Sirius eyed the boy who had drifted off to sleep not long after the sun came up. His breathing was a little raspy and Sirius drew closer, reaching out and lightly touching his side only for the boy to snap awake with his teeth bared in a snarl and jerk in the restraints. Sirius pulled away but the boy immediately calmed at seeing who it was and muttered a soft apology. Seeing that he wasn't going to try anything again, Sirius checked once more, making the boy wince.

"What happened?" Sirius asked, knowing that he couldn't have done all this while they were wrestling earlier.

Sven glanced up at him before looking back to the ground. "I was ambushed by some Slytherins after the feast."

Sirius snorted, not willing to believe that. "Right. Your own house attacked you."

Sven didn't argue, just going quiet and that bothered Sirius. Shouldn't he fight back more? Argue or something? Sirius was starting to feel a bit guilty for what he was doing now. He could've just wiped the kid's memory, but the boy had a point. He would just stumble in again and Sirius wasn't about to let this hideaway go. Not even Dumbledore checked here. We didn't find the place either. It's not on our map. Still, he couldn't trust the kid to keep his mouth shut. Any Slytherin would use this opportunity to show off.

Yet, a part of him was almost… hurt. He cared about the kid before. The kid was the only one to offer him anything and worry about him even after he threatened him. He thought the kid was pretty decent for a vampire. He seemed rather distant from the other vampires too—something he didn't quite understand. So, to find out that this kid was a Slytherin of all things felt like a betrayal. He'd trusted him and look what it got him. Still, that same part that cared still held out hope that he was a decent kid. He could have ratted me out—should have—but he didn't. No one's come looking or even knocking. He was gone for a whole day and just… came back to check on me. It just seems… unlikely.

"Why did you take so long?" Sirius asked suddenly, drawing the boy's attention. "You went to see if I'd been spotted."

"They shut down the castle to look for you," he informed. "All the students were gathered in the Great Hall. I couldn't get away."

"Doesn't stop you from checking another time," Sirius said, looking through the room a bit to see what was lying around.

"We were escorted to our first class. At lunch I had to do homework I couldn't do last night and… was looking up information about Animagi."

Sirius snorted. "So, you were too busy studying? Really?" He found some food and sat down on a sofa with an apple, taking a bite out of it. "Are you telling me you're a bookworm?"

Sven tipped his head slightly, not knowing what he meant and Sirius rolled his eyes, pointing at him.

"Your ribs still hurting?"

Sven looked down with a hint of red tipping his ears. "I'm fine."

Sirius rolled his eyes, getting up and tossing the apple core into a bin nearby. "I'll see if I can nab something from the infirmary. Might have fractured them."

"But you can't!" Sven suddenly pressed, jerking in his chair. "What if you get caught?"

Sirius smirked over his shoulder. "Get caught? Kid, you don't know who you're talking to."

Sirius shifted into a dog and slipped out of the room, leaving the boy behind with a dismissive huff. Once in the halls, it was easy for him to make use of the secrets of the castle to get around, dodging students on the way to restrooms and professors heading to the teacher's lounge. Slipping into the infirmary was a little tough, but he managed to grab something for Sven's injuries before pausing. I should hunt something for him. I don't know when he'll need blood again. Sighing to himself for even keeping the boy with him, Sirius snuck out of the castle and into the Forbidden Forest.

He didn't want to go far but he had to be deep enough that passing students wouldn't see him. The lunch break had started, after all. Going too far would mean risking the Dementors noticing him though. Among other things, he mused, knowing there were centaurs in the forest as well that wouldn't take kindly to his trespassing. He caught a rabbit, thankfully, but just as he was getting ready to leave, he heard someone. Tucking himself carefully behind a tree, he watched as a young Ravenclaw student stepped into a nearby clearing, looking around.

What is she doing? She shouldn't be sneaking off into the forest. It's forbidden for a reason. She sighed softly, talking to herself.

"I guess he's not here either. I wanted to show him the nest of Moon Frogs I found." Her eyes locked onto him then and he stiffened, not moving in case she hadn't seen him.

Yet, she took a few steps forward and dug in her robes. He bristled, prepared to run should she draw her wand, but she simply knelt down and placed a wrapped bundle of a sandwich on the ground.

"It's not much," she hummed, "but you might be hungry."

He didn't move but she didn't seem to mind.

