Fan fiction: Harry Potter
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter. I own the original characters. Any similarities to persons living or dead are coincidental.
Rated R: For violence, some language, mature content, and eventual slash. Though I haven't decided how much, you have been warned.
Author's Notes: None
Dumbledore listened patiently to Darrin's story along with the heads of houses.
"Intriguing," the headmaster said as Darrin finished telling them all he knew, "They have someone watching the castle."
"But how?" Professor Sprout asked incredulously, "The wards would keep them away, would they not?"
"Who can say? If they can read thoughts like a legillmens then they can certainly do a lot more." Professor McGonagall replied.
"The alternative to that is that their insider is already at the castle." Snape added quietly.
"Impossible," Sprout huffed, "That would mean that it was a student. I hardly think a child would be up to the task of fighting an adult."
"Harry Potter has done so on several occasions and has been rather succesful," Flitwick said.
"That's different," Sprout bit back, "He's the Boy-Who-Lived."
"With all due respect, Professor, that's a load of poppycock," Darrin rebutted earning a gasp and glare from the Hufflepff head, "Children are a lot more resilient than most give them credit. I've seen it first hand on the muggle streets.
"Plus clans such as this have existed throughout time. Take the Knights Templar as an example; They train their children from a remarkably early age. If this "Listener" has been trained since birth, which I think he has, then it stands to reason that he might be able to help."
"And you approve putting a child in harms way, Mister Killroy?" McGonagall asked, looking over he top of her glasses in a disapproving manner.
Darrin gave her an unsettling scowl of his own.
"If I approved I wouldn' a bothered warning yeh now would I? Besides the woman Kay did not say that this Knight was a student; only that he would reveal himself when he chose. For all we know it could be your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
"It would not have been the first time Hogwarts was infiltrated by someone in that position," Snape sneered in Dumbledore's direction.
In any case," Darrin continued, "We should concentrate less on him and more on how to deal with this Lear and his pals.
"The first time I fought him I managed to defeat him. The second time even though I had subdued him he still got away and with more information than before. Clearly a victory for him. I have to wonder how our next encounter will end up."
"If we have the professors do regular patrols using your variaton of the revealing spell," Snape said, "That will help us track him if he does come. If your variation spell works then a regular revealing spell cast on him should enable others to see him."
"Maybe, but don't count on that as fact."
"I will replenish the anti-fire spells on the castle," Flitwick added, "They weren't due to be replenished for a few years but better safe than sorry."
"And I will see if I can strengthen the anti-Apparation wards," the headmaster stood, "It may or may not be effective but we must try. Now unless anyone has anything to add I suggest we adjourn to prepare the castle. Professor McGonagall, if you would please instruct the other professors on our plan and Mister Killroy's spell."
"Should I inform Mister Devlin as well? He does not have a wand."
Dumbledore's face twitch slightly at the pain of remembering why Aaron no longer had a wand, but it was gone almost immediately.
"Mister Devlin should concentrate on assisting Kim Vermont with his studies. I see no reason to burden him with this."
Professor McGonagall nodded and stood to leave along with the other professors. Flitwick and Sprout left talking amongst themselves. Snape nodded to Darrin, who nodded slightly in return.
"How long do you think it will take them to get here?" Dumbledore asked without preamble the moment Darrin and he were alone.
"Hard to say. Hogwarts is unplottable which means they can't find it by map but the woman seemed very confident of her partner's abilities, whatver they may be. I think it's safe to say that they will eventually find the castle. I speculate that the anti-muggle protections the castle has are probably helping us to some degree. Otherwise the Knights would have known about Hogwarts as fact rather than legend..."
"Something bothers you?"
"I was misleading the others when I told them what Kay had said about the "listener". The way she said it, it was only after she had heard me mention Hogwarts. I think they do have someone here already. Could it be this Aaron Devlin you've hired?"
"I am no expert in matters of geneology," Dumbledoe explained, "Particularly when it comes to muggle-borns, but I think it is unlikely. I had been keeping a close eye on most of his comings and goings ever since he left Hogwarts. Nothing stands out that would indicate he is connected to the Knights.
"Then it must be one of the new students," Darrin thought out loud.
"That's quite an assumption, Mister Killroy. It is no more or less possible that it coulde be one of the older students."
"If yeh say so, sir."
"The Knights seem to know more about us than we do about them," Dumbledore explained, "It stands to reason that they have had more time to get used to the idea of our existence."
Darrin nodded but his tone did not convery agreement. "If yeh say so, sir."
"Do you know something that I do not?" Albus asked passively, sitting back down in his comfortable chair.
Darrin smirked, "I know a lot of things that yeh don't, but about what's going on, no. I just have a feeling is all."
"Go on," the older man prompted.
