The Bonds That Tie
It was just a little strange, but everyone remained quiet. Severus returned right after Harry put on the Black Lordship ring and impeccable timing had it that after Harry asked himself what Sirius would think about him being a vampire, Sirius Black appeared in the empty frame Severus put on the wall to tell Harry that he would always love him. Then Harry stared when Sirius greeted him with something familiar.
"How? I don't understand?" Harry asked.
"Same enchantments as the pictures at Hogwarts, my boy," Sirius chuckled. "I can't be there with you, but I'm here like this…As if I never left."
"You're the only person who can get away with calling me that…" Harry muttered.
"I know, but after all you put it to Albus…He's not your godfather…I am. I adopted you as mine, dead or not, you're my son…As well as James's and Lily's, of course." Sirius grinned. "Most entertaining show at the house, Harry. I'm extremely proud. I raised you well in our short time together."
Harry shrugged. "Now how did you get Severus to do anything for you?"
Severus glared. "He threatened to haunt me."
"Sirius…" Harry sighed. "You can't go around threatening to haunt people."
"I'll do whatever I want to get my way, pup. I had hoped you'd remain at the house and I wouldn't have needing moving, but I can understand why you reside here." Sirius informed. "Why didn't you ever tell me you had been turned, Harry?"
"Wasn't ready for people to know. Not exactly an accepted member of society," Harry shrugged.
"I wouldn't have judged you," Sirius reassured. "And I know Remus didn't either; he definitely knows what it's like to be changed into something you had no control over. We both told you the same thing; we love you no matter what."
"It's different to see that when you're not here anymore." Harry remarked.
"Harry, do you remember what I told you at the end of third year when you and Hermione had set me free from Azkaban a second time?" Sirius asked.
"That you expect I'm tired of hearing it by now, but I look so much like my father. Except my eyes. I have my mother's eyes." Harry repeated.
"And the ones who love us never truly leave us. We're always going to be right here," Sirius pointed his hand at Harry's chest. "You've never walked alone, my boy and you never will. You parents and I are always with you. And hey…We can talk like this. Also, come here…Put your hand up to the picture." Harry got up and set his right hand against the picture and Sirius lifted his hand to match up and then he vanished.
"Sirius?" Harry asked.
Sirius returned to the photo. "Yes, I can do it. I was able to transfer to your ring, Harry. And now that I can…I can be with you anywhere." He said.
"I swear I love magic," Harry smiled. "I miss you, Sirius…I wish I could hug you." Harry pushed against the photo as his hand went through and he could feel Sirius's hand. "No way…" Sirius's eyes widened. Harry looked at the picture again. Harry pulled his hand back and looked at it, then levitated himself off the ground and flew right at the picture, going through it.
"Harry?!" Draco gasped. "How did you do that?"
"No idea!" Harry exclaimed. "Wait, the flying or going through the picture?"
"Both?!" Draco asked as he tried to put his hand through and only felt a hard surface.
Harry looked at Sirius and reached out as Sirius did the same. Harry could feel him, physically. "Sirius…" Harry whispered. Sirius grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him in for a tight embrace. Harry had his arms around Sirius's back while Sirius had one hand on Harry's back and the other behind his head.
"Your parents asked me to let you know that they love you. I've seen them on dying; they were there waiting for me… I told them what a bright young man you've come. And we're all very proud of you." Sirius said before he pulled back. "Go on now, back to your other family. They'll take good care of you, or else…" Sirius joked as he had his hands on Harry's neck, lightly. "I love you, son and I promise that I'll always be right here for you." Sirius kissed his forehead. "I'm always here when you need me, even if you can't see me."
"If you see mum and dad again sometime…Can you tell them I love and miss them too?" Harry hoped.
"Of course, pup," Sirius nodded.
"I love you too, second father," Harry smiled and Sirius laughed a bit before Harry walked towards the main room in the manor and stepped out, levitating and then setting down.
"What the blood hell, Harry? You can go through pictures as if you are actually there." Draco blinked.
"He was actually there, Draco," Severus stated. "Harry is technically dead. Vampires are known to phase through solid walls, surely with the aid of magic; it wasn't a difficult task to enter a painting." He explained. "Though I hadn't expected it to go so easily the first try and I don't believe it's been done before."
