A/N: Just to let you know, I'm skipping ahead to the Winter Holidays.
P.S.- From now on, when Harry takes the potion that digests the blood, it's referred to as "the metallic potion". It makes writing much easier. On with the fic!
Chapter 15: The Trouble with Howlers
-------------------------------------------
Harry sat, yawning, on a bleary Sunday afternoon. It was now the beginning of the winter holidays, which meant that more than three-fourths of the school had left on Friday. The only thing that made him anxious about it was that all his friends, Draco, Hermione, and Ron, had left for the vacation.
He remembered Draco's concern for him up until he left. "I wish I could stay, but mother has sent an owl requiring me to be home for the Yules. I think if I asked her if you could come over, though, she would be okay with it. Would you want to? After all, I don't think Malfoy etiquette would look highly upon killing a guest. She'd leave that for Voldemort. But would he really do it now, with you guys being closer? Would he really murder you?"
And this was the question Harry had been pondering for the past few days since his friend had left. Harry eventually said yes to Draco's invite, but said that if he were to go, to give him a week so he could brew extra potions of the blood digestor and the blood replenisher. The thing that filled him with apprehension was how to get the ingredients and recipe for the blood replenisher. He decided to go see Professor Cal about getting into the Restricted Section to get its recipe. They had been on very good terms ever since Harry had met the guy, after all. With that, he got up from his silver sofa and headed for the secret passageway out of his rooms.
Twenty minutes later, Harry found himself in the Restricted Section after Madam Pince said Professor Cal's note passed inspection. As he pulled down heavy tomes and leafed through their index, he marveled at how easy getting the note had been. He hadn't even got past the name of the potion when the happy man had pulled out a long green quill and passed him the signed paper. 'Aahh, here it is,' thought Harry, and setting the book down on an available table, he began copying down the instructions.
The boy who lived had always remembered getting chills when heading towards the dungeons, getting that omenous feeling that told him nothing pleasant awaited him down in the dark depths. Now as he descended the stairs towards his old potions professor's office, he realized the only way he got chills was because of the frigid air, and even that wasn't as bad as it used to be. He thought it must have to do with his recent sprouts of the supernatural kind. At this thought, he winced. Tonight he'd have to go to the forest to feed if he wanted to not be biting anyone tomorrow.
Knocking on the office door, he heard a sneering voice command,"Enter!" As he walked into the room, he smirked as Professor Snape realized who it was.
"What are you doing here, Potter? Surely one of your little friends could take you back to their hovels rather than leave you here all alone?" The professor was giving his ex-student the trademark sneer, but that wouldn't work on Harry anymore.
Harry instead replied nonchalantly," Well, Professor," and at this he did a little mock bow, smirking and watching a furious Snape all the while,"Draco has invited me over to his house for the holidays. He's just checking with his mother. To get straight onto the point of why I have left my perfectly cozy rooms for your cold and miserable one, I need ingredients for a Blood Replenishing Potion."
Snape had never once been so formally and cynically talked to like that from a student before, least of all Harry Potter. To Harry's immense enjoyment, Snape actually gave a small visible smirk. He then asked,"And why do you need to brew one yourself? Surely Madam Pomfrey has some; I have been having to make many for her lately." He slightly frowned and looked Harry over again.
Not showing any sign of noticing this, Harry put on his mask of indifference and said,"They've been for me. I seem to be having many accidents lately, and my system hasn't been producing clotting agents efficiently since the summer. Since I'm planning to go to Draco's, I need to be able to take some with me and not deplete her stock. Surely you can see the logic in that?"
"Why you are going to stay at a known death eater's house I do not know, even if you have been friendly with Draco as of late. However, I do see your logic and will give you enough ingredients to brew 7 doses. If you have that many accidents over a two-week period, you are truly hopeless, Potter." And with that, he went into his store cupboard for the rare ingredients; Harry remained resolutely standing.
As Harry was about to pick up the cauldron with ingredients inside to leave, Snape grabbed his hand. He looked shocked at how they felt like ice, but put his mask back on and quietly spoke,"I must warn you, Potter, about going to the Mafoy's for the time being. Lord Voldemort has been very silent about any plans he has for the next few months. He could be waiting to kill you the moment you enter the manor."
At this, Harry gave a smile, but still keeping his noticeable fangs hidden. He said with a cheery if slightly twisted note," I don't think he'd enjoy having a bite with me anytime soon, Professor!" And the haughty boy left Snape standing behind his desk with a calculating look.
