Chapter 15
Loud blaring music poured from the speakers and Darren winced, tuning out the music to watch the game as it started
They all charged forward and claimed some of the yellow balls. Ron threw one at a boy on the other side, but he ducked and returned fire, hitting Ron in the arm. Ron grumbled and walked back to the wall and slumped against it. "Stupid ball, stupid muggles and their stupid games..." A ball flew through the air in a large arc and beaned Ron on the head.
Harry darted around the other players and balls aimed at him, snatching balls away and aiming shots at their cones. His side was loosing players drastically and the Spring Valley kids were getting lazy, chatting amongst themselves and shifting from foot to foot to dodge the balls by centimeters mockingly. Harry shot a ball for the far right cone and it passed between the legs of some chatting girls, knocking one of their cones down. "Yes!" Ron yelled, pumping his fist into the air "Nice shot Harry!" The girl glared and him and made her way over to the middle cone to join with two other girls to form a wall between Harry and the other cone.
Seamus, struck by a bout of glee from the point, ran to the front, hucking a ball at one of the more greasy looking kids and hitting him in the shoulder. The boy glared at him and swore, making his way back to the wall but pacing behind the line.
Ducking and shrieking at the near misses to her head, Hermione dodged around the balls.
"Heads!" called a voice and Hermione looked up. A ball flew at her face and she put up her hands to sheild it, squeezing her eyes shut. The soft sound of air and the feel of plastic made Hermione open her eyes, the ball had wedged itself in between her two arms and missing her face by millimeters.
"Get someone out!" yelled Tom and Hermione pivoted on her heal, racing to the back of the crowd where she tossed the ball to Ron.
"Thanks 'Mione! Nice catch!" thanked Ron as he raced back out onto the court.
Hermiones cheeks turned pink as she walked back into the chaos.
The boy who Seamus got out glared as the Hogwarts students held strong and protected their cones. Darren watched as an evil smile, not unlike Steves, came across his face as he yelled for someone. A small boy the Darren hadnt seen before darted out from the crowd and up to the boy. They discussed something with lots of pointing and smiles before the small boy disappeared back into the crowd.
'Thats going to be trouble.' thought Darren as he watched his friends play the game dejectedly. It looked like fun.
Harry ran to the front of the crowd to grab a ball when a small boy ran to the front of the crowd in front of him. Their eyes locked and the boy glared at him, turning to face him with a ball in each hand. Harry straightened his back and stared back, his muscles tense and ready to spring at the slightest movement. Harry ducked to dodge a ball and the boy threw his ball at Harrys torso. Arching his back, Harry felt the ball pass close to his skin through the thin t-shirt and returned fire at the boy but missing by inches as he leapt away. They ran back into the crowd and Harry tossed a ball to a red faced Ron, he was sweating profusely and was smiling like a cat chasing a mouse.
"This Garter Ball is fun!" Ron shouted over the pounding music and shouting students.
"Not as fun as Quidditch though!" Harry answered, he prefered flying to dodging balls from past expereinces as a child and the game of 'Dodgeball'.
Someone from the Spring Valley side fired a ball in between the legs of Lavender and knocked down one of their cones at the same time someone else knocked down the far left cone, leaving only the middle cone left.
Ron roared in anger and charged forward intent on taking out at least one of the other players. A girl from the other team aimed a shot for Ron chest...but it hit a bit lower and Ron went down with a squeek. Harry ran to his side and with Seamus' help, pulled him over to the bench where Darren was sitting tall and fresh looking compared to the rest of them.
"Ouch, that has got to hurt." commented Darren as they leaned him against the wall.
"Heh, no kidding. Poor bloke wasnt even out for five minutes!" laughed Seamus.
As they left a ball came sailing for Darrens head, he whipped out a hand and caught it, relishing in the squishyness before gently rolling it back into the court.
Garter walked over and stood beside Darren "So, why arent you playing?"
Darren continued to watch the game but answered "I have a medical condition."
"What kind of condition?" Garter questioned, staring down at the pale boy beside him. He seemed healthy, what could possibly be wrong with him?
