Always, Even After Death, It Seems

He was in the middle of planning the prank on Ron with the twins, he realised tonight was the new moon, only realising by his mood this week, he had been dreadfully tired and cross with anyone who so much as looked at him wrong, but was good at hiding that. Unsure of what to do about this particular predicament, he panicked, knowing that he would have to cancel their tea with Astoria, which made him only panic more, because dammit, she might charm his boyfriend while he was busy ripping off his own skin with his teeth and hissing at the moon. He started sobbing violently, feeling his fangs retracting and biting through his lip as he cried, trying to muffle his sobs. 

That was until strong, lanky arms wrapped around him, mumbling to himself, "It's okay, I'm here. …What's wrong, Al?" George asked.

He broke down in the taller man's arms, hugging his dear friend close, "I'm supposed to be having tea with Draco and his bloody fiancée who I can't hate because she's actually a nice girl…but it's a new moon, and…and..if I go, she'll know." he spiralled, ranting now.

George noticed his lip, "Oh shit, you're bleeding." He eas about to cast a healing spell on the small wound, but it clotted over in the usual healing speed for vampires  so instead he busied himself by hugging him tightly, clocking something last minute, "Wait, doesn't Malfoy know it's the new moon?" George asked.

Atlas froze in fear, wondering how his boyfriend, who was also his best mate, could've forgotten the new moon when he'd remembered every other time, even asking him how it had gone the day after. He blinked, mumbling, "He must've forgotten." He sniffed, composing himself, noticing he'd practically drenched the taller boy’s robes, shooting a cleaning charm and a drying spell his way, smiling sheepishly, "Sorry."

George squeezed him tight to his chest protectively, not wanting to let him go, but he did, eventually, "It's alright, little red prince, no worries." he murmured, nudging him gently, "Now, scurry off to the dungeons, little bat prince. Don't want your dad worrying his shred of patience away, now do you, Al?" He fondly teased him.

He chuckled lightly, "I shall fly as swiftly as possibly, oh brave sir of a lion's heart." Atlas replied in the same tone, his hair tie falling out as he ran, causing his dark red hair to look like a fox's tail without a white tip.

George smiled after him, picking up the soft black hair tie and tying his own shoulder length hair up with it.

Fred, who'd been giving them some space and had been with Angelina noticed the hair tie and smirked, "Wear it up more often, Georgie. It looks good on you."

He turned to his twin, flushed red a bit, "Oh, piss off. How's Angie, then?" 

They laughed and proceeded to plan out a few jokes and pranks.

Atlas made it to his father's quarters just in time, barrelling into the much taller man who'd been watching out for him, as he mumbled into his chest, "Papa, I need your help."

Severus smiled at his son, but his tone worried him, "What's wrong, my little moon?" he softly asked, carding a hand through the now loose red waves.

"It's the new moon, but I didn't realise and I had arranged to meet with Draco here, for tea with his future wife to try and arrange an agreeable future for us…" he explained, silently crying now.

The dungeon bat held his cub close to his chest, assuring him as he crooned, stroking his hair as he spoke, "I will summon her to my office, telling her you have a rare blood condition you've had since birth. I will tell her that you're having an episode." He frowned as he asked, "Where is Draco? He usually waits with you." Severus added with worry.

"Thank you, papa. I hope they'll understand… Will Uncle Moony be there?" Atlas asked but he added in a small voice, answering his father’s question while looking at the ground, "I don't know where he is."

He patted his head gently as he replied, “You’re welcome, child. If they do not, I will assure her that your blood condition is potentially quite dangerous to your health.” he comforted his son, holding him close to his taller frame, “Is there another friend you would like to wait for you afterwards? Mr. Zabini, perhaps?” he softly asked, glad that the blond was not his son’s only friend now, disappointed in the young Malfoy as he was. He sighed as he replied, “Yes, that old dog will be present. I can’t comprehend your fondness of him, but I will allow it, little prince.” he teased.

