Author's Note: This is a very long section, and the last. Yes, my tale reaches its conclusion. I'd like to thank all who have been faithfully reading my little story, and encourage the leaving of comments/reviews. It's been a long journey, but at last the tale is complete.
Admissions: HP chars belong to J. K. Rowling, Leiko to me, and Ravindra to my soul-sister Rave.
Section 26: Declarations and Transformations
The next few days passed slowly for the students of Hogwarts. The teachers seemed to be distracted as they taught their classes. All except Snape, who was giving out detentions to everyone, including his own Slytherins. Harry ended up with so much extra Potions work that Hermione actually let him copy some of her papers.
"I heard a rumor that Rave was awake. Want to sneak in to see her later?"
Two pairs of tired eyes turned to look at Ron, who sounded unusually subdued. They'd heard nothing but rumors since the day of the attack. Most were obviously untrue, but several had sounded plausible and the trio had investigated. They'd become experts in sneaking into the Hospital Wing, though the rumors never proved valid.
"I don't have time to sneak in there just to find them unconscious again. Harry, Ron, I think the best way to find out when the gryffins wake up is to watch Professor Snape. He'd surely know if Leiko awakened, and after the way he's been lately I don't think he'd waste too much time before going to visit her."
"Hermione, I think you're right."
"Then let's get back to this paper on medicinal potions. It's due tomorrow."
Several hours later and the trio had finished their essays and were just stepping into the Great Hall for the evening meal. They were a little early, so there were plenty of empty seats to choose from. But before the students had even walked up to the Gryffindor table, they heard loud voices from the hallway.
"She's not a threat! She's as much a victim as the Potter brat…"
"Do calm down, Severus. The Headmaster is meeting the Ministry officials and he knows as well as you that it wasn't intentional. I'm sure they'll change their minds after learning all the facts."
"They already know all the facts. It doesn't seem to have swayed them, and I am not going to stand idly by as they ruin her life!"
Professor McGonagall stepped through the Great Hall doors as the trio hastily took their seats. They exchanged looks, all wondering just what that overheard argument was about. As their Head of House passed by, Hermione decided to find out.
"Professor?"
"Yes, Hermione?"
"Um…we couldn't help but overhear you and Professor Snape. Who were you talking about?"
"I'd rather not discuss that at this time. Professor Snape was somewhat…upset, and nothing has been decided yet. I'm sure the Headmaster will make an announcement once things are settled."
The Gryffindor Head of House walked quickly to her seat at the head table, leaving the trio to figure things out for themselves. But, given Snape's unusual behavior, they had a pretty good idea who the 'she' was. Three heads leaned in close to avoid anyone overhearing their whispered conversation.
"It has to be Leiko."
"That's what I was thinking."
"What will happen if the Ministry decides she's dangerous? I mean, she's huge! And that's twice now she's attacked people in the school."
"True, Ron, but she was under Voldemort's control. They can't just lock her up because that snake found a way to manipulate her."
"Can't they? Harry, she attacked Snape, and she attacked you…"
"And Malfoy, but I can't blame her for that one."
"Quiet Ron."
"We all remember what they were going to do with Buckbeak. Leiko is, basically, a gryffin. A very large, very dangerous gryffin who has already attacked people. Even though she's in a human form, she's still a threat. The Ministry of Magic will be under a lot of pressure to do away with her once the world finds out that she attacked the Boy-Who-Lived."
"I don't believe it. Leiko isn't just some dumb animal, she's intelligent…"
"And that's precisely why the Ministry will want her locked up somewhere, if not worse."
The three sat in silence as the table around them filled with students. When the meal started, they noticed that neither Professors Snape nor Dumbledore were at the head table. Considering what they'd overheard, they were not surprised. The meal was almost finished when Harry leaned over to speak to his friends.
"We're going to see Leiko and Rave tonight. Be ready."
Sure enough, at the stroke of midnight the three Gryffindors were hiding under Harry's invisibility cloak and heading for the Hospital Wing. They managed to sneak in without running into any of Hogwarts' usual night prowlers. The trio approached Leiko's bed and stopped. Something was moving in the darkness. A pair of red eyes turned towards them, sending a jolt of fear through all three students.
"You're out late. Let me guess…you want to talk to Leiko."
The Gryffindors sighed with relief. It was just Ravindra. They'd forgotten that, when in humanoid form, Rave's eyes were red. Removing the cloak, the three stepped closer.
"Is she awake yet?"
"Not yet, Harry, but I think she'll awaken soon. Now why did you three come down here? Surely you know that the whole school would be buzzing if Leiko woke."
