{ For the Hearts You Break: Version One }
For the Hearts You Break
GOF; Minerva McGonagall, Raithe McIntyre
She didn't trust him as far as she could throw him.
Quotidian Anathema (Part II)
The November wind was freezing and passed easily through the thick wool of Raithe's robes, sending his too-long black hair flying back from his forehead. He and Ginny had left together, and were in the stadium huddled as close as was appropriate. The younger girl was shivering dramatically, and Raithe noticed with considerable alarm that her lips were turning a light shade of blue. He reached into his robe pocket for his wand and waved it in a concave arc around Ginny's shoulders. The warming charm had immediate effect, and he was granted a small smile of appreciation.
"Cheers," Ginny said, though she continued to blow lightly into her hands. "I hope this is over with quickly."
Raithe nodded, his blue-grey eyes scanning the crowd in search of the unmistakable swirl of emerald green. She was not in the stands where the other teachers, nor was she near the man wearing robes that perhaps may have fitted him in a former life, but now made him look like an overweight bee; pathetic for a man of his age. Raithe sniffed somewhat haughtily; perhaps it was his upbringing (his father considered dress-robes 'too casual',) but he'd been raised to look at least somewhat dignified. Even his school robes were tailored so they fitted his lean form perfectly.
"Who is that imbecile?" he asked Ginny, leaning down to speak into the shorter girl's ear and pointing toward the man who was now bouncing on his feet.
Ginny followed his line of vision and gave a small laugh. "Ludo Bagman," she shouted above the roar of the crowd who were jostling around them. "He used to be a Beater."
"I see," Raithe responded, his eyes still narrowed at the idiotic looking man.
The red-head opened her mouth to say something else, but was hit in the shoulder by a younger boy, perhaps about fifteen, who was built like a boulder. A slighter boy, with platinum blonde hair sneered as Ginny fell back, only Raithe's quick reflexes preventing her from falling to the ground.
"Move over, ickle Ginny," he said scathingly.
Ginny looked ready to cry as she righted herself, and made to squeeze past Raithe, but he gripped her shoulders lightly to stop her, and held her protectively toward him. The blonde boy looked upward, his nose wrinkling theatrically.
"Consorting with other mud-bloods like Granger?" he said, smirking as his two comrades guffawed. "I can smell his stench from here."
Raithe smiled coldly, and kept one hand on Ginny's shoulder whilst he extended the other towards the Malfoy boy. Oh, yes, he knew who the pointy-faced teenager was in front of him; Lucius Malfoy's spawn who was every bit as arrogant as his father.
"Raithe McIntyre," he said, his voice chillier than the wind that whipped around them.
The boy's face paled until it resembled chalk. The name 'McIntyre' was well-known in elite pure-blood circles; both for the vast amount of money the family commanded, but also for the family's ... treatment of any who insulted either them, or those close to them. Raithe's particular favourite was his great-aunt Millicent, who hung a man who called her daughter a 'harlot' (the fact it was the truth was beside the point) by his own entrails.
"Draco Malfoy," the boy said eventually, swallowing nervously as he shook Raithe's hand limply.
"Draco," Raithe said with feigned cheerfulness. "Ginny and I were quite happy until you cursed us with your presence." He suppressed the urge to smirk as pink marks of indignation appeared on Draco's cheeks. "Now, do run along," he continued, adding a 'shoo-ing' motion for effect.
The two boys either side of Draco shuffled nervously as their 'leader' held an internal battle. He could leave and be shame-faced in front of a Weasley, or he could stay within in the presence of Raithe, who could potentially be as psychopathic as some of his other family members.
"Let's go," he said sullenly, not looking at Raithe's face, but rather at Ginny who Raithe still held closely. "We can get Weasley later," he added, at an attempt at bravado.
Raithe released Ginny as he reached out and pulled Draco toward him, his long, pale fingers curling in the black material of the boy's robes. "Come near her again and suffer my ... displeasure ..." he hissed, injecting a small amount of threat into his voice. "Are we understood?"
Draco nodded immediately as Raithe released him, turned quickly and hurried the opposite way, his cronies following behind looking somewhat confused. Raithe smirked and watched his retreating figure until Ginny stood in front of him, her vivid red hair immediately capturing his attention.
"How did you do that?" she demanded, a mixture of thanks and annoyance on her adolescent features.
"Do what?" Raithe asked, turning to the front as a blue-grey dragon was led into the arena below to raucous applause.
"Stop Malfoy!" Ginny shouted above the din.
Raithe said nothing, merely winking at her as Ludo Bagman pointed his wand at his throat as a tall boy (the first Hogwarts Champion, Cedric Diggory) strode out confidently from a white tent which presumably held all four Triwizard contestants. The dragon reared to its full height as Cedric continued forward, his face paling as he stepped closer. A burst of flame from the dragon forced Cedric to dive sideways and roll almost immediately. The boy waved his wand, and the rock he was crouching behind became a Labrador which promptly ran in the opposite direction, away from the great beast.
