Ch. 6

a/n: as you've noticed, updates have been about once a week, so I'll try to stick to that schedule- maybe I'll throw in an extra chapter every now and then.....

THANK YOU TO ALL MY WONDERFUL REVIEWERS – the reviews mean a lot to me.....

Newho, I'm sure you want to read the story... so...

Last time:

"So boys, where do you want to eat?" Gin asked.

"What was the message thing about?" Draco asked, ignoring her question.

"Nothing," she said, giving him a look that said to drop it.

"How about we eat by the Lake?" Blaise asked.

The others nodded their agreement.

Now:

Ginevera silently made her way through the forest. The animals of the day were going to rest, and the creatures of the night were beginning to stir around her. As she made her way to the center of the forest, she reflected on the day. Waking up in Draco's arms was only the beginning of the weird day; potions had thrown her mind for a spin when she realized she felt comfortable with Slytherins, more comfortable than she had with anyone in her own house; and not just any Slytherins, no, it had to be Slytherin's Sex Gods, Slytherin's bad boys, Draco-sodding-Malfoy and Blaise-fucking-Zabini themselves. She'd even shared chocolate cake with them at their own personal picnic. It hadn't been as easy to talk to them at the picnic as it had been in class, but what could she say, she didn't really know them yet, and without the help of the potion, things just weren't as easy. She wondered what Snape had meant about them figuring out on their own what he'd given them the serum for.

Gin spotted Brandon making his way over to her, dressed in his favorite black shirt with the silver flames on the back. "What's the special occasion?" she asked.

"I thought I told you in my note," he replied.

"No, the note that Fawkes gave me said that we were going somewhere, and nothing else."

Brandon gave her a mischievous grin, "Must have slipped my mind; oh well, at least your dressed appropriately." He eyed her low-cut black shirt and her tight black pants.

"What do you mean, 'dressed appropriately'? Dressed appropriately for what?" She said.

"Just a little get together with some other creatures of the forest at a new club," he said.

"But I thought witches and wizards were banned from those?"

"Well, I may have gotten you special permission from the head of my coven."

She threw her arms around him. "Thank you! I can't believe their letting me come! How'd you do it?"

"The creatures of the forest have been watching you, and they've agreed that you won't betray us." He said seriously.

Gin knew being invited to their underground city was no joke; though they preferred to live in the forest, to be surrounded by nature, they kept the city as a safe haven should war break out. Occasionally a club would be opened up by a group of creatures in times of peace.

Ginevera followed Brandon to an old oak, holding the fang on her necklace nervously. Brandon swiftly pulled a leaf from the tree and spoke, "Creatures of the dark forest seek entrance." He placed the leaf on the trunk of the tree before it burst into flames and an entrance appeared on the forest floor beside him. Brandon grabbed her hand and led her down a dark winding stair case into the depths of the earth. He knew exactly which winding paths to take, and soon they were greeted by other creatures of the night.

"Michael wishes to see her," a handsome vampire with long black hair informed Brandon.

"Michael?" she asked, hoping it wasn't the same Michael that ruled the coven.

"Yes, he wished to meet you before the party began." Brandon said simply.

They walked across the smooth marble floor to a large door. Brandon didn't have to knock, because a guard let Ginevera in.

"You must be the young lady Brandon tells me about."

"Yes," she said to the head of the coven.

"Is that a fang around your neck?" he asked motioning her closer. She took a step towards him and nodded. "Do you understand the importance of the thing you hold?"

She had unconsciously reached for the fang. "Yes sir," she said. "Brandon said it symbolizes a vampire's soul and their life; he said if a vampire gave one to anyone, they were offering to protect them until they died their last death and their soul burned in hell."

"It is also a symbol of great trust; not many vampires give theirs away." The ancient vampire didn't look a day over 25, but his pale skin practically shone with power. "I myself have never given mine away. Many creatures insist you are trustworthy, but it means nothing to me; it is the fact that Brandon would sacrifice himself for a mere mortal that brings you into this place. You have been accepted as a creature of the forest and are welcome anytime; as a token towards this, you are the guest of honor tonight, and," he said, retrieving something from beside him, "these are yours."

He pulled her closer to place a bracelet on her wrist; it was made of the blackest gems that only the vampires mined, and the center gem was filled with blood; the bracelet looked like and intricate woven wed. "This is from the vampire coven; the blood is mine, shall you ever need it." He placed a ring of silver around her head; it fit over her hair and the thin metal came to a point on her forehead; hanging from that point was a silver moon. "From the werewolves and the few dwarves that reside in the forest." He looked at her, "The rest of the creatures offer their services whenever you shall need them; the centaurs asked me to let you know you are welcome to watch the stars with them whenever you wish."

"Thank you," she said, truly touched by the gesture.

"Go back and join your friend; you will probably walk away tonight with more friends than you realized you had, but for now, have a good time."

She smiled, "Um, may I ask you something?"

He nodded. "Don't ancients usually have funky names?" she asked.

"I like to fit in with humans occasionally, so I changed my name." was all the explanation he gave her before the door swung open.

Ginevera looked around, but Brandon found her before she saw him. Music was blaring, and all forms of creatures were dancing or having drinks. The dimly lit room was gigantic, and had more than two dance floors that she could see. She dragged Brandon onto the nearest one and began to sway with the music.

Several songs and two margaritas later, Brandon led her up to a balcony inside the massive room. He'd had five times as much as her to drink, but alcohol barely affected vampires.

"Thanks for bringing me tonight," she said to him.

"You're welcome," he replied with a smile. "After another song, we should probably leave; you have classes tomorrow."

Gin sighed, "Okay. Come dance with me then," she dragged him back to the dance floor for their second dance that night. They were about to leave when a slow song came on and Michael walked over to them. "Mind if I cut in?"

Brandon backed away and watched as Michael spun Ginevera around.

"I assume you'll be leaving soon?" Michael asked.

"Yep. Got to go to classes tomorrow," she replied.

"Well, your studies are important," he said, sounding fatherly. "You're invited her any time, you know?"

"Thanks," she said as he dipped her back at the end of the song.

She and Brandon slipped away quietly as followed the tunnels back to and entrance close to his home.

She collapsed on Brandon's bed as soon as they got to his room. "Are you going hunting now?"

"I'll wait until you fall asleep," he told her, covering her with a blanket and crawling in the bed beside her. "How was your day?"

She told him about everything except waking up beside Draco. "What do you think Snape meant?"

"I don't know. I'll ask around and see if anyone knows anything."

"Okay," she said with a yawn. "Good night," she snuggled up closer to him.

He waited until her breath was even before slipping away into the darkness.

a/n: so what do you think?