Above Ground: Chapel (Connected to Apse; leads to everywhere else above ground)

Demyan glanced severely in Malachite's direction, barely noticing Maximus for the moment.

"Who says I vos insulting anyone, my mother least of all?! I'm asking vot the hell gives anyone the right to downsize another before even seeing what they're made of?! Rossalyn agrees to be your student and yet you still bring her down, just because of who she is - what she is! The way I see it, we all have blood - what the hell makes me so different from her?! Try explaining that one to me without using the word 'pure' or any of its derivatives!"

"And, you know, I have a damn name... wanna try using it instead of calling me 'boy' all the time?!" Demyan snapped icily.

Lucifer acted, in Demyan's opinion, like the teen knew nothing. Of course he knew his mother was a Slytherin - she Headed the entire House for as long as he could remember! And it was no secret that the Slytherins were big on blood status... the tolerance he'd acquired, he was actually glad to say, likely came from his father's side.

The moment Lucifer even suggested his mother had murdered people of that particular denomination made Demyan turn his back on the ghosts and storm over to one of the windows. It was better than giving Lucifer the satisfaction of seeing the surprise written on his face. He couldn't believe his mother had murdered... the teen was aware that both his parents had a dark past but... even acknowledging such a thing would force him to change his entire ideals about his parent.

Simply put, that was not something the boy was prepared to do.

"For your information, my Mother was hired by Rossalyn's mother - a Mudblood as you delight in calling her - and though their relationship was a little touch-and-go they were far from enemies!" Demyan seethed, refusing to move or turn from his spot at the window.

"Honestly... we've agreed to learn from you, not to accept insults to things beyond our power to control!" the teen added, his voice icy and flat, but still distinctly angry. "They say you can pick your friends but you can't picky your family... And who I choose to take interest in is really none of your concern."

"Who says I vos insulting anyone, my mother least of all?! I'm asking vot the hell gives anyone the right to downsize another before even seeing what they're made of?! Rossalyn agrees to be your student and yet you still bring her down, just because of who she is - what she is! The way I see it, we all have blood - what the hell makes me so different from her?! Try explaining that one to me without using the word 'pure' or any of its derivatives!"

Lucifer scoffed. "She didn't agree to be our student. We agreed to teach her, despite where she came from. We advised her to listen to us, and she did. By no means did she do us a favor. And as differences stand, I find replying to that question rather pointless, considering they are quite obvious to you as of this moment, or will be revealed to you in time."

"For your information, my Mother was hired by Rossalyn's mother - a Mudblood as you delight in calling her - and though their relationship was a little touch-and-go they were far from enemies!"

Another dry, but clearly more hollow laugh escaped Lucifer. "Merlin, you truly are ignorant of the past! Your Mother was fully capable of finding a better job. In fact, she had a far better one." in a disapproving tone he added. "It was only because of you, your siblings, and father that she left it all behind to stay in Hogwarts. Fool of a witch she is, throwing it all away for a son who decides to unite with a mudblood..."

"Lucifer, silence!" Malachite commanded. This discussion had gone too far. While he didn't understand alot of things, especially when it came to his granddaughter, making choices for the sake of love was one things he could fully comprehend. After all, he had done similar things for Andromache. In fact, while his sons were carrying out this final deed solely for the reward of moving on, he was doing this because he loved her, and this was the best way to receive atonement for all his sins in life and forgiveness from her.

"Honestly... we've agreed to learn from you, not to accept insults to things beyond our power to control!"

"Hmmph. What we speak of is not insults. Pure genuine facts. It is no fault of ours that the truth hurts." Lucifer sneered.

"... And who I choose to take interest in is really none of your concern."

"On the contrary boy, it is in fact very much our business, because-"

"Lucifer! Enough!" Malachite commanded, silencing Lucifer for good.

From his distant stand, Maximus observed the banter with a mildly amused expression. Perhaps he could have some fun with this after all...

"She didn't agree to be our student. We agreed to teach her, despite where she came from. We advised her to listen to us, and she did. By no means did she do us a favor. And as differences stand, I find replying to that question rather pointless, considering they are quite obvious to you as of this moment, or will be revealed to you in time."

