saAN/ I respect all reviews received. However, I must state that a recently received review was disrespectful not only to my person but to others who read this story. Furthermore, I have yet to write anything with the two characters mentioned doing things alluded to in the review. I plan on it, granted, but it is unfair to judge something without giving it a proper chance. From what I can tell, the reviewer simply selected stories from the list given when looking up the two characters. Otherwise, the review would not have been on the first chapter of the present eight chapters, none of which have had any relationships created, as the reviewer has speculated. Now, as said, I respect this person's right to their opinion, and thus I am not erasing the review they did not have the 'balls' to sign. I'll let others decided the character of the reviewer. To everyone else, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your reviews brighten my day. Also, Harry is a bit dense but it was more trying to make him appear innocent. Thanks for the reviews!
While Morticia took her new pet to her dorm room, Harry and Vlad made their way back to the Great Hall. No one was present but them. They stood awaiting her return, conversing with light conversation. Harry was enjoying his time with Vlad. He could not really see why so many feared him. Of course, he was seeing the man that was not the man that had been, having not paid that much attention to what Morticia had droned on about in Muggle Studies. For a 'soulless killer', he was very emotional, caring for his own like any human would. Harry felt completely safe around the vampire.
"Are you staying a while?" He asked, hoping for a chance to know more about Vlad.
"Yes, I have intentions of making sure she is indeed safe here." He would let nothing befall is granddaughter, no matter who tried to prevent him doing so. He would take on Heaven, Earth, and Hell.
"Wouldn't let anything happen to her. Malfoy's an arse to everyone who isn't Slytherin." He did not want Vlad to think everyone was like Draco. Harry knew, with time, everyone would see Vlad and, especially, Morticia were not so bad, that they were good people.
"He should learn his place. They all should." The humans were not only below the stasis of vampire, but he and Morticia were royalty. They were above all of them, even dear Harry.
"Most of them aren't bad people," Harry defended. "I don't know what the big deal about you two is?" He had to admit, Vlad was a bit full of himself and his granddaughter. In ways, he was reminded of the Malfoy family or other old pureblood families.
Vlad looked at Harry squarely. "Many fear what they do not understand." He was impressed by the scope of Harry's heart, his purity; things Morticia saw as naivety, innocense.
"I guess." To Harry, that was no excuse. "But all they would have to do is talk to Ticia, to you." He had to find the real reason, or at least something better than they were afraid.
"And those that talked to her before finding out her heritage?" Vlad was well aware of the fact Morticia had more friends, or at least friendly acquaintances, before the Muggle Studies assignment. Granted, they had suspected but to have her bloodline declared openly but under light changed things. Before, there was only a chance she was the Vampire King's relation, and likely a distant one at that. To find out she was his granddaughter changed things, at least in the mind.
"Well," Harry was not too certain what else to say about it all, "they got scared." He failed to realize that was exactly what Vlad had said, they feared what they did not understand, what they felt they could not control. "Even Hermione, and that isn't like her. She didn't have a problem with Lupin." Harry had not really thought about that before. Most everyone like Remus. What was the problem with Morticia and Vlad?
"There are many great differences between a werewolf and a vampire." Vlad mentally shook his head. A werewolf, while not having a choice overall, could take a simple potion and be nothing but a wolf once a month. Vampires were what the were every second of every day. They could turn on you in a split second whereas a werewolf, you knew when to protect yourself from them.
To Harry, though, that was not enough. So what if they were different. "But you are both still people." Vlad mused it had been some time since he was called a person by someone that really meant it the way Harry did. "He's the closest thing to a father I've had, him and Sirius."
The small amount of pain that flashed through his eyes was not lost on Vlad. "You trust him so implicitly?" That was rare. Usually known werewolves were shunned. He had to admit, there had to be something about this one that was unique.
"He taught me how to defeat the dementors. Because of him, I'm still alive as is my godfather." Harry still remembered that night as though it were but the night before. He neglected to mention that Remus had been out for their flesh that night.
"I still do not like his kind, but perhaps . . ." Vlad watched the boy watch him earnestly, wanting him to accept the werewolf. "There is always a black sheep." He could give him no more than that.
