. But now Lucca was dead, erased by the madness that had eaten away his brain and left a killing machine in it's wake. The only concious thought left was the hatred for this building, this place that had spawned the creature that was now stading before it, gnashing his fangs in frustration. Every night he awoke here and tried to enter the mansion, but some invisible force kept him out. After hours of snarling and hissing in impotant anger, the beast that was once Lucca would stalk off to slake his terrible thirst in the nearby villages. Then he would return again, watching and waiting for an oppertunity to enter the building that all his hate was singularly focused on. The sun would eventually rise, and the creature would be forced back into the earth's embrace. A piecring snarl cut through the air, and the creature spun around, his talons twitching. More pale hands errupted from the earth all around him, as other monstrocities crawled up to greet the night. The Creature pounced on a nearby pair of flailing arms and grabbed a handfull of hair from an emerging head to expose the pale throat of something that had once been female. It made no diffrence to him if his meal was human or vampire. Pure instinct drove him to feed the ever present hunger that gnawed at his gut. He ripped his fangs across soft flesh and was rewarded with the rich taste of Vampiric blood. He pulled his hapless meal away from the now growing orgy of carnage as mad vampires, like himself, began tearing at each other like rabid dogs, each one intent on feeding on the closest body available. The female struggled uselessly in his arms as he drained her precious life's blood. A pale and scraggly vampire aproched him, intent on stealing his meal. He lifted his head momentarily to snarl at the smaller vampire. Instinct told the small one that it could find an easier meal elsewhere. It backed away quickly, in case the larger vampire might decided to make a meal out of it as well. The creature cast his crimson gaze around to see if any others were going to challenge him for his prize. When no one came he finally lowered his head and continued to feed. After a few minutes, he tossed away the empty husk, which the other vampires tore into, like dogs fighting over scraps. He stalked away from the others, towards the permimiter of the mansion, watching, waiting for that perfect oppertunity. He would find a way inside the building and drain every single moving creature he came across dry... * * * * * * * * * * * "Mr. Potter,” Lucius said, not taking his eyes off Snape, and Snape thought for one sickening moment that he was actually addressing him, “I do hope you have a good explanation for this?” He said this in his own brand of cultivated and quiet anger that Snape knew meant that he was really seething. He had his wand drawn and Snape realized that it had not been himself that caused his two assailants to drop dead, but Malfoy who had Avada’d them. He rounded on Marian who galumphed over to Lucius, simpering. “Do you know him, Mister Malfoy?” Wrapping his face in a forced expression that looked like a cross between courtesy and fear. “Why yes, I do, actually.” Lucius surveyed the severe sunburn on Snape’s body for a minute, allowing Miriam to squirm and Snape to continue to feel uncomfortable under the antiseptic blue gaze. He was dimly aware of the children huddled behind him, sobbing softly. Suddenly Lucius drew in a breath, as if something had just occurred to him, “But I’m sure this has all been an incredible mistake, hasn’t it, Mister Potter?” “Why- why yes sir.” Although he still didn’t seem to understand where this was leading, and why Snape was important to Malfoy, “A terrible mistak.” “And I’m positive you didn’t know where Professor Snape’s loyalties lay?” He suggested, as if talking to a small child. “No, I didn’t sir, not at all. Had I known-“ “Had you known. Yes.” He drawled, nodding while the corners of his mouth quirked up slightly, ” But of course you hadn’t known.” “No, of course not…” He wouldn’t look at Lucius. Lucius looked suddenly at Marian with an incensed look on his face, “Well? What are you waiting for? If you wish to remain in my service, I suggest you return Severus’ things immediately.” Marian bowed slightly, his forehead gleaming with sweat, “Yes sir, right away.” And he turned and left the room. After Marian had left, Lucius’ cold gaze suddenly turned on Snape, “And you! Why did you not tell him why you were here?” “I tried, “ Snape lied, He was as confused by the situation as Marian, but he hoped he was better at hiding it. It seemed to be enough for Lucius, “Just like a Potter… Did you know he was a Potter? Apparently he has got vampire relatives. Imagine that!” “And you’re trusting him?” Snape said with genuine disgust, although for vastly different reasons than he was leading Malfoy to believe. He had to find out was Malfoy was doing here and he was banking on him telling him himself. “Of course not! I’d die before I’d trust a Potter!” He spat and gave Snape a shifty gaze, “But I’m not beneath using him for certain tasks. It’s rather convenient actually, isn’t it? He can serve me alive by acquiring what I need acquired, and, he can serve me dead, because any member of the Potter family, however distant, that winds up dead by my hands, makes me look better in the eyes of the Dark Lord.” He smirked conspiratorially, and Snape smirked too, this time not wholly for different reasons. Having Marian dead would be beneficial for both of them.
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 1:04:30 GMT -5
The group of vampires moved silently through the forest, giving a wide berth to the nearby village. Tonight they would have their vengeance, and they did not wan the wizards of this village to interfear. With a motion of her silver head, Magda directed her men to split up into groups, so they could effectivly surround the mansion. Jeremy stayed at her side, looking mildly nervous. He had never been involved in anything like this. She had considered leaving him behind, but Jeremy was insited on coming. "I made a promise to Claudia that I would find Lucca," he said softly, as he looked at her with an air of determination. So, like so many other women in his life, Magda let him have his way and allowed him to tag along. As they drew closer to the mansion, they came upon what appeared to be a battlefield. The ground was pitted with holes and body parts were scattered everywhere. Magda knelt next to a severed head, that stared up at her with dull, unseeing eyes. "This was one of the missing vampires. Her name was Lizette" she said softly, as she reached down to close the dead woman's eyes. She looked at at the mansion, her gunmetal eyes burning with pure hatred. * * * * * * * * * * * The three sat silently throwing dirty looks around the table; Lucius glared at Marian, Marian glared at Snape (and when Lucius wasn’t looking, him too), and Snape glared at Marian. Snape had gotten all of his things back that Marian had stolen. He could not believe his luck, really. He had never been so happy to see Lucius. Not since his days at Hogwarts. “Fenwicke!” Lucius