Follow Me

A/N: Thank you to all that have reviewed the story so far, and a thank you in advance to all those that will continue to do so. I have to admitt it does an ego good to see the number of people that are enjoying this story.



A/N2: Ok folks, I set up a yahoo group for my writing. Primarily it is to give me a place that I can post my stories to, and hopefully get some useful feedback on chapters before they are posted elsewhere on the net. By the way there is a picture of Norische on the group... http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Of_Pens_and_Ponders/?yguid=104171974





[...] or {...} = mindspeak

~...~ = parseltongue

\'...\' = thought





Chapter 25



Two days later Norische got special permission to take Chris and Draco to Diagon Alley and have their piercings done. While Draco agreed to have his nipples pierced the ‘regular’ way, both he and Chris insisted on a magical piercing for the other one. Chris laughed and stated “Hey I am not a wimp with pain, but given a choice, I am not that stupid. Magic the piercing.”



The clerk had laughed at the boys but he understood completely, he said he had two piercings in that area himself and both of them were done by spell. After instructing the boys on how to take care of the piercings and given them enough cleaning and healing potions to last for a while, they left the little shop. Draco’s chest was a bit sore but both boys admitted that the other piercing didn’t hurt at all.



Norische just smiled and hugged both of them, telling them how proud he was of them.



After they finished at the piecing/tattoo parlor they headed right back to Hogwarts and back to their dorm, as was the agreement Norische had made with his father. Chris and Draco didn’t seem to mind having to stay in the dorms much, since they were still getting caught up on their schoolwork, thankfully they weren’t that far behind…mainly just studying on different things, and reading.



Norische though was going nuts, the only time he was allowed to leave the dorm, that wasn’t associated with school work, was to go to feed, and then he had to meet who ever it was in Severus’ suite or in the potions classroom. It had taken Norische two whole days to convince his father to let him take his mates to get their piercings done, and even then Severus was reluctant, and only gave in because it was part of their Christmas present.



Thankfully, this was the last day of his punishment, and this was a Hogsmeade weekend too, so Norische definitely had plans for the weekend. Norische picked up his Arithmancy book and headed down to the commons area to join Chris and Draco. He liked Arithmancy but he was having a bit of a problem with the matrix slide theory, and needed some help setting up the formation of the factorials associated with the subsequent spell laws. Draco did really good in the class so hopefully he could explain it a little better, no matter what Norische did he never could get the vector summation to come out correct.



“Draco I am totally frigged on the Matrix theorem. I have been working on this one formula for two days and it still doesn’t work, can you look at and see what I am not getting. I am doing all right on the Gaussian elimination algorithm but the Leibniz theory has got me totally splinched, and the symmetric and non-symmetric matrices theories are driving me nuts. I can’t get past the double negative factor on either the diagonal or the horizontal axiom to produce a workable polynomial.” Norische tossed his work down in front of Draco in frustration.



Draco smiled and picked up Norische’s work thrilled to be able to help. After an hour of going over page after page of work, even Draco couldn’t figure out what Norische was doing wrong.



“You have followed all the steps from what I can tell, and your calculations are all correct…I just don’t see where you have made a mistake, I don’t understand why it isn’t factoring out.” Draco was getting frustrated, when it came to Arithmancy Draco knew the subject backwards and forwards, in fact the only person who knew it any better was Hermione. “I wonder if Hermione could find where your off.”



“Maybe, I mean you get this stuff a lot better than I do and if you are having a problem then at least I know I am not making some stupid mistake that I will kick myself later for. Maybe father will let me run down there and see if Hermione would be willing to help me. I am sure if she would come back up here to study he wouldn’t mind.” Norische pondered. “I think I am going to go ask Hermione if she would mind helping. I have got to get through this to pass the test next Friday and I know right now I wont be able to pass it.”



Norische got up and kissed Draco, thanked him for his help, and kissed Chris just for the shear pleasure of it…then headed out to go find Hermione.



At Gryffindor towers, one of the first years told Norische that Hermione had gone to the Library, so Norische headed over to the library and sure enough found her. Hermione was climbing up a small ladder to get to a book on the second from the top shelf, just as Norische walked up the rung on the ladder busted and Hermione lost her footing. Norische rushed over and caught Hermione as she was about to hit the ground.



Harry was over at a table at the end of the aisle and yelled out as he saw her fall. “HERMIONE!”



Norische gently lowered Hermione to the ground and made sure she wasn’t hurt anywhere. “Are you ok Hermione?” Norische asked quickly.



Harry was beside Norische before he really realized that Harry was even in the library. “Hermione? Hermione are you alright?” Harry asked worried.



“I am fine, thanks to Norische. I think I twisted my ankle a little but nothing much.” Hermione got up and brushed the dust off of her uniform.



Ms. Pince ran over when she heard Harry yell out Hermione’s name and had no problem at all chewing Hermione out about getting on those old ladders. Hermione turned red and nodded promising not to do it again. With a huff, Ms. Pince walked off mumbling about foolish students.



