< >< >"Juane, you know he must do it."
< >< >Madam Tatooli glared at Dumbledore and nodded coldly. "Do you somehow not think I know that, Dumbledore?" she demanded. "But I will not blackmail him to do that, do you understand? I cannot without a guilty, nor torn heart tell him I will fire him because of what he must do. Neither will I force him, though both my brain and my heart say I should, but I shall not and will not."
< >< >Dumbledore sighed and looked down. "Of course not, but Juane, believe me, he will become more withdrawn and hateful if this is not done, and then . . ." He let it sink in to Madam Tatooli. "Then, you will have to fire him."
< >< >Madam Tatooli shut her eyes for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, I know, Albus. What if . . ."
< >< >Dumbledore sighed and shook his head. "I do not know. He has had so much happening to him, both of them, that I am not even sure any of this will work out. But to here? He'd lock himself away and never come out. He needs to be in a place where he can't lock himself away."
< >< >"Give him some time, Albus. For the sake of both of them."
< >< >"All right, but if too much time passes . . ."
< >< >"Yes," said Madam Tatooli sharply, glaring at him again. "Fine."
< >< >Professor Dumbledore left her in the hall and went out the front door, smiling half-heartedly at the students and staff who stared at him as he walked by. He went back to Hogwarts, but not telling even Professor McGonagall of the circumstances.
< >< >Madam Tatooli looked through the grate that was in the door to Professor Erwin's chambers. He was sitting up, his face buried in his hands.
< >< >The next day, Professor Erwin gathered himself and walked to class, though rather carefully, as his knees still shook. It was the middle of the first class, so the halls were empty, with only the ghosts about, along with Arana Filch, but unlike everyone else, the professor knew how to stay away from her, and even her dog, Cornelia, who sniffed the halls, catching students in the act, nearly identical to Arana's brother, Argus, and his cat, except for the fact all four of them hated each other.
< >< >Professor Erwin entered his classroom and the class silenced. Madam Tatooli dropped her book, landing with a thud on the floor. "P - professor Erwin?" she asked, blinking in surprise.
< >< >"Madam," said the professor, giving her a slight nod, and a look that meant that he wanted her out. She understood immediately, and, with giving him a look that he knew meant see me later, she strode out of the room.
< >< >The students' eyes went from her to Professor Erwin who walked to the front and picked up the book the madam had dropped. He glanced at the page on the nearest student's desk and flicked his wand, making the book suspend in air, the pages turning until it was on the right page.
< >< >"Really," he sneered, glancing at the page number again, "I'd have thought the madam would have gotten you farther." He sighed irritably. "Mark my words, you'll forget whatever she taught you. When you are taught by me, you never forget."
< >< >The class stared at him in amazement and confusion as he sat down at his desk with another, irritable sigh.
< >< >Professor Erwin glanced at them. "What is it? Am I growing werewolf fur? One of the many rumors I have heard, I have heard a lot more. Smith!" he snapped. "Delight me with a new one."
< >< >The boy, Jackson Smith, trembled as he spoke. "Sir, I - I - "
< >< >"You have not heard any? Well, my absence must have been boring for you all, then?" Professor Erwin sneered, narrowing his eyes. "So, since this is nearly just the beginning of the year, is there anything I should know that everyone else knows and I don't?"
< >< >The class exchanged looks, then a small boy in the middle row raised a trembling hand. The class stared at him, as if knowing exactly what he was going to say.
< >< >Professor Erwin raised an eyebrow at this. "McCullin, isn't it?"
< >< >"Y - yes, sir."
< >< >"What news do you have?" the professor asked in a menacing voice.
< >< >"Er, sir, I am not sure - "
< >< >"Whatever is it, tell me," Professor Erwin snapped, making the suspended book snap close and fall to the floor.
< >< >"Harry Potter went to Azkaban," the boy said quickly and shrilly, burying his head in his arms, as if preparing to ward off the professor from biting his head off and expelling him.
