Author's Note: I dedicate this chapter to Babbitt who quite honestly kept me chained to her computer until it was finished. With apologies to my readers, I regret to announce that some gems where left out of this chapter (including a war of rubber ducks, and Snape going totally ghetto by proclaiming to Count Dracula "Fuck no biatch.") Again, I'm sorry you couldn't read that draft but I hope you enjoy.

Chapter Four: The Prince

"Think I can make it look like an accident?" Severus Snape asked as Eoin passed. The Kaga stopped and looked at him curiously, then turned and studied Dracula, clearly lending serious thought to the prospect. Smiling thinly, Snape pressed the issue, "Come on, one stake through the heart. We'll burn the body and claim the Aurors did it."

"Someone might see us." This was not a rebuke, simply a statement and if anything it was a warning that if Eoin and Severus were to undertake such a venture, they'd best be careful. "And there are rumors that Dracula can not be killed by conventional means. What if that's true? He could go to Voldemort and then where would be?"

"Are you scared, Eoin?"

"I'm being cautious."

"You mean chicken."

"Must you be so arrogant?"

"No, but it does make things interesting, doesn't it?"

"Foolish humans."

"Uptight Kaga."

"Stop it."

"You stop it."

"Behave."
"I am behaving. You're the one carrying on like a four year old." Snape chided, as he pulled on his long coat and smirked at Eoin. He ignored the Kaga's glare and turned to walk towards the balcony, where the Count was waiting for them. There was a beautiful woman in Dracula's arms, face turned upwards: eyes closed and lips slightly parted as she inhaled. The Count's face was hidden from view, and his delicate gloved hands poised around her waist and on the tip of her chin to keep her steady while he fed.

There was a terrible beauty about the scene, a peace and grace that belied the fact a woman was slowly losing herself and her life to this dark creature and Snape and Eoin were doing nothing to stop it.

"You know we'll have to face her, don't you?" Eoin said suddenly. "If it is her that Hecate has sent..."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Snape said simply, never turning away from the scene before him. He stopped just shy of the exit, and placed a hand over the door handle. He could see the whisper of his reflection in the glass doors, and he studied it for a second before turning the attention to Dracula and the woman.

"She'll come." Eoin continued, ignoring the interruption. "And keep coming till the mission is completed or she is dead. Do you really think you can avoid this?"

The woman had made a sound, a jerk of instinct as she tried to pull away from him. Dracula's guise of chivalry and charm fell away now, as the arm around her waist tightened and the caress of her chin turned into a choke.

"No." Snape allowed.

"Then do you have a plan?"

"She's dead to me, remember?" Snape half-turned, catching the vague image of Eoin out of the corner of his eye. Although he could not see Eoin, he could picture his face in his mind's eyes. That damn calm face, and cold, curious gray eyes that seemed to view everything for the first time and with a type of understanding that no human could glimpse. "Or have you forgotten?"

Eoin took a step back, and that would be all he would allow Severus. The Kaga was a fearsome creature and his hatred for Snape was legendary. To allow Snape even the smallest victory (verbal or otherwise) would be a deadly crime in Eoin's eyes. Snape had been a blessed man, an Auror, and he betrayed his squad for personal gain. There was no greater sin. Eoin could never acknowledge Snape's life now as a suitable replacement for the life he had forfeited. Not when Snape's sins had destroyed a kingdom.

And Eoin's had only destroyed his soul. If he had one.

Snape mentally prepared himself for the upcoming battle but never turned. The woman had begun to panic now, desperately trying to wrench free from Dracula. The Count's cape began to billow in the wind, adding a sense of theatrics to the whole scene. Snape narrowed his eyes and felt his hand grip around the handle. All he had to do was push open the door to startle the Count and free the girl.

All he had to do was move and the girl's life would be saved.

"After all," He continued, as the scene progressed slowly as if in a book. "Isn't it you that said she was dead? A tragic victim of this senseless war. It's a shame really; she was in prime of her life. A true, honest soldier. A good little Nazi who loved her God, country and comrades."

"How dare you make little her suffering! She did her duty! You hid from yours!"

