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[Trunks]

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[Trunks]

The Gryffindor Common Room was strangely crowded this morning as Harry, Ron and Hermione climbed through the portrait hole. A large amount of students seemed to be gathering around a small armchair by the fire. As Harry approached he saw that the people attracting all the attention were Fred and George , the Weasley twins.

"Hey Harry. Come and have a look." said Seamus Finnigan one of Harry's friends. "Fred and George have invented a new type of cake. It starts singing once you have put it in your mouth. It's cool. Have a try!" Fred handed Harry one of the cakes. It was a brown mucky colour and didn't look too tasty.

"Are you sure its edible?" Harry asked Fred.

"Yes of course. Go on Harry. Its not going to hurt you. Ron, Hermione, you can have one too."

"Oh great," Ron said under his breath as Fred handed him the cake. Hermione eyed it curiously.

"Harry, you go first." Hermione said unsurely.

"Okay. Here goes!" Harry popped the cake into his mouth. It tasted completely opposite to what it looked like. It was sweet and had a sort of strawberry flavour to it.

"What's it like Harry?" Ron asked curiously.

"Mmmm. Its beauti..." Harry began but stopped. The cake had started to squirm around in his mouth.

"Uhgg, blaa. ohhh," Harry mumbled. George started laughing.

"Calm down Harry. It will start singing soon," George assured him.

George was right. Not soon after, the cake had started to hum a tune.

"Think of a tune." Fred told Harry. "The cake should start singing it."

Harry thought of a tune by the Weird Sisters and just as Fred had said the cake started singing it. It sounded exactly like them. Ron and Hermione put theirs in their mouth.

"That is cool!" Harry swallowed the cake and the singing died away. Ron and Hermiones were still going but this time to the tune of one of Celestial Warbeck's songs.

"That's great!" Ron exclaimed after he had swallowed his cake. "How did you guys make it?"

"Top secret," Fred and George both said together with silly grins on their faces.

At that moment Professor Mc Gonagall entered the common room and ushered everyone into silence.

"I have been told to bring to your attention that some of the students from Beauxbatons School of Witchcraft and Wizardry will be staying at Hogwarts for a short amount of time. This is because of some problems with the Beauxbatons school. I would like you all to treat them with respect and try and make them feel very welcome. They will all be divided evenly into our four house groups and will be doing lessons with the fifth years."

"What's happening at their school?" asked Dean Thomas another friend of Harry, Ron and Hermione.

"It is not yours nor my business Dean." Professor Mc Gonagall said firmly. "Now they will be arriving tomorrow afternoon at 1:00. All your lessons until they come will be used to prepare for their arrival. After they arrive we will have a small feast then lessons will go on as usual. Thankyou. Please get ready for your first lesson." With that she turned and walked back out of the portrait hole.

"Yes! They are coming again. I wonder if Fleur Delacour will get put in Gryffindor? Wouldn't that be great Harry, taking lessons with her. I can just imagine it!" Ron said with a dreamy expression on his face.

"Remember though Ron. Not all the Beauxbatons students will be staying here. Some will be going to other schools around the country. So maybe Fleur Delacour won't be sent here." Hermione told Ron.

"Yeah I suppose so. To bad for you that Durmstrang isn't having problems too. Then you could be with Krum." Hermione blushed the same colour as Ron's hair.

"Shut up Ron," she said quietly and then ran off up the stairs to the girls dormitory.

"What's up with her?" Ron asked.

"I don't know but I think we better get ready for our first lesson." Harry told him as he headed for the stairs.

"What's that?"

"Potions."

"Oh great. This is going to be real fun."

[Trunks]

Maybe she is already in class," Harry suggested to Ron. "Yeah maybe." So they both headed for the dungeon where the potions lessons took place. Everyone was in and seated by the time they got there and when they arrived Snape didn't look too happy.

"What is the meaning of this?" he shouted his cold eyes staring at both Ron and Harry. "You are ten minutes late."

"Sorry Professor. It's just that we were looking for Hermi..." Ron started to explain but Snape cut him short.

"No excuses Weasley. 50 points taken of Gryffindor and I want you both sitting in the front of the class where I can keep an eye on you." Snape turned to Malfoy.

"Draco, you wouldn't mind moving to the back of the class. I know I can trust you not to do anything stupid, unlike Potter and Weasley here."

"No Professor. I don't mind." said Malfoy in a fake sweet voice as he moved his things over to a table in the far back corner of the dungeon. Harry and Ron went and sat themselves down in the two empty seats at the front. Harry looked around for Hermione but couldn't see her in any of the seats.

Ron passed a note, under the table, to Harry. Harry read it and got out a pen to reply making sure that Snape's back was to them.

"Put that pen down right now." Snape said as he turned around to face Harry. Harry put the pen down on the table.

"Ten points from Gryffindor for writing the note, Weasley, and ten points off for writing back Potter." Professor Snape turned his back to them again. "Looks like he has eyes at the back of his head," Ron whispered to Harry. "What did you say Weasley?" Snape asked as he turned and looked at Ron with his cold eyes.

"Uhh, nothing Professor." Ron told him.

"I heard that Weasley. Twenty points from Gryffindor for your comment. Thanks to you Potter and Weasly ninety points have been taken off Gryffindor in under an hour."

Malfoy and his fellow Slytherins sniggered. As Snape turned around again Ron started to pull a face but Harry stopped him. It seemed that Snape was watching their every move. Hermione still hadn't arrived and Harry and Ron were getting very worried.

"Why don't we tell Snape that we think that Hermione is in trouble," Ron suggested. "Are you kidding? Do you think he really cares? He just can't wait until she turns up so he can take some more points off Gryffindor for her being late."

Harry said as he cut up his rat tails on the bench opposite Ron. Professor Snape was still watching them so they had to talk quietly.

"I am getting worried now. It is unlike Hermione to miss a class. If she doesn't come by the end of the lesson I am going to talk to Professor McGonagall." Harry told Ron quietly.

"Yeah okay." The rest of the lesson went really slowly and there was still no sign of Hermione.

When Snape dismissed them they hurried out of the dungeon and up to the Gryffindor portrait hole. The Fat Lady was snoozing in her armchair so they had to wake her up.

"Password?" she asked sleepily.

"Godric Gryffindor," Harry told her. The portrait hole opened up and Harry and Ron climbed in. There was no one in the Gryffindor common except Colin Creevey, a fourth year who adores Harry.

"Hello. How are you Harry?" he asked simply ignoring Ron. Ron looked unhappy. He often got jealous of Harry getting all the attention. Ron hardly got any at all being one of seven children in the Weasley family.

"You haven't seen Hermione anywhere, have you Colin?" Harry asked him.

"No I haven't Harry, but I was wondering if I could talk to you about something..."

"Not now, Colin. I am sort of busy," Harry said as he and Ron ran up the stairs to the boys dormitory. They threw their books and things on their four poster bed and headed back down the common room and out the portrait hole. When they reached Professor McGonagall's office they knocked and she opened the door.

She was wearing her usual robes and her hair was in a tight bun on the top of her head.

"Hello Harry; hello Ron. What brings you two here?" she asked as she brought them into her office and shut the door behind her. Ron nudged Harry to speak. "Well," Harry began, "we came to tell you that we are worried about Hermione."

"We haven't seen her since this morning and she didn't turn up for Potions class," Ron told McGonagall.

"Yes. Well there is no need to worry. Hermione is very safe. The reason she did not turn up for Professor Snape's lesson is that she is doing something for me. I have just informed Professor Snape on why she was not there and there will me no points taken off Gryffindor." McGonagall told them.

"If you don't mind me asking Professor, what was she doing?" Harry was curious to find out.

"Why don't you ask Hermione? See if she would like to tell you, okay? I have let her go for today so she should turn up to her next lesson. Now if you don't mind I am a bit busy so I will see you in Transfiguration." "Bye," Harry and Ron both said as they walked out of Professor Mc Gonagalls office.

"I wonder what she had to do?" Ron thought out loud. "Yeah I know. I feel better now that I know that Hermione is okay, though."

"Same here, but it is not fair!" exclaimed Ron.

"What's not fair?" asked Harry.

"Hermione was lucky enough to miss one of Snapes lessons. Why couldn't one of us do it for Professor? Anything's better than having a lesson with Snape."

Harry laughed but stopped when he saw what was happening up ahead. Malfoy had his wand out and was pointing it straight at Colin Creevey.

[Trunks]

Stop it Malfoy! What do you think you are doing?" Harry took out his own wand and ran in front of Colin.

"The little twits gone and stolen my Potions book." He said pointing to Colin who was shaking and had tears in his eyes. Malfoy had put his wand back in his pocket.

"It wasn't me. I promise Harry. I didn't do it!" Colin said between sobs.

"Its okay Colin. Don't worry about it." Ron said as he walked over to Colin and began to pat him on the back. " Harry believes you. Don't you Harry?"

"Yes Colin. I do believe you. I would never believe Malfoy."

Colin seemed to have stopped crying a bit when he heard Harry say this.

"How do you know it was Colin?" Harry asked Malfoy.

"I saw him," Malfoy replied. "Going through my bag."

"I didn't, you liar." Colin shouted. He started crying again. "Do you believe me Harry?" A crowd had gathered around them trying to see what was going on.

"Of course Colin. I told you before. I'd believe anyone before I believe this idiot." Harry reassured him.

"What did you call me Potter?" Malfoy asked. He had taken out his wand again but this time he was pointing it towards Harry.

"I called you an idiot, Malfoy, because that is what you are. You are just looking for trouble."

"You'll pay for that Potter," he said and he lunged forward wand in hand.

"DRACO MALFOY! What do you think you are doing, young man?" Professor Dumbledore had made his way through the crowd of students and was standing beside Harry.

"What is going on here?" Professor McGonagall said as she too made her way through the crowd of students watching them.

"I was just about to ask that Minerva." Dumbledore looked from Harry to Malfoy.

"It wasn't Harry's fault, Professor Dumbledore." Colin said.

Dumbledore turned and faced teary eyed Colin.

"Perhaps you would like to tell us what is going on Colin. Go on."

Dumbledore gestured for Colin to start talking.

"Okay, I was walking out of the Gryffindor Common Room when Malfoy stopped me and pointed his wand at me. He accused me of stealing his Potions book. Harry saw Malfoy pointing his wand at me so he came and asked what's going on. Then Harry called Malfoy a name," Harry put his head in his hands, "so Malfoy attacked Harry."

"Harry called me an idiot, Professor." Malfoy told Dumbledore.

"I don't want to hear about it, Draco. Is what Colin said correct Harry?"

"Yes, Professor." Harry told him.

