I apologize in advance if any vampire fans are offended by this chapter. Unfortunately, I have a very limited knowledge of vampires, and had to write with what I knew. As always, JK Rowling owns everything in this story. Professor Murphy is mine, but JK can have her if she wants her. (Like that will ever happen *wink*) Anyhow, here is chapter four. ENJOY!
The Halloween Feast
The days wore on, and soon it was Halloween. DADA was rarely as interesting as the first class had been. Professor Murphy was very funny, and lighthearted, but counter curses were just so boring after awhile. Harry's other classes were as they usually were. Divination with Trelawney was a waste of an hour. McGonagall's Transfiguation was exceptionally difficult, as they were transfiguring live animals into other live animals. On Monday, the assignment had been to transfigure a rabbit into a cat, but Harry's rabbit wouldn't be still. It hopped out of an open window and Harry spent half the class outside trying to find it. Surprisingly, Hagrid's Care of Magical Creatures had been rather enjoyable. He had them caring for a family of toddyroos. Squirrel-like creatures with pouches on their stomach full of a blinding powder. Madam Pomfrey was not very happy with the toddyroos, but the students found them hysterical. Especially when Crabbe was hit in the face by the powder and walked blindly into the Whomping Willow. It was a shame the blinding affect only lasted thirty minutes. The look of panic on Crabbe's face had been priceless. As usual, the most dreadful class was Potions. Snape was in as foul a mood as ever and loved taking it out on Harry and the other Gryffindors. There had been that unfortunate day last week when Harry was paired up with Neville. Their cauldron bubbled over onto the floor forming a large puddle. When Snape came over to investigate, he stepped in the puddle, the potion burned through the bottom of his shoe and scalded his foot. Gryffindor lost fifty points for that one.
Tonight though, Harry left all thoughts of classes in the back of his brain, he was going to enjoy himself at the feast. Halloween was one of his favorite holidays after all. Whoever decorated the Great Hall went all out this year. Lighted jack lanterns, and rubber bats were floating in midair, and the tables were covered with orange and black table cloths. Harry's gaze turned from the decorations over to Hagrid who smiled and waved. Then he nodded in the direction of Professor Murphy and rolled his eyes. At first Harry, didn't realize what he was supposed to see, but then he noticed at Murphy's feet was Padfoot. He was panting, and allowing the drool from his purple tongue to pool on the top of Professor Snape's shiny black shoe. Harry had just nudged Ron and pointed his gaze in the direction of the fun when the Great Hall doors open and a small Ravenclaw boy entered.
"Who's that?" asked Harry.
"No idea. I've never seen him before." Hermione whispered. Harry didn't think this was too unusual. After all, there were quite a few first years. The only thing Harry found curious was how Professor Murphy was staring at the late arrival. She was sniffing the air, as if to be sure she was smelling something, and staring at the small Ravenclaw through suspicious slits. The boy had arrived at the staff table, placed a small orange box in front of Dumbledore, and turned on his heels to walk back out.
What happened next, happened so quickly, Harry was sure it happened at all. Murphy, with a swift leap, swung herself over the staff table. She took a spot in the center of the Hall, closed her eyes, and took in a deep breath. However, this was no ordinary breath, a strong breeze swept through the Hall. The Great Hall doors were sucked closed, the jack lanterns were blown out, leaving only moonlight, and the small boy was knocked down. Only Harry now noticed, the small boy…..wasn't a boy…..it was a vampire. The vampire rose to it's feet and smiled with a wide grin showing white gleaming fangs.
"Hello Marzanne, for a moment I thought you'd lost your touch." The vampire spoke in a deep voice reminiscent of Hagrid's.
"You thought wrong Thadius. Who sent you?" Murphy inquired fiercely.
"Come now. Do you have to ask? I always thought you were much more perceptive." Thadius rolled his eyes, crossed his arms, and tapped his foot.
"This is no time for sarcasm, Thadius. Why were you sent?"
"To kill of course!" He scoffed and rolled his eyes again.
"Kill who?" Harry saw Professor Murphy gulp with fear.
"Anyone." The vampire smiled. Harry watched as Professor Murphy grabbed a near by chair and slammed it hard against the floor. He saw that she now held a leg from the chair which had a sharp point at the end. Before Thadius could react, Professor Murphy whipped out her wand and hit him with a full body bind.
"Well, it looks like we killed you first." She thrust the chair leg through Thadius' heart, but Harry noticed the vampire did not die, he was merely pinned to the ground. Murphy transfigured her wand into a large, shiny ax, and continued, "I've been trying to catch you for the last three years. Why did you make this so easy?"
"I will make any sacrifice necessary for my master. And I hate to disappoint you, but…"Thadius didn't get to finish his sentence because Professor Murphy had swung down the ax and severed the vampires head. Murphy bent down and picked up the head. Harry was sure he heard it say, "Look in the hallway," before it went dead and motionless. She let the head drop to the floor, sauntered over to the Great Hall doors, and stepped out into the hallway. A few moments later she walked back in with a pale, shocked look on her face. Murphy walked up to Dumbledore and opened the orange box. A green smoke billowed out from the box and gathered at the ceiling in the form of the dark mark. The students who had been still and silent with amazement through this whole ordeal, suddenly erupted with shouts and screams of fear.
"Professor Dumbledore, I'm afraid our worst fears have come true. The Dark Lord has sent this messenger," she pointed over to the beheaded vampire, "to inform us the takeover has begun." Harry noticed Murphy had tears rolling down her cheeks. "Students, it is my sad duty to inform you that young Gryffindor Dennis Creevy has been murdered. A vampire bite…." Harry's own horror at what was just said was drowned out by the gasps and sobs of the other students. Professor McGonagall had come down from the staff table and was seeing to Colin, Dennis' older brother. Snape rose to his feet, and leaned down to the Headmaster's ear.
"It would be more safe for the students if they were returned to their dorms," Snape whispered.
"Yes, you are right," Dumbledore agreed. Harry had never seen him so broken and emotionless. He decided it was pure shock, and watched as Dumbledore stood to speak. "Professors McGonagall, Snape, Flitwick, and Sprout, please escort your houses back to their dormitories. Then report to the staff room for an emergency meeting." Harry watched as Professor Snape took a quick step, slipped in the puddle left by Padfoot, and fell to his knees. However, it didn't seem remotely funny now.
In an unusually calm manner, the students lined up behind their head of house and followed them back to their assorted common rooms. On the way to Gryffindor, Harry made a decision, sometimes avoiding trouble just wasn't worth it. He wasn't going to sit back and let Voldemort waltz in a take over Hogwarts. Not if he had anything to say about it. In trouble or out-he was going to that staff meeting. Besides, he had lasted longer than a week.
