Chapter 6
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Disclaimers: Harry Potter, its characters, spells, etc, is not mine. But the plot of this fic is.
Hehe^^
Author's note: this is my first Harry Potter fic so please inform me if there are any minor or major mistakes within it. R&r's are greatly appreciated. Oh and this will be a slash fic eventually. So anyone who can't handle Draco and Harry together, don't flame me, just leave
To those who will flame me to criticize some grammatical mistakes or something of that nature, then those flames are as welcome as reviews are.
Reviews are greatly appreciated ^^, they give me the confidence to continue what I started.
And, they will get together eventually, I just thought that it would be better if they both started out as friends first then eventually turn into lovers, hehe^^.
Oh and if some parts aren't clear, they will be cleared in the next chapters Don't worry ^^
The two potions Cryptiol and Finity and the creatures TRYST, YEORL and TAILIT are of my making, I have no idea how I came up with those
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
^ ^= telepathy
' '= thoughts
( ) = author's notes in the fic
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
DEFENSE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
After Harry separated from Ron and Hermione, he immediately made his way to the third floor corridor. And, after making sure that no one was there to see him go into the "secret" room, he touched the wall.
The wall revealed a small passageway and Harry immediately made his way inside the familiar room.
Draco was already seated on the couch, waiting for him.
"Draco?"
"About time you arrived," said the other boy, leaning down on the couch and pouting at Harry.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked, setting his things down on the table beside the couch and sitting down beside his friend.
Draco was still pouting as he replied, "I tried both potions, you only took one."
Harry laughed good-naturedly, "You're getting upset because of that?"
Draco nodded, still pouting. "And it's not funny, it's so unfair."
Harry shook his head. Draco is a good friend and a good person. He has a good heart and the purest of intentions. But sometimes, being the only child in a very, very rich wizarding family could also have a bad effect on any good person. "Alright, alright. I'll try that potion of yours, just to take that pout off your face."
Draco's face brightened immediately. "Really?"
"Really. Now give it to me so that we can get this over with as soon as possible."
Draco reached into his robe and pulled out a vial of his potion. He handed it to Harry immediately.
Harry shook his head again. Draco could be so childlike sometimes. He could get giddy and excited so quickly and yet, he could get upset over the most trivial of things. He took the vial from Draco and downed the sweet- tasting potion.
And within a few seconds Harry could see, more than he could feel, the changes taking place in his body. And, upon feeling the changes, he closed his eyes, fearing the worse. He could look terrible as a girl and he didn't want to see that.
After a few more minutes of waiting, Harry finally found his voice to ask, "Is it finished?"
"Yes. You can open your eyes now."
"Can you tell me how I look like first?" Harry asked, still afraid to open his eyes.
Draco thought for a while, then said, "Perfect."
Harry opened his eyes and met Draco's. "Perfect?" he repeated, not believing what he had heard from his friend.
Draco nodded, reaching out to hold a few strands of Harry's long locks. "It's the most appropriate word." He looked at Harry's eyes again and smiled. "Go take a look at yourself," he said, cocking his head to the mirror in the living room.
Harry stood up from the couch and made his way to the mirror. And what he saw almost made his heart stop. With Draco, it had been different. After the potion took effect, Draco did become more feminine. But it was still Draco, just with the long silken hair and the feminine curves.
But with Harry, he became totally different. His emerald eyes became somewhat larger and more expressive. His hair, which used to be such a mess, was now long and wavy. It wasn't as long as Draco's had been, but it reached past his shoulders. His height, too, had been reduced.
It just felt so...different.
When Harry got over his shock, he made his way back to the couch. "What are you staring at Draco?"
"Nothing. It's just that, your eyes look enchanting when you're a girl. I mean, I barely even noticed them before."
"It's because they became more expressive Draco," Harry replied. "I think the potion turned me into a different person, rather than just change my gender."
"It only shows what you would look like if you were born as a girl," Draco corrected.
"Can you turn me back now?" Harry asked. "I think I've had enough of being a girl. It feels so different."
Draco immediately complied and went to his room.
A few silent minutes later, a shrill scream erupted from Draco's room.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Prof. Dumbledore looked up from his paperwork as two students Apparated into his room. One of them, he could barely recognize.
He smiled at Harry and Draco and gestured to the seats in front of his desk. Both boys sat down, Harry rather grumpily and Draco rather sheepishly.
