The Bonds That Tie
Draco and Severus were having a decent time wandering around the main room of the coven's base; getting a chance to meet everyone around. It was a lot of people, but somehow, easier to remember them all. Most has their own little families. Adults who took in kids, or kids formed their own small group. It all worked out, of course. However, Severus and Draco were curious where Harry went, they saw him talking to Sanguini, and then both San and Harry vanished somewhere. The boys knew Harry was basically Sanguini's second in command, so it was probably some business to handle while Harry was actually there.
"What do you suppose Harry is up to with Sanguini?" Draco asked his godfather.
"I would assume coven things. Remember that Harry doesn't really visit here unless called on and the next week will be busy with the visiting covens." Severus shrugged. "I'm sure they're not far, he told us he'd be right back." The man added.
"True." Draco nodded. "This is kind'a cool, I'll admit. Being part of the coven, meeting so many people like us…" He admitted.
"Indeed it is." Severus responded. "I'm just glad there's peace with everyone."
"Harry has said the danger isn't over yet…" Draco stated.
"I know, but there's no fighting right now. It's nice." Severus said. "I spent years the way I was to protect Harry, being an ass to him."
"You know he doesn't hold any of that against you, Uncle Sev," Draco offered. "You had your reasons, Harry understands them. And hey, you two are more than just putting the past behind you. You've bonded and mated…Fallen in love." He smiled. "Like you two agreed, perhaps it was always meant to work out this way."
"No matter the work I was doing for Dumbledore, or Tom…I shouldn't have been mean to Harry. Even if he was a carbon copy of his father…Harry was right to yell at me the morning after we'd bonded, telling me to let his father rest in peace. If I were Harry, I wouldn't have forgiven me no matter what the circumstances." Severus remarked.
"Then you don't know Harry very well, Uncle Severus. He's very gentle, understanding, and forgiving. Harry sees the best in everyone, even if they can't see it for themselves. From rumor, I believe that's how his mother was and maybe that's why you were so cruel to him. Harry was a constant reminder of your bully, and someone you cared for and had lost." Draco suggested. "But as time has gone by with you getting a chance to see Harry as himself, meaning when he became a vampire; you got to see Harry as Harry, not James or Lily."
"I know you're right, but still." Severus mentioned. "Should we go find him?"
"Sev, he's fine and with Sanguini. Stop worrying so much. We'll stay right here and continue to mingle until it's time to go back to Harry's place. Relax." Draco laughed.
"Don't judge me for worrying. I just care…" Severus mumbled.
"Uncle Sev…You've always worried and have cared for Harry. I think, even if Harry wasn't a vampire, you two still would have ended up together at some point. You've heard Harry say it before; he's never hated you and I don't think you ever truly hated him." Draco put a hand on his godfather's shoulder. "I'm not judging you. I think it's great you've found love and happiness. You've found what only a rare few find…Your soulmate. The person you're meant to be with."
Severus smiled and gave his godson a one-armed hug as they went on to keep meeting people and mingling.
. . .
Meanwhile, upstairs in one of the rooms; Harry was sitting on the edge of the bed where a young two-year-old female vampire laid unmoving on the bed. The girl had blood red eyes and hadn't moved a muscle when Harry entered the space. Harry had just been observing, but felt now he should try and speak with her as Sanguini requested. The problem was talking to a child who was this age. Granted, this child was a vampire, but did that change the fact toddlers could barely formulate full sentences, let alone basic words to explain to an adult what was going on. Pending Harry could even get her to speak.
"Hi there," Harry finally spoke. "My name is Harry…" He paused. "What's your name?" The child didn't speak, she didn't even look at him. "Are you alright? Any pain? Thirsty?" He tried. "Can…You tell me what happened to you before being brought here?" It was worth a shot, but it would seem that this was something he might not be able to do. Either the child was refusing to speak, or couldn't. "Do you know how to speak?" Harry asked. This was hopeless. Harry stood up. "I'm sorry for bothering you. I will leave. Regardless of whatever is wrong, please don't refuse to feed. You need it to survive. I understand it's hard to adjust, but it's not so bad and it gets easier." He told her as he walked towards the door and had just put his hand on the handle. "I promise you're safe and if you can talk and want to, I'm happy to listen and help all I can. I'll be right downstairs." He didn't know what made him say it, but he felt he should. Perhaps the child just needed some reassurance, but also time to sit with whatever occurred. It may have been traumatic.