"You haven't seen a young boy, have you? He's from Slytherin, but he's really kind. He doesn't make fun of me like the others and is very sweet. He listens to me tell him about Nargles and Wrackspurts."

What? Sirius thought. She can't possibly mean… Is she talking about that kid?

"I suppose not. He hasn't been coming here with the Dementors around," she mused, getting up and brushing off her robes. "I'll check the library then. If you see him, could you let him know Luna is looking for him?"

What does she think I can do as a dog? He wondered, watching as she walked away before slipping out and eating the sandwich she'd left. Picking up the rabbit, he waited until it was after lunch and classes had started again before ducking back into the castle only to have to slip behind a statue as a couple of Slytherins made their way down the hall.

"You haven't seen him either?"

"Nah. Not since we ambushed him yesterday after the feast."

"I'm gonna kill him," the Slytherin spat. "It took forever to get my hair back to normal."

"But you heard what he did to Malfoy, didn't you?"

"You don't honestly believe he broke his arm, do you? Even Malfoy was saying he was playing dirty."

"Yeah, but he's not backing down like before."

"We'll just gang up on him again. He can't fight all of us. We proved that last night and it's not like Snape will take his side."

"Yeah, I guess so. Why does he even come back though? Doesn't he realize he doesn't belong?"

"That's the point. He doesn't, so we've got to show him. There aren't supposed to be any mudbloods in Slytherin. So, if Sven Rydell wants to fight back, we'll make sure he regrets it."

Sirius nearly dropped the rabbit as they moved out of earshot. It didn't make any sense. That kid is a muggle-born? A full muggle-born? There's no way. There's no way a muggle-born was sorted into Slytherin, and a vampire at that! Was he… Was he telling the truth? Sirius returned to the Room of Requirement and shifted back, rabbit hanging at his side as he looked at the boy once more. He suddenly looked so small and defeated, making Sirius feel more and more guilty. It was suddenly entirely possible that this kid was willing to help him for no other reason than because he'd made friends with a dog. But said dog happens to be a well-known wanted criminal.

Sirius sighed heavily, dragging a hand through his hair and hating what he was going to do next. He drew the boy's wand and got rid of the restraints, surprising the kid who hesitantly held his aching ribs and made no move to get up from the chair.

"Here," he said, tossing the rabbit and his wand at the boy's feet, along with the bottle of potion to help with his ribs. "Take it and go."

Sven was hesitant but soon reached down and picked up the offerings, grimacing at the rabbit and restraining himself as he drank from the potion first.

"Hurry up," Sirius snapped, turning away as Sven bit into the rabbit until the boy spoke.

"What now?"

"You leave. That's what."

"But you—"

"Get out!" Sirius shouted, finally losing his patience and whipping towards the boy who flinched.

Guilt immediately swam through his stomach, but Sirius remained firm and Sven soon picked up his wand and left the room.

"Dammit," Sirius cursed, sinking down in a chair and dropping his face in his hands. "He's just a kid."

Needless to say, Sirius about strangled the boy when he turned up that evening, but the boy was unfazed and simply questioned where else would he sleep? Sirius would've told him to go to his dorm, but after what he'd overheard from those Slytherins, he wondered just how safe this boy was. So, begrudgingly, he let the boy stay.

Sven didn't sleep though. On the contrary, he stayed up late into the night doing homework and practicing spells. The second night was much the same, though Sven brought him a plate of food as well.

"Where did you get this?" Sirius asked, suspicious as to how he was able to sneak out of the Great Hall with a whole plate of food.

"I told the House Elves in the kitchen I was still hungry," he said as if that was an everyday occurrence.

"And they just gave you food?"

Sven nodded, head bowed over a long parchment of the essay he was currently writing. Sirius didn't understand why he was studying so hard when his own species seemed to treat him poorly. Blunt as ever, Sirius chose to just ask.

"Why are you trying so hard?" He grumbled, sipping some of the pumpkin juice and grimacing. "You've got to get me something stronger than this to drink next time."

"I'll try," Sven mused, seeming to only be half-listening. "And I study because it's interesting."

Sirius raised a brow, unconvinced. "History of Magic is interesting?"

Sven finally looked up from his paper. "No, but the other stuff is. Transfiguration, charms, potions—"

"You enjoy potions? Isn't Severus teaching that?" Sirius paused. "But you're a Slytherin, so I guess it doesn't matter."

