Author's Note: This story was written and planned conjointly with another author from this site, Emerald3. We wanted to create a piece of Marauder Fanfiction that took into account everything that has been revealed through the books and interviews so far. We aimed to pull together two main plots, the Romance and Friendships of the Marauders and their adventures involving the outside wizarding world.

The story is set when the Marauders reach 6th year so that there has been time for friendships and such like to already form. We want to include new ideas of our own, but naturally as we are sticking to the character behavioural patterns given by J. K. Rowling there will be a few things you've seen before. What we ask is don't give up on us. A lot of pre planning and thought has gone into this.

So from both us,

Disclaimer:- Harry Potter and all canon characters belong to J. K. Rowling, as do some elements of the plot that have been mentioned in the books. The characters that you do not recognise belong to us and our crazy imaginations.

Prologue

The aristocratic face was highlighted by the light of a flickering fire. His finger tips pressed together as he rested his elbows thoughtfully on the oak table top. His eyes bore into the man sitting before him.

"What you're planning to do is a dangerous piece of Dark Magic. I'm sure you're aware if that."

The man sitting before him chuckled darkly, "That has to be one of the best pieces of understating I've ever heard."

They lapsed back into an uneasy silence. The only sounds were the cracking of the logs and the chattering voices that were rising up through the floor. The older looking man's eyes flickered uneasily between the door and back to the arrogant face in front of him.

"In fact, I think it may be too dangerous." He paused and leaned back in his chair. A thick accent sometimes hindered the clarity of his speech but not at this particular moment. His voice was perfectly clear. "I do not think I can allow for my coven to be associated with that sort of thing. We vampires have considered the benefits taking either side and at the moment it's not looking good for you."

He stopped and rose, "We are aristocrats Mr Riddle, and on top of that we are business men. There is nothing productive for us in joining you, and there is no gain for me in giving you my blood."

A smirk flickered across Riddle's face, "I will have control of the Wizarding World Lord Deinde and I can change the amount of respect your race receives. At the moment you are considered dark creatures of the night, a plague to be avoided. I can and will change that for you. All I ask is your allegiance and a small amount of your blood."

He looked up at the Lord who was leaning on the fire place, "You remember the struggle you had getting a magical education for your daughter? I can see to it that all children of noble blood, no matter what they are receive their education. It is my job to finish Salazar Slytherin's dream."

A frown creased across the aged face of Deinde. It was true that getting Alyssa into Beauxbatons had been difficult, but not impossible. "We do not need your help, Mr. Riddle. What makes you think that we dislike this image of us? It gives us a lot of power, more than forced appreciation."

Riddle's smirk vanished and was replaced by one of mild irritation. "I have to say I'm most disappointed in you. As one of the more influential members of your kind, I would have thought that you would have been willing to take risks. For the image of your coven, you will have just thrown away your life."

Deinde started up a look of confusion burrowing through his forehead. From below, the murmured voices rose to shouts of panic and horror. A look of content spread across Riddle's face as his eyes met with the widening ones of the vampire before him. The sound of heavy footfalls could be heard from the corridor. The door knob rattled and he reached out for his wand but even as his hand closed around the handle it felt limp. With a gurgling sigh he collapsed to the floor, his eyes filled with despair.

Riddle rose from the chair he had been occupying and looked down at the body with satisfaction. A wooden stake emerged from the left side of his chest and already the rush of accelerated aging could be heard. An unearthly wind swept through the room and the body caved in inwardly. In a matter of seconds the powerful Lord was nothing but a pattern of grey ash on the floor.

"I hope your daughter is more open to radical ideas Lord Deinde. Lord Voldemort does not appreciate it when his generosity is thrown back in his face."

The door knob was being tugged more frantically and his eyes lifted to the door. The follower who had just emerged from the shadows inclined his head questioningly. "No, leave it. She's the one we want really. The old fool was just a legitimate reason for coming in here."

The masked man bowed humbly and slipped back into the shadows. Before he disappeared completely however, Riddle continued, "You may want to pick up the stake. We might have need of it again before this night is it out." Another dutiful bow and the Death Eater picked up the sharpened piece of wood.

Outside there was the sound of muttered curses and with a violent bang the door flew open. In the door way the figure of a woman could be made out. Her face contained a vivacious, almost excited look as she peered into the gloomy room. "Father," she called softly, "The house; it is under attack." Her white teeth glinted in the moonlight as she spoke. Frowning at the unusual lack of response she took a step into the room. The effervescent look died a little as she realised just how silent the room was. It reminded her of the silence found in a coffin. A deathly silence...

