The Snake's Clan

Summary: When long ago, Salazar created the Slytherin house and put himself on its throne, he never thought that, one day, the Snake could evolve and the crawling lord mute into the sky sovereign, the one and only Dragon. DM/HP, LM/SS, RW/HG

Friday, October the 30th

The sun was rising above the hills of the forbidden forest. Severus Snape had been rudely woken by a nightmare, alone. Surely Draco had gone back to his room; still, he felt frustrated at the empty place in his bed. What was also frustrating was both the attraction and fear he felt for the boy; sure, Draco reminded Severus of Lucius who always had a great ascendancy on him, but the power the young man radiated these last days wasn't his usual standard: it was dominating and frightening. There was no doubt left in his mind about Draco's kingship. This night was the night he was going to bow to him, but before that, he was to see Lucius. Could his lover of twenty years ever forgive him, or had he decided to kill him?

Severus' peregrinations in the castle had brought him in front of the headmaster's office. He quickly muttered the password, went up the stairs and waited, watching the man. Dumbledore finished reading some paper at his desk, signed it, and finally acknowledged his professor.

"What may I do for you Severus?" His voice was kind and warm, but slightly uncertain. His friend's and Draco's words some days ago had shaken him. He recognised he had used Snape, but didn't mean him to get hurt and regretted his harsh outburst. The potion's master had sacrificed everything in this war, and if he could repay him, he would; if only Severus could forgive him.

"I'd like to have my evening off."

Dumbledore watched him for a while, "Where would you go?"

Severus snapped at the question and glared at Albus, who flinched unnoticeably at the hate in the look.

"That is private."

"Of course. You may have it."

"Thank you."

Dumbledore watched Severus quickly walk away. 'He said he went back to where he belonged. Surely he'd pay Lucius Malfoy a visit sooner or later. It seems the day has arrived. And what to say about this agitation in Slytherin's lower years portraits reported? And the numerous authorisations of their parents for them to be out this night... here, one comes again.' He thought when an owl perched itself on his window. 'It looks like all of them will be out tonight. No wonder where. Albus, my old friend, a big event will occur this night at Malfoy Manor, and you must not miss it under any circumstances.'

- - - - - -

Severus had gone back to the dungeons, hoping he could talk to Draco. As he entered the seventh year boys' dormitory, he found them conversing with professor Cast. What was with this man for Draco to have such confidence in him? He knew things only someone who lived long in the castle could know, but still, he seemed in his young thirties, and couldn't have been a student, for Severus would remember him. There was a mystery there, just under his nose, and he didn't like it.

Draco looked up, "Severus, we were waiting for you. Sit!" he ordered as he transfigured a chair.

"Soon, Dumbledore will have received every Slytherin's letter. Severus, I believe he agreed to you out this night? Yes, so that let you, Atus. You're a second hand teacher and have no need of his agreement, still, you'll let him know you're out only minutes before going. By the way, your brother told me some really interesting facts. We'll have to talk about it. Crabbe and Goyle, you'll take the first to third years with you at eight and a half. Blaise, I'll let you the fourth to seventh years boys and you'll tell Pansy to watch over the girls; you'll go at nine. If there is any problem at the Manor, ask the Baron, he's already there. Severus, there is a change: you'll go alone at nine and a half, my father will be waiting for you in the library. Then the ceremony shall begin."

"When will you arrive?" Inquired Blaise.

"Surely at nine too, but I may be late. A surprise is not to be rushed." Draco and Blaise smirked a knowing smile.

They all proceeded to breakfast.

Blaise observed the smile Potter flashed Draco as they entered the Great Hall. He had warned him against making any move, still he had to let it pass: orders of the boss. What could his lord be plotting with the little Gryffindor? Surely he did not think of an alliance, the Clan was powered enough on its own. So what... Love? He was not sure Draco was capable of love; still, the past year, he never thought Draco could be the Heir. Malfoy who couldn't win a quidditch game against Potter, Malfoy who was ridiculed so many times by the Trio, Malfoy whose father was on the edge of Azkaban; he'd finally overpowered them all: Gryffindors, Ministry, and Dumbledore. They were all behind him at this moment. And this night, the first ceremony since fifty years ago would echo in Malfoy Manor, and Draco be sealed forever as Slytherin's Heir.

- - - - - - - -

The night had been restless for Harry, as he took new resolutions. Draco had allowed him to see his weaknesses and the Gryffindor intended to make good use of this help.

He'd made an error by thinking Dumbledore invulnerable, and many had been put at risk for it. Nevertheless, he had no right to blame the headmaster for that: the man had fight Voldemort for almost fifty years, no wonder he let his defences down sometimes. They had to fight united and Harry had to remember Dumbledore was someone he could trust. That was simple.

