The Bonds That Tie
It had been a week since Harry fed from Severus, and they spent the night together. Severus had admitted to Harry that he was ready to talk about what had happened and where things would go from there, but after the feeding, Harry was ready to rest and he'd asked Severus to stay the night, to which Severus agreed to the teenager's request. Severus didn't know why, it was inappropriate for a teacher and student, which they definitely were within the walls of Hogwarts. However, Severus and Harry were also bonded together, making them, for all intents and purposes: married. It would be mated, but as Harry explained a couple months back, they could not truly be together as life-mates until Severus was turned into a vampire and marked. Or marked first, then the changing. Theoretically, they could still mate, but without Severus being changed into a vampire; he would die at normal old age leaving Harry for years and years to come until he was killed without a part of himself as they were bonded by a soulmate bind that occurred on its own. Meaning they were truly soulmates to one another. As Harry, told Severus, though; it had to be willing on Severus's side. Severus had to agree to become a vampire and mate with Harry for the bonding to complete. The two were going to talk, but it hadn't been that night after the feeding. And of course, the next day brought Draco and friends to Harry's door to get updated on what they missed at the meeting.
The weekend was calm. Thankfully, Ginny hadn't bothered Harry at all, but that only made Harry more weary to what she was plotting to get him. Honestly, Harry was getting ready to tell people Severus was his mate. What could Dumbledore do? What could the ministry do? Nothing. Everything was legal, even if Harry was sixteen. Technically fifteen, but it didn't matter. The ministry couldn't call a technicality of being underage when Harry would not age anymore beyond fifteen as that it when he was turned. There was nothing wrong with what had happened, Severus had been willing to feed Harry that night and allowed Harry to do more, which is what led to them having sex and bonding through such. For now, Harry was keeping quiet; that was a conversation he needed to have with Severus about revealing their status to others. For now, Harry and Severus only needed to discuss what took place between them and where things would go beyond the talk. Harry had been spending the last week trying to find his family manor, but to no avail yet. Harry was running out of ideas and figuring out of his ring was a portkey was not going swell either.
Today was February 14th, 1997. The scheduled day of Severus and Harry going down into the Chamber of Secrets for Severus to collect Basilisk parts for potions ingredients, but Harry was also using the time to locate that secret room he inherited as Slytherin Heir, which was said to be down in the chamber itself. As expected, Dumbledore had gone in searching of the Horcrux, and Harry was in his room to get ready for the journey.
"Harry, you presence is being requested at the manor." Sirius told him through the Black family ring.
"Tell Voldy I'm busy." Harry remarked.
"He insists."
"Fine." Harry groaned.
Harry collected his things before using his speed to get out of the castle and through the passageway of the Shrieking Shack. Arriving there, Harry apparated himself to Malfoy Manor, appearing in the main room with ease and standing down the other side of the long table while staring down at the dark lord. Harry had his arms folded, and an annoyed look in his eyes.
"Ah, there you are." Voldemort greeted.
"Listen here you pain in my ass, I'm not one of your death eaters you can call on." Harry remarked. "Now, what do you want? I'm supposed to be meeting Severus in ten minutes for the trip down into the chamber."
"My apologies, Harry. I know you are not one of my followers, but having you come here is the least suspicious method to ensure communications are not intercepted." Voldemort told him.
"Out with why you requested me here." Harry repeated. "The fact we associate is because your plans far more reflect the magical world's best interests. Unlike Dumbledore who just wants to control everyone…" He added. "But don't presume to believe that I am one of yours to command. My decisions to aid you are not out of following you. I follow no one."
"Of course, Harry. I understand that perfectly." Voldemort stated. "I…Had a request of you."
"Get on with it then?" Harry urged.
"I'd like to accompany you tonight in the chamber." Voldemort said. "A number of us would, actually."
"Why?" Harry asked.
