Over his years at being in Hogwarts, Harry had learned that the Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers' were phony, working for Voldemort, or sadly unable to return. Which if one thought about it, was a big rip-off if the students or their parents bothered to take into account how much tuition cost.

Professor Cross, however, was a different case entirely. And for the life of him, Harry couldn't decide if that was a good or bad thing. Hermione, Ron, and himself disliked the man on sight for about a week after he gave Allen that detention, but then Hermione snapped back into study mode and Allen practically begged them to let it go. Granted, the white haired boy disliked the man too, but he pointed out to the trio that it didn't matter how much he hated Professor Cross, the man was still a teacher. That and the parting words of the red headed assistant that first night put things into perspective.

That didn't stop the man from viciously singling out Allen every single class. It was so bad that there was a pool going around for when the transfer student would snap and attack the man. Personally, Harry didn't think it would happen anytime soon. Allen was notoriously good at keeping his anger in check, with the exception of a few terse words regarding his crusade with Slytherins. As much as Harry hated to admit it, Allen had actually gained quite a bit of ground with them over the past two months. While he was still not a friend, he gladly informed his Gryffindor pals that he had been upgraded from 'strange and dangerous creature' to 'something stupid' to 'that annoying acquaintance that won't leave me be no matter how much I hex him'. Harry's not sure if the Slytherins had told him that to his face or if he just picked the mood up from them.

In any case, no one had the heart to tell him that his hair was still smoking slightly from whatever curse the Slytherins had cast on him to get him to go away.

"Allen, are you sure this is worth it?" Ron asked in concern for the boy's mental health.

"Of course! The key is to stalk them and never let them go!" Allen giggled with such a dark aura around him that Harry considered asking him to face off with Voldemort in his stead. He had a strange feeling Allen would dominate that fight.

"Ah, ok then. . ." Ron trailed off as Allen began to cackle madly. "I think he's lost it." He whispered to Harry.

"Remember, he said he came from a reform school for traumatized kids. So the question is, did he ever really have it?" Harry questioned back, honestly wanting to know the answer. Ron just shook his head sadly.

Anyway, back to Cross.

If one looked pass all the insults and alcohol that he somehow sneaked past the other teachers, one could almost say the man was a good instructor. He was serious when it came to hard work and learning. He also knew what he was talking about but hated grading papers, so students rarely had homework, which earned him much forgiveness from the many egos that he had effortlessly crushed during his short time at Hogwarts.

It still didn't change the fact that he despised doing anything that was considered extra work. Rumor had it that he somehow erased his name off the Teacher's Parole List. Professor Flitwick is still trying to figure that one out. The list was charmed to be permanent, no erasing possible. Then again, where there's a will there's a way.

So it came with a deep shock and surprised gasps to the 5th years in his class when he announced he would be supervising during the Hogsmeade visit.

"So he does care about his responsibilities as a teacher!" Hermione whispered excitedly to her friends glad to finally have proof that he cared about them no matter how slight.

"No." Allen said blankly, a stiff smile on his face. "There's no way he's going for us. There's something in it for him."

"Like what?" Hermione asked as her brows furrowed into a confused glare.

"Like bars." Allen emphasized.

"Oh that's just ridiculous!" Hermione replied hotly but was drowned out by Cross.

"I just want you all to know that I'm only going so I can get drunk and meet beautiful maidens." The professor called out lazily from his desk. "I have absolutely no intention of watching any of you morons. If you wander off and die then it's your own damn fault. You know the rules, besides you're all in your 20's or something, right?"

"We're 15!" The whole class shouted angrily.

"15, 20, same thing." He told them, warding off their fury with a wave of his hand. "You can go at the start of lunch and have to be back by the end of dinner. Don't wait up for me." Cross said with a smirk as he stood up. "That's all I've got for today. Get out."

"He's abandoning us before we even get there." Allen sighed as they walked out of the classroom.

Lunch time came and after having their passes inspected, the four Gryffindor's walked with one eager professor who hadn't bothered to wait for any others. The only reason he was with them was because they were the first ones there and he needed an excuse to get to Hogsmeade as fast as he could.

"Where's the bar?" Was the first thing the professor asked when they reached the village. Ron, deciding to be a smart-ass, pointed in the opposite direction of the bar. However, Cross had Tavern Senses and sniffed the place out, smacking Ron on the back of his head as he sprinted towards the Three Broomsticks.

"Freedom!" Allen whispered as tears ran down his cheeks when he saw the man disappear inside. "Freedom!" He yelled pumping his fists in the air as he did a victory dance.

"Ok, I know you hate him, but you really need help." Harry told him as they calmed him down from his euphoria and began to explore the small town.

