AN: I'm back! it took me a while to settle in at my new place and job but I've done it and I'm back to writing the story.
i hope you're all doing well during the Covid-19 Quarantine. I'm bored, but videogames keep me alive. enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 26: Distractions
It didn't take long until Kiba woke up the next morning. He headed down the stairs and saw most of the Weasleys at the giant table along with Hermione. Harry was on the sideline talking with Mister Weasley and Kiba didn't want to bother them and sat down next to Hermione. "good morning" he said carefully as he got some food on his plate. A floating kettle came by and filled his cup with tea.
"Good morning, Kiba" Hermione replied as she cradled her cat in her arms. "ready to go back to Hogwarts?"
"More or less," Kiba said "wondering what dangers we'll have to face this time around" Hermione chuckled and covered her mouth with her hands when she saw something sticking out of his bag. A familiar letter, she snatched it and looked at it closely. One corner was ripped open but the contents obviously haven't been viewed.
"This is your mom's" she said, only now Kiba realized that Hermione held the letter and he snatched it back "you still haven't read it?"
"I wanted to," Kiba said "but I'm scared of what might be written inside" Hermione smacked the back of his head softly and looked at him
"Idiot," she said "read it"
"Later" Kiba replied more forcefully, signaling Hermione to stop pushing it. The two started at each other in silence for a moment until Mrs Weasley could be heard loudly announcing that they had to head for the station soon. And indeed, Kiba looked at his watch and realized that the train would leave in about fourty minutes. He finished his food quickly and left a bit of tea in the cup as he prepared to leave.
Together with the Weasleys, Hermione and Harry, Kiba walked to the station. His mother's letter was in his bag which hung from his shoulder. It didn't take long until they had all boarded the train and ended up in a compartment which was occupied by one other. "who do you suppose that is?" Ron asked
"Professor R. J. Lupin," Hermione replied quickly
"how do you know that? How is it that she knows everything?" Ron asked in disbelief
"It's on the suitcase, Ron" Kiba said pointing above them as he sat down next to the man. Harry sat next to him and Ron and Hermione were seated on the other side.
"what do you think he's teaching?" Harry asked
"well there's only one vacancy, right? Defence against the dark arts" Kiba replied. The quartet had already had two different teachers for the subject but both only lasted a year. Quirell due to his untimely demise and Lockhart due to Ron's broken wand which her gotten a replacement for now.
"do you think he's really asleep?" Harry asked as the train began moving.
"Think so" Kiba replied. Harry got up and shut the sliding door of the compartment.
"I've got to tell you something" he said darkly as he sat back down. Kiba, who was retrieving his mother's letter stopped and listened as Harry began talking. "Mr Weasley told me to keep it to myself, but you guys are my friends. I'm in danger"
"when are you not?" Ron asked sarcastically
"This is different. Sirius Black, heard of him?" Harry continued "he broke out of Askaban, and now he's coming for me"
"why?" Hermione asked, concern covering her entire face
"he was a spy for you-know-who. He killed a friend of my parents, Peter Pettigrew and told you-know-who where my parents were hiding." Harry explained "and apparently he found out that i survived, and now he's coming to finish what was started"
"So Sirius Black has escaped Askaban to come after you?" Ron asked after Harry had finished his elongated story, Harry could only nod. The four debated on wether it was true, if Hogwarts was safe, how Black had escaped Askaban and if they could take him on if it came to it. The sun had gone under and darkness had overtaken the land, signaling that hogsmeade wasn't far anymore. Suddenly the train rumbled and came to a stop.
"What's going on?" asked Harry confused. Kiba quickly got up and poked his head out of the sliding door as did many others in the compartments left and right but the entire wagon shook and sent Kiba stumbling back inside the compartment. Luckily Harry reacted quickly and cought him, setting him back down on the bench.
"Ouch Ron, that was my foot.." Hermione complained as Ron leaned toward the window to look outside.
"There's something moving out there," He said placing his hand on the glass "i swear" the train shook again as a sudden chill overcame them. The window began to cover in ice and Lupin's water bottle also froze quickly. The lights turned off by themselves as the cold grew more intense. It suddenly felt like all happiness had disappeared from the world, and would never return as a cloaked figure came into view outside their compartment. It's cloak revealed a hand of bone which opened the sliding door without touching it.
