Harry Potter, the order of the Phoenix, and the DarkChilde

Author's note: Illyana is not necessarily a nice person. Especially as this story takes place after some very traumatic events in her life, a reminder to the readers that that takes place before the demon rebellion in Limbo, which takes place in the New Mutant comic.

Part 5a: Pandemonium

Behold, the sight that confronted Professor Severus Snape.

Potter - Bespeckled with blood, is trying to staunch the flow of blood from Illyana's right hand by pressing the sleeve of his gown upon the top of her hand.

Rasputin - Looking like she was in the early stages of hysterics, the front of her desk is covered in blood, say a half pint, and she has blood on her shoulders and neck from…

Delores - Her arms are covered in blood from her bleeding right hand. Blood that is also all over the new student as she is grasping the new student by the shoulders. Why, one might infer, were you to have suddenly intruded upon the scene, that Professor Umbridge was assaulting the new student?

"This is not what it looks like." Was Umbridge's statement as she looked at the scene from the perspective of another, in this case Snape's.

With a flick of his wand Snape closed the door behind him as he replied in his usual cold dismissive tone. "I am aquiver in anticipation of the innocuous details and shall attempt to contain the inevitable incredulous response as you describe what is actually taking place."

Which… Umbridge did not quite have a response to as she sought to construct an answer. Resulting in Snape rubbing his eyes at the massive mess before him. "Right, Potter kindly see to Miss Rasputin, Delores please step away from Miss Rasputin and apply pressure to your right hand."

Which Delores did as Snape waved his wand while stating "Silentium, nesciens ex"udi".

With that Severus and Delores commenced in a conversation that neither Harry or Illyana could hear, after he first plucked away the quill used by Illyana.

Part 5b: Severus/Delores

Severus pulled a small flask from within his black robes. "Pour this on upon your hand Delores and please endeavor to explain how this does not look like whatever it is you believe it to not be."

Which she did as a brief explanation of writing lines and student disciple was presented by her, plus the need to prevent lies from being spread; hence her use of a kind of corporal punishment. While doing such she poured some of the potion upon her hand that had the deep vertical slices that were with the bone line and not against it, hence the quantity of blood spilt. The injury promptly healed, but looked very tender.

A grumble of a sigh from Snape as to the stupidity of the world in general and this particular demonstration of said stupidity. "While I suspect most professors have the occasional fantasy of inflicting harm to the more annoying and troublesome students, actually doing such is frowned upon by the Headmaster, not to mention the governing board."

Which earned him a glare. "I had no intent of causing such… harm. A simple disciplinary action was my intent.

"By using cursed items." Pointed out Snape.

"Selective repurposing of items seized by the Ministry." Countered Delores with a bit of a sniff. "Repurposed for good."

"Does this look… good… Delores?"

She opened her mouth, then closed it. Yes… on the surface this looked... why, if others were to learn of it then they might infer she might have had nefarious intent despite any protests from her as to her innocence.

Snape observed her thinking upon the issue as he turned his attentions to the black quill that the new student had been using. He held it up, grasped between forefinger and thumb of his left hand for examination as her carefully studied it.

"And might I inquire as to how such came into your possession?"

"I, and the Ministry crafted them." Replied Delores, she was beginning to calm down and was rather dismayed to find herself being interrogated by Snape. She figured a brief explanation would minimize the questioning. "It was felt that a more benign method of punishment might be needed for the more troublesome agitators."

"Benign?" Snaps tone just dripped cold scorn.

"This was not the intent Severus."

"And yet, before us the results."

A flick of his wand and the word "Ardeat" and the quill was no more as it burned in a puff of smoke.

An act that did not please Delores. "That was not yours to destroy."

Which prompted an explanation of sorts. "The enchantments were unraveling, I felt it best to destroy the device before more harm resulted. In the future, do take care when crafting such items Delores, things with an appetite for blood sometimes find their creators most… appetizing."

"I shall Professor Snape." The use of his formal title being a reminder that they were not friends.

"Good, now to the students. Kindly follow my lead."

Part 5c: Harry/Illyana

And while the professors privately conversed, so did the students as the silence spell prevented the teachers from hearing what they said, and the student's backs were turned as well.