"The chamber is legendary. Only Voldemort and you have ever been inside…" Bellatrix stated. "It is a chamber of secrets, we simply want the chance to see and explore it…"
"Just one problem…Two, in fact. How do you propose to get there?" Harry inquired. "The wards aren't going to allow death eaters inside of them, and my apparition is useless with the new ones Dumbledore erected. Well, not useless, but if I use it then I lose my element of surprise that he thinks he's beaten me."
"We were hoping you might have an idea…" Narcissa said gently.
"The only thing I can think of would be to use the hidden passages from Hogsmead into the school. Getting you to the chamber's entrance, however…I can't hide all of you. I've got the cloak, but it's not going to work on a huge group." Harry informed. "Who exactly wants to go?"
"Myself, the Malfoy's, and Bellatrix." Voldemort responded. "Nagini and the other two Lestrange's too."
"I mean, we all want to see it…But we know there's limits." Antonin remarked.
"Can you still possess me, Tom?" Harry asked.
"I…Assume so. If you allow it…" Voldemort nodded.
"Then you will come with me. I believe the wards are going to block you if you try the passages, but through me…It should be fine." Harry sighed. "The rest of you…It's too risky to have you all wandering the castle under the cloak and I didn't bring the cloak or map for you to follow either. It's not often I don't bring it, but I also didn't think I'd be getting summoned tonight." Harry side-glared the dark lord. "I don't suppose you mind getting wet for a short swim?"
"W-Why?" Bellatrix inquired.
"I can apparate you to Hogsmead and we could swim to the window that leads into my room. I might even be able to get us to the window, but I don't know. I usually use my speed, you won't be able to keep up with that." Harry considered. "Unless we're all connected. If you're holding onto me, I could take you via my speed."
"We can do that, shouldn't be hard to cast a bubblehead charm and then drying and warming once inside." Rodolphus suggested.
"Nagini, you good with the chill of the great lake in February?" Harry asked the snake, who nodded. "You'll wrap around me then. Tom, you possess me until we get to the entrance of the chamber."
"Very well." Voldemort agreed.
"Then let's go. I'm going to be late…" Harry told them.
"We're ready." Lucius assured.
"Then let's go. Tom, you first." Harry stood closer to him. The dark lord stood up and went into a cloud form before entering Harry's body. "Nagini, wrap around," He instructed. The snake slithered over and wrapped around Harry's figure carefully. "The rest of you, hold on…" Narcissa held Harry's hand as Lucius then held Narcissa's. Bellatrix held Harry's other hand, then Rodolphus held hers and Rabastan grabbed hold of Harry's shoulders carefully. Harry focused himself and transported them to Hogsmead, where the docks where. "Hold your breath." Harry said. The group did so as Harry launched them into the water and shot right for his bedroom window, phasing them inside with ease. Landing on the floor, everyone let go and quickly cast the drying and warming spells on themselves. Harry immediately grabbed the cloak. "Stay together, as close as you can, and quiet. Stay behind me…" He remarked.
Harry heard knocking on his door, recognizing Draco's energy and scent. "It's just Draco, and probably the others too." Harry informed when the others seemed panicked to be caught. "But just to be safe…" Harry threw the cloak over them, putting a finger to his lips. Harry went to the door, finding Draco there and indeed with Pansy, Blaise, Theodore, Gregory, and Vincent. "Hey, guys and girl. What's up?"
"We know you're-," Blaise had started, but Harry quickly ushered them into the room.
"Ssh." Harry told them as Ginny came skipping down the hall with a smile.
"Harry!" Ginny beamed.
"Ginny, it's after hours…" Harry sighed.
"I-I know, but I just go out of detention and wanted to see you." Ginny informed.
"Then you best be getting to your dorm." Harry stated.
"But no one has to know I'm here…You could just let me into your room and-," Ginny began.
"No, Ginny. It's against the rules." Harry reminded.
"Since when do you care about those? Come on, Harry…Be my bad boy?" Ginny tried to get closer to Harry, blowing a kiss his way and batting her eyes.
Harry saw his lordship rings flash. Harry caught the scent of something foul as he backed away from Ginny and put a barrier between them. "What the hell, Ginny? What gas did you just release?"
