CHAPTER 20

NOTES:

Helloo dear readers!

Here we come with chapter 20, and we know what happened with the vampire attack to Harry.

I'm want to say I'm sorry for this chapter to any vampire-lovers out there. I only know the basics, and as I always do, I looked for information to make the vampire as close to the myth as possible. Well, it turns out there are hundreds of different variations of vampires out there: Strigoi, Draugr, Wampyr... all with different characteristics, abilities and legends surrounding their figure.

So, I went for what made the most sense in this story, without sticking to one particular lore.

I still hope you enjoy it, I sure had a lot of fun writing it!

ENJOY!

Despite being daylight, the alley was dark and cold. It was pouring, the thick clouds in the sky giving an even gloomier feel to the run-down area. The wind was blowing mercilessly, and Harry wrapped his cloak more around himself, in an attempt to give himself some warmth.

He tried to regulate his breathing, feeling his heart pounding, his ears ringing. His mind was alert, his hand closed around his wand, walking in silence and listening for any possible movement.

Ron was tiptoeing in front of him, his wand also in front of him, not daring to cast a Lumos for fear of being detected. The element of surprise, in their case, was of vital importance.

Harry took a ragged deep breath, trying not to make a sound and looking inward for the nerves of steel he knew he had, and used almost a decade ago. Ron and he were walking to a vampire's lair, without backup, and their wands as their only means of protection. For a split second, he wished Severus was with them.

But no, Harry thought, shaking his head in the darkness of the alley. Severus was at the Burrow, safe and sound, and far away, and despite his vast knowledge and experience Harry preferred it that way. They kept walking, their feet making soft splashing sounds on the wet cobblestone of the alley.

"I think he's in there" Ron whispered, his voice barely heard in the incessant rain. Harry nodded, his eyes set on the building in front of them.

It was a three-floor house, but it looked as if it had seen better days. The facade was scratched, full of ivy and broken in places, as if nature had sprung within the house and made its way out, cracking the stone. Some windows of the upper floor were shattered, he could see the ragged and torn curtains billowing from the wind.

The entire building looked about to collapse. But even then, it gave a feel of darkness and menace, towering and looming over them in the short distance.

It was then when Harry heard a ruffling noise behind him and he froze, his heart ringing in his ears.

"HARRY, WATCH OUT!"

The hand holding his wand reacted before Ron had finished screaming.

Harry turned around, his wand raised, and as soon as he felt movement near him he flicked it, casting a wordless curse. The creature, who'd been lurking in the shadows and waiting to sneak up on them, was sent back a few steps. He growled as he staggered back when the sudden force of the spell hit him in the chest.

Harry realized, then, what a bad idea that had been. The creature had probably smelled them from a distance, after all, it was well-known that their senses were highly developed. The element of surprise was lost, rather, the vampire had almost ambushed him. In his own lair.

Despite Harry's strong spell, the vampire was still on his feet, a smug smirk on his lips. He was wearing very dark clothes, black ankle-high boots and a black leather motorcycle jacket on top. The rain was falling over them, but the jacket seemed to protect the vampire from it, or at least, he seemed oblivious to it. His long red hair looked slick and was plastered to his forehead and face, but he didn't seem to mind. His fangs were showing, his mouth curved into a smirk.

What caught Harry's attention, though, were his eyes. They were of a dark crimson colour, with the pupils constricted into a single black fine line. They looked menacing, calculating; as if he was waiting for the right moment to pounce. Harry couldn't help the shiver that ran through his spine and made his blood run cold.

"Well, well, well... what an honour" the creature sneered, his voice silky and deep, as he fake bowed to Harry "to be hunted by the one and only Harry Potter."

"Shut up, you!" he heard Ron scream behind him, who walked to stand in a defensive position next to him.

"Oh, and his dear friend, of course. Where would he be without the Saviour? What's the matter, Weasley?" the creature mocked "can't the Deputy Head of Aurors catch a vampire all on his own? He has to call the Saviour of the World to do so?"

