Blood and Magic

Chapter 5- A Night Out

Harry spent over a week perfecting his light spells before he felt confident enough to visit the city again. He'd learned to control the types of light he could produce with a wand to within 50 nm anywhere in the light spectrum; without a wand, Harry's control wasn't as refined and he could only produce three strengths of light-- a normal lumus, a very powerful lumos, and a solar light spell that only emitted in a single ray. If he met a vampire without a wand, he'd need to be very careful about aiming.

Still, the possible threat of any sunlight near a vampire should be enough to deter future attacks, whether it was aimed properly or not. So it was with restored confidence that Harry went out to treat himself to something he'd sorely missed when he worried he might be stuck hiding for the rest of the summer-- ice cream.

Harry's favorite parlor so far was located to the west of St. Louis in an area called University City, probably due to the university located there. The town had a great deal of eateries and shopping and, during the summer at least, ice cream parlors. Grinning as he looked in the case lined with multi-colored tubs, Harry wondered if any of the parlors would still be open in the winter. He hoped so.

An hour later, Harry was strolling down a tree-lined street, contentedly full from the chocolate and strawberry sundae he's finished earlier. The day had been particularly hot and the evening was still warm, but the ice cream had done a wonderful job cooling him down. Now, the sky was a hazy red orange and Harry was contemplating heading back to feed the thestrals or wandering about for a bit longer. If he didn't show up, the thestrals would find something to eat in the forest, though they might be annoyed with him when he returned.

Speaking of which, the thestrals had been particularly agitated the past week. Harry had thought at first they were merely miffed at allowing a threat to leave the property alive, but lately he'd begun to think they were simply mad at him for letting Jean-Claude eat their apples. He'd ordered a new shipment for them as thanks the day after they saved him from the vampire, but the apples had yet to arrive, and every day it didn't show up, the thestrals became more and more ruffled. Especially Therdad.

As he stopped to think what he should do, Harry glanced around the street, noting that the general dress code was getting somewhat nicer and the people were getting somewhat rowdier. Also more selective in their grouping-- nearly everyone about could be paired off, whether in a single couple or a group of couples. Blinking, Harry realized it was a Friday night and most people out now would be on dates.

Well. That put a bit of a damper on the evening. Harry sighed. Not that he had anything against couples really, he just felt... awkward around them nowadays. Uncomfortable. Not because of his breakup-- oh no, that wasn't it at all. Point of fact, his breakup with Ginny two years ago had gone rather smoothly all things considered; they'd both agreed to not hold any hard feelings and had so far managed to keep to that.

`Course, Harry thought wryly, that was probably due to just how badly their attempts at furthering their relationship had gone. Making out had been all well and good; snogging, fondling, and occasionally tripping while trying to find a seat without turing one's head, was all had in good fun. But soon as their interactions turned to more of a vertical persuasion, Harry found himself balking horribly.

She was Ron's sister, she was practically his sister, she'd helped bury Colin, she didn't understand why Harry'd chosen to die, he might sort of be the reason her brother was killed, she looked like his mother, she acted like his mother, she still saw everything in black and white, she was too childish, she was too innocent, she was too interested in sex.... There were all sorts of reasons that popped into Harry's head the moment he realized he couldn't continue a relationship with her-- most of which he'd spouted out uncontrollably, and most of which Ginny had told him were hogwash.

In fact, after listening to him ramble for far longer than either had been comfortable with, Ginny had threatened to send her Bat-Bogey Hex after his crotch for the next day or so if he didn't shut it and then proceeded to explain why everything he'd listed was both stupid and contradictory. Admittedly, Harry agreed with her. Not one reason he came up with really explained why he wanted to break up with her, and all of them together sounded more like excuses.

The only reason Ginny had gone along with it anyway was, after trying to continue despite his misgivings, Harry's rather pathetic embarrassment proved to her that he simply wasn't ready for that sort of relationship. They'd talked about that too. Harry had only dated Cho and Ginny, and until then, had only really snogged a bit. Whereas Ginny had dated a number of boys and had done quite a bit more. She was definitely ready to move on to things more unspeakable in public and wasn't really interested in holding Harry's hand until he was as well. So, they decided that she would move on, and Harry would move on when he was ready.

