Chapter 10

Winter turned to spring and Harry was grateful for it. The icy paths that wound from the Castle proper to the Greenhouses were dangerous anyway, but he had slipped onto his rear end three times and would have fallen far more than that without his cane and the occasional hand from Terry as they made their way to Herbology on the cold mornings. Apart from the nearly lethal trips to the greenhouses, Harry was pleased with how his lessons were going. Charms continued to be his favourite class, Professor Flitwick had begun to challenge him to learn more obscure or lesser used alternatives to the charms they were learning in the classroom and Harry had greatly enjoyed searching the library for older charms that he could practice. He had realised something during this challenge that the charms master had set for him; there was always more than one way to do something with magic. For instance, if he were somewhere dark and needed light he could cast the wand-lighting charm, simple but not particularly useful if he wanted to illuminate a large area or light something far away from him. But he could also use a different charm like the Sunlight charm which produced a brighter light and even some warmth, or he could use the Ortus Solis potion which emitted bright light when shaken, he could even transfigure something into a wooden torch and set it ablaze. The only limit to your options to overcome a challenge or complete a task, were the limits you set on your knowledge. He hoped that was the lesson Professor Flitwick had been hoping to teach him because he had taken it to heart. For every spell they learned in class he would work out at least three other ways to accomplish its effect, with a spell or a combination of them or even a potion or plant.

The added work had confused Susan and Hannah, after all they already had essays and assignments given to them, why make more for yourself? But Terry had actually agreed with him, though he hadn't devoted himself to the practice as devoutly as Harry had, Terry began making suggestions to Harry for alternatives when they were doing their nightly quizzing. Neville had agreed with Harry's thinking, stating that the most famous witches and wizards were masters of multiple branches of magic, but had stuck with the assigned learning for now, although his wand had helped with his spell casting, he still struggled with some aspects of their lessons and wanted to improve before he added more work for himself.

Another change was Harry's attitude towards Transfiguration, what was once his least favourite class become his second favourite. Professor McGonagall had shifted her focus from textures and colours to the form and shape of his attempts, pushing him to manipulate the transfigurations as far as he could, adding changes and details to make his creations more complex. His eagerness had only increased when she had told him that his father would be proud, James Potter had been on his way to Mastery in Transfiguration when he had died and according to Professor McGonagall, he had been insistent that Harry would inherit his talent.

Harry had even been able to see a real Dragon's egg! He had gone to visit Hagrid one afternoon in February and had found the giant man warming the egg in the fireplace, thankfully he had been able to convince Hagrid that raising a fire breathing dragon in a wooden hut next to a school full of children was not a good idea. A quick visit to Professor Flitwick's office to explain what had happened and how Hagrid had "found" a dragon's egg, and definitely not won it in an illegal card game, had sorted the problem. The egg was collected a few days later and transported to the Romanian Dragon Reserve, Hagrid was even invited to visit over the summer to see the reserve and he was given a commendation for his actions. A few weeks later Hagrid had a slightly tear stained picture pinned in his hut of a small dragon hatchling fresh from its egg.

All good things must come to an end though, as Harry found when he was making his way down to the Great Hall with Neville for dinner the last weekend before Easter. Terry, Harry and Neville had been in their practice room with Susan and Hannah enjoying their day off, Harry and Terry had been playing Gobstones (a game Harry had not enjoyed his first taste of – quite literally!) and the girls had been caught by a spray of the noxious liquid in Harry's borrowed stones. Chaos ensued as Terry tried to apologise, even going so far as to blame Harry for moving out of the way. Eventually the girls' wrath calmed somewhat and the two of them left to change before dinner, with Terry agreeing to walk them back and explain to anyone they met why they smelled so awful now.

So, Harry and Neville made their way to the grand staircase as Neville showed Harry the Remembrall that his grandmother had sent him. It was an interesting enchantment, well beyond anything Harry had read about yet, but interesting nonetheless. Unfortunately, as Harry was passing the ball back to Neville the staircase came to a grinding halt and the ball slipped from the Gryffindor's fingers, bouncing down the stone steps until it came to a rolling stop at the foot of another student. Draco Malfoy bent down and picked up the Remembrall with a cruel grin and Harry couldn't help the sigh that escaped his lips, he had managed to avoid the rude blonde since the Flying lessons and had wanted to keep it that way if possible.