"What brings you here boys?" the headmaster asked, though he could already guess the reason why both boys were there.
Harry didn't answer, just crossed his arms grumpily. So Draco answered the headmaster's question. "Prof. Dumbledore, Prof. Snape gave us an assignment two days ago."
The headmaster nodded patiently and Draco continued. "I made the Finity potion while Harry made the Cryptiol potion. Before we submitted out potions, we tried them out. Harry tried his and I tried mine. Both were successful so we submitted them at once. In class, Prof. Snape gave me the freedom to choose whoever I wanted to test my potion on. I asked Harry through telepathy if he wanted to try my potion out. He refused so I chose Neville Longbottom instead. But when it was Harry's turn to try out his potion, Prof. Snape chose me to try it out."
"It worked, didn't it?"
"Yes professor."
"Did he humiliate you?"
"Not too much sir. But after the class, I thought that it was kind of unfair. Because I tried out two potions while Harry only tried his. But Harry complied with me and took the Finity potion."
"So, what is the problem?"
Draco glanced at Harry and winced at the look the latter was directing at him. "I only made two remedies. I used the first one and Neville used the second one. So... that leaves Harry without a remedy."
"Oh, I see," said Prof. Dumbledore. "And?"
"I simply cannot mail my father to send me ingredients for a remedy. It's not a Slytherin's way to make remedies, real Slytherins would rather give the victim more humiliation by not ridding them of the potion's effects. If the other Death Eaters intercept that mail, they will get suspicious."
The headmaster nodded. He turned to Harry and said, "I know this will be very hard for you, but you'll just have to bear with this for at least two days Harry."
"I can't go around Hogwarts in a girl's body!" Harry nearly shouted from his seated position. He respected the headmaster, but he just can't bear doing that.
Prof. Dumbledore nodded sagely. "I know exactly how you feel Harry. But we cannot endanger Draco's family. I am sure that you can understand. And about your classes, you don't need to attend them, I will personally take care of that matter. Just stay in your room on the third floor at all times. Your food will be served there as well. Are you okay with this?"
"I guess so," Harry muttered. "It's definitely better than walking around school as a girl."
"Then, it's settled."
"I guess so," Harry said as he and Draco stood up to leave. "Thank you sir."
"Thank you professor," said Draco, then both boys Disapparated.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
When Harry and Draco returned to their room, the mood didn't lighten up a bit.
Harry grabbed the books he had left earlier in the living room, went to his room and slammed it shut. He didn't even bother to speak a word to Draco.
Draco was about to go after him, but thought otherwise. Knowing Harry, it would be a very bad idea to disturb him when he is mad.
Draco got his materials for his next class and stood right outside Harry's room. "Harry, I'll be going to my next class now."
There wasn't any reply, not that he expected to hear one anyway. So Draco took his things and left the room.
Meanwhile, Harry was feeling like a complete jerk. He had magically locked the door to his room when Draco had bid him farewell and went to his next class. He knew that Draco was sorry for the little mishap, and he should have forgiven his friend right away.
But he chose not to. Why? He had no idea.
After realizing that Draco had already left the room, leaving him alone, he grabbed the book about Animagi transformations and went to the living room to read it.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Remus Lupin was very surprised when he entered the DADA classroom and saw that Hermione and Ron were seated together, and Harry was not with them. In fact, he didn't see any sign of James' son anywhere in the classroom. This was weird, Harry loved Defense Against the Dark Arts as much as he did Transfiguration, it was very unlikely for him to miss this class.
He had planned to talk with Harry about the Cryptiol potion after class. But that didn't seem possible now.
What could have happened to Harry? If it was any student of his, he would not be that worried. But this IS no ordinary student, this is Harry Potter. And if he is missing it might spell out trouble.
"Ms. Granger, Mr. Weasley, where is Mr. Potter?" he asked the two closest friends of Harry, softly and calmly. He had to try very hard to keep his worry from becoming evident.
Ron simply shrugged and Hermione answered, "After our Potions class, he said he had to go somewhere else and he told us that we will meet again in Muggle Studies. But he didn't show up. He wasn't in our Transfiguration class either"
"He did not attend Muggle Studies and Transfiguration?" asked the worried teacher. He was about to ask another question when the doors to the DADA classroom opened and the sixth year Slytherins entered.
