I am leaving my Ofelia pole open for another chapter, so I would appreciate it if you register your thoughts, thank you to everyone who has already done so. Thank you to the reviewers of last chapter:
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RaevynMoon- yep I am back! I'm glad you like Rhoan but I wanted him to have matured slightly x
Lilac Aura,
Annie Nomous *Captain Obvious*- yes the plot thickens! I love the happy world and Huego and Rose- you never know what might happen x (especially the gumdrops and rainbows)
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mudbloodpotter05

Chapter Thirty Seven

The start of March was as cold as the months that had gone before it, Anton stood by the windows in his quarters staring out at the grounds and at a quidditch practise that was taking place with the Hufflepuff team. He had returned to the school early that morning and had been lucky to be up early enough to see Rhoan leave for his new job dressed in Ministry robes much to his disgruntlement, however he had been allowed to keep his sword on him as well as his wand.

Sirius had offered Rhoan a room in his house which the wind elemental had jumped at accepting, out of the multiple rooms available he had chosen an attic room with large glass windows, supposedly it made him feel closer to the sky, he had chosen cream walls and a silvery grey for his bedcovers and a small sofa, one thing he hadn't missed out on was the purchase of a Chudley Cannons poster which was plastered on one wall and a glass chess set which was given pride of place at a new desk.

One thing Rhoan had been slightly disgruntled about was the fact he had already lived through all of their matches once already, but he had definitely cheered up when Sirius suggested he get tickets and see them first hand this time, Rhoan had jumped at this and had also insisted on taking Teddy to witness his first live quidditch match.

There had been a shock that had taken them completely by surprise.

Yesterday

They gathered around the dining room for a nice meal cooked by Mrs Weasley before Anton returned to Hogwarts and Rhoan started his new job. Most people were there including Tonks and Lupin, Mylee and Kingsley.

It was almost to the end of the dinner when Tonks cleared her throat.

'I would like to say something, I'm sure you all know that Remus and I have been seeing each other. Well…'

She trailed off and looked to Lupin to continue what she was saying, the table stared at the werewolf who was looking slightly bemused by what was going on.

'Come on Moony don't keep us in suspense,' Sirius prompted impatiently.

'Well we're going to have a baby.'

Silence utter silence followed this statement broken by Mrs Weasley who immediately began congratulating the pair.

'Pregnant?' Sirius repeated looking sideways at Teddy who was munching his way through his food and ignoring what as going on around him.

'Yes, I'm five months along,' Tonks said cheerfully 'it's going to be a little girl.'

Rhoan who had just taken a large drink out of his goblet spluttered loudly as it went down the wrong way and began coughing uncontrollably, Anton dropped the fork he had been holding, it splattered against his plate and gravy flew up and covered the white table cloth. Sirius already in stunned shock jumped when Anton's fork was dropped, his elbow knocked into his goblet, it fell to the floor with a bang covering Mad-Eye with wine on its way down, it spilled the rest of its contents onto the wooden floor. Mad-Eye leapt up as the wine made contact with him and his chair fell backwards forcefully. This made Teddy jerk in surprise and the boy followed Sirius's lead and accidentally bashed his plate which joined the goblet on the floor along with the food the boy had yet to eat.

Kingsley banged Rhoan on the back a couple of times and he gasped in enough air to manage,

'Congratulations.'

The rest of the table managed to convey their feelings in the minute that followed and then they all stared at the two of them in a kind of stunned surprise.

Mrs Weasley gazed over the mess that had been caused and said,

'Well I don't think this will be cleaned up in a hurry,'

'Maybe we should have waited until after everyone had finished,' Lupin said apologetically as he too looked at the chaos the announcement had caused.

'Nonsense,' Sirius said loudly as he recovered, he reached over and clapped his old friend on his shoulder 'you deserve this, congratulations to both of you.'

