I do not own anything that will get me sued.

Chapter 3: Harry Potter

Vlad struggled not to roll his eyes as his father repeated the same directions for the umpteenth time.

"Now, Vladdy, just look into the eyes and allow them to sink into your consciousness…"

"Dad," Vlad interrupted. "I'm supposed to be at the platform in ten minutes. I'm not so sure how another few seconds of hypnotism lessons are going to help."

"He's right, Dad," Ingrid smirked as she crossed her arms. "Maybe there's been a mistake. He's obviously useless at this. You should teach me."

Something about his sister had become all the more bitter over the last month before his departure to Hogwarts. In some ways, a small part of Vlad understood why. He had spent a good three days in a stupor of heightened magic power and during that time, he had done a number of fantastic magical feats: lighting up the candles, conjuring balls of flame to float, summoning objects to him, and even once completely fixing a cup he had broken during his high. Even after he had calmed down and using magic had suddenly become much harder, Ingrid seemed to seethe with anger and jealously. This was what she wanted; she had wanted it far longer and far fiercer than Vlad ever had. She was born a vampire and dreamed of being one with all of the power that came with it. Even Vlad could see how unfair it was that the younger child, the peacemaker, the "goody-goody", the male got all of the attention and magic. Vampires were supposed to be vicious, selfish, deceitful, and troublemaking. Ingrid was all of these and more but never once did she receive the respect she believed she deserved.

"Oh, shut up, Ingrid. Can't you see I'm trying to teach my son and heir?"

She let out a frustrated shriek and exited the room shouting, "Fine! See if I care! You can take Vlad to the station alone!"

The Count rolled his eyes at his daughter's outburst and turned back to his son as if nothing of importance had happened. "Now that she's out of the way, I suppose we ought to get going, hm? You're right. Perhaps you can practice on your own at school. And remember, I actually expect you to get…good grades." He shuddered. "Bats, it feels strange to say that. Normally I would ask you to do your absolute worst and make me proud but when it comes to magic, I'm afraid I'm going to have to encourage you to well."

Vlad's grin was a little strained and he tried to push the thought of leaving on such bad terms with his sister for a year. It bothered him, of course, to see her so distressed but it wasn't like he could just walk up there now and help her. She would most likely just blow up upon seeing him again. In many ways, Vlad knew he had suddenly become the very image of everything she hated.

"Now, do you have everything?"

Vlad rummaged through his things. His new kitten, still yet to be named, had been sent ahead already. It was a sort of relief for him because he feared he would lose it in the hustle and bustle.

He was still wearing his normal, bright human attire today despite his father's pleads and his robes were neatly packed in his trunk for later changing into. His materials were in his trunk and a bag mixed with silver, copper, and gold coins was tied securely to his belt. He glanced once again at the bangle that would adorn his left bicep for the next seven years and gently brushed it with his fingers before looking up at his father and nodding. "It's all here, Dad."

The Count clapped his hands excitedly and grasped the trunk in one hand and his son's arm in the other. Vlad grit his teeth for the split second they were still grounded and the next they were flitting.

It wasn't as bad the third time around. He still felt as if he was about to split a thousand different directions but at least he was now expecting it. When they came to a stop in the middle of a busy platform, he managed to stay securely on his feet and was only dizzy for a few seconds.

"Ugh," his father spat. "It still smells of Breather here, Vladdy. There's magic, of course, but still…Breather."

Vlad looked in awe at the gigantic red train proudly awaiting its arrivals. The entire place seemed completely filled with students ranging from all ages eleven to seventeen and parents or siblings that had come along to say goodbye for the year. Many of the older people here wore robes and particularly pointed hats. The attire was no stranger than his father's own archaic style and – in some cases – were even stranger. Finally, he did not stick out with his father by his side. Several of the parents even seemed just as pompous and self-assured of their regality as his father was, which just made the Count seem all the more normal.

Vlad genuinely smiled at the thought. Normal. That was a word he never thought he would ever use with his father in the same sentence.

They were still a good five minutes early but Vlad could already see the individual compartments filling up on the train. He quickly turned back to his father, an eager grin finally filling his face as he threw his arms around the Count. For a moment, the elder vampire seemed flustered but then he slowly returned the gesture. It was awkward to say the least but a part of Vlad was completely and blissfully happy in the moment. Normality was something so rare for him and to finally taste it was beautiful.