His parents had died to protect him, his godfather was missing and probably dead, Gryffindors and the world counted on him, and Draco, his Draco fought on his side. Maybe he went to his death, but before he let himself be killed, he'll make sure of Voldemort having a run for his money.

Ron woke to see Harry's bed empty. He quickly dressed and went to the common room, only to find Hermione, a little smile on her lips, eyeing their friend. The young man was staring at the fire, a gleam in the eye, and turned towards them, "Let's go and eat".

And as the three of them marched to the Great Hall, a single thought was is Ron's mind : "Our Harry is back!"

Harry took a seat at the Gryffindor table and, quickly spotting his favourite jam, began eating. As he was about to gobble up a full spoon of it, he registered Draco entering the Hall, and flashed him a radiant smile, 'yes, Draco, your career of heart-breaker comes to an end. Soon, you'll be mine, and for good.'

The day passed as it came: the students' concentration went decreasing with the hours. Everyone thought of Saturday's feast for Halloween. Everyone? No. Ron was worrying over his little sister, whose head has begun aching some days ago and wouldn't stop, even with all of the potions Madame Pomfrey had given her.

She hadn't shown up at dinner and Neville had come and search for Dumbledore in the middle of it : Ginny had locked herself in her room and refused to go out, saying she'd hurt someone. Forcing open the door, they had discovered her unconscious.

Madame Pomfrey examined Ginny's body silently for minutes; minutes which were torture for the four friends. Finally, the mediwitch got up and asked for Professors Snape and Cast. She suspected young miss Weasley had been had been cast a shadow mind curse upon but this part of psychic magic being little known to her, she needed the assistance of dark magic and maledictions' specialists.

Some time later, the two men entered the room. A flash of worry passed Atus' eyes as he saw Ginny and a hint of hurt in Dumbledore's, at Severus's act of indifference.

The professors came near the lying body and Cast took Ginny's hand as Snape sprinkled drops of a potion he'd brought with him on her forehead. As soon as the liquid touched her skin, it vanished into a black smoke. Atus and Severus eyed each other, talking incoherent isolated words the four students couldn't made out. As by mutual agreement, Professor Snape finally raised his voice :

"It appears Mrs Weasley has been touched by a dark being, probably a beast from the forbidden forest, but it seems suspicious she'd have been able to come back into the castle. We rather think of a dark spirit that would have got out of the forest and cast a dark mind curse on her during her sleep. Why her, though, and not one of her roommates ? It may be due to her lack of defensive magic since her possession in her first year, but another theory would be that the beast was manipulated by a more powerful mind. Considering how to save her, only one person ever survived to an encounter with a dark spirit, and he'd been cured by a magus; but since every known magus has been put into Azkaban fifteen years ago, charged with use of dark curses by Mr Weasley, and died there; I doubt they'll be very inclined into coming back from the dead to help his daughter. Meanwhile..."

"Would that kill you not to tell jokes when Gryffindors have important problems ?" Cut Harry, seconded by Ron, who seemed ready to kill Snape. Severus eyed the Gryffindors as he would watching despicable insects before crushing them. "Well. Since I'm not able to restrain myself from 'telling jokes' in the middle of 'important' conversations, I guess I'll leave you with more serious people to debate on the problem."

When he was gone, professor Cast sighed, "Harry, magus are dark druids, they really are able to come from the dead and help the living."

Harry was stunned and Ron muttered a "oh shit!" which was frowned upon by Madame Pomfrey. Hermione made to run into the corridor and catch back Snape but Cast stopped her, "There is no use, he was to leave for the evening immediately after we had resolved this problem. Since you curtailed our need of him in this affair, he should already be gone."

"What was so important for Severus to go out of the castle without giving notice of it?" Asked Madame Pomfrey, having not been informed by the headmaster. As a member of the Order of the Phoenix, she was aware of Snape being a spy, and was generally warned before he had to go, for he might need immediate assistance when coming back: Voldemort was not someone one was eager to pay a visit to.

"He talked about a baptism," Said Atus.

"Harry," interrupted Dumbledore, "I suggest you go and search for Mr Malfoy before he also disappears."

The Gryffindor ran through the door.

"Headmaster, how can Malfoy be of any help?" Inquired Neville.

"Because we need information that only a dark wizard knows of."

"But Malfoy isn't a death eater?!" Remembered Ron.

"Still he's a user of dark magic. He should know what we need..."

Nevertheless, five minutes later, Harry came back empty-handed, "They've all disappeared! The Slytherin's Dungeons are empty!"

