The Vampire's Mark

Chapter 7 of 7


Disclaimer: All characters, original story plot, etc. are the creation of one of my favorite authors, J. K. Rowling. They do not belong to me however much I wish it were so. If they were one of the events in The Order of the Phoenix and most of The Half-Blood Prince would never have happened . (I love you, Padfoot!) I have merely borrowed them in a twisted attempt to amuse myself and hopefully a few others. Lawyers, please be aware I have no money should you or your client decide to litigate. The only thing I own outright is my collection of Rock, Metal and Alternative Rock CDs, and NO, you cannot take them. (A few aren’t even mine.) If you’re nice I might let you borrow one, though I doubt it if you’re trying to sue.


“Shouldn’t this be more difficult?” Draco asks.

“It came fairly quickly to me. Arie said the more powerful the magic of the person being turned the easier it was to gain control of the Vampire senses.”

“Cool.”

I grin at his obvious delight. It’s only been four nights since I initiated him but he’s caught on fast. He mastered mind probing on day two, shape shifting and controlling our extra sensitive hearing on day three. Today we are working on speed and Bloodlust. Speed was extremely easy for the blond. He’s currently entertaining me by zipping around the backyard so fast he’s a blur.

He brakes suddenly. “Bet I’m faster than that ugly old Firebolt of yours now.”

“A much better ride too,” I agree.

He blushes. I never knew Malfoys could. I always thought it would be a breach of conduct. Draco’s attention is drawn to the skies and I know he is mesmerized by it. Everything seems more alive and more colorful through our Vampire eyes.

While he’s distracted I tear the skin at my wrist with sharp fang teeth. The rich, pungent fragrance reaches him. He watches me, hunger evident in his elegant features.

“What are you doing, Samuel?”

“This is your last test. If you can drink only enough to satisfy your thirst and no more you pass and we’ll go feed. If not, we practice until you get it right.”

“What’s the trick?”

“How astute of you. Unlike humans I will not resist and have no heartbeat to signal when to stop drinking. When it slows, you know to pull away.”

“How will I be able to tell with you?” His fangs shine in the light of the half moon.

“Drink only enough to appease the Bloodlust.” I hold my dripping arm out and the newbie drinks. Just when I begin to feel lightheaded he bites his tongue and uses the blood to seal the gash. “Excellent, love. It’ll take a few nights of feeding but soon you’ll only need one a week.” I transform into my raven form and soar off. He follows close behind.

Draco watches as I find my prey to show him how it is done. As always I leave her with positive thoughts.

“Do you do that every time?”

“Yeah. I feel like I should give them something back.”

“Hmm.” Draco scans the park and finds a middle-aged man sitting under a bright overhead light. He walks slowly up to the stranger.

This is the one I had hoped Draco would choose. The Muggle had recently lost his wife to cancer and was giving up on life. He had two children at home. From my position their every word carries.

My Bonded enthralls the man with his unholy good looks in less than a minute. Two more and his face is nestled in the man’s neck, projecting words of hope and survival to the brunette who nods and allows himself a slight grin.

Draco glides over and puts an arm around my waist. “I liked that. I got what I needed and so did he.”

“Let’s go home, Grey Eyes.”

“Race you.” And we do.


“Draco, I don’t think I’m ready for this.”

“Aw, come on, you big baby.”

“What if he hates me because I’m not human any more?”

“Think about what you just said, Potter.”

“Oh. Well what if he doesn’t approve of us?”

My companion gives a long drawn out sigh of vexation. “Honestly, Samuel, where’s that Gryffindor courage?”

“At home. I’ll go get it.”

He blocks my escape and scowls.

“Okay, okay.” I take several deep breaths. “I can do this. Remus is alive and he’ll be happy to see me.”

“Remi will be ecstatic. I think Severus may even surprise you.”

“And thestrals might fly out of my arse,” I say under my breath.

“That could be arranged, Potter. I know just the curse.” The lean, lanky blond lifts his wand hand.

“Not necessary.” I hold my palms up in surrender. “I can do this,” I tell myself again. “Remus is alive and he’ll be happy to see me.”

We reach the door. Draco pushes me to the side. “It’s a surprise, remember?” he whispers too low for Moony to pick up. I stay where directed.

He knocks and the door is answered by none other than Snape, I mean Severus. I really need to work on that.

“Draco, it’s good to see you! Come in, come in.”

“Is Remi home too?”

“Yes.”

Draco raises his voice so the last Marauder can hear him. “Remi! I have a surprise for you!”

I hear noises further in the house and then padding footsteps.

Draco moves just inside the door and is pulled into a hug by our former DADA professor.

“Damnation you look great, Drake! What have you been doing?”

“Finding the love of my life.”

“It’s about time you got over him,” Severus says harshly.

“When do we get to meet the lucky guy?” Remus asks ignoring his spouse.

