Chapter - Claws, Fangs & Tears
Things were quiet until the end of November. Araya and Lupin had made peace with each other, as they found a common goal; to annoy Snape. The furves were doing quite well as were the other class projects. That is, until a little furve charged through the halls and jumped onto Araya's arm.
Araya had been walking down to her office in the dungeon in conversation with Lupin. Lupin looked surprised at the sudden appearance. The little black fluff ball was crying. "Oh dear." Araya said, looking over the little one for injuries.
"Is that a furve?" Lupin asked. "The fifth year project?"
"Yes." Araya said, trying to calm the little black body that was still quivering in her arms. "It seems the little fella has had quite a shock."
"Do you know which group he was with?" Lupin asked.
"I have a good idea." Araya said. "I think you and I should go talk to your daddy." she told the little furve. "See ya Lupin. I'll be sure to have that ready for you." She carried the little one away to her office, its cries had slowed down and quieted.
Araya missed dinner that day. Most of the fifth years noticed that their furves were edgy. Some, like Blue, who was growing well, became extremely protective of his siblings and partners.
"I think we should go as Professor Luna. This is peculiar behaviour." Hermione said, worried.
"Reckon it could be she's ill, which has got them so upset. After all, she wasn't at dinner." Ron replied, "What do you think Harry?"
"Maybe." Harry said. Blue jumped into his lap and licked his scar. Harry pet him. "We have class with her tomorrow. We can ask her then. By the looks of it, we aren't the only ones worried." It was true, most of the fifth year Gryffindors looked worried about their furve partners.
In fact, most of the fifth year Gryffindors went down to the grounds very early as a house. It looked as if the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs had the same idea. For they all met at the entrance hall and headed down.
"Oh my." Araya said as they all arrived, the little furve still cuddling in her arms. "Since when is this drop off, all organized?" she set the little one down at Midnight's side. The other furves seemed anxious.
"Professor," Hermione, the elected spokesperson said, "The furves have all been anxious and acting strangely all night. We were hoping you could tell us why?" Blue was squirming until she set him down. Blue headed for the pen.
"They're just reacting to their sibling's distress. It seems they are upset and concerned for their brother." Araya replied, "If you'll please let them go, I'll explain." She told them about the psyonic links that formed between furves and how those links were extended to a partner.
"Well, I'll see you all this evening." Araya said, "You should all go to the hall for breakfast."
"Professor, what happened to their brother?" Neville asked, concerned. He looked over to the pen where all the furves seemed to be happier and more relaxed.
"That is not your concern." Araya said nicely, "Nor is it your business to know who's group he was part of. So don't ask." she saw a group of Slytherins coming down.
"Now, off you go. I promise they'll be alright." she smiled, "I've only had one pot of tea and no sleep all night. I'm not very social right now." The Slytherins reached the area and were quiet and subdued. "Just set them down. See you later." It looked as if they wanted to say something but not in front of the crowd, so the two groups left. The other students headed off for breakfast. Araya looked up to the castle expected that someone would be coming to talk with her.
Araya let herself drift to sleep, sitting beside the pen. It was Midnight's barking that woke her. She looked up and saw Snape and Dumbledore and a blond man coming across the yard.
"Great." she stretched, standing up, "Let's get this over with, hmmm?" She scratched Midnight behind the ears. Midnight moved with her to greet their guests. "Hello Sir, Snape...and you are?"
"Malfoy. Lucius Malfoy." the blond man said coldly. He was dressed in all black, and his robes looked expensive.
"I can see where Draco gets his charm." Araya smiled, looking him over. Midnight hissed at him.
"I take it you know why we're here?" Dumbledore asked politely.
"I do." Araya replied, turning to look at him. "So how are we going to do this?"
"I think Mr. Malfoy should voice his complaint." Dumbledore said, "Then, I'd like to hear from Araya."
"Those things attacked Draco. He spent most of the night in the hospital." Lucius hissed, "I demand she be removed from the staff and that those things are destroyed."
Midnight barked at him and snapped. "Easy there." Araya soothed, petting him, "Why don't you go check on the little ones?" Midnight glared at Malfoy, then turned and went to the pen.
