YokaiAngel - thank you!
You - that totally works. I don't doubt you guys can tell which reply is for you, but it's confusing for me! And yes, Luna is the best.
miastmisty - thank you! I'm glad I didn't repeat myself with her.
AnimeNerdX - yes! Second task time! I'm excited, this was one of the parts I looked forward to writing a great deal.
Fangirlfriend2 - Vlad isn't stunted, he's powerful but nothings changed yet. It's worth remembering Vlad is almost fifteen, so only just over a year off transforming into a vampire which is when he gains a whole new set of powers.
Two celebrations here! Last chapter brought Chosen Two - Year 3&4 up to over 10,000 views! And we have officially reached 100 total chapters! You guys make it worth it, thank you!
-YDHP-
Woken at the crack of dawn by Phantom licking his eyelid, Vlad cracked open his eyes and batted away the furry creature. Harry was still fast asleep against his chest, a fact that often meant Vlad woke up smiling. He shook Harry awake, knowing they needed to be seperate before long as everyone would be up early for the second task.
"Morning."
"Yep. We gotta get up."
Harry hummed under his breath, the hand previously on Vlad's stomach ghosting downwards to the usual result of Harry's proximity. What Vlad wanted to say was that realistically, they didn't have time. What came out was a considerably more unintelligible sound, protests dying under Harry's already-knowing touch.
The fact Harry let Vlad touch him at all was intoxicating, and he loved the way Harry hissed in pleasure. He could be speaking Parseltongue for all Vlad knew, but the sounds were beautiful either way.
"Mmm. Now it's a good morning."
Chuckling to himself, Vlad shook his head and basked in his mates scent for a few seconds before forcing himself to move, to ensure nobody else was awake yet to invade the secrecy of their relationship.
"Clear."
Harry slipped out at Vlad's whisper, both heading to the bathroom to brush their teeth, shower and dress before Draco and his werewolf senses were awake. Vlad had to put the garlic-awful champions swimming attire on under his clothes - he wasn't walking down to the lake in vest and shorts. The Gillyweed Harry acquired for him went in his shirt pocket, the golden egg in his backpack and the two of them stole down to breakfast.
It was still rather early, the majority of people in the Hall Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students, or Cedric's friends. Vlad scanned the Gryffindor table, finding very few students awake. Even George Giles, the earliest of early birds, was sleeping in that day it seemed.
"Wotcher! Merlin it's early. Y'alright Vlad?"
Skin still humming from his mates touch, Vlad nodded around his mouthful of porridge. He was being careful not to eat too much, as it often made him feel nauseous to swim right after eating but he was hungry, and they wouldn't be swimming for at least an hour yet. Tonks was clearly dispatched to 'collect' Vlad, but it was so deserted she sat down next to him.
He didn't want to leave Harry alone, but luckily Harry clicked and had an idea anyway and pointed vaguely towards Slytherin.
"Krum is leaving too, I'll go sit with Ingrid."
"That works. Here, take my bag? I don't want to leave it in the changing tent."
Harry took the backpack with a smile, walking over to the table beneath silver and green. Many of the students gave them passing glares, but people like Blaise, Theo and Ingrid were perfectly cordial to them and the Durmstrang students either side of Viktor both gave them gruff morning greetings.
"Try to almost die again little bro."
"I'll do my best Ingrid."
That was basically wishing him luck - she had said almost, not actually die. Harry didn't take long to start eating more meat-based nutrition, talking amicably with Ingrid as the champions were carted off to the tent waiting for them on the edge of the lake.
"How is Ingrid meant to get to the task? She can't cross running water."
"Conveniently, the Slytherin and teachers stand has the only walkway. Technically it's for the judges table, but when Karkaroff was laughing that your sister couldn't come it was quickly rearranged by a couple of Ministry officials who are terrified of them biters who keep an eye on you."
"Oh, that is poetic justice."
Tonks winked, taking a step back while the champions all headed in to their individual cubicles to change - or in Vlad's case, just take off the covering layer. Madam Pomfrey was present, handing each of them a vial of something. After the mishap post task one, Vlad was reticent to just drink it.
"What's this?"
"Sort of like pepper up. It's to stop you getting hypothermia in the lake."
