Promising Submission

Harry watched Nathanial sleep for a few minutes. He knew he would have to go back downstairs and face the non-vamps. They had all expressed curiosity towards the source of his anger and shame. He’d brushed them off with the excuse that Nathanial was dead on his feet, which he was.

Truth be told, he wasn’t really sure what happened either. They were playing poker and then Richard had lost the rest of his chips and somehow the game had changed. The tone was more ruthless, there was untold weight on every hand.

He put on a brave face and met his old and new friends with as much Gryffendorishness as he could muster. He sat next to Neville and put his head in his hands.

“Well what happened?” One thing he’d learned about Richard was that the Ulfric didn’t wait.

“I’m pretty sure I just bought Asher.”

Silence met his words. Eventually Severus cleared his throat. “What did you use as payment?” Harry grunted. He was not looking forward to the man’s reaction to the news. “My alliance.” Friendship, Jean-Claude had called it, but Harry knew what it was. It hadn’t sounded so bad when he was arguing for it.

FLASHBACK

Jean-Claude looked up from his hand. “I have considered your words of advice. I believe them to be sound.” Harry looked up and pursed his lips. What was the vampire talking about? He flicked his gaze to Asher and then sighed. He knew better then to try and get clues from a vampire’s body language. They were both serene, but Harry was sure those words had changed something. The air was thicker, tense with anticipation. “Oh?”

His hand was Two of Clubs, Queen of Diamonds. The flop was Ten of Clubs, Five of Hearts, and Six of Hearts. He had nothing and he knew it. The game was Texas Hold’Em and it was a game Harry’d never played before. He was feeling at a distinct disadvantage since it was obvious the others in the game knew it well. He also knew better then to count on a bluff; he’d never know what the vampires were thinking. The Master Vampire wouldn’t have changed the atmosphere of the game unless he had a good hand. Normally Harry would have folded at such a hand, but something was different now. Something told him that if he folded as soon as the change happened he’d loose something.

He called.

Since it was Asher’s turn to deal he burned a card and then put down the turn. Queen of Clubs. Handy, at least now he had something.

There wasn’t much you could do with the flop and the turn hadn’t helped. Best hand anyone could have was a three of a kind with some card already on the table, or two Hearts in their hand and hoping for a heart with the river. Knowing vampire politics and power games, Harry was guessing Jean-Claude had three if a kind; tens, and anyone else who had anything had a pair like him.

“Yes, I have decided to also accept Damian’s advice and offer my hand in friendship.” Jean-Claude raised it twenty, yep, probably three tens. They weren’t playing very high. It wasn’t about the money to Harry and he wanted everyone to be able to play. Not everyone could be a rich as the vamps or him. He called. Sometimes he had the best luck.

Asher folded which made Jean-Claude frown. Now if that wasn’t a statement, Harry was a Hufflepuff. Asher didn’t like Jean-Claude using Damian’s name? Did that mean he didn’t say it? Or that Jean-Claude was misusing the advice. Don’t think too much Harry. You always get yourself in trouble that way, he thought. Requiem folded and that was a statement, either in support of Asher or to emphasize that this was between Harry and Jean-Claude.

Harry thought he was getting better at these things. He needed to say something. He raised the bet another ten. “I try and have useful friends.” Trying to keep his face passive was harder then he thought it would be. There was something riding on this.

“All your friends have uses?” Asher asked him and dealt the river; Queen of Spades. Hell Yea! Cheers to trusting in Gryffindor luck. Asher seemed to be curious with a hint of insecurity, Harry sought to sooth it.

“Sure. I use them, they use me. Neville held me together for a while when I almost lost it, Severus taught me almost everything I know. Sirius and Remus are my godfathers. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you what I use Nathanial for.” He leered at Jean-Claude. He’d caught the Master Vampire looking at his kitten. That would have to stop.

