The Raptor and The Raven
Chapter 9: A Pact Made & The Raptor's wings
All the teachers were up at daybreak to run through their final checks.
Toboe and Lucius had decided to enter the hall after all had been sorted and seated,Lucius watched as Toboe conjured a Seal for their classroom floor. Toboe finally lowered her wand and smirked. The seal was beautiful, It had at its center a shield with a sword piercing it. The sword was highland battle blade so it was large and the guard was covered with Celtic knot work. Surrounding that was the two creatures representing both of them.
A beautiful dragon stood to the right side, Lucius had never seen the type of dragon before it was an American fighting dragon. One wing was extended to back the seal as the other was folded. In its teeth it held a wand. Lucius allowed his eyes to follow the extended wing until he saw the creature Toboe had chosen as her symbol. It was a massive wolf with feathered wings one was also extended to touch the Dragon's wing, The wolf stood on its hind legs its left fore-paw was on the hilt of the sword with the sheath strapped across its side just visible beneath its folded wing.
"Good seal Toboe who told you I favored dragons?"Lucius drawled. "No one told me anything Lucius I based it on the fact your son is named Draco." they chuckled and separated to finish their own last minute preparations.
--Black manor two days ago--
Hermione was frantic with worry that she couldn't find Toboe. She went to Remus who had returned early that morning. "Remus have you seen Toboe?"she asked. "Yes Hermione, Dumbledore put her in a safe place she can run."Hermione was shocked,Her best female friend gone. "But why?"Tears built up in her eyes. "Toboe is just like the wolves she calls family, She would go insane cooped up here with Sirius and the others until one of the breaks."Hermione nodded at Remus' wisdom. "you'll see her sooner then you think Hermione, but she is happy she has miles of land to run and roam."Hermione hugged Remus and he patted her head.
Hermione packed her stuff for Hogwarts and drug herself down to dinner that
night. He sat between Draco and Harry. "Whats up Hermes?" Draco said. He had picked the nick name up from Toboe. "Toboe's gone. Professor Dumbledore moved her to a place she could run, Remus said she was happy but we will see her soon." Hermione said her head down so they couldn't see her tears. Harry saw one hit her hand and hugged her. "If Remus said we'll see her soon then he means it. Hermione Remus has never lied." he said. Molly called for an early bed time to try and beat the morning frantic. (An: Yeah Right)
The morning broke clear and bright but the rush had already started Ron forgot to pack and had a shoe tossed at him by his mother when she found it at last. Everyone piled into the ministry provided transport. And they ran head first through the barrier. Mrs. Weasley hugged and handed them wrapped snacks. Draco had snuck onto the platform and stored his trunk and headed for the Slytherin part of the train. He found his friend Blaze Zambini and spent his train ride there.
Hermione was ready to hex Ron after he said something nasty about Toboe. When he called her an animal Hermione silenced him with her wand. "Don't ever call her that!" Hermione refused to say another thing until they arrived that evening. As they crammed into the carriages they saw Draco ahead of them and he surprised them by giving them a finger wave. Hermione smiled at him before glaring at Ron. The great hall was bright and warm. She noticed that there were three empty places at the head table, and Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling brightly.
As the new first years were sorted Dumbledore stood and the hall quited.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. We have three new Professors this year. To take on Defense against the Dark Arts is Professor Remus Lupin!"The Gryffindor table went nuts as Remus stood and blushed."We have decided to add Dueling to the core classes this year for fifth years and above, also we are going to be having a talent show. Everyone will be participating including the staff."
The whole school cheered. "Now let my introduce your Dueling professors and we can tuck in."The door opened and the students whipped around. "May I Present Professors Lucius Malfoy and Toboe Wolfwalker." The Slytherins went nuts when Lucius was called. Hermione was stunned. Harry cheered. "Now we have someone who we can talk to on staff besides Remus." He said as Toboe and Lucius took their places at the head table. Toboe sat between Remus and Severus with Lucius on the other side of his friend.