"You have no idea what you're talking about" Harry spoke, and he was surprised to hear his voice so even, so calm, while he felt his heart beating like mad. "You will regret all those deaths. Why did you do it?"

"Why kill them?" the vampire asked, then shrugged "and why not? I did it because I can, Potter. Not everyone needs morals. I certainly don't."

"Your reign of terror ends today, creature" Ron stated as he took a step forward "and as Deputy Head of the Department of Aurors, I am arresting you..."

"No Deputy Head will stand in my way" the creature snarled.

His voice sounded a bit less smug and much more threatening, although it hadn't lost that silky texture. A growl escaped his throat and it travelled to Harry's ears, sending shivers down his spine. He felt his hands sweaty, and he gripped tight the wand in his fingers.

"Ah, yes... the adrenaline, the fear... those make my feast all the more delicious" the creature voiced, the voice calm, composed, and Harry was terrified to detect, a hint of lewd desire. He smelled the air, his nostrils flaring, as he set his red eyes on Harry. "I think I will begin with you first, Harry. After all, killing you will be my greatest honour."

"In your other life, perhaps."

"I've got plenty of time in this one" the creature answered, his fangs showing above his lower lip in a threatening manner "and I'm about to make it worthwhile!"

Harry was prepared, but the vampire was too fast.

And cunning.

In a single leap, he jumped from where he was, throwing himself up in the air. Harry looked up, his glasses wetting with the rain falling incessantly, but as he set his feet apart in a combat stance, he realized what was happening.

"RON!"

The creature hadn't leapt for him as he'd warned, he'd jumped for Ron, who'd been standing near Harry but observing their exchange.

The adrenaline made Harry's muscles move before he even realized what was happening. He leapt to his left, his arms stretched, and tackled Ron with as much strength as he could, pushing him to the ground.

He turned around in a second, and he saw a pair of crimson eyes, glowing in the dark, and two sharp fangs that were out, ready to bite, to break the skin and draw blood. Using his arms as leverage, his feet connected with the creature and pushed him away with a kick, as hard as he could.

"STUPEFY!" he heard the vampire shout, but from the ground, not even having time to stand up, Harry shouted a Protego that shielded him from harm.

It seemed that despite Harry being powerful, the vampire blood made the creature more resistant to spells than a regular human. So, Harry focused on him. Before he could give him time to attack, made a complicated movement with his wand, effectively keeping the roaring creature at bay.

He was close, so close.

He could smell the putrid smell of blood on him. From where he was standing he could see his eyes, ablaze with a fire that meant he had been fed quite recently. His teeth were razor-sharp and stark white, and he growled with his fangs out. Harry could see the blood dripping from his lip and smearing his neck and clothes.

The creature smirked before he lifted his wand, ready to attack, but Ron shouted a spell behind him that hit him on his torso, making him stagger a few steps.

CONFRINGO!

Harry shouted in his mind, and this time the spell hit the creature full force on the chest. Having used non-verbal spells, the vampire hadn't had time to cast a protective spell.

The gnarl he heard made his hair stand on end.

Suddenly, the creature disapparated, leaving no trace behind him. Harry looked left and right, pulling himself to his feet as he waited, his hand clutching his wand.

And then he gasped and cried out, every cell in his body screaming in agony as he felt an acute pain in his neck.

"HARRY!" he heard Ron roar, in the distance, but he sounded so far away...

He felt the fangs sinking into the skin of his neck, the blood rushing to the surface. His entire body was shaking as the creature snarled, noises of triumph and satiety coming out of him. His cold lips closed in on the wound, drinking avidly and sucking while Harry screamed in agony. He tried to move, to push him away, but he felt his limbs slow and heavy, and his attempts futile, the creature had lodged on his neck and wouldn't let go. His vision blurred and he lost strength, he couldn't think, he couldn't move. He felt his knees weak as the vampire sucked on his blood, feeding off of him, his putrid smell surrounding him.

