"Nothing is easier than denouncing the evildoer. Nothing more difficult than understanding him."
Harry Potter and the Vulkens Chapter 5 Dementors
August 25th, 1993, 2:27 am
School was about to start and Ruma had been in a sort of coma ever since the events of the chamber of secrets. Corban had taken Ruma's duties, and he had gone to New York as Severus had almost stayed by her side all summer. He had used nutritive potions, dreamless and painless potions as well as a mind restorative one that had to be taken every week at the exact same time without a single mishap for its full potential. If well used, it could take four to five months to heal a mind completely, but it depended on the wizard or witch.
Severus had fallen asleep on the chair beside her, holding her hand, and he was jerked awake, thinking he had felt Ruma's hand twitch.
''Ruma?'' Mumbled Severus, looking at her.
''It hurts.'' Said Ruma with a weak voice and her eyes still closed.
''Where? Do you want a potion for your pain?'' Asked Severus as he looked around to see if one was nearby.
''Harry…'' Said Ruma weakly.
''He's fine. Ginevra Weasley is fine too. Don't think about them, please.'' Said Severus.
''Mm… I'm tired…'' Said Ruma.
''Rest… Ruma. I'll take care of you.'' Said Severus, his voice breaking.
He let go of her hand and went to get more potions, then quickly came back.
''Sev…'' Began Ruma.
''Shh… don't talk. I'm going to give you potions before you sleep again.'' Said Severus.
Now he knew her mind was fine; he could stop the weekly ones and brew others that would help restore her physically. After he had given her the necessary potions, she had fallen asleep. In a moment of weakness, he repressed the happiness that clung to his throat as silent tears threatened to part from his eyes. He used those emotions to conjure his Patronus that had changed into a mare over the summer. One look at it and Severus had known his Patronus name for the mare was something about a Queen and had found her name after just a few days: Hera.
''She has wakened. She will be fine.'' Instructed Severus to Hera for Dumbledore, but also for Corban back in New York.
She woke up the next day after another ten hours of sleep. Severus's potions had given her enough strength to sit on her bed and eat a proper meal. Dumbledore had come to see her as Severus had left to prepare for his classes, since he had not had the chance to do so in the summer.
''Hello, Ruma.'' Said Dumbledore as he sat on her bed at her feet. ''Do you remember what happened?''
Ruma looked at the piece of scrambled egg in her plate. The feeling of Voldemort inside of her were not as vivid, but it came and went in flashes ever since she woke up.
''Until the moment I blacked out, yes… Sev told me what you told him, but nothing else.'' Said Ruma.
Dumbledore smiled and shook his head.
''I may not have told Severus everything. Just like you never told me you were an accomplished Animagus. Young Harry was very worried when you were not waking up.'' Said Dumbledore.
Ruma's cheek had reddened at the mention of her skills to be an Animagus.
''I can't believe he managed to kill a basilisk at his age… I'm sure Seth would have laughed in my face knowing how scared I was to even be down there. He truly showed immense courage…'' Said Ruma.
''Gryffindor's sword appeared for him in the sorting hat… after he killed the basilisk, he saw your runes flashing around miss Weasley and lights going to the diary you were holding in your hand. He knew instantly to stab it with the sword and destroy the…'' Said Dumbledore.
''One of Voldemort's horcruxes, isn't it?'' She interrupted him.
Dumbledore looked serious, then nodded.
''You must never reveal this information to anyone.'' Said Albus gravely.
''Hn. As if that information was supposed to be shouted everywhere. Sure, let's give a reason for wizards to live eternally by committing murder.'' She said with sarcasm.
''I know the choice you made, Ruma.'' Said Dumbledore.
''No.'' Replied Ruma.
''You prevented Severus to follow you in the chambers. Seth could have been back that night, but you chose to let Ginevra live.'' Said Dumbledore as Ruma looked away. ''No matter what you believe is good for the wizarding world, you still made those choices that define who you are. You asked me to trust you when I hired you and you have now proved to me that I can do just that.''
Ruma grabbed her fork and took a piece of egg and ate it.
