Notes: Sorry about the delay, but I've been a bit busy these past few days what with a few side projects and also Christmas shopping. Correcting this chapter made me realize just how far along with the story we actually are. In fact, I should have probably made a count-down for this chapter but I sort of forgot. It is a short chapter, but to make up for it next week's chapter will be much longer.

This chapter is named after the Styx song for reasons that become evident at the end.

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Chapter 45: Renegade

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"In the past decade, the indications have been that wizardkind is living through nothing more than a brief calm between two wars. Mars, bringer of battle, shines brightly above us, suggesting that the fight must break out soon again." Firenze explained as he signaled to the ceiling above them, now enchanted to show them the night sky.

It was their first lesson with the palomino, but Zidane could see that it was progressing alright. Other than feeling a bit intimidated, it looked like the students were rather curious about Firenze and the other centaurs that inhabited the Forbidden Forest. He was a bit shocked to find out that Harry knew Firenze as well, though their meeting did appear to be a brief one. Truth be told, maybe he shouldn't have been all that surprised. He had come to realize that, much like himself, Harry was a magnet for trouble.

'At least it's helping the kid's reputation.' The blonde thought as he saw some looks of newfound respect and maybe even admiration amongst his peers.

The rest of the lesson was unusual, but not necessarily unpleasant. On the most part Firenze told them to attempt to read the stars and burn some miscellaneous herbs to interpret the shapes of the resulting smoke. It probably didn't go as smoothly as hoped, mostly because of differences that came with interpretation, or as the centaur basically put it, humans tended to apply divination to really mundane shit, meaning that something a centaur could see as a sign of imminent change in the stars, a human could be read as 'you'll trip and break a teacup'.

Zidane pretty much shrugged off the entire class anyways. It wasn't like he actually believed in this kind of stuff. Even the centaur said it; divination was some pretty ambiguous crap and it wasn't always right. Apparently centaurs would spend years simply interpreting the celestial signs before actually coming to a decision, which in his opinion kinda ruined the whole point of divination. What exactly was the point of predicting something if you waited for that thing to happen first, just to make sure your prediction was correct? Anyone with a functioning brain could tell that war was slowly drawing near to the Wizarding World.

'Besides, what's the point of all of this predicting if nobody's gonna do anything about it?' The blonde thought with a hint of irritation as he thought about most wizard's attitudes about the war.

Even those that didn't think it was a joke weren't exactly doing anything about it either. As far as he could tell it was pretty much just the Order of the Phoenix preparing for war, or rather, attempting to prevent the war. It was sad really.

'Well, technically we were like, literally eight people that did the most of the fighting back in Gaia, but that was mostly because almost nobody outside of the military knew that there was an actual war going on, not until the major cities were attacked.' Zidane thought with a sigh.

In fact, most people didn't even know of the existence of other continents other than the Mist continent. And unlike the wizards, people from the Mist continent never experienced what Kuja and Garland were capable of prior to the war, at least as far as records told. These people already knew what Voldemort was capable of. Fourteen years or so ago, they'd actually been at war with the same exact guy. The fact that history was clearly repeating itself and yet most wizards decided to ignore it, was a fact that made him want to repeatedly smash his head against a wall. How could they be so blind?

The blonde plopped down on the ground under a small tree, arms spread and eyes closed as the class progressed. Thankfully, Firenze had pretty much let him do whatever he wanted. He supposed that it had something to do with the fact that the stars couldn't predict his own future, or something like that. He had no idea if it was because the stars here were different from those back home, because he was in another world different from his own, or simply because he was a genome and therefore created artificially. Maybe stars just couldn't predict stuff related to those born differently. Perhaps forcing him to participate, and therefore come up with some bullshit predictions, went against some centaur principle of being really honest or something like that.

Whatever the case, Firenze had just let him do what he wanted and he wasn't going to complain. He did get a few curious gazes from the people closest to him, but he didn't suppose that it mattered much. The palomino had been smart enough to avoid acknowledging him publicly, which was something he was truly grateful for. Perhaps Dumbledore had already told him about his current situation, he honestly didn't know. Whatever the case, the centaur hadn't exactly been out in the open since coming here, so having previously met him would pretty much mean that he had gone inside the Forbidden Forest at one point this school year.

It was very different from what he was used to, considering his previous lessons with Trelawney, but something told him that he was going to like it.

…..

Harry followed the group of students into greenhouse number 4, where their OWL preparation course was announced to take place this week. The buzz over the Quibbler had died down as March gave way to April, and just like any old news, it didn´t take long until there was a new topic to talk about.

