The Bonds That Tie
Draco had gotten on the train at 10:45 am and immediately located his friends, who were surprised to see him there without Harry. Draco did explain to them once the train got moving about what had been happening since they left for the holiday break. How Dumbledore attacked Harry, claiming he was just trying to keep him from leaving, and that there was speculation that Albus had done something to the food at school to make Draco's blood toxic to Harry, and have it magically connected to everyone in his family. Draco informed that it was the belief Albus was trying to back Harry into a corner by making it so he couldn't feed. Draco did leave out the situation with Severus; he didn't believe that was something he should reveal. The last few hours had passed calmly, the group was just talking to one another and other Slytherins too. It was now about 6:30 pm as they had grabbed some snacks from the trolly and were relaxing until they arrived, which was still several hours away. They normally arrived about 7:00 pm, then made it into Hogwarts by 7:30 pm for the feast. Harry had spent more time with Sanguini, who had promised to show Harry how to shapeshift, so they spent some hours working on that before Harry finally managed to get himself into a bat, then change back. Once Harry got the hang of it, he told Sanguini they'd keep in touch and left in bat form to catch the train.
Harry had flown as a bat to catch up with the train and then work to get inside because it was raining hard outside and making it hard for him to stay in the air. Harry found all the windows closed so what was he gonna do? Harry shot forward towards where Draco and his friends would be sitting and tried to get their attention to open the window, but it was dark and with the storm; they wouldn't see him. Harry headed up towards train's room and transformed as he landed on it hard.
"What the hell was that?" Vincent asked quickly.
"Dunno…" Spoke Daphne Greengrass, who sat with her sister, Astoria.
"Merlin above! It's Harry!" Shouted Millicent Bulstrode as she pointed to the window where Harry was hanging onto the side like a spider.
"Harry?!" Draco got up quickly. Harry tapped the window and mouthed for them to back up. "Get away from the window, quickly." He ordered. When everyone moved, Harry's eyes glowed red and the window disappeared so Harry could slip inside and then ensure the window was back in place. "What the bloody hell is wrong with you? Have you lost your mind?"
"Getting on the train, what else?" Harry climbed off the seat and fixed his clothes and hair with a drying and warming spell.
"There are less drastic ways to board a train, say be on time for when it boards!" Draco scolded.
"I was busy," Harry told him.
"You could have also just gotten yourself to Hogsmead and waited for the train to arrive and we could all go to Hogwarts together!" Draco reminded.
"But I wanted to spend the last little bit of the journey with you all." Harry smiled, a fang showing.
"Do mom and dad know you pulled a stunt like this?!" Draco yelled.
"No," Harry laughed. "When they asked how I was getting on the train, I said I had ways. They didn't question me."
"How did you catch up to the train?" Pansy asked.
"Flew?" Harry shrugged.
"Welcome back to us," Blaise smiled. "Where the hell were you?"
"Taking care of things that needed my attention," Harry replied simply.
"Yeah, that's not gonna fly, Potter…" Draco told him. "You've been gone for four days, not a word to anyone."
"Potter-Malfoy, thank you very much…" Harry grinned, a fang showing.
"Yeah, yeah…Now out with it. You said when we got back here, you'd explain." Draco reminded.
"How much do they know?" Harry wondered.
"Dumbledore attacking you, us escaping to the manor, poisoning me to make my blood toxic so you couldn't feed from me or anyone in my family…" Draco informed. "I wasn't sure you wanted the other thing coming out yet."
"No. Not yet…" Harry nodded.
"You can't tell us everything?" Pansy frowned.
"Soon, I promise." Harry assured.
"Alright, we believe you." Gregory replied. "So, what's up. Draco says you've been gone for four days, part of why you didn't make the train?"
"I went off researching some things.. Took a couple days to find what I was looking for. I spent time at the bank this morning to get a couple things in order…" He informed, leaving out that he found the vampire who turned him. The man had requested it be kept quiet because he liked his secrecy, but would always be available to assist Harry if he needed advice, answers, or information to the best of his abilities. Sanguini told Harry he could contact him via letters, or if it needed to be instant, Harry could just sneak out and show up.
"Like what, didn't you get everything in order over the summer with my dad?" Draco questioned.
"It has to do with that night I was summoned to the manor for a meeting…" Harry hinted. "I don't know who knows about all that. I know you do, Dray."
"Hang on…" Draco located his wand did a movement with it. "Muffliato…" He put his wand away now. "There, now anyone outside this group won't hear, I cast it over our compartment."
"Didn't I tell you Professor Snape didn't want us using his spells from that book…" Harry rolled his eyes.
"Yes, but he said this one wasn't bad. I asked about it…It just creates a buzzing sound to others who might overhear what we're talking about." Draco told him. "Moving on…" He paused to take a breath. "They know about the dark lord, a lot of their parents work for him. It's Slytherin's biggest secret, but only known to those of us who have parents in the death eater group. The rest are oblivious."
