Professor Severus Snape was currently kneeling with his head bowed in the centre of a large ballroom surrounded by men and women. Though it was hard to tell the difference through their masks and identical black robes. At the head of the room was the man who boasted to be the greatest Dark Lord of all time. Whether that was true didn't matter to Severus, all he cared about was that the man was dangerous and had killed men for lesser things than what he was no doubt summoned for.

The Professor was certain that Bellatrix had gone simpering to their master to tattle on him. It was almost as childish as it sounds, the only thing keeping him from laughing at the whole thing was the knowledge that he could easily die tonight.

But then again, that was a possibility every time he was summoned by the Dark Lord.

"Old friend, you may rise."

Doing as he was told, the Professor stood. Though he kept his head bowed.

"I've been informed that you have been babysitting, Severus."

At this, he raised his head to make eye contact and nod. "I have my Lord, he's my student."

"And this student, I'm told, is very powerful." The Dark Lord smirked, like he knew exactly what the outcome of this interaction would be and he'd doing everything in his power to get it.

"Yes my Lord. The child isn't human, he's a Vampire." Severus lowered his head again.

"And why pray tell, Severus, did not tell me the boy was staying with you?" There was annoyance dripping from his every word. He would be in for it, hopefully sooner rather than later.

"It didn't seem important as the time, my Lord. Mr Dracula is only with me because Dumbledore deemed his home life unsafe and I'm his Head of House." He knew he would regret taking Vladimir in, it was only a matter of time.

"Is that right? And when we had meetings in your Library, you didn't think to bring it up?"

"No my Lord."

Snape could hear the grin in his next words. "I wish to meet him, old friend. Make sure he attends Lucius' Lughnasadh festival."

"Yes my Lord."

"Now, as I'm sure you're aware, I must punish you for lying by omission. Crucio!"

ooo

It had been just under a week since Severus had stumbled in through the fireplace, covered in blood and bruises. He had collapsed onto the couch by the time Vlad sped into the room. Not knowing any healing spells, he could only try to patch up the Professor using his minimal knowledge in muggle techniques. Severus also refused to tell him what happened, annoying Vlad to seemingly no end.

The only difference between Severus before and Severus now, was that he now seemed pretty persistent in suggesting Vlad go to the festival Malfoy had invited him to. Before he'd even noticed it was July 31st and he had nothing to wear. Being stuck inside the house, he naturally only had one person to ask about the dilemma.

Vlad hesitantly made his way to Severus' office and tapped lightly on the door. Just as it had the last time he was granted entry, the door was opened with magic and the Professor was still at his desk.

"What is it this time, Vladimir?"

"It's about the festival tomorrow," Vlad paused momentarily, embarrassed by what he was about to say. "I haven't got anything to wear. I don't even know what people wear to a festival."

The Professor looked up at him, "If it was any other Lughnasadh festival, I'd tell you to wear brown earthy colours in the style commonly seen in depictions of forest nymphs as it is a celebration of harvest and fertility. However, this is a high society Lughnasadh festival. I recommend you wear formal Wizarding dress robes. The ones you wore for the Yule Ball should suffice."

Vlad nodded, that made sense. Leave it up to aristocracy to take all the fun of dressing up out of a celebration. There was only one problem with the man's suggestion. "Err, Severus… I don't have any Wizarding robes anymore, I grew out of the ones I got for the Ball. The only thing I have is stuff from formal Vampiric celebrations…"

Severus rolled his eyes, "You'll just have to buy some then, won't you. Your family is wealthy enough that it shouldn't be a problem, your Father won't even notice the small dent in his bank account."

Vlad hesitated once again. Still looking at him, the Professor noticed. "Just spit it out Vladimir."

"Well… You see… I spent the last of the money my Father gave me for last year when I bought my new school books this summer. The only way I could get more would be to go home, but my Dad would undoubtedly lock me in a UV cage before I could even reach the vault…"

"Don't look at me like that, boy. I'm not going to buy you expensive robes! You'll just have to go in your Vampiric ones."

Vlad looked at him wide eyed. No. No, no, no. Anything but that! He knew he couldn't really ask the Professor to buy him robes, he also couldn't go in the casual clothing he had with him. So the only real option was to go in his Vampiric robes.

ooo

That night Vlad slept worse than he ever had trying to sleep at night. All he could think about was arriving tomorrow to see everyone in their Wizards robes and laughing at him. Suffice to say that he was far from refreshed when he woke up. In effort to distract his frantic mind, Vlad spent the day studying. Unfortunately, it didn't stop the evening from rolling around.

