Screw the Ministry Cause it Can't Screw Back
By: Reirei no miko: Reirei_no_miko@hotmail.com
Sorry for the short chapter last time I just had so much to put in this one! Thanks for all the reviews (please if you're reading tell me if you like it or not and plus I'm looking for a new title....... Or do ya'll like this one?) anyway, enjoy, I promise there is some snogging coming up *soon*, we find out why Black and Narcissa hate each other this much, what's really going on with Severus, Lily, Lucius and Narcissa and....... dunh dunh dunh, meet the McGonagall of after school hours! Yikes!
Warnings: This chapter: PG-13 swearing and adult situations Whole Story: R for angst, rape, torture and psychological manipulation
Chapter 5- Fucking over the Teachers
"Why you bloody mother of a boggart, I'll-" he raised his wand just as Sirius brandished his own.
"Severus stop!" Lily, with the rest of the house spun to look at Narcissa who stood shaking in his oversized robe.
"This....... this *trash* has no right saying or doing what he did!"
"No, you're right he didn't, but we all know how this is going to end. House prejudice, Severus, you're a Slytherin in a Gryffindor common room, no matter what people say, you'll be blamed and I won't have you sitting in detention or even suspended because of that blood git!" she put a hand on his back and he reluctantly lowered his wand keeping his eyes fixated on Black to make sure he didn't pull a fast one.
Narcissas' hands tightened on his shoulder for a moment, as if in silent thanks and Severus glared around the room.
From within a group of seventh years Arthur Weasley stood up and strode forward, Frank Longbottom on his heels. The red-heads hand dropped onto Narcissas shoulder and she nearly jumped out of her skin. Giving them both a reassuring smile Arthur said quietly, "Well take care of this."
Nodding and glaring around the room once, just for good measure, Severus said a brief 'see you tomorrow' and left, wand still gripped in his hand, shooting looks to melt ice at anyone in his path.
Narcissa stooped to pick up her wand from where the melted robe pocket had let it drop and straightened herself up. She looked Black in the eye and met the gaze of every person who sat around him. As her eyes passed Lily's the red-head knew Narcissa wasn't going to fight, she looked too shaken, weak and venerable at that moment to do anything. The girl turned to Arthur who was glaring daggers at Black and said a quick 'thanks'. She turned and walked up the stairs, absolute silence haunting her, the click of the door resounding through the room.
Lily turned to Black, as did every other girl and boy in the room. "That," said Lily with every bit of spite she had in her entire being, "was despicable. You're a disgusting piece of filth, Black, and I hope you get what's coming to you."
"Lil, it was a joke- you always....... it was a -prank-!" Black defended, thrown off by her vehemence.
"Some joke, Sirius. You don't -do- that, not to a girl!" James retorted, his face set thinly.
"Jamie! She's no girl!"
Black sought help elsewhere his eyes traveled the common room, resting and moving from one disgusted look to the next. Longbottom and Weasley seemed to have let Blacks own friends take care of the situation and as Clearwater stood up in was crystal clear Black was going to get what was coming to him.
"Shut up Sirius. That was wrong, I though even *you* would know that." Cassidy retorted.
Black looked stunned, "Cassy, Lil, come on! You're defending -Narcissa Silvermoon- here!"
They turned their backs to him, Ethel rising and following along too, shooting Sirius a glare that made him flinch. He turned to James and tried again, "Prongs! It was good old fun! Just another joke!"
"It's only a joke if people laugh Sirius. That wasn't funny."
"Peter-"
"Sirius...." Peter threw up his hands in defeat looking saddened and worried.
"Moony-"
Remus backed away from him, disgust written clearly across his face, he crossed his arms defensively across his chest and lowered his head, his shaggy honey hair falling to cover his eyes. "Don't." was all that passed his lips. It was enough for Sirius to pull away as if burned and screw up his face in disgusted realization.
"NARCISSA SILVERMOON! GRYFFINDOR'S BITCH! THAT'S WHO YOU'RE DEFENDING?" he screamed, outraged. All wild gestures and quivering fists Sirius Black gave a mighty heavy of air and stormed dangerously to the portrait hole muttering darkly about 'needing air'.
Lily looked to their group of fifth years and then up to their dorm-room door. Cassidy and Ethel nodded and the three of them marched up the stairs, leaving a bewildered, shocked and angry common room behind.
"James," she heard Frank say as they walked away, "Make sure to inform him upon his return that he'll be serving a weeks' worth of detention with Filch for this."
Lily nodded to herself, she was sure house points would be deducted by a teacher but detention would do Black some good. She knocked, it was only polite, and entered quietly, the other two following close behind.
Dressed in her school night robe, Severus' school robe draped over the chest as the end of her bed, Narcissa sat at her desk, quill in hand.
