Wounded

Chapter 33: Eye Contact

Draco's left palm was resting on his chest. He was just able to make out the outline of the emerald necklace under his thin shirt as he listened to the time between each of his breaths became less and less. Hermione had gone outside to deliver her warm gift at least ten minutes ago, and he was become more and more agitated with each passing second.

Taking the necklace between this thumb and pointer finger, he rubbed it between the two for a moment before finally letting it go with a sigh.

If Nott has her trapped in some stupid argument over those damn birds again, I swear he'll have more than one thing to worry about trying to mess up that face of his.

Reaching over and grabbing his boots and coat, he quickly slipped them on. Also grabbing his wand just before leaving, he took each step as quietly as he could until he finally made it just outside the tent. With his eyes already adjusted to the darkness, it didn't take him long to scan their small clearing. Spotting the low light of the small fire still burning in its jar, Draco began to walk over towards the large tree it was propped up against. However, only a fraction of a second later, he realized the fire was not accompanied with the persons it was supposed to be warming.

With his eyes darting around for a second time, hoping he had just missed them, Draco stopped midway to his destination. All senses were on high alert now. The pounding of his own heart was so loud in his ears though, it was hard to pick up any other sounds.

Just above a whisper, Draco took a small breath before saying "Granger…. Nott…. Zabini… where the hell are you guys?"

The clouds had moved just enough to allow the moon's glow to cut through the darkness now. Draco watched his words instantly turn into small puffs of air right in front of him. When no response came, he was about to call out a little louder when his eyes caught it. Watching as Hermione's blue flame suddenly vanish in its container, Draco felt it. The monster he had recently tamed to stay in its cage came charging out of its prison in full force. It told his legs to go weak, for his stomach to drop and his heart to ache. Even though it was almost bone chilling cold outside, he could feel the beads of sweat start to build on his brow. Draco could feel his mind and body begin to give out on him when it was a calm and determined Gryffindor's voice that suddenly broke though his jumbled mind.

A memory quickly engulfed Draco's mind. Picturing one of their many cherished talks set to a backdrop of a sunset, Draco and Hermione were sat along the shoreline, watching the sun linger for a few more stolen moments before finally makings its decent. It was a quiet evening, with only the waves crashing to fill their ears. The air was crisp with winter's bite, but the two didn't seem to notice. They had come outside to escape the chaos inside the cottage. The plans for all seven of them to leave had just been finalized and they knew in a few days the security of their safe house would be nothing more than a memory.

Pulling Hermione closer into his chest, Draco nuzzled his face into her sweet-smelling curls and took a deep breath. Holding it in for a moment before letting the aroma escape him, he was slightly startled when he heard Hermione say "I now know what you mean when you say you can hear my brain working to hard. Do you want to tell me what's bothering you?"

Chuckling under his breath, Draco said "Oh just the usual, willingly leaving on a mission that will probably lead me to my inevitable demise."

Feeling her pull away and turn towards him, it was the look of sincerity in her eyes that made his laugh catch it his throat. He didn't dare break their eye connection now. As Draco gazed into the swirling pools of amber, he could see it. In moments like these, her eyes became different and they were one of his favorites. They were the eyes of someone who loves so deeply, they pull them down in with her. The warmth and softness they exuded; Draco never knew someone could look at him with such tenderness. If anyone else looked at him with such concern in their eyes, he would have dropped their gaze long ago, but with her he was always drawn in closer, wanting just that one moment more of her affection.

Hermione could feel her lips begin to slowly gape apart. Readying her words to ask Draco again what was wrong, she suddenly felt the back of his hand brush the side of her cheek for only a moment before tucking in one of her stray curls.

Taking a deep breath, Draco quickly muttered his next few words in hopes Hermione would not hear him. However, she caught the three words she never thought Draco would ever admit to.

"I'm scared Granger..."

All words escaped her as she continued to gaze into his silver stare that was burning with uneasiness. Her words fell silent for a brief moment before Hermione was able to say "Draco, it's alright to be scared, I know I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous about leaving, but-"

When Hermione saw a small smile spread across Draco's face, her words faltered. Arching an eyebrow, she slightly chuckled before uttering "What's so funny?"

Taking Hermione's chin, Draco tilted her face as he went in to place a soft kiss. Tasting the sea's salt on her lips, he gave her one more quick nip before saying "Nothing, nothing is funny. It's just I wasn't able to finish what I really wanted to say."

Seeing Hermione's still confused stare, Draco continued to cup her face as he took a deep breath before continuing. "I'm scared Granger, that I'm going to lose you again."

His words crashed into her, echoing in her brain again and again. Taking a moment to let it sink in, Hermione took Draco's hand from her face and gripped it hard.

"Draco, you've never lost me to begin with."