"What is the meaning of this?" asked the DADA professor calmly, addressing the Slytherins.
Draco Malfoy went up to him and handed him a rolled-up parchment. Professor Lupin unrolled it and read it silently. After reading the letter, he sighed and addressed the Gryffindors. "Professor Sprout has requested for an exchange of schedule. She will be meeting the Slytherins tomorrow during my time for their Herbology class. So, you will have your Defense Against the Dark Arts together with them, but only for today." 'I hope,' he added silently.
The sixth year Gryffindors groaned, but they had no other choice but to spend yet another class with the Slytherins.
Prof. Lupin was about to start his class, when Prof. McGonagall entered the classroom. "Remus?"
"Yes Minerva?"
Prof. McGonagall reached into her robes and pulled out a rolled-up parchment. She handed this to Prof. Lupin and said, "This is from Prof. Dumbledore, I suggest you read it before starting your class."
Prof. Lupin accepted it and the Tranfiguration professor left the classroom. He unrolled the parchment and read it.
Remus, I am very sorry, but Mr. Potter will not be able to attend his classes today. This is strictly personal business and I would appreciate it if you don't ask the poor boy about this matter. And please inform his friends that he will not be joining them in their classes and will not be staying in the Gryffindor tower for at least two days.
You will know about the details of this incident soon. But for now it is better kept secret, for Mr. Potter's safety.
Albus Dumbledore
Prof. Lupin sighed and kept the parchment. He was worried about Harry, but if Prof. Dumbledore said it was for the best, then he would rather wait for the headmaster to explain things to him.
Defense Against the Dark Arts with the Gryffindors and Slytherins together isn't anyone's silver platter. Barely fifteen minutes after Prof. Lupin started teaching, some of the Slytherins were already wrecking havoc on some of the intently listening Gryffindors. The Gryffindors were hanging on to every word he said, but the Slytherins barely even cared.
But when he had had enough, the usually calm and sweet-tempered professor said in a firm voice, "One more prank from the Slytherins and I will be forced to remove points from you. One prank is equal to 50 points removed. Is that clear?"
The Slytherins knew that their house would suffer a huge blow if Prof. Lupin would deduct 50 points for each prank they did against the Gryffindors. So from that point on they paid more attention to what the teacher was discussing rather than to what the Gryffindors were doing.
After a while, the Slytherins became active in the discussion and Prof. Lupin could not help but be pleased. They are such headaches when they are naughty, but when Slytherins are interested in a topic, boy are they interested.
But there was this one student who still wasn't paying attention.
"Mr. Malfoy?" Prof. Lupin called.
Draco didn't seem to hear him. He just continued staring at the blank wall beside the professor.
"Mr. Malfoy," he called again, this time louder.
Still Draco did not seem to hear him.
So he stepped closer to the boy and said in a loud and clear voice, "Mr. Malfoy!"
"What?!" asked Draco, irritated. He looked like he had just snapped out of a trance and didn't even realize that he had been called three times. "You don't need to shout at me."
Prof. Lupin took a step back and regarded his student with a steady gaze. Draco was glaring back at him with intense silver eyes. "I called you three times Mr. Malfoy," he informed Draco in his most reprimanding tone. "Ever since class started, you have been staring at the wall and you don't seem to have any intention of participating in this class."
"I was listening," insisted Draco, still glaring at the professor.
"Really? So why didn't you hear me call your name?"
"I did!" Draco insisted stubbornly.
"You heard the third time. But you barely noticed the first two times I called your name. Why is that?"
"I...I was preoccupied," Draco finally said.
"Alright," said the professor, not believing a word Draco was saying. "Since this is your final class for the day, I would like to see you after class."
Draco groaned, "No way professor."
"Yes way Mr. Malfoy."
Another hour and a half later, Prof. Lupin finally dismissed his class. But he asked Ron and Hermione to stay behind as well.
When all the other students had left, Remus Lupin turned to Ron and Hermione, "Ron, Hermione, Harry will not be joining you in your dorms and in your classes for at least two days."
"What happened to Harry?!" both Ron and Hermione exclaimed.
"He's not hurt idiots," Draco muttered. Ron and Hermione did not hear, but Prof. Lupin did. And Draco knew he had slipped when the professor' head whipped around to look at him. He had to cover up. "Unless our MR. Celebrity Boy isn't as strong as he is known to be. Fame can be so misleading sometimes," he added, shaking his head.
