Vlad rolled his eyes already bored of the pureblood drama Lucius Malfoy was spewing. Though they met often for business, Lucius had a habit of going on political rants; he wouldn't go so far as to call them friends. After becoming half ghost he had discovered their world and saw more ways to become powerful and wealthy. He started his dealings in dark artifacts soon after, their dark power seemed to draw him in.
He made quite the name for himself among the pureblood social elite, especially those more of the dark persuasion. Though he wasn't a wizard they knew he was no ordinary muggle, just like the artifacts in his possession those around him could sense his power. They didn't know where it came from or what he truly was. But they knew enough to not question or test him. He had never joined the dark lord and had never intended to, but his followers always proved good business associates, who they chose to bow down to in their free time wasn't his concern.
That is until he found out his godson was actually the famous Harry Potter. It had come as quite the shock when his little badger had received a letter to attend wizarding school in Scotland. Even more so when the letter was addressed to Harry Potter. It was then that Jack and Maddie finally told him the story behind their nephew's adoption, not knowing that Vlad had been dealing in the wizarding world for more than a decade. Unsurprisingly, he kept that little tidbit to himself and feigned surprise at the story of the boy-who-lived, who had apparently been Harry Fenton all along. Knowing how his… acquaintances felt about Harry Potter, Vlad continued to keep his personal life and work life separate - at least he tried to. Now that the dark lord had returned Vlad tried to learn as much as he could about his current standing in the wizarding world through Lucius. But unfortunately, his business partner seems to take their meetings as a way to get out of the house and unwind from his responsibilities back in the UK. It was understandable, to need a getaway from the constant character he must play among the ministry officials. Vlad just wished he wouldn't do it here.
"And that idiot Fudge, I don't even have to try to dissuade him from believing the dark lord is back. It's almost laughable how easy it is. There have been rumors going around the ministry that his people are taking measures to silence Dumbledore and Potter." Malfoy said with a huff pouring himself a drink.
"Measures? What kind of measures?" Vlad looked up, trying not to show his concern. Thankfully Harry had no idea about all the slander the Daily Prophet had been printing about him. As much as he loved his godson he was too much a gryffindor for his own good sometimes, and would likely act without thinking of the consequences.
"Oh I don't know, they'll likely go after Potter first, considering he's magic-less during the summer and is only protected by his muggle family." Lucius said off-handedly, swirling the amber liquid in his glass.
"But how? Nobody even knows where he spends his summer hiding out." Vlad leaned forward trying to get as much information about threats to his godson as possible. Already feeling the need to go check on him and make sure he's alright.
"Oh that's the best part. I heard something about using the ministry's dementors. They go after whoever we tell them to, as long as we ensure a steady supply of victims for them to feed on of course." Lucius smiled, amused thinking about the boy's suffering.
"The Ministry isn't concerned with causing an international incident? Sending dementors onto American soil?" Vlad questioned as he sat up in his chair.
"Dementors are creatures with their own minds, though the Ministry of Magic employs them, they are intelligent enough to follow instructions and have even acted as bodyguards for the Minister for Magic. But they have defected in the past, so who's to say this dementor didn't simply go rogue. I've only heard rumors but I'm sure whoever intends to send one after Potter knows how to cover their tracks."
"Any idea of when this venture will be going down?" Malfoy's eyebrows creased, staring at him intently. No doubt wondering why Vlad seemed so interested in wizarding affairs all of a sudden.
"It's already set in motion, I've made it my business to monitor when a dementor goes missing from the ministry's holding. Today there was one unaccounted for. Why does the boy-who-lived matter to you so much anyway? He's just Dumbledore's little golden boy." The Lord questioned him, but it didn't matter, Vlad was already out of his seat preparing to kick him out and go to his little badger's aid.
"Just general curiosity I suppose, it's getting pretty late and I'm sure Narcissa is wondering about your absence." He inclined his head towards the large fireplace on the wall to his left. Thankfully Lucius took the hint and set his glass down.
"You're right of course, until next time my friend." He said as he flooed away in a flash of green flame.
The second Lucius' form disappeared from sight, glowing black rings surrounded Vlad's waist before splitting in two and traveling from head to toe. He blasted into the air, phasing through the ceiling and flying straight to Amity Park.
It took him less than 5 minutes to reach the city. He flew invisibly through Fenton Works, not finding Harry he continued his search through the city. A few blocks away he noticed street lights flickering. He made his way to the street looking for anything abnormal. The streets were empty. He chalked it up to the freak storm quickly forming.
He was about to take to the skies once more, until he heard a familiar voice. Yelling a familiar spell. He rushed to the alleyway hidden in the darkness. What he saw made his heart skip a beat. His godson was being held in the air by his throat, a skeletal hand belonging to a dark, cloaked figure pinning him to the wall. Before he could think twice he hit the dementor with a powerful ecto blast.
