Dracka stopped drinking the moment Blake passed out and collapsed against him. He could still feel the demon in him raging but he couldn't keep drinking or he could kill the man. He felt Severus gently move Blake off him and Dracka curled his hand around the man's wrist to stop the bleeding. He didn't have enough power to heal it.
"Severus!" Dracka hissed and the man's dark eyes darted to him. "Bind his wrist!"
Dracka carefully moved his broken leg which was already starting to heal. He held Blake's wrist and looked down at the pale man. Fear stabbed through him and he placed a hand on his cold cheek. The thought that he'd taken too much blood spiked through him. He hadn't been in his right mind when he'd started feeding.
Severus moved in beside him and took Blake's wrist. He quickly splashed a potion across the bite mark as he pulled a bandage from his pocket.
"You came prepared?" Dracka asked in surprise.
"It's Blake," Severus hissed and Dracka could see the man's hands shaking.
He started at the sight, he had never seen the man's hands shake like that before.
"He had a plan," Dracka said softly.
"I would hope so," Severus snapped back, his eyes flashing. "He took his ring off, Dracka."
The vampire started at the words as they looked down at Blake's pale face.
"We have to get him back to the school." Dracka suggested. "We are too exposed here."
"All clear," Sergeant Miller reported and Severus and Dracka looked up.
The man held a gun loosely in his hand as he looked down at them looking pale, his eyes a little wide.
"Is he?" The man whispered.
"He'll be fine," Dracka told him and hoped he was right.
The man nodded sharply.
"I have my orders," Miller stated before he walked away.
The two men looked after him before turning back to Blake.
"Do you have any blood replenishing potions?" Dracka asked.
"Back at the school," Severus replied as he patted Blake's pockets down for the portkey.
He came up with a little gold snake with a note wrapped around it. Severus snorted and showed Dracka the note.
'Passcode 'idiot'.' Was written in Blake's neat script. 'You can yell at me later.'
Severus grabbed Blake's shoulder as Dracka grabbed his arm.
"Idiot," Severus whispered.
They landed with a jolt in Blake's rooms. Dracka hissed and Severus stumbled into one of the chairs behind him. It was a rough landing, but since it was through anti portkey wards it was expected it would be rough.
"Albus probably felt that," Severus muttered as he got to his feet and ran for his office, leaving Dracka and Blake on the floor.
Dracka looked down at the man and carefully loosened his hold on the dark wand and placed it on the floor next to him. He still felt cold as he placed a hand on his cheek and the man was so still and that coldness in his stomach returned. Blake's phone went off in his pocket and he pulled it out but didn't answer it. He just couldn't bring himself to deal with anything at the moment. He pushed his hair back then looked down at the blood on his hands.
He could feel Blake's blood in his stomach, but couldn't feel any magic in it and that had him scared all over. He looked up as Severus rushed back into the room with Albus on his heels. The Headmaster pulled up short at the sight of them as Severus laid out some potions.
"Help me sit him up," Severus whispered.
Dracka moved behind Blake and hissed as pain spiked through him as his leg was still mending itself. His eyes locked with Severus's and the man looked at him in concern.
"I'm fine," Dracka replied, feeling anything but.
"I doubt that," Severus whispered. "But I'll deal with you after."
Dracka shivered at the look in Severus's eyes and nodded. Dracka held Blake as Severus forced the potions into him.
"What happened?" Albus asked.
"Blake had a brilliant but risky plan." Dracka explained.
Severus's hand paused.
"He didn't say anything," Severus said softly.
"He couldn't," Dracka replied. "Both of us couldn't, it was part of the spell he worked. We needed to know one hundred per cent that word of our plan could not get out for it to work."
"What plan?" Albus asked as he took a seat at the table.
"We launched an attack against Simpson's forces," Dracka announced and flashed his fangs.
The other two men shivered and Dracka thought he must look a sight for such a reaction.
"As we speak," Dracka continued and moved Blake to a move comfortable position as his stomach started to ache. "Our forces are attacking every compound, safe house and ally of Simpson's."
Severus sat back on his heels as Albus just gaped at him.
"Blake made sure that Simpson knew he was going to be at Bill's wedding," Dracka explained. "And let slip that security would be light, just one team."
"He drew him out?" Severus questioned.
"Yes," Dracka agreed with a dark grin. "He had a theory that Simpson was here in England even if nothing else confirmed it."
Blake's phone rang again but Dracka ignored it as Severus raised an eyebrow.
"He worked out a plan to draw him out," Dracka continued. "Simpson had the elder wand and the chance of getting his hands on the other two parts of the Hallows which was a risk that Blake thought he would take. The damn man was right."
"He went out to meet him alone," Severus whispered.
"Yes," Dracka confirmed. "But he needed to distract him for as long as he could. To make it look like it wasn't that easy and to give everyone time."
"That's where you came in," Severus intoned, his eyes dark.
"Yes."
"You allowed yourself to be captured."
"Hey," Dracka yelped, then hissed in pain. "I took a fair amount of them down!"
Severus smirked at him but Dracka could see the concern in his eyes and it made him pause.
"The bastard had more men with him than we were expecting," Dracka admitted. "But it didn't matter in the end."
"You needed blood," Severus stated as he looked at him and Albus started.
"Yes," Dracka confirmed. "Simpson used the killing curse on me. We thought it could be a possibility."
Severus's eyes widened as Albus hissed a breath.
"With Blake's wand," Dracka went on quickly. "Hurt like a bugger."
