I twisted and turned in the bed, sweat slicking my body as I gripped the sheets tight with quick, sharp breaths.

I was being chased. I ran through the trees doing what I could to not stumble as the… thing chased after me. I didn't even know what it was, but the fear was obvious. I knew this instinctive feeling of terror. I felt it with the basilisk, with Lupin, with those higher-level vampires who looked down on me the moment I was thrust into the coven like a bag of sewer waste. I was running because I had to. It didn't matter what was behind me as long as I survived.

Then, a voice in the distance. Someone I knew and something else. The scent of blood. I rushed out of the trees and stood in the center of town. I was here only a week ago, yet it felt like just the other day. People were scattered around and I was walking, not being chased. I was getting food to fill the empty fridge. I hadn't been feeling the best. Sleep was even more of a struggle lately than it was at Hogwarts. Trying to eat was even harder. Everything tasted like ash.

It's why I was shopping instead of Sirius. I wanted flavor. Anything that I could actually taste. The noise was aggravating. All those humans talking, breathing, hearts beating—and the sun was bordering painful, even with my full covering and hood. Something was wrong with me but I had no one to ask and nothing to prove it.

Then, the scent of blood again and my body burned as my red eyes latched onto the little boy who was crying before his mother, holding a scraped knee. She tried to soothe him looking over the superficial injury and talking about bravery and tears. She didn't notice me coming up behind her but the boy did. He went quiet, his small body stiffening as a primal fear enveloped him at the sight of my vibrant red eyes and sharp canines.

The scent was strong, overpowering. Then, the woman noticed his gaze and turned, but I was gone and she smiled back at her boy and scooped him up with the promise of ice cream for having stopped. I was doubled over in the dark of the nearest alleyway, grasping at my throat that suddenly felt bone dry as my jaw ached and everything in me yearned for the taste of the one thing that could stop this never-ending hunger.

I woke up with a gasp, falling out of the bed and hitting the wooden floor hard. My nails dug into the floorboards as I panted and choked on air. I felt feverish and ice cold at the same time, managing to push myself up and throw the door open to get to the restroom. I threw water on my face in an attempt to calm down, still breathing hard but far more relaxed than I had been a moment ago. Or a week ago.

I pushed the thought from my mind almost violently, lifting my head and looking at the cracked mirror. The sight made me grimace. I'd broken it a few days after the almost-incident when I woke up in much the same panic as I had now only to find my reflection missing from the glass. It had startled me, frightened me, and I'd lashed out. A part of me afterward thought it had just been a trick. A magic mirror. Then, I discovered it wasn't an ability of the mirror but of mine.

I was right in thinking something was wrong with me the last few weeks. I'd never felt this off before. The hunger was never this intense and none of the other occurrences ever happened unless I was far lower on blood than I should be. This was different. I was well-supplied. Even if Sirius was off in a meeting or court trial regarding his innocence, I was always left with something. Fresh animal blood, fresh meat, a fresh kill. These weren't the actions of a starving vampire but something else and I had no reference or anyone to ask.

The new lack of reflection only added to my uneasiness. It was an ability I'd only heard rumors of. Something told in the myths of muggles. Asking an elder vampire or higher up would provide answers, but I wasn't in the coven anymore and they never acknowledged me other than a sneer or spit in my direction. Books held no reference either. All the ones I could get a hold of were written myths by muggles or the occasional wizard-written book that ran over minor details like appearance and hunting techniques. As though we were merely beasts or animals. None mentioned adolescent vampires or even children. I had nothing to refer to.

This left me with a problem. The fear was mounting; clawing its way up within me to ever-increasing heights. I didn't dare go outside of Sirius's home. A scraped knee nearly had me at the neck of that boy and his mother. I couldn't control myself and therefore couldn't risk stepping outside until I figured this out or regained the control I'd somehow lost. Because of this self-isolation, the only thing I'd accomplished this week was a meager understanding of the mirror.

Movement presented a hazy, unclear vision of my face. As though one were catching a glimpse of me out of the corner of their eye. It took focus to get my image to appear clearly, and that was getting harder to manage as time went on. Even now, as I stared desperately into the mirror, I could only see a blurred version of my face, blood-red eyes that no longer held that slight golden shade they used to, and something dark sliding down my neck.

