Disclaimer:I do not own Harry Potter.

A/N: An update! Yay! And, truthfully, i really like this chapter- it marks the beginning of super hot vampire-ness. And you thought i would leave without it. Anyway, i hope you enjoy this chapter, things are feeling going in for the plunge :) And don't forget to review too, i enjoy receiving and reading them so much, i think its illegal somewhere (big thanks to all my reviewers!)

Warnings: Slash, minor rape, character death (can anyone see where this is going?)

A Night's Sweet Caress

Ginny hummed happily to herself as she put away cereal packets. Not that she particularly liked cereal per say, they had only actually bought it due to Ron's ardent and irreplaceable love for them. Personally, she preferred toast.

She carried on with her mumbled tune as she crumpled up the empty carrier bag and shimmied past Hermione to throw it in the bin. She then daintily picked up the last bag and started to rearrange their contents onto the surrounding shelves.

They had spent longer than she had thought arguing in the local supermarket; over three years together and they still had major disagreements over food consumption. The thought alone nearly made her giggle. In the end they had spent well over two hours there, before being ushered out and back to the house in record time by an oddly jumpy Harry, who had kept glancing back and forth in the dark, as if trying to see ahead for something. It had been really rather odd.

In fact, she thought with a frown on her face, pausing while holding a pack of carrots, Harry had been exhibiting quiet strange behaviour the entire time they had been back together. She wondered if something was wrong; was he ill? He did look unhealthily pale, especially during the light of day. Or maybe-maybe it was to do with that…Draco person, the one who was confusing Harry so much. She really had to talk to that blonde- it wasn't right for him to confuse Harry like this with perverse thoughts- in her mind the time had come for Harry to stop with his 'experiments'. He just needed not to be…distracted anymore, and who wouldn't be distracted with a man like that around?

She even admitted to herself that Draco was very attractive, breathtakingly so, and she was very much in love with Harry. She peered wistfully out the darkened window as she leant against the counter, recalling the fateful day she first met Harry; it had been the summer, and Ron had brought him round for the first time. She'd made a complete idiot out of herself, obviously, but from that day on-she knew.

She sighed to herself and finally put the carrots away, mindful of the way Hermione neatly stored everything away next to her. She belatedly realised that the other girl was finished.

Glancing around, Ginny idly contemplated where Harry had run off to. He had disappeared nearly as soon as they were through the front door, not even bothering to explain where he was going. Perhaps he was going to break it off with Draco? That would certainly explain his vacant stares; he was so nervous and worried about hurting the blonde's feelings and so had been meticulously thinking about how to do it all day.

Perhaps-perhaps he even thought of her?

Trying valiantly not to get her hopes up, she bit back the smile she desperately wanted to give, and went off to find Luna- she was always a good soundboard for ideas and discussion, even if all she would receive would be ever stranger answers. But Luna was like that you see, always talking about Nargles, Crumple Horned Snorkacks and a most strange fixation about Harry actually not being straight at all. A strange girl to be sure.

Ginny resumed her humming as she leisurely pulled herself up the stairs, intent on finding Luna.

Harry entered their bedroom with purpose. He had not seen Draco since that morning, and Harry had firmly decided that it was high time for the older vampire to actually explain things; and perhaps even to include him in whatever he snuck of to do all the time, magnanimously labelling it as 'business' all the time.

Harry was truly sick of the blonde's vanishing acts; he wasn't going to allow the other to do it again if he had his way.

And right now, Harry was a vampire on a mission.

Fully prepped and ready to issues his demands, which ahd ben simmering away for days, Harry was forced to draw up short when he reached the bed.

There was Draco all right; somehow managing to look elegant even sprawled out as he was on they bed; obviously sleeping. Harry couldn't deny that Draco, frankly, looked absolutely ravishing while he slept. For a dark creature, he was particularly talented at appearing like an angel.

He was certainly unearthly beautiful that was for sure.

And at the moment, with Draco laying so wonderfully vulnerable like that…well, Harry felt an very playful, quite literally, urge appear as if from no where. His eyes glinted and help the rather devilish smile from appearing on his face.

