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There Is Hope

By dinnertime Christopher's grandfather had arrived with two members of his personal security to pick Christopher up and take him home early just as the Weasley woman had said he would. The official story was that the coming moon was making Christopher sicker than normal, which everyone seemed to be buying since they had far more 'important' things to worry and talk about than the mute werewolf they'd been going to school with for years in most cases. Far more interesting, it seemed, was the visiting gorgeous American witch or speculating about what the Chosen One might have discovered or already knew about the attacks that had been happening at Hogwarts. After all he was the Chosen One. The man who had defeated He Who Shall Not Be Named. This new danger should be a snap for him. Right?

For himself Regulus rolled his eyes over the fact that the American witch was as interesting to the students as the attacks, because of course a good looking woman should be given as much attention as a potential homicidal maniac in their midst. Though he supposed the fact that they were speculating about the latter at all bode well simply because that meant it wouldn't be immediately apparent to Binoche when his accursed potion started to wear off and the students started using what intelligence they possessed. It was in everyone's best interest that Binoche didn't realize that the residents of Hogwarts were seeing things far more clearly until it was too late for him.

In four days the potion in the water should be diluted enough that it wouldn't be strong enough to affect Hogwarts' population. Five days until the full moon. If that still mattered now that Christopher had been taken out of the equation.

And it was the day after the Legilimens and Potter's visit to Hogwarts that the Weasley girl interested romantically in Teddy got a letter from her mother informing her that the next morning two full bloodied Veelas would be coming to St. Mungo's to attempt to revive the coma victims. Apparently the story the girls had remembered being told as children was indeed based on actual events, and when consulted it seemed that at least some of what might have been done to the victims might be a result of Veela magic. And could therefore be listed. Possibly.

More importantly one of the Veelas consulted on the matter had volunteered his services immediately, both for the sake of the children and out of academic curiosity. He had also spoken to his family and convincing a cousin to come with him though she was insisting on being paid a tidy sum for her time and travel expenses. Not more than the families could afford though, thankfully, so Christopher's money wouldn't be needed.

Both Weasley girls had asked for permission from their parents to be there when the Veelas worked their magic in their last letter as it was rare for them to get to see pureblooded Veelas use their magic for something like this. And much to their shared delight their mother had pulled the strings to arrange it. So they would get to go and observe the Veelas wake Binoche's victims from their slumber. Or at least try to since Regulus wasn't counting his chickens just yet.

The letter ended with the statement that Fleur Weasley had also sent a letter to McGonagall stating that the girls' father would arrive the next day to pick them up and bring them back. Regulus would have rather the not been there, especially since from the sounds of it things were going to be crowded enough already.

When Victoire showed Teddy and Allan the letter from her mother after breakfast, the three whispering about it under their breathes as they tried not to call too much attention to themselves, Regulus had been relieved to hear both boys state that they'd be going with the girls to St. Mungo's now that they knew about the plans to wake the victims. Both were adults after all, and therefore able to leave school grounds without parental permission. They'd just sign themselves out and have to catch up on their schoolwork later. And of course the two teenagers couldn't go anywhere without their guardians either, they'd both given Potter their words there, so that meant he and Siam were going as well. Excellent.

There was the question of whether or not the boys could talk their way into the room where the victims were being kept, especially since it was going to be crowded with the families, healers, etc etc, but Regulus had no intention of falling out of the loop this late in the game. He'd trust Siam to watch Teddy for a few minutes and slip into the bloody hospital room if necessary. They had to know what the victims knew if the woke up. And anything the Veelas knew as well, so that they could properly prepare for any other tricks Binoche might have up his sleeves.

Gathering information and insuring Teddy didn't embarrass the family were his two main goals of this trip. Especially since one of these Veelas would be male.

In truth Regulus had never met or been in the vicinity of a male Veela before, but he knew that the females did nothing for him. That was both physically, as the female form had never appealed to him, and in terms of their seductive magic failing to turn him into a blathering idiot bent on making a complete and total fool of himself in public. Though it had always been amusing to see his fellow man sink to that level at the mere sight of the creatures, Regulus mused with a smirk on his feline face.

But back to the point on hand Regulus's pride would like to believe that he'd have been just as indifferent if faced with a male version of the infamous creature…but he wasn't going to count of it. And Teddy was a great deal weaker than he was,so Regulus was determined to supervise all interactions between the young man and any Veela who might try to exercise their wiles on his charge, whether male or female.

"So then I says to him, I says his head is so far up his arse it's a wonder he hasn't been reduced to speaking in farts."

