Kiss From a Rose
Disclaimer: I do not own anything that contains any of J.K. Rowling's work, she by far is much more experienced in writing then I am at the current moment. This is her universe that I am using to produce works like Kiss from a Rose.
Chapter 14 –
Harry arrived at Hogwarts and immediately started looking for that Italian restaurant. This was an easy task for a vampire, Harry moved in and out of the wizards and witches trying to find this place. He noticed while moving (faster then there eyes) that most of the shops had garlic hanging, of course Harry had nothing else but to chuckle. He finally stopped in an alley way that opened up right to the restaurant. His eyes scanned the small couples that were around it, no other students were there, just a few elderly couples and few mid aged couples, and there in the corner was the beautiful Hermione and Ron. Harry then hid the shadows the alley way, dressed in his black robes so that the only thing remotely seeable was his pale skin of his hands and face. He noticed that things happen to be going alright (well from what he could see), Ron was being very gentlemen like and not saying much to offend Hermione. Harry could only smile for them both, at that moment he felt something at his leg. His eyes shot down immediately and he noticed that it was just a small rat (not peter) that happened to be feeding on crumbs next to Harry's feet. Harry shot down and picked up the rat who had no chance of escape, Harry looked into the red beaded eyes of the rat that squeaked and wiggled himself trying to escape the grip. Harry gave a smile to the rat before setting it down on the ground, the rat immediately ran off into the alluring darkness. Harry turned his attention back over to Hermione and Ron and noticed that Ron had left leaving Hermione there picking at her spaghetti and meatball's.
'Wonder where Ron could be' Harry thought to himself out loud, then from behind him he heard soft steps, that no human ear would have picked up on. They were soft, sometimes not even touching the ground.
"Ahh, it's good to see you again my Harry." Romulus's voice broke through the darkness as he appeared right afterwards into the dim light that had reached the alley way. Harry turned around, but did not smile at the sight of his sire. Romulus dressed like him old self, black pants, cape, shirt, and his hair smoothed back. Harry leaned against the wall his back to Hermione, as he gazed up and down Romulus.
"You haven't eaten in a while." Harry said noticing that Romulus was wrinkly and extremely pale.
"Well try having the ministry –"
"Don't say anything Romulus about the ministry" Harry interrupted.
"I know, that's why I came to you." Replied Romulus.
"What do you mean by that?" Harry questioned, raising an eye brow.
"Well, I've come to ask you if you wanted to come with me to America, away from all this and live a good life in New York."
Harry gave a small chuckle, and looked at Romulus who face was dead serious. He wasn't kidding was he, Harry thought.
"No I'm not kidding Harry; in fact I'm very serious about this. I'm leaving tomorrow night after I clear up some stuff here I'm taking the first flight away from England." Romulus spoke with a monotone.
"You know I would never do that." Harry said before turning around and noticed that Hermione was there alone still and starting to look a bit distressed. 'Where is Ron' Harry thought.
"You won't leave because of her…" Romulus looked over to Hermione. "You could always make her one of us." Harry snapped his head around and his eyes grew big in anger.
"Don't you even think about that, I would never bring her into this world." Harry spoke harshly. Romulus gave a cruel smile to Harry, a very mysterious smile which scared Harry a bit. "If you touch her --"
"Yes, yes you're going to kill me, or at least try." Romulus laughed and leaned against the wall. Harry watched Romulus's eyes move over the crowd scanning them, and then finally land on something. Romulus then pointed to another couple far away from Hermione and Ron's table. Harry turned and looked in the direction of Romulus's finger, his eyes thinned in anger, and it was something that he would have never expected from his friend. Ron was sitting there with another woman (From that distance Harry couldn't tell who the other woman was.) and eating dinner with her instead of his original date.
"That son of a bitch!" Harry murmured under his steaming breath. "I'm gonna kill that mother –"
"Harry, calm down, think about it Harry why would you get involved with these mortals lives?" Romulus quickly spoke before Harry could get out another word, Harry turned around to look at Romulus. "Your immortal Harry, your never going to have children, your going to watch your precious Hermione wilt like a flower and then eventually die. Your going to watch this world change around you and your not going to know what to do because your not going to change. It's best to leave this place and to leave your friends. There mortals Harry you don't need them." Romulus said. Harry looked in disbelief, he was right, he didn't want to believe it either, he was perfectly right. But he made a promise to himself that he would protect Hermione in anyway possible. Could he go back on his promise, Harry questioned himself. No, was his immediate response, never in his life time or five would he go back on his promise to Hermione.
