The rest of the journey was an odd mixture of awkward conversation, tense silence, and Gavin wandering the carriages. He'd taken shelter with some prefects long enough to drink his coffee and eat his warm pastie. They'd been polite and a little curious. It was rare for staff to travel on the train. They were usually either already at school or apparated to Hogsmeade and went from there. Gavin humoured them with a little polite conversation, but he knew his presence had to be a bit of a disruption. Even prefects were students, and there was likely a lot of gossip they didn't want to share with an adult hanging around. With that in mind, he excused himself and spent a while checking on the other students. It was amusing, the way they fell silent and looked at each other as he opened the door, likely deciding where to lay the blame for any wrongdoings. He eventually headed out to the very back of the train for some air, shivering as he watched the fields and rolling hills pass by. He wasn't sure if they were in Scotland yet, but they were certainly quite far north. Phck! It's freezing!
Despite the cold, he stayed out there. The view was amazing, and it sure beat trying to slink his way into another carriage. Various people came and went, getting a little air and enjoying the view. He considered himself lucky that Nines and Connor weren't among them. It probably wasn't such a big deal. Neither of them knew he was the cat they'd seen earlier. They just knew him as the guy they'd bumped in Diagon Alley, if they even remembered that. Looking back on the glare Connor shot him, he was pretty sure he'd remember.
The scenery finally started looking familiar as they got closer to Hogsmeade. Within an hour, the locomotive slowed and rolled to a stop at the small station. That was where the prefects had a chance to shine. They hurried along the carriage corridors, telling students to gather their things and ensuring everyone was appropriately dressed. On the platform, trunks and other luggage was left to the Hogwarts elves to handle. It was rare to actually see the elves. They tended to hide themselves, believing a good elf was an invisible elf. Gavin had seen a few during his years at school. They were sad looking creatures really, with big droopy ears and large, round eyes. Small, wrinkled things that barely reached his knee. They offered a thousand pardons whenever they were seen and disappeared with a click of their fingers. Before seeing them, Tina had always thought the dorms were cleaned by magic. She was somewhat disappointed to learn the school kept unpaid servants, though it wasn't rare in the wizarding world. The Kamski household also had one. Phck, I wonder how Slinky is these days…
Out on the platform, the towering groundskeeper was calling for all first years to line up while the prefects were busy ushering the other students into the waiting carriages. Gavin wandered across to one of them and hopped up in front, sitting behind the waiting thestrals. He huffed softly as he listened to some of the students talking about how amazing the self-drawn carriages were. Very few could actually see the thestrals pulling them, which is as it should be…They were far too young to have been introduced to death. If they were lucky. The thestrals didn't seem bothered by such talk. They waited patiently; bat-like wings folded back like closed fans. Most people who saw them called them ugly, which he supposed was true. They were sort of like a cross between a dragon and an anorexic horse. They were thin, skeletal beings with almost reptilian skin. Gavin didn't care. He was no oil painting himself. The thestrals were sweet, good-natured beasts. That mattered a lot more than what they looked like in his book.
"You!" His stomach knotted with dread as he looked down to see Connor scowling up at him. Nines seemed less surprised, though he probably didn't know who Connor was talking to. "What are you doing here?" That was probably a reasonable question, considering he was just some random guy who'd bumped his brother in the street the day before. Bumped him and made an ass of myself…He still cringed at the memory. There was also what happened on the train earlier, though they didn't know about that. Thankfully.
"You must be Gavin Reed." Connor seemed less than pleased as Nines laid a hand on his shoulder and stepped a little closer to the carriage. Connor mouthed his name under his breath, frowning as he tried to remember where he'd heard it before. Gavin clammed up at the deep thrum of Nines' voice. "Richard Arcano, and this is my older brother, Connor. We're also professors up at the school. It's nice to finally meet you. Tina wouldn't stop talking about you." He didn't even bring up the incident in the alley, which still seemed to be a sore spot for Connor. Gavin nodded, too stunned to speak so soon after the train incident. The memory of soothing fingers on his stomach still sent tingles across his skin.
"I don't know what I was expecting…" But I'm clearly not it…He had to wonder what Tina had been saying about him. Clearly, she hadn't done a very good job of preparing them for his arrival if Connor was so surprised.
"Don't let my devilish good looks fool you. This is all pomp and trickery." He was a little relieved that Connor actually smiled at that, though he tried to keep his pout in place. Nines was a lot more open with his amusement, allowing his lips to rise at the corners in an almost warm smile. Their conversation paused as shouts went up and down the line from the prefects checking that all the students were seated.