He saw through blurry eyes Ron sending spells and curses to the creature, but he fought them off, it was as if they didn't even affect him. Harry's mind was foggy and sluggish, he couldn't think of any way out... was this how it was to die?

And then, he saw him.

Severus.

Severus with his long hair, his big cold hands, his slender fingers. Severus with his dramatic entrances and his cloak billowing behind him as he strode the castle with confidence. Severus, with his cold stare that warmed up as soon as he saw him. His smile, so wide his dimples showed. His laughter, deep and reverberating in his chest. His heart, beating and warm, so close to him that he could feel its steady drum. His sleepy eyes in the morning, at the break of dawn, as he curled up a bit more to Harry, basking in his warmth.

No, he wouldn't give him up.

He couldn't let him down. Not now that they'd found each other.

So, Harry pushed through the pain, focusing his mind on one single thought: he had to get back to Severus.

He clutched at his wand, still in his fingers, and with one thought he turned it around, pointing it at his attacker.

INCARCEROUS!

A pair of strong ropes tangled around the vampire, one around his neck, the others around his legs and arms. He felt him struggle and heard a strangled noise, and a second later, the fangs retreated from his skin.

Harry took a deep breath, coughing as he fell to his knees, his hand automatically going to his neck in a futile attempt to stop the bleeding.

He heard Ron sending curses at the vampire, one after the other, his voice almost hoarse. Finally, with one last roar, the vampire fell backwards and moved no more. The ropes tightened around him, not suffocating him but preventing him from moving. Thank Merlin, it was over.

He panted, his chest heaving with each ragged breath, as he pressed the wound.

Bitten. Bitten by a vampire.

He tried, through the fog in his mind, to rack his brains in an attempt to find the answer he knew was also screaming through Ron's mind.

"You're alright Harry" he whispered as he ran to him and knelt, one hand on his shoulder "you're alright."

"R-Ron..." Harry spoke, and he heard his voice weak "w-will I...?"

"No," he said, and his voice sounded confident, despite their dire situation "no, you won't. You didn't drink his blood. You won't transform."

Harry tried to breathe a sigh of relief but felt that he couldn't. He felt his eyes heavy and he blinked, trying to stay conscious.

"S-Severus... you have to w-warn Severus" he stammered as he gripped Ron's arm "t-tell him..."

"I will. But later, first, let's get you to the Ministry and to Medical."

Harry felt Ron grabbing him and jolting him, passing an arm around his neck. He heard him bark a few orders to the Aurors who were beginning to crowd the place. Some of them were already dealing with the vampire, but Harry couldn't focus on what he was ordering them.

"Stay with me, Harry" Ron said to him as he held him by the waist, and started to walk a few paces "stay with me, come on!"

And then, Harry felt it.

The spell he'd put on the ampulla hadn't been activated, Severus hadn't touched it with his fingers. And yet, Harry felt a gust of magic coursing through him, a violent jolt shaking him from head to toe. And he knew.

Severus needed him. Desperately.

"Severus" Harry insisted "tell Severus... tell him I'm fine... don't worry h-him..."

"Okay, I will. Just please stay with me, okay?" Ron said.

Harry saw through narrowed eyes Ron producing a Patronus and telling him what to tell Severus and his family. Then, the Terrier ran away, disappearing from their sight. Harry's eyes felt heavy and he panted, trying to keep them open, but he staggered forward.

Right before Ron disapparated them to the Ministry, Harry closed his eyes, and he lost consciousness.

It was a long while until Severus opened his eyes.

"Hey," a gentle voice asked, "are you back with me?"

Severus looked up, not recognizing the voice at first until he saw Charlie Weasley looking at him through concerned eyes. It was then that everything came rushing back to his mind. He jumped to his feet, realising with deep embarrassment that he'd been nodding off on Charlie's lap.

"Hey, it's okay," Charlie said as he stood too, his arms held in the air, his palms open "you did nothing wrong."

