Disclaimer: I own nothing JKR owns all before you. I do not make any
claims.
World of Darkness
Chapter 2: Into the Night
In ancient times long before modern man conquered the world, there lived a evil sorcerer who all feared. The sorcerer sought to control the known world and bend every knee to his will. Yet some stood against his great power and threatened his quest to conquer all. So the sorcerer sought for allies amongst those who walked in the darkness so that he might challenge they who dared to stand against him. Those who walked in the darkness refused his request for aid and drew away from the sorcerers cause. The sorcerer was overcome with rage, that anyone would refuse to serve him, especially those who walked in the darkness. He wove ancient magic so that he could enslave those who wouldn't serve him by choice. The magic was strong and it served it's purpose well. Those who denied his request were given no choice but to bow before him and submit to his will. Drayor, as the sorcerer was called, summoned all the dark beings across the world to come and gather before him. The forces of the light gathered together in hopes to stop Drayor from spreading his evil over the world. They chose to bring the fight to him before he had the chance to root his power across the land. So the might of the two armies clashed in a battle to determine the future. Both sides needlessly lost thousands of lives. Even though the dark creatures did not wish to fight, they were forced to, and they died because of it. The battle lasted for days, and more than half the worlds population of magic folk died. This would strike a blow to the magic population that they world would never recover from. In the future they would have to seek the shelter of anonymity and hide themselves from those who would be jealous of their magic. Finally, on the sixth day of combat the sorcerer was forced to fight in the battle himself. He commanded the stolen powers of darkness that forced the dark creatures to obey him. As the sun rose on the seventh day, the army of the light made it's last desperate attempt for victory. They could not stand another night in which the darkness itself attacked them. One wizard dared to stand up to Drayor and fight him to the death. He was the first of the line of Merlin, and on his shoulders rested the fate of all free people. Both wizards commanded powers that no other could fathom, and the very earth groaned under the strain of their anger. They dueled throughout the day and all stopped to watch the battle that would determine their fate. Finally as the last rays of the sun crested the horizon, Merlins' ancestor was able to strike a mortal blow upon Drayor. As he lay dying he made a vow that one day he would rise again and finish his work upon the earth. With that he slipped into shadow and disappeared from the face of the earth. He would not be seen on the earth for many thousand years. The dark creatures were released from Drayor and allowed their free will once more. They turned to Merlins ancestor and consulted his wisdom on how to proceed. Together they decided to cast a spell so that they would never be controlled again. They decided that should Drayor rise once more the power of darkness would be given to another. So that two wills would govern those who walked in darkness. The second would have to be chosen by the darkness, yet still so innocent that his will would never coincide with that of the evil Drayor. In turn, when Drayor would rise he wouldn't be able to control those who walked in darkness. The chosen would be alive with the power to command the dark armies, yet he wouldn't be willing to exercise it. They could maintain freedom through his will and defy Drayor and his evil power. Merlins' ancestor worked the magic and set the spirit of darkness loose to watch the world and make it's choice if the event should ever arise. This was the story passed down to the eldest of each dark clan, so that none would forget what happened so long ago.
******
Harry stood on top of his school and looked over the world around him. New horizons that never before existed had suddenly opened up to him. This would be a night he would never forget, it was the night which had opened the door to a brand new world. This was also a night in which the dark creatures of the world heard a call that hadn't been sent in many thousand years, and only the oldest Vampires and Dark Elves would easily recognize for what it was. Yet along with the call to order was a voice that told them to do what they wished. It was this voice that allowed them to deny the first voice, but Harry knew nothing of this.
Unsure of where to go from here, Harry just looked out towards the world around him. The possibilities were endless and it wasn't a easy decision of how to begin. Where would he go to find something that hides itself from all others. The city seemed out of the question, and Harry had enough of living in Surrey anyway. He wanted to put as much distance between him and those men back at his prison as he could, just in case they decided to look for him.
