Dragonis

*~*Previous Chapter*~*

The Headmaster jumped to her side and pulled the hat from her head and placed it on his own. Meryn looked at the faces of the Professors seated around her, each with a look of silent contemplation on their faces as the awaited Dumbledore to finish conversing with the Sorting Hat. Slowly the Professor removed the Sorting Hat from his head and put in back in its place.

"Interesting," he said, "Meryn my dear, you are indeed your father's daughter."

***

Her appetite gone Meryn sat silent as the few professors that had remained for the holidays ate their supper. The thoughts, which were running through her mind, were nearly debilitating, they were concentrated on the conversation earlier that day.

"...You indeed are your father's daughter."

"Excuse me sir?" she whispered.

"Leopold never told you? Hmmm..." the headmaster seemed to ponder, "I suppose it upset him dearly when Merriam ran away with the man but I never imagined."

"Sir?" she asked again.

"Ahriman Dragonis."

Meryn froze in her place as she began to speak very slowly, "What do you mean?" her heart was now beating very fast.

"He is your father Meryn, The Dark Wizard Dragonis is your father."

The clatter of plates broke Meryn's train of thought. As she looked towards the direction of the noise she met eyes with Professor Filtwick who smiled warmly in return. "Not hungry child?" he asked, referring to her untouched food.

"No sir, not really," she broke off and turned her gaze to Professor Dumbledore. "May I be excused?"

"Yes of course Meryn. However do not wander too far Hogwarts is a big place it is very easy to get lost," the headmaster replied with a sparkle in his eyes.

Meryn nodded in reply and exited the Great Hall. 'Funny,' she thought to herself to use the Great Hall for so few people. There must have been a more adequate room elsewhere.

Examining the Grand entryway and staircase Meryn examined the portraits which in turn where examining her. She pondered where she would sleep in the castle and determined to take it upon herself to search. Wandering thought the main floor of the Castle Meryn found nothing other than an overabundance of broom closets and heavy suits of armour. She sought out the first floor in hopes of better results. She had climbed nearly halfway up the marble staircase when she tripped on a trick step and toppled back down landing on her rump at the feet of Professor Snape.

"Women have never been known to fall at my feet Miss Kingsley, but if my memory does serve me right this has been the third time I've found you so?" Their eyes met, the yellow flecks in Meryn's eyes were burning with anger and embarrassment.

She was startled to see a smile on the potion Master's face but it quickly faded as he began to speak again. "Get up girl and tell me what was the cause of such acrobatics?"

Jumping quickly to her feet Meryn looked indignantly at Snape, "The stairway tripped me!"

The Potions Master raised and eyebrow, "I see," he paused, "Did Professor Dumbledore not tell you not to stray too far

Meryn interrupted him, "I'm tired sir, I was searching out a place to sleep. I apparently have a choice of any room in the Castle."

"Yes you do..." he paused his eyes boring into her, "perhaps I have just the one." Snape turned promptly and began to walk around Meryn and up the staircase easily avoiding the step that sent her sprawling at his feet.

Curiosity had entranced Meryn as she followed the Professor. They traveled up to the Second floor passing empty classrooms as they walked by the stone Gargoyle. Meryn had previously thought this corridor had been empty short of the entrance to Dumbledore's office but as they continued along the path it was when the light visibly began to fade Meryn realized that she was mistaken. They began to descend a stone stairwell and the far end of the dank corridor, which lead them down perhaps one and a half flights. The walls were made from a solid stone that was different from the stone that made up the rest of the castle. Unlike than the stones that made up the intricate puzzle that was Hogwarts these walls were made from the smoothest stone. It was as though the stairwell was carved from the rock bed itself. The stairwell descended steeply and Meryn was careful to watch her footing. The air smelt remarkably fresh as though at the bottom of the stairs was a magnificent garden but by Meryn's calculations they were below the ground level of the castle. The possibilities of a garden were slim to none but what lay at the bottom of the stairwell now held fascination with her. Snape stopped at a small landing waiting uncharacteristically patient for Meryn to join him. As she stood next to the Potions Master he turned towards a portrait of a man with a rather sour look on his face.

