ebtwisty9: This has a lot on Blair.. and her faults. I couldn't leave poor Lupin out.. I like him too much- lol!
truthflame: Thanks for the complements. my school is coming up soon...
Evergreem Scepter: Yes, Dumbledore is famous for trust ...that is an important fact for this story.
PsychicLunar: It was pretty easy to tell it was a dream, I tried to make it that way so no one got confused... well Blair isn't the nicest person as you will see here...
§
The morning of the next day came, and with it came Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts.
"Today we will be working with a minor healing potion. I trust you all can still read." Professor Snape began his class. "Then follow the instructions on the board. You have the entire lesson."
Harry's mind was no where near the potion as he chopped roots. He kept thinking of his dream, Lupin, and the phoenix he know knew to be Daemon; Professor Blair's phoenix. Why would her phoenix come to him? How did it come to him? He wasn't surprised that the strange teacher had a phoenix in truth, but he still had no idea why her phoenix would come to him. Did she know about it?
"Potter!" Snape's hissing voice drew him out of his thoughts. "Are you still capable of reading?"
Harry was in no mood to be lectured. "Yes,"
"Then please read to me how many stirs are supposed to go clockwise." He replied coldly.
Harry glared back at him and replied stonily. "Seven"
"And how many times have you stirred your potion?"
He had no idea how many times he had stirred his potion, but he would not let Severus know that. "Six," He lied.
"Really, because if in truth you have stirred it six times then this potion would be a pale blue, but if you stirred it more then seven it would be dark brown. Potter, tell me the color of your potion." Snape ranted as the whole dungeon listened.
Harry felt his cheeks redden a bit as he replied bitterly, "Brown."
"So that makes you a lier and a pathetic student. What great traits you inherited from your father." Snape spat.
"My father was twice the person you are!" Harry shouted before he could contain himself.
The greasy-haired Professor rounded on him. "I am well aware that you have no rules while under the influence of Professor Kryeen," He emphasized professor. "But while you are in my classroom you will follow the rules and hold your tongue."
Harry glared daggers back and then someone else whispered, "Well at least Professor Blair can look into a mirror without it shattering!"
Snape snapped up and looked wildly around the class. "Who said that?"
No one answered.
"Detentions for everyone in that side of the room," He pointed madly to the back. "And If I here another comment then I shall feed each of you your own truth potion to find the culprit!" He breathed slowly. "Besides, I can at least do more then look at a mirror."
No one spoke the rest of class.
§
"Well, how are we today?" Blair greeted them.
Roars and groans greeted her.
"Great," She said with a playful smile.
"Professor, Snape made fun of you!" A student said.
"Did he now?" Professor Kryeen asked smoothly.
"Yes, well... he told us that he was a better teacher... and then someone said that at least you could look in a mirror without shattering it... and then he said that at least he could do more then just look at a mirror." He replied.
A very different kind of fire seemed to burn in her golden eyes as she listened, making her look almost crazy.
"Well then I suppose I shall just go to have a chat with Severus about how he is talking to me around the students," Blair walked to the door. "You are free to come."
Everyone exchanged glances and quietly filed out of the classroom.
§
"Severus," Professor Kryeen flowed into the dim dungeon carrying a light of her own. "What an odd place to teach in," She seemed to comment to herself.
The entire class turned to you. They seemed like first or second years, a mixture of Gryffindor and Slytherin.
"Blair," Snape hissed between his teeth. "And what do I owe the pleasure of your lovely company?"
For the first time since entering, they locked eyes. Snape gave her a look of disgust and loathing. She glared back at him with contempt and annoyance. Tension seemed to ooze from the room as the short silence was disrupted.
"I was just talking to a student and they said that you told them some horrible lies about me. Is that right, Severus?" She seemed to spit the word out like it was contagious.
"Oh, no Blair. I didn't lie about you." He replied silkily.
A small gasp went up from the smaller students.
Kryeen didn't yell at him, she didn't stomp off, she didn't curse him to oblivion. Instead, she gave a small, dangerous smile and the mad fire danced lightly in her eyes as she strode slowly around the edge of the room.
"Why would you spend time talking about me, Severus when the students have yet to hear about you." Blair began smoothly. "I mean, there is much to say." She seemed to be talking half to herself. " Like how you use fear to manipulate the weak-minded students... and how you try to intimidate everyone around you so you can control them..."
Snape's body was tense, his eyes blazing furiously as they followed her along the walls. No one dared to disrupt her.
"You find a need to have power of people so they don't realize your obvious faults... You are so wrapped up in protecting yourself from other people that you forget to live. You would rather have everyone hate you then to let someone in..." Blair ranted on, seemingly oblivious to the rest of them. "Tell me Severus, what do you hide? Are you jealous because Dumbledore likes others... or are you jealous at the people able to live?"
Snape cracked, with a roar he raised his wand to her. Kryeen moved back a step with incredible reflex just before the spell hit. The stone was charred and blackened where it had hit.
"What's wrong?" She whispered, "Angry?"
Snape shot another spell at her. "You know nothing of me you, ignorant, filthy worm!"
This time, he had to dodge a spell Blair sent flying at him. "Did I hit a tender spot?" Kryeen screeched.
"You are nothing! You are a pretty doll that the Headmaster took in to save other people from being sickened by you!"
She just laughed madly and threw her head up, throwing a spell that made a large gash form around the Professor's cheek and having one skim by to graze her head, sending a thin trickle of vivid red liquid down her hair. She sent another spell and just managed to duck behind a table before Snape's next one hit.
Unfortunately, the mis-placed spell hit Neville instead. With a scream he fell off his chair, squirming in agony.
