Here you go, Chapter eleven. Yippee, another nice long one. This chapter sheds a little light on some of the Transfer students. I hope you like it.
Disclaimer: The world of Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling. I'm only barrowing it and twisting it beyond recognition. Okay, maybe it's not that bad.
Chapter 11
Who, What, and Slytherins?
Draco entered the common room the next day ready for Potions. He couldn't wait. He knew that he was unable to insult the Gryffindor Golden Boy. But Snape was not under any such bind. He was looking forward to what his head of house would come up with this year. The thoughts of seeing Potter squirm under their Potions Master so occupied his mind he didn't see the other person until he crashed right into them. "Bloody Hell." He growled as he tried to keep himself from falling over. He was about to go down when he was righted by a slender yet strong hand. He looked up, his mercury eyes coming into contact with violet ones. Right away he remembered the new seventh year from last night. "Oh, its you." He sneered as he brushed himself off.
She kept her piercing eyes on him.
"In the name of Merlin what are you staring at?" He hissed.
"So you're the one." She said in a voice that was almost to quiet for him to hear.
"What are you talking about?"
She sighed. "Personally I think they over estimated you."
Now he was starting to get mad. Who did she think she was? Coming in here and questioning him, a Malfoy. "Now listen here…."
"No you listen here. There is more at stake here than your pitiful ego. There are lives on the line here. You're afraid to protect him because you're afraid of how it will make the great all mighty Malfoy look."
So it was Potter she was talking about. "I refuse to protect him because I hate the blooming pounce."
She crossed her arms giving him a look as if she didn't believe a word he said. "Yeah, right, you're supposed to be the great protector. They spoke so highly of you. Personally I think that you're a waste of my time." She circled around him as if sizing him up. "Physically you seem to fit the part. But mentally I don't think you're ready. If you can't put your petty differences a side you will destroy the Wizarding world."
"WHAT!!" He roared. His eyes started to glow red and he could feel his fangs growing.
"Not here." She hissed, pulling him through the portal and then into an empty room. "Really you need to control that. Letting the other Slytherins know that Harry is your Charge is probably not the smartest thing."
"He's not my Charge!" He roared. A strong wave of magic exploded from him knocking all the tables against the wall. He growled his fangs bared. His mind was totally blank except for the anger he felt towards this woman.
"Well I do believe I've pissed you off." She snickered receiving a hiss from the Demon. Getting rid of the grin she eyed him seriously. She knew she was taking a chance, but she had to test him. "What would you say if I told you that I was planning on killing Harry Potter?"
That got through his fogged mind. His instincts kicked in. "Stay away from him." He growled.
She had to stifle a snicker his rational brain told him not to protect Harry. But this wasn't the rational side of the brain. This was instinct pure and simple. And his instinct said to protect the boy who lived. "And what's going to stop me?"
He crouched down ready to pounce. "I will kill you before I let you lay one finger on him." He hissed, what looked like black dragon wings sprung from his back and he pounced.
Quickly she ducked letting him fly right over her. He landed on his feet and was turning to attack again when she swept his feet out from under him. He landed on his back with her foot on his chest and a sword to his throat. "Pathetic, if I had really wanted to kill Harry you would be of no help. If I wanted, you would have been dead already."
He laid there seething looking between her and the blade of the sword.
She felt him push at her leg but he couldn't move it. "Don't even bother. Until you've trained some. There is no way you can beet me. You can't eve tap into you're full potential. Oh stop growling at me. I mean no harm to Harry. Didn't I tell you I was sent here to train you?" Something in her voice seemed to break through to him. His fangs retreated and she saw the red in his eyes dim. "There, now maybe we can talk about this like civilized people."
"It's not so civilized to keep someone pinned to the floor." He sneered. His eyes wondered to the blade again. "And could you please move that."
She removed the sword and returned it to its sheath. Then she moved her foot so he could get to his feet.
"Where in hell were you hiding that thing?" He asked brushing off his robe. By now his wings had also disappeared.
She pulled back her robe showing the sword in its sheath. "It had an invisibility spell on it. The only reason you're able to see it now is because you know it's there."
He eyed her warily, his eyes still glowing with a light tinge of red. He still didn't trust this girl. "I would think that carrying a weapon around school would be against the rules?"
"Well, yes normally, but I have special permission from Dumbledore. You will too, as one of Harry's protectors."
He groaned. "How many times must I say it? I have no intentions of protecting Potter."
Her eyes sparked as she glared at him. "How can you say that? You're a Protego Demon. He's your Charge."
"I will not protect Potter. I hate him for Merlin's sake."
"Oh, I see. It's that ego thing again. You're afraid that people will look down on you if you start protecting your enemy."
"You could never know how I feel. My whole world has been totally turned upside down. I want to deny this. Since first year I have hated Potter. He has been the bane of my existence ever since he refused my hand when I offered him friendship. No instead he chose Weasley and Granger." A guttural growl escaped his throat. "Since then he's done nothing but get on my nerves. Then I find out I'm not fully human and something is pulling me to protect the one person that I hate the most."
She couldn't help but laugh.
"What's so funny?"
"It seems to me that you don't hate him as much as you let on. Sounds more like jealousy." By now she was laughing fully.
"There is no way that I'm jealous of Potter."
"No, not Harry but his two friends."
"The Weasel and Granger?" He was taken aback.
"Sure. Protego Demons are very protective of their Charges, sometimes possessively so. He denied your friendship choosing them over you." She didn't let him contest this. "The demon in you was already drawing you to him as it still does. And the sooner you realize that the better. For now you might want to get to class. When you finally come to your senses come find me. Then we can begin your training." She left, her robe billowing around her.
"What is she taking lessons from Snape?"
Harry waited impatiently for Potions to end. Not that it had been a bad class. Actually it had been one of the most bearable Potions classes since he had started at Hogwarts. Snape hadn't berated him the entire time. The man didn't even seem to realize the boy was even in the room. Draco had also been uncharacteristically quiet as well. Not that any of that bothered him. What was bothering him was Blaise Zambini. The Slytherin kept staring at him all through class. Harry couldn't figure out what was the guy's problem? And why hadn't Snape said anything about it? To be exact, it didn't seem like any one noticed.
How wrong he was. On the other side of the room a certain blond had realized where his house mate's gaze was directed. And even though he fought against it, the demon in him didn't like it one bit. Sure he's known for a while that Zambini had a crush on Potter. But the look in the other young man's eyes now was hungry, almost feral. Like he would pounce on the small Gryffindor any moment. And his protective demon side didn't like that kind of look directed at his Charge. If the git tried anything he'd be missing a certain part of his anatomy. Finally his head of house announced that class was over. Draco noticed Potter quickly gather his things and rush out of the room with his friends. He had realized that Weasley wasn't in Potions any more. But Potter's group had grown. Granger was there of course. But so where two of the new transfer students. What were their names again? Oh yeah Roan and Ailis. What was it about the Golden boy that drew people to him?