I reached up and winced lightly. I'd clawed at my throat in my sleep again. Enough to draw blood this time, and I took a shuddering breath as I tugged at my hair and bowed over the sink's edge. I'd lost weight as well. Nothing tasted quite right and I'd stopped eating food for the week. There just wasn't any point unless it had blood. Regular food wasn't a requirement for someone like me, just something I enjoyed—when I could taste it—and something that added more meat on my bones than just a diet of blood and animal carcasses.

As much as I appreciated the home I'd been given this term, I just wished there was some way to get answers. Sirius not being around because he was busy didn't help me build enough confidence to confide in him either. Lupin was even scarcer. He'd shown up maybe a handful of times over the summer before vanishing again under the guise of doing things for Dumbledore. He had been the one I was most comfortable asking about this new problem I had, given his knowledge of vampires and other dark creatures, but he was never available to ask.

I didn't dare risk sending a letter out by owl either. Sirius made me swear not to unless the information in the letter was nothing that could be traced back to anyone. He was concerned that our capture of Pettigrew would turn dangerous eyes our way, and intercepted owls would be the quickest way of getting information. So, unless it was a return letter to Hermione or Luna with only idle conversation, there would be no owl asking for help with this. I'm just not sure how much longer I can last.

I returned to my room and pulled on some clothes before slipping out and making for the stairs. On the first floor, I moved into the kitchen, looking for something to eat or drink that would quell the burning in my throat. There was nothing though. I'd finished off everything Sirius brought me the moment I found it and given I hadn't gone shopping since the incident, the kitchen had remained empty. Sirius was out for the week anyway to finish up with the Ministry and I hadn't seen Lupin since almost a month ago. A shiver went up my spine as the stray thought of cleaning the house in search of rats passed through my mind. It made me almost glad that the House Elf who'd been here had been set free by Sirius as soon as he'd found them. I was afraid that at this point I would be hunting the creature down myself if he hadn't.

A pitiful half-whine escaped my throat and I brought up my hand, biting into the meat of my thumb to use the pain to try and focus. I stumbled out of the kitchen, releasing my hand and making to return back upstairs just as the door creaked. I froze halfway up the steps, eyes flickering over my shoulder as the knob rattled on the front door.

"If you ever see the door opening, even if you think it might be us, I want you to hide and wait until we call out with the password, okay?" Sirius explained seriously, the morning after we'd arrived. "There are lots of people who are rather unhappy with what we've done, and with magic or potions, it's possible to look like us. It's dangerous, so you need to be careful, understand?"

I hurried up the rest of the stairs and ducked around the corner, out of sight and the back of my head pressed against the wall as I waited. The door opened and familiar voices of Sirius and Lupin traveled through the house, but still, I waited until they called out.

"Sven, we're back!" Sirius chimed before Lupin sighed.

"Your Patronus is a vampire bat."

I peered around the corner then, hating that I inhaled instinctually in search of a possible meal Sirius may have brought me.

"There you are! Come on! I've got something for you," Sirius grinned, heading into the kitchen with Lupin following.

I hesitated though. It had been a while since I'd dealt with either of them closely. I wasn't sure if they'd notice what was wrong. Or if I can handle being anywhere near another living person for an extended amount of time. I wrinkled my nose then, catching the scent of my own blood, and lifted my hand with a wince. I'd bitten rather hard earlier and I slipped into the bathroom to bandage it as well before moving down to the kitchen.

"Took your time, didn't you?" Sirius huffed, head peering into the fridge with a frown. "Forget to go shopping?"

"Sorry," I murmured, unable to look at him or Lupin as I sat at the table.

I could feel eyes on me though, something telling me it wasn't Sirius who'd caught on to something being off.

"Everything okay, Sven?" Lupin asked, drawing Sirius out of the fridge with his own frown. "You're rather quiet."

"He's always quiet," Sirius argued, though his frown remained. "What's that on your neck?"

His fingers brushed the bandages and I was suddenly smacking his hand away and on my feet, chair clattering to the ground behind me. His eyes were wide with surprise and I felt my body begin to quake as I realized what I'd done. Lupin slowly stood, his chair sliding on the ground drawing my startled eyes to his calm ones.

"Sven, everything's okay. You don't have to tell us if you don't want to, but if there's something we can do…"

My lip trembled as I tried to speak. "I-I don't… I don't know what to do."

"Okay. That's okay," Lupin said, moving closer slowly as though I would startle if he moved too quickly. "Just… Let's all sit down and you can explain what's going on, all right?"

