DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter, nor do I own many of the background
characters. Some of the characters (Taseia, Faellen, Kairn, Seth, Sienna
and yet another addition: Professor Mirillen in particular) I am the
creator and owner of. So hands off please. The rest are copyright to J. K.
Rowling.
Author's Note: I realize so far this story has been quite centered around Kairn, or at least a fair few of the chapters have been, but it's all part of the plot. I plan on doing more than one book. None of them will be excessively long, like 100,000 words or anything, but not short, short either. But anywho, I hope you keep reading cause I am having SO much fun writing it ^^
Mystixnight
Chapter 6 So Close
Kairn was troubled deeply by the newest Professor on Hogwarts grounds... She was intriguing, yes. But he couldn't shake the feeling that she wasn't going to bring the best of change to his life. Unless... His thoughts became strangely whimsical, yearning... She had known his father, hadn't she? Maybe... He almost dared not to think of it, lest that shadow of a dream in the back of his mind would sputter out if whispered aloud. Maybe she knew more of him. Maybe she would tell him. Maybe he was actually alive!
He had been wandering slowly round the edges of the lake, tossing stones out absent-mindedly into the glassy surface of the water. The thought that abruptly shattered the steady train that had been flowing made him stop dead in his tracks. He felt his pulse quicken. He felt his hands clench at his sides. He picked up his pace again.
No. He couldn't let himself think those kinds of things. The higher his hopes were the more it hurt when they collapsed down around him. It had happened before... Like a ladder they would rise, each rung higher than the next, lifting him upward in elation. And the just before he could break the clouds, just before all he had hoped for became a reality, the next rung would disappear, and down he would fall. The higher he went, the worse the crash. 'Twas best not even to attempt the climb anymore.
But he couldn't help it; hand reaching out to grasp that metaphorical rung. What if he was alive? He felt an icy shiver pass down his spine. Maybe... Maybe...
He felt the beginnings of a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. He was lost in his own world, his own dreams.
He lurched forward with a yelp as a shrill, short shriek rendered the air. It was followed immediately by a loud splash in the lake's surface. His head whipped around and he snarled in impatience as a shock of his obsidian hair fell over his eyes. The water rippled from a central point on the surface.
He squinted as the light reflected off of the water's surface. "Hello?" He called out into the water, trying hard to see below the surface. For a moment he thought he saw a shadow in the gloom but it was gone almost as soon as it had been spotted.
Moments passed. What if someone had fallen in?
Kairn was at a loss, what was he supposed to do. His legs twitched, and he began to turn, maybe he could find someone who knew what was supposed to be done.
As soon as his gaze tore from the lake though, he heard a murmuring lap of water, and an awkward mutter. "Dammit, Kairn... Come back..."
Kairn pivoted so fast on his heel he almost fell forward over a slight mound of clothing he had overlooked before in his panic. He blinked, looking from the dripping, silvern head in the water, to the pile of clothing on the ground.
"T-Taseia? What the hell are you DOING in there? It's November for god's sake! Aren't you freezing?" He was shouting, almost screaming out the words. His mind was unable to grasp what was happening and therefore gave him nothing but vapid panic signals.
His hand was rifling rapidly through his hair, as he swayed back and forth in confusion, not sure what else to do. With more than a few curses that were enough to make a sailor blush he started out to the lapping water.
"Kairn! Don't! Stay up th-" But Taseia hadn't time to finish, ducking lower into the water so that her chin was submerged in the water, wincing.
Kairn slogged out into the water at a jog 'fore his body registered the cold. "Shit!" He floundered backwards, stumbling back up onto the shore. "Get out, Taseia! Get out, now! Why the hell aren't you up here already? Can you swim? Can't you make it to shore?"
He was shouting again, mind not registering the shushing motions Taseia made with her hands, smoothly making her way to the shore. Though her movements were hasty to say the least.