Peering at Draco with half lidded eyes, and baring restraining his pent up amusement, Harry gently crawled up onto the bed, silky locks of hair falling to drape over his eyes.

Gently taking Draco's pale wrists, he pinned them to the sheets, while crawling up to settle himself right on top of the other, Harry straddling his waist, chest to chest. Harry continued staring down languidly at Draco as he started to stir at the added weight, dark grey eyes fluttering open.

"Harry?" asked Draco softly, voice husky form waking. Harry shivered at the tone.

"Good evening Draco," purred Harry, the strong urge to play never dropping, instead now tinged with exhilaration. He had never openly sought intimacy with Draco before, and at the moment he could possibly fathom why. Draco was practically sex incarnate, so why shouldn't he be enjoying himself?

Draco, perhaps due to his still rather hazy state of mind, wasn't aware of his position, pinned by Harry to the bed until he tried to sit up. He blinked in surprise when his movement yielded little success.

Glancing down, Draco became infinitely more awake, as he noticed his lovely charmant's location.

"Good evening indeed, darling," whispered Draco back in reply.

"Mmmm, it is a good night isn't it? But do you know what would make it even better?" murmured Harry huskily, lips brushing the blonde's ear. He felt a rush shoot through him as the older vampire shivered in response.

"Oh, I think I may have an idea," muttered Draco back, just as softly.

Harry smiled seductively, tilting his head to the side slightly, letting his glossy black locks flick over his pale skin.

"I know you do," and with that, Harry punctuated his remark by shifting his hips, putting more pressure on Draco. Harry was incredibly satisfied with himself when he felt the hardness pressing into his stomach.

Harry lent himself down further, making Draco groan slightly, which was quickly silenced as Harry brushed their lips together softly; tauntingly.

"But I'm afraid, that wasn't what I had in mind…" he uttered, lips hitting on the syllables, before he pulled himself back, sitting up, and in the process moving back a little so as to be completely atop of his sire's arousal.

He couldn't restrain the grin when he heard Draco hiss from beneath him.

Still in his mischievous mood, and finding great fulfilment from the annoyed glare Draco sent his way, Harry let his tongue flick out over his reddening lips, revealing his descended fangs in a flash of pearly white.

"Now, now Draco, no need to look at me like that, I just have some questions that I would be delighted for you to answer…"

"Well, ask away darling, it seems as if I'm at your mercy," said Draco, observing Harry through a mixture of confusion, amusement and lust.

Harry shifted his hips again over Draco's lap, eliciting another hiss, before he pretended to ponder.

"Well, for one I would absolutely love to know what you're going to do with our most delightful guests…"

Harry never even considered that these people he referred to as annoyances during his little tease, were actually his own supposed friends, and Draco didn't call him on it, only shuddering slightly as Harry rolled his hips once more against him. He couldn't deny the immense attraction Harry was stirring, playing with him like this as he held the verdant glint in his eyes of an aroused vampire.

His little Fledgling was all grown up.

And Draco had never been more glad of his decision to keep Harry be his side.

"Well, I'm sure they won't be a problem, as you forbid me, quite vindictively, not to eat them, I suppose I shall merely have to let them stay- for now. If they aren't gone by the end of the week, I may have to use measures I truly don't wish to…" Draco sighed mockingly, trying his best to sound put upon.

Harry scowled in reply, and unconscious pout forming, and thrust his hips down with greater force than previous, causing Draco to gasp and buck backwards into the bed sheets, fists clenching where they were still held in place by Harry.

"They can't find out about me," said Harry quietly, "and also, when they do finally leave, they will be expecting me to leave with them."

Draco's eyes swirled a dark grey and his gaze as it fixed upon him was intense.

"Well, neither of us will allow that now will we darling," purred Draco dangerously, "and you shall merely have to politely decline their assumptions."

Harry couldn't stop the shiver from taking a hold of him as he felt the dark, smooth voice wash over him.