"You have no idea." Allen replied in a dark tone before returning to his regular, sweet self. While Hogsmeade had much to offer, the four friends became tired and hungry after exploring for a few hours and headed off to the Three Broomsticks to fill their stomachs and rest their feet.

"Oh, the nerve of that man!" Hermione exclaimed when they entered the bar and saw Professor Cross flirting with several women and gambling at the same time. "You would think he'd show a better example to the students, being a teacher and all." She said in disgust.

"To each their own, Hermione." Ron said as he ordered a butterbeer. Harry silently agreed with Ron while ordering his own drink. The waitress turned to Allen who ordered all the food on the menu and a glass of water.

"Are you trying to be funny?" She asked him, annoyed. "Ain't no way, you'll be able to eat everything."

"Yes he will." The other three told her simultaneously.

"How about a bet?" Allen asked her with a devilish grin. "If I can't eat it all, then I'll do whatever you want, within limits. If I do eat it all, then I don't have to pay."

"Little man, you have yourself a deal!" The waitress excitedly shook his hand, thinking of all the cleaning she wouldn't have to do tonight. As she walked away, the four could hear Cross's booming laugh. "Why yes, I am a prince! I'm here to bestow my wisdom onto all the children willing to listen." He told the cooing women surrounding him.

"What! All he does is laze and belittle women!" Hermione seethed. "Prince? I find that hard to believe and their buying it!" She raged.

"Let's not talk about our teacher's perverted hobbies," Ron cut in quickly. "I'm lucky I was able to come this time; Mum wouldn't let Ginny come because of all the disappearances."

"He's right, Hermione, the only reason I was allowed to come was because Professor Dumbledore convinced Sirius I'd be alright." Harry added as he sipped on his drink.

"My guardian doesn't even know about the disappearances!" Allen said contently. He had told them the first week that his parents were dead and that he lived with his uncle. They were smart enough not to bring it up again.

"Here's your food, lad!" The waitress said with plates among plates of food. Setting them down on the table and an extra trolley she continued speaking. "I have other customers to attend to so I can't watch you but I have a spell that will tell me if you try to cheat, all right?"

"Not a problem." Allen replied, eyes never leaving the food. With a swish of her wand the waitress gave a satisfied nod and continued on with her job.

A contemplative silence reigned across their table as Allen dug in before Hermione spoke up again.

"Who do you think is behind all these disappearances?" She questioned out loud.

"Voldemort, no doubt," Harry mumbled darkly.

"Well, I know that," Hermione said exasperatedly. "I meant who else." This statement caused both boys to look at and for Allen to stop eating. His eyes gained a worried tint as the three continued talking about something that wasn't their business.

"What do you mean, Hermione?" Ron asked slowly, not really knowing if he wanted to hear the answer.

"Well it's just," Hermione hesitated, looking for the right words. "I don't know exactly how to explain it, call it a hunch, but these disappearances feel bigger than just You-Know-Who." Her words made Allen pale. 'They're not supposed to know anything! Stay calm Allen, they're just guessing.' He reassured himself as he began stuffing his mouth again.

"Bigger?" Both Ron and Harry questioned at the same time.

Hermione nodded. "Yes, like there's more to it. I've been following these disappearances through the newspaper and it's frustrating me to no end."

"I'm afraid you'll have to elaborate." Harry told her, still not sure what she was getting at.

"None of the people who've gone missing were a threat to Voldemort. They're all regular witches and wizards. Some were merchants, others street performers, a few were homeless." Hermione sighed in aggravation. "It like whoever's doing this is trying to avoid attention, yet wants it at the same time."

A shocked silence ran over their table, the three students ignoring Allen's quiet chokes. He hadn't expected them to figure that out.

"Hermione, I think you just answered the question to your frustration over this." Harry said quietly.

"I think you're right Harry." Hermione said just as quietly, still in shock.

"Sorry for being the slow one, but I don't understand. Care to explain?" Ron asked with slight irritation at being left out.

"It's so simple I can't believe I didn't see it before! Whoever's doing this probably could take out someone with a high profile, like the Minister of Magic, but they know that the media would be all over that and searches for someone like the Minister would keep going much longer than one for a regular wizard, and they don't want that." Hermione gushed out, excited that she was slowly figuring out the puzzle.

"I'm with you so far, go on," Ron urged her happy that he was following her train of thought.

"So they targeted people who have a poor or middle class status, they know the media will still be on it but not as much as with someone of importance. It's like they're giving out a warning; the calm before the storm." She ended, proud of her deduction. Allen wished her brain had short circuited, but no such luck.

"Okay, I get that, but it still doesn't explain why they're taking people who'd be useless to them," Ron stressed and Hermione's happy expression crumbled. She hadn't figured that part out yet.

"Sacrifices," Harry muttered softly after a moment, causing both Ron and Hermione to look at him.