"He was great friends with my father. My father and Sirius became animagus so that they could be with him while he was changed." Harry left out Pettigrew. Who cared what he had done then. His actions of the present and nearer past negated everything else. The thought of Pettigrew made Harry think of Voldemort. He looked at the count as Vlad watched him thoughtfully. "Voldemort, you said, left unhappy."
"Yes. He fears his own death."
Harry knew that all too well. The night of Cedric's death played over in his mind with the night in the forest when he had seen him feasting on unicorn's blood. "Because of him, that is a possibility I have to live with every day." His voice lost some of its life.
"Most unfortunate." Vlad watched the boy. He should have seen to Tom Riddle when he had come to him the first time. "He is not what he thinks he is. He has many fooled." Voldemort may possess power, but he was a weak man.
"He has taught me a lot about hate, pain. Though, I still don't understand why you could hate someone because of their blood." For proclaiming to be so much better than muggles, Voldemort took their petty biases to new extremes.
"Fear, uncertainty. The list is very long." Vlad could say no more. After all, he was the one that had wanted to kill Harry's friend for simply being a werewolf. He also knew Harry could never understand just how powerful blood was. Not in context to the ways in which Voldemort looked at it, but in other ways.
"I guess." Harry was quickly growing tired of talking about the Dark Lord. His mind raced with bad memories and fears every time he did. He felt a change in topic best. "Wonder what's taking Ticia so long?" He looked toward the main doors of the Great Hall.
"It is hard to say." He smirked. With his granddaughter, it really could be any number of things. She was very unpredictable.
Morticia entered the dorm room, walking over to her bed and setting her bat's cage down on her trunk. She ignored the fact that Hermione was there and watching her. However, always the curious one, Hermione took immediate interest in the fact that Morticia was caring around a covered cage. "What do you have?" She could not stop herself.
Morticia looked over at her a bit coolly, not sure why Hermione had chosen to speak to her. "My grandfather bought me a pet." She watched Hermione closely, gaging her reactions, her scent.
"What is it?" She watched curiously. Her voice still one of simple conversation. She was amazed when Morticia uncovered the cage to reveal the bat. Standing, she walked over to the cage for a better look. "Is that . . ." She cut herself off. That was silly question. "What kind is it?"
Morticia turned her attention from Hermione to the bat then back again, petting the creature absently. "He's a flying fox of some type. I would guess Malayan, but there is something different about him." Mortician stuck her finger through the bars. The bat nipped her finger and lapped at the blood. "Flying foxes don't have a taste for blood."
Hermione watched as the bat lapped at Morticia's blood. She hoped he was not dangerous toward people or animals. "Does he have a name?" She asked instead of addressing her concerns. She wanted to be friends with Morticia, not upset her farther.
"Not yet." She opened the cage and stroked his head. Unlike most flying foxes, his fur was long and silky with a slight sheen. His head was not the typical russet or yellowish color but a fiery red orange, and his eyes were pitch black. His wings had a thicker membrane than a usual bat, too. Something was very unique about this creature.
"Do you have any idea of what to call him?" Hermione continued to watch the bat curiously, tentatively reaching in to touch him. His fur was soft to the touch, silky and he seemed to enjoy the attention. He seemed gentle enough.
"I was thinking Oberon but . . . It seems too light for such a creature." Morticia shrugged slightly. "May be Garethan or Basilicus. . ." She watched the bat, meeting its gaze. "Perhaps Yasha." Both were noble names, but Yasha was too typical being the name of a vampire bat from Japanese mythology. She did not want to be so unoriginal.
"I don't know. The first one sounds nice." Hermione at least knew the first name and thought it a noble one. She knew Morticia would not choose any name that was not noble.
"Oberon? Shakespeare used it." She also knew that it was not so much a legend as many thought. She also was certain Hermione, as bright as she was, knew the playwright had incorporated the name.
"It's up to you. He's your pet." The look she saw pass through Morticia's eyes made her believe the other girl did not see him as a pet at all. She decided to go to the question she had wanted to ask since the other girl had mentioned her grandfather. "Your grandfather is here?"
