Review Replies
Guest: Thank you. Here's the update you wanted. Thanks for your review.
dragonrider90: Well, I do like Draco and I've always thought that he could be redeemed if he actually grew up, instead of just hiding behind his father all the time. Thanks for your review.
EndlessNight025: We've already discussed this at length over PM (I believe, it was a while ago so I don't really remember) but I'm probably planning on giving Draco another card as his ace monster and he'll just keep Light and Darkness Dragon for when he gets better, which probably won't be for years. Plus, I will be including some character development for Jesse to assure everyone that he is not Jaden's clone. I believe there is some in this chapter but there will be plenty in the next part. Thanks for your review.
Angel-of-Anime Mizumi: Okay, I'll keep that in mind.
Jaden: so the Pokemon is gonna be named Tenshi? I like it.
Haou: (eyes Timcampy from D. Gray-man warily)
I will probably end up changing Draco's ace because Light and Darkness Dragon is a really hard card to work with. He'll keep it with him but he won't use it in any duels that he ends up participating in later.
Jaden: I don't know why everyone insists I should stay around sugar.
Jesse [who looks like Jehu]: (stares at Jaden incredulously and shakes head)
I've always thought about it that way too but, eh, what can you do? I think you'll like how I decided to end this part though.
(Sends all hated characters to Godzilla) Ohh! Apple pie and vanilla milkshakes? AWESOME! Thanks for your review.
StrawHatLuffy94: For now, Light and Darkness Dragon is just serving as a, I suppose you can call it symbol, of the friendship that is growing between Jaden and Draco. It won't be Draco's ace until much later. Which shipping? And what do you mean by insensitivity? Man, it's been so long, I don't even remember what happened in the last chapter (and I have a tendency of skimming chapters that I've already read and posted). Thanks for your review.
Shyannada141 Meow: Uhh, to be fair, Bakura was already insane, y'know. Oh, hello Shadow.
Shadow. …
Huh, you're right, he doesn't talk much. And a potion has a fire effect? Sweet! (Tosses potion at Umbridge and watches as she catches on fire) THAT IS SO TOTALLY AWESOME!
Bakura: burn, baby, burn! (Still killing all the bad guys in the city-closet)
Well, thanks for your review.
I am really, really sorry that I haven't updated in such a long time. School really hit me hard and then I had my other stories (especially White Radiance and Allegiance) and then my original stories and then work around the house and participating in community service projects for the Society I'm part of in college. So, yeah, I can go on and on about just why I haven't updated but I'll shut up now.
However, I will say this. Updates for this story are going to get very very slow from this point on. This is primarily because I want to finish Year Four before I finish posting Year Three but I'm hitting a bit of a snag in the road in terms of working on developing the characters (in particular, Jesse, who's POV will be more thoroughly explored in Year Four). Plus I have all my other stories so I am sorry if it takes me weeks to update again but please don't rush me.
Here is the next chapter and, as always, reviews are much appreciated.
36
Attack on the Quidditch Pitch
Great Hall
Once everyone was in the Great Hall, McGonagall and Flitwick closed all the doors leading into the hall while Dumbledore explained to them what was going on. "The teachers and I need to conduct a thorough search of the castle," he said. "I'm afraid that, for your own safety, you will have to spend the night here. I want the prefects to stand guard over the entrances to the hall and I am leaving the Head Boy and Head Girl in charge. Any disturbances should be reported to be immediately." He added that last part to Percy, who looked immensely proud.
The old headmaster paused as he was about to leave the hall and then said, "Oh, yes, you'll be needing..." and then, with a casual wave of his wand, the long tables flew to the edges of the hall and stood themselves against the walls; with another wave, the floor was covered with hundreds of squashy purple sleeping bags.
"Sleep well," Dumbledore said and left the Great Hall.
The Gryffindors immediately began telling everyone of what happened.
"Everyone into their sleeping bags," Percy shouted. "C'mon now, no more talking. Lights out in ten minutes."
"Let's move over here," Ron hissed, gesturing toward the corner.
"Do you think Black's still in the castle?" Hermione whispered anxiously as she grabbed a bag and began dragging it toward the corner, followed by Ron, Harry, Jaden, Jesse, Alexis and Atticus.
"Dumbledore obviously thinks he might be," Ron said.
"I don't think he'd be stupid enough to stay here," Atticus said with a shake of his head. "Though he could be hiding out somewhere."
"That's probably what Dumbledore thinks," Jaden said.
"It's very lucky he picked tonight, you know," Hermione said as the gang climbed, fully dressed, into their sleeping bags, which were arranged in a circle so that they could all see each other. They propped themselves on their elbows to talk. "The one night we weren't in the tower..."