"You should be dead," Severus uttered and grabbed his shoulder.
"Severus," Dracka whispered. "It was Blake's wand."
The words sunk into Severus's head as the phone went off again.
"Are you going to answer that?" Albus asked.
"Ah, no." Dracka replied. "My second is standing in for me and Blake has Sergeant Miller taking command. They are just panicking. Now, can you move him?"
Severus nodded and between him and Albus they got Blake up and moved him to the bedroom. Dracka slowly laid back on the floor, feeling his age and every bruise and cut. Severus returned and looked down at him before he crouched down and Dracka tensed.
"Come on," Severus muttered. "Let's get you up."
Dracka let Severus and Albus pull him to his feet. His once broken leg protesting and threatening to give out on him as he panted in pain. Blake's blood had helped heal the bone but it wasn't enough. The killing curse had taken a lot out of him but at least he was still alive. Severus moved him towards the bedroom, which surprised him.
"Severus," Dracka hissed.
"Shut it," Severus snapped back.
Dracka did, as the two men laid him down next to Blake.
"Good night, Boys." Albus offered as he patted Severus on the shoulder. "We'll talk more tomorrow."
"Night, Albus."
Severus pulled out a bowl of water and cloth after the Headmaster left. He started to wipe the blood and dirt off the vampire's face. Dracka's dark eyes watching him the whole time. Severus slipped out of his robes and sat next to him on the bed and reached for Blake's silver knife.
"Severus?" Dracka questioned, unsure what the man had in mind. "We didn't keep this from you because we didn't trust you. We needed your reaction to be authentic in case Simpson had people in place. The plan could only move forward if he took the bait."
Severus just held the knife without saying a word and Dracka started to grow concerned. Severus then leaned back on the headboard and made a small cut on his wrist. Dracka's eyes burned red at the smell of blood reached him and his demon snarled in his mind. He held himself back as much as he could but it was hard. Severus still hadn't looked at him.
"Severus?" Dracka whimpered.
"Shut up, vampire." Severus snapped and held his wrist out.
Dracka's eyes flashed and he grabbed the man's wrist. He bit down gently with more control than he had when he had fed off Blake. Blood and magic flooded his mouth and he moaned, his eyes closing as he relaxed back. His healing quickening with the added boost of Severus's magic. He gently released Severus's wrist after a few minutes. The other man pulled back and healed the wound before looking at him with unreadable dark eyes.
"Thank you," Dracka whispered, already feeling sleep pulling at him as he curled into Blake beside him.
Severus laid a hand on his shoulder as sleep pulled him down. Dracka felt better knowing that they had made their big move and hoping it was going to be enough. Severus sat there watching the two long into the night. He could have lost both men that night and the thought chilled him to the bone. In one night, he could have lost everything and he hadn't known the risk was there.
xXx
Harry woke feeling groggy and the feeling of an arm around his chest. He reached out but couldn't feel Severus and he panicked in his confusion. He stumbled to his feet and crashed into the wall. He grunted and pulled the door open.
"Blake!"
Harry's head shot up and Severus was there, looking pale and grabbing his arms. He leaned into the doorway as the world spun around him.
"Calm down," Severus whispered and Harry threw his arms around him. "Sh."
Harry melted into the man's arms. His mind spun and his legs felt like rubber as they threatened to collapse under him.
"Couldn't feel you," Harry whispered hoarsely in his ear.
Severus ran his hands over his back and hair as he walked him back towards the bed.
"You're not wearing the ring, Blake." Severus explained.
Harry's head pounded as he sat on the bed and looked up at Severus.
"Hey," Harry whispered.
Severus grinned at him.
"You need a shower," Severus drawled.
"When the world behaves and stops moving," Harry replied with a small grin.
Severus laughed and sat down next to him and pulled him into his arms. Harry pulled back and patted his pockets down.
"Looking for this?" Severus asked silkily, holding up the ring.
Harry grinned and took the ring from Severus's hand. He slipped it onto his finger and feeling the connection to the other man run over him.
"Why did you take it off?" Severus asked softly.
"Couldn't risk the connection," Harry replied. "Had to cut through Ry's connection as well. Ry!"
Severus pulled him back down when Harry went to stand.
"He's passed out on the lounge," Severus informed him in amusement. "His commander dropped him off a couple of hours ago. His message was; 'He's your son, you deal with him.'"
Harry snorted.
"I left a bucket next to him," Severus reported with a smirk. "Apparently, I'm his new best friend and I'm not bad for a Slytherin."
Harry snorted then laughed when Dracka snorted loudly in his sleep and turned over in the bed. He looked over at the vampire who was spread out over the bed.
"Where are we supposed to sleep now?" Harry asked.
"You know," Severus purred. "I do have my own rooms."
Harry snorted and got up. The world spun slightly and he grabbed the wall, Severus just leaned back and looked at him.
"Where would you be going?" Severus smirked.
"Someone said I needed a shower," Harry stated with a wink. "Want to help?"
Severus grinned and took his arm in his.
"About time you asked, Mr Sun."
xXx
Harry and Severus started awake when a door banged loudly.
"You left me alone with your hungover son! He threw up all over your bathroom floor, by the way!"
Harry groaned and pulled the blanket over his head as his headache kicking up a notch at Dracka's voice.
"Your phone is still ringing Blake! Shacklebolt is at your door and he is not alone! You have a crowd out there!"
Harry peered out from under the covers and looked up at Dracka.