But that wasn't true. He'd lost control again, he'd lost himself and his childish mind had taken over, regardless of where he was and with whom. Severus shook his head, feeling a deep pressure on his chest that prevented him from breathing normally, and he choked on a deep breath.

"I apologise, Charlie," Severus said, and heard his own voice raspy "I apologise for... putting you in that position. I never wanted you to feel obliged -"

"I didn't feel obliged to anything" Charlie interrupted him "Severus, I didn't mind looking after you. Okay? You're a little child, so what? There was nothing wrong with what happened. I promise you, nobody will mock you or use that against you. Do you hear me?"

Severus stayed quiet, his hair coming to hide his face, his shoulders heaving with his laboured breathing. He closed his hands in fists, feeling as if he was thinning; as if he had too much on his plate to focus on anything.

A warm, big hand grabbed one of his, and he felt a strong heartbeat under his fingertips. He locked gazes with the Gryffindor, as Charlie kept his hand on his chest, his palm right atop his heart. He said nothing, only looked at him through warm chocolate eyes, and Severus understood. Closing his eyes, he focused on the steady drum of the heartbeat, on the way Charlie's chest expanded with each breath.

After a few minutes, he felt he could breathe normally.

"Okay, you did very well," Charlie said with a smile "now, let's sit down and have a warm cup of tea, it'll help."

But Severus shook his head.

"I need to go to Harry. Now" he said, feeling relief as he noticed how his voice had his normal tone. "He's been attacked by a vampire, the wound will surely get infected."

"We don't know whether he's been bitten, Severus, Ron didn't say."

"It would be highly unlikely if he isn't," Severus said "but if he is, I need to see him. Immediately."

"What's the urgency? He surely won't get transformed, will he?"

"Not unless he has drunk the vampire's blood himself, no" Severus answered, shaking his head "but there will be plenty of other side effects of the bite. He'll get delirious, possibly have hallucinations, fever, violent tremors... I need to see the damage for myself."

Severus tried to set aside the fact that it was Harry, his Harry they were talking about. Focusing on that would do nobody any good, and right now Harry didn't need Severus; he needed Snape, the Potions Master.

Mercifully, Charlie nodded and went to grab a coat from the coatstand. Severus put on his own cloak, and together they walked to the fireplace, Charlie grabbing a handful of floo powder.

"MEDICAL WING, MINISTRY OF MAGIC," Charlie said, his voice powerful as he threw the powder into the fireplace. Severus closed his eyes, and feeling Charlie's warmth next to him, he felt himself being sucked by the green flames.

As soon as the fireplace expelled them, Severus looked left and right to the white room of the Ministry, until his eyes located who they were looking for. It wasn't hard, as there was a huge commotion in the room. The other beds of the Medical Wing were empty, seemingly unmade and undisturbed, but three people were attempting to pin another to the bed.

And Severus realized, with horror, who that was.

"Stop, now!" he commanded, his voice strong and compelling.

He never knew if it was because of the tone of his voice, or the fact that his presence took them all by surprise. But they all left the body on the bed and turned around, surprise and confusion on their faces.

Severus saw his opportunity.

He strode towards them and completely ignored them, his eyes set on the man on the bed, the man that was now shaking uncontrollably.

His heart almost stopped at the sight.

Harry's hair was wet and full of dirt, one side of his face was brown and his clothes were all soaked. His green eyes were closed shut, a deep frown on his forehead, he seemed to be deeply disturbed by something. But Severus's gaze focused only on one thing: the two punctures on his neck.

A bite.

This confirmed his suspicions. He felt himself going weak at the knees but pushed all those feelings aside. He'd indulged himself enough today, now he had a job to do.

His hands moved of their own accord and went to his shoulders, pressing him on the collarbone in an attempt to reduce the trembling.

"Shhh Harry, Harry... it's me... it's me..." he whispered as he leaned closer, his hair coming to hide both their faces.

