I know that "Complications" was beyond sense in its shortness, but it had to be said and fit no where else. This one is longer. I promise.



The Head of the Count



I wandered down to the common room, feeling like death. I had promised Dumbledore I would try and keep my cool if I came into contact with Crabbe, Malfoy and Goyle again, but there really was no other way to deal with them. I finally reached the Portrait, and I mumbled "Salazar" at it wistfully. This was going to be a long day.

I sat down in front of the fire to gather my thoughts before another attack on the dungeons. I looked deep into the flames; they had an almost hypnotic effect on me. I was just nodding off, when I was startled by a voice. One I knew too well.

(Spoken in rapid Romanian)

"Why aren't you in bed? It's past 2 in the morning? Your sleeping pattern will fall out, you know!"

"Dad!" I sprang awake with a start. A head, pale, strongly defined and worried, was hovering above the glowing embers of the fire. "What are you doing? You might have given me away! You know they'll recognise you! Send an owl, don't just appear here without giving any warning to anyone!"

I hastily looked at my watch. Past two? How long had I been there?

"Its 12pm, here, Dad. You scared me. If I could I would have died of fright!"

"Well you can't do don't worry about that." he shot me a small smile, though it wasn't doing much for my nerves. I was expecting someone to walk in at any moment and find the head of one of the most notorious vampires of modern days floating in the fire.

" I just wanted to pop in and see how you were. Dumbledore told me that British boy was giving you a hard time over this...was he right? Servos? Savurous?..."

"Severus, Dad, and yes. He is giving me a very hard time over this. I'm fine though; its nothing I can't handle. Really." I gave him a tolerant smirk. He was one of the most over-protective fathers I had ever met, and if I had asked him there and then to do something about Severus, he would have been through the fire completely quicker than you can say nosferatu, and Severus would have breathed his last. I must admit, part of me felt sorely tempted by it, but thankfully, I thought better of it.

"Look, Dad, I need to go and talk to him now. I promise you I'm fine, and you needn't worry." He looked suspiciously at me, and tilted his head, to show he believed me as much as he liked "Savurous". He needed some persuading.

"The i moment i I feel unhappy, I swear I will let you know, and I'll come home, OK?"

He sighed heavily, and I must say I can't blame him.

"Fine. I'm not happy about this, though."

"You weren't happy about me coming to Hogwarts either."

"Well, why would I be? The magic you have in you needs no wand to command, and no words to control! All you have to do is think! What do you need to be taught? And now all this! If you had been tutored at home like I suggested..."

"I would have no friends my own age and I'd be bored out of my mind. I wouldn't speak English and I would have the trust of no one but you." It was my turn to sigh heavily. "Please, Dad. Its been nice [if a little bit of a shock] to see you, but if you don't go now, you run the risk of being seen and getting me thrown out." I looked at him with a desperate grimace.

"All right, all right, but its only because I love you, Rene." He smiled, and then began to mutter. "Far too much like Vada, mind. Out of control! You know, I thought when you showed so many signs you were going to be a vampire, i hoped you wouldn't be so stubborn as your mother...She'd be very proud of you, you know."

I just beamed at him for a moment. Perhaps it had been just what I needed, to see a friendly face I would trust with anything. I felt a lot better about the unpleasant task ahead of me, just for hearing a few kind words. They made a vivid change to the shouting matches, confrontations and bombshell confessions that had become the Hogwarts Christmas Holiday.

"Goodbye Dad. Thanks."

"The pleasure was all mine, dear." His head disappeared, but just as I turned for the door, it popped back again.

"You know, if you need me to talk to Dumbledore, or that Seffolus idiot, I'd be more than hap..."

"Dad, really. I'm fine, I promise. I will let you know the minute I need help, if you go!"

The head disappeared for good, muttering something about my mother being as stubborn as a goat, and me being a mummy's girl. I stood for a moment and thought. How did people in Maramures find him terrifying? it amazed me, but then again, most muggles don't look kindly upon permanent Half inch long Canine Teeth and bleach white eyes. He'd never hurt them, he just liked to play with their heads a little, that's all.

I carried on out the portrait hole and off down the empty, echoing corridors. I had to get this over and done with as soon as I could, or I would end up throwing Malfoy across a room again. No rest for the wicked.