Chapter 1

19 May, 1985

Help!

Lord Amon Auctorius looked up from the tiny picture he was just finishing and blinked twice in surprise.

It hurts! Help! Uncle… Please…

He looked around trying to locate the source of strange sound. Mikhel and Jean, his guards, stood straight on both sides of the door and gazed blankly forward, just as they always did. He shook his head and was about to return to his painting, when once again mysterious pleads for mercy filled his head.

I'll be good… Please… Aaaah!

Last scream was so piercing that he subconsciously reached up to protect his ears. He glanced at the guards, but they didn't seem to have noticed anything.

"Jean," he asked softly.

"My Lord?" His pale, blond head was bowed, as was required by protocol.

"Have you heard anything?"

"No, my Lord."

"I see."

He walked quickly to the middle of the room. With one gesture he banished the furniture to the walls, he needed some space for what he was about to do.

He summoned some white chalk and with the practiced ease of a person who had done this many times before, he drew circle around him and started filling it with runes and symbols. Whole thing took him barely more then few seconds and yet each of the circles he drew was ideally round, each shape perfect.

He straightened up and started muttering something quietly, at the same time abruptly throwing his hands up in the air. The symbols surrounding him started glowing; other lights went off. A sound, barely on the edge of audibility filled the chamber.

Amon listened intently, trying to catch anything unusual in the melody he knew so well. It was humming of the magic, which enveloped and connected together every living being. Amon has spent more time listening to it than anyone in the world. He whistled something very quietly and felt heat coming from the magic circle on the ground and increasing. Magic was responding to his question, but the signals he received were not comforting at all. There seemed to be some disarray, some turbulence in the usually calm melody.

Like an echo, the scream that he had heard before returned to him: Help…

Amon felt worried. There was someone out there who was very strongly in tune with magic. It took a great amount of power too channel anything like this straight through Earth's magical core. Some vague feelings yes… that happened very often. But a comprehensible verbal message? Amon was old, very old and yet he couldn't recall such occurrence.

Once again he whistled and once again magic answered. With a few gestures, he formed his own life energy according to the directions that magic gave him and in one short flash of light he disappeared from the room completely.

His guards remained on their places. They have seen many things while on duty.

The first thing Amon felt when he reappeared was unmistakable smell of blood. His senses flared up and for a moment he was about to loose control; he hadn't felt such a strong desire for many, many years. He licked his lips and breathed deeply, but it didn't help. He wanted to drink this blood; he wanted to taste it in his mouth. The smell was intoxicating, overwhelming. It was as if he was young again, barely changed, driven by his instinct only.

"Help…"

A small whimper brought him out from his stupor and he finally took notice of his surroundings. He was standing in the hallway of a small, and as far as he could tell, very tastelessly furnished house. There were voices and a light coming from behind the door; Amon reached out with his magic and enhanced senses and realized that they were all coming from some strange box, no doubt some insane device of non-magical humans. Two males and one female were sitting on a coach and it seemed that the speaking-box had their full attention. Good.

Another muffled whimper came from behind one of the other doors in the hallway, one that was definitely to a cupboard under the stairs. Amon soundlessly moved in that direction but as he approached, the delicious smell grew stronger and more tempting. He closed his eyes and quickly performed some control-strengthening ritual. He could only hope that it would be enough.

Then moving in quick, fluent motions, he opened the door, grabbed whoever was inside and teleported straight to the only place he could think of; Aluvitara, House of The Storm.

Aileena, Fae-Lady of the Storm, had of course felt the strange disturbances in magic that had occurred that evening. It worried her. Humans… she thought bitterly. Belonging to a race that was renowned for its tolerance, she always tried to find excuses and explanations for their ridiculous behavior, but there were times, when she simply ran out of excuses. They fooled around with those wands of theirs, with no knowledge of the consequences their actions would have. They abused the power they were given and were not even aware of it. She was absolutely certain, that whatever was going on this evening was also caused by some irresponsible wizard somewhere.

She watched the never-ending storm outside the window. It was unusually violent tonight. She tried to find clues in the patterns of the lightning, but it was nearly impossible. She sighed in frustration. Waiting and being unable to act, when something was so plainly wrong… it was driving her mad.

Maybe, if she screamed loud enough, it would make this useless husband of hers come and calm the storm a bit; just so she could read the lightening and get some answers.

An unexpected noise interrupted her musings. She turned around from the window quickly and gaped for a while, as she tried to comprehend the sight that greeted her. In the middle of her bedroom stood Lord Amon Auctorius, head of the most powerful vampire clan and Lord of the City. In his arms, he was holding an unconscious child, and judging from the amount of blood, the child was also heavily injured. His eyes seemed mad.

