Warnings: Hints (much like the twilight books that never actually outright says it) of disturbing themes, like rape, abuse...nasties. It doesn't go into detail and is more hinted at than said, again about as informative as Rosalie's story.
Chapter 2:
(2/11)
1798:
Harry looked around the desolation that surrounded Hogwarts once inviting grounds. There was rubble and hints of the battle recently fought littering the area.
Harry rubbed the tops of his arms the coolness of the biting wind seeking all the gaps and holes in his clothing. His doublet and robes were a lost cause so he stood in just a battered and stained ruffled once white shirt and his pantaloons, his cravat had long disappeared ignoring propriety for the time being, it was inconsequential to worry about something so trifling after the devastating battle.
It had been a long year, searching for and destroying all of Voldemort's Horcruxes and ensuring the knowledge of how to make them was destroyed and then battling and defeating the man himself.
Harry was just glad for his two best friends, Ron and Hermione. It wasn't strictly protocol for the engaged couple to traverse around England and Scotland but Harry could count as a chaperone, he would if they were shunned by society for it.
Never had Harry been more relieved when he had found out that the wizarding world didn't discriminate between same gender couples. Unlike the Muggle world it was not against the law for two wizards or two witches to have a relationship but it was expected that an heir had to be produced. So while two men or two women couldn't marry, they were not forbidden from affaires.
If you were found out to like the same gender in the muggle world than a hangman's noose was your doom.
Harry had found wizarding tolerance for this confusing considering their intolerance for many things; the magical world was a little skewed on logic though.
The only real prejudice found in the magical world was blood purity, that and a few magical creatures weren't given equal rights, like goblins and house elves.
Harry had spent his school years being shunned by the purebloods for having a muggleborn mother and shunned by the muggleborns for having a pureblood father, it was stupid. He had never even known his parents yet how he was treated was based on their blood lines.
There weren't many people who overcame the blood purity issues. Ron, a pureblood, and Hermione, a muggleborn, were two; the entire Weasley family in fact was scorned for their acceptance of muggleborns.
Harry sighed, breath misting in the frigid air.
Blood purity hadn't mattered in the Battle yesterday as people fought against Voldemort for freedom, for their families. Hopefully it would help towards tolerance for all, halfbloods, muggleborns and purebloods. Harry wasn't holding his breath though.
Harry was at a loss what to do now Voldemort had been defeated.
He supposed he could plan for Hermione and Ron's wedding, he wasn't going to take no for an answer, he was going to give them a properly expensive honeymoon as a present and pay for their wedding no expense spared.
A smile curved Harry's lips as he stood alone on the steps of Hogwarts envisioning his friend's future happiness.
He barely noticed as Luna joined him with a quiet rustle of her torn and dirty skirts watching the sunrise over the forest. Harry did notice however when Hermione appeared and dragged them inside to the warmth and for a bite to eat.
It was only then that Harry realised how hungry he was and that his feet were bare.
xxx
Harry smiled at Severus over the top of his goblet full of rich imported wine.
Severus rolled his eyes at Harry but his dark eyes were warm. Severus had been noticeably different once the war was over. Harry didn't doubt that being a spy and tricking Voldemort was incredibly taxing, he was just glad Severus could now relax.
After the battle and after Harry had found out Severus had survived he had sought the man out, to return the memories Severus had given him to show him that he was the last Horcrux and for the long overdue apology for looking in the mans pensieve years ago.
Harry had visited Severus after that, ignoring the barbed comments sent his way. Severus may have been more relaxed now the war was ended but he was still Severus Snape and he knew what comments hit home.
And slowly Severus started to enjoy the visits.
Or at least tolerate them; his biting sarcasm seemed less...intensive and more for amusement than to deliberately pour salt on wounds.
Both men were dressed to the nines much like many of the other people that circled round this rather extensive party.
Harry had a distaste for such frivolous displays of wealth but he had to attend as did Severus apparently. Harry fiddled with the edges of his long green coat with absent motions of his thin fingers.
"I have heard some interesting rumours circulating." Severus stated in his silky voiced drawl. Harry could spend hours just listening to the man for his voice alone.
"Severus Snape, listening to the gossips now are we?" Harry teased lightly. Severus rose an eyebrow with feigned disinterest leaning in slight closer on the chaise longue they shared in the corner of the ball room.
"The whispers ruminating over your life are particularly irrepressible and rather arduous to quell." Severus sniffed in mild contempt. Harry knew the man had put many in detention for gossiping, Severus despised it.
"I'm flattered you care." Harry gushed batting his eye lashes hand held over his heart. Severus snorted at Harry's dramatics before his face turned serious and his voice when he spoke was barely audible.
