A Vampire's Soul

A Vampire’s Soul, chapter twenty-five

Pairings: Harry/Draco, Ron/Hermione, slight Harry/Ron, Harry/Remus, slight Harry/others, other male/male

Rating: NC-17

Warnings: Vampires, so there’s blood mentioned; violence; death; Slash; slight Het, multi-partners, and a touch non-con but not really. ALSO, there will be a few OCs, only because I need them for the story/plotline, but Proudfoot is a name mentioned in book six, I just don’t know his personality.

Words: About 5,700

Notes: There’s Original Characters in the fic, and I apologize. Harry’s role in the Daywalkers’ world is growing, thus there needs to be Daywalker characters (as well as other Werewolves). This is post-HBP. There are SOME spoilers for Deathly Hallows in this chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its characters, nor do I own anything from Dracula or from any other show. I do own all the other characters in this story that isn’t in the Potter books. I also don’t own the name of the third type of vampire.

Chapter written: July 15th – July 23rd, 2007

BTW: I like Remus; so sue me. :P

.-.

Ron Weasley was just waking up when he heard the sound of a beak tapping against the window. Groggily, he got up and slowly padded over to it, barefoot, hair sticking up everywhere.

Hermione Granger stretched, having been disrupted from her comfortable sleeping position against Ron. She opened her eyes blearily and got an eyeful of her boyfriend’s naked backside as it made its way to the other side of the room.

“Ron?” she asked huskily, and then yawned widely. “W-w-what are you doing?”

“There’s an owl at the window,” said Ron casually. He opened the window to let it in. When the owl flew in and landed on Ron’s shoulder, he realized it was a school owl.

Hermione sat up, not caring that one of the straps on her black teddy was sliding down one shoulder, or that the cool air in the room made her nipples erect and more noticeable through the silk fabric.

“Who’s it from?” she asked.

“McGonagall,” said Ron, stunned. “She’s calling an Order meeting.”

“But Harry’s not here,” said Hermione, swinging her legs over the side of the bed.

Ron stared, unable to take his eyes off her. Although he’d been having the best time of his life here in this room, making love to Hermione, he knew that they couldn’t stay here too long; they needed to be with Harry, to help him with his mission.

“I’ll send Harry a letter, then,” said Ron. “Hopefully he’ll get it.”

Hermione slipped her teddy off, and then rummaged through a drawer for a bra. Ron kept staring at her naked backside.

“You’re right, Ron. I do hope Harry’s all right. It’s been a while since we’ve heard from him.” She turned back around, a light blue bra in her hands. She held it up to get Ron’s opinion.

“Looks good,” was all Ron could say. He made his way over to her. She smiled, slipping her bra on her arms and then placed her breasts into the cups. Ron slid his hands up and down her body, and Hermione giggled.

“Ron, stop it! I’m trying to get dressed.”

“You know that’s a dangerous thing to do in front of me, Hermione.”

She turned around. “Come on, hook me up.”

Ron helped Hermione with her bra. Once he was done hooking her bra, she bent over to open the bottom drawer that held her knickers. A mistake that Ron knew Hermione meant to do, he was sure. She’d never leave herself open to invitation like this unless she wanted it. So, he slid a finger up inside her. She squeaked and tried to pretend she didn’t want him touching her, but she soon gave in when she felt his tongue on her as well. Her knees felt weak.

“We’re terrible,” she moaned. “What if Harry’s in trouble or something? We’ve been here most of the time having sex and… RON!”

“I see nothing wrong with that,” Ron grunted, sliding his newly erect cock inside her.

“Oh, Ron!”

.-.

“Master’s back!” shouted a young Daywalker.