Harry opened the door and left the room, seeing Sanguini against the wall. "Anything?" The elder asked.
"I'm sorry, San. I tried…" Harry told him. "She just stares at the ceiling. I'm not even sure she can talk, most toddlers don't. I advised it gets easier, and she should feed…I don't know if she understood me or not." He reported. "I mentioned being right downstairs if she changed her mind, or needed anything. I suppose we'll just have to watch it, keep trying…"
"Thank you for trying, at least." Sanguini nodded to what he was told. "Come, we'll rejoin the get together."
. . .
It was about 11:30 pm when Harry, Draco, and Severus were saying their goodbyes. Most everyone else, except those who resided at the base, had gone home too.
"We'll be back tomorrow, Sang," Harry promised. "What time is everyone coming?"
"Should be arriving at 8:00 pm, when the sun goes down." Sanguini stated.
"Then we will show up around 7:45." Harry nodded. "Are we ready?" He asked Draco and Severus.
"Ready," The two responded.
"Then we're off." Harry held their hands, never even noticing a young child running up behind and latching onto his pant leg as he disappeared with his mate and brother to get to Potter Castle. Arriving home, Harry released Draco, but continued holding Severus's hand; they were likely going to head off to their room. Of course, everyone was still awake and relaxing in the great room.
"You're back," Bellatrix smiled.
"I told you we would be later," Harry reminded.
"You said after midnight, it's only 11:30," Tom corrected with a chuckle.
"Everyone else was leaving too. Not a big deal." Harry stated.
"Well, good to have you back, cub." Remus nodded. "But uh…Who is that extra one with you?"
"What are you talking about?" Harry arched a brow as Remus pointed behind him and Harry looked to see the little girl from earlier. The child still seemed quiet and unsure, but had her little hand clutched around the back of his pants. "Well, hello there little one," Harry greeted gently before letting go of Severus's hand to turn a bit and crouch down closer to her level. "When did you grab on?" She didn't speak. "Still not talking, are you?" He thought a moment.
"Harry, who is this?" Severus questioned lightly.
"I don't know," Harry admitted. "Sanguini introduced me to her earlier, hoping I could get her to talk. They found her abandoned during a rogue hunt, brought her back to the base." He informed. "I tried to talk to her, she just stared at the ceiling."
"Well, whatever you said must have had an impression because she followed you here." Narcissa said lightly. "How old is she?"
"She appears about two, but she wasn't like this a week ago according to Sanguini. They found her as an infant, couple months old. This is how she's aged in a week, apparently." Harry replied. "It's got Sanguini a little perplexed, honestly." He mentioned softly. "And I only told her that I was downstairs if she needed anything, or wanted to talk. I hadn't seen her the rest of the night until now."
"She must have grabbed on right before we left," Severus suggested.
"Be my best guess." Harry nodded.
"You should probably take her back before Sanguini launches a huge search party." Draco told his brother.
Harry knew Draco was right, but this child obviously followed him for a reason so he should try more to help or figure it out. "You don't have to be afraid. No one here will hurt you, I promise. All friends and family." Harry told the child. "Do you know how to talk?" He asked. The child, surprisingly, nodded once. "Can you tell me your name?" The little girl shook her head, but motioned to her throat with her fingers. "Are you thirsty?" He wondered. The child nodded again. "Dobby?" The elf appeared before Harry, startling the female to instantly hide against Harry, he put a protective arm around her for comfort. "It's okay. Dobby won't hurt you; he works for me. Dobby, will you bring me a small goblet of warmed human blood please?" Dobby vanished, then returned moments later with the cup for Harry; he accepted lightly and held it towards the child.
"Here…" Harry offered lightly. Slightly moving away from Harry's figure, she carefully took the goblet and brought it to her lips to drink slowly. The poor thing had to be starving, she drank the whole thing with barely a break between sips. "How's that? Feel a little better?" Harry asked. The child nodded. "Still hungry?" She shook her head no to him. "Can you tell me your name now?" The child shook her head. Harry thought a few moments. "Do you…Have a name?" He decided to inquire. Again, the child told him no with a shake of her head. "Were you ever given one by anyone, maybe your parents?" She shook her head to him. "Can you tell me what happened the night you were found, before you were taken to the other castle and put in that room?" Instead of speaking, the child stared into Harry's eyes before raising her hand to his cheek and lightly touching it.
