"Oh! Professor McGonnnnnaaaagggaaaallllll!"
I almost skipped into the classroom. Today I was to be helping with the fifth years with Transfiguration. Yesterday I had asked Dumbeldore why I was helping the fifth years so much; he told me it was because it was the O.W.L. year, and they need all the help they could get. I had accepted his reasoning, though I wished he had thought of something like this when I was a fifth year student.
"Mr. Creary! Do not enter my classroom like that!" McGonagall glared at me form behind her square glasses. She seemed to be in a bad mood today. Then I remembered: Umbridge was going to be sitting in on this class. "You will exit this room and re-entered in a more mature way."
I bowed low to her. "Yes, O Great Transfiguration Teacher." I straightened up and bounced out of the room before she could magick a dustpan to smack me. I guess my humor was something that she did not want or need at the moment.
"Tali - Mr. Creary, what are you doing?" Harry and his friends were standing outside the room; I had almost bounced into them. It was Ron who had spoken. "Visiting McGonagall?" There was a sly smile on his face.
I decided to play along for the hell of it. "Alas, my dear friend, such a lovely, strong woman would never accept my heart full of love." I feigned hurt and clutched my black shirt over my heart. "I fear I shall live in sorrow and solitude for the remainder of my days."
"You're going to be living in sorrow and solitude when you are sent back to the Ministry if you don't knock off the dramatics."
My eyes widened, and the students snickered. "Hello, Professor McGonagal," I squeaked. Without turning my head I could feel the intensitiy of her glare. "Are you ready for another Transfiguration class?"
"Get in the classroom," she growled through gritted teeth.
I swallowed loudly and ducked back into the Transfiguration room. A piece of parchment caught the back of my head; I deserved that. I kept my head high and walked to my desk that was located beside McGonagall's. I could hear the students giggling at having the pleasure of seeing their teacher's assistant getting smacked in the head. I ignored them and settled down behind my desk. Once all the students were seated, the door opened again and Umbridge walked into the room. Her quill and pink notepad were in hand, and she gave a friendly smile to the class as she sat down on a chair in the corner. I knew I was not the only one who realized her smile was a farce.
"Mr. Finnigan, pass back homework, please." McGonagall didn't waste any time, nor did she acknowledge Umbridge's precense. "Miss Brown, there is a box on the shelf; kindly pass out the mice, one to each student. For Merlin's sake, they are not going to bite you."
Then I heard it.
That little simpering cough. The same one I heard during Dumbledore's start-of-term announcements.
McGonagall ignored the pink toad in the corner and continued to teach her class. I leaned back in my chair and crossed my ankles; she'll call on me when she needs me. "Everyone, most of you have been successful in vanishing your snails. Even those of you who did not get all of the shell to disappear seem to know how the spell works. Today we will -"
Umbridge let out another little couch.
The Transfiguration teacher glared at Umbridge. "Yes?"
"Professor," she said in a tone that made my ears itch, "I was wondering if you got my note. The one about the date and time of your - "
"I believe I got it, Professor, or I would have asked you why you were in my classroom." McGonagall glared at Umbridge, but when she turned around and caught my smirk, her eyes shimmered for a moment. "Today, class, we will practice vanishing mice, which is harder than - "
"Hem, hem."
"I'm sorry, Professor Umbridge, but how will you get the idea of my teaching methods if you keep interrupting me?" Her voice was cold as lake water, and her eyes were slits. "As you will see, if you do not keep interrupting me, I do not permit others to talk when I am talking."
I nodded, though I was not the one she was talking to. Everyone knew that was McGonagall's number one rule. It's the one you learn on the first day of the first year, and it's one you do not forget.
"As I was saying before I was interrupted again, we will be practicing the Vanishing Spell on mice. The snail was an invertebrate and did not present a great challenge for most of you. The mice, however, are mammals, and it is harder to Vanish them." She gazed at her class. "You know the spell. Get to it. I will see what you can do."
I was surprised that Umbridge did not get up to stalk McGonagall as she had done with Trelawney. Instead she sat on her tuffet and wrote note after note. I could feel her beady eyes on me every now and then, but I generally ignored her in favor of helping the students. By the end of the session, most of the students had Vanished their mouse to the point where the tails were only visible; the exception was Hermione, who had managed to Vanish all of her mouse.