Sven frowned, one of the first signs of displeasure Sirius had gotten from him. "Professor Snape doesn't like me. None of the Slytherins do."

"Yeah, I noticed," Sirius muttered, explaining when Sven eyed him. "I passed some of them when I brought that rabbit. They were planning to ambush you again."

Sven sighed, returning to his paper. "I'll watch out for them."

"That's it?" Sirius questioned. "You should get them first! Fight back!"

Sven shook his head. "I was only given permission to defend myself."

"Permission? Since when do you need permission to end something before it gets started?"

Sven glanced back over his shoulder at him. "Since I'm only allowed to be here because of the headmaster." He turned back to his work. "If I do anything first or get caught, I could get kicked out and have to go back to the coven."

Where he's also rather outcasted, Sirius noted, huffing and leaning back in his chair. "So, what's the point of all this? For you?"

Sven paused in his writing, reaching up and dragging a hand through his hair, silent.

"I mean, you aren't studying for no reason, right?" Sirius waved a chicken leg at him. "It's obvious to me that you're not doing this for them; the other vampires. So, what's in it for you? What do you plan on getting out of all this?"

"I… don't know," Sven answered, earning a raised brow.

"You're studying magic and bringing yourself into a castle full of people who attack and bully you, and you don't know why?"

Sven put his quill down and fidgeted while tugging his earlobe. "I-I can't explain it well. I'm not good at this."

Sirius frowned. "Good at what? I just want to know what you plan on doing in the future. You've got to have a reason for learning magic, right?"

"I don't want to live there anymore!" Sven finally shouted, held back emotions finally bursting out as he abruptly stood, knocking over his chair and facing Sirius with shaking hands. "I-I don't… I don't want to live in the coven for the rest of my life. I-I don't want to hunt rabbits o-or eat rats to survive. I just… I just want to be like everyone else."

Sirius was quiet for a moment, watching as the boy winced and shrunk in on himself once he noticed he raised his voice. The boy reached down and picked up his chair as well, sitting and wringing his hands, as though ashamed for his outburst.

"Why are you doing that?" Sirius grumbled. "You can shout, you know. I'm not going to stop you."

Sven shook his head. "I'm not supposed to get angry."

"Says who?" Sirius demanded, finishing his meal and leaning forward on the table. "Everyone gets angry and upset. It's normal. Holding it back is wrong."

Sven looked uncertain. "But to control my hunger—"

"What's that got to do with it?" Sirius questioned. "I mean, sure, having control over your emotions can help keep you from doing something like biting your friend, but it doesn't help stop your hunger. That's just an instinctual thing."

Sven seemed hesitant and Sirius sighed.

"Look. You got upset just now, right? Did you feel like biting me or anything?"

Sven shook his head.

"See?" Sirius got up and headed over, patting the boy on the head even though he flinched under the fond touch. "Just be yourself, kid. No one's gonna blame you for expressing yourself. Now, go finish your homework. Merlin knows I never did."

Sirius moved away to go to sleep but swore he saw a hint of a smile on Sven's face just as he walked away.

"Blasted things!" Sirius shouted, shifting out of his dog form and dripping water and mud everywhere as I dried my own hair and wiped a spot of blood from my split lip.

The Slytherins had tried to get their revenge right after the Quidditch match. Their excitement over Gryffindor's loss had boosted their confidence enough to try something out in the open. I, of course, retaliated and Harry wasn't the only one on their way to the infirmary. Though most were just jinxed pretty good. I'll have to thank Fred and George for that improved dung bomb. The added peppers kept them off me for longer this time around. I gave Sirius a glance though as he threw a tantrum nearby.

He'd convinced me to go to the Quidditch match because he wanted to watch. I didn't understand why but begrudgingly went with him. Then, the dementors interrupted the match, bringing Harry down and forcing Dumbledore to step in. Harry was okay and quickly brought to the infirmary. One would think that Sirius would use this chance to get to Harry, but the whole time he's been here, he hasn't even mentioned him.

"Sirius?"

"What?" Sirius grumbled, taking the towel I offered him to dry his hair.

"Did you come here to get to Harry?"

He stopped; eyes on the towel in his hands for a moment before lifting his gaze. "Is that what you think?"

I tipped my head. "It's… what I've heard."

He didn't say anything, looking at his hands solemnly.