Perhaps he would go to London, he had never been allowed to travel to London when his relatives went. He constantly had to stay with Mrs. Fig and her horrible cats. There was other things that he had to consider as well. He would need a place to stay, food, and clothes. Traveling at night would be the best thing, he could better defend himself at night then he could during the day.
This left Harry with a few options and he chose the one that offered the most protection. He would travel to the forests outside of Surrey and find a cave or something for shelter until he was able to come up with a way to support himself.
Harry took one last look in the direction of his old home before falling back into the shadow void. In seconds he was in the shadow void and traveling through the darkness. He came out in the shadow of a ancient oak tree and walked north into the forest. An hour later he came to a small rock outcropping and upon inspection he found a crevice that ran fifteen feet back and widened into a large chamber in the back. It was dark but Harry's gold eyes allowed him to see his surroundings. He was really starting to enjoy when his eyes shifted like this, because everything took a golden tinge. It was like everything was sprinkled with a glowing golden dust.
The chamber itself wasn't very big, only around eight by eight with a six foot ceiling, but when compared with his old cupboard it was a mansion. It was a bit damp and in one corner was a small natural spring that fell from the ceiling before rolling through a path in the base of the rocks. The sun had begun to rise and cast it's first rays at the entrance to his small little dwelling. This only reminded him of how long he had been awake and how tired he was. Harry concentrated for a moment and a unnatural darkness fell up to the entrance of the cave. The sun rays bite into the edge and dispersed some of the shadow but soon it reached it's extent and the far reaches of the cave were concealed. Now that he had hidden himself from normal eyes Harry was able to lay his head down on the hard ground and rest.
The sun dawned in the sky and made it's pilgrimage from the east to the west. It reached it's crest and then began to wane till it was only a sliver in the sky. With the fading light came another orb in the sky. The moon is always jealous of the sun, she steals the suns light and claims it as her own. Then she pours it down upon her children. As she rises into the sky, so does her world. This now included a seven year old boy who stepped out of a small rock cave that was hidden by a darkness that exceeded even the falling night.
Harry had awoken with the setting sun. He tried to clean himself up the best he could with the small spring, but it was a useless effort without clean clothes to change into. He would have to remedy that, but first he was hungry. He reached out into the surrounding darkness to sense for movements. His eyes shifted to gold and he scanned the forest for movement of any kind. He would begin to hunt with his new powers, allowing to gain more control over his gifts. Just because he knew how to use them didn't mean he was fully in control of them and the more he used them the better he would become.
There, off to the left, movement caught his unnatural eyes and in a flash a shadow tendril stretched from his body and shot into the bushes by his side. A small rustle was the only thing that signified the death of the small animal that ran for cover. The shadow tendril gripped his prey and brought a small rabbit out. He laid the meal that compared to what he was used to was a feast at the entrance to his cave. He would have to find a source of fire and maybe a knife to skin his meal before he ate it.
Harry gave a big yawn and wiped the remnants of sleep from his eyes as he looked down at the small animal he had caught. A pang of remorse ripped through his heart and a tear trickled down his check as he touched it's soft fur. It hurt so much to take the creatures life, but if he didn't he wouldn't be able to live. Harry knelt by the small creature and felt his hot tears roll forth from his eyes. He apologized to the rabbit and held it closely for a second before taking it into his new home so another animal couldn't take his meal. He would want it to last so he wouldn't have to hurt anything for a while.
After exiting his cave once more Harry was surprised to see a light off in the distance. It was a fire that he could use to cook his meal and provide heat. Harry leapt into the shadows, not entering the void, but using them to move quickly through the forest. Soon he came to a small clearing where Two men and a women stood underneath the moon light. Harry pulled the shadows around him and concealed himself so that he could watch without being seen.
All three stood with what Harry could only describe as a regal air. They made no movement, no motion at all. Standing as if they were made of stone, and for a second Harry's child brain wanted to run out and touch them to see if they were really alive. But the rational side told him that it would be unwise to go out and talk to these strangers.
