Formulation
Marius was pulled along the classrooms by Luna Lovegood and Ginny Weasley and he found that he had fun with them. Luna’s eccentricity and her sudden drifting of thoughts and topics were fun for him. It felt like he was challenged on how much he knew about the different creatures of the world. Ginny was fun in her own way, too, but he could see how much she cared for the blonde witch rather than focusing on him. She was acting like a protective sister. Marius couldn’t find it in himself but to found it endearing.
He grew fond of the two witches easily that he was almost sad he had to keep them at a distance for their own safety and for his own.
“Want to eat with us later at the Ravens table, Marius?” Ginny grinned at him, her hands clasped at her back as she walked backward in front of him and Luna.
He smiled at her in return before shaking his head. “I’m afraid I can’t. I don’t want to be caught in the crossfire,” he smirked. Ginny’s eyes widened and she laughed, clutching her stomach.
“I don’t think us Ravens are the ones you should watch out for, Marius,” Luna said out of the blue.
Ginny stopped laughing and smiled at both of her friends. Marius looked confused. “What do you mean, Luna?”
“I think a green-eyed monster is manifesting.”
“Wait, what?” Marius asked, utterly confused. Beside him, Ginny was covering her mouth to prevent from laughing out loud. Marius turned to her for an explanation, but she just smiled widely at him and shrugged her shoulders. Great, he was absolutely lost.
“Well Marius, we are already in front of the Potions classroom.” Ginny then made a stop in front of him, making him did just that as well and stare at her for a while.
“See you later, then.”
But before he was able to leave, Luna clutched his wrist, making him turn back to her. “Here.”
It was a necklace, Marius realized, that she gave him. He stared at it, blinking owlishly, before looking at Luna for an explanation, raising his eyebrow.
“It keeps Nargles away, as I’m sure you will be infested with.”
Another blink. Lost, again, he turned to Ginny who just smiled at him and nodded her head. He sighed and smiled at Luna. “Thank you, Luna.” He then waved them both goodbye as he entered the Potions classroom where he found out that a new potion is to be brewed. He easily found Neville and paired up with him.
The potion they were brewing was a potion that he and Neville brewed in the Room of Requirement so they both found it easy and they were able to move in sync. There was something bugging him, though, he could feel someone's eyes on him ever since he entered the classroom but he ignored it since he had his own priorities. He tugged Neville's robes, making sure that no one would eavesdrop on them before he asked Neville to lean down to whisper in his ear.
“Can I visit you later at the Greenhouse?”
Neville looked at Marius with glee, as no one really was that interested in Herbology as he was. He felt happy to be able to share it with another person so he nodded vigorously as Marius gave him a smile.
Marius then began to talk about herbs but it wasn’t long before he was interrupted by Professor Snape as he walked out of his office and began to scold a pair. Marius angled his head to see who it was, only to find out that it was Harry and Ron he was scolding. He sighed and shook his head. Thinking about Harry, he frowned. It wasn’t like he was still mad. He already forgave the werewolf, if he were to be honest, but still. An apology was needed. Is that so hard?
After their Potions class, Marius went along with Theo and Pansy. The remaining two vampires, Blaise and Orion, went their separate way, heading to the Owlery. Blaise was going to send a quick note to his Mother while Orion was pulled along to join him. The three then found a bench near grounds and despite being a bit chilly, they decided to hang out there. Marius sat next to Pansy while Theo was forced to seat on the ground, placing his books beside him. Marius was about to open a book but Pansy’s eyes on him sure didn’t help him if he were to concentrate reading. He opted to delay said activity as he sat cross-legged to face the female vampire.
“Is something the matter?” He asked softly.
Pansy looked down, she was then biting her bottom lip. Theo inclined his head to watch what was happening.
“I... Do you think he would accept me as his mate?”
Her eyes were so full of uncertainty, so un-Pansy-like, that it made Theo burst out laughing. Pansy glared at him before she took one of Marius books and slapped it at Theo’s arm.
“Hey!”
“Shut up, Nott!”
When she tried to hit him again, Theo raised both of his arms and smiled. Marius just watched their interaction fondly.