"I reckon he's lost track of time, being on the run," Ron said. "Didn't realize it was Halloween. Otherwise he'd have come bursting in here."
Hermione shuddered.
"But how did he get in?" Alexis asked with a frown. "I mean, I thought this school was protected."
"It is protected," Hermione said. "Honestly, am I the only one who bothered to read Hogwarts, A History?" She looked rather cross, though that could be because she could hear people asking around about whether he had Apparated in, disguised himself or just flown in.
"No, I read it too. The castle's protected by quite a few things, enchantments and such and you can't Apparate into Hogwarts, the wards prevent it," Harry said.
"You actually read that book?" Ron repeated.
Harry shrugged.
"Anyway," Hermione said, causing everyone to look back at her. "There's also the Dementors. I doubt anyone could have just disguised themselves and walked right past them. Also, the dementors would have seen them flying in. And Filch knows all the secret passages, they'll have them covered..."
"The lights are going out now," Percy shouted. "I want everyone in their sleeping bags and no more talking."
The candles all went out at once. The only light came from the silvery ghosts and the enchanted ceiling which, like the sky outside, was scattered with stars. It was rather peaceful as if Harry were sleeping outdoors in a light wind.
Once an hour, a teacher would reappear in the Hall to check that everything was quiet. Harry couldn't sleep; neither could Jaden, though Yubel was telling him to try to get some sleep.
'I'll keep an eye out for anything,' Yubel said.
'So will I. Try to get some sleep,' Celestia agreed, materializing at Harry's head.
I'll try, Harry thought, knowing the duel spirit could hear him.
At about three in the morning, almost everyone had fallen asleep. Among the gang, the only ones awake were Harry, Hermione, Ron and Jaden. They quickly pretended to be asleep when they saw Dumbledore enter and then heard his footsteps drew nearer.
"Any sign of him, Professor?" Percy whispered.
"No. All well here?"
"Everything under control, sir."
"Good. There's no point moving them all now. I've found a temporary guardian for the Gryffindor portrait hole. You'll be able to move them back tomorrow."
"And the Fat Lady, sir?"
"Hiding in a map of Argyllshire on the second floor. Apparently, she refused to let Black in without the password so he attacked. She's still very distressed, but, once she's calmed down, I'll have Mr. Filch restore her."
There was the creak of the door open again and more footsteps.
"Headmaster?" It was Snape. "The whole of the third floor has been searched. He's not there. And Filch has done the dungeons; nothing there either."
"What about the Astronomy tower? Professor Trelawney's room? The Owlery?"
"All searched."
"Very well, Severus. I didn't really expect Black to linger."
"Have you any theory as to how he got in, Professor?" Snape asked.
Harry raised his head slightly.
"Many, Severus, each of them as unlikely as the next."
Harry cracked an eye open. He couldn't see Dumbledore's expression since his back was to him but Percy looked rapt with attention while Snape looked angry.
"You remember the conversation we had, Headmaster, just before the start of term?" Snape asked, barely opening his lips.
"We had quite a few conversations before the start of term, Severus," Dumbledore pointed out.
"Yes but you know which one I am referring to."
"I do indeed." There was a hint of warning in Dumbledore's voice.
"It seems almost impossible that Black could have entered the school without inside help. I did express my concerns when you appointed..."
"I do not believe a single person inside this castle would have helped Black enter it," Dumbledore said, making it clear that the subject was closed and Snape didn't respond. "I must go down to the Dementors. I said I would inform them when our search was complete."
"Didn't they want to help, sir?" Percy asked.
"Oh yes but I'm afraid no Dementor will cross the threshold of this castle while I am Headmaster," Dumbledore said coldly and left while Percy looked slightly abashed. Snape watched Dumbledore go with cool resentment on his face and then he too left.
Harry glanced at his friends.
Ron glanced at him. "What was all that about?" he mouthed.
Harry shrugged ever so slightly.
. . .
Unknown Location
Panting, Sirius dropped to the ground in exhaustion. After escaping Hogwarts, Sirius, in his dog form, had just run as quickly as he possibly could to get as far from the school as he possibly could while still being close enough to be able to keep an eye on things. He had been so close! If only the Fat Lady had let him in then he could have grabbed Peter Pettigrew while everyone else was gone.
Damn it! Sirius thought furiously as he slowly padded toward a nearby tree and sat down on his haunches before resting his head on his paws, whimpering slightly. I had been so close.
