The Way Back Home

WL1031: Here’s chapter 8, peeps!

Jade: Don’t forget to review!

Disclaimer: I don’t own it. Only the storne ane and the characters that you don’t recognize are mine. Everything else—the main characters and the Harry Potter Universe—is the fabulous brainchild of J.K. Rowling and her publishing company friends.

The Way Back Home
Chapter 8: A Growing Attraction, a Hogsmeade Catfight, and a Summoning


Albus Dumbledore fired off a round of purple fireworks to gain the student’s attention. He loved doing that because it worked every single time—and just because he liked the display. He looked over at Minerva—she rolled her eyes, but smiled. He had to have his fireworks, she thought. She watched as her life mate stepped to the front of the dais.

“Attention children, I have a few announcements.” He cleared his throat. “As you all know, Halloween is coming up. The faculty has agreed to have a costume ball that evening.” He stopped as the students clapped. He held up his hand to have silence again.

“Now, this upcoming weekend is a Hogsmeade weekend for the third years and up. For those going to Hogsmead for the first time, please stay with the prefects in your house as they escort you to the village. Also, Quidditch practice will begin this weekend. Each team must make sure to sign up for their allotted practice times and days for the Quidditch field. To ensure that all teams have a fair amount of practice time each week, the sign-up sheet has been charmed to disallow any time discrepancies or over-use of the field. Finally, to the Dueling Club or Herbology Club report immediately to the Entrance Hahen hen breakfast is over. That is all.” He took his seat.

Sitting at the end of the faculty table, Zeporiap frowned and turned to Severus. “What is the Dueling Club?” Severus smiled slightly.

“The Dueling Club is for students who wish to perfect the art of magical dueling. They use their wands to cast charms to defeat one another. No physical contact is involved—if there is the duel will end immediately.” Zeporiap was amazed but very interested.

“So no physical contact, hmm?” Severus nodded. “Is there a way for me to see one of these duels taking place? I wouldn’t mind trying to learn how to do it myself.” She sighed wistfully.

“Well Miss Luz, we’ll have to get you started on learning your magical techniques.” Severus and Zeporiap turned at the voice. Minerva was standing there, having come in on the tail end of their conversation. Albus was there as well, looking on with mischievous eyes.

“Yes, that’s right Severus.” Albus piped in. “In fact, I was going to suggest that you start as soon as possible.”

Zeporiap was excited, squirming in her seat. “Really?! I would love to start today!” She turned to Severus. “Would it be too much to ask you to teach me?” Severus looked at the sparkling excitement in her eyes and could not deny her. He nodded. Zeporiap let out a small squeal.

Minerva and Albus smiled like two indulging grandparents at the girl’s exhilaration. The lovely young woman smiled brightly under their gazes, hardly able to contain herself. Minerva patted Albus on the arm as he moved next to her. They looked at each other, then back at the younger pair before them, and smiled secretly. They could see that they would be perfect for each other, complementing the other nicely. The older couple turned and headed out of the Great Hall.

Albus turned and spoke over his shoulder. He saw his dark Potions Master explaining the ins and outs of dueling to the younger woman. “I’m sure that you will find the appropriate rooms in the castle to begin her lessons, Severus.” The Potions Master nodded in response and resumed his explanation.

Albus and Minerva quietly slipped out of the Hall, exiting through the faculty door.



The week flew by quickly. Each night, Zeporiap studied magic with Severus, learning as much as she could each night. She was a surprisingly fast learner, absorbing everything that was taught, taking to it all like a natural. She learned a little bit of the wizarding world’s history, identified the various plants in the greenhouses, cast a few charms of her own, changed a hat into a bookshelf, drew a few astronomy charts, and even made a levitation potion which was absolutely fabulous to test. All in all, she was coming into her magic rapidly, surprising everyone who knew about her lessons, even herself.

