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 School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Author's Note: Hello my darlings, I do hope you're enjoying my story so far, and I thank you deeply if you've read all the chapters.

To Mr. Oliver Xymoron,

I absolutely agree that Harry is acting out of character with his DADA teacher, and believe it or not I'm aware that he is "immune" to the imperius curse and not overly affected by Veela charms (though if I recall correctly he is not fully immune to full Veelas as the scene at the World Quidditch Cup shows). So I'd like to clarify that no one is using the imperius curse on him and his attraction to Yamele has nothing to do with her half Veela status, and much more to do with what she told Draco in the chapter that Harry asks her to the Masquerade ball. Harry James Potter is anything but a typical teenager, but hormones and his "knack" for often doing exactly the opposite of what he should do have so far overridden his klutziness, though fear not, he'll still make a complete and total fool of himself. Harry is flirting with something particularly dark by getting involved in any sense with someone "related" to Draco Malfoy... I'm positive you'll agree with that...here's a hint, she's not blood related in any way shape or form, it is simply a title bond. Harry does know there is something odd about her...his dream visions confirm that and in this chapter Remus being the loveable and wonderful surrogate "godfather" will explain the gravity of trusting Yamele when Harry has no idea what or who she is but that in Harry's eyes does not override the fact that he's never felt threatened by her . But as a form of explanation to why he seems much more willing to trust her I'd like to point out that Harry has shown a habit to trusting people he probably shouldn't and being quick to follow a particular label for a person, i.e. Slytherins all ruthless heartless evil wizards, Dumbledore is never wrong except when it comes to Snape because Snape is a greasy bat; Yamele does not fit into any sort of label and Harry is relying on his instincts...

To my darling The Thirteenth Sapphire,

Draco is mostly trying to save his blonde arse from Voldemort's grasp, LOL, but he has grown up and it's something deeper that drives him to want to save himself and his mother in the first place.

Enjoy! Gypsy Jade

P.S.

That's got to be the most level headed "less than happy" review I've ever gotten Mr. Oliver Xymoron, carry on.

Chapter 12

Of Hogsmeade Visits and Crimson lips

The school could talk of nothing more for the rest of the week. What happened at the 6th year Gryffindor/Slytherin Care of Magical Creatures class was quickly overshadowing the news that Harry Potter would take Professor VanHouten to the Masquerade ball, which suited both Harry and Professor VanHouten just fine, though the latter realized the whispers would come back during and after the Hogsmeade weekend.

"Wow Harry, Ginny and I thought we would have to drag you out of bed and help you get presentable but obviously we were wrong." Hermione seemed shocked in a positive way, as she smiled at Harry who for once made it down to the Common Room before Ron. Nervously running a hand through his already messy hair Harry felt his cheeks tint red as he looked himself over, he hoped that his dark jeans, undershirt, jumper and jacket would be all right. It had started to drop in temperature though snow wasn't due on the ground for a few more weeks. Ginny and Hermione nodded approvingly.

"I just hope Yamele thinks so" Harry rolled his eyes as Ginny and Hermione opened their mouths to comment and was overly grateful, once again as Ron came down from the boy's dorm and distracted them. From the semi wet hair, Harry guessed Ron had just gotten out of the shower and had forgotten the drying spell, but if the looks Hermione gave him were any indication he looked perfect. Hermione couldn't take her eyes off of him, and for his part Ron glowed as she took his arm and they headed for the portrait hole, oblivious to the rest of the Common Room. Harry shook his head and followed a giggling Ginny after them.

