Title: Blood

Author: Artemis Luna Diana

E-Mail: artemislunadiana@yahoo.com

Rating: R (eventual NC-17)

Pairing: HP/SS

Disclaimer: I own not a thing. 

Summary:  Thrust into the distant past and turned into a vampire against his will, Harry struggles to understand what he has become and tries to fill his one desire: to get home.

WARNING!!!!

THIS STORY CONTAINS ELEMENTS OF SLASH!!!!

IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT OR WITH THIS PARTICULAR PAIRING… LEAVE NOW!!!!

Thanks to: Katie Bell and snapeysnapesnape for the excellent betas.

Chapter Two: Spilled Blood

It was dark.  Nearly pitch black.  There was no moon, and the clouds overhead blocked the stars.  It was a perfect night to hunt.  Harry glanced over at his companions.  Jason and Olivia were on this hunt with him.  The two vampires flashed him equally excited grins.  Harry smirked.

Harry and Quentin were the only vampires allowed to hunt whenever they wanted.  Quentin: because he was the Rector, and Harry: because Quentin allowed it.  Everyone else was divided into groups and assigned times.  It wasn't wise for everyone to leave all at once.  The group assigned to tonight numbered fifty-six in all.  The groups were then broken into sections that contained seven vampires apiece.  Each section went in a different direction.  Each had a different destination.  Harry's group was headed towards a small village two days' walk from the coven.  They would walk till an hour before dawn and take cover in one of the many caves that littered the way.  They had left the coven two days ago.  Tonight was the night of the hunt.

Besides Harry, Jason, and Olivia were Alcoyne Malfoy, Eric McGonagall, Ormond, Elspeth, and Michael Donavan.  Harry knew Alcoyne and Eric pretty well.  The two vampires were some of the best fighters still in the transition, and since Harry was one as well, they knew each other somewhat well.  Ormond and Elspeth were two vampires he didn't know very well, but they seemed all right.  Michael Donavan was the group's guardian for this hunt.  He was one hundred and seven.

They crept up silently on the sleeping village.  Jason, Olivia, and he chose one house.  Alcoyne and Eric chose another, and Ormond, Elspeth, and Michael Donavan chose another.  Inside the house that Harry and his friends chose were three adults and four children.  The vampires chose the adults and dispatched them quickly and quietly.  Feasting with a wary eye on the area the children slept in.

In the house that Alcoyne and Eric chose were four adults and one child.  They chose the two oldest of the four adults.  They were silent and efficient killers. 

Harry and his group crept out of the house and waited beside it for one of the other groups to come out.  Alcoyne and Eric emerged and approached them.  They waited a few minutes more before beginning to get antsy.  "I'll go," Harry volunteered.

"I'll come with you," Jason whispered back.

Harry nodded, and the two approached the house Michael's group had entered.  They snuck in and nearly gasped in horror.  Michael's group had chosen a house with four adults and six children.  All ten humans were awake and tied up, including gags.

"What are you doing?" Harry hissed.

Elspeth and Ormond both looked a little ill.  Whatever this was, was Michael's idea.

"I'm about to eat, do you mind?" Michael returned lazily.

"Yes, I mind!  This is not how we hunt!  You've no need for this much blood!"

"Go away, little Harry, or find yourself without your head attached."

Jason grabbed Harry's arm as he started to reach for his dagger.  Harry scowled at him, but nodded and dropped the grip on his blade.  "Make no mistake," Harry said to Michael.  "The Rector Lamia will hear of this monstrosity."

Michael glared at him. 

Harry glanced at the antsy vampires in the corner.  "You two should eat."

The two nodded at him and circled warily around Michael and chose two adults.  They fed and then fled the house.  Michael chose the youngest child and then stalked out saying, "Take care of the rest, little prince."

Harry looked at the seven remaining humans.  The adults were in shock, and the children were crying softly.  "Jason, leave."

"Harry, you shouldn't have to do this on your own."

"Leave."

Jason sighed and left the house.  Harry drew his wand.  "Obliviate."

Harry woke up abruptly, his eyes snapping open.  He fought to catch his breath. 

When he had become a vampire, something odd had happened to his dreams.  He never had imaginary dreams anymore; his dreams were either memories or, rarely, dreams of the future.  He had been very unsure about speaking with Quentin about it, but eventually he had.  Quentin said that all vampires dreamed about the past, but as far as he knew, no one had dreamed about the future.  They figured it must have something to do with his being a wizard.  The dreams of the future were ones of the near-future.  They usually happened the day after the dream.  Most of the time, it was just conversations, sometimes it was incidents that occurred.  For example, he dreamed one night of a brawl between Alcoyne and Eric.  The following day, it occurred. 

This last dream, however, was no vision of the future.  Instead it was the memory of his first dealing with the new Rector Lamia.  Michael Donavan was a cold, unfeeling man.  As a vampire, he was a sadistic murderer.  He enjoyed killing.  He enjoyed terrifying and harming those he would feed off of.  Harry knew that Quentin had shared his concerns about Michael long before Harry had met him, and long before Michael had reached his Daylight Years.  Quentin, however, hadn't done anything to him in the hopes that reaching his Daylight Years would calm the man.  Harry knew that Quentin regretted it.

