Author's Note: Real Life has been a bit of a witch lately. Enjoy the chapter.
PART ONE OF TWO
"You are doing well, my boy. Absolutely wonderful in terms of dueling, or so Robinson says. The way you battled that last Order member, particularly. Tell me, Tom, how did you manage to use Crucio in such an amusing manner?" Voldemort asked as he slid a glass towards the boy sitting across from him.
"What McGonagall forgets is that windows can be reflective surfaces, just like mirrors. Angle the wand the right way, and you have spells flying in every single direction! She didn't even see it coming. She took it right in the back, just like all Muggle-lovers should!"
"Well done, lad. Well done indeed." Voldemort reached out and ruffled Harry's hair. "I have a gift for you, my child." Voldemort said as he rose from the table. Harry drained the liquid in his glass and moved to follow Voldemort.
"Gift?" Harry asked in surprise. Voldemort never gave gifts. Ever.
"Yes. I think you're ready for this one, Tom. It was a little difficult retrieving it, but it's here now, for your enjoyment. I'm certain you'll like it."
Voldemort led Harry to a room in the basement and gestured for him to open a thick door covered over with grime. Harry obeyed and pulled open the door. It was dark inside and his eyes needed a few seconds to adjust before he could make out the shape huddled on the ground.
Petunia Dursley lay on the ground in front of him, obviously weak and shaken. She looked as though she had put up a fight and came out the worse for it. Harry stared at her, random snatches of memory making their way to the surface of his mind. The way she used to ignore him, the days he spent locked in the cupboard, her calling him a freak, Petunia abandoning him at that Muggle mental hospital, ignoring his pleas to leave. He dropped to his knees in front of Voldemort and grasped one hand of the Dark Lord's in his own, pressing his lips to the scaly skin. "Thank you, my Lord. I am truly honored by all the trouble you went through to bring me such a precious gift. I don't deserve this."
"You deserve all this and more, my child. My dark child. Dumbledore never could figure out how you were put together, but I did, didn't I?" Voldemort rested his other hand on Harry's as though he were bestowing a blessing. "Like a seed, you only needed a little attention to grow. Enjoy your gift, son, and come see me when you are finished. We have plans to make, so that we may take Hogwarts and crush the resistance we face." Voldemort patted Harry's check once before moving from the room.
Harry watched his master leave the room before pulling shut the door and locking it. "We won't be disturbed." Harry said softly.
"Harry, please." Petunia said through a bruised lip.
"Don't address me so familiarly, Muggle!" Harry shouted at her. "You're nothing to me! Nothing at all! Except a plaything, a practice dummy, A MUGGLE!" Harry took out his wand and took aim at Petunia. "I think I'm going to enjoy this. CRUCIO!"
Harry thrashed out of his nightmare and attempted to get out of bed. He had to pause as he tried to complete that action, because he realized that he was not alone. He tried to catch his breath as he looked around. What in the-?
"Harry?" Aunt Petunia whispered. Harry jerked away from the voice. How could he do that? How could he have hurt her? She was-
"Steady, Harry. There's nothing here to hurt you." Remus's voice said from his other side. Harry's confusion went up another notch. Remus and Petunia in the same room?
"Except two vampires," A far too cheerful voice said from the foot of the bed. "Even then, we promise not to bite...hard." Harry was sure that sentence was supposed to be funny.
"Remus, he's shaking!" Petunia's alarmed voice said from Harry's left.
"Shaking, sweating, and terrified," Dracula's voice came from the foot of the bed. Harry could see the vampire balancing on the footboard. The situation was odd enough that Harry had to stare. How did he do that?
"Harry, what's wrong?" Petunia asked, turning Harry towards her. "Did you have a nightmare?"
Harry froze and he stared at his aunt's worried face. He hadn't hurt her? She wasn't on the ground, bloody and broken by him? She wasn't hurt? Not dying? He choked and tried to figure out something to say. He couldn't-
"Right. Vampires out of the room." Remus ordered the other two people in the room.
