It was five in the morning in my defense, the typos which were embarrasing to say the least, and the whole ... uhm, Connie, Lari mix-up. At five in the morning just about everyone looks the same on these forums ... I'm surprised I didn't reply to my own remarks. Sorry girls.

I'll try to make up for my idiocy now ... with legit replies

The BROOCH CONNERS THE BROOCH! If you can't remember the brooch all of humanity is doOmed o_0; *erm* no. Not a coded message but my brain going to sleep after a long day ... It astounds me how coherent the majority of my post was considering I was asleep on my well bum cuz I wasn't standing ...


Thanx for the credit cuz there's no one gonna pay me for my fanfics That's why I should be working on my non-ff's more ... which I will soon.


It'll be here waiting for you when you get back Conners. If you miss a post it wouldn't be like ... the end of the world considering you and Lari are my loyalest readers. Go. His birthday is important. You only have one 17th and that's so close to 18 and I wish I could be that young again ... *sniffles* Wish him a happy one for me too.

It's not bad Lari, it's just ... uhm, not good. It's like ... well a bad action adventure film you'd stay up late at night to watch cuz there's nothing else on television. The reason it appealed to me so is because after reading The Physik book of Deliverance Dane it was nice to have something a) quicker paced and b) so much less uhm, intellectual?

But yeah, I wouldn't call it a must read, more like "If you like James Patterson then ..."


Lari, I'll have you know my fics do nothing but uphold the ultimate in high moral standards and not those base trashy romance novel ettiquette and ... erm ... yeah no. More love laterz.


I'm glad you like my cats Lari, the reason he can't talk is because I thought it would be an unfair advantage seeing as he's a werecat and he can turn human and all and where's the fun in being able to talk as both a cat and as a human, you know? My heroes ... er anti-heroes? Can't be totally perfect.


You're also one of my favoritest people on earth but ... shhh.

I'm sorry Lari, I totally read your post when you first posted it. I did. It's just ... last night I stayed up so late and I was so out of it by the time I finished. *shrugs* I really do read all y'all's posts as soon as you put them up, I guess I should have reviewed them last night ... heck I forgot all about the brooch in my story I don't think it's as important as Connie seems to think but since I haven't decided because I haven't written it yet ... we shall see, no?



Wolf Hunter was not his real name. It was a silly little alias that he had picked up along the way, something to keep the Ministry and other's off his scent. If they thought he was a werewolf hunter they would never suspect that he himself was a werewolf. And indeed, Wolf did chase wolves, and werewolves but not to put them down as everyone suspected instead he helped them escape the country or disguise themselves amongst the muggles.

It was tiring work playing the part of hunter, refugee, escapee and contrabandist. Wolf wore so many masks it was difficult to remember who he was and what he was doing at any given moment. He would wake up in the middle of the night and wonder where he was and who he was supposed to be just then. Often he wrote it on the palm of his hand with an invisible tint spell or a temporary tattoo that changed images, something to give him a clue of who he was supposed to be.

At the moment however, he was Wolf Hunter, assassin. His intended target was Neville Longbottom and his dilemma aside from getting into the second hardest Wizarding institution in all of bloody Great Britain (the first being Gringotts of course) was that he did not know how to get into and out of Hogwart's without getting caught and not having someone on the inside to help.

The Ministry had enough on it's hands with the missing Death Eater, Sirius Black and their having posted dementors around the school only made the assignment that much more difficult. So, while on the one hand Wolf had a guarantee of non-vigilance on the other he had a surefire means of getting a one way ticket to Azkaban.

As if that wasn't enough, Argent had gone missing and Booster had left the country until the heat died down. The ministry had raided the offices last week on a hint that Sirius Black had been spotted there looking for a way out of the country or a thief-sneak to get him into Hogwarts. Argent was of course perfect for the job but given all his taunting, Wolf hadn't thought to ask him when he'd had the chance.

The truth of it all though, and Wolf did not admit this even to himself, is that he did not want to kill Neville Longbottom. He knew the boy, hardly old best chums and all, but he knew Neville Longbottom like he knew Solemnity Fields.

The past was myriad pieces of a puzzle and Wolf's past was shrouded in mystery, even from him ...

AN: Sorry girls, kid again ... won't go to sleep, she's teething. BeBackLaterz.

~Otts, there isn't anything I can highlight and comment on this whole post. I start highlighting at the beginning and can't stop with the sentence, because the next one is even better, and then the next and next, and next... So since I can't highlight the whole post, I'll say the first sentence was great, and each one after that was even better. My heart says I like wolf, and I want him to succeed with what he has to do. On the other hand, I certainly don't want him to kill Neville! I can't wait for your next post. And one more thing, before I jump over to Human Nature, I fill badly for your precious baby. Teething is so painful, and what makes it worse is babies don't understand why they hurt so badly. I wish I could hold, and comfort her during this time, but, she is in wonderful hands with her mommy and daddy.