"Well…we heard something at dinner and we just wanted to see if Leiko knew about it or not. If she were awake, that is."
"What did you hear? I've been cooped up in here and haven't been able to talk to anyone. I assume it has to do with Leiko, and isn't pleasant news."
"You could say that…"
"To be honest, we're not sure what the whole of it is, but we overheard Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall arguing. Snape said that Leiko was a victim, not a threat, and then McGonagall said that Professor Dumbledore was meeting with someone from the Ministry of Magic."
"I think they're going to try and lock Leiko up, like she was a murderer or something."
The following silence was so thick that Harry and his friends could hardly breathe. Rave seemed to be considering what they'd said. At last the woman spoke.
"I hadn't heard this. If that Ministry of yours is going to hold Leiko responsible for her actions against you, Harry, then I must defend her. I owe her…"
"We'll help."
"Thanks, kids, but this is probably going to devolve into a battle situation. How 'bout we wait and see what comes of that meeting between the Headmaster and the Ministry people? If it turns out for the worse…well, I can still turn the two of us back into gryffins. We could fly away before they had time to catch us. Now get back to your beds before you're noticed missing."
The students obeyed Ravindra's orders, but they slept restlessly. The morning dawned and breakfast found three anxious Gryffindors watching a head table that was occupied by several gloomy professors. Snape was not present, and Dumbledore walked in late looking unusually subdued. The Headmaster took his place at the head table and, clearing his throat, addressed the student body.
"Your attention, please…thank you. I do not need to remind everyone of the unfortunate event that occurred at the last Quidditch match. What you do not know is that the Ministry of Magic has decided that the gryffin Leiko is too dangerous to remain free…"
At this the whole room erupted into startled exclamations. Harry, Hermione, and Ron had known that the Ministry would most likely reach that decision, but it still struck them like a blow to the face when they heard the words from Dumbledore's mouth.
"Quiet please…quiet. Now I realize that many of you are upset. An appeal has been put forth and, because many of the Hogwarts' staff have agreed to speak for Leiko, today's classes have been canceled."
Dumbledore sat down as the room again erupted in sound. Amidst the confused murmuring Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged looks. They had to see Rave. Without waiting for breakfast to finish, the three bolted for the door.
"There's nothing I can do, kids."
Three heads turned towards a shadow in the corner of the hallway. Ravindra stepped forward, a look of failure on her face.
"What do you mean?"
"That Ministry official had a spell cast on me. I can't come within arms' reach of Leiko. If I do something unpleasant will happen. Don't ask what, either. It doesn't matter."
"Why did they do that?"
"Because, Hermione, I have to touch Leiko to turn her back. If I can't touch her, then she stays human. The last thing the Ministry of Magic wants now is for Leiko to take her true form. As it is they're considering putting some kind of restrictions on me. Only the fact I tried to fight her off has kept them from locking me away."
"That's awful! Isn't there anything that can be done?"
"There has to be a way remove the spell."
"Where's Leiko now?"
"Quite, kids. Hermione, if you can find a way to get around the spell I'll be more than willing to try it. Any tampering and alarms will sound. The Ministry will know. And Leiko's still in the Hospital Wing, Harry. She's been awake for a while, but I advised her to 'play dead' until I figure something out."
The sound of footsteps caused the four to hide in the dark shadows of the hallway. They weren't breaking any rules, but they still had no wish to be seen. Professors Snape and Dumbledore came into view and they were obviously arguing. Harry and his friends had to strain their ears to hear what was said, but Ravindra heard it all.
"You must come to the hearing, Severus. I think you know Leiko better than anyone else here."
"And do you think they'll take my word that she's harmless? If I speak for her they'll just assume the worst. And there's my position to think about as well. The Death Eaters have been ordered to capture or kill her. Having Leiko locked in a cell makes that much easier to accomplish. If I do anything that could result in her freedom, I'll be branded a traitor and you will have to find a new Potions Master. I'm not sure my feelings for that gryffin extend to the point where I'd risk my own neck for her."
"Severus…"
"I'm not going. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've some essays to grade."
Snape stomped off down the hall, leaving the Headmaster looking very disappointed. Rave motioned for the students to stay hidden and stepped out of her hiding place.
"Headmaster…"
"Ravindra! You are a master at hiding, aren't you?"
"Don't worry about Snape, Headmaster. Fear makes him like that."
"I know. He's afraid for his own life, and also afraid for Leiko."
"I think…that he's more afraid of his own feelings. Somehow he doesn't strike me as the sort to get involved with someone on a whim. He cares. More than he'll admit even to himself. And I think the same can be said of my sister, but don't tell her those words came out of my mouth."