Tightening his hold on her, he replied "I beg to differ Granger. Those few months when you didn't remember us practically tore my soul apart. I know you finally remembered me, but what if you hadn't? I can prepare for the predictable pain that is to come in leaving this house, at least prepare for it as best I can. It's the unpredictable future that is getting to me. How do I prepare for something that may or may not happen? I honestly don't know what I'd do if something happened like that happened again, or Merlin even worse..."

Hermione could see the fear welling behind Draco's eyes now. She could also feel the intensity grow between their shared connection. It was now coming from a fire that burned deep within his soul and it was swallowing her whole. She didn't need for him to finish his words this time, Hermione already knew what he was most afraid of now for she too had been having the same intrusive, terrifying thought.

Draco was studying her glistening eyes. They were shining in the last few moments of sunlight and saying what her voice couldn't. He watched as soft whips of her creamy, caramel hair swept past her ears and kiss the skin of her cheeks and neck. Knowing that Hermione didn't need him to finish his sentence, he waited for her to be the first to speak again. Not only for some type of reassurance, but he was afraid if he opened his mouth, he wouldn't be able to contain the fear building inside of him.

Needing to at least try to ease the panic look now taking over Draco's features, Hermione took a deep breath of sea soaked air before saying "I want to be able to promise you that nothing bad will happen, that in the end everything will be alright. Believe me when I say I wish I could do that for you, but it would be a lie."

Feeling as if Draco was about to turn and break their eye contact, her hand quickly shot up and gently placed it on his cheek. Making sure their connection stayed strong, she met his eyes brimmed with tears.

"But this is what I can promise you. I can promise you that I am fighting not just for the future of all magical creatures, wizards and muggles, but I'm fighting for a potential future with you. It's alright to be afraid. When you're afraid, you have the opportunity to take control, to figure out what that fear is and what you can do to overcome it. You've already done that once Draco. You could have given up on us, on me, but you didn't. You kept trying no matter how much it hurt you. We may not be able to prevent something from happening, but you are someone who won't give up, I know this, and I take comfort in knowing that."

Hermione continued to hold their stare as she spoke. "I hope you know Draco that I would also never give up on you, on us. I can also promise you that. So, if gods forbid something does happen again to cause you fear, demand a solution instead when it makes you feel as if you have no more strength to move forward. You found that strength once before, I know you can do it again."

There was something so earnest swimming around in her eyes. Once again Draco was amazed at how someone could speak with such strength in times of such terror. Although he watched a single tear begin to make its way down her cheek, he knew her resilience was still more powerful than the fear that was struggling to get out.

Lifting his fingers to wipe it away, Draco whispered "Come here Granger."

Bringing her close to his chest, he wrapped his arms around her. Draco listened as the waves crashed into the shore just feet away from them. He dipped his head down and whispered, "Have I told you I love you today yet?"

Chuckling through her tears, Hermione said "No, I don't think so."

Smiling when he heard her voice begin to have a little happiness back in it, Draco placed a small kiss on her forehead before saying "I do you know Granger, love you, and I promise you here and now I will always fight for you, for us..."

The memory consumed Draco's mind for only a moment, but he quickly knew time was now against him and he had to take control of the situation. Hermione's words rang in his ear as he picked up the now cold and empty jar. Almost in a sprint, Draco raced back to the tent.

Quickly pulling open the tent's flap, Draco was about to mutter "Lumos" when he watched the rest of Hermione's scattered blue flames fade from their jars.

Trying to keep his voice from sounding too panicked, Draco loudly called "Everyone up, we have a problem."

Draco's wand lit the tent as he watched the two remaining Gryffindors rise quickly from their slumber. With Ron almost tripping over Luna as she too stood at the sudden commotion, Draco heard Harry speak first.

"What problem, what's going on Malfoy?"

Offering his hand to help Luna stand, Draco turned to look at the two boys. "I just went outside to see what was taking Granger so long to come back inside and she's gone. Theo and Blaise aren't out there either. Something's wrong, they wouldn't just disappear on us."

Harry was quickly slipping on his boots and jacket as he started walking towards the tent's exit. Catching himself as he tripped on his untied shoelaces, he stammered "I don't, what do you mean they disappeared? Why was Hermione even outside, your guy's shift didn't start for another hour."

Draco followed right behind Harry as they all headed outside. Draco could hear Ron and Luna asking him questions as well, but Draco continued addressing Harry's first. Time was now another enemy and every second mattered.

Feeling the night's air pierce his skin, Draco took a few steps away from the tent before answering, "Granger wanted to bring Theo and Blaise one of her fire jars to help keep them warm. I figured she would talk to them for a minute or two, but when she didn't come back after a while, I went looking for her. When I came out here all three of them were missing."

Draco could feel Ron and Luna come up behind him. Finally, when Ron asked the same question for the fourth time in a row, the annoyed Slytherin finally gritted his teeth as he turned towards the angry redhead.