"No need to be formal, girls. I'm fine." She said, dipping the feather into the inkpot and scraping it across the paper without looking up. Lily sank onto her bed, Cassidy sitting beside her as Ethel went to rifle nervously through her wardrobe.
"What, um, what are you doing?" Cassidy finally asked.
Narcissa stopped and turned to give her a smile, "I only had one uniform, so I'm ordering another."
"Sirius-"
"-Had no right to do what he did, but he did it anyway and now it's in the past, right?" Narcissa finished dropping the quill and dripped wax onto the folded parchment. She pressed a small rubber seal into the red goo and tied it to an awaiting owls' leg to carry to the uniform makers. "If you don't mind girls, I'm so tired." Narcissa rose, went to her bed, pulled the curtains with a brave 'goodnight' and didn't say another word.
The three of them exchanged looks, decided with a series of hand motions to let her be and got ready for bed themselves.
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They were staring, not that she blamed them, and it wasn't like she hadn't asked for it.
She was going to be late, she sighed as the bell rang and students jumped through doors, she was always late and she still had four corridors to go.
She's spent the weekend locked up in her dorm room and had only allowed on student entrance to see her, Severus. Now the Monday following Sirius' prank she had no choice but to go to class. That didn't mean she couldn't take her time getting there all the same, who needed DADA anyway? That crap was for aurors and shit like the Ministry; like she'd ever need to know how to kill a werewolf.
The tapping of heels warned of a professors approach but she made no effort to hide, in fact she hoped it was Madame Sprout who -loved- taking points from her whenever the chance came, which was often. As she rounded the corner, strolling along as if enjoying the view and not as if late for class she came face to face with Professor McGonagall.
The teacher stopped short, eyed her and gave a hopeless sigh. "This......." the woman motioned at Narcissa, "is new."
'New' was an understatement- never before conceived, addle brained, stupid and revolutionary would have been better ways of putting the situation but McGonagall had never been one for synonyms......Narcissa loved playing with them.
"Why, Miss Silvermoon, are you wearing a -boys- uniform?"
Narcissa smiled, even the prof who understood her best was having trouble wrapping her thoughts around this one.
When she'd ordered her new uniform, only having one at the beginning of the year to start with, she'd told Madam Malkin she was a sixth year transfer student. She'd sent the request with her measurements and her fathers' Gringotts volt number. She'd ordered a long sleeved shirt, a short sleeved polo, two pairs of slacks, a black robe with the Gryffindor sigil pre-sewn and a neck tie- a complete *male* Gryffindor uniform.
The same uniform she was now sporting around school during the 1970's in a British Boarding School where the girls wore skirts and boys wore pants all the time, without exception.
Narcissa loved to think herself the exception.......
"What happened to -your- uniform?" asked her once almost-mother.
She shrugged, "Black melted it."
Shocked was not a common expression on Minervas' face, it really didn't belong there, "melted?"
"Right off my back in front of my entire common room on Friday night. It was my only one so I had to order a new one."
"I heard.........Why men's?"
"Why not?"
McGonagall sighed, "shouldn't you be in class?"
Narcissa nodded, gave a small, quirky, salute to her professor and began walking earnestly towards Defense Against the Dark Arts. She got to the door, knowing she was extremely late and opened it, shutting it behind her. She turned to the class, robes undone down the front so everyone could see her outfit and waiting as her teacher turned around from where he was helping Peter Pettigrew understand something.
"Ah, Miss Silvermoon....."
Professor Marsh was possibly the most prejudice teacher in the school. He was the Ravenclaw head of house and valued one thing- heard working intelligence. An essay for homework after every class, and reports after every hands-on lesson he taught. He took sick delight in popping tests on them unexpectedly, and to top it all off the man hated her.
She'd never forget the look on his face as he turned around. It was pure, unadulterated SHOCK. Narcissa smirked, she hadn't been to breakfast and only been seen by the few people in the halls and one teacher- this was news to everyone, even her dorm mates.
Marsh opened his mouth, gaped like a fish for a moment, and with a disgusted noise at the back of his throat said, "Miss Silvermoon- I require an explanation for you state of dress- immediately-"
"Black melted my uniform on Friday evening, this was all Madam Malkins Robes for All Occasions had in stock- no one orders uniforms mid-year."
Marsh turned to Sirius who was staring at her with the same open-mouthed expression as the rest of the class, "Mister Black, what do you have to say for yourself?"
Too stunned Black floundered for an answer, realizing he was on the brink of a second round of detention and looked to James who shook his head is disbelief. The teacher noticing this turned to Sirius' side-kick and asked, "Mister Potter?" he received neither recognition, nor answer from the second boy.
In the back of the classroom Severus Snape cleared his throat. Now red in the face and seething Professor Marsh nodded to the usually silent Slytherin.