"So Gin, you never did tell us who you were going to Hogsmeade with." Harry realized that his other friends were in no position to carry a conversation with him or Ginny so he turned to the younger girl in an effort to save himself. Smiling at him Ginny pushed back a few loose curls that got free from her pony tail before answering him.
"Actually I'm going to hang out with Pansy, Luna and Heidi Andrews from Hufflepuff. It's like a girl's day, that and we don't want to scare our dates with our ball madness." They shared a good laugh as they made it into the Great Hall where all the other students who were attending Hogsmeade were sipping tea or chocolate to prepare themselves for the inevitable chill they would face outside the castle walls. Harry found himself scanning over the other students that were up before finally trying to look nonchalantly over the teacher's table. He noted that Pansy, Zabini, Malfoy and a boy he thought to be Theodore Nott, were all at the Slytherin table chatting idly. Harry had been surprised to find that Malfoy had calmed down respectively since the incident with the Japanese ice dragon, which turned out to belong to Yamele, and couldn't help but wonder if perhaps they had never noticed there was more to Malfoy that met the eye, not that he was planning on ever letting his guard down around the blonde boy, there was still that arrogant attitude that Harry noted always followed people who wanted to make everyone believe they were better.

"You know, your not very subtle" Ginny's voice brought Harry back from his musings, without realizing it Harry had moved to watching Yamele talk to Professor Flitwick. He felt himself grow red and quickly ducked his head to take a drink from his hot cocoa ignoring the snickers Ginny aimed his way. He saw Pansy leave her table and watched in awe as she greeted Luna quite warmly, for a Slytherin, before making her way over in their direction.
"Morning Potter, are you ready red? Heidi is already waiting in the courtyard." Harry had never noticed Pansy looking so relaxed and at ease, even with the amount of cold glares she received from both the Slytherins (who were daft enough to dare glare at the Slytherin Princess) and the Gryffindors (who were awake enough to recognize her). His respect for her grew, and he smiled in earnest at her. Ginny said her goodbyes and departed the table in the company of the eccentric Ravenclaw and the guarded Slytherin.

"I can't believe my little sister is hanging about with the Princess of Slytherin...it's bloody weird" Harry started a bit as he heard Ron's voice and was amused to find that he had torn his eyes away from Hermione long enough to realize his baby sister had just left the Great Hall laughing with Pansy Parkinson. For her part Hermione didn't seem particularly disturbed by the scene and simply wiped her mouth and started to stand up.
"I'll meet you boys outside I need to ask Ginny something, do try to hurry remember we can always stop for lunch at the Three Broomsticks." Before either could answer she was half way to the door, shrugging Harry turned back to his mug. Ron though actually stopped eating and pushed his plate, very slowly away from himself. Harry was astounded.
"You ok mate?" Harry was torn between the sudden urge to laugh and the very real concern he felt, he had never seen Ron push his plate away before completely cleaning it.

"Yeah, she's erm, got a point. No reason to fill up now." Ron seemed to be trying to convince himself far more than Harry and for his part Harry felt a bit amused to see this particular change in his friend. True to himself though, Ron continued to munch on a biscuit while he turned his attention to Harry.
"Are you sure about this whole...idea with Professor VanHouten mate?" Harry felt himself raise an eyebrow at the redhead, now starting on his second biscuit.
"What do you mean Ron?" Watching as Ron seemed to weigh his options in his head before speaking--Harry felt a sudden drop in his stomach.
"I mean 19 or not she's our Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, her cousin is Draco Malfoy, she's half Veela, and she can handle a Japanese ice dragon which according to Charlie is a feat no witch or wizard has ever been able to accomplish. It just seems...as if she's got this pull on you somehow." Without really understanding why, Harry felt himself grow annoyed at what his best friend was saying about Yamele; even if, some small part of Harry noted, what Ron was saying was mostly true.
"I know this all seems strange Ron, but so what if Yamele is different? I can't explain it really...I just know she's not in leagues with Voldemort..." Harry couldn't help but roll his eyes as Ron flinched when he said the name so feared in the Wizarding world, he decided he was done with his breakfast and stood up.
"I just want to have a somewhat normal Hogsmeade visit without any dark thoughts. So don't worry about it, besides you've finally got an actual date with Hermione, stop thinking about me." Successfully distracting his friend's mind Harry followed him out of the Great Hall, doing his best to push the growing suspicion that Ron had dutifully reawakened in him.