"How long have you held the position of teaching Transfiguration?"
Umbridge must have waited for most of the students to leave the room before questioning McGonagall. I was stowing the mice in a larger box when the toad-like woman spoke up.
"Thirty-nine years," McGonagall said.
I put the mice away and walked over to McGonagall's side. Our heights did not vary greatly, but she held her body with the superiority of a higher ranking magician. I had admired Minerva from the very first day; even now, though I had graduated two years ago, I still held some admiration.
"Thank you. You will be receiving your results in ten day's time."
"I can hardly contain my excitement."
"It was wonderful to see you again, Mr. Creary. You seem like quite the helper." Was that a sneer in her voice? "Have a great day!" She waved a pudgy hand, and as soon as her back was turned, I lifted my right hand and extended my middle finger to the ceiliing.
"Talis Creary!" A hand smacked mine out of the air. McGonagall whipped around until she was standing before me. It took all my being not to flinch at her glare. "Do you not remember what I said about her?" she growled.
"Her back was turned," I snarled back. "She's a menace to this school, Minerva. She's treating me like a damned pet, or a wild animal that needs to be domesticated!"
"You are a wild animal, Talis, but that does not allow you to act like one, especially around her." McGonagall straightened up and pushed some loose strands of hair behind her ear. "Go on, Creary, and please stay out of trouble."
I reluctantly nodded. "Fine." I slipped passed her and walked out the door.
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"You are a fuckin' idiot. Did you not learn your lesson last time you crossed paths with her?"
"What are you yelling at me for? You're not the one who got detention. I did!"
"Because you didn't listen to McGonagall or me. You just can't keep your damn mouth shut when you're near her!"
"I don't need this right now!"
"Get your skinny ass back here! I'm not through with you yet." I grabbed a hold of his cloak and pulled his retreating figure back to standing in front of me. "You are a damned brat, Harry Potter! Umbridge doesn't believe Voldemort is back? Big deal! There are probably thousands of witches and wizards who don't believe he's back. You want to know why you are acting like this? It's because she is the first one to actually voice disagreeing with you, and you can't handle it." I dropped my grip on his cloak but snatched up his hand. Warm blood from his fresh cuts trickled onto my skin. "Is this really how you want to fight back? By getting your hand sliced open by some sadistic toad? Is that really what you want?"
Even though Harry was looking at his sneakers, I knew his green eyes were glistening with unshed tears.
I curled my fingers around his, feeling a bit relieved when he didn't pull away. "Honesty, Harry. You're smarter than this. You're giving Umbridge power over you by acting out. I know it's hard to do, but, for me, keep it under wraps. Okay?"
Harry nodded, his long bangs hiding his face.
"Good." I moved to pull my hand away, but Harry wouldn't let go. The younger teen looked up at me. His green eyes were swimming with a mixture of emotions, negative and positive. His grip on my hand seemed to tighten, and I could feel my heartbeat quicken. "You need to get back to your dorm. I think I saw Snape patrolling around here." I blinked at the younger teenager. "He'll give you dention-" My voice let me as Harry pulled me down the corridor. His movements were hurried but quiet, as if he was on a mission that required him to be silent. I almost tripped on the hem of my cloak when we skidded around a corner. "What the hell?"
Harry didn't spare me a glance. Instead he stopped before a portrait of a group of sleeping wizards, opened it then yanked me inside. The portrait shut behind us with a snap. I opened my mouth to question Harry's motives when I was pushed against a wall. The hand that did not have a death grip on mine rested against my hip, squeezing almost painfully. A mouth was on my mouth, and I squeaked at the sudden movement. Soft lips pressed against mine. The kiss was rough and inexperienced, but I enjoyed every second of it. My free hand fisted the front of his cloak.
Harry backed away first but not too far. "I'm not gay," he whispered, lips brushing against mine with every word. "I'm not."
I looked into deep green eyes. "Who are you trying to convince?" I asked quietly. "Me? Or yourself?" I didn't move away from him but leaned against the wall, relaxing my shoulders. I didn't want Harry to feel like I was pressuring him into kissing me again. Instead, I just looked at him as I waited for him to speak, to move, to back away and scream hexes at me.
"I-I don't know what I want," Harry murmured. His grip on my hand tightened. "What should I do?"
"You're the Boy-Who-Lived." I gazed into those emerald eyes and blinked slowly. "You'll know what you want, but only when you're ready."
