Wee, quickness.

I've been feeling especially neglective this week – thankfully it hasn't been in the area of fic writing XD

(PS – I love yaoi. KEEHEE! ^^)

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Chapter 14

The room was silent – so silent that, if some idiot were to try it, you could hear a pin drop. Heero was shocked, apparently, and seemed to be more concerned with Duo's reaction than Trelawney's prophecy of his death.

Shinigami's pilot was, for the most part, completely frozen in his seat. His eyes were wide, his jaw slack, and if one were to look closely they would see his head moving from side to side slightly. Most surprising for the pilots was that he was making no noise at all, and they were mentally preparing themselves for the onslaught that was sure to follow once he regained his senses.

Harry was in shock as well, but not for the reason everyone else was. He had been preparing himself for a prophecy of HIS own death, not that of Heero's. He was surprised to say the least. Ron seemed to be the same way. Hermione was sighing and rolling her eyes.

Trelawney was at the front of the class, sagging in her winged armchair as a few female students fluttered around her trying to comfort the distressed witch. And the witch did seem distressed, as she was sniffling a lot and mumbling pitifully to anyone around her about "that poor boy", "that frail boy", and how "that boy is fading away."

At the mention of Heero's "frailty", Duo stiffened. When Trelawney said he was "fading", Duo snapped to attention and narrowed his eyes. Before he could speak, however, one voice rang out across the class.

"What in the hell are you babbling about?"

The class gasped collectively, and turned to see the source of the outburst.

Gasps rang out again at Heero's table when they saw the speaker was Malfoy.

Trelawney lifted her head wearily, her eyes red and puffy. "Pardon me, Mister Malfoy?"

"I asked you what in the hell you're babbling about. It's pretty damned obvious to me that Yuy isn't wasting away," he exclaimed, gesturing at the fit boy for emphasis. "He and his friend managed to knock me across a corridor yesterday, and those things are bloody wide. He certainly isn't frail, either."

Shock registered on Trelawney's face and she began to redden, though out of embarrassment or anger it was hard to tell.

Harry was also turning red, and his face read murderous contempt. Draco glanced over, arched an eyebrow at the expression, and turned back to the witch at the front. Harry's fist clenched and jaw tightened.

"My boy," came Trelawney, apparently over her shock. "How DARE you question the workings of the Inner Eye! My perception is much stronger than YOURS, Mister Malfoy, and I would most appreciate it if you would not QUESTION me in such a manner in the future!"

"HEY!" Duo stood immediately and slammed his hands on the table before him. "I don't know what kind of bullshit you're trying to pull here, and I don't know if you're doing it for show or whatever, and I honestly don't care. Unless you can show me some damned proof that Heero is in danger then I'd suggest you SHUT UP about it and get on with your damned lesson!"

As per a few moments prior, silence reigned the classroom. Quatre stood slowly and put a calming hand on the braided boy's shoulder.

"Duo, sit down please." When he complied, Quatre turned to the Professor who looked shocked and wounded. "Miss Trelawney, I would like to apologize on behalf of my friend Duo." He smiled sweetly at her before continuing. "My comrades and I are very close knit, and we truly don't appreciate it when people insinuate the death of one of them. Whether it was your intention or not, you managed to scare Duo to the point that he would react. I hope that you won't hold him at fault for this." Quatre had not been raised by a pacifist speaker for nothing – he had a way with words that made people want to believe him. And, Inner Eye or not, Trelawney seemed entranced by the small blonde.

"I… believe I understand. Thank you," Trelawney mumbled.

Quatre nodded and smiled politely. "I do believe you have a lesson to continue then, Professor? And if you would… please refrain from death-related comments in the future."

Trelawney swallowed nervously and nodded, stammering out her accordance. She wearily waved the fluttery girls beside her away and stood slowly, a watery smile lighting her face.

"I would like to apologize for that, class. Please, let us continue on with our lesson. Gaze into your crystal balls, children, and see the future. Do not will it to come to you; just allow it to."

Duo blinked at Trelawney's sudden change and Heero nudged him. Slowly, Duo smiled at him, elbowing Heero slightly. Heero smiled back. He looked back up at the faces of the others at the table and found Harry to be watching him – annoyance and suspicion rested on the boy's features, and Heero was unnerved.

What had he done now?

