Thank you for the reviews. On with the show.
Chapter 6 - Magic decides to meddle
"Let's have a nightcap," Lucius suggests.
The men settle in the sofas in the living room, as the blond wizard pours the drinks and hands them out. He gives the last one to Severus. "Thanks, love"
The Potions Master rests his hand on his lover's waist and gives a light kiss on his lips.
"I think Harry had a nice evening," Remus says. "He looked happy."
Gabriel raises his wand and fires a silencing spell before asking. "Severus, did you talk about this morning ? Did he say anything ?"
"Yes, we talked."
The abrupt answer propels Remus to ask for more. "So ?" He says impatiently.
"I'm sorry. I swore to him I wouldn't say anything and I will keep my word. Nevertheless, I would request that you do not come in his bedroom in the morning. At least, until I warn you that everything is fine."
"We won't." Lucius answers.
"Even if you're hearing crying out or sobbing." Severus insists.
Remus' voice is low. "It's going to happen again ?"
"Yes, probably. I'll help him the best I can, but it may well be difficult for a few days."
"We'll do as you like, Severus." The vampire agrees, before adding. "I have to leave, I haven't fed yet..."
"That's true, you didn't eat anything !"
"Yes, little wolf. My food is walking the London's streets tonight." The vampire raises his cloak and disappears in the shadows.
"Well, Gabriel never changes !" Lucius sniggers.
The sunset was a few hours ago. The vampire stands in an alley and looks at a forlorn young man staggering in front of him. His aura is dark for a twenty-something-years-old but perhaps he's fed up of life already. The young man feels the cold and shivers ; he looks behind him to see if someone is following him, but doesn't see anyone. As he turns back, he stumbles against a hard body. Two blood-red eyes are peering at him.
"That's a nice special effect..." The junkie mumbles.
The man in front of him is tall and extremely beautiful. The young man feels hi body falling limp as Handsome pins him against the wall. He doesn't say anything when the man grabs his legs to wrap them around his waist. The vampire smells his neck and licks the skin, feeling the blood throbbing underneath it. The junkie gets hard. Gabriel smiles viciously, rips the youth's trousers and grabs the naked buttocks.
With one hand, he opens his flies and frees his erected cock. He pushes in the arse of his one-night stand and bites the offered neck. The junkie moans and shouts in pleasure as he comes. A few seconds later, Gabriel's deep thrust leads the vampire to orgasm. He licks the neck to close the wound and uses a spell to clean and dress the young man. Tomorrow, the junkie won't remember anything, he'll just feel tired. Gabriel closes his flies and disappears. He has to join his clan tonight.
The following morning, Severus is the first up. He prepares Harry's breakfast quickly. As the young man is still asleep, he sips his tea and thinks about the day. The Boy-Who-Lived's wounds must be cleaned, so a shower must be organised. Distracted, he doesn't see Harry looking at him.
Why is he helping me ? Harry thinks. He remembers being all alone, with no one caring about his well-being. He remembers being sent back to the Muggles to be beaten and starved and worse. He knows Ron and Hermione are spying on him all the time, he's not stupid. At Hogwarts, he used to hide under his Invisibility Cloak to go train in the Room of Requirement. He did so for the last two years. He became powerful. But nothing changed, because magic was forbidden in the summer and Dumbledore enforced the rule even when he turned of age.
"Hello there, did you sleep well ?" Snape's voice sends his bleak thoughts away.
"Yeah." His voice is unsure.
"I brought breakfast." Severus notices Harry looking at the tray with a tinge of fear and understands the teen's hesitation. He says. "If you need the loo, you shouldn't wait. You're making yourself more nervous by waiting !"
"Yeah, let's go." The young man answers.
Severus leans over the bed to let Harry cross his arms around his neck and carries him to the loo. As he puts him down, the young man grabs his robes and says in a low voice. "I'm scared."
"I know," Severus tries to soothe the worry. "I'm behind the door. If it hurts, call me."
The Potions Master leaves him and Harry stays unmoving before shaking the indecision. He moves to the loo. After a few seconds, he feels his flesh tearing up and cries out. He feels the blood flowing out of him and calls for help. The older man hurries in and takes him in his arms, like last time.
He looks in the bowl and is dismayed to find as much blood as the previous morning. He summons a small basin of warm water and a washcloth to clean the groin and bum.
The young man squirms away and begs. "No, please, not that..."
"Harry, I'm just washing the blood away. I won't do anything else."
Severus undresses Harry and banishes the soiled dressing gown. He carefully washes the small body and quickly summons another dressing gown to cover him. He carries him back to bed. As Harry's body touches the bed, a blue aura surrounds him. The young man stops moving and closes his eyes. The aura darkens and levitates the wounded boy from the bed.
