The Unseen

smurphy - Bellatrix and Fenrir are an interesting duo. They are the perfect brains and brawn team. And it's scary...We'll find out about Rhea throughout the story. She's actually going to be pretty big near the end...I think....if it goes the way I want it to...Yes...Draco...I just think it's a bit funny how when something goes wrong he automatically still pulls out his coin purse....0_o? I love the way James reacts with his friends. He's nothing like the monster most people have him pegged as. He has the potential to be dangerous....but so does every other witch or wizard...Thank you....I do feel alot better now that I hae antibiotics. Gotta love them drugs!

Margaritama - I like the way you think. Although I must say the fact that Draco would give to charity wouldn't surprise me at all. I figure he would give to all sorts of places after the war was over, and when he started to get control of his life again. Besides...before the whole Death Eater thing....the Ministry and the Malfoy vaults were tight....they sure gave to somebody! This is the first time I've seen James described as a sexy bitch, but he tells me he likes the description, so I'm down with it...

Lady_Winterhart_Z.C. - And there lies their entire fight. You're absolutely right that Romulus and Phelan are heroes. But because they're also werewolves....they share the blame with Fenrir. Greyback isn't done causing trouble by a longshot....sorry. I always hated how you could never take Dumbledore at face value. On the surface he was an adorably crazy old man...but underneath dude was just as fucked-up as Voldemort. It was CRAZY. I just love it when clothes make you late....although I shouldn't say that around James...he would be more than happy to just go around starkers all day. (He is way too comfortable being naked....but hey...I'm not complaining...)

LoladiBlack - Here's some more! I got it for you! And ugh...I hated elvira. She made me want to attack the WB studios with some turpentine and an eraser. I think, though, that we can scrounge up a happy ending for Rhea....eventually. We'll see how it ends up...

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It was several days before Phelan and Romulus could return to their posts. When Phelan finally limped back down to the hut, he was surprised to see a small crowd of students waiting there, with Hagrid in the midst of them. They actually cheered as he approached, and unfurled a sign between several of them.

Welcome Back Professor Greyback! was written in shiny purple script on a white poster. What appeared to be a small mountain of cards and gifts were stacked neatly on a table beside the door.

Phelan was taken aback.

“Wh-what are you doing here?” he choked out. A fifth year girl, nervously tugging at her Ravenclaw tie, stepped forward.

“Our parents might not have realized what you did, but we do. Rhea is our friend, and won’t stop being such just because she has an unfortunate….uh….condition. You and Mr. Lupin saved her at the risk of your own lives. And while our parents can’t see that she’s still our Rhea….we can, and we thank you for not letting her get….er…eaten.” the girl said. Phelan’s pale face colored slightly when the others murmured their agreement to what the Ravenclaw girl had said.

So little Rhea had some friends, eh? And her friends weren’t as pigheaded and prejudiced as their parents…..interesting.

This could prove to be a bit of a saving grace…

~~

James dismissed the class, and sighed softly when the last student had left.

“They’re not so bright-eyed and bushy-tailed any more, are they?” Professor Blackburn asked, a small grin on his face.

“I never had any foolish inclinations that they would be. I remember what I was like as a student, and it’s enough to make me fear for my sanity.” James replied, reaching into his desk to pull out a large box of sweets be kept stashed there. There was enough candy in that box to send Albus Dumbledore into a sugar-coma….and that was saying something. James pulled out several wrapped candies, and tossed one at Professor Blackburn, who caught it deftly.

“You’re like a miniature Honeydukes…” the older man said with a laugh, but nonetheless ate the candy. James had fine taste when it came to sweets.

Artemis Blackburn wasn’t an easy man to impress, but even he had to admit that this…young man in front of him was a delightful mystery. He had the temperament of a dragon, certainly, and could be a bit snappish if someone rubbed him the wrong way, but he was so very human at other times that it was confusing.

Artemis was very ready to leave. His wife was awaiting him eagerly, and he couldn’t wait to get home to her either. He had a smaller job already lined up for him, one that would allow him to come home at the end of the day. He wanted to start a family, and now would be the perfect time. He and his dear wife had saved up some money, and were now in good emotional health to have a baby. He couldn’t wait to practice!

As he turned his head to tell James of his plans, he was interrupted by a large crash outside the classroom. James stashed his sweets covetously, much like a full dragon might stash shiny treasure, and both of the Professors took off towards the door. James’ eyes widened when he saw what had made the crash.

Several Gryffindor boys were gathered around a single Slytherin of about the same age, and were basically pushing and kicking him around the circle. The young man’s large stack of books had made the crash, and now lay abandoned off to the side. The solitary Slytherin tried to fight back when one of them grabbed his tie, but was rewarded for his efforts by a staggering punch to the face. The young man hit the ground just as James rounded on the group.

