Chapter Twenty-Seven: Oh My God, Disgusting
Rubeus Hagrid did not often have visitors to his small cabin on the outskirts of the forbidden forest. When he did, he typically prepared. That was why he was shocked to hear a small, quick rasp on his door that cold late afternoon. After being surprised by the noise, there were many people the half-giant had prepared himself, mentally, to see when he opened the door. None of them was Jamie Devereaux Bruce.
The little blonde witch was shivering in her robes as she looked up at the Care of Magical Creatures professor expectantly. Hagrid had been avoiding answering the door to anyone who came to visit since the article exposing his lineage had come out. However, the last thing he was expecting was a student. Well, at least a visible student.
Jamie looked up at the large man who's hair was unkempt and eyes puffy from tears and her heart reached out to him. She had never been too close to the newly appointed Professor, but she had always enjoyed his lessons. The ones she wasn't getting eaten by nifflers during. After being told about just how cruel wizards could be toward half-breeds, the half-veela had been able to think of nothing else. Instead of going to Professor McGonagall or speaking to Cedric, the first think Jamie had wanted to do was confine in Hagrid. She thought, surely, he would like to speak to someone that was learning about accepting herself the way he must have been struggling to do all his life.
"Jamie, what are you doing out? It's almost past curfew." Hagrid said. His voice was raspy and filled with concern.
"Can I speak to you?" Jamie asked, politely. There was a large gust of wind that came over her in that moment, causing her to shake where she stood. Hagrid stepped aside so that the little witch could walk passed him and into his hut. It smelled of a strange kind of nature smell. Like a woodsy scent along with over-brewed tea. It was warm and every piece of furniture dwarfed the blonde even more than usual. Hagrid offered her a cup of tea and she sat in silence, her feet dangling off the edge of a chair and coming no where near the ground. Only when Rubeus handed her a very large mug, which she had to hold with both her cold hands, did she speak again, "I read the article about you." She said in a faint voice.
Hagrid sniffed quite loudly at that, "Did ya." It wasn't a question. The Care of Magical Creatures professor has already accepted the fact that everyone at Hogwarts would have already read and made their assumptions about him as a half-breed. Jamie took a loud slurp of her tea, which was almost comical in how silent the warm room was. All that could be heard were faint animal noises from the forest outside and the crack of the fire every now and again.
"I was wondering," Jamie started, "I was wondering if Professor Dumbledore had told you about me?"
His large, bushy head tilted to the side as he studied her, confused, "Told me about what?"
Jamie had only outright told Cedric about her father. But she desperately wanted to speak to Hagrid about being a half-breed and what it meant in the wizarding world. For her, and for the people in her life. Just as people who sympathized with muggle-borns were called 'blood-traitors' she wondered if there was an even worse term for people who sympathized with creatures like her. The only other half-anything she had met was in this room with her, and she wanted to take advantage of that. "My father was a male Veela. I'm a half-breed as well." The words were suspended in air. She had never said it so matter-of-factly. That was her, it was a part of her. And Jamie Devereaux Bruce was terrified.
Hagrid blinked in surprise, "A male Veela? Blimey, what does that mean for you? I thought you were muggle-born."
"I am. My mum is a muggle. I am not exactly sure what that means for me, but I do know I am the first in record." Jamie took another sip, waiting for what the large man would respond with. He seemed to be thinking, and taking his time with it.
"I've never met a male Veela. That's quite special, that is. Very rare creatures. Very misunderstood."
"Like giants?" Jamie asked.
Hagrid paused, his hand on Fang's head stilling completely as he met her eyes. Instead of looking offended or annoyed at her inquisitive nature, there was a surprisingly happy gleam in his dark eyes. "Not quite like giants, no." He continued patting Fang, his gaze traveling over Jamie's shoulder in thought, "Not many people know about the males, only the females ever get any attention. And, clearly, you mean the full-male Veelas, not the—"
"—the bee ones? No, definitely not." Jamie interrupted, a little smile on her face at the thought.
"Blimey. I would love to meet a full male Veela, that would be a terrifyingly honest conversation, now wouldn't it."
"So is this one." The little blonde said, causing the giant to blink and look her over in surprise.
