AN: Here is a nice long chapter for all of you fans out there! Please, do me a favor? I know that a lot of you don't like to review and that's fine, but if you have a second just write me a message saying, "I am here." It's my strange little way of making sure that at least some people are all right after what happened on the 11th. Now, in our story thus far you have had your first glance at Nid'd Loup, which will come back into play later. Doesn't Miguel have awful timing? Running in just as Remus and Relena were having a romantic moment? Oh well. In this chapter you will finally meet the elusive Anne and the students will receive an official announcement concerning their new class. Also, flying ferret action.
Remus Lupin walked down to the Lesser Hall yawning. He hadn't sleep very well the night before. All he could think about was Relena. He had nearly kissed her! What was he thinking? Had she wanted him to kiss her? No, Relena didn't feel like that for him anymore. And why was she so upset about him reading that article? He should ask Roin next time he saw him. And why hadn't Roin said anything about seeing or working with Relena? And how had Remus gotten himself volunteered to chaperone this dance?
Suddenly, Remus found himself reliving memories. Ones he hadn't thought about for a long time. James going to this same dance with Lily, who had threatened to beat him up if he didn't take her. Peter going with that bratty Cora, and Sirius gong with Molly Bloom, the Ravenclaw beauty queen. Up until about ten minutes before the dance Remus had figured he would be going stag which didn't really bother him all that much. Then Relena walked up to him.
"Remus, who are you taking to the dance?" she asked.
"Oh, me? I'm going alone. Who are you going with?" he had asked, not really wanting to know the answer.
"I'm going with you," she had replied matter-of-factly. For a moment Remus stood there shocked. Relena Potter wanted to go with him? Certainly, James had something to do with this.
"What…what are you talking about? Did James put you up to this?" he stammered. Relena rolled her eyes at him.
"This might surprise you Remus, but I haven't done anything my brother told me to do since we were five. The way I see it, I'm dateless, and you're dateless, so we might as well go together. Okay?"
Remus stared at her for a minute. What was she talking about? Tons of guys had asked her to go with them. Guys in her own year, and if she had really wanted a date she could have just asked Severus, he was her friend after all. Why would she want to go with Remus? He was two years her elder, and she knew he was a werewolf.
"Remus, I need an answer now," she interrupted his thoughts.
"Sure," he said smiling. He took her arm and they left the Gryffindor tower together. Remus remembered that night as being incredibly strange. Dancing with your best friend's fifth year sister could do that to a seventeen-year-old boy. She had danced rather well, and put up with him stepping on her feet a number no smaller than six times. When they had all returned to the Gryffindor common room an even stranger scene took place, one that would change the way Remus looked at Relena forever, even though he hadn't known it at the time.
"Goodnight, Peter," Cora had said and without hesitation kissed him full on the lips before skipping away back to the Slytherin common room.
"I had a great time," Molly had giggled before kissing Sirius in a way that Remus had felt most inappropriate to do in public, and turning to go back to her common room. The rest of the party belonged to Gryffindor, and so entered the common room together. Sirius and Peter both insisted that they were quite tired and rushed up to the boys' dormitories. Lily had kissed James goodnight, and then walked up to the girls' dorms. James was so dazed by Lily's kiss that he didn't even say goodbye before walking up to join Sirius and Peter.
Suddenly, Remus looked around and noticed that he and Relena were alone in the common room. He looked at her with a nervous smile, and she smiled back.
"Remus, thanks for going with me. I know you probably would have had a better time without a date, but I really hope you enjoyed going with me anyway."
"No, Relena, I had a great time," Remus smiled at her again, and her eyes seemed to light up the room.
"Really? Well, thanks again Remus," she said before kissing him on the cheek. "Goodnight, and tell James I'll never let him live down how he and Lily flirted all night," she called cheerfully as she walked back to her dormitory. For a few minutes Remus had stood there with his hand on his check. She had kissed him, and it had been her idea. That night Remus Lupin had gone to bed with a few thoughts of Relena Potter to accompany him.
That day was from another life in Remus' mind. Things had changed a lot since then. James and Lily had died at the hands of Lord Voldemort. Harry had been orphaned, Sirius had been wrongly accused and thrown into Azkaban, and Remus had been given his chance with Relena. A chance that he regretted losing more then anything else that had happened over the years.
Now, Remus had reached the doors of the Lesser Hall. Quietly, he opened one and slipped into the room. It was empty except for three people. Albus Dumbledore, Miguel Darkhunter, and Relena Potter all stood in the room's very center looking at the decorations. Albus looked to be his ever-cheerful self as he waved to Remus.
"Remus, come here!" he called cheerfully. Remus did so with only a moment's hesitation. He looked at Miguel for a moment. He was fidgeting with the collar of his dress robes, which he was obviously not comfortable in. For the first time Remus was drawn to look at Relena. Her hair was pilled high on top of her head with a few thin curls hanging down, leaving her neck bare. She was dressed in silver robes that hung beautifully on her form. She wore a jade pendant around her neck. The pendent he recalled Severus giving to her for her seventeenth birthday, though Remus couldn't be sure. She looked in a word, stunning.
"Good evening Remus," Albus said as though he did notice Remus glance at Relena, "Doesn't this ball room look marvelous? Though I dare say that it cannot hold a candle to Ms. Darkhunter's appearance. Relena you look quiet lovely this evening." Miguel looked at Relena with something like pride showing in his features.
"Thank you, Albus. You're too kind," Relena said blushing. Not knowing why, Remus decided to add a comment of his own.
"Oh, no, Professor Darkhunter. He is not kind enough," Remus said bowing slightly and kissing her hand, which he noticed, was devoid of the bandage she had put on it the day before. "You look magnificent, Relena," he said looking her in the eyes. Relena in return turned scarlet.
