Aima + Ookami Kasumi - thank you both so much!

The next couple of chapters will cut through a fair bit of time, because... well, not much happens between Christmas and OWLs, I guess.

-YDHP-

The sudden ability to understand reptiles was ever so slightly confusing for Vlad, but it did mean Samael couldn't make smarmy comments to Harry that he didn't understand. Although annoying, the basilisk did have a logical reason for the unusual skill coming about.

"Speaking the language of snakes is a necessary skill for one mated to one who is part serpent."

Translation; the mate bond encouraged and helped Vlad be whatever his mate needed. His mate was half Basilisk. Vlad could now understand him in that form, even communicate with him. That made him happy.

Toothache did not make him happy.

"You ok Vlad?"

"Mhmm" he prodded his throbbing incisors "just a little toothache."

Harry frowned, then his eyes lit with understanding. His eyes were serpentine more often than not around Vlad, but he rather liked them.

"Ah."

It was an inopportune time; studying for OWLs and trying to ignore the constant pain in his face was an unpleasant mix. He was used to dealing with pain, but Vlad tended to tense his jaw when anxious or stressed, and studying could raise both emotions considerably. Every time he tensed, he couldn't get his sore teeth off his mind all over again.

"You would think if your kind had existed for three millenia and basically invented the practice of Alchemy, that they would have considered making a cure for toothache."

"That would display weakness. Vampires are meant to thrive on pain and misery. Even our own."

Harry shook his head, turned a page in his Healing textbook where he stretched out across the sofa in Bertrand's old quarters. A private study area for an irritable pre-transformation vampire was an absolute lifeline, and Vlad spent most of his free time sequestered away in there lately. Ever since the January return to school, his nearing transformation and the nose-to-grindstone exam prep from teachers combined to leave him prickling with irritation and sometimes anger.

"The more you tell me, the more I realise how cheery you are for a vamp."

On the plus side, he was about to spend Valentines Day with Harry. They might still be a secret and Hogsmeade wasn't exactly private, but that had never mattered before when they weren't a couple. It certainly didn't matter now. They'd have centuries to spend together properly when it was safe to be public, when Riddle wasn't a threat and Vlad wasn't an undercover double-agent amongst hardened murderous criminals.

"Thanks. I think."

Harry grinned cheekily, reached over and grabbed a chunk of fudge from his Honeydukes bag. It was a good job they had an upcoming Hogsmeade visit, else Harry would run low. Or Vlad would 'sneak' out. He had carte blanche to wander about - a pass to be off grounds from Dumbledore should anybody question him. So far, nobody had. But he had the pass just in case.

"You're welcome."

Vlad shoved his Transfiguration text away, rolled on his back and groaned. Nothing was going in; his brain was full of his upcoming date with the Blood Mirror. He had near four months to go, but that was no time at all to a vampire, or any immortal. Especially one about to take exams, as time would easily melt away from him.

"It's almost dark out. We could go flying?"

"That sounds like a good idea. If I read another book I'll die."

Harry laughed, tossed a Fizzing Whizzbee in Vlad's direction. He caught it, debated crushing it in his hand but knew he'd regret the mess.

"You're immortal. And a swot. It must be serious."

They stole out to the Forbidden Forest, stopping to check in on the Thestrals. They fussed around Vlad, sensing his impending 'death' and rattling happily at him. Once they moved on, Vlad shifted and saw Harry do the same, both spreading their wings to take through the air. Still fairly new to their wings, the two teens were pretty good fliers. Harry was a star Quidditch player, and Vlad's vampiric side was naturally inclined to fly.

He did feel much better after stretching his wings, shaking out his now non-feathered body with a low groan as Harry hopped about, then popped back to humanoid shape himself.

"Valentines soon."

"Yeah. Your favourite excessively sugary time of year."

Harry stared off into the distance wistfully, humming hungrily.

"Everything is red and sweet!"

"You sound like a vampire talking about teenagers at Halloween."

"Halloween is good too. For sweets that is. Not much else."

Harry yawned into his hand, rolled his head side to side to shift a crick in his neck. They wandered the Forest a little more, but made a quick flight out when he smelled unicorns nearby. Harry wasted no time wrapping himself around Vlad once they got into bed, like a snake ready to constrict a victim. Albeit an exceptionally willing victim.

