disclaimer: still don't own it.
warnings: same as always...
a/n: The response was a little overwhelming! Thank you! I'm not sure this story will be long but if we receive enough interest we will try to make it longer just for you! Thanks!
Chapter One: Recognizing
Harry walked along the sidewalk towards Oxford for his first day of classes. The final battle had happened three months ago and since then Harry hadn't returned to the wizarding world. He went straight to Gringott's from leaving the ruins of what Hogwart's used to be and received the portkey that would take him to Potter Manor where he had been living ever since. Harry decided he needed a muggles education if he wanted to make it in the muggle world so with help from Gringott's he was able to produce the right documents where he could attend Oxford for the fall. He decided to change his name so that he could completely leave his old life behind. After trying different names, he finally decided to be Sethrael Xavier Black.
The first day of classes was cloudy and rainy, but the weather had been unusually dreary this year. Hardly any sun had shown through the clouds anymore. Sethrael just found it as a reflection of his mood. He was near the entrance of his class when he noticed a strikingly handsome young man nearing him.
Sethrael's breath caught in his throat. It couldn't be. The young man approaching looked almost exactly like Cedric. Sethrael was starting to panic. 'It's not him. He died. He died fourth year….because of me. Can it be him? No, it can't be him.' Sethrael cackled insanely to himself, "I've finally lost it."
Edward Cullen walked casually towards his first class. He decided to go to England and go to school to try and forget about Bella. He was catching bits and pieces of people thoughts as he was walking towards his first class. He caught a glimpse a short young man's thoughts not too far in front of him and it had him curious. Edward could tell something was different about this boy but he couldn't place what it was. He would definitely figure it out later though. Edward headed off towards class as Sethrael trailed behind him. For the next two days Sethrael followed Edward when they weren't in classes.
Edward knew Sethrael was following him. He would get bits and pieces of Sethrael thoughts as he followed him. 'He acts differently than the other students. More refined than the others,' were some of the thoughts Edward heard from Sethrael. One thought he caught on the second day caught him by surprise, 'He is gorgeous.' said the young man following him.
On the third day of Sethrael following him around, Edward was tired of it. He walked to a local park and took a seat on a bench. He turned his head towards the tree Sethrael was hiding behind and said, "You can come out and join me if you would like."
Sethrael poked his head from behind the tree and was blushing. He walked towards Edward cautiously. 'I wonder how he knew I was following him. Maybe I wasn't as careful as I thought I was,' Sethrael thought.
"Er…hello," Sethrael said taking a seat next to Edward. "I'm sorry for following you. It's just…you remind me of someone I once knew." 'Someone I once loved.'
Edward looked closely at Sethrael. "That's understandable except for the having to follow me around part."
"I know, but this person was important to me and you look an awful lot like him. I'm sorry for following you though," Sethrael said. 'Calm down. He's not going to bite. Just relax.'
Edward chuckled bitterly at the thoughts going through Sethrael's mind. If he only knew what Edward was capable of. The wind started blowing gently as they sat in a comfortable silence. Edward's head snapped towards Sethrael.
"What's…what's your name?" Edward asked stumbling on his words.
"It's Sethrael Black."
Edward knew there was something different about Sethrael. He couldn't place it until the wind started blowing. Usually when Edward was around a human he had a lingering burning in his throat because of the way their blood enticed his senses, but this human – this human was different. His blood smelled sweet, but he didn't smell like food. It intrigued him. He would have to call Carlisle and ask him if he ever met anyone like that before.
"What is yours?" Sethrael asked. 'Why is he staring at me? Do I have something on my face?'
"Edward Cullen," Edward replied. They sat there a little bit longer until Edward rose gracefully. "It was nice meeting you but I must be going. I'll see you around."
Sethrael sat on the bench a while longer lost in his thoughts. He decided to head home for the night and wonder about the mystery that was Edward Cullen. The weekend soon approached and Friday night found Sethrael at a local bar having a few drinks. Sethrael had had a nightmare of the final battle and decided he needed a way to forget.
