Chapter 19: Night terrors
After the Christmas break ended, Hogwarts returned to its normal routine. The merry feeling of the holidays diminished, replaced with the rising dread of final exams. Many had returned feverishly back to their studies, while others believed that they still had all the time in the world.
Hermione wasn't taking any chances. It might be months until their tests, but she had a lot of work to do if she wanted to pass with flying colours. The moment she was back Hermione returned to the library, borrowing as many books as she could carry to catch up on lost time.
Like most evenings she found herself back in its musty halls browsing the shelves of the Transfiguration section, hoping to find some references for the paper that was due in a few weeks. Despite her main goal, Hermione couldn't help but flick through the pages, hunting for one name in particular.
Harry and Ron had filled her in on what she'd missed while she was away. While horrified to learn Harry had broken the rules, she couldn't help but feel frustrated that the forbidden section hadn't given them anything on Nicholas Flamel.
Tucking a particularly heavy tome in her arms, Hermione frowned as she recalled their conversation. The boys had been hesitant when she had asked if anything else had happened and she had a sneaky suspicion there was. But when she had pushed the question they had dodged it by asking how her parents were. It had to be something with Danny, as those two still believed that he was working with Snape. But lately, Hermione was starting to think there was more going on than whatever the Cerberus was guarding. That behind the scenes something bigger was happening within Hogwarts.
She had half a mind to go straight to the Headmaster or Professor Mcgonagall and confess everything. But Hermione faltered every time, imagining her friend's disappointment with her for ratting out their secrets. She didn't what to risk hurting their new friendship over something like this.
Shaking the thought from her mind she left the Transfiguration section and moved along the bookshelves, seeing other students deep in their study in the lamplight glow. Now and again the odd book drifted lazily back to its home, Hermione habitually avoiding their path. Each row seemed to house one or more studious students hard at work with their parchments and quills in hand. But it was one row that made her jolt to a stop, trying to confirm what she was seeing. But her eyes weren't playing tricks on her.
It was Danny; sitting at one of the benches hunched over what looked like a large textbook. At first, she hadn't even recognised the teen, his mass of black hair had grown longer than she remembered, and instead of the white t-shirt he always wore he was now wearing a dark grey sweater. But it definitely was the half ghost. Pressing the book tighter against her chest Hermione peered around, seeing that Madame Pince was far on the second level. Squaring her shoulders Hermione ducked into the row. This might be the only chance she had.
He heard her before she reached him, seeming surprised at the young witch's quick approach. Trying to appear confident Hermione planted a smile on her face and swiftly sat next to him before he could escape. "Hi, Danny!" She uttered as loud as the library would allow.
Danny glanced about, Hermione noting that he shifted slightly away from her. But when confident nobody was in view, he faced her with a faint smile. "Hey. It's been a while, huh?"
"Yes, it has. Did you enjoy the holidays?" She was amused when the teen grimaced, shrugging. Though this close to him Hermione saw that he was paler than she remembered, a weary look setting underneath his eyes. But he was also cold, the air around them chilled as if she had leaned into a fridge. As she pondered this Hermione realised that she was staring, so she quickly turned to the book he'd been reading.
"You're… studying maths?" She was genuinely surprised. It wasn't exactly the sort of thing she'd expected a half ghost to be reading. He chuckled at her baffled look, smoothing down the page.
"Thought it might be a good idea to brush up on my failing skills before… I go home." He frowned, Hermione sensing that there was more to what he said. Before she could ask he chuckled again. " I'm amazed that you guys even have something so ordinary in a magic school. I guess even here you can't get away from Algebra."
"It's mainly for Muggle Studies. After the second year we can choose if we want to study these subjects in more depth. But… most don't."
"I don't blame them," Danny stated dryly, flicking over to the next page. Hermione watched him puzzled. Something must have happened since she'd talked to him last, he seemed more dejected than normal. The half ghost here was different from the brazen teenager who had sat on the boy's common-room floor. Seeing him so… down she couldn't stop the bubble of concern from rising.
"Danny…" she paused when he stared at her, placing her book on the bench. "I… I know you told me that I shouldn't get involved in what you're doing. But… something bad is happening within Hogwarts, isn't there?"
"Nothing bad is happening." He spoke too casually, trying to dismiss her worry and Hermione sighed.
"It's to do with what's being kept under that trapdoor. Someone trying to steal what's in there, right?"
He scowled, not happy with where the conversation was going. Quickly she pressed on. "Danny, if something bad is going on or something dangerous is about to happen you have to tell Professor Dumbledore! He can help you! I'm sure of it."
"Albus is already helping me."
"He is!?" Hermione whispered excitedly, the teen wincing like he shouldn't have said that. But with the news she was filled with relief, so much so that she wanted to let out a cheer. If the Headmaster trusted Danny, then he must be here with good intentions. She had been right!
"Hermione…" His warning tone was low, bending closer so that there was no chance of being overheard. " I mean it. You seriously shouldn't get involved in what I'm doing. Yeah you're right, something dangerous is about to happen. But that's the reason you shouldn't dig around in things you don't understand."
She narrowed her eyes. " So you know what's being protected down there? What that dog is guarding?"
Danny sighed in frustration, then nodded lightly. She itched to press him further; what could be so important that Snape wanted it? But knowing how reserved he was about the topic she held back her questions, asking the next best thing.
"Then… do you know of a wizard named Nicholas Flamel?"
