The Veiled Black

Harry entered the room of requirement seeing the familiar space of their pack house. He shook his head as he saw a half of the twins sitting on top of the table one of his feet dangling as the other was where his arm was resting. A grin rose from his lips as he saw Harry enter the room.

“Harrykins!”A voice from Harry’s side was heard and his head was then ruffled, a familiar gesture one that George does.

“Okay stop, I’m here now.” George released him and joined his brother to sit, other sixth and seventh years were also present and he could see that most of his family is here.

“I see you guys were holding a small party here.” A smile bloomed on his face as he saw a bunch of food at one side and his fellow pack mates all grinning up at him.

“So, what is this all about? Harry, why call us here?” Ginny began to ask.

“Something big is about to happen and I need your help.” The air became tense and all his pack mates sat up to listen carefully. They all know that everything said within these walls would not be known to anyone else.

“Harrykins, you of all people should know—“ Fred began.

“—we would follow you anywhere,” George finished with matching grins on their faces. The rest of their pack mates nodded at this.

“Thank you.” Harry’s eyes were determined as he took in a breath and he began.

…

“Is everything prepared—“ Orion froze from where he stood at the hallway headed to the Slytherin Common Room. He knew that voice. He could never forget the voice that called upon him with a twisted smile on her face that he could even imagine so vividly without him closing his eyes.

“—Brother?” Orion looked back only to see that the whole hallway where he was in now engulfed in darkness. He could feel the cold, almost the same coldness a Dementor gives off. He forced his body not to shiver or even show a single speck of weakness. He steeled his will and faced the darkness fully.

Hiding away the panic and fear, he swallowed them deep and he spoke. “Does Mother have so little faith in me that she sent you here to finish my task?” he asked with such venom and coldness, a voice and feeling his mother would be so proud of him.

A chuckle echoed in the empty space. He could feel his sister’s smile amidst the darkness. He could feel her presence. He knew she is right in front of him, concealed, her aura was only half there meaning she is using a vessel to speak to him. He closed off his mind and let the questions pop out when he is alone, having his guard down even a little would be fatal.

“My dear brother, I know you would fulfill your task as you were asked. You and I both know what is at stake here. I don’t want to have to accidentally punish you for it.” A growl escaped his throat unknowingly and a giggle escaped from his sister’s lips one he knew well. “No need to be so defensive, Little brother. I am merely here to give you Mother’s final order. Blood must be spilled, our master awaits.”

Orion snorted as he inclined his face away from the darkness he is facing. “I am no longer a child that she needs you to parrot what she says.”

A chill run up his spine as he snapped his face back to the darkness.

“Careful brother, I might just slip and kill someone.” His mask slightly broke and he gritted his teeth at his slip, he could feel the smile on her face. “Don’t worry, Brother. I have kept your little secret all this time. Despite your broken bond, you wish to reconnect with him. Quite pathetic of you, but I guess even Mother could make mistakes.”

If looks could kill, his sister would be dead a hundred times over now.

“Why are you here at Hogwarts? It’s impossible for you to just be a messenger for Mother. How did you even get in?”

A laugh once again echoed. “So many questions, Brother. Can’t a lady have secrets? Anyway, it’s time I go. Fulfill your task, Brother, and let us see each other once again—on the other side.”

The darkness disappeared and Orion was back at the hallway where he originally was.

A dozen questions spiraled his mind. One thing was clear if his sister came personally to Hogwarts something big is about to happen and no matter what he must assure that Draco is out of the castle before everything falls.

…

The day began to fade away, and in the deep part of the castle, Luna once again stood in front of the sculpted face of Salazar Slytherin. Her bracelet once again enlarged into a huge circle in the ground, shuffling was heard from behind her.

“Why are you doing this!?” Lavender Brown, one of Harry’s pack mates, screamed at the back of Luna’s head. She stared until the blonde head turned toward her and her eyes were unlike she had ever seen before. They were so different as if the Luna she knew was no longer there. She tried to contact anyone with the mind-link but something was preventing her from doing so.

“Hush, Mutt. I have no interest in communicating with a mudblood.”

Lavender growled. When she felt the restraints in her began to loosen, she transformed into a dark brown wolf and lunged for the neck of Luna. Before her fangs could reach her, she was kicked in the stomach as she felt a few of her ribs crack. She whimpered in pain as she hit the wall causing her to faint.

“Tammy!” Nymphadora scolded as the third year vampire looked at her, his face blank and his eyes in question. “You don’t get to kill her yet, we still need her to summon mother here.”

The Vampire then retreated his previous attacking posture and straightened his posture as he stepped back and began to kneel on one side of the circle prepared.

“You are such an obedient child.” Nymphadora patted the head of the boy as he waited for his blood to be spilled to call forth Bellatrix.