"Harry are you okay." Hermione questioned. There was something that was bothering her raven haired best friend.
"I'm fine Hermione. Just thinking how strange it was that Snape didn't bother us at all today.
She hadn't thought about that. It was rather strange wasn't it? "I don't know, maybe he was sick."
"Maybe."
Kari and Ron met the three of them a little further down the hallway.
"So, how did Potions go today?" The red head questioned.
"Actually not that bad."
Ron choked. "Harry, have you gone mental. Since when has a class with the Slytherins and Snape be not that bad? That man's sole purpose in life is to make yours a living hell."
The other boy shrugged. "Well today he fell behind. He didn't say one thing to me."
Now Ron was seriously perplexed. "You're kidding, not one thing?"
"He didn't even ask Harry a single question."
"Merlin, you sure he's not sick or something?"
Harry snickered. "That's exactly what Hermione said."
"I would assume this is not normal?" Roan asked.
Hermione nodded. "We normally dread potions. The idea of Snape and Malfoy in the same room together." She shivered. "Most of the time it's unbearable."
"Malfoy?" Ailis asked in almost a whisper.
"Yeah, he's the slimiest git in all of Hogwarts. Well except for maybe Snape." Ron explained.
"Now Malfoy is the one with the White blond hair and blue eyes right?" Kari asked and adjusted her bag.
Ron laughed coldly. "That's him the great almighty Slytherin Prince."
She shrugged. "I don't know, I think he's rather cute."
"WHAT!!" The original trio cried in unison.
"What's with all the yelling?"
They all turned around to see the unmistakable red hair of a Weasley. Then there was the unmistakable blond hair of Luna Lovegood sticking out from behind an upside down copy of the Quibbler.
"Hello Gin." Harry greeted her with a large smile on his face. "Hi Luna."
"Hello Harry." Ginny smiled a slight blush tinting her cheeks.
Luna just waved and returned to reading her magazine.
"What were the three of you yelling about?" The youngest Weasley enquired.
"Oh, Kari just mentioned that she thought that Malfoy was cute. Can you believe that, Malfoy?" Ron sounded totally disgusted.
She shrugged. "I don't know, he is kind of cute. What do you think Luna?"
The blond girl just nodded.
Hermione groaned. "Not you two as well."
"My own sister." Ron felt nauseated. "How can you say that after what he and his prat father have down to us over the years?"
She shrugged again.
Harry didn't say anything. He just kept staring at her with wide bewildered eyes. There was a hint of something else hidden in those jeweled depths.
Ron made a gagging motion. "Now my sister is going to run off and join the Malfoy fan club."
"Oh shut up Ron. Just because I said I thought he was cute doesn't mean I'm going to run off with him or anything like that. For goodness sakes I once thought dad was cute. Besides I like someone else." She was almost as red as her hair by the end.
"Oh yeah, almost forgot that you were going out with Dean." He really wasn't too happy about this. Hermione kept telling him to stop being the overprotective brother and let his sister have a life.
"Actually he and I decided to brake up."
Hermione was a bit shocked by this. "Really you two always seemed so happy together. Well, when I saw you together."
"That's just it." Ginny said throwing her hands up in the air. "We were hardly together. He was always more comfortable talking sports with the guys then being with me."
"But Ginny, you love Quidditch." Hermione said surprised.
"Yeah, I love Quidditch, but he talks football or American baseball. I don't understand those muggle sports."
"So uhm, who do you like now?" Harry asked tentatively.
She turned her attention to him and graced him with a sweet smile a light blush on her cheeks. "Well you know Harry. I would tell you but I fear for his safety." She motioned to Ron.
Roan couldn't help but snicker.
"Hey." Ron griped.
But Ginny ignored him. "What with the over protective big brothers and all, wouldn't want him to get beat up before I tell him how I feel." She turned to her brother with what looked like a sweet smile. But it was just a little too sweet. "There wouldn't be anything left for me to snog." Her voice was soft and sultry. And just as quickly she transformed from the sexy young redhead woman to the perky fifteen year old girl. "Well, I'm off to Herbology. Come on Luna." She skipped off down the hall the Ravenclaw following close behind.
Ron was fuming. "Why that.." He couldn't help but stutter.
Roan and Kari where trying to control their giggles. Even shy Ailis let out a soft snicker
"Come on Ron. You know she's just pulling your leg." Hermione chided.
"I don't care. I swear I'm going to tie that girl up one of these days. I really think that mum and dad should have told her she couldn't date yet." He took a seat in their Charms class. The others soon joined him.
Kari giggled. "So how old do you think she should be before she dates?"
"I don't know, twenty five, no thirty. That sounds like a nice number."
Hermione shook her head, and Ailis giggled softly.
Harry sighed.
"What's wrong Harry?" His honey haired friend asked.
"Oh, nothing." He answered, but it was almost like his mind was somewhere else. Or more like on someone else.
She couldn't help but realize how dejected he looked when Ginny had said that she like someone else. It had become quite obvious that over the summer Harry had started to have feelings for Ginny Weasley. And she was almost certain that the red head felt the same way about him. So the question was how long it would take for one of them to admit to the other. She hoped it was soon. Harry would be going through some hard times this year and could use Ginny's love and support. But then who was she to talk. It wasn't like she had gotten up the nerve to tell Ron how she felt. And he was probably to dense to notice. He could really be thick headed at times. But she still loved him. She just couldn't figure out if he had any romantic feelings towards her at all. She tried to push these thoughts to the back of her mind as Professor Flitwick started class.
Lunch at Hogwarts was always a crazy time. With this many students the noise level was almost constant high.
At the Slytherin table Draco was trying to avoid the attention of his fellow house mates. His mind was focused on other things. 'Where the hell is Potter? Not that I care. Well, okay, maybe a little. No I don't, it's just Potter. If he wants to get into trouble he can get out of it himself. Damn this Demon blood.' His internal conflict was interrupted by some one poking him in the side.
"Can you believe that?" Pansy asked him.
"What?" He asked bewildered.
"Draco Malfoy, are you even listening to me?" Pansy's nose was flaring.
How dare she yell at him, it wasn't like she was the center of his universe. Sure she would like to be his girlfriend and fancied herself his future wife. But it would never happen. He would rather marry Granger that this woman and that was bad. But he had to humor her for his mother's sake. Pansy's mother was his mother's best friend. "Sorry Pansy. I just have a lot of things on my mind." And of course he wasn't lying.
