Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter either. It belongs to its creator J.K. Rowling and probably Warner Bros. too. I'm not too sure about that. This piece of literature is simply the work of a humble fan. I also credit Laurell K. Hamilton for various themes, subjects, or references that I may use. It won't be a crossover but certain elements from the series will be used.

:Author Notes:

This will be leaning more toward alternate reality. It will have the same characters just a different spin on things. If you're not a fan or strong cursing or maybe even violence and bloodshed then there is a good chance that this story isn't for you.

"We spend our whole life trying to figure out the truth and the only way we'll find out what it is, is to get hit by a bus." John Ryman, When Galaxies Collide

Potter

Chapter Eleven: The Truth Unfolds like Flowers

By: Water Mage

The march back up to the castle was silent. The boys' were each lost in their own thoughts. Harry pretended to ignore the side-glances they kept shooting him. They too did the same when he shot them hesitant stares. For one of the safest places on Earth to be, Hogwarts was damn easy to sneak in and out of. It was simply laughable at how easily they crept down the halls to the Ravenclaw dorms. They entered their dormitory, pausing in their steps waiting for the telltale signs of snoring. They had to be sure that the others were asleep. When they heard the sounds, they continued to their beds. As they stripped down and changed into their pajamas they still continued sneaking looks at each other. When Harry kneeled before his trunk and began to pack up his guns and daggers they openly stared this time. They stilled all movement, watching as he pulled weapon after weapon from locations that they never would have thought of.

Harry looked up though his dirty, disarrayed hair. "Listen, I'm tired. I'm going to take a shower and then I'm going to bed. Explanations can wait until the morning," he whispered quietly.

"I can't wait to hear what you have say," replied Terry sarcastically, his voice coming out weird because of his split lip. It was puffy and swollen near the corner. He was still leaning on to his right, favoring his left leg. Harry's eyes flicked down to Terry's bare ankle. It was swollen but not as bad as his lip.

Kevin just sighed and sunk under the comforter of his bed. His lilac eyes stared into Harry's green eyes for a brief moment before they flickered away to stare at the ceiling. Even from here, Harry could see the long cut that covered his face, going from his eyebrow to chin. Matter of fact they all had some of injury or wound that would need healing. Harry sighed. That would have to wait until tomorrow, too, after the much-needed explanation. Heaven knows what excuse they would give Madam Pomfrey.

An hour later, Harry returned to the room, freshly showered and ready for bed. It took almost thirty minutes and three applications of shampoo and conditioner, before all the dirt and crap was gone from his hair. Harry padded into the dorm room dressed in a pair of blue sweat shorts and a black tank top. The top layer of skin on his left cheek and chin was gone. Tomorrow he would have a lovely scab that would hurt like a bitch until he got it healed. His back was scrapped up badly also from the impact against the tree, and the fall onto the ground. Every time he moved his back would protest in pain. Even the lightest of footsteps felt like burning pain.

When he crawled into bed, careful to lye on his stomach, he immediately fell fast asleep as soon as his head hit the downy, soft pillow.

Sunlight drifted in through the curtained windows, throwing golden rays of sunshine onto the stone floor of the First Year Ravenclaw dormitory. Three of the beds were empty with their comforters thrown asunder, and their occupants no longer in the room. Harry awoke as the sunlight splashed onto his face, making him see spots behind his closed eyelids. With a yawn, he cracked open his eyes sitting up with a low hiss of pain. His back still felt like shit. He touched a hand to his cheek and winced at the sensitive skin, that was forming a rough scab.

He looked around and spotted Kevin and Terry in various stages of activity. Terry was putting on clothes and Kevin was just getting out of bed, moving a tad bit faster than Harry was. The other boys must have let them sleep in, since it was after all a Sunday. Yawning, Harry swung his legs around so that he was sitting on the bed edge. The atmosphere in the room was tense. He could practically cut a knife through the tension that filled the circular room. Taking a deep breath, Harry decided it was best that they get this over with instead of dragging it out with silly silence.