The men were dressed in clothes that looked like they were from medieval times. Both wore black with crimson underneath. The women was wearing a dress that looked like the ones Harry saw in story books, the ones only princesses wore. Then the women spoke to him, never wasting a motion.
"Come out child, though we can not see you we know you are there. If you force us we will make you." Harry felt compelled to come out, yet something inside him told him he didn't have to. A brief flicker of surprise played over their faces when Harry didn't come out, but they quickly suppressed it.
"Very well you leave us no choice." In a fast movement that Harry could just barely follow one of the men moved and came up beside him. He pushed him hard in the back and Harry rolled into the circle.
Instantly Harry sprang to his feet to look at the men and women who were now all facing him. He reminded himself that he was in control in the night, and he could protect himself. Mustering courage from his thoughts Harry controlled his voice and pushed his fear away before speaking.
"I'm warning you to leave me alone and go away or else." Harry stood as tall as his relatively small body would allow him to and glared at his assailants. They seemed to be quite amused and proceeded to slowly walk closer to him.
"Or else what? You have no chance at escape, you are just a child. Run if you like, we enjoy a good chase." The three figures stalked closer to Harry. Harry gave a small grin and crouched back a bit.
The three assailants watched in amazement as the shadows of the forest came alive. They rolled as if they were alive and reached towards them. Like a black cloak they fell above the tree tops and blocked the moon light in the clearing. Harry's eyes shifted to gold and the two shadow tendrils spread out of his shoulders. They coiled behind him and prepared to strike at whoever made the next move. All the while the shadows of the forest reached farther into the clearing. Harry watched as their eyes locked right onto him despite the descending darkness. If Harry had any doubt that they weren't part of the world he was searching for before, he was sure now. The beast inside the three came to the surface at the change in environment and their instincts took over. They would fight or run, it was what the beast demanded of them. The two men took off into the forest, but the woman seemed to be struggling with her beast. She tried to control it and not let it take over. If she started a fight she wouldn't be able to stop until one of them was dead. Harry noticed that she didn't want to fight, and that the use of his powers was just drawing her on. He let the forest shadows recede and lifted the curtain that blocked out the moonlight. However he wouldn't withdraw his shadow tendrils and leave himself completely open to attack. In fact he called three more tendrils from his body and allowed them to move around in a none threatening manner. All the while keeping the initial two prepared to strike out quickly if needed.
"What are you?" The women had won her internal struggle and was in complete control of herself. She did not let her guard down, and she could tell that the boy was ready to strike.
"I could ask you the same question." The girl gave Harry the creeps and her inhuman mannerisms were enough to send any normal seven year old back underneath his covers. Harry wasn't a normal seven year old, and he was pretty confident that he could defend himself if she attacked.
"I am a vampire, but that is quite obvious. The question is what are you?" Harry was a bit annoyed, he gave a sarcastic humpf before answering.
"Oh yes, it's completely obvious, I always run into vampires walking around in the forest. For your information I just got here last night." Harry stuck his tongue out at the vampire in his own attempt at getting the upper hand.
"Are you alone or is your parents near by. Awful foolish of them to just let just wander around in the forest." This hurt Harry, she may not know that he was a orphan, but it still hurt. Parents are a sacred thing to all orphans and the fact that she would call them foolish angered him. One of his tendrils rapped around a tree trunk and the wood began to splinter under the pressure. The vampire took note of this reaction for future reference.
"My parents died when I was very young, I ran away from my relatives the moment I was able to." The vampire held no compassion for the boy, she just considered him carefully.