He didn't touch me, but picked back up my chair and gestured to it, leading me to sit so I could explain. I wrung my fingers together as he and Sirius sat as well, waiting patiently, though they spotted the bandages on my hand now too.

"Can I see?" Lupin asked, shifting a little closer and offering his hand.

Slowly, I offered it and Lupin unwrapped my hand with a soft sign at the bite mark and torn skin. He looked at Sirius with a frown.

"Have you been feeding him properly?"

"What? Yes! Course, I have!" Sirius complained. "I bring stuff every couple of days. Every other day, if I get the chance. Extra when I'm not around. Obviously, he eats it."

Lupin looked at me in confusion. "That should be enough. You were getting less at Hogwarts, weren't you?"

"Something's wrong," I mumbled, pulling my hand back to rewrap it. "I-I don't understand what's changed. I can't… I can't taste anything."

Sirius hummed. "I was wondering why some of that stuff you made was spicy."

"It just tastes like ash. I… I'm hungry all the time but nothing I eat is helping. I tried to go get food but… I-I almost…"

"You almost bit someone?" Lupin questioned, surprised.

"You're joking, right?" Sirius asked, confused himself. "You've been fine before. Better than fine. What could have set you off?"

"I don't know," I pressed. "I-It was just a kid who scraped his knee. It wasn't even a lot, but I just… I-I can't control it. I don't know why I can't control it anymore. I was fine. I was!"

"We know you were," Lupin said, "which is why this sudden change is strange. Is there anything else? Anything strange that's happened other than the increase in hunger?"

I nodded, eyes on the table. "I can't see myself."

"What?" Sirius questioned.

"In the mirror," I clarified. "I can't see my reflection. I have to concentrate really hard, but I can't focus a-and I haven't been sleeping. It's just constantly there."

My fingers curled into my hair and I missed the look exchanged between Lupin and Sirius before a hand settled on my back, drawing my worried, tired gaze to Lupin.

"We'll ask Dumbledore and see what he thinks. He knows more about vampires than we do, so he should be able to figure something out."

"I hate to ask, but would taking you to the coven help?" Sirius asked and I quickly shook my head.

"No. Not unless someone makes one of the elders or higher vampires explain, and they won't want to. They're not exactly friendly," I muttered, earning a huff from him.

"Yeah, I saw as much. Your eyes look different too, Sven."

"I don't know why. I don't know anything about what's happening. I-I tried. I was looking through books but nothing explained."

Lupin stood with a sigh. "I'll send a request for Dumbledore. It doesn't make sense that you've suddenly lost control like that and we can't risk having you out with others until we know what's going on."

I didn't say anything and a hand settled on my head, ruffling my hair. Sirius was grinning away, reassuringly.

"Don't worry, kid. We'll get this figured out, then we can all go and see the big Quidditch game."

"Quidditch game?" I questioned, earning an even bigger grin.

"Yeah! I managed to get tickets for the three of us, though Remus was complaining about crowds. The World Cup is happening this year! Ireland and Bulgaria are playing and I thought you might like to see them. Even for someone who doesn't like Quidditch, it's still plenty of fun. Harry and his friends are going too."

"But we can't do anything until we figure out what's happening to Sven," Lupin repeated, giving Sirius a look. "The last thing we need is an out-of-control vampire in the center of a crowd of hundreds of thousands… No offense, Sven."

I shook my head, not bothered because he was right. I hadn't left the house in order to avoid possibly hurting others. Leaving to go to an international Quidditch game would not be good. I just want to know what's happening to me.

Lupin and Sirius waited outside the kitchen as Dumbledore spoke with Sven about what was happening. It had taken some doing to get a hold of the Headmaster without sending word of what was going on, but they'd managed and he'd shown up that weekend. They were doing what they could for now. The plan was to give Sven blood every day to help satisfy the hunger he was dealing with, but even then, they could see the toll it was taking on the boy. Even everyday supplies weren't helping him much. He went through everything so quickly that they both knew even if they filled the table with raw meat and carcasses, Sven wouldn't be satisfied. There was something fundamentally wrong with him and they were hoping the Headmaster could give them an idea.

