Chapter 9: Questions and Answers

Draco along with the other Perfects led the Slytherins out of the Great Hall and to the dungeons. The pack of Slytherins was mostly quiet as they trudged along. Only the Perfects spoke up and that was to inform the first years on certain things, mostly on how not to get lost in the labyrinth of Hogwarts' dungeons. They were also told of the school rules, or more precise the rules that had to follow and the rules that were bendable, and what would happen to someone that didn't obey the Slytherins' rules.
Draco stayed quiet through the whole thing, allowing the other Perfects to instruct the 1st years. He only spoke when the group stopped in front of the Slytherin crest that was graffiti on the drab stone walls. The crest hadn't always been there, it was something that had been added over the summer because too many 1st years couldn't remember where the damn door was.

"Intemptesta nox," Draco stated clearly.

The serpent on the crest gave a hiss as it nodded its head in acknowledgment to Draco. With that the sound of stone grinding on stone echoed down the barely lit corridors as the hidden door to the Slytherin Common Room slide open. Draco was the first through the doorway and the others quickly followed.

The common room hadn't changed at all in the five years that Draco had been there and he seriously doubt if it ever would. It was still a large spacious room with two fireplaces and a variety of couches, chairs, and tables clustered around the room. There was even a black baby grand piano that sat on a raised dais on the right side of the room. Most of the colors that made up the room were black, dark green and silver and though the colors were mostly dark the room was large enough to keep it from being sinister and gloomy looking. The floor and the enchanted windows helped a lot too. The floor wasn't stone but actually a rich pale hardwood that gleamed in the firelight. And since they were in the dungeon and under the lake there was no possible way for them to have real windows, so they had fake ones that were enchanted to show the weather outside.

The 1st years were sent off to their dorms. The girls down a long corridor on the left hidden behind a tapestry of sirens luring sailors to their doom, and the boys the same on the right only hidden behind a tapestry of betraying lovers. Most of the underclassmen followed the 1st years to the dorms. So that the only ones left in the common room were 5th year and above. A group of 5th years were laughing loudly as they played a game of Exploding Snap. Others were talking in small groups or working on some homework they had forgotten about over the summer. All in all it was a welcoming and homey scene.

Draco's lips twitched into a soft smirk as he took it all in. He knew that the lively and yet soothing atmosphere of the common room wasn't what anyone in the other houses would have expected from the Slytherins. If an outsider (non-Slytherin) stumbled across this they would probably die of shock or check themselves into St. Mungo's for insanity.
In truth, Slytherins' really weren't as bad as everyone thought. Sure, they were cunning, devious, and ambitious, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. They were also great actors. See, a lot of Slytherins excelled in the Arts, like music, painting, theater, and the like. But they all were fabulous actors. They played their roles to a T. They had too. And the reason behind the charade was because a lot of Slytherins didn't believe in the crap that Voldemort and their parents spouted about muggles and mudbloods. But since they were the sons and daughters of Death Eaters they couldn't voice their opinions without facing their parents' wrath or even their own deaths. And of course, there were those that truly believed and followed Voldemort and the Death Eaters, so the ones that didn't believe or were neutral had to hide it well or it would get back to their parents and they would pay the price, most likely with their lives. Self-preservation; another lovely quality of a Slytherin. It was right up there with extortion and blackmail.

With a sigh Draco moved to the piano. Technically it belong to anyone who wished to play it, but he had claimed it as his in 1st year and no one had dared to touch it since. He sat down on the smooth bench and began to play. As the first notes of the piano drifted through the air all activity in the room ceased. The game of Exploding Snap quickly ended and all the conversations died off in mid sentence, not even the scratching of a quill could be heard. The Slytherins watched as Draco played, it always shocked and awed them. Even though most were used to Draco's evening sonatas. He usually played after dinner and somehow it had become a tradition for him to play on the first night back at Hogwarts until everyone went to their beds. Gradually the conversations started up again, although much quieter this time, nothing more that a soft hush of noise in the background. And Draco continued to play.

