2002-08-01 08:05:00,
Owl from Harry,

Dear Sirius,

Yes, I was getting worried that I had not heard from you in a while, but like you say, "no news is good news". I LOVE the Boots. Ron is wicked jealous and wants to borrow them to get over on his brothers and Draco.

Perhaps you should have given HIM the warning. Anyway, I need to get going to breakfast, then t class. Can we meet sometime soon? I would like to see you again. Herimione sends her love too. 

Harry

2002-08-03 04:54:00,
Detention,

Well that was bloody pleasant. Can you hear the sarcasm in my voice? Malfoy dragging his feet almost made us late for Detention, then we get there and yes, he had to clean out all the beakers from the previous DAYS worth of potion classes with our toothbrushes. The potion of course was the Warding potion. God, if you think this stuff smells replusive when you are brewing it. Try smelling it after it has been stitting around for a day.

I thought the evening was going to get better when Snape announced that we were NOT going to be watched by him, then he announced it was the Bloody Baron that would be watching us. Terrific.

I wonder what important Midnight Matters Snape had to tend to.. Well, as long as it didn't involve harasssing me, I am fine with that. The Bloody Baron was a bothersome sod, but he didn't frighten me or anything. Malfoy groused about how this punishment was "servants work" all evening in a monotonous litany. He still seems to take a fancy to me, wanting me as a confidant and comrade. Fine. I can do that. I wonder if I shall get invited to any Death Eater Birthday Parties?

Anyway, I am beat, it's nearly five AM here. Four and a half hours of scrubbing beakers and Malfoy in the dungeon. I may sleep all day Saturday..

As ever.

2002-08-05 07:55:00,
Let me tell you about my weekend...

Well, as expected, I stayed in most of Saturday. I was beat from the Detention All-Nighter, and event though I was invited, and the weather was nice, I passed on going to Hogsmeade with my House Mates. It's odd something about that place gives me.. I don't know, the creeps. I felt uneasy at the thought of going there. So, I claimed illness from potion fumes, and spent the day in my rooms, except to leave for meals.

I cannot describe HOW it is I feel, just... off. I found Harry in the library Saturday evening. Yes, I know... odd for me to go there willingly, but lets drop that for now. He was researching something, or looking at something he wasn't SUPPOSED to be looking at for, he slammed the book shut right quick and put it in his bookbag as I approached. I sat with him for a while and and we even got in a smashing game of Wizard's Chess before his crew came and collected him for adventures unknown.

I stayed until they closed the library, then went back to the dorms to bed. Again. Just oddly off is the only way I can describe it.

Sunday was pretty much a repeat of Saturday, with one odd exception. As I was eating lunch in the Great Hall, Snape walked by the Slytherin table and paused near Draco and myself. He gave us both a scrutinizing sort of look, and I am not sure about the look I returned, but it prompted him to mutter, "You look well enough Grim." then as if an added thought or to cover something up, he aded, "Malfoy.", then strode off to points unknown.

Again, I have that odd feeling I am missing something, or have missed out on something. Could that "Well enough" comment have something to do with my new white patch of hair? My feigned illness on Saturday? Did something happen to me that I have forgotten or been MADE to forget?

Suddenly, I feel a chill coming over me at that thought... Damn, almost time for breakfast and Monday classes. I had better skip off.

As ever,"

2002-08-05 22:16:00,
OOC Character Notes

The "Allergy Potion" Albus has Jack taking not only causes the changes his appearance and reverses his age, it supresses the Sirius side of his personality, making him "Jack Grim".

He must take the potion weekly to continue the disguise, and as the week draws to a close, it begins to weaken, and more of Sirius and his personality come to the surface as we shall see. If he were go to longer than on week without the potion, he woauld beging to revert back to his real age and appearance. By day nine or ten he would be full back to his former self.

2002-08-05 23:20:00,"
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good..."

An IC Dual RP Scene with Draco and Jack Grim.

Jack came tromping down the stairs from the Boy's Dorms in Slytherin House, his hair still damp from his shower, and a brush in his hand. He pays no mind to who is in the common room as he enters. He goes straight over to one of the chairs before the fire, flopped down in it and began to come out his hair. He stared into the flames and lost himself in thought.

For once, Draco was not currently holding reign over the common room. But he wouldn't be absent from that throne for long. He had simply been retrieving a book from the library, not really feeling up to staying within the Great Hall and chatting up the night away. Thus, when he entered through that portal, he wasn't followed by his goons that usually follow in his shadow. A book nudged under his arm while the other pulled the miror closed. It didn't surprise him that when looking about the common room, that he spotted Jack by the fire. Pausing for a moment, deciding what to do, he finally made up his mind and placed the book down, before sitting down in a chair by the one Jack occupied.

Jack looked slowly over to the side when Draco arrived and sat down. He offered the lift of a chin, and a soft, "Oi Malfoy," as he continued to comb out his longish hair. "Where are your human bookends?" he asked in a bored tone.

"They're not always with me, you must understand. As menial as they seem, they have lives to live as well..away from me that is. Plus, I rather enjoy my privacy." Giving a half smirk before eyes wandered towards the fire that seemed to preoccupy Jack, it was..interesting, hm? "On to common small talk. How was your day? Or weekend rather? I noticed that you didn't accompany us to Hogsmeade."

Jack surpressed a shudder at the mention of Hogsmeade, and slowly looked back over at Malfoy, and shrugged. "Just didn't feel like going. That's all. Didn't feel well after inhaling all those potion fumes the night before. Must've made me sick," he said, repeating his story from two days before. "How was it?" he asked after a beat, chosing not to comment on Crabbe and Goyle any further.

Draco gave a nod, having that deep rooted feeling that Jack was still rather miffed about the severity of their detention, but didn't bring it up. Draco gave a shrug of his own as he made himself comfortable within the chair. "It was the same thing as the time before..and the before that.." To an extent.."You really didn't miss out on much..unless you wanted to be part of immature pranks that seem to be 'all the rage'." Grinning silently to himself.

Jack finished with combing out his hair, and tucked his comb into a pocket as he looked over at Draco, an eyebrow lifted inquisitively. "What sort of pranks?" he asked, suddenly fully interested in the conversation at hand.

Draco blinked, why were the pranks all of a sudden so interesting? He didn't even find them such, unless carried out by himself. "The usual, they usually contain little to no thinking. Mostly concerning the use of trick candy. They seemed to be rather amused watching chocolate frogs scaring first years and children in the village by jumping at them..." He rolled his eyes. "I would rather see pranks that actually contain some..craftmanship."

Jack settled back in his chair, bored again, "Oh... that sort of prank..." he drawled lazily. "I have to concur with you. A truly marvelous prank requires forethought, planning and sheer cunning to pull off the best of routs." Jack suddenly had a gleam in his eye for the briefest of moments, and a wicked grin crossed his face. The then looked back over at Malfoy. "What did you have in mind?"

Draco caught that wicked grin..and it was quite a sight to see indeed! Soon after, combined with his own. "Oh..something to stay in the minds of others forever. Something that could ultimately be talked about for days on end. But nothing too intense..of course..or more detention could be a horrible result. And..we really don't want that...." Running a fingertip over his lips in silent thought. "I haven't thought about performing pranks for sometime, almost thought I had grown out of them..but maybe not."

Jack leaned on the arm of his chair, mvoing his face closer to his compatriots, and whispered through a wicked leer, "You are NEVER too old for a good prank..." he said, then added, and on top of your game." he said then ran his tongue across his lips in anticipation of the game being afoot soon. "So... who shall the mark be Mr. Malfoy?" he asked with the delicate hitch of an eyebrow.

Chin was placed lazily upon outstretched fingers as Jack leaned in with a leer that made him grin in return. "I guess I underestimate how beneficiary a good prank could really be." A finger tapped his chin for a moment before a devious smirk ran it's course over his lips. "You know, revenge has always been sweet. And who deserves some revenge for the tedious task we performed Friday night?" Of course, that could only mean one person..and it might end up bad on their part...but it'll be worth it, he thought.