Crookshanks hissed evilly on Hermione's lap and Scabbers hid himself beneath Ron's shirt as the figure floated into their compartment. As far as anyone could tell it was just the skeleton of an upper body, but the head was different. Underneath the hood was pure darkness except for one feature that Kiba could see, a mouth. A giant mouth, more round then a humans mouth. It scanned the room with it's nonexistent eyes and stopped at Harry and Kiba. The creatures jaw unhinged and with a strange noise it began inhaling. Harry began shaking violently beside Kiba as another creature, identical to the already present one swooped into the room and began doing the same to Kiba. Kiba could feel it, it was sucking something out of him. His happiness, his conscience, maybe his entire soul Kiba didn't know, he also didn't know what to do, how to defend himself as Hermione and Ron remained motionless.
Harry suddenly slumped over and fell against Kiba as Lupin rose from his seat with a brilliant blue glow emitting from his Wand. The creatures retreated but Kiba slipped away himself. Falling over on the bench, unconscious.
Amelia sat in silence holding her nearly two year old son in her arms. The doors opened and a hooded man glided into the room."My Lord," Amelia said softly "you're leaving?" the man didn't reply immediately, he placed his head on the infants head. The young boy giggled at the touch and playfully flailed his arms around.
"you've heard the prophecy," he said, his voice quiet and broken. He looked at the women, his irises Scarlett red like they were filled with nothing but hate. "I have to stop it, i cannot let the Potter boy live" he rose to his feet again. Amelia spotted a sword beneath his robes
"My Lord, he's just a baby, like your son. Stay here, with him, i fear that tonight might end badly… for us all" Amelia replied
"It won't," the man answered turning towards her "tonight, i shall become immortal!" he glided out of the room and left the woman with their child in the quiet dark of the room. And she sat there, rocking her son as she quietly hummed a lullaby.
The baby was almost asleep after a long while when the doors to the room shot open quickly and a familiar face entered."Amelia, come quick!" he said
"Severus, what's going on?" she asked rising from her seat and rushing after the dark haired man"the dark lord," he said
"has he returned? Did he succeed?" she asked, more terror in her voice then Snape had ever heard
"No, He failed." He replied as the two stepped out into the dark night "the boy survived! You have to flee, this is your one chance!"
"But, i am bound to him. I Lo-"
"I know you don't," Snape interrupted "i know the prophecy. And like your allegiances, mine don't lie with him either" Severus spoke quickly but quietly, leaving the young mother in shock. If Snape knew that she wasn't loyal to the dark lord, then who else? "now go! Hide! They will come for him" he added placing his hand on the infants head. He let go and without another word disappeared.
"Amelia!?" an identifiable, high pitched voice followed by an evil cackle brought her to reality "are you out here dear?" a flash of light in the distance caused Amelia to react as she apparated, and like Snape, disappeared from the manor.
She breathed a sigh of relief as she found herself on a street in London, but it wasn't quiet. Her son was more then upset, crying loudly and swinging his arms and legs around violently."I'm sorry, i know that apparating sucks but it was the only way out" the mother said apologetically as the baby threw up his last meal, but that wasn't all. Whatever spell Bellatrix had cast had made a small cut on the baby's chin. "calm down Kiba, momma is here to protect you" with a quick wave of her Wand she conjured a hooded cloak as she ran through the dark streets until she found what she had been looking for "Leverton's… I'm sorry Kiba… but you'll be safe here" she conjured a basket and knocked on the door before placing the baby in front of it with two letters she had prepared in advance, before turning back to the street with tears flooding her face. She continued running down the street to bring as much distance between her and him before they found her.
Her arm suddenly began burning with a searing pain, it was the mark that send the sensation through her body as suddenly multiple death eaters appeared around her. "thought you could run, dear?" asked Bellatrix with a cackle "where's the boy?"
"I don't know, the dark lord had him" she replied
"now, now Amelia" Lucius said approaching her carefully "no need to lie, we're among friends are we not?"
"Friends? You think any of you are my friends?!" Amelia replied "you tortured me for months.. don't think I've forgotten, especially you Malfoy"
"I-" before Lucius could speak the sidewalk underneath his feet folded itself nearly squashing him. His body turned to smoke and he was able to fly out of harms way before his body reformed. He saw three death eaters flat on their backs, motionless, most likely dead. He looked further and saw the wand streams of Bellatrix and Amelia had crossed. He retrieved his own wand and aimed it at the woman. But she reacted unexpectedly using her wandless hand she used her magic to seemingly grab him by the neck and slam him down on the pavement knocking him out cold.
Bellatrix laughed devilishly "won't be so easy with me, love" she said "where's the boy?"
"You'll never touch him, never" Amelia said darkly she redirected the wand stream causing both spells to miss before she conjured a blinding bright light which she used to apparate to safety. But as she breathed her sigh of relief her breath hinged as she felt something cut into her flesh.
"I know you to well" Bellatrix snarled as she stabbed her dagger into Amelia a second time "where's the boy?" Amelia sunk to her knees.
