VAMPIRE TEMPTATION

Chapter Five


Harry sat on the railing of the high balcony, his eyes falling to the many friends that he has made in such a short time during his training, laughing and dancing below him. It was a celebration of sorts. A celebration of Harry going back to Hogwarts. He trained hard and Kinsey acknowledged he was ready. He would be going back to school tomorrow.

Harry never thought he would slip into being a vampire so easily. ‘The blood sickened me at first, but my gods....the taste,’ he thought. He had thought, at first, that being a vampire he had to be a killer, to drain them of their blood to survive, but soon found out that he didn’t need a lot to sustain him. He felt good, confident that he could fulfill his destiny. The drinking of the blood, in his way of thinking, was just a bonus. He closed his eyes as the heady scent of his Siress came near. He felt her sit beside him, then turned his face to give her a toothy grin.

“You should be down there celebrating. I know Stryder would like some time with you,” Kinsey teased.

“I’m just feeling . . . anxious,” Harry sighed.

“About?”

“About going back. I miss everyone there, but I’m different now. Not just because I’m a vampire, but more . . . me. I don’t think I can hide that any more.”

“So don’t,” Kinsey replied smiling, “you shouldn’t be ashamed of who you are. You are a good person Harry, just a little more wild than before. That wildness doesn’t make you a bad person.”

“I never thought I’d admit this, but I’m going to miss this place,” he grinned, leaning his head on Kinsey’s shoulder.

“You are always welcome here Harry. I know Stryder would welcome you back with open arms . . . as well as Jaz, Ty, Blade, Brenan . . . ” she listed off her fingers.

“Okay, I get the picture,” he laughed, interrupting her.

“So have you decided how you’re going to arrive yet? Make a grand entrance or sneak your way in to talk to Dumbledore?”

“It’s two weeks into the school year, either way it will be grand,” he smirked. “I think I should make the grand entrance during dinner, get everyone to see that I’m quite alive all at once. I just hope I don’t give anyone a heart attack. You still coming with me?” he asked.

“If you want me to,” Kinsey replied. “I’m sure most of the questions will be better answered from me anyway.”

“Well, should we join in the celebrations?” Harry grinned. Kinsey nodded and jumped to the floor from the twenty-foot balcony, he followed, landing gracefully on his feet. He was then grabbed around his waist by Stryder who dragged him to the center of the dancing, writhing, grinding bodies.

Kinsey danced for a song or two then sat and watched Harry. She herself was anxious about returning to Hogwarts. She had not seen or talked with ‘him’ in about ten years.


~*~


The day after Harry’s little celebration, Dumbledore stood at the head table at Hogwarts, all eyes on him, no one noticing the white owl gliding through the rafters above them. “An announcement before we commence to eat the fine meal that we are about to enjoy. The prefects have expressed an interest in having a ball on All Hallow’s Eve. It has been decided that . . . ” he began before the interruption.

All eyes went to the Great Hall doors when they saw where the Headmaster’s attention lay. The Hall was silent as the two figures strode confidently down the center aisle, both wearing leather and looking menacing. The woman wore black leather pants, a red T-shirt and a waist length leather jacket, her black, shoulder length hair tousled from the wind outside. The man also wore leather pants, but with an emerald green button down shirt that hung down his hips. The long leather jacket open for everyone to see that the body beneath was toned and fit. It did cover, however, the dagger he had sheathed at his side. There was a gasp from the Gryffindor table when the stranger combed back the front of his hair with his fingers, the lightning bolt scar clearly visible.

“Sorry I’m late Professors,” Harry grinned as he stepped up to the head table.

“Harry?” Dumbledore quietly asked.

“Yes, sir,” Harry nodded respectfully.

“What happened? Where were you?” Minerva softly asked.

“Perhaps we could finish this discussion in your office sir,” Kinsey said from beside Harry as she motioned to the gawking students in the hall.

“Kinsey?” Severus said coming out of his shock.

“Yes, it’s me . . . Father,” she replied.

Harry looked to Kinsey in surprise. “You’re a Snape? Why didn’t you tell me?” he whispered.