Indeed, it was the slowly approaching OWLs that had everyone´s attention these days, so it wasn´t really all that strange to see everyone put a lot more effort during class. It was an annual craze that he´d witnessed since his first year, though it looked like it was now his turn to experience it. Books were routinely checked out and sometimes it was even impossible to find a study spot in the library. Ron and Hermione had their hands full as prefects as well since shady businesses tended to rise during this time of a year, with students offering all sorts of magical thingamabobs guaranteed to boost your performance during the examinations. Ron had even asked for a loan just so he could buy some powdered dragon claw, which actually turned out to be nothing more than dried Doxie droppings.

"Hey, have any of you guys seen Neville?" A certain blonde foreigner said as he took a seat right next to the trio.

Zidane Tribal was the only one that seemed immune to the OWL fever these days. The lucky cyan-eyed teen was the subject of envy from just about every fifth year when they found out that he was not required to take the examinations. According to him, he´d be taking a different set of examinations when he got back.

"Now that you mention it, I haven't seen him today." Hermione said with a frown. "He hasn't arrived yet either, which is strange."

"Yeah, I figured he´d be here early seeing as Herbology is his favorite subject." Zidane said, rubbing the back of his head as he sent one of the fanged geraniums nearby a nervous look. "Though, I was actually thinking about skipping this class."

Harry understood the teen´s nervousness. Zidane had this strange habit of getting attacked by plants during Herbology lessons. It was strange, really, since he didn´t think he´d ever seen the greenhouse plants show that such animosity towards anybody.

"Alright everyone, settle down." A voice called, making the students begin to quiet down and look towards the front of the class where Professor Kuja now stood.

He´d already experienced quite a couple of lessons with Professor Kuja, regular OWL preparation courses and Occlumency lessons, and it still amazed him just how well the man could bring order to the classroom. There was just something about him that made others powerless to his words, a sort of alluring charm that you simply couldn´t get enough of. If he told you to quiet down, it felt like you simply had no choice. Something in your mind just told you to do what he said, or else. It was a confusing feeling, considering that Professor Kuja wasn´t all that intimidating. He was not large and shaggy like Hagrid, nor did he possess that tough veteran look that Mad-eye Moody wore.

"As you all know, today we will be having our Herbology centered lesson. Though many of you don´t probably care much about plants, I assure you, you will need to be able to handle them for your examinations, and more importantly your futures. After all, herbologists aren't the only ones required to handle plants. For example, if any of you are looking forwards to work with potions, as a potion-maker, or even a healer, you must remember that the ingredients you´ll use are not always derived from animals. Many ingredients used in potion making come from plants. In many cases you won´t receive the ingredients just ready to drop inside your cauldron, either. You will have to know how to extract them directly." The silver-haired man said, enchanting everyone with his voice.

"I highly doubt we´ll be making potions in our future, mate." Ron whispered with a nudge. Harry wholeheartedly agreed.

"Unfortunately, I will be unable to demonstrate the practical side myself, due to an unfortunate condition of mine. However, I have asked someone else to help in my stead. Mr. Longbottom, if you please." Professor Kuja said, earning surprised looks from just about everyone. As if on cue, Neville appeared, carrying a large pot with a large leafy plant whose branches waved about lazily.

Looking to his side, Harry caught sight of Zidane; there was an unreadable look on his face, almost as if he was surprised while at the same time upset.

"Bloody hell mate." Ron whispered again and Harry once again found himself agreeing. This was the first time they had heard about a student actually assisting a professor during a lesson.

"Longbottom teaching a class? This is going to be good." Malfoy spoke up from across the room, eliciting a series of laughs that made Neville´s cheeks redden in embarrassment.

"Ten points from Slytherin! I did tell you to all to be quiet, didn´t I?" Professor Kuja deadpanned from where he stood, hands clasped behind his back.

Harry blinked. Malfoy too looked taken aback. On one hand he was surprised that Professor Kuja would deduct points from Slytherin, on the other hand he was surprised that he hadn´t admonished Malfoy for making fun of Neville.

´He seemed angrier about the fact that he was interrupted.´ The Boy-Who-Lived realized.

"Oh, and that was also quite disrespectful as well." The professor added as an afterthought. "Besides, this is a good chance for all of you to learn from each other, not just from an adult. Now let´s begin."

They began with the most commonly used plants for potion making, each followed with a demonstration on how to carefully handle each plant, each specimen more dangerous than the last. Despite the general clumsiness Neville displayed, it all seemed to vanish when dealing with plants. It took a bit of coaxing from Professor Kuja at first, but once Neville began to handle each specimen, it was clear that the teen was in his element now.

Professor Kuja continued to smoothly lecture about every OWL-worthy plant, their properties, their handling, and their importance, though in his case, he never once touched the specimens. In fact, the man didn´t even get close to the plants, which he couldn´t help but think it was strange. Perhaps he too wasn´t good with them, just like Zidane. Maybe it was a condition of some sort, one that was as hereditary as the Weasley red hair. One look towards the bushy-haired brunette next to him made him realize that Hermione was likely thinking the same thing.

