Summary: This story starts before episode 8, but after episode 7. Vlad and Lilith, grew up together in Transylvania, and have been exchanging letters ever since she began her training with her father. The number of letters only increased when the Dracula's fled to England. The Dracula line made a deal with Lilith's family centuries ago, which created a "friendship" of sorts between the Dracula clan and the House of Death. This arrangement is also how the Count gained the title "Prince of Darkness". Now Lilith is joining the Dracula's in Stokely.

Disclaimer: Let me start by saying I only own my OC, Lilith Grim, everything else belongs to Dan Tetsell, SNAFU-Comics, Man of Action and AkumaKami64 (Author of Raging Demon Reaper). I also apologize if I get any of the Romanian wrong, I am using Google Translate.

"An Early Birthday Surprise": Part 1

Vlad was not having a good day. After barely getting any sleep, having to endure Renfield's idea of breakfast and dealing with his sister's complaints, he was hoping that school would help ease his irritation. Fate had decided to be cruel to him instead. After yet another failed attempt at slaying his father Van Helsing was especially hard on him, giving him detention and making him miss lunch to clean up the woodwork room. To make matters worse he had stopped Robin and Chloe from helping, making it take twice as long. Suffice to say Vlad was utterly done with the day and was incredibly close to throwing a tantrum that would make his father proud.

Robin and Chloe tried to help their clearly agitated friend after school within the "safe" walls of the Castle but backed off after he snapped at them and left him to his own devices in his room. Any other day Vlad would have apologized for the harsh tone he used, but today he couldn't be bothered, he would apologize tomorrow and make it up to them. He flopped down onto his bed and listened to Zoltan's snoring.

Vlad didn't like to be mean or cruel, it was one of the reasons why he knew he could never be a true vampire, but that didn't mean he didn't know how. He had watched his father, mother, and sister all his life, he knew what he should do to be a "proper" vampire and strived to do the opposite; he wore bright colors, ran around outside in the sunlight, made friends with breathers, and tried as hard as he could to find a cure for his "affliction".

But sometimes he couldn't keep pushing down that little nagging voice in the back of his mind, that sounded suspiciously like his father, a voice that encouraged him to be like the rest of his family. To look down on breathers, to see them as nothing but food and future dust beneath his feat, to tear out Van Helsing's heart for threatening his family, or to hit Robin over the head when he kept insisting how Awesome it would be if he became a vampire.

Normally he would write to his childhood friend Lilith to help relieve his irritation, his old friend never failed to reply with a letter filled with soothing words of encouragement. Even in such an irate state Vlad couldn't stop the smile that began to bloom on his face at the thought of his childhood friend, but the smile quickly turned into a scowl with the memory of her failure to answer his last two letters. Vlad paused, maybe that was also a reason for his irritation, after not seeing his friend in person in almost two years, their letters back and forth reminded him that she hadn't forgotten him.

He remembered the first letter she wrote to him, telling him that it would be some time before they could see each other. It had saddened him greatly that he could no longer play with his friend, and when asked why she would only say that her father had begun her training to take up the mantle as his official heir. Unlike Vlad Lilith was happy to be the heir of her family, she saw it as a great source of pride and wanted to follow in both her father's and mother's footsteps, Vlad grimaced, hopefully she would take more after her father than her mother. Lilith never truly understood Vlad's distaste for being a vampire, always pointing out that because they would both be immortal and therefore, they would always be friends, but she accepted him regardless of his quirks.

"VLADIMIR!", Vlad was torn from his musings by his father's shout, but he wasn't the only one, Zoltan awoke with a jolt.

Vlad smiled at his friend, "Sorry Zoltan. I'll go see what he wants, go back to sleep."

The stuffed Hellhound gave a relieved sigh, "Thank you Master Vlad, I was having such a wonderful dream. I was chasing Renfield through the forest outside our old castle."

Vlad chuckled at the mental image of the Hellhound wheeling through the forest growling and nipping at the dirty servants heels. "Tell me if you catch him, yeah?"

Zoltan smiled showing all his teeth, "Of course, Master Vlad."

"VLADIMIR!" came another shout this one shaking his room.