"There are rumours about your new beau, rumours of a dark nature and ones I am disinclined to ignore." Severus warned Harry eyes dark. Harry swallowed but quickly regained his smile.
"See this proves that you, Severus Snape, don't despise me! You do care about little old me. I can take care of myself, Severus, but I do appreciate your concern." Harry finished in serious tones his mood going from teasing to sombre so quickly Severus blinked. Severus's lip curled.
"It is hardly concern, brat." Severus sniffed turning his attention to the wine in his hand. Harry stifled a fond smile as he dismissed Severus's words, Theodore was perfectly nice and his wife didn't mind him conducting affaires on the side as long as she was allowed her own affaires since a son and heir had already been born.
xxx
Harry came too, slowly and with deep reluctance springing from the various aches and pains that flared through his body.
Why did he feel so thoroughly beaten?
Harry nearly groaned aloud as his memories swamped him and he realised why he felt so broken. His heart literally stung with the betrayal along with the bruises and marks that littered his body.
Theodore and Harry had had a quiet courtship, away from the limelight, sharing meals and occasionally a bed. And Harry had felt...cherished, loved even. Harry had had fun with Theodore.
Until the night before had shattered any illusions Harry held about Theodore's regard for him. But how could Theodore do something like that? To him? To anyone?
He should have listened to Severus all those nights ago at the party where he had warned Harry about Theodore.
Harry regretted so lightly dismissing Severus's concerns.
Harry slowly tried to sit up in the comfortable bed he was laid upon. Harry's jaw locked as he resisted the urge to whimper or hiss in pain.
He ached everywhere.
Sitting up was worse than lying down so Harry returned to a prone posture. Harry ached deep inside and his tender flesh seemed to throb even as he stayed still so as not to aggravate the injuries. He couldn't find a position that didn't make at least some bruises throb.
Apparently Ron had found him lying in the entrance of Harry's house bleeding and bruised unconscious on the floor and brought him straight to Severus. Severus wasn't technically a healer but he had enough medical knowledge and knowledge of his potions to help in this case.
Harry had trusted Theodore which meant the other man had easily gotten the jump on him, Severus always did complain that Harry was too kind, too naive, too trusting in people.
Being constrained by magical ties and disarmed, helpless to Theodore's whims and fancy had almost scared Harry more than what Theodore actually did.
When Theodore had finally finished and left the room Harry had spent an hour or two fighting the blackness at the corners of his vision and ignoring the searing agony flooding him while he struggled to get free. Harry thanked Merlin that Theodore had left Harry's wand in the room sure Harry couldn't escape, it was a flaw on Theodore's part. Harry had apparated away from the stained bed, to the front doorstep of his house (he couldn't apparate into the house because of the wards) and that was where Ron had found him after he had lost the struggle with consciousness.
xxx
1802:
Harry smiled at Severus's exasperation.
He didn't like attending the social parties either but it was sort of necessary and seen as rude if they declined, especially since this party was for the Hogwarts battle attendees. Severus couldn't care less if he was seen as rude but Harry dragged him along to these soirees anyway. Harry avoided any party he knew Theodore would attend despite the impoliteness of not attending.
Harry was in such a good mood Severus hadn't been able to deny the brat.
Harry grinned brightly, he had spent the day with his godson, little Teddy who was nearly five now. Teddy was such a sweet cheeky child, Harry was glad the boy had Andromeda (Teddy's grandmother) to look after him despite Remus and Tonk's deaths.
Harry watched the milling crowd of men and woman dancing in the middle of the room to lively tunes and he let the chatter and music surround him, the pleasant buzz of noise soothing in an odd way.
His eyes snapped open when the screams started.
Harry could never really remember clearly what happened next.
One moment he was semi enjoying a party the next there were blurs of motion, pale men and women with red eyes and blood streaming from broken bodies.
Harry and a few others snapped into motion wands out and spells flying attempting to subdue the group of five vampires that had entered the party uninvited and begun killing anyone they could get their hands on.
By the time the authorities arrived half of the people attending the party were dead and many others injured. It was an immense amount of damage caused by only five vampires and that just testified to the vampires impossible speed and unmatched strength. If they were muggles none of them would have survived.
Harry could recall in perfect clarity the burning agony that seared through his veins from the single vicious bite on his shoulder. Harry tried to keep quiet but it wasn't long before he screamed.
Harry didn't scream for long, it did no good to scream. Instead he lay still while the fire flowed through his blood burning him from inside out. Time ebbed and flowed at varying speeds. It felt like an eternity when the pain impossibly increased and Harry thought his heart would jump out of his chest it was thumping so fast and furious.
Then suddenly, silence.
It took Harry a startled second to realise the pain had stopped, utter relief from the respite from pain filled him and Harry spent minutes simply relishing in the bliss that was no pain.