"These Knights are human, of that there's no question, but still they do things differently than any muggle or wizard would. Very little about them makes sense, so in my logic it would make perfect sense their insider was a first year simply because it doesn't make sense. Am I making any sense?"
"I am not sure anymore," Dumbledore said dryly.
"Neither am I, but let's suppose that they do have an insider here. The only non-magical person in this entire castle is Mister Filch, correct?"
Dumbledore nodded.
"Well that would mean that the Knight's insider is a wizard."
"I surmised as much."
"Well if there were any wizards among the Knights, don't yeh think they would have contacted us sooner? The Knights know very little of the wizarding world."
"And what they do know they learned recently. Very recently." Albus stated, catching on to Darrin's logic, "Which means that they only learned of the wizarding world this summer when their insider received his letter."
"They're desparate," Darrin remarked to himself, remembering the unsettled tone of the old woman, "Which of the male first years are muggle-born?" Darrin asked looking at the scroll case that held the student lists.
The headmaster waved his hand and the list for that year flew out onto the desk. He unrolled it and Darrin wandered around to take a better look.
"Hmmm... There are three male muggle-born first years," Dumbledore noted, "Paul Gates, Angelino Rogassi and Kimber Vermont. Very unfortunate."
"What is?"
"I reiterate Professor McGonagall's earlier question regarding putting children in harms way," the old professor mimicked McGonagall's look.
Darrin responded with a sardonic look, "With respect, sir, are yeh the pot or the kettle? I seem to remember hearing several stories about one Mister Harry Potter."
"Contrary to popular belief," Dumbledore's voice became very dangerous, "I did not willingly let Mister Potter get himself into those situations."
Darrin took a step back from the vernerable headmaster, clearly not wanting to antagonize him further.
"My appologies, Headmaster," he said in a subdued voice.
Dumbledore relaxed and sighed in frustration, "However you do have a valid point. If one of these students is a Knight, then he will undoubtedly try and get involved and there will be little we can do to stop it."
"I suppose not, sir," Darrin said, still subdued but sincere, "I think all we can do is hope for the best and plan for the worst.
"Is it ready?" Fred asked his twin brother.
"Almost," George replied as he stirred the volatile potion, "Just need to add the powdered cockroach."
He took a dash of the ingredient and slowly stirred it in. The Veritaserum turned pitch black, then after three stirs clockwise, perfectly clear.
"Excellent!" Fred said excitedly, "Now for phase two."
"Hold up, Fred," George extinguished the fire beneath the cauldron, "We have to test it first. You know the rules."
Fred grumbled but said nothing more. His twin cast a cooling charm on the cauldron and soon the bubbling concoction was perfectly still. Fred took a dropperfull of the veritaserum and then added three drops to a glass of water.
"Ready?" George asked.
"As I'll ever be," his twin replied.
Fred then he pulled out a chocolate and bit into it. As expected, the red-haired youth's jaw locked shut.
"Remember, try to lie."
Fred took in several deep breaths then slowly poured some of water over his teeth. As the liquid came into contact with the chocolate, it disolved completely, leaving Fred's jaw unharmed. It was then that he immediately became dizzy and his brother helped him to the chair.
"What is your name?" George asked.
"Frederick Herman Weasley," came the reply. It was a good sign as Fred hated using his full name.
"What is your favorite color?"
"Purple."
George raised an eyebrow at that. He could have sworn Fred's favorite color was blue. It was time for the ringer.
"What really happened between you and Lee Jordan in third year?"
Fred and Lee had a big row about something but neither would talk about it. Lee refused to talk to both of them for two months on the off chance he would confuse one for the other. Fred eventually appologized to Lee for whatever it was that he'd done but it always nagged on George that Fred kept it a secret.
"He caught me in the act one day. We talked about it and then started playing with each other. We even got so far as to try oral on each other, but he chickened out at the last minute. In my frustrated state I called him a teasing poof. When I finally appologized, he made me swear that I wouldn't tell anyone, even you about what happened.
George was taken aback but soon recovered. He dropped some already prepared antidote into another glass of water and gave it to his brother. When Fred came out of his trance he said nothing.
"I'm sorry, Fred," George quickly appologized, "But it has been nagging me to no end for four years. I'll take some now and you can ask me anything you want."
Fred just looked at his brother for a few moments, still in shell shock, then smiled wickedly.
"Gotcha!" he laughed.
"What? You mean you were joking?"
"Well yes and no," Fred replied as he got up to bottle the potion, "The stuff works. That whole incident happened as I said, I was just fooling you about my reaction."
George looked shocked.
"Oh come off it, George. I knew full well you were going to ask that question. That was why I volunteered to test it in the first place. At least now if Lee ever finds out he can't blame me for babbling cause I was under the influence. Oh, and Lee had better not find out."