shouted so suddenly that Snape jumped slightly, “Fenwicke!” An ancient and half-blind old man wobbled across the room. “Yes Master Malfoy?” “Why don’t you fetch the after dinner drinks?” “Of course Master Malfoy.” Snape gave Lucius a questioning look. “I’ve given up on house-elves, turns out they can be freed too damn easily. Squibs are much better in that respect. They eat more though.” Finally, Fenwicke came back with the cocktails, a brandy Alexander for Malfoy and two goblets of blood (human blood, Snape could tell with a conflicting admixture of disgust and anticipation). Lucius handed each of his guests their goblets and inexplicably tossed Snape a covert conspiratorial smirk. “Cheers!” Everyone said somewhat begrudgingly as their glasses clinked. But before they could raise their goblets to their lips there was a commotion in the kitchen… it was old Fenwicke, and he was screaming bloody murder. “Creature of Darkness! Back!” There was a loud crash and some snarling. Lucius sprang up and ran to the kitchen with Snape and Marian following behind. There was more breaking of glass and snarling. “Avada Kedavra!” Roared Malfoy and two struggling forms dropped dead, one was Fenwicke… ”Dammit! I’ve lost another servant!” Lucius kicked at the other, venting his frustrations. Snape could clearly see that it was a vampire. After making a scene, he looked back with false calm at the two of them, and sighed, “ I think I need that drink now. Shall we?” They followed Malfoy out of kitchen, leaving both bodies where they lay. Malfoy muttered to himself about finding good help and Snape wondered about who had attacked the old man and why… The strained atmosphere was only worse after the incident. Malfoy tapped nervously at his glass and kept stealing looks at Marian… and Marian eyed Snape suspiciously as if he were waiting for something to happen. Snape drained his goblet, as did Marian and the tension in the room instantly doubled. Snape wondered what the hell was going on because Lucius was positively glaring at Marian while tapping his glass to the point where Snape thought he’d actually snap at him to cease. While this was going on Marian was glaring as Severus with an oddly hungry, arrogant look on his face. Several minutes passed and nothing happened. The atmosphere was at the point of breaking, Lucius looked severely annoyed at something and the smirk had wiped off of Marian’s fat face. Instead he looked as annoyed as Malfoy. Marian turned, “What are you playing at Malfoy?” “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Although he clearly did. The situation rested on a knife edge. “I switched them, you know. I’m not going to let some snot-nosed boy like my-“ Then three things happened at once; Snape lunged across the table at Marian in an attempt to keep his relation to the Potters a secret, Malfoy jumped up and drew his wand, and there was another crash through the window. * * * * * * * * * * * Getting past the mansion's security was easier than Magda had imagined. With some of Jeremy's wizard magic, and a little of Magda's Romani luck, they managed to get past the carefully set safeguards with no problems at all. "Should we just go in through the front door or the back?" Jeremy smirked as they stalked though the shadows. "It looks like someone's already tried to get in already," Magda growled softly as she pointed out the broken windows in the kitchen. "Do you think the others came in here first?" Jeremy asked as he peeked in through the window. He stoped when he saw the bodies sprawled across the floor. Magda took a sharp breath, as she recognized one of the corpses. "That's Mikah," she hissed. Jeremy gave her a puzzled look. "He was one of the first vampires to disapear." Magda's eyes glowed as she shifted into her lupine form, and leaped into the kitchen, shattering what was left of the glass in the window. She cocked her head, and heard the sound of fighting in the next room. She bounded into the room and saw Severus Snape's back as he ran after his uncle Marian. A startled gasp reached her ears, as her gunmetal eyes caught sight of a tall, white-blonde haired human. She gave him an evil, wolfish grin, exposing ivory rows of dagger-like teeth. His face turned into a mask of anger, as he raised his arm, pointing a wand at her. "Expelliarmus!!" The man's wand was knocked from his fingers, and Magda could see Jeremy standing beside her, his garnet ring glowing ominously. The man snarled in anger, and seeing that he was outnumbered, did the only thing he could do. He ran for his life. Magda made to chase him, when she was suddenly two hulking shapes blocked her path. She gave a disgruntled huff. More humans. Remmy, find Professor Snape, and see if you can find any of the missing vampires, she sent to him, as she eyed the humans critically, then gave an evil grin. I'll take care of these two..
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 1:05:25 GMT -5
“You’re mad!”
“Mad doesn’t even begin to cover what I’m feeling right now.” Snape said coldly as his uncle retreated as fast as he could carry his massive weight. Snape expended very little effort in following him.
Marian looked madly for a route of escape, but Snape cornered him near the stairs. “Now, now, boy. You don’t really want to hurt me, do you? I- I mean, we’re family, you- you wouldn’t hurt family.” He looked hopefully at Snape, as if any amount of bowing and scraping could make up for a lifetime of anger and frustration and sorrow.
Again he recalled what it felt like to be a Death Eater, and this time he did nothing to reign himself in. In Snape’s mind, this was about thirty years overdue.
“Crucio.” Snape said calmly and Marian bowled over in pain wailing loudly. After a minute, he lifted the curse.
Marian lay panting.
“Did that hurt?” Snape sneered cruelly,
Marian nodded feebly.
“That is how I’ve felt emotionally for the last thirty three years of my life. It is your fault entirely. I - never - chose - this - life.” Snape punctuated each word of his last sentence with short blasts of crucio.
“I’m sorry.” Marian whispered hoarsely.
“What was that? I don’t think I quite heard you.”
“I’m sorry!” He tried again a little louder.
“You’re sorry you say?”
He nodded.
“For the years of pain and suffering wrought upon me? (Crucio) For the path I was forced to walk because of your disregard for human life? (Crucio) For the prejudice I’ve endured because of it? (Crucio) Is that what you say you are sorry for? Spiniferate!” Snape’s wand honed itself to a sharp point.
Marian nodded vigorously. “Please! Just let me go! I swear you will never see me again! Please I’ll do anything!”
“Anything?”
“Yes whatever you ask of me will be done!”
Marian was glad for the brief respite from the crucios and encouraged when Snape lowered the stake while he considered his offer.
“Get up and look me in the eye when you talk!” Snape barked. His uncle obeyed.
“Now, when you say anything, you mean anything at all?”
“Yes! Just please don’t kill me!”
Snape pulled him close with a horrible sneer on his face and stared hard at Marian, “I want my humanity back, you son of a bitch.”
