I do not own Harry Potter. He and the world in which he lives are the property of J.K Rowling. I am a trespasser there for my own enjoyment and I hope for yours.
Neither do I claim to own all of the ideas I have used concerning Vampires and Werewolves in this story. They have been drawn from a number of sources. But I like to think I have merged them in my own way.
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There is darkness. There is evil. There is chaos.
They are not now, nor have they ever, truly been the same thing,
Harry Potter and the Son of the Dragon
Chapter 6:
In a dark room into which no natural light entered, something slowly changed. The formerly steady and rhythmic sound of the occupants breathing shifted quickened as Harry Potter gradually made the transition from being asleep to fully awake.
Pain was the first sensation that Harry experienced upon awakening. Not a sharp or excruciating pain, such the Crutiatius might inflict. Rather it was a dull almost bone deep ache that spoke of developing muscles and healing bruises. As he slowly got up and stretched, Harry considered how normal that ache had become.
When he had first started training with Luther he had been shocked at how much it had hurt. Even when they had only been exercising. Moving through Kata's and working on building up his strength and reflexes, Harry had often come away with bruises and strained muscles that had almost paralysed him. What's more after his first day, Luther had refused to allow Harry to continue to take any pain relief potions that would have made the exercises more bearable. When Harry had angrily demanded to know why Luther had responded.
"Pain is a Warriors companion Harry. You have already had several encounters with it and you will likely have many more in the future. Better you learn how to deal with it now."
Harry grimaced at the memory as he washed his face. Looking up into the mirror he gazed into his own reflection. As he did so he noted the changes his training to date had wrought. He was still slender, with little muscle on his skinny frame. But what muscle there was, was harder and better defined than it had been, his training had seen to that.
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Harry had thought that preparing to sit his OWL's last year at Hogwarts had been hard. Compared to the training regime that Luther was putting him through it was nothing.
Every evening he awoke and prepared for Dinner. Natasha would meet him at the door and take him down to the great hall to eat. After dinner Luther would collect him from his table and lead him down to his rooms. There his training would begin.
One thing about the training was that it never followed an established pattern. There was seemingly no order or structure to the lessons. One night he might start his lessons with meditation. The next night it might be practising on the shooting range or potions. What was more, even the lessons themselves varied. Never again did he go through a lesson in every subject each night. Rather they varied. Some nights were devoted entirely to one subject. Other nights covered multiple subjects.
Harry had never asked Luther why he varied the lessons every night. Harry suspected it was because the Vampire wanted Harry to realise that he could never assume that things would always be the same, that he always had to be ready to adapt and deal with new situations and new challenges.
Certainly the lessons reflected that.
Take his lessons with edged weapons. As soon as he felt he had started to get the hang of the kata's and fencing moves Luther had been teaching him, the vampire had turned the tables once again and made him start going through the moves while wearing armour.
Harry quickly learned that going through a sequence of moves while unencumbered was one thing. Trying to perform those same moves at the same speed while weighted down by half his body weight in metal plate, chain mail and leather was another thing entirely.
Harry had protested at first, but Luther had Insisted. And Harry had discovered that Luther could be very persuasive when he wanted to be. Snape had nothing on someone who could both sneer and snarl with a set of two inch fangs.
So he had persisted and it his surprise found that he was almost able to match his unencumbered speed, after a few weeks and quite a lot of pain.
Then there was the shooting. Harry had been reluctant to learn shooting. He hated the noise and the kick of the shotgun and found the level of accuracy that Luther demanded he achieve with a pistol unreasonably high. But at Luther's insistence he had persisted and eventually even if he had not learned to enjoy the experience he had learned to take satisfaction in his progress.
Then after he achieved what Luther grudgingly called an acceptable proficiency at stationary targets the Vampire said they were going to progress to moving targets.
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In retrospect Harry had not been sure what to expect when Luther mentioned moving targets. He had thought that the Vampire would simply start moving around the paper targets that he had previously been practising. What he actually faced was far different.
Luther had made Harry use his Haemonoculi for target practise. What's more he had dressed them in Death Eaters robes and masks. Harry had been so shocked by the sight that he had frozen. Until the figures had raised what appeared to be a wand and sent a stream of sickly green sparks directly at Harry.
Instinctively Harry had jumped to the side, raised the shotgun to his shoulder and fired. The blast, fired at relatively close range had almost blown the target in half. When Harry had looked up the he saw the remains of the haemonoculus lying on the floor covered in blood. Its black robes were torn and tattered and there was a massive wound in its chest through which the shredded remains of its internal organs could be seen clearly. Then there was the smell. The acrid smell of gunpowder combined with the rancid smell of fresh meat and excrement had been too much for Harry. He had dropped the gun and fallen to his knees as he vomited up most of his breakfast over the cold stone floor. But as he lay panting a cold hand with a grip like iron had grabbed the back of his head and forced him to look back at the remains of the haemonoculus.
Harry had tried to close his eyes but Luther had only shaken him in displeasure.
"Look!" Luther had hissed in a cold voice. "Look upon what you have done!"
Harry had resisted for a moment, then he had opened his eyes and stared at the ruined body before him. His stomach heaved and he felt his gorge rising as he stared at the ghastly sight. But with an effort of will he controlled them and forced himself to be calm. As he did so Luther's grip slowly loosened from his neck.
"Do not look away from this Harry. This is the face of war, the face of death. This is what you will be fighting to prevent, and in doing so what you will inflict on your enemies. You learn to be able to look on this without flinching. You must learn to become accustomed to it. In time your life may depend upon it."
So Harry had. He had spent hours shooting at the haemonoculi. Until he could hit individual body parts and organs, even while the haemonoculi were moving. And gradually he had gotten used to the sights and smells that had once horrified him.
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Part of his ability to do this was due to the mental training sessions that he had gone through with Luther. In these sessions Harry had learned not only how to control his mind, but also his body.
Harry remembered the lessons he through which Luther had taught him. Once again they sat facing each other cross legged in the small room. This time though Luther had placed a small brazier on the floor between them. The brazier let out a thin trail of fragrant smoke. Luther had spoken to Harry as he sat with his eyes closed.
"Your mind and your body are perhaps the only things that you can truly consider your own." The vampire had said
"Yet as with everything else these too can be taken from you if you are unwary."
First they had started with the body.
"Breath deeply Harry, feel the smoke, feel your body. Be aware of every part of it. Of every limb, every muscle, every vein, every nerve. Feel every part of your body. Feel it and know its purpose. When you know your body intimately you will have a greater degree of control over it. You will be surprised what you will be able to do."
Then gradually they had moved on to the mind.
"Centre yourself in your mind Harry. Know it intimately. It is your deepest place, the home of your true self. Once you know it and accept it intimately from its brightest reaches to its darkest corners. Then no one will be able to touch you there."
"Not even Voldemort?" Harry had asked with his eyes still closed. Yet curiously he felt no fear, or concern when he asked the question. As he focused on his breathing he felt detached, at peace."
Luther had paused before he responded. "Voldemort has an advantage that few others do." He conceded.
"Your link with him makes it far easier for him to access your mind than it normally would be. His own vast experience in the art of mental domination makes it easy for him to prey on your fears and use them to control you. But despite this your mind is still your own. It is still your home ground, a field on which you hold all the advantages. You have only to learn what those advantages are and how to use them."
Harry consciously remembered very little of these sessions with Luther. After the first night they were nothing like his lessons with Snape. Instead Luther led Harry into a kind of trance which he only awakened from when the session was over. He had no idea what he experienced during the trance, but he always emerged feeling stronger, more confident and at peace with himself.
As for testing his mental defences Luther chose to do this during his other lessons, usually when Harry was least expecting it.
But the effect of the training both mental and physical was becoming more and more pronounced. Harry remembered the first time he had become aware of the changes.
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Harry and Luther had been sparring. Harry with the First Gladius in one hand and a long knife in the other. Luther had been using a pair of weighted sticks. Harry had been relieved by this at first, until he learned that it meant that the vampire only felt he had to hold back so much.
Previous sessions had left him covered with bruises from where Luther had hit him whenever he dropped his guard or failed to take advantage of an opening. The vampire was a firm believer in the use of pain as a teacher. But curiously Harry found that he didn't mind too much. He was very aware that the vampire was capable of inflicting far more damage that a mere set of bruises.
But that day had been different. That day Luther had been testing Harry's mental defences even more than before. He often did this, attempting to enter Harry's mind when he was hurt, in pain or when he was distracted, concentrating on something else.
That day Harry was exhausted. They had been sparing for over an hour and all of his limbs were shaking with fatigue. What's more he was covered with fresh bruises that stung with ever move he made.
Harry was ready to drop when Luther suddenly stepped back, the usual signal for a break. Harry had slumped with relief gasping for air, and in that moment Luther struck. Harry felt the mental probe and instant before it entered his mind. Wearily he started to raise his defences but it was too late. Luther was not playing this time and the full strength of his mental probe burst through Harry's defences like a sword through tissue paper. Harry gasped in shock at the invasion then he gasped again as he found himself in one of his worst nightmares.
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He stood once more in the department of mysteries. Watching Sirius and Bellatrix Lestrange still battling. He saw Sirius laugh as he ducked a flash of red light from her wand. Then he saw a second flash strike him directly in the chest. Sending him falling through the ragged veil that hung from the archway.
Harry cried out his scream carrying over Bellatrix's harsh triumphant laughter.
"Noooo. Sirius, SIRIUS!"
Then he was in the graveyard Cedric by his side. He heard a high cold voice cry out.
"Kill the spare." Then there was a flash of sickly green light and the next moment Cedric lay spread eagled on the ground, dead.
On and on the memories came. All his worst memories, all his darkest nightmares came out in a flood. The dementors in his third year. The basilisk in his second. Seeing Voldemort in the back of Quirrel's head in his first. More memories stretching back and back. The cupboard under the stairs. Being chased and beaten by Dudley and his gang. And finally the memory of his mother screaming on the night that Voldemort came for him. "Not Harry. Please not Harry!"
Harry found himself trapped in a web of despair. Waves of anguish, of fear, of despair washed over him. It was a maelstrom of all his negative emotions all his worst fears and he felt himself falling into it. But then from deep inside him a voice spoke.
"No." it said. "No I will NEVER GIVE UP!" cried a voice from deep in his soul.