The Headmaster chuckled and smiled softly. Ravindra nodded, returned the smile, and watched as the wizard headed back towards to Great Hall. The three Gryffindors came out of hiding. Harry and Ron looked worried, but Hermione had that particular look on her face that meant she'd been thinking hard.
"Rave…you said that you couldn't come within arms' length of Leiko, right?"
"…yes…"
"And you have to be in physical contact with someone to make them change form when you do, correct?"
"Where is this leading, Hermione?"
"Well, could you transform two people at once? For instance, you hold someone's hand, and they hold someone else's. Would that work?"
"I don't…Hermione, you're a genius! Yes! It would drain me for a while, but it's possible. And I could probably manage it so that the two I transformed wouldn't pass out."
Rave picked up the young witch and spun about with her, laughing with joy. Harry and Ron didn't quite grasp what Hermione had suggested, and their confused looks demanded explanation. Finally Rave put Hermione down and turned to the boys with a smile.
"I'm surprised at you two, not getting her plan. What Hermione means is for me to hold hands with someone, and have that someone hold onto Leiko. I can then transform all three of us. And it's not tampering with the spell, so the Ministry would never know!"
Two pairs of eyes lit up, and the boys rushed in to hug Hermione and congratulate her on such quick thinking.
"It's brilliant!"
"We can save Leiko!"
"Let's go now, while most of the staff is away at the hearing."
"Hold it, kids. You're forgetting something very important."
Three blank faces turned towards the red gryffin.
"Our 'someone' to link Leiko and myself? We need a volunteer."
"What about me? I'll do it."
"You're too small, Harry. Sorry, but I'm going to need an adult for this. Preferably someone who's open to my magical energies. Some of your lot tend to have a natural resilience to me. Dumbledore is one. Tried to make him go to sleep once when I first got here, and he didn't even notice my spellcasting."
"But all the teachers who'd help are gone to the hearing. And the ones who are still here probably wouldn't help without Dumbledore's permission."
"There is one teacher still here who would do it."
"Yes, Ron? Which teacher would that be?"
Ron gulped. Everyone was looking at him, and he knew that they wouldn't like his suggestion. He was amazed himself that he'd thought of the person.
"Snape."
"Hell no!"
The students jumped. They knew Rave didn't particularly like the Potions Master. Who blame her? But this was the life of her sister they were talking about. Surely she'd put aside such feelings if it meant Leiko could escape. The trio just stared at Ravindra, their expressions making their feelings clear. Harry spoke up when Rave didn't change her mind.
"Well, he's the best choice. I don't like him any more than you do, but you said you need an adult whom your magic works on. Your magic works on him. He's an adult. And he won't care if Dumbledore gives permission or not, he'll just do it. You said yourself that he cares more about Leiko than he'd ever admit."
Rave sighed. The kid had a point. And if Harry, who she knew had good reason to avoid the Potions Master, was willing to give it a try then so should she.
"Alright. Let's go find tall, dark, and bitchy."
Harry paused. That phrase brought back a memory from when he'd been in the Infirmary with Leiko. He remembered hearing Rave and Leiko talking about whether or not to tell Snape something.
"Uh…Rave?"
"Keep up with the group, Harry. You can talk and walk at the same time. What is it?"
"I remember once you were talking to Leiko in the Infirmary. You said you didn't like to see your sister keeping things from Snape. What 'things' did you mean?"
Ravindra gave the boy a startled glance. She'd thought him sleeping at the time, but perhaps he was just a good actor. Still, his question was valid. But did he need to know? Strictly speaking it was something between Leiko and Snape, and no other. But what if it came into play? The last thing Rave needed was for something to interfere with their plan.
"I can't give details. It's something you should never have heard me say, but the damage is done and you deserve an answer. Leiko is a creature of Darkness, as I am a creature of Light. Like calls to like, they say, and that Potions Professor of yours has a very dark soul. There's a connection between them that is beyond magic. Snape is not aware of it, and never will be unless Leiko chooses to make things…well…let's just say that things are up to Leiko."
"Will it affect the transformation process?"
"I don't know, Hermione. I don't see how. Although…it just might make things a bit easier."
Rave was silent for the rest of their search. It took longer than expected to get to the dungeons. At last they reached Snape's classroom. The Gryffindors stayed outside, leaving Rave to face the serpent in his lair. The woman pushed the door open and stepped inside after only a moment's hesitation.
"What to do you want?"
Snape was standing at his desk with a pile of parchment in hand. He was giving Ravindra a look that would have paralyzed his students with fear. But Rave wasn't a student.
