I've never felt better
Everything fits just like it should
The sun keeps shining on me
And I've never felt better
Wish it would never end
But it will and i know I´ll crash
But right now if only for a minute
It has never been better
February 3, 2019 10:00 PM, Friday
Vampire Council's Mansion, England
A month had passed and still the vampire council would not meet with me. Every time I asked the various vampires at the mansion why I had to wait, they stated that the time was not right and I should be patient. At first I was annoyed at having to wait but as the days passed it became easier to forget about the outside world and the problems that I knew awaited me there.
I spent the days learning spells and curses from Draco and reading various books in the mansion's massive library. Not all of my time was taken up by work. At least a few days out of each week were spent in leisure. Some days Draco and I would fly all around the mansion taking in the various sites. Other days were spent conversing with the mansion's other inhabitants and even playing games. In my third week at the mansion I learned that Seth was quite good at chess and due to his tutelage I was getting better everyday.
Khalida was absent most days. Her usual excuse was that she had many other obligations to attend to. Draco and I had no idea where she went or what she was doing. We attempted to follow her one evening but she flew off into the night and seemed to just disappear. I was worried but Draco insisted that we should enjoy our time alone, so that's exactly what we did.
"I wish we could stay here forever," Draco admitted as he scooted closer to me on the king sized bed and threw an arm over my stomach.
"Me too," I agreed softly, "I'm not looking forward to leaving. Part of me feels really awful for that."
"Don't," he urged, "Every problem isn't yours to deal with."
"I know, but Smith keeps bugging me about the vault at Gringott's."
"But you haven't had a dream about the Dark Lord since we've been here," Draco stated assuredly, "Don't you think you'd know if he was up to something?"
"The fact that he hasn't appeared once in any of my dreams or nightmares makes me think that he is up to something."
Draco's face was partially illuminated by the moon and I could tell that he was mulling over my words. I recognized the expression of denial on his face. It was the same way I had looked when Smith had reminded me of the vault. I didn't want to think about leaving the mansion. Things were perfect, why would I want to leave?
"Well, we can't leave until after you've met with the vampires so we might as well enjoy our time here. And it's not as if we haven't accomplished anything while we've been here," Draco stated in a convincing tone, "Look at how many new spells you've learned and how much better you've become at wandless magic."
"When my magic works, you mean," I grumbled under my breath.
"Jenny," Draco responded as he placed his palm to my cheek, "You've been through so much; you can't expect to be some kind of superhero."
I nodded my head and sighed dejectedly. "I know you're right but if I can't count on my magic to be there when I need it then how can I ever hope to defend myself or be of any use at all?"
"I'm sure you'll get better, you just need more practice."
"I suppose…" I replied as I turned away from him.
The trees swayed in the moonlight and every once in awhile a flash of black could be seen disappearing into the night. The vampires were active tonight and I couldn't help but wonder why. Draco suddenly wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me close. A warm feeling rushed through me as he rested his chin against my shoulder.
"We'll survive all of this, won't we?"
Draco nodded. "Of course we will."
"What will we tell my dad once he wakes up?" I asked quietly, "I don't think he'll like the idea of us being together. You are as old as he is after all."
"I know," Draco replied, pulling me even closer as if Harry Potter himself was going to suddenly rush into the room and pull me away.
"Well…"
"I love you Jenny Riddle," he whispered into my ear, "and even if your father, Voldemort and the whole wizarding world disapproves, I will have you. A Malfoy always gets what a Malfoy wants."
"But what if I told you it won't work…what if I told you to leave?"
"It wouldn't matter," Draco stated assuredly, "I would always be here to protect you."
"I love you Draco."
Draco let out a loud yawn. "Well, that makes things much easier then, doesn't it?"
February 4, 2019 3:00 AM, Saturday
Vampire Council's Mansion, England
Early the next morning, before the sun had risen in the sky, I woke and was startled when I noticed Draco was no longer in bed. I quickly scanned the room and let out a relieved sigh. Draco was standing next to the window, quietly staring out at the darkened forest, his pale skin illuminated in the moonlight. My breath caught in my throat as his head turned and his eyes met mine. With the way his skin was almost glowing I might have mistaken him for an angel but the way his icy blue eyes pierced through the darkness reminded me of a demon.