"this is not about him!" she said lighting Bellatrix's robes on fire. She pulled the dagger out of her side and tossed it aside, but Bellatrix was fast as a curse struck Amelia which made it hard for her to breathe, besides the blood pouring from her midsection. She threw a few hexes and jinxes at the witch herself and both sunk to their knees as their wand streams crossed again. "this was never about him for you, you're still jealous!"
"I should've been the mother to his child!" Bellatrix screamed out "but he chose you.."
"you weren't worthy," Amelia said "you never were, you never will be. You will never carry a child of the dark lord.. he will never love you" Amelia yelled "just like he never loved me"
"but you are weak, weaker, weaker then me! Why would he chose you?!" Bellatrix screamed like a crazy person
"you couldn't get him off" Amelia said. Bellatrix was boiling, her stream increased and blasted Amelia's wand into Oblivion. Bellatrix walked over to her and smiled as she held her by the throat.
"Tell me where the boy is. I will find him anyway, i will raise him properly. And he, like his great father, shall become a dark lord"
"You will never get to him. He will always do the right thing. He will never be like him!" Bellatrix was suddenly thrown back, she rolled over the grass and looked back at Amelia. Amelia raised her hand and with a loud yell severed her left arm. It dropped to the ground but Amelia smiled before she disappeared.
The dark Mark was gone, Bellatrix couldn't find her now. Amelia found herself in front of Leverton's as she collapsed against the door which opened soon after."Crawford!" the woman inside yelled, the younger woman came rushing to her side as they helped the injured witch.
"Don't," Amelia whispered as they prepared to tend to her wounds "i just want to see him"
"who, dear?" The madam of the orphanage asked
"Kiba," Amelia replied "i left him by your door" the two woman looked at each other as the older one rushed off. Amelia pulled the younger one in closer and whispered into her ear. "his name is Kiba Rolf Scamander, he's a wizard like I'm a witch" Amelia said "once he's eleven he will go to a school for wizards and witches called Hogwarts, when that time comes give him the letter"
"Which one, love?" Crawford asked
"The one with his name in red ink and the heart in the corner," Amelia said "strange things will happen around him.. please, take care of him"
"I will"
"Promise me!"
"I promise, i will care for him as if he were my own"
"Thank you" Amelia said as she rested on the bed.
"No, don't go. Madam Helaway, she's slipping away" just then the madam returned with the infant. Amelia opened her eyes, and kissed the boy on the forehead before gently touching the wound on his chin with one of her bloody fingers as she whispered very quietly into the infants ears. She fell back, and with one last breath her life faded. Crawford looked at the boy and saw, where the wound had been was now nothing but a scar.
Though she didn't breathe, Amelia could still see.. herself. Lying in the bed, staining it red with the blood pouring from her severed arm. But she smiled, knowing that they would never, ever get to him.
Kiba opened his eyes slowly, he sat upright from his dream. His first instinct was to look at the door to the compartment, where the creatures were, but they were gone. Beside him Harry woke up as well. Lupin was no longer asleep, he sat across from them next to Ron. While Hermione was kneeling on the compartment floor by the two boys. "here" Lupin said holding out a piece of chocolate to both of them "it's chocolate. It helps"
"those things," Kiba began "what were they" they all looked at the compartment door
"Dementors, the guards of Askaban" Lupin replied "they boarded the train to search for Sirius Black. They're gone now" Lupin got up and stepped out of the compartment. Kiba's and Hermione's worried expressions met each other And Hermione got up from the compartment floor "if you'd excuse me, i need to have a little word with the driver. Eat, it really helps" he said as he closed the compartment door and disappeared to the right.
"what happened?" Harry asked, his face filled with confusion.
"Well, those things came in and the two of you began shaking. I thought you were having a fit or something and then you fainted" Ron explained "i felt weird though, like I'd never be cheerful again" Hermione and Kiba continued to look at each other. It seemed like they were having a conversation through their eyes
"Hermione, you screamed" Harry said. Hermione turned her head but had trouble everting her gaze from the Hazel eyes of Kiba
"No one was screaming Harry" Ron replied
"But i heard it, a woman, screaming" Harry said as he looked out into the rainy night. No one answered, they were all dealing with what happened, with the cold and sadness, the dispair that hadn't disappeared. But Kiba quickly pulled something out of his bag and ripped it open. Hermione looked closely and spotted the name in red ink and the heart in the corner above it.
'my dear Kiba, my little boy. You're taking your first steps into the world you are meant to be in. If you're reading this, i can assume that you're still in Leverton's.