"I don't know what you're talking about…" Ginny said innocently.
"You're a terrible liar. My rings warned me of something dangerous and you're the only one too close for comfort. Now, go away. I don't love you. I don't even like you…You need to get over this obsession you have with me." Harry informed.
"No. Never, we belong together! Dumble-," Ginny began.
"Ginny, I don't give a care in the world what Dumbledore says or thinks! If you ask me, he's gone insane and you're trailing right behind. Hell, more insane than the dark lord, and that's saying something. I will never be with you!" Harry yelled.
Ginny looked like she might cry. Draco stepped forward now. "Miss. Weasley, it is after hours and detention or not…You need to return to your dormitory immediately. I am a school prefect, and I have the authority to take points and report you to your head of house. Any of them, in fact. Now, go."
"Why do you get to be here!?" Ginny glared.
"I'm Harry's brother, and I have permission to be out after curfew. I am also the one who feeds Harry, so I'm allowed to be here. You will go, or I'm reporting you…" Draco ordered.
"No, I'm not leaving until Harry sees that we're perfect for one another." Ginny refused.
"Merlin's beard…" Harry sighed.
"Five points from Gryffindor." Draco said.
"That's not-," Ginny began.
"Ten points…" Draco folded his arms over one another. "Would you like to go for more? The next one will be twenty…"
"You skipped fifteen!" Ginny remarked.
"Twenty-five…" Draco warned.
"I do not want you, Ginerva. I told you, I'm happily taken by a lovely man already and it's a serious relationship. Now…I need you to move on and move along. You don't belong with me, nor in the dungeons." Harry informed.
Ginny's eyes widened. "Harry, come on! It's for the fate of the world! Our love has to defeat the dark lord! Don't you want to save everyone?"
"I'd rather die." Harry remarked as Ginny's face fell. "If our love is to save the world, I'd rather die than save the world that turned their backs on me." He informed.
"Harry! Don't do this…You wouldn't…You're too kind!" Ginny insisted. "J-Just give me a chance. Let me kiss you, I can show you that I-,"
"No, Ginny. I will not kiss you because I do not want to. I have no desire to do anything with the female gender. In fact, the very thought is a turn-off…There's only one thing that gets me aroused and it's the scent and taste of my lover's blood." Harry told her as she flushed. "Ginny, the man I'm with is my soulmate. Okay? My vampire abilities have led me to my soulmate and it's the person I'm with and staying with. He is to be my mate in due time…" Ginny looked heartbroken now. "And also…Too kind? You don't know me, Ginny. You never did, just like your youngest brother. You knew my name, my fame…But you don't know me." He informed.
"You're a good person." Ginny tried.
"I am a vampire, Ginny…I am not the person you thought you knew. I've attacked humans to feed. I've dealt with those who get in my way or cross me. I've killed animals by sucking them dry…" Ginny flinched. "That right there. The flinch…" Harry pointed out. "You fear me because you know what I'm capable of." He paused a moment. "But all that aside, Ginny…Even if I were still human, I wouldn't want you." Harry saw Ginny's head fall, hoping the message got through. "If you do not cease your attempts…My father will hear of this." Lucius's pride inflated at what Harry said and Draco held back laughing. "And with his support as both my father and a member on the board of governors for Hogwarts; I will go to McGonagall, as the deputy headmistress since Dumbledore is useless as headmaster…" He scowled, but refocused. "And Gryffindor's head of house to report you. And I will go higher than by going to the ministry to file a restraining order…"
"Ha-Harry!" Ginny had tears in her eyes. "Y-You wouldn't!"
"I would and will if you do not stop. Don't test me, Ginerva…Albus Dumbledore has already made that mistake and you've seen how things have become with myself and him. I despise him and he has what's coming to him for his transgressions against me. Dumbledore has no control over me or my life anymore, I highly advise you to stop letting him do the same to you. Do not do this. You do not want me to hate you and most certainly do not want me as your enemy. I am asking nicely for the last time…Get this idea of there being a you and I out of your head. I am gay, for one, and two, happily taken by a wonderful man. I can be your friend, even a brother-figure to you…But nothing beyond that." Harry informed calmly, but his tone was low and threatening. "Have I made myself in any way, shape, or form…Unclear, Miss. Weasley?"