Toboe looked at Hermione, she smiled and raised her head slightly to indicate her pride. "She is happy Harry look at her." Harry watched Toboe smirk at him and then turn to pester the two smirking Slytherins sitting on either side of her into conversation. As Hermione climbed into bed she was in a great mood that she had found her friend and that Toboe was happy.
--Breakfast--
Harry got up took a whiz, grabbed a shower and got dressed. Before heading down stairs,Ron was already there waiting for Hermione. "Morning Ron."he said yawning. "Morning Harry."he replied half asleep. Hermione bounced down the stairs in such a good mood the boys winced."Come on guys lets eat." Hermione led them down the flights of stairs and into the great hall. Professor McGonagall handed them there schedules.
Hermione read hers and chuckled, for it went like this.
Monday:
Transfigurations-----------------Professor McGonagall
Defense Against the Dark Arts----------------Professor Lupin
D. Charms---------------Professor Flitwick
Tuesday
D. Potions-------------------Professor Snape
Herbology---------------------Professor Sprout
D. Dueling--------------------Professor Malfoy & Professor Wolfwalker
Wednesday
D. Herbology------------------Professor Sprout
Charms----------------Professor Flitwick
Dueling-----------Professor Malfoy
Combat---------------Professor Wolfwalker
Thurs: see Tuesday
Fri: See Wednesday
D=Double lessons
Hermione heard Ron whimper and knew that he had seen Wednesday. "well Ron at least its not Monday." Harry sympathized.
As they rushed off to class Hermione couldn't wait to see what Toboe had in store for them.
--Wednesday--
Ron was sweating bullets even he didn't know what it meant. As they walked towards the Dueling classroom, he was trying to think of a way out. As they walked in they saw the seal and even the Slytherins gaped at it. Professor Malfoy walked in. "you need nothing but your wands, everything else over there."he pointed to the coat racks. Hermine caught Draco's eye and smiled, the young man looked so proud of his father. "Welcome to Dueling and Wandless Combat."
The voice came from behind Lucius' left shoulder. The class watched Toboe as she walked forward to stand next to Lucius. "You will come in leave all but your wands in the closet and be out on the floor when we walk in."Toboe said as she walked around and between the students, unknowingly very similar to their potions professor. "you will shower after class and if you pass my nose and do not smell clean well I'll leave that open."Lucius said as Toboe stalked up to him and she smirked. The two looked positively evil for a moment and Hermione heard Ron whimper at the smirks the professor's shared. The professor's led the class down to the stone circle one the far side of the bridge.
"Today will be fun, you must keep up with us. We will be testing your stamina. Don't fall behind."Toboe stretched and had the class follow her movements. "When you can not continue stop and sit next to the trail. For we will be coming back the same way."Lucius said as he finished his stretching. The class followed them out to the clock-tower courtyard. "This nor I are going to be easy on those who are not used to physical activities, and Quidditch doesn't count."The class watched as Toboe took off her boots and socks. "Don't worry I am not gonna make a bunch of tender-paws run like me."
She whistled and her wolves appeared. The classed talked for a moment about the wolves before being glared into silence by Lucius. "Well well well look what we got here."Toboe said as Severus Snape led his 4th year class into the yard. "What's going on Severus?"both professor's asked. "My class thinks its amusing to disrupt my lesson by laughing at those who are in yours."The velvet growl made Toboe keen softly. It should be illegal to have a voice like that She thought. "Well why don't you and yours run with us Severus?" Lucius said.
Severus chuckled seeing the challenge in Lucius eyes, He smirked darkly. "I think that is an excellent idea Lucius we will run with you." His class whined pitifully. Toboe took command and had most of the class shaking quietly in fear. "Shut your muzzles you should have thought of that before you started bad mouthing us. Leave your robes here."They were frozen for a moment before she growled. "Now!" they jumped into action as she watched Severus strip his robes off and transfigure his under clothes into soft running pants a wife-beater and the thing that surprised Toboe the most was his bare feet. Lucius led Severus' class through the stretches. "OK you lazy whelps, Lets run!" Toboe called as she jogged off. The wolves snapped at the stragglers and the three Slytherins unknowingly shared an evil grin.
