The Marauders

Nos-nos-feratu...." the Professor said quietly.
A crowd of students were about him now.

Lydia gulped. She didn't know what he was saying. She was frozen in fear.

"................."
The Professor had stopped, and he stared blankly at the wall.

Lydia stood shakily. "Why would a dementor be here?" she whispered to herself.

James ordered the other students to go away, leaving the tree standing in front of the professor. He looked over at Lydia. "I don't know. It's unlikely...but if the Dementor gave this man a certain kiss, he's a goner." James said, staring at the professor, whos eyes her glassy.

"Be on your guard," He ordered seriously, gripping his wand.

Little did James know Lydia knew all about the dementor's kiss. It had been used on both her parents. She now stayed with her uncle. Only three other souls know about it. Lucius Malfoy, Dumbledore, and the Headmaster.

"I know what a dementor's kiss does." she told James defensively. 'I've seen it used before, nitwit' she thought knowing if she said it aloud he would hear.

"Children, to your houses!" said Dippet coming down the hallway.
"What is this magic?" he said to the three.

Lydia looked up. "A dementor, headmaster. Mr. Potter thinks that it may have used it's kiss on the professor."

"A dementor?" said Dumbledore coming behind Dippet-his usual friendly face had changed, and he was white in the face, clearly livid.
"Indeed. Atticus?" he said to the teacher.

Lydia remained quiet. This too close to home for comfort.

"Go bact to your common room. Both of you." said Dumbledore commandingly.
"Come, Professor Dippet, help me with Atticus."

Lydia was about to argue but decided against it. "Yes, professor." she said sulking into the common room and plopping onto the empty couch. she faced the back as she silently cried herself to sleep.

"Ssss..sssss....s.s.ssss" came the hissing again.

Lydia groaned. "Go away." she growled turning over but still very much asleep.

"Sssssssssssssssssssssssss...." the hissing was louder, and a hand was clawing at the Fat Ladies' picture.

Lydia growled. Getting up she stomped over to the portal and the portrait swung open. "What?" she growled.

It shrunk into th shadows-the flames bothered its eyes.
"Nosferatu......" it whispered.

Lydia watched. "What was that?" she whispered eyes wide.

"NOOOOOO-SFER-ATUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!" it bellowed, jumping on her."
In the light she saw it-a pure-bred, ancient Vampire, not a Dementor.

Lydia trmbled."A Vampire." she said trying desperately to push it off.