Not a bad Transfiguration, Raithe conceded as the dog continued to sprint away from the bursts of fire. Though surely another dragon would have made things much more interesting, though that would be an extremely difficult spell, one that only those with great skill in Transfigurations could perform; like Hogwarts' Deputy Headmistress for example. He looked away from the scene below, and to the teachers stands once more. Ahh...there she was.
Minerva McGonagall looked far different from her usual unflappable self; her skin was pale and clammy and ... Raithe reached into his robes again and retrieved his omnioculars from his other pocket and held them to his eyes. With the more focused lens he could see faint beads of sweat along her hair-line and the half-moon indentations from where she had been pressing her nails into the skin of her cheeks. It was then that Raithe realised that Ginny was tugging on his sleeve and jumping up-and-down as the crowd around him clapped thunderously. Cedric had apparently retrieved the egg.
"How cool was that?!" a chubby-boy said three seats down from him. The girl with bushy-hair whom Raithe had seen with Harry Potter nodded distractedly, her eyes were focused on the white tent rather than on Cedric who was putting out the flames that had captured his robes and part of his hair.
"Who's that girl?" he asked Ginny who had re-assumed some semblance of dignity and was now clapping reservedly.
She glanced where he had gestured. "Hermione Granger," she said succinctly. "Hogwarts' resident know-it-all." She paused for a moment and a grin played at the corners of her lips. "You and her would get along famously."
Raithe pretended to look affronted. "I only have one real skill, Ginevra," he said, grinning as Ginny wrinkled her nose at her hated first-name. "And that is Transfigurations. All other forms of magic I have no real interest in."
Ginny rolled her eyes and joined in with the general applause as the Beauxbatons Champion sauntered into the quidditch pitch, her waist-length hair billowing behind her. Raithe quickly brought his omnioculars to his eyes once again, ignoring the blonde girl as she cast some sort of sleeping charm (amateurish in Raithe's opinion) and re-focused on Minerva McGonagall.
She looked slightly less anxious and accepted a glass of water from the sallow-faced man who had escorted Raithe from the Astronomy Tower that morning. He touched Minerva's arm briefly, earning himself a small smile which made Raithe's blood boil.
Who was this man?
Raithe adjusted his omnioculars as he focused on the Professor's face. His features looked oddly familiar, and Raithe was sure that he'd seen him before; as to where he'd seen him however was an entirely different matter. He was a few years younger than his father, who had recently celebrated his fortieth birthday, but the lines on his face hinted at one who had seen or ... committed atrocities.... Raithe's line of thought trailed off as his mind misted with images of his fourth birthday. Bellatrix was holding his shoulder tightly as she spoke to a man dressed all in black who glanced dismissively at Raithe before turning his attentions back to his aunt.
"Bellatrix, it is not appropriate to take a child on a muggle-hunt!"
"Raithe is no ordinary child!"
The hook-nosed man had sneered and knelt down before Raithe who glared at him.
"He'd be terrified, Bellatrix. All of that screaming..."
"Raithe isn't scared of anything, Severus. Like his Aunt."
Bellatrix had moved Raithe in front of him so both of her hands rested on his shoulders; much like his protective hold on Ginny. The man rose so that they were at eye-level (Bellatrix was tall for a woman; perhaps an inch taller than Minerva). Finally, he nodded.
"You're sure he can handle it?"
"Raithe, what's the incantation for the Cruciatus Curse?"
"Crucio!"
Yes, the hook-nosed man and the Professor were one and the same. Raithe smirked. What a pity he didn't take Potions...
"Oh, Merlin! She's going to be killed!"
Ginny's shriek broke Raithe's ruminations and he turned his attentions to the centre of the pitch where the Veela-girl was casting a fire-repelling charm as she ran forward toward the cluster of eggs. Raithe leant forward, impressed by the girl's magical ability and her bravery. Not many would even consider running toward a fully-grown dragon with only a charm between them.
"No, I don't think she will ..." Raithe said reassuringly to Ginny as the girl snatched the egg underneath her arm and ran backward.
The charm gave out as she neared a rock barrier, and she dived behind, narrowly avoiding a burst of flame. The dragon-handlers swooped into the arena and quickly subdued the furious animal as the girl rose shakily to her feet, holding the egg aloft. Raithe joined everyone else in the clapping. Her performance was far superior to Cedric's. At least she had the gall to run forward facing the dragon, not waiting for it to be distracted by a dog.
Yes, he mused. He rather liked Miss Fleur Delacour.
Ginny exhaled at length as she turned back to Raithe who was still examining Fleur as she awaited her point scores from the judges.
"You're not going to be like my brother, are you?" she said despairingly, watching Fleur as she bowed to each of the judges in turn before making her way to the make-shift medi-tent.
