Chapter 2

Summer's End

August had been an eventful month. He had learned that his mother was still alive, and that his father was a vampire named Sanguini. He learned that he himself was a vampire and that he was loved.

He had spent most of the month either getting to know his parents, or learning what it meant to be a vampire prince. A few days after his first taste of blood, he had been brought out with his father to learn how to hunt. He had gone out every other night to learn how to hunt on his own, and so far he had done it without incident. It appeared as if he was a natural.

From there, he had learned that both of his parents could control one of the elements. His father's ability to control shadows had passed on to him, and so had his mother's ability to control fire. He could now manipulate the shadows around him to stay hidden, and had even been able to pull a Peter Pan (1).

So much had happened and he was grateful for every bit of it.

Harry walked through the halls of Castle Crimson and slipped into his father's study.

"You wanted to see me dad?" It was still slightly odd that he was calling someone dad.

"Yes. Please sit."

Harry took the chair on the other side of the desk and looked at his father before the man smiled.

"Your mother will be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year. And I will be moving to the manor just outside of Hogsmead to be close to the two of you. Furthermore, you will have a bodyguard while attending your final year of school."

Harry was slightly startled to find out that he was going to have a bodyguard. He was quite powerful now; surly he would be able to take care of himself.

"If you don't mind me asking, why will I have a bodyguard?"

"You are a prince. There are many who would wish to kill you as a way to get to me. You are my heir, and when I retire, you will become the next king."

Harry nodded slowly before slowly standing.

"Who will be my bodyguard?"

The door to the study slowly opened, and in walked none other than Sirius Black. Harry's heart clenched and he turned back to his father quickly.

"How is this possible? He died."

Sanguini smiled softly.

"Your godfather is a vampire. Vampires that fall through the vale are able to return from it."

Harry couldn't help but run to his godfather's arms and take him into a tight embrace. It seemed that his life was getting better with each passing day.

Harry was dressed in lose black jeans with a dark black t-shirt. In his hand, he held a leash. The leash was attached to a collar which was around Sirius's neck. No one knew that Sirius was still alive and the man wanted to keep it that way. Besides, as a dog, Sirius could follow Harry many places that he would not be able to follow in his human form.

Currently the two were strolling through Diagon Alley.

The summer had come to an end, and now it was time for the school shopping. He doubted that anyone would recognize him. He had grown so much over the summer, and he now had a more muscular build. His glasses were long gone, and the only remaining sign that he was in fact Harry Potter came from the lightning bolt shaped scar on his forehead which had been covered up with a simple glamour.

Harry slipped his supplies list out of his pocket and read down the list slowly.

The potions supplies were first. Everyone purchased those last, so the apothecary was pretty much empty. From there, he went to Madam Malkin's where he got a new set of school robes to fit his larger form. He slipped into Flourish & Blotts and quickly gathered all of his books, paying for them quickly so that he could get out of the most crowded shop.

He opened up a bottomless backpack that he had resting at his side and slipped his books in.

Suddenly, a sea of ginger colored hair obscured his vision. He smiled softly as he saw the Weasley clan. Perhaps he should go say hi. He knew that they wouldn't recognize him, but then again, he knew that he could convince them that he was really him.

"I'm so glad that Potter disappeared. I won't have to pretend to be his friend anymore."

Harry was shocked that these words were coming from Ron's mouth. Beside him, Sirius growled.

"It would have been nice to marry him though. All that money. Both the Potter and the Black fortunes. I would have had one of his bratty children and then taken that money from him."

So Ginny had been using him as well? Harry's heart was breaking.

"Ron!" Harry looked up as a bundle of bushy hair ran past him and into Ron's arms. The two kissed. "I missed you so much Ron. I'm sorry I couldn't see you over the summer. My parents took me on vacation overseas. Did you hear about Potter? We no longer have to go on his insane adventures with him. It's about time. I hated him!"

So…Hermione had been using him as well.

"Let's go Padfoot."

Just as they were about to turn, Harry heard Ron's voice snarling something.

"Well, if it isn't the foul death eater in training."

