Guest - I have been waiting so long for when I could give them some fluffy time! So of course the first proper them-together chapter would be fluff yay! As for your question... the second task is next chapter, you'll have to wait!

YokaiAngel - thank you!

Guest 2 - aren't they adorable?!

Guest 3 - I kinda like Harry/Viktor too, but I couldn't resist some Vlad and Viktor here since I don't think there is any other story they were both in. But of course, now Vlad is all Harry's!

miastmisty - I think I'm the only one writing Vlad/Harry but I could be wrong! I'm glad you enjoy!

Guys, I'm cool with guest reviewing but you gotta start signing off somehow, it's really confusing to answer you all!

Warning for... idk, something. There's touching but nothing super saucy.

-YDHP-

"So, how do you think we should do it?"

Viktor turned back to Vlad, taking his coat from over the fire in Hagrid's hut to check if it was dry after the rain. He didn't like drying charms much on the thick fabric, didn't always go all the way through he said. Harry was apparently as confused, looking up from his bucket-mug of tea. Vlad would have asked sooner, but Hagrid had only just left to check on Madame Maxime's horses.

"Do vhat?"

"The second task is like, two weeks away. You said we would have to split up before then, and I agree. Evil only knows what rubbish they would come out with about one of us throwing the task or something."

"Ah, yes. I have no preference, so long as you aren't misaligning my character."

"Well, I was thinking maybe I should shamelessly break your heart. Maybe you'll find someone through all the sympathy."

Vlad felt Harry take his hand - Viktor, Ingrid and Hermione were the only people to ever see him do such a thing and even then it was a painful rarity unless they were down with Samael. It still made his stomach flutter.

"Either vorks. People are going to ask questions, ve should set a few details straight."

"Mmm. Good point."

"Vlad?"

He knew what was coming, but he had promised. Sort of.

"What?"

"Told you so."

"Yes, you were correct. Be quiet."

Viktor grinned, finishing his own mug of tea. Another thing Vlad liked about Viktor was his humility, the fact he didn't care for grandeur just because he was rich and famous. He looked totally at home in Hagrid's hut with patchwork quilts and the odd chipped mug, didn't even complain about Fang drooling in his lap a little.

"Can't you just say you decided you were better off friends? I mean, if you have a big bust up style break up, you won't be able to be friends in public."

Both of them looked at Harry, who smiled back before swallowing the last of his tea and placing the big cup down.

"That is a very good point."

His mate smiled, sending Vlad's heart racing yet again. If he weren't secure in the knowledge his heart had less than a year and a half left to service him, Vlad would worry Harry was going to prematurely wear out the muscle that pushed blood around his human-ish body.

"So, how do you want to do this? Do we just... say it to people and wait for it to get out?"

"That suits me. I don't particularly vish to bother vith the press personally. Let the news do the rounds slowly."

"I would be sorry for your terrible break up, but your loss is my gain and I'm just about selfish enough to be happy anyway."

Viktor prerended to be upset by Harry's comment, but the smile eventually broke out across his face. This was what Viktor had originally predicted would come of their 'relationship' - he had Harry, and there had been amusing irritation in the death-muncher headmaster of Durmstrang.

"Have you been learning to swim?"

Thinking of the large chunks of time Vlad got to spend watching a wet, smiling Harry splash around with sodden fabric clinging to his muscles... he didn't realise he had been lost in the thoughts until Harry clicked his fingers in front of his face.

"Sorry. Yes, yes I have. It feels very strange to a vampire."

"At least it vas before you became physically incapable."

"Imagine that. Automatic failure due to champions vampirism."

Hagrid's heavy footsteps sounded and Harry released his hand again, and Vlad had to try really, really hard not to take it personally.

"Them horses are so fussy!"

"Zey are French 'Agrid. Are Viktor and Vladimir here?"

Fleur's voice was immediately recognisable, but Cedric didn't bother asking and stuck his head through the door of the half-giants hut.