Sighing, Sirius realized that there was no point in thinking about what could have happened. Now he had to focus on what he should do next. He couldn't risk going back into Hogwarts now. He had smelled Remus when he had been using the secret passages to get out of Hogwarts and he knew that Remus would recognize him on sight. He couldn't risk exposing himself without first catching the traitorous rat and, somehow, proving that the rat was Peter Pettigrew.
While many would think that there was no possible way Sirius could actually think rationally after spending so long in Azkaban, Sirius had a goal to strive for and his Animagus form kept the effect of the Dementors at bay. While he wanted nothing more than to tear the throat out of that little rat, a part of him that was still rational knew that it would only make things harder for him to get his name cleared.
Besides, Sirius decided that death would be a mercy for the rat. Why not let him suffer in Azkaban? It was a punishment that was worse than death.
At least, Sirius certainly felt it was anyway.
Now what should I do? Sirius thought, lifting his head and looking around before he got to his paws and started padding off again, deciding that staying there wasn't a good idea.
Granted he didn't know what to do at the moment but he supposed he could find a more comfortable place to rest for now.
. . .
Professor McGongall's Office
A few days passed by and, during that time, not only was the torn canvas of the Fat Lady taken down and replaced by the portrait of Sir Cadogan and his fat gray pony or talking about Sirius Black. No one liked the new portrait; he spent half the time challenging people to duels and thinking up complicated passwords that he changed twice a day. From what the gang learned from Percy, Sir Cadogan was the only portrait who agreed to take the Fat Lady's place. All the others had been too afraid.
That was the least of Harry's worries though. He was being closely watched and it was irritating. The teachers found excuses to walk along corridors with him and Percy Weasley—Harry thought he was acting on his mother's orders but couldn't be positive—was tailing him everywhere like an extremely pompous guard dog. Even Jaden, who had found it amusing at first, was starting to get irritated by it.
Then, after a few days, McGonagall decided to summon Harry to her office with such a somber expression on her face that Harry thought someone had died.
"There's no pointing hiding it from you any longer, Potter-Yuki," she said in a very serious tone. "I know this will come as a shock to you, but Sirius Black..."
"I know he's after me and I know he's my godfather and I know he betrayed my parents and was sent to Azkaban for murdering twelve muggles as well as Peter Pettigrew," Harry said.
McGonagall looked shocked, staring at Harry but she quickly composed herself. "I see. Well, in that case, Potter-Yuki, you'll understand why I don't think it's a good idea for you to be practicing Quidditch in the evenings. Out on the field with only your team members, it's very exposed, Potter-Yuki..."
"Professor, personally I don't think Black is stupid enough to try to attack when there are so many witnesses," Harry said with a sigh. "Besides, we've got our first match on Saturday. The team is counting on me. Why can't you just ask for a teacher to watch us? I mean, Black isn't stupid enough to try to get to me when a teacher's present."
"You do raise a good point, Potter-Yuki," McGonagall said. "Very well. I'll ask Madame Hooch to oversee your training sessions. You may go."
Harry nodded and left the office.
. . .
Dumbledore's Office
Minerva walked into Dumbledore's Office, having been asked by the headmaster to speak to him after she spoke with Harry. She had to wonder how Dumbledore would react knowing that Harry knew everything about Sirius Black. She didn't really care if he knew or not. That wasn't her decision to make. It was his guardians and it was obvious Kaito and Violet Yuki decided it would be best if Harry knew.
Walking into the office, she inclined her head in greeting to Dumbledore. "Albus," she said.
"Ah, Minerva, care for a lemon drop?" Albus asked.
"No thank you. You wished to speak to me?"
"Yes,"—Dumbledore put down the tin he had lifted—"I wished to ask you how did Harry react when you told him about Sirius Black?"
"I didn't have to tell him, Albus," Minerva said. "He knows everything. He knows Sirius Black is after him, he knows Black is his godfather and he knows that Black betrayed his parents and murdered those muggles as well as Peter Pettigrew. My guess is that his guardians told him."
Dumbledore looked surprised. "He is only thirteen. He is much too young..." he began.
"He handled it very well from what I could see, Albus, and, besides, telling him was neither of our choice to make. It was his guardians. If Kaito and Violet Yuki believed Harry old enough to know and understand everything about Sirius Black then that is their decision," Minerva said.
Albus sighed. "Yes, I know this, Minerva. Very well, thank you for taking the time to inform Harry though, even if he already knew," he said.
Minerva nodded and left the office.
. . .
Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom
A few more days passed by and it was the day before the first Quidditch match of the season. The Gryffindor Quidditch Team weren't that happy because Oliver had just told them that they were going against Hufflepuff in the first match of the season rather than Slytherin and it was all because Flint and the rest of the team stated that Malfoy's arm wasn't healed yet, which, of course, everyone knew was wrong.
Harry was also being stopped between classes by Oliver who kept giving him tips and was nearly late for all of his classes. Finally, the third time it happened, Harry took off before Oliver was halfway done as he had been keeping an eye on the time and so managed to make it to class just barely on time.
"Made it," he said relieved as he made his way into the classroom, only to stop when he noticed that it wasn't Lupin who was seated behind the teacher's desk, it was Snape.
"Professor Snape? Where's Professor Lupin?" Harry asked confused.
"He says he is feeling too ill to teach today. Now sit down," Snape said coolly.
Harry, recognizing Snape's 'do as your told' voice, decided against asking what was wrong and just hurried to his seat, not wanting to lose Gryffindor any points. Alexis, whom he sat next to, glanced at him questioningly.
"Oliver," he mouthed.
Alexis nodded in understanding.
"Now then," Snape said, standing up and briefly taking roll for the class, sneering at Harry's name as usual before he said, "Professor Lupin has not left any record of the topics you have covered so far..."
"Please, sir, we've done Boggarts, Red Caps, Kappas, and Grindylows," Hermione said quickly, "and we're just about to start..."
"Be quiet," Snape said coldly. "I did not ask for information. I was merely commenting on Professor Lupin's lack of organization."
"He's been the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher we've ever had," Dean said boldly. Everyone murmured of agreement.
Snape looked rather menacing and angry. "You are easily satisfied. Lupin is hardly overtaxing you. I would expect first years to be able to deal with Red Caps and Grindylows. Today, we shall discuss..." He flicked through the textbook to the very end and said, "Werewolves.
"But sir," Hermione began, "we're not supposed to do werewolves yet, we're due to start Hinkypunks..."
"Miss Granger," Snape said in a deadly calm voice, "I was under the impression that I am teaching this lesson, not you. Now, turn to page 394."
Slowly, with bitter looks and sullen muttering, the class opened their books.
"Which of you can tell me how to distinguish the werewolf and a true wolf?" Snape said.
Everyone sat in motionless silence, except Hermione whose hand was in the air.
"Anyone?" Snape said, ignoring Hermione. "Are you telling me that Lupin hasn't' even taught you the basic distinction between..."
"We told you," Parvati said suddenly, "We haven't got as far as werewolves yet, we're still on..."
"Silence!" Snape snarled. "Well, well, well, I never thought I'd meet a third year class who wouldn't even recognize a werewolf when they saw one. I shall make a point of informing Professor Dumbledore how very behind you all are..."
"Please, sir," Hermione said, "the werewolf differs from the true wolf in several small ways. The snout of the werewolf..."
"That is the second time you have spoken out of turn, Miss Granger," Snape said. "Five points from Gryffindor for being an insufferable know-it-all."
Hermione went red and looked down, putting her hand down as her eyes filled with tears.
While everyone glared at Snape, Jaden simply gazed at Snape and said "Why ask a question if you didn't want someone to answer it? She knew the answer. So what if she knows something that none of us do? Some people are like that. My mom told me my Aunt Lily was like that too. So what? Is it suddenly a crime and wrong to read ahead?"
Snape glared coolly at Jaden. "Detention, Mr. Yuki," he growled out and then stormed to the front of the classroom, immediately telling everyone what they were to do for the rest of the class.
. . .
Severus would never admit it but he knew that Yuki was right. Hearing him boldly remind him that Lily was similar to Granger in that she would know things that the rest of the students didn't know yet—and this was primarily because she enjoyed reading so much and enjoyed learning everything she could about magic that she often was ahead of her class—hurt because it brought back too many memories.
. However, Granger had the annoying habit of speaking out of turn and when no one was speaking to her. That was something Lily never did. She always patiently waited for someone to call on her, not that they ever waited too long to do that. She was usually the first one the teachers called on, except in Potions because, then, it was Severus who was the first to be called on.
Still, Yuki should not have spoken out of turn either.
Though he was teaching the subject they hadn't covered yet mostly because he was wondering if they would be able to put two and two together and because it was a bit of a jab in Lupin's direction.
Lupin. The bloody mangy wolf that nearly killed Severus in his sixth year.
Severus would never forget that, even if he knew enough about werewolves to know it wasn't Lupin's fault. That did not mean he wasn't resentful. Besides, with a werewolf teaching at Hogwarts, it was best if the students knew about them. After all, they were very dangerous, though Lupin was harmless so long as he took the Wolfsbane potion during the full moon.
