Standard Disclaimer: I own nothing in regards to Harry Potter or Wednesday. All properties therein are those of their creators. I am only a writer working on my skills with worlds and characters that I love.

Note: Thanks to all the readers that sent me such positive reviews for this work. It means a lot to know the time and energy I put into these stories is appreciated.

Note: Wednesday literally tells a teacher she saw a couple vampires 'fanging' in the library in episode two, so yeah, the students get up to some dirty activities on the campus it seems.

Chapter Five - Mystery And Bees

Harry and his group had expected the police to be called, to be questioned about what they saw, to see even one hint of emergency response. When none of those things came, they got suspicious. And when Rowen, the very, very, dead Rowan was seen packing his bags and leaving school grounds, they got fascinated. Wednesday because it was a mystery that called to her writer's mind, Harry because he was inexplicably drawn to the goth's curved smile of fascination, and Enid because, well, she wasn't gonna let the other two investigate this thing without her. No siree.

As one they marched into Principal Weems office and, as she remarkably had no one else present, demanded to know what had happened to Rowan.

Weems was clearly startled by the interruption, but she rallied admirably and said, "Nothing happened. He had a brief spell in the woods after that monster attack, but he recovered. Sadly, the experience has shaken both himself and his family, and they have requested he be sent home. I doubt anyone in this school shall see him again. It is a true shame to lose one as intelligent as him from our halls."

Harry merely rubbed the bridge of his nose and cast the same spell from the night before, implanting the minds of all present with his last memory of Rowan before apparating away. The boy had been lying still on the ground, pale as bone as all the blood in his body pooled on the ground beneath him. His innards and chest cavity were torn open as the great beast, the wendigo, tore into him and devoured everything it could reach.

Coming back to himself Harry asked, "You call that a slight tumble?"

Trembling slightly from that horrid sight, Weems leaned back in her chair and finally admitted, "I am a shape changer, and I took his form to make it seem as if he left the school on his own power."

Enid gasped at that admission. "Why would you do something like that?"

"To make it seem as if nothing was wrong." Wednesday guessed. "And perhaps to keep the police from taking any further interest in Nevermore?"

"Spot on, Ms. Addams." The blonde principal nodded. "Nevermore is in a tenuous situation at the best of times. Jericho needs us to stimulate their small economy or the town could go under. That being said, many people there do not like that fact, and would seize any chance to make our school seem either unsafe or a detriment to Jericho. A monster attack that caused the death of a student would be a spark that could lead the charge to our banishment."

Thinking back to his years at Hogwarts, where the adults only ever ignored things, Harry had to admit that it was nice to see an educator being proactive about the safety and security of her students. "I can understand that." He said. "But do Rowan's parents know he's dead at the very least?"

"Of course. I would never assume his form like this without their express permission. Or at least his father's, seeing as his mother has sadly passed. He agreed to this subterfuge for the good of the students' safety."

"He sounds like a nice man." Enid noted.

"He really is." The principal's face grew eminently sad as she continued, "Calling him up to inform him of his son's death was one of the hardest calls I've ever had to make."

"I can imagine." Harry said. "But I have to know, what was that creature that attacked us? You called it a Wendigo."

Weems shuddered at the recollection. "There are many differing stories of where they came from. Some say they are natural monsters born. Others that they are supernatural in origin. We do know that they are primarily native to the Americas, and that the Native Americans believed them to be hunters and travelers that got lost in the wilds and were forced to consume human flesh to stave off starvation. Wendigos are, to the best of our knowledge, cannibals that have been infected with the spirits of their victims. This forces a massive physical and mental transformation. They become monstrous, hateful, and above all else, hungry. They live only to consume more of the flesh that cursed them in the first place."

Enid unconsciously grabbed a hold of Harry's arm as that information hit home. "T-That sounds terrifying."