"Keep pressure on it." Advised a worried Harry as he pressed his sleeve upon her right wrist.

"Thanks…" Replied the new girl. She looked somewhat in shock as she turned to Harry, which gave him his first close look at her. A somewhat smeared with blood look, her eyes were startlingly blue as they met his gaze, and her hair was almost golden in its blondeness. There was the faint scent of Lavender and… brimestone? Then her expression changed from hesitant to focused as her eyes narrowed in a stare right at his eyes… no, at his forehead as Harry got a sudden stabbing headache that felt like it originated from his scar and it was almost like he could hear a second cry of pain.

"Ahh…" Was Harry's brief outcry as his left hand went to his forehead as she pulled back from him and put her left hand on top of her right hand so as to apply pressure to stem the bleeding as Harry's sleeve was no longer there.

And just as quickly Harry's pain was gone. And the new girl was suspiciously no longer looking dazed but instead was giving at him in an assessing look before giving the silent professors a quick glance before looking back. She spoke again and nothing in her voice sounded like she was in shock.

"Hi, I'm Illyana. I'd offer to shake hands but…" A slight wave of her right hand still clasped with her left, which was continuing to dripping some blood. "Rather messy right now."

"Oh… um… hi." Answered back Harry. And messy would not have been the word he would have used to describe the situation.

"And you are?"

"Oh… I'm Harry. Harry Potter."

Now Harry was used to everybody either knowing his name, or knowing of him. But she gave every impression of not knowing the significance of his name.

"Is this common?" Was her question.

"What is common?"

She shook her injured hand again. "Torturing students."

"No! The quill was just cutting lines in my, your hand until… " A look of suspicion from Harry. "You started doing something with your left hand and drawing strange things with the quill."

Strange things that were now concealed, if not washed away, by her blood.

She ignored his question. "So cutting words into your hand is not torture?"

"No, that's not what I'm saying."

"So we were being tortured?"

Harry got back on topic. "Yeah, we were, kind of, but it got way worse for you once you did whatever you did."

A topic she was resolutely ignoring as she suddenly got a worried look. "Um… they don't make you eat light bulbs do they?"

"What?"

"Light bulbs. No light bulb eating, right?"

Harry was quite shocked. "NO! That's… that's evil.What kind of place do you think this is? Nobody eats light bulbs here."

Her worried look receded but she still looked concerned. "A school of magic, one that apparently does not have issues in harming students."

The whole light bulb statement had confused Harry. "Um… why would they make us eat light bulbs?"

Another question she left unanswered, but perhaps an answer of another sort was offered. "So, I suppose this might be considered a lab exercise?"

"Lab?"

"Putting the book into practice."

"You mean Defensive Magical Theory?"

"Yeah, the part where the author babbles on about convincing the assailant that their actions are also causing themselves harm. I rather like my take."

Harry blinked a few times. "I think… the author would not be pleased. He appears to really dislike counter-jinxes. And a definite F on non retaliation. Plus I don't think you did a good job."

"In what way, not that I'm admitting to anything."

"Your hand."

"Oh, that. Nope."

"Nope what?"

"Nope."

"You don't think that's bad?"

She gave him a look that Hermione sometimes gave him and Ron when she thought they were being rather thick.Which prompted him to consider just why you might adjust an enchantment that was causing you harm so that it was even worse for you but did the same for…

"Oh…" Was his realization as she smiled a smile that was not at all nice as she added.

"I think the key to a certain book is to do the opposite of what the author encourages."

The conversation ceased as Harry both pondered what she had said, and what she had done. A pondering interrupted by the dry voice of Snape.

"Potter, what part of seeing to Miss Rasputin involves her dealing with her own injuries while you just sit there?"

Part 5d: Remediation

The silence spell had ended and, seen only by Harry, the new student shifted to a hesitant and a bit trembling demeanor.

The voice of Snape almost sounded slightly concerned. "Hmmm… Miss Rasputin, pour this over your hand and then drink a sip."

Which she did, and made a face at the taste as the wound on her hand closed up.

Snape continued. "First to address this unpleasantness." He raised his wand and gave it a twirl while stating "Effusus est sanguis in cinere".