Those that had been injured in the safety hut were now in Castle Dracula. Only a few were still in critical condition, but they were slowly healing and able to wander around. A couple Daywalkers were starting to go crazy, wanting blood, but it was still too risky to step outside in case there were any stray werewolves (who were back to normal, of course) that were still dangerous. There had been sightings of Death Eaters in the area as well, from what some Daywalkers had gathered. A dead Death Eater’s body was found at the edge of the forest. There was no doubt in their minds now that Voldemort was behind putting Greyback’s pack in their midst. Some Daywalkers were planning on roaming the forest to see if they could find any living Death Eaters, so that they could feast. The fight took a lot out of them.

Prince Vlad slowly entered his castle. Once he was over the threshold and the door was shut, many Daywalkers came to him, glad to see that he was all right. It looked, however, that he was injured; one of his eyes was swollen shut and one arm looked limp at his side.

“Master, are you all right?” said Asa. “Do you need healing?”

“I may, yes,” he said regally. They made room for him to get to the nearest sofa so that Asa may do her job. Before long, Vlad’s arm was as good as new and his eye was healed. “Thank you, Nodes.”

“You’re welcome, Master,” she beamed.

“How is Harry Potter?” Vlad couldn’t help asking. “Did he get to Draco in time?”

They all nodded, but it was Asa who spoke. “Oh, yes, Master. Harry is just fine now. I’m not so sure his soulmate is fine, though.”

“What happened?” Vlad asked.

“Well,” said Patrick, kneeling at Vlad’s feet. “Harry was so close to being a soulless one, that the sunlight was burning him, so Draco had to bring him here so that he wouldn’t die. Because of Harry’s Near Soulless condition, he took all of Draco’s blood when they completed their Bond.”

“Dumbledore’s Beard!” Prince Vlad gasped.

“It’s all right now, Master,” said Neal, also at Vlad’s feet. “Draco is with us again.”

Vlad brought his attention to Neal, looking incredulously. “You don’t mean…?”

They all nodded. “Yes, sir,” said Neal. “Draco Malfoy’s one of us now.”

“And we’re not sure if he likes being a Daywalker yet,” said Patrick.

.-.

“Hell, yes! Hell, yes! Hell, yes!” Draco screamed, knuckles white against the headboard, sweaty forehead pressed into the wood.

Harry tangled his fingers into Draco’s blond tresses and pulled Draco’s head back. Draco cried out, pushing his arse back against Harry. Filled, emptied, filled, emptied, over and over; it was enough to drive a man crazy. Dementors might drive witches and wizards insane, but they had nothing on Harry Potter and his cock.

The bed thumped hard against the wall as Harry showed him no mercy. Neck exposed, Harry bent down, hips only slowing a little, and slid his fangs into the two puncture holes where he’d bit Draco before. They hadn’t healed yet, on a count of Harry never letting it. He kept it freshly open, and whenever he noticed that it was starting to scar over, he’d reopen it and help himself to a little blood as well.

Recycled blood? Perhaps; but later, when it was nighttime again, he and Draco could go out for a bite to eat. Harry smiled amusingly; it could be their first date.

Asa Nodes, the Healer of the Daywalkers (and so far, the only one), had healed his back before Harry swept Draco up into his arms and carried him into a nearby bedchamber. Soul back to normal and Draco now completely his, his desires had skyrocketed; he wanted blood, sex, and the feel of their flesh joined once more.

Releasing his mouth from Draco’s neck, he trailed wet, bloody kisses down Draco’s back. Harry tightened his body more into Draco’s, burying himself as deep as he could, and did quick, shallow thrusts. Draco moaned, pushing back as fierce as he could, his toes digging into the blankets. Harry wrapped his hand around Draco’s cock, tugging hard and tight, and it didn’t take long for Draco to erupt. Coating nearly everything in his come, Draco’s orgasm was so powerful he broke chunks of the headboard off in his hands.

With Draco slumped forward, Harry took advantage and grasped Draco’s raised hips and began pounding Draco even harder into the mattress, causing the bed to rock wildly and slam into the wall. The nightstand by the bed shook also, along with the pictures on the walls, the mirror on the dresser on the left-hand side of the room, and the desk and chair on the other side of the nightstand.