“But Pansy, that is so unlike you. Where is the girl who would take whatever she wants?”
Pansy froze at that, eyes wide. It was another three seconds before she moved again to look at Marius, silently asking if what Theo said was true. The human gave her a big grin in response.
She looked down again. “Do you guys really think I could make him accept our bond?” The uncertainty was still there, Marius noticed, but it had lessened somehow.
Marius then began to take the book from Pansy’s hand before he said, “Pansy, there is only one way to find out.”
A sparkle of something flashed in her eyes before it was once again disappeared.
“What’s wrong?” Theo asked.
“How should I approach him? I can’t just suddenly go talk to him for no reason.”
Marius flipped open his book before he leaned his back at the armrest of the bench, grinning. “Well, don’t you have an essay in Werewolf Studies you have been struggling with?” he asked, not-so-innocently, and winked.
Pansy choked, her eyes lit up once again before she abruptly stood up and scrambled away, making Theo doubled-over, laughing madly.
“See you boys later! I have a werewolf to ensnare!” she shouted with a huge smirk on her face before her figure was swallowed by the distance.
Said boys were left with a smile on their faces as well and for a few seconds, it was quiet again. Perfect. The human then began searching for a book to read. Surprisingly, though, his movement halted as a sigh registered in his ears.
“Do you think I would get to find mine as well?”
Marius was pleasantly caught away from his stupor by what Theo voice out.
“Find wh—“
“I meant my mate, Marius,” the vampire whispered, his face turning red a tinge. He looked so adorably embarrassed that Marius let out a laugh. Of course Marius had never seen the cool and collected Theodore like this. It felt good to know Theo now trusted him that much to talk about such matters with him.
He then stopped laughing and he placed his hand on Theo’s shoulder. When the Vampire looked up at him confusedly, he replied, “Of course you will soon. I’m sure of that, Theo.”
Theo grinned at him then his expression changed as what seemed to be an idea popped into his head. “Marius, you are close to those witches, right?”
“Yeah, why?”
“During my birthday, a mark appeared on my arm but I don’t really know what it meant.”
Marius then released his hand on Theo’s shoulder in order to seek a piece of parchment and pen to draw a pattern he knew that might look like Theo’s mark. Theo angled his body to watch what Marius was doing.
Sighing and feeling defeated as he found none since he only brought his books with him he then asked for Theo's palm. At first, Theo looked at him weirdly but then obliged. Marius drew the pattern on his palm.
“Is the pattern that way?” he said as he finished tracing the pattern at Theo’s palm.
“No, it goes this way.” This time, he was the one who took Marius’ palm and began to trace on it. The human held back a giggle because of the ticklish motion. When Theo was done tracing, he was left confused and curious more than ever on what the mark meant.
All of a sudden, Theo felt a murderous aura prickling his skin. He quickly snapped his head to look around for any enemies, only to found none. He could not help but feel more cautious. Too cautious, in fact, that he was startled when Marius called him.
“Theo, is something the matter?”
He did not wish to worry the human so he just shook his head and grinned. “No, it was nothing. So what does it mean Marius?”
Marius’ eyes were full of glee that Theo was about to roll his eyes. “It meant that your mate hasn’t reached her proper age or the maturity of her powers. That is why the mark is still incomplete.”
Theo was elated at the news. His heart began to pound and unexplainable happiness filled him. As he smiled with Marius at the news, the aura soon was forgotten by him for a while.
……
Classes were long over and Marius yawned as he stretched languidly on his seat. He picked up his book and placed them in his bag as he left the room. As soon as he was outside, he was met by a beaming Blaise, which made him step back slightly.
“Okay, what is happening?” he asked no one in particular and Blaise swung his arm onto Marius’ shoulders which made him flinch at the sudden contact.
“Marius, can you cancel your plans with Neville this hour?”
His face was showing so much delight that Marius could not refuse, so he heaved a huge sigh.
“Fine. But—“
“Yes! Thank you, Marius!” he said before he rudely dashed as fast as he could toward the green house. Marius shook his head at this, his potion brewing had been postponed once again. He then walked towards his dorms swiftly as he was still feeling sleepy from the lack of blood from his body. The ingredients he needed for the potion were all present in the green house as he and Neville were talking about it during Potions.