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 1:07:17 GMT -5
Magda shifted her weight from paw to paw, eyeing the two lumbering humans before her. They both looked like their combined IQ just reached double digits. "Looks like the little doggy wants to play, Goyle," one of them sneered. "I want firsts dibbs on it, Crabbe," Goyle replyed, cracking his knuckles. The one called Goyle lunged for her, and she easily dodged out of the way, snapping one the fingers off of his outstreached hand. He roared in pain and anger, while clutching his injured apendage, and Crabbe lifted a nearby chair and threw it at her. She darted out of the way, a grin gracing her blood-splatted, lupine muzzle. She dove between his legs, slicing a chunk of skin off the inside of his calf. Howls of pain reached Magda's ears, making her eyes flash with devilish glee. She charged Goyle, who tried backing away, but ended up tripping over Crabbe, sending them both sprawling to the floor. Magda took the oppertunity to pounce around the both of then, nipping and tearing into their flailing arms and legs, splattering blood all over the room. The sounds of pained screams puncuated the cracking of bone as Magda's fangs leisurely snapped fingers off. Finally, bored of the game, she stepped back to survey her handywork. Both men laid twitching and moaning in pain, covered in blood and gashes. She could keep them, to interegate them for information, but she sincerly doubted that they would know anything of worth. These two were hired goons, nothing more. She slowly shifted into a humanoid wolf form and towered over the prone men. Her black lips pulled away from her fangs into a frigtening parody of a grin. "Playtime's over boys..." she growled, as she lowered her head to make the final kill. * * * * * * * * * * * * “Avada Kedavra!” A flash of green light tore past, coming so close to Snape that he could feel the rush of speeding death, “Lucius,” Snape gestured to Marian sprawled on the floor, “he’s dead.” “A wasn’t aiming for him.” Malfoy said, a pained expression on his face, “I’m sorry Severus, I didn’t mean for you to drink it. But you’re a danger to all of us now. I am truly sorry, old friend. Avada Kedavra.” Snape dodged the curse, nearly loosing his wand which was slippery with blood, “Lucius! You’re making a mistake! I- I didn’t drink any potion!” “You did! I put it in Potter’s goblet, which he switched with you.” “ That’s what you were waiting for!” “That’s right. At first I didn’t think Marian was telling the truth, I thought he was bluffing, but when you lunged at him, I knew you’d accidentally ingested it. I- I want to tell you before you go mad-“ “I’m not going mad!” “You will. All the others did- How do you think we’ve been getting them to attack the villages?” “I hadn’t been given the specifics.” Snape dodged another Killing Curse by evaporating into mist. Lucius looked around warily… but heard a low growling coming from the next room and thought now would be a good time to make his exit… After all, what did he care if Severus wreaked havoc upon the neighboring town? * * * * * * * * * * * * Jeremy slowly stalked in the general direction that the blonde wizard and Snape had gone. His sensitive ears could hear arguing, then the familar sound of spells being cast coming from a rom before him. He quickened his steps, and a low growl came unbidden past his lips. Jeremy flung open the door in time to hear the familar poping sound of someone Apparating out of the room. Snape was solidifying from a black mist-like shape and Marian layed on the floor, quiet dead. Jeremy blinked a few times, looking from the body back to Snape. "Errr, care to tell me what I've missed?" "It's none of your concern," Snape replied curtly. Jeremy eyes widened a bit as he got better look at Snape. "What the Hell happened to you?" Jeremy asked with a trace of concern in his voice. "You look like someone tried to bar-be-que you!" "As I said before," Snape hissed, "It's none of your concern." Jeremy rolled his eyes and leaned against the door frame. "Whatever.. At any rate you've been recruited to help me find the missing vampires." An unreadable look flashed in Snape's eyes, but it was quickly gone before Jeremy could comment on it. Snape reached over and pulled his wand out of Marian. "Fine. Lets go." He said as he stalked out of the room, wiping the blood on his wand off on his robes. As soon as they exited the mansion, Jeremy felt the hairs on the back of his neck raise. Something was very wrong. Snape noticed that Jeremy wasn't following him anymore. "What now?" he scowled. "Something's watching us," Jeremy said quietly, while squinting into the darkness. "There was an attack by feral vampires.. I think one's out here watching us now." Jeremy pulled a branch from a nearby tree and shapened one end to a point with his claws. He held his newly made stake ready as he scanned the area. Suddenly a white blur darted out of the darkness, knocking Jeremy to the ground. He managed to kick the rouge vampire off, sending it crashing into a nearby tree. They both stood up eyeing each other aprehensivly. Jeremy's eyes widened when he regognized the snarling vampire before him. "Lucca?" he whispered, almost dropping the stake in his hand. The vampire with Lucca's face crouched low, his claws flexing, ready to pounce. Jeremy read the movement and dodged just in time, avoiding the talons that sliced through the air. Lucca hissed, his lips curling upwards, bloody foam and saliva dripping down his fangs and lips. "Lucca, look at me!" Jeremy pleaded, "Something is controlling you! You have to fight it!" The mad vampire just snarled and launched at his former friend once more. This time Jeremy was ready and he managed to slam Lucaa, mid leap, into a nearby tree, pushing him against the trunk. Lucca hissed and spit like an angry feline, struggling to get free. Jeremy managed to slam the stake directly into his friend's heart, pinning him to the tree. Jeremy stood back, breathing hard from the effort. "Is he dead?" Jeremy spun around to see Snape standing behind him. "No," Jeremy said, turning his gaze to the staked vampire. Although Lucca seemed to be frozen in place, his eyes were still alive. They rolled in their sockets filled with hate, anger and maddness. "He's just paralysed." Jeremy grabbed his friend's head and pressed Lucca's forehead against his own, opening a mental bond that they had not used since they were children. He had to find some spark, a trace of Lucca in the maddness and bring him back to Claudia and their unborn child. As soon as the connection was formed, Jeremy drew back from the black wave of anger and hate that flooded into his brain. It took all his will to keep the maddness from infecting his mind. He gritted his teeth and swam through the darkness seething in Lucca's head. After what seemed like an eternity Jeremy pulled away, breaking the connection. He turned swiftly to Snape, who had been watching silently. Jeremy's shoulder's trembled and he had a blank look on his face. "Do you have a knife?" he asked in an oddly disconnected voice. "Why do you need a knife?" Snape asked, his eyes narrowing. "I have to put him out of his misery." Jeremy said in that chilling voice. "His mind is completely gone." Snape blinked for a moment, then seacrhed his robes for a knife. He finally found one and tossed it to Jeremy, who caught it easily in midair. Jeremy turned away from Snape and walked up to Lucca. The mad vampire's eyes narrowed and radiated pure hate and fury. Jeremy brushed a kiss against Lucca's forehead, then stepped away and began to whisper. "Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace." Snape's eyebrow arched as he recognised the words floating into his ears as being latin. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Jeremy continued to whisper softly as he held the knife against Lucca's neck. "Inclina, Domine, aurem tuam ad preces nostras, quibus misericordiam tuam supplices deprecamur, ut animam famuli tui Lucca, quam de hoc saeculo migrare iussisti, in pacis ac lucis regione constituas et Sanctorum tuorum iubeas esse consortem. Per Christum Dominum nostrum." Incline Thine ear, O Lord, unto our prayers, wherein we humbly pray Thee to show Thy mercy upon the soul of Thy servant Lucca, whom Thou hast commanded to pass out of this world, that Thou wouldst place him in the region of peace and light, and bid him be a partaker with Thy Saints. Through Christ our Lord. With a flick of his wrist he brough the knife quickly across Lucca's neck, severing it. Lucca's head dropped to the ground, the hate and anger wipped clean from his face, leaving him with an innocent look of peace. Jeremy let the bloody knife slip from his fingers. "Amen." he whispered looking down at Lucca's head. Jeremy took a few haulting steps away from the body before he fell to his knee's and vomited the contents of his stomach onto the ground. Finally after a few shuddering breaths he stood up. His face took on the same blank quality as before, although he didn't seem to be aware of the tears streaming down his cheeks. "Go back to the others," Jeremy said in that frigteningly dead tone. "I have to burn his body so we can burry him at a crossroad so his spirit can be at rest." Snape nodded and left Jeremy to express his grief in private.