He rested much of his bodyweight on Harry as he attempted to control the shaking and trembling. He wasn't screaming, but his face was contorted in an expression of pure pain. Severus's back curved and he rested his forehead against his chest, pressing down, and he inhaled. The smell of ink and parchment was nowhere to be found, all he could find was the stale odour of blood, wet clothes and dirt. He choked back on a sob, swallowing as he focused on the shaking man on the bed.

"Sir, who are you and what are you doing here? I would thank you if..." said a feminine voice behind him, but Severus felt an indescribable anger curse through him.

"And I would thank you if you let me do my job" he snarled, not even moving his head away from where he'd hidden, against Harry's clothes. "I'm Severus Snape, Potions Master of Hogwarts, and if you don't let me treat this patient he will die."

"Ma'am, let him do this. If you know of his reputation you'll be aware, he knows what he's doing."

Charlie's always kind voice was more convincing than Severus's angry snarl, but he had no patience for kindness.

The woman said nothing else, and Severus deduced she'd gone, either to let him be or to find her superiors. Either way, Severus didn't really care. He focused his entire attention on Harry, his eyes set on the bite marks on his neck, seeing as it was beginning to change. The skin was turning an angry red around the two punctures. Even if the blood had stopped gushing, it looked as if it would start bleeding again any second.

Finally, after a long while, the trembling seemed to die down. He moved his face away from his chest, stopping his pressure on his collarbone as he let Harry rest a bit better on the bed.

"Severus!" a voice said close to him, and the other red-haired in the family stepped forward "how did you come? What are you doing here?"

"What do you think?" Severus snarled, but then he took a deep breath "I've come to help."

"He's come with me, Ron," Charlie said as he took a step forward towards his brother, Severus and Harry "he was adamant that Harry needs treatment, now."

Severus looked at the two Weasleys and settled his gaze on the youngest.

"Tell me what happened. Quickly, and in detail."

Ron nodded as he began to explain. He listened to his tale attentively, not wanting to focus on the fact that it was Harry who'd been bitten, who'd been so close to having his entire being changed. He swallowed his terror and fear at the mere thought and nodded as Ron finished his tale.

"I need to take him home," Severus said "and I need to make potions for him. There's an antidote..."

"But I thought the venom only worked if he drank his blood too," Ron said.

"Look at him, Weasley. Really look" Severus answered, short on patience "he's been bitten by a vampire. What do you think will happen?"

All three men looked at Harry, who was still shaking, although a bit less now. His cheeks were red, visible despite the dirt on his skin, and Severus's hand went to his forehead. He was burning up.

"He's getting a fever. He won't transform, but the vampire venom has other side effects. We need to act, now" Severus ordered, "I'll take him to Hogwarts."

"I'll come with you," Charlie said, taking a step forward "I wasn't rubbish at Potions, I can help."

"Charlie..."

"Don't argue, Severus. I'm coming with you."

Severus wanted to refuse, but he couldn't. Charlie had done so much for him, and still, he wanted to help him. He really couldn't say no.

He nodded his permission once.

"I'll come with you too, you'll need someone to keep an eye on Harry," Ron said as he positioned himself on the foot of the bed, ready to grab his legs. But Severus took out his wand and summoned a stretcher, where he levitated Harry's weakened body.

Severus racked his brains for the best way to get to Hogwarts. Apparating would be the best option, but they couldn't apparate inside of the castle grounds. And there was no way he was transporting Harry all the way from the outside Gates to the dungeons. He glanced at the fireplace, it was bigger than regular fireplaces but not big enough for three adults and a stretcher.

"I'll go first," he said as he levitated the stretcher towards the fireplace "you can come after me."

The two Weasleys nodded their consent, and Severus placed the stretcher inside the fireplace. He got inside the cramped space and grabbed a handful of floo powder.

"See you in a second" Charlie said.

Severus was about to respond when he saw the woman of before along with a man, both shouting and making wild gesticulations with his arms. He let Ron and Charlie deal with them, as he threw the floo powder and shouted his destination.

As soon as he got out, he took a deep breath. He was home.

