Moon Blessed

Sirius fell with a silent groan as the sudden apparition left him reeling. He didn't know what to make of the experience. Shocked that a thirteen-year-old boy had done side along apparition (with Sirius as the side along) or appalled at the fact that his godson had likely apparated the both of them about miles away from their home – which was a feat that was meant to be impossible at his age.

Sirius got up and sighed as he dusted off the dirt clinging to his robes. Ahead of him, his godson was already starting to move, not sparing a backward glance to the godfather he had unceremoniously dumped.

Sirius pouted. How rude.

He knew Harry probably was not even realising what he was doing. The goblins had given him a detailed description, coupled with a Pensieve viewing of their memories, to show him exactly how Harry got when he was 'moonspelled' as they had called it. Still, it would not hurt the boy to just look back to see if his travel companion had made it in one piece, would it?

Grumbling under his breath at how his life was going, Sirius started to follow Harry, taking care to silence his footsteps when he realised his godson's own movements were eerily silent, despite the fact that they were walking on some form of forest trail that was littered with dead leaves.

Curiosity eventually overpowered Sirius' politeness.

"So, where are we, Harry?"

The teen paused in his steps, seemingly just remembering Sirius was with him. Sirius resisted the next pout threatening to spill at that.

"Archallagan Forest is its name, I believe." Harry tilted his head, seemingly listening to something Sirius could not. But the Grim Animagus did pick up on the sudden rise of volume that had come from the buzzing insects and hidden nocturnal creatures around them. It was a matter that only lasted a few seconds. One moment, the sound of the forest and its creatures had risen up before it returned to the pleasant hum it was in the background. Sirius was certain that he only took notice because of his enhanced senses due to being a Grim Animagus.

And having learned about Harry's ability to interact with creatures, Sirius was certain that that momentary excitement he had observed was likely to have been Harry interacting with the animals again.

He had but witnessed the same thing happening only mere moments before the boy had walked away from their home's open window.

"But I believe, the magicals living here are more familiar with the name Blood Coven."

Sirius tensed. Memories of the history teachings his Pureblood family had drilled in his head resurfaced in his mind.

"Are you aware this is a vampire lair, then pup?" Sirius asked, voice lowering to a whisper as he stepped closer to the boy, wand at the ready to cast a Protego if he even heard anyone walking near them.

Emerald eyes shone in amusement.

"Yes. The waters did mention that."

Sirius blinked. He recalled how Harry had walked off to seek out the river within the woods surrounding their home minutes before apparating here.

"What are you doing?!" Sirius reached out to grab his godson but was too late.

He watched in dread as his godson ran his hands along the merrily running water, playing with the ripples without a care. To his immense astonishment, the boy remained two-legged despite the contact with the water.

Sirius frowned, confused.

"I am asking directions, Sirius Black."

Sirius tilted his head in confusion.

"Asking directions?"

The teen before him nodded.

"I am needed elsewhere but I have no idea where elsewhere is. But it is near water. And the only way to know where to go to a place with water, is to ask water itself."

Sirius blinked, not in the least bit enlightened.

"Well, did you get your directions?" Sirius asked, choosing to focus on the small bit he understood about the whole bizarre situation.

Emerald eyes regarded him coolly. Sirius could faintly make out the amusement in them. If he were to guess, Sirius would bet that Harry understood that Sirius was feeling clueless.

"Yes, I did. And I need to leave now."

Sirius brought his mind back to his current situation, choosing not to recall the five minutes he had spent – successfully – persuading the child to take him along for the ride.

"And you aren't concerned one bit that you are walking into a vampire lair? Pup, it's dangerous!"

"As dangerous as playing animals with a werewolf, Sirius Black?"

Sirius tensed. Something in his godson's voice had changed.

Granted, Harry had been acting strange the whole night. Sirius had noticed from the moment the full moon's rays had touched Harry that the boy's eyes had started to shine just a bit brighter. If they had been the colour of the Killing Curse before, they had turned into refined emeralds in the way they shone after being in the moon's presence. And the whole detached way of speaking that Harry had when it came to addressing him had not escaped his notice either. There had been no more nicknames or even the word 'godfather' thrown in.

Sirius had been somewhat prepared for all that, with the goblins' help.

But this threw him off.

Never had Sirius told Harry what Remus Lupin was as a creature. In fact, Sirius had yet to reveal that Remus Lupin was the friend he had been talking about that day he had mentioned about his own view on creatures to Harry.

Sirius knew too that Harry respected him and his promise to his old friend too much to go digging into his past without permission. So it was shocking to learn the boy knew.

It did not take much for Sirius to guess that this sudden knowledge was likely due to the full moon's effects either.

"Not as dangerous, pup. But even more dangerous," Sirius replied, once he shook off his shock. "Running around with a werewolf who views you as pack in animal form is far less dangerous than walking into a vampire's lair without any form of protection or bonds with vampires."

Harry gave a small smile at him that did nothing to the worry Sirius was harbouring.

"I suppose I will simply have to form a bond once I meet a vampire then, Sirius Black."

Sirius groaned as his godson promptly walked on further into the woods. He hurried to follow the child.

"Wait pup, let's think through this again – "

A hand to his mouth effectively shut him up. Sirius frowned, watching in confusion as Harry stopped in his tracks suddenly and pulled him behind a tree. With a start, Sirius realised they had long walked to the edge of the woods. Beyond the tree they were hidden behind, there was a huge clearing. A wide river ran across its centre and beyond that, a new line of trees could be seen.

Sirius gave a glance to the ends and noted that if one were to be very specific, the woods they were on did not truly end at the "edge", but rather surrounded the rather random clearing before them in a several mile radius before circling to connect together at the other side of the river again.

"What's going on?" Sirius whispered into the small hand covering his mouth.

Harry dropped his arm, giving Sirius a blank look.

"I thought I made it clear? We are going to meet a vampire."

Sirius sighed, not pointing out that Harry had been as clear as a muddy puddle the whole night when he had been communicating with him. He doubted the boy would even understand him anyways.

"Alright, how are we going to achieve that by hiding behind a tree?" Sirius asked, deciding to humour the boy since he had nothing else to do. He certainly could not leave his godson alone to do whatever he was going to do.

Harry it seemed, had other plans.

"Not we. Me."

"Pup –"

A hand raised up, stalling Sirius' protests.

"You are needed for another task."

Sirius raised an eyebrow in question.

"Look ahead, Sirius Black."

Sirius frowned but complied, letting his eyes stray back to the clearing before him. To his surprise, he saw people dressed in a rather bizarre attire step out of the edge of the woods beyond the river.

They were clearly magic users, if the wands they held were any indication. But yet, they were dressed unlike any witch or wizard that Sirius knew of. In fact, judging from their lightweight but fitting attire and the slightly hidden sheaths that clearly hid knives of some sort near their hips or ankles, Sirius thought they looked like hunters.

Suspicion creeped into the Grim Animagus' mind.

He watched with a frown as the group made it to the edge of the river, flashing their lighted up wands in clear search of something. A while later, that something – or rather someone – was found.

Sirius watched in horror as one of the men in the group dived into the river and surfaced quickly with the body of an unconscious man. The others rushed to help their group member, pulling him up while roughly dragging the unconscious man too.

Dread filled Sirius as he watched the whole thing. Behind the three men at the river's edge, their last two companions could be seen unsheathing their knives from their belts. Knives that Sirius could see were covered in runes with the aid of Padfoot's enhanced eyesight.

