Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/13719243.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Graphic_Depictions_Of_Violence, Underage
  Category:
      M/M, Multi
  Fandom:
      Harry_Potter_-_J._K._Rowling
  Relationship:
      Harry_Potter/Severus_Snape, Harry_Potter/Lucius_Malfoy, Harry_Potter/
      Blaise_Zabini, Lucius_Malfoy/Severus_Snape, Hermione_Granger/Ron_Weasley
  Character:
      The_usual_Hogwarts_cast, Weasley_Family_-_Character, Lucius_Malfoy,
      Sirius_Black_(Mentioned)
  Additional Tags:
      Anal_Sex, Slash, Creature_Fic, vampire, original_creature, incubus, Oral
      Sex, Rimming, Possible_Threesomes_-_Freeform
  Stats:
      Published: 2018-02-18 Updated: 2018-03-28 Chapters: 10/? Words: 18190
****** Trifecta ******
by Sablesilverrain
Summary
     Harry had a potions mishap during the Battle at the Ministry, now he
     has to learn to live his life to accommodate three separate creatures
     that are coexisting in him. And what's all this about MATES?!
***** Trifecta *****
Harry was facing down Lucius Malfoy again, though this time he was aware that
he was dreaming, and he saw the man shoot a stunner his way.
 
He called up a shield spell just in time, but instead of dissipating as it hit
the shield spell, the stunner glanced off the spell and hit some bottles above
Harry's head. They shattered, and the contents and shards of broken glass
rained down on Harry.
 
Harry woke and groaned at the memory of that battle, and the Godfather he'd
lost all too soon. He felt nauseous and achy, and was about to go back to sleep
when Hedwig flew in through the open window with gifts from his friends.
 
Harry smiled. Every year, like clockwork, Hermione and Ron came through, making
an otherwise bleak birthday a happy experience. Instead of going back to sleep,
he sat up in bed and took the gifts from her.
 
“Thanks, girl. You know just how to cheer me up.” He said, stroking her downy
feathers. He opened up Hermione's gift and found a book, as usual, but there
was a note on top of it. He picked it up and read it.
 
“Harry,
 
This is a journal that you can use if you ever get lonely and need to talk to
someone. It has a companion out there somewhere, but it's best not to know who
has the other one, it gives you the freedom to write whatever you want under
the cover of anonymity. It, and its companion, will turn from black to red when
it has a response in it, or when the other one has been used.
 
I’m sorry about what happened at the Ministry, but I know you won’t come to me
or Ron when you're ready to talk. This journal will give you an option that you
can talk to without them knowing who you are. Please use it. I checked in the
Black library, these correspondence books are the real deal, and they're
totally safe.
 
Love,
 
Hermione"
 
Harry looked the book over and opened it up. It was blank, and he closed it
again, shrugging. Maybe he'd use it. It would be nice to have a pen pal that
didn’t know who he was that would let him start with a clean slate for once.
 
He set it aside and opened Ron's gift. It was a selection of sweets, and
sitting right on top were two boxes of sugar quills. He laughed. Apparently,
they had coordinated gifts.
 
He wondered when they would get their act together and finally become an item.
If they were already getting gifts that went together, they were halfway there.
 
He was about to open the book when a wave of dizziness overtook him and he
swayed, falling backward onto the bed, unconscious.
 
*****
 
Harry awoke to a vicious hunger and noticed his other gifts. He went to the
loose floorboard instead and pried it up, taking out one of the sandwiches
Molly Weasley sent him every week. He unwrapped it and took a bite, then spit
it back out almost immediately.
 
He frowned, looking over the sandwich. There was no reason it should have gone
bad, as it was under a stasis charm, but it tasted… Off. There was a wrongness
about it. He smelled it, and wrapped it back up, then vanished it.
 
He opened another one and smelled it. That one, too, smelled wrong to him.
 
He shook his head and looked out the window, wondering if he had been out more
than a few days, and realized that it was night still. Or again. He wasn’t sure
which. He ran a hand tiredly over his face, and made another shocking
discovery: this whole time, he'd been without his glasses, and his vision was
clear as glass!
 
He grabbed a length of parchment and wrote to Dumbledore, listing the strange
occurrences and asking if there was anyway he could talk to someone, anyone,
that could explain what was happening to him, as he was fairly alarmed. He sent
it off with Hedwig and, for something to do while he waited, turned to the new
gifts.
 
*****
 
Harry heard loud knocking, then shouts and footsteps on the stairs.
 
“Sounds like the cavalry's here.” He muttered, gathering up his possessions and
putting them in his trunk as the door to his room was unlocked.
 
Severus Snape burst in first, Remus Lupin right behind him.
 
Severus cursed and began digging through his pockets.
 
Remus sniffed. “It's definitely creature, but I’m picking up vampire and two
others I can't identify.” He told Severus.
 
Severus pulled a vial out of his pocket. “Yes, I can see that he’s a vampire
now, you mongrel!” The man snarled, unstoppering a vial and handing it to
Harry. “Drink. Your skin is blistered and red from sun exposure while you
slept. You're healing fast, but the potion will further accelerate the
process.” He said.
 
Harry drank the potion then handed the vial back. “I’m a vampire?” He asked
weakly.
 
“And, since you never do anything by halves, it would appear you are two other
creatures, as well. What we need to do is locate your mate—or mates, which is
more likely—and get you stabilized.” Severus said. “Grab your things, you’re
coming to headquarters.” He finished.
 
Harry quickly closed his trunk and Severus shrank it.
 
“Put that in your pocket; it will be easier.” He told the teen. “Come on. It's
late; your neighbours should all be asleep. I had to wake your odious
relatives.”
 
Harry winced. “Sorry.” He mumbled.
 
Remus clapped a hand onto his shoulder. “Don’t be; it’s hardly your fault,
after all.” He said. “Let's get going.”
 
They left the house and headed into the closest alley.
 
Severus held out an arm. “Hold on.” He ordered Harry.
 
Harry stepped closer and took the proffered arm. He inhaled and his eyes
widened. “You smell really good!” He said in surprise.
 
Severus snorted. “Of course you'd have a fondness for type O blood. I’m sure we
can find you another donor.” He said, then Apparated.
 
Harry stumbled upon landing, but found himself in a familiar kitchen again.
Only this time, Sirius wasn’t there to greet him. He felt a wave of sadness
overtake him.
 
“Harry! You're here!” Hermione's voice called out before the bushy-haired girl
was throwing herself into his arms.
 
Harry hugged her, taking note of the fact that she smelled good, too. Not as
good as Snape, but similar. “It’s nice to see you, ‘Mione. Thanks for the gift.
I promise I'll use it. When I’m ready.”
 
“That's all I can hope for. Where are your glasses?” She asked.
 
Harry shrugged. “Don’t need them anymore, I guess. I woke up with some changes
after my birthday.”
 
Hermione frowned. “What kind of changes?” She asked.
 
“That's what we need to ascertain.” Severus cut in. “Until we do, he needs to
be kept away from people and stress. Come on, Potter.” Severus led the way
upstairs to a bedroom and ushered Harry in. “I need to take some blood to try
and figure out what other two creatures you have in your makeup. Any idea how
this happened?” He asked as he conjured a vial and made a small cut at Harry's
wrist.
 
Harry hummed. “It might have happened at the battle where Sirius… I had a few
potions fall on me during the battle, and I keep dreaming about it. It could be
related.” He said.
 
Severus nodded. “And since you were in the Department of Mysteries, the vials
could have contained anything. Thank you, Potter, that really narrows down my
search.”
 
“Sorry I couldn’t be more accommodating. I'll try to keep away from
unidentified potions from now on.” Harry said wryly.
 
“Yes, do so. How hungry are you feeling? Ideally, new vampires should feed
every two or three days.” He said.
 
Harry flushed. “I could eat a horse right now.” He admitted.
 
Severus chuckled. “Not likely. Drain one, possibly, but human blood will be
much more palatable to you. Don’t worry, Potter. You'll be getting the good
stuff." He said. “I'll return shortly.”
 
Harry sat and waited, pulling out his trunk and re-sizing it as he waited.
 
After a while, Severus returned with Hermione. “Since you expressed an interest
in my blood, we are going to try a donor with the same blood type as me. Miss
Granger is also type O, and has volunteered to feed you first. I will stay to
ensure you do not drain her dry.”
 
Harry sat on the bed. “Alright, then. How are we doing this?” He asked.
 
Hermione came to sit next to him and held out a hand to him. “He says you can
drink from the wrist. It's not too intimate, so the vampire might not feel a…
Um, a sexual pull. They usually do.” She said nervously.
 
Harry balked. “And if I do feel the pull?” He asked.
 
“I will stop you from engaging in sex, Potter. My Occlumency skills will
protect me from any influences you try to use to satisfy your urges.” Severus
said evenly.
 
Harry nodded. “Alright.” To be fair, he was starving, and having Hermione's
wrist so close was almost more than he could bear. She smelled so good. He
picked up her hand and raised the wrist to his lips and bit.
 
Sweet, heavenly nectar filled his mouth and he swallowed eagerly, sucking to
try to draw more into his mouth. His body filled with a strange warmth, and he
moaned, feeling his cock take a sudden interest in the proceedings. He cradled
the hand he held more gently, sucking softly but insistently. He raised his
eyes to Hermione’s and found her watching him with a rapt expression, seeming
spellbound by the situation. Harry raised his head and licked the small wounds,
closing them. He reached out and ran a tender hand down the side of Hermione’s
face.
 
Hermione closed her eyes and leaned into the touch, eyes opening again and
staring into his.
 
How had Harry never before noticed how beautiful she was? He leaned in and was
about to kiss her when he was jerked back and the spell was broken.
 
“Idiot boy, did you not hear me?! You used your thrall on her! Look at her!”
Severus snapped.
 
Harry was running on instinct, and hissed at the man who had taken his prey
from him.
 
Severus slapped him. “Potter, get a hold of yourself. You are more than the
vampire, you can control it. You were doing so well earlier.”
 
Harry snapped out of his trance and got a good look at Hermione, who was
blinking slowly.
 
“What just happened?” She asked.
 
Severus sneered. “Potter decided to use his thrall to incapacitate and sleep
with you. I intervened when I realized you were going to go along with whatever
he had planned.”
 
Hermione flushed. “Oh! Thank you, Sir!” She said.
 
“Think nothing of it. It is my job. I suggest that you not let him feed without
an adult skilled in Occlumency around, though. His thrall is strong.” Severus
warned.
 
Hermione nodded. “Yes, Sir.”
 
“For now, Potter, would you like to pick out a few books from the library?
You’ll need something to occupy your time during the nights until we can figure
out if you will be a danger to anyone here.” Severus suggested.
 
Harry nodded. “Yes, let me pick out a few and I’ll just stay in here until we
know.”
 
“You may be able to eat regular foods, we’ll send up a plate tomorrow evening
and you can see what appeals to you now.” Severus suggested as Hermione left
and the two males headed to the library.
 
Harry picked out a few books and was led back to his room.
 
“I’m going to lock you in and place Wards so no one can get in save me or
Albus. It’s just a precaution. I will go downstairs to the lab Albus set up for
me here and I will test the sample I collected to find out what other creatures
you are now. In the meantime, just stay put and do not try to get out.” Severus
told him.
 
Harry nodded. “I won’t, Sir. Good night.”
 
Severus hummed. “Good night, Potter. I will see you tomorrow night.”
***** Incubus *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Severus added a drop of Harry's blood to the vial of potion he had just
decanted and hummed as it turned gold.
 
“Incubus.” He murmured, frowning. That explained the abnormally strong thrall.
He had almost succumbed along with Miss Granger. Indeed, if the thrall had been
focused on him, he might have submitted to anything Potter asked—or rather,
demanded—of him. “I'll have to be careful.”
 
The door at the top of the stairs opened. “Severus, is it safe?” Albus called
down.
 
Severus snorted. “The door would have been Warded if it were not.” He answered.
“I'm testing the sample right now.”
 
Albus came down the stairs. “How is it going?”
 