"Lord Auctorius," she said, hiding surprise from her voice and bowing her head slightly. "What… what happened?"

"Lady… Pardon the intrusion…" he said in a raspy voice. "Save the child!" He looked at her with panic and then finally lost it. He started licking the blood from the little boy's hands hastily, almost madly.

Aileena blinked. Quickly, she summoned all her strength and called the lightning to her aid. She placed the most powerful binding spell on the boy she could think of, hoping that it would be enough to keep him with her and ordered Aluvitara (the castle was sentient) to throw out Lord Amon. For a while nothing happened and she feared that her powers would not be enough to match those of vampire lord, but finally he disappeared.

She fell to the ground exhausted, and the last thing she saw before fainting were her servants flying in, alarmed by the noise.

5 June, 1985

Amon sat in the audience room, waiting for Lady Aileena to come. He was collected now, two weeks after tasting the boy's blood; collected enough to come in such a close vicinity of the little human. And yet, he still remembered the pleasure and pain that filled him the moment he finally lost his control that fateful evening. From any sensible point of view, he knew he shouldn't come here.

The Lady of the Storm would surely accept a letter of apology for his actions, especially in the given circumstances. He was certain, that after all she had seen, she would rather keep him far away from the Aluvitara, at least as long as the child remained here.

The thing was, that he simply couldn't bear the thought of never seeing him again. Something drove him here, some insane need to be close to the boy, to sense his presence. He was pretty sure that it wasn't simply a need for his blood. No, that particular problem was taken care of, with help of quite a few remarkably powerful slaves that he kept specifically for that reason. His hunger was satisfied, at least temporarily.

"My Lord, Lady Aileena is waiting."

He followed the servant to the much smaller and cozier room, which she had chosen for his visit. He wondered about that; although they had been allies on many occasions throughout the centuries, their relationship always stayed rather cold, mainly due to the race differences. Did she consider the weakness he had shown reason enough to familiarize? Or was there some other, more complicated reason for choosing this particular place?

He bowed slightly to show respect and gratitude; she bowed much lower and yet not as low as she used to.

"My Lord," she said in a bit of a strained voice. "I hope you do not mind the room. I am still recovering after…" She paused, doubtlessly expecting him to find a proper way to describe the events from two weeks ago. However, he had no intention of doing that; he still wasn't sure what exactly had happened. Instead, he settled on apologizing. He had a feeling, that he would do that a lot this evening.

"I'm terribly sorry for that, My Lady. Perhaps there is some way I could assist you? Is there anything you need?"

"Thank you for your kindness, My Lord. Please, do sit down," she replied, pointing to a comfortable armchair and taking place in another one at the same time.

"So, My Lord, apart from apologies, what is the reason for your visit?"

He smiled at her frankness. Perhaps she chose this room simply to be able to talk more openly and without all the ceremony that was usually involved during the meeting of two Noble beings such as themselves.

"As you have guessed, My Lady, I wanted to apologize and explain my actions," he started. "And discuss the future of the boy."

"Of course. I have to admit I am curious."

"How is he faring?"

She smiled slightly before responding, "Surprisingly well, for someone who a fortnight ago wasn't even aware that such thing like magic existed. He is well now, despite the blood loss and terrible general condition he was in when you brought him."

He only nodded to that. He had expected as much.

"He is very curious and very timid at the same time. He doesn't speak French though and most of my fairies have never heard a word of English, so I'm afraid he might feel a bit isolated."

"I see."

"So, My Lord, can you tell me how you found him?"

Slowly, not revealing too much, he described the ritual he used to locate the source of magical disturbance and explained the condition he found the boy in.

"As you can understand, he needed immediate medical attention. Unfortunately, I was not able to provide it myself and I doubt any other vampire would have shown even half of the restraint I did."

She nodded in understanding and then looked at him with unveiled interest gleaming in her eyes.

"I must say that this is the part of the story I find difficult to understand. Why the restraint? I mean, he is just a human after all, albeit a powerful one. Why stop yourself, when draining him would doubtlessly increase your power considerately?"

This was precisely the question Amon didn't want to answer, but he supposed that he owed her some explanation, after all the trouble he had put her through.

