Rating: PG-13 for now, although that may change later. Will be slash later in the story. I have a beta reader now so hopefully we got all the grammatical oopsies.
Summary: Harry's has taken his godfather's death hard causing him to force himself to adapt in order to survive. This leads to situations that no one could have imagined and the players involved are even more unexpected. While Harry deals with this, he has started walking a path no one could have predicted. Sacrifices will have to be made; the only question is will he be able to make them? Friends and foes alike will notice the change but who will stand with him in the end?
Spoilers: Books 1-5. Do not read unless you have FINISHED Order of the Phoenix.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the plot. All Harry Potter™ characters and settings are the sole intellectual property of JK Rowling, Warner Bros. and various others who all aren't connected to me in any way. No money is being made with this fanfiction and no copyright infringement is intended.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the plot. All Harry Potter™ characters and settings are the sole intellectual property of JK Rowling, Warner Bros. and various others who all aren't connected to me in any way. No money is being made with this fanfiction and no copyright infringement is intended.
Entrance Hall, Breakfast, Outside Great Hall
Harry knew that one of the…somethings had followed him, but he really didn't care. In fact he was glad since that meant his hero complex couldn't rear its ugly head. He calmly walked over to the wall and started kicking the shit out of it, not caring if he hurt his foot in the process. He then proceeded to make his ire known loudly and as profanely as he could muster under the circumstances.
"Fuck, fuckity, fuck, fuck, fuck" The litany was repeated over and over as he vented against the wall. The… it assigned to watch him was no doubt marking him insane or possibly cracked or maybe thought it was a weird wizard thing. He knew that the persons that didn't belong were in fact not persons at all, in the strictest sense of the word. They were probably something else like Moony but obviously not werewolves. He hadn't stopped long enough to get the particulars after all.
"Fuck, fuckity, fuck, fuck, fuck" His litany gradually slowed down before stopping completely. He felt a lot better now after his venting and felt he could go back in the Great Hall now. He turned and allowed the… it to let him back in. He wasn't sure if it was all out of his system but he could hope.
Remus kept himself from howling with much effort on his part, as he watched what transpired as his cub came into the room. He really shouldn't have been surprised at Harry showing up in the midst of all this but he was, stupid of him he knew. James had been the same way; trouble just seemed to call to them no matter what. He was amused to see that Harry was more interested in food than what was going on, something he also shared with his father. Keeping with Potter tradition he dismissed everything but getting to the food or he would have, at any rate, had he not noticed something was wrong. Remus saw the exact moment the wrongness hit Harry; he froze groaning, loud enough for everyone to hear. His cub was going to be the death of him he thought as he watched him go back outside the door.
What followed would be talked about for a very long time, of that he was sure. Everyone was visibly surprised and startled at what they could hear, which was enough to set off blushes and scowls among the wizards. A select few, however, found it amusing including the vampires. It seemed they were surprised by the vehemence in that single word and strangely enough thought its user creative and entertaining. Harry had just singled himself out beautifully without even meaning to, which always happened no matter what.
"Fuck, fuckity, fuck, fuck, fuck" It went on repeating, accompanied by the distinct sound something hitting the wall. All in all it was a decidedly strange symphony. "Fuck," Thump. "Fuckity," Thump. "Fuck," Thump. "Fuck," Thump. "Fuck" Thump. It was strangely compelling and one could be inclined to call it dirty, you just had to think about it for a while.
Remus could only shake his head though he was hard pressed to figure out if he was proud, ashamed or amused with his cub. It seemed Sirius Black had imparted more things than he had thought to his godson; the ability to use profanity in such a way was one of them, no doubt. It seemed to follow since he had also taught the father, of said godson, what he claimed was the art of cussing in way that wasn't vulgar but at the same time got the point across clearly. He really should have kept a closer watch on Padfoot during Christmas break when Harry came to visit, he thought ruefully.
Luna could only smile softly as she saw Harry come in, go back out, and turn verbal about the fact that shit always happened when he was around. The whole episode was funny since she was pretty sure Harry was only coming back because he was hungry. Food it seemed motivated him to ignore all else. She really couldn't blame him since she too had been very hungry when she got out of the infirmary though she had only been there two days. The worry was more for the choices that would have to be made…the sacrifices this turn of events would yield. She sighed, getting up and moving from the Ravenclaw table towards the closest vampire.