"I'm guessing this is where we talk," said Harry quietly, but they heard him despite the volume.

Terry rounded on him, blue eyes flashing with so many emotions. "What the fuck was that last night, Harry? Can you explain to me, where in the Powers name did you get guns! What…" he stopped shaking his head with a lost look.

Harry looked at Terry. For the first time he noticed that his hair was out of its customary spikes. The gel free tresses lay across his brow in soft, black waves. Harry noticed that in his left hand was clenched his cross that he usually wore around his neck. The long, metallic chain dangled down from his hand like a hanging chord.

"I don't know where to start," began Harry truthfully, wondering where was he supposed to start. He had no idea what he was going to tell them. The truth or a half-truth. Which one did he want to give? Which lie would they believe without fuss? Or would the truth be easier for all of them? Decisions, decisions.

Kevin snorted. "How about the guns?"

He stared at Harry with his lilac eyes. Harry almost shivered at the look directed at him. It was guarded and cold at the same time. Almost like he was dissecting Harry and ready to pounce if he heard the wrong information. Harry's eyes flickered to Terry, seeing that his face, too, was guarded, revealing nothing. Harry snarled mentally. If this was how they wanted to play it, he thought. Then he could do mind games also. They didn't know he was better at it though.

He was the fucking prince of mind fuck.

Harry's face was a stone mask of stoicism as he stared at the two. "The guns are from my father."

"Why would your Dad give you guns?" questioned Kevin slowly, as if he was having trouble even asking.

"He wanted me to be safe," replied Harry shortly, not giving more information. They didn't ask so he wasn't going to tell. If they wanted to interrogate him like some fucking criminal then he would act like one. Screw them.

Terry narrowed his eyes. "We really don't know much about your father. Who is he and who are you really?"

Kevin stared at Harry his eyes still hard and cold. "Don't lie to us either." It wasn't spoken harshly, but the matter of fact tone, set Harry on edge. He didn't like to be cornered. Soon, he would act like a lion in the same situation and attack back. "I can tell if you're lying. Trust me. The truth would be in your best interest."

"My father is Killian Eric McKnight, CEO of the law firm McKnight and Steel…" He drifted off, giving Kevin a condescending smile.

Kevin glared at him and Harry raised an eyebrow. Maybe he could read lies, Harry thought. Oh yeah, when he was done, Kevin would get interrogated just as he was. Staring as best he could into both Kevin and Terry's eyes, he continued. They wanted the truth, and he would tell them the truth. If they couldn't handle it then… well, measures would be taken to ensure they're silence.

"Also, my father's the Master of London and leader of the Empire," he didn't stop there, but continued on. Terry did ask who he was, too. "I am Harold James Duncan Potter-McKnight, son of Death, first born of the Chosen Descendents… Little Lord of London… Emerald eyes of Heaven… the Boy Who Lived… Heir to the Empire."

"Wha…" began Terry opening his mouth, then closing it twice.

"Any questions?" Harry smirked at the confused and taken back expressions. He had spoken each title slowly and clearly adding power behind each word. Even if they didn't know what any of it meant, they could tell it was important.

Kevin tried to talk but it took him three times before he could. "What does that mean? What's the Empire? Is this some type of trick? What the hell is going on?"

"The Empire is the worlds largest most powerful crime organization. It's made of many different factions that are all brought together to serve one higher person. That person is my father," said Harry. He could have gone into detail about the Empire, but the less they knew the better.

Frowning, Terry sat down with a heavy plop on the edge of his bed. "So your dad is some type of crime boss?" he asked staring straight at Harry with disbelieving eyes.

"Basically, in a nutshell," said Harry nodding. "When I get older the throne goes to me."

Kevin bit his lip thinking. "It does all make sense now. How paranoid you are, all the time. The sword almost cutting my head off, when I tried to wake you on our first day. That look of death you gave Snape our first day in Potions, and that temper, too. You practically scream, son of a badass don't fuck with me. By Cassiel's Star, it all fits!" He gave Harry a disappointed look. "Why didn't you tell us, mate?"

