Sorry that it's taken me so long to update! My computer has been going a bit wacky on me, and I've had a lot of homework and problems with guys! Please forgive meeeeeee! *Pant, pant* Okay, now I'm done complaining. So I wanted to give a special thank you to DarkBleCloudAngel, DrippingPen, and Hawkflyer667 for your reviews. They really made me laugh and got my lazy backside into gear! And thanks to everyone else, as well. You all are really inspiring me and convincing me to continue writing! It is such a huge relief to know that people like my story! :D And thanks to the people who added me onto their favorites and alerts. But next time, please comment along with it! Ok. I think that that might be it. Now…ONTO THE STORY!
Disclaimer-I don't own the characters in this story, except for my dear centaur buddy, Andy.
"Speaking"
"Thoughts"
"Sounds"
Darren Shan Point of View
I couldn't believe how much fun acting like a real vampire was! I had never really had a chance before, and it was certainly fun. Well, maybe I was kind of also getting revenge for being locked up in a cage, but it was still fun.
"How convenient." I growled into the boy's ear that I had grabbed. Originally I had been about to grab the girl, but I didn't really want to feel like some pervert. Plus, the black haired boy had been closer. "I have been hungry after all." I said, lowering my voice in the way only a vampire can. I wanted to laugh at how creepy I sounded. I didn't though. I pulled him up against the cage, my arm across his neck, tight enough to keep him in place. Other people were screaming, and I could hear the boy gasping for breath. My brow creased slightly. Maybe I'm holding him too tight. I realized, and began to loosen my hold enough for him to be able to breathe again.
The boy stopped struggling. Very slowly, he turned his head as far as he could in his position to look at me. When my eyes met his, I stopped breathing.
"Annie." I whispered. I let go and staggered backwards, only to land in an undignified heap on the ground. Looking up, I mentally cursed myself for my idiotic thought. It was stupid, but his eyes really did remind me of my little sister's. They were close to the same color, and the same shape. Most of all, though, they held that same uncertain fear that hers had that one time I had almost attacked her in my first few weeks as a half-vampire, defying Mr. Crepsley and staying with my family instead of leaving with him.
Outside my cage, there was a second of silence before the uproar started. Through it, I heard the curly haired girl and the red headed boy speaking to their friend and making sure he was alright. The large man who was obviously in charge of these people was trying to calm everyone down. I just sat quietly in my cage and waited. After a while, he was able to get everyone to settle down enough for individual voices to be heard by human ears.
"What is that thing?" yelled a blonde boy. He was sneering at the large man, but at the same time seemed to be immensely pleased with something. He kept glancing over at the boy I had grabbed with a sadistic gleam in his eye.
"That there is a vampire, which I would've explained proper-like if you'd have let me." Said the man, sounding a bit miffed and disgruntled.
I blinked, a bit surprised. So…the guy I just threatened didn't even know what I was?
Damn. I just screwed up big time….
Harry Potter Point of View
Harry rubbed at his neck for a moment, glad that the boy hadn't actually strangled him. It took a moment for Hagrid's words to sink in.
"Wait…that kid is a vampire?" he turned to look at the person. He was sitting on the grass in his shaded area, holding his head in his hands. Although Harry couldn't see the boy's face, he remembered the look that had been on it when their eyes had met, and the name that had left his lips. It was strange-in that moment, Harry had felt pity for the boy who had been threatening his life.
"A…vampire?" Hermione gasped disbelief evident in her face and voice. "They actually exist?"
"Yer looking at one right there." Hagrid said, indicating the caged boy. "Firs' one ever ta be caught alive. The Ministry O' Magic is letting us keep 'im for a while fer you all to study as a school project. Then they'll be coming for him." At first Hagrid's voice was proud and joyous, but by his last statement it sounded more depressed that anything else. Harry sighed slightly. One could always count on Hagrid to become attached to anything put under his care, especially if it was dangerous.
Before anyone could make a comment, Hagrid clapped his enormous hands together and said "Now, turn to page 92 in yer books."
"And just how are we supposed to do that?" growled out Malfoy mockingly.
"You stroke the spine." Exclaimed Hagrid, looking abashed.
With a lot of grumbling and nervous stroking-of-books, the majority of the class managed to get the Monster Book of Monsters opened and calm. Hagrid had them all settle down upon the dry grass surrounding the large metal cage. Most of the students had done so as far away as Hagrid would allow them to, but for some reason, Harry wanted to be a little nearer to the creature. Just…not too near. He got a little closer than the others, and Ron and Hermione sat beside him. They made no comment, but did share a look that Harry couldn't see.
"Now, who'd like ter read?" Hagird asked, beaming around at his students. No one raised their hand at first, but finally Hermione volunteered. Hagrid's already huge smile got brighter as he looked at his three favorite students. "Thank you, 'Mione."
"Er…you're welcome." Then she cleared her throat and read loud enough for all to hear. "The vampire is a relatively new species. Although there have been myths and legends about similar creatures circulating for years, they have only recently been revealed as true. However, like all legends, there are things that are both true and false. Although not much is known of Vampires, there have been many studies conducted and specimens collected. There are two known species of Vampire. Subspecies 1 and Subspecies 2. There are significant difference in their physical appearances, feeding habits, and intelligence level." Here, Hermione paused for a breathe. Everyone was now looking at the vampire in the cage with curiosity. In fact, he himself had perked up and was looking out at Hermione with interest.
"Does he not even know about his own species?" Harry wondered as he watched.
"Subspecies 2 has been reported to feed on and kill humans, and has an intelligence level equal to that of an animal despite their humanoid appearance."
The caged vampire leaned forward very slightly, interest apparent in his features.
"Subspecies 1 is tamer, and acts more human than Subspecies 2. They appear much more like a human than their cousins. From reported sightings, they drink the blood of animals. However, when researchers surveyed the contents of their stomachs they have found small amounts of human blood as well. It is not known whether or not this is trace amounts of their own blood before they were turned or of their victims."
Harry glanced at the vampire again, and for the first time noticed the blood that coated his clothes. Ron was a pale, sickly green color and Hermione looked shocked at what she was reading, as if she couldn't quite believe the words that came from her own lips. Hagrid was smiling.
"We only have a few minutes left. Finish up the paragraph, Hermione then you all can be excused."
"Spells and curses work on Vampires, but usually take longer to take effect. The Killing Curse works, but it takes longer to kill and is excruciatingly painful. The most effective way of killing them is with a stake through their heart, and then one should remove their heads and stuff them with garlic. Then the head and body should be disposed of by either burning them or throwing them into a moving body of water.
From the corner of his eye, Harry noticed the vampire boy wince. He knew by a glance that his friends had seen it as well.
"The only known, effective way to ward of a Vampire is through garlic, holy water, crosses, or sunlight."
The whole class went silent, and the vampire froze, mouth hanging open.
"Yer all excused! You'd better hurry or you'll be late fer your next class." Hagrid called out, breaking the spell. Everyone scrambled around, gathering their things and running for the castle. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were the last ones to leave. As the cage left their line of sight, they heard something that made them all stop mid-step.
It was the sound of someone laughing in pure, childish amusement. The three friends glanced at each other, and then continued on their way. The laughter followed them all the way to the castle.