Chapter 3

"Vampire (Drakulya, Vampyre draconiis sanguis: Danger Rating:

The Anti-social vampire will interact with human beings, only to lure them into a false sense of self- confidence, so that they may more easily stalk their prey. Vampires will do this only to hide his true identity, and thus lure more victims towards him. Like an Angel Fish, vampires can bring their prey to them with their powers, and suddenly attack. Perhaps Vampires are the most dangerous magical creatures known, because not only are their magic extremely powerful and potent, but the 'primus vampyre' has the ability to think logically, rationally, and abstractly. Even werewolves are only dangerous during a full moon, and than they use only animal instinct, whereas Vampires instinct to kill is present throughout there lives. If one suspects someone of being a vampire, please inform the ministry official, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DEFEAT!...signs of a vampire: slit like red pupils in the eyes, sunken eyes, unnaturally large canine teeth, pale/ luminescent skin which occasionally turns red when it has been feeding…" (Excerpt from the New Edition of "Magical Creatures and Where to Find Them." By Newt Scamander

There was an uncomfortable silence for several moments, before Ginny spoke, "What…is that…it looks like a…"

Sid was quick, "Yah, it's my other trunk. It holds all my stuff that I couldn't fit in that trunk. " he gestured to his rather bulky, worn chest.

"It looks like a…" Ron said slowly.

Sid quickly covered it with its canvas, "Coffin? Yes you're not the first to make that mistake. It does rather look like one doesn't it…"behind the sunglasses his eyes were terrified. The windows of the train went dark as they entered a long tunnel.

There was little speaking while they looked at him skeptically, Hermione shot a glance at Harry who looked back at her blankly.

At that time the train began to jar and jerk around on the tracks, the lights flickered and than…darkness. Screams and cries of confusion could be heard all over the train, soon a voice came over the intercom, "Err…we apologize for this unexpected stop, but it appears some damages to the track have been found, Well be a little while in repairing the tracks. Until that time, please stay in your seats and do not panic." The intercom went off, and it soon became obvious that the request was being feloniously ignored, as they could hear people running by the door along the halls, laughing.

The darkness didn't particularly Sid much, being used to its presence, especially back in Romania and the stuffy, dark castle: his vampiric senses were heightened without the presence of light: he could immediately tell that Harry and Ginny were quietly locked at the lips, while Ron and Hermione were doing likewise. Quietly he got up, slid the door back and entered the hall.

He humored himself by walking by rows of compartments, full of happy, snogging teenagers, or quiet, brooding students: he could see them, clear as day, but they were oblivious to his presence. For a moment he felt empowered, and than, suddenly, so very alone; just another shadow on time. Suddenly the lights flickered on, and the train rumbled into motion, and a general cheer was heard along the train. Sid turned to head back to his compartment, but as he turned he found himself facing Hermione. He stumbled backwards surprised.

Hermione looked grim as she said to him, "Sidnay…I know…how long have you been a…a…"

"Vampire?" Sid suggested quietly so only she could hear him, "Since I was born…unfortunately it goes much deeper than that…I am…rather a high ranking vampire…my last name is Dracula, and I will be a Count in 2 years…I will leave it at that…" he pulled Hermione into a dark corner, and said frantically.

Hermione looked as though she was deep in thought, "Of course I will, but why all the secrecy?"

Sid looked rather surprised, "You mean you…honestly don't know about the, "Please don't tell anyone…you don't know hoe my people have suffered… the ridicule, degradation, oppression, persecution…injustices we have experienced for thousands of years…if kids were to know at Hogwarts… my life may actually be in danger…well life in the loosest sense of the word…but I'm not getting into that, its rather confusing…"he gave her a small smile, before turning and returning to the compartment, without turning back. Entering the compartment, Sid took up his bundle of robes and clothes, and walked out without turning and looking at anyone present, and walked to the bathroom to change. Finally he took a look at himself in the mirror: his pale, almost luminescent, face was framed on both sides by long unruly red hair, his eyes carefully hidden behind his sunglasses, the Hogwarts uniform, which he had 'modified; by adding a black top hat, and long black cape with red lining. He checked his teeth, his long sharp fangs in place of the canines. He could feel the train slowly, so, exiting the bathroom, he went back to the compartment, and began to pack his guitar case up.

"You know, you're supposed to leave everything here, and it'll be taken up right?" Ron asked.

Sid smiled, "Yah, but I don't trust anyone or thing with my guitar…it's paranoia of mine…" the train finally came to full stop, and they joined the crowds of people, and Sid pulled the collars of his cape up more stiffly, and drew the cape around him more closely.

Stepping out onto the platform, the air was colder; the mist clung along the ground more closely, giving the coaches drawn nearby, by Thestrals which pawed the ground irritably, and there towering out of the mist, was Hogwarts School.