Another Beginning

Chapter 37

Changes Begin A Chance Anew

The next time Severus came around, the house was cloaked in darkness, beyond the glass house he could see the moon shining down and it was whole. Nothing was heard, cloaked in silence but he could feel Harry nearby, vigilantly looking out for him. It was ironic really, he had been the one looking out for Harry since he was eleven, how times changed. Did he want to be turned into a vampire? With the possibility of having no magic. He might only be a half blood, raised in the Muggle world, but he'd always had magic and always read about it for as long as he'd been able to. Although he could live without magic, it's the potions brewing that would be the biggest hit for him in all honesty. Even now he could feel his body weakening, breaking down soon, very soon he would be at death's door, and he had to be strong enough to survive the first part of turning until the venom got to his heart and truly began to change him. He knew everything there was to know about vampires especially those ones. He had talked to Carlisle at length about them, curious about their life never thinking he'd have the opportunity to be one of them.

"Are you hungry?" asked Harry breaking the silence after ten minutes, it wasn't really the question he wanted to ask but he refrained - this was Severus' decision. If he chose to pass on, all he could do was make his passing as painless as possible. The thought nearly crippled him, but he would do whatever Severus wanted/needed. He was rather hoping it wouldn't come to that.

"No," denied Severus, his stomach had shrunk so much that he was still full from the hearty soup Esme had made earlier.

"Okay," said Harry quietly, staring out at the trees surrounding the beautiful home. "Are you in pain? Would you like more pain killers?"

"I'm fine," said Severus preoccupied.

Harry just nodded absently, wondering what Severus was thinking about so thoughtfully.

"Carlisle said you woke up early, I never did think to ask how early…" said Severus, turning to face Harry curiously.

"Nine hours," said Harry wryly, "Magic sped the process up, at first I couldn't use it, but that's only because it was very depleted first by the duel and then the turning."

Severus stared impassively at the teenager, nine hours? When it had taken everyone else three days to turn. Would he too only take nine hours? Or would it take three days? He was magically extremely powerful, although probably nowhere near Harry's talent; there certainly wasn't a way to find out either. Did he want to do this? Become a vampire? He wouldn't be able to be near his godson for years until he regained control of himself. Was he actually considering this? He must be going soft or losing it. If he was honest with himself, he didn't want to die; he'd only just truly begun living for the first time since he was seventeen years old. A few years ago he would truly have embraced death but now…he had others to think about as well. Both Draco and Harry, could he really be selfish enough to leave them when they needed him? Draco more so than Harry, who had a new family now.

"Do it before I change my mind," said Severus gritting his teeth, realising he had no choice.

"Really? You mean it?" asked Harry his green eyes flashing in relief.

"You do understand that you cannot just change everyone don't you Harry? That it's not possible for you to turn everyone you love when they are dying?" said Severus solemnly.

Harry stared at him his green eyes dimming, "I know." said Harry sorrowfully.

"Good," said Severus. Relived beyond belief that Harry didn't think he could prevent the inevitable with everyone he loved.

"Do you want me to get Carlisle?" asked Edward coming down the stairs.

Then they heard Jasper, Emmett, Alice and Rosalie jumping out the top windows to leave. Emmett and Jasper weren't good with flesh blood, and instead of waiting for an accident, they decided to leave it to Edward, Harry, Esme and Carlisle.

"No, I'll do it." said Harry grimly, with his magic imbued venom, hopefully it might help harness Severus' and enable him to keep and use it afterwards. Looking down at Severus, he noticed that the wizard was once again practically unconscious again.

"Are you sure?" cautioned Carlisle, it was extremely difficult the new born had no idea how hard it was. Nevertheless he would remain close by, waiting, if anything went wrong he would be there to sort it.

"Yes." said Harry determinedly.

"Very well," said Carlisle looking worriedly on. Walking further into the room, he stood firmly at the back of the sofa determined to be there. Edward stood at the front door, just in case he felt any urges. He'd just gotten over drinking from Harry if he was honest, the temptation may just prove too much. Then again what can anyone expect? They were Vampires, they loved blood it's just the way they were made.

"Severus?" whispered Harry, but the wizard was sleeping. His worry beginning to settle in, what if he couldn't stop? Maybe he should leave it to Carlisle...he had turned others after all...but no, he'd asked Severus to do this, it was on his shoulders and he would do it. Taking a deep unnecessary breath, he struck, biting at his neck, causing Severus to arch up in agony.

"Easy," said Carlisle, coming around worried Harry wouldn't let go. His worries were for naught, since Harry let go very quickly as if the taste of blood repelled him. He continued biting Severus, both his wrists and ankles until nearly each area was bitten.

Backing away, pained not only by the screaming Severus was doing but by the pull the blood had on him. He hadn't expected it to be quite so...delicious tasting or compelling, he preferred the Imperious curse to this. Flicking his hand he cast a silencing spell to stop his friends from hearing it and thinking he was murdering Severus.

"Go hunt, I will watch him, I promise." said Carlisle, he was very aware that Harry cared deeply about Severus.

"Let's go Harry," said Edward, pressing his hand against Harry's back and shoving him in the direction of the door. Not that Harry resisted, he ran as if the grim was on his heels, desperate to distract himself. Animal blood was the best thing to distract him right now.

"I hope it only takes nine hours, like it did me." confessed Harry as he and Edward walked home. Three Elk later, Harry had finally felt full enough and confident enough to return. Although instead of running like they usually would, they walked slowly as if they were normal humans trekking around Forks.

"I know," said Edward, "I hope so too." he agreed. He knew it would kill them all to see Severus in so much pain and be unable to help him. At least he would survive, that was the main thing.

"I meant what I said before you know," said Harry stopping in his tracks.

"When?" asked Edward stopping as well, curiously.

"I'm glad you turned me, I never thought I'd have anyone to love now I have a dad, all my friends back a new family and most importantly - I have you." said Harry, wrapping his arms around Edward, his face in the crook on Edward's neck.

"It's a decision I'll never regret either," said Edward, relishing in the contact, they'd not had any time to themselves for the past few days. Two days was a long time to them, since they were awake every minute of every day. "After this is over, I'm taking you on a long vacation just the two of us."

Harry's musical laughter filled the forest, "I agree," he finally managed to get out through his merriment. "I'm going to miss them all though, very much."

"I know you will," said Edward, "its part of growing up; you wouldn't see them much anyway if you had a job or were training to do something."

"Maybe, but we weren't allowed to experience that, but they are now, that's all that matters." said Harry seriously, "It's better than the alternative." that they be gone and he alone forever.

"Come on, let us get home," said Edward quietly, he could sense the humans nearby, hopefully Harry would be full enough and off the temptation. Yet he wasn't going to let it tempt Harry, he was after all still very young despite his miraculous capabilities which by they way still baffled Jasper to this very day.

Next chapter Severus will wake up but will it take three days or just nine hours like Harry? after all one could argue Severus is actually really powerful like Harry...he could fly like Voldemort when none of the other death Eaters could...at least that we saw...he knew and performed spells that seventh years did in first year...will he keep his magic and the ability to brew potions? will they all move to the magical world and settle into permanant homes? giving vampires better names and not classified as 'DARK CREATURES' but rather just Creatures? R&R PLEASE sorry I didnt finish it tonight but tomorrow i'll see it through and finished...with a bit of luck :) it's been so long really it has to be finished and since its near its end i may as well! :D