That was waaay too short! Tease! I want more! LOL

No worries, I know the feeling

Yes, that's always good sometimes: non-smart stuff

AHAHHA! The sad thing is I DO like him Well Max Ride at least...she's interesting and Fang

That was meant to be a joke-well, no, I thought it was happening-but I didn't think you would actually write it out for real *tackles you*

Oh, nice catch It would be unfair for Argent to be able to talk...plus Ginny would freak out

Awww! *blushes* You're like, the bestest person ever =D Not to mention 'Ottery St. Catchpole' pops into my head at random moments of the day lol

I have a feeling you're going to do it differently now I've asked

Okay, now I'M in love with Wolf o_O

Brilliant. Here I was thinking he was some kind of traitor, or else that his name implied he was a "hunting wolf". I like that he helps out his fellow wolves.

Poor baby! What a hard life. Just a thought: he deserves better than that snobby Solemnity.

Who doesn't like Neville? Seriously, show me who they are and I'll dot their eye for them grrrrr....

So, Wolfie doesn't remember his own past, hm?

Well, his not wanting to kill mah Nevipoo makes me like him lots.


This too shall pass, Mah Sweet Love...

The past was myriad pieces of a puzzle and Wolf's past was shrouded in mystery, even from him. There were pieces he could recollect, there were pieces that he knew were suspect, and there were large pieces that did not fit because of all the missing pieces of his past. Among the memories he had however was a spring day with Neville Longbottom, by a river with boats and Solemnity Fields. It was a hazy memory but then again that had been a hazy day.

Wolf was just a young cub then, barely ten and visiting an uncle outside of the village of Someting Smeltings renowned for its metalsmiths. New to the place Wolf didn't know any one and the grown ups done with him, occupied themselves with 'catching up' and gossiping about relatives they hadn't seen, places they'd been to, or how such and such had fallen from grace, leaving the young boy with nothing to do. Wolf walked out of the house and wandered around the cottage, and soon grew bored he walked down the country lane eventually following the soft trickling sounds of the rushing water, whereupon boats with gentlemen dressed in white and ladies under large lacy parasols punted downstream. He waved and they waved back as he walked opposite their destination, upstream under the shade of the willow trees.

"I don't think it's very lady like Grandma for you to be driving, maybe you should let Uncle Algie do it," a voice protested softly.

"Nonsense," an older gruffer but feminine voice replied over the sound of sputtering and the occasional pop which Wolf could tell from its many scents was a car.

There was a loud explosion as the boy turned to look and sure enough the muggle car that had been driving down the road with the arguing people came to a stop as the radiator top popped off and the tin lizzie came to a grinding halt.

"Crazy muggles and their noisy contraptions," a voice came from under a willow tree.

Wolf turned away from the country lane and the car parking to the side of the road. He had heard a voice, he was sure, and he could smell the sweet scent of roses and lavender which meant a girl was nearby. A twirling parasol caught his eye as he walked around the tree closer to the river.

"What are you skulking for boy," a young girl addressed him.

"I-I'm not skulking," the werewolf boy replied, his temper getting the better of him. He had growled at the end and he could feel his wolf ears about to pop out of his head.

The girl was clearly rich and snooty sitting on silk cloth in front of a silver tea set by the side of the river. "The rich were all entitled jerks," Wolf thought to himself and made his way to leave.

"Where do you think you're going boy, I'm not done talking to you?" the girl remarked, but Wolf gave her and her tea set no second thought. Instead he jumped over the wooden fence that bordered the country lane and walked over to the people in the tin lizzie. From the looks of them, they were magical folk.

"I don't think you should be doing that Gran," a young boy of Wolf's age was saying, "I could wake up Uncle Algie ..." Wolf could see the flat of a man's feet protruding from the side of the car followed by soft snores and the scent of powerful cologne.

Meanwhile under the car's hood an old lady heaved a very heavy ratchet.

"Never you bother waking up your uncle, Neville Longbottom. He doesn't know the first thing about muggle mobiles. Just leave everything in the capable hands of your Gran," the old lady said imperiously.

Neville blushed at Wolf, standing there in his nice tailored suit, holding a mallet and letting the old lady do all the work. Wolf smiled back in a friendly way and offered to help.

The girl under the willow tree peeked around the trunk of the tree and watched seething in anger.



Connie, you're sweet to say those things ...