"Okay then. From what I hear, you, Draco have threatened to attack two students. 100 points from Slytherin for that. If Professor Snape would like to take anymore off for your behaviour I will let him do so. Draco you have detention tomorrow night. Minerva you can deal with Harry and please take Colin back to the Gryffindor Common Room. Draco, you come with me."

Dumbledore walked off and Malfoy followed head down. "Harry, Colin come with me. Everyone get ready for your next class."

The crowd died away and when it did Professor McGonagall spoke.

"Colin, please go up to the common room. Harry, I want to talk to you. I am not going to take any points of Gryffindor because I believe that you did nothing wrong. I will though give you a job to do. You will assist Hermione in what she is doing. Hermione will explain everything. If Ron would like to help he may. Now go upstairs and get ready for your next class."

Harry went to his dormitory and got his books. Colin was still there when he got there.

"Thank you Harry. You are so brave." Colin said shyly.

"Thats okay, Colin. I'd do anything to help. I better get going though. I have got Transfiguration next. Bye." Harry ran down the stairs and through the Gryffindor portrait hole. He set off down the corridors in search for Ron. He found him just as he was about to go into Professor McGonagall's classroom.

"Hey Ron," Harry said.

"Hi Harry. What happened? You didn't get detention did you?" Ron asked Harry.

"No, I didn't. No points off Gryffindor at all but Professor said that I have to help Hermione with this thing she is doing. McGonagall said if you wanted to help you could too."

"Yeah, I'll help. As long as its not too much work." Ron said happily.

When they walked into the class they saw that Hermione was sitting at the back. She had saved seats for them.

"Harry, Ron. Come and sit down." Hermione called from her seat.

Just as Harry and Ron sat down Professor Mc Gonagall started her lesson.

Harry and Ron didn't get the chance to speak to Hermione because Professor McGonagall spoke through the whole lesson.

When she dismissed them Hermione ran out but before she did she told Harry and Ron.

"Meet me in the library in ten minutes." she told them excitedly. "I have something important to tell you!"

To be Continued...

[dmalfoy]

Ok here's mine its kind of long though so it may be an idea to copy and paste onto word and then read in your own time. It crosses over with Spike from Buffy and Wesley from Angel but it can stand up on its own. its all described.

Blood, Crystals and Porcelain Dolls
As the rain pounded the ground, lightning struck illuminating the two figures at the doors of Hogwarts. Needless to say, it was a dark and stormy night. (Although not as dark and stormy as two nights ago when Neville had another accident in potions where he did slightly more than just melt his cauldron. Nevertheless, if any awards were given out for dark and stormy nights this would probably win one).
The taller of the two men adjusted his glasses and then pounded on the door. The huge oak doors heaved open and a small wrinkled face popped out.
“What are you two doing out here?” demanded the greasy old man. The tabby cat wrapping itself around his leg. “Mrs Norris and me will see what Professor Dumbledore will have to say about this.”
“That’ll be quite enough Filch, I’ll take it from here.” The sonorous voice echoed as another, taller man appeared at the door. He seemed to have materialised from the shadows, his dark cloak sweeping the floor.
“But Professor Snape…”
“FILCH,” his tone raised, Snape glared at Filch with dark cavernous eyes. Filch looked down, defeated he walked away muttering to himself.
Snape turned his attention to the two men, “Come in then. I don’t want to have to wait all night.” He looked disapprovingly at the taller man. He still had the same dark hair, the same mannerisms probably even the same glasses, he mused. He then observed the blond; his hair slicked back and his black leather duster dripping on the floor. Although the shorter of the two, he carried himself with an arrogance that seemed to infuriate the other.
“Follow me, you were expected an hour ago.” Snape led them through a labyrinth of staircases and corridors, when suddenly Peeves appeared and spotted the taller man. “Look who’s back!” he screeched “should’ve stayed at home”. It was then that he spied the other entrant to Hogwarts. His face paled (well paler than usual, what with him being a ghost and all). “I’m sorry I’m sorry” the poltergeist pleaded. Snape watched in bewilderment as Peeves shot out of the corridor. It was as if his very afterlife depended on it. He looked over to the platinum blond who simply smirked. There was something different about him, something he couldn’t quite place but whatever it was, it was dark. Snape could almost feel it.
They reached a stone statue. Snape sighed heavily and then said “butterbeer and Bott’s every flavoured beans with banana and blackberry sauce.” The two onlookers worked hard to stifle their giggles but failed miserably. Snape retorted with a stare that could kill. (And I don’t mean a simple murder or even a double, I’m talking about a worldwide massacre with the numbers reaching the billions). The gargoyle slid away to reveal the narrow spiral staircase. The staircase moved up like an escalator and as they stepped off at the top, they found themselves in front of a huge gleaming oak door. The brass griffin knocker turned its head and watched them wearily as Snape pushed the door open…

* * * * * * * * * *

In the circular room, the paintings of former headmasters and mistresses watched intently as an age old man approached the three men. “I’ve been expecting you,” beamed Dumbledore his eyes shining brightly as he greeted the taller man. “Wesley, my boy how are you?” Wesley grinned “Fine sir, although I’m not with the Watchers Council anymore, I’m a rogue demon hunter now.” The blond scoffed, “and speaking of demons this is Spike.”
“Oh yes of course the vampire,” replied Dumbledore.
“Vampire! I was not told a vampire would be involved. How can we trust it? What of it’s bloodlust?”
“Calm yourself Severus, I don’t believe that will be a problem,” answered Dumbledore.
“Yes, Blondie here now has a chip in his head. It causes pain whenever he tries to harm a human.” Wesley explained “So basically he’s been neutered.”
Spike bristled at this; “look I can still kill demons okay! Anyway at least I don’t work for that poof of a sire of mine.”
“Take that back!” Wesley demanded.
“Make me!” Spike replied.
“Silence.” Dumbledore ordered with a twinkle in his eyes, “I’m sure you two can cope Severus will now show you to your rooms”. Wesley and Spike rose and were steered out of the room. “It has been a pleasure to see you again Wesley and a pleasure to meet you Spike, or should I say William.” Spike turned in surprise just as the door closed and was convinced he had seen Dumbledore chuckling to himself.
* * * * * * * * * *
It was going to be their sixth year at Hogwarts, Yet their excitement had not faded, to meet old friends such as Dean and Seamus. To see what Fred and George had planned for their final year here. To see whom the new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher and pray Snape had been transferred away or at least had lost his voice for the year but that probably wouldn’t stop him. This was running through their minds as they filed into the Great Hall. They took their seats knowing the new first years would be arriving soon ready to be sorted.
“Did either of you notice something on the train?” asked Hermione.
“Nope” replied Ron.
“Like what?” inquired Harry.
“Like Malfoy” she elaborated.
“He didn’t come near us,” said Harry.
“That’s my point, not one insult or remark.”
“Maybe he’s finally learned that a Weasley is not to be messed with.” Replied Ron puffing his chest out.
“I don’t think that’s it,” said Hermione “I mean just look at him.”
The trio looked over to the Slytherin table to see Malfoy absently stabbing the table between his splayed fingers with a butter knife.
“Weird,” remarked Ron.
“What is?” Asked Ginny who had just taken her seat.
“Malfoy” replied Harry. Ginny looked over “ Does someone want to tell him the table is dead already.” She said.
“I don’t know if he’d be able to hear them,” observed Hermione.
“What are you all looking at?” asked Fred.
“Malfoy” replied Ginny.
“Malfoy, why?” asked George.
“Just look,” she said, “he’s been acting odd all day. He hasn’t made fun of anyone, not even Neville. Even Crabbe and Goyle look confused.” (Although you do have to admit this isn’t exactly hard to do, I’m sure a three-numbered dot to dot would stump them.)
“Someone should maybe take the knife away from him, although it would be cool to see if he stabs himself.” Replied Dean. Within seconds the entire Gryffindor table was watching Malfoy and soon so were Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff and finally Slytherin; as an uneasy silence filled the room all save the “thunk, thunk” of the knife as it stabbed the table in a regular rhythm which abruptly stopped as Malfoy broke from his trance and looked around with enquiring eyes. It was disconcerting to have the entire hall staring at him as he rose from his seat and left the hall.
“Well that was weird” observed Ginny. Ron was about to speak when the door opened to a cacophonous flood of first years.
During the sorting, Hermione said. Malfoy is not the only odd thing today.”
“What?” asked Ron.
The windows have been boarded up, look,” she explained.
“Oh yeah. Why did they do that?” Ron wondered.
“I just don’t know.” Hermione replied.
When the first years were finally sorted into their houses, the obligatory cheering from each house was over with, and nearly headless nick had amazed another year of children with his almost decapitation. Dumbledore rose to speak. Silence spread through the hall again, the headmaster began “I would like to say a few words; Bubble, pears, apples and squeak”. The hall cheered and then Dumbledore called for quiet. “I should now introduce two new members to the staff,” He said as right on Que. the Hall doors were thrown open and in walked Wesley. “This is Professor Pryce, he shall be the new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher. And he is also a former Ravenclaw student at Hogwarts.” The Ravenclaw table cheered as Wesley waved and took his seat next to Dumbledore. “ Kind of young to be a professor isn’t he?” wondered Hermione.
“I guess, I didn’t look that hard at him.” replied Harry.
“What’s that supposed to mean.” Hermione demanded.
“Nothing” said Harry innocently, “Just remember Lockhart.” He replied as he and Ron burst into uncontrollable laughter. Hermione went red and said “I hate the pair of you, I hope you know that” she said as she flushed red with anger.
“We’re sorry Hermione but it was too easy to pass up,” explained Harry.
“Actually Harry he looks kind of like you, without the scar I mean.” Ron observed.
“He’s right Harry.” Hermione agreed.
“Really?” asked Harry.
“Secondly, we have Spike” Dumbledore announced as Spike swaggered into the room and spun a chair around and sat on it backwards.” He will be teaching muggle studies as well as assisting Professor Pryce at times in DADA.”
“I am definitely taking DADA and muggle studies this year,” proclaimed Ginny.
“Me too.” Replied Hermione.
“Hermione I thought you didn’t want to do muggle studies because it felt like cheating just ‘cos you didn’t have to study?” asked Ron.
“Who said anything about study.” Ginny replied before she looked at Hermione and the two girls burst into laughter.
“Ginny?!?” Ron was horrified at what his sister.
“Calm down Ron I’m sure they don’t intend to run off with them or anything,” reasoned Harry.
“Speak for yourself,” said Ginny.
Ron glared at her. “Ginny stop winding him up,” said Harry.
“Oh he’s looking over here,” Ginny exclaimed, “do you think he heard us?”
“What from the other end of the hall, oh yeah he has super hearing”. Ron retorted sarcastically. Ginny simply stuck out her tongue at him and turned away. Harry and Hermione dissolved into giggles.
“What kind of name is Spike anyway?” said Ron resentfully.
“I wonder what his real name is,” said Hermione trying to recover.
“Probably Malfoy,” replied Ron.
“Huh?” said Ginny.
“That git has Malfoy written all over him,” announced Ron.
“He does not.” Replied Ginny indignantly.
“Sure he does, I mean look at the guy, he’s practically a copy of the one here,” said Ron, “he’s a Malfoy if ever I saw one.”
“Just because he looks like one, doesn’t mean he is,” said Hermione diplomatically.
“Sure it does,” said Ron.
“Will you two shut up.” Demanded Harry, “you can ask him in your lesson, but in the meantime arguing about it is doing nobody any favours.”
“Fine I bet you one whole jar of every flavoured butterbeans that he isn’t,” Ginny challenged. “What scared?”
“No, okay, you’re on.” Ron answered.
Ron and Ginny sat and ate sulking in silence.
“Something tells me this is not going to be an easy year,” said Harry.
“Have any of them,” Hermione countered.
“I guess not,” he replied as he smiled.
“Anyway, if he was a Malfoy would he really be teaching muggle studies.” Ginny sniped.
“Ginny” Harry warned.
“What?” she replied with mock innocence.
“Never mind” he replied defeated. When it came to a Weasley argument, nothing could halt it. It was like an act of god, a hurricane or tornado. It would have been easier to stop the tide.
Spike started laughing to himself.
“What’s so funny?” asked Wesley.
“Looks like our lessons are going to be filled with hormone fuelled teenage girls, that’s all.” Spike replied with a smirk.
“You shouldn’t be listening to people’s conversations like that.” Wesley reprimanded.
“I’m evil, what did you expect.” Spike said reasonably.
“ It’s still wrong, but…um, whilst your doing it …er… I don’t suppose you could tell me what they are saying, could you?” Wesley asked hopefully.
“Why?” asked Spike with a sadistic grin on his face.
“Oh, um… purely from a professional viewpoint, you understand. To see my rapport with the students, I’d like to see what they think of having new teachers at their school and how it affects them.” Wesley replied blushing with embarrassment.
“You’re a pathetic liar” Spike replied shaking his head in mock disappointment. To cover up the sniggering he was all too ready to fall victim to. “ You just want your ego boosted.”
“Oh come on, please,” he pleaded.
“Okay, there may be a couple that like you.” Spike said grudgingly “but that wont last past your first lesson.”
“What do you mean?” Wesley asked slightly worried.
“Cordelia told me about how you got all nervous when her friends came over to the office and shoved an axe into the wall.” Spike replied grinning.
“I swear I’m going to kill her when I get back.” Wesley replied furious.
“Hey you’re meant to be one of the good guys, I guess there’s hope for you left.” Spike said laughing.
Wesley glared at him whilst Spike fell into uncontrollable laughter and then he himself succumb to giggles.
“You’re evil and depraved I just want you to know that, Spike,” Wesley said smirking
“Wouldn’t have it any other way” he replied wiping the tears from his eyes.

