Harry whipped around, the loud thud in the classroom startling many trios of students as they too turned towards the sound. Peering over Ron's shoulder Harry could make out through the ring of Slytherins…

Draco.

Draco was on the floor writhing in a tortured manner, Harry winced; the way the platinum blonde was twisting on the floor looked too familiar; far too familiar. Harry then felt an inexplicable rush of emotion and soon found himself bodily forcing his classmates out of the way- they exclaimed and swore as he pushed some into desks and others into their friends. Harry couldn't think of anything except Draco. He had to get to him, he had to protect him. Harry shouldered Goyle aside and knelt by the Slytherin prince; Draco was pale, but now he was sheet white and his hands were clenched, his perfectly manicured nails digging into his palms, his lips bloodless. His silver blonde hair so neatly kept was in disarray, his molten steel grey eyes blazed, unseeing- he was shining with sweat. Harry acted on pure instinct, snarling at the surrounding people; they backed away, some screaming as sparks of raw magic- blood red lightning- crackled visibly in the air, potent in the Gryffindor's wild display.

Harry hissed again, his eyes narrowing as he crouched possessively over Draco- a wild animal defending its family. Snape hurried forwards, his wand drawn ready, but Harry bared his teeth. The ex Potions teacher halted, just a few feet away from the raven, there now was a wide circle of students, they were all watching. Harry could hear them whispering, pointing at him. Draco was weakly thrashing, moaning in pain, gasping for breath. Harry positioned himself so he was practically kneeling over the pale aristocrat. He snarled once more, guttural Parseltongue mixing with his warning- a few flinched, remembering their second year, Hermione among them- Harry growled and hissed the snake language, his teeth still displayed in a universal sign of: Stay Away.

The whisperings were louder now, some were hysterical, Parvati Patil was clutching onto Lavender Brown, Pansy Parkinson was distraught and Ron was peering over Dean Thomas's dark head, his expression appalled. Wands were being drawn now.

Vampire…

Vampyre.

Vampira.

Vampirus.

Harry Potter is a Vampire.

Harry Potter the Boy-who-lived is a Vampire.

Harry Potter the Boy-who-lived, the Chosen One is a Vampire.

Harry Potter the Boy-who-lived, the Chosen One, Dumbledore's Golden Boy is a Vampire.

Screaming erupted, starting as a low humming of whispers before taking a crescendo, and Snape turned, his wand shooting a multitude of sparks in an attempt to quieten the class, they extinguished with an echoing bang. This served as a cue; spells, curses and hexes flew towards the two on the wooden floor and Snape slashed his wand, creating a temporary shield that shattered almost instantly under the multitude of spells. Many fizzled out as soon as they came in contact with the shield; others rebounded, smashing the classroom windows. Harry growled as Snapes' hasty protection collapsed. Harry felt a blaze of protective adrenalin speed through his body and some of the later spells; the slower ones, yet more powerful were diverted- like two alike poles on a magnet- his anger serving as a natural shield as it mixed with his raw magic.

"SILENCE!"

Everyone, abruptly stopped, some frozen mid flee, some with their wands poised. Snape was livid, an unpleasant blotchiness was creeping up his pallid features; Harry noticed in his haze of aggressive defence that Draco had calmed and was now lying underneath him, exhausted.

"Enough! All of you get back to your seats at once!"

Harry watched as his peers hurried to do so- the clattering of desks and chairs scraping as they settled down in a feared silence- before Snape could do anything nasty to them.

"Never. Ever, have I seen such a disgraceful display of support."

Snape was not livid. He was seething, fury and rage radiated off of the tall dark man; his cold dark eyes were flashing with the intense emotion. His low sneering voice had dropped to a dangerous silky whisper. Harry looked down into Draco's face; he looked so tired and pained. Harry gently stroked a piece of stray ice blonde hair that had fallen into the Slytherin's face.

"Harry's a Vampire!"

Seamus blurted out, Harry snapped back to himself, appalled he quickly backed away from Draco who twitched, seeming almost lifeless if not for the gentle rise and fall of his chest. Harry turned his gaze to the Irishman, said teen looked horrified.

"Well done."

Harry bit out coldly, Seamus realising his mistake bowed his head in unmistakeable fear and embarrassment. Snape swooped down to Draco's other side and quickly checked his vitals. Snapping his fingers at Crabbe and Goyle he nodded to the two clumsy Slytherins.

"Take Mister Malfoy along to the staffroom, ask for Professor Slughorn. I will be along shortly."

