Roses Black

Unravel their will my pet
And set these mortals free

-Sonic Dementia, Immortalis

I'll never tell.

Shhh...Don't tell; it's a secret.

I know a secret,

Dark it is,

Sinister and evil.

I'll never tell.

It could chill your being,

It could freeze your soul.

It's made of all things leftward,

And it doesn't like the sun.

I'll never tell.

Indeed it is lonely,

I bet you want to know my secret,

But I can't tell you, definitely not.

No, I never tell.

-Shireen Mclean

Chapter 3: I'll never tell

L

uscinia woke to a complete silence. Glancing about her dark room, she found that Blaise had disappeared.

Good,

she thought happily, no post-haste decisions are to be made. She grinned absently as she sat up, tugging downwards on her midnight coloured sleeves that had bunched around her elbows, she hated that. She winced slightly as a shooting pain shot from the top of her head, down to her feet and back again, "He didn't..." she whispered, why would he betray her trust so? Unless...well he was a vampire, and their ability to keep a promise was as weak as a wineglass that was wrapped in thorns. Technically, he hadn't 'promised' anything.

She rubbed the palm of her hand against her neck; indeed, the indentations were there, fresh, painful, and raw. She let her tongue roam the inside of her mouth, yes, that was the flavour she remembered.

"I'm going to kill that distrustful, little wanker as soon as I get my hands on him!" Her voice, even in anger, was pleasantly smooth. She growled and punched one of her pillows; it burst into an eruption of feathery madness. She just couldn't believe it, how could he have done something so...depraved? She wanted to scream and cry, laugh maniacally and hit things, but the logical part of her brain told her to think it over.

So much for living a normal

human existence. She threw up her hands in anger and stalked to her bathroom, just to make sure she wasn't over reacting (No! Really?). It could be anything, she could have been in an awkward position as she slept, and as for the indentations and the taste of sweet, sweet...No I won't believe it!

As she made her way across the short expanse between bath and bed, she noted that her movements were smooth and elegant, with out even trying. She was almost absolutely sure that he had performed the transitus, and she was not what most would call 'happy.' Besides being incomprehensibly angry, she was pleased. A conflicting emotion to the one coursing through the human part of her mind. She liked her new body, and the catlike grace that came with it. Even more annoying was the fact that if there was an altered side of her it wanted to feel this change, this transition.

She opened the door to her bath soundlessly, letting her lightly shoed feet glide across the bathroom's white marble floors. The brightness was hurting her eyes, and she felt sick as she saw the image in the ornately carved silver mirror on the opposite wall. Roses wound around the frame, thorns as sharp looking as knives, petals as soft as down. But Luscinia wasn't looking at the frame, she was looking at her reflection. She gave a wild shriek of rage and spun on her heal, out of her quarters. She was hungry, and very, very angry.

When Luscinia looked into the mirror she saw, a pale flower, a deadly rose, a girl with blood red eyes.

***

Draco raked a hand through his hair, sighing in defeat. Whoever that boy was, he was no good. Draco had spent the last two hours fretting over why the red eyed youth had wanted to see Luscinia. Draco paused, his feet were tired of the constant back and forth of his pacing, and his brain was drawing a blank.

The green light in the common room was tumbling over his body, and any one who saw him would think him a painting. Possibly entitled, Frustration with a hint of shrewd indifference. Shadows cascaded over one half of his form; the other half was illuminated with the sickly green colour that reminded him so of the killing curse.

Looking up at one of the dungeon walls, he saw a bloodied man walking with a look of true pain and desolation on his face across a tapestry. He grinned slightly; he'd go for a walk, yes, that would cool him off.

He was about to leave the Common room when a sharp tapping on one of its windows made him look up sharply. His owl, Ehanay, was looking very impatient as he walked over to the solitary window and let her in. The eagle owl swooped into the common room and dropped a letter on his head. He glared at the golden feathered owl as he opened the letter, addressed to him in dark blue ink.

Draco,

I hope that my letter finds you in good health, and of sound mind. (You know: that old Malfoy madness!) I'm writing to you to tell you that something big is going down. I mean Voldemort big. I find myself at a bit of a crossroads, sorry to tell you I still haven't chosen sides, the Light that is Potter or the sinister Voldemort...I really don't know. I mean the guy practically adopted me, I've no inclination why, and your father has been overtly 'fatherly' towards me, what with the 'death' of my mother and father, he always was nicer to me then most, not that I approved of it.