The reflection thing was interesting though. Lupin had thought that over the most because it was something that had been mentioned in myths for ages. Myths tended to hold some semblance of truth, he'd learned, especially in regard to creatures from the wizarding world. So, the fact that there were myths about vampires being invisible in mirrors and reflective surfaces made him wonder if something wasn't wrong with Sven, but he was just experiencing something they didn't know about. Sven not growing up properly like the other vampires would explain why he didn't know anything about it either if it was something all vampires go through. And if that's the case, we'll need another vampire, won't we?

"You think the kid will be okay?" Sirius asked then, surprising Lupin with the worry in his voice.

"I'm sure Dumbledore will figure something out… I didn't expect you and him to be so close."

"Yeah, well…" Sirius rubbed the back of his neck. "He's grown on me. Kid's a bit strange, obviously, but he's a good kid… Given the whole vampire thing." Sirius cracked a toothy smirk. "Reminds me of you, back in the day."

Lupin sighed but had to admit he could see it as well. He didn't know as much about Sven's circumstances but knew enough that he could see the similarities. I should see if I could find anything about his parents. He might appreciate that. If the Ministry is the one who moved him, then they should have a record of his family. It would at least give him information to tell off the Slytherins if he's not a Muggle-born… I wonder if he even knows what they look like… The door opened then, and he and Sirius perked up as Dumbledore stepped out.

"So? Is he all right?" Sirius asked.

"Unfortunately, my knowledge of vampires is limited to only adults," Dumbledore admitted. "However, I do believe there is someone I can contact about what is happening and he can speak with Sven."

Sirius stiffened, understanding that this meant someone else might end up knowing about his home, or that Sven would have to leave.

"He is very trustworthy, I assure you," Dumbledore hummed, reassuring. "I do believe he might be in town as well. He's usually difficult to find though I do believe he might show up for this, given he left before finishing what he needed."

Lupin frowned, uncertain about what that meant, but Dumbledore was already making to leave, talking over his shoulder as he stepped onto the porch.

"I'll send word to him, and if he responds favorably, then I will send him here… With proof of who he is, of course, though I'm sure Sven could provide that easily enough. Should only take a day or so." He waved then and Apparated off the porch, leaving Sirius and Lupin to wonder who exactly he was planning to send over.

The connection to Sven was surprising as well, given the boy had little contact with people outside of school. Yet, neither adult wanted to ask him about it while he was overwhelmed as it was. A few days passed before they got word of the specialist arriving and when there was a knock on the door, Sirius allowed Lupin to answer—keeping Sven tucked away upstairs for now. A man stood on the porch, hooded by a cloak that didn't quite allow them to see his face as a gloved hand reached out with a letter.

"Albus sent me for Sven," he said simply, and Lupin took the letter to ensure it was signed properly by Dumbledore before stepping aside and letting the man in.

Sirius leaned against the stairs with a frown, arms folded and eyeing the man as he moved into the house and looked around. "So? Do we even get a name?"

The man glanced at him before reaching up to lower his hood and reveal dark blood-red eyes, pale skin, and messy brown hair tied back in a low ponytail. A lip twisted up in a half-smile, revealing pointed canines that put Sirius on edge before he reached into his cloak. Sirius's wand was out in an instant, and the man held up a free hand before pulling out a set of small glasses. Sirius scowled but lowered the wand as he put the glasses on just in time for a voice to come from up the stairs.

"C-Cain?"

The man looked up and offered Sven the same half-smirk he'd given Sirius. "Hello, Sven. You've grown."

Sven didn't move for a moment before his expression quivered and he dashed down the stairs only to pull up to a stop directly in front of their newest guest. "Where have you been!" Sven half-shouted, some of the most emotion they'd seen from the boy in the last few months, or at all, really. "You just… You just left me! You didn't leave a note or tell me where you went, and then they just showed up asking me to go to Hogwarts? You don't even like vampires! Why did you say I would be the one to risk everything and—"

A hand snapped out and covered the boy's eyes, surprising the two other adults as he went quiet and stiffened.

"Calm yourself, Sven," Cain demanded, voice calm but sharp. "I will explain, but only once you've remembered your place."

Sven bit his lip but nodded slightly, far calmer than he was a moment ago and Cain removed his hand before looking at Sirius and Lupin.

"Is there somewhere we can speak?"

Lupin was the first to step forward, gesturing to the kitchen. "Right this way."

I sat at the table with a frown, feeling more than a little chastised. I'd lost my temper with Cain after not seeing him for so long and just his presence alone made me feel so small. I very much felt like a child again; sitting on my knees as he stoked the campfire and waited for my temper to calm before I would get the dead rabbit waiting beside him. Now, we weren't in the forests of the coven, but losing my temper with Cain never did anything for me. Even if my temper flare was caused by whatever is affecting me.