He was pacing erratically by the time she reached the closest point she could without allowing her shoulders out of the water. She noted with distraught concern that he was babbling now. 'Not now! That last thing I need is people milling out here!' She thought bitterly. Her voice, when she spoke was commanding and sharp. Sharper than she thought she could manage, being quite soft-spoken.
"Kairn! Give me my robe. Now."
Kairn seemed to notice her as though for the first time and she almost laughed at his expression. His beetle black eyes were wide with disbelief, hair flayed in all directions from the way he had had his head clamped in his hands. His clothing was drenched up to the hip and his mouth was agape in confusion. She bit her tongue though. Best not to add more stress to the situation.
"Kairn? My robe..."
He nodded dumbly and picked it up from the ground, holding it out in front of him stiffly. His arm stretched to it's greatest length.
Her own silver tinted arm reached up to gather it. She turned her back to him, even though he turned away in sudden awkward realization of why she NEEDED her robe. She pulled it up around her, disregarding how wet the hem became.
She came out slowly from the water, though the distance was short. When she reached the shore she neither looked at Kairn, nor stopped to wait for him, simply kept going. Her bare feet made next to no imprint upon the frost glazed grass.
After a moment, she felt more than heard Kairn draw up alongside her. Neither spoke for what seemed like a long time. It was Kairn who finally broke the silence. "What were you doing in there, Sei?"
She blinked. "Swimming. What did it look like?"
"In November!?"
"Why not?"
"Because it's FREEZING, that's why not!"
Taseia scowled by didn't reply. She knew better than to argue about this. Just let him think he had won the argument and it would be forgotten. Kairn didn't forget though. She could tell by the shifty glances that he kept sending her and the way his brows furrowed. It would be a good thing. She personally thought that the way he kept emotion hidden was unhealthy... He needed to open up more often. It made her worry. But this was NOT the kind of 'opening up' she had wanted. This matter, at least, deserved privacy... But how was he to know that?
Her slender shoulders rose and fell in a listless sigh. Kairn noted this, and when he spoke again she started at how quiet and almost gentle it was. No, gentle wasn't the word. It was more like less cold. As close to gentle as Kairn would come. "Taseia...? You can trust me... You know that right?"
For the first time since they had left the lakeshores she met his dark gaze with her own oceanic orbs. Her brows tilted upwards and her lips parted to speak. Kairn's head nodded forward, sensing he was on the verge of an answer.
"Where are your shoes?" The sneer condensed in that voice, the mocking made Taseia shiver.
Sienna had found her favourite prey.
* * *
Taseia's gaze rose reluctantly, dreading the familiar face, which had once been a sight she relished in. A friend; a confidant. That had all changed though. The trust was mangled beyond repair.
"Hello, Sienna..." She made her lips curve into a pleasant smile. She trained her face to hide the hurt.
Kairn beside her, not knowing the full story was still feeling uneasy at the thick fog of tensions that was swirling about them now. He was loath to make assumptions. He was a scientific person. He wanted the facts first- hand and to make his decisions after.
His scrutinizing glare shifted through the small herd that Sienna had brought with her. Sienna herself, he noted as a fact, could have been quite pretty in a pert and organized kind of way. But the sneer that curled back her upper lip took her from attractive to revolting in one fell swoop. There were a few RavenClaws, mostly second years, though the odd first or third year had joined them. One or two Hufflepuffs were with them as well, not to mention a fair amount of Gryffindors.
He twitched involuntarily as a redheaded Gryffindor, obviously a first year himself, move aside. Harry Potter was standing awkwardly astride them. He felt his hands curve involuntarily into fists at his side, but with steadfast determination relaxed them. It wasn't Potter's fault... He couldn't possibly have been aware of what would follow his interaction with the Dark Lord. A deep breath rose and fell in his chest and Kairn looked forward again. Sienna was looking at Taseia with a mixture of disgust and question.
"Did you fall in the lake or something?"
Taseia rolled her eyes. "Sure, Sienna... If that's what you want to believe then go right ahead."