"That still doesn't tell me what you are?" She was loosing patience with the boy and the way he was avoiding her questions. The truth is Harry wasn't really sure what he was. No fairy tale characters ever had the powers he has. No monster could reach out and craft the very darkness to it's liking, at least none that Harry knew of. Suddenly all his time with the Dursley's brought him the answer. They had been right all along and now he knew it to. If Harry knew that Vampires had the ability to read emotions then he might of tried to hide his. Right now the vampire was picking up sadness, disgust, and self loathing from the small boy. Emotions that a child had no place knowing so well, or having so much of.
"I'm a freak I guess, at least that's what I've always been told I was." The young boys confession stirred something that hadn't been in the Vampire for over many a century. She felt sorrow for the boy, and instantly decided to take the boy with her. He was to young to be taking care of himself, even if he did have some very unusual strengths. Other thoughts drifted into her mind, maybe she would be able to use the boy for his talents. He seemed so innocent, yet he could change in a instant to someone who was very dangerous. Yet she couldn't bring herself to take advantage of him.
"You look like you could use something to eat, and definitely need some clothes. Will you come with me, I give my word that while you are in my company you won't be hurt." This was what Harry was dreaming of, yet he couldn't believe it would be so easy to step into the world. Perhaps something drew him to these vampires. He was still quite sure that he could defend himself, and if worse came to worse he could escape into the void. So with one final consideration he nodded his consent and drew in his tendrils as a sign of good will.
"All right, were are we going? And what's your name?" She considered where to take the boy. She decided to take him to her packs cave, it was a distance east of here and with the boy it would probably take all night to return. She decided that she would have to carry him if she would make it back by the dawn. However, once there she would be able to consult her sire and the pack elder about the boy.
"My name is Fiona and we will travel to my cave. May I have the pleasure of having your name young man?" Harry debated on whether to give him his name or not. The people who came to take him the night before had known his name, would she turn him over to them. Was she even one of them.
"You can call me Shade." Harry was pleased with the name he gave himself. It seemed to suit him in the abstract sort of way.
"Very well young night shade, I am pleased to meet you." Fiona decided to try her best to gain the boys trust.
"Would you mind if I carried you, it isn't a very short distance to my cave and I'd like to make it there before the dawn arrives." Harry just put on a mischievous grin.
"You don't have to, I'll just follow you." The vampire wasn't sure if the boy understood how fast she could travel and was about to continue when he spoke up.
"I'm sure that however fast you can travel, I will be able to easily keep up." Fiona just laughed to herself and decided to run off and then come back and pick up the boy. She turned and ran at full speed in the direction of the cave. Stopping after several hundred yards she listened to hear the boys calls, but was surprised when Harry spoke from her side.
"Why have we stopped I do not see any cave around here?" The vampire was shocked yet she didn't show it. Instead she turned and began running in the direction of her cave, trusting that the boy would be able to follow her.
As Harry followed her by moving from shadow to shadow, not quite entering the void, he had time to think. This was the very tip of the world he was searching for, and though he didn't know much about it, he did know that he was about to step into something he could never have dreamed of.
******
Thanks to those who reviewed the last chapter. I appreciated all who reviewed.
King Crimson Fan on a Mac: Thanks a lot, I appreciate the review. Hope you like the chapter.
Tima: I'll try and update this fic as much as possible. I will be getting at least three chapters a week out.
PR LUCKEN: Thanks for the review, and I'm glad you like it!
BloodRedSword: Harry and Voldie will get there chance, but right now Voldie is off in some forest inhabiting a bunny rabbit, an hoping merrily. Thanks for the Review!
Lady FoxFire: Glad you like it, and thanks for the review!
Ruskbyte: I hope it continues to show promise, and thanks for the rieview!
BlackDragon: Thank you so much for reviewing. I plan to keep writing them both and I have a good large portion already written. Not so much dark = evil, but a person can be dark without going all maniacal. But in some ways Harry will flirt with were the line goes. He is just a kid after all and he's at that age when all children develop boundaries. If he gets to evil I'll just have to give him a time out and set him on the straight and narrow once more.
