A/N: It is not out of malice that I don't update this story often. I've wanted to update for three weeks or so, believe me. Even if the reviews came faster, I don't have time to write this and post apprx once a week because the chapters are so long. I have to just write them whenever I can. So you can deal with it if I can.
This chapter is a PlotPoint!Chapter. It is also a Dream!Chapter.
Reviews: Tamurl07, OOC means out of character. Yeah. That's it. To the others, I already have a Blaise pairing planned. And it is not Hermione, though a Blaise/Hermione pairing sounds good. Sorry.
The Negative Side
Erik
On a bright Friday afternoon, once their lessons had ended, most of the Hogwarts students were relaxing either out on the grounds or in their common rooms. They were shaking off the stress of classes and hard work for a night before starting on their weekend homework. While this was happening, two seventh year students sat just within the fringe of the Forbidden Forest.
"This is the oddest assignment I've ever had," Blaise stated. "And I'm not succeeding at all. Maybe I need direct contact." He walked up to a tree and placed his hand on the bark. "This one's not dark at all. And certainly not energetic."
"Blaise," admonished Hermione lightly. "That's not what he meant."
Professor Lupin had instructed them to feel out some kind of dark energy in the forest. He had said that every dark creature or spell can be sensed with the right concentration. Some people were better at it than others. And dark creatures, he had hinted meaningfully, always knew when one of their own was nearby.
"Well, I think I've had about enough of this. Can we continue tomorrow? I'm not helping, anyway. Maybe after a good night's sleep-"
"You mean a good night's partying?" Hermione interrupted. Blaise glowered at her good-naturedly. "No matter. If you don't want to stay, why don't you go on? I think I might try to see if I can get us any further in this assignment."
"Are you sure? Lupin specifically said we weren't supposed to try this on our own, considering how dangerous the forest can be." Over the past few weeks, Hermione had gotten used to hearing genuine emotions in Blaise's tone. Therefore she was not surprised, but slightly flattered to hear the worry in his voice.
"Well, you know me," Hermione shrugged. "And what are you, a Gryffindor? Why so worried?"
"What, I'm not allowed to be concerned?"
"Not if you want to maintain your reputation as a Slytherin," said Hermione innocently. "Now, get on with you before I change my mind and make you stay."
"All right, if you say so, ma'am. Oh, any messages you want me to relay to anybody? Say, Draco?"
She looked at him tiredly. "For the eightieth time, no," she told him. "Go away."
"I'll see you at dinner, Hermione," Blaise said before walking off. It's true, he probably would see her, even if they were unlikely to speak or actually make eye contact. It was common knowledge that they were tolerant of each other, as with Harry and Draco, but the fact that they were friends was as yet still largely secret.
As soon as he was out of sight, she slipped her bag over her shoulder and took off through the trees. She had been feeling a dark presence for a while, but for some reason had not wanted Blaise to know. She followed it to a spot that was deeper than she would have liked. There, she stepped into a small, secluded clearing. It looked empty to her, but still she stepped carefully. Hearing a stick break behind her, she whirled. Upon seeing the cause of the sound, she gasped and backed up until she hit a tree. Part of her wanted to run away, but the other part was fascinated.
"What are you doing here?" the dark creature asked in surprise.
She did not answer right away. She noticed that her breathing was shallower than usual. "You… you're a vampire."
"Yes, and you're a human. So? What are you doing here?" he repeated.
"I- ah- what am I… research," she responded simply. In a way, it was the truth.
"You are from the Ministry?"
"No, I'm a student at Hogwarts."
The vampire raised an eyebrow. "I thought they didn't allow students in the forest."
"Well, strictly speaking - wait. How would you know that?"
"Not every dark creature is an animal," he answered cryptically. "Why don't you relax? It will make me far more comfortable."
"But… you won't try to drink my blood?"
He had been pacing with his back to her. At this, he turned sharply toward Hermione. He glanced over her. "No," he said. "I will not."
She took a step from the tree. "How do I know you're telling me the truth?"
"You don't know," he replied. He began to pace again, walking from one end of the clearing to another. Hermione watched him as she slowly made her way closer to the center, and saw that he was limping.
"I've…er, never met a vampire before."
"Perhaps a formal introduction would help to cure this awkwardness," the vampire said abruptly, ignoring Hermione's statement. "My name is Erik." He bowed.
"Er, I…"
"Would that be your name, then?" he inquired as his mouth acquired an odd twist.
She rolled her eyes at Erik, and began to feel more like her confident self. She flipped her hair. "No, actually it's Hermione. Hermione Granger."