''Any decent DADA teacher this year?'' Asked Ruma after several minutes.
Albus chuckled.
''Do you remember Remus Lupin?'' Asked the Headmaster.
Ruma blinked.
''How could I not? He is a marvelous man… I never knew what happened to him after the war.'' She said before frowning. ''Aren't you afraid something happens to him because of the jinx?''
''Let's hope nothing bad does happen.'' Said Dumbledore.
''At least with the wolfsbane, he will feel better each month.'' Said Ruma.
''There's something you need to know before school starts in a few days…'' Lingered Dumbledore.
Ruma looked at him, trying to guess what he could possibly announce her again.
''Please, no bad news.'' Said Ruma.
''Sirius Black escaped Azkaban.'' Said Dumbledore.
Ruma opened her mouth, then closed it again and frowned. She had never told Dumbledore what Sirius had told her, nor had she ever found any traces of Pettigrew.
''Dementors will be stationed all around Hogwarts… the ministry is scared for Harry's life.'' He added.
Ruma shook her head.
''Dementors? Harry? What? No! Sirius is innocent, Albus.'' Said Ruma.
''Innocent? Wasn't he the sole reason James and Lily Potter were murdered?'' Asked Dumbledore.
''NO! Pettigrew was the secret keeper, and they did not tell anyone! I was not able to find that retched rat yet!'' Said Ruma.
Dumbledore stood up and placed a hand on hid chin in thoughts.
''I thought… because of his brother and his love to you…'' Began Dumbledore before starting to pace in the room. ''I was… blinded…''
''Sirius will never hurt Harry! If he escaped, that only means he knows where Pettigrew is! Only his lust for revenge would have made him escape Azkaban! Did you speak with Anton or Greisha?'' Asked Ruma.
Dumbledore sighed.
''They will be at Hogwarts for the time the dementors stay here. Greisha did tell me he escaped when the security was at its lowest.'' Said Dumbledore. ''She… was not happy to speak to me.''
''Probably because she blames you of what happened to me. If I see Sirius at Hogwarts, you do know I will not stop him and I will help him in any way I can!'' Said Ruma.
Dumbledore stayed silent for a moment then went back to her.
''I believe… that my faith in you is again tested, Ruma.''
OoOoO
September 1st, 1993
After a welcoming chorus from several students, Dumbledore went in front of the staff table, his hands up in the air.
''Welcome, welcome to another year at Hogwarts! Now, I would like to say a few words before we all become too befuddled to our excellent feast. First, I'm pleased to welcome Professor R.J. Lupin, who's kindly consent to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Good luck, Professor!'' Said Dumbledore, gesturing towards Lupin who stood up and the students clapped for him. ''As for the teacher for Care of Magical Creature, Mr. Kettleburn, has decided to retire and take care of his remaining limbs. Fortunately, I'm delighted to announce, his place will be taken by none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid.''
Again, claps and cheers were heard as Hagrid stood up, moving the table with his belly, and making students laugh. When the claps died down, Dumbledore took a more serious tone.
''Finally on a more describing note, as a request to the ministry of magic, Hogwarts will and unto further notice, play host to the dementors of Azkaban, until such a time of the capture… of Sirius Black. The dementors will be stationed to every entrance to the grounds. Now, whilst I've been assured that their presence will not disrupt our day-to-day activities… A word of caution, dementors are vicious creatures. They will not distinguish the ones they hunt and the ones that get in their way. Therefore, I must warn each and everyone of you: give them no reason to harm you. It is not in the nature of a dementor to be forgiving… Now, a word with Professor Vulken.'' Said Dumbledore, gesturing towards her.
Ruma stood and students clapped for her, making her confused until she heard several of them say they were glad she was better. She took Dumbledore's place who briefly touched her shoulder before moving aside.
