Harry Potter
and the
Daughter of Darkness
Chapter 7
Dudley Destoryer
by Ri-kun
Chaos was erupting all over the place. Harry kept a tight grip on Rayne as they ran side-by-side against the flow of the crowd. Rayne seemed to know where they were going, so he let her lead them. A couple of people were coming up close behind, giving chase. Harry had his wand at the ready, on the chance they tried something, but it turned out that they were just fellow club-goers trying to escape.
There was a door up ahead. Harry and Rayne were at the forefront of the crowd, and burst through into a dimly lit side alley. A mass of what looked like Dark wizards and several odd assortment of creatures followed closely after. People were still screaming inside the building, trying to get away. Harry felt the urge to try and do something, but then he remembered that those were Aurors.
"We have to go, Harry!" she told him, again seeming to read his mind. "There's nothing you can do. If they catch you here..."
Feeling confused, he allowed himself to be lead back into the main part of Knockturn Alley. There were Aurors and other Ministry officials standing around outside near the front entrance. Harry immediately wished he had rememberd to bring his Invisibility Cloak. He felt the absense of it then like a constant ache. They had no choice but to take the long route. Some of the officials standing around there noticed a banshee and two hags making a run for it. Harry recognized them as some of the ones that came out with he and Rayne, and felt a twinge of pity as the Aurors gave chase.
Ironically, they did provide him with an idea distraction. With the Aurors so focused solely in the opposite direction, slipping by into the crowd of bystanders was relatively easy. A mass of wizards and witches had gathered round, most of them looking thoroughly disgusted. It was clear that the Ministry wasn't welcome here, in spite of their gate crashing. Harry did his best to keep his scar covered with one hand. Rayne nodded in affirmation when she realized what he was doing, and kept a wand out in his stead. It was slow going to avoid detection, but they managed to get back to the bike. It was still parked in the exact same spot where they'd left it.
The moment Harry reached it, he nearly fell over the side of it from relief.
"Not one of your better dates, I would take it?" Rayne said, reaching for her helmet.
Harry looked up at her, and thought carefully. "I really can't say," he replied, getting to his feet. "I'm not exactly an expert on how dates are supposed to go!"
That made Rayne stare. "You're joking, right?"
Harry grinned. "The first girl I ever asked out shot me down for a seventh-year Quidditch captain. I spent my first dance sitting over in a corner watching other people dance with my best friend, Ron, because he was angry at a girl named Hermione. Also, I was afraid to go out onto the dance floor," he added, sheepishly.
"The only other comparison I have to this involved a girl who asked me out, but only because I was with her dead boyfriend when he was killed by Lord Voldemort." Again, Rayne did not react to the name like other people. "So," Harry finished. "In all honesty, things are going pretty well! Having Aurors burst through the door isn't nearly so bad as you might think!"
Rayne looked as though she wasn't sure if Harry was serious or not. "You really aren't joking, are you?"
Adrenaline was pumping through him, now. He'd just had a very close call with the Ministry of Magic, who no doubt would've been very interested to know why he was in a dance club with Dark wizards. The thought seemed foreign, yet he couldn't help but grin. It felt wonderful to be out in the magical world, even in such a place like Knockturn Alley. The only time he'd ever been allowed to explore was back before his third year, and people were panicked then because they thought a deranged killer was on the loose!
That killer, of course, had been his godfather, Sirius Black. Harry's face fell for a moment, remembering how his godfather would have likely found the whole situation very funny. He'd been told by others that Sirius and his father had been notorious troublemakers at his age. He wondered now what they might have thought of Rayne, who was currently watching him closely.
"Harry," she leaned forward, looking worried. "Are you okay?"
"Just..." He considered lying for a second, but decided to tell the truth. "Thinking about Sirius. It just sort of... came up on me all of a sudden. It happens like that a lot, really. Something at random reminds me of him."
"It does get bettter," she told him, gently. "Little by little, things will get better."
Harry remembered the prophecy that Dumbledore had relayed to him at the end of last term. About how he would have to destory Voldemort completely, or else face the exact same fate. Neither of them could live while the other survived! Those words echoed in his head, until Rayne took his face in her hands. Pulling him close, she kissed him ever so softly this time, letting her lips trail over his like the lightest of raindrops.