"Ah…" Harry nodded, understanding. It made sense, Vincent, Theodore, and Gregory's dads were among the death eaters. Obviously, Lucius and Narcissa too. "I'm working on something for Tom and Severus, I needed to go to the bank to see about it. Things were so crazy during the holiday that my only chance until Easter was this morning."
"Fair, but you missed the train! We like hanging out with you during the long ride." Draco frowned.
"I'm sorry, I'm here now…And we hang outside of classes and during meals." Harry reminded.
"Speaking of missing and now being on the train…How the hell did you board? It never stopped like in third year when dementors were looking for Sirius Black after his prison break." Theodore wondered.
"Oh…I sort'a guessed where you'd probably be based on what time it was when I decided to come join and apparated there, then flew alongside until I reached where you all were, and made the window disappear to get inside..." Harry informed.
"Flew alongside the train?" Pansy blinked.
"Yeah, not hard for me," Harry stated.
Draco nodded. "Ready to return to school?"
"I'm just doing it to say I did at this point, Dray. I don't really need the learning anymore, plus…I get to see all of you." Harry mentioned. "I'm fine with it as long as Ginny leaves me alone…"
"Stupid bint doesn't get the picture." Draco remarked.
"She's still trying to be with him?" Blaise snorted.
"She's convinced herself that they're perfect together if Harry just gives her a chance." Draco rolled his eyes. "I don't know why you haven't hexed her yet. You have more patience than I," Draco folded his arms over one another.
"Me too," Theodore agreed. "But if it were getting out of hand, I might go to my head of house or McGonagall, or Dumbledore depending on the severity of the transgressions against me."
"I'd go to my godfather, and if that didn't work, to my parents. I don't trust Dumbledore…I might go to McGonagall, but she'd probably go to Dumbledore." Draco stated.
"It's not a matter of patience, she's just a young teenager dealing with hormones and a severe crush. She's convinced herself we'd be perfect for one another ever since Dumbledore pulled that nonsensical marriage contract on me that he had no right to do because he was never my guardian…Bloody, manipulative, lying bastard…" Harry mumbled.
"We know, you hate him…" Blaise laughed.
"I'm sure he has good intentions…He's just going about it the wrong way and turning into the bad guy overall. There's no need for all the ministrations he's going through…" Harry remarked. "At least the dark lord was up front with wanting me dead and his plans to get me alone to kill me. I can respect it."
"But he's not…Trying to kill you now, right?" Pansy questioned.
"Nope, not since the day Harry showed up at the manor and took the killing curse to the chest, then laughed at the dark lord's attempt." Draco snickered.
"What was it like, taking that spell to the chest?" Gregory inquired.
"It felt like this," Harry poked Gregory's arm. Then poked the rest of them on the hand. "That's what it felt like to me, so I figured one of the most dangerous spells in the magical universe touches me like a poke…It was hilarious."
"No…It was laughable that you threw him against the wall." Draco smiled.
"Did you really?" The friends asked with wide eyes.
"It was great, I wish I could show you." Draco told them. "Best thing I'd ever seen. The world's most dark and feared wizard around, literally thrown effortlessly into a wall across the room…"
"What's your plan for the rest of the time until the next holiday?" Blaise asked.
"Plan for what?" Harry questioned.
"Dealing with Dumbledore. He attacked you once, he's probably got more up his sleeve." Blaise clarified.
"I can't read his mind, so I can't predict what he's going to do. I just have to be on guard, I suppose." Harry stated. "Well, that's a lie. I could read his mind…But I'm sure he's got shields up and if he feels those being attacked, my secret snooping in his mind is useless. So I just stay out."
"One thing we can do is make sure you're not alone to get cornered again." Draco suggested.
"It might be one way, but I don't want him hitting any of you either. I might be able to take a hit and survive it, but you can't." Harry informed. "I will be fine if I end up against him alone. He doesn't know how much I actually know and I can defend myself if he attacks me again. It'll just be more to add to the investigation on him if he tries anything. I'm sure he will, but he's not gonna succeed."
"You seem sure of that." Pansy chuckled.
"He thinks he's as powerful as Voldemort and everyone knows that Voldy marked me as his equal. Not Dumbledore; it's not him prophesized to destroy the dark lord. It's me…I'm just not gonna destroy him unless he gives me a reason." Harry informed.
"He killed your parents." Vincent reminded.
"He wouldn't have if it hadn't been for Pettigrew kept his damn mouth shut," Harry remarked. "Voldemort never would have found them if Peter did his just of keeping the location of where they were hiding job a secret as the job of a secret keeper goes."
"If Pettigrew hadn't given them up, I'm sure the dark lord would have killed him and he was obviously a coward." Theodore stated.
"That's what he was afraid of…Dying, that's why he changed sides…And ended up dead anyway." Harry scoffed.
"Usefulness ran out," Gregory said.
"No, Harry got revenge," Draco told them. "Peter tried to play the role of one of James Potter's best friends and Harry showed him the depth of his betrayal by using the best play on words I've ever seen." The friends blinked. "The dark lord gave Peter up to Harry to deal with, just as Peter had given up Harry's parents to the dark lord. Harry said he wouldn't kill the coward, but his death would simply be a case of wrong form at the wrong time…" He continued.