"Did we win?" Harry asked softly.
"This time?" Dracka stated, glaring down at him. "Yes!"
"Then what are you complaining about?" Harry questioned.
Severus snorted from somewhere under the covers next to him.
Dracka deflated at those words and sat down on the bed next to him.
"There is still work to do," Dracka muttered as he held his head in his hand.
"What time is it?" Harry asked with a yawn.
"Just after eleven." Dracka replied. "Ministry has a meeting planned for twelve."
"We are not going," Harry announced and Dracka froze.
"We have been invited," Dracka pointed out. "Letter came to Albus just before from the Minster of Magic, requesting us to attend."
"We are not leaving Hogwarts," Harry insisted.
Severus wrapped an arm around his middle and flicked the cover back so he could see. Dracka's eyes darted to him before focusing back on Harry.
"Why?" Dracka asked.
"We stand at Hogwarts," Harry answered. "Simpson will be hurting and not just from what I did. He will be running and is unpredictable. I'm not going to give him another opening to attack us. We are safe behind the wards of Hogwarts. We stay here."
"You know they won't like that," Dracka mused.
"If they want to talk to us," Harry said calmly. "They can come here. Have the reports come in yet?"
"Some have," Dracka told him. "I've spoken to my second and everything went well in France. Miller and Shaklebolt are waiting for you as well,. Albus is keeping them entertained."
"I better save them from that fate," Harry groaned.
Severus huffed a laugh, kissed him on the neck. He then rolled away from him, taking the blanket with him and curled back up. Dracka grinned over at him and Harry groaned again as he dragged himself out of bed. He grabbed one of Severus's shirts and pulled it on. Dracka laughed at him when it came down to his mid thighs. Harry just grinned and pulled on some underwear. He walked out of the bedroom and towards the main door.
"You are going to walk out like that?" Dracka asked with a grin.
"Better than nothing," Harry said with a wink and walked out into the hallway.
He walked passed everyone crowded in the hallway as whispers and giggles sounded around him. Ignoring the adults and children he moved a few doors down and slipped through his door. With a wave of his hand, the air was cleared of the smell of vomit as he looked down at his son. He was sprawled out on his stomach, dead to the world.
"Poor kid," Dracka cooed but the smirk gave him away as he looked down at the sleeping boy.
Dracka picked up a large book from the table and held it up.
"Don't even think about it," Harry growled. "My head hurts enough."
Dracka carefully placed the book back on the table as Harry disappeared into his bedroom. Just as he closed the door, he heard a splash, a loud squeak and swearing. He smirked as he dressed quickly and picked up his pain tablets.
He walked out of the room to see Ry on all fours covered in water and a smirking Dracka holding a large jug, full of water. Harry took the jug out of the vampire's hand and took a swallow to take the pills while Ry groaned on the floor. The boy looked up at his father with large green eyes, his hair plastered to his head. He pushed it out of his eyes, Harry's eyes caught on the lightning bolt scar for a second.
He held out the pill bottle and the jug which the boy took as he looked up from the floor.
"You two are as bad as each other!" Ry snapped, his green eyes flashing.
"You threw up all over the bathroom floor," Dracka growled. "While I was in the shower!"
Harry snorted, as the painkillers kicked in.
"Two tablets, Ry." Harry ordered as he picked up his dark wand from the table and cleaned up the water. "Then back to bed, they will knock you out."
Dracka looked at him sharply but he ignored it.
"No fair," Ry whined. "You're not hungover! I saw you drinking too!"
Harry grinned at the boy as he grumbled and slipped back under the blanket on the lounge.
"Your Commander has given you to me," Harry said sweetly.
"Ah, crap." Ry groaned.
Harry just smiled at him darkly, the boy groaned louder and pulled the blanket over his head.
"Now that you have tormented your son," Dracka stated sweetly. "Are you ready to torment others?"
Ry snorted from under the covers as Harry grinned over at Dracka. He picked up the files from his table.
"Sure," Harry stated lightly. "They have already seen me in just a shirt. I can only face them with more dignity, fully dressed."
Giggling came from under the covers on the lounge and Dracka picked up the book again. Harry smirked and walked towards his door and opened it up. He stepped out to the sound of a loud bang behind him. He looked at the people in the hallway, both adults and students alike.
"So," Harry announced with a grin. "How can I help you today?"
xXx
Harry flicked through the report in front of him as he sipped on his coffee. They were seated around a large table in an unused classroom on the third floor. Albus had moved them up there from the hallway outside of Harry's room and away from the students. Sergeant Miller was giving his report at the moment, which Harry listened to with half an ear.
Dracka's second, Bradon, had arrived via portkey and was sitting next to the vampire. Kingsley was sitting next to Percy Weasley who was sitting in for the Minister of Magic while he had his own meeting. Conner Fritz was there for the German ministry as well as a woman called Alice Thomas standing in for the French ministry. Sirius and Remus had appeared at some point as well as the Auror commander a man called Ben Filter. Albus rounded out the group but other people were coming and going as they ran through the information.
"…So, our raids went without a hitch," Sergeant Miller finished up. "We hold six of Simpson's safe houses here and have taken twenty men into custody. We lost Simpson's trail though. We believe that he hopped the border and is in Germany."
Harry nodded, expecting as much.
"Were they well-armed?" Harry asked. "Muggle or magical?"
"Small catch of muggle weapons," Miller replied. "Mostly guns, I have Robbie tracking them down."
