A/N: Another taste of action again in this chapter, hope you like it.
Thanks to my BETA Infusco Necrotis.
Invitations and Temptations
Harry slowly blinked open his eyes and found two blue orbs staying right back at him.
"Wotcher Harry" Tonks said quietly, not moving her eyes an inch from their position staring deep into Harry's luminescent emerald eyes.
"Morning Tonks" Harry muttered, not wanting to move his eyes either, he saw emotions flit across her face too fast for him to read.
"Oh! Did I fall asleep on the bed, I'm so sorry Tonks!" Harry said, sitting up.
She grinned at him, "Don't worry about it Harry, there was more than enough room…too much room if you ask me" she said and winked at him. Harry turned red and averted his eyes.
He frowned as he eyes came upon two very fancy dress robes, "Er…Tonks…are those yours".
"No…when did they get here, I didn't hear anyone come in" Tonks muttered, standing up and getting a closer look. Harry followed her over to see for himself.
There was a letter siting up on them, addressed to him, he reached out for it but stopped himself just short of touching it.
"Tonks…could you check this stuff for any dangerous hexes or curses?" he asked, stepping back.
Tonks mumbled something and waved her wand over the robes and letter, a blue glow appeared on all of them then faded.
"Nope, it's all clean Harry" she said before scooping up the female dress robe, it was a very silky fabric that was coloured a deep turquoise.
Harry picked up the letter instead, it read;
Harry Potter,
Salutations young wizard, you do not know me, but I know ever so much about you. My name is Slakis Singhorn of the Shie'rick Clan, a Vampire Clan. The vampire you killed yesterday was a criminal to both the Vampire world and the human one. As such, I would like to invite you to my house for a dinner. I know after yesterday you will not be quick to trust one of my kind, but I insist upon thanking you. It will only be me and my household staff at the manor so do not think of an ambush young one because I am rather more honourable than that. I also know the reason of your journey and remember the one who took it before you well…back when he was called Thomas Riddle.
A carriage will arrive at the Inn at 7 o'clock. I look forward to your company.
Yours,
Slakis Singhorn
Head of the Shie'rick Clan
P.S I took the liberty of providing dress robes for you and your companions as travelling clothes are not fit to dine in.
Ron and Hermione had entered the room just as Harry finished his letter, holding two more dress robes and looking confused. "What's all this Harry?" Hermione asked as she walked in.
He mutely handed her the letter to read, Ron and Tonks peeking over her shoulder.
"Another Vampire?! Why the hell would we ever willingly to go a Vampire's home" Ron yelled.
"Because he offered us information and means no harm…apparently" Hermione said softly.
"I think…I think…I don't know what to think" Harry sighed, and ran a hand through his hair.
"Let's have some breakfast first, ok?" Ron said hopefully.
Harry nodded mutely and walked downstairs.
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"Thanks…um…what do you know about Slakis Singhorn?" Harry asked hesitantly as the inn keeper gave them breakfast.
He looked at them in surprise, "Well, he's the head of the Vampire clan, Shie'rick, and is also one of the clans friendly to us. Even offering us protection…why do you ask?"
"He has invited us to dinner tonight" Harry replied, digging into this toast.
"I hope you accepted young sir, the townspeople rely on the Shie'rick Clan to help defend us from the less…favourable vampire clans" The innkeeper said as he walked away.
Harry looked to his friends, "Well…I say we go".
"He's a VAMPIRE Harry…" Ron said, in between mouthfuls of breakfast.
"I agree with Harry" Tonks said, "Me too" Hermione replied.
Harry looked at Ron, who gulped down his mouthful. "Fine…I hope you guys know what you're doing then".
"What are we going to do til 7 o'clock then" Hermione asked them all.
"Train?" Harry replied, shrugging his shoulders.
"I can teach you three some of the spells I learnt in the Auror academy" Tonks said brightly.
"Brilliant! Let me have a shower first" Ron said exultant and raced up the staris.
"Thanks Tonks, I'm going to go get ready for a shower to" Hermione said, and went up the stairs at a much more relaxed pace then Ron.
&$&$&$&$
"They have pretty long showers huh?" Tonks said awkwardly to Harry as they sat in their room waiting for Ron and Hermione to get ready.
"Yeah…" Harry said absently.
"Harr-Harry I'm sorry if I angered you by joining you" Tonks said looking down at her feet.
Harry moved closer to her, "No Tonks don't be like that…I'm happy you're here…just worried that you might get hurt just like everyone else…It's bad enough Ron and Hermione are here, I don't want you to get hurt because of me" he reached a hand out as if to touch her face but stopped centimetres away from her skin.
