A/N: Another short (to me at least...well it looks short when it gets uploaded) chapter, but one that was fun to write...especially the last few bits. Exam studying going well, with last exam on Monday so yay. Hopefully then I'll be able to give the fic a bit more focus this summer, it'll take my mind of the exam results at least.

Big thanks to all my reviewers, every little review makes me smile and that's good.

Standard disclaimer applies. And on we jolly well go

After his 'little display' in the Great Hall, Chris had been quickly shoved into a side room, while the teachers gathered anxiously around him, trying to decide the best course of action to take. Truth be told, they had no idea what to do, nothing like this had ever happened before at Hogwarts. Students did not start spouting fire from their hands, from their wands yes, but never from their hands. They were quite perplexed at what they should do, and to make up for it, they stormed around angrily making accusations and raising their voices to sound more important than the last person who had spoken. The general opinion of all the teachers in the room - with Umbridge agreeing hysterically loudly - was that Chris was a danger to other students if he could not control his power, which they sincerely doubted her could, and should be removed from the school.

"If I could maybe speak up on my own behalf," Chris yelled in a bored tone, demanding the attention which rightly he should be given. After all, it was him they were speaking of. "I'm not some stupid kid you know, I can handle power changes," he said, glaring at those who would dare to disagree with him.

"Chris, it is not that we are doubting you," Dumbledore started, in what was obviously meant to be a kind, grandfatherly tone, something which Chris didn't appreciate one bit.

"Sure as hell sounds like it Gandalf," Chris snorted, turning round in his seat to face the teachers. To the side of the room, leaning against the wall next to the doorway, Cole stood, looking as bored with the whole situation as Chris felt. Chris frowned, looking at Cole for a moment or two, remembering that Cole was in fact a demon, and that one of his powers was fire based as well…

"Mr Halliwell, you will show the Headmaster due respect," McGonagall snapped at him. "As your Head of House, I am informing you that it is not a case of us doubting your abilities, we have all heard the stories of the Halliwell family," Chris snorted. They didn't even know the half of it. "It is merely a case of protecting the majority of the student body until you have fully mastered the power," McGonagall finished, looking quite displeased at the way in which Chris had been cruelly mimicking her as she spoke.

"Chris," Cole's voice spoke out as a warning. Chris' eye brow rose, but he fell silent, smirking up at the teaching staff. He didn't need to speak to annoy people, as he had learned. Cole watched for a moment, groaning inwardly at Chris' arrogance before speaking. "If you're really worried about him, I could train him," he offered. A loud tut came from Umbridge.

"You are not a Ministry trained teacher!" Her voice shrieked, causing everyone present to wince slightly. "What would you know of teaching?" She accused, glaring at Cole as if he was Voldemort himself, committing the most horrible acts in front of her. Cole sighed.

"So maybe a demonstration then?" He suggested, in his most lawyerly tones. He turned to Chris. "Stand up then kid," he said, hoping that just this once, Chris would go along with him, and do as he asked. Chris stared at Cole unblinkingly.

"And on what crazy planet did I suddenly start listening to you?" Cole sighed, his fingers pinching his nose and his eyes squeezing shut. Why was it that his dealings with the youngest Halliwell brought on terrible headaches? He really was too much like his mother at times. Cole's mind raced, searching for a reason that Chris would accept.

"Well, it's not listening to me per se," Cole started slowly, hoping that this rather weak, in his opinion that is, reason would hold well with Chris. "It's more, annoying the teachers?" Chris' head tilted, obviously considering this information. After a moment or two he stood, kicking his chair back, smirking when it scraped against the floor. Cole gave a brief smile and then turned to a more business like manner.

"Right, now what emotion was greatest when the fire appeared?" He asked, already knowing the answer, but realising the need to see professional in front of these teachers. Chris sighed, his eyes rolling.

"Why I believe I was overjoyed to see that my dearest daddy had wrote to me," Chris drawled, his tone laced with sarcasm and venom at the mention of Leo. Cole paused, waiting until he was sure Chris wouldn't 'blow his top' there and then.