Atlas hugged his father as best as he could, “He’s been a little strange lately… What if he actually is straight and wants to continue with his quiet little life as a Pureblood lord?” he breathed out, speaking quickly with anxiety, his breathing however unneccessary became rapid. He had been and was now still, petrified that Astoria would steal his boyfriend clean away but knew that was a very real situation, despite how crushed he would be. He thought for a moment and asked bashfully, “Would the twins be too much trouble to find or for you to ask?” He laughed softly, “He brings me comfort….and you have classes until dinner starts. It is Friday, his lessons are done with, but you have older years to teach the noble art of potion making to.” he added a bit playfully, knowing it helped his anxiety and fear.

Severus sighed at the mention of the Weasley twins, but his son was more important than house rivalry, and he needn't ask them nicely. He could always give them detention and have them be with his son during those hours. He carded his long fingers through the long red waves, "I think I can manage to arrange something. Now, be off with you, little prince. You know the place." He nodded, hugging his father, "Thank you, Papa." He ran off to his room, tying his hair in a complex braid, getting on loose, light, comfortable clothes, bringing his pyjamas, first aid kit and slippers in a small backpack with him to the Whomping Willow, waiting for someone to show up. Minutes later, a tall, gangly redhead approached him with a grin, his twin following close behind, "Hey, Al! So…our friendship's reached this level, eh? Fred asked, smiling at him.

Atlas flashed them hoth a grin, but regretted it immediately, self-conscious about his slowly retracting fangs.

George patted his shoulder, "They don't matter, red prince." They said in unison, "Not to us, anyways." 

Atlas pressed the tree knot, noticing their awe of the tree going still, "Come on then, in you go." He walked through casually, hearing them murmur, "You'd make a hell of a Gryffindor, a sneaky, determined one, but still."

He snorted, putting his backpack down, casting the cleaning spells his father had taught him, "Some of us aren't cut out for the lion's den, lads."

They laughed and spent time talking to each other, casually planning out pranks, until Remus arrived shortly after, smiling a bit at the memories it brought back of his days with the Marauders, noticing keenly that his godson and George Weasley seemed quite like himself and Sirius had when young, which was odd to him, since he knew the redhead was with the young Malfoy boy. Remus cleared his throat and spoke, a leash in his hand, a huge black dog on the leash, “Hello cub, I see you have new moon company. I have to say, this is preferable to a staring contest with Malfoy. …What are you young troublemakers up to?” he asked, ignoring the black dog barking. Sirius had been having a bad day yesterday, having come dangerously near to hurting himself, the guilt still in his system of what happened with the Potters, which is why he was on a leash, his husband could keep a good eye on him.

Atlas smiled at the werewolf, having smelt him a few minutes before he’d arrived, “Hey uncle Moony, this is Fred and George Weasley, my best mates.” he introduced them with a cheeky smile that reminded the wolf far too much of the Slytherin’s mother, “As for what we’re up to…we’re planning pranks.” he grinned.

George smiled softly at the smile, it was warm and made him slightly weak in the knees, but nodded, used to Professor Snape’s cold disdain, the sandy blond haired man’s company was far preferable, “Hi, Professor. We are orchestrating a plan to get back at my brother for being a prat.” he rubbed his hands together excitedly, a lopsided grin on his face.

Atlas didn’t know why that grin gave him butterflies, he was a taken wizard, and no one but his boyfriend should be giving him butterflies, even if said boyfriend had been cold and aloof as of late. He saddened a little thinking of Draco as he explained, “Draco wasn’t to be found, so I asked Papa if the twins could come instead.” his voice was soft and low.

Remus grinned, crouching down to press a kiss to the dog’s ears, whispering to his husband, “Come on, sweetheart, shift back and you can see what I’m seeing and tell me if I’m right.” The Animgaus let out a whine but shifted back, wearing an oversized cardigan that had seen better days, black jeans, a band shirt and boots, hair falling in his face. The wolf kissed his cheek, tucking his hair behind his ear, “Better?” Sirius mumbled, rushing towards him and grabbing his hand, entwining their fingers, “Am now.” he replied with a hum, walking towards the young mischief managers with his husband. 