"Couldn't sleep?" I questioned as I sat up and pushed myself off the bed.
He shook his head and held up a piece of parchment. "Severus sent a letter."
"Not good news then?" I asked worriedly.
"Same old report," he replied as he folded the parchment and laid it on the windowsill. "The AWG is still stirring up trouble and the Ministry is ready to give into their demands. Dumbledore is the only one who's keeping them from declaring war on the vampires. Apparently there's also a rumor going around that the AWG has found a way to kill Dementors but Sev says it's all just gossip at the moment."
"And Voldemort?"
Draco cringed slightly. "No one has heard or seen anything. Sev's even checked with all his old informants and still nothing."
"He's waiting," I interrupted, "I can feel it. He's waiting to see what happens next. I wonder if the vampires are shielding me somehow so he doesn't know where I am."
"That could be. You said you haven't had any dreams about him. We should ask Khalida the next time we get a chance." I nodded in agreement. "Sev did have some disturbing news."
"What is it? Or do I want to know?" I questioned nervously.
"There were two more attacks on Hogwarts from muggles," he continued, "and one more attempted attack. The third one ran into some problems with the explosives and was caught. Dumbledore questioned the kid and even used veritaserum but the boy apparently doesn't know anything, most likely he was obliviated."
"What about the other two attacks?"
Draco frowned sadly. "They were both successful, one in Gryffindor tower and the other in the Great Hall."
"The Great Hall!" I interrupted loudly, "Is everyone okay?"
"A few students were hurt but Severus said they'll be alright, but there were a few first years that couldn't…couldn't…"
"No," I broke in, shaking my head wildly, "No..."
Draco wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to his chest. I let out a loud sob and buried my head against his skin. "I don't understand who would do something so horrible," I stated and Draco shook his head in response.
"There are people in the world who do awful things," Draco explained matter-of-factly. It was obvious that he was attempting to regain his tough Malfoy exterior. "We've both seen it with our own eyes."
"I know," I replied as I pushed away from him so I could meet his gaze, "but shouldn't we be out there doing something about it? I can't just sit here while…while…"
"While people die," Draco interjected and I nodded in reply. "People die everyday Jenny and it's certainly not your fault or mine. We didn't send those muggle children into Hogwarts with bombs strapped to their backs."
"But…but…"
"But nothing," he snapped, "We need to look out for each other and ourselves, we can't save the whole world."
Silence fell over us both as I turned to stare up at the moon. My mind understood the truth in Draco's words but my heart wouldn't accept his explanation. The magic trapped deep inside me seemed to cry out at the thought of children being harmed. And not just children, but Hogwarts was damaged as well which seemed to cause the pain to double in intensity.
"But he did."
"What?" Draco asked in confusion.
"My father saved the world," I replied vacantly, "he did it once, or so I'm told."
"Your father made this mess," Draco growled angrily.
"When he created me," I added.
Draco grabbed my shoulders roughly and held me at arms length. "Don't say such things!" he exclaimed, "Don't even think it! You're the best thing that's ever happened to me! I don't care if the whole world is in chaos as long as I have you with me."
"But if my father wouldn't have…"
"If that wouldn't have happened and this wouldn't have happened and I did this and you did that IT WOULDN'T MAKE A DAMN BIT OF DIFFERENCE!"
"Draco, calm down," I urged quietly.
Draco took a shaky breath and let it out slowly. "I'm sorry. I got carried away."
"It's okay," I replied, "Let's get…"
"Excuse me," a deep voice called out causing Draco and I to both turn in surprise. A tall vampire wearing a long black robe stood in the doorway. "The vampire council would like to meet with you now."
"Of course," I stammered as I rushed to the closet to grab a set of robes.
"I will wait in the hall," the vampire stated and then disappeared, closing the door behind him.
"Are you sure you're up for this?" Draco asked.
I hurriedly pulled off my pajamas and slipped into the set of simple black robes I'd pulled off a hanger. "I've been waiting for this for the last month," I replied, "I can't postpone it now. Who knows when I'll get another chance?"
"I know, it's just…"
"I'll be fine," I responded giving him a peck on the cheek and a smile to prove my point.