"No, sir," Ginny said softly.
"Good. Then I kindly request that you leave the dungeons at once. It's late, you've already lost points for your house…Do not risk more by loitering here. I would like to feed in peace and then get to my normal nightly routine, if you please…" Harry told her.
"Yes, Harry…I'm sorry." Ginny bowed her head down.
"I am sure that you are, but do not forget what I've said…This is your last warning. Be there a next time, I will take action against you." Harry informed. "Now, off with you."
Ginny turned and walked away. Harry closed the door and rolled his eyes while rubbing his temples. "Woooow," Pansy sounded. "It's been like this, every time?"
"Mmhm," Harry muttered. "Oh, you can take the cloak off…For now," Harry told the adults.
Lucius pulled it off and laid it over his arm. "What are they doing here?" Draco questioned.
"They wanted to see the chamber." Harry informed.
"Oh, that's what we were coming to ask…Can we come too?" Blaise hoped.
"This is turning into a damn field trip…" Harry sighed. "Fine. Let's just go…I got other things on my agenda this evening. Under the cloak with the adults. Stay quiet and move together." The group obeyed, sensing Harry's oncoming bad mood. Harry turned himself into a bat and guided the other to where he was supposed to meet Severus on the second floor.
. . .
Harry arrived at the location and saw Severus waiting quietly. Harry landed next to him, in normal form.
"There you are." Severus stated. "I was just about to come find you."
"My apologies, Sev…I got summoned by Tom, then got held up by a female Gryffindor who, I hope and pray, has gotten the message I'm not interested." Harry sighed.
"Ginerva again?" Severus asked.
"Indeed…I think I set her straight, but who knows." Harry informed. "But I am sorry for keeping you waiting. I've got others with me who want a chance to see the chamber. They're just hidden until we get down there…." He said.
"Don't worry about it, Harry. I'm…Just glad you're alright." Severus mentioned, relief in his voice as if he'd been worried.
"I'm perfectly well, Severus. Now, come…" Harry invited.
"Your lead," Severus stated gently. Harry led Severus and the silent hidden group along the hall until they reached the girl's lavatory. "I normally don't question you anymore, but why are we about to go into the girl's restroom, Harry?"
"That's the way in…" Harry told him. "Calm down, no one is gonna know we're in there. No one uses this one cause of Myrtle." He informed before leading everyone inside. Harry checked for Myrtle first, finding she wasn't there. "Alright, it's safe…" Harry remarked. The cloak came off as Severus saw the group that had been under it. "You too, Tom…" The black fog exited Harry's body, leaving Voldemort standing in the room.
"You know what, I'm not even going ask." Severus remarked.
"Probably a good idea." Harry chuckled.
Footsteps were heard rushing into the bathroom as Harry laid eyes on Hermione and Ron. "Harry! What on earth do you think you're doing!?" Hermione screeched.
"Damn it, Hermione…Ssh. Are you trying to alert the whole school!" Harry glared as he waved his hand to ward the room heavily, but mostly to silence any sounds going out.
"Damn right we are," Ron began. "I know we're not great, but siding with your enemies?!"
"You won't understand." Harry held out his hand to send them backward against the wall as they slipped down. "And I can't risk you going to Dumbledore with what you've seen."
"Ha-Harry, please?" Hermione pleaded. "We can keep a secret. W-We're sorry for how things have been."
"We're sorry mate, truly…I'm been a prat, but you're still my best friend. My brother…" Ron tried. "We can protect you from them."
"I don't need protection, guys. I'm here willingly of my own choices. They're not my enemies…" Harry said. "The Malfoy's are my family. Theo, Pans, Goyle, Crabbe, and Blaise are my friends. Technically, Bellatrix and her husband, and brother-in-law are family too. Hell, even Voldemort is a distant cousin. My parents are dead, no matter who else they are or have been in the past…This is my family. I don't expect you to understand."