Sethrael was having various mixed drinks as he sat at the bar lost in thought. He never noticed Edward having come in and taken a seat next to him. 'Why did it have to be me? I could have helped them someway,' were Sethrael's thoughts as he drank.
"Hello Sethrael," Edward said.
Sethrael was shaken from his thoughts as he finally noticed Edward sitting next to him. He gave a small smile and downed the rest of his drink. Edward watched him for a few moments trying to catch more of Sethrael thoughts but he was thinking of so many things at once, it was giving him a slight headache.
Sethrael turned to study Edward's face. 'Why does he look familiar besides looking like Cedric? He is gorgeous, and he skin looks like marble. He is perfect. His voice is soft and melodious…' Just then an image flashed in Sethrael's mind. Edward watched the small scene inside Sethrael's head play out. He was in what looked like a party with other children his age. Inside the party was another vampire who was looking hungrily at the people at the party. 'That's it! He's a vampire! I knew he looked familiar.'
Edward couldn't conceal his shock. Not only had Sethrael met a vampire, but he recognized that he was one. Edward stood without a word and left heading home to make a call to Carlisle.
Sethrael was left alone and confused sitting at the bar. With a sigh, he turned back and ordered another drink. He would figure out what he did wrong tomorrow.
Monday finally arrived and Sethrael set out to his biology class. He hadn't had this class yet so he was looking forward to something different. Sethrael spent all weekend trying to figure out what he did to upset Edward but gave up after coming up with no logical explantion for anything. Sethrael entered the class to find Edward sitting quietly in the back. Determined to find out what was bothering Edward, Sethrael went to take the seat next to Edward.
Edward had went to call Carlisle the moment he left the bar. He didn't know much about Sethrael, but he didn't know if he should be worried that he recognized he was a vampire.
Carlisle picked up the phone, "Edward! How nice to hear from you! How is Oxford? You picked a good time to go because the weather in England is supposed to be unusually dreary this year.
"It's good so far. Carlisle. I met a young man, his name is Sethrael. There is two things I do not understand about him. One, he had a flashback while we were talking and he has met another vampire during the course of his life and he recognized me as one. The second thing that bothers me is when I got smelled his blood, he didn't smell like food. His blood smelled sweet but not like a normal human. Should I be worried? Have you ever met anyone like that before?
Carlisle was silent on the other line as Edward let out all his emotions. When Edward finally calmed down, Carlisle spoke slowly.
"As for him recognizing you for what you are, there must be some reason. You should find out why but don't press him. About him not smelling like food, that's something I haven't ever came across in my three hundred years. I'll do some research and get back to you. You should go clear your mind and I'll give you a call as soon as I know something."
"Thanks Carlise," Edward said releasing a sigh.
"Your welcome Edward. Goodbye," Carlisle said hanging up the phone.
Now as he sat in his first class of the day, he noticed Sethrael walk in and walk towards him to take a seat next to him. Edward chuckled to himself, 'It's always biology.'
Sethrael took a seat next to him and didn't say anything out loud, but his thoughts were another story. How should I approach him? I wonder if he's still bothered. I still don't know what I done to upset him. Should I bring up I know what he is?
"Umm....hello Edward. How was your weekend?" Sethrael asked.
Edward turned slightly towards and watched him curiously. "It was good." He said nothing more and turned to pay attention to the professor who just entered the room. Sethrael didn't get a chance to speak to Edward again until the professor dismissed them for the day.
"Edward, will you tell me what I did wrong at the bar?" Sethrael asked gathering his notes off the desk.
Edward didn't say anything as he rose from his seat and headed towards the door. He was almost out of the door when he caught Sethrael's thoughts.
'Vampires have no manners anymore.'
Edward turned around and stared at Sethrael. "How do you know what I am?" he said in a low voice.
Sethrael looked shocked for a moment. "Wait, how did you know that I knew? I never said it outloud." Sethrael was starting to panic. Maybe he can read thoughts. He's possibly seen too much in my mind. I need to block my mind.
