Crimson Regret

DISCLAIMER: IN NO WAY DO I OWN EITHER THE CHARACTERS OR THE ORIGONAL STORY OF HARRY POTTER! That I’m afraid is all J.K Rowling’s privilege.

Thanks to:

Melissa: I’m so sorry, I received your review just after I posted up the second chapter and so didn’t thank you. I’m glad to know our attention is caught and hope I can keep it. Yeah the sniffing is important.

Jessica: I’m glad you can tell I’ve put thought into this. Severus’s circumference happens two weeks from the first chapter, that’s all I will say.

Dark Hope: Thank you, as do I.

Hambares: Oh good, that was the effect I was after.

Squallsama: Yes I will say that when I read it when it was posted it did seem a little rushed at the end. I have since revised the ending so check that out if you want to. For some reason spelling mistakes and the like are always more apparent AFTER I’ve posted it. Don’t ask me why. Sucks really.

Katie K: Wow so I’ve opened your eyes to the wonder of Harry/Sev vamp fics have I? I’m so glad.

Angie/les`: Thank you, your review did inspire me to start writing so goal achieved.

Darkladyd: Thank you it’s nice to know when readers can tell when you’ve actually made an effort. Thank you for the offer but at this time I am not looking for a beta.

Menecarkawan: Desist laughing at yourself, you’re not wrong. Thank you for the offer but at this time I am not looking for a beta. Following your advice I did immediately revise chapter two and will be consciously looking at the context of words as I write this chapter.

Missi: Wow thank you it’s nice to have such an enthusiastic reader although it seems I do have a lot with this story. (Smiles giddily)

Dracosbitch: You went limp? Wow I wanted it be good but I never dreamed it would be that consuming. I’m glad and hope to god you experience this reaction more often. Do tell me if you do.

momoko: Thank you.

Kat Potter: Oh isn’t he though?!

antipyro: Unhurried prose? *blushes* I’m glad my research is paying off and thank you, thank you, thank you for all the wonderful comments. Makes an author feel special don’t ya know!

amanda: I do try to update as often as I can.

Evandar: Thank you I’m happy you think so. I look forward to hearing from you again in that case.

look at my ding-a-ling-ling: Yes I am very happy now, thank you.

Lisn: (Laugh) Here you go, more for you.

mysticsong: Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! I agree.

Memdrake: I am happy you enjoyed. It was an experience writing it too.

fangbaby2002: I’m happy you find my story interesting.

Alixa Elixabeth Huff: I’m sorry I cannot answer that question, you’ll just have to read and find out. Hint - I’m sure you wont be disappointed though.

Sbkar: Yes I think it’s safe to say I meant ‘premeable.’

Sethian: Thank you!!

GetOutOfMyHead: Yay thank you, I do try to make it so my readers feel they are actually there in the story so of course I describe as much as I can

TWENTY FIVE REVEIWS! For just this chapter! I love you people you are so AWSOME!!!

I am sorry about my last chapter and the misplaced context of words and rather rushed ending. As mentioned above it has since been revised although I only added extra detail. Nothing in the main story changed.

I really, really, really did try hard with spelling, punctuation, contexts and such so if you find anything just tell me and I’ll change it.

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Hunting you I can smell
you - alive



Severus made his way carefully up the revolving stairs to Dumbledore\'s office. Reaching the top he didn\'t wait for the old fool to call out his name in a pitiful attempt to inspire some sort of awe at his knowledge.

Instead he simply pushed through the door and went to sit regally in the chair opposite Dumbledore\'s desk.

\"Ah Severus, I had hoped you would come and tell me of what transpired in the meeting straight away.\"

Severus fixed his gaze at a point somewhere to the left of the headmaster\'s head.

\"I would have done if anything interesting HAD transpired.\"

Dumbledore busied himself with the tea tray in an obvious attempt to look unconcerned.

\"So…you found out nothing?\"

Severus declined the teacup proffered with a wave of his hand, \"No.\"

\"Then…what was the reason for him calling you?\"

Severus sighed, \"My circumference, he wanted to 0.be assured that I would tell him immediately if I had found my mate.\"

The headmaster took a careful sip of his beverage before exclaiming quietly, \"Ah.\"

They sat in silence for a while, Dumbledore drinking his tea and Severus examining the portraits of Headmasters gone by.

Severus did not know quite how to phrase the question he wanted to ask but knew he was going to get it out if it killed him.

\"Headmaster I…\" He paused and Dumbledore looked over at him questioningly.

\"I wanted to ask permission to…hunt tonight.\"

A reproving look crossed the elder man\'s face and he sighed in disappointment.