Jack smiled wide, showing bright white teeth, and a pair of canines that looked strangely just that. Feral. "I agree... Nothing would give me more pleasure than repay that greasy old git, and have the blame placed on someone else." he whispered softly into Malfoy's ear, then clicked his tongue on his teeth as he pulled back slowly. "I think I have just the thing... Simple, yet effective...." he said with a wink. "We swap bottle contents on the supply shelf he uses behind his desk. We could never get to the heavy stuff he keeps in the office, but this will be more fun when he goes to use them during class." Jack paused, rolling his eyes as he thought. "The key to this... is laying the blame ELSEWHERE... Evidence needs to be found. Evidence from say... Another house?" he grinned in a wicked way.

God, it just made him shutter in a sadistic sort of pleasure. The best sort..well..almost the best sort of pleasure out there. While people got their kicks out of helping somebody, it seems Slytherin's loved to get their kicks out of hurting others..and why not? They deserved it! A simplistic purr was uttered after a nod, listening closely at the anticipated prank. "Oh..I know it's so completely overdone, but putting the blame on Gryffindor is always so fun. Besides, not only that..but they're also known for pranks. Not to mention, they have an undying hatred for Snape as well."

Jack smirked, his slim lips pulling to one side as he nodded slowly. "Indeed. Now, we only need to figure out how to lay the blame..." he said lifting an index finger to his lips as he thought. "Switching the ingredients will be simple enough. You have gloves don't you Malfoy? We don't want to leave prints now do we?" He said with a stern look at Draco from under his long two toned bangs.

Giving a smirk, he nodded. "Don't take me as a fool..or a stupid Slytherin. Gloves are a necessity." Nodding matter-of-factly before returning to the matter at hand. "Well, the most plausible way in placing the blame upon the Gryffindor House would be to get something of theirs..but that means trying to sneak into their common room..and that isn't a good idea." Thinking a bit harder..a brow raised with a smirk. "Do you think that any of the teachers has confiscated any items from the Gryffindors? Something..we might be able to confiscate back?"

Jack rubbed his lips with the fingertips of his hand as he thought. "Filch would. Filch has an entire office full of confiscated magical and personal items..." he said then lifted an eyebrow at Malfoy. "Now, we first need to create a suitable diversion to draw him out of there, nick something, then begin stage two once the heat from that cools off. We may have to do this in stages..." he ponders.

"Of course, hmm..the best diversion for Flich would be to pull something off that Peeves would do..and alert Filch.. and while he goes to yell.. and possibly report Peeves doings to Dumbledore.. one of us goes and retrieves the needed item." It seemed like a good idea to him, after all, Peeves was a constant annoyance to Filch.. and any possibility of getting Peeves banned from the school was snatched up by his bony hands.

Jack nodded. I will handle making the distraction cause by Peeves. I already have an idea for that." he said as he got languidly up from the couch, and held his hand out to Draco, "Shall we?" he grinned.

Draco grinned as he clasped hands with Jack, and allowed himself to be pulled up to his feet. After collecting two pairs of gloves from his belongings, he gave one to Jack, and when everyone else had gone to bed, they slipped out of the mirror and into the halls.

They parted ways at the entrance to the Great Hall, and Jack waited until Draco was welly hidden in a far away alcove before he began, "Mischief Managed." he grinned to himself, then began at the back of the hall, and ran to the front, knocking over suits of armor as he ran, causing enough racket to wake the dead. He laughed aloud, feeling the rush of... days old? He reached the entrance to the Hall, and instinct told him which secret tunnel to take back to Slytherin House to await Malfoy and his stolen booty.

Draco was supreme cat burgler material, and he had to place his gloved hand in his mouth to keep from laughing aloud as he heard the racket all the way to his hiding place near Filch's Office. Right on cue, Filch came charging out foaming at the mouth, and screaming "Peeves!" at the top of his lungs. Mrs. Norris, his scrawny cat went racing after him, and after they were out of sight, Malfoy made his move and slipped into the office, unseen, undetected.

Jack reached the Common Room of Slytherin House first, and looked around the empty room. He could not supress a hearty laugh as the adrenaline coursed through his veins like a drug. His grin was from ear to ear, and his eyes were sparkling with mischievous energy.

Draco was slightly out of breath as he reached the common room once more, with desired object in hand. That had been rather invigorating..and wouldn't mind going through it again. But oh, they weren't done with this little prank yet, but it definately wouldn't be the last. Pushing through the portal door, mirror from the outside, he grinned down to the small bag of trick candy. Draco wasn't sure what the candy was capable of, but the scarlet and gold bag told him that it belonged to students within the Gryffindor house. More then likely by the Weasley Twins. Looking around, he spotted Jack..and a wide grin spread on his face. "Too easy, literally like stealing candy from a baby."

Jack was slightly winded as well, he was leaning on the back of an overstuffed chair catching his breath when Malfoy arrived with the prize. Jack stood up and walked over toward his partner in crime to have a closer look at what he has managed to nick from Filch's office. Jack smiled as he peered into the bag, and grinned. "I've heard about these. Don't eat any of them..." he warned Draco, then clapped his palms together dramatically. "Well, onto phase two my dear Draco?" he asked with a flirty flutter of eyelashes.

Draco peered into the bag as well..and a raise of his eyebrow. There were about..oh..seven individually wrapped peices of unknown candy. Being the mischevious mood that he was, he pulled two peices out. "I wonder how my "bookend friends" would enjoy a free peice of candy." Oh hey, why not throw in two more casualties! "I figure..if we strike some people in Slytherin House..it would seal the blame on the Gryffindors. Why would Slytherin pull a prank on Snape, as well as students within the house itself? Hm?" He'd plant those where Crabbe and Goyle could find them without difficulty. Draco grinning towards Jack. "I'm well ready to begin phase two.." Slightly pushing him as he mocked that flirtatious look.

Jack gave Draco a sneer, and turned, sauntering out of the common room again, and went into stealth mode as he made his way along the dark and empty corridors. "Keep and eye out for the REAL Peeves..." he whispered to Draco. "That would throw a major wrench into this little soiree..." he said solemnly.

Hopefully, the racket that Jack had caused not only stirred Filch from his office, but caught the real Peeves attention..sending him to harass Filch personally. Maybe...hopefully. Draco gave a nod as they sneaked through the many corridors and intricate hallways. But after being here so long..it wasn't soon before they were a corner away from Snape's classroom. "Phase two..is most definately my favorite phase."

Jack moved like an animal on the hunt, and slipped into the classroom without incident. "Watch the door," he said to Draco with a grin as he made his way to the shelves of potion making ingredients. With gloves on and a few empty beakers taken from the shelves he began to quickly go to his work. He traded like colored liquids, and only things that looks similar in consistancy and thickness. He kept his ears open for trouble, and kept looking back over his shoulder at Malfoy.

A nod..and he stood on watch, looking left then right..then repeating every so often. A couple times looking within the classroom to monitor what Jack was doing. A couple times, he thought he heard footsteps, a bit tense before finding out it was nothing. But the fourth..maybe fifth time he thought he heard footsteps..it was no false alarm. There really were footsteps within hearing range. Draco inwardly cursed and pulled inside. "Somebody is coming, we need to make ourselves sparce..and damn quick." Ready to dash on the drop of a dime.

"Shit!" Jack swore under his breath and quickly finished up what he was doing and waved to Malfoy, "Quick, over here..." he waved heading for an alcove behind the rows of seats, and alongside a bookcase. "Toss the candy, and come on!" he hissed as he started to slip into the cramped hiding place, heart pounding with the rush.

