Disclaimer: I own nothing resembling Harry Potter and I make no money from writing this.

I'm so sorry it's taken so long for me to get this part out; I've been busy with a lot of other issues. I look forward to seeing what you think of this part and I do realize it's rather short but please bare with me, I'm preparing for a friend's wedding and there's a lot of responsibility that goes with that. Hopefully after next month things will have wound down and I will be able to pour myself back into writing for a time. Thanks for sticking with me, I appreciate it.

Chapter 12

This was not how it was supposed to turn out, this was not the way he had planned it. Harry was supposed to be raised by his relatives, his muggle relatives, not by a vampire, a dark creature, of all things. From the moment he had heard the prophecy he knew that he needed to keep the boy safe, to keep him away from outside sources that would try to steal him away from what he had in mind. He had tried to take him back, to show him that the creatures who had stolen him were foul creatures who deserved nothing but the boy's contempt, the courts had dashed those hopes when they had ruled against him. There had to be a way, had to be a way to bring the boy under control. He showed promise, was resourceful and intelligent, and willful, the latter of which he didn't approve of. He had to find some way to change the boy's way of thinking, but how?

He knew the boy was a vampire, which further complicated matters, he had failed so many years ago at getting Doriel to see his way of thinking. Vampires were fascinating creatures, powerful, and not easily manipulated. He would have to be careful and hope that he hadn't already ruined his chance with the newest Lior. It was going to be difficult, he was sure, and he had a feeling that the only way to appease the boy would be to apologize. He despised apologizing, especially when he felt as though he had done nothing wrong, it was all for the greater good. Then of course there was his spy, perhaps he could be used to garner the boy's trust. Subtle whispers to bring the boy to his way of thinking, to give up his new heritage.

"You wanted to see me, headmaster?" It was just the man he wanted to see.

"Yes, Severus, thank you for coming. I wanted to speak with you about young Harry."

Harry sneezed, "Someone must be talking about you." Draco teased.

The vampire glared at him, "Not funny, Draco."

The blonde rolled his eyes, "Going out into the forest again tonight?" He questioned, taking a bite of dinner.

Harry looked towards the staff table, the old fool was usually there and his absence made him wonder, "Perhaps. I'm in need of a good hunt." He scowled, "He's up to something, what it is, I have no idea." He whispered, his eyes narrowed to slits.

Without another word he pushed himself up from the table and left the hall. He hoped that Nicolae was still here, was still out in the forest, waiting for him. The week was fast approaching, it was only a few days away, and he still had to 'inform' at least one of his professors that he was not going to be participating in class. He had yet to even tell his friends what was going to be happening in a few days and why his temper was so short. Although they were his friends it was a rather private time and he needed to avoid human contact as much as possible. He sighed, running a hand through his hair as he made his way outside.

"Aurel!" Nicolae was waiting for him at the edge of the trees, wearing the same black and red leather outfit from before.

He smiled, moving towards him, "I need a good hunt."

Nicolae chuckled softly, "Another one? I suppose it's getting close and that's why we need to hunt so badly."

Harry raised an eyebrow, "You suppose? It's the truth. Especially when there's someone plotting against me, I'm sure of it."

"Someone's always plotting against you, Aurel, it's who you are. I'm sure Voldemort would be plotting against you just because you're a vampire, idiots trying to ruin our neutrality."

"What are we going to do about those fools?" He questioned as the pair made their way into the trees.

He shrugged, "Leave. Come home." He gave him a side long glance, "But you won't, will you? You won't leave behind these humans." He sighed, "Why?"

"It's not all of them, it's just I've made some friends over the years, why should they be caught up in the middle if I'm not?"

"I can't really answer that, perhaps we're just the lucky ones." He growled, eyes flashing, "Someone's here." He hissed.

Both vampires' gaze snapped toward the castle, barely catching a glimpse of a cloaked figure. Nicolae snarled, his top lip pulled back from his teeth, bearing them in an almost animalistic fashion. The figured moved toward them, black robes, black hair, Harry immediately knew who it was.

"Professor." He raised an eyebrow, putting a hand on Nicolae's shoulder to help calm him, "What brings you out here this night?"

Snape narrowed his eyes at the two teens, "You're not a student, what do you think you're doing here?" He snapped.

"I am Nicolae Octavian Tere." He stated, his eyes still golden although he had ceased snarling.

Before he could continue Snape cut him off, "Another vampire. What, prey tell, do you think you're doing on Hogwart's property?"

"If you would allow me to finish," He hissed, "I came to see Aurel, if you must know."

"What do you want, professor? We were just getting ready to hunt."

"You are not to be out after dark." He paused, "But considering your condition I'm sure allowances have been made?" He questioned.

"Of course." Harry lied, "Now if you could excuse us."

Snape stood watching as the pair moved deeper into the forest, not believing for a moment that Harry had actually spoken to Dumbledore about hunting. They moved in silence for a time before Nicolae spoke up, "Tell me what's been going on these past few years. You don't speak much about school."

"Nothing all that interesting. The last few years have been rather boring actually, well, except for last year." He paused, "Being used to bring Voldemort back wasn't what I would call a perfect year."

Nicolae chuckled, "No kidding. So nothing at all happened in the two years prior?"

"No, at least nothing overly interesting, there were minor things, a few fights, but nothing that really."

"I would have thought your years would be less…boring."

He shrugged in reply, "Beggars can't be choosers, besides, I don't want a repeat of last year or my first year. Being a 'dark creature' is fun enough."

"Dark creature my ass." He grumbled, "The so called 'light side' who says they want equality for all can kiss my ass."

Harry laughed, "I suppose that's part of why we won't pick sides, huh?" When he received a nod in reply he continued, "I'm looking forward to going home, although that fool Dumbledore will be trying to prevent it I'm sure, even though I am of age."

"Well, I look forward to seeing you at Yule." He said before taking off into the forest, seeking out his meal for the night.

Harry chuckled and ran after him, hunting for his own midnight snack. Once they were finished they bid each other good night and parted ways, Harry returning to his dorm to sleep away the remainder of the night.