"Deimos," Snape spoke the password and the portrait proceeded to swing open revealing a doorway. The Potions Master stepped through the portrait hole and Meryn hesitantly followed.

***

He sat in the Library researching the strange gift his father had presented him the day before. It seemed to be some sort of sheath of un-natural powers. For no reason in the dead of night it threw itself out of it's casing and levitated in midair. It began emitting an eerie pale blue light as the sheath transfigured slightly, seeming to draw magic from the air itself to perform this task.

Draco had not been able to find a single plausible explanation in any of his research and was beginning to loose all hope.

A voice came from the finely carved doorframe, "My son, the ever vigilant student, the term has just ended and you are already studying," he paused noticing the volume laying open on the desk in front of his son. Lucius stepped forward grabbing a volume in his hand, "'Enchanted objects; who and how' they teach this at Hogwarts now?"

"No father," Draco began, "the gift you gave me..." Draco was trying to decide how to word what he was trying saying properly, "...has interesting properties."

Lucius raised his eyebrow, "How so?"

Draco retold the incident to his father with great detail and awaited Lucius' response patiently.

"My boy, you will not find your answer in these books, or for that matter in any books" he put his hand on his son's shoulder, "your destiny can never be found there."

***

The Potion Master's robes filled the doorway as he entered the room obscuring Meryn's first glance of the chambers but when it came into her full view Meryn couldn't keep the smile from her face. The room, in no less words, was perfect. It consisted of a small reading room with a large desk at one end and enormous shelves devoid of anything in their place covered most of the walls. She could place all of her texts on those shelves and have space for more she thought to herself. A modest Fireplace was at the opposite end of the room from the desk above, which was an empty portrait. Beyond this room Meryn could see the sleeping chambers, the decor of both rooms appeared to be a melange of Meryn's preferred colours.

"I see this room meets with your satisfaction."

Meryn very nearly gushed before she caught herself, "Yes sir, my studies will go without interruption here."

A flicker of amusement passed though the professor's eyes, "If you continue down the stairwell you will find yourself near the Potions Classroom. However I will warn you. Many Slytherin's use this passage so be careful Miss Kingsley we do not want any accidents."

"Yes sir," she paused looking around the room again, "How did you know I would like this room Professor?"

Snape looked at Meryn reproachfully, "I didn't."

She thought he would perhaps continue yet he didn't. They stood in an awkward silence for a few moments before Professor Snape spoke again, "I will see to your trunks being brought here. I will also inform the Headmaster that you will be staying here. The bathrooms on the second floor are out of order you have my permission to use the Slytherin bathrooms for the time being."

With a quick nod Snape departed the room and left Meryn alone with her thoughts.

***

The small owl flew into the window at number four Privet Drive and erratically flew above the sleeping boy's head. With the reflexes of a seeker he plucked the small bird out of the air and brought it close to his face. Harry reached out with his free hand and shoved his glasses on his face and whispered, "Pig, what are you doing here?" It wasn't that Harry Potter didn't want the post that was obviously from his best friend Ron, it was just that he was just surprised to hear from him so soon after term ended and it being so early in the morning. Harry pulled the rolled up parchment from Pigs grasp and set the owl down hoping it wouldn't get too excited. Harry unrolled the parchment and began to read Ron's untidy scrawl. As he did so a very deep frown appeared on the thin boy's face.

***

Meryn was exploring her rooms as the house elves entered with her trunks, upon telling them where to place them she sent them of with a thank you. These rooms where to be hers for the remainder of her time there and for that she was thankful to Professor Snape for showing them to her. Meryn bent over her trunks and began to unload their contents. She began by placing her books on the shelves as well as those, few which had belonged to her grandfather. Meryn's fingers ran over the fine leather binding of one of her grandfather's journals debating on whether or not to open it. Making her decision Meryn carefully turned back the cover and began skimming though its contents. It mostly contained information about the Dragons and the lack of funding from the Ministry; occasionally he would speak about her causing her to smile though the tears welling up in her eyes. Meryn closed this journal and picked up another, this one older than the first. The parchment was weathered and some pages were torn from the bindings where they then found their home nestled between two adjacent pages.