That was the thought Edward heard from Sethrael. He could tell Sethrael was still thinking from the expression on his face but he could no longer hear his thoughts. Sethrael had started using Occlumency.
"What did you just do?" Edward asked.
"We need to talk. Now," Sethrael said grabbing Edward and dragging him to the park where they first spoke. Sethrael used wandless magic discreetly to cast a silencing charm over them.
"First of all, can you read minds?" Sethrael asked.
"This isn't the place to be talking about this sort of thing," Edward said.
Sethrael waved his hand dismissively, "Don't worry about it. No one can hear us."
Edward studied Sethrael. "If you are sure. Well, I might as well be honest. Yes I can read minds. I could read your mind up until a little bit ago. Now to my question. How do you know what I am?"
Sethrael sat deep in thought. Edward was being honest with him so he decided he could return the same courtesy. "I met one during my sixth year at school. The school I attended was different from most around here. I've learned about your kind since I started school. My friend Hermione --" Sethrael suddenly cut off what he was saying. He stood abruptly and mumbled to Edward that he would speak to him later. He took off running towards the trees and apparated back to Potter Manor.
Edward tried to follow Sethrael, but it seemed like he had disappeared into thin air. Sethrael appeared in Potter Manor and called a house elf to bring him a drink. He sat in his study wondering why his life was so complicated. He hadn't let himself think of his former friends, but telling Edward about Slughorn's Christmas party brought back memories of Hermione trying to avoid McLaggen, Luna being his date when other girls only wanted him for his fame, and trying to figure out what Draco was up to.
Thinking of his close friends that he lost at the final battle brought Sethrael to tears. He cried for hours in his study letting himself remember his fallen friends and family. His feet carried him automatically to his room where he curled up on his bed and decided to stay there as long as he could. Sethrael missed the next few days of classes and Edward was getting worried.
Sethrael decided it was time to stop moping for now and to go back into the land of the living. He dressed and headed to the park where he and Edward last talked. He sat there until the sun started to set and slowly people left the park. Edward decided to take a walk so that he could take his mind off of worrying about the young man that had him so worried. As he got closer, he smelled the sweet scent of Sethrael. Edward quickened his pace until he was sitting on the bench next to him.
"Hello Sethrael," Edward said quietly.
Sethrael sat quietly for a moment then slowly turned towards Edward. "May we go back to your place? There is a few things I would like to tell you."
Edward nodded his head and led Sethrael back to his small flat near Oxford. Edward directs him to the couch in the middle of the living room and brings Sethrael drinks.
"I'm sorry for leaving so abruptly," Sethrael said. "It's just, thinking about school brought back some painful memories I'd rather not think about right now."
"Completely understandable," Edward said.
"I have some questions for you though. That's if you don't mind," Sethrael said. "I'll answer question you have as long as it's reasonable. We all have our secrets."
Edward looked thoughtfully for a moment. "Okay, I'll agree."
"How long have you been a vampire?" Sethrael asked.
"Since 1918," Edward replied. The line of questioning went on as they discovered little bits of information about each other.
"How are you able to be around humans so much?" Sethrael asked on his turn.
"My family and I don't want to be killers. I don't like being a monster," Edward said.
"But isn't it hard to stand?" Sethrael pressed on.
"It is. Sometimes I almost lose my control, except for around you. You don't smell like food to me," Edward said. "I'm not sure why though."
"So you don't indulge in a human every now and then. They make you stronger," Sethrael said.
"No, I do not! I told you! I don't want to be a monster! You don't know what it's like to kill someone! To take someone else's life," Edward said standing.
"Edward, sit down," Sethrael said. "I told myself I would never tell anyone this story, but I think you deserve to hear it. First things first, my name is not Sethrael Black. My true name is Harry Potter and I'm a wizard."
Edward sat and heard Harry's life story. He heard of his home life, learning about magic, and going to school. He learned about Voldemort and his followers. Harry told him about all six years at school and about his final year as he was searching for pieces of Voldemort's soul. Finally Harry got to the part of the final battle. Harry started shaking.