“What is the meaning of this?” he roared angrily. The Gryffindors turned, actually frightened at the thunderous looks on James’ and Professor Blackburn’s faces.

“J-just having a bit of fun.” One of the boys said weakly.

“Fun?” James asked, his eyes flashing dangerously. “You think it’s fun to gang up on a single student? I don’t think he finds it very fun…” James said, nodding towards the boy, who was now struggling to get up. Professor Blackburn physically parted the students, and helped the Slytherin boy to his feet.

“Sixty points from Gryffindor for serious lack of judgement, and each of you will be spending the next week in detention with me.” James said, bringing himself up to full height, and spreading out his wings slightly. The boys looked, if possible, even more frightened at the thought, but nodded mutely. “Now I suggest you get to your next class before I escort you there personally.” James finished sharply, and the boys took off at a full run.

James turned to where Professor Blackburn was, watching as Artemis handed the boy a handkerchief to wipe the blood from his face.

“Are you all right?” James asked. The boy looked up, and nodded silently.

“Yes, Professor Potter. Just a bit shaken.” The boy said softly.

“Well then….er….Damon, is it?” James asked. The boy nodded.

“Damon Tadie.” The boy supplied.

“Ah yes! You’re already making excellent marks in my class.” He said. The boy gave a shy smile. Damon was a fifth year, but he was a loner, even amongst the Slytherins. He seemed to always have his nose in one of the books. He was rather unremarkable when it came to looks. He was rather thin and pale, but tall and gangly. He had apparently had a recent growth spurt, and was unused to his new height. He had black hair that was at present mussed from his confrontation with the Gryffindors, but if James remembered him in class correctly, he usually kept it combed neatly. His eyes were dark brown, though one was quickly swelling shut and blackening. His lips pursed as he bent down to gather his books, and he clicked his tongue rather angrily as he smoothed down a page that had become bent in the fall.

“Thank you again, Professor Potter, Professor Blackburn. I’ll see you later.” Damon said, holding the books closely.

“Perhaps you should go see Healer Malfoy…” James said, frowning as Damon started to limp off.

“No, sir. I’m fine.” He called out behind him, heading for the stairs.

James and Artemis watched him.

“Bloody Gryffindors.”

They had both growled the phrase at the same time, and their heads snapped towards each other, and they looked at each other for a moment before they burst out laughing. Apparently….great minds do think alike!

~~

Damon skittered into Potions class, huffing as he ran for his seat. Tobias’ black gaze shifted to him, and he stopped mid-sentence.

“Mr. Tadie. You’re late.” He said softly. A few snickers were heard as Damon huffed a few times to catch his breath.

“Sorry Professor Snape. I got caught up outside DADA.” He said, trying to set up his cauldron as quickly as possible. He fumbled with the burner beneath it, pulling back his hand with a soft hiss of pain when the fire caught quicker than he anticipated, and it burned him.

Tobias left his place at the front of the classroom, and seemed to glide to where Damon was standing.

“Mr. Tadie, stop.” He said. Damon, still breathing hard from his run, stepped back from his empty cauldron. “Take a deep breath.” Damon did as he was told, and held the breath. “Now release it slowly.” Once again Damon followed orders, and immediately felt better. “Mistakes, both small and fatal, are made when the brewer is distracted. Being in a hurry is a good way to get yourself killed. Students are late to class sometimes. It happens. But do not put yourself and the entire school at risk by rushing through your potion. The Draught of the Living Dead is a tricky potion. You’ll just have to stay a bit later to hand yours in, Mr. Tadie. Now begin.” Tobias said softly. Damon nodded, and then approached his table again. He picked up his silver blade, and began cutting his Goji berries.

His table partner, a rather preppy Slytherin girl by the name of Abigail Greensway, suddenly raised her hand. Tobias felt his blood pressure begin to rise at the sight. She was so annoying!

“Yes, Miss Greensway?” he asked, casting a stasis spell over the cauldron he was using as a demonstration.

“I left my Nightshade in the dormitory, sir. Is there any I can use?” she asked. Tobias’ left eye twitched. She was never prepared…

“In the student stores, Miss Greensway. And do attempt to come prepared next time…you know….just to change things up a bit?” he said, a little sarcastically. Professor Tungsten had to choke back a snicker. Good gods…it was like….watching a younger version of the Headmaster….they were so alike, yet so different…

Abigail stepped away from the table, and approached the student stores. She stood in front of the neatly stacked cabinets for a moment before selecting the jar she needed, and heading back to her seat. When she got to the table, she looked at the ingredients she had set out before her.

