A/N; I hate ANY and ALL forms of BUREAUCRACY! It's a mutual hatred we share of each other.
Also to my most consistent reviewer Lady Isabella Black, you'll find out eventually if he is or not. Around Orion's fourth year to be exact. Doesn't mean that you won't get hints and clues though.
Chapter 4- Morning Morons
Orion liked to think of himself as a patient man, well boy, er guy. That sounded much better than boy. However he had looked back into his room and cast a few diagnostic spells -rather tricky spells that took far more control than power- upon his elementary wards. It seemed to be that there would be several Ravenclaws turning purple for lunch today. If he timed it right, -proving once again that people are predictable- that would be when they had visitors. He knew he should have gone with blue instead to show house support. The results of his revealers came back. A notebook of his had a tracking charm upon it. He focused and touched his hand upon it -after making sure that the charm stayed upon the book and didn't crawl onto him thank the gods for his charmed sunglasses- looking for who had stuck the charm upon it. When he found out who it was he wasn't all that surprised, just more surprised at the method Dumbledore had used to obtain it.
It was still obscenely early for most everyone else mostly because the British loved their morning lie-ins and the Americans -not just those from the US of A- didn't. He had a habit of waking up around five-thirty in the morning and jet lag wasn't going to change it. So he decided to go down to the common room, and get his schedule written down. He blamed Canada, and the long and embarrassing story that Canada was a featured part in for his early -rise with the bleedin' sun- tendencies.
Unlike everyone else the Ravenclaws had long since figured out how the schedule was arranged and thus had every year's schedule figured out. The first years this year mostly had classes with the Gryffindors, pardoning Transfiguration (which was taught to separate houses until third year) Herbology (with the 'Puffs), Potions (with the Slytherins). Charms, History of Magic, Astronomy, and the to be introduced later flying classes were with Gryffindor.
After getting his books for his classes into his book bag that he had charmed personally, it now being such a dark blue that it could be mistaken for being black, with the Black Family crest on the corner of one side and his house crest upon another and had several nifty security features upon it. He really just hoped that no one ever investigated it fully and would take the elementary wards and charms at first glance value. He had several banned books in there along with some restricted books for certain specialties in certain fields. He really hoped that the Hufflepuff Ali kept that information about wand theory to herself, but more than likely it was awash in all the other info he had dumped upon her. He'd have to make a call and arrange for a meeting between his bishop and soon to be knight. He did and his bishop wasn't too happy about the early morning wake up call.
It was still way too early for most people to even consider getting up so he boredly flicked his dog tags on his collar, it was obscenely comfy so he forgot it was there most of the time. At the moment his collar was disillusioned and he wanted it to stay that way. He quickly took a hot shower and dressed for the day, decided to leave his hair down after brushing it while it was wet. It reached a few inches past his shoulders, and today his hair had a rather subtle purple highlights to it. He hated the fact that his metamorphic talents were not up to Fen's level but at least they were better than his Uncle's which were just enough to subtly change his features and their color slightly -very slightly. His Uncle preferred glamors over his metamorphic talents since they helped him blend in better than his metamorph talents, in the various places where he was still wanted anyway. Runic glamors were a complete and total bitch to come up with but they weren't destroyed by a simple 'finite' either. Then there was the fact that they then had to be inscribed or inked upon a thing or person. His collar for instance was on a relatively permanent disillusion, only those who could see or sense magic -and it would have to be a very keen sense of magic to a point that would make bloodhound's nose envious in comparison, given that he was in Hogwarts- would know it was there or if they knew about the Marauder's map. In a way it was an extremely modified fedilus, to such a large degree that it really wasn't worth comparison. Dumbledore might know it was there, but not for it's purpose, and so would Alastor Moody if he showed up.
Still bored and with nothing to do, except wait for breakfast, he decided to browse the common room library. Some Ravenclaws, might be up at this hour but, only a few and if they really had to get up this early for such an example as last minute editing to an assignment. The Library after all opened at seven and closed at ten, breakfast during the week started at seven-thirty and on the weekends was severed up till ten from eight.
"Hello, Orion Black."