Madam Pomfrey was specifically aware of his special needs when it came to medicine, so he trusted her enough to down it. It tasted like wet cardboard, but he felt the tingles as heat spread along his skin, then retreated until it was needed. Handing the vial back, the four champions were left to prepare, each given a wand holster to strap to their legs to allow them to swim. Not really needing it, Vlad fumbled with the straps and felt scrawny next to Cedric and Viktor's more adult-built bodies.
Until he remembered Harry appraising him, openly stating he liked Vlad's body. That suited him just fine.
Left for several minutes while the judges and officials bustled about, the four champions shared wishes of good luck. Someone lingered nearby, ensuring they weren't sharing cheats or offering to throw their own scores. Vlad expected that was down to his and Viktor's public break up.
"Right. Nobody drown and we're all good?"
"Nice, Cedric."
"I think ve vill all do fine."
Viktor squeezed his shoulder, winking where the officiator couldn't see. The difference between that and Harry's touch was now more acute - now he knew how it felt to touch his mate, others felt stranger, almost unpleasant. Still, Viktor was a friend so Vlad wouldn't shrug him off. Fleur smiled at them both, giving her swim gear a look of disdain as they loitered waiting.
The sounds of students began to come from outside, so the time was nearing. Vlad wanted to go outside and look at Harry some more, but they weren't allowed to leave yet. Clutching the Gillyweed in a fist within his shorts pocket, he was cripplingly nervous about either drowning or failing. Not because he wanted to win, but since they were apparently looking for something they would "sorely miss", he ought to find it.
"It's time."
Feeling singularly ridiculous, short and awkward all at once as they headed out, the Champions were all turned around to be 'presented' to the crowds. Vlad's eyes scanned them for one person only - Harry. Green eyes were fixed on him, a smile that made his heart flip as he and several others cheered for Vlad. He spied the Weasley twins holding a banner with his name on.
DON'T WORRY VLAD THERE'S NO DRAGONS UNDERWATER
He had a vague notion Ingrid probably knew about it... perhaps it was even her idea. Most spectators were cheering for their school champion, and Vlad was surplus to requirements. But Harry was rooting for him and Vlad didn't need much else in his unlife.
"The champions have exactly one hour to search the Black Lake, find their loved one and return to the surface!"
It was a paltry summation of their task - if that was all there was to it, they wouldn't need an hour. There was bound to be something or other in their way.
Wait. Loved one?
Placing the Gillyweed in his mouth, the loud bang to signal the task beginning sending all four of them diving off the platform. He had to fight to swallow the slimy, disgusting substance and felt it rip through him quickly. Sharp pain had him clapping hands to his neck, except his hands were now webbed. As were his feet. And the pain in his neck had a strange source - now he had gills.
Starting to get dizzy, Vlad swallowed some water and felt it pass through his new anatomy to pass oxygen through his system. The webbing on his limbs increased his speed, and his vision was far better than he expected as he looked around. Small speedy creatures zipped past his vision, and Vlad was glad when he turned to see. Fleur was in trouble already, surrounded by nasty little squid-like creatures. Grindylows.
He remembered those - they didn't like other magical creatures. Vlad was probably the worst person to rescue her, but couldn't leave her there trapped regardless of the time limit. Swimming over, the little critters spied Vlad and made a beeline for him. As soon as Fleur - with a BubbleHead charm over her mouth and nose - was free and swimming off, he stunned the cloud of tentacles with an Immobulus charm and figured he ought to get going.
They had been given a rough indication of which direction to go, but no longer totally sure which way was which anymore, Vlad caught a flash of blonde hair and followed Fleur. He had never appreciated how deep the lake ran until he was trying to find the depths, seeing what looked like shipwrecks and broken rowboats along the cavern-like walls between tunnels. It sloped downwards, so while there were little platforms cut into the rock and sand around them, there was much further to go.
This wasn't nearly as much fun as swimming with Harry had been.
Vlad could feel that anti-freeze style potion working, warmth from his bodies core keeping him from getting stiff, chilled limbs as he worked his bizarre webbed hands and feet. He couldn't see Fleur. Or Cedric. Or Viktor. Or anything but fish and water and more algae. Fumbling for his wand for this particular spell, he struggled with the non-dextrous flippers and currents.
