Seductive Darkness:

By: xxlostdreamerxz

Disclaimer: No I do not owe HP.

NOTE: My friend has convinced me that it would be for the best to rewrite this fic; hence, we have made a joint account known as xxlostmonkey where we will edit and beta this fic before jumping into the next few chapters. So enjoy!

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Chapter 12: Goodbyes

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A tall, lean boy clad in a dark gray muscle shirt and black slacks, strolled casually about the perimeter of the cave as his emerald green eyes glinted in fondness as he took in the surroundings that he'd grown so familiar with over the past five months (2 human weeks). The boy had a shaggy yet slightly messy head of black hair (imagine like a surfer's) and slightly elongated teeth which was something like a cross between a vampire's fangs and human teeth. This boy was none other then the famous Harry Potter.

Harry grimaced slightly, as he recalled his first training session with the three Lords. To put it simply, the three Lords weren't the leaders of their society for nothing, and their training was pretty much worse then torture. Hell, what was he thinking? It was torture! Each and every morning for the past five months, he woke at three in the morning to train with Lord Kelnos in the art of Physical Combat which basically lasted until sunrise, and according to the every-grumpy vampire Kelnos, Harry needed every second of it. Lord Kelnos was still of the opinion that a fledging vampire could easily make mice-meat out of the poor boy, and that unless the boy could at the very least manage to land a single blow on his opponent (who were all vampires) Kelnos believed that it was his 'duty' to raise the stakes and force the boy to learn and practice some more. Neverless, Harry had improved slightly over the past five months, and had become at least good enough to fight off at least two fledging vampires at a time - which according to Lord Kelnos should have been quite disgracefully easy. His other two mentors - Lord Senge and Lord Dytren both had their time to enjoy 'training' the boy, which according to Harry was just about the same as torturing him.

Truth be told, when the time came for Harry to return to the human world, he would truly miss his three mentors. After all, they didn't treat him as 'the-boy-who-lived' but rather as a strange cross between a young master and a grandson.

At that moment, Harry suddenly heard a slightly shuffling noise coming from the bushes to his right, and instantly slid into his personal combat position, and drew out his hereditary sword. The sword was quite beautiful, it was made of pure silver and diamond and had a head of a hydra - a many-headed water snake, embedded on the handle. Not only was it beautiful, but the sword also contained a few protection spells which made it resistant to magic.

"Come out, I've already detected your presence," stated Harry as his emerald green eyes darted about the forest in search of his opponent. And to his disappointment he couldn't find anything out of place. The forest that he was currently walking through was composed of shadows, both natural and magical; hence, it would be extremely difficult for one to discover someone's exact location.

Harry suddenly saw some movement from the corner of his eyes, and instantly raised his sword and ducked. To his utter delight, the sword missed his head by merely a few inches before the sound of metal clashing echoed about the clearing.

"I'm impressed..." said a cheerful voice from somewhere behind him. "It seems as if that lazy vampire actually taught you well..."

Harry released the breath that he was holding and turned around with a smile. "Lord Dytren..." he said, as he gave the elf a slightly mocking bow, "It's been awhile since we've last met..."

Lord Dytren's eyes narrowed in annoyance, " Harry, I've told you to call me Dytren," he said stiffly. "You are my master; hence, it wouldn't be quite right for you to call me a 'Lord'..."

Harry ignored him and waited patiently for the energetic elf to finish his temper tantrum. Strangely enough, Lord Dytren reminded him a bit of Hermione. The elf was a strict believer of rules and traditions and tried quite often to force them on Harry...of course, though they consisted of boring lectures that he usual tuned out. Neverless, the elf enjoyed learning and was obsessed in his quest for knowledge, just like Hermione. However, the knowledge that Lord Dytren sought could pretty much be label...'dark,' which was something that Hermione wouldn't ever dream of learning.

"Are you finished yet?"

Undaunted, Lord Dytren sent a mock glare towards Harry before flinging his arms up in despair. "I swear, you seriously haven't learned anything from me over these past few months have you?"

Harry rolled his eyes, "Do you really want me to answer that?" he asked with a teasing smile.