Darren paused for a moment, they hadnt gone over that. "I have really bad asthma." he said coming up with an answer that most people at his old school used to get out of P.E. Had he been told that he would be using it to get out of P.E. a few years ago, he would have laughed in their faces, he loved this class.
"Well, you could at least try. It wouldnt hurt to give it a go." Garter urged, he hated seeing kids sitting on the sidelines.
"No thank you." Darren hoped that he would drop the subject, he really did want to play but the guilt of hurting someone was much stronger.
"Come on, there's only ten minutes left! You should go."
Darren sighed and shook his head "No, im sorry, but it would endanger my health."
The teacher sighed, he couldnt put one of his students in danger. "Ok, maybe you could try next class?"
Darren nodded absently "Ya, sure. Maybe."
Draco nearly shrieked as a ball nearly missed his head "You buffoons! Do your job and protect me already!" he hissed at his two luggish bodyguards.
Crabbe turned to look at him and got hit in the backend, sending him to the wall.
"Argh! Cant you two do anything right?" Draco raged, irritated at the lowly muggle game. Goyle attmepted to catch a ball with his clublike hands but fumbled and it dropped to the ground, sending him to the wall as well and leaving Draco defenseless.
Draco 'eeped' and covered his head and ran around the court, dodging balls and pushing people in the way of balls that couldnt be dodged. His face turned red, he couldnt hold it in any longer, "Ahhhhh!!!!" he yelled as he ran from side to side of the court, his hands waving wildly in the air.
The Hogwarts students looked at Draco and laughed, but their distraction cost them the game and the Spring Valley kids knocked down their last cone.
Ron blinked blearily "Did...did we win?" he asked weakly.
Darren shook his head "No, we just lost and now we are leaving."
The Spring Valley kids went into their changerooms and to their next classes. Mr. Tom blew his whistle and signalled for everyone to follow him once the last of the Spring Valley students left. Harry and Hermione walked over and helped Ron stand as he walked stiffly over to the group.
Darren stood and a wave of dizzyness clouded his vision, he staggered and fell to his knees. His stomach clenched and he rushed to the boys changeroom and into one of the stalls.
Harry turned around to see Darren rush into the boys changeroom. "Um...guys? I'll be right back, ok?"
They nodded and joined the group of students already being given their portkeys to go home. Harry pushed the door open and walked into the changeroom. There were stalls on the right and benches on the left. He heard retching from the stalls and knocked on the door with feet under it.
Darren gasped and caught his breath. "Y-yes?"
He frowned "Darren, its me, Harry. Are you alright?" Darren never sounded so uncomposed. What was wrong?
Darren wiped his face and stood up flushig the toilet and unlocking the door. "Yes, im ok now. Thank you."
He walked over to the sinks and washed his hands "I think it was the bacon this morning, i guess it didnt agree with me." he dried his hands and walked out of the changeroom.
Harry grunted and followed. Darren hadnt eaten anything this morning, so how could that be it? Somethings going on with him. He's hiding something.
They found the others outside and grabbed a pencil stub portkey home.
Darren skipped lunch and went up to the dormitories to lie down, saying that he wasnt feeling good.
He crawled into bed and curled up under the bedsheets, fearing to move lest he throw up again. This sickness, he knew, was from not drinking any human blood, or any at all, for a long time. He closed his eyes and sighed. How he wished he wasnt here, not only at Hogwarts, but on this Earth at all. His existance was damned to either die or lose himself to evil and destroy the world. Such thoughts plauged his subconsicious and his stomach gave an uncomfortable roll, Darren detested his own presence. He used to be able to turn to Annie when everyone else wasnt listening and she helped him through. She wasnt there now though, he was dead to her. He was truely alone.
'Maybe, if I stay here long enough, I'll just waste away. But no, i have to get revenge on...on my friends ive lost ever since this has started.'
A single lone tear slid down his cheek as he closed his eyes and thought about his friends.
Harry, Ron and Hermione were in the Great hall eating sandwhiches. Actually, Ron was eating lots of sandwhiches, Harry was nibbling on one and Hermione wasnt eating at all.
