I do not own Harry Potter nor World of Darkness
Great Hall, Hogwarts, 31st October 1991 (Thursday)
Today, if the rumors were to be believed, Hermione had a nasty confrontation with Weasley after their Charms lesson and no one had seen her for the whole afternoon. She was even missing the Halloween's feast and the admittedly impressive display that Professor Flitwick was putting on with his enchanted swarm of paper bats.
Halfway through the meal, the doors swung open and Professor Quirrell came sprinting into the hall, his turban askew and terror on his face.
"Troll! In the dungeons!"
He continued in a whisper
"Thought you ought to know."
He then sank to the floor in a dead faint.
There was an uproar, students screaming in a panic until Dumbledore's voice exploded, silencing everyone.
"Prefects! Lead your Houses back to the dormitories. As Slytherin and Hufflepuffs are located closer to the dungeons, I'm sure Ravenclaws would be happy to take in house Slytherin and I'm equally sure house Gryffindor will do the same for Hufflepuffs. Teachers, with me."
The two groups started to form and slowly exited the hall, Gryffindor leading the way to Hufflepuff, then Ravenclaw and Slytherin to close the exodus. Harry and his friends had stuck to the very end in order to be closer to Gemma Farley, the Slytherin Prefect. They swiftly reached the moving staircases and started the climb toward Ravenclaw's tower when one of the portraits shouted at them.
"Stop! There's one more student left in the corridors! They're running to the bathroom!"
Gemma tried to walk back, but the stair had already started to move away, sliding vertically along the wall.
"Fuck!" she shouted, looking for a way down that wasn't a leap toward certain death.
Almost by instinct, Harry moved her aside, firmly planting both his feet against the wall.
"Potter! Get back on the stairs!" shouted Gemma.
"I can take them to the staircase before they get lost! By the time you get the stairs back they could be halfway to the dungeons!"
Gemma was about to say something else, but she quickly changed her mind and bit her lip.
"Don't do anything stupid and be quick!" she finally shouted.
With a nod, Harry ran towards the portrait that had shouted, frantically pointed towards the second floor corridor. He immediately spotted some very familiar red hairs walking towards the girl's bathroom.
"WEASLEY! What are you doing here?" he shouted.
"It's Hermione! She's in the bathroom and doesn't know about the Troll!"
Harry halted his run for a second to stare at the boy.
"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL A PREFECT!?"
Ron staggered back, unable to reply.
"Fine! Let's go grab her, quick!"
Harry and Ron started sprinting towards the end of the corridor. They dashed toward the open archway, only to be met with a twelve feet tall humanoid with dull, granite gray skin, a great, lumpy boulder-like body with a small bald head perched on top like a coconut. It had short legs thick as tree trunks with flat, horny feet. The smell coming from it was incredibly foul, almost forcing the boys to keel over and empty their stomachs. It was holding a huge wooden club, which dragged along the floor because of its misshapen and freakishly long arms. It seemed rather confused, but by the way it clenched its club, it was clear that he didn't appreciate the boys's presence
Ron screamed as the Troll trugged forward, wildly swinging its club across the bathroom stalls and causing another panicked scream from a terrified Hermione.
Harry stepped back, pulling out his wand while at the same time really, really wishing he had a gun instead.
"Vermillious!"
He shouted, as red sparks erupted from his wand, striking the troll on his face and causing it to flinch, slamming its club against the wall.
As the Troll's vision returned, he glared at Harry, only to be hit with another shower of red sparks.
"Run!" he shouted.
With a mighty roar, the Troll charged past Ron toward a rapidly retreating Harry.
"Verdimillious!"
An explosion of green light exploded from his wind, blinding the Troll for a split second, granting Harry the time he needed to run to the ceiling. The Troll swung at him, swiping at air as Harry was now too far up for the creature. With another roar, the Troll cocked back its arm and threw the club forward.
"Spongify!"
Shouted Harry, pointing at the flying club. The flying piece of wood slammed into him, deforming and shifting around him, but despite its newfound softness, the club carried all the momentum necessary to snatch Harry away from his secure position on the ceiling, causing him to fall, landing softly on the bouncy wooden club, right in front of an angry Troll.
Harry cursed his luck. He had used all the spells he knew, the only thing left to try was punching the thing and there was no chance in hell that was going to work.
"Pestis Incendium!"