"While studying in the common room on Friday evening, Sirius Black cast an devouring spell on Miss Silvermoons' clothing which disappeared."
"And I had to replace it, professor, I couldn't very well run around in my nightgown!" Narcissa gave him a snooty shrug and as he scratched his head in irritation. Deciding to ignore the situation he waved Narcissa to her seat near the back and with all the grace of a bird of prey she swooped by him and took her seat regally, doing a fine job of ignoring the open stares she was receiving.
"I will now be collecting your essays on Werewolves." Marsh started again and distracted by the need to get them out, the class once again began talking and turned back around to the front.
Severus leaned over, "That was tame."
"I haven't even begun." She muttered back out of the corner of her mouth. She hiked the outer-robe up so she wasn't sitting on it but so that it fell down either side of the seat she swung her legs up onto her desk, black boots in the air.
The teacher fixed his eyes on her as she reclined comfortably in her chair. They narrowed seeing that she had not brought books with her and *scowled* as she gave him a bright smile.
"Do you wish to get a detention Miss Silvermoon?"
"Not really, no."
"Get your feet," he towered over her, pointing menacingly at her boots, "off -my- desk."
"Ummmmmmmm........" finger to her lips she pretended to think about it for a moment, "No."
"Remove them or fail my class."
"Professor," she gave him a pout that made his blood boil, "unlike every other uneducated prat in this class, that threat won't work on me because in the Ministry of Magics Code of Education manual section 73b it says you can't do that."
Clutching a stack of essays under his arm he waved them in her face, "Your right, I can't, but I -can- fail you for not handing in any work- I have yet to receive -this- essay Miss Silvermoon."
"I don't need to write your essays, Professor, their menial and stupid."
"Oh? Writing these requires research and that research leads to deeper knowledge, how do you find you don't need that extended knowledge, it *will* be coming back in the exam you know."
Narcissa shrugged, "I know it already." She fixed the teacher with a glare that was swiftly returned, a malicious glint in the Professors eye.
"Oh? Everything?"
"Yeah, everything!"
He seemed to grit his teeth, "don't get cocky with me, Miss Silvermoon."
She gave him a small smirk, "I'm afraid Professor, that I am quite physically incapable of 'getting cocky', if you catch my drift."
"If you are so sure of your abilities Miss Silvermoon, why don't you get up to the front of the class and show us all what your essay would sound like -right now- and maybe I'll forgo the detention my tea leaves told me I'd be dishing out this morning."
"Would you like it in five paragraphs or ten?"
He straightened himself, his impressive six foot five stance trembling with indignation as he pointed at where his desk stood. "Two feet will do just fine." He growled.
She stalked past him, nose in the air, turned once she reached his desk, gave Severus the smallest of smiles and fished her wand out of her pocket. She pulled a quill from there as well and with a spell set up the quill to write in mid-air. "Werewolves," she started, "Narcissa Silvermoon, 5th year Gryffindor, November 28." The writing appeared written in a neat red scrawl, a tape measure floating beside it to indicate length. She took a deep breath and began:
Newt Scamander, in his book 'Fantastic Beats and Where to Find Them', hereby referred to as 'Beasts', says under the title 'Werewolf' that these creatures are found worldwide, are believed to have originated in northern Europe and actively seek out human prey against other types of flesh. It also classifies the danger level of a Werewolf as the most dangerous of creatures to the power of sixteen.
He fails to mention however, infection, the physical traits found, weaknesses, similarities, aide programs, support groups, camps, prejudice against these creatures and myths in which Werewolves live their daily lives.
To quote from Beasts, "Humans turn into Werewolves once a month at the full moon, the otherwise sane and normal wizard or Muggle afflicted transforms into a murderous beast." He fails completely to mention that pure-blooded Muggles are incapable of becoming Werewolves. Magic, no matter how distant or ancient in a bloodline, is necessary for the transformation to occur. Upon the first full moon a pure-blooded Muggle encounters after being bitten by a Werewolf they die instantaneously from the magical saliva in their blood seeking release non-magic beings cannot provide.
It is also known that the more magic a Werewolf practices and harvests, the easier the transformation becomes.
Werewolf bites can be reversed within the first week of infection by a procedure known as Cleansing. This procedure involves the complete removal of all blood from the body, cleaning it of the saliva and re-pumping the victim. After a week however, this procedure becomes nil because the tissue has absorbed the blood and the saliva becomes a part of the victim.
A Werewolf when not transformed can be of any height, weight, race, coloring and ethnic. The wolf does not change them as it is believed, but they create, through who they are, their own wolf. If a person has close-cropped red hair, the wolf will have short- reddish fur. If a person is overweight, the wolf too with be overweight. It is assumed that a Werewolf's eyes are yellow but that is not the case- the wolf simply lightens the colour of one's eyes but does not change it complexly. Super strength, animalistic reactions, heightened super sensitive senses and the addition of a sixth sense and night vision are other attributes bestowed upon the Werewolf.