“I am positive that I could find something that could be of use to you.” Jean-Claude said with a hint of smugness, and with a leer of his own and a glance at Asher. Asher seemed to draw into himself. Harry’s brow furrowed until a light went on in his head.

Harry had mentioned Nathanial; he got Nathanial from Jean-Claude for services rendered. The vampire must have thought he dealt in flesh and Asher had already mentioned Harry’s interest in him. Jean-Claude was going to trade Asher for Harry’s friendship? No wonder Asher dimmed. His lover was selling him. Harry felt his power spike and tried to contain it.

He saw Jean-Claude shift when he felt Harry’s power. A thought flicked across Harry’s consciousness. What if the vampire thought Harry was showing his power as a persuasive argument to convince Jean-Claude to give him Asher? The thought squelched the power down.

Before Harry could answer Jean-Claude spoke again, “Do you know your pet vampire’s plans for the future?” Harry took his time before answering. The Master vamp seemed to be under the impression that the other wizards were under his control. If he wasn’t careful could accidentally end up selling Severus off. That would really tick the man off. “I believe I could convince him to be open to suggestions.” Harry hoped that came across as though he was accepting Jean-Claude’s offer, not making his own. The brunet vampire nodded and smiled.

“You play very well Monsieur Potter. I was under the impression you hadn’t ever played this particular game before.” Harry was positive they weren’t talking about poker. “I have played enough times with the Traveler and Balthazar to be….flexible.” All the vampires froze at the reminder. Hah! Teach them to underestimate the lowly human. “I wasn’t kidding when I said I was a neutral party Jean-Claude.” Harry reminded them. If this was a real power play then he didn’t just want to be an individual with friends. He wanted to be a neutral entity with powerful allies and men and women under his command.

Jean-Claude called and Harry won the round. He was right, three Tens, which he beat neatly with his Three Queens.

The Master of the City seemed to rethink his strategy. Harry let him. It was Jean-Claude’s turn to deal. Harry nearly chuckled when a scenario where Jean-Claude won the hand and Harry accused him of cheating slid through his mind.

“You are indeed a powerful man Monsieur Potter. I only worry that Nathanial will be harmed during your foray into Vampire politics.” If that wasn’t insulting Harry didn’t know what was. Asher caught his eyes and something flashed in them. It looked like worry. Harry chuckled; Jean-Claude was trying to make him mad in hopes that in his anger he agreed to something he knew nothing about?

“I take care of what is mine, Jean-Claude.” Polite, no anger, pointed. He would show the vampire that it would take more then that to make him loose control. That even though he was angry he was still in control of himself.

“Mistake me not; I have no doubt about that. I only meant that there are movements taking place concerning you that I am afraid you do not understand.” Movements? What? Asking Jean-Claude for information could be dangerous. He could play up his relationship to the Traveler, but he didn’t want to have to call on it and owe the vampire a favor. He knew what it would be and he didn’t want to have to give up his body for a night.

He could brush it off, but there was genuine fear in his eyes. Easier to just ask, “Are you needing my help with something Jean-Claude?” He leaned forward slightly and looked directly at the vampire in concern. They weren’t friends but Harry had a saving people thing.

“Bella Morte is coming to visit. She says she has business with you.” Harry frowned in concentration and folded so he could figure out what this could mean. The others let him, playing on without him. She could be coming to deal out her favors, although doing that in person seemed a little more then her usual style. She could be coming to try and kill him, although Harry’s information on her pointed to her calling out a hit rather then coming herself. Most likely she was going to try and turn him. He already knew he’d be a powerful vampire. Easily a Sourdre de sang within the first half a century. So what was Jean-Claude’s angle? Harry declared himself a neutral party tonight; the vampire could wash his hands of Harry. An attachment to Nathanial? Possible but unlikely. Jean-Claude wouldn’t go against his maker without more of a reason then one lowly mortal leopard, no matter how beautiful he is.