The Potions Master stares at the magical phenomenon and feels helpless. A thick mist enters the blue bubble and hides the magical energies at work on Harry's body. It's obvious the Boy-Who-Lived's magic is taking charge of the healing. Severus has never witnessed it before because it only ever happens to powerful wizards.
He lowers his arms and sighs. No one will be able to do anything but wait for magic to heal Harry. He exits the room and goes to inform the other men who are flabbergasted by the turn of events.
Eventually, the house falls into a familiar routine. Gabriel uses his vampiric abilities to gather news for Draco and some other Order members who saw what the Headmaster was up to. Tonks, Kingsley, McGonagall, Arthur and Molly Weasley.
Tonight, he's meeting Severus and Lucius at the house to organise a retrieving mission for Harry's wand and broom. The three men are ready when he arrives.
"We were waiting for you, Gabriel."
"Yes, I was feeling peckish so I stopped for a snack. I'm all ready to go, gentlemen."
The four of them apparate at the Dursley house. They have nothing to fear about the wards, as Tonks took them down, but they take a good look around to be sure they've not been seen. Remus uses Alohomora to open the door and the men enters the house silently. It's the middle of the night and everything is quiet.
Severus and Lucius go upstairs to the master bedroom. The Dursley couple is sleeping and the husband is snoring like a rhino. The Potions Master casts a powerful Silencio on the whole house - so they don't have to worry about the neighbours - then slams the door violently. The couple wakes up with a start and the husband immediately notices the intruders. He stands up and shouts uncouth words at the wizards while his arms move in threatening gestures. Lucius raises his wand and flinches when the shrill voice of the woman pierces his ears. She's shrieking about freaks in her home.
"Stand up and shut your gob ! If I hear one more word, I'll sew your mouth shut ! Believe me, it will be my pleasure to curse you. Now, downstairs, the both of you !"
The couple obeys, a little cowed and Lucius follows them.
Severus goes in the other inhabited bedroom and wakes up the obese brat with a kick of his foot. He stares at the disgusting little snot, who's looking at him with dazed eyes.
"Up. Get downstairs with your parents."
In the living room, Remus and Lucius are keeping an eye on the Muggles, as the fat man screams and spits. "Out of my house ! Freaks, all of you ! Just like the little freak, you're abnormal !"
Gabriel decides to shut him up by smiling, uncovering his bright sharp canine teeth. The woman wails, as she sees this, and Severus pushes her son towards her.
"Silence !" His imperious voice works wonder, even on Muggles. "We are the people who took Harry from your care. He was almost dead."
"He wouldn't die no matter what I did !" The Muggle chimes in.
"Shut the fuck up !" Remus shouts. He slaps the man's face with his wand. The blow has cut the cheek that is bleeding.
"Mum, who are they ? What's happening ?"
"Stay behind me, Dudders. Don't move."
Lucius whirls towards the fat man is mopping up the blood with a handkerchief and glares at him. He's dying to curse the blob into oblivion, but they have to know if Headmaster Dumbledore is responsible for Harry's mistreatment in this house. He asks haughtily. "Who told you to beat the child ?"
The man doesn't answer, so Remus, who's at the end of his rope, cast a Cutting Charm which cuts into the Muggle's flesh. Vernon screams in pain and falls on the floor, his blood soaking his striped pyjamas. The werewolf growls. "Answer now ! Next time, I'll cut your son !"
"The white-bearded codger said I should make him despair, that he should become suicidal, that I could use any means to destroy him and only leave him when he was barely alive..."
"Well, you quite succeeded, you podgy pig !" Terribly angry, Lucius cast a bone breaking curse at the man's fingers.
At the same time, Gabriel is prowling around the woman who is trembling in fear. The vampire is excited by the smell of fear which exudes from her. He sniffs the crook of her neck and hears Severus mocking him playfully. "Didn't you feed before coming, Gabriel ? You have a voracious appetite, but do go on. I wouldn't want you to grow hungry..."
The vampire's fangs grow until they are fully visible, his eyes turn red and his hypnotising allure keep the woman motionless when he bites her neck and drinks his blood like a glutton. He doesn't care about her brat's sobs as Dudley sees her mother collapse on the floor, drained of her blood.
"Wipe your chin after eating, Gabriel. You're dripping blood." The werewolf chastises him with a laugh.
"Thank you, Remus. This blood was a bit bland. Dull."
"Well, let's take care of the older Muggle, he's bleeding everywhere. Very unsanitary. What do you want to do with him ?"
"Harry shouldn't be left alone too long. No more fun. Lucius, track down his wand. Remus, find his Firebolt. And Gabriel," Severus motions to the terrified teen, "would your clan like a slave ?"
"Of course, my friend. We don't get that many applications, people are scared about vampires. I really don't understand why."
