Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. Belongs to J.K. Rowling.
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Chapter 10: Vampires in Diagon Alley
Diagon Alley was the great shopping center of Magiterran. Every street was lined with shops bustling with goods with price ranges from the easily affordable to the ridiculously expensive. People of all sorts of status gathered here, whether they be common muggle or noble. It was located right on the border of the Kingdom of Hufflepuff and The Kingdom of Gryffindor, making it accessible to most travelers in Magiterran. Ron was completely in his element as he pointed out different stores to Hermione.
"That marble building over there is Gringotts Bank, my brother Bill works there. Its run by goblins, tricky lot they are. Over here's Honeydukes, best candy in Magiterran. Madam Malkins, you can get new robes there if you want. Oh, and we can't forget Ollivanders. All Mage Knights receive the magical cores for their weapons there. And over here is Zonko's. Joke shop, perfect place for Fred and George."
"Is there a bookstore?" asked Hermione.
Ron grumbled. "Nope, the entire population's illiterate." When Hermione's eyes went wide, he continued "Of course there's a bookstore. Flourish and Blotts. Just down the street here."
Hermione glared at him but decided to let it go. "Where's Harry?"
"At Eeylops Owl Emporium. He needs to get some treats for Hedwig, and I asked him to get something for my owl, Pigwedgeon. That way, Pig won't be such a royal pain in the....oh, excuse me Hermione."
Hermione looked up to see what had suddenly caught Ron's attention. It was a chess game between an old man and a young girl. It was clear that the girl was losing as she didn't have to many pieces left. Ron studied the chess board for a few moments before asking the girl, "Mind if I make a move for you?" The girl shrugged. Ron moved a bishop three squares and announced "Three more moves until checkmate." Sure enough, The girl checkmated the old man in three moves.
"Where did you learn to play chess?" asked Hermione.
Ron shrugged. "Just happens to be one of my talents."
It was dark when the two made there way to the Leaky Cauldron, the inn where they were staying at. They met Harry there who was carrying a large basket and a huge grin on his face. He caught Ron's eye who grinned back, then he turned to Hermione. "Hey," he said. "I got you something."
Hermione's eyes went wide. "Harry! You shouldn't have..."
Harry cut her off, "Consider it a belated birthday present. I figured it wasn't exactly fair that I have Hedwig and Firebolt and Ron has Pigwedgeon and Comet so I got you him. He's not an owl or a horse though."
Hermione looked inside the basket Harry had given her. Inside was a fluffy, orange cat. "Oh, Harry! He's adorable! Thank you so much." She gave Harry a kiss on the cheek and picked up the cat. "Hello, Crookshanks. How are you today?" Crookshanks started purring.
Ron rolled his eyes. "Crookshanks?"
"I happen to like the name very much, thank you!" replied Hermione.
Ron was about to say more when the warning bell suddenly started ringing. "Attack! Slytherin warriors have attacked!" Harry, Hermione, and Ron all shared a look that said, 'Death Eaters? Here?' The three made a mad dash into the streets when are dark figure swooped down on Hermione. It would've passed for human if hadn't have been for the pale skin, glowing violet eyes, and the large fangs. Harry pushed Hermione aside and plunged his sword into the figure's heart, whereupon it screamed crumbled into dust. It was then that Hermione noticed the name written on Harry's sword for the first time: Godric Gryffindor. Unfortunately, she didn't have time to wonder why Harry had a sword that had apparently belonged to the founder of the Kingdom of Gryffindor.
"Vampires!" shouted Harry. "They're using vampires! This is going to make the job a lot more harder! Ingenious!"
Suddenly a voice drawled behind them, "Oh, I don't know. I personally think its a ridiculous plan." Harry, Hermione, and Ron whipped around.
They saw a man leaning on a wall at the entrance way to an alley. He appeared to be the same age as them but Hermione could somehow tell that he was a lot older. He was very tall, wore silver armor, black robes and boots, and a black cape. On his back was a sword with a hilt that was decorated with emeralds. He was exceedingly handsome with raven black hair, and Hermione couldn't help but notice a resemblance between him and Harry. But the most striking feature about him were his eyes: they were blood red! Red in the direct opposite way that Harry's were green.
"And who may you be?" growled Ron. The red eyed man made a malevolent grin that sent shivers down Hermione's back.
"Tom Marvolo Riddle, at your service," he said with a polite bow.
"Are you our enemy? Are you a Death Eater?" asked Harry. Hermione saw that he seemed to have a little pain in his scar.