"Prisoners? Wizard or muggle?"
"Wizard and witches." Miller commented. "No dark or light creatures, that we have been able to work out. I'm sure that Dracka can tell us different when he feels up to coming to the Death Eater prison."
"We got vampires," Bradon said quietly from beside Dracka.
"Just vampires?" Harry asked, sipping his coffee.
"And a few veela," Bradon added. "And some wizards and witches with creature blood. We have turned the wizards and witches over to the French Ministry."
"We have veela too," Conner reported. "We had more of a problem with the compounds. We had to pull back from a couple. He had a lot more support than we were expecting even with the information from Mr Shin. We believe that Simpson put it in place after Wilhelm fled."
Harry held up the file and Conner nodded, they didn't have as much success in Germany as they did in France and the UK. However, since they launched the attack at the same time everywhere, while Harry had been distracting Simpson. His men couldn't be moved to re-enforce the forces that were failing. It did prove that Simpson had a second in command even if they weren't sure who it was at this stage.
"I'll have to call Bella," Harry muttered and Dracka tensed next to him. "She'll know where each veela that you have captured is from and whether they are in breach of the Council or Treaty."
He looked through the report for a little longer as the others spoke softly around him.
"Mr Weasley," Harry called and the red head looked up at him with large eyes. "How is the Minster this morning?"
"Um," Percy stumbled over his words. "Not impressed."
Harry smirked and gave the boy a wink. Percy blushed, Harry had taught him for his last year before he left Hogwarts.
"He has given you another request to meet at the Ministry," Percy announced and pushed an envelope across the table to him.
"If he wants to see me he can come here," Harry replied calmly as he pulled out the sheet of paper and looked it over. "Or call me."
Harry handed it back to Percy with a smile. Dracka placed a file in front of him as he spoke to his second and Harry flicked it open.
'Bella? Are you out of your mind!' Was written in Dracka's curling handwriting on a piece of paper in the file.
'We all do what we have to, love.' Harry wrote back and pushed it in front of the vampire who growled in reply.
"Commander," Harry said instead and the brown-haired man looked up. "How long do I have Ry for?"
The man glared at him.
"That long?" Harry asked with a smirk.
"That boy," Ben Filter growled. "Should not be allowed near alcohol."
Harry grinned, he knew that well.
"He's young," Harry replied mildly.
"Or a cauldron," The man added. "I'm still sending you the bill for that classroom!"
Dracka snorted next to Harry.
"Ah," Harry stuttered. "You can't just take it out of the Potter vault? He is an adult now."
"The day he acts like an adult, Sun! I'll take the money out of the Potter vault," Filter said glaring at Harry.
"That bad?" Harry asked mildly.
"We can't even use the classrooms on either side of it," Filter snapped.
Dracka laughed as Harry just stared at the man.
"Are you serious?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Filter growled.
"Ha!" Dracka laughed. "Like father, like son!"
"You do remember that I'm not his biological father, right?" Harry pointed out to the vampire.
Dracka flashed his fangs at him as the Commander laughed.
"Only distantly related to James Potter!" Harry remined him. "Don't even have the Potter name, by the way!"
The two men just laughed harder as the rest of the table took notice.
"Fine," Harry snapped. "I'll take over his training for six months."
"I'll write it off as training with the Department of Mysteries," Filter stated with a smile.
Harry glared at the man knowing when he'd been played. The man just looked at him mildly with a glint in his eyes. Harry wondered what the man had in mind for his son.
"I think that a break might be in order," Albus announced, standing. "Thank you for coming."
The meeting broke up shortly after that and Harry sat back in his seat as everyone filed out.
"We did good," Dracka remarked, when it was just them in the room.
"Yes," Harry agreed. "It felt a lot better to make a strike against him instead of just waiting for him to attack us."
"Your wand," Dracka mentioned then looked away.
Harry frowned at him and pulled both wands out and placed them on the table. He pushed them both towards Dracka.
"Pick it up," Harry whispered as he leaned back in his seat.
Dracka picked the wands up and his eyes widened. He placed the cherry wand back on the table as he looked at the elder wand.
"I knew he was going to use that wand," Harry stated "The temptation is just too strong but he isn't its master."
"How have I not felt this before from it?" Dracka asked softly.
Harry smirked and Dracka dropped the wand to the table as if he'd been bitten.
"You!" The vampire yelped.
"Me," Harry agreed with a grin. "It may be temperamental and have bitten me a few times but I am still its master."
"So, he wouldn't have been able to complete any spell?" Dracka asked.
"Oh, no." Harry replied. "It would have been a pain in the ass to stop every spell. I just blocked the ones that counted."
Dracka paled as the words sunk in.
"So, he could have killed me?" Dracka whispered.
"Now, now Dracka." Harry admonished as he got to his feet and grabbed his cane. "Then who would torment my son and entertain me?"
"You have Severus for that," Dracka drawled dryly.
"Yeah, but he won't let me beat him up," Harry pointed out with a smirk as he moved out of the room.
"Ha! I just let you win last time, Sun!"
xXx
Severus eyes rested on Ry and Ginny Weasley sitting close together at the Gryffindor table as he ran a hand over his chin. Weasley said something and the boy laughed, his green eyes focused completely on the girl. He wondered if Blake felt this disjointed when he saw people he knew from before he came here or things happening the same way as in his time. Knowing what was going to happen but unsure it would turn out the same or if his actions would change the outcome.
