The Bonds That Tie
The trip to the school was peaceful, Harry actually had a good time sitting with the Slytherins. Most of the topic was Harry's vampirism, the things he could do. The current conversation was if Harry could turn into a wolf, rat, or bat because Draco mentioned that he read about those being the common animal forms vampires could take on. Harry admitted that he'd never tried, but maybe he would. Harry ended up falling asleep for the last hour of the ride.
"Shouldn't you wake him up?" Pansy asked.
"I will when we stop." Draco informed. "He doesn't sleep often, so when he actually does; I leave him alone. I think it gives him a sense of still being human."
"Vampires usually don't sleep, do they?" Blaise asked.
"Some do, and some don't." Draco shrugged. "Harry does a bit of both; he can stay up for days on end. But there are also times he sleeps."
"I'm still surprised you helped him." A girl commented as Draco looked over to see Daphne Greengrass, who sat with her sister, Astoria. "Didn't you two hate one another?"
"Not really hate, but rivalry. It seems foolish now and it was my own fault that he didn't take my friendship back in first year. I came off rather arrogant." Draco informed. "We called a truce and we're friends, and brothers too. My family blood adopted him."
"It's a shame he fought the hat on getting into Slytherin." Theodore chuckled.
"Did he say why he fought the hat's decision?" Astoria wondered.
"Because he'd been told before getting to Hogwarts that we were the snakes and we were evil, so he didn't want to end up there. Plus he had just met me right before the ceremony." Draco sighed. "He said he got put in Gryffindor because he has traits to both houses. Apparently, back in second year; the hat told him again that it hadn't changed its mind on where he truly belonged. Merlin's sake, Harry is the heir of Slytherin. It was the dark lord, but since Harry has beaten him over and over again," He shrugged.
"Our houses shouldn't define us." Daphne remarked. "It's not all about blood purity. Just look at Bulstrode, she's half-blood and in the house considered to be only pure-blooded."
"Umbridge was a Slytherin and she's a half-blood. So is the dark lord…" Harry stated as he opened his eyes.
"Hey, you're awake." Pansy smiled. "How'd you sleep?"
"It was fine." Harry shrugged. "We almost there?"
"About another ten minutes." Draco informed. "Hungry?"
"Not really." Harry shook his head. "I'm fine for a bit. I told you we don't need feedings every couple of days. I'm not a newborn vampire anymore."
"I know, but I told you before that you get hungry when you're mad or stressed. Blood to you at those points is basically alcohol, it calms you down." Draco chuckled.
"I feel like you inadvertently just called me an alcoholic…" Harry eyed his adoptive brother.
"Is it wrong?" Blaise laughed.
"I suppose not, but still." Harry shrugged.
"All you need is a fancy goblet to drink out of and you could pass for a vampire lord." Draco teased.
"I'm already a lord, thank you. And a vampire." Harry rolled his eyes.
"He's a lord too?" Gregory inquired.
"Yes…To the Potter, Black, Slytherin lines." Harry informed, showing his rings. "I was born a Potter, blood adopted as a Black, earned Slytherin." He explained.
"Technically, you're a Malfoy heir too." Draco reminded.
"Yeah, but I'd never be its lord. That belongs to you by birthright." Harry informed. "Unless maybe you died."
"Weird how much you know," Draco laughed some.
"Amazing what a trip to the bank will open up to research." Harry informed.
"Where do you find it all?" Draco questioned.
"Around." Harry informed. "I never reveal my sources."
"Of course not." Blaise chuckled
. . .
Reaching the Hogsmead station, the train came to a full stop as Harry filed out with the Slytherins and stood on the platform with them as they were guided to the carriages and loaded up to be taken to the castle for the annual welcoming feast. Of course, there would be the first years sorting ceremony, then announcements before actual eating. It didn't matter to Harry; he wouldn't be eating anyway. Honestly, he was looking forward to being out of the tower. Away from the Gryffindors who turned their backs on him, everyone judging him like he had a choice in this. Now, Harry couldn't wait to get to the dungeon; he'd have an entire room to himself and he'd be close to the people who accepted him. Reaching the school, Harry had already gotten into his Gryffindor robes and filed in with the other students; Harry did go to the Gryffindor table and sat down as the people he'd been around shuffled away nervously, or looked at him with disgust. His keen hearing picked up the whispers. Harry was half tempted to just get up and leave, go stand in the dungeons until the meal was over, it wasn't like he was going to eat any of the food. The sorting ceremony went through fine, then announcements. The only thing new was that Horace Slughorn was coming aboard the staff as the Potions teacher and Severus was moving to Defense Against the Dark Arts. Finally food appeared and everyone began to dig in. Harry just sat there.