And as the voice spoke out something else rose. Like a leviathan rising from the deep it rose from the deepest core of his being. It swept the maelstrom away, like dew in the face of an inferno and it continued to rise.
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Suddenly Harry's eyes snapped open. They seemed to Blaze with emerald fire. Luther's eyes narrowed as he noted the change but then his eyes widened in shock.
Harry suddenly surged forward. He felt like he was on fire, he felt his blood surging in his veins. His body felt like an inferno. But at the center his mind burned ice cold.
With a wordless cry of rage he lunged forward, the Gladius in his right hand stretched outward in a lunge even as the long knife in his right hand slashed upwards.
With the reflexes that only a vampire warrior could possess Luther moved his sparring sticks to block the blows. But even with his reflexes he was hard pressed to do so. Harry's speed had been incredible! But he was not finished yet. Before he could react Luther's eyes widened in surprise once again as Harry spun away and then brought his blades back in for another attack. His reflexes showed by shock Luther was barely able to block the slash of Harry's long knife as he moved his other stick to parry Harry's lunging Gladius. But Harry had been feinting.
Even as Luther committed to blocking the lunge Harry moved his Gladius in a lightening quick riposte. He slid the blade under the vampires guard and then thrust forward. And buried the Gladius in Luther's Chest, just below the rib cage.
Luther gave a cry of shock and pain. Then he stared down into Harry's blazing green eyes. He saw the fire, the rage in them and recognised it for what it was.
Then he saw the gaze flicker and die, saw consciousness return to Harry's eyes as if he was rising from a trance.
Harry blinked his eyes. For a moment he wondered where he was. Then reality came crashing home. In horror he looked up at Luther's hunched form. Saw the Gladius in his hand buried to the hilt in Luther's chest and saw the bright red blood running from the wound.
In horror he let go of the blade, which only caused Luther to sag further. In panic he grabbed hold of the vampire's shoulders. "Luther, Merlin are you ok. O Great Merlin Luther I'm so sorry. I don't know what happened, what came over me."
Then Harry stopped as he heard a low coughing sound. He looked up worried that Luther was having some kind of fit. But when he looked up the vampire's lips were wide in a grin. Not of pain, but of joy. The sound increased and Harry realised that Luther was laughing.
The Vampire stood up straight and gripped Harry's shoulders in a grip that was once again firm, although the sword still protruded from his chest.
Luther looked down on Harry the smile still plastered over his face. Harry saw joy dancing in the vampires blood red eyes. As Harry stared at him in stock Luther leant forward and kissed him on the forehead in an oddly formal gesture. Then the Vampire held him at arm's length.
"Well done little brother." Said Luther, pride evident in his voice. "Oh very well done indeed."
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Moments later they entered the small sitting room that Harry often ate his meals in during breaks in their training. At first Harry tried to help Luther, but the Vampire gently but firmly pushed him away. "Its ok Harry I'll be fine."
"How can you say that!" cried out Harry angrily. "You've got a sword sticking out of your chest!"
Luther coughed wetly, but there was no trace of weakness in his voice when he spoke.
"You forget Harry. I am a vampire, we are very hard to kill. It comes from being half dead already. Besides as you stated the sword is sticking out of my chest. Not my heart. It you had managed to hit that it would have been a very different story."
As soon as Luther had finished speaking his whole body spasmed and he reached out to grab a table to steady himself. "But" said Luther when he recovered his balance "I could have wished that you had hit me with a normal blade and not the First Gladius, I'd forgotten how much this damn thing stings."
Harry watched Luther worriedly. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Yes" said Luther as he started rummaging through a cabinet. "Do you see that bronze bell on the table?" he nodded at the mentioned table. "Ring it."
Harry immediately moved over to the table. As he picked up the bell he noticed that it appeared very old. Its surface was covered with strange runes and designs that had been worn almost smooth. He got a further surprise when he rang the bell. Instead of a light metallic tinkering the bell let out a deep reverberating gong.
Harry was still listening to the gong die down when suddenly behind him heard the distinctive crack and rush of displaced air as someone apparated behind him. He spun around in surprise, his had reaching for his wand and knife. But when he saw the figure he could only gape in shock.
Standing in the center of the room was a goblin. That it was a goblin and not a house elf was immediately obvious. Every house elf Harry had ever met, even Kreachner had looked just slightly ridiculous. There was nothing ridiculous about this Goblin. Although it barely came up to Luther's waist it radiated a competence, of professionalism and superiority. Despite its small size it stood tall and had an almost imposing presence. This was partly due to the immaculately tailored three piece suit that it was wearing. But it was also due in part to its formal bearing. The sense of age and competence that seemed to radiate from it. Harry was too shocked to say anything.
So it was the Goblin that spoke first.
"You called sir?" it asked Luther in a voice that somehow managed to sound polite and bored at the same time.
"Yes." Replied Luther. "Harry I don't believe that you have been introduced to my butler yet. Harry Potter, be known to Gut Ripper the Goblin."
Harry started slightly at the unusual name. But the Goblin only turned to Harry and looked him up and down in a dismissive way that would have put Draco Malfoy to shame, before bowing its head very slightly. "Young Master Potter." Said Gut Ripper.
Harry responded with a deeper bow of his own head. "Gut Ripper, a pleasure to meet you."
The Goblins eyes widened slightly in surprise, then it gave Harry another deeper bow.
"A polite wizard." Said Gut Ripper in a quiet voice that somehow carried to every corner of the room. "Wonders will never cease."
Then it turned back to Luther.
"Did you call me for a purpose sir?"
"Yes Gut Ripper." Replied Luther in a slightly irritated voice. "I don't suppose you noticed but I require a bit of assistance in removing this sword from my gut!"
Gut Ripper looked at Luther like seeing the vampire with a sword through his chest was an everyday occurrence.
"I take it then that your training plan was successful?" asked the Goblin.
"It was." Said Luther through clenched teeth.
"Um hm. If you will remember sir I did call to your attention at the time the wisdom, or rather the lack of it, in seeking to awaken the young master with a potentially deadly weapon in his hand?"
"Yes you did and as usual you were right. Now would you kindly remove this sword?" asked Luther with deceptive calm.
Gut Ripper stepped forward with a deep bow. As he rose from the bow he reached up and lightening quick tugged the sword out of Luther's chest in one clean motion.
Luther gasped, but as soon as the sword was removed he brought out a pack of bandages and pressed them to the wound.
Harry was about to go over to him to help, when suddenly Gut Ripper blocked his path. The Goblin held the sword out to him hilt first.
"Your sword young wizard."
Gingerly Harry reached out to take the blade. As he did so he noticed that it was still covered in blood. As he reached out to wipe the blade clean Gut Ripper put a hand on his arm stopping him.
"No young sir. You have blooded your blade for the first time, may it not be your last. Let the blood remain."
Harry slowly slid the sword back into its sheath. The Goblin nodded apparently satisfied. Then it leaned forward conspiratorially. "If I were you young sir next time aim three inches up and to the right and finish the job properly, then maybe he'll finally learn."
Harry looked at the goblin appalled then Luther's voice rang out. "I heard that! So you can forget about your Christmas bonus this year."
The Goblin smiled briefly revealing rows of wicked sharp teeth. But Harry got the impression that the gesture was one of amusement not threat. Then it turned back to Luther
"Well sir given that you have been weakened by your own foolishness, and since you still owe me half a month's wages I shall contact Miss Natasha and let her know you need her?"
Luther hesitated for a moment then replied. "By all means."
Gut Ripper nodded. "The young master would also like his supper I suppose." Here the goblin turned to look at Harry. "I trust sandwiches and Pumpkin juice will suffice again?"
Harry stared at the goblin in confusion, then managed to reply. "Yes thank you, whatever you have will be fine."
The goblin looked at him in surprise again, then looked thoughtful. "Yes, well I suppose Miss Natasha will need some additional sustenance as well. I will see what can be found in the larder." The he turned to Luther again.
"I trust that will be all you require me for this evening Sir. Or are you planning on mauling yourself further?"
Luther snickered from his chair. "No Gut Ripper that will be all. I trust we will be able to survive without your elegant company."
Harry could have sworn that another faint smile flashed across the Goblins features. But just as quickly as it came it was gone. Then as soon as Gut Ripper had given a final nod to Luther and to Harry the Goblin apparated away.
Harry blinked once at the unusual scene, then he made his way over to Luther's side. The Vampire was still holding the bandages tight to the wound on his chest. He appeared to be ok but it was difficult to tell. On a human his breathing would have been a partial indicator of how serious his injury was. Unfortunately being a vampire Luther did not breath, so it was difficult to tell.
Slowly Harry approached Luther's side. Head bowed staring at his feet.
"Luther, once again I'm really sorry about what happened. I never mean to…"
"What!" yelled Luther angrily. Staring up at Harry his eyes blazing, fangs fully exposed. "I bloody well hope you meant to kill me when you made that attack Harry. Otherwise I just got a magical sword through my guts for nothing!"
Harry's head whipped up. He stared at the vampires face in stock. Luther stared at Harry for a moment, then the anger in his face faded away to be replaced by amusement. He chuckled softly then motioned to the seat beside him.
"Have a seat Harry."
Gingerly Harry sat at the edge of the chair, his hands folded in his lap.
He looked up into Luther's face and saw the vampire staring at him with that penetrating look he sometimes had. The look that made Harry think that the vampire was reading not only his features but his thoughts as well.
After a moment Luther spoke.
"What do you remember about what happened just now? Describe to me everything you felt from the time I called a break to when you won our bout."
Harry coughed nervously and thought for a moment.
"I remember you attacking my mental barriers. Probing my mind. It was strong, stronger than anything I remember feeling before. It felt like I was drowning in bad memories. All my worst memories, the worst moments of my life. Everything I would rather forget was happening at once. I felt like I was drowning in the memories, like they had me trapped. Falling into an icy well of despair. Then something happened. It felt like something just snapped in my mind. Something started to burn and it grew hotter and hotter. I felt angry. No, angry isn't enough. I felt rage, pure rage and something more. All of a sudden it swept the fear and despair away, and then suddenly everything snapped back and I was free."
Luther nodded as Harry paused.
"And then when you regained control of your body, when you forced me out. Did the rage overwhelm you, did it control you. Is that why you attacked me as you did?"
Harry paused for a second. He seemed about to say something. Then he pursed his lips and bent his head forwards.
"No. I felt the rage. Felt it flowing through me. But somehow there was a part of me that was calm. That was in control. Like a crystal of ice in a raging inferno."
