Chapter 20
The great hall applauded as the last champion was chosen, a sixth year in Hufflepuff name Cedric Diggory. A frown continued to mar Harry's face as no other name was called. As the Tri-Wizard champions were called to a meeting he gave Mad-eye Moody a look. The disabled man nodded before disappearing with the other professors. He sighed, wondering what went wrong. His attention was drawn to Draco, who was sitting next to him this evening. The boy had called for him as soon as he entered the great hall. He had been a scarcity in the castle; even the professors have been noticing his absence. The headmaster had called him into his office at some point but Harry had quelled Dumbledore's nerves about any malicious acts he may be up to. Naruto and Sasuke hadn't had a decent conversation with him in weeks, Draco even longer and he hadn't spared a glance at Hermoine at all this school year. He made a point to set up a meeting with the two fifth years as soon as possible.
"I see you don't like the chosen Hogwarts Champion." Draco said to him. Harry looked over the room distractedly. "He's a hufflepuff." He stated as if it should answer all of Draco's unanswered questions. The blonde in question smiled wanly. "Wasn't it you who taught me not to discriminate." Harry looked over at him with a smirk. "I taught you to see potential." "And Diggory doesn't have it?" "I'm not satisfied. I must be going." "So soon?" Draco's face was marred with worry and disappointment. Harry had the dignity to apologize. "I have matters to attend to." Draco wanted to stop Harry but an owl landed in front of him. It was his father's owl. He took the letter it was holding.
"Dear Draco
Good day my heir.
This may be too soon but I have been missing you terribly. It seems only yesterday you were starting Hogwarts and I have missed much of the time in between. I wish to spend a bit of time with you this weekend, if it won't be of any inconvenience. The summer was not enough to make up for all the birthdays and holidays I missed with you, so I wish to correct that this weekend. I know you've always wanted to go to Tokyo.
I love you Dragon.
Your father
Draco smiled in excitement and happiness. His father was doing so much better. His mother had moved out of the house, but has no idea where she went. Her marriage to the Malfoy family had been broken before the summer began and she was expelled from the family wards and magic. Draco hadn't seen anything of her ever since Yule. He was happy with his life right now and would gladly spend some time with his father. A weekend in Tokyo. He was so excited and couldn't wait.
Meanwhile Naruto was pacing in the Room of Requirements, eyes blood red in his rage. "Naruto calm down." Sasuke tried to placate him. Naruto growled. "Don't tell me you are not mad too! This is driving me crazy. I can't even stand to look at Malfoy because of it. I mean, he talks to the Slytherins but can't spare a moment for his childes." "I'm angry too, but pacing will only wear the floor down. Come on, don't work yourself up like this or you'll go on a rampage." At the mention of his tenuous control these days Naruto stopped pacing and instead sat down heavily next to Sasuke. He shot back to his feet, alarming Sasuke. "What…?" A growl tore itself from the blonde's chest as he looked at something. Sasuke followed his gaze to see Harry leaning casually on the wall and watching them. "How long have you been here?" He questioned, eyes flashing red. "A few seconds. Naruto's senses are still better than yours." "I doubt you came here to speak about my sensing abilities." Harry sighed and pushed away from the wall. He approached them. "I'm sorry. I did not realize I was being so distant until Draco pointed it out to me." "Yes, because you speak to Draco so much." The raven said bitterly. Naruto still stood still, not trusting himself not to do something stupid.
"As I said, I am sorry." Harry said. He reached out to touch Sasuke but the raven tensed up, so Harry lowered his hand. "I came to see how you two are doing? I hope you have adjusted well to the potion." Naruto snarled wordlessly and walked away. Harry felt his ire rise but squashed it down. Sasuke was glaring at him but was also curious. "You never explained why." "I have my reasons." "And I guess we are not privy to them?" Harry sighed for probably the hundredth time. "I already told you why." "You need your strength, but what for? Why can't we know? Itachi sent us an owl telling us you're keeping him in the dark too. What are you hiding?" "Nothing you need to know about." "So you are hiding something." Naruto piped in, glaring. Harry remained silent. "If you're not going to tell us anything then fuck off, you bastard."