"Should that not also apply to werewolves?" Dracula asked. Harry could hear the worry in his voice.
"Out," Petunia said to the vampires. "Harry needs his uncle too, at the moment. I'll make sure you can coddle Harry later in the day." Petunia said softly as she took one of Harry's hands. The door shut behind the vampires and Petunia tugged at Harry's hand. "It's okay, Harry. Go ahead and relax. It's okay."
Petunia and Remus managed to arrange Harry between the two of them. Harry still wasn't completely sure that what he was seeing was real. He touched Petunia's cheek and she smiled at him. "You're safe here, sweetie. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."
Remus nudged Harry closer to his aunt and refused to allow Harry to retreat. "Just relax, Harry. It was a nightmare, whatever you saw. We're still here."
"I-" Harry shuddered and curled around himself. He tried to fight the revulsion he felt for what he had seen. She was here. She wasn't dead. He hadn't tortured her to the point of madness, only to push her over the edge with- "You're-" He only shook his head and buried it into the pillows. They smelled pleasant and faintly of her perfume. He shuddered again and fisted his hands in the blankets. "I hurt...I...he gave her....I WANTED to hurt...I WANTED to kill her...I WAS HIS!" The last part gritted out between his teeth. "He wants too much from me. I can't!" He pushed himself away from the bed and sat up to stare at Petunia. "I can't!"
Petunia studied him for a second before moving forward and wrapping her arms around him. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to do, Harry." Petunia told him, her arms tightening as he tried to struggle. He didn't deserve comfort from her. He didn't deserve peace, or happiness, or anything normal. He was a freak, and the worst part was, he knew it. "You aren't his." She said softly, one hand lifting to card through his hair, her other arm holding Harry firmly to keep him from leaving. "You are my nephew, my child, and nothing anyone says or does will ever change that." Petunia tried to make soothing noises and hold onto Harry at the same time. He was stronger than she was, and he was winning.
A whisper caught Petunia's attention and she looked up to see Khalid standing there. "He's too distraught to listen to you. He's not even aware that you are here." Khalid looked down at the struggling teenager. "I can calm him a bit, if you like."
"It won't hurt him?"
"No, only assist in your efforts," Khalid took her question as permission and he reached out towards Harry's face. He snapped his fingers close to Harry's eyes and Harry startled, now focused on Khalid's hand. Khalid slowly moved his hand up towards his own face and came to a rest next to his eyes. Harry stared for a second, but a second was all the vampire needed. A quick touch on Harry's forehead stopped Harry's struggles and he collapsed against Petunia.
"Thank you, Khalid," Petunia said. "I appreciate your help."
"Of course. Please let us know if you need anything." Khalid was not there at the end of the sentence.
Petunia's attention turned towards Harry. "You're safe here, Harry. Nothing's going to harm you. Not while I'm around."
"Kay." Harry mumbled, fully collapsing into the bed and snuggling in between the two of them. "Don't-"
"Don't what, Harry?" Petunia asked, stroking his hair.
"Don't leave me." Harry whispered. "Don't hate me."
"Such nonsense! Leaving you and hating you. You just try to get rid of us, mister!" Petunia said with a smile. Harry returned it and sighed as his body relaxed back into sleep. Over the blankets, Remus's hand found Petunia's and he smiled. Petunia only smiled back and settled down to keep watch over her child. His nightmares were obviously increasing in strength. She would have to make an appointment with Paul.
Harry tried to hide deeper in the lounge chair and avoid the vampires. It seemed that everyone had witnessed his nightmares two nights before and were determined to reassure Harry of love, care, and affection. It was slowly suffocating him.
