Seven: Trusting Tears

The end of the school term was at hand and Harry was on overload. Not only did he have to juggle schoolwork with hunting down Voldemort's horcruxes and spying on Draco but also keeping his new identity a secret. He was surprised with himself that he'd been able to keep something of this magnitude from Ron, Hermione and Ginny. Harry had also been doing his best to avoid Alena, Kalyn and Severus. He was still hurt that Snape wouldn't tell him what was going on and that the girls had sided with the Professor. The Boy-Who-Lived let out a deep sigh as he walked along the Defense corridor. His ears pricked up as he heard voices; voices he knew well by now.

"He hasn't talked to us since December, Severus," Alena said in a hushed voice.

"Well if it makes you feel any better he's been avoiding me as well," Severus shot back.

"Us it's sort of understandable. But you, you're his sire. And he's so young. He needs you," Kalyn piped up. Harry took a deep breath before opening the door to the classroom and walking in.

"Nice to know people talk about me behind my back," he said coolly, leaning on the doorframe.

The other three occupants in the room looked at him with matching worried expressions. Harry's emerald gaze met each of theirs in turn. He dropped his gaze when he got to Severus. There was no telling what he would do. It was then that Harry noticed something about Snape; he was wearing a silver chain with a small cross on it, an perfect sphere of onyx in the center.

"Close the door," he ordered. Harry moved into the room and shut the door behind him, making sure it was still unlocked.

'Relax,' came Kalyn's voice in Harry's head.

"Why don't you sit down Harry," she voiced aloud, sitting down herself.

Harry sat, his eyes shifting between the other three vampires in the room. No one spoke for a long while and Harry considered just getting up and leaving when Severus finally spoke.

"You need to stop avoiding us," he began.

'Severus. Take it down a notch. He's already edgy,' Alena reprimanded silently.

"Look. I have work I could be doing right now. So whatever you have to say just say it," Harry spat.

Severus took a breath before responding. "I was going to compliment you on how well you've kept this from your friends and other confidants," Severus said calmly.

"Oh," the boy murmured.

"We're actually very glad you're here Harry. We want to clear some things up. Get rid of this tension," Alena interjected. Harry nodded for her to go on.

"Just talk to us. We know you're angry. We want to know why," the eldest vampire murmured gently, coaxing him almost.

"I just felt as though you two were siding against me when I needed someone to be on my side," the teen began, not looking at Snape.

"I wasn't expecting you to stick up for him," he continued.

"You obviously felt wronged somehow. Care to explain what exactly how you felt you were wronged?" Severus interrupted.

"I wanted to know what that vow was about and you wouldn't tell me," Harry answered simply.

"Not everything is for your ears Mr. Potter," Severus retorted.

"If it was for you to know, I assure you, you would know," he added, his arms crossed over his chest.

"Does Dumbledore know about it?" Harry blurted.

"Yes the Headmaster knows," Severus answered with a nod in the affirmative.

"Ok. Then I'll just ask him," the Gryffindor shot. Severus ran a hand over his eyes in exasperation.

"I don't see how Harry knowing hurts anything Severus," Kalyn suggested.

'He'll try to take my head off if I tell him,' told the girl silently.

"Last summer I was approached by Mr. Malfoy's mother," Severus began, looking Harry squarely in the eye.

"And I entered into an agreement with her to protect and aide Draco in his…task. And if it comes to it, perform the task for him," Severus explained nervously.

"What task?" Harry queried. Severus was expecting this question.

"He is to…kill the Headmaster," Severus murmured, not breaking eye contact.

"And you're going to help him!" Harry roared.

"Keep your voice down," Severus snapped.

"You traitor!" the boy growled, brandishing his wand. Severus waved his hand and Harry's wand lay out of reach on the ground.

"You won't get away with it," he continued, trying to get at his wand.

Severus shoved Harry against the wall, pinning him there. Harry struggled against his sire's iron grip. Kalyn made a move to break it up but Alena stayed her.

'Let them work it out,' she said soothingly to the younger woman.

"Get your facts straight before you start accusing people of things they are not. Up until two weeks ago I was doing my best to find a way out of having to do it," the Professor hissed.

"What changed?" Harry managed to get out.

"He forced me to make another Vow. No matter how I feel about the matter I have to go through with it. I'm going tot ell you know Mr. Potter. The only person who could rightfully call me a traitor is the Dark Lord," he finished, letting the boy go.

"So you're on our side then?" the Gryffindor questioned, straightening his robes. The older man nodded.

"You are to speak of this to no one; none of the staff, none of your friends. Do you understand?"

"Yes Sir," Harry answered.

"You may go."

Harry looked at Alena and Kalyn and then pulled open the door. Just as he was about to close it, Kalyn appeared. They began to walk in silence towards Gryffindor Tower.

"I don't want to go back just yet. How about we go this way," Harry murmured, finally breaking the silence. Kalyn followed him.

"I'm sorry I've been avoiding you," Harry said as they continued to wander the corridors.

"It's ok. I understand. You were upset. I forgive you," she answered, smiling and squeezing his hand.

"Have you been feeding alright? Do you have enough potions? God I sound like you're mother," Kalyn babbled.

"I've been feeding alright. It's kind of lonely all by myself and I have enough potions to get through the rest of the year," Harry answered.

"So what happens if he does do it. What do we do then?" he questioned, changing the subject.