"It is." Weems agreed. "Standard procedure is to kill them on sight, or call in a professional huntsman's troupe. Sadly the closest team is currently in Zurich and otherwise engaged. As such I have enlisted the services of Sirius Black to defend the school."

"Good choice." Harry agreed.

"Why is that?" Wednesday wanted to know.

"Because my dad can ward the hell out of this entire place. And since he has actual permission he can use some of the nastier ones too. That Wendigo won't step one foot on the Nevermore grounds."

"That is correct, Mr. Black. Which is why I'm working on a new announcement that all students are to stay out of the woods for the time being. Once you leave I'll be sending it over the speakers. If we're lucky, the beast will move on. If we are not, well, we will simply have to wait it out."

"Why not just kill it yourself?" Enid wanted to know.

"I'm a shape changer, Ms. Sinclair, not a warrior. Sadly, I never matched the martial skills of my old roommate. Indeed, the only people with enough power to actually stand a chance against it are Mr. Black here and his father. Wendigo's are creatures of magic, and thus are susceptible to its power. That being said, I cannot allow one of my students to go into danger and I am… hesitant, to ask the elder Black to do so." None present missed the slight tinge of her cheeks as she said that last bit.

Getting a hold of herself again she asked, "Have I answered your questions to your satisfaction then?"

Grabbing a hold of Wednesday before she could say anything unflattering, Harry nodded. "Yes, and thank you for your time Ms. Weems."

They moved to leave, but were stopped when the principal reminded them, "Oh, and Wednesday, don't forget you have your therapy session today. I'll be taking you into town again."

Turning to face the principal, Harry offered, "Or I could take her. I think by now you know she won't run away from me, and we both know I'm capable of protecting her." When the blond wavered at his words he added, "You need to keep your focus on the school right now. It needs you more than ever. Let me do this."

Weems broke at that. "Very well, Mr. Potter. But I will be calling Dr. Kinbott later to confirm that Wednesday did in fact attend the session."

"I won't make her late, I promise." So saying, the trio left the office, and went about their day.

Much as the last time, When Wednesday was done with her session, Harry took her to get some coffee, and this time as she sat down across from him after insisting on purchasing their drinks again, he decided it was time for that question he didn't get to ask the night before. He supposed he could have eased into it, provided some smalltalk before getting to the point, but his experience with Wednesday implied that she'd far more appreciate the direct approach.

So, squaring himself up, and taking a sip of his hot chocolate for luck, he asked, "Wednesday, I want to spend more time with you socially."

She stared him dead in the eyes and said, "We already spend a great deal of time together, and unless your ocular faculties are suddenly subpar, then I'm sure you can see that we are in a social environment."

Harry groaned with fond exasperation. "I suppose I should be clearer about why I want to spend more time with you. Wednesday, I want us to be in a romantic relationship. We've flirted, we've joked, but now I don't just want to flirt. I want us to be something real." He slowly reached across the booth table and gently took her hand in his own, giving her plenty of time to pull away. She didn't.

Curling her black nailed fingers around his own, the goth said, "I would not be disagreeable to this. You are… more than I thought you'd be. I'm assuming Enid has already agreed to be with you as well."

"Yeah. Are you okay with that?"

A strange look entered Wednesday's eyes as she explained, "Some time ago I received a vision about you, and her. Our futures are entwined. Enid is nice enough, and her pack mentality will only be good for us going forward. I have no objections."

"Hm. First year at this school and I have two girlfriends already. My birth father would be proud."

"From what you've told me of him, I'd agree." The goth's fingers suddenly latched down hard on his captive palm, "But if you ever cheat on me and Enid, there will not be enough of your body left to identify. Even magic won't be able to put right the sick and twisted things I will do to you."

Not even breaking a sweat, Harry reached his free hand up to cup Wednesday's face. "You won't ever need to worry about that with me."

For a moment his partner said nothing. But then, "I believe you." Her grip lessened back to the comfortable hold it had been. "But I won't be a blushing cheerleader who hangs on your arm and laughs at every joke."

