FAMILY TIES

Chapter Thirteen


Harry was released the next day, with a promise to Madame Pomfrey and his relatives that he would take it easy for the next week, and to feed daily for the week to strengthen himself. He was shown the sphere and watched as his destiny was finally fulfilled by killing Voldemort. Dumbldore told him that Severus knew of his heritage, and knew that he was now a relation. He tried several times to talk to him but was brushed off. He even tried to purposely receive detention in potions class, but was sent to someone else for it. Finally after two weeks he cornered him in the potion’s lab.

“What do you want Potter?” Severus sneered.

“Don’t you think we should talk about this Professor?” Harry asked as he stood in front of the lab table while Severus stirred a potion from the other side.

“There’s nothing to talk about.”

“But there is,” Harry replied. “I’m family if you like it or not. You’ve always hated me because I was James’s son. Well, I’m not. I’m a Snape, an elf, and a vampire. I’m told you were close friends with my mother, saved her life. You’ve also saved me several times over the years, and brought me back after I collapsed after I killed off Voldemort. There are some feelings there. You may not want me as a brother, but how about a friend?”

“That’s quite a little speech there Potter. Please hand me a hankie to stop my tears,” he sarcastically replied.

“Fine,” Harry fumed, “be a fuckhead. You’ll never change.”

“Ten points from Gryffindor for language Potter.”

“Fuck you . . . brother,” Harry sneered then left the room, not looking back. ‘I tried,’ he thought to himself.

That night Harry snuggled with Draco on the couch, Draco patiently listening to Harry vent out his feelings about Severus. Draco had been surprised, but pleased to hear that he was Harry’s mate, but even more surprised when he was told who Harry’s brother was and the circumstances behind it.

“Who does he drink from?” Harry wondered.

“I know of three of his donors. Remus, Tonks, and also my mother when she was alive. His mate was killed by his father,” Draco replied sifting his fingers through Harry’s hair.

“Does he have to be such a prick?” Harry sighed sadly.

“He had to, to keep up his evil persona. He’s not that bad once you get to know him.”

“I’ll never know,” Harry quietly said, laying his head on Draco’s lap.

Harry immersed himself into his training to keep busy, to avoid everyone, except Draco. He knew he had family that loved him, but it hurt that his only brother wanted nothing to do with him. At least Severus was talking to him before, before he found out they were related. He went out of his way to avoid the Potions Master, speaking to him only when spoken to.

Severus had been contemplating his life for the past several weeks, since Harry stormed out of his lab. The silence from both Draco and Harry was unnerving. He missed talking to his godson, and bantering with Harry. It had been hard living a double life. His death eater mask tended to cover a lot more than just his face, they were able to cover his feelings. He was good at masking his emotions, his true feelings safely tucked away until even he couldn’t resurface them, where they couldn’t come back up and bite him in the arse. It became too easy to be the unfeeling Potions Master over the years.

He watched as Harry and Draco made yet another flawless potion, the two of them happy and comfortable with each other. It surprised him that Draco was Harry’s mate, but he shouldn’t have been. The two of them were always seeking each other out in some form or another. At the end of the class, he gave the class their assignments, then asked Harry to stay after class. Once everyone was gone, he looked up for the first time in a few weeks, into Harry’s eyes. “Potter, I need to restock Madame Pomfrey’s healing potions. I would like you to help me,” he quietly requested.

“Why not Blaise or Draco? They’re much better than I mixing potions . . . Sir,” Harry added.

“I could,” Severus admitted, “but I’ve noticed a great improvement in your potion making, and would like to enlist your help.”

“When?”

“Whenever your training allows it. Maybe about three nights a week if possible.”

“I’ll see what I can do. Is there anything else Professor?”

“No. I’m sure Draco is waiting for you,” he smirked. Harry gave him a hesitant smile, then left the classroom. ‘It’s a start,’ Severus thought to himself.

His instructors were only too happy to give Harry the time to spend with Severus. He had hoped that he wouldn’t be able to. He asked Draco if he would come to help, but he shook his head saying that he needed to do this himself.

The first night he threw on his faded jeans and a T-shirt, not bothering with his robe, as the sleeves tended to get in the way. He entered Severus’s private lab after he was bade to enter. “We need to make more skele-gro, blood replenishing potion, and some burn salve tonight. The instructions are on the board, the ingredients on the table,” Severus said, getting right to business as he lit the fires under the cauldrons. “Which would you like to start with?” He asked looking up.