“Fuck, Harry!” Draco cried. “Yes! Fuck me! Harder! Harder!”

The chair fell over; a picture on the wall fell down and cracked; a jewelry box teetered on the edge of the dresser for a moment before falling to the floor, scattering and breaking jewelry everywhere, and the lamp on the nightstand toppled onto its side.

With a shout, Harry came. Draco squeezed himself around Harry’s cock, loving the feel of being filled completely. Harry kept coming and coming, and Draco couldn’t hold on to it all, and it seeped out and down Draco’s balls and thighs, and the bed sheets.

“You stud,” panted Draco, squeezing Harry’s cock weakly.

“Animal,” growled Harry as he licked at one of the small love bites on Draco’s shoulder.

They stayed that way for a few minutes, basking in the afterglow. Just as Draco turned his head to get a good look at his soulmate, there was a soft knock on the door. They stared at each other for a second before looking over at the door.

Not caring that they were still naked and in the same position when they came, Harry said, “Come in.”

“What?” Draco gasped, trying to get out from under Harry, but Harry was deemed stronger and kept Draco there. Draco guessed it was because Harry still had enough strength to fuck while he was feeling limp as seaweed.

The door opened a crack and a pair of lips emerged. “Are you two done with your mini earthquake?”

Draco hid his face in the pillow.

“Remus?” said Harry. “What is it?”

“I just wanted to see you… to make sure you were OK. Severus and Scrimgeour are still here too.”

“Oh,” said Harry. He was glad to hear about his Sire, but he wasn’t so sure about Snape.

“Can I…?” Remus poked his head around the door, thinking it was safe, but the moment he saw them still naked and that Harry was still on top of Draco, he whipped his head back and closed his eyes. “Cripes! Harry, why did you tell me to come in if you two weren’t decent?”

“Because,” said Harry. “It’s only you.”

Remus sighed. “Only me, huh? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means you’ve seen it all before.”

“I’ve seen you, not Draco,” said Remus, his face growing hot.

“Oh, well, it’s ok,” said Harry. “I’m covering him up with my body… mostly.”

Remus came in, but he had his hand over his eyes. “I just wanted to tell you that you got two owls. One is from Ron and Hermione, and the other one… I don’t know why, but it’s from Andromeda Tonks.”

“Andromeda?” said Harry, a grin on his face. “Well, it’s about freaking time.”

“You sent my aunt Andromeda a letter?” said Draco, momentarily forgetting his embarrassment.

“Yeah,” said Harry, getting up from his spot since Remus still had his eyes covered. “I sent her a letter asking her what Regulus Black’s middle name was.”

“Um, do I need to know why?” asked Draco, pulling the covers up over him.

“It has to do with needing to know some rather important information so that I can stop Voldemort.”

“Well, your letters are on the kitchen table,” said Remus, backing out of the room.

“Where are you going, Remus?” Harry asked, trying to sound innocent. Before Remus could answer, Harry shut the door behind him before he could leave. Not daring to open his eyes, Remus sighed in some annoyance.

“I was going to leave and let you two get dressed, but I guess that’s not happening.”

“Harry, what are you doing?” Draco asked, trying to find his boxer shorts. He wasn’t too surprised that they made a mess of the room just by fucking hard on the bed.

“I want Remus to not be ashamed to look at me,” answered Harry simply.

“I’m not ashamed,” said Remus, uncovering his eyes and opening them. He stared at Harry’s nude form without blushing, having seen it before, but then gasped at just how messy the room was. “You two need to curb your strength.”

“Whatever for?” smirked Harry as he ran a finger down Remus’s face in a flirting manner.

“Harry!” said Draco, exasperated.

“Yes, Draco?” said Harry, looking back at his soulmate and grinning impishly.

“Why are you flirting with Lupin right in front of me?” Draco demanded.

“I have many good reasons,” said Harry.

“Name one,” said Draco, putting his hands on his hips, which were still naked.

“Remus and I have a Love Bond.”

Remus did blush then, looking at the floor instead of Draco’s face.

