Secret Spaces 1

Posted here. 
== Chapter 1: New Moon ==
Summary: Mako and Raleigh stay with Chuck through his awful transformation.
29 December 2016; (0 days 'til transformation); Hogwarts, Scotland, United Kingdom
The new moon that December arrives on the heels of a blizzard, the sky clearing into a velvet blanket of harsh stars draped over hip-deep snow.
Raleigh bulls a path to the Whomping Willow; Chuck trudges behind him; Mako brings up the rear, filling in their tracks.
Chuck grabs a long stick, pokes a knot—
The Willow creaks to a stop.
—drops it, and grumps, "Well, c'mon," and disappears into a hole in the trunk.
Raleigh and Mako exchange a look and follow him along a cramped tunnel.
The Shack is less frightening and more sad than Mako expected. Falling-down, dusty, and cold, with a coppery smell mingling with the steely bite of the snow.
"Time?"
Raleigh pushes up his sleeve, announces, "Ten 'til seven."
Chuck grunts, peels off his coat, folds it, tucks it into a metal box next to the fireplace.
"Why are you—"
"I'm bigger, yea? It'll all get shredded if I keep it on." He pulls off his jumper, dumps it in the box, works on his shirt buttons, already shivering.
"Can't you just get new clothes?" asks Raleigh.
"I dunno how rich your folks are, but my old man doesn't make enough teaching here for that."
Raleigh cringes.
Chuck shrugs out of his undershirt.
His arms and back and sides are covered with webs of narrow scars.
Mako swallows tears, bites her lip.
Raleigh squeaks, "Is that what—"
"I tore myself up before we had the bright idea of taking out the window so I could fly myself tired."
"But it's not very far to Hogsmeade? And people?"
"Can't fly very far. Yet."
Mako covers her eyes as Chuck turns away, undoes his belt and slides off his trousers.
""You must be freezing.""
Mako peeks out through her fingers.
Chuck, naked and very, very pale, shrugs and sits down on his folded t-shirt on the floor with his back to them.
"Shouldn't you at least have a blanket?"
"I'll just wreck it, like I wreck everything." Curls more tightly around himself, shivers hard, mumbles, "He should've just let me die."
"Don't say that, please." Mako reaches—
"Get away from me," snarls Chuck. "Now."
She backs to Raleigh, against the far wall.
Raleigh laces their fingers, squeezes her hand.
"Time?"
"One minute."
"You probably don't want to watch this bit," rasps Chuck. "And if ye wanna run, this's your last chance."
"We're staying," declares Mako.
Chuck shudders, the skin across his shoulders twitching and turning grey, croaks, "Then I'm really sorry about this."
A sound like a breaking branch—
Chuck screams.
Mako covers her ears, buries her face in Raleigh's chest.
Under the shrieks, snapping and thrashing and whimpers.
Raleigh holds her close, cradling her head.
The screaming stops—still echoes in Mako's head—replaced by scrabbling and dull thuds.
"Change, Mako," hisses Raleigh.
She does, fur growing, paws forming, teeth stretching, then presses close to Raleigh's golden side.
The dragon staggers to face them, shakes its sharp head, spines rattling, and rumbles from deep in its throat.
A Ukrainian Ironbelly, a small one, but instead of being red, its—Chuck's eyes are bright blue—the same colour as his human ones—the only hint he isn't a typical dragon.
It—he cocks his head, peers at them.
Raleigh looks away, down and to the right, yawns.
Mako stares at the ground, licks her lips with her long tongue.
Chuck exhales a gust, ruffling her fur, and throws himself out the glassless picture window, claws gouging tracks in the floor.
Raleigh and Mako scramble after him.
Barely six strides later, Chuck hauls himself into the air on enormous leather wings, silver scales twinkling in the starlight.
Mako and Raleigh charge through the snow toward the Forbidden Forest in his shadow, picking up speed once they reach the clear ground between the trees.
They run and run and run, icy air burning their lungs and cold ground stinging their paws.
And then they lose sight of Chuck.
They skid to a stop.
Mako looks to Raleigh, whines softly.
He whuffs reassurance.
A tremendous crash sends the earth jumping under their paws.
They fly toward it, into a small clearing.
Chuck lies in the center, sides heaving and eyes half-closed.
Mako creeps closer.
A blue eye tracks her.
Closer ....
Chuck glances away, shifting her to his peripheral vision.
Mako stretches, licks his nose.
Chuck rumbles—quietly—and rubs his cheek against hers.
Mako whuffles, lies down in the curve of his neck.
Raleigh pads over, settles in next to her, using a scaly foreleg as a pillow.
Chuck huffs, nudges Mako closer to Raleigh with his snout, then curls his neck around them both.
The warmth of his breath and body keeps them cozy as they sleep until sunrise, even as flurries drift down.
.
== Chapter 2: Herd Instinct ==
Summary: Raleigh interrupts Chuck's attempt at making new friends.
23 January 2017; (6 days 'til transformation); Hogwarts, Scotland, United Kingdom
Raleigh raps his way into The Den and his eye is immediately drawn to Mako, scowling at a parchment and textbook open on the common room table. He strolls over, skims Mako's neat figures, says, "Arithmancy giving you problems?"
"The numbers are misbehaving. I think I'll need to ask Professor Gottlieb for help."
"That must be some really tough stuff to be throwing you off."
Mako ducks her head.
Raleigh smiles to himself at the pretty pink blush spreading along her cheekbones.
"Did you want my help with something?"
Raleigh startles, feels himself blush. "Well, um, have you seen Chuck today?"
"Did we—"
"Six more days," he reassures. "He's probably a little under the weather, but he wasn't at lunch and he normally would be, right?"
Mako shakes her head, eyes growing concerned.
"I'm gonna go look for him, if you want to come along."
"Sensei and I were taking a trip into Hogsmeade, but I can—"
"It's okay!" Raleigh makes a calming gesture. "I'm sure it's nothing serious." Grins. "'sides, I'll take Plasma with me."
Mako relaxes, smiles back.
"I'll tell Chuck to visit you when I track him down."
"Thank you for that, Raleigh."
"Say 'hi' to your sensei for me."
"I will. Good luck with the search."
"Thanks, Mako." Raleigh waves, heads out to the stables.
He checks the space for eavesdroppers, turns his attention inward.
His nose grows, his arms and legs shorten and bend, he sprouts a happily wagging tail. He gives himself a good shake, trots out to the lawn, nose to the ground, then zigzags across it until he finds the right combination: amber soap, ink, Venomous Tentacula pollen.
An odd addition, though: raw beef.
Raleigh double-checks and, yep, it's still meat, but it's also definitely Chuck, so he resumes sniffing and wagging and tracking all the way to a grassy dip between the edge of the Forbidden Forest and the curtain wall.
Chuck sits on a blanket facing the Forest, his back to him, tosses something into the center of the little field.
Raleigh stretches himself into his human shape, shakes his clothes into place.
Chuck flicks his arm again.
Raleigh sidles into Chuck's peripheral vision, calls his name.
"Keep your voice down, ay?"
"What're you doing?"
"Trying to make friends."
Raleigh looks around. "With what?"
"You don't see 'em," sighs Chuck.
"See what?"
"Thestrals." Chuck holds out a bit of meat on his flattened palm.
It disappears, reappears a few inches above Chuck's hand, then disappears again, for good this time.
"There's a whole herd of 'em here."
Raleigh rubs the back of his head. "Can I join you?" squeezes past the lump in his throat.
"If you want. Just move slow so you don't scare 'em and undo all my work."
Raleigh creeps over, folds himself down next to Chuck.
Another beef bit vanishes from Chuck's hand.
A soft, snorty noise; a puff of air ruffles Raleigh's hair.
"She's checking you out."
"She's not gonna bite me, right?"
"Not unless you hit her or yell. Probably."
"Great. I'll try not to hit the invisible creature."
Chuck snorts.
"So ... does anyone know you're out here?"
"Left a note for my old man, so he probably does."
Raleigh sighs.
Two more thestrals (probably) accept treats.
"How many of them are there?"
"Eight." Chuck points to spots around the field. "A big male, a smaller male, four good-sized females, a little girl, and a baby boy who won't stop stealing food." Pushes something with quite a bit of force. "Shove off, you, 'fore you get fat."
A breathy snort.
Chuck shifts the remaining treats to between himself and Raleigh.
Disappointed huff.
"Get used to it, Handsome."
Chuck's head's forced back; he squawks, scrubs at the side of his head with his sleeve.
Another, louder snort, then rustling which quickly fades.
Raleigh smothers a laugh in his hand.
Chuck mutters under his breath, fishes among folds of waxed paper for more meat.
"I'm wondering: why thestrals?"
"Was thinking they might get to recognize me well enough and we could hunt together those nights."
"You haven't hunted since me and Mako joined you."
"Haven't at all yet, but I'm getting hungrier every month. Figure it's a only matter of time before I kill something."