"Which is?" Raithe asked, lowering his omnioculars and turning his attention to the red-haired girl.
"Become like a drooling idiot every time she walks past," Ginny said succinctly.
"No," Raithe said laughing. "She's not my type."
Ginny eyed him skeptically. "A beautiful, intelligent girl is not your type?"
Raithe nodded. "Just not that particular beautiful, intelligent girl. I have ... different tastes."
Snorting Ginny returned joined in the general applause as the surly Krum boy marched into the pitch, his mouth set in its usual scowl. Raithe immediately looked to the teachers' stands. He could hear the squealing of girls behind him and caught snippets of 'I hope he doesn't get hurt!', 'Isn't he just gorgeous!' but ignored them as he refocused toward Minerva. To his surprise he found a pair of bright sapphire eyes looking directly back at him.
The Headmaster held his gaze and Raithe felt the faint chords of leglimency coursing through his mind. He growled furiously under his breath, erecting his impenetrable Occlumency walls. Dumbledore looked somewhat shocked at the force of Raithe's mind barrier and his eyebrows furrowed as he turned to Severus. He could see them whispering and both the Headmaster and the Head of Slytherin's eyes flickered toward him. Snape stared directly at him and nodded once sharply, his fingers curling into a fist.
Raithe lowered his omnioculars and handed them to Ginny as he sat down. She took them with a small smile of appreciation and turned back, leaving Raithe to his thoughts. His brow furrowed as he bit the inside of his cheek. He had never been under the illusion that Dumbledore was a 'good man' like the majority of the wizarding world, Bellatrix had put a stop to that almost immediately.
"He's powerful, Raithe, of that you should be certain. And the Dark Lord fears him, that is true despite what he says, but one thing Albus Dumbledore isn't, Raithe, is a good man. He manipulates everyone he comes into contact with, and unless you fight back he'll draw you into his web. I should know, boy, he almost ensnared me..."
She had never specifically told him what exactly her relationship with Albus Dumbledore had been; it was the only subject she refused to answer questions about, and consequently the one he was most curious to know. For Bellatrix Lestrange to be almost ... frightened of someone made them very interesting indeed.
He was torn from his memories as the crowd began to clap once more as the dragon let out a shriek of agony and Raithe looked over to find the great beast staggering backward, it's eyes clenched shut. It trampled over the eggs and some of the crowd laughed appreciatively, making Raithe want to hurt them. A precious creature like a dragon should never be injured at the hands of humans, and should certainly never be laughed at. A harsh bark of laughter escaped from his throat as the Fireball righted itself and glared down at Krum who was slouching away, the golden egg tucked under his arm. With a roar that echoed around the stadium, it jetted flames at his retreating figure, the Bulgarian's robes catching alight until it appeared as if his entire body was on fire. An apt punishment in Raithe's mind.
The dragon-handlers were having a hard time restraining the Chinese Fireball as it kept trying to lunge after Krum who had been doused in water and led to the medi-tent. Finally, twelve stunners later, the beast was unconscious, and it and the remaining eggs were placed in a large crate and levitated out of the stadium whilst the final, and apparently most vicious dragon was brought inside, snarling and biting.
Raithe smirked to himself; Harry Potter versus a Hungarian Horntail? This was bound to be interesting.
--
Minerva placed the glass of water that Severus had given her on the table behind her and glanced to her right to find him and Dumbledore deep in conversation. Both of their gazes kept flickering to the stands and she followed their line of vision only to find the reason for her recent...troubles to be their focus. Raithe McIntyre was sitting next to Ginevra Weasley who was on her feet, cheering wildly as Harry Potter entered the stadium, his face taunt and mouth set in a grim line. The McIntyre lad was oddly ... still, more so than usual, and he leant back in his chair, the smooth skin of his forehead furrowed in contemplation.
What exactly his thoughts were, Minerva wasn't sure she wanted to know. Bellatrix Lestrange's nephew; she conceded that she should have recognised the aura of arrogance he exuded; it was identical to the superior posture of Bellatrix's when she had been a student. Even as a first-year none had dared to cross her; not since a fourth-year boy who had made a snide comment concerning her eyes awoke to find Bellatrix crouched over him, an emerald encrusted dagger held against his jugular vein. Her words became known throughout Hogwarts during her entire tenure within the castle.
"There are certain ... things I wish to make very clear to you. I have brains, beauty and a great deal of money; you are scum in comparison to me. You, my pathetic friend, have nothing but a large mouth and from the wetness I can feel beneath my knee, very poor bladder control. Fuck with me again and I'll slit your throat so fast you won't even be able to scream. Are we clear?"
Minerva's eyes narrowed as she continued to study him. His blue-grey eyes had darkened to the point his pupils were indistinguishable from his irises, and an involuntary chill ran down her spine. She recognised that look; Bellatrix wore it when she was angered by someone or something.
