SUPER IMPORTANT DO NOT SKIP NOTE!

Just wanted to let everyone know that I deleted the author note from the chapter selection because it was no longer relevant. That way the numbers wouldn't be off. And second I made a horrible time jump gone wrong. I meant to put the time as the end of Winter Session, not the summer. The meeting should have been right around the end of November. I deeply apologize for this mistake, I'll make sure not to make such a huge one in the future. Well this is chapter thirteen I hope you enjoy and love to hear your comments 3

Secondly I want to thank you for your patience with this story. I haven't had time to add to this story lately. My four-year-old sister was diagnosed with leukemia and these past few months have been hard. Also I was in the hospital with my own medical problems that I am still in treatment for. Please keep the both of us in your prayers if you pray, but I beg of you to please send positive thoughts to my sister Karley. She is only four and the treatments are already causing hair loss and it breaks my heart to see her like this.

Thank you, I hope you enjoy this chapter and I will do my best to keep this story updated.

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Harry Potter. Characters and main plot are property of J.K. Rowling. However, in this story the main plot will be manipulated to fit my imagination.

A True Heart of Darkness: Chapter Thirteen

Let The Snow Fall

Tom Marvolo Riddle looked at the ragged man before him, not quite believing his luck. He now had the one man that could answer all his questions, confirm or deny all his hope. Standing in front of him, in the vast entrance hall, was none other than Sirius Black. The man was unhealthily thin, bangs under his eyes showing his lack of sleep the past thirteen years, but nothing diminished his fierce onyx eyes. Those eyes held the determination and strength that had given the man his title as the merciless Lord Black. No one messed with those eyes and lived without a price. He was surprised Lucius had been the one to find and capture him, alone. The blonde told him he had found the man outside of Hogsmead attempting to live in a cave on the outskirts of the wizarding village. He took to walking around in his animagus form for free food and just to have some human interaction. Who would question just another dog wandering round the streets? No one would have guessed it be the supposed 'mass-murderer' Sirius Black. Thankfully, the Dark Lord had remembered the man's form of a grim and informed his supporters when he gave them their mission. At the moment Lord Malfoy stood in the back, blocking the doors as an added security. With that thought he turned his red gaze to the man again and saw him looking right back, obsidian eyes boring into him.

"Well Lord Black, I am glad to see you made it here in one piece. Would you like to clean up first or begin now?" The man narrowed his eyes and spoke freely.

"Begin what Tom? You know everything I do, and quit with that Lord Black shit! We tossed formalities aside years ago. If you want to ask me something just ask it snake face." Lucius was still present and paled at the blatant disrespect. He began to fear for the ragged man's health. No one spoke like that to his Lord, no one. At least, no one that survived. So when Lord Riddle suddenly let out a loud hard laugh, Lucius thought he was hallucinating.

"Ever the sharp tongue Sirius, oh I've missed it. I had to make sure the old fool hadn't made you part of his cover up. Are you bound by any oath, spell, or memory charm?" He asked, eyes brimmed with humor at the situation. He took a glance at Lucius and had to refrain from laughing aloud again. The man looked like a mix between perplexed and horrified.

"No, I was the only one to get away before he could get ahold of me. Lily, Severus, and James all had their memories tampered with. Remus was held under oath, the Longbottom's tortured to insanity, and no dark families or officials ever knew the truth. He effectively destroyed anyone's memory of Severus and Lily. I was lucky to get away. Then the bastard had to go and impersonate me, making the world believe I killed my friends." He growled the last bit, angry at Dumbledore for ruining his families' lives.

"What of Peter Pettigrew? I know the old man enlisted his help in controlling James and Lily, I also know he was the one to give the old man your hairs to use." The Slytherin asked.

"As far as I know Peter died when Dumbledore went after him on that street. He wouldn't leave a loose end out there in his pursuit of 'the greater good'. But I do have good news." He paused to get the man's attention.

"Lily broke most of the memory charm before she was killed. How Dumbledore thought he could get one over on an Unspeakable with a Master's in Charms is beyond me. Once she had access to most of her memory she got in contact with me through two-way mirrors. When she had a chance to get away she entrusted me with a letter to tell Harry most of the general details. I gave it to him right before his transformation and he should have read it by now. I know it only has what Lily could remember before she was killed, but I think Remus would have told him his true name by now. Remus was always a closet Slytherin; we all were to some extent." He smirked in a mischievous way. Tom smile turned feral at the thought of young Harry taking his anger out on the Headmaster. His red eyes gave off a faint glow, the only outward sign of his rage. However, at the thought of finding the boy, his eyes softened.