"There's a plan to save Leiko, but we need you for it."
"I thought you gryffins were capable of taking care of yourselves. What happened, did the Ministry clip your wings?"
"Shut it, Sulky. I don't like you either but this is Leiko's freedom we're talking about. They put a spell on me so I can't touch her. But I can touch you. I need you if I'm to transform us back into gryffins. We can get away easily enough once that's done, but as humanoids we're helpless."
"I'd hardly call you helpless."
Rave gave a gryffin glare, which was effective even though she wasn't in her gryffin form. Snape kept his face blank but decided that it was in his best interest to help the red gryffin. After all, he did want Leiko out of the Ministry's reach.
"What, exactly, are you doing to do?"
"Turn you into a gryffin."
"What!"
"I hold your hand, you hold Leiko's, and I can turn you both into gryffins. Don't freak over it…I can turn you back afterwards."
"And how long will this take?"
"Just a few moments to transform us."
"Then let's get it over with. That hearing at the Ministry won't last all day. There'll be no getting near Leiko once they reach their decision."
Though Snape sneered at the three Gryffindors, he made no further comments until they entered the Hospital Wing. Leiko appeared to be unconscious until she heard Rave's whispered greeting. Then the woman sat up and chuckled.
"What's so funny, sis?"
"Come on…seeing you, Snape, and that Gryffindor trio doing anything together is downright hilarious. How did you ever manage to behave yourselves?"
"I see nothing amusing about the situation. We're here to get you away from the Ministry."
"What did you do with the guard they put outside the door?"
"I took care of him earlier, sis. He's sleeping in a corner."
"Can we get this over with?"
"In a hurry are we? Very well. Kids, get back against the door. If anyone comes keep them out until the transformation process is complete. Harry, I think you're best suited to guard duty. You have a lucky streak that a leprechaun would envy, from what I've heard. Snape, take Leiko's hand."
Rave grabbed Snape's hand as he grabbed Leiko's. She then closed her red eyes and concentrated hard. A golden glow surrounded the three and the Gryffindors forgot about watching the door. Watching the glowing figures warp into large, animalistic shapes was far too mesmerizing.
When the light faded Rave and Leiko were in their gryphonic forms, as expected, but nothing could have prepared the three for the sight of the third gryffin. Snape was nine feet tall and solid black with ebony eyes that seemed to burn through them. His avian half was that of a raven, and his rear seemed to be that of a powerful dog. The Potions Master seemed uncomfortable with his new form. Leiko, however, was looking at him with a predatory look.
"Don't even think about it, sis. There are children present."
"Aren't you supposed to be drained and unconscious?"
"Yes. But it seems the two of you work well together. Energy from within you both helped the process, so I'm not completely useless. I still won't be able to turn back for a while, but at least I'm lucid."
The sound of a throat being cleared drew the gryffins' attention to the door. Three very stunned looking Gryffindors stood there, obviously wondering what was to happen next.
"Yes, Harry?"
"Um…how are you going to get out of here? Without being seen, I mean."
The golden eyes just blinked. Rave hadn't thought about that. She knew Harry had an invisibility cloak, but it wasn't large enough to cover three giant gryffins. Perhaps they should have snuck out of Hogwarts before doing the transformation. So much for hindsight.
"We'll have to walk out and hope no one notices. Don't roll your eyes, Sulky. It's the only plan we've got."
"Let's go then. If what I overheard is true, the staff will be back from that hearing any minute. We both know Dumbledore's powerful enough to stop us. If there are Ministry officials with him, he'll have to act or get into more trouble than he needs. You kids should stay here. There's no reason for anyone to know you're involved."
"But you can't just walk out of here like that! You won't get two steps before a student sees you. Everyone's curious about Leiko and, what with classes being cancelled and all, there's bound to be someone lurking nearby."
Snape just growled. The students jumped at the sound. The Potions Master had been intimidating as a human, but as a gryffin he was positively terrifying. Leiko was larger and had horns and all, but somehow she just didn't have to menacing presence of Snape.
"Let's get out of here before comes in looking for Leiko. And the three of you are not to breath a word of this to anyone! Do I make myself clear?"
Harry, Hermione, and Ron all nodded and took a step back. Snape's voice was very much like it had been, but with more growl. They had no doubt that he'd do something terrible to them if they ever spoke of his being turned into a gryffin.
"You know, Sulky, you make a good lupogryph."
"A what?"
"You kids don't know what a lupogryph is? What do you teach them at this school, Snape? Lupogryphs are like gryffins, but with canid rears. And what a rear."
