Phew. Chapter Eight. I can't believe this has got so far. Summer holidays soon, so I should get about four or five chapters done through that.

I got e-mail from someone pointing out that my grammar was "not that of someone with a triple digit IQ". The reason for this is that I write the way I speak, and if you don't like it, 'monkey_poo', you don't have to read it.

I have a rather interesting story. Not for the squeamish or people who are afraid of corpses.

My uncle is a pathologist, which is what I want to be, and I was in the morgue talking to him when two people began preparing a cadaver for autopsy. The body groaned and it's mouth opened. I nearly shat myself. My uncle, the bastard, laughed his head off and said it happened all the time. But he's all right really. When my dog died he dissected it and gave me one of its eyes. I have it in a jar on my shelf.  Cackle.

The Slytherin Common Room was a hive of vain activity. Much the same atmosphere as the night the champions arrived, but slightly drenched in make up and body glitter. One flaw the muggle and wizard world shared was the weakness of make up. Doesn't matter if it's made of fish scales or whale tongues, as long as it looks good.

Pansy Parkinson was going to town, of course, and had already peeled off several layers of cheap makeup in an effort to look halfway presentable. Daniel had returned from the shower, and was re-reading the note Sirius had wrote her in the privacy of her four-poster. Slipping the note carefully into her bedside table, she retrieved the dress from her wardrobe. Looking at it disdainfully,

Pansy Parkinson slapped on another inch of makeup.

Putting it on, Daniel glanced at her reflection. Not too bad.

Combing her shoulder length hair into a respectable state of tidiness, she flicked her wand at it and it curled itself up into a neat plait at the back of her head.

Walking into the Common Room, she looked around for Draco. Failing to spot the unmistakable blond head of her partner, she sat down and waited. Blaise sat down beside her.

"Are you nervous?" he asked, moving over to let his partner sit down.

"Why would I be nervous?" she replied, fiddling with the ring Severus had given her.

"Having to dance in front of the whole school. And some foreigners."  Said Blaise's partner, a third year she didn't know very well. Draco interrupted her answer by sitting sharply beside her.

"Snape'll be here soon." He said shortly, before looking earnestly around the room. He was wearing jet-black dress robes with a collar that touched the line of his jaw. He glanced at her dress. "That's nice." Draco stated unnecessarily. He was wearing a thick silver ring with a crest on it.

Sure enough, the door to the Common Room opened slowly and the Slytherin Head stepped inside. He was wearing his dress robes, and had shaved and showered. He ushered out all of the couples, and Draco skittered his way to the front of the line. Joining him, Daniel realized what she was actually doing. She was going to have to dance with Draco Malfoy in front of the whole school. She would be expected to dance with Draco Malfoy all night. She knew Severus would never let her hear the end of it. Severus grinned at her as he led them up to the Hall. They had to wait for a while in the Entrance Hall, while last minute adjustments to the Hall were being carried out. She saw Harry, standing with his partner, and Ron, standing with someone who looked remarkably the same. Ron was fuming. He was staring at Hermione, who was holding onto Krum. Hermione looked completely different. Her hair was sleek and shiny, and fixed into some sort of bun. Harry nodded at them and smiled. It was really obvious Ron was jealous. Professor Dumbledore was talking to Severus and Alexander, who had managed to show up after all. Alexander was trying to put his arm around Severus, who was trying his best not to let him. Alexander giggled at one of Dumbledore's jokes, and said something to Severus with a horny look on his face. They had a brief discussion, and walked subtly outside. The doors to the hall swung open. Professor Mc Gonagall arranged the champions and their partners into a line, with Fleur and her partner at the front.

They strode regally into the hall, with excited clapping and whistling. Draco slipped a hand onto her hip.

 Inclining an eyebrow, she began waltzing slowly.

The musicians for the evening were being enthusiastically welcomed by Hogwarts, and the full attention of everyone in the hall was focused on the champions. Draco was leading, naturally, and seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself. Harry looked as though he was going to have a heart attack. She glimpsed several faces in the crowd she recognized. Severus and Alexander had reemerged. Alexander waved at her, and Severus mouthed "get his hand off your ass" at her. Slowly, other couples began to dance as well, shifting the focus off the champions. When there were enough people dancing, the champions went and sat down. Daniel joined Severus and Alexander at a table.

"Aren't you two dancing?" she asked them, pouring herself a butterbeer.

"No." said Alexander sulkily.

"I am not dancing in front of the entire school." Snape said angrily. He took a drink of his drink and said softly "We can, however, retire early tonight." Looking at Alexander suggestively, he set his drink on the table. Alexander leapt out of his chair and made his way to the doors. A few seconds later, Snape followed suit.

Daniel glanced around for Draco, who was being 'entertained' by a plethora of jokes from a Durmstrang boy who quite probably knew of Draco's father. Standing up slowly, she glanced around and made her way outside.

It was a beautiful night. Except from several smoldering rose bushes which Severus probably had something to do with.

