On a Hot Summer Night

[AN]SPOILER ALERT:

I've finished DH. On Saturday in fact. As anyone else who has finished it as well knows that H/S fics are going to be a bit tougher to write. This, obviously, has an entirely different idea for the final battle, and I am going to keep it that way: ignoring DH. I loved DH (it is my fave of the series) however it is not conducive for this fic. Anyway, enjoy the chapter, and thank you for all of the reviews.[/AN]


The rest of the week flew by for Hermione. She had finished one paper, and had moved onto another: one examining the biological makeup of a vampire's blood. Before she was scared to delve into her own kind and its scientific qualities. Upon her new understanding of herself she was confident that this paper would change the look of vampires as a whole. Besides, Severus would be impressed. Her eyes were sore after hours of peering into her microscope and when she looked at the clock on Saturday she was shocked to find that the hands pointed to 10 PM. Gasping out loud, she made a mad dash to get ready. A flowing white dress was her choice of attire, her wand securely fastened to her hip with a holster on the inside. It allowed her easy access if things became out of her vampiric control.

She let her frizzy hair roam free, placing a few black streaks in it with her wand to 'blend in' with the crowd. Having not been to a vampire bar, she wasn't sure what to expect. However she pictured quite a bit of 'goth' people. No matter. Makeup went a bit on the heavy side: her eyes outlined with deep black and her lips red as blood. Before she left she brewed a cup of green tea and carefully added a bit to a bowl with thawed blood. Mixing it like a careful potion master, she added the liquid to a syringe and shot the concoction into her arm. The tiny incision healed, and Hermione was left feeling more awake and alive. It was a tip she had picked up when she was doing research for her current paper.

The clock already said 10:45 which left little time to find Dracula's Daughter. Holding her breath out of habit, she apparated to a designated spot in the directions. From her vantage point, she spotted the club, and walked towards it, already praying that Severus was there, so she would not have to deal with other vampires alone.

Severus was there all right, however not where Hermione would have wanted him. Crouched on a building rooftop just above the club, he watched her apparate in and her frantic search for him. He had expected her earlier; after all, Hermione was a very punctual person. When she arrived, he forgot all about her timing. She looked like an angel to him, the only thing missing were wings. His dark eyes tracked her movements as she joined to line for vampires to gain access to the club. From such a height he could still tell that she was shaking with fear and the unknown. He would let her be for a while, he decided, and smirked when the bouncer moved to greet her.

"Sire?"

For such a young vampire, the question should have been obvious to Hermione. But for some reason she stuttered, perhaps unsure of how she should react.

"Oh...um...I'm British you see..."

"Sire?"

"Severus Snape."

There was a hush that fell over the crowd waiting to go inside. They had all heard of the vampire/wizard who was instrumental in defeating a very large threat to the whole world. The fellow vampires also knew of his 'age': only 25. If this little miss was trying to pass herself off as his fledgling, she would have quite a bit to answer for in their minds.

"Really now? Age?"

Biting her bottom lip was habit, but now she did it to show that she was a vampire, by putting one fang on the lip, bleeding it a bit. The response from the bouncer was not a positive one, and she was unsure of how to answer. Vampires were immortal, and some of those surrounding her were quite old. If she answered with her combined age it would show her inexperience. On the flipside, if she answered with the amount of years that she was a vampire, it might upset them. In this community, both she and Severus were still youths.

"I should be 29...but I've been a vampire for 10 years now."

Scoffs came from the surrounding crowd. News of the so-called daughter of Snape had made way into the club, and vampires were trickling out to catch a bit of the action. The bouncer's eyes gleamed in the way Dumbledore's would, however Hermione sensed that it was nothing like the mischievous quality of her former Headmaster, this was trouble. It was becoming harder for Severus to spot his little girl, and this worried him a bit. Catching glimpses in-between the heads and shoulders of vampires, he saw she was being handled by the bouncer in a very rough manner.

The much larger vampire grabbed her arm, and twisted it. With heightened senses came enhanced pain and Hermione let out a shriek to match sirens. Her savior swooped down from his perch, looking quite like a bat in wizarding robes, and placed a reassuring arm on her shoulder. Hermione let out a sigh of relief as she saw who it was and glared at the bouncer to intimidate him by showing him that he was wrong.

"I am allowed in, Tariq? Or shall I have to take this up with Ather."

At the utterance of such a well-known name the crowd around the entrance dissipated. Hermione looked confused however, but let it slide until it was the right time to ask. Tariq, now slightly terrified, bowed his head and allowed the two young vampire/wizards into Dracula's Daughter.

It was a sight unlike any other. At least for the sheltered and innocent witch. The floor was dimly lit, although vampires could see as if it were day. Instead of poles to hold the ceiling there were cages holding humans: some well kept, others ghastly looking. For a chance to bit bitten, or even turned, the healthier ones danced as if in a strip club. The two side walls were bars serving all sorts of blood drinks. Towards the back was a stage, normally holding ceremonies such as turnings and marriages, and occasionally a band or two. A balcony lined all four walls and served as a VIP lounge as well as meeting halls that could be reserved. The main hall was always for the Ancients: a group of vampires over 500.

Colors were darkened, as if the sun was being blotted out. A low rumble emitted from invisible speakers and the music was off-putting and comforting at the same time. Dancers and those deep in conversation took a moment to look at the couple, then returned to their business as if their presence was nothing. Few humans roamed the floor, most of them looking for a vampire to turn them. Some of the humans belonged to a vampire however, in what was called a 'pet'. Severus whispered the information that Hermione needed to know, and she simply nodded along.

Taking her hand, he led her to the bar on the left and ordered for them both. The bartender gave a curt nod to Severus, and two humans wallowing in alcohol moved once they saw the look on the bartender's face. Severus motioned for her to sit, and he followed suit.

"Now that I don't feel quite as out of the loop, will you kindly tell me who is Ather?"

He was surveying the club for familiar faces when she spoke, and her voice brought him back to her presence. His looked at her mischievously and he simply smiled and waited for their drinks. When they arrived he took one and inhaled the aroma. Hermione only did the same out of curiosity.

"It's infused with cinnamon and vanilla. Almost smells like Amortentia..."

The last sentence was held under his breath, although he was sure that Hermione would have heard him. There was one more smell missing from this drink that would make it his Amortentia: raspberries. Allowing Hermione to draw her own conclusions, he spoke in a hushed voice, intending for only her to hear.

"Do you know why I have brought you here? Don't answer. I'm aware of your guesses. Feeble attempts in my mind. You are here to duel. Not a wizard's duel however, a vampire duel. You will not have use of your mind powers here. This will require physical strength. Something a vampire has in great supply. Common sense tells me that you have yet tapped into this resource. No matter, you'll learn quickly. Oh, and give me your wand. Others can sense it for its magical properties. And it won't make them happy."

Hermione's jaw dropped, but she did as she was told, lifting her dress so her whole thigh was exposed, but only for Severus. Of course she was teasing him, and as she slid the wand out of its holster, she couldn't help but smile as she saw Severus' gaze. Although she was frightened, she put on a tough front, and spoke with confidence.

"Let's get on with this, shall we?"