"I figured."

"I'm too independent for that. And besides, Enid is more than bubbly enough to fill that need."

"And I understand that completely. I like that about you, Wednesday. I promise that I'll never ask you to be anything else but what you are. Because what you are is amazing. It is dark, intelligent, beautiful, and captivating."

"Thank you." Wednesday's face didn't change, but the slight crinkling around her right eye told Harry she was pleased. He was getting better at reading her microexpressions.

In comfortable silence they finished their drinks and mounted back up on the bike to return to Nevermore. However, once they pulled into the parking lot, Harry stopped Wednesday from leaving right away.

"Wednesday, may I kiss you?"

The goth nodded and stepped into his personal space. "You may."

She was considerably shorter than him so he had to bend down to place his head on a level with hers. Then he leaned in and planted his lips upon her own. He'd intended the kiss to be simple and chaste as it was their first, but Wednesday surprised him by leaning into him and scraping her tongue across his teeth.

His eyes popped open in surprise, but it was Wednesday who seemed the most shocked out of the two of them. She was blinking rapidly and for the first time since he'd known her a frazzled look was crossing her face.

"I… I apologize." Wednesday muttered before turning away. Not looking back she said, "I enjoyed that and we will be doing it again. Have a good night, Harry."

"You too, Wednesday."

A Short Time Later

Wednesday arrived back at her dorm and was pleasantly surprised to find Enid absent for once. It made what she was about to do easier. Her parents had gifted her a crystal ball to call home when they'd enrolled her at Nevermore, but up until now she'd had no cause to use it. After what had just happened with Harry though… she needed to speak to her mother. She needed… advice.

"Thing, step outside please." The hand did as ordered and scampered out the door, closing it behind him. Then she cleared some desk space, set up the crystal ball on its stand, and waved her hand over it, focusing on her mother's face. It took a few seconds for the connection to come through, but when it did she found herself looking into the delighted visage of Morticia Addams.

"Oh Wednesday! How delightful to finally hear from you, my little praying mantis."

"Mother."

"And there is the cold disregard I have so missed. How can I help you, dear?"

Wednesday grew very still and forced her face into her usual mask of non emotion. "Today Harry asked me to be his girlfriend."

"What a fine turn of events. The Black family is delightfully dark, which makes him perfect for you."

"Yes… but then he kissed me, and-"

"And you reacted more 'intensely' than you intended to?" Morticia supplied helpfully with a knowing smile on her lips.

"Yes."

"It seems you inherited more from my side of the family than just your sublime dark looks, my dear."

"What are you saying?"

Morticia waved a calming hand. "It is a Frump family trait, inherited through every woman in our family tree. We Frumps are incredibly passionate women. It goes back to the founder of our line who was a succubus that seduced men and ate their hearts."

"Lovely."

"Isn't it just? Anyway, you can expect a similar reaction when you are intimate in any way with someone that you truly care about."

"Is that why you and father are so 'involved' with each other whenever you even hold hands?"

"Partially." Morticia admitted. "But also because we are so deeply in love."

"Great, so every time I kiss my boyfriend I'll have to worry that I'll unintentionally jump his bones?"

"Wednesday, physical expressions of affection are not horrid things, but no, that shouldn't be an issue. Your bloodline will make you more amorous to be sure, but it won't force you to do anything you don't truly want to do. You'll need to make a conscious decision to go any further than you are comfortable with."

"This is so strange for me, mother." Wednesday admitted, a hint of vulnerability coming through despite her efforts. "My body just… moved. It was surprising."

"I know, dear, trust me, it was the same way for me when I started dating your father. Just trust yourself and you will not go wrong."

"I don't want to give Harry the wrong idea about me."

"I'm sure he'll be understanding. Just explain it to him and ask to take things slow. Your father and I have been in near constant communication with his father, and he describes Harry as a very respectful young man. I doubt he'd push you if it made you uncomfortable."