"You know that creeps him out," Blake stated as he took a seat next to him at the table.
"I don't think he will notice at the moment," Severus replied mildly.
Blake looked over at his son and an odd look came into his eyes.
"Ah, I think you may be right," Blake muttered as he reached for the coffee on the table. "At least I didn't get his partner in crime as well for six months. One of them is bad enough, I already had Mr Weasley at my door before asking if he could do his training with Ry."
Severus shivered at the thought.
"How did he get into the Auror program without potions?" Severus asked.
"I think Arthur pulled a couple of strings," Blake replied as he filled his plate.
"So, you had nothing to do with it?"
"Me?" Blake squeaked and looked over at him. "Nope, I wouldn't even let him into my classes."
Severus snorted.
"Then again," Blake mused. "It was debatable with Ry as well but at least there was Hermione to keep an eye on him."
Severus laughed as Dracka landed in the seat on the other side of him.
"Have fun with your vampire buddy?" Blake asked mildly.
"I believed that the classroom on the second floor is free, Blake." Dracka offered.
"Why?" Blake asked sweetly. "Is Bradon waiting up there for me?"
Severus leaned back in his chair with a smirk as Dracka and Blake snipped at each other, with him in the middle. He caught Minerva's amused eyes and winked at her, making her turn away with a blush. It may not be over but at least some things never changed.
xXx
"Left foot back! No, your left foot! Dracka stop teasing the boy," Harry yelled. "Oh, for fuck sake. Dracka!"
The vampire sat on the boy looking up at Harry with a big grin as students laughed around them. Harry shook his head and couldn't understand why Ry wasn't picking this up. He had picked it up quickly at a younger age than Ry was now and his teachers had told him he had a natural talent for combat but Ry didn't seem to have that.
"Let him up, Dracka." Harry snapped as he walked over to them and held his hand out to Ry.
Dracka smirked as Harry pulled his son to his feet. Harry passed his cane to the grinning vampire and got into stance.
"Balance is everything," Harry stated calmly as the boy spread his feet. "Keep your hands loose, now bring them up in front of you."
Harry threw a right hook and the boy brought up his arm up and deflected the blow with a grin.
"It's like a dance," Harry instructed as he turned lightly on his feet. "Every move has a counter move. The key is looking for a weakness."
"Are you going to fight or lecture Blake?" Dracka asked from behind him.
Harry grinned and moved. Ry swung at him and he ducked and got within his reach and grabbed the boy's wrist. With one move, he used his own momentum to flip him onto his back holding his arm. He twisted it slightly as he looked down at his son.
"Oi!" Ry yelped and Harry let him go.
"Dracka come here," Harry ordered instead.
Ry got to his feet and stood back as Dracka stepped forward with a grin and passed Harry's cane to the boy. Harry fell into a loose stance as Dracka followed suit. Harry swung a fist and Dracka blocked and swung his left fist towards his stomach and Harry danced to the side as the vampire stumbled.
"Now my weak point is my right leg," Harry called out, they were starting to get a crowd. "Which Dracka is fully aware of."
The vampire lunged forward and kicked out at his side. Harry tried to grab the other man's leg but wasn't quick enough as he turned slightly and Dracka grabbed his belt bringing him down. Harry blocked the fist to his head and brought his knee up into Dracka's stomach. The man growled and rolled to the side as Harry got his feet under him.
Dracka lunged at him again and Harry danced to the side. His leg slowing him down slightly as he kept his left side towards the vampire. Dracka grinned and tried to tackle him to the ground but Harry grabbed him and spun. He let him go and he went skittering across the ground.
"You work to your weaknesses," Harry called out. "And turn them into an advantage. Don't let them see where your weakness is."
Dracka kicked out at him again and Harry stepped back but came down on his right leg hard and winced. Dracka kicked again to his left and Harry was forced back onto his right again. This time Dracka came in close and jabbed towards his left side then pulled up short as Harry went to block and his right fist caught his right side. Harry stepped back but his right leg weakened under him.
Dracka pushed him back as Harry's right leg gave out under him. Harry turned with the fall and twisted the man's weight throwing him to the side as he landed. He kicked out with his left forcing Dracka back. He tapped a hand to the ground and Dracka paused.
Dracka got to his feet and held a hand out to him. He pulled himself to his feet and stood calmly as his leg protested and looked at the children and some teachers watching. He eased himself to stand evenly on his feet as he looked over the crowd that had gathered.
"It is something you have to work at and it takes time," Harry said to Ry. "In a fight you never show your weakness or they will be used against you, much like Dracka did just then. Okay you lot, off you go."
Ry stepped forward and handed over his cane and Harry took it. Taking some weight off his bad leg.
"Dracka help him with the right stance," Harry ordered and limped painfully over to the stone steps.
He sat on the steps and stretched his leg out as he watched Dracka work with the boy. He cursed that bloody snake again as his thigh throbbed in pain. Severus took a seat next to him and passed him over a bottle of water.
"Thanks," Harry said as he took a bottle and swallowed down some painkillers.
"Can you teach me too," Severus requested.
"What?" Harry asked in surprise and looked over at the man.
"I want to learn as well," Severus said as he watched Ry and Dracka.
"If you want to learn, sure." Harry replied evenly. "I'll add you to my student list."
Severus smirked then barked a laugh when Dracka pushed Ry and he fell to the ground with a yelp.
"Hey don't laugh," Harry purred. "That might be you soon."
Severus groaned.