* * * * * * * * * *

Spike had walked out of the Great Hall and was blasted by the cool night air from the open double doors. “Good I needed a fag” he thought and walked outside. He leaned against the wall and took out a cigarette from the packet in his coat pocket. He pulled out his lighter and was about to light up when a flash of white caught his eye. “What the…” He strode towards the lake where he could see a figure sitting at the edge.
Spike stood next to the sitting figure and stared out onto the lake. He lit his cigarette and sighed as a puff of smoke left his lips.
“They cause cancer you know. Aren’t you worried?”
“Not particularly, believe me that’s the least of my worries.”
The figure laughed sadly “Yeah, I know the feeling.” He sighed and then said, “You’re new aren’t you?”
“Yep I’m the new muggle studies teacher,” Spike replied. The figure started to laugh and rose “Muggle studies…” Then both Spike and the figure stared at each other. Their hair shining silver in the moonlight.
“Bloody hell!” exclaimed Spike, his cockney voice echoed through the trees.
“I was about to say the same thing” he replied and then laughed. “ The name is Draco, Draco Malfoy.” He offered his hand.
“What sort of like Blond, James Blond” retorted Spike in a bad Sean Connery impression. Malfoy just looked at him blankly. “Never mind,” he took Malfoy’s hand “Spike’s the name although you can call me the Big Bad, if you prefer,” he smirked.
“Are you sure you’re a teacher here?” asked Malfoy incredulously.
“I’d be in the wrong bloody place if I wasn’t.” Spike replied, “anyway the rain is making my fags go out so I’m gonna go in. You coming?”
Malfoy thought for a minute and then smiled and said, “Yeah, I’m soaked anyway.”
The two started to walk towards the door, “How long were you out here?” Spike asked.
“I don’t know, an hour maybe more.”
“That’s a long time to stare at a lake.”
Draco laughed softly, “yeah” he replied.
They reached the entrance hall, “well this is my stop,” said Malfoy as he saw the Slytherin’s walking to their common room.
“See ya,” replied Spike as he watched him disappear down a corridor.
“Hey, where did you go to?” Wesley asked as he appeared at Spike’s shoulder.
“Out” Spike replied distractedly, “see what you can find out about this Malfoy kid, I’ve got a feeling he might be what we’re looking for.”
“Yeah, okay but I give the next order,” replied Wesley. Spike just looked at him and laughed as he walked away. “What? What’s so funny? I can give orders too you know,” Wesley shouted to the amusement of a couple of Hufflepuff students.
“Pryce, I trust we can be seen as more professional than this,” thundered Snape.
“Yes Professor Snape,” Wesley grumbled as he tramped his way up the stairs.

* * * * * * * * * *

An overweight silhouette sat hunched on the bench outside the train station. The silver arm glinted in the pale moonlight, it was still a wonder to him and probably would always be he thought as he proudly polished it.
“Oh isn’t it pretty,” a voice exclaimed.
Wormtail rose his eyes two see two women standing in front of him. The brunette that had just spoken was clutching a rag doll in one hand and her suitcase in the other as she stared entranced at his arm.
“ I believe you were waiting for us,” the blond said innocently as she flashed him a smile
Wormtail was taken aback. Of all he was suspecting the secret visitors of his master would be, he did not expect this. However, he felt very uneasy in their presence. Wormtail was not stupid, he hadn’t survived this long to not realise when something was not right and these two were definitely not what they appeared. “It’s this way,” he said nervously.
“Oh look Miss Edith the metal man is scared of us,” the woman told the doll and then laughed which only made Wormtail move faster, yet they kept up with him step for step. No these were definitely something to worry about.

* * * * * * * * * *

It had been two days since the sorting and ten minutes to the start of the first Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson and Wesley was pacing back and forth frantically in the room whilst Spike sat lazily in the teacher’s chair his feet resting on the desk.
“Will you stop that you’re giving me a headache” Spike complained.
“Hey that’s not my fault that’s your hangover. I didn’t tell you to go out drinking to the early hours did I.” Retorted Wesley not breaking out of step.
“I’m just living up to my reputation.” Replied Spike grinning.
“Yeah well that’s not going to help me if I make a mess of this lesson,” Wesley answered as his step quickened, “Oh don’t rush to contradict or anything.”
“Look I just want to be here to see if you fall flat on your face.” Smirked Spike. “Either way it looks good on me. You do well and we look like a couple of bloody experts, which lets face it we are. Well I am I don’t know about you. And if you fail completely well I look great in comparison to you. Which I do anyway. And I also get sympathy for having to put up with a …well with you.” Spike replied stretching out on the chair.
“Oh thanks for the ringing endorsement,” He said disgruntled.
“Look it’s all about your attitude, act like you don’t care what other people think about you and you can’t go wrong,” Spike’s advice rang in Wesley’s head.
“You’re helping me?” Wesley replied surprised.
“Yeah, anything just stop that pacing,” complained Spike as Wesley stopped looked at him and grinned.
“What?” asked Spike suspicious.
“Giles said something but I didn’t believe him,” answered Wesley quietly.
“What did that watcher say now?” Spike ordered.
“Just that you’d changed a little and even though you don’t have a soul or anything you’re not as evil as you try to make out.”
Wesley smiled as Spike began his tirade which made him madder “When will they get it through their thick skulls, I am not good, I will never be good I don’t want to be good. I’m the Big Bad, I’m Spike, and I’m William the Bloody. I am not nice and I certainly am not like that nancy boy hair gelled can’t go through one day without having to help someone to ease his oh so poor conscience soul filled sire Angel!”
Spike glared at Wesley, as there was a knock at the door. “Sir can we come in now?” asked Hermione.
“Oh Yeah” replied Wesley trying to ignore the death glare given by Spike, “um sit where you like, and your name is?”
“Hermione, sir” she replied grinning as Harry and Ron made their way through the empty seats. “Don’t know why we had to come five minutes early,” grumbled Ron.
“We’re lucky it’s only five, it could have been earlier if she had her way,” replied Harry.
“You’re saying she didn’t?” asked Ron.
“What the hell is this. The bloody Twilight zone or something!” exclaimed Spike.
“What?” replied Wesley.
“That kid, what’s your name?” asked Spike pointing at Harry
“Harry and I’m not a kid I’m seventeen in a few months,” Harry replied indignantly.
“It looks like there’s a mirror in the room or maybe just an old photo,” said Spike.
“I guess there’s a little resemblance…” Wesley replied walking towards Harry.
“A little! What the hell’s wrong with you?” Spike shouted, “great that’s all we need another one of you in the world!”
“Hey!” cried out Harry and Wesley. They both looked nervously at each other and Harry sat down very quickly. Wesley turned to him, “You said your name was Harry, Harry what?” he asked.
“Potter” Harry replied trying to sound as little as Wesley as possible but only managing to achieve the opposite much to the others amusement who had increased as the class was beginning to fill.
“Harry Potter! Wow really?” Wesley exclaimed removing his glasses, “Spike it’s Harry Potter!”
“Woo hoo!” said Spike sarcastically, “so who’s Harry Potter then when he’s at home?” A deathly silence filled the room. Harry felt a bit odd even though he had prayed of a day when he could say his name without the usual staring and awe, he hadn’t expected it today and kind of missed it a little. “THE Harry Potter,” explained Wesley.
“Saying it with THE doesn’t help,” Spike retorted, “I still don’t know who the hell he is.”
“How can you not know who Harry Potter is?” Asked Wesley.
“I don’t know maybe its ‘cos I spent the last God knows how many years in America, doing things you couldn’t even dream about!” shouted Spike.
“Oh right, I forgot, well you know You Know Who,” said Wesley his voice reverberating in an ominous way only evil names seem to accomplish.
“Who?” asked Spike.
“He means Voldemort” put in Harry. A gasp went round the room as Harry rolled his eyes.
“Oh yeah big demon guy, no nose” said Spike.
“Yeah well he killed him, sort of,” explained Wesley.
“Oh you’re the kid, you’re a bit scrawny ain’t ya?” Spike said.
“ You can say that again,” drawled a voice from the doorway.
They turned to see Draco Malfoy’s wiry frame in the doorway. He was a guy who knew how to make an entrance, sixteen years of having to wait for his mother to arrive fashionably late. Malfoy was one who knew a party couldn’t really start until he was there and would show it. He was flanked by the bulky figures of Crabbe and Goyle, who looked they were going to have enough trouble passing under the door. At sixteen they had already managed to clear the six foot mark and what they lacked in brains (of which there was a lot, lacking that is) they more than made up for in brawn.
“Oh hi, this was that Malfoy kid I was telling you about,” Spike told Wesley. Malfoy nodded his head and smiled in acknowledgement as he went to take his seat, whilst Crabbe and Goyle took the seats behind him. Wesley simply stared in disbelief.
“I know Twilight Zone ain't it.” Spike said conspirationally.
“He…He…He acts like you and everything,” exclaimed Wesley.
“Yeah I think I covered that with the Twilight Zone remark,” said Spike growing impatient.
“But..But…”
“Will you get on with the bloody lesson already!!!” Spike yelled causing Neville to fall out of his chair and take his desk with him.
“Oh yeah, the lesson” said Wesley snapping out of it as Neville gathered up his things off the floor nervously.
“Oh well done Longbottom” muttered Malfoy “we were worried for a minute there when we thought you actually might have some co-ordination.” Spike smirked; this kid was like him in more ways than he thought as he watched Harry Ron and Hermione glare at Malfoy.
“There should be a rule against death eaters coming to this class,” grumbled Ron.
“ We don’t know he is one” Hermione replied.
“Yet, it’ll only be a matter of time,” muttered Harry.
“At least we can be thankful he’s acting normally now, the way he was acting on the first day was starting to freak me out a little,” remembered Hermione.
“Yeah I don’t know which is worse, Malfoy being Malfoy or zombie Malfoy,” replied Ron.
“I think you owe Ginny a whole load of every flavoured beans, Ron.”
“What how?” replied Ron.
“Well, this answers your question on weather Spike is a Malfoy,” said Hermione. “If he was he wouldn’t call Malfoy that Malfoy Kid, would he,” reasoned Hermione, “Maybe he’s just part veela or something.” (Attention all non Harry Potter fanatics veela are enticing and seductive blond creatures that lure in men sort of like sirens at sea and then eat them or mate with them and then eat them- I thought it was a good comparison so I put it in; but part veelas don’t eat people they just get the good bits. Although some may argue, that getting to eat a person is rather cool. It gives a whole new meaning to a messy break-up. Many think that the Malfoys may be part veela but will not admit it because of the high stock they put in pure wizarding blood.)
“I wouldn’t get my hopes up, the way the Professor was acting when Malfoy walked in it was like he saw a ghost which must mean that Spike must act exactly like Malfoy which can’t be good,” explained Harry.
“Yeah but he is friends with your carbon copy so he can’t be all bad, can he,” Hermione reasoned.
“I guess,” replied Harry “but are you sure they are friends.”