"Nicholas… Flamel? Huh, I think I've heard that name before." He rubbed the back of his neck, his annoyance disappearing for a moment. " I think… Albus mentioned him once. The guy that created the thing the shade's after."
"Shade?" This was the first time he'd mentioned that, and Danny looked equally shocked with himself for saying it. He cursed, scowling as his eyes flickered green, shutting the textbook.
"Forget I said that."
Hermione quickly reflected. She had never heard of a shade before, but it was obvious he hadn't miss-said Snape. It had to be important to him to react this way, that this shade was after what was hidden in the third-floor corridor. What it meant she didn't know, but Hermione now knew her first suspicions were correct; they didn't know all the details.
At seeing her deep in thought Danny bent down lower, grabbing her attention. " Hermione I'm not joking when I say to stay out of this! I know you can cast spells and stuff but there's no way you kids can deal with this. You don't realise that there are seriously evil people trying to get their hands on- what's under that trap door. You guys could get killed."
"Then shouldn't you be careful?"
He finally smirked at that, Hermione spotting the Danny she first met come through. "I can easily handle this as I'm more… durable than you guys. This is nothing compared to some of the ghosts I fight on a day-to-day basis back home." He straightened, nodding. "Albus knows what's going on and has a perfect plan in place to stop anyone from stealing anything. Even some of the other teachers know what's happening. So you guys have got nothing to worry about."
"You're working together with the Headmaster?"
Danny nodded, though he chuckled suddenly. "Well, more like he's helping me randomly. It's hard to know whether he's a smart old wizard or absolutely nuts."
She giggled, "Our headmaster is a little eccentric-" Abruptly Hermione froze, hearing the unmistakable sound of Madame Pince's heavy shoes clicking on stone. She whirled around just in time to see the librarian pass their row, eyebrow raised as she spotted Hermione staring at her. Trying to look like she hadn't been breaking the rules she picked up the book on the bench as if to return it, with seemed to please the witch. Once Pince had left Hermione turned back to Danny- but he was gone. The only sign that he'd even been there was the textbook he'd left behind.
His sudden disappearings didn't frighten her anymore. This time she smiled at it. Hermione was thrilled, and this confirmed that Danny wasn't working with Snape after all. That he was here protecting what was hidden under the trapdoor instead of stealing it. Now all she had to do was convince the others.
###
Danny felt livid with himself for his huge slip-up. He had never meant to mention anything about the shade. If those three learned that Voldemort was stalking around the halls, he could only imagine how terrified Harry would become. Not only that Hermione was sharp. And when the pieces started appearing it wouldn't take her long to put them together.
As he entered the seventh floor from the tower bridge, he ran his hand through his messy hair. Learning about a shade hopefully wouldn't lead Harry to learn that Voldemort was here, but it would scare them all the same. Or maybe they would finally see how dangerous this all was and stay away from that trap door.
He summoned the room again with three short laps, knowing annoyingly if Harry learned about the shade he'd probably be the idiot that would try to defeat it. Hopefully, Albus would stop them before they even got to Fluffy.
Once the door craved itself from the wall Danny sighed, taking the bass handle in his hand-
-And froze.
At that moment the same pricking feeling he had felt when he left the school returned. He was certain he was being watched, the hairs on the back of his neck prickling. It wasn't a ghost, but something about the feeling told him it meant trouble. Quickly he twisted around, hoping to catch a glimpse of whatever it was. But like before nothing was there, only the faint sound of students' voices echoing through the halls. Danny tensed, tempted to investigate. But instead he shook his head. Maybe he was just imagining it. Or maybe he was just extremely tired.
Danny entered the magical room and shut the door, pausing to press his ear against the wood. He listened for anything, but on the other side was nothing but silence.
"What are you doing now?"
"Making sure nothing evil is trying to get in," Danny muttered, still concentrating. He heard Vlad's huff of amusement, causing him to scowl. Shooting a glare over he caught sight of the small table covered in small piles of paper; papers that Danny quickly realised were his notes.
"Hey! And what are you doing?"
"Organising. If you hope to make a successful plan, you're not going to do that with this mess."
Danny stomped over to him, eyeing his notes. He wasn't at all worried that information might lead him to discover who he was; he'd made sure to get rid of anything suspicious after the first time. Now that Vlad had moved them from his desk and brought them together he could see just how much he'd written down. However, the fact that he'd been snooping around his side of the room wasn't lost to Danny.
"My mess has a system."
"A system that repeat's itself." Vlad placed another chuck on one of the largest piles. "You keep writing the same things over and over."
Curious now Danny picked up one of the piles and flicked through, seeing that this one was all the information on the shade. Deep down he knew Vlad was right. He'd lost track of any order and just blurted out whatever he could before he forgot. Glancing down at the table Danny saw that Vlad was jotting down his own notes. He couldn't help the smirk that crept over his face.
"Your writing notes on my notes?"
"I'm summarising them into one simple list so that they're easier to understand."
"So… you've given yourself homework?"
"Well, it's something to pass the time with."
"As well as try and find some clues about me in them?" Danny casually stated, and though Vlad didn't say anything back Danny swore the corner of his mouth twitched upwards. Rolling his eyes he dropped the notes back onto the table and retreated to his side. The Fruitloop just couldn't help himself.