< >< >"W - what?" the professor sputtered, nearly falling out of his chair and turning white as a sheet - for at least the tenth time in the last few days. His hands began to shake and he grasp the edge of the desk to steady them.
< >< >"He - uh - saved Sirius Black, sir," someone said softly.
< >< >The class hushed and Professor Erwin jumped to his feet. "I, uh, had not heard that. T - thank you, McCullin and you, Ms. Jorganson, but as I have always said, it is none of our business and we should get on with our lives." He cleared his throat nervously, stroking it once. "Now that we have covered the daily news," the professor coughed, "on with your work. Whippet! Tell me exactly what Madam Tatooli has been teaching you. I hope it has not been blasphemy, or I will have to teach you the lesson over . . ."
< >< >After the day was out, Professor Erwin hurried to his chambers, slammed the door behind him, locking behind him. He sat down on his bed and put his hands on his head. A - azkaban? Sirius Black? Is the boy insane?
< >< >There was a sharp tap on his door and he looked up. An owl was at the grate, flapping hard, as it pushed in a large envelope. In green lettering it read:
< >< >The letter stayed in it's place on the floor that night; Professor Erwin did not bother to see Madam Tatooli, she would have probably lectured him and he didn't want nor need a lecture, in his opinion.
< >< >At breakfast, Professor Erwin scrawled a note to Dumbledore, saying: It is asinine of you to keep writing me letters, Professor Dumbledore. It would be prudent and wise of you not to do this. Leave me alone. Signed, Professor Thomas P. Erwin.
< >< >He folded the letter and gave it to his owl, who flew away, with the whole school watching it until it disappeared from sight. Then, with quick looks at Professor Erwin, they returned to a partially normal talk.
< >< >After a few days, everything turned back to normal. The students lost whatever pity they might have had for Professor Erwin during his sick days and were back to hating him.
< >< >Professor Erwin, indeed, was acting normally, or it seemed that way to everyone else, snapping at everyone, yelling and bellowing, glaring at his students, and threatening. When he was alone, though, the professor would stare at a wall for hours, ignoring the letter that he had since picked up and put on his chamber desk.
< >< >About five days after he returned on the job, he was eating a small, quiet breakfast at the head table, when the morning mail arrived.
< >< >There seemed to be a lot more owls than usual, but that often happened, especially on the day of someone's birthday or something like that; Professor Erwin rarely cared for such formalities.
< >< >All of a sudden, though, the professor realized the owls were headed toward him.
< >< >"NO!" he shouted angrily at the birds, jumping to his feet, amd shaking a fist at the owls. "LEAVE - ME - ALONE!" Professor Erwin pushed back his chair and it slammed into the wall behind the curtains. He ran from the room, nearly tripping down the stairs of the stage, covering his head, as letters were being dropped on his head by the wretched creatures and sliding all over the Great Hall.
< >< >The students stared after him in bewilderment. The teachers and staff shared the same looks, except for Madam Tatooli who cursed under her breath and stood up to the school.
< >< >"None of you move. Do not touch the letters. Do not speak. Professor Gooding, if you would - ?" Professor Gooding raced out of her chair and began to gather up the letters, snatching some out of the hands of confused students. "Everyone," Madam Tatooli continued, "you will not speak of this matter to Professor Erwin, nor any other matter but Transfiguration. You will also not spread rumors of the professor, either. He is under a lot of pressure and he does not need any more of it. Mark my words, if you do any of this, I will suspend you, which will seem like the royal jewels to you when I'm done."
< >< >The students nodded dimly, sharing looks of fear and shock.
< >< >After breakfast was over, Anna Winterbourne was the center of attention, though she tried desperately to run from her accusers: "What did you say to him?"- "What did you do to him?" - "You know what's going on. Tell us or we're going to Tatooli!" - "Tell us, Anna!"
