Chapter 1

After that, Harry only saw Selene at most, twice a year: once on his birthday and once on the anniversary of the day they met. They exchanged letters whenever possible, but upon returning to the coven, Selene found herself under surveillance much too tight to make their correspondence constant.

She had made certain, however, that Harry was always supplied with clothing that she had roughed up just enough for the Dursleys to turn a blind eye or could be hidden under Dudley's things, and always money for food. There was also the understanding between them that as soon as Harry was of age she would change him and bring him back to the coven with her.

When Hagrid barged into Harry's life, declaring him a wizard and bringing him acceptance to Hogwarts, the only thing to change between Harry and his vampire mother was how often they could exchange letters. Hedwig, apparently, thought Selene was good for Harry and was rather fond of the woman.

So, when Harry, now miserable in his fifth year at Hogwarts, hadn't heard anything in nearly two weeks, he got worried. Ron and Hermione had noticed his mood, of course, but they'd put it down to anger at Umbridge and worry over Voldemort's return respectively. Which weren't wrong, exactly, they just weren't right either.

He'd never told Ron and Hermione about Selene. He knew that he should, but he didn't think they'd understand. Vampires were considered cruel, thoughtless creatures in the wizarding world. So telling his best friends—or anyone for that matter—that his mother was a vampire princess and that he had every intention of becoming a vampire himself the moment he turned 17, wouldn't go over well.

Unfortunately, that meant he had to worry alone.

It had put enough of a damper on his mood that not even Hermione had protested too much when Harry suggested they split up for the remainder of the Hogsmeade trip. Which was how he found himself alone, out of the busy streets by the shops, wandering the trail to the Shrieking Shack.

He was so absorbed in nothingness that he missed the fluttering of wings as Hedwig landed on his shoulder. "Hedwig!" His owl cooed, nipping gently at his ear. "Where have you been girl? Are you alright? Did you find mum? Is she alright?"
Hedwig cooed again and took off. She flew slowly, turning her head to look back at her master. Realizing that she wanted him to follow, Harry scrambled after her. They left the path, entering the woods and dodging through enough trees that the last remnants of civilization faded quickly.

Hedwig stopped in a clearing, fluttering down onto a branch and hooting twice. "Where are we?" Harry spun in a quick circle. He hoped this wasn't the Forbidden Forest. The sunlight streaming through the branches seemed to indicate otherwise, but he'd had too many bad experiences not to be wary. "Why are we here?"

"Your owl seems to think you could use some help."

Harry whipped around, his mouth dropping open upon finding Selene standing behind him. "Mum!" He launched himself at her. A part of his mind registered that she couldn't be standing there in pure daylight, but most of him didn't care after the worry he'd been experiencing recently.

"Hello beloved."

"How is this possible?" Harry stepped back, looking his mother up and down.

"The blood of Alexander Corvinus." Harry knew that he looked at least as confused as he felt, but Selene only shook her head. "Later, beloved, there's someone I want you to meet."

Harry hadn't noticed the man standing beside her. There was a chance, of course, that he had only just come out of the woods, but without Selene pointing him out, it probably still would have been a good while before Harry saw him. The man brushed shaggy hair out of his eyes, and extended and hand, "Hi. I'm Michael."

Harry took the man's hand, "Harry." He never used last names around his mum. The name Potter had never meant much to him, and it meant even less now that he'd joined the wizarding world. And while he knew that his mother had a last name, seeing as no one used them in the vampire world, he didn't much care.

"Michael is my mate."

Harry's head snapped between the two a moment, then a grin spread across his face. "Yeah?" Michael nodded a bit sheepishly, but when he slipped an arm around Selene it was a motion of ease. "Are you a vampire too? How'd you meet?"

Michael laughed at Harry's exuberance. Selene smiled, though Harry suspected she wasn't much surprised. "Take a seat beloved."

Harry found a comfortable patch of grass where he could lean against a tree. Selene and Michael settled themselves across from him, and Hedwig flew down to Harry's knee.

Selene took point in explaining the events of two weeks ago, Michael adding pieces here and there where Selene's absence created holes in the story. They explained the fall of the vampire elders, of Alexander Corvinus, of the need for vampires, lycans, and Cleaners to rebuild, and finished with the journey across Europe that had brought them here.

"So you and Dad are fugitives?"

Michael looked a little surprised at his new address. Harry had to concede that to most it would be a little strange. But then, most hadn't grown up in a cupboard being raised by a vampire at night, then spent the last four years fighting a supposedly dead megalomaniac with only the help of two classmates. For Harry, gaining a father was probably the most normal thing to happen to him since his first birthday.

Selene, on the other hand, wasn't at all fazed by how easily Harry accepted Michael. "Essentially, yes," her expression softened and Harry suspected that if he hadn't been here, hadn't been the one to ask the question, she never would have said it, "I'm tired of fighting."

"Then coming here might not have been the best idea."

"The wizarding community expects Harry to fight a war for them," Selene explained to Michael. "Voldemort is of little concern to me, beloved. You needn't stay here any longer than you wish."