He entered the Hufflepuff common room only to see his cousin Orion looking stiff as ever and Beau sitting at the carpet away from Orion. His eyebrows raised at this. The dog usually sleepy by the feet of Orion when he visited.
He looked at the Vampire again and he seemed tense. His shoulders were stiff. His expression showed stress and a certain tiredness on it.
“Orion?”
Cobalt eyes easily snapped open as Marius called out his name, blue meeting gray and Marius wasted no time in approaching his cousin who looked broken.
“What happened? Do you need blood?” He was about to add more tirade of questions but his cousin merely threw an envelope on the table. As soon as Marius saw the envelope, he could easily feel the darkness that surrounded the contents of the envelope.
“This letter found me as class ended.” His voice was devoid of any emotion.
“Did you open it?” And Orion nodded before he added, “Don’t touch the object, Marius. It’s vile.”
Marius picked up the envelope and poured its contents to the table. He saw what Orion meant by ‘object’ and was a bit shocked to note it was a bracelet that looked the same as the one Orion was wearing. He peered his eyes at his cousin who looked away, clearly distressed by it.
Marius took a letter that went along with it. The writing was impeccable, but the ink was not black. It was red. Blood, Marius deduced. He ignored that fact in order to read the letter.
‘My Dear Sweet Orion,
I have been utterly joyous to find out that you have finally taken the Mark of our Lord. Do forgive Mummy that she was not able to attend your passage to adultery and your welcoming to the Family. I have been quite busy with our Lord’s errands as of late.
Finally, you have opened your eyes and decided to join us. Mummy is truly proud. Now isn’t it a good thing that your Father and I removed that repulsive thing in your soul and recreated you a new? Well, no matter. We will meet again very soon, my sweet, as long as you do exactly as I order you.
The Phoenix has to die soon. That is all I ask of you to do and the bracelet will alert me of its death. After that, my sweet, leave the rest to Mummy, will you?
With Love, Mummy’
“Dumbledore,” Marius voiced out as he finished reading the letter and set it down on the table.
Orion nodded his head in approval. "I can't kill him, Marius." His voice was sharp but shallow, his breathing ragged. Marius knew that Orion was feeling conflicted at this. He sat by his side as Orion placed his head in his hands and Marius patted his back in comfort. “If—If Dumbledore dies, the Order will fall to ruin. Many will lose their will and soon they have to bow to The Dark Lord.”
Marius just silently comforted his cousin as his mind raged on possibilities of what he could do to help.
“Not just that,” Orion continued as he sat up and looked at Marius whose face was full of concern. “The barrier of the werewolves will soon break, and when they have killed them all. The muggle world will be next. They will be a feeding ground for all vampires." Orion then closed his eyes and tilted his head back, groaning in despair. “I can’t do it.” His voice lost its hope and he thanked Marius’ silence, hoping that that cousin of his would not try to be involved. He did not deserve to be in a world like this.
“Refuse. Let Dumbledore live,” Marius reasoned out, but Orion growled at him.
“I can’t. Mother will kill h—me,“ he stopped his sentence as he realized he was about to touch a corner of his memories that he never wanted to be opened. Marius seemed to have understood this and he then looked down in deep thought.
“There is a way.”
Orion’s eyes snapped open. He looked at his cousin whose silver eyes gleamed with determination.
“How Marius?”
Orion was desperate, he knew that much, but when he heard the words that Marius uttered, he felt like he was a devil who dragged an angel to hell by its battered wings.
“I will have to kill Dumbledore.”
……
Hermione was determined, but it seems that Cho Chang was becoming more and more wary of her. The brown-haired woman now knew why Andromeda chose her as one of her possible Heirs; she was good at her magic and intelligence and was as slippery as an eel. When Hermione thought she finally was able to catch her red handed, she was wrong.
Hermione never felt this frustrated, ever, that she borrowed the Invisibility Cloak of Harry and casted a spell on her own person in order for detection to be impossible.
