Dark Wizard Collector: A Hogwarts Fanfiction

Chapter 19

Silently, like a kiss of an angel, the darkness of night dissolved into sunlight upon Hogwarts. Fixedly, I watched the dark blue sky lighten and rubbed my sleep deprived eyes. A clank and tapping brought me to my window, where Avenger perched and waited for me. The enormous eagle owl's glazed eyes blinked at me and I pet his majestic head. "Avenger, I need you to keep a constant watch over someone."

The black beak opened and let out a little, "Who?"

I smirked, "Me."

The bird of prey tilted its head to the side and squawked.

"Hmm, yes I knew you'd think that, but you see Avenger, I am going to be playing with some very dark magic and I want to warn you that I may go past all control. I need you to make the necessary... preparations in case—er—well, in case there are any accidents. I want to be ready. You know what to do." I patted the side of the bird and he left from my room.

Even though I went through my regular routine, getting dressed for the day felt different. I pulled the sheer pantyhose and attached them to my garter belt with a snap. The black lace knickers caused my pale body to appear sickly, but I knew it was far from sick; in the night it was my mind that had warped, and I rather preferred it as such. With a flick of my wand, the back of my corseted dress laced itself up and tightened my ribcage to a stifling fit. I coughed and tucked my leather handled wand under the bottom of the corset, before slipping my arms into the long sleeves of my usual emerald, half-cut military jacket.

The shining silver of the sixteen buttons on the cropped coat glowed as I snatched a quick glance of myself in the looking glass. Quickly, I took both my notebook for work and my personal journal before stepping into a pair of heeled boots and watching the enchanted laces tie themselves. From head to toe, as was my habit, I was adorned in black, save the venomous color of my jacket. The shine of my loosely curled black hair to the luster of my well-polished high-heeled boots, I was ready to seize the day and control my life. And seize the day, I did.

After aiding a few professors with their lessons, I snaked through the corridors and found something very curious indeed. "Mr. Lupin?" I questioned seeing the light brown haired Gryffindor huddled in a corner of the hallway. He shuffled to stand up and I immediately saw he had been crying. Instantly, I softened my tone, if I were to show mercy it would be to the young and innocent. "Are you alright?" I put a caring arm around his shoulders and he buried his trembling head under my chin. Gently, I hugged him, hushing and whispering consolingly to the tiny boy. A few minutes passed before Remus regained his composure.

"I'm sorry Miss Zeria," whimpered the first year, and I told him not to worry. "I'm scared."

"Of what dear boy?"

"Myself," he admitted and my brow furrowed, "Hasn't Headmaster Dumbledore told you? I thought all the staff knew?"

"Told me what? What do I not know?" I replied in genuine wonder and the boy's face blanched.

"I'm a werewolf."

A spark lit in my mind and I now understood why recently a Whomping Willow was planted on the grounds. Hagrid had been telling me about a project he was working on; a secret passage leading to the abandoned shack near Hogsmeade. Dumbledore must have planned this all out to give poor Remus Lupin a chance at a wizard's education. It must have been horrible to endure a monthly terror where one's mind was overpowered by the body of a ruthless beast.

"Well, now I know. I suppose Dumbledore has things worked out for you?" My inquiry received a slight nod; I smiled gently and rubbed his shoulders.
"You're not scared of me?"
"Why ever should I be scared of a friend?"
"But--"
"Remus, there are far more frightening things in this world than werewolves."
He rubbed his nose with the back of his hand."
"If you ever need anything, do not hesitate to ask me; alright?" I said and helped the thin boy to his feet.
"Thank you." Remus nodded meekly and I wrote out a pass for him to give to the professor whose class he was missing. Then, I wondered to myself, what else was Dumbledore hiding from me.

With a sigh, I continued through the halls and reprimanded a few students who were not using their free period wisely. In my work journal, I marked points lost and won by each house. At the end of the day, when all points were calculated, I recorded them into the four cylinders of colored dust that showed progress of each house in the competition for the House Cup. Once my work day was finished, I headed down to Three Broomsticks, a tavern in Hogsmeade, where I bought a hot Butterbeer and pondered what I was going to do next. My mind was reeling as I conjured the courage to Disapparate from Three Broomsticks and to Nurmenguard.