Harry nodded and glanced at his watch. "I need to get back. There's a Quidditch game next Saturday, will you come?"

"Of course." All three stood, and Harry hugged his mother goodbye.

"I'll walk you back," Michael said. He kissed Selene, and joined Harry at the edge of the clearing. They walked slowly, Hedwig flying ahead as guide. "Look, about calling me dad…"

"I don't have to if you don't want me to."

"No, no, it's fine. That's not it. I just don't want you jumping into anything you're not sure of."

Harry glanced down, partially because of the treacherous ground, partially so he wouldn't have to look at Michael. "Are you sure?"

"About what?"

"Mum."

"I don't think I've ever been more sure about anything."

"And she told you about me?"

"Yeah. Your mom's very proud of you."

"I know," Harry grinned, "Well, if you're sure about Mum, and you're sure about me, then I'm sure about you."

Michael laughed. They stopped just inside the tree line, with the path just visible ahead. "Then I guess we're sure. I'll see you Saturday, Harry."

Harry hugged him tight. "I'll see you Saturday, Dad."

It was a much happier Harry Potter that greeted Ron and Hermione in front of the Three Broomsticks.

-:-

A week later, Harry was still floating. Even Umbridge really hadn't been able to do anything to him. Having his parents down in the Forbidden Forest, only a short invisibility cloaked trip away, had served to make this the best week of his life. And now, preparing to play the sport he loved with his family watching him for the first time, nothing, not even the fact that they were playing Slytherin could put a damper on his spirits.

He didn't bother to look for his parents, they would be watching from the Forest, out of sight. He piled his concentration into his game instead, intent on winning this game as quickly and with as much showmanship as he was capable.

His chance came a lot quicker than he expected, when he caught a flicker of the Snitch a few meters off the ground. He was diving in an instant, Malfoy just behind him. Just as Harry closed on the Snitch, the ball shot to the right. Harry followed, clipping Malfoy as he went, as the other seeker wasn't quite nimble enough to make the quick course correction. Malfoy tumbled even as Harry caught the snitch.

The Gryffindor team converged upon Harry as Lee Jordan cheered the win. They landed as a group, Fred, George, and Angelina jumping in celebration. Harry had made some impressive catches in his time, but this was surely the quickest.

"Oi! Potter!" In the excitement, Harry hadn't seen Malfoy crash to the ground but he turned just in time to see the blond pull out his wand.

A vice settled around Harry's wrist even as he reached for his own wand, there was the click of a gun cocking and everything froze. "Put it away."

"Mum?" Selene had settled herself between the two boys, her gun in Malfoy's face.

The blond barked out a laugh. "Hiding behind your pretend mum, are we, Potter?"

"Well at least—" Selene's sharp tug on his arm cut Harry off.

"Put it away. Now. Or I will kill you."

"Mum, he's harmless."

"Drawing a weapon is never harmless."

"Excuse me." Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Umbridge approached from the left. Umbridge was doing her best impression of a puffed up toad, McGonagall had no lips left, and Dumbledore seemed to radiate calm. "Boys can be rather rash at this tender age, it's best not to let things get out of hand."

"They were already out of hand before I arrived." Selene's posture only tensed at the addition of the three professors, "Remove his weapon."

"My dear lady—"

"Now see here," Harry cringed as Umbridge's shrill tones cut over Dumbledore's calm, "You are in no place to be ordering us around. This student has done nothing wrong. You are the only one pointing a weapon."

Harry tensed, anticipating his mother's unfavorable reaction. Selene gave his wrist a gentle squeeze, calming him. "Your student is pointing a weapon at my son."

There was a collective gasp from the gathered crowd, but Harry felt every tension melt from his muscles. It felt so incredibly good to hear her say that, so much better than he'd ever imagined. When she felt him relax, Selene squeezed his wrist once more. Then her hand shot out, almost faster than the eye could follow, plucked Malfoy's wand from his grasp, and snapped it.

Harry gaped at her. Malfoy's eyes were wide as saucers. And from the painful silence behind them, Harry was sure most everyone else had the same reaction. "Don't threaten my son."

"Only the Ministry of Magic has the authority to snap a student's wand." Umbridge marched forward, pulling herself up to the extent of her diminutive height.

"Dolores," Dumbledore stepped forward, even without posturing, his own presence was much more impressive, "I believe we should look into procuring Mr. Malfoy a new wand."

Umbridge sniffed. "The Minister will hear of this. Come, Mr. Malfoy." The blond followed after her to the castle, gibbering something about his father.

Harry did his best to suppress a smirk, though he heard several snorts in the crowed indicating that his classmate's hadn't been so successful.

"Miss…"

His mother bristled at Dumbledore's tone. "Selene."

Dumbledore paused a moment, then inclined his head in acquiescence, "Selene. I understand your desire to protect young Mr. Potter. Mr. Malfoy is often quick to act, but I can assure you that he is of not danger to anyone."

"No threat is an idle threat," Selene glanced over her should, "Beloved."

Harry ducked his head at her tone, "I understand Mum. I'm sorry."

