Fan Fiction ❯ The Weaver Telarius ❯ A Glimpse of Things to Come ( Chapter 4 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

The following day did not prove condusive to this endeavour. I awoke to find myself more tired than I was when I drifted off. While this was not an uncommon occurance, it has never failed to irritate me. I dragged myself out of bed, did that whole morning thing, then walked to breakfast.

Yes, I was alone. As I recall, I didn't think much of it at the time. I felt fairly secure. Perhaps my mind hadn't woken up enough to make me realize that I was in this magical realm. So, as it happened, it came down the hallway, an aura of black, and saw my already somber self. I suppose it saw me as easy prey.

Allow me to clarify this before I tell you what happened. When I'm tired, I'm easily irritated and annoyed. If ever you wish to see a large amount of angst and a general wish for the world to fold in on itself, catch me after one of those nights of non-restful sleep. Couple that with the fact that I took it upon myself to look up something which might work against those bloody things before drifting off, and you had a dangerous man looking for a reason to practice something new.

So I whipped out my wand, waved it at the monstrousity, and uttered a singular, magickal word. "Crucio"

I must say that I got an extreme amount of pleasure from seeing the thing squirm and writhe in agony before me. I let it there for a while, giving it an idea of what it was about to put me through, then went on my merry way. And yes, I did do my homework. It's one of the Unforgivables, but those are only illegal when used against a human being. Whatever that thing was, it wasn't human, and I was damned certain it wasn't going to bother me again after that. I'm an outsider to this realm. Bending the rules is easier for me.

Breakfast was served and I ate heartily on everything set in front of me. Massive appetite seemed a theme at my table. I silently wondered what they had endured in the prior day to be so fatigued. As I was attacking my steak and eggs with haste, someone sat across from me. It was Cordelia, and her smile was less bright this morning. Not a morning person either, it seemed.

"How are you this morning?" she asked, attempting a pleasant tone. It almost worked.

"Tired. I feel like I've run a marathon, gotten run over by a train, and had the entire castle fall on me from one thousand feet. Other than that, I'm not too bad. How about you?"

"I'm pretty tired too, and a little hurt."

I arched a curious eyebrow. Steak was good, but I don't like seeing people distressed, or hearing about it. If there's one nice, wholesome, and good thing about me, it's the fact that, if I know someone, I try to help them when they're down in any way that I can. Call it a rewarding flaw. "Hurt? Whyso?"

"Well," she began, tossing back a lock of red hair, which was in tangles due to lack of brushing, "You just went off to bed last night. It seemed to me like you were avoiding me, and I got the feeling that you were. I thought that I had made a good impression."

That look on her face hurt me more than anything that I could have possibly done to her last night. I allowed myself to sigh, deeply. I was, indeed, distraught, but if I made it look forced, I wouldn't seem to be as soft-hearted as I truly was. "My apologies, milady. I was merely avoiding engaging you due to a massive amount of fatigue. I knew that, if I approached you, I would probably become entranced in whatever conversation we stirred up, and wouldn't get a wink of sleep. Self-preservation instinct kicked in."

I internally smiled as she gave me an understanding, and quite unhurt look. Cover up for one weakness by portraying another. I was doing pretty well, here.

"What's on your schedule for today?" she asked, politely.

I chuckled. "The only schedule that I could have, given my student teaching position. I have to assist Lupin in every class of every day. So, I have a meeting with him right after breakfast, before the start of classes, followed by two classes for him, then Transfiguration, another class with Lupin, Double Potions, another class with Lupin, Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures, and then classes with Lupin for the remainder of the day."

"So, I'm guessing I won't see you in Divination?"

"I had to drop it, unfortunately," I replied, allowing my expression to change to disappointment, "As it is, I'm missing being able to help out Lupin during one class because of Double Potions. However, I'm rather curious about that subject, so I chose to neglect one of Lupin's classes. I'm certain he won't mind."

"I see. Well, would you like me to tell you what we learn as the days go on?"

My eyes lit up. Knowledge is power, and this lady just offered me more power than I would normally be getting. "Indeed, I would enjoy that highly," I responded, not entirely thinking about all the possible reprocussions of that statement.

She smiled, pleasantly. "Then how about we set up a daily study time for Divination. I'll teach you what we learned, and therefore teach it to myself that much more. Say... after dinner, each night?"

I was too tempted by the offer. "Indeed, that should work out nicely."