Sirius didn't sit at the table, just waited nearby, but Lupin sat beside me as Cain settled himself across the way. The table was quiet as Cain pulled out a cigarette but didn't light it, twisting it between his fingers idly.

"Do explain what it is that has been happening, Sven," he said finally and I frowned.

"But I want to know—"

"I know," he said shortly again, making me shrink a little like a scolded child. "However, I do believe dealing with your situation is more important."

So, I explained for the third time what had been happening, how much I was eating, the nightmares, and the lack of reflection. The last one made him smile.

"Albus was correct in summoning me," Cain said then, tucking the cigarette back into its box in his coat pocket. "This isn't something a wizard or muggle would know, and the elders in the coven would be more than reluctant to assist given his position." he sighed lightly. "I expected them to be more inclined to build relations with your people, given their annoyance at how they're treated. One would think playing nice to get better conditions would be something they'd be willing to do, though they're proving stubborn and using that as an excuse to blame and bully a youngling." His eyes flickered to mine. "One who knows far too little about the world he was thrust into."

I said nothing as Sirius spoke up.

"So, can we fix him?"

"There's nothing to fix," Cain replied. "It is something all of us go through as we get older and begin to gain more strength. The easiest solution to the hunger is this."

He pulled a vial out of his pocket and placed it on the table. The dark red coloring was unmistakable and Lupin frowned.

"We've been feeding him blood."

Cain eyed him and simply reached out, uncorking the vial and the scent of the blood was so strong, I choked on air and grasped at my throat. Lupin and Sirius immediately began to worry as I doubled over and dug my nails into the table, and Cain corked the vial once more, speaking calmly.

"Taking human blood once a month would quell the more aggressive hunger he's dealing with. It won't solve all of his problems, but it would significantly calm him."

"Then—"

"No," I breathed, cutting Lupin off and glaring at Cain across the table as I held my throat that still burned after catching a whiff of human blood. "Y-You said… You said if I take human blood—"

"You'll have to continue for the rest of your life, yes," Cain nodded in agreement, sliding the vial over towards me. "However, it is a choice you have to make. It is the easiest way to help and the other ways are not proven to be fully successful."

I grit my teeth and reached out to the vial before pushing it back across the table. "I refuse."

Cain sighed. "You were always so stubborn. It would be better for you in the long run, Sven. As strong as you may seem now, you are far weaker than other vampires your age who have accepted drinking human blood earlier on. The time you'll waste trying to come up with an alternative would be better spent if you just took the easier path."

I didn't care. I didn't drink human blood for a reason. More than just because it was something you had to continue drinking, but because I never liked the thought of biting into another person. It felt wrong to me, especially knowing that there were only a few ways to do it. One would kill the person, one would change them. The only way to stop from killing them was to have a great enough force of will to pull back before that point. Most vampires didn't have that.

The elders had enough connections to get dying people who'd given up on life or had no life left to spare to be brought in for those who wanted something fresh and couldn't hold back. Otherwise, they bought blood and limited their supply that way without the cost of turning people or killing them. The lesser vampires didn't have that option. It was the reason why there were so many killings in the poorer areas of the coven. You either survived off what you could get or you attacked one another in your hunger, but vampire blood didn't solve anything. It tasted foul and would barely put a dent in the hunger you felt. If that was all you had though…

Either way, I wanted nothing to do with it. I'd struggled until now and kept from hurting anyone other than the false Tom Riddle and when I'd defended myself from Lupin. That wasn't my hunger getting out of control though. Not like this. Still, he said there were other ways. I have to try. I clenched my fists and grit my teeth, steeling my resolve as Cain watched me for a moment longer before getting up.

"If you refuse, then there is nothing more I can help you with."

Lupin and Sirius looked shocked. The man had literally done nothing but offer human blood. I was frustrated and stood.

"You said there were other ways."

"Unproven to work successfully," he reminded me, pulling his cigarette out again and putting it between his teeth as he started to leave the kitchen.

"I don't care," I argued, grabbing the vial he'd left on the table and following him out. "What are they?"

"The wizards call it Occlumency," he explained, adjusting his cloak. "It's something normally used to protect one's mind from being searched, but is helpful in keeping your focus and emptying your mind." He looked over his shoulder at me. "It may help, but it won't stop the hunger."