The bell rang, snapping Harry out of his thoughts.

"My, is it time already? Well, I suppose that just about covers it. Dismissed!" Kuja called out loud as everyone began to pack their things. "Remember to review the section on freshwater plants. And also keep in mind that next week´s class will take place in our usual room. I will not be allowing any tardies, so arrive on time or don´t even bother to show up."

Harry took his things and left, blending into the throngs of students. Ron and Hermione followed after him and right behind them was another unlikely trio.

"Hey, you never told me Kuja asked you to help out." Zidane asked the taller teen.

Neville still looked a bit winded, and judging by the present blush on his face, he still hadn´t quite recovered from the experience of having to teach.

"Professor Kuja asked me to a bit ago. Actually, I refused at first, but he was really insistent. I wanted to tell you, but you were gone for most of the day. Later, I just supposed that it slipped from my mind." The teen replied with a sigh. "Actually, where were you? I checked just about everywhere inside the castle, even the Room of Requirement, but I couldn´t find you anywhere."

"Oh that." The blonde said sheepishly. "Hagrid wanted a bit of help with the crups, so I helped out for a bit."

Harry found it odd that Zidane would spend time with Hagrid, not unheard of, really, just unusual. He always just assumed that it was just them three that visited the half-Giant since most people tended to avoid him for his intimidating looks and even more intimidating pets.

Now that he thought about it, didn´t he have to see Hagrid as well?

´Damn, I forgot.´ Harry thought to himself, recalling the message that Firenze had asked him to pass along; something along the line of Hagrid´s attempt not working out. "Hey, I sorta have to go, I uh, forgot something. I´ll meet you later in the Common Room."

Without wasting any more time, the green-eyed teen excused himself and headed for the hut on the grounds where the half-giant lived.

…..

Several voices echoed through the room, though at the moment, Zidane was far too preoccupied to notice. Calmly he chanted the same words as everyone else while trying hard to focus on the image in his mind. He could do this, he was sure he could.

"Expecto Patronus!" The blonde called out, though only a silvery mist appeared.

"No luck yet?" Hermione asked as she copied his own actions, only in her case, a silvery otter sprouted from her wand.

"Nope." The blonde said a bit dejectedly.

Harry had finally decided to teach them the Patronus Charm after quite some insistence from the DA. He insisted that this was nothing like casting the charm in the presence of a Dementor, seeing as they weren´t in mortal danger or having the happiness sucked out of them. Even so, everyone was excited at the prospect of being able to cast the charm.

There had been problems at first, but by now at least a third of the DA could successfully cast a corporeal patronus. Unfortunately, he was not part of that third. To be fair, it didn´t help that the silvery mist that came out sorta reminded him of the mist back at home; not the regular water-based one, but the one that was actually made of souls. Whenever he cast the spell, he couldn´t help but freak out a bit, thinking that perhaps his soul was leaking out of his wand or something.

"Are you sure you pronounced it right?" Neville asked. He too was having trouble.

"Is that a crack about my accent?" The blonde replied with a grin, though the teen just shrugged.

"At least Luna managed to cast a corporeal patronus." Neville said, looking at the blonde girl as she led a silvery hare with her wand like some kind of conductor of an orchestra. "Well one third isn´t really that bad when you think about it."

"Hold on, I think I almost got it." The cyan-eyed blonde replied, deep in concentration. Silvery mist poured forth from his wand again, becoming bigger and bigger, but before it could take shape, it seemingly shrunk down and collapse on itself. "Dammit, I was so close."

"That´s strange, I don´t think I´ve seen the others do that." Harry said with a frown as he went around correcting everyone.

"Bloody hell, I did it!" Ron called out nearby, excitement clear on his face as a small dog ran at his feet.

"A Jack Russell Terrier?" Neville asked before taking a look at Hermione´s Patronus. "Wait, aren´t those dogs known for chasing after ott-"

"Yes Neville, your point?" Hermione interrupted rather forcefully before he could finish.

"Uh, nevermind." The Gryffindor said with a sheepish look as he saw the nearly murderous look on the bookworm´s face.

"Maybe the memory you´re using isn´t quite the right one." Ginny suggested.

"What about you then?" Ron asked the girl, though the redhead merely rolled her eyes.

"Expecto Patronum!" Ginny called out instantly, a horse sprouted from her wand, easily dwarfing the Jack Russell Terrier that still ran around Ron´s feet, needless to say, Ron didn´t look so smug now.

