The Unseen

Ah! It's been a few days since I updated. I was having a bit of trouble getting the logistics of this chapter down. It's one of the drawbacks to posting as I write, I suppose. I had to make some stuff sound right. I hope you all won't be disappointed.

smurphy - you have some great conjecture going on. I know Harry's treatment of James is still a bit fuzzy. I'll clear it up soon...scout's honor! Bella...has made her appearance, but you'll have to wait for the details until later. I can't very well spoil the surprise, can I? Hmm...the other boy, the one that was pressed close to 'the large dark-robed man' was Phelan. The sharp teeth and yellow eyes belonged to Fenrir. We'll see a bit more on that later... James very well may light ROn's ass on fire yet...it just depends on how this story strikes me. And Draco is thrown here in this chapter, and I hope you like how it's done. I'm pretty sure this particular angel hasn't been covered yet. And The Master...I can't say anything! It will ruin far too much of the plot! But He'll show up later...I promise!

RyGirl824 - Wow...I'm glad you like the Unseen aspect of the story, but I think you hurt Draco's feelings. He's sensitive about people's opinion of him, you know...

And the others who reviewed: obamaissexy, PyroAngel, Paigeey07, and angelnomiko, I'm glad you guys reviewed. I would have replied individually, but the reviews you left didn't have enough detail for individual responses. Not that there's anything wrong with that! I just wanted to make sure I acknowledged your worship of my previous chapter!!!

Now enjoy the newest addition to this story.

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When James awoke the next morning, it was to the undeniable smell of sausage and eggs. For a split-second, he imagined that someone had broken into his flat and was going to- hmmm….going to what? Cook him to death? Ha!
He threw back his covers, and rolled from the sofa bed, stretching and cracking his joints. He could see his Aunt in the kitchen, busy over several pans. He frowned when he noticed that she was doing it one-handed, as her injured hand hadn’t been completely healed before she was released. He slipped on a black t-shirt, and padded to the kitchen, his tail swaying pleasantly as he walked.

Hermione looked up as she plated the eggs, and flashed James a bright smile. The simple act in itself was enough to make James aware just how long it had been since a woman- no….since anyone had smiled at him. He liked it.

He flashed her a fanged grin, and sat down at the table. She paused in her cooking long enough to read the white letters emblazoned across his shirt, and burst out laughing. James looked down, and flushed a bit when he realized what shirt he was wearing. Tobias had gotten it for him the previous Christmas, and it was one of those phrase T-shirts. This particular one said: ‘Meddle Not in the Affairs of Dragons, For You Are Crunchy and Taste Good With Ketchup.’

After she had wiped away her tears of mirth, she sat the bowls of food on the table, and an empty plate in front of James. She promptly filled the empty plate with lots of food, and then sat across from him, smiling nervously. He picked up his fork, and speared a small cloud of the fluffy scrambled eggs, and brought it to his mouth. When he tasted the eggs, he rumbled contentedly. These were fucking fantastic!

“Good?” she asked softly, and James didn’t miss the way her voice trembled slightly. Apparently someone had been talking down to her cooking. He felt the hair on the back of his neck prickle a bit, but then he gave his Aunt a large smile, nodding happily.

“Best eggs I’ve had in a long time…” he said, and put another forkful into his mouth. With a light smile Hermione stood from the table, and fetched herself a plate, filling it with a much more modest amount than she had given James. He looked at the plate, and then at Hermione.

“Eat as much as you want, Aunt Mione. I’m not going to say a thing about it…” he said softly. She looked up at him, alarmed, for just a moment, before she physically relaxed, and augmented her existing portion with a bit more.

“So…I was thinking a bit last night…” James began conversationally. She looked up from her sausage, listening to her nephew. “I have to go to Hogwarts today, for a bit of business. I was wondering if you wanted to come with-”

“Yes!” she cried, interrupting him. His eyes widened a bit, and she flushed crimson, looking pointedly at her plate.

“We’ll leave in a bit, then. Um…I have some clothes that might fit you. They belong to a female friend of mine…they might be a bit long, though…” he said, looking over the serviceable jogging suit she had apparently thrown on before she escaped Ron’s clutches. And speaking of…he’d need to do a covert mission to see if the arse-hole was indeed dead, or biding his time until he could get back at Aunt Hermione.

