FAMILY TIES

Chapter Four


Harry woke up in his bed, feeling like he was in a dream. Dreaming he was an elven vampire, and that he actually talked with his mother yesterday. He opened his eyes wider as he looked around the room, his gaze falling to the glass sphere on his night stand. “Fuck . . . not a dream,” he muttered to himself, putting his arm over his eyes. “Why me?” He groaned.

He slowly got out of bed, then made his way to the bathroom where he took a leisurely shower, trying to get used to his new body. He took a closer look at the tattoo, now that he knew why he had it, and wondered how much more his body was going to change . . . besides the fangs and wings.

He dressed in the loose pants, and the equally loose top, leaving the buttons at the top and bottom undone, then slipped on his trainers. He made his way down the stairs and to the room where breakfast was served the day before. His grandparents and Bree greeted him as he sat down.

“How are you doing Harry?” Gabrielle worriedly asked.

“Okay,” Harry shrugged, his head down as he pushed the food around on his plate.

“Harry, no matter what, we are here for you,” Kyrian said.

“You don’t mind me having vampiric blood?” Harry asked looking up. “Do the other’s know about me being part vampire? Do they think I’m a freak now?”

“No . . . ” Gabrielle began.

“Because this is just one more thing for people to think I’m freakish about. When I lived with the Dursley’s, I was a freak because I was magical. In my second year . . . I was a freak because I could talk to snakes . . . now I’m an elf, and a vampire. How freakish is that?” He sarcastically finished.

“I think it’s pretty cool,” Bree grinned. Harry looked at her like she lost her mind. “No really . . . you will have all these extra abilities.”

“Like drinking blood,” Harry mocked.

“That’s probably the only down side to this Harry. Elven people tend to live longer years, but vampires can live much longer. You will be able to see at night . . . and you’ll be able to fly without a broom,” Bree grinned. “You will be a force to be reckoned with, with the proper training.”

“Flying would be cool,” Harry admitted. “But I don’t think I would like to live a long . . . long life.”

“Harry. You are not a freak,” Kyrian said. “You are gifted with these abilities you have. As for others knowing of your vampiric heritage . . . only family knows. It is up to you if you want to tell others. I would recommend keeping it to your chest though. It could be advantageous in your fight against Voldemort.”

“Does Snape know that I’m his brother?” Harry asked.

“No, he doesn’t,” Bree said.

“Professor Dumbledore has assured us he doesn’t,” Gabrielle said.

“Would it be such a bad thing if he were to know?” Bree asked.

“Snape hates me Bree. He’s always looking for ways to have me expelled from Hogwarts,” Harry sighed. “He can’t forget the torment that James and them did to him in school. He can’t separate James from the person that I am.”

“Then why has he saved you a few times, and why has he taught you occlumency if he hates you so much?” Bree asked.

“Who knows,” Harry said. “How do you know all this?” He asked looking at her.

“Your cousin has been keeping tabs on everything for us,” Kyrian replied.

“Who is this cousin?”

“He is in the same year as you, but in the Slytherin house,” Bree said.

“Please don’t say it’s Malfoy,” Harry grimaced.

“No, it’s not him . . . although he’s rather a good-looking guy,” Bree smiled.

“You will meet him later,” Kyrian said smiling mysteriously.

Harry and Bree went down to the courtyard where some of the other elves were readying for their sword practice. He sat on the low wall, watching as the sword flowed around the elves, like it was a part of them. He was surprised to see women amongst them, looking just as deadly with their weapons. The men were graceful and lithe, and Harry found his eyes going to them repeatedly, admiring their forms.

He watched for about an hour as they practiced, until Bree came to sit beside him, her breathing a bit ragged from her excursions with her sword. “Watch this Harry,” she said motioning to the center of the courtyard where a dark haired and blonde haired elf stood facing each other. They bowed to each other, then stood in their stance until their swords met in the middle, metal on metal in the mock fight.

“That’s not serious, is it?” Harry asked after seeing the two elves’ grimace in pain from a shallow slice to the body or the flat of the blade at their back.

“No, it’s not. They are actually close friends. The dark-haired one is courting the other’s sister,” Bree replied.

“And the blonde . . . who is he courting?” Harry asked off handedly.

Bree looked at him and smiled knowingly. “Ash belongs to no one, but like you, he likes the same sex.”

“Is that . . . I mean . . . liking the same sex . . . is that frowned upon here? The wizarding world is much more open with that than the muggles.” Harry stated.

“There are many same-sex couples among the elves. You’ll find that we are quite sensual people. We enjoy sex with the opposite sex, as well as the same sex. You will not be ostracized for liking men Harry,” Bree reassured him. “Both of my parents are male, so I obviously have no problems with that.”

“Can you teach me how to handle a sword Bree?” Harry asked as he watched Ash lower his sword to help his friend to his feet. “I want to be able to defend myself.”

“Are you serious?” Bree asked, “because I’ll train you hard. It’s not only handling the weapons Harry. We train your emotional and physical being as well.”