A blur of black broke her train of increasingly morbid cogitations and she watched as Harry Potter flew past her on his Firebolt, twisting and turning in the air as he avoided the sporadic fire from the Horntail. Not bad for a fourteen-year-old; quite ingenious if she were completely honest with herself. Harry dove between the dragon's legs and emerged relatively unscathed, holding the egg up proudly in his hands toward the crowd who stamped and cheered (or hissed and booed in the case of the Slytherins).
"I'll get him" Minerva said to no one in particular, turning and squeezing through her colleagues and rushing onto the pitch.
Hermione Granger was behind her, along with Ronald Weasley, but Minerva's longer gait ensured she reached the Potter boy first. As she placed a hand on his shoulder, she felt eyes on her person, and glanced up toward the crowd, knowing instinctively where to look. She spoke, but did not know what she was saying as she held Raithe McIntyre's gaze, only looking away when he rose to his feet and walked away, Ginny Weasley dragging him through the crowds of students milling about the entrance.
She stopped short as Potter entered the medi-tent and walked slowly toward the Great Hall; her mind not focused on the students who jostled around her, all talking excitedly among themselves, but rather on the memory of a pair of blue-grey eyes. A particularly large Slytherin collided with her shoulder, sending her toward the ground. As she twisted her torso, hands stretching out to steady her fall, she felt a pair of arms snake around her waist, pulling her upright. She knew even before she turned who her 'saviour' was, and looked upward to find Raithe McIntyre's startling eyes looking down at her in concern.
"Are you all right, Professor?" he asked, his hands still lingering on her waist.
Minerva stepped back, holding herself with a composure she didn't feel. "Yes, thank you, Mister..."
Any further words stuck in her throat like glue as the young man reached out and tucked an errant lock of hair behind her ear. She leaned into his touch for a brief moment, and a small smile tugged at his lips before she came to her senses and stepped back once again. The two merely stared at each other until they were interrupted by Ginny Weasley who tugged on Raithe's sleeve, seemingly unaware of the short moment of sensuality between student and Professor.
"Raithe," the girl said, her voice shrill with excitement. "C'mon, there's a celebration in the Common Room."
Minerva cleared her throat, inclined her head toward the two and hurried away, her robes flaring in her wake. His fingers had been cool against her skin, yet not icy enough for discomfort. They had been ... perfect. Heat flooded to her cheeks and she closed her eyes briefly, dispelling that alarming notion.
Why did he affect her so?
She halted at the doors leading to the corridor and turned back. The black-haired youth's eyes met hers and she watched as he held his hand outstretched toward her for a brief moment. From where she stood it was almost like an invitation to dance ... As quickly as he reached for her, he withdrew his hand and with a final glance her way, walked in the opposite direction toward the Gryffindor Tower.
Minerva closed her eyes. How did he know that she loved to dance...?
--
Raithe closed his eyes as he crossed his arms behind his head and looked upward at the ceiling. Almost immediately he was taken to the Great Hall where Minerva McGonagall stood, leaning against the wall of the Hall, her grey eyes focused intently on his. Gone however were the heavy teaching robes, to be replaced with a crimson dress, the colour of blood, making her his Snow White.
...Hair black as ebony, skin white as snow, lips red as blood...
He held his hand out toward her, a silent invitation to dance, and her lips curved in a half-moon as she nodded and walked to him, her movements those of a liquid sensuality most women dreamed of achieving, but never could. She raised her hand and entwined her fingers with his as he drew her closer, his other hand pressing lightly on her waist as she placed an elegant hand on his shoulder. Then...then they began to dance; a slow waltz around the empty Great Hall lit only by moon which hovered above in the enchanted ceiling, bathing the would-be lovers in its dim light. They danced, round and round until he began to laugh in the sheer rapture of it all; holding the slight woman in his arms. She looked at his, puzzled for a brief moment, before joining him in his laughter until both hers and his echoed in the Hall, blending with the crescendo of the music. To his disappointment, the music began to fade, and they eventually drew to a halt, still holding each other tightly.
She looked upward, biting her bottom lip until a drop of crimson blood burst forth. Raithe raised his thumb, and brushed along the corner of her mouth and just below her bottom lip. Taking confidence when she didn't draw back from his touch, he leant forward until he could feel her breath against his lips. She still didn't shy away, and her lips parted beneath his as he inched forward even further, closing his eyes to savour the sensation...
Bang!
Raithe's eyes snapped open, along with the door to his dorm and the four other occupants staggered inside, the stench of fire-whiskey evident even from Raithe's relatively far distance away. He growled softly in annoyance and turned onto his side as the four boys collapsed onto their beds, grunting what they deemed 'words' at each other. Raithe sneered and cast a silencing charm around his bed.
Would they ruin everything? These pathetic ... adolescents?