Rayne's grip on his arms tightened, causing pain. Harry pulled back a little, only to find her eyes had grow very narrow. She was looking behind them, as if waiting for something to happen. Harry got the right idea, but at a fraction of a second too late. There was movement, a flicker of shadows that came from the sides, and suddenly the world all around them went dark. Harry fought to struggle, but his arms and legs had somehow lost the ability to move. He was dimly away of them, but it felt as though he'd somehow become seperated from the rest of his body. It occured to him that he might have been Imperiused. If that were the case, then he should have been able to fight off the effects!
Several seconds of useless struggling later, however, it because clear that this wasn't the case. Harry had been subjected to the Imperius Curse numerous times, back in his fourth year. An imposter had jinxed everyone in their Defense Against the Dark Arts class, to whether they'd be able to fight it off. He'd been one of the few to do it properly. This time, however, all his resistance served to do was make him feel exhaused, despite not feeling his body. That, and extremely frustrated!
The next thing Harry knew, the word suddenly came back into focus. Air rushed up to meet his sweat-drenched face, and Knockturn Alley had vanished. He was standing in a small room, rather like a jail cell. A door slammed loudly behind him, indicating that he was correct, and had just been shut away. There was no one else here but himself. He had no idea how he'd come to be here; Harry had never Apparated before, but that couldn't be ruled out just yet. Feeling for his wand, he found that he still had it with him.
Now, he was confused. Any wizard would have thought to search him, surely. Unless, perhaps, they felt that an underqualified wizard wouldn't be able to escape from this place! There were no windows or wide cracks, nothing that could provide him with a clue as to where exactly he was. Harry began to worry that this was all a very elaborate trick. Something odd was definitely happening, and Rayne...
With a jolt, Harry remembered Rayne! She'd been with him when they were jumped from behind; perhaps she was somewhere nearby, needing his help. Harry gripped his wand, and prepared to curse the only door to his cell open.
Hesitation took hold of him, then. The safest thing might be to simply wait and see what they wanted. If Death Eaters were behind all this, Rayne would most likely be tortured for information. He couldn't just stand back and let that happen, but the last time Harry had gone running off to safe somebody, it had turned out to be a trap. The door stood before him, almost tauntingly. He lowered his wand for a moment, feeling defeat, but then raised it back up.
His hand was shaking slightly, but when Harry spoke, there was little tremor in his voice.
"Alohamora!"
The door swung open expectantly. No guards had been posted outside, and the corridor beyond was completely deserted, except for a few torches hanging by the walls to provide minimal light. Harry kept his wand at the ready, keeping watch at both ends for any sign of movement, as he made his way down the passage. Scratches came from the walls, indicating mice, or worse! Harry steadied himself, and proceeded forward.
He'd gone a couple of feet, when the sound of footsteps came rushing forward from around a corner up ahead. There was no place to hide, and he was too far away from his cell to make it back in time. Harry had never performed a Disillusionment Charm on himself before. He'd always relied on his Invisibility Cloak to provide cover, which he did not have at the moment, of course! Whoever was coming had just about reached the turn. Harry pointed his wand at himself in desperation, and tapped the top of his head three times.
A very cold sensation rolled over him, like something thick was pouring down from where his wand touched him. Harry gave himself a shiver, and hoped just as two figures in cloaks came near, that he'd done it right. The two were talking rather animatedly with one another, and didn't seem to notice anything out of the ordinary. Apparently, he'd done the spell right after all!
"I still can't believe that," one said in a raspy voice. "Where did she say she found it?"
"In a shop on the surface!" the other replied, sounding amused. "That place that caters to Squibs and such? It was just lying in a cushion on display in the front window. The owner obviously thought it was valuable."
"Of course, he would have!" the first went on, brushing right past Harry's arm. "But he..."
The speaker paused, and whirled around to stare back the way they'd come. Harry saw in the dim light that both men were vampires. One looked closely at the spot where he was standing, then turned to the other.
"What was it?"
"I don't know," he said. "But for a second there, I was sure I smelled chicken blood!"
The other vampire laughed. "You're imagining things. Let's hurry up, or we'll miss the fun. I can't wait to see what Sakura is going to do to that filthy half-breed dhampir!"
The two chortled together, as if sharing some horribly funny joke. Harry took about half a minute to decide, then went after them. He didn't know where they were going, but one of them had mentioned a girl. Plus, they were going to do something bad to a...