------------------------------------
Harry was trying to get outside as fast as he could, trying to get to the forest before anyone could catch a glimpse of him in this wild and frantic state. He would have flown out the window as a thestral, but he couldn't trust himself in that powerful creature's form; it could do more damage if he lost it.
'Two floors to go,' he thought, slightly panting at a full run from the tower to the third floor. He turned corridors and flew past classrooms, so fast that Peeves got caught in his slipstream and was pulled for twenty feet, cursing all the while. Unfortunately as he reached the top of the marble staricase that would take him to the entrance hall, he had been spotted. Spotted by none other than Ginny Weasley. But Harry didn't have time for her now. He only had minutes to get to that forest.
"Hello, Harry," she said, smiling," how have you been? You've seemed awfully busy lately." She frowned slightly at Harry's appearance, which caused him to pull his cloak's hood up. "Are you ill? You're very pale. My god, Harry! Your hands are like ice!"
She began to rub his hands, trying to warm them up, suggesting she take him to the Hospital Wing. He took his hands forcefully away, so Ginny had trouble catching her balance for a few moments. She looked frightfully at Harry, who had hidden all but his mouth with the hood of a heavy crimson cloak with silver fastenings. Her eyes slightly widened as Harry said in a sombre and chilling voice,"Run, now, or you may not see tomorrow."
Harry didn't have time to feel guilty about scaring Ginny half to death as he took off suddenly again, racing throught the heavy oak doors and sprinting onto the grounds. Once in the heart of the forest, he slowed to steady his breathing and concentrated on finding an animal. He caught the scent of a large buck in a nearby clearing and moved like a shadow after it.
Something had been on his nerves since entering the forest, he thought, washing off his face, and drinking down the metallic potion so he wouldn't need to go to the infirmary tonight. He seemed to sense something following him ever since he stopped to breath. However, he couldn't hear anything that could be mortal. His only thought was that he might be being tracked by another supernatural creature. Another vampire. And he knew if they were to attack him, he would easily be overpowered by a full vampire's strength and tenacity. He couldn't afford to be attacked now that someone knew he was out on the grounds. After gathering up the crimson cloak and fastening it to keep out the chill night air, he headed quickly towards the school, intending to apologize to Ginny.
---------------------------------------------
At breakfast the next morning, Harry sat across from Ginny, who looked abashed whenever he looked at her. Harry thought that he really should trust Ginny more, as she was going to be with Draco and him often now that he didn't have so much going on. He decided he was going to tell her. Somehow Harry knew she would keep it a secret. He cleared his throat slightly, and took her hands.
"Ginny, I have something important I need to tell you in private today. It would greatly help with the explanation of last night if you would hear me out. I'll meet you after lunch and we can go to my private chambres to discuss it. Will you trust me?" he asked.
Ginny looked up with a small smile and whispered,"You've always been like a brother to me Harry. While you did scare me last night, I will trust you and hear what you have to say. I feel so bad about owling Ron last night now."
"You WHAT?!" Harry was panicking now. Ginny could see it in his one still emerald eye. She seemed to realize what she had done and looked thoroughly embarassed. Owling Ron telling him that Harry just scared the hell out of her would ignite his Weasley temper, and with Ron's lack of judgment and tact, who knew what he would do.
As this mini drama ended with both pale and silent, the mail arrived. A large eagle owl Harry recognized as Draco's came swooping down in front of him and dropped the letter and small bag right into Harry's empty place setting. Realizing it was the response about his holiday plans, he ripped open the letter and read:
Dear Harry,
Mother said you could come over for the next two weeks! She actually seemed rather happy about it that I would be bringing company with me. Have you brewed your potions yet? Well, when you want to come over, just Floo over with the powder I sent you. The name is Draco's Room, Malfoy Manor. I'll keep a fire lit round the clock for you.
On another note, I have some interesting news for you. My father's Deatheater friends who weren't captured at the end of last year are planning to break him out sometime over the holidays. We already sent an anonymous tip off to the Ministry, but... ah well. Just have to see how it goes, right?
I'll be waiting for you. If I'm not in my room, just call for a house elf; they'll find me.
Sincere regards,
Draco
"I can go visit Draco over the Yules! This is great!" exclaimed Harry, giving a lopsided smile. Nothing could spoil his mood now, not even Ginny's look of horror. Wait a minute, what was this red thing...?
"Oh, shit," said Harry.