< >< >Someone actually pointed a finger at her and called her You - Know - Who which made Anna blow up, scaring people half to death: "If you ever dare call me Voldemort again I will see to it that you burn in - "
< >< >"All of you!" snapped Professor Williams, looking very angry and grave, as he appeared in front of them. "You will leave this corridor this instant. Go to class. And you will shush your mouths. What I heard will get you suspended - go on, before I tell Madam Tatooli!"
< >< >The students ran to their classrooms, but the fourth years moved more slowly, staring at each other and Anna, who walked far behind everyone, her head bowed in conflicted thought.
< >< >Professor Erwin was already in his classroom, the letters strewn all over the desk. The class stared, but dared not utter a noise. Their professor suddenly jumped to his feet, scooped up all the letters, threw them into the trashcan, and with a flick of his wand, lit them on fire with a boom, to the shock of the class.
< >< >"Transfiguration does not use fire, but I felt this was a time for a change of . . . atmosphere," Professor Erwin told his class coldly, glaring at them with malice gleaming in his dark eyes. "Take out your books and begin reading chapter thirteen. I am particularly disgusted with your lack of effort." He spit in the trashcan, making the fire rise in the air at least six feet with a sharp crack.
< >< >At the end of the day, Madam Tatooli's voice called through the school. "Staff meeting for all teachers. Please meet in the staff room for a discussion." The school hushed. "Classes are dismissed early for this meeting."
< >< >Professor Erwin walked out behind his students and hurried to the staff room, however, being the last one there. The teachers all watched him with looks of anger, fear, and confusion.
< >< >"Oh, no, Juane," Professor Erwin said in a shrill, angry voice. "No."
< >< >"Don't you dare leave here, Thomas," Professor Williams said in a cold voice.
< >< >"What are you going to do about it, Orloff?" Professor Erwin sneered.
< >< >"You aren't like some teachers, Thomas," Professor Gooding said slowly, ignoring Professor Erwin's last comment. "You are one of the best, we know that, and one of the best wizards in the world, but it's just . . ."
< >< >"It's just what?" Professor Erwin snapped angrily. "That I'm mean? That I'm sharp? That I'm strict? That I produce some of the best students ever?" He narrowed his eyes. "Or is it that I'm me?"
< >< >"You aren't you!" Professor Gooding shrieked angrily, jumping up, disgusted and angry. "Look at yourself! Compare yourself to fifteen years ago! You look thirty years older now! You never eat, you are always angry - and forbid, I have no idea why - and - "
< >< >"It's none of your business! I don't care if you're concerned or angry! Don't you realize at all that none of it hits? It bounces off like a balloon!" Professor Erwin shouted fiercely.
< >< >"All balloons come down sometime, Thomas!" Professor Larr yelled back.
< >< >"Shut up, Allan!"
< >< >"Don't tell him to shut up - you shut up," screamed Professor Gooding, pointing a finger at Professor Erwin angrily. "You are a fool and a crackpot, do you hear me, Thomas? You are crazy!" Professor Erwin whipped out his wand and pointed it at his colleagues who leaned back in their chairs and stances, staring in horror and surprise. "I am not about to take much more of this." He glared at Madam Tatooli who had been staying out of the fight, in a corner near the back of the room alone on a rickety old chair. "And if you feel the need to fire me, Madam, by all means, do it, but realize, that won't change anything."
< >< >The other teachers looked back and forth at Madam Tatooli and Professor Erwin, searching for some clue in the matter.
< >< >Madam Tatooli looked away and hugged herself, not daring to even look in the direction of Professor Erwin who spat on the floor angrily.
< >< >"You think that you will get this out of me, but you won't. You know it. It cannot be done. You are the fool, Madam Tatooli, no matter what Samantha or any of them say," Professor Erwin said softly and coldly. "You stop this now, Madam. I will not change my mind on this matter, and you know it."
< >< >"This isn't about the students or us anymore," Professor Williams whispered.
< >< >Professor Erwin glanced at him. "I doubt it ever was, Orloff."
