This is a work of fanfiction that uses characters from the Harry Potter world, which is trademarked by J. K. Rowling and from the Anita Blake world created by L. K. Hamilton. All characters belong to their respective authors as stated above and I claim no ownership over them or the 'world' that is stated in the authors books. The story and situation I am creating is my imagination and I do not ascribe them to either authors official story cannon. This work is only intented for entertainment outside of official story line and I am not profiting financially in any way from the creation and publication of this story. I am so gratefull to both L. K. Hamilton and J. K. Rowling, whose stories have inspired and inflamed the imagination of so may people including myself. For without their work, mine would not exsist. I highly recommend buying their books!

Harry leant against the kitchen counter and counted to ten. The vampire sitting at the table gave him a blank look and simply waited with an ease that made it obvious that he had nothing to fear from Harry. It was infuriating. He'd never really managed occumency and even he could admit his temper could get out of control. But how could people expect him to keep calm when he'd only been in Saint Louis three days and they already wanted him to leave.

"Can you at least tell me why?" So much for America being a fresh start. Four years after Voldemort's defeat and he still had problems like this. The Order and their allies still praised him as The-Golden-Saviour. But they treated him with a reverence he didn't deserve, and that was something he couldn't accept, even from them. After Ron and Hermione had been married there was nowhere else for him to belong. They had asked him to stay with them; but he couldn't be a third-wheel in their marriage even for a day.

"All preternatural being's who wish to reside in his territory must first seek out an audience with the Master of the City. To not do so is a direct challenge to his authority and power."

What? Harry couldn't help but blink in stunned silence. They didn't want him to leave because of who he was? He felt hope fill his chest with a warm glow. Or better yet, perhaps it was as Hermione had suggested, and America was too far away to feel the full effects of Voldemort's reign of terror.

"So, if I get permission from this Master, no one can tell me to leave?"

"As long as the Master rules this territory and he permits you to stay, no preternatural force has the authority to ask you to leave. The humans, however, are another matter all together. You must obey preternatural and human laws while you are here. Unless the Master wishes something from you exclusively, those are usually the basis of the agreement."

"So who is this Master of the City? And why does he think I'm a preternatural being?" And how much does he really know about me? Harry thought as he ran his eyes over the vampire and tried to memorize everything about him. He was tempted to reach out with his magic but didn't want to give himself away in what could end in a fight. The vampire reclining on his wooden dining chair was dressed in a smart charcoal suit with a white shirt and grey silk tie. His hair was tight black curls cut close to his head set against pale skin and brown eyes. He almost looked Latino if he hadn't been over six foot five tall. Maybe that was why he'd chosen to sit down; to keep from intimidating him. Even though he was 21 now and the war had been officially over for 3 years he was only 5ft 7 and still gangly with knobbly knees he hides by wearing jeans.

"Mr Black, my Master sensed your presence within his city and wished to meet with you. Tonight. I have been asked to escort you to his business so that the two of you can become acquainted." The bland smile didn't quite hide the implied threat he felt from the words, although he'd be hard put to pinpoint exactly why he felt threatened. There was a part of himself that wanted to rail at this vampire. To demand who this Master thought he was dealing with and to hurt him for taking Harry's freedom for even a few hours.

But the words that came out of his mouth were "Alright." It seemed the more impulsive part of himself had spoken before he could think of a way to avoid the whole issue. Damn. Now there was no choice but to meet this vampire. Not that there had been much of one to start with. He would head to his Haven and preform several dampening spells on his person. The only danger would be the minute he cast any spell the illusion would be shattered. And he had a feeling that if he had to use a spell tonight then things would be heading in a very bad direction. Health wise.

Keep moving forward, no matter the consequence.

"Give me 15 minutes to get ready and I'll come with you." He almost expected the vampire to deny him or to follow him until he was ready to leave. So it was with some surprise that he smoothly stood to his full height; gave Harry a formal bow and announced he would wait outside with the car. Before Harry could blink the vampire was simply gone from the kitchen. No bang of apparition. Just gone.

Sweat broke out under the collar of his polo shirt. Knowing that vampires were faster than humans were one thing but to see them vanish in front of you was quite another thing. There was no spell he knew of that could make him as fast as them nor any way for he to see them move without a spell to slow them down. That was too obvious. And if the more powerful a vampire dictated their speed it wouldn't help him much. he'd have slow motion vampires and fast forward ones running around a room. The visual was almost enough to make him smile if he wasn't dreading tonight. Besides such a spell wouldn't hold for long. Hmm. If he couldn't match their speed maybe he could make himself untouchable? Was there such a shield to stop violent attacks that was passive and undetectable until activated? How long could it withstand an attack and what if he was unconscious? He did not want to be bitten or bonded to a vampire. He would have to stick with the dampening spells and be very careful until he either found or invented the spell himself. If he was going to live here then he refused to be vulnerable.

Satisfied with his plan he hurried to have a shower and get changed in the 10 minutes left. He would need to dress fancy. He hated dressing fancy.