Raleigh shudders.
"Rather learn to take birds with these guys than start chasing people—" Side-eyes. "—or dogs."
"I can get behind that idea," laughs Raleigh weakly.
Chuck's hand jerks awkwardly and he presses against something invisible with his other. "Fer Pete's sake, girl, gimme a moment. You don't want to eat paper, do ye?"
The strip's snatched from his fingers.
"Oi. Mind your teeth," he scolds.
Shuffling and rustling.
Chuck sniffs, studies his hand, grumbles, "Cheeky thing."
"She break the skin?"
"Nah, just a bruise." He offers another slice of beef to the air.
There's a quiet whuffle and the meat vanishes.
Chuck wipes his palm on his trousers, mumbles, "They drool something awful." Addresses the empty air, "That's all I brought, so it's no use begging for more."
Something nudges Raleigh's shoulder.
"Uh, hi?"
"He doesn't have any, either."
A huff, something bumps Chuck.
He reaches up, cups one hand, strokes the air in front of his face with long, slow, gentle motions.
Raleigh closes his eyes, leans back on his braced arms, listens to the breeze in the bare trees, the thestral's breathing and the rustling of their leathery wings.
Beside him, Chuck shifts, murmurs, "They're going."
Raleigh straightens, opens his eyes on the same empty field, but the scene is now a bit quieter. He takes a deep breath, says, "Chuck ... why can you see them?"
He shrugs. "Had a goldfish die before I started here."
"I don't think that's—"
"Leave it, Becket," growls Chuck.
"Okay, but if you ever want to talk about it, I'll listen."
"I won't—" Chuck takes a deep, shaky breath. "—but thanks."
"No problems. We Hufflepuffs love to help."
Chuck rolls his eyes. "Bloody busybody badgers."
 .
== Chapter 3: Latest Rumours ==
Summary: Over breakfast, Chuck, Mako, and Raleigh hear a disturbing rumour from their schoolmates.
27 February 2017; (1 day after transformation); Hogwarts, Scotland, United Kingdom
Chuck wobbles down beside Mako at the Hufflepuff table, pushes the place setting out of the way, folds his arms, and rests his head on them.
From across the table, Raleigh asks, "Want me to put together a plate for you, Chuck?"
""Mmro.""
Mako's chest tightens and she drapes her arm across Chuck's back—
He shivers.
—leans close, whispers in his ear, "If you're this unwell, you should be home resting."
""Can't,"" rasps Chuck. ""History of Magic exam. No makeups.""
"I'm sure Professor—"
""Don't want special treatment. I can do this.""
"Of course you can, but please promise me you'll go to sleep right afterward."
Chuck grunts agreement.
Mako straightens, takes back her arm, spoons marmalade onto her toast.
"Is he ...?"
"He didn't sleep well last night."
"Studying for that exam you guys have?"
Mako hums around a mouthful of toast.
Chuck, though, scoffs.
"It's okay to admit you have to actually study, Chuck," teases Raleigh.
Chuck drags his head up, glowers at him.
Raleigh applies Puppy Dog Eyes™.
Chuck keeps glaring.
"You know he's immune to those, Raleigh."
He laughs, "I'm hoping I can eventually wear down his resistance."
Chuck sniffs.
"Hey, guys," greets First Evie, sliding in next to Raleigh. "Have you heard the rumour?"
"The one about Headmaster Pentecost's secret tattoo?"
"I hear it howls at the moon," puts in Lewis.
"Nah, that's old news," dismisses Riley. He checks over his shoulder, says, "There's a dragon in the Forbidden Forest now."
Chuck pales, shudders.
"You scared of dragons, Hansen? I thought it was spiders that freaked you out," sneers Lydia.
"What kinda idiot isn't afraid of dragons?" Chuck snarls back. "Those things'll kill you soon as look at you."
"Yea? How do you know so much?"
"'coz I do my Magical Creatures homework, maybe?"
Lydia sniffs.
"The dragon's just a story," says Mako. "The staff wouldn't let one settle so close to the school."
"'sides, Professor Geiszler would be squeeing about it in class if there was," points out Second Evie.
"And trying to catch it, too."
Murmurs of agreement around the table.
"It's real," whispers Eleanor. "I saw it."
Lydia snaps, "No, you didn't."
"Yes, I did. I saw it flying over the lake from the Astronomy tower on Saturday night."
Chuck greens.
Mako presses her knee to his under the table.
"Then what does it look like?"
"It's a baby Ironbelly and it sparkled." She sighs wistfully. "It was beautiful."
"You're making it up," accuses Lewis.
"I'm not! There really is a dragon!"
"I think she's right," says Riley. "I mean, if there isn't a dragon, why're those Russian dragonologists coming next month?"
No one has an answer for that and Chuck turns a minty colour.
"I bet the Russians are gonna trap it and take it back to Ukraine where it belongs."
Chuck pushes away from the table.
"Where're you going, Hansen?"
"Need t'get my books before class," he mumbles.
"I'll come with you," offers Mako.
Chuck shrugs, plods off.
Mako scurries after him, catches up just outside the Great Hall's doors, whispers, "Did you know about the dragonologists?"
He shakes his head.
"What will you do?"
He pulls his shoulders up around his ears. "Don't really have a choice about that, do I? Just have to hope I'm faster an' smarter than them." Sighs. "Too bad they don't teach Ukrainian—or Russian—here."
"I think Professor Gottlieb knows Russian?"
Chuck laughs, some of the tension flowing out of his posture. "I'll talk to him about it after the exam."
"Some sleep, too."
"That, too," concedes Chuck.
Mako smiles, heart lighter.
.
== Chapter 4: The Half-bloods ==
Summary: Two fellow students learn how to get under Chuck's skin at the cost of a bit of their dignity.
24 March 2017; (5 days 'til transformation); Hogwarts, Scotland, United Kingdom
Mako says, "You've almost got it, but it's pronounced 'Lapifors'."
Chuck glowers at the furry teapot on the blanket in front of them, mutters, "That's what I said."
"The stress goes on the first syllable."
He grumbles, "Reparifarge."
The crockery is white with delicate blue flowers again.
Overhead, a breeze whispers among the leaves of the holly tree.
Chuck sighs into his palm.
"You can almost cast the counter-spell wandless?" Mako says by way of encouragement.
"'cause I suck at, you know, the important bit." Points his wand at the teapot. "Lapifors."
It sprouts floppy white ears.
Chuck growls, "Reparifarge."
From behind them, a giggle, then ""Draconifors.""
The teapot grows golden scales and hisses at Chuck, lunges for his hand.
"Finite!" yelps Mako.
The former dragon wobbles over onto its porcelain side and lies still.
Chuck shoves to his feet, turns, eyes fiery.
"We thought we'd spice up your lesson a little," snickers So-Yi Pang.
Beside Chuck, Mako tenses.
"Dragons are so much cooler than silly little fluffy bunnies," adds Yuna An.
"Don't you you two have some Quaffles to catch with your faces?" snarls Chuck.
"As if we'd bother with Quidditch."
"That's too bad. A couple of shots to the head'd probably improve your looks."
"The temper must come with the hair," says Yuna to So-Yi.
"Mmhm. And probably gets his magical talent from his mum."
Chuck grinds his teeth, tightens his grip on his wand.
Mako steps in front of him, wand up. "Stop. Now."
So-Yi crosses her arms, sneers, "That's how it is, Half-breed? You need a Pure-blood to protect you?"
Yuna adds, "That's so sad."
"I don't need anyone's help," snaps Chuck, pushing Mako out of the way. "You asked for this."
"Give it your—"
"Flipendo!"
Yuna flies back; So-Yi draws her wand—
"Impedimenta!"
—freezes; Yuna scrambles to her feet, wand out—
"Silencio!"
—opens and closes her mouth soundlessly; So-Yi jabs with her wand—
Chuck hisses, flings a "Rictusempra!".
—collapses, clutching her sides and laughing hysterically; Yuna stomps up, arm raised—
"Petrificus totalus!"
—goes rigid and pales, tips forward—
Another Slytherin grabs her before she face-plants and eases her to the ground.
"Those real enough spells for ye?" crows Chuck.
The gathered crowd all take a step back and—
Professor Gottlieb barks, "Finite! And—"
Chuck whirls to face him.
"—all of you stay exactly where you are."
So-Yi gasps for breath; Yuna heaves herself upright.
"Now," says Professor Gottlieb, planting his staff and looking directly at Chuck, "Who cast first?"
Chuck puts his shoulders back, tilts his chin. "I did, sir."
"Very well, then. Ten points from Ravenclaw."
"But, Professor—"
"'But' nothing, Miss Mori."
Mako hangs her head.
"Mister Hansen, follow me. The rest of you go back about your business."
Chuck plods after the professor back to the castle and does. not. itch the spot So-Yi's spell hit.
Professor Gottlieb bows him into his office, orders, "Sit down."
Chuck slouches into a surprisingly comfy chair, checks over his shoulder.