George shook his head as if to clear it, "Good one, bro. I won't say a word."
"Good. We know the potion works and isn't adversly affected by the chocolate. Now for phase two."
"Phase two," George repeated.
Neither one of them noticed the frog spit residue on the flask they filled.
"Okay, one more time." George instructed the Gryffindor first year.
"When Mister Devlin is tutoring Kim," Tom Jarvis replied, "I interrupt them to offer them some chocolates that I got from home. I hand this normal one to Kim and this trick one to Mister Devlin. When his jaw locks, I cry, claim you tricked me and then I run and get you to give him the antidote."
"Very good," Fred smiled.
"Are you sure this one is just chocolate? Kim is my best friend here and I won't prank him," the first year said emphatically.
"I guarantee it," George reassured the boy, "One thing we don't do is trick our accomplices. That's what a Slytherin would do. We want to play this joke on Mister Devlin only.
Satisfied, the small boy nodded and went off on his way.
"You know what will happen to us if we're wrong," Fred whispered.
"We aren't wrong," George replied just as softly, "Anyway, we aren't going to mention Bill until Devlin has admitted that he's gay. If we are wrong then we'll just get a detention or two for impropriety. If we're right then we can tell him about Bill and get them hooked up.
"You've seen how lonely Bill is. We're doing this for their own good."
"Just remember, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions," Fred reminded his twin.
"And the road to Heaven is paved with good-inentioned, hair-brained schemes that worked," George countered.
"Then we are in agreement," Fred smiled.
Two minutes later, Tom Jarvis and Kim Vermont came running out of the classroom.
"Mister Devlin's jaw is locked up and he can't get it unstuck!" Tom looked legitimately afraid.
"We'll take care of it, Tom," Fred replied calmly.
"You two go back to the common room," George immediately added, "It's almost time for dinner."
The two first years complied without argument. Fred and George then proceeded into the classroom to find Aaron Devlin attempting to dislodge his jaw. When he saw the twins he glowered at them.
"Sorry about that, Mister Devlin," George started.
"But we occasionally feel it necessary to make a gullible first year into a patsy," Fred continued.
"However we have the antidote here," George finished, "Just wrap your lips around the flask and let a small amount through. The chocolate will disolve completely once it makes contact."
Aaron managed to get some of the concoction through his gritted teeth. Just as the twins said, the chocoalte disolved completely and immediately. However as he swallowed the mixture of Jaw Lock Choc and anitdote, everything became fuzzy. No sooner did he get the last of the chocolate down when he went completely unconscious.
The Weasley twins looked at each other for a brief terrifying moment, not knowing just what happened. Before total panic set in, Aaron's eyes snapped open and he gasped.
The twins sighed and then collected themslves.
"Can you understand us, Mister Devlin?" Fred asked.
"Yes," the man replied not getting up off the floor where he had fallen.
"Good," George continued, "Did you hurt yourself when you fell?"
"I don't believe so," Aaron began to sit up, "What did you give me?"
George looked at Fred curiously. Those under the influence of veritaserum weren't supposed to be able to ask questions back.
"Um, you might just be having a reaction to the antidote. Perhaps you should just stay there for a bit until your head clears."
"Okay," Aaron finished sitting up but went no further.
"Um... are you gay?" Fred asked hesitantly.
"Yes," the drugged man replied, "And this is no ordinary reaction. What did you give me?
"Veritaserum," George replied, "But it's for a good cause. Are you attracted to our brother, Bill?"
Aaron immediately stood up and the twins jumped back, fearful of his wrath, but none came.
"Very much so," the translator said, "and no one was supposed to know about it. Especially Bill."
The twins looked at each other, not sure what to do next. The veritaserum was working but not exactly how it was supposed to. But before they could ask him any other questions, Aaron headed for the door.
"I think I'll go tell him."
The twins looked at each other completey horrifed. Whatever they gave him, it wasn't classic Veritaserum. George pulled out the flask of potion.
"It's pink!" Fred's voice squeaked as the twins looked at the translucent pink fluid, "It's not supposed to be pink!"
"It wasn't before," George replied, voice similarly cracking despite their near adult physiology, "You tested it!"
"The choclate!" Fred realized their mistake, "I must not have cleaned out the flask we put the frog spit in properly."
"We've got to stop him!" they both cried then bolted out the door.
Aaron was nowhere to be seen.
"Split up!" they said to each other as they went down separate corridors.
Aaron found his quarry in the Great Hall at the head table. He casually made his way towards Bill, mentally screaming at himself to stop, but whatever potion those damned twins had slipped him had complete control.
