Posted: 7-20-05

A/N: Thank you all for your wonderful reviews! I'm glad all of you were happy with the dream. Don't worry, there will be much more! Up in this chapter, Professor Raenyr.

In Your Dreams
Chapter Three: Took Him In

The very next day found Draco walking early to class, foregoing breakfast. He'd had another dream about Potter last night. They were really messing up his head now. He could feel a yearning for the boy coiling his gut at the very sight of him. Seventy-some odd dreams that got increasingly more intimate, all centering on him with Potter. Did he… what should he do? He'd really like to tear his brain from his head right about now, and maybe use one of the Beaters' bats to hit it across the Quidditch pitch.

Draco thought about the other night when he'd tossed that note at Potter. 'Whatever possessed me to write that stupid thing?' He had to have read it. What did he think? Potter hadn't paid any attention to him yesterday besides in Potions. Oh, that was wonderful – he'd be paired with Potter all year.

Wait, no. It wasn't wonderful. He didn't want to be paired with Potter! Enemies! He frowned at the floor's carpet. It was hopeless wasn't it? He'd thought about this all summer, and with the dreams progressing… there was no way he could continue to fight any attraction to Potter.

Draco trudged up to the Defense classroom, which was still empty. He sat down in a desk and pulled some parchment, ink and a quill out of his bag.

To focus his rampant thoughts, he calmly dipped his quill into his ink and wrote:

Dreams all summer, now getting worse. I say I love H.
I think about H almost all the time now.
I wrote H a stupid note.
H said sorry on the train…

Draco frowned and skipped down.

My father would kill me.
The Slytherins would kill me.
H is on the hit list of the Dark Lord – relationship could be used against H.
My father would disown me.
I wouldn't be able produce an heir, therefore disappointing Father.
H is a boy.

Draco stared at the last comment he wrote before scribbling it out. It didn't really matter that Potter was male, except for the heir problem. His father also presented a major part of the problem. Draco's features twisted into a frown at the thought of his father. His father was in Azkaban right now, but how long until he broke out? Then he would probably go into hiding at the manor, or with the Dark Lord… eventually he would want Draco to join Lord Voldemort. Millicent's parents were already inside.

Draco's head dropped onto his arm on the desk as he shoved the slip into his bag with his free hand. Blast it all to hell. He wanted the most hated person by his considered side, making it damn near impossible for that to ever be a reality.

He stayed that way until the presence of another was made known. Looking up he watched quietly as Professor Raenyr exited his office and drifted around the front of the classroom. 'Watch thy enemy… or anyone suspicious,' he thought. Raenyr gave no mind to him being there early. He began writing on the board, but Draco didn't read – he'd just have to copy it later anyway.

Pansy entered the classroom, followed by the rest of the Slytherins. She swooped into a seat next to him before he could protest or have Blaise or Millie sit there. They resorted to just sitting in the other places around him.

Potter and his crones came in next, sitting on the other side of the room. He was staring intently at the new professor, amidst Weasel, Granger, Longbottom, and the other Gryffindors. Finnigan was the first to speak up when Raenyr turned to face the class.

"Are you sort of like a dementor… with a conscience? A Lethifold? Or a male banshee?" He asked without raising a hand.

"Male banshees are near impossible to come by, Mr. Finnigan. And dementors have no consciences. Have none figured it out?" Professor Raenyr questioned in a cloaking baritone – deep, melodic… haunting.

A few students glanced around, mostly to Hermione, who wrinkled her nose at them.

She raised her hand, "Please, professor… what do you do?"

"My occupation relates to my race. You wish me to be terribly honest, yes?" The question was directed to the class, as the hood opening swept left to right as if a head turned. They all nodded.

For Harry, it was different; he could see the violet eyes move over the students, stopping to burn into his with a gaze.

"Do you know, Harry Potter?" Professor Raenyr continued to stare.

The room seemed to fade away from Harry until only he and Raenyr were there. Harry's mind felt a familiar tugging sensation as he was pulled into Raenyr's mind. He saw snippets of Raenyr in a brightly lit room. He was surrounded by others Harry couldn't make out, with an indistinguishable low hum of their voices melding together. It didn't matter at the moment because Raenyr removed his hood, revealing… a black mass? His head was pitch back, like a black hole. It felt wrong to be staring at darkness clearly apparent with light all around. Slowly, the blackness wisped off like smoke, dissipating in the air, revealing a slender, pale Asian face. Soft black hair fell down to his slightly double-pointed ears. Further inspection showed light blue veins crossing and crawling all through Raenyr's skin.