Physical Weaknesses found in the Werewolf are nil. They simply do not exist. Physical prowess, sixth sense, uncanny night vision aid the Werewolf at stalking prey while human instinct, still found while during the full moon draw these creatures to fire as a human comfort that we identify with security.
Similarities between one Werewolf to another can be few and far between. Most have problems finding jobs, and staying clean but physical similarities are almost nonexistent. Werewolves have one main similarity that they almost always share- the love of chocolate, sweets and red-meat.
Aid programs are neither funded by the Ministry nor accepted in society. Support groups survive only by members and only in the underground here in Europe. Those in need of help are too afraid to seek it for fear of meeting rejection, the Werewolves in question are immediately sent to camps to keep them in custody. For those wizards and witches who are caught supporting, attending or helping with such meetings, the penalty is five years in Azkaban.
Werewolf camps are nothing better than abandoned Muggle prisons where the Werewolves are kept in cells under heavy sedation with no hope of release ever. Unlike support groups these institutions are funded by the Ministry and supported by the media as being 'safe' and 'proper'.
Werewolves are seen in childrens' tales as monsters who hate humans and crave their flesh at all times, it is never conceived that these beings never asked for this bane upon them. Prejudice in society comes from Purebloods, Muggle-borns and half bloods all the same, only hatred is ever shown to these beings.
Myths surrounding the Werewolf are destructive and many. Firstly, the Werewolf does not only transform during the full moon, during moments of heightened emotion, blood lust, or the loss of a mate a Werewolf can transform at any time of the lunar cycle, anywhere. Secondly wearing the tooth of a Werewolf will not ward off attack or save you from a bite. Thirdly, silver does not kill a Werewolf, only disintegrates their flesh or burns them depending on their breed, this causes irritation and pushes the Werewolf to greater blood-lust. Fourthly, lying in pretend death will not send a Werewolf away- they can hear your heart beating. And lastly 'Lycanthropy' and Werewolfism are two different diseases and not the same thing. Lycanthropy is a mental state of mind in which a person simply believes they become a wolf and experiences no transformation whatsoever.
Of course there are different breeds of Werewolves, several potions and charms making transformation easier and of course, the history of Werewolves but the basics are before you, make of them what you will.
Narcissa stopped, seeing that she'd done two and a half feet for Marsh and looked for his approval. It was the second time in one day she'd knocked his socks off.
"Miss.......Miss Silvermoon, do you.....you mean to tell me that every paper you failed to hand in, you didn't write because you had -this- base of fact?!"
She shrugged and nodded nonchalantly. Her eye was caught by Sirius Black who was glowering at her and for the first time she noticed the class before her- when her mouth took over she seemed to daze out and focus on the many texts she'd read instead of her audience. Lily was wide-eyed in admiration, as were her other two dorm-mates. Remus seemed not to know what to make of her, his honey eyes fixated on her words that hung in mid air. James was re-reading her essay, nodding and jotting things down and the Slytherins seemed on the verge of jumping to their feet with applause- she'd risen to Marsh's taunt and beat him at his own game.
"Um......" still trying to find words their professor waved a hand from the class to Narcissa, "are their any questions for Miss Silvermoon?"
Lily, glancing around and seeing no other takers asked, "how do you know so much about Werewolves? I raided the library and some of what you said wasn't there......"
"I've read through books in more than several countries."
Lily nodded as Lukas Mcnair asked a general question in a mocking tone of voice, "Why would you read about monsters?"
"I read about Werewolves for the same reason you read PlayWitch."
"What," scoffed Black in laughter, "to get off?"
"Actually, Black, I do have a certain attraction to them, if that's what you're implying."
Cassidy Clearwater choked, "That's disgusting!"
"Depends on what you define as disgusting, there are people who won't date Slytherin and those who will- I'll date a Werewolf, they're human all the time save for one night a month."
"But, " Cassidy challenged, glaring at Narcissa who knew the girl had a crush on Bryant Parkison, a Slytherin sixth year, "Slytherins are human."
"You sure about that?" Severus asked, chuckling as she turned her glare to him.
"Snakes don't count, Snape." Black glowered.
"Neither do -dogs-." Severus shot back vehemently.
James choked, Remus kicked him in the leg.
"Thank-you Miss Silvermoon- ninety-eight percent for your essay, two points deducted for unnecessary sexual remarks and the sharing of preferences. Class dismissed." Marsh said brushing his class towards the door.
A/N: I know, my essay sucked but I figure I had to write *something*........ oh well, next chapter Remus tells his friends about the basics of Werewolf sexuality and asks Narcissa to the Yule Ball....... Her answer......?