Sienna chuckled and her little horde followed suite. "Still bitter? Oh, poor girl. Things just keep going downhill for you, don't they?"
Taseia didn't even respond, just turned to Kairn and motioned with her head that they would be making their exit. Kairn brushed past the grouping indifferently but as Taseia moved to follow, Sienna's hand grasped her shoulder. Her mouth opened to speak, the cold glint in her eye clue enough as to what kind of a conversation she planned on having. Kairn's arm shot our roughly, knocking Sienna's away from Taseia.
"Don't touch her... She's not as twisted and sick in the head as you yet, and I think I prefer her this way..." His voice was as cold as Sienna's gaze. His other arm sidled Taseia past him and her former friend's throng. Sienna snarled back at him, cringing. "I am not!"
He chuckled lightly and turned to follow Taseia, who was waiting, relief blatantly etched on her features. "Ouch... That one stung, Sienna... That one stung," he muttered sarcastically. He felt someone else's hand take hold of his own shoulder and whipped around impatiently. "What?"
Harry Potter stared back at him, head high, chest puffed out; obviously trying to be the 'hero'. Kairn said nothing, face impassive, as he tried to gauge what he was supposed to do now. This wasn't his fight. It was between Taseia and Sienna, but it appeared that he and Harry were here for the same reason. He could see a glint of confusion behind Harry's spectacles as well.
A moment of pregnant silence followed this confrontation, before Harry's faltering voice was emitted. "Leave her alone, Kairn..."
Kairn rolled his eyes. "I don't even know why I'm here... My fight isn't with you, Harry-"
"Scared?" Harry blurted out. A feeble inquiry, but it was a point for him. Kairn fought the urge to laugh at this, eyeing how skinny the lad before him was. At receiving no reply Harry's courage inflated and, intoxicated with his 'success', he grew more foolish.
"Scared you'll end up like your Dad? Dead?" A sly smile played over Harry's face...
Kairn would later wonder how Harry knew about that. He would later wonder how long the brawl had lasted. He would regret losing control like that. And he would wonder, no fantasize, about just how much damage he had inflicted upon that infuriating little runt.
As it happened, the last thing he remembered before the incident was lunging at the idiot and yelling at him. "YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT MY FATHER!"
And then the next thing he knew he was bleeding from the mouth and nose, his robes were a bit torn and he had Harry Potter straddled on the cobblestones beneath him. Harry's broken spectacles were strewn beside them, one eye turning a shade of plum purple, and a matching bloody nose.
He had felt an abrupt tug at his collar, and ceased the relentless jabs he had been directing at the boy as he choked. A shrill voice permeated the air, scattering the group that was surrounding them. Kairn couldn't see Taseia anywhere and wondered sharply where she had gone.
"Mister Sairet! What in the world in going on here?"
Harry sat up quickly to call out to the seething instructor. "Professor McGonagall! I don't know what happened!"
Kairn snarled but said nothing. McGonagall turned a pitying eye on Harry before her gaze turned frigid as she looked to Kairn. "I don't know if you were aware of the rules we went over at the sorting but if you were too deaf to hear it, fighting is NOT allowed!"
Kairn shouted in protest. "It wasn't just MY fault!"
McGonagall took no heed, turning on heel, Kairn's collar still firmly in hand.
"Mister Potter, please go to the medical wing and ask Madame Pomfrey to clean you up..." With that she picked up a brisk walk and dragged Kairn along with her.
Kairn was seething. Harry got off without a hitch when it had been his group to START the problem and here he was, getting taken to Dumbeldore no doubt. And he knew that the Head Master didn't like him... It seemed everyone was aware of his family's mishaps by now...
He made not a sound as McGonagall pulled him along the hall, ranting and raving all the way.
"He stops the dark lord, his parents are killed, he gets stuck with muggles, and what do you do to him? You attack him! Honestly, I think your mother will be receiving a very angry letter from me! Really! This behaviour is not acceptable, at Hogwarts or anywhere else... And what's more-"
And so it went on and on down the hall...
