Lovers In a Dangerous Time

Chapter Thirteen

It's Only Natural

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After digging through every pair of jeans he owned, Harry finally found the address for the VLG Headquarters that Erin gave him several nights back in a back pocket. Hand in hand, Harry and Ginny walked out of the Leakey Cauldron and down the muggle streets of London. It was a wet, chilly summer night that only help add to the nervousness that was surging through them. Neither one of them was sure what exactly was going to happen at this meeting, but Harry was sure it couldn't be good.

The headquarters was nothing more than a large open office on the third floor of a small building, not but a block from the Leaky Cauldron. When Harry and Ginny walked in the only two people present was Tracy and Erin. Tracy was walking about the room lighting candles and conjuring up chairs to go around a long table. Erin was sitting just left of the head chair, looking at a map and some other important looking documents. Harry and Ginny greeted them both then took a seat beside Erin.

"So, who are we waiting for?" Ginny asked as Tracy lit the last candle then went to stand by the door.

"A few VLG members who are back at the Leaky Cauldron waiting for Jamie. Then a few non-VLG members who have been invited tonight. Don't worry, you will be introduced to each of them when they come." Tracy said.

"Who's Jamie?" Harry wondered out loud.

Erin looked from his map then smiled, "Jamie Tungston is the leader of the VLG. He's only the second person to ever run the group."

"Oh, I thought you ran the VLG."

Erin smiled again, "No, I'm next in line to Jamie but it could be a long time before I ever take over."

Ginny who was glancing at Erin's map asked, "Who was the first person to head the VLG?"

"Ask Tracy." Erin replied then returned to reading.

Tracy crossed the room and sat down across from Erin. "My dad, Stralie Mainc was the founder of the VLG. When he was turned he was working for the Ministry as an auror. One night he was sent out to track and imprison a dark vampire who had killed ten muggles. Needless to say he failed and was turned instead. He tried to work at the Ministry for as long as he could but trying to work during the day was to hard. Eventually he was found out and fired because the vampire laws had been written the year before. Well, my dad was furious and he found a few people that agreed with him so they formed a group. Eventually they expanded to not only fighting the ministry, but hunting down dark vampires as well."

"When did you become a vampire? Before or after your dad was turned?" Ginny asked.

"I was sired by my father before it was against the law to do so. I didn't want my father to be lonely as he aged, his wife, my mother had been gone a few years. So he turned me, to help out the VLG and keep him company. But sadly my father died about fifty years ago, feel asleep outside and burned to death." Tracy said without flinching.

Ginny however seemed disturbed by the news. "Oh, I'm so sorry."

"Thank you." Tracy said sadly.

"Was your mother a vampire too?" Harry asked.

Tracy laughed, "No, vampire women can't have children. My mum was never a vampire. She died of old age just like all normal women."

Harry could feel Ginny cringe through their connection, Vampires can't have children? Why...I don't...

Ginny...I don't know what to say. Harry tried to hold it together but he was just as stunned. He reached under the table and took Ginny's hand to try to keep her calm. We can talk about this later, she could be wrong.

Before Ginny could respond a sudden knocking came from the door. Tracy jumped up to open the door for the various people that came into the room Leading the group was man in his mid fifties, bald and stocky, he crossed the room and sat beside Tracy. A large dark skinned man sat beside him, Harry half expected him to be Jamie and sit at the head of the table. Next came a few people Harry could tell were not vampires. Then lastly in walked a young man who looked no older than fifteen. He shook Erin's hand, bowed to Tracy then to Harry's surprise, sat at the Head of the table and smiled at the room.

The young man turned his gaze to Harry and Ginny as he spoke first. "Welcome Harry, Ginny. I'm Jamie Tungston, the leader of the VLG. On behalf of us all I would like to thank you for your efforts in the Malincov situation and hope you have a long relationship with the VLG. Did you find your accommodations satisfactory?"

Harry was surprised when Jamie spoke, he had all the wisdom of an old man with the appearance of a teenage boy. Short brown hair, green eyes, dressed in jeans and t-shirt. Harry had to remind himself that he was probably hundreds of years older than himself. "Yes, it was very kind of you to let us stay here."

"Good." Jamie said then turned his focus to the room at large. "Okay, let's get down to business shall we. Introductions first are in order for some of us don't know each other." Jamie pointed at the tall dark skinned man who was dressed in a purple robe and looking very stern. "This is Mr. Coal, Colin works for the Ministry and is helping us to pass the vampire acts through the Wizengammot." Next Jamie pointed to the older bald man. "This of course is Keith McFadden, a regular member of the VLG and my personal messenger." A young witch smiled back at Jamie and sat up as he said, "This is Leisha Codwell, our insider with Malincov's group, her sister Ternia is helping us to bring him in.

Harry remembered the vampire who gave him his glasses then pushed his head back to ask odd questions. It suddenly hit him that she was asking such things because she must have wanted out of Malincov's grasp. Her sister Leisha looked just like her only younger.

Next Jamie introduced Tracy and Erin along with Ginny. "Now that we all know each other let's talk about Act 817, the Ministry Vampire Law reversal motion. Colin, would you care to enlighten us on that matter."

Harry didn't have much interest in the political aspects of the meeting, he wanted to hear what was being done with Malincov. So instead he returned his focus to Ginny who, Harry could tell wasn't paying much mind to the meeting eaither. Ginny are you alright? You didn't even smile when Jamie introduced you.

NO! I'm not alright! What if she's right Harry? I never even thought about not having kids. She has to be right though doesn't she, technically I died. We're unnatural creatures of the afterlife. How can anything so fowl be allowed to have children.