His browsing plans were immediately ruined, but this was his chance to pursue a Lovegood's knowledge? Of course he'd take the chance when offered like that. The Lovegoods were respected by the old families for a reason. The Lovegoods (well the family that became the Lovegoods) working with the Olliviander family made a vast majority of the 'modern' magic and spell theory! It used to be that it took weeks of preparation for a simple enchantment, such as the muggle deterrent or a notice me not on a plot of land and those could fall very easily and they were done by ritual- a long and annoying ritual that took a full month to prepare for and could easily be disrupted. The Lovegoods were the ones that finally put magic in the stones, well to be more precise, they figured out how to use runes/language in magic and made most of the modern day Arithmancy to make more efficient spells -effectively making a ritual that took a month of preparation and whose protection only lasted a year take nothing more than week and would last five years, and then the Ollivanders -that devious family- happened upon focus-crafting.
The Ollivianders figured out how to focus the energy present in everything and with the help of the a few Lovegood family members made most of the magic theory and then 'wand' theory. Yes the Ollivianders purposely went to wands as they were easier to conceal upon a person when the wizarding world retreated from the muggle world. It was why Olliviander kept such careful track of the wands he sold and was gleeful whenever he had a tricky customer as a way to elevate the 'theory' of wands. Random selections he did not make, even if a person tried "half the store" there was another half that was immediately eliminated from that person's choice. There was a reason after all why most people were measured upon getting their wand, even miscellaneous data -such as the distance between nostrils- it was a way to further wand theory and the math behind it, and the Ollivanders were some of the best, often getting the wand in less than ten tries. Most other foci fell out of practice when the Ollivianders -and the rest of the foci-crafters later- switched to just wands, partly because the spells were being sent through a different medium and only a few worked between them easily. Most spells that could be sent through let's say a ring only had a few movements available to it, limiting the number of 'spells' that could be channeled through it. Gloves had a bad habit of backfiring if used in conjunction with your wand hand, but they were far more versatile than wand at movements, but just a tad too much and such was easy to mess up with even if you had steady hands. Knives and anathemas were banned when most rituals were banned for being 'dark.'
The ICW effectively banned the lot of them for being 'obvious to the muggles we're separated from.' Staffs and swords, Orion could understand, but knives, anathemas, rings and gloves? That just didn't seem fair at all. Besides he had several bracelets that could work in emergencies. Bracelets and necklaces were the only things not outlawed, mostly because of the incredible amount of focus needed to work the damn things, they were just highly discouraged. It was once said that a good way to test to see if you had the control and power needed for wandless magicks was to try it first through a bracelet. The only spells he could do were the levitation and the shield charm.
"Hello, Luna Lovegood." With an internal shudder he realized that she practiced Fae manners, oh joy. There were few things more complicated than 'Pureblood manners', or even Elvish manners and the Fae were just one of them. It was why the vast majority of modern magical people never saw them. They had decided long ago that a large sum of them were just plain rude. That and to stay away from cold iron, they had basically abandoned this plane.
"The wackspurts stay away from you." She said in a perplexed tone. She tilted her head in confusion, showing off her radish earrings.
"People do the same, the wackspurts just investigate a bit more thoroughly and know to stay away." He stated with a slight nod to her direction.
"At least your head isn't infested by nargles." She replied in an exasperated dreamy tone of voice. Orion really wanted to know how she pulled that off.
"But a vast majority is. Tis a shame that if they lost them they wouldn't know what to do with their-self." His voice held some mock pity.
"Yes, like not finding the crumpled horned snorkack." Was that a compliment or not Orion had to wonder. It was a decidedly Fae comment.
"I haven't came across them in my travels, but I've heard that they are in Holland. Do you quest for them?" Orion totally would admit to being a bit out of his depth here.
"Daddy said that they were in Sweden, so we're going over there come spring. We may visit several times to make sure, in case we miss them." She snapped back in a lazy tone.
"Forgive me for doubting your Father, Luna Lovegood." He bowed as a sign of apology, no one was watching anyway -in pureblood politics bowing to someone who hadn't had an established a place far above him was a way of saying he was submissive to her and her whims or as a way of respect when it came to dueling. Often that it was considered a way of showing love or devotion or even admiration to a lady of class, the greeting was finished by kissing her hand or cheek depending on the pair's closeness, and apologies were much the same way, although the lady had the right to slap or jinx him if she didn't accept it. He doubted that it was a proper bow by Fae customs, but that was as much as he knew of them.