"Harry, I'm an Auror I would be in danger anyway" Tonks said, gazing deep into Harry's eyes.
He sighed and dropped his hand and stepped a half step back, "Not as much danger though Tonks"
She bit her lip and stepped forward, grabbing onto the front pockets on Harry's vest and pulling him closer to her. "Why does it matter so much? I want to be here with you" she whispered.
He looked away from Tonks before glancing back into her eyes, "I-I…I don't want you get hurt" he replied softly.
She stepped even closer and laid her palm on Harry's jaw, "Harry…I" she never finished her sentence because at that moment the door opened so Harry and Tonks jumped away from each other and saw Ron and Hermione come.
"So…what new spells are we going to learn" Hermione asked eagerly.
Tonks composed herself and took a quick glance at Harry before smiling brightly at Hermione, "Oh, a little bit of this, a little bit of that"
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Harry looked around his room, Tonks had finished teaching them a full disarming spells and shielding spells. Now they had gone of to do their own thing, Tonks was writing a letter to the Ministry to tell her she would be taking the holiday leave she didn't before, Hermione was studying another book on Magical Creatures and watching Ron practice a few moves with his sword.
Harry looked down at the book in his hand, Barely Legal Offensive Spells, there were some NASTY spells in here, but apparently they were legal so Harry wasn't complaining…not that he ever stuck to the law before.
Contendo Con-TEN-do The Cannon spell
Hex that shoots invisible ball of energy out of wand. Ministry's warning of Very Dangerous. Very deadly over a range of 1-15 Metres.
Performed with a jab forward of the wand.
Requires medium to high magic levels
Harry cocked his head, Sounds lethal…I want to try it.
He looked around quickly before aiming his wand at the wall and whispering determinedly, "Contendo", a sound like cannon resounded around the room and caused a hole to explode in the hall Harry had aimed at.
His friends rushed over to his side to see what happened, "What the hell was that Harry?" Ron exclaimed examining the wall before Tonks repaired it.
"A cannon spell…seems useful" Harry said simply.
Tonks laughed, "Indeed. Harry if you want to practice spells I can show you how to conjure a spell dummy. They used it in the Auror academy to run us through our arsenal of spells".
She showed Harry the wand movements and conjured one for him.
He grinned widely, this should be useful…I've got a load of spells I've been dieing to try.
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Harry and Co. made their way out front at 7 o'clock to wait for the carriage, they all were wearing the dress robes provided.
'They are very good quality' Harry thought as he rubbed the fabric of his own robe in between his fingers.
The robe that was given to him was black with a silver trim that gave Harry a very regal and commanding appearance. He'd caught Tonks glancing at him more than once, of course Harry couldn't say anything, he'd been caught looking at Tonk's form fitting robes more than once as well. She changed her hair to flowing Turquoise to match them.
Ron fidgeted, he had robes the colour of dark burgundy and they seemed to suit him, but Ron didn't feel very comfortable with the fact of willing travelling to Vampire's home and of course the richness of the fabric that covered him.
Hermione looked radiant in a forest green robe that also seemed to hug her curves that Harry couldn't help but appreciate.
Horse hooves on cobbled stone drew Harry's attention to the black carriage that advanced on them. Black horses, black carriage and a luminescent pale driver in black leather gave the carriage an eerie appearance as it stopped next to the group.
"Master Harry?" A cultured voice asked from the front of the carriage, Harry gulped and answered, "Yes, that's me".
The driver jumped down in front of them, landing on the ground with feline grace, "I am your driver this evening, Lord Singhorn expects you. I'm to bring you and your companions to him with utmost haste" he announced with a smile, revealing fangs, and bowing low to them.
"Er…Thanks" Harry replied awkwardly as the Vampire turned and opened the carriage door, causing steps to unfold down.
The driver gestured to them to enter; he nodded politely to each of them as they passed him into the carriage.
The insides were plush and cosy, they were barely seated before the carriage set off at fast pace.
&$&$&$&$&$
An old and ancient manor greeted them as they stepped out of the carriage. Far from being foreboding, the mansion was lit brightly and appeared to be well tended.
Their driver led to them door where they were greeted by another Vampire.
"Welcome Harry Potter, Nymphadora Tonks, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger to my home. I am Slakis Singhorn" The man before them proclaimed.
He was tall and powerfully built with silver robes accentuating his commanding presence, long black hair trailed down his back and silver eyes twinkled at them.
"You must be hungry, come, we will have a feast" He said, and led them to a large dining hall where a banquet of food awaited them.
They all sat in silence before Slakis spoke again, "Come, eat to your heart's content and feel safe and warm in my house. We will talk matters of importance after you are all fed and watered and feeling content.".