The date on the top right hand corner of the page was written before she was born, intrigued Meryn continued down the page:

Today, the life that I have imagined for my family and myself has ultimately changed. My daughter, my precious has done something unfathomable, something that she will regret for the rest of her life. She left me today, I knew she would someday do so, that is not what has upset me so. It was the matter of how she did it, I knew perhaps I had made a mistake when I had not chose her friends for her or when I allowed her to attend that school. I could have done a far better job than any of those... I'm divulging I blame myself for allowing things to digress this far. She left today with a group of hooligans bent upon uprising the people.

That child has no consideration. Of all the people she has involved herself with she had to it with the Dragonis boy. If only she would understand the trouble...

Meryn furrowed her eyebrows at the text on the page, her grandfather seemed furious his handwriting was messy and the ink blotted the page. It was a far cry from his usual meticulous script. Meryn flipped though the pages as the dates flew by he spoke less and less of her mother and began to bury himself in his work it seemed. A parchment fluttered from the pages of the book and landed on the floor beside Meryn. She set the book aside and picked up the page, it was a letter from Ahriman Dragonis.

Mr. Kingsley,

I have news of your daughter; I am rather worried for her health. Over the past few weeks she has become rather ill and I have advised her to return home, in her condition it is not safe for her to be with me at the moment. Sir I love her, she is the most wonderful woman in the whole world. She had shown me things that I had not thought possible. She has refused to write you, I have asked her many times to do so and yet she still refuses.

Sir we are married. Merriam and myself are expecting a child before the end of winter. I thought you should know you have a grandchild on the way. My deepest apologies.

Ahriman Dragonis

Her father. He had tried, so why did her grandfather want nothing to do with him? What else was there that she didn't know? Her thoughts were interrupted as the portrait swung open and a figure entered the room.

***

Charlie sat at the table in the Burrow contemplating the contents of Meryn's letter. She was being so damn cryptic. How was he supposed to take all of this information? She must be going thorough a lot right now she needed him, he could feel it. But there was nothing he could do short of leaving for Hogwarts immediately. However, he knew if he did he would probably cause more problems, and he couldn't hold her hand through everything. Charlie raised his eyes from the floor seeing his brother Ron lurking in the doorway.

"Hey Ron, what are you hiding in the door for?"

"I'm not hiding," he paused looking embarrassed for getting caught spying on his older brother, "It's just... Charlie who's this Meryn girl? Why does she get to stay at Hogwarts over the summer and Harry can't?"

Charlie looked at his brother and silently cursed the thin walls of the Burrow house, "Some things happened to her this year, things that couldn't be stopped. She has no where else to go Ron, there was no other option."

Ron looked indignant, "But what about Harry? He has been through things no one else has. If anyone should get to stay at Hogwarts it is him."

Charlie observed Ron's face beginning to darken with anger, "Ron, I agree with you however I do not make these decisions, Dumbledore has made them, the Ministry has made them. I can't change them either."

Ron looked at his older brother pondering what he had just said, "Who is Meryn?" he asked repeating his question.

"I'm sure you've heard of me talking about her before," he paused looking at Ron's blank face. "No? Hmm... well she was the granddaughter of Leopold Kingsley," Charlie saw Ron cringe obviously familiar with the attack at the encampment. "She went though a lot and I was there for her through out the whole thing. Dumbledore has taken her under his wing. She will be attending Hogwarts this year and he said it would be safer if she stayed at Hogwarts."

"Safer?" Ron questioned.