The vampires had few laws, but those they did have were strictly followed and enforced.  While there was no action taken against a vampire who killed a vampire in the transition (it was considered weeding out the weak), the vampire would be tortured and killed if he killed a fellow vampire in the birthing or the Daylight Years.  When Michael turned one hundred, he became untouchable. 

'Are you awake?'

'Yes.'

'People keep coming in here,' the snake complained.

'Have they said anything?'

'Nothing I understood.'

'Yea, I suppose not.'

The snake slithered up and coiled on his chest.  'What's your name anyway?'

'Harry.'

The snake touched Harry's chin with its tongue.  'Harry,' it repeated.  It straightened up.  'I haven't chosen my name yet.  You may call me what you will.'

Harry smiled slightly.  'Thanks.'

"Harry?"

Harry glanced up expecting to see Olivia again.  "Illiona."

The elf entered his room and sat down at the foot of his bed.  The snake slithered off of his chest, and he sat up.

"Who is your friend?" she asked.

"She hasn't chosen her name yet."

She nodded and then sat quietly, studying him.  "They know," she said suddenly.

"Who is they and what do they know?" Harry asked warily.

"The elder vampires know that you are a wizard.  Your liberal use of magic to protect the younger vampires gave it away."

"I did what had to be done," Harry said furiously.  "I wasn't about to let them all die!"

"What you did was commendable, but unwise."  Illiona placed a slim-fingered hand on his knee.  "You cannot stay here while Michael Donavan is the Rector Lamia."

"Where can I go?  I am still in my transition.  I can't survive on my own, no matter how much I know or how good I am as a fighter."

"Come with me to Raveya."

"Go with you to the elven city?  Why?"

"We can protect you until he is no longer the Rector Lamia."

"I could end up staying there indefinitely."

"He will not be the Rector Lamia for long, Harry.  The other vampires will only stand it so long before they revolt against him."

"How do I know I can trust you?"

"What other choice do you have?"  She smiled sadly.  "If you stay, he will kill you or use you.  He could have you use your magic against those who would rise against him.  You could end up killing someone you consider a friend.  Do you want that?"

Harry was silent a moment.  "What I want," he said slowly, "is to go home.  However, that goal seems to be getting further and further out of reach."

"If it's what you want, Harry," Illiona said.  "Then one day you will go home.  Of that I have no doubt."

Harry snorted.  "I'm glad someone is confident about it."  Harry focused on her.  "I will go with you to Raveya, Illiona.  I only hope I do not come to regret my decision."

She stood.  "You will not regret it, Harry.  We must leave as soon as you've spoken to the elders and the Rector."

"Alright."

Harry stood and began gathering his things.  He glanced warily at Illiona before drawing his wand and casting shrinking and featherweight charms on his belongings.  She seemed very interested in his wand, and he was suddenly struck by a curious thought.  'Did wizards use wands in this time?  Or did they use something else to focus the magic?'  He shrunk all but his two daggers and placed his belongings in his pockets.  He strapped the two daggers to his thighs and picked up the snake. 

'Coil around my arm,' Harry instructed.

'Don't drop me,' the snake muttered and did as Harry suggested.

"I'm ready."

"Then it's time to meet with the elders."

Harry followed Illiona out of the room and down the corridor to the common area above the dwellings.  With his appearance came silence.  Soon the elders sent the children down into the dwellings.  Jason and Olivia stopped to speak with him.

"Harry," Jason said softly.  He smiled slightly.  "You are a man of many secrets and talents.  Why doesn't it surprise me to learn you are a wizard?"  He took Harry's arm in a firm grasp.  "I'm always here if you need anything."

"I'm glad for your support, my friend," Harry replied gruffly, holding back his tears.

"Harry… I didn't know earlier… when I came by… Jason told me a little while ago…" She flung herself in his embrace.  "Oh, Harry!  I don't care if you're a wizard or not!  You're my friend!  If you need anything, you've only to ask."  When she pulled away, she was crying.

"Thanks, Olivia," Harry said and brushed away a few tears of his own.  "No matter what, you two are my friends.  Don't forget that."

"You two should go," Illiona said quietly.  "Harry needs some time to regain his composure before he faces the elders."

Harry's friends embraced him and then descended down deeper into the caves.  Harry took a deep breath and slowly released it.  A few more calming breaths and he was ready to face the gathered assembly.  Every vampire in the Daylight Years that survived the battle was gathered in a half circle waiting for him.  Harry walked to them calmly with his head held high.  Illiona was only two steps behind him and to his right.

Michael Donavan sat in the middle of the circle, slightly above everyone else, emphasizing his position as Rector Lamia.  After a moment, one of the vampires stood and walked towards him, stopping about fifteen feet away.  It was Donny McGregor.  Now that Lorna and Aluva were dead, Donny was the oldest vampire in the coven.

"Harry."

"Donny."

"Yesterday during the battle, Quentin Smith was killed.  With the loss of the Rector Lamia, all those who were not in their Daylight Years and some who are were struck down by the bloodlust.  The bloodlust was so overwhelming that they didn't care that stepping into the sunlight would kill them, yet not a single one left the caves.  Can you explain that?"

"I cast a barrier on the cave's entrance to prevent anyone from leaving," Harry replied firmly without hesitation.

"You cast a spell?"

"Yes."

"Are you saying that you are a wizard?"

"I am a partially trained wizard, yes."

"Why did you not inform anyone of this?"