''Thank you… really. What happened last term… was horrible, and I want to personally thank Harry Potter to have ended that threat, and possibly even save me, when I could not.'' Said Ruma and claps were done again for him. Even some Slytherins had softly clapped for him. ''But I did not only come up front to speak about what is passed… For those who followed my Magical Defense class, you know what dementors are. For those who have read the vampire book, also does. That is the reason why… I must present you Anton and Greisha, two vampires that will stay at Hogwarts as long as dementors get to stay here too.'' Said Ruma.
The two vampires had been standing by a wall behind the teacher's table. Whispers were heard as they walked towards Ruma and stood at her side.
''You may have heard horror stories when you were younger, especially if you are muggleborn. They are not bloodthirsty creatures that only thinks about harming anyone they cross. They are exactly like any person in this room with a different food plan. They may not harm you, but any school rules being broken and seen by them could be reported. Thank you.'' Finished Ruma before taking back her seat.
Anton and Greisha walked between the two center house tables towards the exit door. Anton had a grin on his face and winked at several giggling girls as he passed by.
''Anton.'' Warned Greisha.
''Whaaaaaat?'' Whined Anton as they passed the door which closed behind them.
The students brought back their attention to the Headmaster.
''Bon appetite!'' Said Albus with a smile and the feast appeared everyone on the table.
OoOoO
September 2nd, 1993
''From how far you think he can hear us?'' Said George to his twin.
''From how far you think he can smell us?'' Replied Fred with a grin.
Anton heard the Weasley twins, hiding behind a wall by the front of the castle. They were about fifteen meters away and he could clearly hear them as if they were whispering beside his ear. Their frenetic and excited heartbeats resonated in his head. His Queen had forbidden him to feed on any underaged student, and it was the only order she had given him ever since Seth was gone. When Seth had ordered Gellert's childes to never look at a child, to feed, capture or kill any underaged, it had affected Anton too, even if he had never done such a thing, until he was gone.
The most dangerous of Gellert's childes were the wizards of his former alliance, and they were all killed. The others had been muggles, now vampires, and were working for diverse governments, mostly in the USA and Africa. Anton stayed unmoving and silent, curious as to what the twins were going to try.
''You think he'd be mad if we throw a dung bomb at him?'' Asked George.
''How fast can you run, George?'' Asked Fred.
''Faster than a vampire, you'd reckon?'' Asked George.
''I know! We could use brooms.'' Said Fred.
''You think they can turn into bats?'' Asked George.
''Of course not, Ruma never said such think in her classes.'' Said Fred.
''Where's that Greisha woman?'' Asked George as he looked at the Marauder's map.
Fred looked at the map with him.
''In the gardens.'' Said Anton behind their shoulders which made them scream and fall down.
Anton laughed loudly.
''Damn. That far, I tell you George.'' Said Fred.
George stood up with a laugh.
''Nah, he smelled you.'' Said George.
''Pranksters, aren't you dear boys?'' Said Anton, licking his lips. ''I love jokes… I'd love to join you in your shenanigans anytime you'd like! There's no better than me!'' He assured them. ''Now, what is a dung bomb?''bri
Fred and George shared a look that promised lots of funny jokes around with someone like Anton.
OoOoO
September 3rd, 1993
In her class for the third years, she spoke about how Voldemort had used giants at the beginning of the first wizarding war that happened in Britain. She spoke about their culture first and how giants behaved and a small part of their history even if she was not the DADA teacher. She loved to explain in detail the reason behind the history. She had created a cloudy replica of the village in France that had been attacked and the pathway deatheaters had used approximately to get to them. Cloudy images of giants moved down the reduced size mountain they could have been going down from.
''These events begun in 1970, when Tom Riddle's name changed to be more known as Voldemort.'' Said Ruma as several grimaces were made anytime she pronounced the Dark Lord's name, but she always ignored them. ''Your parents have all learned to fear his name, for a formidable foe he had been for all wizards. He gained allies with the giants for they wished to have more land and more freedom, like any person would want for their people.'' Said Ruma as she observed the students reactions. They were all absorbed by what she said. ''But they were also very dangerous and easy to follow a dark leader with such promises since the ministry feared them.''
She moved the cloudy images with her wand, swirling the mist, and making it change for a burning village.