Every person in the room then eyed Dumbledore, expecting him to explain all mysteries. Finally he talked, "Now has come the time to reveal to you what is happening in Hogwarts."

He took a seat, indicating at them to do the same.

"When Salazar Slytherin was still alive, and the school already created, he noticed his students were rejected by the other houses, due to their ambition, but also lack of sociability. If he admired such eagerness and cunning in one's personality, he also valued relations with others, if only with one's own house. Fearing their yearning would bring the fall of the house, he created what later took the name of Snake's Clan. The other founders hadn't been aware of it and the Clan remained a secret till the fourteenth century, when legends began to take form. It was said Slytherins performed dark magic rituals every year for the newcomers, that they sacrificed muggle-borns to a Death God, or other similarities. We still can't differentiate the truth from the falseness in them. When a strong child entered the Slytherin house, and revealed themselves as the heir of Salazar's personality, they became a leader to the house, a figure to be admired and respected by all others, in exchange for protection. Fifty years ago, as Tom Marvolo Riddle was in Hogwarts, he put himself on the throne and ruled as every heir, but then did something that was never done before: he used of his influence to unite Slytherins after their graduation, when they should have each pursued their own road. He made death-eaters of them. Nonetheless, there were Slytherins that couldn't accept this domination: some quit the Clan and were killed; others, more careful, remained subjects to Voldemort but became spies, such as Severus. Time passed away; using his link to their parents, Voldemort enlisted Slytherin children. Still, for all his power, he couldn't prevent another heir to be born, to attend Hogwarts and finally, to steal the place he owned in the Slytherin students' hearts. You've all noticed Mr Malfoy's strange attitude since the beginning of the year and it should now be clear to all of you. Other elements allowed me to conclude that Mr Malfoy has an ambition to rival Voldemort's and has extended his sovereignty to every willing Slytherin. That is the only explanation I have for the sudden disappearance of ex-Slytherins, death-eaters or not. Still, there's a fact I cannot understand: as I did some research, I discovered every heir was a blood descendant of Salazar, but as far as I can go back in the past, there is no link between the Slytherin and Malfoy lineages... "

He stopped, waiting for them to put their thoughts back into order.

"However, Headmaster, if it is so much of a secret, how could you have learned all of this?" Asked Professor Cast.

The quartet of Gryffindors stared at the teacher, whom they'd forgotten to be there, and wondered who he was for the headmaster to reveal all he knew to him.

"An old friend trusted me enough to answer some questions."

"Could this old friend be Severus Snape, by any chance ?"

Dumbledore's piercing eyes were directed into Cast's ones.

"How it is that I cannot remember you being in the Slytherin house ?"

Atus smiled, hands in the pockets.

"Maybe because I wasn't. But this conversation will have to come to an end, for I wouldn't miss the come back of a friend. Draco Malfoy gives you his regards. Have a good evening, headmaster!" And he exited the room.

"A member of the Snake's Clan ?" Asked Madame Pomfrey.

"I think so. I fear Mr Malfoy's desire is to succeed to the dark lord, but I also believe he has no wish to conquer the world or destroy the muggles. As the clan is rapidly gaining power, it may become dangerous for us to let him remain so a secret. Voldemort should have made the same reasoning and will stop at nothing to gain Mr Malfoy's support. That is why we need to be quicker and to assure a serious alliance between the Order and the Clan."

"Headmaster, I wondered, where have all the Slytherins gone to?" Inquired Hermione.

A twinkle illuminated Dumbledore's eyes, "Ah, Miss Granger, this sort of information is to remain a secret, but if I own your promise not to rush into problems, I may consider telling you."

Silently consulting themselves, they nodded.

"You're aware of Severus having been a spy for the Order. Fifteen days ago, Draco revealed himself to him as the new heir, and Severus chose to 'go back where he belonged'. Those are his words."

"The... the traitor !" Raged Ron.

"No" calmed Harry, "He was a traitor to his Clan when he helped us. I understand now. This 'baptism' is his, isn't it? A sort of initiation to prove himself worth of being accepted back."

"But won't he be a danger to us now?" asked Neville.

"Absolutely not," explained Albus, "The Clan shall not be mixed up with death-eaters, as Mr Malfoy shall not be confounded with Voldemort. If both of them dream of domination, their ways to it differ totally. I almost think that..."

He couldn't finish his sentence as a head appeared in the chimney.

"Mad-Eye Moody!"

"Ah! Headmaster, finally I found you! This day is the day of Lucius Malfoy's downfall. We finally tracked a sign of strange magic in the manor and are preparing to enter. Weasley's leading the aurors".

Harry then witnessed something he never thought possible: Dumbledore blanched.