"We'd better find a carriage," Connor murmured as he laid a hand on Nines' shoulder. "We'll see you in the Great Hall, I expect." Gavin nodded his polite agreement as Connor tugged Nines' elbow and led him further down the waiting line, where they climbed up to sit at the front of another carriage. The thestrals didn't need anyone to guide them. They'd done this job for generations. As the first carriage set off, the others automatically kept pace. Gavin shivered a little in the fresh, biting air. It was easy to forget just how cold Scotland was sometimes. It was so crisp. Much colder than London. The frock-coat he wore, though very smart, wasn't really enough for such cold weather. Despite the cold, he enjoyed the trip to the castle. There were few more magnificent things than the looming sight of Hogwarts as the carriages bounced up the long, winding path. It was getting dark already, and the old arched windows were lighting up with a warm orange glow.
He hopped down as the carriage arrived and made his way up the stone steps into the entrance hall. He almost stopped dead as he stepped into the cavernous space, having forgotten what a sight it was. The huge, echoing hall opened to a tall staircase with the school crest hung proudly at the top. Portraits of famous witches and wizards lined the walls all the way up to the first-floor balcony. The figures in the paintings waved and called out greetings as the students returned. They didn't simply stay in their own frames, either. As they saw students they recognised, they often stepped across into other frames to share a few words with them. To the right, beside the staircase, the towering wooden doors of the Great Hall had been swung wide in anticipation of their arrival.
Gavin allowed the crowd of travel-weary students to carry him into the cavernous space. Hundreds of students could be seated here. Thousands, even. Long tables lined the huge room in four long rows. One for each house. The house colours adorned banners hanging above each row, directing newer students to where they should sit. At the front, on a raised platform, was the staff table. A wooden podium stood ready for the students to be greeted, and a few of the chairs around the staff table were already full. Most notably, the headmaster's seat. Gavin swallowed his nerves as he made his way up the aisle between the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables.
Above his head, thousands of lit candles warmed the room with a golden glow. The ceiling reflected the weather outside, lighting the rafters with stars and fluffy clouds. The sky wasn't quite black yet. It was a deep midnight blue that somehow made the stars and floating candles seem even brighter. He tried not to walk along with his head in the clouds. It was so easy to fall into the nostalgia of the moment, of finally being back in the place he'd called home so long ago. The tables were set just as he remembered, with shiny white plates and glittering silver cutlery with matching goblets. Each table had fine napkins to match the colours of the house. Emerald, navy, sunflower, and scarlet.
The staff table was a little more neutral with white napkins, and the goblets were accompanied by fine crystal glasses. The headmaster was already on his feet, heading down with his hand outstretched before Gavin even reached him. It wasn't the same headmaster as when he'd been in school. Professor Anderson had only been in the role for about a decade, and he certainly seemed to suit it. He was wearing long, sweeping robes, as expected for a wizard of his station. What wasn't so expected was the chosen colour scheme. The robes flowed in waves of warm cream and caramel stripes with a silk lining of turquoise. The robes were styled like a gown, so he couldn't even guess what he might be wearing underneath. On his head was a pale beige and caramel tassel hat with a turquoise tassel and lining, clearly made to match his heavy robes.
"You must be Gavin. Thank fuck you're here! If Tina didn't shut up about you soon, I was going to charm her mouth shut!" Gavin was taken aback, not just by the unexpected warmth with which he was received, but by the language he'd used. Such scandalous words were rarely said in company, and never in front of children. Hank seemed to catch on as Gavin's eyes darted about the tables just behind, letting out a low guffaw as he walked him up to the teacher's table with a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, there's a specially placed muffling charm around the dais. Even professors need a little privacy in this place. They'll hear us during the speeches and announcements, but other than that, this area is off limits."
"Good to know…Professor Anderson." Hank laughed heartily at that as he led him to a chair three seats down from his own.
"Hank will do just fine while we're up here. You only need to use official titles while talking to the students…though, that doesn't apply to the Arcano brothers. We have three of them working here. They go by Professor Connor, Richard, or Seph to the students, and Connor, Nines, and Sixty to everyone else." That was good to know, though Nines had introduced himself as Richard earlier. Maybe I should stick with that until told otherwise…"I'm glad you joined us. Tina's glowing recommendation aside, your work with the ministry has been exemplary, as well as your work in America. You've made quite a name for yourself and come highly recommended. We were worried about who we'd get stuck with after the Professor Fitzgerald retired. She'd been here for decades! Hard to find new staff who can compete with that." Gavin could imagine. She was the same professor from his own school days. Christ, she was ancient back then! He still remembered the way she'd hobbled around. He also remembered how she'd knock you on your ass in a second flat.
"I'll try not to disappoint…" That was about all he could promise, and it was likely all that Hank expected. He was actually surprised he was so eager to have him. Although his work had been invaluable, he wasn't exactly the most level-headed guy out there. He took risks. He used spells he shouldn't, with and without permission to do so. Most people would probably consider him outright dangerous. There were likely even those sticklers for the rules who'd insist he belonged in Azkaban. He'd come close. There'd been a huge hearing about it while he was in hospital. He didn't know who'd stuck their neck out for him, but someone must have. He'd been fully pardoned and even commended for his bravery and perseverance. A shiver ran down his spine at the thought of what would have happened otherwise. He hadn't been there, but he'd heard stories. The constantly oppressive atmosphere, dark and cold. Every ounce of happiness sapped by hungry dementors.
