Chapter 4:
Vlad and Ingrid where walking along the gravel drive way, which had a large hedge running along the alongside. The two vampires stopped before the wrought iron gate, their capes billowing in the wind. The iron contorted into a face and demanded to know what business they had at the manor. To which Ingrid replied in arrogant and self assured tone "we are invited guests of the master of the house" the gate still didn't budge "Ingrid and Vladimir Dracula" she said in annoyed tone. The gate then swung open. The two vampires made their way to the front door where Vlad rapped his knuckles hard on the door three times. They waited. Ingrid appeared to growing more and more irate my the second. When the door was opened by a house elf Ingrid burst past without giving it a second look, Vlad nodded to the small creature and mouthed a 'thank you' before following his sister inside. The hallway was large, dimly lit, and sumptuously decorated, with a magnificent carpet covering most of the stone floor. The eyes of the pale-faced portraits on the walls followed the two as strode passed into the ball room. Inside the room a long table was been set out with, at the head of the table sat a man with red eyes and serpentine features who radiated dark power, the like of which Vlad had not felt since Sethius. This led Vlad to come to the conclusion that this man was infamous Lord Voldemort, from the VHC files Vlad gathered that he so was feared few would dare speak his name. This was someone it was probably wise not to make an enemy of.
"Ah Lucius, my friend, your guests have arrived" lord Voldemort announced "it's good that you have come, hopefully together we can make closer the bonds between wizards and vampires, which the ministry has so foolishly allowed to diminish by placing such laws and restrictions upon your kind"
"What is it you propose" Vlad bluntly said
"You go straight for the jugular I like it, I like it" the Dark Lord joked with his Death Eaters laughing dutifully "I propose we assist each other, like for instance I have recently become aware that the ministry is about about to pass an emergency decree that all Vampires found in London can be killed on sight"
"What!" Ingrid exclaimed "that's outrageous" Vlad remained silent, thinking.
"Yes I quite agree and I'm sure together we able to stop this absurd law being passed" Voldemort said softly. "Of course there are many ways to delay a laws such as this but only one way to really ensure it is never passed" he left it hanging as every one clearly understood the subtext.
"Anyway my friends, lets lighten the mood with a friendly competition" Voldemort stood and wordlessly with a wave of his wand caused the room to change, the table was vanished, the chairs arranged as if on a raised platform it give a better view the duelling area that occupied the centre of the room. Vlad being no fool saw this for what it was a calculated display of power meant to impress and that it did. "And for the first round why don't we make this interesting, yes, Dolohov versus" he looked around the room "ah how about you Mr Dracula, you game for a little sport". Vlad was also aware that this was calculated, Voldemort had given a glimpse of his power and he wanted see theirs, even so Vlad thought refusing would be unwise and he came to the conclusion despite all the pleasantries and niceties the only way Vlad and Ingrid was going to get out was to give a display of his power. Even so Vlad was not going to be so foolish as to show off his full power. Still enough of a display of power to show that he could hold his own in a fight.
Vlad stood across from the wizard, with the twisted face, in the duelling area. Vlad removed his cape and passed it to Ingrid who looked excited at the prospect of the duel, remembering the one between Vlad and Malik. Vlad turned to face Voldemort "you'll act as referee of course my lord" Voldemort nodded in agreement.
Vlad bowed to his opponent as Dolohov bowed to him as they both rose Voldemort said "and now we begin"
A flash of red light shot from Dolohov's wand which Vlad using his speed managed avoid and returned with a fireball of his own this was in turn blocked by Dolohov. The duel carried on this fashion for while, the crowd watching was clearly entertained. Dolohov conjured ropes around Vlad binding him, it appeared to all as if the duel was over. The ropes were getting tighter causing Vlad pain so Vlad turned to smoke, the ropes dropped to the floor Vlad returned to human form and lashed out his hand in anger. A jet of green shot across the room to the crowd's amazement and shock, the watching wizards thought it was the killing curse, the bolt of light struck Dolohov in the chest, immediately his body started morphing and with a poof of smoke where Dolohov had standing a moment before there was large crystal. In a fit of rage Vlad had zoned his opponent.
"By merlin's beard what was that" someone from the crowd cried.
"Vlad zoned him" Ingrid simply stated.
"Zoned, what's that?" someone else asked
"A long forgotten dark art, there's virtually no defence, your man will remain trapped in that crystal until released." Ingrid explained with a hint a pride in her voice
Vlad calmly walked over to the crystal, he picked it up and proceeded to throw it against the nearest wall were it smashed, leaving the pieces of crystal and a stunned, in pain Dolohov on the floor.
"We will take our leave of you now my lord, we must return before the dawn" Vlad said with a slight bow" Voldemort gave a nod of the head but it was clear he was deep in thought. The vampires turned and left the manor, taking flight as soon as they were outside.
"Why were you so subservient to that Wizard little Brother" Ingrid inquired after they returned home.
"Because My Darling sister he is clearly powerful. My rule over the vampires is far from established, our enemies are constantly waiting for any sign of weakness. So yes I excepted his offer of an alliance for the time being" Vlad explained.
"For the time being" she repeated with a growing smirk.
"Yes I have come to the conclusion that only the bonds of family are unbreakable, when we are united as, as a family nothing and no one can stand against us, not Sethius, not Elizabeta, not the slayers nor the high council, not even this Lord Voldemort. So know that all our enemies will be dust or bow before us and we shall have peace"
Ingrid thought about it for a moment then raised her glass "to our victory Brother" she said smiling.