"What is this place?" Ron asked when the castle came into view.
Ioana had brought them to a neighboring city, or rather the outskirts of one. She had told them beforehand that her family had several stories of encounters with vampires, though most were generations old. One, however, had happened within her grandfather's lifetime and was why they now stood outside a massive, crumbling structure that had been built in ancient times. It wasn't quite the size of Hogwarts School, but was equally impressive.
"It's abandoned now," she informed the curious wizards studying it, the aurors crept closer to take a better look, "But my grandfather used to work here. The wizard that owned it was fairly well-known in those days and his family had been vastly wealthy. When he inherited the castle and the last of their treasury upon his mother's death, there wasn't much left. Gradually, he fired all of his employees and left himself, vanishing completely."
"And this wizard," Harry turned back to look at the witch, "Was the vampire your grandfather claims he met?"
Ioana paused, giving him a blank look, then chuckled softly, "I understand your hesitation to believe the stories, Mr. Potter, but since you have nothing of your own to go on and have seen these creatures yourself...perhaps you might offer better reception."
"Sorry, I didn't mean-" the auror tried.
"Yes, he was the last worker and had become close to Master Agorici," Ioana continued as if nothing had been said, "Luka Agorici was the man's name. One day, my grandfather showed up to the castle, but no-one was there. He came the next many days and still, the place remained empty. The only things which had gone missing were some clothes and a couple of personal items. The strangest thing that was discovered was Luka's wand, burned to ash, in the midst of a salt circle, along with a few traces of blood."
"If it was ash, how do you know it was his wand?" Harry inquired.
Ioana reached into the pocket of the jeans she wore and retrieved a bright red feather, "His wand core was a phoenix feather. They are immune to any fire not created by the bird's burning day. It was found with the wooden remains."
"Is that what made him say Luka was a vampire?" Charlie was the next to question.
"No," the witch put the feather away again, glancing over at Draco's friend, whom had been named as Austin, when she noticed he had seemed to take a particular interest in the story, "Almost a year after his disappearance, grandfather was leaving the pub when he spotted someone in the distance who looked familiar to him. Walking after the man, he decided to call out as he neared. The man stopped, turned, and grandfather saw that it was, indeed, Master Agorici. Yet...he was different. His features were more pronounced, his eyes darker... He stepped closer, addressing his old friend, asking what had happened, but was ignored. Luka twisted back around and kept on his way. Well, grandfather jumped after him and grabbed his shoulder. His old boss spun around, pushing him to the ground and hissed violently, showing enormous fangs. In grandfather's shock, he didn't keep up with the being's departure until once more, he was gone."
Charlie had been looking casually between his coworker and the castle as they all listened to the story. Draco had been stomping impatiently around the site, half-listening, if at all. Ron had been intent on the building as well, clearly somewhat spooked at the quiet and remote location. Harry had ended up following Ioana's eyes to Austin as he stared, unfazed by their gazes, and apparently entertained with the recollection her grandfather had relayed to her before his passing.
Ioana wasn't amused though, "And what do you have for us, friend?" she demanded of him.
The silent wizard slowly raised both eyebrows, face remaining void, "I am not your friend."
Everyone's attention was on him at this point and Ioana appeared to be readying for a sassy comeback when Draco spoke up, "Au-stin," he fumbled with addressing his ally once more though this instance was slightly less obvious. "Is there anything you can help with?"
The curly-headed wizard, who had been standing with arms crossed, tilted his head to the side to scan the castle, "This Agorici... I know a man by that name. He has said that he was born here, in Romania, but he traveled abroad for many years. That is where I met him. I moved to the country after he returned," he paused and set dead eyes back on Ioana, "I enjoy how few people there are in these parts of it."
The moment would have been menacing if he had shown any sort of inflection. The others were beginning to suspect that the wizard was actually incapable of emotion. He also seemed to not have concern for anything. He kept in his position, inactive, waiting or not waiting for someone else to speak. Malfoy was growing more impatient and was the one to set things forward.
"Take us to him, then," the ex-deatheater ordered, yet in a non-commanding manner.
Austin casually removed his vision from the witch and gave it to Draco, but didn't speak. Malfoy, in turn, returned the stare. The lock lasted several moments with neither sharing a word nor a motion. At last, Austin let his arms fall to his sides and began walking away.