"Well well, look who it is boys." Malfoy sneered as he nudged the heavyset boys in front of him. "The squib and the blind raven, which of you clumsy oafs dropped this then?"

"Just hand it back Malfoy and we can all carry on down to dinner." Harry offered as he held out his hand, though he had a feeling the act was in vain. He was proven correct when the Slytherin boy laughed and began to throw the Remembrall from hand to hand and leaned against the banister.

"Oh I don't know about that, see I rather like the look of this little bauble, I think I might keep it." Malfoy tossed the ball high into the air before fumbling the catch and nearly falling in his attempt to retrieve the ball. Neville let out a snort of laughter at the sight of the flustered blonde and even one of the other Slytherin boys smirked. This just seemed to enrage Malfoy who fumed before digging a hand into his pocket and holding up a clenched fist. "Here, maybe you can buy Longbottom a better inheritance Potter."

Malfoy reared back and tossed the item straight at Harry, and he reacted by instinct, hours of practice with the spell before Christmas coming back to him as he raised his arm and cast the reversal charm.

"Waddiwasi!" He shouted and watched as the object halted in mid-air, caught by strands of green magic, before it suddenly shot back towards Malfoy colliding with his forehead with a smack, and then falling to the floor with a clink. A small bronze coin lay at the Slytherin's feet. The young Malfoy looked stunned for a moment and Harry took the chance to wave his wand and with a whispered "Wingardium Leviosa" he floated the Remembrall back to Neville's shaking hand.

Harry was feeling rather pleased with himself before he heard a hoarse shout from behind him, the pride being replaced by a sinking feeling as he noticed a figure stomping down the stairs towards them.

"Oi! I saw that, no spells in the corridors! That'll be detention for the both of you this evening!" Filch shouted as he pushed past Neville and pointed at Harry and Malfoy who immediately began turning an interesting shade of red.

"What?! But I didn't do anything!" Malfoy shouted at the elderly caretaker, though he quickly quailed when the man turned to him with a silent glare.

"Right, you'll both meet me in the courtyard at seven sharp. If you're late, then it'll be another detention." Filch said as Harry and Neville hurried down the stairs as best they could, Neville trying to apologise to Harry as they did.

"It's okay Nev, really. It was Malfoy's fault, not yours." Harry said as he patted his friend on the shoulder and led him to the table, all while inwardly he was angry that he had been punished and a little worried at what Professor Flitwick would say when he found out.

Dinner passed quickly, though Harry did receive several pats on the back as the story of what had happened spread through the school. It seemed several people were fed up with the blonde bully and appreciated him being knocked down a peg or two. Terry had even bemoaned missing it, asking Neville to tell the story twice before Harry had to leave for his detention.

Harry made his way to the courtyard and was quickly joined by Filch who ignored him and stood by the archway leading to the greenhouses. A few minutes later a grumbling Malfoy arrived accompanied by Crabbe and Goyle who both handed notes to the irritable caretaker who read them and then laughed nastily before turning and beckoning them to follow. The caretaker led them down the path and then turned off, heading towards the Forbidden Forest and Hagrid's hut.

As they neared the hut, the door swung open and Hagrid stepped out with a lantern in one hand and the other on Fang's collar as he barked and strained to greet them.

"Evenin' Filch, these the ones for detention?" Hagrid asked as he nodded a silent greeting to Harry.

"Yep, I'll be down at eleven to take them back to the castle, try not to lose them Hagrid." Filch laughed and turned, leaving them with the groundskeeper as he made his way back towards the school.

"What are we doing then? Weeding?" Malfoy scoffed as he began walking towards the greenhouses before Hagrid corrected him.

"No, you'll be comin' inter the forest with me, there's an injured unicorn in there and we're gonna help it." Hagrid reached back into the hut for moment before pulling back and handing an unlit lantern to Crabbe.

"What?! But there are monsters in there! Werewolves and centaurs!" Malfoy cried as he stared at the forest's edge as if expecting one to come bursting out at any moment. "You can't expect us to go in there, I'll write to my father, he'll have your job for this!"

Harry hadn't ever known Hagrid to be angry, in fact he hadn't even known him to be irritated, but as the enormous groundskeeper strode to the cowering Slytherin in a single step, he suddenly realised that he was quite glad his friend was normally so jovial.