That got Lupin off him. The professor turned back to the two Gryffindors and said, "I don't know either. But Prof. Dumbledore wrote to me personally and assured me that he is safe. The headmaster did say, though, that if possible, please do not ask Harry any questions about his absence when he is already joining you in your classes. Understood?"
"Yes Prof. Lupin," chorused Ron and Hermione.
"Good, you may go now."
When the two left the classroom, Prof. Lupin turned to Draco.
"What now?" Draco asked impatiently, folding his arms across his chest. "Why do I have to stay behind?"
"Why weren't you listening to class earlier? You said you were preoccupied. With what, I might ask?"
Draco rolled his eyes. ""That is none of your damned business!"
"I have the right to know, I'm your teacher," Prof. Lupin said patiently.
"I was listening ok? I just said that to get you off my back," Draco admitted. "Can I go now?"
Prof. Lupin shook his head and said, "Not until you prove that you were listening to my discussion earlier."
Draco sighed and asked, "After that I get to leave?"
Prof. Lupin nodded.
"Alright then." Draco went to the caged creatures on the professor's desk. "These three are creatures that are only found in Eastern Romania. This is a Yeorl male, a Tryst male and a Tailit female. These three are similar in lifestyle, habitat, food preferences and habits. All three live in lush forests, hunt down smaller animals for food and are all nocturnal. They are three of the many flying predators in the forests of Eastern Romania. They differ only in physical attributes and their fears. Yeorls hate water, Trysts hate light and Tailits hate fire." Draco turned back to his professor and asked, "Can I leave now?"
The DADA professor nodded. Draco left the room in an instant.
With Draco gone, Remus Lupin sat down on his desk, brows furrowed in thought. "How did he know all that?" he whispered to no one in particular. "I only discussed their names, where they can be found and about them being nocturnal. How did Draco know how to discern the males from the females and how did he know about their weaknesses? I'm sure that the library here has no information about all three creatures. I doubt that even Severus know about them. So how could Draco know?"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Author's note
To GIA, I'm sorry but my outlook express is going loco. So I will not be able to email you. I'm sorry.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Disclaimers: Harry Potter, its characters, spells, etc, is not mine. But the plot of this fic is.
Hehe^^
Author's note: this is my first Harry Potter fic so please inform me if there are any minor or major mistakes within it. R&r's are greatly appreciated. Oh and this will be a slash fic eventually. So anyone who can't handle Draco and Harry together, don't flame me, just leave
To those who will flame me to criticize some grammatical mistakes or something of that nature, then those flames are as welcome as reviews are.
Reviews are greatly appreciated ^^, they give me the confidence to continue what I started.
And, they will get together eventually, I just thought that it would be better if they both started out as friends first then eventually turn into lovers, hehe^^.
Oh and if some parts aren't clear, they will be cleared in the next chapters Don't worry ^^
The two potions Cryptiol and Finity and the creatures TRYST, YEORL and TAILIT are of my making, I have no idea how I came up with those
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
^ ^= telepathy
' '= thoughts
( ) = author's notes in the fic
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
DEFENSE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
After Harry separated from Ron and Hermione, he immediately made his way to the third floor corridor. And, after making sure that no one was there to see him go into the "secret" room, he touched the wall.
The wall revealed a small passageway and Harry immediately made his way inside the familiar room.
Draco was already seated on the couch, waiting for him.
"Draco?"
"About time you arrived," said the other boy, leaning down on the couch and pouting at Harry.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked, setting his things down on the table beside the couch and sitting down beside his friend.
Draco was still pouting as he replied, "I tried both potions, you only took one."
Harry laughed good-naturedly, "You're getting upset because of that?"
Draco nodded, still pouting. "And it's not funny, it's so unfair."
Harry shook his head. Draco is a good friend and a good person. He has a good heart and the purest of intentions. But sometimes, being the only child in a very, very rich wizarding family could also have a bad effect on any good person. "Alright, alright. I'll try that potion of yours, just to take that pout off your face."
Draco's face brightened immediately. "Really?"
"Really. Now give it to me so that we can get this over with as soon as possible."
Draco reached into his robe and pulled out a vial of his potion. He handed it to Harry immediately.
