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Chapter 11

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Harry woke early this morning. He had promised to met Remus after breakfast when they all happened to have a free period. Of course Hermione and Ron were more than anxious to accompany him. Hermione saw it as an opportunity to to show off her newest book and all the knowledge she had gained from it. Ron joined them out of desire to talk with one of his favorite teachers. After the 'second' Shrieking Shack incident, Ron had become far more accepting and interested in werewolves, shedding most of his pureblood prejudices.

"So, you did decide to come," Remus said looking up from one of his books. "What was it you wanted to talk about?"

Harry smiled in response. "Mainly what Snuffles has been up to lately." Harry and his friends took seats near Lupin's desk.

"I actually have no idea. He left saying something about scouting things out for Dumbledore." The werewolf put his book away and turned his attention solely on his students. The only thought Harry had of the matter was so long as there was Wolfsbane, it was kind of cool to say you were friends with a werewolf.

"I hope he is all right," Hermione said. "It's not fair that he is still on the run. If Snape hadn't interrupted, he might be free."

"Most unfortunate, indeed. But I wouldn't worry about him. He is more than capable of taking care of himself. I see you have Evan with you," Professor Lupin commented on the tarantula. He seemed fascinated by the creature the moment he first saw it. Probably because he couldn't identify the species.

"That's the other thing we wanted to talk to you about," Hermione said, pulling out the Tudunk volume. "I found this in Flourish and Blots, but I haven't found anything of use."

"Is that the newest edition?" Remus sounded just like a child on Christmas. "I've been wanting to get a good look at that since it came out. It's suppose to have more information on Dark Creatures as well as several new finds. I don't understand why Madame Pince has not added this to her collection here at Hogwarts."

"I was impressed with the amount of information he has found on all of these creatures. What's more is that he uses a Muggle technique of identification."

"I believe at the time it was considered radical by the wizarding community. But has revolutionized the study of magical creatures."

Ron nudged Harry, "You didn't tell me we were going to listen to them praise a book."

Harry shrugged, "I didn't expect Hermione to bring that thing. I've got that potions book with me. We can figure out a way to sabotage Malfoy's potion."

"Much rather laugh at the pictures. Still can't believe someone was there to take the snapshots." They then settled down to look at the disturbing pictures of failed potion experiments.

"Hey, Harry," Hermione pulled him out of this contemplation of a botched energy potion. "Could we see Evan for a minute?"

"Sure. I'm certain he won't mind," he said picking the spider off his shoulder and handed him to the frizzy haired witch,

* Of course, hand me over to the academics. This will not be an enjoyable experience. *

* I thought you would enjoy being with you own mind set. *

* A werewolf and a girl could hardly be counted in my mind set. *

"Hmm. I could swear I've seen these colors before. That slivery tinge is familiar, but I can't place it at the moment."

"You mean you might know what it is, Professor?"

"No, but I feel as though I have read something about coloration on magical arachnids. Would you mind if I were to barrow this book for a while?"

"Not at all, Professor. I've read most of it, but none of it was of much help in identifying Evan. But I learned far more about every other species then I thought possible. Tudunk must have spent a lot of time observing in the field."

"I have a feeling he spent more time collecting other wizards' observations and organizing them. There were a lot of references in the original. Probably more so in this one."

"He did have a lot of references to books I've never heard of, and a great deal I couldn't obtain."

"I'll see what I can do about that."

"Thank you, Professor."

"Hey, this looks like you, Professor!" Ron exclaimed pointing to a picture in the potions book. Harry glanced at the photo and agreed it looked like a younger version of Remus accompanied by a Sirius and what could only have been James.

"Really? What book is that?" Lupin leaned in closer, curious.

"Some potions book Hermione found at Flourish and Blots," Ron supplied, still studying the picture.

"Let me see." And they all huddled around the book. Sure enough it was Remus along with the rest of the Marauders. Remus was floating while the others were trying to hold him down. The Professor laughed as he recognized the scene."I remember that. Still haven't figured out who had the camera."

"What happened?" Harry asked.

"I made a spectacular mistake and took flight. We were making some sort of fever reducing potion, if I recall."

"Wait. You got that from a fever potion? That's impossible!"