Let me tell you something. I most likely won't be around anymore, I'm sure I'm not. But, there's something you need to know.. people might tell you things about me. Things that aren't true. But there's more, your father is a dark wizard. His name is Tom Riddle, but he's known by the name Voldemort. And if he finds out that you're alive, then he will come after you.
If people tell you that you are evil, if you are put in Slytherin, then that doesn't matter. What matters is that you become your own person, and that you do the right thing. I.. didn't. I was part of an organization that intended to defeat your father. But i was captured during an infiltration, and gained his trust, made him believe that i had come to join his cause. But my loyalty was questioned, and that's how you came along. I just hope that i get you to Leverton's safely. And if not, then i can only hope that you don't follow in his footsteps.
I think, what I'm trying to say is.. who i was, doesn't matter. Who your father is, doesn't matter. You have to be yourself, you have to master yourself, then you shall achieve great things. Your wizard story begins now.
And.. if he finds you. Run. Run as fast and as far as you can.
Momma loves you'
Hermione could see Kiba's eyes water. Wether from his unconscious dream, or the letter.. or both, she didn't know. She wanted to sit beside him, hug him, comfort him. But she knew he wouldn't want that. And Ron would never let it drop afterwards, she knew that.
Kiba carefully placed the letter back in the envelope and stored it in his bag as he looked out of the window distantly. Hermione thought she could lighten the mood and began a conversation about hogsmeade, but to no avail. Harry was even more disheartened. The Dursley's hasn't signed his form, and not even the minister would sign it. And Kiba didn't even join the conversation, but Hermione figured that he didn't have a signed form either since he ran away from the orphanage. Lupin returned from his journey to the driver and entered the compartment.
"I didn't poison that chocolate you know," he said "you two should eat it" both Harry and Kiba finally took bites from their pieces and felt a sudden warmth in their bodies. From their fingertips all the way to their toes. It did help, it helped loads.
Hermione sighed as the train slowed down not ten minutes later and they finally arrived at the station. Crookshanks protested as she placed him back in his basket and closed it. They all got off, and took a carriage along with Ginny, Neville and Luna Lovegood, a girl from Ginny's year. Ginny introduced her to the others and they all greeted her openly. "what's that you're reading Luna?" asked Kiba curiously. He was sitting opposite to the dirty blonde.
"oh, my father's magazine. He is the author of 'The Quibbler'" she said cheerfully
"You do realize you're holding it upside-down.. right?" Kiba asked
"fully aware," she said as if there wasn't anything wrong with it.. and there wasn't. it was simply.. odd.
"so, the Quibbler.. is that like a news magazine?" Kiba asked again to keep the conversation going
"Yes, in a way. Much more accurate and interesting then the Daily prophet in my opinion" She replied her silvery eyes finally looking up at the boy. She stopped for the second and then held the magazine it towards Kiba "have a look if you want, my favorite article is usually about the unusual magical creatures" Kiba flipped a few pages and found the article
"Flock Fly?" Kiba said with a chuckle "never heard of that one"
"It's a species of Fly that only fly in groups, never on their own" Luna said as Kiba handed the magazine back to her "they can be dangerous in large numbers, they like to eat human skin" everyone remained quiet during the rest of the carriage ride and on their way into the great Hall.
"Granger, Potter, Scamander!" the stern voice of none other then Professor McGonagall echoed over the crowd. The three quickly made their way back and stopped by the Professor. "don't look so worried, i just want a word in my office" she said leading them away from the great Hall. They entered the office where they were welcomed by a warm fire, McGonagall ordered them to sit as she settled behind her desk. "Professor Lupin send an owl ahead saying that you two had taken ill on the train" she said, but before anyone could speak there was a knock on the door and Madan Pomfrey entered.
"oh, it's you two, is it?" Pomfrey said as she bent down to examine Harry "i suppose you've been doing something dangerous again?"
"It were Dementors, Poppy" said Professor McGonagall as the two women exchanged dark looks. Pomfrey bent down to examine Kiba aswell as she raved on about the Dementors being at Hogwarts. "what do they need? Bed rest? Should they perhaps stay in the hospital wing tonight?"
"I don't think so" Pomfrey replied "some chocolate would do the trick"
"We already had some" Harry said quickly, his face flushed red with embarrassment.
"Rem-.. Professor Lupin gave us some" Kiba added
"did he? Good" Pomfrey said "finally a Defence against the Dark Arts teacher who knows what he's doing" she added. She promptly left closely followed by Kiba and Harry as Hermione remained inside with McGonagall a little longer. Once they came out McGonagall led the three back into the great Hall, once inside McGonagall left for her seat as the other the looked for their seats near Ron. The Gryffindor table was second from the left and Hermione was already walking along the left side while Harry and Kiba walked akwardly through the middle of the hall just as the spring Harry was taken away.