"Thank you, mother. This has been quite informational."

"Anytime dear. Was there anything else?"

"Could you tell me a bit more about our succubus ancestor? And how exactly did she remove those hearts before eating them?"

Morticia's grin grew downright predatory. "Well you see, dear, the hard part was getting the organ out while it was still beating. According to the family records she had a very particular step by step process that included-"

The Next Day

It turned out that Harry was indeed understanding. Once Wednesday explained to him what her mother had said about her family history and thus her genetic predispositions, he'd adamantly made it clear that he was more than happy to let her plot the course of their relationship, including how fast and far it progressed. Her comfort was paramount to him. At the moment, physical touch was mostly holding hands and locking elbows, and they were perfectly fine with that. The goth found it rather charming that she was now dating a man that was so okay with letting the woman set their pace. Enid was a lot more touchy feely but that was to be expected.

As it was now, however, the two newest students of the academy once again found themselves standing in front of the principal's desk. "Could you please repeat that?" Harry asked.

"I believe you heard me, Mr. Black. All students at Nevermore Academy are required to be a member of a club. It is important to this institution that those that call our walls home have a chance to excel and expand their horizons in a group environment."

Wednesday crossed her arms and commented, "We're both in the fencing club."

"That is an extracurricular activity, not a club." Weems shuffled some papers around and passed a few to her students. "Here is a list of the available clubs on campus. I will expect your choices by the end of the day."

The two students grumbled more than a bit about that order, but nevertheless moved to carry it out. They tried the acapella group led by Bianca, and Wednesday promptly gave the werewolves temporary deafness with the pitch of her voice. Harry was a decent singer but he wouldn't join any club that didn't have Wednesday in it. After that they tried out Enid's club, but she flitted around enough campus projects at the same time to make their collective heads spin.

Archery only lasted a minute before the wizard was pushing his girlfriend on to the next item on the list. He didn't like how the archery captain, a punk looking asshole with long hair, named Xavier, was looking at Wednesday. It was like she was something to eat. Croquet was a similar situation, except Wednesday was pulling him away from the bubbly redheaded captain that offered to "hold him from behind to help direct his swing."

There were a few other options that didn't really work after that. Mainly because Wednesday didn't want to do any of the overly physical or team based activities, but then they arrived at the last item on the list. The beekeeping club.

"You know," Harry noted as they approached a decent sized shed surrounded by small hives, "I've never heard of a school with its own beehives, let alone one that required a club to maintain it."

"Nevermore is certainly a unique school." the goth agreed.

"Unique is how I'd describe the druidic dance club. Are you sure we couldn't have signed up for that one?"

Wednesday gave her boyfriend a very stern glare and answered, "Descended from a succubus or not, the only time you will ever see me dancing naked for you will be on the eve of our wedding, and there will not be twenty other people there like with the druids. Understand?"

"Understood, mio bel corvo."

Wednesday turned up her nose with pleased imperialism and strutted over to the shed. Her mother had always told her that the first step in a successful relationship was establishing who was really in charge. It was a good thing Harry was learning that lesson early.

That being said, she'd been surprised to find a Grove of Druids at Nevermore. It seemed there were a lot of other classes and races in attendance besides the far more numerous vampires, gorgons, sirens, and werewolves. They'd also run into dark elves, dwarves, and lamias. That last group had quite the hypnotizing gaze. It seemed that all the magical creatures of America were represented in some way at this school.

She rapped on the door and was forced to step back when it swung open to reveal a rather short boy with large teeth in a shrouded beekeeping uniform. "Oh, hello, are the two of you perhaps interested in the ancient art of beekeeping?" He held out his hands, "Eugene. Eugene Ottinger. Founder and president of the Nevermore Hummers."

Harry and Wednesday shared a look before each took a hand and shook.

"Wednesday Addams. I'm fascinated by your work here."