* * * * * * * * * *

Two figures stumbled out of the Three Broomsticks. The smell of butterbeer was pouring off them as they spotted a woman standing a few metres ahead. She smiled invitingly and beckoned them over and they followed her as she laughed and disappeared down an alley. They were grinning inanely as they turned seeing another woman looking at them inquisitively. They were too drunk to see the third figure looking away his newly polished arm gleaming in the moonlight. As the second woman swayed over to the shorter of the two and pushed his head to the side as she put her teeth to his neck, he struggled a little but was too drunk or weak to put up much of a fight. She then ran her nail along her wrist cutting in to release blood and then put it to the young wizard’s mouth.
“Drink,” she ordered and he did.

* * * * * * * * * *

“I wish you wouldn’t do that” pleaded Wesley squirming.
“What this, oh come on I bet Angel drinks in front of you.”
“Yes, but he doesn’t crush weetabix in it first.” Wesley replied trying not to watch but morbidly fascinated.
“It gives it texture, so you can just stuff it.” Spike replied finishing off his glass.
“Ugh, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to eat it again,” Wesley replied feeling faint and going a very odd shade of green.
Spike licked the dark red liquid his lips and looked at Wesley as his face returned to normal from its prominent brow and full out fangs. “My game face gone yet?” he asked.
“Just about” Wesley replied, it always freaked him out a little when they did that no matter how many times he saw it happen it would always remind him that they weren’t human. It was only when they were angry or about to feed did their true faces appear.
“Ok tell me about this Malfoy kid,” demanded Spike.
“Malfoy are an old wizarding family with a lot of ties to the Dark Arts. The father Lucius Malfoy was cleared of working for Voldemort fifteen years ago. The defence was that he was under Voldemort’s control and therefore not aware of what he was doing,” recited Wesley.
“People believed that?” asked Spike incredulously.
“Well the Imperious curse did happen but for every person it truly did happen to two more would say the same. Bringing doubt on the true cases as there was no evidence.” Wesley told Spike, “this means that there are people in Azkaban and those who have died who are innocent and many who are guilty who have been set free.” Wesley sighed and then continued “Unofficially Lucius Malfoy is the latter. Harry Potter says he saw him two years ago with Voldemort when he was transported away from the tri-wizard games. I think it’s safe to assume Malfoy is working for Voldemort again of his own free will and is most likely a member of his inner sanctum. Only the most loyal and powerful wizards make it there. I can’t tell you much about the boy other than what are in reports. I wouldn’t know if he was following his father or not but most of the teachers seem to think so. I came to this school between Malfoys so I don’t actually have any personal experiences. Today was the first time I’d met one and he hardly said a word so I can’t really base it on that. He seems highly intelligent but the friends he has are not the smartest in the world and the fathers of both Crabbe and Goyle were both also seen by Potter as were a number of other fathers from the Slytherin house. Either way Draco Malfoy is heading for trouble be it either from his fathers side or ours,” announced Wesley shaking his head.
“Ok so it’s up to us to find out which one he’ll go for,” said Spike as he rose from his seat.
“Yes, where are you going?” Wesley asked.
“Why? You scared the big bad Voldemort is going to get you,” Spike replied in a childish voice. Wesley simply glared as Spike smirked “I am off to introduce a new generation to the magnificence that is the Sex Pistols,” he announced.
“Your first class, I’d completely forgotten. I feel so sorry for them now, they have no idea what’s going to happen,” Wesley stated.
“Yeah, like lambs to the slaughter, great ain’t it.” The Sid Vicious look alike replied his sadistic grin took its place again upon his face as he stalked out of the door.
“They are going to need all the luck in the world,” Wesley sighed.
(Sid Vicious is a member of the sex pistols with blond hair as was Johnny Rotten, Americans this was the inspiration for the Billy Idol look.)

* * * * * * * * *

Malfoy sat at his desk staring at the text of his book in a trance trying not to hear the incessant chattering of Pansy beside him. It was times like this that he was grateful that Crabbe and Goyle could only manage about 10 words an hour and that was if they were feeling particularly chatty mostly they moved about the school like living obelisks and saved all their energy for Potter and the Potterettes. He smiled to himself as he remembered meeting them in the corridor. That had been a good one. I had managed to get one on the lack of wealth of the Weasleys’ always a sure hit, Potter’s little girlfriend, for which I received a badly aimed punch which I dodged quite gracefully if I might say so. That redhead sure has a temper on her. Granger’s buckteeth, which is starting to, loose its effectiveness especially as she’s had them fixed, and I’m meant to be the vain one. The thing that stuck this in my mind was that with the psycho Weasley girl was another about the same age, she just seemed to be made of shadows like an old black and white image. Her unnatural, endless, obsidian gaze shook me for a minute but only a minute. Still I couldn’t concentrate and…
A shadow crossed over his page and Malfoy slowly looked up to meet the steely cold grey gaze of another, his father and rose from his seat dutifully.
“Um, excuse me.” Wesley ventured forward. Lucius turned and looked down at him
“You’re excused,” he sneered.
“No, who are you and what do you want with one of my students?” He wished Spike was there with him true he was a real pain in the neck (literally if he had the chance) and true he couldn’t actually hurt humans, but he could do one thing Wesley couldn’t. Bluff it. All Wesley could do was stand and stammer.
“I would like to speak to my son privately,” Lucius explained “family matters.” Lucius emphasised “my son” as though he were simply an object he owned. Wesley looked at Draco and something passed across his eyes. Fear. Dread. It was only momentary but it was there and he knew that feeling all too well. He felt his stomach tighten into knots as memories flooded his consciousness. However, before he was allowed to say anything both had left the room and Wesley was left with his thoughts, a class of slightly bemused students and a very put out Pansy Parkinson.

* * * * * * * * * *

“I’m worried about him.” Wesley stated “I met his father today,”
“Why the father some kind of demon?” Spike asked.
“A father doesn’t have to be a demon to terrorise his children,” Wesley replied a lump forming in his throat. Spike watched him thoughtfully.
“Well I’m guessing he’s not the kind for school visits which means they’re up to something and it probably involves him so someone should talk to him,” Spike stated.
“What you mean me?”
“I haven’t met his dear old dad, have I.”
“I guess,” Wesley looked down at the floor and then said, “I just hope he’s not too far gone.”
“ That Snape said that they would only try to initiate them in their last year. He doesn’t think he would have joined yet.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Wesley said sadly as he left the room.