The Grim within him growled, abhorring the injustice it could see unfolding and sensing the unjust death that was going to happen soon.

"Pup, are they going to do what I think they are going to do?"

"That depends on what exactly you think they are going to do is, Sirius Black."

Sirius swallowed. Padfoot had long reached a conclusion about what was happening. But Sirius was trying to ignore that.

It was cruel.

He had no idea what the vampire had done to incur the wrath of those five magicals but he had a niggling feeling that the unconscious man had likely done nothing. Sirius grew up long enough in the wizarding world to know how deep the prejudice and fear people had for magical creatures ran, despite some of them having been granted decent rights.

He was well aware of how creature hunting, despite having been made illegal, still happened. Granted the frequency had truthfully dropped with the laws passed but it had never stopped the practice in some parts of the magical world.

Never in his life had Sirius thought he would witness the atrocity in real life, however.

Padfoot growled within him, snapping at his cowardice.

Sirius closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath. He imagined what this would be like if Remus had been in the place of that unknown vampire. Loathing flared within him. He still had to reunite with his old friend. He still had to mend burned bridges or even find out where the man had disappeared off to after the Potters' death. He still had to find out why Remus was not there for Harry, who was as good as the man's cub despite not being an official godfather like Sirius had been.

But despite all that, Sirius would never wish for Remus or any other creature-blooded person to be in the position of the unconscious stranger he was watching.

Sirius remembered that his own pup could be killed off like that if the world ever figured out of his creature blessing.

The hatred within him flared to the heavens above. Padfoot growled in approval at the back of his mind.

No one would harm his pup like that.

The man opened his eyes.

He had yet to know what the heck was happening but he could guess Harry had not come here to simply watch a vampire be brutally murdered for the simple crime of existing. His godson obviously wanted to save this stranger.

His godson had a task for him to execute so that he could save the stranger.

Sirius straightened his shoulders in determination.

"What do you want me to do, pup?"

Harry turned to face him. A chilling smile spread across the boy's face and Sirius fought a shudder at the cruel gleam that had entered his godson's eerily bright, emerald eyes.

"What say you and Padfoot put the fear of death in those murderers?"

Falcon Cowbell was a simple man with steadfast beliefs.

He believed, as his grandad had always taught him, that magic was a gift. A blessing. That not all were worthy of it, so only the choice few – that being witches and wizards – were gifted with it. He also learnt, as he grew up, that there were some that had magic that were undeserving of it.

They were abominations. Mistakes.

It was clear in the way that magic itself hated them that it cursed them to be monsters.

And as a chosen of Magic, a man blessed to be born a wizard, Falcon knew that it was his duty to help eradicate the blight that these monsters were to magic. Especially during these times where people were losing their sight on the truth and have become – Merlin, forbid – tolerant of such abominations' existence.

He glanced down at the sight of the unconscious vampire before him and his fellow hunters and gave a smirk at its helpless state. This was how these beasts should always be. Tamed and helpless. Or else they would kill off the good, decent magical folks.

Falcon repressed a shudder at the cold he was feeling from having dived into the river a few minutes before. It had been well worth it since they had caught the running vampire.

Dead unconscious too. How lucky was that?

Or perhaps the thing was simply weak. Falcon wouldn't be surprised if that was the case.

He scoffed internally as he pushed the unconscious thing's face to the side with his foot. His boot left a muddy print on its face from having threaded through dirt and water while running through the forest and swimming in the river.

How he wished the abomination was already dead. But he knew that water wasn't enough to kill off the things. Good people like him had to waste energy to get rid of it.

"Aye lads, time to get to the actual work." He knelt down next to the unconscious vampire, pulling his head up roughly by the hair. "At least this time, it'll be easier."

His friends gave their own dark chuckles of agreement. He drew out the rune knife stashed away near his belt.

"Two of you go set up the runic circles!" he barked out. He watched as Shrew and Gorgon went off to do as told. "Alright the rest of you stay and hand me a vial when I ask. Let's milk the thing's blood before disposing of it."

"Are you sure we can do it here, Falcon?"

He looked up at the speaker, who happened to be Irwin Crooks. Falcon knew the lad for about four years now. He was one of those who still went pale and shaky at the thought of killing someone, even if it were deserving filth like the creatures they hunted. Falcon always thought the man was rather weak-willed.

He rolled his eyes at him.

"'Course we can! Nobody is here 'cept for us, anyways."

"The muggles –"

" – have long gone to sleep, Crooks," Finch Locus cut in, gravelly voice sounding irked.

Falcon eyed the bloke approvingly. Now here was a man.

Finch had been recruited only for six months into their little group. Yet the guy knew what he was doing and had never been afraid to do it. Falcon always thought they needed more people like Finch in the world. People who knew how dangerous creatures like vampires and werewolves are. People who had the spine to do something about the danger these filths posed to society, despite whatever stupid treaty the governments cooked up with the vile beings.

When there was dirt, you cleaned it up. No point letting it fester to poison and kill others.

Falcon really wished the government stopped coddling these creatures. They needed to be dealt with.

"But –"

"Man up, Crooks. Nobody is here. And if some muggle did come up, you ain't too weak to wipe off their memories now, are ya?"

Crooks shut up at that. Falcon rolled his eyes again. He adjusted the body of the abomination he was holding on to and twirled the knife he held in his hand, getting ready to use it to collect some vampire blood.

"Now someone hand me some vials –"

" – Falcon!"

Falcon scowled, wondering what the matter was now. He dropped the unconscious vampire he was clutching by the hair and looked up, an insult on his lips for Crooks. Honestly, the man had to stop being such a wuss –

Falcon paused at the plain terror painted on Crook's face. He honestly would not be surprised if Crook's fear was due to something as silly as a beetle on the ground. But what caught him off was the pale look Finch was sporting. Finch was not easily scared. Falcon knew that.

Wary, he turned around slowly to inspect what had his companions so afraid.

And promptly wished he had not.

For there standing before him, bathed in the blood of the last two of his group, was a big, black Grim in all its deathly glory.

Falcon felt his knees weaken.

You see, Falcon Cowbell was a simple man, with steadfast beliefs.

And those beliefs did tread deep into superstitious waters when it came to the Omen of Death.

The first thing he noticed when he regained consciousness was green. Green so luscious and rich that it shamed the emeralds he had seen in his family's ancestral vaults. It was beautiful yet he could discern a coldness underneath it that was seemingly hidden.

He blinked.

The green sharpened into two identical orbs. It took him a moment but he realised the green he was seeing was a pair of beautiful emerald eyes. Everything else was hard to discern about the mysterious person before him. His vision seemed oddly warped. The most he could make out of his mystery companion's face, barring their bright eyes, was the red splattered across half of their face.

He knew it had to be blood by the scent of iron that reached his nose.

But that did not alarm him.

The emerald eyes were trustworthy, his instincts were telling him. He had no idea why but he did not question it. It did not seem important to question yet.

He let his eyes stray, despite not being able to see clearly still.

As his mind regained its ability to think, he slowly but surely became aware of the fact that he was lying on his back, with his head alleviated to rest upon the lap of whoever owned the beautiful emerald eyes he was looking into.

Wondering how he got into such a position triggered the memory of what he went through before losing consciousness.

There had been running, death and –

Pain erupted in the middle of his chest, though he knew he had no physical wounds. It seemed that with the regain of his consciousness, life was adamant to let the snap of his bondings be known.