His father was the first to pull away while saying, "Well, then…I hope you do the Dracula name proud, Vladdy. And as much as you should do well in your classes, don't forget to get yourself in some sort of trouble. I expect great things from you!"

Vlad smiled in return and grasped his trunk. "Thanks, Dad. See you next year!"

As soon as he had said his part, Vlad was scrambling towards the nearest entrance on to the train. He hauled his heavy trunk up the small steps and managed not to drop it or trip along the way. As he passed through the small passageway, his eyes roamed the windows, searching for some empty spaces or groups that seemed open for one more. The further he traveled back, the more his hopes were beginning to dampen but he continued because, at last, this seemed like something a normal child did.

Right when Vlad was nearing the last of the compartments, he finally saw one that was not filled to the brim. He gratefully reached forward and tugged open the door.

"Hello," he said, suddenly shy. He had only learned English recently and he knew that he still must have a Romanian lilt to his speech. "The other compartments were busy, you see, and I was wondering if I could…?"

"Oh, of course," smiled the other boy just as shyly. His mop of completely unruly black hair was the complete opposite of Vlad's own naturally obedient locks and his eyes glittered an almost unnaturally bright green. Vlad might have almost called them pretty had there not been a pair of ancient glasses obscuring them.

"Thanks," Vlad said in relief. "I was beginning to worry that I would have to sit outside."

The other boy laughed and held out a hand as Vlad settled into the seat across. "I'm Harry Potter."

Potter…a Noble name. Good garlic, he was starting to sound like his father. "Nice to meet you, I'm Vlad Dracula."

A queer expression crossed Harry's face at the introduction and a small quirk touched his lips. "Dracula? Like the novel?"

Vlad blinked and then his eyebrows creased in a question of his own. "You don't think he exists?"

"Am I supposed to?"

Could it really be? Could it be that not all wizards knew that Dracula was a real person, a real name? Could it be that wizards didn't know that vampires existed at all? He would have thought magical beings knew of other magical beings but apparently not.

"The name Dracula…" Vlad began.

"I read the book," Harry grinned. "But I'm new to the Wizarding World; I grew up with my Muggle aunt and uncle. Are there actually vampires here?"

It was a good thing Vlad had read the introductory books before coming otherwise he would not have known what a Muggle was. What he hadn't read was whether vampires were well known here or not. Perhaps if he could hide it…

The compartment door abruptly burst open before Vlad could reply and the doorway was suddenly blocked by the reddest blob of hair and a face more filled with freckles than any other he had ever seen.

"Hi, I'm Ron. Ron Weasley. Do you guys have some room? I don't want to get stuck with my twin brothers; they're a right pain in the neck when they want to do some of their magical tricks."

Perhaps it was the way Vlad had grown up or perhaps it was just a part of the nature he had picked up from his genes, but something about Ron came across as a bit distasteful. Vlad winced at how snobbish the thought sounded but he couldn't help but think it again as he ran his eyes over the disheveled clothes and hurried air. Harry at least had an excuse. Ron sounded like he knew plenty about magic already if his brothers were already using it. His entire life, Vlad had been taught how to speak, stand, eat, and behave properly should the occasion arise. He blatantly ignored the majority of the statutes he learned, even taking the liberties to appear just as sloppy as the redhead did, but years and years of it had embedded some of those values into him.

Harry nodded once before the redhead sprawled himself on to the seat beside Vlad and smiled. "Hey, um…Sorry for intruding like this but you know how it goes…"

It didn't seem like Ron was a bad person, quite the opposite actually. He genuinely seemed to mean well but it was just the manner he carried himself that set Vlad on edge. "No, no," he hastily said in an effort to shove away his thoughts. "It's no problem."

Rob smiled gratefully before asking, "I suppose I've already introduced myself. Who are you?"

"I'm Vlad." He refrained from saying his last name. "And this is Harry."

The newcomer cocked his head at the word 'Harry' and he scrutinized the spectacled boy in the opposite seat before gasping, "You're Harry Potter!"