"Naruto." The blonde flinched at the way Harry called his name. "Everything I do, I do to protect you, Itachi and the organization. You will not question my actions, are we clear?" The words were spoken lowly but they could both feel the anger in Harry's voice. His face was blank but the fire in his eyes was unmistakable. The blonde looked away. He kept his face turned even as he felt Harry's presence right next to him. "I know you're angry, but try to be patient." Harry sat down on one of the two beds in the room, next to Sasuke. After a bit of consideration, Naruto settled down next to Harry. Hesitatingly, he laid his head on the younger boy's shoulder and sighed happily when finger immediately threaded through his wild blonde locks. Sasuke copied his actions and received the same treatment. "I am truly sorry I neglected you. I have been busy. The potion is to keep you sated so I can take care of some pressing matters which I cannot relay to you. Not yet." Sasuke sighed. "It better be worth it." Harry laughed but kept silent. A long while later his wand vibrated in his pocket. He wanted to leave but both boys tightened their holds on him. With a sigh he laid down, pulling both boys with him. Naruto burrowed into his side as Sasuke laid his head on his chest. Harry waited, applying a mild sleeping charm to speed up the process. Soon his childes were in the realm of sleep and Harry could pull himself away. He tucked them both in before leaving.
'Kabuto must be pissed.' He thought as he went to the Astronomy tower. 'At least they saw you again.' Lelita said. Just like Harry she too had grown attached to the childes and wished only the best for them. Harry smiled. 'I didn't realize how much I had missed them.' 'Yes. Hershia probably missed you too.' Harry groaned. Hershia would give him a strong tongue-lashing, especially if she catches wind of his inattentiveness to his childes.
Mad-eye Moody was waiting for him at the Astronomy Tower. "Sorry, I got held up." Harry excused. The man limped over to meet him. "Naruto, Sasuke or both?" "Both." The older man rolled his eyes. "It's always both. Anyway, it seems someone removed your name from the goblet. Most likely Dumbledore." Harry cursed silently. "He probably anticipated someone entering my name, even if it wasn't necessarily me. We need to revamp our plans." "Actually, we can continue as planned, but without you in the equation." Harry raised his eyebrow. "I'm listening."
~Scene Change~
"Harry James Potter, what has gotten into you?!" Harry spun around, barely resisting the urge to blast Granger through the wall. "What, Hermoine, have I done to deserve your wrath this time?" "You are barely around Harry. When is the last time we spoke? Or don't you want to be my friend anymore?" The last part was whispered brokenly. Harry's eyes softened. "That's not the case. I'm just going through some pretty intense shit at the moment and I need time to sort them out." She appraised him suspiciously. "Aright, but promise to talk some time. I miss our study sessions, even if they're with Malfoy." Harry kissed her hand mockilngly. "Yes, mam." Hermoine blushed but giggled, then watched him hurry off.
Harry grumbled as he walked down the corridor. 'Don't mumble so often, Harry. Someone may be watching and think they're savior has gone insane.' 'Wouldn't that be entertaining?' He snarked as they passed the Potions lab. Harry paused and walked back to the door that led to the classroom. 'The bat is not in, lost in the realms of regret. Pull him out, he sinks! Sinks!' The raven decided to follow the shadows' advice and went in. He knocked at the potions master's office door. Said door was wrenched open to reveal professor Snape. "What do you want, boy?!" Harry gave him an unimpressed look for a few seconds before pushing his way in. The potions master gaped at him in shocked rage. "What do you think you're doing Potter?!" "Your master is dead." Snape stared at him uncomprehendingly. "What?" "I said your master is dead. Well, one of them and soon the other will be too?" "The Dark Lord is dead?" "Yes." Snape's hand went to his left arm. "Don't worry about the dark mark, I meant for it to stay that way." "I don't understand." Harry approached him. "You don't need to. Just know Voldemort is dead, truly gone this time, and I killed him. No more hiding for you, no more spying, no more pain, no more regrets. I know you blame yourself for what happened to my mother. She wouldn't have wanted you to feel that way. Wherever she is she must be grateful. You did all you could to protect me, to make up for your mistake. She, well she was given a chance to live but she made her choice."
Severus looked away, trying not to show the emotions he was feeling. Harry touched his hand, causing the man to look back at him. "You should never have been dragged into this whole mess. As such, I relieve you of your oath, and terminate your debt to me passed down from my father. So mote it be." Magic gripped them both then released, leaving Severus feeling as if a weight has been lifted from his shoulder. "Why?" he asked. Harry smiled. "I don't need another liability. Though, I do need you to do me a favor." "What?" "Take care of Lucius. He trusts you and as such I trust you. He is my childe, but I cannot protect him in my position at the moment. Will you help me?" Severus didn't even need to think about it. Lucius was his friend, perhaps even more than that. He would protect the man with his life. "I will."