"Yep. Oi, you two. We got a champion thing. Merlin knows what it's for, Hermione said you would be here."

Rolling his eyes, Vlad forced himself to stand up when it was so appealing to stay sat next to Harry and bask in his mates presence.

"I've got class in twenty minutes, they better give me a note for Moonshine."

"I'll tell him why you're late, don't worry."

"Thanks."

They bid Hagrid good day and promised to visit again soon - Harry opted to walk back with them and Vlad was glad he wouldn't be wandering the grounds alone. He may still be in the overprotective phase.

"I will see you in Potions, or Charms if you get held up."

It stung a little, always did to watch Harry walk away from him even knowing it was simply because of lessons. Viktor gently dragged Vlad in the direction they were supposed to be going, toward wherever Cedric and Fleur led them as they knew where to go. Presumably. They made it in the end, finding the usual collection of head teachers and tournament officials.

"What is this about? Some of us have class you know."

"Vladimir."

Dumbledore remonstrated him quietly, and Vlad fell silent if only to get them to get a move on. Almost immediately, he realised what they were there for.

"With the second task approaching, the judges and I feel that your relationship is perhaps not conducive to effective competition..."

"Hold on, did you call us all here to try and make Vlad and Viktor break up?"

Cedric was - rather sweetly, he supposed - indignant on their behalf, as the uncomfortable adults gave away volumes with their facial expressions.

"Surely eet is inappropriate for you to be involved in zeir relationship."

Fleur joined in defending them, but Vlad decided to reassure them it was unnecessary.

"While I agree, thanks guys, that our relationship is none of your business, your concerns are irrelevant."

"Vladimir and I have agreed ve are better friends than lovers" oh, Vlad was going to hex him, he couldn't just have said 'partners' "and ended our relationship. Ve are still good friends however, and you are politely reminded to stay out of our personal lives. Is that all?"

Some blustering and posturing later, they were let go and Vlad might only be about ten minutes late to Potions. Cedric stopped him, looking concerned.

"Is it true? You guys broke up?"

"Yeah, but it's fine. We get on great as friends, but that's it. Plus... life as a sports widow isn't for me, and he's never going to give up Quidditch so long as he can fly. We're good, don't worry. Thanks for defending us though."

Cedric nodded, smiled and turned off to do whatever he had been intending before they were dragged to a Champion meeting farce, Vlad assumed. Now Harry was his, his animosity toward Cedric had evaporated. A positive really, since it had been unfair to begin with.

"Sorry I'm late Professor, I-"

"Young Mr Potter already informed me, take your seat Mr Dracula, you haven't missed much. Now, about these weather potions..."

Vlad dropped into his seat next to Harry, setting up his supplies quickly and feeling measurably happier sat next to a certain smiling wizard. Weather potions were interesting in their flexibility, their variations but mostly Vlad just dreaded the thought Fred or George were ever taught to make a blizzard or swamp in a cauldron.

"Select one of the two on the board and complete it. Whichever you don't do this class, you will write an essay on for homework. Then we will move on to mild transfiguring potions next week! Oh, those are most exciting. Begin!"

Harry looked at the board, deliberating with which they would work on that class.

"Hmm. Which do you think will be easier to do the essay on?"

"Essay? Probably blizzard, but I think the swamp potions a little more volatile to brew so blizzard would be the easier class work too. Your choice."

Vlad probably ought to work on his passive behaviour when it came to Harry. He couldn't go through his whole life just doing as Harry wanted, though it was a tempting thought all the same to just make his mate happy.

"Perfect! I daresay half a cup would cover the classroom in muck and goop! Full marks Granger and Malfoy!"

It wasn't often those two didn't get full marks. Draco was a potions master in training, and Hermione both brilliant in her own right and there to help mitigate any issues Draco had, like overpowering scents or traces of silver in the correct ladle. Still, Hermione ducked her head and turned a light shade of pink, Draco grinned and did a little fist pump at his side where (almost) nobody could see.

