The Hog's Head Inn$3$[1]

[Draco Malfoy]

*winks at Zabini as he puts an arm around Morgana's waist and disapparates them to his bedroom*

[Blaise Zabini]

*winks back as they disappear*

Lucky b******.

*sighs and looks around, a bit resentful there's no decent ladies there for him to pick up and take home too, so decides to just leave*

[Sebastian Bordeaux]

*swaggers in, wiping to no effect at his face and hair, which are streaked with soot and ash from the damaged shop, very much doubting this place has usable soap*

*tries a different tactic and wipes at his face with the edge of his silk cloak, but that only succeeds in moving the soot*

*sighs as he sits down at a spot near the window and people watches*

[Dante Fuilteach]

**Floos in from the London flat and looks around for Sebastian**

**Spots a sooty boy near the window and assumes it's him**

**Walks towards him and whispers**

Sebastian?

[Sebastian Bordeaux]

*smiles infectiously, teeth standing out against his blackened face*

Unfortunately, yes. Don't tell anyone you saw me in such an awful state. I just came from the shop and it's in shambles. Merlin knows where my bosses are... which leaves me doing everything.

*covertly glances over Dante's appearance*

[Dante Fuilteach]

**Kisses him on the nose, instantly blackening his own lips and leaving a somewhat clean spot on Sebastian's skin**

You look like I should have looked at Halloween when I dressed as a chimney sweep!

**Laughs and sits beside him**

Oh darling, I am sorry I did not come to rescue you from the Ministry.

**Pouts**

[Sebastian Bordeaux]

*raises his eyes to Dante's face*

How were you to know where I was? They were absurdly strict about everything. Please don't blame yourself.

*reassuringly squeezes Dante's hand under the table*

*half-joking* I always get in scraps, I'm sure you'll get your chance for rescuing.

[Dante Fuilteach]

In fact, I shall rescue you now!

**Takes out a silk handkerchief and wipes Sebastian's face til all the soot is gone**

My goodness, my mother used to do this for me when I was a very small boy.

**Smiles a little sadly**

[Sebastian Bordeaux]

*laughs lightly and doesn't protest to being mopped at with a handkerchief*

I'm sure you were the most adorable little boy.

*glances about for onlookers*

D, may I ask you something rather personal?

*almost adds* While I'm still breathing...

[Dante Fuilteach]

**Nods, feeling content and happy now he is with his Sebastian again**

Anything, a stór mo chroí... Have I ever told you what that means? It means dearest of my heart.

[Sebastian Bordeaux]

*suddenly wishes he was soot covered again so as to hide his blush*

Really? I just assumed it was complimentory...

*presses his lips together then lowers his voice*

I was only thinking that... why on earth did you want to be made a full vampire in the first place? What is there to gain from it? If you hadn't changed you and I could meet halfway, so to speak.

*smiles slightly, thinking it makes sense in his mind*

[Dante Fuilteach]

**Sighs and looks at Sebastian, abashed**

Sweetheart, you have a knack of asking real pickles, you know that?

**Thinks for a moment, his fingers steepled beneath his chin**

Everywhere I went, I was labelled, dear heart. "Vampire" this, "bloodsucker" that... My father romanticised the state of being a full vampire to me, reminded me of my "noble ancestry and past, the most renowned vampires in the world feature in my bloodline, and some yet live on!"

**He sighs**

I was seduced by his words to an extent, but I love my family and my past, and I wanted to be worthy of it. I wanted to finally become what people called me, and not have to try to pretend I am a normal wizard.

It came at a high cost... I can hold a wand, but it will cast no spells for me.

I wish I had met you before I made that fateful decision, cherished one.

[Sebastian Bordeaux]

I can believe that... your family has no problem with all sorts of seductions. I suppose you can't undo a thing like that, so it's no good to dwell, is it?

*blinks, lips curling as he thinks*

Now, I know how you loathe talking about yourself, mon cher, but I insist!

*lifts a hand and lightly touches Dante's cheekbone with the tips of his fingers, another question pouring forth*

Honestly, how much of this... your appearance is due to your vampire blood? Would you be so frightfully good looking without it? You'd be older looking, of course.

[Dante Fuilteach]

**Ponders a moment, and looks at Sebastian, stunned**

You know what? I'm not even sure!

**Grins ruefully**

I should show you a picture of my mother... Ophelia would look like her if it were not for father's blood.

**Pulls out his wallet and a photo of his very mortal-looking mother, somewhat like Ophelia except with natural red hair and looking roughly fifteen years older**

That is her... Lilith Fuilteach, née Rosier.

**Beams proudly as he hands it to Sebastian**

You see how natural she looks? Ophelia has this... sort of otherworldly edge to her. Some people see it as beauty, most sensible people see it as a sign of danger. I just call it the vampire touch.

[Sebastian Bordeaux]

*gingerly takes the photograph, studying it intently*

The vampire touch... yes, I can see the difference but I can't describe it much beyond that. She's very beautiful, red hair is simply stunning on women. I still can't help but gawk at a passing redhead.

*carefully hands it back, feeling a bit guilty after actually putting a face to Lilith*

You know I never knew the significance of your father's roses. I just plucked one, really.