The Bonds That Tie
It was about fifteen minutes later when Draco returned to the dining room and took his seat from before. The death eaters in the room were still all worked up and confused about earlier; Harry Potter being a vampire was news to them and Voldemort seemed to love it. Or he loved that Dumbledore messed up enough to get Harry to realize he was being manipulated. Draco had located Zimmy and asked her to get a guest room set up for Harry Potter, also adding that it needed to be close to his own room.
"Is he asleep?" Voldemort asked.
"Yes," Draco replied.
"I didn't think vampires slept," Bellatrix stated calmly.
"Some do, some don't. Harry is one that is in between; sometimes he will, others he won't." Draco informed.
"Now, young Draco…How is it you so much about vampires?" Voldemort asked calmly.
"They were a topic of interest when I was younger. I found them fascinating, so I read what I could on them. It paid off with recognizing the state Harry was in back in April." Draco responded.
"And how did you come across Potter in that state, Draco?" Severus inquired.
"I was wandering the castle during holiday break and came across a hall on the seventh floor where a door just appeared before me. I went inside and found it empty. Just a large, empty room with a fireplace. I was going to leave when I heard noise and ended up realizing Harry was hiding in a dark corner. We talked at a distance and he kept telling me to leave him alone. I felt like something was wrong, so I got closer. He was shaking and sweating, so I offered to take him to the hospital wing and he refused. It was only when I'd touched his shoulder that he pinned my arms above my head against the wall. The speed was incredible…" Draco explained. "Harry's other hand was on my head and had my neck exposed. I saw his eyes, glowing red almost. That with the cold skin and I saw his fangs. I realized he was a vampire, but that he might kill me after giving me ample warnings to leave the room."
"And you should have!" Narcissa huffed.
"I understood that. I was scared, I admit it. But Harry ended up fighting with himself and saying no. Then he let me go and told me to leave again. I persisted. I realized he needed blood, so I offered my wrist. He pushed it away and told me I was stupid. I told he was if he knew he needed it to survive and was refusing. So I tried again, told him I was offering. He turned his head away so I used a small cutting spell on my arm and that's about all it took for him to give in. I only asked that he didn't kill or turn me. When he finished, and asked what I wanted for my silence, I told him to tell me how it happened. Then we made a deal that he could feed off me every couple days," Draco stated.
"Doesn't it hurt, when he bites you?" Lucius inquired.
"Not really. A moment of stinging when his fangs pierce, but it vanishes afterwards. I think that's the paralytic toxin in his fangs; it numbs the area while he feeds." Draco stated. "For someone unwilling, I think Harry told me that he can release enough of the toxin to be completely still to keep the person he feeds from getting away. I just do it willingly, so Harry only numbs the spot he bites on my wrist." He recalled what Harry told him about why it didn't hurt when he got bit into.
"He's only ever fed from you?" Severus asked.
"One random muggle after he was changed, but beyond that, animals before me." Draco informed.
"And the muggle didn't remember such an attack?" Voldemort asked.
"No, Harry heals the mark and obliviated her, or him. I can't remember what he said." Draco replied.
"Using magic outside of school surely would have alerted the ministry," Severus claimed.
"Harry never used his wand to obliviate the muggle. It was wandless, and wordless, Uncle Sev." Draco remarked.
"Interesting," Lucius considered. "Perhaps the ministry cannot track his magical signature because he's a vampire. They can track his wand, but because he's undead…His signature doesn't exist anymore," He looked to the others.
"That's why the dark lord couldn't kill him," Bellatrix agreed. "He's already dead as a vampire; his human life ended."
"Which means Albus is going to make moves to take everything from Harry to try and reign him in…" A death eater spoke up.
"What do you mean, Rodolphus?" Bellatrix asked her husband.
"As the last of the Potter's, Harry has surely inherited his family's fortune. Or can when he turns seventeen and becomes of age. I know he cannot turn seventeen; he'll remain the age he is now forever. But in records for those who do not known he's a vampire, he'll age on his birthday." Rodolphus explained. "Harry claimed Dumbledore was trying to control him with compulsion charms, and deciding his future…"
"And that Dumbledore said he was Harry's magical guardian," Severus added. "So Dumbledore has control over Harry's finances and if he goes forth to claim Harry has turned vampire; Harry would lose everything. Dumbledore will use it as a way to control Harry into doing what he wants. Blackmail." Severus realized.
