"!" Blinking, Thomas woke up looking into a pair of black beady eyes, and a silent scream on his lips.
"Squeakers! Don't scare Thomas." A pair of small pale hands came in. Sweeping the furry black eyes beast from Thomas line of sight.
"Wh-what happened?" Thomas pushed himself to sit upright on the bed. Lars was right there, hands on his shoulder to steady him.
"You fainted!" Pipa held her hands to her chest. "I've never been so scared."
"Fainted?" Thomas frowned. He was never one to do that. Sleep would come if he ever became overwhelmed, but fainting?
"Professor Nocturne carried you here. Only Lars was allowed to stay at your side." Bernard pale face looked tired and, if possible. Even paler than usual.
"We came straight after classes!" Pipa picked up her mouse, Squeakers, and place him on her head. Then she passed Thomas sheets of parchment paper. Pipa's writing was neat and easy to read. Right down to the little mice she drew on the bottom of her notes. "I know you were looking forward to classes. I took careful notes for you."
"Thank you, Pipa." Thomas whispered. Happy that she cared, but a touch scared at how he got here.
"Who was that Professor to you?" Lars asked. Thomas turned and stared into a stern thunderous eyes. "Did he hurt you?" Lars eyes darkened and his grip on Thomas's shoulder tightened. Thomas winced under the pressure. "Sorry." Lars drops his hands, turning into fists on his laps. "You scared me."
"You scared us all." Bernard said, "Even the Professor was taking by surprise."
"If clicking your tongue counts as concern." Pipa grumbled, ignoring Bernard's stern gaze.
"He brought me here?" Thomas wanted to confirm.
"Yes." Lars said, "But he left as soon as he dropped you into the bed." Lars lips flatted. "I insisted on staying." Lars hands shook. Thomas was quick to put his over top of Lars. Not wanting Lars to hurt his own hands.
"Thanks Lars." Thomas said looking straight into Lars's angry eyes. Turning to look at the others. Bernard was pale, but trying to smile. To encourage Thomas. Pipa was angry and pouting, but she took notes for Thomas. Each of them cared about Thomas. "Thank you." Thomas told them. Feeling that after this kind of day. Being accursed of biting someone. Finding out about the Old Man, no, Thomas corrected himself. About Professor Nocturne. He should take this time to open up.
"That's what friends are for Thomas." Pipa said, a smiling blooming across her face. Bernard smiled too, an unstained smile. Giving Bernard a silent nod of acknowledgement.
"Who is he, Thomas?" Lars said, his hands still under Thomas's. Bringing his hands back to his lap. Thomas looked around the room. It was a big rectangular room. Large windows let in the natural light, now a shimmering orange of sunset. Plants placed around the room leaned towards those fading rays. Stopping the room from looking cold. With their lines of beds, and small side tables. Only one bed had a screen around it, but otherwise they were alone.
"It's both a long, and short story." Thomas said with a sigh. Ready to open up. To more than just Lars. Looking to Lars, Thomas received a nod, like he knew what he was silently asking if he to found these two as friends.
"We have two hours before curfew." Bernard said, folding his leg and resting his hands on his knees. A very adult looking poise, that was also very Bernard.
"Forgot about curfew!" Pipa said, Squeakers the mouse, piping in with his own nod. Settling in Thomas's mind, that it was no ordinary mouse. "We have all night. Take our time Thomas." Pipa scooted her chair closer. The legs scrapping on the stone floors.
"Well, until this summer I was in an orphanage." Thomas began. Explaining without interruption about his life before, Old Man, Professor Nocturne. Though very young, treatment didn't very much as he got older. The abuse, mostly verbal, from both the other kids and the Rows. How the town people ignored this, because of his pointed ears, they hadn't like him either.
"To everyone I was a demon or something to ignore." Thomas got to his point. "Old Man, as I called him then. Changed that." Thomas smiled, thinking about his lessons with him. They really were the brightest part of his time there.
"He's the one who got you drinking?" Pipa said, titling her with a frown.
"Not drinking. Bar tending." Thomas corrected with a raised finger.
"What is the difference?" Pipa said crossing her arms.
"Bar tending is mixing drinks for customers." Lars said in a slow voice that brought out his brogue.
"Very much like potion making?" Bernard said, him and Lars shared a look. One that said they agreed on something, but didn't lend its understanding to outsiders.