My eyes happened to catch a chronometer as I bit down on a blueberry waffle. I almost choked. I was going to be late. I wiped my mouth, quickly, and gave a slight nod of apology to excuse my sudden exit to Cordelia, then bolted from the dining hall with as much speed as my legs could muster.

I arrived in his office just as the clock hit the minute after my scheduled arrival time. "Fashionably late, I see?" Lupin's tone was jovial, causing me to relax. I was worried I might be in trouble.

"A trifle, yes. I was caught up with unexpected news. It's happened a lot lately."

"What? No apology?"

I smirked a bit. "Apologies would take up more time, and I've taken enough just by being late. What's on the agenda?"

Lupin gave an approving nod, then stood from this desk and examined his bookshelf for a while. "According to your exam, you know the weaknesses of many supernatural creatures, as well as the proper methods for counter-curses and such. You still have much to learn, but it is indeed most impressive for one so young. You even held your own against a dementor for twenty minutes."

I waved my hand. "I see that the rumours have already begun to exaggerate my feat. I couldn't have stood for more than five minutes."

There was a sparkle in his eye as he turned to face me. He was somewhat of a frail looking man, but he had an inner glow working for him. "There has been no exaggeration. I was there, Mr. Shade."

I opened my mouth to speak before that message had been routed through the proper channels of neurons to my brain. I clamped my mouth shut once more whilst I activated what memory I had. My short term memory tends to be as consistant as meteorological phenomena. I remembered the silver light I saw as I passed out on the train. My eyes met his, and there was the subtlest nod of understanding as I realized that it was he who had saved me from that demon's ravages.

"Why are those things even here, if you don't mind me asking?"

Lupin seemed shocked to have such a question posed to him, but he sat down, and seemed ready to explain. He told me of the one known as Sirius Black, of his connection with a Dark Lord Voldemort (apparently either a very scary man or someone with entirely too much free time... even though they're basically the same thing), of his imprisonment at Azkaban, a maximum security prison where the dementors tormented the imprisoned, and his escape. By the end of the story, Lupin had needed a glass of water to calm himself.

I was quite thankful that I had put my spectacles on before he started talking. "That's all well and good, Professor Lupin. It helps me to know what the general populous believes. If you could, however, tell me the real story, I'd be quite appreciative."

Watching that dignified gentleman spew water was amusing, but I kept myself from laughing. He gave me a suspicious look, then a horrified one as he saw my glasses. "Those are...!"

I decided to cut him off. "A present from an old friend, and also quite useful, ne? I'll let you borrow them sometime if you would like, but I insist that you return them if you do so. I enjoy their lens too much to let go forever."

"Who in the world would have found them, only to give them to you?"

I shrugged. "I am uncertain. I was walking in Diagon Alley, and an owl came by and dropped a parcel addressed to me. I opened it and inside were these glasses."

"Do you always accept packages from total strangers?"

"With all due respect, sir, I had just been taken to a place where I could purchase anything from a spellbook to a broom specifically made for flying. Add to that the fact that I was taken there by someone ten or more times my size, and you get a warped perspective on reality. I was feeling, if not lucky, then at least delirious."

Lupin nodded. "I see. I'd be wary, if I were you, until I found out who sent you those. Also, don't use them too much. Someone else might recognize them, especially if you go around acting like a know-it-all."

"Wise advice, sir. I am inclined to take it. Now, if you would please..."

And so, the real story was told to me, and by the end of it, I was the one who needed a glass of water. Who knew that such a predicament would exist, or that Lupin had more to him than meets the eye? "Are you satisfied now?" Professor Lupin asked me, when he was done with his tale.

"More than satisfied, sir. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Not at the moment, except to find out how you and that other lady got here, and who sent you those glasses."

"I'll get right on that. What happens now?"

"Well, it's time for class. Mostly, you'll have time to study during class, but I may ask you to help the students out when they split off into groups, and you'll have to take over on any days that I am... well... sick," and on the word 'sick' he winked at me, and I nodded, knowingly. There were days when Professor Lupin would be unable to teach the class.

And so, the rest of my school day began. The Defense Against the Dark Arts classes were magnificent. Lupin was an outstanding teacher, and he gave them some field experience with this creature called a Boggart. Of course, he asked me to demonstrate for the class, since he didn't want anyone to get clues as to what he really was. I told him that it probably wasn't a good idea, but he insisted that I show the class the Ridikkulis enchantment at work, so that they knew it worked and would have confidence in their ability to perform it. I told him that my mind was too logical to come up with anything whimsical, and that what I feared the most could not possibly be personified or be given physical form, but he insisted I go just the same.