"How in the hell could they have all just disappeared? It doesn't make any bloody sense; did you hear anything at all out here while you were waiting for her?"

Trying to keep his temper under control, Draco calmly as he could said "I don't know how they could have just vanished, that is why I woke you three up. If I would have heard something don't you think I would have rushed right out here?"

Draco knew his nerves weren't the only ones being tested at the moment. He could see the same monster he was currently battling begin to try and escape the other three as well as he watched them search every inch of the clearing to no avail.

Think Draco, think! Where the fuck could those three have gone? She wouldn't have just wandered off, not without telling me…we are just wasting time standing here…

His feet felt rooted to the ground. The adrenaline that was flooding his veins was yelling at him to move forward, but he had no idea which direction to take his first steps. Suppressing the sudden urge to be sick, Draco closed his eyes for just a moment and took a deep, steadying breath.

I can't lose her, not again. You must think what the next step is going to be? Granger was right, I need to face this fear, figure out how to get her back. There's no way I'm going to go through hell and back again, at least not without a plan….

It was when he heard Ron's voice cut through his thoughts that made his eyes snap open. Hearing him call out Hermione's name a little too loudly, Draco finally made a move forward as he reached out to place a hand on Ron's shoulder.

Keeping his voice quiet, Draco said "What the fuck is wrong with you? Keep your voice down, do you want everything and everyone in these woods to know we're in here?"

Halfheartedly shrugging Draco off his shoulder, Ron said "Of course not, but if Hermione is out there and can still hear us, we have to know. Besides, Hermione put up a strong Imperturbable charm. No one can hear us unless they are our inside her wards and if that's the case we need to know."

Shaking his head, Draco replied "I don't think the wards are up anymore, or at least I'm concerned they aren't. All of Granger's fires went out all at once. If those went out, I don't have a lot of faith our wards are still holding strong."

It was in that moment when Draco realized the strong glow from the moon's light was starting to wane again. Looking up at the sky, he saw that the stars were almost nonexistent now, and the little puffs of breath that were so easy to see were now becoming more and more faint.

Draco was about to speak when he suddenly felt a strong breeze that brought with it a cold dampness that hadn't been there a second ago. He hadn't felt the movement of air almost the whole day, but now it was painfully obvious. The whipping of the trees and snow made it clear that the wind was here to now stay.

Looking at Ron's face, then to Luna's and finally to Harry's, Draco knew that he was not the only one who had realized the change in atmosphere. With the chilled air nipping at their skin, the four started to walk closer towards each other to help keep their voices down.

Once they were close enough so they all could hear one another talk just above a whisper, it was Harry who said "I think Malfoy is right, there might be something wrong with the wards. We have to stick close together and quickly come up with a plan on where to go from here."

Keeping his wand gripped tightly in his fist, Draco muttered "Granger wouldn't just wander off, and I know Nott and Zabini act foolishly sometimes, but they wouldn't just stroll off either. Something happened to them and we have to go help them."

Draco could feel his heart pounding against his chest. As the wind began to pick up more, he felt its determination to pelt every flake of snow it could at his exposed face. The chaos that was now sounding him was making it hard to keep his mind on track when suddenly everything came to a halt.

Lost for words, Draco's mind was now only focused on the three equally as stunned faces in front of him. He could just make out their expressions due to the fact the moon was still being strangled by the clouds, but he didn't need the light to know they were just as confused as he was.

Bringing his fingers up to his hair to help brush off the remaining snow that clung to the ends of his silver locks, Draco was about to ask, "What the hell was that?" when he heard it.

The voice was unexpected and cold, colder than the air that was currently surrounding him. It sent full body chills across Draco's skin. If it hadn't been for the group's sudden loss of words and the wind abruptly coming to a halt, he may not have even heard it, but it cut through their silence like a sharpened knife. Although this new and terrifying sound made every nerve fiber in his body stand on end, there was something just slightly intriguing about it, almost lyrically so.

The words tickled the back of Draco's neck, sliding their way down his spine, to his arms and resting on his fingertips. He wanted to turn around, to see where it had originated from, but something was making him stare straight forward. He wasn't sure if it was the petrified looks plastered on his three comrades faces that was making it difficult, or the sheer fact that he knew once he turned around he'd be face to face with something he was frightened he wouldn't be able to explain.

Hearing the thickly accented tone of a woman speak again, he listened to her words slip in and out of his ears a second time as she said, "You were right Diellza, you did smell humans."


Hermione eyed Theo who was standing just to the right of her. Gripping his arm tighter, she watched as his eyes went wide. She knew he too had heard the voice behind them but was also refusing to turn around to confront it. Noticing movement to her left, she watched as Blaise turned his head just slightly when his jaw dropped.