His head jerked up as a shrill squawk sounded from above. He grinned, getting to his feet with his arm raised and ready. Many returning students also looked up, though none of them seemed surprised. He could only guess she made a regular show of her transformation around the school. And why wouldn't she? Becoming an animagus was a long and arduous process that could go horribly wrong. It was why so few people went through the ordeal. The huge, golden hawk swooped down with its sharp talons outstretched. It would be a terrifying sight to most, but Gavin had the utmost trust in his old friend. Her sharp claws were incredibly gentle as she finally landed and gripped his arm. She shrieked another greeting, beating her wings excitedly. He could almost picture the grin on her face.
"Are you going to change back and greet me properly?" He smirked as the talon on his arm softened to become a hand, and the hawk's body stretched out and grew in the blink of an eye. There was a small tap on the floor as her feet touched down, and Tina was standing at his elbow wearing a grin as wide as his own. Her style had changed a lot, though that was likely for the sorting ceremony. It was quite an occasion, greeting new students and starting the new year. Gavin had fond memories of all the ceremonies, though they'd always been better after he'd met Tina. Right now, she was wearing long, flowing black robes and her long black hair was pinned up in an ornate bun with dangling ringlets on either side of her rounded face. She'd even put on some eyeliner to make her dark eyes seem bigger and bring out the deep brown against her skin. "Phck, it's good to see you."
"Back at you. Jesus, you gave me a fright!" He knew what she meant. He pulled her against his chest briefly and buried his face in her shoulder. They didn't stay like that for too long. The students were mostly busy amongst themselves, but there were probably a few looking their way. The last thing they needed was for rumours to start flying right at the beginning of the year. Tina almost looked tearful as she drew back and looked him over. They hadn't seen each other in person for a few years, at least, not that he could recall. She may have visited the hospital at some point during his delirium. "I'll be honest, I thought you'd turn this position down flat!" She knows me so well…
"I was going to, but…" He paused, looking up and down the long table to see who was around to listen in. Tina seemed to read his caution as they sat. She leaned closer, brow creased with curiosity. "I got word from the Ministry…Someone tipped them off about some weird shit happening around here. They asked me to accept the post and keep an eye on things…Any idea what they're talking about?" Tina seemed surprised at the suggestion, which likely meant she hadn't noticed anything. That was odd. When evil was afoot, Tina was usually quite good at sniffing it out. She shook her head, looking troubled as she glanced around the room.
"I haven't noticed a thing…Are you sure they meant at the school?"
"That's what they said…Guess I'll have to do a little digging and clear the staff one by one…" So far, he hadn't picked up a malicious feeling from anyone. Connor was a little prickly, but he considered that understandable. Nines seemed perfectly polite, Hank had been more than welcoming, and he'd known Tina for years. Regardless, I'm going to have to look more closely…Though, he didn't include Tina on his list of suspects. He knew she was good. She also seemed more than a little surprised at the idea of something nefarious being afoot at the school.
"You can check, but I can't think of a single staff member who'd be in on something like that…Sixty's a dick sometime, but he's not evil…" It said a lot for the school that Tina couldn't even think of a single name. Well, guess I'll start with the Arcano brothers…She'd named Sixty as the most likely, and if he was a bad egg, his brothers probably knew. Worse, they could even be involved. "I'll check the area around the school, too. If something is going on, the centaurs are sure to know." Tina nodded her agreement. She steered clear of the forest herself, but Gavin had always gone there during their school days. He'd been notorious for getting into fights with poachers and running around with the centaurs. She had no idea what he'd done for them to consider him a friend, but she was relieved. If the centaurs decided you were too deep in their territory or you were up to no good, they'd haul you off, never to be seen again. That was the rumour, at least. She'd never cared to test it.
"Good evening, Tina." Gavin's neck prickled at the sound of Nines' rich voice at his elbow. He hadn't even noticed them arrive. Connor had taken the seat next to Hank and was currently in deep conversation with him. From the intensity of Hank's gaze and the way he nodded along, he guessed it was something important. Nines took the seat beside him, finding it by instinct. Gavin could only guess it was his regular seat since he'd walked straight to it unaided. "And Gavin. It's good to see you again…What do you think of the hall? Does it feel different, returning as a professor?" Gavin had no idea how he knew where he was, or even that he was there. Was he listening to us as he came over? Considering the topic of conversation, he hoped not.