"I'm sorry Romulus, but I love Hermione, even if she is a mortal I rather watch her grow old and live a perfectly happy life with the worry of Voldemort (He noticed that Romulus growled under his breath at that name), or anything that could upset her." Harry said and then turned around and noticed that Ron was back over there and kissing Hermione on the lips. Romulus put his hand on Harry's shoulder as if holding him back from killing Ron.
"Well then, if you do not want to come with me, then at least give me something. Give me this night to change your mind. Don't worry about your Hermione for now; she is going to go back to Hogwarts never knowing about this other woman." Romulus said.
"Fine…" Harry's voice was quiet as he looked at Hermione once more before he turned and walked with Romulus down the alley way to the main strip at Hogsmeade. The snow was lightly falling (making Harry shiver a little), the main strip was covered in dirty snow some of the shops were still open. Harry looked at the falling snowflakes, they fell like feathers into Harry's black hair, they spotted his robes and shoes as they both walked. Harry kept his head down looking at the dirt in the snow turning it an odd mush of brown and black. Romulus danced a few old steps while moving towards the shop windows and looking in. Harry walked with Romulus over to the shop and looked in. He saw that the owners were restocking supplies and getting ready for late Christmas shopping. Harry backed away and waited for Romulus who looked like a young child peering through the windows at the very first bike that he laid eye on. Harry couldn't help but to laugh at this, Romulus turned around with a smile, "You have to live life as if it was the first day of laying eyes upon it before you go insane" Romulus said, then walked to the door and turned the knob. It stopped, it was locked and Harry could see the disappointment in Romulus's face.
"Well then, let's go to the tavern, what's that name... hogsmead… no hogs heaven no… (Romulus titled his head to think)"
"It's The Hog's head" Harry said.
"Ah, yeh that's it. Maybe we can find some victims?" Romulus walked like a 18th century gentleman over to the Hog's head. Harry quickly followed and they both entered retreating from the cold falling snow. It was not full but not empty with people, in the corner Harry could see that Hagrid was there drinking something, Harry could not smell what he was drinking but from what Harry could see Hagrid was drunk. There was a person sitting with Hagrid, but the talking was too loud for Harry to hear. Romulus looked around for a seat and finally decided upon a dark corner seat, Harry followed him and took a seat with his back to the crowd hoping that no one would notice him. A waiter came over to them and looked at them both, then took out his quill and paper and waited for them to order.
"Two beer butters please." Romulus said, then they both watched the waiter go away.
"You know we can't drink that."
"Well you can't exactly order blood here so we have to pass for a mortal." Romulus responded. Harry nodded and the beer butters arrived, Romulus put two galleons for the waiter before he took off.
"Well, I'm going to lay this down for you Harry, come with me to America, there we can feed on countless victims night after night, enjoy life which here you would never know because you're a wizard. We can become rich and experience things which you might never get another chance at if you stay here. I can tell you already that once you are out of Dumbledore's care the ministry will track you down and tag you." Romulus put his hands around the mug of beer butter and raised it to his nose savoring the smell. Then he touched it to his lips but never let a drop fall before setting it down. Harry watched with interest and mimic Romulus, pulling the cup to his lips but not letting a drop fall.
"Romulus, I'm sorry but I can not leave her. It is as simple as that, you know as I do that my heart will always belong to her even if it means death to me." Harry spoke with a confident voice though low enough for only Romulus to hear.
"Is there any way I can convince you other wise?" Romulus asked.
"No" Harry put it plainly. Romulus sighed.
"Where have you been the past few months?" Harry asked.
"Oh, thinking, hunting, the usual. I also was wondering why me and my brother fight. Is there a point to it anymore?"
"I don't think there is." Harry said.
"No, there really isn't is there." Romulus looked at Harry and then around the bar.
"I've noticed something in you, your not so arrogant." Harry plainly laid it out on the table, this certainly shocked Romulus but also brought a smile to his face and a smile laugh to tag along.
"Oh, times change for us vampires, along with our emotions. I'm still the same old Romulus with the god like attitude to last me a millennia, but for now I don't see the reason to act like it." Romulus said. Harry nodded and then spoke again,
"Who was your sire, the one that made you." Romulus looked at Harry, but didn't say anything at first. The minutes past on, and finally twenty minutes past before anyone said anything. Then Romulus spoke with a disserting voice.
"I would not like to speak of my sire Harry."