Harry shook his head again. Draco could be so childlike sometimes. He could get giddy and excited so quickly and yet, he could get upset over the most trivial of things. He took the vial from Draco and downed the sweet- tasting potion.
And within a few seconds Harry could see, more than he could feel, the changes taking place in his body. And, upon feeling the changes, he closed his eyes, fearing the worse. He could look terrible as a girl and he didn't want to see that.
After a few more minutes of waiting, Harry finally found his voice to ask, "Is it finished?"
"Yes. You can open your eyes now."
"Can you tell me how I look like first?" Harry asked, still afraid to open his eyes.
Draco thought for a while, then said, "Perfect."
Harry opened his eyes and met Draco's. "Perfect?" he repeated, not believing what he had heard from his friend.
Draco nodded, reaching out to hold a few strands of Harry's long locks. "It's the most appropriate word." He looked at Harry's eyes again and smiled. "Go take a look at yourself," he said, cocking his head to the mirror in the living room.
Harry stood up from the couch and made his way to the mirror. And what he saw almost made his heart stop. With Draco, it had been different. After the potion took effect, Draco did become more feminine. But it was still Draco, just with the long silken hair and the feminine curves.
But with Harry, he became totally different. His emerald eyes became somewhat larger and more expressive. His hair, which used to be such a mess, was now long and wavy. It wasn't as long as Draco's had been, but it reached past his shoulders. His height, too, had been reduced.
It just felt so...different.
When Harry got over his shock, he made his way back to the couch. "What are you staring at Draco?"
"Nothing. It's just that, your eyes look enchanting when you're a girl. I mean, I barely even noticed them before."
"It's because they became more expressive Draco," Harry replied. "I think the potion turned me into a different person, rather than just change my gender."
"It only shows what you would look like if you were born as a girl," Draco corrected.
"Can you turn me back now?" Harry asked. "I think I've had enough of being a girl. It feels so different."
Draco immediately complied and went to his room.
A few silent minutes later, a shrill scream erupted from Draco's room.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Prof. Dumbledore looked up from his paperwork as two students Apparated into his room. One of them, he could barely recognize.
He smiled at Harry and Draco and gestured to the seats in front of his desk. Both boys sat down, Harry rather grumpily and Draco rather sheepishly.
"What brings you here boys?" the headmaster asked, though he could already guess the reason why both boys were there.
Harry didn't answer, just crossed his arms grumpily. So Draco answered the headmaster's question. "Prof. Dumbledore, Prof. Snape gave us an assignment two days ago."
The headmaster nodded patiently and Draco continued. "I made the Finity potion while Harry made the Cryptiol potion. Before we submitted out potions, we tried them out. Harry tried his and I tried mine. Both were successful so we submitted them at once. In class, Prof. Snape gave me the freedom to choose whoever I wanted to test my potion on. I asked Harry through telepathy if he wanted to try my potion out. He refused so I chose Neville Longbottom instead. But when it was Harry's turn to try out his potion, Prof. Snape chose me to try it out."
"It worked, didn't it?"
"Yes professor."
"Did he humiliate you?"
"Not too much sir. But after the class, I thought that it was kind of unfair. Because I tried out two potions while Harry only tried his. But Harry complied with me and took the Finity potion."
"So, what is the problem?"
Draco glanced at Harry and winced at the look the latter was directing at him. "I only made two remedies. I used the first one and Neville used the second one. So... that leaves Harry without a remedy."
"Oh, I see," said Prof. Dumbledore. "And?"
"I simply cannot mail my father to send me ingredients for a remedy. It's not a Slytherin's way to make remedies, real Slytherins would rather give the victim more humiliation by not ridding them of the potion's effects. If the other Death Eaters intercept that mail, they will get suspicious."
The headmaster nodded. He turned to Harry and said, "I know this will be very hard for you, but you'll just have to bear with this for at least two days Harry."
"I can't go around Hogwarts in a girl's body!" Harry nearly shouted from his seated position. He respected the headmaster, but he just can't bear doing that.
Prof. Dumbledore nodded sagely. "I know exactly how you feel Harry. But we cannot endanger Draco's family. I am sure that you can understand. And about your classes, you don't need to attend them, I will personally take care of that matter. Just stay in your room on the third floor at all times. Your food will be served there as well. Are you okay with this?"
"I guess so," Harry muttered. "It's definitely better than walking around school as a girl."