"Uh…yeah, I guess. I'm not really used to it yet." He'd barely looked up since Tina's arrival, but now that he did, he could see an almost endless sea of students. He was glad there was some sort of noise barrier between them and the rest of the hall. He swore the students should have sounded way louder. They were talking and laughing as they waited for the first years, and some were even shouting across the hall to friends in other houses. A few hadn't even taken their seats. They were mingling by different tables in pairs and groups, getting in a few final words before Hank inevitably got to his feet.
"Oh! It's me and Sixty this year! Nines, watch this one until I get back." Gavin almost pouted. What am I? Your son? Nines' chuckle sounded right by his ear, and a light touch trailed down his spine. He almost jumped out of his skin in surprise, but at least that's all he did. Nines' hand seemed to press harder as he sensed his surprise, but the touch didn't make him recoil as it should have. He wasn't sure whether that meant he was improving or if Nines was just special. He'd managed to sneak into his personal space on the train, too. Even as a cat, he never usually let people within two feet of him, and yet he'd woken up with Nines' long fingers teasing his stomach as if he'd been petting him for hours. He felt his ears heat at the reminder.
"Don't worry, I'm sure I can keep him entertained." Gavin blinked at the almost sultry undertone. Tina cackled as she hurried down from the dais and out into the entrance hall to greet the first years. "I have to say, you're not what I expected when Tina said you were an ex-Slytherin, and Elijah's brother no less." Gavin almost cringed as he imagined what Tina must have said to have them all so surprised. "I expected you to sound…slicker." What the phck is that supposed to mean? Nines' lips quirked as he sensed his indignation. "Elijah has a smooth tone with a rather clipped lilt. You sound much rougher…common, even."
"Say what you really mean, why don't you…" He knew what he meant, but it still got to him a little. He'd had to deal with being the black sheep of the family for years. He'd never been the good upper-class snob his family wanted him to be. They'd been furious when they found out about his friendship with Tina, to the point they'd tried to ban it. That's how he'd ended up going to her family home for the first time. He'd spent the summer there, ignoring his parent's howlers to come home at once. He could only guess someone had warned them about sending magical letters to the muggle world, because they'd quickly stopped. Summers with Tina became the norm after that, though Elijah always complained. Gavin's answer during their final argument had been that perhaps it was time for him to spend a summer with Chloe. They'd been dating for two years at that point, much to their parents' horror.
"You do have something of your brother in your voice, beneath all the gravel you swallowed." Gavin snorted. That sounded about right. He wasn't sure when it had happened, but he remembered he'd sounded quite similar to Elijah during their school years. It had probably been changed by the harder life he'd sought after that. The screaming from his latest bout of torture hadn't helped, either. He'd shrieked himself hoarse. He wasn't sure his throat would ever recover. His mind certainly wouldn't. He shrugged off the icy shiver that trickled down his spine at the reminder.
"It's a shame you can't see my face. You'd spot the difference right away." He kept his tone light, hoping that Nines would take it in the teasing manner he'd intended. Nines' lips raised at the corners as he leaned his chin on one hand and turned to look at him. It was weird. It felt like he was looking at him, even though he knew that was impossible. Having such intense eye contact, he couldn't help staring back.
"Will you let me?" Gavin blinked in surprise at the question.
"What?"
"Will you let me see you?" He wasn't sure how to answer that. Was it some sort of trick question? "I use various spells and instincts in order to function normally like everyone else, but there are muggle methods I can use in order to picture things more clearly…" Gavin was about to ask more when the huge wooden doors were pushed open, and Tina entered alongside a man who looked identical to Connor in every way. He could only guess that was Sixty. They led the first years down the central aisle between the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables before stopping below the dais and lining them up. Hank was already on his feet and heading to the podium to give the usual greeting speech while Sixty carried over a stool and the battered old sorting hat.
"Two knuts says the first student is a Gryffindor," Tina murmured as she returned to the empty seat beside him. Gavin tried to quash his smirk at her suggestion. Oh, please! A one in four chance? There's no way the first is a Gryffindor! He rested his elbow on the table and turned his head slightly, using his hand to cover his lips to stop the children from cottoning on.
"You're on."
"Hey! You need a counteroffer!" Gavin hummed quietly as he eyed the group of children closest to the front. They'd be going in alphabetical order, but he didn't know if they'd been lined up that way or not. "Hurry! You need to guess before they come up." Without knowing which student, it was hard to pick a house. You could usually tell from the way they held themselves or how they dressed which way it would go. Even in uniforms there were subtle differences. How new their robes were, how shiny their shoes, how expensive the shirt beneath looked, their hairstyles and accessories.
"Alright, house loyalty. I'll say Slytherin." That was really all he could do, going in blind as he was. He froze as Nines leaned closer. His chest almost brushed his arm as he leaned across to talk to Tina.