Harry sighed contentedly as he breathed in deeply, only using the action to inhale the dark, seductive scent Draco exuded. Strange how he'd never really noticed how lovely it was before, even when he noted it when wearing the other's clothes.

He bent down to rest himself lightly against Draco's chest, feeling the defined muscle that lay beneath. Exhaling the redundant air, he left some lazy kisses up the pale skin of Draco's neck and across his jaw, revelling in the feel of smooth skin under his lips.

He felt Draco twitch beneath him, making him smile wickedly against the man's skin.

"There's one other problem I'm afraid," stated Harry, as he moved his kisses to trail idly across the other's face.

"Oh?" whispered Draco, eyes half lidded, happily accepting the languid pleasure as Harry pressed himself against him.

"Mmmm," he replied, "you may be able to procure your own meals in that mysterious manner of yours, but I'm afraid I am not yet bestowed with your fine skills. I'm going to need to feed soon, and you're going to get it for me," he demanded silkily.

"Why of course darling, how could I ever deny you anything?" answered Draco, amusement colouring his voice. When did his little charmant get so demanding? It was really rather cute. Just like that way he thought that Draco couldn't easily break free from his grasp.

"Good," said Harry huskily, starting to nuzzle as he left soft kisses on the corner of the vampire's mouth.

Draco merely gave a contented, "hmmm," in response, before twisting his wrists around, breaking Harry's grasp in the process, making Harry growl drowsily at him.

Smirking, Draco merely drew the younger vampire closer to himself, not tired, but perfectly content to simply bask in the company.

Harry let himself settle against Draco's chest as the other began stroking his sleek dark hair, practically purring in his mixed state of languid arousal and lulled contentment.

This, he was sure, was where he was supposed to be. The thought was infinitely calming.

He only hoped the house guests wouldn't intrude for a while; the quiet caress of the night was far too wonderful to be disturbed.

Harry sighed blissfully as he felt the hard pounding of the water slap his bare back, the hot water warming his chilled skin delightfully. He gave a final lazy shake of his head to remove the last vestiges of shampoo and reached out for the shower gel.

Oh, how he had been dying for a proper shower for days!

He had been lying peaceably with Draco for several hours when the vampire had regrettably informed him that he had to go visit Severus. Harry had just waved him off, still feeling far too relaxed to get too upset and as Draco had left, he had immediately brightened when he remembered what all three girls had insisted on buying earlier that day. He hadn't been able to properly wash out his hair for what felt like forever, how Draco managed to retain such a gleaming lustre to his air without conditioner was a mystery.

Harry felt it was worth having the other people in the house, simply for the toiletries they brought with them. He would have to insist on procuring them as a permanent fixture in future.

However, showering had become a rather strange experience at times, what with the great difference caused between the heat of the water and his own, far too cool flesh. The fact that he had the body temperature that could be referred to as 'lukewarm' was just yet another thing a long list of changes he had to adjust to. Though by now, he thought he was pretty much familiar with most of them.

He groaned in delight as he began to massage the suds into his soft, pale skin. He was quite sure that he could happily remain in here forever.

Meanwhile, Ginny was making her way up the stairs, still vainly attempting to find Harry. She had been searching for nearly two hours now, and was beginning to become frustrated. Mostly because within minutes she had managed to get herself lost. She was beginning to think that Harry had told them to not wander off alone simply because of the network of confusing corridors and winding staircases.

Considering the house was also in a general state of disrepair didn't make her feel any better either, who knew when a ceiling might collapse? However, she hoped that now she was heading in the right direction, the surroundings here appeared to be a bit more…clean. And sturdy.

Taking this as a good sign, she gently meandered her way up a staircase, hand trailing over the banister, happy to find that this one was covered in dust.

Where could Harry have run off to? It was almost as if he were hiding…

She felt a frown twist its way across her face. Now that she thought of it, she hadn't really seen Draco around either, not since that morning. What was he up to?

Ginny halted mid-step, eyes going wide in horror as she gasped with a horrible revelation.