< >< >"Then what was it about?" Madam Tatooli shrieked suddenly, jumping to her feet. "I told Dumbledore that I was not - not - going to blackmail you or force you, but - but - for the sake of yourself, look in the mirror for once, Thomas! You age everyday, you have no friends, you have no life! Except, of course, to terrorize your students. And I agree many of the ones you have taught are some of the best, but you bully them! That's how they learn and that is not righteous teaching!"
< >< >"And what are you doing now, Juane? Terrorizing, threatening, bullying! But you do not have the strength to get through me. I have my shell - no point in denying it, I daresay - and it helps me. It protects me from people like you and Minerva, and Dumbledore! Who all of you seem to think is the knight in shining armor who you must all worship and listen to with the greatest respect or Voldemort will get you. In the real world, you idiots, you must realize that you should not obey his every caprice and go on with your own lives that should not be worshiping him!
< >< >"And you will all stop terrorizing me this instant or I swear - on my dead brother's grave! - that I will kill myself so I will not have to listen to your protests, mockeries, and blackmail!"
< >< >Madam Tatooli and all the other teachers stared in shock (and confusion in everyone's case but the Madam's) at Professor Erwin and Madam Tatooli whispered, "This has gone way too far, Thomas . . . All of it . . . Please stop, now . . "
< >< >Professor Erwin turned on his heel and stormed out of the room and ran to his chambers. He snatched up the beige envelope, ripped it open, and read the letter enclosed in it:
Professor Erwin, Thomas,
< >< >I knew you would not destroy this letter. I know you. Included in this package is exactly what was in the letters you received by owls, that I will bet you probably destroyed. No matter at all, I say, but please, I beg of you, read at least a portion of what is enclosed. It will do you good, perhaps, whatever your decision.
Sincerely yours,
Albus Dumbledore.
< >< >The professor threw the letter to the side angrily and ripped open the rest of the envelope. Papers flew out and Professor Erwin picked them up, reading everything carefully, his eyes widening in surprise.
< >< >It was a timeline, well, in a way. There were detailed to sketchy accounts of what Harry had been through for fourteen years. His birth, his parents' death, a summary of the letter given to the Dursleys - curse them, Professor Erwin thought angrily - to detailed accounts of Harry's encounters with Voldemort, etceteras. To grades, fights, detentions, and so much more, Professor Erwin was overwhelmed.
< >< >He jumped to his feet and flung open the door of his chambers, making it crash against the wall with a large boom that made windows shake and clatter. He hurried out the front door, grabbing his broom on the way out, and mounted his broom on the front step. He flew off as fast as he could, oblivious to the yells and screams from his colleagues and students out windows, the front door, and the grounds, staring after him in shock and confusion and fear.
< >< >The air was deadly cold, but Professor Erwin didn't feel it. All he felt was determination and anger as he flew onward and onward until he had reached his destination.
< >< >Professor Erwin landed on at the front door of the castle on one foot and knocked on the door three times. He looked out at the grounds. The Forbidden Forest was right on the edge of the grounds and he could see two red headed boys being dragged away from it by a giant and smiled a bit, remembering old times.
< >< >The door opened slowly and Professor Erwin slowly turned his head, his eyes looking very evil and piercing, and his black robes flapping slightly in the wind. He would have been considered Voldemort himself, if he hadn't a noble history.
< >< >"Pr - Professor Erwin?" Professor McGonagall faltered, staring at him.
< >< >Professor Erwin nodded, but didn't take his eyes off her, giving her a hard, cold stare back. "I have come to see Professor Dumbledore," he said softly, yet still with the hardness of determination.
< >< >"He is not here at the moment," McGonagall replied crisply, seeming reluctant to let him in the castle. "What did you wish to speak to him about?"
< >< >"Isn't it obvious?"
< >< >"No, it isn't, Thomas. You have many reasons to come here - some of which endanger the students and staff here," McGonagall replied in a cold voice, glaring at him menacingly.
< >< >A girl that had come up behind McGonagall stopped dead to listen.
< >< >"What could my reason be then?"
