Disclaimer: I don't own anyone or anything.

CHAPTER 4

As he sat collapsed comfortably against Eric's chest on what Harry was sure was the most luxurious bed he had ever been on, arms folded against his chest so that he was able to look into his light blue eyes, Harry thought about what had happened at the club during the raid, unaware that Eric had slowly moved his hands under his shirt and was now running them up and down his sides.

"Was that Sookie Stackhouse?"

"Yes."

"Who was with her?"

"He is a vampire named Bill Compton."

"What did they want, if you don't mind my asking?"

"The human wanted information about two of my customers."

"Hm. And the raid?"

"She knew about the raid before it happened, and about an illegal feeding in one of the restrooms."

"Are her abilities useful to you?"

"Yes."

Harry was silent, thinking about what to say and about how Eric could possibly react. Harry nodded to himself, the risk was worth it. "I can teach her control."

Xxx

Sookie was running ragged, Merlotte's was so busy that she hadn't even had a chance to take a break yet. Spotting an emptying table, Sookie headed over to clean up the mess when suddenly it was like she was surrounded in a bubble. She couldn't hear anyone's thoughts, and all other sound was muffled.

"Come outside." A soft voice said, sounding like it was right next to her ear. "I have so much to teach you."

Now Sookie was starting to get scared, who or what could control her like this from far away. Too bad she knew she would go outside anyways.

"Hey Sam, I'm beat and really need a break." She said to him as she approached the bar.

"Sure Sookie, but don't take too long, we still have tables that need waitin' on."

"Thanks." And with that, Sookie headed out the door.

"Hello." Sookie called out nervously into the darkness. "You called to me. Said you had something to teach me."

The voice from earlier laughed softly and sweetly as a figure emerged from the shadows. Once the figure was in the light, Sookie gasped and took a half-step back, recognizing their face.

"You asked me about my brother, something about needing help on your house."

"Yes." He said. "I was also with Eric as we all fled the raid at Fangtasia."

Now that she looked back, she remembered that Eric was carrying someone while Pam, Bill, Eric, and she were running from the club.

"I see you remember." Harry said when he noticed the look of dawning remembrance on her face. Deciding to get right down to business, he continued. "You're a telepath."

Sookie was shocked, how did he know? But then again, he had somehow done something to her mind, so he was probably different like her and Sam.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Harry Black. I can help you, you know." He said casually, like he hadn't just turned her world upside-down.

"How?" Sookie was desperate, hoping he was talking about what she thought he was talking about.

"It'll be hard, harder than anything you've ever done in your life." Harry warned her. "But I can teach you to quiet the voices, to focus on one person, to go deeper into their mind that you ever have before, and to find what you're looking for. I can teach you to control your gift."

After pausing to give her a moment to think about his offer, Harry realized that he's shocked her momentarily dumb. He decided to get her to take the next step.

"Tell you what," Harry said, pulling Sookie's pen and pad out of her apron. "I'll give you my address and you can come to me when you're ready." Leaving the ball in her court, so to speak, Harry left her alone to her thoughts.

Xxx

It had been over a day since she saw him, the boy who told her he could help her with her gift and curse, and she had done little since then but think about what he said. He told her he could teach her to control it, that she would be able to turn it off or focus on someone specific, that she could look for what she wanted instead of just hearing what they were thinking. It was heady, the thought of her being in control instead of it controlling her.

There really was no choice, not for her at least, not if she wanted a normal life. So taking a deep breath, she knocked on the front door of Harry Black's house.

"Sookie," Harry began as he opened the door to allow her to enter. "I'm so glad that you took me up on my offer."

Sookie nodded nervously as she looked around her at his house. It was beautiful and expensive, but also comfortable and lived in. She also noticed that there were healthy plants all over the place and splashes of color that drew the eye, like the blue fruit bowl in the living room and the red throw pillows on the sofa and love seat.

"… ike anything to drink?"

Snapped out of her daze, Sookie asked him to repeat himself. Smiling gently in understanding, Harry asked again if she would like anything to drink.

"Do you have any sweet tea?" She asked hesitantly.

Harry frowned a little, thinking. "I'm afraid not. But I do have some homemade lemonade, if you'd like."

Sookie agreed, so Harry told her to sit on the couch and relax while he got their drinks and some snacks.

How on earth is she supposed to relax? Sookie asked herself once she was left alone. She was in his house, a virtual stranger, and he could control her mind. The only way she could relax is if she was with Bill.

Before she could panic and talk herself into leaving, Harry came back with a tray. Sitting across from her, he served their drinks and just silently watched her with a tint of curiosity in his eyes.

"How are you able help me?" Unable to take the suspense any longer, Sookie snapped. "I've tried everything, asked people I trust, and have no idea how to stop it. You're a lot younger than me, and you can control my mind, like you did at Merlotte's. How?"

Harry was amused, that must have been building up for a long time.

"I can help you because I had to learn, same as you do." Knowing he couldn't reveal his Wizarding history, Harry decided to give a bare bones description. "My mind is connected to another's against my will, and sometimes I get dragged into his thoughts. Contact is painful, sometimes excruciating. I had to learn to block them to keep my sanity."

Sookie was shocked, she'd never even imagined that something like that could happen. What could connect two different minds, and how did that potentially drive someone crazy?

"But you learned to stop it? You can teach me to block everything but myself out?"

"Sure." Harry agreed easily. "But it'll take time, and it won't be easy. Are you ready?"

"Yes." Sookie agreed breathlessly.