* * *
"I see..." Dumbledore was seated at his desk, fingers in a steeple before him, long beard trailing over the papers before him.
"I am not sure what to do with you, Mister Sairet... I cannot promote violence in this school, and though you were not at 'fault' per say, this isn't something we can just let go..." His bushy brows rose in expectance of a reply from Kairn.
The last hour had been spent explaining the situation multiple times and answering questions from McGonagall and the Head Master. And still he knew that no matter what was said, it would be him to receive the punishment.
Eventually he had drawn back into an offended, disgusted silence, letting Dumbledore ramble on about what was right and what was wrong. About what his mistake had been and about how to control himself. And about Harry Potter...
And then there was punishment. The fifteen house points deducted was not enough, it seemed... A hearty dose of detentions was also in order along with some 'volunteer work' with Filch.
"Lucky me..." He muttered under his breath as his Head Master explained that working with Filch could be quite fun. Polishing trophies and the like...
"Pardon?" The elderly man asked, gaze inquiring...
Kairn gave no reply and almost grinned at the expression of agitation and puzzlement that was displayed upon the man's face.
With a sigh Dumbledore continued opened his mouth to move on, only to be interrupted by a sharp knock on the heavy wooden doors to his office.
"One moment, child," he murmured to Kairn. "Come in."
The auburn haired head of Professor Mirillen poked in, violet eye twinkling as she caught sight of Kairn and giving a quick wink of a friendly manner.
"I had a feeling I was wanted..." Her voice was light and smooth, confident as well.
Dumbledore chuckled. "Yes, yes... You always were quite astute. Maybe you should take up a position in the divination department..." He laughed all the more at the look a faltering revulsion that crossed her elegant visage. "No thank you, Albus..."
He shrugged good-naturedly. "Ah, well... Back to business. This lad here," he gestured to Kairn. "Is in need of a teacher to aid after classes and before, as a detention. Maybe he can help you sort documents, do marking. Possibly aid you in organizing lesson plans... Anything to keep him busy."
Though the last part of Dumbledore's speech was not said aloud everyone in the room could hear it quite plainly. 'Anything to keep him busy, and out of trouble."
Kairn was about to protest but Mirillen was already speaking. "I have no complaints. I'm in need of some help anyway... Come, Kairn... I'll explain some of your duties on the way to the classroom." Dumbledore nodded in agreement, making a 'shooing' motion with his hands to urge the lad forward. With nary a syllable expressed he slid off the chair and out the door in front of Mirillen.
They proceeded down the numerous corridors in silence for a long while until finally Kairn spoke. "How did you know you were needed anyway?" He looked up at her suspiciously.
His words seemed to snap her out of her thoughts. She looked down at him, regarding him carefully and completely ignoring his question. He had the strong impression that he was being judged... He held his breath, not knowing what was going on but he could feel it. Something was happening now that determined the course of his future. Her eyes burned into his own, her violet gaze drilling a hole into him. Finally, her concentration broke and he released the breath he had been holding. He was relieved by the smug look of contentment that had etched itself upon her pallet. He had passed then. Whatever it was...
"Your father was a good man, Kairn" The way she started her speech with this was a chock to him. He felt his jaw go slack in confusion and a sharp slap of familiar pain, but made no sound. He mentally willed her to continue on, and she complied.
"... A loyal man... A trustworthy man... Am I right in thinking you follow in his footsteps...? I'm in need of more help than in the classroom, Kairn. There are things afoot that I cannot handle on my own. I trusted your father. Can I trust you?"
He could have wept. He could have shouted his joy. He could have beaten on her as he had beaten on another earlier today... But he did none of those things. He could only nod mutely, trying hard not to lose himself to the torrent of emotions that were drowning him. All he knew, all he could be sure of: was that whatever happened next he would not back down... Not when he was so close... Not when he could almost feel it... Not when his father was concerned...
Mirillen looked as though she could have embraced him, her own expression faltering in what he took to be hope and relief. "I need but one thing, Kairn... One favour... Listen closely."
