Secrets Revealed
The Vampires then began their search for the Chamber as soon as the sun hit the horizon during their breaks. Whenever they were free, they scoured the whole of the castle. Marius, too, searched around the castle and when he was alone in his room, he did his hardest to cast the minute magic that he could.
Even so, their efforts had been futile. There weren’t any chamber seemed to be found.
Blaise plopped himself on the black leather couch of the Hufflepuff common room as soon as he entered, closely followed by the other two vampires. Neville came then, holding on a bunch of what seemed to be potion ingredients before Marius took it and placed it on one of the tables of the room as he looked towards the defeated form of Blaise, Theo, and Pansy. Orion was only entering the room when he saw them. He sat on one of the couches as well.
“It’s impossible to find the Chamber, Marius,” Blaise crinkled his nose as he continued to speak. “Here I was hoping to have the nose of Werewolves. No offense, diletto.” He looked towards the quiet Neville who just smiled at his direction and rested his head on Blaise’s shoulder.
“But Blaise is right for once.” There was a successive ‘hey’ but was soon forgotten as Theo continued to talk. “Searching for the Chamber in a huge castle is a hard task, Marius. If we could—“ Pansy shook her head at Theo. That was then that Theo remembered Potter still hadn’t apologized to Marius and so the strained relationship between the two.
Marius was quiet the whole time. His mind was whirring with information as to how to look for the Chamber. He bit his thumb at the suggestion. It was probably for the best. Werewolves could easily track a scent no matter how far they are. He looked toward the direction of Beau who just tilted his head as if waiting for his order, but he shook his head. He cannot let his dog roam the grounds of Hogwarts and the castle is huge and Beau’s nose couldn’t be compared to the senses of werewolves.
He sighed in resignation. The others watched him warily as if waiting for him to make his move. Theo already dropped the bait, he was only waiting for Marius to make the choice himself.
“Fine. I will speak to Harry to ask his help.”
Orion’s eyebrow rose. “That means that he will have to learn about our plans as well.”
“We will do our best to hide it.”
Neville then cut in the conversation. “Uhm, I don’t think that is a good idea. Harry is…” He looked up, only to see all eyes focused on him.
“Go on, Neville. You know Potter better than we do,” Pansy said lazily.
“Well, he is very good at finding out things. He would eventually know if we lie and he might misunderstand if we don’t explain it to him properly.” Marius’s eyebrow raised at this—true. Instead of helping, Harry might go against their plan.
“Neville is right.” The others nodded, remembering things that happened in the past where Potter’s impulsiveness worked before words or hell—thinking. They all shook their heads in resignation. They wanted this plan to work and they will not let Potter’s annoying impulses to get them into trouble to make them fail.
“Okay, that matter is settled,” Marius said and before he could stand up to stretch, Theo’s knowing voice was heard in the room.
“Marius, for whatever reason are the ingredients of Blood-Replenishing Potions for?”
This caught Marius and Orion off-guard as the others stared at them both pointedly.
“…To replenish the blood? I thought we have lea—“
“Marius,” Pansy sighed, “you know what he meant.”
“Neville!” Marius whined. He thought Neville ratted them out, but Neville shook his head vigorously.
Now those two vampires turned toward the poor werewolf. “You knew!?” Both their booming voices now echoed through the room and Neville was shaking at the duo. And then the three of them—Marius, Orion, poor Neville—were now under the scrutiny of a mother-like glare by Pansy, a father-like disapproving eye by Theo, and a disbelieving stare by a certain someone’s mate.
“How come you never told me this Neville?” Blaise began as he looked like a kicked puppy.
“Shut up!” Theo and Pansy’s voice boomed again and Blaise sulked at the couch by himself. The duo turned their eyes back on the three, again. Neville knew then he never wanted to be in the bad graces of either of the two ever again.
“You have been feeding on Marius?!” Pansy screeched because those morons didn’t want to talk.