The living room was exactly as they'd left it that same morning, the door to their bedroom open, their unmade bed visible. He levitated the stretcher towards the bedroom, just as Harry was beginning to murmur in his delirious sleep.

"It's alright Harry, we're home" he whispered, knowing full well Harry wouldn't hear him. But he needed to say the words nonetheless "you'll be well soon..."

He placed Harry in bed and rushed to his personal stock of potions. He was about to knock out a few vials in his haste, but still, he managed not to. Nobody more than himself knew the danger of mixing different potions and the devastating effect they could have.

He grabbed a few of those and sprinted to the bedroom, just as Ron and Charlie appeared through the fireplace.

"Took you long enough" he commented as he ran to the room, vials in his hands, not even looking at them.

"Yeah, we hit a bit of a snag with the Head of Medical" Ron explained, shaking his head "it's all good now. What do we need to do?"

Severus didn't answer, and they took his silence as an invitation to follow him. Harry was beginning to toss in bed, and Severus was trying very hard to avoid restraining him, but if he kept it that way he would have no other option.

He opened his mouth, pulling his head forward as he poured four potions, one after the other, in silence. His heart was pounding in his chest but his hands were steady as he made Harry drink the concoctions, his face one of deep concentration. After a few terrifying moments, Harry's body went slack on the bed, the potions were taking effect.

Then, he focused on the bite on his neck.

It had gained an angry crimson colour, and it was beginning to blacken around the edges.

"Infection, as I feared" Severus muttered, the pad of his index finger tracing the mark on the skin. He suppressed the urge to bring his fingers to the scar on his own neck, left by the serpent Nagini.

"He'll make it, won't he?" Ron asked, and for the first time, Severus realized how scared he sounded.

He turned around, seeing both Weasleys standing in the doorway of their bedroom, the private place they shared. And while Charlie had a serious expression and his eyes didn't move from Harry, Ron's expression was of fear. Utter fear before the possibility of losing his best friend.

Severus knew what he felt, as he felt the same, possibly tenfold.

"He will," Severus said "but it will be extremely unpleasant. I have given him blood replenishing potions and a generic one against infections, but it will not be enough. He needs a specific one for vampire venom."

"Can you make it?"

"I can..." Severus said, but his voice trailed off.

For the first time in probably his entire life, he didn't want to shut himself off in his lab. Harry needed him, he was sick and he wanted nothing more than to stay by his side. To grab his hand and keep a watchful eye, until he recovered. He'd never understood the people who accompanied the sick and waited and waited by their beds, but now he did.

Now, he wanted nothing more than to stay by his side until he opened his beautiful emerald eyes. He would give everything, anything he had, for Harry to open his eyes and smirk at him, with his warm smile and the fire in his eyes.

In that second, he realized how closed he'd been to losing him. Forever. The thought clogged his throat and made him gasp, his hands grabbing the edge of the bedside table, his knuckles going white.

He had almost lost Harry. He closed his eyes shut, his head bowed forward as the realization hit him with full force. He felt his eyes fill with tears and he choked them back.

But then, he felt a warm hand on his back. The hand drew soothing circles, gently rubbing and squeezing, its weight a welcome comfort.

"It will be okay, Severus" Charlie's warm, calming voice came from behind him "you focus on making the potions. Ron and I will stay and keep an eye on him. Okay?"

Severus nodded, his hair following his movement, and he sniffled and cleared his throat. Then, he slowly turned around, purposefully avoiding looking at Harry on his bed. Their bed.

"I'll come back as soon as possible" Severus said, and without another word, he disappeared from the bedroom and walked to his private lab.

He set to work. He had everything he needed, including the silver, a wooden stake, mandrake root and a crucifix. He thanked his father on the grave, his old crucifix had probably been the only thing of value he'd given him. And now it will serve a purpose.

His hands were shaking. But by the time he began grinding the garlic and moly flower into a paste using a mortar and pestle, his mind focused on one thing: brewing.

