Well, here is the next chapter! I hope you all like it. I wasn't quite sure on some things, but I think I did a pretty good job at flying by the seat of my pants. : ) So make sure to review, okay? Tell me how I did! Even if it's a flame. Thanks you very much! Please enjoy.

Warning-This chapter is darker, so be prepared.

Disclaimer- Please look at the previous chapters if you are truly curious.

"Speaking"

"Thinking"

"Sounds"

"Text book reading"

Darren Shan Point of View

I watched the group troop past me, and made a face when those three people waved at me. I couldn't deny the small smile that twitched at my lips, though. But then they had moved on and I felt an odd feeling.

"Loneliness, you idiot." My mind supplied, in a not-so-helpful way. Then it hit me that the fact that I was hearing voices probably didn't bode well for my sanity. I sighed and turned away from the castle and instead focused on the noises from the forest and my angrily growling stomach. Just barely, I could hear the voices and sounds made from the students of the class. I closed my eyes and tried to listen. I could hear a man's voice saying something about a Bogart, and after a few seconds a lot of laughter. I wondered vaguely what was going on.

It went on like that for a while, with cheery and upbeat music playing in the background. I could hear the students' laughter or sometimes shrieks (of fear of amusement, I wasn't sure). I found myself wishing I could see what was going on, and soon I was standing up and trying to find an angle that I might be able to see through the trees that separated their class and me. Just barely, I could make out the large group and something huge and hairy, although I couldn't quite see what it really was. To my surprise, the thing seemed to change and the laughter sounded again.

As someone new stepped forward, things seemed to get a little quieter and a slight foreboding filled the air, sending a chill up my spine. All of a sudden, the student was shoved out of the path of whatever creature they were facing, an older man (I was guessing their teacher) taking his place. The man yelled something that sounded suspiciously like "Ridiculous". I heard the yelps of a few of the kids, and had to hold back a laugh as some of them literally threw themselves out of the path of whatever was coming at them. It didn't look to be much; just a small yellow…something.

I didn't have long to wonder, because at that moment the thing seemed to change directions mid air and come flying straight at me! I stumbled back a step, more than a little surprised at seeing a bright yellow balloon come flying at my face. I looked down, trying to regain my footing. When I looked back up, I felt my heart stop.

"Hi Darren." Annie said, smiling that huge smile that I had missed so much. "I just knew you wouldn't have just up and died on us!"

"Annie." I whispered, tears welling up in my eyes. Something inside me was warning me, pointing out the fact that it would be impossible for my little sister to be here. I ignored it, stumbling forward and reaching out through the bars.

Annie stepped forward and took my hand. Unbidden, sobs racked my body. She was real! Annie was actually, physically here! I couldn't stop smiling and laughing, even as tears ran down my face. Annie drew closer, embracing me despite the bars and I hugged her back.

"I missed you, Darren." She whispered, and I could feel the wetness of her tears on my face and neck.

"I know. I'm so, so sorry." I whispered back, holding my baby sister closer as I tried to stop my tears. Suddenly, she stiffened. I let go instantly, afraid that my strength was too much and that I was hurting her. Annie stumbled backwards, and what I saw was enough to make bile rise to my throat.

Harry Potter Point of View

All of the class had run after the Boggart. They had stopped short, though, when they saw where exactly it was. The creature had stopped right in front of the glinting cage, and appeared to be talking with Darren. Slowly and uncertainly, the wizards and witches crept forward, close enough to see and hear exactly what was going on.

The Boggart had taken on the shape of a little girl, and had suddenly moved forward so that it and Darren were hugging, despite the fact that the bars of the cage separated them. They appeared to be speaking to one another, but in voices too quiet to hear. Without realizing it, Harry and his friends had been moving forward. Suddenly, the 'girl' had stiffened. Darren let go, and immediately she stumbled backwards, clutching at her neck. Blood gushed from between her fingers and dribbled down her body to pool at her feet. Darren was covered in the dark red substance as well.

"H-how could you?" the girl cried out, tears streaming from her eyes and making the blood on her face run as well. "How could you use me like this?"

