Chapter 3

Harry awoke the next morning, yet again alone. The only thing was, it was Monday, and still his friends had failed to rouse him. If he didn't high tail it he would be late to his first class. Lucky for him it was Potions.

He raced though the halls with only seconds to spare. When he entered the dungeons he could see the line of students making their way into the classroom. With a last burst of energy he made it to the end, with no time to collect himself. As he took his usual seat the classroom door slammed shut. Snape stalked by, giving Harry a heated glare. He would just have to find some other way to take points from the Gryffindor, for he was on time.

"Today you will be learning about the different properties of separate venom," Snape's smooth voice announced, "Get into groups of three, each looking up a different venom. By the end of the class I expect all of you to understand these venoms fully, as you will be tested on them next class. Got it?"

The entire class vigorously nodded their heads. Snape was in one of his moods. The Gryffindors and Slytherins split the room further in half as they joined into groups. Harry made his way over to Hermione and Ron (they were not permitted to sit near each other during class, another of Snape's punishments), a question dancing on his tongue.

"Why didn't you guys get me up this morning?"

Ron had a sheepish expression as he looked over at Hermione. She seemed peeved that Ron would put the blame on her.

"Harry, we thought since you have been dreaming about you-know-who a lot lately, that we should let you sleep in. You need all the rest you can get," she convincingly explained.

"I can understand that for the weekends, but what about today? I nearly missed class and got another detention with Snape!" Harry shouted.

"And you will if you don't quiet down boy!" called Snape for his desk.

Harry blew him off with a shrug. He waited for Hermione to reply.

"Harry we mustn't talk about this right now. We have work to do." She was trying to get out of the deep hole she had dug.

"Like hell we do! I want to talk about this now!"

"Potter! Detention after class Thursday. I believe you have a free period then?"

Harry hissed a 'Yes Sir' through his teeth, and preceded to work, ignoring his friends to the fullest. All the while he couldn't help but feel someone was watching him. He would stop and glance around every once in a while but found nothing out of the ordinary. Just the usual glares from the Slytherin side.

Finally the bell rang, each student rushing to escape the dungeon. Harry lingered back though, trying his best to stay far from his friends. He slowly slunk through the halls, but before he was even out of the dungeon a black mass tackled him, pressing him to the wall. He had little time to react as the assailants arm pushed up against his chest. Harry's eyes focused in on sharp blue eyes. Draco Malfoy.

"What the bloody hell! What do you want Malfoy?!" he choked out.

Draco's glare seemed to harden even further, "Or better yet Potter, what the bloody hell are you doing with a vampires mark on your neck!"

Harry was confused. How did Malfoy know it was there? He was wearing a high collar, it would be impossible to see.

"Don't play dumb Potty. I could spot it a mile away. You've been claimed. Do you have any idea what you have done?"

Harry was still greatly confused. What did Malfoy mean?

Malfoy rolled his eyes at the stupidity of the Boy-Who-Lived. "You've just put the entire vampire community in the hands of the Dark Lord. Once he finds out he'll try his best to get us to join his side. You've just ruined my position!"

The pieces were falling together in Harry's head.

"You're a vampire!" he gasped.

"No shit Sherlock! And I was hoping to stay out of this bloody war. But now I have to protect your sorry ass."

"Protect me? Why would a Malfoy protect me?" he inquired.

Draco slapped his forehead with his free hand, "Merlin Potter. How daft can you be? I can't let anyone else know you've been claimed now can I?"

"I guess not." Harry mumbled.

"You still don't understand. Run along Potty, I'll attack you later." He pushed off Harry, shoving him up the dungeon stairs.

"Make sure to tell Markus I said 'Hello'."

And with that he was gone, seeming to have melted in the shadows.

Harry briskly moved away, his mind bewildered.