CHAPTER 10
"Do you think us to be children, to suck on these?" the lady, Victoria sneered. "No," Harry responded, surprised that his voice was not wavering. "It's my dying wish." He said, improvising. "Well, they are little ones. Might as well indulge them." Laurent said. The other two vampires pouted, but decided to follow their leader. They took the Bloody Lollies from Harry and start unwrapping the sweet. Then, they put it in their mouths and sucked. All of them moaned in appreciation of the taste. Their dark irises started lightening slowly, Harry noted. From blackish maroon, it was now turning into actual maroon. "What is this, little ones? Such exotic taste! I've never tasted anything like this before!" James asked, unwilling to take the delicious sweet away from his mouth. "Bloody Lollies. We can get more if you want, but unfortunately, this is going to be the end." Harry said, sighing dramatically. Hermione and Ron stared at him. But soon, realization dawned on Hermione. "Yes, we could get you loads of them, but as Harry says, this is our last night." She said, sighing. Ron still couldn't comprehend anything, but he decided to not say anything in case he might spoil Harry and Hermione's plan. The three vampires looked at them sharply. "You can get us more?" Laurent asked. "Yes. Oh so much more!" Harry said earnestly. The vampires sucked on their lollies, while deep in thought. "I have an offer, little ones." Laurent said. "If you continue to give us these, Bloody Lollies, we will spare your lives." He finished. Victoria and James nodded in agreement. "But won't you like fresh innocent blood more?" Harry asked, a picture of innocence on his face; his green eyes wide with curiosity. "This," Victoria said, pointing at the stick in her mouth, "is better than ANY blood I've ever tasted in my existence. Aw damn! Mine just got over!" she said scowling and removing the stick from her mouth. "As it so happens I have a few more." Hermione said eagerly. "Give it. NOW." Victoria ordered "Nope." Harry said. "Why?" James pouted. "We give you the Bloody Lollies regularly, and you stay away from Hogwarts?" Harry asked timidly. The vampires looked at each other, as if having a conversation that only they could hear. "Done, little ones." Laurent said, extending his hand to Harry. Harry took it and they shook on the deal.
By now, Ron had understood what was going on. After they shook on the deal, he asked curiously, "Why do you call us 'little ones'? Why can't you call us by our own names? Ron Weasley." He said, extending his arm. "Laurent." Laurent said, shaking his hand. "James." James said shaking Ron's hand. "Victoria." Victoria said, doing the same. "Hermione." Hermione said, introducing herself and shaking all the vampires' hands, and so did Harry.
"Where are these Bloody Lollies you promised us?" James asked."Right here!" Hermione said, handing the bag of Bloody Lollies. "We'll owl a bunch of lollies whenever we get our hands on them, we promise." Harry said. "Yeah, we'll mostly send a few next week." Ron said, confirming.
"See you soon, Harry, Ron and Hermione." Laurent said as solemnly as possible with a lolly in his mouth. "Can't wait for your next round of sweets!" James said grinning happily.
After saying their goodbyes, the three friends walked back to Hogwarts, talking about their encounter with actual vampires. "Well, Harry, I normally say this to Hermione, but this time, you deserve it. That was bloody brilliant!" Ron said appreciatively. Harry smirked, while Hermione frowned.