Ron had sent a Howler, and it was about to go off. He hadn't noticed it with his other letter. He grabbed Draco's letter, the bag of Floo powder, and the Howler and swiftly ran out of the Great Hall, with every eye of the remaining student body and staff on him. Unfortunately for him, he only made it to the Entrance Hall before it went off, and he knew everyone in the other room would hear it. He braced himself for the worst as Ron's voice burst forth.
"I THOUGHT YOU HAD TURNED YOURSELF AROUND, HARRY! WHERE DO GET OFF SCARING MY LITTLE SISTER, HUH? YOU'RE FILTH JUST AS YOUR LITTLE FRIEND MALFOY IS! AND DON'T THINK YOU CAN SCARE ME OFF SO EASILY! WHEN I SEE YOU BACK AT SCHOOL, I'M KICKING YOUR ASS, THREE-FOURTHS VAMPIRE OR NOT!"
And the Howler reduced to ashes, and Harry was left wishing he could be reduced to a cinder right now.
He hadn't wanted people to find out like this. Now everyone in that room knew, and by the end of the first day when classes started again, the entire school would know. The Daily Prophet was going to find out...
'Oh Gods, Ron, what have you done?' he thought. He felt a great pressure in his head, and clamped his hands to the sides of his head, willing it to go away.
Students were slowly filtering out of the Great Hall to look at him, stare at him, point at him....
"Please, please stop, please..." He was begging with the students and had slipped to sit on the floor, legs collapsed under him.
By now, the Professors had managed to get throught the students. He thought he saw Professors McGonagall and Sprout along with Hagrid chastising the students and sending them to their dormitories, and he was vaguely aware of being half-dragged, half marched by two strong sets of hands on either side, Dumbledore leading him toward the headmaster's office. Harry knew he would never make it under his own will, so he let them continue carrying his weight. He knew he'd have to explain everything in that office and was dreading evermore with each step toward the stone gargoyle.
----------------------------------------------------
A/N: Uh oh. Harry's in trouble now! With the resulting conversation, will he still be able to go to
Draco's? Stay put; the action is all here!
"If you both don't shut up, I'm going to get in in my fiery chariot of Hell, and burn both of you to a CINDER!" - Me... Don't look at me so oddly. Two of my friends had gotten in one of those wierd arguments where you start to run the other one over in your car, which steadily escalated for 10 minutes and I couldn't concentrate on The Vampire Lestat. That's when I said that, so I had perfect reasons for it.
(October 21-23, 2003)
P.S.- From now on, when Harry takes the potion that digests the blood, it's referred to as "the metallic potion". It makes writing much easier. On with the fic!
Chapter 15: The Trouble with Howlers
-------------------------------------------
Harry sat, yawning, on a bleary Sunday afternoon. It was now the beginning of the winter holidays, which meant that more than three-fourths of the school had left on Friday. The only thing that made him anxious about it was that all his friends, Draco, Hermione, and Ron, had left for the vacation.
He remembered Draco's concern for him up until he left. "I wish I could stay, but mother has sent an owl requiring me to be home for the Yules. I think if I asked her if you could come over, though, she would be okay with it. Would you want to? After all, I don't think Malfoy etiquette would look highly upon killing a guest. She'd leave that for Voldemort. But would he really do it now, with you guys being closer? Would he really murder you?"
And this was the question Harry had been pondering for the past few days since his friend had left. Harry eventually said yes to Draco's invite, but said that if he were to go, to give him a week so he could brew extra potions of the blood digestor and the blood replenisher. The thing that filled him with apprehension was how to get the ingredients and recipe for the blood replenisher. He decided to go see Professor Cal about getting into the Restricted Section to get its recipe. They had been on very good terms ever since Harry had met the guy, after all. With that, he got up from his silver sofa and headed for the secret passageway out of his rooms.
Twenty minutes later, Harry found himself in the Restricted Section after Madam Pince said Professor Cal's note passed inspection. As he pulled down heavy tomes and leafed through their index, he marveled at how easy getting the note had been. He hadn't even got past the name of the potion when the happy man had pulled out a long green quill and passed him the signed paper. 'Aahh, here it is,' thought Harry, and setting the book down on an available table, he began copying down the instructions.
The boy who lived had always remembered getting chills when heading towards the dungeons, getting that omenous feeling that told him nothing pleasant awaited him down in the dark depths. Now as he descended the stairs towards his old potions professor's office, he realized the only way he got chills was because of the frigid air, and even that wasn't as bad as it used to be. He thought it must have to do with his recent sprouts of the supernatural kind. At this thought, he winced. Tonight he'd have to go to the forest to feed if he wanted to not be biting anyone tomorrow.
