A/N: Hey guys,

I know, totally unbelievable that I updated. It's been a year and a very long one. To tell the truth there were days when my mind was set on abolishing this story, because the Twilight fandom and especially Edward Cullen isn't interesting enough to keep me occupied. Yet, here it is and while I'm still less than dedicated to continue this story, I'll try to do my best. Until then please enjoy and review despite my lousy skills of answering the comments... which sucks, because I have no idea when I stopped replying.

So here is a request because I really feel shitty, if you've ever written a review to one of my stories and I haven't replied, please send some flames, pokes, angry faces, whatever and I'll catch up with my responses.

Now enjoy the new twist I present during this somewhat short chapter and tell me what you think afterwards!

10. A New Guard

Timid sky blue eyes looked at him dead in the eyes, not flinching back even when they could see nothing but pure coldness and indifference and Harry had to admit that the muggle had courage to approach him and the sneering Malfoy scion next to him. The boy seemed vaguely familiar however he hadn't bothered to ask his name, knowing the blond would introduce himself if he wanted to.

"Welcome back," was everything the muggle said still staring into Harry's eyes.

"That's it? No inane questions? No luscious rumours about my absence?" the black haired wizard asked with a raised eyebrow and the other's lips quirked into a tiny smirk. "Ah your little groupies are glaring daggers at your back."

That smirk became cruel as the still nameless boy offered his hand. "I'm Mike Newton. And I don't have groupies."

Harry sniffed the air between them, pupils dilating for a moment as he tried to figure out what the Newton boy could hide, but there was nothing unusual in his scent. It was the typical smell of a hormonal teenager with the slight undertone of forest which indicated that Newton liked to wander in the woods... or did it mean something else?

"Really now? You could have fooled me," his own grin felt almost feral as he placed his own hand in the larger one. "You know my name."

Those blue eyes lit up and for a second Harry had the impression they were glowing; strong fingers engulfed his more delicate, but certainly not weaker appendages, silently promising mysterious and adventurous things.

"Are you done with your little chatter, Potter?" Malfoy hissed, clearly annoyed with him, stepping forward to size up the muggle teen. "I have better things to do than watch as you ogle this mu... mundane creature with stars in your eyes," he said in a disgusted tone before leaning closer to Harry's ear and whispered. "My father will be less than impressed when he hears about this."

Harry only smirked at the arrogant pureblood, letting the muggle's hand go in the process. So the little shit wanted to blackmail him? He could see the plans already forming behind those quicksilver eyes and the more animalistic side of him wanted to leap at the bastard and show him what it meant to be one of the most feared monsters in the world.

His vision started to bleed red, his claws sliding out, tearing into his palm as he hastily balled his fingers into fists to hide the evidence that couldn't be concealed by the glamour he wore. Suddenly the air was filled with the metallic and wild smell of his blood and someone growled not far from him.

"Meet me at lunch," he said in a tight voice looking at Newton again who on the other hand was staring at his balled hands fixatedly which caused him to narrow his eyes. "Come on Malfoy."

"Don't order me around!" Draco spat out but a scathing glance was enough for him to move.

They stepped into the main building, Malfoy basking in the attention but at the same time sneering in revulsion as he pranced down the hall among the staring crowd of students. Harry himself hid his still bleeding hands in his pockets, not caring about the pain that cursed through his arms. He didn't look at anyone, but could perfectly hear their whispered words and eager stares.

"... Did you see him?"

"Yeah, like a real prince..."

"So hot..."

"Do you think he has a girlfriend?"

"And his friend..."

"I want to get lost in those green eyes..."

"His name is Harry you know..."

"And the other is Draco. How unique..."

"... even more beautiful than the Cullens..."

Pathetic mortals; so eager to snatch the tiniest piece of gossip and making up stories and theories when they can't dig out anything. It was disgusting and the feral side of him wanted nothing more than show the mundane little things just how fragile their useless lives was. Sinking his claws into their tasty flesh, drinking up their blood, snapping their spine...