"So it is true, Harry Potter is our Little Harrison?" The other men in the room had never seen Lord Riddle this hopeful. Sirius walked over to the man and placed a warm hand on his shoulder, eyes softening in sympathy.

"Yes, he is our Harry." Tom closed his eyes and took a deep breath, relief and happiness flooding through him. When he opened them he saw Sirius with a similar look. He couldn't believe he finally found him. His happy moment was cut short when he remembered Lucius was with them. He looked at the blonde to see him watching with disbelieving eyes, mouth slightly hanging open. He chuckled at his friends' predicament and obvious confusion.

"Lucius, I assume you have many questions. I am willing to answer them all, but first let us let Lord Black rest and clean up. Also send an order of nourishment and magic enhancing potions from Severus. It will give him an excuse to come to the manor so I may speak to him. Also I want Sirius to look like he never went to Azkaban. Then I will answer your questions my slippery friend." Lucius composed himself and nodded. He led a smirking Sirius through the various halls to his new room. The Dark Lord called his familiar and Nagini slithered up his leg to rest her head on his shoulders.

"You have found him Master? Our Little Harry, Our Little King?" she asked excitedly. He stroked her head in a loving way.

"Yes my old friend, we have found him. And soon, we will get our Little King back home safe. I will not let my Nephew be left in that wretched muggle home any longer. He will be brought back where he belongs." He shrunk his familiar and made his way to his personal library. Nagini took her place wrapped around his wrist, disguised as a simple bracelet.

"Soon we will get him back," He said as the doors closed behind him. He needed to find a way to help Severus defeat the mental spell on his memories. He would not lose them all again.

Back at Hogwarts Pansy Parkinson thought on her choices this year and was happy with where she ended up. She had found a side to the war that would keep her safe and away from persecution. I mean, who would go against the Boy-Who-Lived? She smiled as she made her way to the library. While Draco and Blaise were her two closest friends, she missed her other more bookwormish one. She had been so caught up with the Sanctuary and recruiting students she had neglected her old friend and felt guilty. She hurried over to a lone table in the back of the library, avoiding groups of Ravenclaw's trying to finalize their winter break study guides. She sneered at them as she passed their tables. Who in their right mind would make a study guide for the winter holiday, madness in her opinion. She saw a patch of sandy brown hair and thick rimmed glasses at the back table and sat down regally next to him.

"Hello Theo, being a closet Ravenclaw are we?" she snickered next to him. The boy merely gave her an emotionless look and returned to the book he was reading. Pansy's smile fell and she gave her friend a calculating look.

"Decided to finally realize we were friends again have you," He said in monotone, not looking up from his text. After a few moments of silence he looked up to see Pansy looking at him with hurt in her eyes.

"I never forgot we were friends. I know I haven't been around much, but we've been busy. Now that the meeting is over…" She tried to explain. His face changed to a frown as he interrupted her.

"What was that all about anyway? Not speaking to either Astora or I and then coming out with all that, as if we would believe you're in line with those light sided hypocrites." He finished. Pansy had a scowl on her face as she looked at Theo. She didn't think he would let his emotions cloud his judgment of the group. Especially after they talked right after the meeting that night. Astora had asked most of the questions, but Theo had looked open to change.

"We have been friends since we were small children. Even before we became friends with Blaise and Draco, it was always the two of us. I've made new friends and now you're mad cause I hurt your precious feelings? Grow up Nott. I got involved in something monumental and was told not to tell anyone. Now that you are invited to join, you get an attitude? Fine then, keep making friends with your books. " She grabbed her book bag and made an angry leave.

"Pansy wait…" Theo tried to get her to come back, but she had made her way out before he could get up from the table. He sat down with a sigh and gripped the edge of his textbook in frustration.

"We are Slytherins, we stick together and strive for power." He mumbled before giving up on his studying and making his way to the Slytherin common room. He had a lot to think about. He didn't know if he could believe Potter wasn't with Dumbledore, but he did know the boy had power. If he was careful, he could ask the advice of his parents, without breaking the secrecy spell. He spent the rest of the day thinking over his choices.