“Hey Norische what brings you to the library?” Harry asked



“Well I was actually looking for Hermione. I desperately need help on my Arithmancy homework, I can’t seem to get past the matrix portion and I have spent two days working on it, even Draco can’t figure out what I am doing wrong.” Norische looked at Hermione, “I really could use your help, if you don’t mind.”



Hermione smiled, she loved being able to help and she was great at Arithmancy. “I would love to help, did you bring your books with you?”



“I ah… well … I am kinda on dorm arrest. Father didn’t exactly appreciate my show at the ball so he gave me a week’s dorm arrest. I really am not suppose to be here, but since it has something to do with my classes I didn’t think he would mind.” Norische felt a little embarrassed letting Hermione and Harry know he was being punished.



“Oh, well ok. If you would like Harry and I were just studying on some CoMC work and we can both go over to your dorm and we can all study there if you want…that is if it is ok with Harry.” Hermione looked over to Harry, who nodded.



“That would be great.” Norische looked back at the bookshelf Hermione was reaching for. “By the way what book did you need?”



Hermione pointed to the one she wanted and Norische climbed up on the ladder, ignoring Ms. Pince’s earlier warning and got her the book she needed.



“Thanks.” Hermione stood up and gratefully accepted the book.



“No problem, that extra inch or so does come in handy sometimes.” Norische grinned, then turned bright read when he realized the implications of what he had said.



Harry coughed to hide his laughter and Hermione just blushed and hid her face. “I am so sorry Hermione, gods….I didn’t mean that to come out like that.” Norische felt so embarrassed, he was fighting his formal training, which would require him to get on his knees and beg for forgiveness, but he knew that would probably make things worse.



Hermione blushed but cleared her throat. “It’s ok, I know what you meant. How about we go check out your homework?”



*****



As the trio walked into the Slytherin commons room Norische was trying to explain to Hermione what his issues with the problems were. “No matter what formulation I try I can’t get the 0 1 pattern to solidify the determinant of the vector A. I am trying to work with both the Lo Shu square and the Panmagic Square as my basis but both are not working out with the flow of elemental restrains and directional properties.”



Hermione was listening carefully, going over the basic steps in her head. “Well are you able to clear at least the foundation axiom?”



“No, and that is something else… the axioms seem off, even though they are aligned to the proper standing and dimension, the horizontal ellipse doesn’t match up.” Norische was getting frustrated with all the questions, especially since he had gone over all the stuff already a dozen times in his head, but he knew that Hermione had no way of knowing what he had already tried.



“Hey! What are those two doing in here?” Theodore Nott yelled out as Norische, Hermione and Harry walked into the common area.



“Hermione has graciously agreed to help me with my Arithmancy assignment, not that it is any of your business.” Norische stated. Norische didn’t bother to check and see what Nott’s reaction was since it didn’t matter to him, but Nott was definitely not pleased. Norische ushered Harry and Hermione over to the sitting area where Chris and Draco were, who were both now standing watching Nott carefully.



“HEY! You can’t have those two in the Slytherin house!” Nott voice was boisterous and threatening.



“Exactly where is the sign that states ‘Harry Potter and Hermione Granger are restricted from entering this area.’ Because apparently I missed it. They are here to help me study, and if you don’t like it you can leave.” Norische turned his back one more time to Nott.



This time Nott decided not to let it slide. Nott reared back and stuck out. “NORI!” Chris yelled pointed behind Norische. Norische immediately turned and in doing so caught the better part of Nott’s fist on the side of his face. Norische stumbled back from the blow and could feel the blood starting to drip from his nose and more pooled in the back of his throat from a busted lip; but was definitely not going to let Nott get away with that. Norische braced himself for another attack and just as Nott started to swing again Norische did a aerial round kick catching Nott in the side of his head with the heal of his boot. The impact spun Nott around and knocked him to the ground, the taste of his own blood had caused Norische’s fangs to elongate and he stood there over Nott hissing, spitting blood, just waiting for Nott to get up.



It all happened so fast that no one else in the room really had an opportunity to react. But thankfully it was over with as quickly as it had started. Harry rushed around the couch, with wand in hand and cast Petrificus Totalus on Nott. Hermione, Chris and Draco had their wands out as well, pointed at the other Slytherins, making sure that none of them were going to try anything.



The painting over the entry way crashed against the wall behind it and Remus, Severus and Minerva rushed into the room, Chris had screamed for Remus and Severus through mindspeak when Nott punched Norische. Apparently, they were in a conference with Professor McGonagall when he had made contact.



“OH SWEET MERLIN!” Minerva rushed over to Norische’s side. The blood from his nose and mouth were flowing pretty bad, but Norische had made no attempt to wipe it away…he was focused solely on Nott.



Remus rushed over to Norische “NORISCHE!” There was so much blood Remus was in a panic.



Blaise, who was just coming down the stairs when this all started, rushed into the boy’s loo and grabbed a towel for the blood; Remus immediately accepted it and gently placed it up to Norische’s face. Norische reached out to grab something to steady himself, all the sudden he was feeling a little dizzy.



“WHAT THE BLOODY HELL HAPPENED HERE!” Severus thundered.



“Nott attracted Norische because he asked Harry and Hermione in to help him with his Arithmancy homework.” Draco hissed.



