Chapter Fourteen

SUPERSTAR

That Saturday, Lily stood before her ancient castle. She had gotten possession of it when the werewolves had chased the Bloodstone Clan in 1942. Of course, the Transylvanian citizens around the Dracule Forest attributed their guardians' departure to the war. When Lily had arrived, they'd been ecstatic – the werewolves had been massacring their village. This was shocking, really. The werewolves had never taken over Transylvania before. This was Dracula's land, and had been since the beginning of time.

Lily went through the rooms, dusting surfaces and opening windows. She changed her wardrobe from her Hogwarts uniform, not wanting to be recognized. She pulled on antiques: a dress with an empire waistline dating back to 1890. She sighed contentedly. While she was impressed by the technological advancement of the last fifty years, she still loved the familiarity of the old styles.

Walking along the path at her swift pace, Lily could practically feel the creatures go into hiding when they felt her presence. She smiled. The magical creatures of Hogwarts may put up a fight, but she had never had to hunt them as she did here, in Dracule Forest.

Emerging from the trees into the bustling village, Lily glanced up at the overcast sky. She had the odd feeling that it would rain shortly. Bakers and fishermen looked at her, their mouths agape, when she passed by them. The mayor was called from his offices to meet with this stranger.

"Pardon me, madam, but I believe you are lost." The mayor said politely. Lily could smell the fear rolling off of him, and her eyes darkened involuntarily.

"I'm not lost. I live in Bloodvane Castle." Lily gave the mayor a charming smile.

"You... are Lady Dracula?" The mayor took a subconscious step backwards.

"Lady Lily Evans. I inherited the castle from the Bloodstone Clan when Mercer's pack settled in Burbon Wood." Lily explained. Her throat was starting to burn with thirst. Her predatory instincts were beginning to take over, and the peoples' fear was starting to overwhelm her. "You needn't worry. I'm not interested in the traditional food of the vampire."

"You saved me four years ago." A boy said suddenly, from the front of the crowd. Turning back to his people, he explained, "When one of Greytooth's pack was about to bite me four summers back, she swooped out of no where and pushed me aside. She told me to run, and I lived to see another day."

Lily remembered that. He had been around fourteen then. He'd been saved, and she'd drank the bitter blood of the werewolf. She'd been sustained for a week afterward, but her whole being had been in pain. The blood momentarily coursing through her had burned so fiercely, Lily had honestly thought she was going to die.

"Lady Evans of the..." The mayor looked at her quizzically.

"I do not belong to any one group. Although, I suppose I am most accepted in the Gryffindor Clan." Lily said thoughtfully.

"Lady Lily Evans of the Gryffindor Clan, you may come to us for provisions." The mayor bowed slightly. "As thanks for saving young Bron."

"I thank you for your kindness. I shall only require your services on September fifteenth." Lily gave a brief bob of a curtsey. "You needn't worry about Greytooth's pack while I am in residence."

Lily turned and slowly walked back to the forest. Once out of sight of the villagers, she began to run with effortless speed. She whipped through the trees, the force of her own movement pushing her crimson hair away from her face. Reaching out, she pulled a fox out of its den. Draining its blood swiftly, she felt some of the burn in her throat ebb away. Another fox filled her sufficiently, and Lily collapsed in the grass. The sky opened up, and rain poured down on her. She panted for no reason other than her own way of processing all that had happened, and closed her eyes.

Lily struggled to her feet when her nostrils were filled with a familiar scent. A presence was behind her, moving as silently as Lily did.

"Lady Lily." A crisp voice, thickly accented, said.

"My lord." Lily turned, and came face to face with Count Dracula. Beside him was a man with a snake-like face.

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"Now, my dear. I realize that you prefer to stay neutral, but Lord Riddle offers us a considerable amount of power in the Wizarding World." Count Dracula explained. They were sitting in the large dining chamber of Bloodvane Castle.

"I thank you, my lord, but I prefer my recluse life. Bloodvane Castle is my home. I rarely leave it." Lily murmured.

"Understood." Count Dracula said, standing to leave. The snake-man waited in the courtyard. "Lord Riddle will not take this lightly, though I personally think him a fool. He strives for something we alone have. Greytooth's pack are his allies. Beware."

The Count swept out of the room, leaving Lily wondering what on earth was going on.