A sob tore out of him against his wishes, the despair coursing through his soul seeking to make itself known.

"There, there," a hushed whisper reached his ears. His eyes snapped back to the emerald orbs he could discern.

A small hand touched his chest and he felt the thrum of magic before he could shield against it. Not that he thought he could shield himself at any rate with the pain and numbness he was feeling.

Magic seeped into his chest and he was distinctly reminded of full moons and ocean breezes.

The pain within him dulled.

Bit by bit, his vision sharpened, enabling him to finally make out the face of his mystery companion.

A thin face swam into clarity. His companion was clearly young – eleven years at most, he thought. Along with emerald eyes, the child had a clear face with slightly hollowed cheekbones and a button nose. His hair was a deep shade of raven but there were occasional flecks of red that glinted in and out of sight under the moonlight.

He did not recognise the boy until his eyes landed upon the peculiar lightning shaped scar that was housed on the child's forehead. He glimpsed it for only a moment, when an unseeing breeze brushed back the boy's fringe to uncover that hidden scar.

But it had been enough.

The name Harry Potter was famous worldwide, after all. Even amongst the non-human races.

"Are you up for walking, Axel Vermiculo?"

He tensed at the address of his name. Distrust grew within him against his instincts. No matter what his gut was telling him, he had lived long enough in the world to know that sometimes guts could go wrong. He knew he had not given his name to the child. And that made him wonder what the boy wanted of him to have gone to the lengths to find out his name.

Human magicals rarely came to those who were creature-blessed without hidden motives. And true vampire names were not easy to find with how seclusive his kin have become.

"Come now, no need to be so apprehensive. If I had wanted to kill you or use you, I need not have you alive or conscious," Harry Potter's voice carried through the silent night.

Axel tensed further but knew the boy had a point. But that did not ease the suspicions within him.

Whatever it was that the boy wanted, he supposed he would figure out soon. Till then, he decided to first get up and away from the child for the moment. He had been vulnerable for long enough.

Axel shakily got up to his feet and looked around. It was the first time he noticed the state of his surroundings.

Laying almost scattered, and very much unmoving, around the open space before him were his hunters. The attack on them was evidently gruesome, considering there was quite the amount of blood and gore spilling from their bodies.

"What in the name of –"

Axel did not know what to make of the situation.

"Ah, my apologies. But I believe Padfoot became rather extremely displeased by what these idiots were planning to do. He hates unjust deaths, you see."

Axel swung around to face his young companion, only to finally notice the Grim standing proudly beside the child.

His jaw dropped.

Now, Axel would not lie. He was young by vampire standards. But he had been around a good few centuries and knew from his upbringing that to sight a Grim was rare, even amongst magic's most blessed. But to have this child – who was widely told to be the epitome of Britain's supposed Light – stand so casually by a Grim was mind boggling.

"I really hope Sirius Black is not too troubled by this development. But I supposed Padfoot would be able to talk him into acceptance sooner or later," Harry Potter said calmly.

Axel blinked.

"I beg your pardon?"

He was seriously confused. First he gets hunted. Then he wakes up to his hunters being dead and this child behind his rescue. A child who happens to be friends with a Grim if the way the Death Omen was wagging its tail happily at the boy's scratching of its neck was any indication.

"Ah my apologies," Harry turned his attention to Axel, though he did not stop his ministrations of the Grim. "I have yet to introduce you to Sirius Black. Give me a moment."

The mostly raven-haired boy turned back to the Grim he was petting.

"Thank you for your services, Padfoot. But it is time you gave back the reins to Sirius Black. He is going to be displeased enough that he has been somewhat manipulated."

Axel watched in disbelief as the red eyes of the demon dog before him shifted to that of a bright silver colour before the Grim's form crumpled to make way for that of a human shape. In the blink of an eye, a wizard stood in the place of the Death Omen with a completely shocked expression on his face.

"I got kicked out," the mystery wizard – Sirius Black, Axel connected from what the Potter scion had been saying – sputtered. "I got kicked out of my own bloody Animagus' mind! What the hell pup?!"

Harry Potter patted the spluttering man's arm.

"Do not worry. It was the moon's creed. It had to be done. Or would you prefer having been in control while you tore apart a sizable chunk of a man's leg with your teeth?"

Sirius Black seemed to pale at that before shaking his head indignantly.

"That isn't the point!"

"Isn't it?" Harry Potter asked calmly.

"No it's – I – urghhhh!" The man – Black – seemed to have lost his words.

"Relax. They aren't dead."

"They aren't?"

The hope was almost visible in the man's voice.

"Not yet," Harry Potter replied with a serene look. "We still need the bastards alive."

Axel blinked, not one bit understanding what was going on. But he was definitely finding the cold look on the child's face rather unnerving.

"How about we go home first before anything more exciting happens?" the Potter scion asked lightly.

Axel frowned at the way the boy seemed so detached and disinterested at what was going on. If he had to guess, his other companion shared similar thoughts, though the man at least seemed to know more of the situation than Axel could fathom.

"I suppose this is where we part ways then?"

He doubted it, but he wanted to hope.

"Oh no Axel Vermiculo, not at all." Axel froze at the way emerald orbs pinned him down. "You are not fit to leave yet. We need to ensure you are of good health or the moon will have my tail."

Axel blinked.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Okay!" Sirius Black cut in, for some reason extremely flustered. "How about we go home, like you suggested. We can deal with everything else later."

The man waved his wand and had the unconscious hunters bound together in a circle, with each of their backs facing each other's.

"Sounds good to me," Harry Potter hummed.

A reluctant Axel agreed – not that he seemed to have much choice. He let the child grab his left arm, then watched as the boy held out a hand for Black. The other man grabbed onto it after getting a secure hold on the tied-up hunters.

With an almost silent crack, the group disappeared, leaving behind a silent clearing where only the trails of blood caking the grass hinted that a violent altercation had occurred that night.

The full moon hanging in the sky brightened slightly, shining its cool rays down on the clearing. The river cutting through the area shimmered. A moment later, its banks overflowed. The waters expanded over the uncut grass. Then, as quick as it happened, the waters receded into the river, washing away the evidence of violence that had occurred a few minutes back.

The full moon twinkled merrily in the night sky.

"You are certain, Black, that this is normal?"

Axel was not one to judge others for their peculiarity. He had had his fair share of discrimination for being a vampire that he knew well not to judge others for being different. Of course, he could be cruel and mean to those he felt needed to be taken down a notch but that was not the point. He had learned well to reserve judgement of others in his long life.

But this particular situation was causing him some conflict.

It was not that he wanted to be judging the child, honestly. For Merlin's sake, the child had rescued him from a terrible fate. He did not want to judge him.

But Axel also was rather fatigued. And he had never been one to harbour good moods when he was tired and hungry. Not to mention the fact that, with the shock of his bizarre survival wearing off, the reality of his life was now slowly sinking in. He had lost his immediate family. Every single one of them. In a span of a few hours. All due to some traitor within his clan – who he vowed to find out and torture – and the selfish wizards who were too caught up in their perceived importance that they believed it was their duty to eradicate his kind.

So, it was only natural, with the rising resentment and anger that was coursing through his dead veins, that some part of Axel wanted to inflict pain on the wizards he was currently with. Because for all their rescuing and help, Axel was well aware that the two were wizards. And wizards – from what he had observed from a century and some years counting – were somehow always trouble for those with creature blood. At least since their understanding of magic and its blessings had started to decline.