"It is a pleasure, Hermione. Now, before you begin to ask me all sorts of questions, I will tell you why I am here. If in turn, you will tell me why you are here." Hermione nodded her consent, and he started an explanation. "I am here because I cannot travel more than twenty feet from the center of this clearing."
"But why?" Hermione blurted out.
"What is it that I said about questions?" Erik sighed. "Another vampire, who goes by the name Le Couteau, cast a spell on me. It was a simple location-binding spell, but I have not the means to break it, and I have no way to get them."
"Do you know this other vampire well?" wondered Hermione.
"I see that I will be unable to stop you from being curious. Yes, I did. I traveled with him for over a century. We parted ways twenty years ago, I think it was. I encountered him a few months ago, and we argued. He is very proud and vengeful. Therefore…" Erik waved a hand to encompass the clearing, and Hermione understood. "Now that I have revealed something of myself, it is your turn."
Hermione cleared her throat. "It's a simple thing, really. My Defense professor gave us an assignment to try to feel dark energy in the forest. I suppose it was you I sensed, or possibly the spell. After my partner left, I came in search of the source."
Erik nodded. "You were right, it is quite simple." He paused as he appraised her. "I can see that you have many more questions for me."
"Oh, yes. I do."
"Ask what you will. I may not give you all the answers you hope for, but there is no harm in curiosity. They say curiosity killed the cat, when really it was the spider's venom."
Hermione smiled at the thought of Ron's face if he ever heard that. "Why don't you want to drink my blood?"
"I only drink human blood if nothing else is available. Here, there is the stray bird or squirrel, sometimes deer, on which I can feed."
Confused, Hermione shook her head. She had thought that all vampires fed off humans. "I'm sorry, but I don't understand. The texts all say that vampires drink the blood of humans, sometimes changing them to be like themselves."
Erik dismissively threw up his right hand. "Rubbish. Vampires are born, not made. The changing of humans into vampires is a myth."
"But the books say-"
"Do they give hard evidence?" Erik asked, leaning toward her. "Have you ever seen someone changed?"
Hermione backed up a step. "Well, no."
"Don't believe everything you read," said Erik knowingly. "As I was saying, a vampire is as likely to drink the blood of animals as that of humans. It all depends on their morals and beliefs."
"Vampires are dark creatures, aren't they?"
"That mostly refers to our beginning. How the first of us came to be. But some humans kill, and some vampires don't. Blood is a part of our life, but we make the choice as to the type. We are more susceptible to evil because of our dark origins, but not all of us are the same. The only reason you do not hear about my style of vampire is our knack for cleaning up after ourselves. Those who feed from humans do not feel the need to keep their nature hidden."
"And you do?" Hermione concluded.
"If I want to live among people, which I find convenient, then yes. That is one of the reasons why Le Couteau knew this spell would be particularly effective. Extended solitude does not suit me." Erik looked up at the sky, where the sun was sinking slowly. Hermione put off the question that arose to ask another.
"How long have you been here?"
"It must be nearly a year. I am getting weaker every day."
"Weaker?" Hermione repeated, startled. "Why?"
"Food is scarce when you can only eat what passes by. Also, I cannot always escape the sun. Ah, I can tell you have a question about that. Yes, sunlight kills vampires. We can survive for a while, but the time varies depending on the particular vampire. At one time I could have stood the sun for three hours, now it is little more than an hour. In time, any exposure at all will be the end of me."
Having been within reach of him for this entire conversation without being attacked, Hermione was inclined to believe his story. Therefore, she made a decision with the sympathetic part of her brain. "I could help you," she said quickly.
Erik looked up at her with raised eyebrows. "How do you propose to do that?"
She took a moment to look at him closely while she thought of exactly what to say. He reminded her just the slightest bit of Blaise, except that his eyes were blue, and his skin was a few shades paler. The hair was quite similar. "Well, I could find out how to break the spell. And I could try to find one to protect you from sunlight. I bet the house elves would let me have the excess blood from the meat they cook."
"I do not want you to trouble so much over me," protested Erik.
"You said yourself that you can't find the means to get out of this situation," Hermione said, a scold creeping into her voice. "Maybe I can. And I am going to try no matter what you say, so stop trying to dissuade me." She placed her hands on her hips.
Grinning attractively, Erik took her hand up and kissed it. "You are quite the human, Hermione Granger. Will you be returning soon, then?"
"I'll try to get back tomorrow. I'll take care of some of the research tonight, and the blood. Expect me in the morning, I should think."
"I will." Erik folding himself into his dark cape and moved to an edge of the clearing, where he melted into the trees.