"Can you grab hold that that emotion for me Chris?" Cole asked, watching carefully as Chris closed his eyes, his eyebrows furrowing as he drew his anger forward. "Now, imagine all that anger, just clenched in your right fist, can you do that?" Cole continued, his voice soft and calming, a contrast to the anger which Chris was using. He watched as the young witchlighter's right fist clenched, clutching on to the anger. "Now, imagine the fire, in your hand, swirling into a small ball. When you've done that, let it go," Cole finished, somewhat lamely, running out of ways to explain it.

There was a few moments of silence, as Chris complied with Cole's instructions. His eyes shot open, holding up at hand with crackling fire in it. He thrust his hand forward, letting the fireball go. A devilish smirk grew on his face as the fireball headed straight towards Delores Umbridge who screamed.

"Aw…why did ya have to go and save her," Chris moaned as McGonagall extinguished with fireball with a fountain of water from her wand. "I wanted to watch Toadie burn," he gnashed his teeth together, enjoying the small squirm Umbridge gave before she found her voice.

"Detention Mr Halliwell! And you WILL be attending this one," Umbridge snapped at Chris. "And don't you dare roll your eyes at me!"

"Great…" Cole moaned, covering his face in his hands. Chris with fire power, they'd be lucky if Hogwarts was still intact at the end of the day.

"Mr Tuner, if you please," Dumbledore beckoned him over. Cole nodded once, walking over. Even the demons in the deepest reaches on the underworld had heard something of Albus Dumbledore. What they had heard was not, perhaps, what the wizarding world knew about him, but it had grudgingly earned him some form of respect. "I think, perhaps, that it would be both in the best interests of Chris, and of his fellow students, if you were to train Chris in how to use his new power.

"Headmaster why?" McGonagall interjected before Cole had time to reply to Dumbledore. "From that little display there, it is clear that Chris has control of his powers already," she added dryly, pursing her lips and sending a small glare towards Cole, an action which the rest of the teaching staff seemed to be favouring.

"No he hasn't," Cole said quickly.

"No I haven't," Chris said at the exact same time. The two turned to stare at each other, both wondering the other's motives behind what they had said. Chris broke the staring match by turning to face Dumbledore. "Seriously Gandalf, you unleash me without proper training this damp infested castle will be a pile of ash by the end of the day." The teachers all paused, turning to stare at the youngest Halliwell who was, for once, without smirk or irony in his tone. "And, you should let Demon Dude here teach me," he pointed over at Cole, who was still frowning trying to work out just what it was that Chris was planning.

"And when do you suggest lessons take place?" Snape asked, in a tone of little interest. Chris' eyebrow rose only slightly at the tone, knowing that they both had to play a role in this side. "I certainly not give you permission to miss my lessons, despite that it will most likely be a more pleasant atmosphere with your disruptive influence removed."

Cole frowned, Chris had only been in Potions once, and already he was classed as a disruptive influence? He had to hand it to the kid, he sure as hell worked fast. "Well, logically it'll be at night, after dinner when no lessons are on. We'll start tonight," he said. "That is, if the Headmaster agrees," he added, nodding once at Dumbledore. Dumbledore nodded in return, giving his consent.

"Ahem, ahem," the girlish cough of Umbridge sounded out throughout the room as all eyes turned to face her. "I'm sorry, Headmaster," she said, not looking very sorry at all, "But I'm afraid that the arrangement can't be like that. You see, Mr Halliwell has detention with me every night this week." McGonagall frowned.

"And why was I, as his Head of House, not informed of this Delores?" She snapped, looking very annoyed. Umbridge blinked once, smiling sweetly at her.

"But I did inform. I sent Halliwell along to your office with a note to tell you," she smile widen slightly. "It appears that he did not show up." They turned once again to look at Chris, who shrugged lightly.

"Oops?" He offered, clearly not caring. "You've got a choice. Either I go to detention and end up burning the school down, or you let me go train with my new powers," he told them. "And it's not like I want to spend time with Demon Dude," he scowled. "Freakin' idiot always gets on at me."

"Like I really want to spend time with you, you obnoxious brat," Cole said lightly, quickly realising what Chris was attempting to do. If they gave out the appearance that hated each other, and Cole was sure Chris wasn't acting, it would mean all the teachers would agree to the training sessions. Which would work into both of their plans, Cole assumed, at least on his half it would. He needed an excuse to spend more time at Hogwarts. If Chris was planning to do what Cole highly suspect he was…well at the very least the kid would need all the support he could get.