"Thank you," she hesitated, "Remus."
"Well, I wonder what is keeping our students from arriving," Albus said before turning to Relena and Remus. He gave both a knowing glance that each assumed was meant for them alone.
Harry stared around the Gryffindor common room nervously. He and Ron were waiting for their dates to the Halloween Ball. It was a great honor to go, considering only fifth years and above were even allowed to attend. Ron had of course asked Hermione. Harry had asked Spridal, who had gone into an instant fit of giggles before answering him yes. For any other teenage boy, having a date would have made him nervous period, but Harry was more concerned with other matters.
Spridal had told them that an official announcement would be made tonight concerning the Combating the Dark Arts class. In his mind Harry had resolved not to take his eyes off of Relena Darkhunter for the entire night. He just knew something was wrong with that witch. He was also worried about Professor Lupin. He had seemed fine when speaking about the Darkhunters' presence in the school before, but Harry wondered if perhaps there was something he wasn't telling them.
"We're ready!" Hermione called from the girls' staircase. The sight of her and Spridal coming down the stairs made both boys mouths drop open. Hermione was wearing dress robes of a pale green that matched her brown eyes and hair perfectly. Spridal on the other hand was wearing deep purple dress robes that accented her black hair and blue eyes in an almost supernatural way.
"So, are we ready to go?" Spridal asked taking Harry's arm.
"Um, uh, yes," Harry stammered, and the four of them walked out of the portrait hole. Belatedly, Harry realized that he hadn't seen Ginny come down the stairs.
Relena looked around the Lesser Hall. If you could even call it that, she thought. It was completely devoid of students for now, but that would change shortly. She looked over at Miguel who looked as uncomfortable as humanly possible in the dress robes she had forced him to wear. It had taken an hour to get him to change into those robes. He had wanted to wear his Hunter gear, claiming, "The students should get to know me as I am".
The room was decorated to mimic the atmosphere of the Halloween feast that the other students were attending in the Great Hall. In the front of the room there sat a great table where the professors who had agreed to chaperone the dance would be sitting. Relena found it odd that there were six seats at the table considering that only five professors had been chosen to attend this dance. Besides herself and Miguel, it was only supposed to be Severus, Remus, and Albus, who had decided that Professor McGonagall could watch the younger children this year.
Quickly, she glanced over at Remus who was talking to Professor Dumbledore. Perhaps Remus had thought she hadn't noticed or perhaps he didn't care, but he hadn't stopped giving her occasional glances and even full stares since he had entered the Lesser Hall. Relena smiled to herself. She knew that glance. He had always stared at her like that when they were going to dances and the like. Well, good let him stare, she thought to herself. Quickly, Relena glanced down at her dress robes and smoothed out a wrinkle in the tight fitting silver fabric. What am I doing? I shouldn't be acting like this, she thought. Damn, Remus! Why does he always make me feel like a fifteen-year-old waiting for her crush to ask her out?
Relena looked up at the clock. It was only 7:30, but Severus still hadn't arrived. What could possibly be keeping him so long? Relena only had to wait a few minutes to discover the answer to her question.
"Really?" she heard a woman's voice laugh as the doors opened. Severus walked through with a young woman with red hair and large green eyes. For a moment Relena had to remind herself that Lily was dead, the woman looked so much like her sister in law. She and Severus had entered the room laughing, but it only took a second for Severus to begin scanning the room for another presence.
When he saw Relena, he turned and whispered something to the woman at his side. Together they walked over to Relena. The red-haired woman reached her before Severus did.
"Hello," she said extending her hand for Relena to take. From far away this woman had looked almost identical to Lily, but when she was standing right in front of Relena her appearance was nothing like that of the deceased Mrs. Potter. She was taller than Lily had ever been, almost as tall as Severus himself and matching Relena's height perfectly. She wasn't thinner than Lily, but she definitely looked more muscular. Her features were much sharper than Lily's had been. Her eyes were not the emerald green that had been Lily's trademark for years. Instead they were more of a pale apple green and seemed to be filled with something other than the cheery expression she wore. There seemed to be something different behind her eyes. Cunning perhaps?
Without hesitation Relena stuck out her own hand to shake the other woman's. When they released each other, Relena could see Severus standing just a step behind the woman. She seemed to examine Relena for a few minutes, before her features suddenly cracked into a smile.
"So, you are the famed Relena Potter that I have heard so much about," she said embracing Relena in a hug. "I'm Anne, Anne Lasope," she said releasing Relena from the hug. Relena couldn't help, but feel angry with Severus for disclosing her greatest secret to this woman. So this was the Anne that Severus was so in love with. Relena had sensed from his first mention of the woman in front of her that he had cared for her more than anything else in the world.
"Oh, so you're the love of my dear Sevie's life?" Relena teased.
"Am I?" Anne said casting a glance at Severus, "from the way he goes on about you, I would assume that you had taken that category."
"You mean Severus and I? That would be like marrying my older brother," Relena laughed.
"So, Ms. Potter," Anne's tone had suddenly gone icy.
"No, I don't go by Potter now," Relena interrupted, "It's Darkhunter."
"Oh, so you've married?"
"No, I'm just a member of the Darkhunter clan, so I like to go by their last name."
"Did you call me, Boss?" Miguel asked appearing at her side.
"No, but Anne this is Miguel Darkhunter, my brother," Relena replied, her voice stumbling at the word brother.
"Good evening, Mr. Darkhunter. I'm sorry to say that I really haven't heard all that much about you," she said, holding out her hand to shake Miguel's. Instead of shaking it, Miguel bowed down to kiss her hand, a gesture that made Relena roll her eyes at him. Anne looked surprised for a minute, but smiled instead.
"Finally, a gentleman," she said, smirking at Severus. "So, Relena, what do you teach?"
