Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters, that honour is reserved for J.K.Rowling. The honour of owning Galen Drache, Raksha Keller, Winfrith Arlin and the last name Redfern belongs to L.J.Smith. I only own Rayne, River and the plot.
A/N: That said, please read and enjoy. Don't forget to feedback otherwise I won't know whether I shout carry on!
Now on with the show!
Chapter 1
It was a cold and wet September night when five Night People stepped out of their limos. Their servants had gotten out before them and were holding umbrellas above them, shielding them from the rain. They all stopped and stared up at the foreboding castle that was Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, before starting up the steps and going inside. The servants quickly dashed off but returned with five trunks and five sets of school supplies.
"We are so late!" Galen stated while standing in the super-intimidating hallway. The walls were lined with portraits and torches held in sconces.
"Who cares? They invited us remember," Rayne snapped.
"Don't get all pissy with Galen, this is all your fault. Why'd you have to pack so much stuff anyway?" River asked his twin.
"Because a girl has to look her best!" Rayne shot back.
"But you'll be in school uniform most of the time like the rest of us right?" Winfrith, known to her friends as Winnie, asked.
"Yeah but that doesn't mean that I can't look like a walking heart attack," Rayne explained, Winnie smirked and shook her head.
"Shh," River said holding a finger to his lips. They instantly shut up and listened, through the doors in front of them they could hear a voice addressing, from what they could tell, a large group.
"We shall be joined this year by several exchange students, who should be arriving shortly," the group glanced at each other before Keller grinned and said,
"Sounds like our cue,"
* * *
The doors to the dining hall burst open and the five walked in, two vampires, two shapeshifters and a fighting witch. Everyone turned in their seats to look at the 18-year-olds that were so unearthly beautiful. They walked into the middle of the room flanked by two long tables on both sides, candles floated above the tables lighting the room. Looking up Keller noticed that the room didn't seem to have a ceiling; it showed the night sky, and thanks to her heritage though her senses told her differently. It was merely enchanted. The group came to a stop in the middle of the room and their servants stood a respectful distance behind them holding their things.
"Don't mind us," Winnie said quietly, at 5ft tall the witch was the shortest member of the group. Everyone told her that, with her height and strawberry blond ringlets framing her elfin like face, she looked like a pixie. She wore hipster jeans and a green cashmere cropped jumper that showed off her midriff while complimenting her green eyes.
"Yeah sorry we're late," Galen apologised while at the same time draping his arm over Keller's shoulders. It was such a male a male display of territory marking that she shrugged it off. Galen had dark blond hair and gold green eyes; he was wearing jeans and white t-shirt with a picture of a black iris on it. Anyone in the Night World would know what it meant. Keller had long black hair and cool grey eyes; she was wearing a jumpsuit and boots made from the hide of a dead shapeshifter. That was the only material she ever wore.
"We missed the train, " Rayne explained, she too had long black hair but hers cascaded down her back in waves. Her eyes changed colour at regular intervals and were at that moment emerald green. She noticed she was one of the few black girls in the room, but that didn't bother her, for she was also one of two vampires in the room. Most of the boys' eyes were on her, mainly because she was wearing a black corset and a short black leather skirt. Over that she wore a long black leather coat and on her feet were a pair of black New Rock boots with metal on the heel.
"We had to wait for our uncle to arrange limos to get us here," River added. He shared his sisters' skin, hair and eye colouring. His eyes were grey at that time, his hair short and spiky and he was wearing black jeans and t-shirt. Rayne noticed they had interrupted dinner and looked up as a teacher she assumed to be the headmaster said,
"Well it appears the exchange students are here," he leant down and said something to the female teacher next to him. She stood up and left the hall walking past them, he gestured for the newcomers to come forward to the head table.
"Wait here," Winnie said addressing the servants and they bowed their heads once in affirmation.
"I'm professor Dumbledore, Hogwarts headmaster. I have received your eating requirements, so please do not worry in that respect," he said so only the five could hear.
"What no hunting?" River asked just as quietly before Rayne elbowed him in the gut.