"Can you bring them here, Sirius? Mom and dad?" Harry inquired.
"I can't, Harry. My portrait was done before I passed, pre-enchanted for just the occasion. I did want to give you time to grieve before just throwing myself on you with all this. Remus has been keeping me updated at Grimmauld. You should have seen the look on his face when I finally made myself known. For a moment, I believed he'd had a heart attack and would be joining me." Harry laughed. "But, for your parents to be here, you'd have to find an enchanted portrait of them and move it here. Understand that it would be younger versions of themselves and they may not know what's happened all these years without being told. Sadly, I do not know of any places that might have pictures of them both together. Only the albums with photographs. But those differ from this type of magic."
"I suppose I can search around for one, but I'm happy with just you too. Also, can you get back to Grimmauld, to talk to Remus?" Harry inquired.
"I can." Sirius nodded.
"Was Dumbledore still there when you left?" Harry pushed.
"Yes." Sirius nodded.
"Go back and tell the old fool to get out, or I'll kick him out forcefully. If he wants to give me a hard time, I'll give him a hard time. He was warned he would regret the day he crossed me and I don't issue idle threats." Harry stated.
"You got it, kiddo," Sirius winked and then departed the frame.
"I'd pay money to see you kick Dumbledore out of the house." Draco grinned.
"I would too," Voldemort snickered.
"I think we all would." Severus stated.
"Happy you got to talk to Sirius again?" Draco questioned lightly.
"Very…" Harry nodded.
"Oh, here is your trunk, Potter," Severus pulled the object from his pocket and set it down, then brought it back to regular sized.
"Thanks," Harry replied. "And thank you for what you said to Dumbledore, defending me."
"You're welcome," Severus replied. "How long did it happen for?"
"What?" Harry asked.
"The abuse with your muggle relatives. When did it start?" Severus questioned.
"I don't remember, maybe five or six years old was the first." Harry told him.
"And did I hear correctly that they kept you in a cupboard?" Severus pushed, his voice having an angry undertone.
"That cupboard under the stairs where my stuff was. That was my room until I was ten, almost eleven." Harry replied. "After that, I was moved to Dudley's toy room. All I had there was a bed and nightstand."
"What's all this now?" Voldemort asked.
"The muggles Harry was left with because of Dumbledore abused and starved him, my lord." Lucius informed. "We learned tonight when Harry brought it up to Dumbledore that he wasn't safe in the home and asked him multiple times to remove him and the old coot refused."
"They beat him tonight, right before we got hauled off to Order headquarters." Severus informed. "And you so casually said that it's nothing you weren't used to."
Harry shrugged. "Are you alright from earlier, dear?" Narcissa inquired.
"I'll heal." Harry said.
"You shouldn't have even gotten hurt as a vampire, Harry. Vampire skin is supposed to be like cement, or steel. How is it you bruised?" Draco motioned to the one on Harry's face.
"Your back was bleeding when I came in. That shouldn't happen either." Severus remarked.
"If I can suggest…Perhaps young Harry is affected by human actions because he's held onto his humanity through becoming a vampire." Voldemort offered. "Most who are transformed are taken in by the one who created them and raised up from a newborn vampire to a merciless killer. Taught how to use their powers and abilities. Harry wasn't taught how to be a vampire; he just knew he needed blood to survive. Otherwise, he's remained the same as he was human. A boy with an affinity to loyalty, kindness, and love. Harry still fights for what's right. Perhaps that has allowed him to maintain his humanity and so not everything that happens is something he's immune to." He explained.
"Or Potter is so used to resigning himself to being abused that his powers deem it allowable. Your theory does help, my lord…But I think it's Harry's own powers that make it what he is immune and open to. If his humanity were in play, the killing curse would have done some damage or killed him. You hit him square in the chest and he didn't move an inch." Severus deduced. "Tell me, Harry…When you waltzed into the manor a couple weeks ago…Were you at all concerned about the danger you could be in?"
