In cold blood

Written by Becca

Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognise and everything you don't.

Summary: From the word go, Harry's summer goes downhill and he sinks into a deep despair. With no hope and the resurrection of Lord Voldemort, Harry does what any normal teenager would do in those circumstances; he tries to take his life. When he awakes he finds himself in a family who seem to welcome him openly. He has changed, he is no longer human and yet he still has to defeat the darkest lord of the century...will he stand alone or will he find, in this family, what he had always desired? Love and affection.

Author Notes: As you may have already figured out, I update once a day because I already have chapters written up. The story isn't anywhere near finished yet and so the updates will probably slow down when I get through the ones I have. I was wondering whether anyone wanted me to post up some brief character bios for 'the family' or something? If you'd like me too, then just say so and I will on the next chapter... I've edited myself and so I wont be surprised if you find some mistakes...sorry bout those.

I know everything seems to be happening a bit fast but I've had this written on my computer for months and have only just now split it up into chapters, believe me when I say they look better together lol. I hope you like this chapter and thank you for the reviews you have given me, they are much appreciated – Becca.

Chapter Four

As the days went on, the time when Harry was to visit this Chantelle Forest drew nearer and Harry's heart sank with each passing moment. Was this how all kids felt when they had to return to school and leave their families? Was this something else he had missed out on over the years? Though still, he wished he could have longer.

He spent the rest of the week either in the gym, in the swimming pool or in the library. He rarely slept but spent every moment he could with his new friends. Finally though, the day came and Harry was in his room wondering what to pack. How could he take his books and his clothes if he was to have run away from the Dursleys?

"Just say you don't know how you got them?" Celeste said from the door and Harry looked up and smiled. She walked further into his room and shut the door before sitting on his bed "We're not sending you away Harry, this is something that must be done for the moment but soon enough, you can tell the world that you have family. We'll be there at school with you and the holidays you will spend with us whether anyone else likes it or not" she said, Harry grinned and nodded before throwing a lot of clothes into his trunk followed by his books and school supplies.

"Now, on Hogsmeade weekends you'll find your car waiting for you just around the corner from the village so don't worry, you wont miss that too much. And as for the next summer holiday, well, our little secret should be out by then and even if its not, you'll still be coming home with us. Come, have you got everything? Broom? Ok, lets go. You can drive," she said standing up. Harry nodded and with a wave of his hand, all of his things were shrunk and he followed his mother out front.

Celeste rode with him in his car whilst Raven and Ané were in another and Marius and Armand were in a third. With that settled, they set off on the hour-long drive to Hogsmeade. For once, Harry drove at a slow pace, following his father and his creator he looked around and smiled, the sun was setting just over the fields and the sky was a beautiful colour of purple.

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Harry jumped out of his car when they reached the home of Chantelle Forest and then handed over his keys grudgingly to Celeste. His mother laughed at him and then wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace and kissing the top of his head "I'm going to miss you soo much my little Rúmil. You be good ok? Take care of yourself and don't let anyone get you down. In two days we'll be right here with you" she said and Harry smiled. He had family

He still couldn't get used to that.

Armand pulled him into a hug next, followed by his two brothers and then his sister. He watched on the doorstep as they all waved again from the cars and drove back to their home before he sighed and knocked on the door before him. He hoped his mother had sorted this out with the woman; he didn't want to have to explain.

The woman who answered the door was about fifty-six years old and she had blonde hair that was graying and gentle blue eyes. She just started at him openly for a minute and Harry shifted uncomfortably "Mother says you are expecting me ma'am" he said bowing slightly. The woman's eyes lit up with understanding and she quickly ushered him in whilst looking around the street to make sure he wasn't seen.

"Harry Potter?" she asked, sounding amazed "My, you have changed greatly, you look nothing like your picture. My you are a handsome young man though" she said again and laughed when Harry blushed "Hmm...do you still look human though? Open your mouth dear, that's it. Ahh that's good, your fangs have retracted, you look a little on the pale side but that can be explained."

