Promising Submission

AN: as you can see i have not abandoned this story. I love it to much. the wait has been because i wrote it out to completion and then decided i didn\'t want to end it so soon. I\'ll be adding more, more plot, more smut and more pets then i had originally planned. Hope you enjoy it.

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They portkey’d into the large receiving room Harry set up. Immediately Harry started placing them in a designated seating arrangement. Nathanial was placed on the floor leaning on a large throne like chair. On either side of the throne, down a step, Harry seated Remus on the right and Neville on the left. Sirius and Luna were placed next to them, though Sirius was at Remus’ feet rather then a chair.







On the step above Harry’s throne stood the twins. They were dressed in full battle regalia as were most of the wizards. The twins were particularly striking, their usual frivolity replaced with firm and fierce determination. Nathanial felt that their expressions were more frightening because he knew of their creativity. In his experience it was the creative that caused the most pain and humiliation.







The twins had returned with their brothers Charlie and Bill and Bill’s wife, Fleur. She was in a light blue low cut elegant dress, that made her hair sparkle like white gold. Nathanial hoped she could handle the attention from belle her looks were sure to attract. Nathanial was sure Harry’ hadn’t expected their attendance but he welcomed it.







Bill and Fleur sat down a step and to the left of Neville and Luna with Fleur seated elegantly on a cushioned chair, her dress flowing down to the next step. Bill stood, his scars a foreboding sight, at her shoulder. Charlie and Damian became bookends on the top most step and the outside of the party.







When Harry had Dean and Seamus sat on a cushioned bench at Remus and Sirius’ low right, Nathanial noticed that they seemed to be segregated. As Asher sat below George and Severus matched him on Harry’s other side, the picture completed. Harry had, intentionally or not separated the Lycans and Vampires from the Wizards, of course Severus was the exception for obvious reasons.







Nathanial directed that observation and one on how their positions allowed them freedom to attack quickly and unobstructed, at Harry, and received a small smirk







As Harry took his seat, Nathanial pressed against his master’s leg. He was nervous and took comfort in the calm serenity flowing down from the bond. Harry had no doubts that things would not go according to plan but he would see them through it. That gave Nathanial peace.







Jean-Claude and his party entered and Nathanial noticed that the Master Vampire didn’t have give near as much consideration to their seating. He let them congregate in segregated groups where Harry’s placement gave them a cohesive feel. Though Harry’s actions may have been overkill, Nathanial felt relieved that his master was taking even the small details into consideration to keep them safe.







Micha, Richard, Jamil, Shang-da, Stephen, Grefory, Cherry and Sylvie, Merel, Noah, Elizabeth, and Jason grouped together on several couches and chairs or on the floor, showing a joining of pack and pard that Nathanial was relieved to see. Especially as Cherry and Sylvie seemed to have started a tentative relationship. Nathanial smothered his chuckle when Jamil wouldn’t look at them. This group seated themselves so close to Harry’s party that Damian was swallowed by them. Nathanial supposed that was the point.







Jason leaned on Jean-Claude’s chair and though he was nervously joking around with Sylvie, he was the only one so close to the Master Vampire.







Jean-Claude surrounded himself with vampires. Requiem was not a shock and it seemed that he took Asher‘s place as manager to The Circus. Gretchen was a surprise. Nathanial was not sure Jean-Claude could trust her and sent as much to Harry. Kissa replaced Anita shortly after she was killed, something that very much pleased her as she had been after Jean-Claude for years. She found her way to St. Louis sometime after Anita torched the Bloody Bones in Branson. He sent that to Harry as well and received a nice long hair pat in return. Hannah, the manager of Dance Macabre, was not very powerful and Nathanial wondered if she was here to feed Belle as he couldn’t see any other purpose for her. Giles stood against the wall and his eyes were focused almost obsessively on Severus. When Harry sent a question about him to Nathanial, the leopard informed his master that Giles controlled the newly turned at the safe house and was probably here for the express purpose of controlling Severus if he got out of hand.











Meng Die sat with them but apart. Her only companion her lover, Graham. Faust took Damian’s responsibilities in Jean-Claude’s court when Anita claimed him. Usually he teased Damian mercilessly about being a kept vampire, but even he was solemn in this tense atmosphere. Bartoleme and Valentina, the mad child vampires, sat on Requium and Byron’s laps and made eyes at the group of were’s. They frightened Nathanial and Harry sensed it.