As Danny drew the curtain across his fingers brushed upon the shape in his pocket, remembering that there was one object that could reveal that he was from the future. He was going to make sure that Vlad never found his phone. Though it now was dead, it would raise too many questions. If Plasmius was searching for answers, he would need to be more careful.
Flopping down onto the bed he rubbed his gritty eyes. Even though he was finally sleeping again he just couldn't stop feeling exhausted all the time. He yawned, rolling onto his side. It might be abnormally early in the evening to sleep for him, but maybe all he needed to do was catch up on some overdue rest...
###
It was the same nightmare. That same, haunting dream he'd had on repeat ever since he faced his evil future. So many times had he re-lived this dream to the point that it no longer frightened him, the nightmare following the same predictable pattern over and over again. His future self loomed over him, just like he had all those months ago.
But unlike that time there was no Fenton thermos to save him. He was paralysed, powerless to stop that vat from exploding. Like every nightmare before it, he watched the whole event unfold in front of his eyes; once again watching his life crumble around him.
Completely inevitable.
Before him, his evil self grinned, blood-red eyes mocking him. Yet he didn't utter a word; no one did in the dream. But they didn't have to make a sound for the message to be clear. Danny couldn't transform. Nor could he look away as the vat began to tremble, seconds away from blasting everyone he loved into tomorrow. All Danny could feel was a sinking feeling in his gut as he watched their horrified faces, trying to work out what their screaming mouths were saying as the vat wobbled violently-
-and suddenly everything disappeared into darkness.
Danny blinked as his heart raced, confused as to what had just happened. That wasn't part of the usual nightmare. Not only that but he now oddly felt that he was "awake, even though it was clear that he was still dreaming. He flexed his fingers, the movement certainly felt real. But now instead of watching his life being destroyed, nothing but shadows surrounded him.
"What is this?" He muttered, hearing his words echo out into the gloom. At least this was different. A change from the same distressing dream. But this was… odd. Too real to be just nothing.
Looking around confirmed that only blackness surrounded him. Yet the darkness seemed to move, swirling around like mist. Danny tried to peer through, but he couldn't see anything. He was about to try and move forward when a faint noise reached his ears. A low, long hiss grew louder with each passing second. Danny tried to pinpoint it, but it was useless. The hiss seemed to come from every angle.
"What a fascinating child."
Danny froze as a deep, husky voice rang inside his head. It was a voice he'd never heard before; raw, full of malice and yet a hint of amusement.
"Who's there?" He questioned as he twisted around.
"You come to this school in the hopes of what, to be a hero? Yet it appears that no one seemed to care for your efforts. Such a pity."
A glint of white flashed in the corner of Danny's eye and turning he saw emerge from the darkness a great white snake. A serpent that rivalled the ghost snake he'd fought at Casper High on Halloween.
"Who are you?" Danny tried to summon his ghost powers. But for some reason in this dream place, they lay dormant.
A deep chuckle came from the snake, its red eyes blinking lazily as it studied him. "We have met before, remember? Remember the cave, child?"
The realisation was like a punch in the gut. Quickly he tried to go ghost again, yet the white rings refused to appear. In a bid to hide the rising panic he straightened, shifting his stance. "Voldemort." The name coming out too sharply.
The snake or shade chuckled again. As he slid closer it seemed to drift through the air, looping over itself. "Are you not afraid of me?"
"No," Danny spat, and he meant it. " I'm not afraid of you one bit. Why on earth would I be scared of a pathetic shade like you?"
"No, it appears not." The snake drifted closer, and Danny found himself staring into its red jewel-like eyes almost mesmerised. " And why would someone with your… powers fear someone like me?"
Danny could hear the sarcasm dripping from its voice and he scowled, all the more hating the shade. " Well duh. You're a weak pile of smoke. Did Luna tell you about me?"
Voldemort laughed, twisting lazily in the air. " Perhaps. Your ability to transform into a spirit is certainly fascinating to me. I never dreamed that someone like you could exist."
"Yeah well, better not get too fascinated or I'll show you first-hand how fascinating my powers can be." Despite his bravo, the shade was now too close for his liking, large pointed head hissing close to his face. Voldemort blinked slowly, wearing what Danny could only call calmness on his scaly face.
" I admire your courage. Though perhaps you do not know about me as most do-"
"-Oh I know all about you. About how you went around scaring and killing people to become an almighty wizard or something. But sadly your little magic tricks don't frighten me. So it's bad luck for you."
The shade flashed his pearl-white fangs in what Danny assumed was a grin. "Truly a brave boy! I've raised hundreds of undead Inferi. Made the world fear speaking my very name! Even weakened as I am death cannot claim me, and I will return more powerful than ever. Yet you challenge me without hesitation."
"So then how'd you let Harry beat you?" Danny grinned smugly as the shade stilled. "Aw Voldy, with all that great power was a helpless baby too much for you?"
The snake's eyes narrowed, yet Voldemort kept his voice calm. "Why try so hard to stop what you know you cannot? And for what? Honour? Pride? To become a hero that no one will know? Your quest is foolish, I will get the stone and my body will finally be restored."
"You're not getting that stone. I'll make sure of it." Danny could feel some of his ghost powers coming to him in the dream, his eyes flicking neon green. It seemed that Voldemort too sensed that Danny was breaking out of his hold, as his body stiffened, long neck curling.
"While listening to you has been amusing, I'm afraid our chat has reached its end. Or maybe, I will not even need the stone after all."