Not to mention that though he had learnt not to judge people for being different, Axel also had plenty of experience and reasons to know that human magicals deserved varying degrees of scorn and contempt for their misplaced egos and pride.

He glanced at the shorter individual of his rescue team.

Besides, he was certain that even without the resentment within him, he may not be able to hold back his current judgement of the child before him. What he was witnessing was not normal. Even by wizarding standards. Unless he truly had been too out of touch with the wizarding world of course.

But Axel doubted that.

"Well, that would depend on your definition of normal, Mr Vermiculo," Black replied, not batting an eye at the bizarre scene before him.

Axel stared at the child. Then turned back to face Black, simply because watching the child was not helping him in any way...and Black did have a decent face. It was rather nice to look at him.

"Honestly, I think this is much better than him running off to places unknown to rescue random strangers," Black said, taking a casual sip from his glass of firewhiskey. The man had been nursing that one drink ever since he had reached home. Evidently, he was still shaken up by his own Animagus' violence. "Not that I didn't want you to be rescued but I'm certain I've lost some good years of my life tonight."

The Grim Animagus then started to mutter about "crazy godsons" and "can't believe he made me do that" and other such ravings. Axel ignored him to continue staring at the child before him.

A child who was gorging on a bucketload of raw tuna.

Despite what people assumed, vampires could still consume and taste food. And that bit of human nature within him was leaving Axel somewhat disgusted by the sight before him, despite having interacted with hags that had far grosser diets daily.

"Would you like some?"

Axel blinked in surprise at the offer. Honestly, at the way the kid had been ravaging the fish, he had thought the child had long forgotten he had company. Beside him, Axel sensed Black falling silent.

"No thanks, Mr Potter."

The child shrugged at his denial and cheerfully said "Call me Harry" before going back to his raw meal.

Axel blinked some more. He had never blinked this much since becoming a vampire.

He had thought he had seen it all but life surely found ways to surprise him.

"Are you certain this is normal?" he asked again.

Honestly. He was obviously missing some context here. This was the same child that had stared eerily at him while calmly petting a Grim. But here he was, all dangerous aura gone in exchange of becoming a complete lunatic.

If Axel had not been certain that the kid was truly underaged, he would have suspected the child was drunk. He still wondered if the boy had somehow sipped some of Black's firewhiskey, since they appeared in this strange, boarded up house, without the man or Axel noticing.

"Well by my current life standards, yes. Completely. What wasn't normal was when Harry here was going all deadly and murderous. Now that was not normal, Mr Vermiculo. But this. This lunacy. Absolutely. Ask him something about water, for instance. Go on," Sirius waved his hand with an air of someone utterly and completely done.

Axel raised an eyebrow but did as suggested.

"Say Mr Po – Harry," he corrected himself. Emerald orbs locked gazes with him. Unlike a few hours ago, there was nothing in them that sent shivers down Axel's spine. They were still beautiful, yes. But the ethereal and mystic power within them was absent, along with the cold detachment they had shown. Right now, there was still some semblance of a faraway glaze in those eyes, as though the child was not fully here with him and Black, but there was also warmth and a more pronounced presence that conveyed the kid was listening when someone was speaking to him.

"What do you think of water?"

"Beautiful," came the instant and slightly dreamy reply. "It's beautiful. I love the way it looks, honestly."

Before either he or Black could react, the child had taken the glass of water beside him and poured it down onto the floor.

"Wha –"

"Harry stop that!" Black had gotten to his feet and snatched the glass away, taking care not to spill anymore of the liquid. With a wave of his wand, the man vanished the puddle of water on the living room's floor.

The child pouted.

"What did you do that for?"

Black sighed.

"Just because. Finish your food now, pup. You don't want to waste it now do you?"

Potter stared at Black silently before returning to his meal.

"People are weird, honestly," the child muttered under his breath. But Axel caught the mutter clearly. And if his look of indignation was any indication, Black had caught that with his enhanced senses as well.

Axel snickered despite himself.

"But take fish now, will ya?" The child looked up excited, voice rising. Axel quirked an eyebrow at the sudden change in demeanour. "They're sensibly designed!"

Potter waved an uneaten salmon in the air happily. Black groaned from beside him. Despite the bizarreness, another smile fought his way up Axel's face. It was honestly amusing.

He took it back. He could live without feeling anger towards these two wizards at least for the rest of his vampire life. Granted they were wizards but they obviously were different. In a good way.

Though Axel still had to figure out the full extent of their differences.

"This is going to be a long night."

Axel had to agree.

"Psst, psst. Wake up! Oi Vermiculo!"

Axel opened his eyes to glare at the man beside him in disdain. It was annoying enough that he had to sleep during the night time against routine but to wake up without good sleep? Honestly. Just because he was a vampire did not mean he was unaffected by a lack of sleep.

Alright, fine. He would be unaffected by a lack of sleep, considering he was dead, but waking up was as much of a hassle for both the dead and the living so he had rights to be annoyed.

"Oh quit giving me that look Vermiculo and look at Harry."

With a sigh, he sat up and looked around to find the Potter child. Somewhere along the night, Black had conveniently dropped the 'Mr' that came along with his last name. Apparently, babysitting made one friend's in the man's books and Axel was honestly too tired to bother. But it still irked him. Couldn't the man just call him Axel?

Axel blinked.

Merlin, where did that thought come from?

He shook his head. His weakened state was obviously starting to make him lose it. He was supposed to be glad Black had not lost all sense of propriety and started calling him Axel instead. Not want the man to call him by his first name as though he were close to him.

Deciding it would be better for himself if he changed the topic, he looked around to spot the Potter scion.

The kid was exactly where they had left him after he had finally fallen asleep around midnight. He was spread eagle across the floor, with his odd umbrellas surrounding him in an umbrella-version of a dogpile. Axel was certain the child was going to have a sore neck despite the pillow Black had managed to insert under the boy's head.

"What am I supposed to be doing, staring at a sleeping child, Black?"

"You'll see. He has about two minutes before he wakes up as the moon disappears."

Axel frowned. The mention of the moon had not gone unnoticed by him. Black had hinted that to be the cause of his charge's oddness the night before and Axel himself remembered the boy mentioning the moon as though he were in love with the matter. But no matter how much he prodded, he had not gotten more information on the subject.

He had been surprised that they had even mentioned as much as they had to him last night. When asked why Black had replied that if he were proven to be untrustworthy, he would not be able to leave their house with the given knowledge intact anyways. Axel did not understand how they would accomplish that, considering that charming a vampire's memory needed certain skills. Axel would admit he was rather weak from the fiasco he had been caught in the past night – the mystery traitor had managed to dose his family with a weakening potion designed for vampires – but even then, a vampire was difficult to take down unless one was privy to certain knowledge regarding their kind. Yet the confidence with which Black had said what he said did make him believe that the man was not giving completely idle threats.

Movement brought Axel back to his current reality.

He watched keenly as the child stirred from his slumber slowly but surely. Sitting up with a yawn, the child cleared the sleep from his eyes before finally taking in his position on the floor.

"What the –"

Potter looked up finally to spot his godfather.

"Paddy?" a confused Harry Potter frowned up at Black. Axel noted how unlike the two different personalities that the child had exuded the night before, this one was relatively the most normal and sane. There was no whispery, dreamlike quality nor was there deadly, mysterious undertones to the voice or aura of the child. For the first time since meeting the Potter scion, Axel felt that he could finally believe the boy in front of him was actually a child.

"What am I doing here?"