After dismissing the two- who had not wanted to approach Harry at all- curtly Snape turned back to pin the chosen one with a curious look. Harry now just felt stupid, before, protecting Draco from everyone had seemed a good idea, but now… He could feel the intense stares. Harry mildly wondered why the urge had taken over him in the first place. It hit him and he cursed silently. The beast in him had sensed Draco's increasing struggles and had come to the surface; inquisitive, like a shark towards bloodied waters. Snape was still watching him; Harry silently, resentfully met his gaze.

"See me after the lesson Potter."

Was his quiet request and then he stood in a flurry of black cloth. Harry, feeling rather foolish still kneeling on the floor got up and quickly joined Ron and Hermione. They kept casting furtive glances his way but he pointedly ignored them. Snape kept the Defence against the Dark Arts class in total silence until the bell rang. There was the usual blur of movement as everyone hastened to get out of the gloomy class. The Potions Master halted them all, by slamming the heavy oaken door shut with a sweep of his wand.

"If one word of what Mister Potter really is, leaks out to the rest of the school…"

Harry looked round slowly; Snape was watching the rest of his class with beady precision. They however were looking at the Gryffindor.

"Just one small peep- believe me I WILL know- and I will be having a chat with you, your head of house and the Headmaster. Are we clear?"

Nothing. Snape slammed his hand down onto his desk, startling many, Lavender gave a small shriek.

"I said are we CLEAR?"

Frantic nods and mutters of 'yes' floated round the stone classroom. Snape eyeballed a few select students- known for their gossiping mouths - Lavender Brown, Seamus Finnegan, and Pansy Parkinson. Snape waved his wand and the door flew open with a clatter and a soft squelch. Harry had never seen so many students hurry as they did now out of a class. They seemed eager to get out. Ron caught his eye and mouthed: 'See you later Harry!'

Harry sidled up to the teachers' desk; Snape finished marking the essay with a flourish and set the razor black quill down. Harry waited as the dark man sized him up.

"What was that display in class Potter?"

"I… I don't know Sir,"

Harry answered the silky drawl truthfully, Snape narrowed his eyes and Harry swallowed, willing himself neither to be intimidated nor to rise to Snape's baiting.

"Sir… You knew what that was didn't you? That was a crucio."

Snape met his green gaze with his own pitch black, Harry saw the flicker of understanding and Snape said nothing, Harry knew that Snape had realised what he meant.

"Do you truly care for Draco, Potter?"

"I don't know Sir."

Snape stood and circled Harry, watching him all the while like a hawk. Harry felt uncomfortable under the close scrutiny.

"Yes or no."

Harry's mind was swimming with excuses, but Snape wanted a direct answer and Harry knew he couldn't deny the fact that yes; he was dangerously attracted to Draco Malfoy… And yes, he felt protective and yes he did care for the blonde. Harry sighed in defeat, raising his head Harry met the ex potions professors stern and closed gaze. Harry opened his mouth and quickly swallowed the crazy, scary truth, and lied through his clenched teeth.

"No."

Snape's face gave nothing away, he merely nodded. Harry waited a while longer as Snape sat down again, picked up his quill and began checking the next scroll of parchment. Snape paused and looked up.

"Is there something you want Potter?"

Harry shook his head, Snape's eyes narrowed in his customary scowl, but the usual malice was lacking, he jerked his head towards the door.

"Then stop dawdling Potter. Get out."

Harry sighed, wondering if Snape really had anything really to say to him and picked up his book bag, slinging it over his shoulder he walked to the heavy oaken door. Pulling it open Harry prepared to slip out, just as he did he caught Snape watching him.

"Sir?"

"What now Potter?"

"Please watch over Draco."

With that Harry slid out through the small gap and gently pulled the door shut behind him. Harry strangely enough did not feel any satisfaction, not even a shred of smugness from ordering Snape to do something he knew the man would do without question. But Harry smiled quietly in the early evening shadows, having a civil conversation with the cold man had been rather nice for a change, especially seeing as he would have to deal with hostility when he returned to Gryffindor Tower.

Harry cringed; he did not want to go back to Gryffindor Tower at all ever- now he wished somewhat that he really had been sorted into Slytherin, they weren't nosy like the Gryffindors, they weren't as discriminative. Turning resolutely on his heel the scarred teen made it a mission to visit Hagrid until it was time to see Dumbledore at seven.

"Harry, I know yeh don' like Malfoy but have more faith in him. He's no value to You-Know-Who to be one o' them! In fact, if he weren't so snarky he'd be all righ', strictly speakin' he's a brave lad- don' want to admit it but he's a sodding lion in the face o' danger. More so than his spineless wart of a father!"