Harry stood there whilst this woman walked around prodding him and gazing into his mouth, he was definitely more than a little uncomfortable but then she pulled back and smiled gently at him "That's it dear, now get changed into some pajama's and jump into bed whilst I give old man Dumbledore a fire call. Remember, you don't know what's happened since you awoke" she said sternly, shooing him upstairs.

He stared after her for a long time before quickly changing into his black silk pajama's and then he slipped under the sheets just in time to hear voices coming up the stairs "As I say, I found him just outside London, dead to the world he was, lying face down in some mud. I'm sorry I didn't call straight away but the poor lad was hardly breathing. I had my work cut out for me I did, brought him straight here and healed him right up. Yes that was yesterday and he's only just woken up now, I called you immediately" Chantelle said and Harry fought back a snicker, the woman could talk for England...or well, Scotland

The door was opened and Albus Dumbledore hurried in with Severus Snape, Minerva McGonagall, Remus Lupin and surprisingly Sirius black behind him. Seeing his gaze, Albus smiled gently and sat down "He's been freed Harry, he's safe now. I'll explain later" he said and then took Harry's hand into his own and frowned at him "How are you feeling Harry?"

"Fine professor. Mrs Forest did an excellent job sir," he said honestly. Well, he was fine and she certainly did an excellent job and checking him over for anything that would give their story away. He looked up to see Snape staring at him and then he froze, of course, the man was a vampire and would know he was...shit.

"Can you tell me what happened Harry? Tell me everything you know" Dumbledore said distracting him, Harry looked at him again and frowned as if deep in thought. He was so used to being called Olwë or Rúmil that it didn't quite feel right to be Harry Potter once more.

"I- I don't remember much sir. I remember I had sneaked outside and was sat on the Dursleys lawn and then my uncle came out and he – err, that is, I mean to say...he shouted at me for being out when I shouldn't be then he went back inside and I- I don't remember anything else apart from waking up here" he said, still frowning and Dumbledore studied him carefully before nodding

"Would you stand and take off your shirt Harry?" he asked and Harry froze, what little colour he had drained from his face

"Why?" he whispered "What for? I mean, there's no need. I'm fine, see. Mrs. Forest fixed me up good" he said and Dumbledore sighed

"We know Harry, we know what your...what those muggles were doing to you. Please" he said quietly. Harry bit his lip and his jaw trembled as he slowly climbed to his feet, he kept his head lowered as he took his shirt off and then closed his eyes. Even his family had not seen his scars since they were healed. Hell he hadn't even looked at them himself.

As he was taking his shirt off, he ran his hand over the scars on his wrist and silently made them invisible to any other eye and did the same to his tattoo's. His pyjama shirt fell to the floor and he tensed immediately. Why did Dumbledore make him do this in front of so many when his family hadn't even asked? He openly flinched when he felt a hand on the scars he knew were there but he still wouldn't open his eyes

"Harry, look at me" Dumbledore said after a while and in spite of himself, Harry opened his eyes to find the headmaster crouching down in front of him, his hands caressing a rather nasty scar on his chest whilst the other hand stroked the one on his cheek. The old man smiled gently at him and then turned him to the side where he was facing a mirror "Tell me what you see" he said softly.

Harry stared at his reflection for a minute and when he tried to look away, the headmaster shook his head and pointed back. What did he see? Well, a hell of a lot of scars, a mess, horrible, disgusting mess. The scars were all still red and angry looking and they made him look like the most vial creature alive. One had to wonder if Ané had seen him when he was healed to have given him that name. He certainly didn't suit it

"A boy" he answered, there, not that was what you called avoiding the question.

"Harry, come on, tell me what do you see. What comes to mind when you look at the boy there?" Dumbledore asked again and Harry closed his eyes again before turning his head to the side. What on earth was he suppost to say?

"Pale?" he tried and then winced under the piercing eyes of the headmaster and sighed

"Scars, lots of scars" he said quietly after a while and Dumbledore nodded

"And how old are some of those scars?" he asked, Harry didn't know whether to strangle him or just run, he felt like doing both.