THANKS ALL!!! Remember to review, and if you want me to stick you on a mailing list just ask! ((((( (((((
World of Darkness
Chapter 2: Into the Night
In ancient times long before modern man conquered the world, there lived a evil sorcerer who all feared. The sorcerer sought to control the known world and bend every knee to his will. Yet some stood against his great power and threatened his quest to conquer all. So the sorcerer sought for allies amongst those who walked in the darkness so that he might challenge they who dared to stand against him. Those who walked in the darkness refused his request for aid and drew away from the sorcerers cause. The sorcerer was overcome with rage, that anyone would refuse to serve him, especially those who walked in the darkness. He wove ancient magic so that he could enslave those who wouldn't serve him by choice. The magic was strong and it served it's purpose well. Those who denied his request were given no choice but to bow before him and submit to his will. Drayor, as the sorcerer was called, summoned all the dark beings across the world to come and gather before him. The forces of the light gathered together in hopes to stop Drayor from spreading his evil over the world. They chose to bring the fight to him before he had the chance to root his power across the land. So the might of the two armies clashed in a battle to determine the future. Both sides needlessly lost thousands of lives. Even though the dark creatures did not wish to fight, they were forced to, and they died because of it. The battle lasted for days, and more than half the worlds population of magic folk died. This would strike a blow to the magic population that they world would never recover from. In the future they would have to seek the shelter of anonymity and hide themselves from those who would be jealous of their magic. Finally, on the sixth day of combat the sorcerer was forced to fight in the battle himself. He commanded the stolen powers of darkness that forced the dark creatures to obey him. As the sun rose on the seventh day, the army of the light made it's last desperate attempt for victory. They could not stand another night in which the darkness itself attacked them. One wizard dared to stand up to Drayor and fight him to the death. He was the first of the line of Merlin, and on his shoulders rested the fate of all free people. Both wizards commanded powers that no other could fathom, and the very earth groaned under the strain of their anger. They dueled throughout the day and all stopped to watch the battle that would determine their fate. Finally as the last rays of the sun crested the horizon, Merlins' ancestor was able to strike a mortal blow upon Drayor. As he lay dying he made a vow that one day he would rise again and finish his work upon the earth. With that he slipped into shadow and disappeared from the face of the earth. He would not be seen on the earth for many thousand years. The dark creatures were released from Drayor and allowed their free will once more. They turned to Merlins ancestor and consulted his wisdom on how to proceed. Together they decided to cast a spell so that they would never be controlled again. They decided that should Drayor rise once more the power of darkness would be given to another. So that two wills would govern those who walked in darkness. The second would have to be chosen by the darkness, yet still so innocent that his will would never coincide with that of the evil Drayor. In turn, when Drayor would rise he wouldn't be able to control those who walked in darkness. The chosen would be alive with the power to command the dark armies, yet he wouldn't be willing to exercise it. They could maintain freedom through his will and defy Drayor and his evil power. Merlins' ancestor worked the magic and set the spirit of darkness loose to watch the world and make it's choice if the event should ever arise. This was the story passed down to the eldest of each dark clan, so that none would forget what happened so long ago.
******
Harry stood on top of his school and looked over the world around him. New horizons that never before existed had suddenly opened up to him. This would be a night he would never forget, it was the night which had opened the door to a brand new world. This was also a night in which the dark creatures of the world heard a call that hadn't been sent in many thousand years, and only the oldest Vampires and Dark Elves would easily recognize for what it was. Yet along with the call to order was a voice that told them to do what they wished. It was this voice that allowed them to deny the first voice, but Harry knew nothing of this.
Unsure of where to go from here, Harry just looked out towards the world around him. The possibilities were endless and it wasn't a easy decision of how to begin. Where would he go to find something that hides itself from all others. The city seemed out of the question, and Harry had enough of living in Surrey anyway. He wanted to put as much distance between him and those men back at his prison as he could, just in case they decided to look for him.