It sure as hell wasn't straight veritaserum, Aaron knew. One aspect of magic he didn't forsake was potions making and even though he was a fary cry from being a true potions master, he was an expert. This was some variation of veritaserum as he was still compelled to tell the complete truth but this particular side effect Aaron had never heard of.
He finally reached to head table and the man who had captured his heart. Bill was trying to feed some owl treats to Haley but the Snowy Owl was having none of it, paying more attention to Aaron arriving than his owner. Bill looked up at him and smiled. Aaron smiled back in sheer bliss. He walked up to the table and stood directly in front of Bill.
"Hi, Aaron," Bill greeted him, "How are you this evening?"
Aaron couldn't help but tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
"I'm completely in love with you," he said, getting the attention of Bill as well as several other professors including Professor Snape, "But you weren't supposed to know that."
Those that heard what Aaron had said were completely silent. Bill paused for a second, not fully comprehending what Aaron had said.
"I'm sorry, what did you just say?"
"I said I'm completely in love with you but you weren't supposed to know," Aaron reiterated factually.
Haley chirped excitedly but was ignored by everyone else. Bill thought this might be a prank and so he decided he was going to play along.
"And why wasn't I supposed to know?" he asked with a smile, assuming that this was where Aaron had wanted him to go.
"Because I don't know if you feel the same way and I didn't want to embarass myself," Aaron's smile slowly disappeared.
Bill laughed, "Umm... a bit late for that, don't you think?"
"It wasn't by choice," Aaron replied, "Your brothers gave me a potion. Some sort of veritaserum I think."
When Aaron mentioned his brothers, Bill sat up. When he mentioned Veritaserum, Snape sat up.
"They gave you veritaserum?" they asked near simultaneously.
"A varitation of it. Not sure."
"Professor Weasley," Snape stood, "It would be best to get him out of the Great Hall before he does something completely inappropriate. I can cast a spell..."
"Inappropriate?" Aaron asked, "All I did was profess my love, it's not like I kissed him. Oh now there's a good idea."
"FINITE FORMULATIUS!" Snape yelled out, his wand pointing straight at Aaron, but it was too late. Aaron had reached over the table with both hands, grabbed the Defense Professor and had him in a deep, passionate kiss by the time Snape's spell had hit him.
Bill didn't return the kiss but he was too dumfounded to push Aaron away. Aaron stopped the kiss the moment the spell hit him. He looked deep into Bill's ice blue eyes, the blood draining from his face. He let go of the red-haired man and stepped back with a strong exhale. By this time he was already well into shaking.
"I-if you'll excuse me," he said, barely a whisper, "Thank you, Professor Snape."
Aaron slowly turned around, very aware that the entire Great Hall, filled with every almost every student and faculty memeber, had seen him kiss Bill Weasley and was still trying to register it in their own heads. He walked out the side entrance, not trusting himself to make it to the main doors.
Bill watched him leave, unable to fully react. It wasn't until Aaron had left that he was able to turn his head. When he did, he saw Fred and George at the main entrance looking extremely guilty. His blood started to boil. The pressure built so quickly he was surprised he hadn't burst several veins. By the time he stood up, his face was the redder than his hair and it was patently obvious that fratricide was still an option in his mind.
The headmaster started to speak but Bill's hand shot out towards him, demanding that he remain silent. Dumbledore was too taken aback to object.
Bill took a deep breath.
"My office," he said as he slowly exhaled, "right now."
Though he didn't yell, everyone in the Great Hall heard his order. Fred and George wasted no time in complying with that order. When they were gone, Bill took another deep breath.
"It would be prudent for the Headmaster and Head of Gryffindor house to be present at this meeting," he said, his voice shaking in still barely constrained fury. With that, he left.
Fred and George sat in the front of Bill's classroom in complete silence. The headmaster and Professor McGonagal had arrived shortly after they did but neither would hear what the twins had to say. Apparently they had decided that the Defense professor would have sole discretion in this matter.
Professor Weasley threw the door open but prevented it from slamming. His anger was still present but he appeared to have relaxed considerably.
"I appologize for my delay," he said to the other professors while glaring hard at the twins, "But I felt it necessary to visit Madame Pomfrey for a calming potion. No please don't get up, Headmaster; I'm far to agitated to sit."
Fred and George both gulped as Bill cast a silencing charm. When he was done he spun on the twins.
"Do you have ANY idea of what you've done?" he yelled, "Veritaserum? What possesed you to pull such a blatantly illegal stunt?"
"He wasn't supposed to be able to do that," George replied nervously, "Normal Veritaserum supresses major motor control."
"Quite obviously you gave him something else, didn't you?" Bill hissed.
"It was fine when we tested..."
"Tested on whom?" Bill interrupted Fred.
"Me!" Fred answered quickly, "We tested it on me. It worked perfectly. It wasn't until I bottled it that the... potion was altered."