"Quentin Smith knew as did Illiona of the elves."

"Illiona," Donny addressed the woman.  "Daughter of Lord Aliras, is what this vampire speaks true?"

"Yes.  I knew that Harry was a wizard.  I also know that Quentin knew.  We spoke of Harry's magic upon three separate occasions."

"Did he tell you why he kept it from the other vampires?" Donny asked as the other vampires' mutterings began to get louder.

"Yes.  He was worried that someone would take advantage of Harry while he was still in his transition.  Once Harry had reached his Daylight Years, he was going to tell everyone.  Until then, he told Harry to make sure no one found out."

Donny was silent a moment, as were the other vampires.  Harry glanced at Michael.  The Rector was looking decidedly angry.  Donny's gaze settled on Harry, and he smiled slightly.  "Then since you were following the orders of the Rector Lamia, this is no longer necessary.  However, you are not to use your magic without the consent of the Rector Lamia."

"Yes, sir," Harry replied.

Michael stood.  "You are forbidden to use your magic.  If you use it for any reason, you will be killed immediately."

The other vampires stared at Michael in shock, then glanced warily at Harry.  Harry nodded briskly.  "I understand," he said aloud, but silently added 'Asshole.'

Michael smiled smugly.  "Good."

"If that is all?" Harry prompted.

"You are dismissed," Michael said lazily.

Harry turned and Illiona fell into step beside him.  "Quickly," she whispered.  "We have only three hours till dawn."

Harry and Illiona slipped out to the tunnel that led to the surface unnoticed by anyone.  They ran up the tunnel and out into the upper coven.  They quickly hurried out of the clearing and into the forest.  They didn't need to worry about one of the older vampires seeing them since they had all gathered for Harry's inquest.

"Hurry!"

They ran through the forest; decades of practice made them silent runners.  Harry followed the elven princess, hoping that he wasn't following her to his death.  Quentin had trusted her, and for that reason only, so did he.  But that trust was tenuous, and could be easily shattered.  Harry was hoping desperately that she wouldn't betray him. 

They ran for nearly two hours before Illiona led him to a small cave.  "We'll stay here for the day."  She sat down on the floor, leaning up against the wall and pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms loosely around her legs with her right hand holding her left wrist.  "Once night falls again, I'll use my magic to transport us to Raveya."

"Why didn't you do that earlier?" Harry asked, sitting down across from her, Indian-style.  He wasn't breathing hard, his endurance was extremely high, a benefit of being a vampire.

"You know many things about magic, Harry.  You've been trained.  You know what magic can do.  The others do not.  We don't want them knowing too much too soon."

"I understand."

"I know you do."  Illiona paused a moment.  "You know many things, Harry Potter."

Harry froze a moment in shock.  "I have never spoken that name.  How do you know it?"

"I know many things too, Harry Potter.  The Boy Who Lived." 

Harry remained silent.

"We know things about you, Harry Potter, that don't make sense.  Why are you known by that title?  Why is your magic pure after so many killings?  Why do you have the ability to speak to snakes?  Why do you use a wand instead of a familiar to focus your magic?  Why did you learn from many teachers instead of one?  We don't know these things.  We know that you are important and must be kept alive at all costs.  We know that you are more powerful than any wizard alive or dead.  Only your children could be as powerful.  Something happened when you became a vampire.  Something that changed your magic and made it something that frankly I fear very much.  What are you Harry Potter?  And where do you come from?"

"How do you know those things?" Harry whispered in shock.

"The Waters of Raveya show many things."

Harry stared down at his lap.  Slowly he raised his head and met her gaze.  "I am Harold Albus Potter, son of James and Lily Potter.  I am a fifth-year student of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  I was born over two thousand years in the future."

Illiona stared at him in surprise.  "Why didn't I see it before?  It should have been so obvious.  Why are you here, Harry?  Why did you come into the past?"

"I don't know!  One moment I was casting a light spell and the next moment I found myself in the past being turned into a vampire!  I never asked to come here; I never wanted to!  All I want is to go home, back to my time!  My friends are in danger, I need to be there to protect them!"  Harry stood abruptly and began to prowl around the cave.  "I have no idea what dragged me into the past and because of that I can't reverse it.  I don't know enough about time magic to send myself home, and I haven't met any wizards since I've arrived.  Vampires don't know anything about wizarding magic, a werewolf would kill me before I had a chance to speak, and I know next to nothing about elves of your kind.  I've had no one I could ask for help from."

"The wizards of this time don't know anything about time magic, Harry," Illiona said regretfully.  "They can't even pause time or slow it down.  Elves can slow time and pause it, but we cannot move through it.  We can't help you either."

"So what am I suppose to do?" Harry asked brokenly.

"The only thing you can do: wait."

"Wait?"

"You are immortal are you not?  You look the same as you did when you disappeared, do you not?  Wait until someone has figured out how to travel through time safely and then go.  You can return at the exact moment you left and slip back into your life.  You will of course still be a vampire, but you have grown comfortable with that I think."

"Yes," Harry said slowly.  "I have."  He sat back down.  "You realize of course that I don't want anyone to know about me."

"Yes.  I will keep your secret from all but two people."

"Oh?" Harry prompted irritated.

"I must tell my father.  As the leader of Raveya he must know."

Harry nodded.  "I understand.  Who is the other?"

"My mate, Skya.  I hold no secrets from him."

