Lone Child
Chapter 25: Of New classes, Werewolves and Plans
"I'll never tire of the food here," said Dray digging in to a plate of ribs.
"Yeah, the house elves do a really good job," said Gin taking a bite of her steak.
"House elves?" asked Kat.
"They run the castle. Clean it and make the food and everything else you could think of. Real friendly creatures too," said Fred. George nodded in agreement.
"Why don't we see them around?" asked Kat.
"They prefer not to be seen. Kind of sensitive about that. Most of the ones here are elves whose masters have died or given them clothes," said George.
"Masters?" asked Kat with distaste.
"House elves bind themselves to a certain family, normally Purebloods. They serve the family for their whole lives, unless their master dies or gives them clothes. To give a house elf clothes is the ultimate punishment," said Gin.
"They're slaves!" said Kat with shock.
"No," said James stepping in. "They like to work, and they're treated pretty well. If they aren't treated well they are likely to turn on their masters and free themselves," said James. Night growled in agreement.
"I didn't know they could turn on their masters," said Dray.
"Well, not exactly turn on their masters. They can't divulge family secrets but they can give hints, like sign language, but can't say anything directly," said James.
"Hmmm… I didn't know that," said Dray looking thoughtful.
"You learn something new every day," said Triss.
"That is the whole point of going to school if you didn't know," said Mel sarcastically.
Dray glared and Triss reached over and gave him a friendly punch on the arm. "Ow," Dray said quietly rubbing his arm.
"Dumbledore is standing for his speech," said Mel turning to the head table.
"Welcome and welcome back students! Now that you all have been fed and watered I have some start of term notices. First is that only 3rd years and up may go to Hogsmead this year, if they have turned in their signed permission slips. Also as every year the Forbidden forest is called forbidden for a reason.
"As some of you already know the Minister of Magic has demanded that the school be guarded by Dementors in light of Sirius Black's resent escape from Azkaban. They are not aloud inside the gates but I suggest you keep an eye open anyway. Last but not least I would like you to welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Remus J Lupin," Dumbledore finished pointing to Lupin. Everyone clapped politely as Potter, Evans and Snape all scowled at him.
"What's with that?" asked Kat.
"He's a werewolf," said James so low only Kat could hear. She raised an eyebrow at him.
"So? That's no reason to look at him like that. He seemed rather nice to me," said Kat.
"The Wizarding world is prejudice, what more can I say?" asked James. "I would keep that little bit of info to myself if I were you. If the school board were to find out about him he'll be out of a job," said James.
Kat looked horrified. "How can they do that?" asked Kat.
"They're afraid the non-humans will rise up and take over the Wizarding world so they belittle them and make sure they know they have no rights. Why do you think I've been working on the crystals for the passed few years? I don't think it's right for someone who had no control over what happened to them be bullied and discriminated against," said James.
"What about Fudge?" asked Kat.
"What a shock it will be to the Wizarding world when they find out that their Minister is half dwarf," said James smirking.
"What about you? You're not quite human are you?" she asked.
"Yeah, elf on both of my parent's sides. Sidhe on my dad's and my mom's mother was a pureblood squib," said James. Looking threw some of the books on his family, James had found that his Grandfather was half Sidhe, not human, as he'd originally thought.
"Powerful combination," said Kat.
"I'm a powerful person," said James offhandedly. If only he knew how powerful.
&&&&&&&&&&&&
So far the school year had been rather uneventful. Only one day into classes and James was thoroughly bored. He'd already learned everything the professors were teaching. He hoped that Lupin's first class would be better.
James, Triss, Kat, and Dray piled into the DADA room. As was normal for them they were the first to arrive. Lupin was sitting at his desk in the front of the class reading a book that James recognized as a copy of 'Cry wolf' by Tami Hoag. "Hello Professor," said Kat sitting down between Dray and James in the front row, Triss sat down on the other side of James.
Lupin jumped at the sound of Kat's voice. "Oh, hello. I didn't expect the students to be arriving so early. Don't take out your text books, you wont need them," said Lupin.
"I like this guy already," said Dray leaning back in his seat.
"Anyone is better than Lockhart was, with the exception of maybe Potter," said Triss.
"You would think he would still be a little grateful to me for saving the life of his wife and daughters," said James. It still bugged him that Potter was such a prick to him just because he was a Slytherin.
"Daughters? I wasn't aware Professor Potter and Evans had any children," said Lupin standing next to their table.
"Yeah, Sara and Holly, they'll be 3 in December. Minerva McGonagall takes care of them during the school year, it would be dangerous to have them at the school because they've already started doing accidental magic," said James.
