Distribution: Just Ask
Rating: PG 13 for now but will move up to R in later chapters.
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns everything except the plot and the original characters, creatures, etc. The language Quenya and most anything elven related is the creation of J.R.R. Tolkein.
Authors Note: As always, I want to thank my partner in crime Zenura Ravenscar. Without her support I would've never had the courage to write a single sentence. I'd also like to thank the dedicated fans who gave me so many wonderful reviews for my other fics. I hope you enjoy this as much as the others.
Chapter 10
After the night of Remus' transformation, the remaining three weeks until school began seemed to fly by. The teens made the most of their free time, Hermione and Ginny mostly by reading and studying, making frequent use of Drakkaras' library. Harry spent his time watching movies with Ron and the twins, or when they were available, spending time with his godparents and professor.
Once Remus had transformed back and declared the potion a complete success when he had no trouble getting up and going about his usual routine the next day, he and Drakkara had settled down to write their lesson plans for the coming school year. An arduous task as it turned out due to the students having had a variety of incompetent teachers in the past. After consulting with the teens, who represented fourth, fifth, and seventh year respectively, they realized they had a lot to do in order to prepare all but the first years for their final exams, OWL's, and NEWT's.
Sirius proved to be a great help in making the plans, his imaginative mind coming up with several spells that would be both fun and useful for the students to know. During an Order meeting, Dumbledore had informed the trio that he thought it would be best if Sirius remained at headquarters after everyone had left, an idea that had been vehemently rejected by all three of them.
After a great deal of argument on their part, Drakkara, Remus, and Sirius had won the escaped convict the right to go to Hogwarts with them. They would have Sirius transform into Padfoot and then place an unbreakable glamour over the canine, and pass him off as Drakkaras' lovable dog Snuffles. Dumbledore had at first objected to their plan, claiming that even strong glamour's and concealing charms could be broken, but Drakkara soon proved him wrong by informing him that she herself had a glamour charm on a portion of her face and offered the Headmaster the opportunity to try to break it. When it turned out that Albus couldn't even detect the charm, let alone break it, he'd conceded to their wishes.
* * * * * * * * * *
Two days before they were due to leave for Hogwarts, the group made their annual trip to Diagon Alley. Drakkara placed the proper spells on Sirius to change his animagus form from a huge grim-like dog, to a solid black Great Dane, and the animagus was allowed to accompany them into the wizarding shopping district.
In the hidden Alley, the group split up to make the shopping faster. Molly took her brood, accompanied by Tonks, who was determined not to miss this shopping trip as she had the last one. Remus, Drakkara, and Snuffles took charge of Harry and Hermione.
People on the street pointed at them and spoke in whispers when they saw Harry Potter walking around with Drakkara Vanimaer and the known werewolf Remus Lupin, not to mention the muggleborn witch and large black dog. It was obvious that while he was used to it, the attention made Harry uncomfortable and he stuck close to his godmothers' side, trying to pretend it was only her the people were staring at.
Drakkara, who didn't give a fig if people stared at her, but became angry when Harry was made uncomfortable, pulled the group into the space between two shops and cast a mild Notice-Me-Not spell around them so that they could shop in peace. The spell worked well, and from that point on the only people who took notice of the group were people who actually knew one of them.
They visited the usual shops, Madam Malkins, Flourish and Blott's, the apothecary, the stationery shop, and the Magical Menagerie for owl treats, catnip, and a perch and tank for Siranev. After finishing their shopping with a trip to Quality Quidditch Supplies, the group headed toward Florean Fortescue's ice cream parlor where they had planned to meet their friends and enjoy a treat before heading home.
Harry was just idly looking around as they walked when he saw something he found utterly hilarious. He stopped suddenly and started giggling like mad, bringing the attention of his family and friend to him. "Oh Merlin 'Mione, look over there! I didn't think their fathers came as a set too!" He exclaimed, pointing to a group that was walking toward them.
Hermione and the adults looked to where Harry was pointing and began to laugh with the teen. The group he had spotted was composed of none other than the Crabbes, Goyles, and Malfoys, both generations. In the lead were the elders, with Lucius Malfoy being flanked by the elder Crabbe and Goyle. Trailing two steps behind and one step to the right as was considered proper in pureblood families, were Draco Malfoy and his bookends Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle, walking in the same formation as their fathers.
Thankfully, the three Death Eaters and their sons turned off onto a side street before they spotted Harry, Drakkara, and their companions. None of the three adults wanted to confront Voldemorts minions, at least not while they had Harry and Hermione with them. Though if it hadn't been for the presence of the teens, they might have at least tailed the three Death Eaters to see what, if anything, they were up to.
The group waited where they had stopped for a few moments, making sure the other group wasn't going to come back onto the main street, then proceeded on their way. They met with the Weasleys and Tonks at the ice cream parlor and bought everyone the dessert of their choice, then sat at one of the large outdoor tables to eat. Drakkara and Remus quietly informed Molly and Tonks of the Death Eaters in the Alley, and the adults made sure to seat themselves so that the children were furthest from the street, out of harms way.
When they got home, Molly and Drakkara kept watch on the teens as they packed up their school things, leaving only the clothes they planned to wear the next two days out of their trunks. With such a large group of teenagers to escort to the station, neither of the women wanted to be rushed due to the chaotic pandemonium that would reign on September first if they left the teens to pack on their own.
* * * * * * * * * *
The morning of September first dawned bright and clear, and for the first time since her arrival at Grimmauld Place; Drakkara was up and about before Molly. The raven-haired woman awoke at six thirty in the morning, which she thought was an absolutely ungodly hour to be awake unless you had to be. Unfortunately, this day warranted the early awakening.