Danny blinked in confusion. " What do you-"
Without warning the snake struck at his neck, so fast that Danny had no time to react. He felt a tight pressure on his shoulder, a sudden almighty pain shot down his right arm as its fangs dug into his skin. But it wasn't just the pain that surprised him, but the tingling feeling of ice that coursed throughout his body. His breath got stuck in his throat, unable to move-
-And then with a jolt he woke up.
With a loud cry Danny shot up in bed, feeling the cool sweat drip from his forehead. The relief that he could move was wonderful, but his mind was a jumbled mess at what had just happened. It had felt so real, so bizarre that he couldn't quite figure out what had occurred. Taking a deep gulp of air Danny calmed down; it was just a dream after all. Maybe all that talk about shades with Ghostwriter had started to get to him. He remembered the snake-form Voldemort had taken and rubbed his shoulder, which still oddly felt tingly-
And winced.
Alarmed Danny pulled his hand away, spotting patches of maroon on his fingertips. Quickly he pulled his shirt out, looking down at the two small puncher marks that were in the same spot the snake had struck. Confusion hit him hard; how on earth had they got there? That thing had attacked him in his dreams. Unless… it hadn't been a dream at all, and that the shade had somehow broken into the magical room.
His blood ran cold, the air surrounding him matching his sudden rage. Voldemort had been here, in his room! Okay, now it had pushed a line. He knew a challenge when he saw it and it was now on! No way was he going to let some stupid, whispy old wizard frighten him.
Quickly he threw off the covers and dashed out into the darkened room. The moment he passed the curtain Danny almost ran into a figure standing right in front of it, his mind instantly concluding on that turban-wearing host. He immediately tackled the person to the ground before they could attack back. There was a grunt of pain and Danny swiftly raised his arm high ready to strike, pinning them down with the other. Yet his moment of blind rage cleared, and he saw what was happening.
It was Vlad, not Quirrell like he'd first thought. And by the burning red glare,Vlad wasn't at all happy to find himself stuck in this position. Danny lowered his arm winching as the wound in his shoulder stung, feeling the warmth spread under his shirt. The moment drew the half ghost's attention to his injured shoulder, his anger melting into shock.
Yet Danny only scowled; he didn't have time to explain to Vlad what was going on. With each second he was losing his chance. Leaping into the air he went ghost, the sudden lack of gravity almost causing him to roll from the momentum.
"Danny!" He heard Vlad call out in warning, but he ignored him. With a flash he paused out of the room, darting down the corridor to the levels below.
Where would that shade go? Of course, back to its timid host. He vaguely knew where that guy's office was, so his best bet was to cut it off before he got there. Danny only hoped that the shade couldn't move as fast as him.
He made his way to the second floor, flying down the moonlit hallways. Soon he realised he had made it to the place with the rows of armoured statues, the same hallway that those kids had tried to sneak down the night they met Fluffy.
However, before he continued on his way Danny froze when a thin trail of mist escaped from his mouth, a cold shudder coming from his core. Beside him, Peeves shifted throng the wall, not at all shocked to see him.
"Peeves," Danny grumbled, balling his hands. " I don't have time for your pranks-"
"-Shhh, Halfy." The little ghost put a finger to his lips. All trances of his playful nature were gone. It was such a change that Danny's frustration instantly vanished. He had never before seen the ghost so serious. He drifted closer to Danny, eyes locked on the dim hallway beyond.
"Somethin' afoul is sneaking about. Old Peeves knows it so." There was a red tint to his eyes now, his voice echoing out.
"Shade," Danny whispered back, causing Peeves to whip his head around to face him. "There's a shade running around the school."
The ghost's gaze drifted down the faint patches of red and green on his shoulder, a grumble of anger stuck in his throat. Danny was aware of the time ticking away. Had Voldemort already gotten back to its host? Or was it mere moments away, still creeping silently down the halls?
"It's got to come through here to get back to its host. Before it comes I've got to-"
Yet he stopped when a faint rustling sound, the two pausing to listen. There, down the corridor appeared a wispy shape, almost invisible in the shadows. It seems to hang there, form thin and translucent as its hollow eyes fixed on them. Danny waited to hear that raspy voice again, but the shade had now fallen quiet, nothing but the faint rustle of the smoke that made it.
This was it, the moment Danny had waited for months. Now was a chance to end this mission once and all. A chance to go home. "Alright shade," a blast formed in his hand and he raised it high in warning. "This here's payback for my-"
"-Get. Out."
Danny jumped as a sinister voice whispered next to him. Peeves trembled as he curled his hands, face twisted in rage. " GET OUT!" The ghost roared, probably waking up half the school in the progress. He flung his hand out, a green aura shining around them as two rays flew at the shade. The attack blasted into its smoky form, sending it hissing back. The tricker glanced at Danny, his orange eyes now a deep red.
"Hey Halfy, you like wreaking things?"
"Um," Danny gulped, starting to worry that the ghost had gone crazy. "I guess so?"
Peeves grinned wickedly back, thumbing to the shade that was now reforming. "Then let's go wild!"
The offer surprised him, but Danny didn't hesitate on his offer. Quickly he bolted forward, the shade's misty form looming up, skeletal hands forming in the smoke. Yet Danny dodged the reaching hand and threw a punch. But the shade broke apart in his fingers, only leaving him with an icy dread. It reformed beside him, the sunken, wrinkled head emerging. Yet Peeves sent another ray, smashing into the shade's side. It reeled back, a hiss escaping its mouth before it lunged towards the little tricker.