"Were we playing with that Severus? Crucio?" Blair asked as the fire returned to its home, and she gave him a tauntingly daring smile. She was pushing him to break again.
Instead, Snape took breaths like a mad bull and threw Neville onto Hermione. "Take him up to the Hospital Wing!" He snarled before striding out of the room.
The spell stopped and Neville fell against her, crying and moaning.
No one spoke for a time, until Professor Kryeen said, "Well that was amusing," and walked back to her room.
§
The rest of the Gryffindor followed Hermione to the Hospital Wing, where the entire story was overheard by Madam Pomphrey.
"Hm, disgraceful... two professor's fighting... what was she doing, waltzing in on him like that?"
It seemed like the old nurse took the side of Snape, unlike most of the Gryffindor students. Harry wondered if any teacher liked her. But after what he saw today he couldn't blame her. Hermione and Ron were arguing. Hermione accused Blair of being immature and trying to cause trouble. Ron thought she was great to stand up to that 'greasy-haired git'. Harry had to agree with Hermione. As good as it felt for Snape to get hit and humiliated, Professor Kryeen had come to cause trouble... and Neville had gotten hurt in the middle of it. He was disrupted from his thoughts by a gentle tap on his shoulder.
Albus Dumbledore stood behind him, his face grim and worried. "Harry, will you and Ms. Granger... and Mr. Weasely follow me?"
He nodded, wondering why Dumbledore wanted him as he signaled for Ron and Hermione to follow him.
As they walked out he saw a very angry and concerned Professor McGonogall walk by muttering under her breath.
§
The trio sat down in the round office, and saw a very disgruntled and fuming Professor Snape sitting on a chair.
A few minutes later the door slid open and Professor Kryeen slid in, the smile of victory and taunting still on her crimson lips as she looked up almost bored at the Headmaster sitting silently behind his desk.
"You called me, I assume you have a good reason." She said as she walked easily over to them.
Dumbledore looked at her with a mixture of mistrust and wariness, but it was gone quickly.
"Yes, why don't you take a seat?"
"I prefer to stand," She replied with a faint hint of annoyance.
Harry had never heard anyone talk to Dumbledore like that. He felt a small amount of anger bubbling up in him.
"Well then I am sure you both know why I called you to my office." Albus peered at her and Severus.
"I will not even try to fathom your reasoning Albus." Blair commented.
"Do not talk to the Headmaster like that you insolent brat!" Snape rounded on her.
"Severus, enough." Dumbledore waved his hand, but Kryeen was wearing that devilish smile.
"I have called you here because Pompey had informed me that a student is in the Hospital Wing due to to a curse cast upon him; and it had something to do with both of you. Now, Harry, Ms. Granger, Mr. Weasely; please tell me exactly what happened."
Hermione gave her tale with obvious disgust at both of her Professor's; which warranted an amused look from Blair and a glare of loathing from Snape. Ron told a very biased account of Snape being a wretch. Harry told his story, with hate toward Severus, but no kindness to Professor Kryeen. After the way she had addressed Dumbledore he had begun to dislike her.
After all three tales were told there was a pause in which the Headmaster eyed both Professor's.
"Severus, I am afraid that you must explain this to Mr. Longbottom's grandmother. You must also refrain from every drawing your wand in the potion's room." He looked down with disappointment, and Severus seemed to stiffen under it as he nodded slowly.
"Blair, I must ask you to never go near the dungeon's again. I cannot have you bickering with Severus." He spoke with authority that hushed the students, but seemed to have no affect of the fiery woman other then to light the crazed fire into her eyes again.
Blair leaned forward to the Headmaster, her poise taut and challenging.
For the first time, Harry felt a small pang of fear enter his heart as he looked at her. Her gold-to-red hair was flecked with blood, and the deadly fire danced in her eyes, giving her an inhuman appearance. The hard muscles of her exposed arms seemed to stiffen under the smooth skin and raw power seeped from her.
"No one, no one," She gave a deadly whisper. " Commands me, Headmaster." Blair spat the word in mockery. "I do as I please, do not forget that. You may go tell the pathetic little cronies what you want; but you have no power over me." The golden orbs searched his face for a sign of resistance. "Never forget that."
Harry was tense, ready to jump at her back if Kryeen showed signs of hurting Dumbledore.
The intensity of the room slacked as she twirled around and strode out the door, slamming it shut like a child.
Dumbledore gave a small sigh and sat wearily back in his chair.
"Headmaster if you only were to dismiss her.. I am sure you could find a substitute..." Severus spoke calmly again.
"I have already given you my opinion on this matter, Severus." Dumbledore replied softly. "You are dismissed.
Severus nodded and glided out of the room. None of the teenagers moved.
"Professor Kryeen is a very complex character." Albus said finally. "I do not understand all of her motives, but I do know that she is a poor judge in character. Do not take to heart anything you have heard her say." His blue eyes flickered to each of them. "And I must ask you not to give her your full trust... ever."
They nodded and at a wave from Dumbledore, began to exist through the door. Harry lingered for a moment.
"Professor- has she ever..." He wasn't sure how to ask this.
Albus gave him a small smile and his blue eyes twinkles for a moment. "Professor Kryeen has never layed a hand on me, despite all of her threats Harry; although I do appreciate the concern. That is one of the reasons she is still here... now, go on to your class Harry. Have a good day."
With his confusing word's ringing in his head; Harry walked to the Greenhouse.
§
A/N-Sorry for the delay, I have been really busy. I couldn't figure out how to spell Pompey's last name. If I spelled it wrong please tell me. Thanks everyone and... please review.