\"Severus you know I cannot authorise that request, of course there is nothing I can do to stop you from hunting, but by the same token if you are caught there will be nothing I can do then either. I had hoped you had more self control than this my boy.\"

\"Don\'t \'my boy\' me Albus, I haven\'t fed properly in over a decade and this is the first time I have asked anything of this nature of you. It is becoming increasingly difficult to control the blood lust. Are you aware that I almost lost it and nearly devoured Potter the other day?\"

The headmaster\'s eyes widened and he set his cup down quickly,

\"Oh don\'t get your knickers in a twist Albus I didn\'t actually do it, although it was a close thing. The boy cut his finger and I…wavered for a moment. But as you can see if I do not properly feed soon then the students are going to be at risk from me constantly rather than monthly.\"

The elder man seemed to deliberate for a moment, then,

\"I know nothing of this.\"

Severus inclined his head, \"Naturally.\"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

\"So you could actually smell his…?\"

Harry blushed and nodded remembering the night before.

\"Eww no offence but I really don\'t envy you your abilities mate.\" Ron said a look of disgust marring his features.

The three friends sat at the breakfast table, each having lost their appetites for the time being.

\"But Harry, you took your potion yesterday right?\"

Harry snorted, \"Of course I did! Did you see me jump or almost jump anyone else?\"

Hermione frowned, \"No but you aren\'t supposed to be able to feel, smell or sense anything when you take the potion.\"

Harry sighed and proceeded to mash his egg into a lump resembling vomit. \"I know Hermione.\"

Hermione rubbed her chin, obviously deep in thought. \"Harry don\'t play with your food.\" She said distractedly.

Harry wondered how she could do that and ceased mashing up the egg. Instead his eyes drifted involuntarily to the head table where both Snape and Dumbledore were
noticeably absent.

:Flashback:

Harry stood nervously outside his potion master\'s private rooms, steeling himself he knocked on the door.

There was a pause before the door was suddenly yanked open and Snape stood there, tall and imposing, looking down at Harry furiously.

If looks could kill Harry knew he\'d be serving a sentence in hell right now.

\"Um I wondered if I might have a quick word professor?\"

Snape gazed at him for a moment and then with a jerk of the head invited him inside.

\"Well?\" He snapped settling down into a chair carefully and taking a sip of a black potion, which had been resting on the coffee table beside it.

\"Well sir, you see, apparently Hermione had a funny turn or something when you were giving her instructions about our project and all she can remember is something about Friday. So you see she sent me here to ask you again what we are doing about our project.\"

Harry shifted uncomfortably as he finished his little speech. For some reason Snape was looking at his neck with an expression similar to desire.

\"You are to finish it on Friday evening.\" He said simply, his eyes never leaving Harry\'s neck.

It was here that things started to go a little pear shaped.

The smell of arousal reached out and ensnared him in its cruel fingers. Suddenly he was bathed in it, surrounded completely by trails of sex, lust, desire and want. He could feel it permeating his very soul and he yearned to please, to be cherished, loved and taken in sweet abandon and it was as if his very soul was being ripped out of his body in an attempt to meet that tantalising goal.

Sweat broke out across his skin and he felt unnaturally warm as his heartbeat pounded in his chest and the blood rushed through his veins in angry turmoil, like a snake seeking its prey. Red haze clouded his vision and he was jerked forward by the need whispering across his skin, forcing him into sexual submission and desire.

Oh how he wanted it…

He breathed in deeper, taking that alluring scent deep into his lungs and wrapping himself in it from within, licking his lips sensuously as he stared straight into the dark iris\'s before him, he needed this man, to seduce and tease into loving him with wild abandon. Right here on the floor if-

Harry froze. Suddenly the fog receded and he truly realised who he was about to seduce.

Oh god…

He turned quickly and fled out of the door. Traces of lust and passion flying from him like ribbons uncoiling. Luckily he met with no one on the way.

:End Flashback:


\"So you only smelled it, you didn\'t attempt to seduce him?\"

\"Huh,\" Harry turned to the sound of Hermione\'s voice, the memory of last night slowly receding.

\"You only smelled his arousal didn\'t you, you didn\'t attempt to seduce him?\"

\"No, but it was a bloody close thing I can tell you, I was about to go into diameter when something pulled me back and I realised what was going on.\"

Hermione went back to stroking her chin thoughtfully whilst Ron glanced at the clock.

\"Shit! Come one guys we\'re gonna be late for D.A.D.A!\"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Severus carefully wrapped his full-length black hunting robes about him. He\'d had them tailor made in Transylvania, the location of one of the world’s biggest vampire networks.
There was a huge vampire culture there and one didn\'t really have to hide the fact that you were one, even amongst Muggles.

He\'d deliberated long and hard about going through with the hunt but eventually had decided that for the sake of his sanity and the student\'s safety, he had to.

His skin was clammy with perspiration and even his stomach had settled somewhat at the idea of feeding once more.

Making sure he had his wand with him he quietly left his rooms. He\'d chosen to try muggle London tonight. London was a fairly safe bet as there were quite a few dodgy characters that hung around in the more rundown parts anyway. His attack would not be overly suspicious.

If he was truthful with himself, he thought striding quickly through the corridors on his way to the entrance hall, he didn\'t really have to hunt. He could just as easily go to a donor group in Transylvania or get a supply of ape blood delivered. Transylvania was the only place you could go for donated blood as the society was a lot more accepting of vampires and willing to help. In a way vampires were almost worshipped there.

