Ties of Blood

Summery: AU Starting after Fourth year. Harry is down about Cedric but Sirius has been helping him through it. Secrets are revealed and a family is gained. Vampires, Werewolves, and other things to come.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. This story is all out of my head and if it happens to be like another story I'm sorry. I myself have not read any other story quite like this. Vanessa and Others are most definitely Mine. Hehehe. Enjoy the story.

AN: I've made a few minor changes in this chapter you don't have to re-read it if you don't wish, this is just to let you know. Thanks.

Chapter 2

Sirius woke up late the next morning. It was after breakfast and Remus and Vanessa were in the room. He groaned as he pushed himself off the bed. "Did you tell them about us or Harry?" He asked them.

"We told them what happened while leaving the 'family secret' secret. I did tell that headmaster of yours that I was telepathic for those who I knew and trusted, and that it meant you were one I could talk to. I didn't tell him how I knew you." Vanessa told him.

Sirius let this sink in while he went into the bathroom connected to his room. When he came out a few minutes later he voiced some thoughts he had. "With Harry now closer to the family I think it may be best for one of us to be with him in Hogwarts. You would be the easiest to get there. He may need the help."

"I can't really give much input in this but I would suggest you talk to Harry. He likely doesn't even know about his change." Remus said to the two of them.

The two vampires looked over at the werewolf. Sirius sighed. "I hope he doesn't kill me for it." "He won't Uncle. He seemed very curious about our kind. I think he will understand." Vanessa said.

"I hope your right. Well it's late and I'm hungry. Lets check on Harry then head down stairs." Remus and Vanessa both agreed with Sirius on that one. They could hear his stomach rumbling.

The three of them entered the next room over and saw Fred and George sitting besides Harry. They looked to be in the middle of planning something. "Don't you two think to do anything to my godson. Otherwise you will get repayment in kind." Sirius said to the two pranksters.

"Don't worry." Fred began. "We would never do such a thing to an injured Gryffindor." George finished. "See that you don't." Vanessa said sternly to them before walking out of the room and dragging a wary Sirius behind her. "Come get us if he wakes before we're back." Remus said before he left, receiving double nods from the twins.

On the way down to the first floor the three of them discussed Vanessa. "We will need to get you in. It shouldn't be too difficult." Sirius said to her. "I need to tell mum where I am. I can't do it telepathically. She's shielded, and I was straining too much yesterday. It will have to be face to face." Vanessa replied.

"Yea. I want to see her anyways." Sirius said. "We'll tell your mum face to face."

Dumbledore who was standing at the bottom of the steps just about to head up heard this last part. "I'm sure your mother will be happy to know you are fine my dear. We can get you to a location for her to pick you up in an hour or so. Now there are some things..." He stopped talking when he saw the look on Vanessa's face.

She was looking at him as if he were a bug that needed to be squashed. "No thank you. I'm staying." She said to him. Those coming out of the kitchen after breakfast heard her reply and many were quite confused, as they didn't even know who she was.

"I'm sorry my dear but I cannot allow that. You and Harry may..." The irate young woman interrupted him.

"While I did get to know Harry during the time you kept us from being rescued, which may I remind you is why he is upstairs unconscious right now, I'm not staying just because of him. I'm staying because of my uncle." She said to him. Those gathered around the stairs all had a confused look about them, even Dumbledore. 'Uncle'?

"Oh and just what is so special about your uncle that makes you believe you can dictate your remaining here?" Snape asked in a biting manner.

Vanessa smirked at him and everyone else. "He owns the place." Everyone looked at her like she was nuts. Then the attention was all turned to Sirius.

"Yes I'm her uncle. And she doesn't have to leave. In fact it would be great to have her and her mother here." Sirius said to all of them.

"Now Sirius this is a protected place. We cannot just bring people in. No matter how much you trust them, they may unknowingly disclose important information. You niece does not know the location of this place but we do need to get her back to her mother." Dumbledore said.

