A short chapter so you don't think I died! Just been busy. The next one will be a lot longer... for some reason I have a lot more written for the middle of this story than the beginning. I may edit this chapter later as well.
Nooooo I do not own Harry Potter bla bla bla enjoy.
Camouflage
Desiray was not amused by the lack of male staff in this so called 'school'. She was a naturally devious being and enjoyed flirting every now and then, next to the occasional fuck on the weekends. Unfortunately, she had only discovered 3 male professors in her exploration of the castle. Bins, Flitwik and Snape, none of which did her lady parts wish to revenge.
Shame, it seemed she would have to go into town for her nightly deeds.
The beginning of the school year had quickly gone from being months away, to mere hours. Desiray had nearly forgotten how fast time seemed to move when set with an actual goal and not just the knowledge that the next day would eventually arise.
Knowing that the students would arrive soon, Desiray replaced her usual dark, tight fitting clothing with the uncomfortable robes of the magical world's preference. A black silk robe with abstract designs done in light violet stitching, now hung lightly off her tall form as she stepped into the quiet castle hallway. Rays of sunlight brightened the Amethyst stones that lined the collar, shrinking in size as they fell towards the chest area. An inch below the hollow of her throat sat a silver dragon clasp, the tips of its flared wings attached to the dark thin cape at her back.
Desiray roamed the castle aimlessly eventually running into more of the staff. Sybill Trelawney was fun to talk to, her 'Mind's Eye' gave the eccentric looking woman an interesting view on life and death, even if she did word it in such strange unimaginative ways…
After that meeting Desiray met Rolanda Hooch, the flight trainer. Who's age was hard to determine. Her gray hair clashed with the spark of liveliness that shined in her hawk-like eyes. What began as a conversation of their shared knowledge of flying soon turned into Desiray telling a story of what had happened on her side of the fall of Grindelwald. The tale had over flown into the preparation of dinner where Desiray now sat. The building now full of the eager spirits of teenagers and the nervous whispers of 1st years.
They had arrived some time ago, when Desiray zoned out due to the excessive noise level and that screaming hat...
"My brothers a terrible flyer." Desiray continued, arms crossed below her chest as she scanned the view from the head table. "I just wish he could accept the fact, but no… guess who lost concentration and landed us both in the middle of Grindelwald's goons? Not I, that's for sure."
Hooch scoffed, "What did he do, break to fast?"
Desiray shook her head a small grin on her lips, "No, he shifted his weight mid flight, lost balance and sent us both plummeting to the ground. Tell me Hooch, have you ever witnessed a full grown man, screaming and flailing for a full minute in air?"
"In my line of work, I've seen that a few times." Hooch admitted, amused.
The flight teacher laughed and did McGonagall really need that sip of water? It seemed Desiray was better at conversation than she originally though she was. Maybe not a suave as she used to be, but that could be fixed.
"Such interesting stories," A deep voice droned, "Do you mind telling us of the countless innocents you've devoured?"
Snape had arrived and he didn't seem pleased that the only seat left was next to Desiray, with that plump man Slughorn sitting on the end. Of course she had smelled his approach, that much was a given.
"Severus…" Madam Hooch scolded Snape's unkind statement, while Desiray fought back a dark grin, knowing exactly how much she could tell him…
"No stories then? Pity…" The man droned, a small glare directed at the vampire as he settled in the seat. "Then how about an inquiry of your age? Grindawald's reign of power ended more than 50 years ago."
"I'm twenty-five." She stated casually, a small grin playing at her lips, "What's it to you?"
"Really?" The man purred out deeply, his face betraying no emotion, "You expect me to believe that?"
Desiray rose an eyebrow and crossed her arms, "Last time I checked, asking a lady her age was inappropriate. So much for English manners..."
His eyes narrowed slightly and the woman felt she had got her point across. She wouldn't stand for petty bullying. He could bark his words and expect a bite back from her.
No pun intended.
She eyed the man and he stared back. Some type of tension hardened the mood, though Desiray lost interest quick, and silently wondered if the man could tell she was holding her breath. The vampire was somewhat disheartened by how thirsty he made her, but just made a mental note to go hunting later, lest an accident happened because of that attitude of his...
Time passing, glares still strong, Desiray's lungs slowly began to protest to the lack of oxygen. Giving up on the fight, she steeled herself for the criticism this critical man would probably strife her with, and let in a breath.
She blinked as a small breeze rolled in, bringing in a familiar scent that overpowered most everything else; the sound of the main doors closing brought her eyes to attention. The short slim form of world star Harry Potter walked late and alone down the aisle. Dark, shaggy brown hair hung loosely in front of his round glasses, which enhanced green eyes; A trace of dried blood escaped from his nose, instantly peaking Desiray's curiosity.
He was a scrawny child, his dark hair a lanky mess on his head. He wore awkward circle shaped glasses and his height was rather vertically challenged. Desiray wondered what the Wizarding world saw in the boy, if anything, he reminded her of an under fed dog that hasn't seen enough sun.
But of course...this was the Wizarding world and things were weighed differently here. Magic and influence towered over the importance of strength and cunning that Desiray was used to in her world.
Not that Desiray didn't respect magical talents, it was actually something she was quite adept in and something the Headmaster reeked highly of. Mature, aged, elder magic that could put weight on your shoulders like stone. Potter's was immature and undeveloped, full of childish insecurity that would probably leave a bitter taste in her mouth.