Like said, Draco made himself rather sparce. With Jack's help of course. Tossing the candy that he had on hand just behind Snape's desk, but visible by anybody that looks. That done, he made a dash for the hiding spot where Jack currently was. A hiding place which..barely had room for one, let alone two. But manage he did, after all, he wasn't exactly huge, but he seemed to be such compared to the small space..and sharing with another. The fear of being caught was pushing his breathing into overdrive..or was that Jack's breathing he heard? Whatever the case maybe, it needed to be stopped before it gave them away. Draco's right hand was placed over Jack's mouth, while Draco's left hand...was clamped over his own mouth.

Jack opened his eyes wide at Draco's sudden motion and then lowered his eyelids partially, watching Draco closely. He stared deeply into the icy blueness of his eyes, and at the milky white skin on the other boy's face. He WAS an attractive young man, the taint of evil passed down from his father only seemed to add to that. Jack found himself concentrating on his own rapid breathing and pulse, and was confused by it. He stood there pressed tightly chest to chest with Malfoy, listening and waiting.

For the most part, Draco didn't realize their current situation, all he was concentrating on at the moment was detecting the footsteps, passing, coming, stopping, whichever it may be. That was the current hindering worry on his mind. Of course, you can't really ignore how close another is, especially when you're chest to chest with another. But..he would turn his attention to that..in a moment. Draco was taking in stuttered..labored breaths, seeing as he was limited, instead of being free to quench the air his lungs thirsted for. After a couple moments, he heard the footsteps pull closer..and closer yet, then stop..maybe a little away from the room..or maybe right in front? He wasn't sure. But soon a voice followed, not one..but two. It was..Dumbledore..? Most likely..and the second voice was predominately McGonagal, female..yet strict in tone.

Jack had been trying to breathe as hard as he could with Malfoy's hand over his mouth, then he heard the steps approach, and halt nearby. He opened his eyes WIDE again as he looked into Malfoy's, denoting his anxiety at the moment. He felt a rush of adrenaline in his blood again, and a twinge in his groin. He couldn't help it. Making trouble always gave him a boner, and the only downside to that was that it was pressed against Malfoy's slender thigh. He prayed he wouldn't notice. That could be bad...

"It looks like this room is undisturbed..." Albus said in a patient tone, "I am guessing it was just an attack in the Hall Peeves was up to this evening." he said softly. "I wish you would get him out of here Albus..." Professor McGonnagal added in a tense tone as she turned to leave, "He is such a nuisance to the school, the teachers, the students. Everyone!" she said, sounding exasperated. Albus smiled, "A little nonsense now and then, is welcomed by the wisest men..." he grinned, and followed Minerva out of the room.

Draco waited until he was absolutely positive that Dumbledore and McGonnagal were gone from the classroom..and better yet, anywhere NEAR the classroom. When he was positive, he drew that hand away from Jack's mouth. Soon after, his left hand dropped away. "Bloody hell...." Taking in a much needed deep breath before turning his eyes towards Jack with a brow raise. "Would I be wrong in saying that Fellatia isn't the only one that turns you on?" Grinnnig deviously..a classic Draco expression. Oh yes, that boner..was rather obvious. Then again..how could it go unnoticed when they were placed in such a small space? Please, unless they were dressed in exceedingly thick clothing, it was impossible to go unnoticed.

Jack narrowed his eyes and sneered at Draco in a playful way. "Conceited little wanker aren't you?" he whispered back, near to Draco's ear. "How do you know it wasn't the thrill of the chase, or Professor McGonnagal?" he panted, letting his warm breath wash over Draco's skin, then quickly and impulsively ducked closer, and placed a kiss on Malfoy's flushed cheek. He then grabbed him by the upper arm and led him towards the front of the classroom. "Follow me... I know a safer way back..." he said leading Draco to yet another secret passage he just somehow knew about...

Oh..there was a most obvious shutter as that breath lingered over his skin..and then that kiss. Interesting..and potentially dangerous combination. It took a moment to recompose himself before a word was uttered, but oh, words were his specialty. "If Professor McGonnagal was the one to turn you on, then I'd start to wonder about your taste...and sanity." Grinning was he was dragged to the front of the classroom. Damn..how did Jack know about all of the different passageways within the school? It was amazing you could say.</lj-cut>",The sound of my laughter,mischievous

2002-08-06 07:40:00,"Regrets, I have none...","Thinking about last night, and the pranks Malfoy and I have set in motion I can only wonder what "side" of me did that. I was a Gryffindor, yet now I am a Slytherin and it was my beloved Gryffindor I betrayed last night. Am I, Truly becoming Jack? Does this mean that if I am becoming more and more Jack, that I am also becoming more and more of a Slytherin? I have found, that just prior to my weekly taking of the potion I seem to be able to have this moments of clarity and reflection on my situation.

Then again, is this a good thing? The unleashing of the manbeast inside of the boy? Something still hovers at the back of my mind. Like I stated before, something I cannot recall, and there is a REASON for that. Since it IS time for my weekly dose of "medicine" I am guessing it was my inner dog that was at the helm last night acting as the Sirius of old, but acting in Silver and Emerald instead of Scarlet and Gold.

Then there is the issue of Malfoy and t he inquiry he made as we were shoved tight against each other in that alcove. He interpreteed my mischeif boner for something else, and, he seemed intrigued by that. I find myself wondering about it as well. I've accepted my bisexuality long ago. There are benefits to garnish from both sexes you can't get with the other, and so it goes. But Malfoy?? He's evil incarnate. Or That is how he is painted anyway. Perhaps there is more to that boy that was he wears on the surface. Perhaps it is all armor and glamour for simple survival. Just like me.

Well, time to dash off, Malfoy is calling to me, so I suppose he will tag along with me for my "dose" then escort me to breakfast. It's so nice to be loved... or at least lusted after.",Morning in the dorms.,contemplative

2002-08-06 08:29:00,
The Weekly Dose,

An IC Dual Post with Draco and Jack.

Jack put his journal away, and went to the hallway were his dorm joined the hall near Malfoy's. "What's up Malfoy?" he asked with a grin. "More trouble on your mind?" he said with a wink.

"Hmm..." Blinking as if caught in a daydream, or just a daze in itself. Jack caught him writing, but when Draco heard that voice, that quill was set down quickly and he turned in his chair towards Jack. A grin sneaked over his face soon enough. "Oh, not yet, I'm still anticipating the actions that will happen due to our eventful night. I need to savor that first, before starting up anymore trouble."

Jack jerked his head in the direction of the exit from Slytherin House. "I uh... gotta go take my medicine, then head down for breakfast." he said with a shake of his head, designed to get his bangs out of his eyes. "Wanna go with me?"

Draco pushed himself from the chair he was currently sitting in. The beginning of a yawn began to show, but he quickly repressed it without a catch. "Sure, there isn't much else to do around here. I might as well play the part of an escort." Grinning softly as he crossed over to the door.

Jack laughed softly and led the way out of Slytherin House and toward the Hospital Wing. "I hate this stuff..." he groused. "It tastes bloody awful, and I have to take it every week or suffer the consequences..." he said as they walked along the corridors, up and up.

Draco raised a brow was Jack went on about this..allergy medicine he has been forced to take, for how long? Draco wasn't sure. "And what are the consequences? I'm assuming that they're worse then the actual taste of the medicine?"

Jack paused, suddenly realizing he had to make this sound viable now. "It's a dander allergy. To House Elves of all things.... " he snarled. "Some people are allergic to cats, me, house elves... " he said with a wry smile in Draco's direction. "Pain in arse, eh?"

"Oh? My, that is quite a bother. Especially when everything within the castle is run by House Elves." Ha, what would happen if Draco were allergic to House Elves? He wouldn't be allowed to return home! If that were the case. "And you were just exposed to this allergy upon coming to Hogwarts?" Idle chit chat as they pressed their way to the hospital ward.

Jack nodded, "Yes. Quite odd in deed. So I take this potion that Professor Dumbledore came up with once a week, and now it's time to gag it down once again." he said with a tone of resolve in his voice. Once they reached the Hospital Wing, Jack went in followed by Draco, and addressed Madame Pomphrey. "I am here for my Allergy Potion." he announced when she came over to them from tending to a case of elephant ears cursed on a fellow student. "Ah yes, Mr. Grim. I have been expecting you..." she said as she went into her office, and returned with the potion, handing the flask to him.

