Under The Midnight Sky

Marquis sat in the library, spread out on one of the many couches there. He was reading one of his favorite books, not at all looking like the ruler he was. He heard the sound of footsteps heading his direction. He did not want to be bothered, he just wanted to relax. He knew that he would not be able to relax for long. Those moments were few and far in between. He listened as three different sets of footsteps came closer to him. It had been three weeks since he had company and since then more clan members had arrived. There were still a few families who had yet to report in. He turned the page, nearing the end of the chapter, just as the three people had stopped right before him. He kept on reading even as his guests became impatient with him. He smirked as they began to fidget before the couch. He continued his silence as the book drew him in further. He did not want to put the book down and deal with the new problems at hand. As he finished the last of the chapter, he felt another presences enter the room. He smirked when his guests stiffened at the fourth person. He knew who it was without needed to look up. He sighed as he finished the chapter. Taking his time, he marked his spot in the book and set it aside. He finally stood up and acknowledged his guests.
“Do not be alarmed by my bodyguard. This is Damien. Come, this way.” Marquis said as he led the group out of the library and down the hall a way. He opened a door on the right to reveal his study. He sat behind his desk and moved some maps of the countryside around. Damien stood quietly behind him as the other guard stood just outside the room if needed. He waited for the first person to speak.

“Sorry it took so long to get back with you but he did not call a meeting until recently.” Lucius began to explain.
“So what are his plans as of now?” Marquis asked.
“He is trying to recruit new followers but he has made to restrictions harsher. They have to be valuable allies and skilled in certain areas. He has everyone undergoing a special training program to become stronger. Not to mention he has begun to enter into magical creatures affairs. “Severus explained.
“Why would he do that?”
“Apparently, he wants to uncover the truth to all of this madness, the truth behind the war. He feels as if the war started for no reason at all. You remember how he was making the laws to improve our society. Make it easier to accept the mudbloods and half bloods. He was even working on improving the lives of magical creatures. Then everything went wrong and you know the rest.” Lucius said.
“Unfortunately, I only knew about some of the things he was up to. I had been left out of the loop as soon as he began making those changes. Now he has an interest in creature affairs. Does that include mine?”
“Yes. Although he does not know you are the leader among your kind. He, like everyone else, believes that the clans are scattered and answer to their own leader. They do not yet know that the clans have come together to form their own society under one leadership. He is trying to get in touch with the different clans but has not made any effort yet. He is negotiating treaties with other creatures first. He seems to be afraid of the clans over what had occurred the last time he had a deal with them.”Lucius said.
Marquis had much to think about. There were more questions than answers. One of those questions being the whole reason behind such a pointless war. He finally asked the one question he wanted to know about. “What was his reply to my message?” He directed his question to Severus as he watched the man begin to squirm in his chair.
“Well…” he started.

Flashback:
Severus had just arrived in time for the start of the meeting. Things were not going so good on their searches. No one could do as they were told and punishments were being handed out. Treaties were not going as planned. Always someone wanted more than what could be promised. At least the special training was going as planned. Ever since he had successfully recruited a top notched duelist, his followers were faring better than ever before. The problem now resided in the research side of things. He just about had the entire ministry secretly working for him but he had to find the answers he sought before anything more could be done. There was an uncomfortable stalemate on both sides as his enemies tried there hardest to uncover what he was planning.
Severus became nervous as it came closer to his turn. The mood was mixed between good and bad. He was unsure of what the mood would be as he calmed himself down.
“There better be something better to report from you than anyone here has been able to do so far.” Voldemort said as his eyes glared at the potion master.
“I have nothing to report from Dumbledore. All they are trying to do is guess your next moved and stop it. I have made false reports and then blaming them on my lack of knowledge as being one under suspension.” Severus said. He watched as Voldemort became angrier at the lack of information and was about to make his anger known before Severus quickly continued. “However, I have made contact with someone who was once an ally of yours. This person has wishes to meet with you.”
“What is this ally’s name? Maybe I do not remember them or they are lying to you.” Voldemort said lowering his wand a little.
“They did not want me to give a name just something I think you should open in private.” Severus said.
Voldemort became suspicious at the request. “Let me have it here. There is nothing to keep hidden. If this person is an ally then there should be no reason to open the gift in private.” Voldemort stated, leaving no room for argument.
Severus cautiously took out the rectangular gift and slid it across the long table to Voldemort. Voldemort quickly snatched up the gift and opened the lid. His mouth dropped open as he lifted the pendant necklace out of the box. It was one he had seen very often in his past. The very one he had lost all hope of ever seeing again. The pendant was that of a Celtic design that stood for protection. It was large enough for all to see yet not overwhelming large. He sat the box down as he stared at the pendant. He only knew of one person who wore such a pendant. His gaze never left the pendant as he asked, “When? Where?”