The realisation of what might have happened finally ignited a spark of panic in her and she looked around wildly for any sign of life. She probed further into the room. She now established that there was no one in the room. No one alive anyway. Her boots clicked against the polished wood floor as she moved over to the fireplace.

"Father?"

There was still nothing. She began to grow angry, even fearful. Now was not the time to play games with her. She reached her desk, her fingers dragged lightly of its wooden surface. Another step forward and something softened the sound her foot made. She looked down and her eyes widened with horror. The pile of dust, a pile of grave dust! He was dead. He truly was dead. Someone had betrayed their coven and her father. She whirled around the rush of movement causing the dust to rise and whisper hauntingly. Her already pale face drained of any colour it retained. She had to leave now to go to Romania, to go anywhere but here.

Stumbling over towards the door she failed to notice the two males emerge from the shadows and when the wooden door slammed in front on her she swallowed. An ambush and a betrayal all in one night. Boy was she doing well. Again she turned around and was confronted with the man who had most likely killed her father.

"Ah, Alyssa just the vampire I want to see."

"You murdered my father and betrayed my coven. I want nothing more to do with you."

Her hand fumbled behind her for the door handle, shaking more with rage than with panic. Her rich brown eyes floated over his features, handsome at best but not her type. "I killed your father; I'll do the same to you."

A click of his fingers and the man who had been standing next to him silently raised the stake. They must be a standard weapon issued by the so called Dark Lord as they were exactly the same ones that had been used to slay her brethren downstairs. Perfectly aware of what their sharp tips were capable of she stopped moving.

"Much better," he murmured approvingly, "You'll listen to what I have to say before making up your mind, and for your sake I hope you make a different choice to your father."

She relaxed against the cold surface of the door, desperately trying to formulate a way out of the room. The best thing would to have a surprise ready and then just run as fast as she could. She couldn't change and she had to be somewhere safe before she had to sleep. Biting on her lip her fangs protruded from her mouth and gave her beautiful face an animal like quality. Somehow though, it enhanced her attractiveness rather than detracted from it.

"Talk then Mr Riddle. I do not seem to have a choice in the matter."

"All I want Lady Deinde," her shoulders slumped. He'd passed on her father's title. She didn't want to be a lady. He should have still been sitting there in his chair muttering about the latest news from Gringotts. "Is to gain support in my cause from the vampires. I offer you acceptance into the world, I can give your children the freedom you never had."

Again her hand slipped behind her and finally latched onto the metal opener. "You are liar Mr Riddle." Her hand gripped her wand tighter. "You can not change the views that have been in place for centuries simply by waving your magic wand. I have already heard about what you want from us. My father has many contacts; the one thing you'll find about vampires is that we are extraordinarily close. All information is shared, and no one vampire will make a decision without the backing of the others."

He clasped his hands in front of him, his pale hands with long pale fingers. They seemed to itch for throats to grasp. "That is precisely why I have come to you. You are one of the more influential vampires, you could change their opinions."

She shook her head, "I could if I wanted to, but the fact is I don't. Now if you'll excuse me I have a bus to catch."

The door flew open, and at the same time she almost screamed, "Lumos Maxima!" A blinding white light flashed through the room and left all occupants momentarily blinded. All were not vampires however. Her enhanced senses became alert and alive. She flew through the door and raced along the darkening hallway.

Around her she could smell smoke and the screams from below had died down. That couldn't mean everyone was dead could it? All twenty of them that had been in the house this evening. All murdered by the clumsy workers of this Dark Lord? It was incredulous. They would have their revenge; one does not mess with such a dangerous race. They were not pawns to be pushed around. Diving through every door she met she raced down through the two floors. The fire seemed to have been started on the First Floor as that was where it was raging most furiously.

Her shortness of breath and lack of clean air was leading to spasmodic choking fits and she was forced to keep stopping to regain control of her lungs. She was sure either side of her she could see shadows on the edge of her vision. The lack of clarity and oxygen was making her see hands that weren't really there reaching out for her. It was over coming her, but she wouldn't let them have her. She would get out of this hell alive. A furious scream flew from her mouth as she reached the Entrance Hall.

This time she was sure she could see shapes before her so she dove off to her right. Flinging herself through the door that lead to the reception room she picked her way across the debris littered floor. There were no signs of bodies, that had all long since gone but the shattered remains of the once elegant room gave her hope that they hadn't gone without a fight.