Soon, it was Saturday morning. Zeporiap was so excited that she was nearly bouncing off of the walls of her new room. She jumped out of bed before her alarmicklickly rushing into the bathroom to shower and dress. She dressed warmly as Severus had advised her the night before, pulling on a pair of jeans, a T-shirt which was promptly followed by a thick sweatshirt, and a thick pair of socks. She about to put on her shoes when she saw that it was only 7 am in the morning. The clock on the wall was saying, “It’s not time to go yet.” Huffing out a breath, Zeporiap sat down on her bed. She looked around her new room, liking the lovely blues, violets, and grays that blended in the décor. She felt safe here, away from the ogling eyes of the boys and jealous glares from the girls as she worked in the library or walked the hallways. Nobody was coming up harassing her—thanks to Harry and Ron—and none of the girls were bugging her either—thanks to Ginny and Hermoine keeping them from coming up to her. Most of all there was no worry that someone would try to get her at night because they would have to get past Severus’s wards and him before they could.

Zeporiap smiled as she thought of the dark man that had opened his private living space up to her. He was an intensely private man, allowing few get close to him, choosing instead to scare people away with a hard and cold exterior. Zeporiap knew that there was a reason for him to act that way—she had yet to find out why—but she hoped that he would tell her someday.

Still, Zeporiap could not help but want to know more about him. She was attracted to that dark and mysterious persona that he lived and breathed. There was something about it that made her—she didn’t know what it was she wanted; only knowing that she could only get it from him. She sighed. Thinking along those lines was dangerous—she barely knew the man, just over a month and a half, and she was still trying to get comfortable around men again. She still panicked when a person walked too close behind her or felt a little sick to the stomach when she went past a group of boys, her mind convincing her that they were going to attack her. She wondered if she would ever get over that fear because she wanted to be comfortable ar men men—at least with that special guy.eporeporiap felt saddened at the thought. She didn’t think that she would be good enough for any man now, she felt soiled and dirty after what had happened to her—even though her heart was telling her that it was no fault of her own—and didn’t think that anybody would want her: she was damaged goods.

Stifling a sob, Zeporiap lay down on her bed, curling up on her side. She knew that what happened wasn’t her fault but she couldn’t help it. She wondered if there was something that she could have done to prevent it, but she could never come up with any answers. Feeling the hot tears run down her cheeks, Zeporiap turned her face into the pillow to have a good cry.

Lying in his bed, Severus knew that it was almost time to get up. He was still tired and didn’t want to get up—especially now that he had to chaperone a bunch of noisy, hormone-driven teenagers all day. It was fine when they were in class because they would be gone after two hours. But, not today: he had to watch them all bloody day and it was all he could do not to hex some of them into oblivion. He would definitely be glad when the holiday break was here—it would be nice and peaceful around the school—because it would get those brats out of his hair.

Turning over on his side, he sighed into the darkness of his room. Teaching those brats wouldn’t be so bad if they would just pay attention. Maybe they’d get something into the mush that kept their heads from collapsing in and he wouldn’t have to constantly make batches of the Headache Relieving Potion all the time. Still, there were some students that made his job worthwhile—even though he refused to publicly admit it—the know-it-all Granger was the best student he had—the Potter whelp wasn’t doing so bad himself. And then there was his newest student, Zeporiap. She enjoyed everything about her lessons, practically absorbing everything that she read and tested for herself. He was surprised about her learning habits, picking up nearly four year’s worth of curriculum in a week’s time. Nobody had ever learned that fast, not even the Granger girl. She was definitely something else…

Severus knew that there was definitely something about Zeporiap and it was drawing him to her. He couldn’t explain it but she was pulling him towards her—and he didn’t mind. He didn’t have to put up the cold emotional wall around her and his dark nature didn’t fight for dominance as much when it came to her. He was still evil, yes and would always be that way, but her her it didn’t matter. She accepted him as he was and he honestly liked that. Spending time with her each night had something to do with that feeling. On many occasions during the study sessions, he would sit back and watch her as she pondered and read over the material he gave her. The cute little look of concentration that would come over her face, especially when she chewed on her luscious lower lip, drove him crazy. There were many times that he wanted tan han her back over the desk and have his way with her.

Feeling his lower body tighten in response, Severus groaned. He absolutely could not help it. wan wanted Zeporiap and it was getting more difficult to ignore what his body was screaming for— and the fact that she was just few steps across his sitting room didn’t help things. Still, he held back. He barely knew her—just shy of two months—and he didn’t think that shuld uld be ready for what he had in mind. Not the way that you like to have it, old boy. His dark side put in. You know that if you didn’t let me out when you went on your ‘missions’ that you’d—

“Shut up.” He said aloud.

