I do not own Harry Potter or the Darren Shan saga.

ENJOY!

Darren POV

I watched as Harry left, a smile found its way when I saw Harry stumble a bit. As he turned the corner I went back to my quarters. I looked around me, the hallway brought back memories I thought I had long forgotten. Times were so simple back then, playing, laughing, learning. My smile was replaced by a sad and longing look in my eyes. I wish I could remember the color of my mother's eyes, or the sound of my father's voice. Unfortunately all those things went lost, even though I looked everywhere.

When I opened the door I saw Larten and Vancha sitting in the living room, waiting for me.

"Darren, you know I want nothing more than to see you happy, but is it wise to have relationship with a mortal?" Larten asked. I knew how he felt about those things, but I couldn't care less. I was finally happy.

"I know I know, and I shall must face the consequences later but for now…I will try not to think about the future." I said. And it's true, I know that I will live to regret my decision, but I just couldn't help myself. Harry was just… Harry. Perfect in every way. As I sat down in my armchair I noticed that the always-loud Vancha was awfully quiet.

"Vancha? What's wrong? You see distracted?" I asked, just a little tiny bit concerned. It doesn't happen often that Vancha is well behaved.

"huh? What? Oh yes yes" I raised one eyebrow at this, curiosity poking her hair out of her room in my head.

"have you already thought about where to hold the games and ball for your birthday?" Larten asked. I turned my head away from Vancha, I'll just have to play a spy later to find out. I looked at Larten, frowning, I hadn't really thought about that.

"euhm, some games could be held outside I think. You know, the one that cause the most damage. But the others can be held in some of the dungeons perhaps? The ball will be in the Great hall." Yes, this sounds okay. Usually the ball takes place after midnight, so the students will have time to finish their dinner and return to their common rooms safely.

"hmmm that sounds like a good plan. But what to do with all the vampires once they arrive? Where will we put them and where will they eat?" Larten scratched his head at this. Not even after a thousand years has he lost his red hear or his love for all things red.

"Well in the north wing there a rooms that are not being used anymore so they can stay there, as for dinging, they can do it in the great hall, there's room enough for one extra table. And the students eat before us most of the time, so that shouldn't be a problem." Well that that, problem fixed.

"but won't that Dubledoor fellow mind?" Vancha asked. Finally, that guy joined the land of the living, well not exactly living, but you get the point.

"Of course not, this is my castle after all, and they are just borrowing it." I scuffled. Like the can stop me, if I want to hold the celebrations there that they will be held there.

The rest of the night went relatively peaceful, if you don't count Vancha and Larten bickering about some silly I-Don't-Know-What. And frankly I don't want to know. As the morning came they went back to their quarters. I watched them leave from my comfy armchair, and silence once again returned. I watched the fire, realizing that it had long died out. With a sigh I got up and stretched my arm above my head. Walking to the door that went to my bedroom I passed a window that overlooked the entire ground. I stood there for a while, mesmerized.

"huh, they planted a whopping Willow there, haven't noticed that yes. Walking into my bedroom I looked around. My childhood bed still stood there, a large kingsize bed with poles and curtains in dark red, so dark it was almost black. The sheets that were made from the finest silk, the pillows stuffed with the softest feathers. There wasn't really much else in the room, except for a desk, sofa, chair, nightstand and a doors that lead to the walk in closed and bathroom. I walked toward the closed, hoping to find clothes there, and fortunately there were. Grabbing some silk pajamas I went to the bathroom. Took a quick shower, brushed my teeth and went to sleep. As I closed my eyes I could see the sunlight peeking through the curtains.

The next morning I woke up more refreshed and awake than I had felt in a long time. Looking at my wristwatch I could see it was almost 8. The others were expected to arrive around 9. A grin found it's way to my face, I couldn't wait to see everyone! And better yet, to beat every single one of them in every single game! This is going to be a fun week! But first, I needed to make an announcement to the people in Hogwards that it's going to be a dangerous and loud couple of nights. On my way down to the great hall I passed Larten and Vancha's rooms. I was prepared to wake them up quite forcefully, but unfortunately they were already waiting for me. We had agreed to do the whole "prince bodyguard" thing. Except for at the games, then we were all equal. So as we walked in the great hall, they were both walking behind me, flanking be at both sides. I went up to the head table, as I passed Harry I gave him a smile smile and wink, so only he could see it. At the head table the teachers stood and bowed. That Dumble guy really freaked me out with his smiling and twinkling. I raised my eyebrow and tapped my foot, signing and looking quite annoyed. I think he got the message because he conjured a chair. But I still kept tapping, did he really think I would sit in a chair that was smaller than his! The nerve! He frowned and conjured another, this was more a throne. I liked it. Walking around the table I felt every single pair of eyes watching me, and I hated it. Sitting down like the prince I should be I held my right hand out and Larten placed a glass of Blood in it. Taking a sip, and watching all of those faces pale brought a grin on my face. Next to me on my right I heard Dumbles clear his voice.

"Now that we had that, let's continue or lovely meal shall we?" Dumble said.

"Actually I have an announcement to make." Every single damn eye was looking at me, I felt rather nervous, but I tried not to show it.

"As you have noticed, there is a new extra table, that's because in about an hour the first vampire shall arrive for my birthday celebrations. They will be held starting next week until the last day of that said week. This entire shall be filled with intoxicated vampires so do not provoke them should you ever encounter them. On the grounds and in few of the dungeons there will be all kinds of material, so do not even think of touching them, unless you want to play of course, but you probably won't survive so please do not try. Also the teachers have agreed to teach you all about vampires so you would know what to do and what not to do should you meet one, because to be frank, all those myths about holy water and garlic are starting to irritate me. That's all." I think I pulled the whole 'scary vampire' thing good off. The whispering started almost immediately, some were scared, some were exited. I sat down, sipping my blood, eating my lovely dinner (it was really good! Better than batbroth!). My eyes had found Harry, I watched him laughing and talking with his friends, so carefree, not a worry in the world. As if sensing someone looking, he turned his head, and winked at me, smiling so broad I thought his face would split in two. But some girl with bushy hair asked him something so he had to convert his attention to her again. About 15 minutes later the door slammed open and the first vampire walked in.