Authors note: I do not own Harry potter, That right belongs to JK rowling the publisheres and warner brothers plus whoever else owns it. This was originally on the Harry Potter fanfiction site, under my other pen name ClaireVampiress. This was originally beta'd by Ashling. But has sense been Touched up by my current awesome Beta KITKAT hope you enjoy!.
Blood, a metallic and sweet smell, was so strong he could taste it in the air. It was the only thing he remembered the most from that life changing night a month ago. Even now it was still the same, only that it was her blood that called to him. It called to him everywhere he went. He shook his head trying to distract himself from the admittedly disturbing thoughts. He should not be thinking of her blood right then. It was distracting enough on a good day.
He had started to follow her as soon as they arrived back to Hogwarts after the summer holidays. Not that she knew he was watching and following her around. She had remained blissfully unaware of his nearly constant presence. He didn't really understand why he kept following her, especially her, but that was how he found out she came to the Astronomy tower every night to clear her head and think.
She was coming. He felt his fangs lower, the sensation tickled the roof of his mouth as her scent, a rose and creamy scent that could only be described as vanilla, started to fill the hallway. He crouched down behind the suit of armor he was hiding behind and waited for her to pass. Soon she was almost upon him, so close that all he had to do was reach over, grab her, and sink his fangs into her neck.
He resisted however his eyes flashed blood red. He closed his eyes fighting the urge and covered his nose trying to block out the scent that was uniquely her. Unfortunately her scent only became unbearably stronger. He could hear her heart beat and blood running through her veins. He always heard hers. No matter where they were or how many people surrounded them in class, in the hallways, or dining hall, hers always drowned out all the others. The ability was truly starting to get on his nerves. He shook his head again.
He crouched lower in the shadows ducking behind a suit of armor as she passed. He used the sleeve of his cloak to cover his mouth and nose until she had passed. Once he was sure it was safe to follow her, he jumped from the shadow of the suit of armor to another, following her as stealthily as he could. He avoided the beams of light that shimmered down through the window panes and holes in the ceiling. Placing one foot in front of the other, making sure he didn't make a sound to alert her.
Whenever she would stop to look around to see if she was being followed he pressed up against the wall keeping hidden in the shadows. He had to snap himself out of the trance her blood seemed to put him in. He didn't want to hurt her and if he didn't focus he probably would. He knew he needed her help, no matter how much he hated to admit it, even to himself. Once at the bottom of the stairs he looked up, watching her from below and waiting for his chance. Assured that she wasn't going to look down and catch him, he silently crept up the stairs. Again, he avoided the moonlight that now streamed through the open ceiling of the Astronomy tower. To reduce his chances of being caught, if the beams hit him it would cause a shadow she would undoubtedly see.
He approached her slowly from behind. When she swerved around to see who it was she felt, he quickly disappeared. Once she had relaxed again, he decided to pounce. He easily pushed her up against the wall, pinning her to the wall by her wrists, facing away from him. He bent his head forward, grazing his fangs gently over her neck to get her attention.
"I need your help, Granger." He whispered dangerously into her ear.
"M-Malfoy?" Granger squeaked, squirming to break free, but it only made him increase his grip on her wrists to keep her from struggling.
He heard her heartbeat quicken in fear, and he felt her tense as his fangs scraped against her neck harder than the first time.
"Y-you're a vampire! What, how, when did that happen?" She spoke bravely; he could tell she was trying to hide her fear.
Draco didn't think she was doing a very good job of it. He could hear the subtle difference in her voice.
"Be quiet, Granger," Draco hissed into her ear. "I need your help. I want you to come here tomorrow night at midnight, alone. If you tell anyone where you're going or if you're followed, I will know about it. Just so you know Potter's invisibility cloak can't hide his scent. If you do not agree to meet me or you fail to follow my terms," He paused, "well I rather not think about it. You have until tomorrow night to make your decision."
He pushed away from her and was gone before she even had a chance to process everything that had happened. Draco knew that she'd be there. She was too much of a know it all to not want to find out the whole story.
The next morning Draco followed her after breakfast to the library. He knew she had the day off from classes today. Since they shared only 2 classes together, and she didn't take any classes that taught anything today, so she had the free time, which is why he spoke to her last night, so that way she would have plenty of time to mull things over. He kept to the shadows, the hood of his cloak shielding him from the burning effects of the sun, and adjusted his darkly tinted glasses, which were charmed to protect his sensitive eyes.
Granger currently sat at her usual spot in the far right corner of the library surrounded by what looked to be at least two dozen books. Draco suspected that she was researching vampires and debating with herself about whether or not she should meet him or not. She had her nose buried into the first one on the books on the pile. He snuck past her, an easy thing to do when she was reading and sat down on the chair in the corner of the other side of the isle, so he could still see her, and the corner was dark and away from windows.
Around noon she was joined by Potter and Weasley, Draco tensed and leaned back more into his chair, making sure he was enveloped in the shadows that were created by the bookcase and the wall. He tuned into their conversation, hoping that Granger wouldn't give him away.
"Hey, we missed you at lunch," Weasley spoke, smiling down at her as he took the seat next to her.