"Wow," Hermione said under her breath. "I wish I could do that." She looked for him, but could see nothing. Shifting her pack, she turned and used a spell to find her way back through the forest.
Luckily, everyone had gone inside by that time. No one was there to see her emerge. She hurried back to the castle, and discreetly ran toward the kitchen. On her way there, she ran into Ron.
"Hermione, where are you going? The Great Hall is the other way."
"I know that. I was on my way to the library," she lied. If she told him she was going to the kitchens, he would probably want to accompany her. "I have some spells to look up."
"But you'll miss dinner," he whined.
"It's all right, I'm not that hungry," she lied again. The elves would give her something.
"Well, we'll miss you," Ron told her. "Should we come to the library later?"
"Stop, you won't even notice I'm gone," she said. "Don't worry about me. Books are good company in my opinion, remember? I'll see you later in the common room. Loosen up, Ron." She had taken only a few steps before he called out and caused her to turn.
"There was something I, er, wanted to ask you." He shuffled his feet for a moment, and looked down at the ground. She saw his ears turn red. "Would you go to the Halloween Ball with me?" he mumbled quickly.
Hermione was flattered, but she still remembered fourth year and the Yule Ball. "I assume all the pretty girls were taken?" she could not resist saying.
Ron grimaced. "Come on, Hermione. You know you're beautiful."
She put a hand under his chin so she could look into his eyes. She smiled. "I'm sure it would be wonderful to go to the ball with you," she said, and started to leave.
"Is that a yes?" Ron called after her.
She laughed, "Yes!" she yelled over her shoulder. She took a roundabout route to the kitchen to be sure that everyone else would be at dinner. When she tickled the pear and entered, the house elves all greeted her with smiles.
"How can we serve miss?" they asked her.
"Well, I would like something for a snack. I'm not going to dinner." They came up with a generous selection, from which she chose things she could easily carry in her bag. "There is another thing I need. This may seem like a strange request…"
He was in the great ballroom of Malfoy manor. No other room could look the same. Yet it was not the ballroom. The colors were all different, and cobwebs were beginning to form, dulling the gilded décor. He took a few silent steps toward the grand staircase.
Forms began to flicker around him. Mostly they were couples waltzing, dressed in clothing from the seventeenth century. A few small groups stood on the sidelines, and one figure, more hazy than the others, stood at the balcony of the landing. All of them had a ghostly pallor, and they did not remain in sight for more than a few seconds. Soft, eerie music fluttered around him.
This is not how I remembered it, he thought. This confused him, since he was fairly sure he had never seen this to begin with.
He continued to walk among the specters, approaching the staircase at the far end of the room. He reached it, and ascended the stairs. Time was painfully slow. As he approached the landing, the figure at the top grew more substantial, while those at the bottom flicked faster in and out of view.
Finally, he found himself at the top of the stairs, standing a few feet from Lucius Malfoy. He was wearing no shirt, something he had only seen twice in his lifetime, and something that surprised him even more, his eyes held fear when they turned to him. "What are they doing here?" he asked Lucius, gesturing to the dancing ghosts.
Lucius did not answer, but turned his body to face him. "You know what happens next," he stated. His neck snapped then, and he fell to the ground in death. Lucius's body disappeared after his wand had rolled away between the posts of the banister.
Draco turned away from the spot where his father had died, looking down to the main floor. Instead of the dancers he had seen previously, he saw a smaller group gathered by the base of the stairs. Voldemort stood on the fifth step, giving him a bit of extra height. Lucius was there, and so was he, strangely. Hermione, Blaise, and two others that he knew were being held by Death Eaters. A few more of Voldemort's disciples stood around him, making about twenty in all. It was unclear what was happening, but he felt that someone was about to die.
Suddenly, a woman, one of the ghosts, was beside him. She was done up in all kinds of finery, and was quite pretty. She had dark hair and pale eyes, which pierced through Draco's like fire. She pointed to a door at one side of the ballroom that led into the first floor corridor. He looked in that direction and saw Narcissa emerge from it. She stood without moving for a moment, then a flash of green light caused her to pitch forward. His head whipped back to the group, and he saw Lucius with his wand extended.
The woman standing beside him handed him a wand, but even as he gripped it he could not feel it. "It is your move," she said. Then she dissolved. Draco turned and saw the pale waltzers again, but this time they all lay dead on the floor.
When Draco realized that he was back in his bed at Hogwarts, he remembered that he had just been sleeping, and probably dreaming. He checked the clock on the wall. It read a little after four in the morning.