Of course, none of the students could know that.
Besides, no matter how much he disliked Lupin, it wasn't him that he hated. No, Severus's hatred was reserved for Sirius Black, whom he hated even more than he hated James Potter, mostly because the bloody bastard tried to feed him to a werewolf!
The bell rang but Severus held them back, saying, "You will each write an essay, to be handed in to me, on the ways you recognize and kill werewolves. I want too rolls of parchment on the subject, and I want them by Monday morning. It is time somebody took this class in hand. Yuki, stay behind."
The rest of the class wandered out of the classroom while Yuki, looking rather unconcerned, walked over to join Severus.
"Talking out of turn in class, Yuki?" Severus said coolly as he took a seat behind the desk. "Tut, tut. Now let's see, your punishment..."
"I'm sorry that I talked out of turn, Professor," Yuki said, "but I do stand by what I said."
Severus glared. "Perhaps scrubbing the bedpans in the hospital wing without magic will stop this from happening again," he said coolly.
Yuki nodded.
Severus narrowed his eyes, studying the boy in front of him. "If you talk out of turn again like that, your punishment will be worse," he said coolly.
"I stand by what I said but I won't do it again, Professor," Yuki said calmly. He paused and then added, "Can I go now?"
"You're dismissed," Severus said, waving his hand.
Yuki walked toward the door and left the classroom.
Severus sat back in his seat and sighed, his thoughts going to Yuki's words and his mind went to his memories of Lily.
"Is it bad that I know more than everyone in the class, Sev?"
"No, I don't think it is."
Severus rubbed his temples and pushed those memories out of his head. He didn't want to think about Lily, he couldn't. It hurt too much.
He decided to focus on getting things prepared for his next lesson. At least it would take his mind off what happened in class and on his own memories.
. . .
Gryffindor Common Room
"I can't believe he gave you detention, Jaden. I thought he liked you," Harry said later that day as they all gathered in the common room.
"He never liked me, Harry," Jaden said. "He just tolerated me more so than the other Gryffindors, and that's only because of how good I am at Potions. Besides, I did talk out of turn and, while I wouldn't take back what I said, I still shouldn't have done it."
"So what is he having you do, mate?" Ron asked.
Jaden told them.
Ron grimaced. "Oh, that's bad," he said.
Jaden shrugged. "Could've been worse," he said. "By the way, did Artemis come in with any letters?"
"Not yet."
"Okay."
. . .
Quidditch Pitch
Draco was thankful Flint had decided to use Draco's arm as an excuse to not be part of this match. He was a bit upset though as he would have loved to be able to win but, in a storm like this, who knew if that would be possible? As it was, there was no telling if Potter-Yuki would be able to win or not.
The Gryffindors and the Hufflepuffs met at the center of the field and the Captains shook hands before Madame Hooch started the match.
Draco was thankful for the umbrella too; otherwise, he would probably be soaked through.
He returned his attention to the game just as Wood called a timeout and the Gryffindor team met up on the ground. They were up by fifty points but, unless Potter-Yuki caught the snitch soon, they would be playing into the night.
Draco really didn't want that to happen.
He watched as the team soared into the sky again and immediately started playing again. Potter-Yuki was turning in midair, almost as if he was about to head back to the middle of the field, but then he seemed to be distracted by something and his broom dropped a few feet.
Just then, Diggory pelted up the field and the snitch could be seen shimmering in the rain-filled air between them.
Potter-Yuki immediately zoomed toward the snitch but, just as that happened, a wave of coldness washed over the entire pitch suddenly Draco's eyes widened in shock when hundreds of Dementors suddenly appeared in the air beneath Potter-Yuki and then suddenly...
Potter-Yuki was free-falling rapidly toward the ground.
Dumbledore suddenly dashed onto the field and shouted something that Draco was too far away to hear and Potter-Yuki's descent slowed gradually before he landed gently on the ground. Dumbledore whirled around and, with eyes blazing blue fire and his magic crackling around him—reminding Draco that he was one of the most powerful wizards out there—he shouted out something. A silvery phoenix shot from the tip of his wand and slammed into the Dementors, sending them screaming and flying rapidly away.
Dumbledore then placed his wand at his throat and, after casting a voice amplifying charm, said, "All students are to return to the castle at once!" and then conjured a stretcher, lifted Potter-Yuki into it and hurried toward the castle with the stretcher trailing after him.
Draco stood up and followed the rest of the Slytherins back, frowning. He didn't like those Dementors and he had to wonder what they were doing on the school grounds. He may not particularly like Potter-Yuki but that didn't mean he wanted the other boy dead.