As they got halfway there most of the class had dropped off. As she ran she felt some one come to lope decide her. "Severus?"she said when she identified him. "Surprised Toboe?" She nodded as they rounded the corner. They heard Lucius bellow that they were now down to less then twenty students still running. "HM, I'm surprised he is still keeping up."Severus snickered Toboe laughed. "Its nice not to run alone for once."
She said softly as they saw a gap in the road ahead. They sped up slightly using their long legs to give them the momentum they would need. "You are right I run this course in the mornings just before dawn."he said, "Would you find me annoying if I asked to join you? " she countered. They both leaped over the washed out part of their chosen path. As they landed the class had just come around the corner. "Not at all Toboe It seems to me that you have run this course before."he said. She laughed "I have, I run it in the moonlight." they shared a chuckle. When they reached the far side of the school past the greenhouses they stopped and smirked at the other. Those who made it looked at the two professors.
"Well done to those who made it."Siting before them were Draco,Harry,Hermione, Goyle, Blaze and Ginny Weasley. "Only one out of your entire class Severus." Toboe said."Well Miss Weasley as the only one on my class to have completed this assignment you will receive an O for the day."He growled. After Severus collected his class and left they went back for the stragglers.
"New game pups Lets play trust. Its simple Lucius and I will pick teams and you will complete the challenges on the course."The divided and called the teams until the last few were left. "Granger,Goyle,Zambini,Potter and Malfoy. Your the last team" They surprised themselves by being a good team. The rope challenge was last they trusted Goyle's strength as they climbed across a piece of the black lake. As it ended Hermione noticed Goyle shaking.
"Are you alright?"she asked. He looked at her in shock. "My hands" was all he managed to say. She grabbed his left wrist and gently turned it over to see the nasty rope burns. She hissed softly and set to healing them."Thank you"he said. "No thank you Goyle. if you had let go we would have all gotten soaked."She smiled then he did. "you can call me Greg." he blushed and she smiled. "OK Greg."
--Six Months Later--
It was Quidditch season Toboe was coming to hate it very quickly. She couldn't play and watching made her want to get up there and try. But she loved the dawn runs with Severus they had found that they had a lot in common. She really enjoyed his sense of humor. They were both grumbling over the talent show. They had just let there last class go when Severus appeared. "Will you walk with me Toboe."she didn't notice his clinched fist."Of Course Severus. Later Lucius!"she called over her shoulder as her black wolf followed her. The white one had taking a liking to Severus and tended to sit in his class during the days.
As they walked she sniffed gently taking in his scent. He smelt like the forest and sandalwood."Slytherin has a Quidditch match tomorrow morning and I was wondering of you would accompany me?" She smiled at him. "I would love to"the dark wizard was surprised that the vivacious woman would want to be seen with a wizard like him. "Severus?"she said "Yes"he wasn't prepared for what she said though. "Will you come for dinner in my quarters after the game?"He nodded not able to use his razor sharp tongue for a moment. They continued their walk and she eventually tugged him into a debate on the newest potions article they read.
--The next Day--
The day of the Quidditch match broke cool and clear the two runners had lengthened there course in order to spend more time together unknowingly. they had complained to the other that it was to short. As they finished the almost 8 mile run the four were breathing heavily. "remember Severus we have a dinner date tonight."She chuckled as she leaned over to stretch out a kinked muscle."I remember" He growled. "Why does Lucian spend more time with me then you anymore?"Severus asked as they walked across the field towards the school. "Lucius isn't my blood-bound familiar like Sevare is he stuck with me until he could find his own companion."She said thinking.
"So you think he has chosen me?"he stated "I do now that I think about it. And that means you could give him a new name." she said as they climbed the stairs by Hagrid's hut. "How do I find out for sure?"he hated not knowing. "Ask him he is intelligent Severus." They stopped at the top of the stairs and Severus keeled in front of the white wolf. "Do you wish to become my familiar?" the wolf nodded and pressed his nose to Severus hand. Severus scratched the wolf's ears.