* * * * * * * * * *

Draco Malfoy stood on the Quidditch pitch his face looking up to the sky his eyes closed as the rain washed over him, cleansing him. He didn’t know how long he had been there and he didn’t care. He just couldn’t let this moment end. If only his life had consisted of this one moment, he wanted the serenity of it, the simplicity. Now there was no Voldemort and no Harry Potter. He had no family and fair-weather friends. There were no enemies, he had no need to watch his back and be suspicious, and best of all there was no Initiation, no Test as there were no death eaters to join. But there was. There was a Voldemort and a Harry Potter. His family, friends and enemies did exist and he had to watch his back from all three and the most powerful poison to swallow was that there were Death Eaters and by default an Initiation to go through. A Test he must succeed in to be of any hope to his father, any hope to be a true and proud Malfoy any hope to live out his life as a Malfoy should. He felt the grain of the wood from his broomstick as he opened his eyes and sighed as he looked to the ground. Crabbe and Goyle were shouting in the distance but he could not hear them over the roar of thunder. Their test would be different to his. Each was different for each candidate and the Death Eaters usually decided the tasks. Voldemort however would decide his test. With each new set of candidates one would be chosen by Voldemort who showed the greatest promise, It had been his father and now it was him, it was known to be more testing than the others but with greater rewards. Crabbe and Goyle would pass they were fools who were blindly following in their fathers’ footsteps. However, they had never known any different and neither had he. Was he more the fool because he knew what he was doing and yet did it anyway? He wouldn’t be surprised. He mounted his broomstick and rose into the air. The wind lashed his hair and robes as he fought against it. He climbed trying to break away from the dreams, from everything, leaving the world behind and flew higher and higher until there was a tremendous crash of thunder till it all went quiet and dark.
He was standing alone in a room there was a light in the distance, which he walked towards. There was a boy sitting on the stool watching him he was probably around the same age as him. He could feel himself being watched by unseen eyes as he walked towards the tall black haired figure that raised his head and watched him with snake eyes.
“malfoy,” a voice called out weakly but he walked on still.
“Malfoy,” the voice seemed louder this time, more urgent but it still could not tempt him to look away from the other boy who smiled knowingly.
“MALFOY!” the voice overrode all other thoughts and Draco opened his eyes with a painful start. He tried to speak but ended with a coughing fit instead coughing up the dregs of his lungs, he then felt the taste of bile in his mouth as he threw up over the side of the bed. (Although you will have to admit that that would happen to anyone if they had just seen Snape hanging over them and yelling at them even without the internal injuries. Most of the external injuries had been quickly dealt with by Madame Pomfrey) He was in pain all over his body and his eyes still hurt as he adjusted to the light which had been dimmed to not put too much of a shock to his system. He couldn’t talk so he simply moaned in pain.
“We’ll have him sorted soon, but it’ll take at least a couple of days for him to be able to walk around let alone attend lessons,” Madame Pomfrey ordered as Snape nodded grimly. “What that boy was doing out there in this weather I don’t know, I suggest you find out professor,” she ordered as she walked off to look for some poultices. “ I think I may have an idea,” Snape muttered glumly to himself and sighed as he turned to the injured boy, he looked helpless as he slowly succumb to heavy eyelids and fell back to sleep. “I never knew who to trust at your age but you are going to have to tell someone, you won’t survive like this,” he whispered to Malfoy before he spun on his heel and left the room.

* * * * * * * * *

The Gryffindor common room was a circular room with doors leading off to different dorms. Furnished with heavy comfortable chairs and a chessboard where Ron sat whilst Hermione sat by the roaring fire writing up her DADA homework. Harry walked in looking depressed in his Quidditch robes. Hermione looked up and out of the window:
“Wow, would you look at that rain,” she said.
“Tell me about it, practice got cancelled I didn’t even get outside,” he said glumly as he slumped in the chair opposite Hermione. “Aren’t you meant to be in Muggle Studies right now?” he asked.
“Shall I tell him or you?” replied Ron grinning as he looked up from his game. Hermione glared at him “ her conscience got the better of her so she didn’t sign up, thought it wouldn’t be fair to the other students,” he said in mock solemnity.
“ I don’t know what you’re laughing at, Ginny still signed up and there’s no one to check up on her,” Hermione retorted as Ron’s smile faltered and he went glumly back to his game. “Look she’s fifteen she can look after herself, and if she ever gets into trouble she knows she has six brothers to beat up anyone who bothers her.” Hermione continued “and she can handle herself in a fight, I mean I’m just guessing here but you can’t live with six boys and not pick up a tip or two.” Ron nodded grudgingly “I guess so,” he replied.
“There, see, nothing to worry about,” Harry concurred as he got up to walk up to their dorm.
“If there’s nothing to worry about then why isn’t she here yet, her lesson finished fifteen minutes ago?” Ron asked Hermione as Harry left the room.
“I don’t know something must have held her up,” Hermione reasoned. Ron was about to say something when Harry ran in with a letter crushed in his hand and a newspaper. Look at this Harry said pointing to the Daily Prophet’s front page passing it to Ron.
“So what Lockhart won another Witch’s Weekly most charming smile award,” replied Ron.
“Really?” asked Hermione, “Well Harry that’s not exactly something to get all excited about I mean he has won it for the past five…”
“No! Under that where it’s been ringed,” he interrupted urgently.
“ Two young wizards were found dead this morning in the village of Hogsmeade. The proprietor of the three broomsticks found them lying in the street round the back of the local public house. The Ministry of Magic has not revealed the identities of the victims but the deaths are being treated as suspicious.” Ron recited.
“That’s terrible, and it’s so near here,” Hermione exclaimed.
“Why have you got this?” Ron asked.
“Sirius sent it he also sent me a letter to watch out, I think he may just be being overprotective but with a killer on the loose…”
“Oh no, Ginny!” Ron cried as he shot out of his chair.
“Ron calm down Dumbledore would never let anyone into the castle who were dangerous and no one can get in without him knowing.” Hermione said soothingly.
“What about the Demeantors in the second year and Professor Quirrel and Mad eye moody and Krouch and Pettigrew… and… and” Ron was starting to hyperventilate as the door swung open.
“Hi! What’s wrong with him?” the red head asked slightly dubious. As Ron blanched and ran to her and held her, so her feet were no longer touching the ground. “Okay … I … can’t … breathe … Ron!” Ginny’s face was turning blue.
“Ron let go of her you’re going to kill her,” Harry shouted which was when Ron blew up at Ginny “WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU DOING COMING HALF AN HOUR LATE FROM YOUR LESSON ESPECIALLY WITH A KILLER ON THE LOOSE! YOU COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AND NO ONE WOULD KNOW! THEY COULD HAVE BEEN DRAGGING YOUR BODY OUT OF THE LAKE TOMORROW! SO WHERE WERE YOU?”
“Um hi,” Ginny replied smiling weakly. Ron just glared at her which made it all the more difficult as he was trying to catch his breath, he looked rather like a rabid strawberry which Ginny would have laughed at if she were not fearing for her life. “By the way it’s twenty minutes not half an hour,” she tried. Ron lunged at her as she scooted away and Harry had to hold him back. “Okay Sarah had a detention from Snape so I waited for her, is that okay oh great slave master.”
“So where is she then?” Ron demanded through gritted teeth.
“You just shoved her into the chair when you ran at me,” Ginny replied defiantly.
“Uh hi can someone help?” a slightly shaken girl said from the folds of the armchair she had disappeared in.
“Oh sorry,” Ron replied embarrassed as he helped her out.
“Thanks” she said worriedly, as she blushed not looking at him and quickly ran behind Ginny.
“You want to go down to lunch now?” Ginny asked her
“Sure let me just drop my books,” she replied as she disappeared behind a door.
“You’re not going down to lunch on your own with a killer on the loose,” Ron ordered.
“I’m not going on my own I’m going with Sarah and I’m meeting three more friends there and you can’t hold my hand to every lesson I go to.” Replied Ginny “ Professor Dumbledore isn’t going to let anything happen to anyone from Hogwarts is he?”
“You knew about the killer?” asked Harry
“Of course, everyone knows maybe you lot should spend less time up here and join the living downstairs,” Ginny exclaimed. Then she turned back to Ron, “then again it may be better to stay here I doubt you could look Sarah in the face again after what you just did.” As soon as Ginny finished Sarah arrived and the two of them went down to meet the others for lunch whilst Ron stood there unable to say anything.
“I hate her” he mumbled finally.
“No you don’t” Hermione consoled.
“Fine I hate myself then,” he replied mutinously.
“‘Fraid not,” replied Harry smiling.
“Okay I hate you two,” he declared.
“Won’t work,” Hermione replied. Ron screamed and ran out of the door to the great hall while Harry and Hermione followed grinning inanely.

* * * * * * * * *

He was back in the room there was a light in the distance, which he walked towards. There was a boy sitting on the stool watching him. He could feel himself being watched by unseen eyes as he walked towards the tall black haired figure that raised his head and watched him with snake eyes.
He knew the boy had been waiting. The black haired boy smiled at him his eyes glistening. In his arms sat a blood red crystal shimmering as it levitated over the boy’s hands. Malfoy looked into the crystal as it exploded in an eruption of light, which startled him into consciousness.
“Good evening,” greeted Wesley cheerfully. He was sitting in the armchair next to the bed, nursing a mug of hot tea in his hands. Malfoy turned his head and used his hands to push himself up. He winced in pain as he moved around. “Don’t move if it hurts,” Wesley added sympathetically.
“I want to, I don’t want to go to sleep anyway” replied Draco.
“Yes,” he replied thoughtfully. He had heard him moaning and seemed disturbed and restless.
“How long have I been out,” Draco asked watching him with tired eyes.
“Close to 36 hours, I’m afraid,” replied Wesley smiling. There was a quiet silence as Draco tried to take this in. “What were you trying to run away from?” Wesley asked.
“What?” he replied distractedly while rubbing his closed eyelids with the soles of his fingertips.
“In my experience the only reason anyone tries to fly out in that weather is if they were trying to get away from something, I just wondered what you were trying to get away from, I mean exams can’ t be all that bad,” Wesley smiled.
“Maybe,” Draco replied and seemed about to say something but then thought against it and closed his mouth.
“Your father seems…um…interesting,” Wesley asked hoping to prompt something but then instantly regretted it as Draco’s face fell and an angry smile took its place.
“Yes well he’s just a busy man,” he drawled in reply.
“Was it he who you were trying to run away from?” Wesley asked tentatively.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” he replied angrily.
“I think you know,” Wesley added more firmly.
“Nothing’s going on. I’m old enough to look after myself,” he replied quickly but his wall was beginning to break down.
“I know you have been for a long time, haven’t you?” He asked rhetorically. Draco watched him not daring to say anything in case he said anything else. “And you’re old enough not to have to do whatever your father tells you.”
“I thought you wanted us all to be obedient,” he challenged.
Wesley smiled sadly “Obedience comes in many forms. There are those who are simply too naïve or stupid to realise that you can do something else. There are those who choose to do it that way simply because they agree with it or out of a compromise, they use free will. Then that leaves those who do it out of fear, those who have obedience beaten into them be it psychologically or physically or both. That is the worst one it destroys everything into a vicious circle and you have to fight hard to get out of it, but it will still be a part of your life. In your memories, you will always know that there was someone who had the ability to make you feel that small, worthless and wretched.” Draco’s eyes started to well up with tears of pain and frustration as he looked away and pulled the quilt over his head. Wesley tried to blink back the years of powerlessness with the knowledge that for him the nightmare was over and it was he who had put a stop to it. He knew that for the same to happen for his student, he would have to do the very thing that every bone in his body would be screaming for him not to do. “But you have to break that cycle or it will swallow you up into a blank void for the rest of your life. I’ll leave you to decide which category you fall into and then talk to me. I understand more than you might think I do.” Wesley left the room let a very angry Madame Pomfrey back in and then went into the corridor leaned against the closed door and slid down to the floor holding his head in his hands.

