Very happy you guys loved the last chapter, and I apologize once again for the cliffhanger. I honestly didn't expect you guys to guess so easily on Marcus' mate, but I guess I kinda gave it away didn't I?
Now this chapter is where Harry and Caius talk about them being mates, and there's no rush for Harry since he's still a recent widower. Caius explains to Harry all he has to know about being a vampire's mate, and Harry tells a little about his own life.
Written by myself and my sweet sister author AnnaBoleyna1536, and we don't own Harry Potter or Twilight and if we did we'd get dibs on the Volturi leaders.
Enjoy!
"Y-Y…Your mate?" Harry couldn't believe the words that came from the vampire's mouth.
"Yes, my mate." Harry froze, but seconds later he began to step back in fear. "Don't be afraid, I won't harm you."
"How can…I just met you and you're saying that you and I are mates?" Caius held out his hands.
"I admit that I'm shocked as well, I just got rid of my ex-wife and I wasn't expecting to find my true mate so soon."
"Ex-wife?"
"A horrible shrew of a woman, she was nothing but a nuisance for centuries on myself and my coven. It's a bit of a long story, but why don't you let me explain a few things before we get into the mates part?"
"I…I…"
"Harry, do you feel anything when you're near me?" Caius asked and now that Harry heard that, he couldn't help but feel just being near this creature felt right.
"I feel like…I can trust you." Caius gave a light smile.
"That's a start, but why don't we just sit down and talk?" Caius motioned to the couch, and Harry only nodded before taking a seat. "Now for starters, what do you know about us vampires?"
"To be honest not much, I only know when to sense one and what one looks like to the average human."
"Do you know what we are capable of?" Harry nodded. "Good, that takes up part of my tale."
"Um Caius, how can you tell I'm your mate?"
"I was hoping you'd ask that, so here it is. I have a friend who can see the bonds between people, family, friends, enemies, you name it. He knew my bond with my ex was weakening and I knew she wasn't the one for a long time. He did however tell me that my true mate was in the city, but he couldn't say who."
"He could sense me?"
"In a manner of speaking yes; the only way I would know who though was to wait and feel, and when I passed through this neighborhood I suddenly felt a pull. I followed it, and it led me to you. When I first looked at you, I knew it was you." Harry blushed, but right as his face lit up red he felt as if Caius' words went straight to his heart.
"Me? Why me?"
"To be honest I don't know, none of us know how or who our true mates are until we meet them. When we mate, our souls bond together and when one of us is in danger the other will sense it. If one is in pain, then the other will feel it. You understand?"
"Yes but…I just buried my wife not too long ago and…" Caius' cold hand went to Harry's cheek and turned his face to his.
"There's no rush on this Harry, we both have just become single men and you have a child to worry about. If you wish though, I'd like to know you, and your daughter…Desiree right?" Harry nodded. "I'm not in the mood to rush into this either, that's how I ended up with Athenodora."
"Athenodora, that's an odd name."
"Well in her timeline a lot names were different, barely used today."
"That reminds me, how old are you really?" Caius' eyes widened a bit. "You seem young, but then again vampires don't age so…?" the blonde just smiled.
"You really want to know?"
"Yes."
"Almost three thousand, I think in another five years I will be." Harry felt his jaw drop, and his eyes bulged out of his head. "Surprised I see." He laughed.
"Y-You…you're really that old…?"
"Hey do I look old?" Harry couldn't help but laugh. "If I did I'd be nothing but bones and dust."
"True." Harry calmed himself down. "It's just almost impossible to believe, even if you are a vampire."
"Yes well, that's how most would see it when you're mortal. The good thing is though, you're a wizard and not some random human. So at least my brother Aro will be pleased that it'll be less strain on our exposure."
"I know all us magical and 'mythical' beings are touchy on that." Harry laughed. "We expose you, you expose us, a lose-lose situation."
"Don't you mean a win-win situation?"
"No, if we expose you then you lose, and you expose us we lose."
"I suppose that makes sense. Now you know the basics of us vampires, but there are some things that your own people don't know about us."
"Such as?"