"I would wipe that bloodthirsty expression off of my face if I were you, Potter," Malfoy hissed from his left side. "You're making these... things nervous."

"Are you sure it's not you who I'm making nervous?" Harry smirked looking into those sharp silver eyes holding the molten gaze with self-confidence he had never possessed while they were in Hogwarts.

"Don't be ridiculous. I would never be afraid of someone like you," the blond huffed, but his gaze told the truth.

Harry's smirk widened his eyes never leaving the annoying pureblood in front of him, not even when he knew that a pair of golden eyes were boring into the back of his head trying to read his thoughts, trying to figure him out... to no avail. He was too collected yet wild for the vampire, who just walked through the front door with his coven mates and human bitch on his arm, to be able to read him or his mind.

"Indeed."

"Sarcasm doesn't suit you, Scarhead." A disdainful sneer and flashing grey eyes and in the next moment Harry's hand flashed forward, fingers burying themselves into silky white blond tresses before clenching eliciting a soft gasp from the young wizard forcing him to stop his trek to the destination of his first class.

"You may think that you are above everything, including me, but if I were you I would choose my opponents with more care," he whispered in a dangerously purring voice enjoying the shock and fear that seeped into Malfoy's gaze.

To the others it may have seemed like he was caressing the blond, smiling and acting like he cared and Harry could see that Draco was too terrified to do anything about his advances. The arrogant boy understood the innuendo behind his little threat and despite the knowledge of his father's status he was considering the possibility of accepting Harry's offer.

"What's in it for me?" The raven haired boy had to admit that despite his sliminess Malfoy had a spine standing up to him in spite of his own fear.

Harry took a step closer to the pureblood, invading his personal space, his lips hovering over the other's thinned ones which gained gasps and hushed exclamations from the crowd causing him to smile in an utterly terrifying way.

"You're a greedy little bastard aren't you," he chuckled glowing green orbs alit with amusement and challenge. "What's your price?"

It sounded so dirty and Malfoy's cheeks darkened in embarrassment and mortification upon hearing it. It was an interesting game between them, childish and amusing, but at the same time challenging and cruel, both of them trying to gain the upper hand, trying to dominate the other... and now it was his chance to win.

"How dare you?" Draco snarled into his mouth.

"You just have to name the price Draco..." Harry whispered before pulling back. "Think about it."

The muggles openly gaped at him as he walked away from the shocked Malfoy heir without deeming any of them worthy of his attention. He felt powerful and it was a very addicting feeling and no matter how much a part of him wanted to go back the way he was; being the vulnerable and shy boy who didn't like attention the chance to act normal was snatched from him moulding him into something new and... deadly.

The new him acted like a pompous uptight asshole to cover the confusing and not at all innocent emotions that were slowly eating away his heart. He didn't understand the new, so much more feral feelings that welled up in him or the need to prove himself to others.

Intellectually he knew that he was changed by the ritual Severus and Lucius performed, he could feel the lack of chains and restrains on his soul and the beast in him as well as the constant urge to rip apart and taste the humans around him, starting with that chit who snatched away his Mate from him.

Harry swallowed heavily and closed his eyes leaning against the closed doors of his classroom. The desire to kill was overwhelming and his control was slipping through his clenched fingers alongside with his oozing blood. He instantly felt when his glamour vanished and his eyes snapped open in shock and panic. He had to do something!

Looking around for the nearest restroom, silently congratulating himself for his foresight for curling his tail around his waist, he dashed through another corridor following his nose that was leading him towards the source of the overly clear smell that was laced with the putrid stench of urine and other body fluids that described the men's restroom.

Harry skipped his first class, the importance of regaining his self-control more important than some useless and deadly boring muggle lesson he didn't even understand. The hallways were empty as he wandered around taking in the sights and analysing the smells coming from each classroom, never stopping; not when he caught a whiff of Malfoy's tempting, but still too weak scent, not when he smelled his Mate's essence and the alluring coldness of it that three weeks ago nearly caused him to lose his mind and especially not when the stench of that bitch filled his nose.