A hurt look briefly passed over Lupin's face so fast only James caught it. Before he had time to wonder about it another group of students walked in and Lupin went back to his desk. After five more minutes everyone had arrived.
"Hello and welcome to Defense Against the Dark Arts. Don't bother to take out your books, you won't need them," Lupin said leaning on his desk. "Today we will be doing something practical. Can anyone tell me what a Boggart is?" asked Lupin. Kat raised her hand. "Yes, Ms. Granger."
"A Boggart is a Shapeshifter. It takes the shape of what ever you fear the most," said Kat.
"Couldn't have said it better myself. In that closet over there," said Lupin pointing to a cabinet in the corner of the room, "is a Boggart. Mr. Longbottom, what do you fear most?"
Neville looked like a dear caught in headlights. He muttered something so low even James didn't catch it. "Can you speak up Mr. Longbottom?" he asked.
"Professor Snape," said Neville blushing and looking down.
"You live with your Grandmother, correct?" asked Lupin. Neville nodded. "Can you imagine the clothes she wears in your mind's eye?" Neville nodded again. "Step up here with me," said Lupin walking to the wardrobe.
Neville nervously stood up with Professor Lupin. "What I want you to do is picture Professor Snape in your Grandmother's clothes. When the Boggart comes out hold that image in your mind and say 'Riddikulus'," said Lupin.
Neville hesitantly walked up to the wardrobe and with a small incantation from Lupin the doors opened revealing the image of an irritate Snape making his way towards Neville. Neville took a step back and said, "R-r-riddikulus." The image of Snape stumbled and with a crack he was dressed in a frilly green dress with a moth eaten raven sitting on a matching hat and a big red handbag.
Most of the class broke out in laughter and the Boggart leapt up and landed in front of Dray. Instead of Snape there was the tall robed form of a Dementor. "Riddikulus!" said Dray. The Dementor turned into a large purple and green dinosaur, singing 'I love you, you love me'. Dray started cracking up at the sight remembering the prank they had played on Ron, Bole and Randle in their first year.
Again the Boggart jumped and landed in front of Triss. It shifted from Barney into a man. He had dark auburn hair and light blue eyes, not that different from Dumbledore's. He glared at Triss with malice and made a motion as if to hit her but Triss was faster. "Riddikulus!" she yelled. The man shifted into a man size fluffy pink rabbit. James could have sworn Triss muttered 'Take that you bastard.'
The Boggart jumped a final time, landing back in front of Lupin. It took the shape of a large silver ball floating in the air. Lupin lazily pointed his wand at it and turned it into a cockroach. Parvati Patil screamed at the sight of the insect and everyone else giggled, unintentionally making the Boggart explode.
"Very good students. Not exactly how I wanted to destroy the Boggart but good enough. Since the lesson ended a bit early you all can head to lunch, Ms. Summers, could you stay behind please?" asked Lupin.
"Sure," said Triss expecting to be asked to stay behind.
"Want us to wait?" asked James.
"Everyone else can go onto lunch but you're staying Shadow," said Triss. James nodded.
Why does the Werewolf want her to stay behind? asked Jewel.
Because of the form the Boggart took, the man that appeared was her father, said James.
Jewel squeezed his arm showing she understood and left him waiting for the classroom to empty with Triss. When everyone had left for lunch Lupin turned his attention to Triss. "I asked for only you to stay behind Ms. Summers," said Lupin motioning to James who was standing slightly behind Triss.
"He is just as involved in what you want to question me about as I am," said Triss leaning back on James.
"Very well then. Who was the man?" asked Lupin bluntly. James could feel anger radiating from Lupin but couldn't figure out where it was directed. Triss felt it too and obviously thought it was aimed at her as she tightly grasped James' hand.
"My father," said Triss.
"Why is your father your worst fear?" asked Lupin. James felt Lupin's anger rising and Triss grabbed James hand tighter.
"I'm sure you've already figured out why, can we leave now?" Triss asked still holding tightly onto James' hand.
"No, does Dumbledore know about this?" Lupin asked.
"He's one of the main reasons I was abused at all, of course the old Bastard knows. He's spent the better the better part of 5 years trying to have me sent back as well. If it wasn't for James I would probably be dead or worse by now," said Triss before turning and walking out of the classroom.
"If I were you I'd keep my emotions in check around her. Non-humans and Empaths don't mix well," said James before turning around to go find Triss.
&&&&&&&&&
"Mr. Cage, come to my office after lunch please," came Snape's unmistakable drawl.
"Yes sir," said James nodding at Snape and making his way to the Slytherin table. Triss, Dray and Kat were all talking between one another with Mel, Gin, and the twins listening in.
"What's up?" asked James.
"Potter just took 50 points off of us in the hallway for walking to slow. We're planning the first prank of the year," said Dray.