"Annie! I…I…." the vampire seemed at a loss for words, his eyes huge as he stared in horror at the girl in front of him. "But I never…." He began, his voice choked and hoarse.

"But you wanted to, didn't you." Annie said, her voice pitching higher. "All to feed your disgusting blood lust." She accused, pointing a trembling, blood covered finger at him. The blood spurted from her neck, and she collapsed to the ground. Her blood covered the grass like a grotesque carpet.

Harry could hear several of his fellow classmates retching at the sight before them, and he felt both Hermione and Ron draw closer.

"Annie! No, please! Please, don't die. I-I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Annie! Don't die!" Darren screamed as he tried desperately to escape from his cage. The scent of burning flesh assaulted their noses as smoke rose from Darren's body as the cursed bars tried to repel him. Ron turned away, losing all his breakfast.

Darren stopped his struggles as a new figure appeared beside Annie's body. He seemed frozen in shock as the boy walked unsteadily towards him.

"Why…did you…kill me?" the boy hissed at Darren. "Why couldn't…you…just let me come with you?"

"Sam. But…how?" was the only reply.

"This is your fault!" Sam screamed. As he did, blood flew from his mouth, landing on Annie's still and silent form. "You drained me, Darren. You let the Wolf Man eat me, and then you drained me. Why couldn't I just come with you? Now I won't ever get to see my mom or dad again, or read a book, or eat pickled onions. It's all because of you."

"I know." Darren whispered. His hand found its way to his own throat. He clutched at it for a second, and then the hand traveled down to his belly. Then back up to his throat.

"I want it back." Sam growled, a maniacal grin twisting his young features. "Give me back what you stole!" he yelled.

Darren began to cough and retch, and blood began pouring from his mouth. He collapsed to his knees as the blood continued to flow from his open mouth. He seemed to be choking on it. Sam stepped forward, and for the first time Harry saw the extent of his injuries. He felt bile rise, and Hermione let out a scream, turning and burying her face into his chest. She wasn't the only one to scream.

Where his stomach should have been, it was nothing but a gaping and ragged hole. There was blood, but not as much as there should have been for an injury of that extent. The boy's words "You drained me dry." seemed to echo through the air.

"Darren did this?" Harry asked aloud, shocked.

"Professor! Please, you have to stop this." Hermione cried out, tears running down her face. Her attention was again trained on Darren, who was still throwing up blood. It ran down his chin and shirt, creating a puddle on the ground.

"I can't." the Professor whispered, sorrow and pain evident in his face as he watched with rapt attention at the scene unfolding in front of him. As he spoke, a third figure appeared. The sight of it made Lupin's eyes widen in shock. A huge and hairy, man-like creature appeared. It snarled and growled, swiping at Darren. The vampire boy's eyes grew huge.

"Please! Not again!" he cried out, his teeth stained red with blood. He struggled to stand, using the bars for support. "Run Sam! Don't just stand there, RUN!"

But he didn't listen. Sam seemed frozen, staring up at the creature with a strange expression. Something like utter terror and morbid fascination. Then the creature swiped at him with one paw, seeming to grow larger as he did so. It threw the little boy to the ground, and tore at the place where his stomach should have been. Sam let out one long, bone chilling scream. It was the most terrible thing that Harry had ever heard, and Darren screamed along with him. Then everything went silent, and the terrible murderous creature was gone, taking Sam with him. Yet still, Annie's body lay there, covered in blood.

The thunderous silence stretched on, interrupted only by the sound of retching and crying from the students of Hogwarts. Darren stared at the little girl's body, a haunted look in his eye.

"Hello, Darren." A quiet voice said suddenly, shattering the eerie, terrible silence. Darren looked slowly up, and beneath the blood that covered his face, his face went even whiter than it had been previously.

"Steve is that really you?" he breathed, so quietly that Harry wasn't sure if he had really heard it.

"You bet'cha." The boy answered, a mischievous grin on his face. "And guess who I brought with me." He continued. On cue, two more figures materialized beside the newcomer. Harry was surprised by their appearances, but Darren didn't seem the least bit phased by it. In fact, a look of wary joy showed in his eyes.

