Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

'blah' means thoughts

This fic contains slash. If this offends you in anyway, I suggest you leave now. Any move you make beyond this point is completely out of my hands.

LATER (BEFORE MID-DAY MEAL)

Rumors (most assumed that was what they were) about what had happened in the fourth year Gryffindor/Slytherin Potions class were circulating through the school, even the professors were talking about it amongst themselves. Or rather they did until Dumbledore heard them. In response, he called a staff meeting.

"Albus, they are just rumors!" McGonagall insisted.

"They appear to be such but there is a seed of truth present," Dumbledore countered.

Just then, Severus walked in. "You started the meeting without me?"

The assembled professors' heads turned to the doorway, where a gothic teenager stood.

"Had a mishap, Severus? Potions perhaps?"

"Obviously, Albus."

"So, Severus. I take it you've heard the rumors?"

"I have." Severus sat down next to Dumbledore.

"What do you think?"

"I think we should all go back to what we were doing before you called this meeting." Severus tensed after saying this.

"Severus? Are you okay? You're tense," McGonagall mentioned.

"Aside from the obvious, I'm fine," he sneered. He paled again. For the second time that day, he inadvertently showed off his fangs.

McGonagall turned to Dumbledore and exclaimed, "Albus! How could you hire a vampire! He poses a danger to the students!"

"I am NOT a vampire, Minerva!"

"Actually, Severus, that's only partially true. He's a Daywalker. He has all the strengths of a vampire, but none of their weaknesses except for the Thirst which he can control," Lupin said.

"So you see, Minerva. Severus is no threat to his students," Dumbledore added. "In any case, we'll need a replacement professor for Potions. I'll owl a few people I know to see who will come."

"And with that decided I'm returning to my rooms." Severus stood up and swept out of the room, robe billowing out behind him.

Dumbledore shook his head. "The boy needs time to himself to get used to the fact that the entire school basically knows his secret."

THE CORRIDOR LEADING TO SEVERUS'S ROOMS

'I can't believe how much of a Gryffindor I'm acting like,' Severus thought as he stormed to his rooms. 'Exposing my fangs left and right.' "Silver nitrate," he barked.

The door swung open and the gothic teenager stalked in. The sight that greeted him was surprising: Draco sitting on his bed. All his anger left as he greeted the Slytherin. "Hello, Draco."

Draco looked up and smiled. "Hey, Severus."

Severus sat next to Draco and pulled him into a hug. "Mmm, I've needed this all day."

"I imagine." Draco leaned into the embrace.

The gothic teenager kissed Draco. 'This is weird, but I could definitely get used to Severus being my age.'

They broke the kiss. "Severus, I …we need to talk," Draco said, almost timidly.

"What is it, Draco?"

"Sev, I want you to turn me."

"What? You can't be serious, Draco!"

"What do you mean?"

"What if they find the antidote?"

"I don't want you to leave me. I love you, Sev!"

"I don't want to leave either. I love you too, Draco. But, do you know what you're asking for?"

"Of course, Sev!" Draco leaned forward, resting his head against Severus's shoulder. Severus smiled and wrapped his arms around the silvery-blonde Slytherin. The gothic-looking teenager brushed Draco's hair off his neck. He stared at the boy's neck and for a split-second considered granting Draco's wish that night. He shook his head. 'Not tonight. He's got to understand why.' Severus bent his head toward Draco's neck and lightly kissed it.

"Not tonight, Draco. Tonight, you'll understand."

Draco lifted his head off Severus's shoulder. "What do you mean?"

Severus unwrapped his arms and his tone became very serious. "Draco, what I'm about to tell you is true. I shared my dorm room at Hogwarts with Evan Rosier, Lucius Malfoy, Matthew Goyle, and Fredrick Crabbe. In my third year, my Thirst was hard to control. Evan and Lucius agreed to perform a special ritual with me."

"What was the ritual?"

"Lucius and Evan each slit one wrist and let a certain amount of their blood drip into a bowl. I also slit one of my wrists, letting it drip into the bowl. Each one of us had to drink the blood. Evan and Lucius each needed only a sip while I required the rest." There was a slight smile of Severus's face as he pulled up his right sleeve. "The three of us still have the scars. Mine should have healed but due to the nature of the ritual it didn't."

"What was the result?"

"It allowed me to control me Thirst and it also protected them. I could not drink their blood unless they asked or told me to." Severus pulled Draco into a loving embrace. "I just want you to be positive that you want to spend the rest of your life with me as a Daywalker."

"I KNOW I want to spend the rest of my life with you…like you." Draco wrapped his arms around the young Goth. "I love you, Severus."

"I love you too, Draco."

"Please, Sev. Turn me."

"I'll turn you another day, love. Tonight, I'll mark you as mine." Severus unwrapped his arms and moved behind Draco. He parted Draco's hair and swept each part over his shoulders, which exposed the white-blonde's neck. He bent his head and slipped his fangs partially into the boy's neck. Draco's shuddered from the sensation. After a couple minutes, Severus withdrew his fangs from Draco's neck and swept the hair back into place. "That mark won't heal or bleed and neither will the one I give you when you're turned."

Draco threw his arms around Severus's neck. "Thank you, Sev. This means a lot to me. The fact that you care enough about me enough to mark me and later turn me makes me-"

"Shh, love. Shh." Both boys took off their robed and laid down. Draco snuggled up against Severus and they fell asleep.