The courtyard was slowly filling up with students who had been checked off by Mr. Filch and who were being over watched by Professor McGonagall herself and thanks to both Ginny's vibrant red hair and the wide berth that the other students were allowing Pansy's presence it didn't take the two long to find the group of girls chatting idly. Harry and Ron joined them after a reluctant Filch let Harry by muttering all the while about keeping the chains well oiled in the dungeons. Harry did his best to keep his mind from what Ron had said but he couldn't help but see his friend's point of view, but soon the object of his new obsession crossed into the courtyard slipping several pieces of parchment into her jeans pocket. Harry's mind went blank of all the things Ron had pointed out not even a full 20 minutes before as he watched her walk towards them, followed by none other than Malfoy himself. Harry felt a grin that could only be classified as foolish frame his face the more he watched her. He wondered how a woman could make a seemingly normal outfit like the one she wore composed of a simple v-necked black sweater, muggle jeans and boots, look so breathtaking.

"Hello you lot" she smiled at the group and Harry couldn't help but notice a glint in her eyes as she allowed her gaze to sweep over them. A chorus of hellos met the young teacher and Harry found himself at a loss for words.

"Are you excited about visiting Hogsmeade?" Hermione saved him from having to speak by directing her question to Yamele. Those wickedly crimson lips formed a soft smile that caused Harry's heart to skip several beats.
"I can honestly say Hogsmeade village is always a pleasant trip to make nearing the fall and winter. I'm sure you will storm Honeydukes along with all your fellow classmates today." Her soft laughter seemed to pull Harry out of his stupor.
"Of course, but I think the girls are first planning on storming that new place for costumes." Harry watched as Ron paled at the thought and could only be amused as the girls, Yamele included, gave each other what could be classified as guilty looks.

"There's nothing to worry about really boys, A capite ad calcem is only taking our measurements and handing us catalogs, as costumes are not normally stocked at the store." Yamele smiled and her eyes focused on the carriages now pulling up to the side of the courtyard. Harry turned to look at them as well, and as usual felt a shudder pass through him at the sight of the thresals, he wasn't sure he would ever get used to seeing them pulling the carriages about.

"What does the name of the new store mean; it can't possibly be in English." Ron turned to Hermione and Harry noted Yamele smile gently at the two standing in front of them. Hermione for her part beamed at Ron as if she could not be happier to answer his question.
"It means from head to heel in Latin; they specialize in less traditional clothing fit for wizards or anyone of the magical community. They've agreed to handle all the costumes and decorations for the school; anyone planning to attend the Masquerade ball will receive a special discount. I suppose that in turn the shop gains free publicity by word of mouth. It's one of the first new stores to open in Hogsmeade village in centuries. I just hope it's not too full by the time we get there..." Harry tried to stifle a chuckle as he realized that Hermione must be nervous since she was babbling.

"Well then off we go." Harry noted that Malfoy and his group had already made it over to a carriage and shrugged it off, following his friends, and trying his best to retain his demeanor as Yamele fell into step with him. Forcefully shoving his hands in his pockets he kept from taking Yamele's hand, though he instinctively helped her onto the carriage.
"Thank you Harry." He wondered if it weren't illegal to make a man's knees feel wobbly with just a smile. But Harry could only stage a ceremony in his head as he congratulated himself on not making a fool out of himself as he climbed in after her. Ginny and her group of girls had taken the carriage behind them and Harry was left with Hermione, Ron and Yamele.

"I'm glad you invited me along with you Harry, but after I leave you with Remus at the Three Broomsticks around 2 I have to floo to London. So I'm afraid you'll have to make your way back to the school on your own, unless by some stroke of luck I can get back here before late." Harry nodded and fought to control his hand as a curl of her hair came loose across her face and it twitched to be aloud to tuck it back.

"That's fine Yamele, I'm sure my chat with Remus will take awhile anyway. I haven't seen him since he saw us off to the Hogwarts Express." An odd glint passed through her mercury eyes but Harry could barely notice it before it was gone again.
"I'm sure you boys can keep yourselves out of trouble." Harry chuckled before realizing he really had no idea how to behave around her while they were in public.