Droo, I hadn't meant it as a tease ... seriously, the kids, you have no idea, but I'm glad it worked out that way kind of like this one too, no?

Lari, Non-Smart stuff is the best ... Kelly bought some bodice rippers erm romance novels she wants me to read ... because she wants me to write one ... I know ... Historical romance here I come ...

Kellybear, maybe the clubs next book should be something by that Lyndsey lady you read or Kresly Cole or someone who writes supernatural romance

Neways, the next book will be Alice in Wonderland but the original which has so many fun quotes and I think will shape this fic in funny ways ...

Werecreatures have it rough, makes me love Wolf even more! Sounds like she's got issues needs tending to... or else maybe a crawldad crawled up her bloomers. ... sitting on the ground by the lake and all, it could happen. Probably my favorite part of this post. It confirms my thoughts, I was thinking I liked Wolf. I do Wonderful look back ~Otts. Just as always I loved this post, and I'm watching my mail notices, "you've got mail" oops those are the other guys. Still watching for your next post anyway.

Oh, I do love the post! Though I thought Wolf and Solemnity had a bit more of a history Neville rocks <3

I bet you'll rock at romance...especially 'cause it'll come with so much besides

AN: When in doubt ... play Tales from the Vienna Woods ... *plays the song* We'll have to come back to the flashback and move this story forward, my apologies.

"While I'm disappointed in the loss of the brooch Miss Crandall I am more disappointed in your not feeling the desire to come to me and trust me with your failure," the headmaster exclaimed. He turned an eye to the red haired boy who was about to touch a bowl full of snapdragon dragonsnap licorice, which were these delightful little dragon shaped licorice candies that bit you and spit fire if you didn't eat them fast enough. "Mister Storm! I expect better of you, being older and considerably at that than Miss Crandall."

"What? Ah, no, you see headmaster that stupid cat ... I ... I mean. I'm ... my magic isn't so good in human form and ... well, I meant to turn the statue alive at least for a little bit not to make it explode and when I tried to shut the window I ended up ... causing all the lights in that quarter of the city to ... uhm, explode or go out." This last part he whispered.

The headmaster was not amused. He was not yelling either, but his disappointment in them was clear in his sighs and those usually chipper gleaming eyes which now were dull and sad.

♥


"And one, two, three, one, two, three Mister Longbottom!" "Aim, spell, fire, aim, spell, fire!" Professor Mandelbrot said as Neville waltzed around the room opposite Seamus each trying to stun the other but not being able to miss a step of the waltz.

"I do love Strauss," Dean whispered to Ginny, who smiled politely.

"Now we come to the climax," the Professor explained as he danced opposite Luna Lovegood. They were dancing together but not together holding hands but rather three feet apart. For all the world they were dancing some rondo or other from Elizabethan times but it was merely a fighting waltz as Professor Mandelbrot called it.

Luna bowed her head and closed her eyes as she let herself be taken over by the music. A tear escaped Dean's eyes, which he quickly brushed away as the song slowed down to his favorite part near the end.

"Aim, spell, fire!"

♥

much but at least you know we're still alive and in the game ... and yes, the avvie art is me and it's by me ditto the siggy, can you recognize the superheroes? Give it a go.

~Otts, I love it when we're in Professor Mandelbrot's classroom! It's wonderful! Isn't that generally the way it is though. Young'uns not being able to confide there failures or disappointments to the authority figure in question, especially if great respect is felt for the one being disappointed, this case being the Headmaster. This is my point exactly. How could anyone who respects the man, face the disappointment, and sadness in those eyes.

Great post ~Otts!!!!!!!! I'm so happy to get to read more of your stories. And, I do love your Avitar, and siggies. Thundercats, (one of my favorite cartoons while my children were growing up, btw) and Transformers is the only superheroe's that come to mind.

I agree. GREAT post!

Ahahaha! I love the post! Glad you're back Otters

:sad:

And Prof Mandelbrot's fighting techniques are so cool! I love it!

I ish allllsoooo loving the graphics! You're really good at drawing! I see Superman, no?

Things you need to know for reading this fic:

1) Takes place in HP Year 3!

2) This story is about The Hogwarts Secret Saturday Morning Marxist Reading & Action Adventure Club, which is comprised of the not trio characters of Harry Potter so don't expect Ron, Harry or Hermione as main stars.

3) An evil organization with it's own plans ... perhaps world domination, perhaps the subjugation of the human race, or perhaps giving everyone brochures and tickets to travel to the marvelous land of Xanth ... I ain't tellin' I don't know ... is secretly behind ... uhm, some secret stuff that Dumbledore wants the HSSMMRAAC to find out ... That's a hard acronym to remember.