"Be careful," Draco urged as I opened the door to leave.
"Aren't I always?" I asked in an innocent tone causing Draco to roll his eyes. I couldn't help but chuckle as I closed the door behind me. But my mood soon deteriorated as I followed the vampire down the hall and into the deep, dark recesses of the mansion.
The rooms we passed were unfamiliar to me which seemed odd. Draco and I had gone over the entire mansion in the month we stayed there and I was sure I'd seen it all. The hallways the tall vampire led me down seemed darker though and much creepier. There were no portraits on the walls, only paintings of surreal landscapes and dark, empty rooms.
"Where are we going?" I asked the vampire, "I don't recognize these hallways."
"I am taking you to the council room," the vampire replied emotionlessly, "That is all you need to know."
"I'm scared," I stated truthfully, having no idea if the vampire would respond or not.
"Do not be afraid young Evans," he responded, surprising me completely with the use of my grandmother's maiden name, "There is nothing in these halls that will harm you."
"That's not what I'm scared of."
The vampire paused for a moment and glanced at me over his shoulder. "You should never be afraid of us," he stated forcefully, "We would never do anything to harm you or your kin."
"But…"
"We must hurry," he interrupted, "the council waits up ahead."
"That's what I'm afraid of," I muttered under my breath.
The vampire council, I soon found out, is made up of five very old and wise vampires, three of them men and two women. The council room holds only six chairs, five behind a long table and one on the other side. The lights are kept low and unless someone speaks the room remains completely silent. Each of the council members took a moment to introduce themselves. The members did not look old but with vampires looks can be deceiving.
"I am Alden, leader of this council," stated the vampire sitting in the chair directly in the middle of the group. I couldn't help but marvel at Alden's appearance. He had long blonde hair which, in the darkness, almost appeared to be white. His eyes were a deep violet color and his skin was so pale it made Draco's seem tan in comparison. He gave me a warm smile and I suddenly felt all of my nervousness bleed away.
The vampire to Alden's left introduced himself next. "I am Druce," the vampire stated in a deep tenor, "Second in the council." Druce was larger than most vampires with broad shoulders and large muscles. His black hair was cropped short and his red eyes seemed to have a hard edge to them.
"I am Thina," the female vampire to Alden's right stated with a polite bow, "Third in the council. Thina immediately reminded me of Snape. She had a sharp edge to her voice and her eyes ran up and down my form as if she was studying me for some kind of defect. Her brown hair was pulled up in a tight bun at the back of her head, giving a somewhat pinched appearance to her features.
"I am Gwydion," the last male vampire in the group stated in a mysterious tone. I quickly deduced that Gwydion was not only a vampire but was also a wizard. He seemed to have an aura of power surrounding him that the other vampires lacked. A long black braid hung over his shoulder and the smile he gave me seemed shy and timid. "Fourth in the council."
"And I am Ophelia," the vampire farthest to the right stated with a quick bow. "Fifth in the council." Ophelia appeared to be the youngest of the group. She fidgeted nervously in her seat and her red eyes remained fixed on her lap. A large black dog sat at her feet. It too had red eyes. She smiled slightly in my direction as she pushed a strand of long, brown hair out of her eyes.
"We are all very pleased to meet you," Alden stated in a kind tone, "Khalida has informed us of everything that has happened since your father's death."
"My father isn't dead," I interrupted.
"Of course," Alden replied. A ripple of unease seemed to pass through the council and each member shifted nervously in their seat. "We were surprised to learn that Harry had a daughter and as overjoyed as we are, our allegiance with you has already garnered unwanted attention."
"But that does not mean that we will not help you," Ophelia broke in quickly, earning a disapproving glare from Thina.
"Of course we will support you," Alden added forcefully, "The vampire clans have always allied themselves with your family."
"But why?" I questioned hesitantly, "What connection do the vampires have with the Evans family?"
The council members glanced at each other nervously. Finally Gwydion spoke up, his voice quiet at first but gaining strength with each word. "The alliance has existed for centuries. Its origin is a complete secret to all outside the Evans family. Even we, the members of this council, do not know when or where it began."
