AN: Ok, so I decided to post them together since they're not really meant to be apart, as you can probably tell. So enjoy
CHAPTER NINE: PART B: Dark confessions.
"It's for the best, and I know that Albus will stop anything or anyone from hurting us. I have faith in him." Severus tried to soothe Harry.
"I think I need something to calm my nerves, a hot shower maybe. Do you want to come? It will probably be at least half an hour at the quickest before the meeting will take place."
Severus looked a little apprehensive. "I don't know..."
"Oh don't be worried, after this everyone will know of our relationship. Unless we conveniently leave that detail out?" Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, for now I think the shock of us being what we are will be enough. But all right, I'll join you. We must be quick though."
Harry and Severus climbed the stairs, but both were quick to see the retreating figures that were the owners of the prying eyes.
"Hey..." Harry called out. "It's alright, come back here." He said and Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Fred and George all emerged.
Fred was the first to speak. "Harry... what's going on? Did I hear there's an Order meeting being called?"
Harry nodded. "Yes. Ron, Hermione, I'm telling the Order what happened at the start of the year. I have to. Voldemort was involved." His friends gasped.
"Harry... you're... you're not serious?" Hermione stuttered, her eyes wide.
"Yes, more serious than I've ever been. You can tell the others, I'll be back soon." He moved past them, and Severus emerged from the shadows. Ginny and the twins looked shocked, as Severus followed Harry, but said nothing as they were too eager for what Ron and Hermione were about to tell them.
Harry and Severus entered the bathroom. Harry was quick in turning the shower on and removing his clothes, and was very pleased to see Severus was already naked. Taking him by the hand, Harry pulled Severus into the shower with him.
"Hmm... this is just what I was needing." Harry said, feeling a certain part of his body harden, and kissed Severus. He couldn't help it when it came to slipping a hand down his body and grasping onto his cock.
Severus did not like it when he did though.
Almost growling, Severus removed Harry's hand from his own cock, before lowering to his knees. Harry groaned out loud when Severus's mouth enclosed around him, and had to grab onto Severus's hair to keep himself steady under the hot torrent of water.
It didn't take long for Harry to peak.
Harry, breathless, managed to open his eyes in time to see Severus licking his lips, a hungry glimmer in his eyes. Harry kissed him, before returning the favour.
After completing these pleasing activities, both emerged from the shower with renewed vigour.
"I don't think I could have faced them without doing that. I feel so much more calm now." Harry said, a slight smile never leaving his face.
Severus had to smirk. "I agree, but we really must be quick."
"Too right." Harry agreed.
Before they left the privacy of the bathroom, they engaged in one more heated kiss, and then it was time to face the music.
When Harry and Severus walked past his and Ron's bedroom, he heard voices coming from within. It was obvious that everyone in was in there, well his friends. Harry opened the door, and entered.
Immediately all eyes turned to him.
"Harry!" George jumped up off the bed. "Congratulations for covering it up so well and for so long!" It was obvious that he was not in the least perturbed by the fact he was not completely human any more.
"Yes, well done mate. Now that I take a good look at you, I can really see it." Fred said. He turned to Severus. Harry didn't know what they'd been told about Severus.
But Harry didn't have time to speak. "Thanks guys, but I really have to go. We'll have to talk later." He gave them a quick smile, then exited and shut the door behind him.
This was the moment of truth.
Harry and Severus emerged down the stairs to find the kitchen relatively full of Order members already. Many heads turned his way, but the first person to reach Harry was Remus.
"Harry..." He said, although cast a fleeting look at Severus. "This isn't about... about what you told me, is it?"
It was Severus's turn to give him a sharp look. But Harry nodded. "Yes Remus, it is. But you'll hear all about it soon."
Remus turned to Severus. "Severus... what have you got to do with this...?" Remus asked, frowning.
"As Harry said, you'll find out soon Lupin." Severus smirked at him and Remus's eyebrows rose.
At that moment, Dumbledore entered the room and called for quiet.