"That's it?"

He shrugged. "Even I take blood. I've never heard of a vampire who could survive without it. The oldest ones I've seen weren't much older than you and they were quick to give in or die in the process."

He started to walk out and I clenched my hand tight around the vial I was still holding. I still had more questions.

"Why did you leave?" I asked, seeing that he was walking out again without a care. "You didn't leave me a note or even say why."

He paused on the porch, lifting his hood and glancing up at the cloudy sky. "Because it was time to."

"You could have taken me with you," I pressed. "Why did you just leave me behind? Didn't you care at all?"

He was quiet and I bristled.

"I looked for you! For days, all I did was look! You were everything to me, Cain!"

"That," he said finally, turning slightly in my direction. "That is why I had to go."

"I… I don't understand."

He took a deep breath and let it out. "You were a whim, Sven. That's all. I happened to be passing through the coven in my travels and I saw potential. A hidden strength that would be a waste if it just died in that alleyway I found you in. So, I took you in and taught you how to survive. That's it."

"But…"

"The mirrors," he pointed out, red eyes calm. "You not seeing your reflection is proof. Only very high-level vampires are capable of hiding themselves to that extent. The only way they're created is for another higher-level vampire to turn them. I don't know who bit you or killed your family, but you should be grateful they were strong. I wouldn't have bothered with you otherwise."

The words hurt. The man I'd looked up to for so long—the man I searched for and yearned for—was just dealing with me out of curiosity. He never cared for me like a son or a friend. He was never fond of me. He just tolerated me because he could see strength and intelligence. He was bored and I was a fun toy to waste some time with.

I ground my teeth hard enough to send pain up my jaw. My eyes burned with tears, but I refused to let them fall as I thrust my hand with the vial out at him.

"Take your stupid blood and go."

He blinked slowly, unbothered by my frustration, anger, and hurt. "You should hang onto it. You might need it."

"I don't want it."

He shrugged, stepping away from the house before I threw the vial at him. It bounced off his back and clattered to the ground. He stopped and stared at it for a second before picking it up and tucking it back in his cloak.

"So be it," he muttered, eyes cold as they locked onto my form on the porch. "It's a shame. You could've been a strong elder."

Then, he vanished with a sharp "crack," leaving me to feel even more frustrated with myself than before.

After Cain's visit, things had somehow managed to calm down. I wouldn't be able to start learning Occlumency properly until I was back at Hogwarts—Dumbledore was willing to do extra lessons for me when he wasn't busy—but until then, Lupin had started to help me with the basics. He wasn't an expert, but he'd attempted Occlumency before and knew the gist of how to work it out. It wasn't much different than what I usually did when dealing with the hunger, except instead of distracting myself with other thoughts, I needed to empty my mind. He mentioned more advanced levels would work on hiding certain emotions and memories, but that wasn't something I really needed for the moment.

It helped though if only a little bit. After a month or so, I was able to calm myself down from my more panicky episodes if given some space to be on my own and meditate, almost. It was the other plan that was proving more troublesome, but also more effective. Sirius had come up with it, surprisingly enough.

"He'll have to just get used to the smell and resist it, right?"

So, that's exactly what I did. I combined what I knew to calm my hunger—including Occlumency now—while in the same room as a small amount of human blood. It was hard. I often struggled to deal with the hunger and its effects. As such, my nightmares continued, thanks to my lack of confidence when I started this training and my own fears of what would happen if I failed. This made training harder and more difficult until Lupin took me aside and had me duel him.

This soon became normal for us. I would work on my Occlumency with Lupin, then move into a room with Sirius and a vial of human blood. When I grew too frustrated or angry or upset about my progress, I would get a break to work on schoolwork or have a duel with one of them. When I was confident enough, I was allowed to step out of the house again. I was terrified at first that something would happen to set me off like last time, but nothing did and after a while, I was willing to go out on my own.

Being a bat Animagus helped as well. It gave me a chance to feel free and get away from everything for a bit in the evening. Sirius always complained that he was envious of my ability to fly, but was glad that I was enjoying myself. As the Quidditch World Cup grew ever closer though, it came time to decide if I was well enough to go.