The professor bustles around in a niche mostly hidden by a bookcase.
He aims his wand at his arm, commands, "Episkey."
The blistery rash shrinks, then vanishes, though the healed skin looks rather pink.
Professor Gottlieb says, "Miss Pang—"
Chuck jumps.
"—did manage to land a hex on you after all."
"It was just a Stinging Jinx," huffs Chuck.
The professor clatters a small tea tray down on a side table.
"Lemon or sugar?"
"Neither, thanks."
Professor Gottlieb offers a cup.
"Thank you."
"Now, what was that all about, Mister Hansen?" asks Professor Gottlieb, lowering himself into a puffy chair.
Chuck sulks.
"Spit it out."
He grumps, "An and Pang said I couldn't cast real spells because I'm a half-blood."
"Is it true?"
"Is what true?"
"That you can't cast spells."
"No, and I showed them I could."
"You certainly did. Your Silencing Charm was particularly impressive."
Chuck preens a bit. "Thank you, sir."
"What about the other part?"
Chuck deflates, tells his tea, "Mum was a Muggle, yea, so I guess that's true, too."
"There's no shame in having only one magical parent."
"Headmaster Snape, Headmaster McGonagall, I know, I know ...."
"There are others, of course."
"I know that, too."
"Others, like myself."
"You—what?"
Professor Gottlieb takes a rather dainty sip. "My father is a wizard and my mother a Veela. I suppose that makes me a half-blood, as well."
Chuck blinks, trying to process this information.
"Let me answer the basic questions. Yes, I am able to change form. My wings are the same colour as my hair with white spots. No, I cannot charm people with dance; in fact, I had two metaphorical left feet even before my injury. No, I cannot throw fireballs from my hands." Smiles mischievously, "At least, I haven't done so yet."
Chuck grins.
They drink tea in friendly quiet.
"You should consider joining the Duelling Club," says Professor Gottlieb. "Ravenclaw could use someone of your skill rather badly."
Chuck raises an eyebrow.
"They've been unable to score a single point against Slytherin all term." His eyes gleam. "Seeing as you humiliated two of their best unaided, I suspect you'd be able to reverse this unfortunate trend." Takes another mouthful, swallows, adds quietly, "My house would much appreciate any help Ravenclaw can offer: the opponent of my opponent is my ally and all that."
"I, umm—" Chuck rubs the back of his neck. "I'll think about it."
"Please do, Mister Hansen."
"I should probably—" He pushes—
"Finish your tea. I'll provide you an excuse for tardiness for Professor Lightcap."
Chuck sits back against the cushions, cradles his cup. "Thank you, Professor."
"My pleasure, Mister Hansen."
.
== Chapter 5: The Dragonologists ==
Summary: Chuck meets a pair of dragon experts determined to help him.
28 March 2017; (0 days 'til transformation); Hogwarts, Scotland, United Kingdom
Chuck drags himself down the stairs from his bedroom, clinging fiercely to the railing to keep himself from falling. He stops on the landing to catch his breath.
""Chuck? That you?"" calls the Old Man.
"Yea!"
""Ye decent?""
Chuck looks down at his furry slippers, flannel pajamas, two jumpers, and two housecoats, hollers, "Yea?"
""Some folks're here to meet you.""
He takes a deep breath, plods into the front room.
Two enormous blonds—half-giants, at least—sit side-by-side on the sofa. Their eyes immediately lock on Chuck's.
He stumbles back a step.
"Chuck," says the Old Man, "these're old friends of mine, Aleksandra and Aleksei Kaidanovsky, from Russia."
"Ukraine," rumbles the man.
"Sasha and Sasha, please," purrs the woman.
Chuck bobs his head, staggers over to his chair and collapses. "The dragonologists, right?"
"We are," replies Taller Sasha.
"Our specialty is Ironbellies." Tall Sasha sips tea. "Your father has asked for us to examine your case."
Chuck's blood runs cold; his stomach goes funny.
Taller Sasha reassures, "Sashas will not tell anyone."
"Sashas will also not hurt you," adds Tall Sasha.
Chuck's stomach is not reassured.
"Sashas will find counter-spell or -potion for Charles."
Chuck's heart jumps into his throat, so he squeaks, "You want to cure me?"
"That would be best outcome—"
"—but Sashas will start with Dragonsbane Potion."
"Like Wolfsbane, but for dragons?"
"Charles is exactly right." Tall Sasha grins with a lot of very white teeth. "No one has ever controlled were-dragons, even a tiny bit. Sashas will be first."
Taller Sasha grunts confirmation.
"Do you think you can do it?" croaks Chuck.
Tall Sasha crooks an eyebrow. "You doubt Sashas?"
"Uh, no? But, it's never been done."
"Because Sashas have not tried before."
"Drakanthrophy is very rare condition: only sixteen cases documented."
"Sashas have studied all records and specimen."
The Old Man butts in. "You found the, uh, other one?"
"Of course Sashas have," sniffs Tall Sasha, "but she is much older than Charles and Sashas want to make sure process is same before treating Charles."
Chuck swallows, still rasps, "What're you gonna do to me?"
"Tonight, Sashas watch Charles change, be dragon, and become Charles again."
"Sashas also take samples: blood, scales, pyrofluid, tooth, claw."
"How're you gonna get close enough for that without me, you know, eating you?"
Synchronized eyebrows.
"Sashas know what Sashas are doing, Charles."
Chuck ducks his head, mumbles. "Right. Sorry."
"Is alright, Charles. Is good to worry about such things."
Chuck exhales.
"Has Charles eaten yet?"
"Uh, no? I just woke up."
"Good, good!" Tall Sasha flows to her feet. "Sashas will take first samples now."
Fingernail clipping, cheek swabs, skin scraping, hair pulling, two vials of tears, and about a liter of blood later, the Sashas finally let Chuck choke down some toast.
"Charles does not feel well?"
"I feel like shit."
"Chuck, language."
He rolls his eyes. "I always feel terrible the day of and the day after."
"When does Charles' health start to decline before?"
"'bout a week. Takes three days or so afterward to feel normal again, too."
The Sashas exchange a look.
"What?" prompts Chuck.
"Is nothing. Yet."
"Only data."
Chuck slumps a bit and something niggles.
"Does change come with newest of moon or by clock?"
"It's timed to the moon," supplies the Old Man, "and he goes back at sunrise."
Sashas murmur.
Chuck sits straighter. "I just remembered I left something I need with Mako. Can I go get it quick?"
The Old Man looks to the Sashas.
"Charles may go if Charles promises to come straight back," says Tall Sasha.
Chuck pushes his chair away from the kitchen table, mumbles, "Yea, of course, no problem, be right back."
He jams on his shoes and throws himself through the halls, straight to The Den. It takes him three tries to open the door, but he does, staggers into the common room.
First and Second Evie stare, open-mouthed, at him.
"Mori," he pants. "Becket. Where're they?"
"Uh, Raleigh's in Hogsmeade with some of the other boys, but Mako's in her—"
"Thanks," he tosses over his shoulder as he rushes out, skids to a halt inside the room Mako shares—
She looks up from the parchment she's working on, eyes wide and worried.
—closes and locks the door behind himself.
"What's wrong? Are you—"
"You an' Raleigh need to stay in tonight," he wheezes.
"Why n—"
"The Russians are gonna be out looking for the dragon and might catch you if you go."
A wrinkle forms between Mako's eyebrows. "Chuck ... why do they know when to look for the dragon?"
He oozes down the door to sit on the rug. "They're friends with my old man." Shrugs. "They wanna brew some kinda Wolfsbane Potion to tame it and I guess they need to see it for themselves first."
"Wolfsbane?" Mako creeps over, sits beside him. "Do you think they can do it?"
Chuck blinks away some of the grit in his eyes. "They say they're the best in the world, but I'm not getting my hopes up. You can't tame dragons."
"This one isn't a typical dragon: perhaps he can be."
Chuck shivers, hugs himself.
Mako says, "Are you—"
He startles.
"—cold? Would you like a blanket?"
"Wha? Oh, uh, no, thanks. I have t'go back right away. The Sashas wanna keep their eyes on me the rest of the day."
"They're both named Sasha?"
"I think half of Russia's named Sasha." He wobbles to his feet. "I really need to go 'fore they start looking."
Mako stands, looks at him, eyes just as worried as when he came in.
He gets a hand on the doorknob for support, grumbles, "What?"
"I'd like to walk with you to your room." She wrings her hands, eyes down. "If that's alright."
"'s fine. Let's just get going." Chuck fumbles with the door.
Mako gently pushes his hand away, then links their arms. "I will deal with the doors. You concentrate on standing and walking."
"I can totally—"
"No, you can't."
He sags.
"Let me help, Chuck," she says gently.
"Thanks," he whispers.
Mako works the door and Chuck leans on her as they set out for faculty housing and the Sashas' prying eyes.
.