An explosion of heat washed over the area as a flaming snake charged across the corridor, hissing at the Troll. After a second, the snake lunged forward, slamming head first into the creature, enveloping it in its flaming spires, leaving charred flesh as it squeezed the screaming Troll. After a few seconds of futile struggle, the creature fell to his knees. The snake opened its jaws, clenching hard on the Troll's neck, breaking its spine in a sickening crunch before disappearing into nothingness.
"Potter! Are you ok?"
Harry looked up at Gemma Farley, his heart pounding in his chest as he barely nodded, not trusting his own voice. The Slytherin Prefect took a deep sigh of relief, before her face got contorted with anger as she stared at the two Gryffindor.
"YOU TWO! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!"
As she was berating the two for almost getting themselves killed, the teachers finally appeared from the side corridor. Professor Snape bent over the troll.
"Dead." he declared
Professor McGonagall was looking at Ron and Hermione, madder than even Instructor David.
"What on earth were you thinking of? - she finally said with cold fury in her voice. - You're lucky you weren't killed. Why aren't you in your dormitory?"
Snape gave Harry a swift, piercing look before moving to Farley, awaiting an explanation.
"We were on the staircase when one of the portraits informed us one of the students was still in the corridor. I tried to get back, but the stairs had already moved. Mr. Potter here suggested using his ability to walk on walls to get the student back on route while I tried to get back."
She looked at Harry, gesturing to him to continue.
"I caught up with Ron. He told me Hermione didn't know about the Troll and said he had to warn her."
"Well,in that case..." said Professor McGonagall, staring at the three of them, "Mister Weasley, you foolish boy, why didn't you tell a Prefect?"
Ron hung his head.
"Miss Granger, if you're not hurt at all, you'd better get off to the Gryffindor tower. Students are finishing the feast in their houses."
Professor McGonagall turned to Harry and Ron.
"Well, I still say you were lucky, but not many first years could have taken on a full-grown mountain Troll and lived to tell the tale. Mr, Weasley, you win Gryffindor ten points for helping a fellow student, but will get one day of detention for thinking you could do this by yourself. Mr Potter, you win Slytherin fifty points for your quick thinking and courage."
Professor Snape looked at Gemma.
"Miss Farley, ten points for displaying mastery over Fiendfyre and saving these three. You may go."
The Prefect nodded, guiding the trio of first year toward the staircase.
Ron was looking somewhat somber as they reached the staircase.
"You know… I never liked the snakes. My brothers told me you're always up to no good, but… I think they might be wrong. You stood up to Malfoy and… well, you saved my life. That's gotta mean something, right?"
Harry nodded, with a smile. "Theo, Sally and Daphne are good people as well, you know?"
Ron seemed unconvinced, but didn't say anything.
"Maybe tomorrow you can talk to them and see it for yourself?" suggested Hermione.
"That would be great, but I have to drop you off now. You can continue the discussion tomorrow." Said Gemma, pointing at the portrait of the Fat Lady, the entrance of Gryffindor's dormitories.
With a nod, Ron headed inside, while Hermione hugged the two Slytherins.
"Thank you." she whispered, her voice still shaking before she rushed in after Ron.
"Gemma… You think you can teach me that fire spell?"
The older girl laughed.
"Ask me again in ten years and I'll consider it."
Great Hall, Hogwarts, 1st November 1991 (Friday)
The morning after the Troll incident, headmaster Dumbledore announced that classes were canceled for the day in order for the Professors to investigate exactly how the Troll bypassed the security wards. Theo, Sally and Daphne decided to drag Harry into the courtyard for some private talking.
"There is absolutely no way that Troll wandered from the dungeons to the second floor on its own."
"Agreed. Mountain Trolls don't just wander into castles just like that."
"Especially castles where the stairs are too small for them to fit."
"And they certainly don't have the magic to bypass Hogwart's wards."
Theo nodded. "So, we all agreed that this was no accident."
"Obviously."
"Of course."
Before they could continue their conversation, Daphne silenced them, pointing at two Gryffindors walking towards them.
"Hello, Hermione. Weasley."
Hermione smiled.
"Hello everyone. First, I wanted to thank you for saving us yesterday, Harry."
Harry smiled.
"Don't worry about it. It was the right thing to do."
"Now… Did you know that yesterday Professor Snape went to the third floor instead of the basement? Ron saw him walking to the forbidden corridor."
The group moved their focus their eyes on the Weasley.
"Are you sure about it, Weasley?"
"Of course I am!"
"Sorry, I didn't mean to insult you. It was… tactless of me." said Daphne.