“I am to report back with your answer for when. As for where, I was told that as soon as a time was set, the pendant would act as a portkey to the location but the pendant has to be returned when you arrive. The location is to be kept secret.” Severus said aware of all the eyes upon him and Voldemort wondering who this new ally was.
“Everyone leave us.” Voldemort nearly shouted as he realized the rest of his followers watching closely. Everyone quickly left as fast as they could until only Severus and Voldemort were left. “How?”
“I do not know. That would be between you two.” Severus said calmly as he watched the dark lord’s expression.
“Leave for now but stay in the manor. I will give you my answer tomorrow.”
Severus nodded as he stood to leave. He made his way slowly to the door without being noticed. He heard a soft word, “Marquis” Just before he opened the door and left.
End flashback:

Severus crossed his arms as he finished his tell. He watched Marquis’s face closely for any troubled signs. He knew that the two were going to be putting a lot of strain on one another. He did not want to be in the cross fires when it happened. However, he did not tell everything. He left out the replied answer as to when the two would meet. He watched as Marquis took in all he had said and what was left unsaid.
“When did he say he would arrive?” Marquis asked leaning against the desk. His face held a mask on indifference but Severus knew he was anticipating the arrival.
“He came with me. He said he did not want to wait any longer and arrived when I did. I could not talk him out of it.” Severus said.
“What! Where is he? I did not want Hyacintha meeting him just yet! She is already getting harder to control.” Marquis fumed as he rushed out of the door and down the hall. Everyone quickly followed after him as Lucius glared at Severus. Severus just ducked his head as he quickened his pace. He knew he would pay for not informing Lucius. He and Lucius had agreed to arrive separately and had only just met up in the hall outside the library. The group came to a halt when they saw Hyacintha attacking one very angry Dark Lord.
Hyacintha and Auaraya were running down the hall for the front door. They were trying to escape the wrath of a now very mad clan member. They had not meant to cause any trouble when they paid a visit to a new couple. What they did not expect to find was a newly turned clan member in the midst of a rage. The newbie had lost control the minute Hyacintha’s father’s guests had arrived. The girls had decided to set the newbie lose in the castle. What no one expected was for the rage to go so far as to attack any who approached. They slide to a stop when they felt that they were far enough away and began to laugh. Once they regained their breathing, Hyacintha smirked at her friend and bodyguard as she held up a tube of dark red paint and brushes.
“What are those for?” Auaraya asked carefully.
“Well, I thought the ritual room and meeting room should match. Maybe or switched around.” Hyacintha said as she led the way to the very first room of the castle. Many felt the manor resembled a castle than a home and had been named as such. There were more than enough rooms or suits for the clans and guests. Each room was large and was decorated according to the group residing in it. The only exceptions were the meeting rooms, ritual room, and the annual ball room that were designed by the clan elders and council. Hyacintha opened the meeting room and stepped inside. She frowned when she glanced at the old furniture sitting about in the room. The room looked as if the place had not been used in years. She knew their clan had abandoned the castle but did not know for how long. Clan members were trying to update the castle since they arrived but no one dared to touch the three front rooms including the entrance hall where guests awaited to be seen. Auaraya entered behind her and closed the door.
“You know I’ve been thinking.” Auaraya began.
“Really? That’s a first, and no smoke coming from your ears. Are you sure you are thinking?” Hyacintha teased her friend.
“Shut up.” Auaraya said playfully. It was rare anymore when the girls had some fun. With constant moving, and always looking over their shoulder, they had even rarer moments when they could just act their age. It felt good to let warriors of the clan take care of the protecting. They felt safe among their own.
“So, what were you going to say?” Hyacintha asked as she used her magic to move old furniture out of their way and against the wall.
“That we could redecorate the room. You know, with new furniture. I have my mom’s home magazine that we could look through.” Auaraya said as she sat in the middle of the now empty room and spread out a magazine. Hyacintha sat beside of her as their magic worked on cleaning the room. Neither girl realized just how quickly the room was cleared and cleaned. They knew they were powerful but did not know just by how much. They never had to concentrate on what they wanted. They just thought it and their magic did the rest. Combined, the girls were unstoppable. There were no teachers left to teach them anything. The girls began to select the different tables and chairs and decorations that they felt would do well in the room. When they were finished looking through the magazine, they began painting an elaborate design on the floor. The design was often found on the common pendants the clan wore. It took up the entire room. Little did the girls know that as they painted, the furniture they had picked out began to appear in the room.