The boy was looking around in complete confusion. He spotted Axel soon enough.

"Um- who are you?"

Axel raised an eyebrow at that but the perplexed child's attention had already drifted from him to the open window beside him. Shock and some understanding seem to filter in the boy's mind. The child turned a sheepish gaze back to Black and him.

"What happened?"

Beside him Black let out a huff.

Axel simply smirked. He had a feeling the morning was going to be entertaining.

"I am so sorry!"

Axel bit back a grin at the way Black was spluttering in indignation. Throughout the entire recount of what happened the night before, it seemed Harry Potter only deigned Axel – the stranger who had involuntarily been dragged into his messy life, according to the child – worthy to be apologising to. Black was waved off with the words that he was obliged to deal with Potter since he was the godfather. The man had straight out whined at that, then spent the rest of the time glaring at Axel for having "stolen" his godson from him. Clearly, he was possessive of his pup, as he called the kid.

"It is alright, Mr Potter. You did save my life. Apologies are not needed."

Axel had never been more relaxed until now. The child's actions being affected by the full moon had been a strange thing to realise but the memory loss, along with his personal witnessing of the boy's different personalities with and without the moon's influence had shown him that the child was not truly a threat to him.

…...Alright...fine…...

He would admit, the presence of the goblin that had flooed in halfway through the recounting done by Black played a greater role in his relaxed state.

He may not trust wizards and witches. But goblins were trustworthy from his experience, especially if it involved needing allies. The creature-blooded in the magical world had long agreed that when it came to allies, they would not support witches and wizards first.

Plus, goblins are as untrustworthy as they came. So, if a goblin could trust the two nutters he was currently stuck with to the point where said goblin came to their home alone, then Axel supposed there must be something trustworthy about the two human magicals he was stuck with.

"Please, call me Harrison or Harry, Mr Vermiculo," Potter said as he stood up. "Mr Potter reminds me of being in trouble with my school professors."

Potter – Harrison, Axel corrected himself mentally – then started to move towards the kitchen.

"I'll make breakfast this time round as an apology, how about that Paddy? Kreacher, take a break!"

Black scoffed even as the house elf that was addressed calmly popped into the living room to take a seat beside him. The creature had been very elusive the night before, having appeared only when they had arrived. After having been tasked to lock down their bound hunters, Axel had neither seen hide nor hair of the being. Which he thought odd because it did not even appear to provide dinner for Black who was his master, last night. The man had cooked it himself after providing fish for his then crazy godson.

"You aren't apologising. You're just using this as an opportunity to cook breakfast to your tastes," Black pointed out with a huff.

Harrison gave a mock gasp from the doorway leading to the kitchen.

"I would never!"

Black rolled his eyes and sulked. Kreacher the house elf patted his shoulder in mock sympathy much to Black's indignation.

"Oh, by the way, Mr Vermiculo?" Axel raised an eyebrow to prompt the kid to continue. "I'm not very familiar with vampires other than the part where you consume blood so, pardon me for my ignorance but, are you able to consume food the way living magicals do?"

Axel appreciated the kid trying to genuinely be a polite host.

"Yes. We do. Due to the whole being dead aspect, the flavour of food seems rather dull to us. Blood is the only thing that gives us a semblance of flavour, you see. But nonetheless we are still able to and do occasionally consume normal food."

Harrison grinned.

"Noted. I'll whip you up a plate too then."

The boy wandered off.

"And I'll do my best to not bore your taste buds!" his voice called out from the kitchen.

Axel doubted that but did not voice it out.

"You are going to get quite a surprise vampire."

He turned to the goblin who had spoken.

"Pardon?"

"Nothing," the goblin who had been introduced as Jadeclaw replied. "But just to let you know, that child is a friend to the Goblin Nation."

Axel stilled. Beside him, he found Black to be equally as shocked. Evidently, the man had not known that information about his godson either.

"Why?"

He didn't know if Jadeclaw would reveal the answer to his question. But he doubted the goblin would have brought the topic up just to leave him in suspense.

"I'm sure you'll figure it out yourself soon, vampire."

Or maybe he did.

Axel sighed.

It was when breakfast was served that Axel finally understood Jadeclaw's words. Even as his companions started to dig in, Axel could only stare in shock at his own plate of food.

"Why are you staring at your food like that?" Black inquired from the other side of the table, giving him a concerned expression.

Harrison, who had been busy bringing sliced fruits from the kitchen counter looked up at that.

"Um, is the food not to your liking?" A concerned expression similar to his godfather's appeared on the boy's face. "I can cook something else if you want Mr Vermiculo…"

Axel's eyes snapped upwards.

"Why?" he whispered.

His question seemed to perplex everyone around him except for the smirking goblin at the table.

"Um – well Mr Vermiculo if you don't like the food, it is only logical to give you something else. You are my guest, I –"

"No, not that, child."

Harrison frowned, clearly not understanding him.

"Why would you add your blood to my food?"

Silence stretched across the room. From what Axel observed, the reason for the silence was different for each being within the room. Black seemed to have gone into shock, similar to Axel. The house elf – Kreacher – seemed unfazed, as though by this point, he was used to his young Master's unpredictable actions. Harrison was simply confused if the questioning look on the child's face suggested anything. Jadeclaw meanwhile seemed to be silent purely for the fact that the goblin was very much taking enjoyment in watching the drama unfold.

"You what?" Black finally managed to find his voice it seemed.

Harrison turned his attention to his floundering godfather.

"What?"

"Pup! Pup! Did you actually give the man your blood?"

Harrison nodded.

"Yes. I mean, he did mention blood gives flavour for a vampire. Besides, that is what they eat for food…"

Harrison blinked at the completely dumbfounded looks he was receiving.

"Pup, you don't give away your blood like that," Black whispered weakly, looking at his godson with both exasperation and fondness.

"No offence meant to you Vermiculo, you are a decent guy, I'll admit," Black directed at him.

Axel numbly nodded his head in acknowledgement, understanding the reasons the man worried about his charge's well being. As a vampire, he knew all too well how important yet dangerous blood could be. While he was touched by the child's obvious kindness, it would not do to let the kid live on in naivety.

Black turned his attention back to his godson.

"Pup don't simply give away your blood like that, no matter how well you mean."

The child however, started to panic at his words.

"What? Why not? Is there some unwritten etiquette that I shouldn't have given my blood without alerting?" the child turned to Axel. "If there was, I'm sorry! I didn't know! I just thought you would need it Mr Vermiculo since it was food and you do seem rather tired and like as if you're close to fainting, no offence meant of course – but um I can – here let me, um, Merlin I'll just – "

The child was scrambling at this point, reaching out to obviously take back the plate he had previously put before Axel.

Axel shot out his hand to gently stop the boy.

"No. You have not offended me in any way child. Stop panicking."

The hand he was still holding relaxed minutely. Axel looked back up to take in the young face of his host.

"You merely surprised me, Harry Potter. Many do not find it worthwhile to grant blood willingly to my kind."

He finally took a bite out of the meal given to him. It was testament to the boy's power that a single bite refreshed him completely, despite the fact that the blood that had been offered was mixed into the meal before him.

"How much blood did you put in, if you don't mind me asking?" Axel questioned out of curiosity, ignoring the way his other companions had yet to resume their meal.

"Four spoonfuls in the meal itself. But three drops in the tea," Harrison muttered shyly. "If it is not enough, I can offer some more, long as it doesn't drain me."