Still, it was nice. Petunia would run her hand over his hair, causing his hair gel to become useless after the first hour. Remus would pat his knee, Dudley gave him odd little smiles, and the vampires...well, Harry was patient. Harry was sure that if he gave them enough time, they would stop removing him from the ground and hugging him. Dracula himself was worse than Khalid was, but Khalid often accompanied his assaults with sloppy kisses, which disturbed Harry in a dark, hidden part of himself. Vampires were supposed to be evil, dark, and bloodthirsty creatures; evil, dark, and bloodthirsty creatures did not give cartoon slobber kisses.
"Harry?" Lucian's voice said from the patio door. "Are you busy?"
"I'm hiding from everyone." Harry admitted. "I'm glad they love me and all, but it's become..."
"Suffocating?"
"Yes, how did you know?" Harry asked in shock.
"Welcome to being around vampires. They think we mortals are fragile things. You should have seen the master when I came down with the flu. Quite alarming, considering all I needed was three days in bed." Lucian smiled at the memory. "The tailor needs to do a final fitting, so if you would like to follow me..."
Harry gave a quick look around and nodded. He followed Lucian into the house and up a back stairwell. "What is this outfit for?" Harry asked halfway up the stairs.
"Only the master knows, Harry." Lucian said as he reached the top of the stairs. "He keeps his own counsel on certain things."
"This being one of them?" Harry asked.
"Yes, this is one of them," Lucian said with a faint tinge of annoyance. "He does this a lot, actually, in terms of keeping secrets from the staff." Lucian shrugged. "We've learned to just go along with whatever he's planning and avoid the fallout of displeased vampire as much as possible." Lucian threw a cocky grin at Harry and motioned him into his quarters.
The elf-like tailor was waiting when Harry entered his rooms. He held a garment bag and beamed at Harry, obviously proud of himself. He offered the bag to Lucian and then motioned for Harry to step into his dressing room. Obviously, he wanted Harry to change. Lucian said a few words to the man and ushered Harry into the dressing room. "This is heavy." Lucian said as he hung the garment bag. "Let's see what it looks like on you, instead of on the hanger."
"Okay, Lucian, but don't expect too much. I don't really fit in the black tie crowd."
"Says the person able to wear a suit at a moment's notice." Lucian opened the garment bag and made an odd noise. "Oh, this is very nice."
"Urgh," Harry said, eyeing the color. "I thought it was going to be black. Will it look better on?"
"Just change," Lucian said, laying out the clothing. "And don't forget the shoes." Lucian placed the shoes next to the clothing.
"This is ridiculous." Harry said as he fastened the trousers.
"Stop whining." Lucian said. He helped Harry adjust the shirt's collar and then handed him a waistcoat.
"What is this? Embroidery?"
"A local specialty," Lucian said. "Very traditional. Very manly."
"Right," Harry said doubtfully. "Whatever you say, Lucian."
"Just put it on," Lucian's hands disappeared into the garment bag and pulled out a coat. "This is called a cojoc. It's a coat, with the necessary designs and embellishments to indicate that this is a special party." Lucian held it out so that Harry could slip it on. "And you say that you do not fit in this crowd." Lucian turned Harry towards the mirror and Harry stared at himself.
"It does look better on." He said in astonishment. The coat was knee length and a rich red color. The embroidery was tiny and snaked along the edges in gold and black. The white shirt had some sort of pattern at the cuffs and neck. The trousers were black and had a slim line of embroidery running down the side seams. Lucian appeared behind him with something in his hands. "Arms up," Lucian said. Harry complied and Lucian wrapped a black strip of cloth around Harry's waist. "You knot it like this." Lucian said slowly, tying it so Harry could see how to manage on his own. "It's a belt." Lucian said. "All traditional men wear something like this."
"Lucian, what is going on? Why the formal clothing for a party you've mentioned, but I know nothing about."
"You'll find out. The master is keeping it as a surprise. Now let's allow the tailor to see you."
"But, Lucian-"Harry only sighed as Lucian dragged Harry out of the dressing room and into his sitting room.
"Ah!" The tailor motioned Harry onto a stool. Harry sighed and stepped up. The little man circled him, and said a few delighted words, smoothed the jacket over Harry's shoulders and patted him arm. He said a few words and then left.