"Unfortunately no, you see it's against school rules to enter the forbidden forest," Dumbledore replied smiling. He had a long white beard and long white hair sticking out from his wizarding hat. His robes were brightly coloured which brightened up the fact that everyone else wore black robes and pointed hats.
"It'll all be fresh though right?" Keller asked him.
"Of course," Dumbledore replied.
"Um... What about our servants and stuff?" Galen asked gesturing behind him. Dumbledore produced a flute and played a little tune, with a small poof, what like an elf appeared.
"Dobby, could you please take these new students belongings and keep them safe until they are sorted. Once they are I will contact you to take it to the appropriate rooms,"
"Yes headmaster," the little elf Dobby snapped his fingers and both he and their things were gone.
'Damn, I thought for sure we were gonna meet an Oompa Lumpa,' Rayne told the group telepathically. They all chuckled; River snapped his fingers and the servants approached him.
"You will all go back to the limos and return to the enclave," he informed them. They made to leave but Rayne took the arm of a blond female servant.
"Except you Jessica," she told her.
"As you wish my lady," she replied and bowed her head. The servants left and the teacher Dumbledore sent off returned with a beat up brown hat and a stool, she also held a piece of parchment in her hand that Rayne guessed had their names on it.
"I am professor McGonagall, when I read out your name you'll sit on the stool and I'll place the sorting hat on your head. Once sorted, sit at the appropriate table," McGonagall said with a Scottish lilt. Rayne looked at her dubiously.
"Winfrith Arlin," Winnie walked over and sat on the stool.
"Please, it's Winnie," she corrected; McGonagall made a note and placed the hat on her head. The hat shouted Gryffindor, a table clapped and Winnie walked over to it and sat down at the end.
"Galen Drache," Galen took a seat and the hat shouted Gryffindor. As the students clapped he sat down next to Winnie.
"Raksha Keller," Keller winced as she heard her full name read out.
"It's just Keller okay?" she told McGonagall who noted it down, the hat was placed on her head and it shouted Slytherin. The table next to the Gryffindor's clapped uncertainly, Rayne noticed a teacher on the head table purse his lips, he had shoulder length greasy looking black hair, he was extremely pale but what caught her attention were his eyes which were thickly lashed and so dark they seemed like twin black voids. She couldn't help but think that he looked familiar.
"Rayne Redfern," Rayne sat down and the hat was placed on her head.
'He's here you know,' came a voice in her head, surely it wasn't the hat.
'Who's here'? Rayne asked
'You'll know when you find him,' came the reply, Rayne tensed and the hat shouted Slytherin. Rayne tore the hat from her head and handed it back to McGonagall.
"Are you alright dear?" she asked her.
"Peachy," Rayne snapped and sat down next to Keller who looked at her questioningly, Jessica stood behind her. Everyone stared at her until McGonagall read out the last name.
"River Redfern," the hat was barely on River's head before it shouted Slytherin. He got up and took the seat opposite his sister.
'What happened?' He asked her telepathically noticing how tense she was.
'Nothing!' Rayne snapped back the same way, River just shrugged and turned to look at the Gryffindor table where Winnie and Galen were sitting. Their heads were together and they were talking quietly oblivious to the looks they were receiving. This was understandable though, as members of the Night World they were all used to humans fawning over them. Winnie started piling a plate high with food and River shook his head, for the amount she ate, the group had decided that Winnie must have hollow legs. Galen glanced around the table and blushed at the girls openly staring at him, River turned to Keller and said,
"Watch out Keller, looks as though your soulmate has a fan club already," her grey eyes flashed with anger for a split second before she turned around to glare.
"Hello," Rayne said to the boy next to her as she took off her coat, he looked over to her. The boy had slicked back white blond hair and cold silvery blue eyes, he had a sneer on his face but his eyes were on Rayne's breasts.
"Aren't you a bit old to be in school?" He asked her.
"I'm only 18, but I guess that is a bit old to be in fifth year. But you know how it is when you burn down your school... you get held back, it was our sacrifice," she replied smiling sweetly, Rayne reached out and tilted his head so he was looking into her eyes "I also think you'll find my face is here," The boy seemed a bit disconcerted by her currently insipid blue eyes.
"You burnt down your last school? I don't believe you," He told her. Rayne merely shrugged, Keller snorted and flicked her hair.