Draco scowled, clearly not liking that reason.

“It’s true,” said Harry after Draco scowled. “Besides, just because we’re soulmates doesn’t mean we don’t have to keep to just ourselves.”

“Is that so?” said Draco, crossing his arms and not looking too happy. “Just who else am I supposed to be shagging, then?”

“How about Snape?” Harry suggested.

Draco pulled a face. “No!”

Harry laughed. “I was joking!” When Draco wouldn’t stop scowling angrily, Harry continued, “Look, you don’t have to shag anyone else. Actually, I don’t think that’s a good idea; I think my instinct would be to really hurt the person if I caught you with someone else.”

“What about this whole thing with you and Lupin?” Draco asked heatedly. “Am I supposed to just stand idly by and watch you two shag? I don’t think so.”

“We could share him,” said Harry easily. “I mean, we’ll be biting others too, other than each other in order to keep the energy of blood flowing through us fresh, so what’s the difference?”

“The difference, my dear soulmate AND Sire, is that I won’t be having sex with those that I bite!”

Harry spread his arms wide in gesture. “Well, then, let’s both agree on others to bite and have sex with, together.”

Draco’s eyes widened, and so did Remus’s.

“Are you a complete nutter?”

“No,” said Harry seriously. “Are you?”

Draco sputtered, and Harry wasn’t sure if Draco was really as mad as he looked.

“Um, I think I should go,” said Remus nervously. “I’m obviously causing you two some trouble.” Remus turned and placed his hand on the doorknob, but Harry stopped him.

“Wait, Remus… it’s OK…”

“No, it’s not OK, Harry,” said Remus. He released the doorknob and turned to face Harry. “You’re both very new to this soulmate thing, and Draco’s just beginning to get the hang of being a Daywalker, so I think it would be best if I didn’t get in between the two of you.”

“Remus…” Harry started.

“No, Harry. That’s my final word.” He made to leave, but was suddenly stopped by a pair of arms wrapped around his body. “Harry, I said no.”

“I’m not Harry.”

Remus inhaled softly in shock. “Draco?”

“Um, please don’t ask, but for some reason something is telling me that you should… um… reconsider the offer. I mean, what Harry says is true: you two do have a Love Bond. If anything should happen to you, Harry would be in a right state.”

“Yes, um, but…” Remus tried.

“I don’t like that he has someone else in this way, besides his Sire,” admitted Draco. Harry could tell it was taking a lot for Draco to confess all this. “But I do know that there’s a difference between a soulmate and someone you have a Love Bond with. Soulmates are, in a way, married…”

“Marriage of the souls,” said Remus, nodding.

“Yeah,” said Draco, blushing lightly. “But with you and Harry, it’s… different, somehow.”

It was different, in some pure sense, although he and Harry had had sex. There was that connection between them, that actual “love” that usually has nothing to do with sex, just emotions. Remus cared for Harry deeply, and he was sure Harry felt the same.

“And,” Draco continued, his face burning, “Harry does love you. He has too big of a heart for his own good, after all.”

Harry placed a hand over his heart. It wasn’t beating now, but when he was intimate with Draco, he thought he’d felt it beat a couple times.

Remus turned, and he was thankful that Draco had some sense to put his boxers back on. Draco looked good, in that just-got-shagged sort of way; cheeks pink and hair tousled, Remus had the urge to touch Draco’s face, but he held himself back. Not only was the wolf in him—that monster—telling him that it didn’t like this new Daywalker, it wasn’t happy with the thought of touching another Daywalker besides Harry.

That was confusing. Did the monster part inside him actually accept Harry, because of the Love Bond, and if so, what did it mean for his relationship with Harry, and Harry’s relationship with Draco? He couldn’t compete with Draco. Draco was Harry’s soulmate, not to mention Harry’s Fledgling.

Remus shook his head and tried to turn back around so he could leave the room, but both Harry and Draco weren’t having any of it. They grabbed an arm each and steered Remus over to the bed. Remus didn’t like where this was going—or did he? He shook his head again to try clearing it.