At last she came face to face with the bay window which opened out into the gardens. She could hear heavy foot steps and shouts coming from outside the room and she felt it was now or never. Backing off she sprinted from the end of the room. Placing her foot on the window sill she propelled herself forwards and smashed through the glass. Alyssa landed in a pathetically in scratched heap, but she would still not give up. After a moments pause she was up on her feet again running, always running.

Darkness swallowed her silhouette as she raced away from the destructive flames. Behind her, smoke swirled in smothering tendrils, trying their best to choke her as she pounded through the grounds. Her heels sank into the soft surface of the lawn. She flailed in surprise and twisted slightly as she buckled. Her eyes caught sight of the burning building and she hissed in anger. Her fingers curled in a catlike motion as she pulled herself back to an upright position.

The idiots. They thought that they would be able to pull off their little caper that easily. She began to build up her speed again, plans rushing through her mind. She'd need somewhere to set up shop until she could get word back to her race back in their native Romania.

Up ahead she could see the black wrought metal gates that marked the opening to the estate. A shiver of relief swept up her spine. She was almost home free; but it seemed that fate was not on her side that day.

"You were foolish to think you can escape Lord Voldemort by running my dear."

The figure stood right in her path, stopping her from moving any further forwards. Her cat-like senses picked up on the sound of moving feet behind her and either side of her. Damn it, why hadn't she picked one of the side entrances; less well known and harder to spot. She could feel her heart rate quicken and her muscles were screaming to collapse but she ignored them and straightened up. Looking the man in the eye she pulled out her wand and levelled it at him.

"And you were foolish to think I would agree to your ridiculous plan." Her clear Romanian accent cut through the air and unseen smirks flickered underneath the black masks that surrounded.

"If you recall I never asked for your agreement. I just asked for your blood. Or perhaps, being the animal that you are, my rather eloquent statements went over your head."

A short laugh escaped from her, "Oh no my Lord, I understood you perfectly well. I also understand what it would mean me giving up. I quite like being alive you know; I'm not ready to die yet."

"But my dear, you're already dead."

"That's a mere technicality. Now, if you'll excuse me I have to be going."

Around her the masked wizards started to chuckle and a chilling smile spread across Voldemort's own features. "Going? You're still under the delusion you can escape from me? My, my do you believe you are invincible as well as immortal?"

"No," She clutched her wand more tightly her mind racing through spells and charms that may be useful to her. Her fang protruded slightly over her bottom lip and subconsciously the Dark Wizards backed off a little. Man's unwillingness to understand something different can lead to a growing fear of it. Her eyes sparkled slightly as she turned to him and said, "The other thing you'll find out about vampires is that we can be extraordinarily secretive about certain things. Like our special abilities."

She paused and raising her own wand finished, "Just because I can change shape naturally doesn't mean I rely on it. Think about that when you're planning to attack people. They've always got something hidden up their sleeve that you don't know about."

Now having felt that she'd made a good enough speech she closed her eyes and began to shrink. It seemed at first that she was just shying away from them, but then she got smaller and smaller. Her features started to fade and as she carried on shrinking. His eyes widening in shock and anger Riddle yelled, "Stun her! Stop her!"

The red flashes of light flew threw the air but it was already too late. She had finished her change from woman into moth and had flown the coop. Uncertain looks were thrown at their master. What would he do to them as punishment for failing to apprehend her?

Running his tongue along his teeth Riddle turned to the masked men. "Someone explain to me how none of you managed to hit her?" He raised his eyebrows questioningly, "Hmm?"

One of the men answered hesitantly, "My Lord, we are sorry but we weren't expecting her to change. According to research vampires can only change form once at sunset and once at sunrise." He finished hesitantly and then quite suddenly prostrated himself on the wet grass.

Riddle rolled his eyes and muttered, "Incompetent, that's what you all are. You're failures and a disgrace to my cause. There were ten of you and one of her and she didn't raise her wand once and she still got away. This is a complete and utter humiliation."

His thin nostrils flared out, "I'm warning you. If you haven't found out where the girl is hiding and brought her to me soon, you will be the ones who feel my rage and not her."

His eyes lowered down to the shaking man on the floor, "Get up Rookwood and stop your pathetic attempts to receive forgiveness. Make yourself useful and find a copy of the Animagi register."

Back over at the burning silhouette of the once proud manor house he added finally, "I want that girl brought to me alive, and I don't care who you have to kill to do it. I don't want to see any of you again until you've found something that's useful to me."