Still a Vlad chapter but remember he's finding out about it all earlier than Harry does, Harry will be popping up in the next chapter or two properly.

I've guessed Vlad's birthday to be roughly about June, as the YD wikia says his parents did the business in September. Logical, yes?

I apologise in advance for the possible poor quality of this chapter, I'm sleep deprived and running on sugary tea and half a pizza right now. And I'm rambling again... Onwards!

-YDHP-

Professor McGonogall had dropped he and Ingrid back at the castle, re-enlarging their shopping and promising to come and collect Ingrid the following evening after her exam before disappearing off in case the Count appeared again. Vlad started dragging his trunk upstairs, suddenly regretting choosing the tower room as he slowly hefted the trunk up each step. 'Furball' had somehow slept through the whole thing but the second Vlad opened her carrier, the kitten-esque creature had been wide awake and leaping about his room sniffing everything.

Leaving her to get her bearings, Vlad set out the food and water trays he'd purchased in the corner and guiltily thankful they had Renfield for cleaning as he set up the litter tray. The shop keeper had assured him the critter was litter trained, so Vlad hoped not to wake up to any surprises anywhere and started sorting through his new clothes. Years of living with Count Dracula told him they were good quality fabric, and he expected his father would approve of so much black and dark colours.

A knock at his door sounded, and he turned to find Ingrid peering round at him, looking largely uncomfortable.

"I had a feeling I wouldn't be the only magical one here, you've always been special Vlad. I'm not about to start being nice or anything, but I thought this would help you."

With that, she left Vlad wondering if he'd imagined the whole event as she all but ran out of the room. Looking down at what she'd handed him, it looked like a school notepad. 'Ingrid Dracula' was scrawled in her elegant writing across the front, and Vlad opened it to find pages of bullet point lists.

Skimming through it, he realised it was information from her first year at school - different school 'houses', things she needed to research to stay ahead in class, which teachers were fairer than others, names and descriptions of students she thought knew what she was. Apparently the surname Dracula was not a huge giveaway, but Vlad wondered how long people could remain ignorant that he and Ingrid were vampires.

There was stacks of likely valuable information here, Ingrid's notes getting shorter as he flicked through where it became clear she had started to settle into her life. The last few pages were shaky, and Vlad thought that may have shown Ingrid being anxious about returning home. Resolving to make as much effort as possible to be good to his sister, Vlad carefully placed the book in his bedside drawer - his father was liable to burn it if he saw Ingrid's name.

Tucking it under one of his "vampire story books" for safety, Vlad set about piling up his school books on his desk. It was still about three months til he actually started this new school and he wanted to get a head start on reading in between normal school.

No sooner than he'd turned around to re-fold his new uniforms as he wouldn't need them until September, did Vlad hear a thud. Turning round, his little furball had knocked over one of his piles of books. Evidently, she felt strongly against Vlad learning "1001 herbs and fungi". Rooting around for the toy he'd been told she liked, Vlad tossed the squeaky fluffy toy on the floor and watched as the black kitten-thing chased it. Reassembling his pile of books, Vlad returned to tidying his clothes. Satisfied they'd stay neatly folded now, he closed his trunk before the critter could cause more mischief.

"You're like a poltergeist, turning up everywhere to cause trouble. That's a bit of a mouthful though. How about... Phantom?"

The creature turned it's intelligent gaze to Vlad, and he was almost certain the small black head nodded. Phantom it was then. The box with his wand in was tucked away next to the book from Ingrid, safely hidden from his fathers fleeting visits. Realising it was starting to get dark, Vlad went in search of Ingrid. She was in the library studying for her exam tomorrow, and barely even glanced up as he entered the room.

Deciding he could always run away if she tried to attack him for it, Vlad threw his arms around his sister.

"Thank you Ingrid. And I'm sorry I'm a terrible brother."

He didn't wait for a reply, not feeling that brave. He started running anyway, not stopping until he got back to his bedroom again. Phantom had since decided his books would make better beds, than toys and had curled up on top of one stack. Knowing his father would be waking soon, Vlad quickly got ready for bed and closed his eyes. As he knew he didn't actually have telepathy yet, Vlad realised he couldn't wish Ingrid good luck until tomorrow now. Hoping his father wouldn't wake him up, Vlad peeped to check Phantom was still snoozing and drifted off to sleep.

No such luck, his father waking him before the sun was up, with the photo album as usual. Just like every year. And just like every year, Vlad disappointed his father by saying he didn't want a live breakfast to drain. Trudging downstairs to breakfast, Vlad found Ingrid sipping at a mug of what he thought was hot chocolate and still reading intently.

"Good luck Ingrid, you're going to make a fantastic vampire one day."

"Happy birthday bat breath" was all the reply he got, but coming from Ingrid that was practically cake and balloons.