"Well, Miguel and I are going to teach Combating Dark the Arts."
"Hmm, I've never heard of that course before. Is it new?" Anne inquired sounding truly interested.
"Yes, it is. We're going to be teaching the students how to sense the presence of and then defend themselves from dark creatures."
"Really? Including dark wizards?"
"Well, of course. I mean they are the biggest threat for young wizards and witches today with Voldemort reappearing and all." Anne looked like she thinking something over for a minute.
"Well, Ms. Darkhunter, I must say that I do agree with you," she said though Relena had the feeling she was hiding something.
"Excuse me," Albus interrupted, "but I do believe that the students are arriving." No sooner had he said that then one of the ghosts at the door called out "MS. SPRIDAL DARKHUNTER AND MR. HARRY POTTER!"
For a moment Relena looked up at the couple in shock. Spridal looked lovely, but it was Harry who caught her eye. He was in every physical way James, except for his eyes. He had Lily's green eyes. He was wearing dress robes of a dark green that made his messy black hair stand out perfectly. A maternal instinct suddenly took hold of Relena. That was Harry! Her Harry! The little boy whose dippers she had helped Lily change. The little boy that made her think about settling down with someone, Sirius at the time. She had to talk to him, had to tell him where she had been, had to yell at him for getting himself into so much trouble over the past years. She wanted to go up to him and hug him, but luckily, Miguel took her arm and gently steered her over to the teachers' table.
Relena didn't take her eyes off of Harry until Miguel pulled out a chair for her to sit in. She accepted in gratefully noting only vaguely that Miguel was sitting to her left and Anne to her right.
Once again Relena looked over at Harry who was now sitting at one of the small circular tables to her left. He was talking with Spridal and a group of other students who had entered. There was one girl with light brown hair. What was her name again? Relena hadn't heard the ghost announce her; she was to busy watching Harry. Well, whoever she was she was talking adamantly about something, while the others just rolled their eyes at her. Sitting next to her there was a boy with flaming red hair, who must have been her boyfriend from the way they keep holding hands. His hair reminded Relena of someone, but who? Could he be Arthur Weasley's youngest son? What was his name again? She had only met Bill and Charlie, but she knew there were others, simply for the fact that Arthur never stopped talking about them.
Also sitting with Harry and his friends there was a small girl with red-hair. That's Ginny! Arthur's little girl! She remembered Ginny. The small girl kept looking adoringly at Harry as if he alone was worthy of her attention. Hmm, kind of like another little girl I used to know, Relena thought casting a glance at Remus who was in a conversation with Miguel.
Sitting next to Ginny was a short little boy who reminded Relena vaguely of Peter Pettigrew. He seemed to be Ginny's date, but obviously was not her boyfriend. Maybe there's hope for those two yet, Relena thought as she looked back at Harry who was now talking with Ginny causing the girl to turn bright red.
There was the sound of someone tapping on glass and Professor Dumbledore stood up. Relena looked around noticing only now that the entire Lesser Hall was filled with students. One Slytherin boy caught Relena's eye. It couldn't be! She looked at the boy for a moment his silvery white hair and gray eyes gave him away almost immediately. Lucius Malfoy's son, what was his name again? She'd have to watch her step around him. If he was anything like his father, that little boy could be her greatest threat while she was at the school.
"Good evening, young ladies and gentlemen," Albus began, and everyone's attention turned to him, "Welcome to the Halloween dance. I hope you enjoy this evening and usually we allow you to do as you please tonight as long as one of the chaperons does not believe that it needs putting stop to, but I have one announcement to make that affects both the sixth and seventh years. You will all be gaining a new class this year, Combating the Dark Arts. This class will work hand in hand with Defense Against the Dark Arts. In it you will learn how to sense and protect yourselves from Dark Creatures. You will also learn more about an organization very rarely mentioned in the wizarding world, but I am getting ahead of myself. You will all learn in good time what this course requires of you. For now I'd like to introduce to you your new teachers for this course, Mr. Miguel Darkhunter and Ms. Relena Darkhunter."
At Albus' words both teachers stood up and received a quite applause from the students. Relena noticed some of the Gryffindors glance quizzically at Spridal, but she also noticed a reaction she hadn't expected. Some of the boys' jaws had practically hit the floor when she had stood up. A few seventh years, probably Slytherins, had even whistled at her. Relena looked at Miguel who had obviously noticed the students' reactions as well and although he was trying very hard to hide it he obviously didn't appreciate their lack of respect toward Relena. Remus on the other hand was fuming. Relena had very rarely seen him this angry. It couldn't be because of the reactions of a few students, could it? He was probably just upset about their lack of respect towards a fellow teacher. Hesitantly, Relena sat down, and let Albus continue.
"I'm sure the professor's both appreciate that…um…. warm welcome. You'll start classes with them Monday out on the Quidditch pitch, but for now let's eat!" Albus waved his hand and suddenly food appeared on the plates of every table. Relena was helping herself to a roll when Anne tapped her on the shoulder.
"Well, Relena, you certainly did make a strong first impression," she commented.
"Yes, I suppose, I did," Relena laughed.
"You'll have to beat some of those boys off with a stick. Though by the looks of you I have no doubt that you could probably do that very easily. I swear boys never grow up. Severus is the first man I ever knew not to drool over me the moment I walked into a room."
"Yes, well those boys will soon learn that I am not to be trifled with. I may not look tough, but I can most definitely take care of myself."
"I don't know if you realized it my dear, Relena, but you do look very though as you put it, but you are also very pretty, a fact that has not escaped many of the students in this school, and has even drawn the attention of one of our dear professors," Anne commented motioning her head to Remus.
"Who? Remus? Oh, no, we're just old school friends, that's all," Relena said feeling suddenly like the other woman had managed to see into her soul.