"I would like to sit elsewhere, I'm allergic to the air on this side of the table." Marcelo just stared at the female magic user, wondering if this was some sort of game but looking at her face he saw that she completely serious. He wanted to sigh or rung his hand through his hair in agitation but that shows emotion something they weren't to show to their enemies. He could knock her out but she was such a wispy thing, and really had he been stuck listening to the other magic users around her he would want to move too. So strange these wizards, ostracizing and segregating among themselves, he couldn't fathom such thing. Another reason why they shied away from the magic community altogether but certain events had forced them to seek them out.
Luna waited for the vampire to answer her. After all he heard everything that had been spoken in near whispers around her. It didn't bother her but she had found that it bothered others, on principle she supposed. He really was very good looking, they all were really she thought absently. It seemed this sect or clan of vampires thought a lot about being physically pleasing or had brought the most physically pleasing of the lot. Her patience was rewarded as he nodded stiffly.
"Thank you." Marcelo nodded easily to her quiet whisper, as she pointed to what table she wanted to go to.
The whispers broke out behind her as she walked with him. Actually the whispers broke out all around her since it was more than obvious she was heading for the Slytherin table. Draco and Blaise had already made a spot for her between them. The Slytherins as a whole glared at her but said nothing, of course after sitting down among the two ruling Slytherins even those looks were turned off. Now they were looking at her like something that needed to be figured out, that she was used to. It no longer bothered her at all; it never really had to begin with.
Draco raised and eyebrow at her before asking, "How bad is it going to be?"
She thought about it finally answering with a simple, "Bad."
"Shit." Blaise said succinctly and Draco echoed his sentiment whole-heartedly.
"Is it going to be bloody death bad or like painful but living through it bad?" Draco was surprised to hear the question come from Blaise in such a Neville Longbottom way.
"It going to be like sacrificing a few to save the many…and it'll be Harry's choice." And that just said it all, Draco thought sourly as he wondered how that would fuck with Harry's stability. The poor boy just couldn't get a break in edgewise…he couldn't even eat breakfast without having to save someone or something. He was surprised he'd ever envied Potter's crappy life; it looked a whole lot better from the outside looking in. Anything else they would have said was cut off as Harry walked back into the hall slightly limping, which meant the thumps were from him kicking the wall.
"It begins." Luna whispered quietly in that creepy voice she had used back at Ministry to freak out everyone. Draco and Blaise exchanged looks over her head and shuddered at what her cryptic warnings could mean.
Harry walked into Great Hall once again feeling his hunger stirring; he debated on whether or not to go hungry, before deciding that food came before whatever fucked up mess this would turn into. That decided he looked around trying to find the most in charge looking…it, as he had yet to figure out what species he was dealing with. He knew everyone else knew but he hadn't gotten the memo and didn't have some vibe screaming Veela or Arachnid at him either. So he shrugged and went to the…it he had smacked into.
"I hate to ask you this, since you no doubt went over it already but who are you?" That had more tact than asking, what the hell are you, or at least he hoped so.
Vincenzo looked at the bambino standing calmly before him after such an amusing display and debated whether or not to answer the question he was really being asked. "Vincenzo Christi." He chose not. He almost smirked at the gasps that echoed around the hall when he gave that information. It was interesting to know that their reputation preceded them; they were after all Christi's.
Harry nodded as if that just said it all before leaning in and whispering. "So what flavor of being are you? Veela? Arachnid? Feline…no wait you guys don't have tails…" He trailed off thinking they could be hiding tails under their cloaks. He was snapped out of his thoughts by the laugh that rang out from his new friend Vincenzo Christi. He didn't need the answer though as the laugh made fangs very visible. "Ah…vampire." He stated.
"Yes, vampire." Vincenzo stated unnecessarily, waiting for the bambino's scent to change, reflecting fear, apprehension, or nervousness some even went with all three. He was surprised when it didn't change in fact it seemed to calm down even more.