"Yer at Hogwarts now boy, and here we put you to work not have you sit about writing useless lines. And if you reckin your father would say diff'rent then write to him, but he'll tell you the same Malfoy." Hagrid leaned down with each word, his voice a rumble of thunder as the Harry felt his chest vibrate with the giant's speech. "Now, we'll split in two groups-"

"We want the hound then!" Malfoy interjected, pointed at the slobbering boarhound still pulling at Hagrid's grip.

"Alright, should warn you though, he's a coward at heart he is." Hagrid said as he released the dog with a whispered word and a pointed finger at the three Slytherin's. "Guess that means its you and me Harry. Now if you see anything then shoot sparks into the air, and for Merlin's sake don't wander from the path."

Hagrid disappeared into his hut for a moment before returning with a long bundle of leathers that he tucked into his belt loop and then the three Slytherin's and Fang took the North path that curved around the top of the school while Hagrid and Harry took the East path that led deeper into the forest.

Harry was grateful to be with Hagrid, although the dark had never bothered him all that much, his sight barely changed at night, it was still eery to be walking among the ancient trees that made up the forest. The path was a winding route, covered in roots and small shrubs that made it nearly impossible to follow for a normal person, but Hagrid knew exactly where to step and walk to avoid the worst of it. They quickly lost sight of the edge of the forest and were surrounded by towering trees, the sound of the wind whistling through them and the creaking of their limbs all they could hear, interspersed with the occasional bark or howl.

They walked for almost an hour before they found the first trace of their prey, Harry spotted it first. A little ways ahead of them and to the left of the path was a small bush and speckled across its leaves was a shimmering silver liquid. Hagrid spotted it moments after Harry did and wiped his fingers across the leaves to check before nodding and tuning to Harry.

"We're on its trail now, this is the third one this month that's been attacked, if we hurry we should be able to save it." Hagrid wiped his fingers in the dirt, making sure to remove all of the silver blood before he set off. No longer following the path, Harry had a little difficulty keeping up with the groundskeeper's lengthy strides, but he did his best. Hagrid changed direction seemingly randomly a few times, but they kept finding patches of the blood, so Harry assumed they were on the right track. Harry found himself holding his cane tightly in his left hand and his wand in the other, he was sure Hagrid could handle whatever they came across but the warmth from his wand comforted him anyway.

They found the injured unicorn at the base of a small hillock; it lay panting furiously at the base of a wide tree with a small puddle of silver growing beneath it. Hagrid paused at the top of the hill for a moment, holding a massive hand out to stop Harry slipping down the steep slope. Harry took the brief respite to gasp in a few breaths, exhausted after jogging through the forest for what felt like hours.

"I can't see what hurt it, but it could still be nearby Harry, so stay close to me, alrigh'?" Hagrid smiled as Harry nodded and helped him down the slope, one of his meaty hands on Harry's shoulder and the other holding his lantern up high as they slowly approached the wounded creature. It was incredible, its magic a startling white and its horn a shining silver, but the puddle of blood that was forming beneath it was the most interesting part of it; as the blood pooled it changed in Harry's sight. The shining silver was slowly dimming, tarnishing and dimming as it slowly turned a sickly grey. Hagrid leant down next to it, setting the lantern down beside him as he began to examine the creature, stroking its flanks as it let out a few pained whimpers.

Harry was so focussed on the unicorn that he almost missed the bolt of magic that suddenly appeared in his awareness from behind him, a roiling mass of crimson light that rocketed across the clearing before colliding with Hagrid's back and knocking him forward with a burst of heat and light.

Harry staggered back from the force of the impact and turned in time to see the figure that had attacked them, and likely the unicorn, glide into his awareness. It was cloaked in a veil of shifting darkness, but Harry could see glimpses of the angry red magic that had struck Hagrid beneath the shadows and as it approached he staggered back a few steps before his feet hit Hagrid's legs and he could retreat no further. He could hear some noises from behind him, the sound of the dirt shifting but he didn't know if it was Hagrid or the unicorn and he realised he could not rely on his friend to protect him, in fact it would be down to him to protect the two of them.

As the wraith approached it seemed to suck in all the colour around it, turning the normally warm brown earth to a dull grey, the shadows that wreathed it swelling until it towered over them like a wave about to break. Harry froze for a moment, his wand still as he watched in horror as the shadow neared, his mind racing for something he could do to protect himself and Hagrid. Then he remembered the first chapter of the Defence Against the Dark Arts and a line that had stuck with him "most creatures of the dark fear and hate the light, for it reveals the truth of their curse, their nature, when in doubt a little light is rarely a bad thing" .