"He is pleased with you." Lucian said, motioned Harry down from the stool. "Let me hang this up so it won't become wrinkled."
"You're avoiding the subject." Harry said.
"I'm following orders." Lucian said. "Strict orders."
"Fine, don't tell me." Harry growled to Lucian.
"The master could tell you," Lucian said in a speculative voice.
"Thank you for the suggestion, Lucian." Harry said happily. "I'll be sure to find him." Harry changed into his earlier outfit and left his rooms, dodging a man carrying a rather alarming amount of flowers down the hallway. The house was abuzz today with many new faces running around in mad efficiency. Harry had exiled himself to the verandah in hopes of peace, but now he thought that self-exile had been a mistake. He could have figured out this mystery before all of this...madness.
Harry searched the lower level with only one person in mind, but no one seemed to know where the "master" was now. It was quite frustrating, in all truth. To add to that mystery was the number of preparations going on around him. Flowers and vines hung in many places, valances of some flowing cloth Harry hesitated to name secured up and around windows, something was taking place in the main hallway that Harry was afraid to attempt to explain, and numerous other little tasks set upon by a variety of people.
Harry finally checked the grand ballroom and found his target. "Vlad!" Harry said, relieved to have found the man.
"Ah, Harry!" Vlad said from the middle of the ballroom. "How are you this fine day?" He said, motioning Harry to join him. Harry started to cross the floor when he noticed activity going on above his head. He stopped and looked up.
"What are they doing?" Harry asked.
"Ensuring that the chandelier will look its best this evening, that is all." Dracula said happily.
"Uncle Vlad!" A voice called out from the doorway. "Gustav said you were in here!" Harry turned with Dracula and saw two young women enter the ballroom.
"Uncle Vlad?" Harry asked in a whisper.
"AH!" The vampire disappeared from Harry's side and Harry saw him lift one of the girls in his arms. "Danielle and Polina, my little ones!" Harry could only watch as the vampire swung both girls around without strain, give each of them a kiss on the cheek, and carefully lower them to the floor again. "Come, little ones, I have someone for you to meet." Dracula tucked one of their hands into the crook of his arms and led them to where Harry was standing.
"This, my dears, is one of my new friends. Harry Potter, may I present my great nieces, Miss Danielle Defoe and Miss Polina Sians." Dracula smiled at Harry and then gestured towards him. "Danielle, this is Mister Harry Potter."
"A pleasure to meet the both of you," Harry said as he gave a quick handshake and lowered his head over each girl's hand. "I was unaware that Vlad had family visiting. Have you been here long?" Harry asked. He didn't notice Dracula fading into the background.
"We just arrived," Danielle said. "Uncle Vlad always invites us to his Summer Gathering." Danielle giggled. "Well, he has since we were old enough to waltz without needing to go to bed directly after dinner." She admitted, tucking a slip of dark brown hair behind her ear. Harry nodded in understand and took a second to study her. She had dark brown hair, dancing blue eyes, and a light complexion that only made her more pleasing to the eye.
"About this Summer Gathering, what exactly is going to happen?" Harry asked, seizing on his chance for information. Polina, with her grey eyes dancing, flipped her light hair over her shoulder and laughed.
"It's a party," Polina said. "Almost like a ball, with loads of dancing and important people. Uncle Vlad invites us so we learn some, what did he call it, 'social graces,' and he gets to pair us with young men who might be bored." Polina giggled behind her hand.
Harry had a sudden sense of doom descend on his shoulders. "Young men?" He repeated.
"Yes, something about two cousins this time." Danielle said happily. "You wouldn't be one of them, would you?" She asked. "If so, I claim you!"
"Er, I don't believe so. I haven't received an invitation." Harry said.
"Danielle, he's the guest of honor! Uncle Vlad will choose his partner!" Polina said. "Oh, I hope it's me."