Leaving her tawny-haired mate asleep in their bed, Drakkara put on her robe and slippers and left the bedroom silently. Down in the kitchen, she set about using her very basic knowledge of cooking to get breakfast for the adults started. She made a large pot of coffee easily, and sipped at a cup while she clumsily scrambled eggs and fried bacon and sausages.
Just as she finished serving up plates of food for herself, Remus, Sirius, Molly, and Arthur, the redheaded woman came through the door, yawning widely. When Molly saw that half her work was already done and just waiting for people to eat it, she gave Drakkara a wide smile. "My goodness Kara, I didn't expect you up and about this early. Thank you for starting breakfast, it looks wonderful."
"Not half as good as yours Molly, but I was up anyway and decided you deserved at least a partial break so I took care of our breakfast at least. Why don't you sit down and have some coffee and your breakfast. I'll run up and get the lazy bums." Drakkara replied, smiling back at the woman who'd become a good friend to her over the last month.
The older woman gave a grateful nod and went over to the coffeepot as her younger friend left the kitchen to fetch Arthur, Sirius and Remus. The raven-haired woman reappeared a few minutes later with Arthur, both of them giggling behind their hands. Molly gave the pair a raised eyebrow and asked, "Alright, what has the two of you giggling. By the looks on your faces I'd say you'd just pulled some ridiculous prank, you quite resemble Fred and George."
Arthur could only nod his head in agreement to his wife's assessment of the situation. After he'd calmed himself a little, he managed to explain. "Kara woke me up first and I offered to help her wake Remus and Sirius. Those two sleep like the dead Molly, we tried everything! She even cast a sonorous and yelled in their faces, all they did was roll over and pull their pillows over their ears. She finally got fed up and set her snakes on them. When we came down, we could hear Remus and Sirius cursing their heads off."
Molly joined her husband in another short fit of giggles, after which the three of them began to eat their breakfast. About five minutes later they were joined by the other two adults, sporting twin expressions of annoyance and matching bulges around one of their thighs under their pajama pants. "Drakkara Vanimaer, will you order those damned snakes of yours to get off us?" Remus growled, snatching up a cup of coffee and draining it in a few gulps.
Drakkara grinned over at Molly and Arthur. "Gives new meaning to the term 'trouser snake' doesn't it?" She asked innocently, causing the red haired couple to burst out laughing again. After allowing herself a few giggles at her own joke, she complied with her mates' request and hissed to her familiars. Vrisan and Narasi slithered back down the men's legs and across the floor where their companion lifted them up so that they could move up her arms to coil around her biceps.
Once Sirius and Remus had gotten enough caffeine in them to realize their friend had done them a favor by making sure they got up early enough to avoid the stampede of teenagers that would be thundering around the house in an hour, they thanked Drakkara for waking them, and begged that she never use her familiars as alarm clocks again. After they'd finished eating, Molly shooed them out of the kitchen so that she could make breakfast for the teens.
While the other adults showered, Molly went about making breakfast for the teens and went upstairs to start waking them. Ginny, Hermione, and Harry were easily awoken and made a dash for the three showers on their floor before Ron and the twins could beat them to it. By the time the first three finished showering and dressing for their return to school, the Weasley boys were wandering around half asleep and waiting for their turn.
Soon enough everyone was gathered in the kitchen again, the adults sipping their coffee as the teens inhaled their breakfast. It was eight o'clock by the time everyone had finished eating and the kitchen was restored to order. The next two hours were occupied with last minute details such as misplaced homework assignments, packing of worn clothes, and chasing down and caging the teen's familiars.
At a quarter past ten, Molly and Drakkara had all the teens assemble in the entrance hall with their trunks and familiars. "Alright guys, time to go. Does everyone have everything?" Drakkara asked, mentally checking off her own luggage and familiars.
Remus and Arthur would be apparating the luggage, cats, and owls directly to Kings Cross Station, leaving Molly, Drakkara, and the doubly disguised Sirius to walk there with the children. The train station was only a fifteen-minute walk from Grimmauld Place and no one was worried about arriving late. Snuffles, the Great Dane, had to submit to a collar and leash for the walk, but Sirius took the restraint with humor.
The two women, six teenagers, and large dog walked casually out of their summer home and down the street, leaving Remus and Arthur to deal with the many trunks and cages. They made the short trip in good time and stepped through the barrier to Platform nine and three quarters with fifteen minutes to spare before the train left. Arthur and Remus met them just beyond the barrier and while the teens loaded their trunks into the baggage car and got on the train with just three knapsacks holding their school robes and their familiars, the adults took a few minutes for a final chat.
"Kara-love, you're sure you don't want me to come on the train with you? You realize you're going to be the only adult on the train right? Well besides Snuffles, but does he really count?" Remus asked, a bit worried for his mate.
Drakkara nodded and patted her disguised friend on his head. "We'll be fine Remy. Besides, it'll be greatly appreciated when I'm able to go straight to bed tonight without worrying about unpacking and setting up our office."
The four adults continued to talk until the five-minute warning bell sounded from the train. The teens came out and said a heartfelt good-bye to the Weasley parents, and Drakkara, Remus, Molly, and Arthur said their good-byes. With three minutes until the train left, Molly, Arthur, and Remus disapparated, leaving Drakkara and Sirius with their charges.
As Drakkara ushered the teens back onto the train, she felt a slight weight settle on her shoulder and startled a bit. Looking at her shoulder from the corner of her eye, she saw a blue jay perched there with a letter in its beak and breathed a short sigh of relief. "Hello Cobalt, is that for me?" She asked, reaching up for the letter.
The blue jay dropped the parchment into the womans hand, nipped affectionately at her ear and took wing again. Drakkara slid the letter into her purse to be opened in private and got onto the train, following her godson to the compartment he'd chosen, all the while wondering what had prompted her old school friend to come to her in animagus form.
