The Unseen

I'm so glad you all are enjoying the story so far. Unfortunately, it's five in the morning and I haven't been to sleep yet. I'm not going to reply to individual review this go round, but I will certainly give a warm thank you to those who left one:

Niccy
Angelnomiko
Margaritama (Thanks for such a long, lovely review.)
starrynite45 (Nope, haven't forgotten. Enjoy)
Just old me
angeles
Lola di Black (Missed you too, pumpkin. Thanks so much for such a detailed review)

Okay. THis chapter is short and sweet but it's full of action for its length. Also, I had to step a little back from Draco and Hermione for a little bit, but THey'll come back in next chapter. Now if you'll all excuse me I must go sleepy time. Night night!

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James sat beside Tobias’ bedside grading papers. His red quill flicked over the pages, and ever so often he made a face at some of the answers.

“How the hell is that even possible?” he grumbled, reading a particularly stupid comment. “Damn Hufflepuffs…” he added. He glanced over at Tobias’ peaceful face, and sighed softly. “I could shred the little bastards that were brewing when this happened, ‘Bias.” He said softly. He graded the final paper with a flick of his quill, and set the stack of parchments aside. “Well, mate…it’s time for lunch, and I’m feeling puckish. It’s time to go make the elves earn their keep…” he said, and stood from his chair.

He stopped by his room to drop off the papers, and then went straight to the Great Hall, his tummy grumbling loudly the entire way. He actually had to hide a Grinch-like smile when he saw that Hermione and Draco were sitting together. He walked up to the dais, noticing that as the Holidays drew closer, the amount of teachers that had stayed to train was diminishing. Pince had disappeared last, only after making sure Romulus was in good working order to step back in as a librarian. Professor Tungsten was still around, filling in for Tobias until the young man woke up.

Professor Blackburn had already left a few weeks ago, and James had nothing but warm wishes for the man and his wife. He hoped they had a happy life now.

James sat down beside Draca, smiling when she immediately put her hand on his leg under the table. He leaned in close to whisper in her ear.

“So have you noticed your dad and Aunt Hermione?” he asked. Draca giggled softly, earning an annoyed glare from the Headmaster. He heard that sound way too much from the students as it was….

“Yes. They look so happy. And they’re a cute couple.” Draca said dreamily. James gave a deep belly laugh.

“Indeed.”

Lunch was a rather boring affair. The students had become used to James putting away four or five platefuls by then, and kept their conversations to themselves. James, finally satisfied, pushed away from the table, rubbing his belly with a contented rumble.

His last afternoon class was rather interesting, as one of the Hufflepuffs managed to catch his book on fire. A well placed Aguamenti later saw James and several of the newer staff members headed down to the Quidditch pitch for a bit of staff on staff. Students were tagging along to watch, as Draca was going to play as well. All of the boys just wanted to see her fly.

The game was a rather exciting two on two. James and Draca were playing against Orion and Romulus. Phelan acted as an interference to them all, playing personal bludger to keep it interesting. Draca and Romulus circled above the pitch, playing seeker, while James and Orion battled it out with the Quaffle. Draca saw a glimmer of gold near one of the house stands, and took off after it immediately. Romulus was after her like a bat out of hell, trying to get in front of her and pass her. But Draca wasn’t at all interested in letting that happen.

She swerved to the side, and knocked Romulus for a spin. He growled and charged after her again, this time shouldering her to the side. She had to swerve out to avoid a stand, and when she swerved back in Romulus was chasing the glittering little snitch. Draca drew her body close to her broom and took off like a rocket, catching up to the young werewolf in no time with such little wind resistance.

But a gasp from the audience paused both the snitch-seekers. They stopped and looked up, watching as Orion’s broom tried to buck him off. James was trying to get close enough to rescue him, but the broom was bucking so violently that James was sporting a bloody nose just from trying. Suddenly the broom took off and twirled, leaving Orion gripping the thing upside down. James tried to follow, motioning for Romulus and Draca to stay back.

Another gasp was drawn from the audience when Orion’s legs slipped from the broom, and he was holding onto the handle with just his hands. He was trying to swing his leg back up, but the broom began bucking again, so he just clung desperately to the handle. James flew under his friend, yelling up to him.

“Let go, Orion!” he yelled.

“I’ll fall!” Orion yelped, feeling a little sick from the unnecessary motion.

