Finally some Draco in the second part of this Chapter. He's been a long
time coming, but trust me, he plays a big part in this story. :)
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Kalli opened her eyes slowly. She knew it was morning, and she also knew someone was in the room with her. She had that inexplicable feeling that she was being watched, and wanted to catch whoever it was unawares. Through half parted lids she studied the bits of the room she could see. Bookshelves, area rug, bedpost, night table, lamp, owl feet, alarm clock.
Owl feet?
Giggling Kalli sat up and rubbed her eyes.
"Good Morning Zephyr!" She greeted her Great Grey Owl and tickled him under the beak. "How was your first night in the Owlery?"
Zephyr hooted softly and fluttered to her tented knees, sticking out one short leg that had a piece of parchment tied to it.
"Hm. Someone's put you to work." She said, untying the note and patting the Owl's head lightly. "Ah, Professor Dumbledore. He's up early." She started unrolling the parchment then paused, "Of course I often wonder if he sleeps at all."
Zephyr moved across the room to dip his beak in her water pitcher, and Kalli settled back to read her note.
"My Dear Professor Chant,
Circumstances being as they are, I think it would be preferable for you to breakfast and lunch in your quarters today. No need to cause questions and confusion from (Here Kalli noticed an ink blot where the Professor had obviously paused and thought about what to write next) everyone before the day has barely begun.
Students will be informed that they are to go directly to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom instead of the library form here on out.
Your first class is at 1 o'clock this afternoon with sixth year Gryffindors and Slytherins. Of course you have much unpacking to do this morning so I will plan to meet with you after dinner this evening. You will, of course, join us for dinner at the head table in the dining hall.
I'm sure these plans will only add to your ideas of a 'Grand Entrance'?
Sincerely, Albus Dumbledore"
Kalli re-read the letter once more, then placed it carefully on her night table.
"Something's happened." She muttered to herself, sliding out from under the bedclothes and grabbing a robe. "He can talk all he wants about not generating confusion, but something's just not right at a- oh!" She had opened her bedroom door to find a dragon the size of a Labrador sitting on the back of her couch.
"Professor Chant. I didn't want to wake you, but-"
"Smudge?" Kalli said, walking a few steps closer.
"Yes?" He hopped down from his perch and sat at her feet.
"You can leave the tapestry?"
"Of course." He grinned up at her.
"Oh. Yes. Of course. Uh, did you want something?" She said, still looking slightly confused.
"Yes. There was a House Elf who wanted to come in, but she didn't know the password so I made her wait until I could talk to you. She insisted she was here by the orders of the Headmaster, but you can never be too careful." Smudge lazily inspected his talons, the very picture of a job well done.
"Right, well, you can let her in. Actually, until further notice you can let any of the House Elves in. Okay?"
Smudge blew a puff of smoke and turned on his haunches, heading towards the door. "Very well." He said, as if it was the biggest mistake imaginable.
The afore mentioned House Elf came in shortly, shaking slightly, and began tidying up.
"I'm sorry about the dragon. He, err, takes his job rather seriously." Kalli said.
"It is okay Professor. He is protecting you, he is. I is understanding it."
"All the same, I've told him to let you and the other House Elves in from here on out."
The House Elf paused, head tilted to one side and stared at Kalli in a slightly cross eyed manner, as trying to comprehend the words just spoken, then turned and prepared to light the fire.
Kalli decided to take her leave, and proceeded to the bathroom. Once there she drew a bath in the over sized bathtub and both coloured and scented the water lavender.
Amidst the steam she unplaited her long hair and stepped down into the water. She sank down underneath the water for a moment, and then breached the surface, slicking back her hair.
"What's happened I wonder." She mused to herself, lying with her chin just touching the surface of the water. "Whatever it is I'm sure he'll tell me tonight." With a sigh she sat back, resting her arms along the side of the tub. "Now,' she said with a wicked grin, "How DOES one get the attention of feuding Gryffindors and Slytherins?"
********************************************************** ************************
"Crabbe that's revolting." Draco Malfoy said about Vincent Crabbe's attempt to make him laugh with a juvenile 'see-food' joke.
He hadn't slept well the night before which always led to both Crabbe and Goyle putting their burly heads together to try and alleviate his surly attitude.
Frankly he could without all of it, including his lunch, which didn't look at all appetizing now that he had seen it chewed to mush in Crabbe's open mouth.
All he wanted was to go back to bed.
No. Really what he wanted was for his father to drop dead. Lucius had appeared at his bedside in the middle of the night to grill him about Snape.
The rumors about traitors were flowing among the Death Eaters once more, with his father heading the search.
And apparently starting with Snape.
Draco couldn't think why his father would ever suspect Snape. He was just as surly, nasty, bitter and withdrawn as always, that was certainly not grounds for suspicion.
But if he was honest with himself, the interrogation on Snape's most recent behavior was not what kept Draco awake until the birds sang, hours after his father had left. It was the reference Lucius made just before he departed. "Soon we will be conducting these sorts of activities together,' he'd said with a smile, 'Father and Son. Working for the same cause."