Lord Dytren shook his head hopelessly, before his cheerful expression dropped and turned serious. Harry's eyes narrowed suspicious at the Elf's sudden change of mood. "Harry...it's time for you to go back..." he said as a sad smile crossed his face. "There is nothing more that you could learn from us anymore...we've already taught you everything that we know." Lord Dytren paused for a second before continuing, "Well...at least Lord Senge and myself believe that you are. That lazy vampire Kelnos still thinks that you're too 'slow and human' to ever adequately manage physical combat well."

Harry snorted in agreement, since in part he agreed with Lord Kelnos' opinion that as a human he wouldn't ever be able to match the speed of a vampire or even maybe a werewolf. His expression turned serious when he realized what Lord Dytren had just said. After a few moments of silence, Harry sighed, before saying, "Well...sometimes I wonder though..." at that moment, his expression slowly turned sad. "...whether the training would be enough you know..."

"...enough for me to survive..."

Harry shook his head in despair, "It's during times like this that make me wish...that you three could come back with me..." meeting Lord Dytren's curious glaze, he continued on just as softly, "...you know...just for support."

Lord Dytren nodded in understanding; however, he wisely remained silent. To tell you the truth, the elf was slightly surprised that Harry chose to confine in him, seeing as how the boy was usually kept his emotions and thoughts to himself and even more so after his mental training with Lord Senge - the Dementor Lord.

"If it makes any difference, I can tell you for certain that the moment you summon us from your human world, we will come instantly to your aid. You are our master, and for that you have our word that you will be protected," said Lord Dytren slowly, as he carefully watched Harry's face for expressions. "The time will come when you will become powerful...become a legend..." he said slowly, "...and regardless of what happen, I can assure you that our loyalty will never falter."

Harry nodded in agreement, as a faint smile twitched into being. "Thank you..."

Once again, the elf nodded before turning away from Harry. "Come...we have much to discuss," he said quietly, "Lord Senge and Lord Kelnos are waiting for us back in the study. It would be best if we didn't keep them waiting..."

Harry blinked in surprise, "Why? Is something wrong?" he blurted out, before his eyes darkened in realization. "I'm leaving today aren't I?" he said in a toneless voice.

"Yes."

A tall, slim figure stood unnaturally still amidst the tallest tower at Hogwarts, with his long wrinkly hands clutching the stone wall tightly, and his eyes glazing sadly down upon the ever bright and cheerful Hogwarts grounds. Loath that he admit, it was truthfully a beautiful sight, for the birds were chirping and the wind was singing through the trees; however, regardless of everything, the beauty seemed empty...and dead...

A gentle breeze whistled through the window and swept the man's long white mane and beard about in a frenzy, which made him look extremely powerful. With a soft sigh, Albus Dumbledore leaned his forehead against the glass frame of the window, looking even worse for the wear then usual. Had anyone actually caught Dumbledore looking so hopeless and lost, he or she would have obviously died of shock. The once "most powerful wizard in the world" looked, to put it simply, horrible. His ancient face was streamed with wrinkles - not wrinkles of happiness, but rather that of tiredness and stress. And his dull and tired eyes were framed with black bags, giving off the impression that the man hadn't slept a wink for weeks...

Dumbledore closed his eyes in pain as his fingers tightened their hold on the stone wall. Harry... everything so far revolved around the dear boy, and...everything...was his...fault...

...not Harry's...but his...

The old man's had dropped down to his side as he turned away from the window. The afternoon light casting a strange shadow across the man's wrinkled features making it look surprisingly gaunt and drawn. The last time that he'd seen Harry, the poor boy was angry...by far angrier then he had ever seen the boy become before. Dumbledore shivered lightly, when he recalled those cold emerald green eyes glare burning him from the inside out. Those eyes were so sad...so betrayed...the headmaster shook his head sadly as he released a long breath. Tom...and Harry...two extremely bright boys who could have very well become so much more...

...one of them insane and dark...

...while the other, Harry was missing, and most likely dead...

Dumbledore knew that during times of war sacrifices needed to be made for the general good. His fingers were clenched tightly against his robes before he released them. If Harry ever returned...there would be no turning back, no regrets. Voldemort was rising and was slowly regaining his power...and Harry, the poor child, was the only thing that stood between the Dark Lord and World conquer. And he, Albus Dumbledore would be damned if he allowed more innocent people to die just because he was slightly reluctant to send Harry off into battle.