What if- what if that Draco person was trying to seduce her Harry? He certainly looked like the type.

Filled with renewed energy, Ginny rushed up the last remaining steps, intent more than ever to find Harry and save him from the grasp of that despicable blonde. Just because Harry didn't want to be with him anymore, didn't mean he had any right to try to trick him into thinking he was gay!

Finding herself on an unfamiliar landing, Ginny paused briefly, just enough to register puzzlement. This part of the house was in far better condition than the rest of it; it even had carpets.

Frowning slightly, and wondering why they weren't allowed to have rooms here, it the one place that looked habitable, she glanced about, eyeing the several doors with some apprehension.

She was just about to backtrack and leave, feeling oddly out of place when she heard the tell tale pounding of a shower. Was that Harry?

Turning to go down a small hallway, she found a door slightly ajar, light and steam creeping out into the corridor.

Images of Harry, in the shower, naked, flashed before her eyes, and made her hesitate. She didn't want to walk in on someone else but if it were Harry in there…. and she'd been looking for him anyway. She swallowed, and gently eased open the door, glad that any sound was masked by the sound of the water.

She stepped inside, and simultaneously blessed and cursed the heavy steam that permeated the air. Harry had always liked hot showers, yet at the same time didn't allow her to see anything.

Pulling forth on her courage, she moved forward, and from the mist, appeared a figure, head bowed as water cascaded down its back, soapy suds slowly being washed away over taught skin.

Ginny felt her breath hitch, and her face flush. Harry, her Harry was standing there, right before her, completely naked, with water running down him, sliding down hair, the curve of his neck, dancing its way across the ridges of his chest and then further, past muscle and then to-

She absently let her tongue flick out to lick her lips, eyes fixed.

How long had she been waiting for him? Ten years…? Longer? And now, here he was, no more than a few steps away, completely within her reach.

A ridiculous thought came into her head. This, this was finally an opportunity for her! A great opportunity that she would be a fool to pass up. She finally had the chance to get rid of all this experimentation nonsense for good, show him what a true woman felt like.

Her gaze latched onto the pale hand reaching out to switch off the water.

Yes, here was her chance; to show him how much better she was than that Draco could ever be. She took a shaky step forward. The time had come for Harry to come to his senses and see that she was the only one for him. She took another, more bold step forward, watching with rapt attention as Harry snagged a towel without looking from behind the shower curtain.

As he stepped out of the shower, idly wondering when Draco would be back, Harry was never more surprised to see Ginny Weasley no more that two inches from his face, a strange glint in her eyes.

Jumping back slightly, restricted from too much movement as he was trapped with the shower behind him, he wondered furiously why he hadn't detected her entering the bathroom, while simultaneously cursing himself for not locking the door.

"Ginny," he said, somewhat hesitant about the look in her face, "what are you doin-"

He was cut off from saying more however, by the sudden intrusion into his mouth.

Wha-?

Eyes bright with shock, and stiff with incredulity, Harry felt himself be pushed back into the shower door as Ginny pushed herself flush against him, her hands holding a surprisingly strong grip on his arms. He remained there, unresisting for a few moments, as eh tried to process just what the fuck was Ginny doing when he felt her tongue begin to move more fiercely in his mouth.

He choked, feeling her tongue more as a slippery, slimy and utterly unwelcome presence. He instantly attempted to free his arms to pry her off him when he was distressed to realise that Ginny had a surprisingly strong grip for a mortal woman.

Which was saying something, as he was a vampire.

Starting to feel increasingly troubled about the experience, Harry renewed his struggles, succeeding in pulling his mouth away from hers.

"Ginny!" he snapped, "What the fuck do you think you're doing?!"

But Ginny didn't seem to really hear him; her eyes were glazed over, and her cheeks were flushed red. He shuddered as he felt her breath hit his skin, her panting easily crossing the short distance.

"Don't you see Harry," she whispered, sounding a mix between lustful and hysterical, "it's about time that you stop playing around, you know we're meant to be together, what's the use in trying to hold back anymore?"