He could hear buzzing, what sounded like voices murmuring but too far away to catch. The room he was in was silent.
Harry opened his eyes.
He could see everything.
Harry breathed in, the action didn't feel the same as usual, there was no burning desire for air making it mandatory to breath. Harry liked the normality of that simple action so he continued to breathe in and out evenly even if he technically didn't need to.
There was a burning dryness to his throat that no amount of swallowing quenched...and the smell...
There were mouth watering scents coming from nearby. Harry stood up wanting, no needing, to get closer to that scent, that scent that would quench the fire burning in his throat.
The fluidity of his movement snapped him back into reality and Harry stilled in shock looking down at his hands and the clean clothes he could not remember wearing before.
His hands were...so pale, Harry had always been pale but this was...And his movements, Harry had never really been graceful nor had he been clumsy but now...he was fluid, so graceful a mere movement to stand up looked like the beginnings of a dance.
"Hello?" Harry called out hesitantly, he stilled in shock at his voice, so melodious, mesmerising almost. He heard the quiet buzzing murmurs halt at his call.
Harry waited muscles locked as he ignored the conclusions his mind thought up.
Slowly the door opened and wand first a familiar man entered the room looking at Harry with visible fear. Harry stayed rooted to the spot as the delicious scent, intoxicating, filled the room emanating from the man before him. Harry could imagine in glorious detail stepping forward and drinking, basking in the warm blood hidden beneath a pitifully thin membrane. It would take little to no effort, just stepping forward with his fluid grace and gently snapping that thin neck to get to the deliciousness Harry could sense below the thin skin.
"...Harry?" The man questioned voice trembling slightly. At the sound of his name Harry snapped out of the vivid imaginings of killing the man before him. Harry stepped back almost too fast for even himself to see clearly wincing at the flinch the man gave out at his sudden movement.
"Neville...don't come closer." Harry eventually forced out of his throat with the little air that remained in his lungs. He made conscious effort not to breathe in otherwise the intoxicating scent of Neville's blood would undo him.
Neville's face showed unexpected relief at Harry's words although he didn't lower his wand. Harry mentally nodded at that, Neville was right to be cautious still.
"I knew you would gain control of yourself quickly. You were the first to stop screaming as well. Three days of agony and I already know you're fine." Neville muttered to himself a small grin playing across his lips.
Harry sent Neville a questioning look not daring to breathe in enough air to speak, he could recall all too well the tantalising scent of Neville's blood, he could almost taste it...
Neville knew Harry well enough to answer the unspoken question.
"Right well, five vampires crashed the party and cause havoc. They killed nearly half the room before people started reacting. Luckily three of the vampires were too overwhelmed by blood lust to even think to dodge the spells sent their way. Unfortunately two of the vampires were not so easily distracted from their goal and bit a fair few people, you included.
While the aurors were rounding up the dead, after all the vampires had been subdued, Luna told me and Ginny to round up those bitten and to take them away so you weren't all killed by the authorities before you were even turned.
I apparated you and some others out while Ginny and Luna also brought the rest of the others bitten. Only a quarter of that party of people escaped death or vampirism." Neville explained in his soft gentle voice.
Harry listened to Neville in eerie stillness. He felt no need to move, no urge to fidget or even blink.
"Anyway, I managed to find some books, sorry I had to sort of take a few from your library...and found out that newborn vampires are typically unstable, incredibly strong and near constantly overwhelmed with blood lust. You're the only one so far who has managed not to try and drain me." Neville commented with a tired but cheery grin.
He set an odd coloured potion on the floor.
"The room is soundproofed from inside but you might be able to hear a bit seeing as your hearing is much better than before. Drink this potion; it should help you control your bloodlust until you can hunt. Luna says you should be able to drink animal blood, apparently she's heard about a vampire who lives off of animals only." Neville explained before leaving the room and presumably casting numerous spells on the door to keep Harry in.
Harry, still not daring to breathe, picked up the potions vial and downed it in one.
He barely noticed the vial falling from his fingers and shattering into hundreds of tiny shards as a sudden thought hit him, with the force of an anvil striking a forge.
He, Harry James Potter, was a vampire.
xxx
Vampires were different to humans in various ways Harry had never even considered before.
For one, the emotional ties that had linked them when human were...not so strong as a vampire and for another, well, most of the vampires turned at the party and rescued by Neville, Luna and Ginny didn't seem to mind drinking blood from humans, killing people with frequency for food.
Harry had a suspicion that if it hadn't been for Teddy he too wouldn't see much of a problem with killing and drinking from humans.
Whenever Harry even thought of drinking from a human, killing them for his own satisfaction, his mind instinctively flashed to Teddy and he felt sick at the thought he could drain anyone. Because everyone had a mother or a father or a sister or a brother or a friend or someone they cared about and who cared for them.