"Peeves!" It dawned on Danny that Peeves' attacks were too weak. But instead of panicking he grinned as the shade charged, his fingers shining in a pale green hue. The next minute the glow speared out of his fingers, hitting the suits of armour. They were encased in that glow, green flames suddenly pooling out of their helmets. They sprang alive, dashing to defend the little ghost.
Soon the shade was surrounded, the armoured guards raising their weapons as the shade paused to watch. Danny was kind of impressed that Peeves had managed to animate the whole hallway. He didn't think that coward had had it in him.
The guards swung their swords through the shade, but like with Danny's fist the physical attacks did nothing to him. But they were many, and it was clear that the attacks were annoying. With a bellow Voldemort yelled and the pieces of armour flew away, loudly clanging to the floor. Now the shade turned its full attention to the stunned Peeves, striking towards the ghost.
Danny bolted forward and sent two rays of his own. Unlike Peeves they smashed into the shade, crushing it to the ground with a groan. But it didn't stop him for long. As Danny rushed to send another attack his way Voldemort seemed to twist in on itself, flipping himself around to Danny before he could react.
Clang!
The shade's hand struck, yet instead of hurting Danny, he found a steel chest plate hovering in front of him, surrounded by a thick barrier of ghost energy. Peeves grunted from the effort, the metal bent, but the shade didn't go through. The surprised shade gave Danny enough time to come up with an idea. Swiftly he summoned his powers to coat his hand in his energy and punched at the wrinkled face.
It worked, sending the shade reeling. Danny grinned and landed another hit with his hand. Peeves began to transfer his energy into the scattered weapons, slowly aiming them up to shade. But the more Danny hit him, the angrier he became.
Without warning it screamed, a bone-chilling shriek that was just like the scream in the cave. Danny was right in the firing line, the shriek not physical like his Ghostly wail but still rocked him all the same. Before he knew what was happening he transformed back, gravity instantly sending him tumbling to the ground. Peeves were dazed by the sound, Voldemort taking the opportunity to throw him away.
Danny snapped out of his shock, white rings flashing around his waist. But the shade was quicker. It sprung at him, pinning him to the stone floor. A horrible cold descended onto Danny at its touch, a darker cold than his ice powers. Thin boney fingers dug into his chest. Danny wriggled, trying to transform back into Phantom, but just like in the dream, he found he could do nothing.
"Foolish boy…" The words whispered into Danny's mind, Voldemort's voice somehow linking with the touch. " Did you not listen to what I said? Why fight what you know you cannot stop?"
Danny gritted his teeth, gripping the arms that held him. It was almost painful to touch, yet he refused to let it show. " I told you, you idiot; there's no way in hell I'd stop trying!"
Voldemort laughed, form rippling. " I like your spirit! So bold, so determined. That determination could be useful to me."
"Are you asking me to join your weird evil club? Sorry, but get lost!"
He tried to push the thing off, tried to summon his rings. But something about the shade was stopping him.
"No. Someone like you is too hard to break. Too dangerous to try, unlike that fool of a professor. It is clear to see your will is strong. Yet such a shame that in the end, you couldn't be useful to me."
Danny stilled. " And what's that supposed to mean?"
"Your blood." He sneered, a bony finger suddenly pressing hard on the wound on his shoulder. Feeling it slowly pressed open Danny cried out, the chill numbing his arm.
"Halfy!" He heard Peeves call out, but the shade blocked everything. Nothing but black mist.
"I thought someone with your kind of power could perhaps return me, give me the energy that I needed to revive. But your blood is tainted." Voldemort leaned in closer, his voice booming louder in Danny's head. " Your blood, it is like… a poison that racks my body. You did not strengthen me, you weaken me! Your blood isn't life, it is death itself."
Instead of anger, there was excitement in his voice. And that terrified Danny. "Your powers… your powers challenge death. No; your powers surpass death! How I envy you. I have worked all my life to possess what you have achieved. Tell me, tell me how!"
Voldemort abruptly gripped his head and Danny gasped at the stab of pain. He could feel that his mind was being invaded, cold spindly tendrils were wading through his memories, seeking answers. Danny knew that his eyes were glowing a dazzling green in effort to stop him. He gripped the hand that held his head, but it was no use. Voldemort was too strong. And if this kept up he would learn everything. He would learn he was from the future. And then…and then…
He couldn't allow that to happen! In rage Danny felt his powers surge, bringing with it a chill. Above him he felt the shade shudder from the change, Danny's blood growing cold with blocked his mind briefly. For the first time he let his new powers completely take over however they wanted. Even though he wasn't Phantom he sent out a ray from his hand, ignoring the burn it left behind. The shade snarled as it was thrown back against the wall. Danny struggled up and as he did ice exploded around them. On the floor, the walls, and even his arms, spiked and shimmering in the dark.
Danny huffed, sending out a cloud of mist. "I'm sorry, but my secrets are classified." It came out threatening, surprising even himself. The coldness of the ice glimmered around him, the chill deep within his chest. He had never experienced this before with his powers. But somehow it felt right, normal. Flexing his fingers the ice pillars cracked and groaned, spear-tip edges pulling towards the silent shade. Danny knew right now he was far stronger than Voldemort, and by its stilled form the shade knew it too.
