AN. I do not own Harry Potter. Enjoy
Sheep's Clothing
If there was one thing Desiray never missed, it was grading papers.
There was always a relentless amount of them and of course there was always that one idiot whose papers reflected how tiny their brain was. She would have to remember not to assign so much work... or maybe find a way to bribe Damon into taking half.
With an annoyed sigh, Desiray dropped her marking quill and stood. It was about time for the staff meeting anyways, plus she planned on staying up late tonight so she would finish the grading then. It was the weekend after all, and she wouldn't mind some joy in her life after these few days of responsibility.
Walking over to her fireplace, Desiray decided to give the flo a try. She didn't necessarily like the wizard contraption, the fireplace left ash in her hair and the smell made her stomach churn, but it was something minor that the woman didn't really mind dealing with.
The new Professor took a pinch of ash and threw it into the fireplace after saying the destination, 'Staff Meeting' in this case. Green flames erupted and warped her to the designated area. She stepped out when her eyes refocused the bright lights a great contrast to the secluded dark she was just in.
Muddy blobs quickly reformed into solid objects.
Wooden bars, tall stools and shaded windows; the atmosphere was familiar and Desiray scoffed. Her eyes landed on Dumbledore who sat in a corner booth next to a window, along with several other professors the woman recognized from recent fleeting glances. Minerva McGonagall the stern Headmistress, Rolanda Hooch a hawkish flight instructor, Sybil Trelawney the awkward divinations expert, and Pomona Sprout the heavy set herbologist.
Desiray walked toward the group with a grin as she brushed ashes off her clothes, "The Three Broom Sticks Headmaster? Really?"
"Ah Desiray! I almost though you had forgotten about our little gathering." He gestured to the seat next to him, "Have a seat perhaps?"
The woman complied, extending a short greeting with the professors who mostly looked at her cautiously. All except for Hooch whom seemed to take to Desiray's vampirism easily and McGonagall who looked simply unaffected and neutral.
"This is one of the only times we can relax at Hogsmade before the students over run it." Hooch replied, raising a glass of wine, "We might as well take advantage of it. That is, if you can hold your liquor."
The woman chuckled, "Oh, I'm no light weight, trust me." Desiray then waved a waiter over. A male with short blond hair, brown eyes and a slim build. Nothing special.
"Do you have a good memory?" the waiter nodded, "Good good. Remember this, 2 parts Vodka, 1 part Triple Sec, Dash of Lime, Splash of Cranberry Juice; shaken not stirred with a lime garnish. Got that?" Desiray winked and turned back to the table.
"That actually sounds rather excellent." Minerva eyed the woman.
"I was thinking the same thing." Sprout chimed in.
Desiray shrugged, "I'm not against sharing if you like. I like to think I have admirable tastes."
"Admirable taste, or a knowledge of muggle drinks?" Dumbledore asked.
"Oh no I've been busted." Desiray grinned, grabbing the now ready drink as the waiter returned, "It's actually called a Cosmopolitan." She smelled it then took a sip. Good, but she could tell it was the bartenders first time mixing the drink. He was quick though, so she didn't complain. "My brother's the better mixologist of the two of us."
"You have a brother?" Sprout asked, puzzled.
The vampire nodded, understanding the woman's confusion, "A twin actually. His name is Damon and he's a bit of a pain to be related to."
"Nonsense," Dumbledore protested, "He seemed like a decent lad when I first met him."
The woman scoffed and rolled her eyes, "As if."
"Is he a...vampire as well?" Sprout asked, faltering at the word.
Desiray nodded but was interrupted before she could explain.
"I have heard of such things. The Originals, the children of Abel who we're born in pairs under a hidden moon." Sybil's voice was light and airy, "Inseparable from birth, but fated to part before their worlds true end."
The group seemed to look at her slightly skeptical while Desiray eyed her, thoroughly impressed, "Precisely. She seems to get it. You wouldn't happen to be an honest seer, would you Professor Trelawney? That information isn't exactly something that can be found in study."
"I've been known to foretell a fate or two."
"Interesting." The vampire took a sip from her glass, licking her lips.
Desiray let her eyes connect with the woman's for a moment, a flash of broken memories passed through her mind. Each one had Trelawney doing some mundane task, only to be interrupted by indistinguishable fuzziness, then someone walking away, glancing back in confusion.
Interesting indeed...
She turned her attention to look at Dumbledore who was downing the last of whatever drink was in his mug, "Your brother says you are a seer as well." He commented.
"I suppose you could say that, but not entirely. It's more of sensitivity to memories and future desires. There's not a name for it, but as long as I have this thing on" Desiray gestured to the Celtic cross around her neck, "I am little more than a dud."
Everyone looked at the medallion, curiosity running through their minds. Probably wondering if all the legends of a vampire's affinity to crosses were true, or if there was a certain spell holding back her more feral form.
Maybe they were half right, but they had nothing to worry about now. The voices in her head were mere whispers and beneath her skin was a comfortable heat.
No predator.