Harry realized he hadn't caught that last part very well. It had sounded like a dhampir, a word he had never come across in any of his school books. Chances were, though, he would have better luck tailing them. Of course, he mused, as they rounded several turns one after the other, the dhampir in question might not be something he wanted to get involved with. He realized, as they came up upon a great set of double doors, that he was doing exact what Hermione had warned him about once more.
His 'saving people' thing.
The doors opened, and Harry stepped through right behind the two vampires. The room beyond was full of people, all of them appearing to be of the undead. It would be impossible for him to manuver in here, with so many standing closely together. Plus, he could remember from a Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson years ago that vampires had a strong sense of smell. Almost as good as werewolves! Harry was sure someone would catch his scent before long.
No one moved towards him, though. Maybe Disillusionment Charms covered his scent as well as his appearance? Harry had never paid much attention to them before, so he shooting in the dark. After several minutes of standing by the doors, where no one else came through, and none of the vampires paid him any notice, Harry decided to chance it. The area closest to the wall was largely unoccupied. The vampires were mostly sticking to the center of the room, particularly close to the other side.
Clinging to the wall, he made his way over to the opposite end, curious to see what was there. If anything, it could be a clue to Rayne's whereabouts.
As he drew closer, Harry saw that it was a platform, raised up to where everyone could see clearly. And on the platform was a large, wooden X, with a person draped out across it. Harry felt his stomach grow thick with a sick fury as he recognized the pale, raven-haired woman suspended there for all to see. Throwing caution to the wind, Harry made his way over to where Rayne was stretched out, coming too close to several vampires more than once. Still, none seemed aware of his presence.
Harry snuck up behind the platform, and gave the wooden X a tap. Rayne lifted her head slightly, and stared over near where he hid. Her nostrils flared for a second as she seemed to sniff the air.
"Harry?" Rayne said in a weak but steady voice. "Is that you?"
"Hang on!" he told her, raising his wand. "I'm getting you out of here!"
"Bad pun, Harry," she croaked, smiling. "Can't do anything at this point but hang on! Harry, are you aware that your legs are showing?"
"What?" Harry looked down at himself. About half of his body was covered in a thick liquid that blended half-heartedly with the background. The rest of him, everything from about the waist on down, was clearly visible. He'd been walking around all this time with only a partially formed Disillusionment Charm, and the half that did work seemed to be wearing off very quickly!
"But that means," Harry thought aloud. "That means, all this time..."
"Took you long enough!"
Harry and Rayne both raised up at the same time. A small, young girl, not much older than him, was looking down from the foot of the platform. A wicked grin lay plastered all over her face, and he could see fangs sparkling in the darkness. Every vampire in the room had turned simultaineously to face them, all wearing similar, hungry expressions.
"We had our orders, after all," the girl went on. "To make sure you reached her without any trouble. For all the talk about you, I expected something better. I mean, aren't you supposed to have a Cloak for this sort of thing?"
"He's having it cleaned," Rayne quipped bravely. "Vampire dust takes forever to wash out, you know!"
The girl scowled, baring her fangs to the both of them. "I don't take talk like that from a filthy half-breed mongrel!" she spat. "We were told to take you both alive, but no one said anything about in what shape!"
"Expelliarmus!"
The girl went flying backwards into the crowd of onlookers. Vampires gasped in shock, and there was a sickening crack as the mass moved out of the way to let her land backwards on the hard floor. She didn't get up for several seconds, in which time, the vampires looked over at Harry with new respect in their faces.
Unquestionable rage, but new respect, as well.
"No one," he said threateningly. "No one calls my friends 'half-breed'! Is that clear?!"
Absolute silence followed, in which the girl tried unsuccessfully to untangle herself and stand. No one was moving to help her out. Harry, meanwhile, turned halway around and whispered to Rayne.
"I didn't know you were Muggle-born! Why didn't you just tell me?"
Rayne stared at him. "Harry, I think we should get out of here!"
"Oh," he realized, noticing that the vampires hadn't exactly backed down yet. "Good idea!"
"Not so fast!" The girl had finally climbed back to her feet, and was glaring daggers at Harry. "We were told to keep you here, so this is where you stay. Our mother will be very angry if you tried to leave! We haven't even gotten to your present yet!"
The girl stomped her foot angrily, as if pouting. "Present?" Harry asked. "What present?"