His hand tightened in Nathanial’s hair until he found the threat and then waved Asher over for an explanation. Harry was pensive but Nathanial knew his master wouldn’t let the insane teen vampires have him so he continued perusing those Jean-Claude brought with him.







Truth and Wicked seemed unusually fascinated with the Weasley twins. They stood in one corner and Nathanial wondered if they were there simply to see Belle, the Vampire that stood up for their lives to the council.







Gwenith and Myro sat near Meng Die. They signed on with Jean-Claude and though they weren’t bonded to him, neither had any designs on more power. They completed Jean-Claude’s group and Nathanial was shocked at the people the Master Vampire was able to scrounge up. It seemed to him that most of them were more loyal to their own freedom then to Jean-Claude himself.







There was no representation for the coalition except for Micha, though Nathanial thought a few were’s would be called on to feed Belle’s party weather they wanted it or not.











There were guards, of course, but other then Buzz, who stood at the door to open it for Belle’s party, Harry made sure they were outside the receiving room. He didn’t want the temptation to be there.







As he sent the information to Harry he noticed for the first time how much power Jean-Claude had lost without being able to depend on Asher or Damian. Nathanial suspected Jean-Claude wouldn’t survive this meeting with out Harry. Affection and arrogance filtered down from Harry amongst the other feelings and Nathanial smiled shyly up at his master.







Most of Jean-Claude’s party could almost be called untrustworthy when compared to those surrounding Harry. They weren’t fully under Jean-Claude’s control though he had arrangements with all of them, and they all respected his authority. None of those Jean-Claude chose had designs on more power but if he ordered one of them to provide food for his guests and they refused, it would completely undermine his power.







“Bodies”. Harry’s soft bass enlightened him and Nathanial nodded his understanding, though he thought this tactic would eventually fail Jean-Claude.







Belle Morte was due to arrive in half and hour, but Nathanial expected her to be very late. He wasn’t surprised when Jean-Claude opened up dialogue.







“Would you introduce us to your party Moniseur Potter?” Nathanial thought Jean-Claude’s offer of formality was a nice touch.







“Of course Jean-Claude.”







Harry introduced his party from left to right, starting with Charlie and ending with Asher. He spoke briefly on their jobs and talents, impressing on Jean-Claude and his party their capabilities. He left Damian unclaimed. This confused Nathanial.







Jean-Claude, it seemed, understood and his nod created reluctant relief in Harry. Nathanial refrained from asking and resigned himself to simply not understand much of these proceedings.







Richard and Remus began a conversation on werewolf rights and packs in England while Micah asked Sirius about Animagic vs. Shapeshifting. Fleur asked Luna about shopping and attire, and Nathanial hesitantly replied when she tried to include him as Luna’s flighty answers began to frustrate her. He wasn’t sure how he felt about her grouping of him with \'the girls\' but his master’s hand on his head gave him peace. Masculine or Feminine, Harry wanted him and had marked him.







Severus sent him several tests and Nathanial relayed them to his master, completing the cycle.







Everything stuttered to a halt an hour later, as a large overwhelming presence hit their perceptions. Harry allowed it to affect them for a moment before flaring his aura and protecting his party, Damian included.







As his aura relaxed his party those with Jean-Claude looked on enviously and shuddered under Belle’s power. Nathanial spared a thought to feel relief that London asked for sanctuary and wasn’t present. He might have succumbed before she even entered the room.







Jean-Claude looked at Harry consideringly but chose not to protect his party.







As Buzz opened the door, everyone turned to see who Belle brought with her. Fifteen vampires and their pets formed her entourage and they settled around her in a mimicry of the court Nathanial remembered from Anita’s memories of it.







Nathanial recognized Musette, Belle’s usual vessel. He alerted Harry that Bats and Rats were her animal to call and that she’s broken a truce the last time she was here resulting in Valentina and Bartoleme’s presence here. He was sure that Belle would want their return. Paolo was also among Belle’s party. He might have actually known how St. Louis was run before Anita was killed.







Severus passed information to Nathanial at a frightening pace and he was almost overwhelmed by it. When Severus slowed, Nathanial shifted through the information and tried to piece together Belle’s plan. Her mind was apparently blocked, and though Severus could break through, it would alert her. Since there wasn’t anything pressing, Nathanial held onto the information and allowed Harry to focus on the introductions.