Atlas noticed his secondary godfather’s sad look and got up to hug him, only half his height for now, but hugged him, softly speaking, “I’m not sure what happened, but are you okay, uncle Padfoot?” 

Sirius squeezed his husband’s hand and then gave the short Slytherin, “Nothing too bad, little Snape. So…what are you and your friends up to?” he noticed the closeness between his godson and George Weasley, but said nothing. The five of them stayed there until Severus came, carrying a potion for his son, looking at him softly, “This is the latest try, good luck, my son.” 

He drank down the potion and felt his bones crackling, knowing it was almost moonrise. He gritted out, “Gred, Forge, step away from me.” The twins didn’t argue, watching in curiosity at their friend’s transformation. His fangs elongated until they went a little over his bottom lip, his eyes going almost black with a ring of green, fingers elongating into claws as he hissed out in pain, stretching at himself, but managed to stop, blinking and grinning, despite his fangs sinking into his own lip, “It…it worked! I don’t want to tear my own skin off, or any of yours! You’ve done it, Papa!” he twirled happily, his long hair seeming to have a gravity all it’s own in his vampiric form. Wings would have been included for full blood vampires, but since he’d been bitten and not born one, it didn’t affect him like that. 

Severus smiled warmly at him, tears in his black eyes, “You have your own mind and you don’t wish to suck your own blood, that’s all I could want, my sweet son.” 

He walked with animalistic grace towards his father, hugging him close, able to ignore his beating heart and hug him close, noticing his vampire form had forced a bit of a growth spurt, making him smile, “Thank you.” he just about got out.

His father held him close, and shared, with the Weasley twins, Black and Lupin, the first transformation of his son’s where the young half blood could simply walk around in the new moon’s light, running around with the twins like children, despite their teenage years. He wasn’t blind, he noticed how George looked at his son. He didn’t like it, but Draco wasn’t exactly helping himself by following proudly in Lucius’ footsteps with his son’s heart on the line. 

At one point, Severus and the remaining Marauders left, Atlas started crying, because the potion had worn off, even though the sun was setting now so he wasn’t dangerous anymore. Strong arms embraced him from either side as both of the twins assured him everything would be okay, holding him close. Remus came back, and that’s how he found them when he brought the half-vampire to the Hospital Wing, George demanding to go with him, deciding to have the courage to be there for his friend, who he happened to have fallen for.

Morning came, and Atlas woke in the Hospital Wing as usual, with only a few scratches, and a few bite marks on his own wrist from where the potion had worn off slightly, and wher he’d hid his laughter anxiously. He ate the breakfast Madam Pomphrey insisted he have; beans on toast, orange juice and a cup of tea, which he politely asked to be changed for coffee which she’d teased him about being his father’s son about. He noticed that George was half asleep on a chair by his bed, likely having refused to leave. He reached out, gently pushing the hair out of his face, “Morning, Georgie.” he murmured.

The taller redhead woke slowly, smiling at the younger wizard in front of him, “Hi there, red prince. How are you feeling this morning? Last night was so much fun! Me and Freddie are coming with you for new moons from now on.” he stated with a grin.

He was about to smile and tell him that it would be awesome, as last night had been brilliant, but he noticed a shock of white hair approaching them, looking annoyed, so instead of smiling, he wondered what was wrong.

Draco approached his boyfriend, having gotten another letter from Lucius to essentially cut ties with the half blood, which had hurt him to know, but he’d do it. The redhead was too soft for the Death Eaters, and he knew that was his future, there was no escaping it. He also really liked Astoria, who was funny, adventurous, gracious, kind and didn’t mind if he wasn’t all tough around her. He asked the vampire tersely, "Atlas? Where were you? Astoria and I were waiting for you, but then your father told me you were in the hospital wing, what happe n– Weasley, why are you here?" he cut himself off to ask why one of the Weasley twins was here.