"It's okay Draco dear." She tried to give him a loving smile but it came out more perverse. Her hand came to rest on his knee and then slid to his thy.
His silver eyes glance at her hand and then her pug face. He arched a golden eyebrow in a silent question. One she took the completely wrong way.
Giggling she lightly ran her hand up and down his thigh.
"Pansy." He warned.
Reluctantly she removed her hand. "What I was talking about was what happened in Herbology."
He grumbled. Why did she have to bring up that horrid class?
"Oh, I'm sorry Draco. I forgot you didn't get your owl in that class."
He personally thought he did pretty well on his OWLS. He had received O's in DADA, Transfiguration, Rune studies, and of course Potions. Charms had been an E along with History of Magic and Astronomy. But he had been shocked to receive only an A in Herbology and care of magical creatures. Not to mention a P in Diviation. But who could learn anything from that woman? What with her predicting Potters death every day.
Again what Pansy was saying faded out. His full attention was focused on the Green eyed Gryffindor. Who had just entered the Great Hall with what seemed to be an ever growing group of friends. He could pick out many of the transfer students. Treble and the two Beazel's were with him. Of course the Weasel and Granger where close by and the little female Weasley as well. Oh and that guy, what was his name, oh yeah Betula. And Lovegood was there with her normal Butter Bear bottle cap necklace. As they neared the tables the ones from other houses separated to their own.
"That guy is really annoying." Pansy sneered looking at the small group.
"Which one?" Draco tried to come across as if he didn't care.
"The new kid, um Betula isn't it? Yeah, his name is Roan Betula. He's a know it all. He's part of the reason that Herbology drove me nuts. He had the answer to every question. And the class was made worse by all the Gryffindors' in there. All three of the Golden trio got in. Can you believe Potter got an O?"
Draco wasn't surprised. Potter had always been better at Herbology than he was. He was more shocked at how Potter had gotten in to NEWT Potions. Not only that, but the prat had received an O on his OWLS. Maybe when not being besieged by Snape he actually gets it. His thoughts were again interrupted by Pansy.
"Longbottom is in there too. I can't believe that dumbbell actually found something he's good at." She kept rambling on but when Draco didn't say anything she grunted and crossed her arms. She scowled and turned her attention to Millicent Bulstrode.
Draco kept his eyes on the group until they had all sat down. Then he heard a gasp beside him. Blaise had a dreamy look in his blue eyes and he was practically drooling.
"It really should be a sin for someone to look that good." The other Slytherin gasped.
The Slytherin prince had to admit that if he was interested in guys that Potter would be on the top of the list. Right now the Gryffindor had taken off his tie and had the first couple of buttons of his shirt undone. He wasn't trying to be enticing, but for someone like Blaise it was a definite turn on. Draco himself was surprised by the lack of hair on that chest. He wouldn't be surprised if Potter had never had to use a razor or shaving spell on that smooth face. He reached over and closed his Housemates mouth. "Do stop drooling Blaise. You're looking like a fool." But there was a little more of growl then he had meant and he could feel his fangs growing. He tried to control it, but knew that he was loosing the battle with the Protego Demon inside him. That demon did not like the way his friend was looking at his Charge. 'Damn it.' He growled. There was no way he was going to give in to this Potter was on his own. Of course he kept trying to tell himself that, but the two sides just couldn't agree.
"What the?" He heard someone gasp from the Gryffindor table. The voice was unmistakable. He looked to see Potter glancing down into his lap with a look of fear and amazement on his face. What was going on?
Harry's Emerald pools were focused on his lap and his back was straight and rigid. It almost looked as if he was afraid to move.
"Harry, what's wrong?" Roan questioned his friend.
"Harry?" Kari called trying to get his attention.
He started talking but all that came out of his mouth was a mix of hisses. Some of them were soft and sweet and some a little more guttural.
Ron rolled his eyes. "Harry your speaking Parseltongue again."
"Parselmouth." Kari and Ailis both whispered.
It took a little bit for what had just happened to dawn on Ron. Then his eyes popped open and he started to shake. "Parselmouth." Both he and Hermione said at the same time. They knew what that meant. Harry had not been able to learn how to speak Parsletongue unless he was looking at a snake or a form of one. That would mean the thing that Harry was staring at in his lap had to be…
Ron cautiously leaned over and peered into his friends lap. Sure enough a small black snake laid coiled there. It seemed to be peacefully sleeping.
"Harry, how did that…how did it.?" Ron couldn't finish. He just raised a shaky finger and pointed it at the scaly creature.
This time Harry turned to look at his friend. "I don't know. I just felt something sliding up my leg. And when I looked down this snake was making it self at home in my lap."
By now even Roan was worried.
Hermione stretched across the table trying to get a better look at their new visitor. The snake moved slightly and a blue opalescent sheen vibrated down its body. "Holly… Harry does that snake have a light blue belly?"
"I don't know."
"Try talking to it."
He turned his attention back to the snake. Again he started to hiss. ("Hello.")
The snake twitched and raised its head. ("Hello.") It hissed back. ("You speak our language?")
("Yes.")
("I was not told that.") It swayed a little as it spoke.
("What were you told and who sent you?")
("The one who brought me, the one who sent me told me to watch Harry Potter. Told me to tell them about Harry Potter.") The serpent let out what could be considered a snake laugh. ("But Arossadra does what she wants. I like Harry Potter more. He is of the Old Ones. The one who brought me is of the Old Ones too. But they are different, they are dark.")
("Dark? Do you mean a dark wizard?")
("Yes, the darkest of the dark.")
Could she be talking about Voldemort? But wait she had said they were of the old ones. Like he himself was. He assumed she meant his Elvin blood. Could that mean that whom ever it was is an Elf? But wouldn't Grandma Gelena know.
("Arossadra, would you mind if I call you Aro?")
("Young Master can call me anything he likes.")
("I'm not your master, Harry would be just fine.")
("But you are my master. My species chooses one master to serve and I choose you.") Her tongue touched his hand. ("We protect the ones we choose.")
("Uhm, thank you. You're a very pretty snake.")
If it was at all possible she held herself up higher. ('Yes I know.") It was quite easy to see her light blue belly now.
Okay, so he had a vain snake. ("Are you poisonous?")
("Oh yes master very much so.") She sounded very happy with herself. ("Would you like me to bite someone?")
He shook his head adamantly. ("No that's okay. You can go back to sleep now if you want.")
("Thank you master it was a long travel.") She slithered herself into his pocket and fell back to sleep.
"Well Harry?" His bushy haired friend prodded.
"Her names Arossadra and yes she does have a light blue belly."
"Bugger." She gasped. "She's a Blue Diamond Viper. I read about them in second year. They're very poisonous."
"Poisonous?" Ron gulped.