Harry shrugged. "It's a secret," he replied, then stopped, pausing. He looked at Terry and said, "I guess for the same reason that Terry didn't tell us about his physic powers." Terry looked down ashamed. Harry then turned to Kevin again, not letting the topic drop. "And for the same reason you didn't tell us you weren't human."

Kevin's jaw completely dropped and he paled noticeably. "How did you know?" he asked shakily, lilac eyes as wide as saucers.

Terry snapped his head back and forth between them. "Harry, what are you talking about? Kevin is human."

Harry shook his head not breaking eye contact with Kevin. Since last night after he had seen Kevin throw the zombie like a pillow, his eyes had been opened. Right now, his senses were caressing Kevin, seeing through to the real image that others couldn't see. Just like with Dumbledore, Harry could see a secondary image overlapping Kevin's usual appearance. The new image was otherworldly. It was Kevin despite the vast differences. His skin seemed to take on a shine to it, making him look like a glowing, ethereal being. His eyes normally lilac, were now startling so, they glowed on his face, resembling liquid fire. His hair seemed shinier, too, for it fell around his head like a golden halo that made Harry want to just reach out and touch it, that's how beautiful it looked.

"How?" Kevin repeated in quiet voice.

Harry took note of the pointed, canine teeth he could now see. They were so sharp and pointed that they would be called fangs. "I can see things. Seeing through your glamour or whatever the hell is disguising your real self, is one of those things. Although, I didn't see through it until tonight."

"Wait, first, huh," said Terry confused and frustrated. "Second, Harry, you can See the Unseen? Why didn't you ever tell us you have Blessed Sight?"

Harry blinked, raising both eyebrows in surprise. "There is a name for what I can do?" he asked surprised. "It just recently started appearing when I got to Hogwarts. I didn't even know what it was called until just now."

Terry nodded. "Blessed Sight is pretty uncommon. Usually, only clerics and those who worship certain deities are gifted with the Sight. People with the Sight can see things others cannot, like glamours, spirits, and invisible people… I'll tell my mother to send you information about it over Yule."

Kevin tried to smile but failed miserably. "So you know what I am now, eh?"

Harry nodded. "Vampire. You're a vampire."

"Holy Saints!" yelled Terry shooting up from his bed. His arm shot out holding his cross at bay, glaring darkly at Kevin, who was staring at him sadly. "Harry, why didn't you say anything! We've actually been rooming with one of the creatures of Hell!" He glared at Kevin, his cross-held steady. "By the power of Christ go back into the Pit, demon!"

"Terry!" shouted Harry, darting between the two boys. He stared at him hard. "Stop it, Terry. Let's hear him out! Put the cross down. How can you be waving that cross around anyway like your some devout Catholic? You said yourself just yesterday that you believe in deities called the Powers that Be, and magical priests that pray at the center of the world. Your faith cant be that rigid if you're not entirely all One God believing."

Terry shook his head stubbornly. "Yahweh is not the only god in the universe, though he certainly aids in the fight against evil," he replied not taking his eyes off of Kevin, who sitting with his knees drawn to his chest, staring forlornly at the ground.

He looked like any other sad child like that, with his pajamas on and face washed in sadness. Harry raised an eyebrow at the explanation Terry was giving him. He had a feeling that this was not common theology taught at Church.

"Yahweh is one of the Elder Gods of the universe. Others such as Zeus or even Chaos are but High Gods. Yahweh is of Ascendancy even above the beings called the Powers that Be. He was here before the universe. The blood sacrifice of his only living son created an invaluable tool for the warriors who fight for the light." Terry recited all of this in a tone of voice that belied the impression he had explained this many times before, because he said all of this without taking his cross or eyes away from Kevin.

Harry sighed. "Terry, I really don't give a flying fuck right now. Just put the cross down and we can talk this over. You waving your cross around is going to get us nowhere. Be sensible and stop this bullshit, now."

