40Four Fathers
Ch. 11: To sink so low
Draco and Shadow walked until they came to the doors. "Open," they hissed together. They spent an hour talking to the Lady and had asked here to keep an eye on the stone and had told her where it was. She had told them she knew how to get to it and could take them to it. They had almost agreed before they decided that it would be best to ask. She agreed and sent them on their way back up.
They talked to Severus and he decided to wait until they left on Christmas break to take it. That way he had smirked, the headmaster would have a holiday going through withdrawal. They shrugged and left it at that but said they would come get him when they were ready to get it. He nodded and sent them on their way.
"I'm bored. See if they'll let us go into the forest." Shadow nodded and then smiled. "Race you there." They took off flying down the stairs and when they would go to move would jump down the flights. They scared more than their fair share of people until they hit the doors and from there it was an all out race to the forest.
Severus could feel both their giddiness and as Darkness was in his rooms asked why. "They are playing chase in the forest." "Is that wise?" "They'll be safe and if not they can defend themselves." "Such care." "More or less realistic." "I see."
When they reached a certain part of the forest Shadow stopped Draco. "Stay." Draco understood the command and nodded. Shadow stepped forward to the dead clearing. He held out a hand testing instead of walking right into it. All of a sudden he felt Midnight's rage and gasped. When had this happened. He didn't remember Midnight being this angry while they were here. He sent a tag to Darkness and got the reply of the when he had been punished. Oh that was why. Because he didn't remember. He moved back to Draco and took his hand. He pulled him forward and stepped into the clearing. He moved to the center and knelt down pulling Draco down with him. Draco said nothing just did as directed. He could feel that he had no control here.
Shadow murmured to the dirt and ran his free hand over it. Slowly grass started growing. "I grant Draco, my brother of Thunder, protection in this circle so mote it be." He pulled Draco's hand and nodded. "So mote it be," he repeated. "What happened?" "Midnight," Shadow replied simply and shortly. Draco's eyes widened. "This?" Shadow nodded. "The wolf was furious. Crescent doesn't take to well to being unable to do nothing when he wants to do something." "Oh." They laid out in the dirt that slowly turned to grass as they stayed. They talked about everything and nothing and just relaxed, glad to be away from the school for a while. After a while, he got up and Draco lifted his head but he just waved him back down and moved to another place. "Want the grass to grow somewhat evenly don't we?" Draco laughed. Only Shadow would be worried about the grass growing evenly. He spoke up again. "No animal can walk through this clearing and live, no creature, no human, no ones but me and the one's I protect. It's a place of sanctuary." Draco was shocked at that admission. It truly did prove to him that Shadow saw him as brother. "Thank you," he whispered and he saw Shadow smile. "You're welcome."
About an hour later they heard screams come from Hogsmeade. Both jumped up. "Where was that from?"
"Hogsmeade," Draco answered. They received a tag to return to the castle, Deatheaters were attacking the village. Draco was confused. His fathers ALWWAYS told him when there would be an attack so that he didn't get hurt. They received another reply that it was the Order in disguise. Shadow asked if they could help instead and get rid of some of their enemies. Severus sent a tag to Tom and talked it out. In the end they agreed they could help but the first time they got hit they were to return. They agreed and took off. Severus would arrive there before they did since they were coming from the forest. About three minutes later Draco stopped and Shadow screeched to a halt a few feet ahead. "Are we not vampires?" Shadow laughed at their foolishness and the two jumped to Hogwarts and then again to Hogsmeade.
They entered into the shadows and came out as the townspeople ran around like chickens with their heads cut off. "Could they at least run in the same direction? All they do is get in the way," Draco complained. Shadow nodded in agreeance and took out a blade. He was going to have fun. Fortunately for them he couldn't kill them but he could impair them. Draco copied him.
The two dodged and danced around the 'Deatheaters' cutting into their legs and arms deeply. Shadow took pleasure in making sure some of them could no longer use their wand arm. When he saw his father get hit he growled and had to forcefully reign himself in. he then took their wands and snapped them as well as breaking their wrists. They screamed in denial and he loved it. He knocked them out and spelled them to be tied to a tree. He wanted to clear something with his father in a moment.