“How’s right now?” Draco reaches behind him and pushes me forward.

Remus’s face pales while Severus looks slightly confused.

“Severus, Remi, meet Samuel, Harry Samuel Potter.”

“Harry? But we thought…you were…”

“Potter, you have a lot of explaining to do as to why you put my husband through mourning when you don’t even have the decency to be dead.”

It was Remus’s turn to be confused as he sniffs the air. “You smell like Harry but there’s…something different.”

“Remus, Merlin’s beard I missed you!” I pull the stunned Werewolf into a hug as tears stream down from my eyes.

Severus sees the pale red tracks and whips out his wand. He snarls, “Remus, back away very slowly. That’s not Harry,” in malice filled voice.

“What?” The sandy haired man looks up and sees my tears. “Harry?”

“It’s a long story, Moony.”

“Can we please go inside and continue this discussion?” Draco breaks in. “The neighbors are likely getting curious.”

Severus reluctantly backs down and we all step inside.

The house is nothing like I expected. Light tan walls are highlighted with golden wood trim. A plush chocolate brown couch sits to one side near two matching overstuffed chairs. Pictures of the Marauders, me, Draco, members of the Order, and several of Remus and the potions master decorate the mantle and foyer hallway. Its overall effect is very warm and inviting.

Draco takes a seat on the sofa and drags me with him. Once our hosts are situated Severus glares at me. “Well? Explain yourself.”

My lover grasps my hand firmly in encouragement. “I guess you could say it started Christmas Eve, seventh year.” I tell the older couple every detail of my journey that led to Arie and then Draco. My Bonded adds bits and pieces to the tale as I go along.

“You Bonded my godson to you and turned him into a bloodthirsty murderer?!” My former professor lunges for me only to be held back by Remus.

“It was as much Drake’s decision as Harry’s, Sev.”

“More. He tried to stop me. He even made me read a really big book. What was it? ‘The Vampires Book of Knowledge’.”

“At least he had the sense to give you a tome filled with actual facts,” Severus relents, “and not the prattle usually passed off.”

Coughs are made that sound surprisingly like ‘Lockheart’ by Draco, bringing a small but genuine small to the former Death Eater.

“What the hell was that?” I turn to my father’s last remaining friend. “Did he just smile?”

“It has been known to happen, Harry,” Remus answers.

Severus looks affectionately at his spouse. “Quite often when in your company, wolf.”

I can’t help myself from saying, “This is some weird alternate universe, right? First Draco admits he’s loved me since we were seventeen and now I find out Severus Snape, the meanest, surliest, professor Hogwarts has likely ever seen, has dare I say it, a heart!” I force my expression to one of outright shock.

“If you cannot be mature enough to accept our relationship I suggest you leave, Potter.” Severus is already standing and moving to the front door.

I get up and Remus says my name in a wounded tone. I wink at him and he looks at me puzzled. I stride over to the man who made Potions class a truly horrific experience. He is practically fuming.

“Severus, if you’re going to be around me you are going to have to learn how to take a joke!” Without a hint of my intentions I hug the shocked man and lower my voice. “Welcome to the family. And thank you for making Moony happy again.”

“He’s done the same for me.”

“Love can do amazing things can’t it, sir?”

“Indeed it can, Potter, I mean Harry.”

“If you two are done I’d like to know more about this Bond,” Remus says with a smile.

I let Draco relate the information. He fills in the story with details I’d forgotten and finishes with, “and just so you know, Sev, neither Harry nor I have killed. There’s no need when a couple of sips once a week will suffice.”

“How old was the Vampire that bit you, Harry?”

“No clue, Remus. He’d only admit to being older than 300.”

Severus takes up the thread of conversation. “That explains why you feed so infrequently and why you each picked up your powers so quickly.”

“Yeah, wandless magic is a breeze now.” Draco demonstrates by turning a throw pillow into a vase and back again.

It’s very late when Draco and I leave the house.

“Come back soon, you two.” Remus hugs us goodbye.

“We will,” I promise. “I’ll bring the book next time, Severus.”

“I look forward to reading it and seeing you again, Harry.”

Goodbyes exchanged two ravens return to their nest. We’re both too tired for our usual bedroom antics but share a bath, enjoying the closeness after the long night. Draco cuddles up, throwing a leg between mine as soon as I lay down. His fair hair is scattered across my chest and the sweet scent of cinnamon clings to him. I brush a kiss on his forehead as my arms tighten around him. A wave of intense love engulfs me.

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Samuel.”

I watch as his body relaxes and slips into slumber. ‘Thank you, Arie, wherever you are. You were right.’

I’m almost asleep when I hear his response. ‘I know and you’re welcome.’

The End

A/N

Thanks to everyone who has read this story, especially those of you who have taken the time to review it. It means a lot to me.