Vlad wished he could invite friends over, the very very few he had made in the two years since they moved to Stokely that was, but it was hardly fair to invite anyone somewhere they could get punctured, drained and turned into one of the undead.

Scowling at his father for good measure, Vlad started on his corn flakes and pointedly ignored the leech smoothie Renfield was trying to push at him. After Ingrid left tonight it was going to be a long six weeks til she returned. Then another six weeks until the summer holidays - his fathers least favourite time of year as it involved people outside when he couldn't go hunting them. Then they'd both be off together... to a magical school. Ok, that was pretty exciting he guessed. Maybe all the time spent reading and learning what he could now whilst avoiding his father would help pass the time?

There were a couple of wrapped packages scattered over the table, and Ingrid threw a small one at him herself without even looking. He opened it to find a small red cat collar, complete with blank name tag in the shape of a bat. That didn't surprise him much, if Ingrid had picked it.

"I figured your furball might get a name, and need to match the decor. The collar is charmed to grow with her and you just have to think her name and touch the tag."

Doing so, Vlad was surprised and amazed to see "Phantom Dracula" appear across the tag.

"Thanks Ingrid, this is awesome!"

She still hadn't looked up from her books but replied anyway.

"Yes, I am fantastic, now flap off so I can ace these blood tests before I use you for poison practice."

Vlad was more than happy to do so, grabbing the other wrapped boxes and running upstairs to avoid his father again. One of the packages turned out to be from the pet shop man, more bags of Phantom's favourite food and a note saying they were shrunk down and a teacher would be able to help at Hogwarts. The second was from his father, a new cape naturally, and a few books on fang maintenance, coffin selections and blood draining.

Scowling some more, Vlad pushed them to the floor for Phantom to play with before turning to the last unopened box. It turned out to be his mother, and at least it wasn't a jumper made of Patricks hair this time. It was only a painting of her, though a well done one, and a jumper that said "Count Draculoser." Vlad was 99% certain Granny Westenra had been involved there.

Shoving them under his bed quickly, Vlad pulled out one of his school books and sat reading "Hogwarts: A History." The name Harry Potter was mentioned in this book a few times, as was "He Who Must Not Be Named", which Vlad took to be Voldemort, or You-Know-Who as Professor McGonogall had referred to him mostly.

From what the book said, Vlad thought it sounded alot like Voldemort was already gone, so he wondered why Harry Potter was "chosen" like him. Not that he knew what he was chosen for either. Putting the book back down, Vlad decided to make a bid for freedom and take a walk outside - it's not like he'd get much chance away at school most of the year.

Slipping on his jeans and shoes, Vlad crept down to the front door, catching a glimpse of Ingrid writing furiously on her blood test paper. He didn't doubt her for a second, she'd make a brilliant vampire. Sliding out of the smallest crack in the door possible, Vlad took off running, seeking sanctuary in the sunlight that kept his father indoors. Reaching the end of the driveway, he made a dash for it before the gates could close on him - he'd seen what those gargoyles could do.

He swallowed a large gulp of free air, then he slowed his pace and strolled around, taking in the sights he'd soon see very little of. Stokely was no bustling metropolis, but there was an ease of routine to the place that seemed to suit everyone. Except Count Dracula, but that was hardly surprising as nobody else in their village was a 600 year old vampire.

Sighing as he made a full circle around Stokely's main high street and back in all of an hour, Vlad knew he was only prolonging the inevitable and headed back home. It wasn't his fault he was never going to be the son and heir his father always wanted, he couldn't just turn on an 'evil' switch and become a crazed killer.

Clarity hit him as he realised exactly what Ingrid had realised - the school was his out. He could learn there, away from his father and his overbearing "vampire" lessons. Yes, he'd have to see the vampire with a funny name at school to keep up his studies, but he'd be able to get away and be normal... as normal as he could be at a magic school anyway. Suddenly excited again, Vlad broke into a run, dashing through the castle towards his room again.

At this rate his fitness would go through the roof, the tower room had alot of steps to climb. Changing back into comfortable trousers, Vlad curled up with one of his new school books and began reading. Maybe not everyones idea of a brilliant birthday, but Vlad wanted to be ready to belong somewhere at least, because he was never going to truly fit in as a vampire at this rate.

Saying goodbye to Ingrid that night was harder than ever, but he knew he'd see her again soon, and after that, he'd be joining her when she left.

-YDHP-

This is short, I know. I have writers block, a fuzzy brain and the decision that the next chapter will be Harry, and the following chapter will be Hogwarts because I wanted to have a good basis to start from, but I have lots of ideas for Hogwarts and zero ideas for this bit, so we shall move it along! Reviews would be good, thank you to the people who have followed/favourited! I'm still trying to work out a better title, any ideas? My PM is open so feel free to jump in there!