Harry smiled slightly.  "That's admirable."  He was silent a moment.  "They will not tell anyone?"

"No.  They will keep silent."

Harry nodded.  "Alright."

They sat quietly a moment and then Illiona smiled.  "Unlike you, vampire prince, I need more than four hours of sleep.  Good day."

Harry smiled back.  "Good day."

Illiona lay down and pillowed her head on her hands.  She fell asleep almost immediately.  Harry stood and walked over to one of the walls and sat back down.  He leaned back on the wall and closed his eyes.  He felt the grief begin to rise again, and drew a shaky breath.  'Why did this happen?  Why did Quentin have to die?  I knew that Lorna wouldn't survive, but I wasn't ready for Quentin to go.  I've lost them both…'

***

{2 years later}

"Harry!"

"Yeah?"

"Come here!  I've got a surprise for you!"

Harry frowned.  He stood up from his desk and set his quill aside.  He walked out of his quarters and up towards where the sound of Illiona's voice was coming from.  He found Illiona and Skya standing with an elderly man.  Harry felt a stir in his magic.  The man was a wizard.  Harry looked at the three warily.  "What's going on?"

"Harry, this is Newt McGonagall.  He has agreed to apprentice you in magic."

Harry's mouth dropped open in shock.  "What?  Really?"  Harry smiled.  "Alright!  When do we start?"

Newt smiled at his enthusiasm.  "We can start now, if you want."

"Yes!  Most definitely!"

"We'll leave you two alone," Skya said chuckling.

"Thanks!" Harry said and embraced the two elves before they left.

"Why don't we go to your home to begin?" Newt suggested.

"Okay."  Harry led Newt to his quarters. 

"Illiona tells me you're a vampire," Newt said conversationally.

"Yes," Harry replied warily.

"So how old are you?"

"I'm fifty-five years into the transition."

"So you're still young," Newt commented.  The man finally seemed to notice his unease.  "My brother is a vampire: Eric McGonagall," he explained.  "So don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you."

"You're Eric's brother?" Harry asked astonished.  "And you still keep in contact with him?"

"Of course, I'm still in contact with him!  I'm not going to start hating him just because he's had the misfortune of being turned.  He's my older brother; he's always looked out for me."

"How old are you?" Harry asked curious.

"Me?  I'm seventy-six years old.  It helps being a wizard, you know."

Harry smiled.  "I'll bet it does."

"Well," Newt said when they reached Harry's quarters.  "The first step is to get you a familiar."  Newt sat down in one of the chairs by Harry's desk, and Harry sat down at the desk.  "Your familiar will be your focus to control your magic and will live as long as you do.  Nothing can kill it except your death."  Newt smiled wryly.  "Since you are a vampire, I'd choose wisely.  You'll be with it for a very long time."

Harry nodded.  "What else?"

"Your familiar will share a telepathic bond with you.  This is so that you can call it to you when you need it.  As long as the distance isn't too great, you don't need your familiar present to do magic."

"How far away?"

"A day's walk?  I've never tested it."

"What can I use for a familiar."

"In theory, you could use any animal.  However, most wizards chose one of the following: an owl, a hawk, a cat, a rat, or a toad."

Harry nodded.  "Okay."  Harry thought.  If he were at home, he'd have chosen Hedwig.  Of course that was a rather stupid thought, if he were at home, he wouldn't need to get a familiar to hide his wand.  That left only one choice.  "I'll be right back," he said and stood.

He walked into his bedroom and flipped the covers back on his bed.  There coiled in the center of the bed was the snake he had met two years ago. 

'Go away, I'm sleepy!'

'I need your help.'

The snake lifted its head and looked at him.  'What's wrong?'

'I need a familiar, and I'd like you to be it.'

'What is a familiar?'

Harry didn't notice Newt come to the door.  'A familiar would focus my magic so I could use spells.'

'What happened to your wand?'

'I have to hide it.  I can't let anyone know that I have it.  I need a familiar.  You are my first choice.'

The snake was silent.  'Does it hurt?' it asked softly.

'I don't know.'

The snake coiled tighter and then relaxed.  'Okay.  I'll help you, Harry.'

Harry smiled.  'Thanks.'  He held out his arm and the snake slithered on.

'But I expect something in return,' it said pompously.

'Oh, like what?'

'A dozen freshly caught mice.'

Harry laughed.  'Deal.'  He turned and stopped as he spotted Newt staring at him. 

"You can speak to snakes?"

"Yes."

"That's not a vampire trait is it?  Eric never said anything about that."

"No, it's something I'm just able to do."

"Will it be your familiar?"

"Yes."  Harry paused.  "She wants to know if it will hurt."

"No.  It doesn't.  Or so my familiar tells me."

'He said that it shouldn't hurt,' Harry said softly.

'Good,' the snake replied.  'If it did, I was going to bite you.'

Harry smiled faintly.  'Why doesn't that surprise me?'

"Come," Newt said.  "This won't take long."

Harry sat down again and placed the snake on the desk.  Newt walked over to them and placed a hand on the top of Harry's head.  He placed his other hand on the snake's body; he was a little wary about doing it, but his hesitation was barely noticeable.  He closed his eyes.