4) Storm and Calliope are cool!

5) Solemnity Fields has put out a hit as in assassination order on Neville Longbottom (it's a secret) and she's hired a boy (Wolf Hunter) who is not what his name says, to do him in as in dig his grave and put him in it. Simple enough, no? Well, Wolf can't remember his past too well, memory charmed I'm sure! (You should be asking yourself, 'by whom? why? to what end? Does he like licorice?') But he does remember Solemnity (which is funny because she doesn't remember him!) and he also remembers Neville Longbottom ... WTF???!!! Still, don't know so how can I tell?

6) Argent the werecat is in Ginny's possession ...

7) I only post on Saturdays ... when life isn't kicking me between the eyes ...

8) I will finish this fic. Eventually, and epically!

♥

It was a week since the incident in London with Ginny and Neville. Things were of course back to their normal silent dangerous routine. A sort of darkness seemed to pervade the school, with the constant presence of the Dementors, the different houses at war with one another over Harry Potter, the Quidditch Cup and all the usual rubbish. By now of course everyone had become accustomed to the presence of Hunter. It was not surprising to find him curled up on Ginny's lap, begging scraps from the house elves in the kitchen or picking fights with Crookshanks. Still, Ginny loved him, and Neville had named him Mouse Hunter.

Trevor however had not taken to liking the gray haired feline. It was the same with Seamus and Dean, though Luna seemed wary she had an open mind and everyone else at Hogwarts seemed to like him. He had even been found on Draco's lap where the blonde haired boy contentedly petted him out of sight and surprisingly seemed to Ron who'd caught him, calmer than he'd ever seen the temperamental Slytherin.

"The professor seems to have a lot on his mind, you know?" Calliope told Seamus.

The sandy haired boy nodded as he walked next to her. She smiled at him, a pixie grin on a beautiful face, her long dark hair cascading around her soft adorable features. Still a cherubic face in the growing body of a young woman she seemed to constantly engendered these feelings in people of intense attraction. Come Valentine's Day she would have more admirers than Harry Potter had the first year he had been to Hogwarts. It had taken Mr. Filch and a small brigade of house elves about a week to clean up the rooms filled with owls sent to Harry his first year on Valentine's Day from admirers the world over. Calliope simply kept them in an alternate pocket dimension that fit in her purse and just didn't open them, except for those from close friends.

Seamus and Dean however, were both immune to her charms, having succumbed to love's charm themselves. Which is why she loved confiding in the boys. She loved confiding in Storm as well but ... since their unhappy return to school he had been avoiding her.

"You should just talk to him," Dean said from the other side. Seamus and Dean were flanking Calliope as she walked to Potions.

"What?" the girl asked a bit surprised.

"He means, Storm, love," Seamus added helpfully. "Leave off, Dean," the boy said. "Now what were you saying about the professor?"

"The Headmaster, he seems so preoccupied lately. It's as if he's wandering the corridors of his mind as much as the ones of the school. This thing with this missing artifact, this brooch, then this mysterious coven of witches or whatever they are, crime syndicate or whatever."

"And all the nonsense to do with Harry Potter," Seamus added. "I wouldn't want to be in his shoes, fa nothin'."

"Exactly!" Calliope exclaimed.

"I don't know ... I just don't think not talking about a problem fixes it. Don't you agree Seamus?" Dean pressed on.

"What? Do you think I should ask the Headmaster what's going on? What's troubling him?" Calliope asked.

"No, Dean thinks you should talk to Storm but that isn't what we're trying to talk about." Seamus' tone warned at his annoyance.

"What? I'm just trying to help a friend here, maybe you'd be a better friend trying the same thing?" Dean exploded.

"Ah good friend knows when to shut up and not stick his nose in a body's business, doesn't he?" Seamus shot back spiritedly.

Calliope stopped suddenly in the middle of the hall and turned around. Walking behind them discreetly had been Ginny's gray cat. She clutched her books to her chest and sighed. The cat seemed to grin and made to rub against her leg but for some reason she hesitated. Mouse Hunter jumped back and ran down the hall where Mrs. Norris waited for him.

"I don't like that cat," she whispered.

"Honestly, neither do I." A cold dark voice caused a shiver to run down her back. "Now if you wouldn't mind not being late to my class Ms. Calliope!" Came Professor Snape's voice. "And I'm sure you two would do well to find your seats as well!"

The three Gryffindor's rushed into the dark dreary dungeon and got their cauldron's out and ready quickly, their conversations and their speculations left for a latter hour ... when prying ears and beady eyes might not be so keen.