Their blizzard potion got full marks too - and the classroom had a thick dusting of snow when Moonshine dropped the ladle in his excitement. It reminded Vlad of when Harry had kissed him the first time, in the snow outside. Seeing him with snowflakes scattered across his face was almost dejavu, and Vlad had to fight not to kiss him there and then as his heart raced.

Shaking his books off before they went into his bag, Vlad caught Harry looking at him oddly. He didn't get chance to ask what the issue was before they were swept along in the crowd leaving class. Harry slowed his pace to let everyone else go on ahead, so Vlad hung back too until Harry looked around, then pulled him into an empty room along the hallway.

"You look cute covered in snow."

Harry murmured, then kissed him soundly and Vlad felt giddy, like he had overdosed on a cheering charm or six. He supposed Harry had to be attracted to him a little, but he had never really vocalised it. Vlad didn't mind, he knew the whole 'gay' thing was new and tough for Harry and he wouldn't push it. That didn't mean Harry suddenly finding him so attractive he simply couldn't wait to kiss him wasn't awesome.

"You probably ought to have realised that before winter was over."

"Now I know how to brew my own snowflakes though."

Vlad attempted to feign disinterest, but it was an utterly pointless endeavour when it came to Harry. The second bell went off, reminding them they were now both late for Charms.

"Bats. We better go."

"We could skive off."

Vlad could feel his pulse rise beneath where he felt Harry's slightly warmer breaths against his neck - if Vlad didn't make the effort to tip his head down, he could now see clear over Harry's head with their height difference. It meant he was squirming at the feeling, breath condensing on his skin and fighting arousal.

"People will notice we are both missing. Might inspire gossip."

"You can skip class to study for the Tournament. I'll say I felt sick."

Vlad was only making token arguments, and when Harry grabbed him and made use of his Marauders Map knowledge to escape up to the top floor, then make it to the dorm with Vlad beneath the Invisibility Cloak, Vlad had zero fight. They had been... whatever they were for about two months now, but had done little beyond holding hands and slightly nervous kisses.

Harry seemed intent on reducing his brain to jelly, barely waiting for Vlad to put up the usual privacy charms on his bedcurtains before kissing him again. The usual gentle contact was surpassed, Harry's hand cupping Vlad's jaw and tentative sweeps of his tongue leaving Vlad whimpering, ignoring the fact he couldn't breathe until Harry pulled away and left him dizzy with desire.

"Are you alright?"

Head still swimming, Vlad could only nod and try to remember how his lungs worked. With the worst timing possible, blinding pain shot through his chest scar and he couldn't help curling inwards, naturally trying to protect the damaged area even though no actual threat was present.

"Vlad? What's wrong?"

"Just my chest. I'm f-f-fine."

He might have been more convincing if his words weren't laboured, if he hadn't stammered. Harry looked at him, all concerned expression and Vlad could feel how he worried, the emotion strong enough to pass along the ever-strengthening bond as he watched Vlad twist in pain. He reached out, but stopped short of actually touching Vlad.

"May I?"

"When have you ever needed permission to touch me?"

"It's different now though isn't it?"

"Not for me. Of course you may."

Harry visibly relaxed and Vlad couldn't help but be warmed by the respect he was shown - Vlad would never turn away his mates touches, but Harry made sure anyway. His touch still made Vlad tingle even through his clothes after the dizzying kisses, but it didn't do much for his scar pain. Hoping he didn't scare the wizard, and painfully nervous about it anyway, Vlad vanished the clothes from his top half to remove impediments to skin-on-skin touch.

Slow, as tentative as if he were made of breakable glass, Harry ran his fingers over the scar that had been essentially cut and burned into Vlad's skin. It didn't make the pain vanish, but it was muted by the comfort of his mates touch.

"Does it help?"

"Yeah. My own personal pain potion."

Harry's mouth curled up into a smile, brow furrowing again as he traced the shape of the scar over and over. The shape was identical to his own, but the contours of Vlad's torso and the size difference meant they no longer looked exactly the same.

"I just realised how you used to let me do this when it first happened. Must have been tough for you."

