There was a knock at my door and I rolled under my quilt, "Nn?"
"Sophie! I'm coming in!" Ginny yelled through the door before it burst open.
"Nn," I groaned and pulled the quilt over my head, "Five more minutes, Gin."
"Soph! C'mon! Get dressed!" she said and put her hands on my stomach.
She started jumping up and down, making me ripple on the bed. I groaned and sat up. She had already gotten my hairbrush from the top of the dresser and waited for me to sit on the edge of the bed. Ginny and I got along right off the bat and we gave each other nicknames. Sometimes the family would use it, too. She shortened my name to Soph and I shortened her name to Gin. After a week of staying here, I got along with the whole family. The quilt I was using now was my very own quilt from Mrs. Weasley. It was a type of welcoming gift. Calcifer also returned with a bag of coins and a response from dad. I was allowed to go to Diagon Alley to buy myself a dress for the ball but we would have to discuss Quidditch another time.
"Your hair is so pretty, Soph. You have some black strands though," she said as she brushed my hair behind me.
"Thanks, Gin. You have nice hair, too. The black hair happens when I turn into my vampire form. It's only when I'm in danger. Why did you wake me so early? Your brothers aren't up yet," I yawned.
"Thanks, Soph. Mum wanted me to get you for breakfast. Aren't you going to Diagon Alley today?" she brought up.
I nodded and we both got off my bed, "I am-"
"Soph! You're bleeding!" she cried out in alarm.
I looked at the bed where she was pointing and there was blood on the edge of the bed, "Crikey! I-I didn't even notice!"
"Mum! Mum! Mum, come quick!" Ginny yelled from the door.
Mrs. Weasley was panicking and came up quickly. Ginny explained to her what happened and she calmed down. I had gotten my period and Mrs. Weasley took care of the bed while she explained all I needed to know. She was going to personally let my dad know and reassure him that she'll take care of me. Although Ginny and I were uncomfortable during 'the talk', I felt happy having a mother figure. A little too happy.
"Thanks, mum-" I blurted out before covering my mouth.
Mrs. Weasley was in bliss and pinched my cheek, "That's alright! Now, Sophie, dear, why don't you freshen up in the bathroom? Breakfast is ready downstairs. Ginny, you better make your plate too."
I quickly went to the loo to change and take care of myself. I guess it was ok to call her mum once but I shouldn't get too attached. After taking care of myself, I went downstairs to make a plate of bacon and eggs with a biscuit. Her food was always delicious and filling. Mrs. Weasley told me to come back in an hour when I was done eating and was about to head to Diagon Alley. I told her I would be back before then and used the Floo network in their living room to get there.
It was early and there weren't a lot of students since no one had gotten their letters yet. I briskly went to a dress shop with the money dad gave me and began looking at some dresses. There was a lovely yellow dress that I adored. It was long sleeved, a pastel yellow color, and it had a white collar. At the bottom were frills and in the center of the collar was a red stone. This was the one.
"I'd like to buy this one, please," I said to the witch at the register.
She was surprised at my appearance, though skeptical that I was alone. The dress was a bit pricey but dad gave me more than enough money to afford it. I left the shop with the dress in a bag and wandered the streets for a while. However, I stopped in my tracks when I caught the scent of two vampires nearby. There was also a mixture of blood. It was human. I turned my head to the right to see a dark alley. Specifically, it was Knockturn Alley. Dark witches and wizards lingered there. Do vampires also reside there? It's morning. They shouldn't be here.
I stood confidently in the sun, "Who's there? I can sense you."
Two piercing red eyes illuminated in the alley, "Wh-Who am I?"
I was startled to see it was a child, like me, "A vampire? Who turned you?"
"M-Master?" a taller female vampire now stood behind the child.
"Master? I'm not your master," I argued and backed away from them.
"Jenkins.." the female vampire whispered.
I flinched and began to tremble, "He's dead."
"Hun..gry.." the child growled, his eyes bulging.
I glanced around and saw that no one else was here. For some reason, I felt the need to hunt. I've never felt this way before but I was territorial. Without thinking about it, I turned into my true form with ease. The other two were definitely just awakened and the blood was theirs but it was impossible for Jenkins to be their master. The female vampire attempted to step into the light but immediately screamed as her body burned in the sun. The sun reflected on her pale skin enough to see their bleeding necks. They were bitten and turned only moments ago. However, I couldn't sense another vampire anywhere that would be responsible for the crime. I was on all fours and my nails grew into claws. The child was afraid and ran from me.
I snarled and chased after him like a feral cat. The child tripped and was weakly reaching out. I'm sorry, my comrade. I jumped on his back and bit into his neck. There were already four punctures on it and I was afraid for a second that it was Jenkins who changed him. This blood tasted foul. They weren't fully changed but they are still dangerous in this state. Every inch of me wanted to hunt. Now, I had my prey. Instead, I channeled my anger and devoured him until I reached a part that wasn't what I was expecting.
'Wh.. Where am I?' a small glowing orb asked.
My eyes were closed and this was happening in my head. I was a silver orb myself but slightly larger than him. His orb was a faint red color and shined when he spoke.
'I-I'm not sure. In my head, I think. You're with me now,' I said.
'I'm happy. Please take care of my essence, miss. Thank you for ending my misery. Please give my mother mercy,' he said and merged into my orb.
His essence? He's a part of me now? I need to find his mother. I opened my eyes and I fell a few inches to the stone pavement when the child turned to dust. Suddenly, she was perched above me, snarling and her body was still smoking.
"Jenkins!" she screeched and leapt in my direction.
I jumped back and she hit the stone walkway so hard it exploded. We hissed at each other and I was faster since I was smaller than her. I darted in her direction and she grabbed my forehead with the palm of her hand. Her eyes were locked on my neck. In a panic, I went to grab her jaw. Her mouth opened and my hand went sideways between her lips. She bit down on the tender flesh between my thumb and pointer finger. She was feeding on me. Tears welled in my eyes but she quickly released me and held herself.
"M-Master.. Jenkins.." she cried and her eyes softened.
Damn. She took my blood and now she's my servant. Backing away from me, she was swaying side to side. My entire body throbbed and my hunger was too intense. Her body wouldn't be enough. Anger blinded me and I lashed out. This is Jenkins's fault! This has to be! I attacked and jumped on the woman. My legs wrapped around her ribs and I strangled her. With a scream of frustration, I ripped off her head. When her body turned to dust, I weakly fell sideways. I gripped my upper arms and my body was failing me. What have I done? I killed my own kind.
Fear took over and I looked into the light at the end of the alley. My dress was visible from the top of my bag. I had dropped it. Howl. I bought the dress because of Howl. My dad. He can help me. I winced but my body wasn't turning back, no matter how hard I tried. I was too hungry. The sounds of footsteps in the dark alley startled me and my fangs yearned for blood. I'm a danger to the witches and wizards here if I stay here any longer. I forced myself to stand and darted to my bag.
It crumpled in my hands when I snatched it from the ground and I ran for the Floo Network. More people were here and I prayed no one would recognize me. However, I was in my other form, my true form. I kept my head low and did my best to avoid colliding into anyone. My heart was pounding and I finally reached the network. Clumsily throwing down the powder, I could barely cry out for the Burrow.