Vlad sighed; he didn't want to keep his father waiting any longer. He made his way down to his father's "throne room", there he found his father lounging on his throne, Renfield standing dutifully off to the side waiting for the Counts orders and Ingrid sitting with her feet on the dining table, filing her nails. Seeing his son, the Count stood with a flourish, "Ah, my favorite son and heir finally graces us with his presence." both Vlad and Ingrid rolled their eyes at their father's Dramatic exclamation.

"What do you want dad?" Vlad's tone was bored and tired.

"What's got your knickers in such a twist? Your friends finally ditch you because they realized how much of a loser you are?" Vlad couldn't stop the glare he sent to his sister, the red tint to his eyes causing Ingrid to pause in her nail care and her smirk to drop in surprise. "Whatever." she said after regaining her bearings.

The Count couldn't help a triumphant smile from appearing on his face, his son wasn't a lost cause yet, and hopefully what he had planned would help. "I have an announcement…"

"Did you finally bite a breather?" asked Ingrid, the jab at her father would usually be the catalyst to a heated argument between the two, but the Count surprised both his children by not taking the bait.

"As you are aware Vladimir will be turning thirteen in just a few days. And so I have an early birthday surprise for him, in the form of a guest."

The Count watched his children's reactions to the news, both were shocked, but as always Ingrid recovered first, "Who? It's not a breather is it?" If it was Vlad who said the word "breather" with such disdain he would have been proud, but since it was "the girl" the Count ignored her in favor of watching his heirs reaction.

Vlad was just as shocked as his sister; who could their father willingly invite to stay with them? Was it another vampire? Vlad dreaded the thought; he knew the only vampire his father would invite would be a tutor for him. Someone to show him how to be a true heir. Deciding to bite the proverbial bullet, he said "Please tell me it's not a vampiric tutor for me." his defeated tone caused Ingrid to smile, before it quickly turned into a scowl.

"No fair! I'll be a vampire way before him how come I'm not getting a tutor?" The Count cringed at her whining tone.

"BE QUIET INGRID!" instead of being cowed Ingrid glared at her father. "No Vlad it is not a tutor for you, but that is a good idea. Renfield!" the servant quickly scurried forward.

"Yes, Master?" he asked

"Make a note to look into tutors for Vlad."

The dirty servant made a high pitched chuckling sound of affirmation while he bowed, "Yes Master."

Turning away from the servant with a disgusted dismissal, the Count faced his son, "Our guest will be arriving shortly and I want you both to greet her with me. Is that clear?"

Vlad grew puzzled at the "her" part, "Her. It's a girl then?" Thinking on it for a moment he grimaced, "It's not Mom is it?"

Ingrid joined her brothers train of thought and growled, "No way! Not after what she did…"

"ENOUGH!" The sound of crashing thunder punctuated the Counts irritation. "The guest is not your mother." The siblings sighed in relief at the proclamation,

"Well, then who is it?" Ingrid's irritation began to match her little brothers at their fathers refusal to answer their question.

"All you need to know is that she is coming to stay with us and will be attending that breather school with you. Now go get dressed to welcome our guest and come back here, it won't be long now."

The count disappeared in that instant, most likely down to the crypts to lie down. Ingrid huffed, "Well, I don't care who she is I am NOT sharing my room." The young vampiress to be pushed past her little brother and went to her room to get ready.

Vlad's irritation came back full force as he stomped back to his room. On top of everything else that had happened today, he now had to dress up and play nice with some evil vampire.

Slamming his bedroom door open the boy stomped to his bed and threw himself down on the blankets. The slamming door had awoken Zoltan from his nap again much to the Hellhound's chagrin, but he quickly grew worried at his young master's state.

"What is wrong Master Vlad? Was your father upset with you?" The hound wheeled to the boy's bed and poked his side with his snout.

Vlad sighed at the action and proceeded to pet Zoltan, "No Zoltan. But apparently we dad's invited someone to stay with us for my birthday." Zoltan hummed contently as Vlad continued to pet him, Vlad smiled at the sound despite his irritation and continued on, "So now I have to get all dressed up to welcome them."

"Did the Count say who would be staying with us?"

"No. All he said is that it's a girl, we need to treat her with respect and that she would be coming to school with us while she is here." Vlad gave a tired sigh as the irritation of the day just drained from his body. There was nothing he could do about the situation, but suck it up, get dressed and spend the time welcoming their guest coming up with ways to apologize to Robin and Chloe for snapping at them.

