CT: I don't own any of the HP characters. And thanks so much for the reivews! Hope you enjoy this chapter!
The very next day, Kadience walked around quietly as she watched the students taking notes.
So far things had been okay. Most of the students were being cooperative and getting along. In the back of the class room though, a small group of Slytherins sat chatting and looking in her direction.
Silently Kadience walked up behind them. "Is there a problem?"
All of them turned to face her with a glare indicating they thought of her as lower than dirt. "No Professor." They responded.
See being a mudblood in Hogwarts was preposterous to some but being a Mudblood and the Slytherin house leader, that was just unacceptable. To them she was an insult to their very existence, and Kadience knew this. She could tell by their actions they despised her. Not that any of it bothered her, she was used to things like this from purebloods.
Painful memories flooded through her mind. Unwanted memories that made her grind her teeth and clench her hands into fists.
"Please do not interrupt this class again." She said as she walked back to the front of the classroom and sat down at her desk.
The group of Slytherins gave her a smug look. They knew exactly how to unleash the emotions she usually kept leashed inside.
Ignoring them, the irrate professor sat at her desk and started reading a "Killing for Dummies" book.
"Professor Guillory?" One of the Slytherin boys said as he raised his hand.
Looking away from her book and stared at the boy. His dark hair fell into a pair of eyes similar to her own. "Yes, Mr. Benet?"
The boy laughed lightly. "Funny that you call me that Professor."
"What were you wanting Mr. Benet?"
Again the boy laughed. "Oh yes. I was wondering about that book you were reading."
"What about it?"
"Are you threatening us that if we don't behave, that's what you'll do to us?" he asked snidely.
Kadience looked into the face that was so familiar. A face that she hated more than anything else in this world. "No sir. I believe I was just reading a gift from a friend."
"Surely you don't think we're that stupid Professor." The boy replied. "I know exactly how you would like to kill us. Especially me." His eyes twinkled as he dared her to say something back to him.
Kadience lifted her chin. She wouldn't give the little bastard the satisfaction. "Mr. Benet, I'd like to see you after class."
The boy sneered as the rest of the class, including his friends, laughed at him. "Just because you're a teacher doesn't mean that you're any better than you were. Filthy mudblood slave."
Hatred flared in her eyes as she walked over to the idiot's desk. "Come with me." She replied simply as she grabbed his ear and started to drag him out of the classroom. "Ms. Maddox watch the class for me."
The boy struggled until Kadience gave him a glare that could kill. He went instantly still.
"Come along Mr. Benet." Kadience growled as she drug him all the way to the headmaster's office.
She let go of him as they neared the office. "You had no right to do that Geary."
Geary leered at her. "What's the matter Kadience? Afraid someone will find out who you really are?"
Kadience grabbed the boy by his collar and shoved him against the wall. "Just because you are my cousin, doesn't mean I won't hurt you little boy."
"I do believe that's a threat Professor Guillory."
Before she could even react, Headmaster Webster was standing beside her. "Put the boy down Kadience." He demanded in a calm voice.
Reluctantly she obeyed and released Geary, who fell to the floor.
"I apologize." She said as she bowed her head.
The little asshole jumped to his feet and pointed a finger at Kadience. "She threatened me Professor Webster."
The headmaster glared at the child through his glasses. "And I believe you insulted Professor Guillory while in the middle of class."
Geary shut his mouth.
"That's fifty points from Slytherin and a week of detention Mr. Benet." Webster said. "You're dismissed."
Without another word, Geary shoved Kadience as he left.
Kadience stiffened and closed her eyes. She counted to ten and calmed down the temper that was coming forward.
"Are you alright Professor Guillory?" Webster asked in a concerned tone.
Sighing she nodded her head. "Yes sir."
"Good. Now I must warn you that it's not appropriate to pull the stunt you just did."
"I know sir."
The headmaster placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "The only way you can deal with your cousin and the others, is to let go of the past. Only then will you truly be free from your pain." and with that he left her alone.
Kadience laughed to herself. That would never happen. Some things were too hard to let go of. "Whatever."
She started back to her classroom when she bumped into someone. "I'm sor-" She was looking up into the same pair of eyes that she'd seen when she was sent falling in the library yesterday. "Professor Longbottom."
Neville inclined his head. "Are you okay?"
Kadience nodded.
A smile came across his face. "Seems like every time we meet, we're bumping into each other."
A light blush came over Kadience's face. "Yea."
"Well, I hate to be rude but I have to get back to class." He replied.
"Me too." She said.
Both said good bye and headed their separate ways.
As soon as he was sure she was turned around, Neville watched her leave. There was something about this woman. A deep sadness seemed to fill her. It made him want to reach out and comfort her. All the while he found her enchanting. He'd only met her once, but she had bewitched his thoughts ever since their first meeting.
"Off in yer own little world are ye Professor Longbottom?"
Neville slightly jumped at the sound of Hagrid's voice. "Oh, no. I was just going to class."
"Ah, well I'll see ye later then." Hagrid replied.
"Yea, sure." Neville said as he started back to his classroom.
By the time Kadience returned to her room, class was over and everyone but one student was gone. "Can I help you Ms. Maddox?"
The girl shook her head. "No, I just wanted to apologize about what Geary did. It was disrespectful and wrong."
Kadience patted the girl on the shoulder. "It's okay Melissa. It's not your fault."
Melissa smiled. "Can I beat the hell out of him then?"
"Um...probably not."
"Well, if you want me to just let me know." Melissa said as she grabbed her things and started to leave.
A laugh escaped Kadience. "Ok."
Once Melissa left and she was alone, Kadience sat at her desk. Thoughts of Neville ran through her mind. He'd been friendly to her both times they had met. It was something rarely anyone did and he had no clue exactly how much that meant to her.
His eyes had been so kind. As he'd been. Not like all the other purebloods. But then again he had no idea what she was. If he ever found out the truth, he'd turn on her like the rest of them had.
Kadience curled her lip. "Don't even think you're worth it Kadience. Your not." That's what her family had said, what everyone had said. And that's what she thought.
