Vlad stepped out on his balcony, a note from Cassius clenched in his fist. The lights from the city twinkled in the distance, the noise of London strangely muted by the miles between his home and the city. Cassius had worries about his charge at Hogwarts, and Vlad could not deny that he wasn't concerned for the boy as well. There was something forced about Harry's cheerful letters, and it was obvious Harry was keeping something from him.
Visiting the boy's doctor was practically wasted time. The doctor probably thought he was closed off and gave nothing away. Had Vlad been mortal, he would have been right. The doctor was very good at hiding his emotions, but Vlad could sense those subtle changes that humans were unable to see that told Vlad his questioning had been along the right lines. The doctor was concerned, and for good reason.
Harry was planning to die. He wasn't going to commit suicide, oh no. He was just going to confront Voldemort and allow himself to be struck down with the monster himself; he could not see a life for himself beyond fulfilling his destiny.
That was unacceptable in Vlad's mind, and thankfully, in Paul Lauter's mind as well. Without hearing the man say it, Vlad was reassured that Paul would fight Harry himself if he had to just to save his life. And Paul Lauter was in for such a long battle...he would need support. Harry's doctor would not find himself friendless, even though he did not enjoy visiting with Vlad. Most mortals didn't, if Vlad was honest with himself. Harry and his family were some of the few people he had found that were totally accepting of him as he was. Even Harry's pet werewolf advisor accepted him, and the history between werewolves and vampires was not pristine by any stretch of the imagination.
Vlad had faced Harry's doctor, feeling the man's demands to leave as physical blows, considering he had absolutely no permission to be in his home and it was excruciating to maintain his ground. That's one of the few things humans forgot about vampires; they could not enter a dwelling without permission unless they wanted some serious repercussions. Vlad had finally had enough of the irritating human (and the pain he was experiencing) and stepped forward, holding him lightly against a wall. He could smell the anger, but surprisingly, no fear, when he leaned in to speak in the doctor's ear.
"You have every right to be angry, doctor. I came into your house uninvited, and believe me, I plan to stay no longer than I need to finish my business here and take myself off just as quickly as I appeared, as it is extremely uncomfortable for me to remain in this house without permission. Remember this, my friend. Regardless of law, or conventionality, I must save this boy. This boy has lost so much, and deserves so much more. I will not rest until he is safe, even if he needs saving from himself. I will see him safe and happy. I will do whatever it takes, Doctor. When the time comes, you will be there, whether you wish to come at my request or for Harry alone, you will be there. If you think I cannot force this issue, trust me - I can. I am able to bring down chaos should I wish. Please don't make me."
The doctor had surprised him. He freed himself from Vlad's hold and then advanced on him. "Just try to stop me." He snarled. "Now remove yourself from my house. You are not welcome here."
Hmm. Vlad had to wonder if Harry had tutored him on how to act around vampires. Vlad had merely bowed, giving the doctor an ironic smile. "I'll show myself out, Doctor." He disappeared from the man's eyes, pausing outside to peer in the window to see how the man reacted to the shocks he had this evening. There was some grumbling about the evening taking a turn for the weird before going upstairs. Vlad couldn't help but laugh at the man's comment. There was some spirit in this man, this friend of his son.
Vlad would need that spirit if the fight he would face with Harry was going to be as bad as Neith had warned him. There were arrangements he needed to make and they would be needed shortly.
Harry settled down on the grass a fair distance away from the castle, a warming charm on his cloak to combat the chill drifting across the grounds of Hogwarts. Dinner had finished some time ago and curfew was fast approaching. Harry had left everyone in the hall, suddenly unable to stand being around other people, especially when he listened to their conversations. He wondered if his previous time at Hogwarts was nothing but a waste of his time and talents, if he had to be honest with himself. Here he was, only seventeen, and already regretful of the life he had led in the wizarding world.
He planted his feet against the ground and rested his arms on his knees, throwing back his hood to allow the breeze in his hair. Was it all a waste? The fighting? Standing against the Dark? Was it worth it?