"I don't believe you heard me Dumbledore. I said it would be nice to have them both here. As this is my house it is my decision. Vanessa and her mother are welcome to stay here at any time. As her mother is not here at this time to make legal decisions regarding Vanessa it falls to me. Now I'm going to get breakfast and get back to my godson. Good day Headmaster." Sirius said sharply to the older man. He was quite angry for him putting a spell on that wouldn't allow him to leave with out a member going with him, and for not believing him about knowing where Harry was. Though the Headmaster did not show it, Sirius and Vanessa both, could feel the shock coming off him.

Sirius, Remus, and Vanessa went into the kitchen for breakfast and were shortly followed by Ron and Ginny, who were very interested in getting to know Vanessa.

Vanessa too was eager to get to know Harry's friends. He was even closer family now and she didn't want to distance anyone she would likely be seeing a lot of. She also hoped they would become her own friends since she would be going to Hogwarts with them soon if she had her way.

When breakfast was finished the three younger kitchen occupants left for the living room after getting a promise that they would be told when Harry woke up. Sirius and Remus themselves headed upstairs to sit with Harry.

On the way to the room Harry was in Sirius saw Hedwig sitting in the hallway. "Well you are a smart girl aren't you?" He said to the bird that preened at the complement. "Can you find a vampire you have never met?" He asked her. She quickly gave an offended look and a hoot that anyone could tell what it meant, 'Of course what do you take me for? A pigeon?'

Sirius laughed, "No need to get defensive. Would you take a letter to my sister for me?" He asked her. She responded with a nod and a hoot. "Alright, follow me I need to write the letter first." Sirius headed into Harry's room with Hedwig and an amused Remus following behind.

"Alright you two miscreants. Why don't you head down stairs and get to know my niece as your siblings are doing. We'll let you know if anything changes." Sirius said the twin redheads. Said two looked at each other and gave a big smile before nodding to the two adults and leaving the room.

Sirius headed over to the desk by the window where Hedwig was currently perched. Remus sat down at one side of Harry's bed and looked upon the sleeping boy. He looked much better than he did yesterday.

"Sirius, why did Madam Pomfrey make no mention of Harry being a vampire. Or you for that matter." Remus asked his friend who was currently in the middle of a letter to his sister.

"Ah well I was thinking of that. It likely had to do with the extent of his injuries. That and the fact that he is still in the process of changing and she had checked him not long after the process started, she wouldn't have noticed. As for me and any other vampire we have a special technique to keep it hidden. I'll teach Harry later." Sirius said absently as he finished writing.

Remus looked at him curiously. "Oh," was all he managed to say. "Don't worry Moony I'll re-explain it later when Harry's awake." He said with a smile. "It is quite interesting. I never knew any of this about vampires." Sirius laughed. "I have no doubt that you'll learn everything you can. You study too much Moony." Remus blushed lightly at that but didn't object. He knew it was true sometimes.

Sirius had by this time given Hedwig the finished letter and a general direction that his sister may be in. She flew out the window when he opened it and off into the distance. His sister would likely reply as soon as she got it. If not come in person.

Hmm. He would have to meet her somewhere so she could get in. Then again as he owned the house he was part of it's secret keeper. He could let her in himself. A calculating smile appeared on his face and Remus looked over questioningly.

"Not to worry Moony. Just thinking of ways to get under Dumbledore's nose and nerves." Sirius said to him. "Hmm. Sure. Just don't do anything that would endanger you or Harry. I don't want to have to come after your ass Padfoot." Remus replied to a laughing Sirius who moved over to sit opposite him at Harry's side.

"I hope he wakes up soon." Sirius said. "Me too Padfoot, me too." It was two days before said young man woke.

It was the fifth of August when something happened with Harry. Sirius was alone in the room with him when the boy on the bed began to stir with a small groan. Sirius, who had been reading a letter that he had just gotten from his sister, was at his side as soon as he heard the noise.

"Come on Harry you've been sleeping long enough. Open your eyes, please." Sirius said to him quietly. "Sir's?" Harry slurred questionably. "Yea kid. I'm here." The man replied.

Harry opened his eyes glad that no bright lights were on. His eyes really hurt. Hell all of him hurt. He groaned again. "Oww." Sirius chuckled at that.

"How are you feeling Harry, really?" Sirius asked. "Well besides the fact that I hurt all over, good I suppose." Harry replied.

"Harry, I want you to look deep, really look, and tell me how you feel." Sirius said to him. Harry stared at his godfather confused, but seeing the conviction in his eyes, did as asked.