. . .
Hospital Wing
Harry wasn't that upset that they had lost, he was more concerned with why the Dementors had been on the grounds. Though Fred and George did try to cheer him up but he assured them that it was fine.
"You win some, you lose some. That's the way it is with any game," Harry said. "I'm not at all upset by losing."
Madame Pomfrey chased the mud-spattered Quidditch team out of the hospital wing after that, looking disapproving while Hermione and Ron moved closer to Harry's bed; Alexis, Atticus, Jaden and Jesse were behind them. Jaden was shaking and leaning heavily against Jesse who had his arm around him, trying to comfort him, though he was concerned as well.
"Dumbledore was really angry," Hermione said in a quaking voice. "I've never seen him like that before." She went on to describe what happened and then Ron interjected.
"Then he magicked you onto one of those invisible stretchers and walked up to the school with you floating on it. Everyone thought you were..." His voice faded.
"Jaden was probably affected the most by what happened," Alexis said, glancing at Jaden who had pressed his face into Jesse's chest.
"He went into shock when you fell," Atticus explained and then wandered over to go speak to Madame Pomfrey. She glanced at Jaden and then nodded before moving to her office. She returned a moment later and handed a vial to Atticus who immediately returned to them.
"Here, it's a calming draught," Atticus said, holding out the draught to Jesse who took it and gently coaxed Jaden into drinking it. Jaden relaxed after doing so and his trembling ceased.
"I'm sorry for worrying you," Harry said, sitting up and rubbing his forehead.
"Wasn't your fault, Harry," Jaden said softly, still leaning against Jesse, though he seemed calmer than before. The calming draught was a fairly quick-reacting potion so that wasn't that big of a surprise.
"You okay now, Jay?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, I'm okay," Jaden assured him. "I would've tried to help but...it just happened too quickly."
Harry, knowing what Jaden meant by 'help', frowned and he thought back to what his mother had told him Halloween night their first year, about how Jaden would be pinned with a label if his powers were every revealed. About how many would see him as a dark wizard because of his powers.
"I'm kind of glad you didn't help, Jay. There was no telling if you could have done anything or what would have happened afterwards as a result," Harry said. While everyone looked rather confused by Harry's words, he knew his brother understood.
"I don't think there was anything you could do, mate, though you could've done what you did last year. Ow!" Ron held his head where Atticus had just whacked him.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked with a frown.
Jaden had stiffened when Ron started speaking and was now looking very worried. Jesse drew him closer while he, Atticus and Harry glared at Ron. It was obvious Jaden wasn't ready to tell Hermione and Alexis about his powers.
"Erm..." Ron glanced helplessly at those who knew.
"Sorry, 'Mione," Harry said. "But that's not our secret to share."
Hermione frowned but nodded.
"What happened to my broom?" Harry asked curiously.
There was a moment of silence, then: "When you fell off it, it just kept on going and ended up hitting the Whomping Willow and the tree...kinda...broke it," Jaden said and Hermione revealed the remains of the Nimbus 2000.
Harry looked at it and sighed. "Well, I guess I should be glad it wasn't me," he said.
"I'm sure you can get another one easily, mate," Ron said.
"Maybe."
Harry spent the rest of the day thinking about what happened right before the Dementors attacked. He hadn't told anyone about that black dog he had seen on the stands and, while one could jump to the conclusion that it was a Grim, it could also have been just a regular black. Granted, why would a black dog be at a Quidditch game?
And that was the first time Harry had ever seen that before, though he did have to wonder why it was there.
And then the Dementors. Oh how Harry hated Dementors. He hated having to listen to that screaming and it hurt even more to know that it had belonged to his mother and that every time a Dementor got near, he was forced to relive his mother's murder.
With the fact that he couldn't sleep because he couldn't stop remembering what happened twelve years earlier, Harry was very thankful when Monday came around and he was finally allowed to return to class. Even dealing with the Slytherin's taunting—strangely, Draco wasn't quite as vocal as the others, or as Harry thought he would be—was better than dealing with those dark memories.
. . .
Defense Against the Dark Arts Classroom
The Slytherins were rather vocal when describing what happened during the Quidditch match but Harry just let it slide and ignored it. He wasn't about to let what they say get to him; Ron cracked though in Potions and had flung a large, slippery crocodile heart at Malfoy, which hit him in the face and caused Snape to take fifty points from Gryffindor.
On the way to DADA after lunch, Ron said, "If Snape's teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts again, I'm skiving off. Check who's in there, Hermione."