~Scene Change~
It's not common knowledge, but Itachi Uchiha has feelings. He hides them, buries them, shows a blank slate but sometimes it gets overwhelming. Right now he was overwhelmed. He tried to hide it, he tried to overcome it, it was too much. In an attempt to calm himself he disappeared for about two weeks now. No one would know he wasn't there for another two weeks, thinking that he was out on a month long mission that he completed on the first three days. He planned to come back by the end of the month anyway. Though looking back now it was clearly a bad idea. He was strung up, he was angry, was in a crowded Tokyo street, and about to go into a rampage. He hadn't fed ever since he was given the blood potion batch, and that was over two months ago.
As the seconds ticked by his breath heightened and his vision narrowed. He could hear all sounds; the cars, the people, their footsteps, laughter, barking in the distance, and oh their heartbeats. The blood flowing in their veins, the pumping of their strongest organ. Before he even realized it he was following `a beautiful woman, his fangs almost poking out from the top of his lip. Startled, he veered away from her, rushing to get into an isolated area. The full streets made that difficult, people bumping into and jostling him, stimulating his senses. He was THIS close to attacking someone and exposing himself. He finally managed to go into an almost deserted street but something had to go wrong. A young girl bumped into him, a thief by the feel of her hands in his pocket. He held on to her, and the wide-eyed look she gave him was exhilarating.
He leaned in, about to sink his fangs in and taste the sweet nectar-like crimson liquid, when he was violently disturbed. He snarled angrily. His back collided with the cold wall, not hard enough to harm him but firm enough to jolt him back to reality. A hand was shoved in his face and the scent of the bleeding wrist overwhelmed him. He grabbed onto it to bite and dragged deeply. He actually moaned at the taste. It wasn't too sweet, a tad salty, a bit bitter, scented of seared almonds with lemon essence and vanilla. He knew that smell, that taste. The flow of blood stopped and he realized he had slid to the ground. "What the fuck do you think you're doing, gallivanting around Tokyo without taking any nourishment!" Itachi winced at the tone, refusing to look up. "So what, have you suddenly lost your voice? Speak!" He looked up. Harry's face was set in a scowl, his cheeks tinged with pink. He was suddenly filled with rage. "You're one to talk about talking. Where have you been all year?" Harry stared into Itachi's blank face.
"That's what all this is all about? My absence?" "Not just your absence Harry. You are distracted and are ignoring us. I know something is going on. That you are hiding something. You've barely spoken to me, everyone in Akatsuki is acting weird. Have you even had a proper conversation with Sasuke?" Harry remained silent. "I didn't think so." "It's for your protection." Itachi laughed humorlessly. "I don't know if you realize this but I can take care of myself." "Yes, you displayed that spectacularly." With a click of his tongue the taller raven started walking away. Harry matched his pace. "I'm sorry." 'You're apologizing quite a lot these days.' 'Shut up.' "Tell me what is going on and maybe I will forgive you." Harry raised an eyebrow at Itachi's words. "Nice try, but no. I want you to know I still care. Your disappearance this past month left me worried. This is a dangerous time Itachi. Don't try it again." Harry stared at Itachi's emotionless face imploringly for a moment, getting his message across.
Itachi looked away after a few minutes, instinct pushing him not to challenge his sire any further. Harry offered his hand. "Let me take you home." The older raven took the offered hand and the next moment he felt the chill of shadow walking. They appeared in LeFay manor and Itachi watched Harry walk towards his chambers. Even as he watched his retreating back he felt calm, content even. He wasn't sure if that was due to feeding again after such a long fast or being surrounded by Harry's magic once again. He didn't have time to ponder this however because something was shoved into his hands. He looked up questioningly at Nagato. He was using his original body once again which had pale skin, eyes bright with the rinnegan and red hair flowing down his back. "Since you are back I feel it necessary to update you on the going ons of the past month, as well as give you a list if possible future missions." Itachi nodded and left for his own room to read the report.
A/N: Some people may be worried about the content of this story. I apologize for any confusion. Harry is a human wizard who 'adopted abandoned newly turned vampires Naruto, Sasuke, and Itachi. He picked up the rest of Akatsuki members along the way. Lucius and Draco are veela with Lucius being a submissive veela and Draco is a beta. Hopefully, the story gets more interesting for some who stay tuned.
Merry Xmas everyone! And a Happy New year.