With his eyes closed, Harry answered after a minute or so. "I feel... Different." He said as he opened his eyes. Sirius could easily tell he was confused. He hung his head at the questioning look in the eyes of his godson.

"I know and I'm so sorry Harry." He said with sadness. He kept tears from forming as he reached out and griped Harry's hand with both of his. "Dumbledore put a spell on me so that I couldn't leave without another member of the 'Old Crowd'. When Remus and I were able to get to you they were beating you. We took care of the gang quickly but not soon enough." Sirius started to ramble.

Harry, hearing the strained emotion in his godfather's voice couldn't bring himself to stop the story from continuing. "When I got to your side you weren't breathing. Remus did every thing he could but it wasn't enough and we didn't have any time to get Madam Pomfrey, even if she could have saved you. Oh Merlin Harry, I'm sorry. I will understand if you hate me. It was all I could do." By this time Harry had a feeling he knew what had happened.

The next sentence convinced him he was right, and he swallowed hard. "Vanessa said you had talked about it while you were together. Again I'm sorry. I..." Sirius faltered, "I'll leave you now." he said in barley a whisper.

As Sirius stood up Harry quickly grabbed the hands that had begun to slip out of his own. "Sirius. I don't blame you. It will be fine. I'll get used to it. Vanessa was right we had talked about it. I understand. Just, don't leave me. Please. You are the only family I have. I wouldn't be able to stand it if you left." Harry said to him quietly.

Sirius turned to look at the strong young man on the bed. He gave a slight smile and a squeeze of the hand in his own as he sat back down. "So tell me what I have to look forward to now that I'm a 'Blood Sucker'." Harry said with a smile, and the two talked for a few hours till lunchtime when they were interrupted by Vanessa coming in with a plate of food.

"So your up? Good. It's been driving me batty how every one here is so worried about you." She said with a smile. "Where are we anyways?" Harry asked.

"This is my house and the meeting place for the 'Old Crowd' that I told you about." Sirius said. "The Weasley's are currently all here and have been waiting with baited breath for you to wake. It's a sure fact that it's the twins driving every one batty."

Harry laughed at that. "Certainly sounds like them." Vanessa and Sirius both smiled, "Doesn't it." They both said together making Harry laugh even harder and causing his breath to hitch and forcing him to rap his arms around his chest. Sirius was immediately at his side helping to calm him.

"Your lungs were injured from the beating and will be sore for a while I'm told. Your bones were fixed but the bruises will last a little while I'm afraid. Even with the new you it will take a while. You're still going through the change. Which reminds me you will need blood tonight." Sirius said to him.

Vanessa set the tray of food down. "I'm going to head down for more now that you're awake Harry. Every one will also want to know you are awake and will soon be coming up to bombard you." Harry smiled and nodded at her as she left the room.

It was not five minutes later that the two occupants of the room heard the tell tale signs of running teens on the stairs. No a second later four redheads burst through the doorway and to Harry's side. "Wow guys, quite the commotion." Harry said jokingly.

"Are you ok mate? How you felling?" Ron asked Harry who noticed the shy young redhead behind her brothers, who were currently right at his side. "I'm fine guys. Sore and hungry but fine." Harry said. "Though I think that this is the first meeting since Hogwarts I should say hi to begin with. That includes you too Ginny. How is everyone?" He continued. Ginny blushed at being called out but responded with a shy nod and a smile. Happy that the boy who had rescued her was ok.

Vanessa came back a minute later with another tray of food. It was completely loaded. "I got the adults to leave us alone for a while. Dig in, but Harry gets first pick." Sirius nodded to her as she took his place on the bed and he left the room.

Harry was caught up on all that had happened during the time he was out by Ron and the twins. Ginny, though she remained in the room, was quiet while they talked. Vanessa vowed that she would help the girl open up to Harry.

'So now that I'm a vampire what does that make the family relationship?' Harry thought towards Vanessa. She smirked internally at that. 'Well you certainly got mental speech down quick. Technically because Uncle Sirius is your Sire, or vampire father, than that would make us cousins.' She said to him.