Snape's beak snapped shut and he backed away from Ravindra, who had started chuckling. Leiko was purring as she stepped between her sister and the wizard.
"Now, now…no steeling your sister's toys, Rave."
"Featherbrain."
"Hey gryphs! We really do need to get going. The hall looks clear but someone could come by at any second."
The gryffins sighed and, tucking their wings in tight, followed the three students out into the hall. Leiko just did fit through the door. Her feathers were fluffed up and wouldn't smooth down. Being a very floofy creature, this caused her some difficulties with getting through narrow passages. She didn't want to break any feathers, after all, so she had to be careful.
They made it a whole corridor before they were spotted. A first-year Ravenclaw happened to turn the corner in front of them, and he promptly passed out from the shock. Hermione checked to make sure he'd not hurt himself when he fell, but after propping the boy up against the wall they continued. The next student to spot them was of stouter heart, for she was a fifth-year Gryffindor and, after a gasp of surprise, waved and smiled as they passed. Snape glared, of course, and the girl couldn't help but think how the black gryffin reminded her of the Potions Master.
"Stop glaring, or they'll figure it out for themselves, Sulky."
"Stop calling me 'Sulky', you oversized pigeon."
"Nice to see you two getting along."
The trio couldn't help but giggle at the three gryffins. Alone, Rave and Leiko would be serious in manner. But put them together and you had a never-ending comedy act. Add Snape-the-lupogryph to the mix and they'd be lucky to get out of Hogwarts without bursting into wild laughter.
The next turn dissolved their amusement, however, for standing in the hallway were Dumbledore, McGonagall, Hagrid, and two aurors. The students stopped cold and it was all the gryffins could do to keep from stepping on them. Snape, still not used to his new body, lost his balance and fell with a thud on the stone floor. All eyes turned to him and the aurors leaped into action before anyone could say anything.
Leiko reacted quickly to the threat the strange wizards posed. She opened her fang-lined beak and screamed. Every human within a half-mile radius heard that scream, and those closest fell to their knees in agony. The gryffin's scream was loud enough to cause severe pain to human ears. Leiko stopped screaming and pounced the aurors, imprisoning them under her great claws. Rave nudged Hermione and Ron to the wall and commanded them to stay put, but Harry ran to Leiko and took the wands from the imprisoned wizards.
Dumbldore was on the floor, knocked unconscious by the force of Leiko's scream. McGonagall stooped by the Headmaster as Hagrid advanced on the gryffins. Rave leaped between her sister and the half-giant. Leiko was furious and Ravindra had no wish to see anyone hurt.
"Now see 'ere…"
"Go help the Headmaster. We've no quarrel with you. I don't want anyone to get hurt but they will unless you do as I say. Now!"
Leiko tightened her claws around the two prisoners. They squirmed and cried out, but made no progress towards freeing themselves. Harry had taken up a defensive position in front of Leiko but he sincerely hoped that he'd not be forced to use magic against the Hogwarts staff, especially those he considered 'friend'.
But Hagrid saw the truth of Rave's statement and stepped back. He knew beasts well, and the body language of these three told more clearly than words that they'd attack if threatened. Luckily Dumbledore seemed to be coming to his senses. The Headmaster would deal with them. If anyone could calm the creatures, Dumbledore could. Hagrid and McGonagall helped the aging wizard to his feet.
"Leiko, Ravindra, you do not have to do things this way. The hearing went well and the Ministry has decided to give you a chance. You'll ruin that chance if you hurt those aurors. Please, think about your actions."
The sisters exchanged looks. Rave lowered her head to the aurors and Leiko loosened her claws. The two wizards stood up and stepped away from their large captor.
"Why did you attack? I'm assuming you were informed of our species and abilities. Dumbledore had to have told you we are not a threat."
"The Headmaster did say you two were nice enough…eh…ladies. And we've been told what you look like as humans and gryffins. But we didn't expect that."
The man pointed towards Snape, who had tried to keep hidden behind Leiko for fear of being recognized. The black lupogryph hissed and glared.
"We saw that one come in fast and just reacted. We weren't told about a third gryffin."
"Well…no point making a further mess of things. We'd hoped to be gone by now but it seems Fate is against us. Harry, put the wand away. You're brave for standing by us, but you really shouldn't have."
Ravindra walked over to the Headmaster and sniffed. He didn't smell of fear; just a little apprehension. Good. He'd be fine once the ringing in his ears stopped. Rave's own ears were ringing from Leiko's battle cry, and she had no doubts that every human in the hallway was suffering the same.