It was a natural process for him, one that helped him compartmentalize. It'd been of great help during the two Wizarding wars, and he was grateful for it. For the ability to focus on one thing, letting his brain mull over his thoughts while his attention was centred on making a potion. He soaked the wooden stake, and then he shredded it and added it to the cauldron. His eyes followed each step carefully, nodding when the potion acquired the desired white colour.

He had no idea what time it was. He knew it was close when the potion turned black. He grabbed his wand, stood in front of the black cauldron, and closed his eyes. He focused on Harry, delirious in bed, and wished for his recovery. Then, in a voice no louder than a whisper, he spoke.

"Ut, quem liberun esse bibit potionem a sanguine saevit in maledictionem."

He held his wand over the cauldron, watching as it stirred alone as if by a magical force. By the time the potion became a blood-red colour and gave off a strong scent of blood, he knew it was ready.

As quickly and steadily as he could, he poured the potion into a vial and took it to his room. As he followed the motions he prayed, prayed to Holy Mary and the God he had long forgotten, to save Harry's soul and give him time to make him drink the potion. He knew that, if the vampire venom had taken full effect on Harry's body, it would be useless.

When he got out of his lab he almost dropped the vial on the floor. He heard raised voices, and when he rushed to his bedroom, he realized what was happening. Harry was trashing and tossing in bed, screaming in agony as he struggled. His force was much more powerful than the two fully adult men who were trying to restrain him.

"LEAVE ME, STOP!" Harry screamed, tossing and turning in his bed, the sheets wet around him.

In two strides Severus left the vial on the bedside table and grabbed Harry by the shoulders, pinning him to the bed.

"Shhhh it's alright, Harry... it's alright..." Severus whispered, using his body weight to restrain him "it's okay... it will soon be over..."

"Water... I need water..."

"He's been asking for water, but throwing it away when we tried to make him drink," Ron said in an annoyed voice. He gestured to his wet hair, evidence that Harry had pushed the glass onto his face.

"It is not water he needs. It's the bloodthirst speaking" Severus explained, still pinning Harry to the bed.

"I thought he wouldn't transform?" Charlie said, still close by in case Severus needed help, but it seemed Harry's tremors were receding.

"He will not. But the venom is still in his system, and it's beginning to take effect. At this point, he's more like a muggle drug addict with cold turkey."

Suddenly, Severus felt something observing him, and he turned around.

Harry's eyes were open. But they were not emerald green.

They were crimson red, his pupils hugely dilated and black. He tried to suppress a shiver, despite being so different from the Dark Lord's, the feeling they gave off was the same. His hands moved away suddenly, but his feet kept rooted him on the spot.

"Come on Harry, take this," he said, grabbing the vial and uncorking it. Then, he placed his hand on the back of his head and offered the drink. Harry, barely conscious but still with his eyes open, snarled, shaking his head. But Severus grabbed his head with a bit more force and poured the potion in his mouth.

Harry gagged and tried to sputter, but it was no use, the potion had gone straight through his throat. Severus watched him as he corked the vial and put it inside his robes, he hoped it would be enough.

And it seemed to help. In a second, Harry was out cold, not a single movement of his body. The only evidence he wasn't dead was the rise and fall of his chest with each breath. Severus sighed in relief, at least now he could rest.

"Now what?"

"Now he needs time to get the venom out of his system," Severus said, "it will take a few hours, at least."

He then turned around, feeling it safe to focus his eyes on them and not on Harry's pale, dirty body. He needed a shower.

"I am thankful to you both" Severus said as he took a step forward "but I think I can take it from here. You can rest, especially you, Ron. You've also been in this."

"I know, but..."

"Harry will be well enough by the morning" Severus insisted "go to bed, and rest. I will keep you appraised."

He knew Ron was exhausted when he didn't need more convincing. With a nod and a promise to come by soon to check on Harry's state, he floo'ed to his house, where Hermione was probably awaiting him.

That left only Charlie.

"Are you not tired?" he asked. He didn't complete his question, but by Charlie's soft expression as he turned his head, he'd understood.

