The man gazed up at the castle, mouth turning up into a smile at the old friends he was about to see. He used a gloved hand to brush the strand of loose hair out of his face that the breeze had blown. His head tilted in curiosity as his misty blue eyes tracked the man hobbling across the grounds and towards the forest. Very curious.

He casually put his hands in the pockets of his cloak and slowly walked up to the school. He paused again to watch the young boy that came storming out of the castle, his body angry as he walked to two small headstones by the lake. Intrigued, he changed his direction to head towards the boy. He made sure to make noise so he didn’t startle the boy.

“Privet,” he said and the boy whipped his head, obviously caught off guard by the unfamiliar voice. The shockingly bright green eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Hello.”

“Hello,” the boy said, guarded.

“Do not be frightened. I am a friend of some here,” he said. “Perhaps you know them. A Professor Snape and a Mr. Malfoy.”

The boy snorted almost contemptuously. “Oh yeah, I know them.”

“Well, I presume, based on your reaction,” the man said.

“Well enough at this point,” the boy said.

“You seem angry.”

The boy huffed and crossed his arms. “I’m not actually supposed to be out here, not alone anyways. It’s been forbidden.”

“There must be a reason.”

“It’s too dangerous,” the boy sneered, “but it’s been dangerous all year. Nothing’s really changed.”

“It sounds as though they are trying to keep you safe.”

“I would’ve liked a say in this whole thing though,” the boy said and sighed. “Fine, you’re right, they’re just trying to help.”

He glanced back at the tall man, taking in the auburn hair pulled into a ponytail and strange eyes.

“Who exactly are you?” the boy asked.

“As I said, a friend,” the man said. “I have been asked to help with some business matters.”

The boy’s green eyes narrowed. “You’re a vampire.”

The man smirked in amusement. “I am. Very observant.”

The boy shrugged. “You’ve got the black ring around your irises and I saw a fairly pointed tooth at one point.”

The man chuckled. “You are quite intelligent, rebenok.”

“What language is that? You used it before too.”

“Russian,” the man said. “I am a born Russian.”

“That’s brilliant,” the boy said. “I’ve never been outside Britain.”

“Perhaps one day you’ll have your change to travel.”

“Maybe.” The boy looked out at the lake. “Severus and Lucius are down in the dungeons in Severus’ rooms. Could you not tell them I’m out here?”

The man tilted his head and smiled before miming pulling a zipper across his mouth.

The boy smiled in appreciation. “Thanks. I’m Harry, by the way.”

“Alexei. Very nice to meet you. I must go now.”

Harry nodded and returned to the lake as Alexei headed into the school and into the dungeons. He knocked on one of the doors and it was opened in seconds. He smiled at his old friend just before being pulled into a hug.

“Alexei,” Severus said. “What in the world are you doing here?”

Alexei hugged Lucius and then took a seat in the armchair. “Lucius has asked for my help. You want guardianship of a child?”

Severus nodded. “Harry Potter. The most famous wizard in Britain.”

“That is a tall order,” Alexei said and then grinned. “It won’t be a problem. Well, mostly.”

“Mostly?” Severus said, uncertain.

“You will have to go through an interview,” Alexei said. “You have to show you will be a fit guardian, especially for someone so important.”

Severus let out a deep breath. “I can do that.”

“Good, because I will most likely be the one to interview you.” Alexei laughed and Severus chuckled, rolling his eyes.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were using Alexei?” Severus asked Lucius.

“I wasn’t sure he’d be available to help,” Lucius said.

“I have been working with a feral vampire clan in the Philippines,” Alexei said. “It was weeks before I received Lucius’ letter. I was able to settle things, however, and can help with this. I couldn’t pass up the chance to see the two of you again. It’s been too long.”

The other men nodded in agreement.

“So, what is the child’s situation?” Alexei asked, accepting a cup of tea as a tray floated into the sitting room.

“Badly abused,” Lucius said and Severus nodded.

“He’s an orphan. His parents were killed when he was just a baby. He was left with his Muggle aunt and uncle. They are the only blood relatives he has but they have abused him all his life,” Severus explained.

“I will need some proof of this,” Alexei said. “Photos, memories, a statement of some kind, medical records.”

“I can get some,” Severus said.

“Once I have the evidence, I can declare the Muggles to be unfit. They will have to sign a release form, denouncing their legal rights to the child,” Alexei said. “I will then interview you, declare you a fair candidate, and then we all sign the papers. Lucius will be our witness. The child will have to sign as well to prove he is agreeing to the guardianship.”

“So not too difficult?” Lucius said.

Alexei shook his head. “One of the easiest cases I’ve had.”

The two men smiled and then they all sat back, taking the time to catch up.

