Nothing can scare you like the night. I have often spared people feelings by explaining that the night isn't as bad as people fear it is. But as I move through the night with my vampire vision and reflexes I see things that I shudder to think about even now. Even in a sanctuary my mind still pierces all protections. There are only two people I fear.

Lucrius Next

Ministry of magic 4:00PM 16th December

"Nothing I can say will impress you will it?" Said Dumbledore as the neared the wand preparation area

"I've seen it all before." Lucrius replied truthfully.

"Even the Wizengamot chambers?" Asked Dumbledore slightly surprised

"Yes." Lucrius replied, "Although not whilst the Wizengamot were in session. May I ask what will be required of me?"

"Of cause. You will not be asked of much at first; you should use it to learn about how the meetings work. I will try to incorporate you into the discussions so that the council will begin to understand that you are not a joke and that your opinions are valid. But this could take time, I hope you understand."

"I do and thank you." Replied Lucrius "Are there any outdoor lights in the chamber."

"No there are not."

"Very good." Lucrius flicked back his head and his hair flicked out as his hood fell down his back. And as they walked towards the giant ebony doors that were the entrance to the Wizengamot chambers Lucrius shuddered a bit. He had been inside these chambers many times but now he was going to see the council in its full glory. They reached the door and the wizard at the entrance said,

"Sir Dumbledore you may enter but Sir Next you must come with me to be given your new Wizengamot robes."

"Very well." Said Lucrius and he was shown off to a side room and down an alley. He was lead further round a spiral corridor and eventually he turned into a large lavishly decorated room.

"Sit down please." Said the guard.

"Ok." replied Lucrius. As he sat down he noticed a door open and about 5 house elves shot through the door they ran up and down the couch he was sitting on and measured him all over.

They were very skilled, he noticed this from the first time they were given orders by the head elf, but nothing impressed him as much as the creation of the robe he was to wear. It was done in about 5 minutes and when it was done it had all the qualities and practicalities of his own robe. It had a hood and long sleeves; it fell all the way to the floor and was incredibly light and movable. But instead of being black like his old robe it was a brilliant white and had golden stripes all over it. And much to his surprise it had a silver halo on it right round the hood where it would sit of his head. Lucrius slipped out of his dark robes and slid on the shinny new robe. It felt light and flexible. Lucrius wondered how he ever kept up in his old black robe, and then went to pick it up.

"Leave it!" commanded the guard; "You won't need it anymore." He explained in a slightly apologetic tone. Lucrius stood up and took a galleon out of his pocket, and tipped the guard.

"Thank you sir." The guard said very surprised.

"Its ok where do I have to go now?" Asked Lucrius completely in power now.

"You need to enter by the side door you should travel down the hall to the left. When you come to the Wizengamot crest, turn and place your palm in the centre of the symbol." Replied the guard

"Thank you."

Lucrius headed out of the door and left his hood down. He walked down the corridor and scouted all the walls for the symbol. It didn't take him long to find it although it wasn't too obvious and he almost walked past it. He thought that I could be some kind of test but he decided that it was a stupid test and the council wouldn't waste their time with it. He put his palm flat to the symbol and he was transported into a large chamber.

"A portkey?" he asked aloud, but no one was there to answer him. In front of him was a pedestal. On the pedestal was a letter, it said

"Please wait whilst the council member, who will perform your initiation, is chosen." Lucrius wondered how they would choose the council member. Suddenly he heard footsteps in close proximity to him and seeing there was nowhere to hide he drew his wand and aimed it at the sound.

He opened his mouth and bared his teeth. This gave him a formidable look and he felt safe in the knowledge that his overall appearance may completely avoid the need for combat. But still as he saw the person come into view he started to shake slightly. The person he saw was wearing all black. He had a hood over his head, which obscured his face even to Lucrius' enhanced vision. When his fingers came out of the sleeves of the robe, he was holding an ebony wand, which was jet black in colour. It was so black that it drew your eyes into it and you felt as though your body had melted away and only your soul was there to be seen. His fingers were very white, long and bony. They reminded Lucrius of a witch he had seen in a book when he was younger. The cloaked man spoke for the first time,

"I will mark you, Incensus Lecto." As the words rang out his voice was dark and evil and cut straight through the vampires body as though it was trying to rip something out of him, and from the end of the mans wand came a bright light flare. Lucrius was quick however and the flare missed him narrowly.

As Lucrius drew his wand and breathed heavily and deeply, a loud crash sounded and a tall wizard of about twenty appeared, the cloaked man masked his apparition crash in the bang of the portkey and so after the wizard looked up there was no one to see.

"Lucrius?" he said. "Now for your test." And at once he drew his wand and began to fire spells at Lucrius. After twenty minutes Lucrius appeared in the council chamber and was applauded by all the members after a few seconds his duelling partner came through.

"I conclude he has the skills needed." He said slightly out of breath, "Let us continue with business.