She smiled breathlessly, and Harry felt himself still as she shifted her way between his legs, forcing him up against the glass of the shower, and pushed herself against him.

She took Harry's unresponsive form as permission and giggled slightly, before she dove back into his mouth forcefully.

She quickly pulled back with a shocked cry however; as she felt her grip broken and strong, unrelenting hands claw into her forearms, brutally shoving her back.

Peering up, she couldn't help but be entranced by the sight of gleaming verdant eyes.

"Ginny," growled Harry lowly, "don't ever come anywhere near me, ever again. Do you understand?"

He was pissed. Very much so, he could barely retain the urge to hiss at the petty little girl and strike her down where she stood. How dare she do such a thing? Not only to touch him, and even presume she had any right at all to be near him, but to subject him to her delusions as well? He barely held himself back.

Throwing one last seething glare to the girl, he strode past her and quickly made his way out of sight, banging the door as he passed.

Ginny waited timidly, rubbing at the small bleeding scratches on her arms. But really though, she couldn't be any happier. Oh sure, Harry thought he was mad at her, but really, he was only confused about these new feelings for her- that had to be it. And men always got angry when they were confused, they were silly like that.

Now all she had to do was wait until Harry calmed down. Oh, and make sure that that Draco person knew he wasn't wanted anymore. Yes, tonight truly was turning out to be the best of her life.

Harry sat huddled, knees up on the silk sheets of his bed, staring impatiently at the opposite wall. Despite his still form, he was feeling inexplicably full of energy; as if he had something he should rather be doing than simply sitting there. He couldn't identify what he should be doing though, so he had simply settled in for waiting for Draco to come back; he was sure that his sire could make him feel better.

Ever since the incident with…Ginny, he had been feeling incredibly out of sorts, and the lingering taste of her in his mouth didn't help one bit.

It felt distinctly wrong, and the ghosts of her touches were making him feel uncomfortable in his own skin.

He could hardly believe Ginny had actually done it, he had known before that she chased after him, living in some sort of denial, but surely she wasn't this delusional? Or this desperate to force herself on him.

Well, the events told otherwise, and Harry wasn't really in a forgiving mood at the moment. Not only could he taste her, he could smell her on him too; that flowery perfume she always uses so much. It was practically gagging his receptive senses.

He was so focused on his running thoughts, that he didn't feel Draco behind him until the older vampire sunk down onto the bed next to him.

He turned slightly and summoned the best smile he could.

"Back from Severus already? That wasn't long…"

"No, we didn't have much to discuss, fortunately," said Draco, peering at him suspiciously. Harry cursed inside his head, mostly on Draco for being so perceptive.

He felt a pale hand sneak its way up to gently grasp his chin, and he didn't bother to resist as Draco tilted his head to the side to face him.

"Now, now, what happened while I was gone, hmm? You look rather troubled lovely," said Draco softly.

Harry merely gave a tight shake of the head, and gratefully let Draco take his mouth into a kiss, eager to have Draco replace the prickling along his skin with tingles.

He was disappointed when Draco moved back so suddenly, though this rapidly became wariness as he saw the blonde stiffen. He looked up, only to be pierced with silver eyes.

"Harry," he growled softly, "why do you taste like someone else?"

Harry shivered, though whether it was from Draco or from revulsion he couldn't tell.

"That would be Ginny's fault," he spat, nose crinkling in distaste. He couldn't help it, why should he lie?

"Ginny?" muttered Draco, pulling away, "the female red head?"

Harry merely nodded mutely in reply, looking away from Draco's angry silver stare.

"And what did the little mortal do, darling?"

Harry glanced up once more, soaking up Draco's terrible beauty; it was even greater when he got angry, he dimly realised, when his eyes glowed and he could see the hint of pearly white from behind full lips.

"She accosted me as I got out the shower, the little thing has a really tight grip you know?" growled Harry, the previous anger welling up as the sheer annoyance of the entire situation spiked.

"Oh?" asked Draco severely, features setting in a hard glare.