“The burn salve,” Harry replied, looking to the instructions. At Severus’s nod he set the ingredients before him, preparing them in the order they were to be added to the mixture. He diced, sliced, grated, and mashed for about an hour in silence, feeling Severus’s gaze on him every now and then. As he was stirring, he wrinkled his nose up. “Can’t we add some aloe plant or something to help the smell?” He questioned.

Severus got up from his stool to bring an aloe leaf to him, where he mashed it to a pulp. He added it to Harry’s cauldron slowly as Harry stirred it in. “That will give the potion a cool feeling when applied . . . as well as help the smell. Never did like the smell,” he softly said stirring his own potion.

Harry’s lips quirked up in a smile. “Maybe we can do something about the taste, like add cinnamon, peppermint, vanilla, or chocolate to some of these potions,” he grinned.

“Yes, you would know what most of them taste like wouldn’t you?” Severus said, glancing up to see the small smile on Harry’s face, then felt his own lips twitch up.

“Can’t help it if trouble always found me,” Harry shrugged. “Madame Pomfrey even has a bed with my name on it. Thought she was being funny with that,” he added.

“With the skele-gro . . . what would you like it to taste like?” Severus asked.

“Well, I know when I had to drink some in second year, it was hard to keep down.”

“You wouldn’t have had to drink that if we had had a competent Defense Professor that year. He was such an arse,” Severus smirked. “It was rather brilliant when his obliviate spell backfired on him though.”

“Would chocolate reduce the potency to the potion?” Harry asked.

“Not if we liquify it,” Severus said after thinking on it. “The potions that can be addicting I don’t think we should add flavour, like the dreamless sleep or the pepper-up potions.” Harry nodded in agreement and they continued to brew their potions.

It was almost eleven at night when Harry and Severus brought up their fresh vials of potions to the infirmary. “We made some improvements on them,” Severus said handing her the case.

“Made them stronger?” Pomfrey asked.

Harry shook his head, then opened a vial of the burn salve. “Aloe was added to the burn salve which helps the smell and adds a cooling sensation,” he stated letting her smell the improved potion. He opened another. “This is the Skele-Gro which tasted horrible,” Harry grinned in memory, “it now tastes like chocolate.”

Severus opened a vial. “This is the blood replenishing potion that now tastes like cherries. I’ve kept some for myself,” he said.

“Do you need some Harry?” Pomfrey asked.

“I don’t think so. I haven’t needed Blaise, Hermione, or Ron to donor for me. I’ve had Draco as my main blood source,” Harry replied.

“With Draco being his mate, the blood replenishes itself, so he doesn’t need the potion,” Severus said.

“He’s my walking blood drug,” Harry grinned, “the sweetest I’ve tasted. Speaking of . . . he’s waiting for me,” Harry said then held out his hand to Severus. “Thanks Professor, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be,” he smirked.

“Your welcome Potter,” Severus replied, shaking the offered hand. “I would have to also say it wasn’t as dreadful as I thought it would be.”

“See you in a couple of days then,” Harry said waving to them as he left the ward.

“Why the sudden change of potions Severus?” Pomfrey asked putting the new vials in her cupboards.

“It was Potter’s suggestion,” Severus said turning to leave, not seeing Pomfrey’s knowing smile.

“Thank you Severus,” she called out right before the door closed behind him.


~*~


Over the next few weeks, Harry continued to help Severus with the potions, adding the flavours to almost every one of them. The lab seemed to always smelling of fresh fruit or spices. They kept their conversations fairly impersonal, talking about their classes or potions, slowly getting comfortable with one another.



It was a Friday night and Harry was sitting on his couch, reading an elven history book, when he sensed Draco come into his rooms. “Hello Dray,” he smiled at the blonde as he took the book from his hands to straddle his thighs. “Um . . . I was reading that,” he grinned.

Draco picked up the book and read the cover. “How long have you been reading?” He asked.

“Couple of hours,” Harry shrugged.

“Well, you need a break before you head down to see Severus,” Draco smirked.

“Any ideas what I should do for this break?” Harry asked, running his hands up Draco’s jean clad thighs.

“A few,” Draco replied as he kissed the corner of Harry’s mouth, “really good ideas,” he added moving his hips closer.

“Mmm . . . Draco,” Harry moaned as he pulled him closer, their erections grinding against each other’s through their jeans. His hand went to the back of Draco’s neck as he deepened the kiss.

Draco broke away from the kiss, his breathing ragged, “evanesco,” he breathlessly said for both of their clothes to disappear off their bodies. “Oh . . . gods,” he moaned as their naked cocks rubbed against each other. As he leaned down to ravage Harry’s mouth, he raised himself, reaching behind him to position the head of Harry’s cock at his entrance. He gripped Harry’s shoulder, moaning into the kiss as he seated himself fully onto him.