"Walking to slow? Can he even do that?" asked James.
"Whether he can or not he did. So far we've only come up with turning him into Tweety bird and having a cat chase him around but then we have the problem of the cat catching and eating him," said Mel.
"What about Glacier? I'm sure she'd be happy to help," said James.
"That would work if I knew where she was. Normally she just stays in my room but now she's hardly ever in there," said Triss.
"Night keeps running off too. Think he might be planning something?" asked Mel.
"If he is he better keep his eyes open and not do anything stupid. As good of a thumb as I have on Fudge I don't think I could save him from the Dementors," said James. It was common knowledge that if Sirius was caught he was Dementor food.
"Lets just hope he doesn't do anything stupid," said Triss.
"I doubt he will. Even if he sometimes has a big head he's not stupid," said Dray.
"On to the next topic, what do you guys think of the new professor?" asked James.
"He's cool. Sickly looking but cool," said Gin.
"I trust you all have figured out why by now," said Triss.
"Yeah," they all said in unison.
"Good. The full moon is in two days and I think Triss and I should be out on grounds. I don't think they would let him run loose with out some kind of control but for all we know no one else knows," said James.
"Don't think for one minute your leaving me out," said Mel.
"Already thought. It's safest for only James and I to go. Hell, if he has no control I plan on hauling ass back here and letting James deal with it. He is much more capable of holding his own than you or I could ever be. Plus, he's been working on find a cure for werewolves for years. What better investigation then going and hanging out with one," said Triss.
Mel glared at her. "Triss is right. What would you do if wolfie boy decided it was mating season?" asked James. Mel blushed. "Thought so."
"Sure you don't want someone in the air?" asked Kat.
"Yeah, I could take to the air if need be," said James.
"Sounds like a plan. I trust all of you will follow James's command and not go outside," said Triss in a serious voice.
"Yes ma'am!"
(A/N: This chapter sucked, but I didn't have many ideas, most of it is just planning. It was short too, but hopefully I will be able to make up for that in my next chapter.)
Review responses:
ZeonReborn: Ahhh, the good old days, when I could beat up my brother and not get in trouble. It's at times like this I regret turning into a teenager. When I was little I could do ride my bike without a helmet and only get a warning. Now cops try to run me over just to prove a point. I had a close call today. A cop was speeding up the main road and ran the light when I was crossing. Had it not been for my reflexes I'd be in a hospital bed about now.
Paladin3030: My mom's first husband was 26 years older than her. I don't do step moms. In all reality I don't think I'd have a problem with my friend being my step mom so long as she didn't tell me of her bedroom antics and didn't try to boss me around. I'm not doing the Snape thing anyway; he's going to be more like a father figure to her.
RilieDeAnnPotter5569: Thanks. UNO is one of my favorite games. I got the idea from my friend who likes the game more than I do but gets pissed off when I beat him.
Athenakitty: No, they're not going to be late. James's hair was my own personal touch; I think the frosted look is cool. As almost everyone, Sirius is under James's protection. Fudge needs to be spooked, or scared shitless, I'm not opposed to either. Randle Black isn't going to be much more of a character till later, he's just there as a prank target.
Cataclysmic: Thanks. Sirius was sent to Azkaban for supposedly killing Peter Pettigrew and a dozen other people in a murderous rage after Peter found out he was a Death Eater. The whole explanation is in chapter 4 or 5.
Jake: For some reason I attract big people. All of my older brothers are 6' or taller. My best friend is 6'3", too damn tall in my opinion. Sorry about you getting beat up, I used to get beat up till I got seriously pissed off and decked the school bully.
Shezza88: Thanks.
Lunawolf: Thanks. Lots of people said they didn't want Kat and Snape together so she is going with Lupin, and Snape will become like a father figure to her. Fudge bashing is one of my favorite things to do. I don't like him. The 'are you an item?' thing just kind of popped into my head.Claudia: Thanks for telling me about the mistake. When I have time this summer I hope to be able to sit down and correct them all. University? Ouch, I'm hoping to go into Pre-IB next year. The only thing I don't like is how early I have to get up; I'm a night owl and getting up at 5 a.m. doesn't really agree with me.
Gaul1: Dumbledore won't find out. Most of their forms are too common to be singled out, plus, it's not like Lupin is going to say anything.
Howling wolf1: Thanks.Insanechildfanfic: Thanks. He will get close to Remus and Sirius, just not right away. Sirius28: Thanks. I really, really don't like Dumbledore so it wasn't that hard to turn him into a bastard. Dark Angel: I agree 100%. The first part of it is on the 10th sadly. I hate writing essays; I just pray mine is Expository.