"No. I was mad as hell from what happened on my birthday, and needed to feed. I sensed Voldemort as soon as I crossed the wards though. I knew he was here, I just didn't care." Harry replied.
"And you claimed you weren't in the mood for him," Draco snickered.
"Severus's theory seems correct," Spoke Sirius's voice. "It happened because you're so used to it happening and not fighting back that it affected you. Same with the compulsion charm Dumbledore attempted to put on you on your birthday. You refused to be controlled, so you were not. Don't subject yourself to just taking it, Harry."
"Noted for the future, but I won't be going back there. Ever…" Harry said. "Dumbledore still there?"
"Indeed. He told me you wouldn't know while not there. The others advised he listen and his remark is that he would not be told what to do by a child." Sirius sighed.
Harry waved his hand over the portrait as it showed right through to Grimmauld where the meeting was being held. "Arrogant fool…" Harry seethed. "Don't move in front of the picture or he'll see you all there." He warned Voldemort and the death eaters.
"What are you going to do?" Lucius asked.
"You wanted to watch him get kicked out, giving you a front row seat." Harry told them before apparating out of the home with crack of what sounded like lightning.
The group watched as Harry appeared in the room.
"Harry, you're back!" Remus beamed.
"Not for long." Harry said, arms folded over one another. His tone and stance would do Severus proud as that's how it looked. "I told you to get out."
"You can't make me!" Albus argued.
"Wanna bet?" Harry raised his hand to reveal the Black lordship ring. Harry used a finger to swipe to the side as Albus's chair rose off the ground and went right to the door. "Don't underestimate me, Albus…It will be your undoing." With a snap of his fingers, the door to the house opened and the chair unceremoniously chucked Albus out with a harsh tip forward. Harry smirked, fangs bore before he wiggled his fingers in a wave. "Be that your warning that I will do what I say I will, Albus. Don't cross me. Bye now," He chuckled. Albus went to run up the stairs and came face to face with the door slamming shut. No matter what Albus did, the door wouldn't reopen. "Kreacher!" Harry called.
"Young master Black has summoned Kreacher?" The old house elf appeared.
"If Dumbledore tries anything else to get into this house, you have my permission to blast him out and barricade the fireplaces." Harry told him.
The elf beamed. "Kreacher is happy to obey Master Black's orders."
"Good." Harry nodded. "The rest of you enjoy your evening. You're still all welcome here. See ya around, Uncle Remy," Harry winked before bowing out and fading from sight.
Harry reappeared in Malfoy Manor, rising out of the bow he left Grimmauld in. "Well done, pup. A true Black at heart! I'm so proud!" Sirius wailed with joy. Harry only shook his head, but smiled.
"Drama queen," Harry told him.
"That was smooth, Potter. Quite the show," Severus informed.
Harry waved his hand to cut the connection to Grimmauld, leaving only Sirius there. "You made Remus's day with calling him uncle." Sirius said.
"He basically is my uncle," Harry replied. "You should head back and keep him company. He'll be lonely when the Order leaves."
Sirius nodded. "I'll come see you later, or tomorrow before you head off on the train."
"Alright. See you later, Uncle Siri." Harry waved as Sirius walked out of the portrait.
"How's your back?" Draco questioned.
"Sore, and maybe still cut." Harry stated. "I'll be fine. Probably heal by tomorrow."
"Zimmy has come to inform supper is ready, Masters, Mistress, and guests," Zimmy said.
"Thank you, Zimmy," Lucius replied. "Let's go eat."
"I'll head to my room to make sure all is set for tomorrow." Harry told them.
"Aren't you gonna eat with us?" Narcissa asked.
"I, uh, don't eat, Mrs. Malfoy." Harry stated.
"You can sustain on only blood?" Voldemort asked. "What do you do when you can't feed?"
"Food wouldn't work as a substitute?" Rodolphus asked.
Harry shook his head. "The only organ in my body that still functions is my heart, and that is to pump the blood I take in. Everything else is dead. I don't really sleep unless I'm weak. No lungs, so I don't breathe. I just make it look like I do. No stomach, so I don't digest anything but blood. I tried to eat food once after becoming a vampire; it's tasteless. Like ash."
