Chapter 2 Questions And Answers
They arrived at the entrance of a castle that felt older than Hogwarts and probably was. Here Andrew led the way towards Harry's rooms. Several people bowed as Harry passed them, making him blush with the unwanted attention. It was much worse than what he received at Hogwarts. Finally they arrived at Harry's rooms and Harry walked through the sitting room into the bedroom and laid Hermione on the bed. A knock on the open door revealed Andrew with an ancient looking woman walking hunched over towards the bed.
"My name is Morgana, my Lord. I am your healer and if you will allow I will attend to your mate."
"Thank you and could you also check on my friends?"
"They are already being attended to my Lord" she replied while pushing Harry out of the way so that she could start checking Hermione out. Harry left his mate in the hands of the ancient healer and returned to the sitting room where Andrew was waiting for him.
"Uncle?"
"Please call me Andrew my Lord."
"Only if you call me Harry."
Andrew smiled. "Agreed."
"What is this place?"
"This is the ancient home of the Lord of the Vampires and has housed the Potter line and clan for more than a thousands years. It all started with the daughter of Godric Gryffindor. She married Alfred Potter, a vampire, and thus started the Wizarding vampire line in Britain. You are part of that direct line. The Ministry does know about us but cannot tax, fine us, or interfere with anything that takes place here, since this castle and the vampire throne have been here longer than the Ministry. Not that we are above the law, but like the goblins, what ever happens here, whatever judgments are passed, stays here and they cannot interfere."
"How many live here and what do they do?"
"We house around five hundred to eight hundred families and servants. They perform service to the castle and to you. Some are your personal guards or servants. Some cook, clean, or trade. Some are masters in special fields like potions or wand making or such. They provide for the castle in exchange for housing and protection. Some live nearby with their relatives or mates and use the castle as a market for trading."
Morgana returned to the sitting room. "My Lord your mate will be fine and will awaken in the morning."
"Thank you Morgana, you have my gratitude. "
She studied him for a minute and said "You will make a good lord, my Lord" and left the room.
"I have never heard her praise anyone like that before. You are going to be great and powerful."
Harry blushed red and quickly changed the subject. "How are the Deatheaters holding up?"
"They are demanding to be released saying that we are on the same side." Harry snorted and Andrew continued "Some of the clan wishes to feed from the Deatheaters do you have any objections to that?"
Harry thought for a moment and answered "No but I don't want them killed or turned and Bellatrix and Lucius are not to be touched at all." Andrew nodded. "Is there any way to feed off their magic and remove it permanently but not kill them?"
Andrew thought for a moment and said "There is an ancient spell that is said to allow the castor to feed on the magic of an individual instead of blood, but it hasn't been used in almost a thousand years and only those with pure intent can use it. I would need to find the text and verify the information before you think of using it."
"Please do. Now what about me? I mean what can or can't I do as far as being a Vampire or a Veela?"
"I think that what traits you have will show up when needed or when your emotions are extreme. You probably won't need to feed on blood very often and I don't know if you'll have wings or not but you certainly got the Veela beauty trait. Now I'll leave you to rest."
"Good night Andrew."
"Good night Harry."
Harry settled himself on the sofa not trusting himself to lye down next to Hermione. What was he going to do about Hermione and their being mates? It was enough to boggle the mind. He would let her decide, not forcing her to accept him as he knew he could. He respected her too much for that. If she didn't want to be mates then he would cross that bridge when he came to it.
A few hours later Harry was awoken by a female Vampire. She introduced herself as Meghan and was the maid of the Chamber. It was her duty to maintain his rooms and should he not be happy with her service another would be appointed in her place. She was also under a secrecy vow that would not let her reveal anything said or seen in his private rooms. To break that vow would meant death. Meghan left to bring a breakfast tray for him and Hermione, while Harry went to wake up his mate. Hermione was waking up as he entered the room. He could see the play of emotions on her face. Curiosity, relief, and fear all rolled into one. Then she saw Harry.
"You look like Harry Potter."
"That's because I am Harry, Hermione."
Her jaw dropped open and she just simply stared at him. "You're gorgeous" she blurted out and covered her mouth after saying it blushing bright red. Harry laughed. Curiosity won out however and she asked "What happened to you".
Harry explained about the letter, his transition, the Deatheater attack, and finding his mate. Hermione listened with rapt attention, making sure that she didn't miss a detail. She was surprised that Harry had found his mate already and wondered who the lucky person was, knowing that not all mates were boy and girl. "So who is the lucky person?"