Newt spoke no words, but Harry felt himself being pulled.  He started to resist and then calmed himself.  He should have asked if that was part of the bonding.  Wary, he allowed himself to be pulled.  He felt something brush up against him and nearly recoiled before he realized what it was.  It was the snake.  His familiar.  Harry barely noticed the merge, he was so caught up in the amazing feeling of being with someone so completely.  He did, however, feel himself begin to settle.  He opened his eyes, wondering when it was he closed them. 

He found Newt watching him with a weary smile.  "Congratulations.  It was successful."

Harry smiled slightly.  "I know.  I can feel her."  He turned to the snake who was staring at him intently.

'I can feel you,' she said softly.  'I can feel your emotions.  You're happy we bonded.  I am too.'

'I am happy we bonded,' Harry confirmed.

"I'm going to leave you two to get use to your bond.  We won't try any magic for a few more days to let it settle," Newt said.

"Thank you, Newt."

"You're welcome, Harry," the wizard replied and left the room.

'I've chosen my name,' the snake said suddenly.

'What have you decided?' Harry asked curiously.

'Yui.'

'That's a Japanese name… How did you learn Japanese?'

The snake hesitated.  'I think I know it, because you know it.'  Yui raised her head to meet Harry's eyes.  'Just how many languages do you know?'

Harry gave a low whistle.  'A lot: Greek, Latin, Gaelic, Modern English, a little Middle English, Japanese, a lot of Elvish, and Parseltongue.'

'Who taught you?'

'I was given the ability to speak Parseltongue when I was a baby.  I learned Modern English as I grew up.  When I was in school, I had to learn a little Middle English for a literature class.  I learned a little Latin before I went to Hogwarts and finished learning it while I was there.  Quentin, my sire, taught me Greek and Gaelic.  Lorna, my mentor, taught me Japanese.  Skya and Illiona are teaching me Elvish.'

'Planning on learning anymore?'

Harry smiled.  'Probably.'

'Like what?'

'Egyptian, German, Russian, Italian, French, and Chinese.'  Harry grinned.  'I'm going to have to wait awhile on some of them though.  The Egyptian and French I can learn immediately.  The others I want to wait for a few thousand years before I learn them, as well as the modern versions of the languages I already know.'

'You plan on living forever or something?'

Harry smiled.  'Nah, just plan on traveling through time.'

'Just traveling through time,' Yui mocked.  'If I didn't know better I'd say you were nuts.  What am I saying, of course you're nuts, you're a bloody vampire.  All vampires are crazy.'

Harry laughed.

***

A few days later, after his lesson with Newt, Harry sought out Skya.  "Hello, Harry.  Finished with your lesson?"

"Yes, but that's not what I wanted to talk about."

"You want to know what is happening in the coven."

"Yes.  No one will tell me anything."

"They don't want to upset you."

"It's more upsetting to have no idea what is going on.  My imagination is very vivid."

Skya sighed.  "Michael is determined to raise the ranks of the vampires.  He's forced those in the Daylight Years to bond and is pressuring the older ones in the transition to bond early.  He's also ordered everyone to turn anyone with the potential to be a vampire."  Skya paused.  "He's also killing anyone who disagrees with him.  Your friend Lara was one of those killed."

Harry nodded slowly.  "What about Jason and Olivia?"

"He's been baiting them.  He wants them to do something he can use against them.  Since he can't have you, he wants to kill your friends.  Lara was killed because she said that Michael was jealous and afraid of you."

"She should have kept her mouth shut," Harry said bitterly.

"The other vampires are not ready to move against him yet.  They feel that he's just settling into his position and trying to prove he can be just as good as Quentin: one of the best Rector Lamias in recent memory."

"How long until they realize that he really is an asshole?"

Skya blinked.  "I don't know.  I estimate they will give him at least a dozen years if not more; probably twenty or so, to see if he'll begin to lead them properly."

"How many vampires have been born?"

"There has been thirty-six vampire-borns and sixteen turned-vampires added to the coven."

"What is he trying to do?  Rebuild the coven in one night?"

"That wouldn't surprise me," Skya replied dryly.

"What about the werewolves?"

"Their losses were greater than yours.  By the time they manage to gather enough forces to attack the vampires again, there should be enough to counter them.  They put a lot into that battle.  They were hoping that with the element of surprise and such numbers that they would overwhelm the vampires.  Your warning combined with more Daylight Vampires than they had estimated and the level of skill of some of the fighters is what cost them their victory.  Also, your use of magic to prevent the younger ones from surfacing was unexpected.  They had purposely sought out Quentin to kill him.  It took them a long time but they did manage it.  Most of the losses to the vampires occurred during the ten minutes there was no Rector Lamia."

Harry nodded slowly.  "Thank you, Skya."

"You're welcome, Harry."

***

There was something that Harry really enjoyed about using Yui to do his magic.  He really liked that it only needed a thought to bring the magic to life.  Words were not required, unlike using a wand, which required words and a lot more effort to produce magic. 

Familiar magic was inherently good.  It was impossible to cast anything that could even remotely be used to harm.  He could apparate, cast defensive spells and miscellaneous spells like cleaning spells and the like, but he couldn't cast any curses or hexes… so no leg-locker curse through familiar magic.  If he wanted to use his magic like that, he'd have to take out his wand.

Yui said that it tickled when he cast spells.  Harry had been worried that it was bothering her, but she assured him that it wasn't a problem.  It felt good.  Harry had wondered afterwards if it really tickled or of it did something else.  After all, Yui always looked really relaxed after he cast a few spells.