"I might have to get Dracka to start your training," Harry informed him. "I get reminded that I'm not as young as I once was."
"Is your leg giving you trouble?" Severus asked. "It's been good lately?"
"Yeah," Harry replied and leaned back on the step behind him. "What you did helped a lot Severus, it's just a bad day today."
"We could try that again," Severus offered. "We have been working on that new potion with good results."
Harry fiddled with the head of his cane without answering as he watched Ry. They both knew that it would lay him out for a while. Harry wasn't sure that he could take the risk with the way the situation was at the moment.
"I don't know why he isn't picking this up," Harry said instead.
"He is taller and bulker than you," Severus pointed out.
Harry frowned as he thought that through.
"Move with the push!" Harry yelled at the boy. "Relax!"
Dracka knocked the boy over again and Harry groaned.
xXx
"Mr Sun!"
Harry looked up in the middle of a class at the call as a young Gryffindor boy ran into his classroom.
"It's Callum!"
"Stay here," Harry barked to the class as he grabbed up his cane.
His leg still protesting from his bout yesterday as he hurried after the boy. He could hear the noise before he walked around the corner to see Michael Beldon advancing on the small form of Callum and rage flooded into him. He pulled a dark barrier up between the two, without thinking, as he moved forward. The man paused and swung towards Harry and grinned as he fired off a spell towards him.
Harry dodge to the side as he pulled up a barrier behind him to protect any children.
"Beldon!" Harry yelled. "There are children here!"
"Are you going to hid behind them, Sun!" Beldon spat as he pulled his sword. "I can feel your dark magic protecting the pounce!"
Harry pulled to a stop before the man, his eyes wide.
"What the hell!" Harry snapped as the man fired another spell towards him.
Harry dodged again but had to move his shield as the kids around him scrambled to the sides of the busy corridor.
"You are going to hurt someone!" Harry yelled.
"Only you Dark Wizard!" Beldon yelled and lunged towards him with the sword.
Harry could only skip back as he tried to bring up a shield around them as Beldon swung the sword and fired a spell at the same time. Harry summoned his sword and blocked the man but Beldon out-weighed him and smashed him back across the hallway. Harry stumbled back and quickly brought up the sword in a two-hand grip as the man smashed his sword down above him.
Harry could hear yelling around him as he went down to one knee, trying to hold the shield at the same time. He rolled to the side as the man's sword crashed down nicking his side and he scrambled across the floor.
"What has gotten into you?" Harry yelled as the man fired a spell and it smashed into the shield behind him, making some of the kids squeak.
"You have, you pounce!" Beldon yelled, as he fired another spell and Harry ducked to the side, coming up beside a wall as the man advanced. "You and your dark magic! How can they not see what you are!"
Harry looked at him with wide eyes and quickly ducked as the man swung the sword again but didn't see the fist. It slammed into his stomach and the man brought the hilt of his sword down on the back of his head. Harry groaned as he hit the floor hard, his shield flickering. He rolled to the side and stumbled to his feet. He stood unarmed, his sword across the hallway.
Harry staggered as the man fired another spell and could feel blood slowly rolling down the back of his neck as his vision swum slightly from the blow. He held his empty hands to the side as the man advanced on him.
"Stand Down!"
Harry and Beldon looked over as Sergeant Miller moved towards them with Albus at his back. Harry stood up straighter as Beldon turned to the man, keeping Harry in his sights.
"I said," Miller repeated coldly. "Stand down!"
Beldon casually holstered his wand and sword as Harry dropped the shield. He quickly looked around the hall to make sure all the children were okay before limping towards the very pale Callum Genger. He kneeled down in front of the small boy.
"Are you okay?" Harry asked quietly.
The boy nodded his head, his eyes wide. The child looked so young as he looked at him, his face pale.
"This is a school, Beldon!" Miller barked.
Harry placed a hand on the shaking boy's shoulder as he watched. He stayed in his kneeling position, feeling sick in the stomach as his head pounded.
"This is not a battle ground, soldier!"
Belton pulled himself up into an 'attention' stance as Miller yelled at him.
"You could have killed someone! What were you thinking!" Miller barked.
"The Dark Wizard has been tainting children!" Beldon replied blandly.
"That's not true!" Callum yelled and Harry held his shoulder tighter.
"See what he has done!" Beldon cried. "Turning children to his perverted and dark ways!"
"Silence!" Miller hissed. "Go back to your room and stay there! Now!"
The man glanced around the hallway full of children. His eyes locked onto Harry's with pure hatred before he turned on his heels. He marched away with children jumping out of his way.
Harry got to his feet and stumbled slightly before one of the children passed him his cane.
"Thank you," Harry said softly.
Miller marched towards him and Harry placed his hand on Callum's shoulder. The man's eyes flicked down to Callum before meeting Harry's.
"You idiot!" Miller snapped.
"Hey!" Callum yelled. "It wasn't his fault!"
"Sh, Callum." Harry said softly.
Miller's eyes flicked down to Callum again before focusing on Harry.
"I told you," Miller hissed.
Harry nodded, ignoring the pain in the back of his head.
"You're bleeding," Miller stated blandly.
"I'm aware of that," Harry replied.
Miller nodded and stormed away, Harry knew he'd be back.
"Mr Sun?" Callum uttered in a small voice.
Harry caught the Headmaster's eyes.
"Go with the Headmaster, Callum." Harry requested and pushed the boy towards the Headmaster.
