Sam, the count, smiled, showing his all too pointy to the boy. He leaned forward slightly and said a short affirming, and terrifying, statement.
“Close, so very close, but technically correct.” The count retrieved the pen and in flourishing cursive wrote his full title and passed the paper back.
Vlad III Dracula, son of Vlad II Dracul, of house Draculesti of the House Basarab Branch. Former Voivode of Wallachia. Also known as Vlad Tepes’.
The man leaned back in his chair and folded his hands politely on the table.
“You forgot ‘the Third’, among other things. My alias is…incorrect and none of your concern.”
He held out his hand slowly, saying;
“My pen, if you please, young man. I vill see you tonight, an owl vill be sent with a location chosen by the headmaster, vhere, accompanied by a professor, you may ask me questions…unless you wish to do so alone?”
the boy shook his head vehemently As he held out the pen shakily. As he turned quickly to go he found his hand held by the count’s, pen in between his warm sweaty palm And cold dead flesh.
“I would prefer if my name vould not spread and echo through the halls. Vhile I admire your tenacity, and commend your bravery, I must tarnish your victory by reminding you of hubris, and the dangers of boasting.” He let got slowly of the boy’s hand as he finished his warning. “You may tell your friends what I am if you wish, and I promise no harm will come to you by my hand for the knowledge you now carry for as long as you are under this school’s and the headmaster’s care.“ His hand free the boy nodded and rushed back to his seat while the count ripped up the note and put the remains in a pocket. He was sure the young man would figure out the hinted at threat. What was 4-5 years to an immortal after all? Although he doubted he’d have to follow through on the threat. … or perhaps he might, he looked at the student pensively. The boy could make a good vampire in 10 or so years. He leaned back and with a sidelong glance at the headmaster pretended to sip from a glass of water. “Clever boy there Albus, I don’t suppose you have a professor to spare for the interview tonight? My apologies for pushing this on you but I realized as I spoke that an unaccompanied minor left unattended with someone of my persuasion could perhaps damage the reputation of your school. This is of course to speak nothing of the young man’s ability to ask questions in a state of terror. Who would you recommend?” As he spoke he tapped gently on the headmaster’s mind, and outside the metaphorical door of his thoughts whispered of his own. “"I would so like to have the potions master attend, the man has so much pent up anger and stress I believe that a mind game may lend itself to redirecting that. And if it just so ends up in him throwing spells it may just work a little of the stress off. It would also do wonders for his reputation if some students just happened to see him ‘chase the monster away’ as it were… unless that delicious astronomy professor is still here and has perhaps lessened her grudge towards me for breaking that telescope during out last encounter? Or if Minerva has grown a sense of humor since I scared one of her 9 lives away as a wolf?”“ Samuel seriously doubted either were true but he could dream, both women were very enticing. A witch who loved the night sky and another who scratched the snout of the wolf that woke her. So strong willed Minerva was, and magic blood was so enticing. He licked his lips as if they were dry, but Samuel could feel his mouth and veins whisper with hunger.
The boy swallowed, visibly shaken by the smooth candor of the count who bore such fearsome undertones in every calculated motion. As a child, he’d often been told that running from a predator would only incite an excitement for chase. He stood as still as he was able until he’d been released, but gave a resolute nod of understanding the vampiric fellow’s warning as he was told. At his House’s table, he could be seen shaking his head to refuse the questions of his peers. Possibly he was trying to determine how many days were left of his protection within the school.
If the Headmaster was perturbed by Sam’s veiled threats against the youth, he showed no outward indication of it. He gently gestured to the room at large to continue with the evening’s feast. The show was over.
“I agree. I expect he’ll make a fine individual with a zeal for self preservation once he’s grown.” Albus smiled, peering over the rims of his half-moon spectacles. “As a matter of fact, I think it’s a splendid idea, Samuel. Certainly it would cause a great deal of gossip if you’d conducted such an interview here in the Great Hall, and children do have such wild imaginations when they’re only vaguely informed. A private meeting with a staff chaperone will surely alleviate a great many tensions.”
He stroked his snowy beard and took a slow draft of mulled wine from his ornate goblet.
Ah, yes. Severus has a keen mind. Quite prone to anger and anxiety, but never the one to be baited into altercations without proper motivation. I expect that Professor Trelawney would prove a bit too dreamy in these days to provide adequate entertainment for your own mind. Minerva… well. I expect she would find it humorous to light your trousers on fire, if that is what you mean~ Albus projected within his mind.
“Professor Snape has no further classes this evening as far as I am aware. Perhaps he would indulge us both by attending this interview after our conversation concerning your Ward?” the Headmaster prompted. “Severus?”
Snape looked up from his untouched food as if he hadn’t been straining to listen in the entire time. Rather than argue, the potion master gave a curt nod. While he kept an eternal visage of general irritation, he would be lying if he were to say he was disinterested in what would come of the questioning.
“As you wish, Headmaster.” he replied in a monotone rumble.