Hermione spoke her questions as Morticia said, "I like Basilicus." She paused to look Hermione in the eye. She was surprised the other Gryffindor had not heard of his dramatic entrance in the common room. "Yes, he is." She carried Garethan's cage to a window. Your name shall be Basilicus. A name meaning regal befitting your presence of body and mind. You are free to come and go, my familiar, as you see fit when I do not need your aid. The bat looked at her before dropping out of the cage and spreading his wings to catch the air, taking to the sky. She watched with a smile as his strong wings carried him to the forest where he would find a meal. They were fortunate he would feast on more than fruit as he would likely find none in the forest.
Hermione watched, not sure she Morticia should trust a pet she just acquired, especially one so wild, to return; but, she was not going to question her about it. "Where is he?" She asked of the other girl's grandfather. The fact such a famous man, one famous for killing, was walking about in the castle intrigued her. She found it curious Dumbledore would not question his presence as well.
Morticia turned and carried Basilicus' empty cage back to her bed, setting it beside her trunk. The bat would make no more use of it. He would find more suitable places to roost. "Off somewhere with Harry, probably the Great Hall." The two had migrated there before and she imagined they would again considering it was nearly time for the evening meal.
"Harry's getting along with him?" Hermione looked surprised. After all, Dracula had almost as bad a reputation as Voldemort, if not worse in some aspects. Of course, knowing Harry, he knew very little about it, even what Morticia had said in class. Thinking on it, Hermione realized Harry getting along with someone who would accept him was not at all surprising.
"Yes." Morticia eyed her. Why should he not get along with her grandfather? "Harry gets along with everyone for the most part." A fault that could do the boy harm if he was not careful. Besides, if Harry accepted her and they got on, he should logically get along with her grandfather.
"That he does," Hermione agreed. She had the decency to look slightly abashed. "I've been thinking . . ." Which came as no surprise to Morticia, nor would have to anyone else, as Hermione was always thinking about something. "I'm sorry. I should not have let something as stupid as your heritage come between our friendship." She looked more chagrined. In ways, she was no better than Malfoy calling her a Mudblood. "I bought you something today." She watched as Morticia raised a brow curiously but said nothing. "If you want it, that is," she added hastily. She walked back to her bed and picked up a familiar white box, taking it over and handing it to Morticia.
Morticia opened the box, having a very good idea what was inside. When her suspicion was confirmed, she laughed. "I'm going to have these running from my ears. Thank you, Hermione." She dipped her head in gratitude.
Hermione smiled back. "You're welcome." She knew all was forgiven. Only a good person could so easily forgive her chary attitude, and she knew the gift had nothing to do with Morticia's choice. They were friends again as though they had never not been.
Morticia felt it best to get their friendship back on track properly, deciding to offer an honor only her true friends should have. A personal introduction to her grandfather. "Do you want to meet him?" She knew Hermione would never miss the chance. She put away her gift after selecting two from the box, sticking one in her mouth. The other was for her grandfather. He had to taste them if it was the last thing she did.
Hermione looked a little hesitant. She had read and heard so much about Vlad. However, as Morticia knew she would, she over came it. She wanted to meet the legend. "Sure." Vlad had to have plenty of knowledge to bestow upon her, and Hermione was not going to miss the opportunity to claim it.
Morticia smiled at the other girl and commented, "He doesn't . . . Well, he does bite, but he won't bite you." She smirked.
Hermione smiled back. "Lead the way." She followed Morticia as she lead her to the Great Hall. She felt both nervous and excited. What if Morticia had told him how she had been acting and he did not like her? She also could not help the small voice in the back of her head asking 'What if he thinks you look like a snack?'
As soon as they arrived, Morticia walked up to Vlad, holding the lollipop in his face. "Here, Grandfather." She rolled her eyes as he looked at her then the candy. "Just take it," she said in exasperation.
He held back a sigh her impatience spurned and took the sucker. He placed it in his mouth, tasting it a moment. "Interesting . . ." He continued to eat it as his eyes fell on Hermione. He looked her over curious then looked to Morticia and back again.
"Aren't they!" Morticia smiled. Then, she noticed his attention had strayed to Hermione. She knew what he was waiting for even before he glanced at her and then back. "This is Hermione Granger, another of my friends."