"Ron, don't be a dunderhead, You-Know-Who is a threat to all of the Wizarding world, and no one is safe." Charlie's words froze in the air as a chill passed over the two Weasley boys.

"He's right you know Mr.Weasley," a familiar voice entered the room. The two boys looked up towards the door and saw the figure of Professor Dumbledore before them.

"Professor Dumbledore!" Ron cried out, "What are you doing here, Mum's going to..."

Ron was interrupted as Molly Weasley's voice called from the other room, "Ron what's with all of the yelling?" She walked into the room and her eyes bulged as they fell upon the headmaster. "Professor Dumbledore, what are you doing here? Come in, come in, why didn't the boys invite you in?" She shot a sharp look at her son's.

"Oh Molly, calm down," the headmaster chided as she pushed him into a chair and placed a hot mug of tea into his hands. "I came here to see how Charlie was doing."

Charlie looked rather embarrassed as his Mother and Ron peered quizzically at him. "I'm alright Professor, however it is Meryn that concerns me."

The Headmaster smiled. "I know my dear boy," He placed his hand on Charlie's shoulder. "I however have a few questions to ask you about the girl."

Molly took this as a cue to leave the room dragging a protesting Ron along with her. "I will do anything I can to help," Charlie stated.

"Thank you." The Headmaster summoned some sugar from the countertop and fixed his tea, "I was not aware that Leopold had not told Meryn about her father. Do you know why he would do this?"

Charlie sighed, "He was a very private man sir, from what Meryn tells me he did not like to share his feelings with anyone. Just a few days ago I had Meryn very vexed with me over him."

"Do you mind if I ask why?"

Charlie pondered. "I don't imagine she would be angry with me if I told you." Charlie ran his fingers through his hair. "She said he treated her more like a vessel for knowledge, something about up holding the family honour."

"Hmm," the Headmaster pondered, "Meryn and her grandfather, were they very close?"

"I suppose sir, I doubt she would be so upset about his death had it not been so. However, I did not see them together very often over the last few years, apart from their lessons that is. He gave her everything she asked for, as for monetary value was inconsequential. Not that she did ask for much, mostly books..." Charlie trailed off his throat was beginning to get tight.

Dumbledore watched after Charlie as he stood to pour a glass of water for himself. Charlie looked back at the headmaster. "Why do you want to know these things from me? Why not from Meryn?"

"I'm afraid she knows little of what I desire to learn. You have watched them from the outside for what, ten years now Charlie?"

The red head nodded.

"You would have been able to see the interaction between the two without being biased."

"But sir, like I was saying before, the only time they spent together outside of lessons was on holidays and Birthdays."

Dumbledore seemed to move deep into his thoughts his brows furrowed in concentration, "It seems you have caused me to have more questions Mr. Weasley. I may Owl you over the course of the summer and if Meryn wishes perhaps she may come and visit you here."

At that Charlie smiled. "I would love that sir. I will not be going back to Romania until term begins anyhow," Charlie's eyes twinkled at the headmaster and in anticipation of Meryn's visit.

***

"Miss Kingsley," the figure in the door spoke. "A package has just arrived for you." Professor Snape walked into the room and placed the small package on the table. Upon it was the seal of the Black Dragon. Snape knew what it meant but the girl on the floor amongst the pile of books had no idea.

Meryn stood placing the journal she'd had open back on top of the rest as she stood to meet Snape, "Thank you sir," she spoke softly as she took the package from him. Her voice sounded strained as though she was about to cry.

Professor Snape stood in the room inwardly awkward but he stood and watched as she unsealed the package. The Dragon upon the package seemed to shiver as she touched the seal. Snape sharply took in a breath. The Dragon seal curled itself into a ball and rolled into Meryn's palm and rose into a cloud of midnight blue smoke. Meryn dropped it to the floor but the smoke continued to rise, a form appearing in its midst.

The Potions Master flew towards Meryn pulling her behind him as the features in the smoke became more pronounced. It was Ahriman.