A few weeks after Newt's arrival, Harry got another unique experience.  He slept with an elf.  Said elf was also his first male partner.  Afterwards, Harry realized that he definitely leaned more towards his own sex than he did towards the opposite.  And as much as he enjoyed sleeping with the elf, he preferred vampires.  He'd never been with a human before, so the jury was still out on the final verdict.

***

{20 years later}

"Harry?  Are you all right?"

Harry pressed a hand to his stomach.  He looked up and frowned at Newt.  "I'm hungry, but I just fed yesterday."

Illiona looked at him sharply.  "Could Michael have died?"

Harry stared at her with dawning comprehension.  "But if Michael is dead, why am I not incapacitated like last time?"

"Well, you're what?  Seventy-five years in the transition?" Skya asked.  "Isn't that when your will strengthens?  When you are able to contain your own bloodlust?"

"No," Illiona said shaking her head.  "Ninety is when the will is strong enough to control the bloodlust."

"Well then how do you explain young Harry over here?" Skya asked.

"Well, Harry is an extremely powerful individual," Newt said.  "It's possible that his will has developed early."

"Harry is here," Harry said sourly.

Illiona giggled.  "Sorry, Harry."

They all heard Harry's stomach growl.  "I really am hungry," he said.

They looked at him warily.  "Should we leave?" Newt asked cautiously.

"I don't know."  Harry frowned.  "I know that I'm hungry, but I don't feel the need to go search for prey."

Illiona frowned.  "That sounds exactly like how the loss of the Rector Lamia effects someone who is in control of himself."

"So Harry's will has strengthened enough to control the bloodlust already?" Newt prompted.  "I thought you just said that was impossible."

"Maybe it is," Illiona replied.

"I'm still here," Harry added helpfully.  "And not only am I here but my hearing is intact.  You can speak to me directly."

Skya snickered and Illiona and Newt looked abashed.  "Sorry, Harry."

"We need to confirm the loss of the Rector," Illiona said.  "I'll go."

"Alright," the others agreed.

***

Two days later, Harry found himself approaching the coven.  Michael Donavan was dead.  In his place, Eric McGonagall had become the Rector Lamia.  Harry entered the tunnel and walked down to the common area of the coven.  Once more, his entrance brought silence.  Then the shouts began.

"Harry's back!"

"Harry's come back!"

"He's back!"

"I told you he'd come!"

Harry was beset with overjoyed transition vampires.  They were the ones he had taught, the ones he had played games with.  He was hugged and kissed and hugged again.

"I'm so glad you're back!"

"We're all glad, Harry!"

"We missed you!"

When he finally managed to extract himself from his admirers, he saw Jason and Olivia.  The three ran to each other and embraced.  They were laughing and wrestling, just enjoying being together after such a lengthy separation.

"Ahem."

The three laughing vampires looked up to see Eric McGonagall and Alcoyne Malfoy looking down at them.  They stood up and composed themselves.  Eric extended his hand, and Harry grasped the Rector's forearm.  Eric's grip was equally strong. 

"Glad to have you back, Harry."

The cheering really began to get out of control.  While Harry didn't know every vampire intimately, he did know the majority of them, and had taught a great deal of them.  He was very well liked and respected.  His leaving the coven had been upsetting to the younger vampires, who in turn blamed it on Michael Donavan.  They kept silent about their anger however, which was the only reason why they survived Michael's rule.  The vampires who were about mid-transition and up, were also upset about Harry's absence.  The idea of allowing a vampire still in the transition to leave the coven unprotected was shocking.  They, however, knew exactly why Harry had left.  Michael's vindictiveness towards Harry had surprised them all.  Harry would have been in more danger if he stayed.

Harry settled back into coven life easily.  He continued to teach the younger children and hone his skills.  Once a month, he went to Raveya to have a lesson with Newt.  Yui was a constant source of fascination for the younger vampires.  Harry had to have six talks with her before she quit biting everyone.

***

{25 years later}

"Today is the day."

"I know."

"Nervous?"

"Yes."

"It doesn't hurt."

Harry looked up at Jason.  "So says you, the man who ran off and hid in his room for his transition."

Jason grinned.  "Yep.  That was me."

Harry gave Jason a shaky smile.  The smile slowly faded.  Jason's smile faded too.  The transition was finished.  Harry was changing.

Harry let out a gasp as he felt his muscles clench involuntarily.  He collapsed to the floor.  He let out a low moan as a fire burst in his gut.  He could hear Jason talking to him, but couldn't understand him through the pain.  The darkness was a relief.

***

Harry woke slowly and was instantly aware of how sore his body was. 

"Harry?  Oh thank the Goddess!"

Harry's eyes focused in on Olivia.  "What happened?"

"When your transition ended, you collapsed to the floor, moaning in pain.  No one knows why the final transition hurt you.  They've sent for Illiona and Eric's brother, who's a wizard."

"Newt.  He's my teacher."

"Do you have any idea what happened?" she asked.

"No.  Am I a Daylight Vampire or am I still in transition?"

"You are a Daylight Vampire."

"That's something at least."

"Harry!  You're awake!  Are you all right?"

"Jason.  I'm okay I suppose.  I'm very sore.  I feel like I've been in a fight with a werewolf and lost."

