Chapter 3: The spirit may be wounded, but can the body endure?

After a few days had passed for initiation to be all done and finished with, Harry, Hermione, and Ron decided to pay Professor Iceus a well deserved visit. Considering all the talk about Snape having to wait many hours and endure excruciating sunburns from Professor Iceus's spells, Snape was no less back to his normal self, if not worse.

As Harry and his friends once again entered the chamber again, they all saw that all the desks had been moved aside, and were making a large area where stood Iceus. His shirt was off, which exposed his rippling muscles, which could not be seen so easily behind his clothing. His ears, which used to be hidden were sprouted beyond the extent of his scull and were pointed sharply at least five inches above his skull. He wore blue leather pants, which showed that his leg muscles were very well developed. Little else was worn, except that his hair was draped down into a ponytail.

Hermione held back a gasp, which could have been easily, something else. Iceus's ears twitched, and he turned his head a little so that his peripheral vision could see the three staring at him. "Ah, you've arrived in time for my show. Ms. Granger, please try to keep your breaths steady next time we meet?"

Once again, each of them could not get used to the fact that he could hear very far, very quickly, seamlessly.

"Inimicus genero." Iceus said, then appearing all around him were six uniformed men, each holding a wand pointed at him. All, of which, Harry noted, were familiar Death Eaters. Iceus turned to Harry, then closed his eyes and flexed his torso. Hermione could barely hold in a squeal for him. Appearing in both of his hand was a long wooden staff, this too like his clothing was blue as well, but seemed to be frozen. The staff bore symbols much like his wand did, almost exactly. Which occurred to him too, that he didn't have his cane with him.

Iceus took his staff into both hands, and quickly slammed it into the nearest Death Eater; a bright blue light emitted when he had smashed the Death Eater's face. He fell to the ground. The other five death eaters pointed their wands and began their incantations for his death. "Avada-" they all said as one. Iceus then looked up and leapt into the air as the final words ended. "-Kedavra!" Bright lights emitted from one another, shooting at one another. A few falls to the ground like the first did.

Iceus landed on the ground, and slammed another hit to the nearest death eater. Two left. Iceus, pointed his staff head at one of them, and jolted it forward; not having to say anything shot out a flood like he did to Snape. The Death eater fell to the ground, and quickly received a twirling hit to the face.

The final Death Eater, who was Lucious Malfoy, without a doubt, called forth Avada Kedavra. Iceus pulled his staff closer to him, and held it diagonally across his chest. The beam hit the staff, and seemed to be absorbed by the staff itself. It seemed that Iceus was in a great deal of pain to be blocking the attack. Once it had ended, Iceus twirled about, and swung the staff horizontally. This was new to Harry, for the head of the staff seemed to turn into the blade of a sword and cut through Malfoy like a knife through hot butter.

Soon after finishing all the illusion Death Eaters, they disappeared as if they were dusts in a high gust of wind. Iceus stood, and used the staff to propel him toward the three of them who watched dumbfounded. Iceus snapped his fingers and his staff disappeared into nothingness, as it had a moment before.

"Any questions?" Iceus asked as he took a concealed towel from a windowsill and padded his face.

Hermione spoke first. "How can you use a staff- Professor?" She smiled an innocent smile, she looked astoundingly beautiful.

"I think you should be able to figure out that answer, Ms. Granger."

She giggled, and then spoke again as Harry and Ron watched. "Well, Staves have only been given to those of high magical power, which means that you are a high ranking wizard, correct?"

"Yes. Go on."

"Which could only mean that-you were once a possible 'general' for Voldemort?"

"Right you are, and you need not say more. Yes, I was, and I regret it with my full heart. You see, since I was a 'general' or the one who must not be named, he did not appreciate having a staff user on his committee. So, in short after a while of being sent on blue milk runs, I've left his side to somewhere I can do some work. As an Auror, for the Light of Harry Potter's will and power. By the way Ms. Granger, how is it that young attractive girl like you get into Gryffindor? Ravenclaw would have been well suited for you."