“Yes, Lady Nymphadora.”

Nymphadora grinned as she began to ask. “For what reason do you give your oath to?” Her hand was now on the shoulder of the boy.

“The completion of a pure world.” The boy merely batted his eyes as he answered.

“What would you give in exchange?” She tested the boy and she was delighted by what she heard.

“My life.” Nymphadora’s smile widened at the boy’s response. All children of the dark were trained with obedience and complete loyalty, especially those born to the vampires who were marked by the Dark Lord himself.

“Now shall we begin our summon?” Nymphadora raised her hands along with Luna’s wand as she felt the magic swirl around her.

Soon, blood was spilled and the once sacred place of Salazar Slytherin was drenched in blood.

…..

The Great Hall was as usual filled with students milling about, but there was a sense of tension palpable in the air that some of the higher years could feel as the younger ones enjoyed what was left of their innocent childhood. Harry’s eyes followed Orion’s as he sat down next to the older vampires who were clearly marked. The smirk and grin in their eyes were brimming with mirth and the vampires who remained neutral could feel the Slytherin house about to break into groups.

Blaise, Theo, and Pansy who knew nothing that their initial plan was about to commence were alarmed which made the suspicions of those marked fade away. Then Blaise stood up. Theo’s eyes widened and Pansy to have a broken look in her eyes. Soon, Theo looked toward Harry who kept a keen eye at the situation.

Harry gave a slight bow to Theo and the vampire understood as he pulled Blaise down and whisper to his ear. Pansy’s glare was on Harry’s next and if Harry did not know her well, he was sure he would be dead.

“Everything has been set, Harry. Just say the word.” He heard the voice of Fred in his mind as the mind link supplied him with.

“Be prepared,” he replied as he then began to act normally as he ate his meal. His stomach churned as he felt like ditching the plan and instead head on to Draco’s side.

He knew Draco would be already out of the castle and on the move to Gryffindor Lands. He just had to trust his allies to assure that he would arrive there safely and he could finally have his own piece of mind.

…..

Draco looked back at the huge castle behind him which caused Fred to stop on his tracks along with Ginny, who looked at his back wanting to know what was on the thoughts of the human. Beau sat by Draco’s side as he nudged his fingers. Draco then patted the dog’s head.

“Something on your mind?” Ginny then voiced out.

Draco did not look back at her to reply. “Nothing,” he voiced out, but he could not help the sinking feeling on his stomach that something huge is about to happen. He felt like everything is happening too fast and too easy for his liking. But then again, they are in the brink of the start of a new war. Despite the Dark Lord being sealed, he could not help but feel as if he would soon awaken soon.

He did not wish to be separated from Harry this fast. But he knew that if he did not leave quickly, he would not be able to leave the castle at all. It left him with memories that he would treasure after all.

Something churned from deep within him and he knew that his battle was soon going to start once again and being in Hogwarts would only call upon the forces that would harm those whom he loved. He had faith that with him inside the Blood Ward of Gryffindor, one his mother made, would hold off all that evil and darkness outside and within him.

If he could he would have asked Hermione to allow him to see his Mother’s Grimoire. But he knew that would lead to all sorts of red flags he would rather not answer, as he is intent on keeping his identity still hidden despite trusting those around him. He knew that they might be tortured for that kind of information.

“Come on then, Gryffindor Land awaits!” Fred’s cheery voiced snapped Draco from his thoughts and he gave the half of the twin a small smile as he nodded his head. The four began their trek to the Forbidden Forest where Ginny would Apparate them both to Gryffindor.

He could not help but take one last peek to the castle before they are covered by the huge and dark trees of the Forbidden Forest. Fred was whistling as he walked and Ginny remained calm in deep thought, then she began to ask Draco.

“Hey, Marius.” The blonde looked back at her and he waited for her to continue what she was about to say. “Do you remember when we went inside Ravenclaw’s Chamber?”

Draco’s eyebrow rose at this as he replied, “Of course.” Ginny looked at Fred who is walking a few paces ahead of them and she cast a silencing charm that only covered up their upper bodies so as to not make it suspicious and to prevent Fred from overhearing them with his heightened senses.

“I saw something in that Chamber. Do you have any idea on what it might mean?”

Draco gestured for her to tell him what she saw and she described her vision to a tee.

“A vision of the future.”

Ginny nodded and she looked down at the path her eyebrows furrowed. “The thing is, I don’t understand what it meant. It showed me my mate then.” She stopped, clearly stumped not knowing what to do.

Draco began to think about what it meant as well. It first showed Ginny of her mate, but then her mate faded into a child. Most interpretations would be that it showed Ginny of their future child with her mate, but then the words left to her were what sounded wrong to him. Though the future had dozens of interpretations and they were ever changing.