Needing to see what was causing the look of terror in his eyes, Hermione finally found the feeling in her feet and spun around with her wand out in front of her ready to defend. Feeling her heart leap out of her chest, she held her breath as she began to study the two figures in front of her.

The fog was still thick over the ground, blanketing the earth and suffocating everything in its path. It hid the two figures well, almost too well, but as it swirled around their bodies as they almost glided towards her, it helped give away their position. Hermione watched their dark, hooded cloaks sway back and forth. The light from the sky was minimal, and the thick canopy was making the darkness able to engulf them that much more, but there was just enough for Hermione to know that what was coming at her was not human. Whatever they were, she could she their pale skin and their yellow, sickly colored eyes peering straight at them.

Suddenly hearing Theo barley whisper in her ear the word "Run", her muscles barley twitched in response when she heard the eerily smooth voice of a man speak.

"I would advise against your friend's word girl, for if you should try and escape now, I will promise you that it will end in nothing more than a futile attempt from your now inevitable future."

Hermione continued to grip Theo's arm, a little harder every second that ticked by. Startled by a snapping of a branch beneath her foot as she shifted her weight, she quickly glanced down when she noticed something.

My wand isn't raised anymore… when... why in Godric's name would I have put it down?

With panic filling in her chest, she told herself to raise her arm back up quickly. Hermione realized however that her arm refused to move, as if it had a mind of its own.

Picking her eyes back up, the figures were just out of arms reach now. She could feel every muscle fiber in her body tensing, telling her to move, react, do something other than stand in one spot, but she physically couldn't. Something, or someone, was somehow not allowing her to.

A sudden smell caught Hermione off guard. It was thick and damp, an almost familiar scent that she couldn't quite place. It began to cling to the inside of her nose, making her mind wander to different memories and giving her a comforting feeling, which made her situation even more terrifying.

When the memories all started to have a similar theme, it hit her. Her love of storms hit all her senses. It made her skin tingle with electricity and her heart race as fast as the rain came down. When lightning cracked through the sky, Hermione loved watching it shatter the pristine blank canvas of night. Hearing the thunder roar towards her, the sound of rain pelting the ground and anything in its path would fill her ears with a symphony of sounds. The taste of fresh, pure rainwater on her lips when she was able to let the storm wash over her whenever the occasion allowed immersed her in its beauty. When it came to smell, there was almost nothing that compared to her. The aroma it created was a mixture of soil and flora. Damp, earth tones were always heavy in the air and she breathed it in whenever she could. It had always brought her a sense of comfort, something familiar for her that made even the toughest times bearable, but not this night.

The smell of damp earth and decay was thick in the air now. The once comforting scent made her nose twitch in disgust. Needing the fragrance to stay a pleasant thought in her memory, she shook her head and brought her focus back on to gaining control over their ever-growing urgent situation.

Maintaining eye contact with the almost glowing stare in front of her, Hermione kept her voice as steady as she could as she muttered the words "Who are you?"

There was no mistaking what hit her nose next. The metallic stench of blood strangled anything that came in its way. Feeling Theo tense in her grip and hearing Blaise's small gasp next to her, Hermione knew that she wasn't the only one who didn't need an answer to figure out what had just found them alone in the woods.

Vampires.

Hermione's blood ran cold as she saw the Vampire in front of her give a small, almost malevolent smile as he spoke. His teeth were almost as yellow as his eyes, and as pointed as a freshly sharpened sword.

Ignoring Hermione's question, she listened as he said, "The birds were correct Sihana, there were Wizards wandering in our woods today. Lucky for us they seem to have become a little lost."

The low, hissing laugh the two Vampires were now sharing made Hermione's heart race. Seeing Theo's head shoot upwards to the sky in a panic at the mention of the Strixes, she turned her head for only a moment to realize his wand was also at his side now too. Glancing over in the opposite direction, she also noticed Blaise had his wand lowered. Worried they had not realized they were possibly not in control of their own bodies; Hermione spoke a little louder this time.

"Don't ignore me, what have you done to us, why can't I move my arms?"

The silence that now filled the space between the two groups was harsh against her ears. Before Hermione could take her next breath, it happened. The gap had vanished and the Vampire that had been called Sihana was now only inches from her face.

As Sihana slowly pulled her hood off to finally fully reveal her pale skin and long, flowing dark hair, Hermione held her breath as the iron scented words washed over her.

"If I were you, I would hold that tongue of yours. I could smell the magic seeping from your pores for miles. Seeing as Amar couldn't, I worry he is weaker than I thought. Maybe I shall make you our first meal tonight instead of this fine specimen."

Hermione's eyes widened as she watched Sihana's eyes drift over to Blaise as she slowly licked her muted red lips. Before she was able to respond, it was Theo's voice that cut in first.

"Hey, whoa Granger you're right! I can't move my arm, what the fuck is going on?"