"Who is that black fellow? Another relative?"
The three Gryffindors smothered their laughter as the gryffins chuckled. Snape just growled and tried to look as small as possible. He had no intention of being the subject of school gossip.
"No, not a relative. And I can't tell you his name, but you could guess if you think about it."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with humor as he caught on. McGonagall took a little longer, but a slight smile played on her lips before too long. Hagrid and the aurors just looked lost.
"So you decided to help after all, Severus. I knew you'd find some way to 'rescue' Leiko."
"That's Professor Snape!"
Three voices cried out in unison, followed by shocked gasps. The gryffins realized that they'd attracted a crowd. Students from all the Houses, and several professors, had come into the hall to see what all the excitement was about. Snape had no choice but to admit it was him. Dumbledore had made sure that everyone knew, anyway. If he was stuck as a lupogryph in front half the school, then at least he could have some dignity.
He stood and stretched, trying to look calm and failing. His feathers just wouldn't stay smoothed down. He grumbled in frustration and glared at everyone, including Leiko who had started to chuckle softly.
"I don't see what's so funny about this situation…"
"You are, Sulky!"
Snape squawked as Ravindra smacked his rear with her wing. He didn't know whether to first die of embarrassment or kill the offending gryffin. Leiko intervened before any blood could be shed.
"That's enough you two. Honestly, you'd think you were a pair of hatchlings the way you two carry on."
"I am not a hatchling. And I do not 'carry on'. Your sister is the one being difficult."
Leiko pushed her larger self against Snape, who was forced to step sideways. She opened her beak in a gryffin grin and purred. The black lupogryph glared, though with less intensity. Leiko leaned over and bit him on the back of his feathered neck. Snape shuddered and let out an odd half-yelp, half-purr sound. The students couldn't help but chuckle, and even the professors were fighting back smiles. Never before had they seen someone dominate the Potions Master. The fact that that someone was a female nearly twice his size only made the situation more humorous.
"I think that it is now time for everyone to clear the hallway. All students are to meet in the Great Hall in one hour. Professors, there will be a staff meeting in thirty minutes. The gryffins, and the three Gryffindors, will come with me."
"You heard the Headmaster. Get a move on."
Students and staff slowly dissipated as Dumbledore lead the gryffins and their accomplices out of the castle. The aurors, Hagrid, and Professor McGonagall followed as they took the path to Hagrid's hut. Once there the Headmaster transfigured a log into a chair and took a seat. McGonagall did the same, and Hagrid, the aurors, and the three Gryffindors sat on the grass. The gryffins positioned themselves nearby, with Rave and Snape laying on either side of Leiko, who kept eyeing the Potions Professor in a way that made everyone uncomfortable, especially Snape.
They were just about to start talking when Harry noticed a figure lurking behind a bush. Ravindra chirped as Hagrid dragged Draco Malfoy out of his hiding place. The Slytherin's arm was bandaged and hanging in a sling, and he seemed to be quite wary of the gryffins. Considering Leiko had been the cause of that injured arm it wasn't surprising to the others. Hagrid sat the boy down beside him when Dumbledore told him to let Draco stay. After all, Draco was one of Leiko's victims. He had as much right to be there as any of them.
"We are here to discuss Leiko's status as a free beast. I beg your pardon, lady, but by our laws you are classified as a magical creature, not a person. As you can see, gentlemen, she is not a bloodthirsty killing machine. She is intelligent and reasonable, and has done a wonderful job educating our students in the absence of our usual Care of Magical Creatures professor."
"We've also seen that she can be a deadly threat when she wants. I'm not completely convinced that she's safe to leave loose."
Leiko made a deep rumbling sound in her throat, but Rave smacked her with a wing before it could become a full growl. The aurors did not look comforted. Malfoy chose that moment to speak up, surprising everyone with his words.
"Let her go. We're all safer with the beast free and somewhere away from here."
"Draco dear…are you the same boy who killed me not too long ago?"
"I think he means it, sis. Maybe his father talked some sense into his head."
Everyone turned to Rave with questioning looks. Leiko tilted her head and asked what the three Gryffindors would not.
"What did you do to Lucius?"
"Just a little…training. He needed to learn gryffin etiquette."
Rave suddenly looked very smug and Leiko got the feeling she'd done more than just teach the blond wizard manners. But she didn't want to know any more about that than Rave wanted to know what she did with Snape.
"Gryffins…"
Snape snorted and shook his head in disgust. Leiko, who had not yet abandoned her previous mindset, started nibbling one of his eartufts. The Potions Master sighed and lowered his head in defeat. There was no putting off the much larger female. Hagrid made a comment about gryffin courting practices which caused everyone but the gryffins to burst into smothered laughter.