Harry jerked his head back slightly, nauseous from the effort of pulling away and being slammed back into his own mind.

"A shadow," he breathed. He'd heard Raenyr in his head as clearly as if he'd been standing right next to him.

Hermione leaned over to Harry as he tried to get a grasp on his surroundings again. "Are you alright?" she whispered. He shook his head, not wanting to bring any more attention to himself. She watched him closely as Raenyr continued.

"Excellent." Raenyr nodded. "You show.. promise."

Some of the Slytherins whispered to each others, making cracks about Harry, or perhaps Raenyr but Raenyr ignored it.

"I am Professor Lain Raenyr," He finally introduced himself. "I am of a race known as Shadow Shifters. We may be considered dark and dangerous by your Ministry, but I assure you… my powers, just as yours can be used as both light and dark."

"What's a Shadow Shifter? We've never seen them in our books." Parvati called out.

"A Shadow Shifter controls the shadows. I can manifest them, and use them for cover, or shape them. I can also read into shadows," He glanced over the Slytherins as he said the next part, "In an area, or people's minds. There is much darkness in the world."

The class sat uncomfortable on that as Professor Raenyr looked around them more. Malfoy, Harry noticed, was writing something. 'He seems to be doing that a lot lately.'

"Shall we continue then? Welcome to Sixth Year Defense Against the Dark Arts. I understand your teacher last year was pretty useless." The class murmured in agreement, though the Slytherins were more discreet. ''least some of them agree Umbridge was useless… serves them right for supporting her,' Harry thought.

Raenyr paused before moving to the side of the chalkboard, which was full of writing. "There will be much more practical work this year, rest assured. There will be a larger emphasis on dueling, Dark magic, and counter-jinxes. This will include learning of the spells to be countered. And, of course, dark creatures will also be covered.

"Today, however," He paused as the class gave a collective groan. "There will be a certain amount of writing. I do not wish to read essays this year, so this will only be used as assessment. The assignment is written on the board; try to be short and concise, yet detailed. If not finished by the end of class, I expect it handed in next class." Without dismissing the class to start, Professor Raenyr simply sat down at the neglected desk near the board.

Harry looked away from the professor to the writing, reading quickly:

Personal Assessment:

1. What useful spells have been covered in previous years?
2. List any knowledge on Dark spells.
3. Dark creatures – which and what do you remember?
4. List Dueling Etiquette.
5. Any personal skills or talents, and particular areas of expertise or lack thereof. Give experience.

The list went on, but Hermione had turned to him, tearing his attention from the board. She fretted, "How can I possibly make this short? The first question alone could cover rolls of parchment!"

He shrugged, "Keep it concise? Just list the most useful." She blanched before turning back and beginning.

Harry thought over the last five years' worth of spells. The first useful spell that came to mind came with an image of Ron levitating a club to knock a troll out… He had used Expelliarmus against Voldemort… and Protego… Impedimenta…Stupify… Alohomora… Accio… Petrificus Totalus, the list went on. After another minute, Harry looked over his list and moved on to the second, listing the Unforgivables and the Slashing Curse. He knew more about certain spells and dueling mostly because of Voldemort. Maybe he'd thank him in the last battle. Maybe.

'A Shadow Shifter.. why didn't I think about that?' Draco thought as he answered the second question. Draco, however, did not know much about them; he'd only heard in passing during his parents' parties. The Ministry considered them dark creatures for good reason; Shifters' abilities could do a lot of damage in the wrong hands, something of which Voldemort was well aware of. Shaping shadows, they could form ferocious beasts or use darkness as a protective veil for attack - something of which Draco was sure now that Raenyr had used last night during the feast. And the Ministry certainly wouldn't want others to be able to see into the dark recesses of their minds; any secret could be found. But nothing of what he'd heard explained why only Potter could see his eyes.

Draco chanced a glance up to the professor's desk where Raenyr sat. What had happened to Potter, when Raenyr asked him – how had he known?

Draco looked back down to his parchment, not really seeing the words as he wrote, lost in thought.

After classes that day, Draco had plenty of reason to pay a visit to the library; Shadow Shifters and his dreams. He had an hour before dinner for research. Pulling the shoulder strap of his school bag onto his shoulder, he made his way to the library. He didn't want to waste any time by going down into the dungeons to drop his things off, especially since his last class was closer to his destination. No one impeded his path and he was able to pass into the library uninterrupted – not even by Madam Pince.