''There were no survivors that night.'' She said darkly. ''The skills of the deatheaters present at that time were astounding. They could hide the entire village by placing wards all around it. They gradually moved from villages to villages, until one day, a deatheater or perhaps, Voldemort himself, found a way to transport the giants from France to Britain, creating the original chaos he wanted all along…''
Hermione raised her hand and Ruma pointed at her to let her speak.
''Do you know what way of transport that was used?'' Asked Hermione.
''From the information I was able to gather, it was a modified portkey. To hold so many giants without a splinch is a truly remarkable feat of magic.'' Said Ruma.
''Wouldn't an item like that be invented in the department of mysteries?'' Asked Hermione.
''You are right, Hermione. Although I do not have any proofs, nor does the ministry, but a clever deatheater named Augustus Rookwood worked there for many years working in the shadows for Voldemort. He is known to have created many things for him, as well as passing along information. He is now in Azkaban.'' Said Ruma.
The class had ended, and the students clearly would have wanted to know more. She bid them good-bye and began to clear the mist in the class when she noticed Harry Potter had lingered behind.
''Professor, can I ask you a question?'' Asked Harry.
Ruma sat by the window's edge.
''Anything, Harry.'' Said Ruma.
''Uh… back in the train, dementors attacked it and I… fainted.'' Asked Harry.
''So I've heard. Dementors are terrible creatures.'' Nodded Ruma.
Harry scratched his head, looking embarrassed.
''Yeah… I heard… a woman screaming before I fainted. I thought about it a lot…'' Began Harry.
''You wonder why dementors would affect you more than your peers? The answer simply relies into your past. Not many children would have lived what you did. Even if you were only one year old…'' Said Ruma, swallowing while she remembered holding Harry so tightly while his mother laid dead in front of him. ''The woman... was probably your mother, Harry.'' She added with a sad tone.
''Did you know her?'' Asked Harry with curiosity.
Ruma smiled warmly.
''I did… but maybe not as much as I should have… you see, your mother was two years older than me, and so was your father and his friends.'' Said Ruma.
''So you were a student here. What house were you in?'' Asked Harry with interest.
Ruma shared an amused look.
''Would you believe that a muggleborn like me was in Slytherin?'' Said Ruma.
Harry's eyes went wide in surprise.
''You?'' Asked Harry. He was lost in thoughts for a moment. ''Professor… back in the chamber… Tom Riddle, well Voldemort, said some things about you and about someone called Seth.'' Said Harry pensively.
''What things?'' Asked Ruma worryingly.
''He… he kept speaking about how Seth was his possession and how you were bound to obey him one way or another.'' Said Harry.
Ruma looked outside before answering him.
''There was a time… where it was true. You can be assured that it will never be the case anymore.'' Said Ruma.
''Did you… did you know Sirius Black then?'' Asked Harry.
Ruma was about to answer him, but Severus entered the classroom holding a potion vial in hand.
''Potter, your other class is about to start. I'm sure Professor Vulken has better things to do than listen to your ramblings.'' Sneered the potion professor.
Harry stayed silent and shook his head.
''We can talk another time, Harry, go to class.'' Said Ruma.
Harry looked at Ruma taking the potion from Severus and wondered for a second what it could be. He grabbed his bag slowly, then walked towards the door.
''How long do I have to take this?'' Asked Ruma before gulping down the potion.
''At least another three weeks.'' Replied Severus softly.
Harry was almost out of the room when he heard Snape speak to her. Never did he think it was possible to hear someone like Snape speak softly to another being. This made him wonder what kind of relation they had as he walked to his other class. If she had been a Slytherin just like Snape, then they had known each other for a very long time.
OoOoO
Care of Magical Creature class
Regulus was very impressed by any majestic creatures. He also found the book Hagrid made them buy very funny, and he had been the only one without restraints on his book since he had figured out how to open it in the summer and had already read it all.
''Why didn't you tell me?'' Asked Malfoy about the book.
Regulus chuckled.
''Because I thought it'd be funny to see your expensive clothes ripped off.'' Laughed Regulus.