Now Harry shuddered briefly and when he spoke his voice was tinged with shame
"I knew what I was doing Luther. I was angry that you had made me relive those memories and I wanted to make you pay. I wanted to kill you, and a part of me knew exactly how to do so and I chose to let it have its way."
Luther reached out and gently tilted Harry's head back so that he was staring at him.
"And your body. When it moved, were you directing it or did you feel that someone else was controlling your actions?"
Now Harry looked confused then thoughtful.
"Neither really." He said as he rubbed his face. "It's difficult to explain. I knew what I wanted to do, but my body somehow knew how to do it. I didn't think about the moves I just reacted to what needed to be done. I just somehow knew what to do."
"You let your instincts drive your actions." Said Luther quietly.
And Harry looked up into the vampires face and nodded in agreement.
Luther leaned back in his chair and slapped his knee with his free hand, apparently in delight. "Good, very good. You have made excellent progress this night Harry."
Harry looked up at the vampire confused. "You're not mad."
Luther looked at him in surprise. "Mad? Why should I be mad? After barely more than a week of training you, a previously untaught wizarding child nearly managed to kill me, a vampire warrior. Mad? Far from it. I am delighted. You have exceeded any expectations I might have had when I decided to try that particular training routine."
In Harry's mind several things suddenly clicked.
"You mean you did that on purpose? You expected me to respond that way?"
"Well I would not say expected, but I hoped." Luther was suddenly cut short as Harry once again leapt to his feet. His green eyes blazing in anger.
"What the HELL were you thinking! You could have died. You almost made me kill you! In Merlin's name, what were you thinking!"
Luther sat back and watched this, bemused. He waited until Harry paused for breath.
"Are you finished?" he asked arching an eyebrow at him.
Harry shot him a withering look. Luther laughed.
"Then if you would like to take your seat and I will explain to you why I thought it necessary to take that risk."
Luther waited until Harry angrily threw himself back into his seat
"In point of fact Harry you could not have killed me. I died a long time ago. At most you could only have made me fully dead."
Luther received a withering look from a set of flaming green eyes that only made him chucked further. "But we will leave arguments as to the living or dead status of vampires to another night."
Luther sat up straighter in his chair and adjusted the bandaged over his chest.
"Harry as you know our time is limited. All too soon, in less than a month and a half you will return to Hogwarts (1). That leaves us with less than two months for me to teach you what it has taken me years to learn and centuries to perfect. This was clearly impossible, but I hoped to at least speed up the process and your learning by awakening one of the further talents you should have received through our bond."
"Through the bond?" asked Harry in confusion. "But I thought you said that no further changes would come of the bond unless …"
"Unless you accepted the bond of your own free will. Yes, this is so." Said Luther.
"But I haven't, I mean I don't feel any different. Nothing's changed?"
"Has it not?" asked Luther amused. Then he raised a hand and pointed it at Harry.
"A week ago you were a scrawny thing, small for your age and underfed. Now in the space of less than a week you have put on height and mass. Before you could barely spar with me for five minutes before needing a break. Today you sparred with me for nearly an hour before you grew too tired to continue. Your appetite is much greater, you heal much faster. You are even more difficult to hurt, in the space of a week I have had to adjust the strength of my blows three times in order to get the same effect. I am still using nowhere near my full strength, but still your rate of growth is remarkable. What's more your mind has been growing as well, or did you fail to notice how easily you remember the potions and anatomy lessons I have been giving you?"
Harry sat frozen with shock. At first he wanted to deny it but he realised that everything Luther was saying was true. He had started to feel different over the last few days, he had just been so busy he hadn't noticed.
He turned to stare at Luther
"You mean that these changes are part of becoming…"
"A bonded. Yes Harry. Our bonded are expected to fight by our sides. To be our sword brothers. But to do that they need to be stronger, faster and tougher than a normal human can be. You have already started to accept the physical changes of the bond. Now you have started to accept the other parts of our heritage as well.."
Harry looked up at Luther questioningly. "Other parts?"
The vampire nodded, then his face took on a grave expression.
"I will explain Harry, but what I am about to tell you is one of the secrets of the Order. You must never reveal it. Not to anyone outside the Order. Do you understand?"
Luther waited until Harry nodded his head, then he continued.
"The Blood Dragons are an ancient order of vampire warriors Harry, sworn to an ancient cause. Over time our name has changed but the legacy of our bloodline and our purpose has always remained the same. But just as our name has changed so has the status of our order. Now we are the acknowledged and unchallenged keepers of the Laws of Blood. But it was not always so. There have been times in our history when the order has been hunted, forced to hide in the shadows until our strength returned. But our strength has always returned. This is due to a talent in our blood that is to my knowledge unique"
Here Luther paused and held his hand up to the light as if considering the blood in his veins.
"You see Harry, our Blood not only carries the power of our line. It also carries the memories and talents of all those who have gone before us."
Harry looked at Luther, clearly confused. The vampire smiled before continuing.
"All the knowledge of every member of our bloodline. All there skills, all there secrets all their talents. It all lives on in our blood. That blood speaks to us, calls to us, tells us what it feels we need to know to fulfil our duty. That is why no matter how badly we are defeated we can always rise to our full power again as long as one member of our bloodline survives."
Harry stared at Luther as he tried to process what the vampire had said.
"So, you mean that all of you know everything each other does? Have all the skills that each of you do?"
"No" said Luther laughing quietly. "That could be uncomfortable. No Harry, through our blood we have the potential to acquire all the skills and knowledge of any member of our bloodline. In practise only the Grand Master of our order is likely to have access to the full range of those powers. The rest of us receive the skills and knowledge we are deemed to require."
"But who decides what skills you receive?" asked Harry
Luther sat back in his chair with a thoughtful expression.
"That is not known Harry, even to the members of the Order. There are rumours of course as there are with anything mysterious. Some say that those that have gone before decide."
Harry frowned in puzzlement "Those that have gone before?"
Luther responded distractedly as if his mind was elsewhere. "The old ones. Those who have tired of the mortal realm and have retired to watch from the Darkness."
Harry was about to ask further about these ancients when Luther spoke again. By now his voice had taken on a far away quality as if he was speaking from a trance.
"There are some that say that it is the Darkness itself that decides. But most whispered of all it is said that it is our Lord himself who decides."
Here Harry stared again. "Your Lord."
This time when Luther spoke his voice had a harsh quality. The only time Harry had heard someone speak like that before was when Professor Trelawney had spoken her true prophecies. "Khaine. The Lord of Murder. Founder of our line. Some say father of the vampire race. The Red hand. Lord of Blood, Fire and Pain."
Harry's eyes were opened wide in shock as Luther finished speaking. The vampire closed his eyes and a shudder seemed to pass through him. Harry was gathering his courage to ask Luther about what he had just said when suddenly there was a loud Crack!
Harry jerked around to see that a fully laden circular table had appeared in a side of the room. The Table had a variety of covered serving dishes on it. Along with a selection of plates and cutlery. Harry also saw a steaming loaf of bread. A small crock of butter, a large pitcher of pumpkin juice and what looked like a couple of bottles of wine.
Just then Harry noticed that Luther appeared to have emerged from whatever trance he was in. The vampire shook his head, then inhaled sharply as if he had just gotten wind of an unpleasant smell. Then his red eyes jerked open and he turned to stare at the table.
"Oh. It appears that Gut Ripper has finally gotten around to sending up dinner.
Go on Harry, eat. You must be hungry after our session."
And to Harry's surprise he found that he was. In face he was ravenous.
As he helped himself to a slice of the freshly baked bread and several ladles of a thick meaty stew a thought occurred to him and he turned to the vampire.
"Luther?" he asked. The vampire turned to look at him questioningly. Harry paused as if uncertain, then he pushed on.
"You are a vampire. You are effectively immortal. Unless someone kills you could live forever."
Luther nodded. "That's broadly correct, yes."
Harry hesitated and appeared to struggle for words before continuing.
"Then why? Why did you risk your life, your immortality just to try and teach me how to fight better. I don't understand why you would be willing to risk that."
Luther paused and gathered his thoughts, then he looked at Harry.
"Because it is part of what I am Harry. I am a killer, but I am also a warrior. That is part of my life that has not changed since my death. If I were no longer willing to risk my life I could no longer consider that to be true."
Then Luther paused and shot Harry a toothy grin. "And besides Harry, you do not become as old as I have without learning that sometimes the only way to survive is to take a risk. Yes there is a risk that you could have killed me, but I had faith in my own skills and they proved sufficient, if barely. As for risking death, in choosing to pit ourselves against Voldemort we are both risking death Harry. But if you are well trained we both have a better chance of avoiding that fate."
Harry nodded accepting Luther's words. Suddenly he looked down at his full plate and remembered his manners. "Can I get you anything?"
Luther looked over at Harry and smiled. "No thank you Harry, unless, I don't suppose one of those wine bottles is open is it. No that would be too much to ask. Blasted Goblin, worse than a mother hen." This after Harry had shaken his head after staring at the bottles.
Luther smiled wirily and continued. "No thank you Harry, I had better wait until after Natasha arrives."
Suddenly Harry had another thought. "Luther, that butler of yours. Why do you.."
"Why do I put up with the way he acts?" Luther finished, smiling.
Harry Nodded.
Luther gave a short bark of laughter. "Don't let our little byplay fool you Harry. Gut Ripper and his family have served the Order faithfully since our alliance with the Goblins ages past. He served the Order member who resided in Britain before me and he has been a good and loyal servant. It's just that we both have a somewhat questionable sense of humour and enjoy honing it on each other. But."
Suddenly Luther's voice became serious.
"Never forget Harry. A Goblin is not a house elf. He is a servant but never a slave. You have impressed him so far, although he would never show it. Just be sure to continue to treat him in the same way. I would hate for you to learn how he earned that particular name. Now eat Harry, you had best take your fill before you have to compete with Natasha."
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
Harry found our what Luther meant soon after.
He had just finished his first helping of dinner and was about to go back for a second when he suddenly heard the sound of someone running in the corridor outside. Moments later Natasha burst through the doors of the sitting room.
He face was flushed from exertion and here long brown hair hung in disarray. As soon as she entered the room she started looking around frantically.
"My Lord! Where are you? Are you alright?"
"Calm yourself Natasha. I am here." Called Luther from the armchair he was sitting in.