No danger.
She was satisfied.
"So where is Professor Slughorn, Headmaster? Or did you devise this arrangement to get all us girls to yourself?"
The table laughed at that.
"Slughorn isn't one known to hold his liquor." McGonagall commented from over her glass. "Nor an enjoyable extra when it comes to social gatherings."
"Enjoyable? So I'm guessing that's why Professor Snape isn't here as well? Or am I being too forward?"
Another laugh from the group, the alcohol seemed to be loosening them up.
"Not all of us could leave the castle unattended with the students. That would certainly cause much mayhem." The headmistress answered.
"It is only coincidence that Severus was the first to volunteer to stay." Hooch inserted sarcastically with a wink.
"A strange man...if I were anyone else, I'd think he was the vampire." Desiray joked.
The people laugh, the atmosphere lifting to a decent high and finally seeming to accept the new professor. They spoke of their first experiences and teaching incidents, how McGonagall's hair had been a vivid shade of purple for days when a particularly mischievous student charmed the Professors animagus form said color, not knowing it was her.
The story reminded Desiray to tell of the same thing she did to Damon just that it was on purpose, he was sleep and the color was neon pink. She could have sworn she ran from the man for hours... This prompted the woman into telling the table about the blond haired blue eyed monster that was her brother and his lesser mischief's and pranks that he would always end up dragging his unfortunate sister into.
An angry group of Leprechauns when Damon found out their actually was real gold that didn't disappear.
Ramiel's face after waking up to several fire crab's in his bed.
No matter what she told, Hooch found Damon's trouble-prone behavior to be 'fiendishly adorable'.
Time passed slowly as stories were told and drink after drink refilled the table. Desiray was able to have the group taste a decent amount of her cosmopolitan which then made them turn on her. Wondering if it was really true that it was impossible to get her intoxicated.
They watched as she threw back drink after drink, not flinching or swaying. It was mostly a front; the more heavy shots went straight to her head.
McGonagall's stern face was interrupted by humor at times; Trelawney didn't talk much at first, but came out of her shell after a few more drinks. Sprout seemed to be a frequent of this bar, the same with Hooch, and Dumbledore was still his jolly old self.
"What kind of adventures did you find yourself in before coming to Hogwarts?" The Headmaster asked her, a hand stroking that long beard, "Your father said you were in America for quite some time."
"Oh yes. I was visiting some friends in the state of California and somehow ended up joining a band and going on a world tour." Desiray answered taking one of the candies Dumbledore had conjured a moment ago, laced in an almost tasteless sobering potion, "That was actually the first time I've ever been on a world tour. I enjoyed it, as did Damon, but he didn't stay as long as I. Actually one of my closer friends is still there at the moment."
"A band? What kind of music?" Hooch asked, intrigued, "I sang for the choir back in my school days, but that is all."
Desiray shrugged, "Oh all kinds of music, plus a few you've probably never heard of. I did drums until the leader, Jazmine, convinced me to sing, she later tried to bribe me into being a back up dancer but quickly learned that I have no sense of coordination."
"Well you couldn't be any worse than Professor Sprout here." The flight instructor teased.
"Hey!" The plump woman responded with a chuckle.
Funny.
They were easily falling for Desiray facade, the mask she had eons; generations, to perfect amongst mortals. She played their games, talked their talk, ate their food... gained their trust. The trust that would influence the mind into believing she was one of them, allowing her to walk in their flock...a wolf in sheep's clothing. She wasn't human, no matter how deeply they deceived themselves. She was a predator.
It was a game.
"Oh dear, is that the time?" The Headmaster glanced at a wall clock, "The Gryphindor Quidditch try outs are today. Wouldn't want to miss that."
That signaled the end of the gathering as the table stood, all voicing the hopes of seeing the team's perform.
All except for Desiray, "Quidditch? It's been a long while since I've watched such a sport."
"I'm sure you'll be impressed by Gryphindor's performance." The headmistress spoke proudly, "but I'm surprised over how well you hold you're liquor. I must be sure to remember not to bet against you next time."
Desiray smirked, "I will admit that I felt whatever Madam Hooch gave me. The burn went straight to my head for a moment."
"A moment?" The flight instructor shook her head in disbelief, "That was 50 proof rum and you had three shots."
"Rum? There's your problem. You weren't using the right stuff, but I'll never tell you my weakness." She grinned, following the professors out onto the grounds. There was a staff short cut somewhere behind a sweet shop, hidden with spells and charms. After a long walk, it led to a painting that just so happened to be behind the staff entrance to the Great Hall. The vampire made a note to remember its location.
Entering the great hall, Desiray took her self- proclaimed seat between Snape and McGonagall. He gave her a sour look like he usually did, obviously not enjoying her presence or the fact that she insisted on sitting near him.
He wrinkled his nose, "I see you attended the staff 'meeting'."
"Is it that obvious?" She really did feel a slight effect of the shots Hooch placed on her, but not enough to reflect in her motor skills.
"You smell like a brewery."