He couldn't afford losing his cool again and he was sure even that one slip up earlier would cost him intrusive and curious questions from Alice; vampires just had as sharp noses as he did which was disturbing in itself. Harry knew that Alice tried to visit him during his 'illness', Severus was nice enough to snark at him for exchanging mangy mutts for nosy marble freaks, and with her affinity to just 'know things' he also knew that it was only a matter of time before he was cornered by the pixie vampire.

They were friends after all and it was only natural that a friend worried when their friends suddenly dropped out of school and disappeared without a trace for three whole weeks. Unfortunately for Alice, Harry saw through her plan the inquiring and earnest glances suggested whenever their gazes met thorough the day. Not that she had any opportunity to catch him with Draco being glued to his side during the breaks between classes.

Harry rolled his eyes and repressed a derisive snort as the blond glared at another student who almost dared to approach them as they were sitting down to one of the empty tables in the cafeteria; the girl actually squeaked and run back to her friends, her mortification and fear scorching through Harry's senses.

"And here I thought your egoism would be overloaded by the blatant adoration these kids show to you," he retorted casually, smirking as Malfoy's knuckles whitened on his fork before he stabbed his perfectly sliced chicken viciously.

"No one asked your opinion, Potty. No self-respected pureblood would lower themselves to even acknowledge the trash littered around in this place," the young wizard sniffed haughtily, his silver gaze challenging and full of disdain.

Harry opened his mouth to retort however, before he could even utter a word, that slightly familiar earthy scent he smelled that morning tickled his nose making it twitch without his consent. Malfoy shot him a sardonic look, but Harry ignored him favour of following Mike Newton as he made his way to their table.

"Forget it, Potter," Malfoy hissed, grey eyes flashing with indignity and disgust. "I'm not sitting with a thing like that."

"No one is forcing you to stay," Harry countered acerbically, lips twitching slightly upward when the muggle reached them, smiling his all too perfect smile, blue eyes glittering with amusement.

"Can I sit with you guys?" Mike asked, glancing at Draco with open glee earning a withering glare and pursed lips.

Harry smirked and gestured toward the empty seat next to the pureblood whose body immediately turned statue-like and tense as a wire. It was an amusing sight and seemingly Mike thought so too because that crooked smile was back accompanied by a little wink that caused Malfoy's cheek to turn pink and lower his gaze sulkily.

"So what do we owe the honour?" Harry asked catching longing, envious and shocked looks alike from the crowd in the room. Alice was watching them with a keen look in her topaz irises, her lips moving too fast for a simple human to even notice she was speaking. Harry's eyes narrowed suspiciously, before he turned back to the human sitting in front of him, ignoring his Mate's presence altogether.

"And here I thought we became friends in the matter of two minutes," Mike sighed mournfully causing Malfoy to bristle and Harry to snort softly.

"Sure you thought," he grinned, white teeth flashing in the sharp neon light of the cafeteria. "Now tell me the truth." All trace of humour was gone.

Both blondes sat up straight, Newton's expression turning serious and alert. "You intrigue me like Bella Swan never could."

"He's taken, you–" Malfoy snarled, hands clenched into fists on the table.

"Taken?" Mike mocked, raising a sardonic eyebrow.

"Ye–"

"I'm not interested in your pitiful power games," Harry cut in tersely. "And I don't know what you're playing at Michael, but you picked the wrong person to toy with."

"I have no plans to pursue you," the blonde replied with a shrug smirking at Draco. "But I can't deny that I feel you and the allure."

Harry withheld a wary sigh; the boy just confirmed what he suspected from the start and it didn't bode well with him at all. Especially not when he had no idea what kind of creature Newton was. The earthy smell and unnatural glint in his eyes were hints, sure, but there were far too many beings with similar features.

"If you don't want to pursue me, as you said, then what do you want?"

