Lovers In a Dangerous Time
Chapter Five
42 Steps from the Street
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Lupin and Tonk's house was already prepared for Harry when he arrived later that night. Large black curtains had been drawn over the windows in each room but unlike the Burrow the curtains seemed to fit the decor quite well. Harry only had one trunk full of stuff so he only required one trip but Ginny had insisted on tagging along, which suited Harry fine. Harry sat his trunk down in the living room and followed Tonks around as she gave Harry and Ginny the tour of the house.
Despite it's small appearance the house was quite roomy. The kitchen was large enough to fit the entire Weasley family and then some. But to Harry's displeasure the Kitchen was covered in orange. Orange walls, cupboards and even an Orange refrigerator. It reminded him of Ron's bedroom, Harry had to poke Ginny hard in the ribs to stop her laughing. Next they were shown down the hall to the bedrooms. Harry got a quick peek at Lupin and Tonks room, neon green with black furniture then was hastily pushed away. Harry was given the choice of two spare bedroom, each with their own bath. Harry opened the door to one and found that it was a shocking pink color then quickly closed the door.
The last room was more to his taste, it was painted a dark navy blue with dark wood furniture. There was a rather large bed in the center of the room, one dresser and a walk-in closet. The bathroom was fairly plain with white features and checkered tiles. This was by far the most comfortable room in the house, at least to him anyways.
"Well, I'm glad you like it. Make yourself at home." Tonks said as she left Harry and Ginny standing in the room.
"Don't get to cozy here, Harry." Ginny warned as she helped Harry pop open his trunk.
"Why not?" Harry asked.
"As soon I find a job I'm moving out of the Burrow and your coming with me." Ginny proclaimed.
"Is that right?" Harry asked as he dropped a pile of clothes on the bed and inched his way towards her. "What if I find a place first?"
Ginny hadn't noticed Harry advancing on her. "Well that's fine but either way were going to be living together soon."
Harry wrapped his arms around her and scooped her up. Clear surprise was written on Ginny's face. "What are you doing, put me down!"
"Alright." Harry said as he dropped Ginny down on the bed and pulled himself over her. "Is that better?"
Ginny's expression softened as she felt Harry pressing himself into her. She closed her eyes and melted into the touch and feel of his lips all over her. Shivers ran down her spine as Harry ran his hand over her bare arms. Never in her life has she respond to another persons touch in this manner. It felt as if her blood was boiling at his caress. An unnatural heat was coursing through her to her very core, heating her from within. She could feel her heat radiating as Harry slid his hands up her shirt and over the lacy fabric that protected her.
"Harry..." Ginny said softly. "We can't do this here, Tonks and Lupin are in the next room."
"Mmm." Harry mumbled in reply as he buried his face into Ginny's neck, urging himself not to bear his fangs.
Reluctantly Ginny pushed Harry off of her as she slid out from underneath him and stood up. Harry lay face down on the bed, clearly frustrated. He rolled over and looked at her with sheer longing. Ginny was holding a look of confusion as she glanced down at him. Something in her didn't feel right when she touched him, it was natural to desire someone but the feeling she got from his touch was not natural. Never in her life had she ever felt so connected to someone, she liked the feeling and desperately wanted more, but the logical part of her brain fought it.
"I'm sorry Harry, I know we haven't been alone much but I just can't." Ginny said with true sadness in her eyes.
Harry took a deep breath, "Can I ask you something?"
Ginny sat down on the edge of the bed, putting plenty of space between them, "Sure."
"When I...I touch you, does it feel as if your skin is burning?" Harry asked slightly embarrassed but he wasn't sure why.
Ginny smiled as a thought stuck her. I wonder if this has anything to with Harry being a vampire now, where is Hermione's book? "I don't know if I would call it burning but something doesn't feel right."