Chapter 1 / Chapter 2 / Chapter 3
GOF; Minerva McGonagall, Raithe McIntyre
She didn't trust him as far as she could throw him.
Quotidian Anathema (Part II)
The November wind was freezing and passed easily through the thick wool of Raithe's robes, sending his too-long black hair flying back from his forehead. He and Ginny had left together, and were in the stadium huddled as close as was appropriate. The younger girl was shivering dramatically, and Raithe noticed with considerable alarm that her lips were turning a light shade of blue. He reached into his robe pocket for his wand and waved it in a concave arc around Ginny's shoulders. The warming charm had immediate effect, and he was granted a small smile of appreciation.
"Cheers," Ginny said, though she continued to blow lightly into her hands. "I hope this is over with quickly."
Raithe nodded, his blue-grey eyes scanning the crowd in search of the unmistakable swirl of emerald green. She was not in the stands where the other teachers, nor was she near the man wearing robes that perhaps may have fitted him in a former life, but now made him look like an overweight bee; pathetic for a man of his age. Raithe sniffed somewhat haughtily; perhaps it was his upbringing (his father considered dress-robes 'too casual',) but he'd been raised to look at least somewhat dignified. Even his school robes were tailored so they fitted his lean form perfectly.
"Who is that imbecile?" he asked Ginny, leaning down to speak into the shorter girl's ear and pointing toward the man who was now bouncing on his feet.
Ginny followed his line of vision and gave a small laugh. "Ludo Bagman," she shouted above the roar of the crowd who were jostling around them. "He used to be a Beater."
"I see," Raithe responded, his eyes still narrowed at the idiotic looking man.
The red-head opened her mouth to say something else, but was hit in the shoulder by a younger boy, perhaps about fifteen, who was built like a boulder. A slighter boy, with platinum blonde hair sneered as Ginny fell back, only Raithe's quick reflexes preventing her from falling to the ground.
"Move over, ickle Ginny," he said scathingly.
Ginny looked ready to cry as she righted herself, and made to squeeze past Raithe, but he gripped her shoulders lightly to stop her, and held her protectively toward him. The blonde boy looked upward, his nose wrinkling theatrically.
"Consorting with other mud-bloods like Granger?" he said, smirking as his two comrades guffawed. "I can smell his stench from here."
Raithe smiled coldly, and kept one hand on Ginny's shoulder whilst he extended the other towards the Malfoy boy. Oh, yes, he knew who the pointy-faced teenager was in front of him; Lucius Malfoy's spawn who was every bit as arrogant as his father.
"Raithe McIntyre," he said, his voice chillier than the wind that whipped around them.
The boy's face paled until it resembled chalk. The name 'McIntyre' was well-known in elite pure-blood circles; both for the vast amount of money the family commanded, but also for the family's ... treatment of any who insulted either them, or those close to them. Raithe's particular favourite was his great-aunt Millicent, who hung a man who called her daughter a 'harlot' (the fact it was the truth was beside the point) by his own entrails.
"Draco Malfoy," the boy said eventually, swallowing nervously as he shook Raithe's hand limply.
"Draco," Raithe said with feigned cheerfulness. "Ginny and I were quite happy until you cursed us with your presence." He suppressed the urge to smirk as pink marks of indignation appeared on Draco's cheeks. "Now, do run along," he continued, adding a 'shoo-ing' motion for effect.
The two boys either side of Draco shuffled nervously as their 'leader' held an internal battle. He could leave and be shame-faced in front of a Weasley, or he could stay within in the presence of Raithe, who could potentially be as psychopathic as some of his other family members.
"Let's go," he said sullenly, not looking at Raithe's face, but rather at Ginny who Raithe still held closely. "We can get Weasley later," he added, at an attempt at bravado.
Raithe released Ginny as he reached out and pulled Draco toward him, his long, pale fingers curling in the black material of the boy's robes. "Come near her again and suffer my ... displeasure ..." he hissed, injecting a small amount of threat into his voice. "Are we understood?"
Draco nodded immediately as Raithe released him, turned quickly and hurried the opposite way, his cronies following behind looking somewhat confused. Raithe smirked and watched his retreating figure until Ginny stood in front of him, her vivid red hair immediately capturing his attention.
"How did you do that?" she demanded, a mixture of thanks and annoyance on her adolescent features.
"Do what?" Raithe asked, turning to the front as a blue-grey dragon was led into the arena below to raucous applause.
"Stop Malfoy!" Ginny shouted above the din.
Raithe said nothing, merely winking at her as Ludo Bagman pointed his wand at his throat as a tall boy (the first Hogwarts Champion, Cedric Diggory) strode out confidently from a white tent which presumably held all four Triwizard contestants. The dragon reared to its full height as Cedric continued forward, his face paling as he stepped closer. A burst of flame from the dragon forced Cedric to dive sideways and roll almost immediately. The boy waved his wand, and the rock he was crouching behind became a Labrador which promptly ran in the opposite direction, away from the great beast.
