For not the first night, Harry Potter lay wide-awake in bed, staring up at the ceiling. He had been plagued by nightmares every night since returning the Dursleys. When Harry had been only one-year-old, Lord Voldemort, the strongest dark wizard for over a century, murdered his parents and attempted to murder him. But a magical protection left from his mother's sacrifice had protected Harry, and caused the curse to reflect on Voldemort, destroying him. Harry had been safe for almost 10 years, but Voldemort had somehow come to attack him every year since arriving at Hogwarts School of Wizardry. But in Harry's 4th year, Harry had been entered in a tournament. In the last task, he and Cedric Diggory, a Hufflepuff 7th year, had been transported away. Cedric had been killed, and Harry watched as Lord Voldemort rose again.

Harry was about to roll over and try to fall asleep, but something caught his eye. Five owls had flown in the window, knocking a lamp off the desk, each was carrying a package. Harry recognized the Hogwarts seal on a large tawny owl, the Owl Post badges on the two eagle owls, and he knew Hedwig and Pigwidgeon, his friend Ron's owl. Harry had almost forgotten that today was July 31st. His birthday.
Harry relieved the owls of their loads, and gave Hedwig a pat before turning his attention to the packages. He ripped open the letter from Ron Weasley, Harry's best friend, first.



Dear Harry,
How are you? Everyone's good here, Mums been having a fit over you since you left Hogwarts and went back to the Dursley's. Honestly, sometimes she can be unbearable. Anyways, I hope you're well, I heard from Hermione the other day. She said she was going to send you your birthday present with one of the post office owls. Yours from me is in the box, hope you like it! Fred and George said you would, but then again that's Fred and George. Write soon! Maybe you can stay with us for a bit?
-Ron



Harry looked on in amazement as he unwrapped the gift. It looked a bit like a snow globe, but inside, there was a seeker chasing a snitch. Harry grinned and set it down on his bedside table before moving on to Hermione's letter.


Dear Harry,
How are you? I'm doing well. I just got back from Bulgaria with Viktor.
I picked up your gift at the nearest wizarding bookshop. I thought it would be useful in our upcoming year. Ron's invited me to stay that the Burrow, I hope to see you there.
Love from
Hermione.


Harry unwrapped the package and found a large book entitled 'Famous Vampires and their History'
He flipped though it a bit before seeing a picture that caught his eye. It was of a tall, muscular black man, with very short black hair. On his right was a beautiful woman with shiny black hair, wearing a sort of cape draped over her shoulder. On her other side, there was another man. He had longish brown hair, parted in he middle that fell over his violent purple eyes in a few loose strands. He had a rather cocky grin on his face, compared to his partners in the picture. Harry would have liked to keep reading, but a loud screech reminded him of the other owls.


Harry unwrapped a brown package covered in untidy scrawl that could only be Hagrid's.

Hey Harry,
I hope you like these, I got this picture from your parent's friends, and made the frame myself. Have a Happy Birthday, Harry.
-Hagrid


Harry smiled sadly at the picture in the intricate frame. It was of his parents, at about age 15 with Remus and Sirius. It made Harry's heart ache even more to see them.

Lastly, Harry opened the lat envelope from Hogwarts. He felt as if his heart had dropped into his stomach, and he felt the need to sit down.

Dear Harry,
Harry, I regret to inform you that the ministry has caught Sirius. I ask you to gather up anything at all that might prove his innocence. You are invited to attend the trial, which has been set for the fourth of August. The letter will act as a portkey, which should bring you to Hogwarts on August 3rd at exactly 10:00 am.
Sincerely
Prof. Dumbledore.


Harry simply sat down and wept.

****

Like most nights during the summer, the 'Platinum Snitch' nightclub was at it's loudest. Found in a hidden alley or Hogsmeade, it was a rave for outcasts. There was more diversity than ant other place in the village. Almost every creature that could order food and restrain from killing anybody for it was welcome. Hags would cackle insanely as young acromantulas performed complicated waltzes on the walls, young Nundus that traveled from Africa would dance across the floor. Only wizards seemed to avoid it. In fact, the only ones who ever came near it weren't pure wizards. They were vampires.
"Come on, Daemon! Come dance!" Cassidy called to the violet-eyed man. Daemon grinned up at his raven-haired companion, and pushed a few loose strands of his own dark brown hair out of his eyes.
"Cass, I'm tired. Dance with Slate." he said, nodding towards a tall, black man who was at the bar.
"But Slate can't dance. And you deserve some fun!" She wheedled, dragging him up as a loud rock song started.

But before they could start to dance, the door burst open and all sound in the building stopped. Most of the beasts were in silence as the man strode forward toward Daemon, Slate and Cassidy.
"Albus." Daemon said shortly
"Hello Daemon, Cassidy, Slate. I need you to come with me."
Daemon nodded and the three of them followed the man outside.


"What is it, Albus?" Slate asked as they arrive outside.
"The ministry has captured Sirius Black. The trial is 3 days from now. I nee-"
"You need us to cause a bit o' mayhem in case of idiocy on the part of Fudge?" Cassidy purred, winking.
Albus sighed.
"I wouldn't have put it in those words, but yes. That is what I ask you to do."
Daemon chuckled and turned his back to Albus.
"Is that all, eh? Well then,"
Daemon spun around, and Albus stared into the face of Severus Snape.
"When do we start?"



A/N: Okay, now we know that Severus and Daemon are the same person. Our vampires have a human form and a vampire form. The human form ages and dies, but the vampire form won't. When a human form dies, the vampire must kill a human to get a new one. Daemon bit a wizard, so did Slate and Cassidy, when the wizards were young. Hence the magical power thing, since most vamps aren't wizards. Okay! Any other Questions, post 'em in the review!