The gargoyle looked back at me, and I could see the calculating glint in its marble black eyes. I glared back at it, knowing what it really was. Slowly it opened its jaw, and on its tongue lay a piece of folder paper. Glancing quickly down the corridors, I snatched my hand inside the gargoyle's mouth, and grabbed the piece paper. The gargoyle's mouth shut with a loud smack and its marble eyes flashed when its mouth closed on air. I just smirked back; clearly I was too fast for it. Some Malfoy habits were just too hard too resist.

Unfolding the piece of parchment I wondered what the password would be. Some kind of candy perhaps? Dumbledore always had a soft spot for candy, some of his favorite students would say. I looked down at the flowing blue ink, and I could not help but judge his penmanship. He slightly over exaggerated the beginning of his letters. It could either supply boastfulness, or liveliness. I think it was the latter of the two. I read the word on the parchment…

"Bumblebee"

When I finally processed what the word was, the only thought that registered in my mind was, "What the… The old coot had gone mad." Who picked a word like bumblebee? Maybe it was because he hummed all the time. I looked back up at the gargoyle. I swear it must have been smirking. "Bumblebee" I grumbled at the gargoyle. Seconds later it began to twist back into the wall, its tail swished around, and it its place was the spiral staircase that led to Dumbledore's office.

I shivered as I felt the soft breeze that came down the staircase. I sighed to reassure myself, and headed up the staircase with a bravery that could match a Gryffindor. As I rose up the staircase it began to move back into place. The passageway disappeared, and with a click that seemed to vibrate continuously, I realized that there was no turning back.

I groaned in annoyance, disappointed in myself, that I had actually considered turning around. Malfoy's didn't back down. Nooo… damn the name. I hated it as much as I feared it. For that stupid name I was also labeled. I once could bear the name Malfoy on my shoulders, when coming into a room. But I would not be proud standing under a name that seemly held so much power, yet felt like shame when think of the behavior and acts that had been performed by those with the name.

As I entered the room I purposely resolved to myself to drop the act of arrogance. Who was I without the smirk, without the upturned nose? It felt odd to not mentally go through my checklist of Malfoy mannerisms. To actually be at ease, as myself. No desire to be imposing, or the largest thing in the room. With hands in my pockets, and a slight curve of a smile on my lips, I was proud of myself.

Since dropping the false facade, I could not help but stare in surprise at the uniquely decorated walls and objects. Colors jumped out to me, and the mood in the room could probably turn the coldest person, into admitting that they had a small sense of liveliness. Boy my father would have had a heart attack if he walked in on this. I could only imagine the look of horror on his face, mouth opened in surprise, but would turn to disgust the moment he regained his composure, and those eyes… they would not change. I doubted they had ever shown emotion. They probably lacked the skill to do so. I sighed, hoping I had not been lost too long pretending to be a stone, to not regain true emotion.

Pictures lined the walls, and some of them stared as me happily. I nodded back at them to let them know I acknowledged there presence. One was a painting of a woman sitting contently in a meadow of violets. Her black hair flowed gracefully down her back in small waves to touch the ground. She stared up at the setting sun which made her skin glow. As I walked by her, she waved and blew me a kiss. I blushed, and she laughed in delight. Then with a wink, she ran into the portrait next to her. She ran on, her cream corset standing out as she went from one painting to another until she disappeared from sight. I shook my head bewildered, still slightly embarrassed.

When I looked at the back of the room I found just the man I was looking for. Dumbledore sat at his dark mahogany desk; his hand skimming across the paper in front of him. I walked over quietly to stand in front of the desk. Without looking up, he gestured for me to sit across from him. In his warm cheerful voice he said enthusiastically, "Ahhh… My dear Mr. Draco Malfoy, one moment and I'll be right with you." I was surprised that he had known I had entered. But another part of me wasn't surprised for this was Dumbledore, the only fear of Voldemort. I wondered if Voldemort feared Dumbledore because he was so much happier than Tom Riddle could ever be.

I sat, glancing once again about the room. I saw the old worn black Sorting hat looking down at me from his shelf. I smirked at it, remembering how he had barely touched my head before shouting "Slytherin!" I wondered if the hat felt any regret for putting some people in their houses.

Suddenly something burst in flame to my right. I whipped around, seeing a bird that was covered in flames. I watched in awe as the Phoenix crumbled into ash at the bottom of its perch. From the ashes poked a small head. It coughed and sputtered, I laughed at it softly. The bird looked over at when it had heard my voice, and it chirped upon seeing me. The chirp pieced through the room, and sounded in my mind long after it had left the bird's beak. I watch as it rapidly began to grow, until it became a full fledged Phoenix. I marveled at its beauty, admiring the way its fiery red and orange feathers glowed magically in the firelight. Its eyes looking back at me curiously, and with a small hop, it glided the few feet down to rest on my knee.

I swallowed loudly, trying to appear perfectly unaffected. The phoenix cooed quietly, seeing through the poor facade. After a few seconds under its cool gaze, it bent its neck gracefully, while ruffling up its feathers. I laughed to myself, feeling as the tension left my body. It had accepted me, and I in turn began to rub behind its neck where it's feathers were splayed. The bird cooed some more, and I once again marveled at the soft feathers that ran through my fingers.