"It's quite complicated, My Lady. As you might have heard, occasionally vampires can, sort of, hear magic. It's rare ability, which comes with age and which therefore I possess in abundance. I heard the boy calling for help, through the magic. It happens fairly often that someone subconsciously projects his or her feelings, or even vague ideas, into the magical plane. However what this boy has done… I have never encountered something like that before. He managed to project words, fully understandable words. He must have incredibly good communication with his magical core to achieve something like that."

"His name is Harry."

Amon blinked, surprised by such an irrelevant comment.

"Harry Potter. His parents are James and Lily Potter. For some reason, they decided to give their son away and he ended up in the hands of Petunia and Vernon Dursley. I believe Petunia is Harry's aunt, Lily Potter's sister, but I can't be sure. I think that Harry himself doesn't know how his guardians are related to him."

Amon blinked again. Why exactly was she telling him all that? And, more importantly, why did she even bother to check all this information?

As if sensing his unasked question, she continued with a small smile, "I was really curious as to why a vampire, such as you, My Lord, would put himself in such undeniably inconvenient situation for sake of one human child. So I did a bit of research."

"I see," he replied. "I hope I have made my reasons clear now, My Lady. I also would like once again to apologize for my actions. It pains me to know that I have caused you so much inconvenience. If I had any other way…"

"I know, My Lord. However, I have to admit that I am actually glad that you did, as you have said My Lord, 'caused me inconvenience'. Harry is a most peculiar and most interesting child."

Again this evening, he was surprised. Could it be that the Lady of the Storm grew fond of the little boy? It was no secret that her marriage to the Lord of the Storm has not been a happy one and was never blessed with children. Some speculated even, that it wasn't actually consummated, although Amon found this particular gossip difficult to believe. After all, they have lived under one roof for more than a thousand years.

Could it be that Harry has awoken some sort of motherly feelings in the usually cold and uncaring Fae-Lady? Every time she spoke of him, there was a strange fondness in her voice. Suddenly he realized, that getting Harry back might be much more difficult then he expected. He tried to keep anxiousness out of his voice as he asked, "What do you mean, My Lady?"

"Well, he is timid and curious at the same time. As I already mentioned, he had no knowledge of magic prior to meeting you and yet he is not afraid at all. He asks most interesting questions, some I don't even know how to answer."

"Such as?"

She smiled again and this time he had no doubts that she cared for the boy. He cursed inwardly, this really complicated things a lot.

"Only yesterday, he wanted to know whether fairies have special shampoos for their wings, and if I have ever met an individual named Batman. He also was very concerned about his return home. It seems that this prospect scares him a lot. As I didn't know your plans, My Lord, I preferred not to raise his hopes."

"He doesn't have a home to go back to," Amon said shortly.

"I beg your pardon?" Aileen asked.

"I wanted to know who had harmed the boy so much. I discovered that his so-called family has abused him heavily since the day he got under their care. It was only few days after I brought him here and I wasn't exactly in control of my actions." He shrugged after that. He really didn't need to explain that to her.

"I understand. I suppose that Harry will be glad to know that he won't go back there."

"Perhaps we could go and tell him the news now?" he asked lightly.

Aileen looked at him sharply. "Are you sure that this is a good idea, My Lord? I have not yet recuperated my powers after last time…"

"I don't think that this sort of intervention will be necessary today, My Lady," he replied.

"I would hate all the effort you've put in to saving him to be in vain, My Lord."

"I believe we share this sentiment, but I assure you, My Lady, there is no risk." He wished that he was really so certain of it. Now, that he was so close, the odd need to see the boy was slowly overwhelming him.

"Very well, My Lord. A servant will bring him." She clapped twice, which he knew was unnecessary gesture and as if on cue the doors opened and young fae led Harry in, holding his hand. The boy smiled shyly at Aileena and gazed curiously at him at the same time. There was no fear in his eyes, which was surprising in the boy, who suffered so much at the hands of the adults.

"I remember you." The boy said suddenly, looking him directly in the eyes. "You are the angel. I dreamed about you. You found me."

Amon smiled at Harry, wondering at the same time how could the boy remember anything if he was unconscious the whole time.

"Harry," Aileena spoke gently. "This is Lord Amon Auctorius. And yes, he did indeed saved you. What should you say?"

"Um… Thank you, Auntie Aileen?" He looked at her questioningly, waiting for some confirmation. She nodded and gestured toward Amon encouragingly.

Harry took a hesitant step forward and then said loudly, "Thank you, Lord Amon Auc... ugh…" He turned to Aileena for help, but Amon spoke before she could say anything.

"You are welcome. I'm glad to finally meet you, Harry. I also think that you will be happy to know that you will never see your former guardians again."