We were all a little hesitant, but I'd shown improvement. I could go shopping without issue, even with crowds. I still had some trouble with the human blood training I'd been doing, but I could handle being near it for longer periods of time before I needed to step out. I was able to eat again too. Food had finally begun to taste good again, though not as much as it used to, forcing me to season it more than Sirius or Lupin felt comfortable with. Seeing how well I was doing, we decided it would be safe to attend the Quidditch game so long as we had a plan to get me out of the area should it grow to be too much. My tent was dealt with as well; Lupin enchanting it with better spells to help keep out the sound of the crowds we'd be in. So, once everything was ready, we set off.

Harry couldn't help but look around in wonder at the various tents of all shapes and sizes. Some even had their own gardens! Mr. Weasley wasn't very surprised but they soon found where their tent was supposed to be, right at the very edge of the woods with a sign labeling it for the "Weezly" family.

"Couldn't have a better spot!" Mr. Weasley grinned, looking pleased. "The field is just on the other side of the wood there, we're as close as we could be. Right. No magic allowed, strictly speaking, not when we're out in these numbers on Muggle land. We'll be putting these tents up by hand! Shouldn't be too difficult. Muggles do it all the time. Here, Harry, where do you reckon we start?"

Harry looked at the tent they had to set up in uncertainty. He'd never been camping in his life but Mr. Weasley didn't know that. He was about to see if perhaps Hermione knew when he heard someone call out to them.

"Oh, hello, Harry, Ron, Hermione."

He turned to see a pale, slim figure slip past a set of wizards and was pleasantly surprised to see Sven there. He'd grown taller again, though Harry thought he looked a bit ill. He seemed paler, making his eyes look even redder than they used to, and while he looked fairly muscular—even with his cloak and coat on—he still somehow managed to come off as stick thin.

"Sven!" Hermione grinned, either not noticing or not saying anything about the boy's features. "I didn't think you'd come. You don't like Quidditch much, right?"

Harry was more concerned that he was a vampire in a crowd of thousands. "I thought you didn't like crowds," he attempted to play off and Sven gave the area a brief look.

"I don't, however, Sirius insisted that this Quidditch match would be entertaining to even those who are not fans of the sport."

Harry's eyes widened in hope. "Sirius is here?"

Sven nodded. "He is eager to speak with you now that he is considered innocent by the public. It has taken him a while to do so though. He apologizes for being late."

Harry shook his head, simply glad that Sirius hadn't forgotten his promise to take him away from the Dursley's. He finally had a chance to live with someone who wanted and cared about him.

"Hold on, how do you know about all this?" Ron questioned, making Sven point to himself.

"I am currently under his care," Sven admitted, sending a spike of jealousy through Harry, who hadn't even thought to ask. "It was agreed upon after…" He paused, eyes flickering to Mr. Weasley as the man waited patiently for them to finish, not comfortable revealing what he was. "I wasn't living in ideal conditions and Sirius offered to provide housing and what I would need over the summer. Dumbledore agreed to better help me adjust to living at Hogwarts during the school year."

Harry frowned, trying to remember anything they'd been told about Sven and where he lived outside of Hogwarts. The only thing that came to mind was the brief mention of living in the woods and having no parents. He wasn't sure what that meant. He didn't know if vampires were treated differently other than the discrimination he read about in the Defense Against the Dark Arts class. The more he thought about it, the more he realized he barely knew anything about vampires and even less about Sven.

Mr. Weasley had gotten impatient though and had begun to look at the many poles that came with the tent. Sven noticed this and leaned to the side to look past Harry's shoulder at the man.

"Would you like some assistance?" He offered, surprising Mr. Weasley into dropping a pole.

"What? Oh! Do you know how to put up a tent? Without magic, I mean."

Harry and the others were stunned as Sven nodded, picking up the pole and heading over to help. Within minutes, he had thoroughly explained and helped set up the pair of tents—much to everyone's shock—and Mr. Weasley was beaming by the time they were done.

"Excellent work, Sven!" He looked over at the dubious Hermione and Harry who eyed the small tents in uncertainty. "We'll be a bit cramped, but I think we'll all squeeze in. Come and have a look."

He crawled into the tent and the others soon trailed in after him, surprised by the extra-large interior. Even Sven eyed the various rooms in curiosity, though he wasn't as surprised as the others.

"We'll need water," Mr. Weasley noted upon finding the empty kettle, and Sven spoke up.

"I was on my way to get some for our tent," he explained, "though I may have gotten a bit lost."