Umbridge stared at the pair. "It is not Ministry protocol to allow a non teacher to teach a student," she pointed out, seemingly to the room at large.

"An, but alas, Delores, we are not skilled in this particular brand of magic," Dumbledore said, smiling in an absent manner. "And, as it happens, Mr Turner is." There was a pause, as Dumbledore allowed Umbridge to take this information in. "I think that this once, Ministry protocol must be set aside as we think of what is best for the child,"

"I'm not a child!" Chris interrupted Dumbledore angrily.

"Forgive an old man, Chris, it was simply a turn of phrase," he said, a small twinkle visible in his eyes. "Now, I believe that Mr Turner's suggestion is, at present, our best course of action. And as such, I give permission as Headmaster of this school for Chris to be excused from his detentions to attend his lessons with Mr Turner." Cole's mouth twitched at this, while Chris broke into a smirk. "And now, although I do wish for you to attend classes this afternoon, you are excused from your morning classes to find a room in which lessons to control your room power may take place."

Chris nodded, sitting and watching as the teachers left the room to attend their own classes, Umbridge looking put out by Dumbledore's ruling. Cole closed the door behind them and stared at Chris, who was lazing across the seat he had been sitting in. "What are you planning?"

"Planning? Moi? Why Cole, you do have the very worst opinion of me don't you?" Chris drawled, looking around the room they were in. It was quite large, with high ceilings and a wide floor space. "Here will do for lessons," he said to Cole, jumping out of his lazy position with a sudden energy.

"Chris," Cole said, a slight tone in his voice. Chris laughed lightly.

"Honestly Cole, this paranoia is not good for you," Chris said, affecting the tone of one who cared. "Your aura is all outta whack, here, there's these things called drugs. You should really try 'em, might loosen you up a bit." And with that Chris orbed out of the room.

Cole sighed, collapsing into the now empty seat. He had to try to teach that? And he was excepted to succeed where so many others had failed, just because he had the dumb luck of making that promise. Why he revealed himself to Dumbledore in the first place he'd never know. No, he did know. It was the only way to alter the wards of the school so that he, and only he, could flame into the school. It was one of the few ways of keeping his promise and Dumbledore knew it.

"Always knew that man was a manipulative old bat," Cole muttered, flaming out.

XXX

Chris had decided the night before that only his morning classes interested him, so, ignoring what Dumbledore had told him, he decided to go to only those classes. His first class, which happened to be Double Charms, was taken by tiny Professor Flitwick, who had spent the first fifteen minutes of the lesson lecturing the class on something known to them as the OWLs. What unsanitary methods of mail delivery had to do with lessons, Chris didn't know, mostly as he tuned out of the lecture. When his lecture had finished, Flitwick set the class on revising Summoning Charms. Chris watched as the students pointed at objects using their wands, and chanting the phrase 'accio', which Chris found slightly humorous as 'accio' Latin for summon.

"The Force is strong in this one," he muttered loudly, watching at the Wonder Boy summoned yet another object to him. Flitwick passed Chris as he made this remark, and gave a small titter of laughter.

"Now come along young Halliwell, surely you know how to cast a Summoning Charm," the professor squeaked, smiling expectantly at Chris. Chris stared for a moment, not quite believing that a teacher actually squeaked at him, before reaching into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulling out his wand. He still wasn't sure what to make of this wand and, as a result, was very reluctant to use it. He set it down on the table. "Mr Halliwell?" Flitwick asked, confusion evident in his squeak voice.

"Hey teach, watch this," Chris smirked, holding his hand out flat. Mentally he called for the textbook which was sitting at the top of the pile which Flitwick had stood on while making his lecture. The book disappeared in a flurry of orbs, reappearing in Chris' hand. Flitwick gave a small gasp. "Why that is quite remarkable Mr Halliwell, ten points to Gryffindor!" The tiny teacher squeaked. Chris smirked as the bell rang, slightly surprised to see the 'return' of his more academically inclined side. He supposed it was the effect of having to stay in a school. He shuddered slightly. He was falling into old habits that he couldn't afford, not if he wanted to do what he had been planning.