“Slowly. He is vampire and incubus, and Lupin says there is one more left to
find that he cannot readily identify.” Severus told him.
 
“I see. Are you able to deal with someone that has a double thrall?” Albus
asked worriedly.
 
Severus sighed. “It is dangerous, but I believe he poses very little threat to
my life. My celibacy, on the other hand, he might try to wrest from me. If he
sets his sights on me, he may be successful, but we can't afford to not risk
it. It is a necessary gamble. I will be fine if he does manage to seduce me.
Hopefully after he realizes what he’s done he will be able to stop himself from
doing it again.”
 
Albus nodded. “Harry is a good boy; he will do his best not to make the same
mistake twice.” He sighed. “As for now, let’s just hope it doesn’t come to
that.”
 
“It shouldn’t.” Severus said, pulling forward two more vials and adding a drop
of blood to each. “I don’t plan to open any veins for him myself, so I should
be fine. As it is, I merely supervise his feedings.”
 
No change.
 
Negative for Faurae and Veela.
 
Severus frowned and pulled the last vial toward himself. It was a grey potion.
 
He dropped the last few drops of blood into it and watched as it turned not
clear or black, but a murky brown.
 
“Beta.” He muttered. “No secondary gender, not any of the creatures I've tested
for; what else is there?!” He snarled, fisting both hands on the tabletop.
“I’ve checked for every creature in existence, Albus. There’s nothing else he
could be!” He declared.
 
Albus frowned. “Then maybe we need to check for something that’s not in
existence anymore.” He said.
 
Severus shot a surprised look his way. “Surely not! The only creatures that
were wiped out completely were the dangerousones! If the people learned that
the Department of Mysteries had the means to revive a species we'd taken pains
to eradicate, could you imagine the backlash?”
 
“Which is why,” Albus stated calmly, gazing intently at Severus over his half-
moon spectacles, “they will not find out.”
 
Severus shook his head. “So we're going to just hush it all up? How will we
explain Potter's sudden aversion to sunlight and nocturnal nature?” He asked.
 
Albus frowned. “Well, once you find out what he is, we can work on finding a
potion regimen that will allow him to be out in the sun and up and about during
the day.”
 
Severus scoffed. “And I will probably have to devise a recipe that will
subjugate any harmful desires his other side may harbour.” He added.
 
“Unless you believe he can control that part of himself without one.” Albus
said lightly. “Now, I believe you have research to do. I will bring Harry the
meal Molly is putting together for him.” He offered.
 
“Let me know when you retrieve it what he ate. It may offer clues as to what
else he is.” Severus requested.
 
“Of course, My Boy.” Albus said fondly, heading back up the stairs.
 
*****
 
Harry sucked on the end of the sugar quill he was using as he pondered where to
start.
 
“Hello mystery person,” He began. “I was given this book for my birthday, and
this is the first time things have calmed down enough for me to use it. I seem
to have come down with three creature inheritances due to a potions accident I
had in the beginning of the summer.
 
I have a friend who is checking my blood to find out what exactly I am, so far
I only know I am part vampire. I don’t know why I'm telling you this, except
that I am locked away, Warded into the bedroom I'm using and have very little
else to occupy my time.
 
I hope for a reply, I could use a new friend.
 
Green"
 
He set down the book and watched it for a while. When nothing happened, he
sighed and picked up one of the books on vampires he'd gotten from the library.
 
He was about to open it when the Wards came down and a soft knock sounded.
 
“Come in.” Harry called out. 
 
Dumbledore walked in. “Hello, Harry. How are you feeling?” He asked.
 
“Tense. And worried.” Harry answered honestly. “Also a little bored.” He added.
 
Dumbledore nodded sagely. “And all of those feelings are acceptable right now,
of course. Would you like to try and eat?” He asked, holding up the tray in
offering.
 
Harry came over and sniffed it. It smelled appetizing enough. He shrugged and
sat down at the desk in the room. “I can try.” He said.
 
Dumbledore smiled and set the tray down in front of him.
 
Harry saw the there was steak, cooked very rare, as well as some vegetables and
two different types of desserts. His favourite treacle tart and a small
chocolate cake-like thing.
 
He ate, while Dumbledore perused the book he had on vampires, humming at
various passages.
 
When he finished what he could eat, finding that treacle no longer appealed to
him, which was saddening, and neither did chocolate, he pushed the remainder of
the tray away. “Well, I can eat rare meat.” He declared heavily. “And crisp
vegetables seem to be okay.”
 
Dumbledore frowned. “We will try other sweets.” He promised. “Perhaps you'd
like a lemon drop?”
 
Harry shrugged. “Sugar quills are okay, so why not? I'll try one.” He decided.
 
Dumbledore pulled out a small tin, opening it and offering it to Harry.
 
Harry took one of the little yellow balls and popped it into his mouth.
 
The flavour burst on his tongue and it wasn't off-putting. He smiled. “Well,
see, I likethem! So lemon might be alright.”
 
Dumbledore beamed. “Wonderful! How are you finding the book on vampires? It’s a
bit outdated, so perhaps I could bring you something newer?”
 
Harry sighed. “People are going to hate me, aren’t they?” He asked morosely.
 
Dumbledore laid a supportive hand on his shoulder. “No, My Boy. That book
simply makes vampires look bad. The newer books reflect the Ministry's new
stance on vampires and similar creatures. Severus discovered another creature
in your new constitution. Would you like to know what it is?”
 
Harry shrugged. “Why not? Let's hear it, then.”
 
Dumbledore smiled. “It's not bad, My Boy. You're an incubus, as well.”
 
Harry made a face. “So I need to have sex. Do I have a timeline for when I need
to lose my virginity by? And am I going to become the school broom?” He asked
peevishly.
 
Dumbledore winced. “To be perfectly honest, My Boy, I simply don’t know. But I
doubt you need to have sex immediately to survive. I believe you can siphon
sexual energy from others around you until you find and accept your mate.” He
said.
 
Harry sighed. “Well, I suppose I should get a book about them, too.” He said.
 
Dumbledore smiled. “I'll find you one, My Boy. I can look tomorrow, and have
Severus deliver them when he brings in Miss Granger for your second feeding.”
 
Harry nodded. “Alright.”
 
“For now, I'll take this tray back down. I'll reset the Wards. Severus might be
up later on to collect a second blood sample. He's used the entire first sample
already.” He told the teen.
 
Harry frowned. “Am I rare now? What if I'm something that has no books written
about it? What will I do then?” He asked worriedly.
 
Dumbledore turned at the door to reply, “If that is the case, we will learn as
we go. No one is going to give up on you, My Boy.” He promised before leaving
and resetting the Wards.
 
*****
 
Harry was sitting on his bed, reading the book about vampires, particularly the
part about the mate, when the door was knocked on again. He closed the book.
“Come in.” He said.
 
Severus took down the Wards and entered. “I need a second blood sample.” He
said.
 
Harry sighed. “Yeah, Dumbledore said you might.” He held out his arm. “Go
ahead, then.”
 
Severus cut his wrist and held a vial under the cut, collecting the blood that
trickled out.
 
“What have you tested for already?” Harry asked.
 
Severus made a face. “All of the creatures currently in existence. It looks
like you may be part of an extinct species.” He said.
 
Harry sighed. “Nothing is ever easy for me. What kinds of creatures are
extinct?”
 
Severus finished collecting the sample and stood. “You know I don’t believe in
sugar-coating things for you, so I’m just going to come out and tell you: the
only races that are extinct are those that posed a direct danger to wizards and
witches. I suspect you are such a creature. So far, whatever it is has not
proven to be strong in you, so you may be able to control whatever deadly urges
are buried within you now. This is a good sign, but until we know what urges
those are, we have no way to determine if you are a danger to others.”
 
Harry blanched. “Deadly?” He echoed.
 
“Or worse. Try not to worry too much. Right now, we know two of them and you
are remarkably well-behaved, considering.” Severus commented.
 
“Right.” Harry said weakly.
 
“I’m going to go brew the first of the potions to test, and pray that you are
not found to be one of the first three things I can test for right now. I will
need some rare ingredients to check for the others.” Severus said.
 
Harry nodded. “I hope I'm not something horrible. I don’t know how I'd take it.
I don’t want to be locked away forever, but what if it's the only way?”
 
Severus snorted. “Don’t be melodramatic, Potter. Whatever you are, either you
will control it, or I will devise a potion that will help you do so. It’s
certainly not the end of the world.” He said. “Good night. I will bring Miss
Granger by tomorrow night so you can feed again.”
 
“Alright. Good night, Sir.” Harry said softly.
Chapter End Notes
     I've decided that in this story, Harry is going to be more dominant
     than I usually write him. Don't be surprised if he turns out to be
     the aggressor more often than not. That being said, one of his
     creatures is definitely a submissive, so he will not top all the
     time. Hope that doesn't scare you off.
***** Ethologus *****
Chapter Summary
     "A creature born of an elemental and a wizard, the Ethologus feeds on
     magic and can become drunk on the power, losing control and
     completely draining their prey. The only wizard they are not a danger
     to is their mate.” He felt his face drain of colour and met Severus’
     eyes. “This is what I am?” He asked.
Severus took down the Wards and he and Hermione entered the room. “Well,
Potter, you’re in luck.” Was the first thing he said. “You don’t feed on souls,
you don’t feed on violence, and you don’t feed on the magic of children. All
were very valid concerns, but so far, we still don’t know what you are. This is
a good thing.” He finished.
 
Harry nodded. “Okay, good to know. So were those the worst possibilities?”
 
Severus hummed. “The worst, but there are more things you could be, and all of
them varying degrees of unpleasant. But enough about that. Time to feed your
vampire. Try not to attempt rape this time. “
 
Harry flushed. “Right.”
 
Hermione sat next to Harry, who inhaled deeply, and his eyes began to glow.
 
“You smell really good tonight, Hermione.” He said.
 
Severus sighed in disgust. “Oh, for the love of—have you had sex recently, Miss
Granger? Because you just drew out Mr. Potter's incubus.” He told her.
 
Hermione flushed. “Um, well, not sex per se, but close.” She admitted. “This
isn’t how Ron and I wanted you to find out, Harry.”
 
Harry shook his head. “No, it's fine.” He closed his eyes and battled back his
instincts, and when he opened them again they were the same vibrant green
they'd always been. “Sorry about that.” He said.
 
“At least we know now that you can feed off ambient sexual energy rather than
direct sex. That is a good thing. If you could please proceed?” Severus asked.
 
Harry took Hermione's hand and bit in the same place he'd used the last time,
trying to battle back the vampire that was called to the forefront by the blood
feeding. He failed, and Hermione's eyes glazed over again.
 
Severus felt the thrall again, and fought the pull by drawing up his Occlumency
shields. He let Harry feed until he lost interest in the blood again and tried
to kiss his friend.
 
Severus pulled him back by the shoulder and got in his face. “Potter, fight
it!” He demanded.
 
Harry snarled and lashed out, biting at the arm near his face. He got a
mouthful of fabric for his trouble, but he managed to break the skin and the
scent of the blood seemed to confuse his vampire. Why was he feeding on
Hermione when Severus smelled so much better?
 
Severus cursed and let him go. “You little shit!” He hissed, clutching his arm.
 
Harry seemed to come back to himself by degrees, visibly battling with himself.
He finally won the internal struggle and sniffed. “What's that smell?” He asked
in interest.
 
Severus glared at him. “That would be my blood, you ingrate! You bit me!”
 
Harry flushed. “Why did I do that?” He asked.
 
“Because I got between you and your friend when you decided to try and seduce
her again. You really need to not make a habit of that, Potter.”
 
“Oh.” He said lamely. “I'm sorry.” He told Hermione, who was coming back to her
senses.
 
“Not a problem, Harry. I know you don't mean it. Vampires usually bite during
sex; a donor bond is usually a sexual one. You should probably find someone
else to fill that place, but for right now, we do what we must. Options are
rather limited at the moment.” Hermione said pragmatically.
 