Vlad remembered Harry talking of Hermione, that she had turned her back on his jewel, but if Morticia had forgiven her, he would let it slide, this time. "A pleasure." He took Hermione's hand as he looked her over more thoroughly. She was a pretty girl, and he could tell she was very bright.
"Teeth in check," Morticia reminded him. She liked to say such things to see the reactions of others. She hated the way he was with women, or the way they swooned around him at least. To her, it was all silly.
He chuckled. "Jewel, she is a bit young for my taste." Though, he did know of legends he liked to feast on babes and young virgin girls. Truth was, he liked males much more. Besides, Jewel, Harry and I have more in common than one might think. Irony was a very thing. Women swooned at his feet, and he had no real interest in them.
Morticia looked at him puzzled. What do you . . . She thought, mind racing faster than a mortal's would. You don't mean . . . "Why didn't you ever tell me!" She glared at him, hands on hips. How could he have kept something like that from her!
They all ignored the house elves as they set the tables. It has been a long time since I've had a lover . . . You're grandfather stole my heart, but he wouldn't let me change him . . . loved his mortality too much. His eyes became sad as he thought about the other man. True, he had been married as a mortal, but he had found no true pleasure with a wife.
She rolled her eyes. No wonder you can be such a pain. You need laid, she told him matter-of-factly. To her, it was that simple. The man would relax a bit if he had a roll in the hay.
"Morticia!" Vlad could not believe she had just said that, even if not out loud. Harry and Hermione were looking at one another and the vampires weird, having no idea what was going on.
"What? You do!" Morticia crossed her arms, mind turning over quickly. She could use this information and find him someone, but who would be worthy of him?
"That is besides the point . . . I had a granddaughter to raise." She was more important than anything else, even himself. He had put aside his wants and some needs for so long, he no longer felt the need for carnal pleasures.
"Oh, come on. That's a lame excuse!" Morticia told him. Her grandfather had such a knack for exasperating her, driving her to distraction with his idiosyncracies. Sometimes she wished her parents had lived, but she would also have never traded her relationship with her grandfather for anything.
I was the one that carried your mother . . . If that ever got out my reputation would be ruined. He did not know he reminded her then and there of her potions master with the need to keep up his 'bad boy' reputation. She grinned at him evilly. "No, you are my heart nothing was or is more important than you."
She sighed deeply and struck a dramatic pose. "Dramatic, as always." Then, she straightened up and grew serious. "So, let me think. Who can I hook you up with?" She tapped her foot absently as she thought.
"You are as dramatic, Jewel." And not out loud. He had no want of spreading around that he was gay, at least not without reason. As long as he was alone, he had no need to let others know of his preference.
Why not? She looked up at him curiously. He had nothing to be ashamed of. After all, Harry had been honest about it. The least he could do was return the favor of trust. Harry was her friend, her best friend.
I do not believe your friends are ready to hear such things. Harry would understand but Hermione? He trusted Harry but after the way the girl had reacted to Morticia, he was remiss to just let her in on bits of knowledge of his life.
"I was being sarcastic," she said out loud about being dramatic. She looked over toward the doors as students started filing in for their meal. "We should move to the side." They were in the way where they stood.
"Why? We have just as much right to be here as everyone else." Hermione, having got over her own hesitation to continue to be friends with Morticia, took up her reigns of defense. Just because others did not like Morticia or her grandfather was no reason for them to have to move.
Vlad, knowing Morticia could carry two conversations at once, continued to address her in her mind. The truth is, Jewel, no one could replace your grandfather. He had loved the man more than anything, save perhaps his child and grandchild, especially now that his grandchild was all he had left.
"We are in the middle of the room. Manners, Hermione," she told the other girl in an almost maternal way before answering her grandfather. But you deserve to have someone. She had always saw something missing from his eyes, his life. She was starting to realize just what it was, and she would see it there before her death if it took dying to do it.
"Let's go sit down," Harry told the rest to stop any argument a stubborn Hermione and an equally stubborn Morticia could get into. They all moved to the Gryffindor table, sitting at the end toward the head table.
To have someone or to be happy? I am happy as things are. Vlad said to his granddaughter as they sat. Both were ignoring the eyes on them. He was use to being stared at when out of his castle.
To have someone and to be happy. She gave him a saddened look, wanting him to have it all. He deserved so much more. But who was worthy of such a man? Was there anyone?
