Chapter Nine: Possessed shirts and Bloodied History

Disclaimer:

I do not own Harry Potter or anything in relation to the books. Hell I'm not even going to say the plot is mine! Just remember I'm a poor college student who lives of her parents and makes minimum wage at a low class job. I've got nothing you would want so don't sue!

Authors Note:

Oooo check it! Two chapters in two days! Now you get some history on the Nyalger! Hurrah! throws confetti This is my longest chapter yet and it is composed of a lot of information. If it's sort of confusing well that's just b/c I had no Idea how to word it! Also b/c most of this was written at 7 'O clock this morning. Heh Heh Heh… There is still so much more info I have to share, but you'll have to wait! - Well enjoy. R&R You guys are awesome! I Lurve you all!

The shirt was attacking him. Its soft stitches were trying to smother him, and the collar biting into his neck as the long row of buttons worked themselves into their appropriate holes. He hadn't tried to offend the thing; originally he'd just tried to put it on. When that failed thanks to his gargantuan wings he'd sought help from the shirts owner, a large mistake. A flick of the wand and the shirt was animated. It immediately latched itself to his face and began sliding down his body like water, only to stop when it fully covered his torso.

His wings were unconfined, and upon inspection there seemed to be slits in the back of the shirt that allowed the freedom. He was only curious as to how the shirt was to come off. If it was anything like getting it on, he wasn't so sure he wanted to remove it.

"Well, my boy, it seems you're constantly surprising us with your unique …abilities." Dumbledore… Harry glared at the old man who had previously went unnoticed. He had a strong urge to rip the man's throat out; after all it was Dumbledore that kept so many secrets from him, Dumbledore who left him with the Dursleys, Dumbledore who put him in dangerous situations all the time, and Dumbledore who killed… who killed Sirius. This man had killed his only family from his unwillingness to provide information until the last moment, and now he dare imply that Harry was the one surprising everybody; as if he planned to become some… freak! Harry's blood boiled.

There was a soft vibration (much like that on the train) echoing through-out the room and three of the four occupants were not even aware of its existence. Draco though, had noticed it almost immediately. It was almost like a fly buzzing about your ear-- more annoying than anything—tickling about inside his mind. This one, however, was different then the one previously. Its tones were deeper and it pulsed with the tension visibly in the room, between the headmaster and Potter.

"Well, Albus… I wouldn't have to keep springing surprises on you if I had all the information myself." The words were spoken in such a sassy way that Harry sounded almost childish, but to the Headmaster it was clear he'd not been forgiven for last years mistakes.

"Potter detention! You will show respect for your elders, even if I have to have you scrubbing Longbottom's cauldron for the next week!" Snape snarled at the teen, expecting to see him recoil from the strong rebuke much as he did on the train, but that was not to be. The submissive glared at him-- just like their class periods together—daring him to do worse.

"Severus it's fine. Let it be. The boy has every right to be angry at me. I'll just leave this matter in your capable hands, and go have a late breakfast." The twinkle in his eyes was dimmed, but did not recede all together. The situation could be salvaged perhaps, but only with some proper planning. Standing up from his position on a threadbare couch the headmaster made his way toward the door.

"But Headmaster…" Snape did not want to be left alone with the two brats.

"Have a good time Severus. I hope to see you in at lunch. Goodbye boys." With that the old man trotted out of the suite, leaving an aggravated potions professor to deal with the adolescence. Once the Headmaster disappeared out of sight the tones faded to a dull 'thump', and Draco gave an unconscious sigh of relief. The ringing vibrations had started to give him a headache, and the pain was drawing his attention away from the situation. The tension level in the room lowered to a manageable level and he consciously relaxed the muscles in his shoulders, sinking down into the plush chair. He watched as Harry passed him in order to sit on the vacated couch, and instead of letting him continue; Draco pulled the smaller male next to his chair urging him to sit on the floor. Unable to resist Harry dropped down and leaned against the plushy chair. Glancing over to the professor Draco petted the thick mane that was in arms reach. He wasn't about to let the potions master to threaten the submissive again.

"I see you are both falling into traditional roles, an interesting development since you are the largest rivalry the school as seen in many years. I'm just surprised you haven't killed him yet Draco." Snape assumed his teacher stance and stood barely five feet away from the boys.

"I refuse to harm someone who isn't going to fight back, Professor. I'm not like my father." Draco's words were strong and inwardly Snape was pleased at the revelation, but that would change as it had fallen to him to educate the boys.

"Did you not read anything your mother gave you over the summer?"

"I did, but…"

Snape silenced him, "You can say what you will Draco. I won't fault you for trying, but you can only suppress you instincts for so long… until you snap. The longer you wait the worse it could be; the less control over what and when you loose control." Snape's eyes bore into his godson's who had the same ashen look to him as he did in the wardrobe. Harry, however, was confused.

"Professor, exactly what will Draco loose control of?" He kneeled next to the chair crossing his arms over it plushy armrest. Snape and Draco turned to him as if they'd forgotten his presence.