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Later that night after Ginny helped Harry unpack a few things, Ginny went back to the Burrow, leaving Harry feeling more alone than he ever felt in his life. Lupin and Tonks had both retreated to their bedroom, each lacking in sleep after caring for Harry for days on end. Harry was left to roam the house alone and bored. He had no desire to sleep, every fiber of his being was urging him to go outside and find something fun to do but he was determined to not become a creature of the night as so many of Hermione's books said he would.
Then it struck him, Hermione's books. Harry quickly ran to his room and opened his trunk, the only things left in it were a few old school items and the books Hermione gave him the day before. He rummaged thought them until he found the small, blue leather book with the heart and fangs on it. Desperate for the feeling of night air, he went outside and sat on the ground, leaning against a tree. Using his wand for light he opened the rough parchment pages of the book until he found the chapters list: One-Can a Vampire Feel Love, Two-How Love and Lust Effect a Vampire., Three-Blood Sharing., Four-Positions.
Harry read the title of chapter four twice and made a mental note to return to it, hopefully while Ginny was around. Instead he turned his attention to chapter two, How Love and Lust Effect a Vampire. Harry opened to the right page number and scanned the first few pages looking for something that mite answer his questions. Most of the chapter was discussing how a vampire shouldn't take a lifemate that wasn't also a vampire, something Harry thought was crazy. After several more pages he come across something that interested him.
Once a vampire chooses a lifemate, and the other person carries the same emotions, a magical force will tie them together. Often vampires have complained about an unnatural burning feeling in their skin when touching his lifemate, this is normal. The connection between lifemates is something no mortal can feel, it comes from the tie to blood that a vampire contains. Without this tie one can not feel the sensation of pure connection. Once a vampire mates with and takes the blood of his lifemate their blood will be forever tied and the burning sensation will ease but never fully disappear.
"Well, that explains a lot." Harry said to himself. But something about what he just read caught his attention more than anything. The word mortal stuck in his brain as he continued to scan pages of the book. Pausing from time to time to look at rather graphic drawings of vampires taking blood or mating in unusual ways. Then as he reached the end of chapter two a passage caught his eye that made his whole body shiver.
The reason that it is suggested for a vampire to choose another vampire as a lifemate deals with the mortality factor. Unless a vampire is struck in the heart, burned or out in the sun to long they will live forever. Where a vampire can be overcome by old age, they can still live to be hundreds of years old, easily out passing all human acquaintances. However if a vampire chooses a human lifemate and that lifemate dies the vampire will loose his ability to love with their passing and live the rest of their days alone. Also, when a human lifemate passes a part of the vampires sole will pass with them, leaving the vampire emotionless. This transition often leads to violence and depression within the vampire.
Harry's heart sank as he read on. The only way to insure that his human lifemate does not die is to turn them into a vampire as well. This however is an illegal action in most wizard bearing countries.
Harry stood up and tossed the book the ground in a fit of anger. "Why does everything happen to me!" He yelled loudly as he started pacing on the grass. His wand still alight he continued to walk from the front door, to the sandy road then back again, counting paces as he walked. After assuring himself that forty two steps resided between the front door and the road he finally settled down and picked the book back up.
Harry couldn't believe what he just read. He was going to live, possibly forever. That could mean years, hundreds of years living without his friends, the Weasley's and most importantly, Ginny. The idea was overwhelming. He wished more than anything that someone was awake in the world, the sudden feeling of loneliness was depressing.
Then as if someone was reading his thoughts the sound of footsteps, crunching on gravel hit Harry's ears. He looked down the road, towards Hogsmead and was stunned just how far he could see in the dark, as if he suddenly had night vision. The footsteps were coming from a rather large man who's face Harry couldn't see yet. He was dressed in dark black robes, a pair of thick leather boots were shining in the moonlight with each step. As the the man grew closer he could tell that he was very pale, with shocking red hair that hung in curls around his face.
Harry stood up from his resting spot and gripped his wand tightly as the stranger grew closer. Harry was shocked to see that he was young, maybe only a few years older than he was. He had large eyes that seemed to gleam in the night. The man smiled as he neared, Harry tried to return the gesture but was too unnerved by his presence.