It was true, though. He knew what he liked when it came to sex and even if he did get into that type of situation with Zeporiap, he would have to restrain himself. It might be a bit overwhelming for her.

Stifling a yawn, Severus got out of bed. It was going to be a very long day.

The new day brightened on the horizon beautifully. The sun warmed the brisk October air and the trees had begun to dress for the autumn occasion. The students were equally dressed for the occasion, wearing warmer clothes under their robes and slightly heavier shoes. They laughed and played as they climbed into the carriages, enthusiastic over a day in Hogsmeade.

Sitting in the carriage with her friends, Zeporiap was amazed at the strange animals pulling them towards the little town. They were the strangest things she’d ever seen—they were horses of some kind, looking drastically underweight, just skin covered bones that looked as if they would collapse at any moment. Gasping, Zeporiap moved back from the window.

“They’re called thestrals.” Harry said quietly. “If you can see them it means that you saw someone die in front of you. And yes, I saw someone die in front of me—more than once.” Zeporiap gasped again.

“I saw my abuelita, my grandmother…. She died when I was with her.” She smiled sadly at the sincere look in Harry’s emerald eyes. “I really miss her.” She shook her head. “I’m sure that you miss your loved ones, too.” She patted his arm. “But, this isn’t a time to speak about that. We’re supposed to be smiling and laughing. Not getting all gloom Har Harry smiled at Zeporiap, glad that she lifted out of the sad mood—she helped him as well and he was thankful for that.

“I think we should go to the Three Broomsticks for some butterbeer.” Ron said in an excited tone. “You’ve got to try it Zeporiap—it’s the best thing ever!” Hermoine looked up from her book and rolled her eyes at her boyfriend’s behavior.

“Really Zeporiap, it’s good. And after you’ve had a mug of that, we can go over to Honeydukes to get all the candy you can eat. And then, you can come with Ginny and I over to Gladrags Wizardwear to look for costumes for the Halloween Ball.”

“Oh wow, I don’t know where to start.” Zeporiap said. “There’s so much to see. But, I do want to get a costume for the ball.” Earlier, Dumbledore had given Zeporiap a small bag of gold, saying that it was hers to do with as she wished. She was puzzled for a moment because he said it was hers and because it seemed like such a large sum of money, but graciously accepted it. Any of the money she didn’t spend, she concluded that she would give back to Dumbledore.

The carriages pulled to a stop in Hogsmeade, the doors opening to let out the excited students. The girls split up to go look for costumes at Gladrags but found that it was too crowded. They walked around for a little a sma small clothing shop that was set away from the main street in Hogsmeade. It was a quaint little shop; the windows dising ing clothing for every occasion at a cheaper price than the larger clothing shop around the corner on main road of the town. The girls rushed inside, making sure that nobody could see them entering the shop. They didn’t want anyone knowing where they got theostuostumes from.

Later in the day, the group met up at The Three Broomsticks. It was crowded, but they found a table near the back of the room. As soon as they sat down, they ordered a round of butterbeers. Zeporiap liked the drink so much that she had three mugs. The group sat around talking and laughing for a few hours, just enjoying each other\'s company. The butterbeers had finally gotten to Zeporiap and she was looking around for the ladies room.

“Hermoine, where’s the ladies’ room?” Zeporiap asked, looking around. “I drank three mugs of the butterbeer and now I’ve really got to go.”

Hermoine giggled. “It’s just through that doorway over there and it’s thrst rst door on the left. You can’t miss it.” Ginny stood up from her chair, intending to go with Zeporiap.

“Do you want me to go with you?” Ginny asked. She didn’t want her to go alone, knowing that she still worried from time to time about being attacked. Zeporiap shook her head to the negative.

“I think I’ll be okay. It’s just right there, so I shouldn’t be too long.” Ginny sat down, still a bit unsure. She knew that Zeporiap had been doing a bit better lately, but she was still concerned. She sighed. “Okay, we’ll all be right here when you get back.”

“Gracias, mi amiga querida.” Zeporiap said, smiling. “I should be back in about 5 minutes or so.” She turned and quickly maneuvered around the tables towards the ladies room.

At another table, Pansy Parkinson and Millicent Bulstrode nodded. Now they had their chance to get the curly-haired bitch. They were angry at her for petty reasons, jealous of the attention that she got whenever she stepped into a room and just plain hateful of her in general.

