Chapter Thirty Six
Excalibur appeared in his hands and the Book disappeared.
"Do you want our help?" Pansy asked.
Chris shook his head, "No. You guys stay here, I gotta go."
"Where's the demon?"
"Put it this way, I don't think we want Harry and Draco going to Azkaban now do we?" He disappeared in a swirl of blue and white orbs and reappeared where Draco and Harry were currently punching the living shit out of each other.
"Decide to split yourself in two Andras?" Chris said, leaning against the wall, "Or are these two that hostile toward each other you just couldn't resist?"
"What are you talking about?" Ron demanded, "Harry and Draco are fighting, we can't stop them! And our wands aren't working."
"Of course your wands aren't working. I bound your powers so I could track this one," he gestured to Harry and Draco, "and if you'll let me get on with it…"
"Sure."
"So as I was saying, you're getting lazy, I mean the last time you went after Belthazor, and now, now you're going after school kids, where's the challenge."
Chris sent out two low volt energy balls and as they met their marks causing Harry and Draco to stop fighting.
Chris smirked, "Did you really think I'm that stupid? I mean, why go for two people that angry, why not go for someone a little more passive aggressive…" he shot his hand out and telekinetically stopped Ginny Weasley in her tracks, "Or someone like Ginny Weasley."
He turned to face her, using his powers to push her against the wall, "Get out." He snapped.
"What are you doing to my sister?"
Ginny's eyes turned black, "You think your so clever. Don't you witch?"
"Oh I know I am." Chris smirked, "Now let the girl go."
"No."
Chris started to close his fist and Ginny's hands went to her throat, her eyes still black, "You want to try again Andras? Because if I snap her neck we're both in trouble, because you'll die, and I'll end up in Azkaban for murder."
"You wouldn't dare."
"Chris let her go!" Ron shouted, he went to punch himbut suddenly found himself unable to move.
"I've still got my powers Ron." He said without looking away from Ginny, "Now Ginny I know you can hear me in there, you need to focus okay? Push him out."
"You think the little witch 'pushing' me out will stop me?"
The pressure around Ginny's neck increased and then all of a sudden a darker figure was thrown from the youngest Weasley. And Ginny was set down gently, gasping for breath.
"You can't vanquish me witch!" Andras snarled at him.
"Puh-lease," Chris laughed, "I may not be my mother and aunts but I am the son of a Charmed One. And you, last time you were killed by an energy ball."
He powered up a high voltage energy ball and threw it at him. Andras ducked and as he did Chris swung Excalibur and brought it crashing down and stabbed him.
He laughed softly as the demon burst into flames.
Harry and Draco sat up, all the students were simply standing there looking around, not understanding what was going on. Nobody had their powers.
Chris looked over the railing and shouted, "Everyone to the Great Hall! Now!"
He did a quick orb around, grabbing people who were stuck in their dorms or on the moving (or unmoving as the case may be) and taking them into the Great Hall.
Silently the school headed toward the hall, once it was full Dumbledore addressed the school, "What happened this evening was an attack by a demon named Andras, the demon of rage. He has been stopped so there is no need for you to worry."
"Sir!" One student called out, "We haven't got any powers! The paintings aren't even moving!"
"And I believe that can be explained, Mr Black, if you will so kindly come up here and address your fellow students?" summoning the Book of Shadows Chris stood before his schoolmates.
"In case you're wondering why the paintings aren't moving, the ghosts are gone and your magic isn't working, the reason is that I bound the magic of this castle."
"Why'd you do that?" A voice rang out.
"You had no right!" Another shouted.
"Actually, I did." Chris said calmly, "Because if I didn't people here were going to kill each other. It's how Andras worked, feeding off a person's anger, turning it into rage. And during that rage, he succeeds if a person commits an act of greivous violence. So, before any of you fired off any unforgivables I thought I'd make sure you couldn't."
"We want out magic back!"
"Well I'm getting to that!" Chris snapped.
He flicked idly through the ancient pages, and let out a loud sigh, intentionally pissing everyone off.