"Evra, Mr. Crepsley… you guys found me. But…Steve..?" Darren trailed off, his eyes sliding down the length of Steve's body and to Annie. A stake was held in Steve's hand, and poised above the tiny body that lay motionless in the blood soaked grass.

"He's going into shock." Hermione whispered. Whether she was talking to him or only to herself, Harry couldn't tell. But the next second, she was screaming again, erasing any thoughts he might have had.

As Hermione had spoken, Annie had stirred and managed to push herself up. "Steve, Darren, what's going on?" she had asked, looking up at them with wide, trusting eyes. Without warning, Steve thrust downwards, driving the stake in his hand straight through her forehead. Annie's eyes widened and a strangled cry escaped her lips before she collapsed again. Hermione joined Ron, emptying the contents of her stomach at the sight of a mere child being murdered in such cold blood by someone who was nothing more than a child himself.

"NO! WHY!" Darren screamed, again clawing at the bars like a wild animal in his attempt to free himself. "Mr. Crepsley, stop him!" Darren pleaded desperately, eyes darting wildly between the four in front of him. None of them moved.

Then the tall red headed man shook his head slowly. "We cannot, Darren. You see, in this case we are in favor of Steve. I have considered it, and I have decided that he is, indeed, the better choice for an apprentice. You are useless, Darren, and must be disposed of."

Darren stared at the man in shock. He then turned to the other boy, who Harry could only describe as a snake boy, and with a sad, questioning look said "Evra…and you?"

The snake boy nodded his head. "You betrayed your best friend once already, Darren. I won't be betrayed as well."

"But I didn't." was all Darren said as he sank slowly to his knees again, legs finally giving out.

"You are going to die, Darren." The boy called Steve sneered, stooping down and pulling the stake from Annie's head. It made a disgusting slurp as it was removed, making Darren wince. "It might as well be me who does it, right?" Steve continued, as if nothing had happened. "I swore to kill you one day, so why not today?"

"Why not today?" Evra repeated.

"Why not today?" Mr. Crepsley echoed.

Darren stared up at them for a long moment before his head and shoulders drooped. The vampire boy's whole body slumped forward against the bars as if he simply couldn't find the strength to hold himself up any longer.

Echoes and voices rang through the air, accusing, crying, begging and pleading, screaming; whispering sweet and deadly words.

"Blood lust…death…your fault, Darren."

"Monster…freak…beast…."

"You killed me, Darren. Why did you do it?"

"Please…please…."

"We loved you, but you betrayed us. Why, Darren?"

"How could you? I trusted you!"

"Death…everyone is dying…all because of you."

"Your fault, Darren."

The voices went on, and the terrible screams of Annie and Sam and others that Harry didn't know of resounded through the air.

"I'm sorry." Darren said, breaking the spell. "I know…it's my fault. I know."

Steve, Evra, and Crepsley stepped forward as one. Steve wielded his stake, a huge smile warping his features. From around his shoulders, a huge snake moved forward at Evra's command and wrapped itself around Darren. Crepsley held no weapon, but something told Harry that the man didn't need one. He simply moved forward with the others, licking blood from his fingers.

"They're really going to-" Harry realized, his eyes widening. He turned towards Lupin. "Professor! You have to stop them now!"

Lupin was already moving forward, his wand drawn. With horror, Harry saw that he wasn't going to make it. He himself began to move towards the carnage, but before he could even pull his wand, a cry of "RIDDIKULUS!" could be heard, followed by a forced and shaky laugh.

The Boggart disappeared in a puff of smoke. When it cleared, Harry was shocked to see a pale and horrified Neville Longbottom standing directly in front of the cage. He was sweating and shaking, and after a long second he merely collapsed. A few Gryffindors ran forward to help, along with Professor Lupin.

"Class is over! You are all dismissed." The professor yelled. The Slytherins and Gryffindors alike ran at his announcement, many still trying to hold down their sickness. The only ones that stayed were the few who had come forward to help. As they made their slow way back to the castle, these students were the only ones who heard the terrible, heart wrenching screams and sobs that echoed from the cage. They were the only ones who would hear those particular cries in their nightmares that night, and they were the only ones who would know how lucky the others were for not having to hear them.

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