Harry frowned. “It's weird, because I don't like girls in that way, but every
time I bite you, I just get overcome by how beautiful you are, and I wantyou.”
He said.
 
Severus cleared his throat. “Most vampires, and incubi as well, tend to be
bisexual. You may need to re-examine your sexuality. I think you'll find that
gender matters very little to you now.” He told the confused teen.
 
“Maybe you’re right.” Harry said quietly.
 
“On another note, Albus came by today. He brought these for you.” Severus said,
pulling two shrunken books from his pocket and resizing them before handing
them over.
 
Harry took them. “Thank you.”
 
Severus hummed. “You're welcome. Now I'm going to go tend to my arm.”
 
“I could lick the wound closed. I do have the whole ‘healing saliva’ thing
going for me.” Harry offered.
 
Severus shook his head. “No. I'd rather not be licked by you, thank you.”
Especially since your reaction to my scent makes me think I may be the
vampire’s mate. His mind added unhelpfully. Heaven forbid you get a taste of my
blood.
 
Harry shrugged, watching him and Hermione leave before opening the book on
incubi.
 
If the incubus was going to rear its head already, it was best he learn about
it.
 
*****
 
Harry woke and sat up, looking over to check his correspondence book. Instead
of being its usual black, it was red.
 
He'd gotten a reply!
 
He opened it and read.
 
“Hello, Green.
 
I was wondering if the partner to my book would ever be bought and used. I got
this for my tenth birthday, and you’re the first person to write in the
partner.
 
Sounds like you’re in quite a pickle. If you’re more than one creature, does
that mean you have multiple mates? Have you found any yet?
 
I might have an inheritance, but I won’t know until next summer. I could be
Veela. My father wasn't, but the bloodline runs in his family and my mother's,
so I’ve got a fifty-fifty shot at it. 
 
Anyway, let me know what else you are, it could be interesting.
 
I look forward to hearing more from you.
 
Silver"
 
Harry grinned and grabbed the sugar quill that was half-eaten. He dipped the
inedible nib in the ink and began writing.
 
“Nice to meet you, Silver.
 
I found out I’m also an incubus, and yes, I probably have multiple mates.
 
I have a blood donor, one of my best friends, but we’re not intimate, not for
any lack of trying on my part. The person that’s testing my blood is also
supervising my feedings, so I don’t overstep my bounds with her, for which I’m
sure we’re both thankful.
 
Apparently my thrall is stronger than usual.
 
I bit the person testing me for other creatures. They’re not happy with me, but
I didn’t do it on purpose.
 
Anyway, I’m going to read more about my incubus side until my meal comes. I can
eat some real foods, and we’re still finding out what works and what doesn’t.
 
I’ll write you later.
 
Green”
 
He read about incubi, finding out that he could draw sexual energies from
others by just breathing deep around them. His mate would likely be a very
sexual person, and once he caught the ‘taste’ of their sexual energies, he
would develop a definite preference for theirs above all others’.
 
A knock sounded at the door. He told the person to come in and watched as
Severus opened the door, a tray in his hand.
 
“Hello, Sir.” Harry said, setting his book aside. “Any news?” He asked.
 
Severus hummed, setting the tray down on the desk. “Eat first. Then I will tell
you what I have discovered.” He told the teen.
 
Harry winced. “That bad, huh?” He got up and sat in front of the tray, eating
what he could rather quickly. It seemed his appetite was coming back.
 
Dessert today was another double offering: A small lemon cake, and two lemon
biscuits.
 
He tried the cake, and Severus chuckled at the face he made as he spit it back
out. Next, he bit into a biscuit and smiled happily as he munched on it.
 
He had a very strong preference for crunchy things, apparently. He could live
with that.
 
Once he was finished, he turned to Severus. “Well, Sir? What’s the news?”
 
Severus sighed and drew a book out of his pocket and resized it, handing it to
Harry. “Open it to the ribbon,” He said, “and read the highlighted passage.”
 
Harry opened the book and read the magically highlighted lines. “Of all magical
creatures, none is more dangerous to a fully-grown wizard than the Ethologus. A
creature born of an elemental and a wizard, the Ethologus feeds on magic and
can become drunk on the power, losing control and completely draining their
prey. The only wizard they are not a danger to is their mate.” He felt his face
drain of colour and met Severus’ eyes. “This is what I am?” He asked.
 
Severus inclined his head. “Yes, though you’ve shown great restraint thus far.
If you do not drain your mate to empty, they will be able to recover their
magical energy over time. It is entirely possible, since you are a hybrid, that
the desire to drain energy will only surface with the Ethologus’ mate and you
will be perfectly safe to be around others. I am going to believe that until
you prove otherwise.” He said firmly.
 
Harry nodded slowly. “I appreciate that. How will I recognize the Ethologus’
mate, Sir?” He asked.
 
Severus shook his head. “There is no way to know. You may never find them, or
you may find them and never recognize the signs. We’ll just have to hope that
something tells you when and if you do find them.”
 
“I see.” Harry said softly.
 
Severus held out his hand. “My book, Potter. I’d like it back. It is old and
valuable.”
 
Harry looked up from the book in surprise, then closed it and handed it back.
“Can I come out now?” He asked.
 
Severus shook his head. “Let me come up with a potion regimen that will allow
you to be up and about during the day. Only the Weasley family, Miss Granger,
Lupin, Albus and myself are even aware that you are here. The others have no
idea as of yet. We are keeping your condition a secret, but you need to be able
to hide what you are, and I can see already that that is going to be
difficult.”
 
Harry frowned. “Why do you say that, Sir?” He asked.
 
“There is the small matter of your eyes glowing every time you sense a sex act
on a person, and there is this:” He conjured a mirror and handed it to Harry.
“Smile.”
 
Harry smiled, and his smile fell when he saw the fangs he was sporting. “Oh. I
didn’t notice them.” He explained, handing the mirror back. “I suppose I need
to work on finding a good glamour.”
 
Severus nodded. “That would be a good idea. In the meantime, I will take the
tray back and let Molly know that biscuits are the way to go with you.”
 
Harry grinned. “Thank you, Sir. They were very good. I don’t think I’m going to
be a fan of cake anymore, though.”
 
“No, I don’t suppose you are.” Severus agreed as he left the room and put the
Wards back up.
***** This Whole Time *****
Chapter Notes
     I tried to work on Crusade, but I realized the scene I'm writing next
     is going to be Harry's first foray into the world of kink.
     I would not be able to do that justice right now, so I spent the day
     doing this, instead.
     I'll get back to Crusade when I'm willing to write kink. Should only
     take a few days.
Harry set his book aside as Severus and Hermione entered the room.
 
“Hi.” He said dully.
 
Hermione frowned. “What’s the matter, Harry?” She asked.
 
Severus sighed. “He got some rather bad news last night. He'll come to terms
with it, I’m sure, but it may take him some time.” He explained.
 
“Have you ever heard on an Ethologus?” Harry asked his friend.
 
“Can’t say that I have.” Hermione said lightly, sitting next to Harry.
 
“I'll have to make a note on my calendar, then. ‘Am something Hermione has
never heard of; have achieved life's aim.’” He shot her a grin, flashing his
fangs before the smile disappeared. “They absorb magic. I could turn you into a
Muggle.” He said quietly.
 
Hermione blinked in surprise. “Oh.” She said. “But you haven't… Right? It’s
dormant right now?” She checked.
 
“That is correct, Miss Granger, and I believe it will stay that way until or
unless he finds the Ethologus' mate.” Severus told her.
 
Hermione smiled. “Then it’s fine! Don’t worry so much, Harry. Just accept it
and move on.”
 
Harry shrugged. “I guess I have no choice.”
 
Hermione held out her wrist and Harry took her hand. He noticed that she didn’t
smell as appetizing as she had last time and the time before.
 
He bit down, and pulled away as soon as he tasted her blood.
 
“Urgh!” It tasted like ash in his mouth.
 
He noticed that Hermione was still bleeding, cradling her wrist, and reclaimed
her hand long enough to lick the wounds to close them.
 
“Something's wrong.” He declared, noting Severus’ narrowed eyes. “She doesn’t
taste good anymore.”
 
Hermione's eyes widened and she turned shocked eyes to Severus. “But that would
mean—”
 
Severus cursed. “Idiot boy! Why didn’t you tell meyou'd caught the taste of my
blood when you bit me?!” He snarled.
 
Harry glared at him. “Because I bloody well didn’t know!” He shouted back.
“Besides, does it really matter?”
 
“Obviously.” Severus drawled. “As it made everyone else completelyunpalatable
to you now.”
 
Harry frowned. “That means… Did you know this whole time?!” He asked in a
shout, standing up, hands fisted at his sides.
 
Severus crossed his arms in front of his chest. “I had my suspicions. This
development has only confirmed them.” He answered.
 
Harry’s face darkened. “Get out.” He said flatly.
 
Hermione got up and stood in front of Harry. “Harry, you need to feed.” She
tried to reason with him.
 
“GET! OUT!” He shouted. “Both of you! Now!”
 
Hermione felt his magic start pulling at something within her, and squeaked in
surprise as Severus cursed. She rushed out of the room, Severus right behind
her, and the door slammed behind them.
 
Severus put the Wards back up and turned to her. “Well, we've made a new
discovery; anger apparently draws out the Ethologus.” He told her.
 
Hermione swallowed. “I could feel him tearing at my magic! I’ve never been so
frightened in my life!” She said.
 
“Which is exactly why we hunted them to extinction. Most Ethologi have no
conscience to speak of; they drain indiscriminately.” Severus said. “I will
talk to Albus. We should restart Potter's Occlumency lessons; it will help him
to control his anger.”
 
Hermione nodded. “I suppose we should just give him his space for now.” She
said.
 
“Yes, that would be best.” Severus agreed, and they headed back downstairs.
 
*****
 
Harry fumed, sitting on his bed staring at the wall.
 
Snape had knownhe was the vampire's mate, and he’d let Harry feed from
Hermioneinstead!
 
Harry had done his reading; he knew that Severus' blood would sustain him for
much longer. He'd be able to go a full week between feedings, instead of this
every-two-days shit.
 
Instead, Severus had let him feed from his best friend, and he’d almost kissed
her!
 
Harry calmed down a little bit and realized he wasn’t really angry with Snape
as much as he was hurt.
 
Was it really so distasteful to let Harry feed from him? Would it have killed
him to let him have his wrist once a week? He seemed so fond of saving Harry's
life, how was this any different?
 
Harry sighed and lay down on his side, curling into the foetal position and
staring into space.
 
He had no idea how long he was laying there before there was a knock on the
door.
 
“Go away.” He said morosely.
 
“Cub, please, don’t shut me out.” Remus' voice came through the door.
 
Harry rushed up to open the door and was shocked by the Wards. “Ow! Come in!”
He called out.
 
He heard Dumbledore's voice as the man dismantled the Wards, then the door
opened and Remus came in.
 
Harry threw his arms around the werewolf as Dumbledore shut the door behind him
and left. “I missed you, Moony!” He said happily. “Why didn’t you come to visit
me?” He asked.
 
Remus sighed. “To be honest, Harry, I’m not even sure I'll be very good company
right now, but Severus thinks you could benefit from talking with me. So why
don't you tell me what’s happened that would give him that impression?”
 
Harry scowled. “He's the vampire's mate.” He said.
 
“Oh.” Remus said softly.
 
“And he’s known this whole time! And he had me feeding from Hermione!”
 
Remus sighed. “Harry, you have to understand, Severus is a very moral man. A
bond such as the one you two share always turns sexual. He was trying to hold
you at arm's length to protect you both from the consequences of letting a
relationship like that start. He could lose his job, if word got out about why
you were together, it would only be a matter of time before your other
conditions came to light, and wizards hunted all the Ethologi, Harry. You could
be killed.” He said.
 
“I miss Sirius.” Harry said heavily. “He wouldn't be so sensible. He'd let me
be angry at Snape.”
 