Perhaps he would go to London, he had never been allowed to travel to London when his relatives went. He constantly had to stay with Mrs. Fig and her horrible cats. There was other things that he had to consider as well. He would need a place to stay, food, and clothes. Traveling at night would be the best thing, he could better defend himself at night then he could during the day.
This left Harry with a few options and he chose the one that offered the most protection. He would travel to the forests outside of Surrey and find a cave or something for shelter until he was able to come up with a way to support himself.
Harry took one last look in the direction of his old home before falling back into the shadow void. In seconds he was in the shadow void and traveling through the darkness. He came out in the shadow of a ancient oak tree and walked north into the forest. An hour later he came to a small rock outcropping and upon inspection he found a crevice that ran fifteen feet back and widened into a large chamber in the back. It was dark but Harry's gold eyes allowed him to see his surroundings. He was really starting to enjoy when his eyes shifted like this, because everything took a golden tinge. It was like everything was sprinkled with a glowing golden dust.
The chamber itself wasn't very big, only around eight by eight with a six foot ceiling, but when compared with his old cupboard it was a mansion. It was a bit damp and in one corner was a small natural spring that fell from the ceiling before rolling through a path in the base of the rocks. The sun had begun to rise and cast it's first rays at the entrance to his small little dwelling. This only reminded him of how long he had been awake and how tired he was. Harry concentrated for a moment and a unnatural darkness fell up to the entrance of the cave. The sun rays bite into the edge and dispersed some of the shadow but soon it reached it's extent and the far reaches of the cave were concealed. Now that he had hidden himself from normal eyes Harry was able to lay his head down on the hard ground and rest.
The sun dawned in the sky and made it's pilgrimage from the east to the west. It reached it's crest and then began to wane till it was only a sliver in the sky. With the fading light came another orb in the sky. The moon is always jealous of the sun, she steals the suns light and claims it as her own. Then she pours it down upon her children. As she rises into the sky, so does her world. This now included a seven year old boy who stepped out of a small rock cave that was hidden by a darkness that exceeded even the falling night.
Harry had awoken with the setting sun. He tried to clean himself up the best he could with the small spring, but it was a useless effort without clean clothes to change into. He would have to remedy that, but first he was hungry. He reached out into the surrounding darkness to sense for movements. His eyes shifted to gold and he scanned the forest for movement of any kind. He would begin to hunt with his new powers, allowing to gain more control over his gifts. Just because he knew how to use them didn't mean he was fully in control of them and the more he used them the better he would become.
There, off to the left, movement caught his unnatural eyes and in a flash a shadow tendril stretched from his body and shot into the bushes by his side. A small rustle was the only thing that signified the death of the small animal that ran for cover. The shadow tendril gripped his prey and brought a small rabbit out. He laid the meal that compared to what he was used to was a feast at the entrance to his cave. He would have to find a source of fire and maybe a knife to skin his meal before he ate it.
Harry gave a big yawn and wiped the remnants of sleep from his eyes as he looked down at the small animal he had caught. A pang of remorse ripped through his heart and a tear trickled down his check as he touched it's soft fur. It hurt so much to take the creatures life, but if he didn't he wouldn't be able to live. Harry knelt by the small creature and felt his hot tears roll forth from his eyes. He apologized to the rabbit and held it closely for a second before taking it into his new home so another animal couldn't take his meal. He would want it to last so he wouldn't have to hurt anything for a while.
After exiting his cave once more Harry was surprised to see a light off in the distance. It was a fire that he could use to cook his meal and provide heat. Harry leapt into the shadows, not entering the void, but using them to move quickly through the forest. Soon he came to a small clearing where Two men and a women stood underneath the moon light. Harry pulled the shadows around him and concealed himself so that he could watch without being seen.
All three stood with what Harry could only describe as a regal air. They made no movement, no motion at all. Standing as if they were made of stone, and for a second Harry's child brain wanted to run out and touch them to see if they were really alive. But the rational side told him that it would be unwise to go out and talk to these strangers.
