Okay, you know the disclaimer.
Some times it hurts" 'Dear Uutte,
I will never regret what happened to your father, the lowlife, and selfish little git. He got what was coming to him, a humiliating downfall from a baby child that was me. The idiot was stupid enough to go after me when my mother loved me so much. Is that why you transferred here to Hogwarts? Because your mother thought you were too ugly and too revolting to be anywhere near her? That's probably it isn't it? Am I right? Of course I am. Uutte, you are a disgrace to all the dark wizards out there, you and your father because you cannot lay a hand me and you know that! I am so safe from you, you father had how many chances to kill me and every time he was stupid enough to fail. Are you like that too? Like father like daughter. Good luck you nasty little whore.
H. P.'
"Not bad Harry Potter. All we need is a good enough reason to send-"
Ron ran into the room. "I saw her and Malfoy talking about when they were going to attack Harry!"
Degas looked at him. "Are you sure?"
"I am. I was under the invisibility cloak so teachers wouldn't stop me and I nearly ran into them outside the potions classroom. Snape was standing next to them, he was talking to them but he wasn't stopping them from talking about it! I think he is in on it! But I know that they couldn't see me! And they were talking about when they should attack Harry! I heard it as clear as my mother!"
Degas pulled off her cloak; she was wearing the same thing that she wore when she first arrived at Hogwarts. She pulled on her gloves and ran a hand through her hair. "All right, we might have to step this up a notch. Remus!"
"Yes?"
"Are you ready to teach them? We have nearly everything, the hiding places and the gags. Sirius, you talked to Dumbledore?"
Sirius nodded. "I did and he agreed for me to take them. I take them in the middle of the night on Friday so no one suspects anything out of the ordinary, at least not until Monday."
Degas nodded. "Ready Lupin?"
"I am."
"Okay, you three gather round. There are some ground rules you have to hear before I give any of you my blood. First off is that you will not be full blooded morphs which means you will be limited to how many animals you can transform into. Four to be exact. One will be your identity form, I already told you what that is. The other three will be whatever you think will help you in this battle and in life. Next, with not being full blooded you will not have the power to do to others what I am about to do to you and third: you have to find a large leather bound, ancient looking, and you have to bring this to me as soon as you get it so I can jinx it. You will need this book to keep in touch with the boys and I and yourselves. You will be able to write in this book and everyone else who has a book like it will be able to read it. There are ways you can send secret messages you have to draw a circle write at the top who the message is for and write your message. But you are only allowed twenty secret messages a year. We will be brothers and sisters and we are not supposed to be writing secret messages to each other. So with these rules are you ready to take the blood that will bind you forever to Jak, Binx, Galileo and me?"
The three looked amongst themselves and looked back at Degas. They all nodded and she smiled.
"Good." She took Harry into her arms. "Have you ever read a vampire book? Anne Rice was the told the truth of how vampires really work. Those vampires are amazing. This will hurt for a second. But don't worry, you'll feel better when I give your blood back to you." with that Degas opened her mouth a little wider, her fangs had extended and slowly punctured into Harry's jugular vein. Harry struggled for a long moment. Sirius looked like he was ready to attack Degas but he held himself back.
Degas was gulping down Harry's blood in large gulps. The blood was hot in her mouth but hotter as it traveled down her throat. She stopped and looked at Harry. He had passed into a light sleep. She watched him for a long time, letting the blood of Harry mix with her blood. A minute later she kissed his lips, forcing them apart and feeding him his own blood back into him. When she was done she mutter a chant in a foreign language and placed him on a table. She sat down for a moment to regain her strength. She closed her eyes and feel into a small slumber.
A snowy owl flew in and transformed into Galileo. He looked around and shook his head. "You did not consult us in this matter Degas."
Degas woke up and nodded. "I know, but I had to do this Galileo. You know I did."
"The others, have you told the others?" Galileo looked at Harry who was just now waking up. "They are on their way."