His illusion of Tom had sent the Hogwarts population into a bit of a fit, considering that Tom was supposed to be the Dark Lord's student. All of the girls above second year seemed determined to weasle a date of out him, and the first and second years looked upon him as a bit of an exciting mystery. The young men of Hogwarts were torn between either befriending him or running away from him. McGonagall was focused on cornering him to ask him about the Dark Lord or his plans. Snape lurked, and it was obvious that he was trying to catch Tom at his earliest opportunity. The only person truly pleased (and not cautious or suspicious) to see Tom was Dumbledore, as it meant that Harry was there to visit with his grandfather, and he always had something interesting or amusing to share.
Harry enjoyed visiting Dumbledore in his room in the Hospital Wing. Dumbledore had confided that the only reason that he was in the Hospital Wing was that the rest of the staff of Hogwarts were convinced that Dumbledore had lost all of his faculties. "I may be old, my boy, but I am certainly not senile. Just old...too old, some would say. No matter. I suspect that my next adventure is just a little slow in arriving, is all, and the mind isn't what it once was." He had admitted to Harry as they played cards not long after Harry's return for his seventh year.
"The next adventure will be nice, I suspect," Harry said calmly as he rearranged the cards in his hand into their suits. "It has to be better than what we've had before."
"Think so?" Dumbledore asked, setting up the draw pile and playing his first card.
"Yes, I think so," Harry said, studying his cards and then playing one card, groaning as Dumbledore snatched it up with a happy little chuckle. "Grandad, you are too good at this game!" Harry sighed, shaking his head. Too old, his little toe.
The time with Dumbledore was a time when Harry could relax, since Dumbledore seemed to understand what Harry was going through at the moment. Harry could drop his defences a bit and just be a teenager, instead of constantly playing a role. Dumbledore had made no comment when he found that Harry had snuck onto his couch one night when Harry couldn't sleep in Gryffindor Tower, only to drift off once he had settled onto the couch. Dumbledore had simply covered him with a throw blanket and woke him before any member of staff could see him there when they brought breakfast.
Harry had to admit that having his own pathways through the castle made things like wandering around after curfew a lot easier. He felt sorry for Mr. Filch, as the man was convinced that a student had died and was now haunting the hallways. Harry let him believe it, as the deduction of points would have put Gryffindor into negative digits by his third week of school.
His grades were average, and he did nothing to improve them. He did just enough work to get by, and nothing more. It helped that Hermione was busy with school and her duties to Hogwarts and didn't have a lot of time to watch Harry study as she used to do. He caught her giving him some concerned looks, but nothing had come of them yet.
He closed his eyes and lowered his head to stretch his neck. It seemed as though he had a constant headache these days, and the headaches would not relent, no matter how much painkilling potion he ingested. Madame Pomfrey had started asking questions after his third day in a row of requesting the potion, and so he had tasked Kreacher with purchasing a good supply for him from an apothecary in Hogsmeade. A tendril of magic trailed across his brow and the corners of his lips twitched up. Magus, magus. Hogwarts said. Harry acknowledged her and looked up. There was color and light dancing in front of his eyes and Harry thought he could hear the faintest singing in time with the lights. Hogwarts was singing for him. His breath caught and he opened himself fully, allowing Hogwarts' magic to reach him without a shield. Hogwarts had done this a few times since his arrival in September, and each time reminded Harry that Hogwarts herself cared for him.
The song was timeless, lilting and rising without an effort to reach highs and then dropping to a lower register in seconds. Harry sat and watched, feeling his heavy mood lift as the song and light moved with each other. It felt as though Hogwarts was caressing his face, trying to drive away his headache. Thank you, Hogwarts. He told the castle.
Magus. You are always home here. The voice and song faded away with that final remark, leaving the lights and music for a few more minutes for him to enjoy himself.
Harry heard someone sit down next to him and he turned to find Hermione studying him. "Harry," she said. "Is something bothering you?"
"I'm fine, Hermione." Harry told her. "Just watching the show." He said, gesturing towards the castle.
"Show?" Hermione said, perplexed with the comment. "What show?"
Harry turned his head and looked at his friend. She honestly couldn't see what Hogwarts was showing him. He held out his hand to Hermione. "Here, give me your hand." He told her. Hermione put her hand in his and Harry reached out with his magic. Yes? What? He told it what he wanted, and knew he was successful when Hermione gasped.