Both Anton and Rhoan caught each others eyes and nodded in agreement, this was unexpected and it sure as hell hadn't happened the first time round, whatever it was Teddy was about to get an older sister nearly six years younger than him. Fate was certainly having fun at their expense.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Anton was pulled out of his thoughts by Pyra's head nudging him impatiently on his leg, she had been less than happy at his neglect over her and she had made sure that her feelings were known the second he saw her, however it appeared that she had now forgiven him. before he could turn to stroke her head the flames in his fireplace burst into a green light and his brothers head was floating there looking harried.

'I may kill Percy.'

Anton was unable to stop the smile that came to his lips,

'May I ask why, or is this just a helpful pastime?'

'Mr I'm so great working in the office of the EX! Minister of magic.'

'Am I meant to be guessing what he's done?' Anton asked politely 'will you give me a clue, is it something specific, or just a re-emergence of old feelings from last time?'

'That Git had the nerve to not only question my character, but also yours, our suspicious natures, and what our true motives must be seeing as 'it is obvious that this is a malicious stunt to discredit a noble man' Honestly!' Rhoan bit off.

'Give him some time,' Anton encouraged crouching down so he was level with his brothers head 'soon he'll realise the truth just like last time.'

'Well he sure as hell had better realise within the next couple of days or I swear I'll take a swing at him.'

This time Anton laughed out loud at the furious expression displayed on the other elementals face,

'Was that it?' he asked eventually 'or was the call just about Percy?'

'There was something else,' Rhoan answered his face switching to serious 'we've both been called as witnesses at Fudge's court case.'

'That's not unexpected,' Anton said thoughtfully 'are they trying the ice cube?'

Rhoan smirked slightly 'no Umbridge has been put on hold until she has defrosted and regained consciousness.'

'Pity, it would have been easier if she hadn't been able to say anything at her trial.'

'I won't argue with you there,' Rhoan replied 'it's going to be held on the eighth of March.'

'But that's next Saturday,' Anton stated 'we need more time than that.'

'We're not going to get it though,' Rhoan grimaced 'it's a tactic used by a lot of defence lawyers, make it the earliest date and hope the prosecution hasn't got the time to make a good case.'

'He doesn't deserve any defence,' Anton almost snapped 'Sirius didn't have any.'

'I know that Anton' Rhoan said with forced patience 'but this just means we need to do more work, take a few more precautions, that kind of thing.'

Anton scowled in reply 'we could just kill the bastard.'

'Would you like me to take that statement seriously?' Rhoan requested politely 'ignoring the fact that to do so would put both of us in a lot of trouble, I know he won't be the Minister again, but he still has a great deal of power, trying to kill him would put us in Azkaban instead of him.'

'It's just frustrating,' Anton frowned and rubbed his hands tensely through his hair 'it's just so bloody obvious he's as crooked as hell.'

Rhoan nodded in agreement the green flames flickering around his head.

'Anyway,' Anton paused as he fed a piece of meat to Pyra 'shouldn't you be working, you know, making a good impression on your first day?'

Anton managed to make out Rhoan rolling his eyes as he turned his gaze back to the fireplace.

'I'm on my lunch break,' Rhoan said 'and I thought I'd spend my precious minutes talking to my brother.'

'I appreciate that,' Anton laughed slightly 'even if you did bring some thoroughly depressing news.'

'Aw cheer up mate,' Rhoan grinned 'maybe the Ministry will forgive you now for pulling some of your stunts.'

'Heard about them already have you?' Anton asked half dreading the answer.

'Of course,' this time Rhoan laughed 'Is your brother the one who killed Pettigrew outside the Ministry? Is your brother the one who ran out of hospital within minutes of waking from a coma? Is your brother the one who …'

'I get the picture,' Anton interrupted 'shouldn't you be getting back to your precious minutes I wouldn't want to be responsible for you getting into trouble with Madam Bones.'

'Fuck off,' Rhoan said cheerfully 'but I'd better get going anyway.'

'I'll floo you later to find out how your first day went,' Anton promised 'see you Rhoan.'

'Have fun with the teens,' Rhoan smirked as he pulled his head out of the flames.

-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-

Last two periods on Monday and it was Slytherin and Gryffindor fifth years and Anton could sense the already high tensions. In fact the first thing Draco said on beginning the lesson was,

'Sir, how exactly can you be qualified to teach us when you are unable avoid being captured yourself?'