"It's almost time for the Champion to open his present," she said, gloating. "And what an extra special surprise it is! Come on out, Duddykins!"
Harry's jaw dropped the moment he heard her say the name, but even after the figure standing behind her came into full view, he couldn't believe it. Dudley Dursley stumbled forward, pale and haggard-looking, his clothes in a state Aunt Petunia would have never approved of. It looked as if he'd been beaten a little, as well. Two puncture wounds could be seen clearly on his neck, indicating that his blood had been drained. Harry felt his own blood rush down out of his cheeks.
Dudley grinned at him, then, a kind of leering taunt, and pointed. Harry could feel his knees give way a little, causing him to fall forward off the platform. He landed amid the sea of vampire faces, all of them watching closely. Wand raised, Harry advanced slowing on his cousin, wondering what he could possibly do to help. There was no cure for vampirism, at least none that he'd heard of. Harry wasn't an expert at the subject anyways. Pity stabbed at him as he looked on at the face of the one who'd spent so many years tormenting him. It seemed strange now after so long that Dudley would wind up this way.
"'ello, cousin!" Dudley croaked, still leering. "Like the new face?"
"Dudley..." he stammered. "What did they... do to you?!"
"They made me," he whispered, sounding more than a bit foreign. "They built me. I'm stronger now, stronger than I ever was before. Faster, too!"
Dudley paused, giggling. "Can you see yourself right now?"
"Dudley," Harry breathed. "Whatever they've done to you, I'm sure..."
"Shut up!" Dudley's face suddenly became contorted with rage. "Shut up! You're thinking?! Since when has anyone ever cared about what you thought before?"
Harry felt himself going mad. "There's no time for this, Dudley. You need to come with us! We can..."
"You can't do anything," Dudley laughed, his voice like death on bells. "You've never been able to do anything. Remember the time we chased you through the school yard? You couldn't even turn around to fight back! And how about the time Piers Polkis and I held your head in the toilet for twenty minutes straight while the teacher stood out in the hallway. You screamed for help, but nobody ever paid any mind!"
The vampires around them began snickering, now. They were closing in, forming a circle around where he and Dudley stood. Harry felt his face grow red with shame as he recalled the incident. Aunt Petunia had locked him in the cupboard for three days upon his return home. The school had sent a note, saying that he was playing with the water in the washroom.
"And how about gym class?" Dudley went on. "Always the last to be picked. No one has ever wanted you, and no one wants you know. Those freaks at your school send you back just to keep you away! Even your own freaky kind don't want you around!"
His chest tightened with rage.
"Not even your poor mum and dad!" Dudley jeered. "Went and got themselves killed, just to keep from having too.."
"Diffindo!"
The spell struck across Dudley's face diagonally. Blood splattered everywhere, and his cousin gave a howl of pain as the torn flesh lay open, but then immediately began to close up. Within seconds, it was as if Harry's wand hadn't touched him.
"Diffindo!" Harry shouted again, but even as the spell made contact, the skin healed itself. Dudley, however, was still feeling a great deal of pain.
"Diffindo!" he screamed.
"Diffindo!"
"Diffindo!"
Dudley was writhing in agony, now. He had yet to fall over, but slashes of open wounds covered his body, from which blood poured freely. His clothes were even more tattered than before, but Harry couldn't have cared less.
"Relashio!" he cried, causing even deeper cuts to tear at him.
Dudley stumbled forward, then, and fell to his knees. Harry had a brief memory of him from the previous summer, moaning in agony the way he was now after a particularly vicious dementor assault staged by the Ministry. His cousin was looking up at him now, eyes glazed over, pleading for mercy. Harry couldn't hear what he was saying, though. The vampires all around them were cheering him on, gloating him to finish the job. A reckless rage had seized him, the likes of which Harry had never felt before. His ears were clouded with a faint buzzing. He raised his wand, preparing to lower it one last time.
BANG!
And explosion overhead brought him back to his senses! Fire erupted from all around, sending the vampires running scared. The flames approached him, but then pulled back as though in recognition. Harry whirled around to see Rayne leaning up against the platform for support, a single wand in hand, and looking quite grim. Looking back at Dudley, he saw his cousin looking up expectantly, eyes closed, as if wanting Harry to deliver the final blow. Turning around, he ran over to where Rayne clung, trying to forget about what he'd almost done.