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 1:07:42 GMT -5
“Look! It’s the skinny one!” Snape groaned inwardly when he saw the two women (what were their names?) who had offered their house him. “Dear me! What’s happened to you!” She reached out instinctively to inspect the burn but drew her hand away when Snape flinched, “That’s the worst sunburn I’ve ever seen.” “It doesn’t matter.” The other woman turned to him, “Where’s Remmy? Why isn’t he with you?” “He – he – he’ll be along…” He said grimly, hoping she wouldn’t ask more questions. He shuddered, remembering the beheading, and felt sick. “Was Lucca there? Did you see Lucca?” The younger one fixed him with an urgent look. He didn’t answer but instead posed another question to his hosts, “Is Elder Magda here?” “…If you know anything of him, any news at all, by all that is sacred, tell me!” “I need to see the Elder, it is of extreme importance.” “Please!” “I am here.” A voice belonging to Magda said behind him. Snape nodded and turned to Claudia, “Perhaps you’d better come too.” He said softly. When they were far enough away from the others, he addressed them, “There has been a plot by The Dark Lord’s supporters, Death Eaters, to sour relations between vampires and humans, possibly with the aim of provoking a war. From what I’ve gathered, the Death Eaters were kidnapping vampires and giving them a potion to cause them to become berserk-“ “The attacks.” “Precisely, and-“ “What about Lucca?” Snape looked at the pregnant woman as if seeing her for the first time, but said nothing. “Something’s happened to him. I know it! I can feel it!” She clutched her stomach as if her unborn child could offer support. “Yes.” Snape said softly, “Yes, I saw him there. But there was nothing- it was- he was one of the one’s who had been-“ He couldn’t say anymore. All he could hear were the woman’s sobs. * * * * * * * * * * Jeremy entered the clearing where the others were waiting, looking pale and shakey. He had taken off his shirt, and was using it to carry Lucca's ashes. Magda reached out to him, but he drew away, his blue eyes flashing gold. "Don't.." he hissed clutching the bundle of ashes to his chest, looking like a cornered, wild animal. Magda backed off, looking very troubled. Jeremy composed himself, his face going blank once more. He turned toward Claudia, who was as pale as he was, tears streaming down her face. Catherine stood next to her, supporting her grief striken daughter. He held out the bundle to Claudia, as if it were an offering. A small sob escaped her lips as she looked at the ashes in horror, so Catherine took them from Jeremy's outstreached palms. He lowered his gaze, and his arms dropped to his sides. Claudia suddenly threw herself against him, crying forlornely into his chest. For a moment Jeremy did nothing, just stood there numbly as the young woman cried. Then finally he raised his arms and hugged Claudia tightly, but his face stayed blank, his eyes still dead and empty. "I'm sorry, Laudie," he whispered in the same disconnected tone that Snape had heard earlier. "It should have been me." He pushed her away and in a burst of anger, ripped the black crucifix that hung from his neck and tossed it to the floor before running off. "Jeremy!" Magda called, "Wait!" But he didn't listen as his form blurred for an instant, to be replaced with the form of a tawney brown barn owl, who quickly disapeared into the night. * * * * * * * * * * It had been three days since Jeremy had run off, and they had yet to find a trace of him. He was determined not to be found. Magda sat at her desk, rubbing her temples in frustration. The human wizards had created a large mess and she and the rest of the Elders were trying to clean it up. Jeremy's disappearance was the last thing she needed right now. She sighed softly and noticed the sound of knocking at her door. "Come in," she said, leaning back in her chair. Mikhal poked his head in the door, looking a bit nervous. "Elder? Someone's here to see you. Say's it's important." She cocked her head, "I'm rather busy at the moment. Tell whoever it is to wait." "I think you'll make an exception on my acount," came a cool, silky voice. A tall, lithe form, cloaked in darkness stepped into the room. "Marcus?" Magda's eyes widened slightly. "What are you doing here?" She knew that Marcus never willingly came in contact with the vampire community unless he had to. "I've come in regaurd to Jeremy," he replied with icy exactness. "I know you've been looking for him." Magda saw a flicker of anger in the silvery depths of his eyes. "You don't have to anymore. I found him." Magda quickly stood up, "Have you seen him? Where is he? Is he alright? Where has he been-" Marcus held up a hand to stop her stream of questions. "He's been holed up in a wizarding brothel for the past three days," he said, as a trace of anger entered his frosty tone. "From what the Madame of the place told me, gave her a sack full of galleons to keep sending booze and women into his room." More anger began to creep into his tone. "I would have gone up to talk to him myself, but my dear little half-brother has placed a ward around to room so I couldn't come inside."
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 1:08:46 GMT -5
Snape’s heels echoed on the old wooden stairs leading down into the basement of the manor. It had certainly been a trying few days. The manor was being searched top to bottom for any clues as to how Malfoy’s Plan was supposed to have worked. (for he was sure this was Malfoy’s plan. Only he would concoct a plan having to deal so closely with the likes of vampires. He had been fascinated by them when he went to Hogwarts and Snape was sure he was still fascinated with them now.)
He opened the cellar door and the smell of death and decay pervaded his nostrils so fully that it made his eyes sting and water. Snape covered his face with his sleeve and pressed onward through the dark doorway.
Snape’s eyes watered, but it had nothing to do with the smell.
In a large, haphazard heap in a dank corner were the tiny bloodless corpses of children.
“Oh…god-“ He groaned, turning away from the gruesome sight. And then the smell seemed to overtake him and he sat down on one of the lower steps to allow his head to clear.
Severus Snape concentrated over the slowly chilling potion. It was the grey of dust and it indeed seemed to be dust made liquid. He was careful not to get it on him, not only because it was still experimental, but because of what it was.
His hands shook violently out of apprehension, he had made other potions before that had been difficult, but this, this potion was not just difficult, it was dark. Very dark.
He steadied his hands, filling in his fear with anger. He thought of all the people he’d like to give this potion to: his uncle, his stupid half-brother and his idiot friends, all the people who laughed at him…
He had never wanted to give it to a mere child.
The Dark Lord entered the chamber where Severus had toiled over the cauldron with something, someone small following behind him.
“The potion will be ready any day now, my lord.” Snape didn’t look up, he concentrated fully on the potion which was making odd sucking noises.
“So I have been told. Are you ready to begin testing?”
“Yes, my lord. The rats have been supplied to me-“
“Rats?” Voldemort gave an amused sort of laughter, “My dear Severus, I don’t think I’ve supplied you with the rarest ingredients and the best equipment just so you can reinvent rat poison.”
“Of course you haven’t, my lord! The rats are only to test it on.”
“Why test it on mere rats when you can have the real thing? Come here.”
Snape thought at first he’d been telling him to come here, and he looked up from the cauldron. He realized that he hadn’t been talking to him, instead a small figure stepped out from behind Voldemort’s voluminous robes. The child stared straight ahead, unblinking, clearly unaware of what was going on. Snape reckoned she’d been placed under Imperius.
Snape gaped slightly, then caught himself and put up a mask of indifference. He realized that Voldemort’s gaze had turned to him once more, “I would like to see what my finances are buying me. Severus?” “But my lord! It’s- it’s not quite ready for testing, I wouldn’t want to waste a test subject-“ “Come now, Severus! It’s only a muggle. We can get another one. Let’s see how far you’ve come with it.”
Something had jammed in Snape’s mind as he carefully ladled the ash colored concoction into a glass.
“Take the glass.” Voldemort commanded and the child obeyed, “Now drink it’s contents.”
