Vlad Tepes
The night was young, well young for one who can only go out at night, when Vlad was walking down a London street. What Vlad wasn't, was walking alone as his elder sister Ingrid had come to the conclusion that the only way to cheer her brother up after his breakup was to get him astonishingly drunk. So Vlad had spent most of his evening being dragged from one bar to another by his at times homicidal big sister.
So that was how the two vampires ended up passing by the entrance to a dark alley when they heard the sounds of a struggle and then a bone chilling scream and the scent of fresh blood. Both vampires made for the alley, their speed making them appear as if from thin air. The scene that greeted them was one of horror and death. The was blood over the wall and beneath it lay a young women covered in slashes and and her own blood, while over her stood a figure dressed all in black wearing a hood and mask.
Vlad knew several things, first that the woman was dead, second that the man, breather, had murdered her, third that he he was both horrified and shocked that one human being could do that another, fourth that he was angry but that finally all those different thoughts and feeling had been transformed and merged into a single all consuming feeling. Hunger!
Vlad flashed in front of the fleeing man, his eyes black voids of darkness, bearing his fangs. The man made a move with his left hand, which was grasped around a wooden implement.
A Stake Vlad thought so quick as lighting he used his strength to tare the mans arm clean off his body and then his fangs where in his throat. The blood was flowing in his mouth and for first time in weeks, since Erin, since Malik, since Elizabeta did Vladimir Dracula feel at peace. The blood drowned out the pain, the loss, the heart ache all of it. Soon the Vlad was left standing over a one armed bloodless corpse when Ingrid, who in his rage and bloodlust had totally forgotten was with him, attracted his attention.
"Vlad umm look at this" Ingrid exclaimed while examining the severed arm with a look of pointed interest
"Uh what did I do" Vlad said with a look guilt beginning to form on his face.
"You my breather loving brother just killed a human" she said with clear mirth in her voice. Vlad gave her a pointed look. "oh don't look at me like that he killed that woman, he was a murderer, most probably a serial killer Jack the ripper wannabe, you've more than likely done the world a favour by ridding it of him. Any way that's not what I uh doesn't matter look at his arm"
"Its just an arm holding a stake Ingrid, are you seriously going to tell me you've never seen one before". Vlad replied a touch of annoyance creeping into his voice.
"That's not a stake bat brain and there a weird tattoo, here look" Annoyance also beginning to show it self in her voice and demeanour.
"Of course it's a ….. weirdly decorated stick" he finished in deadpan tone and then pocketed it out curiosity.
"Yes but more importantly this skull and snake tattoo is alive"
"What do mean alive" confusion evident in his voice.
"ITS MOVING VLAD" she proclaimed
Just then sirens and the flashing of blue lights broke through the gloom of the dark night, announcing the imminent arrival of the police. Some must have noticed the commotion in the alley and called them.
"Time to go little brother" said Ingrid as she took off into the night's sky as a bat. With her brother following her lead and do likewise moments later. Leaving behind in the alley two separate but equally brutal murder victims.
The two vampires returned to their human form as they arrived back at the home, current seat of their father the prince of darkness and the scourge of all men Count Dracula, Garside Grange independent day school. As the counts two offspring were walking down the halls of their home a voice spoke behind them, that was laced with sarcasm.
"And where have you two been all night my darling children" the Count said has he put a firm hand on each of their shoulders and forcibly directing his children into the throne/dining room. He then stopped and took a long smell of the room. "I smell fresh blood" the count exclaimed while staring intently at his son and heir.
Before Vlad could say anything Ingrid quickly cut in "Vlad killed a breather".
Then turned to look at Ingrid "when you said that a night out with you would cure him, I wasn't expecting such quick results. Well done daughter" the Count turned to address both his children at the same time "now tell me everything spare no details" before either of his children could speak the count spoke in a firm and booming voice "RENFIELD open a bottle of someone red and full bodied. This is a time of celebration" and to Vlad and Ingrid "Well go on then" with anticipation oozing from his voice.
"BRAVO" cried the Count when Ingrid had finished recounting how Vlad had torn the masked man apart "I knew you'd get it in the end, how could you not you're a Dracula after all"
Vlad meanwhile was sat down, fiddling with his fancy stick that he had taken from the dead man, tuning out his father and sister revelling in his so called glory. When his father addressed him directly "What's that you have there Vlady". Both Ingrid and Renfield turned to look at Vlad.
"Oh this no idea, the masked man had at first I thought it was stake" Vlad said still curious about his find. The Count took the item from his son's hands and examined it carefully.
"Oh Vlady this is no stake; this is something I haven't up close in several centuries" the Count said with a growing seriousness "this is a wizard's wand" he then turned to look at both his children and said "you killed a wizard. What did I tell you about interfering in wizard business?"
"Hey don't look at me, it was Vlad who killed him" Ingrid exclaimed pointing at Vlad.