"Spare wand," she muttered, weakly. "Always keep... spare wand handy in case of... emergency."
"This qualifies," he nodded, wrapping her arm around his shoulder. "Thanks for the save. Is there anything we can do about..."
Rayne shook her head quickly. "That's not... your cousin," she hissed, painfully. "Metamorphmagus turned vampire. Recognized him by the giggle! Only one vampire I know sounds like that..."
Harry almost stopped and looked back, but made himself keep going. The fires behind them were beginning to die down. Conjuring the flames had clearly been a last ditch effort on Rayne's part, and the spell had obviously tapped her magical resourses for the moment. It was up to him to get them both out of there. The trouble was, Harry had no idea which way to go!
"Do you know a way out of here?" he asked, as some of the braver vampires came closing in.
"Didn't see a way," she mumbled, weakly. "On your right!"
"Incendio!"
Harry must not have been focusing right, because the spell engulfed everything within a ten foot radius. The others seemed to take this as a warning, however, and held back. Harry took the intiative, and charged forward with Rayne stumbling beside him as fast as he could.
"Used... Dusk Bags," she explained, once they reached the hallway. "Magical sacks that stop the victim's awareness of time. So long as they're over you, you've got no idea where you're going, or how long they've had you!"
That explained a great deal. Harry helped to carry her out as, behind them, he could hear the undead regrouping. It sounded as though more of them were coming down the hall after them already. Harry quickly opened the nearest door with his wand, and ducked inside with Rayne.
"Barricade," she told him, barely audible now. "Spell is... redan revalinis. Can you do it?"
Harry nodded, and pointed his wand to the door. "Redan Revalinis!"
Chains and locks instantly sprang up around the door, along with several metal planks that criss-crossed and clanked shut over one another. Harry paused to admire the handiwork for a second, then tended to Rayne.
"I'm alright," she whispered, touching his shoulder. "I just... feel so tired. Weak! Pretty pathetic, huh?"
"No way!" he told her, feeling ashamed at what he'd been about to do. "You were brilliant, as usual. Those flames saved both our lives."
Rayne smiled, sheepishly. "When we get out of here, remind me to give you a big reward for your bravery. But first, help me get off this thing!"
Harry hadn't been paying any attention to what Rayne was resting on. Lifting her up to her feet, he lit his wand and gazed down at the small, oddly shaped box. It was a trunk of some kind, but very ordinantly decorately, and clearly devoted to the darkest of Arts. The chest itself seemed to be radiating a kind of black cloud that filled the space around it. Harry had the sudden urge to back away from it, and began helped Rayne over to the corner.
"Something's inside that," she told him, crouching on the dirty floor. "I can feel it!"
"Me too," he whispered. There was movement outside the door. "Is there another way out of here?"
"Dunno," she said, not taking her eyes off the chest. "We need to find one, though. I don't like being in here with that thing!"
"Me neither!" It gave off a feeling of ominous warning.
"We really shouldn't open it," he said, more to himself.
"Definitely not," she agreed, meeting his eye.
"We shouldn't..."
"Right..."
Together, they aimed their wands at the chest. The lid of it exploded off, leaving a cloud of smoke and dust in the air long after it landed. Harry stood up to walk over and peer inside it. Rayne tried to follow, but apparently her strength was all gone now. She settled for leaning forward as Harry brought the chest closer. It didn't appear to be jinxed itself; his hands didn't burn as he touched the cool metal, nor did any of his hair fall out.
"Don't touch it!" Rayne warned, when he stuck a hand closer. "It's... dangerous. I don't know how, but that thing is."
"You're right," he sighed. He hadn't been thinking clearly when he did it. "What is that, though? It looks like a..."
It looked vaguely like a stone heart. The rock was a solid black, and smelled of death and blood. There were tiny holes all along the surface, and four petrified tubes leading out, exactly the way a normal human heart would have had. The air around it hissed, as if it were breathing somehow. Harry wanted to close the lid and forget he'd ever peeked inside.
"Where'd they find something like that?" Rayne wondered.
"The Squib Corner," Harry answered at once. "I overheard two of the vampires talking about it being in the display window."
"Figures!" she muttered, looking away. "Of all the places for a Dark object to be..."
"What do you suppose it does?"