Valentines rolled up quick and fast, bringing with it heart shaped everything on the tables, Dumbledore's usual pink robes changed for something in soft pastels and hearts. He clearly didn't want to match the lurid fuschia of Umbridge's cardigans. There were cupcakes at breakfast, and everyone excited for the Hogsmeade weekend coming up.

Owls dropped gifts all over breakfast, cards and the usual stack of strangers sent Harry declarations of love. Vlad took great pleasure in burning them all after Harry read them, smiling to himself about how Harry was his now, his mate loved him in return. He didn't have cause to be jealous, but the strangers could still do without entertaining delusions of Harry's love.

Still, it was Vlad Harry accompanied to Hogsmeade that weekend. Some of the stores and cafes had kept the decorations up knowing that many students would be on dates, and so the 'romantic' atmosphere would increase their popularity. Harry was thrilled it meant the sweets were still around.

He filled his Honeydukes bag with the usual offerings to cavities - one could only assume (and hope) his venom coated and protected his teeth - but also added some Valentines treats like Unbreakable Hearts. They were heart-shaped gobstopper sweets that didn't shrink down until a charm was used to allow them to be finished. Usually when the external flavour finally faded, which could take weeks. Then you went down to the next.

His fluctuating sense of taste meant Vlad felt equal parts sick and ravenous in Honeydukes, grabbing sugar quills for studying and otherwise filling a bag mostly for when Harry forgot his. He did let other people join in.

"Hi Vlad!"

He turned, spotted George and her friends - the Weasley twins clearly accompanying them and the less Vlad knew the better about upcoming pranks. George had a faint scar that wrapped around cheek and jaw, one that lingered from her scratching at her Dragon Pox rash. She had a few others, but his little sister didn't really seem to mind them.

At least there was a treatment option in the works; Severus was making good progress apparently. Vlad wasn't a natural Potions buff, he could follow a recipe perfectly but creating was left to those who understood that. He was better with understanding magic, while Harry was great at Potions. Brilliant, in fact. They made a good match, a perfect team. Where one lacked, the other complimented.

"Hey George. Having fun?"

"Bit too much pink but the lady in the lunch place gave me ketchup for my brownies. Which was cool."

Vlad could only imagine. She was peculiar but wonderful, really. He was proud to be her big brother, and immensely glad they had found each other. He tossed a couple big bars of Honeydukes finest on the counter next to his order, paid and slipped the bag into his jackets expanded inner pocket.

"Hows mum?"

to mutter as they got outside; waiting for Harry to decide where he wanted to go to lunch.

"Good. Not loving the situation, but so far she's holding up well. Us Giles girls are tough."

Leaning down - George would be tall, but she hadn't started shooting up yet - he hugged her. Ignoring the sound of her pulse, the scent of blood. He would never hurt George.

"Glad to hear it. I'll check in on her soon."

He bought the chocolate for a reason, after all. George answered his quiet murmur with a similar volume, letting it drown out in the hubbub of a busy street to all but a vampire.

"She'll like that."

They separated, and the Weasley twins both leapt on Vlad to hug him tight. They were tall string-bean types, and he felt bags of Lucifer-only-knew what in their pockets dig into his sides.

"Say Vlad" Fred leaned in close "you wouldn't happen to know where we can get Venomous Tentacula seeds?"

"They're a Class C restricted substance see. But we know you have your ways."

Vlad shook his head, laughing.

"One condition."

"Hit us."

"Not literally."

"You test zero products they are in on students. With exams coming up, Hermione now has a point about you interrupting study with them and they can make one very sick."

"Fine."

"No students."

Vlad shook them off, seeing Harry look longingly toward the cafe that smelled like a mix of steak and syrup.

"Give me a few days."

"Of course."

"Come on kids"

"There's mischief to make!"

The twins and third years disappeared, and Vlad knew if Hermione was anywhere near rather than on her date with Draco, she might well have hexed the twins. Harry eagerly diverted them to the place that had steak, which made Vlad's upper teeth tingle in want. He bought a sandwich, skipping out on the chicken he knew Harry would glare at.

"You two are brave" the shopkeeper smiled at the two as Harry perused the dessert options while his steak was cooked "coming together on date day."

"Harry likes the food. He'd come if you decorated it to look like a Viking longship. I'm just hungry."

And later, Harry would be all over him. Vlad tried not to eye his mate, knowing it would probably be a look of naked want.

"Fair enough. Anything else boys?"