It must be interesting, being at Hogwarts for the summer, with Potter and Luscinia no less. Though Luscinia is a nice girl, granted, but Potter is, well... I wont elaborate. Myself, I always thought that he might make a good Slytherin, that is, if his mates weren't so...naïve. It's sickening really.

You know, I found something out about our dear 'Lord' (I'm giggling here like you wouldn't expect) he's not who we think he is! Very interesting discovery, that. I'll tell you when school gets in...what fun!

Oh, I'm ready for a new year of Gryffindor baiting, are you? Potter should be careful though, the majority of the Slytherins have it in for him. Although, I suppose I never accosted him out-right (probably never will), but I have my own reasons for that.

Did you hear about Fudge? Well, probably not, HE'S DEAD! No one knows what happened, no one on the light side, openly, that is. I heard your father and Voldemort talking, apparently, it was done by a new operative...don't know who though.

Oh Draco, I hope that Luscinia isn't too strange, what with her attraction to you and all.

Speaking of Luscinia, the Vampires are getting active, I've no idea why, but it may be something...painful!

Your mother won't stop fussing over me, it really is getting to be a bit much, saying how she 'never had a little girl!' Honestly, how do you handle her?

So what is it like? Being at Hogwarts for the summer? I feel awful about what happened, your father doesn't know I'm writing this by the way, so you're safe.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Love,

Cassandra Moon

Keeping up the nightly fun

.

Draco pondered over his cousin's letter. Fudge was dead? Well that's a new development. He thought, scratching his head. His father and mother always liked Cassandra more then most, so that was nothing big. He knew that Luscinia was 'attracted' to him, so no news there. What was this about having her own reasons for not teasing Potter? Curious.

She was something of an inside informer to both sides. Cassandra was in his year, also in Slytherin, and, like himself (or like he'd recently become), neither a 'Hero worshipping people-pleaser' or a 'Dark-lord hem kissing evil-doer.' Though she was in the middle because of her own reasons, and not just her pride (like himself. He wouldn't bow down to anyone). She was the daughter of the late Nara Malfoy and Regis Moon, though they weren't dead, per-say. He reached for a piece of parchment and a quill, writing down his reply whilst thinking of her letter.

She just had to bring up the incident, honestly, the one thing in life that gave him that much pain and she had to bring it up. Albeit, she brought it up out of concern, but still.

And did she say that Voldemort 'practically adopted' her? Curiouser.

Even more curious was the comment about the Dark Lord not being whom they thought he was. He finished his letter with a flourish, blowing on it lightly to dry the ink.

Cassandra,

I am in good health, and of sound mind, so you don't have to worry.

Your letter was most puzzling...do explain. What are your reasons for not accosting Potter out-right? Hmm...does someone have a crush? Cassie, I never would have guessed that you were the type to fall for The Boy Who Refused to Die!

Who cares about the bumbling idiot, Fudge? Really, he's is better off dead. Killed by a new operative? Really, I wonder who it could be? I'm betting one of the Weasleys did it, the snooty one. Just kidding, those redheaded paupers couldn't pull off murder if it was their own.

So Mr. Riddle has 'practically adopted' you, has he? Curious. I never suspected one so, 'je ne sais quoi,' to be the 'fatherly' type. And I expect to hear all about him not being whom we think he is when you get to Hogwarts.

Being at Hogwarts for the summer is...interesting. Suffice to say, Potter has changed. He's very different from the innocent he once was: Darker, more, Slytherin-esq. It makes me think that he would make a good ally, if he were in another house, that is. His self-righteous Gryffindor buddies can be so insufferable, and you know how they protect him, it's really quite humorous though sickening in an "I worship the ground you walk on" sort of way. But he is secluded, and definitely

not a Gryffindor anymore. What fun...a challenge, you know how much I enjoy challenges.

Speaking of 'challenges,' I must go find Luscinia, and talk to her about something or someone...

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Draco Malfoy

Keeping the bad faith.

Draco placed the letter in an envelope and sealed it closed, addressing it in dark green ink. His owl hooted at him as he tied the letter to her talons.