"Yeah she seems to be very proud of that. She even offered to bite someone if I wanted."
Ailis squeaked.
"Your new friend is very rare Harry. They were originally thought to come from the Island of Atlantis before it sunk. They are also very much ingrained in the Dark Arts. You sure it's a good idea to keep her?"
"Yeah Hermione. She said that she was sent by some one to watch me but she decided that she liked me better. She said something to the fact that I am of the Old Ones. So is the one that sent her. But I am light where they are dark."
Hermione seemed to take this all in. "Hmm, did she call you master?"
He nodded.
His friend smiled.
"Is that a good thing?" Ginny was still a bit scared.
"Yes it's okay. The book said they only bond with one person. They will protect that person with their life."
"Do you think she was sent by You-know-who?" Ailis asked.
"I don't know but who ever it was isn't going to be happy." He got up to head to DADA. Suddenly he pitched forward slightly catching himself on the table. "Holy shi.." He hissed.
"Harry, what's wrong?" Ron was worried.
Across the room Draco's insides were churning. He had seen Potter pitch forward. The demon in him was trying to push him to rush over and see what was wrong with his Charge. But the Malfoy in him told him that Potter could take care of himself.
Someone sat down next to him.
"I know you insist on denying it, but I can see the battle going on in your body." The person whispered in his ear. He didn't have to look to know it was the insufferable Sandhyra. She sighed "Don't worry. He's perfectly fine. It's just his wizarding puberty."
Inside Draco's instincts calmed at this news. He wasn't sure why he believed this woman he just did.
"Harry." Hermione was very concerned. Her friend was visibly shaking.
He gasped. "I'm fine…it's just my…" He took in a deep breath. "I think it's my…wizarding…puberty." He gasped again as a serge of power ran through him. "I've got to get out of here."
Without being asked the rest of his friends went into action. Kari grabbed his bag while Ron and Hermione flanked each side of him discreetly supporting their friend. Roan fallowed behind in case Harry passed out or something. Ailis and Ginny just fallowed closely. From the Ravenclaw table Keril fallowed them out. Luna waited a little bit and then the Ravenclaw joined them.
Up at the head table Delphine noticed the mass exodus of Harry and his friends. She made her apologies to the Headmaster and excused herself.
Dumbledore too had seen them all leave. He was worried about the young man. But he knew that this was something he had to go through. All young Wizards and Witches had to. Harry's was just a little more extreme.
Harry and his friends had found an empty classroom. By now they could feel the waves of energy coursing through their friend. He was shacking slightly. His eyes closed tight. His hand pressed up against the cold wall for support. The rest of them heard something hissing and looked to see the little snake raise itself out of his pocket.
("Master?") Arossadra hissed.
Harry opened his eyes slightly. By the look he gave her she knew what he wanted. Carefully with the help of a shaky hand she removed herself from his pocket and found a safe spot on the floor. Just in time too because right after that a particularly strong surge coursed through him. He lost his balance and fell to his knees.
"Harry!" Ginny cried. She ran to him throwing her arms around his shoulders. He was really shaking now.
A strong wind began to blow through the room and a couple of windows shattered.
The door flew open to reveal Delphine Evalnphire.
"Professor." Hermione called trying to help steady her friend.
"Everyone cover your ears. Kari please come here."
"Yes Professor."
"Sing."
"Are you sure, you know what it can do?"
"He is part elf, it will be fine! We need to calm him down."
The blond closed her eyes and started singing.
My life goes on in endless song
above earth's lamentations,
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
that hails a new creation.
The wind had died down and Harry had stopped shaking. But his magic was not totally calm yet.
"A little more Kari." Delphine coxed.
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear its music ringing,
it sounds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?
Harry's magic had calmed now. He had let himself lean against Ginny. His eyes were closed and his arm had found its way around her waist.
"Thank you Kari." Delphine said smiling at the young girl. She patted Hermione's arm to signal that they could uncover their ears.
The book worm was excited to see that her friend had calmed down. "Kari, what just happened?"
The girl kept her hazel eyes on the floor. "I'm sorry. I should have told you sooner. I'm not exactly human. I'm a Siren."
"A Siren? You mean like in the Odyssey?" Never missing a chance to learn something new she couldn't wait to ask her knew friend some questions.
Kari laughed. "No not exactly like the Odyssey. Homer might have been a great man. But he was a Muggle and so had their superstitions about our kind. True we can entrance when we sing but we don't do it to kill. Well most of us don't. My older sister was damn tempted once."
Hermione giggled. Things were getting more and more interesting. First she finds out that Harry is part elf. Now one of her knew friends wasn't even human but a siren. Why not, Delphine had said that not all Wizards and Witches were human.
"So I guess Harry is part Elf." Keril stated.
Ron nodded. "Yeah, it was something that he just found out this summer."
He shrugged. "Since we're sharing secrets about our lineage. I think it would just be fair to say that Ailis and I are Demons."
Ron choked.
"An Incubus and a Succubus to be exact."
Ailis just nodded agreeing with her brother.
"So you guys don't?" Roan questioned.
"No." Ailis answered. "It is part of us and the temptation is still there. But we said we wouldn't if we were allowed to come to Hogwarts."
"Oh, that's good." Ron was happy to hear that.
Hermione looked like she was trying to sort something out. "So now we have a part elf, an Incubus and a succubus, a siren, and a dryad." She pointed to Roan.
"And a Morde." Luna's quiet voice broke in.
"A what?" Roan asked.
"A Morde. They're an ancient people who take on a familiar form to put their victim at ease. They choose this by creating a psychic link with their victim. There is also another form we take, but it's hard to explain." She noticed the looks on their faces. "Don't worry. I'm the real Luna. I haven't taken on this form to try to put you at ease."
Hermione had to agree with her. It's not like Luna's look really could put someone at ease.
Delphine thought that she should explain. "The Morde is a rare species. Because of some ancient wizarding families thirst for power they arranged marriages between their children and Morde. Through the centuries the full Morde line has all become extinct. But many magical families have Morde blood in their lineage. Like any other lineage every now and then the blood lines powers come to the surface."
"Hey Harry…Oh my." Hermione gasped as she turned to her friend.
Ron who had his back to the boy-who-lived quickly turned around. And almost fell over when he saw the scene that was playing out before them. Ginny had her arms wrapped around Harry's neck with his around her waist. And they were lost in their own world their lips wondering over each others.
Hermione grabbed Ron's arm ready to stop him from attacking Harry.
But he shook it free. "It's alright Hermione. I'm not going to do anything. Sure it's a little shocking but it's Harry. If she has to be with anyone he's the best one. I know that he won't do anything to hurt her."