Degas helped Harry to his feet. "I know that Galileo, but I had to do it for this boys sake of life."
"And the other two? Do not say that you had no intention to make them like us, I know you do."
Degas opened her arms and Ron went to her. She wrapped her arms around him to prevent struggle that would hurt him. "Galileo, I made a promise to Lily and these two young souls are Harry's best friend and maybe his best chance to live."
"But you couldn't possibly know that. You are not a…" he stopped. The look in Degas's eyes scared him. "My God… you are. Why didn't you ever tell us?"
"I knew I should've told you, but," she let go of Ron. "I was so afraid that you and the others would leave. After you left anyway I felt that there as no use in telling any of you. We barely saw one another. My life was fading away so quickly; it was like I was sinking deeper into a void."
"When did this happen?"
She looked at her heavily scarred wrist. "Why I slit my wrists, locked the iron chain and ball around my ankles and threw myself off the cliff and into the ocean. I had hit the bottom; I could feel nearly all the blood had left me when I fell into a trance-like state. In this state I saw the killers silhouette. He said
" 'You think I would make it that easy for you? You cannot die Oso, I made sure of that. But since you try harder then the guys I'll only make things worse for you.'
"When I awoke I was on dry land, my wrists were scarred but nothing else happened. I walked around for days and days and then discovered that I had the power. I could see the future, but only in fragments. And it wasn't the far future, it was only little things you know?"
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"You three already seemed a little pissed that I had tried to kill myself and it had only been a few years. Then you guys left, and what was the point?" she turned to Ron. "Are you ready?"
"Will I get that power too?"
"No," Galileo said. "No one gets that power anymore. It is a curse that only that person has. Transferring blood does not allow you to have that curse."
Ron walked steadily into her embrace and she repeated the transfer.
Ron woke up minutes later a little more then groggy. He walked next to Harry and Lupin and watched as Degas opened her arms to Hermione. The last three guys few in as owls and transformed.
Galileo stopped them and shook his head.
Degas wrapped her arms around Hermione who was tense. "Are you afraid?" Degas asked softly in Hermione's ear.
Hermione shook her head. "I am only afraid to tell you something." She whispered back.
"And what is that?"
Hermione quivered. "Maybe it is a petty little thing, but I think I love you."
Galileo, who had over heard this, nearly choked and coughed and left the room.
Degas watched him and looked back at Hermione. "Do you really?"
"I think so."
"Well, you hang on to that thought and when this is all over, you tell me what you think then. Is that all right?"
Hermione nodded.
"All right then." Degas barred her fangs and began the process. She let the blood mix and before she gave it back she looked at Hermione closely. "A gift," she whispered so only Hermione could hear it in her half sleep. "Be safe in this battle." Degas genteelly kissed Hermione, surprisingly Hermione kissed back. Degas smiled and gave Hermione her blood back. She set her on the desk and left the room.
"It's up to you Lupin." Binx nodded as the rest of the original Morphs left to follow Degas.
Degas walked down to the lake and sat down. "Accio shoulder bag." The leather shoulder bag with her belongings flew into her hands. She dug around in it and removed a CD player that had been enchanted so it could run without batteries and in any location of the world. She inserted a CD and put the earphones in. the guys hung back and argued amongst themselves for a long time.
Near sunset Remus, Sirius and the new morphs walked out to the lake. Hermione looked over at Degas who was nodded her head with the music. She stopped with the others and was now talking the guys.
"Okay, we have agreed that we will acknowledge you as brothers and sister." Jak said.
"Yes, Degas failed to consult with us about making you three morphs and that was just wrong. But, after discussing everything with Galileo and ourselves we have decided that it will be in the best interest of you three if we were there if ever you needed help." Binx smiled.
"And to prove our loyalty to our new siblings we grant you the ability to transform into any animal as we can." Galileo said joyfully.
"But, for strictly one year you can only transform into four animals. Sorry, but that is the way it has to work out." Jak shrugged and frowned. He looked over at Degas and sighed. "Oh no, you guys she's listening to that song again."