By: Reirei no miko: Reirei_no_miko@hotmail.com
Sorry for the short chapter last time I just had so much to put in this one! Thanks for all the reviews (please if you're reading tell me if you like it or not and plus I'm looking for a new title....... Or do ya'll like this one?) anyway, enjoy, I promise there is some snogging coming up *soon*, we find out why Black and Narcissa hate each other this much, what's really going on with Severus, Lily, Lucius and Narcissa and....... dunh dunh dunh, meet the McGonagall of after school hours! Yikes!
Warnings: This chapter: PG-13 swearing and adult situations Whole Story: R for angst, rape, torture and psychological manipulation
Chapter 5- Fucking over the Teachers
"Why you bloody mother of a boggart, I'll-" he raised his wand just as Sirius brandished his own.
"Severus stop!" Lily, with the rest of the house spun to look at Narcissa who stood shaking in his oversized robe.
"This....... this *trash* has no right saying or doing what he did!"
"No, you're right he didn't, but we all know how this is going to end. House prejudice, Severus, you're a Slytherin in a Gryffindor common room, no matter what people say, you'll be blamed and I won't have you sitting in detention or even suspended because of that blood git!" she put a hand on his back and he reluctantly lowered his wand keeping his eyes fixated on Black to make sure he didn't pull a fast one.
Narcissas' hands tightened on his shoulder for a moment, as if in silent thanks and Severus glared around the room.
From within a group of seventh years Arthur Weasley stood up and strode forward, Frank Longbottom on his heels. The red-heads hand dropped onto Narcissas shoulder and she nearly jumped out of her skin. Giving them both a reassuring smile Arthur said quietly, "Well take care of this."
Nodding and glaring around the room once, just for good measure, Severus said a brief 'see you tomorrow' and left, wand still gripped in his hand, shooting looks to melt ice at anyone in his path.
Narcissa stooped to pick up her wand from where the melted robe pocket had let it drop and straightened herself up. She looked Black in the eye and met the gaze of every person who sat around him. As her eyes passed Lily's the red-head knew Narcissa wasn't going to fight, she looked too shaken, weak and venerable at that moment to do anything. The girl turned to Arthur who was glaring daggers at Black and said a quick 'thanks'. She turned and walked up the stairs, absolute silence haunting her, the click of the door resounding through the room.
Lily turned to Black, as did every other girl and boy in the room. "That," said Lily with every bit of spite she had in her entire being, "was despicable. You're a disgusting piece of filth, Black, and I hope you get what's coming to you."
"Lil, it was a joke- you always....... it was a -prank-!" Black defended, thrown off by her vehemence.
"Some joke, Sirius. You don't -do- that, not to a girl!" James retorted, his face set thinly.
"Jamie! She's no girl!"
Black sought help elsewhere his eyes traveled the common room, resting and moving from one disgusted look to the next. Longbottom and Weasley seemed to have let Blacks own friends take care of the situation and as Clearwater stood up in was crystal clear Black was going to get what was coming to him.
"Shut up Sirius. That was wrong, I though even *you* would know that." Cassidy retorted.
Black looked stunned, "Cassy, Lil, come on! You're defending -Narcissa Silvermoon- here!"
They turned their backs to him, Ethel rising and following along too, shooting Sirius a glare that made him flinch. He turned to James and tried again, "Prongs! It was good old fun! Just another joke!"
"It's only a joke if people laugh Sirius. That wasn't funny."
"Peter-"
"Sirius...." Peter threw up his hands in defeat looking saddened and worried.
"Moony-"
Remus backed away from him, disgust written clearly across his face, he crossed his arms defensively across his chest and lowered his head, his shaggy honey hair falling to cover his eyes. "Don't." was all that passed his lips. It was enough for Sirius to pull away as if burned and screw up his face in disgusted realization.
"NARCISSA SILVERMOON! GRYFFINDOR'S BITCH! THAT'S WHO YOU'RE DEFENDING?" he screamed, outraged. All wild gestures and quivering fists Sirius Black gave a mighty heavy of air and stormed dangerously to the portrait hole muttering darkly about 'needing air'.
Lily looked to their group of fifth years and then up to their dorm-room door. Cassidy and Ethel nodded and the three of them marched up the stairs, leaving a bewildered, shocked and angry common room behind.
"James," she heard Frank say as they walked away, "Make sure to inform him upon his return that he'll be serving a weeks' worth of detention with Filch for this."
Lily nodded to herself, she was sure house points would be deducted by a teacher but detention would do Black some good. She knocked, it was only polite, and entered quietly, the other two following close behind.
Dressed in her school night robe, Severus' school robe draped over the chest as the end of her bed, Narcissa sat at her desk, quill in hand.