== Chapter 6: Magical Beasts ==
Summary: Mako, Chuck, and Raleigh discuss the care and feeding of a number of magical creatures, including Chuck.
1 April 2017; (4 days after transformation); Hogwarts, Scotland, United Kingdom
Mako and Raleigh unfold from their fur at the edge of Chuck's meadow on the Forest's fringes, approach him and the thestrals cautiously.
He warns, "Watch your step. They're tetchy." Squints at the sky. "Think there's a storm coming."
Raleigh rolls his eyes, mumbles, "'Watch' the invisible—hey!"
Mako removes her elbow from his ribs.
Chuck scoots over on the blanket to make room for them.
Mako settles in beside him, picks up a scrap, offers it to a waiting Daisy.
She plucks it with dainty good manners.
Raleigh plops down on the end, crosses his legs, asks, "Who's here today?"
Mako strokes Daisy's velvet nose.
"The usual suspects." Chuck points. "Finn, Oscar, Holly, Lilly, Rosie, Daisy's with Mako, and Max—who needs to get his fat self out of the food." Shoves aggressively at the foal stretching across him toward the wad of waxed paper. "Sorry, boy, none left. You already ate it all."
Max steps back; his eyes get big and soft.
"That face doesn't work on me. Ask Becket." Jerks his thumb.
Max huffs, slinks around Daisy—
"You finally look like yourself again," says Mako.
Chuck grunts.
—headbutts Raleigh's chest.
He rocks backward, squawking and flailing.
Mako hides a laugh behind her hand; even Chuck cracks a smile.
Max makes a frustrated noise, trots off toward his mum.
"Rough one this time, huh?" offers Raleigh, straightening his clothes.
"Yea, probably 'coz the Sashas drained like half my blood." Chuck grimaces. "Apparently spent the whole time breaking things, too, and I don't know what they hit me with, but I've got a bruise as big around as a saucer."
"Considering the size of Taller Sasha, it was probably a tree and he didn't use magic."
"Funny, Becket, real funny."
"It was a sort of Knockback Jinx and Tall Sasha cast it," corrects Mako.
Chuck and Raleigh blink at her, chorus, "You were there?"
"Of course I was there," she sniffs. "I promised I would be with Chuck every time."
"How did you not get caught?" squeaks Raleigh.
"I told you not to!" yelps Chuck.
Thestrals skitter off.
Mako crosses her arms. "I was careful and I never agreed to stay away."
"You—" Chuck throws up his hands in frustration, grumps, "Don't you dare blame me if you get in trouble."
"I won't get in trouble because I won't be caught."
Raleigh's expression goes a bit goofy. "Yea, you're right. You won't be."
Chuck scoffs.
"Are you saying she can't do it?"
"I'm saying no one can do it forever, especially not with people like the Sashas on the lookout."
"You must admit you're an ideal distraction, Chuck. No one will notice a black dog with you around."
He concedes with a huff.
Max wanders over, folds his ridiculously spindly legs, cushions his head—
"Oi! No—gerroff you li'l—!"
—closes his eyes, and sighs.
"That's so cute!"
Chuck grumbles.
"What? What's happening?"
"Max is sleeping with his head in Chuck's lap."
"That sounds adorable," snickers Raleigh.
Chuck rolls his eyes, but scratches behind Max's stubby horns.
"I think you've made a pet of him."
"I think he's just trying to butter me up for more treats."
Max snores in a wheezy way.
"I was wrong before, that sounds adorable."
"Want it to be the last thing you hear? Keep it up."
"You wouldn't hurt him. You shouldn't even joke like that."
Chuck hangs his head, mutters, "Sorry, Becket."
"'s'okay. I know you didn't mean it." Raleigh grins. "You're trying to hide the fact you're actually a big teddy bear."
"Remind me to kick your ass later."
"Tomorrow afternoon's good for me. You?"
Chuck replies with an obscene gesture.
Raleigh laughs.
Max snorts himself awake, blinks slowly.
"Go back to sleep, ye lazy critter."
Max's eyes drift closed.
"He even listens to you," giggles Mako.
"Unlike some people," Chuck mutters.
Mako winces.
"You can't hold wanting to help against her," scolds Raleigh.
"Yea, I can. She can get thrown out for something like that—being unregistered and sneaking around places she's not supposed to be."
Mako rallies. "You're not angry with Raleigh for doing the same—"
"Because he listened when I said not to risk it 'round the Sashas and I don't care about him as much!"
"Chuck!"
"What? It's true!"
Max huffs, scrabbles to his feet, sorts out his legs, flounces off with a flick of his tail.
"Kinda hurt over here."
"You can take care of yourself—"
"And I can't?!"
"No—that's not—I—aw fuck it." Chuck hunches, braces his chin on his palms, mumbles, "'m gonna shut up now. Forget I exist."
The silence is sullen as the thestrals fade into the trees.
"So ... Chuck, what did the Sashas have to say?"
"'m not here."
Mako pokes—
Chuck hisses.
—says, "You clearly are."
"Fine." He puts on a ridiculous Slavic accent, intones, "'Sashas will experiment, find Dragonsbane, send for Charles when ready.'"
"And then?"
"Then I take it and hope it works or at least kills me outright."
Raleigh says, voice gentle, "Why do you want to die so much?"
"Because everyone'd be better off without me."
"Not Raleigh and I. Not Max."
"For now. You'll all get sick of dealing with a monster."
"You're not a monster," protests Raleigh.
"I know it's hard to get through to your sunshiny puppy brain, Becket, but far as most people are concerned, I am. Worst kinda magical beast: known wizard-killer, too dangerous for anyone but experts to deal with."
"We must be experts, then."
"Mako ... it doesn't really matter what you think. Or Becket." He sits up a little straighter. "Folks don't like werewolves, let alone dragons. I'm the worst of 'em together and I'll be lucky to make it t'twenty whether or not anyone else figures it out."
"You really think someone will try to kill you?"
Chuck shrugs. "If I hurt someone, yea. Maybe even if I scare someone important bad enough."
Mako swallows. "I doubt—"
Chuck waves her off. "They might lock me up somewhere permanent instead."
Lets his head fall back. "Oops, forgot. Already am."
"Hogwarts isn't a prison."
"For me it is. I haven't been farther than Hogsmeade since it happened."
"I didn't know that," murmurs Mako.
"Why? It's not like you're unpredictable: you can just take the Floo Network back here before the moon changes."
"Maybe I could if my old man wasn't scared I'll do something stupid and dangerous like run away or attack somebody with my bare hands. Or teeth."
"Would you actually do that?"
"Not if I had a wand on me," scoffs Chuck.
"You'd bite someone if you didn't?"
"If there wasn't another way to win, yea."
Raleigh gives a low whistle. "Remind me not to piss you off."
"Don't piss me off, Becket."
"Not now—"
"You'd really run away?"
Chuck bows his head, rubs the back of his neck. "Thought about it a few times, but—" Takes a deep breath. "—it's safer—for me, too—to stay here."
Mako's heart twists in the silence which follows.
Chuck inhales deeply, says, "Was one good thing, though, about the Sashas poking me. Finally got to see sorta what it looks like. The scales, at least."
"You didn't—don't know what you look like?"
"'s'not like I'm thinking about mirrors, ay?"
"Judging by the usual state of your hair, I suspect you're actually allergic to them."
"She's got a point. You sure you're not a vampire?"
Chuck scowls at Raleigh. "Wouldn't I be dead 'bout now if I was?"
"Maybe the dragon skin protects from the sunburn?"
"If that's so, how'd I make it that far?"
"Sunscreen?" offers Mako.
"Maybe southern hemisphere sunshine's okay for vampires? You know, 'coz it's backwards?"
Mako laughs.
"Becket?"
"Yea, Chuck?"
"Don't piss me off."
.
== Chapter 7: Caught Out ==
Summary: Chuck reveals his violent nature when a witness stumbles upon his transformation.
27 April 2017; (0 days 'til transformation); Hogwarts, Scotland, United Kingdom
Chuck stops scratching his neck against a tree, turns his nose to the breeze, sniffs.
Across the clearing, Mako and Raleigh pause in their hunt for shed scales to test the air, too.
Tea, amber soap, chalk, human sweat, fear.
Chuck faces up to the source, predator's eyes shining green in the starlight.
""Mori!"" calls a familiar voice.
Mako's heart sinks; she nudges Raleigh, whimpers.
""Becket!"" shouts Professor Hansen.
Raleigh licks her nose, whuffles reassurance.
Chuck, though, folds himself as small as he can, belly pressed tight to the ground.
""If you can hear me, keep quiet and come toward my voice!""
Chuck shifts his hind legs, digs in his claws.
Mako whines.
Chuck flicks an eye—
Raleigh woofs, telegraphs 'follow me' as loudly as he can.
—re-focuses in the direction of Professor Hansen's voice.
""Mako!"" Closer now.
The tip of Chuck's tail twitches.
""Raleigh!"" Even closer.