The men were dressed in clothes that looked like they were from medieval times. Both wore black with crimson underneath. The women was wearing a dress that looked like the ones Harry saw in story books, the ones only princesses wore. Then the women spoke to him, never wasting a motion.
"Come out child, though we can not see you we know you are there. If you force us we will make you." Harry felt compelled to come out, yet something inside him told him he didn't have to. A brief flicker of surprise played over their faces when Harry didn't come out, but they quickly suppressed it.
"Very well you leave us no choice." In a fast movement that Harry could just barely follow one of the men moved and came up beside him. He pushed him hard in the back and Harry rolled into the circle.
Instantly Harry sprang to his feet to look at the men and women who were now all facing him. He reminded himself that he was in control in the night, and he could protect himself. Mustering courage from his thoughts Harry controlled his voice and pushed his fear away before speaking.
"I'm warning you to leave me alone and go away or else." Harry stood as tall as his relatively small body would allow him to and glared at his assailants. They seemed to be quite amused and proceeded to slowly walk closer to him.
"Or else what? You have no chance at escape, you are just a child. Run if you like, we enjoy a good chase." The three figures stalked closer to Harry. Harry gave a small grin and crouched back a bit.
The three assailants watched in amazement as the shadows of the forest came alive. They rolled as if they were alive and reached towards them. Like a black cloak they fell above the tree tops and blocked the moon light in the clearing. Harry's eyes shifted to gold and the two shadow tendrils spread out of his shoulders. They coiled behind him and prepared to strike at whoever made the next move. All the while the shadows of the forest reached farther into the clearing. Harry watched as their eyes locked right onto him despite the descending darkness. If Harry had any doubt that they weren't part of the world he was searching for before, he was sure now. The beast inside the three came to the surface at the change in environment and their instincts took over. They would fight or run, it was what the beast demanded of them. The two men took off into the forest, but the woman seemed to be struggling with her beast. She tried to control it and not let it take over. If she started a fight she wouldn't be able to stop until one of them was dead. Harry noticed that she didn't want to fight, and that the use of his powers was just drawing her on. He let the forest shadows recede and lifted the curtain that blocked out the moonlight. However he wouldn't withdraw his shadow tendrils and leave himself completely open to attack. In fact he called three more tendrils from his body and allowed them to move around in a none threatening manner. All the while keeping the initial two prepared to strike out quickly if needed.
"What are you?" The women had won her internal struggle and was in complete control of herself. She did not let her guard down, and she could tell that the boy was ready to strike.
"I could ask you the same question." The girl gave Harry the creeps and her inhuman mannerisms were enough to send any normal seven year old back underneath his covers. Harry wasn't a normal seven year old, and he was pretty confident that he could defend himself if she attacked.
"I am a vampire, but that is quite obvious. The question is what are you?" Harry was a bit annoyed, he gave a sarcastic humpf before answering.
"Oh yes, it's completely obvious, I always run into vampires walking around in the forest. For your information I just got here last night." Harry stuck his tongue out at the vampire in his own attempt at getting the upper hand.
"Are you alone or is your parents near by. Awful foolish of them to just let just wander around in the forest." This hurt Harry, she may not know that he was a orphan, but it still hurt. Parents are a sacred thing to all orphans and the fact that she would call them foolish angered him. One of his tendrils rapped around a tree trunk and the wood began to splinter under the pressure. The vampire took note of this reaction for future reference.
"My parents died when I was very young, I ran away from my relatives the moment I was able to." The vampire held no compassion for the boy, she just considered him carefully.
"That still doesn't tell me what you are?" She was loosing patience with the boy and the way he was avoiding her questions. The truth is Harry wasn't really sure what he was. No fairy tale characters ever had the powers he has. No monster could reach out and craft the very darkness to it's liking, at least none that Harry knew of. Suddenly all his time with the Dursley's brought him the answer. They had been right all along and now he knew it to. If Harry knew that Vampires had the ability to read emotions then he might of tried to hide his. Right now the vampire was picking up sadness, disgust, and self loathing from the small boy. Emotions that a child had no place knowing so well, or having so much of.