Ron snorted, looking at a map. "I'll say. It's on the other side of the field."

"Ah…" Sven rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. "I-I got distracted by the tents."

They chuckled, though Harry totally understood after seeing the few they'd passed on the way here. Once they were handed some kettles and saucepans, the trio joined Sven in heading for the water pump across the field. Other families were only just barely starting to wake up, leaving kids wandering and toying with magic in ways Harry knew wouldn't normally be allowed given the restrictions on magic in public places. He looked at Sven then as they walked, a number of questions running through his head the more he thought about the vampire.

"Why are you up so early then?" Ron asked, beating him to it.

Sven glanced at him from the corner of his eye. "I don't sleep well at night. I've been up since late."

"How are you going to get water?" Hermione questioned, lifting her kettle. "You don't have a kettle."

Sven blinked, tipping his head. "Ah… I'm starting to think they didn't send me out to get water."

Hermione chuckled. "What were you doing to upset them that they'd send you out for no reason?"

"Meditating," Sven mused before he seemed to understand something. "Oh. I think I understand now." He frowned, though it looked more like a pout. "Lupin wanted me to get out of the tent for a while."

"How long were you in your tent that they just kicked you out?"

"We've been here for three days," Sven said, answering the question and earning surprised looks.

"You were just sitting in your tent for three days?" Ron gaped, earning a wrinkle of Sven's nose.

"I needed to get used to the noise. I hadn't realized so much time had passed and once told, I didn't see a reason to leave. I don't like crowds."

"Why'd you come if you don't like crowds or Quidditch then?" Ron asked rather bluntly.

Sven went quiet for a moment, something the group of them had learned to mean he was thinking about something he may or may not understand. "I think… because Sirius was happy."

Hermione smiled. "That's very kind of you, Sven."

Sven seemed to consider this before nodding. "Lupin said it is good practice for me too. I need to be used to crowds."

Harry agreed on that front. Having a vampire in a crowd seemed like a bad idea, but Sven appeared to be handling it well, even as more and more witches and wizards began to emerge from their tents. As they walked though, the tents all became green and Seamus Finnigan called out to them while seated with Dean Thomas and his mother.

"Like the decorations? The Ministry's not too happy," Seamus said, grinning as Mrs. Thomas hummed.

"Ah, why shouldn't we show our colors? You should see what the Bulgarians have got dangling all over their tents. You'll be supporting Ireland, of course?" She asked the group, earning nods from everyone but Sven, who wasn't paying attention as he eyed one of the shamrocks.

The group left and passed by the Bulgarian side of things, seeing a large poster of a gruff Bulgarian splattered all over the tents.

"Krum," Ron explained. "The Bulgarian Seeker."

"He looks really grumpy," Hermione supplied, earning a small nod of agreement from Sven.

"Really grumpy?" Ron gaped. "Who cares what he looks like? He's unbelievable. He's really young too. Only just eighteen or something. He's a genius, you wait until tonight, you'll see."

They soon got in line for the tap and headed back before a familiar face broke through some of the tents.

"Sven, there you are," Lupin sighed in relief, spotting the others and offering them a small smile. "Hello again, everyone. When did you arrive?"

"Just this morning, professor," Hermione chirped.

"I'm not a professor anymore. Please. Lupin is fine," the man hummed, turning back to Sven. "You were gone for a while. Sirius wanted to get you but… well, you know how it is."

Harry was worried for a minute before Lupin spotted his concern and waved it off.

"It's nothing dangerous, I assure you. He has simply gained more fame than he'd like ever since he proved his innocence. He's still here though, just spends more time as a dog than himself outside of the tent." Lupin looked over at Sven then as the boy watched a few kids chasing each other around. "Are you feeling okay though, Sven?"

Sven shrugged, though he didn't look bothered. "People are only just waking. The noise isn't bothersome yet."

"You keep talking about noise," Harry said, drawing Sven's attention. "Do you mean something different, because of… you know…"

Sven nodded, unbothered by Harry's uncertainty. "My hearing is really good, but because of what I am, I can hear heartbeats and blood pumping, depending on the situation."

A shiver went down Harry's spine at the thought before Lupin offered a small smile.

"Well, we best get back and have something to eat. Sirius is cooking, Sven, but the spices you need are in the tent."

Sven nodded, bowing his head lightly to Harry and the others as the two started to head off and the rest returned to their own tent for food and to await the match that evening.