As the four made their way to the castle Harry drifted away in his thoughts of the past. Vlad was like a father to him now, but his hear yearned for his real parents. He got only a small time with them but he knew that they were proud of him and his accomplishments. The castle here was more of a home to him than any where else. He saw Dumbledore as a grandfather, McGonagall, as the strict grandmother, and Snape, well he was just Snape. But over all his heart was here. And now he decided it was going to stay here as well. The foyer was the one thing that everyone sees as they come into Hogwarts. And it was in this foyer that they met the Headmaster of the school this night is a small shock.

"Welcome back Mr. Potter,  I see you have rounded up a few of your friends." Dumbledore smiled as he surveyed the group. "Tell me isn't still a full moon tonight, it must have passed since Mr. Lupin is in his human form."

"Headmaster, there is still a full moon out tonight, but Remus' curse is no longer ruling him. Rather he rules it now." Harry spoke.

"I see, and would you mind telling me how…" Dumbledore was cut off by Professor Snape entered the room and beheld its occupants. When his eyes landed on the once werewolf now human he was very much shocked.

"Ho…how did you get by the curse. It is impossible." He said flatly.

"It is to all but two, one of those two can lift or change the nature of the curse. But it isn't that easy yet. For the curse of the wolf to be changed or lifted the one that is cursed must have some sort of attachment to the one who lifts or changes it." Harry spoke gently.

"And how Potter do you know this?" Snapped Snape.

"Because it was I who freed him of the curse. I couldn't fully remove it as I haven't the power that Vlad does, I was able to change the curse to a gift, one that Remus can control. So now the curse no longer controls Remus, Remus controls the curse."

"Ahh I see now, you must be the foretold Prince of the Night." Dumbledore spoke softly. Harry nodded his head showing it was true.

"What is the Prince of the Night?" Snapped Snape.

"That is not yet known to us Severus, the last to be one was killed many, many years ago. No one know exactly who killed him, but alas he is dead, and as to the foretelling I spoke of Sybil gave me that prediction just after James Potter graduated. She told me that when the time comes the savior will die but be reborn as the Prince of the Night. So as you see the only one who fits that description is young Harry Potter." Albus made his way down the steps and was looking rather sad. The twinkle in his eyes had left. "Even though Harry, you are some what alive, there is absolutely no way for a vampire to be a student here." The sparkle that had been Harry's eyes vanished at these words. With out the sparkle in the young vampire's eyes he looked deadly. As he closed his eyes a single tear appeared at the corner of his right eye. The tear looked as if it was the finest diamond. Snape gasped as the tear slowly slid down the pale face. No one has ever seen a vampire cry. Grabbing an empty vial he caught the falling tear. A vampire's tear is as pure as a unicorn is. The healing properties it held was greater than that of a phoenix tear. Harry slowly opened his eyes which let out more tears. Snape caught as many as he could. Dumbledore pulled the young man into a loving embrace. Then he pulled back and held a smile that to anyone who had seen it knew he was up to something. "But…there is nothing saying it is against school policies if there was a vampire instructor. And it just happens we need a new DADA instructor."

"I bet Remus would like that Professor." Harry spoke softly.

"That I would Harry, but as it is I have to leave the country on some errands, so I can't take that position." Remus smiled. Harry looked up at the Headmaster, who had a wide grin on his face.

"So Mr. Potter would like to be our new Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor?" Harry gleamed at that. He had learned more than most had while he was with Vlad.

"I'd love to, but…the only thing is every one believes me dead."

"Ahh yes, that is the ever present problem, so you won't be able to use your real name. How about Vlad Tepes Alucard II?" No one had heard or see a tall figure appear in the foyer behind the small group. So when he spoke every one jumped.

"I would be honored if Harry would take my name as my adopted son." Vlad said as he placed a hand on Harry's shoulder.

"Then I shall, Professor I believe we need to get some paper work set up as I think the ministry will need information on me." Harry's adopted father spoke once more.

"I came to ask that you please look after the young one, his abilities will keep him safe but you know the dangers that vampire's face amongst humans."

"Yes I understand Alucard, I promise that while young Vlad Tepes Alucard II is here he will remain safe from the rest of the school." With that Vlad left for his keep. Dumbledore looked right into Harry's silver eyes, and in them he saw not hate nor fear, he was full of confidence and strength to do what is right. "Now Vlad if you would follow me there are some papers that need to be filled out and I know vampires have no need of sleep but I will show you to your rooms." Harry followed Albus as the others watched after them. Of those that were still there only one didn't have a smile on his face. Another year and he has not been able to teach the DADA class. Sighing he turned and went to his rooms in the dungeon. Hagrid clapped Remus on his shoulder and the tri that was left turned to the exit and left.  So for now all was some what right with the world here inside Hogwarts. But else where there were tears of sadness for they would start the school year with their best friend. The house Quiditch team would be needing to find a new seeker, and keeper. Old enemies had the audacity of teasing those who had bee friends with Potter. And then there was one who was enraged that one had been able to do what he had been trying for years to do. No one knew what the future held for them, but it was certainly not what they expected when they would arrive to find a surprise Albus held for them.