"Clearly, the first will go to Ravenclaw, and I have two knuts to prove it." Gavin huffed softly as Nines smirked, and Tina grinned in acceptance. They heard the disapproving click of a tongue and looked across to find Connor levelling a small glare their way. Gavin was a little guarded as he leaned in beside Nines to scold them, but Tina was unabashedly amused. Even Nines was finding it hard not to smile at his brother's indignation.
"I can't believe you're betting on students! You should be ashamed!" Despite that, he turned his head to scan the row of waiting students before turning back to Tina. "Besides, the first will be in Hufflepuff." Those sound like fighting words…Tina snickered quietly, accepting his bet. There was a surprising amount of anticipation at their table as the first student was called. Humphrey Abel was a lanky looking boy wearing trousers that already looked an inch too short. Second-hand clothes. I'm out. Purebloods would never be seen in such shabby attire. On the plus side, he looked like a gust of wind could snap him in half, so probably not a Gryffindor either. Between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, he was leaning towards Hufflepuff.
"You belong in…Hufflepuff!" Tina cursed quietly as she noted the loss. Connor was undeniably smug, despite his earlier protestations and distaste. They all clapped as Humphrey hurried down to find a seat at his table. The Hufflepuffs welcomed him warmly with shoulder pats and handshakes. Many of the older students moved aside and gestured to the space beside them, ready to take the new students under their wings. They didn't bet on every student, but whenever Tina pointed out one who looked interesting, the four of them would guess at a house. By the end of the night, Gavin was the clear winner. Something Tina called unfair and put down to his skills as an auror.
"If that's how you felt, you should have known better than to bet against me!" He smirked as she handed him a few galleons, along with Nines and Connor. Despite his earlier disapproval, Connor had grudgingly admitted it was quite fun. It also didn't hurt anybody and kept them occupied. The sorting ceremony was a long and often dull process, especially if the sorting hat ran into a problem. Sometimes there was an even split between two houses, so it took time for it to decide. This was especially true if the student themselves had no preference.
Once the students had all been sorted and seated, Hank called for the feast to begin and summoned the food to the tables. Gavin smiled as he looked at the amazed faces of the first years, many of whom had never seen such a grand feast before. He'd been disappointed to learn that the food didn't just appear out of thin air. It was prepared in the great kitchens below and summoned to the table by magic. It was hard to believe such a mass of food could be prepared at the same time. Hundreds of elves worked tirelessly every day to keep the kitchens running. Various meats had already been carved, ready to be picked off with forks, vegetables were spooned on plates, gravy was passed around, and everyone was soon eating.
Around the hall, older students were kindly helping the younger to plate their meals, telling them all the different options and making sure they got everything they wanted. The staff table was a lot more casual since the ceremony ended. Professors wandered up and down, greeting those they hadn't seen for a while and checking in about various students and class items. Gavin pushed himself back with a hesitant smile as Elijah made his way over. It had been a while since he'd last seen him. He'd visited St Mungo's to admonish him, of course. Even his parents had done that much, talking about how they hoped he'd learned his lesson and was ready to give up on such nonsense. It was time for him to settle down and move further up in the ministry or some other grand vocation. They were probably ecstatic to learn they had another professor in the family. Surely, with two sons working at Hogwarts, one of them would become headmaster someday.
"Gavin, it's good to see you…I trust your journey up here went smoothly?" It was the polite, aloof greeting he'd expected. Although they'd been close as children, that had changed somewhat during their teens. Gavin had put it down to his friendship with Tina at first, but since it had continued into their later years, he'd started to think otherwise. He certainly couldn't think of anything he'd done to warrant such distance. They'd argued, of course. About Tina and Chloe. Family and duty. Even their studies and future goals. Elijah had never quite forgiven him for choosing such a dangerous career. The whole family had been against it. That was one thing that made it so appealing.
"Yeah, everything went off without a hitch." They both paused awkwardly. They didn't talk often, but Gavin found he really didn't have much to say. Elijah managed to get out something about how he was finally looking respectable, and Gavin bit his tongue. He couldn't really blame him for saying such a thing. It was a by-product of their upbringing. Elijah had been exposed to their family a lot longer than he had. Gavin had stopped turning up at family gatherings at all in recent years. He hadn't been disowned, but he wasn't entirely sure why. It certainly happened. The Blacks were notorious for it. Many pureblood families took it to extremes. It was intolerable to have their children willingly mingling with those they considered lesser. Technically, both he and Elijah should have been disowned. Him for his close friendship with Tina, and Elijah for his ongoing romantic entanglement with Chloe.
"Gavin!" Speaking of Chloe…He grinned as he got to his feet and accepted the small embrace. They were pretty much family, considering her engagement to Elijah. He could only guess their parents were still hoping to talk him out of it in the long run. She was considered impure, coming from muggle parents. The worst kind of witch, despite her notable skills. "It's so good to see you! When we visited you at the hospital, I wasn't sure you'd ever recover!" His lips thinned a little at the reminder. It had been touch and go for a while. His sanity had come and gone for a few months, but he'd won out in the end. If Connor and Nines were unaware of his previous condition, they were gracious enough not to ask questions. Connor was a little preoccupied anyway, talking to Hank and his twin about something or other. "I'm so excited to have you here! It's like being back at school again!" He huffed at her positivity.
