Disclaimer: don't own

A/N: I'm so so sorry about taking so long to update. I've been utterly swamped with school work. A word of advice, don't take Calculus II, Organic Chemistry, Statistics and TA a bio lab all at once if you want any time to write... or have fun...anyway, I'm on my spring break and amidst my mountains of schoolwork and thesis research I decided that you all deserved a chapter if you're still reading this. Thanks go to my reviewers jasmine and sugar-high pixie.

Of Blood and Magic

Chapter 20: Discontent

Time was moving at an odd pace. The two-day weekend had felt closer to two weeks so far as Tevelle was concerned. She was not bored precisely, no, but the seconds ticked by as if they thought they could be minutes, and the minutes aspired to take the place of hours. And instead of feeling relieved after informing Xeven of her observations, Tevelle was antsy. The odd tension in the air induced the sensation of waiting, and she was becoming twitchy with impatience.

She needed a distraction, preferably before the classes of the day started. History of Magic would do nothing to calm her nerves, the boredom of the class would no doubt only contribute to her impatience, and it would be for the best if Tevelle did not attend Care of Magical Creatures while feeling ready to jump out of her own skin. The animals they would be working with would pick up on her jumpiness and, if Hagrid's current lesson were anything like his previous ones, an agitated animal would cause only trouble.

Calm yourself; there is nothing to be jumpy about. If only she could convince her nerves of that fact as easily as her mind. Her inner beast rumbled sleepily in response to her agitation and she hastily swallowed a gulp of blood to quell it. She did not want to have to fight herself more than she already was.

Soon enough, the wanted distraction was provided. Over at the Gryffindor table, several large post owls had descended en masse on some either fortunate or unfortunate student. A chaotic fluttering of wings minutes later revealed a small pile of envelopes in front of a rather flustered and windswept Hermione Granger.

Taking a leisurely sip of her blood, Tevelle settled to watch. This could prove interesting. Further down the Slytherin table, Pansy and her gaggle of friends had noticed the commotion as well and fixed their attention across the hall.

Hermione's expression very quickly shifted from puzzlement to astonishment and finally to incensement. Her blush steadily deepened the more letters she opened, and her movements quickly became sharp with fury. It was quite obvious that the girl was working herself up quite nicely to an indignant rage. The stern frown quickly morphed into a grimace of pain. The astringent scent of undiluted bobotuber pus reached Tevelle's nose seconds before Hermione rose from her seat and rushed from the Hall. The thick and no doubt painful boils coating her hands were difficult to miss. From the corner of her eye, Tevelle saw one of the Slytherin girls wince with sympathy. She vaguely recognized the sympathetic girl as the one who had been in a similar situation during their last Herbology class. Tevelle did note that the Slytherin girl had been very careful to quickly cover her sympathy with a sneer.

Tevelle reached for her goblet once again, having finished her meal. Just in time as well, History of Magic would be beginning soon and while Binns probably wouldn't notice, Xeven would not be pleased if Tevelle were late to class.

In reality, there had been no need to rush. Tevelle arrived first of her peers to take her seat in the empty classroom. Near the front Binns was waiting patiently for everyone to arrive, for once quite attentive to his surroundings. Tevelle gave him a brief wave, which was dutifully returned. Binns was probably one of the only professors that were quite comfortable teaching a vampire. As a ghost, it made little difference whether his students were breathing or not, so long as they attended class and received good marks on their exams. Tevelle always found it refreshing.

Gradually, the class dragged in and once everyone was seated the usual monotone lecture began. The majority of the class was soon sleeping, but Binns continued as if unaware of the inattentiveness of his audience. Tevelle sighed, and rolled her eyes. She had decided to take notes today and struck by a sudden burst of mischievousness, she decided to draw on her blissfully unaware neighbor's paper. Whenever there was a lull in Binns' lecture she would scribble in the space surrounding her victim's head. First there were ears, then a hat, and then a crown of flowers. She became aware of the increasing number of pauses in Binns' speech and she shot a suspicious look in the ghost's direction. If it were not for the subtle quirk of his transparent eyebrow, Tevelle would have thought it coincidence.

You crafty devil! Tevelle smirked at him and nodded her head in a salute. It appeared Professor Binns was not nearly as oblivious as the student body believed. Silently she vowed to pay more attention in History of Magic.