''Git.'' Replied Malfoy as he nudged his friend's arm. ''Hey, Potter! You think this oaf's class will teach you how not to faint beside a dementor? Wait until my father hears about this.'' Said Draco as Harry passed in front of him.
''Shut up, Malfoy.'' Said Harry, stopping with Ron and Hermione beside him.
''Ooooh.'' Said Several Slytherins around Malfoy.
Draco gave his bag to Crabbe, then walked with a haughty demeanor towards Harry before faking fear, pointing behind Harry.
''Dementor, dementor!'' Said Draco.
All the students gasped and looked where Draco was pointing to reveal nothing. When they looked back at Draco, four Slytherins including Draco had their cloaks over their head and mimicked dementors while they booed and waved fingers.
Hermione grabbed Harry and sneered at Malfoy. Neville had pieces of clothes ripped off by the book.
''You are supposed to stroke it.'' Said Ron.
''Yeah…'' Replied Neville
Hagrid cleared his throat to bring the attention to him and presented them with a Hippogriff.
''Hagrid, what is that?'' Asked Ron.
''You really don't read, Weasel. That's a Hippogriff. Very proud and amazing creatures.'' Said Regulus.
''Um… Yeah, exactly, Mr…?'' Asked Hagrid.
Draco laughed as he nudged again Regulus.
''Seriously… Regulus Black… Sir.'' Said Regulus quietly.
Regulus knew how not to gain attention, usually, but this time he had slipped because of his love for this kind of class and now everyone, except Slytherins, would bug him because of his uncle.
''Black? How could we have forgotten that?'' Said Seamus.
Whispers rose and Regulus rolled his eyes. Harry looked at him differently and was about to ask a question when Hagrid cleared his throat again.
''Can we get back to my class, please? This is Buckbeak, and hippogriffs are very proud, like Mr. Black said. Easily offended, so you do not want to insult a hippogriff, and it could be the last thing you ever do.'' Said Hagrid before clapping his hand together. ''Now, who would like to say hello?'' He added before turning and throwing a dead ferret at Buckbeak who caught it and ate it in one gulp.
The students behind Harry took a few steps back, and when Hagrid turned towards them, he thought Harry was a volunteer. Regulus would have wanted to go but restrained himself. Perhaps he could go after Harry.
They looked at Potter who managed to bow and get bowed at before he could touch the hippogriff, then even get to ride it. When he got back from the flight, Regulus saw jealousy on Malfoy's face.
''Draco…'' Mumbled Regulus, but Draco stormed between students then went directly to Buckbeak and insulted it.
As predicted, Buckbeak went high on his back legs and hit Draco before Hagrid could intervein. Hagrid grabbed Draco and dismissed the class. Regulus pouted, then went towards Buckbeak carefully. Buckbeak turned towards him with attention. Regulus bowed his head respectfully which Buckbeak answered by doing the same.
''What are you trying to do, Black?'' Spat Ronald not too far from them. ''Hagrid said the class is dismissed.''
Regulus ignored him and placed a hand, palm up, towards the Hippogriff and Buckbeak went closer to be pet by him.
''It so happens, Weasel, that I love magical creatures, and this is my favorite class, no matter who teaches it.'' Replied Regulus with a sneer.
The other students had left.
''We should leave, Harry.'' Said Hermione.
''You are not like the others…'' Said Harry.
Regulus went towards Buckbeak's wings and scratched between feathers. Buckbeak did several weird sounds and Regulus smirked.
''Of course not, my father is not Lucius Malfoy. It makes the whole difference.'' Answered Regulus.
''Who is your father?'' Asked Harry as Buckbeak laid on the ground.
''Regulus Black is my father. I bear the same name.'' Answered Regulus before jumping on Buckbeak. ''My parents are dead too if you want to know.'' He looked at Ron with disdain. ''As for Sirius Black, he is my uncle, but I've never seen him, so…'' He added before tightening his heels at Buckbeak, making him run away and fly. ''YEAAHHHHHH''
''He's a snake, Harry. With a murderer as an uncle, he is sure not to be trustable.'' Said Ron.