'Hmm cool. Can I call you sis? I've always wished for siblings.' Harry asked her. This time her smile was quite visible to all. 'I would love that too. Oh one thing you should know the telepathy is family gift, or blood gift, from my father's side. Mum got it when he turned her, so did Uncle Sirius, I of course got it from having him as my father, but you got it from being turned by Sirius. Just so you know. Not all vampires can do this. Most clans or family groups have a blood gift.'

'Really I would love to know more but I think I should pay more attention to Ron and the others. It's hard keeping track.' Harry said. 'Yea that will get easier as you use it more.' Vanessa told him before they both put all their attention to the others in front of them.

Harry, who had been sitting up on his own, was getting tired. Vanessa next to him noticed this and shifted him slightly so he could lean against her. Only Ginny noticed, though she only narrowed her eyes. Vanessa saw this and smirked internally.

About a half hour later Sirius, Remus, Mrs. Weasley, and Dumbledore all came into the room. Mrs. Weasley was first to speak. "Harry dear. It's so good to see you up again." She turned to her own kids, "Now they need to talk. Come on down stairs all of you." She said shooing out her brood.

She was about to get Vanessa to leave as well when both Harry and Sirius spoke wanting her present. Mrs. Weasley glanced at Dumbledore and nodded. She picked up the food trays and followed her kids out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Sirius sat on the other side of Harry to help steady him more, while Remus and Dumbledore each sat down in one of the chairs by the bed. "Now Harry I know that you have been through an ordeal, but I would like to hear your version of events." Dumbledore began.

"It was nothing to do with Volemort or Death Eaters Headmaster. Why do you need to know? Sirius is my guardian and he knows." Harry said to him, receiving proud smiles from everyone else in the room.

"Very well Harry. I sent a young Auror by the name of Nymphadora Tonks to your aunt and uncles to get your stuff and it has been placed in the room here. I am not sure where your owl Hedwig is as she was not there and we have not seen her." Dumbledore said to the young man.

"She's smart. I'm sure I will see her soon. Is there anything else sir?" Harry asked. "I would like to spend some time with my family if I may."

"Of course, of course. I will speak to you later. I'm sure if you have any questions these two fine gentlemen can answer them. I will be on my way now. Good day everyone." Once the Headmaster had left the room Remus cast a silencing and privacy spell.

"What is that about?" Harry asked him. "Every one had been asking us questions. We wanted to talk without anyone knowing what we were talking about." Remus answered him. "Oh."

"By the way. I used Hedwig to contact my sister. I got a letter back today and she is out hunting at the moment. Now do you have any questions?" Sirius asked. "Yea actually. Quite a few. Vanessa said something about clans and blood gifts. I was also curious about what I am now, family wise. Does this change that?" Harry asked.

"Ok we'll start with family. Yes this changes many things. Vampires have their own laws regarding family and clans. My sire was Vanessa's grandmother so I am part of his clan, the Togalla (AN: Toe-Gal-A) clan. As I am your sire, you too are part of the Togalla clan. As I have yet to meet with the Vampire Council of our clan, or see any vampires besides Vanessa since my escape I am still unknown to the clan at large. I am what you call a hidden member. We'll get into that later though.

"Only the Wizarding community believes that they can control your guardian because they think I'm human. Of course this is not the case and because of this I am your legal guardian in the Vampire community and the wizards can't do a thing about it. If something should happen to me your guardianship would go to my sister, Adhara, as she is the closest true family. Then it would go to the Togalla clan as a whole, and the head of the clan, currently Vanessa's great grandfather, would be in charge. Got all that?" Sirius asked.

"Yea. Just give me a minute to actually process. What is the difference between the Wizarding community and the Vampire community? Vanessa said that vampires lived in the wizard and muggle world." Harry said to them. Remus was also curious. This was the most he had ever learned about vampires.

"Well to start vampires live in all the different communities. We just happen to have our own as well. We also have a presence in the Ministry's around the world so anything pertaining to us will be brought to our attention. We can recognize any part of the wizarding world that is vampire by a symbol visible to those who know about it. We have our own government and schools within the clans. Many clans also tend to live as wizards. We are known as a powerful entity but we usually don't start or join sides in a conflict, as a whole that is. What the wizarding world knows about us is mostly false, we just let them believe it.