Draco moved to the back of the library, which was empty and peaceful. He slung his bag into one of the chairs and set off into the tall shelves. He didn't necessarily know what he was looking for, but the main subjects were dark creatures and dreams. He moved into the Magical Creatures section first, not really wanting to concentrate on his dreams. Then again, there wouldn't be much on Shadow Shifters probably – any books he wanted would perhaps be in the Restricted Section. 'Stop it, Draco,' he scolded himself. 'It does no good to be pessimistic from the start.' Pessimistic, but logical.

He browsed through alphabetized titles, skipping automatically to the D's after reading Albern's Alum of Ashwinders and Benyas Barnables' Bundimun, and Crups and Kornalbies. They would give nothing on Shadow Shifters. Of course, he couldn't hardly expect there to be a book entirely on Shifters. There were no books purely on dark creatures either, so he moved into Defense Against Magical Creatures. He gathered up a few compendiums and reference books there, dropping them off back at his table. He'd start reading later; right now he'd just gather up the books.

He moved onto his dreams, scanning for dream interpretation (not that he really felt they needed interpretation), picking up, grudgingly, a copy of the Dream Oracle, Into Your Subconscious, and Dreams: The Untold. He searched for potions and spell books also.

Now he had a few stacks of books – the table was swamped, really – and just twenty minutes until dinner.

"Shit, I can't go through all of this in that amount of time." He scowled. He threw himself down and opened some of the books on creatures. He skipped past the introduction and soft, fuzzy creatures, until he got to the section on dark creatures. He almost slammed the book shut then, as the section only filled five pages. No species were given by name except a few examples (werewolves and vampires) and there were certainly no detailed descriptions.

He opened up one of the reference books. After scanning through it for a few long minutes, he came upon a chapter on element manipulation, which looked promising.

Element Manipulation: Throughout the Middleages, only few wizards could manipulate natures elements… they were known as Mages. Other species than human were also able to manipulate elements. Some of the more notable and notorious species were hunted, much like the wizards and witches of the time, to a point of near-extinction…

At present day, wizards' innate elemental power has weakened as they favor magic more and created spells to make up for the loss of the elements. Other surviving species have mostly kept to themselves, favoring solitude and their own ways of life. Shadow Shifters, Aerophyrs, Mizuoni and the fabled Heliopath are believed to be such creatures.

Finally, a mention of Shadow Shifters. Draco read a bit more of the text, but it only confirmed what he'd already known – still no mention of their eyes, though. He continued searching through the books, finally finding promise in another reference book.

Harry chose not to go to the Great Hall for dinner with Hermione and Ron; instead he sat up in the Gryffindor common room alone. He didn't really feel like being around everyone. As it would turn out, The Daily Prophet was back in business with Harry Potter stories and the Department of Mysteries fiasco. Once or twice someone, 'a witness', would say Harry was going to join Lord Voldemort and was there that night to converge with multiple Death Eaters to take over the Ministry. Hermione swore up and down no one believed the stories, as they were – again – written by the one and only Rita Skeeter. Hermione's ban on her had ended over the summer, and she returned to weaving her horrid stories.

Grudgingly, Harry admitted the stories weren't so horrid if only she would leave out the 'eye witness' accounts. Rita did stick to the facts, such as that the ordeal led to the capture of several Death Eaters, but she also brought up questions about Harry like why he wasn't in school and brought extremely unwanted attention as to why they were in the Department of Mysteries in the first place.

As for how the Ministry took the news of Lord Voldemort being back for real, at the beginning of the summer they'd started running off safety pamphlets for every wizarding or Muggle-raised family. Minister Fudge was sacked at the beginning of July for putting everyone in danger for the entire year. Madam Bones was put into office until elections could be held. It was a wise choice, Harry had thought.

At present, Harry's mind was focused on the myriad of things that had happened since school started: His drawing in Transfiguration, Professor Raenyr, Malfoy surprisingly enough, and of course, the prophesy. It was always lingering at the back of his mind, coming to the forefront at the most inopportune moments.