In so many years no one has caught my eye why do you think that would change now? He looked at her, waiting for an answer. He knew she would have none. Her heart was innocent and pure for her age and nature, of that he was proud. She cared so much for those she was loyal to.
She shrugged but before she could say anything Remus came up to them. "Harry, I thought I should tell you that Snuffles is here." He grinned as the boy's eyes lit up.
"Really? Where?" Harry had not seen Sirius in some time. He could not wait to get him alone and talk to him. He missed him terribly.
"I believe Professor O'Brien caught his eye out in the hall." Remus grinned broader. Sirius was never one to miss looking up a skirt as a dog when he could. He found it much easier than trying to do so as a man.
"Great. He'll be chasing her all year," Harry intoned, rolling his eyes. Remus chuckled at him.
"Yes," Remus agreed, nodding. "Unless something else catches his eye." He knew many things could get Sirius from bothering the woman, but he had promised the man years before to keep them to himself. He did not want his fun spoiled.
"Snuffles?" Morticia asked curiously. The name was very . . . unusual for a person, and they certainly seemed to be talking about a person.
"Sirius," Harry answered very low. He knew her hearing would pick it up easily. He smiled as she nodded, smiling at him. They had talked of Sirius on a few occasions, and she knew he cared for him greatly.
In that moment, Professor O'Brien came walking up to them briskly, stopping at Remus' side with a glare. "Get this . . . mongrel away from me!" She demanded before turning quickly to stride to the head table. Her time did not need wasted by animagi looking up her skirt. She froze as her eyes landed on Vlad. "You . . . You are . . ."
Vlad was all too familiar with this. He looked at the woman a moment. "Yes, I am," he confirmed before looking to Harry. "The other friend you told me about?" He motioned toward Padfoot.
"Yeah," Harry confirmed, smiling at his godfather.
O'Brien went wide eyed as she gazed at Vlad. Her eyes rolled up in her head and her knees gave out. Remus barely caught her before she hit the floor. He held her, knowing she could be in her state for any length of time. "Is she okay?" Vlad asked, rising.
"Trance," Remus stated simply. "She's seeing something." Not that he had to elaborate on what a trance was. He watched as Vlad stepped over to them and touched her brow. He frowned, wondering what the vampire was up to.
Vlad was seeing what O'Brien was. He saw blood, gore, love hate, darkness in different forms. A picture of Morticia took precedence over it all covered in a bright light. Then, the picture began to blur as the death mark began to cover the picture as well. Soon only the darkness remained. Vlad became shocked, stricken with worry for his only heir. His emotions appeared on his face as he looked at Morticia.
O'Brien began to come around. "Oh, my head." She put a hand to her head. She hated the headaches she got after visions and trances. They felt like someone was doing the Crucio on just her head.
Morticia's eyes were only on her grandfather, who was worrying her. "Grandfather?" He never looked at her the way he was. Something was greatly disturbing him and she wanted to know what it was.
"Nothing, Jewel. It was nothing. Her images were too blurry to make out." He gave her a feint smile, forcing his worry from his face. She did not need to know about what was going on. He saw her frown before she nodded, knowing full well she would not forget about it. He helped O'Brien to her feet as though Remus was not even there.
"Thank you," she told both men before heading toward the head table. At the moment, she could not recall what she had seen but she knew it would come to her. The images always did.
Vlad grabbed her arm and touched her brow. Forget, he commanded. He did not want anyone but himself to know what was seen. Morticia was his responsibility. He would see to her protection without alerting anyone else. He missed the look from the head table as Dumbledore eyed him. The Headmaster was aware of what had happened, had been seen.
Remus watched the other professor make her way to the head table before looking to Vlad. "What did you do?" He knew full well the vampire had played some mind trick on the woman.
"I did nothing. Just made sure she was well." Vlad left it at that. He did not owe a werewolf any answers. Remus looked doubtful, eyeing Vlad up and down. "Yes?" Vlad eyed him back.
"Don't think you can come in here and push people around," he informed him coolly. He did not care who or what the man was. He had no right to treat others as though they were insignificant.