* * * * * * * * * *
Both Ron and Hermione had been chosen as the Gryffindor fifth year prefects, so Harry, Drakkara, and Snuffles were left alone in their compartment for the first hour of the trip. Harry had let Crookshanks and Zephyr out of their baskets, and the two cats were curled up around the bulk that was Sirius new animagus form, all three fast asleep. The boy and his heart-mother were chatting away happily when Drakkara felt the first wave of motion sickness roll through her stomach. Only now did the raven-haired woman remember that she'd always gotten dreadfully sick during rides on the Hogwarts Express.
She quickly shook Sirius awake and with one hand clapped over her mouth, gestured for the animagus to watch over Harry. She then dashed out of the compartment and down the hall to the nearest bathroom. Harry turned to his godfather and said worriedly, "What's wrong with her? Is she okay?"
The Great Dane chuffed in canine laughter as he nodded his large head to indicate the Drakkara was fine. A few minutes later a much paler woman walked back into the compartment and plopped weakly onto the cushioned bench, leaning over to rest her head against Harrys' slender shoulder. "Ooh, why didn't I let Remy talk me into apparating? Damn it, I'm too old to get motion sickness from a bloody train ride." She complained, clutching her upset stomach.
Harry patted his godmothers' back a bit awkwardly and sympathetically asked her if there was anything he could do. "No, Sweetling. I'll conjure myself up some chamomile tea, that should help." She answered, pulling her wand from its wrist sheath and putting words to action. Soon she was leaning back against the bench sipping her tea while Harry enjoyed the glass of pumpkin juice she'd conjured for him.
Their compartment door was opened a few minutes later by a slightly pudgy boy with brown hair and eyes. The newcomer seemed relieved to find Harry in the compartment and greeted him warmly. "Hey Harry, how was your summer? Would you mind if I sat in here with you? All the other compartments are full of people I don't know."
"Sure Neville, come on in. Ama, this is my friend Neville Longbottom. Nev, this is my godmother Drakkara Vanimaer. She's gonna be our new DADA teacher along with Professor Lupin." Harry returned the greeting and introduced his housemate to the raven-haired woman.
Drakkara gestured for Snuffles and his feline friends to join she and Harry on their side of the compartment, leaving the other side open for Neville and Ron and Hermione when the two prefects joined them. "Pleased to meet you Neville. The big black mutt over here is Snuffles, one of my familiars. I know he looks a bit ferocious but I assure you he's just a great big baby." The violet-eyed woman greeted the boy.
Neville gave the woman a shy smile and glanced just a bit nervously at the dog. "Umm, nice to meet you Professor Vanimayere." He replied, making a royal mess of her surname.
The older woman smiled at the shy teen, ignoring the mispronunciation of her name, knowing she'd either have to shorten it or spend a small part of her first lessons teaching the students how to say her name. In truth, she preferred being called by her first name or nickname, but it wouldn't be appropriate in classes. As the boys talked about their summer, Drakkara leaned back and closed her eyes, dozing off a bit from the mild sedative of the tea she'd used to calm her stomach.
She was nearly asleep when the compartment door opened again, whoever had opened it earning a groan from Neville and a mild curse from Harry. Her violet-eyes blinked open to reveal the newcomers as Draco Malfoy and his apelike bodyguards Crabbe and Goyle. "Well, well, if it isn't Potty and the plant loving squib. Where are your pet Weasel and Mudblood Potter, did you finally trade up for the mutt and its owner? At least your new girlfriend seems to know how to dress properly." The silver blonde boy sneered.
Harry was seething, Neville had hung his head, and Sirius was growling by the time that Draco had finished his little speech. "Hmm, I always knew you'd turn out to be an exact replica of Lucius Mr. Malfoy, but couldn't you have made at least a small effort not to act like the pompous arse as well? I know your mother must have at least tried to teach you better." Drakkara stated, her tone as cold as ice and her sneer twice as disgusted as the silver-eyed boys'.
Draco startled at the icy toned voice, not expecting such a venomous insult from anyone in this compartment. His silver-gray eyes reassessed the strange woman. At first he'd thought her simply an older girl, perhaps a transfer student. Now, upon his second glance the teen realized that the raven-haired girl was in fact a woman, possibly his mothers' age.
Inwardly cursing himself for his blunder, realizing that this woman was quite probably his new DADA teacher and he'd just insulted several of his fellow students in front of her, he set out to rectify the situation. "My apologies Madam, for my childishness and use of rude language in your presence. May I ask your name?" He said with utmost politeness.
Drakkara raised a single eyebrow as she replied coldly. "I see Narcissas' manners only take effect when you find yourself in trouble, such a shame. My name, Mr. Malfoy, is Professor Drakkara Vanimaer. Now, I suggest you turn your insincere apologies on those you truly insulted, rather than myself, and then take yourself and your bookends off to another compartment."
As the beautiful dark haired, bright-eyed woman waited, Draco gulped and turned his pale, aristocratic face towards Harry and Neville. "Uh, sorry." He muttered, eyes cast downward in embarrassment. Draco left the compartment, shutting the door behind him. As the Slytherin boy fled, he cast his silver gray eyes on Harry, and the raven-haired Gryffindor could've sworn he saw sincere apology and longing in his rivals' eyes.
Things seemed to calm down after the arrival and departure of Draco Malfoy and his guards. Ron and Hermione joined the woman and two boys in their compartment shortly after the Slytherins left, and the teens passed the ride talking and laughing over their summer adventures.
