Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter in any way shape or form. I do not claim to own him or anything else that may in fact be the thought of the lovely writer Jo Rowling is, please don't sue me. I do however own all original characters in whole or in part that appear in this story. This story is not HBP compliant, though quite a few things are taken from that book; again I own nothing except for the plot and original characters. Thank you for reading! –Gypsy Jade

Summary: Not fully HBP compliant. Harry starts having strange dreams and they all end the same, with unearthly silver eyes haunting him. Something is going on and for the first time in the last 10 years if not the history of Hogwarts two new teachers grace Hogwarts.

Author's Note: Lol, I'm glad I've peaked your interest in Yamele's heritage. I'll admit I haven't given out a lot of clues in past chapters, but there are some things to be able to guide you in the right direction. For instance, her appearance and her temper are a result of her heritage, as well where she is from (obviously not the Veela half). Come on kiddies, I know you'll have loads of guesses. You won't find out until Harry does unless you guess correctly. And yes this chapter kicked my arse as well.

Chapter 9

Clues to a not-so-obvious Identity

Harry didn't have much of an appetite at dinner; in fact it seemed the whole school was rather subdued, though there was a slight buzz going around about what transpired earlier. Looking up at the Head table he noticed Professor VanHouten's seat was empty and Snape was glaring at Professor O'Riley more than usual. Watching his friends, he couldn't quite focus. Hermione and Ginny seemed to be talking in hushed voices so even if he had wanted them to distract him there was little chance. Ron was, as usual, stuffing himself to the gills with food. So Harry turned to his thoughts, he could in fact go talk to Professor VanHouten, after all they had to make plans for the ball. A pang of pain shot through his heart as the thought of the Masquerade Ball brought up the thought of his parents' murder. Pushing his plate away Harry decided now would be a good time to go up to his dorm.
"Where 'ya going mate?" It really was a miracle Ron remembered to swallow his food before he turned to Harry. Not wanting to worry his friends too much, as Hermione had turned to reprimand Ron about speaking with his mouth full only to find he wasn't, Harry laughed a bit and tried to look nonchalant.

"Just heading up to think some things over, maybe write Remus an owl" Seemingly satisfied Ron nodded and turned back to the table. Hermione though took a moment to look Harry over as if trying to decide if she should say anything, she didn't buy the excuse for much more than what it was, an excuse, but for some unknown reason she just nodded and turned back to Ginny.

Free of the confines of the Great Hall, Harry found himself wandering the staircases before shoving his hand in one of his robe pockets only to be met with the familiar worn parchment that was the Marauder's Map. A smile crept onto his face as he quickly checked the corridors and staircases before tapping it lightly and speaking the incantation that his father spoke so many times before.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good" checking first her classroom, Harry found Professor VanHouten to still be in her office and recited the ending incantation before heading up to the third floor. He wasn't entirely sure what he was really going to talk to her about, but it couldn't hurt; besides there was little chance of Malfoy showing up, he was still at dinner. Before he knew it he was knocking on the Defense Against the Dark Arts office door.

"Come in Harry" Professor VanHouten's voice sounded slightly softer than in her classroom and Harry assumed it was because he was still on the other side of the door. Walking into the infamous Defense office, he once again felt in awe at how different it could look every year. Much a kin to her personality Professor VanHouten's office had a collection of things that one wouldn't think would do well together. She had artwork, both muggle and wizard Harry noted, on the walls as well as charts and maps. There were open books with notes marked on Dark creatures in many different languages, and even some runes about. There was however, the same cozy feeling Harry had grown accustomed to in third year, and for that he was grateful.

"Hello Professor" Harry closed the door behind him lightly and felt his heart beat rather loudly when he saw her smiling at him.
"I was wondering when you would come see me" Harry noted that she had taken off her sunglasses, and had been writing for awhile. He couldn't help but feel overdressed in his school robes while she was as usual clothes in casual muggle attire, though he noted her cloak was thrown to the side as if she had recently been out.
"I thought now would be a good time, but if you'd like I could come back…" Professor VanHouten raised an eyebrow at him and motioned Harry towards the fireplace.
"I always mean what I say Harry. Would you like some tea?" Harry consented to the sweet smelling tea that appeared at a wave of a delicate hand.
"Its raspberry tea, I find it calms my nerves and Remus cleared out my stock of Earl Grey" the soft laughter rang in his ears and only made Harry feel more welcomed in the comfortable lounger.
"That will be fine Professor" Harry looked up as he heard a "tsk" like sound.
"Yamele will be fine Harry, at least while not in classes; Professor makes me feel rather old to be honest" Harry laughed at the remark and took a sip of the poured tea. They sat in comfortable silence for awhile, each lost in their own thoughts. The fire crackled and Harry became aware that Pro…Yamele wasn't sitting next to him anymore. Looking up he saw her leaning against the side of the fireplace watching him.