Zidane frowned. He had been using the memory of winning the Festival of the Hunt, and then defeating their final enemy in the crystal world, thinking that perhaps the feeling of triumph would be happy enough for a corporeal Patronus. "Maybe I´m just going about this the wrong way."

Looking to the other end of the room, he saw Harry talking happily to Cho Chang, the raven haired girl having already been able to summon a silvery swan.

"Maybe that could work." Zidane said, though it was mostly to himself.

He thought about Garnet; the first time he saw her breathtaking visage and how he chased after her, going as far as swinging off a tower after her. He recalled the fiery look in her eyes as she decided to put a stop to the madness that had taken hold of her mother and adopted the fake name, "Dagger". He recalled how they slowly fell for each other and how despite her tears she found the strength to move forward, and in doing so, she helped him move on as well. He remembered the look on her face as he unveiled his face in front of that crowd and the way she embraced him.

Then recalled that starry night when he finally proposed to her; the fireworks and the twin moons making her eyes glitter in the night. Her passionate kiss nearly melting his insides.

"Expecto Patronum!" Zidane called out, and this time silvery mist poured forth almost wildly.

Many of the others stopped what they were doing to glance at the chaotic reaction that had taken place. Zidane on the other hand, waited with baited breath. Whatever it was, it seemed big, though for now the silvery mist was shapeless. It was almost as if it was having a hard time to form, or rather to decide what it was supposed to look like.

The blonde bit his lip. "Come on…."

There was a sudden quick expansion of the mist before it seemingly shrank down. Seeing it as a failure, the teen let out a sigh of defeat, only to be interrupted by a small melodious chirp.

Looking back at his work in shock, Zidane noticed a distinct shape where the larger mass of mist used to be. It was small with silvery plumage and a small sharp beak to match with its tiny talons.

"It´s a…" Zidane said with his brow furrowed. "Canary?"

"Congratulations mate." Neville said, clapping him on the back

Ron on the other hand, gave a snort. "Bloody hell, it´s so tiny! How´d you reckon that little thing is supposed to fight off Dementors?"

Zidane felt a spark of irritation rise at the comment, but quickly decided that perhaps a demonstration would be best. Silently flicking his wand towards the redhead, the canary shot off towards him like a projectile, eliciting a surprised cry from Ron.

"Okay I got it, I´m sorry!" The redhead said in surrender while the tiny ball of silvery feathers that was Zidane´s Patronus continued to angrily fly around and attack Ron.

"You should have known better than to judge a corporeal Patronus by its size, Ronald. Remember the story of the wizard Illyius? He saved an entire village and his Patronus was a mouse." Hermione lectured with a roll of her eyes.

Seemingly content, the blonde called off the attack, making the silvery bird perch on his shoulder.

"For a moment it looked like it was going to be something bigger, but I think this is much cuter." Ginny said as she looked at the tiny bird.

The redhead didn´t seem to be the only one that thought his Patronus was cute. Several other girls seemed to flock towards him to see for themselves, like moths attracted to flames, making many of the guys eye him with jealousy. Zidane would´ve laughed; the irony of the situation not lost to him. After all, that canary was the manifestation of his bond with Dagger, and because of that bond, he would never mess around with another girl, making that jealousy directed at him completely groundless.

Truth be told, he should have known that his Patronus would be a canary. What better animal to remind him of his Dagger?

A sudden sound snapped him out of his thoughts, making the small bird on his shoulder disappear in silvery wisps. It was a small sound, like the opening and closing of a door, hardly audible in this noisy room full of students. However it brought about a deep foreboding feeling that made him stiffen, the tiny voice in the back of his head desperately telling him that something was wrong.

As if sensing his change of attitude, many of those close to him stopped what they were doing in confusion.

"What´s wrong?" Neville asked as well, though the blonde didn´t immediately answer.

It was then that everyone seemed to notice that they had a sudden visitor.

"Dobby?" Both Harry and Zidane said, though in the latter´s case it was merely a whisper.

The genome´s mind suddenly stopped as he took in the house elf's nervousness. Something was definitely wrong.

"Dobby what are you doing here?" Harry asked, and by now they had the entire room's attention.

Zidane grit his teeth, his heart beating rapidly in his chest. Harry´s words suddenly fading in the background. There could be an infinite number of reasons as to why the house elf was here right now, but at the moment, no matter how hard he tried to arrive to a different outcome, he could only arrive to one conclusion.

Their jig was up.

…

To be continued…

…..

A/N: I had a couple of problems to decide on Zidane's Patronus, but each time it always ended up being a canary (it was fitting and I really didn't want it to be something overly Mary Sue-ish). Well, the Patronus is actually a bit special, but how exactly is not something I'll reveal just yet.

My questions to you readers is: What animal do you think you'd get as a Patronus? In my case it would probably be something dog-like or bear-like.