She slowly followed Chang as she walked alone through the corridors, making sure that Chang was a few steps ahead of her. After a few twists and turns around the castle, Hermione was feeling as if she was being led somewhere but then, as Chang took a turn, she found her gone.
She rushed to look around the corridor to find any kind of passageway, only to find nothing. She even tried to look behind the tapestries but still nothing. She cursed inwardly as she removed the cloak.
Sighing in defeat, Hermione walked away and decided to investigate things much more closely next time. She had never felt this blind. Things were happening around Ravenclaw without her knowing and she felt like she had failed as a leader. Her hands clutched tightly the Invisibility Cloak as she walked away, her mind deep in thought that she suddenly bumped into someone.
“Ow!” she said as she rubbed her bottom. She then looked up unknowingly with a glare, only to see Luna Lovegood began to ease away from her. Hermione realized she must have scared her due so she took a deep breath and held in her anger. She then offered her hand for the blonde girl to take. Lovegood merely looked at her offered hand then her brown eyes as if uncertain.
“I apologize if I startled you and for bumping into you,” Hermione said sincerely that something within those eyes of the blonde-haired woman changed. She then reached up Hermione’s hand and Hermione helped her up, their contact a bit closer since Hermione tugged on her slightly too much.
“It’s okay. I wasn’t paying attention to where I was headed since I was following the flocks of Wrackspurts around.”
Hermione’s eyebrows rose at this, her mind began to find what Wrackspurts are only to find no knowledge about such creatures. Therefore, to be polite, she went along with the younger witch.
“I see. So, were you successful in finding their nest?”
There was then a sudden glitter in those eyes of hers that Hermione thought was curious.
“Not yet, but when I do, I will be sure to tell you.” She gave a small smile towards Hermione. She looked behind the brunet only for her face to pale.
Hermione was startled at this and looked at the same direction. There wasn’t anyone there, so she looked back at Lovegood who looked horrified. She approached the young witch and slowly placed her hand on her shoulder. As soon as they made contact, she flinched.
“I apologize, Granger, but I have to go,” Lovegood said before she began to hurriedly dash away from Hermione who was about to ask a question.
Hermione turned around, back to the corridor where she followed Chang in. Again, it still looked empty. But somehow, she was sure there was something behind those corridors that made Lovegood run away as if she had seen something horrible.
She had to find out the secret behind these corridors. If it led somewhere and if Chang was committing some horrendous crimes, she would have to Challenge the witch and punish her for such acts.
…….
“I will have to kill Dumbledore.”
I will … kill Dumbledore.
…kill…
There was a bit of silent before Orion's face drained of any color. “Are you insane, Draco?” he shouted, horror painting his expression. “Kill? You? NO!” The vampire practically sprung up from his seat at the same time Marius noticed the use of his real name. “I don’t want you to be a killer because of me! I am your cousin, Draco. Your family. I am supposed to protect you. I am supposed to keep you safe, not endanger you more! I have to make sure you’re okay! What if Mother comes after you because of that?! I can’t ever forgive myself if she catches you, because of me! And, and—“
When Orion started fumbling over his words, so-not-Orion-like, Marius took pity of him. He put a hand on his frantic cousin before realizing a soft sigh. “I am not that hopeless, Orion. I can stand on my own. Maybe not against your mother or Dumbledore, but enough. Thank you for caring that much about me, though,” he said with a smile. “But, well, don’t worry. I did not mean it literally. What I meant was to merely conceal who he is, like what I did to myself.”
Orion visibly relaxed at that, but his shoulders were still a bit stiff. “So you did not plan to kill him?”
Marius shook his head and Orion released a very heavy sigh as he slumped on the couch. “You could have just said so instead of wording it to something so insane,” he grumbled, eyes closing tiredly.
The human snickered at that before he fell into silence for a moment. “But…” he trailed, “Aunt will surely know that Dumbledore is not dead.” The letter surely mentioned the bracelet will alert her of the Phoenix’s fall; when Dumbledore died.
Orion peeked on eye open, realizing that their conversation was far from over.
“Even if we were successful to hide his existence like what I did, he would still be hunted down and you would fail your mission.” Marius then began to stand up and pace the room his thumb's nail being bitten in the process.