"Take this to Cassie, will you?" He said, looking at the owl for the first time since she came through the window. Ehanay nipped his finger in response and flew through the open window.

Draco sighed, now he had to find Luscinia. "Easier said then done..." he murmured as he left the Common room, this time, with out interruptions.

***

Harry, not watching where he was going, found himself thrown to the cold stone floor. He landed with a light thump and rolled his eyes slightly. A low growl caused him to look up and see a very irate Luscinia glaring back at him. His insides froze, her eyes...

The girl, at least that's what he thought she was, was sitting opposite himself, her hair falling past her shoulders in a tumbling of soft silver waves and her...wait, since when was her hair wavy? He pushed that thought aside, taking in the rest of her appearance: The shadows in the brightening hallway wrapped themselves around her, making a cloak of dark nothingness that could have blocked out the sun (if it weren't early morning). The tendrils of inky darkness snaked their way across her slim face, letting her furious eyes shine through. Her eyes unnerved him, though he didn't let it show, glowing red, the mark of evil.

"Potter." She supplied smoothly, breaking the silence.

Harry, being overtly uncharacteristic (of the way he used to be), rose to his feet in one fluid motion, wiping invisible dirt off the black shirt that covered his lithe frame, and held out an elegant, pale hand.

"Luscinia," he replied silkily, putting aside his discomfort. Helping her up wasn't beyond him; it was simply on impulse.

She smirked and grasped his hand, easing herself up gracefully. Harry kept his face cool as he took his hand back, wincing internally when he realised that hers was icy cold; it froze his blood.

"One might ask," she began, easing herself closer to Harry, grinning; he inwardly flinched, "why a certain Harry Potter was storming from a certain Headmasters office, sulking and quite obviously upset." She smiled suggestively and took another step towards him.

Harry, who almost pulled a face at her overly long and sharp canine teeth, had forgotten about his little meeting with Dumbledore (what with all the pleasantries). Instead, he chose to take a step back.

"And one might reply that it was none of your business to begin with, and-" he reached over and clamped her mouth shut -"that a certain someone should keep her nose where it belongs, and keep her fangs away from a certain Harry Potter's neck. For he does not wish to become a meal. That is, if she does not wish to have them removed, painfully." He replied with the air of someone commenting on the weather. He kept his expression cool, hoping that she wasn't too hungry.

Rage flickered in her eyes for a second or two before she tensed visibly, and whirled around, her mouth, Harry saw, was in a frown.

"Draco...I, that is to say...a little help here, Potter?" she growled, turning her eyes back to Harry.

The black haired boy smirked and held up his hand in a gesture clearly stating, 'You're on your own.'

Luscinia, surprised at said gesture, growled at him and said, "And I thought you were one of the good guys," before glaring and turning back to Draco. The blonde was looking from Harry to Luscinia, eyes narrowed in suspicion. Harry almost laughed out loud.

"Luscinia, thought you'd like to know, but there was a bloke looking for you, rather familiar looking if you ask me. Well, except for the red eyes-" the Slytherin finally seemed to notice that Luscinia wasn't the same as when he'd last seen her. Harry rubbed his hands together in anticipation of Draco's next words: "just like yours..."

The blonde boy narrowed his eyes, and seemed to be taking in all of Luscinia's appearance. Harry was waiting, with morbid curiosity, for the, how do you say, shit to hit the fan. Finally, Draco's eyes fell to Luscinia's mouth, which was still in the frown, but a slight protruding in the lips caused it all to click. Harry could almost see the light bulb to go on above Draco's head.

"My god, you've been turned into a full Lamiae!?" He spoke tersely, his hands flying to his neck, staring at the new vampire in shock. Harry guessed the meaning of the word 'Lamiae.'

"That boy, his name is -was- Blaise Zabini-"

"Zabini! The little f-"

"Yes, Draco, I know." She interrupted with the air of someone talking to a very small child who didn't know anything, "No doubt there is a long list of, ah, strong words to describe him; and eventually, he will rue the day you were given the excuse to use them. He changed me against my will and for that I am very angry, but I am also very hungry, so if you don't mind, good bye!" And with that, The Girl Who Was Bitten had disappeared.

