The Phantom of Hogwarts

Chapter Sixteen

Erik was snapped awake by the sensation of a cold cloth being pressed on his forehead. He shifted his gaze around the unfamiliar room until it was settled on a weary Anatole, who was sitting beside him on the bed he now lay on. Anatole's outer cloak was draped over an armchair and his shirtsleeves were rolled up exposing his arms. The crook of his left arm was wrapped in a layer of bandages.

"Father?"

A relieved smile appeared on Anatole's face, "Thank goodness you're awake, Erik. How are you feeling?" he asked softly.

"My head hurts…"

Anatole nodded and gently helped Erik to sit upright, "That's understandable. Varick slammed you into the wall pretty hard. You're lucky he didn't crack your skull. Hold the cloth to your head. I will be right back."

Erik slowly nodded and leaned back against the pillows as Anatole fetched a tray of food and a steaming cup of cider. The tray was laid across Erik's lap causing the boy to groan at the prospect of eating.

Anatole nodded in sympathy, "I know you don't feel up to it but you have to eat in order to regain your strength. Drink this first and make sure you swallow it." Anatole said passing Erik a familiar small blue bottle.

Erik immediately regretted downing the substance as the sickening sweet taste hit his tongue.

"The theatrics are not necessary, Erik. Swallow it." Anatole said firmly.

Erik swallowed and quickly drank the offered cider to wash the awful taste away.

Anatole chuckled at the dirty look he received once the throbbing was gone from Erik's skull.

"Just be lucky you're not drinking one of Madame Galena's potions. I, at least, try to make it easy to swallow."

Before Erik could retort his hand drifted down to his neck, which was tender to the touch and wrapped in a thin layer of bandages, and the smirk on Anatole's face instantly vanished.

"Eat first and then we'll talk."

Erik locked gazes with Anatole, "What happened?"

Anatole sighed and removed the tray from Erik's lap setting it on the bedside table. His task complete the older man pulled the chair alongside the bed and locked gazes with Erik.

"You, my boy, had your first encounter with a half vampire. Luckily, there will be no long-term consequences from this little misadventure. You did need a small amount of blood, which I was able to spare." Anatole explained gesturing to the bandage around his arm.

"I wasn't imagining it? Varick really did drink my blood?"

"He did indeed."

"He hit Vanessa! Is she all right?" Erik demanded recalling the plight of his friend.

"Calm down, Erik. Vanessa is just fine. Madame Galena tended to her injuries and is having her spend the night in the hospital wing so she can rest. You were brought to my room instead so we could discuss this and decide what to do."

"About what?"

"Whether you wish to retain your memory of this incident and be made aware of the Le Mort family secret. After hearing it, if you feel unable to keep it between the two of us I will use a Memory Charm on you. Agreed?" Anatole asked bluntly.

Erik nodded.

"During my time as an apprentice Auror, I worked closely with Vladislaus Le Mort. He was a good patient teacher, which was not easy to be when faced with my reckless antics. The two of us became like brothers and he saved my skin on numerous occasions. The opportunity to pay him back came when I learned the secret of his true nature. In the aftermath of a violent skirmish, Vladislaus was injured and I gave him the blood he needed to heal himself."

"Mr. Le Mort is a vampire?"

"Yes and descended from a long uninterrupted line of pure-bred vampires. Vladislaus, however, defied centuries of tradition by marrying a witch. Vanessa and her siblings are the result of their parent's most unusual union."

"Why is it so unusual?"

"If you recall from your History of Magic class, vampires and wizards have never been on good terms. Neither side completely trusts the other and tension has always existed even in times of peace. For this reason, Vladislaus keeps his true nature a secret and does all he can to protect his children. Unfortunately, you can't anticipate everything."

"Like what Varick did?" Erik asked gesturing to his neck.

"Exactly. A half vampire is quite different from a purebred vampire. The fact that the Le Mort children also possess wizard abilities makes them especially unpredictable. A half vampire can withstand sunlight and is physically stronger than the average mortal but they lack the venom needed to produce other vampires, which is why your aunt has allowed the Le Mort children to attend Hogwarts. If anyone else knew, the Le Morts would be expelled and Antoinette would find herself out of a job. Fear and ignorance are devastating diseases."