"Go back to the city," he called over his shoulder, "I have a portkey that will take us near enough."
Draco looked away from the man just as he disapparated and, sighing in the direction of the others, left as well.
"I don't right trust following that guy anywhere," Ron admitted as the remaining four huddled together.
"Neither do I," Charlie agreed. "But what else would you do?"
Harry shrugged, "We need to get the girls and make sure we are all prepared for a trap."
"Would Draco lead you into an ambush?" Ioana asked. "Wouldn't he have more to lose not only by losing your help, but with bringing you to harm?"
"It would seem so...unless he didn't know that it was going to happen," the lead auror answered.
"It didn't look like he had his friend's loyalty," Ron mused.
"Yet, he has something to convince this man," Charlie added, "Whether that is some reward or threat...or bringing the demise of the famed aurors...we don't know."
"It's your call, boys," Ioana nodded, "But I am with you either way."
"As am I, of course," smiled the older Weaseley.
"Right," Harry breathed. "I think we should go forward."
In agreement, the wizards disapparated. The dragon-keepers immediately went to the city while the aurors met up with their wives, giving a rapid explanation before meeting up with the others. Once the group of eight was formed, there was a minor cry from Malfoy concerning the added members that was quickly overcome. Strangely enough, Austin said nothing on the matter and only remained the same stoic person he had presented thus far.
Draco's friend then led them to a magical shop that reminded the British wizards of Borgin and Burke's. Even the behaviour of the others scattered around was like that of the ill-to-do individuals that frequented Knockturn Alley. None of them questioned the foreigners as Austin showed them to a brick wall hidden near the back of the store and used a revelio spell to make it disassemble.
It opened into a short, bleak passageway that ended in a small room, in the center of which was a pedestal holding a dusty book. Draco gave his companion an odd look, apparently hesitant to use the portal as well.
"Just grab on quickly, if you're going with me," Austin stated flatly, taking hold of the book.
The others moved forward nearly simultaneously and placed their hands too. Surprisingly, it was Malfoy who was last to join in. Seconds after all had touched the portkey, they all began spinning in a magical inter-space as the lighting and colors around them changed. Finally, they saw the first wizard let go so they followed suit, finding themselves floating to a grassy hill below.
The aurors, their wives, and the dragon-keepers instantly took defensive stances with wands drawn. Thankfully, their suspicions had been wrong...at least for then. They stood, circling the hill, seeing that they were hundreds of meters from a forest on two sides, more hills on a third, and in the final direction, there appeared to be nothing for miles. Draco, though not armed, had his hand carefully grasping inside his robes...most likely at his weapon. When all of them eased, an unamused yet not surprised Austin pointed in the direction of the nothingness.
"I'll assume you won't trust apparatimg with me," he observed plainly. "Fly in that direction until you see a home. I will be waiting there." And instantly, he was gone.
"So," Ron had picked up the anger he left earlier, "Don't really know your friend well, do you?" he growled at Malfoy, having noticed his uneasiness.
"He's not-" Draco barked, cutting himself off and changing his words, "Let's just go."
The white-haired man opened his robe, retrieved his wand, and made use of the 'accio' spell to bring his Firebolt out of its hiding place. He had apparently cast the charm Hermione had on her purse onto one of his robe pockets. He immediately mounted and sped away.
Sighing at her husband, Hermione yanked his broom from her bag and shoved it into him, moving onto the others. "Harry, you and Ginny can ride together. So will Ron and I. Charlie," she turned to her brother-in-law and handed him her own broom, then turned to Ioana to let her have Harry's.
The group was soon in the air, chasing after the Slytherin, but only caught up to him minutes before reaching their destination. 'House' may have been an underwhelming term for the building they came upon after probably a couple dozen miles. It was larger than Malfoy Manor and not quite as huge as Agorici's castle though it was similar in design. There was a lone tree in the front of it where Austin leaned, hands in pockets and eyes to the sky.
When everyone had landed, the man approached them, "Vasile will only speak to the Weasely men and Potter."
Draco scoffed, "And to me?"
"Did I stutter?" Austin glared at the young Malfoy.
The Slytherin was taken aback, yet did something the old him would have never done...accepted the answer and stepped back, "I'll wait with the girls then," he shook his head at the man and then glanced at Harry.