"You used to get in my bed and touch me. It was torture. Just... terrible."

He chuckled, watching Vlad's traitorous muscles twitched in anticipation each time Harry's fingertips made the round from one end of the lightning bolt to the other. The very end coasted the top of his stomach, abdominal muscles tightening and relaxing in time as he tried not to react too obviously.

"Do you think it'll vanish when you transform?"

"Bertrand does, but that's based on his knowledge of vampiric transformations more so than dark curses. I'm not sure."

"I hope it stops hurting but that it stays. I like that we match. Is that selfish of me?"

"No. It's exactly what I want to happen too. I like that we match, especially since your scar bothers you so much."

Harry reached up and patted at his fringe self-consciously, then shook his head and brushed it aside a little to reveal 'the scar'.

"I don't necessarily hate it. I hate what it represents, and I hate that people see it and not me."

"I see you."

He leant down and kissed him again slowly, scar pain already long forgotten as Harry pressed closer. He pulled back when Vlad couldn't help grimacing slightly, obviously worried he was hurting him.

"What is it? Still hurting?"

"Oh, no. It's just... your jumper is all scratchy."

Harry actually laughed, going to pull it off before changing tack and mimicking Vlad by vanishing it off himself. Vlad was fairly certain all his birthdays and Christmases had come at once when Harry's bare torso was available for his ogling - Harry was less shy than him, but still (sadly) mostly dressed all the time.

"What?"

"It's really unfair how a shot of basilisk venom makes you built when I'm a strip of vampiric nothing."

"Vlad, look. Look at allllll these muscles you have" Harry ran a finger over his pectorals, then down to his admittedly sort of visible abdominal muscles "you are just built leaner. That isn't bad. I like it."

Feeling his skin flush under the scrutiny, he wanted to cover himself shyly but Harry was touching him and saying he liked it. He could no more stop him than he could stop breathing. Although when his hand ventured further down hesitantly, Vlad thought stopping breathing was becoming pretty damn likely as he found Vlad painfully aroused - it was impossible not to be really, with Harry's hands on him.

"I don't know what I'm doing."

"You don't have to do anything if you don't want to, I'd die before I made you uncomfortable."

Dexterous fingers popped his button open and Vlad forgot how to breathe entirely.

"I know."

Touching Vlad, Harry found, was addictive. Even more than kissing him. Awkward and messy encounters were instantly a frequent occurrence, the whole terror of "what on earth do I do?" vanishing when he realised how responsive Vlad was, how gentle and caring he was when he reciprocated.

He wasn't sure he was going to be up for 'all the way' (that was what Vlad called it, because he said vampires called it mating which made him cringe) any time soon, but neither was Vlad. It was a sort of all or nothing for him, he said, and Harry was inwardly relieved he was as understanding as he was.

That didn't stop him loving those little sounds Vlad made whenever Harry's hands were on him, the rapturous way he watched Harry when he was returning the favour.

"Harry? Are you in there?"

Shaking his head to clear inappropriate thoughts, Harry realised Hermione was snapping her fingers in front of his face. Right. Library. Healing homework. He shouldn't be thinking about Vlad, who was off being measured - again - for whatever outfit the second task required. Why was it important they wear special things to dive into a giant lake?

"Sorry, zoned out."

"Well, stop it. Is he ready for the task?"

"Almost."

Vlad had taken to swimming quite well - especially when Harry stopped wearing a shirt. He was no Olympic athlete, but he had only been learning a month. The breathing underwater was still a sticking point.

"He's only got two days! What isn't he ready for?"

Harry peered around, checking nobody was eavesdropping.

"How he can breathe underwater for an hour. So far there's the bubble head charm, but Vlad wants something that doesn't taste terrible. I think that's a biter thing."

Hermione's eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed in thought as she turned around the library.

"Hold that thought."

