Destiny of Souls

Chapter 6: Tea and Rings

She arrived a few minutes later at Filch's office.

"Mr. Filch. If you don't mind I'd like some extra help with the Slytherins this evening. With Professor Snape away I fear they'll take advantage of the situation to roam the halls."

"Absolutely Professor. I was going to ask you about that later," he replied.

"I am going to spend the evening in front of the Slytherin common room in an Invisibility cloak. I will summon you if I need assistance?"

"Splendid idea Professor. I will have Mrs. Norris stand guard nearby as well. She is good for detecting roamers."

"Thank you Mr. Filch."

* * *

One hour later Kara found herself perched outside the Slytherin common room like a gargoyle in disguise. The Bloody Baron passed by a few times. Mrs. Norris stopped to sniff her, but apparently Filch had informed her she'd be there. She roamed up and down the halls a bit. Waiting had never bothered her. It was part of her Dark Arts training. Stealth, patience and the ability to keep one's wits in dreadfully boring situations was a good virtue. Her own Defense Professor had instilled that into her class early. Hours had passed by when the stone door slid open. It startled her a bit after the constant silence.

Three figures glided cautiously through the door. Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle.

"First I want to see if Potter is in the Hospital wing," said Malfoy in a whisper.

"Draco we're going to get caught," replied Goyle

"Nonsense. Snape would never give her the authority to punish us. She's nothing but a worthless Defense teacher. She couldn't even teach us that simple antidote properly. Honestly, I can't believe Dumbledore let her take over. She's just lucky Snape had to be at the Ministry tonight," Malfoy said in a low tone.

Mrs. Norris came out of the shadows once they had passed her and darted off behind Kara to Filch's office. The boys didn't see the cat race gracefully down the hall.

She followed them up to the Hospital wing. Harry wasn't there and the beds were all empty. "Now what?" Asked Crabbe

"We find the Gryffindor Tower. I at least want to know where the entrance is," Malfoy said.

"Draco, there is no way we're going to find it. It's not like they put a sign up outside that says Gryffindor Tower," protested Goyle

"Shut up. I watched Weasley come down the other day. It's over here," Malfoy replied.

She made sure to keep some distance behind them in case her stealth wasn't quite what she planned. They had turned a corner towards Gryffindor Tower when she ran into something solid. Something invisible. She grabbed it and didn't let go until the boys were well out of sight.

She yanked off the cloak and could feel silky material in her hands. She pulled. It was Harry Potter.

A look of shock met both their faces and he opened his mouth to speak but she covered it. "Shh.." she said. She handed his cloak back to him and handed him hers. "Put this back on and stay here. You move from this spot and I'll have you expelled. And don't lose my cloak."

She continued slowly and silently to follow the three Slytherins. They found the door to Gryffindor quite easily.

"Told you we'd find it. This is the Fat Lady I overheard the Mudblood talking about," Malfoy said cruelly.

They were still facing the portrait.

"And what would three young Slytherins be doing looking for the Fat Lady at this time of night?" she asked coldly

They turned and were speechless.

"Come with me," she said. "To my office."

She walked behind them as they made her way to her office. When she passed the spot she left Harry she beckoned him to come with her. If he was there, he followed silently. Good boy.

When they reached her office she let the three boys into her office, signaled to Harry for him to wait there, and closed the door. She put a detection charm on it, just in case Harry was nosey. "Explain." She said shortly as she stood to face them.

"We... we had heard that..." Malfoy stumbled.

"Mr Malfoy, I clearly stated to you less than three hours ago that the curfew was being enforced and that I would deal with people who chose to disobey the rules in the same way Professor Snape would. Have you forgotten that?" she asked pointedly.

"No."

"I can find no reason that you would need to be out of bed, let alone sneaking around near the other end of the castle. That will be seventy-five points from Slytherin for each of your transgressions and detention when Professor Snape returns," she said. A look of disdain rose in their faces, but they weren't about to cross her.

There was a knock at the door. It was Filch. Mrs. Norris was nearby, no doubt smelling Harry. "Ah, Mr. Filch. Thank you for coming. Can you escort these three back to Slytherin?" she asked

"Of course. And they will be serving detention?" he asked, almost in an excited tone.

"Yes, once Professor Snape returns. If you have any suitable suggestions for punishment, I would be delighted to pass them on," she said sneakily.

"Thank you Professor. You three, come," he yelled.

They followed him out and when they were down the hall she turned to where Mrs. Norris was still standing at attention.

"In. And close the door behind you before you take that off," she said to the empty hallway.

