Harry Potter and the Vampire's Curse

By: J. Jennings

Chapter 1

It was the beginning of another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry Potter and his friends Ron Weasly and Hermione Granger sat in the grand hall watching as the newer students were sorted into their houses. As the last of the students took their designated seats Professor Dumbledore took his place at the podium to begin his welcome speech, but was delayed by the arrival of another student. Every eye in the room turned in their direction. A young man, around eighteen years of age, strolled casually to the front of the room. His electric blue-grey eyes focused straight ahead. He nodded to Dumbledore as he approached.

"Forgive my tardiness Headmaster, there were unavoidable circumstances that I had to tend to," he said in a thick Romanian accent.

"You must be Vladimir Dracul, our new exchange student from Romania. Please have a seat so that you may be sorted into your house." Dumbledore instructed.

Vlad bowed respectively and sat on the stool. Professor McGonagall placed the sorting hat on his head.

"Hmmm. Very interesting," the sorting hat said. "Very interesting indeed... I think you'd be best suited for... Slytherin!"

The Slytherin group cheered as their newest member took his seat next to them. Professor Dumbledore then began his speech. Once finished the feast began. Hermione seemed taken with the new young man, as she caught herself looking at him repeatedly during the festivities. The young man would meet her gaze and smile warmly.

"Hermione? Are you okay?" Ron asked.

"He's absolutely gorgeous," she sighed.

"Have you gone mental? He's a Slytherin."

"That doesn't mean he's bad Ronald!" she said defensively.

"Okay, don't go getting all bent."

As the students headed to their dorms Hermione noticed that the young man was having difficulty with his luggage. She approached him shyly.

"Do you... need some help?"

He looked up at her, his raven black hair hanging loosely across his forehead. "Very kind of you Miss..."

"Granger. Hermione Granger. What's your name?"

"I am Vladimir Dracul. T'is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Miss Granger," he said as he took her hand and kissed it softly. "You may call me Vlad."

Hermione blushed furiously. "Pleasure to meet you Vlad."

Ron and Harry watched the interaction between the two from afar. Ron rolled his eyes. "Look at him, he thinks he's a lady's man. Pathetic I tell ya."

"He seems to be doing pretty good to me," Harry said.

"Shut up," Ron huffed. "Don't worry, Hermione will see through his act. You'll see."

"Doesn't look like it," Harry said as he watched Hermione and Vlad walk away together.

"Bloody hell. Does she fancy him or something?"

"I'm not sure. Something doesn't feel right here. We best keep an eye on him."

Hermione helped Vlad with his luggage. The young man thanked her and kissed her hand again as they said goodbye. Hermione felt as though she were floating on air on the way back to the Gryffindor commonroom. She was bouncy and all smiles. Ginny Weasly went up to her.

"Why are you so happy?"

"I think I'm in love..." Hermione said with a sigh.

"The Romanian guy?"

Hermione smiled and nodded.

"Can't blame you, he's absolutely dreamy."

Both girls giggled as they chattered on for hours about the new arrival before finally going to bed. Hermione lay staring up at the ceiling as her thoughts seemed to focus on Vlad the entire night. When she slept, her dreams were of him. She seemed utterly smitten with the boy and she didn't know why.