Raven brows furrowed deeper in confusion. Demyan wasn't sure what was obvious to him at this very moment, and the part about being revealed to him in time was rather cryptic if the lad did say so himself. "The way I see it, you three asked me to ask them. Perhaps you did agree to go through with it, but the fact remains that she still agreed to be taught," Demyan seethed, glaring angrily out the window. His rage had diffused, for the moment, to a low simmer.

"Merlin, you truly are ignorant of the past! Your Mother was fully capable of finding a better job. In fact, she had a far better one. It was only because of you, your siblings, and father that she left it all behind to stay in Hogwarts. Fool of a witch she is, throwing it all away for a son who decides to unite with a mudblood..."

"She threw nothing away!" Demyan hissed in Parseltongue, his head whipping to the side to glare icily at Lucifer. The emerald orbs were starting to change to a dark onyx just like they had the last time his emotional state had been pushed a bit too far. He turned back to gaze out the window, hoping that the view of the deserted countryside would be enough to erase that dry laughter from his mind. Eyes closed upon hearing Malachite's words, their owner attempting to stay coherent in his fury by having his ears grasp the firm, authoritative tone.

"Hmmph. What we speak of is not insults. Pure genuine facts. It is no fault of ours that the truth hurts."

"How would you like to be in Rossalyn's position? You wouldn't be having such a grand time about notions of bloodstatus then, would you? Honestly: learn some tact," Demyan snapped, though wasn't really one to talk. The worst thing was: he knew it. The teen wasn't the most polite child on the block, and his irate conversations with the ghosts rather proved it.

The teenager spun around when Lucifer declared that any romantic interest of Demyan's was their business. 'Who the **** does he think he is?' he wondered silently. Demyan was torn between asking Lucifer to finish what was surely to be some venomous remark, or to stay silent. Really, though - why was this man so interested in his choice of romantic interest? The only reasons he could come up with were nosiness or... or family, particularly a father. But this man was no Sevastyan Kaminski. Demyan wasn't sure whether that musing was to be a compliment or an insult to the ghost.

He decided to stay quiet: Malachite's command seemed pretty obvious that no answers were going to be given today. The 'why' part still had Demyan curious, though. It almost felt like he was having a kind of pseudo-stare-down with the ghosts... until...

Emerald orbs jumped to a portion of Lucifer's arm, Demyan having caught sight of a symbol that was all-too-familiar to him. It was even on his mother's potions portfolio...

But that was impossible!

No, no, no... there was no way that mark could be on that ghost. Or so Demyan thought. That would just be... creepy. He had honestly thought that the phrase 'one of us' had been a Slytherin reference. Now, it seemed, there was a bit more to the story if his eyes were not indeed playing tricks on him.

Was Lucifer really... a Viper? One of the clan?! That naturally would make Maximus and Malachite - Lucifer's kin - also members. A look of surprised incredulity crossed the lad's teenage features.

Malachite, Lucifer and Maximus..........................

"The way I see it, you three asked me to ask them. Perhaps you did agree to go through with it, but the fact remains that she still agreed to be taught,"

"It wouldn't have bothered me if you forsook the mudbloods. Merlin knows they shouldn't have been allowed in Hogwarts in the first place..." Lucifer sneered.

"She threw nothing away!"

At this statement, Lucifer practically roared with laughter, responding in the same language. "Indeed. Only a noble career she had worked all her life to achieve, and for what? To be dishonored and embarassed bu a son who courts a mudblood!" he scoffed. "Do you know so little of your mother, boy?"

Lucifer had to use every ounce of his not-so-much self-control to resist the urge to refer to Demyan as bloodtraitor. It rather hurt the ghost to think that his only male decendant was a bloodtraitor, so for now, he opted to hold off on comments that personal. Not for the boy's sake! Oh, no, certainly not! It was to spare himself from unecessary pain!

"Lucifer, enough!" Maximus exclaimed, silencing his oldest son once and for all, leaving Lucifer to do nothing but smirk triumphantly.

"How would you like to be in Rossalyn's position? You wouldn't be having such a grand time about notions of bloodstatus then, would you? Honestly: learn some tact,"

"Quite frankly, I'd kill myself. That probably holds little impact given my current status, but I'd honestly rather be dead..." Maximus replied, snickering. "Lighten up, will you. If the girl can't handle a few comments, how is she going to handle herself against the purgers then?" Maximus inquired with a raised eyebrow.

