A/N: Hiya guys and welcome to my latest brain child. This was based loosely on a day dream but it's going off on its own little adventure. I quiet like the idea because it's slightly different from the other Hermione/Severus Vampire stories I've encounted on my travels.

Hope you enjoy the journey

All My best wishes,

Miss-Fleur-Riddle.

Night Shadows

Chapter One: Stranger In The Night.

She couldn't help it. She was in intrigued. Knowing it was dangerous and that curiosity could kill the cat didn't stop her. She knew that she had to know. All she had ever seen was his shadow, following her in the dark. Its benevolent presence watched over her shoulder for danger in the night. Having no idea what he wanted, she could only wait…

"I saw him again last night," she whispered from her bed.

The red haired teenager lying on the opposite bed turned to look at her, the dawn light reflecting on her face, "Did you go out again Hermione? You promised my mum you wouldn't…. it's too dangerous!"

"I had too!" she exclaimed, "I left him a message - telling him to contact me. I'm sick of this mysterious shadow! I need a name or something Ginny…"

The younger girl sighed and stared out of the window for a few moments. She was worried for her friend. The stranger was standing outside her area of knowledge and it frightened her. In times like these, when a dangerous dark lord was rising, it was unwise to be contacting dark shadows.

The two girls had spent the last few nights discussing what this strange creature could be. Hermione, having experienced the strange follower nearly every night for the last month - she enjoyed walking in the night air - had finally needed to discuss her problems with Ginny. The younger girl, having had previous experience and a wide knowledge of magical creatures and beings, found herself confused. Her first thought would have been vampires, but her limited knowledge told her they only came out to hunt and Hermione had not yet been bitten.

No news was heard from the mysterious creature until about a week later.

Hermione, having decided to sneak out again, was walking though the meadow that backed on to the Weasley's garden. The sky was completely clear and hundreds of stars winked at her though the night. A cool breeze caused her to wrap her cloak firmer around her shoulders as she made her way towards the oak stump. It was here that she had left her note and she hoped that, now that a week had passed, the stranger might have returned her message.

Peering around her, checking for any signs of danger, she slipped though the damp grass towards the moonlit stump. A small green envelope was tucked into one of the splits in the wood. Smiling at her triumph, Hermione pulled out her wand to check for any spells or curses - there were none. Carefully she opened the delicate envelope to unveil the carefully folded paper inside. Lighting her wand, she unfolded it and began to scan the elegantly formed letters before her.

Dear Miss H Granger,

Having received your note a short time ago, I now see fit to reply. As I know you have an inquiring mind, I knew that you would not rest until I had done so.

The first thing I must tell you is that I am a vampire. However, it is an ancient breed dating from before the times of Count Dracula. I walk in both the day and the night, have the ability to change into any animal and have powers over wizard magic and an element (mine is earth - but each vampire has their own and a few rare ones have the power over all four). It is true that I have to bite people to survive - but we have many rules surrounding this (the main one being that the biting of children is illegal and punishable with exile). There is also an option about whether or not it can end in death - though this depends on whether or not the venom you produce in your fangs wipes the memories of the victims. My breed also has the ability to shape- shift in order to hide. The power of flight is also common.

Now, as to why I am following you Miss Granger. Well, I suppose it begins about two months ago. That signaled 100 years since I was first bitten and so I reached my maturity. My breed has the ability to mate and reproduce 'birth vampires' - an elite among the vampire community - and, upon my maturity, I received the gift to trace my mate. This scent has haunted my nostrils since then and I have found that it leads straight to you. I am sorry that it must be so, but fate's plans must be followed.

Whether you agree or not, I'm not sure how the mate's feelings evolve on this matter, you shall be turned. You may meet me first and we shall decide - I have control until sixth months. Be here this time tomorrow evening.

All the nights' blessings upon you,

Yours for eternity,

Night Prince.

Hermione starred at the paper before her - a vampire…. She would have to become a vampire? Did she have no control over her own life? Her parents would definitely not be pleased…. The one thing that plagued her mind with worry was the prospect that it could be a trap. However, the risk of bringing anyone else was too risky - what if he bit them? Having no clear idea what to do, she pocketed the note and slipped back into the night. The shadow hiding some distance away smiling longingly at her - looking forward to his revealing.

She woke up the following morning filled with worry for the evening. Could she really risk missing the meeting and angering the vampire? The paper she had already tested for lies using a complicated spell - when written by magical beings they would embed themselves in the paper. Having found none, she found herself trapped and alone.