"Yes. He also taught me how to read, write, poetry and woodcarving." Thomas started on about everything that Professor Nocturne had done for him.
"Poetry is its own lesson?" Pipa looked shocked, her eyes widening and her lips parted into an o shape.
"Poetry is the heart of each era." Thomas told Pipa. Eager to share his knowledge. "Poems don't lie, and reveal more with every reading." Reading them over and over. Thomas found new things and he loved it.
"Wasn't that boring?" Pipa said weakly.
"I liked getting to know a poet — like finding a friend." Thomas shared with a smile. "I have some about animals you might like." Pipa's eyes welled up with tears. Even her little mouse had its paws up to his mouth.
"You poor thing!" Pipa flung her arms around his neck. Throwing herself across the bed in the process. "It's okay you don't have to find friends in a dusty old book anymore!" Pipa sniffled into Thomas shoulder. Squeakers patted his cheek with a small paw. Thomas patted her back with his hand, wondering what was wrong?
"I like my dusty old books." Thomas mumbled to himself. Looking to Lars and Bernard for help.
"He lied to you." Lars said, Bernard came over to peel Pipa off. Offering her and tentatively her mouse a handkerchief. Both accepted. "You told me he was dead."
"Yes. I thought he was dead. The Rows told me that." Thomas frowned, recalling the heartache he went through. The pain.
"Then the Rows lied." Pipa said with sniffle, blowing into Bernard's handkerchief.
"No." Thomas said slow. Knowing that he could tell when he was lied to, but looking at Lars. He remembered his promise to Uncle Liam, about not telling anyone about his ability to tell truths from lies.
"You must keep this a secret you two." Lars said in a furious whisper. His brogue turning into a dark threat crawling across Thomas's bed. Bernard and Pipa nodded solemnly, swearing their oaths together in a tight whisper. Lars looked them over. Searching their very souls Thomas thought has he looked on. Before Lars gave him a nod, a silent go ahead.
"I can tell secrets from lies." Thomas whispered. Putting a hand on his chest. "Lies — depending on their unpleasantness." Thomas paused, taking a breath, "it hurts. In essence, you can not lie to me. Ever." Thomas said.
"Can you lie?" Pipa asked tilting her head along with her mouse.
"No. I wither can't speak it, or I experience pain to make one." Thomas shrugged. "Not really worth it to me."
"Tell me Thomas." Pipa said looking at him with shimmering brown eyes.
"Yes?" Thomas swallowed, waiting for the worse.
"I'm I pretty?" Pipa stood up her hands sinking into the bed side as she leaned forward for her answer.
"Yes." Thomas said. His heart stopped. Stunned by the random question.
"Professor Marshall? Is she pretty?" Pipa said, eyes narrowing. Thomas shivered at the mental image of Professor Marshall.
"Uh, no." Thomas shivered again. That woman went straight to that creepy folk tail place — strange, old and far from what Thomas thought was pretty. "I'm sure someone would think so." Thomas added trying to be nice.
"Good enough!" Pipa sat back into her chair.
"It is nice to have someone who can't lie to you." Bernard said, a sad smile turned his lips pale. "Refreshing really." Bernard went back to his own chair. "I think that you shouldn't talk to Professor Nocturne alone." Thomas frowned at Bernard. He wanted to talk to him. To have hims explain, to know so many things — like why were Professor Nocturne ears like his?
"Bernard said he mentioned he was a vampire — like you." Lars said coming up to sit on the bed with him.
"Yes. His ears and fangs were hard to miss." Bernard mentioned. Thomas shook his head. It was all hard to believe.
"Did he look human to you? Back at the orphanage?" Pipa asked, her voice on the lighter side compared to the boys.
"He did." Thomas said with a nod.
"Then he's really powerful then." Lars said. "Too powerful to meet alone."
"I don't think he'll talk freely around others." Thomas shook his head, knowing, at least; he hoped he knew. Professor Nocturne personality.
"Don't meet him tonight then." Bernard came up with a quick compromise.
"Yes — you did faint after all." Pipa agreed, nodding with the others.
"I've never fainted before." Thomas said, still feeling uneasy about it.
"Then don't go. Not tonight, and not without letting us know." Lars said, turning Thomas's chin towards him.