* * * * * * * * * *

Spike opened the door to see Snape hunched over his desk measuring a purple liquid in to a cylinder. It seemed excruciatingly precise as Spike walked up to Snape and…
“I know you’re there,” Snape told him not once looking up from his work.
“How the…” replied Spike startled “I’m a vampire how the hell could you hear me. Not even the slayer could, unless I wanted her to.”
Snape just smiled and said “I think we should keep your living status quiet for now. It may cause more problems we don’t really need.” His face returned to its normal sour state, “I may know what’s bothering young Malfoy.”
“Well,” Spike asked impatiently.
“The Initiation,” he announced.
“You mean the one that is not supposed to happen till their last year,” he retorted.
“Yes well the suspected new entrants seem unusually excited, well all except Malfoy who seemed distracted all year to say the least. This probably means one thing, he has been chosen for Voldemort’s test. I am not surprised at his choice it just wasn’t supposed to be so soon. It must be something that needs to be performed soon to need new recruits so quickly and for him to choose one for a task.”
“I’m guessing he doesn’t do that very often,” replied Spike leaning back on his chair resting his feet on the desk in front of him.
Snape glared at him “Not now from what I hear, it did happen a lot at the peak of his power but that was a time when he had a great number of recruits and the best of them would arrive for testing regularly. He must be planning something important to choose a task again, and it may have to do with the two you are looking for.”
“Why give an important task to a kid ain’t that just asking for trouble?”
“It would be dangerous but the recruits would usually have a hunger to succeed. Those that completed it were granted a place high in his inner sanctum and those who failed died, which not only added obvious incentive but also ensured that no secrets were ever found out.”
“Were you chosen?” Spike asked.
Snape looked at him for a moment and then said “Yes, and I can not tell you what it will be it’s usually different for each candidate depending on what he requires.” He paused then replied finally, “Malfoy is headed for trouble.”
“Why you think he can’t do it?”
Snape smirked and looked at Spike “I’m worried he will.” Snape replied and turned back to his work.

* * * * * * * * * *

Night had fallen over the building as two robed figures stood outside and one sat playing with her doll on the pavement. (Or sidewalk for all you Americans who have to make life so difficult and change the names for normal things from their Standard English and then claim we can’t speak plain English from England! I mean what kind of sense is that!?! VIVE LA REVOLUTION! Um… sorry I got a bit carried away I’m better now honestly, she says earnestly and grinning like a mad bishop, so back to the story.)
Wormtail watched the brunette wearily as she continued mutilating a porcelain doll childlike on the pavement. When there was a sudden crash inside the building.
“Oh the poor babies must be awake now can I get them?” she asked earnestly to the other robed figure whose blond hair was peeking out of her hood.
“Not yet Dru, let them feed on the workers inside first.” The blond replied serenely.
“Okay Darla,” she replied pouting despondently. They waited until the crashing stopped and then Dru smiled “Now?” she asked hopefully.
“Now.” Darla confirmed as Dru squealed in delight shot into the building faster than humanly possible. However, these weren’t human, Pettigrew thought if he got on the bad side of them they could kill him in a fraction of a second. Those two kids didn’t stand a chance; he actually felt pity for them but that was overwhelmed by a sense of self-preservation. Getting on the bad side of them was something he did not intend to do. The door crashed open as Dru walked out holding back two creatures that looked around furtively. Wormtail would have thought them to be human were it not for their prominent brows and full out fangs dripping with saliva. (As snarling fangs do, maybe someone should look into that and produce something to reduce saliva for monsters called DRIP AWAY and maybe they could do one for an increase in saliva production to look fiercer DRIP COME for those who suffer from cottonmouth.) Two down, six to go thought Wormtail glumly as he watched Dru skipping leading their two newly inhuman recruits to meet their master. The doll lay forgotten in the gutter.

* * * * * * * * * *

“In a shock development in Hogsmeade today the bodies of the two unfortunate victims of the malicious attacks yesterday James Masters (26) and Alexis Denisof (25) were missing. In an obscene act of vandalism the building in which they were being kept, was broken into and the bodies were kidnapped. Percy Weasly personal secretary to the head of the ministry of magic commented earlier: “Oh, the ministry is very upset about this but I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about. It will be solved quickly and quietly with very little fuss.” The Aurorers say nothing was found at the scene and the search is still on” Spike recited and then passed the paper back to Wesley.
“That’s not exactly true” replied Wesley, “something was found.” Wesley sighed as he slowly offered a bundled package to him.
Spike took it with an almost resigned look on his face. He knew what was coming but still opened the package with the determination of a man who hoped that maybe if he hoped hard enough it wouldn’t be what he thought it was. Unfortunately, the world doesn’t work like that. And Spike knew it. He opened the bundle and let the mutilated porcelain doll fall to the floor, with a resounding “crack.” Without looking up he said “Dru,” with such finality that Wesley knew he wasn’t lying. “Thought so,” replied Wesley softly and then turned, put a bottle of whisky on the dresser and left the room while Spike stared blankly into the all seeing eyes of the doll in a futile attempt to find the answers of the world.

* * * * * * * * *

Harry cleaned off the letter Hedwig had just dropped into his scrambled eggs, gave Hedwig a treat form his pocket and watched her fly through the main hall doors back to the roost. (Remember the windows are boarded up, thought you had me there didn’t you. Well Ha! You didn’t, nyah, nyeh, nyeh na nyeh. Ok bye). The red seal on the envelope showed it had arrived from Sirius. (For some odd reason there was a new magical fad of sending medieval style letters, and Sirius being the guilt ridden man he was thought it would be good to send them to him so he wouldn’t feel left out, as he knew Harry had been for the first ten years of his life. And it wasn’t only Sirius who sent them soon everyone were receiving letters like this, most of the mealtime was spent by students trying to remove the wax from their knives so they could eat.) Hermione watched Harry thoughtfully as she smeared butter onto her toast (her parents being totally oblivious to this new development much to Hermione’s relief.)
“What does it say?” she asked once Harry had managed to get it open without slicing it or his hand to ribbons.
“He’s coming over here” Harry replied a shocked expression took over his face.
“He must be pretty worried,” She replied.
“What did he say?” asked Ron who had completely given up on his letter, as it lay forgotten by his plate.
“Nothing much,” replied Harry. “ Just that the murders were more unusual than they first thought and he says I may be in more danger than I realise,” he added. (Sirius never went into very much detail since his escape and subsequent exoneration. Well he had to be exonerated. It would be very embarrassing for the Ministry of Magic if the man he supposedly murdered is wandering around, albeit without a finger but wandering around nonetheless with the most evil wizard of their time. I mean he didn’t exactly run off to Rio de Janeiro and become a stall owner or something low key like that, so they could simply sweep it under the carpet. No he had to the most high profile position he could. Honestly, some people have no consideration for others.)
“So nothing new there then,” Ron replied.
“I wonder what was so odd about them, that would get him so worked up, I don’t know but we have to talk to him at the fire place at one in the morning, he’ll probably tell us then.” Harry told them.
“Tonight at one it is then,” Hermione confirmed.
“Did you hear about Malfoy?” Ginny interrupted.
“No, why what happened?” Hermione asked inquisitively.
“Turns out he’s been in the infirmary for the last couple of days,” Ginny explained.
“Really, why?” she asked.
“Look do we really care, I was just glad to see the back of him for a few days,” declared Ron.
“Ron’s right, I mean do we have to ruin a perfectly good conversation by mentioning ferret boy?” Harry agreed. Ron laughed at the memory of the white ferret bouncing off the walls.
“Fine I just thought you might like to know, that’s all,” Ginny replied as she turned away.
“Ginny, could you just sort of tell me. I hate not knowing something someone else does,” pleaded Hermione.
“So basically you’re just nosy,” smirked Ginny.
“Hey I call it a healthy inquisitiveness,” replied Hermione.
“Okay,” Ginny replied, “but promise not to tell them two no matter how much they plead.” As she leaned over to whisper into her ear. When she had finished, Hermione put her hand over her mouth with a very shocked look on her face. “Really?” she exclaimed. Ginny smiled and nodded, “so they say but remember you promised,” Ginny warned as she turned back to her own conversation.
“What?” Ron demanded, “what did she say?”
“I can’t tell you, all I can say is be glad Harry’s Quidditch practice was cancelled three days ago,” Hermione said diplomatically. “He could have got into lot of trouble in that weather if he hadn’t.”
“What? I don’t get it,” replied Ron.
“I can’t tell you.” Hermione insisted.
“Herm,” he pleaded.
“No.” She replied firmly and went back to eating toast whilst Ron sat in a huff, making a mental note to ignore her until she tells him what had happened. As it turned out, he had a healthy inquisitive mind as well, sounds so much better than nosy doesn’t it, as would a healthy interest in the world around them and its social issues. Harry simply shrugged his shoulders, sighed, and went to the job of trying to remove the immovable red wax from his knife.

* * * * * * * * *

Back in the unforgiving room, there was a light in the distance, which he walked towards. There was a boy sitting on the stool watching him. He could feel himself being watched by unseen eyes as he walked towards the tall black haired figure that raised his head and watched him with snake eyes. He knew the boy had been waiting. The black haired boy smiled at him his eyes glistening. In his arms sat a blood red crystal shimmering as it levitated over the boy’s hands. Malfoy looked into the crystal as it exploded in an eruption of light. Inside he saw a girl looking up at him her eyes blank in the darkness, her hair so dark it merged into her black robes, surrounding a face so startlingly white she looked as if she were made of ivory. A porcelain doll, holding the same blood red crystal as the boy had. The crystal began to melt into blood on her hands as she looked at them in horror. Malfoy felt a tightening in his stomach as he saw two women walk towards her. One cupped the girls chin with her hand, lifted her head up to look into her eyes, and then began to sway back and forth. Malfoy wanted to scream and shout out but nothing would come out, he was mesmerised as the girl was and saw the second woman push the girl’s head to the side and bite into her neck but the girl could not struggle and was left lifeless on the floor. The blood on the floor left from the melting crystal began to seep into her. He tried to look away but was forced to watch as the girl rose. He could feel his dread as his throat tightened when the girl lifted her head to look at him her eyes were bright red while a tear of blood ran down her cheek. Malfoy felt a rush of cold as she smiled and lifted her hand it’s palm facing towards him. He felt a huge jolt of power as though he was thrown back into his body. He lay there covered in a cold sweat and waited until his breathing was no longer ragged. He knew what he was being asked to do.