"Come on, Mr Genger," Albus offered with a smile. "Let's go up to my office for some tea."
Callum's eyes flicked between Harry and Albus before moving towards the Headmaster. Harry moved back towards his classroom, then stumbled slightly when the hallway decided to tilt on him.
"I'll get Professor Snape," One of his seventh-year students stated and dashed down the hall.
Severus appeared quickly and swept towards him. Harry paused and looked at him.
"Thank you, Mr Sanderson," Harry offered to the seventh year. "Please tell my class that that's it for today's lesson."
"Okay, sir."
Harry stepped forward but the hallway tilted and Severus cursed as he got under Harry's left arm.
"I can't leave you alone for one minute!" Severus hissed.
Harry didn't say anything in return and Severus's arm tightened around his shoulders. They made it back to his rooms quickly and Severus moved him towards the lounge.
"Dinning chair," Harry requested. "Head."
Severus moved him towards the chair and Harry sat down on it backwards and placed his arms on the back of it. He laid his forehead down as he fought back the sickness in his stomach. Severus cursed when he saw the wound and Harry could hear him running water as his head pounded and his side throbbed.
"What the fuck happened out there!"
Harry flinched at Dracka's voice and felt his stomach roll. He heard the vampire moving towards him before he heard cursing. Dracka crouched down in front of him and peered up at him with red eyes.
"I wouldn't stay there," Harry warned and the man jumped back.
"I felt the dark magic two floors up," Dracka told him.
Harry closed his eyes as Severus worked on the cut on the back of his head. A soft knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," Harry called.
"Um, I have your sword, Mr sun."
Harry looked over to see the boy that had run to get him, standing uncertain with the sword held in his small hands.
"Thank you," Harry said. "Please leave it there."
"Okay, sir." The boy squeaked and dash out of the door.
Harry stared at the sword on the floor before resting his forehead on the chair again. Severus placed a bucket down on the ground beside him, just in case.
"I'll have to get Poppy down here to close this." Severus told him. "What happened?"
"I was an idiot," Harry explained. "I acted before thinking."
"I mean, what did you do this time?" Severus amended as he cleaned the cut on his side.
Harry snorted as another knock sounded at his door and Miller came in. Harry looked up at him with one eye.
"Could I speak to Blake alone, please?" Miller asked.
Harry patted Severus's knee and the man sighed.
"I'll go up and get Poppy," Severus said and grabbed Dracka's arm and pulled the vampire out of the room.
Miller looked down at him once the door was closed. He came around and looked at the back of his head before stepping in front of him again.
"I'll change team five out for another team," Miller commented. "Beldon's behaviour was unacceptable. We can't have that happening in a hallway of a school. Dylan won't be happy."
"Thanks," Harry offered and lifted his head.
Miller sighed as he looked at Harry.
"Not everyone thinks the same as Beldon." Miller mentioned.
"I'm glad to hear it," Harry replied as he leaned on the back of the chair. "But some do."
"You may be a Dark Wizard, Blake." Miller stated, without insult. "But you are also a Light Wizard and a good man."
"You say Dark Wizard like it's a curse word." Harry whispered. "People are all hung up about Dark and Light magic and don't understand it's all the same. The sooner people understand that the better."
Miller smiled at him.
"A wizard or witch is capable of murder whether they have dark or light magic, Bob." Harry told him as he looked up at him. "They are also capable of great things as well."
"Yes," Miller agreed. "I've seen that. Good night, Blake."
"Hey Bob," Harry called after the man. "You might want to move Beldon before Dracka finds out what happened."
"Ah, yes." Miller stammered, looking pale. "That might be a good idea. I'm sure that Dracka wouldn't hold back."
Harry sighed as he looked at the closed door, feeling blood slowly running down the back of his neck again. His head pounded and he silently cursed a closed-minded man. Here they were fighting against a Dark Lord and he was caught up on who you love and the power you held. Harry just closed his eyes as he felt the years he'd lived sitting on his shoulders.
xXx
Dracka looked out at the students as he sat down to dinner, his eyes briefly catching on Ry and the Weasley girl and he smirked. One of his hellhounds had caught the pair in one of the unused classrooms a couple of nights back. He had been very amused to see that memory and the shock on their faces when the beast appeared. Ry had not been impressed but he hadn't heard anything from Blake so the boy mustn't have told his father what had happened.
"Staring again, Dracka?"
Dracka turned to Severus next to him and smirked.
"What did you do?" Severus groaned.
"Nothing," Dracka replied as he looked out on the hall.
"I know that look, vampire." Severus hissed and Dracka grinned at him.
"One of my hellhounds found Ry and someone else in a comprising situation," Dracka leered. "He was not pleased to find out he wasn't alone."
Severus stilled and an odd look came into his eyes until he barked a laugh, making McGonagall look over at them with a frown.
"Does Blake know?" Severus asked, once he caught his breath.
"Not unless the boy said something," Dracka leered. "I have a nice memory up here though."
Dracka tapped his head and smirked at the other man, making him laugh harder.
"What are you two up to?" Minerva snapped. "Blake isn't even here for that kind of noise!"
Severus snorted as Dracka smiled at the woman.
"Nothing, my dear." Dracka muttered. "Nothing at all to worry about."
Just then Ry looked up at them and caught Dracka's eye and the vampire leered at him. The boy blushed bright red and ducked his head. Severus snorted as Minerva frowned over at the two of them.
"Dracka," The vampire said, answering his phone.
