Special thanks to Lady-Indis who graciously brought about the muse for this chapter.

Harry's world suddenly became grey rather than black, something salty was trickling down his throat. He tried to speak, but all he could do was swallow whatever liquid was currently being fed him. At times, he felt as if the substance was going to gag him. The liquid wasn't exactly thin, and sometimes, it seemed to coat his tounsils. As more of the liquid seemed to fill him stomach, his world became less and less grey, until finally, all he could see was a scarred forearm pressed to his face. Suddenly, he heard a raspy voice that was thoroughly beset with the scratch of tears.

"Harry, damn it, do not die on me! Drink!"

Harry did as he was told, and sure enough, slowly, it seemed that his strength was coming back to him…and for a moment, the strength seemed to rush through his very being. He felt stronger than he ever had in his entire life, and still, he keep sipping at the strength providing fluid.

"Stop."

Harry seemed somewhat possessed. He did not want to stop. Even he could feel that the more he drank, the more powerful he became, and that was something that he did not want to loose.

"Potter, let go of me this instant!"

When he heard those words, he realized who the arm belonged to, and felt as if he were going to be sick. He released the arm immediately. He had been drinking from Snape's bloody arm! Harry looked up at Professor Snape in disgusted awe.

"Potter, you left me with no choice. Did you think that killing yourself was going to be that easy? I sure didn't get the choice when I made the change. Whether you like it or not, your life is needed in the wizarding world, and you know damn well why! So stop sitting there looking at me as if I were a pile of dog's droppings and follow me to my rooms. You will spend the day there. Once you've had a day's sleep, then we will discuss this further."

"But-"

"No, buts Mr. Potter. Just follow me. I am not going to allow the rays of day to spoil all the hard work I just put in saving your life. You will need a special potion to walk in daylight for the rest of your existance. Now, if you will stop your infernal Gryffindor pondering and plotting, I can safely get you indoors!"

With that, Snape turned with a whoosh of his robes and stormed into the front door of Hogwart's. Harry looked around him. The night seemed alive with brilliant flashes of color and it was as if he could see the sprinkling of magic on every surface of the school.

"Potter, come here!"

Harry ran towards his unexpected savior and into the school.

When he reached Snape's quarters in the dungeons, Harry followed Snape into his inner chamber. Harry had never been here before, and was awed by the simply luster of the place. While the silver and green of Slytherin house were clearly represented, the room seemed almost peaceful rather than threatening, as Harry had always assumed they would be.

"Potter, take the bed for the day's rest. I will look in on you tomorrow morning. I am warding the door to keep you in. You will not be leaving without me knowing about it. I am going to Dumbledore to inform him of this evening's transgressions, you are expected to sleep. DO you understand?"

"Yes, Professor."

Harry collapsed onto the bed. Surprisingly, he fell asleep almost immediately. When he woke, he could hear the sounds of footsteps all over the floors above him. Somehow, this did not frighten him, but rather, made Harry even more curious about his present situation. Harry looked around Snape's room until he saw a clock. It was a bit before lunch. How he wished he could simply run into the Great Hall and eat lunch at the table, but Snape put those wards on the door. He was stuck there until Snape deemed to show himself.

After what seemed like forever, Harry heard the sound of footsteps approaching the chamber. The door to Snape's quarters opened, and Harry heard the footsteps approach the door to the inner chamber. Slowly, the door opened.

"Ah, Potter. I see that you're awake. Feeling alright?"

Harry thought for a moment. Snape was actually asking him how he was? Was the man sick?

"Um… yes, sir. I'm really just hungry."

"That we can remedy quickly. How's that neck doing?"

"It itches."

"Well, don't scratch. While the crossing was able to heal what you did to yourself, as I'm sure you can see, you will still have a scar. And that scar, well, it will look a bit inflamed for awhile. I will give you a salve to put on that, morning and night."

"You mean everyone is going to know?"

"Eventually, yes. But until the scar fades, we can put a inivisio spell on it, and your neck will look as it has always had."

Harry watched Snape curiously. Snape walked back into the larger section of his chambers. When he came back in, he was carrying a large bowl of something steeming and dark.

"Potter. Before we speak, go ahead and eat this. Do not ask what it is, but just drink."

Harry looked at Snape, then, looked at the bowl he was carrying. But since it was Snape that saved him, Harry figured he didn't really have anything to loose, so he took the bowl from Snape, and began to drink it. The hot liquid, while different tasting than the night before, seemed to quench Harry's hunger. Once he finished the bowl, Snape took it from him and set it on the bedside table.

"Now, Potter. I want you to listen to me and listen carefully. You are no longer a normal wizard. You are now what I am. You are a vampire."

Harry scowled in disbelief. "I'm a what?"

"Harry, what you just enjoyed so thoroughly was cow's blood, fresh from the cow. You are changed, and there is no going back now. It was the only way that I could save your life, and for that, I'm truly sorry. I had wished to never place anyone in this existance, but it seems that I was meant to. Apparently, for several reasons."

"What do you mean?"

"Harry, Dumbledore and I thought it might be best that since you are now of my kind, that I adopt you, thus protecting you from The Dark Lord…"

"Would this mean that I would never have to go back to the Dursley's?" Harry looked at Snape expectantly.

"Yes, Harry. I'm afraid if you went there, you'd end up killing them. And that, we cannot allow…So, because of your changed… nature. You will now be given your own suite of rooms. Down here near my quarters. You cannot be discovered by your classmates, and one of them might manage to accidentally kill you. You won't be alone for long. My son will be coming to live with us shortly."

"Your son? I didn't know you had children."

"Amazing as it may seem, Potter. Yes, I actually loved someone once who actually loved me back. And I actually had a child with this woman. So off to bed with you. Get some more rest. You will need it. I will be back after dinner. By tomorrow, we should have you straightened out to continue classes."

Harry watched Snape exit the rooms with a swish of his robes. Him…becoming a Snape? And Snape having another son? Merlin, how he wished he could speak to Hermione right now. This was going to be a strange year.

When Severus returned, the young Potter was still fast asleep. Somehow, he could not bear himself at that moment. This poor boy was now not so innocent anymore, and it was all because of him. And soon, he would have to do the same to his own son. Why did Erasmus have to stick his nose in all of his affairs?

Severus tapped on the wall outside of his father's portrait. Took out the vial, and drank from it. He was hoping to teach the both of them about bloodstones, and how to care for them. For a few days, Harry would be alright with the bit of blood he had obtained during the crossing, but afterwards, he would need that charmed blood. As soon as Harry could be left alone for a time, he would have to visit Erasmus' lair in the mountains of Carpathia, and that, was something he had hoped that he would never have to do. But as far as he knew, that was where all the bloodstones were, so he really had to choice. But at least he would only have to go once. His son could feed off his. Severus was hoping that Draco could remotely stand to be near him after he learned the truth. And maybe, at least being bonded to the bloodstone, would keep his son around until he was able to forgive him. At least that was what he was hoping for.

In the other room, Severus heard Harry stir. He looked in on him, and the boy had simply changed position. He was hoping to convince Dumbledore to watch over the boy while he went to Carpathia, but Dumbledore hadn't been available. So Severus went to his desk, pulled out a quill and some parchment.

Harry,

I must leave you for most of the night. If I am not back by morning, call for Dumbledore. I needed to see about something for you and your present condition. There is a bowl of what I brought you earlier in care of the house elves. Simply yell for one of them when you feel hungry and they will bring it to you. I'll be back as soon as I can.

S. Snape.