Chapter 7
She came to a stop in a dark corridor on the fourth floor. It was the same exact corridor she'd been attacked in. She pulled her wand out of her pocket and held it in front of her and then resumed walking. Her steps were very slow and guarded; she tried her best not to make any noise.
Suddenly, she heard a rustling behind her. She whirled around and strained her eyes to see in the darkness. There were six figures standing in the hallway behind her, none of which she could clearly see. "Who's there?" she said, her voice coming out perfectly calm and steady. The figures began walking toward her. She was now growing a bit tense. "Lumos!" she cried. A thin strip of light issued out from the end of her wand.
The people surrounding her cowered backwards slightly. They were definitely vampires. Their skin was pearly white and their eyes glowed with a great intensity. "Don't come any closer," she said, her voice still coming out surprisingly calm. None of them moved; they simply stared at her with those entrancing eyes. "Why are you here?" she asked.
A male vampire stepped forward and said in his silky voice, "We're here to claim something."
Krista pointed the light at him now and asked, "What is that?"
After shrinking away from the light, he answered, "You."
Krista's mind reeled. Why on earth were they after her? She'd destroyed several clans of vampires before but none had yet to come after her. "Why are you after me?" she asked next.
"We are to make you one of us and you are to follow us back to our leader," a female said from the other side of the hallway.
Krista was outraged. "Well I'm sorry to disappoint you but I can't let you do that."
Smirks spread across the vampires' faces. "Don't make us take you by force," the male vampire said.
Krista looked at them indignantly. "I don't think you know who I am," she said.
"We know very much about you," he replied in that silky voice.
"Well then you'll know I've wiped out many of your kind before," she quickly answered.
The confident looks on their faces faded slightly. She now wore the smirk.
"Is that a threat?" the female vampire asked.
"You bet," Krista answered.
"Forget the orders, let's kill her," a female vampire that was standing behind the male hissed. They bared their fangs and began moving towards her.
"Incendio!" Krista cried. A ball of flame shot from the end of her wand and hit the female vampire in front. The vampire began flailing its arms and let out a horrifying shriek. The other vampires watched in horror as their companion burned away and turned to ashes. This made them even angrier. They charged at her, fangs bared.
Their speed was incredible. Krista had found it hard before to keep up with them and it was just as hard now. Two were coming at her from the front and the other three had spread out behind her. She ducked out of the way and the vampires nearly collided with each other. She sent another ball of flame and another vampire withered away. The four vampires that were left charged at her. She was backed into a corner and had no way to escape. The male vampire that had spoken seized her. Her wand fell to the floor and out of reach. He grabbed her head and twisted it painfully so that her neck was facing him. "I almost finished you off last time. This time I can complete my work."
He bared his fangs and drew closer and closer to her neck. "Stop!" a voice said from the end of the corridor. The vampire backed away from her immediately and looked fearfully towards the voice. "What were your orders, Arius?" the voice asked firmly. Krista recognized something about that voice.
"To bring her to you," Arius replied in a timid voice.
"Alive," the voice said angrily. She watched as their leader walked toward them. The leader walked past a window and into the pale moonlight. What Krista saw shocked her beyond belief.
"Mother?" she asked, astonished.
"Yes," her mother said with a short smile. Krista couldn't believe her eyes. Her mother was a vampire? "That's twice you've disobeyed orders," her mother snapped at the now cowering Arius.
"She resisted, Isabella, I had to do something," he whimpered.
Her mother seized him by the neck and threw him against the wall. "You will be punished for this," she said coldly to Arius who was looking at her resentfully from the ground. "All of you as well. Now get out of here," she cried angrily. The vampires shot Krista dirty looks and then disappeared into the darkness of the corridor. "I'm terribly sorry about that," her mother said.
Krista, still in shock, finally managed to say, "I thought you were dead."
Her mother smirked and said, "Well, in a manner of speaking."
Krista frowned and asked, "Why did you betray father?"