Song after song poured out over the common room, some of the songs were gentle and soothing like a drizzle of rain on a cool spring morning. Other songs were sad and lonesome, like unrequited love. Soon the common room emptied out and only Blaise and Millicent remained. He continued to play for a little longer before letting the notes drift off and die.
He stood gracefully and headed towards his room, Blaise and Millicent close on his heals. He pushed the tapestry of the Betraying Lovers aside and walked down the dim hallway. At the very end he climbed a single flight of spiraling stairs to the very top where it dead-ended at a painting. The painting was of a dark elf with a sinister forest behind her that was filled with Dark Creatures that crept between the trees and looked out with glowing eyes. There was even a silhouette of a dragon against the full moon.
"Peccatus," he whispered to the dark elf, who nodded her head regally to him before the painting swung open.

Draco stepped through the doorway and entered his room. He had a private room, one that he had gotten after becoming a Perfect. Not all Perfects got a room all to themselves, but since Slytherin didn't have as many students as the other houses and was filled with some of the riches students, they got special privileges. Most of the rooms in Slytherin didn't house anymore than three people.

His room was quite spacious with a fireplace on one wall that had a love-seat; two overstuffed armchairs and a small glass and wrought-iron coffee table in front of it. The couch was black leather, the armchairs dark- hunter green and all held soft squishy pillows in sliver and blood red. A black lacquered desk sat against the far wall and his four-poster bed sat on the right side of the room. The bed was made from a deep red wood and the curtains that hung around it were black and tied back with silver cord. The comforter was a silvery green and a mound of pillows crowd together at the top of the bed. There were two nightstands in the same red wood on either side of the bed and a wardrobe to the right side. There was a Gothic style door on the left side of the bed next to the desk that led to the bathroom and the stone walls were decorated with paintings, none of which were enchanted or animated.
As Draco walked further into his room a black shadow swooped down on him. The black winged creature perched on Draco's shoulder and nuzzled against Draco's jaw. Draco gave a soft barely audible laugh before reaching up and pulling the winged creature off.

"I see you've escaped your cage again, Volucris," Draco murmured to the creature.

Volucris was a tiny dragon-like creature that was no bigger than a bludger when curled up. He had scales like a snake's giving him a soft leathery feel. But unlike a snake's scales his weren't patterned or striped, just a solid dark midnight blue that was almost black. He also had the forked tongue and fangs of a snake, but the rest of him looked like a miniature dragon with the exception of his front arms. They were long and bony with an almost human like quality; his four fingers were long and spindly with sharp razor-like claws, sort of like a Grindylow's. His hind legs were like a dragon's; three toed and clawed. His wings were leathery and he had a long tail. His eyes were much like a snake's or a cat's and were a silvery-plum color.

Volucris gave Draco a rumbling growl that was almost purr-like and nipped lightly at Draco's fingers in affection as Draco walked towards the fireplace. He sat down in his usually seat in one of the armchairs, while Millicent curled up on the love-seat and Blaise stretched out on the deep blood red rug before the fireplace.
"So, are you going to tell us what's going on?" Blaise inquired.

Draco shifted in the armchair throwing one of his legs over the arm and reclining sideways. He laid Volucris on the chair in the space between his hips and the edge of the chair. The dragon-like creature curled up in a ball its head resting on it's arms, its wings laying flat on his back and his tail twitching back and forth very much like a cat's. Volucris gave a purring growl and a thin stream of smoke drifted up from its nostrils. Draco pulled the silver pillow out from him and wrapped his arms around it. He told them all about the scene he had witnessed on the train.

There was silence for a moment after he finished as Blaise and Millicent thought everything over. Finally it was Millicent that spoke up. "On the train Potter said that the weasel will get what's coming to him, do you think Potter will go through with it? Or will he cave in and take the weasel back?"

Another bout of silence followed only broken by the snap and crackle of the fire. This time it was Blaise that broke the silence. "I'd like to think that Potter's smart enough and strong enough not to take weasel back. But he is a Gryffindor."