"I know. The Professor said the potion was impossible to mess up. We all loved to prove her wrong back then. What does the book say I did wrong? I always forget."

"It says, 'By adding more than the recommended number of pixie wings, the person runs the risk of creating a levitation potion. This is sure to occur if the temperature of the potion goes below that of boiling and there is far to little water to act as a base. If powdered Devil's Tongue is not added before the pixie wings, then the potion will explode without warning. See the picture for details.' Wow. I didn't know that could happen," Hermione commented.

"Nor did Professor Galdins. She looked to Severus to correct the mistake. You can imagine how happy James and Sirius were when they found out. I believe we were in out sixth year at the time of this incident."

"Professor," Ron queried. "You said you were still trying to figure out who took the picture. Did you have a copy of this book before?"

"Yes. James and Sirius thought it would be a great gag gift for me and Peter. It came out Christmas our seventh year. And it was quite popular because it had many Hogwarts' students on the pages. There's a good one of Severus experimenting in here, somewhere." Remus proceeded to take the book and skim the pages. "Here we are. The great Potions Master doing what he does best. Recuperating from a potions disaster."

The picture displayed a young Severus Snape, hair pulled back and clasped at the nape of his neck, stirring in ingredients for some unknown potion. He seemed quite unconcerned and appeared to be picking items at random. Then a small puff of yellow smoke erupted from the simmering cauldron. Hastily he put out his fire and and moved combustible items away from the impending explosion. Unfortunately the liquid didn't explode up. It went out, dissolving the sides of the cauldron, coating Snape in a greenish yellow paste and flying out to mark a containment boarder. The caption read, 'Never mix hippogriff feathers with daddy-long-legs spiders without a minimum of a five minute wait.'

"What was he making?" Harry asked, not being able to see the text clearly.

"Says a variation on a cleaning solution," Hermione read.

"Wonder what the teacher's reaction was," Ron asked aloud, knowing Remus would answer.

"Severus got a detention for experimenting in class, but she couldn't fail him for the day because he had already completed and bottled the assignment. From what I heard she berated him for putting the class in unnecessary danger and complemented him on the containment shield. Though he was glowing in the dark for about a week after that."

"Cool. Think we could do something like that to Malfoy?"

"I'd be careful about that. The potion's been patented now."

"Really? By Professor Snape?"

"No, his father patented for him."

"I didn't know you could do that."

"It's not looked highly upon, but as I understand it, Severus's father was a very influential man when it came to potions. But I believe it is time for our first class. You don't want to be late."

"To Divinations? Never," Harry smiled. He really should have dropped that class. The last thing he needed was Trelawney predicting his death three times a week. "Come on, Ron. You just know Trelawney is going to see us being late as a bad omen."

"Yeah, probably one that will lead to your untimely demise. Bye, Professor."

"Harry, aren't you forgetting something?" Professor Lupin held out the arachnid for Harry to take.

"I had thought you wanted to give your class a new creature to puzzle over," he responded putting Evan on his shoulder. "See you at lunch, Professor."

* * * * * * * *

Irvan was not at all pleased on the trip up to Trelawney's abode. Yes, he certainly got the idea that the witch was nothing more and an old fraud. But did he honestly have to listen to it the entire time. He refrained from commenting, knowing Harry was hardly accustom to random comments in his head. But that certainly did not stop him from hearing the random thoughts running through Harry's head. The ones that people are not always aware of. Did it really matter if Harry saw Cho today? Or that Malfoy had been turned into a ferret?

There was a reason he stayed away from children. They had no focus. Not that many adult humans had much anyway. There were a few and Irvan had made it a point to meet them. At least until he met Grindelwald.

He mentally shrugged that thought aside. It was laughable situation he was in now. If the rest of the vampire population knew he was still alive, he would not be hearing the end of the taunting. One way or another he would find suitable retribution for Severus. He conceded that Voldemort was out of his league. But Severus, Irvan could handle.

The intense smell of incense overwhelmed any ability to think for several moments. Then he saw the old witch, dressed in her baubles and mystic apparel. Trelawney was Sybil. Blood and bloody ashes, he was in deep. Severus he could handle. Sybil was an entirely different matter. This was not good, but Irvan was far to experienced to panic. No, that would come when she had him alone and at wand point. Suddenly he wondered if Dumbledore knew this woman was a partially trained vampire hunter.