Natasha immediately hurried to his side.
"Your Butler, the Goblin. He said that you had been wounded?"
"Yes, unfortunately for me I underestimated Harry's skill in practise today." Said the Vampire as he waved at his chest. "This is the result."
No sooner had Luther said that then Natasha was bending over him. Pulling away the bandage to look at the wound. She examined it closely, even going so far as to push her fingers into the wound to probe it."
Luther grumbled quietly, but appeared to submit to her ministrations. When she spoke next her voice was concerned.
"My Lord even with a wound this deep, you should have started healing by now. Something is wrong."
"No Natasha. This is normal. Harry was using a magical blade when he wounded me."
As soon as Luther said this Natasha's head whipped around to look at Harry. She hissed at him in anger and a sound very like a growl issued from here throat.
Harry looked at her and gulped deeply. She was plainly furious at him. Her entire posture was tensed. She looked like she was about to leap and attack him. As he looked into her angry eyes he saw her normally blue orbs flash with amber.
Then Luther's voice rang out.
"NATASHA!"
The voice was loud but more than that it possessed a deep almost primal quality. As if Luther was growling as he spoke.
Natasha immediately whipped around to look at the vampire.
Luther sat straight in his chair. Staring down at the young woman. His face was hard and his red eyes flickered dangerously. But when he spoke his voice was normal.
"He is not to blame Natasha. Do you understand? It was my decision to provoke him in training. I am the only one to blame for the injury I have suffered. You will not berate him for my mistake. He has already tried to apologise, but as I have told him, he was not in the wrong. You will accept that."
Natasha nodded and bowed her head. "Forgive me Lord." Then she turned to look at Harry "And I ask for your forgiveness too Harry. For what I almost did. I acted in haste."
They both forgave the young woman who then went back to looking at Luther's wound. After a time she shook her head.
"There are no burns Lord and no signs of infection. The wound will probably heal in time. But if you wish to heal it now you will require assistance." She said as she stared fumbling with the collar of her shirt.
Luther motioned for her to stop.
"Perhaps later, for now…"
"Are you ashamed of us Lord, of what we share? Of what you are?" Natasha suddenly interrupted him.
Luther gazed down into her eyes in shock. "No. Of course not."
"Then take what you need my lord. And let him see you."
Luther reached down until his hands rested on Natasha's shoulders, where the young woman knelt between his knees. Slowly he looked up into Harry's eyes, with a look of resignation, then determination he turned his attention back to Natasha.
Harry watched with wide eyes. He seemed unable to tear his gaze away. Part of him knew what was about to happen but another part of him refused to accept it.
He watched as Luther slowly raised a hand to cup Natasha's cheek. He saw how the young woman leant her head into that caress, moving her neck to one side. He saw Luther move his head forward as his arms lifted Natasha towards his descending mouth. Harry saw the vampire open his lips. Saw the long canine teeth seem to lengthen and sharpen even further until the points appeared like needles.
Then slowly, intimately he saw Luther close his jaws over a spot on Natasha's neck. He heard the girl give a low moan. But it did not sound like a moan of pain. It sounded like a moan of pleasure.
For several long moments the two sat like that, locked in the strange embrace. Then Harry saw Luther move his mouth from her neck. Slowly tenderly the vampire ran his tongue over the area he had just bitten, provoking another moan from Natasha. Then the Vampire pulled back until he saw staring into Natasha's upturned face.
For a long moment they looked at one another, then they wrapped their arms around each other and embraced.
"Thank you dear heart." Luther whispered into her ear as he gently stroked her hair.
"You are welcome my lord." Natasha whispered back.
Slowly they broke the embrace. Once again Luther smiled down at her. Then in a sudden quick movement he moved to his feet, lifting her up in his arms as he did so.
Quickly he moved her across the room and laid her down on a wide comfortable couch. Natasha made brief noises of protest but Luther silenced her with a finger to her lips.
"Shush now. I took a fair bit from you my dear. You need to rest. Sleep for a time, then eat your fill. Do not return to your chores until your weariness has passed. This is my order to you."
Natasha seemed about to protest but then suddenly she yawned and settled herself back against the cushions of the couch. Luther nodded and was about to walk away when suddenly she whispered something to him. When he turned back to Harry his face was grave.
"Come Harry. We still have two more lesson's to take care of this night."
………………………………………………………………………………………..
As they walked down the stone corridors to their destination Harry's curiosity got the better of him. "Luther, are you ok now?"
The vampires lip curled in a half smile. "See for yourself." He said as he held open the gap in his shirt where Harry's blade had pierced it.
Curiously Harry leant forward and looked. All he could see was the pale white flesh of Luther's chest. Other than the rip in the shirt there was no evidence that Luther had ever been wounded. Even the blood that had soaked the wound seemed to have disappeared. Harry looked up at Luther's face in wonder.
"We heal quick." Commented the vampire wirily.
"Natasha's blood did that?" asked Harry.
Luther resumed walking, but answered as they moved. "A sufficient quantity of anyone's blood would have enabled my body to finish healing. But essentially yes. Her blood allowed me to recover. Are you curious about something else?"
Harry nodded. His next words were jerky as if he had to force them out.
"For a moment in there I though you were going to.. to.."
"To kill her." Finished Luther, as he looked at Harry out of the corner of his eye.
Harry nodded.
Luther snorted. "It is a common misconception Harry, but vampires do not need to kill those whom we feed off. That is not to say that we do not. But it is not always necessary. Indeed as long as a vampire is able to feed regularly it should never be necessary for one of us to kill our prey."
Harry frowned in confusion. "But now that you've bitten her wont she.."
Luther looked at him for a moment then laughed. "No Harry she will not turn into a vampire. No one can be transformed into a vampire from a single bite. The process is much more involved than that."
They walked silently for a time. Harry deep in thought. Just as they reached the entrance to their destination Harry turned to Luther again.
"Luther, back in the salle. After we stopped. You called me little brother. Why?"
Luther turned to look at him. "It is a custom in the order. It is the way that an elder will address a younger. If it bothers you I will not address you in that way again."
"No its ok." Said Harry. "I don't mind."
Luther smiled at him. "Well then young one, I have something that you may enjoy."
And with that he turned to a large Iron door. After moving through an elaborate series of motions, which Harry now knew were to disable the many protections on the door, Luther pushed it open with a grand gesture and motioned Harry into the well lit room.
Harry stepped forward and then stopped still staring around in awe.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
It was a vast cylindrical room. Glow orbs studded the walls everywhere filling the room with light. The ceiling extended far upwards 30 to 40 feet above their heads. But that was not what caused Harry to stare. It was the books.
The room was filled to bursting with them. The walls of the room were covered in bookshelves that extended all the way to the ceiling. And those bookshelves seemed to groan under the weight of masses of ancient looking leather bound tomes. There were even masses of what looked like scrolls resting in beehive like cubicles on the bookshelves.
Harry looked around amazed. Although nowhere near the size of the library at Hogwarts the room was still impressive. Harry did not doubt that Hermione would give her eye-teeth for the chance to look through here.
"Impressive isn't it." Said Luther's voice from behind him.
The Luther moved to stand next to Harry and gestured at the room with a sweep of his arm. "This is a collection of all the magical tomes and books of history and lore that the order has gathered in its time in Britain. Some were given to us for safekeeping. Others we claimed as spoils in our wars with the wizards and others we have simply collected. There are books here that exist nowhere else in the world. There are even a couple that appear to be in an unknown language."
"Unknown language?" asked Harry curiously.
"Yes" said Luther. "Or at least one that neither we nor anyone we know has ever been able to translate. Where's an example."
At this Luther started to stare around the room. Then he gave a sudden cry of "Ah ha." And leapt upward.
Harry was stunned by the leap. From a standing start Luther not only leapt across the room he also leapt almost thirty feet up in the air. The Vampire came to a stop before a book shelf and seemed to float in the air before it for an instant. Then he reached out and pulled out a long thin volume in a green cover. An instant later he pushed away from the wall and flipped end over end before coming to rest lightly on his feet at Harry's side.
"Here." Said Luther, as if nothing unusual had happened. "This book was discovered by a member of the Order nearly seven centuries ago. Since that time no one has been able to decipher what language it was written in. Look."
Luther stood by Harry's side and held the book out to him. Harry took it and looked it over. The cover was a dark green leather that had a pattern of scales on it as it had come from some kind of reptile or serpent. Then Harry notices a pattern of curved and twisted lines on the page.
Luther pointed to the lines. "This appears to be some kind of language. But it resists all efforts at translation, in fact the patterns seem to change whenever someone tries to translate it. Its as if.."
Luther did not get a chance to finish the sentence. Suddenly the book in Harry's hands gave of a bright green glow. The shapes on the over started moving. Changing their shapes and positions, moving.. like snakes.
Harry looked on the new pattern and suddenly he could read it. He could understand what was written there. What the symbols meant. Shocked he read the words aloud.
"The path of the serpent. A guide to this most noble section of the Dark Arts."
Suddenly Luther's voice interrupted him. "You mean you can read it too?"
Harry nodded, then paused. "Wait a minute you mean you can as well?"
Luther nodded. "Yes, but this makes no sense. I have looked at that book several times over the centuries. Always it has changed but I have never been able to interpret anything from it. So why can I now. Nothing has changed, except..."
He paused and looked at Harry significantly.
"Except that now you have bonded with me." Said Harry.
"Indeed." Said Luther, then he looked at Harry with a thoughtful expression "And you are a parsel mouth are you not Harry Potter."
Harry flinched at the reminder of his second year. And of how he had discovered his ability to speak to snakes. An ability which marked his as a parsel mouth. An ability thought to be possessed only by the darkest of dark wizards.
But Luther appeared not to notice. The vampire was talking apparently to himself.
"Yes it makes sense. Many of the Warlocks hid there most powerful spells. And parsel magic cannot be acquired it is a skill passed down by blood. Well Harry it appears that you have answered two questions this night"
Harry looked up from his inspection of the book. "Two."
Luther grinned. "What language the book was written in, an your own question of what powers I receive from my bond with you. I believe we have discovered one tonight."
Harry nodded as he remembered his discussion with Luther after the Vampire had bitten him. Then he looked down at the book in his hands.
"Here." Said Harry attempting to return to book to Luther. The vampire looked at him in surprise and then pushed the book back into his hand.
"No Harry keep it. The book responded to you. It recognised you, it is yours by right of blood."