“Your Mother is really good. I have to say,” he voiced out but did not stop his pace.
Orion released a huge sigh and nodded his head in approval, though he was not sure whether Marius saw that affirmation or not because he seemed to be so lost in thought. He stayed quiet and let the blond think instead.
“She made sure that you have no choice but to obey her. This feels like a test for you, doesn’t it? Even so, she knows you cannot disobey the Dark Lord as long as that mark is marring your skin.” Marius then subtly eyed Orion’s wrist, only for the latter to clutch it. Orion looked down and stared at the ground once again, feeling powerless despite his mother not being present.
Orion then looked up when a sudden clap came from Marius. He stared at his cousin whose eyes were darting everywhere as if he had reached a breakthrough.
“What is it?”
“I remember a potion that my Mother mentioned before. It could separate a soul from the body?”, Marius voiced out, unsure.
Orion seemed confused at this as well, so he tested as he asked. “Do you mean to turn him mortal?”
Marius shook his head. “No, but I think I know of a way to help us succeed without killing anyone.”
Orion’s eyes widened at this. He was filled with a certain awe at his cousin who was now deep in thought. A small smile graced his features.
“This is rare. Orion is smiling like an idiot.”
Both Orion and Marius snapped their eyes to the doorway, only to see Theo, Pansy, Blaise and Neville.
Orion then quickly and discreetly took the bracelet from the table. He wore it, not knowing that the spell that was casted on it activated. “Shut up, Blaise. We both know who is the idiot between us.” He smirked at the other vampire as the group then proceeded to sit around the Common Room.
Before Blaise could retort, Theo asked a question to stop the man from babbling again. “What were you two talking about while we were gone?”
“The reason why Marius has no scent.”
Theo hummed and Neville’s ears perked up at this as he was also wondering about that.
“I was just telling Orion that it was because of a Vampire that almost attacked me when I was young. He claimed that my scent was very delicious to him. After that, my Mother decided that my scent should be hidden, so she casted a spell. Therefore this,” Marius said easily.
Orion’s head whipped around at that, his eyes silently asking if it was true, only to find out that once again Marius lied about it.
“You must’ve had a pretty delicious blood then, Marius,” Blaise leered and Orion cleared his throat.
“What is that letter on the table?” Pansy started to ask.
Orion and Marius shared a look. There was a bit of silent when the two began to wordlessly argue of what to do. In the end, though, Orion sighed. It was a clue they decided that no secrets should be kept within them.
“Just a few hours ago, I received a letter from my Mother.”
The others, as if on cue, raised an eyebrow at that statement. They had never heard Orion mention anything about his mother. The identity of Mrs. Lestrange was a huge mystery to all of them.
“OH! You are finally going to reveal to us who your Mother is?” Blaise said enthusiastically. Even Theo looked curious at this.
“My mother is Bellatrix Black.”
All of them were stunned to silence at the revelation that one can hear a pin drop.
It was Pansy who broke the silence. She turned around to a rigid Orion. “So, what did your Mother write on her letter?” When the others gave her a look, she just shrugged. “Come on, guys. Who cares even if Orion’s mother is Bellatrix. Besides, I have to at least thank her for letting me meet Orion.”
Some of them broke out in grins and Orion felt truly lucky for his friends.
“She gave me a mission,” he said and with that, the tension was back again. With baited breath, he blurted out, “I have to kill Dumbledore.”
Another abrupt silence ensued. This time, Pansy broke it with an indignant squawk. “What!?” Theo, who was unfortunately beside her, covered his ears. "No! You can't kill him, Orion! To hell with the Dark Lord’s orders! To hell with your Mother!” She gripped the couch so hard that it could be ripped from her hands with a bit more movement. Left with no choice, Orion explained to all of them the consequences if he failed.
“We have to inform Dumbledore of this,” Blaise began.
Marius then spoke up after his long silence. “I have a plan. A formulation of it, at least.”
Theo turned to him at that while Neville tried his best to calm Blaise. “Go on, Marius. I don’t care what we have to do as long as there will be no one killed at this.”
Marius sighed heavily at this feeling a huge responsibility on his shoulders. Orion felt utterly bad for somehow being the cause of it.