"No. Not of you anyway, or of him" he answered, gesturing to the slumbering man on the bed "I can stay for a bit longer. Keep you company."

"Charlie... you don't need to do that. You have done more than enough" he said, but Charlie shook his head.

"I know I don't need to. But I want to all the same" he answered.

Severus relented, too exhausted to fight. He summoned to chairs from the living room, allowing Charlie to take one for himself. Then, he used his wand to use a simple cleaning charm on Harry, glad to see his pale skin once more under the dirt.

He claimed the other chair, sitting as close to Harry as he could. He grabbed his hand, bringing it to his lips. As he kissed the palm he closed his eyes, feeling for the first time in hours, that he could breathe. Harry was home, safe and on the mend.

He'd have to keep an eye on him and the effect of the vampire venom and the infection. But for the first time, he felt confident he would pull through. He kissed Harry's knuckles, one by one, his lips tracing the scar left all those years ago by Umbridge's evil quill.

"You really love him, don't you?"

Charlie's voice had come in a whisper, travelling softly to his ears. And then, he looked up, shocked.

Love.

Perhaps that was what he felt.

He had never found a name for his feelings for Harry, he only knew they were extremely strong, and consumed every part of his being. The absolute terror he'd felt before the possibility of losing him, the desperation of a world without Harry in it... he could not conceive it anymore.

To be honest, even if he had hated the boy in his school days, he had fought to keep him alive. Even if he loathed him, he did not want to imagine a world without Harry Potter in it. And now... well, now the utter terror and hopelessness consumed him.

Was that what was happening? Did he love Harry? He knew he had strong feelings for him, he knew he had become his rock, a pillar in his life... so much so that he'd been fooled by the legend behind the name, thinking he was indestructible. But he was not, his present state attested to that. And perhaps... perhaps that was what he held, in the deepest part of his heart.

He nodded once, slowly, incapable of speaking a word. Charlie did not go on, but locking their gazes, he felt he didn't need to. His expression said everything.

They sat there, in silence, watching over Harry.

The tremors intensified after an hour or two, and he screamed and cried out, but Severus jumped to his feet and spoke in gentle words. He held his hand, in an attempt to prevent him from hurting himself, but also because he felt it was what Harry needed. It was irrational, he was sure, but his gut told him Harry needed his presence, to know that he was there. Waiting on the other side.

Or perhaps it was just his subconscious mind speaking.

"Why don't you go have a shower, hm?" Charlie suggested after a couple of hours of stillness "come on. I'll stay and guard him."

Severus looked at him through weary eyes. He felt a steady pressure on his temples and forehead and knew the hot water would help in relieving the tension. He nodded and stood, leaving his seat empty for Charlie to take.

"Don't-" he began, but then he stopped, shaking his head.

But Charlie knew.

"I won't move from here until you return," he said with a lopsided smile "he will not be alone. And neither will you."

Severus nodded and walked with slow steps to the bathroom. It was going to be a long night.

Information about the vampire antidote:

wiki/Vampire_venom_antidote

And that's it for this week!

What did you think of the vampire accident?

And Severus's revelation! OMG things are getting serious here! What are your predictions for the coming chapters?

Also, do you have any suggestions or ideas you'd like me to include? Do let me know in the comments below, I have added some of your suggestions and the fic has turned out much better thanks to them. So, if you have anything you'd like to read, don't hesitate to ask and I'll do my best.

On another note, it's the 22nd of December today, and I wanted to take the time to wish all you wonderful readers a very happy Christmas, Hogmany, Hannukah or whatever it is you celebrate. I hope you have a good time with friends and family (always taking precautions!).

I, for one, am very thankful for each and every one of you. These last months sharing this story with you has filled my heart, and I am so thankful for it. And for you.

So, have a very happy Christmas and I will see you before the end of the year for the next instalment of this chapter (if the celebrations don't impede me to do so!).

Take care, and have a wonderful week!