"Then, it's settled."
"I guess so," Harry said as he and Draco stood up to leave. "Thank you sir."
"Thank you professor," said Draco, then both boys Disapparated.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
When Harry and Draco returned to their room, the mood didn't lighten up a bit.
Harry grabbed the books he had left earlier in the living room, went to his room and slammed it shut. He didn't even bother to speak a word to Draco.
Draco was about to go after him, but thought otherwise. Knowing Harry, it would be a very bad idea to disturb him when he is mad.
Draco got his materials for his next class and stood right outside Harry's room. "Harry, I'll be going to my next class now."
There wasn't any reply, not that he expected to hear one anyway. So Draco took his things and left the room.
Meanwhile, Harry was feeling like a complete jerk. He had magically locked the door to his room when Draco had bid him farewell and went to his next class. He knew that Draco was sorry for the little mishap, and he should have forgiven his friend right away.
But he chose not to. Why? He had no idea.
After realizing that Draco had already left the room, leaving him alone, he grabbed the book about Animagi transformations and went to the living room to read it.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Remus Lupin was very surprised when he entered the DADA classroom and saw that Hermione and Ron were seated together, and Harry was not with them. In fact, he didn't see any sign of James' son anywhere in the classroom. This was weird, Harry loved Defense Against the Dark Arts as much as he did Transfiguration, it was very unlikely for him to miss this class.
He had planned to talk with Harry about the Cryptiol potion after class. But that didn't seem possible now.
What could have happened to Harry? If it was any student of his, he would not be that worried. But this IS no ordinary student, this is Harry Potter. And if he is missing it might spell out trouble.
"Ms. Granger, Mr. Weasley, where is Mr. Potter?" he asked the two closest friends of Harry, softly and calmly. He had to try very hard to keep his worry from becoming evident.
Ron simply shrugged and Hermione answered, "After our Potions class, he said he had to go somewhere else and he told us that we will meet again in Muggle Studies. But he didn't show up. He wasn't in our Transfiguration class either"
"He did not attend Muggle Studies and Transfiguration?" asked the worried teacher. He was about to ask another question when the doors to the DADA classroom opened and the sixth year Slytherins entered.
"What is the meaning of this?" asked the DADA professor calmly, addressing the Slytherins.
Draco Malfoy went up to him and handed him a rolled-up parchment. Professor Lupin unrolled it and read it silently. After reading the letter, he sighed and addressed the Gryffindors. "Professor Sprout has requested for an exchange of schedule. She will be meeting the Slytherins tomorrow during my time for their Herbology class. So, you will have your Defense Against the Dark Arts together with them, but only for today." 'I hope,' he added silently.
The sixth year Gryffindors groaned, but they had no other choice but to spend yet another class with the Slytherins.
Prof. Lupin was about to start his class, when Prof. McGonagall entered the classroom. "Remus?"
"Yes Minerva?"
Prof. McGonagall reached into her robes and pulled out a rolled-up parchment. She handed this to Prof. Lupin and said, "This is from Prof. Dumbledore, I suggest you read it before starting your class."
Prof. Lupin accepted it and the Tranfiguration professor left the classroom. He unrolled the parchment and read it.
Remus, I am very sorry, but Mr. Potter will not be able to attend his classes today. This is strictly personal business and I would appreciate it if you don't ask the poor boy about this matter. And please inform his friends that he will not be joining them in their classes and will not be staying in the Gryffindor tower for at least two days.
You will know about the details of this incident soon. But for now it is better kept secret, for Mr. Potter's safety.
Albus Dumbledore
Prof. Lupin sighed and kept the parchment. He was worried about Harry, but if Prof. Dumbledore said it was for the best, then he would rather wait for the headmaster to explain things to him.
Defense Against the Dark Arts with the Gryffindors and Slytherins together isn't anyone's silver platter. Barely fifteen minutes after Prof. Lupin started teaching, some of the Slytherins were already wrecking havoc on some of the intently listening Gryffindors. The Gryffindors were hanging on to every word he said, but the Slytherins barely even cared.
But when he had had enough, the usually calm and sweet-tempered professor said in a firm voice, "One more prank from the Slytherins and I will be forced to remove points from you. One prank is equal to 50 points removed. Is that clear?"