"You don't have to ask, Orion Regulus Black. It is rare that I meet someone with at least some knowledge of Fae customs. I shall let you get back to your browsing. I might suggest a book from the lowest shelf on the left of the fireplace." She said in a dreamily voice with a hint of giggles and much amusement behind it.
"I thank you for your advice Luna Lovegood."
To recap the conversation, Luna saw him and greeted him, and he returned her greeting. She then said that the wackspurts fled from him, wackspurts being annoyances that fed on ignorance, the O'Mally code was infamous in certain circles, some of which he was very familiar with. He then said that he was well-learned. She then complimented him, be it on his manners or knowledge he had no idea, so he said it was such a shame that many people couldn't think their own thoughts because of the nargles -roughly public opinion/brainwashing-, to the point that many couldn't function without them. She then commented on how rare it was to find someone like him. He flubbed it then, but she took his mistake in stride and told him her plans for spring break and possibly for that summer of the next few years. After he had apologized for his error she forgave him and gave him a hint of how to not allow that to happen again.
He searched out the books for something that pulled at him, Fae magic was not at all gentle -subtle yes, gentle no- so it would firmly latch on to his attention and focus upon the item he was looking for as soon as he saw it. So he browsed the titles mentally sorting them into categories of have read, haven't read and looks interesting, junk but may be useful, haven't read and must soon, and -the book Luna pointed out.
'Otherworldly Court Manners' by Skies Lovegood. He briefly wondered how his first name was pronounced since the family had a habit of switching between Greek and Latin based names. He decided it was to be pronounced like pysch-s.
If nothing else it would prove to be interesting and maybe a decent way to pass the time.
-Ravenclaw Common room-(7:49)
Flitwick walked into the common room for his new Ravens, and looked at the way they were all flocked together, well except for the second year Su Li and Regulus' son sitting on one of the few sofas chatting away in Chinese. Filius felt a bit ashamed for not helping his Ravens settle in as well as the could have since she was obviously more comfortable with Chinese than English and it seemed that Orion was able to speak it rather fluently with her. He'd have to bring the matter up sometime soon.
Filius handed their schedule out -if they hadn't copied it down first-, and then gave the firsties a basic map of the castle, highlighting the Great Hall, the classrooms and the easiest routes to them. Another point for Ravenclaw efficiency and some logic since they had the schedule for the year posted all this morning, even if a few were apparent slackers or still shell-shocked that magic existed and they were in a castle that taught it. Su Li and Orion chatted half in English and half in Chinese on their walk down to breakfast, led by Filius who had given a rather basic speech that was probably done every year.
Filius interrupted their chatting by saying, "Mr. Black, the Headmaster would like to see you after breakfast."
"Is that all Professor?" He replied in a very Slytherin manner, with an impassive face, nearly non-existent concerned or was it worried tone of voice, with an arch of an eyebrow to top it off.
"Oh, yes quite. Do have a good day Mr. Black and if you need assistance please come to me, as your father did." Flitwick squeaked.
"I shall if I need to." Orion said. "Is he or the headmaster fishing or what!"
"Oh, certainly fishing." Replied Su Li in Chinese.
"And such obvious bait as well. 'After breakfast'! I shall take him at his word of 'after breakfast' since he never specified when after breakfast or which breakfast specifically. He should be glad I won't take his arse to task, well quite yet. I have a Minister to destroy at lunch and a newspaper to laugh at today."
"Really now. How do you figure that?"
"Quiet obvious, there wasn't enough time to print an evening edition of the 'Daily Prophet' and so it shall be on the morning's paper. The Headmaster is trying to get more information and me on his side, by protecting me from the Minister. Fudge idiot he may be, at least knows how political maneuvers work, so he'll have a warrant for my arrest for 'informative purposes' by lunch. That's where I show exactly why I don't need anyone's protection and am quiet fine by myself."
"So it shall be how you English say, 'Dinner and a Show' no?"