"How do I become bound to him?" She pulled out a wicked looking dagger and dropped to her knees next to them. "Severus Snape do you take this wolf to be your companion in darkness and light, until the moon calls you into paradise?"she said and he felt old magic fill the air around them. "I do"He said and she sliced his palm, it surprised him that there was no pain. She turned to the wolf. "Do you wish to have this wizard as your companion and you vow to protect him until you are called back to paradise?"
The wolf nodded and she cut his shoulder. "Place you hand on his shoulder and say the name you wish him to have." Severus thought for a moment and laid his bloody hand against the wolfs shoulder. "I name you Mirzam!"The old magic exploded around them. As Toboe picked herself up from a few feet away she looked at the new blood-pact partners. Mirzam stood his body now larger and more muscled. He heard an echo of a voice in his head 'I am female' it said. "Mirzam?"Severus said as his eyes cleared, and the wolf nodded. Both Pact-partners looked for their binder and saw Toboe smiling at them. "Severus"she smirked and gave Severus a once over. He still looked the same save the longer hair, it was now down to his chest.
"I must get it trimmed."Toboe touched his arm. "Come on I'll trim your hair."he smirked at her. Mirzam and Severus flanked their partners. "why is Mirzam larger then she was?"He asked as he steered her towards the dungeons. "They are that size in order to carry their bonded into battle if needed."she explained as they reached his quarters. She politely stepped back as her undid his wards and said his password. He extended his arm to her."come along" she smiled and took it. As he lead her into his rooms she admired the deep browns and polished woods.
"You like?"He inquired as he set out the scissors and comb. As he sat on a stool he conjured. "Its so relaxing and the furniture is beautifully arranged."he smirked being the only one on staff before she got there who organized his own rooms. As she combed and trimmed his hair they talked about the Quidditch game that day. He was surprised to learn she actually hated the game until he learned the reason's why. But he was wondering she had agreed to go with him to a thing she hated.
"Why if you hate the game so much that you agreed to go watch one with me?"he asked his curiosity had finally nagged him into asking. "Because it was you who asked."she said as she snipped and combed. "you hair is so soft and so healthy Severus."he smirked. "Why me?"She blushed he could feel her embarrassment. "Cuz I think your attractive." she whispered into his ear as she finished his hair.
He was shocked as he turned to look into her eyes. "Do you mean that?"she nodded coloring. "I do, I have been attracted to you since that day your class pissed you off and you ran with me."She said looking him in the eye. The honest attraction slammed into the wizard like the knight bus. "Its OK if you don't like me I'm used to it by now." Her eyes dropped and she turned towards the door. He grabbed her wrist and her eyes snapped to his. "I never said I didn't like you witch! Quit putting words in my mouth."He growled and pulled her to him. Her arms wound around his neck as his hands sat on her hips. He really hated skinny,short women he was afraid he'd brake them. At 6'6" it was hard to find someone near his own hight. The wild American snarked and snapped back, she never backed down.
They stared into one another's eyes until she growled playfully at him. He growled back and crushed his lips to hers. He felt her fingers tangle in his hair, his own had fisted around the braided tail she kept her own in. When they broke apart both smirked. "Wow" was all she could say. He laughed the sound deep and rich. "OK your snarkyness what do we do now?" she asked him. She laid her head against his shoulder and rubbed the tip of her nose against his neck. "We must stay hidden there are those who would wish to use us against one another."he said.
"I understand your a spy and I am a target."she said and smirked "But if you don't get into that shower babe I will drag you to the match with that loose hair all over you."he smirked back and sent a light tickling hex at her. He heard her laugh and manage to say the counter curse. She laughed at herself she had told Severus she liked him, damn she hadn't planed that. But it had turned into her favor. Mirzam had curled up on a large rug in front of Severus' fireplace.
She smiled as the blue-eyed wolf looked at her. "I am pleased you found your other half. And your own name."The wolf rolled over and she realized. "Your a femme! Sire had told me you were male. Forgive me?"the wolf got up and walked to her. Toboe knelt down and hugged the now known She-wolf. "I am sorry Mirzam will you forgive me?" the wolf nodded her forgiveness. And she heard chuckling and saw a damp haired fully dressed Severus Snape laughing at her. "You truly never knew she was a girl?"He asked when she leveled his own glare at him. She shook her head.