"So what's your name?" She asked him
"Malfoy, Draco Malfoy," He replied, Keller rolled her eyes and River and he sniggered. Draco shot him a cold look before turning back to Rayne.
"So what's the sorting about? Why am I in Slytherin with my brother and Keller and why are Winnie and Galen in Gryffindor? Oh and what are the other two tables?" Rayne asked him. Draco looked at Rayne in disbelief.
"You must be Muggle born right?" Draco asked with a look of disgust on his face.
"A Muggle would be...?" Rayne asked him, Keller and River listened intently.
"A Muggle is a non magical person," Draco told her.
"Oh well no, I'm not a Muggle born. But anyway spill, answer my questions," Rayne said.
"Well there are four houses named after the four founders of Hogwarts, Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, Salazar Slytherin and Helga Hufflepuff. People put in Gryffindor are brave, apparently. Hufflepuff are loyal, Ravenclaw are wise and Slytherin are cunning," Draco said the last part proudly.
"From your tone I see you don't like Gryffindor and just so you know, I might be a Slytherin but that wont stop me from talking to my friends," Rayne informed him. Draco shrugged as if to say, that's your prerogative.
"So presumably each house has a teacher in charge of it," River said. Draco looked at him as if just remembering he was there.
"Yes, McGonagall is the head of Gryffindor, Professor Snape is the head of Slytherin, Professor Flitwick is the head of Hufflepuff and now that Professor Lupin is back he's head of Ravenclaw." He replied.
"Professor Snape?" Keller questioned, Draco nodded and pointed to the stern looking teacher that Rayne had noticed earlier. He seemed to have a scowl permanently fitted to his face.
"I wonder if the wind blew," Rayne mumbled to herself but due to their keen hearing Keller and River laughed.
"Lupin? Werewolf right?" Keller asked.
"Right, can you imagine they would get a thing like that to teach us?" Draco spat. Keller stiffened but River placed a hand on her thigh to calm her.
"I'll tell you what's amazing Draco," came a female voice from down the table, they all looked towards it.
"What's that Pansy?" he asked.
"Who'll they'll let into Slytherin these days, I swear that hat is getting lax," Pansy replied.
"Well... Pansy is it? You would know, I mean you're in Slytherin right?" Rayne said looking innocently at the other girl. Rayne saw anger in the girls brown eyes but Pansy didn't say anything, she just flicked her black hair and turned to the girl next to her. The Night People who were openly laughing had to stop due to professor Snape telling them to quieten down.
'What flew up his butt and died?' Rayne asked River and Keller telepathically, but they were forced to hide their chuckles behind their hands. Suddenly Keller shuddered, River noticed and raised a questioning eyebrow.
"I'm hungry that's all," she replied.
"Me too," River told her.
"I thought it was just me," Rayne added she raised her hand and professor Snape walked over to her, she noticed his eyes settle on her breasts for a split second before he looked at her face. Rayne smirked but said nothing.
"What is it Miss Redfern?" Snape asked sounding put out.
"Do you know about our special menu professor?" Rayne asked him, her voice barely above a whisper. He had to lean in close to hear her, which was exactly what she wanted, but to her annoyance he didn't show any signs of being in an uncomfortable position.
"I have been made aware of it yes," he replied. Rayne clicked her fingers and Jessica came and stood next to her.
"Yes my lady?" Jessica said her head bowed.
"Go with professor Snape, he'll tell you where to get our dinner from. Oh and Jessica... be quick," Rayne told her; Jessica nodded once. Snape walked back to the head table with Jessica in tow, he stood next to Dumbledore and whispered,
"Head master, Miss Redfern has informed me that they are hungry. I think it only prudent that the other students should return to the common rooms, so they do not have to see what they eat,"
"Of course Severus," Dumbledore stood up and the hall went quiet "Well now that we all have full bellies, it's time for bed, off you go. Except for Mr Drache, Miss Keller, Miss Redfern and Mr Redfern," The plates disappeared and all the students got up and began to file out following teachers and prefects. Draco stood up and looked down at the three new Slytherin fifth years.
"Sucks to be you,"
"Don't I know it," Rayne said sounding suitably put out.
