A/N: The next couple of chapters (this one and the next) will be pretty much all chat and explanation.
Harry awoke with a gasp, sitting straight up. Then fell back against the pillows. He felt oddly sluggish, every movement was a struggle. He groaned, and tried to sit back up.
"I'd just rest for now." A cool voice whispered. He looked up to see the queen standing at the foot of his bed. "You've been asleep nearly a month. One of the longest I've ever seen, which is saying something. I've lived a very long time. You overshot my own transformation by two days."
He tried to speak but all that came out was a dry rasping sound.
"I've contacted your friends. Told them we were still deep in negotiations, though I'm not sure if they believe me." She smirked. "Not that they were bold enough to call me a liar to my face."
Harry tried once more, to say something. Then pointed at his throat and glared at her.
She lifted an eyebrow. "Demanding are we? But I suppose you are thirsty. In case you're wondering, you're not hungry because you've been hooked up to an iv. Looks like it's time to have your first actual taste of blood."
She went to a small refrigerator in the corner and took out several blood bags. "You're going to try a little of each of these til you find your preference."
She stuffed them all into the microwave. At his questioning look she explained, "Warming charms and cooling charms make the blood taste funny so we've, most of us anyway, taken to using refrigerators and microwaves. Never once in my life thought I'd find use for a muggle appliance."
When they were done she set them down on his lap and sat next to him on the bed. "No complaining about how gross it is to drink blood. Remember that this was your choice and face it like a man."
One by one, he drank the bags of blood. The fangs popping from his gums had freaked him out a bit at first. As for the blood, he wanted to hate it, but it was ambrosia. Heady and delicious, life giving. AB- was his favorite. It was like finding a truffle in a bag of M&M's. All of it was good, but AB- was just better.
He sat up and stretched, feeling refreshed. His mind wasn't as hazy as it had been when he'd first awoken. His strength returned.
The queen smiled. "You would choose the rarest."
Harry frowned at her, the look on her face was…odd. It looked almost maternal. And what was this warm fuzzy feeling growing in his chest?
"What have you done to me?"
She raised an eyebrow. "You mean the drinking of blood, fangs, and such wasn't enough of a clue? I've turned you into a vampire."
"You know damn well what I mean!"
The bright smile dimmed a little. "I'm sorry. I know that you probably don't want this, but, I couldn't help it. I've wanted this for a very long time."
"Wanted what?"
If vampires could cry, though Harry really wasn't sure if they could or not, he imagined that she would be starting. "A child."
"What the fuck does that mean? Explain yourself!"
She blinked a bit and glared. "Now listen here buddy. You may be in possession of a plethora of hyphenated names but I am Queen of the Vampires, the oldest and wisest of all beings. As such I deserve respect. Do not take that tone of voice with me. All will be explained in due course."
Harry would've blushed if he was able. As it was, he stared down at the blankets, avoiding eye contact. Having not had a mother, he wasn't used to being scolded like this. Hermione came close, but she was a friend and a peer. The queen on the other hand was an authority figure in every sense of the word. In a way it felt almost, nice.
"Alright, I'm sorry." He said very chastised. "It's just, this is a lot to take in all at once. Everything is changing rather quickly and I'm just trying to get used to it all."
"I understand, really I do. And I'm sorry that I didn't tell you the full truth. But, I assure you, it was not entirely out of selfishness. This was the best option for everyone involved. And I think you'll find that both of us will benefit in wonderful and most unexpected ways."
"What exactly, have you left out?"
"The way I turned you, well, it was special. To change someone, all we really need to do is bite you once. Which is why we are classified as dark creatures. To prevent a population explosion, in the old days before bagged blood, we were forced to kill our prey. Nowadays there is even a spell that transfers blood from a human to us. It's nowhere near as satisfying but it works just the same. But back then though, we had no other choice. We had to drain our victims completely."
"So, you're telling me that I didn't have to drink your blood? That the transformation had already started at that point?"
"Yes."
"Then why?"
"Patience. I'm getting there. A blood transfer between vampires creates a bond. Usually when this occurs, the vampire drinks from the neck. It's how we turn lovers, though it is not necessary for a true mate. It changes them and shares a bit of our power with them; making them as close to our equals as possible. To drink from the wrist, however, is an act nowhere near as intimate. It creates a familial bond as opposed to a romantic one. The more blood shared, the deeper the bond."
"So what does that mean?"
"For one it means that you're more powerful than Dumbledore and Voldemort combined."
Harry goggled at her.
"Yes, I thought you would like that. However, it also means that you are, for all intents and purposes, my son. Just as I, am your mother."