"What of my suffering?" Snape demanded. The woman's lips had formed a silent scream that pounded in his head and wafted through the night air, begging for salvation that would never come. "What of my pain? Do you think that for a moment my sins do not haunt me? So she suffered, so what? She is still alive and as long as there is life in her, there is duty. That's all she cared about. I am human, Eoin, I'm not some mindless creature as you are. I loved my cause and it was stolen from me. I have a kingdom purchased with my conscience, with the blood of my loved ones. Do you know for a moment what that feels like? Do you know for a moment what dreams that brings…"

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity the woman's frail body surrendered into slumber. Her eyes closed and head lolled forward, slumping in Dracula's arms like a rag doll. The Count raised his head and exhaled, his breath becoming visible in the cold air, and the exhale became a delighted, fulfilled laugh as he released the body and stepped back from it as one would avoid a patch of mud that would ruin their shoes.

"Alas, poor soul." Eoin whispered as Dracula met Severus' eyes and walked towards the door. "May your kingdom comfort it's broken Prince."

Snape pushed away from the door and spun to confront Eoin at the same time Dracula entered. He had meant to counter the Kaga, to seize the brash creature and teach him something of pain but stopped short as he felt Dracula's hand brush his shoulder. Eoin had bowed deeply as the Vampire entered and rose as if nothing had progressed.

"They are awaiting us at the Looking Glass, my liege." Eoin told Dracula. "Imre and my Lord will appear shortly."

Eoin had walked into the bar first, scanning the crowd and sidestepping to allow the Prince and the Count to enter. As Snape entered, Eoin had reached over and touched it slightly, in a second and motioned with his eyes towards the table hidden in the corner: where Erised and a man had been sitting, watching them enter. Snape remembered cursing slightly under his breath as Dracula appeared, and muttered to Eoin some brief warning.

"Go back to the Castle." He whispered. "Tell Imre to keep the Dark Lord there until I return."

"Do you think there will be trouble?"

The answer came in the form of a sharp whistle as the man released a volley of silver arrows towards them. Someone screamed. Someone always screamed. Silas had jumped to his feet first, throwing down the Muggle and shouting to Lucius to take Narcissa to safety. The Valkyries flew to their feet moments afterwards, as the Death Eaters jumped forward against the two. Erised cursed as she upturned the table, grabbed the man by his collar and pulled him down. Dracula threw back his cape, and spun away from the arrows and jumped towards the wall.

No, correction, he jumped unto the wall. His body turned like a cat, as Dracula stepped unto ceiling and proceeded to walk upside down towards the duo.

"Oh that's a cool trick." Snape mused.

"He can walk upside down!" He heard Erised exclaim. It was not anger in her voice, just annoyance with her over zealous friend. "Why the hell didn't you say he could walk upside down!"

"You never asked!"

"That's not all I can do." Dracula purred, jumping down in front of Erised.

Snape rose, and aimed his wand at the vampire. Eoin grabbed his wrist and pushed it away before favoring him with a knowing look.

"Fangs is on our side, sir."

"Oh right." He exhaled and took aim again. "Is the guy in hat on our side?"

"No, that's the bad guy."

"Can I kill him?"

"If you can hit him."

"Oh good." He began and then promptly fell backwards as he was thrown from his feet by the sensation of being kicked firmly in the kidney. He looked down at butt of a finely craved silver arrow that was embedded into his side. "Oh damn, isn't this great."

"What are you bitch…" Eoin began then stopped as he noticed the wound. There was a look of complete surprised followed by a coy, sincere smile. "Bout time someone shut you up."

"I'm wounded here, a little respect for the dying."

"Oh quit complaining and stay there!"

"How embarrassing." Snape muttered. "Wounded in the first moments of battle." His hand found the arrow, and closed around it. Gritting his teeth, he gathered around all the strength and grit he could muster and pulled the arrow out, howling in pain as it came loose. Pointing his wand over the wound, he muttered a healing charm and winced as the golden pain overtook the throb. A moment after; too soon to really be wise, Snape was on his feet again and descending on the Muggle who had dared to wound him.

Across the room Erised swung about, throwing her weight into a roundhouse kick that sent Dracula stumbling back. She heard Snape's scream and spun back, taking a step forward, towards the Prince only to be pulled back.

