The Leader

Chapter 33

Severus shifted just ever so slightly in his seat, watching Harry drink his single goblet of blood that he drank most days. He wasn't sure what he wanted to do more, give himself over to him or steal the goblet and drink the blood for himself. Freezing when he smelt arousal thick in the air, shit, he couldn't even hide the fact he was enjoying the sight. Even while he had been a human he had rather enjoyed the sight, perhaps a little too much but he'd been ignorant on just how much a vampire could smell. Even minuscule changes to the emotions, whether it was fear, lust, anger or hatred. Although lust and anger always drew higher emotions out of a vampire, fear made them feel excited, it was odd but true nevertheless.

Thankfully at that exact moment, Dobby popped in distracting both of them for different reasons. Distracting Severus from his dangerous thoughts, he wasn't sure what to think. Harry had insisted he enjoy his life now, free as he was. He had slept with him, yes, but he hadn't made a single other move to show he cared for more, or even sleeping with him again - with one exception, he had glared at the Wizengamot members who had stared at him in carnal appreciation. Any other wizard would have been pleased with the attention, like Lucius Malfoy, but he wasn't used to it, and quite frankly it freaked him out slightly. With Harry though, he had relished in the attention, he had to wonder idly if he did like it under all the inhibitions, or if Harry was different.

"What the hell…?" Harry muttered perplexed as he stared at the envelopes making no move to open them.

Severus looked over, once again feeling in control of his turbulent emotions. Noticing the small selection of letters in his knee, he couldn't help but frown, Harry got letters all the time why was he so surprised by a few now? The urge to ask was strong but he didn't, he knew he wouldn't receive an answer…although lately he had been getting some answers when he was in the mood to share. "Something the matter?" Severus asked his back eyes boring into Harry's head. "Letters from someone unexpected?"

"You could say that," Harry answered dryly, sounding bemused not the slightest bit upset.

Severus rolled his eyes, honestly, was that how everyone felt around him? Exasperated constantly due to the fact he couldn't answer a question honestly? It was a Slytherin thing, as well as a spy thing; he kept things close to his chest. Not that he had much to keep close, he never let anyone in…not until now but he was free, he had nothing to fear being found out and tortured and killed.

"You'll probably recognize the handwriting," Harry added, showing the front of the letter to Severus his lips twitching in amusement.

Severus turned from Harry's face to look at the letter albeit a little irked by his twinkling vindictive green eyes. Interesting thought Severus, arching an eyebrow; he did indeed recognize the distinctive neat handwriting. Say what he liked about Granger, she had very good writing especially for a muggle-born, always had done. He'd had to read much more of it that necessary throughout her seven years at Hogwarts, due to her irritating habit of writing more than necessary feet when it came to her homework. He had been a teacher for more years than he cared to remember, and he hadn't quite met a teachers pet quite as bad as her. If she hadn't been so annoying and irritating in trying to prove herself, he would have enjoyed teaching her. "Be careful, she is first and foremost a fervent member of Dumbledore's order."

"I know, I'm aware of just who is in the Order, Severus, I have my spies - remember?" Harry stated, "Dumbledore told everyone that I returned he refrained from telling them outright that I was a vampire, but it was useless they were already very much aware of it. In fact Ronald Weasley brought up the fact I had faced Voldemort on Dumbledore's machinations. They weren't impressed, in a week's time he plans on writing to me to set a formal meeting. He's giving Hermione a week to get a response from me, before he begins to implement a plan of sorts that he has in the making." sitting back, relaxing slightly just watching the elder wizard curious to know his thoughts, especially a few minutes ago.

"Is there a possibility that you can turn her to your side? As much as I don't like to admit it she is extremely smart." Severus questioned, he didn't know why he said it, and he didn't want her near his side. And yes it was his side; he had made the decision to stay despite the fact he could freely roam without being arrested. Harry had seen to that by giving him the information he needed to take on the mantel of Lord Prince. It was bad enough listening to her at Order meetings. Yet there was no denying what he thought.

Harry snorted, "No, she will still see me as an ignorant boy that needs her to do anything. Even proving otherwise will do nothing; she is very set in her ways. So smug and sure that she is superior to everyone with her intellect. She's always had an unhealthy interest in Dumbledore, despite the fact she should have been in Ravenclaw she got put into Gryffindor just because Dumbledore had been there. Nothing I do or say would have any affect, she would assume I was lying - no proof in the world would matter. Her loyalty to him knows no bounds, and I would envy the fact if I did not have people of my own who are loyal to me - without the condescending attitude she developed. Bill tells me it got worse upon her admittance to the Order seen as Ron and her were the youngest to be initiated."