“Very sure about this Bree,” Harry grinned, up for the challenge.

“All right then, we’ll start tomorrow morning,” she smiled, thinking it was nicer with his requesting to learn, instead of her telling him that the lessons were planned anyway. “Now I believe it’s time for lunch . . . and to meet your family.”

“Now?” He gulped nervously, “what if they don’t like me, Bree?”

“We’re really going to have to boost that confidence of yours Harry,” she laughed, “they’ll love you.”

Harry nervously ran his fingers through his hair before tying it back at his nape. He sighed heavily as Bree pulled him into the hall, and looked around all the unknown faces.

“Ah Harry, I was about to come get you,” Kyrian smiled, then led him to the other elves. “Harry. This is my eldest son, and your uncle, Gaidon and his wife Raina.”

“Hello,” Harry held out his hand for it to be clasped in both Gaidon’s hands.

“Hello Harry,” Gaidon warmly smiled, “we’ve been looking forward to meeting you. We’ll have to sit and talk of Hogwarts when you get a chance.”

“Mum told me that her brother went there,” Harry smiled, instantly liking this uncle.

“I’ve got some great stories to tell you Harry,” Gaidon grinned, then felt the elbow at his side from Raina.

“Harry, these are our children, and your cousin Deidre and her husband Alexion, and your second cousin Raiden,” Raina smiled, “and Daven and his wife Samia with their twins Cara and Kaylan.”

At Harry’s nod in greeting and a promise to talk later, Kyrian moved him to the next couple. “These two are Brianna’s fathers, my son Kale and his husband Julien.”

Harry looked to the two men, Kale being fair with blonde, auburn streaked hair, and Julien being more dark, with his black hair and darker complection. “You’re not elven?” Harry asked Julien, noticing the rounded human ears.

“No, I’m a wizard,” Julien smiled, “like you. I met Kale through Gaidon at Hogwarts. And you’ve obviously met Bree here,” he said affectionately as he put his arm over her shoulders.

“Just don’t let her talk you into any kind of trouble,” Kale grinned.

“Father! I would never do that,” Bree exclaimed impishly with a wink towards Harry.

Kyrian then led Harry to two dark-haired elves. “This is your aunt Josiane and her husband Faris. They live in the wizarding world.”

“Hello Harry,” Josiane smiled. “We’ve been hearing about you.” She took a step to the side to reveal a dark-haired man. “Your cousin,” she simply said.

“Zabini?” Harry said in surprise.

“Hi Harry,” Blaise smiled uncertainly, not sure of the welcome he would be getting.

“You’re an elf?” Harry asked.

Blaise closed his eyes for his ears to point and his hair lengthen. “Yes.”

“But you’re a Slytherin?” Harry needlessly pointed out.

“I was put there on purpose to keep an eye out for things Harry. They’re not all bad you know,” he replied. “That’s how we’ve been able to find out about some of Voldemort’s plans. There are the few that are faithful to him.”

“Yeah, I bet,” Harry grimaced, “Malfoy being at the top of the list.”

“Actually Harry, he’s against all that Voldemort believes in, it’s his father that is faithful to him, not Draco. He has become an accomplished actor to save his life . . . as well as several others in Slytherin,” Blaise said.

“Harry, there’s someone else I think you should meet,” Bree said moving him away from Blaise. “We can sit and talk more about that later.”

“You can count on it,” Harry said glaring at Blaise.

“This is Rider,” Bree smiled, “and no he’s not a relative, but a good friend of the family for years. He’s going to help you through the vampiric transformation and training. He’s also a wizard.”

Harry looked to the dark-haired man, with his hair tied back similarly to his own. His complection was a creamy tan color, which was more evident from the short sleeved T-shirt he wore. He wore faded blue jeans, and surprisingly a pair of muggle Nike runners. He looked perfectly normal, which kind of reassured him. “Hello,” he greeted.

“Hello Harry,” Rider grinned, “you look confused.”

“If you’re a vampire . . . ” Harry started as he motioned to his mouth.

“Where’s the fangs?” Rider finished. He then smiled for Harry to see the incisor teeth lengthen to sharpened points, then retract back in. “I am able to retract the fangs, as well as my wings at will. As will you.”

“Come, let’s eat,” Gabrielle called out as she led the way to the table heavily laden with food.



During the meal and the rest of the afternoon, Harry got to know a bit more of his family from the stories they told, as they got to know him. He also was able to hear some rather amusing stories about his mother when she was younger. Daven and Samia’s twins sat on either side of him, eagerly listening to some of the stories he told of the wizarding world. He had noticed that Blaise would try to approach him a few times, but was waylaid by the shake of his head. He wasn’t ready to talk with Blaise yet.

That night he went through the occlumency steps to calm and empty his mind. His thoughts were confused, angry, frustrated . . . and partially exhilarated that he had a family that seemed to genuinely care for him. The clearing of his mind helped lull him to sleep with no dreams. His last thought was to thank Snape . . . or should he say his brother for those lessons as he drifted off.

tbc