"Then how do the vampires know that an alliance even exists?" I asked in confusion.
"It has been passed down from vampire to vampire but no reason is given," Alden explained, "To know the reason would be too dangerous. The secret must be kept at all costs."
"But someone must know," I exclaimed, waving my hands in frustration.
"Lily Evans was the last to know the story," Thina explained with a huff.
"And she never had a chance to pass it on to Harry," Ophelia added sadly.
"What can you tell me then?" I stammered desperately, "How can you help me?"
Alden gave me a reassuring smile. "Do not despair. We can help you find the information you seek and we can help protect you."
"The vampires will fight!" Druce exclaimed, surprising the rest of the council. "We will not shirk our duties as we did before."
"Calm yourself," Thina reprimanded sharply.
"Why didn't you help my father fight Voldemort?" I questioned curiously.
The council traded looks before Gwydion spoke up. "Riddle is…is…" The other vampires hissed at the name, except Alden who only flinched slightly.
"Evil," I provided and Gwydion shook his head, "powerful, scary, what?"
"Devil," Ophelia hissed.
My eyes widened in surprise. "You think he's Satan?"
Alden shook his head. "Not the Satan you are familiar with but the vampire equivalent. According to our legends the Riddle family descended from an evil being, an entity that only wishes to bring death and destruction upon the world."
"But the Evans family was friends with the Riddles, weren't they?"
"Somewhere far in the past," Alden replied, "but that friendship is gone now. We vampires have always found ourselves in the middle of the two families, one being our friend, the other…"
"What is Tom Riddle to you? Why are you so afraid of him?" I questioned.
"He is powerful," Gwydion responded in an ominous tone, "He is darkness personified. Like the snake, he sheds his skin and becomes something new. His mind's eye stretches far and wide."
"Gwydion…" Thina hissed warningly, but Gwydion's eyes had glazed over as if he were in a trance.
"He is everywhere and nowhere," Gwydion continued, "Like a fire whose heat pushes you away but flame beckons you ever closer. He can make minutes seem as years and a thousand years seem as just one short moment. A curse is carried in his heart and so his body shall never rest."
"He will destroy the world around you," Ophelia broke in suddenly, "And when you are left in pieces, he will put you back together and collect you as his own. Master and slave, he will take you into himself and you shall remain with him for all time."
"And so shall you exist in your remaining days," Thina added in a somber tone and I realized that they must be reciting vampire lore.
"In the body of a snake, spirit and man," Druce stated, grimacing at the words.
"Forever to walk a world in which you shall never belong," Alden added quietly.
"And shall never escape from," Gwydion finished, his eyes still glazed over.
I gazed at Alden curiously. "Is this some kind of legend?"
"Unfortunately, it is truth," Alden replied, shaking his head sadly, "I was once second in council."
"And I third," Druce added.
"And I fourth," Thina stated woefully.
"And I fifth," Gwydion sobbed.
"And I was not a member," Ophelia broke in as her gaze shifted to her lap.
"Who…who was first then?" I questioned hesitantly.
"Khalid," Alden replied sadly, "He refused to bow to the Dark Lord and now…"
"He's part of the Dark Lord?" I asked and Alden nodded in reply. "Wait a second. Khalid? Was he…I mean…Khalid and Khalida…it sounds…"
"He was Khalida's sire," Alden answered softly. "Which is why Khalida wished to take a more active role in the wizard's war against the Dark Lord."
"Then why didn't you? What stopped the vampires from fighting?" I questioned angrily.
Alden's expression became hard and serious. "You must understand Jenny, to be a vampire is to be free of all things, even death. What the Dark Lord represents is a fate…"
"Worse than death," I supplied and Alden nodded in reply.
dSz
dSz
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Boy, this chapter took me a long time to finish. But I think it came out pretty good. Next chapter will have more with the vampire council and more explanation of the vampire connection to the Evans family and how the Riddle family ties into it. Did the secret die with Lily Evans? Let me ask you this. How easy is it for you to keep a big secret? What if you had a really close friend...someone you knew could keep a secret... Jenny has Draco and Khalida, Harry had Hermione and Ron...Lily had James, but perhaps she had a best friend as well? I guess you'll have to wait for the next update to find out.