"And just how did that happen, Mister Weasley?" Dumbledore asked calmly before Bill could yell the same question.
"I- I hadn't cleaned one of our flasks properly," Fred looked down slightly trying to avoid eye contact with the headmaster, "It must've gotten mixed with some frog spit."
"My God!" Bill felt out of breath, "This prank was so important that you couldn't even follow precautions you learned in first year? Professor Snape will have a field day when he hears this."
"You can't tell him!" George gasped.
"Frog spit is an ingredient well known for it's propensity to have completely random effects," Professor McGonagall interjected, "For Mister Devlin's safety, Professor Snape must be notified. His title of Potions Master is not just an honorary."
As if he had been listening to the conversation, Professor Snape chose that moment to appear. He barged right without so much as an appology and walked straight up to the twins.
"You will be pleased to note that Mister Devlin does not appear to be adversely affected by your pathetic attempt at veritaserum," Snape's voice was all to condescending, "However to be certain that there will be no more effect, I wish to see the potion immediately."
George handed him the flask without arguement. Snape looked at the pinkish liquid with a discerning eye for a moment.
"Consider yourselves extremely lucky," he said, "Any more frog spit and Mister Devlin would have fallen into a deep coma, possibly died. As it is, he should experience no other adverse effects from the potion... directly that is.
"Now where is the remaining potion? This small flask can not be the whole batch."
"Room of requirement," Fred responded meekly, "Think Weasley's Wizard Wheezes."
"Headmaster?" Snape waited for confirmation to retrieve the potion. He was responded to with a nod and then swept from the room as quickly as he entred.
"Possibly died!" Bill hissed again, his face becoming redder, "Why did you do this?"
The twins hesitated which ired Bill even more.
"Answer me!" he yelled, "Why?"
"We- we wanted to find out if he was gay or not," George stammered.
"Well you certainly got your answer now, didn't you?" Bill's face became even redder, "As did the ENTIRE SCHOOL!"
"We weren't trying to embarass y.."
"EMBARASS ME?" Bill stepped up to the twins, forcing them to step back, "Oh if that was all you did I wouldn't even be as nearly as angry as I am right now. I can accept you embarassing me; you've done it for as long as you could walk. Hell I expect you to embarass me and dare I say I even miss it on occasion. This is not about you embarassing me but embarassing and nearly killing Mister Devlin.
"He has no affiliation with our family, he is at Hogwarts in an official capacity and yet you saw fit to invade his privacy? You boys are seventeen. That means you are legally responsible for your actions despite being here at Hogwarts. If he so chose, Mister Devlin could bring you up on charges and you'd be spending the next five years in Azkaban! Do you relly want that?"
Both boys shook their heads.
"Well I suggest..."
Bill was interrupted by a knock on the door. Professor McGonagall, being nearer. opened the door to find the new Head Boy, a Gryffindor named Nathan Lemont. He seemed slightly agitated.
"Oh Professor, I really need your help," the Head Boy said, "Tom Jarvis is in hysterics. He thinks he's going to be expelled because he was the one to play the prank on Mister Devlin."
All heads turned to the twins expectantly.
"He just gave him some of our Jaw Lock Choc," Fred replied quickly.
"He was only our setup man, nothing more," George finished.
"I tried to tell him that the twins do that all the time but he doesn't believe me," the Head Boy added.
"Assuming Mister Devlin does not pursue legal charges," McGonagall stated, purposefully leaving the door open so the Head Boy could hear, "I will endorse any punishment including expulsion."
Then the Gryffindor Head of House left to calm down a very upset first year. Bill scowled at the twins once again.
"Boy you two sure cause a lot of collateral damage," he said derisively, "Who else is going to suffer because of this madness? I expect better from a Weasley."
At hearing Bill invoke family pride, Fred angered and stood abruptly.
"YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO TALK TO ME ABOUT FAMILY PRIDE!" he yelled, loudly enough that Bill took a step back in surprise, "How dare you?
"George and I will take whatever punishment you or anyone else gives out. We deserve it and we won't argue otherwise, but at least we have the courage to admit our failings. At least we have the courage to not hide who we truly are. You can hardly say the same, dear brother William, considering your little secret."
"Fred..." George tried to interrupt but Fred would not have any of it.
"If you want to expell us and send us to rot in prison, so be it," Fred took out his wand and slammed it down on the desk. He looked straight into the Headmaster's eyes, "I'll gladly give up magic if it means I keep my integrity."
He then turned back to Bill, venom pouring from his eyes, "Unlike some Slytherins I know."
Fred turned and walked out the door, not even pausing to wait for his twin. George stood, set his wand next to his brother's and also walked out, not able to look at either Bill or the Headmaster. He paused at the last moment, still avoiding either's gaze.