With that all the spilt blood turned to a fine red dust. Another twirl of Snaps wand and a small gust of wind swept up the dust from the floor, and their persons, to deposited it in his left hand, where a burst of flame destroyed the red dust.

More dry tones from Snape. "And now to deal with the aftermath. Only us four know of these… unfortunate circumstances. It would be best for all involved that it remain such. Don't you agree Professor Umbridge?"

A bit of a confused frogish look from Umbridge at Snape, resulting in a sigh from Snape that somehow implied that all around him were dullards of no perception or insight. A whisper from Snape to Umbridge that Harry and Illyana did not overhear.

"The Ministry would likely be most upset if the media were to be reporting upon certain… activities. Parents can get quite… vocal when they think their little treasures might be abused."

That was something that Umbridge was able to comprehend. "Oh… I see."

"Good…" Snape turned to the two students. "Now… Students, do I have your word you will not speak of this mishap."

Harry was not in agreement as to the description of what had happened. "Mishap?

"Yes Mr. Potter. Mishap. Am. I. Clear?"

The nervous and scared looking Illyana spoke before Harry could continue. "Yes Professors."

Resulting in one of Snape's classic sneers at Harry. "There Potter, now you try it, should be easer then making a proper potion."

Harry clenched his teeth at Snape's mockery, but gave in. "Yes Professors, I will not speak of this… accident."

"Good…" Was the smug voice of Snape. "And now you Professor."

"What?"

"Kindly agree to never speak of this."

"I am a Professor, not a student." Huffed Umbridge.

To which Snape gave her a cold stare. A stare that somehow reminded Umbridge about the fickleness of media coverage and politics.

"But…" Began Umbridge. "Best to put things on a proper foot going forward so I will not speak of this."

"Good… detention is over."

"Over?"

"Over… I think the lessons you were imparting have been learned. Have they not students?"

Quick nods of agreement from the two students.

"There Professor, no need to bother your remaining evenings this week teaching lessons that have been taken to heart. Don't you agree?"

Delores opened and closed her mouth a few times. Then gave a nod.

"Wonderful. I shall take Miss Rasputin to the Slytherin Dormitory and you Potter, can make your way to wherever you need to be."

With that Snape flicked his wand, thus opening the door, and escorted the two students from the clutches of Professor Umbridge.

Part 5e: Partings

Another flick of his wand and the Snape closed the door.

"This way Miss Rasputin." Stated Snape as hhe began to walk away. His posture was his usual casual stride in that his arms were clenching each other behind his back. Garbed all in black, with his black cape fluttering in the self generated walking breeze, Snape looked almost wrath like as he strode away into the deepening gloom of fading twilight.

"Yes Professor." Stated the new girl as she hurried off, leaving Harry standing by himself in the corridor as he heard a final statement from Snape.

"First a minor detour to deal with…" The remainder of the statement unheard by Harry.

Alone now, Harry made his way in the opposite direction as he puzzled over what had happened. Then Harry resolved to talk to Dumbledore as his feet turned in the direction of Dumbledore's office. But he was intercepted half way there by Professor Minerva McGonagall, who was also Head of the house of Gryffindor.

"Potter there your are, quick in here!" Was her worried whispered statement as she pulled him into a small side room.

A room that had a small table with a flask of water and a shepherd's pie.

"You missed supper again so I reserved this for you."

Harry was both hungry, and in a hurry. "Thanks Professor McGonagall, but I…"

"Need to eat your supper." Finished Professor McGonagall with one of her stern looks.

And that was that as Professor McGonagall was not taking no for an answer. So Harry was resigned to eating a very tasty shepherd's pie. Quickly eating, but we are talking students so the staff are rather used to seeing students inhale food.

Professor McGonagall let Harry continue on his way once the meal was done. A meal that had given Harry time to think about what had happened and the obvious conclusion. With that he hurried to the spiral staircase that led to Dumbledore's office. He quickly ascended and burst into the office.

There was something off about the office, but Harry paid it no mind as he burst out at Dumbledore, was behind his desk looking at Harry.

"Professor! The new student! She's…"

"Here." Interrupted Illyana as she looked from the side of a high backed chair, one of two, that was in front of the desk.