"What's wrong, Harry? Human food too good for you?" Ron asked teasingly.
"Shove off, Ron," Harry remarked.
"I can't watch this," Draco sighed as he got up and walked across the head table to reach Harry at Gryffindor table. "Come on, Harry."
"Where am I going?" Harry asked as he got up and stood next to Draco.
"You're gonna come sit with your real friends." Draco smiled.
"Thanks, Dray," Harry smiled as Draco led Harry over to the Slytherin table and they happily made room for one more.
"This is not allowed," Albus muttered. "He needs to stay at his own table."
"There are no rules in place that say a student from one house can't sit with another." Severus remarked.
"If anything, this is a good thing. This shows that your house is just where you're sorted; it doesn't mean you can only be close to or friends with those of your own house." Minerva stated.
"I don't like Harry being so close to them." Albus informed.
"Like it or not, Albus…Harry is closest to Draco because that's who has helped him and is now his adopted brother." Severus said as he summoned something to his hand and poured it in a goblet before floating it to where Harry sat with Draco and a couple others. Harry saw the goblet of blood and looked to Severus, who gave him a nod. Harry gave an acknowledgment nod back before bringing the goblet to his lips and drinking slowly.
"Thanks for coming to get me, Draco," Harry told his brother.
"I told you to come sit with us, Harry," Draco smiled lightly. "Don't even bother with them."
"Noted for tomorrow." Harry agreed.
The rest of the feast was pretty calm, Harry got along with the Slytherins and drank his blood. It had only been animal blood, but that was okay. Something little to enjoy during the meal. When dinner finished, the students were led out by their head boy and girl, plus prefects to head to where their common room would be. Severus joined the group and came beside Harry.
"This way, Potter," Severus stated.
"Yes, sir," Harry nodded and broke off from the group heading into the Slytherin common room.
Severus led Harry along the corridor. "I'm sure you know where the Potions classroom is and my former office. Both of those belong to Slughorn now…" Severus informed. "However, my quarters remain down here and should you need anything. I am usually in my quarters by 9:00 pm. I will be in the defense room office until 7:00 pm." He informed.
"I understand sir," Harry replied.
"Bear in mind that the only people who have access to my private quarters are the snakes, and now you." Severus explained. "These are my quarters; they are obviously protected. The password is Asphodel." He informed. "Tell no one that password; I've never had to change it and I won't start now."
"My lips are sealed." Harry promised Severus with a nod.
"Good. Now…" Severus led Harry to another door. "This will be your room." He then opened the door and let Harry in first. "It's nothing fancy, of course…"
"It's perfect…" Harry looked around in awe. There was twin bed, nightstand, small wardrobe and dresser combination and then even small library corner and work space. "It's more than enough."
"Well, it's only a supply cupboard with an undetectable extension charm on it. The castle added the windows because they weren't there when Minerva and I came down here to get the room set up. She transfigured all your furniture and I cast the charm." Severus informed. "I assume you're fine with the green undertone?"
"Oh, yes…I love it actually." Harry nodded.
"Well, you're free to move things around to better suit your needs, and add whatever you like within your knowledge base of how to do it all. I can assist if necessary." Severus informed. "You can also protect your room as you see fit. I can show you how to ward the space as mine is with a password, unless you know how of course?"
"Does anyone at school know I'm staying in the dungeons, Professor?" Harry questioned.
"Teachers, and anyone you've told. Including the Order, since they were there the night the request was made." Severus stated calmly.
"Maybe a small protection spell, but nothing needing a password. No one is really gonna be in here but me, right?" The vampire asked.
Severus nodded. "That's right. I can put the protection charm on if you like?"
"Maybe tomorrow, sir. Or I'll attempt it myself first. Right now, I just wanna settle in for the night." Harry told him.