"I think. . . I think I am ready."
"Then what do you want?"
"I think I want you."
I smiled softly then leaned my head forward. Harry met me half way. Our mouths collided almost painfully. I gasped sharply and brought my hand fisting his shirt up to thread my fingers through his raven black hair. I knew right away that he has not had any experience in kissing; his lips moved too quickly, breath escaping from the corners on his mouth. I flexed my fingers a bit to get his attention. The movements ceased and green eyes stared into mine. I smiled against his lips then initiated a slow, gently kiss. It took Harry a few moments to catch on, but then he was kissing me with great vigor. His grip on my hip loosened a bit, which was greatly appreciated. I slowly opened my mouth and stuck out the tip of my tongue. I drew it along a short length of his lower lip. Harry abruptly pulled away, green eyes wide.
"What was that?" he asked breathlessly. "Your tongue. . ."
"It's part of kissing, Harry." I smiled at his confused expression. I knew he was not very well experienced with intimacy - that much I could tell from kissing him. I can vaguely remember my first kiss: it was with Blue Jacobs, and we were hiding from Snape in a broom closet. I have a feeling that I'm Harry's first kiss, as well as the first one to show him this kind of intimacy.
"Show me."
My smile faded to a small smirk. "Okay. If it gets to be too much, stop. I won't force you to do anything you don't want to do." I dipped my head down and captured his mouth in a searing kiss that made my blood boil. My fingers tightened around raven strands, and Harry let out a sound that shot straight to my groin. Once again, I slid my tongue out of my mouth and flicked it against his lips. Harry gasped, opening his mouth to breath. I didn't waste a moment, slipping the tip of my tongue into his mouth. He tasted like pumpkin juice. I savored the flavor of his warm mouth and groaned quietly when his own tongue poked cautiously at mine.
His hand slipped away and mimicked mine by fisting the front of my shirt. He clung to me as if he was afraid he would fall off the planet if he let go. Our mouths worked furiously against each other's, warm tongues sliding, teeth crashing together. Sweat formed on my forehead and slid down my face. It's been ages since I've last done this. But somehow the passion was even greater than the last time. There was something about this intimate moment I was sharing with Harry that made my heart race. This is nothing like kissing Blue.
My nerves were on fire, and I knew I had to back away to douse the flames. But before I could, I was pushed back against the wall almost forcefully. Harry's grip on my shirt tightened, and he pressed his body against mine. A spark of surprise flickered in my mind as he awkwardly thrust his hips forward. I could feel something hard jab against my thigh and my own cock twitched. I knew he didn't understand what the hell he was doing to me as he ground against me.
I sighed against his mouth. He smiled against mine. Both of my hands drifted down to settle on his narrow hips. I sucked his lower lip into my mouth, nibbled on it for a few moments then released it with a soft smack. His groan went straight to my hardening member. I gave his lips one more flick with my tongue then reluctantly drifted away from the kiss. I forced my eyes opened and gazed down at the younger teenager. His eyes were half-lidded, cheeks pink and lips deliciously bruised.
"You can have me whenever you want, Harry," I said softly. I raised a hand and smoothed the front of his cloak. "Let's get you back to Gryffindor Tower. I'll walk you there; if Snape's catches you without me, you'll get in trouble."
Harry nodded, too breathless to speak. He released his grip on me and stepped away. I pushed open the portrait open and lead the way in the darkened hallway. I glanced to my left then to my right but didn't see anyone. "Come on." I closed the secret door without waking the sleeping wizards.
The walk back to Gryffindor Tower was uneventful, save for having to shoo away Mrs. Norris, Filch's thick-furred cat. The feline didn't look too happy to see me but her eyes seemed to glittered when she saw Harry. It would have probably meant the world to her if she could report a student out of bed to her master. Maybe I should get Hermione's cat, Crookshanks, to rough her up a bit. That would teach her.
The wolf was in her portrait. Her amber eyes were filled to the brim with curiousity as Harry and I approached.
"I see that you have a habit of bringing strays home," she commented in her deep voice.
Harry stopped abruptly and stared at the painting. "Is that wolf talking?" he asked, the first time he spoke since we left the hidden room.
I nodded. "Her painting guards my quarters."
Emerald eyes glittered in the dimness. "I didn't know you stayed in the Gryffindor Corridor."