He came out of his musings when Jean-Claude passed him the card deck. He asked, “How are you preparing for her arrival?” while dealing out the cards. Another thought occurred to him, “I haven’t received an invitation from her, nor have I given one.”

Jean-Claude chuckled, “She is under the impression we have an…a friendship.” Harry was positive he was about to say ‘an alliance’. Friendship was better in Harry’s book then an alliance. You could betray an alliance, friendship usually was stronger. He had only declared himself tonight, so it was understandable that she would think Harry was under the vampire’s control since he was living in Jean-Claude’s city.

“How is it that you expect to be able to help me?” Harry asked. He was getting annoyed at the double talk, and his hand didn’t help. Pair of twos and the flop was all Spades. He decided to play it out.

“I believe that you are in need of an advisor, someone who is loyal to you.” Asher. Harry’s mind supplied. What would Jean-Claude get out of this? If Bella Morte was coming to St. Louis, it could mean that she wants Asher. Harry’s intel said that the blond Adonis had run away from her. Being under Harry’s protection could be either a blessing or a curse. Harry had no doubt he could fight off the female Vampire and any she brought with her, but the unexpected could happen. He’d ask his friends to stay with him. He could do that now that he was a declared neutral party.

Although, once he accepted Jean-Claude’s ‘friendship’ would he be able to claim that? What would friendship with Jean-Claude mean? With the Traveler it meant occasional exceptional sex and trading information. He wasn’t about to have sex with someone with the Ardeur.

“I believe friendship is a give and take. How would you define it Requiem?” Harry deliberately asked the polite vampire because he genuinely wanted to know, but also because whatever he said would define it for Jean-Claude as well, since the British vampire was under Jean-Claude’s control. He wanted to see how much respect Jean-Claude gave to those under him. How much leeway.

Bright blue eyes clouded in thought, “I would say friendship is about loyalty. More loyal then a partnership would be. Friends would care about each other and protect each other and their actions would reflect their desire to do what is best for the other, without the need for coercion or totalitarian control.” Harry’s eyes widened and he saw he wasn’t the only one surprised. He sensed that there was some exasperation from Jean-Claude but it was fond. “That is an apt definition, don’t you agree?” Harry asked Jean-Claude. This was it, if he agreed then negotiations would begin, if he disagreed then Harry would face her alone.

“I think it is fantastical but solid.” The vampire smiled and Harry felt his chest tighten. Whatever else could be said about Jean-Claude, he was liquid sex on legs. Harry shook his head with a smile and then nodded decisively. Negotiations would begin.

The game was on unofficial hold during their negotiations. He had the deck, and he just couldn’t keep up with that many things at once. Asher hadn’t even come up yet. They were at an impasse. Jean-Claude wanted Severus, and he wasn’t Harry’s to give. “All I can do is ask him if he would like your tutelage. He is a powerful man, but he is also a private man. He will not like flaunting his weakness.”

Requiem spoke up. “If he does not learn, not only will his ignorance be a weakness, but he will be a disadvantage to you and your power base. We cannot correct his ignorance completely before she gets here, but we can cover the things she will likely target.” Harry shook his head. “You are operating under the misunderstanding that they will be here when she is.” They all seemed shocked. “You are underestimating me. I do not need others to stabilize my claim as neutral.” It was a big claim, but he could hold it. Vampire’s got their strength from those under them. The more people they had answering to them, the more power they could draw on. They were negotiating like Harry was a vampire. “She will also underestimate you if you have others with you. If you have an apparent power base, then she will waste her efforts trying to undermine them.” Asher supplied, proving his worth. It was a solid deception. Severus would most likely approve, but he would not like being the week-link.

He relented, “I will ask him today and get back with you tomorrow. Is that acceptable?” Jean-Claude nodded and became pensive. Harry knew this was where they would begin talking about Asher.