"Point me."
His wand spun, pointing North from where he was and that told him he was going the right way. Shoving it back in the holster, he looked for any hints but nothing jumped out. Having no idea how long he had been down there meant he had no clue how long the Gillyweed would last - he could substitute a bubble head if he had to but it wasn't his preferred method. Diving down some more, Vlad found some ocean-floor flat surface and swam along it.
There.
It was eerie, four floating bodies held by what looked like a crude binding of seaweed to some ocean debris. They looked to be asleep, but the water gave them a sickly green pallor and nothing gave a hint of how they were breathing. Vlad recognised the blonde hair, guessing the smallest was related to Fleur. The girl Vlad knew to be Cedric's new girlfriend, Cho Chang and the older male bore a strong passing resemblance to Viktor with harsh features most forgot softened in a smile easily.
As for Vlad's rescuee, well apparently George Giles hadn't slept in. Why she was his 'sorely missed' person was anyone's guess, but perhaps she had volunteered for the excitement. It wouldn't surprise him.
Vlad just about leapt out of his skin when a shark cut through the water... A shark? They weren't native to the lake. Squinting, he spied a champions outfit and legs before making out arms. Viktor had turned his head and neck into a sharks head. Vlad found himself laughing, especially when Viktor spotted him, waved, indicated his watch before biting clean through the seaweed holding his relative and swimming off with him.
Cedric appeared shortly after while Vlad had been puzzling about George, grabbed his girlfriend and swam away quickly. Vlad suspected time was wearing thin, casting a glance around for Fleur in hopes of being satisfied for her (he vaguely remembered her mentioning one) little sister. Using a neat Diffindo charm to sever the seaweed holding young George in place and swam up to grab hold of her.
He began to worry - what if there were more creatures down here that attacked the Veela? He couldn't leave the young girl... As he severed the binding holding her down, there was a sudden buzz of activity all around him. Until now he hadn't realised they were lingering, loitering, edging closer. The slash across his cheek got his attention, the hand not holding George reaching up to find blood exiting his skin in a gloopy, water-borne fashion.
The Merpeople didn't want him there, and that was clear. It also compounded his worry for the young blonde - if she was Fleur's sister, she too was part Veela. More Merfolk were edging in, so Vlad cast one last look for Fleur, grabbed the other little girl and swam off. He couldn't outswim them, especially not with just his legs while his arms were around unconscious pre-teens.
Fleur finally came into his vision, reaching for the girl in his left arm and she too was bleeding from a sharp cut across her arm. One of the Merpeople bashed into her and her sister fell from her arms, dropping quickly with nothing to hold her up. Fleur took another deep cut across her shoulder, and he knew she would struggle to go after her sister. Vlad held up George and pointed up, hoping the silent message got through. Fleur nodded and grabbed George, both using a watery Depulso to deter the Merfolk.
Satisfied, he turned and dove after the blonde girl, holding out a hand to 'summon' her to him when he felt the Gillyweed beginning to wear off and slowing him down. Thankfully, the charm worked and as soon as he had a hand on her, Vlad turned and saw they were closing in again. Who the hell had decided this was safe to put any creature in?
The webbing on his hands and feet were gone, and the time it would take to replace closing gills with a bubble of air was time he may not have. Searching for something he could possibly do to get to the surface faster, Vlad held the young girl more securely and wondered just how dangerous it was to levitate oneself underwater.
Still, it was Wingardium Leviosa or drowning as the Merpeople killed him. A sharp pain along his shin made the choice for him. Feeling the swoop of updraft, he finally saw light filter through the water and ended the spell, swimming the last stretch and gulping down air rapidly as soon as he broke the surface. By sheer chance, they came up right by one of the stands ladders. Coughing told him the young girl he had a hold of was coming round, thankfully alive and unharmed as he pulled them both up on to the platform.
"Gabrielle!"
Fleur dropped down next to them, the cuts on her face not even healed. Vlad peered over the water, seeing no sign of the angry mob that had chased them.
"Thank you Vladimir."
"No problem. Are you alright?"
"Honestly! Will you ever do a task without getting hurt Mr Dracula?"
