I sighed, massaging my temples. The first trip with Harry went better than I had thought it would, but the final Change would be painful, assuming it didn't kill him. I poured myself another scotch, that boy was driving me to drink.

Suddenly I felt another presence behind me, this of a fully fledged vampire. I twirled on the spot, wand out. I jabbed it against his ribs, "what the hell are you doing here, Dominic? You think that I wouldn't kill you for what you've done to Harry?" I think the amount of liquor I had consumed only worked to make me angrier, which was quite alright with me.

He had his hands in the air, well aware of how pissed off I was at him. "I felt that he was about to Change and came to see him one more time. You know as well as I do that he wouldn't have made it on his own. Voldemort's just too powerful for a teenager. He's strong Severus, he'll make it."

I growled, "you better hope he does, or else I'm going after you personally." I stowed my wand, knowing that unless Harry actually died, I wouldn't hurt him. He nodded, "I don't like it any more than you do, but think, it has brought the two of you together." I was suddenly suspicious, Dominic could be as manipulative as Dumbledore at times, "what is that supposed to mean?"

"Think, you've always loathed the boy, and now you're protecting him," he said, circling me. I growled again, I hated being prey, "I've always protected the boy. I never thought he would need protecting from you." He just shook his head, "this is different, now you care for him."

This had decidedly made me uncomfortable, so I changed the subject, "I take it you took care of his horrible excuse of relatives?" He shrugged, accepting the change in topic, "of course. Once he was out of that house I got to do all sorts of fun things to that vile woman and those fat blobs. They're still alive, of course, but they won't be soon." He smiled, showing off his pointed teeth and I felt a chill run down my body. He was as bad as the Dark Lord in his vengeance.

"Just let me see Harry, and then I'll leave," he said. I nodded towards Harry's bedroom door. I went to go get the needed potions, they dulled the pain and made the entire ordeal much less horrific.

I went into his room to see Dominic sitting beside the restless boy. He was tossing and turning in his bed, still asleep. He was murmuring quietly in the boy's ear and I couldn't quite make it out, though it sounded like some sort of apology. Dominic gave his hand one last squeeze before getting up.

He smiled at me mysteriously before blending into the shadows. I rolled my eyes, he's such a show off.

I sat beside him and uncorked the first potion, holding it to his lips. I knew he wouldn't wake up any time soon, so it was going to be hell to get him to swallow his potions. I poured it down his throat, massaging his throat to get him to swallow. I had to do that three more times. Finally he stopped tossing, sleeping somewhat peacefully now.

I looked at the poor boy who had been forced into my care. He had been gaining weight since he got here, so he was almost completely healthy. That would help, but few vampires made it this far, and that number got even smaller after the Final Change.

I consoled myself with the knowledge that if nothing had killed him yet, it wouldn't kill him now. He was a fighter, he refused to give up. Well, that's what I kept telling myself anyway.

While I sat at his bedside, large glass of Scotch in hand, I had time to reflect on how our relationship has changed. I had always cared that he was alive, he was Lily's son after all. But I never really cared for his well-being. I never thought of the affects that my constant snark would have on him, what's worse is that's on top of those horrid muggles and their constant neglect.

I heard the glass crack in my hand as my fist tightened around it. I forced myself to let go, setting it on the arm of the chair. I rarely ever broke things, but it seemed that the boy in front of my brought out the worst in me, whether it was his fault or not.

To be completely honest, I was mournful. Mournful that it took me six years and Harry almost dieing several times to realize what a special boy he is. Everyone else saw it right away, but no. It was the resemblance to that blasted father of his that blinded me from seeing the side of him that he inherited from his mother. Even now, it amazed me how pure he still was, for having brushed with so much evil and death.

Another sigh, I was out of Scotch. I brushed the hair out of Harry's eyes before getting up in search of more alcoholic beverages.

A/N: Happy Tuesday! The reason I decided to upload right now is for all those chumps like myself who restart school and I always love a good pick-me-up. That being said, it is exactly 4:20 in the morning here and for some odd reason, I can't sleep, like at all. But anyways, Dominic will be a reacurring character and possibly a very important character. Keep in mind, this story only goes until he steps onto the Hogwarts express, everything after that will be a sequel. This chapter doesn't have much in the way of furthering the story, but everyone needs a different perspective every once and a while. So review, favorite, subscribe, all that good stuff and I will give you all virtual brownies!