"But I don't want it." protested Harry.
Luther looked at him. "You may not want it Harry. But some day you may have need of its knowledge and its power and then you may be glad you have it."
At that the Vampire turned away and started gathering several other books from the shelves. Harry stared down at the book in his hands. Looking at it made him nervous. The dark cover the curved writing, even the feel of the book spoke of dark magic. But at the same time there was something about the book that called to him. And Harry felt a part of him trying to respond.
Luther's voice suddenly broke through his thoughts.
"Well then come on. We have a lesson to start."
Harry looked at the vampire in surprise. "I thought this was the lesson?"
"No Harry we only stopped here to gather the necessary books. As for the lesson itself." Luther paused and looked at Harry with a grin that Harry was beginning to feel wary of.
"Well although I cannot teach you my own magic there is nothing to stop me from trying to teach you your own. Besides its about time some of these books were put to use."
…………………………………………………………………………………………
But later, despite Luther's patience and Harry's initial enthusiasm to try magic again, even dark magic, things were not going well.
They were in a long narrow stone room, similar to a shooting range. But here the walls, floors and ceilings were covered with protective runes and sigils. Luther stood by Harry's side as he attempted to coach Harry through the various spells, curses, and hexes contained in the books they had taken from the room. So far their success had been limited.
It was not that Harry was not trying. Indeed although he still had some reservations about learning and using dark magic he was making an effort to comply with Luther's instructions. Indeed in that respect he was doing very well.
With his newly acquired gifts through the bond Harry was able to remember and understand Luther's instructions almost perfectly. It only took him a few tries to perfect even the most complicated wand movement and incantation and once he got it right he never repeated his mistakes. In terms of execution he was performing the spells flawlessly. It was his results that left a lot to be desired.
With a weary sigh Harry tried a new spell, one that he had seen performed before and had, to his mild surprise, found in the first few pages of "The Serpents Path."
"Serpensortia!" he yelled, putting all his concentration behind the force of the spell.
A small grey snake, barely a foot long and about as thick as his middle finger dropped warily out of the end of his wand. It slithered around pathetically on the floor for a few moments before disappearing in a puff of grey smoke.
Harry swore and stamped the spot where the snake had been in frustration. All night long it had been like this. He performed the spells exactly as the instructions required but the results fell far short of what he was expecting.
A spell that was supposed to cast a bolt of dark energy had created some black sparks.
A spell that was supposed to cast a stream of acid had unleashed a thin trickle not even string enough to cause the floor to smoke.
When he had tried to conjure an enchanted silver dagger, he got a silver pin. And so on.
Harry was feeling unbelievably frustrated. He had never performed this badly before in any of his Hogwarts Classes. At first he had thought that perhaps the spells he was attempting were too powerful for someone at his level. Then he had seen the summon serpent spell that Draco had used in their duel during his second year. He had felt sure that if Malfoy had been able to use that spell in his second year that he would be able to now. But the little grey worm had been the result.
Wearily Harry turned to Luther. The vampire had somehow only gotten calmer as Harry had gotten more and more frustrated, but Harry suspected that even the vampires apparently limitless patience was nearing its limits. But when he turned to face him Harry saw that the vampire was staring at him with a thoughtful expression, arms folded, head held in on hand.
"I'm sorry Luther. I just don't know what I'm doing wrong. I saw…"
"Could I look at your wand for a moment please Harry." Luther interrupted him
A little surprised at the request, Harry nonetheless handed the wand over to Luther.
The vampire ran his hands over the wand. He held it close to his face inspecting it minutely. He even appeared to sniff it. Finally he stopped and handed it back to Harry. Luther then resumed his pose, now staring at the wand.
"Holly wood. I wonder could that be the reason?" he said out loud apparently to himself.
"Sorry Luther?" Asked Harry. "But could what be the reason?"
Luther looked at Harry, then he raised one of his arms and pointed at the wand.
"What do you know of the properties of holly Harry?"
Harry just shook its head. Luther continued
"Holly is also known as the defender. When treated properly magical items made from holly are very effective at countering the effects of dark magic and dark creatures. I am wondering if the reason that your spells are apparently so lacking in power is because you are using a wand that is completely unsuited to casting them. But how to determine if that is the case?"
Then suddenly Luther's head jerked up as if he had just remembered something.
With no more that a terse "Wait here." To Harry, Luther suddenly left the room moving at a run.
Harry stared, startled by the abrupt departure. Then he turned over to a table near the wall and started flicking through the Serpents Path. He had just finished reading a page that described a very interesting fire spell when Luther returned.
The vampire carried a long thin silver casket in his hands. Moving over to Harry he opened it hand offered the contents to him.
"Here Harry. Why don't you try using this."
Harry looked inside. Nestled among dark, blood coloured velvet was a wand. It was dark in colour. It appeared a few inches longer than his own wand. Curious Harry reached for it with his right hand.
"No."
Harry looked up at Luther in surprise.
"Use your left." The Vampire said.
Shrugging Harry shifted his holly wand back to his right hand and reached for the other wand with his left.
Harry was not sure what he expected. Remembering how all the other wands he had tried at Ollivanders felt he wasn't expecting anything. So what happened was something of a shock.
As soon as his hand closed over the wand he felt it. A deep throb of power, like a current of electricity running through his body. The sensation was strange but not unpleasant. He waves the wand before him and it let loose with a stream of Emerald and silver sparks. Then suddenly Harry felt his wand also respond. His holly wand grew warm in his hand. A counter point to the surge coming from the other. Suddenly he felt both wands pulsing. The throbs of their power was like the beating of two separate hearts. Then slowly the pulses came closer and closer together until the two wands pulsed with a single beat, completely in sync.
As they did so Harry felt another surge of power pass through him. The warmth of the holly wand and the electrical surge of the other wand spread up his arms and travelled throughout his body. The two surges of power met inside him. And there they seemed to merge. Spreading throughout his body, filling him with power. With magic. Harry Potter stood in the center of the room as he felt the magic flow through his body and as he turned to Luther with a quiet smile for the first time in a long time he felt at peace. He felt whole.
Then a few facts suddenly came together in Harry's brain and he looked down at the new wand in his hand.
"Whose wand was this." He asked Luther in a shaking voice. Never taking his eyes from the wand.
"Can't you guess." Asked Luther with a crooked smile.
Harry face contorted in disgust and he moved as it to throw the wand away. But before he could do so Luther shot across the room and grabbed his hand forcing him to keep hold of the wand.
"Let me go!" Yelled Harry through clenched teeth.
"It accepted you and you accepted it." Said Luther. "Why do you now reject it?"
Harry looked at the Vampire in shock. "WHY? How can you ask me that. You know why. I can't use this wand. ITS VOLDEMORT'S"
"Was Voldemort's." Corrected Luther gently.
"You took it from him in combat. To the victor go the spoils. It is your's now, why will you not use it?"
Harry's face contorted in anger.
"ARE YOU MAD?" he yelled.
"It's the wand that killed Cedric, that killed my parents. That's killed hundreds of people and tortured even more. I want no part of it."
"Voldemort killed your Cedric and your Parents Harry. Not the wand. It is just a tool. It is not its fault that the one it chose committed those deeds. Now that it has chosen you will you deny it a chance at redemption?"
Harry stopped struggling and considered the wand in his hands. As he did so Luther slowly released him and stepped away. Harry hardly noticed he was son fixed on the wand.
It felt different, not the same as his holly wand. But for all that it still somehow felt right. He had known the holly wand was his as soon as he touched it. He could tell that this once was his too, but in a different way. Breathing deeply he felt both wands as they lay in his hands. Felt the rightness of them, not only individually but together. And he considered what Luther had said.
"Alright." He said after several moments. "Alright I'll try using this wand. But what am I going to do with two of them. I can't very well use them both at the same time."
"Why not?" asked Luther curiously.
Harry looked at him. "You're kidding right."
"Not at all." Said Luther. "I fight with two blades, I am teaching you to fight with two blades. I see no reason why in time I cannot help you learn how to fight with two wands. But that is something for another day. For now let us see if my theory is correct. Try using the new wand."
Harry shrugged and started to shift the wand to his right hand. Once again Luther stopped him.
"No try it with your left."
"Why?" asked Harry. Exasperated at having to try a new spell with an unfamiliar hand.
Luther pointed at his left arm then at his right.
"Sinister and Dexter. Left and right. Yew for attack. Holly for defence. Try them that way."
Harry grumbles about picky vampires under his breath before taking a stance.
He thought about which spell to use and suddenly decided to try the spell he had just been reading about.
Setting his shoulders he pointed the new wand down the range and spoke the incantation. "Dractaerye's"(2) he hissed.
The results were unexpected.
A roaring jet of flame surged down the range. It burned a vivid orange at its edges, a vivid white near the center with a core of the palest blue.
Harry felt the heat like a blast from a furnace. Shocked at the strength of the spell he could only stare as the stream of flames impacted the back wall and started to move back down the range towards him.
Suddenly Luther barrelled into him and wrestled the wand out of his hand with a painful wrench. As he did so some of the flames caught on his clothing so that he had to beat them out with his fists.
The wand out of Harry's hand the flames suddenly cut off and Harry was left gasping for air. Luther quickly hurried him outside where he knelt gasping and choking.
When he finished he looked up into Luther's glaring face.
"DragonFire." Ground out the vampire through clenched fangs. "Would you mind telling me what in the Lord of Murder's name possessed you to try casting DragonFire?"
Harry coughed nervously before replying. "I don't know. I saw the spell in the book and I just thought I'd try it. After the other's I didn't expect it to work that well."
"Well lets see how well it worked shall we?" asked Luther as he made his way back into the room."
Harry followed and then stopped and stared in shock.
The stone walls were blacked and charred. Along the path the spell had travelled the stone had actually melted and run. Some of it still glowed bright orange.
Harry gulped as he looked at the damage.
"Gut Ripper is going to think Christmas has come early." Said Luther.
"I don't want to think about how much gold the little miser is going to charge to repair this."
But when he turned back to Harry he seemed Happy enough.
"Well little brother I think we have established that new wand of yours is better suited to these kind of spells."
"I'm sorry Luther." Said Harry "I had no idea that spell would be so destructive. I'll help pay for the damages/"
But Luther waved this comment away. "I'm not worried about the cost Harry. The order has plenty of Gold. No you did well to cast that spell. But you are right in a way. That spell should not be so destructive, or at least not that indiscriminate. Something was off."