“Are you all right?” Harry asked when they sat down. Draco sat on the other side of Remus, looking anxious.

“This… if you’re planning on all three of us getting into some kind of relationship… no, I don’t think it’s a good thing…”

“I honestly don’t know what we should do,” said Harry. “I was hoping you could shed a little light on this subject.”

“As long as it’s not the kind of light that’ll hurt us,” said Draco cheekily. Harry grinned in amusement. Remus sighed and rubbed at his temples.

“It’s all too confusing for me right now,” said Remus. “I need some time, ok?”

Harry was frowning, but Draco just shrugged his shoulders, looking rather nonchalant about it all.

“As you wish,” said Draco.

“Well,” Harry said after a few minutes of silence. “If you ever change your mind, and want some company, you know where we are.”

“Yes, but speaking of which… we need to get back to Grimmauld Place. I’m sure Ron and Hermione are wondering what’s going on… that’s probably why they owled you.”

“Oh, the letters!” Harry said, throwing his arms up in exasperation. “I nearly forgot! Come on, then.”

“We should eat some breakfast, anyway,” said Draco as he stood and started putting his clothes back on.

Just as Remus opened the door to leave, Harry stopped him again. He turned Remus around gently, and then gave Remus a soft, chaste kiss on the lips.

“Think about it, ok?” Harry said quietly.

Remus left, feeling befuddled and beguiled at the same time.

.-.

It was more comfortable at the breakfast table then Harry thought it would be, considering who was all there. When he came out of the bedroom (finding out minutes later that it belonged to Asa, but it didn’t bother her), many faces looked up from where they sat. Most were looking relieved to see that he was OK, but some were confused, and a couple looked somewhat annoyed. Only Snape was looking put out by being surrounded by more than just witches and wizards.

Harry and Draco were able to sit near the head of the table, next to Vlad, as well as Scrimgeour and Snape. Remus was also there, but he was sitting next to Lilith and Ruby, who’d had come back that morning from their hiding place, and was sitting more down at the end of the table since the Daywalkers wanted to be close to their Master. If it was for their own protection or them wanting to protect Vlad, it wasn’t certain.

At first, there was dead silence as everyone ate, but then Prince Vlad broke the silence by asking Draco a few questions about himself, and then Snape. It seemed to have put the others at ease to watch Prince Vlad being at ease.

Scrimgeour handed Harry his letters across the table, and Harry gracefully accepted them. More curious about what Andromeda had to say, he opened her letter first.

Dear Mr. Potter,
I am happy to hear that you’re doing well, and that your quest is going well also.
I would be happy to tell you what Regulus’s middle name was. It was Arcturus, after one of our grandfathers.
I hope that helps. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. I’m sorry it took me so long to respond to your letter, but I’m out of the country at the moment, quite a ways away from the war. My daughter knew of this, so I am surprised that you didn’t ask her… or have you? Either way, I apologize for the lateness of this reply, which I’m sure it will be. I will be home again in a couple weeks once my husband owls me about how things at the Ministry are going.
Tell Nymphadora I said hi, and that I’m well.

Sincerely, Andromeda Tonks

He was right! Harry beamed from ear to ear in glee. He could hardly believe it.

“What’s got you so happy?” said Draco.

“I was right!” Harry announced aloud without thinking. Everyone’s heads turned to stare at him.

“Right about what, Harry?” Remus asked.

Harry opened his mouth to answer, but then remembered that there were others there that didn’t know about the Horcruxes, and he didn’t think it was safe to tell them.

“Er… just a hunch that I had, that’s all.”

There were still many curious eyes staring at him, but then it looked as if Remus realized why Harry didn’t say anything, so he steered the conversation to a different topic.

“I’ll bet you’re glad you have your soul intact again.”

Harry smiled, relief filling him. “Yeah, I’m very glad to have my soul back to normal. I’m not so sure the monster in me is happy, though.”

