[A/N: hey, hey, DG and other. I'm so sorry for not having time to update. School's started, and arg, I hate science. :-( Anyways, you like Drakul, eh? I do too. :-D Here's a longer chapter, to make up for all the days I could've updated. I hate writing V- I mean, have fun!]



Chapter Five - Of letters and family pride


Things had indeed turned out as Ron said. Howlers had arrived by the dozens at breakfast and exploded, for Drakul was not there to open them, and Dumbledore was not there either. Fires erupted at the Head Table daily for a week, until McGonagall had the Howlers sent directly to Drakul's quarters.

No one knew how she dealt with them, but a pair of Fourth Years reported that there was no sound from within the chamber, nor smoke coming from under the door. After a few days, students got letters from parents saying Drakul had sent all the hate mail, curse letters and Howlers back to the sender.

There wasn't another Howler for Drakul after that, though Dumbledore was bombarded with letters from parents about withdrawing students from the school if Drakul was not sacked. But Drakul remained on the staff.

Among the students was another matter. Hermione noticed a scramble for crosses, garlic and holy water. They didn't know any better. She asked Drakul about all this nonsense and why she did not put a stop to this madness. Drakul only shrugged, and told her that adults had to have their fun and complain, so the children could go on with their games.

Drakul didn't bother hiding her pale skin anymore, and kept it naturally white. She kept her glasses on, she told Hermione, because of the hypnosis her eyes created for humans. The power had grown so that it was hard to control, and it was frightening for humans that were caught under her power.

Hermione often spent evenings with the professor, either doing homework or chatting with her. She found evening s spent in the Common Room or library was distracting. In the professor's office, there was only a faint rustle of papers, or the quiet discussion of magic.

Harry and Ron sometimes joined them, when they were not in the Quidditch pitch. Then talk would turn naturally to Quidditch. They still couldn't get over the fact that she had watched the first Quidditch game kick off in France.

"You do tend to see things when you've lived for so long," she told them dryly.

She told them of moving among Muggle cities, and the founding of Hogwarts. Hermione was most interested in this, and historical events.

They avoided talking of Drakul's childhood or her early life as a vampire. It was too complicated and delicate to talk about, but they often wondered silently about it. Drakul was an excellent source of information, though. Her mind seemed to have processed, and filed all the information, and saved it. It was eerie, but helpful.

Students in her classes did not dare hand in homework themselves, but often bullied someone into taking it to her desk with a crucifix clutched in one hand. Once, Drakul had entered her classrooms, and found the shutters were wide open, letting the sunlight pour in. To the Second Years' disappointment, she did not shrivel up into a lump of charred vampire flesh, but walked right up to the window and closed it. And still she did not correct them.

Hermione tried several times, taking points off for displaying stakes or garlic strings. But Snape took off points for not having crucifixes around their necks. Students now avoided the dungeons more than ever, and the third floor.

Neville, surprisingly, did not have strings of garlic wrapped around his neck, or holy water hidden under his sleeve like most students, but often wandered into their evening sessions. He would also stay behind some nights, and talk with Drakul privately. The school was a complete mystery recently.


One night, they came to the room, stopping short when they saw Malfoy talking with Drakul. He stopped abruptly when he saw them. Pausing only to sneer his acknowledgement, he murmured to Drakul again, then pressed a letter into her hand, before pressing his lips to the back of it. The three moved closer, trying to hear what was said.

"Thank you, Draco. I will see to this," Drakul said softly. "Go back to your Common Room, then. Good even, Hermione¡K boys."

Malfoy took his leave, hurrying out and not pausing to throw more insults at them. He was acting odder than Neville, and that was probably saying something.

"Draco has just been through much family problems. His father is¡K pressuring him. I hope you three will not go out of your way to stir up trouble for him." Drakul raised her eyebrow at them.

"Of course not, Professor," Hermione spoke for them all.

"Good. Because I would hate to see the boy more upset then he already is." Harry almost burst with surpressed laughter, but he quickly smothered it when Drakul turned to him.

"Oh, yes, Professor," Hermione cut in. "We are writing an essay on the stars¡K and was wondering if you could help¡K"

*

Arachne sighed at the letter on her desk. The Terrible Three were gone, and the door was locked. Draco had seemed desperate when he had walked into the classroom. He was somewhat calmed now, and there was only this letter from father to son, which lay sealed with the Malfoy dragon. Draco did not open his letter, but handed it straight to his vampiric cousin, and laid his situation before her. She vowed to help him.