If the human face could mimic a tomato, Vlad had a feeling Harry's would have done exactly that. "Yea, I am."

"Can I see the – the –"

Harry tersely smiled and pulled back his bangs to reveal a thin, lightning-bolt shaped scar.

Ron guffawed and burst into praise and exclamations about how amazing this was and how Harry had taken down a Dark Lord. Vlad furrowed his eyebrows at the statements for a few moments in confusion before something in his memory finally clicked. This was the Harry Potter, the first and only person to have ever survived the Killing Curse and the vanquisher of the Lord Voldemort. When Vlad had first read that in the Modern History of Wizardry, he had been dismayed to discover that there was, in fact, a dark side to the wizarding world. That, more than anything else, had disappointed him because he had been hoping to avoid anything even remotely close to such a thing; it reminded him too much of his vampire heritage. He had been upset enough to just skim over Harry's name and it hadn't really occurred to him that he might be attending the same school in the same year as the famous boy.

As Ron and Harry carried on to converse about Quidditch, the train began to move, shifting away from the platform and out into the countryside. As they passed through the station, Vlad glanced out his window and noticed with a slight smile that his father was still there, waving at every single window in hopes of saying one last goodbye to his "Vladdy". It was only when his father disappeared from view did he turn his mind back to the conversation at hand.

"I hope I get into Gryffindor," Ron was saying. "Best House there is, you know. My whole family's been in it. I wouldn't mind Ravenclaw though and maybe Hufflepuff at worst but I would rather kill myself than end up in Slytherin." The redhead shuddered.

Vlad frowned. From what he had read, Gryffindor was the House of the Brave and Honorable, Ravenclaw the House of the Curious and Intelligent, Hufflepuff the House of the Hardworking and Loyal, and Slytherin the House of the Cunning and Resourceful. None of them seemed particularly good or bad but that had been a textbook definition. What set Ron off from Slytherin so much? He certainly hoped it wasn't just prejudiced bigotry. He had enough of that from his family.

Vlad didn't have a chance to ask why Ron abhorred Slytherin before the door opened once again.

"I heard Harry Potter was on the train," said a boy with frighteningly white blonde hair. "Is it true?"

Two larger goons seemed to materialize behind the boy as Harry exclaimed, "You were the boy at Madame Malkins!"

The blonde shrugged. "Perhaps. But is it true? Are you Harry Potter?"

Harry hesitated at the brusque question but then he nodded wordlessly. A wary look now covered the celebrity's face.

"You're Draco Malfoy!" Ron interrupted, completely oblivious to the tension that had suddenly oppressed the cabin. "I've heard of you."

Draco directed his gaze to the redhead and a sneer of disdain marred his lips. "Let me guess: red hair, hand-me-down clothes…you must be a Weasley." He turned to Harry. "I see you're getting yourself tangled up with the wrong kind. I could help you there, if you know what I mean." He extended his hand in a pompous gesture and stood waiting.

Vlad had seen this kind before. In fact, this was the only kind of person he had only ever known in his life. Arrogant and high-nosed to a fault. But as much as Vlad abhorred such attitudes, he had learned that there was often reason behind such attitudes. One did not just simply portray such a superior picture if there wasn't something – no matter how small – that indicated such a thing could be true. Only a completely insane or stupid person would carry themselves in such a manner and not some guarantee that they had something to back up their claims.

It didn't come as a surprise when the defeater of the Dark Lord scowled and snapped, "I think I can tell the right sort for myself."

The Malfoy cheeks reddened at the complete rebuff and an angry frown now tilted his lips downwards. "Fine, then. I see what kind of lot you've thrown yourself into and don't say that I didn't warn you when you had the chance to escape them." He ran a condescending glance down at Ron and then, for the first time, ran his gaze over Vlad. There was a brief flash of surprise and at what he saw but then the same downgrading look clouded it. "Let me guess, that's another product of Mudblood filth."

Vlad bristled at the insult and retorted, "I don't think you're in the position to say anything. You do not know me."

"What does it matter?" the blonde sneered. It was just as disdainful as it had been when he had been speaking to the redhead, but Vlad could detect a slight easing of the ferocity of it. Something told him that Draco had enjoyed taunting Ron, but was forcing this confrontation, as if he was only insulting Vlad out of obligation. "You choose to associate with trash; you are trash."