"You're lonely, Bill," he said softly, "We were hoping Mister Devlin liked you because it's obvious that you like him. We figured maybe you two could get together. He's never seemed to care what the rest of the wizarding world thought about him. A virtue that you claimed to have just a few months ago when you chastized Ron."
George said no more as he walked out of the Defense classroom. Bill was torn between his anger and his guilt. George was right and so was Fred in a sense. But that didn't excuse their near criminal negligence.
"A complicated matter, indeed," The Headmaster rose, collecting the abandoned wands, "I will discuss the matter of legalities with Mister Devlin. Good evening, Professor Weasley."
The old professor left Bill to wrestle with his demons.
Kim had just began eating dinner when it happened. Activity in the entire Great Hall had stopped so Kim followed their eyes only to see his translator kissing Professory Weasley. What he saw was very brief as Professor Snape had cast a spell at Mister Devlin who immediately stepped back.
The young boy watched in fascination as his translator walked out the side door. He took a quick glance at Professor Weasley and a cold chill ran down his spine. He had never seen anyone that angry before. Kim was glad he wasn't the person the Defense professor was angry at, but he felt sorry for the twin boys.
Soon, the Defense professor, Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore left the head table, their meals unfinished. Kim also noticed Professor Snape leave out the same door that Mister Devlin had. Kim took a few very healthy bites of his dinner (even the carrots) then rushed out to follow Professor Snape.
Figuring that Mister Devlin was heading to his room, Kim headed towards the staff wing. Though students were not expressly forbidden to go down that hall, it was considered taboo, but Kim didn't care. He had been watching his translator for some time now and could see how happy the man was whenever he was near the Defense professor. Professor Weasley seemed to brighten as well anytime the two had to spend time together.
Kim had written to his parents regularly about everything that was going on (sometimes he coded it due to the nature of his report) and his parents had written back. On one occasion it was a reminder of the birds and the bees. He didn't know why they were re-explaining that at first, especially since he hadn't mentioned liking any girls, but soon it became all too apparent as they had then gone to explain things further than they had before. Apparently some boys liked other boys in a similar fashion as his parents liked each other.
That was a weird thought as far as Kim was concerned but his parents seemed to be okay with it and that was good enough for him. And since his parents had explained that, he could easily see that his two favorite adults at Hogwarts really liked each other. But what he couldn't understand was why Mister Devlin chose to do something about it now, and why so publicly. Kim was going to get answers.
As he entered the staff hall, Professor Snape just barely avoided crashing into him on his way out. The professor said something but Kim missed it. Kim signed and said his appology, knowing that the usually brooding potions professor would expect it even if it was his fault.
The professor nodded and then stormed off to wherever it was he was heading. Kim continued his way to Mister Devlin's door. Aaron answered quickly, wiping something from is eyes. Kim frowned. He could tell when someone had been crying.
Mister Devlin, why are you crying? he signed.
Kim, I am not in the mood for visitors right now, Aaron replied, Maybe tomorrow.
I don't understand, Kim persisted, Are you crying becaused you kissed Professor Weasley?
Aaron sighed, not wanting to yell at the boy but certainly not wanting to talk about it.
Yes, he replied, I wasn't in complete control of myself. Now Kim, please go. I want to be alone right now.
But didn't you want to kiss him? Kim asked, refusing to go just yet.
Of course I didn't! Aaron signed harshly, It's not like I'm gay.
Kim frowned, Oh, I thought you were.
I only kissed him because I was under the control of a potion. Aaron tried to explain, That doesn't make me gay.
I wasn't talking about the kiss, Kim signed, I was talking about the way you two look at each other.
Aaron scowled, And just how do we look at each other?
Like my parents do. On their last anniversary they couldn't take their eyes off one another practically all day. They shuffled me off to my grandmother's for the night.
Aaron couldn't help but blush at the thought of why Kim was sent away. Kim noticed.
Yeah, exactly like that, he smiled, Both you and Professor Weasley do that. You just only do it when the other isn't looking.
Aaron's heart couldn't help but soar. Did Bill really look at him like that? No, Kim had to be misinterpreting it. He shook his head.
No, that can't be right. I'm sure you're just seeing things.
Kim scowled hard, My grandmother sees "things". I see you and Professor Weasley making eyes at each other, Kim rolled his eyes, Really, you both act like girls when you do that.
Aaron couldn't help but laugh, Act like girls, huh?
Kim nodded, Yes.
And you don't have a problem with me kissing Professor Weasley?
Kim shook his head, I think it's kind of weird, but it's not me you're kissing, so why should I have a problem with it?
Aaron frowned slightly, Some people do. Normally I wouldn't give a damn but this time, it's not just my feelings involved.