The vampire met his eyes, emerald eyes ablaze with anger as he replied, " Where was I? Busy trying to rip out my own throat might be an idea. Draco, last night was a new moon. Did…Did you forget?" he asked in a softer tone, his voice breaking a bit as he asked, not wanting to know if he had forgotten.

He wanted to let him down gently, but steeled himself, knowing what he must do, ice prince persona intact, "I… I'm not discussing this while he's here." he stubbornly demanded.

He blinked, spluttering in indignation and shock at his boyfriend’s cold and callous act, "Not discussing…? Fine, but let me tell you something. You know who waited with me at the Willow last night while I was crying after my transformation, you know who held me close and discussed pranks with me to distract me, or who demanded to come with me to the hospital wing? It sure to Merlin wasn't you. Then again, you never touched me after my transformation, did you?" he had tears in his eyes by now, knowing that the blond had never touched him, hugged him or spoke softly to him, too fearful to seem softer than he was expected to be.

Draco stammered, an unusual thing for him to let happen in the presence of people he saw beneath him, which very much included the Weasleys, "I… That's not fair! I would've waited with you had I known, I always wait with you. How come you asked for him and not me?" he added sourly, not aware he sounded like a petulant child.

The half-vampire looked at him, hurt with his words, knowing that he would pick him first if he could’ve, "I was so scared when I realised what night it was, I was terrified because I wanted to be there to make an arrangement to let us all be happy, at least a little." 

Was it time to cut his ties with the irresistibly cheeky, endearingly witty, handsome boy his heart had been so ensnared by since he was a boy? He pushed that thought aside roughly and huffed out a haughty little laugh, "Don't make me laugh, we can't have a future. I'm betrothed to Astoria and it would be improper to have something on the side." he callously disregarded him, and it hurt his heart.

Tears flowed from green eyes as he just about got out, his voice as sharp as a knife in anger, resentment and disappointment, "Is that all I am to you, Draco? Some bloody side fling? Piss off then, I've no need for Pureblood propaganda in my life." He couldn’t believe that the blond was doing this, really getting lost in Pureblood dogma. He was thankful he didn’t have a dormitory in the Slytherin dungeous, because it would have hurt to hear his voice goating about his perfect little Pureblood life, picket fenced manor and all.

Draco scoffed, looking severely unimpressed at his choice of words, snidely adding, "You're even starting to sound like one of them , a Gryffindor. There was a time when you had a better class, Prince." He didn’t even use his proper surname, just the one that he used at Hogwarts.

Nobody insulted his heritage, so he grounded out, a slight growl in the undertone of his voice, "You'll do well to remember that my mother, the smartest witch of her time, was a Gryffindor, Draco." 

Then he did the coldest thing he could think to do, the most heartless and savage, but it was necessary, "It's Malfoy, to Dark creatures like you and Lupin." He walked away, strutting out of the Hospital Wing, not so much as daring to look back at the boy he had loved since a child, knowing he had made him cry.

The tears burned as they fell from his eyes, so he hugged himself tightly, curling up a little in his sitting position, just about getting his words out in a croaked, barely above a whisper voice, "I…I can't…I can't believe…he would…" 

Strong arms were wrapped around him faster than you could blink, holding him close, as he finished his sentence, "Be the arsehole he is to everyone else? Neither did I. Don't listen to him, Al. You're not a Dark creature." he tried to assure him.

"Yes…Yeah, I am." Atlas replied in a tiny, threadbare voice that made the talker boyfriend want to punch Malfoy.

George took his chin gently in his forefinger and thumb, making him meet his eyes as he firmly stated, "No, you're bloody not. You're a wizard, a damn brilliant one at that." he soothed him, knowing he was deeply self-conscious about being a half-vampire.