Draco nodded sagely. “Yeah, you were arguing with me about it. Well, I guess it was your monster, saying that you didn’t want your ‘worthless’ soul back.”

Harry’s eyebrows rose a bit. “I had forgotten that I said that. Some of what I’ve done is a bit of a blur, actually. I know that I attacked a few people, but I couldn’t help myself.”

“Your soul was deteriorating,” said Vlad. He sipped some wine slowly, staring at Harry. “It couldn’t control the monster inside you any longer.”

Harry nodded. He grabbed the other letter from Ron and Hermione and read.

Harry,
Where are you? I hope you’re doing all right. We received a letter from the head vampire along with a quill that has an eagle on it. Is it what we think it is?
I do hope you haven’t run into any trouble while you were away. I hate not knowing what is going on. When will you be back? Ron and I are frantic about your well-being. Also, I do believe I know how to destroy those things that we have; I have located some very useful books from a source I rather not say here in the letter. It explains A LOT. I’m also worried about Remus. How did he fare during the full moon? I hope that you haven’t gotten into any fights with any werewolves during the time; they can be even more unpredictable during the full moon, especially around vampires.
Anyway, please contact us soon, or come back straight away! There is much work to be done.

Love,
Ron and Hermione

PS., McGonagall is requesting a meeting this coming weekend.

That was right. He still had a job to do, thanks to Dumbledore, and he was still the leader of the Order of the Phoenix. After he tucked the letter into his robe, he noticed that most there (mostly the Daywalkers) were staring at him in hopes that he’d tell them what was in the letter.

Picking up his fork again, preparing to eat more, he said, “I have to go back to Grimmauld Place.”

Around the table, there were looks of dismay and uncertainty.

“We must all respect your decision,” said Prince Vlad. “But, shouldn’t you get some training done first? You may need it.”

Harry looked at Scrimgeour. He wasn’t too surprised to see his Sire staring back. There was that promise that Scrimgeour made that he hadn’t full-filled yet. But did Harry have the time to train? Surely his original mission was more important right now?

“Harry could get his training done the same time he’s doing his other mission for Dumbledore,” said Remus.

There was much mumbling around the table at this idea. Harry looked from Scrimgeour, Remus, Vlad, to Draco.

Draco shrugged, clearly not sure what to do either. Harry looked back at Prince Vlad for answers.

“That might be a good plan,” said Vlad. “Could you handle it all at once, Harry?”

Harry pursed his lips in thought as they all stared at him.

“I guess so,” he said slowly. “Wouldn’t Draco need training too?”

“You could both get training at the same time,” said Neal. Harry looked up at the dark-haired Daywalker; Scrimgeour patted Neal’s hand and Neal gripped it in turn. Harry wasn’t even annoyed by it. It must be because he knew that Neal was Scrimgeour’s Sire.

“That’s a marvelous idea,” said Vlad. “What say you, Harry Potter?”

What did he have to lose?

.-.

This time, Harry, Draco, Scrimgeour, Snape, and Remus used the Floo Network to get to Grimmauld Place. It was too dangerous to go outside, as Vlad had said; Harry was just glad that the connection to the fireplace in Grimmauld wasn’t closed off.

“Harry!” Hermione screeched, flinging her arms around Harry’s neck and hugging him tightly. “Oh, Harry, I was so worried!”

“Me too, mate,” said Ron. “Why were you gone so long?”

Harry pulled Hermione away gently. “It’s a long story,” he gasped, trying to get his breath back.

Draco stood at Harry’s right, hands behind his back and rocking on his heels nervously.

“Hey, Draco,” said Hermione kindly. “Glad to see you’re back too.”

Ron grunted, clearly not caring whether he was back or not.

Draco looked up and smiled. Hermione gasped, and Ron’s jaw dropped.

“Thanks,” said Draco, fangs gleaming.

“You’re—you’re—“ Hermione didn’t seem to be able to get the words out, so Ron supplied them for her.

“You’re a vampire!”