Now the Vampire stopped and looked at Harry with a shrew, calculating expression.
"I don't think we should practise this anymore. Not at least until you have had an opportunity to obtain a better understanding of the darkness. Which is convenient actually. Natasha's family have asked if you would be willing to witness a ceremony of their's tomorrow night?"
"A ceremony?" asked Harry. "What kind of ceremony?"
"A very old kind." Said Luther and He turned to look at Harry with a grave expression. "I will not lie to you Harry there is an element of danger if you choose to do this. I will protect you as best I can and that should be enough to ensure your safety. But accidents can happen and there is a risk you may be harmed."
Harry frowned. "Then why are you offering me the chance?"
"Because if you go you will honour Natasha and her family. You will be able to obtain a greater understanding of them and they of you. And also you will have a rare opportunity to obtain an understanding of the Darkness."
"Cant you just explain that to me?"
Luther shook his head. "Words cannot convey the full meaning of these things Harry. You must feel them, experience them to understand. Are you willing to take that chance?"
Curious despite himself Harry nodded. This seemed his best opportunity to get answers to questions that he had been unable to ask.
"Good." Said Luther. Then the vampire picked up the books lying on the desk, which appeared fortunately to be unharmed, along with the wand and offered them to Harry.
"I will allow you to keep these and study them at your leisure if you abide by the same oath that you swore when I gave you your holly wand. Do you agree?"
Harry swore and as he recovered the yew wand and the books he felt a tingle run through it as it recognised the magical contract.
"Come then Harry we have one more lesson to complete tonight. Tomorrow night we attend the ceremony and that will take up most of our time."
"What is it." Asked Harry wearily
"Potions." Said the Vampire over his shoulder. And Harry stifled a groan as he follows Luther to the last lesson of the night.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
Potions with Luther was much better than Harry's lessons with Snape had been. But that wasn't saying much. Although Harry was learning more and performing far better than he had under the greasy git of Slytherin, he could not say that he really enjoyed the class. Harry suspected that he lacked the patience, meticulous nature and perfectionism required to really enjoy potions brewing. It took a conscious effort on his part to muster the concentration required to ensure that all the instructions were followed exactly and precisely. It also didn't help that he was keenly aware of Luther standing over his shoulder ready to comment at the slightest fault. But his mental training stood him in good stead here. He was able to ignore Luther and focus himself completely on the task. It also helped that with Luther's training he also had a far better idea of how certain ingredients reacted together and why it was necessary to follow the instructions so carefully. All in all he was far more confident that he would be able to deal with NEWT level potions. Assuming he somehow managed to achieve the Outstanding OWL necessary to get into Snape's Class. But that was a worry for another day.
At the end of the lesson Harry had brewed a burn slave potion and had helped Luther mix a cauldron full of enchanted water that was supposedly able to put out any fire. Luther had insisted that he take a few vials. 'In case he got the urge to cast Dragon Fire again.'
By the end of the evening Harry was so tired with the events of the day that he fell asleep as soon as he hit the bed. Not even pausing to consider the implications of the night's events, or of what the following night would bring. This was probably a good thing. If he had he would have been unlikely to be able to sleep at all.
………………………………………………………………………………………
The next evening Harry rose and dressed early, expecting Natasha to arrive soon to arrive soon to escort him to dinner.
He was sitting on his bed, The Path of the Serpent open on his lap. When he heard a knock at the door. Harry quickly hurried to the door expecting it to be Natasha. He was therefore quite surprised when he found Luther waiting for him.
This time the vampire was not dressed in his usual shirt and slacks. Instead he looked much like he had the first time Harry had seen him. He wore a black shirt and jeans. Heavy black boots and a long black coat. Harry could see the scabbards of his swords over his shoulder and the glint of metal within the coat.
"Here." Said Luther as he held out a bundle to Harry. "Put these on."
Most of the bundle was a large piece of grey cloth. But on top of that sat a H&K pistol in a shoulder holster rig. Harry could see two additional clips of ammo in packets on the rig. There was also a sword belt which held his Gladius and the long knife he had been using in training.
He looked up confused. "Luther why do I need these and why are you armed."
The vampire smiled at him.
"I never go anywhere unarmed Harry. It's my suspicious nature. As for the others I hope you will not need them but I would rather you had them just in case."
Harry looked at the vampire for a moment then nodded and started putting on the holster. It was unfamiliar but Luther soon helped him adjust the straps so that it sat comfortably. Harry then fastened the sword belt around his waist. The grey clothe proved to be a large grey trench coat made to Harry's size. He shrugged it on and found that it fit him well. Hugging him comfortably without obstructing his movements. Finished Harry stared back at Luther.
The vampire looked him over critically.
"You have your wands?" he asked
Harry nodded and patted the sleeves of the shirt he wore.
Luther nodded satisfied.
"Good. Harry stay close to me tonight, or close to those I set around you. Above all remain calm and do not cry out or panic. No matter what happens resist the temptation to run or look away or to attack the others. But if you truly feel that you life is in danger and I am not there then do not hesitate to use the weapons I have given you. Only the weapons mind! Nothing else."
Harry frowned at Luther, confused and a little scared.
"Why should I not use magic Luther, wouldn't it be more effective?"
"Against what you will see tonight, no Harry it probably wont, and using it could just put you in more danger."
And on that cryptic note Luther turned and started walking away down the hall, leaving Harry to hurry after him.
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As they walked through the halls Harry was surprised by the lack of people. He asked Luther where everyone was.
"Most of them are gathered at the clearing." Replied the Vampire. "The young and the old have already retired for the evening."
Harry was about to ask about this when they suddenly came to a stop before a great rectangle of polished black marble. Harry looked at it confused.
"What are we doing here?"
Luther looked at him and smiled. "Do you remember how I brought you here?" asked the vampire. Harry paused to think but in that split second Luther surged forward grabbed him and leapt at the marble block.
Harry braced himself for the impact and a moment later it came. Just not the one he was expecting. Suddenly he felt a fierce bitting cold. A cold so hard it almost burned. The cold lasted for long moments during which Harry felt himself jerked in several directions as if unseen currents were pulling him too and fro. The just when he thought it would never end it did and he found him self gasping in a clearing. Surrounded by tall dark pine trees. The ground was wet, the air was so cold his breath steamed. But compared to the cold of wherever they had just been it felt like the hottest day of summer. Luther held Harry upright until he could stand on his own.
"Wh..what was th that?" asked Harry though chattering teeth.
"A shadowpath." Said Luther. The main way by which we move over long distances
"Shadowpath?" asked Harry as he gradually felt warmth return to his body.
"All the shadows of the world are connected Harry. If you know how you can travel from one to another."
"Are all the trips that long?" Harry asked.
"Long?" Said Luther. "No that was a short hop. Usually they are much longer"
Harry shuddered at the thought. Remembering the biting cold. Then he looked at his surroundings. The clearing was not very large and it was completely surrounded by tall pine trees. Their dark trunks appeared black, unless they were illuminated by the thin shafts of moonlight that penetrated the thick cloud cover. Mist covered the ground, almost completely obscuring it and thin tendrils of it danced among the trunks of the trees.
Harry was about to ask Luther what they were doing here when he heard something.
It was a very faint noise, little more than the rustle of a bush. But he could make it out clearly. Harry also noted that although it was very dark he could still see. Where the moonlight shone he could see almost as clearly as if it was day. But even in the darkest patches of the forest he could see shapes and outlines that he was sure he never would have been able to make out before.
Then he saw them.
He heard them first. The gentle rustling increased. Growing louder and louder. Then he saw what caused it. Figures began to approach through the mists. At first they appeared almost ghostlike. But as they came closer Harry could make out their features. With a start he recognised them. They were a mixed group men and women, their ages ranging from their teens to their fifties. But Harry realised as he saw them approach he had seen all of them at one time or other at the family dinners each night. Some of them he had even talked to. Then he noticed Natasha among them and felt certain. He was about to move forward to call out to her when suddenly Luther grabbed him by the shoulder holding him in place and silencing him. It was then that Harry noticed something odd.
The eyes of all the approaching people were fixed on Luther. But there was something wrong in that gaze. There was a craving in it. A need. The gaze was hungry.
Silently they filed into the clearing. Taking their places in a great semicircle around Luther. The vampire pushed Harry behind him and Harry did not argue.
As they watched him the breathing of the gathered people grew more ragged, more intense, more needful. Harry could feel their need building. So apparently could Luther.
Harry suddenly heard the vampire chanting in a quiet voice. Harry could not make out the words but apparently the gathered family members did. Or at least knew their meaning. All around the semicircle the gathered people stared up at the sky expectant looks on their aces. Harry wondered what they were waiting for. Then he found out.
Suddenly the clouds parted. Moonlight streamed down into the clearing, first in a small circle then gradually widening until it encompassed the whole clearing. The looks on the people's faces changed. The anticipation turning to beatific joy. Curious Harry looked up wondering what they found so special about the moon. As soon as he did so his blood ran cold and he felt a chill crawl down his spine. It was a full moon.
Tearing his eyes from the moon Harry stared at the gathered people praying that he was wrong. He wasn't. All around the clearing the people were slowly changing. Mouths opened wide in smiles suddenly sprouted massive fangs. Jaws elongated and extended becoming muzzles. Limbs grew and stretched. Pale bodies suddenly sprouted masses of grey fur. Hands and nails lengthened to form paws and claws. And human eyes of every colour gradually turned a golden amber. Becoming the eyes of wolves. Were Wolves.
Harry stared around the clearing in shock. Everyone in the clearing. Natasha and her entire family were werewolves. Harry couldn't believe his eyes, but at the same time he found himself thinking it made a kind of sense. He had been wondering why a family of humans would willingly serve a vampire. Now he had an answer. A family of humans hadn't. But even as his mind tried to come to terms with this revelation something struck him as odd.
He remembered when Remus had transformed into a werewolf. After they had caught Pettigrew and were taking him back to Hogwarts. Then he remembered how Remus had screamed in pain. It had looked like the werewolf was tearing itself out from inside him. Every moment of the change an agony. But when these werewolves had transformed they did not look like they had been in agony. They had looked ecstatic throughout the entire process. Then there was Remus's appearance. When Remus had transformed he had looked like a horrible mix of wolf and man. A huge head full of teeth over a skeletal almost emancipated body (3). But these werewolves looked nothing like Remus. They stood tall and string on their hind legs. Their bodies rippled with muscle like professional body builders and their coats looked sleek and well groomed. But it was the eyes that had the greatest difference. The eyes which were calm, considering and filled with intelligence. Remus's eyes had been filled with rage and hunger. He had attacked anything that moved. Where as these werewolves sat staring as if waiting for something. Staring at Luther.