The rest of the class listened waiting patiently for their teachers reply.

'Draco I am not about to explain myself to a schoolboy,' Anton answered meeting Malfoy's gaze head on 'but you can be safe in the knowledge that I am more than capable of holding my own in a battle. Now on with the lesson.'

Malfoy's cheeks flushed with two pink spots as Anton dismissed his comment as turned to the board.

Harry, Ron and Hermione all exchanged an amused look, they were definitely happy to have Anton back teaching, their lessons with Umbridge had been certainly disappointing and extremely biased towards all of the Death Eater children.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Dinner was going relatively calmly and Anton was in the middle of discussing the possible change over hands in the government with Snape.

'Come on Severus,' Anton protested 'anyone with half a brain wouldn't put Michael's as the next Minister.'

'You seem to be forgetting Lukyen about the appointment of Fudge,' Snape pointed out 'intelligence clearly wasn't an issue when he was appointed and lets face it Michael's has a lot of support from some of the higher officials in the Ministry.'

'I'd rather it be Crouch junior taking the job than him.'

'Just forgetting Crouch had been kissed by dementors, he's a supporter of the Dark Lord and the fact he's never had one sane thought in his entire life,'

'Come on Severus you can't hold a thing like mental instability against a person, even with that lunatic we'd have more progress than Michael's' Anton smiled

'Lukyen make a sensible suggestion or I won't bother continuing this conversation,' Snape said snidely.

Anton smiled again 'In all honesty I think Madam Bones would make an excellent Minister.'

'I would have to agree with you there,' Snape approved 'she hardly ever had the same opinion as Fudge and found most of his proposals to be ridiculous.'

'Didn't we all,' Anton let out a sigh 'and that's not even mentioning that idiot Umbridge who was obviously as evil as McNair.'

Snape nodded his expression thoughtful 'if…'

A crash cut them off and had them both searching for the source. Harry had his hands around his throat and was obviously having trouble breathing.

Anton was on his feet and halfway to his younger self before he even realised it, Harry was lying in the middle of the gap between Gryffindor table and the next table, everyone else was staring fearfully unsure of what to do.

Anton skidded to a halt beside Harry and bent down, he recognised what was happening immediately. The teenager was gasping in obvious agony as a fiery burning ripped through him, the only way Anton knew the exact feeling was because he had felt it enough when he had ever ingested Root of Nightindrade, however the root was found usually only in potions and there should have been no possibility of it being in Harry's food.

Without sparing a second he reached into his pocket and retrieved the one item he carried with him everywhere, a bezoer. He shoved it into Harry's mouth and forced the boy to swallow it. The teens body immediately stopped racking with spasm's and was reduced instead to tremors.

Anton looked up to see Snape arrive beside him,

'I see our wonder boy has managed to create more mayhem, I'm surprised it took him this long to draw attention to himself.'

Anton ignored the statement, he was well aware that the potions master had a role he needed to play whenever he was being watched.

'He's been poisoned with Root of Nightindrade,' Anton told the man as McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey arrived on scene 'It must have been in his food.'

'But Professor,' Hermione broke in tentatively 'that's not a toxic substance.'

'Well done Hermione,' Anton replied as Harry was loaded onto a conjured stretcher 'however it is if the person is extremely allergic to it.'

Anton was already nearing the door to the Great Hall when Hermione muttered.

'But how did you know he's allergic to it.'

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

'Harry my boy, how are you?' Dumbledore asked.

Harry shrugged slightly in reply 'confused.'

Dumbledore nodded gravely as if this was the answer he had expected Harry to give.

It was dark in the Hospital Wing with only a few dim lamps illuminating the room, the headmaster was next to the teenagers bed and Harry was propped up slightly looking tired, Anton stood a distance away leaning warily against a wall, his eyes flickered constantly as Harry watched him taking in every small detail almost as if he was anticipating an attack.

'Professor what happened?' Harry said rubbing his eyes drowsily.

'You had an allergic reaction to a certain root which we believe was present in your food, Professor Snape is testing for it now.'

