Chapter 10

December came. Along with it, the cold and the snow. Less students went outside during their free time, filling the library and the Great Hall instead. As if it was an unspoken rule on December first, everyone started talking about their Christmas plans. This was Jericho's least favorite time of the year. Not Christmas, but the month lending up to it—when everyone was talking about it. During Christmas Break, everyone was gone and it was quiet. He could act like it was any other day, but before the break was a different story. It was during this time that made it hard to get through the day. The reminder of his family situation was harder to ignore when everyone was talking about their families and asking about his plans.

Jericho was sitting at the Slytherin table for dinner one Friday evening, picking at his green peas as everyone talked around him. Theo pushed his empty plate aside and pulled out his homework. Jericho watched him for mere entertainment, not that he was all that interesting, but it was better than watching Malfoy brag to his followers.

Theo was quite the studious student. Jericho liked that about him. It made it easier for Jericho to get his work done. Not that he was a procrastinator, but he only did homework that was due within a few days and, once it was done, it was done, while Theo did homework a week in advance, if he was able to, and always doubled and tripled check his work. However, he wasn't as crazy about it as Hermione Granger.

"You going to Hogsmead tomorrow?" Theo asked as he wrote a sentence down in his essay.

Jericho blinked. "Hmm?" He shook his head when the question registered in his brain. "Oh. No, I suppose not. It'll be too crowded this month. I'll go next time."

"Too crowded?"

"Hmhm," Jericho hummed as he nodded. "It's the last trip before Christmas. Everyone will be there to get gifts for their family and friends."

Theo finally glanced up from his essay. "You going to the Aynesworth?"

Jericho snorted and sat up. "You kiddin'? No way." Not to say they didn't ask, but it was the same thing as writing to them. Why do it when they didn't really care? "I'll be here over break. You goin' home?"

Theo sighed heavily and his eyes dimmed. "Yeah," he muttered before looking back down at his essay.

Jericho eyes narrowed, but he didn't ask. Theo never spoke of his family situation. However, Jericho did catch on that his mother was out of the picture and his parents had him very late in life. It was rumored that because of her age, Theo's mother couldn't hold on long after birthing him. Jericho knew very little about Nott Sr., and Theo wasn't willing to share. What he observed didn't put Nott Sr. into a good light. Theo was reluctant to speak of his family. Every time his family was brought up, he would glance away and clam up. His face would turn to stone and his jaw would tighten. His home life wasn't rainbows and golden puppies. Theo was afraid of his father.

"What about Potter and his gang?"

Jericho shrugged. "Think they're staying too."

Theo's eyes flickered up. "At least you won't be alone here."

Jericho just shrugged his shoulders and turned his attention back to plate. It didn't matter to him if he had company over break. The full moon so happened to be Christmas Eve night this year. It would be better if he didn't have anyone wondering where he was during Christmas dinner in the Great Hall. He could only hope that Harry and his crew would be too distracted by their gifts to wonder about him.

"You'll have the dorm room to yourself," Theo continued to say. "I heard Malfoy and the rest of our year mates will be leaving."

Jericho grinned and nodded. "That does sound nice…and quiet."

"No doubt," Theo agreed before turning his attention back to his essay. They settled into an easy silence until Theo spoke again. "Any word from her?"

Knowing just who Theo was talking about, Jericho shook his head. "'Course not. It hasn't been a month yet. By my calculation, my mother should get the owl within the next week. It should take at least another month to hear back." He put his fork down. "Why do we use owls? Muggles get information and mail much faster. Why not use their system? Owls are slow. They have to fly, for Merlin sake. The weather slows them down and they have to stop to rest and get food periodically. It's not very reliable. So, why use them?"

Theo shrugged. "Tradition, I guess. How do they do it?"

"The muggles have many ways, but the fastest way is the computer. It sends letters in seconds across the world. I don't know how it works, but it does. Very convenient."

"Whoa. Never heard of it, but it sounds pretty cool."

"Oi, Potter, you going home for Christmas to see your parents?" Malfoy called across the aisle to Harry. "Oh, wait, I forgot. You don't have parents. They're dead." The rest of the third year Slytherins laughed as if it was the funniest thing they heard. "Little orphan Potter, stuck here for the holidays," the blonde mocked. Harry's back tensed, but he didn't turn around.