About an hour before the train reached Hogsmeade Station, Drakkara remembered the letter that had been delivered to her in London by Cobalt, Narcissa Black-Malfoys' animagus form. She excused herself from the noisy compartment and locked herself in the nearest bathroom for some privacy. She removed the letter from her purse and sat down on the toilet to read it.
"My Dearest Friend,
First allow me to say that I have never been so happy as I was the day Lucius came home ranting that you were alive. I've kept the newspaper clipping with your photo close to me since it was delivered. Drakkara, I feel I need to warn you, warn you and at the same time beg a favor of you. Watch out for my son Drakkara, Lucius is grooming Draco to take the Dark Mark next summer, on his sixteenth birthday. Draco may be asked to make an attempt on you to prove his loyalty to the cause.
The favor I'm asking for is this. Watch out for Draco Kara, but also watch over him. I do not believe the life of a Death Eater is what my son wants for himself, but he sees no other option. Draco is the only joy in my life my friend, if you can save him from becoming his father, I beg you to do so, in memory of our friendship if for no other reason.
I am surrounded by darkness Kara, not by choice, but by the will of my parents when I was just a child. I fear there is no hope of escape for me, so I entrust you, my only remaining friend, with the safety of my child. Please take care of him Kara; lead him into the light.
Friends Always, In Life and Death, Come Light or Dark,
Narcissa Black Malfoy"
Drakkara read the letter from her friend over and over, one thought going through her mind. "How in the nine hells am I going to save Draco? Can I save you as well Narcissa?" She said quietly, refolding the letter and depositing it in her purse.
* * * * * * * * * *
The rest of the train ride passed quietly. Drakkara rejoined Harry and his friends in their compartment, and she talked with them a bit, discretely asking a few questions about the state of the house rivalry in general and Draco Malfoy in particular. She found the situation between the houses much the same as it had been in her own years and was not pleased. Drakkara decided she would have to make a point of visiting her old house after the feast and talking with Severus for a more in-depth view of the politics going on within the Serpents Lair.
Getting off the train in Hogsmeade was an adventure in chaos, just as Drakkara remembered. The only thing different, she noted as she looked around was that there was no Hagrid holding his lantern and calling for the first years. Instead there was a woman about Mollys' age attempting to look dignified as she yelled at the top of her voice for the Hogwarts newcomers. She kept her eyes fixed on the children in front of her as they walked toward the carriages, occasionally taking hold of Nevilles' robe when the boy wandered away unintentionally.
Suddenly, just in front of her, Harry stopped in his tracks; his eyes fixed on the front end of one of the carriages. 'Oh crap, we completely forgot to tell him about those.' Drakkara mentally slapped herself upside the head, realizing that her godson was confused and frightened at the sight of the thestrals. She slipped around the boy until she was facing him and knelt down so that she could look into his eyes easier.
Drakkara turned the boys face away from the skeletal, black, winged horses until his emerald eyes gazed into her own violet. "You can see the horses can't you Harry-love?" She said quietly so that no one but Harry could hear her.
"What are they Ama? Are they some new pets of Hagrids? How come no one else acts like they're there?" Harry asked, his tone confused and just a bit frightened.
The raven-haired woman stood and placed her arm around the teens' slender shoulders, walking him toward the carriage where Ron, Hermione, and Neville were waiting. She led him around the front to face the thestrals. She murmured in her native language to the horribly beautiful creatures and stroked the head of one of the lead ones. "They're thestrals Sweetling. They've been pulling the carriages for many years. The reason no one else acts like they can see them is because they can't, like you couldn't before now. A thestral can only be seen by a person who has first seen death."
Harry looked up at her with saddened green eyes, remembering Cedrics' death, knowing it was the reason he could see the creatures now. Drakkara lead him away from the thestrals to the open door of the carriage. As she was about to get in and explain more about the winged horses, Fawkes appeared in a flash of fire just beside her. "Drakkara, my chosen requests your presence in his office urgently." The phoenix trilled, landing on her shoulder.
"What's so urgent Fawkes? Harry is a bit upset right now; I should be with him. We all forgot to mention that he would be able to see the thestrals now." The raven-haired woman replied, trying to make it look as if she were talking to Harry and the other teens rather than the bird on her shoulder.
The phoenix gave Harry a saddened gaze, and trilled at Drakkara again. "In any other circumstances I would leave you with Harry, but Albus needs you. Minister Fudge and one of his associates are in his office, trying to foist a new professor for History of Magic on him. He needs your support, as well as Remus, Severus, Filius, and Minerva, who are all in the office at the moment."
Drakkara cursed under her breath in several different languages. "Harry-love, I have to go with Fawkes, the headmaster needs me. Wait in your common room after the feast and I'll come up to see you okay?"
"Okay Ama. Good luck with whatever Professor Dumbledore needs you for." The teen replied, giving his godmothers' hand a squeeze as he climbed into the carriage with his friends.
The raven-haired woman called to the thestrals in Quenya and they started pulling the carriage toward Hogwarts. Then she grasped Snuffles' collar and disapparated, using an illusion of fire to make it look as if the phoenix had made it happen. She reappeared just outside the door of Albus' office and knocked, hearing the raised voices on the other side of the door cease at the noise. "Please come in Drakkara." She heard the headmaster call.
Drakkara entered the room with Snuffles at her side, Fawkes on her shoulder, and Vrisan and Narasi in plain view around her neck and waist. The rooms' occupants, especially the Minister, gaped at the sight she made. Dressed from head to toe in her former house colors of black, green, and silver, with her canine and serpentine familiars guarding her, and the headmasters' phoenix perched on her shoulder, Professor Vanimaer was an intimidating sight.