"Halfy?" He paused when he heard Peeves whisper out to him, tilting his gaze enough to keep both of them in his sight. The little ghost had backed off from the spreading ice, gazing at him with what looked like fear; fear of him. At that thought, Danny felt his calmness shatter, and the same fear bubbled up inside him like a mirror. Everything surrounding him came back into focus, and in dread, he saw that the ice was surrounding him.
A wheezing breath bought his attention back to the shade, the thing appearing to flicker and fade away. Voldemort was weakening, having spent too much time away from his host. It seemed to gather itself, then flew off down the hall.
Peeves snapped out of his state and scowled. " Oh no, you don't!" Like a rocket, he whizzed down the hallway after the shade. Danny knew he couldn't let Voldemort escape, he was so close to defeating him! He bolted after them- but gasped when his body jolted to a stop, pulling his shoulder back so hard it was a miracle it didn't dislocate. Looking to find what had stopped him Danny found that his right arm was embedded in a pillar of ice. In the chaos, he hadn't even noticed. Knowing that he didn't have much time he turned his arm intangible-
-But his arm didn't move; his ghost powers did nothing to the ectoplasm-infused ice.
He panicked, tugging at the arm. He tried to pull it out with his other hand, but the surface to too cold; his skin almost burning at the touch. The terror was growing as his arm felt numb, his mind too jumbled to think of transforming. With a furious grunt, he planted his feet onto the ground and pulled, the ice finally breaking. But as Danny's arm was freed, he cried out as a sharp sting coursed down it. He briefly caught sight of his arm, raw and red before he crushed it to his chest in a bid to stop the blinding stinging.
The ice had been so cold that it had torn the sweat-covered skin from his arm. All intentions of chasing after Voldemort vanished as he watched the ice he created break apart, now disappearing from the lack of contact. Danny had known from the incident in the forest that these new powers could be dangerous, but to have it happen sent it home how bad. What if the ice had spread further? He shivered at the image it conjured.
His thoughts were interrupted as a thin puff of mist escaped his lips, and a loud "pop" sounded next to him.
"Ickie thing got away…" Peeves grumbled, eyeing Danny as he tried to hide his bleeding arm under his shirt. "What happened Halfy?"
"Nothing. What do you mean he got away?" He refused to acknowledge the ice muck-up, Danny himself trying to repress the fear that was hammering in his chest
"Thing scuttled back to its host." The little ghost bent closer, eyes narrowing with glee. " Don't be surprised, old Peeves knows what's going on. Oh, he does!"
"So the other ghosts told you about the shade?" Danny was confused when Peeves drifted off towards the melting ice, smirking.
"That's not what I meant!"
He scowled at that as the ghost studied the disappearing ice, letting out an impressed whistle. Before Danny could ask for more details Peeves vanished with another pop, and he was suddenly alone.
Shivering, Danny listened out into the night, hearing the unmistakable noise of running feet. Not wanting to confront a paroling teacher or worse Albus, he turned invisible and hurry back to the room. Somehow he didn't want the Headmaster to find him surrounded by the leftovers of ice. He dreaded what the wizard would do if he found out he was losing control of his abilities. Not only that his arm was still bleeding, the warmth spreading as he pressed the burning skin against his chest. Already the cool tingle of his ghost powers bled into the arm, but Danny found he held it back, worried it might not be his healing. Maybe Lady Grey's advice on keeping a calm mind wasn't the right answer, he'd felt quite calm when he was debating whether to impale the shade through the wall.
The room abruptly appeared before him and without thinking, Danny entered.
"Ah, you're finally back."
He cringed as he heard Vlad's voice, realising that being covered in blood probably was going to lead to a bunch of questions. While shutting the door he turned completely invisible, earning him a surprised breath.
"Danny?"
"Yeah, I'm back." He called out, watching Vlad try to search for him. Danny waited by the door, hoping that Vlad would think he'd retreated to his side. But either he was too sharp or knew what he was up to as the half ghost's gaze remained near the door.
"What happened?"
"Nothing much. Just… you know, shade decided to be annoying. No big deal."
Vlad however, didn't seem to think it wasn't a big deal. "And we're talking about the same murderous shade you've been complaining about every three seconds?"
Danny stuck his tongue out, enjoying the fact he couldn't see it. " Duh." Quickly he moved to his side, phasing through the curtain and let down his powers to view his arm. It was hard to tell from the drying blood how bad it was, or whether it would leave a scar, but the cold throbbing was a good sign. Though Danny worried at the thought of it leaving a scar. He could hide the ones he had on the rest of his body, but his forearm would be harder to cover in summer. And more difficult to come up with an excuse for his parents.
"I knew it!"
Danny jumped as Vlad poked his head through the curtain, glaring at him.
"You are injured!"
"Hey! What made you think you can barge in here?"
"Maybe the drops of blood leading right to you might be a good reason?"
Danny cringed, a guilty look crossing his face as he rubbed his arm. He didn't have a comeback for that one. Vlad pulled the curtain across completely, face hardening as he studied his arm.
"You shouldn't dismiss something serious."
"It looks worse than it actually is." Danny shrugged, letting the blood pass through his arm. Now that it was clearer to see, he was relieved that it wasn't that bad. The skin was red from where it had pulled off, but already it had started to scab. Hopefully, he had escaped any really bad scarring. "See? It's just a scratch. By tomorrow it will be completely gone."