"We also tend to take care of our own law breakers before the wizards have a chance too. We also get along with many other 'creatures'. Quite a few werewolves have joined the Vampire community as well. We tend to get along better with Goblin's, House elves, Centaurs, and Giants also." Sirius finished.

"Ok. I got all that. I do have a question on how, do we get the Ministry and Vampire council to recognize your innocence?"

"Ok let me explain something. The Ministry would have to know that I'm a vampire, and that my twin sister is still alive. Neither of us wish this. Adhara is quite happy with every one thinking she is dead and to accomplish my freedom from the Ministry I would have to first turn myself into the Ministry. I personally don't trust them to not give me a Dementors kiss the minute I turn myself in. As for the Vampire Council that is easier I have just been imprisoned here by Dumbledore and haven't seen them yet. We then get back to the fact that Adhara and I aren't know as vampires to the wizards but with you now turned I think things are going to change. It is likely that I will see the council when you do and get a trial. Thing will then just have to go from there I guess." Sirius replied to him.

"Yea I can see the idiots doing that. Ok, on to blood gifts. What is it with the telepathy?" Harry asked. "Ah, well that is easy. Each clan has a unique ability called a blood gift. Not many like to give the clan's secret away. Ours of course is telepathy. I really don't know what the other clans have. And before you ask there are nine major clans and a few smaller ones that have broken off of the originals. We are one of the nine, though like some of the others we like to be hidden. The name is prominent in wizarding society but it is connected with vampires; even if it is one of the oldest and most diverse." Sirius said to him.

"What are the major clans?" Harry asked. "There is Togalla, of course. Then there is Gormetz, Hemlan, Rochklor (AN: Rock-lore), Diihilda (AN: Die-hilda), Menorizzi, Frannitta, Whorri, and Asellia (AN: Azalea). Each clan has many names to it also, like the name Black is a member of the Togalla clan just like the name Potter will be now as well." Vanessa said him. "It's already after one. I'm going to get lunch want me to bring something up?" Remus and Vanessa both stood, they would leave godfather and godson alone for a while.

"Sure. Harry and I would like to talk for a while more I think." Sirius said while looking at Harry who nodded. The rest of the afternoon was spent with Sirius talking about how Madam Pomfrey had healed him. He explained that because of his injuries and the short about of time the change since the change had started, she was unable to tell that he was a vampire. He also taught Harry how to mask his new status with out having to think about doing it, and explained that this way it would remain in effect even if unconscious.

Harry was finally allowed out of bed for dinner. He figured that since he was already in some sleeping pants and a t-shirt that he would simply add a robe so that he didn't have to change. He was going to be going back to bed again anyways.

Dinner was a calm affair for once. Harry met many members of the old crowd, which he learned were fighters against Voldemort. Nymphadora Tonks, known just as Tonks, was a nice young woman who was quite clumsy and to Harry's amazement, a metamorphagus, or shape changer. She also tended to like bright colors and was Sirius' second cousin. Funnily enough even she didn't know that he had a niece. Vanessa explained that it was likely because Sirius' parents had found out about her mother's turning and had banished her from the family and told everyone she had died.

Kingsly Shacklbolt, like Tonks, was an Auoror. He was a tall black man with a bald head and he even wore an earring in his left ear. There were all of the teachers of Hogwarts, and to Harry's disgust Snape was one of them. And of course all of the Weasley's were present as well though only Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and their three eldest sons', Bill, Charley, and Percy, were members of the Order. A woman named Hestia Jones was also present as was a weedy man named Mudgunous Fletcher. Harry was told that there were others they just were not present at this time. This was the more core group.

After dinner Sirius disappeared while Remus helped Harry, who by this time was exhausted again, upstairs and back into bed. As he climbed back into bed, Remus told Harry not to go to sleep yet. He needed to see Sirius first.

Ten minutes later they could hear the front door being opened. Harry wondered who it could be. Every one staying was here and those who were not had left after dinner. Not long after Sirius came into the room followed by a woman with long, curly black hair, and light blue eyes. She looked much like Sirius in her body's build as well. She was tall and thin but not sickly so. Her face resembled Sirius' as well. Harry had no doubt in his mind that this was Sirius' twin.