But at present he was in no shape for such a journey and the idea of cold ape\'s blood, long taken from the animal…well it turned his stomach.

He needed it warm and flooded with vitality…he needed it alive.

Reaching the entrance hall he carried on through and out into the grounds, pausing to check the wind direction before hurriedly walking on and out of the gates to apperate away.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

\"I\'m afraid neither Professor McGonagall, or any of the order can accompany you tonight Harry.\"

Harry\'s eyes widened. \"Oh but sir, you know I need it!\"

Dumbledore nodded, \"Of course my boy but you can wait another day, there is still your emergency supply.\"

Harry lowered his head his cheeks flushing and his fingers writhing together in apprehension.

\"I\'m afraid I took it sir, you see there was an incident last night where the potion either wore off or didn\'t work and I almost seduced someone. So when I got back to the dorm I took the emergency supply just in case thinking I would be getting more today. Was I wrong to do that?\"

\" No but I would\'ve preferred that you came and told me straight away about this occurrence.\"
\"I\'m sorry sir but as you can see I need it tonight.\"

Dumbledore closed his eyes for a moment and seemed to be thinking deeply.
Opening them a minute later he said,

\"I will give you a port key to the location, you are to acquire the potion and then come straight back, do you understand?\"

\"Yes sir.\"

Reaching into a drawer Dumbledore retrieved a peacock quill and moving his wand over it intoned, \"Porticus\"

Handing it to Harry the boy just had time to thank him before he port keyed away.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There was a small teenage boy walking calmly down a side alley. Severus licked his lips hungrily and stealthily began to follow him.

He knew where it led having checked out the area before hand and knew he would be totally alone as he pursued his prey.

Keeping to the shadows he tailed the boy, allowing his presence to affect and create anxiety in his victim. The boy was brave, he continued to look straight ahead and his gait remained steady as he refused to give into the paranoia that caused his heart to pound in his chest and the blood to sing through his veins and Severus smiled as he heard this, allowing his footfalls to become slightly heavier. The boy tensed and paused to look cautiously about him, before hurrying on at a quicker pace than before.

Severus continued to stalk the helpless boy, panting audibly and increasing his aura to fever pitch. The boy shivered with fear and cold as the temperature dropped noticeably, hurrying along even faster if possible and pausing to look about him in every available patch of light the whisper of heavy breathing echoing about him.

Eventually they came to a part of the alley that was narrower and almost pitch black. The boy stopped, obviously deliberating whether to carry on, obviously not comfortable with losing one of his senses in his tense state. Smirking Severus reached forward and gently pushed a rubbish bin over. It fell slowly, teetering on its edge before plunging down with a loud clash spilling its rotten contents all over the floor as the lid rolled away on its side.

That was it, without even glancing behind him the boy bolted down the alley, Severus closely behind him. Their footsteps echoed off the alley as they sped on, the boy stumbling blindly every so often on hidden obstacles. Severus growled and the boy sped up as adrenaline rushed through his blood and permeated his brain. His heart was pounding impossibly fast, driving Severus to the very edge of excitement. He needed to feed!

A light glowed feebly in the distance and Severus thrilled at the sight of it, he knew there was an upturned box here and if his luck held out the boy was heading straight for it.

\"Run faster boy, I\'m still here.\" Severus mocked and the with that his victim whimpered in terror and stumbled head long over the upturned box to collapse against the eroding brickwork making up the alley floor.

Severus threw himself after him landing on the boy and rolling him over and over and yanking his head back as he dived for the jugular.

They came to a stop and Severus moaned as the blood seeped onto his tongue, slowly at first and then in a gushing torrent and he drank deeply as the boy undulated under him. He\'d decided to make it good for this sweet one, he\'d put up such a good fight. Severus became immersed in the sensations flooding him as the boy eventually passed out. He didn\'t even know if he could stop, he needed this so much, needed the blood flowing down his throat and filling his aching stomach…the sweetest elixir…the most explosive fluid.

So engrossed was he that he didn\'t even hear a door open and close a little way away.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Harry thanked the owner of the little apothecary pocketing his purchase and walking out the door. Pausing he bent slightly to retrieve his port key housed in one of his deepest pockets.
Suddenly he heard the slightest of noises over to his right, in the darker part of the alley the little shop was located in.
Walking forwards he shaded his eyes, trying to see past the glare of the apothecary window. \"Hello?\" He called softly moving forward cautiously into the darker region.
Gasping he backed up as he saw what he\'d heard. A vampire was feeding frenziedly on the side of an unconscious boy\'s neck, Harry could actually here the sucking sounds it made.

\"OY!\" He yelled gathering his courage and speeding over there, shoving the vampire from it\'s meal, wincing as its sudden departure from the boy\'s neck ripped the skin. He caught a glimpse of the vampires jaw in a stream of light; fangs extended, a trickle of fresh blood running from the corner of its mouth. It\'s skin marred with smudges of crimson. It sat where it had fallen growling and bearing its teeth, gasping softly as it looked at him ...before apparating away.

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Author is STARVING please review!