"Something very bad, I'm sure," she said, gravely. "The vampire that impersonated your cousin? I know him from a while back. He was always looking for a bit of extra power, no matter what the cost!"
That sounded vaguely familiar to Harry, but he said nothing. "If he's gotten hold of something this big, then there's more going on here than just a few vampires getting rowdy now that the Dark forces are growing stronger. I don't know what, but we need to take this thing with us. Give me a second to catch my breath, and I'll whip something up!"
"Here, let me!" Harry insisted. "I'll do it."
Rayne looked like she was going to argue, but then smiled and nodded her consent. Harry summoned a thick hankerchief out of the air, and lowered it down over the still-hissing heart stone. The object felt hot even through the fabric, and Harry thought his scar gave a twinge. Erring to the side of caution, he pointed his wand and used magic to wrap it up the rest of the way. Rayne was able to transfigure a rock over on the far side of the room into a stone box to place it in. Harry felt a lot safer with it inside that, though he could still feel it weighing against the side pocket of his cloak.
"Now, we just need a way out of here!"
Unfortunately, Harry had run out of brilliant ideas. The room was sealed solid, with only the barricaded door as a means of getting out. With no options left, Harry canceled the spell, and stuck his head out around the corner. The hallway was empty, lit up much brighter now. Something moved out the corner of his eye, but Harry was ready for it. There was a small squeak, and he lowered his wand in surprise.
"Shhh!" the little girl told him, letting go of the red ball in her hand to press a finger to her lips. "Be very quiet! They might come back any second."
"How..." he wondered, then shook his head. "Listen, do you know a way out of here?"
The little girl, nodded. "Follow the passage back that way," she pointed. "Turn right, and keep going until you find a small door with a big brass knocker on it. Knock three times, and the door will open for you. Don't try using magic; it won't work."
"Come with us!" he insisted, reaching out with his spare hand. "It's not safe for you hear."
"They'll never find me," she replied, backing away. "You need to go now. I suspect they'll be coming along back this way soon. And be sure to take the Heart of Darkness with you. I'm sure they're planning something bad with it."
"Hold on," Harry said. "What did you say it was..."
"Harry?" Rayne called out. "Harry, who are you talking to?"
"Just a sec!" he said, pulling his head back in. "There's something I need to..."
But when Harry looked back out again, she was gone. He wasted several seconds debating whether to go and look for her. There was definitely something funny about that girl, and he had the distinct feeling things were far from over. For the time, however, he would have to settle for getting himself and Rayne out of there!
Harry went back in and helped lift Rayne out with one arm. She carried the box for him, while he held his wand at the ready. To the end of the corridor, they marched, keeping a close eye out for any signs of movement. Rayne began suggesting a number of different spells that might be useful should they be attacked. Harry took note of them, glad she was still conscious. He knew nothing about spells to cure injuries, nor did he have any potions handy that might simulate the same effects.
Strangely, they didn't come across anyone on their way out. Harry was sure he heard footsteps close by, but each time he turned around with his wand pointed, there was no one there. Rayne said nothing as they followed the girl's directions down the right passage. The small door was easy to spot; the big brass knocker was in the shape of a winged skull with very long fangs. Harry raised it up and banged three times. The door swung open immediately upon the third knock, leading them into a small room that held, of all things, a lift.
Harry decided not to question their fortune. He doubted he would have been able to carry Rayne up a set of stairs by this point, and he'd been told more than once how dangerous it was to levitate someone when you didn't know the full extent of their injuries. Rayne was able to help herself into the lift while he stood on guard. Still, no one was coming after them. Rather than feel glad, Harry had the distinct feeling that something was wrong. He climbed into the lift with Rayne without another word, and slammed his fist against the button. The lift squealed and groaned as it sped upwards toward what Harry hoped was the surface.
Sure enough, the lift emptied out into a small acove. Coming out into the main area, he realized they were back in Knockturn Alley! Upon closer inspection, Harry saw that they were not very far from where Rayne had parked her bike. Hoping against hope that it was still there, he helped her along as fast as he could. Rayne wasn't looking any better, and her eyelids kept fluttering closed like she was fighting to stay away. It seemed to take forever, but they finally made it.
"Rayne," Harry pleaded, handing her the helmet. "You have to help me drive. I don't know how to opperate the bike!"
