Disclaimer: don't own
A/N: sorry it took so long to update, here is the next installment of this story that is turning into a monster... ah well, it was kind of intended to be. Thankies to my lovely reviewers . and Sugar-High Pixie.
OF Blood and Magic
Chapter 12: Questions
Tevelle didn't get any more rest that night. Instead she leaned against the rough trunk of the nearest tree, trying not to think. At one point the herd of thestrals joined her, one of the foals collapsing bonelessly next to her, head in her lap. One of Tevelle's hands absentmindedly stroked the colt's head and neck and the foal was soon fast asleep. The rest of the herd milled about, some dozing, others munching contentedly on the underbrush or snatching leaves off a low-hanging branch. One remained on guard at all times, ears twitching at any sudden sound.
A smile tugged at her lips at the scene. Oh wouldn't Hagrid be surprised if he discovered her then. No doubt he would wonder how the docile herd was so comfortable around such a predator.
The colt twitched his legs in some dream, head tossing slightly.
"Hush darling," She whispered soothingly and the young thestral settled into a less distressing dream.
The first light of false dawn lit the forest far sooner than Tevelle would have liked. Reluctantly, she slid out form underneath the colt, trying not to wake him. Luckily, he was sleeping deeply, like only young creatures could, and did not stir as she set his head down gently. Saying goodbye to each member of the herd, Tevelle began making her way back up to the castle, combing a hand through her hair as she walked.
Good, no twigs or leaves, Xeven would be proud.
After a quick stop in her dormitory to change into a fresh set of robes, Tevelle went to breakfast, her mood considerably brighter than during the night and day before.
She was surprised to find a package waiting for her on the table next to her morning goblet of blood. A single card was tucked into a fold in the plain brown paper wrappings. Tevelle took a sip out of her goblet, turning the card in her hand curiously.
A gift in hopes that this Yule Ball will be a fonder memory than your last Hogwarts ball. Wear it well. ~Xeven
Tevelle smiled and looked up towards the staff table in hopes the elder vampire was eating his breakfast as well. His seat was curiously empty.
Oh well, Tevelle thought to herself, I'll just have to remember to thank him later.
Curiosity got the better of her and, downing the rest of her blood in one large gulp, Tevelle retreated back to her dormitory to see what her mentor had given her. Once in her room, Tevelle tore into the paper as fast as her hands would allow. She never had been able to handle surprises.
Silky smooth fabric met her fingers and Tevelle held it up in front of her as far out as her arms would reach. Deep red silk cascaded down all the way to the floor.
"Oh, that is gorgeous," One of her roommates said, walking into the room. As much as Tevelle wanted to snarl at the girl's unasked for comment, she couldn't help but agree.
The gown was stunning. The bodice was strapless with a sweetheart neckline, obviously fitted expertly. At the hips, the bottom seam tapered into a point at the center. The skirt of the gown, in the same blood-red fabric as the bodice, hung all the way down to the floor, flaring out a little near the bottom so that her legs would have full range of movement. She turned it around, seeing the at the back of the bodice laced up but was otherwise unadorned.
Tevelle thought of the simple black halter dress she had intended to wear. Xeven's gift put her former dress to shame.
I will definitely have to thank him later.
Tucking the gown carefully away in her Trunk, Tevelle made her way to her first class of the day…
…Only to be waylaid as she passed by the library.
"Can I help you?" She asked a very flustered looking Victor Krum.
Wait, why is he flustered? Tevelle thought sourly, he's not the one late for class.
Krum flushed. "Um, I vas vondering..." He started speaking awkwardly.
"Sorry," Tevelle interrupted when she caught sight of the library's clock. Crap, she was going to be very late. She still had quite a distance to travel. McGonagall was not going to be pleased. "Can you tell me later? I have to get to class. See you!"
Maybe if I sprint I'll make it. No, but there are people around. They'll notice if I suddenly start running at super-human speeds.
She left the confused Quiditch player behind her, already focused on maintaining an acceptable speed that might get her there on time but would not blow her cover.
"Ms. Nightshade, you are late." McGonagall said when Tevelle came crashing through the door. "Take a seat and ten points from Slytherin."
Glad she didn't have yet another detention, Tevelle collapsed into the nearest seat.
"Now, as I was saying before we were interrupted, today we will be working on transfiguring exact copies of an object."
McGonagall flicked her wand in a single carefully controlled movement toward a small, ornately carved oaken box. An exact replica soon took shape beside it where previously there had been a porcelain teacup.
"It will not be sufficient to simply make another box similar to the first," the professor continued. "Every minute detail down to the pattern of the wood grain or a chip in the carvings should be identical." She eyed the class sternly as if daring a student to complain. "Now, materials are in the cupboard and the proper incantation is on the board. Get to work."
Tevelle was slightly relieved that she had been pulled back several years in classes. Having died in her sixth year, fourth year classes were relatively easy despite her many years of disuse. This spell particularly had given her trouble the first time around. Though Professor Dumbledore had been a slightly more laid-back teacher than Professor McGonagall. He generally accepted work with one or two slight mistakes, not so with Minerva McGonagall.