Her mother's face grew serious again and she said, "I never betrayed your father."
Looking doubtful, Krista asked, "Well then why weren't you with him when he was captured?"
Her mother said, with a hurt look on her face, "Can't you see what I am?"
Still looking doubtful, Krista said, "That doesn't explain why you weren't there."
Her mother sighed and began. "A few nights before your father was captured I was cornered by a clan of vampires. They bargained with me that they would keep me alive if I agreed to become one of them and joined their clan. Having little choice, I did. I returned to your father the following night and told him what had happened. He was outraged. He couldn't believe that I'd done such a thing. He said I'd failed in the mission of serving our Lord. He then told me to leave and to never come back."
Krista's expression eased a little bit. All this time she'd thought her mother had abandoned her father while it was exactly the other way around. "I returned to the clan, having no where else to go. The next night I heard that your father had been caught. I was of course shocked greatly. It was frightening to think that I could have been caught as well. I wanted to save him but I knew there was no way. I remained with the clan for several years. All the while, I longed to escape. Finally, one night while the other vampires were away, I ran away from our den. I wandered for some time, enjoying freedom. After I'd been on my own for nearly a year, I started to grow lonely. I then started my own clan. Another couple of years passed and I soon realized even the company of these other vampires didn't suit me fully. Ever since then, I've been trying to find you."
Krista was rubbing her temples in circles trying to take it all in. "Why were you trying to find me? I was pretty sure both you and father were thoroughly upset with me."
The intensity in her mother's eyes had lessened slightly. She said, "I was weak without your father. I had no choice but to follow him blindly. I've always cared about you. To tell the truth, I was quite proud when you stood up to us and became such a great witch."
"You didn't have to live in his shadow," Krista retorted stubbornly. She paused a moment before adding, "He's dead now you know. He died near the end of October."
Her mother's expressions ranged from shock to anger. She bit her lip and replied, "Well, I suppose I should have suspected that. After all, he'd been in Azkaban all these years and no one lasts long in there."
Krista crossed her arms and turned away from her mother. She didn't care that her father had abandoned her mother; she could still be a bit more caring. Then again, she was a vampire; vampires didn't care very much for human lives. They lose all their humanity, or at least most do.
Her mother sighed and walked to stand behind her. Placing a long, spindly hand on her shoulder, she said, "I know that I can never truly make up for all the time we've lost, but that's why I want you to come with me now. At least if we're together, I can try to set things right."
Krista shook her head and said, "I don't want to be like you. I'm not a supporter of the Dark Lord."
Her mother smiled and said, "Ever since I've been turned vampire, things like that don't matter to me anymore. We live a life apart from the wizarding world."
Krista was still shaking her head. "Do you realize what you're asking me? If you truly cared for me, you'd want me to stay human!"
Her mother looked hurt. "I can't change what I am. Do you realize that I will live forever? I can't go on for an eternity knowing that I've let down my whole family." Krista still looked disbelieving. "I will stop at no means to have you with me," her mother said. "Even if it means I have to kill off a few more people at this school." Krista looked at her alarmed. "I'm asking you to please reconsider," her mother said coolly.
Krista thought deeply of the circumstances at hand. Either way she went the conditions seemed terrible. If she were to go along with her mother she would live an unnaturally long life. She would outlive everyone she ever knew in the human race. To her it seemed a most depressing situation. Yet, if she refused her mother's proposition, every life in this school was in danger. She thought of all the students, the faculty, Severus. She couldn't live with letting everyone die. She could always try to fight them off but taking on a whole clan of vampires would end in bloodshed no doubt.
It seemed that she had no other choice than to go along with her mother. She felt her very soul sink inside her. She would have to leave the school; she would be a danger to everyone. By doing this she may never see Severus again. Her heart ached at the very thought. She cared for him greatly; she didn't want to leave him. Yet, as a vampire, she could make amends with her mother. How she'd longed for happy relations with her parents. It was too late to make up with her father; it would seem a shame to go on hating her mother forever as well.