Vlad had spent enough time around bullies like this. He couldn't even remember how many times he had come across other pompous vampire children during his younger years when his father was still trying to get him to associate with the "better kind." (His father had ceased those efforts after Vlad had tried to make friends with a Breather down in the village when he had been six.) The only way to stop Draco's impression that he could push Vlad around was to retaliate harshly the first time.

"Well, better that than being a result of inbreeding. Aren't your parents cousins? At least I'm not destined to be a defective like you will be." He could see the amazed gapes from his peripheral vision as Harry and Ron stared at the audacity of his words. Or maybe they had not known the truth and were just shocked to hear the news. At their expressions, it struck Vlad that perhaps he should not have said something quite so vindictive. He had seen more than his fair share of incest among the vampires and the insult was hardly one to blink at for him but he had heard somewhere that relations among the related were more abhorred among humans.

A strange look lit Draco's eyes and he swiftly turned with a flush tingeing the base of his neck. "Come Goyle, Crabbe. We shouldn't associate with the filth any more than we need to."

The way the previously stubborn and unmoving snob had given up, Vlad had a horrible feeling in his chest that perhaps he had said something too inconsiderate. He wanted to stand up and tell the blond that he was sorry and that he hadn't meant for it to be quite so mean but the trio were gone and out the cabin before Vlad could act upon his impulse. Ron and Harry sat in silence upon their departure and the young vampire bit his lips. This wasn't what he had been aiming for at all. Even when trying to be good, Vlad had absorbed some of his family's natural cruelty.

Ron awkwardly coughed into his sleeve and Harry tersely glanced out the window. Vlad watched them for a while, silently begging them to talk again or do anything to indicate that this wasn't something unforgivable. It was to his great relief when Ron finally and tentatively asked, "Was that true?"

Vlad had the answer upon his lips and was about to say that it was true but he stilled his tongue. If it was something to be ashamed of, he certainly didn't want to further humiliate Draco even if the boy wasn't there. He had seen how Ron disliked the blond and realized that if he did tell the truth, the redhead might "accidentally" let the information slip in anger in the future.

"No, it wasn't," Vlad replied morosely. "I just had to say something back, you know?" The lie tasted sour in his mouth despite the good purpose it was being used for. No, this was not how he wanted to begin his school year. How was it possible that just a few minutes ago he had been exuberant and normalcy had been within his reach?

Harry frowned at the out at the scenery. "It wasn't very nice of you to say that, then."

Vlad felt a flush of shame color his cheeks and he muttered back, "I'm sorry."

Harry absorbed the apology and then he turned to look at the vampire in the eye and gave a small smile. "It's okay. That Draco was a right prat anyway, saying we were all trash."

Ron shifted in place and fumbled with his jacket for a moment. "Even if it wasn't true, it really got Malfoy out the door."

Vlad shrugged and licked his lips. The once calm and carefree atmosphere had abruptly taken a chillier turn. Neither of the other two seemed all that willing to speak to him after what he had said. The very idea that he had begun on such bad footing set Vlad's nerves on edge and he wanted nothing more than to rub himself hard as if to scrub away his mistake. That had been so stupid of him. How could he allow himself to slip like that already?

The discomfort in the air suddenly seemed too oppressive. Vlad hastily muttered some excuse and exited the cabin. In his hurry, he accidentally shut the door too harshly behind him and he winced as several other students idling in the passing way glanced over. His lips thinned at his clumsiness and he determinedly stared at the floor as he shot a beeline away from the area.

Vlad had no idea where he was going. The only thing he knew was that he just needed some time to collect himself. Associating with other people was a lot harder than he had thought. Just one wrong statement and everything as suddenly wrong. He let out a heavy sigh and paused at a section of the cart where fewer occupied the space. Vlad pressed his forehead against the glass window and unseeingly looked at the passing greenery. It seemed as if they were passing through some countryside and a lake glittered just a little ways off to the left, but nature's beauty held little hold over the young vampire. He had more pressing concerns like the impending death of his dream of a normal school year.

Vlad yelped and jumped on the spot when something small and slimy abruptly tickled his neck. Whatever brooding thoughts occupying his mind disappeared as he glanced down and realized that a toad was placidly settling itself into the crook of his neck.