And for the first time all day, he did as he was told with not so much as a hesitation.
He was so close...
Author's Note: I realize so far this story has been quite centered around Kairn, or at least a fair few of the chapters have been, but it's all part of the plot. I plan on doing more than one book. None of them will be excessively long, like 100,000 words or anything, but not short, short either. But anywho, I hope you keep reading cause I am having SO much fun writing it ^^
Mystixnight
Chapter 6 So Close
Kairn was troubled deeply by the newest Professor on Hogwarts grounds... She was intriguing, yes. But he couldn't shake the feeling that she wasn't going to bring the best of change to his life. Unless... His thoughts became strangely whimsical, yearning... She had known his father, hadn't she? Maybe... He almost dared not to think of it, lest that shadow of a dream in the back of his mind would sputter out if whispered aloud. Maybe she knew more of him. Maybe she would tell him. Maybe he was actually alive!
He had been wandering slowly round the edges of the lake, tossing stones out absent-mindedly into the glassy surface of the water. The thought that abruptly shattered the steady train that had been flowing made him stop dead in his tracks. He felt his pulse quicken. He felt his hands clench at his sides. He picked up his pace again.
No. He couldn't let himself think those kinds of things. The higher his hopes were the more it hurt when they collapsed down around him. It had happened before... Like a ladder they would rise, each rung higher than the next, lifting him upward in elation. And the just before he could break the clouds, just before all he had hoped for became a reality, the next rung would disappear, and down he would fall. The higher he went, the worse the crash. 'Twas best not even to attempt the climb anymore.
But he couldn't help it; hand reaching out to grasp that metaphorical rung. What if he was alive? He felt an icy shiver pass down his spine. Maybe... Maybe...
He felt the beginnings of a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. He was lost in his own world, his own dreams.
He lurched forward with a yelp as a shrill, short shriek rendered the air. It was followed immediately by a loud splash in the lake's surface. His head whipped around and he snarled in impatience as a shock of his obsidian hair fell over his eyes. The water rippled from a central point on the surface.
He squinted as the light reflected off of the water's surface. "Hello?" He called out into the water, trying hard to see below the surface. For a moment he thought he saw a shadow in the gloom but it was gone almost as soon as it had been spotted.
Moments passed. What if someone had fallen in?
Kairn was at a loss, what was he supposed to do. His legs twitched, and he began to turn, maybe he could find someone who knew what was supposed to be done.
As soon as his gaze tore from the lake though, he heard a murmuring lap of water, and an awkward mutter. "Dammit, Kairn... Come back..."
Kairn pivoted so fast on his heel he almost fell forward over a slight mound of clothing he had overlooked before in his panic. He blinked, looking from the dripping, silvern head in the water, to the pile of clothing on the ground.
"T-Taseia? What the hell are you DOING in there? It's November for god's sake! Aren't you freezing?" He was shouting, almost screaming out the words. His mind was unable to grasp what was happening and therefore gave him nothing but vapid panic signals.
His hand was rifling rapidly through his hair, as he swayed back and forth in confusion, not sure what else to do. With more than a few curses that were enough to make a sailor blush he started out to the lapping water.
"Kairn! Don't! Stay up th-" But Taseia hadn't time to finish, ducking lower into the water so that her chin was submerged in the water, wincing.
Kairn slogged out into the water at a jog 'fore his body registered the cold. "Shit!" He floundered backwards, stumbling back up onto the shore. "Get out, Taseia! Get out, now! Why the hell aren't you up here already? Can you swim? Can't you make it to shore?"
He was shouting again, mind not registering the shushing motions Taseia made with her hands, smoothly making her way to the shore. Though her movements were hasty to say the least.
He was pacing erratically by the time she reached the closest point she could without allowing her shoulders out of the water. She noted with distraught concern that he was babbling now. 'Not now! That last thing I need is people milling out here!' She thought bitterly. Her voice, when she spoke was commanding and sharp. Sharper than she thought she could manage, being quite soft-spoken.