"Good evening everyone. Albus, I've just seen the boats and carriages off from the station as you asked. They'll be here soon so we'll want to adjourn to the Great Hall in a few moments." Drakkara stated, making it seem as if she'd been near the castle for a while rather than having just arrived with the students.
The headmaster twinkled happily at his young friend and replied, "Yes, of course Drakkara dear. We were just having a bit of a discussion with Cornelius and Miss Umbridge here." He turned his wizened face on the Minister and his lackey. "Cornelius, I don't believe you've had the pleasure of meeting Professor Vanimaer since her return."
The pompous windbag, otherwise known as Cornelius Fudge, nodded his head in acknowledgement of the woman while his female toady, and what an apt description that was, openly scowled at her. "No, I don't believe I have. A pleasure to meet you Ms. Vanimaer." The Minister turned back to the headmaster and continued his rant. "Now Dumbledore, about your lack of professor for the History of Magic course. Surely you can see that a ghost does not count as a qualified professor."
Albus hid his frown behind his beard. "Cornelius, Professor Binns has been teaching History of Magic since before my time as headmaster here and has done an exemplary job, despite his lack of physical body. I believe you yourself took the course under his tutelage did you not?"
The Minister was forced to nod in agreement. Everyone in the room with the exception of Albus and Filius Flitwick had taken History of Magic with Professor Binns. As Fudge was about to start ranting about the ghost not counting as a qualified teacher again Drakkara interjected. "Might I make a few comments Albus, Minister? Thank you." She said, not waiting for either mans permission. "As I see it, you Minister Fudge, would like Albus and the rest of us to accept a new teacher for the History of Magic post. I don't believe you have the power to force our esteemed Headmaster to do this. The Educational decree you passed last month only gave you the power to appoint a teacher to any post left unfilled by the start of term. The same teacher has filled the History of Magic post for the past one hundred years. It is not available, nor do I see it becoming available until Professor Binns tires of teaching it."
Professor Dumbledore gave his young friend a smile and twinkled at her again. "Quite right Drakkara, quite right." He nodded at the woman and turned back to the Minister. "As my new Defense Mistress has so efficiently summed up, we have no need of a History professor. Nor, according to your own decree, do you have the power to appoint a teacher to an already filled position. Now, if you will excuse us Cornelius, Miss Umbridge, the staff and I have to prepare to greet the students."
Albus gestured toward the fireplace. Fudge was becoming more red-faced by the second and Miss Umbridge looked to be about to open her mouth in protest. Drakkara made a slight motion with her hand and the fireplace lit up. A raised eyebrow at Remus and Severus and a nod in the Ministers direction, had the werewolf and potions master gliding forward to take Cornelius by the arms and gently but firmly guide him towards the fire.
Filius Flitwick, who was standing near the fireplace, took a pinch of floo powder and threw it into the flames. With a small shove, Minister Fudge was in the middle of the green fire and the tiny Charms professor squeaked, "Ministry of Magic!" Everyone held back a chuckle at the Ministers' astonished face as he disappeared through the floo network.
Drakkara turned her violet gaze on the short, stumpy, toad-like woman who still remained, fuming and greatly shocked at seeing the Minister of Magic manhandled into the floo and away. "Well Miss Umbridge, would you like for Severus and Remus to escort you out as well? We staff members have many things to do this evening and your presence is no longer required."
Remus and Severus took a few steps in the womans direction, nearly identical smirks on their faces and Professor Flitwick readied the floo for another passenger. Delores Umbridge looked around the room at the array of smirks and glaring eyes on the faces of the Hogwarts senior staff members and ran for the green flames as fast as her stumpy legs could carry her. "Ministry of Magic!" She yelled, and disappeared from the Headmasters office, leaving her girly bright pink hair bow behind in her haste.
Drakkara turned her gaze on the Headmaster and asked, "Is that what you had in mind when you sent Fawkes to me Albus? As I said earlier, we should all get down to the Great Hall, the children will be arriving in just a few moments. Minerva, I think you'll want to meet whoever that woman was that brought the first years across as soon as they get here, she was looking a bit harried."
The Headmaster openly laughed at Drakkaras' question. "Not quite my dear, but I must say, your way worked much better than presenting our arguments over and over. Now, we'd best get to work. Minerva, if you would go down to greet Professor Grubbly-Plank and the first years, the rest of us will adjourn to the Great Hall."
Minerva walked out of the office, greeting Drakkara as she passed. Albus took the Sorting Hat from its place on one of the shelves, and the Professors followed him out, Drakkara pausing to send Fawkes off to his perch. As the group trooped down the hall, Drakkara joined Remus and looped her arm through his. "And how was your day Remy-love? You could have reminded me that I get motion sick on the train you know." She said jokingly to her mate.
Remus burst out laughing as he remembered the womans small problem with the Hogwarts Express and replied, "My day was rather boring. Our office and classroom are set up, as is the suite of rooms Albus prepared for us." He leaned down slightly to pat Snuffles on the head as he spoke of their rooms, indicating that there was a room for Sirius as well.
They entered the Great Hall, and took their seats. Drakkara found herself sitting between Remus and Severus, the potions master next to the Headmaster. Sirius greatly objected to being seated so close to his arch rival, and showed it by barking and growling at the Head of Slytherin. "Couldn't you have made him a poodle instead Drakkara, or perhaps one of those Chihuahua things?" Severus asked quietly as the raven-haired woman shushed Sirius with a light smack on his head.
The woman laughed, "Severus, do I really look the type to be seen with a dog that was anything less than huge and intimidating?" Leaning down towards Snuffles she whispered, "If you're so upset at the seating arrangements, go sit between Remy and Professor Sinistra."