Jericho clinched his teeth and glared at the boy.

Theo leaned over the table. "Remember what Snape said, Jericho. Not in public."

"I do remember what he said. He said I can stand up to my friend."

"I'm sure he meant when there is no…"

"Oi, Malfoy," Jericho called out.

"other choice," Theo finished lamely.

Malfoy turned to him and glared back. "What, Slyder?"

"You're one to talk with your own mother dead."

"What are you talking about, Slyder? My mother is still alive!"

"Oh, she is?" Jericho said with mock surprise. "I'm sorry. It's just you talk so much about your father, one has to wonder about her. Are you ashamed of her or something?"

The surrounding Slytherins and Gryffindors leaned in with interest to the verbal attack.

"I'm not ashamed! Don't you talk about my family, you worthless orphan."

Jericho rolled his eyes for mere dramatic effect. "Wow, very creative." He frowned and leaned on the table. "You know, something just occurred to me. I have to wonder if you have a crush on Harry Potter."

There was a gasp by those listening in and a few chuckles.

"I mean, we already established that you had a small crush on me. Gross, by the way. But now I see that you really have a crush on Harry Potter. Why else try to get his attention like you do? I've notice that when a boy likes girl he pulls on her ponytail, just to get her attention. I don't see why same thing won't apply to a boy liking another boy. It seems like that's what you're doing. You verbally attack Harry Potter for no reason, just to get his attention. You must like him."

"That's sick, Slyder. You're sick!"

Jericho sighed. "That's what you said last time I brought up your obvious sexual orientation. The boy doth protest too much, methinks," he quoted, changing lady to boy to fit the situation.

One of the Slytherin prefects came up to them. "What's going on? Do I need to pull you two aside?"

Malfoy glared hard at Jericho before shaking his head. "No."

Jericho glanced innocently at the prefect. "No, sir. We were just conversing."

The older boy glanced between the two. "Well, stop it, unless you want me to get Professor Snape involved." He left and returned to his seat.

"Wait, until my father…"

"Oh, please, Malfoy, stop before you bore me to death. You are such a daddy's boy."

"Well," Pansy Parkinson spoke up from next to Malfoy, "at least he isn't a charity case."

Jericho brow narrowed slightly in confusion, but refused to show weakness.

Malfoy smirked. "Yeah, didn't you know, Slyder? The Aynesworths only took you in to increase their political standing. Helping the helpless. It just touches the softies. Once they accomplish their goal, they'll throw you away. You mean nothing to them, but a way to achieve their goal. You'll get thrown back into the orphanage."

"Tell me something I don't know, Malfoy. You really think I care?" He hadn't known that was the reason the Aynesworth adopted him, but he knew they wouldn't keep him. No one ever kept him. "I've been through this enough times. You are pathetic." He stood. "Come on, Theo. Let's go before the prefect follows through on his threat." The last thing they needed was their Head of House getting involved.

They exited the Great Hall.

"Jericho!"

Someone called out from behind them. They stopped and turned, waiting for Harry, Granger, and Weasley to catch up to him.

"That was wicked!" Weasley said.

"Thanks, Jericho, for standing up to me," Harry said.

Jericho shrugged away the praise. "I have no parents either, Harry. Malfoy's insults to you is an insult to me, when it comes to lack of a family."

"Thanks anyway."

"If you two aren't done with homework, you can join us in the library," Granger offered, not noticing or ignoring the grimace on Harry and Weasley's faces. "We have tons to do and so little time to do it all."

"For you," Weasley said. "Told you you're insane taking all those classes! How are you doing them anyway?" She did seem overwhelmed. Her hair was untidy, her shirt untucked, her robes were winkled, and there were dark circles under her eyes. Jericho eyes narrowed in slight concern.

"I told you, Ronald, everything was figured out already! You don't need to concern yourself!"

Jericho grinned in amusement before interrupting the quarreling duo. "We finished already, but thanks, Granger. Maybe next time."

The group separated, the three Gryffindors heading up to the library and the two Slytherins heading down to their common room.

Jericho stopped in the corridor before their common room and leaned against the cold stone wall of the dungeon. He sighed.