< >< >"For - Thomas, I have no idea!" McGonagall said sharply. "But stories told - "
< >< >"The stories are nothing like the rumors, Minerva!" Professor Erwin cried shrilly.
< >< >"Thomas, Professor Erwin, I swear to you, when Dumbledore gets back - "
< >< >"Do you really think he wouldn't let me pass? Let me see my brother's boy!"
< >< >"You have not spoken his name in fourteen years, you ingrate!" McGonagall shouted angrily. "Of all the lowest - I thought - "
< >< >"Well, you thought wrong, professor," Professor Erwin snapped.
< >< >Suddenly, a loud group of students came around a corner and stopped at the sight of Professor Erwin and McGonagall. McGonagall turned to them and said sharply, "Get out of here! This is a private conversation. You, too, Ms. Granger. Off with you all, now!" Everyone hurried away, not daring to look back.
< >< >The blood drained from Professor Erwin's face. "Hermione Granger?" he croaked, staring after the girl in amazement.
< >< >"Of course, you know that," McGonagall snapped, turning to him. "Dumbledore sent you those packages, which I personally thought was foolish, because who knew and knows what you'll do."
< >< >"Oh, do shut up, Minerva, and let me pass!"
< >< >"When Dumbledore gets - "
< >< >"Like hell, Minerva! You were the one to bring the news to me of my dead brother's child's fate and now - now - I am not allowed to see him?" Professor Erwin shouted angrily, glaring at McGonagall with malice.
< >< >"You've never seen him!"
< >< >"Liar," Professor Erwin spat. "I saw him when he was born!"
< >< >"Do you think he'll remember you?" McGonagall demanded shrilly. "He doesn't even remember his dead parents and you think he'll remember you? You are a foolish man, Thomas."
< >< >"I have had enough insults today, thank you very much, Minerva, and I don't appreciate any of it." Professor Erwin cut McGonagall off from speaking. "And further more, I never said I thought he'd remember me! I said I had seen him!"
< >< >"Fourteen years ago!" McGonagall cried angrily.
< >< >"Does that matter?" Professor Erwin shouted. "He's my blood!"
< >< >"I don't care if he has the blood of Godric Gryffindor himself in him - I will not let you pass!" McGonagall yelled fiercely.
< >< >Professor Erwin narrowed his eyes angrily until they were slits.
< >< >"What is going on here?" asked a sudden, sharp voice. A man appeared out of the shadows and approached Professor Erwin and McGonagall. When he could see Professor Erwin clearly, his eyes flashed with hatred.
< >< >"Severus Snape," Professor Erwin said coldly, glaring at him.
< >< >"Thomas Erwin," came the reply with a mirror of coldness.
< >< >"Hackled any good students lately?"
< >< >"Thomas," Professor McGonagall warned.
< >< >"Why, yes, in fact," Snape sneered. "His name is - "
< >< >"Severus! Both of you!" McGonagall said angrily, pushing them away from each other. "I have had it with both of you. The fued ends here." She cut Snape off. "Look, Severus, as long as Thomas is here, the fued ends here. I cannot stand here and listen to you compare notes!"
< >< >"Does that mean I can pass finally?" Professor Erwin demanded sharply.
< >< >"When Dumbledore gets back, Thomas!" McGonagall cried. "I must have said it ten times now! What is wrong with you?"
< >< >Professor Erwin narrowed his eyes. "Everything, Minerva." He whipped out his wand and yelled "Petrificus Totalus!" Professor McGonagall's arms snapped to her side and she fell onto the floor. Professor Erwin whirled around to Snape who was reaching for his wand and pointed his own wand in Snape's face. "Ah, ah, Severus. I'll turn you into a toad before you can touch your wand, do you hear me?"
< >< >Snape stared at him in shock, then a smirk grew on his face. "What will the Ministry say?" he sneered, looking suddenly triumphant.
< >< >"If they ever met you, I'd bet they'd say terrific," Professor Erwin replied snidely.
< >< >Snape's smile faded and he began reaching for his wand again.