The animagus took her suggestion and moved over to sit at his best friends' feet, wagging his tail when Remus petted his head. Drakkara leaned toward her mate and asked where their rooms were so that she could find them later, also informing him that she needed to make a visit to Harry in the Gryffindor common room after the feast and explain more about thestrals to the teen.
Before Remus could respond, the returning students began filing into the Hall. Drakkara and Remus both kept an eye out for the Gryffindor trio, anxious to see how Harry was. When she spotted her godson, Drakkara gave a smile of relief. Harry was smiling and talking with his friends as they made their way to their house table. The bespectacled teen caught his heart-mothers' eyes and gave her a smile, along with a wave of happiness through their bond, earning a wide smile from the woman in return.
It took about ten minutes for all the students to enter and be seated. Once they were calmed down a bit, Minerva came striding into the hall, followed by the new group of first years. The Deputy Headmistress went through the sorting in an efficient manner, which everyone was thankful for, and Albus waved his hands to begin the feast.
Once the childrens stomachs had been completely filled with the wonderful culinary efforts of the house elves, the Headmaster stood to address his charges. "Welcome to Hogwarts, and for those of you who are returning, welcome back. The start of term notices are quite the same as last year. The Forbidden Forest, is just that, Forbidden. Mr. Filch has asked me to inform you that using magic in the corridors between classes is also strictly forbidden. For those of you who haven't noticed, we have three new or returning professors this year."
Albus turned to the row beside him where Drakkara and Remus sat near him, and a bit further down where Professor Grubbly-Plank was sitting. "First, returning as a substitute for our first weeks of school, Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be teaching Care of Magical Creatures until Hagrid returns." He gestured for the older woman to rise for a moment, which she did, and then he continued.
"This year, we have two professors for Defense Against the Dark Arts. Professor Lupin had returned to us, along with his dear friend and former classmate, Professor Vanimaer. We are all very lucky to have obtained the services of Professors Lupin and Vanimaer, as the knowledge they will impart to you is necessary for your survival in the dark times ahead of us." He gestured for Drakkara and Remus to rise, and they stood up to much applause from the Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw tables.
Soon after the introductions, Albus dismissed the students, under the supervision of the prefects, to their rooms. Drakkara managed to have a quiet word with Remus, who informed her that their suite of rooms were located in a disused tower just behind their classroom and could be accessed from their office. She sent Remus off with a kiss on the cheek and told Snuffles to go with the werewolf. Telling her mate that she would join them in an hour or so, Drakkara left the hall on her way to the Gryffindor common room.
* * * * * * * * * *
Walking alone through the corridors, using her memory of the castle to guide her, Drakkara found herself in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady after only a few wrong turns. "Good evening Opheria, how have you been?" She addressed the pink-clad woman in the portrait.
"My goodness! If it isn't Drakkara Vanimaer! I'd heard from some of the others that you were back, Phineas made a point of informing all of us that one of his favorite Slytherins had returned. I assume you'd like to enter the common room?" The portrait replied, smiling at the one Slytherin she'd always liked.
Drakkara nodded. "If it wouldn't be too much trouble Opheria. My godson, Harry Potter, is one of your charges and I need to speak with him. I don't have any of the passwords yet, I came on the train with the students, but if you could inform Harry that I'm out here it would be most appreciated."
The Fat Lady disappeared from her frame for a minute, but was soon back and informed Drakkara that Harry was on his way to open the portrait hole for her. Just she was thanking the portrait; it opened outward, nearly smacking the violet-eyed woman in the nose. "Hey Ama, come on in, if you don't think the Ghost of Godric Gryffindor will strike you dead for entering his territory." Harry called from just inside the opening.
"It would be far more likely that the ghost of Salazar Slytherin would rise up and strike me dead for associating with Gryffindors, but since it hasn't happened yet, I think I'm fairly safe." She responded, ducking her head and climbing through the portrait hole.
Once through the hole, Drakkara stood to her full six-foot height and surveyed the large, predominantly red and gold room. She'd been a frequent visitor to the Gryffindor common room in her youth, and had some truly wonderful memories of the Lions Den. "Whoa, talk about a stroll down memory lane." She said, glancing down at the teen.
There were several teens gathered in the common room, eyeing the new professor warily. She recognized Hermione, Neville, and the four Weasleys, but didn't particularly enjoy the gazes of the others. "Why don't you introduce me about Sweetling, your housemates are trying to give me the evil eye." Drakkara said, sliding her arm around the teen's shoulders.
"Oy guys! Come over and meet my godmum!" Harry called loudly, gathering the attention of his fellow Gryffindors. The teens gathered around their housemate and he introduced them to the raven-haired professor. "Ama, these are my dorm mates, Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan, you already know Neville and Ron. The others are my Quidditch teammates and Hermiones' roommates. Alicia Spinnet, Katie Bell, and Angelina Johnson are the chasers, and Lee Jordan over there is the announcer. The other two girls are Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown. Guys, this is my godmum, Drakkara Vanimaer, better known as our new DADA professor."
Drakkara nodded at the group of teens. "It's a pleasure to meet all of you. Harry and the others have told me a lot about you this summer. I look forward to seeing you in my classes. For now though, Harry and I need to have a bit of a private chat. Shall we go up to your dorm Harry?"
The raven-haired teen led his godmother up to the fifth-year boy's dorm and sat down with her on his bed. The woman and boy spoke for a long while, about the thestrals and how Harry came to be able to see them. Drakkara told the boy how to gain access to her suite if he should have another vision, and promised to see about getting a floo connection set up between the common room and hers.
When she was ready to leave, Drakkara turned to Harry and said, "Sweetling, from here on out, unless we're in private, you need to start calling me Professor Vanimaer like everyone else. Remember that especially in class, you're just another of my students. Remus and I can't treat you any differently just because we consider you family and love you as a son. Are you going to be okay with that?"