Nodding, the Potions Master simply finish Vernon with a green Avada Kedavra. The four men leave the house quickly after that, setting it on fire to cover their traces.
A month later, Harry Potter is still suspended in his healing cocoon, but as the mist is less opaque, his older friends can see his body has grown up, his hair is longer and his wounds have lessened. Another month goes by before every wound has disappeared.
Harry wakes up slowly. His eyes flutter open and he sees Severus, with his back to him, rekindling the flames in the fireplace. Harry closes his eyes again because he's not ready to face the Potions Master.
Close your eyes, he thinks. Don't look at him this way. You have no right. Harry's heart is beating wildly, his fingers are clenching and he feels light-headed. He senses Severus turning towards him when the blue bubble disappears and his body falls slowly back on the bed. The Potions Master puts his cold hand on his forehead and the young relaxes. If I don't open my eyes, I can believe I belong with him, with them, he thinks. The other, Severus' lover isn't far away and the two men exchange expressive glances and brushes of their hands. I want them to share their glances and touches with me, but I know they won't, he reflects. I'm an idiot, it's fool's dream. I have nothing to offer. Severus realises Harry is finally awake. He takes his hand away and the young man misses it already.
Harry hears footsteps, sounds of a door opening and opens his eyes to find himself alone. A couple of tears leave his eyes. He feels so lonely. And suddenly noises of running in the corridor pulls him out of his morose thoughts. Remus hurries in the room smiling and whispering 'Finally'. Lucius is right behind the werewolf and bumps into him, as he comes to the bedside and throws his arms around the young man.
"Please don't cry. We're here. We're with you. Please stop crying." Lucius presses his body against the teen's. Harry's nose is full of his manly odour. His body is still shaking with a few sobs as he thinks, I'm nearly eighteen, he's rocking me like a child and I like that. Severus and Gabriel stand at the end of the bed and look at him.
Taking a deep breath, Harry says out loud. "I feel fine and I'm hungry."
"I'm bringing dinner." Remus answers, happily. The werewolf is still tired as the full moon was last night and he spent hours locked into the basement.
Harry sits up with Lucius' help and notices the amazed looks on the faces around him. "What is it ? Something wrong ? Do I have a smudge on my face ?"
Severus conjures a mirror and holds him in front of the young man so he can see his reflection.
"What happened ? I don't look like I was before !" Harry is stunned. He examines his long hair, his grown body, his unmarked face and his muscled body. His eyesight is perfect thanks to Gabriel's potion. " What happened ? How long was I trapped in the magical bubble ? It was my magic acting up, wasn't it ?"
"Yes," Gabriel answers. "It's not everyday a wizard's magic acts this way, but apparently your magic considered you were in danger. It healed you and regenerated you for two months. So you'll be a bit tired for a couple of days, then you'll be completely fine."
Remus brings the food tray to Harry and puts it on his knees. The young man pounces on the sweet buns, the tea and the two pumpkin pasties His tummy pleasantly full, he smiles and yawns.
"We'll let you sleep a bit more," Severus says.
Lucius pulls the bedclothes on the Boy-Who-Lived's body and whispers, "I am very happy to have back among us, Harry. Sleep well."
The men leave the room, as the young man's eyelids flutter shut.
Back in the living room, Lucius helps himself to a strong drink and Severus begs for one too.
"Would you explain what happened, Gabriel ?" Remus asks.
"Explain what ? Oh ! His new body ?" The vampire smiles. "Well, it's the body he would have had if he hadn't been beaten and starved in his childhood. He became the man he would have been if not for that."
"He's beautiful..." Lucius answers in a breathy voice.
Severus sets down his glass on the table and hurries out, slamming the door behind him.
"What ?" Remus is surprised. "Why did he leave ?"
Lucius sighs ans says. "I think Severus is overwhelmed by Harry's new appearance and he thinks he doesn't have a chance with him now."
"A chance to be loved." Remus understands.
"Yes. He fell in love almost by accident almost a year ago. He's been hoping that someday Harry would look at him the same way. He always talk about him with sweet and tender words. But now... Now he thinks his chance has passed and that his potential relationship with Harry is over before even beginning."
"Well. The future will tell." Gabriel says, philosophical. "I must go to Hogwarts, Draco has new information for me."
"Both of you be careful." Lucius answers. "And say hello to my son for me."
Remus raises his hand in goodbye and the vampire disappears, his robe billowing. Their relationship has staid platonic after Remus refused him. His werewolf blood forbids him to be a vampire's mate and he can't forget Sirius anyway. The hour grows late so he and Lucius go to bed.
The following morning, Harry wakes up fit and well. He's full of energy and he stretches his new body in the comfortable bed. He's taken a shower in the middle of the night and encountered no problem at all with the water that terrified him a couple of months before.