~~

They walked up the path to Hogwarts, Hermione’s excitement quite palpable as she practically jogged.

They found out from the caretaker, a rather scrawny wizard who had replaced Filch after the crotchety squib had died in a freak accident, that the Headmaster was sitting in the Great Hall with the other staff, eating breakfast. James walked behind Hermione as she almost ran into the Great Hall, Draca’s skirts flowing about her ankles a bit awkwardly.

There was an immediate flurry of motion as the staff recognized Hermione, and came down from the dais in order to engulf her in hugs. McGonagall got down there in record time for a witch her age, and pulled Hermione to her like a daughter she hadn’t seen in years.

“Hermione Weasley!” she said. No one really noticed the flinch at the last name….except James and Headmaster Snape, who had stayed firmly in his seat, his black eyes watching the scene. He noticed a lot that way.

The pleasantries lasted a good ten minutes before McGonagall finally convinced Hermione to follow her to her office for tea. She was no longer the Headmistress, but she still taught Transfiguration, ergo she was still at Hogwarts.

~~

“Yes…Mister Potter?” Snape asked, regarding James coolly.

“I’m interested in applying for a position here, sir.” James said.

“Straight to the point, I see. Well, what position do you feel you are most suited for? Do you have references? A resume?” Snape asked. James produced a folder from what seemed like nowhere, and handed it to Snape.

“I was hoping for DADA, sir.” He said. Snape opened the folder, and looked through the papers within.

“You seem as qualified as any. Am I to assume that if you are put into this position the children won’t be under any threat of….draconic anomalies?” he asked, his face unreadable.

“If you’re asking if I might rip them to pieces with my claws and set the remains on fire…then they are completely safe.” He said, his own face completely masked.

“Very good. Now if that’s all…I have a special appointment coming soon, and I’d rather you not interrupt it.” Snape said. James frowned.

“Um…shouldn’t we talk about training? When do I need to come to Hogwarts?” James asked. Snape sighed rather impatiently.

“I expect you back at Hogwarts next Tuesday. Term begins in two weeks and you will receive your training from Professor Lancer then.” He said. The doors to the Great Hall creaked again, and Snape’s head tilted to see behind James, a rare grin forming on his face when the guest stepped through. James turned around, and his eyebrows met his hairline when he saw Draco Malfoy crossing the threshold. He stepped aside as the Headmaster billowed along to meet them at the door.

His surprise turned to joy when a young lady emerged beside him. It was Draca. She must have come with her father to apply for the Healer’s position. But…what was her father doing here? He grinned when Draca hugged the Headmaster like an uncle she hadn’t seen in ages. His grin widened when he hugged her back. The Snapes and the Malfoys were rather close. In the years after the Final Battle, they had understood each other, and their reasons for their actions. Lucius’ heart had been in his cause at first, but when he realized that Voldemort was willing to part with his family, Lucius had made a swift turn-tail, and secretly joined up with Albus. Even Snape himself didn’t know of this treachery, just as Lucius didn’t find out until the very end who the Order’s other spy was. It saved the Malfoy family.

He heard Draca give a happy cheer and saw her hug Snape again. She must have been given the Healer’s position, judging by the way he pointed at Madam Pomfrey, who was sitting at the Head Table, talking with Flitwick. Draca took off in a near run towards the table, giving James a rather formal wave as she passed by. He was a bit curious to see what Draco was talking to the Headmaster about. He twitched his ears, and stepped a smidge closer.

“…about time he ‘gave up the ghost.’” Draco finished saying. Snape shook his head.

“You should be ‘pun’ished for that one…” he replied.

“I thank you, Godfather, for this wonderful opportunity. It’s been over a hundred years since the living has touched that post. I do believe some…new blood…might add some…life…to the subject.” Draco said, his voice a bit unsteady from trying to hold in his laughter. Snape snorted.

“I’ll owl you with the details, Draco. I do hope to see you for tea before term starts…” Severus said. Draco nodded, his hand coming up to clap the Headmaster on the shoulder.

“Wouldn’t miss an afternoon tea with you and your sunny disposition if my life depended on it….which it very well may. I’ve heard it doesn’t bode well to tick off Headmaster Snape…” he said. Snape gave a small, rather sad-looking smile.

“I’ve killed for less…” he said softly.