“You didn’t ask?” she smirked, shrugging her shoulders.

“Harry!” he heard shouted before his face was buried in curly brown hair. “My gods . . . we thought you were dead,” Hermione cried against his neck.

“I’m okay ‘Mione,” Harry said by her ear. “I’ve been . . . busy.”

“Harry,” Ron said from Hermione’s side. When she pulled away, Harry was surprised . . . but not, when Ron swung at him, his fist connecting with his cheek.

Harry put his arm out, holding back Kinsey who was going to retaliate. “It’s okay Kinse, “ he reassured, experimentally rubbing his cheek. “I guess I may have deserved that,” he looked Ron in the eye, the relief revealed in the redhead’s gaze. “Feel better now Ron?”

“Merlin Harry,” Ron choked out, grabbing Harry’s arm to pull him close. “How could you do that to us?”

Harry wrapped his arms around Ron’s back, sighing in relief when the redhead returned the embrace. “I’m sorry Ron, it was out of my control, but believe me, it was for the best,” he quietly said.

Dumbledore then cleared his throat to get the attention of the emotional trio. “Perhaps we should continue this in my office,” he kindly said.


Draco Malfoy, the Slytherin Head Boy, watched as the group at the head table talked in whispered voices. He was just as surprised as the rest of the students to see the two strangers walk through the Great Hall doors like they owned the place. When the man looked his way, he knew who he was just looking into the green eyes. He had felt a warm shiver run down his spine at that look, and felt relief that Harry Potter was alive and looking . . . bloody drop dead gorgeous, and dangerous.

He was mildly surprised to see Harry still standing after the punch from Weasley. Anyone else, he was sure, it would have knocked them on their arse. Weasley was a hot-tempered powerhouse that could rival his own two goons, Crabbe, and Goyle. He quietly bent his head down, reading his book as the rest of his house talked of the two new arrivals.

When Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Granger, Weasley, Potter, and the nameless stranger left, the hall erupted in excited conversation, speculating where the Boy Wonder had been. It was not proven, but the rumors were that he was dead. Draco then quietly left the hall to go to his rooms where he flooed his father with the news of Potter’s return.

“So, are you going to share where you were for the past few months,” Severus sneered, “and why my daughter is with you?”

“First of all, I didn’t know she was your daughter until just a few minutes ago, and where I was . . . if you know your daughter, you will know what happened,” Harry said.

“It would be a good idea to gather the Order members before we explain sir,” Kinsey said. “I don’t care to repeat myself when things are explained.”

As Dumbledore sent Fawkes to gather the witches and wizards of the Order of the Phoenix, Kinsey was getting her fair share of looks from Harry’s friends. “And how do you know about the Order?” Hermione asked.

“I made it my business to know,” Kinsey simply replied as she leaned on the Headmaster’s desk.

Kinsey was then pulled to her feet by Severus. “Kinsey . . . why?” he quietly asked.

“Things I needed to do . . . to get straight in my head,” she replied as she was pulled into her father’s comforting embrace. “I’m sorry. When mother died, I blamed you and your precious Death Eaters. I realize it wasn’t your fault, you were trying to save the world,” she smiled against his neck.

Severus pulled back then, looked around the room to see everyone looking at them. He glared at them then erected a silencing bubble around them before looking into her eyes. “You turned him didn’t you?” he quietly asked.

“Yes,” she nodded, “he is stronger now. He can win.”

“You realize that there’s going to be a lot of them that are not going to agree with your reasoning.”

“I know. I care for him Father. Not just as his Siress, but his friend. He’s not so easy to kill now,” she said. “Do you agree with what I did?” she asked.

Severus looked to the much more confident Harry talking to Ron and Hermione. “I’d like to see what you’ve taught him?”

“We can continue with his training here,” she grinned.

Severus hugged her close again. “I’ve missed you Kinse,” he hoarsely said.

“Father, we can finish this later,” she smirked by his ear, “wouldn’t want the others to see the snarky git like this now, would you?”

“Yes, we have company,” Harry grinned, stepping into the bubble.