"Potter!" they heard someone hiss. They turned to the Slytherin table on their right and it was none other then Draco and his goons, Crabbe and Goyle. "is it true you fainted?" he asked as Goyle faked a faint "you actually fainted?!"
"Shove off, Draco" Kiba said turning Harry away as they proceeded to their seats. Kiba wanted to say more. He wanted Draco to face a Dementor and see how he'd react, but he couldn't.
"great.. how'd he find out?" Harry asked ashamed
"Just forget it" Kiba said unable to find any better words. Just then Dumbledore stepped up to his podium as the golden owl that was at the front of it stretched it's wings out. Once again Kiba saw how much he had changed over the holidays, his robes less colorful, and his beard no longer hanging loosely but tied near the end.
"Welcome, welcome, to another year at Hogwarts." Dumbledore began "now, I'd like to say a few words before we all become too befuddled by our excellent feast. First, i want to welcome Professor R. J. Lupin, who's kindly consented to fill the post of Defence against the Dark arts teacher. Good luck, Professor!" The applause was mild, it was mostly just Harry, Kiba and Hermione along with a few others clapping. Lupin had always looked normal to Kiba, but next to the other teachers he looked shabby. Lupin seemed invited by this and stood with a smile and bowed slightly before sitting down. "Secondly, Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical creatures teacher for many years, has decided to retire in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs. Fortunately, I'm delighted to announce, that his place will be taken by none other then our own Rubeus Hagrid" The Gryffindor table applauded furiously as Hagrid rose from his seat shaking the teachers table. Hermione even yelled out a woo-hoo for good measure. "Finally, on a more describing note, at the request of the Ministry of Magic. Hogwarts will, until further notice, play host to the Dementors of Azkaban, until such a time Sirius Black is captured" whispering broke out among several students and most of the first years looked like they were ready to empty their bladders, but Dumbledore continued "the Dementors will be stationed at every entrance to the grounds, now whilst I've been assured that their presence will not disrupt our day to day activities, a word of caution... Dementors are vicious creatures, they will not distinguish between the one they hunt and the one that gets in their way. Therefore i must warn each and every one of you, to give them no reason to harm you. It is not in the nature of a Dementor to be forgiving" silence had fallen over the entire Hall "but you know, happiness can be found even in the darkest of times.." Dumbledore moved his hand past the candles on the right side of his podium which all extinguished immediately "when one only remembers, to turn on the light" he moved his hand back along the candles and they all lit up again "now let's eat!"
Harry and Ron began eating quickly but Kiba barely ate anything. He proceeded to stare at the ceiling into the cloudy night sky. Hermione knew something was bugging him but couldn't tell what it was and not long later they were on their way to the common room where they stopped before the fat Lady. Suddenly a voice could be heard behind them "I'm head boy, let me through" Percy got to the front and announced the new password loudly which Neville, who stood beside Kiba noted down on a piece of parchment. Kiba was just about to enter when Percy's hand stopped him by the chest. "the headmaster wanted to speak to you before you go to sleep" he said "you better go now" Kiba was tired but he knew that protesting wouldn't do any good so he left without another word proceeding further up the moving stairs and ultimately to the guardian gargoyle.
Kiba walked up the spiral staircase and knocked on the door, but to his surprise it wasn't Dumbledore who told him to come in with his kind voice. No, it was Flitwick, the small half-goblin man. Kiba entered and saw that all head of houses were present along with Dumbledore. Kiba felt frightened underneath their stares, expecting to be scolded for last year. "no need to be scared, Mister Scamander" Flitwick said. Flitwick had seemingly reinvented himself aswell. His black hair was in a bowl cut and his beard was gone, leaving nothing but a mustache above his lip and his green robes replaced by a black suit.
"Thank you for coming, Kiba" Dumbledore spoke "as i had expected, you didn't respond to your Hogwarts letter. So before term starts, there are a few things we need to know"
"of course" Kiba replied
"First off, about your electives" McGonagall said taking the word "are you familiar with the subjects you can choose from?"
"Yes, and i have chosen. I have all the necessary books as well" Kiba replied
"Which electives have you chosen?" McGonagall asked once more
"Arithmacy, Ancient Runes and Care of Magical Creatures" Kiba said quickly, sure of his decision. The latter elective brought a smile to Dumbledore face.
"As you are most likely aware" Snape began "Third-years are permitted to visit hogsmeade on the weekends." He held out a piece of paper which Kiba took from him.
"I can't have it signed though" Kiba said
"if you look at it you will find that it has been signed" he said before walking past Kiba and leaving the office. Kiba saw that Snape himself had signed it, he wanted to ask but was cut off by McGonagall who have him a wand, his Wand.