"Going somewhere, ma petite?" Purred a dark voice in her ear. "We were just getting introduced."

Erised yanked her arm free from his grasp, and then sent it right back as an elbow to the groin. Had he been human, that must have hurt. As it was, Dracula hissed angrily, caught her by her braid and yanked her to the floor.

"Oh you are a angry one, aren't you? Man-hater?" Dracula tilted his head in study and tsked quietly. "If you are, that is a shame…I would have use of you as a bride."

"I'm not the marrying type." She muttered, and pushed herself upward, only to be slammed back down as Dracula planted his boot firmly on her back.

"I might just keep you there." He cooed thoughtfully. "Teach you your place." He reached down, grabbed her by the collar and hauled her to her feet. Sliding one arm around her waist to hold her firmly to him, he paused for a moment, allowing his canines to grow into menacing fangs before striking at her. She might have cried out but she doubted it.

She was too well trained to fear death.

In hindsight, openly attacking the Death Eaters in their hideout might not have been the wisest course of action. Also, pinning the Dark Prince with his first volley of shots but failing in achieving a kill-wound probably would only succeed in pissing off said Prince. But it did make things more fun.

Spinning back, and losing ground in his retreat, Gabriel released a volley of arrows towards the oncoming Death Eaters. When his crossbow failed him, he dropped it, allowing it to swing back into place by his side as he reached for his pistols. He took a running leap behind the bar, shooting as he fell with style. His shoulder instantly told him that it didn't like that and it was dislocated. Again.

"Get out of here." Commanded a pissed voice. "This one is mine!"

"Oh, I feel loved." Gabriel jumped up, guns drawn on the man. He blinked at the scarred mask for a moment. "I have to admit, that's a cool mask." He remarked, dryly. "The Dark Prince, right?"

"You know my name, stranger." The Prince called. "But I don't have yours."

"Van Helsing."
"Well, Van Helsing. You're a long way from the Vatican. Tell me, what business does a cowardly little holy man have so far from safety? Take a wrong turn in purgatory?"

"Actually, I came for the sun."

"I'd say it's time to go home. Go back to where things are simpler. Go home and pray to your monks for forgiveness."

"Um…well." Gabriel began, smiling with the knowledge that he would now make Carl proud. "I pray to priests. Monks are different." Then, as an aside. "So are fairs."

The Prince chuckled, and bowed his head in acceptance.

Van Helsing took this chance to shot him again but this time, the Prince was ready. He waved his wand dismissively and the bullet fell to the floor. Gabriel blinked. "Oh shit."

"Yes," The Prince agreed. "Things are getting more interesting, aren't they?" Gabriel was about to fire again when something caught his eye. He turned, aimed and fired. The Prince, unprepared for Gabriel's change of attention, turned to see his new target. Under the mask, Snape cursed and took a step towards her, only to feel Eoin's grip his arm and pull him back.

"She is not your concern."

Snape turned back, "And who will protect her?" He demanded.

"I doubt she needs or wants your protection, Prince." Eoin's cool voice broke with wisdom like he always had the annoying habit of doing. Eoin smiled and nodded at the scene. "Besides, she already has a hero."

Snape stood frozen as he watched Gabriel jump over the bar, and firing relentlessly at Dracula. Snape cursed him for his recklessness and endangering Ari in the process and was more then a little jealous as the man's aim. Dracula was pushed away from Ari, and she stood (somewhat worst for wear) dazed. Her cheek was bleeding from where Dracula's claws had dug in and then tore the flesh away from her face as he fell back.

"You know what," She muttered, shaking her head to wake her from the haze of blood lost and general battle fatigue. "I'm getting about tired of this place."

"Me too." Gabriel called. He had ran out of bullets and arrows. Life was just getting better and better. "Um, tell me you have a plan?"

"What? The great Van Helsing can start shit but can't finish it?" She asked, squatting down and sitting crossed-legged on the floor. "What? You can't get yourself out a little mess like this? Humans." She snorted angrily, reaching into her coat and pulling out a cigarette pack and lighter. "You are always so impulsive."

"Yes, yes, I know. Can you help me now?"