"Kairn! Give me my robe. Now."
Kairn seemed to notice her as though for the first time and she almost laughed at his expression. His beetle black eyes were wide with disbelief, hair flayed in all directions from the way he had had his head clamped in his hands. His clothing was drenched up to the hip and his mouth was agape in confusion. She bit her tongue though. Best not to add more stress to the situation.
"Kairn? My robe..."
He nodded dumbly and picked it up from the ground, holding it out in front of him stiffly. His arm stretched to it's greatest length.
Her own silver tinted arm reached up to gather it. She turned her back to him, even though he turned away in sudden awkward realization of why she NEEDED her robe. She pulled it up around her, disregarding how wet the hem became.
She came out slowly from the water, though the distance was short. When she reached the shore she neither looked at Kairn, nor stopped to wait for him, simply kept going. Her bare feet made next to no imprint upon the frost glazed grass.
After a moment, she felt more than heard Kairn draw up alongside her. Neither spoke for what seemed like a long time. It was Kairn who finally broke the silence. "What were you doing in there, Sei?"
She blinked. "Swimming. What did it look like?"
"In November!?"
"Why not?"
"Because it's FREEZING, that's why not!"
Taseia scowled by didn't reply. She knew better than to argue about this. Just let him think he had won the argument and it would be forgotten. Kairn didn't forget though. She could tell by the shifty glances that he kept sending her and the way his brows furrowed. It would be a good thing. She personally thought that the way he kept emotion hidden was unhealthy... He needed to open up more often. It made her worry. But this was NOT the kind of 'opening up' she had wanted. This matter, at least, deserved privacy... But how was he to know that?
Her slender shoulders rose and fell in a listless sigh. Kairn noted this, and when he spoke again she started at how quiet and almost gentle it was. No, gentle wasn't the word. It was more like less cold. As close to gentle as Kairn would come. "Taseia...? You can trust me... You know that right?"
For the first time since they had left the lakeshores she met his dark gaze with her own oceanic orbs. Her brows tilted upwards and her lips parted to speak. Kairn's head nodded forward, sensing he was on the verge of an answer.
"Where are your shoes?" The sneer condensed in that voice, the mocking made Taseia shiver.
Sienna had found her favourite prey.
* * *
Taseia's gaze rose reluctantly, dreading the familiar face, which had once been a sight she relished in. A friend; a confidant. That had all changed though. The trust was mangled beyond repair.
"Hello, Sienna..." She made her lips curve into a pleasant smile. She trained her face to hide the hurt.
Kairn beside her, not knowing the full story was still feeling uneasy at the thick fog of tensions that was swirling about them now. He was loath to make assumptions. He was a scientific person. He wanted the facts first- hand and to make his decisions after.
His scrutinizing glare shifted through the small herd that Sienna had brought with her. Sienna herself, he noted as a fact, could have been quite pretty in a pert and organized kind of way. But the sneer that curled back her upper lip took her from attractive to revolting in one fell swoop. There were a few RavenClaws, mostly second years, though the odd first or third year had joined them. One or two Hufflepuffs were with them as well, not to mention a fair amount of Gryffindors.
He twitched involuntarily as a redheaded Gryffindor, obviously a first year himself, move aside. Harry Potter was standing awkwardly astride them. He felt his hands curve involuntarily into fists at his side, but with steadfast determination relaxed them. It wasn't Potter's fault... He couldn't possibly have been aware of what would follow his interaction with the Dark Lord. A deep breath rose and fell in his chest and Kairn looked forward again. Sienna was looking at Taseia with a mixture of disgust and question.
"Did you fall in the lake or something?"
Taseia rolled her eyes. "Sure, Sienna... If that's what you want to believe then go right ahead."
Sienna chuckled and her little horde followed suite. "Still bitter? Oh, poor girl. Things just keep going downhill for you, don't they?"