Axel ignored the exasperated "Pup!" that came from Black to give the child before him a piercing look. The boy looked back at him calmly, showing no signs of backing off his offer.

Axel took a sip from his given teacup and hummed in pleasure at the energy that coursed through his veins.

"You are powerful, do you realise?"

He watched as the child blinked in confusion at the change in topic.

"Sorry?"

"I have not tasted anything like your blood in all the centuries I have lived as a vampire, child. You have great power. And it speaks in your blood."

Harrison blushed lightly at the compliment.

"Thank you."

"If you ever host a vampire again, Harry Potter, a single drop of your blood will be more than enough to satisfy their hunger."

Harrison seemed to blink in surprise at that.

"Just a drop? Really?"

Axel nodded.

"Your blood is powerful," he repeated. "A drop will suffice."

Axel took a bite and sent a smirk towards the child's godfather who frowned at him for the action.

"Oh and do heed your godfather's words, child. He does know what he is talking about sometimes." Axel rather enjoyed the way Black blushed and sputtered in indignation, he would not lie. Red looked good on the man in his opinion. "Blood is not something to be given away lightly. And there are plenty of others in this world, be they vampires or non-vampires, who would misuse blood so selflessly given for their own selfish gains. So, do be forewarned."

Harrison blinked before accepting the advice with a nod and a "thanks". The boy then went about to resume serving out the rest of breakfast before sitting down to eat his own food.

Axel met the eyes of Jadeclaw who smirked at him, wearing an expression that screamed 'What did I tell you?'. Then the goblin resumed his own meal, prompting Axel to return his attention to his own, very delicious, meal.

He grinned to himself. Who would have thought that the first ever meal that would bring him satisfaction and fulfilment as a vampire would be served and prepared by one Harry Potter himself? Even if he knew nothing about the child, Axel was certain of one thing.

The kid was obviously the furthest thing from the embodiment of Light who "slayed" werewolves and vampires. He wondered what the bigoted in the wizarding world would ever do when they figured that out about their so-called saviour.

Harry sat subdued in the warded Gringotts room, sulking. He would occasionally glance up only to cower back down at the fierce glares Fradgrot and Griphook were levelling at him.

"I'm sorry."

"You bloody well be sorry alright, fish!" Fradgrot snarled.

Harry cringed at how the usually calm goblin was cursing.

"Come now you guys, you've already berated him for the past five hours," Sirius commented from beside him, laying a hand over Harry's shoulders. "Cut him some slack already."

Despite the support Sirius was obviously trying to show, Harry felt the guilt coursing through him intensify at the man's voice. He had played it off when they had had a stranger with them at their house. But Harry had felt terrible at what he had put his godfather through the previous night when he had first been told what had happened. The horror and guilt had only worsened when he had finally managed to revisit his memories after Axel Vermiculo had left after breakfast to contact and resume his business as a vampire. (The man had mentioned hunting down some traitor who had sold his family to hunters and Harry and Sirius had been able to understand his need to do something immediately about that matter all too well. They had happily handed over the captured hunters off to the man when he had asked).

But to come back to the point, Harry was completely and utterly terrified at what he had done last night. While he had no qualms at having rescued Axel, he was horrified that he had put his godfather through the trauma of maiming men in his Animagus form. Granted Harry wasn't honestly in control but still.

He had apologised profusely to Sirius after Axel had left. He had even broken down to tears midway and Sirius – bless him – had comforted him and held him like the good godfather he was, assuring him he was not all that affected as he had done worse in his Auror days. But Harry was still horrified and he distinctly thought Sirius may have lied to console him.

"Do you even realise where you've gone wrong, fish?"

Harry nodded mutely even as he melted miserably into his godfather's chest.

"Well?"

"I shouldn't have kept foolishly quiet out of a misplaced belief that I would be a burden otherwise, and I must learn to ask for help when I need it, especially when I have people around me who are willing to help me and I need to seriously throw the Dursleys teachings out of the window no matter how much I subconsciously revert to it," Harry summarised the lecture he had been given. "There is no shame in asking for help."

He could feel Sirius shaking beside him and he swatted the man half-heartedly.

"Stop laughing at me, Siri," he muttered petulantly.

"Sorry pup," Sirius replied, not sounding sorry at all. "But you look way too similar to a kicked puppy."

Harry sighed and turned his attention back to the grim goblins before him as he peeled himself away from his godfather.

"I'm really sorry. I'll not be an idiot and I will speak out next time, alright? I promise. And you can completely ban me from going for a swim if I don't follow through," Harry sniffed.

Griphook and Fradgrot relaxed slightly.

"We will hold you to that, fish," Griphook muttered sullenly. "Now go home for the day and reflect on the whole problem."

"And just to let the message sink in, write four hundred lines that say 'I will not hesitate to ask for help when I need it'," Fradgrot added nastily.

"But –"

"I can make that five hundred, fish," Fradgrot warned.

Harry wisely shut up.

"Yes Fradgrot."

"I want it done before you leave for school."

Harry sighed. September first was the day after tomorrow. He was going to be spending all night doing those lines, it seemed.

"It will be done Fradgrot," he replied miserably, sending a half-hearted glare at Sirius who was cackling beside him.

"Good, now leave fish. And go get some lunch with that mutt of yours."

Harry gave a weak smile at the tough love he was being dealt with and did as told, ignoring the way Sirius groaned at being called a "mutt".

"Bye-bye."

In a flash of green, his view of Griphook's office disappeared.

Dear Harry,

I would like to start this letter by apologising.

Harry's eyebrows rose.

Well, wasn't this interesting, he thought.

My first letter to you after figuring out you ran away from your relatives was rather uncalled for. And I really should have done this apology immediately afterwards. But it has taken me three letters from Ronald – who has very much reprimanded me thoroughly – and a lot of stewing in guilt before I could pluck my courage to tell you I was wrong to have done so.

So, I'm really sorry. I've been a terrible best friend.

Harry felt his chest warm at what he read. He had honestly put Hermione's rant filled letter out of his mind ever since receiving it. Though it had upset him, Harry knew Hermione meant well. The girl had no idea exactly how terrible his life had been under the Dursleys, unlike Ron, but she did know that he had been miserable there. Amongst the angry lines she had written, Harry could pick out that Hermione had been more upset that he was a minor who likely was alone on the streets than at the fact that he had escaped the Dursleys. So, he could find it in himself to not lose his temper at his well-meaning friend, even if her concern was unneeded.

He had honestly thought they had silently agreed not to bring up the matter after he and Hermione exchanged more letters over the summer without talking about his running away again. But he should have known Hermione was not one to leave things unfinished.

He let his eyes scan the part he read again. The warmth in his chest made him smile.

Having spent quite some time around his goody-two shoes friend who harboured a small pride at being right, Harry knew this apology must have taken a lot out of her. Still, he was glad. He felt like a weight had finally lifted away from him at having Hermione concede that he was right, despite how extreme a move he had made in his life by running away.

I genuinely did not know how bad life was for you, Harry. I'm sorry about that. As your friend I should have noticed that without you or Ron having to point that out. But I suppose that being a muggleborn who was fortunate enough to have a family that accepted me for being a witch, I took it for granted and was naïve to believe everyone else would be like my parents. That was stupid of me. I'm so sorry for having been inconsiderate of your situation and for reprimanding you for doing something without asking for the whole story.

Please forgive me, Harry.

But on that same note, Harry, please don't do risky stuff like running away without a solid plan ever again. Or any insane action. Please don't risk your life and health like that. At least, not without giving us some heads up and letting us help you if possible.