Harry never quite liked that explanation, but he agreed that the thought of doing anything more... involved, with Ginny simply didn't appeal to him. It never really occurred to him that the reason for this was that he was, as Ginny had said, "naive." He hadn't been particularly naive about anything in years, and one would think that bloody dying once would erase any naivety left in a person. But he still hadn't been able to speak about some of Ginny's... er, desires without blushing and stuttering like an nitwit.

So now, Harry had developed a decided disdain for anyone involved in the sort of relationship he'd left. Couples simply annoyed him to no end. Glaring openly now at the groups of people out on their precious dates, Harry decided it was time to find a secluded spot to disapparate. Unfortunately, it was a summer Friday night, and there were people everywhere. He really should get a calendar so he could plan his random outings better.

The area was so busy now, in fact, that if Harry wished to get home he would either have to call a cab or walk until the crowds thinned enough to hide. Thinking it over, Harry decided against a cab (the American sort seemed dreadfully unstable and tended to smell odd) but also thought that if he was going to walk much more, he might as well stay out for the night. Just... not in a popular date area.

So it was, that when Harry finally rounded a corner and found no one about, he ducked into an alcove and apparated off to another section of St. Louis he frequented-- a theater mall. Or rather, behind a dumpster in the alley behind the theater mall. He could wander around the shops, see if they had anything interesting, maybe even buy dinner when he got hungry again. Or at least, that was what Harry had thought until he realized the mall was closing for the night.

Huh. Harry looked around the parking lot of the mall. He didn't feel like going home yet now he'd decided to stay out, but he now had to think of something else to do, and all the places he could go were either closed or date attractions. What was there to do on a Friday night when you didn't want to deal with couples?

The moment an idea occurred to him, Harry's mind went blank. Vampire businesses were open at night and they weren't huge date spots. Couples did go to such places, but most people went in packs-- the idea being that they would be safer in a group. Harry had decided to come out tonight because he was confident he could hold his own against a vampire no matter what, but actually rushing off to confront one didn't strike him as a particularly inspired plan. Although... he could let them know not to mess with him anymore, not now that he could defend himself without a wand.

Except... Harry worried his lip while leaning against the wall of the shopping mall. He'd wanted the vampires to leave him alone and ever since Jean-Claude had limped away over a week ago, he'd not heard from or seen a single one. So maybe they really would leave him alone now. But, if he went walking about where they all were, they might decide he wasn't leaving them alone and retaliate.

Except... it really wasn't fair if that meant Harry couldn't go someplace just because it would upset them. There were businesses and bars (not including the stripping sort, Harry thought heatedly) and even some sort of carnival house all open to the general public, so if everyday muggles could visit such places without fear (nevermind they generally were afraid anyway), then why couldn't he?

Satisfied with that turn of logic, Harry nodded to himself and wandered over to some dark bushes against the wall to disapparate to an alley he'd found in the District when he went looking for vampires the first time. He wouldn't be doing so this time, oh no, but if he happened to run into any well, that was just a coincidence. Right.

- - -

The District was even more crowded than the last time he'd been, but that was probably because it was an hour after full dark rather than just after dusk. The crowds were thankfully not of the dating persuasion and were huddling together, whispering and pointing excitedly, trying to decide which vampire business to enter. Good idea, Harry thought, also turning to look at the buildings on the street.

Pubs, closed shops, pubs, something obviously embarrassing if the neon lights were to be trusted, and more pubs. Well, that was an easy choice then. Harry didn't drink really, but he'd never said no when Ron wanted to grab a fire whiskey or two at the Leaky Cauldron after work. He imagined muggle whiskey or lager, or whatever they had, couldn't be much different. Besides, he could get dinner as well.

He walked into the nearest pub, a run down looking place with dark windows and a toon-ish sign that looked quiet from the street but turned out to be unbelievably packed. Harry stood a moment at the door, trying to see if there was even a space for him to stand. Just as he was thinking he should find another pub, a trio at the bar got up to leave and Harry quickly darted through the crowd to claim a seat.

Breathing a sigh, Harry grinned at the balding vampire barkeep who'd come over to him. "Hiya, I'll have a whiskey and whatever you serve for dinner."

"Sure," the vampire grinned at him, showing fangs. "I'll just see some ID and get that right out to you."

"`Course," Harry said, fumbling in his pocket for the magical ID the U.S. Ministry had issued him. To muggle eyes, it would look like a normal driver's license for the state he'd chosen to live in (they'd been surprised he'd be living in a state technically outside their jurisdiction), but to a wizard, it was a picture ID designating him a magical immigrant from Britain and listing a short description of his wand. Harry handed the plastic card over.