Hermione blushed. "I-I don't know…. And thank you Professor."

"Hey, Teachers aren't supposed to do that to students!" Ron stated.

"Really now? So I cannot comment on her, at all? I would think she would need it after all the hard work she's put in, and being insulted by most of the other teachers here. Pity them Ms. Granger. Your future will- damn. Alright children off you go now, go off now."

It would seem Professor Iceus wanted to hide something, but what was it? Hermione persisted, "What is it professor? About my future?" she had a questioning look on her face; Harry and Ron followed after her.

Iceus sighed, then walked slowly back to his desk. He then sat in the comfortable leather chair that was open to him, and leaned back. "Please take a seat." Three chairs suddenly moved from the desks that were pushed aside, and stopped just behind the three.

"I can see the future. Remember my small talk about Ms. Trelawney on the first day? Yes, well, as stupid as she still is I excelled in her class and now know full well what the future will bring. Although, most of it isn't true, I'm afraid. Should everything be going on the correct course, then that track of life will be taken. Should something else happen then a new action will be made. It is forever written in the Temple of the elements, as you all well know. Now, a great wizard is always on the move at planning what is in store for the entire world, as we know it. Fortunately it is not Voldemort. Now, because I know about divination very well, I know a thing or two about what will happen to you in the future."

"So what is my future, Professor?" Hermione asked.

Iceus sighed again, then answered. "Your future is still very clouded, but should everything go as planned, you and Ron here will-uh-shall we say reminisce?"

"What?" Ron and Hermione said in unison, then looking at one another then back to Professor Iceus.

"In other words, you two will be falling desperately in love. I cannot say for sure about children or marriage yet, so at least there you get to relax. The both of you I expect."

Hermione was taken into shock; Ron on the other hand turned twenty shades of red, including his hair color. Harry then spoke up next.

"What about my future professor?"

"You. I think you already know from listening in on my conversation with Snape those few days ago. I think you'll enjoy your future, I really do."

Harry took a step back, his dreams had come true, and he would become an Auror. Hermione stared at Iceus while Ron stared at Hermione, scanning his eyes over her, again and again.

"Well then, is there anything else you three wished to ask?" Iceus asked, beginning to stand.

"Yes, actually. Where is your cane? Don't you need one?" Ron asked.

"Well Mr. Weasly I like to keep my enemies on their toes. Deception is always a good thing to have in a battle. Wouldn't you agree?"

"I see, and why weren't you using your cane during that fight a minute ago?"

"Because, I am more formidable with a staff than a wand, that is why I was able to be damaged a little by Snape's Abilities. When I went to school here, in my last year like you, I was given the choice of using a staff in the middle of the year. During which, I knew full well that all the greatest wizards of our time used a staff. Even Dumbledore uses one, though you never noticed it. So I took the job, and Ms. Granger here has seen only half the work that needed to be done with it. Believe me, Hermione you will be offered, and I do suggest you take it. But, you will have to choose wisely, for the staff will bring you power, and without it will bring you joy. Ah, it is almost time for lunch, now off with you." Iceus stood and shooed them off, out the door, then shut and locked it quickly.

"He sent us off rather quickly now didn't he?" Ron said, walking beside Harry down the open corridor toward the Great Hall.

"Did you even understand what he was talking about Hermione?" Harry asked. Seeming more questionable than ever.

"Yes, I understood."

"What he was saying Hermione, not what his physical appearance is." Ron said, intending on insulting Hermione about obsessing over the new Dark Arts teacher.

"You keep quiet! He is a great wizard mind you! And I understood everything he said, unlike you two who need to ask me about the simplest things like how a werewolf changes into a human again. Really." Hermione stormed off, in front of them and speed walked to the front doors of the great hall.

"Hope she isn't like this for the next week." Ron commented.