Annoyed, he threw off his covers and padded to the bathroom. He splashed water on his face, drying it with a fresh, fluffy towel. As he was returning to his room, he thought about what he could do. Reading was an option, homework was not. He could wake Blaise and see if he had anything that would knock him out, but Blaise had a meeting in the morning with Hermione.
The only thing he decided was available was reading. A boring enough book would put him to sleep quickly. He picked up the first one he found and brought it to the fireplace in the common room. It was not until he was settled in that he noticed the title. "Great," he muttered. "A history of my own family. Just what I'm in the mood for." Nevertheless, he opened it. Some of this pureblood history stuff was excruciatingly dull.
His plan backfired when he got sucked into the portion of the book he had opened to. It was about Lucius and Darla Malfoy, both of whom had died in 1658. The book went into detail about their decadence, all the balls and parties they would throw. They were incredibly well-respected, and it was considered a high honor to be invited to an event sponsored by the head of the Malfoy family and his wife - even among royalty.
Early in 1658, they held a ball in honor of Darla's birthday. All the guests and Darla ended up dead, assumed poisoned. As far as was known, Lucius did not eat any of the food served at the ball, and only drank the glass of wine he had been holding when he entered. As influential and powerful as the Malfoys had always been, the situation was far too dire. They could not clear Lucius's name of suspicion and guilt. He was executed by a severing spell that took off his head. After his death, the Malfoy estate went to his brother, Marcus, because Lucius and Darla had not had any children. Marcus redecorated the ballroom with brighter colors and intricate works of gold.
On the next page was a picture of Darla and Lucius. Darla looked exactly like the woman from his dream had, with dark hair and pale green eyes, and Lucius could easily have been his own father. Sucking in his breath, Draco shut the book. His dream had to be more than just a random combination of surreal events.
Erik accepted Hermione's package with grace. "I will be in your debt when you have managed to release me from this spell," he told her. He opened the container of blood and began to drink from it. She watched him with odd fascination.
"You know what I am," he said when he noticed her watching. "Drinking blood is a necessity. If you do not want to see it, do not watch."
"That's not - it's just that I've never seen anyone look like that when they eat."
Erik nodded, not asking for further explanation. Hermione did not give any. It would have been difficult to put into words. Instead, she asked, "You said before that you have to be discreet if you want to live among humans."
"Yes, this is true."
"Could you explain that to me?"
"It is rather simple. From what humans do know of vampires, they would drive me out if it was revealed what I was. They would kill me if possible, but most vampires are too quick to be caught by the kind of mob that would show up. I would have to leave the town, at least for a number of years."
Hermione shifted her weight to her right foot as she scratched her forehead at the temple. "But why do you like living with humans?"
"Humans are warm and stimulating," Erik said, a tinge of black excitement in his voice. "They can make me feel more alive than any creature of the darkness."
Clearing her throat, Hermione said, "I should go. Blaise will be in our meeting place soon. If he sees me coming from the forest, he'll be suspicious. I'll come back when I find out more about how to break this spell."
"Farewell, Hermione," Erik said with a sweeping bow. She nodded in response, adjusting her pack and stepping away from the clearing as he drank some more of the blood she had brought.
A fair distance from the clearing, she took out her wand and cast a Summoning Spell. A dark creature of a small variety came swiftly toward her. Feeling bad, she captured it and held it in that area of the forest. Satisfied that the dark energy was stationary, Hermione left the forest.
Blaise was waiting for her, sitting on the rock where they had met the previous day. He was facing the castle, thankfully, probably expecting her approach. If she came from behind, he would ask her why. Therefore, she moved a bit farther from him, then exited. When she called to him, she was far enough from the forest that she did not seem to have just come from it.
"Where were you?" Blaise asked. "You must have been out early."
"Oh, I went for a walk before this to clear my head. It felt a bit stuffy when I woke up this morning, and coffee didn't help."
Blaise appeared to believe her, because he did not pursue the issue. "I need to tell you something before we get started. It has to do with Draco as well."
"What?" sighed Hermione.
"He and I want to meet with the three of you. You know, Potter and Weasley and you. We have a matter to discuss."
"Is it very important? It sounds so."
"I would say it's important. Can you do it?"
"I can convince them to meet you, yes. We'll arrange it once I've gotten them to agree to it. Probably before the Halloween Ball, because if I have to wait that long I might just go mental. That gives us three weeks."
"That sounds all right to me. On to the assignment, I remembered a spell that can sense dark spells cast within the past week. Perhaps it will help us."
Intrigued, Hermione suggested that he use the spell.
…TBC…
Couteau is French for "knife"
Reviews are soooooo nice.