"Exactly." Rodolphus nodded. "Harry needs to get to Gringotts and set his affairs in order to remove Albus as his guardian." He said.
"A magical guardian is placed when there is no more family to take charge of a minor wizard or witch. Harry's parents and godfather are dead. That's why Albus was appointed." Narcissa remarked.
"Someone has to take guardianship of Harry to override Dumbledore." Voldemort said. "I cannot, and I don't think he'd ever accept such either."
"We can." Draco interjected. "We could adopt him." He looked at his parents. "The potion that makes someone part of the family through adoption."
"That would override, Dumbledore," Bellatrix nodded. "A blood adoption is blood magic; it's just as good as being biologically related."
"I can brew that potion, but it's going to take several days. Harry went off on Dumbledore several weeks ago, how do we know he hasn't already made moves?" Severus asked.
"The bank needs proof Harry Potter has died before releasing his hold on them. Even if Dumbledore has Harry's key; they won't just let Dumbledore take full control without proof Harry has died. And since Harry vanished; there's nothing to say he's actually gone. His wand is still active, even if not used," Lucius informed. "And the bank would send the money to Harry's closest relatives, and those would be his muggle ones."
"But after so long, it will be assumed Harry has died and those funds would go to the relatives and then Dumbledore would make them hand it over to him. I assume the marriage was also concocted to give his would-be wife control over the vaults as a Potter." Voldemort stated calmly.
"How long would it take before assuming?" Draco asked.
"I do not know the limit," Lucius admitted. "But if Harry were to show up at the bank and sit down with the Potter account manager; things would be frozen while the change is made."
"I can go wake Harry up now, we can go to the bank." Draco offered.
"Let him rest. There is time…" Narcissa informed. "We could safely assume that no formal investigation has been launched to prove Harry Potter's disappearance. Harry's wand is still active on the radar, for now. Eventually; they might believe Dumbledore if he's claimed Harry is a vampire because he would be considered dead and things would proceed as normal. But there is time…We should find out when exactly Harry vanished."
"Day before his birthday is when he left the wards." Voldemort informed.
"Harry was likely taken to the Burrow then, where the Weasley's live to celebrate his birthday…" Draco stated. "Dumbledore would have been there to work out the contract for marriage. Harry got mad and left after yelling at Dumbledore."
"That was about three weeks ago on Monday." Bellatrix enlightened.
"So yes, by now…Dumbledore might have tried to go and claim Harry's fortune and then turned away because Harry isn't dead. Dumbledore could claim Harry is a vampire, but the goblins would require proof before anything happened. If I had to take a guess, Harry's refusal to be under anyone's control caused the wards to fall, and a search has begun by the Order," Severus mentioned. "I will start brewing the potion. I'll need to go to Hogwarts to get some ingredients and perhaps while there I can listen in on anything happening. Dumbledore can't get over my shields so he'll never know we already have Harry."
"Good, do that and report back as soon as you're able." Voldemort ordered.
"We'll maintain, Harry; he should be good for about a week…But we'll see. Stress might have an effect…" Draco said. "He'll be fine, though."
"I still don't like him feeding off you," Lucius admitted.
"Would you prefer it you?" Draco asked. "Cause I don't know if you know that vampires can control you much like an imperious curse can and if you stop him feeding on me, he's going after you or Sev. Or some helpless muggle, though he really hates the idea of that." He informed. "It's why he went so long without human blood."
"How long?" Severus asked.
"He only fed from one human to make sure he lived through the transition. The next time he had human blood was from me in April. So…That long." Draco informed.
"And he lived on animal blood?" Bellatrix asked.
"Tried to. During the holidays, with so little people in the castle; he couldn't get away to hunt in the forbidden forest. Animal blood doesn't satisfy the hunger for more than a day for the breed of vampire Harry has been turned into. He needs human blood to survive, so that's why I agreed to help him. It was that, or as I said, the alternative where he goes blood-crazed and ends up killing." Draco said calmly.
"Poor boy," Voldemort stated. "Reminds me of myself."
"I wouldn't advise you refer to him as boy," Draco reminded. "You saw how mad he got."
"Why did he get that mad?" Rodolphus inquired.
"I think it's because Dumbledore always called Harry my boy." Severus recalled.