"Next thing you know he'll be wanting to watch, and asking for an egg so he'll have his own pet gryffin."
If a bird could look horrified Snape certainly did. And Leiko actually stopped in mid-nibble to hiss at her sister. Rave only chuckled and tried to look innocent. The humans hid their faces in their hands; either in horror or to hide snickering no one was quite sure. Hagrid obviously thought it was a good idea until Dumbledore quietly told him otherwise.
"Getting back to the point of this little meeting, you say Leiko was manipulated into unleashing an unstable power by the Dark Lord. It has been stated that she had no control over her actions at these times and that she's otherwise safe to be around. Is this right?"
The auror turned to Leiko, who chirped an affirmative, and continued.
"After what I've seen today I can't agree that she's 'safe' to be around, but she's also not 'just' an animal. It's my opinion that she's no more a danger than other wizards who have been controlled by the Dark Lord. I think we can close this issue. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to file my report and convince my colleagues that I'm not mental."
The second auror nodded his agreement and the two men stood to leave. The Headmaster and Professor McGonagall rose as well and escorted the aurors back to Dumbledore's office. Hagrid said something about looking after Fluffy and shooed the students towards the castle before heading into the Forbidden Forest.
"Mr. Malfoy, I want a word with you."
Draco, who was unaware that his Head of House had been turned into a lupogryph, jumped at the sound of Snape's voice. He turned as the Potions Master stood up. Leiko and Rave stayed seated and pretended not to pay attention, though they each had an eartuft pointed towards the Slytherins.
"Is there some ulterior motive behind your wanting the gryffin free?"
The boy swallowed, not sure how to react to this new Snape. Draco finally decided that honesty was best, given the current condition of his teacher.
"I'd rather see her free and far from here than locked up and thinking about revenge. I don't want to risk her attacking me again. Magic won't work on my arm and that's enough to make sure I never taunt one of her kind again."
The burning black eyes of the lupogryph held Malfoy motionless. At last the Professor lowered his gaze and sent the boy on his way. Leiko stood and rubbed against him, purring.
"Making sure he wasn't ordered?"
"Seeing who he was ordered by."
"And?"
"I think his father had something to do with this. Whatever Rave did to him, it probably saved you from being put into a cage. The Malfoys are a powerful family."
"So I'd noticed."
"As the case against Leiko has been dropped, and that proximity spell broke when we transformed, would you two like to be humans?"
Two pairs of eyes looked to Ravindra with surprise.
"I thought you'd be too weak for that for at least a day."
"Like I said before, you two work well together. Most of the strain goes to you, and you're both powerful enough to handle it well. I might have to sleep for a few hours afterwards, but I can change you now if you'd like. Might be easier to find a dark corner to hide in."
Rave grinned as the other two gave her blank looks. Still, being human had its perks and Leiko agreed to it readily enough. And Snape was all too happy to go back to his own human self. The lupogryph body just wasn't something he wanted to be stuck in for long. Leiko was part of that need to be human again. Snape didn't know what to do with an amorous female who was also nearly twice his size. He'd gotten used to Leiko's biting, but the brute domination was something he could do without.
"We'd better return to the infirmary. I'm going to be worn out after this, and I think Sulky dropped his wand in there when we transformed before. Wants don't convert to flesh, you know."
Snape agreed reluctantly and only because he didn't want to be seen carrying Leiko's sister all over the castle. Being a gryffin was less embarrassing than that. The three entered the entrance hall just as the last of the students was heading into the Great Hall. Remembering the meeting Dumbledore had spoken of, the three decided to poke their beaks into the room and listen to what the Headmaster had to say. Snape wasn't happy at having to appear in front of the whole school, but Leiko didn't give him a choice in the matter.
It wasn't long before Dumbledore and the rest of the staff, minus Hagrid, filed in and took their seats at he head table. The Headmaster stood to address the students after a brief exchange with McGonagall, who kept glancing at the three large gryffins sitting at the opposite end of the room. The students quieted down immediately when Dumbledore started speaking.
"You heard the announcement earlier concerning the gryffin Leiko. After much deliberation it has been decided that she is innocent…"
The Headmaster couldn't say more for the whole room erupted into joyful cheers. Every pair of eyes turned to the three gryffins and Leiko especially. The black gryffin took that moment to pounce Snape, who squeaked in surprise and tumbled over. The students burst into laughter and clapping while the Potions Master seethed. Leiko pinned him down and chirped. Rave, looking all too innocent, reached over with one of her forelimbs and touched her sister on the shoulder. The hall went into awed silence as the three gryffins glowed with golden light. When the light faded the students burst into laughter while the professors gained looks of horror.