"Mr. Potter I presume?" The stranger said as she walked up Lupin's front yard, hands tucked in his pockets.
"Yes, and who are you?" Harry asked as he stepped forward and extended his hand.
"I'm Erin Lovegood." Erin said as he pulled a hand out of his pocket and shook Harry's. "Having trouble sleeping?"
Harry nodded in reply and said, "Lovegood, your not related to Luna are you?"
A crooked smile adorned his face as he surveyed Harry. He reached back into his pocket and pulled out a pack of muggle cigarettes, pulled one out and placed it between his lips. As he put the pack back in his pocket he said, "Yeah, we're related...cousins. Her dad and my dad are brothers." He pulled his wand out of his pocket and lit his cigarette. "I was sent to see you Mr. Potter, It seems you have become one of us."
Harry wasn't sure how to respond to his statement. He didn't seem to want to cause him harm but the only other vampires he has ever had contact with worked for Voldemort. Instead Harry thought the best path to take was ignorance, "I'm not sure If I know what you mean Mr. Lovegood."
"Yes you do," he said as he took a drag. "We can tell our own kind, Mr. Potter. You are just to new yet. Despite what you know about vampires were not all bad, and there are more of us than you realize. But I'm not here just to chat, we need your help."
Harry sat back down on the ground, wand still held tight. "Who is us?" Harry asked.
"We're the VLG, the Vampire Legalization Group. A while back a few wizards were turned vampire that worked in the Ministry. They were fired because they can't work in the daytime, that and even though were not on their list, they consider vampires to be dangerous. Just like werewolves and centaurs were not deemed wizards, so we get shunned from everything. In the eyes of the Ministry were no higher than house elves. As a group were fighting the Ministry to gain all the same rights as any other wizard." Erin said.
Harry thought for a moment as he looked up at Erin, watching the drifting smoke. "So what do you want from me? I refused to be a front man for the Ministry, don't think I'm going to do the same for the VLG. I'm a free person, I do what I wish when I..."
"No, no...you misunderstand me I'm not asking for help with the group, I'm not even asking you to join us. We need your experience with death eaters." Erin said.
Harry was taken aback, what could the death eaters have to do with the VLG? "How so, what do they have to do with this."
Erin took a seat on the ground as he finished his cigarette and pushed it into the earth, "Malincov is your Sire is he not?"
"Malincov was the one who turned me, if that's what you mean." Harry replied.
"Right, the person who turned you is called your Sire, sorta like a father of sorts. You see Malincov is running around turning wizards at will. More vampires have been made at his hands than any other in recent history. He is also my Sire, which means the same blood runs in our veins." Erin said with a slight frown. "He must be stopped, while we know that not all vampires are bad, a lot of them are. It's in our very nature to be...dark. Not only does he create vampires but he purposely picks wizards he thinks will be like him. The more dark vampires there are running the earth, the harder it is to convince the Ministry that vampires should have rights." Erin said with a sudden passion.
"So what, you want me to hunt down Malincov and kill him?" Harry asked as he felt suddenly tense.
"With my help, yes." Erin said. "You will be paid well of course for your efforts. But only you know how a death eater works, and Malincov is just like them. He was one of Voldemort's biggest supporters."
"I have spent the past years of my life hunting down these men and Voldemort, I'm tired of killing people." Harry replied with a hint of sadness.
"I don't think you will have to hunt for him much, he's bound to come to you." Erin said as he stood up causing Harry to follow suite.
Harry was confused, "What does he want with me?"
Erin looked down at his watch then back to Harry, "I'm not really sure but how do you think I found you? I'm sorry, I must go. I'll talk to you soon Mr. Potter, I suggest you get inside, the sun will be up soon. Good night." Erin said and with a small pop he vanished, leaving Harry looking alarmed and very confused.
Side note For any die hard BNL fans out there...I know the song goes "Fourty Twostairs from the street" But steps didn't really work here...that and the first time I heard the song I thought Steven said Steps.