Albus Dumbledore fought the 'Deatheaters' knocking them unconscious. He made himself look more important then what he was having five of them attack him with higher spells than the rest were using. He wasn't paying attention to anything else, or else he would have realized the trouble he was about to get in.
The last of the 'Deatheaters' were caught and bound and with Severus's permission Shadow removed the masks and glamours the Order were using. There were gasps heard all around as the townspeople stared in shock. Dumbledore panicked and tried to get it into order. He was however, unsuccessful. They turned on him and he had no choice but to apperate away. The Aurors were called and took everyone into custody. They would face trial in the coming weeks. The rest went back to trying to clean up their homes and the students and staff trudged back to the castle in shock.
Minerva just kept shaking her head. "How could he do this? How could they do this? We are supposed to be protecting these people." Severus took pity on her and handed her a calming draught, which she took gratefully and still in shock headed to her rooms. Everyone else followed her example wanting to be nowhere near the Headmaster right now.
Shadow and Draco followed Severus back to his quarters and upon entering Shadow was snatched and made to look Darkness in the eye and say he didn't get hurt, not even a scratch. After that he asked if he had fun and he described for all of them that he had snapped wands, broken wrists, and left some almost half paralyzed. None would be trying anything else for a while yet. Draco said pretty much the same thing except he was happy to finally get that annoying woman to shut up and then asked them if there was a way in possible hell, and after he got zapped for cursing, if there was a way to get everyone to run in the same direction instead of like scattered chickens. They all laughed and gave the answer of probably not.
The next morning the Daily Prophet landed in front of everyone who ordered one. The title however shocked those that knew nothing of what had truly happened in Hogsmeade.
Headmaster's Order Parade as Deatheaters
Yesterday afternoon around six PM, Headmaster Dumbledore took
his staff and some of his students to Hogsmeade to stop Deatheaters
from attacking the village. Many of the Deatheaters were apprehended
and stunned and many loss use of their wand arm and had their wands
snapped by students that were willing to fight to protect their castle and
home. When the battle was finally over and all Deatheaters stunned or
bound, they were demasked. To say the townspeople were shocked would
be a vast understatement. The Headmaster's own Order of the Phoenix
were masquerading as Deatheaters. Are not these the very people that were
supposed to be protecting the people? Are they not the very ones that pledged
to get rid of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named? If they are the ones attacked then
is there truly a He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named? Was it all some elaborate joke
played on the people by the Headmaster himself? If so, what does that mean
for the Wizarding World? This is Rita Skeeter, your humble writer, asking, how
do you feel about all this? Is it right? What should be done about it? Someone
must be held accountable and Albus Dumbledore, our very children's own
Headmaster has done this. What else has he done that we do not know about?
What have our children been exposed to in his stead? What lies have they been
told? Should we leave our children in his not so tender care?
-Rita Skeeter
"Damn, she did a number." He jumped. "Alright, no cursing, jeez. That hurts you know."
"That's the point I thought," Darkness replied. Draco stuck his tongue out at him and Blaise zapped him again.
"Alright alright." Draco keened.
"I know how you feel. They are mean aren't they?" Shadow asked.
Draco sniffed and nodded. They just shook their heads at him. "But really. She'll start a riot with that."
"But at least people will begin questioning the old man. That was the point after all. I just don't think we expected it to be this much. Seems she doesn't like him just as much as we don't." Darkness replied.
"I agree. We may be able to step up our plans. What about the red thing?" Blaise asked.
"We'll be getting it come Yule. He's going to have a rude awakening." Shadow answered. They all smirked.
The Headmaster stood up. The entire Gryffindor table was in riots about their parents and what had happened to them. Eventually it got quiet. He told them that they were doing everything they could to take care of getting their parents out of this mess and straightening out how their parents had managed to be put under the Imperious curse. Shadow snorted at the thought. Until then, they were all to remain calm. None of the staff would look at the headmaster. They were all infuriated with him and refused to help his ploy along.