The other two looked over at her and moaned. "Maybe we should get rid of that CD." Galileo sighed. "She is still hurting from everything."
"She really should stop dwelling on the past." Binx growled. "It is done, it is over."
"Not when you are immortal." Galileo sighed. "I know the pain she is feeling for a lost love."
"But we have all lost lovers. They all eventually die."
"But none of ours were murdered." Galileo said and the other nodded.
"What song is she listening too?" Hermione asked. She looks so sad. Hermione thought. I wish I could hold her, but I am so younger then her, how could I help her?
You could help her Hermione. Degas is a lost soul any love would help her. The fact that you told her that you might love her made her happy, but it also made her remember everything that she has lost. And that is why she listens to the song.
Hermione looked at Galileo and he nodded at her.
"The song is called 'Sometimes it Hurts' it is my a muggle group called Stabbing Westward. The lyrics are quite sad." Galileo handed then a scroll. They opened it and read the lyrics.
Six o'clock in the morning
My head is ready to explode
I can't believe I made it home alive
I don't remember where I went
Or what I was drinking
And now it's made me sick
And I'm not denying
That I get this way
When I try to get over you
I get this way
When I try to get over you
Sometimes it hurts
So much to lose the one you love
Sometimes it hurts
So much to lose the one you love
I tried so hard to hate you
But it only makes things worse
I only end up hating myself
And as my hatred grows
So do the lies
It's hard to face the truth sometimes
God I feel so useless
God I hate myself
When I try to get over you
I hate myself
Will I ever get over you
Sometimes it hurts
So much to lose the one you love
Sometimes it hurts
So much to lose the one you love
And after all this time you'd think I'd understand the way you feel
But no
I only think about myself
And it's driving you away
I always knew it would one day
Sometimes it hurts
So much to lose the one you love
Sometimes it hurts
So much to lose the one you love
Sometimes it hurts
So much to lose the one you love
Sometimes it hurts
So much to lose the one you love
Hermione looked out at Degas who was mouthing the words. She frowned and turned away.
Jak turned his back on Degas. "So Lupin, how much have to taught them?"
Lupin looked up at them. "How to control the transforming. It might take a little while before they get the entire swing of things."
Binx looked at the three students. "What are your identities?"
"I am a silver stag." Harry said.
Sirius smiled. "Just like his father."
Ron grinned widely. "I'm a fox."
"That's cool." Binx grinned. "A fox."
They looked at Hermione but she was watching Degas.
"Hermione? What are you?" Jak asked.
"Oh," she looked back at them. "I am a cheetah. But instead of being yellow with black spots I am black with white thing white stripes."
Galileo, Jak and Binx starred at each other and pulled away and started to mummers amongst themselves again. They finally pulled apart from each other and walked over to Degas. They pulled her to her feet and talked to her. Her eyes widened as they told her what Hermione's identity was. Degas looked over at Hermione and nodded and walked toward her.
"Are you a black and white cheetah?" Degas asked.
Hermione nodded. "I am."
The older Morphs erupted into argument in a foreign tongue again Degas joined them this time. They constantly looked at Hermione and the others and shook their heads.
"No!" Degas shouted finally after five
minutes of arguing with the others. "I will not accept that!"
"But it is the truth Degas,"
Galileo shouted. "AND YOU DAMN WELL KNOW THAT!"
Degas shook her head, waved her hands in front of her and walked over to Hermione. She grabbed her hand and pulled her away. "Come here." Degas pulled her behind some trees.
"What's happening?" Lupin asked.
Binx turned to him. "There is this prophecy in the Morph tribe, this person, well, this person is said to be the destruction of the earth. Mortal and immortals alike are venerable to this person, they'll kill the killable and torture the immortals for all time."
"What does this have to do with Hermione?" Sirius asked.
Jak frowned. "We think that she might be it."
"Turn around Hermione," Degas said. "Pull your robe off and lift your shirt."