"Wicked cool." Harry really thought that. He knew vampires were real but in an abstract way, but since being raised Muggle didn't give him an immediate understanding of magical beings. He knew he had a dopey grin on his face at the concept of vampires being proved very real but who wouldn't? It's not like reading about them was the same as seeing them up close and personal.
The little bambino was a very strange little wizard, since most didn't think that. He caught sight of the lightening bold scar under the bangs and nodded to himself, he finally understood the strange behavior. "Harry Potter."
Harry nodded though it had been a statement not a question. "Yup, that's me." He waited for anyone else to say anything and when they didn't, he smiled even wider. "Now couple questions for you…do you work for Voldemort?"
Vincenzo was surprised at the directness of the question, he wasn't used to it. "No."
"Are you here to kill and or maim indiscriminately?" Harry thought it was easier to get the formalities out of the way first, saved time in the end. He of course knew that the answer could be lies but until proven to be untrustworthy Vincenzo got the benefit of the doubt.
Vincenzo knew he should have been offended by the question but he felt amused. It had been a long time since someone had not cowered in fear, when they found out he was a vampire. "No."
Harry nodded again seemingly completely unperturbed by the line of questioning. "Are you here to kidnap, torture, and or otherwise try to kill me?"
Vincenzo raised an eyebrow at the particular disinterested expression and bored tone that question was asked in. He wanted to answer yes, just for the hell of it, to see what would happen but refrained. "Not as such" That was true, nevertheless they were here to strike a bargain, that would benefit them both, however.
"Well then… sorry for interrupting, I'll be over there eating." Harry knew as sure as God made little green apples that his life wasn't that simple but he was in denial. Well, not really but he really wanted to eat, so denial it was. He started to go towards the Gryffindor table, amidst the disbelieving gazes and surprised gasps of his classmates and a few of his professors but was stopped by Vincenzo's hand on his arm.
The bambino sighed and turned back to him, making him want those sunglasses off his face even more as it obscured the expression that went with the sigh. "We have to talk." That statement prompted a rise in the bambino, which confused him since it was anger, he could practically feel it.
Remus knew what was coming; he knew the moment the vampire had revealed himself to be a Christi. Out of all the vampires that could have come prancing into Hogwarts looking for Harry, it just had to be this particular sect. What a fucking mess he thought tiredly. The Christi were the oldest and most revered sect of vampires, it was rumored that their creator was the first vampire to walk the earth. According to rumor, fact, or fiction, depending on whom you talked to, the originator of the Christi line was none other than Domenikos, the first vampire. If that was true then this room held the most powerful vampires in the vampire nation, wasn't that a comforting thought.
Domenikos had had many names throughout history but was more commonly known as the Demon Knight, which was an oxymoron if he'd ever heard one. It was said he had sired three childes, who had inherited all his power, before he disappeared around…a thousand years ago. They in turn had spawned their own sect of vampires as time went on. The Jonar, where known as the shadow dwellers, since they were able to blend into shadows and preferred to stay in them as well, not much else was known about them. The Andavari were commonly known as psychic vampires, since they had power over the mind and it's many different aspects, there was more known about them but not by much. The Verthand were known as shapeshifters, since as far as it was known they could take any animal appearance, there were rumors about them being able to change into any human appearance as well but no one had been able to verify that. While vampires from any of these sects would prove to be dangerous, a line that emerged about 400 years after Domenikos disappeared had seriously reduced their numbers.
That line became known as the Christi, they had the gifts of all the others plus a few that no one knew about or so rumors stated. After they had all but wiped out all the other lines, they seemed to fade into the background once more. They were not active in any society whether magical or Muggle but then they tended to blend in better than any of the others since the sun didn't bother them. That more than anything made them the most powerful, the sun wasn't one of their weaknesses, as it was with the others. The Christi's became the ruling power behind the vampire nation, as the other lines recovered from their near extermination at their hands. The Christi's made sure the other lines lived or unlived as the case may be by a strict set of rules, that would allow the vampire nation to prosper but not grow over populated or be hunted down by an outside source for excess while feeding.