"That's what I mean right there. Even the best trained dogs, which are also considered harmless and loyal to their owners, are still animals. And animals, even domesticated ones, can be unpredictable." Lucius said smoothly. "The most peaceful and 'harmless' dog can still get in trouble for biting a human, and be put down for it. Furves seem to be naturally wild animals, if I'm not mistaken, domesticating them, seems a lot like domesticating a wolf. However they are still wild animals no matter how naturally 'passive' they may be. The most well trained, intelligent animal can still fail to perform a trick, can still get moody, and attack." Lucius voice was condescending. Araya rolled her eyes, but held her tongue. She deeply wished to put this stuck up prat in his place. But would wait her turn.
"Professor Dumbledore, is it my turn?" Araya asked politely. Dumbledore nodded. "Furves are only dangerous when they are threatened or hurt. I was told, through Midnight, that Draco was pulling on the ears of his charged, kicked him, and was just generally nasty-"
"How dare you!" Malfoy blustered. "Are we to believe the Furve...no, sorry, Araya alleges that Midnight alleges that the Furve pup alleges that Draco attacked it first." He rolled his eyes. "However, Draco alleges the Furve attacked him first. A Malfoy's word against hearsay." He looked smugly at Araya. Araya's eyes had turned a deep brown, though hard to tell behind her sunglasses. "May I present that the court has already set the precedent, with the case: Malfoy vs Hippogriff, that it is better safe than sorry where wild, potentially dangerous, unpredictable magical creatures are concerned. There are children we must think about at Hogwarts...some barely even eleven years old."
"Please. Araya waited while you spoke your peace." Dumbledore replied calmly. "Now, let her have her turn. Then we will be able to ask questions. Araya, please continue."
"Well, as I was saying, it wasn't until Draco burned his tail - on purpose - that he retaliated. He, the furve, bit Draco's wand hand, then to get away, clawed his leg and ran to me." Araya said calmly.
"Alright." Dumbledore replied, "I would like to hear from Draco." Dumbledore looked to Araya, "You said that Midnight told you."
"Yes, sir." Araya replied, "We have bonded. That's why Midnight entrusted his children to me like this."
"Were you aware of the alleged mistreatment before?" Dumbledore inquired.
"No, sir." Araya replied, "I suspected, but it wasn't confirmed. He, that is the little furve, was trying to work things out."
"I want immediate action. I want her gone and that beast destroyed." Lucius ranted.
"For starters, Furves are protected. Therefore regardless of how many friends you have at the Ministry, you won't get that wish." Araya smiled coldly, "Furthermore, sir - and I use the term loosely-"
"How dare you, you little mudblood." Lucius was so angry, his face was going pink.
"Lucius, I'd advise you to keep a civil tongue." Dumbledore warned, "That goes for you also." he addressed Araya.
Then a sneer crept across his face, voice dripping with cow-poop. "You know, perhaps the creature didn't even mean to hurt poor Draco...perhaps it thought they were just playing and did not realize that it was causing potentially fatal wounds...the creature must still die, as any dog would under similar circumstances, but perhaps Araya, you should better consider the risks you take and the lives you put on the line when you assign your wild creatures to the students' dorm rooms. You, Araya, have killed this poor innocent pup...and there are precious few Furves left as it is. No, Dumbledore should not fire you...the guilt that you will have to live with will be sufficient punishment..."
"Furthermore, sir, why is it that your son, Draco is the only student who has been involved with incidences? Perhaps, he should consider a different class, since he is obviously not animal inclined." Araya replied nicely.
"Sir," Snape said, "The charges of irresponsibility need to be addressed."
"Very true." Dumbledore agreed, "Professor Araya, did you instruct the students carefully about the care and needs of these creatures?"
"Yes sir." Araya replied, "They are all doing well and I've checked them daily. Even the furve Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle were partnered with is in good health."
"Then why do you believe the abuse charges?" Snape demanded.
"That's what I was told." Araya replied. "I saw the burned tail."
"Why did it say that Malfoy burned it on purpose?" Snape inquired.
"I was told, again through Midnight, that Draco was trying to get him - the furve - to throw a force shield by throwing a flame spell at him." Araya said.
"Why wouldn't it have thrown one up?" Dumbledore asked, confused.
"He was partnered with Draco. He believed, well, hoped, that Draco would never really hurt him. He was trying to make it work." Araya said, "It's part of furve nature to be loyal. Midnight paired them together because the furve assigned to Draco's group has incredible patience."
"Araya do you have Draco next?" Dumbledore asked. Araya nodded. She heard several of the Furves bark and look to the castle.
"I believe that would be my class now." Araya smiled, "So unless you're going to sack me, I have a class to teach."
