Chapter - Blue's Return
Easter had come and gone. Harry, Ron and Hermione hardly noticed. They had mountains of work, not to mention Sirius. Harry had insisted on going to see him dayly. Although Dumbledore said it seemed to help, Harry noticed no imporvement.
Araya did disappear during the holiday. The only reason Harry noticed was that he passed Hagrid on the way to practice and he noticed Midnight walking along side the groundskeeper.
After the holidays, Harry, Ron and Hermione went to collect Midnight as they normally did before visiting Sirius. They found Araya sitting behind her desk with Midnight and a second black fur ball. The second one looked up and the brightest blue eyes focussed on the trio. He jumped up to greet them. "Brahroo!"
"Oh, hello." Araya said, "Seems Blue is happy to see you."
"Hey." Harry said as Blue licked his face then jumped up to greet Ron. "Professor...why is Blue here? Not that we mind."
"He missed you and his dad." Araya said, "I'm swamped with marking. I don't suppose that you'd take them both for a walk?"
"Sure!" They beamed. Hermione now had Blue in her arms. "Thanks."
They took off with both furves. Blue, as usual was hyperactive and jumping around.
"You'd think he and Pig spent to much time together." Ron remarked.
Harry thought that it was just because Blue liked to jump on Ron's back. "Maybe." he smiled, "That or he's just happy to see us." They were going back into the castle when they crossed Malfoy's fath.
"What are those things doing here?" Malfoy snapped.
"None of your business." Ron returned.
"It was bad enough when the git Longbottom got that white one." Malfoy snarled, "But what are those doing with you?"
"We're training them to attack evil, vindictive, little snots." Hermione replied. "Want to see how?"
"Very funy." Malfoy sneered "But what are you going to do when Little Miss Wants-To-Be-A-Teacher is gone?"
"What are you talking about?" Hermione asked, losing her patience.
"Well, Snape's back. That oaf Hagrid is here too. So, she has no job to do which means she's gone." Malfoy looked really smug.
"Actually Malfoy, you are mistaken." Araya said politely from behind him. "Although, Professor Snape has returned, I will still be staying. At least until the end of this year."
"W-what?" Malfoy stammered, "Doing what?"
"This and that." Araya smiled, "Give some of the other Professors some much needed time off. I mean Professor Lupin looks like he is falling ill, and Professor Vector is so far behind in marking and she could use some free time."
"You-you're a multi-disciplinarian?" Malfoy swallowed and looked even paler. He took a step away from her.
"That's right." Araya smiled and looked at him sweetly.
"I-I just remembered that I've got homework." Malfoy said and ran away into the school.
Both Ron and Hermione looked a little shocked and worried too. Harry didn't understand why. After all they had to study everything.
"I love doing that." Araya smiled, looking back at the trio. "Oh, come off it. You had to have some idea. I think that I'll take Midnight from here. However if you want, Blue can stay with you until dinner. Later." Midnight followed her into the yard and off toward the green houses.
"Alright. What's the big deal with being a multi-disciplinarian?" Harry asked. Surprises like this had become fewer over the years, but his naivety of the Wizarding world still held him in the dark.
"Harry, multi-disciplinarians they...they go crazy." Ron said, shocked, as he watched Araya move away. "That explains why she's a little off."
"Well, she was good at those things. I thought she might be." Hermione replied, "That must be why Dumbledore hired her so young." Harry again looked confused. "The older they get, the stronger they get, the crazier they get." she explained. "I read that it's because they get confused and off balanced. A multi-disciplinarian is literally being pulled apart."
"Then why do we study everything?" Harry asked.
"To find out what we're good at." Ron said. "I mean, it's alright to be good at two things, but most wizards will naturally favour one over the others."
"A true multi-disciplinarian," Hermione continued, "Is not only good at everything, they're great at it. Nothing is dominant."
"So how is that different from you, Hermione?" Harry asked, hesitantly.
"It's different because I work at it." Hermione replied. "Your specialty comes naturally. Like you and flying. It's the one thing that fascinates you the most. Multi-disciplinarians don't have to work at anything, it all comes to them, it all fascinates them."
"I still don't see what's so terrible." Harry said again.
"Multi-disciplinarians, they become obsessed with power and knowledge...they often go bad. Or have to have their powers bound." Ron told Harry.
"They don't all go crazy though do they?" Harry asked. "I mean some turn out alright, don't they?"
"Well, some do. A few." Ron said.
"A true multi-disciplinarian is rare." Hermione continued. "I read there have only been five this century. Three of those went crazy. One got scared and bound his powers before it was too late, and the last became an Auror for the Ministry. She was really good, the favourite student of Mad-Eye. She tracked down Death Eaters and You-Know-Who before he fell. He-Who-Should-Not-Be-Named killed her. That's apparently what really got Moody. The theory is that that's what made him go paranoid." Hermione looked at them, "Are we going to stand here all day, or go visit Sirius?"