"Um, promise that you won't fly off the handle or anything? My mate, it seems that I have known for six years and it is a girl. She smart and funny and to be completely honest I was very surprised as to who she was." Hermione felt angry because she thought that he was talking about Ginny, not her. Oh how she wished that it was her instead.
"Are you going to tell me who it is or do I have to guess?"
Harry laughed again. It was almost like Hermione was jealous or something. He really hoped that she was. "I won't make you guess but it's …. you." He waited for the explosion. Hermione simply blinked at him. He didn't just say it was her did he? Joy erupted inside her but she kept her voice level. "Me? Are you sure?"
"About as sure as I can get but I'm not going to pressure you or anything. The decision if we are to be mates will be your decision. If you don't want to or feel uncomfortable in that way I'll understand and leave you alone, even if it kills me. Now I believe that breakfast is ready. Care to join me in the other room?"
Harry held his hand out to help her up and led her into the sitting room. She admired the bedroom. It was done in a sage green color and oak furnishings. Simple yet elegant. The sitting room was a little more elegant, done in gold and ivory and more french in appearance.
While they ate, they talked about everything but the mate issue and discussed at great length about whether or not Hogwarts would open at all. The search for the Horcruxes and what everyone's reactions would be when they found out. When they finished Meghan showed up to take the trays away and to show Hermione the bath and retrieved some clean robes for her to wear. When Meghan left Andrew arrived with his family.
"Harry this is my mate Victoria and our children Nicholas, Nicola, and Nathaniel." Harry bowed and kissed his aunt's hand. He saw the look of pure hatred in her eyes before she could cover it up. Shaking his male cousins' hands and kissing the hand of his female cousin he couldn't get an opinion on them. But his aunt was someone to tread carefully around. Nicola seemed to be trying to slightly flirt with him, another thing he would need to watch, not that it would do her any good since he had already discovered his mate. In front of his family Andrew handed Harry a ring box and said "This is the Lord Potter ring. Place it on your right hand. It should stay there until you and your mate have bonded then it can be placed on your left hand as a wedding ring. Your mate will receive a smaller version and it will protect them from harm by others in our clan and allow them to speak for you if necessary." Victoria looked livid but quickly hid it as Harry placed the ring on his right hand. They rest of them left after witnessing the ring placement, leaving Andrew alone with Harry.
"I found the text that we talked about. The enchantment can only be used by a wizard or witch vampire. It's only used to drain the magic of an evil person or one that has used evil. Only with pure intent can this be done and if there is no pure intent then it won't work."
"What happens to the magic after it's removed from the person?"
"It's absorbed into the vampire, like blood. It will not change their magic. Instead it acts as blood to them so that they will not need to feed for awhile perhaps up to a month. Also what about the Order members? What are you going to do about them?"
"Bring them here but don't tell them who I am, I want the element of surprise." Andrew stepped out to talk to one of the guards when Hermione entered the room wearing blood red robes. Her hair was smooth and shiny hair which Meghan had some how managed to tame. She looked even more beautiful than she did for the Yule Ball.
"You look beautiful" said Harry quietly causing Hermione to blush. He could tell that she was nervous and a little scared only because he knew her so well. "There's no need to be nervous, I'm still just Harry." That statement produced a giggle and a smile. Even Megan smiled at the reaction as she straightened the room. Andrew returned carrying two envelopes bearing the Hogwarts crest. He bowed slightly to Hermione.
"Hermione this is my great uncle Andrew. Andrew this is my best friend and possible mate, if she wants, Hermione."
Andrew's eye widened at hearing what Harry was saying. He was allowing the young lady the choice to accept or refuse. Not many would do that, it had to be love. He went over to her bowed and kissed her hand. "I am honored to meet you my Lady and please call me Andrew."
"Only if you call me Hermione."
"You honor me Hermione." She blushed. "I have both of your Hogwarts letters" he said while handing the letters to Harry.
"Thank You. Now that you're here, we have some questions about the bonding."
"Naturally. What would you like to know?"
"I would like to know the nature of the bond and about the actual ceremony, if I decide to do this" answered Hermione sitting down on one of the sofas. Andrew sat down across from her when she indicated to him while Harry sat down beside her as close as he could get.
