Skia screamed hoarsely as the poison made its way through her body. It wasn't fire, for no fire chilled every sense she had. It wasn't ice, because it burned through her body, making her buck and writhe against Lupin's arms. It was a pain so terrible that she couldn't think, couldn't breathe. She could feel it sizzling like acid as it continued its slide through her system.
Lupin held her still as he worked the top off of another vial. Tipping the contents down her throat, he held her at an angle to ensure that she swallowed. Skia felt the cold, preserved blood fighting the garlic, but it wasn't enough. Another scream erupted as the garlic continued to eat its way through her body. Her back arched almost impossibly as her body struggled to expel the garlic
"It's not enough!" Lupin said desperately. "She needs clean, fresh liquid, not the preserved kind!" Dumbledore stood over Skia with worry.
"We need a volunteer, or she'll never do it." Lupin offered immediately.
"No, not yours, Lupin. We don't know what effect your condition will have. She needs untainted blood."
"I will." Snape stepped forward. Dumbledore nodded. Snape bent and offered his throat to Skia.
"No…" the refusal was painful, but she made it.
"Skia, this is not a time for your morals, however honorable they are. Professor Snape is willing, and these are different circumstances. He is healthy and able to recover. You must take it now." Skia fought the lust, then gave in. He was right, she needed the blood desperately. Still, she hesitated slightly.
Snape drew a knife from his robes and pressed the blade to his throat lightly. A thin line of red appeared, and Skia lost the battle for control. Instinctively, she brought up her left hand to bury it in his hair, steadying his head.
Her lips closed around the wound, sucking gently. Skia felt her fangs slide out, ready to pierce the skin. There was a slight resistance, then the warm liquid spilled into her mouth.
Blood is a life-fluid, carrying the memories and strength of the owner. No human, no matter how strong their control, could block a vampire from their mind when it was drinking their blood. Snape was no exception.
Unwillingly, Skia entered Snape's mind and saw through his eyes, his entire life. She saw his father, shouting drunkenly at a weeping mother, while Snape hid in a corner. She felt the hatred for James Potter, who tormented him every day. She saw the sense of honor and debt that drove Snape to protect the one boy he hated above all others. She saw every aspect of Snape's life, and understood it.
There was silence in the hall, or close to it. There was a slight murmur as students speculated on Skia's condition.
Professor McGonagall leaned over to whisper in Dumbledore's ear.
"Albus, are you sure this is the best course of action? The girl is honorable, I'm sure, but the vampiric instinct to drain him dry is extremely strong."
"I have faith in Ms. Duval. To tell the truth, Severus's fate is entirely in her hands. Any interference may drive her to drain him and attack others. It is she who must pull away." Dumbledore watched Skia drink. Absently, she was toying with a strand of Snape's hair as she drank. If someone saw her right at that instant, they would have thought that they were lovers.
Dumbledore saw the struggle begin after a few seconds. Skia's hand fisted around the strand of hair and low hiss emanated from her throat as human mind fought vampire instinct.
Skia felt a lazy contentment as she sipped the blood like it was a fine wine. Not that she ever drank fine wine. Wine and vampire were an unusual combination to say the least.
The searing pain from the garlic had faded. The blood had given her body inhuman strength, enough so that it could fight off blood loss, wounds, or even garlic, poisonous as it was. Dimly, she knew the exact moment when she could safely let go of Snape. That was when the struggle started.
Her entire body trembled as she fought off her instincts. The blood was so sweet, sweeter that any chocolate. Why should she let go? The world would not miss one man.
No, her mind screamed. You lost control once, remember what happened then? She fisted her hands, drawing on every drop of control. The feeling of Snape's hair entangling with her fingers gave her the strength she needed. She licked the wounds once, knowing that the saliva would heal the wounds faster than any magic.
With a gasp, she thrust Snape away roughly, scrambling back. He was white and swaying, weak from blood loss. With a jolt, the vampire lust halted as the smell of blood faded. Slowly, Skia felt horror chill her veins as she realized just how close she had come to draining him.
"Never…again," she choked, tears falling from her eyes. Madame Pomfrey hurried over with a Blood-Replenishing potion on hand. Dumbledore discreetly dropped a tissue next to Skia's hand. She took it and wiped tears and blood away.