Krista closed her eyes and said, "If I agree to be converted will you never bother this school again?"
Her mother, excited, said, "You have my word."
Krista opened her eyes again and looked to the floor. "If I am to join you, a few demands will have to be met," she said.
"Name them," her mother replied.
"I am a teacher at this school. Term doesn't end till late June. If I am to come with you, you must wait until then. Also, there will be no more interruptions by you or any of your followers, understand?"
Her mother simply nodded and said, "Very well." They exchanged glances for a moment then her mother added, "I have one condition of my own. I will convert you tonight. That way, you can not back out of our deal."
Krista looked at her, outraged. "How am I to go on in the daylight if I am vampire?" she asked.
"There is a potion that enables vampires to live by daylight. I trust your potions master friend can help you with this." Krista gave her a sharp glance. Her mother had a big smile on her face. She supposed somehow she'd seen them together.
"Agreed," she said.
"Shall I then?" her mother asked. Krista grit her teeth and nodded. Her mother drew in closer to her and gently turned her neck towards her mouth. "It will only hurt for a moment." She said. Krista closed her eyes and she felt the sharp piercing pain in her neck. Again, she felt the strange sensation as if she were being sucked dry. She felt herself becoming weaker and weaker until finally her legs gave in. Both she and her mother slid to the floor. Finally, her mother released her throat. She took a sharp instrument and slit her own wrist. "Drink," she said. Very weak now, Krista grabbed hold of her mother's wrist and pulled it to her mouth.
She drank the blood quickly, seeming to have an unending thirst. Even the horrible taste didn't prevent her from satisfying her thirst. "That's enough," her mother said after a while, looking a bit weak now herself. The slit in her wrist closed itself back up. Feeling slightly stronger now, Krista tried to stand up. She was met immediately by a gripping pain. She fell to the floor again and began to moan. "You're dying now. It is only your human death, not to worry," her mother said calmly, watching her.
The endless pain coursed through her body for quite some time until it suddenly stopped. Everything seemed to stop. Her eyes closed and she went into a sleep like state. Her mother watched as moments later, her eyes popped open again. The transformation was now complete. "How do you feel?" her mother asked.
"Not very good," Krista said resentfully.
"Now, now, no need to be ill tempered," her mother said. Krista looked at her like she was a complete idiot. Her mother straightened up suddenly. "Someone is coming," she said. "I must go now. I will see you at the end of June." She came closer to her and touched her cheek, smiling. "I'm glad you're coming with me," she said. Krista couldn't find the ability to smile back; she simply glared. Her mother then turned away and disappeared into shadow.
A few moments later, Dumbledore and a company of teachers rushed into the hallway. McGonagall was standing beside Dumbledore with a look of sheer wonder, Madame Pomfrey was on Dumbledore's other side looking at Krista scornfully, and Severus was standing slightly behind them all, those searching black eyes on her. She immediately looked away from him, feeling ashamed. "What is going on up here Professor Trebaxus? We heard noises," Dumbledore said. Krista opened her mouth to say something but nothing came out. Dumbledore moved closer to her. The moment he caught sight of her eyes, he knew what had happened. His face grew grave.
"Professors and Madame Pomfrey, you may go back to your quarters. Everything is fine here." They all looked at him confused. He turned to them and gave a nod and finally they began to walk away. Severus tried to catch her eye again but she continued to stare at the floor. She knew that when people were turned vampires their eyes became tense and almost frightening; that's why Dumbledore had picked up on it straight away. She wanted to hold this terrible news from Severus for as long as possible.
After they finally left, Dumbledore turned to her again and said, "Let's go to my office, Professor Trebaxus." Krista simply nodded and she followed Dumbledore as he strode away. They climbed several staircases and went through many corridors before finally coming to the statue that led to Dumbledore's office. "Lemon drop," he said quietly. The statue stood up and walked out of the way, accessing to them the staircase. They climbed up the staircase and then entered through his office door.