"I'll leave you too that then." Severus nodded. "I'll be in my quarters if you require anything."
"Wait, there was something I wanted to ask," Harry paused a moment. Severus nodded for him to continue his question. "The Slytherins were wondering if I can hang out with them in their common room, despite the fact I'm not a Slytherin myself…But we agreed that we should ask you, as you are head of house, first…"
"It has been in the past that members of other houses do not enter other common rooms but their own…However, I will see if there are any actual rules to such and get back to you." Severus replied. "I do not know the reasoning behind which it was set, perhaps it's just always been that way as people from other houses do not get along well. In a way, only looking out for their own."
"Yeah, well…They don't even do that right since all of Gryffindor has abandoned me and it was the Slytherins who welcomed me with open arms," Harry muttered.
"You do have a point. I will still ensure there are no official rules to such things. I certainly don't want you to feel cut off from everyone being the only student without a house. I know you are a Gryffindor, but…Given the circumstances, I assume you're renouncing yourself as such and it's only there as a place the hat put you?" Harry nodded.
"Even if some came around, I don't think I could ever call it my house again. Professor McGonagall said your house would be like your family…And family isn't supposed to abandon you. I've lost my parents, my godfather. I know I have Remus still and he's like an uncle. My muggle relatives despise me and my school house for the last five years has turned their backs on me over something I didn't have a say in. I didn't choose to lose my parents, or Sirius…I didn't choose to get turned into a vampire. I didn't choose any of it, but I'm the one who suffers from it all." Harry stated. "And now I've gained the Malfoy's too, which is still odd to wrap my head around. It still hasn't quite sunk in that I'm blood adopted by them even though I saw the proof of such." Harry sighed out.
"I imagine it'll take more than a couple weeks to adjust to." Severus remarked. "Your life has certainly never been easy and I, for one, apologize for ever believing you grew up spoiled and pampered like your father." He put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "I hope one day, you'll be able to forgive me for how I've treated you since you came to Hogwarts. And I promise henceforth that I will not be unfair to you. I am here for you the same I am for Draco; he's my godson. I know I am not yours and I won't take Black's place in your life…But know you can come to me and I'll do all I can to help you in anything." He vowed.
"Thank you, Professor Snape." Harry replied. "Out of curiosity…Why were you that way with me? All these years? If I can ask."
"There was both anger and…Sadness when I looked at you, Potter." Severus admitted. "It's…To do with your parents."
"Could you tell me, sir?" Harry pushed.
"It's not a conversation for this moment. You've got unpacking to do and I have schedules to work on before school on Monday. Why don't you come by my quarters tomorrow, or Sunday, whichever works for you. I can tell you then. It's a long story, I'd rather not have it be interrupted by meaningless things." Severus stated.
"I suppose I can do that. Any time in particular?" Harry asked.
"I should say any time after lunch would be acceptable." Severus informed. "On either day."
"Alright, I suppose I'll see you tomorrow or Sunday then?" Harry replied.
"I will be awaiting your arrival." Severus agreed. "Enjoy your evening, Mr. Potter." With a quick turn, Severus left the room; cape flowing behind him.
"Damn that man's blood is intoxicating…" Harry shivered almost before closing the door.
Harry waved his over the door as shield fell over it; he didn't need Severus to ward his room because he was capable of doing it himself. Particularly strong wards at that and it was mainly to keep Albus out of his room, even Dumbledore wouldn't be able to break these because the wards were set up to only accept people Harry allowed to pass such as Severus, Draco, Lucius and Narcissa. No one else would ever likely come to the school to see him. At that, his adoptive parents wouldn't come at all unless there was a need for such. Though, Lucius was on the board of governors, so he might pop in at random. Harry just wanted the next two years to go quickly. Despite being fifteen, he looked much older and he liked that perk to being a vampire. Harry might not have wanted this life, but he was living it and not everything was awful.