"Bottle of fizzy pumpkin for me. That red hot chocolate for him."

"And two of those."

Harry tapped the display, pointing at some heavily iced cake monstrosity that could rot ones teeth with a glance. Harry's favourite type of dessert.

They paid and sat down, Vlad's drink and sandwich looking minute next to Harry's spread. Then again, their builds did speak volumes; Vlad was lean while Harry was broad. Plus there was the fact Vlad liked watching Harry eat. The couples around them paid no mind, so he simply watched quietly as Harry licked pink icing from red cake, bit delicate rice paper hearts and crunched the sugary Cupid decorations with their chocolate wings that fluttered.

"Is the beast tamed?"

"For now. I wanna get another one of these to go" Harry indicated his hot chocolate "but I'll finish it quick so you can go geek out at the bookstore."

Rolling his eyes, Vlad stood up and stacked their plates up while Harry went to order. The tray levitated itself back toward the kitchen to be cleaned, weaving itself around customers expertly. As they wandered around Hogsmeade, Vlad saw one of the 'other' Death Eater students loitering near the Three Broomsticks. When they caught Vlad's eye, saw Harry stood next to him, he smirked darkly.

Vlad understood the implied threat; he was running out of time to turn Harry. They might not know how much Vlad had wriggled out of Riddle in return, but they knew the quiet was a calm before a storm that had Harry Potter on their side.

He turned away, headed into the bookstore. He picked up a couple of books on magical art for Sally; he hoped they would cheer his mother up, then it was a trip for parchment and ink to make new notes for studying. It was common to read ones notes from two or three years ago only to find that they were a mess, and needed redoing to be legible and useable.

As they got back that evening, sky beginning to darken, Vlad felt his chest pulse and ache. He growled in annoyance, and Harry turned toward him, sniffed quietly.

"You have to go?"

"Well, I don't have to but it's a good way to keep tabs on the pregnancy."

Harry sighed, nodding as they got back to Gryffindor Tower. Vlad took his time getting ready, packed the stuff he intended to take to his mother and asked Draco which store in Knockturn Alley would have illegal Potions ingredients. He knew his friend had gone with his parents as a boy, would know better which stores to go to. So Vlad wouldn't look like he was green around the gills there.

"At least most of the stores are open late."

His mate settled down on his bed, planning the next Defence groups spells out. Vlad smiled to himself, hoping these lessons would stick, would help people stay safe.

"I'll see you later. Stay outta trouble."

He left Harry and Draco alone in the dorm, taking advantage of the in the know people to apparate out of there to a spot more appropriate for his Voldie-key. The ominous meeting place was never fun for Vlad, although his galling attitude and late appearance often raised eyebrows on the ones not wearing masks.

Riddle was in a good mood, however. Well, good for him. Bellatrix was no better, probably because of the same reason. The baby. Vlad frowned as he took his seat, high up the table where the pregnancy stench lingered.

"So, what did I miss?"

The meeting wasn't even that important, and ended quite quickly. Up until Riddle beckoned Vlad toward one of his private chambers, offered the teen vamp tea that Vlad declined steadfastly.

"The time grows near. How are you progressing young Vladimir?"

"Don't worry Tommy" oh did he love to watch that muscle twitch in Riddle's cheek "it'll get done."

"One of my followers saw the two of you enjoying Valentines weekend together."

A flash of thought told Vlad Riddle was asking exactly what he thought he was asking.

"That guy had the subtlety of a brick. And while I won't deny I could spend Valentines with a guy, Harry himself is more... restricted. Only likes women."

And Vlad. But that was a secret. Riddle twirled his wand between his fingers, watched Bellatrix across the room as she stared down at her stomach. Just over three months, she wasn't yet showing but Vlad reckoned it wouldn't be long.

"You consider that a restriction?"

He considered Bellatrix a restriction to sexuality as a whole, but somehow he didn't think Riddle would appreciate that comment.

"Most vampires would. When you live forever, you tend to lose your inhibitions. Otherwise we'd die of boredom. You have to remember that we're a race known for our hedonism."

"I suppose so."

"Is that everything? I got places to be and whenever I stay here too long you usually end up down three or four followers."

Vlad's kill count was increasing. He hated it.

"Until next time."

"Keep your cool. You interrupt my studying and I'll show you what real torture is."