Bushes rustle.
Chuck takes and holds a deep breath.
Mako barks as loud as she can.
Silence, except for the bark's echoes.
Mako relaxes.
""Who's there?"" Professor Hansen steps into the grassy space, into the gap between Chuck and Mako.
Chuck lunges, jaws gaping.
Professor Hansen's arm and wand sweep—
Golden sparks shower as claws scrape across an invisible shield.
—yelps, "Stop! /Please, kid! You'll hurt yourself!"
—roars, strikes again and again and again.
The shield holds.
Mako ....
Raleigh charges in, barking loudly—
Chuck rumbles.
—weaves between Chuck's forelegs, nips at his chin—
Chuck cocks his head, smacks Raleigh with the back of his paw.
—rolls heels over head—
Mako runs, dives under Chuck's lashing tail, races up to his head, jumps and yaps at his eye and ear.
—scrambles to his feet, launches himself at Chuck, resumes his antics.
Chuck looks from Raleigh to Mako to Professor Hansen, huffs.
Raleigh and Mako keep running and baying.
With a frustrated noise, Chuck snaps open his wings, hauls himself skyward with powerful down-strokes.
The force of air sends Mako and Raleigh tumbling.
By the time they get their legs sorted and shrug off the dizziness, Chuck is out of sight.
Mako turns—
Blue light flashes.
—stretches and grows, sheds her tail and claws, stares at her pink hands and short nails.
"What the bloody fu—what've you two /done?!" yells Professor Hansen, looming over them.
Raleigh squeaks, "I can—"
"Look—!"
Professor Hansen whirls—
Chuck crashes back to earth, strikes—
—his wand flies away, he raises a bloody hand, shouts, "/Lumos solem!", steps—
A bolt of brilliant white.
Chuck roars, staggers back, blinking rapidly and shaking his head.
—between Chuck and Raleigh and Mako, commands, "/Protego maxima! /Fianto duri!"
The air around them shimmers as Professor Hansen sinks to his knees, fishes in a coat pocket.
"Are you—"
"Gimme a moment!" Professor Hansen opens a small tin, scoops out a glob of a silvery cream, and coats the deep scratch across the back of his hand with it, hissing.
"What ...."
Professor Hansen sits back on his heels. "Zinc and dittany." Turns his hand to and fro. "It'll only scar."
Mako swallows.
"I'm sorry," whimpers Raleigh. "We—I shouldn't have—"
"Will this shield keep him out?" cringes Mako.
"Never tried it before," sighs Professor Hansen, "but I'm pretty sure it will. Worked for the Sashas."
Outside, Chuck sniffs the air, shuffles a few steps, sniffs again.
"At the very least, he can't see us anymore." He shrugs. "Only needs to hold a few minutes anyway. It's almost sunrise."
Raleigh blows out a deep breath; Mako takes one.
"Now, for love of heaven, what are you /doing out here?!"
Mako puts her shoulders back. "We're helping Chuck."
"Helping?!" Professor Hansen's voice breaks; he jabs a finger at Chuck. "How is this /helping?! He could /kill you!"
"He /won't."
"Y-yea! You saw him hit me: just hard enough to get me out of his way. He knows we're his friends."
Chuck circles their bubble, snout to the ground, slowly drawing closer.
"Kids ... I know you want to help, but he's not /safe like this. It's too easy for him to snap your neck a-and one bite's all it takes to ...."
"We know the risks and we've made our choice," declares Mako.
"He's our friend," adds Raleigh.
Professor Hansen shakes his head.
/thump.
Chuck spins, noses the shield where his tail had struck it. Pokes it with a claw. Pushes with a paw. Steps up, one foot above the other, testing the height and strength of their sanctuary.
"How ... how long have you been doing this?"
"We've joined him since December." Mako locks her gaze with Professor Hansen's. "He shouldn't have to suffer alone."
/whoompf!
Orange flames lick along the surface of the bubble.
It holds.
Chuck roars frustration, drags his claws along the surface, trailing sparks.
Raleigh squares himself up. "Professor, what're /you doing out here? We haven't seen you before."
"I spotted you sneaking out and didn't want you eaten."
"But why weren't you with him before?"
Professor Hansen says—
The first snatch of morning birdsong floats past.
With a whimper, Chuck backs away from them; Mako's heart stutters as she notices the brightening blue sky and little fluffy clouds overhead.
Professor Hansen stands, faces Chuck, straightens his spine.
Raleigh threads his fingers through Mako's, gives a squeeze.
She presses back, clamps shut her eyes.
Chuck howls over the wrenching sound of splintering bone.
Forever later, his cries stop and sleepy doves provide the only sound.
Professor Hansen rasps, ""/Finite.""
Mako pries open teary eyes.
Chuck, small and pale and very still, lies huddled on the ground making quiet, pained noises.
"'s'alright, Charlie, 's over, I got you," whispers Professor Hansen, crouching down and wrapping Chuck in his coat—
A whimper.
—gathers Chuck in his arms, and eases to standing, orders quietly, "Follow me, you two."
They nod, push to their feet, brush off their trousers, trudge after him in the general direction from which he'd come.
Suddenly, Raleigh bends, squints at something lying in the grass.
"What is it?" Mako peers over his shoulder.
Dark wood, splintered into three jagged pieces.
"Professor Hansen? I think I found your wand."
""Bring it with you.""
Raleigh reverently picks it up, grimaces as the bits twist, exposing strands of golden hair. "Veela," he breathes.
""It's unicorn,"" corrects Professor Hansen.
"But that's whi—"
""Let's keep going.""
"Oh, uh, right."
He leads them back to the Shack by a direct path they'd never noticed, saying nothing.
"He must've Obfuscated it," whispers Raleigh.
Mako nods agreement.
They leave the dark of the Forest for the lighter dark of a brushy field.
Chuck slurs, ""Wha're /you doin'?""
Mako can't help smiling at the amount of offense in his tone.
""Tol' you—""
""I came looking for your friends 'coz I saw them sneaking into the Forest. Found you, too.""
Her smile fades.
""Pu' me down.""
""Not 'til we get inside.""
Chuck grunts, then goes quiet for the rest of the walk.
At the Shack, Professor Hansen finally lets Chuck stand on his own to get himself dressed.
Mako nudges Raleigh, bobs her chin toward Chuck's shaking hands.
Raleigh whispers against her ear, "Yea, this's the worst I've seen him."
Mako chews her lower lip.
Chuck manages his outfit, ignoring Professor Hansen's gestures of help, wobbles over to Mako. He leans heavily against her side, mumbles, "Le's go."
She hums, sets out for the castle at a shamble, but even that has Chuck wheezing from exhaustion before they reach the kitchen entrance and panting by the time they reach the door to his quarters.
Professor Hansen beckons them inside, which Chuck had never done.
At first glance, the Hansens' rooms are sparse but comfortable; there's even a rather merry blaze in the fireplace to greet them.
Raleigh gently places the broken wand on the nearest clear table.
Meanwhile, Chuck drags himself directly across the room to the settee, then collapses, seemingly boneless, on the cushions.
Professor Hansen drapes three waiting quilts over him, pats—flattens his palm against his thigh, turns back to Mako and Raleigh.
Mako studies her shoes.
"Professor Hansen?"
"Yea, Becket?"
"What will you do with us?"
"We're all going to talk to the Deputy Headmaster."
Mako swallows the lump in her throat and she risks a peek at Professor Hansen.
"Later, after we've all had some sleep." He smiles, not unkindly. "Get back to your rooms. You'll see him in a couple of days, like usual."
"Yes, sir," they chorus and slink off toward The Den; Raleigh in a hunched, head-down plod, Mako with her heart in her shoes.
.
== Chapter 8: In Trouble ==
Summary: Professor Hansen keeps his word, which means Mako and Raleigh face Hogwarts discipline
27 April 2017; (0 days after transformation); Hogwarts, Scotland, United Kingdom
Mako worries—
"Careful!" shrieks Second Evie. "You're gonna explode it!"
—steps away from the cauldron, carefully places the fire seed on the heat-resistant tray.
"What is /wrong with you today? You're /never this air-headed."
"I ...." Mako shifts, glances over her shoulder toward the door. "I did not sleep well."
"Worrying about your boyfriend." Second Evie pairs a reassuring smile with wistful eyes. "I /totally understand."
Mako grinds mental gears until: "My boyfriend?"
"Chuck Hansen's—"
Mako blinks rapidly, cogs slipping.
"—sick /again, right? I hope there's not something /serious wrong with him, but he misses so many classes, there almost /has to be." Second Evie picks up the tongs and the fire seed.
"I ... hadn't noticed."
Second Evie scoffs. "You two are joined at the hip, so you /have to notice when he's not around." Eases the seed along the side of the cauldron until it's fully submerged.
Mako blinks a few more times, remembers to breathe.
"'sides, /everyone's noticed." Leans in conspiratorially. "There's even a rumour he's a /werewolf because he's out once a month."