Madam Pomfrey threw a massive towel around him, covering up his dark blood for the most part and healing his face quickly. He saw Cedric and Viktor both back and also wrapped in huge towels, unscathed and with their 'hostage' nearby as they came over to Vlad.
"You're alright! Fleur came up and said you guys were attacked?"
"Mmm. Creatures don't like other creatures. Was George alright? Where is she?"
Fleur pointed to one of the other medics, who was treating a damp but grinning George Giles. Aside from he and Fleur, everyone seemed alright. A sudden impact knocked an oof sound from him, instincts telling him Harry was part of it. His brain eventually realised Hermione was the other half of it.
"Thank Merlin you're alright!"
Madam Pomfrey eventually shooed them off so she could fix his other injuries. Vlad just fixed eyes on Harry, basking in his mates presence and not even noticing the pain of cuts and scrapes being closed up.
"Any dizziness? Nausea?"
"No. I don't need blood replenisher, being underwater slowed the bleeding enough. Is Fleur alright?"
"Yes, yes. If you hadn't sent her up when you did, she may have been slowed down too much and the story be different."
The little blonde girl was barely up to Vlad's waist, and it became obvious she only spoke French fluently, but she came over and thanked Vlad all the same before scurrying back into her sister's outstretched towel-hug.
"Now off to get dressed while those pesky judges deliberate. You two can wait outside, he won't be long."
Harry and Hermione knew better than to argue with the scary nurse, loitering at the entrance to the Champions tent. Vlad happily dumped off the sodden swim gear in the safety of his cubicle, back in clothes that covered him properly rather than vest and shorts. When he exited, Viktor held out what Vlad could smell was warmed pumpkin juice with a grin.
"Thanks."
"You are velcome."
"Who rescue? You don't have any brothers or sisters, I know that much."
Viktor nodded, beckoning the other man over and Vlad felt intensely scrutinised.
"Vlad, meet my cousin Adrian. Adrian, this is Vlad."
"Oh, your little boyfriend. Didn't realise he was quite so baby faced..."
"Adrian, ve aren't dating anymore. I told you that."
Vlad felt progressively more awkward, somewhat glad he wasn't in a long term relationship with Viktor since so far, his family didn't seem to think much of him.
"Oh yes, you did."
Shifting awkwardly, he saw George looking dry and confused as she loitered nearby.
"So... cousin. Girlfriend. Sibling. Why was I down there?"
"I was about to ask the same thing. Why did you agree to it?"
George shrugged, staring very intently at Vlad for a second or two before blinking.
"They said it was about my brother."
The hour Vlad was down in the lake felt like the longest hour of his life, and Harry was about ready to bolt out of his seat. When the hour ticked over and Krum and Cedric were back, but there was no sign of Vlad or even Fleur... he half contemplated diving down there himself. Only Hermione kept him from doing it.
Fleur appeared, ten minutes late and covered in blood. Bizarrely, she was holding Georgina Giles and frantically pacing as she stared at the water - she wouldn't even let the medics heal her more than a nasty gash across her stomach, and Harry reckoned what she said when they wouldn't let her back in was not too friendly.
There was palpable relief when Vlad's head broke the surface of the water almost ten minutes later, despite some bleeding scratches he was well enough to get up on the wooden platform with a young blonde girl that Fleur all but leapt on .That was all the time Harry would wait, he and Hermione dashing down and around to get to Vlad.
If Hermione hadn't been there, Harry suspected he may well have kissed Vlad regardless of eyes on them.
He was starting to understand Vlad's loitering when Harry was sick - waiting outside the tent while he was being checked over and getting dressed was torture. Especially when the tent was ssoundproofed to stop anyone eavesdropping on who was in there.
"He's alright Harry."
"I know... I just didn't realise I could care more until recently."
Ingrid, accompanied by several Gryffindors who wanted to know Vlad was alright appeared, tapping her heel impatiently when Harry explained why they were waiting. Tonks stepped out of the tent, looking surprised to find the entourage waiting - the other champions friends and fans were still in their seats waiting for the scores.
"Ah, Ingrid. Just who I was coming to get. Just you mind, but nobody panic. Vlad's fine, just need her for a tick."
