Chapter XXXI: Alucard

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Alucard merely smiled at his hosts as they stared at him in horror. It was not the first time people looked at him as if he was some disease-ridden leaper. Though he hated to admit it hurt, Gabby's smile made his pain vanish as if it were an ugly dream.

And the scene he witnessed was like a horrible dream that he could not wake out off.

Yet he did not show them that he was greatly affected by it. He would not show them that he was terrified. And the people in this houshold were terrified of him.

Exaggeration does that. And Brahm Stoker exaggerated his story a bit too much.

For one, to Alucard's perspective, it was just two years ago when it happened. Though it was 1881 and he was fourteen, Stoker made as if he was an ancient. But he didn't mind.

Not until now.

Not until he saw the fear in the eyes of the Weasleys. And only five people didn't seem to be afraid at all.

Bill, Fleur and strangely Hermione and Luna.

Gabby's eyes were only filled with surprise for she didn't know that he was the legendary bloodsucking monster.

But the rest... the rest had their wands out and were pointing them at him.

"Stop it," Bill said in a firm voice. Wary, the others looked at him but kept an eye on Alucard. "Mom! He's my guest!" Mrs. Weasley, still shaking, slowly lowered her wand.

"But he's a monster, Bill," Ron said as he kept his gaze at the vampire.

"Really Ron, how daft can you be?" Hermione said as she walked towards Alucard and stood by him.

"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked irritably.

"He is death incarnate and you expect to stop him with our wands?" Hermione huffed and looked at Alucard as if scrutinizing him. "You're not going to attack us, are you?"

"Not if you keep pointing your wands at him," Gabby answered for him as she lifted the painting and stood by the tree. "And it's not a full moon yet."

"So what?" Fred asked as he looked at the vampire. Alucard smirked took a step forward making the Weasley boys aim at him. But he did not retreat and stood firm.

"You don't want to know," Lilith said as Gabby went towards her vampire. Her vampire. Gabby thought that had a nice ring to it. Although, she knew Alucard would not mind if she called him hers.

"My presence here disturbs you," Alucard smiled softly but Gabby felt the pain he must be feeling. She knew he longed for acceptance and now his heart was breaking just because they did not accept a vampire in their house.

"Just as well," Alucard said with a sigh. "I thank you for your hospitality." Without another word, he stepped out of the room. Alarmed by this, Gabby sprinted past the Weasleys but when she reached the front door, he was gone.

"Ally?" she called out but there was no reply, not even a footprint in the snow. "How does he do that?"

"He is Lamia," Lilith said using Gabby's body. "He has the power and the will."

"Mum? Dad? Guys? That was embarrassing," Bill said as he sat on the couch he looked at their faces only to find regret and guilt in them. "He has done nothing wrong."

"He's a vampire, Bill," Fred said as he tucked his wand away.

"A vampire that saved my life three times," Bill's glare at his brother could melt ice. "I'm a bit puzzled as to why the girls were not afraid of him."

"Gabby's not afraid so why should we?" Ginny said as she sat on the couch. "All we heard from her last night was how wonderful he is."

"I saw Ally once when they visited Hogwarts and he seemed decent," Hermione looked at Ron with such vehemence that it burned through someone as thick as Ron.

"Where's Gabrielle?" Luna asked as she looked around. Fleur's eyes widened in alarm. Looking at the door leading outside, a set of tracks leading into the paddock.

"She'll be fine," Luna smiled as she looked at the blinking Christmas tree. "He'll protect her."

Fleur wished that she had her confidence.

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"Ally?" Gabby called out to him as she entered the paddock. She didn't knew why but she knew she would find him there. But a part of her thought that this was a bad idea.

Especially when all she wore was her shift.

"Ally?" she called but all she saw... /My God/ she couldn't believe it. Standing in the middle of the trees was an ice sculpture of her wearing a long cloth wrapped around her privates.

"Why not make it of nude?" she asked as she smiled.

"Actually I have thought of it first but I was embarrassed," Alucard said as he jumped down from one of the apple trees.

"You've already seen everything," she said as she blushed.

"Actually I only FELT not seen," Alucard blushed as well.

"And what are you doing here?" she asked. Suddenly, a soft melodic chirping of birds singing to the tune of "Moonlight Sonata".

"Dance with me?" his smile was contagious and Gabrielle found her smiling as well.

"Why not," she held his hand and he pulled her closer. His body warmed her in an instant.

And all she wanted as that time was to be in his arms forever.

"Ally?" she whispered as he smelled her hair.

"What is it?" he asked through her hair making her giggle.

"épousez-moi ?" she asked, making him smile and hug her.

"In a heartbeat," but then, he laughed. "No fair! I asked you first!"

"I'm making it official," Gabby pushed him a little so she could see his face.

"So you are," he whispered back as he bent down to kiss her.

Nothing mattered anymore. Just for that moment.

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A/n: A little short but I'm having a terrible attack of mental block. I'll do better next time.