Harry didn't seem to understand this, so he turned to Aileena again.

"You are not going back to your aunt and uncle," she explained. Boy beamed at her and thanked both of them profusely, without any prompting this time. Shortly after that, the young fae servant led him out of the room.

The whole meeting had not even lasted five minutes and yet it left Amon with entirely changed mindset about Harry. Before, he had thought that once he saw the boy, he would understand his strange pull towards him. Now, he knew he wanted this boy. He wanted to take him with him, to teach him, to raise him and one day… turn him. Once he looked up at his hostess, there was new determination in his heart.

"It's time to decide Harry's future, My Lady."

"Of course. I…" she hesitated for a while. "I will be happy to offer him safe home here, in Aluvitara."

Something must have shown on Amon's face because she hastily added, "Unless you have something else in mind, My Lord?"

"I do. I am going to raise the boy myself, in the City."

"My Lord, Forgive me my impertinence but… How can you assure his safety? There are plenty of different creatures in the City who would be only too happy to hurt him." She didn't need to add 'including you'.

"They won't harm him knowing that he is under my protection." He knew that he didn't really answer her concerns, but truly… what answer could he give?

"My Lord, what about those who try to undermine your position? He will be your weak point, easiest way to strike… What if the pull his blood has on vampires is too strong for them to control themselves, despite your orders?"

"I assure you My Lady, there are ways to protect him from any of these dangers."

"My Lord," he could hear that she was desperate now. "He will grow up constantly in danger, hiding, running… He has suffered so much already. Here he could be happy. Careless, just as child should be…"

"My Lady, perhaps for the first few years he would indeed be happier here than in my home. But later? He is a human; he will grow different from you, violent, uncontrollable… Sooner or later he would push you away with his behavior. Someday the differences will be too much and he would leave, unprepared for the outside world."

"The same can be the case if he grows up among vampires," she replied shortly.

"Ah, My Lady, the whole point is that when the difference between him and other vampires becomes too much, he can always be turned into one and become a member of the society he grew up in. This something you cannot offer him."

She bowed her head in defeat.

Harry Potter thought that he was in heaven.

He was a bit afraid at first, when the Angel said that he iwas taking him from the Castle. Although they told him before that he was definitely not going back to Privet Drive, he feared that maybe they changed their minds. Maybe they decided that he didn't behave well enough. He had tried very hard to be good boy, so that they would keep him and when he couldn't pronounce Angel's name, he had almost had a small panic attack.

As it turned out, he didn't need to be afraid at all. Angel took him to a different house, almost as big as the Castle although much darker. Harry didn't like it at first, but he tried to be brave. And then Angel told him a few things that Harry had always wanted to hear, ever since he was old enough to understand that he didn't have parents.

"Harry," he said, lowering himself so that Harry could see his face. "There are few things I want you to know. First thing is that I will never lie to you. I know you had bad life and you are not exactly ready to trust anyone yet, but you can trust me. I will take care of you. I will do what is best for you. I will be you father."

Father! Harry was so happy that he simply jumped at the Angel and buried his face in his chest at the same time surrounding him with his arms. He could feel Angel, no, Dad, stiffen briefly, but then the man hugged him back. Despite the strange coldness of his Dad's body, Harry felt safe.

Later his father gave him an amulet and the ring.

"They are to show everyone, that you are under my protection. As long as you wear them no one will hurt you. Promise me that you will never take them off."

Harry nodded solemnly and promised, just as his Dad wanted.

After that Harry got his room, with big bed and a window and everything. His Dad helped him to undress and sat beside his bed, while Harry was falling asleep.

Harry truly was in heaven.

Author note: How was it? Good? Bad? Boring? I wanted to post it, so this is unbeta-ed version. Don't worry - I'm definitely going to find myself a beta, so sooner or later all mistakes will be corrected. Also, I will try to make future chapters longer, this one is some sort of warm up:)

Next chapter: We will learn why exactly such powerful beings like Lady of the Storm and Lord Amon Auctorius wanted Harry so much. We will also see what Amon is planning to do to ensure safety of a little boy with delicious blood in the house full of vampires. Harry will make his first steps in learning magic and will discover his Dad's not-so-pleasant nature.

Credits: Harry's characterization is strongly influenced by story "Mine" by Gillian Middleton. Brilliant story, by the way.

Everything that you recognize belongs to J.K. Rowling and plenty of publishers. Only thing I earn from this is some satisfaction and bit of ego-stroking when I get nice reviews.

That reminds me: PLEASE REVIEW!

This chapter was beta-ed by cocoidie-18.