Chapter 12

The next morning I was up early and finishing my breakfast just as Scorpius arrived with Dmitri. I went over to where he and Dmitri were sitting beginning breakfast.

"Morning guys, Scor I'll meet you down in the sports building when you're finished ok?" I greeted smiling though inside butterflies were flapping about performing in front of someone. Sure my immediate family and now Elise and Bella knew about my dancing but only Daddy had seen me dance at a recital when one of the dancers broke a toe. My dance teacher begged me to take her place and I did but I stayed near the back and didn't draw attention to myself. That recital when I was 8 years old was the only time anyone had seen me dance outside of ballet class.

"Morning, Lily! Sounds great, I'll see you soon" was Scorpius' response while Dmitri merely nodded his greeting with a mouth full of bacon. But the twinkle in his eyes showed a merry mood.

I headed down to the dance studio and began warming up. As I stretched I thought about what Scorpius had told me yesterday about bullying. Somehow it made me think of Natalya. Maybe that's why she was alone all the time. After about 20minutes I heard the main door of the sports building open. I opened the dance studio door wide then pressed play on my mmp3.

I began the dance that I had choreographed mentally last night. I heard the gasp and intake of breath as Scorpius entered the room upon hearing the music. I danced the entire song constantly engaging with Scorpius' breathtaking blue-grey eyes. As I finished I realised that I didn't have the song separately on my mmp3 and it continued to another song. Scorpius surprised me by coming up and taking my hand. It was a piano cover of In the End by Linkin Park and yet Scorpius began to dance with me to it. I was so overcome with awe I didn't stop and ask him what was going on. We were Waltzing around the room before I could grasp the fact that this was Scorpius' response to my secret. When the song ended, I broke Scorpius' grasp and turned off the music.

"What was that?" I demanded amazed that someone could dance so fluidly with me, never mind a 13year old boy who should be able to kick a Quaffle not Waltz.

"I could ask you the same thing. I take it dancing is your big secret," Scorpius smirked yet the relief at it being a pleasant secret was evident in his eyes.

I blushed and led him to a bench along the wall. I explained about my dance history and that no-one outside the Potter's knew about it, aside from Elise, Bella and now him. Scorpius then told me that his mother had forced him to attend dance classes for two weeks every year until last year.

"She says, "Men in polite society should always be able to dance gracefully at important events" also that it impresses girls. I went a long with her idea just to impress girls but then was too shy to dance with any outside of my class." Scorpius admitted blushing slightly at his unintended revelation.

"Well you've danced with one girl outside of class now," I smiled at him. I was pleased that he didn't make a big deal out of this and I was glad he now knew. It was nice to share this with friends.

"What was that song you were dancing to when I came in?" Scor asked.

"It's a song Elise taught Bella and me last night and I thought I would be perfect to show you..." I trailed off somewhat embarrassed that I'd put so much though into unveiling a secret that wasn't really a big deal.

"I loved it," Scorpius said sincerely. I could tell he understood the message I was trying to get across which reminded me of Natalya. Dmitri was Scorpius' best friend, maybe he knew what was going on.

"Scorpius, you know Natalya, Dmitri's sister" I began and waited for Scorpius' confirmation, he nodded and I continued, "She seems to be alone quite a lot and last night I began to worry that perhaps she is being bullied like you were."

"You are sort of right, Lily. Natalya and Dmitri are a little different than most teenagers. When Natalya started here a few people found out that she was different and ostracised her because of it. Those people who found out had been Natalya's friends but once they knew they didn't want anything to do with her. Not many people know exactly how they are different and those that do, know not to speak of it, so it is not my place to tell you. Just that Natalya was betrayed by her friends and has been deeply hurt by it. That is all I know and can tell you" Scorpius explained.

We stayed in the dance studio talking for most of the morning. I told Scorpius about being a misfit in my family, something I hadn't even shared with Elise and Bella but Scorpius seemed to understand perfectly. It was nearly lunchtime when we headed back up towards the school. I was still thinking about Natalya. I had been right when I noticed her grace and thought she was different but how could someone's friends' desert them just because of who they were. I found it hard to believe.

When we entered the dining hall we noticed our friends were sitting at the same table. This was unusual as there were only a few bigger tables that six could sit at. We joined them and began to chat with everyone. Once we had ordered lunch I noticed that Dmitri's steak sandwich was a little odd. The steak was barely cooked!

