The Unseen

Hmm....what a curiously speedy update. I hope you all like it!!

smurphy - Hmm...I guess I could give you a hint. Read ahead, my dear, and see if you like my hint.

LadyBlueEyes - I'm glad you liked my Dragon-man theme. I thought it up all by my lonesome. I figured the younger kids would like James alot quicker than the older ones, who are more jaded and prejudicial. Phelan is certainly a curiosity among the students. THey're not quite sure what to think. I think there are some that want to like him, but aren't quite sure how to like him. Draca certainly knew how to handle those boys...I thought that was hilarious... I thought the wet dog bit would be a humorous look into how Fenrir and Bellatrix communicate. GLad you liked it... I hope you like the next chappie too!

margaritama - You'll get a GIANT clue in this chapter, but it's still going to be impossible to figure out on the info so far, so don't hit your head too hard...

StarryNite45 - Aww...you didn't want me to do a lemony Bella/Fenrir scene? I think it would have gotten a few...interesting...reviews. 6_6 I'm glad you were amused...And I think this chappie should give you a reminder as to what the shippage in this fic is.

distinctlyME - Oh...I know, I know...but it would be a bit unrealistic if I had everybody popular all at once. I think Phelan would get the worst of it because his father was the least popular, and his particular....ailment...is quite well-known. Remus was a werewolf, but he wasn't particularly hated personally, so Romulus is all right. Sirius, despite being innocent, still carries the 'Prisoner of Azkaban' stigma, so Orion isn't too totally hated, but just enough to tick him off...Draca has the prestige of the Malfoy name behind her, plus her good looks. Tobias is the Headmaster's son...nobody's going to be eager to piss him off soon. So Phelan is their only outlet. Poor him. I promise I'll let you pet him at some point. As for Draco and HErmione, I think you'll like the first bit of this chappie. Despite being a little short, quite alot happens... I hope you liked this speedy update. Don't get used to it. I'm working retail at Christmas...I don't have that much free time....@_@

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Hermione sat in the Astronomy Tower, watching as the last slivers of the sunset died behind the horizon. Her eyes closed gently, and she sat still for a long time, trying to clear her mind. Her first day of school- huh! It sounded so weird…- had been great. The students had seemed to take a liking to her immediately, quite enamored with her gentle demeanor. It was a great difference between the sharp-tempered Scot that had gone before her.

Hermione laid back on her back, her curly hair fanning out around her head as she watched the sky finish its darkening, and the stars begin to twinkle into existence. She was startled by a noise on the stairs behind her. Thinking it to be a student, she sat upright, and pointed her wand at the door. Imagine her surprise when Draco Malfoy himself stepped up the stairs. He stopped where he was, and a small flush appeared on his normally pale face.

“What are you doing here?” the question was asked by two separate voices at the same time.

“I was just-” but they both stopped, realizing that they were still speaking.

“You go-”

They burst out laughing after a few more tries. Draco sauntered over to Hermione, and sat down beside her.

“I’ll go. I just came up here to watch the stars. It’s a great way to relax after a long day.” He said. Hermione nodded, and laid back again. Draco looked over, admiring the curly halo ‘round her head.

“How was your first day of class?” he asked, leaning back so that their heads were close to each other as they watched the stars begin to glitter.

“It was fantastic! They all seemed to like me! And I was so eager to help them learn! And so far I haven’t confused any of them…but it’s just been one day, and I had the lower years mostly…tomorrow’s another day..” she rambled excitedly. Draco laughed a genuine laugh, and Hermione looked over at him. She felt the tops of her cheeks warm up at how utterly human it made him look. He had beautiful dimples when he laughed.

“I think the students I taught today were more interested that I’m alive than what I was teaching. I had to wake up more students than I have fingers and toes because they were used to falling asleep on Binns. I told them if I caught anyone asleep in my class I’d turn their hair into Medusa’s serpents.” He said. Hermione giggled at the thought of one of the kids dodging snaps from locks of hair.