With that in mind, he changed the spell he was about to cast, forgoing his reliable barrier charm for a moment and instead casting his mind back Christmas day and the evening spent in front of the fireplace in the Copper Artifice. He brought up all the memories he had of the comfort of a warm fire on a cold day, the warmth of the sun on his skin in the summer, the burning pain of touching the hot poker his uncle had used to stir the fire when he was a child. He let them fill his mind until he could feel the heat on in his arms and when the nightmarish creature was barely a step away and all colour had bled from his vision, he raised his wand into the air with a flourish.

"Lumos Solem!" He cried.

Light. Colour. Pain burst through Harry's head as magic thundered up his arm and into the forest. For a moment he had no choice but to let his awareness fade, darkness racing back to claim his surroundings as the pain in his head dulled. He heard a terrifying shriek of pain, the smell of burning filling his nostrils as he fell to his knees, his cane clattering beside him. He let his arm drop and pushed his awareness back out into the clearing, he was relieved to see colour had returned, though there was a heavy cloud of pale green magic covering the area. He sucked in deep lungsful of air, his whole body shaking as he noticed his sweat-soaked shirt sticking to his back. That was the most magic he had ever used at once, more than even the Testudo charm he had spent so long practicing.

As he gasped for breath, he was horrified to notice that the spectre had not been destroyed or scared off. No, it had been temporarily driven away, it was approaching again, this time faster as it swept across the clearing towards them with long clawed arms outstretched. The only difference Harry could see was that the worst of the shadows had been burned away from its form, revealing an unnaturally tall and thin humanoid figure blazing a furious red light as it soared towards them. Harry struggled to lift his wand but knew it was fruitless, he didn't have the energy for a simple spell let alone his barrier spell. He sank back onto his knees as a final thought crossed his mind; what would they tell Petunia?

A roar of effort and a surprisingly gentle shove pushed him to the ground as the towering figure of the Hogwarts groundskeeper stepped past him and swung wide with a gleaming axe in his hand. The wraith spun in the air and flew back into the trees with a defeated howl of pain as the axe blade shone a deep blue, a beacon that drove the phantom away as it fled the clearing. Hagrid stood with the axe raised for a full minute, his head turning to look all around before he let the axe dim and his arm drop. He turned back to Harry and the injured unicorn with a sigh and knelt down to offer the young Ravenclaw a hand.

"You alrigh' Harry?" He asked as he brushed the dirt and twigs from Harry's legs with the back of his hand.

"I think so, are you? It hit you with a big spell Hagrid." Harry reached down and collected his cane from the floor as he cast a quick look over Hagrid's body for any wounds or blood, but there was nothing except a burnt patch on the back of the groundskeeper's leather jerkin.

"Oh, don't worry about tha' Harry, I've got thick skin I'm fine." Hagrid said waving off Harry's concern as he knelt back down next to the unicorn. He lay the axe next to him as he pulled a long-curved needle and a ball of thread from his pocket and began to stitch the jagged wound on the creature's neck closed. Harry studied the axe as Hagrid set to work on the unicorn, its blade shone a deep blue that matched Hagrid's own magic but wrapped around the haft of the axe were purple symbols, a familiar magic. Castamir had worked on this weapon, whether to enchant it or bind a curse Harry didn't know, he wished he could make some sense of the symbols that were branded into the wood, but they meant nothing to him.

He was distracted from his pondering as the unicorn clambered to its feet unsteadily and he watched as it dipped its head towards Hagrid before it turned and cantered away, disappearing between the trees as it sped away. Harry was relieved that they had been able to save the creature but couldn't deny that he was eager to leave the forest now that their job was done.

"You done well there Harry, not sure what spell that was but it was damn bright. I'll be sure to tell Pr'fessor Flitwick, you should be proud of yerself." Hagrid clapped Harry on the back as he tucked the axe back into his belt, covering the blade with its leather hood before he picked up the lantern and began to lead Harry back out of the forest.

By the time they stepped out from the shadow of the last trees on the edge of the forest, Harry was exhausted, Hagrid offered him a cup of tea while they waited for Filch to come collect him, so they made their way to Hagrid's hut. Sat outside the door was Fang who leapt up at the two of them when they rounded the side of the building, for a moment Harry was worried the three other boys were still in the forest but Hagrid settled his fears as he opened his door and hung his kettle over the fire.