Terry's eyes left Kevin and the blue orbs bored into Harry's own green eyes. They stared for a half a minute till finally Terry lowered his arm holding the cross. He nodded curtly. Spinning on his heel, he did an about face. Plopping down on his bed, he turned his gaze to Kevin giving him his full attention. His arms were crossed as he stared the blond down. Harry sighed looking back and forth between them. This is going to be a long day, he thought, returning to his bed. Kevin in only his pajamas, of black cotton looked up from the floor. His expression was still saddened as he gazed at them. Finally, he began to talk, after surveying them for a moment or two of silence.

"I am a vampire. Harry is right," he began in a quiet voice. "Let me try to explain some things to you. You see there are three types of vampire species. They're known as vampires of demon, soul, and bite. Each species has different traits, powers, and qualities. The vampires of demon have no soul and are possessed by demonic beings. They have no inhibitions, conscious, or morals. The vampires of bite have no soul, but are not possessed by demonic entities," he paused to take a breather. He looked at both of them and saw that both boys were in fact riveted to his tale. "They are just empty inside, but they do feel emotions. These vampires are stronger than the demon vampires. The last are vampires are soul. They are the most powerful of the vampire species. They have a soul and are human in terms of emotions and thought, but they're powers are stronger than any of the vampire species. They can do many things the other two cannot do."

"Which one are you?" asked Harry, completely entranced by the story.

Kevin sighed. "I'm a vampire of soul… but I'm different. As soul vampires age, we grow stronger, and it wasn't till the last hundred years that my particular species gained enough strength to walk in the sun. We have become what the other two vampires like to call Daywalkers. Where they burn in the sun, we walk. Crosses, garlic, prayer, none of that works on my species that is why we are the most powerful of the vampire nation."

"So when you threw the zombie off me last night that was vampire strength, right?" asked Harry. At Kevin's nod he continued. "What other powers do you have?"

Kevin held up his hand to count. "Well my species can levitate or fly, are telepathic, super strong, super fast, and as we age we get stronger."

"How old are you?" questioned Terry in a civil tone. It wasn't friendly but it was a start from the cold tone of earlier. "Are you really like one hundred? You guys are immortal."

Kevin shook his head a small smile tugging at his lips. "I wasn't lying when I said I was pureblood. Both of my parents are vampires, however not wizards, and I was born a vampire. They too were born vampires; our whole family dating back centuries, are vampires. That means until I reach the age of twenty-one I will age normally then completely stop aging. So I really am eleven years old."

Terry stood up, looking at both of them, he shook his head. "Listen, I'm going to need some time. This… this all is too much right now." He walked briskly to the door, opening it halfway he stopped then turned back to them. His eyes were sad as he stared at them. "Sorry, guys. I…" He swallowed, cutting off what he was about to say, turning back he walked out of the dorm leaving them sitting there.

Harry looked at Kevin, who was still pale and looking like a victim of a traumatic incident, then at the door that Terry just left from. Harry did nothing but let out a deep sigh, as he watched Thor sleep contentedly at the foot of the bed, unaware of the shocking events that had just taken place.

Well, Harry thought. That went better than I thought it would.

The dungeons were cold, colder than usual. That was expected though, since the school dungeons were always cooler than the rest of the school, and with it being winter it was especially cold. Harry rubbed his hands together, the friction warming his chilled fingers only slightly. Steam filled the large room coming from the dozens of simmering cauldrons boiling on the long worktables. The Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students barely talked throughout their potion brewing. After all they were in Professor Snape's class, and doing something like talking was something he would take joy in deducting points for. Kevin and Harry stood over their steaming cauldron, carefully watching the potion stay a constant clear color. If it so much as turned anything besides clear, then their potion would be a failure. Harry looked to the table in front of them. Terry was working with Anthony Goldstein, and their backs were to them.

"I wonder how long he plans to keep this silence thing going?" whispered Harry to himself under his breath.

Kevin shrugged, stirring the potion counterclockwise, never letting the liquid settle. "This is what I was afraid of. I didn't want to lose you as friends."

Harry turned to him in surprise. Remembering to keep his voice low, he whispered, "You heard that. I barely said it loud enough for myself to even hear."