Draco put his arms around his stomach as the familiar pain in his midsection crept up on him. It always came when he thought about how it had been planned for him to take the Dark Mark this summer. Everyone believed he would. Everyone though him capable of being a superb Death Eater. He himself had thought so as well until the beginning of last year.
Much had happened since then, and Draco was fortunate enough that Dumbledore knew, and believed him when he said he didn't want anything to do with the dark side and his father's wicked ways.
It was because of this trust that Draco slipped form his sheets after Lucius had left last night and made his way silently to the Headmaster's study, where he knew he would find the old Professor awake and ready to hear what he had to say.
Draco knew that Snape was, in fact, the so-called traitor. He knew because he had about a year ago gone to Dumbledore with the intent of telling him that there was a Death eater on staff. His first attempt at doing something for the side he wanted to be one.
Dumbledore hadn't meant to, but he laughed at him. Then explained how it was with Snape. Draco carried the secret with him proudly, not even letting on to Snape that he knew. It was a bit of solace in his otherwise dark life, the one thing he could think about when he started panicking about the summer ahead.
"Hey! Draco! Didja hear that?" Goyle elbowed Draco hard enough that the solitary piece of tomato he had speared on his fork fell to his lap.
"No muscle head, what's going on?" He tried to wipe the tomato from his pant leg, which proved unsuccessful.
"We got real Defense Against The Dark Arts today! No library!" Goyle seemed thrilled at the prospect of avoiding a cavernous room full of books he only half understood.
"Great,' Draco said, tossing his napkin on the table and scratching at the stain with a fingernail. 'Did Dumbledore say who was teaching it?"
"Someone named Professor Chant. But get this! He said we'd really enjoy having her. Her! Draco he got a woman to teach it!"
Draco sighed, he'd never heard of anyone by the name of Chant, and while the idea of having a woman teach the class seemed to excite Goyle to no end, he didn't quite see why Dumbledore needed to insist they'd enjoy it.
"Big deal, ' he said, putting on his snarky Malfoy-esq tone, 'Dumbledore's obligated to say it. She's probably as doddery as McGonagall. Look, she's not even here at lunch, she probably couldn't find the dinging hall."
He arranged his silver ware carefully on his plate of uneaten food and stood up. "C'mon,' he said, smoothing his robes and checking once more to see how noticeable to stain was on his pearl gray trousers "Let's see for ourselves, we have her class next." Gathering his books he glanced over at the Gryffindors table, casting a glare at Potter that was habit more then anything else, then walked aloof from the room.
Kalli opened her eyes slowly. She knew it was morning, and she also knew someone was in the room with her. She had that inexplicable feeling that she was being watched, and wanted to catch whoever it was unawares. Through half parted lids she studied the bits of the room she could see. Bookshelves, area rug, bedpost, night table, lamp, owl feet, alarm clock.
Owl feet?
Giggling Kalli sat up and rubbed her eyes.
"Good Morning Zephyr!" She greeted her Great Grey Owl and tickled him under the beak. "How was your first night in the Owlery?"
Zephyr hooted softly and fluttered to her tented knees, sticking out one short leg that had a piece of parchment tied to it.
"Hm. Someone's put you to work." She said, untying the note and patting the Owl's head lightly. "Ah, Professor Dumbledore. He's up early." She started unrolling the parchment then paused, "Of course I often wonder if he sleeps at all."
Zephyr moved across the room to dip his beak in her water pitcher, and Kalli settled back to read her note.
"My Dear Professor Chant,
Circumstances being as they are, I think it would be preferable for you to breakfast and lunch in your quarters today. No need to cause questions and confusion from (Here Kalli noticed an ink blot where the Professor had obviously paused and thought about what to write next) everyone before the day has barely begun.
Students will be informed that they are to go directly to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom instead of the library form here on out.
Your first class is at 1 o'clock this afternoon with sixth year Gryffindors and Slytherins. Of course you have much unpacking to do this morning so I will plan to meet with you after dinner this evening. You will, of course, join us for dinner at the head table in the dining hall.
I'm sure these plans will only add to your ideas of a 'Grand Entrance'?
Sincerely, Albus Dumbledore"
Kalli re-read the letter once more, then placed it carefully on her night table.
"Something's happened." She muttered to herself, sliding out from under the bedclothes and grabbing a robe. "He can talk all he wants about not generating confusion, but something's just not right at a- oh!" She had opened her bedroom door to find a dragon the size of a Labrador sitting on the back of her couch.
"Professor Chant. I didn't want to wake you, but-"
"Smudge?" Kalli said, walking a few steps closer.
"Yes?" He hopped down from his perch and sat at her feet.
"You can leave the tapestry?"
"Of course." He grinned up at her.
"Oh. Yes. Of course. Uh, did you want something?" She said, still looking slightly confused.
"Yes. There was a House Elf who wanted to come in, but she didn't know the password so I made her wait until I could talk to you. She insisted she was here by the orders of the Headmaster, but you can never be too careful." Smudge lazily inspected his talons, the very picture of a job well done.