Remus laughed softly. “Yes, Cub, he would. I miss him, too. There's a hole in
my life now that I don’t know if it will ever be filled, but life goes on. We
learn to live with it, because what choice do we have? As for being angry at
Severus, go right ahead. But don’t push him away if he truly tries to make
amends. He's not the type of man that will keep trying if you push him away.
He'll make a tentative step toward reconciliation, maybe two, but he’ll close
off if you don't accept his unspoken apologies. And it would hurt you more than
it would hurt him.” He said.
 
Harry sighed. “I guess you're right. I’m mostly just hurt by it. I think my
vampire is taking it as a rejection, because there’s this cold ball in my chest
that aches and it just keeps hurting. It's not going away.”
 
Remus winced. “I remember that feeling, back when I first told Sirius he was my
mate. He laughed in my face, thinking it was a joke. I was furious. We didn’t
speak for a month. Severus will come around, one way or another, and once your
vampire realizes he doesn’t hate you, that feeling will ease up. Give it time.”
 
Harry nodded. “All right. I think for now I'm going to read about the incubus'
thrall. Maybe I can learn to control my own better.” He said.
 
“All right. I'll see you later, Cub.” Remus said as he opened the door.
 
“Bye, Moony.” Harry said quietly.
 
*****
 
The next night, an hour after Harry woke up, there was a knock at the door.
 
Harry inhaled and scowled. “Go away. I can smell him with you.” He told
Dumbledore.
 
“I assure you, My Boy, it is just me and your meal.” He promised.
 
Harry huffed. “Fine. Come in, then.”
 
Dumbledore let himself in and set the tray down on the desk.
 
“I can still smell him. Where's it coming from?” Harry asked.
 
Dumbledore smiled. “That would be his peace offering.” He said, picking up a
large goblet of a dark red liquid. “He just filled it, and it has a warming
charm on it, so it should taste like it’s straight from the source.” He said,
passing it to Harry, careful not to spill any.
 
Harry took the goblet almost reverently, inhaling the scent of pure nirvana
coming from it greedily. He brought it to his lips and began to drink, eyes
rolling back into his head at the sublime taste that was his mate’s lifeblood.
It was heady, and rich, and had such depths of flavour! Why had Snape denied
him this?! He drained the goblet without pausing to breathe, and when it was
gone he spent several long seconds staring into the empty goblet, absorbing the
experience.
 
It was probably a good thing Snape hadn't been there in person for Harry's
first taste of the man, because he was now sporting a very obvious problem.
 
Dumbledore cleared his throat and made a point to turn and face Harry's
headboard so the teen could get up and rush to his tray with minimal
embarrassment.
 
Harry set the goblet on the tray beside his plate and happily ate the rare
roast beef and the crisp vegetables, trying the two different types of biscuit
Molly had added. The strawberry jam ones were good, but the chocolate chip were
unpalatable. “Let Mrs. Weasley know I just can’t do anything chocolate anymore.
It doesn’t agree with me.” He told Dumbledore.
 
The man turned back to face him and smiled. “I will, My Boy. Anything else?” He
asked.
 
“Yeah.” Harry said softly. “Tell Snape I said… Thank you. And I'm sorry if I
scared him and Hermione yesterday night. I scared myself a bit, too.” He
admitted.
 
Dumbledore smiled. “I'll let them know, My Boy.” He said, taking the tray.
***** A Family Breakfast *****
“Green,
 
You bitthem?! I can’t imagine they're too happy with you right now. What
prompted that?
 
Do you know what the last creature is yet?
 
I must admit, being locked away like that would drive me absolutely nutty, how
are you faring?
 
Have you tried to use your thrall to get any special favours? I bet you could
get whatever you wanted with a double-dose like that!
 
Found a mate yet? If nothing else, you'd at least get laid once you did. That
would brighten any creature’s day, I imagine.
 
Let me know if there are any interesting developments, my summer's been
terribly boring.
 
Silver"
 
Harry chuckled and grabbed a new sugar quill.
 
“Silver,
 
Boy, did I ever find a mate! Turns out the person helping me, the one that I
bit, has been the vampire's mate this whole time, and they knew! I was really
mad when I found out, and I attacked both that person and my friend, who was in
the room at the time, and yelled at them to leave without feeding at all!
 
The next day there was a warm goblet filled with blood delivered with my meal,
and I took it for the apology it was. My dumb mate certainly isn’t going to
apologize verbally, so I have to take what I can get.
 
I can’t tell you what the last creature is. Sworn to secrecy, and all. Sorry.
 
I’m doing fairly well, considering my imprisonment. I have books to read, this
one to write you in, and visitors every night. That being said, I should be let
out as soon as they find a way for me to function normally during the day.
 
I haven’t used my thrall to get anything, and I don’t plan to, unless I use it
to lull my mate into complacency. If I ever manage to get my fangs in them
again, that’s the plan.
 
So far, it’s been pretty dull here. The highlight of my night is either trying
food to see what I still like, or getting blood delivered. Hopefully I’ll be
let out soon, so I can mingle with people again. Solitude is starting to wear
on me.
 
Hoping to hear from you again!
 
Green"
 
Harry stuck the end of the sugar quill in his mouth and sucked on it as he
waited for the ink to dry.
 
There was a knock on the door and Harry smelled Dumbledore and someone else he
couldn’t identify. He frowned. “Come in.”
 
Dumbledore took down the Wards and came in, Ginny following behind him holding
a steaming goblet.
 
“Severus has made you a potion that should allow you to stay awake during the
day, but you will need to sleep the rest of the night first. There is a timed
sleeping draught in this that should wear off at eight AM tomorrow, and if the
potion sits well with you, it should only require a weekly dose to keep it
working. He is trying to incorporate a draught of peace into it to prevent any
anger-fuelled accidents from reoccurring, but so far he has had little luck.”
Dumbledore told him.
 
Ginny handed him the goblet and leaned in to give him a peck on the lips. “For
luck. I hope it works.”
 
Harry gave her a wan smile. “Thanks, Gin.”
 
Ginny and Harry had talked at the end of the year, and while Ginny had admitted
she still had feelings for him, she had been understanding about his sexuality
and had simply smiled and said, “Well, there are other fish in the sea. I'll
just catch a different one, I suppose.”
 
Harry lifted the goblet to his lips and drank it down. It tasted familiar, and
Harry realized that Severus had incorporated a bit of his blood into the
concoction. It was likely an attempt to change the flavour, because other than
that, it simply tasted like dirt, which was wholly unpleasant.
 
The thoughtfulness warmed Harry a bit, and he smiled as he handed it back,
feeling the sleeping draught kick in. “Well, good night, then. If all goes
well, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
 
Dumbledore smiled. “I will leave the Wards down. Feel free to come out and join
everyone when you wake. I believe it will be safe.” He said. “Sleep well, My
Boy.”
 
Harry lay down and the other two left, shutting the door softly behind them.
 
*****
 
Harry woke, stretched, grabbed his wand and checked the time. 8:23 AM.
 
So the potion had worked.
 
He cast the glamours he’d found in his vampire and incubus books to hide his
fangs and make his eyes look like they weren’t glowing when he breathed in the
sexual energies around people that had had sex recently.
 
He conjured a mirror and checked for his fangs. When he didn’t see them, he
headed downstairs, hoping the other glamour would work too.
 
He came downstairs and Hermione noticed him immediately. She waved him over to
sit next to her. “Breathe deep. You look like you could use it.” She whispered
to him.
 
Harry felt his cheeks heat a bit at the insinuation that he looked rough, but
he was oddly touched by her concern, although knowing what he did—and
would—know about his best friends' sex life was a bit more than he cared to
know.
 
Still, he inhaled deeply and asked quietly, “My eyes?”
 
Hermione shook her head. “Normal.” She told him.
 
Harry nodded and smiled as Mrs. Weasley came out of the kitchen with plates for
everyone either in her hands or trailing behind her. “Oh, Harry, dear! I had
hoped you'd be down today! I assume Severus has been busy? Do you know if you
can go out today, or is it just to keep you awake?”
 
“He should be able to go out, provided you cast a strong sun block charm on
him.” Came a dour voice from the stairs to the dungeon-turned-potions-lab.
 
Harry looked, and saw his mate—and wasn’t that a strange title for the
man—wiping his hands on a cloth. His hair was covered in a light blue goo,
which was also on his robes, along with the muddy reddish-brown of the potion
Harry had just taken the previous night.
 
“What happened to you?” He asked before he could stop himself.
 
Severus sneered at him. “I blew up a cauldron, what does it look like?!”
 
Harry blinked and answered, “It looks like a sign of the apocalypse, that’s
what.” He answered honestly. “You don’tblow up cauldrons.”
 
Severus looked smug at that pronouncement and corrected him. “I have blown up a
few in my time. Thankfully, they are few and far between. The two potions I
want to combine right now are both finicky brews to begin with. Mistakes are
bound to be had.”
 
Molly set down plates in front of everyone but Harry. “Hang on just a sec,
dear; I wasn’t sure if you'd be down yet. Yours is just in here.” She bustled
into the kitchen and came out with a plate. “I’m hoping your preference for
crunchy doesn’t automatically exclude breakfast foods.” She said, setting it in
front of him.
 
Harry noticed there was toast, two different kinds, white and rye, which he was
interested to try, and eggs and hash browns, as well as some barely-cooked
bacon and sausage. He tried both and found, to his regret, that he couldn’t eat
bacon anymore. The rest was fine, excepting the white toast. Bread just seemed
to be his enemy now. The rye, however, was fine.
 
Hermione was watching his progress around the plate with interest. Harry was
sure, if given parchment and a quill, she'd be taking notes.
 
When he was finished, Molly took his plate with a smile. “Eggs, hash browns,
sausage and rye toast. It’s not the end of the world.” She commented lightly.
“We're going to get your school supplies today. Lists arrived just yesterday.”
She said, passing Harry his.
 
Harry took it and opened it, looking over the lists. “Mine has something added
to it.” He said in surprise.
 
“Yes, Dumbledore though it best if you got a book on Occlumency. You'll be
restarting the lessons with Severus this year. Hermione said you have a
frightful temper nowadays. Occlumency will help you keep it in check.” Molly
told him.
 
Harry sighed. “I suppose I have no choice.” He said.
 
Severus sneered. “You always have a choice. I merely thought you'd do the
responsible thing and choose to spend some time with me learning to control
yourself rather than drain your friends every time you have a tiff.”
 
Harry was saved answering by the front door opening and Tonks coming in.
 
She came into the kitchen and smiled cheerily. “Wotcher, Harry, nice to see
you've finally arrived! And just in time for shopping, too. Remus is on his
way. Should be here any minute.” She announced.
 
Molly smiled. “Good, we’re just about ready.” She said, collecting the rest of
the plates and taking them to the kitchen.
 
*****
 
A few hours later, shopping concluded, the group popped into Weasleys’ Wizard
Wheezes to see how Fred and George were faring.
 
The shop was busy, but not packed, and as soon as they spotted the group,
George left the counter to sling an arm over Harry's shoulders. “Heya, mate,
heard about your little inheritance issue. Care to share some saliva with us?
Your saliva and blood are bound to have interesting properties now.”
 
“George, no.” Molly said sternly. “Remember, it's not all safe. You could get
more than you bargained for that way.”
 
“We live on our own now; you can’t tell us what to do!” He protested.
 
Molly levelled a glare at him and he gulped and backpedalled. “Sorry, Mum. I
was just kidding.”
 
George led Harry a ways away from the rest of the group and asked, “If I can’t
get any saliva or blood, would you be willing to bite me? I've always wanted to
know what a vampire's bite feels like.”
 
Harry flushed. “Er, no. You’re practically family to me, it would be weird. Not
to mention, I’d get absolutely nothing out of it. You'd taste awful. I've
already tasted my mate's blood. Well, one of my mates.” He amended.
 
“Really?” George asked quietly, leaning in close. “Who is it?”
 
Harry flushed. “Snape.”
 
George reared back. “Snape?!” He nearly shouted.
 
“George!” Harry hissed. “Shh!”
 
“Sorry.” George said in a whisper. “But, seriously, Snape? I mean, the man's
got the whole intensity thing going for him, which is appealing, I guess, if
you're into that, but he's so unapproachable. It's going to be an uphill climb,
that’s for sure.”
 