Hagrid cleared his throat, shifting a bit in his seat. Jamie's shoulder's went tight at the idea of him being scared of her taking advantage of the situation. She wanted to yell at him for his immediate reaction of her. She could feel her nose sharpen and lips tightening at the fact that, the person that she thought would be able to understand her, looked as if he wanted to be very far away from her in that moment. Jamie blinked her eyes and looked down at her hands, which were now tightly gripping the large cup. The Hogwarts Professor registered her reaction and immediately put his hands out on the table in reassurance, "Sorry, Jamie, I didn't mean to make you think I was uncomfortable. We can't control who are parents are. And you can't help what gifts your father gave you when you were born."
Jamie met his eyes, "Then why is it you've been hiding from everyone? Why aren't you teaching?"
He looked down, away from the dark green eyes that were pleading. Truthfully, Hagrid had always wondered if Jamie had had some Veela blood in her. The times he had seen her get angry at Fred Weasley had made him think it was a possibility. But, he had always pushed it aside. Just as, he was sure, some people pushed aside the possibility that he was half-giant. "I guess I'm just being a coward. I am afraid of not being liked, that's all."
"Me too." Jamie confided. She put her cup down and placed one, thin tan hand on top of his large one in comfort.
"Then we'll both have to be brave for one another, won't we." Hagrid stated, patting her hand. He smiled when he spotted the matching dimples emerge on her cheeks, feeling much better than he had in days thanks to having someone who understood how he felt. Being a half-breed was not something to wish upon your worse enemy in the current political climate of the wizarding world, but if Jamie Devereaux needed someone to confide in, Hagrid was happy to be that person for the little witch.
She stayed much longer than she should have in Hagrid's hut, especially considering how much it was passed her curfew. When she hurried back into the castle, with a note clutched in her hand declaring that she was helping Hagrid with Care of Magical Creature business, she was able to enter Hogwarts castle without any trouble. That was, until she made it into the common room.
Hermione Granger watched Jamie Devereaux, with wet hair from the sprinkle of rain that was coming down, enter into the common room late that night. "Where were you?" Hermione asked, concern etched into her face.
Jamie looked at the fourth-year Gryffindor and shrugged, "I was at Hagrid's." Before walking up to her dorm room.
The bushy-haired girl's brows furrowed in confusion. Jamie had never been to Hagrid's before. At least not for a specific reason. Also, Hagrid had been denying visitors since the article came out. But why would he have let Jamie of all people talk to him during this emotional time? The brightest witch of her age's mind was reeling with possibilities and theories. It wasn't until later in the night when she remembered a rumor that had been spread about Jamie when they were much younger.
Jamie Devereaux Bruce was making long strides with her short legs away from McGonagall's office. Their session had gone fantastic. Not a single question did Jamie persuade anything out of McGonagall accidentally. She was finally getting the hang of her unintentional interrogative talents. It was like how when Loren Bruce had taught her how to whistle. At first, it had seemed next to impossible and her face wouldn't allow her to do it. Now though, Jamie knew almost where to 'put' the words in her mouth. She spoke from the back of her voice when she was trying to persuade, like with all of her emotions and all that was inside of her. But, when she was just asking a simple question she 'put' the words closer to the front of her mouth. Her voice was higher and softer, a tad foreign sounding, but it worked. It made the people around her safe from being forced. Sure, they still would never be able to lie to Jamie, but that wasn't something any amount of training could prevent.
There was a definite pep in her step as she moved. The young witch felt like anything was possible in that successful moment. Granted, she was still a half-breed in a society that considered her an abomination, the boy she liked was still in danger around her, and there was a possibility that her father was some psychotic, self-obsessed asshole that named himself after Jesus, but things could be worse. She could still accidentally be forcing everyone around her to reveal their deepest secrets.
A noise next to her caused her to look up and she saw the mischievous grin of Fred Weasley beside her, "Where's the fire, Jamison?" Fred asked, easily matching her quick pace with his long strides.
Jamie slowed almost instantly into a normal pace, "No fire, just excited."
George Weasley came onto her other side, "Excited for what? Dinner?" He asked, also falling in line with Jamie and Fred.
"Oh my god, disgusting." Jamie said, out of context. A little ways away from the trio was Cedric Diggory and Cho Chang who were snogging in an alcove. Jamie gagged a bit but as if they had planned it, both she and Fred Weasley began to whistle at the snogging couple. Cedric's head turned and a blush spread over his cheeks. "Shut up, Jamie." He said, exasperated at her antics.