"Exactly Su Li. Breakfast today and tomorrow might have a slight one as well. The first year with the camera should look like Medusa by now. Pranks, politics and the asinine, sounds like a typical day."
"I think I shall just ally with you because you're one of the few people to get politics here. These Slytherins, there is nothing that I've found that is cunning about them. One or two might have potential, but they do not think that allies can be helpful even if they are not from the same country that they hail from. That and the reactions shall be interesting. The rumors by now should be horrific."
"Ah, yes, that they shall be. Naive little mice."
Breakfast had been interesting, seeing big burly upperclassmen shy away from a firstie. While they may be idiots to not see that he was outnumbered and outgunned, didn't mean they weren't wrong to shy away. He had read a portion of the Black family library after all.
The camera kid, was glaring at the Slytherins for all his and the rest of the collective first years of Godric's house worth, with only the Weaslette's remotely effective. He really wasn't thinking about the coloring but it only further implicated the Slytherins. Really, his hair was now a mix of baby boomslangs, anders, and a runespoor of all things! He probably took a picture of himself before getting mad at the Slytherins. Never let it be said that the Lion house had any brains.
With his hair the way it was styled today -it was wavy, mostly loose and he had some of his bangs tied back with a leather tie, leaving him with a muggle elvish look- it would take most people a few minutes to recognize him. He helped himself to breakfast and struck up a conversation with Davies about Quidditch. He was biting into a piece of jam covered toast when the owls delivered the newspapers. Gasps and shocks rang throughout the hall. He imagined that by lunch he'd have a few howlers and 'fan-mail.'
"Can I see the paper when you're done, Davies?"
"Sure, I only read it for Quidditch anyway."
HOGWARTS CHILDREN IN DANGER?
This reporter certainly thinks so and with good reason! There is a Black back in Hogwarts! According to info and sources of this reporter, there is a new Ravenclaw named Orion Black!
As many people know there is only one Black that escaped the swift justice of the Ministry and Azkaban- Sirius Black! The famed betrayer of the Potters to You-Know-Who! The only man to have ever escaped Azkaban! Killer of Peter Pettigrew and thirteen muggles!
Sources state that young Orion is Sirius' nephew, and godson! One can only wonder what happened to his father, Regulus Black who was the Lord Black of the time of his mysterious death and what about Orion's mother! Was she and her family killed by this mad murderer and conniving convict? Was it a mad man's quest for Lordship?
Is it too late to save this young man from the Elder Black's insanity? One can only imagine the trouble and hardship he has endured under guardianship of the mass murderer Sirius Black.
For more info on
The life and terrors of Sirius Black pg 2
Sirius Black's Escape and theories of it pg 3
The Capture of Black and its Death Toll pg 4
The Black History of the Black family pg 5
Orion let out a quiet chuckle that turned into a full blown laugh, cementing in many people's mind that, yes, he was insane and proud of it. The insane, throaty and deep laughter did its job though and thoroughly unnerved several people who were coming over, including the Deputy Headmistress who was sent on a trip down memory lane by the laughter and it wasn't a pleasant trip either.
He then turned to page three, and quickly read over the theories and then the supposed histories. "Here ya' go Davies, and as for the theories, I'll have to say that none of those would ever work and Uncle often comments that it was a rather freezing swim. One he doesn't wish to repeat. I don't blame him, it was winter after all."
"Uh, sure." Davies said automatically, more than slightly un-nerved by his maniacal laughter.
"Swam?" Some random Gryffindor asked, she had walked over to the table when she had finished the paper. The Gryffindor was one of the first to finish reading and come over with righteous anger showing in every step. Personally, he thought that she should take her anger out on her parents for giving her such unruly hair and large teeth."Is that possible?"
"Yes, it is. It is also something that he'd rather not have to do again -even though he was a Gryffindor, hence why we take several precautions to not be caught." This caused several of the Gryffs to look at each other in fright.
"So why come to Hogwarts in the first place Black?" Chang asked her question echoed by several Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs, including the Gryff he had dubbed 'Beaver.'
"Hm..." He deliberated on what to tell them, if he answered wrong he was doomed, right he'd get away and play a spectacular prank in the process. "Tradition."
