This story is inspired by the song "Dark Lover: Love Song to a Vampire" by the band Tempest. I do not own the song, and have only used it for inspiration. Any verses from the song are properly credited, and no copyright infringement is intended.

I am not JK Rowling, and do not own Harry Potter

Chapter One: Aftermath and Planning

Patient and silent, she waits for the night

Waits for the hours of Daylight to end

Waits for the whisper of words on the wind

Waits for the touch of her lover and friend

(Dark Lover: Love Song to a Vampire by Tempest)

Hermione Granger sat watching her best friend as he lay in his bed at Grimmauld Place. In the eleven years since she had met Harry Potter, the night before was the first time since the Battle of Hogwarts she had thought his phenomenal luck had run out. Hell, for all she knew, it might have. Not everyone survived after being bitten by a vampire, after all. She had wanted to take him to St. Mungo's to be treated, but the Welcome Witch hadn't let Harry past her desk, claiming that St. Mungo's didn't treat vampires. And no matter how much Hermione had argued that Harry needed treated so he wouldn't change, which from what Hermione knew was actually possible, at least in theory, the witch at the desk had stood her ground and refused to allow her to bring Harry inside.

So she had brought him to his house instead, laying him on his bed and trying to think what she could do beyond simply healing the wound and pouring a blood replenisher down his throat. Unfortunately, the library in Grimmauld didn't have much information about vampires, and most of what was covered about them at Hogwarts had been the folklore that muggles believed about them. So she wasn't exactly sure what might happen now. She absolutely hated not knowing something. She had pulled every set of drapes in the room closed as soon as Harry was lying down last night, as well as pulled the bed curtains around three sides, leaving only one side open so she was able to watch Harry. She had been watching over him nearly all day; she'd asked Kreacher to watch over him while she napped on the settee in the room. Now that it was almost sunset, she would find out whether or not he would wake up, or be lost to her forever.

She didn't know how this might affect him; Harry always attempted to shoulder blame that rightfully belonged to others, or assume blame when there was no blame at all. He'd been bitten while saving someone else from the rogue vampire the night before. Surely the Fates wouldn't doom him to that kind of life; after everything he had gone through growing up and during the war, Harry Potter didn't deserve any more pain. It was Kreacher's question that brought her back to her surroundings.

"If Master wakes, will he need blood now, or should Kreacher prepare a dinner?"

"I honestly don't know, Kreacher. If he does need blood, I have no idea where to obtain it without breaking the law by stealing it from a hospital or something similar."

"Kreacher has an idea, Miss."

"I'm listening, Kreacher, what have you thought of that might help?"

"Asking the friends of Master to help by giving a small amount of blood before Master wakes. Kreacher can place the blood in the icebox until it is known if Master needs it."

"If you think it will help, Kreacher, do it, and hurry. Sunset is in a half hour."

Without another word, Kreacher popped away.

"Please, Harry, wake up for me soon. I don't think I can handle it if I lost you."

From the Halloween of their first year, Hermione had relied on the friendship she had with Harry Potter. He drove her insane at times with his habit of rushing off into things without thinking, but it was because he thought he always had to look out for people, even those he didn't know. And it was usually Hermione herself that had to come up with a plan last minute to get them out of the trouble that habit of Harry's got them into. But now she was at a loss what could help. Her fear for Harry wasn't allowing her to think clearly.

Taking a deep breath, she got up from the settee where she'd been sitting and began pacing around the room. Maybe moving would help her still-shocked mind to begin working again.

His veins felt like they were burning, and he couldn't seem to breathe. He tried to wake up, but for some reason his eyes stayed closed. What was wrong with him? He was having a hard time remembering things right now. He was tired, so tired. He let himself drift back to full sleep again, thinking he would try waking later.

She needed a plan, something that would help Harry. Falling back into her school habits, she rummaged around in the desk in the far corner of the room until she found parchment paper. A bit more searching found ink and a quill. Positioning the chair so she could still keep an eye on Harry while writing, she began to make a list of things as they occurred to her.

Find out what Harry remembers

Determine if Harry needs blood (do this FIRST if necessary)

Research laws to find out if Harry will still be able to access his account at Gringotts (Potter Family vault, Trust vault, etc)

Research to determine if Wizengamot can declare Harry a Creature (do this if Harry proves to have been changed)

Find out if Harry has any parchments declaring wishes should anything happen to him to leave him UNABLE to look after his own affairs

She looked at the beginning of the list she had started, and tried to remember everything that folklore said about vampires. As much as she detested relying on legend and folklore instead of facts, right now it was all she had, so she began a second list, writing down any traits that folklore said vampires had or were reputed to possess.

Nocturnal

Sunlight can be deadly (remind Harry he may need blackout drapes on the windows)

Aversion to garlic (allergy or just legend?)

Heightened senses

Heightened speed and strength

Require blood to live

Flying (legend?)

Wood can harm, or even kill if it hits the right area

She was trying to think of anything more to add to the list when a pop signaled Kreacher's return. She got up from the desk and went to the old elf, a mixture of hope and concern in her expression.

"Kreacher was able to obtain the blood, Miss. Each person has a different phial. All of the phials are now in the icebox should Master need them."

"Thank you, Kreacher. Sunset is in a few minutes. So we should know if he was changed or not soon. If you have things you want to take care of, go ahead; I'll stay here with Harry."

"If Master has changed, Kreacher will remain to take care of him, as well as Miss. Elf magic may help keep Master from harming Miss if needed."

"Thank you, Kreacher."

As Hermione was speaking to the old elf, the sun slipped fully below the horizon, marking the beginning of night. With a snap, Kreacher lit the lamps in the house while Hermione focused on her best friend, hopeful and worried at once.

Please, let him be okay. I can't lose him.

Hermione was just about to sit down and add something to the list she'd remembered, when the sound of movement from the bed caused her to turn once more.

Oh, thank Merlin

Harry's brilliant green eyes were open, and focused on her.

"Hermione?" he managed to whisper, before stopping to lick his lips for a moment, as if they were dry.

Oh, shit, no. Please, no.

Harry had fangs.