Riddle smirked. "I am not exactly a Death Eater. My loyalties don't go to King Lucius. However, since I am on their side, I am most definitely your enemy." Harry and Ron started advancing on him, but Riddle simply put up his hands and continued, "Now, now, now, I'm not here to fight you, Sir Harry Potter. If you must know, I simply came here to observe HER." Hermione suddenly felt cold as Riddle gestured towards her.
"And why is that?" demanded Harry.
"Wouldn't you like to know," replied Riddle. He grinned and said "It's been good seeing you again, Potter. Good bye." With that, he disapparated.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione didn't have time to reflect on their meeting with Riddle as more vampires jumped on them! The three used all the skills and spells they knew to fight off the vampires but there were too many of them. "This isn't working!" shouted Harry as he decapitated one vampire. He stopped another vampire in mid air by shouting "Impedimenta!" Next to him Ron blew up three vampires with a good "Reducto!" It was clear that he was getting exhausted. Hermione was doing some quick thinking.
"I've got it!" she suddenly shouted. "I've read all about vampires."
"What haven't you read about?" muttered Ron. Hermione ignored him.
"Hold them off for a few moments," she said. "I'll be right back." She ran to a tall building and said "Wingardium Leviosa!" She levitated herself to the buildings roof. She was just about to implement her plan when she was suddenly grabbed by a vampire. It dragged her to floor and proceeded to sink it's fangs into her neck. Before it could, though, Hermione shouted "Incendio!" The vampire screamed as it caught on fire. Hermione lost no time as she pushed the burning vampire off of her and stood up. She lifted her staff up and shouted "Lumos Solarum!" A sudden blast of sunlight erupted from Hermione's staff. It only lasted for a few seconds, but it was enough to crumble every vampire in Diagon Alley to dust.
Hermione rejoined Harry and Ron who were examining the damage. "That was ruddy brilliant, Hermione!" Ron shouted. He was beaming. "I didn't think you had it in you!"
Harry gave her a smile but remained quiet. He was searching for the Death Eaters who had brought on the attack. He finally located them trying to escape to the outskirts of the city. One of them had a gleaming silver right hand. "Wormtail!" growled Harry. He placed two fingers on his lips and blew out a shrill whistle. Firebolt came trotting out and Harry jumped on his back. He then galloped down to the fleeing Death Eaters.
Wormtail looked up and saw Harry galloping towards him. His right hand, suddenly conjured up a gleaming blade. The sound of metal hitting metal rang throughout the night as Harry's sword and Wormtail's blade met. Harry reared Firebolt up and swung his sword, underhand. He managed to knock Wormtail off of his feet. Wormtail scrambled back up as Harry rounded Firebolt around. He deflected another one of Harry's blows and used some kind of magic to fly himself up to the rooftops.
Wormtail would have escaped if a large, black, bear-like dog hadn't ran up and bowled Wormtail down. The dog suddenly transformed into a tall man. He had long black hair that was pulled into a pony tail, was wearing gray armor and a black cloak that looked travel worn, was carrying a large sword, and had a haunted look in his eyes. "Why hello, Peter!" he snarled.
"Sirius!" called out Harry. The man, who was evidently Lord Sirius Black, beamed at him before turning his attention back to Wormtail.
"S...Sirius!" stuttered Wormtail. Sirius advanced on him.
"This is for Lily and James!" Sirius swung his sword at Wormtail who deflected the blow with his blade. Sirius spun around and used his momentum to make another swing at Wormtail who again blocked. Sirius immediately went on the offensive as he continually swung his sword at Wormtail, having each blow be deflected. Wormtail, finally took a chance and managed to land a kick on Sirius. He disapparated as fast as he could. Sirius cursed loudly, sighed, and went to join Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"Harry! How have you been?!" he shouted as he and Harry embraced.
"Just fine Sirius," Harry smile quickly faded. "What about the other Death Eaters?"
"Most of them escaped," said a voice from behind them. It came from a man who was wearing the same kind of cloak and armor as Sirius. He had brown hair that was flecked with grey, and he had tired but lively amber eyes. He was riding a chestnut colored horse. "But one of them was killed in the fight, Avery I think." This man was clearly Lord Remus Lupin.
"Hello Remus," Harry smiled at him.
Remus smiled back. "I think we should all talk. We'll see you at the Leaky Cauldron." He turned his horse around went trotted toward the inn. Sirius followed. After a while Harry, Hermione, and Ron also made their way back to the Leaky Cauldron and Hermione couldn't help but wonder how Harry knew two of the Gryffindor Royal family's best friends so well. She knew that Harry was from nobility but she hadn't heard about any House of Potter that seemed to be close to the Royal Family. In fact, now that she thought about it, she hadn't ever heard of any House of Potter at all!