"Why not?" Harry questioned.
"Cause, it hurts me to much."
"I'm not going to make jokes about him or her, I'm just a curiously young vampire that wants to know." Harry gave Romulus a smile.
Romulus sighed, before getting up from his seat and walking out the door not saying anything more. Harry immediately followed and trailed behind Romulus who held his head down as he walked up the strip towards the train station.
"Thank you Romulus," Harry said and watched Romulus slowly turn around to him.
"For what? I've caused you nothing but trouble."
"For showing me that there is more to life then just being arrogant, self-centered, and godlike. I see in you what I never want to become, that is what I thank you for." Harry said moving closer to Romulus. Romulus smiled, and embraced Harry into a hug, Harry could feel himself bring a smile and hug Romulus back.
"Your are welcome Harry" Romulus pulled away and looked at Harry once more. "Take care of yourself young one and tell Remus that I'm sorry and maybe one day we can become brothers like we were in the olden days."
"I will, will I ever see you again." Harry asked holding back himself from going with his sire.
"You will, trust me you will. I'll be your dark angel, like you are to Hermione. I've never meet anyone like you Harry. No vampire, no humans I've met, has a heart as big as yours even if it is dead." Romulus said.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Anything" Romulus saw something even more interesting as he looked into Harry's eyes. Romulus noticed that Harry's eyes were slowly turning green again, a natural human looking green.
"Why did you leave Lily?" Harry asked his question with the politest of manners. Romulus looked at Harry but did not answer right away. In fact it seemed that Romulus could not produce a word but only a mere tear, the first from what Harry had seen. "Why did you leave Lily?" Again Harry asked, this time a bit forcefully but never the less a polite manner.
"Reason I care not to tell. Remain safe my young one." Romulus kissed Harry's forehead before vanishing right before Harry's eyes. Harry was left there confused, why didn't he answer, would Lily know the answer? Harry felt betrayed in a way but was happy that there was still a human left in Romulus that he had managed to produce a tear out of what? Was it sorrow? Happiness, Harry couldn't tell from Romulus's expression and he had blocked Harry out from reading his thoughts. What was that tear for, Harry questioned himself as he walked over to the alley way over looking the Italian restaurant.
He looked for Hermione and Ron and noticed that Hermione was talking to Ron who was casually looking behind him as if someone was waiting for him. Harry watched Hermione as the light passed onto her face making her eyes glitter with perfection. How the skin looked as if it had been bathed with ambrosia to make it forever perfect. Her hair slipped a bit into her eyes but it only added to the beauty, how could Ron be even thinking about cheating on Hermione. But Harry had to decide now, was he going to tell Hermione, would it be right to tell Hermione or should he let her find out for herself. But what if she yells at him because he didn't say anything, Harry thought while leaning against the brick wall of the alley. No, she wouldn't do that, she would run over to him and he would hold her tight concealing her from the evils of life. Would the temptation to take her at that moment be to great for him to hold in, Harry again thought that he could end her life with ease and she would be able to do anything about it. It did appear in his mind that if he made Hermione one of his kind then they could be together forever, she said she wanted to be by his side and take the pain away, but was it really her. It couldn't be, Hermione would never want that, plus Lily had to do something with it, he didn't know how she had done it but it was Hermione.
Harry stopped himself from thinking as he noticed that Ron got up again and walked towards the restroom. Should he take this time and go talk to Hermione about how Ron was cheating on her? But what if Ron came back and told something else who Hermione would believe. Would she believe in the vampire that had lied to her about being a vampire or the one that had broken her heart because he was self center? Harry asked himself, but then he saw Ron return to the table looking as marvelous as ever (Harry surprised himself that he could even think that), his spiked red hair with golden tips, it looked like it was on fire. Harry laughed when he remembered seeing Ron try to do that with a spell. How many times Ron had messed up on getting it right, first it was green, then blue, then pink (Harry chuckled louder).
"Ron, why are you such a fool to be cheating on Hermione. Can you not see the beauty in her? Can you not see what she is on the outside and inside, why must you cheat." Harry whispered, while he continued to watch there conversation. Then Harry got an idea, maybe he could listen in on there conversation by the ears of another human near by. Harry looked to see if there was anyone near by, a small couple elderly from what Harry could see. There was a man around his late fifties with graying hair and twinkling blue eyes and a woman in her early fifties also with graying hair set in a bun and hazel brown eyes. Harry concentrated on the man who sat the nearest to Hermione and Ron. Harry concentrated himself to hear what the man was hearing and to focus the incoming sound to only pick out parts on Hermione and Ron's conversation. It was only a matter of seconds when Harry began to pick up sounds.
