Theo would never figure out how Voldemort knew to come as the first person after Thaddeus' death, but of course, he and Draco would go through every theory. The most logical ones were that he had house elves watching, he had the house bugged, or that he got an alert whenever one of his marked men died.

It didn't really matter though. All things considered, it was a blessing that Voldemort not only didn't care that Thaddeus Nott was dead but seemed as happy as a homicidal maniac could be about the turn of events.

It didn't take long for Theo to figure out that his experience of being bit had been at Voldemort's request.

There it was; the other shoe. The terrible, evil, awful that Theo had been waiting for.

Voldemort had told him to get cleaned up and that he'd take care of getting rid of his father. He heard Voldemort speaking parseltongue and Theo went up the stairs to sit under the spray of his shower for a long time and wondered if his father's final resting place was the stomach of a snake.

An hour later, Theo was meeting with Voldemort and all the rest of his marked followers. Voldemort made no motion to hide what had happened, and it came with a warning.

He now had a werewolf and a vampire under his thumb. More than that, they were young in terms of length since turning and they were literally young, so their powers were strong and more or less out of control. Theo thought about how he had seen nothing but the blood on his father's hand before everything went fuzzy, so no, Voldemort wasn't wrong.

"Why me?" Theo asked, voice creaking as the meeting ended, "If you have the vampires-,"

"I don't have them," Voldemort said snappishly, "Yet. Sanguini owed me a great favor. I knew choosing you to be my first vampire would be a smart choice. I've watched you; so much more intelligent than your father. So much more clever. Your mother made you level-headed. You tempter Draco and will one day make a fine Death Eater," Voldemort said. Usually, any sort of praise would have Theo grinning ear to ear, but the sliminess of this compliment had Theo shuddering.

All he could manage was a quiet, "Yes, sir."

"You'll assure the young master Draco accomplishes his task, won't you?" Voldemort added with narrowed eyes. Theo managed a jerky nod, knowing that he was now tied to this assignment too, and if they both failed…he shuddered to think of the consequences.

"This is a gift, Theo," Voldemort said after a moment, "Draco's was a punishment. Yours is a boon. You'll come to realize this in time."

Theo forced a smile, "I know it, sir," He said, but honestly, all he wanted to do was rip the old bastard's head off. He had a feeling Voldemort's blood would taste like vinegar, but it would still be satisfying.

"Go. I'm sure the Malfoys are eager to know that you have survived the transition. Lucius was unsure. I was confident that you would be a fighter," He gave an unsettling grin, "And my bet was correct."

Theo didn't have to be told twice to scram from Voldemort's sight. They were in the Malfoy's house, but Draco hadn't been at the meeting, and neither had Narcissa. Theo was still finding flakes of blood from his father on his skin, having washed quickly (despite the long shower) and thrown some clothes on to look nearly presentable for whatever Voldemort had planned for him.

Apparently, to be Draco's keeper and to be a guinea pig.

As he stumbled into the Malfoy library, Narcissa was pulling him into a warm hug immediately.

"Oh, darling!" She was openly sobbing, "I can't…I…oh, my boy," She said, pressing her nose deep into his hair, "I am so, so sorry."

"It's not your fault," Theo said, giving a wry smile.

"We can't help but feel it is," Lucius said, leaning against the hearth, sighing deeply, "If Draco had not been turned, perhaps he would have never had such an idea, or maybe it wouldn't have been you."

Theo hadn't thought of this, but it made sense. However, he couldn't be mad at the family that had made him feel far more wanted here than at his own house. He'd be nothing without them.

"It's alright, I'm aliv-," He broke off, realizing his mistake in words and wincing hard. He hadn't really had time to consider any of it, "I'm…here." He wasn't fine. He wasn't alive. But he was not in the storm of Voldemort's wrath, no, instead he was in the shining glory of his triumph. And he had already tackled Draco's transition…how hard could this be?

"What's done is done," He finally said, "We can only move forward."

"Fuck, mate," Draco whispered, looking like he hadn't slept in days, "I was down there with you for…forever. And the one night I go home is the night you wake up? If I had been there-,"

"You could have been dead too," Narcissa said, "Sorry, Theo, but I'm not sure anything could have stopped your first feed. I hear it is…" She swallowed thickly, "An impulse impossible to resist."

Theo had obviously had the same fears. So yes, he was grateful. He was also glad that Draco hadn't seen how he'd killed his father. As much as he hated the man, the shame of how it went down settled uneasily with him.

"Do you know anything about vampires?" He asked Narcissa, "We didn't learn about them in class and I must admit I know dreadfully few things."

"Oh, it's only stories," Narcissa sighed, "Vampires aren't well documented, or they don't often stick around wizards. Though I suppose you can be both a wizard and a vampire, right?"

Theo gave a resounding nod. He could still do magic. He showed them the strength of his power now and tried to describe how he could just see magic, everywhere. Lucius was impressed.

"I would not be waving this around the Dark Lord," He said after a careful moment, "I don't think he knows more about vampires than us." That is to say, he had no idea how powerful Theo current was.