Looking over at the Hufflepuff who'd just interrupted his thoughts while they all waited for Teddy's second class of the day to begin, Regulus gave serious thought to using the twit freckled face as a scratching post. After all his new claws were so much bigger and sharper than they'd been before. Must keep one's weapons in peak condition given the dangerous climate they were all living in.

With the added bonus of teaching the stupid boy some manners too.

The fact that Teddy was laughing just proved that the ill-mannered lout needed to be removed from Teddy's vicinity before he corrupted him further. Especially since from the sounds of it this twit knew next to nothing about professional Quidditch teams. Unless his team had really gotten that bad since Regulus had passed, which he absolutely refused to believe.

Feeling eyes on him Regulus automatically turned his head to evaluate the possible threat across the aisle, dismissing the girl immediately as the look he got from her suggested she was just one more student unnerved to be so close to an obvious predator.

Regulus was well aware that there had been some grumbling among the students about him and Siam now that they were no longer simple housecats. McGonagall had been able to get around that by pointing out that neither Teddy nor Allan was disobeying the rules as students were allowed to bring cats to school. The fact that the school had neglected to specify that only regular housecats were allowed would be addressed in next year's school letter at the start of the year. For now the two could take advantage of the loophole provided neither animal mauled a student or teacher…which meant the Hufflepuff got to keep his present blood supply. Unfortunately.

But thankfully Regulus didn't have to listen to the stupid Hufflepuff's rubbish for more than a couple minutes before the professor called their attention up to the front, ending the two's conversation with a snap. Even the prat apparently knew better than to speak while this particular professor was speaking. Professor Vasic was a no nonsense wizard in his mid-forties, and thus far Regulus had found him to be both interesting and knowledgeable about his subject. Listening to him was generally not a chore, which was more than Regulus could say about a few of Teddy's other teachers.

They were about ten minutes into the lesson when a knock came at the door, Professor Vasic making a face at the interruption before calling out for whoever it was to enter. His tone suggested that whoever it was better have a damn good reason for disturbing him in mid lecture.

The door opened and in stepped Professor McGonagall, her face revealing nothing as her gaze swept over the students at their seats before stopping and settling on one boy in Slytherin colors. Regulus had a feeling he should know who the boy was as he visibly paled under that gaze.

"Mr. Avery. I need you to pack up your things and come with me, please."

Nodding slowly the boy set about doing as he'd been told in the heavy silence that now permeated the air.

He'd hardly gotten started though before the ink well he'd been about to put in his bag slid through his fingers to be caught by his seatmate who held it out to him, not that the boy noticed. Instead he stared across the room and said the name 'Mavis'.

A name that seemed to echo in the silent room.

And because Teddy had made a list and he and Siam had looked into all the possible students that could be on Binoche's list Regulus was well aware, as was Teddy judging from his quiet gasp, that Mavis was most likely Mavis Avery, the boy's younger sister. A fifth year in Ravenclaw.

And most likely Binoche's sixth victim here at Hogwarts.

Perhaps sensing that there was no point in hiding it from the student population, it would be all over the school soon enough after all, McGonagall walked further into the room and up the aisle. She didn't stop until she'd reached Avery's row and could face him squarely.

"Your sister was found fifteen minutes ago in the same condition as the other victims. She's already been taken to St. Mungo's. I will personally take you there to see her for yourself and so that you can be there for your parents and vice versa."

Shaking his head the boy started rambling about how it couldn't be his sister. Couldn't be Mavis. She hadn't been at her table at breakfast but that was because she hadn't felt well and had stayed in bed. He'd gone over to the Ravenclaw table to check with her friends just in case. She was his little sister. His responsibility. And if someone had been bothering her she would have told him. He would have protected her. He'd promised their parents he'd look after her. There had to be some mistake. There had to be.

While the boy rambled while trying to deny what he obviously knew to be true his dark haired seatmate quietly finished packing up his friend's stuff and then placing a hand on Avery's lower back gently propelled him forward and into the main aisle. The other boy gave the headmistress a questioning look and when she nodded the boy started guiding Avery down the aisle with the other boy's book bag slung over his shoulder.

McGonagall stayed behind just long enough to exchange a silent conversation with the Ancient Runes teacher before heading out after the boys. And even though she closed the door gently behind her the sound seemed to echo through the room, the silence unbroken for about a minute before Vasic cleared his throat and picked up the lecture from where he'd left off.

Regulus doubted anyone was really listening.