"Hermione?" Questioned Harry, wasnt she just saying how hungry she was?
"Huh? Oh, i was just thinking. Dont you think Darrens been acting a little..strange?"
Ron snorted "That blokes got somethin' a little haywire up here." he pointed to his eat and took another bite of his fourth sandwhich.
Hermione glared and him and continued "I mean, he never eates anything. He didnt participate in the game today, apparently he dosent sleep much, judging by the bags under his eyes. And he acts too cold and serious, no offence to you Harry, but he acts like there's a burden on him like you do."
Harry shrugged "None taken. When I left you guys though, back at the school? I was following Darren, he got sick in the changerooms then shrugged it off as the bacon. I dont know about you guys, but i didnt see him eat anything."
"He's probably just got some kind of cold or somthin' like that. We can get Madam Pomfrey to give him something for it and he'll be better. You guys are digging too deep into this." Ron argued, still a little sketchy about Darren.
They turned back to their lunch and then went to DADA class with the Hufflepuffs.
Lupin greeted them wiht smiles. "Good morning everyone!" he said once veryone was seated. "Today we will be going over the spiecesof magical horses that roam the land."
He gave lectures until around halfway through the class when Hermione put her hand up. "Proffessor? Could you tell us about Vampires?"
Lupin raised an eyebrow "Now, why would you want to know about that?"
Harry and ron gave her pointed looks of confusion as well. "Ya, why do you want to know?"
Hermione glared at them and turned back to Lupin "Personal interest sir."
Lupin thought for a moment, then caved with a sigh "Alright, well start the unit on Vampires today. Turn to page 246."
The flipping of paper was heard and on the page showed a blurred picture of a human figure.
"No one really knows much abut Vampires. They somehow cannot be photographed so they could only be seen in person. Many wizards have attempted to study them but none prevailed. Theories of a hidden place where only they could find are plenty, as no one could ever find them living on one place."
Hermione put her hand up "Sir, Proffessor Hagrid showed us a vampire. He was purple in colour, but most muggles seem to think they just look like pale humans."
Lupin pointed into the air and smiled "Five points to Gryffindor. Yes, there are two spieces of vampire around. One, as Proffessor Hagrid showed you, has purple skin and red eyes. They are seen the least by muggles and so the other kind get more media. The other kind look like you and me," his eyes scanned the room "they could be your friend, relative or a stranger on the street. So I advise you be cautious, they can be spotted in many ways but they are aware of such signs and go to lengths to hide them." he held up his fingers, showing his palm to them. "there is a scar on every finger in most cases, no one has found out why, but that is a trademark for most. Also, they are pale in colouration and burn easily, tending to stay under trees or in shadows during the day. They wont conbust in sunlight, they just burn easily. Hitting speeds that are impossible to see, they are fast runners and strong fighters. They carry weapons on them as well as wear capes or older looking clothing."
Lupin looked at his watch then clapped "Alright! Close your books, homework: research vampires and write down anything we didnt discuss in class today. Good day!"
Hermione ran up to Ron and Harry after class, "Well, that was interesting." commented Ron "Why do you want to study vampires?"
Hermione looked furtively around "Because! Darrens a vampire!"
Ron and Harry looked at each other then laughed "What are you talking about? Sure hes a little weird, but hes not a vampire!" said Ron.
Hermione cuffed him upside the head "Im serious!"
"No, your Hermione." he giggled. They paled and looked at Harry. "Sorry." Ron apologised.
Harry shrugged and looked at the ground "No problem."
She cuffed Ron again "He's pale,"
"Hes sick." pointed out Harry.
"He wears a cape."
"He likes wearing capes, honestly Hermione how could-" started Ron.
"Hes got scars on his fingers!" Hermione exclaimed in an angry hiss.
The boys went silent and Hermione sighed. "Honestly, I've read all the books in the library, he fits the description with very little differences. Darren is a vampire! Thats why he dosent eat at meals! He drinks blood!" she whispered as a group of students walked by.