"Hmm." The vampire inspected the card carefully before glancing at Harry with raised eyebrows. "Says here you're only nineteen."

"That's right," Harry said.

"Well then, I can't serve you alcohol and I can't have you sitting up here at the bar," the vampire said with a shrug as he handed the card back.

"What?" Harry frowned.

"Can't drink `till you're twenty-one. It's the law."

"B-but, I've been drinking since I was seventeen!" Harry said indignantly. The people beside him glanced at his outburst and turned to the barkeep. Harry supposed they were wondering how the vampire was going to handle this.

The vampire looked at him critically. "You're from England, right?"

"What, did the accent tip you off?" Harry said shortly, annoyed at being denied a drink.

"Something like that," the vampire laughed. The patrons sitting at the bar gasped and stared as his fangs flashed in the light. "But in any case, law's still the law. In this country, you can't drink until you turn twenty-one. Sorry"

Harry glared. "That's rubbish," he muttered as he slid off the barstool. He couldn't enjoy a walk, he couldn't shop, he couldn't even buy a drink in a ruddy pub! What a night.

"Hey, now, I can't sell you alcohol, but you can still have a burger," the vampire called after him.

"Don't feel like it anymore!" Harry shouted back over the din. The crowd fell silent, watching him and the barkeep. Harry glanced around nervously. What the hell?

"Well, none of the other bars in this city'll serve you alcohol, so you better not try it again," the vampire grinned so wide, Harry could see his fangs from across the room. A woman at the bar giggled.

Harry stared at the people avidly watching him. "I said I don't feel like it anymore. I'll find something else to do."

"You do that. And come back when you're legal, alright?" The crowd laughed hesitantly, gawking at Harry and the vampire barkeep.

Harry glared. "I'm not coming back here at all!" he said loudly, not caring anymore that everyone could hear him and were watching. Honestly, what was wrong with these people? Was it some odd American tradition to be rude to anyone refused a drink? Was public humiliation their method of keeping underage drinking down or something?

Thoroughly annoyed now, Harry stormed out of the pub onto the street, the laughter of the crowd fading once the door swung closed. Staring angrily around him, Harry wondered what exactly he was supposed to do now. He could find some other pub or restaurant and get a dinner with a non-alcoholic drink, but he was still annoyed at the thought of not being allowed to have something he'd already had a number of times. Really, what was wrong with Americans?

Harry turned down the street, walking aimlessly, once more at a loss for something to do. He should have simply gone home when he had the chance, but now he felt too narked to add on dealing with the thestrals' moods. But he probably shouldn't spend the rest of the night wandering aimlessly about. If he was going to stay out, then he at least needed to find something to occupy himself, and maybe help lift his spirits.

He was thinking on this so deeply, that he only heard his name the third time it was called out to him.

"Harry!"

Harry turned to the side. Jean-Claude was standing there, against the wall of... oh, no, against the wall of that bloody strip club. Harry had wandered right to it. He gaped.

The vampire stared at him a moment before smiling in blatant amusement. "Out looking for entertainment, monsieur?"

"I- No!" Harry said defensively. Jean-Claude only smirked at him.

"Oh? Then why are you wandering an entertainment district? Lonely, perhaps?"

"I am not!"

Jean-Claude stretched against the wall, his eyes shining in the neon light. "Are you sure, mon sorcier? You might find enjoyable company more easily if you are honest."

"I was just bored and hungry! I'm not looking for company!" Harry huffed. "What in the world are you doing standing outside anyway? I thought you owned this, er, place." Harry made a face as he glanced up at the glowing pink neon sign.

"We are shorthanded tonight, so I am assisting with the more, menial labor," Jean-Claude said with a shrug and a brief gesture to the door he was guarding. Harry blinked as he wondered why there wasn't a crowd lined up along the wall like last time. Maybe business wasn't doing well.

"You don't look busy," he said, waving a hand at the empty street. No wonder he hadn't noticed where he was going-- in his sour mood, he'd avoided the noise of the crowds and this street had hardly anyone on it.

Jean-Claude tipped his head. "The police are interrogating several of my dancers, and our clientele have unfortunately been intimidated by this."

"Isn't that harassment?" Harry said worriedly. "If your business does poorly because of them interfering?"

"I am surprised you would be concerned for me, mon sorcier." Jean-Claude looked at him.