He got up from his bed and went to his wardrobe, he really hadn't meant to snap at them, they were only trying to make him feel better. It wasn't their fault he was having a bad day.

He paused as he got out his cloak, maybe he could take them out into town tomorrow and see a movie. Robin had been talking about the most recent installment of some series of films called "The Blue Belfry", Vlad snorted at the title betting his orange shorts that it had something to do with vampires. Chloe apparently also enjoyed the films even though she wasn't as into them as Robin, the two had seen each picture together and would be happy he was paying. There was even the added bonus that it would get him away from whatever guest was coming to stay with them. With a smile Vlad set about getting his clothes out and getting dressed.

Half an Hour later

Vlad and Ingrid helped Renfield dress up the dining hall, or rather Vlad helped and Ingrid told them where to put everything, while Zoltan stayed by the roaring fire. The Count arrived when they were done and clapped his hands, "Splendid! Well done. Now Renfield make enough room over there for their arrival," the Count pointed next to the table and Renfield was quick to follow his orders, "Good. You two come and stand over here with me. They will be here any second." Vlad moved to his father's side, with Ingrid moving at a slower pace joining them in front of the throne.

Just as the sunset a pitch Black void opened in the center of the space Renfield had cleared. The sight made Vlad's breath catch in his throat, he Knew that void and more importantly what it heralded. A big smile adorned his face as three figures emerged from the dark depths.

"Well, well, well. Look who's back." Ingrid didn't smile like her broth but a happy smirk found its way to her lips as the void disappeared.

All three figures were wearing impossibly black cloaks; of the three figures two were tall, the hood of the tallest figure was lined with red fabric, the second with a dark blue fabric, and the third and shortest figures hood was lined with dark purple. The Count moved to greet the two tallest figures with a dramatic bow, "Welcome to our home Lord and Lady Death. It is a great pleasure to be in your presence once again."

Vlad and Ingrid rolled their eyes at the Count's dramatic flourish, but the tall figure merely chuckled, Death's voice sent a chill down Vlad's spine. He knew that Death wasn't malicious, he was simply a part of nature and if that wasn't enough to give you pause the haunting timber of his voice could freeze you in your tracks. Vlad could only hope his friend's voice would never gain the same effect.

"It is a great pleasure to be here Dracula, thank you for welcoming us. You remember my wife, Splendora." A boney hand gestured to the figure at his side, said figure removed her hood to reveal pale skin, dark red hair and blue eyes. Splendora Grim was an intimidating woman, not ugly by any means, but a woman that could capture the heart of Death was a not a woman to cross.

"Thank you for inviting us into your home. We were worried when we heard word of your move, but Vlad reassured us that you were safe in his letters with Lilith." The Count acknowledged the Matriarch with a deep bow.

"The House of Death will always be welcomed into the Dracula clan's home wherever it may be. And I thank you for your concern over the well being of my family." Rising from the bow he gestured his children forward, Vlad made to rush to his friend, but a firm hand from his sister stopped him from embarrassing himself. Vlad made a note to thank her for her rare display of kindness, "You may remember my children. Ingrid my eldest," Ingrid gave them a deep curtsy, "and my son and heir Vladimir." Vlad followed his father's example and gave a deep bow, the smile never leaving his face as he stared at his still hooded friend.

"You may remember our daughter Lilith." At her fathers introduction Lilith removed her hood, revealing bright electric purple eyes, dark red hair and pale skin.

"Thank you for opening your home to assist me in my studies, your grace. And allowing me the opportunity to celebrate your son's birthday." Lilith met Vlad's eyes and smiled.

"How could I refuse to help such a noble pursuit. Not too mention the family of such a dear friend of my clan." Vlad could have kissed his father for his thoughtfulness, but knew that he couldn't in front of their guests. He had been missing his friend dearly for some time, and just when he thought she was no longer speaking to him she shows up at his fathers request. Vlad almost stopped breathing right then when he realized what was happening, she was staying. She wasn't just visiting, she was staying, to attend his school and continue her family studies with him. Vlad snuck a glance at his father who gave him a quick wink and knew that his father understood how much this meant to him.