Vlad stood in his room, looking down at himself in the mirror. If this was an event for Vampires he'd be the most fashionable person in the room, thanks to his Dad forcing him to keep up with trends. But it wasn't for Vampires, it was for wizards. Vlad could see it now, he would stick out like a sore thumb, with his black button up shirt, tailored black pants and jacket with long coattails and high collar, and his black cloak with a crimson lining. With a sigh he made his way down stairs.

Entering the library Vlad saw Severus waiting for him by the fireplace.

"I don't think you're going to stand out at all, Vladimir." The Professor commented with a smirk. Vlad huffed, and they floo-ed to Malfoy Manor.

Upon arrival they were directed around the back of the house to the gardens by what Vlad assumed to be a House Elf. In the gardens there were many people already gathered, most making their way down the path lit up by fairy lights leading the way to a small hill.

Severus leant down to tell him that the festival is traditionally held on a hill, and that it's where the match making ceremony would be taking place.

…wait…

"Did you say match making?!" Vlad started to panic. He'd read about old archaic Wizarding rituals that could bind people together for eternity, like marriage but without opportunity for divorce. What if this was like that? And he was forced to be with some girl he'd never met for the rest of his life? He's going to live for a very long time, that's hardly fair!

Noticing the boy's distress the Professor reassured him that the ceremony was optional, but also non-binding. Just when Vlad was about to release a sigh, Severus warned him. "It will, however, be looked down upon if a young bachelor such as yourself, does not participate."

Groaning internally, Vlad was already beginning to wish he hadn't come this evening. Severus made his way up the hill closely followed by the nervous Vampire. The two stood side by side as more people arrived and mingled with other guests. Fortunately, Vlad didn't stick out as much as he'd feared. Though he did get a few odd glances every once in a while. Perhaps they just thought he was the Professor's son too?

Vlad and Severus stood to the side of the crowd. He saw Malfoy and his friends mingling and, surprisingly, laughing with each other.

A man made his way over to them, if this man wasn't Draco Malfoy's father he'd feed himself garlic. He looked exactly how Vlad would picture a middle aged Draco to look like. He was proven correct when the man introduced himself as Lucius Malfoy and informed him he'd heard a lot about him from his son.

After his introduction, Lucius just looked at the two. "My goodness, Narcissa was right. You look as though you could be the boy's father, Severus." With a pause and a playful smirk he continued, "Is there something you wish to tell me?"

The Professor only scowled. "There most certainly is not, Lucius. Do stop perpetuating rumours."

Lucius' smirk only grew at his friends words. "The matching is about to start, will you be joining the ceremony, Vladimir?"

With a slight hesitation Vlad responded honestly, "If it's all the same to you, Sir, I'd prefer not to."

Lucius turned his smirk to the boy, though to him it looked more sinister than before. "What? Pureblooded Witches not enough for a high and mighty Vampire?"

Vlad was shocked, this was definitely Draco's father, and knowing Draco he would have to look aloof and haughtily disinterested to survive this encounter. Improvisation based on truth was required.

Vlad scoffed and looked down his nose at the man with a superior smirk. "Lucius, was it? I don't blame you for not being aware, as Vampiric Law is not something well known in the Wizarding community. Even if Pureblooded Witches were good enough for someone of my standing, I couldn't pursue anything with any of them. As it stands, relations with Breathers is highly illegal."

He added a sneer of disgust when he said 'Breathers' for good measure. Then with a cold laugh, Vlad added, "It's on par with treason!"

He could tell Severus knew that wasn't why Vlad didn't wish to participate, but he didn't believe he was lying either.

"Well in that case, Mr Dracula, there's someone I would like to introduce you to. Follow me."

Vlad turned to the Professor, should he go with Lucius? Was it safe? His questions were answered simply by a nod from Severus. Reassured, he followed Lucius back down the hill and into the Manor. From the back entrance of the large building the two made their way deep into the corridors, until they reached what Vlad assumed was Lucius' study.

Mr. Malfoy opened the door and gestured for him to enter the room. Sitting on the couches by the fire was a man. This was clearly the person he was being introduced to, but Vlad was more interested in why he was being introduced. The man turned to look at him, he was stunned by the red eyes he saw. Other than that, he looked like a normal man. Pale complexion, dark brown hair, and other reasonably attractive features. Who was he?