Knocking on the office door, he heard a sneering voice command,"Enter!" As he walked into the room, he smirked as Professor Snape realized who it was.
"What are you doing here, Potter? Surely one of your little friends could take you back to their hovels rather than leave you here all alone?" The professor was giving his ex-student the trademark sneer, but that wouldn't work on Harry anymore.
Harry instead replied nonchalantly," Well, Professor," and at this he did a little mock bow, smirking and watching a furious Snape all the while,"Draco has invited me over to his house for the holidays. He's just checking with his mother. To get straight onto the point of why I have left my perfectly cozy rooms for your cold and miserable one, I need ingredients for a Blood Replenishing Potion."
Snape had never once been so formally and cynically talked to like that from a student before, least of all Harry Potter. To Harry's immense enjoyment, Snape actually gave a small visible smirk. He then asked,"And why do you need to brew one yourself? Surely Madam Pomfrey has some; I have been having to make many for her lately." He slightly frowned and looked Harry over again.
Not showing any sign of noticing this, Harry put on his mask of indifference and said,"They've been for me. I seem to be having many accidents lately, and my system hasn't been producing clotting agents efficiently since the summer. Since I'm planning to go to Draco's, I need to be able to take some with me and not deplete her stock. Surely you can see the logic in that?"
"Why you are going to stay at a known death eater's house I do not know, even if you have been friendly with Draco as of late. However, I do see your logic and will give you enough ingredients to brew 7 doses. If you have that many accidents over a two-week period, you are truly hopeless, Potter." And with that, he went into his store cupboard for the rare ingredients; Harry remained resolutely standing.
As Harry was about to pick up the cauldron with ingredients inside to leave, Snape grabbed his hand. He looked shocked at how they felt like ice, but put his mask back on and quietly spoke,"I must warn you, Potter, about going to the Mafoy's for the time being. Lord Voldemort has been very silent about any plans he has for the next few months. He could be waiting to kill you the moment you enter the manor."
At this, Harry gave a smile, but still keeping his noticeable fangs hidden. He said with a cheery if slightly twisted note," I don't think he'd enjoy having a bite with me anytime soon, Professor!" And the haughty boy left Snape standing behind his desk with a calculating look.
------------------------------------
Harry was trying to get outside as fast as he could, trying to get to the forest before anyone could catch a glimpse of him in this wild and frantic state. He would have flown out the window as a thestral, but he couldn't trust himself in that powerful creature's form; it could do more damage if he lost it.
'Two floors to go,' he thought, slightly panting at a full run from the tower to the third floor. He turned corridors and flew past classrooms, so fast that Peeves got caught in his slipstream and was pulled for twenty feet, cursing all the while. Unfortunately as he reached the top of the marble staricase that would take him to the entrance hall, he had been spotted. Spotted by none other than Ginny Weasley. But Harry didn't have time for her now. He only had minutes to get to that forest.
"Hello, Harry," she said, smiling," how have you been? You've seemed awfully busy lately." She frowned slightly at Harry's appearance, which caused him to pull his cloak's hood up. "Are you ill? You're very pale. My god, Harry! Your hands are like ice!"
She began to rub his hands, trying to warm them up, suggesting she take him to the Hospital Wing. He took his hands forcefully away, so Ginny had trouble catching her balance for a few moments. She looked frightfully at Harry, who had hidden all but his mouth with the hood of a heavy crimson cloak with silver fastenings. Her eyes slightly widened as Harry said in a sombre and chilling voice,"Run, now, or you may not see tomorrow."
Harry didn't have time to feel guilty about scaring Ginny half to death as he took off suddenly again, racing throught the heavy oak doors and sprinting onto the grounds. Once in the heart of the forest, he slowed to steady his breathing and concentrated on finding an animal. He caught the scent of a large buck in a nearby clearing and moved like a shadow after it.
Something had been on his nerves since entering the forest, he thought, washing off his face, and drinking down the metallic potion so he wouldn't need to go to the infirmary tonight. He seemed to sense something following him ever since he stopped to breath. However, he couldn't hear anything that could be mortal. His only thought was that he might be being tracked by another supernatural creature. Another vampire. And he knew if they were to attack him, he would easily be overpowered by a full vampire's strength and tenacity. He couldn't afford to be attacked now that someone knew he was out on the grounds. After gathering up the crimson cloak and fastening it to keep out the chill night air, he headed quickly towards the school, intending to apologize to Ginny.