Three Viper's smiled inwardly as they noticed the boy's gaze dart to Lucifer's arm. He was one step closer to solving the puzzle, and so soon! The boy certainly was no empty-headed Weasly! He was a Viper and a Kaminski, a true pureblood diamond indeed! Now if only he'd ditch the mudblood...

Demyan opened his mouth to retort, but Malachite's warning to Lucifer seemed to extend to him as well so he remained silent despite the torrent of fire and ice whirling within like a hurricane. Or, at least, that was Demyan's impression of the two-word command. Who was this guy to know so much of his mother... to assume that she would be embarrassed by his choice of romantic interest and subsequently dishonored?! What, did Lucifer think shacking up with one of his sisters was a better idea than liking Rossalyn? That was just... ew. Way too weird for Demyan's liking!

Fierce emerald eyes focused on Maximus. "Sometimes you just have to live with what fate gives you!" Demyan snapped, hardly finding humor in that. He didn't like the idea of lashing out at 'Maxi' for he was the first of the three he decided he could get along with. Not to mention he got most of Maxi's humor up until now. That was what prevented Demyan from saying what he really wanted to: that he viewed killing oneself was a coward's act, an act that neither he nor anyone else here found appealing. Demyan did not consider those having been sorted into Slytherin during their schooldays to have been cowards. He himself had been in Slytherin...

"Я буду когда вы делаете!" he lashed out at the perceived rebuke. However, he was silenced by the rest of Maximus's words. It had been the same thing Rossa said, more or less. Did they think she was weaker now than they had already considered her, because he went and said something? The thought frustrated and irritated the teen. "If you think she asked me to say something on her behalf, you're wrong!" Demyan shouted, sincerity ringing in every word. However, he felt like he was losing ground in this round of words with the ghosts.

That was the worst thing about his temper: it exploded and raged for a while, but eventually had no choice but to cool off if not prodded further. There were a lot more words he wanted to say to Lucifer, but Malachite's intervention prevented the situation from escalating. Demyan wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.


Demyan backed up a step, shifting his weight. His mind was working furiously to process the information of the implications of his mother's family symbol on these ghosts. He didn't regret raging at his ancestors, not at all! Given all that Lucifer had returned to him in not-so-docile conversation, it seemed like they were interested in him and his sisters - and only them - rather than The Remnant as a whole. Why then include everyone else in a package deal, in asking him to round up his companions, if they were so much against them? Did they want verbal punching bags as well as 'pupils' to teach? The only thing he could surmise was that this was a test... but why the scheme, other than 'Slytherin nature'?

The thought of asking Lucifer about the mark he spied did not set well with Demyan at all, the situation already uncomfortable as it was. He had not anticipated seeing that particular symbol on any of them... unfortunately this was far too real to be just a dream. In semi-desperation, Demyan glanced to Malachite's arm but did not find any such marking. He didn't think, at first, that the mark would be in different places. But he was forced to think of that possibility now.

Emerald eyes decided to warily focus on Maximus, giving up on trying to find Malachite's symbol for now. Ebony brows furrowed upon seeing... something... upon the ghost's neck. It wasn't a collar, that was for sure. It was a bit blurred or something to where Demyan couldn't see it quite as clearly - no pun intended - as Lucifer's marking, but it had a familiar shape to it. Demyan let out a slow, relieved breath at finding it: he really didn't want to ask Lucifer directly. Knowing the ill-tempered ghost, he'd probably come up with some remark on Demyan not noticing it sooner. He didn't want to give Luci the satisfaction.

~ Not to mention you're probably at least as old as my father!" ~ Demyan recalled himself saying to Lucifer at one point.

Lucifer wasn't his father, of that he was certain. Firstly was the given name, and second was the Viper tattoo. Not to mention their personalities were quite a bit different. Once again, Demyan wasn't sure if he was insulting or complimenting Lucifer with such notions... So, if he wasn't his father, what other relation could he be? Uncle? They'd be about the same age, judging by appearances. Demyan's father was forty-five when he more or less abandoned his wife and children for only Merlin knew whatever reason.