Rave was in human form and unconscious, laying flat on her face with a slight smile on her lips. Leiko was still pinning Snape down on the floor, but they were both frozen with shock. Ravindra had turned them human, but something had gone wrong. Neither of them wore a stitch of clothing. There were a few black feathers on the floor near them but both Leiko and Snape were completely naked.
Professor McGonagall quickly transfigured a napkin into a large blanket and covered the two. She knelt down beside them with one of the strangest looks on her face that Leiko had ever seen.
"Please tell me Ravindra didn't know this would happen."
Snape just groaned and tried to hide under the blanket. Leiko glared at her sleeping sister and met the other woman's gaze.
"She knew exactly what she was doing. I knew she was too weak, but she insisted she could do it. Please inform Dumbledore that this was a deliberate practical joke and that Rave will pay for it."
"I'm pleased to see that one of you has some sense in your head. Doing something like this in front of so many children…"
As Professor Snape refused to move from his hiding space beneath Leiko and the blanket, Dumbledore ordered the students out of the Great Hall. He also sent all the staff save Madame Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall to see that the students returned to their Houses. After checking Rave's vital signs Madame Pomfrey had the woman moved to the Infirmary to recover. McGonagall followed to make sure no one had decided to lurk nearby in the hope of getting another glimpse of Leiko. She hated to think of what the older male students would be saying about the black gryffin after such a display. Perhaps it was best not to think about it.
"I don't suppose you have your wand, Severus?"
"No."
"I don't think he's going to come out from under here until everyone is gone. Though personally I don't mind being in such a position."
Dumbledore fought the urge to chuckle and decided to leave the two alone. Snape could be difficult, and this was apparently one of those times.
"Just don't do anything…inappropriate. I'll see that no students are in the hall."
The Headmaster left before he broke into a laughing fit. Leiko was grateful that he did, for Snape was in no mood to 'play' and all she wanted to do was get the man into a more private setting.
"They've gone, now let go of me so I can get up. This blanket is large enough for the two of us to hide in. Now do you want to go to your room mine?"
Several hours latter a fully-clothed Leiko and Snape emerged from the black gryffin's chamber. Leiko wanted to see her sister and Snape had agreed to come along. Leiko was plotting revenge, and Snape didn't want to miss the confrontation.
On the way to the Hospital Wing Leiko felt an invisible hand on her arm. She told Snape to go on ahead, that she'd catch up in a moment. The man decided not to question her and was soon out of earshot.
"Alright, kid. Reveal yourself before I call him back."
Harry Potter appeared from under his invisibility cloak. He looked somewhat nervous and couldn't seem to meet Leiko's gaze.
"I was just wondering…you know, if you were alright…"
Leiko was quick to read the boy's real meaning. She smiled.
"You like me, don' you?"
Green eyes widened behind the glasses, then Harry saw the smile. He blushed and began to speak, but Leiko cut him off.
"Kid, compared to you I'm ancient. Even this human form is roughly two decades older than you. Well, decade and a half maybe. But the point is I'm too old to be of interest to one so young. Stick with the girls your own age. And don't give me that look. Every boy develops a crush on an older person at some point in his life. It's perfectly natural and usually harmless. Now go find those friends of yours and get into some mischief."
Harry, still blushing, gave Leiko a weak smile before doing just what she said. He found Ron and Hermione and proceeded to 'get into some mischief' as the gryffin had advised.
Leiko continued on to the Hospital Wing, where she found Snape standing a few feet from Rave's been. It seemed that the red gryffin had yet to regain consciousness. Leiko stood and watched her sister for a moment, then stared at Snape. The Potions Master realized he was being watched and turned to her, raising an eyebrow.
"What?"
"Oh, nothing. I was just remembering how sexy you looked as a lupogryph."
Leiko's face gained a predatory look that Snape knew all too well.
"You wouldn't."
"I most certainly would."
Leiko shoved Snape down onto one of the empty hospital beds and started nibbling at his neck. He tried to get up but she managed to hold him. It took several minutes of teasing before the Potions Master began to relax. Just when it looked like Leiko was getting results Snape suddenly fell back onto the bed, asleep. Seeing the tell-tale shimmer of gold, the enraged female turned away from her unconscious mate and screamed at the fleeing figure that she'd thought unconscious.
"Rave! I'll rip that beak off your face when I catch you! Do you hear me? You are one dead gryffin!"