Remus knew that knowing all that crap didn't prepare him for actually meeting the Christi's but it did give him something to work with. Harry on the other hand was Muggle raised, therefore held no distinction between one line or the other, which could be helpful and hindering all in one blow. Also Harry's distinct lack of fear could be taken as a challenge and that was something to be avoided, since vampires where dominant creatures by nature. This situation tied into Voldemort and since the vampires weren't with him, they were against him. That was good for the light side of the struggle but vampires tended to ignore conflicts like the one they were currently in. For them to have come out of hiding so to speak and to want to talk to Harry was very disturbing. They could be gaining potential allies that would tip the balance in their favor but what would be the cost? Christi's would not join up without getting something in return. He hoped for Harry's sake that the price was not so high but somehow doubted it.
"Well then… sorry for interrupting, I'll be over there eating." There went what little respect the students still held for their savior was all Snape could think as he watched the scene play out. He knew that had he been anyone else he would have laughed but since he wasn't, he glowered. He knew that whatever was going to happen would be very bad for everyone involved. The loony Ravenclaw had defied his specific rule of fraternizing outside the tower, in plain view of everyone, so she had to know something more than the rest. He also had a strong feeling that this fiasco involved the boy-who-lived-to-be-a-pain-in-the-arse, which meant that whatever could go wrong would. And it did spectacularly; when smug vampire decided to let the brat know that it was he, they had come to see.
He could almost pinpoint the exact moment when said brat lost control of his ever present anger. Idiot. All this time and he still hadn't been able to control his emotions… or his magic by the feel of things. It seemed that no Potter was able to control themselves on an empty stomach…. well more so than regularly. He idly wondered if the brat would finally crack after this, he rather hoped not. He had really been looking forward to torturing him when he got out of the infirmary. He had it all planned out, the curfew, the checking in, the not being able to do anything unless he asked specific permission, not to mention the verbal abuse heaped on him constantly. That would have to wait now since the annoying idiot would no doubt land himself back in the infirmary… again.
Draco and Blaise had listened to the exchange between Vincenzo and Harry with amused smirks. Harry apparently lacked anything resembling tact or subtlety on an empty stomach, by the looks of things. They idly wondered just what the vampires wanted but in reality they were both very afraid that whatever it was would be more than Harry would be willing to give. Then again he would most likely give it but loose what little was left of his mind in the process, either way they were screwed. Knowing that they were screwed didn't stop them from enjoying what would most definitely be a very good show.
What little patience Harry had withered as soon as he heard those four little words. The rage that was always present, simmering just below the placid surface of his psyche, exploded. He knew loosing control was bad but…he was fucking starving, dammit. He froze for just a second before, jerking away from the hand on his arm, violently. If possible the hall went even more silent at that.
"No. We don't have anything to talk about." The bambino answered curtly, making him wonder what had set him off. It was disrespectful to be addressed in such manner but Vincenzo was amused by it.
"I beg to differ." Harry wanted to rant and rave but refrained…barely.
"Look, I don't care about what you came to do. Whatever it is take it up with Headmaster Dumbledore, he's in charge. I'm not getting involved in whatever it is. If the Headmaster can't help you, then take it up with Minister Weasley but not with me. I'm not getting involved with any of this mess."
"You are at the center of this mess." Vincenzo mocked, his tone was menacing.
"So? It's not like I asked to be."
"That has no bearing on the facts."
Harry hated him, for pointing that out. In fact he positively hated everyone in that room looking at him with those hopeful eyes. As if he would be able to fix this with his amazing powers that were lacking. "You know what? I don't care. I just got out of the infirmary and I'm not going back anytime soon. Whatever you want, I know it will end up with me taking another trip to it, so you can just forget it."
"You have no choice. You talk to me or they slaughter the little magic users…Si?" It was nice being able to back up threats, Vincenzo thought with a self-satisfied smirk.
Harry choked on his rage, as he heard the students and teachers suck in startled breaths, whimpers, and gasps at the implications. "That's not the most diplomatic way to go about getting your way. Especially if the person being threatened, doesn't give a shit!" He yelled, temper snapping the last of his control gone.
"Harry!" Came the surprised and horrified cries from around the hall.