Snape stood, exhaustion making him move slowly. Skia felt a jolt of guilt as she saw how tired he was.
"Don't kill yourself over this," he said harshly, breaking through her self-hatred. "I'm not dead, and you broke away in time. There's nothing to blame. I knew what could have happened and I took the risk. Don't wallow in misery just because you were forced to take it fresh." Startled, Skia looked up to meet his black eyes. "Go to bed and let the blood do its work. I'd hate to force you through temptation again simply because you stayed up all night worrying about my health."
It was a weak joke, but it made her feel better. Surely no one could joke if they were on their deathbed. She saw Lupin give a surprised look at Snape's gentleness.
"Yes, Lupin, I'm not that much of a monster to kick a girl when she's down," Snape said acidly, glaring at him. Skia mentally shook her head. She understood his hatred for Lupin, but it didn't affect her judgment. This was just one of Snape's flaws, but every human had them. Not that she wasn't human herself, but… Oh forget it. It was too complicated to think about with her head still spinning.
"I believe it is time to allow Ms. Duval to go to bed. As you said, it would not wise to force her needlessly into temptation." The solid wall of teachers melted away, with Snape striding away to the dungeons. Skia looked one last time at him, then allowed Hermione drag her away from the chatter that broke out.
"Really!" she muttered. "It's none of their business, but do they care? Hmph!" Skia laughed as Hermione continued to mutter about 'nosey idiots'.
"Fortuna Major!" The portrait swung open and Skia was bombarded with questions.
"Hey, Skia, what happened?"
"Skia, you alright?"
"Skia, baby, still alive?" Skia laughed at Fred's mock worried face as Hermione guided her up the stairs to her dorm.
"So, this is our room. We're sharing with Parvati and Lavender. Any questions?"
"Um…No. I think." Skia yawned slightly. She was exhausted.
"Good!" Hermione nodded perkily. "Then you can answer mine! Are you a vampire?" Skia choked.
"Who told you!" Hermione lifted an eyebrow. Rummaging in a schoolbag next to her bed, she retrieved a book and opened it to the 58th page.
"Drink the blood of humans…Allergic to garlic…hates sunlight…pale skin…Faintly related to dementors," she read. "Wow. You read the book before school started?"
Hermione nodded sheepishly and put the book away. "So-" she began to say.
"Look," Skia interrupted. "I-promise-I-won't-try-to-suck-anyone's-blood-and-i-swear-I'm-not-evil." She took a deep breath. "Also, I'm not a full vampire."
"I know THAT," Hermione said patiently. "And I know you won't drink our blood. After all, you didn't drink Neville's, even though he was bleeding on the train. I just want to know about your symptoms and how you got them. I saw that you were allergic to garlic, but how bad is it? Also, how are you able to go around in sunlight?" Skia smiled in relief at Hermione's calm acceptance and obvious curiosity.
"It's from my mom," She explained. "See, in USA, things are a bit different. Magic takes a totally different form and everyone has different powers." Hermione frowned quizzically.
"I didn't see that when I read System of Education in the USA. They just talked about grades and math instead of maths."
"Yeah, well, Sky High is unique. It starts from when you're thirteen. Look, magic in USA is weird. Yes, you get the normal witch and wizard, but there's another, totally different kind."
Hermione cocked her head confusedly, then her face brightened. "Oh, right! I think they were all called Heroes, right? I've read about them in-" Skia held up a hand. "Oh…right, continue on!" Hermione blushed and shut up.
"Anyways, my dad was one. He was a Pyro and a wizard, and my sister, brother, and I all got his powers. My brother's a Squib, so he's just got fire on his side. Krys, my eldest sister, is a fully trained witch, along with the fire abilities. As for me…" Skia smiled wickedly. "I got my powers early." She held up one slim hand and pointed her index finger. A stream of flame shot out like a scarlet ribbon. Skia manipulated it for a moment, making it form the letters SKIA in cursive, then released it. "Krys's ex-boyfriend taught me how to manipulate and toss fire when I was about 2."
