And suddenly, as if I'd been waiting forever to unleash it, my demon took over. No, it wouldn't just let me spill out my blood, and do nothing. Within an instant, Malfoy was on the ground, and the knife scraped his shaved neck. I laughed.

Thought you had me... tisk, tisk,ยป I shook my head while the others stared in shock, "You seem to undersestimate me a lot," I said.

Malfoy spat out a nervous laugh, attempting to shuffle under all my weight. I grinned and dug the sharp object deeper into his skin. "I could do it, you know. In fact, I'd be absolutely thrilled." I was beginning to tremble, excited by the idea of fresh blood in my body. I closed my eyes and inhaled. Blood was all I could smell.

Dawn," James said, unsure of what to call me, "don't."

Why not?" I laughed, looking deep into the grey eyes of the slytherin I held by a string. I took a moment to consider the option of letting him go. "No doubt his blood tastes awful. With a personality like that one..." I shook my head and pushed myself back off the ground, purposely dropping the knife an inch from his face. Lucius squeeled in horror, caught himself halfway, and bit his lips. He'd shown he was afraid, and that was satifying enough for me.

Are we going to bed?" I asked the Marauders. Their eyes went from Lucius, still on the floor, to me, to the corridor.

Sure," they answered in unison.

Into the common room, the atmosphere was quiet; nearly everyone had gone to bed, and the ones remaining struggled to finish their homework or the page they were reading, eyes hardly open. Lily Evans lifted her head up, sighed, and slumped back to her novel. Sirius had forgotten to hide the bottles of rum he'd brought.

In our dorm," he whispered, dragging me along with the bottles in his other hand.

You know, Black," I said once he'd closed the door to the Marauders' quarters, "people are going to start believeing rumours they shouldn't be believing in," I looked around, "Don't get me wrong, this place is... home-y... but, it's not exactly where I should be, if you know what I mean."

What happened back there? With you going all insane and, well, scary?" Peter asked, taking a seat on his bed. Remus and James sat on either side of him, and Sirius, still suspicious, I guess, stood up.

None of your business. I have to get to the Hospital Wing."

Again?" By the tone of his voice, I figured he was annoyed, and definitely not impressed.

Listen," I sighed, "I can't always tell you everything about me. It just- it wouldn't work." I avoided looking directly at him.

I made for the door and stumbled, remembering suddenly the pain in my stomach.

Dawn, I think you've been stabbed."

No shit." Thanks for stating the obvious. Sirius automatically reached down to pull me back up, but I pushed him away. "Stay where you are, Black. You're filthy enough as it is." I smiled at my own joke, and clenched my teeth as another wave of pain and nausea surged through my body. "Fuck, it hurts."

My vision was beginning to cloud again, and I struggled twice as hard to stay awake. I needed blood, and I needed it now.

Dammit," I heard behind me, Sirius was screaming, "Go get someone, anyone! I'll stay with her," he suggested. All three boys were out the door and Sirius tried to get me to a bed. I think it was his bed.

Sirius," I breathed heavily, "I need blood...now."

What?" He seemed at a loss for words for a moment while I concentrated on my pain, then finally said, "Take mine."

It took a few seconds for me to filter his response.

What? I- I can't do that!" I tried to get up, and failed miserably, "...you're insane!"

Yeah, whatever. Just go. It can't be that bad."

Sirius-"

Hurry, dammit."

I closed my eyes and took a bite.

Oh, God..." I'd never felt this good in my entire life. The warm liquid seeped into my mouth, revived me from the inside out. I could feel my fangs dug into his flesh, and I loved it. So much, that I wished I'd never come to my senses and stop. Death and destruction, wherever you go. Those words resounded in my head, as I'd first heard them in my dream. I didn't want that. I didn't want to be an instrument of doom. Life was more important than anything. And I couldn't take it away from anyone, especially not Sirius.

So... sorry..." I managed to say as I was catching my breath.

S'alright, s'alright..." Sirius replied, grasping his neck, "That hurts."

Well, obviously. After tearing through your muscle and your veins, anyone'd think you'd be in pain." I wiped my mouth on the back of my hand and thanked Sirius again. "I should go tell your buddies I'm okay now, and you should see Pomfrey. You'll be OK?"

Yeah, yeah, I'll be just fine." he answered as I opened the door and prepared to walk out. I heard a loud thump and knew he'd fallen unconscious. After losing that much blood, who wouldn't?

I still felt considerably bad, though.

Sirius awoke the next week, when I'd just begun my run for the afternoon. The other Marauders and I had switched every few hours, always keeping an eye on Sirius. Pomfrey was furious. She said I'd 'behaved horrendously immaturely' and that I 'didn't know the consequences of my actions'. She refused to give me my potion, seeing as I'd absorbed about a month's worth for sucking Sirius's blood, and stormed off after having neglectedly adjusted the bandage around my waist. The wound had mostly healed and stopped bleading, but there was still a chance of it opening up again. She hadn't bothered to keep me in bed and let me go to my classes without fussing over the fact that I should be more careful about myself. I think she'd lost all manner of respect for me. Pity.

Feeling any better, Sirius?" I whispered, smiling softly. Sirius yawned and returned the smile.

Amazingly relaxed." Stretching in the bed, he asked, "How long have I been out?"

'Bout a week. Pomfrey's been feeding you through some odd sort of food teleportation device."

Nice..." A hint of sarcasm in his voice made me laugh.

You know," I noted, "we always get mad at each other, then we get happy again, and it starts all over."

hmm."

I wonder why." Each of us reflected upon the meaning we gave this statement. The hot summer air filled the room and the familiar setting sun glowed through the tainted windows of the Hospital Wing.

You realise we'll be leaving soon?"

yeah..." Once again, a calm silence filled the area. The smell of disinfectant had been scarce since Pomfrey had last 'fixed' someone up. No accidents, no ridiculous pranks. Peace for the nurse. That's what she needed. A vacation.

You're still OK for this summer, aye? With the living at my place sort of thing?" Sirius asked, turning to face me, sitting on the bed to his right.

yeah."

You know you look absolutely exhausted?"

really?" my laugh faded and it became a soft echo, "I hadn't noticed," I said sarcastically.

You can come sleep here, if you want." Sirius patted the empty space in his bed.

Hell no- um... no thanks."

Just trying to be nice," he shrugged and turned to lie on his back, " 'night," he called.

Sirius?" Silence. "No, not again, please," I sat down on his bed, took my knees in my hands, and sighed, "Sirius..."

mm?" I could tell he was smiling.

I-um." I like you. " I'm really happy when- um. I like it when you're happy... yeah... that's it..." A soft chuckle shook the bed a bit.

Why?"

I don't know," I said, "It just- makes me happy... I guess."