His boyfriend had better have a damn good reason for leaving Harry worrying but not Ingrid. Even if it was obvious she secretly cared a great deal, green in a sea of red and out there despite the difficulties it engendered.
They came back out with the other champions, looking a little confused but most people's attention was diverted to the judges table as scores were apparently ready. Vlad shot him a look that said he would hear everything later, and that would have to do.
There was a current of outrage amongst three of the four champions - on Vlad's behalf - when he came last.
"Vlad was first to the rescue site! He stayed to make sure nobody was left behind."
"And 'ee went back for Gabrielle!"
"Guys! I don't care where I placed. Everyone's alive, I'm happy."
The three older ones turned to Vlad, and it amused Harry that despite the competition, they all had a fair play thing toward Vlad, who was at a disadvantage in everything from age and training to size and lacking desire for action. The next tasks date was announced for three months time, and Vlad turned to young George for a minute.
"Remember, don't trust someone just because they are offering you something."
"I know. Thanks for saving me."
"Anytime. Go join those anxious looking twins and get some lunch."
George smiled, hugged Vlad and hurried off toward Jacob and Jason. Gabrielle Delacour was an absolute miniature of her older sister, down to the glowing golden hair. She clung to her sisters hand as they rejoined Beauxbatons, and both Cedric and Krum bid Vlad goodbye before they split off from the group too.
Vlad scanned the group they were with before he said anything, and based on his words he was checking everyone present knew he wasn't human. The other's magical heritage wasn't so secrt9, thanks to Rita Skeeter and her poison quill.
"Whoever planned that task was either monumentally stupid or just didn't care if it got us killed. The Merpeople did not enjoy having other magical creatures in their territory. The only reason Gabrielle is alive is that the sleep charm they used acted as a shield too, but I don't think it held that well when I was swimming back up. They attacked me and Fleur... no magical creature should ever have been sent down there."
"Blimey, is the third task to try and bottle feed a Manticore?"
"Fred, you just gave me an idea for our seventeenth birthday."
Shaking his head at the Weasley twins, Harry kept a close eye on Vlad. He didn't look bad for someone who could have drowned and almost got killed by a mermaid or two. Even so, Harry was itching to make sure for himself, angry about the wait until night that was in the way of that.
George Weasley and his twin brother however, had other ideas and snuck out to Hogsmeade, returning with rivers of Butterbeer and mounds of sweets. The Gryffindor party went on for hours, continuing long after Harry and Vlad staggered their exits - Harry blamed overeating fudge, and Vlad the task tiring him out. Harry charmed his bedcurtains closed, changed into his pyjamas and brushed his teeth alongside Vlad, then followed him to bed.
"I was so scared earlier."
Vlad flushed lightly, tilting his head to kiss Harry softly and instantly soothing him.
"Harry, I'll always come back to you."
"I'll hold you to it. So... why was George your task?"
Vlad sighed, shifting to sit up more and reaching for his bottle of juice.
"They used some kind of spell to determine closest relatives for everyone except Cedric, because he has a girlfriend. The spell came back Ingrid for me, obviously, but she couldn't be put down there because running water currents and all... so they did it again and obviously it went wrong, because it came back as George. They were adamant it was right until I introduced them to Ingrid, my vampire sister. So bats knows where they went wrong, but obviously it did."
"Huh. Weird. What happened to you and Fleur?"
"She got attacked by some Grindylows. I helped her get out, then we both went off on our way. I found the right place first, and stopped to be confused by George for a minute. Then Cedric and Viktor turned up, got their people and off they went. I was about to leave with George when I started worrying Fleur had been attacked again... a lot of things down there don't like other magical creatures. Obviously I couldn't leave Gabrielle... then the Merpeople attacked."
Vlad stopped, swallowing some more juice and grimacing - the swallowing lake water had left him with a sore throat.
"I hadn't really noticed them, at least not until they started attacking me. Fleur caught up with me and I handed her Gabrielle, then we started going. One of them knocked her up pretty bad, so I told her to take George and go because I was less hurt and Gillyweed gave me flippers. That was weird. Mostly it was all 'let's just get out alive'... it was not a pleasant experience. Neither me or Fleur should have been down there."
