Lessons:

And when I awake the world around me has changed.

Like a child that one day wakes up to realize the trees are not so tall and that his parents are just people -that make mistakes.

A child that finally grows tall enough to reach the secret closet door where his mother hides the candy,

realizing for the first time that the world isn't as big as he thought.

The sky above my head still seemed as far away as ever.

But everything else? How can I describe it! The details of the ground beneath me revealed tiny creatures, ants and worms, and the closest pine tree turned out to be a rich deep golden color I have never seen, all around me was this strange land of colors, scents and details …

Funny, I was so transfixed by this, that at first I forgot who I was. Only the uncomfortable ache in my stomach reminded me of my own existence.

It was then that I realized it was night! And that I could see.

I moved my fingers to my face, relishing at the touch of my skin that felt like silk or rubber, and found no glasses.

Slowly I moved my hand to my forehead unsurprised to find the familiar lighting bolt scar still in place.

All I wanted to do was to feed my senses: to touch and smell.

I felt frightened-did I turn into a beast? The thought made my stomach burn.

I didn't dare search my mouth for fangs, instead I closed my eyes-this made the new world around me feel almost normal. So I was able to think. 'What now? What did being a vampire mean?' for I didn't feel different-deep down I was still Harry and just as confused.

And yet the vampire-at list at the moment, was making its needs very clear.

I instinctively knew what I needed, and that all I had to do was let go.

So I did.

Running at top speed, my legs felt light, the forest was nothing but a green smudge of color.

I run and run, until the scent that my harry mind knew to be blood, but the vampire interrupted as food, came near.

Standing in a clearing, I let the scent move me; it was the most natural thing to do.

Bending down, to where the animal lay. It was a deer. And it was dying.

And I wanted to be sick, I knew I should feel sick, but I didn't.

Instead I felt my mouth water, and my body tense. This is so wrong…

The deer was bleeding on the grass, from a wide wound at its back.

But let me tell you, what they say about vampire hunger is an understatement.

I knew hunger up close, I grew up with it. The Dursleys were responsible for that.

I was always skinny, even Hogwarts food couldn't make up for that. I enjoyed knowing I won't be hungry. That meals are provided for.

It wasn't something to think about, summers were always an emptier affair.

But this…it was terrible, if regular hunger was hollow then vamp hunger was best described as a burning fire that filled the stomach and spread to the tips of the fingers, it was out of control. Brazenly ,wild and free.

So I fed. Until the burning subsided and made way to a lesser need.

And when I was done, I set there on the damp bloody grass and wanted to weep.

But no tears came. I was afraid that if Rita Skitter asked me what my hobby are I would rather enjoy answering;

'ho I like drinking deer blood, you know if human blood is unavailable, being a vampire and all.'

Some short time later, I was startled from my gloom. The rustling leaves signaled the arrival of another vampire.

I could smell a scent that was similar to my own yet weaker. It was Dmitri of curse. in vampire sight he appeared different, I could see golden streaks in his auburn hair, and thin lines surrounding his sapphire eyes.

'Enjoy your meal?' his easy voice, was louder than it should, he barely moved his lips!

'You bastard you killed the deer!'

He shook his head 'so ungrateful, done your work for you, better know you place now'.

If he thought that I was going to start submitting to him now he was mistaken.

'I didn't before why would I now?' laughing, he approached me 'as insolent as ever, that's good to know, but your survival depends on me now' he Easily helped me up 'you're a young vampire, a baby, you cant feed on your own' I glared' so teach me, but don't expect me to be your little puppet!'

He just laughed his hearty laughter again,' first lesson, never speak the truth! You're as honest as ever, Harry, to honest for a vampire'.

Standing close I found him an even more enticing sight, pearly skin that glowed and eyes that up close seemed tired.

'So I'm a vampire now?' I sarcastically bit out. Dmitri looked at me with the strangest expression but all he said was 'you have much to learn'.

And so the lessons started. Unlike Hermione I weren't particularly studios-preferring practical useful spells and lately some of the more dark variety.

But these lessons were different, first Dmitri showed me how to locate the cave' it's your home now, and its where you can take shelter from the sun'. Apparently, though vampires could walk trough day light without perishing, they simply preferred to sleep during the day.

'Some of what I'm going to tell you is very secret. Vampires aren't secretive for no reason-we protect ourselves.'

And so I learned, that vampires derived their strength from feeding on blood and from directing their energy to strengthen themselves,

'Is that why vampires don't use magic?' I asked. He nodded ' we aren't as strong most humans believe, we build our strength slowly as the years pass, and a vampire can become very powerful if he feeds regularly, avoids direct sunlight-and learns to use the energy derived from feeding-to cast spells.'

I thought I was starting to understand, but this was too confusing,' so you do use magic?'

Dmitri could be very patient when he wanted.

'not the way human wizards do, we can cast spells using the energy we receive from feeding, if we want to, but it's unnecessary -our strength is magical in itself.'

We walked through the forest, until we reached the cave, where Dmitri showed me what he meant.

'your body is stronger than you can imagine, he told me' your senses can tell you everything you need to know; the direction you need to take to get where you want, the time of night or day, if someone speaking the truth or fears you everything' .

and it was true, at first I had to close my eyes so I could recognize the scents around me, Dmitri made me recite everything I could sense; grass, rain, mushrooms, flowers, rabbits'..

'What kind of trees?' he would ask and I would feel like hitting him but then I heard myself say' pines and oaks'.

And after that it became easier to trust my new senses to let them give me the answers. Next Dmitri led me to a stream, where he made me judge the temperature of the water with my vampire senses.

I sniffed and closed and opened my eyes several times but couldn't figure it out, 'try touching the ground, Harry' was the strangest advice I ever got, but it worked.

''it's cool ,almost freezing' 'is it?' I sharply looked up; Dmitri was smirking at me with that familiar Slytherin smirk 'yes…'and next thing I know he throws me in the water!

I went flying right into the middle of the water, the air swishing around me 'you bastard!'I managed to cry, just before the surface of the water broke in a crashing sound and I was enveloped in it.

It took my breath away; I never felt anything quite like it before. The water caressed me. Its temperature wasn't affecting me, but its beauty was.

like a liquid mirror of silver and green. I felt myself go limp, flouting at the surface of the water, above me I could see branches of trees as they swayed in the gentle wind.

Lying on my back I let the water carry me for a while longer before looking for the sneaky vampire.

I almost panicked when I couldn't see him, but then I remembered how to look. He was right there close by, waiting.

Grinning I Easily made my way back, enjoying the sound the water dripping form my clothes made when I stepped back on the ground, Dmitri welcomed me with a big cloak 'I wanted you to see' he whispered.

'And I did, thank you Dmitri' I sincerely whispered back.

Sure being a blood drinking beast wasn't the most morally conscience thing, but I learned it had its concealed beauty.

I gained so much, by becoming a vampire, more then I hoped for-because before there was no hope.

There was only being trapped. In a life that's not my own, n the life of harry potter the savior of the Wizarding world.

And though I knew ill have to face reality sooner than later, I knew I found what I have lost before.

Ironically now that I was undead I discovered the simple joy of being alive.