"Some of us vampires are what you would call…different. There are those out there who don't feast on human blood, and instead drink animal blood. How you tell is from the color of our eyes, those who drink human blood have red eyes, and those who drink animal have gold or amber eyes."
"Are there many out there like that?"
"There are two clans that I know of, the Cullen clan and the Denali clan. The first one was a man name Carlisle Cullen, and the way he first began was when he thought dying of thirst would end his torment as the vampire, but when he couldn't take it anymore he killed an entire herd of deer. In a way I think it makes him feel more human, since he thought killing humans was wrong."
"It is."
"Perhaps it is; he was the first to drink animal blood and when Aro found him he was fascinated by his abilities and allowed him to stay in our castle as a guest."
"Did you ever try it?" Caius snorted.
"Aro did, but being on human blood for so long the animal blood was weak for him. He almost killed a woman because his thirst was horrible. Carlisle didn't blame him or us; he agreed that when you've been on human blood for so long the change of diet is nearly impossible to control."
"I see…" Harry was glad he now knew this info.
"That's not all though; there are also some vampires out there who are gifted."
"Gifted?"
"It depends on their personalities, but some vampires have extra powers other than their strength, speed, and senses. Aro for example has the ability to read every thought you've ever had with only one touch. Marcus, the friend I told you about can see bonds between people, and some of our guards, two in particular known as Jane and Alec, have the ability of illusionary pain and sensory deprivation."
"Wow."
"Not all vampires are as special like that; some of us only have enhanced senses such as Demetri in our coven. He is an expert tracker, the best in fact; no one can outrun or lose him on their trail."
"Again I say wow." Harry had no idea some vampires could have such great abilities. "Do you have any?" Caius shook his head.
"I daresay if I did I'd probably use it more than I should, maybe even abuse it." he gave a light chuckled. "I don't remember much of my human life either, only that it wasn't a good one until I was bitten."
"Are all vampire cases like that?"
"Not entirely, in some cases they do remember. Aro came from a good family he and his sister, and Marcus was an orphan who worked his way into society before he was turned. We're all alive today, but Aro's sister isn't."
"What happened to her?" Caius closed his eyes.
"She was murdered in a war we had against another coven, the Romanians that is. We were all separated, but by the time we found Didyme her body was on fire. That was over two millennia ago."
"Was she married?" Caius nodded.
"To Marcus, they were madly in love when they met. I never saw a more beautiful couple, but after only three centuries together she was killed. We all suffered because of the loss, but none as bad as Marcus. Losing our true mates is like losing half of our souls, we feel constant pain and heartbreak without them, but Marcus suffered silently for all these years until he found another mate."
"But I thought you said losing a mate is like losing half of your soul?"
"It's rare that we have more than one true mate, some aren't as lucky though. I haven't met Marcus' new mate because he left some time ago, but he still lives in the city with him."
"Him? He's…?"
"Yes his new mate is a man, one he watched over for two years and saved him from death at the last minute. I think he's from London like you."
"I see." Harry spaced out for a moment; this was a lot to take in.
"I know this is a lot Harry, but you deserve to know the facts."
"Yes…but that other coven, the Romanians you said…are they still a threat?" Caius smirked.
"There were many castles of the Romanians, and they were all burned. The only ones left are the leaders Vladimir and Stefan, and though they despise us they are smart enough not to create an army of newborn vampires nor will any of the other covens aid them against us. Jane and Alec were the ones responsible, because their coven revealed themselves to the humans and it was a nuisance to our kind."
"How did the humans take it?"
"They were afraid, and did as they were told. Some were partners, others were prey, and the rest just hid and stayed in the villages away from sight. The rule of our world is mainly this, if a human knows of our existence they must either be changed or killed. We have others, but that's the main rule."
"I can understand that one, though I don't condone the killing part. What are the others?" as Caius explained each and every law carefully Harry began to understand, but when he brought up the law on werewolves Harry's face blanched.
"What's wrong, you look like I just said I would kill you?" Harry felt his blood run cold.
"Werewolves, you kill them?"
"It's part of our laws, they are too much trouble if they show up."