Did ghosts even age when they died? Demyan didn't think so, given information provided from his vague memory of the Hogwarts ghosts. So there really was no telling who they were to him based on appearance of age. Of the three, it was Lucifer that claimed to have the most knowledge about his mother, or at least tried to make a good show of it.

That couldn't mean he was......... could it? Had Demyan actually insinuated that his grandfather was... the teen wasn't sure whether to laugh or gag as a variety, almost a rainbow of emotions from hopeful to furious flitted across his face. This revelation wouldn't change anything between them in the boy's eyes: too much had been said in anger between them. And, given the venom received and delivered straight back, Demyan really didn't care or want to attempt to make amends. Given what he knew in their introductory exchange of names, that would make Maximus an uncle of some sort... and Malachite his great-grandfather...

Demyan swallowed heavily, overwhelmed by the conclusions he'd drawn. He was staring down the most direct link he had with his mother... but why wasn't she with them? Unless she actually was alive, like he hoped, even dreamed about every night.......

Why hadn't they told him before?! It's not like they couldn't have said anything!

So that he wasn't starting unnecessarily at Maximus, the emerald eyes darted between the three. Was it this ... connection... that made them appear to him when he'd played the instrument at the head of the chapel, as opposed to actually having played correctly? Everything all seemed to be coming together too quickly...

"You could have ******* told me!" Demyan shouted to none of the ghosts in particular in unintentional parseltongue. Were they - who were already dead - so worried about him possibly blowing up at them that they decided to keep it secret? He hardly knew them! The stabbing pain of a headache made its presence known just above his left eye...



((Just for reference, Demyan's bit of Russian is meant to translate into something like 'I will if you do,' in regards to him lightening up. xD))

"Sometimes you just have to live with what fate gives you!"

Maximus snickered in amusement at this statement, glancing at his ghostly form. "You are preaching to the choir, boy, so listen closely. You were born with the purest blood there is, centuries of unpolluted Kaminski and Viper Blood flows through your veins. Do you know how many people would die to have your blood? By all means, don't throw it all away and tarnish all the bloodlines with your antics!"

Honestly, didn't the kid realize the importance Dignity and Purity were to the Clan? Hell, the Vipers had disowned descendants for less...

"If you think she asked me to say something on her behalf, you're wrong!"

Lucifer shrugged. "If you say so... It is not as though it makes any difference to us. Regardless of the circumstances, it is blindingly obvious you still retain contact with her."

Despite the varied emotions the ghosts bore, all vanished except for a hint of excitement and intent as they noticed the boy beginning to piece it all together. They could practically see the thoughts spinning in the boys mind, accompanied with the wheels turning.

"It's about time..." Lucifer declared mentally, smirking inwardly.

"Well, despite the mudblood, he is still quite a Viper!" Maximus grinned.

"Thank Merlin..." Malachite sighed, closing his eyes.

Now if only he'd react well to this...

"You could have ******* told me!"

....Or maybe not...

Maximus chortled loudly. "Is it such a tragedy being related to us, boy?" amused by Demyan's reaction.

"Considering the current circumstances, it's not exactly a pride and joy moment." Lucifer muttered lowly, wandering off back to the organ. Lucifer wasn't a touchy-feely guy in life,, and he sure as hell wasn't one after death. There was no way to say for sure how emotional or dramatic things could get so he opted not to be bothered with it and snag a moment in relaxation.

"You are preaching to the choir, boy, so listen closely. You were born with the purest blood there is, centuries of unpolluted Kaminski and Viper Blood flows through your veins. Do you know how many people would die to have your blood? By all means, don't throw it all away and tarnish all the bloodlines with your antics!"

Demyan kept silent, eyes trained on the ghost. There was a slight humor to be found in being in a chapel and being told one was preaching to the choir, but the teenager chose to ignore the figure of speech for now. "I've a rough idea how many have and would die in trying to spill it..." Demyan answered calmly, referring to the Purgers wanting to kill him. However, the boy held very little fear. The usual whirlwind of fire and ice, instead, graced the lad's vibrant emeralds. Though, this particular brightness was entirely due to the purgers, not the words of the ghosts.