She was happy to hear this. Because Harry needed all the love he could get. And it sure seemed like Ginny was willing to supply.
Disclaimer: The world of Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling. I'm only barrowing it and twisting it beyond recognition. Okay, maybe it's not that bad.
Chapter 11
Who, What, and Slytherins?
Draco entered the common room the next day ready for Potions. He couldn't wait. He knew that he was unable to insult the Gryffindor Golden Boy. But Snape was not under any such bind. He was looking forward to what his head of house would come up with this year. The thoughts of seeing Potter squirm under their Potions Master so occupied his mind he didn't see the other person until he crashed right into them. "Bloody Hell." He growled as he tried to keep himself from falling over. He was about to go down when he was righted by a slender yet strong hand. He looked up, his mercury eyes coming into contact with violet ones. Right away he remembered the new seventh year from last night. "Oh, its you." He sneered as he brushed himself off.
She kept her piercing eyes on him.
"In the name of Merlin what are you staring at?" He hissed.
"So you're the one." She said in a voice that was almost to quiet for him to hear.
"What are you talking about?"
She sighed. "Personally I think they over estimated you."
Now he was starting to get mad. Who did she think she was? Coming in here and questioning him, a Malfoy. "Now listen here…."
"No you listen here. There is more at stake here than your pitiful ego. There are lives on the line here. You're afraid to protect him because you're afraid of how it will make the great all mighty Malfoy look."
So it was Potter she was talking about. "I refuse to protect him because I hate the blooming pounce."
She crossed her arms giving him a look as if she didn't believe a word he said. "Yeah, right, you're supposed to be the great protector. They spoke so highly of you. Personally I think that you're a waste of my time." She circled around him as if sizing him up. "Physically you seem to fit the part. But mentally I don't think you're ready. If you can't put your petty differences a side you will destroy the Wizarding world."
"WHAT!!" He roared. His eyes started to glow red and he could feel his fangs growing.
"Not here." She hissed, pulling him through the portal and then into an empty room. "Really you need to control that. Letting the other Slytherins know that Harry is your Charge is probably not the smartest thing."
"He's not my Charge!" He roared. A strong wave of magic exploded from him knocking all the tables against the wall. He growled his fangs bared. His mind was totally blank except for the anger he felt towards this woman.
"Well I do believe I've pissed you off." She snickered receiving a hiss from the Demon. Getting rid of the grin she eyed him seriously. She knew she was taking a chance, but she had to test him. "What would you say if I told you that I was planning on killing Harry Potter?"
That got through his fogged mind. His instincts kicked in. "Stay away from him." He growled.
She had to stifle a snicker his rational brain told him not to protect Harry. But this wasn't the rational side of the brain. This was instinct pure and simple. And his instinct said to protect the boy who lived. "And what's going to stop me?"
He crouched down ready to pounce. "I will kill you before I let you lay one finger on him." He hissed, what looked like black dragon wings sprung from his back and he pounced.
Quickly she ducked letting him fly right over her. He landed on his feet and was turning to attack again when she swept his feet out from under him. He landed on his back with her foot on his chest and a sword to his throat. "Pathetic, if I had really wanted to kill Harry you would be of no help. If I wanted, you would have been dead already."
He laid there seething looking between her and the blade of the sword.
She felt him push at her leg but he couldn't move it. "Don't even bother. Until you've trained some. There is no way you can beet me. You can't eve tap into you're full potential. Oh stop growling at me. I mean no harm to Harry. Didn't I tell you I was sent here to train you?" Something in her voice seemed to break through to him. His fangs retreated and she saw the red in his eyes dim. "There, now maybe we can talk about this like civilized people."
"It's not so civilized to keep someone pinned to the floor." He sneered. His eyes wondered to the blade again. "And could you please move that."
She removed the sword and returned it to its sheath. Then she moved her foot so he could get to his feet.
"Where in hell were you hiding that thing?" He asked brushing off his robe. By now his wings had also disappeared.
She pulled back her robe showing the sword in its sheath. "It had an invisibility spell on it. The only reason you're able to see it now is because you know it's there."
He eyed her warily, his eyes still glowing with a light tinge of red. He still didn't trust this girl. "I would think that carrying a weapon around school would be against the rules?"
"Well, yes normally, but I have special permission from Dumbledore. You will too, as one of Harry's protectors."
He groaned. "How many times must I say it? I have no intentions of protecting Potter."
Her eyes sparked as she glared at him. "How can you say that? You're a Protego Demon. He's your Charge."
"I will not protect Potter. I hate him for Merlin's sake."
"Oh, I see. It's that ego thing again. You're afraid that people will look down on you if you start protecting your enemy."
"You could never know how I feel. My whole world has been totally turned upside down. I want to deny this. Since first year I have hated Potter. He has been the bane of my existence ever since he refused my hand when I offered him friendship. No instead he chose Weasley and Granger." A guttural growl escaped his throat. "Since then he's done nothing but get on my nerves. Then I find out I'm not fully human and something is pulling me to protect the one person that I hate the most."
She couldn't help but laugh.
"What's so funny?"
"It seems to me that you don't hate him as much as you let on. Sounds more like jealousy." By now she was laughing fully.
"There is no way that I'm jealous of Potter."
"No, not Harry but his two friends."
"The Weasel and Granger?" He was taken aback.
"Sure. Protego Demons are very protective of their Charges, sometimes possessively so. He denied your friendship choosing them over you." She didn't let him contest this. "The demon in you was already drawing you to him as it still does. And the sooner you realize that the better. For now you might want to get to class. When you finally come to your senses come find me. Then we can begin your training." She left, her robe billowing around her.
"What is she taking lessons from Snape?"
Harry waited impatiently for Potions to end. Not that it had been a bad class. Actually it had been one of the most bearable Potions classes since he had started at Hogwarts. Snape hadn't berated him the entire time. The man didn't even seem to realize the boy was even in the room. Draco had also been uncharacteristically quiet as well. Not that any of that bothered him. What was bothering him was Blaise Zambini. The Slytherin kept staring at him all through class. Harry couldn't figure out what was the guy's problem? And why hadn't Snape said anything about it? To be exact, it didn't seem like any one noticed.
How wrong he was. On the other side of the room a certain blond had realized where his house mate's gaze was directed. And even though he fought against it, the demon in him didn't like it one bit. Sure he's known for a while that Zambini had a crush on Potter. But the look in the other young man's eyes now was hungry, almost feral. Like he would pounce on the small Gryffindor any moment. And his protective demon side didn't like that kind of look directed at his Charge. If the git tried anything he'd be missing a certain part of his anatomy. Finally his head of house announced that class was over. Draco noticed Potter quickly gather his things and rush out of the room with his friends. He had realized that Weasley wasn't in Potions any more. But Potter's group had grown. Granger was there of course. But so where two of the new transfer students. What were their names again? Oh yeah Roan and Ailis. What was it about the Golden boy that drew people to him?
