Hey, Everyone! This chapter sees the shopping in Diagon Alley, and I wonder what old Moldy-shorts is up to?

Plus Harry returns to his ancestral home; Potter Manor, and he meets the rather remarkable staff and groundskeeper.

Duncan also meets with the leader of a major faction of creatures; the vampire Lord Dracula! My version is a combination of what I consider the best traits of various depictions. First of all, in his appearance is that of Rudolf Martin, who played Dracula in my favorite episode of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and the movie "Dracula: The Dark Prince". His powers are a combination of those from "Buffy", "The Batman vs Dracula" animated movie, and the "Van Helsing" movie starring Hugh Jackman. The 'moving castle' idea is from the "Castlevania" anime but visually resembles the Frankenstein castle from Van Helsing. And his brides are also from the Van Helsing movie. Enjoy!

Chapter 4: Light and Shadow

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Diagon Alley was much more active when they came out of the bank. They headed to Madam Malkin's first to get Harry new school robes. Sizing and fitting for him went without a hitch, while Margaret picked out a few things for herself.

"When we're done here in Diagon, Harry", his aunt said as they left Madam Malkin's, "we'll go to a non-magical shopping mall to get you some decent muggle clothes. No more tattered hand-me-downs four sizes too big."

"And shoes, too", Duncan added. "A pair of dress-shoes, athletic sandals, and a good pair of sneakers; black so they can pass for your school shoes. Makes sneaking around easier", he winked.

"That would be brilliant", Harry said gratefully. It would be great to have regular clothes that actually fit him.

Then to the apothecary, so Harry could top-off his potions kit and add the new ingredients required for this year. Duncan caught up with them as they finished up there. He nodded to Margaret with a knowing smirk.

Harry had his Firebolt checked over at the Broom Emporium, given the punishment it took in the First Task last year. Fortunately, it only needed some bristles replaced to make it good as new.

Duncan felt a bit claustrophobic when they entered Ollivander's Wand Shoppe. Ollivander stepped out of the back when he heard them enter.

"Well, it's a pleasure to see you again so soon, Mr. Potter", he smiled warmly. "Has something happened to your wand since the wand-weighing for the first task of the tournament?"

"Nope, it's as good as ever, Mr. Ollivander", Harry said.

"Actually, I'm the one looking for a wand, Mr. Ollivander", his aunt smiled.

"Ah, Miss Potter. Or should I say Mrs. Rosenblatt?", Ollivander smiled. "So your American friends found a way to awaken your magick, I see."

"Yup", she smiled. "I don't actually need a wand, but if I use one, nobody will realize I can do magick wandlessly."

"I see", he chuckled. "Well, let's see…try….this."

After about fifteen minutes of trial and error, Margaret found 'her' wand.

"Interesting", Ollivander said. "North American Cedar, 12 ½ inches, black Pegasus-feather core. This wand will have unshakable loyalty and exceptionally balanced versatility for most forms of magick."

"Perfect", Margaret grinned.

Next they went to Flourish & Blott's to buy the list of school books Harry would need for this year. He was a bit surprised to find one of the new books he needed for Care of Magickal Creatures was written by an American muggle: "Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide To the Fantastic World Around You". He was curious what creatures could be found across the pond, how different they were from those he knew here, and if there was any overlap. He smiled as he thought of how giddy Hagrid had probably been when he first discovered this book.

As they shopped, they noticed the whispers around them. They'd expected this since reading the articles in the Daily Prophet calling Harry "The-Boy-Who-Lied", and Minister Fudge denying that Voldemort has returned. Harry tried to simply ignore it, but Duncan's patience was wearing thin with a growl growing in his throat. There was finally one whispered comment too many…

"Hey!", Duncan snarled toward the group of witches and wizards he heard it from. "Don't believe everything you read just because some politician says so! Up until this happened, your Minister was more than happy using Harry as his poster-child for peace and prosperity! And every story published about Harry since he returned to the wizarding world glowingly described his courage, honesty, integrity, and modesty. And now suddenly he's a liar because he witnessed something politically inconvenient for your Minister?! Get your collective heads out of your asses and think logically for Goddess' sake!"

"Hear-hear!", a man nearby cheered, applauding. He was tall and rail-thin with long platinum-blonde hair. With him was a girl about Harry's age with a kind of dreamy quality to her. The man came up and shook Duncan's hand, then Harry's. "Xenophilius Lovegood, owner and publisher of the Quibbler. A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Potter. And you are?"