Jason smiled weakly.  "Well, if you can crack jokes, I guess you're better."

"Why doesn't it surprise me to know that you can't even get through a simple transition without causing a scene?"

Harry smiled at Illiona and Newt.  "I don't suppose you know what happened?"

"You mean other than you collapsing to the floor in agony?" Newt asked.  "Nope.  Or not yet anyway.  We need to examine you."

"Jason, Olivia, if you two could leave the room for a moment?" Illiona said gently.  Olivia and Jason left reluctantly.

The elf and the wizard examined Harry's magic thoroughly.  They also examined him, wondering if there were any physical manifestations of Harry's painful transition.  "Well," Newt said sitting down.  "There's no doubt about it.  Your magic is what caused the transition to be painful.  The change was more complex in you than it is in your average vampire.  Since there was more to change, significantly too I might add, there was pain during it.  Your body wanted the change, needed it, but your magic wasn't ready for it."

"Is my magic harmed?"

"Not harmed, but definitely changed," Illiona replied.  "I thought we had seen the peak of your power when you reached your ninetieth year.  Your magic has increased again."

"Great.  What does that mean now?"

"Honestly, we don't know.  We just don't know enough about your magic to even guess at what it is capable of now."

Harry sighed.  "How obvious is it?"

"What do you mean?" Newt asked.

"When I go home, how obvious is it going to be that I've changed?"

"They are going to know something has happened, but unless they know how to examine your magic, and are familiar with how it was before, and knew what to look for, they won't know what happened," Illiona replied.

"I hope you're right," Harry said softly.

'Harry?'

'Yui,' Harry said in relief.  'Are you all right?  Did my transition hurt you?'

'No.  But I was worried about you.  They made me leave earlier.  I didn't want to.  I bit the Rector Lamia.'

Harry's mouth dropped open in shock.  'Yui!'

'I'm sorry!'

Illiona started laughing.  "Judging by your expression, I'm guessing she told you that she bit Eric."

"Yes, and it's not funny," he replied glaring at the laughing Illiona and the ginning Newt.

"Eric said he didn't mind.  He said he knew that she was just worried about you."

"Still, she shouldn't have done that," Harry said and glared at Yui.  Yui coiled tightly and rested her head on the top coil.  Harry's expression softened.  'Yui, come here.'  Yui uncoiled and slithered up to rest on his chest.  She let out a soft hiss, as she got comfortable.

"So what are you going to do now?" Newt prompted.

"Well, I'm going to lay here until I've recovered… and then I'm going to leave the coven.  There are things I want to see, do and learn."

"Are you going to come back?" Illiona asked.

"More than likely."

"Then we will wait for your return," she said.

"I have to leave," Newt said.  "I pose too much of a temptation to the younger vampires."

"Until we meet again, Master."

"Until we meet again, Apprentice."

"I must go too.  Until we meet again, vampire prince."

"Until we meet again, elven princess."

Illiona and Newt smiled at him as they left.  "Get some rest," Illiona called over her shoulder.

"Yes, Mother!" he called after her.  He could hear her laughter as it echoed down the hall.

***

Harry sat on the beach in the warm sun.  He was close enough to the water that it brushed his toes when the tide came in.  Beside him, Yui was coiled catching some rays.  He smiled down at her as she snoozed.

They were currently in what would one day be called Italy.  In a few hundred years, the Roman Empire would stretch all the way to England.  Harry wondered what the Romans would think of the birthplace of magic.  England held the only known vampires, the only known werewolves, and the majority of the world's elves.  Most magical folk were there too.  England also had the larger share of dragons and other magical beasts.

He had spoken with so many people and learned so many things.  He wrote everything down, wanting to remember everything.  He had left all of his journals at the coven under locking spells, save the one he had currently been writing in.  His travels had made his entries longer, and so he was now working on filling his third journal since his journey began.

It had been two years since he left, and he missed his friends, but he wasn't ready to go back yet.  There were still things to do.

***

{1 year later}

Harry was walking past a rice field when a sudden hunger hit him.  He slowed to a stop.  His stomach growled loudly.

'Harry?'

'Eric McGonagall is dead.'

'Are you alright?'

'Yes, but we should return to the coven.'

'Do you want to travel back or apparate?'

'Apparate.  We'll take it in stages so we don't burn out.'

'Okay.'

Harry disapparated and apparated to an out of the way area in India.  They rested for a few minutes before they began the next jump.  'It's been ten minutes.  The hunger should have stopped by now.  Why hasn't anyone assumed control?'

'Could it be a battle?'

'With who?  The werewolves are still recovering, the elves are our friends, the wizards can't do harm, and the humans don't know where we are.'

'An uprising?'

'There weren't any problems when we left.  Everyone was happy with Eric.'

The two fell silent.  'We can go again,' Yui prompted.

'I know.'  Harry was quiet a moment.  'Let's go.' 

Their next location was an area outside of Rome.  'The hunger is fading,' Harry said quietly.  'But it's not going away.  If someone has taken control, they have no idea how to control the bloodlust.  They aren't strong enough.'

Their next location was about a hundred miles north of Thebes; then it was twenty miles west of Sparta; then six miles south of Paris.  The last jump was the one home.