"Get to know someone who is just like myself." Crystal blue eyes started into his glamoured green ones, projecting sincerity. Then Mike lowered his voice even more so before he added, "Some who is hiding in plain sight."

Harry pondered over those words for a little while, his gaze searching for the tiniest sign of deception, but aside from the hint of malice and mischief, there was nothing. "We'll see," he said in the end, offering his hand with a raised eyebrow. "Maybe we both will find what we are looking for."

"Oh, I'm pretty sure we will." There was that smirk again as the boy curled his calloused fingers around Harry's, silent promises hanging between them.

"Harry!" That gleeful cry was the only warning before a small, cold body entwined itself around him.

"Alice," Harry groaned, gasping for air as he tried to keep his balance.

"I hope you're feeling better now!" the girl twittered happily, her hard arms still wound around his neck, eyes alit with genuine relief. "I had a feeling your friend was not going to let anyone near you, so I couldn't ask about how do you feel in the morning."

Harry smiled slightly, ignoring the cold smell of death that tickled his nose and was all too prominent even under the flowery perfume Alice used before heading to school that day. "I'm perfectly fine, you don't have to worry," he assured her.

"Where are your manners, Harry? You wouldn't even introduce me to your friend?" Malfoy asked all too sweetly, jabbing his elbow into Harry's ribs; it seemed he had enough of being ignored.

"Oh, yes... of course," Harry muttered with a roll of his eyes. "Alice, this is my... cousin, Draco Malfoy. Draco, this is Alice Cullen, my first friend in Forks."

"Nice to meet you," tinkled the pixie-like vampire, her smile wide and beaming. "And I'm Harry's best friend."

"Likewise. And we are only distant cousins through my mother," the blonde added with a lazy smirk, his gaze wandering over to Edward who was leaning against his car not far from them wearing a dark frown. "Unfortunately, I think it's time we left," he continued turning back to Harry with a disgustingly fake concerned look on his face. "Whatever you try to feed your friends with, you're still recovering and my father will worry if we don't get home in time."

Harry didn't comment on his rival's sickly sweet and overly familiar behaviour, after all, what good would it have done? He was even slightly amused, not that the little white ferret had any right to stake a claim on him, but from what he learned during the seven years they spent together in Hogwarts, Malfoys were generally possessive of everything they deigned as their own. The rational part of Harry's mind was aware that it was for the best, because the vampires, unlike the warm-blooded magical creatures, like Harry, while felt the attraction and pull toward their soul mates, could decide who they wanted to love. And Edward Cullen had made his mind up before Harry even appeared, which meant he could do only one thing; respect his mates decision and avoid him as much as he could.

"I can assure you, Draco, I'm perfectly fine," he replied finally trying to repress the urge to teach the bastard where he belonged. "However, you might be right, I'm severely behind in my classes and getting home late doesn't help my case at all."

Malfoy opened his mouth to say something, but Alice beat him to it. "If you want to, I and... Jasper would be more than willing to help you catching up with the workload," she offered, her gaze turning glazed for a second as she hesitated.

"I think... I have no other choice," Harry shrugged, offering a sheepish grin, but inwardly he was wondering what the vampire really wanted from him. "But only if it's not too much of a bother."

"Nonsense!" the girl giggled happily. "Say what, we head over to your house after dinner?"

"I think tomorrow would be a more sufficient date," Malfoy cut in, his tone mild and surprisingly polite. "Harry still needs to rest; the... virus that attacked him was really stubborn, and as I said he has still yet to fully recover." A pointed look from the pureblood stopped Harry from arguing.

"Great!" Alice chirped with an eager nod. "See you tomorrow in Chemistry." They hugged once more before the girl joined his siblings at their car.

"Get in, Potter. The sooner we get back to your revolting and shabby hut, the sooner I can get rid of you," Malfoy barked haughtily and disappeared behind the door of the passenger seat.

"We'll see who will get rid of whom, Draco Malfoy, maybe even permanently," Harry growled softly before getting into the car so they could finally leave.