Hermione, who was closest to the door, peered inside. "It's okay," she said.
Lupin was back but it certainly looked like he had been ill. His old robes were hanging more loosely on him and there were dark shadows beneath his eyes. Nonetheless, he smiled at the class as they took their seats.
Immediately, they burst into an explosion of complaints about Snape's behavior when Lupin had been ill.
"It's not fair, he was only filling in, why should he give us homework?"
"We don't know anything about werewolves..."
"...two rolls of parchment!"
"Did you tell Professor Snape we haven't covered them yet?" Lupin asked frowning.
The babble broke out again.
"Yes, but he said we were really behind..."
"...he wouldn't listen..."
"...two rolls of parchment."
Lupin smiled at the look of indignation on everyone's face. "Don't worry. I'll speak to Professor Snape. You don't have to do the essay," he said.
While the class whooped, Hermione looked disappointed. "Oh no, I've already finished it," she protested.
They had an enjoyable lesson centered on a Hinkypunk, a little one-legged creature who looked like he was made of wisps of smoke and was rather frail and harmless looking. He described how they lured travelers into bogs.
When the bell rang and everyone headed for the door, Lupin called, "Wait a moment, Harry, I'd like a word."
Harry nodded and glanced at his friends. "I'll see you later," he said.
"See you," Ron said and the gang left.
Harry glanced at Lupin as he covered the Hinkypunk's box with a cloth.
"I heard about the match," Lupin said, turning back to his desk and starting to pile books into his briefcase, "and I'm sorry about your broomstick. Is there any chance of fixing it?"
"No, the tree smashed it to bits," Harry said. "I'm glad that wasn't me though."
Lupin sighed and then smiled a little. "I'm sure your friends will agree with you on that. You know, they planted the Whomping Willow the same year that I arrived at Hogwarts. People used to play a game, trying to get near enough to touch the trunk. In the end, a boy named Davey Gudgeon nearly lost an eye and were forbidden to go near it. No broomstick would have a chance."
"Did you hear about the Dementors too?"
Lupin looked at him. "Yes. I did. I don't think any of us have seen Professor Dumbledore that angry. They have been growing restless for some time, furious at his refusal to let them inside the grounds. I suppose they were the reason you fell?"
"Yes," Harry said. He paused and then added, "Why do they affect me like that? Or Jaden for that matter? Both of us fainted when the Dementor attacked on the train."
"If you think that this is a sign of weakness, don't. It's not," Lupin said. "The Dementors affect you the worse than the others because there are horrors in your past that the others don't have. I am assuming that Jaden likely has experienced similar horrors."
Harry thought about the murder of Aunt Haruka but he wasn't sure if that was horrifying enough to be the cause of Jaden's fainting. He supposed it could be since the murder of his mother caused him to faint.
"Dementors are among the foulest creatures that walk this earth. They infest the darkest, filthiest places, they glory in decay and despair, they drain peace, hope and happiness out of the air around them," Lupin said. "Even Muggles feel their presence, though they can't see them. Get too near a Dementor and every good feeling, every happy memory will be sucked out of you. If it can, the Dementor will feed on you long enough to reduce you to something like itself, soulless and evil. You'll be left with nothing but the worst experiences of your life. And the worst that happened to you, Harry, is enough to make anyone fall off their broom."
Harry was silent for a long moment. "I always hear Voldemort murdering my mom when they get near me," he said quietly.
Lupin said nothing, though he did make a move to place his hand on Harry's shoulder and then decided against it.
"Why did they attack though?" Harry asked.
"They're getting hungry," Lupin said coolly, shutting his briefcase with a snap. "Dumbledore won't let them into the school, so their supply of human prey has dried up. I don't think they could resist the large crowd around the Quidditch field."
"Azkaban must be terrible."
"The fortress is set on a tiny island," Lupin said with a grim nod, "way out to sea but they don't need walls and water to keep the prisoners in, not when they're all trapped inside their heads, incapable of a single cheery thought. Most of them go mad within weeks."
Harry found himself wondering if Uncle Patrick was like that. He pushed that thought away and focused on another question that had appeared in his mind. "But Sirius Black escaped from them," he said. "He got away."
"Yes," Lupin said, catching his briefcase, which had slipped from his desk. "Black must have found a way to fight them. I wouldn't have believed it possible. Dementors are supposed to drain a wizard of his powers if he is left with them too long."
Another thought came to Harry. "You made that Dementor on the train back off," he said.
"There are certain defenses one can use," Lupin said. "But there was only one Dementor on the train. The more there are, the more difficult it becomes to resist."