Harry smiled at him. “Worth it.” He said firmly.
***** An Enthralling Kiss *****
Harry bit into his mate's neck, tasting the sweetness of his blood, feeling it
heat him from the inside as it slid down his throat. He sipped at the wound
leisurely for long moments before pulling away and closing the wound with a
single swipe of his tongue. He pulled away from the slim column to stare into
his mate's fathomless eyes.
 
Hazy onyx stared back at him, dazed from the feeding, but rallying quickly.
 
Harry called up his incubus thrall, overlaying it atop the vampire thrall he
had been using as part of his feeding, and let loose, watching as his mate
succumbed, slipping under his sway.
 
“Don’t worry, Severus.” He whispered, brushing his lips over the man's parted
lips. “I promise you’ll like this.”
 
He knelt in front of the man, unbuttoning his robes and undoing his trousers,
working them down just enough to free his cock as the man sat in stillness,
eyes focused on Harry's as the teen kept his eyes trained on him to keep the
man under his spell.
 
“And it won’t go too far until you’re lucid and want it, too.” He added. He
took Severus into his mouth and finally let his eyes slide closed, counting on
the pleasure Severus would be feeling to stay the man's hand and allow Harry to
finish what he'd begun.
 
He heard Severus’ breathing hitch, the first sound the man had made since
slipping under Harry's thrall, and hands suddenly slid into his hair, fisting
cruelly.
 
Harry hummed, enjoying the rough treatment, knowing that it was proof that his
thrall was wearing off.
 
Severus began fucking Harry's mouth, and Harry sucked harder, swirling his
tongue around the cock pistoning into him as best he could.
 
He darted his glance upward, met Severus’ eyes boldly, and swallowed just as
the man thrust deep, and Severus was lost. He growled as he came, holding Harry
in place, denying him the taste of his release. Harry would be lying if he said
that didn’t sting, but there would be other encounters in the future, he knew.
 
Severus pulled him off his cock and glared at him.
 
Harry grinned smugly. “You could have stopped it, you know. You were only under
my thrall for the beginning. By the time you started fucking my face, it was
all under your control. I enjoyed it, of course, but don’t lie and say you
didn’t. I know you did.”
 
“Get out, and I'd better not see your face for another week, you little shit.
I’ll have a proper punishment planned for this by then.” Severus hissed,
pushing him away.
 
Harry grinned. “I look forward to it, Professor.” Harry purred as he stood to
leave, then heard a beeping sound start up next to his ear.
 
He groaned as his wand continued to beep and buzz, rousing him from a dream he
wouldn’t have minded staying in. “Damn.” He muttered, grabbing his wand and
turning off the alarm.
 
He thought about the dream as he showered and dressed, wondering if he could
really get away with being the aggressor. How far could he push before Severus
Snape snapped and took back control? He paused, halfway through brushing his
teeth when the thought occurred: What if he didn’t?
 
What if Severus Snape was a bottom?
 
Of course, he knew now that the thought had occurred to him, it would consume
his thoughts until he found out.
 
He finished brushing his teeth on autopilot, going through the practiced
motions while his mind was miles away.
 
He didspare a thought for the fact that Snape could very well be straight, but
he quickly dismissed that theory, believing that magic would not make the man
his mate if they were not compatible in the bedroom.
 
And Harry was fairly certain he'd like both positions, so his mates could be
any combination of top or bottom, or even switches like Harry himself was.
 
Harry decided he was going to thoroughly enjoy finding out where his mates fell
on the spectrum, just as soon as he discovered who they were. 
 
He finished his morning ablutions and headed downstairs to meet everyone else.
He took his usual seat at the table and smiled at Hermione and Ron. “So, how
did you two sleep?” He asked teasingly.
 
Hermione flushed lightly, but answered primly, “Very well, thank you.
Yourself?”
 
Harry chuckled. “I had a wonderful dream. It's brightened my mood
considerably.” He said happily.
 
“Yes, I can tell.” Ginny said from his other side. “Details?”
 
Harry choked. “No, Ginny, I think not. Besides, it was about Snape.” He said in
an undertone.
 
Ginny thought it over, then made a face. “Yeah, no, never mind.” She muttered.
 
Harry turned back to Hermione, and whispered, “What do you think: top or
bottom?”
 
Hermione frowned. “Who, Professor Snape?” She shrugged. “I don’t really know.
He seems the type to take control, but there are some people that say that
those types of people actually prefer to cede control in the bedroom. But we
shouldn’t even be speculating about that. He's a teacher!” She finished in a
hiss.
 
Harry snorted. “He's my mate.” He pointed out, still whispering.
 
Hermione hummed thoughtfully. “You do have a point there.” She conceded softly,
not quite a whisper.
 
“So I’m going to find out eventually, one way or another.” He said, speaking
normally now.
 
“Find out what?” A sinfully rich voice drawled right next to his ear.
 
Harry flushed and turned his head to meet the eyes of the man in question.
“Nothing, Sir.” He said quickly.
 
Severus hummed and straightened. “After you finish breakfast, you are to report
to the green parlour for Occlumency.” He told the teen.
 
“Oh, so we're starting that already, are we?” Harry asked in distaste.
 
“The sooner the better, Potter.” Severus told him. “So, yes, we're starting
that already.”
 
“Fine.” Harry said. “I'll be there.” He promised.
 
*****
 
Harry pushed open the door to the green parlour and entered, seeing Severus
standing in front of the window.
 
“Have you cast a sun block charm over yourself yet?” He asked.
 
Harry shook his head. “Not yet, Sir.”
 
Severus waved his wand and Harry felt the charm settle over him, protecting him
from the sunlight he was still sensitive to, even with the potion. “Get used to
keeping it on, Potter. It should be the first thing you cast each morning, and
you need to re-cast one every four hours, lest you get a rather nasty sunburn
fairly quickly.” He explained.
 
“Alright, I’ll keep that in mind.”
 
“Now, have you read any of the book Albus assigned you?” Severus questioned.
 
“I skimmed the first chapter, but I didn’t know we were starting so soon, so I
wasn’t truly paying much attention to it.” Harry admitted.
 
Severus sighed. “Why am I not surprised? It's as if your life's purpose is to
make my life difficult and endanger your friends. You’ve even managed to do
both at the same time, which really is remarkable.” He added.
 
Harry flushed. “It's not my fault I’ve a madman after me.” He defended himself.
 
“I never said it was, just that you live to plague me.” Severus said mildly.
“At any rate, we should begin. Are you ready?”
 
Harry widened his stance and nodded. “Yeah. Do it.”
 
Severus raised his wand and cast, and Harry was back in his cupboard while the
Dursleys celebrated Christmas without him. The scene shifted, and he was facing
down Lucius again, broken glass and potions raining down on him. Another shift,
and he was watching Sirius fall through the veil. “No!” He shouted, overwrought
by grief he still hadn’t worked through, and something inside him rose up, and
the spell got sucked into him, its hold broken as he unintentionally absorbed
it.
 
Severus hummed. “Well, that was a strange outcome, but we can work with that.
The feeling you had when you sucked in my spell is what we're trying to avoid.
If you feel it about to come out again, push it back. Do whatever you must to
avoid it, but don’t let it happen again.” He said firmly.
 
Harry nodded. “I'll try.” He said.
 
Severus cast again, and Harry was in the chamber of secrets battling the
blinded basilisk. He felt Severus dig deeper, and the incubus was pulled to the
surface. Harry felt his thrall take over, the vampire thrall joining it, and he
saw Severus’ grip on his wand slacken as he was overcome with the desire to do
whatever Harry wanted.
 
Harry wavered for a moment, uncertainly, debating whether or not what he was
considering doing was a wise idea or not.
 
He wanted to go up to Severus and steal a kiss. Just one would be enough to
ease the doubts the vampire was having about his mate's acceptance of him. It
still felt a bit of pain at what it had taken as rejection, and a single kiss
would soothe the vampire, proving that its mate was coming around, albeit
slowly.
 
But it could also easily arouse Severus’ ire.
 
Harry knew the man had studied all he could find on vampires, since he'd had
his eye on the DADA course for so long, and it covered vampires, as well as all
other creatures in existence.
 
Which meant he knew that one kiss would make the vampire even more fervent in
his pursuit of the man and his affections.
 
Harry decided that he didn’t care if Severus got angry about it. His vampire
wanted it, the man was under his thrall, and the vampire was screaming at him
to take a bite, so, really, he was showing great restraint already in not doing
so.
 
He walked up to the man, not once breaking eye contact, and rose up on tiptoe.
“Forgive me, but I need this.” He whispered, then pressed his lips to the
man's.
 
Warmth spread through him and his vampire thrilled at the feel of the man's
lips against his. Harry couldn’t suppress the small whimper that bubbled up
through his throat and out his nose as his eyes slipped closed.
 
Severus seemed to come back to himself a bit as soon as Harry's eyes closed,
breaking his thrall, and he gasped a bit in shock.
 
The small action opened his mouth a bit, and Harry pressed his tongue forward,
slipping it through the small opening, thanking whatever deity was listening
when Severus didn’t bite the intruding tongue clean off. Instead, he stayed
completely still, not participating in the kiss, but not breaking it, either.
Harry felt something slot into place and felt the vampire rejoice as it finally
fully recognized its mate. Severus' hands rose to rest on Harry's hips, and he
carefully broke the kiss, taking in a deep breath as he studied Harry's face
with a completely blank expression.
 
Harry flushed as the man assessed him, and was about to apologize when Severus
asked, “Was it worth it?” His voice was calm.
 
Harry took a deep breath and gave the man a single nod. “It was. I’m sorry for
the way I did it, stealing a kiss like that, but I can’t apologize for kissing
you, because I don’t regret actually doing it. My vampire needed it, Sir. I
didn’t realize until I got it just how much it was needed, but I knew what it
wanted, and now that I’ve gotten a kiss, I can wait for the next until you're
ready.” He said.
 
Severus' eyes narrowed. “But there will be a next?”
 
Harry smiled brightly. “Oh, yes, Sir. There will be manymore to follow. I can
be very tenacious.”
 
“Get out of my sight, you insufferable wretch.” Severus said wearily.
 
Harry shot him a saucy smirk and left the room in high spirits.
***** Thrall Training *****
“…And then I kissed him.” Harry finished his tale.
 
Hermione's mouth dropped open and she quickly covered it with a hand. “Harry!”
She hissed from behind the hand. “He’s a teacher! You can’t just go around
kissing teachers!” She said vehemently.
 
“Mate.” Harry reminded her.
 
“Still, there's supposed to be a certain professional distance between a
teacher and their students. Even if you're leading the encounters, he'd be the
one to take the fall if you two are found out. You're putting him in a terrible
position.” Hermione chided.
 
Ron was slightly green, but he refused to leave his girlfriend's side.
 
“What if he agreed officially to be my donor? You said donor bonds usually turn
sexual.” Harry pointed out.
 
Hermione frowned. “Well, there's no precedent for this particular situation,
but generally anyone who becomes a vampire is legally emancipated and can take
as their donor anyone of age, and the Ministry looks the other way, but I
thought we were trying to keep your condition under wraps?” She reminded him.
 
“Oh, yeah.” Harry muttered. “Right.”
 
“In that case,” Hermione continued, “He couldn't become your donor officially,
because nothing official about you can come to light.”
 
“Figured that out myself, thanks.” Harry muttered. “I do have my dad's cloak. I
can sneak around for two years. Gryffindor will cover for me, and I can avoid
the Slytherins finding me in the dungeons by using the cloak. It would probably
work, I think.” He mused.
 
Hermione sighed. “If you're really determined to go through with this…”
 
“You'd prefer me dead?” Harry asked wryly.
 
“No, you're right, that is the best option we have.” She admitted. “I just wish
there was some way to avoid putting Professor Snape's livelihood in danger to
keep you alive and well.”
 
Harry suddenly frowned. “What are we going to do when people realize I’ve
stopped aging? I’m going to look barely sixteen forever. People are bound to
notice that.”
 