It was quite a feat; he had to admit. He'd started school at the same time as Elijah and Tina. They'd met Chloe in their fourth year. She'd been in the year below them, but it had taken Elijah three years to notice her existence. Once he had, they'd become almost inseparable. He'd first spotted her in the library while searching for a book on exotic ingredients. He'd been smitten from the start, but too shy to approach. Luckily, one of Chloe's friends noticed him watching and knew he was one of the most advanced students in potions. Chloe had always struggled with potions, so it had been a match made in heaven. He'd offered to tutor her in the library once a week, and it had gone on from there. Once a week had turned to twice. Then, they'd started meeting outside the library, and soon after, they'd started dating. Chloe even managed to scrape an Exceeds Expectations in her OWLs.
"Yes, I'm not sure the school has ever had so many students from similar years returning to teach before," Nines added as he raised his glass. Gavin frowned a little at that. He'd had the niggling feeling he recognised him from somewhere, but he certainly didn't remember him from school. He's definitely too young to have been in our year…If he was more than two years below, it was unlikely he would have taken much notice. The NEWTs years were the worst. Those two years had seen him either huddled in the Slytherin common room in the dead of night with Elijah, or in the library or Gryffindor common room with Tina between classes. Since he'd set his heart on being an auror, he'd needed top grades in almost every subject.
"Were we all here at the same time?" Nines nodded.
"I was in my first year when you were in your last." He had no idea how Nines knew that. He wouldn't expect anyone from that year to remember him, even less so a kid who couldn't even see his face. Maybe he just worked it out from talking to Tina…He was pretty sure he wouldn't remember otherwise. It was the same with Connor and Sixty. Although he knew they must have been in school around the same time, he didn't remember them. Since he'd been introduced as the head of Slytherin house, he knew Sixty must have passed him in the common room at some point, but he didn't remember him at all.
"Don't feel too bad. I didn't remember them either," Tina piped up from the place beside him. He barely remembered most of the people in his own year, never mind the younger ones. That number also went down significantly between houses. He remembered more Slytherins and Gryffindors than anything else. He'd met many of those Slytherins outside school, too. Family dinners. Balls. Business events. He'd despised them in his younger years and avoided them by being at Tina's later on. To his knowledge, Elijah had never inflicted such things on Chloe. He always made his excuses and left her at home, barely tolerating their parents' efforts to set him up with someone more appropriate. Unfortunately, most purebloods came with an insufferable sense of pomp and superiority. Chloe had managed to soften that out of Elijah for the most part. He'd be hard pressed to find another girl like Chloe…If he were that way inclined, he'd date her himself.
Once dessert was done, and the students were visibly tired, Hank called an end to the feast. Final start of term messages were read, and Gavin was officially introduced as the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. He considered himself lucky that he didn't have to make any speeches. Upon introduction, he simply stood and gave a cross between a nod and a wave. A few murmurs went up, especially on the Slytherin table. He could only guess his reputation preceded him. Hank soon called on the prefects to see the first years to the common rooms and the students filed out. The scrape of benches and pounding of feet was almost deafening as the students left.
"You must be tired after a long day of travelling. I can show you to your rooms, if you'd like?" Gavin was surprised. He'd expected Tina to jump in and suggest that, but it was Nines who'd spoken. He was leaning his chin on one hand, looking at him with an almost sultry expression. Gavin clammed up as he looked across at Tina, who was wearing an almost knowing smirk. "Your rooms are quite close to my own, so it's no trouble." He wasn't sure what had Tina grinning from ear to ear. He certainly hadn't said anything about thinking Nines was attractive. That doesn't mean it's not true…Nines was pretty much the definition of his type, physically. He was tall and strong, with pale skin and almost ethereal silvery eyes. His dark hair was cut short with a single curl that flicked over his left eye. He had light freckles and beauty spots speckled across his skin, and a dimple set in his cheek as he smiled. His voice was smooth and deep, the sort that could lull you to sleep and make you feel safe or snap commands and growl filth in your ear.
"Uh-sure…Thanks, Richard."
"Call me Nines. Only the students call me Richard." Gavin's stomach fluttered at that. It was an odd and barely recognisable feeling. One he hadn't indulged since his school years. Must be the school…Being back was bringing up all kinds of nostalgia. Nines pushed to his feet and leaned across to excuse himself from Connor. Gavin hesitated as he watched. Should I offer my arm? He'd noticed that Connor seemed to guide him earlier, but he also said he had his own way of getting around. Would it be patronising to make the offer? Nines' lips quirked as he turned his head, wearing a somewhat endearing expression. "You don't need to worry. I can get around just fine by myself…much as Connor would like to disagree." Nines led the way, setting a slow, ambling pace as they left the hall.
