[Chapter 6]
/'lanna the Lioness\
A/N: Heh. Weird. So Alex is a vampire.
Don't you people think you're a little obsessed? :P Okay, I admit: I needed to post this chapter….1) because it's Christmas, 2) because you went above and beyond what I asked for in reviews, 3) because my exams are finally OVER, 4) because I'm heading up north tomorrow, and 5) because I wanted to post a parting fic.
Oh yeah. And I started a new HP fic, "Now I Know Why You Want to Hate Me". Lily and James and co. Review that. I already have the reviews I asked for, but like I said, keep 'em comin'! I'll post the second chapter when I get the chance. (Role-playing as Lily is fun! ^_^ And I play Lucius occasionally, too.)
If you're a Tamora Pierce fan, I need more reviews on those fics, too.
Whoa. I'm being demanding. ^.^
Here it is, drumrgurl :). And Kelly, you can't steal my peppermints. =P I already ate them all.
And to all my reviewers….
thankies::thankies::thankies::thankies::thankies::thankies::thankies::thankies::thankies
You're the best!
I BOUGHT "CHOCOLATE ST*RFISH AND THE HOTDOG FLAVORED WATER" CD!!!! *screams* Yeah, I like Limp Bizkit.
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing. I'm planning to put a song from the CSATHFW CD. Not Track 2….I'll save that for an NC-17 fic, most likely. Should I do it, or not? E-mail me at alanna_the_lioness1@hotmail.com with your opinion or just tell me when you review. I'll probably do what I want anyway, but I want to hear what you think.
Thanks.
/~*~\
Harry blinked. "What're you so worried about? The Ministry's already out there………they'll handle it, Herm."
Hermione sighed and sank onto the couch. "I really don't know," she muttered. "Just…..just something about vampires……never mind," she added quickly, seeing Harry's eyes narrow. "It's nothing."
Harry frowned. "Yes, it is. Tell me."
Hermione shrugged and stood, stretching. "I promise you; it's nothing. At least, not yet." Something very odd gleamed in her brown eyes. "I'll tell you when I'm sure, but right now, I can't make false accusations." She gathered up her books and started for the portrait hole.
Harry hopped off the couch, bewildered. "Where're you going NOW?" he wanted to know. "You've been 'excused' from class, the library is closed for today-"
"Closed?" Hermione whirled around, her eyes wide. "You're serious?"
"Yeah," Harry shrugged. "Madam Pince ordered everyone out for the day so she could do some dusting."
"And why couldn't she 'do some dusting' when we were in there?" Hermione demanded, indignant.
He frowned. "Dunno. Why does it matter? She wants us out."
Hermione's eyes narrowed. When they relaxed again, Harry saw something he'd never seen before: a cold, defiant gleam.
"Well, that's her problem, isn't it?" she said softly. "I don't care." Her face hardened. "I'm going in."
Harry stared. "You've got to be joking," he said finally. "You mean you're just going to walk on in there, seize a book, and lose 50 points for Gryffindor?"
"You're right." Her face brightened. "Harry, can I ask you a favor?"
"That depends," Harry said cautiously.
"I want to borrow your Invisibility Cloak for the afternoon."
"WHAT?" he yelped.
Hermione sighed. "You heard me."
"But…Hermione…" he protested, searching for an excuse. It was his Invisibility Cloak! It had once belonged to his father, and he wanted no one else to touch it but him!
Hermione's eyes glittered. "You don't have to loan it to me!" she snapped. "I could always get you to go in and get some 67 books for me…"
Harry shuddered, considering the possibilities. "I can take a hint….do you promise not to tear it or anything?"
Hermione nearly exploded. "Is this how much you trust me?"
"No, I trust you; it's just….it belonged to my dad, and it's the only thing I have of his…"
Hermione softened. "I know. I won't, okay? Just loan it to me for the afternoon, and I'll bring it back. I promise," she added.
Harry jerked his head towards the boys' staircase, indicating that she should follow him, and mounted the steps to the dormitory. He pressed an ear to the door, and when he heard no one, he opened it and motioned for Hermione to wait outside. When he emerged, he held a long, silvery sort of cloak that was already making his arms invisible.
She hugged him. "Thank you, so much!" she whispered fervently. He blushed. He still wasn't used to this, after about three years.
"Yeah, here…" he took her books and set them on the ground, then draped the cloak over her carefully, until he could see nothing but her head. Hermione stared down at the space where her body should have been and grinned.
"What are you going to do, anyway?" he wanted to know.
She smiled mysteriously. "Oh, you'll know….later. I think." She slipped the cloak over her head, now entirely invisible.
"What about your books?"
"Just get me a quill and some parchment. That's all I need. You can keep my books until I get back."
"Smashing!" Harry said with false cheer, mimicking Fred and George, the Weasley twins.
A giggle issued from somewhere before him. "Sorry. But I have nowhere else to put them."
"S'okay. Good luck, 'mione."
"Thanks. And Harry?"
"Hm?"
"Don't tell anyone where I've gone, please. It'll leak out somehow…and anyway, I don't want anyone to know."
"Yeah, okay. See you at dinner."
There was no reply, but there was a soft pattering on the stairs…barely audible, which meant she was already descending. He stood there, watching the stairs for no apparent reason, until the sound stopped and Hermione reached the bottom. He scooped up her books and went into his room, closing the door behind him.