"Harry! What is this?" She asked excitedly, squeezing his hand.
"I don't know what the name for it is," He admitted. "I've only seen it recently, but it's beautiful." He shrugged and then looked at his friend. "Do you like it?"
"I'm jealous," she confessed. "You get to see this all the time?"
"It happens a lot," He told her. "It's best at night. Sometimes, I even hear a little music." He relaxed his focus and Hermione tilted her head as musical tones started up again.
"I think I hear it." She said softly. She sat still, still squeezing his hand, as she experienced the sights and sounds of Hogwarts. "It's beautiful." The pair sat for a while longer until the lights and music faded away completely. Harry sent a silent thank you to Hogwarts for allowing him to share it with Hermione. "I have a question, Harry." Hermione said, breaking the silence they had shared.
"What's that?" Harry said as she released his hand and stood from the grass.
"How are we going to sneak back into the castle? Curfew was some time ago." She told him, looking at her watch.
"Hmmm…." Harry pondered the situation for a moment, hesitant to share his Magus passageways just yet. "Want to do what they did when they landed on Endor?"
"Camouflage?" Hermione asked.
"Fly casual." Harry answered.
"How are your invisibility spells?" She asked him.
"They should be stellar." Snape's voice said from the bottom of the hill. "Have you any idea how long I've been looking for the pair of you?" Snape growled.
"Approximately an hour." Hermione said calmly. "Good evening, Professor Snape." Hermione said as she left Harry's side and joined Snape. "Come along, Harry. You need sleep. I can tell you're tired."
Harry hesitated, not wanting to go to sleep. Snape stalked up the hill and grabbed hold of Harry's arm. "I am not returning to the castle without you. That mad valet of yours has been stalking me, Mr. Potter, and I will not have it. You will order him to leave me alone, or so help me, these days here will be your last."
Harry didn't mean to laugh at Snape's words, but for some reason, they struck him as extremely hilarious and he burst into hysterical laughter. Both Snape and Hermione looked at him, astonished. They let him laugh for a few moments before Hermione spoke up. "Um, Harry? You okay?"
"Sorry!" He rasped, still laughing. "It's just that threat really doesn't scare me - I mean, how many times have I nearly died here at school?!" He laughed a bit more and told himself to get under control before they locked him up in the Hospital Wing with Dumbledore as a roommate. Harry's laughter died down and Snape merely rolled his eyes before pointing towards the castle. Harry smiled again and started down the path, hearing Snape mutter about disobedient out of bounds children and their utter disregard for his sanity and well-being.
Waiting at the door was an extremely peeved Cassius, drumming his fingers on the wall and looked generally displeased. "Master Harry, we have some things to discuss." He said calmly. "And what I have said about sitting on the ground with young ladies!" Cassius reached out and took hold of Harry's ear, leading him away. Snape and Hermione both burst into giggles as Cassius shifted his grip from ear to arm, grumbling about children, charges, and mortals. Hmm...no support to be had from either Hermione or Snape.
Harry sighed to himself as Cassius led him into an empty classroom and put Harry into a chair. A house elf popped into the room bearing a tray of food which he deposited on a side table before popping back out of the room. "Now, Master Harry, skipping dinner is not permitted. Your father gave very clear instructions. You are to eat. After you eat, you will sleep. If you do not do these things as instructed, you will be removed from this educational institution and returned home to your father."
Harry gaped for a moment. "Uncle Cassius, to be honest, you don't really scare me." Harry told him. "Not anymore."
"Does your father scare you?" Cassius asked as he set the tray in front of Harry and gestured for him to start. Harry looked down and saw a simple soup, fresh bread rolls, fruit, and some juice. Harry recognized it as the non-alcoholic version of his favorite drink from his time with Dracula.
Harry looked up at Cassius with a smile. "No, he doesn't." Harry said.
"Really? Well, he should scare you. And so should I. The veneer of civility we wear as a front fools most mortals, but you are smarter than that." Cassius told him. "We are still predators at the end of the day, and you are still very much prey, Master Harry."
