Harry
I wasn't quite sure what effects the sun would have on me now, after what I'd become. I knew the stories, of course, and I wasn't about to chance getting turned to dust just because I wasn't careful.
I needed to get my school things, though. So I waited until it was raining before I made my way to Diagon Alley fully cloaked and hooded.
I think the goblins might have known I wasn't human anymore, but they didn't say anything, so I couldn't be certain.
The Malfoys were there, but they didn't see me as I skirted around them and slipped into the bookstore. Even though I was out of the rain, I kept my hood up; I was having enough trouble controlling myself as it was, and the last thing I needed was to be mobbed.
The alley wasn't very busy, probably because of the weather, and for that I was grateful. Fewer people meant that there was a smaller chance of me losing my hold on the hunger that was now constantly burning in my stomach.
"Do you have any books on vampires?" I asked the clerk softly- it had been a while since I last spoke and I sounded different, even to my own ears.
The man looked at me with an arched eyebrow and I quickly added, "I have to do a report on them for school."
He seemed to buy that excuse and led me to the back of the store. I selected one that looked informative, and quickly picked out the rest of my course books before leaving the shop.
It wasn't long after that that I headed home.
School would be started up again and I was torn between disappointment and relief when Ron told me he wasn't allowed to have friends over. Apparently the twins had played a nasty prank on him involving a spider, a candle, and a muggle cheerleading pompom… I didn't ask.
Whatever Ron had done to the twins in retaliation must have been truly something because Molly had never refused to allow me to visit as punishment before.
It was okay, though, since I wasn't sure I was ready to face them yet. I couldn't help but wonder what they would think of me now. The thought of them rejecting me was more frightening than I could have ever imagined.
I spent my remaining summer vacation reading up on vampires. I wasn't very encouraged by what I read either.
Vampires, as it turns out, are more dangerous than werewolves, and are often hunted down by Aurors.
So, does that make me an outlaw?
The more I learned about what I'd become, the more resolved I was that I wouldn't give in. I wouldn't tell anyone either. I'd act as if nothing had changed.
dmhpdmhpdm
But something had changed, and even if no one else noticed it, I did.
It was impossible to ignore, since Platform 9 3/4 was very crowded and the close proximity to so many people was causing my senses to go haywire. I could hear their heartbeats, and it was like music that both excited and relaxed me. It made my own heart dance in my chest in what could only be anticipation, which confused me greatly. I was a vampire, right? And vampires are the 'living dead', correct? So why, in the name of Merlin, was my heart still beating?
I looked for information in the book I bought, but it made no mention of 'dead' or 'undead', or even 'alive'. Not one measly little word.
Then biggest trial was yet to come, however. Soon after I arrived at the platform, I was engulfed in a familiar warm embrace. My face was pressed against the person's neck and I could feel my fangs tingle (well, I guess it was really my gums tingling as my fangs elongated, but at the time I couldn't care less).
Before I could do something I would later regret, I tore myself away from Hermione and took two large steps back, covering my mouth with my hand, "Sorry Hermione, I've been sick lately and don't want you to catch it." I knew it was a lame excuse, but she didn't seem to see past it.
dmhpdmhpdm
I realized soon after arriving that school was a mistake. Dinner was painful, socializing was impossible, and curfew was pure torture.
Long after my roommates had slipped into the realm of shadows. I lay awake. The sound of so many heartbeats close by kept me awake. I wanted so badly to give in and just take a sip. No one had to ever know. I could control myself, I could!
That was a lie and not a very good one either. I knew I couldn't control my thirst any more than Hagrid could control Norbert's fire-breath, but I wanted to believe I could.
Besides, if I gave in now, I might as well turn myself into the Ministry. I wanted nothing to do with vampirism. I would not let myself become a monster.
This revelation didn't make my night any easier, and when everyone began to get up and get ready for class, I still hadn't gotten any sleep.
Breakfast was a chore; the food I used to love held no appeal for me any longer. And what I did want I couldn't have.
No, that was wrong; I didn't want to have it, but my body was craving it.
I didn't talk to anyone, mainly because my teeth hurt and I was afraid someone would accidentally see my fangs. And wouldn't that be a wonderful little surprise for the school?
It would be so easy to drink my fill. All I had to do was pivot in my seat just a bit, lean forward, and sink my fangs into the neck of the person sitting next to me.
Wait….my fangs? Was I already so far gone that thoughts such as those were normal? I shouldn't be used to having fangs; the thought shouldn't even be crossing my mind let alone so easily.
I groaned and lay my head in my arms. My claws, another change that should not have taken place, bit into my palms as I fisted my hands. To be honest I was a bit surprised that no one had noticed the claws as they were rather obvious.
Then again, 'oblivious' just might be a required trait of being a Gryffindor.
Absently, I brought my hand to my lips and lapped at the wounds I'd created. The minute the blood touched my tongue, I froze. I had not just done what I thought I had.
I yanked my hand away and proceeded to rub it against my pants as if it were soiled, and my eyes darted around to make sure no one had noticed my momentary slip.
A warm wave of relief washed over me and I calmed down again. Well, about as calm as I ever was.
Before I knew it, breakfast was over and I began to trail behind my two friends as they headed to class.
Apparently I wasn't paying enough attention to where I was going because the next thing I knew I had connected with something very solid. I knew instantly that it was another person, but it could have been a brick wall for all the difference it made.
Caught off guard as I was, I ended up stumbling backwards. I knew I wasn't going to be able to right myself in time, and mentally prepared myself for my inevitable meeting with the floor.
It never happened. Much to my surprise, I felt two strong arms wrap around my waist and pull me against a very male body. My mind went blank as I found myself surrounded by a heady, masculine scent, and my face was pushed into a very inviting neck (yeah that seemed to be happening far too often for my peace of mind).
The tingling in my fangs became a dull throb and I quickly extracted myself from his embrace. "Sorry," I mumbled, not even bothering to look up as I wrestled with the overwhelming panic that had seized me quite suddenly at the other boys close proximity.
"Potter?" An all too familiar voice rang out and I almost groaned despite myself. Of course, it just had to be Malfoy.
I didn't want to fight, with him or anyone; there was too big a risk that my already thin control would snap under the added strain.
So I did the only thing I could: I left.
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