“I bet they were terrified of big, bad, Draco Malfoy.” She said. He shrugged.

“Eh. There were a few who looked nervous about me. So…what I really want to know…was there several of the male students paying extra attention?” he asked, looking over at her. Her brows furrowed.

“I don’t know what you mean…” she said softly.

“You know….did any of the boys try to suck up to the teacher? I know I would…” he said. He winced inwardly after the last part came out.

“I’m really not sure what you’re talking about…” Hermione said. Draco could tell by the look on her face that she really didn’t get what he was saying.

“You’re a beautiful woman. I’m surprised some of the males didn’t bring you trinkets. You know…apples on the desk…daydreamers? Nothing?” he asked, surprised.

“I did have several of the males staring at me…” she started, her cheeks beginning to pinken. “But I thought they were just interested in what I was saying….I’m not that pretty….” She said softly. Draco raised a perfect flaxen eyebrow.

“Not that pretty? I think you’re beautiful….if you don’t mind me saying.” He said, his own pale face flushing a bit more.

“Pretty for a mudblood, you mean?” she asked. Draco sat up, and pulled his knees up, resting his head against them. It was an odd position for a grown man, but he found himself in it nonetheless.

“No…you’re a beautiful witch…you’re blood doesn’t matter. I thought I already apologized…” he said sadly. Hermione sat up as well, and scooted beside him.

“I’m sorry…I guess old habits just die hard….I guess….I always found it easier to make fun of myself than to wait for others to do it. It hurt less that way…” she said softly.

“I won’t hurt you intentionally again. I would like for us to be friends. I could use a good friend.” Draco said. Hermione cocked her head at him, and then held out her hand.

“All right, then. Friends?” she said. He looked at her hand for a moment, before stretching out his own hand, and placing it in her much smaller one.

“Friends.”

~~

James once again ran over the grounds of Hogwarts, his cloak billowing behind him as he moved. He had to go see Aden. He had to know what happened. As soon as he hit the borders of the school grounds, he Apparated with a sharp crack.

He found himself outside the great wizarding hospital, but paused for several minutes to come up with a game plan. If the same receptionist was working, she might not be too keen to have him just waltz back in. This would require finesse…

After finishing up his plan in his mind, he walked slowly into the lobby, and right up to the desk. Indeed it was the same receptionist, and when she saw him she immediately reached for a telephone-type thing, used for calling the Aurors, he presumed.

“Wait…” he said softly, and she paused with the receiver up to her ear. “I wanted to apologize for my behavior yesterday…” he added. She narrowed her eyes at him, but replaced the receiver on its hook.

“I’m listening.” She said.

“I was under a lot of stress when I came in. Aden is a good friend of mine…we’ve known each other since Hogwarts. And even though he’s a Dolohov…he’s a really good guy. And it just upset me that someone would do something so horrible to him. And then I got upset out here…” he added.

“I was just trying to do my job…” the receptionist said defensively.

“I know! I know…” he said quickly. “I just…I wanted him to get some help as quickly as possible.”

The receptionist looked a bit skeptical, but nodded after a few moments.

“So what do you want, then?” she asked.

“I would like to see him…just to make sure he’s all right. Please?” he said, and batted his eyes at the woman. She rolled her eyes, but pressed a small blue button to print out a visitor’s card. She handed it to him, and pointed down the hallway. James flashed a brilliant smile, and she shivered as his fangs glinted in the light.

Aden was sitting up in bed, gingerly picking at some sort of wiggly blue substance on his plate.

“Hospital food…the reason people have to stay longer.” James said from the doorway. Aden’s head snapped up, and he grinned when he saw James.

“James….I didn’t think anyone would come to see me.” He said. James pulled up a chair beside the bed, and plopped down into the cushioned seat.

“Well…I did.” James said.

“How was school? Wasn’t today the first day?” Aden asked. James nodded.

“Yeah….I think the younger kids latched on quite quickly, but the older ones are a bit suspicious. Seem to think I’m just using the teaching post as a way to get an all-I-can-eat buffet of virginal little morsels…” he said. Aden snorted.