"I think you should hurry Draco, your 'friends' are waiting for you," gesturing at two boys and Pansy. When he glared at her she laughed and made shooing motions at him with her hands. He left the table and shouted over his shoulder,
"Crabbe, Goyle come on!"
"Somebody's certainly been eating their Weetabix," River said pointing to Crabbe and Goyle who were now walking away. They looked like mini mountains.
"Don't worry River, you can take 'em," Rayne replied laughing.
"Actually I'm not entirely sure they can even spell Weetabix," Keller noted. As the last of the students and teachers wandered out Winnie glanced back and gave a little wave.
"See you in a bit you guys," then they were alone... with Snape.
"Are you okay?" Rayne asked her brother, she noticed his now sky blue eyes were flashing and realised just how close he was to bloodlust.
"Don't worry darlin', Jessica will be back soon. Try not to think about the burning," a few minutes later Jessica returned with a tray, she placed two covered plates on the table in front of Keller and Galen who were now sitting down next to each other. She also placed a jug and two goblets filled with blood on the table, as Rayne and River sat down Galen and Keller lifted the lids.
"Mm. fresh pig entrails, my favourite," Galen said sarcastically. His canines had grown now and his eyes had taken on a catlike appearance. Without another word the both went to work on their meal. River and Rayne each took a goblet and took a large gulp and... Spat it out!
"What's the matter?" Snape asked with disgust on his face.
"It tastes foul! It's too cold!" Rayne exclaimed glaring at Jessica, Jessica flinched.
"It's okay though, we'll drink it anyway," River said quickly.
"Okay? River it's coagulating! I want it body temperature," Rayne clicked her fingers and Jessica came running over.
"My lady,"
"I'm hungry," Rayne said, Jessica nodded and pulled up the arm of her jumper and offered her wrist to Rayne. Snape turned to Rayne with eyes like black holes.
"Miss Redfern, could you kindly tell me what you think your doing?" He asked.
"You don't expect me to drink blood that's sticking to the side of the goblet do you? It's bad enough it's pigs blood, it should at least be liquid!" Rayne replied fixing him with her now violet eyes.
"Do not forget your place when speaking with me Miss Redfern. If you bite her I will give you a detention," Snape told her look at him, Rayne thought to herself, he's trying to intimidate me.
"Rayne come on just drink it, it's not that bad... honest," River said trying to suppress a shudder after draining his goblet.
"Shut up River! You wanna give me a detention? Fine consider me detained. Goddess she's only vermin!" Rayne exclaimed her eyes full of anger. She reached for Jessica's arm and bit down, immediately hot salty blood spurted into her mouth. Rayne could taste Jessica's fear it made the blood taste faintly coppery; she drank it down deeply. When her hunger had been sated she stopped and licked her lips.
"What do you say?" Rayne asked Jessica in a voice thick with blood and a smile on her face that showed her fangs.
"Thank you my lady. I'm so sorry about the blood, I promise it will never happen again," Jessica answered her voice trembling; she bowed her head and returned to her place a few steps behind Rayne. Everything was silent and Snape was regarding Rayne coldly.
"You will serve detention with me every night this week after lessons, you will report to the potions classroom," he said in a calm voice that belied his anger, Rayne felt a shiver go up her spine, what's that about? She thought to herself. She looked over at her brother who was staring at her in what seemed to be disbelief.
'What's your problem?' She asked him telepathically.
'Don't you even know?' He replied.
'Know what? What are you on about?' Rayne asked confused.
'Nothing,' he answered with a mental snigger, she looked at him and saw he was smiling. Galen and Keller wiped their mouths with napkins and looked from Snape to the twins, Galen cleared his throat and Snape tore his eyes from Rayne and looked at him.
"We've finished now sir, I'm not quite sure how to get to the Gryffindor common room but I'm pretty sure I could follow Winnie's scent, so if you'll just excuse me," Galen said standing up.
"If you have all finished I will escort you all to your respective common rooms," Snape replied. Rayne looked over at Jessica and said,
"Come," Then with Snape as lead they all followed his billowing black robes down the corridors giggling and whispering to each other with full bellies and sated bloodlust.