"If everybody is ready..." He said loudly, and everyone began taking his or her respected seat at the table. Harry sat next to Severus. Dumbledore remained standing. "It was not I who summoned you all here, but Harry." All curious eyes turned to Harry, who had yet to attend an Order meeting before. "Harry, are you ready to speak?" Dumbledore asked.
Harry took a breath, and nodded. He would not bring himself to stand up though. "Yes... I have something that I must tell you, concerning Voldemort." There was a series of gasps and suppressed shudders at the mention of the Dark Lords name. "This... this is going to be hard for me to say..."
He paused, panicking a little, but composed himself and resumed.
"At the beginning of the year, as you all know, I left Privet drive. But something happened in Knockturn alley; something that only tonight I found out was a part of Voldemort's plans. In the alley, the man I met he... he was a Vampire." Again there was a collective gush of gasps, but before anyone could speak, Dumbledore did. His voice was low, and measured.
"Please continue Harry, nobody will be interrupting you." He looked worried.
Harry swallowed and continued. "And... as you can probably guess he... he bit me." Harry looked at the table. He'd said it. He'd told everyone. But not wanting to allow anyone the time to butt in, he continued, but kept his eyes focused on the table. "But he, Meier that is, used some sort of magic that allowed me to choose which half of me I wanted to let dominate. If I were to let my Vampiric instincts remain dormant, I could live almost as a normal human being, including eating and existing in the sun light. And that's what I chose." Harry looked up.
Dumbledore was nodding, his expression one of thought.
"But that's not all..." Harry looked towards Severus. "I was also given this power Meier possessed. I would have it in me to change one person, but it was up to them if they wanted to be like me, or like Meier. And... and I've already chosen and changed that person. It was Severus, that is to say Professor Snape." Eyebrows rose, and all eyes turned to Severus. Harry was both very glad and relieved that no one had interrupted him.
"Harry, you know I must ask why you never told me sooner." Dumbledore said.
Harry frowned. "I was afraid, Professor. At first I didn't care, but then I realised that I couldn't bare to leave Hogwarts as I knew I most likely would have to. I mean, I'm not dangerous... that is until I began getting these cravings for blood that render me to a state of desperation. At first I thought it was simply because of what I was, but then tonight, when I saw Meier, he told me Voldemort had blackmailed him into biting me and it was he who was trying to force me into completing my transformation. Luckily Meier has escaped, but was threatened with a wooden stake to the heart. It was his decision not to change me and now his existence is in jeopardy."
It was then that questions began flying Harry and Severus's direction.
"So the both of you are Vampires?" Tonks asked, wide eyed.
Harry nodded.
"Are you sure you're not dangerous?" Was quite the favourite question to be asked.
Moody was looking at him with both eyes. "Prove it." He grunted suddenly, and everyone in the room silenced and looked from him, to Harry and Severus.
Harry furrowed his brows. "Prove it? Can't you just take my... oh, I know." Harry pulled out his wand. "Ignite." He said, and the tip glowed red hot. There were more gasps as Harry touched the burning ember to the back of his hand, and he hissed out in pain as he burnt a line down the back of his hand. Harry looked up, to find everyone watching him intently and some even with expressions that implied they thought he'd gone completely mental. That was until, right before their eyes, the angry red burn began to literally disintegrate until it was completely gone. Harry couldn't help but smirk. "Is that prove enough for you, Mad-eye?"
"Dumbledore, this is an abomination. And as much as we all know Potter, it's only right that we be rid of him."
"Nonsense, Alastor." Dumbledore said, with a dismissive wave of his hand that was very uncharacteristic. It was clear he thought the ex-Auror's admission to be absurd. "Such a thing is not even worth considering." He turned back to Harry. "Harry... this is very serious. So you're saying that at present Voldemort is trying to make you consume blood and.."
"... and complete my transformation." Harry finished fro him.