Harry snickered. He remembered quite well that Hermione had ranted that she was going to get white hairs at the rate Harry was making decisions. Back then he had not been able to appreciate the hilarity of that line, considering he was slightly upset by the girl's reprimand. But now, it made Harry laugh even though a small pang of guilt shot through him at having worried his friend.

I was really worried.

Yep, that pang of guilt just turned into a wave. Harry grinned sheepishly at the letter. He was fortunate his friends stuck by him despite the utter chaos he often reaped around him.

If you ever need to do something that drastic, contact me or Ron first. You can always count on us, Harry. I mean it. Even if we happen to be away on vacation, I am willing to make my parents cancel it if you need help. And I have a feeling Ron would do the same. For Merlin's sake, he and the twins stole a flying car to save you in second year, you dolt. You can count on us, alright?

We will always be ready to help you to the best of our abilities.

I promise. You are my best friend, Harry. Don't hesitate to ask help if you need it.

Harry smiled softly at that. This was rather reminding him of the exact things the goblins had lectured him on. Funny how Hermione was unknowingly repeating them. If he had not known that Hermione knew nothing about his close relationship with Fradgrot and Griphook, he would have suspected the girl to be in cahoots with those two.

But since that wasn't the case, he was starting to think that perhaps fate was really trying to sink the life lesson he had learnt into his brain. Obviously writing it four hundred times was not enough.

Everyone was telling him to ask for help if he were in trouble.

Anyways, I've come to the end of my letter. I hope you accept my apology and I'm sorry it took me this long to deliver it. Some Gryffindor I'm turning out to be.

By the way, I can't wait to meet you and Ron soon! We have a lot to catch up to. No offense Harry but you've been really vague about your new home. Don't think either of us didn't notice you evading the questions about it. Ron and I are extremely curious, so heads up, we are going to be trying our best to make you spill.

Also, I loved the book you gave us on Occlumency! I've read it about five times now. It's very fascinating! I've only heard about mind magics briefly during our time at Hogwarts. Unfortunately, I did not get the opportunity to read up on them the past two years. But the book you gifted is so detailed!

I've finally managed to enter my mindscape! I cannot believe it took me so long! But it was worth it. I'm currently trying to follow the instructions on how to reorganise my mind. I've only done it partway but I can already feel the clarity in my mind! I remember what I read much better now! It's wonderful! I know you introduced the subject to us because you needed to share something big with us when we meet, but thank you still for the book and tips! Honestly, Occlumency is amazing!

Oh, and I hope you'll be willing to test me on how far I've progressed on my mental shields when we meet. I will admit, I am terrible at raising the shields. They keep falling down the moment I try to multi-task. The most I've managed to keep them on is for five minutes while doing one task. I find it rather embarrassing…

Harry rolled his eyes fondly at the girl. She had no idea how well she was progressing. The only reason Harry had managed to do well was due to the fact that he had constant help from the goblins. And from what Harry had learnt, Ron had been able to get help from his older brother Bill, which explained how he managed to stay slightly ahead of Hermione so far. So, for all that mattered, Hermione was doing brilliant at learning a completely new form of magic all by herself with only a book and Harry's tips through letters to guide her.

Seriously. Had Harry been in Hermione's situation, he would have been far more behind. He had figured out with the goblins' help that harbouring a horcrux on your forehead seriously created problems when it came to defending your mind. Due to the soul shard's presence, Harry had had a permanent weak link in his mindscape. Furthermore, Harry's mind had been described to be like a sieve when Fradgrot had first tried to teach him how to Occlude. It had taken Fradgrot delving into his mind and helping him while he strengthened his mind shields despite the Horcrux's attempts to weaken them for Harry to finally raise a decent shield.

His mentor had even destroyed the shields he had helped raised so that Harry would learn to raise them by himself. According to Fradgrot, it was to make sure he had understood what was being taught. And what better way to check that by getting him to raise shields that had required the effort of two individuals, against a stubborn horcrux, all by himself?

Harry sighed and glanced back at the letter. If he thought more on his brutal Occlumency lessons, he was going to get depressed. He loved his goblin friends. He really did. But he was starting to agree that people were right to have labelled them slave drivers. It honestly had nothing to do with disrespect but rather spoke of reality under the goblin's employment.

Absently, he thought on how to help Hermione when he met her tomorrow. Writing a letter now would be pointless. Hedwig really need not make such an unnecessary journey when he could effectively convey what he wanted to Hermione in person soon.

But I'm really excited to see you soon. My parents have already agreed to let me stay at the Leaky Cauldron for the whole day. Which means I can use magic! I still can't believe you have been able to freely use your magic most of summer! You're so lucky! You have to tell me how different it is compared to living like a muggle. I mean I've heard from Ron how his mother waves her wand to make food but honestly, I can't quite imagine how that would ever feel like. I personally cannot cook much, but when I help my mother out in the kitchen sometimes, I find it fun to be doing everything as it is without magic.

Of course, I can think of many things that will be so much better if I could use my magic. Like organising my room. I am decent at keeping my room clean but there are times even I get lazy. (Do not mention that to Ron, ever. Please.)

Harry grinned.

He could understand Hermione's view. He like her, had gotten used to doing some stuff the muggle way. While magic was delightful and made things a whole lot easier, there was something to be appreciated in the way muggles did things manually. At least for some matters like cooking. Harry had tried Kreacher's and Sirius' style of preparing meals with magic once and decided he rather stick to his own way unless he was ever in a rush. In his opinion, slicing tomatoes and peeling potatoes were rather therapeutic no matter how much of a hassle it was. And while using magic to cut the time for making the meal was brilliant, he enjoyed the wait as he watched a batter he put into the oven rise slowly to form a cake.

Oh dear, I've rambled a lot despite saying I was at the end of my letter.

Harry snickered.

This was one thing he knew many people did not realise about Hermione. Outside, the girl may seem rather prim and proper and to some extent that impression holds truth. But once you got to know her, one could find that she had her own moments of quirkiness and silliness despite her perfectionist ways.

Alright, I'll really end it here, otherwise this letter might reach the same length of my Charms essay.

See you soon, Harry! Don't get into any trouble, please.

Harry snorted. It was way too late for that.

Lots of love,

Hermione.

PS: I can't believe Ron managed to send me a total of four letters. Granted most of them involved scolding me but still. He never bothers to write either of us this much. And the letters were actually more than four lines too!

Harry snickered and put away the letter.

He had been apprehensive before about meeting Ron and Hermione, but strangely enough he was feeling more excited than scared now. The lectures and support of the goblins and Sirius had finally sunk in enough for him to realise he really was not alone in fighting his battles, big or small. Hermione's letter only reinforced that, showing he had two more people to fall back on.

It was a strange feeling. Harry had never truly trusted others to have his back before. He had, from a young age, believed he only had his own self to look after him. The wizarding world had given him hope that things might change but that hope had initially dwindled after the crazy adventures he and his friends were dragged into the past two years. It had only solidified Harry's views that he had to watch out for himself.

Until the goblins came in and proved him otherwise.

Harry grinned.

It was a nice change, he'll admit. And he was glad that his life had taken such a turn for the better. Being able to depend on others when he was in need made him feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

With a wide smile on his lips, Harry turned back to the lines he had been writing for Fradgrot before Hermione's letter had interrupted him. He cheerfully resumed writing line two-hundred and twenty.

I will not hesitate to ask for help when I need it.