* * * * * * * * * *

The clock struck one in the common room as the three silhouettes sat around the fire waiting with anticipation.
“What are you three doing that close to the fire, it’s not that cold,” a voice cried out cheerfully from the door. Three heads appeared over the chairs.
“Sirius!” Harry shouted.
“Not so loud it’s still only one in the morning you know,” he replied grinning.
“We expected you in the fire,” replied Hermione.
“I gathered that,” he answered smiling
“What was so odd about the murders that you couldn’t tell us in a letter,” Hermione asked her curiosity getting the better of her. His smile fell.
“Hermione” Ron argued.
“No Ron, it’s all right, I have to tell you. The bodies were drained of blood with teeth marks on their necks. Which really only point to one type of culprit, a vampire and I know you have never even met one before and I wouldn’t advise it.”
“A vampire,” Harry repeated catatonically.
“Yes I just want you all to be aware of it, but I wouldn’t worry Dumbledore wouldn’t let one in the castle.” He replied.
“I never heard that there were any in this area,” replied Hermione.
“You’re right I had never heard of it in my time and they don’t tend to move unless it is to their benefit, so they try to stay out of magical world.”
“Why?” asked Ron.
“Well we know more about them than the muggles do, they seem to think they’re a myth so they are easier to pick off.” He sighed and sat in the chair by the door his eyes in shadow.
“Only now one of them is attacking wizards,” replied Ron grasping the problem.
“Yes, but I doubt there’s only one,” Sirius answered.
“Are they not very strong?”
“Oh they are strong all right, they could fling me across the room without breaking a sweat.” He answered, “No, from what I’ve heard they tend to move about in groups, but in order to find out anymore I’ll have to go to the Watcher’s Council in London. They deal with vampires from all around the world.”
“I could look something up in the library,” offered Hermione.
“Okay,” he replied grudgingly, “but reading is all you’re going to do. Got it.”
“Yep,” replied Ron and Hermione together
“Good, Now take care I don’t want you out of this castle.” He warned. “I’m off to talk to Dumbledore Bye.”
“Bye,” The duo replied in unison
“ See ya Harry,” Sirius added.
“Vampires,” Harry repeated quietly and waved absently.

* * * * * * * * * *

“A group of four witches and wizards have been reported missing in the vicinity of Hogsmeade, inhabitants in the village are being told to stay in their homes during the night and only move around in an emergency and then only in the day. The Ministry believes there may be a connection between the disappearances and the previous attacks.
The missing group is:

Anthony Stewart Head (43) 6ft 2 The only English person in the group. A male of medium build and a former student of Hogwarts. He was said to be in muggle attire and carried a guitar case.
David Boreanaz (31) 6 ft 3 American male also of medium build. An American visiting Hogsmeade staying with the group for the summer. He apparently has quite a large overhanging forehead
Allyson Hannigan (22) 5ft 6 female. She was also an American; it was her first visit to Hogsmeade. A former member of the cyberwicca group. She has dyed red hair.

Nicholas Brendon (23) 5ft 8 male, An American male. Known for being a bit of a demon magnet.
If any of these people are seen please contact the ministry immediately.”

Pictures of the missing people were waving and smiling at the readers in a hope to be found safe and sound. That would be a very futile hope. Wormtail looked over at the four bodies lying on the floor, they would be rising soon and then two more would be needed before they could proceed with the ceremony. He kicked the guitar case with his foot, he didn’t want to be here any longer than he had to and he didn’t see the sense to put the most important part of the plan to a child. Of course, Malfoy would be happy. He would have more influence over the sanctum if the boy succeeded whilst the other recruits would have to work their way up. An instant increase in power and if this goes through Lord Voldemort would be happy, very happy indeed. Malfoy would get all the credit and the perks when it’s me who has to do all the dirty work. I bet they’ve never had to give the glorious Voldemort a sponge bath. Pettigrew shuddered at the memory. Oh the Horror the inhumanity. Do you have any idea how hairy that man is under his robes? It’s like bathing a yeti’s hairier cousin. Of course, if it goes wrong I won’t be blamed for it. I mean after all who has given a greater sacrifice than I have? Pettigrew started to laugh out loud maniacally, stopped abruptly and looked around furtively and then laughed at a lower level with slightly less manicness.

* * * * * * * * * *

He watched her quietly from an empty classroom. He’d had to sneak into the dorm quickly to get changed and pick up his wand and now he had to get to the girl before Madame Pomfrey realised her patient had gone walkabout. She had left Ginny in the main hall and was walking along the corridor.
“Pssst” She stopped and looked around but couldn’t see anything. “Pssssst, in here.” She looked at the door, which was ajar
“Hello.” She ventured and walked through the door. She walked into the middle of the room when the door slammed shut. Sarah spun around in surprise to see a very disorientated Draco Malfoy, his hair in disarray, his breathing ragged. She was about to call out when he rose his wand and called out, “Petrificus Totalus” There was a pop as her arms and legs were slammed to her side. Her jaw jammed shut so she couldn’t speak or scream. Only her eyes moved from side to side in panic as he walked over to her and said “Mobilicorpus”. She rose in the air in her petrified state as Draco conjured a rope, which wrapped around Sarah and around his wrist.
“All will be explained very soon, don’t worry,” he said soothingly as he looked out of the room, most had retired to bed but there were a few dregs about and he needed to get out before they locked the doors. No one had gone by in ten minutes, so he thought he would risk it. He ran to the edge of the corridor with Sarah in a full body bind being dragged after him. They ducked into a room at the end of the corridor closest to the Main Entrance hall as Ginny walked past fuming,
“What do they mean I’m too young, they were doing stuff worse than this at my age…”
“Honestly with her having friends and family like that they didn’t really need him to make her miserable. What the hell, I love doing it anyway.” Sarah looked at him emphatically, he smirked. “Now don’t bother looking at me like that it’s not going to help. Okay we are going to move…Now.” He ran out though the doors out into the cool night air and round the corner. “Accio duo broomsticks” Two broomsticks flew and lay at his feet. “Up” he told them both as they hovered about two feet off the ground. Draco unwrapped the rope from around his wrist and conjured the ropes to tie Sarah to her broomstick as he mounted his broom and a rope wrapped round his wrist from the other broomstick. The brooms rose higher and higher and they flew off till they were no longer in view of Hogwarts.

* * * * * * * * * *

Hermione dropped an avalanche of books on the table.
“Watch it!” Ron called out as particular heavy books decided to land on him and obliterate his thigh. “Ow!” He glared at Hermione, “researching on the library doesn’t mean you have to take the library with you!”
“Look do I tell you how to play Quidditch,” Hermione countered angrily.
“What’s up?” harry asked looking up from his Quidditch magazine.
“Look at all these books and yet not one of them talk about how to kill a vampire. They just go on and on about curses, chosen one’s and death counts two hundred years ago.” She replied in a huff. She looked at Ron “And for your information Ron these are the books I haven’t had a chance to read yet. The library was closing and anyway I had a better idea.”
“What?” asked Harry.
“Professor Pryce, What’s the point of having a DADA teacher if we don’t ask him about dark creatures. He should know how to deal with vampires.”
“Well, why did you bring all these then?” asked a very red Ron.
“In case he didn’t know,” Hermione said smugly.
“Well don’t you just know an answer to everything.” Ron replied.
Ginny stormed in “Hi, Bye” and disappeared behind the door to her dorm. After a while she walked back in. “Have any of you seen Sarah, I need to talk to her.”
“Why? What’s up?” asked Hermione concerned.
“Fred and George can be such idiots,”
“They play a prank on you?” asked Harry cleaning his glasses.
“No they wouldn’t let me play one! Oh, just tell her I’m looking for her if you see her I want to plan something but not a word to Fred and George. Ok?”
“Yep,” replied Ron sniggering as Ginny slammed the door and disappeared.
“I guess we should be off to see the wizard then,” Harry said stretching out of his chair. “So Dorothy, where’s the yellow brick road?”
“What?” asked Ron confused as Hermione smiled.
“I thought we could check his classroom and then the staff room first but that’s as far as I got.” She said.
“Good enough for me,” Harry replied as he stalked across the room.
“But what has yellow bricks got to do with anything?” Ron asked confused as he followed Hermione.

* * * * * * * * *

Spike was sitting in the teacher’s chair bent over double with his hands cradling his head, “Oh, bloody hell I think I’m sobering up,” Spike complained, Wesley decided not too say anything but wasn’t surprised. Three bottles of whisky was bound to give anyone one hell of a hangover.
“I will have to tell Angel that they are involved,” Wesley said, he hadn’t mentioned them since the night before when the drinking had started and by the looks of it he wanted to lose himself in it again. “I could tell Giles if you want?” He asked carefully.
“Do what you like, in fact do it if it would get that bloody watcher off my back.” He replied angrily, hangovers did not sit well with him at all. The door knocked three times rapidly “oh hell, my head.”
“Come in,” Wesley called out. The door swung open letting in a Hermione on a mission flanked by Harry and a bemused Ron muttering something that sounded like “munchkins” but Wesley wasn’t sure.
“Sir can we ask you about something?”
“That’s what we’re here for,” He looked at Spike who just grunted in response and put his head on the table.
“Is he okay?” Harry asked concerned.
“He’s fine, just received some unfortunate news that’s all, you wanted something?” Wesley asked quickly.
“Yes, How do you kill a vampire?” Hermione asked. Spike’s head snapped up as Wesley glanced quickly at him, both seeming a little unsettled.
“Why would you want to know that?” Wesley asked nervously.
“Um…” Hermione hesitated.
“We were thinking of a job in the Watcher’s Council,” Ron put in quickly.
“That’s all very well but you’re called to join the watcher’s Council it’s in your destiny as it were,” Wesley replied. Spike snorted but still watched them guardedly.
“But wouldn’t it be good if we were prepared especially as whenever something can happen happens to me,” put in Harry “I just seem to be a magnet for trouble. Wouldn’t it be better safe than sorry.”
“I guess so,” Wesley replied shrugging at Spike who watched the three with interest. “Okay, I should say first that Vampires are incredibly fast and strong so avoid them at all costs,” Spike smiled at this as Wesley continued. “The most effective method would be to steak them in the heart, it usually leaves a pile of dust so it’s best not to kill one over a new Persian rug.” Wesley stammered as Spike glared at him but he continued with new fervour, here was an audience listening to him because they wanted to and not for a grade. He calmed down and carried on “Holy water burns them like an acid so it is a good repellent. If you are being chased by a vampire in the day, run into sunlight it sets them on fire and they die by burning to death.” Spike was starting to fidget in his chair. This was too much of a coincidence and he didn’t believe in coincidences. Still Wesley ploughed on, “A cross will burn them but you have to get into contact with them. They can also die by decapitation,” but I do have to warn them unless you kill them they will just get angry and be more intent on getting after you. Vampires heal a lot faster than humans and another thing the older a vampire the more deadly it tends to be, these are the ones with intelligence, you should never underestimate any of them.” Spike coughed, “Oh yeah I think that should be enough, okay,” added Wesley.
“Yes that should be fine sir, thank you,” replied Hermione as she smiled sweetly.
“Thanks sir,” added Ron “come on Hermione he muttered as they dragged her from the room, her hormones in overdrive.
As the door shut Spike walked up to Wesley “It could have just been a coincidence I mean we are doing dark creatures in the lessons, we just weren’t supposed to do vampires until after Christmas. They could have just been eager students, I had all the lessons planned out I even included tests and…” Spike’s glare halted Wesley’s rambling. “We have to find out what Darla and Drusilla are doing,” Wesley announced “maybe you should talk to Draco you might find out something.” Spike seemed unconvinced but left as Wesley collapsed in a chair. Why did life have to be so complicated?