"But it doesn't make sense," I added, drawing his attention as I searched for more towels. "Why try to get into Gryffindor Tower while everyone was at the feast? You haven't mentioned him at all or tried to really leave here either. He's in the infirmary now too, but you're upset because of the dementors at the Quidditch match."

"What if I am going after him?" Sirius asked, eyeing me. "What if the whole reason I came here was to befriend you to get closer to Harry?"

I was quiet for a second, thinking, before shrugging. "I don't know. I'd want to know why, maybe?"

Sirius raised a brow as I found another towel and offered it to him. "That's it?"

"I would lose a duel against you," I admitted easily, "and I've learned that rumors often rarely hold the truth."

He took the towel as I continued.

"I just think knowing both sides would help me understand things better." I paused. "And you don't seem like a bad person."

Sirius eyed me before handing back the damp towels. "You're a strange kid."

I blinked. "Thanks?"

He chuckled only to stop as I pointed. "W-What?"

"That was funny?" I asked, hopeful.

"A bit, yeah. Why?"

"How?" I pressed—him a little startled by my full, undivided attention.

"What do you mean, how?"

"I can't banish a boggart," I explained, earning a confused look. "Professor Lupin says I need to think of a way to turn my fear funny, but I don't know how."

"Professor Lupin?" Sirius breathed, making me hesitate. "Why the hell is he here?"

"He's the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

"No, I mean… Oh, never mind and you're not going to be able to use a joke to banish a boggart. Is your fear a physical thing?"

I thought back to the copy of me that stepped out of the wardrobe. "The boggart appears as a physical thing. A person."

He hummed. "Then, try imagining it as something silly. Put funny clothes on it or turn it into a tap-dancing unicorn or something. Why have they got second-years facing boggarts anyway? Isn't that a third-year lesson?"

"Professor Lupin offered to help me improve outside of lessons. I'm learning the Patronus too, but all I can get is smoke."

"A Patronus?" He questioned, but I was focused on something else.

"How is a dancing unicorn funny?"

Sirius opened his mouth to explain before sighing, pulling a hand through his hair. "I forgot you're not used to normal things."

"Yes," I agreed. "Can you explain?"

"It's hard to explain. Have you ever laughed?"

I shook my head.

"Oh, we've got to change that, kid. What about… Have you ever pranked some people, maybe some Slytherins, and this… bubbling feeling wells up in you?"

"No."

"Well, that's when you're trying not to laugh. So, when it happens, I want you to just let it out, okay? Laugh, all right?"

"Okay."

He nodded. "Maybe I'll help you sometime. Get back at those brats for tormenting you."

"How?" I asked. "Everyone's looking for you and I can't have a dog with me at Hogwarts. They're not allowed."

"Hm," he hummed, before waving me over. "Come here. I think there's something we can do."

I moved over and sat at the table with him, curious what he had planned.

"I want you to help me because I'm not after Harry. I want to help him."

"But why are people after you if you're not going to hurt Harry?"

"Because they've got the wrong idea, okay? And they didn't exactly give me a chance to explain before they threw me into that prison," he growled, calming down after a second as I waited patiently.

He had a bit of a temper but it wasn't anything dangerous. I'd dealt with people with dangerous tempers before and he wasn't anywhere close to that. There was a sort of madness in his eyes though when he got like that. He liked to talk to himself sometimes and he often had nightmares, leaving me frequently standing around uneasily at night, unsure what to do to help. He wasn't a bad person though, despite what he was saying.

"Okay, so look. I'll give you a brief explanation, okay? I was friends with Harry's parents, and we were hiding from the Dark Lord." He stopped. "You know who that is, right? You-Know-Who?"

"Voldemort," I nodded, earning a wince from him.

"Yeah, don't say his name. You'll find most people are upset by it," he told me, before continuing. "Thing is, he was trying to kill Harry's parents but they went into hiding and decided to use a spell that would ensure that all the people who knew where they were couldn't tell the Dark Lord except one person. It… It was supposed to be me, but they gave it to someone else because I thought the Dark Lord was onto me. That person betrayed them and framed me. I went after him but he went and blew himself up in the middle of a muggle town, making it look as though I'd been the one to do it. I was thrown into Azkaban without a trial or any say, and thinking he was dead, I… I gave up. No one would listen, so why bother?"

I wasn't sure what to say to that, though the information began to add up in my head after what I'd heard from Harry.