"It's because of that and his muggle uncle always referred to him as boy too. Usually when he was in trouble and about to get beat." Draco sat back with his arms folded.
"What?" Narcissa stiffened. "He was abused?"
"For years, Mother. I don't know details, I just know Harry despises living with them because they abused and starved him. Harry has always begged Dumbledore the end of every school year not to go back and Dumbledore told him he had no choice because of the blood wards on the property. Usually after that, Harry shuts down on the topic." Draco informed.
"Either way, I'll be heading back to Hogwarts to begin brewing. I would expect it ready in a week as I'm sure I'll be dragged into Order meetings and possible searches for Harry." Severus stood.
"Try to deter them from such, Severus. Remind them if there's a moment you can speak without giving it away that Harry will likely return when school begins in September," Voldemort told him.
"Yes, My Lord," Severus stood and left the room, then apparated back to Hogwarts.
"The rest us, I suppose can work out our plans and how to include Harry." Voldemort informed.
. . .
Severus arrived back at Hogwarts on the 16th of August and immediately got to work brewing the blood adoption potion until he was summoned by Albus today on the 19th. It was a Monday, about 7:00 pm inside Grimmauld Place, which was headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix. Severus knew the potion would be ready in two more days, so his focus now would be on finding out everything he could. Severus left his potion to continue its low simmer while going over to the fireplace and floo traveling to Grimmauld. Of course, Albus was in his seat, along with Minerva McGonagall, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Nymphadora Tonks, Remus Lupin, then the Weasley's except for Ron, Ginny, and Percy. Severus was surprised to see Hagrid there, along with Alastor Moody, or Mad-Eye as most called him. Then some girl next to Bill, and Severus believed she was Fleur Delacour, a champion from the Tri-Wizard Tournament.
"Ah, Severus…We've been waiting for you." Albus greeted.
"My apologies, Albus. I was working on potions for Poppy for the start of the new year." Severus lied, his occlumency shield erected at full force.
"Of course, not to worry." Albus smiled. "Now that we're all here…It's time to inform you that as of August 1st…The wards around the Dursley house on Privet Drive in Little Whinging Surrey…Have fallen. I've discovered that our young Harry Potter has gone missing."
"And he's nowhere to be found, Albus?" Molly spoke up gently.
"No, I'm afraid," Albus shook his head.
"Those wards protected him from the dark lord, sir," Hagrid informed. "What if he's been taken?"
"Severus…You were summoned some days ago by Voldemort. Was there word on Harry?" Albus inquired.
"Not of his whereabouts, Headmaster," Severus replied in his usual monotone. "But the dark lord is more than aware of the wards falling. He had a couple death eaters staking out the house on a rotating schedule." He said. "The dark lord has ordered for the death eaters to span out and find him, and that is all I know. I was sent back here to see if Harry shows up for his sixth year." He informed.
"We are hoping that when term begins, Harry will return…" Albus sighed.
"We should begin our own searches," Arthur said quickly. "He's probably feeling a bit worked up from his birthday still."
"What happened on his birthday?" Remus demanded.
"I'm not sure you want to hear it, Remus…" Albus sighed.
"Tell me what has happened to my cub…" Remus said firmly.
"It's with a heavy heart I inform that Harry Potter has been turned into a vampire." Albus said.
"No…" Hagrid choked up. "Not Harry,"
"I'm sorry, Hagrid…But it is true. I saw it with my own eyes, so did the Weasley's," Albus stated.
"The poor boy," Minerva frowned. "As if he hasn't had to suffer so much already in his young life. If he should return to Hogwarts in September, Albus…Will he be allowed to continue his education?"
"Of course, Minerva. You've nothing to worry about…Having those who are different than us has never swayed. We had Remus so many years back," Albus smiled. "Harry will be welcome with open arms and we shall help all we can. Just as there are new things being developed to cure Lycanthropy, things are being made to return a vampire to human once more. One day, such things will be available."
"Albus, surely you know that Potter being a vampire is going to raise some unwanted attention," Alastor spoke up, hands on his staff while he stood off to the side. "The dark lord is already after him; if he learns of this…There is the fact to wonder if Voldemort might try to recruit him if unable to kill him." He informed.
"Yes, surely Voldemort would attempt to recruit Harry into his ranks and use him as a weapon against us." Remus agreed.
"That will not happen," Albus assured. "Once we locate Harry, we'll ensure he knows we're all here for him and he won't be swayed to the dark side."