"Why don't you and your wife join me for a drink?" the Count turned to his children, "Vlad she will be sharing your room," Vlad's smile widened at the news, "Show her up. Go with them Ingrid." The Count turned back to the two adults, "Please, we can catch up as the children get reacquainted." The Count gestured for the three to leave. Vlad was all too happy to comply, he presented Lilith his arm, making Ingrid roll her eyes as she walked out and Lilith hold back laughter behind a pale hand. She gracefully took his offered arm and let him lead her out, all three children waited until they were far enough away from their parents before breaking out into laughter at the Counts dramatics. Vlad wasted no time pulling Lilith into a tight hug, "So this is why you didn't write back, ey Lily?"

Lilith pulled back from the hug and shrugged, "I decided to just wait and talk to you in person." Her voice had lost its formal tone and receded to become softer, almost shy. She turned to pull the eldest Dracula into a hug, "It's nice to see you too Ingrid. I hope you got my letters?"

Ingrid let Lilith hug her, but she did not return it, she wasn't a hugger. "Yes, I did. It was nice to talk to another girl. Now come on let's show you to your room and then you can tell us exactly what you've been up to." Ingrid turned and made her way up the staircase, leaving the two friends alone.

"She hasn't really changed has she?" asked Lilith.

"You have no idea. Come on, let's get you settled."

Vlad had a bounce in his step as he led Lilith to his room. His friend was back! Not only was she back, but staying with them, he couldn't wait to introduce Lilith to Robin, he had no doubt that his morbid friend would burst at the idea of meeting the daughter of Death.

Coming into his room he spotted his sister already seated on his bed and glaring at a pile of dirty laundry in the corner. Vlad winced at the pile, but pushed on, "So first letss see what you've brought and go from there." Vlad and Ingrid stared at Lilith and her lack of Luggage curiously, "Where is your luggage?" Lilith gave the siblings a smirk, she glanced around the room before moving to the wall next to the window, she reached into her cloak to remove a pendant from her neck. The pendant was a door, she placed it between her palm and the wall, and closed her eyes. The siblings watched as the wall seemed to ripple out from her palm and then a door that looked exactly like the pendant appeared.

Lilith turned to look at the stunned siblings and smiled, "I brought my room instead."

Ingrid got up from Vlad's bed and went to stand next to Lilith, she placed her hand on the door which opened, "Wicked." Without any preamble she went inside. Lilith looked back to her friend, suddenly shy about the display of magic, rubbing her arms she shuffled from foot to foot.

"Sorry about your wall." Vlad smiled at the shy apology, she may have started to come into her powers, but she hadn't changed that much. He went to his friend and gave her another hug,

"Who cares about a wall. I'm just glad to see you again." Lilith happily returned the hug.

"Me too. Come on I'll show you around." And with that she gestured Vlad into her room.

The room itself was incredibly large. The rich dark multicolored silk fabric hung from the ceiling, emanating from the overhead chandelier to melt on the walls all the way down to the floor. Her bed sat against the center of the back wall with a small trunk at its foot, it was opulent, large and covered in the same silk fabric lining the ceiling and walls. The pillows sitting on it were black, large and fluffy, on the right side of the bed sat a side table made of cherry wood holding a lamp, with a piece of black lace over the lamp shade. An empty doorway sat on the right wall, Vlad could see some shelves, but nothing more from his vantage point, a cherry wood wardrobe stood against the wall on the left side of the bed with a floor to ceiling mirror between the wardrobe and the vanity. And another empty doorway sat on the left wall leading to a stone floor behind a black lace curtain and in the corner were several pillows and blankets making a little reading nest.

"Did you make this yourself?" Asked Ingrid taking a seat on the bed, she sunk a little into the mattress. The magic of the Underworld, Vlad had always suspected that learning more on the subject was the only reason Ingrid spent time around Lilith and that was before she had come into her full powers.

Lilith smiled shyly, "Yes. This room is a simple construct, once I get more practice I will be able to create an entire dimension like my father, but it will take some decades before I get there." Ingrid inspected the fabric decorating the walls.

"Do you think you could do my room. Though with less color? Maybe some shades of red to go with some black?"

Lilith nodded eagerly, "Sure. I have a lot of extra fabric and with a few spells I can change their colors and hang them for you." Lilith and Ingrid had never been particularly close, but they held no animosity for the other, they were good acquaintances, if nothing else. They each knew that the other was willing to be a listening ear, which is why the two exchanged letters, in such a male dominated society it was good to have another girl to talk too.