"No need to be formal, girls. I'm fine." She said, dipping the feather into the inkpot and scraping it across the paper without looking up. Lily sank onto her bed, Cassidy sitting beside her as Ethel went to rifle nervously through her wardrobe.
"What, um, what are you doing?" Cassidy finally asked.
Narcissa stopped and turned to give her a smile, "I only had one uniform, so I'm ordering another."
"Sirius-"
"-Had no right to do what he did, but he did it anyway and now it's in the past, right?" Narcissa finished dropping the quill and dripped wax onto the folded parchment. She pressed a small rubber seal into the red goo and tied it to an awaiting owls' leg to carry to the uniform makers. "If you don't mind girls, I'm so tired." Narcissa rose, went to her bed, pulled the curtains with a brave 'goodnight' and didn't say another word.
The three of them exchanged looks, decided with a series of hand motions to let her be and got ready for bed themselves.
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They were staring, not that she blamed them, and it wasn't like she hadn't asked for it.
She was going to be late, she sighed as the bell rang and students jumped through doors, she was always late and she still had four corridors to go.
She's spent the weekend locked up in her dorm room and had only allowed on student entrance to see her, Severus. Now the Monday following Sirius' prank she had no choice but to go to class. That didn't mean she couldn't take her time getting there all the same, who needed DADA anyway? That crap was for aurors and shit like the Ministry; like she'd ever need to know how to kill a werewolf.
The tapping of heels warned of a professors approach but she made no effort to hide, in fact she hoped it was Madame Sprout who -loved- taking points from her whenever the chance came, which was often. As she rounded the corner, strolling along as if enjoying the view and not as if late for class she came face to face with Professor McGonagall.
The teacher stopped short, eyed her and gave a hopeless sigh. "This......." the woman motioned at Narcissa, "is new."
'New' was an understatement- never before conceived, addle brained, stupid and revolutionary would have been better ways of putting the situation but McGonagall had never been one for synonyms......Narcissa loved playing with them.
"Why, Miss Silvermoon, are you wearing a -boys- uniform?"
Narcissa smiled, even the prof who understood her best was having trouble wrapping her thoughts around this one.
When she'd ordered her new uniform, only having one at the beginning of the year to start with, she'd told Madam Malkin she was a sixth year transfer student. She'd sent the request with her measurements and her fathers' Gringotts volt number. She'd ordered a long sleeved shirt, a short sleeved polo, two pairs of slacks, a black robe with the Gryffindor sigil pre-sewn and a neck tie- a complete *male* Gryffindor uniform.
The same uniform she was now sporting around school during the 1970's in a British Boarding School where the girls wore skirts and boys wore pants all the time, without exception.
Narcissa loved to think herself the exception.......
"What happened to -your- uniform?" asked her once almost-mother.
She shrugged, "Black melted it."
Shocked was not a common expression on Minervas' face, it really didn't belong there, "melted?"
"Right off my back in front of my entire common room on Friday night. It was my only one so I had to order a new one."
"I heard.........Why men's?"
"Why not?"
McGonagall sighed, "shouldn't you be in class?"
Narcissa nodded, gave a small, quirky, salute to her professor and began walking earnestly towards Defense Against the Dark Arts. She got to the door, knowing she was extremely late and opened it, shutting it behind her. She turned to the class, robes undone down the front so everyone could see her outfit and waiting as her teacher turned around from where he was helping Peter Pettigrew understand something.
"Ah, Miss Silvermoon....."
Professor Marsh was possibly the most prejudice teacher in the school. He was the Ravenclaw head of house and valued one thing- heard working intelligence. An essay for homework after every class, and reports after every hands-on lesson he taught. He took sick delight in popping tests on them unexpectedly, and to top it all off the man hated her.
She'd never forget the look on his face as he turned around. It was pure, unadulterated SHOCK. Narcissa smirked, she hadn't been to breakfast and only been seen by the few people in the halls and one teacher- this was news to everyone, even her dorm mates.
Marsh opened his mouth, gaped like a fish for a moment, and with a disgusted noise at the back of his throat said, "Miss Silvermoon- I require an explanation for you state of dress- immediately-"
"Black melted my uniform on Friday evening, this was all Madam Malkins Robes for All Occasions had in stock- no one orders uniforms mid-year."
Marsh turned to Sirius who was staring at her with the same open-mouthed expression as the rest of the class, "Mister Black, what do you have to say for yourself?"
Too stunned Black floundered for an answer, realizing he was on the brink of a second round of detention and looked to James who shook his head is disbelief. The teacher noticing this turned to Sirius' side-kick and asked, "Mister Potter?" he received neither recognition, nor answer from the second boy.
In the back of the classroom Severus Snape cleared his throat. Now red in the face and seething Professor Marsh nodded to the usually silent Slytherin.