The man stood to greet them. "Ah Lucius, dear friend, I see you've brought the boy. Mr Dracula, isn't it?"

The man extended his hand, Vlad shook it. "Yes Sir, Vladimir Dracula. Just Vlad is fine though."

The man smirked, "Please, have a seat. We have much to discuss."

Vlad frowned, but took the seat anyway.

"My name," The man said once they were all seated and the two men had a tumbler of whiskey each. "Is Lord Voldemort."

He obviously recognised the name, the even flinched a little internally, but years of meeting powerful and evil Vampires seemed to prepare him for this moment. He kept his face blank and his voice bored. "Is that supposed to mean something to me?"

Voldemort smirked, "No I suppose not. I can't imagine a creature, such as yourself, would feel the need to keep up with the intricacies of Wizarding society."

Vlad eyed the man, slightly insulted by his comment, though he knew that was the intention so he tried not to let it show. He smirked right back, "You make me sound like some sort of savage, Sir. I can tell you with confidence, I am not."

"Ah yes, because someone who drinks the blood of others couldn't possibly be a savage." The man's smirk only grew. "I'm not here to insult you or your kind, Vladimir. I was only intrigued when one of my most trustworthy followers informed me of your existence… and your power."

Lucius' eyes moved back and forth between the two, at this point they were just starring at each other.

Vlad sneered, "I could hypnotise you right now, make you do anything I wanted and you'd be powerless to stop it. I could make you tell me your darkest secrets, I could make you slaughter every last one your followers, I could even make you take your own life. That's the kind of power I wield, luckily for you, I choose not to." The man narrowed his eyes at his statement. "I don't even drink real blood."

He saw what could have been a glimpse of annoyance or disappointment in Voldemort's eyes, but it was gone too quickly for Vlad to see. It was quickly replaced by the man's ceaseless smirk.

"Come now, Vladimir. Everyone has a price." He gestured to Lucius, Vlad assumed they had planned for this kind of outcome. They must have talked to Draco about him. Mr Malfoy got up and left the room, only to back soon after with a girl following him. It was Daphne.

Their eyes locked. Voldemort observed the Vampire as his nostrils flared and his jaw clenched. Vlad could smell her blood, hear it racing through her veins. She was terrified. "What is she doing here?"

"If you agree to my terms, she is yours to do as you please. She's O positive, I believe that's quite a favourite amongst Vampires." There was a pause. Vlad knew he couldn't drink from her, but what would happen if he didn't agree? "If you refuse, she'll be given to the loyal follower who brought you to my attention. She really doesn't take good care of her playthings."

Vlad ground his teeth, "What are your terms?"

The smirk reappeared. Garlic, Vlad just wanted to rip it off the man's face!

"It's nothing terrible, let me assure you. You will take my Dark Mark, abide by the same rules as all of my Death Eaters, and most of all, you will help me win this war."

Vlad looked at the floor, "Ok."

Voldemort laughed coldly at the boy's expression, "Dear boy, there's no need to look so down. This is the start of a beautiful friendship. Before you leave, I do have one simple request."

He didn't like the sound of that, he lifted his eyes defiantly. "And that would be?"

"I've never had the pleasure of watching a Vampire turn a human into one of their own kind." His evil grin said it all. He wanted him to turn Daphne.

"I'm assuming that if I don't, our deal is off and she dies anyway?" All he got was a nod.

Vlad walked over Daphne, her eyes wide with fright. He realised there must be a silencing charm keeping her quiet. A wave of his hand disarmed it and he looked her in the eyes.

"This is your choice Daphne." He said solemnly. "You can become next to immortal, forced to kill to survive. Or you can die. I won't make that choice for you, but know that I would never forgive myself if I let you die today. Not when I had the chance to stop it."

All she could do was stare for many moments. How could she make this kind of choice? She didn't want to die…

"Will it hurt?" She croaked.

"Only for a second." Vlad reassured.

"Do it."

Vlad nodded. He closed his eyes, allowing the smell of her blood overwhelm him. His fangs dropped. He pulled the girl to him and moved her head and hair to allow him access to her neck. Vlad's eyes narrowed on their target, he could feel the blood pumping through her. At this point, even if he wanted to, there was no turning back.

"I'm sorry." He whispered and sank his fangs into her flesh.