"What's in there?" asked Vlad gesturing towards the doorway where he could see shelves.

"That is my workroom. Where I keep all my books and ingredients."

Ingrid perked up at the mentions of books, "Do you have any books on the Vampire coming of Age transformation?" she asked. Vlad wasn't surprised by his sister's request; she was going to be turning sixteen soon. Vlad shivered at the reminder of the transformation, he didn't want anything to do with it and watching his sister's excitement at the prospect made him uncomfortable.

"I do not know. But I can easily check my home library." said Lilith.

Ingrid nodded, "Thanks. I'm gonna get ready for dinner." Ingrid left the two friends alone. She passed Vlad who had been standing in the doorway, bumping his shoulder as she passed, the action shoving Vlad aside and into the door. Vlad glared at his retreating sister before turning his attention to his friend who had moved to lie on the bed, her black cloak acting as a blanket, blacking out the colorful sheets on the bed.

"Mi-a fost dor de tine, (I missed you)." Vlad smiled, Chloe and Robin didn't speak Romanian, so it was nice to talk with someone outside of his family in his native tongue.

"Mi-a fost dor și de tine, Lilith, (I missed you too, Lilith)." He replied with a smile of his own.

"Știu, au trecut doi ani întregi (I know, it's been two whole years.)" Vlad shuffled closer to the bed and sat on the edge, with his back to the door.

"Vino aici Vlad, (Come here, Vlad.)" she gestured to the empty space next to her. Vlad happily moved to lay next to her, his own leather cloak acting as a blanket. The two laid on their sides facing each other, just like they used to when they were little. The two studied the other in silence for a while, each making note of how the other had changed or not changed as the case my be.

"Când ajung să-i cunosc pe Branagh? (When do I get to meet the Branagh's?) She asked.

Vlad thought for a moment before answering, "Mâine. Putem să ne strecurăm în camera lui Robin în această seară și să-l facem să facă aranjamente cu părinții lui dimineața. Nu avem telefon. (Tomorrow. We can sneak over to Robin's room tonight and have him make arrangements with his parents in the morning. We do not have a phone.)"

Lilith perked up at the name of Vlad's human friend. She had of course, heard all about Robin in Vlad's letters, but she really wanted to meet his soul in person, "Abia aștept să mă întâlnesc cu Robin. Cum crezi că va reacționa când îi vei spune cine sunt părinții mei? (I can't wait to meet Robin. How do you think he will react when you tell him who my parents are?)" Vlad smiled at the image of his goth friend fainting once Vlad told him about her family,

"Cred că va fi surprins (I think he'll be surprised)" Lilith giggled and slapped Vlad's arm, he in turn made a show of rubbing his arm, causing her to frown in alarm.

"Îmi pare atât de rău. Te-am rănit? (I'm so sorry. Did I hurt you?)"Her frantic tone worried Vlad so he was quick to reassure her,

"Nu, sunt bine... Doar glumeam. (No, I'm fine… I was just kidding.)" Mollified by his answer Lilith relaxed. Vlad frowned at that; why would she think a simple playful slap could hurt him? They had done that to each other countless times growing up, sure this time it was a lot stronger, but it was nothing he couldn't handle. He may not be a full vampire yet, but he was still more durable than mortals, even without his powers.

The two passed the time exchanging stories of what they had been up too for the last two years, Lilith listened to Vlad's tale of the night they fled Transylvania. Vlad recounted the night with some sadness, for having to leave his family home, amusement at how cowardly his father was, and also happiness, because if he hadn't left Transylvania then he never would have become friends with Robin and Chloe.

Lilith in turn talked about her training with her father, mother and uncle. The biggest surprise was her uncle, who had been insistent on teaching his niece all his tricks, 'The Grim line has been in desperate need of another fire bug, and now that your potential has surfaced it falls to me to teach you.' She enjoyed those the most, her uncle maybe the embodiment of Fire and Fear, but he was a lot of fun.

Their discussion moved to what Stokely and the school were like, Vlad clammed up a bit here. He had not told Lilith that Van Helsing was a slayer in his letters, he knew that his friend would only worry about the safety of his family, no matter how inept the teacher was. But if she was to be staying with them then he would have to tell. Once Van Helsing learns that she is living with the Dracula's then she would become a target, and Vlad didn't want anything to happen to her.