"Potter do you know what a Nyalger is?" Harry made to answer but Snape cut him off, "A Nyalger (Nyalgi in plural form) is a type of rare magical species that has come close to dying out in the last two centuries. At one time they were large creatures which resembled a man with thick grey skin and feline-like grace and agility. Before they interbred with humans (and if rumors are true Elves and Veelas) Nyalgi were said to have retractable claws, slit eyes in varying shades of blue and green, long cat-like tails, slightly pointed ears, fangs, and wings. Unfortunately, since full blooded Nyalgi no longer exist these traits have mutated or been erased all together depending on the family they reside in.

Originally Nyalgi were divided into to social classes; the dominants and the submissives. It was more like a master/slave relation ship than what is usually scene today. Not much is truly known about the culture, but from the few scant records that time could not destroy; the dominant would actually buy submissives as a show of status. The more subs and children he had from them the more powerful he was in the society. Children could be sold off into 'marriages' and the dominant could bask in his wealth… or at least, that is what I have read.

What is known; however, is that dominants have a very violent nature. It was common for a submissive to be harmed or even killed it the brunt of the anger was to be directed at them. Since submissives could be pricy those from the best 'stock' were usually kept in the very best condition, while subs from poorer families were used to combat a dominant's anger. There was love between both the dominants and submissives, but very rarely was it ever acted out. Today, relationships can progress like any other. Nyalger hybrids are more in control of their emotions and physical strength, although it might take a while for newly transformed Nyalgi to reign in their instincts."

"Professor… Why exactly are you telling us all of this? I don't really understand what some mythical creature could have to do with us. Is Dumbledore trying to get them to join the light side?" Harry looked bored, and tired. Snape's monologue had been just as bad as Binn's, and that was saying something.

Draco snickered as Snape rubbed the bridge of his nose. By the Gods, were Gryffindors stupid! "Are you really that thick, Mister Potter? Surely you could have figured out that you are a Nyalger; you and of course Draco." Snape smirked as The Potter spawn paled. "…But back to the matter at hand. I am going to tell you both once. Never, EVER let someone know what you are. You remember I told you that the Nyalgi have been dying out over the last to centuries? (The boys nodded) Well, allow me to explain why.

In the mid eighteenth century a woman by the name of Desdemona Branwenn discovered that the blood of dominant Nyalgi could produce a short-lived Midas touch. When her findings were released people began hunting the Nyalgi killing off submissives and bleeding out the dominants. Soon only pockets of them remained and both the British and French ministry banned the killing of the Nyalgi. It didn't stop poachers... and even today you can find Nyalgi hybrids on the black market, but instead of murdering the submissive and bleeding out the dominant; Poachers tend to use the submissive to control the dominant.

If this happens those captured are erased from history. The ministry seems to no longer cares what happens to any captured Nyalgi; in fact it is rumored that the ministry actually plays a small part in the trading. This is only a rumor mind you, but it should not go unspoken. The ministry actually has a lot of reason to destroy the species, for you see after the hunting was made illegal those Nyalgi sought revenge on the humans who had wronged them.

Most of the history has been erased, but through oral tradition if is said that the revenge strike lasted over six months. The Nyalgi submissives would sneak into homes and murder children, and wives; taking revenge for their own that were killed, while the dominants would slaughter the husbands in retribution for destroying their property. These were the times that made up wives tales and children's nightmares.

After things calmed down the ministry collected all Nyalgi and Nyalgi hybrids and put them in a reservation like area. They were a rare magical creature so they could not be killed, but now the ministry regulates births, rations, and distributes punishments for any infractions the Nyalgi do or are thought to have committed.

It is imperative that you both remember that if anyone finds out about you unique condition, that you will be place in that confinement; stripped of everything, even your name. There will nothing anyone can do for you, and most wizards will be glad you are gone." Snape finished his story with a solemn expression. Draco looked alarmed; the books at the manor only said so much, and nothing about such a ghastly confinement area! He looked over at Harry and noticed the frightful expression on his face.

"Y...You said there are two k…kinds of Nyalger right, professor?" Snape nodded in affirmation, "Well, wh…what am I?

"Submissive..." The reply came not from Snape, but from the tow-headed Slytherin beside him. Draco's pale hand traced the contours of Harry's face lingering on the lips, before smoothing back unruly hair into a bigger mess than it was already. "…And I am a dominant."

"I really don't understand what any on this means…" Harry ducked his head to hide his blush and remove himself from the fingers combing through his hair.

"It's quite simple Potter but I am going to leave you to contemplate it another time. I do have other things to do you know, rather than babysitting you two brats." Snape made to leave.

"Professor wait, what… what about my wings I can't attend classes with them, since they would obviously attract attention."

Snape inwardly sighed, "You should be able to retract them. I believe Draco can assist you there?" His eyes slid over to Draco who nodded in consent.

"Professor…"

"Potter if you need anymore information consult the books above the mantle, or ask Draco! "

"Yes, professor."

Snape opened the door, but looked over his shoulder just before he closed the door. " Oh, Potter? Detention tomorrow night for being an annoying disrespecting brat like your father." Draco snickered as the submissive snarled at the door.