Sighing again, Arachne reached for the letter, and broke the seal. It was a short letter. But what was inside would have terrified to seventeen-year-old half to death.

Draco. The time has come for you to serve our lord as I have done before you. I shall be waiting for the day you make me a proud father. There shall be no more in a letter. You know what I speak of, and when. Do not disappoint me again. You mother sends her regards. L.M.

Arachne took up her quill, and reached into her desk for a bottle of ink she never used, unless it was absolutely necessary for her to call upon her status as vampire, and the unofficial head of the Malfoy family.

Lucius, there are some matters that have been called to my attention recently that should not have. The Malfoys are a proud descendent of the Draculas, dating back long before I was brought into this world. We hold in family pride, loyalty and above all, magic.

But, my dear Lucius, I see not the words 'Dark Lord' in that list. It seems you have pledged loyalty to Riddle. I am disappointed, Lucius. It is my duty as High Nosferatu and as the eldest in my line - and yours - to make sure this does not happen again.

I will not force you to stop from Riddle, knowing the consequences, but I will absolutely forbid Draco to join Riddle and his minions, further darkening the Malfoy name - and the Draculas.

He will remain with me during the Christmas break. I have found great potential for him, and wish for him to meet my kindred. Do not try to force him to join with this petty Dark Lord. If he would be joining anyone, it would be us.

Arachne signed the letter, and waited for the ink¡K or rather, blood to dry. She stood, and opened the window shutters to gaze into the dark world. It was horrible, how Lucius Malfoy wanted his son to follow his footsteps. Arachne cared little of the family pride she spoke of in the letter on her desk, but more of the young cousin in this school.

She was pleased that Draco had finally refused to give into his father. It was about time someone did. She was more concerned about the boy than the wrath of Riddle or Lucius Malfoy. He was likely to turn his back on her protection, and join them anyway. Poor boy. But she was determined not to let this happen. After all, blood was blood, and she knew more about blood than any other.

Arachne bent over her desk, and folded the letter carefully and deliberately, before taking her seal and wax out to the seal the letter. She touched the small arachnid, her personal emblem.

She sighed again, and moved to the fireplace. She considered just owling him the letter, but felt that calling on him would get the point across quicker. Arachne had hoped she would not have to don her vampire regiments, so to speak. But there was no possible way in the Seven Hells of this world she would see Lucius Malfoy with witches' robes. She couldn't burn the damn things even if there was no cousin to visit. A dear friend had given her these clothes, and expected her to wear them.

After a moment, Arachne was by the window, her letter carefully folded into a hidden pocket in her cape. She concentrated, and felt her body melt away, ready to form again at another point. It was similar to a wizard's Dissaparation, but this did not involve magic, so the magic protecting Hogwarts had no use against the vampiric form of Dissaparation.

Older vampires had the ability to banish their Un-dead flesh, and then gather it at another point. Wizards had to use magic to transport themselves. It was like a message traveling through Muggle telephone lines, only these magic lines were invisible, and one hardly knew they were there. They just used them.

Arachne gathered herself in the Malfoy Manor foyer, and shook off the protection spells surrounding the Manor. She glanced around, and strode to the library. Lucius would most likely be there. After all, it was not yet ten. She opened the doors, and saw he was indeed there, studying parchment leaves, looking very much like his son.

The creak of the doors gave her away. "Lucius." He looked up, and caught sight of the vampire, and rose.

"Arachne. What a pleasure to heave you here." He bowed deeply. Arachne returned the bow with a deep nod. "How is Hogwarts?"

"Hogwarts is fine, Lucius. However, I have not come to talk of the school." She stepped closer to the fire, turning her back to him. "I have come to talk of Draco." She felt him tense, his mind closing its walls to her mind. "I do not wish to interrupt your life, Lucius, but I must now."

"Has Draco -" he tried to begin, but she cut him off.

"It is not of that, Lucius." Arachne sat in a green armchair, and waved him over.

"It is about the man that calls himself¡K I have brushed his name aside for the moment, but his emblem is the skull and snake, is it not?"

Lucius winced, at the disrespect the un-dead creature showed for his Lord. "Cousin, it is wise to treat him with more respect than you have. He is -"

"Lucius. I am High Nosferatu. I am immortal. The un-dead do not follow wizards with made-up names. The vampires are more powerful than a magic wand. We do not serve, and by swearing allegiance to Riddle is not wise, nor is it acceptable."