* * * * * * * * * *


“Ron, shut up!” Hermione shouted.
“I didn’t say anything,” he replied a grin plastered on his face.
“Yes but I know what you were thinking,”
“You’re going to tell me off for thinking?”
“Yes!” she replied defiantly, “Now help with these books,”
“No! They’re your books.”
“Pick them up or…or…”
“Or what?”
Hermione grinned evilly, “you know what” she replied slowly.
“No! You can’t do that!”
“I can and I will, that picture will be plastered all over school, unless you help.”
“Okay, I give in,” he replied reluctantly and started to pick the books in as clumsy a manner till he accidentally on purpose dropped the pile Hermione had picked up.
“Ron!”
“Okay, okay, How long is she going to use this?” he muttered to Harry.
“Till the devil rides to work on a snowplough,” Harry said triumphantly. When suddenly Hermione screamed and dropped a book on the floor.
“What’s the matter?” Ron asked whilst she tried to catch her breath. She slowly lifted up the book and showed Ron the page. His face blanched.
“What’s wrong?” Harry asked worried at Ron’s sudden lack of colour.
“Another member of the clan of Aurelius, and the last in the travelling group this creature was turned near the end of the nineteenth century. His name first being William the Bloody was changed to reflect his most common torture instrument, a railway spike.”
“What?” asked Harry. Ron took a deep breath and turned the book around so Harry could see the illustration. “Bloody hell!” he cried out.
“I was about to say the same thing,” replied Ron. There he was with the black leather duster, slicked back blond hair and utter arrogance. SPIKE.
“What are we going to do?” asked Hermione.
“We’ll have to kill him” replied Harry quietly “he must be the one responsible for all the deaths and disappearances, we have to stop him before he does anymore.”
“But it might not be him, Lupin is a dark creature but he hasn’t killed any one.” Replied Ron.
“Yes but Ron, he has a soul, vampires don’t.” she replied with finality. “Can we trust Professor Pryce’s methods of killing of a vampire?”
“We don’t have much of a choice,” Harry replied as he broke off one of the legs from the table. Then they set off in that dramatic way heroes do. With cloaks flying the main hero at the front and the other two on either side, ready for anything and determination in their eyes.

* * * * * * * * * *

“He’s missing,” Spike announced as soon as he entered.
“What?”
“Are you deaf or something? HE IS MISSING, that bloody Pomfrey woman was in a state,”
“Good.”
“Good? What the hell are you on?”
“It means I can test out my tracking spell, don’t worry nothing will blow up.” Wesley replied. “I hope,” he muttered to himself as he pulled out a sort of compass. “This should point to whatever direction he’s in. “Draconis procurnis” he called out and no sooner had the words left his lips had the needle stared spinning erratically before it settled in an easterly direction. “See,” he added triumphantly as the door burst open. There stood the three, all with one hand behind their backs and all staring at Spike with an unwavering gaze. Harry walked up to Spike and stared at him before his hand sped round and stabbed him with the steak. Spike screamed in pain and pulled the steak out “You bloody sadist,” he shouted out holding the bloodstained weapon in his hands, his game face was on. He then shouted a blue streak so full of profanities that I would have to leave it to your imagination but it was the kind that could be heard ten miles away. It was also the cause of about five traffic accidents, seven marriage break ups and at least a hundred people needing immediate care from the men in white coats and their special padded room. Hermione and Ron stood there in shock, their steaks fallen to the ground. Harry stood there until it suddenly dawned on him that he didn’t have the advantage anymore but that there was no turning back now as he started to pound Spike’s wound with his fists. Spike tried to hit back but when he did he screamed in pain and held his head in his hands. Wesley tried to pull Harry off but was attacked by both Ron and Hermione trying to pull him off Harry.
“STOP!” A voice shouted from the doorway. Ron, Hermione and Harry stopped and turned to the door to see an angry Sirius and an even angrier Dumbledore. Dumbledore who had shouted ordered the three in front of him as Wesley helped Spike up into a chair.
“But sir, he’s a vampire” Harry told him. Wesley walked over to Dumbledore; he did not even look at the three culprits, which made them all feel worse.
“Excuse me sir, but it was probably my fault, I told them how to kill a vampire. Although I did not realise they knew Spike was one sir. I did it, as I thought that if any were to come here they would probably go after them.” Replied Wesley apologetically as guilt was deepening with Ron, Hermione and Harry who shuffled their feet and looked at the floor.
“No it wasn’t Wesley,” Dumbledore replied sympathetically, it was a good thought but I am afraid you underestimated their knack for getting the wrong person.” He then looked at Harry, “Harry, do you really believe that I would knowingly allow a danger to the school not only to enter it but to teach? Is that how little you think of me?” Dumbledore asked him.
“Oh no sir,” he replied quickly.
“So why have we taken to attacking the teachers?” asked Sirius angrily.
Hermione pulled the book out of her cloak and handed it to Sirius. “Page 134,” she said quietly. Sirius turned quickly to the page looked at the picture and then at Spike and back again, before handing it to Dumbledore who glanced at it and then put his penetrating gaze on Harry. This time no twinkle lay there, just disappointment. “Why did you not come to me first?” he asked softly. They all remained quiet until Ron spoke up “we don’t know sir, it was all a bit of a rush, we thought we could handle it.”
“You thought you could be heroes. What’s the matter Harry,” Sirius said angrily “do you think you’re indestructible?”
“No,” he answered quietly.
“Then why after I told you how dangerous they were did you feel the need to run after one?” Sirius asked.
“But he wasn’t that strong after I had stabbed him, he just kept holding his head.” Harry said quickly.
“That’s because there is a chip in his head,” Wesley said still with his back to them. Harry could tell he was angry and it was taking him everything to control it. “He can’t hurt you, any time he even attempts to hurt a human he gets an electric shock, so congratulations on hurting a helpless vampire,” he said spitefully. Wesley felt tricked and cheated. He was outsmarted by a bunch of teenagers and Spike had almost died because of it.
They could hear footsteps behind them and knew Spike was standing there glaring at them. They had never felt this awful and low. When something occurred to Harry, “Sir, if he’s a vampire how come he didn’t die?” he asked quietly. Wesley turned round slowly and Harry instantly regretted even thinking of the question. “He would have disintegrated if you had moved two inches two the left, here,” Wesley answered as he prodded Harry’s chest. He then folded his arms and then turned his back on them as Sirius apologised to him, “I’m sorry, I put the idea of vampires in their heads I should have never told them that there were any about.”
“It’s not me who should be apologised to,” Wesley replied stiffly. “I’m not the one with a three inch gaping hole in their chest.” Sirius looked to Spike and apologised again. Spike nodded in acknowledgement.
“And I think someone else should be apologising,” said Sirius indicating the three. They turned not daring to look up. “Ron and Hermione apologised first and looked back to their shoes quickly. Harry was left; he looked up, apologised and offered his hand. Which Spike simply glared at. It was going to take a lot more then a handshake to apologise to him Harry realised, as he slowly brought back his hand; he had never felt so wretched as he did at that moment.
“Professor Dumbledore,” he turned to see Madame Pomfrey looking harassed.
“What is it Polly?”
“Draco Malfoy has run off, I can’t find him anywhere in the school,” she said quickly. Dumbledore looked at Wesley who nodded and turned back to her, “It’s okay we’ll find him, you don’t need to worry the boy will be fine.”
“After what he went through, he should be resting not wandering around the countryside,”
“It’ll be fine, you can relax, he’ll be found,”
“You see to it he is,” she turned back muttering and walked back to the medical room.
“Where?” he asked Wesley.
“East, past the forbidden forest,” Wesley replied handing Dumbledore the compass.
“You and Sirius set off now and try to find him,” ordered Dumbledore. He then looked at the three and said “You lot go straight to your dormitories, and I don’t want to hear of you wandering about again.”
“Yes sir,” they replied in unison. They turned and walked back to their common room dejectedly.
He then turned to Spike “Will you be able to go into Hogsmeade tonight?” He asked. “Yes, this’ll only take about an hour to heal,” he answered pulling his duster on.
“Good,” Dumbledore replied.
“Don’t look so sad it may never happen,” said the fat lady.
“It already has,” replied Hermione.
“Godric” Ron called out and the painting swung away revealing the door to the common room. They walked in silently and collapsed in the chairs.
“I’ve never felt so awful in my life,” moaned Hermione. She could barely handle being in trouble with one teacher but to be in trouble with three and Sirius didn’t bear thinking about.
“Dumbledore actually shouted at us,” Ron said quietly.
Harry simply looked at his hands, the blood was drying “I could have killed him,” he said more to himself than anyone else.
Ron watched him and then looked at Hermione, who was on the verge of tears “we have to do something,” he said.
“I think we’re the last people they want to see right now Ron,” Hermione replied.
“Yeah, you’re probably right,” Ron said defeated.
“They’re looking for Malfoy,” Harry stated and left it hanging in the air.
“Yeah, so,” replied Ron.
“Well they think he’s out there, what makes them think they can handle a load of vampires out there?” said Harry.
“They can aim properly,” Ron countered.
“Well, you know how four more people disappeared?”
“Yes,” replied Ron hesitantly.
“Well wouldn’t two people against six vampires a bit of a disadvantage,”
“They’ll die out there!” Replied Hermione horrified, “we have to help.”
“What about Dumbledore?” asked Ron.
They all sat silently for a minute until Harry said finally, “I’d rather get in trouble again than lose another member of my family.”
“Yeah, me too,” replied Ron, “except about the family part cos you know he’s not my godfather.”
“I’m in, how can we make it up to someone if they’re not around for us to make it up to?” Hermione stated hoping it made sense.
“We know where they’re heading, we can follow on and let’s bring along the invisibility cloak, you know for added protection.” Said Harry gaining enthusiasm, “Okay be back down here in five minutes and dress for warmth it’ll be cold out there.” He added.

* * * * * * * * * *

Draco stood over the stiff body of Sarah; she was lying on the dusty floor, he held his wand over her hesitantly. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way, I can take the spell off you if you promise not to scream, okay?” She rolled her eyes up and down. “Okay, Alohomora,” and silence filled the room as she managed to move to see if she had all her limbs intact. She stood i