"I suppose so. If you die, I'd never hear the end of it." Ari put a cigarette in her mouth, touched her neck again and stared at the blood. "Foolish humans. I need a drink…" She mused and began to look around for a bottle of something to soothe her troubles.

"Erised!" Gabriel shouted. Dracula's wounds from the gunshots had closed up and he was ready for another round. Glancing over at the Dark Prince, Gabriel noticed he too was back on his feet and standing beside Eoin, ready to advance. The Death Eaters that hadn't scattered at the Prince's order were now at the bar, ready to drink while the floorshow began. He swallowed deeply, and muttered a prayer. "Erised, anytime now…"

"Let him burn." The Prince hissed to Ari. "You're wounded. Go."

"Found something!" Ari chirped happily, waving the full bottle of Whiskey around over her head. She brought it back down and read the label. "Fine stock, this one is." She mused, before downing a drink.

Gabriel shut his eyes. He was going to die.

"Heads up!" Ari shouted before lighting the cigarette, then dropping her lighter into the bottle and throwing it with all her might at Eoin and the Prince. They barely had time to duck as the Whiskey shattered behind them and a small fireball rose from the bar had stood.

The fire spread quickly, licking at the exposed roof of the abandoned theater, catching the building ablaze. Now general panic ran through the crowd as they now ran towards the exits.

"My bar!" Silas Malfoy shouted in pure despair. "My beautiful bar!"

Eoin grabbed his coat and yanked him towards the exit. He turned back, met Erised's eyes, smiled and then disappeared into the night. As he ran out, he called back to Snape. "Try not to die, my Prince!"

Ari had stood again, pulled her wand and cursed Dracula, sending him flying back towards the stage and throwing a table after him. He tried to stand but was thrown back by another table. Ari kept sending debris, one after another; her eyes narrowed in cold hate.

"Teach me my place, will you?" She hissed. "Well, come on! Teach me my place!"

Snape hissed. He knew he had to stop this madness, before the Count was really angered. Cursing Erised for her stubbornness, he sent aimed his wand on her back, and cried. "Curcio!"

Erised fell to her knees, screaming in pain. She turned her head, met his eyes for a second and then threw her head back as he renewed the Curse.

Stupid girl, he thought angrily as he pressed the curse harder. Stupid girl and her stupid duty! How dare she come after him? How dare she pursue him when he did not want to be found and how dare she remain alive and whole when everything else in his life had fell away. He hated her in that moment. He hated her: for her stubbornness and devotion to duty and her memories and her love. He hated her gall and her survival thus far and he hated that she was something that still held sway over him. He hated that she could make him feel anything at all.

And in that moment, he was tempted to end it.

"Erised!" Gabriel cried again, darting forward and pulling her away. His sudden appearance brought Snape out of his musings and he released Erised. He watched as Ari fell back into Gabriel's arms, shaking from the curse and watched as the human's face twisted into pain and concern. "Erised! Come on, talk to me."

"We need…out." She whispered. "We need to get…out." Gabriel was on his feet, holding her a second after she requested it. "Where? Ari, I have to know where…I can't take us to Hogwarts. It's…too far."

"Stupid human, do I have to think of everything?" She hissed again and then screamed from the pain. She reached up and whispered a location into his ear. Now assured with a purpose, Gabriel readjusted his grip and fled the bar.

Alone now with Dracula, Snape turned and watched as the flames dance angrily around the Count. For a moment, Snape was tempted to walk away and leave Dracula to his demise. Snape took a step towards the stage, tilted his head and gloated.

"Damn, you look in trouble." He mused, idly. "Need help?"

"I have my own means." Dracula countered. He stepped into the clearing, bowing his head and spreading his arms out wide.

"He's gone mad." Snape muttered. "He's going to dance…the hell?!" He stumbled and fell back as Count Dracula quite literally took flight. Snape had seen many monsters in his lifetime, that was certain, but none had ever been so polished and so devastatingly brutal. Even after he saw it, he was certain it had been a nightmare. Some creature let loose from hell…

Some nightmare…

Picking himself, he shook his head to clear his head and glanced around the now crumbling bar. Poor Silas. He was going to die. And what's worst, Dracula was still around. "Well…so much for the accident idea." He mused, before taking leave of the inferno himself.