Making her way down to the lakeside, she sat among the roots of a huge oak tree. Staring at the lake, the glittering of the water almost hypnotic. Her stomach growled. For reasons unbeknownst to her, the rage that often accompanied starvation like this wasn't there. Dumbledore had promised to get her more food. He was taking his bloody time about it though. He was busy though, with the Competition and everything. She leaned her head against the trunk of the old tree.

An arm slipped around her. Snapping her head around sharply, she was about to say something but a kiss shut her up.

It was Sirius.

"What the hell are you doing here!?" she hissed, instantly wishing she hadn't said anything. He smiled. He was wearing a top hat.

"I just thought I'd see how you were doing." A wide grin cracked open on his face. "How'd the dancing go?"

Looking around hastily, she stared back at him. "I felt like an idiot."

"How could you feel like an idiot? You're the best looking lady in the entire school." He frowned. "Except for Severus, of course."

"Oh leave him alone. Alexander's here. It's nice to see him happy."

"I know Alexander's here." His face dropped dramatically. "I nearly tripped over them in the bushes." He moved closer to her.

"Was not pleasant." He stated unnecessarily, resting his head on her shoulder. They sat for a while, staring at the uneven sparkly water in front of them. She turned to say something, but he kissed her again. He had a tendency to do that. Not that she was complaining, of course, as his hand slipped around her waist and pulled her closer still. He made a growly noise deep in his throat, and he slowly lowered Daniel to the ground until they were horizontal. He rested half his weight on her, and she wrapped an arm tightly round his thin chest. Sirius got the feeling she felt a bit guilty about doing this when she was, technically, on a date with Draco. Skilled hands made her forget.

Draco himself was wandering around the Great Hall scouting for Daniel. He was stopping now and again to mingle and establish himself in the crowd, something he had learned from years of parties at Malfoy Manor. He had, however, never lost a date before.

After meandering around the Hall for what seemed like ages, he decided to check outside. Walking quietly along the worn path through the bushes decorated with fairies and evanescent snow, he gave up and walked toward the lake. He loved the lake. It was his favorite thing about Hogwarts. The way it looked at night under the moon. Like ink. He knew the Second Task involved the lake somehow. Having Lucius Malfoy as your father had certain advantages. He heard a noise from the left of him. Turning around, he caught sight of what he knew was an amorous couple getting away from the thick of things. Lucky bastards, he thought. Turning to go back to the Great Hall, he heard a breathless voice moan out 'Daniel..' He spun around. Trying to control himself, he sneaked up to the tree and hid on the opposite side of the couple. He peeked around the trunk. It was definitely Daniel. He had no idea who the guy was, though. He was on top of her, and she had her legs wrapped around his hips. They were kissing wildly, and a hand on the back of his head was wearing the garnet ring. It flashed at him in moonlight, daring Draco to say something. He felt an unbearable pang of jealousy that it wasn't him. He considered going back to the castle. And he considered castrating the man with his hands all over his date.

He was about to turn away when Daniel opened her eyes.

"Draco!" she shrieked.

"What?!" the guy exclaimed, slightly confused.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Daniel shouted, disentangling herself from the stray garments of clothing and trying to cover herself up.

The guy quickly arranged his robes in a more decent fashion and turned away from Draco.

Daniel stood up. Staring at Draco's face, she couldn't seem to find the words to say to him.

"What are you doing here?" she repeated in a calmer voice, her face still flushed.

"Nice to see you're enjoying my company." he choked, his eyes suddenly shimmering.

"Draco, I…" she stopped there. Nothing she could say would make him feel better. "If you thought that tonight would be anything more than a dance you're sadly mistaken." She snarled.

 Oh crap.

The night's activities had burned energy she didn't have.

Well and truly hungry now.

His chin wobbled. Draco was a Malfoy. Therefore, he was used to getting what he wanted. When an unattainable prize presented itself, he naturally wanted it even more.

"Oh my God Draco watch out!" she shouted, staring in abject fear at something behind him. Twirling round, he looked for the danger. Daniel thocked him on the back of the head. Catching his limp body before he hit the ground, she turned him around and stood him up. His head lolled back helplessly. He murmured softly about something. Daniel looked around for Sirius. He was gone. At least Draco hadn't seen him. Ripping away the high collar on Malfoy's dress robes, she turned his head to one side and sunk her teeth deep into his alabaster skin. The hot liquid flooding into her mouth sent her into a state of giddiness. Swallowing hurriedly, she stopped just short of killing him. The cut on his neck healed quickly after a short charm from her wand.

He'd be a bit drowsy and feel a bit weak but he'd get over it.

Nothing like a nice fresh meal post-coitus.

Ta Da!!!!  I can't honestly remember what chapter this is, after the bother I had with the last three. Which I hoped you enjoyed.

So. Daniel's a vampire. You did figure that out, right?

Not really much of a shock if you add up all the clues. There weren't that many clues, but all the same, I hoped you enjoyed this. Bit short.

I'm hyper, by the way. I discovered the joy of Mc Vities Cookies. Tsk tsk. Too much sugar…not enough insulin…

Xanadan