"Ms. Nightshade," McGonagall said, "Professor Dumbledore would like to see you in his office." Well what do you know, speak of the devil….
"Yes, Professor." Tevelle said as she gathered up her things. It always felt weird speaking to one of her former classmates like that. She kept wanting to call her Minerva or even Minnie. They had been friends once, not close ones, but close enough that they would hang out occasionally. Stepping out into the hallway, Tevelle wondered sadly if that even if she hadn't died would they still have lost contact and grown apart till they were more than strangers. Then she remembered Tom. Most likely they would have become enemies.
Before she knew it her feet had carried her all of the way to the gargoyle. Tevelle pushed her musings to the back of her mind and looked up at the intimidating statue.
"I don't have a password, but I do have an appointment, so could you let me up and save me the trouble of shouting out random sweets and dancing about like an idiot?"
The gargoyle sprung aside and Tevelle had the distinct impression the enchanted statue was chuckling.
"Thank you." She said, stepping onto the rotating stairs. She continued to walk, to impatient to simply wait for the stairs to spiral her up at their own slow pace.
Dumbledore's voice sounded slightly muffled through the wooden door as she knocked. "Come in."
"Professor, I was just thinking about you actually," Tevelle said once the pleasantries and offers of lemon drops were out of the way. "Remember that replication spell I had so much trouble with back in my fourth year. Well it turns out its not so hard the second time around."
"Oh yes, I remember. It always was the middle level spellwork that you always had the most difficulty with. The more complex they were, the less time it took you to master them, with the exception of the truly simple spells of course."
"Yeah, Xeven complains about me being backwards all the time."
Dumbledore chuckled, reaching out to pet Fawkes who had landed on the desk beside him. Tevelle took the moment of silence to snatch a second lemon drop from the bowl on his desk.
"So," She said after a minute, "What did you need? I figure you wouldn't call me out of class for no reason."
"Yes. Earlier this year Xeven told me that you saw someone suspicious by the Goblet of Fire at the beginning of the competition. I won't ask why you were down there and I know it is rather after the fact, but could you tell me what you saw?"
Tevelle thought for a moment. The memories were still there, but the edges were beginning to cloud over. "You probably want to ask Xeven about that. I gave most of my memory to him so my recollection is fuzzy at best. He also would probably be able to tell you more of what is actually happening than me as well, being an outside observer and all that."
"Ah," was the only response she received.
"Sorry I couldn't help you more. Did you need anything else?"
"Ah, yes. It also came to my attention that Xeven requested some potions so that you could sleep without dreams. While that is mostly between Poppy and Xeven I like to keep tabs on any of my students if I think they might be having problems. Anything you would like to talk about?"
Tevelle shifted uncomfortably, biting down on what remained of her lemon drop and snatching another. Fawkes trilled lightly, winging his way over to his perch.
"They're just dreams. You know, old memories getting stirred up from coming back here after so long."
"Ah, I don't mean to pry, but any in particular?"
Tevelle scowled. He quite obviously did mean to pry.
"Well you know, being in his house and all, plenty on when I died. Though the hatred my former classmates have for me is not helping the matter. They seem to have all conveniently forgotten that Tom did kill me before he even took the name of Voldemort. There is very little chance that even with me being a vampire I am out for revenge against Harry for killing my ex. Not that being a vampire should have anything to do with it either. I find much of their dislike and prejudice against me very misplaced and immature. I am here for my schooling, the same as any other student here."
"I see," Dumbledore said carefully, the twinkle in his eye gone and a stern expression on his face. "I will discuss this with them. In the meantime, hopefully the potion will help you sleep. If there are any more problems such as this, please come see me."
"Thank you, Professor."
Tevelle looked at her watch. It was nearly lunchtime. How long had she been talking? Still, there was no point in going back to class now. She stole a couple more lemon drops said her goodbyes to both wizard and phoenix before making her way down to the great hall. As she sat down at her seat, Tevelle looked up to see Xeven walking towards her, a small bottle in his hand.
"The potion I promised you. One small sip before you go to sleep should do it, though be careful that you do not take too much or you will oversleep and miss your morning classes."
"Thanks a lot, and can you thank Poppy for me too?"
"Of course," Xeven said, a small smile in his voice. "Now, sit down and eat something."
Giving her mentor a quick hug, Tevelle did has he said, ladling some thick soup into a bowl on her plate. She dipped her roll into the broth and took a large hunk out of it with her teeth.
Soon enough a very jumpy looking Krum joined her. Oh yeah, he was trying to ask me something this morning.
"So," she said, turning to him, "What were you trying to ask me this morning?"
Krum blushed; something Tevelle thought did not suit him at all. She was about to remark on it, but suddenly his heartbeat slowed and a cool confidence replaced the discomfort.
"I vas vondering if anyvone had asked you to the Yule Ball."
"Not yet."
A cool smirk met her baffled half-smile.
"Vould you go vith me?"
