claret, sirius black

16

chapter 16

SIRIUS BLACK RETURNED from the library at ten to two, a thick book hidden underneath the cloak. Fortunately the other three boys were asleep in their beds and he hadn't come across any teachers or prefects on his walk back from the library.

He settled into his bed, illuminating his wand after shutting the scarlet curtains which hang from the wooden frames. The sharp November air was ending into the dorm room so he was relieved to be able to slide under his covers. He kept his socks on because it was that cold in the castle.

He lay the book on his lap, slotting his illuminated wand into one of the gaps in his bed so he didn't have to hold it while reading.

'The History of Dark Creatures.'

The book wasn't half a pain to carry back, a couple hundred pages about each and every dark creature in the wizarding world. He opened it, scanning over the contents before turning to the werewolf pages to begin with. He quickly read over it, mentally noting anything that would be helpful for Remus to know. Once he quickly read over the dozen pages about werewolves he flipped over to vampires. He didn't know what his aim was in reading the book that he caught Lenora trying to get the first time he saw her in the library but he assumed it would be important. It's not as if he needs to confirm his suspicions, Basil basically did that for him when he called him out in the corridors and Lenora looked pretty frustrated when he kept mentioning blood in the kitchen.

He scanned over the opening paragraph, talking about how they're part of the living dead along with zombies. (Sirius doesn't actually believe that zombies are real). He read all about the laws around vampires as well as the act the ministry enforces against them. He didn't think that Lenora was a proper vampire, as it listed one of the things that vampires can't do as; being outside in daylight. Sirius has seen Lenora on the grounds in the daytime plenty of times as well as one time in Diagon Alley a few summers ago. He dismissed that, he also dismissed the fact vampires tend to have dark eyes, practically black. Lenora's eyes are brown. Light brown when she isn't pissed off at him.

He continued to read through the vampire section of the book until he reached the 'part-vampire' section. It was as if a light had clicked on behind his eyes.

'A part-vampire is a child born with one vampire parent, the non-vampire party can be a muggle or a wizard.' It made sense, Lenora has a different father from her two other siblings and Basil is definitely not a vampire, his eyes are jade and his skin is tan. 'A part-vampire will share the traits of their vampire parent, such as pale skin, exaggerated fangs, an aversion to garlic and the scent of garlic, a longer life.' Sirius continued to read, he wasn't sure whether he was taking in every word. 'A part-vampire needs blood to sustain themselves but they're not reliant on it as a normal vampire is. If a part-vampire is without blood for an extended amount of time then it is likely they will become weak, they will become an insomniac and they will be unable to make it through a day without excruciating headaches and sensitivity to light.' Sirius cursed himself. 'A part-vampire can live without blood, but they will live an uncomfortable life. Blood can be drunk from both animals and humans.'

The rest of the information was about the ministry and their prejudices against vampires and half breeds. Sirius assumed that vampires aren't welcome at Hogwarts, they pose more danger than werewolves.

-

Lenora Claret was giddy as she greeted Remus Lupin and Lily Evans as they entered the common room. It had just turned nine pm, far too early to be as drunk as she was but she didn't care. Despite telling them not to, they had both brought her a gift, a box of chocolate frogs and some fire whiskey.