Harry chewed on his lip, then said, "If you can fight off Dementors, can you teach me? And Jaden too?"
"I don't pretend to be an expert at fighting Dementors, Harry, quite the contrary..." Lupin began.
"I want to be able to fight them off. I don't want to relive my mother's last moments ever again and I know Jaden...I don't know what it is he experiences. He said it sounded like chaos but it affected him badly. I think both of us could benefit from anything you have to offer," Harry said.
Lupin studied him and hesitated and then nodded. "Well, all right. I'll try and help. But it'll have to wait until next term, I'm afraid. I have a lot to do before the holidays. I chose a very inconvenient time to fall ill."
Harry smiled, relieved and nodded before Lupin dismissed him and he left the classroom, intent on tracking down Jaden and telling him about what Lupin agreed to do.
. . .
Gryffindor Common Room
"Hey, guys," Harry greeted his friends as he entered the common room, raising an eyebrow when he noticed Jaden had his head resting on Jesse's shoulder and Jesse either didn't noticed or didn't care and just kept on reading the Charms book in his hand. Though when Jaden said he could turn the page now, Harry realized they were just sharing the book.
Atticus was smirking though and looking at Fred and George. "Those two are so getting together," he murmured.
"Definitely," the twins agreed.
"Now let's talk about how to get 'em together, eh?"
Fred and George exchanged glances and then grinned before the three of them walked off to conspire.
Jesse noticed them walking off and raised an eyebrow, wondering what they were up to but, ultimately, decided that it was probably some harebrained scheme he didn't want any part of. He briefly recalled the last time Atticus had tried to drag him into a scheme that involved getting Harry and Alexis together only a week ago, one that they insisted he never tell anyone else about.
I swear, he should just let us handle this ourselves, Jesse mused, glancing down at Jaden who was reading the page they were on. Though I guess it ain't that easy to talk about this with someone I like and I still haven't even told Dad yet.
That was one thing Jesse was most concerned about. He didn't know how his adopted dad would react to learning that his son was gay. The last thing Jesse wanted to do was alienate himself from his adopted dad, especially since his dad was all the family—with the exception of the Crystal Beasts—that he had left.
And Jesse did not want to ruin their relationship. It was already bad enough that Jesse reminded his adopted dad of his mother all the time but, even more so, he did bear some resemblance to his idiot sperm-donor who had murdered his mother and that always brought up bad memories to him. He didn't know if it did the same for his adopted dad or not though.
Jesse did his best to hide his scowl as he thought about that particular man that he would probably curse if he ever saw him again.
Jaden looked up at him. "You okay?" he asked, telling Jesse that the scowl he had tried to hide had made its way onto his face.
He quickly masked his anger and smiled at his crush. "I'm fine, Jay," he assured him and then waved in greeting to Harry who nodded in response and walked over to join Alexis.
"Hey, Harry," Alexis greeted Harry with a smile.
Harry couldn't help but smile back and then he looked at Jaden. He had decided that he would tell his brother in private. He doubted Lupin wanted everyone to know as they would probably all want to attend the anti-Dementor lessons. And Harry wasn't even sure if the lessons would work or not.
He walked over and sat by Alexis. "So what're you doing?" he asked.
"Homework for Transfigurations," Alexis said, looking back to the piece of parchment she was writing on. "I'm stuck on it though."
Harry reached into his bag for his Transfigurations textbook. "I'll help you," he said.
"Thanks," Alexis said with a smile.
. . .
A/n what do you think?
Blaze: and that was chapter 36
Darth: well it's about time
Blaze: oh shut up. I had to do some edits to the chapter to help with character development for Jesse and try to keep Atticus more in character.
Jesse [who looks like Jehu): hi
Jaden: hi
Chazz: 'Sup?
Haou: hello
Jehu [who looks like Jesse]: hello (smirks at Haou)
Haou: (pulls out soul-separating glove from Bleach)
Jehu [who looks like Jesse]: (looks away) I didn't do nothing. By the way, how much longer does this potion last?
Blaze: uhhhhh, next chapter? I think? I honestly don't remember…
Bakura: (setting fire to Lockhart with flamethrower and laughing insanely)
Hungarian Horntail Dragon: (setting fire to Umbitch)
Yuto: who's bright idea was it to give Bakura a flamethrower?
Yuri: I do not know (lifts up flamethrower and goes off to set fire to KaibaCorp Headquarters)
Kaiba: (growls)
Blaze: well, I hope that you guys enjoyed this chapter (even if it was over a month late) and reviews, as always, are much appreciated.