You - The thing about no follows and favourites is that I have a view counter - so I know that more people read it now than in Year Four, for example. So I worry that even though people are reading it, that its so bad they don't want to bother reviewing/favouriting... Ah well. It's not too bad updating weekly unless its a really bad week for my mental health lately.
However, its actually really starting to wear on me that nobody seems to enjoy this, and I'm considering shortening the story to get it over with quicker rather than get so disheartened I abandon it
Guest - it took you until year five to notice they were gay? Where have you been?
Caz231163 - thank you!
Hope - thank you!
Incorrect use of names for team players ahead.
-YDHP-
"I'm so bored!"
"It's homework Harry, it's not supposed to be exciting."
Harry glared at his boyfriend, who was currently fang-deep in his Ancient Runes homework. Harry turned to his Healing essay, which was on the basic differences between healing charms for different injuries.
"Still. I want to go flying."
"On a broom or with your wings?"
"Either or is better than this."
"You're Quidditch Captain. You want practice? Go book the pitch for training."
"Oh. Yeah. I should do that. I haven't even arranged try-outs yet."
Vlad pushed a sheet of parchment over to him, which Harry picked up. It contained instructions on how he booked the pitch, what his responsibilities were in terms of safety and fairness at try outs and just showed Vlad being generally useful.
"Oh. Thanks."
"Figured your mind is a little busy, so I made you a list. Mostly because Draco is itching to try out again."
"You're amazing. Do I tell you that?"
"You do. I won't complain about hearing it again though."
Vlad offered him a smile, hair hanging just so in his eyes and Harry desperately wanted to kiss him, but while they were alone in the dormitory at the moment, anyone could walk in. Vlad seemed to sense that, going back to his translations.
"Is understanding magic really that important to you?"
Vlad shrugged, humming as he completed another translation.
"I'm immortal. I'll need a hobby."
"Well so am I. I still don't get Runes."
The vampire smiled, finishing the last of his homework. Harry wasn't even half done. Vlad didn't lecture him on that though, just searched through his books for Arithmancy and got started on some squiggly looking mathematics.
"How mad do you think Umbridge is about those Ton-tongue Toffees getting mixed in with her sweets?"
Vlad chuckled - he'd been the one to sneak them in during his latest detention.
"Not nearly as upset as she'll be when Fred and George perfect their Fever Fudge. Although I'm partial to letting her eat them while they still give you massive pus-filled boils on your-"
The dormitory door opened, revealing a fuming Hermione and a mildly terrified looking Draco.
"We may as well get another bed in here, Hermione is practically an honorary boy."
"Why does she look so angry?"
"Did you know the twins were testing those sweets on first years?"
"Uh... no?"
"Did the first years agree to it?"
"That's not the point Vlad!"
"Sure it is. Gryffindors are pranksters. And Fred and George have tested every one of those sweets on themselves already."
Hermione growled, throwing her hands out angrily.
"Ugh, you sound just like them! Their excuse was that they were being paid."
"Which means the first years volunteered. Hermione, Fred and George wouldn't hurt them. They are like universal big brothers. Be fair... they would have slipped a few prank sweets to the unknowing without a volunteer anyway."
"And that's not ok!"
"Hermione, the whole magical world is teetering at the edge of falling apart. You wanna be a perfect prefect and penalise two students who want to make people laugh? Fine. But unless they actually hurt someone, I'm with the twins."
Hermione and Vlad stared each other down, but within a couple of minutes she visibly deflated as all the steam left her.
"Alright. I see your point. I'm still not happy with them testing on eleven year olds."
"I'll tell them to open it up to all years and no slipping them to anyone unknowingly until their tests are done."
"And I'll make sure they know to go to Madam Pomfrey if anything goes wrong. We like jokes Hermione, not hazards."
Hermione looked between them, sighed loudly before turning and leaving. Despite them both being rather rock-headed, Harry couldn't remember the last time he saw Vlad and Hermione properly disagree on anything. Though he supposed Vlad was going through the most tumultuous year of his life... it would be bizarre if he didn't change at least a little bit.
Harry and Vlad had the promised chat with the Weasley twins, who took their advice on board and promised to try and not get caught by Hermione again. It would have to do. Then Harry set up Quidditch try outs, a truly nerve-wracking experience.
Two dozen people turned up - two of whom weren't even Gryffindors. Harry tried not to flap, but while he failed at that, Vlad was standing next to him with a clipboard to take notes while Harry was in the air.
"Ok, if you're trying out for Chaser, over there. Keeper, there. Beaters, here and on the off chance you want to be Harry's replacement, that side. Jenkins, you're a first year, so you can't try out."
The first year scowled and stormed off, leaving Harry with three groups - nobody wanted to try out for Harry's spot. Draco was in the Keepers section, the twins in Beaters. Harry didn't envision many changes to the team other than Draco moving from reserve - no Quidditch during fourth year meant nobody had technically been on the team the previous year.