"Stop them! The manor is to be left undisturbed this night."

"What?! Dumbledore, you're nuts! That may be our only chance to bring him down!! Besides, that's already too late!"

"Yes Albus, why stop them? With Lucius Malfoy in Azkaban, Draco will easily agree to our terms," insisted Madame Pomfrey.

"That is the contrary! If Draco's father lays in prison, the boy will stop at nothing to destroy Arthur Weasley, even if that includes associating with Voldemort! And I assure you the man won't mind accepting back Lucius and Severus who betrayed him, if that means getting to Draco and his potion!"

As he talked, he had got up and searched for floo powder, then cast some in the fireplace, "Malfoy Manor's catacombs!" Rapidly, the four students followed him. They appeared in a small room, devoid of any decorations, possessing only a chimney and a door, through which they could hear raised voices.

"You have to remember," said Dumbledore to Ron, "Mr Malfoy passed over everything, the feud between your families, the enmity between your houses, to consider it with a new eye. Your father just put them back into place. The price for your sister's well-being will raise to dizzying heights."

He then opened the door and entered, as the voices stopped. Harry made to follow him but...

"Don't move!"

- - - - - - - -

How could this rat even dare talk to him his way?!! After everything he sacrificed to save his miserable ass! Severus comforted himself by thinking he'd long paid his debt to James Potter, and had given amply enough aid to the Order to be excused for his crimes as a death-eater. Besides, he was of no use to them anymore, having been discovered by the dark lord's minions. By the way, Snape wondered, how long had Draco known about Voldemort having exposed him as a spy? He himself had painfully learned it during his dream in the night, and considering how much it had hurt, he was in no rush for his meeting with Voldemort in person. Had the boy known before or after confronting his teacher two weeks ago? Surely after, for Snape had met with the dark lord only days before, and he'd been the same sadistic nutcase as ever. More important, who had denounced him?! He couldn't think of any name susceptible of it.

He arrived in front of his quarters' fireplace and wavered. He'd been to go with Draco in the first place, but there had been this change in plans, and he wasn't too cheery in having to meet Lucius alone. Surely Draco had told his father about his teacher's treason. Severus didn't think the Malfoy senior minded his betrayal of Voldemort, since he'd done the same for the Clan, but the man hated insubordination above everything, and the little Gryffindorish incident should have let him angry. And Snape knew that if a joyous or horny Lucius was a very pleasant thing, an angry vampire could be particularly dangerous and dolorous. Another point against him, last time they'd met was a month ago, and Severus wasn't assured he'd eaten during the time. An angry AND hungry vampire was considered one of the most dangerous creatures. If he came out of it alive, he was the luckiest man on Earth. Apprehending the encounter a last time, he cast floo-powder in the fireplace.

- - - - - - - - - -

Draco apparated at the Manor, a capacity only true Malfoys have, at nine and thirty-five and was immediately accosted by a ghost.

"Baron," he saluted.

"My lord," the spirit bowed, "Snape still isn't here."

Draco frowned. Decidedly, Severus abused his patience. He liked timing to be respected, and if the man hadn't a perfect excuse for being late, he was on for a solid correction. He left the Bloody Baron to check on the planning and left for the library. He knew his father had felt him arrive and was on his way to him. Draco felt his anger disappear as he entered the large room: Lucius, who was standing in front of the fireplace, watching the flames, turned as his son entered and slightly bowed his head. He waited for Draco to sit then imitated him. The young looked amusingly at his father; no wonder the wizard had been Voldemort's second so long a time: he knew how to behave.

"So, father," he emphasised on the word, "What have you decided for Severus?"

Lucius smirked a knowing smile, "You brought all Slytherin house, you ought to have decided in my place."

"Not at all. Severus is yours, yours to initiate... or to kill. Another is to be accepted in the Clan this night."

The man thought for a moment and seemed to understand, "A Gryffindor in the Snake's Clan... Salazar would roll in his grave." He clearly disagreed of the idea.

"Don't make assumptions Lucius, you lack the elements to judge," Draco seemed lost in thoughts, as remembering a long, long forgotten memory.