Relieved to know that the two Slytherins now also knew something was going on with their bodies, she tried telling her wand arm to move back into a defensive stance. She could feel her muscles tense, her bones trying to rise, but her arm never budged.

Softly grunting under her breath, Hermione continued to stare at the being in front of her, no matter how unsettling it made her feel.

We prepared for this; we knew there was a possibility we would run into a Vampire… think Hermione… what did you learn…

Not hearing Blaise's voice for what felt like an eternity now, Hermione was slightly startled when it was his words that spoke next.

"So, is that your evil plan then? Make us your next 'meal' as you put it?"

Hermione had a feeling he was just trying to get them to talk to buy them some time, and she hoped to Godric it would work.

As she watched Sihana slowly glide through the fog and over to Blaise, she thought They already mentioned they could smell us, I did read that, but what else… what else.. they are said to have tremendous speed and agility… heightened senses… immortal…

Watching Blaise try to remain as stoic as possible, it was Hermione that shivered when she saw the Vampire bring her long, boney finger up to his face and stop just short of touching his cheek. It was when she saw her almost dagger like nails graze his skin did she have to muffle a whimper.

It wasn't visible at first, but as the soft light of the moon began to break free of the clouds, Hermione saw a small trail of blood streak down her friend's face.

Placing her finger in her mouth and giving it a small suck, Sihana said "My darling, as much as I would love to devour you this instant, that shall not be your fait tonight."

Not knowing how Blaise was still standing as calmly as he was, Hermione heard him ask "Then what will be my fate?"

Shaking her cleanly licked finger in front of him, Sihana said "Mmm that is not for me to decide unfortunately."

As she turned back around to face her Vampire partner, Hermione could feel Theo's breathing becoming almost as erratic as hers now. Hermione was growing frustrated every time she told her body to do something and it would refuse her.

"Amar, I think it's time we take our spoils back to the coven."

Hermione didn't know where the sudden surge of defiance came from, but before she could think logically of her next words, she was almost yelling "If you think we are just going to come with you without a fight, then you are sadly mistaken."

With both Vampires now staring daggers at her, Hermione was soon face to face again with Sihana. Reminding herself to take slow, steading breaths, she couldn't help but shiver when she suddenly felt cold fingers push back her tussled hair and tuck it behind her ears.

"Oh you poor, innocent girl, do you still not realize what is happening to you?"

Searching the cold, undead eyes of the woman in front of her, Hermione was still raking her brain when suddenly a certain word from a page of one of the many books she had read in preparation for an event such as this popped up.

Hypnosis

As if Sihana was able to read her mind, Hermione watched her cruel smile spread across her face again as her boney hand waved forward in front of her.

"Now, come with us you three…"


All four wizards had their wands pointed directly at the two strangers now only a few feet from them. The silence was gnawing at Draco's insides, setting his nerves even more on edge. He was staring at the two women in front of him, studying their every moment. What was most unsettling to him though was the fact that he couldn't help but notice how calm and unbothered the looked.

Even with four wands pointed directly at them.

Needing to break the tension, Draco quickly looked from Luna, to Ron and lastly to Harry before saying, "For two people who must know they don't have the upper hand, why do you look as if you do?"

The one addressed as Diellza spoke first. "Simple. It's because we do. Now, why don't you put your wands down and tell us why three wizards and a witch are walking around this forest at night?"

Before Draco could respond, it was Ron who asked "I'm sorry, but let's back up for a second. Did you say you could 'smell' us?"

Looking from Draco to Ron, then suddenly to Harry, Diellza spoke directly to him as she said, "Before you insult us, no, we are not Vampires so please refrain from calling us such."

Eyes widening, Draco could tell Harry was just as surprised at her statement as he was.

Keeping his wand high, Draco asked "Then who the hell are you and what have you done with our friends?"

Watching the other woman pull down her hood, Draco couldn't help but notice how pale her skin was. Even with no moonlight, it almost shown through the darkness. Her hair was long and flowing, and just as black as night. She cocked an eyebrow as she asked, "You mean there's more of you?"

She was close enough now that Draco could see her slightly jagged teeth. Trying to keep his composure, he said "Don't play dumb with me. Our friends go missing and you two suddenly appear. I don't think that's just a coincidence."

Diellza spoke first. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but we don't know where your friends are. I do fear for them though. If you are thinking about them, then you must know that Vampires hunt in these woods. We had been on the trail of two of them before I caught wind of your group. We made the decision to find you instead, but if you say they are missing I do fear for the worst."

Draco's mind was spinning with her words. He refused to believe what she was implying. Confused, he asked "Who are you, what do you mean you were on their trail?"

There was a moment of silence before Draco received an answer. He watched as the two women shared a look with each other before they slightly nodded in agreement.