"Duncan Rosenblatt", Duncan replied. "I'm Harry's cousin from America."

"And I'm Margaret. Harry's dad was my younger brother."

"A pleasure, Milady", the man smiled, kissing her hand. "This is my daughter, Luna. She's in Ravenclaw one year behind you, Harry."

"Hello, Harry", the girl smile, her voice as dreamy and spacey as her expression.

"We at the Quibbler believe you, Harry", Xeno said firmly. "We would consider it an honor to print your unvarnished account of what really happened the night of the third task, if you feel up to it? Unlike the Daily Prophet, Minister Fudge has no influence over our paper."

"It's up to you, Harry", Margaret said, and Duncan nodded. Harry wasn't sure what to think. Here was a publication willing to hear him out and print his account of that painful, terrifying night; and night that haunted his nightmares.

'Gryffindores charge forward', he thought to himself. "Let's both finish buying our books, then meet up at Fortescues? I'll tell you everything over some ice cream."

"Brilliant!", Xeno agreed.

Meanwhile, a shadowy figure that had been stealthily following them since seeing then come out of Gringott's from just inside Knockturn Alley withdrew quietly. The Dark Lord would find what he'd seen and heard interesting.

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"You ok, Harry?", Duncan asked gently once Harry finished relaying his story to Mr. Lovegood, from the moment he stepped into the maze until Barty Crouch Jr. was unmasked. Luna looked a bit in awe as she ate her vanilla soft-serve wafflecone with chocolate sprinkles.

"I will be", Harry said with a small smile, then ate a spoonful of his banana-split. "I think finally letting it out will make me feel better all around in the long run."

"You have my deepest sympathy, young man", Xeno said as he put his quill away, and Luna nodded. Then Xeno shook his head slightly in amazement. "Priory incantatem. I've heard of it in theory, but never knew it was truly possible; let alone heard of any actual incidents. And to stalemate the Dark Lord in a duel? Very impressive, Mr. Potter!"

"Please, call me Harry", Harry smiled at the newsman. "And he'd only just been resurrected, so he probably didn't have his full strength back yet."

"Fudge is gonna have a conniption when he sees your article", Duncan chuckled as he ate his sundae of cookies-&-cream ice cream and rainbow-swirl sherbet with hot-fudge and gummi-bears. "And the Death Eaters you saw there are gonna be scrambling to cover their asses!"

"Well, we should be going home", Mr. Lovegood said, standing. "It was a pleasure to meet all of you. Courage, Harry. The truth will out, as they say."

"I've heard that, sir", Harry chuckled, as Mr. Weasley had told him the same thing just before he entered his hearing earlier.

"See you at Hogwart's, Harry", Luna smiled, then followed her father.

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Margaret took Harry to Potter Manor after they finished shopping at the muggle mall, but Duncan had an important 'meeting' that night to see to before joining them.

An undisguised Duncan stood alone in his base-form at the edge of a large clearing in the middle an old-growth forest far to the West of London, miles away from any sign of civilization; waiting patiently. The sun had set a few hours ago and the sky was overcast, making for a night of pitch black. No ordinary human – muggle or magical – would be able to see their own hand in front of their face. But Duncan was far from ordinary. He could see as clearly as if it were a cloudless full-moon lit night.

In a flash of eerie light, a huge castle of dark stone suddenly appeared in the clearing. Unlike the castles normally found in Western Europe and the U.K. that delighted the tourists, this one seemed to be out of a nightmare; with dry lightning flashing around it and the foreboding aura it projected. It was as if Hell itself had vomited the structure up from the ground.

Duncan strode confidently up to the massive front doors. He easily lifted and used the huge 'knocker' on the door and he could hear the booming knocks echoing inside. Several minutes later, the left-hand door opened.

"Enter freely, and of your own will", the pale, twisted little man said hollowly, stepping aside to let him enter. "The Master is expecting you. He will receive you in the throne room. Please follow me."

Duncan assessed his surroundings as he followed the little man. While opulent, it was just as dreary on the inside. He could sense many eyes following him, watching him intently from the shadows. It was disturbing, not that anything here could possibly be any threat to him.

The little man opened and entered another large door. Inside was a Great Hall at the far end of which were five thrones, the tallest in the center. Four were occupied, by three unnaturally beautiful 'women' and the 'man' he'd come to see was sitting in the tall throne. The 'eyes' he felt were gone after he entered the throne-room.

"Master", his guide announced. "I present Duncan Rosenblatt, Crown Prince of the Kaiju."