The Slytherins knew that their house would suffer a huge blow if Prof. Lupin would deduct 50 points for each prank they did against the Gryffindors. So from that point on they paid more attention to what the teacher was discussing rather than to what the Gryffindors were doing.
After a while, the Slytherins became active in the discussion and Prof. Lupin could not help but be pleased. They are such headaches when they are naughty, but when Slytherins are interested in a topic, boy are they interested.
But there was this one student who still wasn't paying attention.
"Mr. Malfoy?" Prof. Lupin called.
Draco didn't seem to hear him. He just continued staring at the blank wall beside the professor.
"Mr. Malfoy," he called again, this time louder.
Still Draco did not seem to hear him.
So he stepped closer to the boy and said in a loud and clear voice, "Mr. Malfoy!"
"What?!" asked Draco, irritated. He looked like he had just snapped out of a trance and didn't even realize that he had been called three times. "You don't need to shout at me."
Prof. Lupin took a step back and regarded his student with a steady gaze. Draco was glaring back at him with intense silver eyes. "I called you three times Mr. Malfoy," he informed Draco in his most reprimanding tone. "Ever since class started, you have been staring at the wall and you don't seem to have any intention of participating in this class."
"I was listening," insisted Draco, still glaring at the professor.
"Really? So why didn't you hear me call your name?"
"I did!" Draco insisted stubbornly.
"You heard the third time. But you barely noticed the first two times I called your name. Why is that?"
"I...I was preoccupied," Draco finally said.
"Alright," said the professor, not believing a word Draco was saying. "Since this is your final class for the day, I would like to see you after class."
Draco groaned, "No way professor."
"Yes way Mr. Malfoy."
Another hour and a half later, Prof. Lupin finally dismissed his class. But he asked Ron and Hermione to stay behind as well.
When all the other students had left, Remus Lupin turned to Ron and Hermione, "Ron, Hermione, Harry will not be joining you in your dorms and in your classes for at least two days."
"What happened to Harry?!" both Ron and Hermione exclaimed.
"He's not hurt idiots," Draco muttered. Ron and Hermione did not hear, but Prof. Lupin did. And Draco knew he had slipped when the professor' head whipped around to look at him. He had to cover up. "Unless our MR. Celebrity Boy isn't as strong as he is known to be. Fame can be so misleading sometimes," he added, shaking his head.
That got Lupin off him. The professor turned back to the two Gryffindors and said, "I don't know either. But Prof. Dumbledore wrote to me personally and assured me that he is safe. The headmaster did say, though, that if possible, please do not ask Harry any questions about his absence when he is already joining you in your classes. Understood?"
"Yes Prof. Lupin," chorused Ron and Hermione.
"Good, you may go now."
When the two left the classroom, Prof. Lupin turned to Draco.
"What now?" Draco asked impatiently, folding his arms across his chest. "Why do I have to stay behind?"
"Why weren't you listening to class earlier? You said you were preoccupied. With what, I might ask?"
Draco rolled his eyes. ""That is none of your damned business!"
"I have the right to know, I'm your teacher," Prof. Lupin said patiently.
"I was listening ok? I just said that to get you off my back," Draco admitted. "Can I go now?"
Prof. Lupin shook his head and said, "Not until you prove that you were listening to my discussion earlier."
Draco sighed and asked, "After that I get to leave?"
Prof. Lupin nodded.
"Alright then." Draco went to the caged creatures on the professor's desk. "These three are creatures that are only found in Eastern Romania. This is a Yeorl male, a Tryst male and a Tailit female. These three are similar in lifestyle, habitat, food preferences and habits. All three live in lush forests, hunt down smaller animals for food and are all nocturnal. They are three of the many flying predators in the forests of Eastern Romania. They differ only in physical attributes and their fears. Yeorls hate water, Trysts hate light and Tailits hate fire." Draco turned back to his professor and asked, "Can I leave now?"
The DADA professor nodded. Draco left the room in an instant.
With Draco gone, Remus Lupin sat down on his desk, brows furrowed in thought. "How did he know all that?" he whispered to no one in particular. "I only discussed their names, where they can be found and about them being nocturnal. How did Draco know how to discern the males from the females and how did he know about their weaknesses? I'm sure that the library here has no information about all three creatures. I doubt that even Severus know about them. So how could Draco know?"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Author's note
To GIA, I'm sorry but my outlook express is going loco. So I will not be able to email you. I'm sorry.