"The Malfoy boy and the other two are already back up at the castle Harry, Fang might be a coward, but he would have come and found me if something had gone wrong." Harry took a seat on one of the wooden chairs and let out a sigh of relief, he might not like the blonde bully, but he didn't want him to be attacked in the forest. Well, maybe by an Imp, but they mostly just play tricks on people anyway so Malfoy would deserve it. Hagrid poured the both of them a cup of tea, Harry's cup being considerable smaller than the groundskeeper's oversized teacup, and the two of them waited together for the grumpy caretaker to collect him.

"… and then Mr Filch led me back to the castle and I went to bed. That pretty much brings us up to now." Harry said as he leaned back in his chair, he had done his best to downplay the worst of the night. He didn't think he knew the words to accurately describe the creature that had attacked him and Hagrid anyway.

"Wow…do you reckon it was a vampire?" Terry asked as Neville paled even further.

"A vampire?! No, there's no way one could get this close to the school, right?" Neville asked, his eyes darting to the corners of the room they were in as if a vampire was about to come bursting out of the shadows.

"I'm not sure Nev, I haven't read much about them, Professor Quirrell sort of skipped them when he went over all the common magical creatures we might come across." Harry replied, not voicing the rumour that had circled the school since the beginning of the year.

"Yeah but we know why don't we. Quirrell met a group of them on the road in Romania and now he's terrified of them, I heard Jack, the fifth year with the big nose? Well he said that Quirrell's turban is filled with garlic just in case one attacks him." Terry explained before he noticed Neville's terror and added quickly. "But I don't think we have to worry about them being here at Hogwarts Nev, after all we have Dumbledore."

"Anyway," Harry interjected "I got a note this morning to speak with Professor Flitwick after dinner today, you think he'll be angry with me for getting a detention?" Harry was rather worried, he didn't want to disappoint the charms master, not after all the help he had given him.

"Nah, your Flitwick's favourite Harry, besides you were just returning stolen property, if it was a note from Snape then I'd be worried for you." Terry patted Harry's arm as Neville gave a tiny shudder at the mention of the potion's teacher, he still found the dark-haired man terrifying despite his slowly improving grades in that class thanks to his revision with Terry and Hermione.

Harry couldn't help the grin at the thought, the potions professor tended to ignore him for the most part, but he did have a definite disdain for all students who didn't wear the green badge of Slytherin. He dreaded to think of the punishment Professor Snape would have given him for the altercation with Malfoy, luckily he was distracted by the sudden approach of Susan and Hannah as they rounded the corner of the bookshelf they were sat behind.

"Harry! Tell me you didn't go off into the Forbidden Forest and fight off a vampire last night?" Susan asked as she dropped her bag on the table beside him and stared intensely at him as Neville whimpered quietly at the mention of vampires again.

"It's not like I went out there on my own, I told you I had detention, I was with Hagrid and it was fine." Harry did his best to placate the angry Hufflepuff, who did seem to calm minutely before Terry ruined his efforts.

"Yeah but only because you managed to fend off a demonic vampire thing when it knocked out Hagrid." Terry exclaimed excitedly, though he very quickly deflated when Harry sighed, and Susan began a barrage of questions. Only once Harry had finally managed to calm the angry Hufflepuff, though he was strangely touched that she was so upset on his behalf, and deflected most of her ire towards Malfoy who he put the bulk of the blame on, did he turn back to Terry.

"Thanks for that Terry." He muttered to the other Ravenclaw who just grinned back at him, he stopped grinning when Neville pointed out a strange aroma in the air and both Hufflepuff girls turned to glower at Terry, clearly the Gobstones incident was not forgotten.

"..and you didn't recognise the creature?" Professor Flitwick asked as he scribbled a note onto a piece of parchment on his desk.

"Not really, I don't think it was anything we covered in Defence Against the Dark Arts at least…" Harry hesitated and wondered if he should raise Terry's suggestion. "Terry did suggest it might have been a vampire, sir? We haven't learned about them yet so I don't know that I would recognise one, but it had the same, or at least very similar magic to whatever cursed the bludger."

Professor Flitwick paused in his writing for a moment before he lay his quill down and leaned back to look at Harry.