He walked over to his desk and sat down. "Please sit," he said to her, motioning to the chair in front of his desk. She walked over and sat down. She realized that this was the same position she had been in when she'd started the job. Now it looked as if it was where she would end the job.
A moment of silence passed between them before finally, Dumbledore said in his usual serene voice, "I would like for you to give me a full account of what went on if it is possible, Krista." She then told him everything that had happened that night. She explained every detail her mother had told her and she told him of the plan her mother had devised. When she was finished, Dumbledore steepled his fingers and leaned forward. "If you don't mind me saying so, Krista, that was a very selfish thing your mother did." Krista said nothing but nodded in agreement. "She has altered your life forever all for her liking."
Krista nodded again and said, "As per our agreement I'm to join her at the end of this term."
Dumbledore nodded solemnly and said, "There is no need to worry about that now. That time is far into the future." He paused for a moment and added, "What you did was very brave," he said, smiling. Krista managed a weak smile in return. Becoming business like again, he said, "Certain arrangements must be made for your new means."
Krista said, "My mother spoke of a potion that would make me invulnerable to sunlight."
Dumbledore shook his head and said, "Yes, I'm familiar with that potion. I will talk to Severus tonight and have him prepare it for you." Krista's heart sank. She didn't want him to talk to Severus about anything. She wished this were all a bad dream and that she would wake up in the infirmary, human again. Dumbledore looked at his wristwatch. "The morning is approaching quickly. You will have to sleep through this coming day. We'll have sleeping arrangements prepared for you," he said.
He stood up and she stood as well. "You should collect your things from the infirmary. By the time you get to your quarters, things should be set up for you," Dumbledore said, his pale blue eyes twinkling.
Krista gave him another weak smile and turned to leave. Before she got to the door, she turned around and said, "Thank you sir."
Dumbledore smiled warmly. "You're very welcome, Professor Trebaxus."
Once she'd visited the infirmary and collected the rest of her belongings, she proceeded into the dungeons and into her classroom. It was the first time she'd been inside her own classroom in several weeks. She dropped her things beside the door and walked over to her desk. All the work the students had done since she'd been away was piled in neat stacks. She saw that the other teachers had been keeping them busy. At least when she started teaching again they wouldn't be too far behind.
She moved on into her lodgings to find what Dumbledore had meant by "setting things up". On the floor beside her bed lay a wooden coffin. Krista looked at the box with great distaste. It was the last place she'd ever dreamt of sleeping. It didn't unsettle her so much; she'd seen many before. The thing that bothered her was the reality of the situation. Never again would she sleep the same.
She moved past the coffin and over to the mirror. Even though she knew her appearance must have changed it still startled her. Her long, brown hair seemed more silky and rich. Her already pale skin had become a smooth pearly color. She bared her teeth to reveal those classic pointed canines. The most obvious change though was her eyes. The dark brown orbs had a startling effect. They seemed wild and intense. She walked away from the mirror, pulling herself away from the strange reflection.
This is what she would be forever. That one thought went through her mind over and over. She looked at the candle on her bedside table. Fire was one sure way to kill a vampire. She could put an end to her own life and save herself from an eternity of suffering. But no; she could put the school back into danger if she and her mother's agreement backfired.
She thought of the sun. Natural light was another way to kill a vampire. She was not yet fully vampire. This would be her last chance to experience the sunrise. She looked at the clock on her wall. It was nearing dawn. Feeling a sudden urge to be out in the daylight, she walked out of her dungeon quarters and into the school. She reached the entry hall and pushed open the giant doors.
On the horizon peeked the beautiful sun, painting the sky shades of orange and pink. She sat down on the cold, stone steps and waited for the sun to rise. She sat perfectly still, watching it slowly climb. Finally, the gorgeous sphere was in full view. The birds were singing and the sky was clear; it was a beautiful morning. It was at that moment a tear rolled down Krista's cheek. It was the last time she ever cried.