"Uh-huh…" From the tone, Vlad didn't believe him and Danny supposed that normally something like this would take a week or two to disappear.
" It's true! The best part about being half ghost is the fast healing powers. In a few hours it will be completely gone! I've had worse injuries that have healed up quicker."
"If you say so. However… you still need to treat it. The last thing you want is an infection."
"It's fine!-" He jumped when a loud, metallic thud rang out next to him. On his desk now sat a large, rusty old tin. Danny immediately recognised the white and green cross painted roughly on the lid.
"Seems I'm not the only one thinking you're being silly," Vlad muttered, but Danny only frowned at the tin. If the room summoned items that the person wanted, then he certainly hadn't asked for that.
"There really is no point in me wrapping it." Danny held his ground, he was right. By tomorrow only small marks would be left behind.
He knew that Vlad was studying him, trying to read him like he always did. Danny felt trapped in the small corner of the room. He was fine, he didn't need people worrying about pointless things. It wasn't just with Plasmius, Albus also was the same. They just couldn't understand that he had this covered.
Vlad finally sighed, moving towards the desk. "Fine. If you're going to be stubborn, then I'll do it for you."
"Wait what?"
" Even if what you say is true, it will heal quicker if it's wrapped. Now sit down." He picked up the tin, dragging the chair with him.
"Seriously it's fine. Look, it's even stopped bleeding-"
"-Danny!" Vlad snapped, jolting Danny at how angry he sounded. The half ghost's face softened if but a little. "Stop being ridiculous."
Danny scowled, he wasn't the one that was being ridiculous! But instead, he huffed tiredly, slumping down on the end of his bed. After everything that had happened tonight, he didn't have the energy to complain anymore. Vlad seemed relieved at his reaction, sitting too close than Danny liked. Looking at the tin in his hands Vlad abruptly frowned.
"What is it?"
"It's just… that this thing is old. Dusty. Not to mention that it belongs to someone. I know this isn't the first time things have randomly appeared in here, but… I wonder where this stuff is coming from." Vlad rotated the tin, Danny catching sight of roughly scratched initials R.L. on the bottom. He might be right. Perhaps somewhere in this giant school was a mountain of stuff. Or maybe like he first thought it made the items out of thin air.
"It's a magical room. Who knows where this stuff comes from? As long as it keeps doing it, I'm happy with it." At his comment Vlad snorted with amusement, but any comeback he was about to say he held back with a shake of his hand. He opened the tin, rummaging around for what he needed.
"Hold out your arm." He commanded and with a grumble Danny complied.
He would never say it out loud in a million years, but he had to admit that Vlad knew what he was doing. Sam and Tucker were okay when it came to patching him up, but they tried their best with the little knowledge they had. Vlad seemed to know how to make the wrapping tight, but not enough to make him lose all feeling in his arm as Sam did.
"We'll have to change this in a few days," Vlad muttered vaguely as he worked, Danny smirking.
"You mean in an hour."
The half ghost paused to look at him, eyebrow raised. " An hour?"
"Yeah. Actually could be sooner. Shame you're doing this all for nothing."
This time Vlad smirked. "And you call me delusional."
"Hey! I meant it when I said that I heal fast! I've had broken ribs heal in a day before. This wound is basically the same threat level as a stubbed toe!"
At this Vlad couldn't hide his amusement any longer. " Whatever you say. "
"Fine." Danny snapped, getting annoyed that he wasn't being believed. "I'll wipe that grin off your face tomorrow when I prove it to you!"
Instead of countering him, Vlad dropped the topic with another shake of his head, which still bugged Danny to no end. Oh, he knew what he was doing, trying to make him look like a Fruitloop. He couldn't wait to see the look on his smug face when he saw the smooth skin of his arm.
"I'll take you up on that. There, done. So what caused this? It almost looks like a burn." The moment Danny got his arm back he shuffled away, pressing his back to the wall.
"Just that shade."
Vlad's face fell serious. Gently he placed the tin on the ground, leaning back in the chair to cross his arms. "What happened?"
"Like I said just a fight with the shade. It was no big deal."
"It seemed like a big deal to me; waking up in the middle of the night screaming. Only then to run off." He stretched his neck with a wince. " I will admit that was an impressive tackle, could even put a seasoned football player to shame."
"Really?"
"You shouldn't be proud of that." He scowled across. " That tackle had enough force behind it to crack someone's skull."
"That was the point. I thought you were the shades host sneaking about. It was supposed to knock him down. I wasn't thinking straight after the dream anyway."
"You were having another nightmare?"
"I'm not sure if it was a nightmare… Hold up, what to do mean another?"
Vlad answered with his face unreadable. " It hasn't been the first time you've cried out in your sleep; just the loudest."
At that news, Danny flushed with embarrassment. He hadn't realised he'd been saying things in his sleep. What else had he said? Tempted as he was to ask, he shook that revelation away. " I'm… not a hundred per cent sure that what happed tonight was a dream. It seemed too real to be. I think… that shade was here, just before I woke up."
He saw Vlad visibly tense. " Someone was in the room?"
Danny nodded, more sure he was right the more he thought about it. How he didn't know. Maybe the shade knew about this hidden room all along and knew how to get in. He couldn't write off that he didn't.
"Is that why you were injured in the neck?" His voice had changed to worry, peering over to the door. " If that's the case it might return-"
"-No. I don't think that he will…" Feeling the tingle in his neck, Danny covered the spot with his hand. Words that Voldemort had whispered into his mind came back, and with it worry filled him. Your blood is tainted, it's death itself.