Gross.
"Feeling tempted?" Snape droned from the side.
Desiray's eyes refocused on his hard expression, before flashing to the pale hand that twitched in his sleeve...were a wand was probably firmly grasped.
"Not at all." She looked at him with a hint of amusement in shady eyes. What would he be like in a fight. "If I wasn't used to these situations by now, I'd be rather insane don't you think? It is a part of my life after all."
He rose an eyebrow, not even an inch of him seeming to believe what she had just stated.
The woman sighed, "I was merely wondering how your 'savior of the wizarding world' managed to cause trouble upon arrival."
The potions master relaxed minutely, "As was I."
Taking that as an end to the conversation, Desiray went back to her examination of the students, only vaguely registering Albus' starting speech about Danger, Dark Lords and Death. Nothing that she was really worried about, and nothing she hadn't ever been through before.
Such weak little meat sacks these children were, shivering in fear and anxiety at the mere mention of a name. Interesting that said lunatic had such control over his enemies...
Pathetic.
Desiray watched with a bored expression while the Headmaster continued his rant, noticing the newly rejuvenated faces turn to ones of sorrow when Snape's new position was announced. How looks of slight recognition we're directed toward Slughorn and the utterly confused looks they gave herself.
"And for the newly open positions of Mythology and Astronomy, please welcome a dear friend of mine, Professor Desiray Salvator."
The applause that followed was probably more welcoming than what other new comers received. Desiray stood as she had seen Slughorn do and gave a short bow. Her hair slid from its place around her shoulders to the front of her chest, red highlights dim in the natural candle light.
As she sat she noted that most of the applause was coming from the male half of the school, not surprising since she was the 'youngest' person on staff now. Technically, she was only older than the most mature students by about 6 years.
Astronomy...
Dumbledore had mentioned the tragedy of the whole thing. Professor Sinstra had been confronted by Death Eaters sometime during the end of last term...and hadn't been seen since.
Speaking of Death Eaters, Desiray sat and glanced at the man beside her. A permanent scowl on his face, but a smug look in his eye. It seemed her was proud of the new position and the discomfort it caused the students.
"I'm taking note of your reputation here." She commented in a bored manner.
His narrowed eyes focused on her, "Do not be surprised if I return the favor. They have already targeted you as the push over class to take. Dare I say they've already chosen a favorite?"
He probably meant it as an insult, but Desiray remained indifferent, "A hope that will be short lived... I've played this game before."
Snape just looked at her.
Desiray shrugged and eyed the food that began to magically appear, grabbing only the glass of pumpkin juice to sip on. Far from her favorite beverage, but enough to keep her satisfied while she silently observed the students.
The noisy voices of the student body would definitely give her a migraine if not sorted out. So she concentrated on tuning them out, catching a conversation or two about herself and other professors before she stored them away in a corner of her mind.
"So, any idea who this new Professor is Hermione?" The vampire hearing picked up on Potter's voice. "Not Slughorn, the woman."
The bushy haired girl just shrugged, a frown on her face as her redheaded friend drowned his food in melted cheese. "I've never heard of her."
"You don't think there's anything strange about her? Besides the fact that Professor Dumbledore doesn't hire anyone without purpose."
"Why can't she just be a friend of the Headmasters?"
"Well, she's bloody hot for one." The redhead boy spoke up with a mouth full of meat. "So maybe she's ... that kind of friend."
"Ron!" Hermione scolded loudly.
Harry ignored them both, "It's just that I heard Professor Dumbledore say her name to Professor Slughorn. When we went to pick him up I mean and he even said that Slughorn has a love for fame. I just thought you would have read about her or something."
Ron scoffed, "Now you just sound paranoid mate."
Desiray rose an eyebrow at their suggestive conversation.
She wasn't aware that her gaze had fixed itself on the back of Harry Potter, until a shiver ran down his spine and green orbs locked onto her darker ones.
Desiray kept her eyes on him as he studied her warily, he held her gaze a moment too long and the woman's eyes narrowed in irritation. Prolonged eye contact could be considered a challenge amongst her kind, especially with the look he was giving her.
The vampire's eyes narrowed even further when she felt the uncomfortable sensation of being even more closely watched.
"Something on your mind, Professor?", Desiray asked without taking her eyes off of Potters.
"Perhaps you shouldn't attempt to make enemies with the Potter child so soon. Especially when he has the whole wizarding community at his back" Snape droned.
Desiray scoffed, "Well from what I can gather," She shifted slightly through the boys poorly protected mind, "He doesn't think very fondly of you either."
"Allow me to rephrase that statement. Instead of violating the child's mind, perhaps you should focus more on not mistaking our precious students for dinner." He said through tight lips.
"Oh my," Desiray chuckled, her attention now focusing fully on the man as a smirk dominated her face, "Feisty... Relax, but if you really must know, children aren't exactly my forte."
"Dare I ask what is?"
"I have a feeling you'll find out in due time." Desiray winked before leaving the table, exiting the room through the staff door and leaving a plate full of untouched food that she had no taste for.
Fresh air was what she wanted... and perhaps some quiet. A little bit of time away from the hectic activity that was going to make up most of her immediate future.
And a quick drink.