Ruffling through his bag, he pulled out the drawing of Sirius, setting it down on his bed beside him carefully, as if the parchment would disappear. He'd never really known himself to be artistic at all – sure, he'd done a few pictures of Hedwig, but nothing this realistic or lifelike. He was sorely tempted to scratch out Bellatrix's name, make it move like other wizarding portraits and frame it. Staring down at Her name, his mind for defense started kicking in. He would have been aware of Imperius being cast on him, and he could simply fight it off. Was there perhaps a curse on his hand or quill? Suddenly, he really wished Hermione would return from dinner so he could show her.

Pushing the drawing away from him, Harry flung himself back to lie on the bed. He could indeed fight Imperius, but that wasn't what had happened in the Defense class that morning. He had seen something like in a pensieve, he was sure, or when he'd broken into Snape's mind during Occlumency lessons.

That was it, wasn't it? It was almost exactly like viewing Snape's memories, only more controlled, like Raenyr was showing him a memory. Maybe it was where the Shadow Shifters lived, in a community or something, and he'd seen some ceremony or meeting. He'd bother questioning why him, but being as he was the only one who could see Raenyr's eyes… At any rate, he was one of the first people out the door. He could feel Raenyr's eyes on him all through the lesson, and he didn't really like it. When he did glance up though, Raenyr would be looking at Malfoy.

Malfoy had been strange since school started. Not only did he write him a fairly civil note (which he wouldn't admit was shoved into his trunk instead of the garbage bin), Harry had caught him staring once or twice. Perhaps something had happened over the summer. 'Wait, Malfoy's father is in Azkaban,' Harry remembered from the train. 'Maybe without his influence, Malfoy's forgotten how to be cruel.' The thought seemed so bizarre and out of place, Harry chuckled a bit, which turned into full-fledged laughter.

"Hey," Ron stuck his head in through the door, "You haven't gone crazy on us, have you?" He stepped into the room to let the frizzy brown-haired girl with him in.

Hermione took one look at Harry and said with a small smile, "Harry, you haven't laughed like that since…"

Since before Sirius died. It hung in the air as Harry's laughter ended, making all three uncomfortable.

Harry bit into his lip before asking, "How was dinner?"

Ron perked up at the subject change, "Dinner was alright. Chicken, mashed potatoes, some type of pudding stuff. Maybe we could go down to the kitchens to get you something since you didn't eat," he suggested.

"Yeah, alright." His stomach rumbled painfully, so he added, "Want to go now then?"

Hermione made a face at the thought of forcing more labor on the House-elves, but she went with them anyway as they left for the kitchens. She noticed Harry stuff something into his pocket before leaving the room, but didn't ask about it until they reached the Moving Staircase.

"What was that, Harry?"

His hand went to his pocket, feeling the crinkle of parchment inside. "This?" She nodded. Ron kept leading them to the kitchens, intent on eating even though he'd just gotten back from dinner.

"I- In Transfiguration today, when McGonagall asked if something was wrong," He said gingerly taking the drawing out of his pocket and handing it to Hermione, "this was. I guess I drew this during the lecture, but I don't really remember it."

Hermione's eyes grew wide and she missed one of the stairs, stumbling as she looked at the parchment. Ron kept her from falling and got a glimpse of the paper. He paled slightly before continuing down wordlessly.

Harry quickly explained, "I didn't actually draw it, I think I drew the snitches and things. I definitely wouldn't do something as good as that, or write Her name."

"Do you think maybe it's something from Voldemort?" Hermione asked, continuing on without waiting for a reply. "I'll stop by the library while you two go to the kitchens… maybe there's…"

"I doubt there's a book about this, Hermione." Ron said from ahead of them.

"Maybe not about the drawing… but what do you know about Shadow Shifters?" Harry asked her.

"Little to nothing," She admitted. "Oh! What happened in Defense? How did you know what he was?"

Harry explained about the vision and Raenyr's voice talking to him in his head. Even though it had felt like minutes to Harry, it had apparently been only a few seconds to Hermione and Ron. Then he shared his thoughts with them about how it was like Occlumency lessons, leaving out breaking into Snape's mind.

"Well, this really is something to research." Hermione concluded when he was done. "I haven't been to the library all day, too… I'll see you boys later." With that, she left them at the fourth floor, going down the corridor to the library. Ron simply shook his head at her back and continued.

"You'd think she would have had a heart attack or something, not being in the library."

"Well, it's what she does, I guess." Harry commented, reaching up to tickle the pear once they got to the kitchens portrait.

"True, but it's the second day of school."

"And she probably had her heart attack last night once she realized."

Ron paused and grinned at Harry. "Too true, mate. Hey," He called out to one of the numerous House-elves running back and forth. "Could we have some of that chicken and potatoes from dinner?"