"But…Caius I have a friend who's a werewolf." Caius' eyes widened. "It's not his fault he was bitten, a werewolf named Fenrir Greyback bit him when he was six years old to get back at his father. He wouldn't have gotten into school if people knew, but they let him attend because he couldn't go anywhere else and my dad…my dad and my godfather were his best friends and they looked out for him. He's careful when the moon comes out, and he has a wife and son who is also my godson."
"He's your family then?"
"In a way yes, he's all that's left of my father's friends." Caius looked away.
"This is a problem, I'll have to speak with Aro on this. I can say we might make an exception for the man if he is your friend and family, but it won't be easy. I have a personal vendetta against their kind, but I can be civil for you."
"If you would try, that's all I ask." Hearing all of this was making Harry feel better towards Caius. "I can't cut them out of my life though."
"You won't have to; even if I turn you in the future they are still your family. Now Harry, tell me about your life will you? What about your parents, and friends you have in London?" Harry frowned, he wanted to talk about them though.
"My parents were killed by an evil wizard when I was only one, I was a prophecy child and they hid to keep me safe but one of their friends betrayed their trust and the man killed them."
"You were the one to kill him?"
"Yeah, and I did five years ago. My godfather was framed for betraying my mum and dad but it was only much later that the world found out he switched with another friend of theirs who joined the dark side. He escaped from prison when I was thirteen and sought me out, and told me the truth but he was in hiding for two years and miserable. If he hadn't been framed I would've gone with him."
"Where did you go? I mean where were you sent?"
"To my mum's sister and she hated me from day one. My mum was the only one in her family to have magic, and my aunt hated her for it. She and her husband spoiled their son when they hardly did anything for me. They made me cook and clean like a housemaid, and they let Dudley and his friends beat me up in grade school. When I went to Hogwarts though it was my home, and I regretted going back."
"She was your aunt, why would she put all her hate on you? An innocent child?"
"Jealousy I think, because I was a reminder of what happened to my mum. She blamed me for it I know, though she never said it. Even her sister in law hated me, because they told her I was a troubled kid and I went to this special school for hopeless cases." He heard Caius growl.
"Have you spoken to them since you left?"
"Dudley I have, I saved his life one time when someone sent Dementors after me, creatures who feed on pain and misery in a person's soul and when you get near them they suck your soul. Your body pretty much is in a vegetative state until you die, it's miserable."
"So you forgave him?"
"And he apologized, his parents I don't know. Last I talked to him he's married with a two year old and another on the way. He wishes me well though."
"Good, then I don't have to hunt and kill him for what he did." Harry's head snapped to Caius. "Just joking Harry, don't worry."
"Alright then, but basically my whole life was played out because the man who murdered my parents was a wizard everyone feared. He gained power before I was born and nearly destroyed everything, but afterwards he was gone for over a decade, and returned using my blood, his father's bone, and the flesh of the traitor who helped him kill my family."
"I didn't think such a thing was possible."
"No one thinks to use it because it would take someone of pure darkness to work, for how he stayed alive after I stopped him…"
"Wait Harry, sorry to interrupt but how did you stop him? You were only a baby weren't you?"
"My mum, she sacrificed herself to save me. Her love protected me, and deflected the curse he was using to kill me. People thought it was because I had some special power, but it was her love, old magic that even he didn't understand. From year one at Hogwarts he had followers trying to get me for him, but when he revived himself in my fourth year he laid low until my fifth. I finally ended it though, and we have peace now."
"How did manage to stay alive?"
"Horcruxes, objects used to seal part of your soul into so that even when your body is gone your soul lingers on. It takes an act of murder to do it, and the more you create the more your body deforms in a way. He made seven, including me." Caius looked like he could faint.
"He split his soul into seven pieces? That's absolutely barbaric!"
"Yes but when he created one in me it wasn't intended, it was an accident and I thought if he killed me he would die with me. However when I willingly stepped up to let him do it, my magic protected me and I was able to finish him off."
"So he's really gone then?" Harry nodded. "Good, but for you as a child to go through all that? It's almost impossible to believe."