"A vampire? It's not impossible, indeed your use of the Sunlight charm to repel it supports young Mr Boot's theory, but vampires cannot use magic, at least not in the same way wizards can. A vampire's magic is almost entirely used to fuel themselves, to maintain their state of undeath, most vampires are only a little stronger and faster than a normal human. But yes, the older vampires, those who have consumed enough energy and lifeblood do gain greater power and some reports bear similarity to what you faced in the forest." Flitwick bowed his head for a moment before he shook it and turned his gaze back to Harry who sat nervously. "I will raise this with the Headmaster, we will get to the bottom of it Harry. Now, I had already heard young Mr Malfoy's version of events from Professor Snape, needless to say they differ greatly from your own Harry."

Harry shrank in his chair, the charms professor's tone was calm, but he still worried he had disappointed his head of house with his actions.

"However, I was able to speak with a few of the other students nearby and a portrait that witnessed the altercation, and I believe I have the truth of it. I am pleased you did not attempt to lie or downplay your actions Harry, and although I do wish you had avoided using your wand outside of class, I think that your detention was punishment enough." Professor Flitwick finished with a smile and a chuckle at Harry's relieved sigh. "I am not so old that I have forgotten what it was like to be a student Harry, but I will warn you; it will not be long before the magic available to you and your fellow students could be used to seriously harm one another. There is a reason for the rule against magic in the corridors Harry."

Seeing Harry nod in understanding, Professor Flitwick clapped his hands and smiled, dispelling the slightly dour atmosphere that had settled in the room.

"Well I don't want to keep you from dinner and I'm sure your friends are eager to have you returned to them, so I will let you go." Harry nodded and picked up his bag as he made his way to the door and waved goodbye to the professor. He began to make his way in the direction of the staircase and the great hall below, already smelling hints of the delicious food on offer.

The third-floor corridor was empty. Torches sat cold on the walls and shadows stretched along the stone floor, veiling the walls in darkness. It was into this darkness that the Headmaster walked, torches flaring into life as he passed them, flickering light banishing the shadows from the hallway. He stopped in front of one of the doors, seemingly at random and peered over his half-moon spectacles at the plain wood. He seemed satisfied after a few moments and turned just in time to see the charms professor step from the moving staircase and make his way towards the aged transfiguration master. The Ravenclaw Head spent a moment weaving his wand across the space behind him, a faint haze appearing in the air, before he nodded to the Headmaster.

"We won't be overheard, though I'm not sure why you wanted to talk here Albus." Flitwick jutted his chin at the door they were stood outside. "I take it the protections are undisturbed?"

"Oh indeed Filius, I did not doubt your work, merely wanted to see it for myself. I believe with the combined efforts of the staff we may have inadvertently made the most secure room in all Europe." Dumbledore smiled at the frown on Flitwick's face. "Well, perhaps not so inadvertently. Now, I spoke with Hagrid and he affirmed your suspicions, and his description along with Mr Potter's does lend some credence to the theory of it being a vampire. Which is why I asked our resident expert to join us." They both turned to see the purple turban wearing defence professor shuffling up the stairs before he made his way towards them, passing through the haze of magic Flitwick had put up without disturbing it.

"He-hello Prof-professor D-d-dumbledore and P-professor Fl-flitwick, I ca-came str-str-straight here, is th-the st-stone se-se-safe?" Professor Quirrell stuttered through the greeting as his eyes nervously darted around the corridor, his already pale skin had grown ever paler since the Winter break and now he looked truly sickly, blue veins visible on his face and hands and a nearly perpetual trembling to his body. He had seemed to improve briefly but as rumours of vampires in the forest spread throughout the school, the signs returned. The Defence professor was terrified.

"Ah Quirinus, I am pleased you received my note, do not fret the stone is fine. No, I wanted your expert opinion on something. There have been rumours of a vampire in the forest, Hagrid himself encountered a creature that fits the vague description. I just wondered if you might have some insight?" Professor Dumbledore asked curiously.

Quirrell's already pale visage only grew more waxen with each word and his trembling grew more pronounced, a sheen of sweet beginning to form across his forehead.

"Ah, we-well as y-you kn-know I d-d-did ha-have an en-encounter with a v-v-v-vampire in Al-albania, b-but m-most vam-vampires w-would avoid th-the area o-out of f-fear o-of y-you, H-headmaster." Quirrell managed to stammer out.