"What? To the ball?" Tevelle asked, astonished anyone would ask her. It wasn't as if she had any real friends amidst the students and she had been quite rude to Krum on several occasions. She almost said yes. Krum was pretty much the only one she could tolerate at meals. It only made sense. If she was going with anyone it would be him. Still, something didn't seem right. She looked at him again, all cool-smiles and calm heartbeats. That was it. He was too calm. True he had seemed anxious at first, but there had been no trace of it when he actually asked her the question.
"No."
"Vat?"
"No," Tevelle reiterated calmly, smiling kindly. "No."
"Vhy?"
"Because, you don't want to go with me, not really."
The air around Krum smelled of confusion, so Tevelle elaborated. "You just asked me because it was easier than asking the person you really want to go with."
Krum flushed with a mixture of confusion and embarrassment.
Tevelle swallowed the last of her soup and blood before standing. "Go ahead and ask who you really want to ask. At the worst she'll say no and if that happens feel free to ask me again."
She left him then though she could feel his thoughtful eyes following her as she left the great hall. At the door she bumped into a distracted Hermione and she heard the spike in Krum's heartbeat.
Ah… "Sorry, Hermione, didn't see you there. See you in the library later? I have some SPEW ideas." She smiled, apologizing loud enough that Krum, who sat at the end of the Slytherin table, would be able to hear.
"Yeah, no problem," Hermione answered, oblivious to their audience, "How does seven sound."
"Perfect, see you then."
"What are you plotting, little bat?" Xeven's voice rang through her head. Of course he had heard everything.
"Something that would happen anyway, I'm just speeding up the process." Tevelle answered, not quite able to keep the mischievousness she felt from her mind's voice.
She could almost hear Xeven's exasperated sigh.
Tevelle looked at her watch. She still had plenty of time before her afternoon classes began and it looked quite cloudy outside. Perfect for some fresh air without worrying about the sun.
Once she found a small alcove in the courtyard that was sufficiently shadowed, Tevelle curled up with her sketchbook and started drawing.
"Can I sit here?" A voice interrupted. Why does he always interrupt
when it's always obvious I want to be alone?
"What is it?" She asked harshly.
"Krum asked you to the ball?"
"Yeah, so? What's your point, Malfoy?"
"What did you say?"
"Why do you care?"
"I'm curious; I want to know."
Did the boy not know how to take a hint? "I said no actually, now go away, I'm drawing and enjoying the cloudy sky."
"So you're not going with anyone yet."
Or ever if I can help it. She did not say anything aloud however, and it seemed Malfoy took her silence as confirmation.
"Will you go with me?"
Tevelle nearly dropped her pencil.
"What?" Why the hell would he ask her? She obviously didn't like him and was rude every time they met. What gave him the idea she would go to a ball with him?
"I said, would you go to the Yule Ball with -?"
"Yes, I heard what you said," Tevelle interrupted brusquely.
"So…." He trailed off expectantly.
"The answer is no."
"Why?"
Because you're sixty years younger than me, and you're an annoying brat who just wants to go to the ball with me because I'm the shiny new transfer student. "Because I don't want to and you annoy me."
Her mood suddenly soured, Tevelle left the confused and slightly hurt boy behind her. In her annoyance she ignored the fact that she had sensed nothing but genuine emotions from him the entire time.
By the time seven rolled around, Tevelle was considerably calmer than before. The library was silent save for the scratch of quill on parchment or the turning of old yellowed pages. She sat working on a charms essay, waiting for Hermione to show. She wasn't the only one waiting.
"Krum, come on out," She said to her shadow, "Hermione will get here when she gets here and lurking won't change that. Come join me and we can wait for her together."
Krum slouched out from behind the nearest bookcase, surprise showing in his expression but he remained silent. He sat down in the seat next to her and began leafing through one of the books Tevelle had picked out impatiently.
Soon enough, a rather flustered Hermione arrived. "Sorry I'm late," she apologized silently, her eyes falling on Krum. 'Why is he here?' her eyes asked as she took a seat across from them.
"Don't worry about it. Actually, before we get started on the SPEW stuff, Victor here had a question he wanted to ask you." Tevelle turned to Krum, expectantly, nearly laughing aloud when his heartbeat sped up into a gallop.
Hermione looked at him curiously.
"Well, go on, she won't bite," Tevelle nudged him when he didn't speak.
"Vould you like to go to the Yule Ball vith me?" Krum said in a quick rush of words that ran together but were still somehow understandable.
Hermione just looked at him, eyes wide with shock.
"I understand if you vould not," Krum said after a moment, deflated, "There vare plenty of others vho have asked you I am sure."
"No.." Hermione spluttered, "I mean, Yes! Of course I will go with you."
Krum suddenly brightened, flushing red. Hermione smiled back at him, face equally flushed.
Tevelle grinned broadly. "See, that wasn't so hard." She said, slapping Krum on the shoulder lightly.
A/N: yet another chapter in which the characters ran away with me... that's been happening a lot lately. Review please!