Kevin grinned, but it didn't fully reach his eyes. "Super hearing, too."

Harry shook his head an amazed look painting his face. Kevin being a vampire seemed so unreal. He knew vampires were real. They had explained that to him months ago, but to actually find out one of your best friends is a creature of the night, is something that takes getting used to. Harry looked up to the board to reread the ingredients listed for potion. His eyes accidentally caught Professor Snape's, and he sighed mentally at the glare that the man shot him. Harry refused to flinch. However, intimidating Snape appeared to be he just wasn't to Harry. He had after all been glared at by the best.

"Potter-McKnight, pay attention to your potion!" Snape snapped.

Harry rolled his eyes and merely sighed at five-point deduction the action caused him. He returned his attention to the potion, carefully shredding and cutting the ingredients then putting the ingredients into the potion. An hour later, time came to an end and it was time to bottle and cap their potions. Harry groaned inaudibly as Snape glided toward him and Kevin's station. Idly, Harry wondered if this man himself was a vampire, because he could swear the man made no noise at all when he moved. As if sensing what he was thinking, Snape smirked darkly at Harry as he came to a halt before them.

"Potter-McKnight and Entwhistle let's see if you have managed to use that famous Ravenclaw wit to successfully brew this potion," Snape said loudly, his sneer making his face seem hateful and not at all friendly toward them.

Harry raised an eyebrow. "It looks right to me, sir," he replied smartly. He was positive that the potion was correct. They had spent the entire class making sure that all the steps to brewing the potion were followed to the letter. If something was wrong then it wasn't their fault. They did everything correctly, and were sure it was perfect.

Does he really have to smirk while he's stirring, Harry thought. My god, what is with this guy? What the fork is his problem?

Snape raised the ladle filled with liquid then turned it over, letting the potion splatter back into the cauldron. Harry narrowed his eyes getting a sneaky suspicion in the back of his mind. Snape's expression seemed to get even darker and his eyes seemed to fill with maleficent glee as he stared at Harry.

"My, my, my," he said slowly, his deep blue eyes boring into Harry's emerald green ones. "It looks like that Ravenclaw wit eludes you Potter. The consistency of your potion is too thick. You fail."

"What the fuc--OW!" Harry yelled as Kevin stomped on his foot, cutting off the rest of his outburst. He bent over in reflex, and bit his lip preventing the howl that threatened to spill from his mouth. His back screamed in pain at being jarred. Actually it hurt to move still, but if he did it slowly then not so bad. Suddenly bending over was definitely not considered a slow movement. It hurt like hell.

Kevin looked at Professor Snape, and said pleadingly and respectfully, "Sir, our potion is brewed perfectly. I really think that--"

"Fail," sneered-smiled Snape, daring him with a look to continue.

The rest of the class mumbled protest but none dared to challenge Snape. Harry opened his mouth to utter some of the worst swear words ever to be heard in the hallowed dungeons of Hogwarts… but someone beat him to it. He, along with everyone else, snapped their heads around to gasp at the voice.

"That is fucking bullshit!"

Terry stood at the workbench in front of them, arms crossed over his chest, blue eyes trained on Snape. A classical defensive stance if there ever was one. Kevin and Harry stared at him in amazement. His eyes met their briefly and he nodded subtly.

Snape slowly faced Terry, his body seeming to grow taller and even more menacing before their eyes. "Excuse me?" he asked coldly in that deceptively soft voice of his.

"You heard me," Terry replied boldly. "Their potion is right and you know it. If that wand wasn't shoved so far up your ass, you would see so yourself."

Deathly silence, no one dared to move or even breathe.

Snape's nostrils flared as blood rushed from his neck, turning his pale face a dark pinkish color. With controlled breathing he glared icily at Terry. "Detention, Boot. From now until the rest of the school year." He looked around at the class his eyes flashing. "Get out of here. All of you, OUT!"