            Dumbledore sat behind his desk in his office grinning as he wanted to see the faces on the students when they saw their new DADA instructor. Harry had volunteered to ride the train with the students for safety sake. Albus nodded to that and smiled. Albus had arranged for Harry to have ready access to the courtyard in a hurry if he needed it. His class room would be held on ground level in an abandoned classroom, so he could leave if he needed to. Now all Albus had to do is inform the rest of the staff of Harry's new identity. Laughing to himself Albus stood and entered his chambers for the night.

            Else where in the castle was a figure who wouldn't sleep but traveling to London to catch the Hogwarts express. Smiling to himself Vlad (Harry) formed an image of a blue banded hawk. And in a flicker of light he was soaring through the night sky. He remembered when he was on a broom that he felt free. But this was more than just being free, this was freedom like he had never felt before. The cool air rushing past him. The clouds that hide his body from the moon. The sounds that he heard was purely music to his ears. Below him was the night life that appeared each night. As the lights of London began to appear Vlad began to slow his flight. There on the outskirts was the train yard. The sun would soon be high in the sky. Landing in some shadows he returned to his human form and walked over to Platforms 9 and 10. There just a few steps in front of him were a group of people he knew very well.

"Same as last year packed with muggles. Come on now get a move on you don't want to miss the train." Mrs. Weasley spoke as she rushed the group of reads along. Harry watched as the twins entered the barrier, then Ginny. Ron stopped and looked back hoping against hope that his best friend would be running along. But no one came. Sadly he turned and entered the barrier.

"Excuse me ma'am but is this the barrier that leads to Hogwarts?" Harry asked the little witch just before she stepped through.

"Yes it is, oh you must be the new instructor, well come on now you don't want to be late now do you?" She smiled.

"Too right you are. I am guessing you and the group that just went through are the Weasley family?"

"Why yes we are. How did you know?"

"Well word has it that your family that were the closest to Mr. Harry Potter. I was told he thought you and your family as his own." She smiled as a tear fell. She nodded and went through the barrier. As Harry stepped through he was greeted with the familiar sights and sound of the Hogwarts Express. He showed the conductor his pass and boarded the train. Up along the hall way was a trio. From the sound of it they were teasing a group of people in the compartment. Gliding up to the trio with out a sound he stopped and looked down. "Excuse me here but what seems the problem?" All three boys and those in the compartment jumped at his voice. When the trio looked at the man who spoke the leader spoke.

"And if it is what is it to you?"

"It would be a months worth of detention and 100 points from your house."

"You can't do that your not an instructor." He sneered.

"Oh but I am, Vlad Tepes Alucard II instructor of DADA at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." The blonde headed face paled even more, but that wasn't all that happened when he look right into this person's eyes. Fear crept up into the boys body. Fear that he never thought was alive. And with a thud he was unconscious being held up by the other to people. "Now I suggest that if you don't want more points removed I would return to you compartment and stay there till we get to Hogsmead." With that the group hurried down the corridor and then disappeared. Harry Turned to the people in the compartment to find Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. "Umm excuse me but would you mind terribly if I sat with you. I am dead tired and would like to meet a few of my new students for the year." The group nodded their heads vigorously and he entered and sat next Ginny. "I guess you already know my name, so would mind introducing yourselves to me then?"

"I'm Hermione Granger, this one here next to me is Ronald Weasley, ( Ron for short) and the girl there is Ginny Weasley."

"Greetings, I know now who my best students are going to be already, you each have this look about you that you know what you are doing. Now I hope it isn't too awful rude but what was that group of boys going on about, who was it that died?" Saddened eyes now faced him as he asked that question.

"It…it was our best friend Harry Potter, he died at his relatives home in the middle of the night."

"Ahh I see, and I understand. I know a wise old man once told me that death isn't the end but the next adventure for us to conquer."

"I know who your talking about, Headmaster Dumbledore said the exact thing our first year." Hermione gushed.

"Then I know that you can understand how that sounds huh?"

"Yeah many say he is mad, but if you ask me he's the best man I have ever met." Ginny said softly. The rest of the trip was done in silence. The sky outside was beginning to get darker. Vlad closed his eyes and smiled as he listened to the sounds of the night.