The Malfoy lord eyed his son up and down, wondering what could be happening in that head of his. This scene recalled something to him: one and a half years ago, he'd been on the very first line of being sent to Azkaban, for attacking Potter in the Ministry, and had barely escaped, thanks to a Imperius someone had put on him. The aurors never discovered who was responsible of it, and assumed it was Voldemort. Still, when Lucius had come back to the Manor, he'd found Draco waiting for him, eyes turned to the inside of his brain. His son had registered him and the boy had turned cold silver eyes on him. It had made him shiver out of fear, then Draco had said: "I will give you one year to quit the death-eaters. After this time, father or not, I will kill you." Before Lucius could react, he was out of the room. The senior remembered how bad he'd felt at this moment: discovering your own son had put an Imperius on you without you even noticing, finding out he'd been planning something against your lord, that you were his way to getting it, and that he wouldn't mind killing you if you interfered. That was hard to get over it. When he'd seen him again, Draco had seemed normal, but this gleam in his eyes remained, and it became commonplace of him to wander aimlessly in the Manor. Six months later took place the Narcissa then Weasley incident: during a raid in Romania, Voldemort had come upon a dragon reserve and caught sight of red hair, Charlie Weasley. He'd kill every impure wizard and took the young man with him, intending to send his head to the father. Being Voldemort, he'd began by torturing him and soon all that had remained was a pool of blood and a lying corpse in the middle of it. Then Draco had appeared out of nowhere, made the boy apparate away and stand in front of he dark lord. Lucius didn't know whom he was the most afraid for at the moment: his son or himself.

"Do you have an idea of what you just did, boy?" Hissed Voldemort.

"I took away your toy from you," Replied Draco with calm.

"You have a death wish," Laughed Wormtail, but he couldn't tell more before he was petrified, Lucius not knowing if it was the result of Draco's or Voldemort's curse, then discovered he couldn't make any more move than the rat.

Both of them had their wand out, ready to curse, but instead, they charged against one another and Lucius heard metal confrontation, as wands morphed into blades. They exchanged blows for a time, till Lucius's heart stopped: Voldemort's sword pierced through Draco's torso.

"You were a fool, boy," Whispered Voldemort.

Draco's eyes glinted silver, reflecting the moon, "YOU are." He impaled himself totally on the blade, his right hand grabbing the Snake's neck, and before the dark lord could react, fangs were tasting his blood.

Lucius saw in a flash Voldemort shivering, Draco pushing him away, Voldemort falling, Draco getting the sword out of himself, Voldemort getting up, Draco morphing the blade back into his enemy's wand, blood dripping from his mouth, tongue licking red fangs.

"You've lost. Weasley's mine."

From the distance, Lucius heard Voldemort's teeth grind, "Accio wand!"

The piece of wood flew from the blonde's hand, and before the boy could pick his up, the green curse was on him. Lucius heard himself crying his son's name as the biding curse put on him was released and he ran toward the lying body. Draco's corpse was still and for the first time in years, the vampire felt his eyes watering. He vaguely registered Voldemort raising his wand a second time, behind him, and readied himself to die, when Draco's eyes opened, glaring straight into Voldemort's ones. His mouth curved, "Too bad, isn't it?" and both father and son disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"What are you talking about?" he asked his son.

Draco got out of his reverie, "A millennia ago, a Gryffindor was admitted in the Clan, baptised by Salazar."

Lucius raised his eyebrow, "Really? Who was he?"

The blond smirked, "Our ancestor."

At this precise time, the senior forgot how to breathe. Draco watched his father amusingly: the man, usually so grand, sat there gaping at the piece of news. "You... you're kidding, aren't you?"

"No. The first Malfoy was a Gryffindor."

Lucius breathed slowly, regaining his calm and sighed, "Was he of a good family, at least?"

Draco frowned at him, "I just told..." but stopped and smirked again, "Yes, a powerful one."

The blond man searched some more in his thoughts, "The first Malfoy... This boy, friend of Salazar, that appeared out of nowhere, disappeared after eight years, and reappeared a year after, a child in his arms... I remember, I named you after the baby."

"A very fine initiative, father. Salazar would have been deeply pleased."

Draco wanted to say some more, but a noise caught their attention, and from the fireplace emerged the potions' master.

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

Severus took a step in the room, saw the two sitting men and bowed; Lucius's eyes darkened at his sight and Draco frowned.

Still kneeling, he slightly raised the head and glanced at them.

"You are late, Severus," Stated the young vampire.

"I was held back at the castle... my lord, the little Weasley was attacked by a dark shadow," He added, wondering if that would be enough to calm them.

Fortunately, their reactions seemed favourable: Draco smirked and Lucius nodded.

"Ah!" Exclaimed the boy, "That may be our lucky day. Old Voldie makes it easy on us," he laughed some more, "I let the both of you alone. You ought to have a lot to say to each other," And he exited the library.

Still kneeling, Severus slightly raised his head and glanced at the Malfoy lord: hooked up to his belt was the ceremony's dagger, which would initiate or kill him soon. Lucius got up in a feline move and went towards him. Snape didn't see the fist coming till it connected with his jaw. Effectively, Lucius was angry. Blood in his mouth, Severus picked himself up: if he let his dignity be taken, Lucius would definitely judge him unworthy of the Clan, so that was NOT to happen.