''Well… didn't Professor Vulken said she was his godmother? She's not that bad. Perhaps she raised him? And that would be why he's not… as detestable as Malfoy. Last year… he knew we used Polyjuice, and we were not punished for it.'' Said Harry.
''That is weird, indeed.'' Said Hermione pensively.
OoOoO
September 10th, 1993, Dining hall
Ruma drank from her glass which contained orange juice and she knew right away something was wrong. She looked at Severus, who was the only one who drank that too, then bursted in laughter. They now both had bright pink hair. She heard Severus swore as students laughed in the dining hall. He immediately got up with his orange juice and walked to his office, of that she was sure, to make an antidote.
Ruma did not mind it, and she had a hunch it was the Weasley twins but as she looked at them, she saw Anton snickering beside them, and he made a wink. She threw hair behind her shoulder and batted her eyes.
''Ooh, don't I look divine?'' Said Ruma with a honey voice.
''YES, YOUR MAJESTY!'' Yelled Anton before a bow.
More laughter erupted in the hall. When the laughs went back down, owls sored through the air, dropping mail and goodies. Ruma caught the Newspaper and began to read it. As she read through the same line as other students, someone did yell that Sirius Black had been sighted in Dufftown the previous day. Maybe she should investigate and try to know why he tries to come to Hogwarts, since everybody thought he was after Harry, while in fact, he might just be looking for Pettigrew. If that was the case, Ruma knew there were at least two dozen rats owners in this school, and they could be anywhere in the castle. Her thoughts were interrupted by arguing by the Gryffindor and Slytherin table.
''What if Regulus helps that monster in? He's a Black!'' Said Seamus.
''I don't know that man! I was only a year old when they placed him in prison! Besides, he hated my father and my whole family hated him anyway.'' Replied Regulus angrily.
''Ooh, it's hot in here!'' Said Anton with an amused smile.
''Why was he hated? Wasn't the Blacks renowned to follow You-Know-Who?'' Asked Ron.
Regulus stood up this time, pissed off.
''The Blacks are a very, large, family! Hell! I'm even related to you, Potter. Should we just put everyone in the same large basket, huh?'' Said Regulus as he looked at Harry, then at Ron. ''Weasleys and Potters, supporters of the Dark Lord! Like a big, happy, family.'' He spat before closing his book, grabbing his bag, and walking away.
They all stayed silent for a moment, following Regulus with their gaze.
''So, why was he hated then?'' Repeated Ron.
Ruma had walked to them and crossed her arms.
''Because, on the contrary of everyone's belief, Sirius was cast out of the Black's family by his mother because he went to live with Harry's great grand-parents.'' Said Ruma.
''What? Why not my grand-parents?'' Asked Harry, suddenly regretting the question.
''They were killed by deatheaters when James Potter was barely a few days old.'' Said Ruma.
She saw a renewed fury in Harry's eyes towards deatheaters, and she felt sorry for how destroyed his family had been because of Voldemort.
''So, Sirius Black turned on Harry's family?'' Asked Hermione.
All eyes were on her. Her pink hair were probably reducing her credibility.
''No, Hermione. Sirius would have never betrayed his best friend.'' Said Ruma.
''Best friend?'' Asked Harry.
''Then why would he try to kill Harry?'' Asked Ron.
Ruma closed her eyes and sighed before opening them again.
''He's not here for Harry. He's looking for the real traitor and no student here are in danger.'' Said Ruma.
Disbelief whispers came around.
''Why should we believe you? Aren't you a Black too, like you said?'' Asked Harry, still angry from the new information he had just received.
''I might look young and perhaps I'm too friendly with you but let me remind you that I'm still a teacher, Harry. You don't have to believe me, but it will only make you fear a man that you should like very much instead.'' Said Ruma quietly.
Harry's cheek had gone red from embarrassment.
''I'm sorry, Professor.'' Said Harry.
''On another note, don't drink orange juice this morning.'' Chimed Ruma with a grin before leaving.