The vampire stood in the clearing. His black clothes making him seem like he was a part of the night. He calmly considered the thirty or more werewolves that surrounded him. Then he nodded as if satisfied.
Suddenly curling mists started to form around Luther's body. They circled around him and grew thicker and thicker until suddenly he was completely obscured from sight. Then the mists gradually started to fade. When they finally disappeared, Luther was gone and in his place stood a great black wolf, large as a small horse with eyes as red as blood.
Harry stared in shock. The wolf turned its head towards him and gave him a toothy smile that Harry somehow easily recognised as being Luther's. Then it padded over to him. The wolf sniffed his face for a moment, then it stretched out and lay down before him. Harry looked at it in shock. Surely Luther didn't expect him to.
When he hesitated the wolf turned its head to him and growled softly. Harry jumped and then slowly, gingerly mounted himself on Luther's back.
As soon as he was settled Luther got to his feet. Harry was forced to grab great fistfull's of his shaggy hair to stay on. But Luther did not seem to mind. As Luther turned to face the other werewolves Harry received another shock. Where there had been a clearing full of werewolves now stood a clearing full of wolves. Abet wolves larger than Shetland ponies. The wolves stood restlessly. Some of them moving from foot to foot. Some of them waling up and down. Plainly waiting for something
The wolf Luther stared at them for a moment. Then he bent his head back so that his muzzle was pointed at the sky and let loose with a great echoing howl.
Moments later the others joined in until the entire pack were howling up at the night sky. Their voices rising and falling in a great symphony.
Sitting on Luther's back listening to the music of the pack around him Harry felt something stir within him.
There was a primal quality to their calls. Something in the music of their howls called to him, touched him in a way he had never felt before. For a moment he had an inexplicable urge to call out, to join his voice with theirs. He almost did so when suddenly the noises stopped.
Luther lowered his muzzle and stared at the pack around him. They stared back at him awaiting his signal. Suddenly he bounded forward. Running through the gathered pack and into the mist wrapped jungle. The others bounded after him and all the while Harry grimly held onto his neck for dear life.
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The ride on the jungle on Luther's back that night would be forever etched into Harry's memory. Right alongside his first flight on a broom and his ride on Buckbeak in his third year. It was definitely at least initially his most terrifying.
The wolves, Luther in the lead careened through the forest at breakneck pace. They ran through bushes. Over logs, through gaps and over divides unerringly. They seemed to know exactly where they were going and were trying to get there as fast as possible. Harry on the other hand had no idea where they were going and was utterly unprepared for ever leapt, turn and obstacle that they came to. It was only by holding on to Luther's Ruff with a grip that got progressively tighter and tighter that he was able to stay on. After a while Harry was surprised that the Vampire wasn't yelping in pain. 'Serves him right if he is.' Thought Harry savagely as he ducked to avoid a low branch.
But after a time Harry settled into a rhythm and started to enjoy the ride. The Wolves barked and yipped to each other as they ran and some seemed to be racing each other. But, Harry noted, none of them attempted to overtake Luther.
After it felt like they had been going for hours Harry suddenly heard a long drawn out howl. Instantly the entire pack came to a halt. All their ears turned towards the source of the sound. It came again. A long ululating howl that echoed off the
Hillsides. Suddenly Luther turned and started off in another direction. The rest of the pack immediately followed.
Minutes later they came to a small clearing nestled between two hills. Like a natural amphitheatre. The pack arrayed themselves around the lip of one of the hills. Luther, literally, growled commands and two of the members of the pack set off for the other hill. They returned minutes later after a lot of careful sniffling. Apparently satisfied that nothing was amiss. Luther turned his head, slowly looking around the amphitheatre. Then apparently satisfied he slowly lay down. Getting the message Harry quickly climbed off Luther's back. The great black wolf growled out more commands. Four other large grey wolves moved out of the pack and converged on Harry. They sniffed him carefully for a few moments then they gradually lay down around him until he was enclosed in a circle of grey furred bodies. The message was obvious and Harry sat down and prepared to wait. Luther looked at him then nodded his muzzle apparently satisfied before making his way down to the clearing in the center of the amphitheatre.
For long minutes nothing happened. The wolves sniffed around. Scratching and grooming themselves. All but a few who kept their muzzles facing outwards. Sniffing for potential danger. Then suddenly the entire pack lay still and turned to face the center of the amphitheatre. For several long minutes nothing happened. Then all the wolves even the ones surrounding Harry got to their feet.
Several more minutes passed and Harry began to think it was a false alarm. Then the wolves started growling. Harry squinted as he looked across the amphitheatre. Then in a sudden flash of moonlight he saw them. More long grey shapes unmistakably wolves started moving over the lip of the second hill. Then slowly moved down the hill then stopped at roughly the same height as the others. The ones Harry now thought of as Luther's pack now sat. All but one.
As Harry watched a large Grey and Black shape made its way down the hillside until it stood opposite Luther in the clearing. The newcomer was big and massively muscled. Even from were he sat Harry could see the marks of scars and old wounds covering his body. The new arrival obviously the leader of the new pack bared his fangs and growled at Luther. Luther stood calmly, not responding to the display of aggression. The newcomer continued to growl and posture. The hair on his ruff bristled making him appear larger and more formidable. He bared his fangs even wider, growled even louder. Still Luther said nothing. The new comer moved back shaking his head slightly as if confused. Then suddenly he charged.
The small clearing was suddenly a blur of black and grey shapes. Luther and the newcomer circled one another. Then charged in biting and snarling trying to get an advantage. The just as quickly they would separate and begin circling again.
For several minutes this went on until finally the two slammed together, bitting at lunging at each others necks. The rolled around the floor of the clearing sending up a curtain of dust that obscured them from sight.
When the dust settled the great black shape of Luther could bee seen standing over the fallen newcomer. Luther had the newcomer gripped by the throat. Harry watched as the newcomer slowly ceased twitching and lay still. Luther gave the body one final shake and then slowly released the neck. Harry felt his insides squirm as he thought about what had happened. Then he frowned and looked closely at the newcomer. There was no blood.
Suddenly Luther stepped back, facing the new pack. As he did so the new comer slowly cautiously rolled onto his belly. Then as Luther stood watching the newcomer slowly crawled forward on his belly until his nose was almost touching with Luther's. For a moment the newcomer sat there whining quietly. For several moments Luther appeared to ignore him. Then he leant down and briefly licked the newcomer on the cheek. The newcomer licked him back, then he slowly got to his feet and touched noses with Luther. As if this was some kind of single wolves of both packs suddenly start howling. First separately then gradually closer and closer together until their cries ring out as one.
As soon as the final howls died down members of both packs suddenly bounded forwards. Suddenly the amphitheatre was full of wolves, touching noses, sniffing each other each moving from one to another as if every member of both packs wanted to meet every member of the other. The exception was the four wolves that surrounded Harry. They sat where they were. If a member of the other pack came up to them then they touched noises and exchanged licks in a friendly fashion. But if one of them tried to approach Harry the hackles on all four immediately rose and they growled warningly showing their teeth.
The newcomers appeared to get the message and after a few cautions sniffs in Harry's direction they went on their way.
Harry for his part stayed very still and did his best not to be noticed. He got the feeling that attracting undue attention would be a bad thing. But at the same time he gazed around curiously trying to see all he could. He had a feeling that very few humans, wizard or muggle had ever had a chance to see what he had this night.
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Harry had thought that the combat in the amphitheatre was the ceremony he was there to see that night. It turned out he was wrong.
Later Harry once again on his back, Luther lead both packs through the forest. The old pack leaver walked close on Luther's right. He had come close to Harry sniffing curiously once, but Luther had growled warningly and after that he had kept is distance. Other wolves had also tried to get close to Harry to sniff him. It seemed that he was fated to be a celebrity where ever he went. But the four wolves that had guarded him stayed close by and they soon discouraged any others that same too close.
Unlike before Luther moved the two packs at a slow steady pace. Barely more than a walk. The walked for hours through the darkened forest. The crisp night air filling their lungs. Until finally they came to a halt before a massive tree.
Luther once again dropped and Harry quickly jumped off. Then he looked up at the massive tree. It was huge, it would easily have been the largest tree that he had ever seen. Is trunk was massively thick gnarled and marked with age. It was so tall that even from where he stood some distance away Harry could not see the top of its branches.
Harry started as he suddenly saw a werewolf move past him heading for the tree. Looking around Harry noted that all the other were wolves had shifted from there wolf forms and were now walking on two feet towards the tree, even those from the new pack. Harry looked around for Luther and saw the Vampire standing near him. Once again clad in his black garments. The vampire held a finger to his lips for silence and motioned to Harry to follow him. The two joined the procession of tall grey figures making their way towards the tree.
As they got closer Harry could see that there was some kind of altar near the base of the tree. Scattered around its trunk were a number of standing stones. Anywhere else and they would have appeared large, but here they were completely dwarfed by the bulk of the tree. Harry could see that some of the stones had designs crudely etched into them. Markings and patterns that looked like they had been made with claws not tools.
Suddenly Harry stopped. He noticed that all the wolves had stopped outside of the circle of the stones. Luther had also stopped, now they all stood waiting. Moments latter five were wolves appeared inside the circle. One was an ancient looking male. His fur was silver and he clearly showed signs of age. But he still walked tall and appeared powerful despite his advanced years. Flanking him were four others. Two on each side. Between them each of the two carried the body of an animal. A deer in the case of the two on the left. A long horned highland cow in the case of the two on the right. The old wolf stopped before an ancient looking crude stone altar. The four that followed placed the animals they carried on the altar and then backed away. Moving forward the old werewolf stood before the two carcasses. Then with two swift sweeps of his clawed hands he split them open. The Blood from the two carcases ran and mingled running down the stone altar to the base of the tree.
Soon after the first trickles of blood ran down to the tree Harry felt it. It came slowly at first. Just teasing the edge of his senses. Like that blast of a horn just barely heard.