"My name is Elira, and this is Diellza. We are Dhampirs and we were on the hunt tonight before we found you four."

Harry was quick to ask "Dhampirs?"

Looking directly at him with her own yellow eyes, Elira said, "Our kind is not well known, in fact we like to keep it that way. We are also called Daywalkers, or Half-Bloods. We are the children of the unwanted union of a human and a Vampire."

Draco was stunned. He had never heard of such a being before and was still weary of who they were claiming to be. Needing to bring the conversation back to his missing girlfriend and two friends, he asked, "You said you were tracking Vampires tonight, why? If you yourself are half vampire then what exactly do you do?"

Diellza came to stand next to Elira and placed a hand on her shoulder, almost signaling to her that she would answer his question.

"Our history goes back centuries, and it's not for the faint of heart. Most Daywalkers don't live past the day they are born and are killed due to the fact they are a Half-Bloods. However, if they survive, they are outcasts and shunned from both their Vampire family and their human one."

Draco listened intently as Diellza spoke, trying to hide the pain behind each sentence. Looking at Elira, he could tell by her eyes that it was a little more difficult for her, as if each word spoken cut just a little deeper.

"Due to the nature of our conception, we have the powers of a Vampire, but because we are also half human, we do not share the weaknesses they do. Because of this, many of us over the centuries have found each other and swore to use these gifts to hunt down Vampires. Some of them wish to do great harm, to our kind or on to society. There are stages of Vampires, and once a Vampire reaches the final stage, they are almost invulnerable. It's up to us to make sure that doesn't happen. Some of us call it a blessing to be the ones to do this… while some of us call it our curse."

Her words trailed off. Draco looked towards Harry who looked just as shocked. Both had seemed to have lost their words for the moment, but Luna had not.

"Do you drink blood like Vampires then to stay alive? I can smell it on your breath so I feel like we would be foolish to trust you completely."

She was right. Draco too had smelled the unsettling scent of blood on their breath the moment Elira had been close enough. Worried Luna's all too blunt demeanor had possibly offended them though, he kept a close eye on their movements.

Taking her hand off Elira's shoulder, Diellza smiled as she spoke. "Aren't you a sharp witch?"

Seeing the look of skepticism on all their faces, a more serious tone came over her. "Technically, no, Daywalkers don't require blood to sustain life like Vampires do. However, if we want to maintain the powers we inherit at full strength, we do need to consume blood."

Draco felt the chilled night air fill his lungs with each shaky breath he took. His wand was still pointed at the two strangers and had no intention of lowering just yet. He was surprised when it was Elira who spoke next.

Having had enough of the distrusting looks that were being hurled her way, Elira's words were spoken with bitterness.

"Before you all continue to judge us, you should know we don't seek out human blood. We can use the blood of animals instead. Nightwalkers are able to survive on animal blood, but human's are more… nutritious for them."

Waiting a moment before continuing, she finally added "And I would be disingenuous if I didn't say they preferred the hunt of a human over an animal as well. The other problem lies in their use of blood magic."

Furrowing his brow, Draco quickly asked "Blood magic?"

Staring into her pale blue eyes, Draco was a little taken aback when he saw the hesitation to answer his question.

"Yes, blood magic. While taking the life force of a human sustains their existence, to sustain their ability to practice magic is to drink the blood of a wizard… or a witch."

Her last few words hit Draco hard. His eyes were wide and unblinking, and he could feel his brain going into overdrive.

Granger, what happened to you?

Trying to keep his voice calm, Draco asked "Do you think that's what happened to our friends, do you think they took them for that reason?"

Before either of the women could answer, Ron spoke up first.

"No way, don't even think like that!"

Shifting only his eyes to look at him, Draco answered "Think about it Weasel. Weird shit has been happening all day, and now three of us go missing. Where else could they be if not taken by something?"

It was Diellza who asked "Weird? What do you mean by weird?"

Too lost in his thoughts now, Draco was relieved when Harry answered for him.

"We came into these woods early yesterday morning, and everything has just been off. The weather, our footprints disappearing, thinking we were walking one way and then ending up in the exact spot we had left hours before..."

Luna then added "Don't forget about the Strixes."

When Draco saw the look of recognition spread across both Diellza and Elira's face, he was able to mutter "Tell us, what is it?" before nerves stole his words again.

Watching Diellza take a deep breath before speaking, Draco held his breath as he listened to her say "Well, you know how we said there are different stages? The final stage, and the most powerful stage use their abilities to lure victims into their territory while the lesser stages oversee the capturing of the prey and bringing them in for the coven to feed on. With non-magical humans it is easier to confuse them, but with wizards and witches, it takes a little more to trap them which is why you weren't able to find your way out of here so easily."