Not a bad Transfiguration, Raithe conceded as the dog continued to sprint away from the bursts of fire. Though surely another dragon would have made things much more interesting, though that would be an extremely difficult spell, one that only those with great skill in Transfigurations could perform; like Hogwarts' Deputy Headmistress for example. He looked away from the scene below, and to the teachers stands once more. Ahh...there she was.
Minerva McGonagall looked far different from her usual unflappable self; her skin was pale and clammy and ... Raithe reached into his robes again and retrieved his omnioculars from his other pocket and held them to his eyes. With the more focused lens he could see faint beads of sweat along her hair-line and the half-moon indentations from where she had been pressing her nails into the skin of her cheeks. It was then that Raithe realised that Ginny was tugging on his sleeve and jumping up-and-down as the crowd around him clapped thunderously. Cedric had apparently retrieved the egg.
"How cool was that?!" a chubby-boy said three seats down from him. The girl with bushy-hair whom Raithe had seen with Harry Potter nodded distractedly, her eyes were focused on the white tent rather than on Cedric who was putting out the flames that had captured his robes and part of his hair.
"Who's that girl?" he asked Ginny who had re-assumed some semblance of dignity and was now clapping reservedly.
She glanced where he had gestured. "Hermione Granger," she said succinctly. "Hogwarts' resident know-it-all." She paused for a moment and a grin played at the corners of her lips. "You and her would get along famously."
Raithe pretended to look affronted. "I only have one real skill, Ginevra," he said, grinning as Ginny wrinkled her nose at her hated first-name. "And that is Transfigurations. All other forms of magic I have no real interest in."
Ginny rolled her eyes and joined in with the general applause as the Beauxbatons Champion sauntered into the quidditch pitch, her waist-length hair billowing behind her. Raithe quickly brought his omnioculars to his eyes once again, ignoring the blonde girl as she cast some sort of sleeping charm (amateurish in Raithe's opinion) and re-focused on Minerva McGonagall.
She looked slightly less anxious and accepted a glass of water from the sallow-faced man who had escorted Raithe from the Astronomy Tower that morning. He touched Minerva's arm briefly, earning himself a small smile which made Raithe's blood boil.
Who was this man?
Raithe adjusted his omnioculars as he focused on the Professor's face. His features looked oddly familiar, and Raithe was sure that he'd seen him before; as to where he'd seen him however was an entirely different matter. He was a few years younger than his father, who had recently celebrated his fortieth birthday, but the lines on his face hinted at one who had seen or ... committed atrocities.... Raithe's line of thought trailed off as his mind misted with images of his fourth birthday. Bellatrix was holding his shoulder tightly as she spoke to a man dressed all in black who glanced dismissively at Raithe before turning his attentions back to his aunt.
"Bellatrix, it is not appropriate to take a child on a muggle-hunt!"
"Raithe is no ordinary child!"
The hook-nosed man had sneered and knelt down before Raithe who glared at him.
"He'd be terrified, Bellatrix. All of that screaming..."
"Raithe isn't scared of anything, Severus. Like his Aunt."
Bellatrix had moved Raithe in front of him so both of her hands rested on his shoulders; much like his protective hold on Ginny. The man rose so that they were at eye-level (Bellatrix was tall for a woman; perhaps an inch taller than Minerva). Finally, he nodded.
"You're sure he can handle it?"
"Raithe, what's the incantation for the Cruciatus Curse?"
"Crucio!"
Yes, the hook-nosed man and the Professor were one and the same. Raithe smirked. What a pity he didn't take Potions...
"Oh, Merlin! She's going to be killed!"
Ginny's shriek broke Raithe's ruminations and he turned his attentions to the centre of the pitch where the Veela-girl was casting a fire-repelling charm as she ran forward toward the cluster of eggs. Raithe leant forward, impressed by the girl's magical ability and her bravery. Not many would even consider running toward a fully-grown dragon with only a charm between them.
"No, I don't think she will ..." Raithe said reassuringly to Ginny as the girl snatched the egg underneath her arm and ran backward.
The charm gave out as she neared a rock barrier, and she dived behind, narrowly avoiding a burst of flame. The dragon-handlers swooped into the arena and quickly subdued the furious animal as the girl rose shakily to her feet, holding the egg aloft. Raithe joined everyone else in the clapping. Her performance was far superior to Cedric's. At least she had the gall to run forward facing the dragon, not waiting for it to be distracted by a dog.
Yes, he mused. He rather liked Miss Fleur Delacour.
Ginny exhaled at length as she turned back to Raithe who was still examining Fleur as she awaited her point scores from the judges.
"You're not going to be like my brother, are you?" she said despairingly, watching Fleur as she bowed to each of the judges in turn before making her way to the make-shift medi-tent.