“Shouldn’t yeh be gettin’ back ter the castle?” Hagrid said as he lumbered beside Harry, the two of them slowly walking the perimeter of the Forbidden Forest. It had grown dark but it was a full moon, and it had the grounds brightly lit.

Harry shrugged. “Not like anyone cares.”

“Now that ain’t true,” Hagrid argued. “Snape and Lucius Malfoy there care a lot ‘bout yeh. Maybe you don’t see it, but they do.”

“Maybe but it’s all temporary anyways, isn’t it?” Harry said. He was almost speaking more aloud to himself than to the half-giant beside him. “They’ll forget all about me come summer.”

“’Arry…”

“It’s fine, Hagrid, really,” Harry said. “I appreciate all they’ve done this year. They made things much easier. I’ll be fine.”

“Snape’s a good man, he wouldn’t just leave yeh,” Hagrid said.

“He is a good man,” Harry agreed and smiled at his friend. “I should have listened to you in first year.”

Hagrid chuckled. “He makes it tough ter tell.”

Harry nodded. He felt what he had told Hagrid was true: he’d be fine. Severus and Lucius had helped him so much. They’d made a terribly difficult year bearable, had made him almost…happy. He truly felt he could survive returning to the Dursleys’. The two men had made him stronger.

He gasped as he suddenly hit the ground, his foot catching what he assumed was a tree root. He rolled over to check and his eyes widened as they met the dead ones of Barty Crouch Senior.

“Yeh alright, Harry?” Hagrid said before spotting the body. “Sweet Merlin.”

“Stay here, Hagrid,” Harry said, clambering to his feet. “I’ll go get help.”

He took off running back to the castle. He skidded to a stop on his way to Dumbledore’s office by Moody hobbling over to him.

“What’s your rush, boy?”

“Something’s happened,” Harry said. “I need to get Dumbledore.”

“What is it?”

Harry hesitated, wondering if he should say anything. “Crouch,” he said, “he’s dead.”

A strange look flashed quickly through Moody’s good eye and his tongue flicked out. “Really now?”

Harry nodded slowly. “I need to…”

“Potter, what has you in the corridors so close to curfew?”

Severus had come up to them unexpectedly, frowning at the both of them. The look he gave Moody was full of suspicion.

“I need to find Dumbledore,” Harry said, looking up at Severus. “Something’s happened to Mr. Crouch down by the Forest. Hagrid’s there.”

Severus whipped out his wand and waved it. A bright blue, misty doe burst from his wand and pranced around before galloping the direction of the headmaster’s office. The man had a beautiful Patronus and Harry wondered if there was a story there.

“Go to my rooms,” Severus said. “Lucius is there. Go. Now.”

“Be careful,” Harry whispered before rushing down to the now all-too-familiar rooms. He walked into the room and was immediately approached by Lucius.

“Harry?” Lucius said, frowning. “Aren’t you meant to be in the Tower?”

“I was outside with Hagrid,” Harry said. “Crouch is dead. We found him in the Forbidden Forest.”

“Crouch?” Lucius repeated, shocked, and Harry nodded. The blonde reached out and clasped the boy’s shoulder, bringing him close. “Are you alright?” he asked quietly.

Harry nodded again, grateful for the man’s concern. He hadn’t realized how shaken he had been by his discovery. He glanced around the comforting room, hoping to sit, when he spotted the other man on the sofa. It was the Russian man from earlier that day.

“Sorry, I didn’t realize you guys had company,” Harry said. “Severus told me to come here.”

“And here is where you should be,” Lucius said, leading Harry to his chair. He motioned for the boy to sit and returned to the sofa. “Harry, this is our good friend Alexei. Alexei, Harry Potter.”

“Good to see you again, rebenok,” Alexei said with a smile.

“We met earlier,” Harry said in response to Lucius’ questioning look. “When I left after our fight, I went outside and he was there.”

Lucius’ eyes narrowed and Harry swallowed nervously. He was in trouble now. “You went outside alone?”

Harry sunk into his chair and nodded. He felt his heart begin to pound, fearful of what could happen now he made the man angry. As luck would have it, he would have to wait until later to find out as the silvery blue doe he had seen from Severus before appeared.

“Lucius, we are in need on you. Dumbledore’s office.” The doe then turned to Harry who stared at the Patronus in shock and awe. “Harry, stay in my rooms. You will stay the night. We will fill you in when we return or in the morning, depending on the time. Good night and sleep well if we are not back before you go to sleep.”

The doe dissipated.

Lucius looked back at Harry. “This is also not over. It will be addressed tomorrow, understood?” Harry nodded. “Stay here with Alexei. Be in bed at a reasonable hour. Sleep well.”

Harry gave a tight smile and watched Lucius Floo to the headmaster’s office. He blew out a relieved breath and sagged in his chair.