"Thank you, Renfield", the Master smirked. "You may go."

"Yes, Master. Thank you, Master", Renfield replied, bowing as he departed, closing the door. Duncan strode forward, noting the glass cases on either side displaying various items; a coiled chain-whip with an ornate miniature 'morning-star' on the end, a complex crossbow with a drum filled with dozens of bolts attached, and many other objects, until he reached the first of the seven steps up to the thrones.

"Thank you for agreeing to see me, Lord Dracula", Duncan said, bowing his head slightly. "You honor me by welcoming me into your home."

"Velcome, Prince Duncan", the vampire lord grinned. "It is you who honor us vith your visit. May I present my brides: Verona(the one with waist-length, straight black hair nodded), Marishka(the wavy blonde nodded), and Aleera(the red-head, her long hair in wavy curls, nodded with an appreciative grin)."

"A pleasure, ladies", Duncan greeted.

"You never told us the Prince vas so handsome, Beloved", Aleera cooed, leering at Duncan with undisguised lust.

"Aleera", Dracula replied in a gently warning tone. "Behave."

Aleera pouted, but obeyed her Lord and husband.

"Please forgive Aleera, your Highness", Dracula said. "She has alvays had a veakness for handsome, young men."

"It's cool", Duncan replied, with flames and smoke visible in his mouth for a moment. "I'm more than able to take care of myself."

"Of course", the vampire chuckled. "But I am curious as to vhy you needed to see me so soon after the first meeting of the Ruling Council. I doubt that you vould have a …problem vith any of my people in Britain so soon."

"No, nothing like that", Duncan replied. "I assume you've heard that the dark wizard known as Lord Voldemort has returned?"

"I have heard…..rumors", Dracula confirmed coolly.

"As you know, the last time he rose to power, he not only recruited dark wizards and witches to his cause, but also a great many dark creatures", Duncan continued. "We believe he may be doing so again. I know that you and yours loyal to you were officially neutral in the last war, refusing to join either side. I've come to ask you to either join the fight against Voldemort this time, or remain neutral."

"This is a vizarding problem", Verona said dismissively. "It is of no concern to us."

"On the contrary, milady", Duncan said. "Voldemort and his 'pureblood superiority' ideology are a threat to everyone. Do you really think he'll stop with magical Britain? No. He wants to rule all. To him, all others are either servants, slaves, or dead; be they muggle, wizard/witch, magical creature…..or vampire(all three brides hissed at this statement). His insatiable ambition will eventually bring the full force of the non-magical world down on all the magical and supernatural with a vengeance that will be indiscriminant in its destructive wrath. You know as well as any of us, Lord Dracula, that the Statute of Secrecy exists to protect us, not them."

"That is true", Dracula agreed dubiously. "But as I understand it, the British Ministry of Magick is denying that this so-called 'Dark Lord' has returned. And, just like the last time, they are refusing any assistance from the ICW. How can ve be certain he has returned and is the threat you describe? And vhy are you, as the GFMC liason to the British Ministry, becoming so involved?"

"Harry Potter is my cousin, on my mother's side", Duncan said simply. "He witnessed the resurrection of Voldemort with his own eyes."

"What?!", Marishka hissed in surprise.

"The-Boy-Who-Lived", Verona breathed, while Aleera giggled like a little girl. Harry's story was known throughout the magical and supernatural world. When word of baby Harry not only surviving the Killing Curse, but somehow also vanquishing Voldemort at the same time first reached their ears, Verona briefly contemplated trying to find him so that they could raise him as their own and turn him when he was old enough. Thus giving their Lord and Husband a worthy heir.

"And so the truth is revealed", Dracula smirked. "Family is a powerful thing, is it not? Your young cousin is the Prophesied 'Chosen-One', and you seek to ensure his victory…..and survival. However, I must disappoint you, my young friend. Ve vill remain neutral in the coming var. But I can promise you this; no vampire under my rule vill join this Voldemort's army."

"Thank you, Lord Dracula", Duncan nodded. "I can understand the need, and duty, to protect your own. Especially since there will be no mercy for any magical creature that sides with Voldemort."

"H-ha-ha-ha-ha!", the vampire lord laughed chillingly. "I do not doubt it!"

"So maybe you wouldn't mind telling me what you meant when you said no vampire under your rule will join him?", Duncan smirked knowingly with an arched eyebrow.