The child made a sound that was between choking and gagging as it gulped the chalky potion down. That was followed by horrific screams of agony and a sharp, pungent odor. Snape thought numbly that it must have been the rapid decay of internal organs. There was very little blood as most of it dried and fermented almost immediately. The smell was nauseating. The screams had stopped but the flesh near the abdomen had been burned through and the rancid organs spilled onto the floor. The flesh continued to be eaten away by decay until there was only a pile of bones in the middle of a sludgy mess. The sludge continued to froth and foam until there was nothing left for the mold to devour except itself.
Soon there was nothing left except a heap of bones amidst a pile of dry dust.
It was Voldemort who broke the silence, “Impressive! Very impressive! I am very pleased. But do you think you can draw out the decay process longer? It would be a more persuasive poison if the subject was alive longer to feel itself decay.
Snape felt the decay time was long enough, he certainly couldn’t have taken much more , but he felt his head nod and heard himself say, “I will do my best, my lord.”
“Snape?”
A voice pulled him out of his thoughts, “What do you want“ he snapped, having been caught somewhat off-guard.
“There’s a wizard here to see you. Looks pissed as all hell if you ask me.” The vampire shot him a sharp glance, “He’s in the dining room.”
“That would be Charlie Weasley, a dragon handler at the Wildlife preserve. I’d treat him nicely if I were you, he’s about to save all your arses.”
“I seriously doubt that. He’s in a right state, he is.”
Charlie was living up to every inch of his blazing red hair. When Snape entered Charlie afforded him a withering stare, “What is it you want, Professor.” He pronounced Snape’s title as if it were an ugly racial slur, “Because if it’s about the potions ingredients, you can forget it. I’ve given up serving your kind, especially when they stab, no, bite people in the back.
“Charlie, what are you talking about?”
“What am I- He asks what I’m talking about…as if he didn’t know!”
“That would be because I don’t know.” Snape said through clenched teeth.
“It’s all over the bleeding news! Even in the wizarding news! Muggle Romania’s declared war on Hungary! There’s been attacks! And I don’t care what the muggle officials say, these aren’t bleeding Hungarian terrorists, I know the signs of vampires when I see them!” He glared at Snape as if it was his fault, “So I really hope you’ve called me here for a different reason.”
Before Snape could respond, Charlie started in again, “Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that I’ve searched every inch of the preserve, there’s no way there are any dragons missing. I’ve given the count to my boss, and, oh yeah, I’ve lost my job because the Ministry’s breathing down his neck about non-existant dragon rampages! Bloody hell! There aren’t any missing dragons! They’re all bleeding accounted for!” His face had gone a shade closely matching his hair as he panted for breath.
“You are correct.” Magda had appeared when no one was looking, “There are no missing dragons.”
“You are equally correct, Mr. Weasley, in the deduction that it was the work of vampires. Ten points to Gryffindor.” Snape added.
Charlie looked livid. Glancing from one to the other with a sort of fury burning behind his eyes, “ I – don’t – understand.”
Magda started first, “When the first attack occurred, it was mistakenly identified as a dragon attack. It was never… prudent… to correct this mistake.”
Snape continued, “I agree, if people knew the true cause, it would cause even more of a panic, and end up doing more harm than good.”
“For your kind. Bad publicity for your kind.” Charlie spat.
“Might I remind you that if it wasn’t for ‘your kind’, ‘our kind’ would have never attacked anyone!” a gunmetal glaze seemed to seep into Magda’s eyes.
“What are you talking about?”
“Death Eaters, Charlie! This was the work of Death Eaters! And I’m afraid we are far too late, the damage has been done. A war. It hadn’t even occurred to me that they might be aiming to incite a muggle war…”
“What are you talking about?” He repeated to Snape.
“Lucius Malfoy ("He's out of Azkaban?") has concocted a two-part spell that puts vampires into a sort of permanent feeding frenzy. The first part consists of a charm that puts vampire's nerves on end, I believe I and others have been feeling the effects of this charm since I've arrived in Romania. At the time I thought it was due to circumstances, but according to Malfoy's journal, it's part of the plan." Snape thought of everything that had occured during the past few days and wondered whether or not he would have reacted to Marian the way he had, were it not for the spell, "The next part consists of a potion to seal the spell. He has been kidnapping vampires and giving them this potion, then releasing them in droves onto neighboring towns. I suspect since The Dark Lord anticipated we’d try to befriend the vampires, that they were trying to stir up the vampire hunter community. Why have Death Eaters fight vampires when the vampire hunters are already willing to do it for you? But now, I wonder if that was the plan at all, with impending muggle war… perhaps he was meaning to stir up more than vampire hunters.”
Charlie stared, no longer angry, “what did you call me for?” he said dully, still not quite comprehending.
“I’ve found, that the Vampire’s Bane prevents the frenzy. I was given the concoction myself, but I have been unaffected. I’ve found this diary, " he held up a thin leatherbound volume, "detailing the potion. By my calculations, I am almost 99.9 percent positive it was the Vampires Bane which saved me. I’m going to have to make more, for the rest… vampires are all going to have to lay low for a while while the hunters calm down again… I’m going to need more dragon’s blood.”
“I’m sorry, Snape,” now looking desparate, “I really can’t help you. I don’t work at the preserve anymore. I haven’t any access to the dragons.”
"You've been fired?" Magda asked, cocking her head ever so slightly.
"Yes," Charlie muttered miserably.
"Thats not a problem," she replied as her lips quirked into a slight smile. "This can be easily remidied."
Both Charlie and Snape looked at her curiously. "I'm sure we can easily convice the powers that be to give you your job back," she continued, with a predetory gleam in her eye.