But gradually it grew and grew. Harry felt it. Felt it throb through his entire being, but at first he could not identify what it was. Nothing he could see or hear had changed. Yet something plainly had. It took him a while but he finally realised what it was.
It was magic. There was magic around this tree, around this place. It was old magic ancient and very very deep.
It was nothing like anything he had felt before. It was nothing like the magic that he had felt at the Ministry of Magic, at Diagon alley or at Hogwarts. Those places had been magical and looking back he realised that he could feel them. But this magic was completely different. Everywhere else he had been the magic had been controlled. Not just restrained, but crafted, purified the distilled essence of what had once been something else. That was the difference. Harry realised as he felt the magic of this place throb beneath his feet. The magic everywhere else had been tamed. This magic. This was wild.
For several minutes Harry felt the power slowly building under his feet. As he did so he noticed that the werewolves were shifting restlessly. Letting out occasional short howls. Dancing in place. 'They feel it too' he realised 'They can feel it rising.'
The he became aware of something moving towards him. He saw the old silver werewolf slowly making his way to the edge of the circle. He saw the old wolf stop before Luther saw him offer the Vampire something wet and dripping from his hand.
Luther took the piece of dripping meat from the werewolf. Holding it above his head he let a trickle of blood run down his throat. Then he lowered the meat to his mouth and took a small bite before returning it to Old Silver. Old Silver nodded satisfied and then moved away, to stand before Harry.
Harry look up into the muzzle of the old silver werewolf. It took everything he had to do so. The werewolf towered over him. Like all of its kind that he had seen tonight each was at least six and a half to seven feet tall. He could see its long yellow fangs. Feel and smell its rancid breath wash over him. But steeling himself Harry forced himself to remain calm. Not to give in to the fear that hovered at the edge of his mind.
Old Silver paused and sniffed deeply. First on one side of Harry's head and then the other. Finally it pulled back. The ancient amber eyes of the werewolf stared at him considering. Finally it reached out its paw and offered Harry the dripping piece of meat within. Harry stared at it for a moment then he carefully took it. He was aware that everything around them had gone quite. He was certain that every member of the gathered packs was looking at him. But he dared not look away to confirm it. And so Harry did something he would probably not have done under any other circumstances. Brining the meat to his mouth he carefully took a bite of the raw dripping flesh.
The meat was tough and gamy. He had to worry it with his teeth to tear a piece away. He then had to ignore the taste as he swallowed it. But finally it was done and he carefully offered the still dripping piece of meat back to Old Silver. The silver werewolf considered him for several moments then it reached forward and reclaimed the piece of meat in its left paw. Then it paused and slowly stretched out its right as if offering it to be shaken.
Harry stared at the paw for a second then he calmly offered his own right hand. The werewolf immediately enfolded his hand in its grip. Harry felt the warmth of the werewolf's skin, the softness of its fur and the iron strength behind its grip. He felt the grip slowly increase and knew instinctively that it could crush every bone in his hand. But also instinctively Harry started to squeeze back. Somehow the response seemed to satisfy old silver. After a final squeeze the werewolf eased its grip and released Harry's hand. Then it lifted its head, threw back its muzzle and howled.
The howl echoed across the clearing. It rolled on and on and soon other voices joined it carrying it on and on. In the back of Harry's mind the feeling of magic he had felt before, which had died down when old silver approached, suddenly flared up again. In his being he felt its sure steady pounding, like a giant heart beat. Then as Harry watched overcome with the feeling around him the gathered werewolves started to dance.
It was nothing like any kind of human dance that Harry had ever seen, but he didn't know what else to call it. Each in their own way, in their own time the gathered werewolves started to dance around the circle made by the standing stone. Some stamped their feet. Others jumped to and fro. Others moves side to side or ran up and down. It didn't matter whatever they did they were all connected, connected by the magic of that place. Which was in a very real way the heart beat of their pack.
The wolves called out. Each in their own time adding their own shouts to the music of the night. Amidst the wolf howls Harry suddenly heard another deep voice cry out. A wordless cry of exultation and as he turned he saw that Luther too was dancing with the wolves.
With that sight Harry's last resistance crumbled. With a shout of his own he joined the dance. Moving in his own way, it what ever his heart dictated Harry danced among the wolves, sharing in their music, sharing in their dance, sharing in their magic.
And in that moment as he danced faster and faster to the beat of the magic in the air. Harry knew he had experienced something that he would never be able to explain. Something he would never be able to put into words. It was as Luther said. You had to experience it to understand.
The beat of the dance is the heartbeat of the pack
The feeling the power, is their connection to the land and the world around them. Their connection to the circle of life. To the Darkness.
Darkness, the natural world. The natural law, the cycle of life and death. The old ways.
Modern magic, light magic, right and wrong. It is an invention. Celestial, trying to impose a sense of right and wrong in a world that knows none.
But the Darkness is the primal side, the natural side. The law of nature. Timeless as the world and ever enduring.
Harry would never remember the details of that night. Would never be able to recall exactly what he had learned or remember fully all that had happened. But he would be left with a deep seated and instinctive knowledge, of the Darkness and of his place in it.
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Much later Harry sat groaning in Luther's study as the Vampire finished mixing him a potion which he gratefully drank. How he had returned here and what had happened after he ate the meat he did not know. He had a feeling he did not want to. But for some reason although he was tired, aching and exhausted he also felt strangely at peace.
Harry gratefully took the offered goblet from Luther and slowly sipped the contents. He felt the effects of the hot herbal brew almost immediately.
Harry sat for several minutes carefully nursing the brew. He watched as Luther carefully opened a bottle of wine and settled down opposite him, a glass in hand. Finally he felt well enough to talk.
"Luther?" Harry asked
The Vampire looked at him questioningly.
"Earlier in the night when you fought that other werewolf, that other pack. What was all that about."
Luther paused for a moment then replied. "As you have gathered by now the pack that lives in this area. Natasha's family has an ancient alliance with the Order. They guard our stronghold here and if need be help us in our tasks. In return we also defend them and their lands against any and all who may try to take them away. Including the Ministry of Magic and the Muggle Government. Although these days that is done more through money in the right politician's hands and the use of a few subtle threats than anything else."
Here Luther sighed deeply before continuing.
"The pack that you saw tonight is an offshoot of this one. They share ties of blood and family but do not hold the same lands. For a while they have been hearing rumour's that Voldemort is going to try to start recruiting from among the Werewolf families. The leader of the pack has reason to believe that these rumours are true and he knows that he cannot stop Voldemort from taking his people on his own. So he came last night and challenged me."
"He wanted to take your place." Asked Harry in confusion.
Luther smiled. "No Harry he wanted me to protect his pack. So he challenged me for leadership. By defeating him I made that pack my own. I left the old leader in charge but they know that they must come if I call. Just as they know that they may come to me and the Order for protection and for vengeance."
"You sorted all that out through growling and howling?" asked Harry incredulously.
Luther laughed amused. "No Harry. The details were sorted out days ago. You would be surprised how much can be communicated in a howl, but fine details are one of the things that cannot."
"But then if it was arranged before hand why did you bother fighting? I mean if the other guy meant to lose." Asked Harry confused.
Luther paused and looked at him seriously. "He did not mean to loose Harry he just knew he could not win. Black Stripe knew he could not beat me but he still fought as hard as he could. He may have been willing to submit to my leadership but I would still have to earn it. That is the way of the Wolves."
"Is that why you didn't kill him?" asked Harry
Luther shook his head. "No Harry, challenges for leadership are never to the death. The fight is until one submits. Any deaths will only be accidental. Wolves do not generally kill without need."
After that they sat for a time in a companionable silence. Harry finished the brew as he gradually got drowsier. Luther slowly drinking his wine as he read from a book.
When Harry spoke again his voice was sleepy. "You know after tonight I almost wish I could run with the pack. Not like tonight, but actually with them as an animal. But I guess that short of becoming a werewolf the only way to do that is to become an animagnus."
Luther snapped shut his book and turned to Harry curiously. "Is that something you wish to learn?"
Briefly Harry's eyes lit up, but it was not enough to dispel the drowsiness.
"You mean, Yawn, I you can teach me?"
Luther considered. "Yes. What I can teach you is not the same method that your ministry teaches today, but the effect is the same, in some ways better. But.."
Luther stopped and turned over to look at Harry, who was fast asleep in his chair his goblet still tightly held in his hands.
Gently the vampire reached out and removed it. Then after placing it on the table, he carefully picked up the young wizard and carried him back to his room.
After he had dropped him off Luther walked slowly down the halls to his resting place. His young bonded had performed remarkably over the last to nights. He had such potential. But Luther cautioned himself, potential was not enough. It would remain to be seen if Harry would have the time to learn enough to be able to challenge Voldemort. 'But' thought Luther 'Whatever the outcome may be one thing I can already guarantee is that my bonded and myself will give Voldemort a fight he will never forget. And even if we fall, Catherine my dear departed. Know that you will still be avenged. The Order will see to that." And will that final thought Luther, Knight of the Order of the Blood Dragon settled into his coffin to rest. It had been a long night and the coming sunsets would only bring more.
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I am unsure as to the actual length of Harry's summer holidays. For the sake of this story I am assuming around 2 months. At this point Harry would have already spent at least a week or two at the Dursley's and a week following his rescue/abduction. Leaving roughly one and a half months to the start of term.
Dragon Fire
Here I am referring to how he appeared in the Film not in the book.
Oh Boy very long chapter. I think that one clocked in at around 19,000 words. For those of you who don't like long chapters I apologise, but I had a lot of ideas I wanted to include and there will be only one more chapter until Harry returns to Hogwarts.
As for when that chapter will be out, well lets say it will be several weeks. I am currently waiting for the Book 6 to decide if I will include any of the material in it or go completely my own way.
Also to fend off any queries that this chapter may raise, let me reassure you Harry will not become a Vampire or a Werewolf. Although the bond will mean that in many ways he is no longer fully human.
I intended many of the scenes in this chapter to show Harry gradually becoming more aware of the world in which creatures that are considered Dark, Vampires, Werewolves and even Goblins live. So he can form an idea of them based on their own values rather than the values of the human/wizarding world. This will also help explain why he gradually turns away from the light.
Big thanks to:
Basilisk
HermioneGreen
Mscs3
Vorkvillebird
Mjk306
PotterFrkInTx
Freak in Corner
And
mannyaf1
You guys and your reviews are the inspiration that keeps me writing. Don't stop.
Until next time
DarkBlade