The teen bit back a comment he wanted to launch. His 'antics' were based on an emotion he couldn't quite explain even to himself. It was about the same way he felt about his sisters and his need to protect them, only it was distinctly different at the same time. Had Maximus not done anything in his life for the sake of... whatever emotion this was? Demyan wasn't going to ask it aloud, and nor was he going to lash out any further at this particular ghost. At least, not for the moment.

Lucifer's shrugged comment told Demyan two things: one, that hadn't been what they were implying; or two, Lucifer was actually telling the truth and they really didn't care. Well, if the second was the case, why'd they care about his being - or rather wanting to be - involved with her? Surely if they didn't care then they'd just shrug it off, right?!

"Is it such a tragedy being related to us, boy?"

"Considering the current circumstances, it's not exactly a pride and joy moment."

Demyan observed Lucifer's ... well he wasn't exactly walking was he, being a ghost and all... movements - yes, that was a good word - back to the organ. 'Grandpa' or not, the teen felt they'd clashed one too many times to secure much of anything that a normal child would have had with a grandparent. Truth be told, he wasn't really in the mood to attempt such. And given this action from Luci, Demyan got the feeling the ghost wasn't exactly one for doling out affection. 'Fine by me...' Demyan mused silently.

In his childhood, the boy might have been touchy-feely to certain individuals... but the death that followed him and his sisters around made it obvious that, if anything, he shouldn't get too attached for anyone outside the circle of friends converged here, lest others get drawn into this mess, too. Besides, he already felt rather attached to a member of the Remnant in the sorta-romantic-y sense. It was a bit difficult to explain his feelings for one Rossalyn McConn...

"Tragedy's not exactly the word I had in mind..." Demyan replied with a mixture of continued agitation and a slight undercurrent of being rather uncomfortable. He hadn't meant for his question to be taken in such a way. He really would rather have known... however, he supposed if they had revealed it right off the bat he wouldn't have believed them. But yet, their markings... that would have made everything clear! "Why the hell do you three think I carry this with me everywhere I go, even though this place is about as safe as we can make it?" he asked, not quite sure they'd understand what he was getting at. But, regardless, Demyan reached into the magically-expanded pocket of his robes...............

....................... and pulled out a battered old book, or rather half a book that looked like a whole one, with the same symbol as their markings upon it. It also had his mother's initials inscribed upon the cover.

It was Amaranth Viper's old potions portfolio... or at least the first portion of it.

Not only was it a sentimental, tangible reminder of his mother, but it also proved - in his eyes at least - precisely where he came from. He was a Viper... and a Kaminski... but Demyan didn't want to think about his paternal lineage. After all, Demyan didn't see any ghosts from that side of the family popping up to help...... though he was sure that if his Godmother were able she would have!

"I've a rough idea how many have and would die in trying to spill it..."

"Hmmph." Lucifer scoffed. "I should hope, for I am merely wasting my time should the circumstances prove otherwise."

At the back of his mind, Malachite could begin to fathom why exactly Demyan was so sensitive about his antics, if "Ever Dream" the family song was of any indication. However, in the ghost's opinion, the circumstances for both him and the boy were quite different: considering the important factors such as heritage and ranking of both sides of the party. Perhaps they could have a private conversation regarding it all sometime down the road. A great-grandfather to great-grandson chat, so to speak. Assuming their relationship is ever that well off, of course.

"Tragedy's not exactly the word I had in mind..."

Maximus snickered lightly in response. "Greatest fear come true, abomination, cruel twist of fate...?" he offered before howling with laughter.

However, the moment the portfolio was revealed, all humour was evaporated and replaced with all seriousness.

"Lucifer get your ghostly ass back out here!" Maximus commanded, his emerald orbs glued to the battered scraps.

A hiss of anger echoed from the organ. "I beg your pardon?!?!"

"Lucifer, your brother is correct. This is something you must witness!" Malachite added, his eyes glued to the portfolio.

Another set of green eyes widened, this time from an irate ghost who had done as his kin had suggested. "Bless my corpse! Well, what are you waiting for, boy? Find the potion! The Vita Iterum potion, now!" he exclamed.

Demyan rolled his eyes at Lucifer’s sneered remark. He was tempted to verbally brush it off, but held his tongue.