---------------------------------------------
At breakfast the next morning, Harry sat across from Ginny, who looked abashed whenever he looked at her. Harry thought that he really should trust Ginny more, as she was going to be with Draco and him often now that he didn't have so much going on. He decided he was going to tell her. Somehow Harry knew she would keep it a secret. He cleared his throat slightly, and took her hands.
"Ginny, I have something important I need to tell you in private today. It would greatly help with the explanation of last night if you would hear me out. I'll meet you after lunch and we can go to my private chambres to discuss it. Will you trust me?" he asked.
Ginny looked up with a small smile and whispered,"You've always been like a brother to me Harry. While you did scare me last night, I will trust you and hear what you have to say. I feel so bad about owling Ron last night now."
"You WHAT?!" Harry was panicking now. Ginny could see it in his one still emerald eye. She seemed to realize what she had done and looked thoroughly embarassed. Owling Ron telling him that Harry just scared the hell out of her would ignite his Weasley temper, and with Ron's lack of judgment and tact, who knew what he would do.
As this mini drama ended with both pale and silent, the mail arrived. A large eagle owl Harry recognized as Draco's came swooping down in front of him and dropped the letter and small bag right into Harry's empty place setting. Realizing it was the response about his holiday plans, he ripped open the letter and read:
Dear Harry,
Mother said you could come over for the next two weeks! She actually seemed rather happy about it that I would be bringing company with me. Have you brewed your potions yet? Well, when you want to come over, just Floo over with the powder I sent you. The name is Draco's Room, Malfoy Manor. I'll keep a fire lit round the clock for you.
On another note, I have some interesting news for you. My father's Deatheater friends who weren't captured at the end of last year are planning to break him out sometime over the holidays. We already sent an anonymous tip off to the Ministry, but... ah well. Just have to see how it goes, right?
I'll be waiting for you. If I'm not in my room, just call for a house elf; they'll find me.
Sincere regards,
Draco
"I can go visit Draco over the Yules! This is great!" exclaimed Harry, giving a lopsided smile. Nothing could spoil his mood now, not even Ginny's look of horror. Wait a minute, what was this red thing...?
"Oh, shit," said Harry.
Ron had sent a Howler, and it was about to go off. He hadn't noticed it with his other letter. He grabbed Draco's letter, the bag of Floo powder, and the Howler and swiftly ran out of the Great Hall, with every eye of the remaining student body and staff on him. Unfortunately for him, he only made it to the Entrance Hall before it went off, and he knew everyone in the other room would hear it. He braced himself for the worst as Ron's voice burst forth.
"I THOUGHT YOU HAD TURNED YOURSELF AROUND, HARRY! WHERE DO GET OFF SCARING MY LITTLE SISTER, HUH? YOU'RE FILTH JUST AS YOUR LITTLE FRIEND MALFOY IS! AND DON'T THINK YOU CAN SCARE ME OFF SO EASILY! WHEN I SEE YOU BACK AT SCHOOL, I'M KICKING YOUR ASS, THREE-FOURTHS VAMPIRE OR NOT!"
And the Howler reduced to ashes, and Harry was left wishing he could be reduced to a cinder right now.
He hadn't wanted people to find out like this. Now everyone in that room knew, and by the end of the first day when classes started again, the entire school would know. The Daily Prophet was going to find out...
'Oh Gods, Ron, what have you done?' he thought. He felt a great pressure in his head, and clamped his hands to the sides of his head, willing it to go away.
Students were slowly filtering out of the Great Hall to look at him, stare at him, point at him....
"Please, please stop, please..." He was begging with the students and had slipped to sit on the floor, legs collapsed under him.
By now, the Professors had managed to get throught the students. He thought he saw Professors McGonagall and Sprout along with Hagrid chastising the students and sending them to their dormitories, and he was vaguely aware of being half-dragged, half marched by two strong sets of hands on either side, Dumbledore leading him toward the headmaster's office. Harry knew he would never make it under his own will, so he let them continue carrying his weight. He knew he'd have to explain everything in that office and was dreading evermore with each step toward the stone gargoyle.
----------------------------------------------------
A/N: Uh oh. Harry's in trouble now! With the resulting conversation, will he still be able to go to
Draco's? Stay put; the action is all here!
"If you both don't shut up, I'm going to get in in my fiery chariot of Hell, and burn both of you to a CINDER!" - Me... Don't look at me so oddly. Two of my friends had gotten in one of those wierd arguments where you start to run the other one over in your car, which steadily escalated for 10 minutes and I couldn't concentrate on The Vampire Lestat. That's when I said that, so I had perfect reasons for it.
(October 21-23, 2003)