Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or the setting. They are of the creations of J.K. Rowling and Joss Whedon.
A/N: This chapter has gone through a bit of re-editing. I personally like it better. Tell me what you think by reviewing!
Chapter 4: Aciculums"Good night, guys."
"What? Hermione! It's too early! Dinner just ended!" Ron wailed.
"I have an essay on the Gibo Auja due in three days for Ancient Runes."
"Fine, bye Hermione." Harry surrendered, while Ron's protests were muffled by Harry's hand covering his mouth.
Many young inexperienced wizards use their own blood to activate the runic symbol, Gibo Auja, which is particularly dangerous. Wizards throughout the centuries most likely use dragon's blood, only because it is a substitute that is easier to obtain. Although unicorn blood posses a powerful effect on most charms and potions, it is rather quite useless in runic works. As the famous medi-wizard, Dublin, once stated, "Finding the auja in the gibo can only be worthwhile if-"
POP!
Hermione turned around to release her wrath on the intruder who dared to interrupt while she was doing her homework. She stopped, however, when she found herself face-to-face with no one other than…
"Spike! I have work to do and an essay to finish!" He peered down at the parchment on her desk. It was filled with so many words that little space was even left on the parchment.
"Not important. Its just rubbish."
"Spike," she growled. Hermione picked up her assignment and waved it in Spike's face. "This is not rubbish. What is rubbish, however, are your boots. For god's sake, they look like fisherman's boots."
"Hey! Well, I'm not the one who has to write some," he paused to think. "-some bullshit."
"Nice comeback." Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Sod off." Spike took a look around the room. "This is a pretty nice joint. Comfy bed, I might add. I'm stuck sleeping in some blasted 'ol bed in my crypt. Can't get in any beauty sleep."
"That might explain why you're so butt-ugly. Your face looks like it's been the ass of a donkey." Which was really not true. Spike had grown leaner and his tight black shirt showed off his 6-pack. He was incredibly strong, although his muscles did not show it. He was not like those men who would have these abnormally gigantic muscles that looked like they were on drugs. His chiseled face held two perfect blue eyes and his platinum blonde hair was slicked back. He almost resembled a twin of Malfoy, only except Draco no longer used hair gel, he just let it hang naturally.
"I'm ignoring that last statement. So, where's the bathroom?"
Hermione turned around and gave him the most incredulous stare she could muster. "You're a vampire. Go find it yourself."
"Alright, alright. No need to get your knickers in twist. Although, I would like to see them." He said suggestively.
"Urgh! Get out and go to the cruddy bathroom already!"
Spike walked out and looked at the other two doors to the left. He was tempted to see what the Head Boy's room looked like on the inside, but restrained himself, knowing fully well Hermione would kill him if he dared to. Instead, he turned the doorknob of the water closet.
The bathroom was fit for the king of England- no, scratch that, all the kings England ever had. The white marble floor reflected a clean shine. He flipped a red switch and nearby, the candles gave off a sweet scent of pumpkin pie.
"How does Hermione do it? She has the best things in the world, yet she refuses to take time off to enjoy them! She thinks doing a bloody assignment is more worthwhile. Yeah, worthwhile my ass."
He locked the doors before flicking on a silver switch, which he found turned on the water and he climbed into the bubble-filled bathtub. The lights dimmed a bit and the candle aroma filled his nostrils.
"Food now would be nice."
As if on cue, a plate of cubes appeared before him in mid-air. A note attached to it read, "Anything your heart desires." Spike took a cube, examined it, and popped it into his mouth. It tasted like blood, yet it wasn't- it was much sweeter. It was too good to be blood.
This crap is excellent! That's what the note meant…
Hermione finished her essay and yawned. Spike still wasn't back yet. Her assignment had been to write a foot long essay, but being the over-achiever that she was, she had managed to write three feet long worth of parchment.
I hope he bit Malfoy. Then, Dumbledore'll have to pick another Head Boy. Hehe.
She knocked on Draco's door and there stood Malfoy with his neck still smooth. Damn it. He was half-dressed and was dressed in only his silky green boxers. His hair was slightly ruffled and his face held not sign of a smirk anywhere.
"Hey Granger, what can I do for you?"
He's so hot! Wait, he's being civil? Never mind about that, his body looks so yummy. No! No! Bad Hermione! Bloody hormones.