"Trebuie să știi ceva.(There is something you need to know.)" Lilith eyed her friend curiously, but before he could elaborate Zoltan wheeled into the room.

Lilith smiled at the Hellhound and wasted no time getting on her knees to hug him, "It's really great to see you Zoltan. I'm sorry I didn't say hello before."

"It is alright Mistress Lilith. I know how close friends you and Master Vlad are." The Hellhound accepted the hug with an air of fondness. "The Count sent me to retrieve you both for dinner."

At the mention of dinner Vlads stomach growled, Vlad blushed at the sound. In his earlier agitation and the excitement later on at having his friend back, he had forgotten to eat. And since he had been forced to skip lunch the idea of eating was welcomed.

So Vlad got up from the bed and offered Lilith a hand up. She accepted and let him help her off the bed, once up she paused to remove her cloak, revealing a simple, but elegant black dress, black stockings and black flats. Vlad noticed that the whole ensemble was accented with a cinch belt adorned with the House of Death family crest in silver.

"Urăsc să port pelerina. Nu știu cum poți suporta mantia aia, (I hate wearing my cape. I do not know how you can stand that cloak.)" He stated watching Lilith toss the cloak onto the bed, she just shrugged.

"Cred că acum sunt obișnuit cu asta, (I guess that I am just used to it by now.)" Vlad wanted nothing more than to join his friend and shed his ridiculous cape, but knew that his father would have his head.

The two followed Zoltan to the Throne room, along the way Vlad pointed out the different rooms and corridors they passed. When they reached the throne room they found Lilith's parents and the Count talking and Ingrid sitting at the table looking absolutely bored. She was the first to spot them. "About time you two showed up." Both blushed at the knowledge that they had kept everyone waiting and quickly took their seats.

The Count looked away from Death's hood to look at the two children, "Ah, now that everyone is here I see no need to wait any longer for our meal. Renfield!" The dirty servant was quick to serve the meal to the Dracula's, Death, as well as his wife and daughter were not given plates, but Renfield did serve them drinks. Dinner passed with easy conversation between the occupants, mostly between the Count and Lord Death. Lilith gave the dishes laid out by Renfield a wary look and Vlad a sympathetic wince when his food moved a little on his plate.

Once their courses were done the Count cleared his throat and all eyes were on him. "Lilith. Your parents and I have agreed that you will begin attending Stokely Grammar School starting Monday."

Lord Death spoke next, "That does not mean that you should neglect your true studies. Your focus should be on the families art."

"Use the mortals to hone your craft as much as you can. You must strengthen your soul whenever you can." Lilith straighten at her mother's words,

"Of course, mother, father. I will not disappoint you." She said

Her mother gave a genuine smile at the strength in her daughter's voice, "If you have any questions use the witches glass to contact me, but I expect you to try on your own."

"Observe the mortals my daughter, for when you begin your duties as my heir it will be hard, but I trust that your time among them will make it easier on you. And remember to practice with your soul everyday." With that he stood up, his wife, the Count, Ingrid, Vlad and Lilith following suit. "Oh, before I forget." Death reached into his cloak and retrieved a small piece of wood. "From your Uncle. A little good luck gift." Death tossed the piece to his daughter who easily caught it. The wood was covered in beautiful knot work and runes and was only about the size of her palm. Looking at the runes closely Lilith's eyes widened and looked to both of her parents.

"Really?" she asked brimming with excitement.

"It took some nagging on your Uncle's part, but we eventually agreed. A safe mode of transportation for emergencies is apt if you are to stay amongst the mortals." Vlad moved closer to inspect the gift, but could not read the runes inscribed on it.

"Now come, give your father and I a hug before we go." Lilith smiled at her parents and walked into her father's familiar boney arms. "Write us often. And don't forget your Uncle, he is especially excited to hear your future tales."

"I will, thank you." Lilith stepped out of her fathers arms and hugged her mother.

"Be safe my little witch. I look forward to see how far you progress on your own." Splendora released her only child and turned to the Count with a cold stare, "I am trusting you with the protection of my only child. Do not make me regret my decision Count Dracula."