"Lord Voldemort, cousin. What would you have me do? Oppose him and put my entire family at his mercy?" he pleaded with her, but she was unmoved. She stared into the fire.

"You care naught of your family, Lucius. Only your thirst for power."

"Then you judge me wrong. I need something to protect myself with. Give me the Dark Gift, cousin," he urged her, looking nearly desperate. As a child, he used his charms to gain favors for himself. Now as an adult, he was cunning, ruthless, and an idiot. She hated idiots.

"Nay, Lucius. You will use it for your won gain. It is not a gift, but a curse. You shall not have it. Not from my blood, nor from any other, as long as I am on this earth."

Lucius sat brooding for a moment, shielding his thoughts as she had taught him, as a child. He answered her eventually. "Cousin, Lord Voldemort seeks your assistance. His cause is great. I have already asked him to come, and meet you. He will be here soon, and I urge you to help him."

Arachne stood, and stepped away from the hearth. Lucius stood in alarm. If she walked away, he would fail his Lord once more.

"Where are you going?"

"I am going to see Narcissa. I will meet your Dark Lord. There are things I must settle with him." Arachne strode out of the library, and nearly collided with Draco's mother. She was carrying a tray of cups for tea.

"Arachne. How is Draco?" Narcissa greeted her coolly.

"He is doing fine in his studies. And how are you?" she took the tray from the woman.

"I am fine. It does me good to know someone is watching my son in that school, Arachne. He was always withdrawn from other people. I don't like him going to that school, but his father was adamant." She looked sad for a moment, but her face went back to its usual expressionless form. "It was either Hogwarts or Durmstrang, and Hogwarts is closer."

"Draco is a resourceful child. He has found his own crowd to be part of." And to lead.

"I had hoped he would be taken into Ravenclaw, but I suppose Slytherin is best for him."

-Indeed.- Arachne hid a grimace. "Narcissa. I know it would pain you, but it is the best for Draco if he is with me during the Christmas holidays."

"Christmas? But¡K cousin¡K" Narcissa sighed unhappily. "If it is for the best, then very well. Lucius would not like it, and Draco does not like staying at the school.

Arachne smiled, and used her mind to brush back her cape from her shoulders. "I will not keep Draco in the school. He will be with me, traveling the world. And Lucius will agree."

"Very well," she repeated softly.

"I must return to cousin Lucius. Our guest has arrived. It was nice to see you, Narcissa. I shall be back before the year goes out." With the tea tray in her hand, she returned to the library.

Lucius was there, standing in a small huddle of dark cloaks, and whispering among them furiously, but quickly parted when the door creaked.

"Cousin. You've finished your talk with my wife? Very good. Erm, may I present Wormtail, a faithful follower of Lord Voldemort. Wormtail, this is my cousin, Arachne Targoviste Drakul."

"How wonderful," Arachne turned away from Wormtail, barely glancing at the small man. She set the tray down on Lucius' desk.

"Would you like some tea, my lord?" Lucius addressed the shadow in a corner.

"Why don't you introduce me to your charming cousin, Lucius?" Lord Voldemort stepped from the shadows, and into the soft light of the candle. Arachne turned, and regarded him.

"My Lord, this is Princess Arachne Targoviste Drakul of Wallachia. She is my cousin, and she comes from the Dracula lineage. Cousin, may I present Lord Voldemort -"

"Enough, Lucius. I know who the man is," Arachne's voice was sharpened by the disgusting display of formalities, "and I believe he's heard much of your vampiric connections from your boastful mouth." Lucius flushed at her words. Through with embarrassing him, she turned back to Voldemort.

"I suppose I must make the best of the time I have wasted here. There is a matter I must settle."

Voldemort's smile looked plastered on, as Arachne motioned for him to sit in the place where Lucius had sat earlier that evening.

"I trust you have something to say to me?" Arachne folded her hands in her lap, after delicately arranging her cape around her. "You may say it first." She was determined to draw rank, and indeed she did.

"M'lady¡K" he started. Then paused, as if not knowing where to begin. Arachne arched an eyebrow at the address.

"What are you waiting for, Riddle? Get on with it." She saw Lucius wince at each word that came out of her mouth.

Voldemort's face was a wonder to behold, she thought to herself. She wondered if the ugly face had been spoken to so rudely before.