The amusement carried with her through all the way into Care of Magical Creatures. She was curious to what they were going to be covering. Hagrid had announced that they would no longer be covering Unicorns and Tevelle smiled. No doubt the young unicorns had had very enlightening lessons with regards to humans and their strange habits, but they had learned all they would and had moved on to other lessons of their own. If anyone looked for them now, they would find the forest curiously devoid of unicorns, or at the very least unicorns that wished to be found.

The lesson of the day, it turned out was a surprising exercise coming from Hagrid. The half giant had cheerfully waited for the students to assemble, no few of which were eyeing the recently churned up topsoil suspiciously.

"I wonder what he has for us today," a Slytherin somewhere behind Tevelle whispered, "What if it's a knarl…. or a pogrebin!"

"I doubt it," another voice sneered, taking advantage of the first's apprehension, "Those are too tame. It's probably a nundu. Careful, if you insult him maybe it'll eat you."

"Stop it, leave him alone," a third voice, a girl this time jutted in. "Anyway, none of us would be breathing if it were a nundu. I wouldn't mind if it were knarls though, they're cute so long as you don't insult them."

"You almost sound excited. The first boy was teasing playfully before adding in a more serious tone, "Just don't let Draco catch on that you actually like this class though. He'll have your hide."

"Don't worry, I know."

The conversation turned to more mundane topics and Tevelle decided to cease her eavesdropping. Idly she wondered what other houses would have thought of what she had just heard. No doubt it would break more than one Gryffindor brain trying to comprehend that not the entire Slytherin house was one of Malfoy's lackeys.

The last few stragglers arrived, interestingly enough Hermione was still missing.

With an excited look towards Harry, Hagrid shrugged and cleared his throat to begin the lesson, directing their attention to the crates at his feet.

"Today we're doin' nifflers." The statement was accompanied by several excited gasps. Tevelle couldn't blame them. Nifflers were known to be a bit of a nuisance, but compared to Hagrid's usual taste they were decidedly harmless.

"Now nifflers are usually considered ta be pests, but they can be darn useful little treasure detectors. They like sparkly stuff. The goblins at Gringotts like 'em for mining gold and the like. Go ahead and take a look."

Pansy, who had wandered forward looking into the crate curiously, shrieked as a niffler leapt for her watch. There was a smattering of laughter as she jumped back and the niffler tumbled back into the crate.

"Thought we'd have some fun with 'em today. See over there? I've buried some gold coins. I've a prize fer whoever picks the niffler that digs up the most." As Hagrid spoke, he pointed out the patch of newly turned earth and took a step back so that the students could approach the nifflers. "Jus take off all yer valuables, an' choose a niffler, an get ready ter set 'em loose."

Hagrid was getting better at lesson plans Tevelle noted. Each student happily snatched up one of the furry creatures. Tevelle waited till last to grab hers, and it was then that Hagrid noticed the extra niffler. "There's a spare… Who's missin? Where's Hermione?"

"Hospital wing," Harry supplied, "We'll explain later."

Deciding the last niffler would want to have some fun as well, Tevelle snatched up the last two, or rather she held still while the two nifflers leapt into her arms. An elongated snout snuffled against her cheek and another shoved into her collar towards the necklace she had not hidden well enough.

"Count me out of the prize," Tevelle told Hagrid in response to his questioning look. "It's not exactly fair if I have two. If Hermione shows up I'll give her one of them, but until then we don't want the last to be lonely."

Hagrid nodded gruffly in approval and Tevelle made her way to join the rest of the class.

Pulling out of the competition turned out to be for naught. The two nifflers seemed much more interested being snuggled by and investigating Tevelle than digging for coins. The smaller of the two promptly curled up in the crook of her arm for a nap, one spaded claw hooked in the silvery chain of her necklace. The larger contented itself with sitting on Tevelle's shoulder, snuffling at her hair and occasionally licking an ear or cheek.

"I do not sparkle, silly thing. Go find me some real sparklies." Tevelle giggled as a small tongue brushed a ticklish spot. The niffler responded it a sneeze-like sound, making it quite clear that it was quite content where it was. "Alright, alright," Tevelle conceded, "If that's what you want." Reaching up with one arm and careful not to disturb the slumbering niffler, Tevelle caught the larger niffler in an embrace, rubbing a cheek into soft fur. A happy chirp was the response she received.