Rayne climbed in back of Harry, and pointed to a small switch on the right handle bar. Harry pressed it, and the bike roared the life. As it did, figures emerged out from every corner of each stand and shop all around. Harry watched in horror as the vampires closed in around them. They'd been waiting here for them all along! He wanted to curse himself for his stupidity; there was no need for them to chase after him if it were obvious where they'd go!
"It's about time," the Metamorphmagus vampire said, still giving off the appearance of Dudley.
Harry watched as he shapeshifted into a more imposing figure. This form was much taller and muscular; the face actually appeared handsome, almost refined. There was a glint of eagerness in his eye as he stood in front of them, blocking their path.
"I thought you two would never get here," he chortled. The voice was even different now, much thicker and deeper. "You're losing your touch, Rayne. I think the boy must be slowing you down!"
"He's no boy," Rayne said, raising up to stare at the vampire weakly. "And you can drop the act and the phony voice, Ned!"
There was about a half-second where time around the vampire named Ned seemed to freeze. As if watching a slow-motion reel, Harry saw the vampire shift forms to a much smaller body. This on was nowhere near as intimidating. Bone-thin and frail-looking enough that even Harry might have been able to snap him in two, Ned glared at her with all the air of a spoiled child having been caught doing wrong. Harry knew immediately that this must be the vampire's true form.
"My name is not Ned, Rayne!" he insisted, giving the ground a stomp. "Call me the Destoyer!"
Rayne chuckled against Harry's back. He saw that she wasn't alone, either. Several of the vampires were now snickering under their breaths, as if fighting back the urge to roll over and have hysterics. He himself was finding it hard to resist.
"Ned?" Harry wondered, glancing back at her. "Ned the Destoryer?"
"Yup! Ned the Destroyer," she said.
"Why don't you just shut your mouth, Rayne!" Ned, spat in a much higher and much, much more nasal voice. "None of this has anything to do with you. You aren't even supposed to be here now!"
Rayne just laughed dryly. "Oh, shut up, Destroyer," she drawled. "How long did it take you to come up with that name? Can't blame you much for the voice, though. But, hey! At least you tried!"
Harry wasn't sure whether he should laugh along with her or begin hexing everything in sight. By the look on Ned's face, the latter seemed like a reasonable option, yet Rayne sounded completely at ease. They weren't out of the woods yet, though. Harry was sure the vampires would attack at any second, no matter how much their mood might have improved!
"I can't get over what's happened to the vamps in this town," Rayne continued in a weak voice. "When I anointed your brother, Melvin, as Master of the City…"
Harry jerked his head in her direction, not sure if he'd heard right. "Melvin? There is a vampire leader named Melvin… who has a brother named Ned?"
Rayne bit her lip slightly to keep from laughing. Ned looked, if possible, even more infuriated.
"Melvin and Ned?" he repeated.
Rayne leaned in towards him. "Their mother was very vindictive," she explained.
"Obviously," Harry replied, watching Ned quiver with suppressed rage.
"Shut up!" Ned screamed, pulling his hair out in small tufts. "Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!"
Rayne abruptly leaned forward, and whispered in his ear. "When I squeeze your hip, gun the engine."
"You were always a thorn in my side, Rayne!" Ned declared, looking furious. "Always getting in the way of what I wanted! Well, now it's my turn to shine, and soon the whole world will bow down before my power. You have no idea what you've stumbled into this time!"
"You're going to shine a hell of a lot more than you realize," she countered, looking sure of herself. "At least I know one very important thing."
Ned paused. "What?"
"I know what time sunrise is."
Rayne squeezed his hip as hard as she could. Harry roared the motorcycle to life, and tried to keep it steady as they steered past a very shocked Ned and several other vampires. The bike was much more difficult to manage than a broomstick. The weight was all different, and Harry was finding it hard to keep the front wheel straight. Rayne reached around to help, and brought it to a stop once they were far enough away.
"It's in about two hours or so, baka!"
Harry pushed hard on the button to lift the bike in the air, as he and Rayne soared off out of Knockturn Alley towards the still-darkened sky. Below, the tiny little dots that made up the horde of undead were milling around like ants, racing back and forth in confusion. Harry turned hard and brought them around to head back away from central London, which had opened up before them as they passed through the enchantment barrier.
"That was fun," Rayne moaned, growing weak again. "But we need a place to hide. Any ideas?"
"Actually," Harry admitted, reluctantly. "There is one place..."