"Harry Black. I go where she goes. And are you completely sure about that club name?"

Eugene gave him a strange look, "Of course. What's wrong with it?"

"Clearly you don't own a computer. Nothing, nothing, let's just get back on track here."

In short order Eugene had them kitted up and learning the ropes. Because he was currently the only member, there were a lot of spare uniforms and safety equipment. They soon found the shorter boy to be incredibly knowledgeable about his chosen craft, both its history and application, and though he was more than a little awkward, his company was quite pleasant. He actually kind of reminded Harry of Hermione in a way, back when they were still small.

They spent the next hour collecting honey, checking on the living conditions of the hive, and documenting all of their findings before packing everything up and heading out once more. Beekeeping wasn't honestly something the former boy who lived had considered as a hobby, but he would be lying if he said he hadn't enjoyed the new experience. And from the satisfied smirk on Wednesday's face it was clear his girlfriend had enjoyed herself just as much.

"Harry, apparate us back to the dorms please. I do not feel like walking."

"Your wish is my command."

The next week was quite interesting. In class Wednesday and Bianca clashed to find out who was the better student. It seemed the queen bee of the school hadn't taken her saber defeat lying down and was trying to reclaim whatever clout she could amongst the student body. It got worse when her ex, Xavier Thorpe, sat at the table next to Wednesday and started showing her his drawings. It pissed both Bianca, and Harry off because the guy was clearly trying to flirt.

For her part, the goth merely gave her man a knowing nod and raised the corner of her mouth in her version of a smirk at the sight of his anger. Her own father had been known to go on jealous rampages on occasion. Why, the cruise that he and her mother had spent their honeymoon on still couldn't find a body for a single one of the other male passengers. It made sense, who in their right mind would avoid looking at the spectacular body of Morticia Addams in a bikini? Gomez was quite protective of her.

Either unknowing of all the malice he was accruing, or uncaring, Xavier still persisted with his attempts to gain her attention for the rest of the day, and carried on through the week. Wednesday didn't really pay him any mind. She had more important things to think about than a heartsick artist. Ugh, an artist.

No, aside from classes and club time, the week was spent investigating the page that Rowan had dropped into the goth's presence when the Wendigo had attacked her. She had just found something interesting and sent Hegwig off with a note when Harry literally popped into her dorm.

"Harry!" Of course Enid leapt into his arms at once and smothered him in kisses, while she remained standing and tapping her foot. When he finally extricated himself from the wolf and walked over, she opened her arms and he happily went in for a hug and kissed her on the side of her mouth. "Hello, girls."

"It took you long enough."

"I came as soon as my familiar dropped the note. You found something about the picture?"

"Yes, it has a strange symbol in the corner only visible with candlelight. I was going to go to the library to research it."

"Great. I'll come with you."

"Me too!" Enid bounced over to the duo and together they started off down the stairs and across the lawn to the library.

Along the way Harry said, "I actually found something out too."

"Oh really?"

"Yes. Turns out the Black family has an incredibly detailed bestiary in the vault. My dad grabbed it for me."

"Why would the Blacks have a bestiary?" Enid wanted to know. "Wizards aren't hunters are they?"

"Ah, no." The wizard was suddenly very uncomfortable with this conversation. "It seems some of the Black family were very much into… cross breeding. They kept the book so they knew which species were safe to get down with."

"Oh," Enid began running a finger over Harry's chest, "so your family has a precedent for dating non-humans. I like that."

"T-Thanks, Enid." Harry had been a bit worried she'd take the news the wrong way, but he'd take the acceptance.

Seeing his awkwardness for what it was, Wednesday spoke up. "Harry, cross species mating is common amongst people in our world. You need to stop thinking like a wizard."

Rubbing the back of his head, Harry said, "Yeah, I know. Look I'm still getting used to all of this stuff so please be patient with me."

"Of course, Harry."

"Ignorance is not a crime."