Selene nodded firmly, facing Dumbledore once more. Having taught Harry to fight she was well aware that he had never once sought out an altercation, engaging only as a means of defense.

"As Potter was equally guilty in the altercation, I propose that he should face the same consequences, Headmaster." Snape had always seemed to Harry the most vampiric of the Hogwarts professors. Usually, however, the man's billowing capes prevented him from moving as silently as he had just now.

"But Harry never drew his wand." Harry was surprised it had taken Hermione so long to push through the crowd. But she hurried to Harry's side now, Ron trailing behind her.

"Being prevented from drawing his wand is not the same as not drawing it Granger."

"Enough Severus." Dumbledore waved what was supposed to be a calming hand, though Harry was sure that it served to do mostly the opposite. "You are correct."

"Albus, surely you don't mean—"

"However, Mr. Malfoy was the one to draw his wand first. Had Mr. Potter drawn his own wand it would have only been in self-defense. We cannot fault him for defending himself. And so, Mr. Potter's wand will not be snapped." Harry felt almost guilty for the disappointment he felt at Dumbledore's announcement. After all, it had only been this summer he'd been so desperate to keep his wand in once piece. But then, he hadn't had the same options this summer.

Snape grumbled, but Dumbledore cut him off. "Enough Severus. Please return to the castle. In fact, we should all return to the castle."

A great murmur went up as the crowd moved to obey the Headmaster. Snape glared at Dumbledore before stalking after the students, his robes billowing once more. Eventually only Harry, Hermione, Ron, Selene, Dumbledore, and McGonagall remained.

"Harry, my boy, you and your friends should join your classmates."

Selene tensed at his suggestion. "Actually Professor, I'm not sure that's such a good idea."

"Your loyalty to your protector is admirable Harry, but I think that the time has come for you to allow your professors to talk."

Harry bristled at Dumbledore's casual dismissal of his mother. "Well then, Headmaster, don't let us keep you from talking. If it's all the same to you, I'll give my mother a tour while you and Professor McGonagall discuss." He turned sharply, catching his mother's hand and pulling her along with him. Selene followed easily at his side, and he could hear Ron and Hermione trudging after him.

"Harry," Hermione caught them as they crossed the threshold of the castle doors. "Harry, are you sure that was such a good idea?"

"Yeah mate," Ron was puffing from the exertion of trying to keep up. "It's not like Dumbledore did anything wrong."

"Didn't do anything wrong? I don't know how much more obvious it can be, Ron, this is my mum. Dumbledore shouldn't have dismissed that."

"Well yeah, but I mean, she's not really your mum. My mum's been more a mum to you than she has. I mean, you never even mentioned her."

For a moment, Harry and Hermione could only gape. "Sending me a present on Christmas and feeding me when I'm over at her house does not make your mum my mum. It makes her a decent person."

"How would you even know anyway? It's not like you've ever had parents!"

Harry felt his blood go cold. He heard Hermione's sharp intake of breath as though from far away. His hand was already halfway curled into a fist when he felt Selene's cool hand on the back of his neck. It calmed him instantly, at least enough that he wasn't seeing red. "Leave."

Ron hesitated only a moment before turning a storming up the stairs.

"Oh Harry, I'm sure he didn't meant it."

"Do you agree with him?"

"Of course not." She stepped up close to him, one hand fluttering out to touch his arm. "It's just that people say things when they're angry—"

"Hermione."

She sighed. "He does have a point though." Harry felt his whole body tense. "Just-just that you've never mention her, you," Hermione's eyes flickered uncomfortably between mother and son, "I mean, no offense, he's just never…"

This time Harry sighed, his whole body sagging with the relief that Hermione wasn't as stupid as his supposed best friend. "I wasn't sure telling you would be such a good idea."

"Why?"

Harry turned helplessly to his mother. Selene's gaze darted around the Entrance Hall before locking with Hermione's and dropping her fangs.

Hermione jumped. One hand flew up to cover her mouth, "You're a—" Hermione paused, swallowed, and tried again. "You're a vampire?"

"Yes." Amusement touched Selene's face. Harry was sure she must be enjoying this, particularly seeing as how she'd lost the chance with him.

"But I thought vampire's couldn't go into the sunlight."

"They can't."

"Then how—"

"Hermione. I don't think this is the place." Having recognized the signs of his friend losing herself in the excited fervor that came when she encountered something new, Harry was reminded that they were still in the Entrance Hall. She looked a little put out, but nodded her understanding.

Selene glanced at the sunlight streaming through the windows. "I should go. Your father is likely to try storming the castle soon."

A slight panic seized Harry at her words. "You're not leaving are you?"

"No."

"Okay. You should come to breakfast. Malfoy will probably have written his father by then."

Selene chuckled. To Hermione she said, "Harry should be able to answer your questions." Harry hugged her tight, "Stay safe, beloved."

"Bye Mum."

The two Gryffindors remained motionless, side-by-side for a good while after Selene left. It was the distant echoing of footsteps that brought Harry back to life and he turned to the marble staircase, waving for Hermione to accompany him. "C'mon. Let's find somewhere to talk."