She smiled when she saw Harry looking her over. Yes he was family. She could see it in his aura. The change wasn't complete yet but it wouldn't take long, another day at most. She reflected on just how long it took her to change completely. She too had been turned while on the verge of death. Sirius, who was quite healthy at his turning, had only taken half a day.

"Hello Harry Potter. I am Adhara. I guess I can technically be considered your aunt now." She said to the boy on the bed. Harry smiled at her. "Hello. It's nice to finally have a real family." He told her and she smiled even more.

Walking over she sat on the side of his bed. "Well it is late but you have not had blood since your turning started. As you are still turning you will need more than normal and you need it from one or more clan members. If it does not bother you I will assist Sirius in that manner."

"Um… no I don't think that will bother me. What do I have to do?" Harry asked her. "Just drink Harry that is all. But you do need to beware that because you are still changing the feeding will make you quite tired. It won't always be like this, its just during the change." Sirius said as he sat down on the bed at Harry's other side. "Ok." Was his reply.

"Remus would you leave us now and lock the door?" Sirius asked. "Of course Padfoot. I'll see you all in the morning." Harry looked up at the man he considered an uncle, "Have a good night Moony." Remus smiled. "You too cub."

Once the door was shut Sirius rapped one arm around Harry's shoulders. "Ok this is going to be weird for the first few times. Soon you won't need to feed off of a clan member but it is always an option if you can't get anything else. Feeding of other humans or non-clan members without their express permission is very looked down upon." Harry listened carefully and when Sirius finished he nodded his understanding.

Sirius, seeing that Harry was ready brought his free wrist to his mouth and let his fangs grow out. Using his fangs he cut into his wrist so the blood would flow. He then presented it to his godson. Harry could smell Sirius' blood in front of him. He brought his hands up and took the bleeding wrist into his mouth. He was quickly drinking as much blood as he could.

After a few minutes Sirius gently pulled his wrist away and liked the wound shut. He was now fully supporting a half conscious Harry against his side. Quickly his sister brought her bleeding wrist to Harry who did the same as before. He began drinking again and after a few minutes he was nearly asleep. Adhara brought her wrist away and licked the wound shut. The twins then helped get Harry situated in bed before leaving the room and blissfully out Harry.

Sirius and Adhara left Harry's room and Sirius pointed out Adhara's room. It was on the other side of Sirius' from Harry. Vanessa was right next to her. After bidding each other goodnight they went into their own rooms. Tomorrow would be along day with many explanations.

AN/ Ok well first off I wanted to make some things clear.

1)Adhara is Sirius' twin sister. They were both turned when they were ten. I will get into why later in the story. Adhara was first and Sirius followed because he couldn't leave his twin alone. I figure that Fred and George would do the same if one of them were turned for some reason.

On a side note I would like to thank Literary Luminary for the name. As I was told Adhara is the name of the second brightest star, which also happens to be in the Canis Major constellation.

2)Dumbledore never knew that Sirius was a vampire, and still doesn't. For the mind reading, he never did it to the kids in his school. And the first time he tried on Sirius was after Azkaban. Dumbledore figures it is a side effect of the Dementors. The Headmaster is not all knowing. And for those of you who like it, some more serious bashing of the esteemed old man will follow in later chapter.

3)Dumbledore can't read Remus' mind because he is a werewolf and protected from it. He can't read Vanessa's mind either. He believes this is because of family training. Many older family's would train their members in the art of occlumency, though not many could do it perfectly and there is always a way in. Dumbledore believes that Vanessa is simply very good at it. He doesn't try to get past her shields and there for doesn't recognize it as more that normal shields.

4)Madam Pomfrey couldn't tell that Harry was a vampire because he had just been turned by Sirius. Because of the fact that he was turned while on the edge of death, his turning takes longer and is there for less noticeable. She also couldn't tell because of the extant of his injuries. As for not being able to tell that Sirius is a vampire it was because of a vampire trade secret. They all are taught how to make that they aren't seen as vampires but by other clan members.

I hope this answers some questions. If there are others please let me know. Also if I have confused any one with this chapter let me know. I tried to make it as clear as possible. Thank you to every one who reviewed. That's all for now… Dragon out.