Harry frowned. "Why?"

"Why, because I am a vampire."

"Well, it's still wrong," Harry said indignantly. "So it doesn't matter if you're a vampire or not."

"Ah," the vampire stared at him with a blank expression. "In that case, why should you care for someone who hurt you?"

Harry drew back. "You didn't hurt me!"

"Frightened you then."

"You didn't-- you, you git," Harry snarled. Jean-Claude simply watched him, seeming to be truly curious for Harry's answer. "You're the one who walked off all mangled!"

"True," Jean-Claude nodded. "But that still begs the question of what you are doing here, monsieur. When I left you, it seemed that you never wished to encounter a vampire again." Jean-Claude looked at Harry searchingly. "In fact, I do believe you have remained safely locked away on your farm for all of this past week. So, why are you here?"

Harry blinked. Good question. Why was he here? Why on earth hadn't he simply gone home the moment he finished his sundae? Why had he decided to go walking around the most vampire infested section of St. Louis instead?

"Er, are your wounds healed?" Harry asked quickly, stalling while he tried to figure himself out.

Jean-Claude blinked. "Do you mean to tell me, monsieur, that you came all the way here merely to inquire to my health?"

Harry glanced up, startled. "What? No! That's not why!"

"Oh, no?"

"No! I just-- That only just occurred to me!" Harry said as he glared at the vampire, who was barely concealing a smile behind his hand. "I just wanted to stay out late, that's all."

"Then why come to the vampire business area? Why not have your late night in a safer section of the city?" Jean-Claude walked around the stairs to stand by Harry. "Are you no longer worried you'll be attacked, monsieur?"

Harry glared but stood his ground when the vampire brushed close. "No," he said defiantly. "I've been practicing." Harry turned to face the vampire and crossed his arms smugly. "I can cast sunlight now."

Jean-Claude froze. "Can you now?"

"Yep." Harry grinned.

"So then you came here to threaten my kind away from you?"

"What? No!" Harry dropped his arms in shock. Bugger. "I just wanted to stay out late, like I said! I was celebrating."

Jean-Claude frowned at him. "Celebrating? The fact that you can now light vampires on fire?"

That sounded much worse out loud than it had in Harry's head. "Well, only if one tries to eat me."

"But you still felt the need to celebrate this addition to your defenses in the vampire section of the city."

"Well, actually I went to University City for ice cream," Harry explained. He didn't want Jean-Claude to think he was trying to flaunt his powers or anything. Why was he here again?

Jean-Claude stared at him, clearly confused. "Ice cream... Then, what are you doing here?"

"Well, the area I was in got too, er, crowded--" Harry said awkwardly, remembering all the couples he'd run into.

"It is crowded here on the weekends as well, monsieur."

"Yeah, but it's not the same," Harry hedged. "Anyway, I tried to go shopping, but everything was closing, so I tried to think of places that were open late at night and--"

"And you thought of vampire owned businesses," Jean-Claude finished for him, with a peculiar look on his face. Harry worried his lip.

"Well, yeah," he said. "That's right."

They stood there staring at each other, the light of the neon sign above giving a red glow to the empty street. Finally, Jean-Claude's lips began to twitch.

"You learned to call sunlight to defend yourself from vampires, went to celebrate with ice cream, before coming to wander an area filled with vampires because their businesses are always open late," he said, an edge of laughter to his voice.

"I didn't come to wander!" Harry said quickly, not wanting to give the impression (again) that he was looking to intimidate anyone. "I went to a pub, but they wouldn't serve me because I'm not twenty-one yet...." Harry trailed off. That didn't really explain why he was still here, wandering about as the vampire had said.

Jean-Claude's lips twitched again and a hand came up to cover his mouth. "That does explain the ice cream, however, mon sorcier, I still find myself wondering why you have not simply returned home."

Harry glanced away, embarrassed. "I didn't feel like it," he muttered.

Jean-Claude regarded him. "Do you feel like it now?"

"Not really," Harry shrugged, still looking at the wall.

"Well, then," Jean-Claude tapped a finger against his mouth. "Shall I entertain you, mon sorcier?"

Harry looked up. "No! Why on earth would you want to?"

"Well, simply, you fascinate me," Jean-Claude said with a grin. Harry blanched. Wait a moment, this was all going back to his original problem.

"Hold on! I'm not--"

"Doing anything for vampires and you do not wish to be eaten," Jean-Claude interrupted. "Yes, mon sorcier, you have made that quite clear for all your...peculiar approaches."