Harry turned serious eyes over to Draco, leaning forward suddenly on the bed, forcing him to go on all fours as he moved over to Draco, he was still surveying him through a hoary gaze.

"Kiss me?" Harry asked breathlessly, voice barely above a whisper.

When Draco refused to respond or comply, he narrowed his eyes.

"I want to get her taste out of my mouth, its becoming unbearable-"

"What makes you think I want to kiss you when you taste like that?" asked Draco sharply, voice low with anger, a darkness taking over his face, as his eyes, silver as there were, glinted red. The candles flickered warningly as the shadows stretched unnaturally.

Harry recoiled slightly, feeling the pressure coming from the older, more powerful vampire, repressing the small flicker of fear. This surely wasn't the last time Draco would frighten him, but he knew he could overcome it, if need be.

Just like now.

Harry felt his fangs brush against his lower lip, and, with a speed that only a vampire could posses, darted forward to sink his fangs into the juncture where neck met shoulder. He only stayed long enough to take a mouthful before pulling away, letting himself lie on the ruffled sheets.

Draco gave a faint hiss at Harry's little action, and glared lightly at him. It quickly faded however, as he watched his little charmant swill the blood around his mouth a few times, a small trail of red leading from the corner of his mouth.

"Much better," Harry asserted after several moments, before glancing up to Draco with wide, dark eyes.

The blonde merely sighed, and bent over to lick off the smear of red on his cheek, trailing a pale hand through dark locks.

"No need to get all upset Harry, I'll sort it out."

Harry, who had been sourly sucking on his teeth, a habit he'd picked up recently, glanced up sharply, eyes narrowing slightly.

"What do you mean, 'you'll sort it out'?"

Draco had the nerve to try to look innocent.

"Why so suspicious darling, don't you believe me?"

Harry snorted, but didn't pull away, enjoying the sensation of having his hair stroked far too much- not that he would ever admit that to Draco. Or anyone else for that matter.

"Oh, I would never believe that for a second Draco," said Harry sarcastically.

To his frustration however, Draco merely took this at face value, fully aware that wasn't what Harry meant but using it anyway.

"Well, I'll just have to prove it to you then."

Draco was halfway out the door when Harry realised the blonde was moving, the hand removed. Sitting up in his surprise, he called out.

"Draco," he asked apprehensively, "just what are you planning to do?"

Draco paused on his way out, halfway through the doorway, and peered back over his shoulder, revealing silver eyes.

"Oh, nothing more than she deserves,"

And then he was gone, leaving a rather anxious Harry behind. Fighting the growing unease, Harry pulled himself to the edge of the bed and sighed, biting his lip in nervous habit.

"Better go have another shower I suppose," he said firmly to himself, "I can't stand the bloody perfume a single moment more."

He swiftly returned to the bathroom, leaving Draco to whatever he had decided to entertain himself with.

Ginny hummed to herself as she made her way up the stairs to her room, fiddling a little with the tissues she'd wrapped around her arm to cover the scratches; oddly enough they were still bleeding slightly. She was in far too good a mood to be worried over such small things like that though; things were finally happening with Harry! How long had she waited for this to happen? Years- and now, after a very small amount persuasion, it was soon all about to pay off.

She choked down on the delighted giggles that were trying to force their way through her throat and out of her mouth. It wouldn't do to get Ron suspicious, or any of the others. Relationship matters like these needed to be handled with the utmost care and delicacy.

Once she and Harry were together officially, then they would tell them.

She smiled a little at the thought, and was so immersed in her thoughts she nearly bumped into someone going down the stairs.

"Oh, Draco, I'm sorry I didn't see you there."

Her mood was so great, that she couldn't even bring herself to be mean to Draco. He was the one after all that tried to lead her Harry astray. But then again, that didn't matter anymore did it?

"Not at all," said the blonde smoothly, "it was my own fault."

Ginny smiled at the comment and nodded her head in assent, inwardly wondering whether Harry had broken it off yet with him. He didn't look too sad right now, maybe she ought to give him a bit of a warning? Just so it wouldn't be such a shock. He did seem nice enough after all.