Harry grinned despite his moody exterior façade; Hagrid bustled round his little hut finding another one of his bucket sized mugs for his guest. Fang drooled placidly at Harry's feet.

"But I saw the Dark Mark on his inner left wrist. I saw it Hagrid!"

"Rubbish. If he does then it was no acceptance from him! He was probably forced! Listen Harry, these are dark times, and to be honest, yer shouldn' be here. Blimey!"

The raven teen sighed, Hagrid had been supportive but neither he nor his friends truly believed Malfoy was a Death Eater. Ron somewhat supported him on the subject mainly because he thought the Slytherin was an evil ponce anyway. However Hagrid's words now on the blonde had a note of truth to them. Harry knew that Draco was an intelligent person, however he also knew that either the Slytherin had been forced to join, or it was the opposite as Ron had said: an honour for him. It was a 50/50 chance.

"How is he during your classes Hagrid?"

Hagrid chuckled and nursed his mug in the crook of his arm; Fang whined and rested his head on Harry's knee- happily drooling, snuffling amiably.

"Oh, he's actually all righ'. Huge cry from the little sneakin' ferret he was couple o' years ago; even volunteered to pet Helga few days ago!"

"Helga?"

"Griffin; Harry, anyways he comes up to her cool as a cucumber, mind you- that's saying something, not many witches or wizards can stroll up to a Griffin an' be calm abou' it can they? If yer want my opinion Harry, Draco Malfoy was a nasty piece o' work when he firs' came ta Hogwarts. I don' see that boy no more, he's different now. Sure a Slytherin, but remember stereotypin' don' get yeh nowhere. Wormtail is a perfect example of someone good; turn bad Harry, as is Professor Snape but he's the opposite ain't he."

Harry hummed in half agreement and half in noncommittal understanding. He took a sip of the strong tea and scratched Fang behind one of his velvety ears. Hagrid drained his mug and set it down gently onto his hard worn table top.

"I'll escort yer up to the castle fer dinner. In the mean time, I hear you, have a minor problem."

Harry looked up from his giant sized mug, Hagrid winked good naturedly at him and Harry realised the topic of discussion.

"Minor? Hagrid…"

"Well compared to me eh?"

Harry laughed with the half giant. Of course, how could he have forgotten, Hagrid was also half, but it wasn't the same as he or Lupin. Harry felt a warm feeling blossom inside of him; perhaps Hagrid had a few words of wisdom to share- judging by his rather surprising character study of Malfoy earlier.

"Yeah… I'm half vampire."

Saying out aloud for the first time wasn't as bad as Harry had envisioned; the half giant however paused and frowned his bushy beard twitching as he bit his lip in thought- obviously he thought like many other teachers- that the Chosen one was something like a werewolf mix.

"Yer haven't turned on anyone recently have yeh Harry?"

"Yeah around about, three times; all on Draco Malfoy."

Hagrid sat back in his seat and studied his young friend carefully, Harry looked away and took a quick sip from his mug, the scalding liquid burnt his throat, but it relieved the awkward tension he was feeling.

"Oh dear."

"Hagrid?"

"Yeh do know about tha' 'Blood Sl-"

"About the 'Paramour' thing? Yeah I do, thanks to Professor Snape."

Hagrid came to rest his large hands on his wooden table, still watching Harry who passed his next question off as a cough.

"Well Harry, all I have ta say abou' this is… Be careful, very very dark times these are. If yer choice is Malfoy… you do well to heed my next warning: Look after him. Protect him with yer life. Without him, yer a goner."

Harry knew he wore an appalled grimace as Hagrid looked away suddenly guilty, he quickly gathered up the tea things and busied himself with washing up. He then gruffly said:

"Should ge' up to the castle now, dinner should be starting soon. Once I'm done let's go eh?"

Harry nodded, Hagrid's gruff warning repeating in his mind. He wanted to forget what the half giant had told him, but normally when his large friend was serious, his knowledge meant well. Hagrid placed the teapot on the side and wipe his hands on his coat. He nodded to Harry, and together they walked back up to Hogwarts in an amiable silence.

Harry still couldn't forget Hagrid's searching look- he knew the Gamekeeper was hiding something, but he didn't know what. Shrugging Harry struck up conversation about 'Helga', thankfully Hagrid's previous secrecy dropped and he enthusiastically answered all the questions thrown. They departed ways when they entered the Great Hall; Ron sat up, a piece of meat pie hanging off his fork as he beckoned his best friend over.

Harry waved to Hagrid and went to join his friends.