There was suddenly a blinding flash of light as Fawkes emerged from a bright flame and landed on Dumbledore's shoulder. The beautiful creature dipped his head understandingly towards his old friend and opened it's mouth to sing.

The headmaster felt his blood come alive and his magic begin to churn as Fawkes began his song. He couldn't understand what his familiar was singing, but as far as he was concerned, it was completely thrilling. It was magic at it's most basic form - something that was needed, essential; however, it was also something that was often ignored...

"It's seems as if we're stuck in quite a dilemma, Fawkes," said Dumbledore as he stroked Fawkes silky smooth feathers which caused the phoenix to thrill in delight. However, before Dumbledore could finish, he heard two thundering pairs of footsteps coming towards the door, and sighed loudly before bracing himself to meet the arguing faces of the one and only Mad-Eye Moody and Severus Snape.

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"Gentlemen," greeted Dumbledore, as he smiled warmly at his two long-time companions before conjuring two bouncy yellow armchairs for them to sit down upon. His smile lessened slightly, when he noticed the two men's pale faces, and the twinkle in his eyes evaporated instantly. "Please, take a seat. I have a feeling this is going to be quite a long discussion."

Mad-Eye nodded his head jerkily, as he moved stiffly over to the chair, and Snape did the same.

With a slightly smile, the headmaster leaned back against his chair. "Lemon drop?" he asked politely as he plopped a few of those delicious yellow sweets into his mouth.

Snape's lips curled in disgust, as he tried desperately to hold his acerbic tongue. Mad-eye Moody however, was not as restrained. "Must you ask us that every time, Albus?" he growled as his electric blue eye spun about. As it so happened, after spending years with Dumbledore, Mad-eye no longer felt the need for pleasantries.

The headmaster shrugged lightly in response. "Well, its your loss."

Snape snorted loudly as he muttered something under his breath about crazy, senile old fools.

"Albus, we need to talk," said Mad-Eye seriously, as both of his eyes turned towards the headmaster.

Dumbledore sighed softly, as he gave his friend a smile. "Yes, I assumed so," he said gently, and then in a slightly cheerful tone he added, "Or else, I doubt you and Severus would have stormed all the way up to my office together of all things."

Moody's electric blue eye spun about in obviously annoyance, but he continued nevertheless. "Albus, I have just returned with a report from the Ministry. Apparently, the vampires as have left Voldemort's control."

Albus blinked in surprise. "On whose account."

"Not Fudge's, I can assure you on that," said Moody in a sarcastically. "The man is a fool, a bumbling, incompetent fool." Mad-eye leaned forward so that he sat at the tip of the seat before hissing, "Are the wards up, headmaster?"

"Yes, it is."

Moody's eye swept across the room as he carefully searched for any intruders. He paused for a second as he licked his lips nervously, "My informant was an old friend by the name of Arren Shrike, a retired Auror who lives in the slums of Knockturn Alley. During the past few months, there have been quite a few rumors about the rise of a new Lord. A Lord that has the power to be as strong as you and Voldemort." Moody closed his eyes, "And worst of all, it is said that this Lord has already gained the vampires as an ally."

"Severus, has the Dark Lord mentioned anything..." prompted Dumbledore, as his lips drew into a thin line.

Snape who was fingering the Dark Mark on his left arm looked up at Dumbledore's voice. There was something in his eyes that was different, that was changed...something akin to regret. "It is true," he whispered, "Last night at the meeting, the Dark Lord informed us that a new Lord had risen. He had consulted the stars and the weather, mainly the magical storm phenomenon. He knew that someone was coming, someone strong; however, the Dark Lord did not know whether the new Lord would be...an ally or an enemy." His lips twisted bitterly, "The Dark Lord believes that the new Lord would be an ally, or at least Dark." Snape let out a bitter laugh. "The new Lord has dark vampires by his side, the oldest and strongest of its kind. This is a fleet that even the Dark Lord himself would be hard pressed to match..."

"What!" growled Moody as he jumped to his feet in shock. "You mean to tell me that someone managed to sway those vampires? The Lamia Vampires have not show hair of hide since the fall of Grindelwald! How..."