Warning: chapter contains discussions of future slash. Remember he is technically underage but in vampire society he is of age. It is only mentioned in this chapter but the rest of the story will have some slash in it.

Chapter thirteen

A Shocking Suggestion.

Demetrius used the next few days to research and alter his presence masking potion. The work the teachers had them doing was stuff Severus had taught him long ago. He finished all his homework in about an hour then he was free to work on other things. It took him about a week to tweak the recipe to the point he thought it might work. In that week he continued to share Severus's quarters and they managed to wake up in the same position every day. They had to drain his magic every night still, and practice with both his magic and weapons.

To help Demetrius find ways and places to practice Severus let him in on a secret. There was a room within Hogwarts that would transform itself into anything you needed. If what Demetrius needed was a place safe from Dumbledore to practice that was what he got. Severus often found Demetrius in that room practicing or experimenting with potions.

What Demetrius hadn't told anyone was he wasn't just working on their masking potion. He was working with his Sire's Wolfsbane potion. He wanted to help Johnny. He knew it would be nearly impossible to cure lycanthropy what Demetrius wanted to do was lesson the pain and take the transformation out of the moon's hands. It helped his conscience that he would be able to help the ones that helped him.

Now was the time to make the first batch of the new masking potion. By now Demetrius was sure it was safe and that it would probably work. Again his Sire and him would be testing it first. They would need Johnny to tell them if it worked or not. To that end Demetrius met up with the young lycanthrope in the library.

Johnny was working on defense work which Demetrius glanced at before quietly telling the boy to meet him that night around midnight in the common room. He was about to go when Johnny asked a question.

"Demetrius, I wanted to know if you approved of the new defense teacher? All she has us doing is useless book work. We are learning nothing. I am living proof you need to know basic defense. I was changed when I was little my parents had been poor and couldn't pay tuition to Hogwarts. They had went to a second rate school that didn't offer defense. They didn't know what spells to use. They were killed that night and I was changed. I want to be able to protect this from happening to anyone else." He said quietly.

"Not here Johnny. There are unfriendly eyes everywhere. I will answer your questions and more tonight." Demetrius replied in a voice so low he knew only himself and Johnny could here with their enhanced senses.

"Alright," Johnny replied in the same voice.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Demetrius waited for Johnny in the common room. It was a little before midnight when his sensitive ears caught the small boy's light footsteps. He came up behind the boy and lightly touched his shoulder. Johnny jumped a foot into the air but landed silently. That reaction confirmed Demetrius's suspicions now he just had to help the boy open up to him.

He spoke to the boy in a low voice. "Johnny it's just me. We are going to meet the professor now. We are going to travel by Shadow bending. Is that alright with you?"

"Yes, I haven't traveled that way before but it sounds interesting." Johnny replied.

"It is, hold on to me and I will do the work. It will be easier on me if you can keep relaxed." Demetrius informed him.

Johnny moved into the Vampires inviting embrace and relaxed his body. When Demetrius felt himself supporting most of Johnny's weight he began to bend the shadows around them. He then felt his own body go weightless and heard a small gasp from Johnny. He let the currents of Shadow carry them. Slowing the pace down to let Johnny enjoy the experience.

All too soon for both of them Harry arrived outside of the Room of Requirement. The door was already visible to him telling him that Severus was already inside. When Johnny expressed interest in the room Demetrius explained the processes to him quickly.

They walked into the room to find a fully functional potions lab, fully stocked with the ingredients they would need. Johnny looked around curiously while Demetrius went over to his Sire. Severus was already setting up cauldrons for the potion. Demetrius went over to him and slide his arms around the older man's waist.

"Demetrius we are not alone." Severus warned although he didn't do anything to pull out of the embrace.

"You can't tell me he doesn't already know." Demetrius replied not loosening his hold.

"How would he know?" Severus said a little shocked.

"He can smell us remember? If he can pick up the fact we are vampires you think he might be able to smell our scent covering each other? Especially since the scent is strongest in the morning after we get up." Demetrius replied patiently to his puzzled Sire. "Sire I think there is something else you should know. Johnny has a similar history as me. I can tell by his reactions to certain things. I want to help him. He has also brought up some points that need to be addressed about Umbridge."

"Do you want to talk to him before or after we make the potions?" Severus asked knowing his Childe wouldn't bring it up to him if it wasn't seriously important, or if he couldn't fix it himself.

"I think after would be best. Let him get comfortable and relaxed around us. Trust me some of my questions will be hard on him. I will help him like you and my parents helped me." Demetrius replied after some thought.

Then Demetrius finally let go of his sire and went over to Johnny who was looking over the potions ingredients with fascination. "Johnny are you interested in potions?" Demetrius asked as he observed the boy.

"Yes, I know there is one out there to help werewolves someday I want to be good enough to make it." Johnny replied in the same soft hesitant voice he always used.