The Slytherins looked unusually smug at seeing Lucius standing on the grounds. Harry however did a double take.
"What do you think he's doing here?" Harry asked, dumbstruck. Ron and Hermione also looked shocked.
"Haven't you heard, Potter?" Draco's voice came out of the crowd, "That thing attacked me. It's going to be destroyed, and that sorry excuse for a teacher is going to be fired." He laughed as he headed across the field. A limp increased the closer he got to the Professors.
The class gathered around as usual. Araya began her lesson, Snape, Lucius and Dumbledore conversed quietly by Hagrid's cabin. Just as they were settling into the practical hands on treatment of rninidoes, Dumbledore walked over to the class.
"Professor, could I take Malfoy for a few minutes?" he asked.
"Of course." Araya motioned for Draco to go. He now moaned with every step. The limp was so pronounced that he nearly fell with every step.
Araya heard a cough that sounded like 'Faker!' travel around the class. Although she agreed, she didn't comment. "Back to work please."
A short while later, Araya was called over to the discussion group. "Class, please see to your partners. I'll be right back." she moved to the group, "So, what? Did he comp to it? Or are you still blaming me?"
"Draco's story does not match the one you told us." Dumbledore replied.
"Would I be able to ask Draco some questions?" Araya said. They nodded. "Draco, what happened?"
"That thing went all wild and attacked. It bit my hand." Draco recounted, trying to wound scared, "Then clawed my leg."
"Well, that part matches." Araya said, Midnight barked. "Which leg, Draco?"
Draco looked to his father. Araya rolled her eyes, this was going to be fun. "Draco, which leg was it?" Dumbledore repeated.
"My left leg." Draco moaned, as if a wave of pain washed over him, "After I tried so hard for him. After I fed him."
"The issue is not which leg was clawed, rather it is that the leg was clawed in the first place." A trademark Malfoy sneer crossed Lucius's face. "Draco claims the Furve attacked him. The Furve has admitted to attacking Draco... do I smell confession?"
"Patients, please. So, it was your left leg that got clawed." Araya said thoughtfully, "And it hurts, really bad, doesn't it?"
"Of course it does!" Draco snapped.
"What are you getting at?" Mr. Malfoy hissed.
"Well, I was just wondering," Araya said in deep thought, "If it was Draco's left leg that was injured and it hurts so terribly, why is he favouring his right leg?" her tone was innocent, and the slightest hint of a smile crossed her lips. Dumbledore turned to look at him, for an explanation.
"I-I-its more comfortable." Draco said defensively.
"Alright, alright." Araya said in a conciliatory way, "What were you doing before the attack?"
"My homework." Draco said.
"Which class?" Araya asked.
"Potions." Draco replied. She noticed the pause and that he'd glanced at Snape.
"Okay. Where was your furve?" Araya asked pleasantly.
"I don't remember." Draco sneered, "Crabbe was supposed to be looking after him."
"Well, where was Crabbe?" Araya asked.
"I don't know." Draco sounded indignant.
"Well, where were you attacked?" Araya asked.
"In the common room." Draco replied.
"So you were in the Slytherin Common room, doing your potions homework." Araya repeated, "Just getting the story straight. Now was Crabbe in there with you?"
"I told you, I don't know. I guess."
"You guess?" Araya said, "Crabbe is hard to miss. Not to mention he's supposed to be your friend."
"I don't see what this has to do with this situation." Lucius snapped.
"Please be patient. I'm just trying to get the facts to help me understand what happened." Araya said. Truth was the longer Araya had Draco talking the more he tended to contradict himself and the more flustered he was getting.
"Please continue." Dumbledore said.
"So Draco, you were so enthralled with your potion work that you didn't notice anything until the attack?"
"Yeah, that's right." Draco said.
"Well, how did he get to bite your hand?"
"I-I- put it out to try and calm it down." Draco said. "I thought it might listen to me."
"How did he get burned?" Dumbledore asked. It seemed even he was getting impatient.
"B-b-burned?" Draco stammered, "I-I..." he looked guilty.
"Draco doesn't have to answer that. He was likely just defending himself, and his fellow students." Lucius snapped, "Well, are you going to take action?"
"I suggest, Mr. Malfoy, before you go making further threats you consider what else an inquest might well...uncover." Araya said. "If Draco is too traumatized to continue the project he can hand in a record to date, including an account of the events of last night. I'll mark it fairly. It would be due, say...next Friday."