"Have you always…" The question seemed in poor taste. They'd only met a few hours ago. This seems like the sort of question that might get under his skin…
"…been blind?" He didn't seem bothered as he looked over his shoulder. Gavin caught up to his side as they made their way past the grand staircase. Older students were still milling around, enjoying the last hour or so before curfew. They still had a lot of friends to catch up with, and delaying their return would give the younger students time to settle in. "For as long as I can remember. Apparently, I had an unfortunate encounter with some spitting hogweed. The burns were curable, but the damage to my eyes was irreversible…Some likely find it odd that I pursued herbology after such a harrowing encounter, but it really wasn't the plant's fault. They're like animals. They react instinctively to the world around them, with no concept of friend or foe." Gavin tried not to feel sorry for him. It didn't seem to bother Nines. Sightlessness was all he knew. He didn't bother to press him on potential cures. He'd probably been everywhere and tried everything. After so long, he may not even feel the need to correct it anymore.
"It's pretty amazing you'd do that…I guess most people would fear them after something like that." I know I would…He wasn't exactly scared of plants, but he'd dreaded herbology class after the first time he'd almost been choked by a venomous tentacular. He considered himself lucky it hadn't managed to sink its teeth into him. Nines huffed softly, clearly thinking it was no big deal.
"One need only fear what they cannot understand. Once you understand something, it is infinitely easier to predict its reaction. I actually have a flourishing bed of spitting hogweed in the greenhouse, sectioned off for my own personal use, of course." He didn't trust his younger students not to hurt themselves. He only allowed his NEWT students to tend the spitting hogweed, and even then, only after extensive study in books. Gavin shivered at the thought. He didn't think he'd be able to do something like that. Keeping something so dangerous seemed crazy, especially something that had hurt you so badly. "Connor also objects to it; however, he falls silent when I remind him how dangerous many of his creatures are. There was even one year he showcased a young dragon…He rescued it from poachers and nursed it back to health. While it was here, he took it as an opportunity to teach the older students how to handle them. He couldn't keep it long term, of course. Once it reached six feet, Hank had it transported to Scandinavia. There's a reserve out there." Gavin was impressed. Connor didn't seem the type to keep a dragon. He looked more the pygmy puff type.
"Phck, it hasn't changed a bit!" Gavin stepped into the old Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom with a nostalgic grin. The small desks were lined up in pairs, just as he remembered. Cluttered shelves of old textbooks, an old suit of armour, and the skeleton of some sort of giant sea creature suspended from the ceiling like a swimming whale. Self-lighting candles lit the echoing space with a warm glow as they walked across to the winding stairs that led to a private office. Gavin paused by a desk right at the front and ran his hand over it. The surface was a little more battered than he remembered, but it was still his desk. Scratches littered the surface, but his own messages were long gone. He could only guess they cleaned the desks up every few years. "Revelio." Gavin passed the tip of his wand over the surface and smirked as a small cat carving appeared.
"Defacing school property? Shocking," Nines teased as he ran his fingers over the shiny surface and traced the outline with his fingertips. His lips softened somewhat as he followed the curved lines. Gavin snickered as he hurried up and steps towards the office. He hadn't been inside since his school days, and even then, he'd only gone there on the rare occasions he got in trouble. He was usually well behaved in that class. The office was empty and dim, missing the clutter that had been there before. He moved slowly as he stepped inside and took in the modest space. There was a large desk and a heavy wooden chair with a few empty shelves and bookcases. Compared to the classroom, it was utterly soulless. "It's not much to look at, but you can decorate this room to your own liking." During his school days, he recalled the room being somewhat grand, like some sort of ancient library or museum.
"It'll probably look quite empty for a while…" He didn't exactly have a lot of belongings. One thing about being an auror was never knowing where you were headed next. He'd kept his life so minimalistic he could shove everything in a single trunk. He didn't even need to enchant it to fit everything back then. With all his recent purchases from Diagon Alley, that had probably changed.
"I'm more than happy to gift you a few friendly plants…or there's Hogsmeade just beyond the grounds. You may find something there to fill the space." That was true enough. Hogsmeade had all sorts of shops, many of them partnered with those in Diagon Alley. It'll probably look a little more lived in once I get my books and papers in here…"Your private rooms are this way." Nines walked across to one of the bookcases and tapped it with his wand. Gavin blinked as the whole case swung open like a door to reveal a steep staircase winding up to the next floor. A secret entrance? Really? He knew the students had secret entrances to their dorms, but he'd always assumed that was just to make it more fun.