"Excuse me, ladies. I have to find your Uncle Vlad and give him a piece of my mind." Harry said calmly. "Again, nice to meet you." He gave them a nod and left the ballroom quickly, hoping to catch the vampire so he could get some answers. He ignored the workers around him and headed straight for the vampire's study. He entered without knocking.
Dracula did not look up from the desk. "What did you think of my nieces, little magus?" Dracula asked in a pleased voice.
"What, exactly, is going on this evening? And why am I the guest of honor?" He asked, coming to a halt in front of the desk.
"You are coming out to society, my dear magus. Your formal introduction to society. Your relatives are quite pleased by everything, and the werewolf said there is something quite similar planned in your home country."
Harry could only stare at the vampire in shock. "Why?" He asked.
"Would you prefer I allow your headmaster introduce you to society? He has that right, in England's view, as being your acknowledged mentor in social situations. After all, he defended you in the press and the court. He could formally introduce you to society as well."
"No," Harry objected. "I don't want him to have anything more to do with my life than he has already managed, thank you." Harry pondered the situation. "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked.
"Would you have allowed me to throw a party for your birthday had I asked you for permission?" Dracula asked, his tone already implying that he knew the answer.
"No," Harry admitted.
"You see?" Dracula gave Harry a little shake by the shoulder. "After this party, you will be able to enter any social situation with supreme confidence, and you will need it, little magus."
"What do you know that I don't?" Harry demanded.
"Nothing you won't know soon," Vlad promised. "Think of this party as a practice run." Vlad's expression changed. Harry knew that this particular expression meant Dracula was listening to something not in the room. "Danielle, Polina, and Dudley are waiting for you. They wish to practice dancing. You do know how to dance?"
"Somewhat," Harry admitted. "I could use a bit more practice."
"Then go," Dracula said. "The girls are experts. They will teach you everything you will need to know."
Harry thanked Dracula and left to meet the girls. He stopped just a few feet outside the door. "Just when did I agree to this?"
Harry watched the guests arriving from the first floor. Cars formed a line down the hill, illuminated only by the headlights.
"Nervous?" Harry turned at the voice and saw his aunt standing there, ready for the party downstairs.
"You look beautiful." Harry told her. She smiled at him and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
"Thank you, Harry. I have to say that you are looking quite dashing yourself. I'm afraid you grew up while I wasn't watching. You look every inch a man."
"I-" Harry didn't know how to respond. "Thanks. I am nervous." He admitted softly. "I swear I saw a reporter or two."
"Or ten." Petunia said with a soft laugh. "Vlad says that this party gives everyone a chance to see the real Harry Potter."
"Thanks, Aunt Petunia. No pressure, I see." Harry felt Vlad calling him. "Vlad wants me."
"I don't think I'll ever become accustomed to vampires calling someone without saying a word." Petunia said, resting a hand in Harry's offered arm. "Why aren't you dressed yet?"
"Vlad says I don't have to enter until the guests have had time to relax. In other words, I get to be fashionably late."
"Lucky man." Petunia said. Harry escorted Petunia downstairs and saw Remus, looking slightly dazed.
"Vlad got to you, too?" Harry asked.
"I don't know what happened," Remus admitted. "One minute, I was enjoying a nap, and the next..." Remus gestured helplessly. His mouth gaped as he stared at Petunia. "You look amazing."
"Thank you, Remus." Petunia said as Harry handed her over to him. "Save a dance for me, Harry?"
"Absolutely!" Harry said. "Hear that, Remus? You can't have her all night!"
"Yeah, she has to save a dance for both her kids." Dudley said as he came down the hallway. "Harry, Vlad's looking for you. Did you know?"
"Yes, I know. I suppose I'm just avoiding the inevitable."
"He was looking a little upset," Dudley said. "He's pacing outside of your room. You should get going."
"Thanks, Dud. See you later?"
"Sure thing. Good luck!" With that, Dudley dashed off towards the figure coming down the stairs. It was Polina, and if she was any indication of the evening's purpose, the whole place was going to be a presentation of beauty.