She peered up at the man primly, "Are you off to see Harry? I think he has something he wants to talk to you about."

"Oh, let me assure you, that Harry has already spoken to me about everything," he said softly.

She was confused over why he didn't seem to be saddened; maybe he already knew that Harry wasn't really gay in the first place. He smiled disarmingly at her, and she smiled tentatively back.

"Well, that's good to hear, things like this should be out in the open so they can be resolved, don't you think?"

"Oh," he purred, "I completely agree."

They passed by each other and went their separate ways, Draco to downstairs and Ginny up to her room. If Draco's eyes had seemed a bit darker than usual, she paid it no mind.

Ginny began her humming again as she reached the landing, and practically glided into her room, wrinkling her nose slightly at the dust that fell as she opened the door. She sighed, and went to collapse on top of her bed, staring up at the moonlit ceiling blissfully.

She was just about to indulge in the laughter she had been suppressing all evening, when from the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a folded piece of paper on the small table stationed beside her bed.

Frowning in curiosity, she picked it up, heart fluttering wildly as she recognised the handwriting on the front.

'Ginny'

Wetting her lips in anticipation she flicked it over, eager to read what it said. She could barely believe it; he was leaving her love letters already!

'Meet me outside, in the garden past the gate.

I'll be waiting…'

She gasped, and vainly tried to repress the squeal of joy. This- this was more than she'd ever imagined, who knew Harry was such a romantic?

She hurriedly checked her makeup in a pocket mirror and scurried off back down the stairs, eager to meet up with her clandestine lover.

She peered round the edge of the gate, and anxiously glanced about, eyes frantically searching for any sign of Harry. It had taken her longer than she had thought to get here, and as she stepped tentatively onto the stone patio she sharply flicked a twig from out of her hair.

She hopped nervously down the pathway, peering about wondering where her Harry was hiding. Surely he was meant to be waiting for her?

Frowning a little, and in an attempt to make sure she had found the right place, she shuffled a little further along, taking small steps; it was dark, and she'd already lost her footing more than once on the way here.

In fact, it was almost unnaturally dark tonight; with no moon it was hard to see more than three feet ahead. It was almost cloying in its nature, as if it wanted to grab a hold of her and smother her. She shivered, suddenly feeling a little chill, and looked about her nervously once again.

She dearly wished that Harry would find her soon.

'Caw!'

She jumped, startled, and whirled around, shaking, only to find a raven sitting in one of the nearby trees. She smiled faintly in relief, wondering what could be going through her mind to make her so scared of a bird, of all things, when she heard another 'Caw!' from right behind her.

Stumbling she stepped back, seeing a raven also sitting on the nearby low window sill.

Glancing at her feet to make sure she didn't fall, she halted, blood freezing cold.

There, staining the stone paving slabs was a dried pool of rusty red. Unlike the rest of her surroundings, the colour had no problem standing out starkly against the dark night sky.

It flaked beneath her feet and she began to feel sick. A flutter of wings sounded from above her and she quickly ran forward, the bright red stain on the raised patio burned into her mind.

She rounded the corner and gave a small cry at seeing something move and shift in the darkness. She froze with terror, and even when all see saw was a raven flitting on the stones, she remained shaking with fear.

That was, until she became so petrified that even her bottom lip stiffened against it's trembling.

The shadows seemed to gather, and the raven was no longer a raven, but swirling shadows too.

She saw a flash of white, a stream of red and then no more than the black expanse.

"Aaaaaaaarrhhhhhh-!"

All members of the house snapped wide-awake, as a tortured scream rent through the air.

A/N:Oh my God! Someone's died again! Such a shame, what with all the readers who wanted her alive...#cough.

Anyway, how'd you like it? Harry's really becoming something isn't he? And i somehow snuck in some vampire fluff too, hee. I've decided i like this chapter. Next chappy, we see their reactions to Ginny's...passing, and things just get darker, while our vampires just seem to be getting hotter...

Hope you enjoyed the chapter, and please review! bye!