"I just spent who knows how long in the hospital wing, in a coma, and I'm fucking starving. So excuse me but I'm going over there to eat. You can slaughter everyone to your hearts content while I do that. In fact, you can start with the overgrown bat sitting at the staff table." He didn't wait for any kind of reply just stalked off to the Gryffindor table and sat down next to Neville, who was sitting in front of Ron and Hermione of all people.
Well, Vincenzo thought amused, he hadn't been expecting that reaction but if the bambino had been without sustenance for such a long time, it would explain his temper. He signaled for the others to belay his order, wanting to see just what the other little magic users would say to this. The bambino was turning out to be a challenge that he would not back down from, in fact he was rather hoping to keep him around for a few hundred years.
Neville had to crack a grin as he saw, a now thoroughly pissed off and irate Harry, heading towards him. The fact that Snape was positively fuming from his seat at the staff table had nothing to do with the grin that broke out across his face; he firmly believed that, he really truly did. He could sympathize with going without any real food for more than a week. He remembered all those infirmary visits that lasted anywhere from a few minutes to a few weeks depending on how injured he was. He wasn't all that surprised when Harry basically told everyone that they could go fuck themselves cause he wasn't going to give up his life to save them. It was amusing as hell to watch the expressions flit across his classmate's faces, while amusement and grudging admiration was shown by the vampire elder Harry had been insulting without qualms.
Harry sat down next to him, grunting what could have been a hello or a fuck off. He immediately grabbed some toast and buttered it while frowning, looking around for something he guessed.
"What are you looking for Harry?" Neville asked casually.
Harry would have answered but his mouth was full, so he just shook his head and waved emphatically with his hand. This only confused Neville more, as he tried to make out the mumbling and hand signs being sent his way, to no effect. Harry finally swallowed and instead of answering called for a house elf. "Dobby?" Harry called out uncertain if it would work or not.
Neville was surprised to see the little creature pop in seconds later. It was one of the most colorful house elves he'd ever seen and he meant that literally. The little thing was brimming with happiness at being summoned and its voice was even squeakier, if possible.
"How can Dobby help, Master Harry Potter sir?"
"Dobby, I'll be forever grateful if you can get me some pancakes, ketchup, pancake syrup, and cream cheese. Oh and if you don't know what some of that is just pop on over to my house in America and ask Missy."
"Of course Master Harry Potter sir, Dobby is glad to be of service." He disappeared with a crack, leaving behind an amused Neville, an offended Hermione, and angry Ron and a still hungry Harry. Not that Harry stopped eating while he waited; he was currently serving himself eggs and sausage, and making quick work of them.
Hermione was seething as she watched Harry order poor Dobby to America if he couldn't find whatever he had asked for at Hogwarts. What had happened to him she thought dismayed, as she watched him eat, seemingly unconcerned that his unwillingness to talk to these vampires had almost gotten them all killed? He didn't seem to care one-way or the other. It infuriated her to see him act so irresponsibly. Finally she got tired of waiting for him to explain himself, since it seemed all he was interested in was eating. "Harry, what do you think you're doing?" She hissed angrily and quietly across the table.
Harry froze when he heard the question, not at all surprised by it really. He resumed eating and after swallowing just looked at her. "What does it look like I'm doing Mione?"
His sarcasm made her blink before she glared at him. "Stop acting like you don't know what I'm talking about. What did you think you were doing provoking them like that?"
"Yeah mate, what the hell are you playing at?" Ron joined in the conversation; his tone was both angry and betrayed.
Neville just shook his head amazed that after knowing him for so long they would try to get answers that way. Harry, if he'd learn one thing about him, was amazingly stubborn and resilient. Harry's answer was postponed as Dobby popped in bearing the food items he'd requested, Neville had to laugh at the expression of pure bliss on the others face.
"Is there anything else Dobby can do Master Harry Potter sir?" The house elf asked earnestly.
"Err…actually could you get my dog? Rook? Though don't bring him here just tell him, I want him to wait for me outside the great hall and he'll sit there and wait for me. That would be just great Dobby and thanks for everything."
"You are such a great wizard Master Harry Potter sir, you is thanking me…again. I will get your dog, it be such an honor serving such great wizard." Once again the elf disappeared with a crack.