"Please." Lars whispered, looking shaking around the eyes. Thomas resolve was weak and snapped right in two.
"Okay, but later." Thomas insisted on that. He wouldn't leave it forever, just for now.
"Deal." Lars gave him a big smile, letting go of his chin and pulled him into a hug. Thomas rested his head on his shoulder. Feeling very tired. Tonight he would just sleep. Unusual for him, but Thomas's mind needed the dark oblivion of sleep. The nurse refused to let him go — at first.
Thomas didn't want to stay in this part of the castle alone. He had no problems omitting his cowardly side. Lars insisted that he should stay — if Thomas was, and Pipa was talking about sitting up a tent. Bernard was auguring the rights of students, and being able to leave on their own free will. The young nurse gave up by tossing her hands in the air. Insisting herself that Thomas returned — if he felt unwell.
The other Gryffindor boys pushed their beds father from Bernard and him, but Thomas good care less. He had friends, and Thomas needed sleep more than worry over narrow-minded idiots, as Pipa told him on the way back to the Gryffindor room. Thomas slept through the night without an issue, and woke up. Thankfully without finding another student passed out in the common room.
The morning was quiet and filled with many yawns. The other hadn't slept has well as Thomas. He helped out where he could, by pouring juice and handing out breakfast. Breakfast was held once again at the Slytherin table. The twins were there and happily bickering back and forth.
Professor Walker was up first with Transfiguration class. Thomas discovered that he was utterly terrifying. He had turned into a large brown toad with a scar on the left side of its head. Thomas, along with many of the girls screamed. He turned back with a wheezing chuckle. It was then that Thomas decided he didn't like this teacher. Using Bernard as a Professor shield he got though class.
Charms was next. Thomas found the art of lifting feathers to be soothing after Professor Walker. Whose class was too much of a blur for Thomas to remember correctly. During lunch Pipa and Lars were happy to fill in the gaps. Bernard spent the time to fight off Victoria's advances. Her twin spent the save amount of time trying to save him. They left lunch with a promise to together at supper to write those letters to Lars's mother.
Final it was time for flying lesson's. Professor Barlow had a similar outfit that he had worn when Thomas first met him. A simple beige top and kilt. His robe was interesting as ever and the geometric patterns in a design in brass shined under the afternoon light. His black pointed hat had brass goggles rested on its wide brim.
"Okay first years!" Professor Barlow had them all lined up in rows of two. Walking in between them he made eye connect with each of them. "The best way to learn. Is to do." At the end of the rows he stopped and turned. He had a larger broom laying on the ground at his side.
"Up." Professor Barlow gave a wide smile, flashing his white teeth. Making several of the girls giggle. Thomas was confused, and Lars shook his head. Even Pipa was smiling, making Bernard lips flatting into a thin line. "Now you."
Thomas looked down. Not once during his summer did he take an interest in flying a broom. Even through he had several offers by Uncle Liam. The brown handle looked worn. Thomas thought it was rather poorly kept for such an important tool. It was the only thing between you and the ground. At least they could do was kept care of it.
"Aieee." A scream brought Thomas head up. A thin boy wearing classes shot across the ground on his broom. Thomas recognized him as the boy who had almost fainted at shorting.
"Psto!" Professor Barlow called out. "Control your broom!" Psto came back around. Thomas could see his body wrapped around the broom length. Hanging on for dear life. "Feel the broom, and you can control it." Several students snickered at Psto unfortunate trip. Professor Barlow kept calling out bits of advice, but it was obvious to Thomas were not working.
"Help me!" Psto cried when the broom turned and be lined to the forest.
"Psto!" Professor Barlow called out — taking his broom in hand. "Stay here!" Professor Barlow turned quickly shouting orders. "I don't want to see one broom in the air!" Hopping until his broom he dashed after the fading trail of Psto.
"How is the sister killer?" Daniel stepped out first — pinning his angry glare on Thomas.
"Your sister isn't dead. Potter." Lars came in, cutting a path with his green and black school robes. Looking like a knight in school armour. Thomas was both happy, and impressed.
"Her soul has drifted out. A rare, but not unheard of condition." Bernard added in. Staring Daniel down without wavering.
"A Slytherin, and someone that should be in Slytherin." Daniel looked at them with a sneer. "Like your words mean anything."