Orion and Marius covered their ears from the high-pitched voice.
“Don’t you know that that is very dangerous? What if you couldn’t stop Orion?” Theo said sternly.
“There is a proper explanation for all of this,” Marius spoke then, but he was cut off by Pansy and Theo’s glare.
“This better be good.” Pansy crossed her arms and tapped her feet to the carpet as she stood and Theo merely looked at them pointedly.
Marius and Orion then began to properly and slowly explain themselves along with adding the explanation on how Neville found out to save him from the scrutiny of the two and his mate. Neville was easily forgiven and after a few minutes of being berated like children, the relatives were enveloped in a huge hug by their friends.
“Orion, we are in this together, okay?” Pansy said as she hugged the life out of the vampire. “You can’t hide if your burden gets heavy. Please let us help you carry them.” She held the vampire’s cheeks in her hand as her eyes went glassy, unshed tears appearing.
“She is right you know,” Theo said as he smiled at Orion's direction. "But if you who is marked can only feed from the source, what about the Seventh Years who were marked?”
“They have already completed the passage,” Orion said as he properly sat up beside Pansy and Marius who looked equally curious as Theo. Blaise and Neville also looked at him in wonder. “Once given the mark, as long as you don’t kill someone, you will have to feed from the source.”
All eyes widened at the revelation.
“Are you telling me that all the Seventh Years who were marked had… killed someone?” Neville asked and eyes all fell upon Orion who just nodded his head.
………
It wasn’t long after that that the others except Orion began to excuse themselves, saying they have things to do. They were alone again after that and everything seemed to be enveloped in a comfortable silent for a while, that was until the human broke it.
“There is something that has been bugging me for a while, Orion,” Marius, no, Draco stared up at him and with that, Orion was sure that the most dreaded thing about him was about to be revealed. “What did your Mother meant by recreated anew?”
Orion flinched at that, but Draco’s piercing mercury eyes were steady, demanding. How could he hide anything from those eyes?
“The way you looked at one of the Weasley twins… It was as if you were pained. Tell me why.”
It was not a commanding tone Orion heard, but he knew, all the same, he had to blurt out the truth.
Orion gulped before bowing his head and staring at his bracelet. His hand was unconsciously caressing it. He then closed his eyes as memories began to play on his mind. When he opened them again, Draco was subjected to pools of emptiness direct gaze.
“Swear to me that no one else will know.”
Seeing his cousin’s eyes, Draco nodded his head in understanding.
“I’m sure you know of this, but no one was ever born to be a hybrid even though you have a mixed blood. You could only be a werewolf or a vampire or in females case, a witch. Despite having both parents who are a vampire and a werewolf, you could only be born with one race,” Orion said.
Draco nodded his head at that. There was never a case of a child having both vampire and werewolf capacities or any other hybrid beings. Nature was sure to instill the meaning of balance in her after all. He was the first to break that rule, however. He was born with magic despite being born male. He and Orion stared at one another before the vampire continued his explanation.
“Did you know our Grandfather? His name was Henry Longbottom.”
“Huh? We are related to the Longbottom’s?” Draco blinked. He never really cared much about his grandparents as all he knew was that they were already dead, so it was quite a shock to suddenly know that.
Orion nodded. “Ironic, isn’t it?”
“No, not really. No wonder I was a bit drawn to Neville as I am to you. We are of blood after all.” Draco gave a small smile as he found another connection to his family—someone he was willing to protect and sacrifice for.
“Our Grandfather married someone from the Black family and since the Black name is never allowed to be forgotten or erased, he took on the name Black as his surname. It was a small thing for him to sacrifice as he would do anything for his mate.” Orion stopped for a while. He looked toward his cousin who looked in deep thought as if figuring out what Orion really wanted to tell him.
“What does our Grandfather has to do with any of this?”
“He was a werewolf.”
With those words, everything clicked on Marius’ mind.