"Harry are you okay." Hermione questioned. There was something that was bothering her raven haired best friend.
"I'm fine Hermione. Just thinking how strange it was that Snape didn't bother us at all today.
She hadn't thought about that. It was rather strange wasn't it? "I don't know, maybe he was sick."
"Maybe."
Kari and Ron met the three of them a little further down the hallway.
"So, how did Potions go today?" The red head questioned.
"Actually not that bad."
Ron choked. "Harry, have you gone mental. Since when has a class with the Slytherins and Snape be not that bad? That man's sole purpose in life is to make yours a living hell."
The other boy shrugged. "Well today he fell behind. He didn't say one thing to me."
Now Ron was seriously perplexed. "You're kidding, not one thing?"
"He didn't even ask Harry a single question."
"Merlin, you sure he's not sick or something?"
Harry snickered. "That's exactly what Hermione said."
"I would assume this is not normal?" Roan asked.
Hermione nodded. "We normally dread potions. The idea of Snape and Malfoy in the same room together." She shivered. "Most of the time it's unbearable."
"Malfoy?" Ailis asked in almost a whisper.
"Yeah, he's the slimiest git in all of Hogwarts. Well except for maybe Snape." Ron explained.
"Now Malfoy is the one with the White blond hair and blue eyes right?" Kari asked and adjusted her bag.
Ron laughed coldly. "That's him the great almighty Slytherin Prince."
She shrugged. "I don't know, I think he's rather cute."
"WHAT!!" The original trio cried in unison.
"What's with all the yelling?"
They all turned around to see the unmistakable red hair of a Weasley. Then there was the unmistakable blond hair of Luna Lovegood sticking out from behind an upside down copy of the Quibbler.
"Hello Gin." Harry greeted her with a large smile on his face. "Hi Luna."
"Hello Harry." Ginny smiled a slight blush tinting her cheeks.
Luna just waved and returned to reading her magazine.
"What were the three of you yelling about?" The youngest Weasley enquired.
"Oh, Kari just mentioned that she thought that Malfoy was cute. Can you believe that, Malfoy?" Ron sounded totally disgusted.
She shrugged. "I don't know, he is kind of cute. What do you think Luna?"
The blond girl just nodded.
Hermione groaned. "Not you two as well."
"My own sister." Ron felt nauseated. "How can you say that after what he and his prat father have down to us over the years?"
She shrugged again.
Harry didn't say anything. He just kept staring at her with wide bewildered eyes. There was a hint of something else hidden in those jeweled depths.
Ron made a gagging motion. "Now my sister is going to run off and join the Malfoy fan club."
"Oh shut up Ron. Just because I said I thought he was cute doesn't mean I'm going to run off with him or anything like that. For goodness sakes I once thought dad was cute. Besides I like someone else." She was almost as red as her hair by the end.
"Oh yeah, almost forgot that you were going out with Dean." He really wasn't too happy about this. Hermione kept telling him to stop being the overprotective brother and let his sister have a life.
"Actually he and I decided to brake up."
Hermione was a bit shocked by this. "Really you two always seemed so happy together. Well, when I saw you together."
"That's just it." Ginny said throwing her hands up in the air. "We were hardly together. He was always more comfortable talking sports with the guys then being with me."
"But Ginny, you love Quidditch." Hermione said surprised.
"Yeah, I love Quidditch, but he talks football or American baseball. I don't understand those muggle sports."
"So uhm, who do you like now?" Harry asked tentatively.
She turned her attention to him and graced him with a sweet smile a light blush on her cheeks. "Well you know Harry. I would tell you but I fear for his safety." She motioned to Ron.
Roan couldn't help but snicker.
"Hey." Ron griped.
But Ginny ignored him. "What with the over protective big brothers and all, wouldn't want him to get beat up before I tell him how I feel." She turned to her brother with what looked like a sweet smile. But it was just a little too sweet. "There wouldn't be anything left for me to snog." Her voice was soft and sultry. And just as quickly she transformed from the sexy young redhead woman to the perky fifteen year old girl. "Well, I'm off to Herbology. Come on Luna." She skipped off down the hall the Ravenclaw following close behind.
Ron was fuming. "Why that.." He couldn't help but stutter.
Roan and Kari where trying to control their giggles. Even shy Ailis let out a soft snicker
"Come on Ron. You know she's just pulling your leg." Hermione chided.
"I don't care. I swear I'm going to tie that girl up one of these days. I really think that mum and dad should have told her she couldn't date yet." He took a seat in their Charms class. The others soon joined him.
Kari giggled. "So how old do you think she should be before she dates?"
"I don't know, twenty five, no thirty. That sounds like a nice number."
Hermione shook her head, and Ailis giggled softly.
Harry sighed.
"What's wrong Harry?" His honey haired friend asked.
"Oh, nothing." He answered, but it was almost like his mind was somewhere else. Or more like on someone else.
She couldn't help but realize how dejected he looked when Ginny had said that she like someone else. It had become quite obvious that over the summer Harry had started to have feelings for Ginny Weasley. And she was almost certain that the red head felt the same way about him. So the question was how long it would take for one of them to admit to the other. She hoped it was soon. Harry would be going through some hard times this year and could use Ginny's love and support. But then who was she to talk. It wasn't like she had gotten up the nerve to tell Ron how she felt. And he was probably to dense to notice. He could really be thick headed at times. But she still loved him. She just couldn't figure out if he had any romantic feelings towards her at all. She tried to push these thoughts to the back of her mind as Professor Flitwick started class.
Lunch at Hogwarts was always a crazy time. With this many students the noise level was almost constant high.
At the Slytherin table Draco was trying to avoid the attention of his fellow house mates. His mind was focused on other things. 'Where the hell is Potter? Not that I care. Well, okay, maybe a little. No I don't, it's just Potter. If he wants to get into trouble he can get out of it himself. Damn this Demon blood.' His internal conflict was interrupted by some one poking him in the side.
"Can you believe that?" Pansy asked him.
"What?" He asked bewildered.
"Draco Malfoy, are you even listening to me?" Pansy's nose was flaring.
How dare she yell at him, it wasn't like she was the center of his universe. Sure she would like to be his girlfriend and fancied herself his future wife. But it would never happen. He would rather marry Granger that this woman and that was bad. But he had to humor her for his mother's sake. Pansy's mother was his mother's best friend. "Sorry Pansy. I just have a lot of things on my mind." And of course he wasn't lying.
"It's okay Draco dear." She tried to give him a loving smile but it came out more perverse. Her hand came to rest on his knee and then slid to his thy.