"Now Relena, don't tell me you haven't noticed."
"Noticed what?" Relena asked innocently, taking a bite of mince pie.
"Well, let me just put it this way. The way Miguel looked when the students started whistling at you, that is how a good friend or even a brother looks when someone offends you. The way Remus looked… I swear Relena if I didn't know how sweet tempered he is, I would have thought he would stand up and curse the whole room just for looking at you."
"I think you're letting your imagination run away with you, Anne," Relena stated.
"Perhaps, I am," Anne agreed though Relena could tell that she didn't really believe that. The rest of the meal went as well as could have been expected. Relena caught Harry staring up at her a few time, though it was obvious that Ginny was holding most of his attention, and Spridal was doing her best to keep him busy when Ginny was not around.
Once everyone had eaten their fill, the plates magically cleared themselves and music began to play. The tables flew to sit on one side of the room so that couples could come out and dance. Relena had not even thought about dancing that evening until Miguel approached her.
"Hey, Professor Darkhunter, would you mind dancing with your brother?" Miguel asked almost nervously.
"Sure, Miguel. Just remember I'm not as good a dancer as Trin," Relena laughed, and Miguel blushed slightly. Quickly, Miguel pulled Relena out onto the dance floor. They swept around students as they dance. They weren't the best dancers in the world, but they had danced so many times together that they new how to step to avoid one another's feet. They had been dancing for only a few minutes when Relena saw one of her future male students staring at her out of the corner of her eye. Relena wondered if perhaps Miguel had seen it as well.
"They shouldn't do that," obviously he had.
"Do what?" Relena questioned as he spun her in a small circle.
"Look at you like that. It's not as if you're a chuck of meat Relena. You're their teacher, and old enough to be any of their mothers. They should show you more respect!" Miguel replied through gritted teeth.
"Ever the best friend aren't you Miguel?" Relena sighed, "You can't stop how their minds work. They're teenage boys. They can look, but if they ever try to pass looking they'll learn that I don't approve of it, and I can do it without your help. Yes, I'm their teacher, but I also want to be their friend, and having my brother beat them up will not help me win any of them over to the right side of the cause."
"Fine, I'll let it go," Miguel sulked, "for now. So what did you think of Professor Snape's date?"
"She seems pretty nice, though I wouldn't be surprised to find she was a Slytherin when she came to school. I think she knows more than she's letting on. Actually, I know she knows more than she's letting on. She knows I'm Relena Potter, Miguel. I don't think she'll say anything more about it, but she could prove to be a problem."
"Don't worry about it Relena. Even if she goes to Voldemort herself to tell him, you're at Hogwarts for the time being and that means that you have Albus Dumbledore's protection." They danced together for a few more minutes in silence, and when the song ended Relena began walking around the room, trying as best she could to make friends with some of the students.
A group of Ravenclaw girls had finally accepted her into a conversation they were having about an upcoming Quidditch match, when a rather slim girl with mousy brown hair pushed her way toward Relena. It was the girl that Harry had rolled his eyes at earlier, but she was alone. Glancing out at the dance floor, Relena saw Harry dancing with Ginny, and the girl's date dancing with Spridal.
"Excuse me, Professor, but could I speak with you," the girl asked shyly, but with a bit of a bossy tone.
"Of course," Relena said before walking with the girl to a deserted corner of the room. For a minute the girl just looked at her as if she wasn't quiet sure what to say to her. Finally, she asked her question.
"Are you Spridal's sister?" she asked. Relena must have given her a strange expression, because the girl shrank back a little. "I'm sorry. I should have introduced myself first. I'm Hermione, Hermione Granger."
"It's very nice to meet you Hermione, and yes, in a way, I am Spridal's sister," Relena released a thankful sigh; at least Spridal wasn't calling her mum anymore.
"Oh, all right. I just wanted to introduce myself before we had our first class, and you seemed to be trying to meet some of the students, unlike your…. um… the other Professor Darkhunter."
"Oh, Miguel. He's my brother."
"Really? Well, that explains a lot."
"Excuse me, Ms. Granger?"
"I mean about the way he looks at you. I was there the night you arrived. He looked nervous, like he wanted to protect you, but was scared you'd hurt him if he did. If you don't mind my asking, Professor, what exactly will you be teaching in your class?" Hermione gulped nervously.
"I'm guessing by the expression on your face that you did not enjoy Professor Trelawney's class." Hermione looked at her with a 'how did you read my mind' glance. "No, Hermione, I can't read minds. I simply thought of how much you reminded me of L… I mean a friend of mine at your age. She didn't like Divination either, neither did I come to think of it." Hermione looked up at the young professor as if she understood her completely.
"I hated Divination. I dropped the class during my third year. Trelawney is awful. She's a total nutter, as Ron would say, I mean she has this obsession with continually predicting one of my friend's death."
"Oh, and which friend would that be?"
"Harry, Harry Potter," Hermione answered shyly. For a moment Relena felt that old anger rising, like on the night she had fought with the vampire. How dare that old bat make assumptions about Harry's death! Clenching her fists Relena tried to calm down so as not to loss face in front of the girl next to her. Something in Hermione's expression changed as if she were suddenly trying to place Relena.
"I don't mean to be rude Professor, but have I met you before, perhaps in the muggle world?"
"No, I don't believe so. I think I'd remember you if I had Hermione."
"You just look very familiar, though I'm not sure how. Are you related to anyone in this school? Besides Spridal I mean," Uh oh, Relena thought, this one's smart. She could be trouble. Relena wasn't any good at lying, and a girl like Hermione Granger would probably see right through her in a minute. If Hermione thought something was up, Relena had no doubt that she would tell Harry.