Harry had to divide up the twelve trying out for Chaser, putting Ginny, Angelina, Katie and Alicia seperately in each of the groups of three to ensure their group practices of years before didn't offer an unfair advantage. It did mean each of the four Keepers, each was up against a real challenge. Cormac McLaggen suffered a crushing defeat with Ginny's group, Kirke did alright against Alicia's, Sloper completely mis-timed his catch and took Katie's goal to his face (Ginny kindly took him to the Hospital Wing).
Angelina was the only one of her group to get the Quaffle past Draco, the other four saved. Harry was already confident Draco was the best candidate, but that was based on years of summer Quidditch together.
Beaters try-outs were more tricky, but again Vlad came to his rescue. He conjured up a row of targets, then had each one prove they could at least aim the Bludger in their intended direction. Coote missed the Bludger and went to the Hospital Wing with suspected broken ribs, but Jacob and Matthew both managed a decent effort. Georgina Giles broke the bat and the target into smithereens, and received vocal cheers from the Weasley twins.
"She could replace us both!"
George junior (as she was called by the twins) beamed, waved at Vlad and his clipboard then moved to let the Weasley twins have their turn. Once he'd cut down seven to five, Harry tried them out up in the air (everyone had padding on) with some of the other players around as distraction. George jr wasn't as steady as the twins in the air, but then he imagined she hadn't had much chance to practice over summer, and she was certainly as accurate when the Bludger got close.
"Alright, the official list will be up by tomorrow night! Thank you to everyone who came."
Vlad had two pages of notes for Harry to peruse when everyone landed again, loitering outside the changing rooms while everyone changed out of their tryout gear.
"This was actually a great idea. I can hardly keep everyones names straight let alone remember who flew in a straight line."
Vlad smiled as they sat up in the stands with Butterbeer fudge and spiced pumpkin juice - Vlad was such good friends with the house elves they now made it for him and had it in flasks whenever they visited them. Vlad even threw up a light silencing charm so he could talk to him about the lists.
"I'm thinking the original line-up won't actually change. Draco is obviously the best Keeper, Kirke will do as backup. The other two were slaughtered."
Not being the Captain, Vlad merely nodded and jotted it down on a fresh sheaf of parchment.
"The twins and the three girls for Beaters and Chasers?"
"Yeah, Ginny is definitely a reserve Chaser and your little sister... well, they both are really? Yeah, George is a back-up beater. Who out of Jacob and Matthew?"
"Hm. Jacob has a crush on George so natural big brother instincts say not him... but if you think he's better than Matthew I'll get over it."
Harry laughed, watching Vlad scowl into his pumpkin juice flask.
"There's not enough in it for me to mind, but I can put them both down as reserves to pacify them and just go for Matt first. Ok, I need you to pick a reserve Seeker for if I'm injured. Who flew best and fastest?"
Vlad frowned at the prospect of Harry injured, but scanned the list again.
"I actually think its the two girls again. George needs a little flying practice but her eye for detail is incredible, and Ginny has been keeping up with her brothers for years."
"I'll take your word for it."
"You normally practice twice a week, make at least one of those a fortnight include the reserves. It'll give them practice and encourage teamwork and unity."
"Where are all these ideas coming from?"
Vlad shrugged.
"Bertrand has been starting to teach me some basic political grooming. He knows he can't tutor me after Halloween but wants to have me started off so I can teach myself after he's done."
"Because of... what is it again? I get confused about how you were born for a job quite literally."
Harry didn't bring Vlad's future up often - Vlad didn't like to talk about it.
"Chosen One. Once I come of age, or if the current Grand High Vampire is slain, I become the Grand High Vampire. Leader of vampirekind. I'm hoping Elkis, the current one, lives that long because I don't want to take over while Riddle is still a threat."
He visibly resented it, having his future mapped out for him but Harry knew Vlad was 'chosen' for a reason. He was exactly what the vampire world needed. Plus as he was magical, it meant he would be optimally placed to bridge the gap between their two worlds.
Vlad held up the parchment with a complete list for Harry to peruse, nodding when he saw it was done and correct.
"Ok. Now you rewrite it, our handwriting is really rather different."
Harry glared.
"Mr Dracula. Again."
"Well you keep giving me detention. So I hardly think it's surprising "
Umbridge scowled, pointing him in and Vlad noticed he couldn't smell Wolfsbane. The room was hideous and pink and loud, but it didn't smell of poison right now. His desk was all set up waiting, the usual cursed quill waiting. Vlad suspected he was paying for Harry's resistance, which he would happily do for his mate.
At least he had Phoenix tears in his pocket ready.
She always watched to see him start with the pot of red ink, as though hoping that this time Vlad would bleed for her eyes to see.