Lucius looked at him with disgust and fury contained in his silver eyes, and Severus suddenly had the feeling to be a little boy again, and more precisely, a second year student. His father had crushed many death-eaters in order to become Voldemort's right hand and it had appeared their children wanted to take revenge upon him for it. For weeks, he'd been seen regularly with black eyes or bleeding nose he tried to hide, for going to Madame Pomfrey would have been Gryffindorish. Of course, these ones had also taken advantage of his isolation and a part in his wounds. His hooked nose was a consequence of this period that was never fixed, having been broken too many times.

That night, he had decided to make a new counter-attack: the Slytherins thought these acts were the Gryffindors' and it delighted him to watch his two persecutors fight one against the other. He'd secretly made painting bombs and disposed them so that they would explode when students opened their dormitory's door in the morning and not before.

He'd only have to make sure not to be the first getting up of his room. He incrusted the last bomb in the last door and took some steps back to admire his work: no one could see them and what with the confusing charm he'd place upon them, only a teacher would be able to remove them, but by the time one arrived, it would be too late.

Severus made to go and sleep for it was already two in the morning, but something caught his robe and projected him brutally on a wall. He fell back on the floor and eyed everywhere but no one could be seen. Quickly understanding, he took his wand out, "Accio Invisibility Cloak!"

He was rewarded only a glimpse of three people before two of them were on him, beating him black and blue.

"Stop it!" ordered the third person, a feminine voice, "What are you? Mudbloods? We have wands, let's use them and make sure this little worm never try attacking good death-eaters again. Crucio!"

Severus writhed in agony on the floor. Each part of his body hurt more than the others, the harsh beating of his heart resounded in his head and the air of the common room echoed with his cries. Rendering thanks to Merlin, he fainted. It felt so good in this world: no pain, no death-eaters, no father to please. Severus was in a isolated bubble, he floated inside his own mind, not minding the exterior when a dolour in the ribs burst his balloon of pleasure.

He painfully awoke, discovering himself naked, Lestrange above him. Realising what was to happen, he kicked and hit all he could, screaming and hoping their head of house would hear and come. He was in this unfavourable position when he saw a shadow above Rodolphus. The older teenager lifted his head and registering who it was, quickly got up, leaving the naked and bloody boy on the floor.

"I thought I already told you, Lestrange. You don't want to hunt on my territory."

"But," intervened Bellatrix, "he was placing bombs on the doors!"

Lucius' eyes glinted dangerously, "Really?! And? Are you so dead beat you can't detect them without spying on him? Maybe you'd also like Dumbledore to defuse them for you while you're at it. You're Slytherins, act like ones! Another mudblood's complain?"

"N... No. Sorry," Excused the girl and they went up their dormitories.

The blond turned back to Severus, "Get dressed and clear off before I change my mind and rape you myself."

He'd observed his future lover for a time then grabbed his clothes and ran to his dormitory. At the time, Lucius was considered the most influential force in the Slytherin house. Feared by the Gryffindors and a bunch of professors, he made the law. Even these bastards of Potter and Black never dared come unto the young Malfoy, when they constantly fucked with his own young self. For their defence, one could say Lucius was famous for using curses which were so little known they couldn't even be classified as dark magic by the Ministry.

Their relation stopped approximately at this point, even if Severus could be seen more and more in Lucius' shadow. Three years later, the blond graduated and he was left alone in the castle. Of course, the Gryffindors didn't wait long to go back to buggering him constantly. Those were the memories from a period in his life that he would rather have forgotten. Then, to Severus' utter relief, his own graduation came. Astonished, he'd spotted Lucius in the tier of seats; the young man had let his hair down to his shoulder and from the distance, Snape could feel the heat of the fixed and intent gaze he was subjected to. The ceremony completed, they'd joined in the gardens and strolled in the Forbidden Forest. He'd been excited when Lucius' had first touched his lips, desiring when they'd kissed and horrified when he'd felt fangs. He'd cried when the vampire had first bit him, cried when the man had penetrated him, and cried again when he'd shouted his lover's name. From this day, he'd been Lucius' property and in exchange hold in the blonde's heart a place Narcissa never reached. He'd resented the most horrible jealousy when discovering Lucius' tight bond with his baby boy and the most pleasurable feeling as the vampire had placed his son in his arms. They'd become his family, the people he loved above everyone else, and he'd betrayed them to Dumbledore.