"Trad-did-ition?" The answer seemed to monkey wrench any and all thought processes of the group.
"Yup. That and the library. Buh-bye now." Orion stated, then walked away, absentmindedly nibbling on his toast as he left the great hall since walking by the Slytherin table. The group then tried to walk away or follow him, stuck between the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables.
"Hey, my shoes are stuck!" Chang cried out in alarm.
"Mine too!"
"Idiots, Finite Incantum!" Someone called out.
"That's a crappy finite Stewart!"
"You try it Moon!"
Ali Walker sighed and then went to catch up to her train companion. The 'Puffs had History today before lunch but after that the 'Puffs and the Slytherins had charms. But before history they had a short break -or long breakfast- before their first class, Potions and she really wanted to ask him about a few things. A quick glance told her that the stuck shoe problem was solely between the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables. And she had sat at the 'Claw side and not the Gryff side.
She made no excuses and decided to walk across the benches. Several other 'Puffs followed suite after loosing their shoes.
Minerva stood there in shock from Black's laugh for a good minute longer before she called for the staff to uncharm the floor. Though the shoes were quickly unstuck thanks to Dumbledore, McGonnagall banished the shoes back to the students they belonged to which made Albus' eyes twinkle. There was a reason that she was the transfiguration teacher and not the charms professor.
Minerva was rather angry at Mr. Black for that prank -and she knew it was him, she had taught his Uncle after all!-, then she took exception when he hadn't took any notes on her lecture, and then proceeded to be the first to change the matchstick to needle and then back. He then drawled out in an implacable accent asking what homework she'd assign at the end of class, so she spat back that he'd get his assignment with everyone else and that since he so easily got it he should help those less fortunate at their attempts. He then proceeded to help Miss Lovegood get hers there and back -slightly sloppy wandwork- before helping another student -who had a pronunciation problem, while she was still on her first student. As these students were Ravenclaws, they learned quickly and could observe their surroundings. As it was, she gave out her assignment fifteen minutes before the period ended, six-inches on similar transfigurations and readings from the book. It took them a few minutes to depart and then she looked the door with a simple locking charm. They had a rather short intense discussion, since after she gave the assignment she dismissed the class, except for Black.
It went like this-
"The Headmaster expected you before this class happened Mr. Black."
"Then he and his messengers should be more precise, 'after breakfast' is rather hard to specify after all. Which breakfast and how long is considered 'after' since from what I can tell and know there is no reason why I should be summoned up to his office."
"The Headmaster summoned you up to his office after breakfast."
"On what grounds? I haven't done anything to merit any disciplinary action, and seeing as how classes just started and I'm a first year there is nothing academic that needs to be discussed with him, and for the most part any and all academic matters is a matter discussed between the students and their heads of house. " He defended fiercely.
"Dumbledore just wishes to inquire about your health-"
"Then I should have been told to report to hospitable wing!"
"-and the matter of your guardianship."
"Guardianship? Why does it matter you or the Headmaster?"
"Albus is just looking out for your best interests-"
"Yes, like he probably plans for to be named my magical guardian and have use of the Black Wizengamut seat and votes like he does Potter's. I can look after myself." With that said, he unlocked the door with a muttered 'Alohamora,' and then walked out of the classroom -almost slamming the door in her face- and locked the room with a sixth year level locking or to be more accurate -sealing- charm. It was the Arabian/Spanish version of it, but that was the point of it, a 'ciertoportus.' Literally translated it meant, 'I close door/openings.' It was a muttered casting, but still verbal, unfortunately for the animagus she didn't know what he locked the door with since the door was closed and distorted his mutterings. The benefit of 'ciertoportus' over the English 'colloportus' was the fact that only he could open it back up. He then put up a two-way silencing ward, no sound out and no sound in.
Orion wandered off to his next class, a hint of satisfaction showing on his face. Even if she gave herself a cat-flap she wasn't going to get out of there for the next hour, since her charm skills were for one only decent, and two, rusty. He ran into Luna in the next corridor, along with a muggle-born Raven, the one Minerva had helped and sneered in a specified fashion, after a fierce glare. He helped Luna gather her stuff up with a few muttered charms. He then gave a glance and a once-over.