No one ever really got in trouble for sneaking into the different dorms. He'd been in the Gryffindor common room more than once, though it wasn't a regular thing. Whenever he went, he took off his tie so as not to attract undue attention, but by his final year, he was a well-known friend of Tina and a few others. Even the portrait figured him out, but he never went in unless he was accompanied by Tina. He'd often grumbled about how cosy their common room was. The Slytherin one was much darker and quite grim with its unearthly underwater views. Watching fish and catching a rare glimpse of the giant squid was the only plus about the Slytherin common room. It screamed cold and upper class. He hadn't dared take Tina down to the dungeons. That wouldn't have ended well for either of them. Luckily, she'd never asked to see inside. She believed him when he said it was a dull and miserable place.
"Fancy…" Gavin was almost cautious as he approached the steps and started climbing. It was a tight, steep spiral that opened into a large, cosy living area. There was a sofa and matching armchairs that reminded him of those in the Gryffindor common room. They looked plush and comfortable and were even a faded shade of red. Upon entering, the hearth leapt to life, and a fire started crackling to warm the cold space. The glow of candles also flickered down from above as the lamps were lit.
"These are your rooms…You can change anything you like, of course. There are furniture stores in Hogsmeade, and the school has its fair share of stored items as well," Nines said as he stepped inside and let him look around. Gavin crossed to the window and looked out at Hogsmeade and the distant mountains. The forest spilled across to the left, and if he leaned out, he could just see the edge of the Quidditch grounds to the right. It was quite a view. From the rounded wall, he knew he was in one of the spires. "Earlier…" Gavin turned as Nines hesitated. He seemed a little vulnerable as he weighed up whether to continue.
"Earlier?" Gavin encouraged, curious to hear what he was about to say. Nines smiled warmly at the gentle invitation. He seemed to make up his mind as he rested his hands behind his back and squared his shoulders.
"Earlier, I asked if you would let me see you…With my condition, you understand that my methods are…different. More invasive." Gavin had never really thought about blind people seeing before. Nines had mentioned earlier that he used a few aids, including muggle methods. He was hesitant as he turned to face Nines and leaned against the stone window ledge. He lowered himself to sit and rested his hands on the edge.
"Sure, uh…should I do anything?" Nines' lips softened further at the question.
"No, just stay as you are…" Gavin couldn't help the way his chest and stomach fluttered as Nines stepped closer. His heart rate kicked up a notch as Nines stepped between his open thighs. He was quite tall, so resting on the ledge as he was, Gavin was about the height of his diaphragm. He couldn't look away as Nines seemed to gaze down at him. Despite being sightless, his eyes looked quite normal. The shade of blue was odd. They were almost silver. Luminescent. Like a creature of the night. They were quite mesmerising. Nines moved slowly, as if handling a skittish animal. He raised his hands slowly on either side of his face, giving him a chance to object.
Gavin eyed him nervously, trying to ignore the dull thudding in his chest. He licked his lips and gripped the ledge harder. Nines' hands were warmer than he'd expected with the cold weather. His palms slowly came to rest on either cheek, holding him gently, caressing his stubbled jaw and running his thumbs over his cheekbones. Gavin tried to suppress a shiver as gentle fingers explored his worn and battered skin. He closed his eyes, trying not to make it weird. This was just how Nines saw things. It wasn't some sort of intimate encounter. Nines' fingers lingered on his pulse a moment, lips twitching in amusement before moving higher. Gavin couldn't help leaning into the gentle caresses. He outright shuddered as Nines' thumb stroked across the scar on his nose. It lingered, pressing into the long groove.
"How did you get this?" Nines murmured with a small frown. He'd found a few smaller nicks along his jaw and by his lips, but this one ran deep.
"If I told you that, I'd have to kill you…Auror business." Nines' lips rose at the light teasing, but he asked no more about it. The work of an auror was often secretive. They were like unspeakables in that regard. Gavin's eyes blinked open in surprise as Nines' thumb moved to caress his lips. It was reflexive as he brushed a kiss against the pad. Nines pressed a little harder, exploring each small crack of bitten skin. Gavin's breath was warm on his skin as he shuddered out a breath. His breath caught as Nines' hands stroked higher. Tingles shot across his skin and swirls filled his stomach. He closed his eyes and allowed Nines to stroke his eyelids and brow. Fingers ran through his hair and caressed his scalp, enjoying the small shiver he felt prickling his neck. He stroked and teased his ears before cradling his stubbled cheeks once more and stroking down to his shoulders.
"Thank you…" Gavin didn't know what to say as he opened his eyes to take in Nines' almost dazed expression. They lingered. Nines' hands were still resting on his shoulders as they stared at each other. Gavin licked his lips nervously, noting the moment stretching. "I should let you settle in…Good night, Gavin." It felt much colder as Nines drew back and headed for the door. Gavin coughed awkwardly as he pushed to his feet and watched him go.
"Good night, Nines."