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 1:09:20 GMT -5
"You're not going to hurt anyone, are you?" Charle asked, going slightly pale. Magda smiled, her eyes flashing mischivously, "Of couse not! We are civilized beings. We have ways of persuading people to do things that would be in everyone's best intrest..." She motioned for Charlie to follow her. "Now, tell me the name of your employer, I have someone who would be able to make him see the error of his ways..." * * * * * * * * * * * * Gregori sat at his desk, rifling though the mass of papers that had been stacking up for the past days. He rubbed his temples in frustration, when suddenly a gust of wind caused his files to scatter off his desk and across the floor. He looked up to see that his window was opened, although he was certain that it had been closed a moment ago. Gregori felt a chill creep up his spine, as his eyes searched the room, seeing only darkness and shadows. He reached for his wand, when a voice stopped him. "I wouldn't do that if I were you.." Gregori froze as the shadows swirled to coalese into a tall lithe figure. A pale face emerged from the shadows, and silver eyes regaurded him coldly. "Now that I have you're attention.." came a smooth hypnotic voice. "We have some matters to discuss, reguarding a former employee of yours by the name of Charlie Weasley..." * * * * * * * * * * * * Gregori jerked himself away, lifting his head off of his desk. He blinked a few times trying to remeber what he was doing last, but his memory was blurry. It must be all the long hours he had been pulling lately. His eyes caught on a name attached to a file on his desk. Charley Weasley. Gregori tilted his head slightly. Now why had he fired that boy? Ah yes, they needed a scapegoat for the killings. Gregori scowled. Charlie Weasley had always done an exceptional job in the past. After a few moments of flipping through the file, Gregori came to a decision. Weasley would get his job back. Hell, after what they put him through they should give the boy a promotion! Gregori pulled out a quill and a fresh sheet of parchment and began the procedings to get Charlie Weasley back on the job. * * * * * * * * * * * * The cauldrons simmered as several vampires who were also wizards stirred them in accordance to the recording that stood in the center of the makeshift potions lab. “I would stir that cauldron faster, before it boils over.” Snape muttered while passing by one of his ‘pupils’ cauldrons. Snape was in his element. It was very much like teaching class only without the obnoxious antics of children. “Excellent work as ever, Mr. Weasley.” Snape said while passing Charlie’s cauldron. “Thank you, Professor, I’m just glad this is the last batch. I think my arm will fall off if I have to stir any more.” “The most difficult section of the potion has passed, and I think they’ve got the knack of it now that they’ve done it so many times. I’ll just make one quick check and then I’ll take over for you.” “Thanks.” “Although I expected a dragon handler to be made of sterner stuff than that.” A corner of Snape’s lip quirked up in a sort of smile. Charlie, although not being the best, had been one of the less obnoxious students. Snape was pleased to see that his potions making skills had not become rusty from lack of use. Snape moved on to the next cauldron belonging to Magda, he said nothing as she seemed to be putting her full attention on her potion and had not noticed Snape. A voice belonging Marcus crept up behind Snape, “I have finished administering the first batch of potion and have begun handing out parcels for storage.” “And you were sure to mention the adjustment period of three days?” Snape said sharply. He didn’t want anyone to think anything was wrong with his potion or any accusations of poisoning. This was the first time his potion had been used or made by anyone but himself and so he was having a bit of a hard time letting his ‘brainchild’ go. “Yes, I have made it abundantly clear about the adjustment period.” “Good, good. And you have found a suitable growing place for the moss?” “Yes.” The tone in his voice seemed to add that Snape was being nit picky. “And Mr. Weasley has regained his job?” “With a promotion to Head of the Dragon department.” He said in a bored tone. Snape couldn’t think of any more questions to ask him…”Well, I don’t see why you’re brother can’t be as efficient as you are.” Marcus smirked, but suddenly Snape wondered where he’d gotten to. It wasn’t safe for vampires at this time, not anymore.
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 1:10:02 GMT -5
Jeremy stalked into the DeLaCroix household, his eyes bloodshot with halfmoon bruises underneath and his clothes rumpled and smelling of alcohol and cheap purfume. Snape who was sitting at a table reading over some papers, looked up and regaurded him with disgust.
"About time you came crawling back," he sneered, but Jeremy ignored him and went upstairs. Fifteen minutes later Jeremy came back downstairs, his hair damp from the shower he had taken and tied back with a leather band. He was wearing a sombler, black, button up shirt and black slacks. He headed towards the door, when Snape's curt tone stopped him.
"Where are you going now?"
"Out," came Jeremy's equally sharp reply, before he left the house.
Ten minutes later Jeremy found himself standing at the threshhold of a massive cathedral. He hesitated for a moment, as memories flooded him. The last time he had been here was when Gabrielle had been baptized.. Gabrielle.. A fresh wave of guilt and anger washed over him, and he quickly pushed it down. He took a deep breath and walked into the catherdral for the first time in over seventy years.
Jeremy dipped his fingers into a large font of Holy water that stood just outside of the sacristy, and winced slightly, his hands still raw from trying to scrub Lucca's blood off. He shakily pressed his damp fingers against his forehead, then over his heart, then once over each shoulder, in the form of a cross. He then headed towards a small alcove filled with candles, and knelt down after lighting two of them.
He proped an old, faded photograph against the candles, and rubbed his fingers over the faces that looked up at him. This had been taken quite some time ago, back when he was still a teenager. He, Lucca and Cladia had been hamming up for the camera, while a two year old Gabrielle clung to Jeremy's neck.
Jeremy knelt his head and began a round of Hail Marys and Our Fathers, doing the rosary by memory. After doing four sets of the rosary, be began with the Confiteor.
"Confiteor Deo Omnipotenti" I confess to God almighty "Beatae Mariae semper Virgini" To blessed Mary ever Virgin "Beato Michaeli Archangelo" To the blessed Archangel Michael "Sanctis apostolis omnibus sanctis" To the holy apostles, to all the saints "Et tibit Pater" And to you, Father "Quia peccavi nimis" That I have sinned "Cogitatione" In thought
He paused as his voice began to waver. After a few deep breaths, he started back up again, but his voice was now ragged and whispery.
"Verbo et opere.." In word and deed "Mea culpa.." Through my fault "Mea culpa.." Through my fault "Mea maxima culpa..." Through my most griveous fault...
Jeremy finished the prayer with the sign of the cross and plucked the photograph up, and placed it back in his pocket. He turned to leave when he noticed that someone was watching him. Anger filled him and his eyes turned gold. He stalked up to the intruder, as a muscle ticked in his jaw.
"What are you doing here?" He hissed.
Snape just stood there in the shadows, not saying anything. Jeremy snarled softly as he cleched his hands into fists, his nails digging into the flesh of his palms.
"I said What-Are-You-Doing-Here?!"
Snape raised an eyebrow at Jeremy's outburst, but otherwise didn't seemed ruffled in the slightest.
"I just thought I'd let you know, that the DeLaCroix's moved your things to the tavern, seeing as they wern't sure you were coming back again."
Jeremy's eyes narrowed suspicously. "Is that all?" He was expecting Snape to mock him or make fun of him.
“Yes.” Snape replied, being sure not to betray anything.
He had never thought Jeremy’s flight would take him to a church. He felt every bit the intruder on this sacred space and he felt compelled to not call attention to himself. To hide, not so much from Jeremy, but from God.
Snape had been watching Jeremy’s eyes during the conversation and was sure that whatever he had been doing (it looked to him like he might have been confessing), it was sincere.
Jeremy was something of an enigma to him now. He thought he had the vampire pegged down to a pleasure seeking whelp. One who drowned his (rather pitiful) sorrows in women and alcohol. But apparently Jeremy was a man of contradiction, of extremes. From brothels to cathedrals, it was quite an unexpected swing in the opposite direction. Snape was strangely impressed. And curious. But he was not an accomplished enough legilumens to pry without Jeremy knowing. And he was not about to ask him anything outright.
Jeremy's eyes narrowed even further, as if still expecting a snide remark or jest. When none came he turned away from Snape and left the cathedral without looking back.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Magda sat in the corner of the tavern with Peter, talking quietly about the events of the past few days. She kept casting her gaze towards Marcus, who stood quietly fuming in a corner of the room. Now that they had finished with giving everyone in the village the Vampire's Bane potion, Marcus had nothing to take his mind off his frustration with Jeremy. Usually he carried himself with a chilly remotness, refusing to let anyone or anything get a reaction from him. But Jeremy had a singular talent for pushing his older brother's buttons, showing that somewhere under that frosty facade Marcus had emotions.