"That's amazing! So even if you lose your wand, you can still have fire to use."
Skia shrugged. "Pretty much."
"Alright…Then what about the vampiric thing?" Skia's face darkened.
Hermione hesitated as Skia was silent for a moment. Faintly, she could hear George roar in laughter as Percy's voice rose in indignation.
Skia seemed to be fighting memories as her eyes darkened. Hermione was about to say something when Skia spoke suddenly.
"It's from Mom. Pure-blood witch, but not much power. She married Dad, moved to USA, blah, blah, the shit. When she was pregnant with Krys, a Dark witch came along. Said something about Death Eaters and how Mom should join. 'Course, Mom refused, and Dad chased the witch off. One week later, Mom was attacked by a vamp. St. Mungo's couldn't do anything. Next thing you know, Krys was born and she turned out to be part vampire. There's no cure. She joined Voldemort because there was no other choice. She had my brother and me during those years. Of course, she managed to break free before his end and passed some information to the Order that was against him. On the same year Voldemort vanished, she had my little sister, Catrine."
""Skia," Hermione began, seeing the pain in Skia's face. Skia shook her head and she stopped.
"Krys has it worst of all. You just touch her and it's an agony to her mind because she wants the blood so badly. We all walk in the sun easily, but one touch of garlic in our system and we're down. Silver doesn't work, or we'd never wear jewelry."
"How-"
"-Does the bloodlust work? It depends on the situation and who you're talking about. If I stand next to you, very close, even touching, it's like I'm a chocoholic and you're the chocolate. If you're bleeding? I haven't eaten in two days and you're a fat, juicy steak. If I'm wounded, or poisoned? You're air and I'm drowning. For Krys, you take a step up. No blood, and she's starving for you. If there's blood, it's like she hasn't eaten in two weeks and you're food. Don't even think of going near her when she's wounded and you're bleeding. She'll be drinking you before you can blink. Derek is in between. Catrine barely has it."
"That's horrible," Hermione said lowly. Her imagination worked double-time, and she imagined the kind of control Skia had to have.
Skia snorted. "No shit. Garlic is the worst possible way of poisoning us. Thank god, that silver and sun doesn't work. I love jewelry and I like seeing light once in a while."
Hermione opened and closed her mouth to say something, but she could of what to say. What WAS there to say? Hey, I don't mind that you're a blood-sucking half-vamp?
"But, why isn't your sister here? If what you say is correct, then she should be in school."
Skia laughed lightly. "She's in Beauxbatons. Mom said that it's best to separate us because of the mischief we get into." She flashed a wicked grin. "She doesn't get that spreading us across the world only increases the mayhem. Wake me in the morning, I'll need an alarm. If I don't wake up, crack open one of the vials in my suitcase. Its concentrated blood, should get me up in a jiffy. G'night." She burrowed into bed and fell asleep.
Hermione sat there for a moment, mulling the new information over. Then she blew out the candles and went to sleep.
Yes, I know the ending of second chapter was amazingly corny. sigh Anyways, i'm posting more because I have nothing else to do and because on Wedsnday (sp!) I'm going to JAPAN! YAY! (I always liked the language. :P) anyways, I'll be gone fore 5 days. :)
Funny thing is, i seem to have a fixation for red streaks. :P after all, i'm writing other stories and my other character that's not related to this story has red streaks. ALSO, I have red streaks. AND, I have black hair. And i'm asian, too. o.0 Wacky, am i babbling:P
Anyways, someone told me that bats aren't blind. hehe, i know, but its an expression. :P Also, they said i'm not being very subtle about Skia's vampiric-ness. (Is that a word:P) Yesh, I know, bad me. feh, i don't WANT to be subtle! i want everyone to figure it out soon, but i also want them to accept her as who she is, a wacky, unpredictable half-vamp! heheh... how sweet.
ANYWAYS! everyone else writes this and i will too. R&R:P Pwease? If you do, i won't call you any bad names i learned in japanese. :P
URUSAI TO THE EVIL FLAMER PPL!
jk. :P i just wanted to write that in my randomness. flamer ppl aren't evil! They just make me feel sad...Puppy-dog eyes you won't flame me...right? whimper