"Harry, please…Please. We just want you back." Hermione told him.
"I am not the one who walked away. You left me…" Harry reminded. "You abandoned me when I needed my friends to be there for me. I'm always there to save you, save the school…Where were you when I needed someone? Not on my side. You sat there, terrified, believing I'd become a monster when I haven't changed a bit. Vampire, sure…But my heart is still my own. My thoughts are my own. That has not changed. I am the same Harry Potter you met on the train back in 1991. Do you know who was here for me? Draco. My rival, my school bully…Draco risked himself against my blood rage to help me. Offered his own blood. Offered a truce, a friendship and to come see him whenever I needed to feed." Harry told them. "That first day I went to his house; Voldemort and the others were there and when they learned Dumbledore was controlling every aspect of my life…They all worked together to help me. The people who have attacked me. The person who killed my godfather. The man who used me to come back to life and wanted me dead. They learned I'd been abandoned and stepped up to take me in, despite being a vampire. Despite the past…What does that say about you two and anyone else in Gryffindor, the house that was once considered my home?"
"Do you know why the sorting hat changed my house? Because it saw that you weren't my true family. It put my with those who welcomed and accepted me with open arms, no questions asked. Nobody got scared, or ran when they learned. They called it cool." Harry remarked. "You feel that clenching in your chest? The feeling of loss? That pain? That's realization that you messed up. That's guilt. That's hurt. That's, for lack of a better word, heartbreak. And it's what I felt when you rejected and abandoned me for something I didn't have a bloody choice in." Harry glared.
"Harry…We want to fix things. Give us a chance…" Ron asked.
"I can't. One day, you'll understand. Until then…This is how it has to be." Harry told them. "I'm sorry," Harry frowned slightly before bringing his fingers closer together and a small blue light appeared in his palm as Hermione and Ron's eyes widened some as Harry slowly rotated his wrist while the two slowly lost consciousness and Harry's hand closed fully before he pulled it back. Harry put up a barrier to block the others, but they could still see Harry got over and set his hands on the tops of Hermione and Ron's heads. "You will return to Gryffindor Tower and go to your dorms. You will not remember this when you enter the common room…"
Harry stepped back behind the barrier as he snapped his fingers to revive the two, they stood slowly, looking entranced, and then left the bathroom. Harry sighed as he dropped the barrier and waved his hand over the room. "No more interruptions…" Harry stated as he approached the sink and located the one with the small snake on the side.
"Harry, what did you do to them?" Theodore asked.
"I obliviated their memories up to deciding to follow us and then they reach the tower they won't even know why they left it. That's what we call mind control…" Harry remarked.
"You seem bothered by it." Narcissa mentioned.
"I took no pleasure in having to resort to obliviating nor controlling old friends, but they cannot be trusted to go right to Dumbledore with what they saw here…It's the only way to protect you." Harry stated. "And them."
"What do you mean?" Draco asked.
Harry avoided the question and looked ahead. "HehShaaSsaa…" Harry hissed out as the top of the grouped sinks rose up and then the sinks themselves moved apart slightly. The one in front of them slid down and vanished under the floor grate.
"Dear…Merlin…It was always right here." Lucius stared.
"Indeed. Now…Who would like to jump down first?" Harry asked.
"J-Jump down?" Blaise blinked.
"That's the only way down. No ladder. You'll likely land on a pile of bones." Harry informed. "Sev, you can come down with me."
"Supporting that idea." Severus moved closer to Harry, who grinned, and wrapped his arm around his bonded, then levitated them off the ground and over the hole. Harry lightly floated them down to the floor. "Wow…"
"This isn't even all of it. This is just the entrance to the chamber, not the chamber itself…" Harry told him. "Come on you lot, I don't have all night!" He called up. "Floor is cushioned, just jump."
One by one, or in pairs, they jumped down and landed on a very soft pad. Above them, the chamber began to close up. From this point on, they were headed to the chamber of secrets. All of which were surprised and intrigued to see more.