Everyone in Hogwarts knew Ronald Weasley as the redhead with a short temper. Ever since the hallway incident with Potter he was more ostracized than before. No one wanted to be around the boy that tried to hex their savior, nor a boy who called top student Hermione Granger a mudblood in public. His usual visit with Dumbledore that weekend was cancelled and he was told not to contact the Headmaster unless it was for educational reasoning. Not even the staff wanted to associate with him. However, the last straw was pitied looks he got from his year mates in various houses. They would look at him like he was disabled or needed mental help. He returned the looks with a sneer and even openly cursed at some of them. Ron wasn't a very thoughtful boy; he didn't care what they thought. His own family saw him as the runt of the litter with no special talents. Ginny, his own sister, was seen spending time with Granger and Potter right before exams. He asked her angrily one day why she would talk to those Gryffindor traitors. She had glared at him, a look he hadn't been expecting from the young girl.

"Maybe they are more pleasant company than you! They're true friends Ron, and it's none of your bloody business who I spend time with in the first place! Harry saved my life last year and the two of them have always been there for me since I got here. Why don't you go and spend time with some of your own. Oh wait, you don't have any!" She had practically yelled in the middle of the common room before storming out. He had turned bright red and stormed up to the boy's dormitory. When he entered he saw all the boys around Harry's bed, whispering. Harry was in the middle with Neville, Seamus, and Dean surrounding him. Harry spotted him at the door and held up a hand. The other boys fell silent immediately and followed his gaze. When they looked at him Ron saw they're eyes go from bright interest to pity. His already red face went a grotesque shade of purple.

"Lets head to the Library guys, we can talk more there." Neville said. The past few weeks the group had slowly been expressing their true nature, the lighter side of it at least. His outspoken suggestion set Ron off as the others began to move out of the room. He yelled in rage as Harry passed him, striking out physically. Harry felt the blow coming and let it happen to show just how wrong Ron was to his house. He fell down the stairs as the punch landed on his cheek. He let his body fall naturally, fighting all his instincts to save himself. He gave out a yelp of surprise as a bottom stair struck his side. The last one clipped him in the head and had him grunting in discomfort. The other three boys gathered at the bottom of his crash. Neville looked up at Ron, standing at the top with a smirk on his face.

"Looks like the little hero isn't so special after all!" He yelled down. Seamus and Dean helped Harry get to his feet. He staggered a little, making sure to look in a lot of pain. Thankfully the last step had been sharp and had actually made the corner of his head bleed. 'I must need to feed' was his thought before he focused on the yelling happening around him.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Harry could have broken his neck falling from the stairs!" Neville yelled. His eyes starting to glow as his magic reacted to his angry state. Ron crossed his arms and gave a strong stance.

"He got what he deserved! He flaunts around the school like he owns it, acting like a fucking Slytherin for Merlin's sake! He's obviously going dark like his no good godfather and turning you all with him!" He yelled back. By now most of the common room was staring and many had gathered around Harry to see if he was alright. Harry thanked them quietly and accepted a handkerchief to place on his head. Both to clot the bleeding and not let any of the students see the skin stitching itself back together. Fred and George walked in at that moment and their smiles fell as they saw what was happening. They quickly walked over to where Harry was standing. George took the boys face in his hands, turning it to make sure he was okay and talking to him in whispers. Fred went next to Neville, trusting George to care for Harry.

"What the hell is going on?" Fred said as he made his way next to Neville, students parting under his harsh look. Ron's smirk faltered for a moment upon seeing his older brothers, but he only took a few steps down.

"Your stupid brother punched Harry and he fell down the stairs!" Neville told them and they saw how the young man was trying to control his anger. Fred looked to Harry and George. His twin gave him a nod and moved to Neville, seeing the boy still shaking in anger. Fred took hold of Neville's shoulders and tried to calm him down while George moved to face their brother.

"What the hell went through your head Ronald?" His face was cold and closed off and Ron felt a stab of pain at the formality in his voice. He sneered at his older brother.

"He is turning everyone away from the light! He is turning people dark and everyone is just too blind to see it! We should get rid of him before he becomes the next dark lord! I bet that's why the bastard tried to kill him anyway! Take out his competition before he could get any more power!" He yelled. All the Gryffindor's looked at their housemate with fear and disbelief.

"You're just mad that the famous boy-who-lived didn't want to be your friend first year. Stop spouting that nonsense and think! He has done nothing to you, nothing to warrant your disrespect and hatred! I am ashamed to call you family! You have done nothing but tarnish our family name since you got here!" George lost his temper at the end and gave into his anger, shouting at his brother.