The potion fizzes, smelling vaguely like cherry cream soda.
"That can't be true." Mako assembles thoughts. "The full moon isn't for weeks, for a beginning."
"I /know. I said there's a rumour, not that the rumour was anything like true."
"O-of course. I'm sorry I jumped to a conclusion."
"You're forgiven, Mako." Second Evie beams. "What do we add next?"
Mako consults her textbook, forces the letters to form words, says, "Four drops of infusion of wormwood, gently swirled in."
"If you swirl, I'll drop."
Mako hums agreement and takes out her wand, makes the proper motions.
The rest of preparation is absorbing enough that Mako forgets to worry for the rest of the period and she and Second Evie receive top marks for their Praesagitio Potion, although the professor confiscates it, much to Second Evie's whiny disappointment.
Mako cleans her cauldron, then gathers her supplies and books, slinks to the exit, heart steadily dropping.
Professor Hansen, waiting right outside the classroom door, greets, "Good morning, Miss Mori—"
She eeps—
Second Evie plows into her back.
Professor Hansen steadies them both.
—says—makes nothing but a breathy noise.
"Miss Mori, come with me please," he says. "Miss Haynes, please take her supplies back to her room."
"Yes, Professor," replies Second Evie as Mako passes over her cauldron and books.
The whispering starts as soon as Mako turns to Professor Hansen.
She keeps her head up and back straight as she marches away from Potions along the halls to the Deputy Headmaster's office. 
Raleigh's already there, standing in front of the desk. He sketches a wave and a reassuring smile.
Mako does her best to reply in kind. 
Professor Hansen perches on a chair tucked against a bookcase with his hands between his knees, playing with the heavy ring on his finger.
Deputy Headmaster Pentecost stands, glides around her desk, stops directly in from of them, and inclines her head in greeting. "Mister Becket, Miss Mori."
"Deputy Headmaster," they chorus.
"Professor Hansen's filled me in on your nocturnal adventures with the non-existent baby dragon which most certainly does /not live in the Forbidden Forest."
Mako tries to parse that.
"Uh, ma'am?"
"You've been keeping Mister Hansen company during his monthly transformations."
"You know—?" Raleigh shuts his mouth so fast his teeth click.
"Yes, I'm /very aware of his condition and the threat it potentially poses to other students at this school."
"He's not a—"
"Excuse me, Miss Mori."
Mako wishes she was a carpet.
"Better. As I was saying—"
Mako cringes anew.
"—I'm aware of the threat a were-creature might become. That threat is one of the reasons the Forbidden Forest is forbidden. Students with conditions like Mister Hansen's need a sanctuary, too."
Raleigh shifts his feet; Mako swallows around the growing lump in her throat.
"By flouting the ban, even as disguised as you were—and we'll get to that in a moment—you encourage other students to explore the Forest and that puts Mister Hansen and its permanent inhabitants at risk. Not to mention how the students could be attacked by a number of creatures even nastier than Mister Hansen's alter-ego." The Deputy Headmaster steps closer. "Do you understand?"
"Yes, ma'am," croaks Raleigh.
"Yes, ma'am," whispers Mako.
Deputy Headmaster Pentecost nods, backs to her desk, leans against it. "Listen, kids, I know you want to help your friend, but the best way to do that is to stay away from him at the new moon—and out of the Forest at all times."
"He shouldn't suffer alone," protests Mako.
After a deep breath, the Deputy Headmaster says, "Some very skilled people are searching for a way to treat his pain and I'm confident they'll find one."
Raleigh nearly growls his reply: "You want us to stand by and let him hurt out there, all alone."
"I do, Mister Becket."
Mako squares her shoulders. "I can't do that, Deputy Headmaster. I promised him I would be with him every month."
"I understand and admire your loyalty, Miss Mori, but last night is the final time you'll enter the Forbidden Forest without a faculty member. I'll explain this to Mister Hansen as soon as I'm done with you two."
"But Dep—"
"You are /not to enter the Forbidden Forest again. If you do, the punishment will be more extreme than polishing Great Hall candelabra. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, ma'am," mumbles Raleigh.
"Miss Mori?"
"Yes, Deputy Headmaster, I understand."
"Next item: how did you learn of Mister Hansen's condition?"
Mako shivers.
"Miss Mori?"
"I saw the scars on his arm and, when I confronted him about them, he told me what had happened."
Deputy Headmaster Pentecost looks to Professor Hansen.
He frowns, says, "I'll talk to him."
"Please do. You, Mister Becket?"
"I, uh, noticed that he was missing class at the same time every month and that it lined up with the new moon and I remembered reading about were-dragons and how darkness brings them out ...." He stutters to a stop, then adds, "He fit the pattern."
"A very clever bit of reasoning."
"Thank you, ma'am."
"Have you shared what you know about Mister Hansen with anyone else?"
"No!"
"No, ma'am. We would /never put Chuck at risk like that," declares Mako.
Raleigh nods fervently.
"Since that's the way you feel, it should be easy for you to stop drawing attention to him and the Forest, yea?"
Mako hangs her head, scuffs her toe against the carpet.
"Now for our other bit of business. You're both Animagi."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Yes, Deputy Headmaster."
"Show me. Mister Becket first, please." 
Raleigh nods, shuffles a step sideways, shrugs into his shaggy golden coat, floppy ears, and big brown eyes. He sits politely, tail whapping on the rug.
"Well done. Miss Mori, please."
"Yes, Deputy Headmaster," she says and stretches brindled fur around herself, drops onto four padded paws, pricks her ears, sits at attention.
"Lovely. Please resume your human forms."
They shed their fur, tuck away their ears, test their recovered thumbs.
"Who taught you?"
"I found a book about Animagi in the library in my second term and decided to try it."
"You seem to spend a lot of time in the library."
Raleigh smiles, shrugs. "I read fast?"
Deputy Headmaster Pentecost snorts a laugh. "And you, Miss Mori?"
"Raleigh introduced me to a text on the subject and I trained myself."
"You did this solely to accompany Mister Hansen."
"I did, ma'am," replies Mako.
"And you helped her because she wanted to."
"Yes, ma'am."
"The Sorting Hat certainly got the two of you right: loyal right down to your bones."
Mako meets her warm smile with a small one of her own.
"As for your hard-won transfiguration skills, are you registered as Animagi with the Ministry of Magic?"
"No, ma'am."
"No, Deputy Headmaster."
"/Will you be by the end of the day?"
Mako and Raleigh exchange a look.
"Eyes front, please."
"Yes, ma'am, I'll register."
"I will as well."
"Good." She rounds her desk, claims her chair with intimidating grace. "Now, do you have any questions for me?"
Mako traces the carpet pattern with her eyes, murmurs, "No, ma'am."
"Umm, are we going to be punished?" hazards Raleigh.
"The fear of what could happen to Mister Hansen if you expose his condition should be enough—" Leans forward, grins with very sharp-looking teeth. "—don't you think?"
"Yes, ma'am," they murmur.
"You may go."
Raleigh and Mako bow and flee for the halls, not slowing until they reach a quiet corner near The Den, where they plop on the floor.
He closes his eyes and gently bonks the back of his head against the wall.
She picks at the cuff of her robe.
"Okay," sighs Raleigh, "that could've been worse."
Mako raises an eyebrow. "How so?"
"We could've lost lots of House Points? She might've banned us from seeing Chuck at all? We could've been suspended or expelled?"
Mako's stomach twists.
"Yea, we got off pretty easy." Raleigh takes a deep breath, opens his eyes, offers a weak smile. "Wish it felt better, though."
Mako draws her knees up to her chest, hugs them. "Raleigh, what will we do?"
He ruffles his hair. "I dunno. I don't want to leave him on his own, but I don't want to get us—or him—expelled either, so ... I really don't know."
"We can't abandon him."
"Staying with him might get us all in trouble," Raleigh points out.
"He's our friend and friends protect each other."
"And that's what Hufflepuffs do, right?"
"Right," agrees Mako.
.
== Chapter 9: His Flight ==
Summary: Chuck and his father discuss the night's events and draw some conclusions about the behavior of Chuck's were-self.
27 April 2017; (0 days after transformation); Hogwarts, Scotland, United Kingdom
Chuck is awake.
His blankets smell ... off. Like castle, not ....
Air from the closing door puffs across his skin.
He sniffs; his nose wrinkles, slapped by the Old Man's guilt, a heavy note of shame, and a twinge of fear.
Chuck claws at the back of the couch, hauls himself to sitting—
Old Man squeaks, flutters over.
—grits out, "Wha'did you do?"
"What're you—"
Chuck sets his teeth against the ache in every bone. "What. did. you. do."
"I taught my first per—"
Chuck hisses; Old Man steps back, palms out.
"Wha'did you do tha'll piss me off?" Sneers, "Has you /scared 'a me?"
"It was a normal—"
"Stop /lyin'!"