"I'm a freak I guess, at least that's what I've always been told I was." The young boys confession stirred something that hadn't been in the Vampire for over many a century. She felt sorrow for the boy, and instantly decided to take the boy with her. He was to young to be taking care of himself, even if he did have some very unusual strengths. Other thoughts drifted into her mind, maybe she would be able to use the boy for his talents. He seemed so innocent, yet he could change in a instant to someone who was very dangerous. Yet she couldn't bring herself to take advantage of him.
"You look like you could use something to eat, and definitely need some clothes. Will you come with me, I give my word that while you are in my company you won't be hurt." This was what Harry was dreaming of, yet he couldn't believe it would be so easy to step into the world. Perhaps something drew him to these vampires. He was still quite sure that he could defend himself, and if worse came to worse he could escape into the void. So with one final consideration he nodded his consent and drew in his tendrils as a sign of good will.
"All right, were are we going? And what's your name?" She considered where to take the boy. She decided to take him to her packs cave, it was a distance east of here and with the boy it would probably take all night to return. She decided that she would have to carry him if she would make it back by the dawn. However, once there she would be able to consult her sire and the pack elder about the boy.
"My name is Fiona and we will travel to my cave. May I have the pleasure of having your name young man?" Harry debated on whether to give him his name or not. The people who came to take him the night before had known his name, would she turn him over to them. Was she even one of them.
"You can call me Shade." Harry was pleased with the name he gave himself. It seemed to suit him in the abstract sort of way.
"Very well young night shade, I am pleased to meet you." Fiona decided to try her best to gain the boys trust.
"Would you mind if I carried you, it isn't a very short distance to my cave and I'd like to make it there before the dawn arrives." Harry just put on a mischievous grin.
"You don't have to, I'll just follow you." The vampire wasn't sure if the boy understood how fast she could travel and was about to continue when he spoke up.
"I'm sure that however fast you can travel, I will be able to easily keep up." Fiona just laughed to herself and decided to run off and then come back and pick up the boy. She turned and ran at full speed in the direction of the cave. Stopping after several hundred yards she listened to hear the boys calls, but was surprised when Harry spoke from her side.
"Why have we stopped I do not see any cave around here?" The vampire was shocked yet she didn't show it. Instead she turned and began running in the direction of her cave, trusting that the boy would be able to follow her.
As Harry followed her by moving from shadow to shadow, not quite entering the void, he had time to think. This was the very tip of the world he was searching for, and though he didn't know much about it, he did know that he was about to step into something he could never have dreamed of.
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Thanks to those who reviewed the last chapter. I appreciated all who reviewed.
King Crimson Fan on a Mac: Thanks a lot, I appreciate the review. Hope you like the chapter.
Tima: I'll try and update this fic as much as possible. I will be getting at least three chapters a week out.
PR LUCKEN: Thanks for the review, and I'm glad you like it!
BloodRedSword: Harry and Voldie will get there chance, but right now Voldie is off in some forest inhabiting a bunny rabbit, an hoping merrily. Thanks for the Review!
Lady FoxFire: Glad you like it, and thanks for the review!
Ruskbyte: I hope it continues to show promise, and thanks for the rieview!
BlackDragon: Thank you so much for reviewing. I plan to keep writing them both and I have a good large portion already written. Not so much dark = evil, but a person can be dark without going all maniacal. But in some ways Harry will flirt with were the line goes. He is just a kid after all and he's at that age when all children develop boundaries. If he gets to evil I'll just have to give him a time out and set him on the straight and narrow once more.
THANKS ALL!!! Remember to review, and if you want me to stick you on a mailing list just ask! ((((( (((((