“You seem to be in some trouble,” Alexei said into the silence and Harry looked at him when he thought he detected amusement in the words.

Harry huffed. “They’re overreacting.”

“Obviously not, given what you’ve just found.”

Harry rolled his eyes. “Great, another one. You sound just like them.”

“They are concerned about you,” Alexei said. “It is natural when people care for each other.”

Harry glared, but then sighed and shook his head, relenting. “Am I allowed to ask who you are exactly?”

The man raised an eyebrow.

“I have yet to hear your last name and I’m guessing there’s a reason.”

The vampire smirked. “Quite the intelligence and curiosity you’ve got there. Make sure you’re careful with that curiosity. It could get you into trouble.”

Harry shrugged. “Already has loads of times. I’ve sort of become known for it.”

Alexei chuckled. “Very well then. My full name is Alexei Nikolaevich Romanov.”

Harry blinked in surprised recognition. “Romanov?” Alexei nodded in confirmation. “Weren’t all the Romanovs executed?”

Alexei sat back in the sofa and crossed his long legs. “Theoretically and publically and historically. The Alexei that was executed was a golem. I am the only one who escaped and survived.”

“How?” Harry asked, intrigued.

“Our advisor, Grigori Rasputin. He was magic and a vampire. He saved me and took me away. We stayed mostly hidden until I had aged enough that I wouldn’t be recognized. He turned me when I was twenty-five and also found a way to give me magic through the change. He was killed ten years after he turned me.”

“Wow,” Harry breathed. “That’s incredible. How do you know Lucius and Severus?”

“I met Lucius through the Ministry. I’ve done much work with him,” Alexei said. “Severus was my apprentice. He gained his Potions mastery under me.”

“What? No way,” Harry gasped. Alexei just smiled lazily in amusement. “You must have incredible stories and memories.”

“A few,” Alexei said vaguely.

Harry grinned. “Can I hear one?”

“Tomorrow.” Harry’s face fell. “I believe you were instructed to go to bed at a reasonable hour.” The vampire glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece.

Harry sighed. It was almost eleven-thirty at night. “I guess so.” He got out of his chair and headed to the guestroom. “Are you staying?”

Alexei nodded. “I am.”

“Good,” Harry said. “Have a good night.”

“And you, rebenok.”

“I am giving you one more chance to reconsider removing Potter from his relatives’,” Severus said, glaring at Dumbledore. Lucius stood quietly in the corner, observing.

“You know I cannot do that, Severus,” Dumbledore said. “Those wards around Privet Drive are protecting him, are the only reason he survives the summer holidays.”

“He barely survives his summer,” Severus snapped. “They may protect him from outside danger, but what about inside? What is protecting him from those people?”

Dumbledore sighed. “Severus, listen to me. Harry’s situation is not ideal but it is necessary. His relatives are afraid of magic which will prevent them from going too far.”

“They’ve already gone too far, the moment they laid a finger on the boy,” Severus hissed and swept from the room.

Dumbledore turned to Lucius. “Severus cannot have the boy, not if Voldemort is to return.”

“I thought you wanted the two of them to get along and work together,” Lucius said, stepping forward.

“I did,” Dumbledore said with a nod, “but nothing more. They both need their isolation to be strong, survive, and do their jobs. They will both have crucial roles in the war and can have no distractions.”

Lucius’ face darkened and shuttered. Severus’ and Harry’s fate was being decided for them. Their lives were being laid out for them. Their potential happiness was being taken away because it didn’t fit the description of hardened, self-sacrificing soldiers.

“You would willingly leave them alone and miserable and in pain, and Harry abused, for the sake of a war?”

Dumbledore stared at him steadily, showing next to no emotion. “For the greater good.”

“They could be each other’s strength,” Lucius said and then he left the office.

When Lucius arrived back in Severus’ rooms, he only found Alexei sitting on the sofa. He gave the vampire a questioning look.

“He is in Harry’s room,” Alexei said. “I assume it was not a good meeting.”

Lucius sighed and shook his head. “We will not have any support from Dumbledore for the guardianship.”

Alexei nodded. “Go see the boy.”

Lucius did so, quietly entering the room that was obviously and quickly becoming Harry’s room. He leaned against the wall near the door, taking in the scene. Harry was fast asleep in the bed, sprawled out on his back, one arm hanging off the bed and his head turned towards the edge of the bed. Severus was sat on the side, gazing down at the small fourteen year old. Lucius watched as Severus reached out and brushed once through Harry’s hair before bringing his hand to rest gently on the boy’s chest.

Severus’ head twitched to the side, noticing someone had joined him. “I am not leaving him.”

“None of us are,” Lucius said.

Nothing else was said. They simply continued to watch the damaged, alone child sleep peacefully.