The teen wasn’t sure if Maximus’s sudden change from humor to seriousness was a good thing... or a bad thing. At the moment, he was leaning toward the latter. Where he would’ve laughed at the command Demyan paled very slightly at the fact that it was Lucifer that was being summoned. Had he done something wrong by showing them the book? They all seemed rather intent on it. Instinctively, even though they couldn’t physically grab onto it, Demyan clutched the book tighter. A small snicker escaped him at the hissed reply, though Malachite’s confirmation rather unnerved him.

What must he witness? Demyan hadn’t done anything more than show them his mother's book... What was so important about that?

"Bless my corpse!”

For perhaps the first time, Demyan chuckled at something Lucifer had said. It was done somewhat nervously, but it was undeniably a hint of laughter. After a moment, though, he supposed it was an apt exclamation coming from a ghost. At the command from Lucifer, though, all trace of humor was erased. “How about ‘Find the Vita Iterum potion now, please?’ “ he suggested pointedly, glaring as he cracked open the book to a random page. Without waiting to see Lucifer’s response, he immediately flicked through the pages of the back ‘half’ and, not finding it there, started checking through the first ‘half’.

“What does Vita Iterum do, anyway? I haven’t had a chance to study the whole thing, what with having to share it with my sister... But I'm gonna guess Vita means life. It'd be a bit too ironic if it were short for 'vitamins,'” Demyan said. Though he daren’t tell them, he really hadn’t had much chance to do much of any of the potions in his mother’s portfolio, and both he and Lynn more or less kept it as a remembrance of their mother rather than as a practical textbook.

As he searched, the teen walked away from the window and into the midst of the ghosts. He stayed clear enough to make sure he didn’t walk through them, though, out of a rare respect and so that Lucifer wouldn’t at least try to cuff him about the head in case he got mouthy.

“Oh – hey, look: right at the front,” Demyan muttered more to himself than anything, though since they obviously knew more about the potion he would tolerate the old reading-over-the-shoulder move. He had temporarily forgotten in this moment that the book had broken and he was now holding only the second portion of the directions for Vita Iterum. He was too busy looking between Maximus and Malachite for the explanation of what the potion did.

“How about ‘Find the Vita Iterum potion now, please?’

Lucifer glared, irritated by the reply. "How about find the potion now, or die?" he hissed, getting increasingly frustrated that this one would-be glorious moment was getting slowed by a teen and his cheeky remarks.

At his brother's reply, Maximus couldn't help but snicker lightly. "Lucifer, you do know that given our current condition, we-"

"I know the repercussions of our form!" Lucifer roared in furthered irritation, courtesy of his brother's own smart alec reply. Honestly, did being dead result in one's banned use of figure of speech?

Malachite couldn't help but sigh and roll his eyes at his sons antics, though he offered a small smile to Demyan. "Do you need further proof that the blood that ran in our veins now runs in your's? Look at Maximus. I daresay some of his wit passed unto you. Now, please lad, continue with the potion."

"It would help immensely in our abilities to teach you. Amaranth designed the potion to temporarily solidify ghostly matter." Maximus explained with his more serious tone, though splashes of humour and laughter still blended into it.

"In other words, we become opaque, able to feel, walk, sleep, eat..." Lucifer added with a hint of a dreamy tone before impatience emerged once more. "Sweet Merlin, the potion, boy! The potion now!"

But instead of a full page of ingredients and directions it was only half... While the Vipers were famous particularly for their gifts and abilities in potions, there was not chance that either of the ghosts were willing to guess and test with the beginnings of the potions. Not with their own spirits!

A cadence of colorful language escaped the two brothers while Malachite was able to retain a bit of self control and composure, closing his eyes, struggling to calm himself.

"Please tell me you know where the other half is..." Maximus retorted softly. He could almost swear that he felt an icy chill run up his spine from nervousness.

Demyan merely peeked over the book at Lucifer in a kind of 'I'd like to see you try' kind of way. There was really no telling whether, if Lucifer was solid instead of translucent, the lad would've given him the same sort of look or not. At the moment, the boy really would rather not consider that. He watched the exchange for a few seconds and then went back to the book.