Harry, who was leaning against the wall, kept his eyes trained on the Slytherin. Draco was looking aloof, yet betrayed. A thought struck Harry, if Malfoy was vulnerable...

"Malfoy?"

"What, Potter" Harry sighed inwardly, this would take some work. Draco was back to being snide and corrupt, yet he looked anything but. Rays of light fell across his pale features, which gave him a look of feigned innocence. Harry would later tell Draco about this, and the blonde would laugh, saying it was one of the tricks of the trade. Rule #6: Always make them think you're innocent, it makes hurting them later a synch.

"Why are you here?" Harry asked calmly, levelling his gaze to the floor, also following the trade. (Rule #10: If they think you are humble, they will crumble).

"I could ask you the same question, Potter, but I think we all know the answer." He sneered.

Harry snorted, "And that's what?" he asked calmly, then put on a sad voice, " 'Oh, I'm so sad! My family kicked me out! Oh boo, hoo, hoo!' Let's get realistic here, I have no real relatives. Malfoy, you should know that.

"But I believe that I asked why you were here, not the other way around." Harry let himself smirk.

"I'll never tell!" Draco said mysteriously.

Harry rolled his eyes at him and in remembrance of a Muggle book that he'd seen Hermione reading, "Malfoy, you are so difficult."

"Am I?"

"Yes,"

"Perfect, I try you know." Draco retorted gleefully.

Harry sighed a long-suffering sigh, "Indeed."

It was Draco's turn to snort, "Way to state the obvious, Potter."

"Are you planning to shut-up any time soon?" Harry said, thoroughly vexed with the Slytherin.

Harry saw Draco glance at his watch, "Not in the near future, come back in a few years and try your luck then. You never know, I might have become sick of myself."

Harry grumbled, "I hardly doubt that. You're so vain that even after fifty years stuck in a hole by yourself you'd still have something to talk about."

"Touché."

***

Draco would later relate to Harry that this conversation was the beginning of everything.

He didn't think that he'd talk about his summer for quite a while, and he doubted that he would tell Harry even when he did start to relive the painful memories.

Through his conversation, if you could call it that, with Harry, Draco had brought his mind back to the subjects of Luscinia, his cousin's letter, and Dumbledore. What would he tell the old man? Voldemort had big plans, so what? The snake-faced, self-appointed potentate of all things evil always had supposed "big plans." But Cassandra Moon was always honest to him, unless she had been equivocal with him since they were children. No, she may be a Slytherin, but she wasn't a deceitful one.

Draco waited for Harry's response, the black haired boy simply smirked and folded his arms over his chest, Draco considered that he must be content for the time being.

But then he said, "So, Luscinia is a vampire, well that can't be good," Harry levelled his dark green gaze to Draco, "you've lost your play-mate."

Ouch,

thought Draco, that was a truly Slytherin jibe. And it was, complete with underlying meaning and all.

Instead of shooting back a sarcastic remark, Draco decided that now was as good a time as any to figure out whether the change in Potter was genuine or not, "So, what made you decide to be different?" Draco inquired casually, leaning against the wall opposite to Harry, mirroring his position.

Harry narrowed his eyes and Draco guessed what he was thinking, Rule #1, Never trust a Slytherin, even if he seems to have had a change in heart, "Things," he offered vaguely, Draco reasoned that he was deciding whether or not to say more. He didn't.

Draco knew that he'd have to take Harry's unspecific reply at face value, or guess that the boy simply didn't know himself. He tried to search Harry's face for clues, but found none.

"Indeed?" Draco questioned.

"Indeed." Harry affirmed.

Draco briefly wondered what had started this obscure game of cat and mouse, but decided against examining the possibilities. He was about to reply, when Professor Dumbledore interrupted their little chat. He seemed to appear out of thin air, and the bad mood that Draco didn't know about had fizzled out. He smiled gravely.

***

He didn't know exactly what had made up his mind to tell the boys their link, but the newly made vampire that had stormed into his office and read his mind might have had something to do with it.

"Boys," he began, hiding a smile at Harry and Draco's flinch, "I believe that you need to come to my office. Some things need to be, ah, shall we say, explained."

Dumbledore didn't register the looks of puzzlement before leading the two down the hall, back to his office.