His silver eyes glance at her hand and then her pug face. He arched a golden eyebrow in a silent question. One she took the completely wrong way.
Giggling she lightly ran her hand up and down his thigh.
"Pansy." He warned.
Reluctantly she removed her hand. "What I was talking about was what happened in Herbology."
He grumbled. Why did she have to bring up that horrid class?
"Oh, I'm sorry Draco. I forgot you didn't get your owl in that class."
He personally thought he did pretty well on his OWLS. He had received O's in DADA, Transfiguration, Rune studies, and of course Potions. Charms had been an E along with History of Magic and Astronomy. But he had been shocked to receive only an A in Herbology and care of magical creatures. Not to mention a P in Diviation. But who could learn anything from that woman? What with her predicting Potters death every day.
Again what Pansy was saying faded out. His full attention was focused on the Green eyed Gryffindor. Who had just entered the Great Hall with what seemed to be an ever growing group of friends. He could pick out many of the transfer students. Treble and the two Beazel's were with him. Of course the Weasel and Granger where close by and the little female Weasley as well. Oh and that guy, what was his name, oh yeah Betula. And Lovegood was there with her normal Butter Bear bottle cap necklace. As they neared the tables the ones from other houses separated to their own.
"That guy is really annoying." Pansy sneered looking at the small group.
"Which one?" Draco tried to come across as if he didn't care.
"The new kid, um Betula isn't it? Yeah, his name is Roan Betula. He's a know it all. He's part of the reason that Herbology drove me nuts. He had the answer to every question. And the class was made worse by all the Gryffindors' in there. All three of the Golden trio got in. Can you believe Potter got an O?"
Draco wasn't surprised. Potter had always been better at Herbology than he was. He was more shocked at how Potter had gotten in to NEWT Potions. Not only that, but the prat had received an O on his OWLS. Maybe when not being besieged by Snape he actually gets it. His thoughts were again interrupted by Pansy.
"Longbottom is in there too. I can't believe that dumbbell actually found something he's good at." She kept rambling on but when Draco didn't say anything she grunted and crossed her arms. She scowled and turned her attention to Millicent Bulstrode.
Draco kept his eyes on the group until they had all sat down. Then he heard a gasp beside him. Blaise had a dreamy look in his blue eyes and he was practically drooling.
"It really should be a sin for someone to look that good." The other Slytherin gasped.
The Slytherin prince had to admit that if he was interested in guys that Potter would be on the top of the list. Right now the Gryffindor had taken off his tie and had the first couple of buttons of his shirt undone. He wasn't trying to be enticing, but for someone like Blaise it was a definite turn on. Draco himself was surprised by the lack of hair on that chest. He wouldn't be surprised if Potter had never had to use a razor or shaving spell on that smooth face. He reached over and closed his Housemates mouth. "Do stop drooling Blaise. You're looking like a fool." But there was a little more of growl then he had meant and he could feel his fangs growing. He tried to control it, but knew that he was loosing the battle with the Protego Demon inside him. That demon did not like the way his friend was looking at his Charge. 'Damn it.' He growled. There was no way he was going to give in to this Potter was on his own. Of course he kept trying to tell himself that, but the two sides just couldn't agree.
"What the?" He heard someone gasp from the Gryffindor table. The voice was unmistakable. He looked to see Potter glancing down into his lap with a look of fear and amazement on his face. What was going on?
Harry's Emerald pools were focused on his lap and his back was straight and rigid. It almost looked as if he was afraid to move.
"Harry, what's wrong?" Roan questioned his friend.
"Harry?" Kari called trying to get his attention.
He started talking but all that came out of his mouth was a mix of hisses. Some of them were soft and sweet and some a little more guttural.
Ron rolled his eyes. "Harry your speaking Parseltongue again."
"Parselmouth." Kari and Ailis both whispered.
It took a little bit for what had just happened to dawn on Ron. Then his eyes popped open and he started to shake. "Parselmouth." Both he and Hermione said at the same time. They knew what that meant. Harry had not been able to learn how to speak Parsletongue unless he was looking at a snake or a form of one. That would mean the thing that Harry was staring at in his lap had to be…
Ron cautiously leaned over and peered into his friends lap. Sure enough a small black snake laid coiled there. It seemed to be peacefully sleeping.
"Harry, how did that…how did it.?" Ron couldn't finish. He just raised a shaky finger and pointed it at the scaly creature.
This time Harry turned to look at his friend. "I don't know. I just felt something sliding up my leg. And when I looked down this snake was making it self at home in my lap."
By now even Roan was worried.
Hermione stretched across the table trying to get a better look at their new visitor. The snake moved slightly and a blue opalescent sheen vibrated down its body. "Holly… Harry does that snake have a light blue belly?"
"I don't know."
"Try talking to it."
He turned his attention back to the snake. Again he started to hiss. ("Hello.")
The snake twitched and raised its head. ("Hello.") It hissed back. ("You speak our language?")
("Yes.")
("I was not told that.") It swayed a little as it spoke.
("What were you told and who sent you?")
("The one who brought me, the one who sent me told me to watch Harry Potter. Told me to tell them about Harry Potter.") The serpent let out what could be considered a snake laugh. ("But Arossadra does what she wants. I like Harry Potter more. He is of the Old Ones. The one who brought me is of the Old Ones too. But they are different, they are dark.")
("Dark? Do you mean a dark wizard?")
("Yes, the darkest of the dark.")
Could she be talking about Voldemort? But wait she had said they were of the old ones. Like he himself was. He assumed she meant his Elvin blood. Could that mean that whom ever it was is an Elf? But wouldn't Grandma Gelena know.
("Arossadra, would you mind if I call you Aro?")
("Young Master can call me anything he likes.")
("I'm not your master, Harry would be just fine.")
("But you are my master. My species chooses one master to serve and I choose you.") Her tongue touched his hand. ("We protect the ones we choose.")
("Uhm, thank you. You're a very pretty snake.")
If it was at all possible she held herself up higher. ('Yes I know.") It was quite easy to see her light blue belly now.
Okay, so he had a vain snake. ("Are you poisonous?")
("Oh yes master very much so.") She sounded very happy with herself. ("Would you like me to bite someone?")
He shook his head adamantly. ("No that's okay. You can go back to sleep now if you want.")
("Thank you master it was a long travel.") She slithered herself into his pocket and fell back to sleep.
"Well Harry?" His bushy haired friend prodded.
"Her names Arossadra and yes she does have a light blue belly."
"Bugger." She gasped. "She's a Blue Diamond Viper. I read about them in second year. They're very poisonous."
"Poisonous?" Ron gulped.
"Yeah she seems to be very proud of that. She even offered to bite someone if I wanted."