“You heard that?” Severus asked.

“Yes, it’s amazing how improved my hearing is . . . Professor,” Harry replied.

Severus removed the bubble around the three of them, then stood back. Kinsey put her arm around Harry’s shoulders as she looked around the room. “This can’t be all the Order Professor,” she grinned at Dumbledore.

“These people are the closest to Mister Potter. Here is Molly and Arthur Weasley, along with their children, Fred and George, Bill, and Charlie, and of course Ronald. Also Nymphadora Tonks, the Head Auror for the Ministry,” Dumbledore said, “and . . . ”

“Where is Remus?” Harry asked looking around the room, “and why is Malfoy here?”

“Remus is in his rooms. There was a full moon last night Harry,” Tonks said. “And Malfoy is a spy for the light.”

“I’ll take you to Remus after the meeting,” Severus said.

Harry looked around at the faces of his friends, focusing on Arthur and Molly, who would not meet his gaze. He took the few steps to them to wrap his arms around Molly. “I’m alright Mum,” he softly said by her ear, then looked to Arthur. “I’m all right,” he repeated to reassure them.

“Oh Harry,” Molly cried, hugging Harry close. “We didn’t think we’d see you again.”

“I’m not that easy to get rid of,” Harry grinned as he pulled away. “I’m the Boy-Who-Lived, after all.”

“What happened to you Harry?” Dumbledore asked.

“I’ll let Kinsey . . . my Siress explain,” Harry said, hearing the gasps of shock around him.

“Well, that’s a way to break it to them Harry,” Kinsey laughed, pulling Harry close to her side.

“Before we start,” Harry began, waving his hand around the room. The others in the room felt the wave of magic around them, then looked enquiringly at Harry. “What we tell you goes no further than this room.”

“What did you just do Harry?” Severus asked.

“Nice little charm that will not allow you to disclose what was said until . . . I take it off you. Although, I trust most,” Harry began, looking at Lucius, “of you, the need for surprise is needed to defeat Voldemort.”

“As you know, the vampires have been fairly neutral in your wars, until Voldemort decided that he may be able to become immortal with our blood. We are a proud race, and wanted nothing to do with him . . . except for the few of the darker vamps. These dark vampires have been giving Voldemort blood, increasing his powers, but not making him immortal. Immortality is a Muggle myth. We do eventually die, but not for a very, very long time,” Kinsey said.

“How powerful is he?” Tonks asked, looking at Lucius.

“His magic is stronger, but he hasn’t shown any indications of heightened senses,” Lucius stated. “And he has not boasted about any either.”

“Anyway,” Kinsey interrupted, “when we found out about the prophecy made about Harry here . . . and no, I will not reveal the source . . . we knew that Harry would, and could defeat Voldemort, with our help. Even with all the training he’s been through over the years, it was not enough. ‘He will have power the Dark Lord knows not’, is what the prophecy states. We have given him that power. We have given him extensive training,” Harry shook his head and snorted while Kinsey cuffed the back of his head, “and he is not so easily killed.”

“I was always able to throw off the ‘Imperius Curse’, but now the ‘Cruciatus Curse’ is a mere burning sensation, and the ‘Kedavra Curse’ does not affect me now,” Harry said. “At the beginning when Stryder took me, I fought all the way until they knocked me out,” he grinned. “For the first while I fought these new urges of mine. I didn’t want to become one of them.”

“He was very stubborn,” Kinsey grinned. “He refused to feed for weeks.”

“Now I accept it. It’s not a curse, but a means to an end. I’ve learned so much these past months and for the first time . . . I feel confident enough to defeat him,” Harry said.

“But Harry . . . a vampire?” Molly asked, still trying to grasp all this new information about her surrogate son.

“It’s not so bad,” Harry shrugged.

“But you need blood to survive,” Ron said.

“Ah, but that’s a bonus,” Harry grinned, then saw the shocked faces around him. “I don’t need that much blood to sustain me, so I do not kill for it. I still eat food and pretty much live like I did before.”