The vampire caught him by the arms and flattened him against a wall. Second guess right: he was hungry. Merlin, that was bad! He could only think about relaxing his neck's muscles when two fangs ruthlessly penetrated his flesh, tearing it open with brute force. Tears went to his long dried eyes, dug out of his ice-cold heart by the fear and hurt he resented faced with his suddenly rough lover. Totally different from the pleasurable moments they'd shared for twenty years, he experienced what vampire's preys felt when dying, reaped away from his heaven, his life and his body. The throes of dolour went to his mind, draining it of its strength and sanity, expended to his full body in waves of a wretched agony. Canines quitted him and lips kissed away from his neck a unique pouring drop of blood.

Severus felt his half-dead corpse being lifted and carried away, then delicately deposited on a sofa. Delicate hands took care of his abused neck and encircled it with a silk scarf. Still caressing his hair, a warm body lay next to him and the man opened his eyes, looking right into a pair of moon-silver orbs.

"Why didn't you kill me?" he heard himself ask in a whisper.

"I wanted to, but it appears even a vampire can't fly above twenty years of relationship." As he said it, Lucius softly smiled.

Severus could finally relax and buried his head in the vampire's silver mane.

"So, what do we do?"

"As easy as pie, Sevy, we dress you up a little for you to be presentable, you follow me to the catacombs, Draco and I initiate you, we settle a minor problem, I take you to my room and relish you all night long. Does that suit you?"

Severus' voice quivered as he felt his member hardening, "Y... yes, that suits me perfect."

After a moment, they got up, Snape re-arranged his shirt and robe then, as had said Lucius, the vampire guided him through the long and dim corridors of Malfoy Manor, Severus' anxiety now totally vanished for he knew he had both the Malfoys' acceptance. The magnificent imposing door was made of the rich and noble wood ebony, its darkness revealing all the more august and majestic work of craftsmen that had made of this piece: exquisite lines of gold artfully unveiled the subtle design of a Snake... no... of an Asian Dragon.

This creature was among the rarer dragons. From far away, it looked like a gigantic snake, but should the observer come nearer, he would notice the strong legs and especially the many canines of the mouth.

The glorious door opened to let them pass. Slytherin's students were grouped in two lines. An alley divided them and the Ritual Room. At the end, was Draco.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Draco entered his room, his sanctuary. Here he'd cast his first curse in secret; here he'd decrypt Salazar's manuscripts and discover his heritage...

Salazar woke up from his dream and got up. As water magically poured from his hands, he quickly washed his face then caught a towel and dried himself. His sight fell on his reflection in the mirror that faced him: despite his one hundred and twenty-six years, he looked like a man in his forties, but in his body, he could feel the weigh of the years. A week ago, he'd assisted to his son's burial and that had been hard on him. When his wife had died, committing suicide, he'd quarrel with his children and the other founders about her. Finally, Salazar had left Hogwarts and England for the continent, and only come back after fifty years to discover his son dying. They'd reconciled and spent the last year of life he had making up for the lost time, but most of it was definitely gone: his grandchildren couldn't remember him for they were too young at the time he'd disappear, and their own grandchildren, students in the school, only looked at him with pride. Of course, he was flatted to be the recipient of it, still, he'd have preferred their relation to be more family-like and less politic.

Salazar went to the window and looked at the garden, already full of children in spite of the early hour. Holidays had begun and Godric's, Helga's and Rowena's families had come as every year to spend some time with them. The wizard scoped a throng of new faces and wondered which one belonged to which family. He could have figured it out by magic but felt too tired to use it. A brawl next to the forest caught his attention: a bunch of kids were molesting one another. All dark brown haired, these ones surely were Godric's. The boy disappeared in the trees and the gang went the other way. Unmoving for a moment, Salazar finished dressing and headed for the forest.

He walked for a moment, gathering some plants, knowing the boy was observing him with curiosity and some fear. No surprise in that: out of the week the children had been there, he'd spend six days in his dungeons, working on a potion, and had never eaten with them. That means all they knew about him were the founders' stories. Considering the opinion they'd had of him for the fifty years he'd been absent, he ought to be at least a dark wizard, ogre, cannibal and Satanist. He silently laughed at the idea and wondered if the child had boots of seven leagues.

Moving further into the forest, he was rewarded with the light sound of the boy coming down from his tree. He cut a stalk of mint and turned back, looking at the trunk the child was hidden behind.

"Why don't you come out? You may. I ate this morning, you ought to live till tomorrow at least," He lied to the tree.

There was some movement, a pair of blue eyes got out and judging there was no danger, the body followed. Salazar could finally take a better look at the boy: opposite to what he'd thought seeing previously, his hair was a very dark blond, still, the face screamed of him to be Godric's. Besides, why was it he had the impression to look at the sweet face of a little girl? Mystery of nature, perhaps.