"So…Don't mind me asking, why did you eat at school last year?" Draco wondered.
"I ate to appear normal. It was not feeding me or pleasurable to do so, but sacrifices are made to not give away your secrets." Harry shrugged.
"What happens to the food you ate if you can't digest it?" Severus questioned.
"He throws it up." Draco said as they looked at him. "Don't you?" Now eyes were on Harry as he nodded.
"Well, you shouldn't have to worry about it at school this year. It's being planned ahead of time for you to have blood available to drink during meals. I'm not sure if Dumbledore is going to make it known to everyone what you are, or keep it quiet so people don't panic. We said it would be best not to reveal your true nature to anyone other than those you trust or who already know." Severus stated. "If anything, an excuse will be made for you to feed outside of the hall before meals or after. But it hasn't yet been decided if you'll continue to feed from Draco or we arrange another way to get you blood."
"I'm at a point that I can go a week or two between feedings. I've picked up on not needing it every couple of days as long as I'm not over-exerting myself magically. The more I use, the more weak I get. The weakness brings on needing blood to recover." Harry informed.
"That makes a difference Harry…Aside basic courses like Runes or Muggle Studies, even Astronomy…Every class uses magic." Draco told him. "That's why you needed to feed every couple days last year. At best now, you can make it a week."
"We'll work something out." Narcissa mentioned.
"It's really not a big deal for me to keep making it appear like I'm eating." Harry said. "Worked fine last year. If I appear at meals, not eating…People are gonna wonder. And there are some who know, naming Ron, who is being a jealous angry git right now, who would absolutely say why I never eat." He stated.
"But some vampires live on human food too, don't they?" Bellatrix asked.
"Some can, some can't. Same with some surviving on animal blood and others have to have human blood." Draco informed.
"What happens if you don't throw it up? The food, after you eat it?" Lucius asked.
"Not sure, never gone long enough to try and find out. Just easier to get it out as soon as I can." Harry said.
"We won't be having you fake eat at school," Narcissa stated. "That's not fair to you, Harry dear,"
"Narcissa is right. Avoiding breakfast is easy, can be said you overslept and or don't care for breakfast anymore. Lunch…That's not required either. Most students grab something from the kitchens and use the hall to work on assignments, or eat on the grounds somewhere. The library has an area that lets you eat and work too." Severus considered. "Harry could get away with missing breakfast, and lunches. Dinner would be the big one, and I believe I can remedy that removal without questions by giving Harry a fake detention or him coming to my office for help on a potions assignment."
"And when will he feed?" Lucius questioned.
"We can set up for one day every week that Harry feeds. Whether that be from Draco, or we get human blood another way." Severus informed.
"My friends got on me towards the end of the year of why I kept disappearing. I know I could tell them, but I won't without Harry's say so that I can. Harry still hides his vampire form under a strong glamour, so that tells me he doesn't want people knowing." Draco said. "I'm just saying it might be hard for me to get away to feed him."
"We'll manage something," Lucius said.
"You could always feed him, Uncle Sev," Draco grinned. Harry perked right up, a shining in his eyes at the idea. "Harry's down for that."
"Absolutely not." Severus remarked firmly. "He has you and people would notice the marks!"
"There's only marks if I don't heal it and I always do, but if you're so worried about that…There's other's places I can bite that are…Hidden." Harry eyed Severus like a mouth-watering all you can eat feast.
"Sev, it's really not as bad as it sounds. You don't feel a thing and it's fantastic…You'd love it. Warm those old bones of yours…" Draco smiled, but rolled his eyes.
"Did you just call me old!?" Severus snapped.
"Alright, that's enough…" Narcissa said gently. "Something will be worked out either way. Now, Harry can go up to his room to prepare for tomorrow while the rest of us eat. Will we be seeing you later, Harry?"
"Maybe. I might rest, so if I do. I bid you all a good night now." Harry waved and headed away from the group.
It might have been rushed, but Severus's scent was drawing him in and as good as he was at holding back; he could lose it if there was too much of a good thing. Harry didn't know what it was but ever since the day he set eyes on Severus when first coming to the manor; Harry saw him…Differently and he couldn't work out what exactly it was.