"Wow Dmitri could you steak be any more raw? You'd think they'd just shot and sliced it." I joked, Elise, Bella and Dmitri laughed but I was aware of Scorpius and Tilly sending each other concerned looks. It's not like Dmitri would be offended by me joking about his sandwich.

"Hardly Lily," Dmitri said opening his sandwich, "There's not nearly enough blood in there." He was smiling and joking with me but I thought I could see a tension behind it all, like he was trying to project his joking manner to cover something. Suddenly my mind was racing, the grace Natalya and Dmitri moved with, Scorpius' words from earlier, "they are a little different", blood...no they can't be. My imagination was simply running wild they couldn't be...The second I thought the word to myself I could feel Dmitri's eyes lock on my face. I was afraid to look up at the monster whose warning gaze I had met nearly a month ago when I thought of Natalya.

What had I gotten myself into with my nosiness and overactive imagination?

"Lily, can I talk to you outside please?" Dmitri asked in a cold tone that sent shivers down my spine. He didn't wait for an answer merely stood and took my arm. Elise and Bella looked between us completely confused. Scorpius got to his feet immediately and in a low even tone he said, "Dmitri, I'm joining you outside." This was responded to with a cold fierce look I could nearly hear him snarl. Dmitri dragged me outside very fast and slightly away from the building. This scared me even further, to be away from the buildings and people but I tried to control myself. Scorpius was here! My grandfather was friends with a werewolf, my friend was half Veela, I could be friends with a ... my thought was interrupted by Scorpius sharp whisper to Dmitri.

"You need to calm down mate; you are going to lose it if you don't calm down. Dmitri, you are hurting her." This seemed to finally get through to Dmitri and he dropped hold of my arm. It was only then I realised my arm ached and my forearm bore a handprint that was already bruising. Dmitri immediately closed his eyes and was trying to focus, I risked a glance at Scorpius who was looking at me somewhat condemningly for having brought out this side of his best friend and yet he was worried for my safety. Finally Dmitri spoke.

"Lily Potter, why couldn't you have heeded my warning and just stopped thinking about this? Do you think I want people to know what we are?. I saw the pure terror written on your face and screaming in your thought. I couldn't let you tell everyone. This must be kept a secret." Dmitri said ferociously.

I couldn't tell if he was trying to frighten me into secrecy of whether he was just really angry about everything. If he was what I thought he was I would be done-for in seconds. I considered briefly how I could diffuse the situation and come out of this alive.

"I have no intention of telling anyone. Why would I want to hurt you that way? I'll admit I am completely surprised. Can you tell me more about what ...*gulp* you are?" I spoke softly.

Dmitri seemed shocked by my attitude whereas Scorpius just smiled knowing that my knowledge of their heritage would not change my relationship with them. Dmitri thought for a moment.

"I will tell you my story on one condition. You will stay away from Natalya." Dmitri said firmly, I could only nod meekly though baffled by his condition.

"You are aware to some extent how werewolves become werewolves, I believe. Vampires are similar. You become a Vampire when you are bitten by a Vampire but have blood left in your system. Natalya and I were not created in this way. We were born naturally of a witch and a vampire. Unlike the Wolfsbane Potion that can control the effects of lycanthropy there is nothing to control the thirst of a Vampire. Vampires are protected under Ministry guidelines in many countries and are given donated blood to survive but human blood gives way to a deeper desire to consume human blood, it is a never ending cycle that gets progressively worse. My father was a Russian vampire by the name of Illarion Marakis. He fell in love with a beautiful young witch in Kiev. Her name is Elena, she is my mother. They were married and had myself and Natalya, naturally. However my father refused to continue drinking donated blood because he increased his thirst for the blood running in our family's veins. He died from starvation and weakness. My father had been created alongside another vampire named Taras. He hasn't been seen since my father's death. We moved here to start fresh. We are not what you think we are. Yes, in a way Natalya and I are vampires, but essentially we are half breeds."

"Now you know our story and will say nothing of it to anyone." Dmitri finished seriously.

"I promise," I then surprised him by moved to him and hugging him.

"I'm sorry for the loss of your father," I whispered. It didn't affect me like it should to find out my friend and his sister were half vampires. I was more upset about the fact that they had to witness their father die as a result of what they were, it was so unfortunate.

"I appreciate that. We should return inside, Natalya will be worried." Dmitri responded heading to the door, he then turned and said, "If you think about telling, I'll know so don't be tempted."

I turned to Scorpius and smiled. "This is some day for secrets!" then I thought loudly and clearly, "Stupid mind reading vampires."

I could hear Dmitri laughing as he walked through the door inside.