Theo stopped beside him. "You didn't know, did you? About the Aynesworths."

Jericho shook his head. "I'm not surprised. I knew it wasn't long term." But a part of him, a small childish part of him, wished they really cared. A part of him craved family, wanted it, wanted someone to care for him and love him. He tried to guard himself against this type of pain, but a little of it always bleed through. He hated being unwanted. No one wanted to be his family. No one ever did. Maybe he would be able to block it within the next year or so. Wouldn't that be a relief.

He pushed off the wall. "Come on."

Remus sat down the last graded essay from his sixth year's class on the rest of the pile. He rubbed his temple to find relief from his headache. It started sometime after he went through the first years essays…No. If he was honest with himself, the headache began on Halloween night, when Black broke into the school. His indecision and guilt was tearing him apart inside. Should he tell Albus about Black's animgus form? Yes. He should. He knew he should. But would he? No. Why? He sighed.

Why indeed…

Each time he went to tell Albus something stopped him. Albus was busy or someone interrupted or it was not the best time. One excuse after another. Each time he stopped himself he felt a mixture of relief and guilt. Glad he didn't tell him he betrayed his trust in school and guilty that his cowardice allowed Black to hide in plain sight. And, to top it all off, Severus Snape started to breath down his neck even more since then. He barely had a moment of peace with that man around, watching his every move. As if he would work alongside the man that killed all his closest friends, who betrayed everything they stood for.

Remus glanced up when he felt Jericho outside the classroom door. Before he could stop himself he stood and made his way quickly to the door. He knew, just knew, that the boy needed someone right now. Someone to talk to. Someone to care. He opened the door. Jericho was well passed the classroom by then, but that didn't stop Remus calling out to him. "Jericho."

The boy spin stiffened and he turned slowly to face him. His face set in that same expressionless mask he always wore around him. "Professor," he greeted back.

Remus stepped back. "Why don't you come in?"

To his credit, Jericho didn't show any hesitation when he stepped into the classroom, but Remus was sure he was just hiding it.

He kept the door open, hoping it would ease some of the boy's tension. He waved Jericho to seat at a desk and sat down across from him. Now that the boy was there and seated, Remus didn't know what to say. He may sense the need to speak to someone, but he knew he was the last person Jericho wanted to speak to and he didn't know how to reach the boy. "Why aren't you at Hogsmeade?" he asked gently.

The boy eyes narrowed ever so slightly. If Remus wasn't looking directly at his eyes, he would have missed it. "I didn't feel like it."

"Why not? Don't you want to get out and see the town, get away from the stress of school?"

"Sir, may I speak frankly without the threat of punishment?"

He sighed and nodded. "Of course you may."

"Stop it," the boy almost growled. "Just stop acting like you care. What I do doesn't concern you. If I go to Hogsmeade or not doesn't concern you. You are my professor, not even my Head of House. There is no reason for you to care. It's been months. Why haven't you stop already?"

"I won't stop caring simply because you tell me to."

Jericho folded his arms. "You will. They all do," he said calmly in a matter-of-fact sort of way.

Remus eyes widened with realization. Jericho didn't push people away because he didn't want friends or family. He was only testing them, to see if they stuck around. The poor boy. Was he really that damaged to feel the need to test everyone around them? To see if they truly cared? Remus grew even more determined not to fail the boy like everyone else in his life.

He leaned forward in the chair. He waited until he caught Jericho's eyes. "You can tell me to stop all you want. You can beg, yell, stomp your feet, throw fits all you want. I won't stop caring for your wellbeing and happiness. I won't stop caring for you as a student, as a child, as a cub…I won't stop."

Jericho snorted in disbelief. "A foster father told me that once." He glanced away, looking over Remus' shoulder. "He was the worst foster parent I had."

"I'm not him." Remus didn't know what that foster father did, but the ideas going through his mind was not pleasant and they were things he would never ever do to a child or any person, really. He leaned back in his seat. "So, tell me, how's your homework coming along? Need any help?

Jericho blink at the suddenly change of topic. "What?"