She jumped up and disappeared into another section of the library, leaving Harry bemused and wondering whether to follow her. She returned with a couple of books, one of which he recognised was from the Restricted Section (Merlin only knew how she got that) on vampire physiology. She pulled out her wand and cast a silence charm - Harry saw it as a grey haze that absorbed soundwaves now - before she shifted the vampire book aside.

"Uh... a book on plants?"

"Hush."

Harry fell silent immediately. Vlad was right - women were scary. He watched in silence as she flicked through the book, obviously knowing what she was looking for. She left the book open at one page, then pulled over the vampire book. He waited a few more minutes before feeling brave enough to ask something.

"Found whatever you're looking for?"

"Yep. Just had to check it wouldn't be different for Vlad because of the way his body metabolises things compared to a human."

She turned the plant book to him, pointing out one plant in particular.

"Gillyweed?"

"Should do the trick. Now we just have to get some."

"Not found in your average herb garden I take it?"

She shook her head, chewing her lip in thought.

"Moonshine will have some, but I'm banking on him not just handing it over."

"So... shall we steal it?"

Sometimes he forgot that Hermione had once been quiet, reserved and a consummate rule follower. Until she befriended Harry and Vlad, that was.

"That sounds the likely course of action. Ok, I have a plan."

Harry was dispatched to collect his Invisibility Cloak and Marauders Map, which was tricky when they were in Vlad's backpack and he had to collect them and leave his boyfriend, who wanted to know what was going on.

"What are you up to?"

"Just... trust me?"

Vlad softened, nodded and smiled. Harry would have kissed him, but they weren't properly alone.

"Are you doing something dangerous?"

"No."

"Alright. Come find me when you're done?"

He nodded, then made his way back to a waiting Hermione. She had him check the Map, which said Moonshine was in his classroom. Harry put the cloak on while she went to distract him, shedding his glasses to free up his secondary sight. There were alarm charms around the door, but thanks to Vlad (being taught by Bertrand) Harry knew how to disable most alarm charms temporarily - it meant they could break in somewhere without leaving an obvious gap afterwards.

"Gillyweed... Griffin feather, ground beetle shells... a-ha!"

It looked revolting, like rat tails suspended in seaweed goo. Well... at least Harry wasn't the one who had to eat it. He was definitely making Vlad brush his teeth before he came near him again after the second task. Shoving it into his pocket, he escaped before the alarm spells reactivated and slipped away to ditch his Cloak.

"Got it?"

"Got it."

"My homework was exemplary, since you didn't ask by the way."

They shared a grin, then headed out of the dungeons. Hermione went off in search of her own paramour, likely in the Hospital Wing for his check up to ensure werewolf transformations were not yet taking their toll on his health. That left Harry to go find Vlad, who was sat cross-legged on his bed working on his Charms essay. As soon as Harry entered the room, Vlad looked up and smiled brightly.

"Anyone else around?"

"No, out watching the set up for the second task over the lake."

Harry leant down and kissed him, still enjoying that soft whimper in the back of his throat and Vlad's dazed expression. It was a heady feeling to have that sort of effect on someone.

"Do I find out what you were doing now?"

"Yep. Got you something."

Vlad's face clouded with confusion, even more so when Harry dropped the slimy textured plant into his hand.

"Oh. You shouldn't have."

"It's Gillyweed. It will allow you to breathe underwater for exactly one hour. And Hermione, who's idea it was, I can't take the credit, checked a biter can have it."

His face smoothed out as he understood, though Harry could see he was reticent to put it in his mouth.

"Thank you. Do I want to know how you got this?"

"Stole it from Moonshine. Hermione's idea. Sort of. She distracted him."

Vlad shook his head, placing it in a small ingredient box before placing it in his bedside drawer. Harry sat next to him, and Vlad predictably leaned closer to smell him again. He tried not to, but Vlad's hair tickled his neck and Harry squirmed involuntarily.

"Sorry."

"It's ok. Just tickles."

His skin began itching again, undeniably his least favourite part of basilisk-based changes. His nightmares were significantly less now he slept with Vlad more often, but Samael said it wasn't unlikely he would get breaks between the dreams - to ensure he didn't get an overload of information.