Charlie handed the broomstick he had ridden to Ioana and joined Harry and Ron in following after Austin, who had already started walking to the manor's entrance. The enormous double doors creaked open the moment the first foot hit the concrete at its base. All three family members grasped their wands at their sides while strolling behind their guide.
Inside the residence, it was almost pitch black. Every window was covered with thick, enveloping drapes. The interior of the structure was formed from white stone. There was a staircase in the middle that led up to a balcony with halls that led further into the home. On the first floor, to either side of the stairs, were tall, open rooms with corridors just as above.
When all were well inside, the entrance slammed close again on its own, causing the darkness to increase to a degree that made Harry lift his wand to cast luminos. However, as he opened his lips, lamps around the two rooms lit up. They brightened the area enough to let each form and face be seen, but it was still quite dim.
"I apologize for that," a voice boomed from above, "Such an old building and I've never managed to update the light fixtures."
All four wizards looked up to the balcony where it had sounded. Standing there, slowly descending the stairs, was a towering, yet slender man of light complexion and short brown hair. He smiled politely as he neared the group, his hands creating a pyramid pattern in front of his legs as he walked.
"Thank you, Mr. Agorici, for seeing us," Harry nodded graciously.
"Yes, my friend here tells me you're interested in vampires?" Vasile peered over to Austin, but his expression did not seem kind.
"It sounds weird to say, I know," Harry offered.
"No, I don't think it is at all," the tall man stopped moving and his smile vanished.
Suddenly, the lead auror felt a foreboding energy in the air. The others must have as well, because Harry wasn't the only one who shifted his weight. Ron swallowed hard, making discomforted steps away from their host. Charlie cautiously twisted his neck to read Harry's face as the auror continued to stare at Vasile, but with a inquisitively furrowed brow. Something of the man was familiar, yet...young Potter knew he had never seen him before. He looked strangely like...
"Sir? Forgive me, but...why would you only see us?" Charlie asked, interrupting Harry's thoughts.
"Oh, well," Vasile's tone became sly as he carefully spun in his place and took three deliberate steps back upward before turning around again. "I felt you three would understand the best." He was eerily still again.
"Understand what?" Ron's words came shakily.
The Weaselys and Harry let their eyes dart from the creepy man, to each other, and over to Austin, who, though remaining indifferent, seemed to display the first hint of emotion...confusion. Focus was easily returned to the host as he spoke again.
"This," Vasile's voice turned into a hiss as his grin widened to show two, elongated and pointy teeth.
The four in front of him took defensive stances, each grabbing their wand, even Austin. Agorici possessed speed too great to be caught at such a short distance. When his form flashed in movement, the aurors and the dragon-keeper all thought it would be to attack them. Shockingly, it was not. It was Draco's shady friend that the vampire reappeared behind, forcefully throwing his fangs into the wizard's neck and making him drop his weapon.
Charlie, having been the closest to Austin, yelled 'stupefy' over the man's shoulder at Vasile, who instantly flashed away to dodge the blow, dropping his victim to the ground. They barely registered that the wizard screamed as their eyes each followed after the nearly invisible body as it ran back up the steps. The shout of pain did not go unnoticed by their allies outside, however, and within an instant, the three witches and Draco had burst inside, wands armed. Harry was the first to attempt chasing after the creature. Unfortunately, he was halted by a second attack. This one from Austin.
The wizard had jolted for the door amidst the bustle, but, stopped by the sudden entrance of the others, had ceased his escape and instead grabbed hold of Ginny. He backed himself away from the group, using the witch as a shield. His wand was pointed directly at her throat.
All focus was put on him, even Malfoy reluctantly aimed his wand at the man.
The only problem was...he was no longer Austin... Not that he had ever really been...
Standing in the corner of the room, holding Ginny Weasely for ransom...
"ROOKWOOD?!" Charlie screamed.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:: For the unaware, at the Battle of Hogwarts, Fred Weasely was killed in an explosion thought to have been caused by Augustus Rookwood, an ex-ministry employee in the Department of Mysteries and a deatheater. He was stunned by Aberforth Dumbledore during the battle, but afterwards, his fate is unknown. Some theorized he was eventually captured and sent to Azkaban.