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes... yes." He muttered. "But why, we must ask ourselves, did he intend for Harry to become a Vampire? If anything, this would prove to be more difficult on his accord, considering Harry is now immortal. There are only a few ways to kill Vampires, and that greatly decreases his chances of achieving his dream of finishing the murder he began seventeen years ago." He looked back to Harry. "Harry... I must ask how the bite occurred."
Harry froze, he hadn't thought about what he'd say if Dumbledore asked him this question. He turned to Severus, who was also looking alarmed. Harry was going to have to confess to the whole Order of the Phoenix that he'd had sex with Meier and Severus. He gulped. "Is that really relevant?" He asked in a suspiciously small voice.
Dumbledore narrowed his eyes. "Yes, Harry. I'm afraid it is. There are a few methods used to change a person into a Vampire, and I need to know which was used on you."
Harry looked about the room, and noticed that once again intense curiosity had been roused. "Maybe you can suggest a few... and... and I'll point out which one it was." He felt the colour rising in his pale cheeks.
Dumbledore nodded his head once. "The Vampire can simply bite their intended prey in the main artery of their neck and then share their own blood- that's one way. Another is the Vampire can bite their prey in the same place, and not offer the blood. Other parts of the body can be bitten, although it must be where there is a large supply of blood." He paused, eyeing Harry. "There are, of course, many other ways, but the only other one I'm aware of is where sexual contact must be made."
For the umpteenth time that night, eyes were all on Harry. Harry looked Dumbledore in the eye, and gave a very slight nod of his head.
"Harry..." Harry turned to see Mrs. Weasley, who had tears in her eyes. Her husband had his arm around her to comfort her. "You... you were taken advantage of. This man, this Vampire..." She spat out. "He didn't make you..." A tear ran down her cheek and Harry felt horrible.
"Mrs. Weasley..." He said. "It wasn't like that..."
"Oh he did!" She wailed, and buried her face into Arthur's shoulder.
"There, there Molly. Harry's alright now, isn't he?" Arthur said to his wife, trying to console her.
"Oh but the damage has already been done, Arthur. Not only did he condemn Harry, but took away his innocence." This made Harry blush. What did Mrs. Weasley know of his so-called innocence?
Arthur just continued to pat her on the back.
Harry sighed and put his head in his hands, rubbing them almost harshly over his face. He looked back up, feeling worse than what he thought he'd feel after telling them. It was their continuing silence and penetrating looks that were the worst. He knew he had to leave.
"Professor Dumbledore... if I may, can I be excused?" He said, quietly.
"I'm sorry Harry, but it might be best you stay here for a few moments longer." Harry nodded. "Severus, what do you have to say about the situation?"
Harry noticed Severus trying to compose himself. "First of all, I would just like to say that I have no regrets." This earned him a few confused looks, but a grateful one from Harry. "Even I have to admit my life was not the most riveting of lives and I suppose the change is welcome. But as for the Dark Lord, I have no idea what his intentions may be. The Vampire named Meier did not mention the Dark Lords intentions, not that I think he would have known himself." He added hastily at the end. He felt comforted when, under the table, Harry took hold of his hand.
"It is to my understanding then Severus, that you and Harry were in contact with the Vampire tonight?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes." Harry said, not giving Severus a chance to talk. "Meier contacted me using his mind and Severus and I went to meet him in Knockturn Alley."
"Was this like a form of telepathy?" Dumbledore enquired.
"I'm not entirely sure, Professor. He said it was the power of the mind and, when he bit me, that I inherited it from him. He said I could use it, along with Occumlancy, to block out Voldemort's intrusive urges."
"I see. Are you aware of how to use this power?"
"No, but Meier said I'd figure it out. I'm thinking that maybe when I bit Severus that he might have inherited it also, but I guess we wont know for sure until we learn how to master it." Harry said, but then heard McGonagall speak for the first time.
"I'm curious to know, Vampires are notorious for their talent of transforming into bats, are the two of you able to do this?" She asked, a hint of suspicion in her voice. She was obviously thinking about their motives for becoming Animangi.
