Weapon

Thank you to those who remembered this, and thank you for reading again.

------------------------------
Weapon (Possession Chapter XC)
Chapter XXXIX – Alliance
------------------------------

Voldemort stood in his stronghold. There was something wrong. It was subtle but there was something off in the feeling.

He was in the lower levels because he had wanted to check on the prisoners. He'd been neglecting them but the Dementors were well trained and he was sure he'd feed the lethifold last spring so it should be okay. But while he was sure they were still suffering sometimes you needed a personal touch.

The Dementors had not come to greet him though which was just adding to the feeling of wrongness.

:You have a guest waiting for you on the upper levels,: the shadows whispered to him, flickering visibly, although they sounded amused. :We will play along for this.:

"Play?"

:You will see.:

"I will, will I?" he asked as he apparated to the throne room.

He appeared on the dais where Nangini was coiled. The sense of presence was immediate and red eyes looked over to see two beings standing in the centre of the room. Nangini hissed softly at him, her tongue sampling the air. %Vampires.%

%I know,% he murmured back, examining his guests as the shadows flickered, laughing soundlessly.

:Guests,: he thought towards them, knowing they'd hear if it so suited them.

One of his guests was smaller than the other and radiated presence but he could tell they were restraining themselves. They were both female and pale as to be expected but he felt that he'd seen one of them before. He sat as Nangini tightened her coils around the throne.

"Welcome."

"I must apologise for intruding," the smaller one said, conversationally, "but I wasn't sure when you'd return."

The Dark Lord waved away the apology. He would have killed any normal vampire by now for Xeoaph's trangressions but that one didn't feel normal and he knew power when he felt it. This was worth playing out. "So what do I owe the pleasure?"

The smaller one smiled. "I understand you've had... what is the phrase... ah yes... a spot of bother with one of my children."

Red eyes narrowed and Voldemort allowed his aura to pulse equally with her own. "Your childe?"

"One of the more impetuous ones, Xeoaph."

"You are Xeoaph's Sire?" The vampire before him potentially had the power but... that they should be here... that they should be before him... that they should be alive... the co-incidence... the chance... fate... whatever you called it did not seem possible.

:It is true.:

"Ah, I see you have just had it confirmed."

"You must admit, at this stage it is something that does require confirmation. So what can I do for you?"

"I think it's more what I can do for you."

"You could do a great deal for me, I'm sure but I am not sure I could afford your price."

She smiled. "I'll call it a public service in exchange for a little information. Our kind should not interfere with each other, and while I understand his reasoning, I cannot agree with his actions, especially not with the Ministry. And so... I am here."

"What sort of information?"

"Just a few questions about your unique allies, and in exchange for that, I'll order him to heel. These may seem weak reasons, I appreciate that but when you are as old as I, it is the game that is more enjoyable than the actions."

Voldemort returned her smile. "Tempting," he said before looking at Nangini. >Truth?<

Her tongue flickered but she didn't answer immediately. >I think so,< cam the final deliberation. >She is too controlled.<

"I learnt how to fool serpents in Egypt, Dark lord," the ancient vampire said, amused. "You are going to have to take my word for it if your allies can't say... although should you accept this, 'Bella will call you Master."

The other vampire hissed but showed no other reaction but Voldemort could sense the loathing they felt for him. So he would gain a vampire servant who hated him but could do nothing against him and Xeoaph's Sire all for some information. It seemed too good to be true.

:She's playing... she desperately wants that information.:

:So she will not honour her word?:

:No, once she agrees to this, she will have no choice. She's playing at something else. You might as well do it. This will be fun.:

"They are agreeable." Voldemort said after a long silence, one that the Vampire Elder used merely to examine him as he thought.

"Then I think we can work together."

"So it would seem... Although, it is amusing. I do recall a thought to kill the next vampire who came across me, unless it was Xeoaph's Sire. This is a most unexpected but appreciated boon." He rose and stepped forward, coming to stand before the ancient vampire and while he was taller, she had such a sense of presence that the height difference was not apparent. "We will need to work out the specific details but I believe we have a general agreement. Shall we move somewhere more comfortable than a drafty room do discuss this?"

"You are forward!" She appeared interested beneath the amusement.

"Ah, not like that, I have a mate," He said to clarify. "But perhaps I can offer you some refreshment and you might see some of the abilities of my allies, which I'm sure will answer some of your questions."

"It's fine child," she said easily, filing away several points of information for later contemplation. "I doubt you could satisfy me, although I am interested in your allies. It has been many years since they moved and I am interested in seeing how they are." She began moving with him, towards the door.

"No," the voice was sullen but once again it sparked recognition in the Dark Lord. Voldemort drew back slightly, narrowing his eyes as he watched the interaction between elder and child, trying to recall where he had seen 'Bella.

Vampiric eyes burned and the Dark Lord felt the pull of power with a start. It was not directed towards him but Xeoaph's blood within him reacted to the power of the vampiric sire. That was something he would have to counteract and soon. It did answer one question though. She was a vampire elder but she was the vampire who has created Xeoaph. The blood pull confirmed it.