Old Man looks down, away—guilt /rolls off him—mumbles, "Had a meeting with Luna. She banned Mako and Becket from the Forest."
Chuck rolls his eyes. "Already banned. Everyone is."
"She threatened expulsion if they get caught again."
"That doesn't—"
"You. She said she'd expel /you if they go out there again."
Chuck grinds his teeth, spits, "That yer idea?"
"I had nothing to—"
"You just wanna get rid 'a me!"
"I—"
"Get me locked up like ye did yer brother?!"
"Wha? /No! O-of course—"
"Looks like it t'me!"
"/Chuck!" roars the Old Man—
Even /It quails. 
—steps closer, "You turned on 'em last night! I had t' blind you and put up a shield to keep us safe! From /you."
Chuck's heart seizes, drops, splashes into his stomach; his brain spins—
"Are you gonna—"
The memory forms, clear and bright as starlight, and Chuck sits straighter, snarls, "/You!"
The Old Man jumps back, nearly goes down over the armchair. "Chuck, what're you—"
"/Yer fault! /You set It off!" Chuck sucks a lungful of air through clenched teeth. "Thought you hurt 'em."
"The hell're you saying?"
"Dragonlore: nestlings protect each other—even the runty ones." Deep breath. "/It thinks the pups are Its flight an' guards 'em. Human—enemy, threat—walks in? Defends 'em. Then, no pups, more people, goes crackers. Rawr." Chuck sags back into the cushions.
The Old Man blinks. Opens and closes his mouth. Blinks some more.
Chuck wheezes a laugh.
Old Man smiles-sorta.
The laugh turns into a cough.
Old Man skitters off to the kettle, comes back and presses a warm mug into Chuck's hands. "Water."
"Thanks," croaks Chuck, sipping.
"'welcome." He perches on the edge of the coffee table.
Chuck drains the cup; Old Man exchanges it for a full one.
"So. Right. Forest's dangerous, fulla things can hurt baby dragons an' the pups got no wings 'r claws 'r real teeth, far as It can tell, so It's extra careful 'bout 'em." Chuck lets his eyes fall shut. "Kinda surprised ye got close enough t'see 'em, considering."
""Might not've anyway, if Mako hadn't started barking to warn me off.""
"'ll tell 'er not to next time."
""There won't be a 'next time', Chuck.""
He drags open his eyes. "They're /safe with It. 's /you who's not."
"That's not the whole problem." The Old Man holds his gaze, takes a deep breath. "They're not the first kids we've caught trying to sneak a peek at the baby dragon, just the first ones to actually manage it before we did."
Chuck sips more, heart sinking again. "I din't know ...."
"Luna, Stacker, and I've been running 'em off steady since you started flying. Think we've scolded fully half the Sixth- and Seventh-Year Gryffindors." Sighs. "One of these days, though, we're not gonna catch them in time and—"
"An' It's gonna kill 'em." Chuck shudders. "Or /change 'em."
"Yea ... that's what we're afraid of. That's why we have to come down so hard on Mako and Becket, yea? The Forest can't be an option for /anyone if you want to stay here."
"But It won't hurt Mako an' Ray!" Chuck hates the whine in his voice. "An' I'm actually better off with 'em around!"
"What?"
"'member how It used to tear me up?"
The colour drains from the Old Man's face.
Chuck grunts, satisfied he remembers rightly. "Hasn't done that since they came along. Spends all Its energy watching over 'em."
Awkward silence, filled with the smell of guilt.
"Sasha's working on that potion for you. 'm expecting an update by owl today or tomorrow."
"Mako an' Ray help /now, not—" Waves vaguely. "—whenever."
The Old Man looks away, rests a hand against his neck—
"Did It bi—" Chuck's throat closes off the word.
"It's a scratch. Looks worse than it is."
Chuck hides his exhale behind his cup, drinks it dry.
Old Man offers another, piping hot, his hand shaking.
"Sorry," mumbles Chuck around a mouthful.
"For what?"
"The swipe. Has t' hurt like Hell."
Old Man shrugs. "Probably less than the sunburn you got from me."
"Wha?"
"Your cheeks?"
Chuck touches his face, sending a dull sting and heat from under his fingers. He raises an eyebrow.
"I, uh, used /Lumos solem to get some space between you and the kids. It's what Sasha suggested I do if I ever had to /something."
Chuck grumbles into his water.
"I'll bring some aloe for it from the Greenhouses?"
Chuck sniffs, finishes his water, passes—
Old Man takes the mug, sets it on the table.
—oozes deeper into his nest of cushions and blankets.
"Do you want something to eat before you turn back in?"
Chuck grunts a negative.
"More blankets?"
"'m fine." He wiggles in deeper, rearranges his elbows and knees. "They won' tell, ye know."
"Who won't tell what?"
Chuck's eyes slide closed and he mumbles, "Mako an' Ray. Won't tell anyone 'bout It. They're Badgers. Loyal."
""They won't unless it's to enlist the whole Den, Chuck.""
"Not them. Diff'rent. Smarter 'an the average Badger."
""You might be right, but ...."" The Old Man sighs. ""We'll talk more about it when you're feeling better, ay?""
"Wha'ever."
""Sleep well, kid.""
Chuck huffs, pulls the quilts up over his head, and surrenders himself to sleep.
.
== Chapter 10: Outgrown Things ==
Summary: Chuck joins his father on an emergency shopping trip to London
30 April 2017; (3 days after transformation); London, England, United Kingdom
Chuck dodges a grab from the Old Man as he staggers out of the public hearth's green flames and onto the cobblestones of Diagon Alley. He keeps his feet, straightens his jumper with a huff.
The Old Man hovers, hands fluttering.
Chuck squares his shoulders, sniffs.
The Old Man ducks his head. "So ... wand first?"
Chuck grunts, shuffles off before his damn legs can get noodly again.
Ollivanders hasn't changed: same peeling paint, same wand on the same cushion on display in the window.
He opens the door, waves the Old Man through.
""Greetings, gentlemen! What may I find for you today?""
"I sent an owl about a broken wand? Hansen?"
Ollivander peers down at Chuck from his perch on a high stool, eyes laughing. "An outbreak of high spirits, young master?"
"His—" Jerks a thumb toward the Old Man. "—is the broken one. Mine's fine."
"Ah my goodness silly me! Pardon my leaping to conclusions."
Chuck inclines his head by way of forgiveness.
Ollivander jumps down, straightens his jacket. "Now, good sir, let's see the damage."
The Old Man pulls the scrap of cloth from a pocket, unrolls it on the tabletop. "Had a bit of an accident."
Ollivander peers closer, runs a gentle fingertip along the dark wood. "Ah! Custom made, you provided the material for the core. Thirteen and three-quarters, Australian blackwood, unicorn foal hair, rather rigid."
"That's the one," mumbles the Old Man.
"It's been less than I year since I made this." Ollivander twinkles. "Perhaps /you need my lecture on high spirits, Mister Hansen."
He ducks his head, laughs weakly.
"Have you tried to repair it on your own?"
"Didn't trust myself. The folks at Hogwarts took a look at it, too, and decided not to risk it."
"Very wise of them—not that I'd expect any less. This will take a bit of finesse. Some time, too. Come back around afternoon tea and I should have it good as new."
"Have an estimate on the cost?"
"I believe five Galleons will cover it."
"Right. Thanks."
Ollivander turns his attention to Chuck. "While you're here, let's see your wand, young master."
"Why?"
"Because many young wizards grow out of their wands as often as they grow out of their shoes."
Chuck retrieves his, passes it over.
Ollivander rolls it around his palm. "Thirteen inches, hazel and phoenix feather, unbending." Cocks his head, looks Chuck dead in the eye. "You've been having trouble with it, haven't you?"
Chuck bristles.
"Now, now, young man. Any problems are more likely down to my poor marks in Divination than anything to do with you, Charles 'top of Ravenclaw of his year' Hansen."
Chuck lets his shoulders drop.
"Has there been a major change in your life since you started working with this wand?"
Chuck says—but his tongue goes numb, so he studies his toes.
"His mum died a bit more than a year ago," offers the Old Man softly.
"Oh dear and so young, too, all of you," mumbles Ollivander. "I am so sorry for your loss."
"Thanks."
Chuck can't lift his head.
"Charles," says Ollivander, voice gentle, "I helped you find a wand which hasn't grown with you and I'd like to try again."
Chuck sides-eyes—
The Old Man sags, croaks, "Go ahead."
—chews his lip.
"Let me see your wand hand, please, Charles."
Chuck shuffles closer, does as requested.
Ollivander takes Chuck's hand in his, runs his thumb along the life line, humming. He releases Chuck, taps his chin. "Something unusual, I think." Pulls a down a box, barely looking at the shelves. ""Let's start with this one: holly, unicorn hair." Offers it.
Chuck accepts.
The wand lies dead on his palm.
"Not that one." Ollivander plucks it back, grabs another box. "This one. Ebony, phoenix feather."