"I don't think he will," Draco said.

Blaise raised an eyebrow and gave Draco an oh-really look.

"That is not my biased opinion so don't give me that look, Blaise," Draco growled not even looking towards Blaise.

"Why do you think so then?" Millicent asked softly.

"The way his eyes changed on the train when weasel was mentioned. And at dinner it looked like they were planning something."

Millicent tilted her head to the side. "What do you mean his eyes changed?" she inquired.

"Usually his eyes are a brilliant emerald green, almost like new spring grass and they show his every emotion. But on the train, they clouded over becoming almost black in color. And all the emotions disappeared like a wall had been slammed up. They were cold. His eyes had never looked like that before, not through any of our fights. No, no this is different."

"Man, you're doomed," Blaise snickered shaking his head. "Oh how the mighty fall."

"What the hell is that suppose to mean?" Draco growled his mercury colored eyes narrowed at Blaise.

"That you're head over heals in love with Wonder Boy and there's no help for you," Millicent translated dryly. Blaise chuckled and Draco growled, "Shut up." He threw the silver pillow at Blaise smacking the laughing boy in the face, which just caused him to laugh harder.

"Which brings us to; do we help your lover boy with his weasel problem or let him handle it on his own?" Blaise asked after he finally got his laughter under control.

Draco thought a moment. "Let's see what Harry does before we do anything."

Blaise nodded in understanding. Millicent paused for a time before asking, "You sure?" At Draco's affirmation she too agreed. They would wait.


Harry made his way through the cluster of students leaving the Great Hall towards the Professor's table. He felt Amethyst crawl from his shoulders into the hood of his robes where she curled into a little ball. Luckily Amethyst was light enough not to disrupt the lay of the robe. In fact, if it weren't for the light pressure of her nestled against his shoulder blades he would have thought that she had fallen off. "Hey Moony. Welcome back. I didn't think you'd be teaching again, what with the whole full moon problem of yours," Harry smirked as he approached the werewolf.

Remus gave a small laugh. "It's good to be back. I didn't think I would be able to teach again either, but no one else wanted the job. It's jinxed, you know," Remus joked.

Harry gave a snort. "I highly doubt that. More likely, Dumbledore finally realized that you were the best DADA teacher we had."

Lupin gave a shy smile and blushed lightly at the compliment. "I wouldn't say that."

"I would. After all, we actually learned something while you were teaching." Hmm...come to think of it that was probably why Dumbledork brought Lupin back, regardless of the discord that it may cause. Just so that Harry could have substantial training that would help him to defeat the Dark Lord. Oh, goody.

Remus sighed. "It's going to be a problem when the parents find out that I'm back teaching their children."

Harry shook his head. "I don't think so. Anyone that's had you as a teacher will stand up for you."

"I hope you're right Harry. I really enjoy teaching," Remus stated. "It helps keep my mind off..." he started before drifting off.

"Sirius. I know. I miss him too," Harry whispered his voice catching slightly on Sirius' name. Nothing more was spoken, they simply stood there taking comfort in each others presence.

"Actually I have some questions, if you have the time," Harry said trying to defuse the gloomy atmosphere that had fallen over them.

Lupin gave Harry a gentle yet tired smile. "I always have time for you," he replied.

Harry grinned and tilted his head to one of the house tables in the now empty hall. The two sat down opposite of each other and teapot along with two cups appeared between them. Remus poured the both of them a cup of tea and waited for Harry to speak.

"Do you know anything about Night Creatures?" Harry asked as he accepted the cup of tea.

"Night Creatures or nox noctis creatura," Lupin started before taking a sip of his tea. "They're believed to be myths."

"Why is that?" Harry interrupted.

"Well for one, no one has ever really seen one. There are a hand full of wizards that's claimed they've caught one, but when they try to prove it, the cage is either empty or there is nothing but a pile of ash and a lingering scent of smoke."

"So they don't really exist?"