"You may ask the young woman. I did no such thing." Vlad smirked slightly. Remus was ballsie for a werewolf. Most cowered before him, especially after he threatened to kill them.
"Somehow, I doubt she would disagree," he said sourly. He was not aware he was picking up some of Severus' less pleasant mannerisms from spending so much time around the other man. "If I have read correctly," he spoke evenly, "you have a way with minds." His tone took on an accusatory one.
I did nothing to her. Drop it, werewolf. Vlad glared at Remus, knowing in this he was superior, like so many other things. Werewolves did not have mental abilities.
Perhaps I do not want to, Remus replied in a similar manner. He had been born with the gift of telepathy, a secret so very few knew of. Only Albus and Sirius were left of those that knew, not counting the traitor Peter Pettigrew.
Vlad looked at him in shock. You use non-verbal communication. He could not believe such a ragamuffin werewolf would possess such an ability.
No. I'm talking out of my arse! He really had been spending too much time around Severus. And was it so hard to say telepathy? What was with the whole 'non-verbal communication'? Vlad was a ponce.
Vlad changed the topic back, ignoring the sarcastic retort. What she saw concerned me and mine, no one else. He had no intentions of letting anyone know what was in her mind.
Yours is a friend of mine. It is my business. Remus felt the need to protect Harry and all the students. If Vlad was keeping something from him that kept him from doing so, he had to know.
There is nothing you can do, werewolf. He emphasized the term as a reminder that Remus was a monster. Not that he really had that much room to talk. He was considered one as well.
Are you so sure? You are far too proud. Remus knew the count was considering him a werewolf alone, not remembering he was a wizard as well. Of course, he imagined the count did not consider wizards a match for himself either. That could get you killed.
I have a right to be proud. I have survived many centuries.
That is your blood, not your personality. Remus was starting to liken Vlad with Lucius Malfoy.
You become tiresome, Vlad informed Remus with a bored tone.
Oh? He smirked at the vampire. Why continue to do this, then?
Yes, you do. He actually found the edge to Remus interesting. I have protected Morticia since her birth, and I would lay down my life for her.
So would I. She has become an important part in many lives here. Including his own. He was very fond of the girl.
I failed her mother I will not fail her. She is not your responsibility. He would not have someone else protect her when he could do it. He would not have that on his conscious that he had failed her and another had done what he was suppose to do.
She is one of my students. Yes, she is. He was forceful. He would die for any of his students.
Are all werewolves as stubborn as you. The other man was testing his patience.
I don't know. I don't know any others. He held back as much of the sorrow he felt at that as he could.
There is a reason for that. Vlad picked up on his feelings. I have killed many a werewolf with my bare hands. He twisted the proverbial knife in the proverbial wound.
Is that a threat? His inquiry was laced with a growl. Moony did not like being threatened.
A warning. And a promise if he stepped out of line.
I am not scared of you. Remus' eyes hardened.
Do you think you could last against me if I really wanted you dead? And my granddaughter did not step in again? The latter he thought to himself.
That does not make me scared. I must accept such knowledge and face it. Death was a given in life, especially with Voldemort running rampant again.
That is to accept defeat before the battle is even waged. The idea was preposterous. Why fight at all then?
I did not say I would not fight with my all. I just meant that death does not scare me. He had seen too much of it, had lost too much to it.
You are odd. Vlad regarded him as though he had gone mad.
Why is that? Remus looked back blankly.
Morticia was growing bored by their staring at one another. Not to mention others were pointing and whispering about it. Then again, she had never seen her grandfather so interested in talking to someone before. She ribbed Harry with her elbow and nodded toward them. "Cute couple, huh?" Harry asked as he leaned over and spoke in her ear. She nodded back with a small grin.
You accept that I would kill you should we fight, yet you would willingly face me in battle. The logic of the lupine made no sense to the aged count.
I would not give over my life without a fight, but I would accept death and defeat when they came. To Remus it was simple. He would fight with his all in the knowledge he could die, but he would not lay over his life as though it meant nothing.
Why? Vlad was having difficult understanding, even with all his years of wisdom and knowledge and experience.
Why accept death? Remus found the question odd. The end came to all things.
