The aurors had received no explanation as to Draco's sudden departure though it appeared that something said had clicked in his head. Although neither could guess what it was, Harry hoped that it did help matters. Ron, on the other hand, still held difficulty with lending any compassion to the family. Not that anyone would blame him. Harry certainly didn't.
As the two reached their office again and rested, the lead auror found that his own thoughts kept flitting back to Gerald's feelings about the young Potter. That day had been the third time the dark wizard hinted at knowing Harry better than had previously been let on. Like he had been in contact with him in his past. The auror had to remind himself that the demon had been exceedingly close with Lord Voldemort.
You know, Mr. Potter, I've had the chance to kill you...twice. I won't pass up the opportunity a third time.
Simple Harry, I know you don't like me. I wouldn't expect you to. But you should be more appreciative.
Potter, you turned out to be a strange character indeed.
Gerald's voice repeated the threats inside the auror's brain. It wasn't just these things either, but the demon's initial insistence of having cut ties with his evil teacher before the ordeal with Harry and his parents. Also, Oliver's mention of his friend threatening the Ministry, naming Harry and Ron specifically.
He tried not to pay it any heed, but the questions were beginning to grow and weigh on his conscious. He strangely did not feel in any direct danger from Gerald nor did he even feel that the dark wizard truly hated him. But there was something there. A strange character, huh? Did he mean Harry's dedication to justice instead of any personal vendetta? Then again, perhaps he was just toying with him...
"Mate? Are you listening?" Ron's shift in tone made Harry realize he'd been speaking to him for a while now.
"Sorry, I was just thinking," the lead auror apologized.
"The Minster is still busy, but he left word we should focus on Gerald and the vampire," the redhead recapped.
"We need to get a team out to search those mountains," Harry nodded, "The others have to be out there somewhere, according to George."
"I already said that..." Ron's brow furrowed.
Harry's mouth opened and closed awkwardly.
His partner laughed, "It's alright mate. You just kind of disappeared for a moment there."
The other auror gave a half-grin and sighed, "Yeah, it's just... We may have arrested him; may have figured the Lucius situation out; and discovered a lot, but we're far from solving the mystery of Gerald Davis."
"Do you think we'll ever figure him out?" Ron's attitude grew slightly more solemn to match.
"I don't know. I don't know if there's a point to it anyway," Harry admitted.
"Probably not," the redhead shrugged. "Will he stay in Azkaban though is what I'd like to know."
"Maybe. That's not for us to decide," Harry observed. "We're just meant to find out about about these vampires. They're the problem now. Once it's settled, we can look for any evidence for Gerald's current crimes."
"Might be hard considering we have nothing to go on. Not except rumor from Oliver of things he's done," Ron pointed. "I guess get that team organized first then."
The lead auror nodded and the two immediately started calling for other magical law enforcement officers and detailing the situation as best they could. At this point, the case was known to the public and more information was being released in a gradual way to ensure that there was no panic or threat of conspiracy.
The news that vampires existed sent the media drooling. It was the juiciest story in years though not everyone believed it. Fight another surge of government distrust as they might, there were already many denying that what they'd been informed was true. In actuality, it was. It only wasn't the full story.
Gerald Davis' true species and wandless capabilities remained unbeknownst to all but the aurors, their family, the Minister, Saul Croaker, and of course, the Malfoys with their lovely reporter affiliate. With the dark wizard in jail, it was judged that these details were 'need-to-know.' As well, the more who were aware, the more likely it was to be leaked and throwing this onto the public in addition to the existence of vampires would be too much at once. An overwhelmed population only fed to hysteria and therefore increased danger.
After the aurors had put together a group and instructed them as to the areas to be scoped and what they should expect should they come across the dark creatures, it was time to visit their vampiric prisoner for the first time. Confronting the being gave them more pause, more fear than visiting Gerald. Perhaps due to the novelty of the creature. With it, they had even less of an idea of what they would be getting themselves into.
The creature's cell was another isolated block, nearby though unable to be seen, heard, or reached by Gerald's. Stepping into view of the vampire, he instantly put his attention on his guests.
The man behind the bars was tall. Topping out at about six foot with a thin, yet not lanky figure. His skin was deathly pale and his eyes appeared to be black, surrounded by strong features. A prominent jaw line, large brow, and pointed nose. Even his ears seemed angled. His lips were full, but as white as the rest of him and he was draped in flowing black robes. He had been standing when the wizards came around, pacing in small circles within his room. At the sight of them, however, he halted and placed his vision on them, remaining quiet.
"What's your name?" Harry asked, his voice not coming through as strongly as he had aimed.
The vampire stared.
"I'm Harry Potter and this is Ron Weaseley," the lead auror offered the information as was procedure in these cases. "We've been investigating your friend Gerald Davis."