Harry, once again turned back to his meal, ignoring the angry glares he was receiving from his housemates and his best friends. Neville for the most part looked amused and sympathetic which earned him a small smile. He happily all but drowned his scrambled eggs in ketchup, before eating them, groaning out loud at the taste. It was really very good; he'd have to thank Tommy for showing him about this delicacy. Harry smirked at the disgusted expressions everyone was trying not to show as he ate his ketchup with eggs, pancakes with cream cheese, and sausages with syrup. So technically speaking the choice of toppings was a bit mismatched but it was really good.
It seemed he wasn't going to answer them, Hermione thought dismally as she watched him shovel food in his mouth at a disgusting rate. Though to tell the truth his manner of eating wasn't appalling, it was only the speed that was disgusting. "Harry, what's going on? Why are you acting like this?" She asked in a tone of voice that fairly oozed patience, the kind you use when addressing a five-year-old.
Harry cocked his head to the side and looked at her thoughtfully as he continued to eat. He swallowed his last bite and sighed. "Well, my life is like a box of chocolates you never know what you're going to get. Although in my case it's more like a rotten box of chocolates and it's basically a choice between growing green mold and swimming in maggots chocolate."
Neville looked at Harry and saw that he was really into this new analogy he was spouting. No doubt part of his sadistic glee was the completely disgusted expressions that were becoming clearer, as he expounded on the different types of rot and such his box of chocolates contained. The fact that all this was said as he once again filled his plate with his strange concoctions was also a contributing factor in their expressions.
Harry stopped mid word as he wondered what the hell had prompted his analogy in the first place. He put down his fork turning towards Hermione with a puzzled look, "What were we talking about?"
Neville couldn't help himself he started chuckling, which turned into full blown out laughter. He was helpless to stop himself from laughing, in fact he was finding it hard to breathe too, but even that wasn't stopping his amusement. Harry gave him and evil smirk, not even waiting for Hermione to answer before once again shoveling food into his mouth at an astonishing rate.
Hermione sighed this obviously wasn't working. "Harry, just tell me what's going on with you. What's with the changes and the new attitude?" Her exasperated tone obviously amused Harry if his smirk was anything to go by.
"Well, life happened. It has a tendency to keep going without asking your express permission Mione." His tone of voice conveyed neither sarcasm nor anger it was just disturbingly neutral.
"What do you mean? We tried writing but you wouldn't write back and when you did it was insulting. How are we suppose to help you if we don't know what's going on?" Hermione was kind of amazed Ron had so far kept out of this; then again she was gripping his leg underneath the table hard enough to leave a bruise so maybe that was the reason.
"Point. So you want to know what's happened and why I'm all of sudden not acting like myself? Is that it?" Harry asked between bites, wanting to make sure he knew exactly what she wanted. He was still amused at Neville who was breathing hard and trying not to break into laughter again.
"Yes, for starters." Came the prompt reply. Harry nodded, finished chewing all at once his friendly demeanor morphing into a seriousness that had never been present in him before. She was unsettled by the change but returned his gaze without flinching.
"Let's see…Sirius died." Harry made sure he was ticking off the reasons to make his point once and for all. The others around them were avidly listening not that he cared one way or the other. "It was my stupidity that put him in that situation. I found out that I am filthy rich. Being filthy rich comes with…responsibilities; I guess you could call them. Essentially, I am the head of a financial empire at the age of sixteen and I've had no prior training. Hell, I didn't even know that until the lawyer contacted me, seems the Headmaster forgot to mention a few things. Voldemort wants my head on a platter, you already knew that though…." He trailed off deliberately.
"That's not—" Whatever else Hermione was going to say was cut off, when Harry once again spoke this time his voice was cold, hard, and implacable.
"Oh yeah, I helped killed 24 wizards defending the train, only to be arrested and tried for my efforts. I have once more become a pariah because I used questionable spells against better-trained wizards intent on killing me. Pity, maybe I should have let the Death Eaters have their fun, it would have saved me a lot of trouble. Can you picture that Mione, Ron? I killed them as if their lives didn't matter because they were evil, does that make me any better than Voldemort? I as good as turned Luna, Neville, Blaise, and Draco into killers as well, did you think that wouldn't change me? Were you perhaps expecting me to be the same?"