"In this night and in this hour, I call upon the ancient power, binding done for students' safety, undo it now safely? Tis my will so mote it be." That has to be the worst spell I have ever made up. Chris laughed to himself, it was as bad as one of Wyatt's.
A blue light washed over all the teachers and students, sweeping from the Great Hall out through the castle then spilling out onto the school grounds, paintings woke as if from a deep slumber and the ghosts returned.
"Somebody test it then." He said impatiently, "I don't want to be up here all night."
Someone shot red sparks up from their wand.
"Thanks." Chris said, "I would suggest that anyone who needs to go to the infirmary should go now."
Several people walked out and Chris stepped down and walked over to the Gryffindor table to his girlfriend, "Hermione, you wanna take a walk?"
"Alright."
They walked outside in silence, "I'm sorry." He said quietly, thrusting his hands in his pockets, "I didn't mean what I said…well, most of it."
"What do you mean, most of it?" She asked.
"Well, it really hurt to know that you don't trust me."
"Excuse me?"
"You went off with Harry, I found Cho sitting under a tree sobbing, we went to a coffee shop and talked about Cedric, Harry, you, school, our families. You know, just talked. I love you Hermione and I would never cheat on you."
"I know that." Hermione said, "I know I'm a little insecure…"
Chris stopped and stared at her, "'mione, listen to me, you're beautiful okay? You're smart, funny and fucking sexy when you're mad."
She blushed furiously, "I'll take that as a compliment."
He pushed her up against the castle wall and crashed their lips together, "You should know," he said between kisses, "there's something about demon hunting, that-"
Hermione, acting on impulse draped her arms around his neck, tangling her fingers in his long hair and wrapped her legs around his waist and deepened the kiss, "Shut up." She grinned into the kiss.
Little Tiny Line Break # 116
Seeing as the storm had passed Albus Dumbledore decided to go for a walk, outside in the dark he walked for a little while, and soon he heard the sounds of people making out.
He raised his wand, "Lumos."
It was Christopher Black and Hermione Granger, startled by the light Hermione unwrapped her legs and climbed down, "Ah, sorry Professor-"
Dumbledore held a hand up, eyes twinkling, "No need to apologise Mr Black, I was young once, but may I suggest finding somewhere more suitable, that looked most uncomfortable for Miss Granger."
"Yes Sir." Chris murmured, both he and Hermione were blushing furiously.
"Well, I'll be on my way then." Dumbledore said, "Nox." Then the Headmaster headed off in the opposite direction.
Completely mortified at being busted by the headmaster Hermione and Chris walked silently back into the castle, stopping inside the entrance hall.
"I can't believe-"
"He caught us!" Chris laughed, "God, I thought I was going to die!"
Hermione laughed, "I know!"
"I don't think that I'll ever be able to look him in the eyes again!"
The laughing died down and they headed up to the infirmary; Chris pushed open the infirmary door and to their surprise saw Draco and Harry talking to each other civilly.
He rubbed his eyes, "Hermione I don't believe what I'm seeing."
"Me either."
"They're not killing each other. I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it with my own two eyes…"
"OUCH!" Draco screeched as Madame Pomfery poured a healing potion onto it.
"Excuse me," Chris said from behind the medi-witch, "I think I can help."
"And how it that?" She demanded, "From what I understand it was you who caused these injuries."
"Only the energy burns! The idiots did the rest themselves." Chris said. He pushed past the witch and rose his hands, one over Harry and the other over Draco. The healing glow washed over the Slytherin and the Gryffindor, healing the energy burns and the numerous ones the two of them had done to each other.
"Everyone happy?" Chris asked, "Good. Now I'm going to go and find the biggest hole here in Hogwarts, crawl in it and die."
"Why?" Draco asked.
"Dumbledore busted us."
"Busted you what?" Draco asked, then he saw Chris' hair, "Oh you're not serious! You weren't shagging, were you?"
"No! No! No! No and no! And even if we were it would be NONE of your business Draco Malfoy!" Hermione said shrilly.
"Calm down Granger, I was only asking Black here a question."
"My name is Chris, Christopher Halliwell Black! Would it kill you to call me Chris once in a while?"