“Drake . . . gods . . . are you..okay?” Harry panted, when he felt Draco’s fingers grip his shoulders tight.

“Mmm . . . yes . . . so okay,” Draco huskily said as he raised himself a bit, then slowly lowered himself down again. “I prepared . . . myself . . . oh Merlin,” he moaned as his prostate was hit.

Harry’s hands went to Draco’s hips, pulling him down hard as he thrust up. “Ah . . . fuck . . . Draco,” he growled, “so tight.”

Draco leaned down to nibble onto Harry’s arched neck as he impaled himself over and over again. His teeth bit hard when Harry gripped his cock, stroking the hardened flesh in time with his maddening pace. His hand glided down to Harry’s chest, tugging on the nipple ring as he moaned against his neck, sending shivers down Harry’s body. He slammed down hard, then thrust his hips forward as he came hard, splattering Harry’s chest and stomach. His fingers slid in his cum, as Harry thrust up, to bring to his lover’s lips.

Harry opened his mouth, tasting Draco, his eyes closed as he swallowed. He held down Draco’s hips as he cried out his name, emptying himself inside. “Hmmm . . . I should take breaks more often,” he breathlessly smiled.

Draco gazed into Harry’s eyes as he brushed his thumb over his lips, stopping at a fang. “Harry, I want you to turn me,” he quietly said.

“Draco,” Harry said shaking his head, “you don’t know . . . ”

“Yes, I do Harry. I know vampires live well beyond wizarding life, and have to drink blood, but I want to be there with you Harry. Wizard’s live long lives, but as a vampire, you wouldn’t have to watch me die of old age, and . . . we would share a link to each other. I would know if you were in danger and vice versa.”

“You’ve thought this through, haven’t you?” Harry asked.

“Yes. Harry, I love you,” Draco said, leaning in to kiss Harry’s lips. “I don’t ever want to lose you.”

Harry shifted so he was laying on top of Draco on the couch, still deep inside of him. He stroked his fingers down the side of Draco’s face, and then his neck. “I love you too, Draco,” he softly said, looking into Draco’s eyes. “Let me think about it, okay? I need to find out more about it first.”

“So, it’s not a no then?” Draco smirked.

“It’s a maybe,” Harry grinned as he leaned down to press his lips to his as he moved his hips forward.

Draco wrapped his legs around Harry’s waist as they shared tender, soft kisses. Harry thrust slow and deep. Their hands glided over each other’s bodies, feeling the muscles tremble at the soft caress or flexing as they met the touch. Harry pulled away from the kiss, to move his lips down Draco’s neck, feeling the pulse against his lips. When Draco arched his neck back, he let his fangs pierce the skin, drinking slowly as he quickened his thrusts. Draco’s hands went to his shoulders and neck, pulling him closer to his own neck. With the repeated hit on his prostate and his cock sliding against Harry’s cum splattered stomach, his legs soon tensed around Harry as he bucked up, crying out Harry’s name as he came again. He felt Harry sucking harder on his neck as his fingers dug into his hip, grinding into him as he went over the edge, Draco’s tight channel milking him dry.

Afterwards, they got to their feet and held each other close, their hands caressing each other’s back. Harry kissed the hickie on the side of Draco’s neck made from where he drank, then led him to the bathroom to shower.

Severus looked up hearing his door open to see Harry come in a little preoccupied as he looked to the books on the table. “You’re late,” he said to get the other’s attention.

“Sorry Professor,” Harry apologized, “Draco was . . . um . . . keeping me busy.”

“Yes, I see that,” Severus smirked seeing the hickie on Harry’s neck.

“What are we making today?” Harry asked distractively.

“We have just the one potion to prepare, then I thought we could have a game or two of Wizard’s Chess,” Severus said, lighting the fire under the cauldron.

“Chess?”

“If you’d like,” Severus shrugged, “I’ve enjoyed your company these past weeks.”

“Thank you Professor,” Harry smiled, “I’ve enjoyed yours also.”

“Please call me Severus. We’ll leave the Professor for class,” Severus said.

“What are we making today?” Harry asked again.

“It’s been something that I’ve been improving on over the years. A potion to help diminish scarring.”

“Does it work now? And have you used it on yourself?” Harry asked, his interest piqued.

“It does work. It just takes several applications for you to see results. I have tried it on a few of my scars, but I’d rather keep a few of them as a reminder that I’m not perfect,” Severus sighed. “If you’d like we can test it on some of the scars on your back,” he added thinking of the marks left from the whipping.