"Can I talk ter you fer a minute?" Hagrid asked Tevelle once the rest of the class was absorbed entirely in the game. His voice was timid, and immediately set her on edge. The niffler in her arm wined slightly in its sleep and the other snuffled, catching the shift in her mood.

"I dunno, can you?" Tevelle bit at him, more sharply than she had intended.

"Er, I wanted to apologize fer the other night." Hagrid started. Tevelle kept silent, and encouraged by her lack of further protest, Hagrid continued. "I was upset and drank a mite too much. I didn't mean what I said. I'm the last who should call you a monster." Hagrid was nearly rambling now, the words coming out in a rush. "You an' Xeven were tryin' ter help me, 'an I spit in yer faces. Fer tha' I am sorry."

Hagrid trailed off, watching expectantly for her reaction. Tevelle turned towards the larger niffler that had curled against her neck. It did not know what was bothering her, but it felt snuggling would make it better. Tevelle gave it a grateful peck on the top of the furry head.

Did she want to forgive him? It had been weeks since Dumbledore had apologized on Hagrid's behalf, and longer since the offense. A normal person would be over it by now. She should be over it by now. But when she actually thought about it, a slow burning began in her gut. The beast in her snarled and Tevelle had to force it down. She was not over it. It still hurt, and the hurt mixed with guilt at her inability to let go. She should forgive, but she did not want to forgive.

Tevelle wanted to ask Xeven for advice, but he was just beyond reach. She would have to handle this on her own. What would Xeven do? That Tevelle could not answer. Xeven always had strict control over his emotions, and she could not tell if he was still hurt by Hagrid's actions or if he had dismissed them. Tevelle still hurt, however and Hagrid was still waiting for an answer.

"I do not accept your apology." The cold words stunned Hagrid.

"But-"

Tevelle cut him off, "Once you figure out why yourself, then I'll forgive you." Hagrid's claim that he had not meant what he said still did not well. The guilt built until Tevelle could almost taste it in her mouth, souring her mood further. Tevelle had always been very good at holding grudges.

With that, Tevelle scooped up the nifflers and walked away, pointedly dismissing Hagrid.

Xeven would be disappointed; Tevelle admonished herself, suddenly wishing forgiveness was easier for her, and that her pride would allow a quick apology to Hagrid.

A niffler licked the tip of her nose, teasing a smile onto her face. Tevelle pushed her less pleasant feelings to the wayside. She would deal with them later.

By the end of the class, the larger niffler had groomed Tevelle to its satisfaction, leaving Tevelle short several bobby pins with her hair fluffed out in disarray. A few other students laughed at the state she was in, and Tevelle couldn't find it in her heart to be anything but amused as she shot them a half-hearted glare.

"I reckon they've nearly got the lot now," Hagrid announced, "I only buried a hundred coins. Oh there y'are Hermione!" Hermione had only just arrived, her hands thickly bandaged. The poor girl looked miserable.

Hagrid quickly wrapped the class up, explaining that the gold was leprechaun gold and would soon disappear and presenting Ron with his prize. Harry, Hermione, and Ron remained behind after the other students left, no doubt to speak with Hagrid under the pretense of helping get all of the nifflers put away Tevelle remained behind as well, largely unnoticed. Her two nifflers seemed quite disinclined to release her and return to their crates.

"What have yeh done ter your hands, Hermione?"

Tevelle eavesdropped unabashedly as Harry and Ron explained the hate mail to Hagrid. Hagrid's advice to the girl was sound, and quite familiar. The grudge Tevelle had been both nursing and trying to dismiss deepened further. While Hermione needed to hear this advice, and it was good advice, the fact that it was Hagrid who gave it to her rankled and only added to the feeling that the half-giant had not learned his lesson at all. Tevelle quickly deposited the two nifflers in their crates, caught Hagrid's eye in a withering glare, and stormed, stiff-backed, up to the castle. Just at the edge of hearing, Tevelle could hear Hermione inquire as to the reason for the hostility. She did not care what Hagrid answered.

It was not until several days later that Tevelle got a chance to fully work off some of her frustration. Moody had decided to give all of them a hex-deflection assessment in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Xeven had warned her of such things, and Tevelle was prepared. She had made sure to master several deflection

and shield charms to guard against any hexes that might be thrown her way. As vampires were affected differently by most spells, and immune to some, it would cause problems when a singing jinx, for example, simply rolled off without effect. The best way to avoid an awkward explanation would be to avoid being hit in the first place.