"Something changed?" I concluded, earning a nod.

"There was a newspaper article. It showed that red-headed family, the Weasley's, but there was something that caught my attention." He held up a hand, pointing at his pinky. "When that guy—Peter Pettigrew—blew himself up, all that was left was a pinky. There's a pet rat the Weasley's have that I saw in the newspaper and he's missing a pinky."

I perked up. "He's an Animagus."

Sirius nodded, grinning. "That's right. He, Lupin, Harry's father, and I were all good friends. We learned how to become Animagi and knew what each other could turn into. We didn't tell the Ministry of course, which turned out to be a double-edged sword. It meant no one knew Peter was alive as a rat, and it gave me a chance to escape Azkaban because they didn't know I could become a dog."

"Could I—"

"Yes, yes. I'll tell you how to do it later. Depending on what you get, it might be helpful for what I want to do, but it will take time and it's dangerous. That okay?"

I nodded, pleased at learning yet another new skill. "But what can I do?"

"That Weasley kid has his rat tucked up in his room," Sirius explained. "I've spoken with a rather large ginger cat—"

"Crookshanks," I knew, having seen Sorina with the ginger tom often. "Hermione's cat. You can talk to animals?"

"Yes, though it's not always easy. Now, listen. I need you to focus," he said gruffly and I went quiet—holding back any further questions for now. "That cat has been trying to help me out, but your friends don't understand and have hidden the rat away in the Gryffindor Tower. If I can manage to get him out or get myself in, I can capture him and prove that he was the one who betrayed Harry's parents. You know the layout of the school pretty well, right?"

I nodded. "I have it mapped out in my head and I still get tips from the ghosts and portraits. The House Elves too, sometimes."

"Good. Ask around. See if there's a way to get into the Gryffindor Tower. If you need a password, what the password is, if you can get in through a window, anything. I'll talk to your cat and Crookshanks and try to get them to help as well, and we'll get you started on the Animagus thing, okay?" He frowned though. "Thing is, I don't know if it will work."

"Why not?"

"You're a vampire. I'm not entirely certain but don't your kind handle magic differently? Is there a trick to it or anything?"

I frowned, thinking. "Not that I've seen? While not a normal human, I only have heightened senses, strength, and the hunger. I've been doing spells just fine."

"And drinking potions? Working with plants? That's never done anything?"

I shook my head. "No. Oh, I had an allergy to some itching powder once."

Sirius shrugged. "Well, then it should turn out fine so long as you're persistent and do exactly what I say."

I nodded, earning a smirk.

"Well then, we best get started now while there's still a full moon. Any idea where you can get a mandrake leaf?"

Mandrake leaves were disgustingly bitter. It altered the taste of everything that went into my mouth, including blood, which put me in a bit of a foul mood. Part of being a vampire meant heightened senses and the taste of blood was something I'd grown to enjoy. Doesn't help that Hogwarts has gotten me used to good quality blood. As the month dragged on though, I'd grown somewhat used to it, though I still longed for the moment I could rid myself of the mandrake leaf tucked in my cheek and return to properly eating and drinking.

True to my word though, I'd started asking around about the Gryffindor Tower. I had to be careful who I asked though, knowing that most people wouldn't divulge information about how to get into their common room easily. Fred and George were surprisingly open though, letting me know there was a password required before the Fat Lady would let you in.

"And given Sirius Black is running around…"

"...there's the possibility she won't let him in even if he knew it."

The ghosts and portraits weren't much help though. Everyone was on high alert with Sirius Black having attacked the Fat Lady, making the portraits less than forthcoming. Except one: Sir Cadogan.

"And one boy kept forgetting the password! I had to change it for the safety of everyone, but despite my challenges, he never remembered one! I think he was writing them down at some point, cheeky lad! If he'd accepted a duel I may have let him in!"

He couldn't give me information about which student though, which was where my other Gryffindor friends came in.

"Neville forgot the password again!" Ginny had complained while explaining why she was late to meet up for lunch with Luna and me.

We weren't quite friends, but her being Luna's friend meant we'd started to know each other better and met up more often. It's Neville then, I mused, remembering the clumsy Gryffindor who was constantly being scolded for doing things poorly in class, yet did well in Herbology and was favored by Professor Sprout. Should be easy enough to get the passwords from him if he's still writing them down. I'd just have to figure out his schedule and accidentally bump into him. Problem was, I'd noticed something while wandering the grounds. Ron wasn't always keeping his rat in the tower, but also in his shirt pocket. It meant more opportunities—If we can get past Harry and the others. They won't let anyone get away with trying to get the rat, especially if it looks like we're attacking Ron.