Harry shook his head. "No, apparently you have you complete the transformation before that is possible."
She nodded sternly, and remained silent.
"Harry, I think for now our priorities should remain focused on these cravings you speak of. Please, tell me exactly what happens." Dumbledore asked, leaning forwards on the table.
Harry frowned. "It's strange really... It's like someone is talking to me, telling me what to do and I can't resist the temptation. The voice eggs me on, urging me to taste the blood I so desperately yearn for..." Harry shuddered involuntarily, and shut his eyes for a moment. He shook his head, regaining himself. "So Severus and I tried to investigate these memories through the pensive, but all that appeared when we immersed ourselves within them was a thick blackness. Just a room of darkness. Nothing else. That's when we concluded that maybe Voldemort was involved, considering his talent when it comes to Occumlancy and... what is that other thing called?" Harry turned to Severus in question.
"He's a talented Legimens." He said, smirking lightly.
Harry smiled at him. "Yeah, that."
"Well, all I can say Harry is you need to really concentrate on mastering this new talent of yours and I ask you, Severus, to help Harry learn Occumlancy."
Harry nodded, but couldn't stifle a huge yawn. "Sorry... I just get really tired in the mornings." He muttered, mildly embarrassed. "But I will Professor."
Severus nodded. "I'll do all that I can. But how, may I ask, does this affect my position at Hogwarts?"
Dumbledore paused or a moment. "Of course, I want the both of you to understand that I have no concerns when it comes to associating with Vampires. It may be best however, if we keep this information strictly to ourselves. I have no concerns with you continuing to teach, Severus. As long as you can guarantee to me that you're going to continue as you are, and not take any blood."
"No Albus, I have no immediate intentions of completing my transformation." He said.
"What do you mean, immediate?" Molly interjected rather rudely. Severus did not tolerate rudeness.
"It means what it means. At present I do not intend on becoming a night-dweller, but I will not deny that it may happen in the future. Of course that future could be any from next year, to next century or even next millennia. But for now, I'm more than safe." Severus said, looking Molly in the eye as he spoke. She didn't speak.
Severus had been squeezing Harry's hand the whole time. Harry stroked him reassuringly to calm him down.
Molly was positively bristling by now. She was very protective when it came to Harry. But then she looked worried, liked she'd suddenly realised something. "Oh Merlin..." She said suddenly, looking from Harry to Severus. "Don't tell me you two..." Her eye's bulged.
Harry felt his face go red, and knew it would be obvious due to his pale complexion.
"I think we should leave it at that for now, it's obvious Harry and Severus are in need of rest. We shall resume this tomorrow, around midday?"
There was a murmur of agreement, and Harry couldn't help but think that Dumbledore had ceased the meeting because of Molly's insinuations. Soon many people had left, most of which didn't say goodbye to Harry or Severus. Harry didn't mind.
Soon though, he and Severus were ushered upstairs to an empty bedroom by Dumbledore. After sound proofing it, he instructed them to sit down.
"Harry, Severus... I'm afraid I must know more -finer- details that may happen to exist. It was unfair of Molly to talk the way she did, but I have a funny feeling her accusations were correct. Weren't they?"
Harry looked at Severus and both knew there was no hiding their relationship now. "Yes, Professor. Mrs. Weasley was right."
"I'm assuming then that when you were bitten Harry, you and the Vampire had to be performing sexual acts, just like you and Severus were when you bit Severus?"
Suddenly, Harry felt like giggling. He found he extremely humorous to hear Dumbledore saying such things, and could barely contain himself. "Yes, that's correct." He managed to say, disguising his grin with a bogus yawn. Severus shot him a look.
"Would I be assuming too much if I were to say that this contact has been continuing? Please forgive my intrusion..." Dumbledore said.
Harry looked at Severus again, his eyes laughing since his mouth couldn't. "Yes, Professor." Harry said. "I've come to care for Severus very much and, as I reminded him earlier this evening, I don't know what would become of me if I were to loose him." Harry said proudly. He was not ashamed of his feelings. Reassurance spread throughout of him though when Severus took his hand.