Hermione hummed. “Well, see, we don’t know exactly whichvampiric traits you
have. He said you can see your reflection, when vampires as a rule can't, so
maybe you'll still age normally.”
 
Harry pouted. “Damn. Overly sensitive to sunlight and no immortality? I
apparently got the short end of the stick.” He muttered.
 
“Possibly. All of this is pure conjecture at this point. We don’t know anything
for sure.” She said.
 
“Well, at any rate, I’ve got to figure out how to turn off my thrall when he
unintentionally draws out either the vampire or the incubus. Because thralling
him and kissing him is only going to piss him off more every time I do it, so
avoiding it is my best bet.” Harry said.
 
“Yes, that would be for the best. But how can we practice using your thrall in
order to turn it off? We need an adult trained in Occlumency around for that.”
Hermione told him.
 
“Do we really? Ron could probably step in. I don’t think I can thrall two
people at once.”
 
Ron shook his head. “No offense, mate, but I really don’t want to get between
you and your prey.”
 
“But she wouldn’tbe my prey. That’s the thing, I don’t see her as a possible
food source anymore, that honour is all for Snape. I'd just be using her as a
very lifelike practice dummy.” Harry told Ron lightly.
 
Hermione shoved him. “Hey, watch it! I can still hex you, vampire or not!”
 
“And you’ve shown great restraint in not doing so, which I appreciate.” Harry
said with a grin. “But,” He sobered. “I have to learn to control this, guys.
It’s important that I get it under control so that Snape doesn’t keep getting
put in situations like the one he was put in today. Neither of us need that
happening again, and so it falls to me to get a handle on it.”
 
Hermione sighed. “I'll help you, if Ron agrees to supervise.” She said.
 
Harry turned hopeful eyes to Ron.
 
“Fine, but you owe me.” He said.
 
“I'll do anything you want, within reason.” Harry promised.
 
“Too right, you will.” Ron muttered. “Get on with it, then.”
 
Harry called up his thrall, noticing that it was getting easier to do now, and
overlapped the two, deciding to go for broke. Either they'd make no progress at
all, or Harry would learn how to go from a double-dose to nil in one fell
swoop, which would help him immensely. He caught Hermione's eye and she fell
very still.
 
He searched for an order to give her, something she would normally never do
that would not embarrass her too much, and latched on to an idea.
 
Hermione opened her mouth and, in a surprisingly good voice, began singing
TLC's “Waterfalls.”
 
Harry was shocked at her voice and nearly lost his concentration, but after the
initial fumble, and Hermione's abnormally long pause between lyrics, he
recovered and she continued.
 
He noticed Ron about to get up and tried to pull his thrall back in without
prompting. He managed to get half of it pulled back before Ron got up to him
and grabbed his wrist, but it took Ron breaking his concentration to fully
break his hold.
 
Harry nodded at him in thanks as Hermione came back to herself and flushed
brightly.
 
“So where were you hiding that voice, Pipes?” Harry teased.
 
Hermione buried her face in her hands. “Sunday school choir. I was in it from
five to ten.” She explained.
 
“Sunday school?” Ron asked with a frown.
 
Harry shrugged. “It's like school, but religiously-based.” He explained.
“Dursleys probably would have taken me there if they weren’t convinced I would
burst into flames and make them the topic of all their neighbours’ gossip.” He
said wryly.
 
Hermione giggled. “Well, count yourself lucky. It was terribly boring.”
 
“Anyway, I was almost there. Can we try again?” Harry asked.
 
Hermione sighed. “Can you have me do something else?” She asked.
 
“I could have you rap instead, but it would be badly done, because I think I
need to know all the words, and Aunt Petunia doesn't like Coolio.” Harry
offered.
 
Hermione made a face. “Never mind, just have me finish this song, then.” She
decided.
 
Harry grinned. “Will do.”
 
Everyone settled back into their spots and Harry called up his thrall, and
Hermione began to sing…
 
*****
 
The door to Severus' lab opened just as lunch was winding down and Severus
poked his head out. “Potter, could you join me for a moment?” He asked, holding
the door open.
 
Harry nodded and got up, heading into the lab, hearing the soft ‘snick' of the
door closing behind him. “What's up?” He asked.
 
Severus hummed. “I wanted more blood. There are a few tests I’ve put together
which should tell us how many traits you've inherited from your vampire and
incubus sides. There are no tests for Ethologus abilities, since we
exterminated them long ago, but we can test the potency of the other two and
come up with theories as to the rest based on those results.” He told Harry,
who nodded.
 
“Alright, I get it.” He rolled up his sleeve. “Knock yourself out, then.”
 
Severus quickly took more blood, having to reopen the cut twice. “Your healing
ability has gotten stronger. It's because you've started getting my blood.
You're becoming stronger.” He noted.
 
Harry felt a fission of irritation at the thought that Severus had wanted to
keep Harry from becoming stronger, but he tamped it down and didn’t let it
show. The man would be proud, if only he knew.
 
Severus finished collecting the blood he needed and nodded. “There. You may go
now. I will let you know what I discover as soon as I have news.”
 
Harry nodded. “I'll be waiting.” He left the lab and rejoined his friends.
 
“What was that about?” Ginny asked. “Secret assignations?” She teased with a
smile.
 
“Hardly.” Harry replied. “He needed more blood to test.”
 
Remus wandered in and took a seat at the table. “Anyone make tea recently?” He
asked, burying his face in his hands. “I could really use a cuppa.”
 
Harry got up. “I'll make you some.” He offered, grabbing the kettle and putting
some water on to heat.
 
“Any news?” Remus asked the group at large.
 
“There will be soon.” Hermione said. “Professor Snape just took some more blood
for testing. Did he say what he was testing specifically, Harry?”
 
Harry shrugged. “Just that he was checking to see how potent my vampire and
incubus sides are. Probably what traits I’ve inherited specifically. We know
about the thralls, the aversion to sunlight, the feeding off sexual energies
and my new nocturnal nature when I'm not on the potion. And my blood-drinking,
but I think that one's always been a given. Snape didn’t seem too surprised
about it.” He said.
 
“I've discovered something new about your scent, if you're interested.” Remus
told Harry.
 
Harry quirked a brow and leaned his hip against the counter, crossing his arms
over his chest. “Let's hear it, then.” He said encouragingly. 
 
Remus grinned. “Well, when I caught your new scent, there were three distinct
smells on you: the smell of death, not decay, more of a musty stillness, which
I knew to be vampire, and there were two others: a sweetness and a spicy scent.
I found out from another Werewolf that the sweetness I smelled was the incubus.
That means the spice is the Ethologus. It smells of cayenne pepper, but it’s a
good deal fainter than the other two. I think keeping the Ethologus under
control should be fairly easy. You just have to learn to control your temper.”
 
“Easier said than done.” Harry muttered, getting Remus his tea and setting it
before the man. “I'm working on it, of course, but it will probably take time.”
 
Remus grinned. “Time that you'll get to spend with Severus?” He teased.
 
Harry flushed and cleared his throat. “Well, yes, but I’m trying not to be too
excited about it.”
 
“No, I doubt he'd take that well. So what have you been doing today so far?”
Remus asked.
 
“We worked on my thrall.” Harry said excitedly. “I can now rein it in, although
it takes some fair effort to do.”
 
Remus smiled widely. “I’m proud of you, Cub! Does Severus know yet?” He asked.
 
Harry's grin widened. “Nope. It's my little secret for now. He'll find out soon
enough.” He replied smugly.
 
“Well, come on, sit down and let’s chat. Can you take tea still?” Remus asked.
 
Harry hesitated. “Tea has been a bit hit-or-miss. But Earl Grey should be fine.
And I can do fruity biscuits, just nothing with chocolate. Doesn’t agree with
me anymore.” He explained, pouring himself a cup.
 
Remus' face fell. “Oh, Cub, I’m so sorry.” He said mournfully.
 
“About what? The chocolate? Don’t be, I can live without it. I was more upset
over losing treacle, but I’m sure something will come along that will make up
for it.” Harry said philosophically.
 
Remus nodded slowly. “Probably. Still, I don’t think I’d survive without
chocolate.” He said.
 
Harry snorted. “Then isn’t it good no one's asking you to?” He asked.
 
Remus smiled. “Too true.”
***** Inherited Traits *****
“Potter, can you come in here? We have results to discuss.” Severus called from
the door to his lab.
 
Harry got up from dinner, letting Molly know that he had finished, and went to
join him. “You could call me ‘Harry,’ you know. I've had my tongue in your
mouth.” He muttered.
 
“Kindly don’t remind me, Harry. The memory irks me.” Severus said, walking over
to a row of vials all shimmering different colours. “Would you like to go
through vampire traits or incubus traits first?” He asked.
 
Harry looked over the vials. “Which do I have more of?” He asked.
 
“Vampire.” Severus answered swiftly.
 
“Let's go over those first, then.” Harry said.
 
“Very well.” Severus began at the far end of the row. “You do not have
immortality, but you have something close to it. You will age normally until
you hit twenty-five, then your aging will slow and you will age a year every
ten to fifteen years. You will reach an age of approximately two thousand
years, and if you continue to feed exclusively from me, I should reach an age
close to that due to your saliva's effects. Any other mates you can take blood
from will also live as long as you do. You cannot infect anyone, even by giving
them your blood, so don’t even attempt it. Ever.”
 
“I never would. What would be the point?” Harry interjected.
 
Severus let out a soft ‘humph.’ “Additionally, you have the power to make your
bite pleasurable or painful, but it remains to be seen if you have access to
that ability currently. Mind you, I do not feel like testing that out. You will
have an aversion to garlic, I warned Molly already, and she's heeded my warning
so far. Your fangs are not retractable; you are simply going to have to keep a
glamour up. Don't let it slip. It would be disastrous. You should have
excellent vision—”
 
“I do!” Harry exclaimed happily.
 
“And that should include night vision. You will have an Animagus form, should
you choose to learn the transformation, that is traditional for a vampire; that
is to say, it will be something black in colour, most likely all over. I'm
betting on a panther or raven.” He finished.
 
Harry nodded slowly. “All right. And the incubus traits?” He asked.
 
Severus nodded. “You feed on sexual energies, which we already knew, and you
have the ability to feed on ambient energies as well as directly from a sex act
itself. You have the ability to perform wandless magic, and have reserves of
strength that far outstrip anything I have even seen Albus display. You can
also become pregnant.” He finished, pointing at the very last vial, which shone
a ruby red.
 
“I can become what, now?!” Harry asked in alarm.
 
“You are a submissive incubus. You can become pregnant.” Severus repeated.
 
Harry shook his head. “I'm not submissive.” He told the man.
 
“Your incubus is, so you're at the very least a switch.” Severus told him.
 
“That I can agree with.” Harry muttered. “So that means I can only get pregnant
by the incubus' mate, right?” He asked hopefully.
 
Severus hesitated, then answered, “As long as he is the only man you bottom
for, yes. But be careful, because you can become pregnant with anyone you
submit to.” He warned.
 
“That’s going to put a serious cramp in my sexual awakening.” Harry mumbled,
rubbing his forehead. “Okay!” He straightened and clapped his hands together.
“Then what are my options?”
 
Severus chuckled. “For once, you seem to be choosing the smart route. It’s best
we discuss this now, after all. There is a potion, a contraceptive. I will look
into whether it works for incubi or not, and find a different option if it does
not. I’m certain there is something out there, as you are far from the only
incubus in this part of the world.” He told Harry. “I am also willing to brew
it for you, for as long as you remain on my good side. It would, therefore,
behoove you to stop. Kissing. Me.” He added sharply.
 
Harry grinned. “Won't happen again, Sir. I already told you, and I keep my
promises.”
 
“For the most part.” Severus corrected.
 
Harry flushed. “Well, yes. Mostly. Take what you can get, right?” He asked
brightly.
 
“Indeed.” Severus drawled.
 
“I really do appreciate all the work you're putting in to help me. I understand
that it’s not leaving you much free time, and you don’t have to help me. I just
mean… Thank you.” Harry finished, running out of steam at the blank look he was
getting from Severus.
 