"Erm, cousin," Lucius hastily stepped in for his lord. "Lord Voldemort was discussing the possibility of having the vampires in our ranks¡K" Voldemort seemed to regain his wits at that point, and cut in.

"We understand your loathing of Muggles -"

"You seem not to understand anything, Riddle. You have miscalculated. Without the Muggles, the vampiric form of life will die out. Either that, or we start feeding upon you lot." Arachne grinned, revealing her fangs to prove her point. "We are not in the same boat. In fact, we oppose your ideas. Most of the vampires have Muggle heritage, and some do have family among them. What would they think in destroying what they once were?"

Voldemort was silent, with a contemplating look upon his face. "You cannot possibly speak for all the undead," he said finally.

"I cannot," she agreed. "However, they also know if they oppose me, they will die."

"You have never taken another's life," he sneered at her. Lucius seemed caught between family and allegiance. He looked distressed, but did not intervene.

"But the undead are dead, are they not?" Arachne's smile widened as Voldemort worked it out. "And even -if- someone I wanted away with was alive, I have followers who do not have scruples. Do not try to bring the undead against me, Riddle. I would know. And while I am speaking¡K there is something I must mention. You should listen to this, Lucius.

"I cannot stop Lucius from joining your ranks, because I was¡K away. But it has come to my attention that Draco is in line for this. I will not allow others of this family come to further shame."

"You think you can control all humanity? Order all around you about like puppets on stage?" Voldemort stood, his face livid with anger.

Arachne calmly crossed her legs, and slowly took her tinted glasses off her face. "Lucius' sharp intake of breath could be heard, but all ignored him. Still not looking at him, Arachne spoke, whilst touching her mind with his. "I have spent thousands of years perfecting puppetry until it has more potency than your 'Imperius Curse.' Would you like to see it, Riddle?" Arachne tilted her head, and met his red gaze. Their minds were locked now in a battle of wills. It was not hard to see who possessed more power.

Alarmed, Lucius tried to break the eye contact of his cousin and his lord, but he was frozen as well. After another moment, Voldemort's mind collapsed under the pressure of hers. His legs folded under him, and he sat down heavily into the chair. Lucius was freed, and he too collapsed. Arachne replaced her glasses, and smiled across the distance at Voldemort.

"Even if you escape my agents - which is next to impossible, mind you - there would be no escape, for I would not be killing you. You would be killing yourself. Trust me, I can and I will keep Draco from this." Arachne stood, and addressed Lucius. "Lucius, I am leaving now. If you intend to send Draco mail, send it through me." Arachne pulled the letter she had wrote earlier, and tossed it to Lucius. It was time to leave.

*

Lucius hovered above his lord, anxious. "My Lord, I am terribly sorry about my cousin's behavior. Living for so long must have¡K made her arrogant."

Lord Voldemort waved him into silence. "No, Lucius. It was I who was mistaken." Speechless, Lucius gaped at him. Voldemort continued. "I should have seen how powerful vampires were. I should have become one long ago, when I had the chance."

"You had a chance to become one of the undead, my lord?" Lucius frowned. Who was foolish enough to oppose Arachne Drakul?

"Oh, yes," Voldemort breathed, his eyes distant. "I came upon a vampire long ago. He offered my immortality, but I was foolish enough to throw his offer aside."

"But¡K but my Lord, there has not been another vampire made in centuries. Arachne has efficiently put a stop to that. No one would be fool enough to offer someone the Dark Gift, without her approval. And now¡K it seems as if she finds my son worthy of it." Lucius frowned at the letter in his hand. "Even as a child, he captured her. From the day he was born until he was a full toddler she stayed in this house."

"But I believe you have told me that she stayed with any Malfoy family that has produced a child, especially during their early childhood."

"She does. She was here when I was born. As a child, she taught me how to shield my thoughts against prying minds and such. But to Draco¡K I believe she let him taste her blood. He has always preferred the dark of night after that. He does not like to go outside, unless he needs to."

"Your son is quite remarkable, then. But this other vampire¡K he told me of your cousin. You should have seen him, Lucius. He was as fair as your cousin was dark, and as graceful as she was."

"Did he give you his name, my Lord? Names are powerful allies when it comes to calling their flesh counterparts." Lucius' eyes were lighted with undisguised excitement.

Voldemort frowned, trying to recall the name of the fair vampire. "He did not give me a name, but when he came, I called him Hades."



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