Thing is, even after finding all this out, it was pointless unless we could get a chance to try something. The holidays would've been the best chance, but Sirius was adamant about letting everyone enjoy the holidays. There were only a few people left, after all, and I was still rather sullen about finally getting my Animagus.

"I told you, it's not that bad," Sirius said on Christmas morning with a toothy grin.

"Then, why do you keep laughing?" I grumbled, earning another chuckle from him.

"W-Well, I mean, it could be worse."

I huffed at that, knowing he was right, but still frustrated with how… embarrassing my Animagus was. Already I was tugging on my ears, remembering how thrilled I was that it had worked after a long month of preparation, only to see Sirius holding back a laugh. Then, he offered a mirror and I was forced to face the small, black face and orange body of a Golden-Crowned Flying Fox bat. You're joking. Why? I could've been anything and I ended up with this? The only way it could've been worse is if I was a Vampire Bat, but a fruit bat?

I sighed once again at the memory before getting up, hoping to take a walk before lunch.

"Oh, hey! Check up on Harry for me! Let me know what he thinks about the broom!"

I ended up not bumping into Harry and the others until lunch, where the tables had been moved aside for one long table. I was rather surprised to find that there were only six students other than myself who'd chosen to stay for the holidays.

"Merry Christmas, Sven!" Dumbledore crowed from the table with a closed-eye grin on his face. "I almost thought you might not be attending. With so few of us, I took it upon myself to move us all closer. Do sit."

I hesitantly moved over and sat by Hermione as she smiled and greeted me, bowing my head myself. Dumbledore offered a strange wrapped object to Snape, who looked more than displeased and I jumped when it popped open with a "bang." A hat with a dead vulture had come out of it and there must have been something funny that I didn't understand as Snape pushed it away and Dumbledore replaced his own hat with it. Seeing my confusion, Hermione tried to explain.

"We were doing a Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson with a boggart. Do you know what that is?"

I nodded. "Professor Lupin was having me try and banish one."

"Really? That's odd. It's a lesson for third-years."

"He said I was ahead of the class and offered something challenging," I shrugged as food appeared along with my usual goblet.

"Oh! That's really good then, Sven," she praised, making me shrug once more with red-tipped ears. "Anyway, Neville went up and his biggest fear was Professor Snape and to banish the boggart, he dressed it up in his grandmother's clothes with a dead vulture hat and everything. It was really funny!"

I looked over at Dumbledore and tipped my head, eyeing him in the vulture hat. "That is funny?"

Her brows furrowed in confusion before I spotted another wrapped object and picked it up.

"And what is this?"

"I-It's a Christmas cracker."

"What's the purpose of it?" I asked, looking it over with a frown.

"Two people just pull it and whoever has the middle part gets the prize inside," she explained, holding out her hand. "Do you want to try?"

I hesitated but handed her the other end of the cracker, still jumping a little when it let out a "bang" but pulling out what was left in my end of the cracker. A bright yellow sunhat with sewn-in flowers rested in my hands and I placed it on my head as a warm, tingling feeling grew in my stomach. I heard a strangled snort and blinked at Harry and Ron, who were half doubled-over and shaking with laughter. Hermione too seemed to be holding back and I tipped my head.

"Did I miss something funny again?"

"N-No!" Hermione said, waving her hands. "No, it's just…"

"Mate," Ron spoke up, teetering on the edge of his seat. "You look ridiculous."

I frowned, touching the brim of the hat. "But I like it. It's a gift."

"You do realize it's a frilly girl—"

Harry slapped a hand over Ron's mouth. "If you like it, that's great! I would, um, just not wear it around any Slytherins."

Oh… It's silly. It's something they can tease me with. I lifted my eyes to the brim of the hat, touching it and wondering if I should take it off. There was one other Slytherin at the table but he was one of the quiet ones. He wasn't about to go spreading the rumor I'd worn something silly. The other students were first-years who looked more preoccupied with the fact that Dumbledore was sitting at the same table. So, I decided to keep wearing it. Maybe I'll wear it when I'm in the forest to meet with Luna.