The wraith-like creature screeched loudly before taking off into the cover of the night. Heart racing Vlad rushed to Harry's side, checking his pulse he let out a sigh of relief before scooping him up into his arms and taking off into the sky once again
࣪ ﹏﹏𓂁﹏ ࣪
Harry's ghost sense woke him up, he shot upright glancing around expecting an attack. Not recognizing his surroundings he tried to remember what had happened. Dementors. He'd been attacked by dementors in the middle of Amity Park! And his wand hadn't worked. He jumped out of the enormous bed throwing the covers off and searching where it might have fallen out.
"Good you're awake," a smooth voice said from the doorway. "I feared you'd sleep the entire day away." Harry looked up nervously before recognizing the form of his godfather in the dimmed lighting.
"Uh what happened?" Vlad walked past him towards the giant windows, throwing open the curtains. Harry's eyes squinted at the brightness.
"What do you remember?" Vlad said, turning towards him once again, hands clasped behind his back.
Harry looked down at the pink matching pajamas someone must have put him in. "I remember being attacked by these horrible creatures from the wizarding world. They're called dementors, you remember me telling you about them back in my third year?"
Vlad nodded slightly, "I thought you knew how to defend yourself from them? I realize you're not allowed to do magic outside of school but surely this would have constituted an emergency." Vlad steered Harry towards a small sitting area in the center of the room, motioning for him to take a seat.
Harry did as directed, staring at his hands resting in his lap. "Yeah, I tried but it wasn't working. Do you happen to have my wand by the way? Also how did I get here?" Harry looked up at his uncle confused.
"I found you in that alleyway," Vlad said. Pulling out a smooth piece of wood from his inner coat pocket, "This was still in your hand when I found you." Ignoring the second question.
Harry took it silently, the cold wood not feeling at all familiar. His distress must have shown on his face as Vlad asked, "Has something else happened? Is there something you need to tell me?" Vlad's eyes showed only concern and understanding. He was always able to tell his godfather anything. Especially the things he didn't feel he could tell his parents.
"Actually something did happen," Harry said softly. Vlad sat forward, his brows creased. "There was an accident about a month ago, in my parents lab." He hesitated. He'd never told anyone, Sam and Tucker only knew 'cause they were there when it happened. 'What if he thinks I'm a total freak? What if he tells my parents?' Harry thought anxiously.
Vlad could tell he was stressed about whatever had happened, "Harry you know you can tell me anything, it won't change how much I care about you." He looked directly into Harry's eyes, showing how serious he was. It couldn't be that bad, whatever had happened. Right?
"I know, I know." Harry said, seemingly trying to convince himself. "Well my parents were trying to build this ghost portal, and at first it didn't really work." He said quickly, hand fidgeting.
Vlad stiffened, another ghost portal. After what had happened back in their college days, Vlad had hoped they wouldn't try a second time. Though he had eventually benefited from the accident, it was still a painful memory.
"Anyway, Sam kinda convinced me to go inside of it. And it kinda turned on while I was inside."
Harry said in one breath quickly looking up to see any sort of reaction on his uncle's face. "But yeah, it did something to me. It changed me." He went quiet.
Vlad stared in disbelief, this can't be happening. They can't have done this again, what are the chances of that? No, Harry's not a half ghost he's probably just talking about something else.
"Harry what exactly happened? How did it change you?" He needed to be sure. He needed to know if there was someone else like him.
Harry stood up apprehensive, "Maybe it would be better if I just showed you." Both their hearts were pounding. "Going ghost!" Harry shouted, arms outstretched. Vlad slowly stood from the cushioned chair, gripping the arm rest. Bright white light engulfed the room, as his godson transformed into an entirely new being.
"So yeah," Harry said awkwardly, his hand rubbing the back of his neck. He looked up when he realized Vlad still hadn't said anything.
"Oh Harry," Vlad began to smile. Harry took a step back, not expecting this kind of reaction at all. "There's something you should know about me as well." He stated before a glowing black ring of energy surrounded his waist and engulfed his body. What was left was, well it was a ghost. Harry was speechless. Was this a normal thing? How many half humans-half ghosts were there out there?
Vlad laughed at his gaping mouth and wide eyes. Finally after nearly 20 years of feeling alone in the universe, Vlad felt hope.
"Is this a normal thing that happens to people that I've just never heard about before?!" Harry yelled, throwing his arms into the air. Honestly what are the chances that both him and his godfather were both half ghosts?
"Of course not my boy, as far as I know we are the only two in existence." The possibilities were already filling his head with all the power the two of them could hold together. His thoughts of world domination were cut off as Harry began spouting off question after question.
"How have I never seen you accidently sink through the floor or set off my parents' machines? How come my ghost sense has never gone off around you? Also why is your transformation ring black when mine is blue? How did this happen to you? When did it happen to you?" Harry couldn't stop the questions racing through his head from spilling out of his mouth. He had been trying to figure this out with Sam and Tucker all week and hadn't had much luck. He had grown used to learning things on his own but this wasn't exactly something he could google search.