"We'll dig up anything we can, promise," Narcissa said, kissing his lips, "What are you planning?"

"I'm…tired?" Theo asked, "I don't know if vampires sleep, but I need to rest."

"No, after," Narcissa said softly, "You'll need a funeral. And a meeting with Gringotts to transfer the bank titles and the house. And then the Nott Manor is yours."

Theo inhaled sharply; he hadn't even thought of all that.

"And are you coming back to Hogwarts?" Draco added, "If it's unsafe, you shouldn't, but I'd…" He pursed his lips, "I want you to."

"I don't…know…" Theo whispered, looking at Draco's parents.

"We'll come with you, of course," Lucius promised, "You are a second son to us, always. We will help you navigate this. I'll send a letter to your grandmother. She'll also have some insights."

"Before I…" Theo winced, "Before. My father called me some nasty names. And told me he'd kill me if I didn't go. Do you think my Nana…?" He trailed off, unable to finish his own question. It had been a long time since he'd seen his grandmother.

"Nana Nott was always a more welcome Nott than your father," Lucius snorted, "She also loves you. But…perhaps we don't bring it up unless it is necessary." He added as an afterthought. Theo gave a sharp set of quick nods. No reason to worry her more than strictly needed.

"What will we say about my dad's death?"

"Could have been anything," Lucius said dryly, "Too much to drink, picked a fight with the wrong person, poisoned himself, fell on his own wand…you pick, and that's what we'll tell her. She is quite aware of Thaddeus' vices so I doubt she'll question it for a second."

"Thank you." Theo said, overwhelmed with gratitude, "I just want to take each day as it comes. I want to get the funeral over with and get him buried…whatever is left of him. And I don't know about Hogwart and I don't know what I want to do with the manor." He'd never felt at home there, except for the wing that had been his mother's.

"The first two are easy," Nacrissa assured, rubbing slow circles on his back, "And Hogwarts will be a longer discussion. As for the house? You don't need to make any rash decisions right now. You can let it sit and collect dust in your name until you're ready to choose. Why don't you move in with us, hmm? We'll have an elf make up one of the bedrooms near Draco."

"Sure, for the night, I suppose," Theo blinked.

"Dear, I mean for as long as you want. Stay the rest of the hols. Come back during summer vacation. After you graduate, until you find a job and a flat if that's what you want." She said kindly, "I've always wanted another child." She added, squeezing his hand.

"Okay," Theo said, unsure how to say more than that.

"Perfect! Draco, do you want to help Theo grab what he wants tonight from the Manor? And then we'll figure things out in the morning after a long, long rest." Narcissa said.

"Actually, Draco and I will go. You shouldn't have to return there tonight, Theo. Just tell us what you want," Lucius said, "and Narcissa will make you a snack." His face turned sallow, "Erm, of cookies or milk, I mean. If you…can." He added.

Theo laughed, "Yeah, I guess we'll see, right?" He had no idea if he was doomed to a life of pure blood or if he could eat other things. No time like the present to start riddling out what was his body now, "Just grab my bookbag and my Hogwarts trunk. Everything else can wait. And tell our house elf, Twitzel, that she is free to come here too…if that's alright."

"You are a good man, Theo," Lucius said, "In light of all this, never forget that. Come, Draco, let's go quickly."

Theo felt himself collapse in a bit as soon as the father and son pair had left. Narcissa, noticing his lagging in adrenaline, motioned for him to follow her.

"Let's see about something to munch on, hmm?"

XXX

"Theo, mate, you have to eat."

Theo turned his nose up at the vial of blood Draco had pulled into the bedroom. He gave an involuntary shudder at the smell of it; it was tantalizing and he had to grasp his book tightly to fight to urge to run and quaff it down, let the blood spill over his chin and down his throat.

"Whose is it this time?" Theo asked snappishly, "Bellatrix? Your father? Dolohov? A poor undeserving muggle?" He asked, shaking his head, "I won't."

"It's been three days. As a new vampire, you must be starving," Draco said, sitting in the armchair, and staring at Theo, "What are you doing?" He asked with a confused, almost broken whisper.

Theo stood and grasped the glass in his hand, and he saw Draco sigh in relief. It took great effort and four steps for Theo to get to the window and dump it out, ignoring how his throat constricted and his mouth watered at the smell of it.

"Fuck, Theo!"

"I told you, I won't." Theo said, crossing his arms as he slumped back against his bedframe, "I won't do this. I don't want to be a toy soldier to Voldemort. I don't want this."

"You'll die," Draco whispered, body shaking, "You'll die if you don't drink, Theo. Please."

"You don't understand-,"

"Out of everyone, I think I bloody well do!" Draco yelled, snarling, eyes flashing, "I get it, okay? But what's done has been done and are you really going to just die? Are you going to leave me here?"

"It's not the same, Draco!" Theo snapped back, "You don't have to drink blood to survive. You have those thoughts, sure, those feral ideas, but it comes and goes in waves. I see blood everywhere and I can't help it! I want to rip out everyone's throats, just like my dad's! I won't kill someone else, I won't do it."