Draco nodded as they pushed into the hospital ward. Grinning at the student inflicted with elephant ears. Leaning against the wall with arms crossed, he watched as Jack was tended to by Madam Pomfrey. Looking about at the next to empty hospital ward. Except for the student with the elephant ears..and alas, Crabbe and Goyle were there as well, both placed on a bed..and still showing the result of eating such tainted candy. A smirk from Draco, but it seems Crabbe and Goyle were a bit..preoccupied with their inflictions.

Jack uncorked the flask and after taking a steeling breath, tossed the concotion down his throat in one gulp. He shuddered and made a face at the awful taste, then set the empty flask down. Madame Pomphrey collected it and took it to the washstand to rinse out. "Bloody Hell that is AWFUL!" Jack growled. "Can I at least have a shot of Brandy to wash it down with?" Madame Pomphrey returned to scold him, and threaten him with points taken from Slytherin House for his language if he didn't leave straight away. With another shudder and a slight squint as his pupils again over dilated, Jack made his way back over to Malfoy, and followed his amused gaze to the fallen Crabbe and Goyle. This made him chuckle. "Oooh casualties of war. What is that they call it when civilians are caught in the middle? Collateral damage?"

"What is it called when you purposefully pulled them into the war? Eh, they're now..officially out of my hair for awhile. Believe me, that's enough to make anybody rejoyce, so I wouldn't exactly call them casualties." Grinning to himself as he pulled Jack by the arm..and out of the hospital ward under the glare of Madam Pomfrey. Seems loitering was a no go here. "They only back up the story of Gryffindor causing all the the pranks that are..bound to happen.." Making sure not to be overheard by the passing students, he whispered any discussion about last night. "I wish we could just skip breakfast and go to Potions, the anticipation is about ready to kill me."

Jack glanced at Draco's arm linked with his, and he smiled warmly. A relaxed, goofy sort of grin coming over his face. "I would hate to see you dead my dear Draco..." he purred back. His pale eyes looking a bit misty for a second, then he looked ahead as they walked along. "Besides. Anything worth having, is worth waiting for, yes?" he smiled to himself as he thought about the mayhem that would soon ensue, and the amusement they would get out of it. He seemed lost in thought from that point as Draco led him along the halls.

Draco raised an eyebrow as he looked towards the other at his side. That dreamy sort of girlish look placed on his face. It was an interesting look to see on anybody. A grin sneaked over his lips. "Would you really hate to see me dead, Jack?" Mocking a sniffle and a quiver of that bottom lip. "I feel..so..so loved."

It was nice to devel into that fantasy world for but a moment, masking reality. Then again, reality was going quite nice at the moment. "Hmm..yes, patience is a virture. But sometimes, you just want everything..right away..and when you want it. I suppose that's just human nature. But we're suckers for surprises as well." Continuing thier walk towards the Great Hall..a bit slower then usual.

Jack looked back over at Draco, a flash of color on his cheeks now. Whether it was a side effect from the potion or a genuine blush, one cannot be sure. "I... I think you are perhaps not as bad as I was informed prevously," he said softly, staring into Draco's icy blue eyes, then continued, "I think that perhaps even if you are... you are redeemable. Most people are...." he said, then turned away again blinking his eyes several times as if saying inwardly, "Did I just really say that?"

Draco gave Jack a genuine smile, which is something Draco wasn't use to giving mind you. The last time he let a person in on his genuine attitude..was..his first year, when he extended his hand for Harry. Due to the rejection that came after, being genuine wasn't in his everyday life.

"I thank you for those words Jack, it doesn't seem to come up a lot. In fact, I think that's the first time I've ever heard somebody say such to me. Reputations can destroy a lot of what a person is actually like." Leaning in slightly, his hand taking Jack's..and giving it a slight squeeze. After all, being told such..was rather..enjoyable. Now he understood the enjoyment of being liked..at least in one way or another.

Jack nodded at Malfoy, this time he DID blush, and looked away again as his hand was clasped. "You're welcome Draco. I suppose I should thank you too for taking me in, as your friend. I know not only am I new here, but considered.... odd by many..." he said quietly, then paused in the corridor, just around the corner from the Great Hall. he lifted up his hand, the one held in Draco's and gave him a lopsided grin. "I don't think marching in there like this would do either of us any good..." he mused, eyes twinkling slightly. There was an awkward pause as he stared into Draco's eyes.

Draco nodded softly. "You're welcome as well, besides..you're the only one within the Slytherin House for the want of an intelligent friend. I thought I could provide what you wanted." Grinning softly as they continued on their way, then came to a halt as Jack paused. A slight blink from Draco's part before he looked down to his hand, holding Jack's. "Oh..right, no, it probably wouldn't do us any good as I think about it." But Draco didn't let go of his hand just yet. Giving a coy smirk before leaning in for a small chaste kiss. "But I'm sure that might do some good." Before finally letting go and heading into The Great Hall for breakfast.

Jack shivered, and felt an odd twinge all over his body as Draco kissed him. It ran the length of his face, down his spine and bottomed out in his groin. He suddenly felt flushed, and paused for just a second before following Draco into the noisy and nearly full Great Hall. It was time to eat.",,groggy

2002-08-06 19:41:00,
Bad news.... Good News....

Well, something odd happened today. Again. We went for my dose of Potion, Draco escorted me and we chatted. He hung around while I drank the gawdawful stuff, then we walked to Breakfast. God, I don't know what came over me, or HIM but by the time we were arriving at the Great Hall, we were HOLDING HANDS.

Now, this doesn't really disturb me. Much. I mean, you know I like guys too, and I am SUPPOSED to be watching him and hating him... But I can't. Not yet anyway. Snape. Him I can hate. Easily. Gleefully. Eternally. But Draco... He seems a pawn in his fathers's game, and seems quite taken aback that I would care about him and want to be, simply his friend.

We ate breakfast, not much to tell there, then went to Potions with high hopes for some high jinks. It didn't happen. Snape wasn't in class, had assigned yet another unholy assignment, and that was that. Wonderful. Luckily I am feeling studeous, and will work on it tonight.

The rest of classes where blase' nothing to report except Draco stayed close to me and we talked about various things between classes. He seems up until now to not have had someone to truly confide in. Despite who he is alleged to be. That is truly sad. Maybe I don't need to spy on him to keep him off of Harry's ass. Maybe he just needs a friend...

Well, dinner is over now. I am working on my homework, and Draco is calling. Maybe I will go out for a bit, the heat in here is stifling.

More later, as ever.

2002-08-06 20:52:00,
Orchestral maneuvers in the dark...

An IC RP session with Draco, Jack, Ginny, and Hermione.

Draco, was to put in the simplest words, a bit dissapointed that all of his and Jack's hard work last night, would have to wait yet another day to be played out. As if it weren't hard enough to wait for thier plans to unravel, now they were completely postponed until tomorrow. However, seeing the Gryffindor house being yelled at was enough to tide him over until tomrrow's potions class. Other then that, the events of the day had been bland..but a bit surreal in feeling. Currently, Draco was outside enjoying the faint slive of the moon, sitting upon a tree stump in a state of thought. Seems he's been doing that a lot the last couple weeks.

Hermione was deep in thought as well, though she had her mind on other things. She kicked at loose stones, watching with bitter satisfaction as they clacked off into the night. She took little notice of her surroundings, she was so lost in her own thoughts; she hardly noticed that she had approached the lake until she was standing on the bank. She looked out over the calm, clear water. She calmly kneeled to pick up a few stones, and tossed them half-heartedly into the water. It rippled, and the splashes sounded incredibly loud in the quiet night air. Hermione looked around a little nervously, then retreated to the shelter of a rocky outcrop.