“Where’s my Pixie Dust?” she asked, looking for the last ingredient of the potion. She looked at Damon expectantly. He looked up from his cauldron, caught her gaze, and looked around, slightly confused.

“Why are you asking me? Just because I sit here doesn’t mean I know what happens to your things…” he said softly. Abigail frowned.

“You probably took it to get my attention. I know you like me…” she said, an almost cruel smirk appearing on her glossed lips.

“I find you aesthetically pleasing. As a person you suck.” Damon replied, his voice still soft. Abigail’s mouth dropped comically. “Besides...isn’t that your Pixie Dust right there?” he said, and pointed to a small phial of silvery blue dust. Abigail humped loudly, and began her potion.

Tobias circled the classroom, watching as the students prepared the potion. Some of them were doing quite well, and he held no qualms about telling them so. It was one thing that separated him from his father. He had no problem giving credit where it was due, and he also realized the importance of a bit of self-esteem.

As the students were adding their last ingredients, Tobias looked over to where Damon and Abigail stood. Both were silently working on their potions, but Abigail was also multi-tasking, using her wand to color her nails black. What an airhead….it was a pity, too, because she made such good potions…

Damon had just picked up his bottle of Hinkypunk mucous when his head tilted back, and he sneezed violently. He dropped the Hinkypunk mucous, and it shattered on the floor, splashing all over Abigail’s feet. She took a small step.

“Ugh!” she cried. Unfortunately for her, Hinkypun Mucous was extremely sticky, and she was now cemented to the floor.

“Sorry…” Damon whispered.

“Way to go, Tardie!” she snapped. She picked up her Pixie dust bottle and threw it at him. He ducked, but stood straight, horrified, when he heard the tell-tale plunk of the opened container hitting his potion.

The whole concoction began to bubble violently, and the cauldron began to heat up, steadily lighting up with the force of its heat. Tobias moved forward quickly when he heard the tell-tale whine of a cauldron about to blow.

“Everyone down! Now!” he barked. The others hit the deck, ducking underneath their tables to get out of the way of the blast. Damon went to another table, leaving Abigail struggling against the Hinkypunk mucous.

“I’m stuck!” she cried. Tobias was at her side immediately. He was trying to get her out of her shoes, and watching the red-hot cauldron at the same time. Her feet were stuck in the shoes, and the shoes were stuck to the floor. A large bubble popped in the cauldron, and sprayed the table with hot potion, immediately melting the wood. Abigail screamed, and began to cry.

Tobias ripped off his protective outer robe, and threw it over her head, and pulled her close. He had only seconds to erect a shield before the cauldron exploded, sending smoking hot liquid flying.

Abigail felt Tobias jerk hard against her, but kept herself pressed tightly against her professor, hidden safely beneath his thick Potions robes. When his arms dropped from around her, she pulled off the robe, and stared up into her young Professor’s pale face.

“Sir….you saved me.” She said softly. Tobias opened his mouth as if to reply, and blood oozed from between his lips. It was then she saw Professor Tungsten standing, a look of sheer horror on his face. “Pr-professor?” Abigail squeaked softly. Tobias went to his knees heavily, his breath caught in his throat.

He took a short, gurgled breath, before he fell forward. Abigail was still frozen to her spot, and couldn’t move back despite the sight before her. Tobias’ shield had failed miserably under the force of the explosion, and his back and shoulders had been shredded with shrapnel, and burned with the hot liquid. The crisp white shirt he had worn underneath his outer robes was now tattered and stained with blood and potion. Abigail began to cry as several students came to her side, and Professor Tungsten went for Tobias.

“Go get Madam Pomfrey and Healer Malfoy.” Tungsten barked at one of the horrified students. The boy snapped out of his reverie, and ran out the door. Tungsten looked at another boy. “Go get the Headmaster.” He said, his voice a bit softer. The boy’s eyes widened, but he complied, running from the room as well. “Hold on there, mate. Help’s coming.” He said to Tobias. Tobias’ eyes, which had been opened, suddenly screwed shut, and he went stiff. Every muscle in his body seized up, and his jaws clenched. His lips pulled back off of his teeth, and bloody foam began to ooze from between his clenched teeth.

The students were horrified as their Professor began to convulse. All save one. He watched the chaos from the back, his face an emotionless mask.

All according to plan. he thought, watching as a Slytherin boy and Gryffindor boy finally got Abigail out of her shoes, and carried her safely to a clean table, setting her out of the way of the potion on the floor.

Mother will be pleased.

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Oh snippity snap happy crackers! Some serious shit just went down!

You've read, now rate/review...or....you could change it up a bit and do BOTH.