"Which is?" Raithe asked, lowering his omnioculars and turning his attention to the red-haired girl.
"Become like a drooling idiot every time she walks past," Ginny said succinctly.
"No," Raithe said laughing. "She's not my type."
Ginny eyed him skeptically. "A beautiful, intelligent girl is not your type?"
Raithe nodded. "Just not that particular beautiful, intelligent girl. I have ... different tastes."
Snorting Ginny returned joined in the general applause as the surly Krum boy marched into the pitch, his mouth set in its usual scowl. Raithe immediately looked to the teachers' stands. He could hear the squealing of girls behind him and caught snippets of 'I hope he doesn't get hurt!', 'Isn't he just gorgeous!' but ignored them as he refocused toward Minerva. To his surprise he found a pair of bright sapphire eyes looking directly back at him.
The Headmaster held his gaze and Raithe felt the faint chords of leglimency coursing through his mind. He growled furiously under his breath, erecting his impenetrable Occlumency walls. Dumbledore looked somewhat shocked at the force of Raithe's mind barrier and his eyebrows furrowed as he turned to Severus. He could see them whispering and both the Headmaster and the Head of Slytherin's eyes flickered toward him. Snape stared directly at him and nodded once sharply, his fingers curling into a fist.
Raithe lowered his omnioculars and handed them to Ginny as he sat down. She took them with a small smile of appreciation and turned back, leaving Raithe to his thoughts. His brow furrowed as he bit the inside of his cheek. He had never been under the illusion that Dumbledore was a 'good man' like the majority of the wizarding world, Bellatrix had put a stop to that almost immediately.
"He's powerful, Raithe, of that you should be certain. And the Dark Lord fears him, that is true despite what he says, but one thing Albus Dumbledore isn't, Raithe, is a good man. He manipulates everyone he comes into contact with, and unless you fight back he'll draw you into his web. I should know, boy, he almost ensnared me..."
She had never specifically told him what exactly her relationship with Albus Dumbledore had been; it was the only subject she refused to answer questions about, and consequently the one he was most curious to know. For Bellatrix Lestrange to be almost ... frightened of someone made them very interesting indeed.
He was torn from his memories as the crowd began to clap once more as the dragon let out a shriek of agony and Raithe looked over to find the great beast staggering backward, it's eyes clenched shut. It trampled over the eggs and some of the crowd laughed appreciatively, making Raithe want to hurt them. A precious creature like a dragon should never be injured at the hands of humans, and should certainly never be laughed at. A harsh bark of laughter escaped from his throat as the Fireball righted itself and glared down at Krum who was slouching away, the golden egg tucked under his arm. With a roar that echoed around the stadium, it jetted flames at his retreating figure, the Bulgarian's robes catching alight until it appeared as if his entire body was on fire. An apt punishment in Raithe's mind.
The dragon-handlers were having a hard time restraining the Chinese Fireball as it kept trying to lunge after Krum who had been doused in water and led to the medi-tent. Finally, twelve stunners later, the beast was unconscious, and it and the remaining eggs were placed in a large crate and levitated out of the stadium whilst the final, and apparently most vicious dragon was brought inside, snarling and biting.
Raithe smirked to himself; Harry Potter versus a Hungarian Horntail? This was bound to be interesting.
--
Minerva placed the glass of water that Severus had given her on the table behind her and glanced to her right to find him and Dumbledore deep in conversation. Both of their gazes kept flickering to the stands and she followed their line of vision only to find the reason for her recent...troubles to be their focus. Raithe McIntyre was sitting next to Ginevra Weasley who was on her feet, cheering wildly as Harry Potter entered the stadium, his face taunt and mouth set in a grim line. The McIntyre lad was oddly ... still, more so than usual, and he leant back in his chair, the smooth skin of his forehead furrowed in contemplation.
What exactly his thoughts were, Minerva wasn't sure she wanted to know. Bellatrix Lestrange's nephew; she conceded that she should have recognised the aura of arrogance he exuded; it was identical to the superior posture of Bellatrix's when she had been a student. Even as a first-year none had dared to cross her; not since a fourth-year boy who had made a snide comment concerning her eyes awoke to find Bellatrix crouched over him, an emerald encrusted dagger held against his jugular vein. Her words became known throughout Hogwarts during her entire tenure within the castle.
"There are certain ... things I wish to make very clear to you. I have brains, beauty and a great deal of money; you are scum in comparison to me. You, my pathetic friend, have nothing but a large mouth and from the wetness I can feel beneath my knee, very poor bladder control. Fuck with me again and I'll slit your throat so fast you won't even be able to scream. Are we clear?"
Minerva's eyes narrowed as she continued to study him. His blue-grey eyes had darkened to the point his pupils were indistinguishable from his irises, and an involuntary chill ran down her spine. She recognised that look; Bellatrix wore it when she was angered by someone or something.