"No of course not but we're your friends. We want to understand what you're going through, we want to help." She answered firmly.
Harry stalled in answering her by drinking some pumpkin juice, something he was so not having again with breakfast since he had discovered the wonders of strawberry and blackberry milk shakes. "You don't understand, I hope to Merlin you never will. You haven't lost someone you care about so much that it leaves this big empty place inside of you that can't ever be filled. How will you feel about me when being my friend gets your parents killed Hermione?"
The change of subject matter threw her but she rallied. "Voldemort doesn't know where my parents are and why would he care they're Muggles."
"He knows where they are, he's known since last year. You are a target Hermione, as are your parents for the simple reason that if he isn't able to kill me, then he wants to see me in as much pain as possible. There isn't anyone left to kill from my family but he can get to me through you. Will you still be my friend knowing that your parents are dead because of me?"
She had no answer to that. Suddenly this war had just become very real and she knew that if something happened, she would loose her parents because they were just Muggles and wouldn't know how to protect themselves if Voldemort went after them.
"How about you Ron? Are you still going to be my friend when one of your siblings dies because they are like family to me? I've made Mr. Weasley and even bigger target by helping to put him in office. What do you think of me now Ron? I've put your father in mortal danger to further my own ends…"
Ron had blanched when he heard what Harry had said to Hermione. His skin was pale and his eyes wide, as if he just now understood what he had gotten himself into. Neville watched as he flushed with anger when Harry admitted to putting his father in harms way to further his own ends. He wasn't surprised by the following outburst either.
"You bastard!" Ron told Harry heatedly as he leaned across the table, his intentions were quite clear.
Harry knew that had been coming, before Ron even had the time to try and grab him, Harry punched him on the jaw. The force of the blow knocked Ron out, tumbling against a stunned Hermione and almost landing in a bowl of porridge but Neville's quick thinking saved him that embarrassment. "Take a nap." He told Ron's still form flippantly as he calmly went back to eating as if nothing had happened and indeed it had not, not by his standards anyway.
"Well, that's certainly one way to distance yourself from us." Came the glib reply from a few seats down.
Harry smirked at Ginny; she was always able to figure him out. "Guilty. But nonetheless everything I said is true."
Ginny snorted. "Death is unavoidable Harry, the fact that we can die at your side is our choice to make. You cannot defend us by pushing us away, should something happen to someone in our family then we will grieve together, and avenge them together." Harry knew as far as Ginny was concerned it was the end of the discussion no amount of arguing would change her mind.
Hermione was still shocked and off balance by everything that had been said but she saw the wisdom in Ginny's simple statement. She couldn't and wouldn't turn her back on Harry because of something he had no control over. "Same goes for me. You aren't getting rid of me so easily." She gave him a hard glare. "You and me are also going to have words after all this is over."
Harry winced at the threat, he knew that whatever torment Hermione came up with would be ten times worse than anything Voldemort could come up with. "Fine, but don't come crying to me when shit hits the fan." He added petulantly.
"Agreed. Now finish eating so you can go find out exactly why the Christi's are here. Preferably without them having to slaughter anyone." She added drolly.
Neville could only be amazed at how easily these two females turned Harry into a sheepish teenager, behaving badly. Then again it was just something about them that made everyone feel that way, like having your mother go to school with you or something. "She's got you there. Not to mention I'm wondering where you keep everything you've just eaten?" It was an honest question one that had been plaguing him since Harry started on his third helpings of his new taste in breakfast foods.
Draco was not surprised by Harry's outburst; in fact he had expected it sooner, like as soon as he walked into the hall sooner. The fact that the brat showed a modicum of restraint was surprising, not to mention unprecedented. The fact that Christi didn't kill Harry and everyone else for his insolence was worrying and downright disturbing. He knew that to someone like Christi insolence in small doses was amusing and cute but our resident hero had passed amusing and cute like three profanities back. On the other hand it was obvious when Christi didn't kill him that he wanted something specific from Harry, which meant Harry knew it too. The reason why our savior, he thought sardonically, did a one eighty and sentenced everyone to die no doubt.