Remus held back the pleased grin, glad he surprised the boy enough to show some emotion. "How is your homework coming along? Have you fallen behind on anything?" The thought about Jericho schoolwork brought something to his mind and he waved his wand at the door to close it for privacy. He didn't miss the way Jericho tensed when he heard the quiet click. "Has anyone given you any reason they suspect?"

Jericho shook his head. "No."

"How about the excuse you used to get away? Have you exhausted it? Need any help with that?"

The boy snorted. "No and no. I don't tell them anything. They don't need to know nor do they really care."

Remus grinned. "I supposed that's the difference between Gryffindor and Slytherin. I would not have been able to get away without questions. And the potion? No side effects?"

Jericho shook his head. "Works like a charm," he said drily.

"How has Professor Snape been treating you?" That question made Jericho pause and shift in his seat, causing Remus to narrow his eyes in concern. "Has he been treating you well, Jericho?"

"Yeah," he answered quickly. "Barely gives me a second look."

"You'll tell me if he gives you a hard time?" Jericho gave him a look and Remus nodded, inwardly sighing. He didn't think so. "Are you going home for the holidays? You'll need to talk with Dumbledore about getting your potion while you're home."

"I'm staying," the boy said bluntly.

"Oh, I see." He couldn't help but feel a little concern. If Jericho tested everyone around him by pushing them away, he would surely be doing that with his adopted parents. Were they up for the task or would they only hurt the boy more? He could imagine it would be hard to show Jericho how much the cared if he wasn't even there. He wasn't even giving them a chance to show if they truly cared for him or not.

"May I go now, Professor?"

With no need to hold him, Remus could only nod. "Yes, Jericho. Enjoy the rest of your day. Feel free to come to me with anything. Anything at all."

Jericho grumbled something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like an unconvincing "sure." Remus ignored it as he watched the back of the boy disappear into the corridor.

He sighed. He couldn't blame Jericho. He, himself, didn't understand why he was trying so hard to get through to him. It was almost instinctual. It was a need inside him to know the boy, to protect him. He was almost possessive of him. He didn't like the idea that the boy wasn't in his care. It made no sense to him.

It was a lot easier to bond with Harry. Speaking of…Remus stood up. He really needed to start searching for a boggart. He promised the boy he would teach him the patronus charm after Christmas and the holiday was coming up real soon.

Jericho stared up at the night sky bundled in his warmest coat and a simple heating charm. He couldn't see the stars above him or the soon-to-be full moon. He was too deep in his thoughts. Ever since that afternoon, he couldn't get the conversation with Lupin out of his head. It was a strange conversation and it didn't get him his desired result. He wanted Lupin to stop trying. The man made him uncomfortable…and too comfortable, and that barely made sense to him.

He couldn't believe he almost told Lupin about Dan. He never told anyone about him. Even right after it happened, he didn't speak of him. Not to the shrinks he was force to see or his next foster parents. No one. And today he almost told Lupin everything. Why? He had no loyalty to the man. The rest of the day was filled with thoughts about Dan and what happened. It haunted him and made him more disagreeable. Theo didn't even dare drag him into a conversation.

"Jericho. I didn't expect you to be out here."

Jericho sat up and looked behind him. Harry stood there with a random cloak over his arm. "Harry."

The other boy sat down beside him. "Why did you sneak out?"

Jericho shrugged. "Needed air. You?"

"Same. You wanna talk about it?"

"No. You?"

Harry shook his head. "Not really."

So they sat in comfortable silence, staring up at the stars and thinking about their own problems.

Near the end of their little chat, Lupin asked about Snape and that only brought to his mind the conversation he overheard between the two professors. It made him uncomfortable to know Lupin was willing to risk his job for his sake. Once again, the same question came to mind. Why? Who was he to Lupin? What did his professor see when he looked at him? A lonely cub or a boy needing a friend or a pity case…Why did Lupin want to care for him? What made him different from all the foster parents and social workers that looked into his case?

"Found out Sirius Black is the reason my parents are dead," Harry finally spoke. "He was their friend and, worst yet, my godfather. And now he's trying to kill me."

"Yeah, mate, you got me beat."

Harry chuckled. "I didn't know we were competing."

Jericho smirked. "We're boys. We're always competing, aren't we?"

"Ha, yeah, guess so."

They relapsed back into silence.

Yes, finally an update!

Please review