Harry turned quickly and was greeted with the sight of Draco Malfoy. Harry winced lightly as he looked at the Malfoy heir. He seemed to be glowing. Harry blinked quickly as he realized something. His mind wandered back to what he had read in the book he had been given.

Each vampire has several potential soul mates. A vampire's potential soul mate will appear to glow. This 'glow' is the vampire seeing their potential's aura.

So Draco was a potential mate.

Harry stood straighter and prepared to defend Draco, but the blonde seemed to ignore the Weasley clan and walked past as if they were not even there.

That scent was intoxicating. He wanted nothing more than to follow it, but this was not the place. What if the other was human? What if the other ran away when they found out that he was interested, that he saw them as a potential mate? No, it was best to wait. He knew that he would see them again.

Harry followed Draco through the crowds of Diagon Alley until he they slipped into a seemingly abandoned alley. At the end, was a simple metal door that read 'Deadman's pub'

Harry let go of Sirius's leash and moved forward quickly, grabbing Draco's arm to stop him from entering the pub.

Draco slowly turned, revealing that his pupils were slits.

"Can I help you?"

He jumped as his arm was grabbed and turned to the one that had that amazing smell wafting off of him. The man was beautiful with his deep black hair, pale skin, and emerald eyes. He was of the perfect build, and the same height that he was.

"Who are you?"

Draco had changed over the summer. His hair was much longer and now had to be held back by a piece of leather cord as it fell to the middle of his back. His eyes were no longer the slate grey, but now seemed to be pure silver with the pupils being snakelike slits.

"Who are you?"

Harry blinked. Surly Malfoy knew who he was.

Realization came to Harry suddenly. He didn't look anything like himself. Slowly, Harry removed the glamour from his scar and moved his bangs away.

"Potter?"

"Not technically a Potter, but yes. It's me. I went through a few…changes this summer. I notice that you have as well."

Draco looked down at himself and nodded.

"Yes. I came into my inheritance as a dragon. You?"

"Vampire."

"Harry! He could be an enemy; you shouldn't just give away your identity." Sirius had taken his human form and was scolding his grandson.

"Don't worry Sirius. I can see his aura."

Sirius looked between the two and laughed softly.

"Oh, your father will find this quite funny. Being the potential of your biggest rival. It's like Romeo and Juliet."

Draco blinked as he heard Sirius speak. He wasn't that surprised that Sirius was alive. People seemed to come back from the dead all the time in the wizarding world.

"Let us hope not. As I remember, it didn't quite end well for them."

The summer had ended. Harry had not seen Draco since that time in Diagon Alley and he was itching to see him again. He had gone into the pub with the Malfoy heir and the two had spoken for hours. Harry had told him about vampires while Draco had told him about dragons.

Harry had learned that dragons could find potential mates through scent; he had also said that Harry smelled amazing. He learned that Draco wasn't hatched from an egg, but born in a human form. Draco could control the basic elements of fire, ice, water, earth, nature, and air. He could come into a half form that gave him large dragon like wings and after he mated he would be able to take on a full dragon form to protect his mate and any future hatchlings.

They had been forced to part however; without discussing what they would do about being potential mates.

Harry had been anxious to see Draco ever since.

It was currently September the First and Harry was curled up in a compartment of the Hogwarts Express with Padfoot resting on the floor, already asleep.

The compartment opened, revealing a redheaded girl. Ginny Weasley looked around the compartment before her eyes landed on Harry and she smiled like a cat that had caught a canary.

"You must be a new student. I'm Ginny. It's so nice to meet you."

Harry felt like gagging at the attention. It was obvious that she was openly attracted. Perhaps the rumors of her being the school slut.

"Excuse me Weaslett, but my friend is not interested, I can assure you that."

Ginny turned quickly to see Draco looming over her.

"What would you know Malfoy?"

Harry smirked. "It is true Weaslett. I'm not attracted to women. Especially foolish girls that throw themselves at any attractive man."

Draco pushed his way into the compartment and slammed the door behind him before casting a wandless locking and silencing charm.

"Harry, we need to talk about being potentials."

Harry gave a single nod.

"Indeed we do."

Next chapter, they have their conversation and they arrive at Hogwarts.

(1) Harry can unleash his shadow where it gains a consciousness of its own.