His eyes suddenly widened and Ginny noticed this. Before she could ask what he thought about it, Fred grabbed both of their arms breaking off the magic.

“What?” Ginny screamed then she heard it, a huge sound of an explosion or something that broke. Then when the two looked back to where Fred was looking, they saw dark smokes coming from Hogwarts Castle.

“What happened?” Ginny voiced out.

Draco’s stomach fell ash he felt like his heart just stopped beating. “Harry!”

Without him thinking of ever knowing what he was doing, he began to run back to the castle Beau following him. This made Ginny and Fred snap back to reality and chase after him.

….

Harry could not understand what just happened. Everything happened so quick. They were all sitting on the Great Hall waiting. But then, as soon as the Headmaster drank from his goblet, he fell to the floor and the thud of his body falling to the ground was so ear deafening.

Everyone watched as he fell, his eyes snapped quickly to Orion who looked just as shocked in his eyes, but remained composed as those marked ones around him was hiding the mirth in their eyes.

That was not supposed to happen. The potion was supposed to slowly react to the victim and not instantly like what happened. Hermione turned to him. The horror in her eyes was also evident as she was sure that the potion she and Marius made was perfect.

It would only mean one thing. The traitor was closer to their circle than they had ever thought of. Harry wanted to list on who might it be, but then again that was not important as he along with the others rushed to the fallen Professor’s side.

The panic that all the students had was then halted as they felt the ground shook with such intensity. Professor McGonagall quickly levitated the body of Dumbledore then transported him to the Room of Requirement where Madam Pomphrey awaited to give him the antidote. The student’s utter panic was stopped as at the middle of the Great Hall something seemed to be arising.

Then from beneath the bricked floor of the Great Hall, a huge creature broke through. Rubbles of stones and bricks scattered as the creature roared as if it was its first time to ever awaken and move about. Witches all cover cast a ‘Protego’ to protect the others from the impact and the younger years crowed with fear.

Harry then mind-linked all werewolves to evacuate as fast as possible. He watched as at one side of the Hall, the marked ones stood proud and tall protected by a shield cast by the one person that Harry did not expect. Her face was as peaceful as she diffused the barrier and the wind swept across her face. Her blonde hair dancing with the wind, Luna Lovegood stood tall with her wand raised.

….

Draco was panting hard as he ran through the forest. He could hear the footsteps of Ginny who ran just behind him and Fred who now turned to his wolf form to catch up with them. Then he suddenly stopped on his tracks as he felt them, making the others stop as well. Before he could even warn them, Fred was attacked at one side by two black wolves and the fighting began. Ginny raised her wand and cast a shield on both of them along with Beau.

Soon they found themselves surrounded as Fred pushed away from the two wolves and stood in front of the barrier Ginny made. His hackles rose as he growled a warning to the wolves, but the injury on his neck that he got from the two wolves was beginning to bleed.

“Fuck.” Draco turned to Ginny who could not stop the curse that left her mouth. Fred could not take on all 10 wolves around them who were now creating a full circle. The black wolves growled, their saliva spilling to the ground, waiting to attack.

Ginny raised her wand, about to cast a spell towards her brother, but then Draco stood in front of her.

“Fawkes,” he called.

Ginny saw that the Phoenix was just overhead of them. She was about to heave a sigh thinking that they have allies coming, but she was surprised when the Phoenix swept down his flames then took over her and Fred and somehow they were now in the Room of Requirement.

Draco heaved a sigh. Now that the two were not here, he needed to do something.

“Beaumont, by your name, I release you.” Draco voiced out. The collar around the dog then broke as he grew twice his size, his fangs elongated and a horn grew on his head. His features turning more dangerous and when the transformation was complete, he roared at the wolves. The black wolves then growled at him and began to attack him at once, but the dog used his huge body to whip them at one side.

Fawkes then landed upon Draco’s arm as he allowed the bird, though the thought of leaving Beau was weighing on his mind. He knew he had to get to the castle as he could feel something dark and sinister was occurring there. He could not help the tremor in his body.

“Come back to me.” And with what seemed to be like a howl from the dog, Draco was apparated to the Room of Requirement.

The room was full of wounded students and others milling about to provide help. Witches continued on healing those injured and he looked around till he saw where Fawkes is at. He rushed to the bird’s direction, only to see the Headmaster breathing so heavily that he could not understand what was currently happening.

“Professor,” his voice failed him and the old man who seemed to gather up his strength held his hand. His eyes then widened as he realized. ‘Did the potion did this?’ His body shook when he realized that the potion was what was currently eating away at the old vampire’s life.

“This is my fault, I—I shouldn’t have interfered. I shouldn’t ha—“

Dumbledore’s grip tightened on his hand as his body trembled. Dumbledore shook his head, his breathing was ragged. He looked so worn and Draco could feel it — his life slowly slipping away. Draco held on tight, trying his hardest to think of a spell to counteract or reverse what he did.

