A.N.: Sorry I haven't been around in a while, but everything in my life has been rather hectic since about Christmas, we had a family crisis from then until two weeks ago. I've also suffered from a writer's block the size of Texas. Good thing there are such things as shrinking charms, huh? I know I said no one would get mentioned in this chapter as there were no references in the lost one, but Holy Sasami pointed a rather obvious mistake on my part. I'm assuming no one else saw it and we'll just pretend it never happened. It was just a minor detail so it won't affect the plot in any way.
Now move along, there's nothing to see here…the story continues down below ^_^
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"Now, class, as you know, vampires frequent both the wizarding world and Muggle world. While they are easily noted by wizards, they tend to blend in with Muggles. It usually takes a rather heinous vampire to gain some form of notice by Muggles. One such vampire, called Barlow, nearly wiped out the Muggle town of Jerusalem's Lot in the early 1970's…"
Harry tuned out professor Binns's voice as he sat in what was considered the most boring class at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, History of Magic. Normally, Harry showed a little more respect towards his teachers and at least feigned interest, but professor Binns, the only ghost to teach a class, rarely remembered any student's name, much less if they were paying attention in class.
The sound of a quill scratching parchment to his left caught Harry's attention. Ron was sitting there and Harry was surprised that his friend, who usually slept through this class, would even listen, much less take notes. Upon further inspection the "notes" proved to be Quidditch plays. Ever since he had made the team a few weeks as the new Keeper Ron had practically appointed himself the team's strategist. He also saw Ron casting what he thought were furtive glances at Hermione, who was on Harry's right.
They were, yet again, in the middle of another quarrel, or as Ginny had succinctly put it at breakfast, a lover's tiff. This observation, of course, had been timed so that Harry had nearly sprayed orange juice across Neville's face, who had been sitting across from him. He had then had to choke back his laughter and explain to him and Ron that he really was okay and hadn't choked on something.
Hermione hadn't noticed this at breakfast, but it did appear that she had noticed Ron's "clandestine" looks. Every time he looked away she would pause in her note taking, smile faintly, and then resume her note taking. Harry rolled his eyes at their antics and thanked whatever powers there were that he and Ginny didn't act like that.
What a minute…since when do I equate myself and Ginny to Ron and Hermione? Harry was snapped out of his inner monologue by the end of class and Professor Binns giving out the homework for the weekend.
"Please write an essay on vampires and how they have influenced Muggle culture over the past century. Please note this will be material that may appear on your O.W.L.s." With that the door opened and young witches and wizards were released into the hallways of Hogwarts.
The Trio walked to Gryffindor Tower, ready to relax as they had a free period for now. Hermione gave the password ("Phoenix Song.") and let them into the tower. Ron immediately went to his chessboard by the fireplace and Hermione went to one of the sporadically placed squashy armchairs, perfect for reading. Harry rolled his eyes at his friends before putting down his bags and heading back to the exit.
Hermione saw this and asked him where he was going.
"I'll see you tow later, I'm going up to the olwery, I've been meaning to send a letter to Sirius." He held up a rolled up parchment as proof.
"Just don't be too long, we have Potions in half an hour."
"Yes, mum, I'll be sure to be home in time." With that Harry ducked out of the portrait hole, only to hear the muffled thump of a book against the Fat Lady's portrait and Ron's snickering.
As soon as he was sure he was alone, Harry pulled out the rolled up piece of parchment, pointed his wand at it, and muttered, "I solemnly swear I'm up to no good." With that incantation spidery lines stretched across the Marauder's Map, creating a perfect map of Hogwarts. With that Harry set sneaked out of the castle, via several secret passages, and made his way to the far side of the lake. After another glance at the map to make sure no one was around he deactivated it and put it back in his pocket.
Harry walked over to one of the rocks lining the shore of the lake and pulled a tree branch out of the ground. Holding it parallel to the ground in both hands he closed his eyes and focused on it. There was a brief flash of red light and a pulse of magic in his hands. When he opened his eyes he was holding his mage staff, the Ruby still glowing slightly. Harry then slipped into his practice katas and, working them to incorporate the staff, proceeded to train for the next hour.
Harry was just preparing to put the hiding charms back on his staff when he heard a voice speak up behind him. "That's a nice staff you have there, Potter."
Harry whirled, pointing the head of the staff at the speaker. When he saw who it was he lowered his staff, but not his guard. "Malfoy, how did you find me here?"
Draco Malfoy smirked, "Just because one doesn't follow someone doesn't mean one can't observe them from other angles."
"That sounds rather Slytherin."
"It is, and it's a lesson you should take heed of. I know it, Professor Snape knows it, and so does Voldemort." Without ever seeming to take his attention off of Harry, Draco surreptitiously drew his wand and pointed it at the edge of the Forbidden Forrest. With a yell He fired off a stunning curse and was rewarded with two yells. "Apparently, they know it too."
Harry turned and saw Fred and George Weasley tumble out of the foliage. "What are you two doing here!?"
"Well, we saw that spiffy…"
"Stick of yours on your birthday and…"
"We just had to know what it was."
"Why didn't you just ask me?"
Fred swatted George's head. "I told you we could just ask him, but you wanted to sneak around, said it was proper Weasley fashion. Twit." George just grinned sheepishly and rubbed the back of his head. He then turned to Harry.
"So Harry, what is that big stick of yours?"
Harry grinned at the twins. "You want to know what it is?"
They nodded.
"Do you really want to know what it is?"
They nodded faster. Draco imagined he could hear a rattling sound coming from their head.
"Do you really, really want to know what it is?"
"For the love of Dumbledore's socks Harry tell us!" Fred pleaded.
"It's…" A twinkle appeared in Harry's eyes that was rather similar to Dumbledore's, "a secret." He took a moment to enjoy the twins dumbstruck expressions. "Well, we best be off Malfoy, we don't want to be late Potions." With that Harry replaced the wards on his staff and put it back by the rock, and then added a Misdirection Charm as well, so only he could find the specific spot.
"Actually, Potter, I wanted to talk to you about something." He rubbed absently at his glove-covered hands.
Harry glanced at Draco out of the corner of his eye. "Okay, Malfoy. How about at the rock tomorrow morning around 7 'O Clock?"
"Okay, Potter, I'll be there."
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A.N.: Well, another chapter done. There's only one reference in this chapter, and it's to a book written by the "King" of horror stories. Good hunting!