The beginning of Double Transfiguration went a lot like the beginning of Double Charms, the only difference being that it was now Professor McGonagall lecturing them on the importance of the OWLs. Chris had managed to discover that they were some form of examination, that Hogwarts students sat in their fifth year to decide which level they would study at in their final two years at the school. Or at least, that was the way that Chris understood them

"So…today we are starting Vanishing Spells," Professor McGonagall was telling the class. "These are easier than Conjuring Spells, which you would not usually attempt until NEWT levels, but they are still among the most difficult magic you will be tested on in your OWL." From what Chris was seeing, what McGonagall had said was quite right. The majority of the class seemed to find the spells horribly difficult, although Hermione seemed to be fairing quite well. Chris stared down at the snail he had been given, poking it slightly. The snail's head tuned slightly, making as if to stare back up at Chris

"I think I'll call you Sammy," Chris muttered, rubbing his finger along the snail's shell. "You really don't know what the fuck is happening here do you Sammy?" Chris asked his snail, getting no reply, not that he had really expected one in the first place. "Right conversationalist ain't ya Sammy?"

"Halliwell!" The sharp bark caused Chris to raise his head from the desk slightly, a movement which seemed even lazier than it should have done. "Why have you not made an attempt to vanish your snail yet?" McGonagall demanded. Chris gave a look of shock.

"Vanish Sammy? Are you mad woman?" He cried, acting as though he were deeply offended. "I can't vanish Sammy, we've bonded," he sniffed.

"Halliwell unless you make an attempt to vanish that snail within the next minute I shall be forced to give you lunchtime detention," McGonagall warned him, her lips thin with restrained annoyance. Chris' eyebrow rose slightly, but he made no comment. He stared at Sammy for a moment, before turning to look up at McGonagall, suddenly aware of every student's eyes on them.

"Vanish the snail, right?" He asked McGonagall, waiting for her nod to confirm what it was he was meant to be doing. When the nod came he looked back down at Sammy, frowning slightly, before making a quick hand gesture. Sammy vanish in, similar to Charms, a flurry of orbs. There was a pause as McGonagall stared at the spot where the snail had previously stood.

"That," she managed after a few moments of silence, "was not the task you were assigned, Halliwell."

Chris frowned. "Sammy has been Vanished. Anyway, you told me to 'vanish' the snail," he pointed out. "Didn't specify how," Chris finished, a smirk secure on his face. McGonagall stared down at him, considering her options.

"It is correct to assume that you know how to bring the snail back?" She asked. Chris nodded only slightly. "Very well then, bring the snail back and try it again with the correct spell." Chris' eyebrow rose again, staring at McGonagall with an incredulous look. Apparently she wasn't joking. He scowled, waving his hand to bring Sammy back.

"Sorry, Sammy, but this screwed up witch here wants me to vanish you 'properly'," Chris said loudly, well aware that McGonagall was watching him closely, waiting until he completed the task. He reached into his pocket, taking out his wand and staring at it for a moment or two, his thumb automatically running itself over the triquetra carved into the handle.

"Now Halliwell," McGonagall ordered. Chris raised his wand, pointing it straight at Sammy. He remained like that for a few moments.

"Oh, fuck this," he muttered, lowering his wand. He turned to face McGonagall. "Listen, you know as well as I do wand magic ain't my thing.," he laughed lightly. "I've never used one in my life, I doubt I'm automatically gonna be able to do a spell which, as you say yourself, is one of the hardest for this year group to learn." Chris' voice was even and calm, explaining his reasoning well. "I'll learn the theory, I'll do the damn essays and homework shit, but practical is a big no."

McGonagall looked down at Chris, surprised at the teen's level of arrogance that allowed him to swear casually in front of a teacher. Though she may be strict, she was not unkind, and she considered what Chris had told her carefully. It would be quite cruel to force him now, at nearly 16 years of age, to change his entire way of using his magics. And there was the problem of the teachers at Hogwarts, herself included, not being entirely sure as to how Chris' magic worked exactly. From the demonstration made by himself and Mr Turner this morning, it was obvious that it focused more on emotions than on the almost 'wish' like quality wand magic had.

"In that case, Mr Halliwell, I would like an essay on the theory of the spell, including definition and warnings about the spell," she relented. The bell choose that moment to ring loudly, signalling lunch time. Chris stood from his seat quickly, allowing Sammy to crawl into his hand, before leaving the class room.