Why didn't Severus tell him! Even a partially trained hunter could spot a vampire through the transformation.

Silently he slipped off Harry's shoulder in a vain attempt to leave the premises. The witch had already surrounded the exits with a barrier charm, proving she was not to out of practice. Severus was definitely going to hear about this. With nothing left to do, Irvan resolved to settle back and take stock of the situation. One thing was certain, he was never coming back to this class.

Around him the students were preparing to participate in class. Half were pretending Divinations was something more than an easy grade. Harry and Ron were among the few trying less than hard. If they didn't believe the subject matter than why spend the energy climbing the latter to reach this musty room.

"For our first session after the summer, we shall review reading tea leaves," the witch referred to as Trelawney spoke in a soft, mystical voice. She had been practicing. He watched her carefully, but she never once turned her glance towards him. "You will find teapots for each pairing. You'll begin by writing down what you see in the steam and its interpretation."

"See anything?" the Weasley asked quietly.

"No. You?" Harry replied in kind.

"All right. A nine legged spider clutching a mouse. So, what do you think it means?"

"No idea. Now what do I see? How about a seven legged spider. You know I've forgotten what spiders mean." Harry whispered.

"Same here."

What were those boys thinking? Don't create something you can't explain. Even he knew that. And while Divinations was not his forte, he even knew what arachnids meant in readings. It was a very ambivalent creature indeed. Depending on the instance, a spider could mean a gain in wealth, creativity or balance, but arachnids also had the honor of being a fore-bringer of death and ensnarement. Caught in a moment of curiosity, Irvan wondered what these two would make of their tea dregs.

After a cautious glance at Sybil and Irvan moved closer to the boys' paper to read their interpretation. Perhaps scoffing Divinations could be amusing.

"Nine legs, Mr. Weasley," unfortunately Sybil didn't even sound skeptical, merely curious. "The meaning might be clear once we read the leaves. Harry, your reading seems to be related to Ron's. A seven legged spider is also unusual, but readings have never required the objects to be replicas of exact objects. It is the object and number that are important."

Harry nodded in understanding, though Irvan doubted if the boy knew what he was suppose to understand. Sybil walk on to the next pairing, leaving the two boys to finish off their tea and discuss their findings. Or rather in this case discuss what they could make up and still get away with. He tuned out their discussion, waiting until a decision had been made.

"I suppose I could always see a Grim."

"That's lame, Harry."

"But last time I saw a Grim it was Snuffles. Why can't it be that now?"

"You know Trelawney, death is the only thing she sees."

"I'll still say I see a Grim. She seems to agree whenever that comes up."

"Oh my, this is serious." Irvan started when Sybil spoke, peering into Harry's cup. "A double image of a Grim and a barrier. It appears the spider is involved with the barrier. But beware, nothing is as it seems. There are two bringers of death for you, Harry. Since the spider is missing a leg, he is sure to be desperate." Harry just nodded dumbly. Irvan could hear the boy's confusion but mostly the boy was in the mindset of unbelief. Sybil was in her element and it was laughable that many of her pupils were quite taken with her performance.

Irvan knew class was almost over, then Harry would go down to Potions with Severus and hopefully he would be able to discover why Sybil decided to lock him in. The only thing that would hinder his plans was if she had another class following this one.

"For next class," Trelawney continued, "make predictions using your sky charts. And Harry, I would keep a close eye on your new pet."

Irvan was ready to curse the witch into next week for mentioning him. That was the last thing he needed. Harry might not be informed of all the circumstances, but despite what he told Severus, the boy was bright enough to make the connects. If given sufficient clues, of course. If that woman so much as hints to him being a vampire, then all his secrets would be out and he would have to be on the look out for both the werewolf and Animangus. That was not in his best interests.

"That was odd," he heard Ron whisper as he lifted his bag from the floor. "I had expected her to predict your death, again."

"That was odd, but we'll talk later. Someone wants us to loose our heads this year. We have Snape next. As if the sprint to the dungeons wasn't enough," and both boys had left the tower.

It was now left to him and Sybil. Not his choice of company.

"Good morning, Irvan. I'll admit I hadn't foreseen your arrival, but then you vampires hardly ever appear in visions."