DISCLAIMER: I am tired of these… read the ones in previous chapters.
HIDDEN CHANGES
Chapter 8
Hermione, Ron, and Harry proceeded to Dumbledore's office to find him coming down the stairs. He smiled at the three, "I am guessing you are here for a reason, come up quickly I don't want you to end up being late for class."
"We don't mind being late for Potions," Ron replied.
Dumbledore chuckled and motioned for them to go into his office. When everyone had settled Dumbledore offered them lemon drops before asking, "Now what is this all about?"
Hermione piped up saying, "Professor Lupin asked us to tell you that the leader of the Kanimas is indeed on the grounds."
Dumbledore frowned and looked out the window, "I was hoping Severus was wrong. Xavier isn't very cooperative. He is very proud and still holds it against me for expelling him." Dumbledore sat at his desk and began to write a note as he continued, "I have been looking for him. I feel he may be an asset in the war. I am sure he will need persuasion in helping me but I have a plan in motion that will give him reasoning to join me."
"Sir, what exactly is a Kanima, I mean Ron and I got the brief story of them on the way here from Hermione, but why are you so concerned about someone who can help us?" Harry asked.
"The reason I am so worried Harry is because they could be used to kill the light side as well as the dark. Xavier will take the best offer I fear. I have tried to reconcile with him over the years, yet he evades me every time. I am concerned that Death Eaters may have made him an offer." Dumbledore finished the letter and sealed it before handing it to Harry, "Please make sure this gets to Professor Snape. You don't have long to get to class so run along now."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione excused themselves and headed down the stairs to their next class.
Hermione looked around as she got to the dungeons to find Xavier sitting next to the door of the Potion's class in his jaguar form.
What did that old coot say?
Hermione gave him a stern glare before thinking; He is NOT an old coot. He says you are stubborn and willing to take the best offer to fight in the war.
Xavier followed Hermione into the classroom and sat next to her, He is right to a degree… but I don't like the Death Eaters exterminating us.
Just then Snape came in seeming in a very bad mood. Harry offered the letter to the irritable professor who in turn snatched it and opened it. Xavier watched happily as his half-brother went even paler than he was usually.
Snape cleared his throat and walked up to the front of the class, "Open your books to page 344. We will be working on a complex potion today called the Wiggenweld Potion. It is a healing potion with the power to awaken a person from a magically-induced sleep. You have one hour. You may begin now, and Longbottom don't dare blow up another cauldron."
All of the Gryffindors glared at the professor as the Slytherins snickered. Hermione smirked as she watched Xavier pad over to the Slytherin side and began to discreetly knock things into their cauldrons. To Hermione's surprise Xavier walked over to Neville's cauldron and watched over his shoulder discreetly helping by adding extra drops when he forgot. Hermione smiled to herself as she began to make her potion.
Within 20 minutes the Slytherin's cauldrons were erupting and Neville's was better that Hermione's, which irked her slightly until she realized that Snape would know that someone was helping Neville. She growled to herself thinking as loud as she could, You are going to get me caught with your plans!
Xavier padded over to Hermione's cauldron peering into it, Add an extra drop of liquid worm's wart. It helps with the mixture. Hermione did so and was pleased to see that her potion was better than Neville's again. You are just a jealous girl aren't you. Now it is time to prank my half-brother.
Hermione snapped her head up and stared at him, NO WAY, you are related to the dungeon bat!?!?
Xavier wrote on the board, Mom liked me better… ---Xavier
Snape looked at the board and blasted it with an exploding curse terrifying all of the students. Hermione and a few other students dove under their desks to avoid the flying pieces of chalkboard. Professor Snape looked around yelling, "Class Dismissed! Get out!"
All of the students basically ran to the door as Snape looked like a paranoid maniac cursing anything that looked like it would move. All of the students ran from the classroom that looked like it was exploding.
Hermione looked around for Xavier but couldn't find him anywhere, until she spotted a first year that looked remarkably similar to her guardian walk into the classroom.
Hermione pulled Ron and Harry near to the opening of the room when she heard a young voice say, "Brother Sev, you should learn how to control your temper."
"You have a cub here don't you! I will find it who it is and have that student expelled! Just like you..."
"You are so mean, I know you hate cats but this is cruel. What would mom say if she saw you tormenting the favorite? Oh I forgot, she died because of YOU!"
"GET OUT YOU LITTLE SHIT! SECTUMSEMPRA"
"You missed dear brother! Your aim was always poor, I must be going now. Incarcerous!" A loud thump was heard as Professor McGonagall rushed down the hall and demanded to know what happened.
Xavier emerged from the room still looking like a first year, "Careful Miss Minnie, Severus isn't very happy, don't worry I didn't hurt him this time." With that said Xavier disappeared from their sight except Hermione's since he changed into a jaguar.
McGonagall sighed at the sight of such an angry former student and shooed Harry, Ron, and Hermione away who left quickly.
As the trio came to a secluded area, Ron looked at Hermione, "That was bloody brilliant; I never have seen Snape so mad. What do you think Harry?"
"I don't know what to think. I am just glad that Xavier isn't pissed at me."
Hermione looked extremely frustrated, "It was incredibly mean what he did. I don't know if Professor Snape deserved that. You boys go ahead. I need to talk to Xavier."
"See you at lunch Hermione."
Xavier appeared in front of Hermione furious at her comment dragging her off to the side saying, "You have no idea what it was like living with that ass. Where do you think he practiced all the spells he created? Maybe you should find out how painful it is to be a half-brother, from an affair mind you, to a loyal Death Eater before you judge what I do!" Xavier just disappeared from her sight.
Hermione stood in shock as she absorbed all of this new information. She didn't have time to think about what it would be like to live with Snape. She felt a surge of guilt hit her as she thought about the numerous curses that she read with Snape as the creator. She realized that even though she had spent so much time with her guardian that she knew very little about him. She imagined a young Xavier being used as a test subject. She leaned against the wall for support as she felt tears come to her eyes. She didn't even bother to wipe her eyes because she knew she deserved to feel like she was at fault. She looked to the enchanted ceiling and just let the tears cascade down her face as she recognized how hurtful what she said was to the man who took care of her these last few months.
T_T…. I feel like I am so mean to my only created character… I am looking for a good beta... if any of you guys know a good one or are a good one please message me... Please Review!