“Except now he doesn’t take any shit from anyone,” Kinsey proudly said. “You do not want to mess with him now.”

“I would like to be treated like I was before, no special treatment.”

Kinsey then shook her head and stepped forward. “I would advise his own rooms, as he will have . . . guests come once a week for him to feed,” she said. “And I’d like for his training to continue here also.”

“What kind of vampire are you Harry?” Hermione asked.

“I’m a daywalker, and am able to go out in the sun, although it bothers my eyes if it’s overly bright. I need blood once a week. Vampiric blood to make me stronger. My body heals at an exceptional rate, and it’s not so easy to put me down. My hearing and sight are also intensified. The only way to kill me is decapitation or a wooden stake through the heart,” Harry said ticking the things off his fingers.

“Do you change into an animal of some sort?” Hermione asked.

“No, but I am learning to be an Animagus. I do have the fangs that I can retract at will, but do not have wings . . . although that would have been brilliant,” Harry smirked, letting them see the lengthened incisors.

“What about the blood lust?” Hermione asked.

“The sight of blood won’t make me mental or anything. I’ve learned to control that. There are also potions I take to help with that.”

“Quidditch Cup will so be ours,” Ron grinned.

“It would be,” Harry laughed, “if I decided to stay on the team.” He saw the relieved look on Severus’s face and gave a nod to him, then looked to McGonagall and Ron. “After all, it’s kind of an unfair advantage if I’d be able to see the Snitch . . . or hear it better than the other team.”

“But Harry . . . ” Ron sputtered.

“Gryffindor has a good team Ron. I am not the only player,” Harry said. “I’d have Ginny try out for the Seeker position. She would do well.”

“Are there any other questions?” Kinsey asked.

When no reply was heard, Harry spoke up. “I hope you accept who I am now, because I’ve accepted it and to me that is the most important thing. I didn’t have a choice in this at the beginning, but I don’t regret it now.” He looked at Severus. “Now, I’d really like to see Remus before I retire for the night.”

Harry withstood the heartfelt embraces of the Weasleys, Tonks, Ron, and Hermione, then watched them leave. Lucius had quietly left during that time. The only people that remained were Dumbledore, Severus, and Kinsey. Kinsey cupped the sides of his face and looked him in the eye. “You good?” she quietly asked.

“Yeah, I think so,” Harry nodded.

Kinsey placed a soft kiss on Harry’s mouth, then stepped back. “I’ll be around Harry, so don’t hesitate to come to me if you need me. I’ll always be there for you Harry.”

“Thanks Kinse,” Harry softly said.

“She will be coming back soon,” Severus said, looking to his daughter.

“Can’t argue with the old man, can I?” she smirked, then wrapped her arms around Severus’s waist. “I’ll be back.”

Kinsey then nodded to Dumbledore and flooed her way out of the office through the fireplace. Dumbledore called a few house-elves to ready Harry’s rooms, while Severus led Harry to Remus’s rooms.

They walked silently, with Severus glancing to Harry periodically. “What did you want to ask Professor?” Harry grinned still looking ahead.

“Did you know Kinsey was a Snape?” Severus asked.

“No. I was just as surprised as you were when we arrived here. I know that Kinsey was a born vampire. Were you?”

“Yes.”

“So the rumors are true then,” Harry smirked.

“Yes. I know of those rumors,” he grinned. “Keeps some of those dunderhead students in line. So are you and Kinsey lovers?”

“Well, that was blunt,” Harry laughed. “She does taste good . . . her blood that is. To answer your question . . . no, we were never and probably never will be. She’s got the wrong bits for me.”

“Well, that’s a revelation,” Severus said, surprised.

Their conversation was halted as they came upon Remu’s door. “Do you want me to come in with you?” Severus asked.

Harry took a deep fortifying breath, and shook his head. “No, I can do this,” he quietly said.

“He was pretty broken up when we couldn’t find you Harry. He hasn’t smiled since we left the Dursley’s.”

“The Dursley’s?” Harry asked.

“Another time,” Severus grinned, then knocked on the door.

“Enter.”

tbc