"What's wrong Hermione?" asked Molly cheerfully that morning as Hermione wondered into the dining room, "you look tired."

"Yes I am a little, couldn't sleep," lied Hermione, smiling at the Weasley matriarch, "I'll be fine after breakfast."

Harry and Ron soon joined her at the dining room table, talking animatedly about the upcoming school year - the last one.

"7th year is going to be great!" exclaimed Ron, "I hope I get Head boy or something - perhaps Quidditch captain if they give you head."

"It's going to be a laugh - now everyone's of age we can wonder off to Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley at the weekend!" exclaimed Harry, excited about the prospect of a bit of fun in between trying to ward off Voldermort.

"I doubt that's going to be allowed this year boys," Hermione added in a practical voice, "if you got drunk Harry you would be a very easy target for Voldermort. They won't allow it - that and they want you to appear at the Ministry and help occasionally. It'll be useful for you to stay sober."

Dumbledore had died some years ago, in a huge duel with Voldermort at the end of their firth year in the Ministry. Sirius, narrowly escaping with his life, had been able to adopt Harry and rescue him from the Durselys. Since then, Fudge had been replaced with Kingsley Shacklebott and Minerva had taken control of Hogwarts - with Flitwick as her Deputy. Voldermort was in the open and killings were happening with an increasing regularity. Going out on your own wasn't a sensible option and strangers were something to be worried of.

The day continued with the same regularity as it always did. All the boys spent most of the day playing Quidditch, while Hermione and Ginny sat by the pond and chatted serenely. Their letters for school arrived about lunchtime. Harry, surprisingly, had been left as Quidditch captain and it had been Ron who had gained the title of Head Boy. However, everyone's predictions were confirmed as Hermione squeaked in surprise, letting the red and gold badge drop onto the oak dining table.

The party went on late into the night. When Hermione eventually looked at the clock around half 12 she knew she would have to leave to avoid missing the meeting with the strange vampire. Suddenly, she was glad that she had filled in her friend about the planned meeting.

"Ginny," she whispered, "I'm going; can you tell the others that I've gone to bed?"

The younger girl nodded and proceeded to stare out of the window - counting to 100 before she went to search for the elder boys (who were hiding around the lower floors). Hermione left the red head counting and, silently as the wind, slipping out of the door and into the night.

Meanwhile, he was waiting as patient as he could for her near the stump, remaining hidden in the shadows. She was running late… he had been so sure she would come… he paused for moments as he spotted a small figure appear in the distance. She must have had trouble getting out - those blasted Weasley's! He watched as she approached the stump and look around nervously. His mate looked like a deer in the headlights, but he could smell the sweet scent of her mortal blood drifting though his nostrils - like a treat ready and waiting. However, the sweeter smells of her feminine assets were nicer still.

"My Lady," he greeted, moving into her sight.

Hermione stared at the man before her. He was tall with dark hair and honey eyes. Around his shoulders was draped an immaculate green cape, matching his tailored shirt and trousers perfectly. She could smell his pleasant scent in the air and didn't feel afraid.

"Hello Sir," she whispered, in awe of such an elegant creature.

"Hermione Jane Granger," he breathed, "it is such a pleasure to finally meet you properly."

"It is also a pleasure to meet yourself," she replied, "but what is your name?"

"I have many names," he answered, "many of them you may have heard of - but I believe Severus Snape will be the most familiar."

Hermione watched, suddenly very nervous as the handsome man before her glided into the form of her potion's teacher.

"It can't be…" she whispered, "no…. you've always hated me - said I annoyed you!"

"Apparently that seems to be the relationship with a mate before you finally mature - stops anything occurring to early," Severus explained, "but I am manly known as Night Prince, as I am to inherit the title of clan leader upon the death of my turner."

"But surely he would have turned more than one mortal?" questioned Hermione, her inquisitiveness getting the better of her.

The man before her shook his head, "he wanted only one heir to follow him, wanted to avoid a war at all costs. It was I who he settled on to be a suitable leader as he had foreseen in his dreams."

Hermione began to gently massage her temples as she stared into the distance - this couldn't be happening. She couldn't be mated with her ex-teacher! Severus had retired from teaching at the end of the previous year - for personal reasons. Hermione sighed deeply…. This was going to be a long evening…