AN: *sighs*

Yes, this doesn't really advance the story very much but ... I'm trying to get back into the swing of regular posts ... please bear with me ...

I love cats. <3

Aww. AWW. *hugs Draco*

[/random]

Don't kid me. O____O

Love this bit. Very well-written.

Classy, in a way. =]

*eyes them*



Me ish glad you hash updated.
But me want more.
Please?

*hugs youu, then skips awayyyyy*

Hey ~Otts, even though it didn't progress the story along as you said, it was a great post to visualize. I was going to comment on the same things Maxie did, but she did so well with them, I'll agree with her on them, and pick some others. This was brilliant because it was written with such a non-shalaunt (don't know how to spell that word) attitude, but the delivery packed a punch. Normal, you think of such things for me was, hating school so much, I'd rather make myself sick to stay home, being disgusted with teachers, and rude kids. Normal for Hogwarts was something else entirely! Dean wanting to help get her to patch things between her and Storm, Seamus wanting them to stay out of her buisness, and let her wonder about other things. These are normal things... Not normal things. Normal for them, but how could they possibly concentrate on their school work is beyond me.
Great post ~Otts. I look forward to regular posts, that'll be great! Been mss'en ya pal.

American woman stay away from me
American woman mama let me be
Don't come a hanging around my door I don't want to see your face no more ...
American Woman by the Guess Who

"There's someone aboard the ship who shouldn't be here, sir," the midshipman exclaimed.

"Oh?" The captain asked perplexed.

"The ships weight, sir. It's off by a few hundred kilos. Just enough that it's one person's weight."

"You keep track of this?"

"Sir, I put a spell on Starry Night, sir."

The Captain did not know what to make of such an industrious midshipman. Where he to punish him for his being so up on his duties it would be demoralizing and punishing him for making the captain look a fool would only make the captain look a bigger oaf. He would have to find another means of avenging himself.

Elsewhere aboard the Starry Night, a spy cautiously walked, wand at the ready through the ships cargo hold. Exactly what it was that the professor wanted he did not know, but rare and dangerous magical artifacts had gone missing lately and someone was going to a lot of trouble to make it look like simple vandalism or outright arson to cover their tracks and they had done a good job of it ... but no one could be invisible or impossible to find forever despite their best efforts. And through judicious eavesdropping because no one would talk out of a great fear, not coaxing, bribing or threatening.

It didn't help any that his mind was occupied with the escapee from Azkaban.

He walked gracefully and silently lopping around the large boxes and items strapped down in the airships cargo hold. The Starry Night did not belong to the Death Eaters as he had first suspected but rather it was the property of the shadow group calling itself Atlas, when it didn't refer to itself as The Shadow Group or the Hellfire Club or by any other myriad number of pseudonyms. They were all one group, though each division seemed to have it's own designation. The better to thwart snoops, the Ministry of Magic, and law enforcement agencies across the globe. They had their hands in everything, from simple muggle racketeering to theft and sales of magical artifacts and forbidden spells.

What exactly was their end game concerning whatever secrets the professor knew, the spy did not know. Greater matters were at hand than he knew or was being told about. Just the same he was happy to help ... even if it was the kind of help that meant risking your life.

He stopped and saw a chest. Opening it just to inspect the contents he saw it filled with jewels, gold, precious stones. For a second he stopped and stared. Such pretty things seldom came across his line of sight, and he was not in a very secure situation financially. If he took one stone or a few coins, they'd never miss them ... and he would be able to take care of himself for a good while on the money. He could sense no spell guarding it. Just a few ... if he could but pocket a few.

Still, it was stolen money, or payment for dirty deeds. There was blood on that treasure as pretty as it was ... and profiting by stealing from treasure that was already tainted ...

The oval steel cargo hold door opened.

He slammed the lid shut harder than he'd wanted. Oh but to have an invisibility cloak right now.

♥

Play us a song we can slow dance on
we want to hug each other
Play us a groove so we hardly move
just let our hearts be together ... oh baby cuz it feels so good when we're close like this whisper in my ear and let me steal a kiss ...
Touch me when we're dancing by Karen "Greatest singer to ever live" Carpenter


*Otty cries* one cuz Kelly's not here so I can't dance with her and two cuz I miss Karen *cries*

"You're a daft oaf," Draco exclaimed angrily. He turned his back, his cloak flapping its wearer's disdain.

"That may be so," the red haired boy replied politely, "but by comparison to you I'm a genius." He had delivered it with all the calm and gentility that Draco had not, blustering with anger and the affected affrontery of the wealthy.

"Pedant!"

"Ogre snot."