‘It can’t be.’
He looked at Orion with horror. The other replied with a heart-clenching smile.
“Yes,” Orion’s broken voice rang and Draco’s body went rigid. “His blood was in me. I was born not as a pure vampire that my Father wanted me to be, but also a werewolf of the Longbottom clan.”
………………
Theo led Granger to one of the corridors of the castle, one he knew to be off limits somehow. He found this entrance a few years ago when he was in the third year and as soon as he found out what was inside, he made an unspoken rule to never enter it nor get involved in any witches games or ploys involving that room.
“Granger, the reason why you thought that Chang suddenly disappeared was this.” Theo then began to press his finger to the wall and as soon as it touched the wall, it rippled like water disturbed. That was then that Hermione realized Chang placed a charm to make the passageway look like a wall, but it was only covered up by a Mirror-Water Charm.
“Chang,” she gritted out. She had never felt this fooled. She prided herself as the brightest witch of their age and the future High Witch. Chang was a brilliant liar, Hermione concluded. She found out how truly talented the witch was despite her looking and acting like a fool sometimes.
“How long have you known of this passage?” Hermione asked Theo who looked at her back, unfazed.
“Three years ago. You may have been called the Leader of Ravenclaw, but Chang controls everything behind your shadow. We have watched as she bid her time, waiting for the day to challenge you. But that day never came as she seemed to have been amused in watching you act as a Leader in name only.”
Hermione’s mind was reeling with memories as she remembered everything she knew about Cho Chang.
“How do you know all of this?”
Theo looked at the witch who finally opened her eyes to the hidden darkness of Chang. “I have eyes everywhere, Granger. We have always been watching what happens inside of this castle, but it has never been in our place to interfere.”
Hermione’s narrowed her eyes. “Then why interfere now?”
“Circumstances called upon it,” Theo said simply.
The witch blinked, clearly not really satisfied with the answer, but somehow didn't comment on it. She only heaved a sigh before turning around to face the vampire directly. “You want something in exchange. What is it?"
“Later, Granger.” Theo let his arms fall to his sides as he tilted his head. “Now, though, be careful. Chang might not look like it but that witch is as capable as you do. Whatever you see beyond this, you have to be prepared to challenge her and take back the rightful seat as the True Leader of Ravenclaw that is not just a role you are currently playing right now.”
Hermione crossed her arms as she gritted her teeth, clearly pissed. “So supportive, Nott,” she replied sarcastically. “But sure, I will hear what you want from me when this is over.”
Theo snorted at that as he gave a grin. “As soon as you hear it, you will agree no matter what Granger.” He then turned back and walked away, leaving Hermione to her thoughts. She then snapped her head at the direction of the passage. She held up her hand in the mirror, water like veil, of the path.
‘The best way to hide something, hide it in plain sight.’ Her own voice rang in her mind. She was the one who said that to Chang in their younger years when she was still naïve. Well, no more of that now. She took a deep breath and with eyes filled with conviction and determination, she entered the passage.
………..
“You are a born werewolf?” Draco then slowly eased himself to the couch once again and held his cousin’s hand which was cold and slightly shaking. Now he understood why the matter of his past was always a huge deal to him.
Orion nodded, eyes closed as those horrible memories clouded up his whole being. He clutched on his cousin’s hand who acted as his only anchor now when his head was trying to rip him apart once again.
“By the time I was born, Mother and Father desired my death. However, due to the circumstances of Grandmother’s curse to my Mother disowning our Grandfather, they had no choice but to keep me. They tried to produce another heir but that was then that my Mother found out about the nature of Grandmother’s curse. I am an only child and a reminder that she bore werewolf blood in her veins. I became a new follower of the Dark Lord, one whose fate they could carve themselves.” he sighed. “I did my best to live up to their expectations. I wanted them to be proud of me, to love me as Mother did to Nymphadora.” His voice cracked and Draco held his cousin close.