"Who does?" came a voice behind them. They spun around the seee Ginny standing behind them, arms folded across her chest, eyebrows raised and waiting for an answer.
"Nothing Gin. We were just talking about...Hagrids new pet!" Harry concluded, hoping that would throw her off.
Ginny scowled at him and pointed at his face "Harry, I know your hiding something, so give it up. Your a horrible liar. Now, who were you talking about?"
Harry glanced at Ron and Hermione but they just shrugged, he sighed. "Well, we think one of our friends is a vampire."
Ginny raised on of her eyebrows "Oh really. Who?"
Harry shook his head "We dont know for sure that hes a vampire, just some signs that he is."
"Your avoiding the question."
Harry shuffled his feet. "Um...we think its Darren."
Ginny took his arm and smiled up at him, planting a kiss on his cheek. "Well, lets go talk to him then."
Hermione put a hand on her shoulder "I dont think that would be a good idea. I mean, if he had wanted us to know he would have told us, right?"
"So? We can tell him we know and he can stop being so bloody sneaky about it." commented Ron as they headed up to the dorms.
Earlier
Darren faded in and out of sleep for half an hour until he saw a person sitting in front of him. He shot out of bed and bared his claws menacingly millimeters from the persons nose, panting heavily. His eyes swam and he groaned, rubbing his head as he reconized the headmaster. "Yes headmaster?" he whispered.
"Not feeling well Darren?"
Darren waved his hand "Im fine. What is it you would like?" he cut off the headmaster, not wanting to talk about it.
"I came to take you to Hogsmeade to get supplies, but obviously your in no condition to do so. I'll escort you to the Hospital wing for something for that headache." Dumbledore looked pointedly at Darren. "You know, the elves have been telling me that you havent been drinking your...special drink."
Darren glared as much as he could "I dont need it."
"You havent been feeding off the students have you?"
Darren shook his head slightly "No. I wouldnt do that."
"You will get sicker if you dont." Dumbledore warned, standing up and gently leading Darren out the door.
"I dont care." Darren winced as they went down the stairs, the movement hurting his head.
They walked out of the common room and to the Hospital wing. Dumbledore sat Darren on a bed and Madam Pomfry hurried over.
"Whats wrong with you young man?" she asked, poking and prodding him for injuries.
"He has a simple headache."
Pomfrey looked up at the headmaster and nodded, going into the storeroom and reamerging with a vial of bright green potion. She handed it to Darren, who looked and it curiously, looking to Dumbledore for admittance before downing it in one go. He gagged and clutched his throat. "That tastes horrible!" he rasped out.
"Yes, well you dont think getting rid of a headche would be pleasant did you?"
Darren stood and thanked her, making his way out of the Hospital Wing. It was a Sunday night and most of the students were in their common rooms, working on last minute homework. Wanting to avoid the warmth of the common room that made him dizzy, he ambled around the cold corridors aimlessly. He glanced out the near window and stuffed his hands into the pockets of his trousers, the full moon shone brightly in the sky, illuminating everything with a blue tint.
'Great night to go walking.' He remembered that they weren't allowed out after dark and sighed miserably. He he leaned against the cold stone and slid down to sit with his knees drawn up to his chest, resting his head on his arms. He felt like a mouse caught in a trap, nothing to do but wait. He had to wait for the last confrontation with Steve to decide his fate as dead or the Dark Lord to rule the world.
'I wish I knew what to do...'
Staccato footsteps echoed down the hall and Darren lifted his head up, watching as a black figure walked up to him.
"Ahh...a student out of bed. Five points from Gryffindor. Get to bed Shan." Snape glared coldly at the boy, students out of bed always put him in a bad mood the next day.
Darren rose to his feet with a grunt and started walking down the hall in the opposite directionn of his common room "I dont feel like it."
Snape glared at him and caught up to him, grasping his shoulder and jerking Darren to a stop. "Go to your common room before I call your head of house." he warned.
Darren glanced carelessly over his shoulder at the older man "I wish to go outside, but seeing as you have that irritating rule, I cannot without a teacher. Just so happens, you came along, so now I can. Care for a walk Professor Snape?" Darren said honestly, finding a loophole in the rule at the last moment.