Harry glared at him. "Well I'm not going back into that bloody club!"

"Unfortunately, mon sorcier, I could not allow you to," Jean-Claude sighed. "Is it true you were denied service at one of the bars for being underage?"

"Yeah," Harry said with a frown. It was still annoying to think of.

"Then I am afraid it was technically illegal for me to entertain you last week. The age limit is the same for drinking-- twenty-one," Jean-Claude smiled. "Might I ask, how old are you exactly?"

Harry stared at him. "Wait a minute. You mean to say, that I shouldn't even have been in that- that- place, watching men prance about with their trousers down! That I could have simply left because I wasn't of age!"

"You could have left at any time, mon sorcier. I would not have forced you to stay."

"You wouldn't have--!" Harry glared. "You did so! I tried to leave and you kept going on how it would be rude if I didn't stay a bit longer! You dragged me to a table in front of a whole bloody mob and made me order a drink!"

"And you asked for a soda," Jean-Claude held a hand before his mouth. "I should have realized then, you were too naive for such offerings as my club provides."

Harry froze. That's what the vampire thought of him? That he was naive? He supposed all the people back at the pub had thought the same as well. While Harry stood there, stewing in sudden rage, the large vampire from his first visit came out of the building to speak to Jean-Claude. When the two vampires had finished discussing whatever it was they'd needed to, Jean-Claude walked back over to Harry, who by then was nearly shaking.

"Mon sorcier? Are you well?"

Harry glared at him furiously. "I am not naive!" he shouted, before turning around and stalking up the street. He was going home.

Behind him, Jean-Claude stood a moment in shock before hurrying to catch him. "Have I offended you, monsieur? I only said such a thing in jest."

"But it's what you think, isn't it?" Harry snarled, stopping suddenly to glare at the vampire rushing to his side.

Jean-Claude looked at him blankly. "I am not naive!" Harry repeated harshly before turning again to continue walking. "I haven't been naive since I was five!"

"I apologize, monsieur," Jean-Claude said quietly behind him. Harry found himself stopping and staring at the ground. "I had only meant to tease you. I can see now that was a mistake."

Harry took a deep breath. He was a git. It wasn't Jean-Claude's fault Harry was having such a rotten night. It wasn't Jean-Claude's fault Ginny had been so prissy about Harry not wanting to have sex with her. He glanced back to call "Sorry" before continuing on. After a few moments, he realized Jean-Claude was following him still and stopped to turn to him.

"What are you doing?" he asked tersely.

"I did offer you my company this evening, it would be rude of me to abandon you now."

"I don't need company," Harry frowned. "I'm going home."

Jean-Claude moved to stand beside him. "You are a very peculiar young man, monsieur."

"So?" Harry said shortly, crossing his arms. He was trying not to lash out at the vampire, but still felt angry at the whole evening.

Jean-Claude smiled faintly. "You are not angry with me for attacking you, you are not seeking revenge, but when I have said something to anger you, rather than burn me as you claim you can, you shout and run away."

"I can cast sunlight, so don't try to--"

Jean-Claude held a hand up. "I do not doubt that, monsieur. I can taste the truth in your claim and have no wish to test it. What intrigues me is that you seem not to wish to use such power when the opportunity arises."

"You didn't attack me," Harry said, anger dripping slowly away to be replaced with confusion.

"No, but I did insult you."

"You didn't mean to, and that's not a good enough reason to fight anyway," Harry said. This was turning into a truly peculiar conversation.

"And that is what intrigues me." Jean-Claude studied Harry, making him shift nervously. He wasn't going to start doing any odd vampire magic again, was he? "Most of those with power, use it against those without at the slightest provocation and yet you choose not to."

Harry stared at him. What? Jean-Claude thought Harry would bully him because he could and was surprised that he hadn't? This might explain why the vampire had attacked him at the farm, if this was really how he thought people ought to behave.

Jean-Claude laughed at the look on Harry's face. "Oh, mon sorcier, you are fascinating!" The vampire quieted and looked pleasantly at Harry, who was now quite confused and unsure how to respond to this. "Now you must tell me, how old are you?"

- - -

Well, Jean-Claude has managed to get back into the story. I kept him out for an entire half of a chapter, then he took his shirt off and waltzed right back in. ^///^ Oh well, I suppose Harry will just have to learn to live with him.