How could he take away someone when it would essentially be him taking a 'Teddy' away from them?
Hermione and Severus also were deeply against taking a human life for food, Ron also only drank animal blood but whether that was because of his own morals or Hermione's nagging Harry was uncertain.
The others seemed happy drinking from humans, muggles.
Slowly Severus, Hermione and Ron's eyes lost the eerie red colour and turned a mesmerising topaz colour. Inexplicably Harry's eyes lost the red and became the vibrant green he had sported before being turned. Severus reasoned it was because of the Killing curse, Harry's eyes were brighter than Lily's had been and were the exact colour of the deadly curse.
They had to leave the wizarding world, wizards and witches alike clamoured for vampire blood after the massacre at the party.
And so for a while Hermione, Ron, Severus and Harry split apart, going their own separate ways. (Ron and Hermione together, of course.)
Harry found himself travelling round Europe, learning other languages and taking night courses to learn muggle subjects he had never even heard of before. He hid during the day when the sun was up; sparkling in broad daylight was not a good plan.
It was harder to go hunting in the cities he visited but Harry managed well enough as he attempted to perfect his control.
It was not easy to ignore his bloodlust and while Harry hadn't slipped up yet there were a few near misses, mainly when someone had cut themselves and so the blood was like a sirens call.
Occasionally too there were people whose scent was divine, it smelt just as intoxicating as when there was fresh human blood spilt in front of Harry only the blood was still contained by the thin membrane called skin.
It was only a few years before Harry met with the Volturi.
Aro seemed curious about Harry, curious over his green eyes and determination to survive on the far less satisfying animal blood.
Harry took care to keep the fact he could still do some magic hidden from the Volturi leaders, he did not want to be recruited or seen as a threat. It all came to naught though, when Aro touching his hand with odd gentleness saw his thoughts, rifled through his mind like it was a book Severus had claimed the mind wasn't.
Aro wasn't surprised; he had been around for long enough to know much about the wizarding world. He was slightly shocked that Harry could still do magic, some not much, as most wizards and witches couldn't after being turned.
Severus and Harry had retained more than the usual amounts of magic as a vampire but whether that was because they were more magically powerful as humans than most others turned or not was yet to be proved.
Aro then introduced Harry to another vampire, one who also had never tasted human blood, a vampire who was staying with the Volturi for a while, a blond haired vampire named Carlisle Cullen.
Harry was immediately intrigued by the vampire doctor, so compassionate in his dealings with humans.
Harry spent many hours, days, weeks, months even with Carlisle, talking together discussing various things that came to mind.
Harry genuinely liked some of the Volturi guard despite their different opinions. They could never quite understand how or why Harry chose not to drink from humans and Harry couldn't fathom drinking human blood himself.
It was during one of the times where Carlisle and Harry were sitting in silence in the massive library that Aro 'tested' them.
Aro had a freshly dead body, bleeding slightly, placed outside the library doors which were open as usual. He had also ordered all other vampires away so they wouldn't fight for the freshly dead body and the blood.
Harry stiffened as the tempting scent hit him and he placed the book he was reading down onto the table picking up a quill, bottle of ink and some parchment and beginning to sketch all the while forcing himself not to jump over to the body, still warm, and drink. Carlisle didn't even seem much bothered by the scent and Harry envied him his control.
A little part of Harry cursed Aro for the test. Aro was just doing it out of curiosity but it still rankled Harry.
It was like holding a bottle of the finest cognac in front of a recovering alcoholic and telling them it was all theirs. Only much more potent. Or the latest fix of opium to an addict.
Harry could feel Carlisle watching him curiously. Not many vampires could withstand the siren call of fresh blood.
Harry just continued with his sketch, drawing the lines and planes he had memorised years ago.
Harry looked at the finished sketch sadly, longingly, as he gently smoothed a finger over the dried ink. He had nearly completely forgotten the blood just mere metres away from him in lieu of the small sketch.
Carlisle looked at the picture curiously.
"Who is he?" The blond haired vampire asked quizzically. Harry gently smoothed a finger over the curved cheek of the picture he had drawn.
"He was my godson, my Teddy." Harry barely spoke, far too quiet for a human to hear but Carlisle wasn't a human. He turned compassionate eyes to Harry's desolate face.
"Was?" Carlisle questioned gently.
"I did not see him once I was turned. The last time I saw him was mere hours before I was bitten. He would have been an adult by now...I could not risk harming him but by the time I had controlled my blood lust enough to be relatively safe to see him I found out he had died of sickness." Harry explained painfully.
He leaned into the comforting embrace Carlisle offered, it had been a while (many years) since someone had comforted him and the embrace was appreciated greatly.
Carlisle didn't move away even as Harry lost himself in memories of his little godson.