"Do you think it's connected to the Troll?" asked Theo
"Oh, so you don't think it was an accident either. - said Hermione in relief. - I'm not paranoid."
"No way. Now that I think about it… Professor Snape was limping pretty hard this morning." pointed out Harry.
"He wasn't limping when I saw him walking to the third floor."
"But he was limping when we met him after your Prefect killed the Troll." commented Hermione.
"That means that he got his limp on the third floor. Did he trip on the stairs?"
"Snape is a Hogwarts professor, he should know a simple spell to cure a simple limp."
"Not if he got from a curse."
"Why would anyone curse Professor Snape?"
"Maybe because he's a git?" asked Ron
"Ok, with the exception of… almost anyone in Gryffindor house, why would anyone curse professor Snape?"
"Maybe he triggered a ward?"
"I kind of want to go and check the third floor corridor now." muttered Ron
"Believe me Weasley, you're not the only one. But Filch is watching it like a hawk, you wouldn't get anywhere close before he spots you." was Theo's dry remark.
"As if you'd do any better." muttered back Ron.
Theo looked at the boy.
"Is that a challenge, Weasley?"
"You bet! I can get in there any time I want."
"I won't believe it until I see it."
"Well, I will! I'll show you! C'mon Hermione. We have a challenge to win. For Gryffindor!"
The girl looked at her housemate with a puzzled expression.
"Oh c'mon. You'res super smart, right? I bet you know a spell or two to get past Filch!"
Hermione looked back at her friends.
"Just go. We still have to finish the Transfiguration homework. After lunch?" offered Sally.
Hermione smiled, nodded and followed Ron inside.
"Theo, you do know there is absolutely no way you won't get caught, right?" asked Daphne.
"Oh, I know. - He smiled - But I'm still pretty sure Weasley might be able to get a peek inside before being caught."
Great Hall, Hogwarts, 4th November 1991 (Monday)
Ronald Weasley had been caught sneaking out of the forbidden corridor, just as Theo had expected. For some odd reason, he spent the night in detention with Hagrid in the forbidden forest. Harry suspected that particular detention was meant to scare the boy straight, and it seemed to have worked rather well since, according to Hermione, the redhead had been mumbling something about giant spiders and half-eaten unicorns.
Theo had confronted the redhead in between classes, offering a small bow and congratulated the boy for his bravery. Ron seemed to be taken aback by it and the two boys had started to talk, soon discovering a shared passion for Quidditch. About half an hour later, the two boys joined back with the rest of the group, smiling from ear to ear.
"Cerberus." said Theo.
"They have a Cerberus in the school?" asked Sally in disbelief.
"I know! I was horrified when I saw it."
"That would explain why Professor Snape is still limping." muttered Daphne.
"That raises another question: what is the Cerberus guarding?"
"How do you know it's guarding something?" asked Harry
Theo scoffed.
"Sometimes I forget you're muggle-raised. Guarding something is the only reason to keep a Cerberus. It's… kind of their thing."
"So, there's a magical guardian three-headed dog. That probably means that whatever it's guarding, it has gotta be very important. Any idea?" asked Theo.
"The answers to the exams?" half-jokes Ron, causing a small chuckle from them.
"Maybe we should do some research on Cerberi? We gotta start somewhere, after all."
"Ok, but where to start? I don't think they are in the book of Care for Magical Creatures."
"They might be in Magizoology" pointed out Harry
"We might need to look for the Advanced Magizoology book, but I guess we have to start somewhere."
Park Royal, London, 17th November 1991 (Sunday)
Harry walked into room 3 for Fouder's day celebration, happy to once again spend the day with his friends. As usual, the celebration was a rather extravagant affair that went on from midday till dusk and was filled with music, dancing and more food than had any right being there. The celebration came to its peak when Sir Harold made its appearance at around 10 PM, offering his own little sermon before joining in the festivities together with his escorts.
Needless to say, John and Samuel were awe-struck when Harry introduced the duo to the vampire.
"It is very nice to see such young minds so dedicated and loyal to our great company. Tell me, boys: are you enjoying the festivity?"
"Yes, sir! It's all amazing sir!"
The vampire chuckled, his eyes flashing red for a second as he looked at the two eleven year old. "No need to be so stiff, boys. I bet you can't wait to get back to the celebrations, can you?"
John nodded, walking back towards the rest of the party, but Samuel stood his ground, making Sir Harold raise an eyebrow.