“I'm doing all this on Albus' orders.” He said.
 
Harry's shoulders slumped and all the exuberance visibly drained out of him.
“Oh.” He said hollowly. “Well, I’ll just… Goodbye, then.” He said weakly,
turning to head back up the stairs.
 
“Harry!” Severus called out, and the teen stopped, not turning around, but
listening. He panicked. ‘Why did I call out to him?!’ He thought frantically.
‘What am I going to say?!’
 
“Your appreciation…” He began.
 
Harry cocked his head and made a questioning sound, so Severus continued.
 
“It warms my heart. You are very welcome.” He said, almost stumbling over the
unfamiliar words.
 
Harry turned just enough for Severus to see him and shot him a blinding smile
that took Severus’ breath away. “Have a good night, Sir. See you tomorrow!”
 
Severus nodded a bit dazedly as the door closed and parroted, “See you.” At the
shut door.
 
Was it the vampire, the incubus, or had the boy always been so beautiful when
he smiled like that? Severus hadn’t been the recipient of enough of his smiles
before to know for sure, but whatever it was, he wanted to earn more of those
smiles to hoard to himself forever.
 
Severus knew he was a greedy man, he made no apologies for it, and it was just
his luck that he'd find himself tied to someone he could probably fall for if
he allowed himself to, but he would be forced to share him when the boy found
his incubus, and possibly Ethologus, mates.
 
Perhaps this was his personal version of the second circle of hell. He was
never a particularly lustful person, but for such a lovely young man, he could
be. And likely would be.
 
He sighed. “Time to hit the books for a while.” He muttered to himself.
 
*****
 
“Green,
 
Sorry it took me so long to reply, I was busy getting ready for school. Father
insisted I go clothes shopping, and it took two full days for him to be
satisfied that my wardrobe was up to family standards. His are rather high. We
must always look our best.
 
So, you found a mate. That's half the battle won. Now you just have to seduce
said mate.
 
How did you attack them? Was it physical? Like, fisticuffs or something? Or did
you lash out magically?
 
Also, do you still attend school? Where at?
 
I go to Hogwarts.
 
I'm fairly popular, in my house, but I have to pander to some people I’d rather
not. Future connections are at stake if I’m lax about keeping the lines of
communication open, and I can't afford to cut people out before I know where
they will end up.
 
I understand about not being able to tell me what the last creature is, but
why? Is it dangerous, or are you at risk for exploitation?
 
Looking forward to our next chat,
 
Silver"
 
Harry frowned. His pen pal went to Hogwarts? And he or she sounded like a
Slytherin. Well, Harry wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. At least
this way, there was little chance of him saying the wrong thing to the wrong
person and giving away his identity. None of the Slytherins knew him well, and
they certainly weren’t part of his small circle of friends, so nothing he said
would get out.
 
He picked out another quill and began to write.
 
“Silver,
 
I do go to Hogwarts, but I won’t tell you anything more than that. The lure of
these books, for me, is the anonymity. Don’t tell me who you are, I’d rather
not know.
 
I've got bigger problems right now than seducing my mate. I’m actually working
through some heavy stuff at the moment.
 
I lost someone very close to me right before school let out. He was like a
father to me, and it hit me hard. Another friend of mine was hit even harder by
the loss. They were mates, and I can only imagine what he's feeling by
envisioning myself losing my mate. It’s a terrible thought, and I never want to
live through it. I'd probably greet the dawn if I lost a mate. That's the term
for a vampire choosing self-immolation rather than life without their mate.
 
I accidentally attacked my friend and mate magically when I got angry. It
scared both them and me, and I’m working on controlling my anger so it doesn’t
flare up out of control again.
 
The last creature is dangerous, so I can’t tell you more. All I can say is
we’re working on getting it under control, and things are going passably well
so far.
 
I'll write you later.
 
Green"
 
Harry closed the correspondence book and headed downstairs for his Occlumency
lesson.
 
He got into the parlour and found Severus reading a potions journal. “Ready to
dive into my mind again?” He asked cheerfully.
 
Severus nodded and marked his place, setting the magazine aside. “As I'll ever
be. Are you ready?”
 
Harry shrugged. “Only one way to find out, isn’t there?” He shot back. “Cast at
me and let's see.”
 
“Hm. Such a cavalier attitude about it. That’s more than a little worrying, but
we'll see if you've got reason to be so flippant. If you kiss me again, I will
flay you alive, Potter.” Severus warned, standing and aiming his wand at Harry.
“Legilimens!”
 
Harry was eleven, chasing after his first snitch, feeling the wind in his face
as he sped after the ball. The scene shifted, and he was thirteen, learning how
to repel a Dementor. Another shift, and he was fifteen, wanking off furtively,
climaxing with the whisper of Remus' name on his lips. He was embarrassed
enough by that that he was able to force Severus out.
 
Severus stared at him for long moments, more than a little shocked. “For shame,
Potter.”
 
“That was private; you had no right to go looking for it!” Harry snapped, anger
building. “And I thought you were calling me Harry, now?”
 
“Rein in your anger; control it, don’t let it control you, Harry. Things like
this sometimes come to light in these situations. Shall I tell Lupin how you
feel?” Severus asked simply, a small smirk curving his lips.
 
Harry grinned. “No need; I have another man to fantasize about lately. And I
think I stand a much better chance with him.” He purred, raking his eyes down
Severus' body and back up in an unmistakable once-over.
 
Severus' eyes narrowed. “You seem to have overcome your anger. We're done for
today.” He said. “Get out of my sight. I'll see you in your room tomorrow
morning at eight for a feeding.” He said. “Try not to seduce me, please. Just
try.”
 
Harry smiled warmly at the man. “I won’t seduce you. You can trust me on that,
Sir.”
 
Severus hummed. “We'll have to see about that.” Was all he said.
***** In on the Secret *****
Harry woke to a soft knock on his door and sat up in bed. “Come in.” He called
out, rubbing his eyes tiredly.
 
Severus opened the door and came into the room, closing it behind him.
 
Harry blinked. “You didn’t bring Dumbledore. I thought you'd want someone else
with you for this.”
 
Severus flushed. “I am fully aware that I may embarrass myself. I want as small
an audience as possible for that.” He said.
 
Harry grinned. “And you know I won’t tell if you do?”
 
“Hardly. You know I will stake you through the heart if you breathe a word
about anything I say or do whilst in here.” Severus corrected.
 
Harry pouted. “And here I thought you were coming to like me. Really? Death
threats?” He asked.
 
Severus' lips twitched. “Whatever works.” He said, coming to sit next to Harry
on the bed. He held out his arm. “I understand that my blood is like the best
vintage you've ever tasted, but try not to drain me dry. I do value my life,
such as it is.”
 
“Such trust.” Harry muttered wryly. “I can control myself.” He took Severus'
hand in his own. “Ready?” He asked.
 
“At your leisure.” Severus said.
 
Harry raised the wrist to his mouth and bit.
 
Harry moaned in pleasure at the taste, and heard an echo from Severus as the
man's fingers twitched in his hold. He looked up and found Severus staring
raptly at him, and he realized that the bite was a lot like the thrall in that
it made the bitten party surprisingly compliant while the vampire fed. Because
Harry was actively holding back his thrall, and Severus was still spellbound.
 
Harry took a few more gulps of the delicious blood, then withdrew his fangs and
licked the wound to close it.
 
Severus blinked and cleared his throat. “Well, that went… Well. Why am I not a
babbling idiot right now?” He asked.
 
Harry raised an eyebrow. “Did you want me to use my thrall? If so, we can try
that again. I thought you'd prefer if I held it back, now that I can.” He told
the man.
 
“Since when can you hold it back? How did you learn?” Severus asked
suspiciously.
 
“I got Hermione and Ron to help. It wasn’t hard, I just needed practice.” He
told the man.
 
Severus frowned. “That was foolish.” He told Harry. “You shouldn’t use your
thrall without someone around that has Occlumency shields.”
 
“Well, it worked, didn’t it? It was fine. And now I can turn it off. All's well
that ends well.” Harry said lightly.
 
“I suppose I'll overlook it this once, but try to heed my advice in the future.
I don’t give it for the sake of giving it.” Severus said.
 
Harry grinned. “Understood. Now, there should be breakfast downstairs. We
should go get some.” He suggested.
 
“Yes, I could definitely use some bacon and eggs right about now.” Severus
agreed.
 
Harry sighed. “Bacon. How I miss bacon.”
 
Severus snorted. “Certain losses have to be accepted as a matter of course. Be
glad you only lost bacon and chocolate.” He said.
 
Harry pouted. “And cake. And treacle. I lost a lot, Sir. It's not really fair.”
 
“Don’t whine. It's unbecoming.” Severus told him.
 
“Fine. Let's get down there. I suppose I should be happy I haven’t lost more.”
Harry said heavily.
 
“You'll get used to it. Eventually, it won’t matter as much to you anymore.”
Severus assured him.
 
Harry hummed noncommittally and they headed downstairs. Severus opted to sit
across from Harry and Molly brought plates out for them both.
 
“Two days until you head back to Hogwarts.” Molly said cheerfully. “Are you
excited?” She asked Harry.
 
Harry shrugged. “More nervous than anything else right now.” He answered
honestly. “There are so many ways everything can go wrong.”
 
“Try not to worry too much, Dear. I have faith that everything will go fine.”
Molly assured him, patting his cheek fondly.
 
“That makes one of us.” Harry muttered before tucking in to his breakfast.
 
*****
 
“Hey. How was everyone's summer?” Neville asked, joining Ron, Harry, Hermione
and Ginny in their compartment.
 
“Eventful.” Harry answered. “I got a birthday surprise.”
 
Everyone had discussed what to tell the students at Hogwarts about Harry and
they had decided to tell Neville the whole truth. The other teen was the most
level-headed Gryffindor besides Hermione, and Harry had assured everyone that
he could, and would, keep Harry's secrets if he was let in on them.
 
“Really?” Neville asked. “What was it?”
 
Harry smiled wryly. “Remember at the Battle at the Ministry, when I got all
those potions dumped on me?” He asked.
 
“Yeah, I was busy, but I heard the glass shatter and turned around just in time
to see them fall on you. What did they do?”
 
“I'm a hybrid now. Of three different creatures, one of which is dangerous and
extinct, except for me.” He explained.
 
Neville's eyes widened. “What are you? Are you dangerous to others? Should I be
worried?” He asked.
 
Harry shook his head. “No, I’m getting things under control, slowly but surely.
I'm vampire, incubus, and something called an Ethologus. Only the last one is
really a danger, but that only comes out when I'm really angry or distraught.”
 
“So don’t piss you off. Got it.” Neville said, grinning.
 
Harry smiled back at him. “Pretty much.”
 
“Anything cool you can do or got as a part of the deal?” Neville asked. “I see
your glasses are gone.” He noted.
 
Harry nodded. “Yeah, I’ve got perfect vision now. And really good night vision,
too.” He said proudly. “Also, I’m going to need you and the rest of Gryffindor
to help cover for me. I found the vampire’s mate, but he’s not a Gryffindor.
He’s not even a student, for that matter. And I’ve got to meet with him for
feedings and he’s teaching me to keep my anger in check.”
 
Neville nodded slowly. “It’s Snape, isn’t it?” He asked calmly.
 
Harry gaped at him. “How did you know?” He asked, shocked.
 
“Well, it’s kind of obvious. There’s always been a lot of emotion between you
two, though usually it was negative. But he always looked out for you, he’s
always been the least volatile person we know, and if he’s teaching you to
control your anger, I can’t think of anyone else who has such a good hold on
their anger as him. I know you’ve said he’s blown up at you, but you’re really
the only person that can inspire that in him. He’s cool as a cucumber with
everyone else.” Neville pointed out. “Magic was bound to pick him for at least
one mate.”
 
Harry sighed. “Yeah, I guess when you put it like that, it’s kind of obvious.”
 