"How dare you side with that traitor, over your own family!" Ron shouted right back, moving down the stairs to get in his brothers face. Fred stepped between them and gave the final blow that took Ron's breath away.

"Harry is more our brother than you will ever be," He said in a cold whisper and took hold of George. Neville followed after them, guiding Harry through the crowd to the 'hospital wing'. Ron stood there, pale and mouth open in shock. The common room was dead silent till all four boys left the room. Then it broke out in whispers, people dashing out the portrait hole to tell their friends what had happened. Parvati, Lavender, Dean, and Seamus took off to the lake, intent on talking about their decisions and looking for Ginny. They couldn't wait to see her face at the news.

Ron ran to his dorm room and barricaded himself in his bed till dinner. Most of the students would have been happy to not see him the rest of the day. Sadly, the pig had to eat. Though the story of what had happened was still being whispered through the houses. At dinner their head of house came down the tables, eyes ablaze with silent fury. She got to Ron first and Harry could see the redness of his face was showing the stern talking to he was getting. Once she finished talking Ron got up and made his way from the hall.

"I hope they just talk to him and leave me out of it." Harry grumbled, poking at his food. Hermione gave a snicker as McGonagall made her way to their area of the table.

"Mr. Potter I heard what happened in the common room earlier today and I have to say, that kind of behavior is unacceptable. The Headmaster has requested to see you after dinner to make sure you are well and hear your side of the story. The password is Sweet Tarts." She said and then made her way back to the head table. Harry rolled his eyes and went back to picking at his food.

"I was hoping with winter break coming around I could skip our little meetings." His face made a grimace Hermione and Neville were familiar with. Harry was hungry. And the only way to get him relaxed was to take his mind off it.

"So, how did you explain your recovery to Madam Pomphrey?" Hermione asked.

"I didn't end up going. Fred, George, and Neville took me to the Sanctuary and we hid out there for a while. I was fine before we even left the common room. Enhanced healing remember?" He smirked at her. Hermione rolled her eyes and continued to eat her dinner.

"They should have gotten your Dragon to make sure you aren't in a bad mood for your meeting later. I figure that tonight's discussion isn't going to pleasant." She said in-between bites. Neville gave a small chuckle.

"He told me earlier he wants to ask to go somewhere else for winter break, Dragon's Manor. I said good luck, the old man would rather send him out of the country than that house."

"That's for sure! I bet you ten galleons he tries to send him to the Weasley home, to try and patch things up with Ronald." Neville scoffed at Hermione.

"Deal!" he exclaimed and drew the attention of the person next to him.

"Thank you for betting over my life, it makes me see how much you care." Harry said in a monotone and then took a bite of his dinner with a grimace. The food was starting to taste bland and disgusting. He put down his utensils and took a drink of water from his goblet. The clean water helped remove the taste from his mouth, but his other hunger was beginning to bother him. The burning was starting to become intolerable.

'Draco?' He reached out through their mate bond.

'What's wrong Harry? Still recovering from earlier?' Draco's concerned voice answered.

'No, I'm okay. However, the hunger is getting to me. How do you feel? Are you up for it?' He asked hesitantly

'I am fine, but to ease your worries I'll bring a blood-replenishing potion with me. When and Where?' came the confident reply.

'Now, in the deserted classroom in the dungeons please. I have to meet Dumbledore in a few minutes and I do not think I can wait till after if we are to keep my new condition a secret.' Harry answered and stood from the table.

"I better get going. Don't want to keep the Headmaster waiting." He told his friends before leaving the Great Hall. In his rush missing the concerned eyes following his exit.

He made his way down to the dungeons and found the classroom he needed. It had no portraits and only one door to come and go. He sat at the lone desk chair and waited for Draco to make his appearance. As he sat there he drifted into a trance like state. The hunger leaving Harry more vampire than human. His mind drifted off to the coming weeks, he was actually looking forward to the winter break this year, and not just for the extra time with Draco. No, he wanted to take the time to formulate his plans for his year mates in their 'club'. He needed to get people thinking about accepting magical creatures into regular society, especially the 'dark' ones. The sooner he could stop hiding his nature the better. Speaking of, he slowly unraveled his 'cloak' setting his wings free.