The Count gulped slightly at the threat, "Of-of course not my Lady. I will look after her as if she were my own." Splendora eyed the Count for a moment before odding in acceptance.

"See that you do."

Without another word Death waved his boney hand creating a black void into which he and his wife disappeared inside. Once both were enveloped in darkness it disappeared leaving the Draculas, Renfield, Zoltan and Lilith alone.

Vlad and Lilith waited until they were sure the Branagh's were asleep, before sneaking out. Vlad had changed out of his vampiric attire and into more 'normal' clothing. Although Lilith thought they were a bit bright if they were trying to be stealthy.

"Okay, Renfields most likely taking a nap so if we're quiet we can get by him and to the front door without any trouble." Lilith had finished changing into another black dress, this one was shorter than her formal dress, reaching a little past her knees and with long flowing sleeves and a billowing skirt. She paired the dress, with a pair of leather boots and black wool tights. Vlad was dressed in a burnt orange pants, a blue stripped shirt, a slightly darker blue sweatshirt, and orange sneakers. Lilith grabbed a dark purple jacket from her wardrobe and joined Vlad in his room. When he looked at what she was wrapping around her waist he chuckled, "I can not believe you still have that thing." Said 'thing' gave a growl of protest, but was easily shushed by Lilith. The 'thing' was a brown canvas and leather bag Vlad had helped her construct when they were six; the bag itself was made to look like the head of a voodoo doll with one yellow button eye and an 'x' where the other eye should be. There was a little flap at the top for the leather strap and a zipper formed the mouth of the face. (Look up Charmcaster's bag from Ben 10 see what it looks like.)

Lilith caressed the bag with a look of fondness, "Of course, I do. My first success with magic, how could I not keep it. Plus you helped me make it remember?"

"I remember you trusting me with a needle and completely botching the other eye, so badly that not even your mother could fix it."

"I think it gives it character. But anyway, let's get going already."

Vlad nodded and began to explain their route, "Okay so if we turn left at the end of the corridor there is a small side staircase we can take that will bring us to the kitchen and then…" Lilith cut him off,

"Or we could just use the window." she smiled at Vlad's confused look and held up the piece of wood that her Uncle had gifted her. Gripping it tightly she gave it one firm, downwards shake which caused the piece of wood to extend and become a broom in the blink of an eye.

Vlad's eyes widened and he began to shake his head, "No, no and no. There is no way I am getting on that thing."

Lilith pouted, "Why not? Both mother and grandmama have been giving me lessons. I'm actually rather good. Now come on, don't be a baby." Lilith let a bit of her magic leak from her hands. It fell from her hand like wisps of black smoke and surrounded the broom, lifting it up, allowing it to hover in place. Lilith mounted the broom, it easily lifted her weight off of her feet making them dangle in the air, and looked to Vlad expectantly.

Vlad eyed his friend and her place on the broom warily, "Are you sure it's safe?"

Lilith looked a little hurt, "Don't you trust me?"

Vlad quickly reassured his friend, "of course, I do but…"

"Then get on already." She patted the length of unoccupied wood behind her and Vlad slowly joined her on the broom. He wrapped his hands around her waist and tensed when the broom dropped slightly with his added weight, but it quickly adapted and lifted again. "Hold on."

Lilith guided the broom higher off the ground and out the window. Vlad's arms tightened around Lilith's waist once they were completely outside. Lilith giggled, "Oh, open your eyes and tell me where I'm going. The view is very pretty too." Vlad slowly opened his eyes and marveled at the sight that greeted him, sure the view was too different from the view from his room, but being a part of it make it much more grand. It was a few moments before Vlad was able to find his voice, "Number 22 down the hill. The bright yellow one with a white fence and orange van in the driveway."

"Seriously?" she asked incredulously.

"Afraid so."

Lilith shrugged, "Alright then, number 22 it is."

Vlad shouted in alarm when the broom dipped down, but Lilith merely laughed at his fright and continued the descent.

'Tap, tap, tap.'

Robin rolled over in his sleep away from the annoying sound.

'Tap, tap, tap.'

The tapping became more insistent, Robin grumbled and hunkered down deeper inside his blankets. While Robin did his best to ignore the sound he didn't notice his windowing opening or his future undead friend entering his room.

