The Past Dug Up
Chapter 5- Break, Feathers, and visits.
Surprisingly the time until break seemed to pass rather quickly. She taught her class about various demons the Scoobies had faced. She also offered an extra credit assignment on famous vampires throughout the ages (which Hermione did on Spike).
Giles was also found to have some magic in him. So Tara spent free time in the library teaching him spells. He found it, "Terribly ridiculous," that a wand had to be used. He did appreciate the moving pictures in the books though. Those were, "Bloody fascinating."
Tara had easily fallen back into the swing of things. Her stutter had practically vanished after a few weeks. And she had even more liberties as a teacher than a student. Not that when she was a student she followed the rules. The crowd she had hung out with were widely known for their mischief making. Although Fred and George Weasly could give them a run for their money.
She was just finishing her class before break,
"...And so Vengeance Demons are a force to be rekoned with. Also you can find a moral somewhere in there. Be careful what you wish for. Cliché yes, but good to learn. All right I want a 16 inch essay on the Vengeance Duo, Anyanka and Halfrek due after break. You're dismissed."
Students rushed out of there, eager to get out of learning for a while. Tara slowly packed up her stuff. A knock sounded on the door. "Come in"
In walked Hermione, "Professor, I was wondering if you'd graded my essay on William the Bloody, yet?"
"Almost Hermione. It's very interesting."
"Thank you Professor."
"Are you staying during break?"
"Yes."
"Then I'll try to get it done during that time."
Hermione nodded and walked out. She made her way into the Gryffindor common room. Her two best friends were playing Wizards Chess. "Honestly you two, don't you do anything else?"
"Hello to you too, Hermione. Where were you?" Harry greeted.
"Probably at the library," thought Ron out loud as his knight smashed one of Harry's pawns.
"If you must know I was asking Professor Mclay if she'd graded my essay."
"And had she?" Ron asked, not really caring for an answer.
Before she could reply with a sarcastic remark a large black dog bounded into the room. Harry, under the circumstances, was allowed to keep 'Snuffles' in the castle. He patted the dog on the head. It looked at him as if to say 'Don't patronize me, boy'.
Harry shrugged, "You're a dog, what am I supposed to do?"
"Well, I'm heading to the library. Mr. Giles promised me a book on water demons." Hermione announced.
"What do you need a book on water demons for. Checkmate." Ron asked.
"Because they're fascinating!"
"Hermione, everything to you is fascinating," pointed out Harry, finally looking up at her. The book worm didn't reply. She was already headed toward the portrait hole, the dog following. "Si... Snuffles are you going with her?" The dog turned and nodded at him before following the girl out.
"...All I'm saying is that if you can do magic with a want a lot more oppurtunities are open for you." Tara was saying.
"Yes, but it's ridiculous. I can do magic without some silly stick." Giles told her in response.
"Oh yeah? Without using a wand bring a book from across the room over here."
"Tara you know I'm not at that level."
"Exactly. Now watch," she pulled out her wand and pointed it at a book, "Accio book," the book flew into her awaiting hand.
"Mr. Giles, do you have that book?"
Tara turned around, "Hello again, Hermione." Said student smiled as she was handed her book. Suddenly Tara gasped lightly and took a step backward.
"Tara, what's wrong?" Giles asked with a bit of concern.
She pointed to the large black dog that had come up beside the younger female. It's eyes seemed to light up at seeing her, and it wagged it's tail happily.
"Oh. This is Snuffles. Don't worry, he wouldn't hurt anyone. He's a smart dog."
"D-d-og-gs s-scare me. I've had, had s-s-some bad experiences in, in the p-past."
"Oh. I'm sorry. I'll take him out then."
"Wait. Di-did Dumbledore allow this?"
"Oh yes. He's Harry's dog. Goes with him everywhere, like a guardian. Although he has to wait outside classes."
Tara narrowed her eyes at the dog. She had this distinct feeling that he wasn't a dog at all, but something more. Snuffles bowed his head and let out a whimper.
"Come on Snuffles, let's go. We don't want to upset Professor Mclay."
"You all right?" Giles asked again once Hermione had left.
Tara stared at the moon through her bedroom window. She had received another letter from Moony. He would arrive the next day.
A cool wind blew around and she shivered slightly. It was all a bit too much. The excitement, the memories, the place, the fresh air. She climbed into the windowsill and jumped out. As she started to fall her appearance changed from human to bird. Hawk to be exact.
She spread her wings and soared upward. There was nothing like the freedom of flying. And no matter how much James argued being a bird flying was so much better than flying on a broom. She was so caught up in the sensations and the good memories, she didn't notice the large shape watching her from below.