"Excuse me ladies," a calm male voice asked from behind Relena, "Hermione if you don't mind you can ask Professor Darkhunter whatever questions you want during your first class with her this Monday, but for now I was wondering if Ms. Darkhunter would be so gracious as to speak with me for a moment." Relena still hadn't turned around; something in her spine was tingling. The voice was warm and comforting, but she wasn't sure whom it belonged to. As Hermione nodded her head and left Relena realized who it was. Albus Dumbledore, she internally sighed with relief.
"Oh thank you Albus," she said turning around. Suddenly, hazel eyes caught gold and Relena knew that the man in front of her was not Albus Dumbledore. Her face fell as she looked at Remus. Had he been this way before? His voice so calm, his features so impossibly warm, his soul so visible through his eyes. He couldn't have been. She could never have fought with the man before her. He was to kind, to gentle.
"You're very welcome Relena, but as you can plainly see I am not Albus," Remus said with a halfhearted laugh.
"Yes, I'm sorry Remus. Would you like to dance?" she asked nervously.
"Of course, Relena." Their steps were near perfect as they entered the crowd of giggling and sighing students. The two danced in silence for a while before Relena spoke.
"Thank you again for rescuing me Remus."
"Well, I couldn't let you blow your cover before you even met Harry now could I?" he laughed. He had such a sweet laugh.
"I would not have blown my cover," Relena hissed indignantly.
"Face it Relena you're just no good at lying strait out. You prefer espionage as I recall," Remus laughed again.
"Yes, well, James always blamed that on Severus," she said moving her head to lie on his shoulder.
"I always blamed it on you," he whispered sending a chill down Relena's spine. They danced in silence for a few minutes, and when the song ended Remus lead her back to the head table. Sitting down, they began to talk about their up coming classes until they were interrupted.
"Excuse me, Lupin," a cold voice drawled. Relena looked up at Severus with one of those 'get out of here now!' looks, but he didn't budge. "I need to speak with Relena if you don't mind."
"Of course Severus," Remus said standing up, "Relena I shall see you later. I actually have a request to make of you, but for now I will leave you with Severus since Miguel seems to be trying to attract my attention." Remus left and walked over to Miguel who had actually been trying to get his attention.
"I see you're on good terms with Lupin," Severus said taking Remus' empty chair, "at least you are for now, though knowing you two who knows how long that will last." Relena sent him an evil glance.
"I was actually having a civil conversation with him, the first one in years. So what do you want?"
"Why, Relena, I'm hurt," Severus, said with an uncharacteristic sneer, "I wouldn't have interrupted you if it weren't important."
"I know," Relena sighed, "so what's up?"
"I wanted to tell you that I learned shortly before the dance that Voldemort may have a spy or two running around this place. They're most likely shape shifters, so best be on your guard." At his words Relena sat up a little straighter.
"Revilious," she said a she waved her hand in front of her eyes, and a blue shield that only Relena could see covered her eyes; enhancing her senses. "Thanks Severus. Now I'll be able to see everyone in the rooms true form. Kind of like Mad Eye's eye, but a little more complicated. How did you find out about them being here anyway?"
"I have my ways," Severus answered mysteriously. Relena didn't like the sound of it, but she decided to let it go, for now. "So," Severus interrupted her thoughts, "what did you think of Anne?"
"She seems a lot like you Severus. She's probably nice, but she hides it well. Where did you meet her again?"
"Oh, I met her at one of those magic clubs, you know, the ones you used to go to, to make fun of the muggles."
"Severus, somehow I can't picture you going to one of those."
"Albus asked me to go, so I did. I had a dreadful time."
"Severus, I have to tell you something. Please don't take this the wrong way. Don't ask me why, it's just a feeling I get off of her, but I think maybe Anne is hiding something." Relena stared into Severus' coal black eyes, trying desperately to explain herself to the wizard without words.
"Aren't we all Relena, aren't we all," He replied quietly, and Relena knew exactly what he meant. She wanted to say more to him, but a sudden movement caught her attention.
Harry had been enjoying the dance, much to his own surprise. It had helped that Spridal wasn't forcing him to dance every ten minutes. She had moved among the other boys effortlessly. She had even made Ron look like a good dancer, much to Hermione's distress.
Harry had meant to keep an eye on Professor Darkhunter, but as soon as Ginny had followed them into the room with Neville on her arm, Harry had decided that giving her some attention tonight wouldn't be such a bad idea, since she looked like a goddess. Unfortunately, Harry had given her much more attention then he had originally expected, add to that the fact that Spridal keep asking him to introduce her to every boy in their year, and it equaled very little observation time of Relena and Miguel Darkhunter. Hermione had tried to get some information out of Ms. Darkhunter earlier, but Professor Lupin had needed to talk to her first. The majority of the glances Harry had gotten of the other Professor were her dancing. He had watched as she danced with Miguel who had an obvious scowl on his face, most likely caused by the way Crabb had been staring at Relena. He had also watched her watch with Professor Lupin, and Harry had a strange feeling about the two of them together.
"Harry? Harry?" Spridal called as she waved a hand in front of his face.
"Yeah, Spri," Harry teased. Spridal looked like she was contemplating the nickname before shrugging and dragging Harry over to where the others were already standing.
"Hey, Spridal," Ginny began, "is that Professor Snape talking to your sister?" Quickly, Spridal glanced up to the head table. Harry followed her gaze just in time to see Professor Darkhunter motion across her face with her hand.
"Uh oh," Spridal commented.
"What?" asked a disgusted looking Ron. "Spridal do me a favor and tell your sister that she's much to good to go with Snape. I bet you we could hook her up with Professor Lupin if she wanted."
"Shh, Ron!" Spridal scolded, "Relena just put on a piece of invisible gear. Something's up. I wonder what is could be."