Harry climbed the stairs, a terrible feeling starting to coil in his stomach. This evening was going to be disastrous. There was no other word for it. Vlad was going to trot him out and show everyone- "AH!" Both Khalid and Dracula were waiting outside his door. They rushed towards him and pulled him along the hallway, babbling the whole while about how they didn't have enough time. Harry was perplexed. They had a full two hours before Harry's entrance was scheduled. All Harry needed to do was- WHAT IN THE WORLD?
In the short time Harry had been away from his quarters, the place had been transformed. Most of the furniture rested to one side, and several different things were set up. Dracula physically lifted him into the bathroom, not allowed Harry to see much. "Shower!" He said. "As fast as possible. Don't worry about your hair, or shaving. Just shower. Use the blue bottle." Harry swore under his breath and tossed off his clothes as he started the hot water. He stepped into the spray and picked up the blue bottle and a washcloth. This is going to be a long night.
Just seconds after Harry stepped out of the shower, barely wrapped in a towel, Khalid appeared, even more excited than Vlad had been. "Come along, little magus!" Khalid pulled him out of the bathroom and into what had been the sitting room of his quarters. Harry took a second to study it as Khalid pulled him to a station that had a screen set up to section it off from the rest of the room. Harry felt that this was familiar...Hermione had described it before. They had transformed his room into a spa! Khalid pulled him behind the screen and Harry came face to face with the most massive man he had ever seen. "Harry, Dennis. Dennis, Harry. Up on the table, Harry."
Harry took a firmer hold on his towel and shook his head. "This isn't necessary." He tried not to sound as panicky as he felt. He was ready to run. Dennis muttered something in French. Harry decided he didn't care. Khalid answered the man and shook his head.
Dracula walked around the partition and frowned at Harry. "These people are going to make sure you look best for your evening. You should cooperate."
"But I only need to change." Harry protested.
"Ah, the naïveté of youth. Enjoy yourself, Harry. You'll come to no harm here." Vlad reassured him. None of these people is going to harm you, Harry. You can relax. Dracula motioned for Harry to get on the massage table. Now, little magus. Or I can put you there.
Harry glared at Dracula for a long second before deciding that he might just lose this fight. He sighed and walked to the table, pausing just another second before sitting down. Vlad only raised an eyebrow when Harry didn't do more than sit. "I don't know what to do." He admitted.
"What else do you do when someone gives you a massage?" Dracula asked, sarcasm coming through in his tone. Harry rolled his eyes and then rested his chest on the padded table. Dennis arranged a new towel over him before stealing Harry's shower towel. Dennis mumbled something to Dracula and the vampire frowned at Harry. "Did you hear him?"
"I don't speak French." Harry said.
"That's something we're going to have to remedy." Dracula muttered. "You're not relaxing."
Harry let out a desperate little laugh. "How am I supposed to relax with all of this going on?" Harry waved a hand about, gesturing at his room and the situation in general.
Khalid reached over and touched Harry's forehead lightly. Harry felt every muscle in his body fall limp. "I hate you." Harry muttered to Khalid.
"I know!" The vampire said brightly.
Dennis started his work and Harry conceded the fight. The vampires were having fun, and Harry was the fun. Oh well. Things could be worse. Dennis muttered nonsense words to Harry as he worked. Every time he hit a spot that made Harry twitch, he would stop, focus on that spot, and then move away to another spot. After fifteen minutes, he helped Harry sit up and then handed him a glass of water. He gestured for Harry to drink it as he picked up a robe. He took the glass away from Harry when he was finished and held out the robe for Harry. Harry slid his arms into it and belted it shut. "Merci." Harry said, speaking the only real French he knew. The word made Dennis smile before he lightly pushed Harry out from behind the screen.
"Now you look relaxed." Khalid said, already standing there in his finery. "Over here, please." He said.