"Well I did have help, and half the time I was lucky, but I saw many people die trying to help me. My parents, my godfather, and even a few friends I had all died in the war. I didn't want it, I didn't want any of it." Harry felt Caius put an arm around his back and pulled him close.
"You shouldn't have had to do anything, you were only a child. I promise you though, I will fight for you always."
"I appreciate that Caius, but I'm tired of fighting and I hate that…" Harry looked away. "I hate that people still think me a savior, all I did was help those who needed it and I avenged my family."
"Which reminds me, what about your wife's family?"
"They supported me leaving after I lost her, well most of them did anyway. The truth is…we were going to get a divorce after she had Desiree because we both realized we weren't in love like we thought. Maybe at first, but after we married things just slowed down. Her mother rushed us into marriage, even threw a big wedding which neither of us wanted and Ginny, that's my wife's name, she wanted to go into pro Quidditch and she agreed that she would be around when she could."
"So you had an understanding, but she died at birth?" Harry nodded. "I'm sorry." Caius patted his hand.
"Thanks."
"What's Quidditch? A sport?"
"A magical sport, it's actually one of the highlights in our world. Ginny and I were both on the team."
"I get it, now when you said most of her family supported you…let me guess your mother-in-law didn't?"
"She blames me for her death." Caius' eyes widened bigger. "She wouldn't see her granddaughter even before the funeral, and she actually told me I would better off giving Desiree to her to raise. She doesn't even like Desiree's name, and she wouldn't see her at all before I left."
"That old cow." Caius growled. "Who does she think she is?"
"She thought she'd be better because she raised seven kids, seven great kids except one who doesn't like me much and also blames me for Ginny's death."
"Seven children?"
"Yeah, Bill, Charlie, Percy who doesn't like me, Fred, George they're twins, Ron is my best friend, and then Ginny. Even Arthur supported me, that's Ginny's father."
"Well you have most of the family on your side, that's all that counts. That woman and that boy, if they give any trouble I will deal with them."
"Don't eat them please."
"I won't, I'll just break every bone they have." Caius gave a dark chuckle. "Joking, but if they try to hurt you again I will personally deal with them." he hugged Harry again. "You didn't kill your wife, so they can't blame you."
"Well at least I have one other on my side, and that reminds me, they'll all be here tomorrow."
"Really?"
"Yeah, they want to throw me a house warming party. They can take the international floo and come here, but they'll be gone by nightfall."
"Do you want me to come?" Harry wasn't sure, he didn't think it would be good to let anyone know about Caius just yet. "I won't if you think it's too soon."
"I think it might be, I mean it's not that I don't want you there but…"
"Say no more, I'll meet them another time. You'll have to meet Aro though, once I tell him I found my new mate he'll be enthralled to meet you."
"What's he like?" Caius grinned.
"I'll tell you later, for now I have to get back before they think I wandered away too far. I'll see you after your family leaves, and…maybe I can meet your daughter."
"She's just a baby Caius."
"Even so, I'd like to see what beautiful child you created and helped bring into this world." Caius stood up and went towards the window. "I'll be waiting, and don't worry they won't see me."
"Um…alright." Caius stopped.
"Something wrong?"
"No, just that well…" Harry wasn't sure if he wanted him to go just yet or not.
"Here, see if this helps." Caius walked back towards him, held his face up with two fingers, and kissed his lips softly. Harry moaned a little, and Caius pulled back. "Better?" Harry blushed.
"Yeah, better."
"Good night my dear." Caius left out the window again, and after Harry closed the window and set the wards up again he heard Desiree crying. Had it already been two hours? When he went to her room he lifted her up and summoned a bottle. As he sat in the rocker and fed her, he began to feel a new sensation overcome him. He felt happy that he might've found a mate, but sad that it hadn't been too long since Ginny died.
"Desiree sweetie, it seems we've got more going for us than we thought."
Hope you liked it, I didn't want to drawl on too much.
Next chapter will have the big house meeting with the other Weasleys, and Caius will show again. Harry won't tell them yet about Caius, but will Hermione get suspicious and figure it out? Will Harry feel as if he's moving too fast still? Is Desiree going to like Caius? Will Molly show and cause trouble, or will she remain behind with Percy?
R&R
Later!