“You don’t eat virgins…” he teased. James laughed light-heartedly.

“Yeah….they’re too sweet for me….”

James sighed, and then his face went serious.

“Do you know who attacked you, Aden?” he asked. Aden looked down at his wiggly blue food, and his brow furrowed.

“I…I think so. But…I think I might be going crazy. She’s supposed to be dead…” he said softly. James felt the bottom of his stomach drop.

“Who was it, Aden?” he asked.

“James…I think it was Bellatrix Lestrange. But there was someone with her. I didn’t know him. He couldn’t have been any more than fifteen or sixteen. He was glamoured, so I couldn’t make out any real features. He was strong…impossibly strong. I had just come out of my flat to come to the meeting, and I was hit with an immobilizing charm. They Apparated me straight inside a dark room, and basically beat the shit out of me. I couldn't get away. They had cast Anti-Apparition charms. Then that bitch wrapped the barbed wire around my arms. It hurt so fucking bad….she kept knotting it and twisting it under. Then they were gone. I knew I would bleed to death if I couldn’t get help. So I Apparated to the Forbidden Forest, and began to pray someone found me. And you did.”

James was silent during the story. Bellatrix Lestrange, hmm?

“Why do you think she’d attack you? Wasn’t your dad a comrade of hers? I mean…they believed in the same things….” He said.

“Yeah…but you know how they’d turn on each other. You know the story of Headmaster Snape…”

How well James did know that story. The Headmaster had been a Death Eater during the war. At the very last Voldemort had turned against him for his suspected treachery throughout the war. He had been attacked by Nagini in the Shrieking Shack, and left for dead.

Very few people knew how he had survived though. James did…because his father had told him the story. With tears in his eyes Harry had told James of how Fawkes had come to Snape in the Shack, and cried for him, healed him. The old phoenix had then disappeared in a fiery flash above the battlefield, giving Harry the distraction he’d needed to use a dagger dipped in modified cobra venom, given to him only hours before by none other than Snape, to run Voldemort through. The Dark Lord had then….melted. Harry had personally scooped up the Dark Goo, and placed it in a solid silver bottle, sealed it with a cap heated by Dragon’s fire, and buried it in an undisclosed location that Harry had had Obliviated from his mind.

“Yeah…but your dad didn’t betray the ‘cause.’” James said softly.

“But I did. I betrayed everything. I’m friends with a half-human. I’m friends with blood-traitors. Hell…I dated a Muggleborn in Hogwarts. It was plastered all over the Prophet…of course she’d know about it. But what I don’t know….is why?” he asked. “Why wait until now to attack me? Unless….James…do you think she knows about….” Aden trailed off, looking up at James.

James’ eyes flashed.

“I don’t know. But we’ve got to start preparing in case she does. I don’t know what Lestrange is planning…but I’ll be damned if I’m caught unawares!” he hissed.

~~

“This is the first time I’ve been able to secure a fireplace like you told me. This is the first bit of privacy I’ve gotten.”

The disembodied head floated in the fireplace, and Bellatrix looked down.

“Very well. What have you to report?” she asked.

“Professor Potter disappeared tonight. One of he prefects saw him leaving school grounds.”

“Probably to see his little injured friend.” Bellatrix hissed. The floating head nodded.

“Is there anything else?”

“Start up plan alpha. I’m eagerly awaiting how this will affect them.” She said, a mad glint in her black, fathomless eyes.

The face of the floating head broke into a similar grin.

“Yes, mother.”

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Heh? Oh mah goodness....such DRAMA!!!!

Tell me what you think, my dears, and I'll be ALOT more likely to update quickly.

You've read, now rate/review....better yet....do BOTH!!

A/N: I just put up a piccie of James at deviantART. If you're interested in seeing what my twisted little mind came up with, go here: http://kooldragon400.deviantart.com/art/James-Potter-Jr-106740046