"Worse than Foot in Your Mouth syndrome?" Erik asked attempting a joke.

Anatole remained stoic, "Much worse. However, it was arrogance that led to the events of tonight. Half vampires go through a tough time as they begin to develop into mature adults just as any other normal child would. Young Vlad's relatively smooth transition lulled all of us into a false sense of security. Once again you are paying the price for my shortcomings." he grumbled.

Erik rolled his eyes, "It's not your fault, Father. I'm the one who decided to tackle Varick."

Anatole heaved an exasperated sigh, "Don't think I forgot that little detail. What were you thinking? I thought you had some brains, Erik! You could have been killed!"

In the midst of Anatole's rant, there was a soft knock on the door followed by the entrance of Antoinette, who gave Erik a sympathetic smile.

"Oh, Ana, don't be so harsh. He is your son after all. If he had not done something stupid by now I would have begun to doubt that he was yours."

Anatole's hands raked through his hair, "I suppose that is true. I trust that you have made Vladislaus aware of tonight's events?"

"He and his wife arrived a short time ago and took Varick home. Don't worry, Erik, he'll be returning in a few days. Varick just needs the time to rest and learn from his father how to best control his bloodlust…"

Anatole silenced his sister with a raised hand, "Nette, I think that it would be best to spare Erik the details. At least until we know that what he wishes to do."

Erik knew exactly what his father was talking about and did not need to think it over. Not after all that, Vanessa and her brothers had done to help him feel at ease around the others.

"I won't betray the Le Morts. They're my friends." the boy said bluntly.

His father and aunt smiled at Erik's answer. Anatole gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze and smiled, "If Vladislaus were here he'd be honored to count you among his circle."

"He would indeed. Erik, I also came to tell you that Miss Daee is waiting outside to see you. She is most concerned for you."

Erik's face instantly went pale, "She is?"

Anatole nodded, "It appears your heroics had quite an effect on her. Do you want us to show her in?"

Erik suddenly realized that he was without a mask and his hands flew to his face.

Anatole grabbed hold of his hands and gently forced them down, "Erik, it's all right. Calm down. There is nothing to be afraid of."

"Please...she can't see me. Not like this."

"Will this help? I had one of the school elves fetch it from your room." Antoinette asked pulling Erik's white mask from the folds of her cloak.

Tears budded in Erik's eyes as he accepted the mask from his aunt. The mask easily settled on his face the small clips slid effortlessly into his hair securing it into place. Erik let out a deep calming breath as the familiar feelings of comfort and confidence returned to him.

Anatole looked troubled by the effect the mask had on his son but chose not to comment.

"Ready?"

Erik nodded and moved to sit upright on the edge of the bed.

Anatole quickly removed the bandages around Erik's neck and upon his approval, Antoinette admitted a concerned Christine into the room.

"We'll leave the two of you alone." Antoinette said quickly gesturing for Anatole to follow her out of the room.

Before Erik could say anything Christine rushed to his side and seized him in a fierce hug causing Erik to let out a pained grunt.

"Oh, Erik, I'm so sorry I slapped you! If I hadn't run away none of this would have happened!" Christine sobbed oblivious to the pain her tight grip was causing.

"No. I'm the one to blame. I'm sorry for what I said, Christine. It was cruel and you did nothing to deserve it." Erik said quietly.

"Your actions have earned my forgiveness, Erik. You were so brave to scare that gargoyle away from Vanessa and me." she said smiling.

"Gargoyle…right it was nothing. I couldn't let you two get hurt." Erik stammered.

"Are you feeling well enough to rejoin the party? I promise I will dance with you."

Erik nodded, "Sure but you go on ahead. There's something I have to do first."

In the quiet of the hospital wing, Vanessa Le Mort looked up from the book she was reading and smiled.

No words were exchanged as her friend Erik Garron set a small bouquet of pink geraniums and white freesia in a vase on the bedside table. Her smile remained after the two of them bid each other goodnight and promised to see one another at breakfast the next morning.

Author's Note: I know that it's been a while since I updated but I hope this makes up for it! Erik's choice of flowers was based off the language of flowers, a custom popular in the days of Queen Victoria. Freesia flowers mean trust while geraniums symbolize true friendship. Please let me know what you think! Happy Holidays, everyone!