Harry looked saddened, but nodded his agreement. "I know you guys can't treat me different than the others, and I'll get used to it. It's still okay for me to call you by your first names in private though right?" He asked, a bit anxiously.
Drakkara sent a wave of love, comfort, and admiration over their bond. "I wouldn't have it any other way. In class and in public I'm your professor, but in private I'm still your Ama. I better get going Sweetling; I need to make one more stop before I go up to bed. I'll see you tomorrow at breakfast alright?"
The teen agreed and walked back down to the common room with her. The gathering of teens had thinned somewhat, until only those who'd spent the summer at Grimmauld Place were left in the common room. Before she could go, the teens insisted on a round of good night hugs, and it was about five minutes before she was able to close Lady Opherias' portrait behind her, say good-night to the tower guardian, and start her way down to the dungeons.
The path from Gryffindor Tower to the Slytherin Dungeon was far more familiar to Drakkara than the one from the Great Hall to the Tower and she made her way down into the cool recesses of her home territory easily. There was no portrait guarding the entrance to the Slytherin dorms. Rather, the stones at the end of one particular corridor were shaped into a tangle of serpents. Not knowing any of the teachers' passwords didn't hinder her here as it had at the Fat Lady's portrait either.
"Allow the Serpent Speaker passage to her Lair." Drakkara hissed in Parseltongue to the tangle of stone snakes. 'Trust old Salazar to give access to his territory to any Parselmouth who turned up at the castle.' She thought as the serpents untangled to form an archway into the Slytherin common room.
As she had figured, Drakkara found Severus Snape carrying on the tradition of giving a speech to his new and returning Slytherins. "Good evening Severus, I hope you don't mind my interruption but I couldn't go up to my suite without paying a visit to my old house."
The assembled students suppressed their surprise that the new DADA professor was a former Slytherin. "Not at all Drakkara, I would have been disappointed in you if you hadn't made an appearance. Would you care to say a few words to the students? I dare say you might recognize the children of some of our former classmates." The greasy-haired man said.
Drakkara nodded, "Thank you Severus, I think I will." She turned to the assembled students and spoke to them. "As your Head of House stated, I do recognize quite a few faces among you from my own years as a Slytherin. Ms. Bulstrode, Mr. Malfoy, Ms. Parkinson, Mr. Zabini, please give my regards to your parents when you write home."
"I'm afraid I didn't come here prepared with a speech for you, and yes I do realize that isn't very Slytherin of me. I'm sure Severus has already gone over the rules we live by in this house and the pride we take in being Serpents Children. Trust that everything Professor Snape says is the truth. Take pride in being Slytherins, for we are a noble house of cunning and ambitious people. We stand tall despite the ridicule we face from other houses, for we alone know the truth. To be a Slytherin is to be thought of as inherently evil and we are not. Slytherins live by their own code of honor, but it is honor all the same." Drakkara paused for breath, looking into the faces of her audience.
Her violet-eyes locked on the silver ones of Draco Malfoy as she continued. "That is the only thing I ask you to remember as you go about your lives as proud Slytherins. Despite what your classmates will say about you, Slytherins are honorable people. There is honor in ambition, and in being cunning. There is no honor however in ridiculing others for their lineage or the state of their Gringotts vaults. Go about this year with the honor of a true Slytherin. I look forward to seeing you all proving your mettle in my classes."
Finished, Drakkara nodded to Severus and stepped back to let him speak again. "I believe Professor Vanimaer has summed up my own speech quite well. Just as she and I and your parents before you have done, so are you expected to do. You are Slytherins, tried and true, I expect you to conduct yourselves with pride and honor in the coming year, and so bring honor upon our House. I bid you good-night." The potions master turned abruptly, black robes billowing behind him.
Severus crooked his left arm out to Drakkara and she glided across the floor to thread her right arm through the one he offered. With the sweeping, aristocratic grace only a supremely confident pair of Slytherin rulers could achieve, the Potions Master and Defense Mistress removed themselves from the presence of the children they hoped would one day follow in their footsteps, rather than many of their parents.
Outside the Slytherin dorms, away from prying eyes and ears, the pair of adult Slytherins exchanged smirks over their acting job in front of the students. They loosed each other's arms and Drakkara asked, "Might I have a word in your office Severus?"
The potions master nodded and lead the way to the potions classroom and the connecting door to his office. Drakkara seated herself at the desk as her former classmate strode over to a small bar and poured himself a nightcap of brandy. When the same was offered to her, the raven-haired woman nodded and both were soon seated and semi-comfortably drinking their brandies. "Thank you Severus, you keep an excellent stock of brandy." Drakkara started.
"You're welcome. You gave quite a speech in the common room, one would almost believe you weren't overly fond of Gryffindors." Severus replied in only a semi-sarcastic tone, as close as he could come to being friendly.
The woman acknowledged both his half compliment and attempt at not insulting her with a slight nod and half smile as she replied, "I wanted to ask you if you'd had time to review my book on stone powers. The full moon is in another week and a half; I plan to start brewing this month's batch of Lupins Hope tomorrow evening and was wondering if you'd care to learn it. If we're planning to use it as incentive to keep the werewolves away from the Dark Lord, it would help to have more than one person here who knows the process of making it."
The deep obsidian eyes of the potions master gleamed with anticipation, though he allowed no other sign of interest to pass his stony mask. "I've reviewed the text in my spare time over the last three weeks. I believe I can now identify some of the stones used in your potion, quite well done of you and indeed a great discovery for wizarding kind. I assume you would rather work in your private lab rather than the classroom?" He asked, his silky baritone voice even.