Snape snorted "Absolutely not."
"Why not?" he gestured outside "The moon is bright and the night is warm, it is probably the last day for such an activity." Darren lied, the cold never bothered him, but to a human it most certainly would.
Snape paused and stared at the youth uncertainly. The boy gave him the chills, and he felt uncomfortable that he would be alone with him. But what he spoke was true, it was a nice night. "Very well, only for awhile though. I have duties to attend to." He started for the front door with Darren following behind him.
They walked out into the cool, crisp night air and started a slow pace around the castle.
Severus glanced at the teen, he had not changed since the day he arrived, but he passed that off as a lack of money. The boy most certainly looked poor, thin and drawn looking. His eyes had dark circles under the eyes that had taken on a blank look the longer he remained here.
They came to a cliff that over looked the lake beside the castle and Darren stood at the edge, watching the water quietly slap the side of the castle walls.
A long silence stretched before Darren spoke "Is it always this...stiff around here? Everyone seems to have something bothering them in some way or another."
"There is a war going on, of course it is a little stressed with the chance that your family could be killed without a moments notice." Snape said harshly, earning a wince from Darren. He sure knew what it was like, thats probably why vampires couldnt reproduce, the loss of family members would cause a world wide insanity.
Another long silence, longer than the last as they each thought about their pasts. Darren shook his head and turned around, heading back towards the castle.
He glanced back towards the potions master 'This would be the perfect time to get away and go back to Vampire Mountain. If I ran fast enough, the professor would never catch me in time.' Looking around, he judged which way the Mountain was and found landmarks he could follow. When they were almost at the front doors, Darren pivoted on his heel and ran.
Snape, unprepared, fumbled to get his wand out of his robe as he ran after the boy. "Come back here! Stupify!"
Darren dodged the ray of light and bolted across the large field betweeen him and the forest that he was going to hide in. 'Almost there!' he could feel the effects of his undernourished body straining to keep up with his demands to go faster.
He lept into the trees and jumped from branch to branch. There was a small town on the other side he could take refuge in until he found directions to the city beside the mountain.
Branches whipped by him as the trees suddenly ended and another, smaller, field splayed before him, and right across that was the town. Running for one of the houses, he was almost there when it was as if he had run into a solid brick wall. He fell back with a thud and a groan as his headache came back full force. He gripped his head and curled up in a ball.
'What was that?' opening one watering eye, he saw nothing but the houses he was running for before he hit an invisible shield.
Tenderly reaching forward, his hand was repelled violently from the barrier. He sniffed the air. There was nothing there! Those houses had no sent!
Small pops from behind him made him shoot up into a defensive postition, despite how hard it was to remain consicous.
The Headmaster and Snape were striding up to him from just inside the forest.
"What were you doing!?" asked a livid Severus Snape as he clutched his wand in his hand angrily as if itching to use it.
"Getting out of this dump! Im going home!" shouted Darren, unhappy that he couldnt get past the stupid barrier.
Snape trained his wand on Darren as Dumbledore walked over, an unapproving and disappointed look on his face. Darren bristled, who was he to be unapproving? 'I should be the one disapproving! I was forced here!'
"Darren, that is no excuse to run. Come back to the castle and we'll have a talk about why your here." said Dumbledore ently, motioning for him to come with them.
"No! Im going back to the mountain! Now take down this barrier!" ordered Darren. Didnt they get it? He wanted out!
"Darren..." warned Dumbledore.
"Im going home!" roared Darren. He turned and hit the barrier, but he didnt let it force him back. Pushing against it, he fought the force, his feet sliding in the snow.
Snape, fed up with his unwillingness, stunned him.
Darren fell to the ground in an exhausted heap.
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Ok Im not REALLY back, but I promised you guys an update on Christmas AND I KEEP MY PROMISES!!!! I am at around 197 in my story copying downage and have 277 in total so ill be a little longer. Sorry! Trying my best! Merry Christmas!!!