He really wouldn't any longer. He knew that if he even thought to foolishly do things out of his abilities from now on, the goblins would actually make a sushi roll out of him. The creatures hated having promises being broken and Harry had given his word he would think and act better.

His eyes landed on the Occlumency book lying beside him. Idly, he wondered if he could seek Fradgrot for more advice. There really was no point in him swimming in a dark, void space in his own mind, looking for his core. He smirked. And the goblins did say to ask help if he needed it.

Harry paused.

Ask for help when he needed it.

Right. What did that have to do with his personal Occlumency journey?

An idea fluttered at the back of his mind. Harry frowned, trying to grasp it fully. But it evaded him. He let his eyes stray back to his Occlumency book, taking in the dark blue cover absently.

Ask for help I need it.

Harry bit his lip, egging that loose thought to solidify. It was important. He just knew it. It had to solidify.

Fradgrot's words from the beginning of his Occlumency lessons washed over him.

finding your magic in your mind….magical core….where your magic rests inside you…

Harry concentrated harder.

…you are highly sensitive to magic…

Yes, he supposed so. He had always been able to feel magic whenever it was near him. He never understood why Fradgrot thought that would help as a clue since every time he ventured far back in his mindscape to seek out his core, all he could find was a big void of darkness.

…find your magical core… through your will… you are highly sensitive to magic…

Fit. Fit. How did it all fit again?

You have all the pieces…fit them…you are highly sensitive to magic…will it…

Ask for help when you need it.

Harry bit his lip, frustrated.

You are simply finding your magic in your mind.

Think, think, think. Fradgrot did say it was easy. Why would he say that?

"I've only used magic outwardly," Harry thought.

He paused.

Was there that big a difference between using it within him and using it physically?

You are simply finding your magic in your mind… Ask for help when you need it.

So, what was he doing wrong?

Harry thought of his magic. It was always there to help him.

He blinked.

It was always there to help him.

To help him.

Yet, he could not find it when he was in his own mind? That didn't seem right.

…All you have to do is will it…

He twirled the quill he was still clutching in his hand.

"Let's see. When I need to do something with magic outwardly," he muttered out aloud. "I raise my hand and then –"

The parchment he was previously writing on floated up at his silent command, his magic rushing to help him out at his call.

Harry blinked.

"I call for my magic and it helps."

Was that it? That simple?

Ask for help when you need it…Simply finding your magic…

Harry tried not to bounce on his seat. That had to be it. Fradgrot did say it was all within his capability.

…All you have to do is will it…

Harry took a deep breath, trying to calm his excited self.

"Well, there is only one way to find out," he thought and closed his eyes.

Sirius was helping Kreacher assemble the table for dinner when he heard the Floo flare up.

"Let me go check that, Kreacher. I'll be back."

"Yes Master."

Sirius shot a small smile at the elf. They had yet to trust each other fully, but Sirius would admit that the desire to throttle the elf on sight had all but vanished from him these past few weeks.

With the smile still on his face, he stepped out to the living room to check on who was their unexpected guest. To his surprise, the person turned out to be none other than Axel Vermiculo.

"Well, hello there. I certainly did not expect you so soon. How is the hunt going?"

"Very painfully." Vermiculo smirked. "For the hunters of course. I've managed to figure out who betrayed my family."

Vermiculo sauntered into the room further, casually waving his hand to get rid of the soot from his Floo travel. The man had rather made himself completely at home in their little cottage ever since the breakfast incident. Sirius was unsure how to feel about that. While he generally had no qualms with the man, he had proven to be quite the cocky and vain individual since recovering quickly from the murder attempt that had been done to him the night before. And he and Sirius had – much to Harry's amusement – frequently butted heads since then. The man loved to tease but Sirius had enjoyed his company regardless of the utter frustration Vermiculo caused him.

Not that he would tell the vampire that.

Plus, there was also the fact that Padfoot liked to purr whenever the man was nearby. Sirius had no idea what brought that on in his inner Grim. He had only realised Padfoot's behaviour when he sobered up after both the firewhiskey and the shock of the previous night's events had left him in the morning. And he had felt completely surprised by the realisation. The only time Padfoot had purred in his entire life had been when Harry was nearby or when Harry was petting the Grim. And Sirius could understand why the Death Omen turned into a puppy at the boy's presence. He was their pup.

But this vampire was nothing for Padfoot to purr about in Sirius' opinion.

"I'm set to leave the country for the foreseeable future to hunt said traitor down and teach him a lesson," Vermiculo continued his speech.

Sirius absently noted that the magical auras surrounding the man was very vibrant, unlike the night before where it had been a dull glimmer. It had been changed to its true potential ever since Vermiculo had eaten the meal his godson had provided the man in the morning. It was amazing that the aura had not dimmed one bit despite the hours that had passed. He knew from his old history lessons under the Black family tutors that vampires did need at least a couple of doses of blood supply throughout a day to strengthen them. But Vermiculo's current tip top condition only served to strengthen the man's word that his godson was powerful.

"But I thought I'd come by and say farewell before that. It is only polite. You and your godson did save me from death, after all."

Sirius smiled sweetly.

"Well, if that's the case, do join us for dinner before you vanish off on your vengeance quest. I'm sure you would love to have my godson clinging to you like a koala bear for a good couple of hours. You must get a good dose of attention to feed that ego of yours, now don't you? You won't be getting it anytime soon once you're off doing your vampiric business."

Vermiculo smirked.

"Are you jealous now, Black?"

Sirius rolled his eyes.

"What is there to be jealous of exactly?" Sirius gave the man a brief perusal before dismissing him.

Vermiculo's smirk widened. In the blink of an eye, the man was suddenly a hair's breadth away from Sirius. He stepped back slightly, startled. This close, he realised the vampire had silver flecks in his eyes.

Padfoot purred within him again.

"You are rather handsome, you know."

Sirius blinked, completely thrown off by the switch in topic.

"What?"

"You are very handsome," Vermiculo repeated with a straight face but Sirius caught the glint in those ridiculous honey-brown eyes.

Sirius narrowed his own eyes, knowing the vampire was about to do something. The man was not this nice from what little he knew from interacting with him.

"But your personality begs for more, darling. So, it's no surprise your godson prefers me to you in the end."

Sirius rolled his eyes. He called it, didn't he?

"Whatever, moron. Tell me this when you end up being the one living with said child under the same roof, instead of being a mere entertainer who loses the boy's interest as the next thing happens," he replied sweetly.

Sirius walked back to the kitchen, not bothering to see if the man followed. He reached out to help Kreacher place the final dish onto the table, thanking the elf for finishing most of the setting up. Only then did he turn to face the still smirking man. He rolled his eyes at how the idiot was leaning against the doorway to the kitchen.

"Stop standing there and sit your dead arse down at the table for dinner. I'm going to go call Harry down – "

A blood chilling scream cut him off.

Sirius did not even pause to acknowledge his shock. He was already running towards Harry's room, Padfoot growling within him to hurry up. His mind scrambled to think of what could have happened to make the child scream out like that. He noted at the back of his mind that Kreacher and Vermiculo seemed to have chosen to run after him, obviously intent on checking on Harry too.

Another scream echoed through their now silent cottage. Sirius felt his heart skip a beat in fear.

He had to get to his pup now. He just had to. Reaching out desperately to his magic even as he was leaping up the stairs, he wished to be next to his godson. Harry had long keyed him to the wards anyways.

With a crack, Sirius vanished from the stairs.