Nodding her head, Elira added "Those damn birds don't help either. Since only the most powerful Vampires can travel during the day, they keep a lookout for them until they can come out at night to hunt. Once the Vampires have had their fill, the birds are able to feed on the remaining flesh. I'm sure those birds have been feeding them information on your group all day until they could make it out here."

Having a hard time absorbing all this information he was hearing, Draco glanced over to see what the other three's reactions were.

I guess Nott was right in worrying so much about those fucking birds. I'll have to apologies to him next time I see him…

Seeing that each one was truly comprehending what challenge was now standing in front of them, Draco knew what had to happen next.

"You have to take us to them."

Seeing the look of astonishment sweep across everyone's face, Elira raised her delicate eyebrow before uttering "Excuse me?"

Knowing the two were their only chance in possibly finding where Hermione, Theo and Blaise were taken, he slowly lowered his wand hoping his gesture would earn them some favor.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it to sound so demanding, but we don't have a chance in hell at finding our friends unless you help us. You said you have been hunting them for centuries, which means you must have some idea where they all gather."

With his wand fully at his side now, he slightly nodded to the others to do the same. Seeing them understand his motion, Draco watched one by one as they too lowered their wands. Turning his attention back to the two women, he waited for their response.

Sharing a look between each other before speaking again, Draco would have bet his now ex-family's fortune that it almost looked as if they were reading each other's minds before it was Diellza who said "Even if that were true, there's no way we would take you near their coven. They would know we are coming for miles before we even got close. It would be a suicide mission. There's a reason we hunt at night and in small groups. While we are powerful, almost equally so to our ancestors, there would most certainly be elders around and almost nothing we do could bring them down."

Noticing Elira looked a little offended, Draco was right in assuming so when he heard her voice speak in such an annoyed tone.

"We have spent our whole lives protecting your kind without you even knowing, and instead of being grateful, you ask us to take you into the danger that we risk every day… why would we do such a thing?"

Without hesitation, Draco made sure to maintain eye contact as he said "You're right, we should have been more appreciative than we have been, and if time allowed I promise you we would be, but right now, with every second that ticks by, the woman I love more than anything else in the world is in danger and I will do anything I have to so she is safe again. My two best friends are also with her and I would be lying to myself if I didn't admit that they are almost the only family I have left in this world so please, will you take us to them?"

Taking a shaky breath in and holding the cold air in his lungs for a moment, he slowly released it and watched as the small puff in front of him disappeared. Feeling that annoying sting behind his eyes, he didn't dare blink as he waited for their response.

Sharing another long look again, Elira turned from Diellza and asked, "Why were all seven of you in these woods to begin with?"

Knowing Harry would want to choose their next words carefully, Draco looked at him to take on this loaded question.

Taking a few moments to formulate his words, Harry finally said, "There isn't enough time to explain everything, but we came here looking for something and we can't leave until we find it."

"And what is this something?"

Draco caught a quick glance from Harry before he answered, "We can't tell you that."

Folding her arms, Diellza said, "Well you're going to have to elaborate a little bit more before we even begin to think about the idea of bringing you four near a coven of Vampires."


Hermione's brain was screaming at her to stop, to grab on to the nearest tree branch and refuse to take another step, but her body was failing her. Her muscles were still aching from the long hours of walking earlier that day, but her feet continued to carry her tired body and mind forward. The snow-covered ground beneath each step was a hundred hues of greys and blacks. Only able to see a few feet in front of her, she could barley make out the back of Theo's head. Sihana had taken all three wands, her bag and then placed them in a single file before heading off deeper into the forest. Hermione had tried to whisper to Theo to try and figure out some type of plan but when she barley felt her lips twitch, she knew talking was now not an option anymore.

She had lost all track of time, feeling as if they had been walking for hours, but Hermione knew that was just her exhausted muscles talking. Each step their group took was one closer to an inevitable nightmare.

Think Hermione, you need a plan… clearly running isn't an option, but once we get there, I can only hope this hypnotic state is taken off us…

Noticing the snow becoming less dense as they continued onward, she was finally able to see a strip of bare earth littered with uprooted trees and a few decaying leaves. The smell that was invading her nose again was trying to bring back some of her fondest memories. Refusing to let this moment tarnish them, she forced herself to focus on the eerily familiar chattering above her. Hermione didn't need to look up to know what was staring down at them.

Poor Theo

The darkness continued to press in on them from every side as Hermione's mind scream at her to run. Trying again with all her might to stop in her tracks, her thoughts we interrupted when she heard Amar say, "Elder Zamir will be so pleased with us. Two wizards and a witch, our family will finally be able to fully replenish."

Hearing Sihana reply "Indeed we have done good tonight brother. If we hadn't been notified of their arrival, I am not sure how much longer some of our magic could have lasted."

"If we didn't have to keep waiting on the Dark Lord's promise, some of us could have bene restored sooner."