"Right, well, you can let her in. Actually, until further notice you can let any of the House Elves in. Okay?"
Smudge blew a puff of smoke and turned on his haunches, heading towards the door. "Very well." He said, as if it was the biggest mistake imaginable.
The afore mentioned House Elf came in shortly, shaking slightly, and began tidying up.
"I'm sorry about the dragon. He, err, takes his job rather seriously." Kalli said.
"It is okay Professor. He is protecting you, he is. I is understanding it."
"All the same, I've told him to let you and the other House Elves in from here on out."
The House Elf paused, head tilted to one side and stared at Kalli in a slightly cross eyed manner, as trying to comprehend the words just spoken, then turned and prepared to light the fire.
Kalli decided to take her leave, and proceeded to the bathroom. Once there she drew a bath in the over sized bathtub and both coloured and scented the water lavender.
Amidst the steam she unplaited her long hair and stepped down into the water. She sank down underneath the water for a moment, and then breached the surface, slicking back her hair.
"What's happened I wonder." She mused to herself, lying with her chin just touching the surface of the water. "Whatever it is I'm sure he'll tell me tonight." With a sigh she sat back, resting her arms along the side of the tub. "Now,' she said with a wicked grin, "How DOES one get the attention of feuding Gryffindors and Slytherins?"
********************************************************** ************************
"Crabbe that's revolting." Draco Malfoy said about Vincent Crabbe's attempt to make him laugh with a juvenile 'see-food' joke.
He hadn't slept well the night before which always led to both Crabbe and Goyle putting their burly heads together to try and alleviate his surly attitude.
Frankly he could without all of it, including his lunch, which didn't look at all appetizing now that he had seen it chewed to mush in Crabbe's open mouth.
All he wanted was to go back to bed.
No. Really what he wanted was for his father to drop dead. Lucius had appeared at his bedside in the middle of the night to grill him about Snape.
The rumors about traitors were flowing among the Death Eaters once more, with his father heading the search.
And apparently starting with Snape.
Draco couldn't think why his father would ever suspect Snape. He was just as surly, nasty, bitter and withdrawn as always, that was certainly not grounds for suspicion.
But if he was honest with himself, the interrogation on Snape's most recent behavior was not what kept Draco awake until the birds sang, hours after his father had left. It was the reference Lucius made just before he departed. "Soon we will be conducting these sorts of activities together,' he'd said with a smile, 'Father and Son. Working for the same cause."
Draco put his arms around his stomach as the familiar pain in his midsection crept up on him. It always came when he thought about how it had been planned for him to take the Dark Mark this summer. Everyone believed he would. Everyone though him capable of being a superb Death Eater. He himself had thought so as well until the beginning of last year.
Much had happened since then, and Draco was fortunate enough that Dumbledore knew, and believed him when he said he didn't want anything to do with the dark side and his father's wicked ways.
It was because of this trust that Draco slipped form his sheets after Lucius had left last night and made his way silently to the Headmaster's study, where he knew he would find the old Professor awake and ready to hear what he had to say.
Draco knew that Snape was, in fact, the so-called traitor. He knew because he had about a year ago gone to Dumbledore with the intent of telling him that there was a Death eater on staff. His first attempt at doing something for the side he wanted to be one.
Dumbledore hadn't meant to, but he laughed at him. Then explained how it was with Snape. Draco carried the secret with him proudly, not even letting on to Snape that he knew. It was a bit of solace in his otherwise dark life, the one thing he could think about when he started panicking about the summer ahead.
"Hey! Draco! Didja hear that?" Goyle elbowed Draco hard enough that the solitary piece of tomato he had speared on his fork fell to his lap.
"No muscle head, what's going on?" He tried to wipe the tomato from his pant leg, which proved unsuccessful.
"We got real Defense Against The Dark Arts today! No library!" Goyle seemed thrilled at the prospect of avoiding a cavernous room full of books he only half understood.
"Great,' Draco said, tossing his napkin on the table and scratching at the stain with a fingernail. 'Did Dumbledore say who was teaching it?"
"Someone named Professor Chant. But get this! He said we'd really enjoy having her. Her! Draco he got a woman to teach it!"
Draco sighed, he'd never heard of anyone by the name of Chant, and while the idea of having a woman teach the class seemed to excite Goyle to no end, he didn't quite see why Dumbledore needed to insist they'd enjoy it.
"Big deal, ' he said, putting on his snarky Malfoy-esq tone, 'Dumbledore's obligated to say it. She's probably as doddery as McGonagall. Look, she's not even here at lunch, she probably couldn't find the dinging hall."
He arranged his silver ware carefully on his plate of uneaten food and stood up. "C'mon,' he said, smoothing his robes and checking once more to see how noticeable to stain was on his pearl gray trousers "Let's see for ourselves, we have her class next." Gathering his books he glanced over at the Gryffindors table, casting a glare at Potter that was habit more then anything else, then walked aloof from the room.