Midnight's Dawning

Disclaimer:  I don’t own nor will
I ever.  Only Alexander and Doriel are
mine.

Sorry this has taken awhile.  I’ve
been working on Angelus.  I’m a little
stuck on this fic right now and have no idea where to
go from here so it might be awhile before I can get the ball rolling again. style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Please tell me what you think and thank you
for reading.

Chapter 9

            It
was Harry’s 16^th birthday and he was given a choice.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  At midnight Doriel and Alexander had entered
his room, dressed in formal robes of pitch black adorned with silver stitching
around the bottom and the sleeves.  Harry
rubbed his eyes as he looked at them, had been sleeping soundly, curled in his
bed.  Once the two vampires were sure he
was awake Doriel spoke.

            “On
this your 16^th year you are asked to make a decision.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Will you permanently join our family or will
you remain human?” Doriel’s voice was soft, his words well rehearsed, “Speak
your decision Aurel.”

            He
swallowed hard, “I choose to join.”

            He
smiled, “Very good.” He handed him a simple blood red robe, “Change then come
downstairs.” The two vampires turned and left the room.

            Harry
looked at the robe for a moment before changing into it.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  He was apprehensive about this night even
though it was everything he could have wanted. 
The past few years had been hard on him; from Voldemort’s return to
finding out he had a living godfather. 
Smoothing out the soft fabric he slowly made his way downstairs.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Doriel and Alexander were waiting for him as
well as four other vampires in hooded robes, the hoods drawn over their faces
to hide their identities.  Harry knew who
they were though, the council, they policed all vampires and made sure that
turnings went according to tradition. 
Slowly he stepped forward and they formed a circle around him, Alexander
and Doriel stood across from each other.

            “We
stand to bear witness to this turning.” The four council members spoke as one,
“Alexander, as head of the family Lior do you take this boy into your home
under the guidance of your childe Doriel?”

            “As
leader of the House of Lior, I take this childe, Aurel, into my home under the
care and guidance of my childe Doriel.” Alexander intoned the words before
looking at Doriel, “Do you Doriel, take this childe, to care for and be
responsible for until he comes of the age when he can care for himself?”

            “I,
Doriel Janos Lior, take this childe, Aurel, into my home, under my wing.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Under vampiric law
and command I take full responsibility for his upbringing.” His gaze settled on
Harry, “Aurel, do you willingly and without coercion bring yourself into the
House of Lior?”

            Aurel
took a deep breath, “I do.”

            “The
council approves of this turning, you may begin Doriel.”

            Doriel
stepped forward, moving towards the teen in the middle.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Slowly he gazed into his eyes, rolling his
mind slowly, “Be calm childe, it will only hurt for a
moment.” Gently he kissed his throat before slowly sinking his fangs in.

            Harry
grasped at his robe, his lips parting as he gasped, taking in a mouthful of
air.  Slowly Doriel began to feed,
holding him close against his body. 
Harry’s breath came in short gasps, shuddering against his body as his
life was pulled from him slowly, carefully. 
Finally he pulled away, licking his lips of ruby drops.

            “I
bring you now into our world.” He whispered against his ear before sinking his
fangs into his wrist and holding it to his lips, “Drink of me and become one.”

            Trickles
of blood slipped past his pale lips, down his throat.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  He shuddered, his tongue catching the drops
of blood.  Slowly he began to drink, his
lips wrapped around the wounds, sucking to keep the blood flowing.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  His tongue catching the falling liquid, his
throat working as it swallowed.  He felt
like he was falling, falling into a sea of crimson death.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  He moaned softly, continuing to drink from
his sire.  Doriel smiled, watching him
intently as he drank, making sure he took it all in.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Finally he pulled away, the wounds closing on
their own.

            class=GramE>“Rest childe.” He stroked his hair back from his face,
holding him in his arms, “Rest and when you awaken you will no longer be
human.” Harry’s eyes drifted closed as he died in his sire’s arms.