"Well, if it isn't the Gryffindor goofballs," drawled a cold voice. Harry turned around to face Draco Malfoy. "Let's see, who do we have here? I see a Potty, two Weasels, a Mudblood, and a sprite," Draco spat out the last word as if it were some kind of offence. "I guess you've all decided to make up for Granger's lack of magical potency by letting an unnatural little magic freak into your little gang."
"Watch it Malfoy," Spridal warned.
"Hey, sprite, are you related to the Professors up there? I gotta say that the girl's pretty cute, but the guy's uglier than a Red Cap," Draco drawled as Spridal shoot daggers at him with her eyes, "So I guess you're going to be related to Snape soon, eh, sprite? Pity, I would have made your aunt an offer she wouldn't refuse." The entire group got what Draco was implying immediately. Spridal was trying to contain her anger, but Harry was none so good with putting up with Draco's stupidity.
Faster than anyone had dreamed possible both boys pulled out their wands. Draco yelled out a curse, but Harry ducked and it hit Goyle instead. Harry pointed his wand at Draco, and without Harry having to say a word Malfoy was automatically transfigured into a ferret. For a moment Harry looked at Draco's small white body on the ground in shock, but he wasn't given long to let it set in.
"DRACO MALFOY AND HAROLD JAMES POTTER!" Harry heard Professor Darkhunter's voice bellow from across the room. "JUST WHAT ON EARTH DO YOU TWO THINK YOU'RE DOING? YOU CANNOT CURSE EACH OTHER AT A SCHOOL DANCE!" she yelled as both Professors Lupin and Snape followed her across the room. When she finally reached them, Harry was very glad that she was not his sister. He would hate to have her mad at him more than once in a lifetime. Her previously hazel eyes were now glowing an almost blood red color, and next to Harry Spridal's eyes had changed to a quiet green.
"Harry where is Draco?" Professor Lupin said laying a hand on Professor Darkhunter's shoulder in an attempt to calm her down. All he got in response was a glare from Professor Snape.
"I'm not sure, Professor Lupin. He was turned into a ferret and I haven't seen him since," Harry responded though out of the corner of his eye he saw Hermione make a dive for something white on the floor.
"You did what?" Professor Darkhunter asked through gritted teeth.
"I believe, Relena, that Mr. Potter means that he turned Mr. Malfoy into a ferret, and now he can't find him," drawled Snape.
"Wait Professors!" called out Hermione, "I've found Draco." Sure enough there was a white ferret rolling around in Hermione's arms as she approached the teachers. Snape looked menacing, Relena looked exasperated, and Remus looked almost as if he felt sorry for the group.
"Finite Incantatem!" Snape called out. Draco turned back into a boy, though a dizzy and confused one. "Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Goyle go to the hospital wing immediately." Draco shot Harry a smirk as he and Goyle, whose face had turned black and orange, left the room. "For turning another student into a rodent, I think that we should take fifty points from Gryffindor," Snape said glancing at the other Professors. Lupin just stood there watching Darkhunter, but she looked as if she was going to hit Snape over the back of the head.
"I quite agree, Severus," she said putting most of the students in the group into a state of shock and Professor Snape looked satisfied though Professor Lupin looked at her as if he knew she had something up her sleeve, "I also want to award Gryffindor with fifty points since Ms. Granger did find Mr. Malfoy." Snape looked as if he might protest, but Darkhunter sent him a look that made it very clear she would throttle him if he said another word. Then Snape did something amazing. He shut up! Harry couldn't believe it. Professor Snape had never stayed quiet about anything in his entire life, unless he was faced by Professor Dumbledore, but there stood Professor Darkhunter and he stood silent. This is no ordinary witch, Harry thought to himself.
Suddenly, Professor Darkhunter's body went rigid. She looked around the room for a minute before her eyes stopped on a fifth year that Harry had never seen before.
"Miguel! Could you come here for a moment?" Professor Darkhunter called to the other professor across the room. Miguel nodded and approached the group. For a few minutes Harry stood with a feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach. What was she going to do? He looked at Spridal, but she had gone rigid as well.
"Oh no," she mumbled, "Oh no, no, no, no, no!"
"Spridal calm down," Relena ordered in a calm voice.
"What's going on?" Miguel asked as he approached the group. The professors had seemed to become oblivious to the group of five students standing near by.
"Miguel, put on your visor," Relena ordered quietly. Miguel looked at her oddly for a minute before swiping his hand across his face and muttering something Harry didn't quiet hear. "Now," Relena instructed, "look over at the boy in the gray dress robes. You see him? He's the one standing in the corner all alone." Miguel looked over to the boy and his mouth nearly hit the floor.
"How would one of them get in here?" he asked.
"I don't know, but they always travel in groups of three so look for two more," answered the other Professor Darkhunter.
"Would either of you mind telling us what is going on?" asked Professor Snape whose voice was a mixture of annoyance and something Harry couldn't quite place fear perhaps. Professor Lupin stood next to them quietly as if he already knew what they were so interested in.
"Can't you feel it Severus? Shape shifters. They've got to be working for Voldemort. So, what do you want us to do, Relena?" Professor Lupin obviously felt that the Combating the Dark Arts teachers knew what they were up against.
"Well, in a room this size it will be pretty hard to spot the other two in disguise. Our best bet is to take out the one we know about by disabling his powers. That one I spotted is obviously the leader since he's standing off in the corner observing, but not doing. I'll take his magic out then stupefy him. Once that's done the other two will appear as gray putty-looking creatures with a green glow. Try to stupefy them, but if you can't a swift blow to their stomach should have the same results. Each of us should take a corner of the room. Come on lets go." With that all four of the teachers walked to different corners. Harry watched as Professor Darkhunter skillfully walked up to the boy she had pointed out as being a shape shifter. She engaged him in a conversation, and as soon as he appeared to be distracted she pulled her wand on him. Harry couldn't hear her stun him, but he knew that she had when the shape shifter hit the floor with a tremendous thud.