It took them a while to finish the floor before they decided to paint the walls as well. Only this time, the walls were painted with the symbol of each of the seven clans. Their final piece would be the ceiling with the symbol of all the clans coming together. When they finally finished, they were starved. They looked around the newly done room and smiled. The furniture matched perfectly. The deep browns of woods set well against the red paintings. As the dark drapes set the mood of the room. Sunlight could not get in but yet left a comforting feeling to the room. The dark wooden table sat perfectly in the middle of the room as several comforting chairs were placed around the table. There were more chairs off against the walls just in case they were needed. A huge portrait hung high above the head of the table. The portrait was that of Hyacintha’s father, the head of the vampire society.
It was just as they were cleaning up when Hyacintha stopped and stared at the door. Her eyes turning as her fangs extended. She crouched low and hissed at her friend.
“There is an intruder.” Hyacintha said just as Auaraya came up beside of her.
“Maybe it is the other friend of your fathers.” Auaraya said as she tried to stay the calmer of the two. She knew if her friend lost control, she was the only one able to stop her.
“No it isn’t.” she hissed as she took off quicker than the blink of an eye. Auaraya chased after her friend but was too late when she reached the door.
Auaraya gazed at the scene that she discovered as she entered the entrance hall. Hyacintha attacked the tall figure. Her claws and fangs had extended as she slashed at the figure. The figure tried to fight back but Hyacintha was too fast. She watched as the figure began to pull something out of its robe. Auaraya quickly realized what it was and yelled at her friend.
“Watch out! He is one of them!” Auaraya said as she tried to make her way to help her friend. Between the two of them, they were able to overcome the intruder and knock him off his feet. Auaraya pulled back just as she heard several others come from behind them. She glanced behind her and her eyes widened. There behind them was Hyacintha’s father, the head bodyguard, and the two guests. All of them came to a stop when they saw what was going on. Auaraya quickly looked back to Hyacintha wondering why no one was going to help them. She heard Marquis yell just as Hyacintha was inches away from the intruder’s neck.
“That is enough! Hyacintha back off!” Marquis yelled as he made his way to his daughter. He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her away from the fallen figure. When she was a safe distance away, the intruder quickly stood up and pulled off his hood.
“Is that how a guest is treated?! You invite me here just t be attacked by a wild young girl!” the guest said. Auaraya stared that the man as her eyes widened. She had seen pictures in the papers and in old books but she was unsure if who she was seeing was real.
“Is that who I think it is?” she asked quietly.
“Yes, this is the Dark Lord, Voldemort. I have invited him here but was not expecting him so soon.” Marquis replied as he kept a tight hold of Hyacintha. Hyacintha was being to calm down some. “She did not know who you were. She lost control of her instincts and attacked an unknown scent. You should give her some credit for taking down the dark lord.” He smirked at Voldemort.
Voldemort’s gaze found the eyes he had believed were lost to him. He began to approach slowly, keeping his gaze with Marquis’s. Hyacintha slipped out of her father’s loosened grip and glared at the new guest. She could feel that it was one of them and could not see why her father kept them as allies. She tried to back out of the room but was caught by the arm. Her father held her in place as he finally looked to her.
“You own him an apology. You should not attack everyone who steps foot in…” Marquis’s voice trailed off as he noticed the red paint on her figures. He would have guess blood but knew she did not draw any. He took hold of Auaraya and looked at her hands. They were covered in paint. “What were you two up to?” he asked.
“They came from that room and attacked me!” Voldemort said as he pointed to the nearby room to his left, Marquis’s right.
“You know that room is forbidden to you.” Marquis said.
“I could always punish them for you.” Voldemort smirked as he pointed his wand at Hyacintha. Marquis growled at Voldemort and placed himself in front of his daughter. They had too many to attack them not to see the danger that could await them.
“No I can take care of it myself. Hyacintha, Auaraya, go to the kitchen and feed. After that you two are going to help clean up the mess you made earlier concerning a newbie.” Marquis said without taking his eyes from Voldemort.
“But Father…” Hyacintha begin. Voldemort’s eyes widened as he lowered his wand. He glanced between father and daughter not quite sure what to think of it. He watched as Hyacintha just rolled her eyes and walked away with her friend. He kept his gaze on Marquis wanting some answers.
“Who?” was all Voldemort could get out.
“You heard right. She is my daughter. “Marquis sighed.
“Is that where you have been all these years? Alive and with a daughter?” Voldemort asked.
“Let us take this somewhere else and talk.” Marquis said as he led the way to study once more.