ALEX'S POV

I wasn't sure which news made me more happy, the news that Harry Potter and my other Gryffindor friends had returned safely from their excursion or the that Goyle had been bit by the vampire. It serves him right! I thought.

I couldn't wait to see Harry to tell him about how I'd defended myself against Draco and his goons. Although, of course that meant that I'd have to tell him about how I lost House Points away from Gryffindor, thanks to that hook-nosed Snape! I can't stand that professor. Sure I get that he's a Slytherin, but does he always have to be so mean and unfair? It would be nice if he just once would side with someone who was not from his house. Then again, maybe that would be just asking too much.

I was also really glad that my friends were returning. That would help me to take my mind off of home. I'd been really homesick since arriving here at Hogwarts. Coming all this way crossing the ocean and then entering the wizarding world had left me feeling detached and so removed from America, that I couldn't help longing to be back home, with my Mom and Dad and even my little sister Sara. Getting an invitation to attend Hogwarts was such an honor there was no way that I could decline it. But part of me was secretly terrified. The longest I'd been away from home was four days for Boy Scouts Webelos resident camp. This was an entire year that I'd be gone. I was worried that when I returned home next year that everything would be different or have changed. I know it was an irrational fear but I couldn't stop from obsessing about it, no matter how much I tried.

It was well after midnight, when the other Gryffindor's returned. They all tried to sneak in as quietly possible so as not to disturb the other sleeping housemates. I had not been able to sleep. I was far too excited. I couldn't wait to talk to Harry and tell him all about my encounter and hopefully he'd divulge some classified info on their secret mission.

I sat up in my bad and was about to speak, as Harry gave me the single finger over slips to stay quiet and not to speak. "But," I protested in a whisper.

"We'll talk tomorrow now go back to sleep Alex." Harry said. I did as he instructed or tried to rather. I must've lain there for at least another hour before drifting off to sleep feeling deflated and disappointed.

ENTRY IN SNAPE'S JOURNAL

Sometimes I wonder if the old man is losing it. Bringing in one expert medical doctor who happens to be a vampire to save a child's life is extreme enough but bringing in a small army of bloodsucker's is insane. I will be obedient. If this is the way Dumbledore wants things to play out, then like a good soldier I will follow him until the end. I will not however act pleased about it. I will not pretend to like or to trust these monsters . . . and that's what they are, monsters. Maybe Dumbledore has forgotten that. Maybe ego and arrogance have blinded him to the truth or the dangers of these actions. Hell, I expect that we will all serve time in Azkaban for this. We'll deserve it too. Putting all these innocent students in harm's way to save just 1 brat, correction 2 brats, is ludicrous. If the Minister or one of his flunky's like Delores Umbridge caught wind of this, we'd on our way today. They'd more than likely close Hogwarts or worse, take it over and make it a Ministry ran school. What an atrocity that'd be. I can't even fathom the thought.

It has come to my attention that Luna played a much more vital part in this mission than originally we had thought that she would. I am confounded by the narrow mind of the professors and her peers . . . and for that matter by the narrow mind of all the people of the world, muggle and wizard alike. Her wizarding talent is only surpassed by her genius. Yet, it seems that no one but I recognizes her gift. Even Granger, has not realized Luna's talent and I thought nothing got past the insufferable know-it-all. If Luna continues her mentoring with me, I know she will go far. Maybe further than any other wizard in history.

I have spent the last few nights doing nothing but hunting for the monster that is lurking in our castle. At three days end, with less than 8 hours of sleep, I am exhausted. Even sleep spells and potions are beginning to have little effect. I fear that I will not be able to continue my search tonight. My body is screaming at my mind to go to sleep. So atlas I will turn in and have to continue my hunt tomorrow after classes.

The Half Blood Prince

EDWARD'S POV

It seemed like it took an eternity for Carlisle to examine the two bitten students. The other students and their professors had gone to sleep for the night. Only Dumbledore lingered but he even faded and retired by three am. I would be nothing less than honest with myself, if I thought these two helpless students had any shot at surviving. Ron, the red haired boy, also the first bitten, looked by far the worst. His pasty pale complexion was whiter than my own. The wizards used magical spells to keep him sedated and thank goodness. His veins were a burning red, and could be clearly seen through his skin. The other boys neck was solid red, but the poison had not progressed the way Ron's had yet. Either way things didn't look good for either of them.

"Are they going to be okay?" Bella asked Carlisle.

Carlisle turned to her, "I honestly don't know. I'm not sure how to heal them. We need to find that vampire as soon as we can. Then maybe I'll be able to generate an anti-venom."

"What if we can't find or catch the half-blood?" I asked.

"Then I'm afraid that Ron will die, most likely in three days may be less and the other child a day or more later than the first." Carlisle said. His expression was grave.