"You finish your essay, I'm gonna go take a bath."

"Itchy again?"

"Mhmm. Damn snake skin."

He couldn't be quite so open about his unusual symptoms with anybody else, winking when Vlad watched Harry ditch his shirt before he left for the bathroom. It wasn't intentional, but Harry found he was naturally playful, maybe even teasing with Vlad. It was just too fun, and he wasn't held by insecurity. He knew Vlad was attracted to him, more so than he probably could be to anyone else. And even he knew he was kind of 'buff', with his solid muscles he had done very little work for.

The bath helped greatly, despite the mildly gross part where Harry shed a bunch of dead skin cells that looked a little scale-shaped. At least he only did that in water, rather than all the time. That could be noticeable. Vanishing the mess away, Harry re-dressed and exited the bathroom. Vlad was still alone, now sucking on a sugar quill and Harry had to really concentrate on not having inappropriate thoughts.

"Feel better?"

"Yep. When is dinner?"

"Twenty minutes. We refilled your snack bag not that long ago on the Valentine's Hogsmeade trip. Eat some chocolate."

Harry remembered that - he joined Vlad, Ingrid and Theo that day. Blaise was still dating Ginny. The shock of Vlad not being with Viktor had caused a gossip storm, and a headline in the Prophet but the two had just said they were better off friends, and had no further comments. Draco had been saving all the articles to annoy Vlad, because there had been a few speculative 'why the break up' articles with absolutely zero information.

Even though they were secret still, Harry had enjoyed Valentines with Vlad far more than he had last year with Susan.

Raiding the sweets stash, Harry considered something he probably should have thought about before. According to Lily, the venom in his saliva protected his teeth from damage, whether from sugar or pressure. He would have to bite a boulder (or Hagrid's rock cakes) to hurt his teeth now. But he hadn't stopped to think if it could have been dangerous to Vlad. He relayed this concern to Vlad, who shrugged.

"Honestly, I'm usually a little distracted. But I don't think it's hurt me... you may want to ask him though. In case it'll get stronger, and more dangerous."

"Mmm. After dinner, I need to get his meatball thing anyway."

The house elves happily greeted them, fed Harry leftover steak pies and Vlad some leftover ice cream. They left with cakes and sweet treats Harry would likely devour later, and Samael's lump of meat shrunk down inside a box. Draco, slightly irritable with the upcoming full moon, was greatly appeased by the chocolate cake - despite canines and cocoa not mixing, both Remus and Draco had said chocolate was the biggest help for PMS - Pre moon syndrome.

They had to wait for everyone to fall asleep, charming both their bedcurtains immovable as Vlad followed him down to the trunk. Sometimes Harry wished they could actually just go somewhere Samael could safely roam free, and live outside. It was so relaxing down there.

"Hey Samael. Got your big bundle of ick, as Vlad calls it."

"He will crave similar when he matures to vampirehood. Thank you wizard."

Samael even waited to go for the food until he was done showing affection to Harry, hissing gently when he rubbed the scales between his eyes - it was his sweet spot, relaxed him like a little kitten.

"He sleeps after he eats, remember to ask him when he's done."

Vlad prompted, sat back stroking Lily while Harry and Samael had their moment. Lily happily took the chunk of meat Samael offered her also, being offered something by her Alpha creature even better than the food itself. Samael, who could understand English fine even if he couldn't speak it, quizzed Harry when he was done eating.

"What do you wish to ask me wizard?"

"Uh, well you know how l have venom in my saliva and stuff? Is that going to hurt Vlad?"

"Are you intending to bite the vampire?"

The question unexpectedly flustered Harry.

"No! Well... uh... I don't know. I was referring to kissing."

Samael laughed, amused hisses leaving his mouth as Harry flushed. Vlad eyed them closely, unable to understand what they were saying.