"The bond is unique to each couple. It develops over the years with trust, understanding, and love. Those that do not achieve this are unhappy with their bonding but there is no way out once you are bonded other than death or betrayal. Due to your friendship that already exists and the trust you share with one another your bond would be very strong even without love. As for the ceremony it is a simple bonding, similar to a wedding, but requires a blood mingling. A cut on your palms would, when you hold the other's hand will allow your blood to mingle together. This would allow you, Hermione, to have a longer lifespan and you will age comparable with Harry, who will age slower now that he is of age. You might be able to read each other's thoughts. And should you have children, they would age normally until they reached their coming of age. You, Harry, will not have a long a life span than myself due to your human blood. Also Harry might discover that he has other mates, should you choose not to bond with him. But if you do you must face the possibility that there might be another out there and that a bonding might occur. Hermione, if you do bond, you would be the first mate and carry the title Lady of the Vampires. Do you have any other questions?"
"No not right now Andrew. You have been very helpful and I thank you."
"Spoken like a true Lady. Don't forget about the prisoners Harry and your other Order friends will be here in half an hour."
"Thanks Andrew" and Andrew left the couple alone to talk.
"Harry what was Andrew talking about? What prisoners?"
"The Deatheaters that were captured when I changed and you were hurt but don't worry about it."
Hermione moved a little closer and asked "How did you know that I was your mate".
"Your scent. After I had changed, it sent my blood boiling. It still does whenever I'm near you. I can control it for now but I don't know for how long I can keep it up."
"Can I kiss you" she asked softly nearing his lips. Harry nodded, not trusting his voice. Hermione gently put her lips to his. Harry wanted nothing more than to crush her in his arms and kiss her senseless but he allowed her to control the kiss, knowing that this would help in making up her mind. The kiss ended in a 'wow'. She pulled back to look at him, her cheeks flushed.
"You were fighting yourself, weren't you, to allow me control?"
"Yes. I didn't want to frighten or upset you. This will be your decision. I won't pressure or pursue you if you say no, but all of me wants and hopes that you say yes."
"Will you allow my parents to visit?"
"Of course they can stay if they want to and I guarantee that no harm will come to them." Hermione kissed him again sending his blood over the edge. He held her tightly as they kissed not wanting it to end. Finally the need for air broke them apart.
"I believe that I will accept your proposal Mr. Potter."
Harry grinned. "Are you absolutely sure that this is what you want?"
Hermione just kissed him again. "How about we have the bonding ceremony tonight? There's a new moon. What better way to start a new life than with a new Moon? Could you send someone for my parents please? I would like to have them here."
Harry stood up with her and hugged her tight. "Write a message and I'll have Andrew find someone to deliver it and return with your parents."
Hermione went to a small table to write her message as Meghan returned with Andrew, Moony, and Tonks. The last two were surprised to see Hermione sitting in the room busily writing while a tall young man waited for them to notice him. The young man seemed familiar to both of them, especially Moony, who could smell Harry in the room, but didn't see his cub. It finally dawned on him that the young man was Harry.
"Cub is that you? What happened?"
Harry asked them all to sit while he explained everything. "But Moony, I don't want the others to know yet. This could be an advantage against Voldemort."
"And Hermione? What has she to do with all this?"
"Hermione is my mate and we wish to bond tonight. Andrew, could you make the arrangements and deliver Hermione's message to her parents. Please have someone bring them back. They are under my protection as are Tonks and Moony."
"I will see it done and congratulations."
"Also assemble the Deatheaters in the audience chamber in an hour, please?"
"It will be done" and Andrew left.
"So 'My lord' are you two planning to return to Hogwarts" asked an amused Moony.
"We really haven't discussed it yet but I know that Hermione wants to and I really don't think that I could stand to be away from her that long, so I guess that we will."
"What about the 'quest' "asked Hermione.
"I believe that the Vampires can help with that, love. Moony, would you stand with me tonight for the bonding ceremony?"
"I would be honored to Cub."
"Tonks will you do the same for me" asked Hermione.
"Well why not. It might give this lug an idea and act on it." That remark caused the older man to blush and the two teenagers to burst into laughter.
"Meghan could you have rooms prepared for Moony, Tonks, and Hermione's parents, please?"
"Of course My Lord. If you will follow me" and she led the other couple from the room.
Harry turned to Hermione and pulled her into a hug. "I'll be back in a little while. I have to deal with the Deatheaters. Why don't you look at our letters and see what we need to get for the new term."
"Alright but be careful and don't loose your temper with them." He knew that she was mainly talking about Malfoy and Bellatrix. Hermione reached up and gently kissed him on the lips. This time he lost some of his control and deepened it, making her moan. It took all of his resolve to end the kiss and leave the room.