Harry nodded. “Nott threw the first punch, Norische wasn’t even facing him when he swung. I put the body bind on Nott, after Norische knocked him out.”



[Father… dizzy…help…] Norische whispered as he started to fall, Remus grabbed Norische around the waist but by the time Norische started to fall Severus was by his side lifting his son.



“Chris, you and Draco follow me. Minerva can you bring Nott?” Severus demanded.



“Yes, good heavens… Harry, Hermione help me get Mr. Nott to the infirmary.” Professor McGonagall answered.







“Merciful Merlin, what happened? Can’t that child remain away for more than a week at a time?” Poppy asked as she rushed towards Severus who was carrying Norische over to a bed.



“He was attacked, this time by Nott, who should be coming in as well in a few minutes.” Severus volunteered.



“Lay him down here. There is so much blood, Severus I need you to get me a Blood Replenishing Potion, a Pain Relieving Potion, and a Revitalizing Potion.” Poppy began to assess the damage, a broken nose, and some major cuts on the inside of Norische’s mouth from his fangs, which were hurting too bad for him to retract right now, and a busted bottom lip.



“Poppy, I need to sit up, the blood is pooling in the back of my throat and I am gonna puke if I don’t.” Norische whispered blood splattering on both himself and Poppy. “Sorry.”



“Draco you and Chris come help Norische set up, but hold onto him, don’t let him fall over.” Poppy instructed



The boys were glad to help; one got on each side of Norische and sat down on the bed with him. Madam Pomfrey did a quick scorgio so she could see the wounds better, then with one spell she set Norische’s nose and with another she fixed the cuts to his mouth and lip, soon the bleeding slowed and finally stopped.



Severus handed Norische the potions that Poppy had ordered for him and Norische obediently took them, “Father is there a potion for dizziness, I am really, really dizzy right now?” Norische asked.



“It is probably the blood loss son, but there is one potion, if Poppy will ok it safe for my grandsons?” Severus looked at Poppy who nodded. “It’s fine, and you are probably right, but get the yellow potion for him not the pink.” Severus nodded and went to get the potion requested.



Before Severus came back, Professor McGonagall brought in Theodore Nott.



Remus growled low and moved close to Norische when Minerva walked past with Nott. “Dad, I don’t understand this. All I was trying to do was get some help studying; I wasn’t trying to get in trouble or anything. I just needed someone to help me out with matrixes, and Hermione was the only one that could help me. I didn’t want to get in trouble with Father for leaving the dorm so I asked Hermione to come over to Slytherin House to help. Why does this crap have to happen to me? I mean with Ron, I was just trying to be nice and make friends, and with Nott I just wanted to study… it doesn’t make sense.” Norische said sadly.



“I know son. I wish I could say why, but people and their prejudice is something that I just don’t understand, thankfully Mr. Weasley had learned his lesson at least. I am just glad that you can protect yourself. And don’t worry there were plenty of witnesses that stated Nott threw the first hit and he even did it when your back was turned, so with his reputation he will probably be expelled.” Remus said as he brushed aside a loose strand of raven black hair from Norische’s face.



Severus walked up as Remus was saying that. “He most certainly will, I refuse to allow these attacks to continue, especially in your condition. The whole school may not know about your condition but they are aware that you have been ill, so there is absolutely no excuse.” Severus said as he handed his son the potions Poppy had requested.



“I don’t want to get anyone in trouble, but I guess you are right. I have to think of the kids at this point.” Norische sighed and scrunched up his face at the taste of the vile potions.



Hermione and Harry came rushing in and ran up to Norische. “Are you ok?” Harry was the first to ask but Hermione was right behind him. Norische nodded but moaned as the action made the room spin just a little wobbly, unfortunately that potion hadn’t taken affect yet.



Hermione sat down on the bed opposite Norische and started going over the scroll she had in her hands; apparently, it was Norische’s Arithmancy homework.



Remus was still fuming about Nott and was asking all kinds of questions. Severus decided that the boys were to move back into their room in his suite where they would be safer, silently cursing himself for putting his son in this position in the first place.



It only took Hermione twenty minutes to find the problem. “I see what the problem is. You did step twelve before you did step fourteen.”



“Ah…Hermione you are suppose to do it that way.” Norische stated.



“Nope. The book is wrong, they mis-numbered the steps, I had a huge discussion with Professor Vector and she finally did the steps herself with out the book and agreed with me. You need to exchange the two steps and your answer will work out just fine.” Hermione was so proud of herself for being able to help.



“Hermione you are a miracle. Hey, can you explain all that to Draco… I am afraid my brain is a little squishy right now and things aren’t making sense in my mind. I really appreciate your help though.” Norische gave Hermione the best smile he could muster, even though his mouth was killing him.



******



The next night Norische, Draco and Chris moved into Severus suite on a permanent basis. Severus outright told Dumbledore that he didn’t give a damn about the rules of the school at this point, his son had been attacked by other students three times…each time without provocation and to be attacked by one of his own house, in the common area with dozens of witnesses no less was the last straw. Nott was suspended pending a disciplinary review, so he was sent home for two weeks until the Headmaster could make the arrangements for a meeting with Nott’s parents.