"What is this about Degas?"
"Just do it, quickly."
Hermione nodded and did as she as told.
"Shit." Degas muttered.
"What?"
Degas touched Hermione's back with her cold hands, Hermione gasped. Degas traced a mark on Hermione's back and sighed. "Shit, why wasn't I smart enough to check you three before I made you?" Degas fell back against a tree.
"What is it?" Hermione pulled her shirt down and her robe back on. "Is there something wrong with me?"
Degas got up and walked back to the others. "She has the mark, cross with a crescent moon in the middle."
"Yeah, I was born with that." Hermione said.
Galileo looked at Degas and pulled her aside. "You know what it says. That if the person has a true love then they can be a good person that they will not be the destructive being that the prophecy said. She said that she thinks she loves you, what about you?"
Degas looked at Hermione. "I have feelings for her, I want to protect her. If that is how you define love, then yes, I love her."
Galileo nodded. "We have to inform Binx and Jak."
"Do it, but do not tell our younger siblings."
Galileo nodded and called Binx and Jak over. Degas looked at Hermione and smiled.
"Everything will be fine," Jak announced cheerfully.
Degas looked over at Hermione and smiled.
"We have to teach these kids how to transform without getting stuck in the middle and how to talk to each other with their new powers." Galileo said.
"Stuck?" Ron asked.
"Powers?" Harry smiled.
"ESP, you can talk to us with the power of your mind. Binx will teach you that, he's a great teacher and Jak will teach you to transform smoothly."
"And you?" Hermione asked looking at Galileo now.
"I'm going to supervise."
"And Degas?" Harry asked.
Degas stretched and yawned. "I am going to talk to Lupin and Sirius."
Hermione frowned but smiled when Degas winked at her.
I need to talk to you as soon as possible after everyone goes to sleep tonight all right?
Hermione nodded and watched Jak.
"Sirius, are you and Remus still in love?"
The two looked at each other. "Is it that obvious?"
"Sort of." Degas shrugged. "Look, Hermione is the person that we fear from the prophecy but there is something that can stop it."
"What's that?" Remus asked.
"True love." Degas answered.
"But she isn't dating anyone at Hogwarts." Remus shook his head.
"I know," Degas said. "Before I began the transfer she told me that she might love me, and I have to admit that I might love her back, but I didn't tell her that. Do you think it would be bad if I did love her? I mean, I over a century old."
Sirius smiled. "Love known no age."
Remus nodded. "Who all knows about this?"
"Out of this group everyone except Harry and Ron. And they can't know. I don't want to subject Hermione to humiliation at school. I'll tell her that I love her after this over."
Sirius nodded and Degas walked off. She watched the younger ones get the transforming down smoothly and learn to transform into three other animals. Harry chose a hawk, a wolf and a mouse. Ron picked a small breed of dragon, a mouse and a bear. Hermione chose a mouse, a panther- at which the older people all looked at Degas- and a Pegasus.
It was nearly two in the morning when Hermione walked into Degas's room.
"You wanted to talk to me?"
Degas was lying on her bed looking at the ceiling, which she had enchanted to look like the nighttime sky. Degas looked over at her, a fake moon illuminated her face. "Come here."
Hermione stood beside the bed.
"You can sit or lie down if you want too."
Hermione sat next to Degas and looked at her. "Yes?"
"Why did you say you think you love me?"
"Why did you kiss me?"
Degas smiled. "I don't know how people define love, I've only loved a few people over the past century. But I feel connected to you, I want to protect you from everything and I never want to see you in pain. If that is how you define love, then," Degas looked back at the stars. "Then I love you."
Hermione lay next to her and placed her head on Degas's shoulder. "I love you too."
"Isn't that so sweet." An eerie voice echoed through the room. Degas jumped up and looked around.
"Didn't you learn your lesson when I killed Terry?" Uutte appeared at the door wielding a dagger. She shook her head and threw it at Hermione.