"Some since I was four years old" he replied and then bit his lip

"What else do you see?" Dumbledore asked and Harry's jaw trembled again and he tried to look away and tried to move back towards the bed but Dumbledore wouldn't let him

"Don't. Please, I don't want to do this" he begged and cringed at himself for sounding so weak. His parents would be disappointed if they could see him now. But he didn't care, he couldn't do this now, he hadn't even looked at the things before himself, he wasn't ready and here he was suppost to tell an audience what he thought of himself

"Its ok Harry, please just do this for me. It will help in the long run. Tell me, what else do you see? What else comes to mind when you look at the boy? What do you feel?" Dumbledore asked and Harry closed his eyes, turning his head to the side, a single tear escaping as he did so. Nobody said anything, it seemed as if they were all holding their breath, Harry could still feel the curious gaze of Snape on his back but ignored it

"Horrible, ugly. Vile." He whispered, still not looking and still no one spoke "Punishment, nothing I didn't deserve. I – please. I don't, I cant...please" he choked, stroking a thumb over his wrist unconsciously, Snape of course noticed this and watched him intently but Dumbledore didn't relent

"Not long now Harry, come on." He whispered, manipulating the boy into his arms whilst making sure he was facing the mirror again "That's it. Come on my son," Dumbledore said again and Harry swallowed hard "What else do you see?"

"Weakness, a failure, a child, just a fifteen-year-old child. I- please, I just want to go home" he cried, trying to fight back the tears but could do nothing as they fell. He struggled against the old man's grip furiously, trying to get back, trying to stop the touches and the words, to ignore what he had just said and to deny everything

"Where is home Harry?" he asked and Harry blinked. He opened his mouth but then shut it again, where was home? He had thought he had a home but now he was here, forced to say these things, to look into the mirror. He had thought he had family but it appeared they had abandoned him even when they promised he wouldn't. No family would let anyone do this to their son...no family who cares. He stopped struggling and just froze

"I- I don't have one" he whispered, as if just realizing this now. He didn't have a home, not anymore. He was not allowed to go back to the Dursleys; he doubted if he would ever be able to return to the mansion after they had left him like this...Hogwarts was merely his school, nobody loved him there...he was truly homeless. "I don't have one," he said again

"Yes you do Harry" Dumbledore said firmly "You have a home in Hogwarts and you always will. You have been made a ward of the castle; you never have to leave again if you do not wish. You have a home my son, do you hear me?" he asked, holding onto Harry's shoulders, Harry stared at him wide-eyed and opened his mouth but then closed it and nodded.

"I- I don't remember, I- where was I? What happened?" he asked, turning to the others in the room again, he noticed Sirius cringe and then he looked down at saw the scars again. He bit his lip before quickly throwing his shirt back on and buttoning it up, unable to meet his godfather's eyes.

"Harry, I- I'm sorry, its just...I didn't mean it like that" Sirius said stepping forward but Harry stepped away with his eyes firmly fixed on the floor. Merlin, even Sirius couldn't bare to look at him. He sat down on the bed and flinched visibly as Dumbledore sat next to him and placed a hand on his knee

"Do you want to know what I see when I look at you?" he asked gently and Harry shook his head furiously, Merlin he didn't need to hear it in words "I see a courageous boy, a boy who is on the throws of becoming a man much sooner than should be allowed. I see someone who is beautiful in both heart and soul, someone who is handsome with scars that only make him more so." He said gently and chuckled when Harry looked at him incredulously

"One day soon Harry, you will see it too, you will see past what you think and you will see who Harry Potter really is, you will see a strikingly beautiful boy, intelligent and brave. Loyal to friends and willing to see past the faults of others to see them for what they really are. What your uncle did is unforgivable and what I did in placing you there is just as inexcusable but those scars do not make you vile Harry, nor do they make you weak or a failure. One day you will see what I see" he said and then smiled before standing up

"Come, let us get you home Harry. We shall talk more after you have had some rest" he said. Harry sighed and nodded, he pulled his trunk out of his pocket and bit his lip