Suddenly, the entire hall erupted into chaos as the other two shape shifters appeared. One had been dancing with the Ravenclaw seeker, Cho Chang. She screamed and nearly passed out, but Professor Lupin who had been standing in the corner nearest Cho, pulled out his wand and stunned the creature, which also fell to the floor with a thud.
Now, there was only one left. Harry didn't see it and from the looks on the faces of the Professor's neither did they. Suddenly, Anne Lasope, a friend of Professor Snape's, who had known Harry since he was a little boy cried out.
"HARRY BEHIND YOU!" she yelled. Harry turned just in time to duck a gray fist that was flying towards him. Harry ducked down so that his fists were right next to the creature's stomach. Suddenly, he remembered what Professor Darkhunter had said, and he threw his fist out to jab the creature in the stomach. Immediately, it fell to the floor with a third and final thud. Harry stood over the creature's body stunned until Miguel Darkhunter walked over to him.
"You did a good job, Potter," he said as he put his hand on Harry's shoulder, something in the Professor's eyes reminded him of Hagrid, but Harry didn't say anything. Miguel picked up the body of the third shape shifter and threw it over his shoulder, upon which he was already carrying the other two.
"Well," Professor Dumbledore said still smiling, "that was little bit of fun now wasn't it? I think that we definitely have chosen the right Professors in the Darkhunters. They handled that situation marvelously, but it is nearing midnight, and since there is a Quidditch game tomorrow I think it would be best for all of you to rejoin your houses for bed. Let me see. Professor Snape please take the Slytherins back to their common room. Professor Lupin if you wouldn't mind making sure the Hufflepuffs get back to their dormitories. Miguel please escort the Ravenclaws, and Relena that leaves you to take the Gryffindors back. All of you please meet in my office once you are finished. Thank you."
Quietly, all of the groups left for the common rooms. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Spridal all hung to the back of the group so that they could talk.
"What were those things?" Hermione asked nervously. Ron put his arm around her shoulders in an attempt to comfort her.
"Shape shifters," mumbled Spridal.
"What?" Hermione asked nervously though she had calmed down considerably.
"They can change their forms to look like whatever they want to or who ever they want to, whenever they want to. I've only meet up with them twice including tonight.
They scare the bejezzas out of me, but Harry you were wonderful. You hit him just in the right spot. You aren't going to have any trouble in Relena and Miguel's class."
"Ah, it was nothing," Harry said humbly.
"I have to disagree with you Mr. Potter," said an older female voice from behind the students. The four of them stopped, and turned to face a beaming Professor Darkhunter. Her mood had changed entirely from the anger she had shown to them earlier. She was looking down at them almost fondly. "That was amazing," she smiled, "Now don't get me wrong, I don't approve of you eavesdropping on my conversation, but at least you put the knowledge to good use."
"Thank you, Professor Darkhunter," Harry mumbled.
"Let's just hope that you do as well in class, and I just thought I should let you know that I'm going to be awarding another fifty points to Gryffindor for your defeat of that creature. I didn't want to say anything while Severus was there, so please, don't mention this to him."
"It's not like he can accuse you of favoritism," snorted Ron.
"Hmm," Relena repressed a laugh, "I suppose you're right Mr.?"
"He's Weasley, Ron Weasley," Spridal replied cheerfully.
"Ahh, I take it that you are Arthur's youngest son, which would make the younger girl I saw you with earlier your sister, Ginny."
"Yeah, Relena, Harry's got a crush on her," Spridal giggled.
"I do not!" Relena had to smile at Harry's reaction.
"All right so it's Spridal, Ron, Hermione, and Harry? Well I must say that I haven't seen a stranger group since the Marauders patrolled these halls." Relena laughed almost nervously in Harry's opinion. "When we're outside of class I wouldn't mind you calling me Relena since I can't seem to break Spridal of the habit."
"Thank you, Professor," they all said in unison.
"Well, it seems we've reached your common room. Good night all," the professor said. Ron stepped through the portrait first, and Hermione and Spridal followed him. "Harry?" Professor Darkhunter called as the boy was about to step through the portrait.
"Yes, Professor?"
"You and Ron play for your house team do you not?"
"Yes, we do."
"Good. I've managed to talk Minerva into letting me sit up in the commentators box tomorrow in her place. It should get interesting," she smiled a smile that reminded Harry a bit of Sirius, "Now off to bed with you. Goodnight, Harry."
"Goodnight, Relena," Harry said stepping through the portal. For a moment he mused to himself why the Professor seemed so willing to be nice to him, and what exactly did she know about the Marauders. As Harry approached the boys' staircase he could swear he heard the Fat Lady calling him, but he was tired so he decided it must be his imagination before going to bed.
I hate that old bag, Relena thought as she approached Albus' office. The Fat Lady in the portrait that guarded Gryffindor tower had almost blown her cover completely. After Harry had disappeared and the portrait shut again, the Fat Lady had began yelling out how much she had missed Relena Potter, and did her nephew know that she was here, and how was Remus these days. That portrait was not only annoying! She was stupid! She saw more of Remus then Relena did, so shouldn't she know how he was doing. When she started calling for Harry to come down and see his aunt that really bit it! If Relena had a knife she would have slashed that painting to ribbons, but she didn't so she had settled for a hasty goodbye.
"Dungbombs!" Relena called out as she reached the gargoyle statue that block Albus' office door. Apparently, the statue could sense what a bad mood she was in, because faster than lightning, it jumped off it's base and pushed it to the side. Relena had in turn marched up the stairs angrily, knowing that she would be the last person to get there, and she hated being the last person to get anywhere.