Harry saw images flash across his mind of the night he asked of. It all happened so quickly, but Harry understood the meaning. Just as he'd been able to show others the trial through touch, this child did the same; showing him what happened the night she was found. Harry snapped out of the vision when the girl's hand lowered from his face and he stared at her. "You weren't turned…You were born a vampire, both your parents were killed right after the birth. You were never given a name…" Harry realized and the child nodded to him. "I'm sorry. I lost my parents when I was about your age too," Harry smiled to her. "It's alright…You're not alone anymore." Harry promised as she leaned into him again, putting her head on his chest. "Why did you latch onto me?" She snuggled closer. "Do you…Feel safe with me?" She nodded.
"You must remind her of something that made her safe, Harry. Maybe the fact you both lost your parents young, or that you were gentle with her…" Lucius suggested.
"I'm gentle with everyone…" Harry remarked. "Sang is pretty gentle too with kids, so don't know why she'd latch to me." The girl carefully pointed to his eyes, then her own. Harry tried to connect the dots. "Do…My eyes remind you of…Your parents' eyes?" He asked. The girl nodded. "Your mother or father?" She held up two fingers. "Your father?" The child nodded again, then motioned to Harry's hair. "And my hair is like…" He thought a moment. "Your mother's?" The girl nodded to confirm. "Alright, guess that makes sense why you might latch to me…If I remind her of her parents."
"Harry, sorry to drop in unannounced." Sanguini's voice made Harry crane his neck to see the man. "We've had an escape-," He stopped seeing the girl leaning against Harry. "Never mind."
"I was about to reach out to you," Harry informed. "She grabbed on when I was leaving with Sev and Dray."
"As long as she's been found. I thought she might have runaway." Sanguini stated.
"No, apparently I remind her of her parents and she's kind'a latched onto me." Harry said calmly as he adjusted to lift the child into his arms and stand up to face his creator. "Got some information for you, though."
"Oh, do tell?" Sanguini invited.
"First off, she wasn't turned into a vampire by rogues; she was born a vampire. Rogues killed her parents, and she doesn't have a name. When you saw her last week, she was a baby because she was just hours old." Harry revealed. "That's why she's aging so fast."
"Of course. I don't know why I didn't think of that. Vampires from birth grow at an accelerated rate based on their parents' vampirism conditions." Sanguini realized. "How did you find this out?"
"She showed me," Harry told him.
"May I see as well?" Sanguini wondered.
"Can you show my friend what you showed me?" Harry asked the girl, but she held onto Harry tighter. "It's okay. I can still hold you," He offered gently. "Will that be okay?" The girl nodded as Harry moved closer to Sanguini. "It shows through her eyes," He warned his creator. The man nodded as the child hesitantly reached out her hand to touch Sanguini's cheek as the man went silent, a some-what dazed look in his eyes. Moments later, the child withdrew her hand, laying her head back on Harry's shoulder.
"Ah, I see now. I'm familiar with those two. They were rogues, but allied to the coven. Very sad." Sanguini folded his hands behind his back. "She was born a vampire, but she's not a full one. She's half. Her father was not a vampire, but the mother was…I expect she will age slower than a vampire born of two vampires, but faster than a human…" He continued. "She will be considered full grown in ten years, give or take. By what would be her tenth birthday, she'll appear to be eighteen or so. Might still be wrong on that…I've never seen a born half-vampire age. Can survive on blood or normal food…I suspect hunger for food, but thirst for blood and…She's not like us, she can use human or animal blood. Either or would work."
"Right, but uh…San, why are you tell me all this like I need to be made aware of how she'll age and eat. Unclaimed children or those left alone stay at the base…" Harry told him.
"Under normal circumstances, that's exactly how things are done." Sanguini started. "But this is not your average situation. This child refused to let anyone else so close to her, wouldn't eat or speak…But she responded to you. She wouldn't even let you put her down for me to see what I did; you had to be holding her…"
"What are you saying?" Harry asked.
"I believe, dear, what he's saying is that this child has kind of bonded to you. Not like yours and Severus's, of course, but a parental one. Like she's choosing you to stay with, raise her…" Narcissa stated.