We are not fowl! Harry said. And we're not unnatural, look around you Ginny. We are not alone on this planet. There are many people just like us, if it was so unnatural then we wouldn't all be sitting in a meeting trying to figure out how to keep our race from evil. Unnatural creatures only care about one thing, themselves, and we are not those people.

Ginny didn't respond, she seemed determined to wallow in self pity. Harry could feel her anger and resentment as he tried to focus on the meeting. He was hating himself the longer she felt that way. He was able to come to terms with his new life fairly quickly but Ginny seemed to be struggling with it. He hated himself for doing this to her, he hated himself that he had no choice in the matter. But more than all he hated Malincov for starting this whole thing in the first place.

Harry jumped in his seat when Jamie suddenly stood up and started talking again, "Thank you Colin, now Leisha will fill us in on Malincov."

Leisha stood up, showing her full height. She was tall and slender with long blond hair and glowing blue eyes. She reminded Harry of a muggle supermodel he used to see on television when he was younger. Harry couldn't help but find her attractive. "Some of you may know that last year my sister Ternia was turned by Malincov in hopes of creating himself a new lifemate. That idea didn't pan out for him but he kept her so close by his side that she was unable to resist the urge of her Sire. Ever since then she has be trapped, looking for a way out. That day will only come when we rid her of Malincov. She has been helping us by giving me information when she can, a deed that has become next to impossible lately."

"But yesterday, while Malincov was out she was able to figure out where they are currently hiding. A risky move on his behalf, he is still in England. Why, we don't know. He is just on the other side of Crystal Lake, the same lake where he was hiding in that fish house. On the other side of the lake is a very large hill called Rosebush Hill." Harry flinched at the name, the very name he had a dream about, he listened as Leisha continued.

"Somewhere on this hill, Malincov has found another temporary home. Ternia thinks he may have killed the muggles that where living there because the house is fully furnished but no signs of other people anywhere. Malincov has been gone for a few days now, she is going to send the usual signal when he returns." Leisha said then sat back down.

Jamie stood back up, "Erin, do you have the map already?"

Erin held the map he was looking at before up in the air, "Yes sir, I have been tracking possible locations on Rosebush Hill. As far as I can tell there are only three homes on the hill, but the hill it's self is over ten miles wide."

"We will send scouts out tomorrow night to plot the homes." Jamie said. "We can not fail this time, we must bring Malincov down or there will never be peace for us. The ministry must change their laws, they must see us for decent beings. Alright, we all have things to do, meeting's over."

Everyone stood up to leave but when Harry followed suite Jamie stopped him, "Hold on a moment Harry. I have something I want you to do for me. I would like for you to go with Leisha and talk to her sister. Ternia has some information for us but she only wants to give it to you."

"Why? What does she want with me?" Harry asked.

"I'm not sure, but she wants Erin to come too, we think it may have something to do with you all being Malincov's fledgling's."

"How do you know its not some sorta of trap?"

Jamie smiled, "Because we trust her. Your still getting used to your new senses, but a vampire can always tell when another vampire is dark or good. Ternia is on our side Harry, and she would be a fool to try anything with you and Erin there. Your very safe, I assure you."

Harry frowned but said, "All right, Ginny and I will go with you tomorrow night."

"No, Ginny can't be there. We will send Ginny out with the scouts tomorrow while you and Erin meet with Ternia and Leisha at the Leaky Cauldron."

An unexpected fear coursed through Harry, chilling him to the bone. From the time Ginny became a vampire they have spent very little time apart. The few times they did, Harry had experienced severe loneliness and loss. What would happen if they spent an entire night apart, the thought sickened him. "Why can't Ginny come with me, or at least stay in the room during our meeting?"

Jamie smiled then turned to Erin, "You didn't tell me they were lifemates, I should have known."

"Sorry Sir, I haven't had a chance yet." Erin replied as he smiled back at Jamie. "He's also her sire if you didn't know."

"Really? I had assumed as much but it's quite rare for a person to have a fledgling who is also a lifemate." Jamie replied then said with resolve, "Harry, I know it's hard for you to be separated from her but we need as many scouts as we can get. And I know she can handle herself, I read the reports on how she assisted you with Voldemort. I assure you that she will be fine."

Harry I don't want to leave you.

We have to Ginny, it's just for one night. They don't know about our connection, we can keep each other informed and they will never know. The moment something goes wrong I'll be by your side.

"Alright, I'll stay here and Ginny can go with your scouts." Harry said.

Ginny stood up and said, "But please don't ask us to separate again."

Jamie smiled and patted her back, "I can't promise that, but I'll do everything I can to not let it happen again."

A question suddenly stuck Harry, "Don't any of you have lifemates? I know your a witch Leisha but surely were not the only vampires in the VLG to have lifemates?"

Jamie suddenly looked sad which aged him greatly, "Not all of us are so lucky to have one so young, Harry. I have yet to find mine. Others have had them yes, but some were human and are now gone, others were lost tragically. But most of us like me, are still looking."

"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't mean..."

Erin stood up finally and cut across Harry, "I was the last person to have one. Casey was a member of the VLG until Malincov murdered her."

"But we read that when you loose your lifemate your heart dies and you become a soulless vampire." Ginny asked, "You don't seem to be..."

"As long as you don't allow yourself to become that way then you can maintain your normal stature, it's a very difficult thing to fight." Erin said as he gathered up his papers and pushed back his chair. "Forgive me but I have several things I need to do tonight. Harry, be at the bar around midnight. Ginny, I'll send Tracy for you around the same time. Goodnight."

Erin walked out of the room and slammed the door, the moment he was gone Jamie said, "Don't mind Erin to much, He's more determined to kill Malincov than anyone in the VLG. Talking about Casey is a very difficult thing for him."

Harry looked down at Ginny and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, I'm so glad that I have you.

Me too Harry, me too.