"It's true, Albus." Severus said, giving Harry's hand a squeeze.
To their mild delight and surprise, Dumbledore actually smiled lightly. "I must be honest and admit I have yet to see such determination and... passion between two people. Or should I say vampires? Even just from this morning's observation, I can tell that you both very much care for the other. This, I cannot object to. However, as much as I am pained to say it, if you are both to continue at Hogwarts, as I am most willing to allow, I ask that your relationship discontinue. It would not do for it to be discovered that the two of you are involved, considering teacher-student relationships are strictly forbidden for rather obvious reasons." Dumbledore said.
Harry was feeling very aggravated indeed. No, he would not give Severus up for some stupid school rule. They'd managed to keep it secret all year, and there wasn't that must longer until the school year was over. "But Professor, this has been happening since before first term even started... we've kept it very discreet... can't we just continue the way we have been? Merlin, I even spent all day every weekend for weeks at a time brewing..." He paused, horrified. "... brewing potions for practice." Harry had nearly told Dumbledore what sort of potions he'd been brewing. "And no body even noticed."
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "We'll have to discuss it more, in depth. Now is not the time. Are you sure about that potion, Harry?"
Harry whimpered lightly, and knew he couldn't lie. "No... no, I was brewing an animagus potion. But I really can't tell you where I got the book, I'd be breaking a promise if I did!"
Dumbledore was looking impressed. "Really? I must insist that you show me." He said, looking pleased.
"You're... you're not angry?"
"No, Harry. I have no reason to be angry. It is not my responsibility to make you register, or even tell me of your actions. I know you'll take full responsibility for your actions." Dumbledore said.
Harry nodded, and was about to transform.
But he couldn't. Almost panicking, Harry turned to Severus. "Severus... I... I can't!"
But Severus didn't look worried. "And no wonder, you've had no sleep meaning you've got no energy to make the transformation."
Harry sighed. "Really?" Severus nodded. "Good... Sorry, Professor. But I really can't. Nor, does it seem, can Severus."
Dumbledore looked to Severus. "I should have guessed you both studied together. You can both show me some other time. For now though, I insist you get some rest. I'll have a chat with Molly and Remus." He stood up. "I will see you both tomorrow. Thankyou for telling me Harry, I do understand how hard it must have been for you. And you too, Severus."
Soon, Dumbledore has left them alone. "Oh... I told the others I'd go and see them... I'd better. Come on." He stood up, and Severus immediately pulled him into a hug. Harry surrendered himself completely. "I'm so afraid that we won't be able to see each other... I reckon it will be worse knowing that you're there, and not being able to see you. How can he do this to us?"
Severus rubbed Harry on the back. "Try not to worry about it now, if I know the old man he will be lenient with us. Hopefully. If worst comes to worst, there isn't that much time left... I'm sure we'll manage..."
"No. I couldn't' manage. I'd leave, if it meant that much. Then, I'd find somewhere to live in Hogsmeade and come and visit you every night..." Harry lent in and kissed Severus.
"I knew you'd say something like that. But come on, didn't you say you had to see these friends of yours?" Severus said, smirking lightly.
Harry nodded, and soon they were entering Harry and Ron's bedroom where they found more curious eyes.
"Harry!" Hermione cried, jumping up off the bed where she'd been seated next to Ginny. She pulled him into a hug, and then pulled back sharply. "Oh... you're so cold! And you look cold too!" She put her hand to his face, and shuddered. "Come on, we need to warm you up."
Hermione went over to Harry's bed, made Ginny and Fred move, then pulled his doona off and wrapped it around him.
"There. I bet you feel better now?" She asked, and then spotted Severus. "Oh, you're still here Professor. If you don't mind me saying so, you look just as cold as Harry." She put a hand to his cheek, causing him to flinch slightly. "Yes, you are too."