"ahh" he let out a moan at the free feeling. He had not be given a chance to let them out much and they protested as he stretched them, letting them grow to half their original size. Still in a half dazed state he heard the door slowly open and reacted on instinct to the new presence. His eyes bled red and he spun into a half crouched position. His nails elongated into claws and his fangs grew to a threatening size. He let out a growl as the person stumbled in. The student let out a small scream before Harry had his hand over their throat, silencing them. Through the red haze he could not make out their appearance, just their strong heartbeat and floral smell.

"Harry! S-s-stop its me!" His gaze lightened at the familiar tone and he realized the 'red haze' was in actuality red hair. Ginny Weasley's to be exact. He backed off, letting his vampire features relax and his wings fall to his side. Ginny's hands flew to her throat and she sucked in gulps of air.

"Ginny, I'm sorry...I didn't know-" He scrambled for a reasonable explanation to fix this. Ginny was one of the recruits he wanted the most, not just because of the twins but because she was useful in her own sense. Before he could create an excuse she held up a hand, surprising him as she took in more air.

"Stop, its okay…I didn't mean to startle, but-What the hell was that?!" She ended a bit frantically. Just then the door opened again quickly to dispose Draco, looking annoyed and flustered to see Ginny in the room. Ginny took his pause to step in front of Harry, trying to block his wings.

"Malfoy, Harry and I were talking we will be done in a moment." Harry smiled at her move in front of him. Even when she didn't know exactly what was happening Ginny was trying to protect him. 'I knew she was a good choice' he thought.

"Don't worry Ginny, Draco knows," Said blonde saw his mates' wings were out and gave Ginny a dark glare.

"Why are you in here with him? Why are his wings out!?" He demanded in a strong voice. His eyes going hard silver in anger, Harry used this time to walk over to him. He leaned to speak softly to him, lest Ginny hear.

"Dragon, she surprised me and instinct took over. I thought she was a threat, you know my wings are only for you to see, to touch…"He said softly in his ear. Draco's eyes rolled back and he let out a small whimper only Harry heard, but it had the teen wanting the blonde alone in an instant.

"Harry, I promise I won't tell if you don't want me to, but what is going on? What are you?" Ginny's voice broke through their moment. Harry turned to face her and saw her pale upon seeing his red eyes again. He willed them back to their emerald color, if only to make her comfortable.

"I'm not telling you anything till I have an oath of secrecy. I apologize Ginny, but I cannot let this get out to anyone I don't trust, but just say it to the 'current' Harry Potter." She nodded slowly and gave her oath.

"On my life and magic I swear to protect the secrets of the current Harry James Potter, only revealing them to him and those he deems worthy." Gold magic tied a knot between the two and Harry gave a relieved sigh.

"You may only discuss this with myself, Draco, Hermione, Fred, George, Blaise, Pansy, Luna, and Neville. Those are the only people I trust, and it also gives you many people to talk this out with. I am a vampire Ginny, a pureblood to be exact. Draco is my mate and he was meeting me here to help me 'pass the time' before the holidays, if you catch my drift." Her pale nod said she did.

"Good, now I apologize again for attacking you. When my wings are out and I'm hungry I strike first and ask questions later. Go to Hermione now. Talk to her and get some bruise salve to help you heal. I'll explain more later, I promise." She nodded again and made her way to the door.

"I'm still behind you Harry," Were her last words before she dashed and left the room.

Draco let out a long sigh.

"Well there goes your secret. I'm sorry it took me so long. I got stopped by the astronomy professor to get my constellation journal back. If I would have been quicker…" Harry pressed his lips to the blondes, effectively stopping his ranting.

"Stop, everyone will have to find out eventually, and I have her oath. If she tells anyone other than our friends, she will die." He paused, taking a second look at the door. Eye bleeding red he raised his palm and gave a small wave. Silencing, locking, and a notice me not charm flew into place on the door. Draco gave a snort.

"Show off." Harry raised his eyebrows and gave him a haughty look. Draco laughed as the black haired teen pushed him up against the wall. Moaning as sharp teeth pierced his neck and sent warm tingling through his body.

This will never get old

~~~~~~~~~~~~~END~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you for your patience. I won't lie I'm going through a bit of writers block, but I promise to have another chapter out before the New Year! It may not be as long, but it will be more concise. This jumped around a bit, but I wanted to get some of the side stuff out.

Will Ginny still be behind Harry when she learns just WHO he really is?

What will Dumbledore do next?

READ ON!

P.s. I love all reviews!

Kakeru