Harry's eyes widened a bit. "What?" He paused. "No. No, I can't raise her…I've just turned seventeen yesterday. I still have a year of school left," He looked at the girl, who was relaxing on his shoulder, actually drifting off to sleep. "No. I can't do this…You have to take her back to the base, San…" He insisted. "She's just shy, and I'm sure she'd be better off with another family. I can help get her settled, but…I-I can't raise her."
"Harry, yes you can…" Severus stated.
"Severus, no. I'm seventeen, technically fifteen…I can't raise a child." Harry told him.
"You? The great Harry Potter, Lord to Potter, Black, and Slytherin? The boy who lived? Who defeated Voldemort, and Dark Lord Dumbledore?" Severus chuckled. "You, who makes the impossible…Possible?" He added. "Harry, you can absolutely do this. You're an adult in wizarding standards, even if you're still in school. We can work something out with McGonagall about the child, explained the situation and extenuating circumstances behind why you have her. It's not the end of the world just because this little girl has latched onto you as a parent. Come on, look at her…" Severus tried as Harry looked down at the child, who now closed her eyes, arms wrapped around his neck. "She adores you."
"It's not just me, Severus…" Harry reminded. "I'm mated to you and if I do this…She's in our lives until she's full grown. Are you prepared for that?" He asked.
"I sort of assumed me telling you that you can do this with a vote of confidence was my answer, Harry…" Severus told him. "I'm fine with it. Besides, we said we'd have kids of our own, eventually…"
"Eventually, not right this very moment," Harry sighed. "You sure about this?" He asked again.
"Entirely." Severus assured. "Come now, you've never let anything beat you. And you always manage to find a way, one way or another." He got closer and kissed his mate's cheek. "It's fine, we're fine. You can do this…We can do this, Harry. You're not alone, never have been and you never will be."
He couldn't believe he was about to agree to this, but the facts were against him. This child, who had been hiding from everyone, came out to latch onto Harry before he left and had thus far refused to be away from physical contact reach from him. "Fine," Harry caved. "I'll take her in and adopt her…"
"Wonderful!" Sanguini beamed.
"I'm a grandmother!" Narcissa clapped.
"Great aunt!" Bellatrix grinned.
Harry rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Settle down, Mother, and Aunt Bella…It's late. And if this one is half vampire, that means she'll sleep like a human does." He commented as Sanguini nodded.
"I'm not sure on her blood status, I'd have to do some research in the archives to recall what the parents were." Sanguini informed. "I'll get back to you."
"I suppose you'll be needing a name then." Harry told the child, who looked up at him tiredly.
"I think we have the same name in mind," Severus said.
Harry nodded. "Lilium,"
"Severus smiled. "Mother is going to lose it when she finds out we adopted a child on top of us mating, and me becoming a vampire."
"You said you told her about all that." Harry stared at his husband.
"I did, but everything all together is quite the bit of information to take in. Mother says she won't believe it until she meets you," Severus informed.
"Soon." Harry promised.
"I know." Severus agreed. "So then, Lilium Potter-Black-Malfoy?"
"She's not a blood child, I can't name her Black heir. She could take Potter, but wouldn't be an heir, same with adding Malfoy to the end of it." Harry considered. "How about mixing our names? Snape-Potter? Prince-Potter? Or Potter-Prince?"
"I only use Snape in school, you know that, Harry. I swore off the name when I was a teenager myself. But used it so people wouldn't know my heritage as the Prince heir. Too many end up using you for your name." Severus mentioned.
"Oh, trust me…I know that one all too well." Harry muttered.
"Well, I basically took your name when we mated. I say you make her Prince-Potter. Keep it to our respected birth names." Severus suggested.
"Works for me. Lilium Prince-Potter it is," Harry smiled.
It was obvious why Harry and Severus chose the name Lilium; a name that meant something to both of them. A tribute to Severus's best friend, and Harry's mother, Lily Evans-Potter. Lilium was Latin for Lily. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that this child would definitely end up being nicknamed as Lily. Severus moved next to Harry, sort of sandwiching the child, now known as Lilium, between them and she didn't mind one bit. Harry kissed the girl's forehead, then tilted his head upwards a bit to kiss Severus. It might be early indeed, but their family had begun and would continue to grow.