"I suppose we should get the measurements out of the way first and then we can all break off to do what we like." The ride to the village was a fairly short one and soon they were making their plans with Ginny's group, Harry had to admit he felt a bit overwhelmed with being around so many girls at once; he and Ron were by far outnumbered and agreed to make A capite ad calcem the first stop without much fuss.

A capite ad calcem was a new experience for all of them. Having only recently opened the store was sparsely decorated but still gave off a warm atmosphere. Instead of racks of robes like its competition in London, Madam Malkin's, A capite ad calcem had tables, shelves, and racks filled with colorful clothing and fabric, it almost reminded Harry of a craft class he had taken once before he came to Hogwarts.A middle aged witch came bustling up to the group as they all stepped inside, her robes of a dark purple color matched her bright eyes and her smile made them all feel as if she had been dressing them for ages.
"Welcome my dears, let me guess you lot would like to get your measurements and catalogs for the costume ball at Hogwarts?" Harry felt Hermione, Ginny, and Pansy move forward excitedly while Luna and Heidi slowly directed their attention to the bright fabrics on the nearest table. Ron looked to him with raised eyebrows and Harry shrugged, he wasn't sure if they should get involved, he was betting the best was to not get in the way.
"Come on girls, we might as well get this over with. Aren't you boys thinking of costumes? You might want to get your measurements and the men's catalog from here as well." Yamele looked highly amused and once again Harry noticed how close in age she was to them.
"Are you planning on getting a costume Harry?" Ron watched apprehensively as the pages of the nearest catalog and was pleased by the wizard pictures he saw.
"I dunno mate, it might be a good idea, rather than just wearing dress robes and a mask, and either way we don't have to pay for anything but the catalog and we can both share one. It might be fun..." Ron looked over Harry's shoulder and shrugged his consent. Truth be told, it was never fun to have to stand for a measurement, and both boys felt rather foolish since their respective "dates" stood watching, trying to get their minds off the fact that the tape measure was taking measurements from every possible angle.

"There's a new bookshop I'd like to check Ron, do you think we could go there after we stop by Honeydukes? I want to get my parents some of the mint floss candy, they really like it." Harry couldn't help but notice Hermione blush slightly as she watched Ron trying his best not to flinch next to him. Harry quickly averted his attention to Yamele who was trying to talk Luna out of a very bright shade of lime, and was soon loosing his balance on the stool. In a flurry of clothing he landed on his rear the stool tipped on its side, the heat from his face obvious signs of his embarrassment. Within moments his line of view was filled with Hermione's and Yamele's faces, Ron he could hear laughing somewhere near the overturned stool.
"Well I think you're done Harry. All right?" Yamele extended her hand and Harry bit the inside of his cheek as he took it and stood. Harry noticed how soft Yamele's hand was and couldn't help but smile at her as she squeezed it gently.
"You can handle bludgers whirling at you while on a broom after a snitch but a tape measure knocks you off a stool?" Hermione gave Ron an exasperated look as he somehow managed to talk between loud chuckles, soon Ron too was on the floor, but it didn't deter his laughter.

"I think we're done, I guess we'll head over to Honeydukes and catch up with you guys later at the Three Broomsticks, around 2 or so?" Yamele patted Hermione's shoulder as she pulled Harry out of the store gently by the hand. It wasn't until they were back on the street that Harry noticed she hadn't let go of his hand, and he wasn't in any rush for her to do so. Taking the lead he lightly squeezed her hand as he maneuvered them around the bustling streets overrun with Hogwarts students, only to head straight into what seemed to be the entire student body. Harry heard Yamele laugh behind him and as they neared the doors of Honeydukes and felt her snake her arm around his torso.
"Sorry, I'm being jostled back here" Harry noted as he looked back at her, that snowflake shaped freckles were sprinkled across her cheeks and a slight tint as they were pushed through the doors. Honeydukes was as bustling as ever, and as Harry maneuvered them over to the wall of chocolate delights he sensed Yamele relax, and it occurred to Harry that with all the students around, she managed to blend in perfectly, except for her exotic looks if anyone gave her a second glance and the fact that he was with her.