Once they were inside, they sat down, one in a large red leather chair behind the desk, and the other two in smaller plush red chairs in front of the red-wood surface.

"Well you see, you two share a link, a, bond if you will." Dumbledore began, smiling slightly at the looks that quite plainly said, A bond? With him!? Impossible!

"I assure you it's quite possible and if you would allow me to explain..."

~

About three hours later Harry and Draco were walking out of the Headmasters office with looks of shock on their faces and shaking in their bones. The headmaster had made them talk about their summers, and neither held those memories fondly. Then, the old man had told them all about their link, or bond, or Catenatus de Rosa Furvus as it was named in the books that Dumbledore had shown them.

"Er, Malfoy?" Harry finally said, glancing at the blonde with confusion.

"What, Potter?" Draco snapped.

"Does this mean what I think it means?" He inquired, bringing his gaze to the Slytherin, though which one could be called that truthfully was now a point of great dispute.

Draco nodded numbly, and Harry shuddered. The Gryffindor ran down the hall, towards the entrance hall, Draco just looked after him with wild confusion; then turned on his heal to go back into Dumbledore's office. The letter from Cassandra was weighing heavily in his pocket, "Now or never..." he hissed, entering the staircase once more.

***

He bowed low before the vampiric demon sitting before him on a throne of ornate gold, watching her pointed tale as it swished lazily, not wanting to get hit.

"Back again?" She commented mildly, her yellow eyes in slits and her pupils narrow.

"You could say that." Blaise volunteered, smirking. "I changed the half-breed." He hissed, delighted with himself.

She looked at him skeptically, one brow raised, "Is that so, where is your proof?"

Blaise didn't even flinch as he held out a crystal vial with a red liquid in it, Luscinia's blood.

Nox grinned a wolfish grin and snatched the blood away saying, "I knew you could, Flagro."

Flagro smirked at his new name, Flagro Zabini; he didn't ask what it meant. He already knew.

***

Luscinia glared at the rabbit in front of her, daring it to move; it didn't.

"Here bunny, bunny, bunny." She called hypnotically. When it was in range, she pounced, draining it of its life.

"Silly bunny," she murmured while licking the blood from her lips, "Tricks are for kids." And then she was gone.

>

***

A figure in a black cloak waltzed down the streets of Hogsmeade as if he owned them, the people stopped and stared as he came to rest in the middle of the crowded street. The summer breeze ruffled his clothing, and the sun beat down on him furiously. If he was hot, he didn't show it.

A five year old named Lillian walked up to him shyly and said, "Mister, what's your name?"

He smirked, thinking this was too easy. "I hardly doubt it matters."

"Why?" She looked up at him with large brown eyes.

"You see, I'm about to kill you, so good-bye..."

A/N: Ahhhh...I feel so evil! I know that death is part of the Harry Potter books, but a little girl? Saddening.

Yup that (the change) was what Luscinia was fainting about. She was turned and she had just made her first kill; though it was a bunny, *sniffle *. Hah...I didn't reveal any of my secrets about Harry and Draco yet, and I won't until a good deal longer. Blaise, or Flagro, is sadly, truly, evil, and I feel awful about it. Nox is the worst here, don't you think?

Uhm.... Dear me, I suppose that I should include a disclaimer here for all those on ff.net:

The Latin, I will use it through-out my story, so as to confuse you, I know what everything means, I'm not just going to make up spells on a whim, you know. Flagro means: blazing, flame, glittery, fiery, that type of thing. Luscinia means nightingale. That little phrase, Catenatus de Rosa Furvus means Link of Rose Black, translated exactly.

The phrases after the signed names on the letters of Cassandra and Malfoy are the generational, familial mottos. In other words, the mottos of their families for their generation. Keeping the bad faith, for Malfoy because it means Bad faith in French and Keeping up the nightly fun because.... I have my reasons.

Next time: Attack on Hogsmeade, we find out the fate of the little girl, Harry and Draco work together!? And lots, lots more.

QUESTIONS: I need to take a vote, WHAT SHOULD MY PAIRINGS BE? I think I have an idea, but I need reader input, because I have no Idea whether to make it Slash or keep it het., so I need some help there. And if you have any questions feel free to ask!

Yours truly,

Shireen Mclean