"of course, classes would be difficult without your wand" McGonagall said "good night" she too along with Flitwick and Sprout left.
"Kiba, my boy." Dumbledore said once the silence had settled "i have thought of a way through which we can make sure that you don't wander off again"
"you mean, a way through which you can monitor me, so i don't go killing again?" Kiba replied sarcastically
"yes," Dumbledore replied to Kiba's surprise "since Hagrid is new to the post of Care of Magical Creatures you will be his assistant. Every other day and one day on the weekends you will assist him with his duties as caretaker for the Magical creatures. This way we know something is wrong if you don't show up."
"Alright, i can do that" Kiba replied "I'll learn lots about the creatures too. I guess that's a benefit"
"Yes, but don't forget your homework. Stay strong, Kiba. Good night"
"good night, Professor" Dumbledore disappeared through the opening behind his desk to what Kiba could only assume were his private chambers. He himself made his way back to the common room, he spoke the new password and proceeded up the spiral staircase all the way to the top where the sign on the dorm door now read Third-years.
"Gettin' in trouble already, are ya?" asked Sheamus as Kiba entered, the boys were gathered by Neville's and Dean's beds. Either sitting on them or on a chair beside them. Harry himself was sitting by the window, while Ron sat on Dean's bed next to Harry.
"no," Kiba replied noticing that the boys weren't sitting together to talk, but to share new candies that Sheamus had gotten. Dean pulled up a chair for Kiba. "I just got some duties this year and Dumbledore wanted to explain them to me" he sat down and soon they were all laughing as Neville took a candy that made him sound like an Elephant, and Ron one that made him roar like a Lion. Kiba also took one and broke out into a howl not a second later, followed by Seamus who turned into a monkey. They were having a great time being back in Hogwarts, and while some like Neville were already in their pajamas, other were still wearing their robes, like Sheamus who had undone his tie and instead tied it around his head as some sort of a joke. But before they all knew it they were in their beds, sleeping tight, maybe snoring a bit, before waking up the next morning.
The quartet headed down to the great Hall for breakfast, and when they walked past Draco he made an overdramatic fainting motion which lead to the rest of the Slytherin's around him roaring with laughter. Trying his best to ignore it Harry walked on and sat down next to George on the left. "here," the tall Weasley said holding out a small stack of papers "third-year timetables, these are yours" Hermione grabbed them, quickly looked for her timetable and passed it on. Ron finally found his seat on the right side of George and also found his timetable. Kiba and Hermione sat opposite of them on either side of Fred as Kiba glanced over he couldn't help but notice that Hermione had three classes at once. All this morning at 9 o' clock.
He looked at his own timetable and read it to himself 'Monday: Arithmacy, Transfiguration (with Hufflepuff), Defence against the Dark arts (with Slytherin), Potions (with Slytherin).. Tuesday: Double Care for Magical Creatures (with Slytherin), Astronomy, Charms (with Ravenclaw).. Wednesday: Double Herbology (with Ravenclaw), Ancient Runes, History of Magic.. Thursday: Transfiguration (with Hufflepuff), Defence against the Dark arts (with Slytherin), Double Charms (with Ravenclaw)... Friday: Double Potions (with Slytherin), Flying (optional)..' Kiba sighed and checked which days he could easiest assist Hagrid. Just then an owl swooped past and dropped a letter into Kiba's lap.
He opened it and recognized Hagrid handwriting immediately.
'Dear Kiba, I'm very excited ter have yer as me assistant. Would you like to come over for a cup o' tea? Maybe after classes? I'd like yer 'elp preparin' me firs' lesson. See yer, Hagrid'
Kiba smiled slightly, telling himself that working beside Hagrid won't be bad, he does know the lingo when it comes to Magical Creatures, especially the rare ones.
Kiba finally began eating as breakfast was coming to an end, he was either to distracted by his timetable or his thoughts and soon he was walking alongside Harry, Ron and Hermione out of the great Hall. "we've got Divination now" Ron muttered "I've never been in the North tower, how do we get there?"
"don't know, haven't been there either" Harry replied "what class are you having Hermione?" he asked the bushy haired, buck-teethed girl.
"Divination for me too, Kiba?" the three looked at the boy, he shook his head.
"I hope Arithmacy isn't boring," he said checking his timetable for the class location "I'll see you all in Transfiguration" he added as he walked in the opposite direction. Kiba had barely gotten away from the great Hall when Hermione appeared beside him.