"Mr. Kuro, I wish to speak with you in my office."
They all stood and the Headmaster had to refrain from growling out at them. "Mr. Kuro, Shadow."
"No," Darkness said.
"Are you Mr. Kuro's voice?"
"I am. They are mine and as such you do not have rights to question them without my being present."
The Headmaster stared gobsmacked. He had not been prepared for that.
"We go together or we do not go at all. Your choice."
Minerva didn't even have the heart to tell the boy off for disrespect because from what she had seen the Headmaster was just as disrespectful.
"Very well, and Mr. Malfoy."
Quickly Blaise tagged his Professor to see if he could step up. He did not want his sub with that man. Severus did not believe it a good idea but in good faith could not tell him no when he knew instincts would not allow his sub to go. He would have done the same. He agreed.
"He is mine and as such the same goes that I must be present for you to question what is mine." The Headmaster stared. That he really had not expected. A Malfoy allowing someone to speak for them. Draco smirked. That ought to throw him for a loop.
"Very well." What choice did he really have. He wanted to know how the two had managed to damage most of his Order. Especially Shadow. He was not pleased with the boy. He had lost almost half of his force because of that brat.
"Please, have a seat." All refused. He wanted to scream. This was getting him nowhere. "Mr. Kuro, Shadow, can you please tell me what you did in Hogsmeade."
"I defended the school as all students should. I know how to fight so I fought. I made sure they could not harm anyone anymore. Nothing more but nothing less."
In the Great Hall whispers broke out. What did they mean by they were theirs. They didn't understand. The Slytherins just shook their heads and certain groups listened in to certain groups across the hall. The more information they had the better.
"You may wish to be ashamed Mr. Kuro that you have hurt innocent people and that they can no longer do magic. They do not have their wands nor the ability to do it as their wrists are broken and magic can not fix it."
They stared at him incredulously. "You wish me to apologize for protecting the school and the village from Deatheaters that were trying to kill people. I think not."
"Mr. Kuro these people were under a spell. They are innocent."
"Are you trying to convince me or yourself Headmaster?"
"Mr. Kuro you have crippled many a people. They deserve at the very least your compassion and sorrow for your actions."
Shadow burst out laughing. He couldn't help it or hold it in. "You are truly a daft man. I have no time for you. Our classes are about to start." He stood up and walked to the door. The Headmaster flicked his wrist and locked it. Shadow turned back around and smirked at him. "No one can get in correct?"
"Nor you get out."
"I'm not worried about that," Shadow waved it away. He drew his blade and flicked it open and tilted his head at his Dom's. They shrugged and stepped out of his way. He smirked. "You wish to see the Black Shadow in action Headmaster." He let out his vampiric persona but not his appearance. His eyes glowed red and iridescent and he towered over the Headmaster. "Are you scared yet? You should be."