This was lost however on the prince of darkness who stood to the side muttering to himself "bad things happen to vampires who mess with wizards". Then the Count finally managed compose himself "right then children we have a busy time a head of us now, because of Ingrid's careless actions"
"How is any of this my fault?" Ingrid cried
"Oh you've changed your tune five minutes ago this was all your great triumph" Vlad shot back
"SILENCE" the Count shouted his eyes flashing red while thunder boomed and lightning flashed "we must proceed with caution, I have tangled with wizards before and have no great desire to do so again, they have more laws than you can shake a blood bottle at and they use foul curses and hex's" the Count said shuddering. "we need to find out as much as as we can about Vlady's victim. But for now the sun is rising, its been a long night I think we should all get some quality coffin time as tomorrow we must go forth into the world of Breathers and Wizards" the count finished with one final shudder.
Breakfast had been laid out by the servants at Malfoy Manor when the master of the house Lucius Malfoy, the head of that most noble and prestigious family, heard the news of the demise of his fellow Death Eater and comrade in arms.
"So I hear Macnair snuffed it last night" said the tall thickset man who was currently a quest at the manor for breakfast, in half amused tone.
"Rodolphus must you always be so crude" Lucius Malfoy chided his brother in law and then decided to probe him for information "do we yet know who or what caused our late comrades demise" he inquired in his trade make smooth manner.
"Yes and no" Rodolphus replied, vague as usual.
"Can you be more specific Lestrange" a hint of amusement creeping into his voice.
"Probably Malfoy" Lestrange fired back now fully smirking. He then noticed a look annoyance beginning to form on his brother in laws face. "our sources within the ministry say it was a vampire. Although the identity of said vampire is currently unknown, the Dark Lord has said that he is having the matter looked into. He believes this may be the road to getting those creatures to be of some use to the cause, like Greyback and his pack of mangy dogs"
Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, O.M. (First Class), Grand Sorc., D. Wiz., X.J. (sorc.), S. of Mag.Q and headmaster of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry was drinking his early morning tea when he heard to loud and firm knocks upon his office door.
"Enter" he spoke firmly.
Alastor Moody grunted as closed the door behind him upon entering the headmaster's office.
"What brings you to my humble abode this fine morning Alastor?" Dumbledore inquired.
"Macnair's body was found this morning along with that of a muggle woman" the Scottish Auror explained. "found still in robes and mask but he'd been done in by something a lot stronger and faster than him, body drained of blood too, the official report is saying death by vampire"
"Vampire you say, odd for a vampire to target a wizard and a Death Eater at that" Dumbledore said softly.
"Could be a message that the vampires are in no mood for an alliance, which would be good news for us Dumbledore"
"Or it could mean the very opposite Alastor, that they are in fact very much open to a possible alliance with Lord Voldemort"
"That's a terrifying possibility" Moody said with worry.
"we will have to use oh how do you fraise it Alsator are yes constant vigilance" Dumbledore said with a chuckle and a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. Now tell me about that poor muggle woman, Macnair's victim I gather".
Much later that day as the sun was setting Vladimir Dracula awoke from his coffin and made his way to the throne/dinning room where he was surprised to see his father and sister already up. "good evening Your Highness sleep well" the Count asked in a joking manner "your just in time, don't forget me and you are going out tonight Vladimir to clear up Ingrid's mess"
"Eat garlic" Ingrid said snidely
"I thought Ingrid was coming with us" Vlad said
"Ha as if I'd let her ruin our evening" the Count fired out with a pointed look at Ingrid
"Actually a meeting of the VHC has been called so I'm needed in the old country" Ingrid shot back as she grabbed her cloak and took flight.
"So where are we going then?" Vlad asked his father.
"The description of the wizard you gave Vlad would indicate he was most probably a dark wizard, well all the interesting ones are, so well go to place that I have been reliably informed is often frequented by such wizards" the Count started patting his pockets and produced a peace of paper squinted at it and finally said "Knockturn Alley"
"what kind of name is that" Vlad asked
Vlad and the Count landed and resumed human form on the corner of Diagon Alley, which the Count was informed was a sort walk from Knockturn Alley and was also a wizard dwelling. The vampires where walking down a side street when Vlad noticed something, a group of people dressed almost identically as the wizard Vlad and Ingrid had encountered the previous night. "here's an idea lets follow them" Vlad send before speeding onto the roof of a building adjacent to were the group has going. The Count deciding, he had little choice but to follow his son did likewise. The two vampires followed the masked group until they came to a house, the wizards because was pretty sure they were wizards at this point, pointed wands at the door, there was a flash of light and the door was blown of it hinges. The masked group proceeded to enter the house and then the screaming began.
Vlad could do little but watch and listen, having not been invited into the house by one who lived there. Then after what felt they like an eternity and several green flashes the screaming stopped, the masked people left the house, with one of them casting a bolt of light towards the sky which created the form of a skull and snake above the now empty house. The count then announced "well time to go home I think" and the two vampires took flight.