"I have an idea why don't you help us get the ingredients ready. That way you can learn some and we can concentrate on the brewing." Demetrius said to the shy boy.

Severus having heard Johnny's comments started talking to the boy in a gentle voice he usually reserved for his childe. "So you like potions?" at Johnny's nod he continued. "What do you know about the wolfsbane potion?" he asked and Demetrius knew he was testing the boy.

"That it is fairly new invention only invented the year before I was born. It helps werewolves keep their minds during the transformation. With the new ministry laws it is now a restricted substance you have to be registered and tagged in order to buy it. It was invented by the youngest potions master to be inducted into the Potions Mater's Guild." With that Johnny stopped talking and got a look of awe on his face. "It was you wasn't it? You made the Wolfsbane."

Demetrius could tell his Sire was impressed that was a lot of information for an eleven year old to know. Severus now talked to the boy with a spark of interest in his voice. "Yes, I did. There are still some flaws in it. It is a treatment not a cure. It takes a lot of skill and time but I will show you how to make it when you show me you can without hurting yourself. The ingredients are quite volatile and I don't want anyone hurt." Severus said to the now excited boy.

"You would do that for me?" He asked in amazement.

"Yes I would." Severus replied.

"Sire before you do that you might want to look over this." Demetrius said as he handed over his notes on the advanced form of Wolfsbane. They weren't complete but he thought he was onto something.

"So this is what you've been working on. Your theory is good I would like to work with you on this." Severus offered.

"That would be good. I don't have the experience you do." Demetrius replied.

Johnny was looking back and forth between the two vampires feeling confused. Demetrius explained to him. "I have been working on a few additions to the Wolfsbane. Right now all it does is let you keep your mind. I want to adjust it so the transformation is less painful and give you control over when you transform. In essence the wolf would be your animagius form." Demetrius told him knowing McGonagall had already told them about animagius.

"That would be wonderful. I have had the wolf in me for so long I think I would actually feel empty about it. What you just described would be freedom to me." Johnny said.

"I feel the same way about my vampirism." Demetrius said to the lycanthrope. "When I was first turned I was frightened and hated myself. I thought I was a monster and a freak. Now if I was given the choice I can honestly say I would choose to remain like this. Although if a potion were created that would let me not have to kill that would be great. They already have a bloodlust potion which I take but it only works for so long before you must hunt."

"Why don't you invent one like you did with the masking and Wolfsbane potion?" Johnny asked thoughtfully.

"I have tried anything I come up with would interfere with either the masking or sunscreen potion." Demetrius explained. "When all this is over and vampires are once again allowed I will try again."

"We had better get started brewing." Severus told them.

"Alright, Johnny why don't you start dicing the Aconite." Demetrius instructed and they were off into the world of intense concentration that was potions brewing.

Two hours later the potion was cooling and the three creatures were relaxing. Something within Demetrius said this would be a good time to talk to Johnny.

"Johnny it's safe now. You told me earlier you had concerns about the teacher. I do too, but what have you seen that you disagree with." Demetrius asked.

"Well she never lets us practice. It's always essays and quizzes. We don't even know the simplest spells. She yells at anyone who suggests she demonstrate a spell. We ask how we are going to pass exams she says if we know the theory we should be able to do it. She takes points away if she sees anyone using magic, even if it's for another class." Johnny explained.

"I have seen that behavior too." Demetrius told Johnny. "I don't know what can be done." He said and Severus knew it was time for him to step in.

"I have an idea. What you need is to learn by yourselves. You need someone who can teach you what you need to know. Study groups are encouraged here. You would have to be careful I expect Umbridge's behavior is being dictated by Fudge and Dumbledore." Severus told the two of them.

"Sire would you teach us?" Demetrius asked hopefully.

"Childe, you know I can't. If Dumbledore or Umbridge catch me then they will know something is up. Sorry but I think you need a student." Severus said hoping his Childe would catch on soon.

"Who could do it? They would have to know what they're doing. I wouldn't want someone teaching me that was as bad as Umbridge." Demetrius asked puzzled.

About half way through Demetrius's question Johnny got an enlightened look on his face. He shared a look with Severus. "Johnny would you care to enlighten my rather thick childe?" Severus asked.

"Yes Professor," Johnny answered in a slightly mocking tone. "Demetrius I think your Sire is saying you should teach us." Johnny told the older boy.

"Sire, you know that I have other things to do." Demetrius nearly whined. He was thinking about his own training.

"Demetrius, I really think you need to do this. Plus what better practice can you get then teaching what you learned. I can work with you before or after your sessions with everyone else. Plus you have been saying you need to present your side in this war, now is your chance childe don't let it slip away." Severus explained patiently.

"Fine, I will do it. What do you think I should teach just magic or give hem basic weapons training as well?" Demetrius asked.