"I was wondering if anybody's been in your room within the last hour or so. Like maybe a deatheater, demon, witch, wizard, and oh, I don't know, a vampire?"
"Why? Jealous of the other girls?" His infamous smirk appeared.
"Just answer the question, Malfoy." She sighed. She was sick of his wisecracks.
"Can't say that I have. But if I do, I'm sure my screams and groans will be loud enough to hear.'
"Good night, Malfoy." Hermione gritted through her teeth. If he said one more word to her, she'll-
"Oh, I'm sure I'll have one." He drawled.
Hermione clenched her fist so hard, her nails were digging into skin and she was bleeding. She quickly healed herself after she had been able to detain herself from kicking down Malfoy's door and hexing him into oblivion.
At least the conversation started out civil. I still have to find Spike, though. Where could he be? Wait, what had he asked right before he left? Think ,Hermione, think! What was it? "So, where's the bathroom?"
Her eyes slowly wandered right to the direction of the middle door. She tried the handle- it was locked.
Damn! He's a vampire for Merlin's sake! He can't be that fascinated with a bathroom of all things!
"Aloha mora!"
The door clicked open and Hermione stomped in, only to find a very naked Spike drying himself with a towel.
"Aaah! My eyes! It burns from the ugliness!" She shrieked and yielded her face with the back of her hands.
"Oh, cut the crap, Hermione!"
She turned around and placed her hands in front of her like an obedient girl. She started staring fixedly at the intricate designs on the wall.
"It's alright for you to turn around. You're lucky. Not all girls get to see this kind of beauty. I know you just want to take in all the sexiness. Stop trying to resist something you want." Spike teases.
"As matter of fact, I'm fine right here. I don't need to besmirch my eyes more than I already did. I think I've seen enough of one of the more repulsive things of the world.
Besides, I think I'm already scarred for life."
"Sure, whatever, you say."
Hermione put on a mocking soft tone. "Sarcasm is only the weapon of the weak. I think you are just saying that because your puny little brain can't handle all those big words I used."
"I just happen to be the only good vampire you have a connection with. Just be happy I can be a good influence on the others of the undead."
"Yeah… if I were a vampire, I would so listen to you, a vampire that can't bite or hurt anybody. Yah, and you forgot Angel too."
"Angel? All he does is run his silly excuse for a job everyday. He only helps people."
"I'll just have you know that 'Angel Investigations' have been getting an influx lately.
He's certainly in better conditions than you. At least he's not dressed in rags."
"What's wrong with my clothes? They're just a couple hundred years old."
"My point exactly. Tomorrow, I'm going to Hogsmeade and you're coming with me."
"Ok, first it was Hogswart, now it's Hogsmeade. What is with all the Hoggy-ish ideas around here? Who the hell comes up with these names?"
Hermione rolled her eyes and walked out and into her bedroom. Spike hurriedly dressed and followed her, closing the door behind him.
"Hey! You can't just walk out on me like that!" Spike yelled across the room at me. The room was pretty wide, about fifty feet by fifty feet.
"Uh, Spike, yes I can! And I'll do it again." Hermione stepped out of the room for a few minutes and came back again.
"FYI, Spike, I live here."
"Where will I stay?"
"You can sleep on the floor."
"I was hoping for the bed."
"No! No way are you sleeping in my bed!"
"You can't expect your guest to sleep on your blasted rug! Tell you what, I'll let you take me to Hoggy-whatever without complaining if you let me sleep on your bed. Deal?"
"Deal." They shook hands and climbed into bed. Hermione went on the right, while Spike would sleep on the left. She turned off the lights and cuddled into her blanket.
Suddenly she felt a finger running up and down her back. He moved is whole hand over her body and slid it across her waist. Shivers ran up and down her spine at his touch.
"Ugh, Spike, stop it. Nothing's going to happen tonight, so don't you dare get your hopes up."
"Buffy wasn't so reluctant."
"I'm not a slut."
"You're so hard-headed. I bet you've never kissed a guy."
"Yes I have."
"Oh yeah? Who?"
"It's none of your business."
"Really?"
He turned her around so that now, she was facing him. He didn't expect what he saw. On the contrary, he saw that Hermione had fallen asleep on him!
"Am I really that boring?"
"Yes." Hermione muttered in her sleep.