Duo glanced up too, and noticed Harry and Heero staring at each other. He watched Harry's face contort suddenly and the jade-eyed boy looked away, rubbing at his forehead. Glancing at Heero and taking in the stoic-yet-confused look, he dismissed the thought of it being Heero-inflicted. Duo gave Harry a swift kick in the shins under the table, and immediately those jade eyes were boring into him.

"After class, Harry, I want to talk to you." Duo made sure to say it just loudly enough for those in the close vicinity would hear it. He knew that his comrades behind him were listening – they always were. Hermione and Ron seemed too distracted arguing over the pointlessness of gazing into crystal balls.

"Honestly, Ron, I'm not seeing anything. I can't believe I gave this class another chance. I don't even need it!" Hermione was griping, and Ron looked at her with an annoyed glance.

"Hermione, you had a very lengthy debate with yourself last term. You knew you had to take it or forfeit a full roster, remember?"

Hermione heaved a pitiful sigh. "Oh, yes, I suppose. But honestly, this class is so pointless!"

"What are we supposed to be doing, exactly?" Duo asked, honest confusion on his face. Hermione looked at him and shrugged.

"Look into the ball and see the future."

Duo nodded slowly. "…Ah. Okay then. Qua~at," Duo called turning to look at his blonde-haired friend. He blinked in surprise as he saw Quatre staring into his crystal ball with rapt concentration. He stood slowly and walked behind him, peering into the seemingly clear ball.

"Don't distract him," came Wufei, who was looking into his own crystal ball as well. "It seems the ball is actually working with his subconscious."

Trowa glanced up from gazing at his ball to look at Duo. He smiled wryly. "Can't see a thing, myself. But if any of us would be able to see into the future, it would be Quatre." Duo smiled internally at the pride in Trowa's normally monotone speech. "Quatre tapped into it pretty quick, and I think knowing what's coming would be good for us in the long run."

Suddenly Quatre inhaled sharply, and he looked from side to side. Duo placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey, Quat, welcome back." Quatre looked at him in surprise then smiled.

"Hey Duo."

"So how's the future?" Duo asked good-naturedly. He didn't even want to bother with his own crystal ball – he was far too high-strung to even attempt a calm internal viewing.

"It's kind of odd, really, I-."

"And how are the Internal Eyes working at this table?" Trelawney's voice sounded from behind Wufei. Duo and Quatre looked up quickly; Trowa had seen her coming and Wufei had heard her.

"Very well, thank you," came the ever-polite response from Quatre.

Professor Trelawney smiled. "Yes, I sense a sort of power in you, Mister…"

"Quatre Winner."

"Mister Winner. I do believe you will have an easy time with this class." She looked at Duo carefully, her smile wilting slightly but not entirely. "And you, Mister… Maxwell? How is your Inner Eye today?"

Duo shrugged. "Cloudy. Maybe it'll be better later."

Trelawney's eyes glinted slightly as she regarded Duo. "Ah, yes… Perhaps." She turned abruptly, making her way from Duo towards the front of the class again. "Class, for your homework I would like you to read Chapter One in your textbooks. Have a pleasant day."

The class began to disperse, and Trelawney's voice rang out again.

"Oh, Mr. Longbottom?"

Neville froze in front of Wufei and looked back at the witch fearfully.

"Do watch your step on those stairs, dear. Wouldn't want you to get hurt."

Neville nodded quickly and hurried out of the class, followed by the rest of the students.

Outside in the corridor as they were walking, Duo realized that Harry had disappeared.

Heero, after looking around, realized Draco was gone as well.

"Hey, Herm?" called Duo. Hermione paused mid-step and turned to look at Duo.

"Yes?"

"Where's Harry?" Hermione looked around her quickly before turning back to Duo.

"Oh, I don't know. Sometimes he just seems to disappear after class, you know? It's been happening since around Christmas last year, so don't worry about him."

"Yeah," came Ron, who had paused with Hermione. "He'll show up sooner or later."

Duo nodded slowly, glancing at Heero. Heero returned the look and nodded slightly.

Soon enough the students were gone, headed towards the Great Hall or elsewhere. No students noticed as the two pilots doubled back and made their way down the empty corridor.

***

Uh oh. Somebody's gonna get BUSTED. XD!!!!!!!

There will be some obvious HP+DM in the next one, so be forewarned! (or giggle in anticipation, like me! XD)