He spoke, "My dear, situations of late seem to be indicating what I wished for you would not be as I had first imagined them. Meryn I am your father, be that a surprise or not there are things I wish to discuss with you."

Snape stepped forward towards the figure that had appeared from the smoke, "How did you come to be here, what is this," Snape waved his hand at Ahriman, "display to demonstrate?"

Ahriman Dragonis turned his face from Meryn to Snape, "Severus, I will set aside the pleasantries for your sake and mine. Both you and I know I cannot set foot on Hogwarts grounds with out setting the Ministry on high alert. Therefore what other choice did I have but to invoke part of my spirit into the family seal?"

Meryn gasped.

"Do not be alarmed my child," Ahriman looked down at her with an alarming warmness in his cold eyes. "There are many things that you don't understand quite yet, but soon you will."

"Ahriman, I cannot allow this to happen!" Snape's voice was firm and venomous.

"Severus, there were many things you should have not let happen. This one I fear will not have such," he broke of and smiled coldly, "grave results."

Snape with a sour look set upon his face and sidestepped allowing Meryn to face her father.

"Meryn," Ahriman began, "the dagger I gave you, was as much of a surprise to me as it was to you. It had been a long time since I had thought about it, much less seen it. Events occurred long ago, which assured your fate. I cannot tell you of those things directly at the moment," he shot a glare at the Potions Master, "but I hope to remain in contact."

"Why now?" Meryn asked her voice firm and filled with anger, "Why now after all I've been through? Do you know how long I've wanted, no, needed to know who my father was? Do you know what that does to a person?"

Ahriman looked taken aback.

"Why should I believe a word you say? My whole life I have been told that you didn't matter and now you are trying to tell me that I have this underlying destiny?"

Meryn turned her back on him her eyes landing on the potions Master. His black eyes looked down upon Meryn and then up towards the wizard behind her, "I think perhaps you should leave."

The Dark wizard cast his eyes upon the stone floor in front of him and towards the back of his daughter's head. Professor Snape witnessed his eye soften, "You look so much like your mother."

He shoulders stiffened as she turned towards him once again, "I never knew her, just like I never knew you. If you want to be a father to me then understand this," her fiery eyes bore into his. "I do not need you anymore, the darkest part of my soul will tell you that. What ever you want to tell me..." she broke off and turned to the Potions Master, "...you can tell me in Hogsmeade before the beginning of term, and I am confident Professor Snape would love to chaperone." Meryn didn't want to be alone with the man who had sent her that dagger and she just hoped Professor Snape wouldn't be cross with her for involving him.

The Potions Master spoke his voice like molten rock, "I wouldn't mind at all. Now leave!"

Ahriman gave a parting glance to his daughter as the smoke began to dissipate and he faded into oblivion.

***

The clatter of objects flying across the room startled the small house elf that was tidying his Masters study. He quickly hid behind the curtain as his Master came into view Wincey was too frightened to do anything other than watch.

Ahriman thought himself a rather disciplined man but what he had to deal with now was more than even his discipline could handle. Who knew the girl would be so much like her mother. So headstrong, stubborn and loyal. She'd probably be a Hufflepuff he scoffed, or worse a Gryffindor, that was just what he needed. He picked up another expensive vase and threw it against the velvet curtain on the opposite side of the room. Wincey squealed as the glass shattered around him and he heard his Master growl as he stomped over towards him. The house elf was shaking in fear. Ahriman looked down his fine aristocratic nose at the small creature in front of him. "Wincey," he began firmly, "please leave." His voice was calmer than he expected. The house elf quickly complied.

As the small creature departed the room Ahriman began his course of annihilation once again. Savagely pulling the drapery of the fine brass hangings as he cursed the day he first met that wretched woman.

***

The Potions Master stood in silence as he watched the girl in front of him regain her composure and turn to face him. "Sir," she began, "I am terribly sorry for involving you I know it wasn't my place to-"

He cut her off, "Enough. I know what you had to do. However, I do find this information about a dagger rather curious. They are as you see not permitted on school grounds."