"The nurses should. I heard her talk about it myself." Pipa said her hands on her hips. Thomas was hiding behind a shield of friends. It was heart-warming, but left Thomas feeling empty. Shouldn't he be able to stand up too? Not even for himself, but for his friends. The ones who were standing by his side.
"Yes. The snitch. How convenient." Daniel said, Thomas squirmed his way to the front, to stand of his friends. "Maybe if you guys lose something dear. You'll understand what it feels like." Daniel snatched Squeakers right off Pipa's head — his favourite spot to sit.
"Squeakers!" Both Pipa and Ethan cried. Reminding Thomas that it wasn't really Pipa's mouse.
"Give him back." Thomas said giving Daniel the best glare he could. Hurting his friends was bad, but taking it out on some poor defenseless mouse? That was plain cruel.
"Come and get it." Daniel grabbed a broom from one of his bystanders. And flew into the air. They all oohed and look at Thomas. Expecting. Staring into the air Thomas body froze. He couldn't fly. He couldn't do anything.
"I got this Thomas." Lars patted his shoulder and flew up into the air. Everyone was talking and Thomas swore he head a few making bets. Bernard was trying to comfort Pipa who was balling. Thomas's finger turned into fist at his side. He wanted to help. Thomas wanted to defend his friends, but all he did? Was make things worse. Poor Squeakers. Thomas could hear his terrifying cries — it made him feel pain like a fist to his heart.
"Ah!" Veronica screamed — pointing at Daniel empty hand. A tiny white speck falling to the ground.
"Noooo!" Pipa cried falling to the ground, and taking Bernard and Ethan with her. Thomas took off. Running at the little falling white dot. Thomas's heart pounded hard enough that he felt it pump into his veins. Hear it flow in his ears. Thomas wasn't moving fast enough. Squeakers wasn't falling slow enough. Thomas was going to catch him — he only had to jump.
"Squeakers!" Thomas cried out. Digging his feet into the earth he jumped. His entire focus on that very important catch. Feeling lighter than air. Thomas felt his chains to the earth cut off. He knew he would catch Squeakers and when the little furry ball landed into his outstretched palms. Thomas thumped to the ground, landing down hard, and dropping to one knee.
"Are you okay?" Thomas whispered into his hands. The little mouse looked up at him. Shaking so hard it clung to Thomas's thumb.
"Squeakers!" Pipa cried, Thomas turned his catch. Squeakers clung to Pipa clothes has she placed him on her chest — holding him close.
"Thank god you can fly!" Ethan waddled behind. Shot flowing down his face, and tears fogging his glasses.
"Fly?" Thomas said looking around he saw dropped mouths and whispering behind hands. Lars landed beside Thomas. Broom dropping to the ground without care.
"Thomas are you okay?" Lars helped Thomas up from the ground. "I didn't know you could fly." Lars said his voice shaking along with his hands while dusty Thomas off.
"I can't fly." Thomas said, his voice shrinking with the weight of the stares and Lars words. "I just jumped." Thomas looked over the crying duo. Babying the little white mouse. "I wanted to save Squeakers."
"Thomas. With me." Professor Nocturne appeared from the air. Making everyone, but Thomas jump — who was used to his sudden appearances. Thomas turned to Lars. His arms were folded, his blond hair was flying around his face, and his face flushed from flying about. Still, — he was giving the Professor a narrow eyed stare. Thomas was surprised at the amount of distrust coming off of Lars — he was usually a persona with a warm feeling about him. "Alone."
"Uh -yes?" Thomas answered, looking to his friends before walking towards the Professor. He was a bit worried about them. Lars, he could hear the sound of his teeth grinding together. Pipa was red eyed and shaking and Bernard — was busy at her side. Thomas did, unlike Lars, trust Professor Nocturne — didn't he?
"Potter. You better be truthful with Barlow." Professor Nocturne looked pass him, and saw that Daniel had landed, and Professor Barlow was coming in behind with a shaking student clinging to his back.
"Yes. Professor." Daniel whispered. Looking pale, and staring at his hands. Shock at Professor Nocturnes appearance or at his own actions. Thomas could only hope for the latter. Leaving his friends behind he followed Professor Nocturne into the bowels of the school. Determined to get his answers, and to prove to Lars, and even himself. That Professor Nocturne — Old Man — was not a bad guy.