Atlas sniffed as he sobbed, wiping his eyes as best as he could as he mumbled, "I still can't believe he's choosing this… We swore as kids we wouldn't let our paths change us, but he did." 

He rested his head on top of his soft waves of hair, murmuring assuringly, "I hope the tosser is absolutely miserable pretending to be straight. But to call you a creature…that's low, even for that git." He sent a sneaky Patronus message to his twin, telling him to come to the Hospital Wing.

Minutes later, the other Weasley twin arrived, grinning athe the hall-blood, "Hello little red prince, Georgie told me you were in need of friends." He had Blaise Zabini with him, Merlin himself only knows how he got him to come with him, but he was here.

The vampire shrugged, sheepishly replying, "Hey Gred, yeah…he's about right." 

The Italian wizard spoke up, producing a dark chocolate tart from the Great Hall,, he'd snagged it for his friend and had brought it here, so he handed it to him as he stated seriously, "Draco acted like a bastard and he knows it, which is why he's being daddy's little Pureblood prince. …I guess one positive thing came from this." he added breezily with a slight smirk.

Atlas had only noticed his fellow Slytherin now, so exclaimed, "Blaise! What brings you here?” He then added with a slight scoff, asking sardonically, “What good could possibly come from this?" 

He bit back, asking in an almost fondly sarcastic manner, "Oh, did I interrupt the council of redheads without knowing? Do excuse me. And come on, think about it, you're a single wizard again." he added, waggling his eyebrows at his fellow snake, knowing the redhead was quite the eligible bachelor once again. Despite the fact he had eyes for someone from their rivalled house, he knew his bashful friend would benefit with the confidence boosting.

A hollow laugh fell from his lips, bitterly telling him, sounding eerily like his father, "Nope, just me and my best mates talking. Oh…yeah, I won't be looking for love anytime soon."

The Italian wizard tutted playfully as he mock-scolded his fellow snake,  "And what a pity that is. …I would gladly help you with that." he offered in a silky voice.

Atlas laughed softly, snorting as he gently let his now only friend in Slytherin down easy, he didn’t love him like that, and it would be wrong in his eyes to date someone he didn’t love, "Blaise, you and I both know we're just friends. Besides, I know you have your eye on someone. She's a lovely witch and needs you more than I do." he added slyly, having noticed the Italian wizard admiring his bookish friend through his half-brother Harry. He had been admiring her for a few weeks, often joining in the study group in the library that was inclusive of all Houses.

He smiled a bit, noticing he had been caught admiring Hermione, so he gave up the game, speaking with friendly amusement in his tone, "Very well. Mother doesn't care as long as her reputation doesn't budge anyways." 

The vampire smirked a bit at him, “You might want to try talking to her at some point, mio amico . She has a sharper tongue than you’d think and can have a hell of a temper when the mood strikes her.” he warned, remembering something stupid Ron had done in first year and how he’d made Hermione cry but fair play to her, she had stood up for herself fine, lightly slapping Ron for his unkind words.

Blaise felt his smirk grow a bit at this knowledge as he added, “The fire only adds to her beauty, but thank you for the warning, Atlas.” he nodded.

Out of nowhere, a young voice asked, "Should one of us go get Harry? He is your cousin." It turned out to be Ginny, who Merlin knows how, had somehow snuck in here with the twins when no one was watching, which is what would have made sense but no, she had arrived alone.

The young half-vampire asked curiously, startled to hear the sometimes pranking apprentice Fred and George had under their wing, but smiled, he like Ginny, she was sweet but also full of fire and knew what she wanted in life, "When did Ginny get here?" he asked the twins, curiosity in his eyes.

Ginny answered for herself, pressing a thick chocolat bar to his chest, as she shyly told him, "Only a minute ago, I was worried… Don't worry, your secret's safe with me." she promised, and he believed her, knowing she wouldn’t betray him.

Fred cleared his throat as he replied, ruffling his little sister’s long red hair as he replied, "It wouldn't be worth getting him, thanks though, Gin."

