'A confession has to be part of your new life.'
~ Ludwig Wittgenstein

The day was chilly, the leaves were turning ochre, withering as the life was sucked out of them. Summer was dying, Harry just hoped this wasn't prophetic. The watery sun shone her rays over the damp grounds, illuminating the dew and raindrops that had accumulated on the vegetation and making them almost sparkle before his eyes. He doubted Ron and Hermione could see this, his eyesight had improved considerably since his change, he only kept the glasses to avoid awkward questions. He knew Lysander and Blaise were wondering what he was doing, both had looked at him quizzically when he announced he wanted to go for a walk with Ron and Hermione. His reason for this was to catch up, however he knew his friends never believed him in the slightest. No doubt they were huddled with Draco in some corner of the library trying to come up with ideas. It was an amusing picture, but the anxiety curling in his gut distracted him and he grew sombre once more.

They were heading towards the forest, the trees swaying collectively in the wind, almost beckoning them to shelter underneath their aged bows. Gladly, they ducked into the enclosure, and Harry spotted a rotten tree stump, wondering if that was the same one he had sat on whilst talking to Draco. Little flowers and moss were growing at the base, destroying the decayed look and rejuvenating it. Sitting, he waited until Ron and Hermione had made themselves comfortable, both looking at him, their expressions fluctuating between bemused and wary. He hadn't realised they had been this suspicious.

"Harry, why did you want to speak with us?" asked Hermione, shattering the silence and scaring a nearby pheasant.

"I haven't been entirely truthful with you since we've gotten back," said Harry, testing the waters and watching their expressions carefully. Nothing changed and he felt it safe to go on. "Over the summer I discovered more about my heritage. These revelations were alarming at first but now I've come to accept them and I hope you do to."

"We will Harry, we knew you had changed, that something had occurred. I'm just glad you are finally telling us," said Hermione, Harry wondered if she would take it back once hearing the full extent.

"Go on mate," said Ron, Harry smiled, at least they hadn't run away from him screaming.

"I, I'm a vampyre, not a normal vampire however. My mother had the gene in her DNA and the creature blood my father had helped activate it along with my magic," he scanned their features again, and both looked deep in thought.

"How did you find this out?" asked Ron finally.

"Tom Riddle helped me, he guided me through the change in my dreams before collecting me and taking me away to the Midnight Realm. The realm is a safe haven for all dark creatures to protect them against the purges of the Light. Now this isn't the Light we all know and were raised by. They too have a realm and Dumbledore is acting for them in the wizarding world just as Tom is for the Dark. Over the years the Light have spread propaganda about the Dark, eradicating those found to be Dark creatures and destroying the balance of power. There was a meeting of the clans long before our world as we know came to exist. It was at this meeting both sides agreed to co-exist to maintain the balance, however the Light have disrupted this and we need to restore the peace," Harry knew he wasn't describing this as well as Tom, however understanding dawned on Hermione's features as Ron still processed what he had been told.

"You've gone Dark haven't you Harry?" asked Hermione.

"Yes, after seeing what the Light has done I have no other choice," said Harry gravely.

"This means Tom is Voldemort doesn't it?" Harry was surprised she had figured this out so quickly and his stomach dropped when he realised that it was now or never.

"Yes," he said, the word sounding heavy even to his own ears.

"Why did he kill you're parents then?" asked Hermione, her brow furrowing slightly, her thirst to know the facts suspending her belief for a moment.

"He never, Dumbledore did," said Harry. The silence was deafening as his friends processed this. He could practically see the cogs turning in their minds.

"Why?" asked Hermione.

"He wanted me to be sent to my relatives. He hoped that they would lower my self-esteem so much that I wouldn't be able to cast the simplest spells. Your magical strength relies party on confidence and partly on the power contained within your core. Basically if you don't have the confidence you can't access your magic. If this happened, the vampyre gene wouldn't have activated and I wouldn't be a vampyre," replied Harry.

"Why you though?" asked Ron.

"There is a prophecy that says Tom and I shall restore the balance. This meant Dumbledore's reign would come to an end and he can't afford that to happen," said Harry.

"Is it possible to get proof of this, I mean its Dumbledore! He's stood up for everyone, I don't understand how your faith has dropped in him so much," said Ron. This was the reaction Harry had feared, the one that he knew he would have trouble getting through to them.

"Please keep an open mind, I can get you Tom's memory, you can judge for yourself," said Harry.

"So are you really trying to restore the balance of magic, not take over?" asked Ron. It stung, but Harry had known to expect it.

"Yes, taking over would plunge the world into chaos, something neither me nor Tom wants," he replied.

"How do we know this is the truth, memories aside?" asked Hermione, her eyes told him she was sorry at having to ask this but needed to in order to form a balanced opinion. At least she was considering it.

