Salazar's Heir
By: Wilona Riva
Disclaimer: Vlad's promised me smores if I said I didn't own Harry Potter or Danny Phantom. So I don't. (Eats the gooey smores handed over by Vlad). Yummy!
The Unwilling Serpent
Professor Masters' Office/Forbidden Forest
Danny ducked as the ghost hawk spit green fire at him and turned Professor Masters' ornate cherrywood desk to white smoking hot cinders. A letter drifted down from the ceiling; the ghost hawk belched another fireball, reducing the chair behind him to char, then disappeared into the fireplace.
Danny picked up the letter by a corner of the envelope and shook off some of the soot. "You'd think my parents," here he stopped and checked the watery ink of the cover to make sure, "could have picked a better mode of delivery."
"I quite agree, Daniel," came the smooth eclectic voice of his mentor. "I did quite prize the desk, though the chair did creak a little."
Danny winced. "Sorry, sir."
"Quite alright, Daniel," Professor Masters said. "Well, go on and see what they have to say."
Dear Danny,
By now son, you know what you must do. The bracelet will only be removed once you have made reparations for the damage you have caused, both to the school and to the ghost. We leave your discipline in V-Man's capable hands. (Maddie says hi, Vladdie!)
Sincerely,
Your Father
"Not one for subtly, is he?" Vlad said, scanning the letter after Danny handed it to him. He folded it up and handed it back. Ready?"
Danny looked up at him in alarm. "Ready for what?"
Vlad gripped his shoulder with a claw of iron and the room shimmered around them like a mirage to be replaced by the dark foilage of the Forbidden Forest, specifically, Undergrowth's glade.
"I didn't know you could do that in human form," Danny said in awe.
"Human form weakens most of our powers," Vlad replied, teal eyes flashing red. "Undergrowth, I've brought the boy."
The dense foilage Danny had mistaken for a clump of weeds opened emerald eyes and stirred. "I have something to show you, young halfas. Phantom, Plasmius, what do you see before you?"
"A vine," Professor Masters answered.
"A snake," Danny said, peering at it more closely. "The vine is attached to its neck."
"Correct on both accounts," came the affirmation. "With this vine, I can control any creature's mental and motor paths. Shall I take control of the castle?"
"No," Danny told him. "It was my fault that put everyone in danger. I hurt the tree who is your child. I submit myself to you. Do to me what you wish, but do not harm anyone inside."
Undergrowth lifted the boy's chin. "Wise choice, young half-ghost. You have not yet obtained the power that can defeat me. When you do, then shall we do battle if ever you harm one of my own again. Are we clear?"
"Crystal," Danny whispered. The sound of metal shattering broke the night air.
Undergrowth took the metal bracelet and placed it within the trunk of an overgrown oak. The oak covered the impression with hard wood. "Such a thing should not come into contact with our kind."
Professor Masters bowed. "Thank you, Lord of the Flora. We have learned much here this night. May we take your leave?"
Undergrowth smiled. "You may. Both of you are welcome to visit me anytime."
Danny bowed like Vlad to show respect to this ancient of ghosts. "Thank you. I have learned my lesson."
Undergrowth shook his head. "One can only hope, child."