"Thanks for blinding me." Jamie said, sweetly, causing Cedric to roll his eyes.
"We could snog in front of him to retaliate." Fred offered from beside the blonde. A chill went down her back at his low voice, but she flipped him off in response for that remark. "Just a suggestion." Fred teased.
"Don't be such a prude, Bruce." Cedric taunted, causing Jamie to alternate the middle finger from directed at Fred to directed at Cedric.
She stuck out her tongue at her best friend, "Public Displays of Affection are not encouraged in the halls of Hogwarts, Diggory." She turned her gaze to Cho, who had her head down and was blushing furiously, "Sorry, Cho, only joking!" The Ravenclaw fifth year looked miserable and embarrassed, causing Jamie to feel a bit bad. A heavy arm went around her shoulder and Fred pulled her close to his side.
"Let's leave the love birds alone, Jamison." He guided her away from the pair with George following closely behind them.
"Getting a little handsy there aren't you, Fredward." Jamie said with a bit of warning in her voice. Fred merely squeezed her shoulder and smirked at her. She felt warmth rush through her at his presence and couldn't help but wiggle slightly closer to him as they walked.
"Jamie Devereaux!" A voice called from behind the three Gryffindor's. Jamie and Fred turned on instinct to see Fleur Delacour walking quickly toward them, her long silver hair flowing behind her in waves and a concentrated look on her face. In her pale hand was a thin, folded piece of paper. Jamie's heart jumped in her throat and she felt like she knew, immediately, what it was.
Breaking away from Fred, saying a quick goodbye to the two Weasley twins, Jamie met Fleur halfway. "Is that what I think it is?" Jamie asked, nervously.
Fleur nodded, "Yes. My mother translated it for you. It's a tale that's typically word of mouth so she had to find an old transcription of it. It's very brief and in summation, but she included the prophecy which she thinks you might need to see."
Jamie blinked and looked at the folded paper of beautifully, slanted handwriting that crammed itself onto the parchment. "Thank you." She said in a small voice, terrified to read it. The blonde witch walked quickly toward the library, passing Cedric Diggory and Cho Chang again, only needing to give him a look for the Hufflepuff boy to abandon the Ravenclaw girl and hurry after his best friend. The two walked in silence, all that could be heard was Jamie's quick steps and breath.
After what felt like an eternity, Jamie and Cedric made it to a table in the corner of the library and the pair bent over the parchment, reading together.
Long ago, male and female Veela lived together as one, cohesive species. While the males struggled to contain their anger and emotions, they worked hard to do so for the females in their life.
There was one male Veela, named Devereaux, who worked especially hard to create cohesion amongst the genders. He was a strong voice of reason for the men, creating a space for them to release their emotions in a safe environment without harming one another. One evening, he spoke to his devoted followers about what they could do to alter their instincts completely. Devereaux offered up many possibilities for male Veelas, including training young males from birth to gradually release their emotions in a healthy way, so that bursts of anger or happiness were not as powerful. However, the second possibility was the creation of a gemstone that every male Veela would have. The gem, created by goblins and enchanted by wizards, would contain the overflow of emotions and protect others from male Veelas. By wearing the gem, males could be lied to and it would absorb the overflow of magical emotions and protect others around them.
When Devereaux revealed the gem, there was a disturbance from the outside of the meeting. Those that opposed Devereaux stormed the meeting and destroyed the gem. Devereaux was attacked and murdered for his preaching by a group that believed males to be superior and their gifts to be a blessing. Devereaux's last words promised that there would be a day where male Veela's were extinct because of their own power-hungry desire. Only fifty years later, his prediction came true.
The Tale of Devereaux has been shared by Veela women for centuries. Formed by Centaurs who read the stars, a prophecy was stated after Devereaux's death. It begins with one true belief that, eventually, male and female Veelas will be able to coexist again.
When the world is beginning to tear itself apart, and the second of two wars to end it all begins, a new Devereaux will be revealed. The spawn of two: the light and the dark of the dark and the light. With skills that can halt armies and talents that will end wars, a silver head of hair will wear the crown of the Veela. United Veelas will rise again as equals, or divided the magical world will fall. Beware those that cross Devereaux, for any lie will fail you and you will be stopped in your acts of violence against justice.