"Quite finished with the hysterics Christopher?" Draco asked with a smirk.
"Yeah Chris, we've got better things to then listen to your hissy fits." Harry laughed.
"I don't believe it! Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy are ganging up on me? What the hell is going on here?" He laughed slightly in disbelief.
"Potter and I…reevaluated things."
"Oh, so you two are fucking then?" Chris asked innocently. That statement was met with two pillows being thrown at him, "Hey, I was only asking!"
Little Tiny Line Break # 117
The morning after Andras' attack Chris decided to go for a run, he'd gone through half his song collection by the time he was deep inside the forbidden forest, blind to everything except what was directly in front of him.
Root, jump, branch duck.
Didn't see the arrow that hit the tree behind him as he passed.
Root, jump, branch, duck.
This time he saw the arrow as it hit the tree in front of him, he screeched to a halt, pulled out his earphones and spun around, emerald eyes scanning the darkened woods.
"Who's there?" he shouted out to the woods.
An arrow came whizzing toward him and hit his shoulder, "Okay that's NOT fair! If you're going to at shoot me you can at least have the common decency to show your face!" he shouted, pulling the arrow out with a sharp cry.
He heard the sound of hooves as a chestnut coloured centaur came out in the open, "Who are you?"
"Oh, no, no, no, first you tell me why you were shooting at me!"
"Who are you?" He demanded again, raising the crossbow to shoot again.
Chris ducked behind a tree, "Who are you?"
"My name is Morrigan, human, now answer me!"
"Chris! My name is Christopher. If I step out from behind this tree are you going to try and shoot me again?"
"I make no promises."
"Will you permit me to step out with my own weapon?"
"Come out."
"Not unless I can bring a weapon." Chris snapped.
"Fine. Just hurry up."
Focusing he summoned a crossbow not unlike the darklighter one and stepped out from behind the tree with it raised.
"You were shooting at me."
"What are you doing in this forest?"
"Running." He answered curtly, "Do you make a habit of shooting first and asking questions later?"
"Do not be smart with me." The centaur replied.
"Do you want me to dumb it down for you?" He asked sarcastically.
He ducked as another arrow came flying at him, "Hey! That's not fair!"
"Do not consider me an idiot foal!"
"Well stop expecting me to be civil to you when you're shooting at me Morrigan!"
"What are you doing in our forest?" Another voice demanded, he turned to see a wild eyed black centaur.
He narrowed his eyes, trying to get a reading, "Bane, correct?"
"How-"
"I have a gift." He said sarcastically, "Now if you don't mind I'm going to go and see Madame Pomfery, you see, your friend here shot me and I'd rather prefer to get it tended to."
"Nobody said you can leave."
Chris looked around and to increase his problems he realised that he was completely surrounded by rather annoyed centaurs.
"Okay, I'm sorry. Can I go now?"
"You come into our forest and insult us!"
Chris' sense of self-presevation kicked it, waving his hand, he orbed the weapon of every centaur there and threw the orbs into the woods and banished the crossbow he'd been holding.
/Do not presume that you can shoot at me without some kind of retaliation!/ Chris shouted at them.
Each and every one of the centaurs stood silent, staring at the boy before them.
"How do you know that language?" an albino centaur asked.
/What language?/ Chris asked, completely unaware he'd slipped into any other language.
"That is our language Christopher." The albino centaur said, "Ours alone."
"Sorry, I meant no disrespect. It happens sometimes."
"What happens?"
"Sometimes I slip into other languages. It's a part of one of my powers." He explained.
"Return to your school young one. It is not safe for your kind in these woods."
"You mean humans?"
There was a pause, "Yes. You must leave now."
He nodded, "Thank you. I apologise if I offended anyone."
Little Tiny Line Break # 118
Chris walked slowly into the infirmary, pulling his jacket off he sat on one of the beds as Madame Pomfery came toward him, "Mr Black, why are you bleeding?"
"I ran into one of the suits of armour?"
Poppy's eyes narrowed, "You want to try again?"
"I was shot at."
"By?"
"A centaur-"
"WHAT?"