"Apple?" As he asked, a fruit appeared in his hand and he presented it to the boy.

The child eyed him with suspicion for a time, then he made three steps toward the wizard and took it.

"Thank you milord."

"Would you like to walk?"

Suspicion rose again in the child's eyes, amusing Salazar some more and he wondered how long ago it was since the last time he'd enjoyed himself this much.

"You'll come back of it alive and in one piece," he added.

They departed. He let the boy eat his apple then asked, "Why is it I never saw you in the school? You seem to be of age."

There was a blank look. The child stopped and looked in the castle's direction, as a mouse searches where to hide when facing a cat, saw a big pine and said, "I'm twelve but I have no magic."

Salazar understood: his house was known for accepting only purebloods and hating squibs. What interested him was the fact he could feel the magic radiating of the boy, and powerful magic indeed.

"No magic?" he repeated kindly, "Why is that?"

"My mother was a muggle," The child explained with a shrug of the shoulders.

So one of Godric's descendants had fallen for a muggle. Why not? "Why did they chase you?"

Coaxed by the apple and still being alive, the boy only hesitated before answering, "I am the consequence of a night of sex between Godric and my mother. She died giving birth to me and my grand-parents don't want to hear about me. I'm only here because my father has remorse."

"Oh... Where did you spend the year?"

"In Hogmeade's monastery, but it's more like an orphanage. The monks are kind and even some of them are fun."

Salazar smiled, "Would you like to learn some alchemy?"

The boy frowned, "But I have no magic," he repeated, probably thinking the wizard was slightly senile.

"No need of it for alchemy." They had come back to the school, "So?"

Children and adults came curiously toward them, the first attracted by the fourth founder, the second by the presence of the child with him. The boy looked at his peers with a self-proud look and as he nodded to Salazar, he mentally cocked a snook at them.

They penetrated in the dungeons and the child's stare was immediately on the cauldron, "Milord," he called, "Do you really brew potions in this?"

The man laughed, "Yes, I do, as every wizard. Maybe you have a name I may call you by?"

"My name is Merian but they all call me squib," The child answered casually. He probably didn't know what 'squib' meant.

"Merian is fine."

They'd spent the entire holidays, one teaching, the other learning. When Salazar had confronted Gryffindor about the boy, the wizard had clearly said he regretted everything that had come with the mother. Following instinct, Slytherin had proposed to take the child under his care, which was accepted. As the child had been victim of Godric's dishonesty with a muggle woman, Salazar named him Malfoi. (Mal foi is the ancient term for mauvaise foi which means dishonesty in French)

Three years later, he'd discover the mystery behind Merian's magic: at his birth, the centaurs had predicted he'd have a son which would possess the power and will to destroy Hogwarts. Not wanting to kill the baby, the three remaining founders of the moment had thwarted the menace by locking his magic and everything that could be linked to it inside his body. That also explained what happened eight years after their encounter.

Merian had grown up, learnt history of magic, some herbology and potion, excelled in alchemy and astronomy. Salazar even had found the way to teach him some elemental magic. Despite being famous for his prophecies, the man hadn't foreseen neither how handsomely androgyne the boy would become, nor the attraction and desire he'd feel when seeing him, nor the night he'd put him in his bed, and even less the day Merian had come ashamed and tell him he was pregnant. At this moment, Salazar had understood the power of the spell Godric had put on his son: to block everything in relation with magic, that had included all he had inherited from his father; the boy's soul had somehow be modified, becoming half-woman.

The first astonishment gone, they had decided Merian would stay in Slytherin Manor for a year. Salazar had called a powerful magus to take care of this first in men's history.

During this time, he had another manor being magically constructed. When Merian discovered it, he had difficulties to accept such present but resigned as Salazar said it was the price he estimated them, both father and baby. The time Godric heard of the child's existence, he was furious, Rowena and Helga with him, but Salazar calmed them, using their spell against them: the curse had been transmitted to the baby, they had no reason to be alarmed. He hoped they would never discovered the child was born of two men or he'd have difficulties protecting his new family from the three of them. They thought the mother was dead. The baby never went to Hogwarts and was taught magic in secret at the manor. Sixty years later, Salazar died, two years after Helga, seven months after Rowena and four days after Godric; he died in peace, knowing there was no one remaining on the Earth that knew about Merian's link with Godric or the curse. He let a manuscript, hoping the spell would some time come to an end and his heir be powerful enough to read it. The day after, Merian was found cold in his bed, having followed his lover in death, letting as lord of the Manor his son: Dracken Malfoi.

Three hundred years later, the name was changed into Malfoy.