Jack sat near Draco, having been glad he had accepted the invite for a post dinner walk along the lake. They sat down on the grass, and were looking out at the water, just relaxing. He smiled as he listened to the crickets in the braken, and the sounds of God knew what in the Forest a ways off. He pulled out a cigarette, and lit it. He didn't offer Draco, one, he knew he didn't indulge and he thought about quitting. That was until he took the first hit and felt the nicotine hit his bloodstream and calm him further. "Nice night..." he commented. "Great place for snogging..." he said glancing around, and somehow having the feeling he had first hand knowledge of that.

Draco quirked a brow at that break in the silence..and what a break in that silence it was. Currently watching forming ripples over the lake, his attention drasticly changed from the mirror surface, to the one now smoking a cigarette. "Yea, I would assume so. Then again, according to a lot of students..there are tons of places with Hogwarts suitable for snogging." Eh, they were all hormone striken teenagers, it made sense that so many places have been discovered upon Hogwarts' ground.

Hermione had left the rocky outcrop once she realized that no teachers were out prowling the grounds that night. She wandered along a path, mosty obscured by trees; she slid behind one of those when she heard voices up ahead. She turned around quickly, and ran smack into Ginny Weasley.

Ginny looked up to see Hermy, and she smiled with relief. "Sorry Hermy, but what are you doing out this time of night?"

Hermione shushed her quickly, motioning behind her to where the voices had come from. "I was bored in the common room, I needed some fresh air," she whispered. "There's some people out here, so we should be quiet."

Jack looked over at Draco, and smiled shyly. "I know of several... Fellatia has shown me a few new places, but now... Now that she has moved onto Craig Whithorst, I am yesterday's news I suppose..." he said as he did a French inhale, and sighed softly. "Not like I am going to miss her... She was.... I don't know. Cheap." he said with a bit of distaste in his voice.

"Don't be too dissapointed about her moving on. It's happened over and over again. I don't think she understands the whole..staying to one person concept." Smirking softly at Jack, whoa wait, Draco was trying to be comforting. Who knew he had it in him. "And yes, she was quite cheap. In fact, I don't think there has been a day when she hasn't..been such a..well, slut." It was true..and everybody in Hogwarts knew it. But that didn't seem to deter people from trying her out for a week.

Hermione raised an eyebrow as she recognized one of the voices on the wind. Malfoy. She nudged Ginny and motioned in that direction.

Ginny shook her head at the whole situation. She looked up at Hermione and quietly said, "I don't think this is something I want to see, having just eaten a few hours ago."

Jack nodded, and took another long hit from his cigarette, and blew the smoke out into the night. "Yeah, well. I got my welcome baskety from her, and I suppose I am on my own now for... company if I should want it." he paused. "I don't know if I am looking for it now or not though... We have so much work to do now..." he mused softly, looking at the light as it played across the ripples on the lake.

Draco could vouch for that feeling of loneliness after going through Fellatia. It wasn't all that pleasant to be sure. He tore at the grass that he was currently sitting upon, ripping it from the ground before letting it settle back to the ground, unable to grow any longer. "Well, the way I'm looking at it is. Right now, you aren't exactly alone. Unless I'm classified as a simple breeze..." Peering over to Jack once more, giving a soft smile as he did so.

It wasn't like Hermione to spy, but she felt an incredible urge to listen in. She decided to chide herself later, and simply smiled at Ginny. "Alright, if you think so," she answered the redhead. "But I have to see who it is, at the very least." She smiled even wider at the look on Ginny's face, turned on her heel, and crept towards the voices. She peered around the trunk of a willow, noting the two pairs of feet on the grass. She looked back to Ginny, then slipped behind a giant bush of some sort, directly to the right of the speakers. It afforded a decent view of them, while concealing Hermione among it's leaves.

Ginny watched as hermoine crept up behind the bush. Ginny was not in the mood to see two people doing God knows what in the bushes, so she just sat down cross legged where she was standing and tried to listen to what was being said.

Jack heard the tone in Draco's voice. He was seeking acceptance. He was looking to be welcomed in by those he deemed "cool". This seemed somehow eerily familiar to him but he couldn't quite put his finger on the memory at the moment. He turned to look at Draco, and tossed his cigarette into the lake where it died with a hiss. "You are good company Draco. If no one has said that to you before. I will say it to you now. I like being here with you. Just sitting and talking. It's... nice." he said with a warm smile.

Draco paused for a moment, looking at the lake quite intensely for a couple seconds in sheer thought. A silence before speaking up soon enough. "It hasn't been said to me before. Hanging out with a group of people never really qualifies as good company..and I'm sure they think the exact same way." Actually, he wasn't sure if they even considered Draco as a friend.."I'm very happy to know that somebody actually enjoys my company." Smiling softly to Jack. "I enjoy your company just as much. I'm wondering what I did for company before you came along." Blinking slightly as he thought about such. What did he do for decent company?

Hermione's eyes widened as she recognized the owner of the first voice; Jack Grim had been on her bad side since day one. She settled onto the ground. That did it, she was staying. She looked back at Ginny, who was sitting in the middle of the path, straining to hear tidbits of the conversation. Hermione mouthed something to her, but Ginny couldn't catch it. Hermione pulled out her wand, and muttered a spell. On he ground in front of Ginny, shimmering gold letters began to appear: "What if a teacher comes?".

Ginny shrugged and turned to look behind her to see if anyone was coming. She quietly stood up and creeped away to go and look for anyone coming, not knowing if Hermione had wanted her to go and look or not, but she felt a lot safer the further away from them that she was. Ginny looked around and seeing no one she gave up on her search for teachers and headed back to the common room, not reall in the mood for spying anyways.

Jack shrugged. "Well. I like being around people. Fun people. Doesn't have to be girls all the time. I like having guy and girl mates..." he mused, resting his arms on the tops of his bent up knees. "Just talking is nice. Snogging is fun and all, but I find, especially now, just having someone to talk to, is really nice...."

Draco watched Jack for a moment, eyes squinted slightly as if trying to figure a puzzle out. He let out a deep breath before looking towards the ground once more, pushing a lock of nearly white hair over his ears. "About this morning, I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable. I mean..I just assumed that you've kissed a boy before..." Pausing in mid sentence, waiting for a protest... when one didn't come, he continued. "Have you?"

Hermione felt a pang of guilt for listening in on what what obviously a private conversation, but willed herself to stay. She needed to know anything she could about Jack Grim, the boy was definately off. Something about him set off alarm bells in Hermione, and she didn't trust him any father than she could throw him (well, sans wand, at least).

Jack blinked slowly, looking over at Draco with a surprised but yet serene expression on his face. He looked at Draco for a long time, weighing his own expression before speaking. "Uh... yes... I do recall doing that a few times..." he said with a sly grin crossing his face. He then moved a bit closer to Draco, blinking slowly again. "Have you?" he asked, then winked.

Draco raised a brow at the subtle change of their conversation, but not disliking it in the least. This time, when Draco looked towards Jack, he didn't look instantly back towards the ground. He gave a soft shrug. "This morning is about the extent of such experiences. Sure, I've thought about it, but who within this school would actually go along with it." Even most Slytherin boys seemed sheepish about such an outrageous idea. But Draco didn't see any wrong with such an idea.

Hermione shifted to a better position, intrigued.

Jack smiled at Draco, and then slowly ran his tongue across his lips as he leaned closer toward his Housemate, eyes half lidded. "Time for thinking is passed then Draco, time for truth... or..." he moved closer yet to Malfoy, his lips an inch away, his breath warming the pale lips of the other boy as he spoke, "Dare?" he whispered, hovering right there, not moving.

Draco could feel his heart beat run away with itself as Jack pulled dangerously close, invading his personal space. But as far as Draco was concerned, that personal space needed to be invaded once in awhile. And at this time, he wouldn't mind it being invaded. Eyes darted over that adjacent face..and how incredibly close it was to his own. "Then..I pick..dare..." That last word had been the soft shadow of it's true form as it faded off. For at that time, Draco had closed that small space between the two, it wasn't a brush of lips, no no, it was far more..and far more intense then Draco had anticipated.