"We can work through this, mate, serious," Draco said, "You think it was easy for me those first few months? Do you think I waltz through it? You remember!"

"It's still not…" Theo screwed his eyes shut, "It won't matter. You're right. I'm weak as it is. In a few days, I'll…" He swallowed hard, "And see what Voldemort thinks then. Isn't this what we're supposed to do as teens? Rebell?"

He didn't hear anything for a long time and opened his eyes to see Draco fighting back tears, staring at him furiously, "Coward," He whispered, "You fucking coward. I swear it, Theo, I'll pour blood down your throat if you have to. You wouldn't be strong enough to fight me anyway."

"Fuck you," Theo said, shaking his head, "Leave me to die."

"No," Draco said, and sat down, "I won't. If me, your best friend isn't enough to rouse you from this, think of my mum. She's just gotten another son. How would she feel to have to bury you and then watch me fail my task and then bury me too?"

Theo groaned, "That's hardly fair."

"You're not playing fair," Draco argued, "And we're Slytherins." Theo saw him glance at the cup sitting on the windowsill, "It was from a dead muggle. I knew you wouldn't like it if I told you. But what if…what if you just made sure you drank every day? You know, if you crave chocolate and you stay away for months, you eat in one sitting. But if you have just a bite every day, it's easier to control yourself."

"I don't think this comparison is adequate," Theo said, almost smiling.

"Everyone feels ruddy sorry for you. If my father asks the Death Eaters, they'd all give some blood. Not enough to that anyone dies, though maybe a few wouldn't be missed, but so you have a daily dose. Like medicine. Until your cravings settle." Draco whispered, "Because I just got you back. And I can't…I can't finish this year without my brother." He said, "I didn't know you wished for death."

Theo was quiet, "I didn't. Not…before this. I just…finally grew a moral backbone. Ironic, huh?" He asked, "We can try. If it doesn't work, if it seems I would be a danger at Hogwarts, I'm not going." He groaned, and his stomach growled, "Fuck. I'm really, really hungry."

Draco rolled up his sleeves. Theo shook his head.

"It's not an option. Besides, may I remind you, I'm far stronger currently. If you get too greedy, I'll just break a hand," Draco said, quirking a smile.

Theo considered it and then gave a quick nod. He lifted Draco's wrist to his arm and bit…and immediately spat it up, choking.

"What? Theo?" Draco asked frantically, holding his free hand to his bleeding arm, staring wide-eyed as Theo lunged for the goblet, trying to lick any remaining blood from the rim, spitting and sputtering.

"Your blood tastes like battery acid, Draco!" Theo said, trying to spit up as much as he could, "It's vile, mate."

Draco gaped at him, "Excuse me! I'm a Malfoy! I'm a pure-blood! My blood should taste like liquid candy." He said, unreasonably offended.

"Yeah, you're also a werewolf," Theo said, finally getting the taste out, but now facing a worse issue of needing blood soon, now that he'd had a few tantalizing drops hit his tongue, "And we didn't know why werewolves and vampires were at odds, but this would be a pretty good argument. You're useless to us. You're like eating a moldy piece of cheese." He said with a wry grin.

"Oh," Draco winced, as though he'd forgotten about his furry affliction, "Yeah. That. Hell…erm, let me grab my mum or dad and see if they're around to spare a bit." He said. Theo felt his mind fuzz over with hunger, clawing deep at his stomach, and watched as Draco called a house-elf to ask his parents if they'd be willing.

"I'm not feeling good," Theo groaned, "Feels like I haven't eaten in three years."

"Yeah, starving yourself sucks," Draco laughed, "Distract yourself."

"How?"

"Never got to ask. How was Slughorn's party? Other than…you know…getting bit. I'm assuming that blew. I would know. From experience."

"Honestly?" Theo asked, "Shitty. No one wanted to talk to me, guests or students. And everyone just decided how I was before we did talk. The food was okay, I suppose. And then there was the…" he flopped on his bed, "Granger."

"What's that?" Draco asked, "Didn't hear you?"

"Hermione bloody Granger," Theo muttered into his pillow. He huffed, turning his face to talk to Draco, "I…I think I fancy her. Even though I know I shouldn't. I don't want to. But I do."

Draco stared at Theo for a few seconds before he burst out laughing, "Yeah, that's not a big secret. You were the last to know, somehow! Besides her, of course. I'm saying even Pansy noticed it and all she usually sees is me. I don't get it at all, but welcome to the club of knowing obvious shit."

Theo threw a pillow at him, "I'm serious! You're a werewolf, I'm a vampire and I have a crush on the absolute worst person for me to fall for in all of Hogwarts! I'm doomed mate! This year really is awful."

"Hey, we navigated the first part of the year with my problems perfectly fine. Well, besides the big one, but that's a work in progress. And so are you. We'll figure this out. You were here for me so I'm here for you. You have people on your team, you know that." Draco said.

"And Hermione?" Theo asked, wincing.

Draco bit his lip to keep from snorting, "Yeah. We'll figure that out too."