"What of Harry needing to feed, Albus?" Nymphadora asked. "Vampires need blood to keep their thirst under control from going into bloodlust."
"We will ensure there is blood available for him that he get from Poppy, or perhaps as a drink during meals depending on his feeding schedule." Albus said.
"I believe you may want to ask Harry what his diet consists of, Albus," Severus interjected.
"It's blood, Severus. That's what vampires drink." Molly stated.
"Yes, but which kind?" Severus inquired calmly. The room went quiet. "To my understanding on vampires, they have specific requirements in food." He spoke, recalling what Draco said. "We do not know when Harry was turned, nor his feeding habits and schedules. And you must be prepared for the fact that Harry may return hiding who he really is in fear of rejection and judgement." He explained.
"I will assure young Harry that he doesn't need to hide himself," Albus countered.
"Like you did with Lupin?" Severus arched a brow. "When I attended here, you made him hide away in the shrieking shack for fear of others finding out his condition."
"Remus undergoes a physical transformation once a month, Severus. Harry will not," Albus stated firmly.
"Have you even seen him, or what he looks like as a vampire?" Kingsley asked.
"He's barely changed," Albus informed. "Perhaps taller and paler, but still the same Harry we know and love."
Severus fought rolling his eyes, calling Albus a manipulative fool. "I would still recommend you find out his blood diet, Albus. If he's not getting what he needs; that blood-craze will take over and he'll go around attacking whoever he can get and he won't remember what happened after the fact. Going into bloodlust causes him to lose his humanity."
"And what of the other students?" Bill mentioned. "Not all are going to be okay, or might not even feel safe."
"We'll keep it hidden." Albus said. "If we must," He added. "The important thing is that we get him back home to us, so searches will still begin for Harry. We'll need time to talk to him to figure out his…Needs."
"And are you prepared to give him what he needs, Albus? What if he needs human blood? We don't exactly keep that in stock." Severus commented.
"Animal blood will suffice." Albus remarked.
"Did you hear a word I said before?" Severus scoffed. "If he doesn't get what he needs, he will resort to instinct to get it by force. You cannot assume without speaking to him first that animal blood will do the trick. I want to know what you're going to do if Harry needs human blood to survive. Not suffice, survive. If he isn't getting what he needs; he'll be weak and useless to you in fighting the dark lord." Severus informed.
"It's a fair question, Albus," Alastor stated. "What if Potter needs human blood?"
"Perhaps we can ask his friends to…Donate." Albus offered. "He's got many. Ronald, Hermione…I'm sure if we explain, they'd be willing."
"Ron and Hermione won't do it," Molly stated gently. "I'm certain that Ron's reactions to the news have squandered their friendship several weeks ago. Hermione seemed rather terrified at the idea of Harry being a vampire. And Harry pointed out to Ginny that she was afraid of him."
"There's also the factor that Harry has no teacher to his vampiric ways," Arthur added. "Most new vampires remain with the person who changed them until they can control their thirst, and abilities. If Harry isn't staying with the person who turned him, Harry might not know how to control the ability to change others. That's a risk in itself if Harry feeds off any of his friends and if he goes blood-crazed; all students are at risk."
"We will, for now, just try and locate Harry. Then we can sit down and talk to him…" Albus informed. "One thing at a time. I'm sure it'll all work out. Dismissed." Albus was first to rise and leave through the fireplace.
"Severus…" Minerva got his attention. "Do you know something we don't about Harry's requirements in blood? Have you seen him? You seem to be stressing the need for the right blood."
All eyes were on him. "Nothing at all, Minerva. I merely know my research on dark creatures and it is stressed that a vampire not getting what it needs in blood can be detrimental to them. I'm only stressing it because Albus seems to think that all will be well once Harry returns. I add in that it's if he returns. We know nothing about his situation and Albus cannot just assume it will be alright because his calmness will probably just tick Potter right off. Albus needs to remember that what is happening isn't to him, but to Harry himself. I am returning to my lab now."
With that, Severus departed through the fireplace to get back to his lab and check on the potion for the Malfoy's to adopt Harry as their blood child. Soon, things would be fine. Severus couldn't wait to see how Harry handled it all. All Severus knew for sure right now was that Dumbledore was going down by Harry's hands for all the years of control the man tried to force on Harry.