"At present, it would only serve as a mild irritant to anybody unless you were to bite them, which could introduce it to the bloodstream. However, your vampire is safe for a multitude of reasons, even from your bite. However, no vampire should imbibe blood from something you yourself have bitten, lest matured venom be introduced to their bodies through a vulnerable pathway."

Harry repeated it back to Vlad in English, but that raised more questions it seemed.

"A multitude of reasons? Does he mean being a biter, or some weird protection because you're my mate?"

When Samael answered, Harry recognised his evasive speech.

"Basically, he's not answering. Which usually means he knows something but it's not the time to say it."

"Bloody Basilisk. Still, at least I'm not going to die kissing you."

Growing sleepy, Samael and Lily retired to the heated sleeping room. Harry took a few minutes to kiss Vlad again in celebration of his safety, then turned to the warmed room.

"How do you feel about sleeping down here?"

"Uh... alright?"

Thrilled, Harry ditched his pyjama top as it didn't help his itching before settling into the space Samael made for him to settle in to. Scales on his skin were cool and comfortable, and he didn't itch so much now. Vlad was more hesitant, but Harry coaxed him into settling next to him amidst serpent coils.

"Kindly request your vampire stop fidgeting."

"He's just settling. This is weird for him, give him a minute. Please?"

Samael huffed, but turned his head a little closer to the fireplace and resumed trying to sleep. Vlad eventually found his bearings and settled down, relaxing further when Harry took his usual spot with his head against Vlad's shoulder with the vampires arm around his own. Harry could very happily never move from his current place, with his bonded familiars and Vlad.

He woke with Vlad watching him sleep, smiling softly when he saw Harry's eyes open. Samael was still sleeping, but woke with only a little grumbling when Vlad and Harry carefully extricated themselves from the serpent.

"Sorry for waking you Samael."

"I am rested enough, worry not. Are you taking your leave now?"

"Yeah. You don't have a bathroom down here, and I have to eat more often than you."

"Very well. You are welcome to slumber here any time you wish. Even with your fidgety vampire."

Harry grinned, rubbed his scales and passed the message on to Vlad, who thanked the Basilisk and apologised. Slipping his shirt back on, Vlad went out first and called back to say it was safe. It was still early enough nobody was awake, so they crept around until the trunk was under his bed again and Vlad had dressed in the bathroom.

"I'll wait down in the common room for you."

"Won't be long."

Rummaging through his non-basilisk trunk, Harry found some clean clothes to wear and dressed quickly, then brushed his teeth. At least his mildly venomous saliva didn't dissolve his toothbrushes or make his toothpaste turn into some kind of weird reaction.

The Great Hall was relatively quiet at the early hour, but there were still a fair few students awake. Some were real early birds. Harry was generally not, but he had slept so well in with Samael and Vlad that he felt totally rested. He wanted to sleep that way every night. Basilisk and vampire beat bed and snoring dorm mates by far.

He hoped Vlad wasn't too set on sleeping in a coffin when he turned sixteen.

They had visitors that morning for breakfast - the other three champions. Cedric, Fleur and Viktor all sat across from them at the otherwise mostly deserted table.

"Nervous for the task Vlad?"

"Nah. You guys?"

"If you are prepared, vhy vould you be nervous?"

"There's prepared... and there's me. I just want to survive it, I don't care if I win. I didn't enter this madness... no offence."

"None taken Vladimir. Still, eet would be good if you tried."

"Well obviously I'm going to try. Otherwise I might drown."

Cedric looked like he was about to tell Vlad to hush, then realised.

"Yeah, they kind of gave it away where the next task is set when they put up a bunch of spectator seats. Is your sister even going to be able to come?"

"Running water... hmm. If she wants to be there she will find a way I'm sure. I wouldn't be surprised if she just stayed in bed to be honest."

Everyone having met the vampire sister in question, they all laughed and bid the two good morning before separating to their usual breakfast tables. Karkaroff was watching from the Head Table, glaring daggers at Vlad.

"I broke up with his golden boy. What more does he want?"

"Your head on a stake I presume."

"Thanks Harry."