“This is not your fault, this old man was already destined to die.” He lifted up his arm for the sleeves of his robes to reveal a dark vein-like mark upon his arm.

Draco inspected it and his eyes widened. The old man still smiled so warmly that Draco could no longer stop his tears from falling. “You — how?”

The old vampire just smiled weakly. He urged for Draco to edge closer to him as he whispered his voice getting weaker for him to hear. “An old wound I carried to protect my Elder.”

Then suddenly, Draco’s eyes widened once again as his breath was stuck on his throat and on an impulse he created a dome to prevent onlookers from seeing or hearing their conversation.

“This crest.” Draco’s hand trembled as he slowly lifted up a bracelet. Hung upon it was a shield-shaped metal with the crest of a snake with emerald eyes eating its tail.

Dumbledore’s eyes were soft as he watched Draco look upon the crest of the members of the Council. Draco’s eyes looked straight at the eyes of Dumbledore as he began to ask, “Why do you have this crest?”

“That crest is only given to the members of the Elder’s Vampire Council.”

Draco swallowed, it was clear to Dumbledore that he wants to ask something from him. “Mother once had something like this, she said it belonged to my—“ He cut off his sentence as he looked away, that topic has always been a huge taboo between him and his mother. His loss had been a huge thorn in his mother’s eyes, as she left him with only but a promise to return. But she could no longer return to his side, as the city where he was, was burned to the ground. “—but that is impossible, he was human”

“The Elder’s Vampire Council did not only consist of vampires, my child.”

Draco’s eyes widened and his mouth slightly parted.

“Have you ever known—“, Draco’s eyes were hopeful as he turned to Dumbledore’s tired eyes his lips quivering as he knew what the old vampire was about to say but waited for it.

“—Who your father is?”

….

Gasps were heard from all around. Harry, Hermione, and Ron could not comprehend what just happened. Before they could ask her – the huge creature, a basilisk – began to petrify people around them. Harry could only grit his teeth as he barked orders and began to help the other students escape.

“Leviathan.” Luna’s voice rang strong and clear and the basilisk looked down at her and with a wave of her hand, the snake then began to lower its head. “Good boy.” She smiled as she patted the snake, his eyes then close as the power of his petrification now seemingly sealed.

Hermione watched as the basilisk followed Luna’s command. She then remembered with just the name.

Leviathan was Slytherin’s loyal familiar. Only those that bear the blood of Slytherin could have the capability of controlling or commanding him. She looked towards Luna who seemed as if she was not herself. Hermione grit her teeth as she could never comprehend how the Luna she knew, the Luna they all knew, would be capable of such betrayal.

‘Something must be up, it has to be. Luna is not that kind of person.’

Memories flash through her eyes as moments spend with the blonde girl fresh in her memory. But then, to have the capability to control that snake, she could have never have expected it. No one did. To think that she would be a witch and not a vampire.

‘A bearer of Malfoy’s blood.’ That was the thought that crossed her mind as she looked to Harry and Ron who seem to understand what it meant.

….

“Is there really no other way?” Draco’s eyes were downcast as he asked the old vampire, hand held in his. His lips were quivering, but his mind was sharp as he thought about what Dumbledore told him.

“You have to walk that path for you to find your place in this world.” Draco heaved in a breath then looked at the old vampire. “It is time you decide for yourself which path you will take.”

“Go.”

Tears fell once again from Draco’s eyes, but he pulled himself together. He lifted his eyes to look up the old vampire and he voiced out. “As you will.”

The old man gave him a soft smile as his eyes slightly widened, then he closed his eyes. He looked so peaceful that Draco thought he was gone, but he could still feel it, the slight beating of his heart. He cast a strong stasis charm upon him. That was then that he felt it, the sick dark power that seemed to be so cold and so ruthless, sapping the life from the air itself.

Without a second glance to the Headmaster, he turned his back as he snapped his fingers. A bubble of barrier surrounded the Headmaster.

Meanwhile, Dumbledore looked at the small shoulders of Draco as he walked away towards the exit. He remembered those piercing silver eyes that looked at him. He closed his eyes once again as a tear escaped his eyes.

He voiced out to no one within the chaos of the room. “Forgive me, but this is the only way.” His breathing was now becoming shallower and his eyesight was slowly darkening.

“For him to know what part he has to play in this war, he has to learn about his father as well, Narcissa.” His tears continued to fall down. “Fate truly is a cruel thing, I now fully understand what you meant, Sybill.” He blinked as he remembered his old friend the seer Sybill Trelawney's last words to him.

“You will know the true meaning of the Prophecy upon your deathbed.”

Dumbledore ruefully smiled. “I hope—“