"Let's go!" Harry called to the dog impatiently. Snuffles, or Sirius Black, came bounding out of the dorms. They were on their way to Dumbledore's office so Sirius could have a talk with Remus Lupin, who had just arrived.
Once they were in the office, the dog immediately took the form of a man. The form of a framed criminal in both the wizarding world and the muggle world. He and Lupin embraced as the other two left.
"Padfoot, how've you been?" the werewolf asked.
"Okay... Did you know Tara was here?" before Remus could answer, "I saw her, at the library. Gods, she hates me. You should have seen the look she gave me. She knew it was me too. How could she not!?
"Sirius, Sirius, calm down. Yes I knew Tara was here. Part of the reason I'm here is to talk with her. She doesn't hate you. Like the rest of us did, even more so then, she feels betrayed. And when she actually knows the truth she won't believe it, or accept you immediately, but give her time."
Sirius sunk into a chair. He hadn't realized how much he still loved her, even after so fourteen years. Surprisingly though he hadn't thought too much about her in Azkaban. Although she was a happy memory. The dementors had sucked all those from him. And she believed he was responsible for her best friends deaths. Remus was right. He couldn't just expect her to fall into his arms once she knew the truth.
"Hey," Lupin began in attempt to cheer his friend up, "At least she will know the truth. That's better than believing a lie for the rest of her life, right?"
Another thought occurred to Black, "We don't have evidence. It's not like we have Peter to show her. She won't believe it."
"Valid point. That is why I am going to tell her. I have no reason to lie to her, and anyone can back me up, even Severus if he so desires." Sirius snorted at the last comment. "Well you're right there Padfoot, but still... she should believe me."
"I hope so."
Remus gave his friend a light pat on the back before leaving the room. He had arranged to meet Tara at Hagrid's. She would need a nice homely place to sit as he told her this. And it was away from prying eyes and ears.
A/N: Wow! The fifth chapter is done! I feel happy. Please, if anyone still reading this, let me know what you think. Or even if you just read it.
Okay, in the next chapter Lupin explains everything to Tara, and of course she doesn't believe it, and more Snape run-ins, and Sirius and Tara come face to face. R&R!!! ^.6
Love,
Rachel
Chapter 5- Break, Feathers, and visits.
Surprisingly the time until break seemed to pass rather quickly. She taught her class about various demons the Scoobies had faced. She also offered an extra credit assignment on famous vampires throughout the ages (which Hermione did on Spike).
Giles was also found to have some magic in him. So Tara spent free time in the library teaching him spells. He found it, "Terribly ridiculous," that a wand had to be used. He did appreciate the moving pictures in the books though. Those were, "Bloody fascinating."
Tara had easily fallen back into the swing of things. Her stutter had practically vanished after a few weeks. And she had even more liberties as a teacher than a student. Not that when she was a student she followed the rules. The crowd she had hung out with were widely known for their mischief making. Although Fred and George Weasly could give them a run for their money.
She was just finishing her class before break,
"...And so Vengeance Demons are a force to be rekoned with. Also you can find a moral somewhere in there. Be careful what you wish for. Cliché yes, but good to learn. All right I want a 16 inch essay on the Vengeance Duo, Anyanka and Halfrek due after break. You're dismissed."
Students rushed out of there, eager to get out of learning for a while. Tara slowly packed up her stuff. A knock sounded on the door. "Come in"
In walked Hermione, "Professor, I was wondering if you'd graded my essay on William the Bloody, yet?"
"Almost Hermione. It's very interesting."
"Thank you Professor."
"Are you staying during break?"
"Yes."
"Then I'll try to get it done during that time."
Hermione nodded and walked out. She made her way into the Gryffindor common room. Her two best friends were playing Wizards Chess. "Honestly you two, don't you do anything else?"
"Hello to you too, Hermione. Where were you?" Harry greeted.
"Probably at the library," thought Ron out loud as his knight smashed one of Harry's pawns.
"If you must know I was asking Professor Mclay if she'd graded my essay."
"And had she?" Ron asked, not really caring for an answer.
Before she could reply with a sarcastic remark a large black dog bounded into the room. Harry, under the circumstances, was allowed to keep 'Snuffles' in the castle. He patted the dog on the head. It looked at him as if to say 'Don't patronize me, boy'.
Harry shrugged, "You're a dog, what am I supposed to do?"
"Well, I'm heading to the library. Mr. Giles promised me a book on water demons." Hermione announced.
