Xander's Love and Adventure

Chapter 3: Going to Hogwarts




Xander raised an eyebrow when the man who introduced himself as Severus Snape
pulled an old can out of thin air. He muttered an incantation over it and then
turned to Xander. "Grab on boy, this is a port key, it will take us to Hogwarts
where the vampire is staying."


Xander shrugged and did as ordered. He grimaced at the tugging sensation in his
stomach and closed his eyes. When he opened them he was standing in the most
fantastic place he had ever seen in his life. All around him there were
paintings, and the Hall was full of children. Xander laughed in delight as the
paintings moved and interacted with each other and the students. His eyes danced
with excitement and wonder.


The children and the people who came with him turned to look at the wide eyed
boy. Xander walked into the middle of the Great Hall and did a slow turn, taking
everything in at once. "Wow, this is the most beautiful place I have ever been
in," he said in a husky voice.


"Kitten!" Dru cried out.


Xander turned to face the dark haired vampiress and smiled in delight. The
students watched in awe as the dark haired boy walked over and hugged the
vampire gently. Albus Dumbledore watched it all with a genial smile, while in
his mind he was trying to figure out how to turn the situation to his advantage.


Almost as though he felt the calculated gaze on him, Xander turned to face the
older man. His eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing. Dru crooned
slightly, "My Kitten's going to claw the nasty man."


Xander looked down at Dru with a gentle smile. "Who is that you want me to claw,
Dru?"


Dru laughed in delight. "So many people, my Kitten. The bad one who would hurt
the pretty green light, the one who wants to control him and the ones who
pretend to know what's best for him. My Kitten, the Light is your future. He'll
help you get over the wicked one." Dru smiled brightly and then, taking his
hand, led him away from the others and down the stairs towards the dungeon. "The
Light lives in the darkness, with the scowly man and the pretty one that reminds
me of my Spikey."


Xander felt the others behind them, but said nothing. He knew that the people he
had met were following him. However, there was a prickly feeling on the back of
his neck that made him feel that the older man that he had seen behind Dru was
also following them. He allowed the demented vampiress to show him to the room
that they would share. There were no lights in the room, but Xander could live
with that. He knew very well that Dru was protecting him from something or
someone. Xander was inclined to think it was a 'someone'.

Xander liked the size and dimensions of the room. The ceiling was vaulted and,
like the rest of the room, it was made out of stone. The archs of the room were
lined with wood carvings and crown molding. On each wall there were a multitude
of paintings and tapestries. Each one depicted a scene of magic being used and
children learning. The fireplace was huge and dominated one entire wall. The
mantle was made out of granite and had elaborate carvings and symbols etched
into it. There were three large, overstuffed chairs ranged in front of the fire.
Between each chair there was a table. The room seemed to shine with an inner
fire from all of the candles and sconces lit everywhere in the room.


All in all, Xander was charmed by the understated elegance. The motif of silver
and maroon was simplistic and worked very well with the antique furniture.
Turning, he looked at Dru and smiled. She giggled and turned to look at Harry,
who smiled at her indulgently.


"I take this to mean you will not have a problem sharing quarters with Miss
Drusilla and Mr. Potter?" Albus asked.


Dru hissed at him and Harry scowled as though the man had called them foul
names. Xander raised an eyebrow and nodded. "I stay where Dru is," he said
simply. "You are?"


"Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."


"Xander Harris, capenter and friend of Drusilla," Xander said sweetly. Harry and
the others had to bite back laughter at the boy's cheeky response. Dru didn't
bother to hold back her laughter. She let out her delightful response. Xander
smiled at her before turning his attention back to the Headmaster.


Albus covered up his reaction to the boy's cheek and smiled his false smile, the
response he had used for years to fool people into thinking he was nothing but a
doddering old fool. Xander's smile merely sharpened. As someone who had spent
his entire life looking at people and trying to see what was hidden beneath
their surfaces, he was not fooled. In the last four years he had ignored the
truth about too many people and in the end it had led to both himself and Giles
being hurt.


Albus was stunned by the fact that the boy could see through his carefully
constructed mask. This young man would bear as much watching as Harry and the
female vampire did.