I extend my most sincere apologies for those of you who were waiting for this chapter. I know how long it took me. I beg you to understand my predicament in the fact that I still have to pass high school, and that was what has been keeping me from the computer. I promise that the next chapter will come faster, and that it will be nice, long, and action-packed. Until then, please accept my apology and enjoy the story.

Chapter 30: Shadows and Sparks

Harry's mind was racing as he faced the Serpents of Salazar. How could they've stayed behind without alerting any of the staff of their presence? They were just students after all.

"Our Lord will be most pleased to know that we have captured you," said one. Harry recognized the voice immediately of none other than Draco Malfoy. "I'll now escort the five of you to him." Five? Harry thought. He glanced around at the group; Neville was gone. Harry didn't know whether to be relieved or anxious, but decided to look as if Malfoy was right in thinking he had captured the entire group.

"Your stupidity never fails to amaze me, Malfoy," Ron said with utter contempt. "If you actually think that you're going to get away with this, you're in for a rude awakening."

"Silence!" Malfoy shouted, pointing his wand directly at Ron. "You will not speak to me in such a manner!"

"I speak as I want," Ron replied. "You have no power over me."

Malfoy carefully considered his words for a moment, unsure of how to respond. Coming to a conclusion, Malfoy strode over to Ron and punched him in the jaw.

"You're lucky that my master wants you alive. Mark my words: once he has finished with you, I will be the first person you meet. Come," he demanded to the Serpents behind him, "Take these prisoners to the Dark Lord."

Harry knew that he was greatly outnumbered, so for the safety of his group, he allowed himself to be taken by the Serpents. He, along with the rest of his party, had his wand confiscated from him. Ron walked beside him, looking resilient not to show the pain emanating from where Malfoy had struck him.

"Where are we going?" Harry asked as they trekked down the lonesome corridor.

"I have no need to answer your petty questions," Malfoy replied, "But if you must know, my master is waiting for you in the Great Hall."

"What about Dumbledore?" Ginny interjected.

"You shouldn't be worrying about him," Malfoy said with a sneer.

"What has happened to him?" Hermione said, her voice trembling with worry.

"You will hold your tongue, Mudblood, if you know what's good for you. Now stop asking questions!"

Malfoy truly resembled his father, with his blond hair and expression of malevolence upon his face. Harry remembered his first encounter with him so many years ago. Back then; he would not have imagined the young boy then doing what he was doing now. Although Harry had always known Malfoy to be dark, it was hard to believe how different things were. Harry reminisced about the fights he had had with Malfoy over the years, and now saw them as mere child's play compared to what was now unfolding.

Hermione's eyes locked with Harry's; filled with anxiety. What had become of Dumbledore? Harry could only walk in silence, he didn't know of what else to do. He saw this as an opportunity to keep Voldemort from the Serpent's Stone, and also to defeat the Dark Lord in a final duel to the death. Harry felt that his destiny was taking shape on this night, and although he was terrified, he was ready to face it.

The portraits were empty along the walls of the corridor. Harry had a feeling that they were all hiding or delivering messages to the teachers that had stayed to fight. It was amazing how dark and quiet it was in the school. It was hard to recognize Hogwarts when it was so different to the home he had once knew. This place was always considered a sanctuary to Harry, but now it was the face of the battle he was destined to fight.

Up ahead, dazzling lights danced on the walls and shouts could be heard; a fight was at the end of the corridor. Everyone froze where they stood, not wanting to intervene. Horrific screams were ripping into Harry's ears. He had no idea of who was fighting, but whoever it was, he felt sorry for them for enduring such pain. It sounded as if somebody was being ripped apart, not being attacked with magic. It was soon clear that the people at the end of the hall were being attacked by some kind of monster, and were trying to protect themselves with spells. Suddenly, it all stopped, and once again silence and darkness enveloped the halls. Malfoy took tentative steps towards the scene of the duel, but stopped to listen.

"Anyone hear that?" he said just above a whisper. Harry strained his ears; out of the blackness he heard a rumbling growl.

"What is that?" a Serpent Harry recognized as Crabbe said. A dark shape suddenly ran past them on the ceiling. Everyone crouched low to the ground, the Serpents with their wands at the ready. The growl was somewhere behind them, ricocheting off the walls. Serpents and the members of the DA present alike were in a state of utter panic. The creature remained hidden in darkness, circling its prey. Harry could see red eyes staring straight through him from the monster. Hermione clutched Harry's arm and very softly, she franticly whispered in his ear:

"It's Professor Edwards."

It took Harry a moment to register what she had just said. Professor Edwards, he remembered, was a vampire. Harry could only look at her, having no idea of how to react. Harry tried to recall what he had learned about vampires. He remembered that they could be thrown into a rage under extreme circumstances and that when they had done so, they become most violent. Harry was torn from his thoughts by another snarl from his Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.

The group all huddled in fear; clearly no one knew what to do. All of them save Harry and Hermione even knew what their predator was, nevertheless, how to defeat it. Harry truly did not want to have to attack his professor; he had taken somewhat of a liking to him. Harry's fingers started to tingle as Hermione clutched his wrist, cutting off the circulation. Harry gently placed his hand on hers, and taking the message, her grip loosened.

Professor Edwards came closer to the group, therefore, revealing his identity.

The professor did not look like himself. His eyes were a glowing red, in comparison to the warm brown they had been before. His hair stood on end, while his teeth were extended into long fangs. His nails had turned to talons and his muscles were bulging from the strength his rage had given him. Harry, along with everyone else, was filled with terror at the sight of their beloved teacher.

"Of course!" Malfoy snarled, pointing his wand directly at the professor. In retaliation, the teacher pounced, bringing Malfoy crashing to the ground. Before anyone had time to react, Professor Edwards knocked the rest of the Serpents down and dashed from the scene. It was clear to Harry that the teacher had no intention of truly harming a student, because unlike werewolves, vampires retained some of their humanity. Harry saw this as his moment to run, and did so. He snatched Hermione's hand on one side, and Ron's on the other and took off in the opposite direction the professor had gone. Malfoy's shouts were heard from behind him as Harry's party sprinted as fast as they could.

Although they had a head start, Malfoy and the Serpents were close at their heels. Spells were sent soaring over their shoulders, and it wasn't until Harry felt around in his robes did he remember that Malfoy had taken his wand. Harry cursed and continued to run.

Then, just ahead of Harry, nothing short of a miracle stepped before them.

"EXPELIARMUS! STUPIFY! PETRIFICUS TOTALUS!"

Neville Longbottom had come to the rescue. One by one, the Serpents fell to the ground, trying to curse Neville. Neville easily dodged and deflected each spell and sent magic back at them. He continued to use every nonfatal curse he knew until every Serpent had fallen to the ground, defeated.

When it had all ended, Ginny threw herself into Neville's arms.

"That was amazing!" she squealed in delight. Harry could only shake Neville's hand in utter amazement before retrieving his wand from the fallen Serpents.

"Brilliant, bloody brilliant!" Ron said. "Why didn't you hurt them more, Neville? You know how."

"I can't…I just can't," he said. "They're students like us."

"Yeah, students that want to kill us!" Ron said.

"I know, I know, but I couldn't bring myself to. Look, let's just get out of here," Neville said in earnest.

"Now what, Harry?" Lavender asked.

"I guess we should go to the Great Hall," he answered.

"But that's where You-Know-Who is!" Ron said in disbelief.

"I know."