Xerosis

King of Anything

Xerosis, once again disguised with red hair and a few years age, whistled to himself as he started the trek up to the castle gates. Dumbledore had been the one to suggest the change in venue, commenting that the vampire already had easy access to the school, since he'd changed the wards, and Hogwarts meals weren't anything to sneer at. (Anyway, Xerosis knew from his own observations during the past week and a half that Dumbledore was being constantly badgered by the Ministry and Order members, thanks to the mundanes picking up their attacks and the Dark Lords' continued destruction on seemingly random mundane towns. Meal times were about the only free time he got any more, and the Headmaster did like to enjoy as many meals with the students as possible.)

Snape stood stiffly just inside the gates. He offered a nervous little bow as Xerosis came to a stop on the opposite side of the gates. "My Lord. I have been sent to escort you to the Great Hall."

"Oh? He's letting me dine with the children?" Xerosis wondered as he stepped through the wards.

"As you are no doubt aware, the Headmaster has found eating with the students and staff a difficult endeavour of late, so he prefers to do so if he might. When he asked, I assured him that you would do no harm to the students," Snape explained, falling back so he was walking just behind the Dark Lord on their way up to the castle.

"Interesting..." Xerosis murmured, watching a gaggle of students hurry through the melting snow from the greenhouses. "And what did he tell the other professors of his guest?"

"As far as I know, only that you are related to the war effort. It's not the first time he has had someone unknown in the castle, though it is the first time he has invited them to lunch."

Xerosis hummed thoughtfully in response.

Upon entering the Great Hall, he took a moment to glance around the room, catching sight of his other self seated with his Ravenclaw friends. Unusually, Harry was the older of the two of them at the moment and he allowed a brief smile to cross his face when he saw Xerosis in the doorway, which Xerosis took to mean that things would go well. Other students spared him only curious looks, most of which turned away when they recognised the unyielding professor at his side.

As Xerosis and Severus reached the Head Table, Dumbledore greeted them with a smile. "Excellent. Thank you, Severus," he offered, motioning to the empty seat at his side for Xerosis to take, which the Dark Lord did. Snape took the open seat a ways down after offering his Lord a respectful nod. "I take it you had no problems getting here?" Dumbledore enquired.

"None that I couldn't direct towards Tom," Xerosis agreed cheerfully, serving himself some lunch. "There always seems to be a minor problem that needs our attention." Pale eyes flickered up towards tired blue. "I'm sure you understand."

Dumbledore allowed a knowing smile. "All too well. I will admit that I am, at times, jealous of your partnership."

"Having less people vying for your attention helps as well," Xerosis replied drily. "Honestly, Headmaster, isn't the Ministry capable of standing on its own two feet? They're like a huddle of small children looking for Daddy's approval over their every move. It's a wonder they've lasted so long."

Dumbledore sighed. "Amelia is doing what she can, but with the mess that Cornelius left, not to mention everything that's already happening..."

Xerosis snorted. "Yes, Fudge left quite the mess behind. I'll never understand how that man made it into office."

Dumbledore chuckled in response and they both fell silent to enjoy their meal.

Once they'd both finished, Dumbledore made his excuses to the staff and led Xerosis from the Great Hall, commenting, "I never would have been able to invite Tom to lunch."