vinal

The change: part 2

If an odd meeting ever took place-this was one.

On a cold night a small figure made its way through the abandoned streets, carefully passing by lit windows and speeding its strides at small puddles blocking its way.

The night sky was blue,brightened by a full moon,but the chilly air sure made the outdoors unpleasant, that's why Harry Potter hadn't encountered any passer byes, and he was grateful for that.

Finally, the lithe youth that resembled a boy, for his long limbs and clumsy walk. Came to a halt in front of a tavern door, where he seemed to stay still longer then needed as if steeling himself for what was to come if he entered.

Harry Potter, felt cold all over, bruised by the wind.

What he was doing seemed like an especially unwise thing to do. As he walked in entering the unfamiliar tavern,hot air welcomed him, and soothed his blue lips and rosy skin.

The room he was in wasn't big by any comprehension,it had a high ceiling and big fireplace, some random small wooden tables scattered about, and a narrow staircase that led upstairs.

A quick glance around the cozy surroundings, got him some curious looks from the sitting men, most of who were drinking from large cups what looked like beer, they were rough looking but had cheerful there eyes twinkling.

So Harry blew out the breath he was holding and made his way to the back of the room,where a young red haired girl instantly served him,he ordered Cider.

Harry,wasn't sure being the one to wait was much of an advantage, not when it concerned the guest he was waiting for;a vampire.

But who knows he might not even show up if I'm lucky enough, he was starting to regret the meeting. So Harry relaxed, stretched his long thin legs and drank his warm slightly spicy cider. One thing for sure;he wouldn't want to be the one to stand off a vampire.

Suddenly the door opened,though Harry didn't see that,still he felt the rush of cold air from outside and he looked up; a tall cloak clad figure entered, its features shadowed and unseen.

But strikingly fast it was before him. Harry looked around with alarm, but none of the man seemed bothered or the least interested.

Strange he thought. Long fingered pale hands removed the hood of the cloak, and Harry found him self standing in front of a smiling man, his face wasn't beautiful but rather graceful;with its high cheekbones and pearly skin.

Amused blue almond shaped eyes were watching him, assessing him.

"You must be my secret pan-pal I suppose?'" The voice was deep, manly but gracefully quite.

Harry made his face blank.

"Yes I'm Harry, glad you could make it in this weather" he confidently outstretched his hand to the stranger.

Who threw back his handsome head and laughed, for what seemed like hours to Harry.

Finally, The laughter stopped and the stranger warmly took his hand.

"You must excuse me I forgot the pleasure of human company I'm Dimitri and I'm glad to meet you young Harry."

'Young Harry' wasn't sure he was glad but he was intensely curious. He gasped at the touch of the stranger's skin.

Sure he knew vampires were essentially well…dead. But he wasn't expecting the actual cold feel of one; it was like an electric shock cold yet warm in its intense power, as it tingled his skin.

They both set down. Harry with weak relief and Dimitri with effortless grace.

He felt more in control now, that nothing to menacing came of it-yet he had to remind himself.

The vampire seemed perfectly at ease, stretching out on the small cheap chair, gazing cheerfully at nothing in particular. But Harry knew on instinct not to be fooled, it was just a facade.

'Are you surprised? Harry asked.

Dimitri shook his full auburn hair and leaned closer to Harry.

'Yes indeed, not everyday do I get fan letters and blackmailing is even more…rare", he finished with a wolfish green that strangely suited him.

'I'm sorry about that, I just wanted your attention" lame, but Dimitri seemed very pleased.

"Well young Harry you got it - I'm here at your commend" he said it while stretching his arms to the side in a almost childish gesture of surrender.

"now tell me what made you do it? I deserve to know."

Harry gazed wonderingly at the vampire, in front of him was sitting the most dangerous creature and he was acting so...harmless, he concluded.

'Do you know who I am? He answered instead. Watching the vampires expression carefully.

He saw the innocent look momentarily change into that of anger.

"Of course I do- Don't be a fool! You are a young brave innocent lad, but be careful what you play with! This is no game."

Strangely, Harry wasn't alarmed, Dimitri spoke with such passion but without threat, his words colored by a long forgotten trace of his Russian upbringing.

Dimitri was still leaning towards him. His eyes blazing blue sparks, his long fingers outstretched as if to grab the boy sitting in front of him by the neck.

"You are right, this is no game, believe me" Harry said sincerely "I would never have bothered you unless it was necessary" he finished gently.

Just a moment passed but the man (vampire) was perfectly composed as if no outburst a cured.

He sat smiling and relaxed, like a mad man given his calming potions.

Harry was baffled but decided to proceed nevertheless. 'If you don't know it, my name is Harry Potter, this may surprise you but I need your help"

Dimitri nodded slowly, then stood up abruptly. "I know who you are; he replied coldly, turning his back on Harry. "Lets go, this is no place for this"

Harry was alarmed but all he could do was follow the vanishing figure before it was lost. Before his dreams were lost.

Dimitri moved swiftly to the door and out, leaving it open for Harry to pass.

The unpleasant cold, was a reminder to Harry of the unpleasant situation he was in, he felt it was out of control, and all that the vampire did to make him feel so-was being unpredictable.