"Madame Pomfery, it's not as bad as it looks, and I was in their territory."
"This is inexcusable! Stay here, I'm going to fetch the Headmaster."
"Madame Pomfery, really that's not necessary."
"Nonsense! You were attacked."
"Poppy!" He shouted, the medi-witch turned around, "I didn't mean to be so informal-"
"Mr Black, stay where you are. I mean it."
She opened the door and as she did she heard the tinkling of orbs, turning, she saw Christopher Black had now in fact, disappeared.
Little Tiny Line Break # 119
Chris reappeared in the Gryffindor Common Room, he rolled up his t-shirt sleeve and looked at the wound, the cut was a little deeper then he thought it was. Damn it.
Walking upstairs he rifled through his trunk and found a bandage, using his telekinesis he held the tip of the bandage in place and began to wrap it firmly around his shoulder, hissing, "Damn it."
"What happened?"
Startled, Chris turned around, "Neville, hey. Didn't see you there."
"What happened to your arm?"
"Arrow." Chris said, "It was just a scratch."
"You should go see Madame Pomfery." He said.
"I went, don't want to get the centaurs in trouble, it'll heal on its own, promise you won't say anything?"
Neville looked rather hesitant before nodding, "Alright. But if it gets worse you come to me and I'll find you the right ingredients to heal it."
"Dude, I've seen you in potions and no-"
"I'm much better at herbology." Neville said, "I can find the right plants and no one will have to know."
"Thanks, I'll see you later."
"Yes I suppose so."
Little Tiny Line Break # 120
By lunchtime that day Chris could barely move his left arm, something that did not, much to his annoyance, go unnoticed.
"Chris, are you okay?" Hermione asked, "You look pale."
"I'm fine." Chris said with a smile.
Draco, Blaise, Pansy, Crabbe and Goyle had walked up to them, "Hate to disagree with you Chris, but it is most obvious you aren't fine."
"So what now, the Slytherins and Gryffindors are working together on being concerned for my health? I told you I'm fine!"
Blaise grabbed an apple from the Ravenclaw table, "Catch this then." He tossed the apple at Chris who let it fall to the floor, "Fine my ass."
"Please, me not catching an apple doesn't mean anything!" Chris said.
Draco nodded at Crabbe who grabbed Chris by the shoulder causing him to let out a hiss of pain, "Okay! So I'm not fine, let me go!"
"Let him go." Draco sighed, "So, are you going to show us what's wrong with your arm Black or are we going to have to hold you down to get a look at it?"
"Not here." He sighed, extending his right arm, "I'll orb us."
Chris orbed them all to the Founders' rooms and collapsed on the couch.
"So?"
"I need a hand getting this off." Chris said, "As you've so kindly pointed out to the universe, I can't use my left arm."
Hermione undid the black shirt before slipping that off him and then with Harry's help gingerly removed the black t-shirt underneath it. Chris' breathing had quickened, he squeezed his eyes shut, "You may as well unwrap it."
They noticed the blood seeping through the bandage, "Chris what happened?" Hermione asked.
"I was shot with an arrow Hermione." Chris said, "it didn't hurt this bad earlier."
Draco and the others let out an audible gasp, the area around the wound was all black and blue, "The reason it didn't hurt earlier is because the poison hadn't seeped into your system yet."
"I'm going to get Madame Pomfery." Hermione said.
"No." Chris said, "No. I'll be fine."
"No, you won't." Draco said, he looked at Crabbe and Goyle, "Get Snape here now. Tell him it's urgent. He looked at Hermione, "For heaven's sake Granger, go get warm water and a cloth. Blaise, make him a little more comfortable. Potter take his shoes off, those boots will wreck the couch."
"I've been shot by a poisoned arrow and you're worrying about the furniture?" Chris asked as Blaise made him lie horizontally.
"Damn straight, that couch has survived centuries, it doesn't need your boots damaging them now.."
"Nice to know you care." Chris said through gritted teeth.
(A/N: Guess who's going to be in trouble, do da do da…you think poisoned arrow to the shoulder is bad, just you wait…. Don't forget to review!)