Unfortunaly, the emotion that was bubbling just below the surface right now, was rage. Magda had seen him truly angry once. It was not something she cared to see again. Just as she was considering asking Marcus to join her and Peter, the door burst open.
Jeremy stalked in the room, his face set in a scowl, and stopped when he noticed who was in the room. His gaze settled momentarily on his brother, but he turned away and headed for the back room. Marcus was instantly in his path.
"Jeremy.' He said in a cold, hard voice.
Jeremy tried to push past, but Marcus would not let him. "Get out of my way, Marcus," he said in a soft voice, still refusing to look his elder brother in the eyes.
"No."
Jeremy's upper lip pulled back in a snarl, "Move aside. Now."
"Why? So you can run away again, like you always do?" Marcus said, anger dripping off every word.
Jeremy growled, but said nothing, as he tried to shoulder past Marcus, again, towards the back room. Marcus's eyes flashed, as gold specks infuzed with the silver.
"You reek of incense and holy water, little brother," Marcus hissed, "Trying to wash off your sins? You should realized that it would never be as easy as that."
Magda gasped at Marcus's harsh words, and she could see that he regretted them as soon as they left his mouth. Marucs took a deep breath.
"Look, Jeremy, I'm sorry. I shouldn't of-" That was as far as he got, before Jeremy slammed into him, knocking him to the floor. This took everyone in the room by surprise, Jeremy was rarely aggressive.
Jeremy clawed at his older brother, his iris's a molten gold and the whites of his eyes had gone completly black. Brown fur erupted from Jeremy's skin, and soon Marcus found he was holding off a very large and furious wolf. Silver eyes narrowed and turned gold as the figure underneath the wolf shifted and began sproting black fur. An instant later the wolf was fighting with a hissing, black panther.
Magda and Peter shifted immediatly. Magda to his silver wolf form, and Peter into the shape of a huge grizley bear. While Peter pulled Jeremy off his brother, and held him in an iron grip, Magda grabbed Marcus by the scruff of his neck and shook him as if he were a naughty pup. When she saw that he was no longer trying to get at Jeremy, she let go of him and growled. Marcus shifted back to human form and looked away from her. She shifted back as well and turned towards Jeremy, who was still snarling and struggling in Peter's arms. She grabbed hold of his muzzle and pressed her forehead against his. After a few moments, she pulled away in disgust.
"Dammit Jeremy!" she hissed, as the wolf opened his eyes, which were no longer gold but now blue. He smiled a doggy grin at her before he shifted back to human form.
"Sorry about that," he smiled, "Must of lost my head for a second there." He looked back towards Peter. "Could you let me go? Please?"
Peter turned to look at Magda, who nodded, before releasing his grip. Jeremy rubbed his arms to get his blood circulating again, before looking at his brother, who had a wary look on his face.
"I must apologize, Marcus," Jeremy smiled, back to his usual happy and friendly demenor. "I'm not sure what got into me. I hope you can forgive me for doing that.." He turned to Magda, "If you'll excuse me, I'm rather exhausted," he said puncuating the phrase with a languid yawn. "I think I'll just go take a nap on you couch if thats fine by you?" He didn't wait for an answer as he strolled into the back room.
The others stood in a sort of stunned silence. Jeremy was acting as if nothing was wrong, as if the past few days hadn't happened at all.
Marcus slipped back into his icy veneer, as he stared at the door Jeremy had just gone through. "Even though something inside is grieving, laugh, Clown, laugh.." he muttered under his breath
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 1:10:23 GMT -5
Large brown eyes reguarded him seriously. Jeremy bit his tougue to keep from laughing at the sight of his six year old sister, adapting the expression that their mother used on him all the time. He cast his gaze at Marcus, who just rolled his silver eyes and went back to reading his book. "Remmy," she said is a softly lilting voice, "You have to promise me that you'll go ask the priest to forgive you." Jeremy smiled. "But Gabrielle, mon petit, why would I want forgivness?" Gabrielle stamped her little foot. "Cuz mère said that you are very sinfull, and the priest said that sinners go to Hell if they don't get absoli- absilou..." She turned towards Marcus for help. "Absolution?" he provided with a smirk. "Yes that!" she said, scowling at him, then turned her gaze back to Jeremy, who just barely managed to keep a snicker from escaping his lips. Suddenly Gabrielle's lower lip trembled as tears fell down her cheeks. "I don't want you to go to Hell!" Marcus chuckled softly into his book. Jeremy lifted his little sister into his arms and stroked her silky brown hair in an effort to calm her, while throwing a scowl at Marcus. He knew that his older brother was a strict atheist, and that Marucs completly disagreed with what Anastacia (Jeremy and Gabrielle's mother) was filling Gabrielle's head with. "Hush, mon petit!" he cooed, "Fine I promise I will go to Church with you and mère, and ask the priest for forgivness of my wicked soul." He ignored the snort of laughter that came from Marcus, and lifted Gabrielle's chin with one finger so that she could see his face, and smiled at her. "Alright?" The younger girl smiled, and hugged him, her happy laughter echoing in his ears. Suddenly the laughter turned into screams as Gabrielle disapeared from his arms. He was surrounded by fire, and the sound of a female's insane laughter. He turned to see a woman with a mad gleam in her eye. She held Gabrielle by the hair and had a knife against his sister's throat. Jeremy tried to run to them, but stong arms held him back. "There's nothing you can do," came his father's strained voice, as the mad woman and Gabrielle were swallowed up in the flames. "NOOOOOO!" screamed Jeremy as he broke free and reached into the flames. promise me "Gabrielle!" he cried, half mad with loss. Promise me"I promise! Just please don't be dead!" He saw someone in the flames, coming towards him. Jeremy's eye widened when he recognized the figure rising from the flames. "L-Lucca?" "You killed me.." came the hissing reply as one of Lucca's clawed hands reached out and grabbed Jeremy by the neck. "I'm so sorry, Lucca," Jeremy whispered, not even attempting to fight back. "I didn't know what else to do.." He closed his eyes, waiting for Lucca to kill him. The last thing he expected was to be thrown back. Jeremy opened his eyes, as his brain tried to comprehend what was happening. Instead of Lucca, he saw the mad woman from before, sneering down at him. "Oh, you're not going to die so easily, you filthy vampire," she cackled. "I have another punishment in mind." Jeremy noticed that the woman was holding both Lucca and Gabrielle by the hair. Lucca was unconcious with a stake protruding from his chest, but Gabrielle was awake, her eyes filled with fear, and tears streaming down her face. "What are you doing?" Jeremy whispered. "Why I'm going to kill them, of course," the woman giggled with demonic glee. "And there is nothing you can do to save them." Jeremy tried to lunge at the woman, but hands burst out from the ground, holding him in place. The woman dragged Lucca and Gabrielle into the flames, her mad laughter echoing in Jeremy's ears. "LUCCA! GABRIELLE!" he screamed as he struggled madly from the hands that held him down. The last thing he saw was Gabrielle's tear-stained face being consumed by the flames. "REMMMMMY!!!!" ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *~ Jeremy bolted upright, causing him to slide off the couch, and crash onto the floor of Magda's office. He was covered in a thin sheen of sweat, and his lithe frame trembled slightly. Jeremy spent a few minutes, attempting to catch his breath, as he shakily stood on his feet. "That's it," he mumbled under his breath, "I am never going to sleep again..."