"Hey," Blake's voice came through the phone but it sounded strained and all the amusement faded from Dracka. "Can you come down to my rooms after lunch?"
"Sure," Dracka replied and caught Severus's eyes. "I don't have a class after."
Severus cocked his head to the side in question.
"Thanks," Blake replied before hanging up.
"Do you have class after lunch?" Dracka asked Severus.
"Yes," The man ansered. "Was that Blake?"
"Yes," Dracka replied with a frown. "He wants to meet after lunch."
Severus frowned, not liking the sound of that but there was nothing they could do as they focused back on their lunch. Dracka walked down to the dungeons with Severus and gave him a nod as he slipped through Blake's door to see the man seated at the table with files spread out across the surface. He'd been quiet lately.
"Dracka," Blake greeted with a smile. "Have a seat."
"Hey, if this is about Ry and the hellhound I had nothing to do with it," Dracka said in his defence. "The beast just happened to walk in at the wrong moment."
Blake's hand stilled on the table as he held his pen, he looked up at him in confusion.
"This isn't about the boy?" Dracka asked.
"This isn't about the boy," Blake repeated and something in the man's eyes had the demon in him taking notice.
Dracka took a seat at the table.
"I need you to grant Bella safe passage to identify the veela we have in custody," Blake said softly.
The demon in Dracka surged forward and he was glad that Blake had told him to sit down. Blake looked at him calmly but Dracka knew the man well and could pick out the tension in his shoulders.
"You want me to what!" Dracka yelled.
"I need to know where these veela are from," Blake expanded calmly. "Bella will be able to tell me. I have already contacted her and she is happy to go as long as she has safe passage."
Dracka felt faint as the demon in him raged as he looked at Blake. The man's eyes were closed off but Dracka knew him and could see passed that. This was hurting him even if he was trying hard to hold it back.
"We haven't been able to get any information out of them," Blake continued as he tapped his pen. "Bella will be able to get them to talk."
"By doing the same that she did to you!" Dracka snapped, the demon too close to the surface for him to hold his tongue.
Blake stilled and his eyes closed off completely until Dracka wasn't looking at his friend anymore but a Commander.
"We need that information, Dracka." Blake stated coldly. "We need to know if these veela are just rouge or if their whole clan has been compromised. It is odd that such light creatures are following a Dark Lord."
"Is there another option?" Dracka asked, a red haze around his vision.
"That I go," Blake uttered.
Dracka paled and the demon fell back at those words.
"Those are the two options," Blake laid out calmly. "You allow Bella safe passage or I have to go over there."
Blake sat forward in his seat and stared Dracka in the eye.
"And my way would not be pleasant for them…or me," Blake whispered.
Dracka shivered at the soft words and nodded his head.
"Fine," Dracka snapped. "I will grant her safe passage."
"Thank you," Blake whispered.
"But I don't like this!" Dracka snapped.
"Neither do I," Blake admitted and Dracka's eyes snapped to him in surprise. "We have to be very careful with this Dracka. There can be no breach or the Treaty between the Council and the veelas could break."
Dracka frowned.
"You brought the veela to the treaty," Dracka said softly.
"I did," Blake replied, eyes and body language still closed off. "I had an agreement with Bella. When you approached me with the Treaty I broached it with them and they agreed to the terms."
Dracka paled as thoughts ran through his mind, stirring up his demon.
"Whatever you may be thinking, Dracka." Blake said slowly. "Probably isn't right."
Dracka looked over to the other man and he gave him a small grin. Just like that, he was looking at his friend again and it made his demon feel better. Dracka leered at him and Blake barked a laugh.
"Bloody vampires," Blake cursed. "Always thinking the same damn thing."
Dracka grinned and stood from his seat and stalked towards the other man. Blake frowned as Dracka stopped beside him.
"What?" Blake asked.
Dracka grabbed the man's hands and pulled him to his feet as Blake looked up at him in amusement. He stood a good head shorter than Dracka but the vampire could feel the power in the man's body. He brushed his magic up against him and Blake shivered. He looked up at Dracka with pale green eyes and didn't flinch when Dracka's demon came forward in his mind. He could feel the dark magic under the man's skin as they stood so close together.
He placed his hands on the man's shoulders, his thumb slightly on his neck feeling his pulse under the skin. Blake looked up at him with a slight frown but didn't step back.
"You know that we will protect you," Dracka stated.
"What do I need protection from?" Blake asked with a crooked smile.
"Yourself mostly," Dracka drawled.
Blake barked a laugh, his green eyes dancing. It calmed the demon in Dracka.
"If she threatens you," Dracka whispered. "I'm not sure I will be able to hold the demon back Blake and I'm sure that Severus feels the same way."
Blake looked away from him, showing him his throat. Dracka calmly cupped his cheek and turned his head back, forcing him to look him in the eye.
"Please," Dracka begged and the other man's eyes widened. "Don't put us in that kind of situation. If it's a choice between our duty and you, because I speak for both myself and Severus when I say that, you would come first."
Blake's eyes were wide as they looked up at him and Dracka felt satisfied that he'd rendered the man speechless. He released him and stepped back as Blake ran a hand over his head.
"I'll try my best," Blake muttered after a couple of minutes.
The two men settled at the table again and Dracka picked up a file.
"How do you keep all of these straight in your head?" Dracka asked.
Blake barked a laugh and the tension in the room broke.
"Many years of practise," Blake replied with a smile. "And rereading…Now, what was that about Ry and a hellhound?"