Harry reached for Vlad's face, enjoying the way he leant into Harry's palm. The cuts and scrapes on his skin had been healed, nothing marring the smooth, youthful skin of his ageing-impaired boyfriend.
"At least you're back now, and everyone's safe."
"Yeah, that's true. I just hope that wasn't a part of the plan to test me or kill me or whatever... I would hate that they were in danger because of me."
Watching Vlad sleep was a rarity - he usually stayed awake to watch Harry fall asleep, and was almost always awake when Harry woke. So when he dozed off, exhausted by the second task, Harry got to observe him sleeping. His face was relaxed, and whenever Harry touched his arm a small smile crossed his features. When Harry shifted to get comfortable and their skin wasn't touching, Vlad's face scrunched up in distress until they were touching again.
That level of connection would probably have scared him a year ago, but now it was kind of amazing.
Settling down for sleep, Harry felt Vlad's arm move to have a better hold of him and smiled to himself. Even asleep, Vlad wanted to be assured of his 'mate'. He couldn't imagine how Vlad had hidden this for two years.
"Report Karkaroff."
"Yes my lord. The Dracula boy sustained injuries, placed last but successfully survived the Merfolk attack, and saved the Veela girls also."
"Intriguing. You ensured the Merfolk were not warned of the part-creature contestants I take it?"
"Yes my lord. The Imperius on Bartemious Crouch is still in place."
"Good. I hear he and your own student have ceased their relationship?"
"That does seem to be the situation. Sir. The Dracula boy seems to have initiated the split, but neither seem terribly distressed."
Voldemort traced a pale finger around the armrest of his throne, surveying his underlings closely.
"The gay boy spends all his time with girls now. Waste of their attention if you ask me."
"I didn't."
Weasley realised his issue immediately, face falling as he watched the wand raise. The torture curse should be becoming commonplace, but the boy still dropped like a stone.
"Harry!"
He woke in pain, shivering and trembling as Vlad leant over him. His skin felt clammy, sweat dampening his t-shirt and shorts.
"Here, swallow."
A vial pressed to his mouth, the now familiar taste of pain reliever potion working into a dry mouth as he fought to swallow against trembling muscles. As the potion worked through his system, he started to relax. Vlad ran his hand over Harry's sweaty forehead, brushing the damp fringe aside with a beautifully cool hand until his fingers traced over the scar. It muted the 'connection' immediately, soothing leftover tension.
"That doesn't usually happen when you're with me. Are you ok?"
Harry nodded, sitting up stiffly to peel his sweaty t-shirt off. Vlad waved a hand over him, a cleaning spell removing sweat from his skin and a cooling charm calming him down again.
"Thanks. Turns out the Merpeople were supposed to be warned about you and Fleur, but Karkaroff stopped it. Something to do with an Imperius charm and Bartemious Crouch... can you get me some water?"
Vlad barely even seemed to move, leaning out and back holding the glass of water from his bedside table. Harry swallowed it gratefully, mouth no longer drier than Samael's sense of humour. Wriggling back up to the pillows, he relaxed a little more.
"So that's why Crouch sets my senses tingling. Are you wanting to go take a bath, or do you just want to sleep?"
A bath sounded excellent, but Harry had zero desire to actually move so it was going to have to wait until the morning. Vlad pushed a dreamless sleep at him, doubly concerned now because it was true - Harry had never had nightmares before, the original reason he used to crawl into Vlad's bed. The potion began to kick in quickly, his vampire settling into their usual position with his head on Vlad's chest and a hand gently stroking his hair.
No more dreams disturbed his now-peaceful slumber, and Vlad even woke him early enough to take a good soak in the bath and still have time for breakfast. His boyfriend was wonderful really. Skin no longer came off in the bath, which Harry thought was a good thing, and when he looked in the mirror he looked bigger again. Was Samael trying to turn him into the Incredible Hulk? Vlad apparently noticed too, tracing the lines of his shoulder muscles when they sat on his bed eating sweets the next night.
"Given how long Samael is, especially in proportion with his width, I would expect you to be gaining height rather than bulk. Though I suppose the musculature isn't skeletal, maybe his venom can't work changes on that. Your teeth are not technically part of your skeletal system."