“That’s enough. Please stop,” Draco pleaded, but Orion wouldn’t listen.
“Then my transformation began. For the first time in my whole life, I heard him loud and clear. My wolf was calling me and I was so happy. There I thought I was no longer alone. That I could live even if I was not loved by those whose love I sought.”
Draco continued to sooth his cousin, but it was futile.
“...Those days were not to be. As soon as my mother found out, she smiled at me. And I, the fool that I was… I felt happy. She spoke to me, held me for the first time in a long while. I ignored the voice of my wolf who urged me to escape. I should have listened.”
…….
‘Mother is holding my hand,’ the ten-year-old Orion thought as he smiled with all his heart, ignoring his wolf who whined and called upon him, urged him to run. ‘Mother would never hurt me. She would never hurt you.’
The voice was silenced for a while as if waiting for a danger to come. Bellatrix led her son to an old section of the house. She then suddenly stopped, making Orion bumped to her legs. Orion quickly stumbled back to prepared himself of his Mother’s slap, but it never came as a soft hand rested then on his cheek. He opened his eyes to see his Mother’s black iris staring back at him.
‘Mother is not mad at me. She is smiling at me.’ He felt so utterly happy that he did not feel the spell that hit him. He then felt droopy and collapsed in his Mother’s arms.
“It was quite a long wait, Bella.” Rodulphus appeared from behind the corridor to face his wife and another child came from behind him. A seventeen-year-old Nymphadora was smiling wickedly, her hair turning bright red with excitement.
“Well, it will be worth it, my love. We will now recreate our son a new and this time, we will make sure to purge him of that dirty blood that Grandfather tainted in our pure bloodline." She then turned to Nymphadora. “Have you prepared everything Mummy has told you to do?”
The girl’s lips formed into a smile similar to that of Bella. Curse her mother’s curse for giving her a werewolf as a child and for Andromeda to be given a witch as a daughter. It truly was a good choice of her to steal the girl from her real Mother; Andromeda’s pain is her pleasure after all.
“Are you coming along with us, darling?” Rudolphus asked the girl he fully accepted to be as his own who merely grinned up at him, showing her fearlessness and excitement of what was to happen.
“I want to see my little brother be purged. I want to witness his rebirth.”
Both adults smiled. They could have never hoped for such a perfect daughter anywhere, unlike their son who was filled with that which they abhor.
They all then entered a room at the basement where blood runes were painted on the ground. The corpses of the people whose blood were used were scattered around. Bella’s eyes found Nymphadora’s easily.
“So messy, darling.”
Nymphadora only looked at the ground in shame but Rudolphus patted her on the head. “Don’t worry. I will order Wormtail to clean the mess up for you.”
The girl easily smiled and Bellatrix eased the unconscious body of Orion in the center of the circle. “Now, shall we begin?”
With a single flick of her hand, the black candles ignited with fire. Rudolphus merely stood watching as his wife chanted and Nymphadora looked on with awe.
Soon, Orion awoke. His eyes were golden as the wolf within him was trying to protect himself. It was futile, though, when Bella continued to chant. He closed his eyes and opened it again. This time, the wolf subdued. He looked at his parents who stared at him inside the now burning circle.
“Mummy? Dad? Nymphadora?”
The girl merely smiled wickedly in his direction and Bella had a sad expression on her face.
“Don’t worry, dear. What I do, I do out of love.” She wiped a single tear that fell from her eyes.
“What... What is happening? Why can’t I hear my wolf anymore? Dad, please stop Mom. My wolf is disappearing! No! It hurts!”
Bella merely looked at her child. “I am sorry, Orion. This is the only way. Can you hold on, my love? For me?” She smiled sweetly at her child and Orion gave a smile that turned into a grimace as his face twisted into that of pain. He was now crawling to the ground, his nails digging to the brick stones as it bled. He bit his lip from screaming as he could hear Nymphadora’s laughter from where she stood.