"While studying in the common room on Friday evening, Sirius Black cast an devouring spell on Miss Silvermoons' clothing which disappeared."
"And I had to replace it, professor, I couldn't very well run around in my nightgown!" Narcissa gave him a snooty shrug and as he scratched his head in irritation. Deciding to ignore the situation he waved Narcissa to her seat near the back and with all the grace of a bird of prey she swooped by him and took her seat regally, doing a fine job of ignoring the open stares she was receiving.
"I will now be collecting your essays on Werewolves." Marsh started again and distracted by the need to get them out, the class once again began talking and turned back around to the front.
Severus leaned over, "That was tame."
"I haven't even begun." She muttered back out of the corner of her mouth. She hiked the outer-robe up so she wasn't sitting on it but so that it fell down either side of the seat she swung her legs up onto her desk, black boots in the air.
The teacher fixed his eyes on her as she reclined comfortably in her chair. They narrowed seeing that she had not brought books with her and *scowled* as she gave him a bright smile.
"Do you wish to get a detention Miss Silvermoon?"
"Not really, no."
"Get your feet," he towered over her, pointing menacingly at her boots, "off -my- desk."
"Ummmmmmmm........" finger to her lips she pretended to think about it for a moment, "No."
"Remove them or fail my class."
"Professor," she gave him a pout that made his blood boil, "unlike every other uneducated prat in this class, that threat won't work on me because in the Ministry of Magics Code of Education manual section 73b it says you can't do that."
Clutching a stack of essays under his arm he waved them in her face, "Your right, I can't, but I -can- fail you for not handing in any work- I have yet to receive -this- essay Miss Silvermoon."
"I don't need to write your essays, Professor, their menial and stupid."
"Oh? Writing these requires research and that research leads to deeper knowledge, how do you find you don't need that extended knowledge, it *will* be coming back in the exam you know."
Narcissa shrugged, "I know it already." She fixed the teacher with a glare that was swiftly returned, a malicious glint in the Professors eye.
"Oh? Everything?"
"Yeah, everything!"
He seemed to grit his teeth, "don't get cocky with me, Miss Silvermoon."
She gave him a small smirk, "I'm afraid Professor, that I am quite physically incapable of 'getting cocky', if you catch my drift."
"If you are so sure of your abilities Miss Silvermoon, why don't you get up to the front of the class and show us all what your essay would sound like -right now- and maybe I'll forgo the detention my tea leaves told me I'd be dishing out this morning."
"Would you like it in five paragraphs or ten?"
He straightened himself, his impressive six foot five stance trembling with indignation as he pointed at where his desk stood. "Two feet will do just fine." He growled.
She stalked past him, nose in the air, turned once she reached his desk, gave Severus the smallest of smiles and fished her wand out of her pocket. She pulled a quill from there as well and with a spell set up the quill to write in mid-air. "Werewolves," she started, "Narcissa Silvermoon, 5th year Gryffindor, November 28." The writing appeared written in a neat red scrawl, a tape measure floating beside it to indicate length. She took a deep breath and began:
Newt Scamander, in his book 'Fantastic Beats and Where to Find Them', hereby referred to as 'Beasts', says under the title 'Werewolf' that these creatures are found worldwide, are believed to have originated in northern Europe and actively seek out human prey against other types of flesh. It also classifies the danger level of a Werewolf as the most dangerous of creatures to the power of sixteen.
He fails to mention however, infection, the physical traits found, weaknesses, similarities, aide programs, support groups, camps, prejudice against these creatures and myths in which Werewolves live their daily lives.
To quote from Beasts, "Humans turn into Werewolves once a month at the full moon, the otherwise sane and normal wizard or Muggle afflicted transforms into a murderous beast." He fails completely to mention that pure-blooded Muggles are incapable of becoming Werewolves. Magic, no matter how distant or ancient in a bloodline, is necessary for the transformation to occur. Upon the first full moon a pure-blooded Muggle encounters after being bitten by a Werewolf they die instantaneously from the magical saliva in their blood seeking release non-magic beings cannot provide.
It is also known that the more magic a Werewolf practices and harvests, the easier the transformation becomes.
Werewolf bites can be reversed within the first week of infection by a procedure known as Cleansing. This procedure involves the complete removal of all blood from the body, cleaning it of the saliva and re-pumping the victim. After a week however, this procedure becomes nil because the tissue has absorbed the blood and the saliva becomes a part of the victim.
A Werewolf when not transformed can be of any height, weight, race, coloring and ethnic. The wolf does not change them as it is believed, but they create, through who they are, their own wolf. If a person has close-cropped red hair, the wolf will have short- reddish fur. If a person is overweight, the wolf too with be overweight. It is assumed that a Werewolf's eyes are yellow but that is not the case- the wolf simply lightens the colour of one's eyes but does not change it complexly. Super strength, animalistic reactions, heightened super sensitive senses and the addition of a sixth sense and night vision are other attributes bestowed upon the Werewolf.