“I would need help to locate a chamber here in Hogwarts,” Marius said grimly although his tone held no doubt in it. He was sure that Grimoire was here as well. His Mother had told him so.
“What is this Chamber?” Theo asked. His eyes narrowed and his expression serious.
“The secret Chamber created by one of the Founders, Rowena Ravenclaw.”
A look of pure confusion graced each one of them.
“The secret Chambers of the Founders are a myth. They don't exist, Marius,” Orion began and the others nodded as well, knowing the legends and lores of Hogwarts.
“It exists.”
Orion's mouth sealed shut at that. Marius words were final and, he thought, such certainty definitely came from an absolute belief that left no room for argument unless otherwise, one hundred percent proven wrong. And, well, every legend had the tiniest of truths in them after all.
“Say, even if we do find the Chamber, how do we open it?” Pansy asked as she gestured to all of them.
“Besides, why do we need to find the Chamber? How does this help us in saving Dumbledore?” Blaise asked next.
Orion glanced out of the corner his eyes at Marius. He was sure that wherever this led to, Marius had to reveal himself to them to clear everything up.
Marius' eyes were filled with determination. Of course, he noticed the way Orion was now watching his every move with a silent admonition. He heaved in a deep breath. He couldn’t bear to fail now, nor could he reveal he is. Not when he had gone this far. He had to find ways to answer without saying the whole truth, but also not completely lying.
“Inside the Chamber lies the Grimoire of Narcissa Black. It contains a potion that could induce temporary death and when the antidote is given at the right time, it will revive the drinker.”
A gasp erupted from Neville and Pansy. The other’s shocked expression were not missed by Marius.
“How did you know any of this, Marius?” Theo was sure he had never read anything, nor he had ever known anyone saying something about such potion or grimoire. Thus he eyed Marius with suspicion and a tad bit sharp speculating gaze that would make anyone directed with this gaze crumbled and confessed the truth.
Sadly, though, the one he unknowingly faced right now was Draco Black. For him to fulfill his promise with his mother to keep his identity hidden, he would go to any lengths for it.
The lies Marius—Draco; whoever he could be—told came as easily as the ones he remembered giving Harry some time ago. “My Grandmother was close to her, that Narcissa Black,” he said. “She used to visit our cottage along with her son, Draco Black, my best friend.”
All eyes were wide and some were even gaping at him. Even Orion, who in a million years would never expect such convincing reaction, gaped too.
“You knew Draco Black?” The only werewolf present there asked. Marius nodded without any trace of hesitation as an answer. “Then, do you know where he is?” Neville’s eyes were hopeful at finally being able to find the hope of his race, but this time, Marius looked down. His hope deflated a bit.
“I have an inkling, but I’m sorry, Neville. I can’t tell you and break my promise.” When the words left his mouth, he quickly felt a lump forming in his throat. Lying was never his thing. It felt absolutely horrible.
Neville kept his smile, though, reassuring him it was fine. “Never mind, Marius. I understand. That’s okay.”
Meanwhile, the others opted to silently watch. They were still not relieved from the shock. This was not the first time they heard of Draco Black. Dumbledore had told them before about him, but the knowledge that Marius personally knew the most wanted child of their time was an entirely different thing altogether. If any of the marked vampires in Hogwarts were to find out about this, they were sure to torture him for his location.
“We will search them ourselves,” Neville added with a hint of forceful determination.
Marius sighed. Now he felt even worse. For the smallest redeem, he offered the other a supportive smile. “Well, if you do find him, I think all that is left to do is to convince him to help you and maybe he will,” he genuinely said.
Neville’s eyes lit up once more at the revelation. Blaise placed a hand on his back to give his own support. “Thank you, Marius.”
It was Pansy who finally able to speak next. “Are you certain that potion exists and the grimoire is located in this castle?”
Marius nodded confidently. The three unmarked vampires looked at each other as if sharing a silent agreement.
“We will find this Chamber, but if this is Ravenclaw’s Chamber, would we not need a witch to help us locate or open it?” Blaise asked.