‘It hurts. It hurts.’ With a howl of his wolf, it called upon its mate from a far despite not reaching the age of 16 to be capable of sensing their mates.
“Oh my Lord!” Bellatrix exclaimed as the spell was abruptly stopped.
Orion sighed in relief as his body sagged to the ground. The ripping of his soul was ceased and he could feel his connection to his wolf still there even if it was faint. He wanted to run away to his mate’s side, but his body was too exhausted.
“What is wrong, Bella?”
“His mate. I felt his wolf calling his mate.”
Rudolphus’ eyebrow shot at this. “What of it?”
“It’s a Werewolf. Not just any werewolf, but also that of the Weasley!” With her shriek, the lights popped and the fires of the candle became much huge as if fueled by her rage. She turned toward Orion then as she patted her only son’s head. “Hold on, my love. I will purge you of your mate as well.” She began the spell again as Orion shouted in defiance.
When the spell was done, he felt half of his soul gone. He was broken. Only the sound of his mate’s pained scream as their connection was destroyed was left to him. He felt his Father biting him and turning him into a pure vampire. Bellatrix and Rudolphus were successful and they could not have been happier.
“Finally! Now I can fully call you my son,” Rudolphus said as he smiled at Orion who was battered as he was laid to his bed.
“I am so proud of you, my love. You made Mummy so proud.” She kissed his forehead as he felt the healing magic that enveloped him, but he did not care.
“Thought for a second you would die out there, brother. Don’t worry. Big sis will now protect you since now you are truly one of us.” She giggled on her way out and as soon as they were out of earshot, he clutched his chest and allowed himself to cry.
…..
All of the lights in Hufflepuff blinked as Draco tried to keep control on his magic. He would not explode now. Instead, he focused on his cousin who was now crying in his arms right now. He soothed him, spoke soft words to him.
When Orion was calm enough, he asked again. “What about the bracelet?”
The vampire looked at said bracelet. “Reveal,” he said. The magic that covered up the bracelet was released and all it was now was a piece of old handkerchief.
“How?” Draco asked.
Orion held onto the handkerchief as if it was his lifeline. “I asked a skillful witch to make it for me and had to pay a lot for her silence. It will only be revealed with the sound of my voice with the word ‘reveal and revert’.”
Draco gave a small smile to him. “Impressive.”
“This was given to me by my mate. I was eleven that time. I was so mad at the world. I desired destruction, my own death, so I cut myself on the train to Hogwarts only for him to find me.”
Draco could see that Orion was reminiscing and so he allowed him to do so.
“He took the glass that I hid and began to grab my hand. He was different toward me despite me being a vampire. He helped me and I was awed at that. I protested that it would easily heal but he said, ‘How could you be so selfish. What would your mate feel if they knew of what you are doing to yourself?’. I was stunned at what he said and I became quiet. He bandaged my hand with his handkerchief.” Orion chuckled a bit and Draco smiled at him.
“It was a dirty handkerchief. I was about to jab him about it when his brother came along and hit him on his head. Then I heard his voice as he voiced out his pain and I remembered that sound from the ritual. It was then that I found him. My mate. He was right in front of me. But in fear of what my Mother would do, I kept silent. She was capable of doing those horrid things to me. What more to strangers or the people she detested?” Orion gave a sigh of relief as he finished his story.
“Revert.” The handkerchief reverted and Orion realized that it had never once been touched by anyone but himself.
Draco did not know what to feel but the horror of what Orion had been through. It was hard, but he survived and that was all that mattered to him. Orion deserved to be loved, in spite of everything, his lineage, and his parents — he deserved it.
Draco truly admired his cousin. He just hoped he could be capable of finding a way to reconnect Orion’s soul to his soul mate once again.
“Orion, who is your mate?”
Orion faced him with a rueful smile and eyes full of longing.
“Fred Weasley,” he said.