Harry took a roll and broke it in half, deciding to start with that. He sighed and shook his head. "I don't think anything scares me anymore, to be honest." He admitted to the vampire. "Not really."
Cassius went absolutely still and Harry couldn't help be feel a little apprehensive. He had never seen Cassius completely stop before; it was a spooky effect and he couldn't help but consider a pathway out of the room. Perhaps through the window?
"You should remember, Master Harry, that fearing nothing is a very small step towards becoming undead in this realm. It is very easy to justify a number of poor decisions when you feel like that. Do we need to have your doctor come and see you? I could very easily arrange it for you, and I am happy to do so, should you need it." Cassius told him, sounding concerned.
"No, thank you, Uncle Cassius. I'm fine." Harry said dismissively. The absolute last thing he needed was Paul showing up at Hogwarts, or seeing Paul at all. Paul would know...he would just know.
"That, I doubt very much, Master Harry. Now eat. Then you will sleep." Cassius said, sitting down across from him. "Now, Master Harry."
Harry picked up the spoon and started on the soup, appeasing the vampire sitting across from him. He knew Cassius was suspicious, but there was nothing he could really do to ease the vampire's mind. It was almost over, anyway. No stopping it. At least the soup and bread were good. His teenager stomach, once it discovered food was coming, demanded he eat it all and he gave in, finishing with the juice. He was suddenly tired, and he glared at Cassius, suspicious.
"I did no such thing," Cassius told him, helping him to his feet. "You are simply overtired and with a full stomach. Let's get you to bed." Cassius gestured for Harry to follow him and Harry trailed along behind the vampire, too tired to argue. He was in bed a few minutes later with Cassius standing over him, looking pensive. Harry brushed off the idea that Cassius was worried and allowed his eyes to shut as he fell asleep.
Robinson was not having a good day, and it was showing. He had started his day off as any other day. He had breakfast with his parents, ignoring them talking about the fact he wasn't married yet while he read the Daily Prophet before he left the house and their bickering behind to go to the shop. He opened the shop while he waited for his boss to show up and sorted some inventory into their best locations.
His day took a turn for the worse when the bell over the door rang and a man stepped inside. He went straight to Robinson, relief evident in his face. "Robinson, may I speak to you for a moment?" He asked, his voice urgent.
"I am working, Williams." He told him. "Besides, we can't speak of that here." Robinson warned him, flicking a glance towards his manager and a few shoppers.
"We have to speak now. It is urgent." Williams grasped hold of his upper arm and shook him a bit.
"What could be so urgent that you would come find me at work?" Robinson hissed back.
"We need to contact the young Dark Lord. Do you know how to do that?"
"No, I don't." Robinson admitted to him. Robinson paused before brushing off Williams and going over to his manager. The man agreed to give him a short break for his friend's visit, but he was to hurry back in under half an hour.
Robinson lead Williams down the street to a semi-private area and rounded on Williams. "What is so important that this couldn't wait?" Robinson demanded of him.
"The Dark Lord is mad, Robinson." Williams told him. "Completely lost it."
"We already knew that, Williams. He's been that way for a while now." Robinson countered. "If that is all?"
"Robinson, you need to inform the young Dark Lord that the current Dark Lord's days are numbered. If he doesn't come forward and control the monster, well, he won't have to worry about the monster any longer. We'll follow him, but none of us are following Vol-the Dark Lord. Not anymore."
Robinson stared at Williams and then shook his head. "I'll tell him if I see him, but it's not as though I know his Floo connection. From what the Dark Lord said, the young Dark Lord is currently at school. And I don't know which one." He said before Williams could ask.
"Well, I would start trying to reach him. The situation has become tenuous and I won't put it past anyone not to act in their own interests. The last thing we need is someone stepping up and taking over without a care for those of us recruited against our wills. You know what will happen to us if that should happen."
Robinson could only nod, knowing that the likelihood of torture and being used as cannon fodder for the Aurors could only follow for him and others like him. He had never wanted to join the Death Eaters, and now he was forced to live with the consequences of the decision made for him.
Author's Note: I know. I know it's short. I'm sorry. It's coming slowly. Word by word. I had just reached a stopping point and felt that it was the best place to stop. Please remember to review and tell me what you think. ;) ~Emma