He whispered something over his blade and Draco smirked. The others looked confused but both shook their head. It was a sub secret. Payback for a Dom touching them without their permission. He touched the blade to the man's cheek. The Headmaster tried to move but found that he could not. "Tsk tsk, can't having you hurt yourself more than what I want you to. This Headmaster is for the very first time I ever saw you. I didn't like you then either." He drew the blade across the man's forehead from center diagonally across to the top of his right eye. "This is for taking me from my home where I was loved." He drew the blade diagonally across the other side in mirror to the other. "This is for separating me from me from my siblings." He made a longitudal line in the center of his forehead down to the tip of his nose. "This is for leaving me with people that hated magic." He cut a line across his right cheek. "This is for the abuse I suffered at their hands." He cut a second line below the first. The Headmaster was trying in vain to call up his magic and get away from this boy and none of the others were even trying to help him. They were leaning back just watching. "This is for the abuse my siblings suffered." He gave him two cuts on the left cheek in mirror. "This is for the manipulation you have tried on mine and my brother." (The mine is Shadow, Darkness, and Midnight. The brother part is Draco and Blaise.) He cut a third line below the second on the left and then the right cheek. "This is for the pain you caused our parents." The Headmaster cried out and Shadow ignored him. He cut one mark on the front of the mans shoulder on the right and another on the left. He then cut one into each of his sides. He cut two more across the mans stomach. Then thinking of Blaise's mother added another above the one on the stomach. "This is for the innocents you have corrupted." He drew the blade down the mans left arm in a loop. The man screamed. "This is for the people you have corrupted and let be hurt." He drew the blade against the left arm. He screamed again but oh no, Shadow was not done yet. "This is for the students that have put their trust in you and you have betrayed." He cut four lines in the left arm and seven on the other. (Four for the houses, Seven for the years they are there.) The man's eyes were swimming out of focus and Shadow brought him back with a quick snap. "Tell me Headmaster, do you have anymore sins you wish to confess. I can help to cleanse them of you." The Headmaster stared at him in shock. Would the boy ever quit. No, he would tell him nothing. He tried to shake his head. "No?" "No," the man replied as Shadow had come back with the blade. He closed the blade and slid it back into his pocket. The Headmaster was petrified of the boy. "These scars will never heal. No magic will cover them. No muggle means can fix or cover them. Everywhere you go people will know what you have done. That you are a traitor, a betrayer, an abuser, a killer. (traitor-marks on forehead, betrayer-marks on arms, abuser-marks on face, killer-stomach.) You can run but you can never hide Headmaster. Those that know what these marks are for will understand their meaning. You have been tried and you have been found guilty. If you are not what you are then the marks will fade but I highly doubt that as they are all shining quite brightly. Only when you have paid for your sins will they fade, but they will always be there. There is no escape from them." The man cried. Merlin how could he have done all this.
Shadow turned to them. "Anything you wish to add?" Draco stood up and flipped out his blade and said the same spell Shadow had used. He walked up to the man and whispered in the man's ear.
"Hell hath no fury like a submissive scorned. This is for my family and everything you have done against them." He knelt and cut the man's right leg. One for himself, his Dom, his Papa, his Father, one for Pansy, and one for Millicent. He moved to the left leg. One for Shadow, one for Darkness, one for Midnight, one for Severus, Remus, Sirius, James. One for each of them. He stood up and put it away. "Never mess with my family." He turned his back on his Headmaster and went and wrapped his arms around his Dom.
Shadow added, "You have been tried and found guilty of handicapping those supposed to be protected." (The marks on his legs.) He turned his back and walked to the door. With a single touch it opened and he walked out the other's trailing after him. What the Headmaster did not know was that it was all Shadow not the Black Shadow that had been after him today. The Headmaster had not even begun to fear. The doors swung shut behind them locking the Headmaster in for the night, there was no way for him to use his magic in the state he was in. When they were halfway down Midnight wrapped his arm around Shadow's waist.
"You did what was right. He needed to be tried and he has wronged many and been found guilty by vampiric laws. Do not let yourself worry about him any longer. Put him from your mind." He could take this from Midnight because he was not a vampire. The other three knew exactly what he had done. Midnight knew what they meant and what the locations meant but he did not completely understand the severity of what Shadow had just done. Shadow looked to Draco who was still wrapped around Blaise but Draco looked up at him.
"I am a dragon, a protector, I had to mark him, I could not let myself leave him without it." Shadow nodded and then he slid from Blaise and they wrapped arms around each other. They let Midnight herd them forward but their Dom's understood. They needed the time to come to terms with it. They went to Sev's quarters and all climbed in his bed and snuggled down. Darkness held Midnight, whom held Shadow, who was latched to Draco as he was to Shadow, and Blaise curled up around his sub. When Severus finally found them he left them to sleep. They looked as if they needed it and truthfully, they did. They just needed time to be away from it all.
A/N. Wow, again totally not planned. I had expected them to get the stone this chap and go home for Christmas/Yule. Oops. Next chap maybe. Sorry for the long as hell wait. Been busy and technically not supposed to be on the computer.