"We were worried; we figured you'd be here studying something. You know, most people actually relax when they have a day free of studying. What are you doing anyway?" Potter asked, leaning over to see what she was reading.
"How to spot and protect yourself against creatures of the night by Mathilda Bagshot," Harry read aloud. "I don't remember vampires being discussed or having homework assigned in Defense Against the Dark Arts. I thought that wasn't until next term." Potter continued sitting down opposite her.
"Yes well, Professor Richardson is letting me do an extra credit essay because you know; I'm paranoid about my grade in that class. It's on vampires, really I'm fine." She smiled sweetly to Potter, in which he returned it with a grin.
Draco gagged.
"Well, it really isn't good for you to skip as many meals as you do when studying." Draco heard a rustling sound as he watched Potter fish out a small bag of peanuts from his pocket. "It's the only thing I knew I could get passed Madame Pince." Potter passed the bag to Granger, which she took gratefully.
Draco noticed that Potter's hand lingered a fraction of a second longer than it needed to. Granger didn't seem to notice. It was a small gesture that only guys could really detect. He scoffed. Did Potter really think he had a chance with her? Wait…Why did he care? He shook his head and blamed the passing thoughts on a lack of blood.
Potter and Weasley lingered in the library with Granger for another half hour, talking and joking around with one another. Draco wasn't sorry to see them leave for class, but scoffed again when the hug between Potter and Granger lasted more than two seconds. Draco couldn't tell if Potter kissed her on the cheek or not from the angle he was sitting at.
Draco slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out the blood replenishing potion that he had brought with him and took a sip. Normally Draco would have gone out hunting for his nourishment but he hadn't had a chance to hunt in the past two days. The potion at least would tie him over until he could hunt again. Plus he hoped that the added nourishment would stop the crazy thoughts going through his mind. Granger went back to her spot, working even harder in her research, and could be seen scratching notes on a piece of parchment.
He chuckled knowing that the idea of not knowing was driving Granger nuts. He could tell by how erratic her pulse was getting, and by the fact that he just knew her.
He drummed his fingers on the table out of boredom from watching Granger delve into one book after another. He soon noticed that she sucked and bit her lower lip when she was really into a book, or when something interesting had caught her eye. In fact he actually thought it was rather cute.
Draco snapped awake at the sound of the library doors opening. He hadn't even noticed that he had drifted off. Looking up, he saw that it was Potter again. Draco truly couldn't stand him, even if he did save the Wizarding world from the Dark Lord.
He tensed up thinking Granger may decide to tell Potter about their encounter, but she didn't.
"I figured you could use some company. That and I need a little help with History of Magic." Potter said, embarrassed and rubbing the back of his neck as he sat down next to her.
To close for Draco's liking, he felt his fangs unsheathing in reaction, but he ignored the impulse. Slamming his head quietly onto his arms, disgusted and annoyed at his-self at the same time.
He looked back up, risking a glance back over to his enemy and Granger.
They were deep in conversation about something, laughing, and their heads together, twice Granger hit Potter's arm playfully before going back to her own work. Other than that they seemed to be working in comfortable semi silence.
When night finally fell Draco watched them leave the library, Potter holding her bag and taking her hand as they walked back to their common room. He waited a full three minutes before leaving, but instead of following them like he wanted to, he went to the Astronomy tower and waited, deciding that the wait would give him time to calm down before Granger arrived.
Exactly at midnight, he heard her coming up the stairs. He closed his eyes as he waited. His arms folded, leaning against the railing as the wind blew his white blonde hair in front of his eyes. The moon illuminated the area where he stood. It took five whole minutes before Granger finally emerged from the stairs. Slightly out of breath, having obviously run all the way there, her cheeks were flushed red and her hair was more of a mess than usual.
She cautiously entered the tower room. Draco turned around to face her, jumping up onto the railing so that he was sitting on it; his hands gripping the golden metal for support. Granger placed one hand onto her hip, her other hand held her wand, which she raised and pointed it defensively at Draco.
He just smirked keeping a deceiving calm and relaxed appearance.
"Put your wand away Granger before you hurt yourself," He laughed, as she scowled at him.
"Okay, listen up Malfoy. You better start explaining to me what is going on. What happened to you? How are you a vampire; and while you are at it, why don't you tell me, why on earth do you need my help?"
"Well, as much as I hate everything you represent, I can't deny that your intelligent, not to mention that I can easily get over your blood status if you are of use, which you are. Trust me; it pains me just as much as it pains you."
Draco covered his mouth and nose with his hand, fighting the instinct to just kill her and be done with her forever.
"You better listen up Granger, because what I am about to tell you concerns me, you, and the welfare of others. Plus I will not be repeating myself, so use that brain of yours to actually remember what I am about to say. I truly hate repeating myself to your kind."
"My kind?" She hissed angrily. "You listen to me, Malfoy, if you want my help you are going to have to start treating me with at least some respect, or no deal."
Draco mulled it over in his head, weighing the pros and cons. After a few minutes he had made his decision.
"Fine, you have a deal. Now will you listen to me?"
Granger folded her arms over her chest.
"Yes, go on."
Draco cleared his throat and began to speak.