"You already proved that weapons can be an invaluable asset. I think you should teach both. You are excellent at them." Severus answered with pride. Once Demetrius had mastered Sai he had learned to use each of the weapons his friends had plus a few more. He was good with the offensive weapons but he was still apprehensive over what he had to do with them.

"Alright, but to do that I will have to get to know each student first. I want to make sure I match them up with the right weapon." Demetrius explained.

"What weapon do you use?" Johnny asked curiously.

"I can use just about anything with a blade but my main weapons are Sai." Demetrius replied.

"Wow, I love those." Johnny broke out excitedly only to catch himself and cringe.

Demetrius used the opportunity to ask a few questions. "Johnny it's alright to be excited about something. Why did you cringe?"

"Well after my parents died and I was changed I was sent to live with my grandparents. They, well lets just say they didn't like that I was a werewolf. I was never to be seen or heard. I guess it's just automatic to cringe if I speak to loud." Johnny said very cautiously. Demetrius knew there were now two options on how to go about this. He could be gentle and let Johnny go without saying anymore hoping he would open up, or he could confront the problem.

He decided to go with the harder route. It worked for him and he was able to function normally soon after. "Johnny can you tell me what happen I know it's hard but I can help?" Demetrius asked and Johnny reacted exactly like Demetrius thought he would.

"Nothing happened and even if it did how on earth can you know how it hurts." Johnny said getting angry.

Demetrius decided to be direct he took off his shirt having already discarded his robes making the potion. He then dropped his glamours. Johnny gasped and Severus fought down a growl. Even though his Sire had already seen them he reacted the same every time.

Johnny just hung his head and started speaking. "Alright I will tell you. Well I told you my parents died in the attack that changed me. Well they were only there because they had been looking for me. I had wondered off our farm I was about four at the time. I was ambushed and my parents tried to save me. They got killed protecting me. When my grandparents got me and heard the full story they got mad immediately. They blamed me and my Lycanthropy for their son's death. I was hidden away from the rest of the world. Never to be seen or heard. When my grandfather got drunk he would come up to the attack where I sleep and hit and punch me. He called me horrible names murderer, freak, worthless.

When it came time for my monthly transformation they would stand on the other side of a padlocked door. The door was charmed so they could see in and hear me. They would taunt me through the door. They laughed at my pain and would hold a vial of Wolfsbane just out of reach. Without the potion I lost all humanity and bit and scratched myself. The morning after when I was human again they refused to treat my wounds saying it was what I deserved for getting their son and daughter in law killed. The reason they sent me here at all was because they knew about the new laws. They want me killed or arrested so they don't have to deal with me."

"You are more like me then I thought." Demetrius whispered to the distraught boy. He saw Johnny was fighting a losing battle against tears. "It's alright let it out." Demetrius told him quietly as he pulled the small boy onto his lap carding his hand through Johnny's soft mop of hair. He felt his bare chest grow wet with the boy's silent tears. Severus and Demetrius both felt their hearts clench for the small boy.

"Sire what can we do for him? I feel something for him I don't know what it is." Demetrius called for help.

"Childe I think you will find you feel like a parent. I don't know what we can do for him. You can't adopt yet you're not of age in the wizarding world." Severus said sadly.

"I am in vampire culture and in werewolf if I remember correctly." Demetrius said trying to come up with a plan grasping at straws.

"You can't turn him. The mix of lycan and vampire blood would kill him. Plus if you adopted him in the vampire way you would have to reveal what you are." Severus said. He agreed with his childe but he just wanted Demetrius fully aware of the risks.

"The ministry doesn't have to know. I am planning to fight a war soon. Thy will not have any hold over me. If your plan of training the students works the way I think it will this is my last year of school. Plus I wasn't thinking about me adopting him actually. Although later on I can co-adopt." Demetrius explained having thought of a plan.

"The only reason you couldn't take me was the fact it would make Dumbledore suspicious. That doesn't apply to Johnny. I eventually want to bond with you Sire, this could be are chance for a child." Demetrius confessed entirely.

"Oh, Childe are you sure? You know what a bonding entails right?" Severus asked not daring to believe what he was hearing.

"Yes, you would become my mate for eternity. Nothing can break a bonding not even death. We would be linked so close we would always be aware of where the other was. I love you Sire, I wanted to bond with you ever since I was twelve. Every instinct tells me this is right. If doing what is right can help another why not try it." Demetrius reassured his Sire. He looked down at Johnny who had cried himself into an exhausted sleep.

"I think we will be testing this potion tomorrow. I know that had to have been hard on him. I will take him back to his room then we will have a long talk, alright?" Demetrius said questioningly. He got up with the boy still cradled in his arms. He wrapped the shadows around the two of them and brought the boy back to his dorm. He tucked the child in then left for his Sire's quarters.

A/N I know it's shorter then the last few but my sisters coming up today and I wanted to get this out first. Hope this answers some questions.