Padfoot pawed at Harry. Harry shooed him away, interested in the sight before him. Padfoot pawed him again, wanting attention. Harry finally patted at his head absently but did not look at him. The dog sighed as best a dog could, happy to have at least that much attention.
Yes. I have never accepted defeat or death. I have never lost for that reason. And the fact that he was the strongest of his kind.
Is that why, truly? Remus could not believe that.
Yes.
Perhaps you had someone besides yourself to fight for? Remus glanced to Morticia then back again.
My family, my honor. Vlad agreed.
Your honor is what you make it. Honor can get you killed. He had seen it happen, had read of many stories where honor meant death.
"You know," Harry spoke in Morticia's ear, "Lupin, he's the one that made me understand my sexual preference was alright."
"Oh?" She passed him a intrigued look.
"Yes." Harry smiled, knowing he was on the right track. Vlad liked men, too, it seemed.
Honor is being fair and not giving up in a fight. Implying that Remus was not honorable in a way.
Again, I never said I would give up. Remus did not like the implication.
Accepting defeat is giving up. Vlad could not seem to make the werewolf understand.
I accept I will one day die. And Remus likewise could not make the vampire understand.
I do not have that luxury. Though at times he wished for it.
For that, I am sorry. To not have the knowledge that you will have that peace. I also envy. To know what the other man had to know, to see what he had seen.
Then you are a fool.
For? Remus asked curiously.
To envy such a thing. I have out lived my lover, the child I bore . . . He stopped a split second, realizing he had just let something slip out he had not intention to. He had become to wrapped up in the argument, debate.
Remus thought nothing of his bearing a child. It has its advantages to a degree. As a scholar, I must admit that.
I will also out live my beloved granddaughter. There is no advantage to that. He feared, loathed the day her death would come.
You would take mortality over your power? Remus watched him carefully. The answer would decide just how he looked at Vlad.
Without time for thought, or even trying to think about it, he answered, Yes. He did so with conviction.
You are far more noble than many a man. He held higher respect for the vampire. The count deserved a chance for them to get along. You hold a love stronger than many as well.
I am no mere man.
No, I guess neither of us are, but we used to be. We still have that. They could hold on to humanity if not being human.
Many a century has taught me my lessons. And he had to admit, Remus was wise for his years.
Time is the best teacher. Remus agreed.
On that I will agree with you. Which earned him a smirk from the lupine.
Morticia sighed at Harry's side. "This is getting very boring," she whispered. Her patience was short and she could take no more of them just looking at each other. "Grandfather?" She addressed the count.
"Wonder what they are saying to each other," Harry mused to Morticia as she stood.
Morticia walked over to Vlad and waved a hand in front of his face. Vlad snapped his attention from Remus and back to his surroundings. "Yes, my blood jewel?"
"You've been staring at each other for like twenty minutes!" She said in exasperation, hands falling on her hips.
We had things to discuss. He sat back down.
Oh? Whatever could you discuss with a werewolf? She asked him in amusement as she sat back down between him and Harry.
He cleared his throat. The fact that if I so wished he would already be dead. She did not need to know any more.
She laughed, making her friends and Lupin look at her curiously. He already knew that. His uncomfortable behavior amused her.
I was driving the point home, Jewel.
Sure, she said in a manner that let him know she did not believe him.
What are you implying? He looked at her with his eyebrow raised.
Nothing at all. I'm just sure you didn't talk about that for twenty minutes. She rolled her eyes. He was so dense at times. Did he think her that naive?
Don't over exaggerate. It was not twenty minutes. She was just as dramatic as he was, even if she rebutted the fact.
If you say so. She still did not believe him, and she knew it had been a long time. She turned her attention to Remus with a smile. "So, Professor Lupin, how has your day been?"
Remus smiled back. "Fine, Miss Tepes." He knew it had to irk Vlad that his granddaughter was so nice to him.
"Okay, no fair. For the rest of us that can't read minds, what just happened?" Harry looked from one to the other.
"Nothing," Remus and Morticia answered.
"Sure," he drawled knowing they were not saying something. "Can I talk to you alone, Professor?" He looked up at Remus.
"Of course." Remus nodded and smiled at the boy. Harry stood and the two walked out into the hall. Morticia looked to her grandfather with a smirk. They could talk with the other two gone.