"Hermione, i thought you had Divination?!" he said
"yeah, my bad. I'm actually in Arithmacy, i thought of taking Divination at first.. that's why i got confused" Kiba simple shrugged it off. Indeed it was a little odd for Hermione to get classes confused, but it was the first day so he didn't blame her. They entered the classroom and together sat down at one of the double desks in the third row as the rest of the class also slowly entered.
"Good morning students and welcome to your first Arithmacy lesson, I am Professor Vector. Now, in this class your mind will be tested, and quite possibly driven to it's limits" the teacher spoke. Her voice was feminine and strong like McGonagall's but didn't instill the same authority. She went on to explain what Arithmacy is and what the topics of the term would be before starting the lesson. Arithmacy was easily the most difficult subject Kiba had taken in Hogwarts, and even Hermione agreed that most of it was hard to understand. The two were headed towards McGonagall's classroom for their Transfiguration lesson but Hermione suddenly pulled Kiba into an empty classroom.
"Okay, listen" she said stopping Kiba from protesting. She reached into her shirt and revealed a necklace. "i thought i could fool the three of you, but seeing as you're in only one elective that Harry and Ron are in too i have to tell you"
"what's that?" Kiba asked grabbing the necklace which looked like a small hourglass surrounded by several golden rings. Hermione smacked his hand away
"This is a Timeturner," she said "it allows me to travel back in time. I'm not just taking three electives Kiba, I'm taking all of them. McGonagall gave this to me so i could go to every class"
"So, right now you're walking to Transfiguration with Harry and Ron too?" Kiba asked
"no, i already was in Divination. I used the Timeturner to go to Arithmacy with you" Hermione explained quickly "and now I'm going to use it to get to muggle studies"
"So you are essentially in three classes at once?" Kiba asked receiving a nod "wicked"
"you can't tell anyone. Don't tell Ron or Harry that i was in Arithmacy.. got it?"
"Sure.. one question, why?" Kiba asked again
"I couldn't decide" Hermione replied. Kiba laughed to himself
"that's so you," he chuckled "so, I'll see you in Transfiguration?"
"for you, in a few minutes. For me, in about an hour" Hermione said as she turned a little button on the side of the necklace and disappeared. Kiba headed on to Transfiguration where he met Hermione again, he sat down beside her and waited for the class to begin.
"… few Wizards and Witches have achieved this however, since the procedure to becoming an Animagus isn't only highly dangerous and difficult, it also requires time and dedication." McGonagall spoke "i myself have gone through this and it took me nearly half a year, others only needed two months and others again needed several decades"
"What is required to become an Animagus?" Kiba asked, apparently the only one listening.
"I will not discuss details, however, a few things have to be done during the process which, if done wrong can lead to a disastrous outcome. It requires a spell that needs to be casted on oneself frequently, a potion with ingredients that are extremely difficult to obtain, a safe place to store the potion and a thunderstorm"
"And what does it feel like?" asked Kiba again
"well, i had to hold a Mandrake leaf in my mouth for an entire month, very unpleasant.. but the actual transformation was most likely the worst." she explained "The first transformation essentially kills the part of the wizard or witch that restricts them from transforming into an animal, this can go wrong and has led to recorded incidents where a wizard was permanently stuck in their animal form, unaware of who they are.. most likely questioning existence." McGonagall went on to explain about Animagus registration and the rules of becoming an Animal wizard as Kiba hastily noted everything down.
'Animagus..' Kiba thought
The lesson was soon interrupted by McGonagall being told of the prophecy that the Divination professor had made. McGonagall however shrugged it off, saying that Trelawney predicted a death every year, and that no one has ever died. Kiba wasn't reassured since the prophecy of death hadn't been for anyone. No, it had been for Harry. And knowing their record.. well, there was a good chance that Harry was indeed in trouble. The Black dog he had seen in Surrey, Sirius Black being after him.. it made sense that Harry might die. But Kiba forgot most of his bad thoughts as the delicious lunch of Hogwarts filled his stomach. He had set his Arithmacy book open beside him and Hermione to prepare for the homework they had gotten so Hermione could read it too without raising suspicion, with her having six classes more then anyone she needed all her free time to study and do homework whilst also keeping it secret. And copying of Kiba would probably be a no-go for her aswell.