The doors opened then and a professor I didn't recognize swooped into the room.

"Sibyll, this is a pleasant surprise!" Dumbledore greeted, as I reached to take my untouched goblet and sip at it.

I wasn't needing blood as often now and should probably let the House Elves know to cut back again. Still, I eyed the woman as she moved ever closer, seeing McGonagall tense up at her presence.

"I have been crystal gazing, Headmaster," she said wistfully, "and to my astonishment, I saw myself abandoning my solitary luncheon and coming to join you. Who am I to refuse the promptings of fate? I at once hastened from my tower, and I do beg you to forgive my lateness."

Dumbledore nodded. "Certainly, certainly. Let me draw you up a chair."

A chair was dropped between Snape and McGonagall and she hesitantly sat, getting offered some tripe that went ignored.

"But where is dear Professor Lupin?"

"I'm afraid the poor fellow is ill again," Dumbledore hummed as people started filling their plates. "Most unfortunate that it should happen on Christmas Day."

I really should ask Sirius about that. If they were friends, he'd know what to do to help Lupin. I gave him herbal tea for Christmas, but he's ill very often.

"But surely you already knew that, Sibyll?" McGonagall challenged, making me pause in eating as Hermione leaned over.

"She's the Divination professor. Thinks she can predict the future."

I hummed, glancing at the two professors as they bickered.

"Certainly I knew, Minerva, but one does not parade the fact that one is All-Knowing. I frequently act as though I am not possessed of the Inner Eye, so as not to make others nervous."

"That explains a great deal."

"If you must know, Minerva, I have seen that poor Professor Lupin will not be with us for very long. He seems aware, himself, that his time is short. He positively fled when I offered to crystal gaze for him."

"Imagine that," McGonagall muttered with a roll of her eyes.

"I doubt that Professor Lupin is in any immediate danger. Severus, you've made the potion for him again?" Dumbledore interrupted, loud enough to silence the two bickering women.

"Yes, headmaster."

"Good. Then he should be up and about in no time… Derek, have you had any of the chipolatas? They're excellent."

The skittish first year tore his eyes away from me and jumped, taking the platter of sausages in surprise. Do I know him? I wondered, taking in his yellow-lined robe and messy hair, but not recognizing him at all. Shrugging the attention off, I went back to eating only for the new professor to call out to me of all people.

"You there, boy!"

I paused, lowering my fork and looking at the Divination professor and her owlish glasses.

"You have a very dark future ahead of you!"

"Oh, here we go," Ron drawled, not looking interested in the ramblings of the supposed mad woman.

"One full of bloodlust and dark magic!"

I couldn't help it. A snort escaped me, drawing all eyes towards me as my lip curled up at the corner and I cracked a grin at her.

"Okay, professor."

How… funny. I'm a vampire. It's obvious my future holds blood and dark magic.

"Holy… Did he just laugh?"

I tipped my head, looking at Ron as he gaped and even Harry and Hermione were surprised. "Did I?"

Hermione nodded, grinning. "You did! You finally found something funny!"

The professor gaped, affronted, but she went ignored as I hummed, realizing that I had indeed finally found something funny.

"Will it help me banish a boggart?" I asked, earning chuckles from her and some of the professors at the table.

"Is that what you were working on in your extra lessons with Professor Lupin?" Dumbledore questioned, having heard about my time spent with the teacher.

"Yes, and he's been showing me how to cast a Patronus."

"A Patronus?" McGonagall breathed, surprised. "But that's a highly complicated spell and you're only in your second year."

Dumbledore didn't look surprised though. "I've been informed that you attempted to use one on the train. Could you show me?"

I shrugged and drew my wand, not leaving the table given that the spell wasn't about to harm what was left of our lunch. Thinking about how pleased I was to get given a hat for a gift and finally finding something funny, I cast the spell.

"Expecto Patronum."

I was rather surprised that the barely-there wispy smoke I usually got was now brighter and lingering. I watched the light for a moment longer before it finally vanished and clapping was heard from down the table. Dumbledore looked pleased and a few of the other professors soon joined in as Harry, Ron, and Hermione gaped.

"Well done, Sven," Dumbledore praised. "That was a fine example of an incorporeal Patronus."

"That was amazing!" Harry gasped as Hermione beamed.

"You did it, Sven!"

I stared at my wand in surprise, feeling that warmth from before building up and I cracked a smile. "I did."