The Vampire Malfoy

Chapter Four:

Consequences

Just as every cop is a criminal
And all the sinners saints
As heads is tails, just call me Lucifer
'Cause I'm in need of some restraint
So if you meet me, have some courtesy
Have some sympathy, and some taste
Use all your well-learned politesse
Or I'll lay your soul to waste

Pleased to meet you, hope you guessed my name
But what's puzzlin' you is the nature of my game

- Sympathy for the Devil, The Rolling Stones

***

"I just didn't understand the consequences of the choice."

"Consequences?"

Draco gave Harry a scathing look.

"C'mon Potter. You get top marks in Defence Against the Dark Arts. Don't you recognise the 'symptoms'?" he sneered at Harry, who looked mortified.

"You're a vampire," he whispered.

Draco nodded. "Yes. I was born into darkness and all that rot. It's not nearly as romantic as it's made out to be. Bloody painful actually. There's the whole 'having to die' thing, which isn't at all pleasant. And the 'death rays of the sun' thing too. I mean, I try to avoid the sun anyway--"

"You do?" Harry broke in.

Draco nodded. "That's why I have such pale skin. Ugh, if I spent a lot of time in sunlight I might actually get a tan." He made a face and Harry squirmed in his lightly sun-kissed skin.

"What's wrong with a tan?" Harry asked defensively.

"Oh, nothing," Draco replied airily. "It looks okay on you, but hello, I have platinum hair. Pale blond hair and a tan are so tacky." He shuddered at the thought.

"But, anyway, that's not a problem now, is it?"

He smiled wryly.

"But, there must be some good points," Harry said.

"Oh, of course there are good points- I have superhuman strength." He indicated the chair he'd thrown at the mirror, which he'd picked up as if it were no heavier than a quill.

"I'll never age. I'll never die. And I'll always look this darn hot."

Harry sniggered and Draco shot him a 'well, it's true' look, and shrugged.

"And I have excellent night vision," he added, sardonically.

A smile began to form on Harry's lips, but it faded away quickly as he saw the expression on Draco's face.

"But none of these make up for what I've lost. I have to drink blood. Do you know how rank that is? It's like Human Juice. Not at all pleasant and it leaves a horrible metallic taste. I have fangs and a Grrr face at random times. It's so inconvenient. And I can't look at my reflection, which means I have a whole load of free time on my hands. Did you know there's a slayer? An actual Vampire Slayer. Some girl who goes around randomly stabbing people. Charming. Apparently all American vampires have testosterone poisoning or something, which makes them all evil. I haven't noticed any difference myself."

"Well, you are a Slytherin," Harry pointed out helpfully.

"True." Draco rubbed his chin in thought for a moment, then turned back to the Gryffindor boy.

"And I can't play Quidditch anymore."

Harry nodded solemnly. "I know. That's why I'm here."

Draco nodded. "I thought you might be. Did you come to gloat?"

Harry shook his head. "No, I... I came to ask you to reconsider."

Draco looked at him in surprise.

"Reconsider?"

Harry nodded thoughtfully. "I didn't really understand why at first, but I knew you just couldn't quit. You- you're one of the best Seekers I've seen. You're almost as good as me."

"Careful Potter, arrogance is more of a Slytherin trait you know. Sure you weren't sorted into the wrong house?"

Harry laughed. "Well, actually I almost was sorted into Slytherin. Rather amusing story actually..."

Draco stared at him in disbelief.

"You? A Slytherin??"

Suddenly he fell about laughing.

Harry scowled at him. "I could have been a great Slytherin, thank you very much. We could even have been friends..."

Draco fell silent and met Harry's eyes with his own.

There was a moment of silence and understanding, then Draco cleared his throat noisily.

"So, anyway, you were saying how I was the best Seeker you'd ever seen..."

"Ah, yes, you're-- Hey, I was not saying that! Prat!"

Draco was laughing again.

Harry glared. "I was saying that you really challenge me when we play. You keep me on my toes. It's not going to be the same anymore."

Draco smiled at him. "We-we could still play if you want. At night, obviously. We could just go down to the Quidditch pitch and chase the Snitch."

Harry thought for a moment and smiled.

"I think I'd like that," he said.