Harry and his companions dug into the food with gusto, each pausing once and looking at the regal lord observing them with an inviting smile and sipping a dark red beverage out of a large wine glass.
Ron, for once, stopped eating and spoke up, "Sir…is that blood in your glass?"
Harry groaned inwardly at Ron's comment.
Slakis merely inclined his head, "Indeed it is young one, but before you jump to any conclusions. My clan does not prey on the humans, they give us blood willingly and in return we offer protection".
Ron nodded his head and returned to stuffing his face; silence reigned once more until they were all bloated from the food and drink.
"Now that you've all had your fill, I will be blunt. I know you are following Tom Riddle's journey and I will ask you the same question I asked him" Slakis said, leaning forward and staring intently into Harry's eyes.
"Would you let an innocent man stay in his prison or will you claim massive power for yourself"
Harry opened his mouth to answer but Slakis interrupted him, "Think carefully now, think of your future…think of what you have and will have to do"
Harry closed his mouth and looked down at his lap.
'I wouldn't sacrifice a innocent man to get power…would I?'
"Give yourself some time to think about that, while you do, why don't we retire to the leisure room" Slakis said standing and leading them out of the dining room.
The leisure room was a cosy room full of couches, surrounding a large roaring fire.
"I've heard of fantastic stories concerning you all" Slakis said, seating himself in a large armchair.
"Answer me this…What do you think of when you perform spells?" Slakis asked, glancing around at them all. Harry was still deep in thought but looked up as the question was asked.
"Um…I suppose I think of the spell's movements and the spell pronunciation" Tonks said, looking around at the others and saw them nodding in a agreement.
He nodded, "That's the same answer I get from all the wizarding people I ask, but it's strange, the one man I asked that had a different answer…he was old, very old. He said that he thought about his emotions and the reason he was performing the spell…anger…love…longing. I've always wondered why he answered differently, who's right, who's wrong I shall probably never know but maybe you all should try it" Slakis said, glancing at Harry.
Raised voices were heard from the front of the house and Slakis stood suddenly, fury etched into his features, "They attack MY house?!" he yelled and turned back to his guests. "I'm sorry younglings, my house is being attacked, probably from another sect of Vampires, you must leave".
A shriek pierced the air and a multitude of blurs flashed into the room, knocking over chairs and attacking Slakis.
A few Vampires broke off and advanced upon them.
'Emotional spell work…put emotions behind the spells…attacking my friends'
Harry's knuckles turned white on his wand and he felt anger and power course through his body. He leveled his wand at the Vampire advancing on them and roared "Contendo!" Power erupted from his wand, and the Vampire's head exploded into a thousand little pieces. Harry screamed and rushed over to Slakis who had been knocked down.
"abbronzito!" Harry roared and sunlight once again burst from his wand. The Vampires standing above Slakis screamed and jumped away from the deadly sunlight.
Slakis waited for the sunlight to pass over his head before springing to his feet and turning a nearby Vampire to ash.
Harry turned and saw a Vampire turn to ash right in front of him as a mass of silver darts shot through him. He turned and saw his friends looking livid. Harry grinned slightly before diving out of way of a flying body.
With one last shriek the attacking Vampires fled leaving a ramshackle room and a 4 panting wizards and one injured Vampire.
Harry walked over to Slakis who was leaning heavily into a pillar, "Are you all right?"
Slakis smiled weakly, "I shall be fine Harry Potter. I am in debt to you, if you and your friends weren't here, I would have been done for. I thank you" He bowed to Harry then turned to Harry's friends and bowed to them also.
"My carriage driver is undoubtedly slain, so I must ask one of you create a portkey back to your rooms. I will clean this mess up and muster my clan for vengeance. You have my, and my clan's thanks, I will be your friend for eternity…" Slakis said, looking meaningfully at Harry.
Harry nodded at him as Tonks made a portkey out of a log.
"C'mon Harry" she said, gesturing the newly made portkey.
Harry made to leave but turned back once more to look back at Slakis, "I would help the innocent man, no amount of power will change that" He said quietly.
Slakis smiled broadly at him, "You have chosen…wisely, much more so than the one who gave you that scar" he said pointing to Harry's forehead.
Harry grinned and grabbed onto the portkey.
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"Night everyone, see you in the morning" Harry said, and walked into his room and slipped off the dirty dress robe but left his travel clothes on and slipped off his shoes and laid down on the bed.
Tonks slipped in next to him, "Good night Harry. Your life is very eventful" she said before closing her eyes and rolling over, facing away from Harry.
'You haven't seen nothing yet' he thought wearily.
A/N: Tell me what you think in a review. Thanks again to my BETA Infusco Necrotis.