If the pair heard the surprised gasp from behind the bushes, they made no move to acknowledge it. Hermione watched, eyes wide, as Draco pressed his lips against Jack's.

Jack let his eyes close when he felt Draco press his lips against his. The kiss at first was awkward coming from someone not used to a lot of kissing, or at least kissing boys. Not that it was THAT different. Really. Jack felt instinct take over and he turned his body to face Draco more, improving on the angle of the kiss, and as he lifted up his hand to cradle the back of the other boy's head, he parted his lips, and pressed his tongue along Malfoy's lips ever so gently, seeking entrance in to his mouth.

The intoxicating feeling that came from kissing the other highly outshined the rush that he felt the night before. Seems the joy of causing trouble even took a backseat to certain things. For a moment, eyes stayed half open as he revealed in the action before slowly shutting all the way. He shifted as well, for it was an odd position to kiss somebody. A hand nervously settled upon Jack's leg for support as he leaned in just a bit more. Urging and wanting for more..and quite happy to allow that tongue said entrance. For at the same time, it gave him the same opportunity.

Hermione had to tell her mouth quite firmly to close itself as she watched the two boys get into the kiss. She felt her ears redden, and then a deep blush spread across her face. She shifted a little nervously, but she couldn't tear her eyes away from the pair.

Jack made a soft little moan as Draco placed his hand on his leg, then accepted taking the kiss to the next level. He slipped his tongue past Draco's lips to stroke against his tongue, and pressed his mouth tighter to Draco's. His head was swimming, and other parts of him were starting to enjoy this as well. "Hm....." he hummed as he held Draco tight to him.

It was..quite literally, the best kiss he's ever experienced. Exceedingly glad that he wished to know what it was like..and the idea of kissing others within the school just seemed..less then grandeur. A soft purr was emitted from his throat as he was sucked deeper into that kiss, his tongue becoming a tad more daring with each passing moment. That free hand coming to rest against the small of Jack's back, succeeding in pulling him closer.

*Snap!*

Hermione jumped as the sound whipped through the air like a shot. She looked around wildly, trying to find the location of the shooter. She looked down and groaned inwardly. A broken twig lay under her hand where she had shifted a moment before. She scowled at the offending appendage, and decided she'd best run for it. She took off through the trees which surrounded the lake, not even pausing to look back.

Jack's eyes shot open, and he stopped in mid kiss, his lips still locked with Malfoy's. Panic washed over him, and he pulled back. "Did you hear THAT?" he hissed, then whipped his head around and looked in the direction the snap, then the sound of fleeing footsteps came from.

The feeling was returned full heartedly. Hearing the snap was quite a surprise, no, quite was an understatement. As soon as he heard it, eyes snapped open and heart was sent on a panic run. "What the..bloody hell!" Hissing on his own accord, hearing the same footsteps, quickly standing, just in time to see a fleeing figure with hair and robes flailing behind them.

Jack tried to get to his feet, quickly to look after whomever was there as well, and slipped on the damp grass, landing on his back with a resounding "WHUMP!" "Augh! Shit!" he cursed outloud and struggeld to get up. "Who was it? Who was it Draco?" he called out with a groan.

Draco stood there for a moment watching the one running until they dissapeared once more into the darkness. Growling low into the night before hearing Jack fall. Looking quickly to the other and seeing him having some troubles trying to stand. Giving a sigh he leaned down, lending him a hand and helped Jack up to his feet. "I'm not positive..but I have the distinct feeling that whoever it was, has a large amount of mudblood in them." That bushy hair was recognizable by all.

Jack gaped at Draco, "Hermione???" he gasped. "She saw us??" he squeaked, voice going high with the shock and quickly he whipped his head around, looking for other spies, then seeing none, he looked back at Draco. "What do we do?" he whispered.

Draco winced slightly at the sudden high pitched squeak Jack produced. My, he didn't know anybody could produce such a sound outside of the female gender..let alone Jack. He let the shock pass before he spoke up. "I'm not all that sure, but we'll see if she spreads it around? I've never heard her to be a gossip..but she might surprise us." Frowning, what would she do..and better yet, what would they do if she was a gossip?

Jack swore under his breath, the mood from before now gone, and panic setting in. He brushed the grass from his robes, then looked over at Malfoy. "Wait... Who's gonna believe her? No one. Think about it Draco. Just how ridiculous would that sound for her to tell everyone she saw us...." he paused, unable to stop his giddy grin, then continued, "Saw Draco Malfoy and Jack Grim kissing..." he sneered. "No one." he said confidently.

"I know that it might sound ridiculous and a tad hard to believe. But this school is known for rumors..and you know that about 99% of the rumors are lies. Simple made up lies. They'll believe anything..as long as you make it juicy." Sighing deeply as eyes closed, this could be extremely dangerous to let around school. Fingers tips massaged into his temples for a moment. "If this gets out, by the end of tomarrow, we could be married, already have a kid, and marching in the gay pride parade."

Jack stared at Malfoy as he predicted the doom to come, then a moment after he stopped, he started to laugh. "Draco... Don't worry about it. She's not the type. I mean... I don't know her that well, but I just don't see her telling anyone. Well, maybe not beyond those other Gryffs she hangs with, Weasley and Pott...." he seemed to almost choke in the middle of the second name he said, having to force out the last syllable. "..ter." He paused, and swallowed before continuing. "We will be fine..." he said in an asurring tone. Trying to convince himself as well.

Draco groaned slightly at the mention of Weasley and Potter. Now, Harry wasn't the one he was worrying about in such a situation..because even if he dispised Harry, he wasn't one to blab about somebodies personal life. Ron...on the other hand. Draco looked up towards Jack with one of those, "are you sure?" looks. "Let's damn well hope so..in fact, let's hope she doesn't even tell her friends. Weasley has it out for me..and I'm sure this would just make his bloody day." Straightening up slightly.

Jack smiled at Draco, a fatal, charming smile he utilized so well, and stepped up close to him, kissing range again if need be. "Well, he may give you a hard time, but look at it this way. WHO is the one getting snogged in the dark, and who probably has NEVER been snogged, and most likely will not, as long as he attends this school...?" Jack asked with a half eye-lidded leer and a wiggle upward of his eyebrows.

Draco gave Jack an uncertain look, an eyebrow peeking above to state that uncertainty just a bit more. Silent for a moment as he let those words echo through his head. Tossing them around..and the more he did so, the more it made sense. He nodded slowly...and not longer after a grin appeared. "Alright, you're probably right. If anything..he should be jealous of me, eh? I mean, not many get the pleasure of snogging such an attractive one such as yourself in the dark, hm?" Taking a step closer..and barely letting lips brush before continuing. "Well..of course Fellatia did..but I don't think she really counts."

Jack returned the smile to Draco, sighing at the soft brush of lips of lips, then lowered his eyes, and blushing slightly at the compliment. "Why thank you... Draco..." he whispered back, then added, "And no... Fellatia has nothing on you when it comes to the delicate art of osculation..." he said in a soft purr, then pressed his lips briefly to Draco's again. He stepped back almost as quickly and looked up at the dark sky overhead. "We should get back. She might not rat out on us snogging, but I wouldn't put it past her to alert someone we are outside..." he said now giving Draco a serious glance.

"Mm..." Wishing to prolong that second..well..techinically third kiss for the day, but alas, Jack was right..and he knew that one way or another, they weren't exactly out of danger just yet. "Alright alright..we should get going." What a pain, who wanted to go anywhere after having such a wonderful night? Not him. But he gave a reluctant sigh and after straightening out his robes..and quickly combing fingers through his hair, he gave Jack's arm a tug and headed back to the castle. Oh yes, the dreams that he would have tonight would be wonderful. Perhaps..pale slightly to the reality of the matter, but nevertheless, wonderful.