“Daywalker,” grumbled Draco. “And yes, I am.”

At once, Hermione and Ron rounded on Harry. Harry backed up slightly, alarmed to see them both looking outraged.

“How could you, Harry?” Hermione screamed.

“Why’d you Turn the git?” Ron said. “We were trying to make sure you DIDN’T Turn him, and look what you did!”

“Well, I—“ Harry began.

“Do you have any idea how his mother will feel?” Hermione said angrily. “She’ll kill you!”

“No, she…”

“I just saved the git’s life for nothing,” growled Ron. “You do realize that I wouldn’t do that just for anyone, right?”

“But, Ron…”

“Why’d you do it, Harry? Why?” Hermione sobbed.

“Will you two just shut up and let him talk!” Draco yelled.

Shocked, Ron and Hermione blinked at Draco, identical mute expressions on their faces.

“Go on, Potter,” said Draco, patting Harry on the shoulder. “Explain.”

So, he did. The others were sitting on the couch or the armchairs, watching and listening to Harry tell his story. At times, Draco had to do his point of view because Harry couldn’t remember certain details. When Draco got to the part about Harry finally accepting him as his soulmate, he faltered. The others looked shocked and empathetic when Draco told them about how because of Harry’s soul nearly gone, the sunlight was burning him, so he had to Apparate them to the safety of Castle Dracula. But then when they got to the part where they had to complete their union of souls, they both went red in the face.

“Do you remember it?” Draco asked Harry.

“Yeah,” said Harry. “Because my soul was suddenly… well, after it was all over, I felt as if I were waking from a long sleep or coma. Er…” he looked at Draco, urging him to continue, but Draco shook his head.

“I don’t remember what happened afterwards,” he said. “I was blissfully dying, remember?”

Ron and Hermione’s jaws dropped again.

Harry bowed his head, and slowly explained to them about finding out that he’d accidentally killed Draco.

“Because your soul was nearly gone,” said Hermione, understanding. “You needed all of Draco’s blood.”

“Yes,” said Harry sadly. “So, I… after Neal and Scrimgeour told me to go ahead and do it…”

“And after I told you I’d kill you if you didn’t,” said Snape suddenly. They’d forgotten Snape and Remus were still standing there, silently watching them.

“Oh, yeah… he was there too,” said Harry offhandedly. Snape glowered at him.

“So, that’s why you Turned him,” said Ron. Harry looked at him and was relieved to see that Ron wasn’t looking angry anymore.

“Well, this has been fun,” said Snape, “but I must be going. I’m sure the Dark Lord is in need of his Potions Master once more.”

The only one in the room that looked worried for Snape’s safety was Remus, but he knew, as everyone else did, that Snape had to keep his position within the Death Eaters.

“Well, Harry,” said Scrimgeour. “When should we start your training?”

“Tomorrow is fine,” said Harry. He stood and made his way toward Ron’s room.

“Where are you going, Harry?” Hermione asked. Draco was wondering the same thing.

“To see that thing that I sent you.”

“It’s in your room now,” she explained.

“Oh?” said Harry, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah,” said Ron. “We figured it was best if they were left in your room instead of mine.”

Harry nodded.

Upon entering his room, he saw them right away. Carefully, Harry walked over to the dresser to where the Horcruxes were lying. Harry picked up the cup, and he still felt a faint heartbeat. He picked up the locket, and there was none. It was guessed that Regulus had destroyed it with something poisonous, and it seemed that he did, because Harry couldn’t hear any heartbeat.

Then, he picked up the quill. While going through his slow transformation of losing his soul, he couldn’t tell whether he could feel a heartbeat or not when he had held it. However, as he held it firmly in his hand now and concentrated, he couldn’t feel anything. It didn’t even glow.

Harry glanced at the other Horcruxes lying there. He saw the cup vibrate and glow after staring at it for a while.

Ron and Hermione walked in quietly, and just stood there as if they were afraid of disturbing Harry’s thoughts. He knew they were there, but didn’t turn around when he acknowledged them.