Harry approached the barber's chair with a little trepidation and climbed into it. "Harry, this is Marcus. He doesn't speak a lot of English, so you'll just have to follow his lead. Cooperate."
"You and Vlad enjoy torturing me, don't you?" Harry asked.
Vlad gave him a confused look. "This is torture?" Harry shook his head and felt the seat back lower to rest the back of his neck against a basin. Warm water flowed over his hair and he shut his eyes. Marcus babbled to Harry in a language Harry couldn't place as he washed Harry's hair. Harry only caught a few words about hair texture or something equally strange. Harry had to admit, the whole letting someone else wash your hair thing was relaxing. He hadn't felt this relaxed since...not counting the massage...his last days with Bleys.
Marcus righted the chair and Harry felt him towel off the excess water before dragging a comb through his hair. The first snip of scissors startled him. "He's cutting my hair?"
"Just a trim and shaping." Khalid said. "That's all. Now, I have to leave. After this, you sit in that chair and no arguments about what will happen. You just cooperate. Lucian will be here to help you dress after that."
The next forty-five minutes was something Harry never wanted to repeat again. Marcus wasn't bad. He'd trimmed Harry's hair, and put something in it that Harry didn't recognize at all, but it helped to tame his wild hair. He even gave Harry a smaller bottle to keep for use in the future. Then, he gave everything a quick once-over with a hairdryer, and then secured it back from Harry's face with a metal clip.
Harry swore never to share what happened next with anyone. Ever. He received his first, and last, manicure and pedicure. He'd tried protesting that no one was going to see his feet, but the man taking care of his nails only gave him a blank look and went on with his work. After the man was finished, Lucian appeared out of nowhere and ushered Harry into the bedroom to change. His entire outfit was waiting on, including pants. Lucian only smiled at Harry's incredulous look. "A gift from the master." He said, motioning for the robe Harry was wearing.
"I never wear this type!" Harry protested, the fine material resting innocently on the chair.
"You do now. I believe the master rifled through your clothing earlier. He had everything old destroyed."
"My suits? My shirts?" Harry asked in horror. He actually liked some of the things Aunt Petunia had picked out for him!
"No, just the underwear." Lucian said with a grin.
"I'm never going to live this down." Harry groaned.
"I feel he's thinking you have a female admirer somewhere that would enjoy seeing the silk." Harry felt fire in his face and shook his head. He pulled on the outfit and pondered whether he could actually go through with all of this. After all, he could Apparate anywhere on the globe. He could be at home, holed up in his room, ignoring the world. No, instead he found himself in Romania, the plaything of the world's most dangerous vampire. If he starts dressing me like a doll all the time, I am sooo staking him.
"Here," Lucian said as Harry started to leave the room. "The master had this made for you." Lucian opened a ring box and Harry stared at it. It wasn't overly large or ornate. It was a simple silver ring with an emblem. Harry studied it and felt a smile tug at his lips. A lightening bolt covered a crossed wand and sword (which looked an awful lot like Gryffindor's sword). Harry smiled fully and took it from its case. "He said that you needed your own mark. Not your family's mark."
"He's right," Harry said, slipping it on his right ring finger. "I really like it." He smoothed his hands over his jacket and looked at Lucian. "How do I look?"
Lucian motioned Harry over to the full-length mirror. Harry stared, completely taken aback. He had tried on this outfit, but he looked completely different now. He looked...
"You look like the prince you are." Dracula said from behind him. Harry turned around, surprised at the voice. He hadn't seen Dracula come into the room behind him. Oh, right. He doesn't have a reflection.
"Thank you." Harry said. "For everything."
"Come along, Magus." Dracula said. "The evening is calling." Vlad said, a grim smile forming on his lips. Harry thanked Lucian for his help, said a general thank you to the spa crew, and left to go downstairs.
Author's Note Two: I hope to have the second part up soon. I was going to keep everything in the same chapter, but it was turning MASSIVE. We're talking a thirty page chapter. Yikes.