"I worry about Harry Ron"
"You always worry about him."
"He's different, like there isn't anything left for him." Harry could hear Hermione say.
"He's a vampire (He could hear Ron's voice lower but this man could hear it) what is there left for him? He's going to live forever and what is there to stop him? I mean do you even know what could stop Harry?"
"Ron, why would I go find that out, he's our friend"
"Because you never know, what if he turns on us, you never know with half humans anything could happen." Harry could feel himself getting angrier.
"Don't even talk that way; Harry would never turn on us. He needs us just as much as we need him!" Harry could feel the anger in Hermione's voice.
"I know, just (Ron stopped and looked behind him for a second), it's just do you really know who Harry is now? I mean the way he's been acting and all he isn't himself."
"What do you mean by that, he is himself just…just he has a lot to deal with at the moment."
Harry stopped for a second listening, and then looked at the old couple. Why was he listening on Hermione and Ron's conversation so well? Something wasn't right, this old couple, something wasn't right. Harry questioned as then he watched not Hermione and Ron but the couples around Hermione and Ron. Harry watched the old couple move like an old person and even talk like them. But why could Harry listen so perfectly on Hermione's conversation, this is what troubled Harry.
Harry decided that it might be best if he left Hermione and Ron alone for now and just make his way back up to Hogwarts. He was tired and hunger and couldn't stand watching his best friend cheat on the one that he loved. Harry turned around but was stopped in his tracks as he saw two dark cloaked figures appear in the alley and in front of him. They did not say anything, but only held out a letter, wax sealed in a shape of a snake. Harry reached out and took the letter and then watched the cloak figures disappeared with a pop leaving Harry with a letter in his hand. Harry looked at the letter, admiring the seal stamp, and then opened it up. A old rusted spoon dropped out and to the ground, Harry looked at it but did not pick it up. He knew that it was probably a port key to whisk him away to some unknown location. Harry turned back to the letter and started to read.
To Mr. Harry Potter –
The war is over Mr. Potter, you have lost. But I come to give you hope within this letter and by my side. Take the spoon and it will take you to my location and there we can talk about terms. You know as I do that you can not win against the dark lord, and your friends are in more danger if you stay with them. I promise you that if you come they will not get hurt I also promise you that the school of Hogwarts will remain safe forever. Now I shall be expecting you as the sun rises on the 25th day of December.
~ Lord Voldemort
Could he laugh, Harry sure wanted to. But then again this was serious, could he tell Dumbledore or anyone else about this. Harry picked up the spoon and put it back into envelope along with the letter. This was an interesting turn of fate, Harry thought. Harry put the letter into his pocket and turned back around to the restaurant. Hermione and Ron were getting up and leaving, he also noticed that the old could did the same and followed Hermione and Ron out the door of the restaurant. But they party ways as they reached the main strip of Hogsmeade. The old couple heading away from Hogwarts while Hermione and Ron walked to Hogwarts under the moonlight's guidance. Harry followed them in the shadows all the way back up to Hogwarts, there he moved faster then they could see back to the Gryffindor commons and there he waited for them to arrive.
Harry waited no more then five minutes before Hermione (Who was kissing Ron at the time) walked in with Ron who had a very delightful smile on his face. Harry just sat there and watched them, he had nothing to say at the couple, but he did have something to say to Ron. But would this start another fight, and what if Hermione took It the wrong way? Harry thought about it again, maybe he would just have Lily say something about it. Yes, that would work, Harry thought then pulled the letter from his pocket then watched Hermione grope over Ron. Finally after a few minutes they stopped and they finally noticed Harry sitting there by the fire with a letter in his hand.
"Sorry Harry, didn't see you there." Ron said and moved towards the seat followed by Hermione, who took a seat on top of Ron.
"It's alright."
"What do you have there?" Hermione pointed to the letter.
"A letter, from Voldemort." Harry said all too seriously. Hermione's eyes narrowed and became very serious while Ron shivered at the name but sat a little straighter. "He wants me to go to him, for a trade, me for the protection of Hogwarts and you two." Harry stated. Hermione didn't say anything nor did Ron, did they have anything to say, Harry questioned.
"You can't do that, you can't trust his word." Hermione got off of Ron's lap and into her own seat and reached for the letter then opening it up to read.
"Hermione's right, you can't go." Ron put it right after Hermione's words.