Desiray scoffed, "Either you're exaggerating or insulting me. Any reason you weren't there? Not a fan of alcohol maybe?"
He simply glared from the corner of his eye.
Not a very friendly guy, huh? Desiray could have laughed at his attitude but settled for a decent grin. For a human he was quiet the mistrustful man. He didn't accept her like the others did, even after the week she had to convince the others of her pretense. Perhaps that was why she insisted on bothering him, it was an interesting change of pace...or maybe it was still the smell and she was just trying to come up with excuses.
She sighed.
The flapping of wings somewhere in the distance caught her attention and she looked at the open windows curiously. Owls soon flooded in carrying packages and letters, dropping them off to different students and staff before fluttering away. The frail unfamiliar birds steered clear of her, causing the woman to once again wonder why the disgusting creatures always thought she would eat them.
There was one bird Desiray did recognize, a Eurasian eagle owl with a long wingspan, preened feathers and untrimmed talons. It held a thin rectangle shaped package in its claws, circling once overhead before dropping the package. She snagged the parcel as it dropped from the air and felt the bird's sharp talons bite into her skin soon afterwards.
"Hello there, Navi", Desiray stroked the large bird's soft plumage, which made it croon and stretch its elegant wings. "Do you miss me already?"
The bird made a noise that sounded like a negative reply.
The woman 'tsk'ed, "We'll that's not nice."
Navi hopped off her shoulder with a squawk, moving to peck at the food on the woman's plate. When Desiray moved a hand in an attempt to shoo the owl away, the creature had the nerve to snap at her.
Damn stubborn bird, if Desiray wasn't in public she would have cursed out loud and drove the creature away in a more hostile manner. Instead she had to settle with glaring at the bird as it picked at her plate.
"Astonishing that such a creature doesn't shy away from such an obvious health hazard." Snapes voice droned from the side, referring to the arrogant bird.
"Who? Navi here? No, she's been with us for years, she most likely thinks she's one of us by now."
"Horrifying."
The woman scoffed before unfolding the parchment in her hands, it appeared to be blank at first, but slowly began to reveal a familiar long stroked scrawl at her touch.
Most Beloved Sister,
I hope your experience is going well. Father has me as a guard dog of sorts for the ministry, keeping watch outside of certain houses this 'Dark Lord' has on his target list. It's kind of boring and people get offended when I ask when the fun's going to start. You know, like fighting, spells and stuff. You're lucky to be in that school sis, there must be tons of things to do. And if not, better there than sitting in the weather, waiting for excitement that likely won't show. You better believe I'm going to visit you often.
Oh, but on to the seriousness so Ramiel will stop giving me dirty looks.
In the box is the wand you (purposely) left here. Father found it in your study and says "I am aware that you dislike wands because of how they limit your ability, but it will be suspicious to the students when something that requires decades of practice, is so easily mastered by a twenty-five year old. Not that it couldn't happen, not that it isn't possible by others. The wizards will become suspicious and stick their noses into our history. Just do it."
Anyways, yeah. Write me when something fun come up.
The Remarkable and Irresistible,
Damon Salvatore
ps. Can you check out that forest near the edge of the school when you get the chance? I went out in a jacket and came back without one. Some of those centaurs got a good hit on me so I'm guessing it's out there. It was custom made so I would very much like it back. Thanks! Love you!
Desiray made a face, typical Damon; willingly writing a whole letter just to add in the postscript what he really wanted. Well she supposed he cared slightly about what kind of fun was going on at the school, only because his short stay here hadn't contained students. He would probably be disappointed if she told him that school work consisted of grading papers, dealing with unintelligent children and ignoring the thirst for a tormenting amount of time.
Desiray willed the tip of the parchment on fire, tossing it onto the empty dinner plate and letting it disintegrate into ash.
Navi made a disapproving hoot; a slice of ham in her beak left from stealing Desiray's food, but didn't fly away.
The woman rolled her eyes, "Just tell him I'll look for it."
The bird instantly flew off, as if that was what it was waiting for all this time.
Finally.
The wand in the box was 12 inches of Dogwood, the handle a finely carved ash with groves that fit her hands comfortably. If she remembered correctly, the core contained a rare combination of dragon heartstring wound tightly around two Fwooper feathers.
Funny... The wood combination made the wand aggressively resilient, and the core would seem to be a powerful omen. She could almost feel the wand rebelling in her hand.
It wasn't Desiray's wand per say, but the wand of Tamiel Salvatore; Ramiel's twin brother and the pervious leader of her clan Protos Asulon. That was quite some time ago and the object didn't trigger as many memories as it used to so she tucked it easily into her sleeve.
She'd listen to her father this one time and make a note to use the wand more often. The last thing the woman wanted was children snooping around in her business.
For the time being, Desiray chatted idly with the group she came back with; contemplating life and with thoughts about when to get Damon's coat...
Maybe she'd keep it for herself.
-*TFP*-
AN. Sooooo you like? Tell me your opinions! :D