Chapter 16 In Time Out

Around twenty minutes later, Corin was seated at the Head Table eating dinner. Laurea sat on one side of him, McGonagall on the other and the rest of the elves were seated at a smaller table at the front and to the right of the house tables. Laurea had met him at the door to his rooms and they had walked down together. They had been eating quietly when she turned to him and spoke to him softly in elvish.

"How did it go today?"

"As well as could be expected. It was hard, though. I had to speak with Remus and Sirius about lesson plans." He gave a small smile. "They all think I'm incredibly shy and don't look any further than that."

She was about to reply when they heard a jingling sound. He looked up at the doors just in time to see two streaks of brown and dark-silver jet past. Corin and Laurea looked at each other in apprehension, guessing what it was.

"MrrrOWrrrrrr!!" The sound of an angry cat echoed from the entry hall and into the Great Hall and the professors glanced at each other, wondering what was going on. Corin was about to stand from his chair when Miri zoomed into the room to hover in front of his face.

"Miri, what...?" He looked at the snidget in confusion and the small golden bird sent him an image of Artue cornering Mrs. Norris at the end of the hall. Her fur was stuck up and she looked ready to attack the Knealin cub.

"ARTUE!!!" He stood and made his way quickly towards the doors. The professors and elves could hear his conversation from where they sat.

"What do you think you're doing you idiotic little furball???" They heard a small mewing sound and grinned as Corin continued his one-sided conversation. "Chasing the kitty??" There was an affirmative squeak and Corin entered the Great Hall with Artue dangling by his neck from Corin's fist and was being held up in front of the elf's face while they 'talked'. "And since when have you been able to mind-speak?" Artue made a small purring bark-like sound. "A week??? And you didn't think to inform me of this why???" Artue gave a grumpy squawk. "Because I wouldn't let you fly..." Corin said dryly. "Artue, you can't fly yet, I've told you a thousand times, your wings aren't mature enough." There was a hmmmph from the knealin and Corin rolled his eyes. "Anyways, back to the reason you're dangling from my hand by your neck. You are not allowed to chase Mrs. Norris or terrorize any of the students' pets when they get here in a week." Artue gave another mewing sound. "No, I don't care if you were bored. If you're bored, come to me and I'll find something for you to do. Now, as your punishment, you have to sit in the corner and stare at the wall while I finish my dinner." At that he set the little winged leopard down on the floor in the corner behind him and sat back down at the head table.

The entire table watched as he sat down and put his head in his hands. His shoulders started shaking and they heard a sob-like sound come from him. He lifted his head to look at Laurea and she saw tears of mirth streaming down his face as he laughed. That was all it took before everyone at the table was laughing hysterically. Even Snape was laughing quietly, though he tried to hide the fact behind his tea cup. No one would admit it, but everyone except for Mr. Filch (who luckily wasn't there at the moment) hated Mrs. Norris. Finally they had all calmed down enough to talk; Hagrid was the first to speak.

"Is that a knealin yeh've got there Corintur?"

"Yes, as you've probably gathered, his name is Artue. I got him for my birthday. He and his sister, Laurea's knealin Calie, are both about five weeks old." He was about to go back to eating when he added, "Oh, and if he manages to escape again, he has a habit of chewing on books, knocking stuff over and jumping off of tall things. So get him back to me as soon as possible."

They heard an inquisitive purr and turned to see Artue had turned his head and was looking at them. Corin rolled his eyes as he heard the knealin's question. "No, this does not mean you can get up. Even though we laughed, you are still in trouble." There was an indignant sniff and Artue turned his back on the group once more. Corin shook his head resignedly and continued eating.

When dinner was through, Corin retrieved Artue from his corner and set him on his shoulder as they headed towards the door. He had also been questioned about Miri as well and had given the story behind finding her. Remus had given him a folder of class notes at the beginning of dinner, and he thumbed through it as he walked, scanning its contents. Third year's lessons were just as he remembered, and it was interesting to see what the other years had learned under Professor Lupin. He really had been quite a brilliant teacher.

"Hey Corin, wait up!" Corin turned back as he reached the doors of the great hall and waited for Laurea to reach him.

"Hey." He held his hand towards her and she took it in her own with a smile. As they left the Great Hall, they encountered Filch with Mrs. Norris in his arms. The cat stiffened when it saw Artue and hissed as the hair on it's back stood up. Artue sent the cat an evil smirk and gave a sinister growl.

"Watch your language, furball." Corin admonished the knealin, "Though where you learned such an insult, I don't want to know." Artue gave a squeak. "Well then, no more talking to Peeves for you."

Laurea giggled at the two, who were still bickering back and forth, and shook her head. She was just glad that Calie didn't give her as much trouble as Artue did Corin. Her own knealin was the exact opposite of Artue. Quiet and shy, although when she got together with Artue she became quite adventurous. I think he's a bad influence on her... She grinned and squeezed Corin's hand. He cut off the now silent staring contest with Artue and sent his soul-mate a warm smile.

"Want to see my rooms?" He asked, "They're pretty classy; we can sit in front of the fireplace and get some time to ourselves."

"Yes, lets. How are your rooms different from the ones I'm staying in or the House dorms?" She asked, and he went on to describe them.

"...though I had to move the books on the bottom shelves up so 'the furball' couldn't get to them." Artue gave a squeaking sound and flapped his tiny black wings. "Yes, but you can't fly yet now can you?" Corin retorted. At that moment they reached the phoenix portrait. "Tindome." The phoenix gave a trill, lifted its wings as if to fly, and opened the door to Corintur's rooms.

"Why, it's beautiful!" When she had finished exploring his rooms, she walked over to the windows on the far wall and looked out at the sunset-lit grounds. Corin set Artue on the couch, then made his way over to Laurea and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. She sighed in contentment and leaned back against him as they watched the sun set behind the Forbidden Forest together.

"You can do this Corin." Corin started at the sound of her voice, not expecting her to speak. "It will be hard, but you will get through this, love." He nodded silently, his cheek rubbing against hers, and sighed.

"Yes I will, but thank Merlin I'll have you here with me." She smiled and snuggled against him.

"Always love, always."


Awwww!!! I love writing fluffy moments between Corin and Laurea!! Sorry it took so long getting this last chapter up. I went camping at the beach this last weekend. (I hate mosquitoes!!!)

Anyways, thanks for all the reviews!!! (Yay, I'm up to 90 now!!) I always read them and have gotten some very good advice on how to make my story better. So thanks again.

Arye