They didn't have to be told twice. No one wanted to stay in the class longer than necessary. Their gathering of bags and books, and packing of cauldrons, was a hurried rushing of hustling and bustling. Everyone kept their heads down, no words passing between anyone. Harry packed his books in his bag, trying very hard not to let a smile bloom on his face. He was almost sure that he was bleeding inside his mouth now, since he was biting his tongue so hard to keep from bursting out laughing. Faster than they had ever before, the two houses began to file out of the room.

"Bye Professor," Harry called sing song, as he exited the room, giving a little wave as he went.

Terry limped slightly in step beside Harry and Kevin. His ankle was still not so good, so putting lots of weight on it was not an option. None of them so much as spoke as they raced to the stairs that led to the first floor. Once their feet hit the top stair, and they felt the change in temperature that signified that they were out of hell, or the dungeons, they started to laugh. Their laughter came long and hard. Harry was leaning against the wall, his feet almost coming out from under him. They tried to stop, but every time they glanced at each other new waves of laughter would hit them. It had to be almost a full three minutes later before they regained enough bearing to stop laughing. Wiping the tear from his eye, Harry smiled at Terry and Kevin.

"So, I see you had a change of heart," said Harry grinning at Terry.

Terry shrugged. "Hey, I couldn't let that slimy bastard talk to my best friends any old kind of way." Terry looked at Kevin. "Kevin, I…"

"Its fine, man," said Kevin, waving the intended apology off. "Don't worry about it. I'm just glad we're friends again."

Terry shook his head stubbornly. "No, I can't just let it go like that. I'm sorry, Kevin. I acted like a real git with the way I treated you. I was being a poncey berk and you know it and I apologize." He extended his hand, smiling warmly. "Friends?"

Kevin grasped the hand giving it a good shake, and smiling he replied, "Friends."

Harry grinned slyly. "Sorry mates, but can we go. The after school special is really not my thing."

"You're such a great friend, Harry," Terry replied dryly. They began to walk down the corridor toward Defense Against the Dark Arts. The hallways were empty since they had been dismissed from class early. The rest of the student body was still in lessons. "Soo," began Terry, letting the so roll nice and long off his tongue. He turned to Kevin. "If I were to give you some blood, how much would you charge me?"

They stopped walking pausing in their tracks. Harry and Kevin stared at him incredulously.

"What?" asked Terry shrugging, confused. "I figure if I'm a happy meal on legs then I might as well make some money off it. Oh! Maybe we can even open a restaurant for vampires," he said smiling widely. He extended his arms wide, looking extremely goofy and foolish simultaneously. "We can call it McPlasmas!"

Harry shook his head. If Terry was up to joking about Kevin being a vampire then his attitude had definitely changed since the event of earlier. Harry snorted. No matter how dumb it sounded, it was kind of funny if you thought about it. McPlasmas, what the fuck, Harry thought laughing internally. Today is defiantly looking up, if you discount the major bruising on my back.

"Guys," said Harry, getting their attention. Since we're out of class so early, we might as well go by the infirmary to get healed up. My fucking back is still killing me."

Kevin gasped. "Oh yeah, you guys still are hurt aren't you?"

Terry eyed Kevin's cheek that last night had a long gash going from eyebrow to chin. Now it was perfectly fine and not even a tiny scar marred his unblemished skin. He touched a finger to Kevin's cheek, running his finger down the smooth skin. "Vampire healing must come in handy."

"What can I say, it's a perk," half smiled Kevin.

Harry sighed and said, "I'm going to the infirmary. You guys can continue your little Power Rangers skit but I need to get healed."

Terry threw up his hands pretending to be scared. "Please don't cut me, little lord, sir," he said in a high falsetto.

"We'll do anything you want, Mr. Mob Boss Guy Jr," added Kevin in his best don't hurt me voice.

"Ha ha," laughed Harry sarcastically. Inwardly, he was smiling. If they can joke about it then I guess that they're not that freaked. When I really explain I wonder if they'll still be my friend when they learn that I've killed humans before. Harry looked to his friends, as they walked up the moving staircase to the Hospital Wing. They laughed and giggled as they cracked jokes at one another.

I guess time can only tell.