In not ready for this, but the interesting thing was that in a way he felt the most present and ready he ever did in his life, something about the danger he was in was soothingly familiar to him.

The moon shone its rays on the vampire, which stood serious, yet still managing to appear smug.

Harry stood just two steps from the door hunching his shoulders and keeping his hands warm inside a battered Weazley twins borrowed jackets pockets. "Where are you going? I wont just follow you."

'I'm sure you wont, Harry. But we need somewhere more private for this… Conversation Don't you think? I'm uncomfortable with so many humans around, you see I'm a bit rusty with that, so be my guest ...somewhere warm for you would be good?"

Irritated Harry wanted to shout that somewhere warm as he put it was inside right behind that door.

But Dimitri wasn't waiting for an answer, he just began whistling and walking down the street. Harry sighed this was definitely the most weird hyper vampire in the world, just his luck to contact the mad vampire.

So he followed the tall disappearing figure, holding wand tightly in his fingers.

When he reached the end of the street, that was lit by some lamps- that showed him nothing but a overflowing trashcan and that no one was there.

Gushing wind from behind, was the only signal he got before the attack. The wand digging into the palm of his hand completely useless.

And a deep sinking feeling of acceptance-like something he knew all along, following a vampire at night. So stupid, so easy.

It was like following fate.

No painful awakening this time.

Just the slow intake of sensation, of soft feathery warm air and the scent of pine leafs.

Of a bright light above, and the sound of water nearby.

Opening his eyes, Harry found himself standing no leaning against;of all things a big wooden chest.

He was in a cave, stone walls and a hole on the ceiling that let the full moon proudly show itself.

Some candles scattered on the floor; some lighten some not. Still night,the deepest time of it. Harry felt nothing different, he wasn't hurt from what he could tell.

So he made his way through the cave, it's opening wide and welcoming. Passing through,Harry found himself in what looked like a forest. A vast meadow surrounded by tall ancient looking trees.

So what was going on? Why was he here?

He felt dull, dreamy and unwilling to comprehend what has acquired. So Harry set down on the earth, holding his knees, resting his left cheek in his lap, exposing his neck to the blowing wind.

A small young thing, that doesn't belong in this old forest. The thought wasn't his own! Harry jumped up with alarm.

Dimitri was standing under the trees. As calm as can be,Harry nodded at him enjoying the surprise in the vampires eyes.

But he dared not move. Dimitri slowly with almost indulgent dance steps made his way towards Harry. Circling him,Harry noticed with numb interest that he was wearing beautiful leather boots under the cloak. "This is my home" Dimitri whispered "yes" he said though Harry hadn't spoken "this cave and forest. Is my home, and now that you're here young Harry, we can speak, though it is unnecessary- I know what you want".

He pointed at Harry with his right foot. "But you forget one very important thing my dear… At Harry's widening gaze he added-…"what I want"...

The last was said with such menace, Harry almost felt his numb nerves waking up, instead he stood still .

"Dimitri,I thought vampires were smart,don't prove me wrong" he said it with all the dark anger hidden in his heart, powered by sheer desperation, his voice sounded commending;it was as if he became someone else.

Harry continued before the vampire interfered. "If you know who I am you know what I need to do- I'm the only one who can defeat Voldemort" the vampire appeared shocked: "You! A child, he would kill you!" After that outburst Dimitri went calm again (Harry suspected this was a regular pattern of emotion he was witnessing in the strange vampire)."But yes, I know you are the boy who lived-but this is human nonsense! you cant defeat that madman,he is too powerful' he concluded.

Harry almost smiled "the dark lord you mean?" Dimitri frowned "no, we don't call him that,Real vampires serve no one."

Harry could tell by the dark expression on the vampire face that his time was running out.

"There is a prophecy, no one knows about, neither me nor Voldemort can die as long as the other lives."

Harry didn't know why he trusted this vampire with the secret information, but truly he had no choice faced by death;Harry always acted with haste.

The moment stretched on with complete silence.

Finally Dimitri spoke: "I see. so you wanted my help" and as Harry stared into the vampires face, he believed he did see. For those blue intelligent eyes seemed to look right through him right then.

"You can't kill me. I can't die yet" he whispered. Dimitri seemed anguished. His large mouth pouting and his eyes confused.

"Then what did you want from me? He raged '" is so much darkness in your heart Harry! I feel your death wish" he raged:

'I can hear it rushing in your blood in the slow beating of you heart! He cried "you can't fool me!"

Harry felt his legs go weak at the words, his vision clouded, he realized he was crying actually crying He couldn't remember the last time he did.

As the hot tears slid down the curve of his cheek, down his neck.

He felt all strength leave him, and fell on the ground.

Harry noticed as if from a distance arms circling his shoulders, holding him in place.

And soothing words filled his ears;"it would be alright young Harry ...alright, an anguished voice promised "ill help you Ill make you strong…"

As the darkness of night closed on him he felt it enter his mind. His heart felt alive- beating with pain, as he knew he was lost.

Accepting the touch of cold hands on his body, and the touch of hard lips on his own.

Warmth from within was rising in Harry's chest as he let the vampire comfort him, or was it himself?

It didn't matter. Nothing did, Harry was numb, unmoving he let Dimitri kiss his lips and then his neck.

And as the sharp sting came, it was no surprise.