'Bella though was far more effected. She trembled, her hands balling into fists as she struggled against the power pushing against her. Tears formed in her eyes and rolled down her cheeks, mingling with sweat and even though her teeth were gritted, she was panting with effort. "No," she choked out. "I can't. I won't serve him."

Voldemort's lips creased as he realised where he had seen 'Bella before. So Xeoaph and his Sire thought they could trap him? He could take what she offered though and he would give her the answers she wanted because she, like Dumbledore, would learn that his victory was inevitable. "The Auror," he said quietly, bringing their attention back to him.

"I said I would never serve you," the vampire who had been Arabella Figg hissed at him.

"And I said I didn't want you," he responded mildly. "That was true then, it is true now but since your master has gifted you to me, I should make you useful." He reached out, using his power to hold her still as he brushed his long fingers over her face. "And I will make you useful," he murmured before he snapped his fingers, casting a strong sleeping charm. :A favour?: he asked mentally.

:What?:

:Take her to a guest room?:

:If you feed us.:

:Agreed.:

The shadows moved to catch the now bespelled vampire, pouring forth from Voldemort's robes and the surrounds as Xeoaph's Sire watched. They surrendered Arabella completely, looking almost like they were smothering her, before they vanished.

"Interesting," she said.

"Aren't they?" Voldemort asked easily, casually.

"Indeed. But I am interested in knowing more."

"And you shall, although... it is remiss for me not to have inquired earlier but what is your name, my dear?"

She was not offended at the question but rather surprised that it had taken so long. "I have been known by many names, just as the same as most creatures of power or age have tended to be. For now, I am called Kisha."

"Well then, my Lady Kisha, shall we see about that food?"

---

It was an unusual experience to walk thought the levels of his stronghold with a vampire elder in tow but it was also a situation he was finding most interesting. He didn't trust Kisha of course. Her reasons were weak and the gift of Arabella screamed of deciept but he could use her.

It was just a matter of who found the other less useful first. They would both pretend this wasn't the case and would work together until that time came and then it was a matter of who would damage the other the most. It was a risk he was prepared to take simply for the joy of seeing Xeoaph's face as he was ordered to obey.

They were entering the lower levels now and the chill of Dementors was strong as was the stench from the prisoners.

"This way," he prompted as Kisha paused, sampling the air.

"You have muggles?" she questioned.

"They are my mates," he said, continuing down the corridor that housed the Lucius Rebels.

:We want these two,: the shadows prompted him at one of the cells.

Voldemort extended his senses and smiled softly at shadow's choice – Crabbe and Goyle.

Kisha came up behind him and he turned to her. "You don't trust me," she accused.

"You don't trust me," Voldemort replied. "You wouldn't be here otherwise but we can still work together. There are things I will not tell you just as there are things you aren't going to tell me." Red eyes seemed to glow in the darkness. "This is an agreement of convenience but we will both benefit."

"Good," Kisha purred. "You understand. So many Dark Lord's do not understand but you are different. Perhaps that is why Xeoaph feels threatened. For now though, Lord Voldemort, I think you for the meal and I will not kill them but I would like to discuss the shadows after I have eaten so that we may truly define our agreement."

---

Narcissa looked on as Draco practiced the charms she had shown him. He was still though, only using the power of a wizard. His power was increasing but he had yet to access his tenshi heritage. It was there, she could almost see it hovering behind him but the two dilutions of human blood were shielding it. It was times like that she almost resented her human father and her son's sire, Lucius but then she remembered that they were the fittest of wizards and of the line of Slytherin. There was no one else who could have sired either herself or her son, not unless they had been born pure.

Although his skills and knowledge was increasing the purely human rise in physical power was troubling. It was time to try something new to bring out his true power.

"Stop," she commanded, rising from her watching place.

Draco truncated his wand movements, bringing the energy of the charm he had been casting back into himself with a smooth flow, smiling as he felt energized.

She nodded approvingly. Yes, he was definitely improving and the constant practice with his weapons master had enhanced his body and muscle ton nicely. He was still lither but now was covering in wry muscles and combined with his grew eyes and blond hair he was as attractive as his father had been.

"Take off your shirt," she said and he complied easily. He had been embarrassed at such minimal exposure at first but had become accustomed to it.

She ran light fingers over his shoulder blades, as she embraced him. "We will try something new to bring out your wings," Narcissa said, leaning forward to rest her forehead on Draco's.

She had become a lot more intimate with her son during training. Not sexually. Lucius... Lucius still held her regard in that respect by they had become much closer. With a soft sigh she summoned her own wings, letting them warp around them both like a curtain.

Draco didn't miss the power rise within her and smiled. "I'll never get tired of that," he said reaching out to brush one.

Narcissa returned his smile and extended her magic with her wings. She let it brush up against and into Draco's mingling with his own. There was a brief sense of duality but as she closed her eyes it passed and she was looking through her son's eyes.

She could sense his power as if it were her own and she began meshing the two steams together. :See here,: she said mentally, showing Draco the paths of her own magic and how they over laid with his, showing him how to travel along them drawing forth his energy.