'An allergic reaction,' Harry repeated 'but I didn't think I was allergic to anything.'

'The Root of Nightindrade is a substance to be avoided in future,' Dumbledore said with a twinkle 'you were lucky that Professor Lukyen reacted so quickly, otherwise we might not be having this discussion.'

Harry's eyes widened and he looked to his Defence teacher who had saved him once again, 'Thank you Sir.'

'Don't mention it Harry,' Anton smiled as his attention was diverted 'it was just fortunate I had a bezoer on me.'

'Thanks all the same,' Harry yawned.

Dumbledore took a step backwards and signalled to Anton, 'I believe we should leave Harry to get some much needed rest.'

Anton righted himself from the wall and took a step to the door 'I hope you feel better by tomorrow.'

'Thanks Sir,' Harry said again.

'Goodnight Harry,' Dumbledore smiled to the teenager already slipping into sleep, with that he followed Anton to the door.

-=-=-==-=-===-=-

Anton and Dumbledore walked silently as they made their way to Snape's private lab buried deep in the dungeons, Anton hadn't been inside he'd only over stood outside when Snape retrieved his potion. Dumbledore spoke the password and the blank grey wall slid back in one section to create an opening.

Dumbledore led the way in with Anton close behind. The room easily half the size of the potions classrooms though it was an odder shape. There was a rectangle of floor space which you came across first. To the right was a large desk which was covered in notes behind the desk stretching across the whole wall was a blackboard filled with ingredients and methods to countless potions. On the opposite side of the room were countless shelves half were filled with all manner of carefully labelled potions in numerous colours the other was occupied with copious ingredients all meticulously sorted, just in front was another table with more sheets of parchment. On the wall which they had entered through were even more shelves crammed with books.

The room's most remarkable feature was staring them directly in the face halfway down the empty wall opposite them was a huge archway and behind the arch was a circular room. A countertop ran the entire length, at least fifteen cauldrons were positioned on top some had flames flickering beneath them, others had stasis charms protecting them. In the centre was a round table filled with knives, parchment, ingredients and a few plates with food from dinner on them.

Snape was standing beside this table and he looked up as the two men entered.

'Knocking,' he drawled 'is not a lost art.'

'Severus,' Dumbledore greeted 'I see you're hard at work as usual.'

Snape nodded curtly 'Madam Pomfrey has just requested a great number of potions for the Hospital Wing and I need to get them finished.'

'Have you detected the substance in Harry's food?' Dumbledore asked his tone becoming more solemn.

'I have,' Snape replied 'I detected Root of Nightindrade in the meat only, it was also only in Potters food, it was present in nothing else I tested.' He fixed Anton with a stare 'unusual that two people in one school would share such a rare allergy.'

Anton smiled serenely at the man 'unusual but not impossible.'

'Indeed,' Snape said his gaze firmly on Anton 'luckily for all of us however that you do not possess the same unfortunate character flaws presented in Potter.'

Anton shrugged nonchalantly 'what can I say Severus, though I doubt you'd stand my company if I behaved like a teenager.'

'It is a trial already,' Snape replied smoothly.

Anton couldn't help the laugh that burst from his mouth and he could have sworn Snape's mouth twitched slightly, but maybe it was only his imagination.

'This is worrying news,' Dumbledore interrupted them 'I would like to discover why it was exactly that the substance ended up in Harry's food.'

'A visit to the kitchens,' Anton proposed.

'Undoubtedly,' Dumbledore said gravely 'they will be upset at what has happened, they take great pride in their service to this school.'

'Well if that is all Headmaster,' Snape said lightly 'I have plenty to be getting on with.'

'Trying to get rid of us already?' Anton smirked 'fed up with my company?'

'Lukyen as much I may enjoy your company, there are still many things that are more important.' Snape countered with his customary sneer.

'You wound me Severus.'

'Not badly enough.'

Please Read and Review, I love to read them and I appreciate every comment made whether it's constructive or just to say you liked my chapter x

I hope you enjoyed this one, I wonder who did it...

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Oh and Happy Halloween!!! All Hallows Eve etc. Pumpkins and fun!