So you are gay?
Kim, that is a very personal thing you're asking me.
I wasn't trying to be rude, sir, Kim appologized.
I think I understand, Aaron signed back, Look, Kim, not too many people in the wizarding world can accept things like this so easily. I don't know why that is but it just is. If this got out, then you would begin to hear a lot of negative comments thrown my way.
When I asked my Mum and Dad about you and Professor Weasley, they said the same thing. I know how to keep secrets, Kim reassured his translator.
I appreciate that. Well I have had a really rough evening so I think I'll turn in early. I'll see you bright and early to morrow morning?
You got it! kim smiled.
Aaron smiled in return and showed Kim to the door. When he opened it, Albus Dumbledore was staning there, about to knock. He looked less than his usual jovial self but his smile was there in the instant he had seen Kim.
'Good reaction time,' Aaron couldn't help but think.
"Ah, young Mister Vermont. So good to see you. How are your studies coming along?" Dumbledore asked.
"Great!" Aaron translated, though the headmaster could easily see the enthusiasm for himself, "Mister Devlin said I am much better than he was at my age."
"Ah, well to be fair, Mister Devlin did not have a tranlsator during his time. It was much more difficult."
"That's too bad," Kim said with a wicked grin, "Maybe I'll tutor him once I graduate."
"Oh that's it!" Aaron immediately replied, also grinning. "You're lucky I can't take away house points mister. Now scoot!"
Kim giggled as he ducked out of Aaron's reach. When he was gone from the hall, Aaron noticed Dumbledore's expression go very serious.
"Before you begin," Aaron started off, "I just want to say that I was under the influence of a potion."
The headmaster followed Aaron inside and shut the door.
"This is not about your conduct, Mister Devlin, at least not directly. The Weasley twins have already told us everything. Apparently, a small amount of frog spit was mixed in with the veritaserum."
"I knew that couldn't have been the regular stuff," Aaron mused to himself, "So if you're not here to yell at me, then what are you here for?"
"The amount of frog spit was just under a potentially lethal dose, Mister Devlin," Albus said gravely, "It would be inappropriate for me not to inform you of that fact."
Aaron pondered what the old professor just said.
"So they almost killed me?"
"Yes. Did you want to press charges? They are seventeen and therefore fully legally responsible for their actions.
"Oh for crying out loud it was a prank," Aaron had to sit down, "Had they actually meant to kill me then yes, I might be interested in pursuing legal action. But they didn't mean to nor did they suceed. Why ruin their lives over it?"
Albus blinked a few times to make sure he had heard Aaron correctly.
"I must say, I'm surprised to hear this. I expected you to be quite angry."
"Oh, don't get me wrong, Professor," Devlin replied with a mirthless grin, "I'm fit to be tied, but there are better ways of dealing with this situation than hard time."
"And what would you suggest?" Albus sat down in the other armchair.
"Truthfully, I'd say a taste of their own medicine, but as an official staff memeber of Hogwarts, I could never participate or condone such actions."
"Well then," Albus said, the twinkle in his eyes brighter than ever, "Perhaps I was negligent when I forgot to mention that you that you were never an official staff memeber of Hogwarts. You are an Amercian Liason here as a diplomatic courtesy. Therefore, you are entitled to certain diplomatic concessions... within reason, of course."
Aaron looked at Dumbledore, not quite believing what he had heard.
"Professor Dumbledore, are you saying..."
"I am merely taking the advisement of the diplomatic envoy who happened to be the most affected by this unfortunate incident," the wiley headmaster interrupted, "There will, of course, be the standard punishments: Detentions, loss of house points and the like. I know for one that Molly Weasley will probbly have a few choice words to say."
Aaron's mood soured, "Oh is there anyway you can prevent that?"
"Sir, I doubt even Lord Voldemort could stop that, but I am curious as to why you would like me to try."
"I don't want Professor Weasley to put up with more embarassment."
"Interesting you should say that, Mister Devlin," Albus said as he stood and exited Aaron's quarters, "Professor Weasley seemed much more concerned with your embarassment. Good night, Mister Devlin."
Aaron's heart soared once again when he heard that. So much that he fell asleep right in the chair, a smile still on his face.
Eric moved quietly through the hallways of the castle. So far no one had detected him and he was counting his blessings on that. There was a palpable energy about the place and it made him extremely uncomfortable. He felt completely saturated by it. The sooner he got the key and left, the better.
Friga was not able to get a lot of information from their wizard adversary, just his name and that the Key was here at Hogwarts in the stewardship of the headmaster. This made his task all the more difficult as he had no clue where anything or anyone was, but he couldn't blame her as much as he wanted to. Telepathy was a rare gift and not one easily learned or implemented. Even the masters couldn't get any more than surface thoughts without having to take several minutes with the subject. Minutes that they did not have at the time.