"And what exactly is making you so happy ?"
Harry whirls around towards the velvety voice. Severus is leaning against the door frame and looks at him intensely. The young man smiles.
"It's the first time since... since a long time... that I feel truly fine, Professor."
"Ah. Well, we're waiting for you in the kitchen. Breakfast is ready." As he turns to leave the room, he adds. "You have clothes in the dresser. Cover yourself, you don't have to prance around naked."
"Don't you like my new body ?" Hearing what he has just said, Harry puts a hand on his mouth.
"Potter, don't be an arrogant twit ! Get out of bed now, everyone is waiting for you." The Potions Master leaves the room flustered and breathless. The boy had been half-naked and beautiful. He runs downstairs, enters the kitchen and sits down next to Lucius who offers him a steaming cup of tea. "He's coming down in a minute."
Five minutes later, Harry enters the room. He's dressed casually with a white shirt, a tight black pair of jeans, a pair of trainers and his hair is tied. He sits down next to Remus and gives a small smile at the other men.
"I wanted to thank you all. Thank you for coming to get me, for healing me, for protecting me. Thank you for making me feel welcome and safe. For being nice to me..." He stammers a bit.
"You're welcome, Mr Potter." Severus answers formally. "Two other people deserve your thanks as well."
"Oh ! Who are they, Professor ?"
"Tonks and Shacklebolt." The dark-haired man turns to his lover. "Do you remember, Lucius, when Dumbledore floo-ed us with the news that Harry was in danger ?"
"Yes, of course. He said the alarm went off. When we arrived, there was nobody around."
"Well, I think it wasn't Dumbledore. I think it was Tonks. She went to Hogwarts and floo-called us. She wasn't surprised to see the two of us together. Dumbledore would have asked questions. And she and Shacklebolt were on guard duty that night. There wasn't any ward when we arrived at the Dursley house, which made it easy to kidnap Harry under Dumbledore's nose.
"I think Tonks saw what happened in the garden. She suspected the old fool knew about it and didn't care. She knew that we would help Harry, that we would save him. Lucius and I swore an Unbreakable Vow to protect Harry after we married. Nymphadora was our Bonder."
Everyone around the table look stunned.
Harry stands up and, his voice full of emotions, says. "I will always be grateful because you saved my life and my liveliness and..." Tears fill his eyes. He throws his arms around Severus."Thanks, Professor. From the bottom of my heart."
The Potions Master hesitates a short moment before embracing Harry, a light pink tinge on his cheeks. He's happy to have the boy in his arms.
Lucius comes closer, and Harry hugs him as well. "Thanks, Mr Malfoy. I will never forget what you did for me."
"Please, call me Lucius, Harry."
"Okay, Lucius."
Gabriel pokes the young man's stomach with his finger. "Go on, Harry. Have something to eat. You must be starving !"
The Boy-Who-Lived pours himself a large mug of tea and takes some muffins. His mind is still on the very pleasant hugs he's got from Severus and Lucius. He glances slyly at the two men to find them staring at him. Blushing, he ducks his head and crunches in one of his muffin.
Remus strikes up a conversation. "So, what do you want to do today ?"
"I want to begin training again."
"What ? But it's too early, surely !" Remus is mystified by Harry's demand. "Gabriel, what's your opinion ?"
"If he wants to train, there is no medical reason to forbid it."
"Very well," Lucius says. "You'll train with me first, Harry. I work best with bladed weapons. Severus will teach you Dark Arts, Remus offensive and defensive magic and, if Gabriel agrees, he will teach you the basics of vampiric magic."
Gabriel nods. "I agree. I would rather work on Mondays."
"I'll take Tuesdays," the Potions Master adds. "You're free Wednesdays. Thursdays with Lucius and Fridays with Remus. I think that's fine."
"Yes, it's fine."
"Well, Harry, it's Monday," Gabriel says gleefully. "I'll teach you some vampire stuff. Where can we work out, Lucius ?"
"There's a dojo near Severus' lab. Don't worry about the noise, the room has been completely silenced. First door on the right in the basement."
Harry and Gabriel go discover their training room that is just perfect for them. The two men stand side by side and draw their wands. Harry isn't sure how he got his wand back, but he isn't sure he wants to ask anyone either. He's just happy to feel it in his hand - just like he's happy to have recovered the broom Sirius offered him.
Gabriel begins. "Today, we're going to work on how to pronounce vampiric spells. You'll be able to train with spells you already know."
They work for three hours. The vampire focuses on which syllables to stress. "Listen, about Pupilla Brulox. You make a pause after 'pup' and you accentuate the 'r' of brulox. Our session is over, but I expect you to train before we meet again next week."
"Thanks, Gabriel. I appreciate your help." Harry says, grateful.