"We've been waiting for you Ms. Darkhunter," Albus said as she opened his office door. "We had wondered what you were up to."
"That stupid Fat Lady saw me! Really Albus will you ever replace that painting! The moment she closed behind the students all I got to hear was how I hadn't visited her in such a long time, and why on earth wasn't I married and settled down yet."
"Relena married?" Severus snorted. "That's a laugh," he mumbled under his breath just loud enough for Relena to hear.
"You'd think she would have stopped there, but no! She starts asking me if Harry knows his aunt is here, and when I said that he did not, she says 'Well, I'll soon put an end to that!'. Do you know what she did? She started calling him. Telling him to come down and see his aunt! I had to run like the wind just to get away from there before Harry decided to actually come down. That's the second time I've almost blown my cover tonight! I think I've set a new personal record," Relena sighed, exasperated, and flopped into a chair. For a moment everyone stood quietly waiting for her to give them some sign she was done with her ranting. When she didn't begin again, Albus continued.
"So, Relena, Miguel, what are we up against?" he asked sitting in his chair. He began to rub at the bridge of his nose, causing him to look like a man who wanted to say 'I'm getting to old for this.'
"Well, they were definitely shape shifters," Miguel sighed, "That means You-Know-Who is involved."
"His name is Voldemort, Miguel," Relena sighed. Usually, Miguel didn't have a problem saying the Dark Lord's name, but it was always after encounters like these that the old fear would rise up in him again.
"All right, yeah, him. I just don't understand who would have brought them into the castle. It doesn't make any sense."
"Perhaps, they weren't brought into the castle," Relena sighed.
"What do you mean?" asked Remus as he handed her a cup of tea.
"Thank you, Remus," she said accepting the cup, "I mean that shape shifters can change form, so they could have come on the Hogwarts Express by passing themselves off as children. Plus, those weren't natural shape shifters."
"What?" Severus asked in a state of shock.
"They weren't natural shape shifters," she replied slowly. For a minute Relena looked around the room. Who was missing? "Severus, where is Anne?"
"She had to leave, why?"
"No reason, back to the subject at hand. Those things, whatever they're going to call themselves, were wizards. I could tell because all of their human forms were identical. They were wizards who had some how figured out how to steal shifter salt." The entire room looked at her perplexed. "It's hard to explain. Remus you could probably do better then I would."
"Well, think of it like this," the werewolf explained, "all living creatures are made up of different substances. Shifter salt is a substance in a shape shifter that allows them to change shape. It regulates the form of their body, hence they're real body structure is unknown to almost anyone. The only way to acquire shifter salt is by taking it directly from the shape shifter's blood."
"Well, that doesn't seem so hard," Miguel replied, "All you would have to do would be slit their throat and…"
"No, Miguel, if the shifter salt is exposed to air it automatically losses all it's potency. It wouldn't work."
"What about using one of those muggle blood transfusions?" Albus suggested.
"Still wouldn't work, Albus," Remus replied, "It would take to long. The shape shifter wouldn't hold still as soon as it realized what was going on."
"And why does that matter?" Severus drawled.
"Shifter salt can only be used if it is taken from a shape shifter as they are dying, not before and not after. In other words blood loss would have to be the cause of death. If it's exposed to air it can't be used, and it has to… stay at…oh shit…. It has to stay at body temperature."
"Relena, do you know what they're using?"
"Yes, Miguel and so do you. Think about it." Miguel sat there for a minute looking vaguely confused then suddenly the idea flashed into his mind.
"You don't mean?"
"Yes."
"Well, don't keep us in suspense. What is it?" Severus asked.
"Vampires," the Darkhunters replied in unison.
"What?" asked Severus, who was still confused.
"I've only seen it done once. Vampires have this thing they call Gift. It enables them to transfer the nutrients form whatever they've just drank into the body of a human being without biting them or otherwise causing them to become a member of the undead. What happens is they drink the blood of whatever creature they want, then if they come across a person who needs that power for some reason or another, they well, kind of kiss them, and they regurgitate the blood into the other person's mouth. It's the only way I can think they would have done it." As Relena said this, the entire group except for her and Miguel looked disgusted.
"So, that means that good old, Moldiemort, has some vamps of his own?" Miguel replied quietly.
"Yes," Relena returned.
"Well," Albus sighed, "I guess we'll just have to make sure all of the vampires wards around the school are up. Relena your friend Robert won't be able to get back in though. Do you mind?"
"Should I?" Relena asked, "He's a royal pain in the arse, plus if he needs to get in bad enough he'll figure out a way."
"All right then well, I suggest we all get a good night's rest and deal more with this in the morning. Good night all," Albus said. The group shuffled out of his office. Severus bid them good night and walked down to his dungeon. Miguel mumbled something about needing to make stakes before running down the hall, leaving Relena and Remus alone. They walked back to their rooms in silence, neither willing to break the peaceful calm that they both felt in each other's presence.
"Well, here's my room," Relena said upon reaching her door, "Good night Remus," she said kissing him on the check. "Thank you for looking out for Harry while I wasn't around.'
"You're the best godmother that he could ask for, Relena. He's a lot like James, you two are going to act more like brother and sister then aunt and nephew. Good night," he said, but he never removed his hand from his check where she had kissed him. Relena smiled to herself as she watched him walk down the hall. When she realized that she was beginning to think more about his anatomy than how sweet he was, she quickly entered her room. Throwing her heavy leather book onto her bed she sat down, and pulled out one of her "projects". Maybe, just maybe she could pull this one off, but she would need help from both Severus and Remus.
AN: What did you think? Of Anne? Of Remus and Relena? Of anybody? Next chapter: Quidditch Quarrels.
Avalonians:
Kari: Thank you so much for all of your great reviews and the questions you e-mailed me about. I know I've probably already thanked you, but just in case. Thank You!