So now he was here, hoping to find the headmaster and follow him to the key.
Eric quickly ducked behind a suit of armor as a myriad of students burst forth from a set of large double doors. He caught a glimpse of the hall beyond and could see it was their cafeteria, if you could call it such a thing. The students were all talking about the same thing but with the conversations overlapping, Eric could only get a snippet here and there. Apparently one of their teachers was having an affair.
Eric smirked. If that was the case then wizards were more human than the legends made them to be.
He remained hidden behind the armor, not wanting to accdentally bump into one of the children. His invisibility was working well but it would be for nothing if he made contact with someone, at least for that person. However one person seeing him was one too many.
After a few minutes, the dining hall was empty and the students wandering off to their dorms. Eric was about to go off down another corridor when he spotted one of the adults, presumably a teacher. The man had a scowl that Eric knew well. This was a teacher and he did not like his students at all.
The dark somewhat greasy haired man walked briskly by, his robes billowing slightly in his wake and a large phial contining what looked to be water in his hand. Eric supressed a laugh at overly flamboyant scene and followed the teacher, hoping he would lead the way to or near the headmaster's office. Keeping pace was a trifle difficult as he was trying to make no noise but he maintained his secrecy.
As they were heading up their third flight of steps, the staircase started to move! Eric grabbed onto the railing just in time to prevent himself from falling. He looked behind him at where the bottom of the stairs should have been only to find open air. This was obviously a normal thing as the man he was following barley broke his stride. Eric quickly rushed to catch up.
He followed the teacher down a long and large hallway and hid off to the side as the man stopped in front of a pair of gargoyles.
"Blood Pops." the instructor hissed, clearly upset about something.
The gargoyles practically lept out of the man's way. As he was about to enter a voice caught his attention.
"Professor Snape!" came the raspy ethereal voice. Eric had quiet his gasp when he saw the owner of that voice.
The apparition was a man dressed in what Eric guessed was mideval or victorian era clothing, covered in large spots of silvery-red blood. He looked rather surly.
"Yes, Baron," Professor Snape replied, a little surly himself, "What can I do for you?"
"I understand that we are employing men who lie with other men. The Grey Lady informed me of this evening's event. The House of Slytherin is already vocalizing their displeasure and I must say I am in agreement."
"And I also agree, Baron, however the Headmaster will only take my counsel so far. I'm afraid the House of Slytherin will just have to cope for the time being."
"So I have said to them, yet I fear they will insist on making plans that could embarass the good name of our house. Draco Malfoy's uncharacteristic behaviour was just the first."
Eric watched the professor rub his head in annoyance.
"Very well," Snape sighed, "I shall speak to them at once. Please inform the other Heads of Household to do likewise. Mr. Devlin was under the influence of a poorly made potion by the Weasley twins and was not himself. It won't stop the rumors but it will waylay them for a short while."
The ghost bowed slightly and floated off through the wall. The professor walked back towards Eric, passed him without so much as a glance and continued on to his destination. Soon, Eric was all alone in the hall. He walked up to the gargoyles who were now back together.
Making sure that he was completely alone in the hall, he whispered "Blood Pops", and the gargoyles once again lept apart. He entered the spiral staircase and was a little unnerved by it's movement but kept himself calm. He stepped off the moving staircase when he reached the first door. Upon checking, it was unlocked, but when he opened it he was startled by a shrill whistling from a small device on one of the tables.
The portraits all woke up and were in some sort of furor and Eric quickly guessed that it was him. Somehow they knew he was there though they could not see him. After seeing one of the portraits disappear entirely, Eric knew his time was just cut short. Wasting no more time, he checked the office for the Key.
It took him just a few minutes to find it with all the other trinkets and gadgets strewn about the place. It was sitting inside a glass cupboard next to a stone bowl filled with a silvery-white mist. Careful to avoid touching anything he wasn't sure of, he grabbed the Key and made for a hasty exit. He was hindered by the old man who had just arrived.
The man's wand was out but he could still not see Eric. Taking advantage of this, Eric pulled the man's wand from him with his power and struck him hard in the chest, knocking the wind out of him. He followed up by shoving the old man's head againt the stone wall. Eric sneered in satisfaction as the old man's eyes rolled and he collapsed unconscious.
A piercing screech came from behind him as a bright red bird flew up to the old man. Not wanting to see what might happen next, Eric bolted down the stairs. He flew from the office abandoning all pretense of quiet yet he kept his invisibility up. He reached the main stairwell and notcied that the stairs had moved once again. Taking the only route available to him, he climbed up the stairs. When he reached the top, he gasped at the sight before him.