Taseia didn't even respond, just turned to Kairn and motioned with her head that they would be making their exit. Kairn brushed past the grouping indifferently but as Taseia moved to follow, Sienna's hand grasped her shoulder. Her mouth opened to speak, the cold glint in her eye clue enough as to what kind of a conversation she planned on having. Kairn's arm shot our roughly, knocking Sienna's away from Taseia.
"Don't touch her... She's not as twisted and sick in the head as you yet, and I think I prefer her this way..." His voice was as cold as Sienna's gaze. His other arm sidled Taseia past him and her former friend's throng. Sienna snarled back at him, cringing. "I am not!"
He chuckled lightly and turned to follow Taseia, who was waiting, relief blatantly etched on her features. "Ouch... That one stung, Sienna... That one stung," he muttered sarcastically. He felt someone else's hand take hold of his own shoulder and whipped around impatiently. "What?"
Harry Potter stared back at him, head high, chest puffed out; obviously trying to be the 'hero'. Kairn said nothing, face impassive, as he tried to gauge what he was supposed to do now. This wasn't his fight. It was between Taseia and Sienna, but it appeared that he and Harry were here for the same reason. He could see a glint of confusion behind Harry's spectacles as well.
A moment of pregnant silence followed this confrontation, before Harry's faltering voice was emitted. "Leave her alone, Kairn..."
Kairn rolled his eyes. "I don't even know why I'm here... My fight isn't with you, Harry-"
"Scared?" Harry blurted out. A feeble inquiry, but it was a point for him. Kairn fought the urge to laugh at this, eyeing how skinny the lad before him was. At receiving no reply Harry's courage inflated and, intoxicated with his 'success', he grew more foolish.
"Scared you'll end up like your Dad? Dead?" A sly smile played over Harry's face...
Kairn would later wonder how Harry knew about that. He would later wonder how long the brawl had lasted. He would regret losing control like that. And he would wonder, no fantasize, about just how much damage he had inflicted upon that infuriating little runt.
As it happened, the last thing he remembered before the incident was lunging at the idiot and yelling at him. "YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT MY FATHER!"
And then the next thing he knew he was bleeding from the mouth and nose, his robes were a bit torn and he had Harry Potter straddled on the cobblestones beneath him. Harry's broken spectacles were strewn beside them, one eye turning a shade of plum purple, and a matching bloody nose.
He had felt an abrupt tug at his collar, and ceased the relentless jabs he had been directing at the boy as he choked. A shrill voice permeated the air, scattering the group that was surrounding them. Kairn couldn't see Taseia anywhere and wondered sharply where she had gone.
"Mister Sairet! What in the world in going on here?"
Harry sat up quickly to call out to the seething instructor. "Professor McGonagall! I don't know what happened!"
Kairn snarled but said nothing. McGonagall turned a pitying eye on Harry before her gaze turned frigid as she looked to Kairn. "I don't know if you were aware of the rules we went over at the sorting but if you were too deaf to hear it, fighting is NOT allowed!"
Kairn shouted in protest. "It wasn't just MY fault!"
McGonagall took no heed, turning on heel, Kairn's collar still firmly in hand.
"Mister Potter, please go to the medical wing and ask Madame Pomfrey to clean you up..." With that she picked up a brisk walk and dragged Kairn along with her.
Kairn was seething. Harry got off without a hitch when it had been his group to START the problem and here he was, getting taken to Dumbeldore no doubt. And he knew that the Head Master didn't like him... It seemed everyone was aware of his family's mishaps by now...
He made not a sound as McGonagall pulled him along the hall, ranting and raving all the way.
"He stops the dark lord, his parents are killed, he gets stuck with muggles, and what do you do to him? You attack him! Honestly, I think your mother will be receiving a very angry letter from me! Really! This behaviour is not acceptable, at Hogwarts or anywhere else... And what's more-"
And so it went on and on down the hall...
* * *
"I see..." Dumbledore was seated at his desk, fingers in a steeple before him, long beard trailing over the papers before him.