“Is it going to smell?” Harry grimaced.

“We’ve scented other salves. I don’t see why we couldn’t do it with this one also,” Severus smirked.


After the salve was finished, they bottled the contents up for testing later. They both quietly cleaned the table and instruments, then went into Severus’s private rooms where the chessboard was set up by the fire. Severus got each of them a short glass of firewhiskey then sat down across from Harry.

“Harry, is there something you want to talk about? You seemed a little preoccupied earlier,” Severus asked, leaning back in the cushy chair.

“Were you born a vampire?” Harry asked suddenly.

“Yes. Our family has been around for quite awhile,” Severus grinned.

“How old are you? And why the glamours?” Harry asked.

“I’m eighty years old,” Severus smirked. “And I’m surprised it took you so long to ask.” Severus removed the glamour for Harry to see a black-haired man that appeared to be about thirty years old of age. His hair was long and non-greasy looking and hung a bit past his shoulders. His face was smooth, and wrinkle free, not showing any signs of age.

“Wow!” Harry exclaimed, “I hope I look that good when I’m eighty.”

“We have very similar features Harry. I’m sure you’ll look just as good then as you do now.”

“So why the glamour?”

“Why feed the rumor mill that I’m actually a vampire among the students. Yes . . . I know that there has been talk for years about that. Some parents of the students are quite racist towards our kind as well as the werewolves, and elves,” Severus said. “It’s not as bad as it was years ago, but I’ve gotten used to wearing them.”

“An I’m two of those,” Harry sighed, “elven and vampire.”

“Being an elven vampire is an incredible gift Harry. Don’t ever think otherwise.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t let you know about it.”

“About what? You being a vampire? Or you being my brother?” Severus asked.

“Both I guess,” Harry shrugged.

“When I saw you transform into your vampiric form that night, it was amazing Harry. You radiated such power. I know it must have been difficult to hold back when you were being tortured.”

“I needed ‘him’ to come closer. I didn’t want to lose the opportunity to finish him off. I could have easily apparated out of there, but then there was Bree, then Draco. I wasn’t going to leave them there,” Harry said.

“Always the Savior,” Severus smirked.

“Always probably will be.”

“Remarkably like Lily. She was always saving people too. She was always helping the loners . . . like me. She was a great friend,” Severus sadly smiled.

“Did you know my mother was going to be there the night you saved her?”

“Not straight away, but several of the death eaters were bragging about bringing the ‘great’ Potters in. My heart beat triple time when I thought of your mother in the hands of the death eaters.”

“And my father . . . I mean James?” Harry asked, correcting himself.

“James was a prat in school, but we learned to tolerate each other afterwards. Lily gave him no choice,” Severus grinned. “Not too many people stood up to your mother when she had her mind set on something.”

“Mother told me what happened that night,” Harry said, looking into his now empty glass.

“Your mother?”

“Yes. During the summer, my grandfather led me to one of their spiritual caves where there was a glass sphere in the middle of the room. When I touched it, Mum appeared. It was one of her last wishes to talk to me, and explain things to me, and hold me one last time. I still have that sphere at Silvenwind, and there’s a shard of it in my sword,” Harry replied.

“I’m glad you had that chance Harry,” Severus said. “Speaking of your sword . . . your weaponry training is going well it seems,” he added.

“It’s hard work sometimes, but I really enjoy it.”

“I still can’t believe Lily kept you a secret from me all those years,” Severus said, shaking his head. “I realized why she did it though. My father would have taken you.”

“Is he alive?” Harry asked.

“No. I killed him,” Severus replied, downing the rest of his drink. “Father was an evil man Harry. Often times I would come back to school from the summers spent at home, badly beaten . . . oh not where others could see, but it hurt like hell. Lily was there to patch me up almost every September. I became used to the beatings, my outlook on life jaded, preparing me for the life as a death eater.”

“Draco had mentioned you had a mate.”

“Yes. I did,” Severus sighed, Harry noticing the past tense. “She was a friend of Lily’s, and I met her after we graduated. Father found out about a year after Lily had been captured and rescued, and took her out of her home. He raped and killed her before my eyes while I sat immobilized by a spell. Once he was done, and he lifted the freezing spell, I cast my first killing curse. He was dust, and I felt no remorse. Our father used to be Voldemort’s second in command. When I killed him, I thought for sure Voldemort would have me killed. He didn’t . . . obviously. I became even more trusted in the inner circle and found out a lot more information for the Order.”

“That is so twisted,” Harry said shaking his head.