Harry had expected some nuance at the assumption the dark wizard and the vampire were friends, but he was given nothing. The creature just continued his cold stare. He didn't even blink.
"We know that your people value their privacy," the auror kept on. "So I should tell you that if it hadn't been for your interference with our case, that we would have never bothered you."
Again, absolutely no response.
"It would be in your best interest to cooperate with us," Harry's aggravation stayed at bay only due to the sheer unrest that had come over his body with handling the vampire. It was almost like trying to speak to a dementor. "That way we can let you be."
The prisoner blinked once.
"We might as well wait," Ron managed to speak up, using an old yet often successful tactic, "The search party will be done soon and we can move forward with pulling the rest of the vampires out."
The redhead spoke to his partner in a side voice, knowing the other man could hear them but making it appear that he wasn't meaning for him to.
Harry gave a false nod and muttered back, "I would rather it not come to that. All we need is for an arrangement to be made with the Ministry."
Shockingly, the prisoner spoke then, though clearly aware of the aurors' plight, "I couldn't care less for the safety of my clan," his voice was incredibly deep and monotone, "I understand your role here. You want answers. Knowledge of the vampire species, of Gerald, and most importantly what the two have to do with each other."
The aurors listened intently. They figured dealing with the being, likely ancient, wouldn't go easily. Therefore any small word that left his lips was clung to...and it looked as if the vampire knew this. If he wasn't concerned with his people, what did interest him? Were they dealing with a person of mind similar to the dark wizard?
"But I don't give where I don't get," the creature finally moved, cocking his head ever-so-slightly, the motion only adding to his disturbing presence.
"What do you want in exchange?" Harry asked deliberately, careful not to seem eager or meek.
"Gerald," the vampire answered plainly.
The aurors switched glances. Gerald? This vampire wanted whatever the rest of his kind had been after yet there was no way they could promise the dark wizard's release. Even if it was determined that the necromancer was to be let go after some time, it wasn't in their power or their desire to give Gerald up. Surely this man knew what he asked was not doable.
"I would think you'd want your freedom," Harry stated in an attempt to have the prisoner say more.
The vampire, face expressionless, and demeanor void of emotion, lifted a hand and placed it upon one of the many spikes that lined his cage. His eyes remained heavily on the lead auror as he slowly pushed his palm into the sharp tip, forcing it to tear into his flesh and gradually rip through his bones before the metal point could be seen on the upper side of his hand. His entire person stayed exactly as it had been prior. There was no sign of pain as weak, unhealthy looking blood crept from the fresh wound.
"Do you really think you can keep me here unless you kill me?" the monotone voice asked.
Both Harry and Ron were equally unsettled though the redhead was the only one to show his upset. He wore an expression of fear yet moreover he was startled. The vampire gave him time to mumble a couple of curses before he clarified the position.
"The way I see it, you have two choices," he pulled his hand from the spike, letting it linger in the air so that the aurors could see the dripping crimson as the hole slowly started to fill with tissue, healing itself. "You can either let Gerald and I go, leaving our mystery behind and going about your lives. Or you can keep this up to declare war with us. It should be entirely obvious that we have no quarrel with you."
Harry looked from the still-repairing hand to meet the vampire's gaze. The auror was torn about what to do and the mewing wizard at his side was not helping his concentration. Instead of answering the creature, he decided to steer the conversation back to its opening offer.
"You seemed ready to help us out in exchange for getting out here," Harry reminded.
"You'll find that I'm much more agreeable than my counterparts," the vampire replied, "To make your decision easier, I am willing to offer some of this knowledge to you. It should appease your superiors as well as your own guilt."
The vampire was exceptionally confident and intelligent. He seemed to have a good idea about how these affairs worked from all angles.
"We know where your layer is and it's day. What is to keep us from simply pressing forward and taking your people?" Harry threatened.
"It's not a convincing bluff, young man," the vampire accused with a flat affect.
The auror took a deep breath. If the Ministry simply imprisoned the creatures, it would cause an uproar regardless of their species. Humans, elves, goblins- everyone would raise hell for the blanket judgement of an entire race. The Ministry would be called a tyranny. Not to mention, this could be a single clan alone. There could be more that were allies or who would take such actions as a declaration of war upon them as well. On top of that, there were the wizards, muggles, and whatever others under vampiric control. There was too many unknown factors at play.
So Harry retracted his threat, "What can you tell us, then?"
"What do you desire to know most?" the vampire counter-inquired.
The auror paused a moment to contemplate before answering, "I will have to find that out myself."
The vampire at last lowered his hand which was fully healed at that time. He then took two steps backward while his eyes stayed on the wizards, "I'll be waiting here. Though I'd suggest a speedy return."