"Trevor!" exclaimed a voice down the hall and Vlad looked up to see a stocky boy come dashing up to him. "You found Trevor!"

Vlad grinned slightly. "Well, I guess he found me."

"I've been looking for him for ages!" the other boy smiled. "Who knows what my Gran would have said if she found out that I lost my familiar the first few hours on the train?"

"It's a good thing you found him then."

The boy awkwardly bobbed his head in agreement before tentatively saying, "My name is Neville, by the way."

"Nice to meet you. My name is Vladimir but I prefer Vlad."

A head full of bushy, brown hair suddenly popped its way into the middle of their introductions and a girl's voice proclaimed, "Well my name is Hermione Granger and it's a great thing you found Neville's toad. It was beginning to look a little hopeless there."

Vlad looked in bewilderment at the rapid-fire interruption and he managed to smile weakly before replying, "Um…well, like I said: I didn't really do anything. Trevor came to me."

"That's fantastic," Hermione said distractedly. "Now that you've found your pet, Neville, let's get back to the cabin. I bet we missed the food trolley already and I really want to practice a few more spells just in case the professors decide to give us all a pop quiz when we arrive."

The two were gone in a matter of seconds, Neville casting one last apologizing glance over his shoulder as the overbearing girl dragged him away.

Vlad blinked once at the oddity of that meeting before a burble of laughter slipped past his lips. Who would have ever thought that his trip to school would end up like this? A toad was certainly a peculiar animal to select as a lifelong companion. And by the looks of the poor thing, it seemed as if the amphibian hadn't been that keen on spending time with Neville anyway.

The next hour or so, Vlad just stayed in place, partially hoping that some strange occurrence would happen again. But the time dragged by and eventually he mustered up the courage to return to the cabin with Harry and Ron. He had to steel himself as he stood in front of the sliding door and it took him a whole five minutes just to grasp the handle. Rejection and repulsion were not exactly things he was looking forward to but if it came to that, he would deal with it and leave. Honestly, Vlad had no choice but to return considering he had left his trunk inside.

The moment he opened the door, whatever conversation the two had been holding stopped. It appeared as if Harry and Ron had been gorging themselves on a large pile of sweets and by the manner with which they were sitting, it was obvious that they had furthered their friendship. A smile was just dying on both of their faces.

Ron was the first to recover. "Oh, you're back! It's a good thing because I was beginning to think I would have to go after you."

Doubtful, but Vlad took the statement for what it was. He wasn't stupid enough to dwell too long on it. He forced a smile and replied, "I sort of got caught up with a few people."

"Tell me about it," the redhead griped. "This bushy girl – Herninny I think she was called? – came in asking about a toad a while back. Then she just had to go and show off and then left. Girls are a right pain, if you ask me." Ron lifted a finger to his nose and asked, "There's nothing on my face right?"

The way Ron's thoughts fluttered from one topic to another left Vlad's head spinning but he dutifully said, "I think there's a little dirt along your nose."

A frown predominated the redhead's expression at the comment but Harry took the time to say, "Really, we're glad you made it back."

Again, doubtful. But if they weren't kicking him out then Vlad was hardly one to complain. He settled a little uncomfortably in the seat opposite the other two and quietly watched. Harry offered a couple of sweets but Vlad declined each time; his father had stuffed him with food in the morning already. As the other two became more accustomed to Vlad's presence in the room, the two fell into light banter about their candies and the possibilities of the upcoming year still sprinkled with the occasional mention of Quidditch. The young vampire managed a comment in here and there but ultimately, the rest of the trip was a very awkward one for Vlad.

It was almost with relief that Vlad heard the announcement to change into their robes and prepare to arrive at Hogsmeade.