“She’s moving towards the ladieom.”om.” Pansy said. “We can get her in there.” Millicent stood up first and made her way towards the doorway casually. She stepped inside the bathroom and cd thd the door. Pansy, still sitting at the table, counted to thirty and then made her way to the bathroom as well. Stepping inside, she closed the door and placed a locking charm on it.

Zeporiap was just drying her hands when she heard the door close. She turned around and saw two girls—Pansy and Millicent if she was correct. She brushed a wrinkle out of her sweatshirt.

“Is there something that I can help you with lad” Ze” Zeporiap said inquiringly.

“Yes, there is definitely something that you can help us with.” Pansy said coldly. Millicent nodded in agreement.

“You can help us by going back to where ever you came from, bitch.”

“What is your problem?” Zeporiap said angrily. “I don’t even know you and you’re calling me out of my name.” Zeporiap moved forward to exit the room. She didn’t want to be bothered with the two offending persons any longer than she had to. “Move out of my way, por favor—I have other things to do.”

Pansy’s face contorted with rage. “You’re not getting away bitch! We’re going to teach you a lesson. Since you’ve got all the guys panting after you and staring at you, we’ll give them something to really look at. You’re going to be so ugly after this that everyone will turn away.” Pansy raised her wand and shouted a hex, a purple stream of light shooting from the end of her wand.

Zeporiap was locked in place. Millicent came up behind her and held her arms so that she couldn’t move when the spell wore off. Pansy came up and started punching Zeporiap in the stomach and trying to snatch out her hair. Zeporiap screamed, trying to get out of the hold that they had her in.

“LET GO OF ME YOU FUCKING BITCH!” She raised her leg and kicked Pansy in the stomach, sending her sprawling to the floor. Some how she escaped from Millicent’s grasp and turned around, kicking her in the knee. She was tired of this: the constant staring and ogling, the r anr and fear she felt over what happened to her, and the general frustration of being in a new place. These two girls confronting her in a bathroom of all places took the cake.

Feeling the anger surge through her, Zeporiap began to kick and beat Pansy for attacking her. Millicent recovered and jumped Zeporiap from the back, pounding her on the head with her fists. Pansy, casting a healing charm on herself, got up and attacked from the front. Before she could do major damage, Millicent came flying tds hds her, having been flipped over Zeporiap’s back. Both girls got up and came at her again, screaming in rage.
m gom going to kill you bitch!” Pansy screamed, running forward with Millicent to attack.

Zeporiap’s voice stopped both of them in their tracks—it was cold and frightening. “You’ve got some nerve to attack me in a bathroom. I don’t even know you two and you’re coming at me like some back-alley bitches thinking that you’d have it over me.” The two girls looketo hto her eyes and became frightened. They were glowing inhumanly, silver fires leaping out of her face.

“I was trying to have a good day, a good day, and you fucked it up.” Zeporiap’s voice grew louder. “YOU RUINED A GOOD DAY AND NOW YOU’RE GOING TO GET WHAT YOU DESERVE!”

Zeporiap held up her hand. “You’re going to feel all the pain that you just caused me.”

Pansy and Millicent screamed. They turned around to run, casting a quick unlocking charm on the door when they came closer. But, they didn’t make an escape. Just as they got to the door a white light enveloped them, sending them crashing through to the other side and into the hallway.

Back at the table, Ginny and Hermoine were worried. It was way past five minutes and was going on ten minutes. They exchanged looks and moved to get up, intending on having a look in the bathroom. Harry and Ron also stood up, intending to go with them just to make sure.

Gulping down the last of his drink, Harry set down his glass. As soon as he removed his hand, it shattered. He jumped back startled. Everyone around them looked at his table, thinking that a glass had just fallen to the floor. Another glass shattered across the room, then another and another, until there was broken glass all over the floor and tables. The room became silent for a moment, nobody making a sound and nobody moving. Then they heard screaming.

\"LET GO OF ME YOU FUCKING BITCH!\" Screams of rage could be heard,ng wng with running footsteps.

“I’m going to kill you bitch!” It was Pansy’s voice. Then a loud accented, thunderous voice could be heard, followed by some kind of explosion. A bright white light could be seen and then Pansy and Millicent flew out and hit the ground hard.