XXX

"How dare you 'accidentally bang' into me!" A haughty voice was loudly proclaiming. "You filthy lunatic! I don't want your madness rubbing off on me!" Chris frowned. That voice really was annoying, but it was familiar at the same time. He walked towards it, rounding the corner that lead him into the Entrance Hall. There stood Luna, and…someone else who Chris didn't actually know but who looked very familiar, flanked by two overgrown shaved gorillas. "That's all you are isn't it? Stark raving bonkers? It's a wonder you've even managed to last this long. Rumour has it your mad mum blew herself up…"

Chris glared. Luna looked deeply hurt by that remark, and from what Chris knew of Luna, she wasn't one to let insults get to her. "Hey! Caspar!" Chris called across the hall, drawing the attention of the three boys and Luna. "I'm talking to the Billy Idol wannabe," he drawled, pointing to the tall boy, who had a pale, pointed face, and sleek white-blonde hair. "Yeah you, you ever heard of picking on someone your own size?"

"Just who do you think you are, you bloody Yank!" The boy called. "How dare you call me by a ridiculous Muggle's name! I am a Malfoy!"

"Oh, so you're a different species, well that explains it all," Chris shot back, a small smirk forming. Malfoy…that explained why this boy was so familiar to him. His father worked for Tommy.

"My NAME is Malfoy," Malfoy yelled, "Draco Malfoy. And who would you be, yank?" Chris smirked.

"Oh, forgive me Caspar, I'm Chris," there was a brief pause. "Chris Halliwell." Chris watched, amused at the sight of Malfoy's eyes widening in what could only be called fear. Apparently, Chris' name and reputation preceded him.

"H…Halliwell?" Malfoy stumbled over the name, wondering what the great, and infamous among Death Eaters, Lord Christopher was doing in a school. In Hogwarts. He quickly regained his normal nature. Never let it be said that a Malfoy appear flustered for longer than a second. "Sticking up for weirdos Halliwell? Those who are beneath you?" he scoffed. "I can show you your real friends here at Hogwarts, those who are worthy of a Halliwell's friendship," he finished, extending his hand.

Chris looked down at the pale hand, pushing it away. "Yeah, except I think that I can find my own friends. And trust me Caspar, there's more chance of, oh shall we say Snape wearing a hot pink dress than of you ever being 'worthy' of my friendship." Malfoy's hand dropped, a scowl appearing on his face. "I mean, you were annoying my good friend Lunar there," Chris nodded over at Luna, who had regained her dreamy expression. "Who should really go get her lunch now, huh Lunar?" Chris said, shooting a good natured smirk towards the Ravenclaw who simply nodded and wandered away.

"Now, Malfoy junior, where the hell do you get off trying to hurt my friends?" Chris asked calmly, only a small flash of his anger showing in his eyes.

"Forgive me, my Lord," Malfoy added, gritting his teeth, "but I was not aware that you had taken the school freak as a friend."

"And there you go again, insulting my friend," Chris said, walking around Malfoy slowly, similar to how a hunter stalks his prey. "Really, Drake boy, we need to work on your manners," a dark look crossed Chris face, his fingers running over the three scars at his collarbone, through the cotton of his top. "After all, your father's obsessed with them," he muttered darkly.

"My Lord…?" Malfoy asked, clearly confused. His goons exchanged looks of confusion, well it was either confusion or hunger, as well.

"Your gorillas, get rid of them," Chris ordered, his voice barely above that of a whisper. Malfoy nodded once, dismissing Crabbe and Goyle without so much as a backwards glance at them. "Now, Drake, you made a friend of mine sad, and I can't allow that," Chris said, trying to affect the quiet, commanding tone that Wyatt often used. He had no way of telling if it was working or not, as Malfoy would never dare to speak out against him.

"My Lord I was only…" Malfoy began

"You know what, you just shut up," Chris said, "'Cause, you know, sorta listening to me talking here." Chris sighed, it had been a long day. "Now, Ferret Boy, I think the only way to deal with you, is public humilation," a smirk crossed over Chris' features.

"My Lord?" Malfoy questioned, as Chris neared him.

XXX

It was later that afternoon, during a study period, that Draco Malfoy was discovering, body locked, in the Gryffindor common room. He had been covered in wrapping paper, with a gift note attached:
'Think of this as an early Christmas present'

The Weasley twins, who had been first into the common room, along with a prefect who had immediately run to find Professor McGonagall, exchanged identical wicked grins.

"Wicked."