She had focused on this because wings on a tenshi were not random bits of flesh, they were a part of magic. They were thought of as symbolic but they formed an interface between magic and the world, especially when a tenshi was in the corporal world. They were one of the reasons no mere human could hope to stand against a tenshi and so Draco needed to be able to bring forth his to truly harness power. Even as a quarterling he would match the Serpent Lord who, while merely a wizard was formidable. She admitted that. It would be foolishness to be deluded in that.

:Here, and here, connect them all, and then feel your wings forming behind you. Feel them rise up and unfurl, the wind on each feather. Feel the power flow around them and then into them.: She watched, mentally guiding Draco as he linked the places that she had shown hm, and then she pulled her wings back as his materialised behind him.

Her power though was still linked with his and she clamped down on the power flows, as it became obvious that the gateways were open.

:Here and here,: she said urgently, catching Draco as he stumbled, his power syphoning out of him.

Her grey eyed son managed to raise himself up slightly and close the gate ways before he collapsed entirely, the pure white wings on his back disappearing in a flurry of feathers as the power flows returned to mere human levels. There was a soft smile on his face from success.

Narcissa lay Draco down, summoning a cushion to form a pillow before she picked up the single feather that had remained. Already it was turning black as it lost power and eventually it would crumble into nothingness. She returned to her chair, pushing a minuscule amount of power into the feather to preserve it.

Her son had manifested his wings but that had not been right. He was exhausted now and would require quite a bit of rest before he could try again and that wasn't what was meant to happen...

He had understood the process but the gates to allow the magical energy into him had been opened the wrong way and his energy had flowed out, hence his exhaustion. It was somewhat of a miracle that he had been able to show his wings like that but she supposed it was something that was instinctual, and protective, manifesting power in an attempt to equalise the differences between the sides of the gateways. She turned eyes that saw magic to her soon. His energy flows were back to normal although they were dulled somewhat with fatigue. His back was agitated but that was to be expected but so far there was no reason why the gates should have been opened the other way... Wait... she frowned.

There had been a swirl of intense yellow energy. He son's power signature was yellow but this was darker... this was something external trying to hide as his power.

She continued watching, rolling the feather back and forth between her fingers.

There it was again.

Narcissa smiled, sending out a lash of her magic to grab it. If had of truly been a part of Draco it simply would have faded into his being, it wouldn't have been this strong because it too would be exhausted. It stood out because it was not a part of him but it struggled under her grip. It wasn't enough to turn the gates around though and she signed as she realised what had probably caused that.

Mirror imaging.

Draco had been watching her and probably copied the way her gateways had been opened without realising he had to reverse it. It would be better next time though... he still didn't quite have the power yet to complete the transformation himself but he had drawn upon hers slightly. He was nearly there though. With a little more conditioning he would be capable.

As for this little bit of energy... She ripped away it's camouflaging skin and shrank back but kept her grip on it as it almost seemed to blink up at her, inky black against the glow of yellow. It was shower power. Ollivander's voice drifted to her, 'They have an interest in him now.'

"No," Narcissa whispered the denial, pulling at the energy.

As she pulled, the tie backs into Draco's energy became visible and she could see how deeply it had embedded itself. It was both superficial and very deepm and seemed to have woven itself through him. It wasn't hindering or enhancing his magical ability, it wasn't doing much for something that was set up that extensively.

She wasn't sure what it was doing but it had to go. She could not allow Draco to be under any external charm or curse. The Halfling tenshi formed a second power lash, one that was almost a knife and cut at one of the tie backs.

It snapped easily beneath her power but as it faded from existence Draco jerked, gasping before he calmed. Narcissa's eyes widened and she looked back at the energy within her grasp. It was no longer just looking at her but seemed smug. It was assuring of it's own power against her.

She felt a spike on anger towards it and lashed at some more of the tie backs. For each one that broke Draco's body jerked again and as she continued to cut his breathing became laboured. It was his gasping that brought her anger back under control.

Draco was scrambling now, clawing at his throat and the damnable energy was just watching dispassionately.

Her eyes burned and her power whipped around her as she released the crude but effective thread it had imposed.

Narcissa snarled, the noise animalistic and not like her as she released the energy. It settled back into Draco and there was a confused writhing as it re-established the cut tie backs before it once again resumed it's camouflage and then vanished from her gaze. It had the good taste though not to give a sense of victory probably because it knew the battle was far from over.

As she shifted her eyes again, she looked back at Draco. He was resting peacefully now, the only indication of discomfort coming from his mussed hair. Narcissa signed, returning to human form.

The charm had obviously been cast by the Shadow Lord themselves and was very powerful but it was still subject to the weakness most things were. Draco could remove it himself and while it might make him uncomfortable it could not effect him to the extent it had today because he would be guarding against it. But she had to make him aware of it and then he would need to know why it was there in the first place.

Narcissa rose, moving towards the window and looked out at the well manicured gardens of the Malfoy Manner. They had a ways to catch up on but they were moving and they would yet reach the point where the Dark Lord, Dumbledore and the Ministry, everyone would know their power.

Ollivander was wrong. Draco did deserve and would have the world. No one could stop them, not even with the little frustrating charms because in the end, no one would have the power. It was just a matter of time.

It was just his destiny.

-------------------------------
-------------------------------