It practically jumps from Chuck's hand.
"Hmm ... that's unexpected." The barest pause, then, "Red oak, dragon heartstring."
The wand twitches, silently sighs.
"Getting there, getting there. This!"
The golden wood settles in Chuck's hand, nearly purring.
"Perfect! Fir and dragon heartstring; a bit swishy to match young master's mercurial nature."
Chuck lets that slide, gives the wand an experimental flick. "/Canifors."
Silver mist swirls and the wand's discarded box stands and yips: a perfectly formed, minuscule dog with a curled tail and brindle fur. It looks up at Chuck, panting happily.
Chuck scratches its head with a fingertip.
It wags its whole self.
"Well done!" laughs Ollivander.
Chuck smiles, waves, "/Finite."
The dog is a box again.
"Now, don't expect it always to be that simple, Charles. Fir wands demand focus and stamina from their partners: mind you don't let it run you ragged."
"I can handle it," assures Chuck.
"I do believe you can, coming through what you have how you have."
Chuck sniffs.
Ollivander smiles. "You take it now; your father will pay for it when you come back for his." Winks.
Chuck smiles, tucks the wand away.
"Thanks," says the Old Man, pocketing the old wand. "Be back in a couple of hours."
"I'll be ready and waiting~!" Ollivander vanishes among the shelves.
The shop bell jingles; the Old Man holds the door.
Chuck strolls out to the cobbles, a fresh spring in his step.
The Old Man hunches his shoulders, slows his steps to match pace.
Chuck smells roast chestnuts and popcorn and something ... pink on the air.
"So," says the Old Man, "do you want to keep the old one as a spare or get rid of it?"
"Sell it. I won't need it."
The Old Man grunts, turns them into Horizont Alley, then the pawn shop. He heads straight for the counter.
Chuck considers, aims himself for the racks of clothing along the side wall. He runs his hand along the fabric: wool, silk, cotton, leather ... something a feel of charmwork about it.
He tugs the hanger free, studies the tag, brightens! Turns the tag over, sags.
"What did you find?"
Chuck sighs, re-hangs the outfit.
"Spit it out."
"One-Size-Always-Fits clothes."
"Don't mumble."
Chuck takes a deep breath, says in a rush, "One-Size-Always-Fits clothes. I know they're expensive, but can I /please get some?"
The Old Man winces. "I don't think we can afford it this month, not with the repair job and a new wand to pay for, even with what—"
Chuck covers a wince with a snarled, "How come we never have any money?!"
"Not here."
"Why not?" They're probably used to broke people fighting."
With a sigh, the Old Man says, "Fine. We're broke because repairing the house was expensive. Most of what I make goes to pay down the debt from that."
"The house we can't use," mutters Chuck. "Why don't you /sell the damn thing?"
"Because Scott and I promised our mum we'd never do that."
"Then why doesn't /Scott pay for it since he's the one /living there?"
"We've been over this," grouses the Old Man. "He pays what he can. Even Debra helps a little. It's just—" Shrugs. "—expensive."
"And more important than me going starkers in the winter," mutters Chuck.
The Old Man goes bright red, mumbles, "You'll understand about land someday."
"If I don't catch my fuckin' death first."
"Look—" The Old Man drags a hand down his face. "—I'll talk to Professor Flitwick. Maybe we can charm something you already have."
Chuck rolls his eyes. "The kit's expensive 'coz you need Ministry permission to charm it."
"Yea, but that's just paperwork."
"Which takes /time."
"Time's free."
"Says the bloke who doesn't have homework to do."
"Chuck ...."
"Yea, yea, fine. I can fill it out next time I'm laid up. Not like I have anything /better to do."
.
== Chapter 11: Know One ==
Summary: Chuck and Mako discuss the future, both short- and long-term.
1 May 2017; (4 days after transformation); Hogwarts, Scotland, United Kingdom
Mako fiddles with her quill while she waits for Professor Longbottom to begin the morning's Double Herbology lecture.
Robes rustle and Chuck slumps onto the bench beside her, drops his books on the table with a /fump.
"How're you feeling?" she whispers.
He turns dark-ringed eyes and sunburned cheeks to her, snaps, "How d'ye think?"
Mako cringes away.
Chuck hangs his head, rubs the back of his neck. "Sorry, I din't mean ... I haven't slept much since."
"Shouldn't you—"
"I can't miss any more class. I'm falling behind."
"I'm sure—"
"Mako, it's one of the rules. No—"
Professor Longbottom clears his throat and they focus all their attention on him for the rest of the period.
Class dismissed, they gather their things.
"'m headed to the greenhouses, if you wanna ...."
"I'd like that."
Chuck grunts, trudges off, books under his arm.
Mako follows, quiet, heart aching.
He leads them to the succulent section, over to the /Aloe vera, where he breaks off a small piece, squeezes it against his fingertips, and rubs the gel on his reddened cheeks. With a sigh, he taps a healing charm, sealing the injured plant.
She smiles.
"Wanna go sit in the sun?"
"That would lovely."
Outside they go, to Chuck's favourite corner of Garden One; he sits them down behind the curtain of Flitterbloom and closes his eyes.
Mako watches him a moment, then ventures, "I couldn't help but notice you have a new wand."
"Yea. 's a little finicky still, but it's working better than the old one." He opens his eyes, takes it from a robe pocket, lowers his voice and adds, "Ollivander said I'd changed too much for it."
Mako bites her lip. "May I ... may I see it?"
Chuck passes it over.
Mako caresses the pale, burnished wood, surveys its curve, its weight, its flexibility. "It has a dragon heartstring core?"
"Yea. And it's made of—"
"/Abies nordmanniana—Nordmann fir." She returns it to him.
"Yea." Chuck raises an eyebrow. "How'd you know?"
"My father taught me how to identify wood."
"Oh. Right. 'course." He looks away, busies himself fine-pruning nearby Flitterbloom with well-aimed Severing charms.
Mako absently tints a strand of flowers coppery-gold.
The next she turns bright blue.
"That's a pretty colour."
"Thank you."
More copper.
"Do you still want to be a wand-maker?" asks Chuck, voice soft.
"I ... I don't know."
Purple-pink, like a bruise.
Chuck teases two stems into a helix.
"Before ... I wanted nothing else. Now ...." She shrugs.
Chuck takes a deep breath. "I, um, kinda know what it's like? Before—" Waves vaguely. "—I was /sure I was gonna be an auror like my old man was before he started here. Can't—that can't happen now and I still haven't figured out what else to do."
"You have time to decide."
"I guess." Sighs. "But once your life is wrecked bad as mine, it's hard to get back to anything close to normal. 'least that's how it seems."
Mako shivers.
"I mean—it's not—" Gathers himself. "Look, my uncle did time in Azkaban before I was born and /still can't get a wizarding job because no one /trusts him. It'll be the same for me, now."
Mako's blood runs cold, stories of Death Eaters flickering across her mind, and she swallows. "If-if I may ask, what did he do?"
"Broke the Statute of Secrecy. Something about fireworks in front of a crowd of Muggles." Hunches his shoulders. "My old man turned him in."
"His brother?"
"Yea. His own flesh an' blood." Chuck drops his hands to his lap. "'spose he didn't have a choice if he wanted to be an auror, but. 's why—" Shakes his head. "Uncle Scott spent two years locked up and now everywizard's afraid to hire him, so he works on a Muggle /farm. With /sheep."
Mako stifles a (welcome) giggle at the disgust in Chuck's tone, asks, "Is he happy?"
Chuck goes still, considering.
Mako colours three more flowers blue.
"Ye know, I think he is. 'least, he always /sounds happy in his notes." Frowns thoughtfully. "He's even got a steady girlfriend now."
"Even though he works with sheep?" snickers Mako.
Chuck smiles for the first time that morning. "I guess? She's Scottish, so maybe that's it. They like sheep, right?"
"So she's using him to get to the sheep?"
"I don't—" Chuck grimaces, shudders, then breaks out laughing.
Mako joins in, mentally patting herself on the back.
"You owe me a brain-bleaching potion."
"I'm not to blame for your dirty mind."
"Takes one to know one, ay?" smirks Chuck.
Mako glares, fighting to keep a straight face.
"It's alright. We're teenagers: we're supposed to have dirty minds."
Mako rolls her eyes.
Chuck snorts, transfigures his Flitterbloom cuttings into yellow butterflies and shoos them into the air.
Mako sits straighter. "Chuck?"
"Yea?"
"Raleigh and I have talked and we believe we've found a way to stay with you."
"We don't leave the starting place."
Mako blinks. "How'd you ...?"
"It's the loophole they left. You can't go into the /Forest, sure, but they didn't say anything about the rest of the grounds, ay?" Chuck grins, a flash of his old self. "If I saw it, you /had to."
Mako grins back. "It takes a genius to know one, ay?"
Category:Hogwarts!AU
Category:Ficlet
Category:Hogwarts!AU: Secret Spaces