Harry closed his mouth, Vlad obviously realising what Harry was about to argue.
"Still... I can't complain. You look hot."
Vlad rarely spoke his compliments. They were obvious in the way he kissed Harry, the look of reverence and desire when they touched or even just when Vlad was watching him. But he was at a disadvantage. Harry knew how Vlad was receptive, always would be when it came to him. Vlad was constantly wary of putting pressure on Harry, ofrocking the boat and scaring him off. So he didn't say it much, maybe worrying Harry would suddenly realise how 'gay' it was... he was definitely insecure about Harry's sexuality.
Even now, he looked surprised to have said it. Harry turned back, enjoying the cool fingers on his back where the touches tingled slightly. Vlad reached a spot Harry couldn't, which irritated him no end when he was itchy.
"Can you scratch my back? I can't reach and I'm still itchy."
"You're not supposed to scratch."
Even as he argued, Vlad's nails scraped lightly over his skin as he was unable to deny Harry. It was unfair, he knew, but Harry was already getting good at using it. Only for light hearted matters - he wasn't seeking to really manipulate Vlad. Arching slightly, he dropped his voice.
"Please? Feels good."
Sweet relief was his when Vlad complied, pulling multiple probably embarrassing sounds from Harry as the vampire scratched his irritated not-quite-scales. If Vlad hadn't stopped, Harry didn't know when he would have opted to stop him - it felt good, even after the itch was alleviated.
"Better?"
"Mmm."
Vlad made a surprised sound as Harry practically jumped on him, tasting the sweet chocolate on his lips and fumbling to push Vlad's shirt off. Vlad was self conscious, and Harry considered it a personal mission to change that. At least when it was just them.
Back to class the next day, Vlad had no clear-cut instructions on the third task they were supposed to be preparing for. Neither did the other champions, which made very little sense to Harry. How could they prepare what was likely to be another superbly dangerous event?
"I guess they could tell us closer to the date. I mean, it's three months away."
Vlad was relatively calm, despite his two near-death experiences. Harry glared.
"You've almost died twice."
"Yeah, but I have the best reason ever to get back alive. Besides, Riddle wants me alive and tested according to you. So long as I keep training as much as I can... I should at the very least be able to get out alive. You and Ingrid are both going to be teaching me Healing, Bertrand's training my powers and reactions and all that boring stuff. Tonks even offered to teach me some advanced Defence magic in secret. I promise I'm taking this seriously, I've just accepted whatever is going to unfold, will unfold."
He hated to agree, but Vlad was right. There was no getting out of it, so it was a waste of mental energy to stress over it when they could be training Vlad to have a better chance of survival.
"Alright."
Samael nudged Harry with his tail, sensing his human's anxiety and wanting to seek a solution. Vlad adamantly refused to go swimming again any time soon, and Harry didn't really blame him. He would work it out eventually... maybe Malfoy Manor had a pool. If not he could always swim in the bath, or hide down in Samael's trunk again. He may have to confess to the others about the Basilisk - he would need the Malfoy elves to help feed him.
Reaching out to stroke the snakes tail, Harry smiled as Samael relaxed. Vlad was watching the two of them, looking more peaceful than anybody else likely would watching their partner touch a near seventy-foot long serpent.
"What's up?"
"Nothing. You just... you feel different around him."
It was getting easier to realise Vlad was referring to his sense of Harry's emotions, apparently sensitive enough to feel that sense of calm Samael and Lily gave him. Lily was over across the floor, playfully rolling around with Phantom.
"Most people are happier around their pets, right?"
"Yeah, but most people's pets aren't enormous snakes."
Vlad stood, rubbing the scales along Samael's head and he wondered how much the two tolerated each other for Harry's sake, and how much was genuine affection between vampire and basilisk.
"Your pet is a cat-not-cat who can sense magic and deter evil."
"True. And she's afraid of birds. Phantom, c'mere."
She bounded over to Vlad, leapt up to his shoulder and began rubbing against his cheek and purring. It was really rather sweet, especially when Vlad smiled at his familiar and raised a hand to stroke her thick fur.
"See? People and their pets."
-YDHP-
Official one hundredth chapter finished! Hope it's not pants!