Meryn froze, term had yet to start and there was already grounds for her expulsion. "Sir I-"

He cut her off again as he sighed, "I need no excuses, just let me see this dagger."

Meryn walked towards her trunk and pulled the wooden case from its depths and placed it on the desk behind the Professor. Snape put out his hand to open the box when he pulled back suddenly as if he was bitten by something. "What is this?" he hissed through his teeth.

"I don't know what you mean sir?" Meryn's brow furrowed.

I cannot touch this chest, there seems to be some sort of shield charm placed on it. When I make to touch it, it feels as though my skin is on fire."

Meryn went to touch the chest, "Sir, I still do not understand. Why is it that I can still touch it?" Meryn moved her hand over the entwined serpents upon the top of the chest and it slowly began to open once again revealing the dagger.

Snape raised his eyebrow as he examined the blade, "This," he whispered severely, "is not good."

"Sir?" Meryn looked up at the concerned face of her mentor.

***

Snape tore from The Kingsley girl's room in search for the Headmaster. What he had seen was the last thing he had expected. Dragonis was just another spoilt rich brat that had his own warped visions of the world when he had been in school. Snape had expected to see a ritual sacrificing knife or perhaps even an expensive letter opener but what lay upon the rich velvet in the expensive carve chest was something he hadn't even heard mentioned in years. This girl, his most prized, student had more in store for her than she'd even known.

His robes filled the stair well as he flew up them his fine leather boots skidded as his feet met the fine Marble flooring at the top of the corridor. Now if only he could remember exactly where he had seen the dagger before. That was the signifier, who was the other? What other bloodline was involved in this? The Potions Master slid to a halt in front of the stone gargoyle, which guarded the entrance to the Headmaster's office. 'The password, what's the password?' Snape searched his mind to remember the ever-changing password to Professor Dumbledore's office.

"Severus!" It was the Headmaster, "What a surprise to see you, I just came from a lovely visit with the Weasley's. I think I could do for another cup of tea though, Severus would you join me?"

"Professor!" Snape began.

"Severus, let us wait until we reach my office before we begin," the Headmaster's voice was slightly hushed it was as though he had an idea as to what Snape was going to say. "Lemondrop," the headmaster spoke softly towards Snape as they moved up the stairs, "I fear you have some bad news to tell me Severus, about Meryn."

"Yes."

***

Meryn looked at the retreating figure of the Potions Master, he had left her with a bad feeling left in the pit of her stomach. What had her father done to her?

***

He watched the sun rest beneath the horizon dreading the events that were to occur between this night and the next full moon. This was a curse. The daughter he had barely known an hour was now to be taken from him and there was nothing to be done about it. He had spent his whole life searching for an answer a clue something to change the events that where to happen. Now however things looked hopeless, he had no choice in the matter his daughter would soon be gone.

His father told him just before his death about the mistake that he had made. That he had made a pact with the Silver Serpent his raspy voice had spoken of the past animosity between the two families. It was somehow solved years ago buy some sort of oath, some contract. This pact however could not be completed until the two families were united by blood. Ahriman Dragonis swore on his father's deathbed he would not allow this defamation to happen, he would not allow the Serpent to wipe out the Dragon. In the end the Dragon would master all. It had to.

Ahriman nervously ran his hands through his silver streaked hair. How was he to solve this? Now that objects were set into motion it was only a matter of time before his daughter was taken from him. Why had he waited until now to approach her, what good had it done?

A silky female voice filled his ears, "Ahriman," he turned to the woman, "what is wrong my love?"

'She doesn't know,' he reminded himself, 'she doesn't remember, I made sure of that.'

The woman's hazel eyes peered into those of her husband's her flowery perfume filled his nostrils, "What is the matter? You look troubled, is it because of the meeting you had in Diagon Alley the other day?" She looked up innocently at her husband.

"No Merriam," he kissed the top of her auburn head, "I'm just thinking about business that is all."