“This isn’t a Horcrux.”

“What?” said Ron and Hermione together.

Harry turned, holding out the quill between his fingers. “This isn’t a Horcrux,” he repeated.

“Are you sure?” said Hermione, frowning.

“I’m positive,” said Harry. “It doesn’t have a heartbeat, like the cup does.”

“Maybe someone already… destroyed it?” said Ron.

Harry shook his head. “I don’t think so. If they did, there would be something on it that would indicate that it was, or the entire quill would have been charred. No, this isn’t a Horcrux.” Harry peered at the eagle on it. “That’s not even the right design that Rowena Ravenclaw uses. It’s just an ordinary eagle.”

Hermione snatched the quill from his hand and stared at it. “You’re right, it’s not the same one. Oh, Harry…” she frowned, and Harry knew what she was thinking. Worple had risked his life for nothing.

“But who would trick Worple like that?” said Ron. “Was it a Death Eater?”

“I don’t think Voldemort told any of his followers about it,” said Harry. “He wouldn’t dare give them that knowledge.”

“Then, what? Did Worple just think that it was something you were looking for?”

“It’s possible,” said Harry. “I’d like to know what happened to Sanguini, though. I hadn’t seen him since that time in the forest.”

“Do you think he’s… dead?” said Ron.

Harry shrugged. “I don’t know.”

.-.

“Where is he?” the thing snarled, fangs fat and jagged and eyes slit like a bat’s.

“I don’t… know…” choked Sanguini. “I swear, I don’t!”

“Don’t lie to me, now,” said the creature. “Tell the truth, or I shall do as I had planned to do from the beginning and drain you dry.”

Sanguini struggled, but to no avail. The thing was much stronger than him, and his stomach roiled in the fact that he knew he was about to die. For his last and final act, he knew he had to protect Harry, no matter what.

“I’m—I’m telling you the truth!” Sanguini gasped. “But even if I did know…”

“You wouldn’t tell me, would you?” the stranger said. “Hmm, such is the pity. You could become the first in my army of new vampires. Wouldn’t you like to drink the blood of Daywalkers instead? Hmm? It’s so much better than the magic users’ fluids; trust me…”

Sanguini spat in his face.

The stranger glared, and then swiped his tongue over his bottom lip to catch the drips of Sanguini’s spit.

“Hmm, not bad. I like any fluid you can give me, Daywalker.”

Sanguini tried to struggle again, but found he couldn’t. Suddenly, remembering he had another chance to escape, and he transformed into a wolf. Not surprised, the stranger laughed, still gripping the throat of the wolf, and suddenly transformed too.

The wolf’s eyes widened in shock, and then yelped in pain as the creature sank its fangs into his neck. The world went black, and his soul soared out and toward the afterlife.

The creature happily fed on Sanguini’s body until it was bone dry.

TBC

Author notes on what’s changed and what hasn’t:
I had it planned from the beginning that the quill wasn’t the real Horcrux, and I was going to have it be either the opal necklace or that tiara in the RoR. I had written in my notes to make it the necklace (although there was a question mark next to it), but I am changing it to reflect book 7.
Also, I guessed Regulus’s middle name right! When Rowling put out the Black family tree, I looked through it carefully and picked Arcturus out of the relatives’ names. I actually squeaked with delight when I read in book 7 that I was correct with the name!
The locket in this story had already been destroyed, and I’m keeping it that way. I had already planned out who was going to destroy the Cup and Ravenclaw’s artifact, and that won’t change. However, the way they’ll be destroyed will be slightly altered. Originally, I was going to have a dragon breath fire on one of them, but I don’t really see a way of getting a dragon into the story on short notice, so I’m changing it. ;)

Please don’t be annoyed by me explaining some of this; I just want other more newer readers to my fic to understand why some things are different in the beginning and some things reflect book 7, so I don’t get angry emails.

Go to my LJ for more detail on how this fic is coming along....