"Then Bill was being kind, worse isn't the word I would use," Severus replied, his lip curled in repugnance. Inwardly though he felt satisfaction and happiness that Granger wouldn't be brought here, just like Black and Lupin. Although he had to admit since the very satisfying incident with Pettigrew, they had come to a silent understanding of sorts, to leave behind the animosity, but it goes without doubt he had made it clear he'd never forget. He still didn't want to be around them though, and so he didn't.

Harry's eyes twinkled, noticing that Severus thought on his feet, offered his insight whether he personally liked or hated the idea or person, and once the opinion had been made - allowed his own judgement to pass. He had to wonder whether Severus had been concerned that it was a real possibility, or if she was actually spying for him and decided to put it forth to gauge whether that concern was valid or not. He could smell just how satisfied he was that Granger wouldn't be one of his, possessiveness or just grateful that he wouldn't need to deal with her?

"Aren't you going to see what she has to say?" Severus gazing at the still unopened letter. "Wait…surely she has reached out before now? If I am not mistaken I am sure I've heard her frustrated when a white owl appeared at Hogwarts and she thought it was yours? Hedwig isn't it?"

"She has written many letters, none of which were ever replied to, I read them then Kai would seal it back up as if it hadn't been read and sent them back." Harry replied honestly.

"She couldn't have been the only one that wrote to you, I am sure Albus wrote letters as well, they were never returned were they?" he couldn't remember the old fool mentioning it and he hadn't personal observed such an occurrence.

"They perished upon coming into contact with the wards Kai put up. The letters were coated in tracking charms, compulsion modifications that even to this day I am unsure of what they would have done, and loyalty and obedience curses laced in as well." Harry muttered darkly, "The letters were concerned at first, desperate even, I think Kai was close to giving in and letting him know I was alive and well, even if I wasn't returning to Hogwarts. Then the first of the numerous letters came, it was the first and last time I ever saw Kai furious." and boy he had learned a healthy respect for him at the same time. Never once had that anger shifted onto him, and it hadn't scared him, if anything it made him feel safe, protected even and cherished in a way he'd never experienced before. It was only then did he actually tell Kai about his first year at Hogwarts, the whole unedited truth.

Severus' eyes widened in shock, "Did any of them survive?" straightening his spine.

"I am unsure," Harry admitted, frowning in contemplation. "Kai always checked my letters first, when that letter came from Dumbledore that was it, no further owls got through. Quite frankly I agreed with him when he told me about what he had found when examining them." his lip curled.

"Don't you see?" Severus replied urgently.

Harry blinked, turning to face Severus properly again, arching an eyebrow.

"This is the proof you need!" Severus stated quickly, "Undeniable proof to get the public on your side if he kept it…then the magical world is ripe for the picking." his gaze turning heated as he felt strongly about what he was saying.

Harry felt desire coiling inside of him, as he watched Severus speak, his eyes lighting in a way that showed his passion. The urge to jump him was strong, but he had given Severus a choice and would respect that. Whether he came to him or not would be fully his decision, if he didn't then Severus, his mate, would resent him and that was the last thing he wanted. He could demand everything he wanted, but couldn't demand someone's heart and love and expect to receive it. It was partly why he was letting Severus know the real him, answering his questions, in hopes that he would come to him on his own. "That would require returning to the manor," Harry said, his face showing nothing, but the words, even while impassive told a great deal.

Severus didn't even suggest sending someone he trusted, because quite frankly he didn't think Harry wanted anyone going near Kai's manor, not only because he still mourned him, but because he probably loathed the thought of anyone touching his things. Part of him wondered if Harry trusted anyone that he felt was such an insurmountable task for anyone. No, he thought viciously, stamping down his thoughts, it wasn't fair really, Harry wasn't Voldemort, he was being trusted, told things which surprised him - he was giving away information much more freely than he did weeks back. There was probably a reason for that - but he wasn't seeing it at the moment.

"However," Harry continued, gathering his strength, "If this could move my plans forward, then I should at least see for myself whether Kai kept a few or not." the prospect of Kai having kept one and using it against the old fool was rather ingenious. He had never thought it about it before, but he'd assumed that Kai had more than likely burnt them. He would have no reason to keep them now would he? If he had though, he needed to find out for sure.