"Some wizards believe that they exist while others think that they're just myths. The limited information on Night Creatures is mostly just educated guesses. For instance, they got their name for their coloring and that they're suppose to be nocturnal. Supposedly, their coloring is shades of black, like a blackish-red or a dark midnight blue or even a dark-hunter green."
Lupin paused for a moment taking another sip of his tea. "It's also believe that they die in captivity and that they don't like humans."

"I read that Dark Creatures are the descendants of Night Creatures," Harry stated.

Lupin nodded. "That is one of the beliefs. It is said that the Night Creatures weren't originally from our world. That they existed in another time and place, a completely different dimension so to speak, and that somehow they crossed over from the shadows and into our realm. Whether they were fleeing their world or simply unable to get back, they started to mate with creatures that were similar to them in characteristic. But supposedly their genetics weren't all that compatible and they winded up creating hybrids that later became the Dark Creature we know."

"So based on that belief, Night Creature are responsible for our vampires, were-creatures, doxies, grindylow, Red Caps, and so forth."

Lupin nodded. "Now, whether or not that's true, is anyone's guess," he said with a shrug and a shake of his head.

"Are there any other beliefs?" Harry asked.

Remus made a humming sound in his throat as he thought. "Yes, actually there is. Some think that Night Creatures are a form of familiars. That they are the most powerful familiars a wizard could have. That a wizard who owned such a familiar could speak telepathically with it and even see through the creature's eyes."

"Cool," muttered Harry.

Lupin chuckled and shook his head. He muttered something that sounded suspiciously like, "Teenagers," before continuing the conversation. "It's also believed that a Night Creature can steal a person's soul. That belief came around when a lot of people, both muggles and wizards were dieing and no one could find out why. That's also the most popular belief."

"Why?" Harry interrupted.

"Because a lot of wizards told their children that if they didn't behave or do as they're told that a Night Creature would come while they were sleeping and punish them or if they were really bad, steal their souls. It was just a story made-up by adults to keep kids in line, but the children believed it. And as they grew-up they told it to their children, and those children told it to theirs and so on and so on, until it became a superstition."

"Very much like the muggles' bogeyman belief," Harry supplied.

"Yes, exactly. Ask any adult if they believe in the bogeyman and they'll laugh at the notion of it. But ask a child, and they'd insist that there's one living in their closet or under their bed."

"Interesting. Anything else?" Harry asked.

"Not that I can think of," Remus said after a while. "Though I do have a question for you."

"Shoot."

"Why the sudden interest in Night Creatures?"

"Oh, I bought a couple of books on Magical Creatures and they mentioned Night Creatures, but they really didn't said anything about them. So," Harry gave a sheepish grin, "I needed to find out about them." It wasn't a complete lie, he just wasn't telling the whole truth. He did feel bad about sort of lying to Remus, but he didn't want anything to happen to Amethyst. If anyone found out about her supposedly being a Night Creature, they would take her away from him and experiment on her. He couldn't let that happen.

"Oh my, look at the time. It's already 10:30 and you should be off to bed. You have classes tomorrow," Remus said as he stood up. Harry followed and the two walked out of the Great Hall together. They walked up two flights of stairs before Remus said goodnight and walked off down a corridor. Harry continued to walk up the stairs pretending to be heading for the Gryffindor Tower, but he was really heading for the Room of Requirement and the meeting that would take place in about twenty minutes.


Lil' Sphinx: Hi. Thanks for all the reviews. Oh, quick question. Does anyone remember where the Room of Requirement is located? I don't remember. Anyway...

DJ Epidemic- Thanks for pointing out the spelling and grammar, don't worry it wasn't mean and I'm not offended. In fact, I appreciate it.

Velchan- I'll try to make the chapters longer, but I don't always have the time to do a long chapter, even though I'd prefer them longer. I enjoyed your comments, it's always nice to get constructive criticism. Thanks.

Shortstuff- All I have to say is that you're very very warm on one or even two of your guesses. But I'm not tellin' which.

Kingess- Will Fred and George show up? I have no clue. Hopefully. Keep your fingers crossed.