2002-08-07 01:14:00

As I sti here now, safely laying on my bed in the Slytherin House Dorm, I can reflect on the events of this past evening. I suppose there is no other way to say it, other than to just say it.

Draco Malfoy snogged me. I liked it. Then I snogged him. He liked it.

Now again, parts of me are utterly repulsed by this activity. Parts of my psyche are screaming at me that I have 'betrayed' Harry, and the memory of his parents, but there is more to this than simply hating Draco because his bigotted git of a sire was/is a Death Eater. I get the impression Draco is not eager to follow in his father's dark foot steps, and while he enjoys the wide birth and fear/respect that commands him for the time being. I get the impression he would be happy with an anonymous childhood. Just like Harry.

It seems that being a child NEVER gets any easier in our world. Hell, I am sure it is the same with the Muggles.

I don't mind being friends with Draco. He seems to relish a competant companion, (me) and having someone to just talk shop with without judging him, or beating him over the head with what it means to be HIM.

As for the snogging? I am sure it was the same sort of experimentation on his part that I did when I was his age... I recall well my fifth through seventh years at Hogwarts. I was hidden away with anyone that would have me anytime I had a free moment.

Why was I so promiscuous? Well, with age and time it's easy to diagnose. My fucked up childhood, looking for acceptance, popularity, affection in any form. Just like Draco.

I never thought I would come to Hogwarts and meet my soul mate.",,contemplative

2002-08-07 09:19:00,
Double Potions

An IC Group Post with Draco, Jack, Snape, and Hermione.

Jack sat on the edge of his bed, still trying to get in all straigh in his head, the events of the night past. he had put them down in a journal, and re-enacted them a dozens times over, but it still was in the forefront of his mind no matter how he tried to distract himself. He looked over at the clock near his bed, nearly 9:00 AM and time for Potions. He sighed, and got up. Then he wondered. What would happen in there today....?

The Potions Class had already been set out, for once, and the benches seemed to groan under the weight of equipment that would have made an Inquisitor go weak at the knees. Mazes of intricate glasswork, all elbows and points, confused anyone who looked at them for too long with their Mobius-like qualities. Snape stood back, at the front of the room, and admired his handiwork with something approaching pride.

Hermione paced nervously back and forth in front of the fire in the Gryffindor common room. She had skipped breakfast, her stomach none-too-politely reminded her, and she had Potions class in ten minutes. She had dreaded going to class after the spectacle that was the night before; the knot in her stomach only tightened as the time approached.

Draco sat within the common room hurridly catching up on some last minute potions homework, the activities of the night before had lapsed into homework, setting him back perhaps half and hour. He had been up almost and hour before breakfast trying to catch up on potions, herbology, and various other classes that required his attention. Continously looking at the clock to make sure that he wouldn't be late for Potions.

Jack got up from his bed, and made his way down to the common room. He spotted Malfoy there, working on homework it looked like. Jack's own bookbag was over his shoulder, and he gave Draco a smile. "Ready for Armageddon this morning Malfoy?" he asked with a wink, then walked over to see what he was working on. "Oh.. still banging it out eh...?" he mused.

Hermione's wand began to emit a low ring, and she jumped. It was time for Potions. With a sigh, she shouldered her knapsack and pushed past the Fat Lady. She felt terrible for the night before, not only at what she had seen, but at what she had done as well. She felt, well, dirty for having spied on the two Sytherins, but she couldn't apologise and risk the chance that they hadn't recognized her. The cold stone walls along the path of the dungeon seemed to leer down at her as she passed.

Draco looked up at Jack as he addressed him, and the mixture of feelings that arose inside of him were astonishing. "Is it time to go already?" he asked. When Jack nodded in the affirmative, he gathered up his books, and supplies and after placing them in the book bad, followed Jack out of the Slytherin House and to the Potions Classroom nearby.

Snape stood- no, loomed behind his desk, his fingers beating out a relentless tattoo on the old wood as he waited for his students to arrive. They did, slowly, and looked about at the contraptions set before them, but didn't pass any comments aloud, nor were any so foolish to touch them, as those who happened to look too closely were treated with Death-Glares from the Potions Master.

Hermione took a deep breath outside the Potions dungeon, then casually walked in, being sure to avoid looking over at the Slytherin side. Harry and Ron took their usual places to each side of her, looking worredly at the various tools spread out along the table. There was a number of bottles, each filled with a different ingredient, and a few tools which looked better suited to a torture chamber than a potions classroom. All in all, it looks incredibly elaborate, and Hermione was glad that she had spent much of her missed breakfast time reading up on the complex theorems assigned the day before.

Jack came quietly into the Classroom, followed closely by Draco, and both paused and gaped at the elaborate contraptions set up on the long table desks. "Holy Christ..." Jack muttered, eyes going wide. "What the Hell are we brewing today? Frankenstein's Monster?" he wondered aloud. Draco swallowed nervously. The sight of the massive set-ups pushing all Non-Potions thoughts from his mind. Mostly.

When the ambient noise had died down, and all eyes were upon him, Snape straightened himself. "Well now, class, I do hope you did the work I assigned you, or you are going to find the next hour or so rather... interesting." A thin-lipped smile crossed his features, half-hidden in the dark and obscured by the tall equipment for most. "I want your Obfuscatus ready for testing with time to clear this up."

"That's IT?!?" Ron hissed to Herminone. "He's not even going to tell us what page to turn to, is he?" "Honestly, Ron, do you sleep through his class this often?" she whispered back, re-arranging the items on the table. "We went over all of this yesterday." Hermione shook her head at Ron's still bewildered expression, and pushed her notes over to him. Harry went to protest, as he had been copying down the finer points from her notes a moment before. He shut up quickly at the look on his friend's face.

Jack looked over at Draco, and both looked a bit concerned. Like most of the class. "Partners?" Jack asked with a weak smile, and a lift of a dark eyebrow. Draco smiled a relieved grin, and nodded. "I will measure and prep, you read the notes, and do the mixing, right?" Jack nodded, and carefully began to prepare the things they would need, passing the appropriate items to Malfoy for preparation.

Some faces looked blank in sheer panic, and more than one hand rattled the jars about audibly, but for the most part the students were getting on with their work. The apparatus rather hindered Snape from his usual stalking, so he dropped lithely into his seat, closing his eyes to the feel of the dark swathes of fabric settling about him, as he mentally ran through the potion, letting it simmer in his mental cauldron.

"No, no, Harry, if you put the arrowroot in now, it will boil over and we'll fail. See, we have to let it simmer..." Hermione was thoroughly engrossed in her work, jotting down notes on viscousity and colour as the potion bubbled in Harry's cauldron. Ron sliced aloe petals and measured the liquid ingredients, Harry stirred and added the parts, and Hermione supervised and instructed. It was a system that had worked rather well in the past.

While the potion slowly changed from a pale green hue to a bright shade of yellow, the Gryffindor allowed her eyes to wander the dungeon. She stopped on Draco and Jack, feeling her face go hot, and quickly looked back down at her work. "Are you alright, Hermione?" Harry asked, a worried look on his face. Hermione gave him a weak smile. "I'm fine," she assured him, "It's a little warm in here is all."

Jack and Draco worked in a pleasant silence, both preparing and adding the ingredients as and when needed. Both seemed content just to be near the other, as if it were, comforting for them. Occaisionally, they would look at each other and share a smile. What those smiles meant was anyone'g guess.

It was once in a blue moon that Draco didn't jest the others about their potions, but it seemed that there was a change in pace on how his attitude would be portrayed during potions, due to the presense of another. As hard as the potion seemed to be, it really wasn't as hideous as he thought. Simply making it harder on theirselves. It was a known fact that people (adults mostly) looked at things and made them far more complex then they actually were. Draco glanced over to Jack and leaned

Jack laughed softy at Draco's comment, and continued to carefully monitor the color and texture of the Potion they were brewing. He did NOT want to have this go ary.