The teen noticed Malachite's smile out of the corner of his eye. He matched it with a very small one of his own. Demyan still wished they'd told him straight off, but he supposed he wouldn't have believed them at first if they'd done that. A part of him was still angry about it. Though he knew that Malachite didn't likely mean for him to literally look at the other ghost, Demyan did it anyway and couldn't help but grin at the compliment bestowed before returning his focus once again to the book.

Maximus's statement on what the potion did made Demyan's eyebrow raise momentarily before settling back down to their normal position. While he wasn't quite sure what humor there was to be found in that, Demyan made a noise akin to a laugh to attempt to fit in with the much more comical ghost. The teen was slightly creeped out by Lucifer's dreamy comments of what it would be like to have a physical form again. But he refused to let it show.

Though their language wasn't anything Demyan hadn't heard of or came up with on his own, the boy still jumped at the sudden perception of hostility. It was then that he remembered that he was not the owner of the full book. The good news: all was not lost, and he knew it.

"Please tell me you know where the other half is..."

In a way, Demyan half-wished Maximus had shouted. Yet, at the same time, it was probably best he hadn't. He turned to the ghost, closed the book, and nodded. "My sister. When purgers attacked, she and I were looking through the book. A spell hit it, cleaving it in half..."

He replaced the half-book into his pocket, and pulled out a small pocket mirror. "Lynn?" he said to it, hoping that his sister had her two-way mirror close at hand. From wherever she was keeping it, Demyan couldn't see much of the surrounds.

He just hoped she kept it on her rather than say putting it with a bunch of salvaged stuffed animals...

Malachite bit his lip nervously. Their entire task at hand depended on that potion. Granted, they could verbally explain and describe their teachings, but it wouldn't be the same. Chances are it wouldn't count as them helping the children to the best of their ability...

Lucifer rolled his eyes in irritation. "It didn't occur to either or you to protect the book? Shield it so it doesn't all burn to dust?" he sighed in a ghostly manner, muttering. "Children these days indeed..."

As Demyan pulled out his small pocket mirror and called for his sister, all three ghosts simultaneously crossed their fingers, hoping for the best.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


Lynn was sitting on her bed, playing with Felix and laughing at his antics to get the cereal in her hand when she noticed the nearby pocket mirror, in midst of her small army of critter pets, a use of communication between her and Demyan, glow birghtly with the sound of her brother calling for her.

Intrigued and curious, Lynn summoned the mirror towards her, leaning against the wall. "Hey, Demyan," she greeted with a smile. "What's up?" An overwhelming curiousity filled the teen, wondering what caused her brother to call her using the mirrors. It was soon followed by a light of whisper of fear. Had something happened?

Demyan set Lucifer with a hard stare of icy venom. “Hey. She was four, I was seven, and it hadn’t been too long since a death that created a massive upheaval in all of our lives. Mind cutting us a bit of slack?” he snapped. The boy didn’t think it necessary to share his views on his father. It would only serve to hand Lucifer further ammunition.

“It was only cut in half...” the teen muttered under his breath and focused again on the mirror. By this time he could clearly see Lynn smiling, which caused him to do the same. “A lot...” he muttered in response to what was going on, and resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “Listen, it’s a long story, but could you meet me in the Chapel with your half of Mom’s book? I’ll explain when you get here, kay?”

Lucifer raised an eyebrow at the venom presented. "Your parents really never did teach you any respect or manners, did they?" he scoffed, rolling eyes. "Well, knowing your mother I suppose I shouldn't be suprised... " he retorted, his voice devoid of any affection a father normally had when speaking of one of his children.

...it hadn’t been too long since a death that created a massive upheaval in all of our lives. Mind cutting us a bit of slack?

A look of comprehension dawned on Malachite's face at those words spoken. From what he knew, Sevastyan had died before Amaranth, so that had to be what Demyan was referring to. Poor Boy...

Malachite and the others had met Sevastyan on a previous occassion, all stemming with various, yet rather similar conclusions. Sevastyan had made a rather strong impression on Lucifer with both his family ties and personality. In fact, truth be told he appeared rather suprised that a man of Sevastyan's caliber had bothered to notice his "defect daughter", who he openly told Sevastyan he felt Viper wasn't even close to Sevastyan's league.