A moment later, Zeporiap walked calmly out of the bathroom. Her clothes were wrinkled and her hair was a mess. She walked slowly, seeming as if she was in another world. Her eyes still glowed and there was a dangerous air about her. Everybody moved out of her way, scrambling from her path, as she walked towards the door.

Harry and Ron looked on in shock, their eyebrows almost in their hairlines. Ginny and Hermoine froze for a second, and then started to move after their friend. Dumbledore stopped them, moving in front of them. He had a serious expression on his face, his eyes not holding the usual twinkle.

“Professor!” They didn’t even know that he was in the pub with them. He shook his head.

“I don’t think that now is a good time to approach Miss Luz. She needs some time to herself. She will be fine in a short moment.” He turned and signaled over his shoulder. “Severus? Please go and check on Miss Luz.” The Potions Master materialized in front of them, nodded, and headed after Zeporiap.

Albus turned back to them, looking at the occupants of the room. “Return to Hogwart’s, please. The day-trip is now over. The carriages will be waiting outside.”

Too shocked to do anything else, the students went outside and got into the waiting carriages. Albus and Minerva floated Pansy and Millicent and placed them in a carriage. Then they got inside and closed the door, signaling the carriage to move off.

Severus found Zeporiap walking towards the castle. He cofeelfeel the energy around her as she moved, like a thick fog hanging in the air. Moving closer, he placed a hand on her shoulder. She stiffened, but relaxed immediately. She turned around, tears streaming down her face. Her eyes were back to their normal silver color, the black lashes spiky from crying.

“I-I don’t know what came over me.” Zeporiap said sadly. “I just couldn’t take it anymore. I don’t even know those two girls and they cornered me in the bathroom for a catfight. I was so angry.” She talked so quietly that Severus had to lean in closer to hear her words.
eruserus pulled her into his arms, enveloping her inside his robes. “We need to talk,” was all that he said. There was a whirling sensation—a pulling in her navel. When Zeporiap stepped away from him, she realized that they were in his sitting room.

“How did we—”

“I brought us back. Yes, Hogwart’s has an anti-apparation charm—more than one—but I have ways around that.” Severus led her to the couch and had her sit down. He paced back and forth in front of her, thinking of something to say. He stopped and looked down at Zeporiap, taking in the sad and frightened look on her face.

Severus sighed. He had felt something was wrong the moment he stepped into the pub, a feeling of growing apprehension coursing through his body. He didn’t know what it was, but the feeling was familiar. He knew that he had experienced it before and he wondered if she had felt something similar at any point in time. He sat down next to her.

“Zeporiap, when you were in the bathroom did you experience an intense feeling of rage? Did it seem to come from out of nowhere?” Severus asked, looking at her intensely.

“I-y-yes. I did feel an intense moment of rage. It just came out of nowhere, rushing up my body.” She said. “I could feel it surrounding me like the air was charged with it.” She looked at Severus as he narrowed his eyes. “Why what do you think it means?”

“It means that there are some things that you don’t know about yourself Miss Luz.” The couple turned towards the fireplace. Albus Dumbledore’s head was floating in the flames, his eyes looking apologetic. Severus frowned.

“What is it, sir?” He questioned, irritated at being interrupted. “Is there a problem?”

The elder man only smiled. “I would like for you and Miss Luz to come to my office immediately. There are some things that we need to talk about. No, Severus don’t try to back out. These things concern the both of you. I will expect you in ten minutes.” His head disappeared with a pop.

Zeporiap was confused and afraid at the same time. “What does he want? Is he going to tell me to leave?” She asked worriedly. Severus stood up quickly.

“Let’s go.” He said quietly, holding out his hand. Zeporiap tentatively reached out and took his hand.



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Jade: Well, that was something.

WL1031: Yeah, I know what you mean. It was definitely not what I was expecting to write.

Jade: Well, it was definitely not what I had in mind either. *she frowns* I’m supposed to be the muse here and giving you advice. Instead the story is writing itself! I should go on strike! *pouting*

WL1031: *pushing her out of the way* I don’t know about going on strike because you can help with the next chapter. It will be all you, baby.

Jade: YES! *dancing around in the background* Review people!

WL1031: Yes, PLEASE review! And be on the lookout for Chapter 9 soon!


Translations:


abuelita: grandma

Gracias, mi amiga querida: Thank you my dear friend (female)

por favor: please