Vlad stood, left before Riddle could decide to curse him in a flash of anger. Sometimes the vampire in him came in handy, made him a little more candid. Edging toward cocky and cavalier.

Knockturn Alley was grim and foreboding when Vlad apparated nearby, slipped a hood up and swept along the cold, winding street. Shadows were unnaturally thick there, pressed in against those who dared to venture. He thanked his vampiric night vision as he scanned dark, barely legible shop signs.

Just past Tallow and Hemp Toxic Tapers, Vlad pushed open the door of Shyverwretch's Venom and Poisons. The shopkeeper was a wizened old strip of witch, and her smile was a rotten, leering thing that made Vlad's stomach clench. He lowered his hood as she leant in close, smirked as she backed up when presented with his pale, youthful face cast in flickering candles.

"I think you're in the wrong store laddie."

Vlad raised his hand, undid his cloak and then unbuttoned his shirt, pulled it open to reveal the Dark Mark branded across his chest.

"I don't think so."

Greyish-green eyes widened for a second, then she composed herself as Vlad fixed his clothes.

"How can I help?"

"That's better. I need Venomous Tentacula seeds. And the antidote to those, and Doxy venom."

The antidotes were on the counter in short order, and the gleaming glass containers and good seals on their caps at least assured Vlad she had good practice. Doxy antidote was easy enough to get hold of, but like the seeds, Tentacula antivenom was controlled. Hogwarts kept some for Herbology.

She hesitated before bringing out the seeds, reaching for a scoop coated in silver. Vlad noticed they were excellent quality, thick swollen pods that would contain several seeds at a time. Freshly harvested, he suspected.

The pods vibrated, and if touched the wrong way would burst and release poisonous sap to protect the seeds within. Silver dulled the response without damaging the seeds within. Vlad wouldn't be handing them over until he checked the twins knew how to access them safely.

"How many?"

"How much?"

"Eleven sickles a pod. Nine if you buy more than a dozen."

Since Vlad knew how expensive and dangerous Tentacula were to raise, he knew it was a reasonable price. He suspected this woman was a follower herself, but low down and just trying not to be killed by Riddle and so she didn't dare rip off a unique follower - Vlad's chest brand spoke volumes.

Shyverwretch himself was nowhere to be seen. Vlad wondered if he was dead already.

"Twenty."

They were carefully scooped into a pouch, placed gingerly upon the counter next to its antidote.

"That be all?"

"For now."

He paid, placed the bag of rattling pods and the antidotes in his bag. The Doxy antidote was for the twins too; he had seen them chasing the ones that lived at the edge of the Forbidden Forest and it was only a matter of time before they got hurt. Lucifer only knew what they wanted either the venom or eggs for.

There were other stores he could drop by, but Vlad noted the hour growing late and he still wanted to visit his mother. He strolled along the ever-darkening street, shoes catching on uneven cobblestones until he got to the exit.

He apparated into his mothers kitchen, sniffed at the air and tracked her to her scultping stand. She always smelled like clay and paint, eyes bright with artistic excitement. He waited for her to finish pedalling to turn the wheel, presumably satisfied with the result and Sally stood, stretched and turned to find her son there.

"Vlad! What are you wearing?"

She was beaming as she crossed the room, and Vlad shrugged off his cloak.

"Ignore the cloak, I was in evil places."

Sally hugged him, squeezing him tightly and Vlad returned the fierce embrace. Something about her scent this close said 'mother', his senses recognising the woman who bore him, letting him know this one was to be protected.

"I wish you didn't put yourself at such risk."

She stroked his smooth cheeks, Vlad's impaired age process meaning his impending sixteenth birthday barely showed on his face.

"I am the safest half breed possible. Nearly nothing can kill me and the most evil man in the magical world is at least a little bit afraid of me, even if he denies it."

Sally made him a cup of tea, and Vlad gave her the gifts he picked up in Hogsmeade for her. She loved Honeydukes chocolate, always told Vlad off for bringing it to her as she imbibed it quickly.

"Now those books have moving pictures, so don't go reading them on a bus or in a busy cafe."

It might only be a cup of tea and a late night chat about George and school and painting, but Vlad wouldn't change it for anything. Knowing his mother, knowing half of him was human. It was a balm on his battered soul, and he left feeling so much better than he had done when he got there. Sally was smiling too.

So was Harry, when Vlad made it back to Hogwarts and found his mate in bed waiting.

-YDHP-

Writers block will be the death of me.