The gryffindors, and Hufflepuffs in the hallway laughed at that. Storm turned his attention back to the book he was reading, ignoring everyone's snickering and Draco's mounting rage.

Draco, who could not stomach public humiliation in the slightest and could control his rage even less, especially after a run in with Harry, took out his wand and fired off a spell. With a swiftness that defied logic, Storm had deflected the spell. Except that the blast had not hit anything.

The grey haired cat watched him. The boy's wand hand was empty. He was holding nothing in it and his other hand still held the book. Storm shut the book one-handedly and set the book down on his bench and stood up.

"Go away Draco before I get ..."

The Slytherin foolishly fired another spell and this time the boy knocked it down to the floor with a spell from his wand.

"If you want a duel," and again Draco fired another spell. The Slytherin was obviously not in a talkative mood. This time Storm ducked and Neville, who had been standing behind him, sneezed violently. Storm turned to look. Poor Neville had gotten the pepper blast full on his face. The boy started sneezing uncontrollably. "Fine!" Storm said angrily.

Ginny was trying to hold Neville back, his sneezes were becoming more and more violent causing him to slam into the wall.

"I don't think we want to be here," Luna said.

"I think you're right," Calliope standing next to her said. She grabbed the Ravenclaw girl by the arm and pulled her away.

"Hey what's going on, Gin?" Ron asked walking up. Standing next to him Ottery was on cloud nine, then suddenly seeing the look on Storm's face he grabbed the red haired boy and pushed him out of the hall and then came back for Ginny and Neville.

"Otts what the devil?" Ron complained as they were all suddenly knocked down by the power of a concussion blast.

♥

"Mr. Filch was not happy, Mr. Storm. Having to retrieve students from the roof of a lower tower. It isn't easy work. Mr. Filch can't ride a broom and he's not fond of rock climbing," the Headmaster scolded good naturedly.

Fawkes cried out as if agreeing.

Storm could see the twinkle in Dumbledore's eye and swallowed his question, already knowing the answer to his queery. "Why hadn't one of the teachers just levitated him into the castle?"

"I see you've caught the angle of my argument, but that still does not excuse your actions. You know perfectly well that your powers are vastly stronger than most students and even some professor's here." Professor Dumbledore stood up and started pacing around his desk.

"I do know that sir, it's just ... Draco attacked me, unprovoked. He'd slammed into my book while I was reading and ... then trying to hit me he'd hit Neville and ... and ... it's so difficult being a human and Calliope won't talk to me and ... that stupid cat ... I didn't mean to lose the brooch," Storm was not happy. He glanced at the floor unable to look at the professor in the face, ashamed at his human weaknesses. Being in a human form gave him so many different human feelings and it overwhelmed him sometimes. His nature did not lend itself to being so open about his feelings and thoughts. A tear rolled down his eye.

"What's done is done, Mr. Storm. You should not worry so much about things that can't be helped. In future we will have opportunity to rectify our mistakes," Professor Dumbledore said, placing his hand on the boy's shoulder.

"What mistakes have you made, sir?" the boy asked innocently, his curiosity getting the better of his judgement.

With that Dumbledore merely smiled, "Have a peppermint pop, they give you ice breath for a few minutes. They're actually quite good too."

Storm walked out of Professor Dumbledore's office, unscathed and without detention but not without a sliver of sadness to tinge his good luck. Calliope was still not talking to him, and he didn't know what he'd done to make her angry. All he wanted to do was ... well, there had been happier times in their adventures.

"Dance with me, Storm," she'd said.

"What? I can't ... I don't know how you humans do it. Besides, there's no music."

"So long as your heart beats there's music," she'd said and taken his hands in her hands and she'd hummed a pretty song.

Storm looked around as he walked out of the gargoyle's way and the stone beast settled itself back in front of the hidden stairway. Calliope was nowhere to be seen.

Meanwhile back in the Headmaster's office a figure walked out of the shadows and petted Fawkes.

"Oh Fawkes," he exclaimed swinging his hand trying to soothe the burn. Never pet a burning phoenix.

"I called you back because I need you to keep an eye on him. He's young and he needs friends. I was hoping ..."

"I know, I know. I'm totally familiar with the whole too much power and not enough experience scenerio," the boy replied. "I'll watch him for ya boss."

Dumbledore nodded and handed him the bowl of peppermint pops. He had an affinity for candy.

~Otts, I'm so intrigued and need to read more. Calliope and Storm need to get back to gether. It's so sad for Storm to be so sad, and not even know the reason. Poor Neville, he seems to be hit with the worst luck. Hope his sneezing spell stops soon. Racking my brain trying to think if this is someone we know. I'm glad Dumbledore has someone to watch Storm. And I'm trying to think who is Ginny's cat? Oh wait a minute!!!! I think I remember. I'll have to run down to the butcher shop and sniff around. Going to re-read this story, and get my facts straight. Great post ~Otts! I love this so much!