~0~

The subsequent trip up to the massive castle had continued to be less than pleasant for Vlad. He had trailed Harry and Ron the majority of the time on to the boat and up the stairs to wait outside the Main Hall and silently stood to the side as Ron engaged Draco in yet another confrontation. The squabble was quickly extinguished as their Transfigurations professor and Gryffindor Head of House appeared and it was only then that Vlad allowed himself to gape at the enchanted hall. It had been breathtaking, something that finally showed him that coming here hadn't been a mistake. He had lost Harry and Ron in the crowd on their way in but he did not worry too much about it. There was almost a sense of reprieve when he was finally alone again. The two weren't bad people. Harry seemed welcoming if a little shy and withdrawn. Ron was boisterous and pulled Harry out of his shell but there was something to be said about his need to learn control. There was nothing wrong with them; Vlad just didn't mingle well with the two. The three of them didn't quite click.

So Vlad was standing alone amidst the crowd and prepared when the professor called out, "Dracula, Vladimir!"

There wasn't a stir in the hall at the name with the exception of the few muggleborns who had actually read the book that had made his father famous. It again made Vlad notice that most didn't know the Draculas actually existed and that piece of information was a comfort. Now others wouldn't have to be revolted or wary of him just because he had been born a vampire. They wouldn't have to know and would never have to know if Vlad had any say in it.

He walked up, trying not to show the anxiety that gripped him. As he settled on to the chair and gripped the edges of the seat with his fingertips, the professor plopped the worn hat on to his head and he was hit with the realization that the hat's brim was a little wide for his head. It covered most of his forehead and half of his eyes.

Oh. Interesting.

Vlad immediately flinched at the words in his mind. He couldn't quite eradicate the apprehensive and instinctive twitch of his fingers. It wasn't normal for him to hear voices in his head unless it was his parents'. It was vampire etiquette not to do telepathic communication unless it was completely necessary or invited.

Ah…I see such potential. But that is to be expected; you would not have been invited otherwise, no?

He didn't like it, this voice. If it could "see" potential, what else could it see?

So distrustful…and I see you are clever as well. You are different from your family – kind almost to a fault. But you aren't above your manipulations either, hm? Using your father's favoritism at times…

No! It wasn't like that! He had never asked for vampire tradition to be patriarchal and he loved his sister. All of the times his father ignored Ingrid were painful to watch.

In denial but obviously good at heart. It is what sets you apart from your kind. I assume you would enjoy Hufflepuff the most.

The House of the Hardworking and Loyal. Vlad could work with that. He had nothing against such traits and yellow was a nice, bright color. Hopefully they would be able to help with his search for a cure for his vampirism.

Personal gain…even your motivations are not completely pure. But your goal is. Where to put you…

A part – a large part – of Vlad was just desperate for a House he could fit in with. He wanted a House that would allow him to make friends and feel normal for once. Wasn't that the only thing he had ever wanted? The only thing he had ever truly asked for? It didn't matter to him which House so long as he fit.

I see. Very well then.

Vlad wondered if the hat was really going to say Hufflepuff the split second before its seam opened up to yell the results. It had sounded like the only House the hat had mentioned and considered.

It was with surprise that Vlad heard "Slytherin!" bellowed throughout the hall.

Grr...didn't really like how that chapter ended but there it is. I tried fixing it but the thing just wouldn't come to me. So if inspiration hits, I'll be back to word it better.

Are you surprised that Vlad ended up in Slytherin? Ignoring the fact that I have a huge bias in favor of the house, I honestly think that deep down, Vlad would end up there. He asked to "fit in" after all. Yes, he is caring and unconditionally kind and forgiving. That is a HUGE part of his character. But if you really see how he behaves throughout the series (i.e. hypnotizing Robin for the girl they both wanted even though he knew it was an unfair advantage, using any means possible to get under his father's nose to find a cure to his vampirism, using his father to see if Ms. Van Hellsing was really mindwiped or not, etc.) he really does have a manipulative streak. It's really subtle and often times unintentional but Vlad does have the talent (and genes) for it. It becomes especially noticeable after he merges with his mirror-self.

Anyway that's why I put him in Slytherin. And I contemplated making him friends with Draco but then that would have made his life too easy. So now he's stuck in a house with one other student (with powerful connections) already out for vengeance. Fun stuff!

And remember how I said I had this written already at the beginning? Yea, I completely changed a lot of the it. Before, I had Vlad friends with Draco (like I said above) and completely "buddy-buddy" with the snakes. But like I said, that would just make things boring and honestly, it wouldn't be in Vlad's character to befriend arrogant and spiteful people he sees at first anyways.

Till next time!