“That’s the point, nimrod!” James yelled. Orion’s boom took a sudden lurch forward, making a beeline for the stands. Orion’s eyes widened. He was going to crash. A head-on like that would kill him. If only he could get to his wand, but if he let go... “I’ll catch you!” James cried. Orion looked at the fast-approaching stands, and made a split-second decision. He let go of the broom, and felt the air rushing past him. He landed in an almost perfect bridal style position in James’ arms.

“Gods, James…I didn’t know you swung that way…” Orion teased breathlessly. James, fortunately only a few feet from the ground, tossed his friend to the grass. Orion landed with a soft thump. “Love you too, mate!” he wheezed. The students cheered for James, a few of them wincing when Orion’s broom smashed against the empty stand.

James landed beside Orion, hopping off of his own broom.

“Are you all right?” James asked, helping his friend back to his feet.

“Fan-flippin-tastic!” he growled, looking over to the spot where his broom lay in splinters.

A young Hufflepuff ran onto the field, her face streaked with tears.

“Professors! In the greenhouse…Abigail Greensway…she hanged herself!” the little girl sobbed. “I was t-told to come get you…” she added. Draca, who had landed to see if Orion was all right, immediately wrapped her arms around the girl.

“You found her, didn’t you?” she asked. The little Hufflepuff began to squall pitifully.

“I went to the g-green house t-to check on m-my Dragon L-lilies….” She hiccupped. “And there….she..” but she couldn’t continue. “I w-went for the Headmaster. H-he sent m-me to get you all…” she sobbed.

~~

Headmaster Snape called a meeting of the staff as soon as he was finished dealing with the distraught parents of Miss Greensway.

“A great tragedy has been done at this school. And I want to know why. From all sources known Miss Greensway was a popular girl with many friends. She was a good student. What happened? Now…there are going to be Aurors investigating this. Classes have been cancelled for a few days until everything is settled. If you hear anything…for Merlin’s sake tell someone.” He said. “And be prepared to act as counselors for some of these children. They lost a friend.”

James was furious. He was stalking back towards his rooms, tail swishing behind him. He waited at the moving staircases, his mind working wildly.

It couldn’t have been a suicide. The Ministry would probably rule that it was, but whoever here was a spy would be too good to let on to their plan. He would have to be more vigilant. No more games.

“Professor Potter?”

James whirled at the voice, and came face to face with Damon Tadie.

“Ah! Mr. Tadie. How may I help you?” he asked, putting on the mask of a warm face.

“It’s terrible about Abigail. She wasn’t exactly a friend of mine, but she was a fellow Slytherin. I…had a crush on her at one time…” Damon said softly. James put his hand on Damon’s shoulder.

“It’s not easy to lose someone you care about. Even if it was a crush. The only thing we can do now is help the Auror’s find out what happened. If they ask you any questions, be sure to answer truthfully.” James said softly, and patted the young man’s shoulder.

“Thank you for talking to me, Professor. I hope class starts back soon. I’m so bored without school work.” Damon said. James chuckled.

“Have a good day, Mr. Tadie.” He said, and walked up the stairway. Damon stood where he was for a moment, before looking at the shoulder James had touched.

“Filthy half-breed.” He growled, and walked away, his black robes billowing out behind him eerily. Damon went down to the dungeons, relishing the cold chill that always permeated the air. He went straight to his room, and shut the door soundly, locking it behind him.

He was the only one here at the moment, and aimed to keep it that way for a bit longer. He reached into his school trunk, and pulled out a large silver hand mirror.

“Mother?” he called, and tapped it three times.

A face appeared in the mirror, staring up at him with fathomless black eyes.

“Yes, my boy?”

“She’s dead. The whole school is in a tizzy. I almost got Black as well, but that freak Potter saved him at the last minute.” He growled.

“Don’t worry, my little Dark prodigy. Everything is going well. Your father would have been pleased…” she cooed at him.

“I wish I could have met him.” He said.

“I know. But there were complicated circumstances. You are a miracle. You are his heir, and I see him in you everyday.” She said. Damon smirked proudly. “Now…let the school stew for a while. Our next move will be the biggest yet!”

“Very well. Good night, mother.”

“Good night, my Dark Prince.”
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Hmm....and the plot thickens...like pudding. That DAmon's a nasty piece of work... It's always the quiet ones...

To my fellow Americans, I hope you had a happy Fourth of July. I hope nobody burned anything they weren't supposed to!

And to my non-American friends, I hope you had a happy....er....Saturday. ^_^

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