"If it means you two will be safe, then it seems like an interesting proposal." Harry responded while leaning back in his chair.
"Harry, don't even think about going to him. What if he's lying and kills you and then kills us." Hermione pleaded.
"Then I'll come back as a ghost and kill Voldemort, I promise you that even in death I'll protect the both of you." Harry strongly replied.
"Your not going to be an angel for us even with you being a vampire. We can take care of ourselves we just want you to be yourself and our friend not our watcher." Ron glared at Harry who only thinned his face. Harry opened his mouth to say something but then decided not to do anything rash and would let them talk.
"Ron's right, stop being so protective over us, and just be Harry. The Harry we knew during all the years before this one. I don't like this new Harry, I didn't like you standing there in the alley way looking at us (Ron was quite surprised by this, also was Harry). Were going to be safe as long as you are our friend we are going to be safe. Plus do you think Dumbledore and McGonagall was going to let anything happen to us?" Hermione surprised everyone in the room.
"It was the old couple right next to you guys wasn't it?" Harry asked remembering the twinkling in the old man's blue eyes.
"Yes Harry, I'm surprise you knew."
"How did you find out." Harry questioned.
"Well Dumbledore's eyes gave it away, but then I noticed that the old couple was very interested in what Ron and I were talking about." Hermione said. That was why he could hear so clearly, Harry thought.
"Now, Harry will you please get off your high petal stood of being our protector and start being a friend, a friend that we always known." Hermione asked with eyes that Harry even Ron could not say no to.
"I'll try, but you try dealing with knowing that your never going to die. It will make anyone insane, anyone I tell you." Harry smiled showing off his fangs (Hermione seemed unaffected by his smile, but Ron still moved a little back).
"Now where's Lily, I want to thank her for helping me." Hermione said then got up and kissed Ron on the lips and then told both of them good night before leaving the commons. Harry looked at Ron, and Ron looked at Harry, what could Harry say.
"Well if nothing is going to happen I'm going to go to bed to Harry, goodnight mate." Ron got up from his seat and started to walk up to the dorms. Harry got up from his seat and looked at Ron, how much he would have liked to say something but he couldn't risk losing everything he had to show Hermione that Ron was cheating on her.
"Night Ron" Harry said then moved to the mantle piece and tapped it three times and got his blood for the night.
Please review – I will respond to all reviews in my next chapter of Kiss from a Rose.
Review Responses –
Shadow Wolf() – Chapters are getting longer which I'm glad that you like, and I don't know what you mean by putting a lemon in.
Vampire Story Hunter – Lol, remember it's always about the choices not the power. Yes Harry is a very powerful mother fucker but that was only because he was extremely pissed off at things. I think if we all had his power and was that pissed off certainly we could do that sort of stuff. Lily and Harry together nah, not in this story, though who knows I might make another that has them together. Also, I'm a guy not a girl J
Irish Pixie – He appeared and is gone now well for the time. Luna, well I've always liked her sense of style never being with the in crowd but always knowing what is right. Though I went a bit overboard (pushing it to the extremes) with her, I'm gonna tone that down a bit in later chapters.
Ryusuken – Fear no more! Ron is not going to be with Hermione, well not for long, I know people are starting to get mad because I haven't put Harry and Hermione together yet. I'm glad that you liked last chapter because I certainly was scared that the last chapter really sucked.
Liedral() – I wouldn't have it any other way.
Robaatsu – it would have been very interesting and very long to. Lol, but I decided against it because Harry is going to need a friend like her in the future.
Hermione2567 – Getting there, getting there don't turn away now.
TimGold – I'm really sorry about now giving you an answer to your review, it usually sends me an e-mail saying that I got reviews but it didn't send one for yours so I didn't know you reviewed. But I'm gonna remember to check the boards every time now. I hate Ron's guts to, don't worry it's going to be over, the nightmare of the love story. The beta part, I rather have one cause I do find mistakes after I read it over after I publish it and if I had a beta it would be a less of a chance of that happening. Thank you for being one my faithful readers that has been here since the first attempt and now the second story.
Smegul – thank you for the advice, I will work on getting a better summary out there. Thank you for your honesty.
Amy2k -- Don't worry, there splitting up, I can't have them together it breaks my heart to see that Hermione is not with Harry so it must be done soon.
BAD BOY HARRY – Don''t do that, can't have a reader die because Hermione and Ron haven't broken up. Don't worry Lily and Harry just good friends that's all.