"Oh I love chocolate." Harry watched as Yamele looked over the wall of selections, smiling at her.
"These are my favorite; they're kind of like a Cherry cordial, only they use exploding cherries, so they're three times juicer. And these have really sticky caramel, you shouldn't eat them whole or it might take days for your mouth to unstick. And these have different fillings with each bite, you've got to be careful though, sometimes the combination of fillings ends up tasting really horrid." Harry helped Yamele pick out what he thought was the best of the chocolate Honeydukes could offer and soon they made their way over to the suckers and gummy candies.

By the time the two made it to the counter, they had enough candy between them to feed an army of first years. Harry realized if he stopped thinking of Yamele as his DADA teacher, he didn't have much problem talking with her and just being himself. Harry watched as his candy was totaled up and last minute grabbed two raspberry flavored blood suckers from a nearby display and added them to his purchase keeping them in hand and holding one out to Yamele who laughed as she took it gingerly. It wasn't until now that he realized the owners of Honeydukes looking at her rather oddly, for her part Yamele seemed to only raise an eyebrow in defiance as she paid for her own candy. Harry chewed on the edge of the sucker thoughtfully as he watched how the normally cheerful couple seemed rigid and very formal with Yamele; perhaps they knew she was a teacher. He imagined that none of the other Professors came into Honeydukes, and he gave a sort of snort at the thought of Snape billowing into the sweets shop looking for sugar quills or black licorice wands. Not giving it much more thought, Harry took Yamele's hand once again as he maneuvered them away from the shop. Deciding a quiet place to enjoy their suckers was best; he led Yamele down the path towards the "most haunted building in all of Britain". Even knowing the truth behind the legend of the Shrieking Shack didn't stop the fun in going to see it, though often a guilty pang shot through Harry as he thought of Sirius; but now wasn't the time for such thoughts, Sirius would have wanted him to live his life.

"Oh Circe, I haven't been here in ages." Yamele's voice dropped to an almost whisper as she leaned against the rickety fence and looked up at the boarded over building. Harry smiled as he took the opportunity to watch her; he noticed again the peculiar freckles that seemed to have appeared on her skin where sun had shone on her during the incident with the dragon. Anyone who saw her then wouldn't have believed this was the same woman now, leaning against a ratty fence and chewing thoughtfully on an oversized sucker. With Yamele distracted long enough Harry found his eyes traveling the rest of her form, and he wondered if she wasn't getting cold, her clothing didn't seem to be very thick and her sweater rode up enough at the back of her waist to expose the small of her back, where intricate vines seemed to be drawn onto her skin. Harry tore his eyes away and looked back at the Shrieking Shack with the feeling that he had seen such an intricate drawing somewhere else. The sound of crackling sugar resounded in the quiet and Harry turned his head to see that Yamele had taken a bite out of her sucker and was paying for it by holding the now oozing candy away from her body. One look at her face which was now dripping with sugary "blood" was enough to gain a chuckle out of Harry and soon he heard Yamele laughing as well.
"I should have realized that would happen..." Yamele held her sucker upside down in an attempt to help the excess goop finish oozing, and as soon as Harry collected himself he remembered the cleaning charm and cleaned her chin.
"Thanks Harry, though I'm tempted to blame you for this mess anyway, you could have given a girl a warning" Harry felt himself smirk as he tucked his wand away again in his back pocket before offering a reply.

"That would have taken all the fun out of it wouldn't it?" Harry should have known better before he could think twice, he had a face full of snow. Soon after their impromptu snow fight Yamele began to shiver, without a second thought Harry gave her his jacket, causing Yamele to once again blush this time rather brightly.
"Maybe we should head over to the twins' shop, before we freeze to death" Harry took Yamele's bag and his own as Yamele wrapped his jacket tighter around her shivering form. As they rejoined the bustling streets, Harry pulled Yamele closer to him in an effort to both keep her warm and not lose her.