Spike groaned and tried to close his eyes, but sleep didn't come easy. It never comes easy to vampires. He was just about to count sheep when a loud rapt came from the door. Hermione's right eyelid fluttered open and she peeked out. When the knock came again, only more loudly this time, her left eye popped open.
"Who is it?" She called out.
"Granger, we have to patrol tonight. It's Tuesday."
"Darn it! How could I have forgotten? It completely slipped my mind. Hold on a minute, Malfoy." Hermoine called back from where she lay.
"Spike! Let go of my arm; I have to go get ready. It's really hard to do so when someone's holding onto you."
"Why?" Spike laid lazily on the bed.
"I have to patrol. It's Head Duties."
"Patrol? With another guy? You always patrol with me."
"Well, I can't risk to forfeit my Head Duties."
"Fair enough. I'm going with you."
"What?" Hermione froze.
"I'm going with you." Spike repeated.
"You can't! What will I say to Malfoy or even Dumbledore if they see you?"
"Dumbledore?"
"The headmaster!" Hermione explained.
"You people seriously need a name change. I mean, who the bloody hell wants a name like Dumbledore! It sounds like the name of the guy who's off his rocker."
"You have no idea." Hermione muttered under her breath. Out loud she said, "Hey! Spike. Stop trying to change the subject. You're staying here, whether you like it or not."
"I don't like it so you can't make me. Besides, I already had a mother; I don't need another one. I'm not a five-year-old kid. And I'm going with you!"
"Well, you're certainly acting like a five-year-old." She shot back.
As Hermione walked out of her room, Spike followed. Malfoy raised an eyebrow questionably.
"He's coming too?" Malfoy asked quizzically.
"He's-" Hermione started.
"Yes, I'm coming too." Spike finished.
Hermione glared at him, and he glared just as hard back. Malfoy stared back and forth at the competitors in the glaring contest, wondering with amusement who would crack first.
"Fine, he's coming too." Hermione stated and walked away, fuming that she had lost. But she had no choice, really. It was either agree to let Spike come along or stand there the whole night participating in the glaring contest. Yes, it would take the whole night- she'd tried before.
Malfoy and Spike followed sluggishly behind her (except Draco was walking aristocratically sluggish) as they discussed life in England. Spike had come to England, in search of Buffy.
(Draco doesn't know about the slayer thing yet and he doesn't know who Buffy is either, except that she was his former lover.) Buffy died in a car crash (it's a lie- Buffy died naturally) and Spike had met Hermione after Giles introduced him.
It was then when they heard Hermione's scream piercing through the night. The two guys rushed to her aid and saw her surrounded by five fang-bearing creatures.
Malfoy froze out of fear and shock. Spike, however, attacked immediately.
Hermione had her stake put and was fighting two vampires at once. Spike was also handling two. She couldn't find the other one. Then, she spotted him, coming from behind Malfoy, ready to bite him. Malfoy looked oblivious to the danger behind him. She quickly staked one of the two and ran as fast as she could to Draco.
She came just in time and stabbed the vampire from behind and was able to catch the another one off guard with her fast reflexes, causing the once solid vampire to deteriorate into dust. Spike finished off the last one and walked over to where Hermione and Draco stood.
Someone clapped from within the bushes. A cloaked person stepped out of the cover of the darkness of the trees. He was a pale man with long black hair, dressed in a black cape, with the underside being blood red. He wore a white dress shirt and black pants. His black hair shone in the moonlight… along, with his fangs.
Oh, goodie! Another of the undead! Hermione thought.
This vampire was rather handsome, however, and glided gracefully over to Hermione. He spoke in an American accent.
"Well done, Miss Granger. You truly are the slayer, the chosen one." He circled around her. "How does it feel to know you have so much power in your hands?" He took her hand and kissed it, while still keeping his eyes on her. Hermione yanked her hand away.
"For starters, it makes me want to turn that mouth of yours into dust.
"Gonna try and kill me, eh? Not going to happen tonight, my dear. Not tonight. I happen to "personally know" Buffy, if you catch my drift. But unfortunately, I'm not quite acquainted with you, yet."
"You lay one hand on her and you're going to be gone with the wind." Spike growled.
"That's supposed to scare me? From you? You are a disgrace to vampire name! You shouldn't even have to privilege to have vampire blood! Can't even use your fangs properly."
Spike gave a deathly glare at the stranger. The stranger turned back around to face Hermione and bowed.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am infamous Count Dracula."
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