Hermione's heart practically fell out of her chest. Every nerve fiber was suddenly at attention and she could feel her breaths quicken. She almost couldn't believe what she just heard but noticing Theo's body ever so slightly twitch in front of her, she knew she had heard correctly.

With her mind now racing, it took her a moment to realize that just up ahead of them was the first sign of light. It was dim, but the soft flickering of yellow was unmistakable. It shown through the darkness like a beacon.

As they came up on an opening, Hermione was able to just make out the dilapidated wrought iron gate. Rows and rows of crumbling brick lined the edges of a small clearing that was surrounded by trees hunched over each other, entwining themselves to block all light from entering the space. The only thing illuminating the scene was being given off by the multiple candles that littered the mossy covered ground.

Suddenly feeling her feet finally halt, Hermione's eyes watched as Theo and Blaise also stopped just on either side of her. Testing her luck, she tried moving her arm ever so slightly in hopes of reaching out to one of them. When not even a finger would budge, she sighed and instead tried talking.

Feeling her upper lip move just ever so slightly, Hermione could then feel the annoying sting begin to build behind her eyes when suddenly she heard a familiar murmur.

It was quiet, so quiet that if she wasn't standing so close to him, she would have missed it, but there was no mistaking Theo's voice.

"Granger, don't look at me, just listen."

Fighting her initial instinct to move her eyes as far left as they could go, she kept her gaze straight ahead. Hermione was watching the two Vampires talking to themselves no more than twenty feet away. She wasn't sure what they were waiting for, but she kept her ears sharp on every word Theo spoke.

"If we want even the slightest chance of getting out of her, it has to be now. Can you move yet?"

With every muscle as still as the air around them, she could hear a low sigh before Theo said, "Damn it. I was hoping Malfoy would have trained you in Occlumency while you were shacked up together. For a minute there I didn't think it would work, but halfway through that bloody long walk I started to get my body back. I don't think I have complete control still, but it's better than nothing right now."

Eyes wider than she ever thought possible, Hermione continued to keep the tears back. She knew this was not the time to break.

Startled to suddenly also hear Blaise's voice, she heard him quietly say, "Same. I think I could make it a few feet before tripping over myself. I'll have to thank Draco for forcing me to practice it though. First time for everything I guess..."

Knowing that her two friends were gaining control of their own bodies gave her a surge of resilience she desperately needed.

Occlumency… thank Merlin for those two.

Telling herself to remain as inconspicuous as possible, she listened as Theo continued to speak to her.

"We have to figure out how to get their hold off you and fast. You're a quick learner Granger. I know emptying yourself of all emotions and clearing your mind might be a bit hard right now, but maybe give it a try."

Forcing herself to take three long, deep breaths, Hermione was just about to attempt this almost impossible feat when she realized something else besides darkness was closing in on them.

Through the tightly knit trees, a blanket of white began to envelope the mud laden ground. She watched it twist and turn in every direction until it smothered the entirety of the glade. Its silent steps tiptoed around her ankles and up her legs. Hermione watched the familiar fog surround them once again.

Noticing the wicked smile spread across Sihana and Amar face, before Hermione was able to question their motives, she heard Sihana say, "Brothers and sisters, tonight we will feast."


Draco continued to listen to Harry explain their situation. With his patients waning with every passing moment, he tried to calm his nerves as best he could. He knew that every second talking was another second that they weren't looking for Hermione, Theo and Blaise.

But without these two on our side helping, we have nothing to go on…

His only chance now was Harry convincing them that the reason they are in these woods were for the greater good, and before they could continue with their mission, the safe return of their friends would have to come first.

I can't believe I'm leaving this all up to Potter right now.

Taking a deep breath, Draco knew he had no choice but to keep quiet and hope that Harry could convince them to help.

Granger, you told me that if I knew my fears, to prepare for them, the next time I was confronted with them I would know what to do…. But there was no way I could have prepared for this fucking mess…


Note: I have been SO excited and SO nervous to write this chapter and the ones to follow. I've done so much research on Albanian lore and honestly it has been an awesome journey. Learning about different cultures and lore and looking through Albanian boy/girl names was so interesting. There are a lot of questions and things needing more explanation and I promise you the next chapter will continue to dive deeper into all of them. If I did it all in one chapter, it would be way too long.

A few fun facts:

Diellza (pronounced De-Ell-Zah) means 'Sun'

Elira means 'The free one'

Sihana means 'Moon'

Amar means 'Immortal'

Zamir means 'Gold'

I hope everyone is staying safe out there in this crazy world right now. Sorry it took a little longer to put out this chapter. I work in emergency healthcare so it has been long and crazy days. I really, really, reallllly hope you all enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I loved writing it. It's only going to get crazier from here ;-) Would love some feedback on this one! Thank you for all the new favs/follows!

Stay safe everyone – we will get through this together. With all my love -

-Toujours.