You'[re sweet Conners for still reading. I barely have time to write this story ...

Neways, you've already seen the character that Dumbledore was speaking too, I'm thinking you guessed the spy ... *pouts* I had kind of hoped I was being vague and mysterious, but obviously not.

Use my links if you're going to reread the story Conners, it'll make it a faster read, you can skip all the chatter. Here goes *runs into action to a very speedy soundtrack*

♥

Let go ...
Let the world know you're alive,
let the world know you believe
let the world know you have love to give ...
song by Astrud Gilberto

The walls were crumbling around them. The walls of Hogwarts were falling apart. Pushing through the clouds of dust rushing past all the debris a dark haired boy coughed, "gah, this is seriously bad for my sinuses."

Ginny looked at the boy. "But what about Mouse Hunter?" she asked.

"Gin, love, seriously ... I'm sure the cat can take care of itself," Ottery assured her. "We've got to get you somewhere safe."

Out of the swirling dust in front of them a blonde haired boy appeared, coughing and sputtering wand at the ready. He pointed it at them. Ginny went for hers but Ottery pushed her out of the way just as the boy fired off a spell.

From the ground Ottery heard the sound of a spell slapping against steal. He turned to see a gold automaton, all gears and clanking steel a giant broadsword in hand, he doubted anyone but that mechanical heap could pick such a heavy thing up. In a split second he was up and pushing Ginny away from him as the sword came slashing down. The boy screamed as it sliced his back.

"Ottery!" Ginny screamed catching the boy as he fell into her arms.

Draco removed a vial from his person and flung it at the monstrosity the acid burning through it's metal chest. The acrid smell of steel burning in the air.

Elsewhere in the castle, Ernie and Hannah ran down the halls firing off spells left and right as the demons attacked. Peeves pointed the way to an escape.

"Thanks Peeves," Ernie replied as he tried catching his breath.

The demons tore the door down and as they turned to run Hannah screamed. Fire demons were coming from the other side of the hall, they were surrounded.

"Where are all the teachers?!" Ernie yelled.

Peeves tried pelting the fire demons with chalk all to no avail. Hannah tried a few water spells but that only slowed them down. Ernie meanwhile was trying to find a way to fend off the other demons but ... if he could only remember that capturing spell Professor Lupin had been trying to teach them.

gotta pick up Kevin at the bus stop more laterz ... try and guess, no?

Yes, but sometimes you sneak a clue in the replies. I might miss something. OTTERY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You actually took my breath away. I know it's just a story, but still it was a shock. You'll make yourself all better right. You won't kill yourself off right?! Someone told me just recently that you get killed off to many times. You no I will. I have to do more research before I guess though. An awesome post ~Otts! I'm lov'en all the posts lately.

Loved the new post Otts!

Aaaaaaaaaaaah yessssssssssss I'm loving the action posts Otts Been feeling in the mood for this kind of thing: spies, magic and swords

Needless to say....I LOVE IT!

and Calliope and Storm are majorly cool

Connie: *Smoochiesglomps* You're too sweet, Conners, but more often than not I throw in uhm, misdirections in my replies. or maybe I guise the truth in the midst of lies

Droo: I'm glad. I felt guilty that I've been neglecting my story ... I lost my muse amidst all the drama and craziness in my life right now ...

Obi-Wan: I'm thinking this story needs more action and more epic, considering that's the thread we're in, you know? Hope you like ... and did everyone guess the spy? I suck at misdirection

♥

Peeves tried pelting the fire demons with chalk all to no avail. Hannah tried a few water spells but that only slowed them down. Ernie meanwhile was trying to find a way to fend off the other demons but ... if he could only remember that capturing spell Professor Lupin had been trying to teach them.

A piece of chalk rolled away and as Peeves made to grab it he noticed it was next to Neville's foot.

"Shouldn't you be running away, Longbottom?" he asked meanly. "The bogies'll get ya!"

"I-I-I-I'm not running," the boy said. He picked up the chalk and started scribbling on the castle room floor.

"Neville what are you doing?" Ernie asked, "We need to get out of here! Our spells aren't doing anything to them."

The Gryffindor boy ignored him, Hannah cast a shield spell as the demons started lobbing candelabras at the boy, but still Neville drew the pentagram and the array slowly whispering to himself the instructions lest he make a mistake.

"I got it!" he said, in time to get hit on the face with a shield.