Their next lesson after lunch was the much anticipated Defence against the Dark Arts lesson with professor Lupin. Though many Slytherin students were still mocking him for his shabby robes and thin frame and unfortunately they found out that the scars on Lupin's face were a touchy subject for the Professor and constantly reminded him of them. Lupin tried not to react to the comments but Kiba noticed ever so slight glances or movements indicating how subconsciously he felt about his appearance. Lupin explained calmly the subjects of the term and afterwards went over some things that they have learned the previous year. And then, for the last lesson of the first day they headed towards the dungeon. "Potions," Neville muttered beside them "i hope Snape won't be as bad as always…"
"why can't we have Potions with a different house then Slytherin for once?" Ron moaned "he hates Gryffindor enough as it is"
They entered and Snape began his lesson. Hermione entered just a few moments later receiving a glare from the professor. "five points from a Gryffindor" he said and continued. He explained how he expected the class to behave, and that failure and incompetence was unacceptable. Just as he began listing the Potions that were mandatory for the year Draco walked in with Crabbe, Goyle and Pansy in tow. "settle down," Snape said sternly "i won't accept tardiness again Mister Malfoy" he said and simply continued without deducting points.
"He's really got it in for us, hasn't he?" Ron whispered to Harry. The lesson began normally, Kiba and Hermione were the first to finish their Potions but Snape had set his eyes on Neville, carefully observing everything he did. Luckily he did nothing wrong, the potion was rather simple to make anyways but he had also threatened that he'd test the potion on Trevor, Neville's toad, to help him understand what he did wrong. But the lesson eventually ended, Snape was forced to take points from Slytherin since Crabbe had decided to spill Kiba's Cauldron over the table and floor, he blamed it on Kiba but for some reason Snape didn't believe the boy and instead punished Crabbe, going so far as to use a spell to clean Kiba's robes quickly.
Every Gryffindor was confused as this and then Snape ordered Kiba to stay, which to the Slytherin students sounded like he would get a bigger punishment. "as you are aware, i signed your permission form to visit Hogsmeade" Snape said to the young Wizard "and you no doubt know what that means"
"it means you are either one of my Parents in disguise or my Guardian" Kiba replied
"Guardian.." Snape replied coldly "now understand that i expect your behavior to represent me, should your behavior reflect badly onto me i will revoke your right to visit the village. Am i clear?" Kiba nodded absently. Snape as his legal guardian, he didn't like it at all, and he hasn't thought about it at all since he had received the signed form. "am i Clear?!"
"Yes, professor" Kiba replied quickly avoiding the dark eyes of the man towering above him. "Can i-"
"go" Kiba left quickly and cought up to the other the at the stairs where Ron was saying something about Hermione disappearing and reappearing.
"Kiba, where are you going?" Harry asked when Kiba missed a turn towards the common room
"Hagrid's," He replied forgetting that here hadn't told them yet "oh, sorry. I'm his assistant this year, and he needed to talk to me"
"oh alright," Harry replied
"see you later" Ron added as they continued up the steps. Hermione simply waved as she continued reading in one of her many books while walking. Kiba took the quickest path out of the castle and walked down the small gravel path towards Hagrid's hut, he knocked on the door and was greeted happily by the half-giant.
"I was already waitin' for yer," Hagrid said as they walked towards the reserve for Magical Creatures "i was thinkin' of makin' a good firs' impression"
"A good first impression?" Kiba repeated
"Tadaa" Hagrid showed Kiba to a small clearing where a few horselike creatures where chained. "Hippogriffs" Kiba was stunned in awe, the creatures hasd the bodies of horses but the heads and the wings were those of giant eagles. Not to mention the feathers that smoothly transitioned to hairs down the neck, and the giant talons the animal had instead of Hooves on it's front legs.
"Hagrid, they're beautiful" Kiba said.
"Yer can say tha' again" he replied "is like yer ter meet the Alpha of the herd" he lead Kiba into the clearing closer to them.
"What?" Kiba asked "meet the Alpha?"
"Yes, if she accepts yer, than the rest will too" he replied pointing to one with a strangely pinkish color. Hagrid pushed Kiba forward a little as he explained that Hippogriffs were very proud creatures and needed to be approached correctly. "Firs', yer bow. And wait for 'er ter bow back. Then yer can approach 'er" Kiba bowed to the creature lowering himself into one knee, he sailed hard as it examined him from a distance showing the reach of her wings before she but then back to her sides. She took a step forward with her right taking and lowered her head lifting her left leg up as if she were mimicking Kiba's bow. Kiba slowly rose and approached the Hippogriff, and before her knew it he was gently stroking her beak, her feathery neck down to the fur on her chest and shoulders.
"Recon she'll let yer ride 'er now" Hagrid said, he showed Kiba where he had to place his foot to properly mount the Creature "try not ter pull 'er feathers out. Rosetail won't be 'appy with yer then" He gave the Hippogriff a gentle smack and she ran. No longer chained to the clearing she stretched her wings and with a strong swing they flew skyward. It felt similar to riding Hotaru but still different, in a way.
Kiba disliked flying on brooms, but Hippogriffs or a Dragon. Now, that was the type of flying that Kiba loved!
--