"Wrong…Form?" Blaise wondered.
"Pettigrew was a rat animagus…Tragic that he chose to wander the manor in that form when there was very large snake roaming…" Harry said calmly.
"I don't know if I want to know…I'm using my imagination and it doesn't seem pleasant." Vincent mentioned.
"I want to know!" Theodore grinned.
"Harry used his vampiric powers to control Peter into going into his rat form and held him still while inviting the dark lord's snake to come have a snack. Harry dropped Peter, who ran, but couldn't escape Nagini." Draco informed.
"I see what you mean by wrong from at wrong time now and that's bloody fantastic." Pansy giggled. "Well done, Harry,"
"I spared the bastard's life once in third year and he escaped…Wasn't about to let it happen again." Harry closed his eyes. "Even Sirius and Remus had said they would have rather died than betray their friends. Just goes to show that people put into their houses doesn't always represent them…" He scowled and looked out the window.
"Well said, brother," Draco nodded.
"Hey, I'm Harry Bloody Potter…All the impossible, shouldn't happen stuff happens to me." Harry stated.
"And we love you no matter what," Pansy promised.
"Means a lot," Harry said. "So while Voldemort killed my parents, he never would have succeeded if not for Pettigrew…So I blame him entirely." He added. "Dumbledore won't be a problem. An annoyance, perhaps, but not a problem…He doesn't know who he picked a fight with and he's going to lose. I'll personally see to it…"
"And we'll be right here to help," Draco smiled.
Harry nodded to him and the others, then sat back to relax in the chair. In minutes, they'd be arriving at Hogsmead, then take the carriages to Hogwarts for dinner. Harry had a lot going on, but most of it centered to the bond with Severus, which was being left in stasis because the potions master clearly needed time to sit with the information thrust upon him. That was fine, Harry understood; it wasn't every day you learned that you bonded with a vampiric student and the bond initiated through no request of their own because it was apparently a soulmate bond. Still, Harry would speak to Severus when the man decided he could accept the situation at hand and then they could work out whatever. Harry's other problem was Albus Dumbledore. The man attacking him two weeks ago told Harry all he needed; the war had begun. The battle started when Albus tried to control him and start that marriage contract, but now…It was personal. Harry would put an end to the foolish fighting, one way or another.
. . .
Draco took notice that Harry had gone quiet when the train pulled into Hogsmead Station, and they all deboarded to continue onto the carriages. Getting into Hogwarts, Harry took his place at Slytherin with his friends and only gave Severus one small glance before focusing on light chatter with his fellow snakes. It was clear that Severus was not ready to talk yet, so Harry wouldn't bother him. Harry also avoided contact with Albus too. The meal was peaceful, a lot of talk was how Harry got on the train when he hadn't been seen boarding, but Harry ignored it. When dinner ended, Harry followed the Slytherins out and to the dungeons.
"See you tomorrow," Draco waved to Harry.
"Of course," Harry broke off to get to his room.
Harry set his hand on the handle and turned the handle to open the door slightly, then a whiff of Severus's scent hit his sensitive nose. Harry turned to find Severus coming down the corridor. The potions master seemed to stop, not wanting to cross by Harry; they obviously both felt each other's emotions because Harry was picking up from Severus that he seemed nervous, confused, and guilt. And Severus could tell that Harry was just anxious and curious. Severus went to step closer and Harry turned his head away.
"We'll talk when you're ready to talk and not a moment before, Professor. Don't force the issue, you have to accept what's happened before anything else." Harry told him.
"I was…Just coming to make sure you're alright. I went to the Malfoy's after they dropped Draco off on the platform and was told you hadn't boarded the train with him." Severus said.
"I had things to take care of and missed the train. I boarded it thirty minutes before it stopped at Hogsmead by making the glass vanish and slipping inside, then putting the window back. I am fine." Harry informed. "Is that all, Professor Snape? Though I do not sleep, I have a couple things to go over and it will take me the night to accomplish."
"Harry…" Severus said calmly. Harry looked over at him. "I'm…Trying to accept things. It's not easy."
"I don't assume that it would be, that is why I've stepped back to give you your time." Harry informed lightly. "When you are ready to discuss the situation, you know where to find me." Harry motioned to his room and the whole of Hogwarts since he didn't really go elsewhere during the school year. "I told you I would not rush you and I meant it." He added. "I bid you a good night." Harry then entered his room and closed the door behind him.
Perhaps it was harsh, but Harry could tell Severus hadn't yet accepted that they were bonded and that it was for life, even if the mating part of the bond hadn't been completed. The bond was still in place and would remain there, unbroken, until one of them died. Harry would talk to Severus when he accepted things because there was no getting out of this and they'd need to discuss what was going to happen in their life; that was often easier when both parties accepted what took place. With Harry now in his room; he got a shower in, even though it wasn't necessary for him to do such, then changed into his pajamas before going to sit at his desk and pull out the copy he'd made of his vault summaries to continue going over. It was going to be a quiet night, and that's just how Harry liked them.