"Hah! You may be half-human, Prince Duncan, but you are no fool", Dracula laughed appreciatively. "You see the empty throne beside me? Centuries ago, it belonged to the first woman I deemed vorthy to be my bride(Verona, Marishka, and Aleera hissed angrily). Her power and bloodlust rivaled my own, and having been born noble herself, she eventually vished to rule rather than be ruled by me. But powerful as she vas, she knew she vas no match for me. Instead, she chose to break avay from me, the only vone ever to have the vill-power to do so. She slipped avay vith those she had turned to form her own kingdom, separate from my own. I have also heard that some rogue or exiled members of the various clans have joined her as vell."

"Do you think she or any of her 'children' might join Voldemort?"

"It vould not be outside the realm of possibility", Dracula replied. "Given her bloodlust and disdain for the Statute of Secrecy, and mortals in general, she vould very likely join him if he came to her…if only to gorge herself and her subjects on human blood and perhaps gain some magick-using minions by turning witches and wizards."

"Who is she? And can she be reasoned with?", Duncan asked. Maybe he could convince her to remain neutral as well.

"Reason?!", he laughed, joined by his brides. "There is no reasoning vith her, even if you could find her! As for who she is; her name is Bathory. Lady Elizabeth Bathory. She fancies herself as a 'Queen of the Undead'." The brides all hissed angrily again.

Duncan schooled his features. He had heard the legend of Lady Elizabeth Bathory, who bathed in the blood of virgin girls in an attempt to retain her youth and beauty. Over 600 girls had died to feed her twisted obsession before she was exposed and imprisoned in her own her castle, sealed inside her own bedchambers. But he had no idea that she then became Dracula's first vampiric bride, although thinking about it, it shouldn't have surprised him. Bloodlust of that magnitude, Dracula must have been drawn in like a shark and found her to be a kindred spirit.

"If what you say is true", Duncan asked, "then why haven't you destroyed her to preserve the secrecy of the magical world?"

"Quite simple, young Prince", Dracula grinned. "Because even I do not know how to find her. Like me, she can move her stronghold at vill."

"So that means Voldemort can't find her either", Duncan assumed.

"Do not be so sure of that, Prince Duncan", he warned with a smirk. "She has servants everyvhere, and evil attracts evil. It vould not surprise me if a few of them could be found in Knockturn Alley in London. I frequented there myself on my last…. visit in the late 1800's."

"For wanting to remain neutral, you're unusually ok with your ex getting involved on the wrong side", Duncan said with an arched eyebrow.

"Very perceptive, young Prince!", Verona laughed.

"Of course ve are!", Marishka chortled.

"After all, you said it yourself", Aleera grinned wickedly.

"Any creatures that side vith Voldemort vill be shown no mercy", Dracula repeated Duncan's words from earlier with a smirk. "Is that not vhat you said?"

"I see", Duncan nodded. Dracula was hoping Bathory and her servants would be wiped out in the war, ridding him of his most powerful rival and thorn in his side.

"I knew you vould, Prince Duncan", Dracula smiled. "In fact, if you vere to bring me her severed head yourself, ve vould revard you handsomely. Vouldn't ve, my loves?"

"I vould consider it an honor and pleasure to revard him myself, Master", Aleera cooed, leering lustfully at Duncan, licking her lips lewdly as she crossed and re-crossed her sexy legs suggestively.

"Thanks. I'm…..flattered, but that won't be necessary", Duncan replied as diplomatically as he could, given his blush. "But I will inform you if I learn Bathory has joined Voldemort."

"Very vell", Aleera replied, mock pouting. "But it is your loss."

"Thank you for your time and trouble", Duncan said, nodding slightly. "I should be going. After all, I could use at least a few hours of sleep tonight."

"Then ve bid you good evening, Prince Duncan", Dracula drawled. "Ve vish you and your cousin the best of luck in vanquishing this evil."

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Author's notes: Yes, I'm aware that the true story of Lady Elizabeth Bathory actually predates that of the real Prince Vlad "Tepes" Dracula by a few decades, but I'm taking some license here for the sake of the story. Yes, she will eventually ally herself with Voldemort, as will other dark creatures.

This story will also have a few elements from "The Spiderwick Chronicles", which honestly makes sense to me.

But what are these 'raw materials' for 'special commissions' Duncan has requested from the goblins? And what kind of 'help' will Dumbledore ask from Duncan? Wait and see next chapter! LOL!

Long reviews and suggestions are always welcome! No flames, please. I ignore them anyway, so don't bother wasting your time.

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