"The younger ones maybe, but this would be an older vampire, capable of flight and some manipulation of magic." Flitwick interjected as he studied the defence professor with a concerned eye.

"Indeed, and the vampire you encountered was just such a creature, was it not Quirinus?" Dumbledore peered over his glasses at the now swaying professor.

"A-an el-elder v-v-vampire?" There was an audible gulp from the young professor who sagged and began to weep. "O-oh n-no, H-headmaster y-you h-have t-to h-help m-me, p-please!" Quirrell begged as he looked around even more worriedly, as if the creature would burst from the shadows at any moment to claim him. The young defence professor slumped against the wall next to the door, eyes darting nervously as he sobbed.

"Now now Quirinus, I will handle the vampire if that is truly what is hunting in the forest, calm yourself." The headmaster consoled the young professor who eventually calmed enough to hiccup out a thanks as he all but fled the corridor, rushing to his own quarters.

Only once the young man's hurried footsteps had quietened enough that Flitwick was sure he was gone, did he turn back to the Headmaster who was still looking at the spot the defence professor had stood.

"Albus, I am still not sure it was a vampire. Any vampire powerful enough to breach the wards without being detected would have been more than a match for Hagrid and a first year, and why would it hunt a unicorn? It's blood would provide no sustenance and would certainly not be worth the curse." Flitwick expressed his doubts to the bearded headmaster who simply nodded absently as he continued to stare for a long moment before turning his attention back to the charms master.

"I too have my doubts Filius, there are too many missing pieces, too many coincidences. But if there is an elder vampire in the forest then I cannot do nothing, Severus suspects Quirinus, perhaps he has been threatened by this creature to retrieve the stone? We must watch and wait, I am satisfied that there is no way for anyone to access the stone now, at least not without alerting myself and most of the staff." Dumbledore began to walk back towards the staircase, torches dimming and extinguishing as he passed them leaving the charms professor little choice but to follow.

"Albus, how much longer will it be remaining here? You swore it would be a few months, it's been eight and we still don't know who let the damn Troll in." Professor Flitwick sighed as they reached the top of the stairs and looked down to see a handful of students chatting as they made their way towards the hall for dinner. "That damn stone attracts danger like gold to a niffler. We both know that magic like that cannot be hidden for long, eventually whoever attacked the Flamel's will track it here, if they haven't already."

"I know Filius, and you have my word that the stone will be gone before the end of the school year. I could not turn away Nicolas, I owe him a great deal, but you are right, a school is no place for his stone. Now, I will investigate the forest, before I receive yet another letter from Cornelius about the Greyback issue." The Headmaster began to make his way down the steps before he paused and turned back to the charms professor. "Did Mr Potter mention if he felt any pain or discomfort around his scar when he encountered the creature in the forest?"

"No, not that he told me about at least, why Albus?" Flitwick asked as he frowned down at the tall wizard who shook his head with a smile.

"Ah just a theory, I am likely wrong. Goodnight Filius." And with that the Headmaster vanished, disappearing silently midstep down the stairs, leaving Professor Flitwick to make his way back to his office, grumbling as he did about theatrical old wizards.

Neither wizard returned to the corridor, if they had they might have noticed a faint mark on the wall next to the door where the defence professor had leant in his panic. A symbol that glowed a dull red as it burned deeply into the stone wall, lines branching from it towards the door like stretching roots from a plant. It took most of the night before the dull red lines had surrounded the door, but once they did, they settled, darkening until they were barely visible, just ordinary cracks in a stone wall.

A/N Hey everyone! Slightly shorter chapter this time, but we are now coming up to the end of the first year. There will likely only be another two chapters before the end of first year, then a chapter to cover summer before Second Year begins!

Thank you to everyone who has favourited and reviewed, over 200 favourites and 300 followers is unbelievable so thank you all! I will be trying to continue with one chapter every two weeks or so, but there won't be a set day because I have to work around my job.

Now, I have a question for you all. Would you prefer I continue with the second year in the same story here, or release each year as its own story? Let me know what you think, I'm uncertain so it will really come down to how many people vote for what.

As always, please review and follow. Let me know what you like, don't like, love or hate. I always enjoy reading your feedback and I do try to reply to all reviews in PM so check your inboxes!

Many thanks,

Daedalus Smythe