"Look at what has happened over the years. We get taught Defence Against the Dark Arts but not the Dark Arts themselves. The discrimination Professor Lupin faced when it became known he was a werewolf, a Dark creature. How Light spells can also be used for evil, I could accio your heart out right now whereas in comparison avada kedavra kills one instantly, more kindly-"

"Wait, how can the killing curse be used for good though? Accio can summon anything and can be used for good purposes, but I don't see how avada kedavra can," asked Ron.

"Its all about intention Ron. The killing curse can be used as a form of euthanasia, however depending on the intention it could also be used for murder," answered Hermione, her tone exactly like it would be in the classroom.

"Do you believe me?" asked Harry, looking between the both of them.

"I will need to do further research but yes, judging by what you've said and the evidence you have presented I would say it is plausible," said Hermione, smiling at him.

"I believe you, however I can't abandon my family. They will be on Dumbledore's side, be that for good or bad, no matter what and I don't want to have to go against them-"

"I understand Ron," said Harry quietly.

"Let me finish mate," said Ron, grinning and relieving the tension slightly, "I'd rather remain neutral. You're like a brother to me and I don't want to have to be against you either. There are obviously more factors in this war that I don't understand and I don't want to risk my life for something I can't comprehend. I'm out."

"Are you sure about this?" asked Harry, his eyes boring into Ron's, trying to detect a flicker of doubt. Brown eyes stared defiantly back at him, staring him down and showing him he meant every word he said, "Thank you Ron, I never knew what to expect from either of you but I never thought you would stick by me."

"Face it mate, you're stuck with us. Just do me a favour, when you're discussing Dark plans leave me out of it," said Ron, standing up and dusting himself off.

"Did you honestly think we would abandon you for what you are?" asked Hermione incredulously.

"I was a bit stupid wasn't I?" laughed Harry, relief coursing through him at the thought that he still had his two best friends.

"Yes," replied Ron and Hermione.

"So can you do any cool vampyre tricks?" asked Ron, curiosity burning beneath the flippant tone.

"You really want to know?" asked Harry in disbelief, he really hadn't expected this level of acceptance.

"It is rather fascinating, I hadn't known vampyres could exist in this way," backed up Hermione.

"Okay, I can run fast, use wandless magic, see in the dark, fly to an extent, I don't feel the cold much, Phase which is like apparating, get tired during when I'm in sunlight, heightened senses..." Harry was struggling to think of any more, he thought he had covered them all.

"Wow," the word dropped from Ron's lips laced with awe.

"It isn't all its cracked up to be, try training with Tom, he's a slave driver," said Harry, wondering what Tom would look like if he said that to his face. He'd probably get an ass kicking. Actually, on second thoughts it might be worth it.

"Have you been training with him here?" asked Hermione, the little frown on her face that showed she was thinking about something really hard.

"Yes, why?"

"That explains it. From what you've told us Dumbledore wants you dead and so it wouldn't make sense for him to train you, other than to make you go against Voldemort unprepared and force him to kill you. Tom has been Phasing into the castle hasn't he?"

"Sometimes I forget how smart you are," said Harry, taken aback by how quickly she had figured this out, "Yes he has, how did you know?"

"Hogwarts: A History says that the wards around Hogwarts are only against wizards, not creatures. This is because the house-elves need to be able to move around undetected but it is only logical that it applies to other magical creatures to."

"Can we go to a meeting?" asked Ron suddenly.

"Yes, I would like to talk to Tom about this, it would give me more evidence with which to base my decision," said Hermione.

"I'll have to ask, but it should be fine," said Harry, wondering how his lover would take Hermione's questions.

"Oh! We better go back up! I hadn't realised the time, we have to complete that DADA essay!" exclaimed Hermione, casting a tempus charm.

Walking back up, the sun seemed to shine brighter, the thick grey clouds dissipating as Harry felt joy coarse through him. Regardless of their decision they would still be friends with him. He hadn't realised how much this had been bothering him until now. It felt as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders and he breathed in deeply, luxuriating in the feeling. Now all he had to worry about was Tom's reaction when he found out he'd told them. Crap.

A/N: Thank you for the feedback, you've really increased my confidence in this story! I really don't like it when Ron is portrayed as jealous or hating Harry for turning Dark. That said I couldn't imagine him siding with him so making him neutral seemed to be the best option. I hope you agree. I know that this chapter repeats a lot of what was in the first couple, its more a refresher and there is no way Ron or Hermione would believe him if he brushed over it quickly. Also sorry for the late update, I was finishing another fic that was taking up most of my time.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter.

I apologise for any spelling and/or grammar mistakes.

Please Review!