It took me awhile before I felt eyes on me. I glanced up and almost jumped at the sight of those two blue orbs that gazed at me behind those half-moon spectacles and with so much emotion. To even try to tell what Dumbledore was feeling was too hard to even try. It just boggled my mind… how could anyone feel that much?

He eyes slowly drifted down to the bird on my knee. His mouth curved into a smile, "It looks like Fawkes had taken a like to you. You know, she's a hard one to win over. She must see something in you that she likes." I had to look away from Dumbledore as his eyes bore into mine. He continued on, "Now what have I done to receive you presence Mr. Malfoy?"

I swallowed again, and Fawkes gently butted her head against my chest in reassurance. I cleared my throat, "I ahhh…" With a loud sigh I continued, "You said that you wanted us students to come to you if we had any errr… problem that might affect others or ourselves." I waited patiently for Dumbledore to respond, "Yes, I do believe I said that."

He looked at me now waiting for me to come out with it. I had opened my mouth and before a sound could escape my throat, Dumbledore said quietly, "Werewolf?" I blinked rapidly in confusion, "What?"

For once Dumbledore looked shocked, "You are not a werewolf?" I shook my head, "No I am not a werewolf, professor." Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, now eyeing me closely. "Hmmmmm…" he though out loud, "Not a werewolf, then what? A shape-shifter perhaps?" I shook my head no. Dumbledore brows furrowed in concentration, then they relaxed. And his faced turned into one of concern. He chuckled softly to himself, "I am sorry to pester you so. This could mean something to, and here I am playing guessing games. I am sorry Mr. Malfoy if I have offended you in anyway."

I looked at him bewildered. I had never heard an apology directed at me before, and I was mind blown as how to answer it. "I ahhh… apology accepted. I am not offended." I muttered. Dumbledore nodded in relief. "Here, I'll let you finish what you were saying before I rudely interrupted you Mr. Malfoy."

I smiled slightly, and said nervously, "Professor, I am a vampire." To say Dumbledore was surprised was an understatement. He rose from his chair, and muttering an incarnation, I felt as a spell washed over me then disappeared. I glanced around me afraid of what had just been cast on me. Dumbledore sighed again, "No boy you are not a vampire. That spell I just sent senses your blood and heart beat. I knew you had a pulse when you first came in, but I just had to make sure with that spell. But you Mr. Malfoy are not a vampire."

"Professor, I am a vampire. Yes I know I have a heart, a pulse, and I can withstand the sun. But I still feed on… blood. I can go for a month or so with out blood, and I don't kill my pre-the human." I quickly caught myself before I said prey. It made me sound like I hunted for sport; it made me sound like a killer. I rose, putting Fawkes on my shoulder. Opening my mouth, I let my canines lengthen and become sharp. "Have you heard of "The Prince of Shadows?" I asked quietly.

Dumbledore truly look surprised, and he sat slowly, his eyes speaking of a turmoil of thoughts. He motioned for me to sit, and I did so but reluctantly. I feared what Dumbledore might say. "I have heard of the "Prince of Shadows. But I'll admit I thought the rumors had been… just rumors or talk to just get a story in the paper. Do you know what "The Prince of Shadows" is… or what he does." His eyes bore into mine, almost demanding a response.

I shook my head sadly. Dumbledore expression softened, "Then that is good for now. You will be learning about it this year in class. Mr. Malfoy you hold a power that is great, but also dangerous. You must promise me you will use it for good." I nodded my head, "I promise."

Dumbledore nodded his consent, "Good. Is that all you wished to tell me." I shook my head no, "Ahhh… Blaise Zabini is also a vampire, not how I am, but I'm just telling you now, I don't want him killing anyone." Dumbledore nodded, then smiled, "Have a good day Mr. Malfoy." I rose, and Fawkes flew back to her perch. She chirped once in goodbye.

I was about to turn around when Dumbledore asked, "Would you mind giving putting this in the gargoyles mouth. Tell him I'll get him chocolate tomorrow. He is a greedy little thing." I nodded, and took the folded piece of parchment. Dumbledore looked back at me, and putting a hand over mine and said quietly, "Be careful, I wouldn't tell anyone about this, who you couldn't trust with your life." I nodded, and then walked away. Sadly, there would be no one I would be sharing it with. There was no one who I trusted with my life.

I should have felt relieved, but I wasn't. If fact I think I was more afraid of what the future held. The staircase opened as I walked down it, and the gargoyle was already waiting with its mouth open. I reached into my pocket, and slowly unwrapped the piece of candy that had been in my pocket since… forever. I popped it into the gargoyle's mouth. It smacked its mouth shut, and I could hear as it chewed. I smirked, "You know you're lucky I had that in my pocket or you wouldn't have gotten anything at all, the professor will get you back tomorrow." The gargoyle swallowed then opened its mouth once more. I was about to put the note from Dumbledore it its mouth before it growled. For a moment I though I had did something wrong, but then I saw the fiery red feather in its mouth. I slowly took it from the gargoyle's mouth and replaced it with the note. I did not whip my hand back, and the gargoyle shut its mouth slowly. I smiled, "I take it were friends now?" The gargoyle growled lightly, and I laughed.

As I walked out of the Great doors holding the Phoenix feather in my hand, I thought that maybe, just maybe this year would turn out.