Drakkara nodded and tossed back the last swallow of brandy before replying. "It would be easier to use my lab as I have all the ingredients at hand. I plan on beginning just after dinner tomorrow evening, perhaps at seven o'clock. The initial steps for its preparation take about two hours. If you're available, your company would be welcome."
Severus acknowledged that he would come if he was available with a slight nod of his head. He knew that she would begin the process at seven whether he was there or not, and would not allow him entrance after she'd begun. She'd made the invitation, and she would not be likely to make it again, it was the Slytherin way. If he decided not to come tomorrow, he would have to be the one to ask the next month. Seeing as she had finished her brandy, he too drained his glass and stood to escort her to the door.
They parted in the hall, each to their own quarters, after exchanging wishes for a pleasant evening. Drakkara quickly made her way out of the dungeons and found the DADA corridor, at the end of which were the classroom, office, and beyond those the tower suite she would be sharing with Remus and Sirius for the next ten months.
Remus had done a good job on their classroom and office, she noted as she passed through both. The usually dreary rooms looked inviting and were a comfortable place for the children to learn. She noted, in the office, that their desks were placed facing outward in two directions from the far corner, the corners of the desks touching, with just enough space between the wall and the desks for them to get through. They could work easily together from this position, only needing to lean towards the other to see what they were doing or offer help.
With a small smile for the nicely arranged workspace, Drakkara found the door that would give access to her rooms and opened it with the muggle key Remus had handed her. Beyond the door was a winding staircase that led up two floors to the portrait that guarded their suite. 'Remus must have made a stop in the Marauders Lair for this.' Drakkara thought, grinning widely at the large portrait that stood as the door warden.
Of the Marauder group, Drakkara, Lily, and Narcissa, it was the blonde Slytherin who had a talent for art. Drakkara had given her roommate a mental picture of what she wanted in their sixth year, and Narcissa had painted the large portrait as a Christmas present to her friend. The portrait showed a sixteen year old Lily Evans, surrounded by the animagus forms of her friends. The young redhead was sitting on the grass near the Forbidden forest, leaning against the side of a huge stag.
Tangled amidst one of the stag's antlers was a large predominantly black cobra, which was Drakkaras' animagus form, called Spectre. Perched upon the other antler was Cobalt, the large blue jay that was Narcissa. Lying over Lilys' lap was Padfoot, and sitting at the girls other side was Moony. At both Drakkara and Lilys' request, Narcissa had 'forgotten' to include Peter Pettigrew in his rat form, neither girl being overly fond of the boy.
The portrait Lily moved, waving at her friend. "Hey Kara! Remy told me to just let you in, but for future reference the password is Forever. I won't keep you to talk tonight, you look worn out, but I expect you to spare some time for me soon okay?" The portrait asked before swinging outward to reveal the doorway behind it.
Drakkara stepped through the doorway into the suite she shared with Siri and Remy, and let her shoulders sag a little in exhaustion. Seeing the portrait of all her friends together was the last straw for her flagging energy and all she wanted was to curl up with the real life versions of her friends and go to sleep. She found the men relaxing in their living room, sitting together on one of the couches and looking at paperwork.
Wearing nothing but their silk pajama pants, long midnight and tawny hair flowing over their bare shoulders, matching bejeweled gold hoops in their right ears, they were a picture of male perfection to Drakkara. "I am one lucky woman. Do you realize how gorgeous the pair of you are? Any woman would kill to be able to come home to you two every night." She complimented with a smile.
"And just where have you been Kara? You said you'd be home in an hour or so and it's been longer than that." Remus asked, leaning forward to put the paperwork on the coffee table.
With no obstacles now between the woman and her mates' lap, Drakkara glided toward the men and snuggled down into Remus' lap, putting her legs across Sirius'. She explained all that she'd done since their parting in the Great Hall, earning reproving head
shakes from both men. "You always try to do too much Kara. Going to see Harry I can understand, but did you really need to trek down to the dungeons to talk to the Slytherins and Snape?" Sirius asked in a mildly disgusted tone of voice, as if she'd stopped to visit with Filch or Peeves.
She placed her head down on Remus' shoulder and lifted one of Sirius' hands to play with his fingers as she spoke. "It wouldn't have mattered as much, to the students anyway, if it hadn't been tonight. If I'd gone down tomorrow or any other time, they'd wonder why I hadn't come sooner. Going down tonight let them know that I care enough about my house and its students to make myself known to them as a fellow Slytherin. As for Severus, I really do need to start the potion tomorrow and I was down there anyway so I stayed a little while longer to invite him up to watch. I think I'm just about finished for the day now, all I want to do is snuggle up in bed and sleep. Classes start in the morning and it wouldn't do for one of the DADA professors to be dragging herself around exhausted."
"Sounds reasonable to me. What say you Padfoot, want to curl up with us tonight? With one of us on either side of her, there's no way she can sneak out of bed and set Vrisan and Narasi on us again." Remus asked, shifting his arms under the tired woman and lifting her with him as he stood.
The animagus nodded his agreement to the plan, not really liking the idea of sleeping alone if he could settle down with his friends for the night. The trio went into the first bedroom and Remus let his mate out of his arms so that she could get into her trunk and change. She disappeared into the trunk and reappeared a few minutes later with her hair brushed out and wearing one of her silk sleep sets, this time in pale green.
Sirius and Remus were already in bed and had left the middle open for her. Drakkara crawled over Sirius, giving the raven-haired man an enticing view, and settled down under the covers with them. Remus turned on his side and spooned around the womans back, resting one heavy arm across her stomach. She in turn did the same to Sirius, entwining her fingers with his. With a softly spoken "Nox" Drakkara magically extinguished the lights and the trio laid quietly together in the dark, enjoying each other's company for a few minutes before drifting off to sleep.