"Robin." Robin fell out of his bed in fright at his friends voice being so close to his ear. He hit the ground hard, groaning in pain he tried to untangle himself from the sheets, Vlad shushed him. "Shush!" he whispered harshly, "You wanna wake the whole house?"

"What are you doing here?" he asked in leu of greeting his friend.

"Well, I need you to convince your parents to let you and Chloe help my friend get a uniform and supplies for her first day of school on Monday."

That brought Robin up short, "What friend?" instead of getting an answer Vlad smirked and looked to the open window. Following his friends gaze Robin was met with the sight of a girl their age with dark red hair, bright electric purple eyes, and pale skin dressed in black and sitting on a broom. His eyes widened and he approached the window with a look of awe on his face,

"Please tell me your Vlad's friend. And I am not currently hallucinating a witch outside my window." The girl giggled, the sound reminded Robin of tinkling bells,

"Yes, I am Vlad's friend, and a witch. May I come inside?" Robin nodded his head, but did not move away from the window. Vlad snickered at his friends bewitched look and pulled him away from the window to make enough room for his friend to enter. Lilith giggled at the boy's reaction and floated into the room, she dismounted her broom and with the same downwards shake collapsed it to store in her bag, which opened on it's own to accept the object and then promptly closed.

Lilith curtsied making sure to take an end of her skirt in each hand, "Hello, Robin it is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Lilith Grim, daughter of Splendora Endor, High Priestess of the old ways and Death." Vlad watched his friend for his reaction and was not disappointed when he fainted. Vlad quickly caught his friend before he hit the floor and Lilith helped him place the boy on his bed.

"Well, that was a reaction I was not expecting." She said eyeing the boy in concern. Vlad on the other hand was trying very hard to smother his laughter, so as not to wake any of the other Branaghs. Lilith ignored her long time friend to try wake Robin up, she tapped his cheeks lightly to get him to stir and stir he did.

The boy groaned and opened his eyes, and yet again met the sight of bright electric purple eyes, "Wicked." He said reaching up to caress her cheek. Lilith blushed at the action and Vlad cleared his throat catching Robins attention. Meeting his eyes Lilith's blush deepened, ducking her head she got up from the bed.

"When exactly where you going to tell me that witches are real, and that you know one?"

Vlad rolled his eyes, "Sorry, I thought knowing that vampires are real was enough." Lilith giggled at his snark.

The sound brought Robins attention back to the apparent witch, and he jumped up from his bed to inspect the girl. He circled her looking her up and down, Lilith was becoming uncomfortable with his inspection and shuffled from foot to foot. Robin stopped in front of her and spoke, "You're a lot prettier than I thought a witch would be."

Lilith's eyes widened at the compliment, "Um, thank you?"

"Are you really the daughter of Death?" he asked eagerly

Lilith nodded, "Yes, I am."

"Cool. So can you like reap souls and drag them down to the underworld?"

Lilith looked a little awkward at the question but answered anyway, "Not now no. I will only begin to collect souls when my father deems me ready for the duty. Until then I am to build up the strength of my soul and hone my craft."

"Excellent. You think you could put a hex my brothers?"

Lilith smirked, "I don't see why not."

"No, hex's. We need to keep a low profile here, Lilith. Turning people into frogs is not low profile."

Lilith snorted, "Please, I would never turn someone into a frog. I'm not a fairy."

Vlad snickered, but stopped when she hit his arm. Vlad stuck his tongue out at her, before turning to Robin, "Lilith and I grew up together in Transylvania. She's come to stay with us in Stokely. She's going to attend Stokely Grammar with us and needs a uniform and supplies, think your parents will let you and Chloe take us into town to get them tomorrow?"

Thinking about it for a moment Robin nodded, "Definitely. Just come by after breakfast and we'll get started."

Vlad smiled, "You're the best, Robin."

"Thank you, Robin. And as much as I want to stay and chat, Vlad and I need to get back to the castle. We'll see you in the morning, come on Vlad, before your father notices we're gone." Lilith retrieved her broom, activated it and mounted it.

"Good idea. Bye, Robin, we'll see you tomorrow." Vlad mounted the broom behind Lilith and the two floated out the window and back to the castle.

Robin watched them go with a big smile, "Oh, I can not wait to have a go on that."

End of Part 1