Two elves automatically pulled Ron and Harry over to a small table in the corner, sitting them down. Four more brought over two plates and heaping bowls of food.

"Are you really going to eat again?" Harry asked, seeing the bowls. He thanked them and pulled a spoonful of mashed potatoes and gravy onto his plate, picking up a chicken leg. Ron already had a heaped plate.

"Well, I didn't eat what I normally do, figuring we'd come up and drag you down here anyway." The redhead said, biting off a chunk of chicken.

"That must have given Hermione a heart attack in itself when she noticed."

"Pretty much."

Hermione opened up the library door and waved to Madam Pince, who was behind the counter reading a book. Without waiting for an answer, she made a beeline for the stacks, grabbing several books.

Once her arms were full of hard- and paperbacks, she moved precariously over to her usual table near the middle of the library. As she set them down and started going through the indexes, two at a time, a book snapping shut brought her attention off of Magic's Most Obscure Branches: Occlumency and Legilimency to the back of the library. She hadn't even noticed anyone else was in the library when she'd come in.

Back amongst the empty tables, the familiar platinum blond head was down on a book. Malfoy, Hermione thought, frowning. What's he doing here? He never usually comes into the library besides to check out a book and be on his way. She noticed how full the table was with books and wondered why he'd possibly need them all. Looking down at her own full table, she frowned even further to herself. Well, he wasn't actually doing meaningful research like she was, was he?

Upstairs in the Headmaster's office, Professor Dumbledore sat in conference with his newest Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Lain Raenyr was an old friend of his from his time defeating Grindelwald some years earlier, with whom he'd kept in contact with since. Truly, Albus managed to stay in contact with any allies he came by, as correspondence made things easier to deal with should there ever arise a need for help.

After his first class that day, with the Sixth Years, Lain had made clear that he wanted to speak with him about Harry Potter, as "something had occurred in class." Without further mention of what exactly had happened, Lain vanished for his next class. Albus had hoped that something might occur, so he would be able to propose personal lessons for Harry, but he was curious as to what that something was.

"Albus," Lain began. "Mr. Potter shows true potential. Do you know of what I speak?"

"Ah, I assume you mean his being able to See you?" Dumbledore smiled at the man.

"Yes, his being able to See… but also my class this morning. I took him in and showed him my Rite of the Shadow. Is it true what he has been through then?" Lain shifted out of the shadows where he appeared in the office, moving closer to the desk where the old wizard sat. "I suppose he can see your thestrals then."

"My dear Lain, have you not been reading the Daily Prophet? Rita Skeeter wrote last year that he could indeed see them. He has in fact, been able to since his Fourth year, when Voldemort returned." Dumbledore informed him.

"I do not read the Prophet," Lain answered as he refused a lemon drop with a shake of his hooded head.

"You as well as I know how it is possible he is able to See, and how you were able take him into your mind then."

"A dark soul has touched his mind," Lain registered. "But he is still pure, how is it possible?"

"Easily enough, Voldemort. He possessed Harry last year. He was able to fight him off though in the end due, I believe, to that same purity."

"He is merely sixteen."

"Sixteen yes, but he has met with Voldemort five times now and survived. I trust he is quite capable," Dumbledore murmured. "How did he appear afterwards?"

"Well enough." Lain answered slyly, spinning his fingers lazily in the air, dark wisps of smoke swirling off of them.

Dumbledore smiled at this, "And that is why I wish for you to teach him, Lain. You know I did not hire you just for your extensive knowledge in Defense," He continued when Lain said nothing. "We did discuss this at the beginning of the summer, the possibility of you taking on an independent student."

"We are on the same wavelength then, Albus. I was to request he be one such student. Are there others?" Lain watched the Professor with intent eyes.

"No, Harry is enough. You might wish to discuss with him however, his personal Defense club from last year. It might be beneficial to offer your assistance."

"How much does he know, Albus?" Lain asked languidly, knowing the answer from his brief visit to the boy's mind.

"He knows enough now," Dumbledore said curtly, looking past Lain's hand to his glowing eyes. "Do not play with your gifts around him, Lain."

A/N: Chapter Three done! What'd you guys think of Lain Raenyr? There was no dream in this chap, but fear not! And 52 for just two chapters! If chocolate frogs weren't so expensive, I think I'd offer you all some.

The drill, which you all know: Reviews brighten my sad days.