Out of the closet emerged a swarm of scarab beetles. Now, I'm none too fond of insects as it is, but these things really were something to fear. A single one could kill you, but this many could eat the majority of the classroom alive. Still, I wielded my wand, and pronounced the enchantment: "Ridikkulis!"

I was sent into a torrent of chuckles as the scarab beetles went cannibal, while the rest of the class stood stock-still for a moment. The Boggart was forced back into the closet, and I was awarded with countless applause. If there was any question as to my competency, it was answered that day in each class. After one, Hermione came up to me, quite lovely looking today.

"So, you were placed in House Slytherin, huh?" she asked, an air of professionalism about her.

I smiled a genuine smile. "Milady, you needn't be formal with me, even if I am technically somewhat of an instructor. I am also still a student. Please, be casual. And yes, I am in Slytherin."

She nodded and clenched her books a little tighter. She seemed rather nervous. "What is it really like in there?"

I was packing my books into the duffel bag that I had procured. I liked having my hands be free at a moment's notice, along with having all of my reference materials with me at all times. I swear that the thing weighed almost as much as this body when it was completely full. "It's what you'd expect for the House of Ambition. Lies and distrust at every turn, artificial people in artificial situations, constant testing of people's defenses and skills, and backstabbing galore. I rather enjoy it. It's a challenge living there."

"Walk with me to Potions?"

"I'd be delighted too."

As we walked, we continued our conversation. "How do you like it at Hogwarts?" she was so inquisitive. I was pleased.

"Well, I haven't been here too long, but the food is excellent, the teachers seem rather competent, and it has a nice air about it. I mean, take out all of the mistrust that comes with my House and I'd almost want to vacation here."

She giggled, which was absolutely adorable. "I was sorry to hear that you didn't get in Gryffindor. I was hoping that we might study together..."

"And there is no reason why we cannot."

She stopped dead in the hallway. I turned to face her, and saw her expression to be puzzled and intrigued, among other things. "I thought I made the rivalry between our houses clear on the train."

"Indeed you did, Hermione. However, I'm not about to let common prejudice get in the way of having a good study partner. House loyalty is important, but house rivalry is just silly. Rather counterproductive, ne?"

She nodded. "I can take it if you can. So, we can get together for Potions and... what else?"

We continued walking, the pace increased a tad bit, to prevent tardiness. "Well, I'd like some help with Transfiguration as well, and Arithmancy I'd just like to learn more about."

"Works for me," she giggled again. It was starting to make me curious, but I wasn't about to put my spectacles on. All she needed was one more instance to rack her brain over and she'd know, I was certain.

As we opened the doors to the dungeon, the entire class turned around. Gryffindor and Slytherin were clearly on opposite sides of the room, and each one seemed to have declared that their representative would beat the other's to the room. At the head of the room was Snape, who had a puzzled look on his face. I turned to look at Hermione, and we exchanged glances of disgust for the display of behavior, then walked to one of the two empty tables, sitting down together as opposed to taking one table a piece. This behaviour seemed to disturb Slytherin and puzzle Gryffindor. I was most amused.

Before Snape's shock wore off and the lesson began, I caught a glimpse of Cordelia out of the corner of my eye. She was glaring angrily, but not at me. So, she seemed to be glaring right through me. Who at, then? Hermione? Why would Cordelia be angry with her? As far as I know, the two had never talked.

Snape was an excellent instructor, if not a tad strict to the Gryffindor house. When we were instructed to pair up for cauldron work, only two people moved. One was Cordelia and the other was a red-haired Gryffindor, each of whom had been at a table alone on their side. They eventually were forced to pair up together, and each looked disgusted with the situation.

We were to make a Truth Serum. This was a review for everyone who had been there last year to take the final, but I had never concocted one before. Hermione, luckily, was there to assist me. I helped in my own way by nitpicking the measurements until they were precise enough for my tastes. When the class was almost over, Snape went around having everyone test their Serum, and asking them a question. It was at this point that his bias became clear to me. When he was testing those of Slytherin house, he would ask them fairly simple questions, ones which the answer would not potentially incriminate. He kept trying to find trouble in Gryffindor, though. He found it, too, and had taken away fifteen points before he finally came to our table (there would have been more, but some people's serum hadn't worked properly). He looked to me for a moment, then to Hermione. He nodded to her, and she quaffed some of the serum.