"You wear your emotions freely, and while that's refreshing, it will lead you to trouble." Harry blinked and felt, instead of the normal slight aggravation at hearing those same words, a feeling that could only be described as a need to best her.
"Perhaps, but at the moment I doubt it matters much…" Harry's heart pounded as he watched with morbid awe a rather cold smirk found its way onto Yamele's face.
"It always matters…" she pushed her hair back, the blonde streaks entrancing Harry as usual to follow as they seemed to flow.
"Did you know my parents?" she pressed her lips together in thought and nodded her head slightly; detaching herself from the fireplace she came and sat on the coffee table in front of him.
"I did" he watched her lean forward on her knees looking at him. Harry could see the features on her face clearly now, she had a slight sprinkle of freckles across her nose, as if she had been in the sun for short periods of time recently.

"Did you know them well? Could you tell me about them?" Harry set down the tea and watched her. There was enough distance between them that they were under no circumstances inappropriately close but, still intimately close as far as Harry was concerned. He watched in fascination as Yamele's face lit up in a serene smile and met her mercury eyes.
"I knew them rather well, considering they helped take care of me for a few years. Your mother was very kind to me, and once she figured out what I was she did not try to baby me, which was rather nice. Your father went through a few stages…first he was scared of me, then he was wary of me, then he tried to baby me, and finally he admitted that I would probably never listen to him because he had made the mistake of being afraid of me based on his prejudice in the first place. I liked that stage the best, we became mischief makers together." The glint in Yamele's eyes made her more beautiful if that was possible, she seemed honestly happy about the memories she was reliving. This confused Harry, normally he'd feel a pang of envy, but somehow he understood that then she needed his parents more than he and either way her experience with them was far different that any of his could have been.

"I have something for you…" Harry's attention snapped back to her as Yamele stood from the coffee table and grabbed a box from the side table before sitting next to him again. The box was wooden and looked worn though sturdy, decorated with carvings on the lid and sides it seemed to be a child's treasure box.
"The box…belonged to my family and when Lily was pregnant I gave it to her for her baby…it's now yours. Inside, are things that you used to play with every day…she used it as a sort of toy chest for you since it would always open for you. I've kept it safe until I could somehow return it…" Harry felt his chest tighten slightly as she handed him the box, faint memories flashed before his eyes as he ran his fingers over the carvings slowly. Opening the box, or really watching it open on it's own, he hesitated slightly wondering if he wanted to go through these memories in Yamele's office. As if reading his mind, Yamele's hand came into view holding the lid of the box so that it wouldn't open completely to reveal its secrets.

"You can go through it at your leisure and when you're ready Harry. If you want we could talk about the ball costumes…" wondering when such intimacy had become so familiar Harry nodded and set his treasure box aside. Running a hand through his already messy hair he turned to Yamele and smiled sheepishly.
"I really have no idea what we could go as…" Earning himself a soft laugh Harry felt himself grin at the thought that he made her laugh so easily. Shaking her head at him, Yamele stood again and grabbed a few books from nearby stacks, sending him a glance or two she soon came back with them.
"Aren't you hot in those robes? I never did understand why the insistency on such a tradition that seems so impractical." She shook her head, her silky hair falling in her face just enough to make Harry's hand twitch. What was happening to him? He really was no good with this sort of charm work.
"I guess after awhile you just get used to them…" shrugging out of them Harry turned his attention to the books she had laid on the coffee table. The first appeared to be a book on ancient cultures, listing the Ancient Greek gods and goddesses that were more than likely witches or wizards.
"I honestly think Aphrodite and Eros were Veelas but try telling that to Mr. Fancy-pants who wrote the book" Harry chuckled as Yamele made a face at the now horrified wizard drawings of Aphrodite and Eros. Shaking his head, Harry turned the pages and stopped at the picture of Athena.
"I'd say you're more like her…" He watched for her reaction and smirked in spite of himself when he noted a very faint blush tainting her cheeks.
"Athena, Goddess of Wisdom? Hm…" Yamele shrugged her shoulders a bit and looked through another volume, leaving Harry to look through the Ancient Greeks for inspiration that would make her blush again.