"Sacrifices or mindless slaves. Would that be a reason why Voldemort and whoever's helping him want regular people?" Harry asked Hermione, anger tight in his voice.

Hermione nodded her head slowly. "Yes, that would be plausible."

"Aren't you guys over thinking this just a tad?" Allen spoke up, spooking them. They had forgotten he was there. "I'm sure the Aurors's know more than the media. They're probably already hunting this person down as we speak. It's not our job to figure this out." He ended almost desperately. 'Just forget about it! Do not cause me extra trouble!' He mentally begged.

"Walker!" They heard Cross shout from across the room. "Get over here! I need you for something." Allen, after hearing his name come from that mouth, had the look of a man at the gallows, silently stood up and walked over to the professor.

"Yes sir?" he gritted out as politely as possible. He wanted so badly to deck his teacher in the face but the two giggling blondes sitting on the man's lap stopped any violence on his part.

"Heard through the grapevine you were good at poker." The man said, a sadistic light flashing through his one eye.

"Really? You must have heard wrong." Allen dismissed casually and tried to leave but Cross level such a glare at him that Allen could hear his thoughts.

'Leave and die a most humiliating death.' It spoke to him.

"Perhaps I should try my hand at it anyway." He backtracked to save his life, nay, his very soul. "Will I be playing against you?" He asked, shuffling around nervously.

"Naw, cards ain't my thing. These two gents though, seem to be lookin' forward to it." Cross said pointing to two of the biggest, most burliest men Allen had ever had the displeasure of setting eyes upon.

"Oh. Just for fun then, yes?" He asked the two men as he sat down and shuffled the deck.

"No." One let out in a beastly growl. "We're playin' for keeps and what we want is our women back from Lover Boy here." Allen felt a cold sweat slide down the back of his neck.

'Heavenly Father,' He silently prayed. 'Please don't let there be any spells that detect cheating in this game. PLEASE.'

Meanwhile Harry, Hermione, and Ron watched in sympathy as Allen was dragged into a card game against his will.

"I think," Harry said as he rose up out of his seat. "We should go investigate; ask questions to people and see where the disappearances happened. We may find something." The other two nodded as they got up to leave.

"Think we should ask Allen to help us?" Ron questioned just as they were about to leave, feeling bad about just leaving him with Cross. Harry stopped and turned around to see Allen stuck between one evil bastard of a professor and two aggressive looking men. 'Yeaaahhhh, we can't take those guys on. Sorry Allen.'

"No, I don't think he'd be able to escape Professor Cross, besides, I'm not sure he could take it." Harry dismissed

"What do you mean?" Ron asked.

"He watched us when we were practicing quidditch the other day and he looked a bit ill after seeing us flying around, so I'm not sure he'd be able to take this. Besides, you heard him just now, he doesn't think it's our job and I suppose he's right." Harry scratched his hair. "But we can't let this go without trying. Also, he's an exchange student; let him enjoy his year at Hogwarts." Harry said as they walked out the door.

The waitress came back to their table ready to claim victory, only to stare in disbelief at all the plates licked clean.

"Aww bleedin' hell!"

Bonus Story : You don't evolve, do you?

He was getting dizzy just watching Harry and the others fly around on their brooms.

"How can they do that?" Allen asked Ravi who had joined him.

"I don't know, but I'd like to try!" Ravi said excitedly.

"I'm glad one of us is enjoying this." Allen muttered to himself. Suddenly, the golden snitch landed in front of the exorcists. Both blinked at it dumbly, unsure of what to do, before the snitch zoomed away.

There was an awkward silence before Ravi spoke.

"You know…"

"Yes?"

"That thing looked a lot like Timcampi," Ravi finished.

"Really? What do you think Tim?" Allen asked Timcampi, who was seated on the crown of his head. Tim simply butted his little head against Allen's, agreeing with Ravi.

"Hey, maybe they're distance cousins or something!" Ravi exclaimed, laughing at his own joke.

"Ha ha, Ravi, very funny." Allen said sarcastically.

"Or you know maybe it's an evolved Timcampi," Ravi said seriously. Allen perked up at this.

"You think?"

Ravi shrugged his shoulders. "You never know, I mean, look at the resemblance." They both looked out in to the field just as a bludger violently knocked one of the players off his broom.

"Ravi?" Allen squeaked with a slight hint of fear in his voice.

"Yes?" Ravi asked in the same voice.

"You don't suppose, that Tim would evolve into that, do you?" Allen asked, already thinking of how many times his head would be smashed against a wall for angering a bludger –like-Timcampi.

"Dear God, I hope not." Both exorcists looked up at Timcampi just in time to see that he had sprouted two fangs making it look like he was grinning evilly.

Allen and Ravi paled considerably.

"I really hope not."