"We are almost there, so I think you should be getting ready. I'll leave you now as I too need to get ready." And with a swift motion Vlad left the compartment and headed for the back of the train to change his clothes. When the train stopped he stepped off and disappeared into the night. The students that were heading for the castle never saw the silver wolf that bound up the trail before them.

"Welcome, welcome to another year here at Hogwarts, shortly we'll hold the sorting ceremony followed by a few announcements  and introductions. Then we will eat." As Dumbledore sat back down the doors to the Great Hall opened and a large line of first years came bustling behind McGonagall. At the front of the room stood a three legged stool which had upon it an old wizards hat. When everything was quiet a rip appeared and the hat began to sing.

Oh, you may not think I, pretty,

But don't judge me.

I am what you see.

You'll find nothing any smarter,

So kick your hats back and listen,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat.

There's nothing I can't see in your head,

So don't hide from me.

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you should be.

            The hat continued to sing for a couple of minutes and then stopped. Everyone in the room clapped. The McGonagall spoke. She began to call names off of the scroll she held.

"Zalof, Henry"

"Gryffindor" The hat yelled.

"Zanderwood, Lillian"

"Gryffindor"

"Zend, Albert"

"Slytherin" As the hat yelled the house for the last student the Slytherin table clapped. McGonagall rolled up the scroll and tapped with her wand and it vanished. Turning to the hat and the stool she gently tapped them and they too disappeared. When she had taken her seat Albus stood.

"Welcome first years, I am sad to report this but it is true Voldemort has returned." A gasped flowed over the students, "And alas one has left our number. On June 30th of this year, a student was killed in his home. We will greatly miss him, but remember that he is only truly gone when we have forgotten him. So it is to this I raise my class and salute Harry J. Potter." Everyone in the Great Hall weather or not that they wanted to salute the person did so. "And to his memory that the schools staff and governors name the Quiditch field as Harry J. Potter Field." Tears fell from many on the room. The group that was closest to Harry cried openly and hugged each other. "Now on with the next announcement we have a new DADA instructor, please welcome Vlad Tepes Alucard II." With that the great doors to the Great Hall opened with a thud. There before the door stood a large gleaming white stag with golden horns. The stags eyes were bright silver. No one dared to speak for fear something would happen. Albus had a smile upon his face. The clunks of the stags hooves resonated through out the hall. When he reached mid ways of the hall he began to shimmer in a bright light. When the light faded there in the place of the mighty stag stood a tall man fairly young looking. His robes were solid black His long black hair laid gently over his shoulders and back. Many gasped as the realization hit them as to what this person was. With long flowing steps Vlad swept up to the teachers table and sat next to Dumbledore and Minerva. "Lets eat". When Albus said that food appeared on the golden plates and platters on the table. Every one was eating but one. His place was still empty except for a large gauntlet. Every once in a while he would sip from the drink. His silver eyes surveyed the students as they ate.

"Albus, could you ask that Mrrs Crabbe, Goyle, and Malfoy stay after the feast I am sure when you ask that Severus will stay as well, the reason being is there was a slight occurrence on the train that I need to take care of." Albus nodded, and rose.

"Now the Forbidden Forest is just that forbidden to all students, our care taker has added some items to the not allowed list those lists will be posted in each of the dormitories. Prefects will lead the first years to their dorms, and I need to see Mr. Crabbe, Mr. Goyle, Mr. Malfoy, Ms. Granger, Mr. and Ms. Weasley for a moment before you head to the dorms." With that the prefects lead their houses to the dorms and those who had been asked to stay came up to the teachers table. "Ahh that's good now Professor Alucard has informed me of something happening on the train. Would you mind telling me what it was about." Severus true to Albus' word was sitting next to Vlad to hear what was going on.

"Malfoy and his friends entered our compartment and began making fun of Harry's death, he was saying that with Harry gone the dark lord would rule all." Ginny gushed out as tears fell down her face. She was never one to lie, so Albus turned to the three from Slytherin House.

"I see and why do you feel the need to taint the memory of Mr. Potter?" Albus ask the three. But the three stayed quiet. Their eyes shown a sight of defiance. "Vlad, have you given the appropriate punishment?"

"Well I'm not sure if it would be appropriate or not, but I told them when they smarted off back at me the it would be a months worth of detention with me and Filch and 100 points from their house." Replied Vlad.

"I hate to say this but due to the facts of the matter, I also have to agree, but I'll add a months detention onto that, with and what they will be doing I haven't decided just yet." Severus said as he glared at his students.

"I hope in the future Mr. Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle that when you think it would be fun to taunt the death a student or other member of one of the students family that you remember that next time you may find your self out of Hogwarts and your wands broken. And Mr. Malfoy, when you contact your father, make sure you tell him the truth. Now all of you go to your rooms and get a nights rest as school begins in the morning."