"What do you need a book on water demons for. Checkmate." Ron asked.
"Because they're fascinating!"
"Hermione, everything to you is fascinating," pointed out Harry, finally looking up at her. The book worm didn't reply. She was already headed toward the portrait hole, the dog following. "Si... Snuffles are you going with her?" The dog turned and nodded at him before following the girl out.
"...All I'm saying is that if you can do magic with a want a lot more oppurtunities are open for you." Tara was saying.
"Yes, but it's ridiculous. I can do magic without some silly stick." Giles told her in response.
"Oh yeah? Without using a wand bring a book from across the room over here."
"Tara you know I'm not at that level."
"Exactly. Now watch," she pulled out her wand and pointed it at a book, "Accio book," the book flew into her awaiting hand.
"Mr. Giles, do you have that book?"
Tara turned around, "Hello again, Hermione." Said student smiled as she was handed her book. Suddenly Tara gasped lightly and took a step backward.
"Tara, what's wrong?" Giles asked with a bit of concern.
She pointed to the large black dog that had come up beside the younger female. It's eyes seemed to light up at seeing her, and it wagged it's tail happily.
"Oh. This is Snuffles. Don't worry, he wouldn't hurt anyone. He's a smart dog."
"D-d-og-gs s-scare me. I've had, had s-s-some bad experiences in, in the p-past."
"Oh. I'm sorry. I'll take him out then."
"Wait. Di-did Dumbledore allow this?"
"Oh yes. He's Harry's dog. Goes with him everywhere, like a guardian. Although he has to wait outside classes."
Tara narrowed her eyes at the dog. She had this distinct feeling that he wasn't a dog at all, but something more. Snuffles bowed his head and let out a whimper.
"Come on Snuffles, let's go. We don't want to upset Professor Mclay."
"You all right?" Giles asked again once Hermione had left.
Tara stared at the moon through her bedroom window. She had received another letter from Moony. He would arrive the next day.
A cool wind blew around and she shivered slightly. It was all a bit too much. The excitement, the memories, the place, the fresh air. She climbed into the windowsill and jumped out. As she started to fall her appearance changed from human to bird. Hawk to be exact.
She spread her wings and soared upward. There was nothing like the freedom of flying. And no matter how much James argued being a bird flying was so much better than flying on a broom. She was so caught up in the sensations and the good memories, she didn't notice the large shape watching her from below.
"Let's go!" Harry called to the dog impatiently. Snuffles, or Sirius Black, came bounding out of the dorms. They were on their way to Dumbledore's office so Sirius could have a talk with Remus Lupin, who had just arrived.
Once they were in the office, the dog immediately took the form of a man. The form of a framed criminal in both the wizarding world and the muggle world. He and Lupin embraced as the other two left.
"Padfoot, how've you been?" the werewolf asked.
"Okay... Did you know Tara was here?" before Remus could answer, "I saw her, at the library. Gods, she hates me. You should have seen the look she gave me. She knew it was me too. How could she not!?
"Sirius, Sirius, calm down. Yes I knew Tara was here. Part of the reason I'm here is to talk with her. She doesn't hate you. Like the rest of us did, even more so then, she feels betrayed. And when she actually knows the truth she won't believe it, or accept you immediately, but give her time."
Sirius sunk into a chair. He hadn't realized how much he still loved her, even after so fourteen years. Surprisingly though he hadn't thought too much about her in Azkaban. Although she was a happy memory. The dementors had sucked all those from him. And she believed he was responsible for her best friends deaths. Remus was right. He couldn't just expect her to fall into his arms once she knew the truth.
"Hey," Lupin began in attempt to cheer his friend up, "At least she will know the truth. That's better than believing a lie for the rest of her life, right?"
Another thought occurred to Black, "We don't have evidence. It's not like we have Peter to show her. She won't believe it."
"Valid point. That is why I am going to tell her. I have no reason to lie to her, and anyone can back me up, even Severus if he so desires." Sirius snorted at the last comment. "Well you're right there Padfoot, but still... she should believe me."
"I hope so."
Remus gave his friend a light pat on the back before leaving the room. He had arranged to meet Tara at Hagrid's. She would need a nice homely place to sit as he told her this. And it was away from prying eyes and ears.
A/N: Wow! The fifth chapter is done! I feel happy. Please, if anyone still reading this, let me know what you think. Or even if you just read it.
Okay, in the next chapter Lupin explains everything to Tara, and of course she doesn't believe it, and more Snape run-ins, and Sirius and Tara come face to face. R&R!!! ^.6
Love,
Rachel