He seemed rather average, short cropped dark hair, blue eyes, and a bit full of himself. He carried himself well, in a military-esce stance, with good grooming. "You're not worth it." Orion said appraisingly, just to hammer a nail or two into his ego. He really didn't come to Hogwarts make friends, but he didn't come to deal with idiots either. He'd have to though.
"Why?" The militaristic muggle-born male muttered, barely restraining himself from snarling.
"You, just aren't worth the effort." Orion calmly answered, before turning his back upon him.
The new initiate to magic swung at Orion's back, only for his wrist to be caught, arm twisted and thrown over Orion's shoulder, then he hit -hard- the tapestry covering the castle wall before sinking to floor. The guy groaned in pain.
"I guess you're worth some effort after all. Just FYI, while muggle fighting might work with most every other pureblood, I'm exceedingly comfortable in both worlds. While I'm pretty sure that your family is shocked that you're magical, being from the South, specifically since you're from across the pond. Dad's in the military?"
"Yes." He hissed out.
"Thought so. Magical Britain is rather backwater compared to the Confederacy."
"But the Confederacy was abolished!"
"Not the magical one. Same with the U.S.S.R. Magical governments sometimes survive past the non-magical ones. Sometimes they don't, or they fall out of favor from the non-magical governments. The 'Fed's magical system is strange to the Brits, but it works extremely well, that and the South being as it is. Ever been to New Orleans?"
"No."
"Orlando?"
"No."
"Any state capital?"
"Nashville and Little Rock, but that was just passing through."
"Small town U.S.A?"
"The school my dad graduated from had thirty-five people his senior year. That was the largest graduating class on record."
"Which state and area?"
"West Tennessee."
"Towards Memphis or Union City or Jackson?"
"Why is it any of your business-"
"Because, in the US, you get this nice little pamphlet delivered by the mail service explaining to your parents that yes, you their child, is magical as soon as you preform your first few bouts of accidental magic. You later get a visit from some witch or wizard who's job it is to inform your parents on where to go and purchase supplies at. Most major US cities, specifically their state capital have a magical shopping district. Depending on what your parents choose, they'll send you to a private boarding school like this one, except Stateside you get a muggle education along side it or you get tutors and be home schooled in magic. Most who choose the tutor program drop out of muggle high school around their sophomore year."
"Huh?"
"Maintaining good scores in both worlds is a balancing act that most everyone fails at, the Confederates have it made in the south since you could literally have a vampire lead a tour through the city, claim he was a vampire and not be believed. That and most magic preformed there could be seen as street shows or tricks. Speaking of the Confederates, you have the revolutionary fire. That I like. I may not like you as a person, but even the most despicable have qualities that are worth admiring. Continually repeating a question is not one of them."
"Huh? Hey!" He said again as Orion stalked off.
"He's been around the world a few times." Luna simplified.
"Why is he telling me this anyway?"
"In pureblood politics, you have dishonored yourself by attacking him from behind. Until you prove yourself worthy or restore your honor to him, he's free to attack you once whenever -and more importantly however- he likes. However due to his family's reputation, having someone who's so obviously muggle-born next to him is good, just not for this year. He's going to have to use the Black family reputation for a good bit, before he starts on his personal reputation."
"Why? What? Use the family rep?"
"His Uncle is basically a wanted fugitive -has been for all the time that Orion's been alive-, just without the trial and conviction deal. His Uncle is wanted for a grand total of three magical and thirteen muggle homicides. His Uncle is the only person to have ever escaped from Azkaban in all of its dreary history, and it has been around since before Ceaser's time. Azkaban also tends to drive most prisoners insane in less than a year's time. One of his Uncle's cousins, Bellatrix LeStrange is the most feared witch in all of Britain and said to be one of the most insane in Azkaban. Another of his 'Aunts' is Narcissa, she is a socialite, but while she may not enjoy dueling, she is reputed to be as good if not better than Bellatrix, Bellatrix who once took on nine Aurors -magical pleasemen- by herself and killed seven of them during the duel. Narcissa is not in Azkaban and is considered to be a respectable pillar of the community. However she also can easily take down anyone with a word here and a word there and is considered to be a sympathizer to the pureblood cause- which is muggleborns are servant class and muggles are beasts. His last 'Aunt' is happily disowned, but she heads one of the divisions in St. Mungos, the magical hospital. She actually married a muggle-born -that's the cause of her disownment- and her daughter graduated from here last year. However Orion's father, was actually a Death Eater- someone who actually fought and killed muggles and muggleborns on the order of You-Know-Who. Don't bring it up around him, unless you want to have a hex thrown at you that can't be reversed."