He walked at extended his hand to her. "She had forgiven you,Let it go" she smiled "would you like to take a shower here or run to your own quarters?" "Got a house elf?"she asked "Tabby!" he yelled with a pop the elf was before them. "Master of potions needs Tabby?"Toboe laughed. "What?"Severus growled. "We use the same house elf." she dissolved into laughter. "Indeed?"his eyebrow rose. She nodded as she shook off her amusement. "Tabby I need a new set of clothes and my bathing stuff."Toboe said the house elf nodded eagerly and disappeared with a pop. The elf returned a few moments later. Toboe took her stuff and chuckled. "What do you find amusing?"Severus asked. "The fact I am taking a shower in the den of the man I have drooled over for the past six moon spans."she smiled and kissed his cheek. "Be back in a few minutes"she said and disappeared into his bathroom.
It took her twenty minutes to come back clean her wand pointed at her hair. The last of the long tail was braided and tied off. The words on the back of her shirt almost made him snort tea out his nose. 'Warning: Snarky attitude!' Her shorts were free flowing as they stroked her calves. "We're gonna be late."he said "Nonsense A Slytherin is never late everyone else is early, or so I am told."He smirked. "that only works for Slytherins Toboe."she matched his smirk with her own. "I am a Slytherin the hat said so."He laughed and opened the door for her, she kissed his cheek as she ducked his arm and waited in the hall. Mirzam and Sevare walked side by side as there pact-partners bickered and growled.
Severus' scowl left them a wide birth to walk through towards the stadium. "Damn Dunderheads."Toboe leveled her glare at a few 7th year Slytherins that hadn't scattered. They dove into the crowd. As Severus and Toboe arrived in the teachers box Minerva smiled. "Toboe my dear you need to come to a few more Quidditch games." Toboe growled silently. Severus felt the vibrations though. "I will consider it Minerva."
As the game got underway she saw Minerva,Remus,Lucius and Severus betting on their house teams. Toboe felt the same burning urge to fly as she had since she first laid eyes on this game. Professor McGonagall saw Harry and Draco dive and went to the railing to watch the snitch caught. The woman was unaware of the bludgers heading for the seekers as they passed the box."GO Harry!" Minerva yelled. One of the beaters saw the iron balls headed for the unaware teachers. Toboe had gotten up to see the catch and moved to the far railing "Professor Wolfwalker!" Greg bellowed, but it was too late the bludgers hit.
One had hit the rail just behind Toboe and coming out of the far side of Minerva. The second had destroyed the the support beam beneath their feet. Before the women knew it they were falling. Severus had tried to grab Toboe but she fell to quickly."Severus"She'd yelped as she fell out of reach. Minerva's wand lay on the floor of the box where it had been blown. The women fell. As Toboe fell she remembered a spell she had found a few days ago, and turning her wand on herself and called out. "Caeli Penna" A thunderclap rang.
The Thunderclap had echoed over the stadium at the same time that Minerva's scream broke the spell keeping them from reacting. As they went for the rail, something snatched the professor out the air. "Toboe!" Remus yelled. Toboe's spell had given her massive black wings. The wings came down for there all important down sweep. Harry and the other Quidditch players snapped out of it when Toboe cleared the stadium wall and glided towards the lake."Minerva I'm heading for the lake, I don't know how to turn around or land without crashing." The stunned woman nodded and Toboe handed Minerva her wand. "Take it"She growled. Minerva took the younger womans wand and before she realized she was falling she hit the water. "She's headed for the Lake!" Harry yelled as he and Draco flew past the teachers box.
Severus aparated to the lakes edge. He'd figured out that you couldn't aparate off the grounds but you could around them. He saw Toboe's wings flap as she flew over him and out onto the lake. He saw her drop Minerva into the water and then his heart stopped. Toboe's wings locked up and she plunged into the water.