She looked confused and a little irate as she asked, "Why not, Gred?" George butted in, protective of the boy he had grown to love and knew the Boy-Who-Lived’s usual way of keeping secrets as he warned her, "Well little sister, he tells his friends everything and then the whole school ends up finding out." 

She thought for a moment and bit her lip, giving him a nod as she replied, "That's…fair enough. I've seen you staring at my best friend, Zabini. Watch it." she threatened Blaise on Hermione’s behalf, there was only one Slytherin she trusted and it wasn’t Zabini.

"I will, Miss Weasley." he cordially replied, noticing her mistrust of him, and not of Atlas, who still lay in his hospital wing bed. The vampire warned his friend carefully, a little protective of the bushy haired witch too, "I agree with Ginny, watch yourself. Even so, I didn't take you for the bookish type, Blaise." he added slyly, knowing the way Slytherins worked, he was one, after all and the son of one too. Blaise chuckled, putting his hands up as a sign of retreat on the threat, a sign he had no intion of hurting Hermione, but his soft words with a little edge of passion confirmed this, "She's wickedly intelligent, posesses a wild kind of beauty and seems like she's actually a good person." 

Fred blinked, not realising who they were talking about, but then the penny dropped, so he asked, just looking for clarification, "Wait a sec, are you talking about Hermione?" the clear shock in his voice was evident. Blaise nodded as he smoothly replied, meaning it, "Yes, I am."

George grinned at his twin as he casually spoke, a playful manner in his voice, as he poked his twin’s shoulder, "Oh shit, look Freddie, there's another Slytherin who thinks blood status is bollocks." Fred looked at Blaise, understanding now why their little red prince was friends with this boy, but all he said was,"Why yes, Georgie, I do believe there is."

Atlas laughed softly, but felt his eyes grow bleary, he was tired, exhausted even, like usual the day after the new moon, it was a similar set of circumstances to being a werewolf with a few differences, but he covered his mouth to try hide his yawn, but was spotted.

“Tired, Al? Hm, let’s see what we can do about that, little red prince…” George murmured to him, whispering to Fred as they both crowed, “Alright everyone, we’re going to leave him alone for a bit now, he’s knackered and needs sleep, especially since the fight with Malfoy.” He was surprised when Ginny left first, hugging the half blood quickly before saying see you soon, Blaise next who spoke to the redhead in Italian with a smile to which Atlas sleepily replied but messed up the pronunciation of, which just left the twins.

Fred looked at Madam Pomhrey who was approaching to give the almost asleep wizard his healing and nutrition potions, essential after a new moon in the case of vampires, and on the full moon in regard to vampires. 

She looked crossly at the twins, “Only one of you young troublemakers can stay. You three in here together gives me bad memories of lads that came long before your time.”  she sighed, remembering how James Potter and Sirius Black, especially Black had refused to leave one Remus Lupin in her care. 

Atlas smiled sleepily, knowing full well who she was talking about from tales of his mother’s friends in school, and his father’s bullies. He looked at the twins, just about getting out, “Which…”

Before George cut across him, standing up straight, to his full height, “I’ll stay.” he gave Fred an apolgoetic look, who merely smirked at him and nodded, almost wishing him luck, to which he rolled his eyes, watching his twin leave the hospital wing.

Madam Pomphrey watched like a hawk as the young half blood drank his potions, as well as giving him a blood pop to suck on, telling him it would replenish his strength to which his had nodded at, knowing the drill by now, his free hand holding George’s contentedly, the twins were so close to him. 

He soon finished the blood pop, smiling softly at his fellow redhead, mumbling to him, “‘Night, Forge.” he softly spoke with a yawn, to which the taller boy softly replied, “Goodnight, Al. Sweet dreams, my prince.” he added, thinking the younger man asleep, but he was almost asleep, hearing him faintly, but assuming he had called him ‘red prince’ like usual.