"You never mention his last name," Severus observed, but that wasn't unusual Harry obviously felt a great deal of affection towards his creator.

"Most vampires you meet won't tell you their last name, mostly because they were disowned when the families found out, or they hate the name due to whatever the family did to them. It's not easy to kill a vampire, and those who have tried find out the hard way and maybe the last lesson they ever learn. That and they stopped using it a long time ago and don't consider it there's anymore." Harry said honestly. "There are those that even make up a name and completely shed their identity."

"So you didn't know?" Severus questioned, sensing the run around.

"Yes, Kai was known as Kaidon Burke," Harry answered honestly, "Nobody else knows, I do not want it getting around either. It was his wish never to be known as that name ever again." he gave Severus a grim look; he didn't want it brought up again.

Severus' eyebrows rose in shock, "Burke as in the Burkes?"

Harry nodded seriously.

"Why would he not wish to have his name? The Burkes are dark practitioners, they would be ecstatic to have a vampire in the family." Severus was genuinely baffled by this occurrence.

"They arranged it, all but the heir were changed, Kai's older brother Caractacus was the heir and already married without an heir. When the family tried to pressure him into joining them after he had a child, he gave them all up, warning only his brother, who managed to get away from the Auror's. The rest of them died, during the devastating raid." Harry sighed softly, as much as Kai had hated his family for practically turning him a vampire without his consent, he missed and still loved them - he'd distanced himself all the name, wishing a fresh start, he'd came to Muggle London and remained there, in the small property he had. Until quite literally he had brought Harry in out of the rain sensing his magic and misery.

Severus remained silent, that explained what had happened to the entire Burke family. They had once been a large family, all pure and kept within the sacred twenty-eight. Rumours were rampant surrounding the family, from slaughtered by Grindelwald's men, since it happened fifty to sixty years ago, or Voldemort when he first started up, there was even the rumour that the Ministry had slaughtered them all for a secret they'd uncovered and couldn't allow them to remain alive. Caractacus Burke was all that was left of the Burke family, seemingly, since he was a grouchy, frankly heartless disgusting old man. He took advantage of desperate people, giving them a pittance compared to what the heirlooms were worth. He knew because his mother had been a victim of his back then.

What nobody alive knew other than Borgin was Caractacus' wife left him when she learned he had slaughtered his own family - not caring about the fact they were pressuring him into becoming a vampire. She'd taken off, taking with her the child Caractacus had so desperately wanted to see brought up happy - without the thought of him being turned as well at one point. The wizard had hardened his heart and never let anyone close again.

"There's no time like the present," Harry stated, clearing his mind, not wishing to dwell on it any longer. If he could get Dumbledore brought down before he began his next crusade then he would do it. "Would you like to accompany me?" wondering if Severus even realized just how much he was being trusted.

Severus forcefully brought himself out of his musings, eyes black eyes boring into Harry's. Once again wondering why he was being trusted so much by the younger wizard, even if he did look to be the same age. Unless he did want him to be part of his life, yet the question remained was why? He was powerful, gorgeous; he could have absolutely anyone he wanted, so why the hell would he want him? Nothing good happened to him, so it was little wonder why he was questioning it. He swore to himself that he would figure it out, and only then make a decision. Noticing that Harry was waiting on an answer, he nodded his consent; yes he would go, if for no other reason than to protect him - or so he tried to tell himself - failing spectacularly of course.

Harry exhaled slightly, his only indication that he was affected still by Kai's death and the fact they were returning to his manor. Holding his hand out, waiting, he didn't have to wait long, before Severus grasped a hold of his hand, ignoring just how good it felt, being near him again - having him touch him. He had never considered him a bottom, having always been the aggressor in his past relationships (however long they lasted). Yet there was no denying how good it felt to hand over control, and just feel. The feeling of being Apparated or rather squeezed through a tube took care of his thoughts and before long they were both staring at the manor Kai used - whether it belonged to the Burkes he had no idea.

Sorry about the length of time it took me to get this chapter up I was stuck - the muse wasn't cooperating, in fact it took me re-reading the entire thing last night to jolt the muse into giving something! so here it is! I hope you are all still enjoying it! will Severus figure it out himself or will he just ask Harry for answers as to why he was so adamant about it? so will we have any others secretly joining Harry? or will the entire order end up bowing to the new way - always watched to make sure they're doing as told? R&R please