"Can you please enlarge that for me? I found it in my pocket and I want to see what's in it" he asked quietly, not wanting to show off his wandless magic yet. Dumbledore smiled at him and nodded before pulling out his wand and the trunk was once again its original size. Harry opened it and forced himself to look surprised at the clothes when in all truths, he wanted to grin. This reminded him that he did have a family and they did love him and he did have a home, he looked back up to see that none of the others had left and he bit his lip "I - I need to get dressed..." he said quietly

Dumbledore nodded and quickly shooed everyone out of the room before shutting the door. Harry stood up and when he heard the door close, he took off his shirt and fished for another to wear. He froze on the spot when he felt a cool hand on his back though and he didn't dare look back. "Do you not think there are a few things you missed out? Important things that Dumbledore needs to know?" said a soft voice in his ear, almost whispered and Harry tensed even more.

"No sir, I told him all I knew" he said, trying to ignore the breath he could feel on his neck and then arms wrapped around him from behind and a palm was pressed over his heart

"What about the fact that that no longer beats? Shouldn't he know that? Or perhaps how you need blood to survive hmm?" that voice asked again and those lips were ghosting over his neck now and down his collarbone

"I-I don't know what you're talking about sir" he whispered and heard a chuckle in his ear, the hand over his heart moved down to his stomach and stroked across the muscles there before moving even lower

"Keep your secret for now Rúmil, as I am not positive yet in what I say. A great change has come over you and so it is difficult to tell" Severus Snape whispered, his hands now slowly riding up Harry's inner thighs "You should listen to the old man you know, you are beautiful beyond words, simply stunning. You will come to me, a week from now, in my classroom and you will help me with a few potions whilst answering my questions." he said his thumbs still stroking Harry's thighs but thankfully (or not) they were not climbing higher

"Until then I will keep the human off your back and I will mask your scent from the werewolf. Do you understand?" Severus whispered and all Harry could do was nod dumbly. He heard another chuckle and then soft lips were pressed against his neck "You need not worry, I have no intentions of blackmail or harming you. I am merely curious as to why you of all people would lie to Albus Dumbledore. Do not forget, a week from now at 9 in the morning. Do not make plans for the rest of the day" he said and then pulled back altogether.

Harry shivered unconsciously and finally turned to look at the man in disbelief unaware until it was too late just how closer they were. Snape actually smiled at him and patted the bulge in Harry's trousers (which he totally did not notice) and then left the room. Harry looked down at himself and cringed, how was he supposed to go downstairs like that?

And what the fuck had just happened?

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"There's something wrong with Olwë" Marius said as he entered the kitchen that evening. He settled down at the table with a frown on his face but he needn't say anymore as Celeste had jumped from her seat and ran to the fireplace to call Chantelle, minutes later the two women entered the kitchen.

As Celeste placed an extra plate on the table for her friend, Chantelle spoke about how much Harry had changed and then finally came to what they were waiting for "Dumbledore made the boy take off his shirt and stand in front of a mirror" she said and the vampires winced. All of them had noticed how Harry refused to look at himself but had decided not to say anything as of yet, the old man really had no subtly at all

"All the confidence seemed to drain from the boy then and he was left trembling. He begged not to have to do it but Dumbledore made him and so Harry had to list off what he thought about himself and what he saw. Harry pleaded with the man to stop and said he wanted to come home but then the old man asked where his home was. Harry really thought about it and then he said he doesn't have a home, but he said it as if he was only just realizing it, he truly believed it. I think he thinks you've abandoned him. Really, wouldn't it be better if you just told the old man and asked him to keep it secret?" Chantelle said and hardly came up for breath whilst she was at it

"Then Harry had to get dressed and everyone left the room except Severus Snape. When Harry came out later he was jumpy and looked both confused and scared as hell" she finished and Celeste frowned before looking around at her family and sighing

"It is too risky to send an owl. Just one more full day and we will be with him, never to leave him alone through his tough times again. Just one more day" she said though it sounded like she was trying to convince herself more. Already the family felt as though they had failed their newest son for not being there to share his fears.