"Nightshade, your turn." Moody barked.

Tevelle stood, wand held loosely at her side in a deceptively relaxed stance.

"We'll begin simply and work up to more difficult hexes. Use whatever defensive charms you can think of." Moody explained.

Tevelle nodded.

"Stupefy!"

Tevelle merely dodged the flash of light casually, careful to keep her movements within the range of human speed. Simple, right, Tevelle thought ruefully, if that's simple I'm human.

"Petrificus totalis."

Tevelle dodged once again, to Moody's visible chagrin.

"Impedimenta."

This one Tevelle deflected with a casual wave of her wand.

"Incarcerous."

Dancing nimbly out of the way dealt with the next spell nicely.

Moody was getting frustrated, and as the look in his eyes darkened, Tevelle decided that perhaps it was time she stopped teasing him. Mouth set in a grim and determined line; Moody raised his wand once again.

"Confundo! Confringo!" The next two hexes were cast in quick succession, forcing Tevelle to throw up a hasty shield charm. The spell-light fizzled harmlessly against her shields, but from the jolt of power they had caused, Moody was no longer playing.

The rest of the class silently watched the battle unfolding, occasionally having to block hexes that ricocheted in their direction.

Tevelle quickly deflected another hex. Moody was using wordless spells now, giving her the distinct impression that he was throwing some of the nastier spells her way. A bell rang, marking the end of their bout. Reluctantly, Moody lowered his wand. A moment later, Tevelle did as well. Not a single hex had gotten past Tevelle's shields.

"Well done, Miss Nightshade." The words were stilted, as if the compliment pained him.

Tevelle gave him a nod in answer and turned to reclaim her seat. A flash out of the corner of her eye and a prickling on the back of her neck was all the warning she got. Dodging quickly to the side, the hex Moody had cast sizzled through the air and missed her cheek by a hairsbreadth. The red light splashed against the wall, leaving an ugly burn mark and pitting the stone.

Tevelle rolled out of her dodge and let her momentum carry her upright into a crouch. One hand was outstretched to cast wand less magic at her attacker as both instinct and the inner beast clawed at Tevelle to respond in kind. She restrained herself, but barely.

The classroom was silent, the students stunned. Moody stood at the front of the classroom, his wand held in a dueling stance. His eyes were wide, as if he had just realized what he had done, and whom he had attacked. Tevelle fixed him with a warning look. The man was lucky Xeven had trained her as well as he had. If Moody had let his anger get the better of him in such a way in any other situation or with a less well-trained vampire, his throat would have been ripped open before he had a chance to blink. No doubt the wizard in zeal had forgotten that while Tevelle was a student and played human, she was still a vampire with a vampire's instincts.

"Constant Vigilance!" Moody finally sputtered in a valiant attempt at regaining control. "Always be prepared! And don't turn your back on a potential opponent."

Tevelle rose slowly and carefully to her feet. There was no need for sudden moves. If Moody spooked she did not know if she were capable of holding back any more.

"Class dismissed," Moody barked after a moment, lowering his wand just as carefully.

The rest of the students fled eager to escape the tense atmosphere of the room.

The door slammed closed, and it was only then that Tevelle spoke. "Careful, Alastor. Do not forget yourself in such a way again. I may not be able to stop myself the next time."

Moody scowled, bristling at being addressed so. "I am fairly certain I could handle you in any case."

"Temper, temper, " Tevelle answered coldly, the beast in her not yet subsided. "Such arrogance and pique will be the death of you. It may be that you can defend yourself against a fledgling vampire, but could you do the same against her sire?" She let the statement hang heavily in the air for a moment before continuing. "What happened to you Alastor, you used to have such better control over your emotions. Old age finally catching up?"

Tevelle was not quite sure why she taunted him. Something about the man just didn't sit right. Prior to this year, it had been a very long time since she had seen Alastor Moody even at a distance, and the man could easily have changed since then. Still, something irked her, though she could not pin it down. And then there was the curiosity with that clever map of Harry's. The map that showed every name in the castle, even hers, but somehow had managed to mislabel Moody.

The man in question was nearly apoplectic, with a face alternating between bloodless and flushed. Tevelle's inner beast growled at the display, and she decided it was time she remove herself before doing something regrettable.

"Good day, Professor."

A/N: thanks for reading, i hope you enjoyed. Please review!