"You never asked," I said to him before turning back to the wolf. "He's not a stray. He was coming out of detention with Umbridge when I happened upon him."
"Another detention?" The wolf peered at Harry. "I thought you had learned your lesson, young one."
"I already got lectured," Harry grumbled, glancing at me.
"And he should lecture you. You should have heard him the other night. He was so upset about you getting hurt by that Umbridge woman; he nearly cursed his beloved books to oblivion."
I narrowed my eyes at the wolf. "Thanks for that." I pinched the bridge of my nose. "I'll be back." I turned away and lead Harry down the corridor.
"Don't forget that you still need your password!" she called at my retreating back.
A heavy sigh erupted from my lungs. "Damn canine," I growled once we were out of earshot.
"You were upset that I got detention?"
"Of course," I said, sparing Harry a glance. "Umbridge is out to hurt you, Harry, so, yeah, I was upset." I brushed my shoulder against his gently. The simple touch seemed to sooth him a bit. "Ignore the wolf, okay?"
"I've never seen her picture before."
"It was located in one of the towers. . . I think Ravenclaw's. I guess she overheard the teachers talking about my return and volunteered to be hung up as the guard to my quarters."
"What is it like?"
"I might show you one day."
"Why not now?" he asked with a cheeky smirk.
A low chuckle echoed up my throat. "I think you've had enough action tonight, Mr. Potter. You need to get your rest."
"Will you be assisting a teacher tomorrow?"
I shrugged. "Not sure. Maybe. Or I may take the day off." I stopped before the Fat Lady's portrait. One of the other portraits must have told her that Harry would be getting in late because she was awake but looked irritated. "Hello, my dear Fat Lady," I said, bowing a bit. "I'm sorry we are here so late. Mr. Potter had an engagement with Professor Umbridge. Please accept his apology on my behalf." I straightened up and saw that there was a small smile on the paintings face.
"Try not to make a habit of it," the Fat Lady grumbled, though she didn't sound as annoyed as she looked.
"We won't," I promised.
The Fat Lady grunted sleepily and opened wide enough for Harry to slide inside.
The younger wizard stepped into the portrait hole but turned to look at me. "Thank you, Talis, for walking me back and for th-that other thing." He looked like he was going to say more. Instead he gazed around the Gryffindor Common Room for a moment then leaned toward me. I met him half-way and kissed him gently.
"Good night," I murmured against his lips before moving away.
Harry looked disappointed for a second but smiled. "Good night, Talis. I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Sometime tomorrow." I waited until he was in the Common Room then backed away so the Fat Lady could close. "Thank you again, my dear," I said to the painting. "I'm very sorry you had to stay up so late."
The Fat Lady looked at me with sleepy half-closed eyes. "Get some sleep, Talis."
I bid her good-night and walked back to the wolf's painting. She was waiting for me with her tail wrapped around her giant paws. "Lupus cor."
The painting swung open and I stepped into my quarters. I quickly shed my cloak and sneakers, which ended up on the couch and in the corner, respectively. My shirt came off next and fell to in a crumble heap on the chair. A dull throbbing pain blossomed on my hip; I glanced down and saw that there was a scattering of bruises shaped like a handprint. Harry had bruised me unknowingly while lost in a haze of desire. Not like I had a problem with it. This was minor compared to what I have had done to me in the past. I reached a hand up and gently traced my scar. All of Blue Jacob's hatred and denial was in the puckered flesh.
But being with Harry tonight. . . He made me forget the pain, the heartbreak. I didn't want him to be a replacement. And he didn't feel like one. When I am with him, Blue Jacobs was nothing more than a bad dream. Harry wasn't gay, that much I knew. But when he kissed me. . . he seemed so sure of himself. . .
Harry Potter is going to be the death of me.
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Here is the sixth chapter of Lupus Cor. I hope it's going good so far. A big thanks to all the followers of this story, and to the two reviewers. :] You guys keep me writing.
Head's up: more of Talis's past will be revealed in one of the next chapters, such as his parents, real and adopted. Talis is based off parts of myself, just like Greyson from my fanfic The Goth's Mute, and every other OC on this website.
I do not own Harry Potter. The series belongs to J.K. Rowling. This story is following the book form of Order of the Pheonix, but will have bits of the movie in it.
Please review if you have any questions or comments. :]