I must respect my superiors carved itself into his hand over and over, skin smarting and stinging but Vlad knew if he used the tears or switched into his phoenix form afterwards, the pain would vanish and his skin wouldn't scar. He had enough scars. Though the ones he had currently were for taking the Killing Curse for Harry and Fleur. There were fewer better reasons to be scarred, he mused.
From the window, Vlad could see Harry leading his first proper Quidditch practice as Captain, reddish-gold blurs zipping through the air in the distance. Thinking of Harry helped dull the pain in his bleeding hand, his mate far more important than some psychotic cat woman and her stupid quill.
Successfully hiding that the quill had worked again, Vlad ensured he took the parchment with him - Umbridge might have ways of discovering the ink was mixed with vampires blood. Not to mention Vlad wasn't going to volunteer his DNA lest it reveal his halfling status.
His Mark began to ache halfway through, the pain a fierce burning by the time Umbridge let him go. Vlad stumbled to the nearest side passage and changed to his other form, breathing a trill of relief when the pain abated. More surprising to Vlad was that when he shifted back, the cuts on his hand were gone too.
"Guess I can save my tears for later."
Harry was freshly showered and smiling about practice when Vlad got back, eager to listen to his mate enthuse about flying.
"I didn't know I liked helping and instructing. Planning is never my strong suit, but these guys were just great at it."
"You've all played together before. Everyone respects your leadership. So long as you don't bore them like Wood did, I'd say you're good to go."
Harry grinned, tossing aside books from his trunk to search for something. The books Black and Lupin gave him landed on the bed next to Vlad, giving the vampire something to flick through while he waited. Harry turned back holding his broomstick maintenance kit, eyes lighting up when they landed on the book Vlad was holding.
"What if we did that for everyone?"
"Huh?"
"Look. Riddle is on the rise and the Ministry doesn't want anyone able to fight. What if we even the scores a bit?"
"With what? A secret duelling club?"
"Exactly! Or something close to it. Teach people to defend themselves and each other."
Vlad rolled the words in his mind, picturing Umbridge swanning about refusing to even teach pre-teens to disarm an opponent.
"Let's do it. We need a venue though, somewhere that can hold a bunch of students without suffering damage or being restrictive."
"Right. Shame nobody knows about Samael or we could use his trunk."
"Not sure the charms in there would hold up to stray spell fire."
Harry hummed, tapping his hand against his leg as he thought.
"Of course, this is assuming anyone wants to be taught by us."
"Not us. You. I'll help, of course but with my transformation coming up I need to be wary of my powers."
His boyfriend frowned, but nodded.
"Ok, so... we look for a venue and sound people out?"
"Carefully. Umbridge has spies in the students at school, I'm certain of it."
Harry's face was serious - he was taking what Vlad said on board.
"I will. We'll start with people we trust, and let them sound their own out. Like Ginny with Blaise."
"Or Ingrid and whichever Slytherins she knows aren't turntails."
He watched his boyfriend be lit with a new fire, knowing Harry doubted himself but absolutely thrived in protecting other people.
"I'll go through Luna for the Ravenclaws."
"I can hit Cedric for the Hufflepuff students?"
"Alright. So... that's our plan."
"Yep."
Vlad felt Harry's heat affect him immediately, barely managing to close the bedcurtains and ward them before there were firm muscles pressing against his body in all manner of pleasant ways. Vlad forgot what they were talking about the second Harry's hand was down beneath his pyjama bottoms.
His first sound-outs were the Weasley twins, who proved more useful than expected.
"What you need"
"Or rather, we need"
"Is the Room"
"of Requirement."
Vlad blinked, waiting for actual information.
"Ok. Care to elaborate?"
"We needed somewhere to brew and make the Skiving Snackboxes"
"And so we asked our older brothers."
"The good two"
"Not Percy"
"And Charlie the dragon boy"
"Told us about the magical room"
"That is whatever you need it to be."
"Come with us young Dracula"
"And a magic room you will see."
Shaking his head, Vlad held up his hands.
"Ok, but no more bad poetry."
"That seems fair"
"I concur brother Fred."
Some careful dodging of Aurors later, they were outside a tapestry of a man trying to teach trolls to do ballet.
It didn't seem to be going well.
"Now, think about what you need, and walk past that wall thrice."
"We need to move, it only tends to admit one thought process at a time."
"Except us"
"But we think alot alike."
Vlad raised an eyebrow as the two moved back, leaving Vlad to walk past a patch of wall feeling a little ridiculous.
"We need a place Umbridge can't find us training."
He repeated it three times, one for each pass. When he opened his eyes, there was a door.
"Way to go Vlad. Let's see what you got."
The twins followed him into a huge room, one wall mirrored to allow for watching correct posture and wand technique. Targets lined another wall, the wall of the door empty either side while the fourth was adorned by a bookshelf dull of Defense texts and cushions stacked.
"I think this is gonna work. Now we just have to find out who wants to be here... and a way to make it secret."
-YDHP-
I couldn't remember what Harry thought to open the RoR, so... if it's wrong, deal with it.