A blur of black broke her train of increasingly morbid cogitations and she watched as Harry Potter flew past her on his Firebolt, twisting and turning in the air as he avoided the sporadic fire from the Horntail. Not bad for a fourteen-year-old; quite ingenious if she were completely honest with herself. Harry dove between the dragon's legs and emerged relatively unscathed, holding the egg up proudly in his hands toward the crowd who stamped and cheered (or hissed and booed in the case of the Slytherins).
"I'll get him" Minerva said to no one in particular, turning and squeezing through her colleagues and rushing onto the pitch.
Hermione Granger was behind her, along with Ronald Weasley, but Minerva's longer gait ensured she reached the Potter boy first. As she placed a hand on his shoulder, she felt eyes on her person, and glanced up toward the crowd, knowing instinctively where to look. She spoke, but did not know what she was saying as she held Raithe McIntyre's gaze, only looking away when he rose to his feet and walked away, Ginny Weasley dragging him through the crowds of students milling about the entrance.
She stopped short as Potter entered the medi-tent and walked slowly toward the Great Hall; her mind not focused on the students who jostled around her, all talking excitedly among themselves, but rather on the memory of a pair of blue-grey eyes. A particularly large Slytherin collided with her shoulder, sending her toward the ground. As she twisted her torso, hands stretching out to steady her fall, she felt a pair of arms snake around her waist, pulling her upright. She knew even before she turned who her 'saviour' was, and looked upward to find Raithe McIntyre's startling eyes looking down at her in concern.
"Are you all right, Professor?" he asked, his hands still lingering on her waist.
Minerva stepped back, holding herself with a composure she didn't feel. "Yes, thank you, Mister..."
Any further words stuck in her throat like glue as the young man reached out and tucked an errant lock of hair behind her ear. She leaned into his touch for a brief moment, and a small smile tugged at his lips before she came to her senses and stepped back once again. The two merely stared at each other until they were interrupted by Ginny Weasley who tugged on Raithe's sleeve, seemingly unaware of the short moment of sensuality between student and Professor.
"Raithe," the girl said, her voice shrill with excitement. "C'mon, there's a celebration in the Common Room."
Minerva cleared her throat, inclined her head toward the two and hurried away, her robes flaring in her wake. His fingers had been cool against her skin, yet not icy enough for discomfort. They had been ... perfect. Heat flooded to her cheeks and she closed her eyes briefly, dispelling that alarming notion.
Why did he affect her so?
She halted at the doors leading to the corridor and turned back. The black-haired youth's eyes met hers and she watched as he held his hand outstretched toward her for a brief moment. From where she stood it was almost like an invitation to dance ... As quickly as he reached for her, he withdrew his hand and with a final glance her way, walked in the opposite direction toward the Gryffindor Tower.
Minerva closed her eyes. How did he know that she loved to dance...?
--
Raithe closed his eyes as he crossed his arms behind his head and looked upward at the ceiling. Almost immediately he was taken to the Great Hall where Minerva McGonagall stood, leaning against the wall of the Hall, her grey eyes focused intently on his. Gone however were the heavy teaching robes, to be replaced with a crimson dress, the colour of blood, making her his Snow White.
...Hair black as ebony, skin white as snow, lips red as blood...
He held his hand out toward her, a silent invitation to dance, and her lips curved in a half-moon as she nodded and walked to him, her movements those of a liquid sensuality most women dreamed of achieving, but never could. She raised her hand and entwined her fingers with his as he drew her closer, his other hand pressing lightly on her waist as she placed an elegant hand on his shoulder. Then...then they began to dance; a slow waltz around the empty Great Hall lit only by moon which hovered above in the enchanted ceiling, bathing the would-be lovers in its dim light. They danced, round and round until he began to laugh in the sheer rapture of it all; holding the slight woman in his arms. She looked at his, puzzled for a brief moment, before joining him in his laughter until both hers and his echoed in the Hall, blending with the crescendo of the music. To his disappointment, the music began to fade, and they eventually drew to a halt, still holding each other tightly.
She looked upward, biting her bottom lip until a drop of crimson blood burst forth. Raithe raised his thumb, and brushed along the corner of her mouth and just below her bottom lip. Taking confidence when she didn't draw back from his touch, he leant forward until he could feel her breath against his lips. She still didn't shy away, and her lips parted beneath his as he inched forward even further, closing his eyes to savour the sensation...
Bang!
Raithe's eyes snapped open, along with the door to his dorm and the four other occupants staggered inside, the stench of fire-whiskey evident even from Raithe's relatively far distance away. He growled softly in annoyance and turned onto his side as the four boys collapsed onto their beds, grunting what they deemed 'words' at each other. Raithe sneered and cast a silencing charm around his bed.
Would they ruin everything? These pathetic ... adolescents?
Chapter 1 / Chapter 2 / Chapter 3