"Have you ever been within the dark forest?" he asked.

"Yes," she answered, without hesitation.

He then nodded to me, and I drank a fair portion of the serum, with fair being just enough to get one truth out of me. "Where did you come from?" Snape asked.

The entire class seemed eager to hear the answer to that question. I merely smiled, and gave him one possible answer to that question. "Fredonia."

"And where is that?"

I smirked. "Sorry, sir, but I only took enough serum for one question."

He actually smiled at me. "Your's is the only table with which the serum worked perfectly for both subjects. Fifteen points to each of you."

I smiled and Hermione, gave me a little nudge of happiness. I was quite content with our work as well. We made a pretty decent team.

We packed up our things and headed out of the classroom. "Where are you going off to now, Telarius?" Hermione asked, an almost eager tone in her voice.

"Well, another Defense class is on my schedule..."

She giggled again. It never ceased to be adorable. "It was a trick question, silly. Everyone has lunch now."

I blinked. I hadn't even realized that they would have lunch as part of the daily routine. I definitely didn't sleep enough that night before. "Strange... it's not on my schedule."

She smiled and laughed a little at my joke. We walked to the dining hall, and she paused outside of the entrance. "I suppose you'll be sitting at the Slytherin table?"

"Protocol would dictate such. Besides, I actually rather enjoy some of their company."

She sighed a bit. "Well, have fun. I'll see you later."

She opened the doors, but I stopped her, quickly. "We never scheduled a time to get together to study."

An astounded look crossed her face. "Oh! I almost forgot. How about after dinner, in the library?"

I attempted a mental run through of my schedule. I didn't remember having anything scheduled after dinner. A visual of my schedule confirmed this. "Perfect. I'll see you there."

She nodded, and then leaned forward, faster than I would have ever given her credit for, and kissed my cheek. I didn't even have time to react, I just stood there, dazed as she walked into the dining hall. I shook my head quickly. I hoped that she wasn't developing an infatuation with me. That would prove most unsettling. I moved to the door, but was halted by a hand on my shoulder.

As I turned to greet whoever had touched me, my face was introduced to their palm and fingers in such a manner that I knew it to be a female on the other side of the strike. That certainly replaced the warm, happy feeling I had in a hurry. As I returned my gaze to my attacker, intending to confront them with questions about their action, with a bit of anger thrown in, I was confronted with the face of Cordelia.

I blinked a few times. "Umm... did I do something wrong, milady?"

She folded her arms, a scowl evident on her face. "Oh, no Hermione, I'm not doing anything after dinner at all!" her tone was mocking on the outside, but underneath quite hurt.

A few more blinks, and I was forced almost to a face-fault. "Oh my goodness," I said quickly, "I'm so sorry. I forgot about our Divination session entirely. My short term memory isn't the best, I'm afraid."

She was unimpressed with my apology. "So you just went off and made other plans, huh? And what was that kiss all about?"

Her confrontational attitude, along with her impatience with me, was enough to cause me to stop retreating and start a phrase. "After dinner is a loose time frame, and I have no idea what the kiss was about," parry, "Both sessions may happen with a minor edition to one of them so that each knows about the other," find an open line, "And I'dve thought you to have more patience and understanding, Cordelia. Certainly I hadn't pegged you for the type to physically strike someone when upset," thrust, lunge.

She backed off, cast her gaze to the floor, and closed her eyes. A retreat. "I'm sorry, Telarius. I just... I don't know what came over me," touché.

I spread my arms. "Hey, it's quite alright. We all get upset sometimes, and I'm sure you have other reasons. Rough day, perhaps?" merci.

When her eyes came back up, there were definite tears. Curveball. Wait a moment! Damnit! I was trying to make this analagous to a fencing bout. Baseball has no place in fencing. Well, what's an action which is unexpected and not entirely what it seems. A feint, I suppose. I was still in trouble. I hugged her, out of instincts both nuturing and self preserving. Hell hath no fury like a woman's wrath.

Lunch was rather uneventful, except for when I caught a glimpse of a particularly beautiful lass at the Ravenclaw table. For a moment, I thought it was my love from home. I should've put my glasses on, because then I would know for sure. But that wasn't the last time I would set eyes on Deanne Ember.