He wanted to kiss Vlad's pout away, but again - they weren't alone. He longed for Malfoy Manor over summer, where they could tell everyone who lived there and not have to be secretive.

"Are you nervous about tomorrow?"

"Not really. I just want it to be over. Trust me, if I were allowed to drop out without dying I would."

Vlad chewed on his eggs, taking out his frustration over the tournament on his breakfast. Harry got stuck in to his stack of bacon pancakes, wanting his seemingly never-ending hunger to abate. Vlad pushed over the blueberry jam before Harry asked, reminding him the vampire had always paid such close attention to his habits. Dumping a big pile of it on his sweet waffles, he felt sated now he had his meat fix and sugar fix. For now at least.

"I think I'm gonna spend some time with the Thestrals. You want to come?"

"Sure. Kitchens?"

He nodded, both of them disappearing in the tide of students mostly heading in the other direction toward food. Two visits in as many days, the elves were even more excited to see them when Vlad requested the meat for the Thestrals. Harry took a basket loaded with enough food that they could stay out until dinner time, carefully placed it in Vlad's backpack and the two used a side door to get out on to the grounds.

The same way Harry felt at home with Samael, it was clear Vlad felt the same way around the death-rattling draconic horses. It certainly seemed they knew the two were closer than last time, treating Harry as affectionately as they did Vlad. One of the foals nudged his leg, rattling in what Vlad said was a happy way when he touched its sharp beak nose.

The picnic basket became Harry's favourite thing come lunchtime, leaning up against a wide tree trunk together sat on his old cloak to eat lunch. Vlad was lighter, happier out in the woods with Harry and the Thestrals and it showed as he smiled his way through cold chicken sandwiches and some pastries. Harry easily ate twice as much as him, but that wasn't unusual.

Given the fact nobody had ever come near the Thestrals when they were there, Harry felt fairly secure to kiss him without fear of being caught. Vlad didn't argue, but Harry hadn't really expected him to.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't realise there would be people here."

A dreamy, quiet voice jolted Harry, he and Vlad pulled apart to see a blonde girl petting one of the Thestrals.

"Interesting aren't they? So many judge them. Much like they would you I suppose, being a vampire."

Vlad's eyes widened as they stumbled upright, brushing forest floor debris from his trousers.

"Uh. Do I know you?"

"No. Not yet anyway. My name is Luna. You're Harry Potter of course."

"Uh. Vlad. How do you know I'm-"

"A vampire? I'm not quite sure. I just do."

Luna continued greeting the Thestrals, who seemed as friendly and fond with her as they did Vlad.

"Uh, Luna? Would you mind not telling people about what you saw?"

"Why would I do that? It's not their business."

She didn't look directly at anyone, more looking around them and up at the sky.

"I won't tell anybody you're a vampire either, if you were worried."

"Well... thanks Luna."

Both of them were pretty thrown by the girl Harry vaguely recognised as a Ravenclaw now he thought about it. Still, it wouldn't do to upset her since she now knew too much. They left rather awkwardly as dinnertime approached, but Luna just waved and smiled vacantly as though there hadn't been a lot of tense silence.

"Well that was strange."

"Mhmm. Still, anyone the Thestrals like is ok in my books. They have a good judge of character."

Vlad let the awkwardness go, and Harry was content to follow his lead on that. The excitement of the upcoming task had everyone staying up late, which grated on Harry's nerves as he waited to be able to join Vlad on his bed, finishing what had been disturbed earlier in the forest.

"Stay safe tomorrow. I'm not sure I can search the whole lake to rescue you in time."

Vlad may have answered, except Harry kissed him again and whatever he had been thinking previously was clearly totally gone. He would have been concerned before, but now he was even more attached to Vlad, it was even more terrifying to know he was facing tasks that could quite easily kill him.

-YDHP-

I'm not sure I didn't introduce Luna before or not, so if it's a repeat occurrence sorry (I don't think it is though). But now I'm sure they've met her at least.

Now up next - second task!