Blood means everything
Chapter 1: Deliberating bitemarks
Dusk fell over Private Drive, the sun almost set. At Number Four, a young, ten-year-old boy could be seen going inside after a long day of tiresome chores, just like every other evening. Ofcourse, like always, there was no one who saw him. Or…was there?
Two hours earlier
"Come in, Severus" Albus Dumbledore greeted the Potions Master. Once inside, the Potions Master scowled "Albus, is this really so important that you have to ruin my night?". "Yes my boy, you know I do not call for you when the night comes if it is not something of utmost importance" Albus replied, a grave look on his face. "Arabella Figg, the squib I stationed near Privet Drive to keep watch on the boy keeps informing me of the continuous mistreatment of Harry Potter, Severus. You know as well as I that we must act, for he is coming to Hogwarts next year. I know you are not going to like my request but I urge you to set your opinions about the boy aside, despite what happened to you due to James Potter in your early years. Think about how your childhood was and ask me if you'd want the same thing for the boy." the headmaster spoke to Severus, a hopeful look in his eyes.
Severus remained silent for a minute, thinking. Manipulative old coot. "He's right, you know." A faint voice in Severus' head said. And Severus had to agree. Albus was right. And even though he did not get along with James Potter back then, Harry would not be like that, especially because of how he was being treated now. "Alright Albus, I will leave in an hour, just let me finish this one potion." the Potions Master replied with a sigh. "Thank you, my boy. Oh by the way, you know there is no other option than for you to turn Harry, if you are to take him. You know that, right?" The headmaster said, with twinkling eyes. "Yes, I know. I must go now, Albus." And without waiting for the headmaster to respond, Severus rushed to his potions lab in the dungeons to finish his last potion – a blood replenishing potion. "If I am going to turn Harry, I might as well stock up on ingredients as I will likely have to brew quite a few blood replenishing potions" Severus thought to himself. He enterd his potions lab and closed the door behind him.
One hour later
Severus Snape stood on top of the astronomy tower. Dusk fell over Hogwarts, the sun almost set. And that is when his powers began to strengthen for the night. Wings began to grow out of his back. All vampires had black wings which they were able to use once night was coming. Besides the wings, they had some more powers and advantages as well. However, it came with a price. Even though vampires were considered 'immortal' by most muggles and wizards alike, they did have some weaknesses. And a rather specific diet. Normal humans were able to taste all kins of flavors in normal food. Such as sweet, sour, bitter and other flavors in all different kinds of food. From sushi to chocolate, you could make an eternal list. When it came to vampires, you were finished in the blink of an eye. Blood. And that is all there was to it. For 'humans' it tasted gruesome. For vampires, it was heaven. And Severus had just drank a bit of blood from his hip flask, he was ready to go.
His wings spread, he let himself fall off from the astronomy tower, only to fly up into the air again, setting course for Privet Drive, Surrey.
The flight was short. Severus, as usual, flew at high speed. He could see the boy perfectly, even if it was almost dark outside. Vampires had an excellent vision at night .Severus saw the boy working in the back yard. Why for Merlin's sake is a ten-year-old-boy working in a back yard at ten in the evening? Ridiculous! Landing silently in a dark corner of the garden, Severus observed the boy. He was thin, too short for his age and sleep-deprived. Suddenly, a huge man – Severus thought he could do for a walrus - came outside and yelled at the boy to come inside before the neighbors saw him and his freakishness. Freakishness?
(Harry's POV)
This is exhausting! Pff, I have to eat something before I black out Harry thought. And then he saw Uncle Vernon come towards him with a mad expression on his face. "Boy! Get inside! Before the neighbors see you and your freakishness!" Harry sighed. It was always the same. Always. Uncle Vernon would always yell at him, even though no one ever saw him and today was no different. There was no one around who saw him. …or was there? Harry had a weird feeling as if being watched. He turned around and – by coincidence – looked right at the spot where the vampire was hiding but Harry could not see it.
Severus froze: The boy looked right into his eyes. For a moment, he thought the boy had seen him. Fortunately, he had not, so Severus remained silent and continued to observe the situation. After 2 hours, he had seen enough. How dare those Dursleys treat Harry like that! And oh, Severus knew only too well how being treated like a good-for-nothing freak felt. His childhood was the same. But I can make a difference for the boy, I will not let him suffer! And with that in mind, Severus apparated inside. He cast a silencing charm on the whole house, since people tend to freak out when he first approached him. He was not disappointed. As soon as he entered the cupboard (The boy lives in a bloody cupboard?!) Harry screamed and stared at the man in shock. However, vampires could be very soothing, something Harry quickly found out. As the calming Aura of the dark man was affecting him, he was able to finally stutter a few words.
"W-who are you?" Harry asked the man, who was now smiling. "My name, is Severus Snape, and I have come to rescue you, Harry Potter. Before you say anything, please let me explain a few things to you." And with that said, Severus moved closer to the boy, crouched before him and began explaining everything. About magic, about the boy's biological parents, about Harry himself and finally, he told the boy about vampires and about how Severus was one of them. For four hours, Severus spoke with the boy.
Four hours later, when the man had explained everything, Harry thought he was still dreaming, even though the man had reassured him that he in fact wasn't dreaming. This all was real. The man had come to rescue him from the Dursleys! Finally! Someone who does not hate me! And I'm not a freak, I am a wizard! …But if I go with him, he will bite me and I will be a vampire for the rest of his life. But … the man said he would teach him everything. About magic, about vampires and about anything else he wanted to learn about. Harry remained silent for several minutes, deep in thought as to if he should go with the man, or not. Very quickly, he came to the conclusion that he did not have anything to loose; the Dursleys hated him, never gave him anything, barely fed him.. he could go on and on about all negative things the Dursleys did to him. And then came this man, who said he had come to rescue him. I'll go with him Harry decided.
Harry turned towards the man and said "Severus sir, I would like you to take me with you, away from this place".
That was easier than I expected Severus thought. But then again, what did he expect= The boy was treated like vermin for years, finally, someone had come and did actually show interest in him. `Alright, Harry. Lay on your bed and turn your face towards the wall`. And as the boy did just that, Severus brought his lips near the boy´s throat and his fangs softly penetrated his skin. Severus could feel the blood flowing in his mouth. Even though the boy´s blood tasted delicious, he had to turn him. By instinct, he released some vampire turning-venom (vampires had turning- and deadly venom) into the boy's blood stream. After he had retracted his fangs, he closed the bite marks with a tip of saliva and cast a strong sleeping charm on the boy. When he was sure Harry was fast asleep, he took the boy in his arms and apparated to the apparition barrier near the Hogwarts wards. In the castle, he took a few secret passages to make sure he was in the dungeons quickly. He gave the password to Salazar Slytherin's portrait, which swung open. He then walked straight to the newly added bedroom for the boy, - courtesy of the Hogwarts house elves – and laid the boy on the bed. As the sun began to rise, Severus felt himself become sleepy. There was a potion which allowed vampires to be out during the day, but he decided not to take the potion and to rest, along with the boy.
The next sunset, the boy's awakening would be complete and Harry would be completely safe. Away from the Dursleys, to begin his new, eternal life.