)

The next morning they all silently stood around outside the castle as they waited for Bill Weasley to arrive to pick his daughters up. It was cold out, the wind harsh and making them all shiver a little even in their fall coats. The girls had it worse than he and Allan, Teddy noted, because both had dressed up in dresses that didn't provide nearly the same warmth and comfort as the trousers he and Allan were wearing. Judging from the elaborate hairdos and expertly applied makeup the girls wanted to make a good impression on the Veela guests while also making sure that the foreigners didn't show them up too much in the looks department.

And to be fair both he and Allan had taken more pains with their appearance than they normally would have as well. Not out of vanity, exactly, but Teddy figured if the Veelas got to him it wouldn't be as obvious if he was already looking good. If he'd look normal and then used his abilities to change his hair, face and muscle tone…ugh. So embarrassing.

He'd spent years building up his immunity to the wiles of those with Veela blood, but better safe than sorry. Especially since these were purebloods he'd be meeting.

Pulling out his pocket watch Teddy consulted the time, sighing to see that the still had around seven or eight minutes before Uncle Bill was supposed to arrive. They really should have just stayed inside and waited for him in there.

Really they should start walking towards Hogsmeade, meet up with Uncle Bill part way, and save them all some walking in the cold. Tempting. So very tempting. But Aunt Fleur had made it clear that both girls were to wait here for their father and were not even to think about walking the school grounds without adult supervision. If they were right about who was being targeted, and how could they be wrong given that the latest victim was also on the Sacred Twenty Eight list, then as students with the last name Weasley they could easily be targeted next.

He and Allan could have gotten to Hogsmeade and then on to the hospital on their own of course, both were licensed for apparition, but as Allan had pointed out to Teddy they'd both feel better, and therefore be able to concentrate on their apparating better, if they made sure Victoire and Domi were safely escorted to St. Mungo's by their father first before dissipating themselves. They certainly didn't want to risk making any mistakes after all. Especially since they'd each be taken a furry passenger with them.

Being spliced with Noir was the stuff of nightmares. Teddy shuddered just thinking about it.

"There you are!"

Wincing, Teddy turned around to see Fred hurrying towards them in his ordinary clothes.

"Fred…"

"I have permission." Fred interrupted before Teddy could tell him that even though he understood why Fred wanted to come with them, it wasn't happening. "My mum sent an owl to McGonagall giving me permission and she's coming along with Uncle Bill." Panting as he came to a stop Fred leaned forward with his hands braced on his knees as he caught his breath. "Almost overslept. Slept like crap last night."

Domi gave him a sympathetic look. "You know her father won't let you near her, Fred."

Fred snorted. "As if he'll be there this early in the morning."

Okay, Fred did have a point there. Father of the Year Gabrielle's father was not.

Straightening up Fred ran his hands up and down his arms to warm them up a little as he asked if anyone knew who would all be there.

"Father is just dropping us off." Victoire told him as she tucked her gloved hands into her coat pocket. "Maman will be there, and Uncle Harry as well. The two Veelas, some healers, and some of the families I'd suspect. From what I heard Tab Avery didn't come back to school last night."

"Have they found out anything new from her roommates? Has anyone heard?"

Everyone shook their heads in the negative to Domi's question.

Mavis Avery's roommates had been interviewed and two of them had 'remembered' exactly what they'd told her brother at breakfast when he'd come over to ask about her. That Mavis had told them she was sick and had remained in bed while they'd gotten ready and then headed to the Great Hall for breakfast. The third roommate didn't remember anything at all about it. It hadn't registered that Mavis wasn't there in the room or at the breakfast table. All three girls had been examined and not surprisingly evidence of memory tampering had been found in all three cases. Attempts to recover their memories of who had screwed with their minds in the first place had proven futile.

"So do you think they'll just let you two bring your cats in?" Fred asked, jerking his chin in the direction of the two cats sitting calmly on the ground in front of their respective 'owners'.

"It should be fine. And if someone raises a fuss I'll deal with it." Allan's mother worked at the hospital and he knew most everyone who worked there.

"So has your grandmother told you yet how she made them so much bigger and bad arse, Teddy?"

"Nope."

And while he appreciated the fact that the bigger he was the better Noir could theoretically protect him from harm, Teddy was pretty sure that he was going to have nightmares about Noir using people that annoyed him as scratching posts for as long as his 'guardian' was supersized. Heck, Noir had done plenty of damage when he'd just been the size of a housecat.

"Look."

Everyone looking in the direction Domi was pointing Teddy raised a hand in greeting when he saw two familiar figures making their way across the school's grounds. "Time to go then."