Draco’s returning smile was small as well. They spoke a bit longer about nothing in particular, before Draco called Draca back to him, and turned to go. As he reached the doors, he turned back to add something to the Headmaster, when he bumped right into someone coming into the hall. James stepped forward when he heard his Aunt’s voice.

“Merlin’s purple hot pants!” she cried, and tumbled backwards from hitting a very solid male form. Draco’s head whipped around, an amused expression on his face as he looked down at Hermione. She looked up, and gasped.

“Malfoy!” she said, scrambling to fix the long skirts around her legs. Draco merely gave a small smile (which rather scared Hermione, as she had never seen anything remotely similar on his face before).

“Hermione Weasley. The years have been kind to you.” He said, and held out his hand to her. Her eyebrows furrowed a bit, and she looked at his hand as if it were a coiled snake. She tentatively reached forward, and put her hand in his, and he pulled her to her feet. “There we are. Sorry about knocking you over.” He said, the smile still on his face.

“That’s all? ‘Sorry for knocking you over?’ You aren’t going to make a snide comment about how my Mudblood germs may have ruined the front of your pristine robes? Besmirched the immaculate air around your body?” she asked. Draco flinched a bit when she said the nasty ‘M’ word.

“Please don’t call yourself that. I’m…all I can say is that I’m sorry for how I acted in the past. There was no excuse… Please put the past where it belongs?” he pleaded softly. Hermione wanted to tell him where he could put his past…but the sincere look on his face paused her.

“I suppose…if only for the fact that we’ll be working together soon…” she said. Draco raised a perfect flaxen eyebrow.

“Working together?” he asked. She gave a very smug smile.

“Yes. I just came from tea and biscuits with McGonagall. She wants me to take over her position as Transfiguration teacher, and Head of Gryffindor House. She said she hadn’t planned on retiring at first, but when she saw me in the Hall, she made a split-second decision to see if she could cajole me into it. Turns out she didn’t have to try very hard.” She said. “She also told me about the unique position you find yourself in. Professor Binns’ shoes won’t be easy to fill…” she said. Turns out the old spirit had finally crossed over. She wasn’t terribly clear on the details, but she had heard from McGonagall that his unfinished business was something about a student willingly taking up History of Magic as their major and asking him for a recommendation. He was so happy he crossed over on the spot. Poor little Ravenclaw never did get her recommendation…

“I’m sure I’ll be a lot livelier than that old spirit.” Draco said, throwing his head back for an honest laugh. Hermione couldn’t help but smile herself. Draco had a nice laugh. “Well…I’m sure I’ll see you when the trainees are called back together before the start of term. I look forward to working with you, Mrs. Weasley.” Draco said. Hermione gave another barely-noticeable wince. She was really going to have to get away from Ron in name. Already she could practically feel his cold blue eyes boring into the back of her as she ‘whored herself out’ to Draco Malfoy. Huh…come to think of it…Ron would have probably had a coronary when Draco smiled.

“I do as well, Mr. Malfoy.” She countered, her voice a bit softer. Draco winced, and chuckled.

“Please…Mr. Malfoy is my father. Call me Draco.” He said. Hermione’s smile returned, and she inexplicably felt lighter.

“Well then it’s only fair that you call me Hermione.” She said. He nodded, and held out his hand. “Good day then, Hermione.” She shook his hand, feeling suddenly aware of the very male-ness of him. It frightened her a bit. Until she had touched him after making his connection to the human race (when he had helped her up he was still Malfoy, Bouncing Ferret extraordinaire) she hadn’t quite felt aware of his sexuality. It hit her like a ton of bricks now, and her face flushed a bit with fear.

“G-good day, Draco.”
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Aww....It's sad that just as Hermione recognized Draco as a fully-grown man that she inverted herself into her shell because she fears him. And before anyone asks, the reason that she doesn't fear James for this exact same reason is A) he rescued her, and she is grateful enough to not be frightened. B) James has never done anything to harm her, whereas Draco has (emotionally and physically). and finally C) Hermione knew James since he was a baby, and knows he isn't emotionally capable of harming her.

And now, I would SO appreciate it if you loverly reviewers would come out of the woodworks and give me ideas and fuel for my fire. ^_^

You've read, not Rate, or review. Better yet....do BOTH!!!