He did and when he was in she locked the door and put a detection charm on it.

It was cold in the office and Harry was shaking. He was carrying a bathrobe under his arm. She took out her wand and lit the fire.

"Tea? You're freezing," she asked.

"Yes. Thanks." He replied

She sat down in one of the leather reading chairs and beckoned him to sit down. He did.

"Explain why you were out after curfew," she demanded.

He tensed up and seemed to be pondering what to say.

"I couldn't sleep. I'm sorry," he said

"Your scar?" she asked

He looked baffled. How did she know?

"Your friends Ms. Granger and Mr. Weasley need to keep their mouths shut during Potions. If I can overhear them, so can others," she answered calmly

A look of comprehension came over his face.

"Yes my scar hurt. Normally I go to Dumbledore... but..." he trailed off.

"So where were you going?" she asked.

"The Prefects bathroom." He hung his head.

"But you're not a Prefect Mr. Potter."

"I know, it's just that I've used it before and Moaning Myrtle is there and we talk sometimes and Hermione said it was okay if I used it "

"Ms. Granger knows you're breaking curfew?" she interrupted.

"No! I mean she said it was okay if I used it. She'd probably hang me if she knew I was out now," he said quickly

"I see."

They were quiet for a bit. She just watched him as he sat there. So young, so obviously tired.

"Professor, there is something I've wanted to ask you for a while. I know its none of my business, its just that..."

"What is it?"

"Well, Hermione... well she..." he seemed to be having trouble. "She really likes the library you see..." he was almost apologizing for her. "She looked your name up in all the yearbooks, and you weren't there. Did you go to Hogwarts?"

"Ah. No I did not Mr. Potter. My past, however, is between the Headmaster and myself," she replied

"Oh. Okay." There was subtle defeat in his voice.

"Have you ever been to France Mr. Potter?" She asked.

He shook his head.

"It's a beautiful place. There is an apothecary in Paris called Pritchard's. I worked there for eighteen years before I came here. I was the Potions maker there."

"Wow. Hermione said you really knew Potions. She wasn't kidding," he replied.

"You knew Professor Lupin well, did you not?" She asked

"Yes, he close a was a friend of my Fathers. He taught me the Patronus charm."

"Really? You mastered that? In your third year?" she asked, clearly amazed. Apparantly Snape gave Harry too little credit.

"Yes, after lots of practice. And lots of chocolate," he replied. He feigned a smile.

Of course, she thought. He had a terrible past and would not have dealt well with Dementors. The look on his face told her this much.

"Well speaking of Potions Harry, I need to have you make up the lesson you missed. Professor Snape will no doubt want to make sure you have completed this assignment. Meet me here on Saturday at 4pm," she said

"Yes Professor," he replied.

"As for this incident, I cannot let it go. Whatever you may think of me Mr. Potter, know that I am always fair. I punished the Slytherins and I must punish you too. I'm glad you were up to something as innocent as bathing but I can only imagine what Dumbledore would think if something happened to you while he was away," she said

She stood up and he realized this was the end of their conversation.

She walked over to her desk and pulled out a silver necklace with a large ring on it. She handed it to him.

"If Professor Snape ever found out I gave this to you, he'd have my Dark Arts Wizard title yanked from me. So tell no one but Dumbledore where you got this and what it's for."

"If you put this on a finger, toe, I think even nose works - haven't tried it in a while - I'll know you need me. Instead of wandering the castle alone at night, put it on and let me come get you. If you ever need to talk or go for a swim," she said staring intently into his eyes. He did not look away as he hung it around his neck. It was unlike the staring game, they were green eyes of just pure emotion and innocence. She had failed Snape. She gave in to Harry Potter.

"As for your detention, I will leave that up to Professor McGonagall. Seventy-five points from Gryffindor," she said as he nodded.

She looked down at his cloak

"Ah. Your cloak is a Mazkovitch as well."

He looked confused.

"Mazkovitch?"

"Mazkovitch is one of only two producers of such cloaks Mr. Potter. They're only made in Romania," she said.

"Oh! I didn't know that. This was my Fathers," he replied. There was a hint of sadness in his voice.

"I see. Well. I should get you back to Gryffindor and to sleep."

As they approached the portrait he asked her "Professor, did Malfoy say why he was looking for Gryffindor tower?"

"No he did not. Good evening. "

"Goodnight Professor."

She watched him walk through the portrait and headed to bed. She didn't figure Slytherin would risk losing more points tonight and she was dreadfully tired.