Chapter 2 continued…

Harry snapped, " Fine. Then, what do you want?"

Boy and man stared at each other, assessing and probing one another.

Finally, the man spoke, " Nothing… at the moment. You merely overreacted… Normally, child, you would be dead by now. However… luck for you, I'm in a good mood today." To Harry's surprise, the man reached out to shake his hand.

Hesitant, Harry accepted.

" Harrigan Hretha, is it?" The man said, " Queen Hretha's son, I presume... From the Etoile clan? Ah, if I remember correctly, you are representing her clan for the Wales treaty negotiation?"

The man held onto Harry's hand longer than necessary. His grip was like iron. Harry felt a strange sensation as their magic reached out to touch one another. His skin burned hot where their hands met. Harry felt his heart race in anticipation- although anticipation for what, he doesn't know.

" Yes, that is correct, " replied Harry, while trying to pull his hand away. " And you are?"

" Hn, me? I'm just a professor... I'm sure you never heard of me."

" BULLSHIT! " shouted Harry, his magic suddenly lashed out and it forced the man to drop his hand. "How stupid do you think I am? A man of your calibre is ,at least, at the level of the Headmaster. "

" Well, then, I suppose that's true." He chucked, " I'll be the Headmaster of Hogwarts… more or less."

Harry searched his brain for the man's name. Alcohol-induced cloudiness still slogged his memory and tonight's excitement certainly didn't help. Who is the Headmaster of Hogwarts?… Ugh, he really should have read those files Alan prepared for him.

" SNAPE!" He suddenly recalled, "Headmaster Snape?"

" That'll be me, " answered the man. Harry thought he saw a teasing smile on the man's thin lips, but the smile vanished as soon as it appeared. " I must say, for a diplomat, your severe lack of social knowledge truly astonishes me. Tis tis… That is why- I always say- never send a child to do man's work."

" I assume you I'm more than capable," retorted Harry angrily.

" Is that so?…" This time, an actually teasing smile appeared on his lips. " I apologize. So I suppose the negotiation is going well. Shall I expect to read about it in tomorrow's papers? "

" Well, you should! " Harry sputtered, "if your git of a lord actually shows up for work, once in a while."

The man chucked again. "Ah, the passion of youth... You really are too young for this. In fact, I see you are not even old enough to be a real vampire." The man pointed to Harry's wand.

" Not yet… " snarled Harry. " Mother feels that isn't appropriate for me to … turn... just yet."

Harry was simultaneously annoyed and surprised that this man managed to figure out the truth so soon. Although , now Harry thinks about it, it is quite obvious that he is still human, because he can still use his wand.

Vampires can not use wands. Wands are for wizards and vampires are , most definitely, not wizards. More precisely, vampirism meant to embrace Death so wholly and sincerely that one must give up all trances of humanity - including a wizard's magic core… A sort of an exchange- a sacrifice - in order to gain Master Death's favour.

Yes, it is true. Harry has not yet received the gift of vampirism. Normally, this was a touchy subject for him. Harry can't recall how many times someone back at home made fun of his mortality. ( Harry's preferred response is to curse them into next week… pity this man's too strong for that.)

If all goes according to plan, then Harry still had six mortal years left. The Empirical Vampirial laws specifically forbid the creation of youngling under the age of 22. Therefore, technically, Harry had not been officially coroneted as the vampire prince. He was, as of this moment, still a wizard.

In truth, Harry wasn't sure he wants to turn. A wizard's magic is at odds with vampire's power. One can not co-exist with the other. If he was to turn, then he would have to give up his magic… to never to touch his wand again. And that, at least right now, seemed to Harry like a fate far worst than death. But he was not going to let this pompous bastard know his secret.

" Is that so? I presume, you are planning to turn when you are of age? " The man's question pulled Harry from his thoughts.

" Off course. My heritage is a gift- a blessing of honour, power and eternal life. Hn, it not something I expect you mortals to be able to understand. "

The man chuckled again, " I wouldn't be sure about that. Eternal life… I'm very knowledgeable on that particular subjects, if I do say so myself. "

He stalked toward Harry. His red eyes stared intently into the boy's green ones. As if reading his mind, the man said,

" The certainty in your voice does not match what I see in your beautiful eyes, little intruder. Yessss… you are too young to understand. I believe I can help you to understand… your heart."

" Um… help?"

" Yes. Given how much Hogwarts enjoyed your company, I do believe you must visit again. Perhaps we shall have tea."

" Um… tea?"

" Yes, tea. Is the little princeling scared of tea?" mocked the man, his face was now only inches away from the boy.

" Fine, I accept. " snapped Harry, before he could stop himself.

Wait… what is he doing? Shouldn't he be trying to escape? Harry shook his head, somehow he felt like he just stepped into a trap.

" I mean… fine, if an opportunity presents itself. After all, I'm… um…very busy."

" Opportunities are plenty." The man weaved his hand. " I'm sure one will present itself- very soon."

" Right… " replied Harry cautiously. " It's a pleasure meeting you. Headmaster Snape, Madam Hogwarts."

Once again, Harry bowled to the tree. " I must be on my way…"

Abruptly, Harry used his wand to conjure up a sand storm. Using that as cover, Harry quickly slipped away before the man could say anything.

MMMMMMMMM-mwahahahaha!-MMMMMMMMM

Lord Voldemort chucked as he watched the boy retreat into the darkness.

Oh, what an exquisite creature, he thought. He hasn't been so entertained in ages. No one dared to speak to him so candidly in… hmmm, he can't remember the last time someone had spoken to him so and still lived to see another sunrise.

Hmmm…perhaps it is time for the vampires to get that meeting, after all.

MMMMMMMMM-mwahahahaha!-MMMMMMMMM

=^.^=

Thank you so MUCH for the REVIEWS! I LOVE YOU! ( Purely platonic , off course….)

I hope I made this point clear: in order to become a vampire, one must give up their magical abilities. ( Equivalent exchange…* cough cough*) I will expand on the subject later, but I figure there must be a trade-off or else everyone will turn, since they can get eternal youth. ( Imagine how much $ one can save on cosmetics.)

Harry is NOT a vampire right now. He is 16 right now and he is suppose to turn at 22... Whether of not he go through with it, well, that's for me to know and you to find out.

I'll post the new chapter after the new year… probably.

Happy Holiday, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year or whatever… ho, ho, ho?