He knew that his blood had ectoplasm in it; he'd already seen that using tools down in his parent's lab. But somehow he couldn't help be feel… unnerved at what Voldemort had told him. That excitement that he'd shown when he'd learned that fact.
"Danny?" Vlad's worried voice broke his thoughts. " Is that wound troubling you?"
"No, it's already gone." Shaking his head Danny settled into a more comfortable position. " I think the shade came in here tonight to…test something. And now he's got his answer. I'm confident that he won't try barging in here again, now that he knows I'm stronger than him."
"You can't know that for sure?"
"I do. The shade needs a host. It's weak without a constant source of life to keep it going. Maybe he's strong enough to take me on, but not for very long. My blasts seemed to hit him hard and that would be too much of a risk for the state that he's in now. That's how I know Voldy would be an idiot to cross me alone again."
Vlad didn't seem so sure. "Then what's stopping this… thing from coming back with reinforcements?"
Danny laughed. " No way would he try that in this school. The headmaster, Albus, is a strong wizard. Luna already had a taste of one of his spells. A fight with us on that scale would cause a lot of noise, which would destroy their plans. Trust me, we should be fine now."
Though it seemed to relax the idea that Voldemort might return, it was obvious Vlad wasn't completely satisfied. Danny was sure that the shade wouldn't try that again, and Luna had seemed to vanish off the face of the earth after Christmas. He was sure the next time they fought it would be when his ambush plan worked. He'd be ready next time.
"Either way…" Vlad spoke, breaking Danny's thoughts. " It was reckless to run after it alone. If what you say in your notes is true, your enemy isn't something you just… casually run after."
"I wasn't going to miss a chance to defeat it! Besides," Danny leaned back with a smirk. " If I'd had some half ghost backup then maybe I wouldn't have got injured in the first place."
His look hardened. " Don't start with that again."
"I'm just saying that it would've been helpful! You said so yourself; that I shouldn't have gone and faced him alone. I'm just making a point!"
"I only said that from how you described it. I don't think anyone sane should confront it, supposed ghost powers or not."
"Scared of the evil shade are we? Well, you've got nothing to worry about. He's nothing compared to what I can do."
" Oh, yes. I definitely can agree that you are probably worse." Vlad had muttered his reply in a sarcastic remark, but the tone had gone right over Danny's head. He tensed, anger rising.
"You calling me evil!?"
At seeing how worked up he was becoming Vlad sighed dejectedly. " No Danny, I'm not calling you evil. You're… a headache, but nothing about you says evil."
He relaxed, somewhat surprised at how the idea freaked him out. " Good. Not the headache part though; that's totally not true."
Vlad chuckled, only to abruptly roll his eyes and sigh boringly. "Whatever."
Danny was stunned for a second, realising that he was copying how he acted around him. Although he found himself not at all angry from it. " I'm only a headache to you because you refuse to believe me. I was telling the truth; if you help me with my ambush plan it would work. You know you can fight with those powers that you have. Honestly, that shade shouldn't even be a problem for you. I've seen your ghost form, so I know I'm right."
"Hmm," Vlad shifted his stance, resting his arm on the back of the chair to prop his head up. "Perhaps see it from my perspective then. You see, ghosts don't exist. The whole concept of ghosts being real is something short of a myth, like a fairytale. And yet, in what to me has felt like only a moment my entire understanding has been flipped on its head. It all just doesn't seem possible. But here I am." He closed his eyes, frowning. " You were right, by the way. I can feel something within my chest, an…energy within there that shouldn't be there. And if I'm going to be blunt, I hate it."
That statement surprised Danny, the last thing he expected Plasmius to say was that he hated his power. He seemed completely at ease with them when he kicked his butt back home. He supposed… it had been so long since he had first got his powers that he'd forgotten all the sleepless nights he'd had. The times he had freaked that his parents would lose it if they learned that their son had turned into a half ghost from their portal.
"I remember… after the accident, when… I realised I had these powers, I panicked. I mean, I was already a geek, I didn't need to add freak to that list as well. For… about a month, I couldn't control them. Turning invisible randomly, things just keep falling through me and I think Mr Lancer thought I was breaking all those beakers on purpose. It was a constant fear that someone was going to find out…And what would happen to me if they did find out I was Phantom. I guess… there's always that fear of the chance everyone will reject me still being alive…"
He trailed off, looking across to see Vlad staring at him, his face indecipherable. At once Danny felt a twinge of unease; he'd never really told that to anyone before. He thought his friends kind of guessed what it was like for him, but he had never openly told them it bothered him. And here he was just blurting it out without a second thought.
Thankfully though Vlad didn't press the topic any further. His eyes gazed at Danny's bandaged arm for a second and he stood, returning the chair to its place. " You should rest. I'll keep watch to make sure our "friend" doesn't come back."
"What?"
Just as he was about to pull the curtain back he paused. Vlad turned back to him, a small smile creeping from the corner of his mouth. " I don't think I could sleep a wink knowing that a murderous creature was able to sneak in anyway, so I might as well be useful."
He retreated to the main part of the room, Danny finally getting his space back. But he didn't move from his spot against the wall, rubbing the faint sting out of his neck. Vlad wasn't the only one who couldn't fall asleep anymore…