“It’s the other two mates you have to look out for. Incubus mates are based on
sexual needs, so it could be someone you hate, even, so long as they’re the
best match for you sexually. And no one knows what the basis is for Ethologus
mates. What is an Ethologus, anyway?” Neville asked.
 
“It drains magic. It turns out that I do have that ability, and I scared myself
when I used it.” Harry said. “It was pure reaction, I didn’t use it
consciously, it just kind of came out on its own.”
 
“You scared me more.” Hermione muttered.
 
“Yeah, sorry about that.” Harry told her.
 
Hermione smiled. “Water under the bridge. You’re forgiven, no harm done.” She
said lightly.
 
“Anyway, I have no idea how to use the ability, and I don’t really want to find
out.” Harry said. “I’d rather just let it be until or unless I find its mate.”
 
Neville frowned. “That’s not exactly a healthy way to treat something that is
essentially a part of you now, but do what you will, I suppose. I just hope
that doesn’t come back to bite you down the line.”
 
“It probably will, but I’ll deal with that when it happens, and not before.”
Harry said firmly.
 
“I suppose that’s fair. So, if you’re part vampire, are you immortal now?”
Neville asked curiously.
 
Harry laughed. “Not exactly, but close to it. I’ll apparently age normally
until I hit twenty-five, then my aging will slow to pretty much a crawl and
I’ll age a year for every ten or fifteen years. I’ll outlive pretty much
everyone but my mates, though, so I’ll have to get used to watching everyone
around me die. But it is what it is, I’ll learn as I go, and maybe I’ll be able
to accept it when the time comes to say goodbye.” He said solemnly. “It’s not
like I have much choice.”
 
Neville frowned. “Yeah, that’s tough. What about the incubus, did you get many
traits from it?”
 
Harry made a face. “Apparently my incubus is submissive, so I can get pregnant.
I’m choosing not to dwell on that titbit. I also have the capacity to perform
wandless magic, and I have reserves of power that are stronger than
Dumbledore.” He revealed.
 
“You didn’t tell us that!” Hermione said.
 
Harry flushed. “Um, yeah. I’m apparently super-powerful now. So it’s not all
bad, I guess.”
 
“What are you doing here?!” Ron nearly shouted. “With power like that you
should be off killing you-know-who!”
 
Harry rolled his eyes. “Yes, let me just nip over to wherever he’s hiding,
cause we really know, and kill him when I can’t even cast Cruciatus at the
woman who killed my Godfather!” He sneered.
 
Ron deflated. “You don’t have to take that tone with me.” He muttered sullenly.
 
Hermione cleared her throat. “Say it in your head before it comes out of your
mouth, Ron. It’ll save you loads of grief.” She advised.
 
“Yeah, I’ll try doing that from now on.” Ron said.
 
“I still have a lot to learn before I can go kill him. But eventually, that
time will come. When it does, I will meet it unflinchingly.” Harry assured him.
 
“With how powerful you are, you should be able to do it easily.” Neville said.
 
“That’s the hope.” Harry agreed.
***** Of Smells and Aurae *****
Harry woke and headed into the bathroom to take his shower and smiled at
Neville as the other teen came in. “Hey.” He said.
 
Neville came up next to him and turned on the water. “Hey." He was about to say
something else, but his eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. “Uh… Your
eyes…” He began.
 
Harry nodded. “Yeah, have you had sex recently?” He asked.
 
Neville flushed. “Not all the way. I met Luna last night in the astronomy tower
for some snogging and heavy petting, but it stopped there.” He explained.
 
“Well, I can smell it all over you. Can I… Don’t take this wrong, but can I
breathe it in?” Harry asked, flushing.
 
Neville shrugged. “I suppose.” He said.
 
Harry leaned in and took several deep breaths, watching Neville interestedly
watching his glowing eyes. He finished and got back under his own spray.
“Thanks. That should hold me over for a few days. I haven't met my mate, so I
don’t need a lot.”
 
Neville nodded. “Did you know that the more you take in, the less your eyes
glow? It’s really interesting. And also very pretty. You look ethereal.”
 
“Probably the incubus’ way of keeping their mate. Looking otherworldly seems to
be a draw to Wizarding folk.” Harry remarked.
 
“I suppose. We seem to be drawn more to creatures that aren’t purely human more
often than not.” Neville remarked. “Not sure why, but it seems a common theme.”
 
Harry grinned. “It’s human nature to be drawn to the rare and unusual.” He
said.
 
“Well, you've got everyone beat there.” Neville said.
 
“I do, don’t I? Well, I can’t do anything but accept it, so I guess I'll just
have to live with it.” Harry said in good humour.
 
Ron came in and took the shower on the other side of Harry. “Fair warning,
mate; you might want to put your glamours up. Dean's about to come in.”
 
Harry blanched and dove out of the showers for his wand, casting both glamours
seconds before the other teen came in, yawning. He returned under the spray and
mouthed his thanks to Ron, who simply nodded.
 
Harry was planning on telling the rest of his dorm mates about the vampire and
incubus inheritances, but he wanted to give them some time to realize he was
still the same old Harry before the news came out, to avoid unnecessary
tension.
 
He finished his shower and left the room to get dressed.
 
Once Ron and Neville had emerged and dressed they went downstairs to meet
Hermione and Ginny and went to the Great Hall together.
 
Harry saw Hedwig sitting next to a plate with a note and sat in front of that
plate. He read the note, which read, “Tap the plate with your wand and your
preferred breakfast items will appear. A. Dumbledore."
 
He frowned and tapped the plate with his wand and it filled with sausage, eggs,
rye toast and hash browns. “Huh. That’s handy. Thanks, girl. Don’t know what I
would do without you.” He said to Hedwig.
 
She nibbled a strand of his hair, then took off.
 
Hermione smiled. “Looks like Dumbledore thought of everything.” She said.
 
“Yeah. I know I won’t starve. This way, at least.” He said lightly.
 
*****
 
Harry kept taking deep inhales during potions and Hermione finally looked over
as he was breathing deep and slicing flobberworms.
 
“Smell something good?” She asked teasingly.
 
Harry flushed. “You have no idea how many Hogwarts students are having sex. The
smell is all over the place.” He whispered back.
 
“No talking. Potter, stay after class.” Severus snapped.
 
Harry groaned, but since this was par for the course for his life, he just kept
silent and continued to slice.
 
By the end of class, he and Hermione had what Harry deemed a passable attempt
at a burn salve, and he bottled it and turned in their sample. As he was
walking back to his seat, Malfoy roughly shouldered him aside on his way to
turn in his sample. Harry glared at his back, but knew better than to get into
a fight under Severus' watchful eye.
 
Harry waited for the students to filter out and Severus walked over to stand
beside his desk, propping his hip against the desk across the aisle.
 
“Did you get enough, or did it only make you hungrier?” Severus asked.
 
Harry flushed. “Um, I think I got enough, Sir. Unless you’re offering—”
 
“Blood, Harry, I’m only offering blood.” Severus clarified. “Because I refuse
to offer up anything else unless it becomes apparent that they are disparate
hungers. For now, feeding one might suffice.”
 
“I doubt that.” Harry muttered, then added, “But thank you for the offer, Sir.
I’m fine.”
 
“Very well.” Severus straightened. “You may go.”
 
Harry got up and left the room, rushing toward Charms.
 
*****
 
“He offered blood, but I don’t think feeding the vampire is going to satisfy
the incubus.” Harry said softly.
 
Hermione was ignoring the open book in front of her as she listened. “No, that
probably wouldn’t work. Have you pinpointed anyone who smells particularly good
yet? You should probably start actively looking for the incubus' mate.”
 
Harry made a face. “Why? I don’t want to have my first time be with someone I
don’t like, and here's the thing: someonein potions smelled amazing, and I
didn’t smell them at lunch. Which means—"
 
“It's a Slytherin.” Hermione finished with a sigh. “Well, maybe you'll luck out
and it'll be Malfoy and you can bite him while you have sex and drain him dry,
or something.” She quipped.
 
Harry laughed out loud, smothering it when Madam Pince glared at him. “I never
thought you’d advocate murder.” He said.
 
Hermione shrugged. “He's an evil little cockroach, and he needs to be smashed.
But maybe not by you. I kind of like having you around.” She added.
 
“I like being around.” Harry agreed lightly.
 
“I hope it's notMalfoy.” Ron said from Hermione's other side. “I don’t want to
have to learn to get along with him.”
 
Harry nodded. “You and me both.” He said. “Keep in mind, though, that I’m not
asking you to get along with Snape, and he's the vampire’s mate. I can keep my
needs and friends separate if I have to, to keep harmony.”
 
“Harmony is always a good thing.” A voice said from the other side of the
table.
 
Harry smiled at Luna. “Hey. Joining us?”
 
Luna took a seat and nodded. “I probably should. Your magic is reaching out for
someone, Harry.” She told him. “You need to be open to finding all your mates,
or the last one will get away. Trust me, you don’t want that.” She advised.
 
Harry sighed. “Luna, how do you know these things?” He asked.
 
Luna shrugged. “I know what I know. But don’t worry. You'll find him if you
look hard enough. As for the other, don’t be afraid. He won’t hurt you.” She
said simply.
 
Harry shook his head. “I wasn’t worried about that.” He said.
 
Luna reached out and patted his hand. “Of course you were, Harry. And it’s
understandable; submitting to someone is frightening. But he's safe. He doesn’t
hate you. He's curious, though.”
 
“Well, I suppose that’s good news.” Ron said. “Can’t be Malfoy, cause he does
hate you.”
 
Harry chuckled. “That he does.” He agreed.
 
Luna cocked her head. “What's the last creature?” She asked. “The one that has
your magic reaching out? It’s pretty, but I don’t recognize those swirls in
your aura.”
 
Harry flushed. “Have you ever heard of an Ethologus?” He asked in a whisper.
 
Luna's eyes widened. “Oh, yes! Mother was researching a lot of old, extinct
species before she died. She told me about them. I didn’t realize they would be
so pretty, though! I’m glad I get to see one.” She said, eyes flicking rapidly
around Harry, focusing just above his shoulder, then over his heart, then above
his head.
 
Hermione frowned. “How long have you seen aurae?” She asked.
 
“Oh, always.” Luna said lightly, eyes focusing on Hermione. “I can’t remember a
time when I couldn’t see them.”
 
“That's a useful skill to have. It must give you loads of information about a
person.”
 
Luna nodded. “It tells me things. It's helpful, but nothing makes up for truly
getting to know a person. I see what their nature is, but it tells me nothing
about their motivations, or their aspirations, or their likes and dislikes.
There’s still a lot I can learn.”
 
Harry smiled. “Can you tell me who the incubus' mate is?” He asked.
 
“Yes.” Luna said simply, reaching into her bag for a book.
 
“Well, who is it?” Ron asked impatiently.
 
Luna focused on him. “Just because I can doesn’t mean I will. Harry needs to
find out on his own, in his own time. I shouldn’t interfere with mating bonds;
it’s bad luck.” She said.
 
Harry shrugged. “Fine by me. I can figure things out on my own.” He said.
 
*****
 
Harry writhed, a strong, firm body looming over him, slightly rough hands
roving over his body slowly.
 
“Shh, I’ve got you. I'll make it good, don’t worry.”
 
Harry couldn’t place the voice that was murmuring to him, and the room was too
dark; all he could make out was a masculine shape above him. He reached out and
clutched at the broad shoulders, moaning softly. “I can't—” He gasped out, and
the voice shushed him again.
 
“That's fine; you don’t need to. Just lie back and let me do everything.” Then
warm, slightly moist lips descended on his chest, laying a trail of tender
kisses toward his navel.
 
Harry's breath hitched and he arched up, a choked cry escaping his lips.
 
“No one else is here. You can be as loud as you want. Let go and make whatever
noise you need to. I like a vocal lover.” The voice purred.
 
Harry cried out and felt his release approaching. He sped toward it, and within
moments his balls were tightening, his breathing stopped and—he woke up.
 
“Damn it all!” He snapped, reaching down for his hard, throbbing cock.
 
Worst awakeningever.
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