Three: Turning Point
Severus and Alena exchanged looks, seeming to discuss something with their eyes. Harry fidgeted in his seat. He didn't like this at all.
'Answer his question,' she told him, looking not pleased at all with the situation.
Severus began to pace, picking his words carefully. He had never explained to someone before that they were one step away from becoming a vampire. He finally stopped to face the boy who was gripping the arms of his seat in evident anxiety.
'What am I supposed to say?' Severus pleaded silently.
'It's your problem. Figure it out,' she shot back.
"You have no doubt noticed certain…changes in recent weeks. Is that true Mr. Potter?" Severus began, looking at Harry.
"What kind of changes?" Harry questioned cautiously.
"Heightened senses, sensitivity to light, reduced appetite," Severus listed off. The boy nodded at each.
"Madam Pomfrey thinks I've got the flu," the boy muttered.
"You do not have the flu Mr. Potter," Severus drawled.
"Oh? And I suppose you know what I've got then. Is that it?" Harry shot angrily, making to stand up. He felt an invisible hand holding him fast.
"As a matter of fact I know exactly what has happened to you Mr. Potter. And it will no doubt alarm you that I am the reason," Severus answered calmly.
"What the fuck did you do to me!" the Gryffindor seethed.
'Let it go Severus. Just move on,' the Professor heard in his head.
"You are one step away from...becoming a vampire. All that is left of your transformation is to feed," Severus informed his soon-to-be offspring through pursed lips.
"What!" he exploded.
"No. Forget it. I refuse. You can't make me. I'll go to the Headmaster," Harry threatened.
"Believe me; it is best to just finish the transformation. If you don't, your life will be very painful and uncomfortable," Alena spoke for the first time.
"And you will not go to the Headmaster with this information," Severus hissed, his eyes lit up by silver.
"And you think you're going to stop me?" Harry challenged.
Professor Snape grabbed Harry by the collar, bringing him closer until they were nose to nose. Harry's eyes widened as he saw his own reflected in his glasses, decorated with slivers of gold. He blinked but they did not disappear. Being in such close proximity to the man, he suddenly became aware of a tantalizing smell.
'You are not going to jeopardize either of our positions here,' Severus spat in Harry's head.
"What do you mean?"
"Dumbledore may have been welcoming of a werewolf but our kind is a different story. We would not be trusted around so many potential victims," Severus explained, letting Harry go.
"V-Victims?" Harry stammered.
"We do not kill," Alena said.
"The term victim is loosely used," she expounded.
"What's that smell?" the boy asked suddenly, getting up the courage to pursue his curiosity. Severus smirked, exchanging a satisfied look with Alena.
"Blood," they spoke in unison.
Harry swallowed loudly. "It…smells good," he murmured, a look of fear on his young face.
The two adults looked at almost gleeful. Harry took a couple of steps back, colliding with the chair he'd recently vacated.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked, his throat going dry.
"It's so much easier when you don't resist it isn't it?" Alena murmured, patting his hand gently.
"So what do I have to do?" Harry inquired of Snape warily.
"Give me a moment to find a suitable first meal," Severus murmured, actually smiling a genuine proud smile at the boy. He disappeared and Harry was left alone with Alena.
"So who are you?" the teenager asked.
"I'm Alena. I should have introduced myself earlier. Or rather he should have. He forgets his manners sometimes," she said with a chuckle.
"I'm his sire," she added just as Severus walked back in followed by Draco Malfoy.
'Stand up,' Harry heard echo in his head. He did as he was told.
He turned to face his enemy. Draco's eyes were glazed over, almost glassy. Harry shot Severus a look as if to ask 'What's wrong with him?' Severus motioned for Harry to move closer. Suddenly Harry opened his mouth, razor-sharp canines protruding over his lower lip. He ran his tongue over them, feeling them out. He stepped up to Draco who did not move a muscle. That bothered the Gryffindor but at the moment a deep hunger overshadowed his uneasiness about the Slytherin.
"What do I do?" he asked.
'Just bite,' Severus instructed.
Harry leaned forward and sunk his teeth into Draco's pale neck. Blood immediately began to flow into his mouth. Harry was shocked as it flowed down his throat. He thought it would be disgusting but it was hot and sweet. He continued to drink until he heard Snape's voice in his head.
'That is enough.'
Harry dislodged his teeth and looked at Snape and then back to Draco's neck. Two pinprick size holes remained, blood trickling out of them. Harry licked his lips, relishing the sweet taste.
'Heal the wounds.' It was Alena this time.
"How?"
'Your saliva will heal them,' she told him. He did as he was told and miraculously the wounds disappeared.
Severus escorted Draco out of the room. Harry took a moment to le the feeling of having fed set in. He felt good, really good. He found a mirror on Snape's desk and examined himself. He was no longer sickly pale and his arm that had been sunburned that morning was healed. His eyes were back to their natural emerald green. Suddenly the image of himself went blurry. He clutched his head in pain as a searing headache overtook him. At that moment Severus walked back in. He strode to Harry's side.
"What happened?" he asked bluntly.
"I don't know. One minute I was fine and then my vision went blurry and my head is killing me," Harry answered, trying to look at Snape.
Without saying a word, Severus removed Harry's glasses. Harry blinked as the headache began to subside and his vision cleared. He blinked several times. His vision was better than it had been with glasses.
"My vision…it's better than it was before," he remarked in amazement.
"Yes. We have a lot to explain but vision correction is a...positive side effect of becoming one of us," Alena interjected in response to the boy's statement.
"Go back to your dormitory Mr. Potter. Come back at ten o'clock," Severus ordered.
"And do not tell anyone about this. Do you understand?" he added sternly.
"Yes Sir," Harry answered with a nod. He took his glasses back, put them in his pocket and left.
"Well that went better than expected," Severus remarked casually to Alena.
"You've gotten yourself in deep shit Severus. I only hope you can handle it. I'll send Kalyn back to help," she muttered and moved towards the door. Severus caught her wrist.
'It is my mistake. I will make it work,' he promised, kissing her on the lips before she disappeared.
"Now to prepare to deliver the news," he mumbled to himself, sitting behind his desk.