***

It was night at the coven, and in that respect they were very lucky.  The vampires were out of control.  What little influence being exerted on the bloodlust wasn't enough to help the youngest among them.  The older vampires were trying to keep the young ones inside the coven, but some were slipping out.  Harry grabbed a small four-year old as he ran pass.  He held the wiggling child in a firm grip and made his way towards one of the more aware adults.

"What's going on?" he shouted.

"Harry!"

"Ormond?"

"Everything's gone crazy!"

"What happened?"

"Alcoyne killed Eric!"

"What?  Why?  They were bonded!  They have a child!  What the hell happened?"

"She caught him with another woman and slaughtered the two of them where they lay!"

"My God," Harry breathed.

"She's the new Rector Lamia, but her grief is affecting her control!  She can't contain the bloodlust!  And dawn is in less than an hour!"

"Where is she?"

"She's down in the caves, by the bodies!"

"Take him!" Harry yelled and passed the squirming child to Ormond.

Harry ran down into the caves and began searching for Alcoyne.  It took him a few minutes, but he finally found her by following the sounds of crying.  She sat by the two bodies with her head in her hands.

"Alcoyne?"

She looked up.  "Harry.  You're back."

"Alcoyne, you have to get the bloodlust under control.  Dawn is coming and every vampire is above ground."

"I can't," she whispered.  "I'm not strong enough."

"Yes, you are.  Focus Alcoyne.  I know you can do this."

"I can't!  I didn't want this!  I don't know why I did the ritual!  Just leave me alone!"

"Alcoyne, if you don't control the bloodlust, then everyone still young enough is going to die!"

"I can't do it," she whispered.  "I just can't."

Harry sank to the ground beside her.  "Please, Alcoyne.  I don't want to lose anymore friends."

"Take it from me, Harry."

"What?"

"Be the Rector Lamia.  Let me die, save those above ground.  Please, become the Rector!"

"Alcoyne, I don't want to be the leader," he said shocked.

"Then they're all going to die."

Harry stared at her.  "I'll do it," he sighed softly.  "I'll do it."

Alcoyne took his hands in hers.  "I'm sorry, Harry."

"Not as sorry as I."

She bit down on his palm, and he hissed at the sharp pain.  Alcoyne had never believed in being gentle.  Harry bit her palm as she bit his other palm.  Once he bit her second palm, they meshed their hands together, their blood mingling and dripping to the floor.  Alcoyne leaned forward and bit his neck, tilting her head to the side, leaving her neck exposed to him.  Harry bit her neck, and the blood began to flow between them.  After a few moments, Alcoyne let go of his neck and tightened her grip on his hands.  Harry continued to feed. 

Her grip slackened and she went limp in his arms.  Still he fed.  When she was completely drained, Harry carefully laid her body on the ground.  He looked at his bloody palms and licked them, allowing his saliva to heal the wounds.  Alcoyne's blood burned in his gut.  His skin felt on fire, and he cried out.  He fought to sooth the ache, and slowly the burn began to fade.  He became aware of changes to himself.  He could sense every vampire.  Had the others been able to do that?  He tightened his grip on the burn and it faded completely.  He stood and stumbled from the room.  Had he been able to save the children?

He could hear the pounding of feet as he ran towards the common area.  Coming down the tunnel were the other vampires.  Harry breathed a sigh of relief.  Some were injured and limping along, others were being carried by the older vampires, but they were all coming down into the cave.  Their bloodlust was under control.

"Harry!" he heard a familiar voice shout. 

"Jason!"

"What happened?"  Jason ran towards him, but he paused a few feet away.  "By the Goddess.  You're the Rector Lamia."

***

TBC…

….soooo…. *evil laugh*…..cliffhanger! 

okay, so we now have Harry into his Daylight Years, just as I promised.  However, Harry now has a very serious problem.  How can he go home, if he's the Rector Lamia?  Ahhhh!  What's he going to do?

Next chapter, we'll see the reactions of the other vampires to the new Rector and find out that Harry's ascension has caused some changes in all the vampires and their abilities.  We also find out some of the responsibilities of the Rector Lamia.  It's not all about the bloodlust, ya know!

About the ritual: drinking the blood of the Rector Lamia is how the responsibilities are passed on.  Since Alcoyne was still alive, their ritual was a little more complicated than the way Michael Donavan took over from Quentin Smith, or Eric from Michael, or Alcoyne from Eric.  I'll use Michael and Quentin for the example: Michael just drained the remaining blood from Quentin's dead body.  It was just that simple.  There wasn't any biting of the palms or sharing the blood like there was in Harry's and Alcoyne's.  The ritual that Harry and Alcoyne did shows the new Rector's respect for the old one.

I'm not sure where this event is going to fall so it might be in the next chapter or it might be in chapter four, but anyway, we're going to meet a new race of people eventually.  Chocolate Frogs to anyone who guesses correctly.

As always, please feel free to ask me questions.  If you're having trouble understanding something, then please let me know.  Unfortunately, questions are more likely to be answered if you ask them at my group than if you ask me in an e-mail.  I have the very bad habit of forgetting to respond back to e-mails.  If you are one of those people who sent me an e-mail and didn't get a response back, I'm sooooo sorry.  If you did get a response back… you lucky dogs!

Just in case you haven't figured it out yet, this is the address of my group:

http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/HuntressSmiles

Thanks to everyone who has reviewed or sent me an e-mail.  All encouragement is appreciated. 

~Artemis Luna Diana~