"Scary family."
"Orion, could potentially be scarier than all of them, in both what the public perceives and the truth as it actually is. The power he wields as 'Lord Black' is close to what Dumbledore wields in certain circles, and then we get to the political ramifications of him being Lord Black."
"What ramifications?"
"He can, in an instant, if he so wishes, remove the Minister of Magic." Luna stated grimly.
-End of Chapter 4
A/N; Evil Cliffhanger I know. The following segments were cut from this chapter, mostly because I couldn't find a place to put them. Think of them as Omakes or Outtakes or explanations.
-Out take 1
Severus at the end of the day and having spent the night and then the day agonizing over the 'Black Brat' gave a good ten points to Ravenclaw, for handling the situation like a Slytherin. Well, for that and for giving him a laugh as the second year know-it-all and the youngest male Weasely were hit by shoes flying towards their faces -which then fell into their cauldrons- and then took five points off from Ravenclaw for the fact that he caused three explosions in the room before taking off several points for each infraction. Longbottom would have exploded his cauldron anyway, but they happened simultaneously. Nothing made him grumpier than botched potions and wasted ingredients. Waste not, want not. Economy and thriftiness had long worked its way into his character and being.
He then took out his grumpiness upon the messy Gryffs, -grumpiness caused by insomnia and the potion waste and the complete lack of talent shown by them in the potion field- and decided to squeeze all the pleasure he could by tearing the Gryffs to shreds. He'd reserved judgment until he had him in potions, a better way to judge someone he never knew. In potions the little things mattered, and the little things as the spy would say and knows first hand would give you away.
Really, he was loosing his touch, one of his prefects had recently called him a 'mother hen,' not so plainly, and not in front of him, but there was a reason that he was the Slytherin head of house. The look on his face when he had appeared from the shadows -like a vampire- and asked how they were settling in was beyond priceless! Hmm, he was reminiscing, so a quick solution needed to be found, "Finnigan! Don't you dare stir-"
-Out take 2
Poppy was rather worried. As matron of the hospital wing, she was always on call, always potentially needed to be. Thus she never ate at the staff table -potions and such that may be needed could not be found in the great hall-, and hardly visited the staff of Hogwarts. They came to her.
She however was worried. Several students throughout the day came to visit the hospital wing, complaining of shoes and boots to the head. At first she thought that it was the twins, as they seemed to be featured in most magical maladiess in this school, but when they came by -having grown beaks, feathers and fur- wishing that they were responsible for the strident shoes and belligerent boots, Poppy found out that they weren't.
The twin's chatter quickly caught her up to date. A Black was back in the school!
A shiver of fear creeped up her spine.
She decided to have a lie-in.
Mayhap it be a dream.
She hoped it to be.
She prayed so.
-Explaination of Orion's behaviour 1
"Quiet, there's a Snufflupagus in this hallway, it was following Orion."
"What's a Snufflupagus?" He questioned not quiet ready to ask why it was following Orion.
"It's a white oiliphant that is drawn to the scent of chaos and makes people act OOC."
"OOC?"
"Out Of Character. You can get rid of them by snubbing your elders and helping pretty ladies with monocles or by obscurely referencing bad puns. They come from the realm of madness. You see how quickly Orion informed you, this is out of character for the image he's striving for. He's banking on the big, bad and Black image and so helping muggleborns is OOC -even if he did throw you into a wall. You wouldn't loose your temper for such little reason as being snubbed and not getting it right?"
"Typically."
"Good. I typically wouldn't act like I'm infested with fye-gee-ants either."
"Huh?"
"I don't ever act this grim usually. It's a pleasant surprise really."