"The fool is thinking with his stomach." Blaise spoke indignantly, at his life coming in second to food.
Luna just smiled serenely. "Without fuel the mind cannot work its wonders."
Draco laughed. "She means he's too hungry to think straight, he must also still be feeling the effects of his injuries. It looks like he came out of his experience with a sensitivity to light, and a couple more scars to go with the ones he already had no doubt."
"True, but if I'm to die, I rather it have a more profound meaning than Harry not having his breakfast." Blaise said with enough sarcasm for the both of them.
"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, you know." Draco couldn't help but needle his best friend.
"Too bad we're so far away, we can't hear what his friends have to say about all this." Blaise ignored Draco's taunt since the blonde was only trying to get a rise out of him.
"Don't need to, all you need is eyes."
"Draco, if you're doing that weird shit again, don't gloat."
Draco raised an eyebrow at the reference; he didn't think having observations skills was weird shit. "What are you talking about?"
"You're whole lip reading thing, that you can somehow do." Blaise shrugged, he'd tried to learn but in the end he hadn't had the patience or inclination to actually spend time learning it.
Draco laughed, the things Blaise could come up with. "I don't read lips, fool…I can however read their body language."
Now that he could get into Blaise thought excitedly, while shrugging away his earlier assumption. "Well, that explains a lot then. So what's Christi's posture tell you?" He was curious to see how Harry's talk with his friends went, but he was more interested in making sure he knew when the big bad vampire was going to start ripping throats open. Draco concurred on that account he was sure.
Draco rolled his eyes, Blaise was so one track minded when he wanted to be and Luna was just sitting between them smiling. She had that whole unfocused gaze thing going for her, the type that was referred to as being focused inward or was that outward? He had no fucking clue except that it was fucking creepy when she snapped out of it, saying something that was a revelation of your psyche, the answer to a particularly troublesome Arithmancy problem, or just a random future event that would more often than not come to pass. They had all come to understand that Luna was far from loony; she just had a gift or a curse that she couldn't exert a lot of control over. Hell, they had a lot of revelations during their week living together, some good, some bad, some downright disturbing but it was fine because no one judged them.
"Choices will be made, blood will be shed." Luna did her creepy thing again and Draco shuddered, he had no doubt Blaise was doing the same.
"Thanks, we really wanted to know that loony. I feel so much better about the vampire being amused and somewhat indignant with Harry now." Draco diffused strain situation with sarcasm. Luna just giggled and leaned into Blaise. Damn, she was just a creepy little thing.
"Well, that was so not what I wanted to hear but at least we have an early warning system to tell us right before we bite the big one." Blaise was in a glass half full sort of mood; it was really the best mood to be in when in a potentially lethal situation. He firmly believed that, he had not just sunk down to Draco's level of sarcasm, no not him. Draco, the bastard, just gave him a knowing look, like he could read his mind or something…
"Merlin, what the hell is Potter eating anyway…it's red?" Draco squinted; maybe he was seeing things. He had the uncomfortable thought that it was blood, but that was just silly. Wasn't it?
"Who cares?" Blaise answered carelessly as he kept his eyes on the now not so amused Christi vampire. "We got bigger things to worry about."
Indeed they did, it seemed that Christi was done waiting and wasn't it a good thing Harry was finally done eating? He didn't want to know how things would have worked out had the vampire interrupted Harry's feeding frenzy. It was worse than when the pack attacked their breakfast. Well, more like hunted it down and ate it on the front lawn for everyone to see. He was starting to think Harry had forgot to mention a couple things about their entirely Muggle dogs, they seemed to get a sadistic pleasure out of grossing the students who had Herbology first thing in the morning. Since they had settled into their new home, they never failed to hunt down and kill their breakfast and then bring it to the front lawn to eat it, making it impossible for the students to avoid them. That however had no bearing on the fact that Harry had apparently decided he could think straight now that his hunger had abated…for the moment anyway. Things were about to get interesting, and hopefully in a good way not the way leading to blood like Luna had foretold.