Physical Weaknesses found in the Werewolf are nil. They simply do not exist. Physical prowess, sixth sense, uncanny night vision aid the Werewolf at stalking prey while human instinct, still found while during the full moon draw these creatures to fire as a human comfort that we identify with security.
Similarities between one Werewolf to another can be few and far between. Most have problems finding jobs, and staying clean but physical similarities are almost nonexistent. Werewolves have one main similarity that they almost always share- the love of chocolate, sweets and red-meat.
Aid programs are neither funded by the Ministry nor accepted in society. Support groups survive only by members and only in the underground here in Europe. Those in need of help are too afraid to seek it for fear of meeting rejection, the Werewolves in question are immediately sent to camps to keep them in custody. For those wizards and witches who are caught supporting, attending or helping with such meetings, the penalty is five years in Azkaban.
Werewolf camps are nothing better than abandoned Muggle prisons where the Werewolves are kept in cells under heavy sedation with no hope of release ever. Unlike support groups these institutions are funded by the Ministry and supported by the media as being 'safe' and 'proper'.
Werewolves are seen in childrens' tales as monsters who hate humans and crave their flesh at all times, it is never conceived that these beings never asked for this bane upon them. Prejudice in society comes from Purebloods, Muggle-borns and half bloods all the same, only hatred is ever shown to these beings.
Myths surrounding the Werewolf are destructive and many. Firstly, the Werewolf does not only transform during the full moon, during moments of heightened emotion, blood lust, or the loss of a mate a Werewolf can transform at any time of the lunar cycle, anywhere. Secondly wearing the tooth of a Werewolf will not ward off attack or save you from a bite. Thirdly, silver does not kill a Werewolf, only disintegrates their flesh or burns them depending on their breed, this causes irritation and pushes the Werewolf to greater blood-lust. Fourthly, lying in pretend death will not send a Werewolf away- they can hear your heart beating. And lastly 'Lycanthropy' and Werewolfism are two different diseases and not the same thing. Lycanthropy is a mental state of mind in which a person simply believes they become a wolf and experiences no transformation whatsoever.
Of course there are different breeds of Werewolves, several potions and charms making transformation easier and of course, the history of Werewolves but the basics are before you, make of them what you will.
Narcissa stopped, seeing that she'd done two and a half feet for Marsh and looked for his approval. It was the second time in one day she'd knocked his socks off.
"Miss.......Miss Silvermoon, do you.....you mean to tell me that every paper you failed to hand in, you didn't write because you had -this- base of fact?!"
She shrugged and nodded nonchalantly. Her eye was caught by Sirius Black who was glowering at her and for the first time she noticed the class before her- when her mouth took over she seemed to daze out and focus on the many texts she'd read instead of her audience. Lily was wide-eyed in admiration, as were her other two dorm-mates. Remus seemed not to know what to make of her, his honey eyes fixated on her words that hung in mid air. James was re-reading her essay, nodding and jotting things down and the Slytherins seemed on the verge of jumping to their feet with applause- she'd risen to Marsh's taunt and beat him at his own game.
"Um......" still trying to find words their professor waved a hand from the class to Narcissa, "are their any questions for Miss Silvermoon?"
Lily, glancing around and seeing no other takers asked, "how do you know so much about Werewolves? I raided the library and some of what you said wasn't there......"
"I've read through books in more than several countries."
Lily nodded as Lukas Mcnair asked a general question in a mocking tone of voice, "Why would you read about monsters?"
"I read about Werewolves for the same reason you read PlayWitch."
"What," scoffed Black in laughter, "to get off?"
"Actually, Black, I do have a certain attraction to them, if that's what you're implying."
Cassidy Clearwater choked, "That's disgusting!"
"Depends on what you define as disgusting, there are people who won't date Slytherin and those who will- I'll date a Werewolf, they're human all the time save for one night a month."
"But, " Cassidy challenged, glaring at Narcissa who knew the girl had a crush on Bryant Parkison, a Slytherin sixth year, "Slytherins are human."
"You sure about that?" Severus asked, chuckling as she turned her glare to him.
"Snakes don't count, Snape." Black glowered.
"Neither do -dogs-." Severus shot back vehemently.
James choked, Remus kicked him in the leg.
"Thank-you Miss Silvermoon- ninety-eight percent for your essay, two points deducted for unnecessary sexual remarks and the sharing of preferences. Class dismissed." Marsh said brushing his class towards the door.
A/N: I know, my essay sucked but I figure I had to write *something*........ oh well, next chapter Remus tells his friends about the basics of Werewolf sexuality and asks Narcissa to the Yule Ball....... Her answer......?