/~*~\
Ron's blue eyes narrowed. He hated having Alex hang all over him like this, but her lips were very close to his neck, and he was no fool.
And don't think of going to Dumbledore, love. She cooed, reading his thoughts. Like I said, I'm gaining control over you. One attempt to blurt the truth out, and….she lowered her very red lips to his neck. Ron flinched as she ran her tongue over his skin, waiting for the piercing fangs to enter his neck; waiting for his death….
And then, she stopped. Alex laughed. I love the way you taste. You're the best one yet. I think I'll keep you alive for a while longer; yes, for a long time. To savor you.
Fuck off, you vampiric piece of shit, Ron hissed mentally. Alex laughed and ran skilled, teasing fingers down his chest. Ron pulled away, went over to the door, and yanked it open, storming out. Alex watched him go, laughing.
I'll let you go…for now. But remember Ron, you can't hide anymore. You're under MY control. I'll catch you up in a minute, don't worry. She laughed with the sheer glory of it all.
Not before I warn my friends to stay away from you, you won't. Ron growled, charging up the steps onto the main floor. He looked around wildly. Where could he go? Where would Hermione most likely be?
/~*~\
Hermione opened the door cautiously, keeping a wary eye on Madam Pince as she entered the library. The hinges creaked slightly, and Hermione cursed herself mentally for not remembering that they needed to be oiled, and held her breath as the librarian looked up, frowning, then came over to the door.
Please don't reach for the doorknob; not the doorknob; not the doorknob! Hermione thought frantically as the woman came ever closer. When Madam Pince finally came to her hiding place, Hermione quickly dropped to all fours and crawled (blindly) as carefully as she could towards the third bookcase to the right, almost forgetting to stay quiet, and gasping when she smashed into a nearby table.
Madam Pince's eyes narrowed. She was sure she'd heard something….she frowned and came over to the table, peering about for the cause of the noise. Hermione seized a book lying at the edge of the table and pulled.
Madam Pince's beady eyes rested on the fallen book. Grumbling, she knelt with some difficulty to the floor. Hermione nearly forgot not to sigh with relief, and crawled out from under the table, standing slowly so as to not expose any part of herself, and strode silently behind a large bookshelf. She peered at the list she'd made in Defense Against the Dark Arts and ran her finger over the titles.
Vampires: Shadows of the Night, she carefully slid the book from the shelf and brought it under the cloak. Tucking it under her left arm, she continued down the rows, frowning as she peered at the tiny print and peeling letters. I wish they'd republish some of these, she grumbled silently. Or at least touch up the volumes a bit.
The row of books which she was looking at were suddenly removed by a shriveled hand. Hermione gasped and ducked, remembering that she wasn't wearing the Invisibility Cloak anymore as a feather duster swept away above her. She sank down to the ground, waiting.
"Dust," Madam Pince grumbled. She blew on it, causing a large cloud to settle over Hermione below. "It never fails to coat one's library, the blasted stuff." The books were replaced as the librarian moved on. Hermione's nose and eyes began to sting. She covered her nose with a tissue and gritted her teeth. Bloody dust! She was allergic to it! She desperately wanted to sneeze, but it was out of the question; not when she had snuck in like this! But she couldn't help it…it was wrenching her apart; she felt horrible; her head was going to explode….
She sneezed, then froze as Madam Pince halted.
"Who's there?" the librarian demanded. Her footsteps circled the room, then came towards Hermione's hiding place.
"I know you're there! Think it's funny, do you, sneaking up and playing tricks on me? Nasty little beasts…I'll have you…" Hermione dove for the Invisibility Cloak and had it half on when Madam Pince's shadow fell at the head of the aisle where Hermione was stationed….
Suddenly, the door opened. "Good afternoon, Madam Pince," Albus Dumbledore's voice greeted the librarian cheerfully. "How goes the dusting?"
"Albus!" gasped the librarian, spinning around. "You startled me."
Hermione, silently thanking the Headmaster of Hogwarts for saving her and the rest of Gryffindor house a huge loss, tugged on the rest of the cloak and scooped up her books.
"My apologies. I was on my way to discuss a certain matter with Minerva when I decided to step in and borrow a book."
"Of…of course," muttered Pince, bewildered, as she went over to the shelves. "What will you have, Headmaster?"
"I'd prefer Hair Dyes and Nose Rings: Various Useless Charms and Hexes, if you'd please," Dumbledore replied cheerfully. Madam Pince stared at him for a moment, then shifted the books aside; searching for it. Hermione slipped soundlessly past her. She was quite certain that as she passed Dumbledore, he winked. Surprised, she grinned back and slipped silently out the library door.
When Madam Pince had given Dumbledore his book and seen him out, she crept once again towards the bookshelf where Hermione had hidden. She looked behind it, but saw no one.
She looked behind herself periodically the rest of the day.
/~*~\
Watch your ass, Osama. We're waiting for you.
As you may have guessed; YES, the damn tapes pissed me off!!!!!
Okay, but I'll save it for another time. It's Christmas, after all. ^_^ Hope you liked this chapter. Originally, I planned to have this as a 10-part series…but now it's going to have to be much longer.
Oh, yeah. And give me 230 reviews! But more is always good. ^_^
Safe traveling, and happy holidays!
~*Alanna the Lioness*~