"Let's go." Harry agreed. They hurried down to the dungeon with Blue. Blue quieted and became still outside the door. The furve looked up at Harry and cuddled his leg.
"It's alright, Blue." Harry said, "You don't have to come with us."
"Barh. Barro." Blue replied and jumped to Harry's arms.
"I think that means he's coming." Hermione said. "Ready?" They looked at each other, then went in. Lupin as usual was keeping his vigil at Sirius' side. "Hello Professor. Any change?"
"He slept most of today." Lupin replied quietly. He stretched and moved towards them. He looked as tired as when they'd first met. "I almost can't wait until the full moon so I can get some rest. That's a terrible thing to say."
"It's alright." Harry said, "Oh, this is Blue."
"Hey Blue." Lupin replied, "If it's alright with you, I'll run and get some tea. Anyone want anything?"
"Tea would be nice." Hermione replied.
"Yeah!" Ron agreed, "He's...not going to...um..."
"Probably not." Lupin said, "He's been quiet all day. I'll be right back." He hurried off to get his drink. Hermione thought he was really just trying to get away from the sullen chamber.
Blue sat on Harry's lap for the entire visit.
Harry recounted his day to Sirius, who gave no indication of having heard him. Hermione then discussed all the things she'd been reading to try to help him, and the preparation she was doing for her OWLs.
This amazed Ron and Harry, who'd barely even thought about them. Ron would discuss all the mischief they had been up to.
Lupin returned with the tea a short while later, "How is he doing? Any change?"
"No sign of any." Hermione said, "Can Sirius hear us Professor?"
"I think so. It usually calms him down." Lupin said, "I hate this! Sirius is here, I should be happy, but not when he's like this. I'm sorry. Harry are you ready for the final Quidditch match?" Gryffindor is still in the running, right?"
"Yeah, we've been practising for months." Harry replied. "We should be ready, but the thing is, Slytherin are also about two hundred points up. We'll also have a tough time against Hufflepuff. They're playing like they have something to prove this year. After all they're only about ten points behind us. So...I guess they still have a shot at the cup too." Harry sighed and looked at Sirius. "I hope you feel better in time for the game, Sirius. I'd really like the moral support."
Blue started to make noise. It was kind of a low howl. None of them had heard it before but it made their hearts feel lighter. Sirius stirred on the cot. Moments later he was starting to mumble.
"Blue, stop it!" Harry said, scared that Sirius was being upset by this, "Let him rest." Blue looked at Harry, snuggled close, and went quiet.
"What was that?" Lupin asked, bewildered.
"No idea." Ron said, shaking his head to clear it of fog, "We'll ask when we drop Blue off tonight."
"Speaking of, you three should head off for dinner." Lupin told Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Harry hesitated, looking back at Sirius. Lupin placed a hand on his shoulder, Harry looked at him. "Dinner will be soon. You should to."
"Alright. We'll see you both tomorrow." Hermione called. She rose and headed out, Ron followed.
"Thanks Professor." Harry said, "See you later Sirius. I wanted you to come stay here, but not like this."
The trio headed up to see Araya. She was dancing in her office and singing to Muggle rock. Harry and Ron were speechless as they watched. Hermione looked at them disgusted.
"Professor?" Hermione called loudly, to be heard over the music. Araya turned and smiled. She turned the music down.
"Hey." Araya smiled, "Sorry about that."
"Professor, Blue did something odd." Hermione recounted then how Blue had started to howl. "What was that? Is he alright?"
"Oh no, Blue's quite alright." Araya replied, petting Blue. "He was just reacting to emotional feeling. It was intended to make you all feel better. It's not something that he would do for just anyone."
"Professor, you said that they help. For a mental illness..." Harry was at a loss for words.
Midnight nuzzled Blue, "Harry, if - if someone is suffering from a trauma, especially mental, there is a chance that a furve's tears will be able to remind them of their life and remove the damage. The problem is that furves won't justcry." She took a sip of her tea as she sat on her desk and looked at them.
"What do you mean?" Ron asked, confused.
"Furve tears are said to be highly - extremely - magical. Also, some furves live their entire lives without crying, and they live upward of five hundred years." Araya said seriously, "If Blue starts to howl again, I'd just let him go until he's out of breath."
"Are you saying their tears are better than when they lick wounds?" Ron asked. Araya simply nodded, drinking her tea.
"B-but it was hurting-" Harry started, but stopped himself.
"Sometimes, it has to hurt before it gets better." Araya said kindly, "If the furve ever cries, make sure it gets to where it is needed." She looked at them meaningfully, "It's time for dinner, better get to the great hall."