“Voldemort was never completely sane I think. You never knew what to expect from him. That is what was so frightening about him.”

Severus got up to pour them another firewhiskey before sitting down again. “So . . . how are you and Draco getting along, not getting into details of course,” he smirked, motioning towards Harry’s neck.

“He asked me to turn him tonight,” Harry quietly replied.

“Is that what you were thinking about when you came in?” Severus asked.

“Yeah,” Harry nodded. “I don’t think he realizes what he’s asking. And can I even turn him?”

“Draco is not one to jump into a situation without first thinking it through. He obviously cares enough about you to broach the subject to you.”

“He does. He told me he loves me, and I return those feelings, but would it be a curse or a gift to turn him?”

“It could be both a curse and a gift, but he is your mate. It would only strengthen your relationship.”

“But what if I turn him and I’m not his mate?” Harry worriedly asked.

“I doubt that,” Severus smiled, “he loves you before you were to turn him. In most vampiric history, when a person is turned, they don’t usually have ‘mates.’ When you are born into it, there is always someone out there for you . . . your match . . . your mate.”

“Only one?”

“There have been rare occurrences where you have more than one mate in a lifetime, but I haven’t heard of one in centuries.”

“How would it strengthen?” Harry asked, feeling somewhat reassured.

“There are several ways to turn someone. One is just the blood exchange where you would be able to have a telepathic bond, and drink freely without worrying about draining each other. Right now Draco’s body knows that it is your mate. The saliva from you mixes with his blood, his system naturally replenishes his blood, so no potions are needed. Another way to turn him is to drain him during intercourse, incanting a spell before you start to drink, repeating it through your mind as you drain him. In turn, you give him some of your blood by cutting your wrist or maybe your chest. He would drink then pass out temporarily, to awaken several hours later. His heart would stop until the vampiric blood could pump through his veins. You would both have telepathic abilities, and be able to sense feelings, or sense if one of you is in danger. Also that ritual is recognized in vampiric communities, as well as the Ministry, as a bonding. You would be married in the eyes of wizarding law,” Severus added with a smile.

“Married?”

“Yes. It may not be that bad of an idea Harry. There are many death eaters . . . as well as Lucius that would love to retaliate for their Master’s death.”

“Would he get the wings?” Harry asked.

“No. Those are hereditary.”

“Kids?”

“Usually I would say no, but you are elven, and a wizard. There would be potions that you could take to try. Or . . . you could adopt if you were wanting family. The Malfoy family has had male pregnancies in their ancestry also,” Severus replied.

“I guess I have a lot to consider before agreeing to this. Thank you Severus for the advice.”

“Your welcome Harry,” Severus nodded in acknowledgment. “This is all new to me . . . being personal with a student.”

“Ah, but Sev, I’m not just a student, I’m your brother,” Harry grinned. “What’s it like drinking from a werewolf and a metamorphmagus?”

“Prat,” Severus replied, smiling at the cocky expression. “It’s different from drinking from a muggle or wizard. When I feed off of Remus, it’s like I’m even more energized . . . like the wolf is a part of me. I’m also able to change into a wolf temporarily. Tonks is . . . more of an amusing feed,” Severus smirked. “When I feed from her, I’m able to change my appearance.”

“But can’t we do that now?”

“Yes, but it just feels different. It’s hard to explain, but it feels . . . fun, and I tread carefully after feeding from her.”

“Because of her clumsiness?” Harry grinned.

“Yes,” Severus laughed, “for such a brilliant Auror, she’s got to be the klutziest one in the Ministry. Who are your donors?”

“Hermione, Ron . . . ”

“Of course,” Severus interrupted.

“Blaise, Rider, and Ash . . . as well as family,” Harry continued.

“You’re lucky to have that family Harry. I saw how much they cared for you when we returned from Voldemort’s. Who is Ash and Rider though?” Severus asked.

“Rider is the vampire that was there for me when I came into my heritage . . . a born vampire. Ash is an instructor and friend from Silvenwind. You can meet them at Christmas if you’d like.”

“Christmas?” Severus asked.

“Yes, the elven people celebrate Christmas also because of the wizard and muggle influence in their lives. I’ll be asking Draco to come, and I’d like if you would come also,” Harry said, hope in the unasked question.

“I’ll get back to you on that Harry. I don’t usually venture out at that time. Too cheerful,” Severus grimaced with a shudder. “I never had family to celebrate it with.”

“Now you do. You have me and Draco. Blaise will also be there too.”

“We’ll see,” Severus sighed. “Now, how about that game of chess?”

tbc