They were all worried, concerned about Belle’s health and afraid that they wouldn’t help. That, Nathanial sent to Harry as it was curious. They didn’t know what she needed help with but whatever it was would kill her.







Belle didn’t speak at all, allowing Musette to do all her speaking as the vampire introduced their party. Most of them were unimportant, food, and beauty. Belle Morte’s line was not one of warriors but lovers. Her treaties were all secured through the trading of flesh. As the introductions finished even Nathanial could sense their nervousness.







Jean-Claude as was to be expected, pounced on their weakness and boldly commented on Belle’s physical presence. Usually she only appeared through another, as the Traveler did. Seeing her in person and so unprotected, was a shock.







“Belle, it is quite the honor to have you here in person.” Nathanial wondered if he would speak in French the whole time.







Musette answered, “of course it is Jean-Claude. Tell me what happened to your Anita?”







“She betrayed us and was disposed of.” the pain in his voice would have come through in any language.







They conversed more in the fluid language though Nathanial’s limiting knowledge prevented him from following.







Finally Musette turned to Harry.







“Harry Potter. How fantastic that the entire wizarding world is searching for you and we find you here in America. We are sure there are many interested parties clamoring for this knowledge.”







Harry’s face remained expressionless though his emotions bubbled.







“I’m sure there are.”







“Of course we knew you would be here.”







“Of course.”







She turned her body to face him completely.







“We have heard a great many things about your strength.”







Harry nodded his head. Her words lilted at the end, as if it was a question, but Harry didn’t acknowledge it as such.







“We have heard that it was you that free’d our Jean-Claude from the necromancer’s influence.”







Harry raised his eyebrows, and Nathanial glanced at Jean-Claude for him so he didn’t have to. The Master vampire seemed serene through Belle’s continued claiming of him, though he was now a Soure de sang.



“You heard?”







Musette expressed calculated innocence and amusement, “Yes, but we have no proof such a thing is possible.”







Asher spoke, drawing their attention. “The proof is before you.”







“Ah Asher, Mon amor. How do you fair in our Jean-Claude’s presence. You were most upset with him when I last saw you.” Musette’s French accent strengthened as Belle took more control of her body. It was with some confusion that Nathanial wondered why she would not speak in her own body.







“We have since resolved that particular issue.”







She smirked. An ugly expression on her otherwise exquisite face. “An have found others I see.”







Asher remained stoic.







“Perhaps this is why you have joined Mr. Potter’s party instead of your wayward lovers.”







Though no one spoke, Musette’s smirk widened. Through the bond Nathanial felt Harry’s rueful amusement. He still hadn’t forgiven Jean-Claude on Asher’s behalf.







“I see you have regained your beauty, it is a shame your current panamour has allowed you such leniency. When you return I will enjoy breaking you again.”







Harry’s raised eyebrow was enough to capture Belle’s attention again. Musette’s accent softened, signifying Belle’s retreat.







“Ah yes, you do care for him. How wonderful. But this is not why we have come. Bring them.”







As Buzz opened the door, four more vampires, ones obviously chosen for their cruelty and strength lead three nearly naked people in on leashes.







Harry froze and a few of the wizards broke rank to curse.







A blonde man, his only remaining significant identifying feature as the rest was covered with blood, scars, and bruises both old and new, stumbled to land in front of the visiting vampires. His expression was vacant and defeated, his eyes dead. A female with curly hair, cut short against her head, in some places so close it cut the scalp, cried out as one brute vampire twisted her arm and forced her into a kneeling position. The fourth was not abused but instead was carrying a box. It radiated anger and evil and power and the boy carrying it had to be preternatural to withstand it.







The nearly naked girl glanced around quickly with wide begging eyes. They settled on Harry and she cried out, “Harry!!”







At her cry the bleeding and broken blond man turned slowly. When his eyes met Harry’s a jolt of recognition passed down the bond before it shut off. Nathanial tried to keep from arching against the urgent pleading Severus sent him. He was impotent as Harry had closed the bond, so he couldn’t be sure the message passed successfully.







“Potter” His voice may have once been lyrical but it was now horse from hours of screaming it bloody.







“Malfoy.”