“The lore states that only the heir and those deemed worthy of each of the Chambers could open it. None of us here is a witch.” Pansy gestured.
Theo who was quiet again spoke up. “Let me handle that.”
Eyes were then directed to him, questioning. He grinned as if he knew exactly what to do. They let him off at that.
“Are we going to inform Dumbledore of our plan?” Orion began to ask.
“Yes, as soon as we find that Chamber and retrieve the Grimoire that Narcissa Black left there.”
Everyone nodded, agreeing with the plan.
…..
The Vampires then all left the confines of the Hufflepuff Common Room. The plan was now understood and would be going underway as soon as Marius found something he was looking for. Before Neville could go, Marius stopped him in his tracks by pulling his sleeve.
“Is there something wrong, Marius?”
“Neville, would it be alright if you supply me with these ingredients?”
Neville was then handed a parchment where a set of ingredients for a potion were written. As he read them all, his eyes widened as he came to a realization of what exactly the potion for. He looked at Marius with lots of questions in his eyes and Marius sighed in defeat.
“Orion has been feeding on me.”
Neville’s expression could be described as horror. “Marius! That is dangerous! Do Theo, Blaise and Pansy know?”
Marius shook his head and he felt like a child being reprimanded by his Mother. “No, they don’t.”
“They have the need to know,” he said adamantly. When he was about to open the door and call out the other Vampires, Marius stopped him by holding his wrist.
“I can explain,” said the human stiffly. Neville yielded to those gray eyes as he nodded and allowed Marius to explain. “Orion can’t consume blood unless it is from the source. It was because of the Dark Mark.”
Neville’s eyes widened at that. “Then why didn’t he say anything?”
At least, Marius had the grace to look guilty. “We forgot?” he said sheepishly.
The werewolf released a huge sigh. “Fine. I will procure you these ingredients but you have to tell this to Blaise and the others. Got it?”
Marius nodded and after that, Neville went on his way to the Gryffindor Tower.
…
As soon as Orion and the rest entered Slytherin Common Room, some of the vampires were still awake. Most of them Orion found out were marked by the Dark Lord. He stiffened his posture and wore his usual cold demeanor. He signaled Blaise, Theo, and Pansy to leave so he was left alone with the marked Slytherins.
“My, my, Orion. Still playing with your unmarked vampires?” Andrew Rosier spoke. He was one of the seventh years.
“That is your problem, how?” he coldly snapped back and they all just laughed at his retort.
“We allowed you to be, well, what do you call this acquaintance with them? But, this human? What do you plan on doing with him?” Rosier’s fangs were out as he grinned at Orion’s direction.
Orion remained calm and collected, though. He might have been called the Prince of Slytherin but when dealing with the Seventh Years who were marked before him, he could not disobey them. Even so, being Bellatrix’s son could be something to be grateful for because that gave him an edge to be able to reign the seventh years a bit.
“Unlike you, Rosier, I am using my brain.”
Andrew growled at this but was held back by his twin sister, Andrea Rosier. “This is better. This way the headmaster will not be too suspicious and let his guard down. And when the time comes…” Things remain unsaid but Andrew’s grin state otherwise.
“Oh, Lestrange. How are you faring with the hunger?” This took Orion by surprise and his eyes almost widened but he kept up his appearance. Andrew was looking smug about his predicament and the other’s seemed to be enjoying that as well.
“Andrew, enough.” The soft voice of his twin stopped Andrew with his egging. She turned her head to Orion’s direction. “If you can’t take it anymore or need blood, all you have to do is kill someone and drain their blood. It will ease the pain and that way, you could also eat normally like you were before.”
That was then that Orion realized what they meant. Now he knew why those older that were marked by the Dark Lord were able to drink and eat again like before. Killing, that was the completion for the mark to not prevent him from eating his usual foods as before.
“Well, we expect a promising result, Orion. Welcome to the family and all that shit anyway. Let’s go.” Rosier and the others then left. They headed to their own respective dorms.
Now, Orion thought, they couldn’t bear a failure on their plan. The Rosiers as well had been given an order which was to watch him carry his mission successfully. He clutched his head as he entered his room that night, feeling headache began to grow.