"Thanks, girls. Anyway, there was a whole section about Wendigos. Apparently they can be created by necessity, ergo starvation, choice, or they can be forcibly turned."

"Forcibly turned?" Wednesday was certainly curious about that.

"Oh yeah. The process is actually fucked up and so traumatizing that the person turned mentally cannot comprehend what is happening. They have no knowledge of turning, eating, or anything in relation to being a Wendigo."

The blonde thought about that for a moment. "So, a person could have been put through the process to become one and not even know it?"

"Exactly. The mind protects itself from the trauma by blocking all of it out. The problem though comes from the hunger. Wendigos can't not eat human flesh. It's a physical requirement of their diet as well as a mental compulsion as a part of their curse. If they aren't fed regularly they can just change on their own at the drop of a hat to satisfy their craving."

"That's terrifying." Enid whispered.

"That's fascinating." Wednesday countered. "Considering that we don't have a giant pile of corpses mounting in Jericho, I'd say that this is a turned Wendigo and someone is feeding it to keep it happy."

"That would make sense."

By that point they'd made it into the library. The place was empty at first glance, but the farther in they walked the more… activity they caught in the shadowed alcoves behind the book stacks.

"Wow, those vampires are really going at it." Harry commented as he watched the shaded back of a brunette as she rode who they assumed was her boyfriend…. Upside down…hanging from the ceiling.

Wednesday nodded, "Yes, I believe they call it fanging when they go at it like that."

The further in they went the more couples they saw getting intimate.

"Damn, does everyone use this place as a hookup spot?" Harry asked after they passed a gorgon with his head in a female siren's lap. The things his head snakes were hissing were downright messed up. Who knew snakes could have minds that dirty?

"Pretty much." Enid responded, not really seeming to care about all the rampant carnality around them. "People tend to share dorms here so it isn't practical to hook up there, especially when you can get in trouble for having a member of the opposite gender in your rooms."

"And the staff is just okay with this? I can't imagine none of them know what goes on here."

"Outcasts tend to have a lower age of consent, Harry." Wednesday noted. "Add onto that animal instincts and the fact that most of us are boarding here with little to do in our free time outside of clubs and, well, things happen. The staff leaves this place alone because it's safe and they'd rather the students do it here than go places that are unsafe."

"Huh, you learn something new everyday." The more Harry saw, the more comfortable he became, and by the time they reached the shelf Wednesday was looking for he hardly noticed the sounds and smells around him. Sadly, after thirty minutes of nonstop searching the three of them had yet to find a single reference to the symbol.

Salvation came from the unlikeliest of sources however, as a shirtless siren came meandering up to them. Harry thought he recognized the guy from Bianca's regular cohort of followers. "Hey, um, you guys are kind of killing the vibe just reading over here, so a few of the others asked me to come see if I could help ya out and get you out of here quicker. You looking for anything in particular?"

Wednesday held up a drawing she'd made of the original picture. "I'm looking for a reference to this.

"Oh yeah that's the symbol for the Nightshades. They're a campus secret society I'm in and-" His eyes suddenly grew huge as he realized exactly what he'd just said, and he spun around in place and walked off, muttering "I should not have said that. Shouldn't have said that at all."

Harry tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Huh, you know that idiot kind of reminds me of a friend of mine from England. Hagrid would have liked him."

Wednesday however was nonplussed. "A secret society that would let a bum like him join? That is disappointing. But it isn't like we have any other leads."

"Nope." Enid chirped. "And there aren't any other references here. So how about we head back to the dorm. We can hang out, read some books, maybe make out a bit?"

"I'm game." Harry spoke up. The action all around them had certainly had an effect on him, that was for sure. What, he was only human.

"Very well, I too agree to this plan." Always the voice of reason between them, Wednesday added, "But within reason. You know how I get when we kiss, Harry."

The wizard smirked and smooched the edge of her lips again. "Yes, and I like it."