Maximus, as usual had pulled every gag/comment, both cheesy and cheesier out, testing Sevastyan's buttons little by little, in the end gaining a fondness for Sevastyan as well, for he seemed to have a sense of humour Maximus's constant companions lacked.

As for Malachite, well... Let's just say seeing Viper and Sevastyan reminded him alot of him and Andromache.

Grudgingly and suprisingly, Lucifer added in a semi-apologetic tone, "Your father? I see... I suppose it is partly understandable, though not agreeable. He was a good man, after all..." He replied, not knowing his pure intentioned words impact. "Very well, your 'slack' is cut."

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

Lynn looked at Demyan oddly, wondering why he would want to see her half of their Mother's potions book, but opted to follow Demyan's request.

"Alright, just give me a sec. I'll be done their in a few minutes." she promised him, smiling brightly as she reached for her small chest under her bed. Inside the chest were some of Lynn's most treasured items, such as old diaries, photographs, and of course: various gifts and trinkets her parents had given to her.

She found her Mother's book and smiled, hugging it as she stood and sealed the chest, dashing off to her brother.

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

When she arrived at the Chapel, she instinctively froze at the doorway when she noticed 3 other ghosts, fear illuminating her orbs and form. The fact that the three unknown men were ghosts didn't scare her in anyway. After all, as a tot in Hogwarts, seeing ghosts were nothing new to her. It was the fact that she had never seen them before that frightened her. Ever since the group of Muggle kids had attacked her, Lynn was absolutely terrafied of strangers, having a particularly difficult time meeting new people. In fact, it had taken nearly a year before she could sit around the other residents of Morpheus Keep at ease.

Quickly, she hurried over to her brother, hiding behind him. "Demyan," she whispered fearfully. "Who are they?"

Demyan rolled his eyes. “Nope...” he sighed, just to irk the ghost further. However, at the further dig about his mother, the teen scowled but kept his mouth shut. He hadn’t been at Hogwarts for very long, but he knew quite a few things about those hailing from Slytherin House... especially having been a Slytherin, himself.

Only once did the boy recall a story once told by his parents, of the first time his father had met the other Vipers. Their names hadn’t been used, and of course it was sweetened to fit a child’s bedtime tale. All he knew was that the prospective in-laws approved of his father: that one was exceedingly funny, another very serious, and the third difficult to place, but had clearly approved. Of all the ghosts in the world, Demyan never would’ve thought it’d been these three until recently.

The teen bit his tongue though couldn’t suppress the roll of his eyes at Lucifer commenting that Sevastyan had been a good man. ’I should’ve known Luci would think he was alright... Demyan mused darkly. However, by the ghost’s words, it was sufficient enough for to allow a break in the chastising. “About time...” the lad muttered very quietly, almost in a whisper. “Thank you...” Demyan said a bit louder, though clearly did so begrudgingly.


Footsteps heard moments later made Demyan turn toward the door leading out of the chapel. It was only belatedly that he realized he should’ve told her there were others – albeit spectral – in the room, too. Lynn was deathly afraid of strangers, ever since a group of Muggle kids assaulted her. Emerald orbs gave their baby sister an apologetic countenance. The teen held out an arm for her, much like the way their father used to do. Demyan hated being told he was just like his father, but he knew the familiar stance would comfort Lynn based on watching Sevastyan do so. And Demyan would do it again and again in a heartbeat if it meant Lynn would feel safe.

Demyan stayed still, gladly allowing Lynn to use him as a shield from the ghosts. It made him feel wanted and needed, moreso than he already felt by being a part of The Remnant. At Lynn’s whispering he turned around to face her, and placed an arm about the girl’s shoulders in a half-embrace. “It’s okay, Lynn... they’re here to help us...” he whispered in reply, before telling her precisely who they were and why they were there. He left out the part about them being Vipers, preferring a private moment with his sister to explain this unless she also spotted the tattoos. “Th-they knew Mum and Dad...”

“Before they can teach us, though, we’ve gotta help them. Mom’s book has a potion they can use, but it looks like the book got split right in the middle of it,” Demyan explained, waiting to see how his baby sister took to all of this information before plowing onward.