"Sir… I know it's not my place to ask, but I was wondering, if it isn't too much…"
"Today, boy. While I appreciate the politeness, I prefer if you were to go straight for your question."
Samuel swallowed.
"I want to join First Strike team, sir!" he almost shouted.
The vampire looked at the boy, almost amused.
"You, boy, are not ready. You are scrawny, young and most certainly too immature for such a job."
Samuel looked down, dejected.
"But. - sir Harold continued - I think there might be a solution to your problem, boy. It is highly experimental, very much in the prototype phase, but…"
A calling card appeared in the vampire's hand, handing it to the boy.
"Project… Aeneid?"
Sir Harold nodded. "We are looking for volunteers. Loyal volunteers. Trusted volunteers for our new supersoldier program. Do you think you are up to the task, boy?"
Samuel jumped into a military salute.
"Sir, yes, sir!"
"Good boy. Now go and get ready. You'll leave for Erenhot tomorrow."
"Yes, sir. Thank you sir!" he almost shouted, running to pack his bag."
"Project Aeneid?" asked Harry, curious.
"A new experimental project of mine. I have full trust that your friend will not only survive, but benefit greatly from it. Speaking of which… I heard that you're stuck on that little extracurricular endeavor of yours, right? We are very interested in acquiring a Cerberus or two, but we need information before making any hasty decisions. Do you at least have a lead?"
"Yes and no. We know that they aren't in the Care for Magical Creatures textbooks. We want to check for the Magizoology and Advanced Magizoology books, but those are for sixth and seventh year students and we're not allowed to take them from the library until the second year. Madam Pince doesn't trust first year students.
The vampire stroked his chin.
"Interesting. Maybe you should ask the teachers instead? How about the groundskeeper?"
"We tried. Hagrid, the groundskeeper, is very passionate about magical creatures, but when Daphne and Ron asked he clamped up and didn't say anything. We know that he knows something, but that's about it."
"Very passionate, you say? Well… my dear apprentice, that is most certainly a trait you should learn how to capitalize on."
Harry looked at his domitor.
"Allow me, boy, to introduce you to one of many gifts my blood can grant you, should you have the discipline required to master it."
For some reason, sir Harold giggled, as if laughing at someone's joke.
Notes
As you can see the 'mountain Troll' incident went down a bit differently from canon. While the result is pretty similar, I always felt the way the trio took down the creature was... a bit contrived. So, I added a Slytherin Prefect to the mix shooting Fyendfire for 3 reason: 1) make the troll look like a credible threat rather than a complete pushover 2) give Ron another reason to trust Slytherins 3) because that's pretty much the kind of situation where you SHOULD call a Prefect, and had to make it a point that Ron NOT calling for one was exceedingly reckless and dumb.
Also, I wanted to show off Harry's wall climbing and Fyendfire is cool AF
In case you're wondering... no, the 'mountain Troll' is not a WoD Troll. I don't think they ever show up in future books, so I don't think telling you it was an Ogre (fitting, don't you think?) will count as spoiler
The plot is more or less following the first book's tracks, with the group learning about Fluffy, but choosing to investigate in a slightly different direction than they do in canon, mainly because Harry has no clue about the stone: he wasn't there when Hagrid took it out of Gringott!
Samuel gets an upgrade! He'll come back in the future and may or may not play an important role (haven't reached that part yet)
Yes, Harry will be learning a Discipline. Whoever guess correctly which one earns one dose of Vitae
Answering PM/Reviews
Yes, Harry is a Ghoul. He receives Vitae regularly via owl, but since it is listed as medicine, people don't really question it.
The name Vitae doesn't raise eyebrows because, as you will learn, the wizarding community is EXCEEDINGLY ignorant of... pretty much anything. Micro spoiler for something that happends in about 200 pages, but some character will point out that this level of ignorance is so deeply rooted that it feels deliberate.
I... honestly have no idea what happends when a vampire drinks unicorn blood. I bet something weird, after all we already have in canon that Changeling blood is the vampire equivalent of LSD and that Kitsune have a rather... fiery reaction to Vitae, so SOMETHING unusual has to happen. Could be an interesting subject for a side chapter, thanks for suggesting it!
While funny, Quirrelmort is NOWHERE CLOSE the same level of Zettler. Don't get me wrong, at some point Voldemort will learn about him, but so far (currently writing the first Triwizard Tournament task) he hasn't. Looking forward to that specific confrontation tho.