Harry went into the center of the room to look at everything better; he saw that all this things had already been brought there. Harry first rearranged the room to his liking, it was easy with a few hand movements and then he decorated in colors of black, silver, and dark green. Yes, Slytherin colors. Harry didn't care he was a Gryffindor; the hat wanted him in Slytherin and said it on two occasions where he truly belonged. Harry wished he could go back and change it, but it didn't matter. He was a snake at heart and no one could tell him otherwise, no one would dare anyway. Hell, he might not even wear his Gryffindor colors to class on Monday; he might just put on the black tie with the Hogwarts symbol in the middle. Why wear his house colors when it was clear they weren't his house anymore. Harry worked at setting away his albums, and trinkets on shelves or his nightstand. Harry put away all his clothes, and then unshrink his mass of books from previous years and got them on the book shelf. Harry put his current books for sixth year on the small shelf above his work area, then he also got his spare quills, parchment, and notebooks into the desk.
Around 9:30 pm, everything was done and Harry laid back on his bed to relax. He likely wouldn't sleep tonight since he slept on the train after eating; he didn't need sleep unless he was weak or recovering. Harry closed his eyes and sighed out, not that he was really…Breathing, but often made it look like he was to others; he didn't need air to breathe. Blood was what kept him alive. As Harry decided how he'd spend his night; he felt people coming in contact with his wards; he got up and walked over to the door and opened it to see Draco there with Blaise, Pansy, Theodore, Gregory, and Vincent. Of course, Severus was there too.
"They wanted to see you before curfew." Severus stated. "I wasn't sure if you were up for visitors."
"It's fine, Professor." Harry told him. "I was going to show them where I was anyway, probably tomorrow."
"I see you've already warded your room." Severus complimented. "Bloody strong, Potter."
"Thanks." Harry shrugged. "Well, come in then. Draco, you're my brother; you could have gotten past them as my blood, adopted blood…" He informed. "The wards would have let you pass." He added.
"What kind are they?" Draco asked.
Once they were inside, Harry closed the door. "Consider it a mix between certain charms to silence everything inside, protect the area." He informed. "A tweaked version of the Fidelius charm."
"You cast that over the room?" Severus inquired.
"I cast a variation of it, sir." Harry repeated. "It does hide the room from anyone unless I tell them where it is, and the tweak is the strength of the spell not allowing anyone in unless I let you inside. Family can access it, that's why I said Draco could come in without needing me to open the door or drop the wards for him." He explained. "The other tweak is that if anyone does manage to break the wards, not only will I know about it…But the room won't appear as anything more than a supply closet. Another protection I added, one that can't be broken by revealing charms of any strength."
"But Umbridge managed to break through the wall into the room itself." Vincent reminded.
"Because that was a hidden room in the castle that only appears when someone is in need of it. Many knew of a hidden room, just not how to access it. Of course if you blow the wall out you're going to get in. But this room isn't hidden; it's a natural closet with an undetectable extension charm on it. Even if someone tried to blast it; they're not getting in. The windows are charmed to let me see outside into the Black Lake, but those who dare swim by just see castle wall. Trust me…I've taken every precaution on my room. No one is getting in here unless I allow it."
"So…Even though the room is warded, we can touch the door and open it?" Draco asked. Harry nodded. "But all anyone sees is closet?" Harry nodded to him again.
"But Draco can open the door and get into the room itself as it is now?" Pansy wondered.
"Because he's family." Harry replied.
"But we wouldn't?" Severus inquired. "Draco would appear to go through a solid wall while we're stuck out here unless you open the door?"
"That's right." Harry told him.
"I'm rather impressive, Mr. Potter." Severus told him. "I admit that I was unable to dismantle them."
"Good. That's the whole idea. I don't want Dumbledore in here and something tells me he's gonna try. So the door to the room won't be hidden, but he won't be getting in. I don't care how strong he thinks he is." Harry remarked. "And Dray…You're keyed into the wards already, so if you come here and I'm not here…You have access to open the door and let others in and they'll be able to get past the ward's illusion of it being a closet."
"I won't betray your trust, brother." Draco told him.
"I knew you wouldn't, I'm just letting you know that I've keyed you into the wards as a secondary keeper, as it were. I do trust you'd only come here without me here if it was an emergency." Harry informed.
"Of course." Draco nodded. "This is a sweet room…"
"I just finished decorating before you came. I thought it fit nicely…" Harry smiled.
"Ever the Slytherin, Potter. You absolutely belong in my house, a shame you are not." Severus told him.
"Knowing where I belong is enough for me." Harry assured.