Ailis squeaked.
"Your new friend is very rare Harry. They were originally thought to come from the Island of Atlantis before it sunk. They are also very much ingrained in the Dark Arts. You sure it's a good idea to keep her?"
"Yeah Hermione. She said that she was sent by some one to watch me but she decided that she liked me better. She said something to the fact that I am of the Old Ones. So is the one that sent her. But I am light where they are dark."
Hermione seemed to take this all in. "Hmm, did she call you master?"
He nodded.
His friend smiled.
"Is that a good thing?" Ginny was still a bit scared.
"Yes it's okay. The book said they only bond with one person. They will protect that person with their life."
"Do you think she was sent by You-know-who?" Ailis asked.
"I don't know but who ever it was isn't going to be happy." He got up to head to DADA. Suddenly he pitched forward slightly catching himself on the table. "Holy shi.." He hissed.
"Harry, what's wrong?" Ron was worried.
Across the room Draco's insides were churning. He had seen Potter pitch forward. The demon in him was trying to push him to rush over and see what was wrong with his Charge. But the Malfoy in him told him that Potter could take care of himself.
Someone sat down next to him.
"I know you insist on denying it, but I can see the battle going on in your body." The person whispered in his ear. He didn't have to look to know it was the insufferable Sandhyra. She sighed "Don't worry. He's perfectly fine. It's just his wizarding puberty."
Inside Draco's instincts calmed at this news. He wasn't sure why he believed this woman he just did.
"Harry." Hermione was very concerned. Her friend was visibly shaking.
He gasped. "I'm fine…it's just my…" He took in a deep breath. "I think it's my…wizarding…puberty." He gasped again as a serge of power ran through him. "I've got to get out of here."
Without being asked the rest of his friends went into action. Kari grabbed his bag while Ron and Hermione flanked each side of him discreetly supporting their friend. Roan fallowed behind in case Harry passed out or something. Ailis and Ginny just fallowed closely. From the Ravenclaw table Keril fallowed them out. Luna waited a little bit and then the Ravenclaw joined them.
Up at the head table Delphine noticed the mass exodus of Harry and his friends. She made her apologies to the Headmaster and excused herself.
Dumbledore too had seen them all leave. He was worried about the young man. But he knew that this was something he had to go through. All young Wizards and Witches had to. Harry's was just a little more extreme.
Harry and his friends had found an empty classroom. By now they could feel the waves of energy coursing through their friend. He was shacking slightly. His eyes closed tight. His hand pressed up against the cold wall for support. The rest of them heard something hissing and looked to see the little snake raise itself out of his pocket.
("Master?") Arossadra hissed.
Harry opened his eyes slightly. By the look he gave her she knew what he wanted. Carefully with the help of a shaky hand she removed herself from his pocket and found a safe spot on the floor. Just in time too because right after that a particularly strong surge coursed through him. He lost his balance and fell to his knees.
"Harry!" Ginny cried. She ran to him throwing her arms around his shoulders. He was really shaking now.
A strong wind began to blow through the room and a couple of windows shattered.
The door flew open to reveal Delphine Evalnphire.
"Professor." Hermione called trying to help steady her friend.
"Everyone cover your ears. Kari please come here."
"Yes Professor."
"Sing."
"Are you sure, you know what it can do?"
"He is part elf, it will be fine! We need to calm him down."
The blond closed her eyes and started singing.
My life goes on in endless song
above earth's lamentations,
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
that hails a new creation.
The wind had died down and Harry had stopped shaking. But his magic was not totally calm yet.
"A little more Kari." Delphine coxed.
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear its music ringing,
it sounds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?
Harry's magic had calmed now. He had let himself lean against Ginny. His eyes were closed and his arm had found its way around her waist.
"Thank you Kari." Delphine said smiling at the young girl. She patted Hermione's arm to signal that they could uncover their ears.
The book worm was excited to see that her friend had calmed down. "Kari, what just happened?"
The girl kept her hazel eyes on the floor. "I'm sorry. I should have told you sooner. I'm not exactly human. I'm a Siren."
"A Siren? You mean like in the Odyssey?" Never missing a chance to learn something new she couldn't wait to ask her knew friend some questions.
Kari laughed. "No not exactly like the Odyssey. Homer might have been a great man. But he was a Muggle and so had their superstitions about our kind. True we can entrance when we sing but we don't do it to kill. Well most of us don't. My older sister was damn tempted once."
Hermione giggled. Things were getting more and more interesting. First she finds out that Harry is part elf. Now one of her knew friends wasn't even human but a siren. Why not, Delphine had said that not all Wizards and Witches were human.
"So I guess Harry is part Elf." Keril stated.
Ron nodded. "Yeah, it was something that he just found out this summer."
He shrugged. "Since we're sharing secrets about our lineage. I think it would just be fair to say that Ailis and I are Demons."
Ron choked.
"An Incubus and a Succubus to be exact."
Ailis just nodded agreeing with her brother.
"So you guys don't?" Roan questioned.
"No." Ailis answered. "It is part of us and the temptation is still there. But we said we wouldn't if we were allowed to come to Hogwarts."
"Oh, that's good." Ron was happy to hear that.
Hermione looked like she was trying to sort something out. "So now we have a part elf, an Incubus and a succubus, a siren, and a dryad." She pointed to Roan.
"And a Morde." Luna's quiet voice broke in.
"A what?" Roan asked.
"A Morde. They're an ancient people who take on a familiar form to put their victim at ease. They choose this by creating a psychic link with their victim. There is also another form we take, but it's hard to explain." She noticed the looks on their faces. "Don't worry. I'm the real Luna. I haven't taken on this form to try to put you at ease."
Hermione had to agree with her. It's not like Luna's look really could put someone at ease.
Delphine thought that she should explain. "The Morde is a rare species. Because of some ancient wizarding families thirst for power they arranged marriages between their children and Morde. Through the centuries the full Morde line has all become extinct. But many magical families have Morde blood in their lineage. Like any other lineage every now and then the blood lines powers come to the surface."
"Hey Harry…Oh my." Hermione gasped as she turned to her friend.
Ron who had his back to the boy-who-lived quickly turned around. And almost fell over when he saw the scene that was playing out before them. Ginny had her arms wrapped around Harry's neck with his around her waist. And they were lost in their own world their lips wondering over each others.
Hermione grabbed Ron's arm ready to stop him from attacking Harry.
But he shook it free. "It's alright Hermione. I'm not going to do anything. Sure it's a little shocking but it's Harry. If she has to be with anyone he's the best one. I know that he won't do anything to hurt her."
She was happy to hear this. Because Harry needed all the love he could get. And it sure seemed like Ginny was willing to supply.