Harry, meanwhile, moved over to his bed that was now empty, and sat with his back to the wall and pulled his knees up to his chest. He lifted his blanket up and patted the space of bed beside him for Severus.
With a wary look, Severus sat beside Harry. He felt extremely weird to be sitting in a room full of students. He couldn't push away the crazy thought that he felt like one too, just by associating with them. Well, he had to reason with himself, he knew he was looking as young as he felt, so why not assume that he could fit in with them?
Harry pulled the blanket back over he and Severus, and grasped his hand under the blankets.
"So it's true then..." Ginny said, her eyes wide.
"I told you, Ginny." Said Hermione. "I don't know why you didn't believe me. Now Harry, is there anything I can get you? You're looking a little peaky."
Harry shook his head, smiling lightly. "No thanks, I'm alright 'Mione."
"Good." She sat down. Ron's bed was now crowded with Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Fred and George. "Well... tell us what happened!"
Harry nodded, and then began retelling what he'd told the Order members. "You're mum wasn't too happy, Ron." He said, frowning slightly. "I had to tell them how... how it happened. She said, in front of everyone mind you, that Meier had not only condemned me but also taken away my innocence. I was so embarrassed."
"Yeah... that'd be our Mum alright." Fred said. Harry couldn't believe how well the twins were taking it.
"She'd never pass up the chance to yell at anyone, even you now Harry." George added. "You know Professor, I never imagined you ever having a relationship with a student, especially not Harry!"
Severus raised his eyebrows. "Time's have changed, Mr. Weasley. I suggest you not mention the topic again... unless you want to become like Harry and I. I do after all, have the power to change one person before I surrender to the night forever." He smirked at George.
George was grinning. "If you insist Professor. But I have no desire to suck blood the rest of my life, the Joke shop needs me!"
At this moment, Harry couldn't suppress a large yawn. He opened his eyes to find Ginny, Fred and George all with funny looks on their faces. "What?" Harry asked, feeling a little annoyed.
"Fangs..." Fred whispered in awe. "I wonder if they're poisonous...?"
"Yes... we could experiment with Vampire venom..." George said, grinning. "Only..." He frowned. "There is no known antidote."
"Yeah, that's a bummer." Said Fred, also looking disappointed.
Harry had to laugh. "You guys really are something. I mean, I don't even know if our fangs are poisonous? I suppose they must be, considering we have to bite people to change them. Or maybe it's our saliva?" Harry raised an eyebrow, but yawned again, and drooped his head so that it was resting on Severus's shoulder. "I'm so tired... I should be asleep." He said, taking his glasses off and throwing them aside. He didn't need them, anyway.
Severus shifted beside him. "I should go, you need to sleep Harry." He said.
Harry's eyes shot open. "No! Don't go! Please... there's another meeting tomorrow, can't you just stay?"
Severus looked into Harry's un-bespeckled face, and then shot a quick glance around the room. Everyone was looking at them. "I don't know, you heard what Dumbledore said." He said softly, not liking all the eyes on him and Harry.
Harry shrugged. "I don't care what he said, if indeed we do have to do as he says, then shouldn't we make the most of this time?" Harry held his hand tighter, and had to suppress his very strong urge to kiss the half-Vampire.
Severus looked a little uneasy. But, Harry and Severus were thankful for Hermione spoke: "Maybe we should let these two get some sleep." She said, standing up. "It's time for breakfast anyway."
Harry gave her a grateful smile, and soon he and Severus were left alone. Harry got into his bed the right way, and pulled Severus in with him. Due to the small size of the bed, it was impossible to lie without touching the other. But neither minded this, if anything it pleased them.
Harry pulled Severus into a kiss, lazily tasting his mouth with his own. They pulled away, Harry smiling sleepily.
"I really am tired... you don't mind if we just go to sleep?" Harry asked, yawning yet again.
"That suits me fine." Severus said, pulling Harry's body closer to his own. Harry wrapped his arms around Severus's chest, and rested his head on his shoulder.
Harry and Severus each fell into warm, pleasant slumber.
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