Don't wait for the sun,

'cause it can turn black any day now.

I lost my head in the clouds,

when will this haze go away?

~American Hi-Fi~

Chapter 13

Tears for the Past Unknown

Hermione did too. The rest of the class, however, seemed oblivious to what we saw.

"Hermione!" I whispered in her ear, "do you see?"

"Yes," she hissed back. "White hair on her robes. It looks like . . ."

"Demiguise hair," we said at the same time.

It was, to the knowing eye, unmistakable. The silver-white hairs caught the light and seemed to fade in and out of sight ever so slightly. Hermione pulled out the scroll she had shown me last night, the one with W.E.T.M.A. plans on top, and then all the information we needed to look into. In her neat handwritten, she quickly scribbled

Professor Victoria Rowbans-

Demiguise hair on robes

Connection?

I turned my attention back to the class, just as Rowbans reached her desk and began to speak.

"Hello," she said in her distinct voice. "My name is Professor Rowbans." Malfoy snorted, but Rowbans continued on as if she hadn't heard. "I have heard that this position is jinxed and I shouldn't unpack too quickly. Well, I would just like to tell whatever demon of hell is controlling this to bring it on." I think my eyes bugged out of my head. Apparently so had most of the class's. Ron had resorted to making a few indistinct spluttering noises.

"Anyone who does not want to be here, well, that's fine by me. I will simply send you to the library and give you a near failing grade for the year. But God help you on the O.W.L.s . . . ."

Crabbe and Goyle seemed to contemplate what she had said.

Rowbans pointed her wand, and a piece of chalk began to scribble across the blackboard behind her. She then turned back to us. "Now, to answer your next question, yes, I am as young as I look. But I have already completed school, and Dumbledore sees it fit that I teach you." Draco had raised his hand.

"Ah, yes Mr. ahhh . . ." Rowbans glanced at her roster, was completely lost, and turned to look at Malfoy. "You there, the one who looks like a Nancy boy." Ron had to literally shove his entire fist into his mouth to keep from laughing. Draco glowered.

"Where did you, ah, get your education . . . Professor?" Draco drawled the last word as if it was poisonous. Malfoy had been acting cockier than ever since Voldemort was reborn, and he seemed to have developed an extraordinarily large bug up his ass.

"At school," replied Rowbans, not fazed

"And which one would that be?" Malfoy asked. Crabbe sniggered behind him.

"The one that I went to," said Rowbans, with no hint of emotion in her voice. She turned back to the chalk, waved her wand for it to stop, and surveyed her work.

"Ah," she sighed. "As you see, this year Dumbledore has instructed me to teach you about possessions. Not the kind that you own, the kind that take over you," she added, seeing a few startled faces. "Now, does anyone know the three most common types of possessions?"

Hermione's hand, as usual, shot into the air.

"Yes, umm . . ." Rowbans tried to find her name on the seating chart.

"Granger, Hermione Granger. The answer is Animal, Spiritual and Magical." She once again sounded as if she had eaten the entire textbook. Ron moaned.

"Right. Well, why didn't anyone copy that down?" asked Rowbans. There was a hurried scramble to pick up quills and parchment.

"Now, " said Rowbans, starting to walk up and down the rows of desks, "Animal possessions are rare, but are self induced. You probably know them as Animagi. Since that is McGonagall's area, I'll leave that to her. Just know that they are self induced, and very few witches and wizards are capable of bringing them about. In my studies, I have only met four Animagi, and I've looked for a long time. Werewolves and vampires are also included in this category, as they can turn into animals . . . ."

***

"Harry!" Ron said, as soon as we were out of earshot of the classroom, "I just learned more in one day than in almost four years put together!"

"Very true," I replied. We were making our way back down to the Great Hall for lunch after Defense Against the Dark Arts. It was true; Rowbans was a fast talker, almost too fast. It was hard to copy down everything she said and still be able to read your handwriting later. And she seemed to know side notes about everything. It was amazing that a 15 year old could know that much. It would have taken me lifetimes to learn it all on my own.

"What does this tell you, Ron?" Hermione asked. Ron was lost. He screwed up his face, trying to think.

"Umm, I should owl home for a Quick-Quotes Quill?" I gave an involuntary shudder. Rita.

Hermione sighed and pushed open the doors to the Great Hall. The voices of hundreds of students broke through. "No Ron. It means that you can't sleep in class like you do in History of Magic!"

"Hey!" shouted Ron, scandalized. "You sleep too!" Hermione seemed not to be listening anymore.

"Speaking of which," I said, "we have History of Magic right after lunch."

*****

That night I was unusually hungry. So, apparently, was Ron. I decided to throw on the cloak and get some food from the kitchens. Halfway down, I noticed a door partly open, and sobs were coming from within. Curiosity got the better of me and I slid inside, still invisible. What I saw shocked me.

It was the Mirror of Erised. Kneeling before it was Rowbans, sobbing. She was tracing the outline of people only she could see into the glass with her fingers. I crept to the side of the room, careful to avoid the glare of the mirror. I really didn't need to see my family right now. When I had crouched behind the glass, I turned to look at my professor.

"Haven't you been taught manners, Potter?" she said, right at me. I was shocked. I twitched the cloak, but I was still covered. "I'm a damsel in distress. Now give me you handkerchief and go away." Numbly, I reached inside my pocket and pulled out my handkerchief. She took it and I walked over to the door. Taking one look back, I saw her blow her nose, and start tracing on the glass again.


AN: Well, perceptive people have probably figured out a key plot element. But can you figure out the ages? *insane cackling* Also, I'm going to Disney World (for the 16th time) and I'll be gone for a week. So no new stories or chapters. Sorry folks. But you can still send me a review *hint hint hint*. Thanks again to my brother-with-the-arm-in-the-cast, Davita10, Ginny :), Ravenlady and a bunch of others. Love Ya alls!

Ginny :) - Making sure I type this right!!!!! I swear, IT WAS A MISTAKE!!! LoL.