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Post by Demonic Neko on Jul 24, 2005 1:12:01 GMT -5
Jeremy gathered his courage as he stood outside the DeLaCroix house. He originally planed on leaving without telling anyone. His guilt was so overwleming that he wasn't sure he could face Claudia at the moment. The only thing that kept him from bolting off into the night was the comment that Marcus had made earlier that night. He could still here his brother's words echoing in his ears.
Jeremy's upper lip pulled back in a snarl, "Move aside. Now."
"Why? So you can run away again, like you always do?" Marcus retorted.
Jeremy snarled softly to himself. He wasn't going to prove his older brother right. He would not run away. He softly rapped his knuckles against the portal that stood before hi. A few moments later, Peter answered, his face grim and tired. He said no words as he drew back and beckoned for Jeremy to enter.
Catherine sat at the family dining table, her hands wringing and twisting the life out of a lace hankercheif. Her eyes were red, and she was pale and drawn. When she noticed Jeremy enter the room, she stood and gave him a shakey smile. He smiled back softly, trying not to show how it hurt him to see her looking so frail. Jeremy drew her into a hug, hoping that she wouldn't burst into tears. He didn't think he could deal with the once proud and strong Catherine reduced to crying.
"I have to be leaving," he whispered softly, "I wanted to say goodbye to everyone." His eyes searched the room, but saw no signs of Claudia.
"Claudia's in her room," Catherine whispered softly. "She hasn't left since..." her voice trailed off.
Guilt and aprehension clenched at his stomach, and the urge to flee increased tenfold. "Maybe I should just go then.." He turned to leave, but Catherine caught his arm.
"Please Remmy," she whispered, "She'd hate it if you left without saying goodbye.."
Jeremy's shoulder's sagged for a moment before nodding in agreement. A few moments later he stood outside the door of Claudia's room, his hand on the doorknob. Still his instincts screamed at him to run, and he berated himself at being such a coward. He cracked the door open and peeked in.
"Laudie?" he whispered softly into the darkend room. He saw a huddled form in a corner of the room. Jeremy walked over to a curled up Claudia and lifted her into his arms. He sat on her bed and gently rocked her trembling form, as she grabbed the front of his shirt in her tiny fists and sobbed into his chest. Jeremy softly whispered into her hair and wiped the tears from her cheeks.
"Hush, shhhhhh. It's alright Laudie," he murmered. "Please don't cry."
She managed to stop her tears, and gave a weak chuckle, before looking up into his face. "I almost forgot how much you hate it when a woman cries," she whispered softly.
"Laudie," he said as he wiped more tears off her face. "You can't just stay in here. It's not good for the baby.."
She unconciously rubbed her bulding belly. "I know... I just.." she stopped to swallow a sob of grief before continuing. "I don't know what to do with Lucca gone. I feel so alone."
"You're not alone Laudie," he whispered fiercly, "You have your family and your friends, who love you very much. And Lucca isn't gone. He's here," he paused placing his fingers over her heart, "and here." he said as he rubbed her stomach. He felt a faint butterfly kick against his palm, as if the babe in her belly was agreeing with what he said.
Claudia looked up at him and smiled softly. "Thank you Remmy."
Jeremy turned away from her smiling face, knowing his next words would be hard to say. "Laudie.. I'm leaving."
Her eyes widened slightly in surprise, tinged with a slight trace of disapointment. "Why?"
"Father has me working with some human wizards in England. Seems there's a war brewing..."
"But.. You'll be back right? To see the baby when it's born?"
"Of course I will," he chuckled softly, "Who else is going to be a bad influence on your babe otherwise?"
Claudia smiled and led Jeremy downstairs to make his final goodbyes, but unknown to her, the smile on his face didn't reach his eyes.
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“Come in.” Charlie said over the stack of paperwork on his desk, “Hello professor, ah er, I mean, Severus.”
“Hello Charlie, I just wanted to-“
Just then the door opened and a squat man entered the room back first, “Yes Mr. Minister, this is his office. No, he’s one of the best workers I’ve got. He came all the way from England. All the preserves were snapping at the chance to get him.. We got him first, luckily” the door opened wider to admit another person, the Romanian Minister of Magic.
He was a broad shouldered, salt and pepper haired man with an air of authority, “Ah, so this is the lad, and a vampire is with him too!” He shook hands heartily with Charlie and Snape, “I am very pleased to meet you both.”
“Thank you Minister.” Snape and Charlie replied simultaneously.
“So you are friends? From England?”
“Oh, well actually, he’s my old potions professor.”
He turned to Snape, “Ah you must be very proud of young Mr. Weasley. It must feel good knowing that he learned a little something in your classes eh?” The Minister slapped Snape jovially on the back. Snape stole a glance at Charlie who looked as confused as Snape as to where this was heading.
“Yes, Minister, his skills, no doubt come in useful with dragon handling. But I daresay his best subject was Care of Magical Creatures.”
“Yes but if it weren’t for potions, he wouldn’t have devised that brilliant potion to help Romania’s vampires!”
“My potion?” Charlie stammered, “but that wasn’t-“
“I’ve heard all about it already. Brilliant young wizard who works with dragons devises an alternative to blood drives. It will be a huge leap in Wizard/Vampire relations. As I can see it’s started working already! I can see the your professor must have been a profound influence on your life!” He gestured toward Snape.
Snape stared at him. This couldn’t possibly be happening. How did Charlie get credit for his years of hard work? He was crestfallen. Snape wanted to correct the error immediately, and yet… “Yes. I’m very proud.” Snape said in a strangled sort of voice.
“Mr. Minister, you’ve got it all wrong. That wasn’t my potion it was-“
“Now, now, Mr. Weasley.” Snape interrupted slightly louder than he had meant to, “let’s place credit where it’s due. That potion was brilliant work, and no doubt took many, many years of painstaking research to develop, you certainly deserve every laude that comes your way.” Even as Snape forced the words from his mouth, he couldn’t believe he was saying them.
“But Professor-”
“Charlie, listen to me, it was a brilliant potion that you developed, now stop arguing with me.” He gave Charlie a meaningful look.
“Well, I just wanted to meet the wunderkind first hand.” He shook Charlie’s hand again.
“Thank you Minister.” He said in a dazed sort of way as he walked him out of his office, “Goodbye.” He shut the door.
“What was that all about? It’s your potion, you should be recognized for it.”
“That was my initial gut reaction, yes.” Snape said ruefully, “ but some things are more important.”
“But, but why?” He asked again.
“Think what would happen if The Dark Lord got wind of my involvement in helping the vampires. It could jeopardize my mission…Some things are just more important.” He repeated sounding as if he was trying to convince himself.
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