"I…I'm not really sure what happens. It's never happened. He can't die. Well I mean he can but it would take a bit of work," she rambled.

"What do you mean it would take a little work?" Harry pressed; stopping and looking her in the eyes.

"Well you saw that cross he's got on?" she asked. Harry indicated he did.

"Well it's…special. It's a horcrux," she whispered, afraid if she spoke it too loudly some unseen force would make her regret it.

"Excuse me? Did you just say he's got a horcrux?" Harry sputtered.

"Yes."

"So he's immortal. Who'd he kill?"

"It's really not for me to tell you Harry. You'd have to ask him," Kalyn murmured.

Harry began to head back the way they'd come, presumably to find Snape. Not two feel down the hall Kalyn caught his arm.

"Don't ask him tonight. Wait a day or two. Just…don't ask him about it tonight," Kalyn begged.

"Ok. I'll ask him tomorrow then," Harry answered.

Kalyn looked relieved. Without thinking he leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips. He slipped his hands around her waste, pulling her in close. Her arms began to move upwards but stopped at his chest. She broke the kiss and gave him a confused look.

"You have a girlfriend Harry," she said, sounding hurt.

"We broke up a few days ago. It's safer for her. Voldemort used her once against me and that was just because she was my best friend's sister. If he found she was my girlfriend there's no telling what he'd do," Harry explained.

Harry blushed. "I'm sorry.. I shouldn't have done that," he apologized.

"I think it'd be safer for me as well if we didn't get into a relationship right now," she said, looking sad.

"Yeah. You're right," he answered.

"It's not that I wouldn't like a more intimate relationship Harry. It just wouldn't be sensible right now,' Kalyn explained.

"I understand," Harry assured her, pulling her into a hug.

"You should get back before you get in trouble," she whispered against her shoulder.

They parted company and went their separate ways. The following evening Harry approached Snape as their paths crossed in the Transfiguration corridor. Neither spoke, just continued walking, albeit Harry had changed his direction.

'I wanted to ask you something,' Harry began as casually as he could.

'I thought we cleared everything up yesterday,' Severus responded.

"It's not about the vow. It's about that," Harry spoke aloud, pointing to the cross around his sire's neck.

"I assume Kalyn told you what it is," Severus muttered.

"Yes. She seemed really upset about telling me though. And told me to ask you about it," Harry continued.

'My father,' the man spoke silently.

"What?" Harry blurted, looking confused.

'I killed my father in order to create this,' Severus expounded.

'You killed your own father? Sounds a lot like Voldemort,' Harry remarked.

'Yes well at least I knew my father. I did it as soon as I graduated. Out of revenge for my mother's death. Which he caused. So now you know,' Severus concluded.

"I don't blame you for doing it," Harry retorted sympathetically.

"But...why do you keep it so close?" Harry questioned.

"So I can ensure its safe-keeping," Snape answered.

"Makes sense," Harry muttered with a nod.

'You wouldn't happen to know anything about Voldemort's horcruxes would you?'

'Not really but I will keep an eye out if you wish.'

'That would be helpful. Thanks,' Harry said and smiled up at his sire.

'Have you fed yet?' Severus inquired.

'Not yet. Care to join me?' Harry answered and received a nod. The pair snuck off to Hogsmeade in search of a good end of year meal.

Two weeks later Harry found himself soaring back towards Hogwarts with Dumbledore. They landed at the top of the Astronomy Tower and Harry drew in a breath, the Dark Mark glittering above them. They were about to descend when Draco Malfoy appeared, followed by three other Death Eaters. Harry was suddenly unable to move and he watched in horror as first Draco threatened to kill Dumbledore. Harry hoped for some strange reason that Draco would do it. But the blond did not go through with it. In the end Severus appeared and spoke the two words that made Harry want to vomit. The Headmaster's body flew over the side of the tower with Snape and the other Death Eaters fleeing the scene. Able to move again, Harry rushed after then.

'What happens now?' he shouted at Severus.

'Alena will find you later,' Severus replied.

"Leave him! He is for the Dark Lord!" Severus bellowed to the darkly robed figures around him.

Harry watched as Draco and Severus disappeared from sight. He fought back the tears as he told Professor McGonagall who had killed the Headmaster and did his best to look hateful towards the man. It was much harder than he had thought. Having prior knowledge of the event made it less of a shock really. Several days later, Alena had not shown up and Harry began to grow nervous. Dumbledore's funeral was an emotional affair, seeing the old wizard's body explode in a flash of white light As he, Ron and Hermione began to walk back up to the castle, he caught something out of the corner of his eye, a tall blond figure with dark blue eyes.

'We need to talk,' Harry heard in his head.

'I'll meet you in the Prefect's bathroom on the 5th floor,' Harry answered.

The trio reached the castle and Harry parted company, mumbling about needing to be alone. He rushed to the fifth floor Prefect's bathroom and found Alena sitting on the edge of the large circular bathtub.

"Have you seen him?" Harry asked, once he'd shut the door.

"Yes. He's fine. He wanted me to give you these," Alena answered, handing over a pouch of vials. Harry took them.

"I don't suppose you could tell me where he is?" the boy asked.

"I'm not going to tell anyone else I swear," he added hastily.

"The address is in there. You're welcome any time. You are on your for the most part right now. But you know where we are and we're all just a thought away," Alena said, getting up and laying a hand on his shoulder.

"Thanks. I'll do my best," Harry murmured and gave her a smile before walking out.