"I am not sure what to do with you, Mister Sairet... I cannot promote violence in this school, and though you were not at 'fault' per say, this isn't something we can just let go..." His bushy brows rose in expectance of a reply from Kairn.
The last hour had been spent explaining the situation multiple times and answering questions from McGonagall and the Head Master. And still he knew that no matter what was said, it would be him to receive the punishment.
Eventually he had drawn back into an offended, disgusted silence, letting Dumbledore ramble on about what was right and what was wrong. About what his mistake had been and about how to control himself. And about Harry Potter...
And then there was punishment. The fifteen house points deducted was not enough, it seemed... A hearty dose of detentions was also in order along with some 'volunteer work' with Filch.
"Lucky me..." He muttered under his breath as his Head Master explained that working with Filch could be quite fun. Polishing trophies and the like...
"Pardon?" The elderly man asked, gaze inquiring...
Kairn gave no reply and almost grinned at the expression of agitation and puzzlement that was displayed upon the man's face.
With a sigh Dumbledore continued opened his mouth to move on, only to be interrupted by a sharp knock on the heavy wooden doors to his office.
"One moment, child," he murmured to Kairn. "Come in."
The auburn haired head of Professor Mirillen poked in, violet eye twinkling as she caught sight of Kairn and giving a quick wink of a friendly manner.
"I had a feeling I was wanted..." Her voice was light and smooth, confident as well.
Dumbledore chuckled. "Yes, yes... You always were quite astute. Maybe you should take up a position in the divination department..." He laughed all the more at the look a faltering revulsion that crossed her elegant visage. "No thank you, Albus..."
He shrugged good-naturedly. "Ah, well... Back to business. This lad here," he gestured to Kairn. "Is in need of a teacher to aid after classes and before, as a detention. Maybe he can help you sort documents, do marking. Possibly aid you in organizing lesson plans... Anything to keep him busy."
Though the last part of Dumbledore's speech was not said aloud everyone in the room could hear it quite plainly. 'Anything to keep him busy, and out of trouble."
Kairn was about to protest but Mirillen was already speaking. "I have no complaints. I'm in need of some help anyway... Come, Kairn... I'll explain some of your duties on the way to the classroom." Dumbledore nodded in agreement, making a 'shooing' motion with his hands to urge the lad forward. With nary a syllable expressed he slid off the chair and out the door in front of Mirillen.
They proceeded down the numerous corridors in silence for a long while until finally Kairn spoke. "How did you know you were needed anyway?" He looked up at her suspiciously.
His words seemed to snap her out of her thoughts. She looked down at him, regarding him carefully and completely ignoring his question. He had the strong impression that he was being judged... He held his breath, not knowing what was going on but he could feel it. Something was happening now that determined the course of his future. Her eyes burned into his own, her violet gaze drilling a hole into him. Finally, her concentration broke and he released the breath he had been holding. He was relieved by the smug look of contentment that had etched itself upon her pallet. He had passed then. Whatever it was...
"Your father was a good man, Kairn" The way she started her speech with this was a chock to him. He felt his jaw go slack in confusion and a sharp slap of familiar pain, but made no sound. He mentally willed her to continue on, and she complied.
"... A loyal man... A trustworthy man... Am I right in thinking you follow in his footsteps...? I'm in need of more help than in the classroom, Kairn. There are things afoot that I cannot handle on my own. I trusted your father. Can I trust you?"
He could have wept. He could have shouted his joy. He could have beaten on her as he had beaten on another earlier today... But he did none of those things. He could only nod mutely, trying hard not to lose himself to the torrent of emotions that were drowning him. All he knew, all he could be sure of: was that whatever happened next he would not back down... Not when he was so close... Not when he could almost feel it... Not when his father was concerned...
Mirillen looked as though she could have embraced him, her own expression faltering in what he took to be hope and relief. "I need but one thing, Kairn... One favour... Listen closely."
And for the first time all day, he did as he was told with not so much as a hesitation.
He was so close...