"Slow down little badger, there will be time for all of that." Vlad said with a smile. He was eager to learn more about this new halfa and how their powers might differentiate. He knew he was much more powerful than regular ghosts but Harry could be even more powerful than him given that he was changed at such a young age. "How would you like to start training with me?" He offered.
Harry felt a wave of relief wash over him, after being left in the dark by Dumbledore and all his friends it would be nice to finally get some answers. With everything that had happened at the end of this year he thought he'd be receiving tons of owls from his friends as well as Dumbledore. The third task had been easy to put off of his mind with all the ghost business that had been taking up his every waking moment, but he still couldn't help but wonder what was going on back in the UK now that Voldemort was officially back.
He expelled the thoughts from his mind. It would do no good to think about the things he couldn't control. He had reached out and had gotten no answers, if they didn't want to tell him what was going on then he refused to feel guilty about not telling them his ghost business.
"I would love to be trained by you! When can we start? Can we start now?" His question was answered when Vlad suddenly transformed into his ghost half and Harry followed suit.
࣪ ﹏﹏𓂁﹏ ࣪
THREE DAYS LATER
"I AM THE BOX GHOST! FEAR MY CARDBOARD WRATH!"
'This guy cannot be serious,' Harry thought as he looked up at a blue ghost dressed in overalls and surrounded by cardboard boxes. He quickly ducked into an alleyway while Sam and Tucker blocked the entrance from anyone else who might be looking for cover. Transforming into his ghost self he shot into the air turning his attention back towards the box ghost.
"Can we hurry this up, I've got a movie to catch." Harry said, shooting an ecto blast at the ghost. "Tucker, you got the thermos?" He asked as a dozen boxes were thrown at him. He quickly went intangible letting the boxes crash into the wall behind him. He turned his attention back to the box ghost flying at him full speed before sending him flying into the ground with a powerful ecto fueled punch.
Tucker quickly sucked him into the thermos before quickly tightening the lid. Harry ran back out of the alley after transforming back to his normal self. He spotted his friends waiting for him and quickly made his way over to them.
"Nice going man! I think that's our personal best!" Tucker exclaimed, giving him a high five. Harry enthusiastically returned it before they continued their walk to the movie theater. Harry was ecstatic, he had full control over his powers for the first time since he had gotten them. He had only started training with Vlad a few days ago but had already seen a ton of improvement.
"That was pretty impressive Harry," Sam said thoughtfully. "Since when can you control your powers that well? You phased right through those boxes like it was nothing, and that ecto blast hit right on target." Harry figured they would wonder how he had gotten so much better in such a short time, well Sam would. He honestly didn't think Tucker would really notice.
Soon after finding out Vlad was half ghost Harry had asked him if he could tell his friends. Harry hated keeping so many secrets from them and wanted to be totally up front with everything ghost related, since everything wizard related was out of the question. Vlad was super against it at first but after hearing Harry's side of things he agreed to let Harry tell only them two. Vlad really did care for his godson and knew keeping so many secrets was weighing him down. Besides if they even thought about revealing his or Harry's secrets Vlad had ways of keeping them quiet, not that he told Harry that.
"Apparently I'm not the only half ghost in existence." Harry said with a shrug and continued walking. He realized he was alone and turned around to find Sam and Tucker frozen, staring at him with gaping mouths. Sam snapped out of it first and caught up to him.
"How is that possible? How did you even meet another half ghost?" her eyebrows creased in confusion trying to figure out possible answers before he could speak. Hearing Sam's demanding voice seemed to snap Tucker out of his shocked state and he joined them as they entered the theater.
"Well you know my godfather, Vlad?" he asked, grabbing his popcorn from the concessions worker. While the opening credits played he explained that his uncle had been in almost the exact same accident almost twenty years ago. His friends were staring at him shoving popcorn into their mouths as if he were the movie they were supposed to be watching.
"So what? He's been training you like the karate kid?" Tucker asked, eyebrows raised. Harry nodded his head and with a shrug told them about how Vlad had been helping him with his control over the past few days.
"He's shown me some of his powers and they're insane! He said I'll probably develop more powers as time goes on, and that he would help me to master them as they develop." Harry said with excitement. "I promise I'll tell you guys every single detail after the movie."
Tucker could barely focus on the movie, and they were seeing Dead Teacher IV! He'd been waiting for months to see it so that Harry could join them. Ever since Harry had gone off to boarding school when they were eleven things hadn't been the same. He still had Sam at school but their trio was incomplete. Harry was the glue that held them together, without him there was no one to stop them from arguing about their much different positions on vegetarianism!
He still thought it was strange how he wasn't even allowed to talk to Harry during the school year, well unless it's by snail mail but he'd never betray his technology like that. As horrible as it sounds he was kinda glad Harry got turned into a half ghost. It bonded them, and gave them more of a reason to spend time together. Of course they still hung out every summer but every year that went by they seemed to grow farther apart. Tucker glanced over as his friends laughed at the horrible dialogue and smiled. It felt right when they were all together, it was moments like these that he never wanted to end.