"Accio swords!" Ernie said, taking those from the demons before they chose to come at them with the weapons.

"Got what, Neville?" Hannah asked.

But Neville didn't answer, wiping some blood on his hand from the cut on his forehead he sat up and jumped at the pentagram on the floor. The demons saw it but too late. Neville whispered the magic words and the array lit up and a portal opened above it leading to a dark netherworld. The demons tried to run, they grabbed at anything they could scratching the walls and the floor in a mad desperate bid to remain in this plane of existence but all for naught as the magical force that summoned them was too great. Peeves was holding onto a chandelier for dear life even as the thing became loosened and swung ever closer to the portal.

"Shut it off Wetbottom! Shut it up! I promise I'll never ever pick on you again!" the poltergeist exclaimed.

As the last demon entered the gate Neville smeared the chalky drawing and his blood and sealed the gate with a magic word.

Peeves sighed in relief, "A promise made under duress doesn't count," he said to them as they watched him and two seconds later it came crashing to the floor. They walked out leaving Peeves crying on the chandelier.



She was laughing. For all the world to hear, she was laughing. It was a laughter that was infectious, it was a laughter that was delightful, it was a laughter that made you feel like you were ten years old again, it was a laughter of ... well a laughter of sheer utter joy and love. And she was laughing it.

Storm smiled to see her laugh, his wand flicking left and right like an orchestra conductor directing a symphony, the melody of his magic floating through the air as a demon slammed into a wall here, or a golem burst into flames, or a mechanical man came to a grinding halt.

Whoever's automatons and demons they were they were not very good, and really they didn't pose much of a threat in themselves but it was their numbers. Though that didn't matter to them. Storm and Calliope had weathered worse attacks together. Oh how he longed to shed these constricting human robes and tear the guise that held him back as a human. To be in his true form he would show them all ...

Still, she was laughing. And to hear her laughing that way again, was worth any discomfort. It lightened his heart in a way nothing else could.

"You're too slow old man," she said blasting the head off a steam powered robot that had been walking up behind him.

He smiled at her sweetly. With a wave of her wand she called up a tidal wave and flooded the rest of the hallway clearing it of golems and demons, the hiss of water dissipating as it struck against hot metal engine men the only thing left after it had washed through the hall. The magic water causing them to rust in place even as their precious warm engines cooled off.

"Die beast," someone said, and Storm turned in time to see a boy about fifteen in a dark cloak coming at him, one hand open ready for a spell, wand in the other the boy ran up between them and buried his sword in the boy's chest.

"Alex!" Calliope screamed.



And that's all for now cuz I'm evil. Alex btw is Storm's first name ... in human form.

You don't post for ages, and then you post LOADS in half a week. You remind me of -- myself. xD

Oooh! I can SMELL the thrill, from a mile off!

Whoa! Vair ingenious!



I wonder where this is going. *eyes*

*falls over*



For some reason, I can't see anyone getting the better of Draco, not where comebacks are concerned. Or maybe it's just that the Draco I write - and read extensively - is phenomenal with sarcasm?

And calm. Cold, but very calm.

*ponders*

Once again, I disagree. I see him as a person who knows, more than most other people, how to mask his true emotions; and not let anyone see, except for anger sometimes, what he feels.

But then again, 'tis your Draco. I can't say I like him, though. He's very far from the Draco I see reflected in the books, and the Draco I read, write, imagine -- and love<3.



*petpets Mr. Filch* =[

Aww. AWWW!



I laiiik Dumbledore. You get his character, quite well.

AND! I lub the Otts, and shall read more, soon.

=]

~Otts, I love the brilliance you gave Neville, and I love that Neville, allthough waited till the last one went through the portal, shut it so Peeves woudn't go through. And I LOVE that Peeves character didn't change when he was safe. Neville knew he wouldn't though huh.

Couldn't find any spell that Lupin was trying to teach them, so it must be one from the book? I have a theary, but will have to check it to make sure.

Yes, I think I know who the spy is, and that is brillient logic in your writing, if I'm correct. Which I know better than to say who I think it is. Nobody likes spoiled milk right? And besides the great and powerful Otts probibly has a contingency plan he can use if anyone guesses correctly. :choochoo:wreck! First Ottery, now Storm. They're ok ~Otts? You'll make them ok?

Mandlebrot should be proud of Neville, he didn't learn that piece of magic in Herbalogy I bet. Probibly from one of the books they reviewed in the bookclub. yes? sniff (still upset about Storm and Ottery)

Great post! ~Otts, I'll always be here. Be a pal, and post quickly!

I am loving this story! It's ok... the muse comes, and it goes...