"I can't tell you about the battle, but I'll show you," Harry said. Harry slowly lowered his occlumency shields and showed Edward what transpired at the final battle. As the scene faded from Harry's thoughts, Edward felt as though he was going to be sick.
"Is it okay if I...if I hold you," Edward asked. Harry nodded as Edward put his arms around Harry just as he started to break down.
"It's okay Harry," Edward said trying to soothe Harry. "At least over time the memories will fade. You'll move on with your life, then someday when you're old and gray and as you put it earlier, you'll move on to the next great adventure." Edward said referring to what Dumbledore had told Harry during his first year of Hogwarts.
"It's not that simple Edward," Harry said through stiffling sobs. "I'll never die."
"What are you talking about Harry?" Edward asked hoping he had heard him wrong.
"I told you of the prophecy. We'll the fates had visited me as I slept to regain the magic I had drained during the final battle. It seems that when it implied that Voldemort and I were the only ones that could kill each other it literally meant no one else can kill me. Since I defeated him, there is no one that can so the fates kindly informed me I'll live forever."
Edward stiffened. Harry would never die. Harry would stay human and never die. Harry looked up at Edward who was staring at him intently. Harry leaned forward cautiously and placed a gentle kiss on Edwards cold lips.
"I'm sorry," Harry said standing. "I shouldn't have done that."
Edward gave up all his human pretenses and got to Harry before he could blink. He wrapped his arms around Harry and gave him a passionate kiss in return.
"Do you believe in soulmates?" Harry asked as Edward broke the kiss. "It's something we learned about while at Hogwart's. Something in my magical core is telling me I just found mine."
Edward stared at Harry. He had just lost someone who he thought was his life, but hearing Harry's story and having Harry in his arms everything just felt right.
"I have another question though," Edward asked. "If you'll live forever, will you keep aging?"
Harry laughed his first true laugh in a while, "No, I'm a metamorphagus. I can change my appearance at will. I'm also the most powerful wizard of the age at the moment. I can change things about your appearance."
"Really?" Edward asked.
"Yes. Ever what you would look like if you were older?" Harry asked.
"Of course, but I never thought it would be possible to see it," Edward said.
Harry moved his hand over Edward and conjured a mirror. Harry turned Edward towards the mirror. The reflection looking back was not the seventeen year old he had been accustomed to seeing the past eighty years but a middle aged version of himself.
"This is impossible," Edward said staring at himself.
"Nothing is impossible when it comes to me," Harry said with a chuckle turning Edward back to his normal self.
"Do you know what this means? What this could mean for my family?" Edward said. "Are you able to do something about my sparkle?"
"Sparkle?" Harry asked.
Edward took off his shirt and went to stand beside an open window where the sun was shining through. Harry inhaled deeply as Edward's skin shimmered.
"It's why we can't go out in sunlight," Edward said.
"You're beautiful, but I can see why it's a hinderance," Harry said.
"Yes," Edward said.
Harry waved his hand towards Edward. Edward looked down to see himself not shimmering in the light of the sun.
"This is wonderful! I'm sorry I'm bothering you with all this but do you know how many possiblitites you have opened for me Harry?" Edward exclaimed. "This is amazing."
"Would you care to visit my home?" Harry asked.
"I don't know Harry. I sorta need to feed," Edward said.
Harry went and wrapped his arms back around Edward, "There is a forest in the rear of the Manor that is full of game for you to feed on. It is also warded against muggles. No one can ever find you there if I don't tell them. It will give me a chance to know about you since I told you everything about me."
"I guess that sounds fair," Edward said putting shirt back on. "How do we get there from here?"
"It's time to introduce you to wizarding transportation. If you could please grab my necklace. You'll feel a pull around your navel and it will seem like the world will be spinning but we'll land directly in the front entrance. I'm terrible at portkeys so I might fall when we land, but no worries"
"Don't worry, I'll be there to catch you," Edward said grabbing the necklace around Harry's neck. Thery were whisked away to Potter Manor.