The mere thought of it made Harry angry. Was Asher the vampire’s love or not? Harry wondered if Jean-Claude would have sold Asher to their maker if it would pacify her. His power rumbled under his skin. A few well hidden insults later and Harry was near to adding Jean-Claude to the ranks of true death. A part of Harry understood that Jean-Claude needed to downplay Asher, to make him appear to be nothing so Harry would underestimate the vampire. Jean-Claude though, hadn’t seen the betrayal, pain, and anger in Asher’s eyes, but Harry had.

The Master of St. Louis hoped Asher would be able to keep Harry in line, but the wizard knew that, now Asher would probably operate the other way around.

Nathanial came over to see if they needed anything, and Harry felt his anger cool slightly. He pulled his kitten into his lap and smelled his vanilla scent, let it wash over him and calm him. He resumed game play by calling Jean-Claude’s bet. Requiem won the hand. Harry caught Jean-Claude’s eyes and handed Nathanial the deck. If Nathanial was still afraid of Asher then he wouldn’t let Asher be the deciding factor. When the hand was over, which was fairly quickly sense none of them were really playing, he moved Nathanial into Requiem’s lap.

Nathanial looked fairly comfortable there. Just like he would if he were sitting on the lap of a straight man who could kill him, which of course he was, not that Harry would let him. When, during the next hand, Nathanial sat on Jean-Claude’s lap, Harry had to fight back a growl. He recognized the signs of rape. Jean-Claude caught his anger and had the decency to become ashamed. Harry would get the story later, with the Ardeur you could never assume. When without prompting, Nathanial moved to Asher, Harry had a few answers.

He knew that Nathanial was not comfortable at all with Jean-Claude and would never be alone with the vampire. He also knew that what ever fear his kitten had of Asher was not enough to prevent him from caring about his blond friend. He nodded at Jean-Claude and the Master of the City smiled. Negotiations were not complete yet, but they were done for the evening. They quickly wrapped up their game, and Harry waved off questions to put his sleepy kitten to bed. He paused to watch Asher follow Damian to the basement. Things were going to be different around here from now on.

END FLASHBACK

Harry finished telling his friends what happened. He went into more detail then he usually would around people he’d only hung out with once, but he felt they had they right to know.

Micah was the first to break the silence, “If you want my advice. I would give Nathanial to someone you trust for the time that Bella Morte is here and let them hide him far away.” Harry nodded he had been considering it. There was no way he was letting that vampire bitch near his kitten. But if he was away, how could Harry protect him?

Richard and Micah left not long after that, and the wizards got him caught up on the happenings in wizarding Britain since he left.

“He is a complete tyrant.” Neville spoke, “I have been unable to get married or access my vaults or do anything because I supported you in publicly.”

Severus told him a similar story, saying that his store had been black listed in England, but that he had a strong following and did his business owl order and so was still successful. The twins spoke with pride how the people had risen up to protect their store. It was amazing how popular the WWW had become. Harry told them all they were welcome to crash at his places and had Dobby add them to the wards of all the houses.

Severus also gleefully told him how the other countries had closed ranks on England and were calling it a dictatorship. They refused to extradite ‘criminals’ or trade with them and anyone who had dealings with the British ministry was sent to live there. Either England would have to become self-sufficient or Malfoy would have to step down.

Eventually Harry knew he would have to take care of Lucius Malfoy, but when he did he would have to stay to clean it up. He was not willing to do that with only a handful of supporters. He decided to wait until one of his loved ones were in danger or public outcry got very great.

Remus put a hand on Harry’s leg and Harry knew whatever the old wolf was going to say would not make him happy. “Ron and Hermione have sent you letters. I didn’t read them but they sent them to us, hoping we could get them to you.” Harry sighed. He didn’t want to talk to them. They betrayed him. Jumping on the bandwagon that he was evil so they could further their careers after school.

Ron had used it to get on his favorite Quititch team and Hermione was an unspeakable now. He took them, and told himself he would read them when not so much was happening.

Eventually they all went either home or took a room in his house, and Harry joined his kitten in sleep.