Content that at least his students were working, if under duress, the Potions Master turned slowly in his chair and looked at the cabinet behind him. He closed his eyes briefly, preferring to do this task from memory as a little game and he reached out blindly, taking three small vials from the penultimate shelf. He frowned to himself, but set them before him. Hands cradled before him, he leaned on his chin and watched again.

Hermione grinned widely as the potion faded to a cloudy white, the exact colour her notes had said it ought to have been at completion. The two boys on either side of her grinned as well, and they all breathed a sigh of relief. Now all they had to do was wait for the others to finish, and hope that the potion had gone alright. Hermione pulled out her journal once she had determined that no one was looking in their direction.

Peering at the potion, he waited for it to turn the appropriate color, hoping that they had done it as planned, such a tedious one this was. Whispering nonchalantly to Jack while waiting for the desired effect. "If nothing has happened yet, which potions was it that you mixed?" Raising a brow in wonderment. The whole time, even through they had been working dillegantly..he had been waiting for something to happen but nothing had..and he was getting a tad impatient.

Jack added the final ingredient to the potion and it reduced down in size and changed color right on cue. It seemed he had found a competant partner in Potions in Malfoy. A partner in potions and what else he wondered. At that moment, when Draco spoke to him, he nodded slowly, then glanced up at Snape and the vials he was holding. "I think the ones he just took from the cabinet...." he said in a soft tone, then looked over at Hermione, and back to Draco, "She seems to be ignoring us with vigor today..." he commented.

Three small, scarlet-red draughts slowly settled to form miniscae in the slender-necked phials. Snape brought his hands down behind them slowly, resting his fingers, palms arched up from the wood. "Right then," he said, silkily when the last ladle was lowered. "Please, do continue..."

Ron looked stricken. "Does he mean we have to drink this stuff?" he asked, eyes wide. Hermione looked down at their potion with a bemused expression. "So who's the tester today?" she glanced at the two boys. "YOU," they said in unison, taking a step away from the cauldron. Hermione sighed and lifted the ladle.

Draco looked at the potion for a moment, a brow raised as he thought about drinking that stuff. Taking in a deep breath before looking over to Jack. "So who's going to drink it?" Taking up a vial of the stuff and expecting it to..perhaps..jump out and bite him? That was how cautious he was being instead of readily doing what they were told to do. "Do you suppose, there is an antidote for this..?"

Jack gave Draco a deadly serious look as he realized just how dangerous this potion could be to him if Snape asked him the right questions. The worry was plain to see in his eyes. "I know we brewed it right Draco, but I need you to drink it. This stuff will react with my allergy potions," he lied. "I can tell, the fumes along are starting to make me ill..." he said, staring directly into Draco's pale eyes as he plead his case.

Hermione plugged her nose with one hand, and brought the ladle to her mouth with another. She strongly suspected that Snape would find some way the embarass the Gryffindor's under this potion. This in mind, she swallowed. The potion had an overly sweet taste, like strawberries dried in the sun. She almost choked on it as it went down, and gasped as a rush of warmth spread through her body.

Snape watched as the students all took their potions, and then stood, slowly. He knew that anyone who had taken a successful doseage would now lie to whatever they were asked, and so with a malicious grin he set to his charges... "Salvi!" he barked. "Was your homework really eaten by your owl?" he started with. "Yes!" came the hurried reply, to bright-red cheeks. "Montego, do you like pink slippers?" "No!" a boy squealed and then covered his mouth, blinking up in surprise. Snape went on through half the class, nist of whom seemed somehow to have coped. "Granger, do you have a life?" he sneered at her. Then turned to Draco, the last unquestioned student. "Malfoy, is there anything you'd like to tell me?"

Wide eyed at the effects of the potion..and inwardly cursing himself as Snape called on him. This was turning out to be rather an adventure hm? Draco sighed, knowing what he wanted to say..but the end result of trying to say such was a simple "No". There wasn't really anyway in getting around the potion's effects..so there was no logical reason to try and fight them either. He knew that Snape enjoyed torturing students with his potions, why hasn't he learned by now that he was always in the line of fire.

Jack watched Draco with concerned eyes and pounding heart as he replied to Snape, then he looked over cautiously at Snape for his reaction. The Jury was coming in....

Snape looked... well, amused. In his own way. He indicated the three phials before him for everyone who had taken the Obfuscatus. But they didn't contain the anulling draught; but three, similar potions. He watched to make sure everyone took their dose, then smiled hawkishly at their retreating backs. Those whose potions had not worked, already told to spend their free time clearing the mess.

Jack gave Draco a congratulatory pat on the shoulder as he sat back down, and they began to clean up and put away their supplies. "That was close.... Too bloody close", he muttered to Draco. Draco managed a relieved look at Jack and nodded in agreement. "How right you are mate..."

2002-08-07 12:30:00,
Lunchtime Hijinks,

An IC RP with Draco and Jack, and various NPCs.

Draco had been expecting more elaborate things to happen when the antidotes had been taken, but nothing did..yet. He still wasn't sure what was in store for the future. After all, sometimes, these things needed to kick in. But he knew for sure that they would show up sooner or later. He just hoped they would sooner..then later. As he strolled into the Great Hall for lunch, with Jack by his side (it was a most welcomed change from Crabbe and Goyle), he took a quick look around, eyes lingering on the three that did take the antidote. Looking back to Jack he mused softly. "Perhaps lunch will be more amusing then Potions had been?" Wanting some excitement was a priority right now.

Jack was chewing on the nail of his right thumb and flicked his eyes over to Draco when he spoke to him, he had obviously been lost in deep thought until then. "Hmmm? Oh! Yeah. Yeah!" he agreed quickly, then took his seat next to Draco. He fiddled with his flatware, then cast sly curious glances at Fellatia, farther down the table, then over to the Gryffindor table across the hall at Seamus and Neville.

Seems their glances had been caught, for they got some rather suspicious glanced in return. Making Draco's eyes retreat over to Jack..and becoming a bit more obscure in his glancing. Grinning softly, well..it seemed that nothing was happening yet, but soon..he continued to tell himself, soon..something was bound to happen..and he would not miss it. "What do you think will happen?" Because, in the amount of time that Jack had to switch the potions, Draco was sure he didn't have time to figure out what each did to the person drinking them.

Jack looked over at Draco, a bit of a worried expression on his face as he shrugged. "Not sure... I don't know what I swapped around. I just did it...." he said then sighed long and deep. "I guess we will just have to wait and see..." Just then, from farther down on the Slytherin table, there came a shrill scream that had all in the nearby vicinity covering their ears. Jack winced, and turned his look of apprehension from Draco to the source of the screaming.... Fellatia.

I guess..that answered their silent wondering. Draco blinked as he looked down the table towards the apparent screaming. He stood up a bit to get a better look. Utterly confused, but completely excited that something was developing. There didn't seem to be anything wrong..until he got a better look. It seems..Fellatia was getting into the whole 'Medusa' look. For her hair was alive with snakes, small..but vicious garter snakes that were snapping at anything close. Not only that, but the grand majority of her skin had turned a pale..sickly green. Nothing overly dangerous mind you, but enough to give somebody a nightmare for quite sometime. She was crying, like the wench she was..and all Draco could do was laugh..along with everybody else within the hall.

Jack's mouth fell fully slack open and he also stood there, just staring at Fellatia. He could hear the raucous laughter filling the Hall, and the angry shrieks of Fellatia as she picked up plates and goblets and tossed them at the poor saps closest to her, then when she ran out of food covered ammo, she turned and ran shrieking from the hall, her living hair hissing and snapping at all she passed with delightful savagery. When she had gone, Jack looked back at Draco, his mouth caught between grimace and a grin, and he mouthed to Draco, "One down...."

Oh ow, the laughter was hurting. My, that was enough to make his day..but true enough, there were two more to go. Grinning widly while the rest of the students continued laughing, though it was starting to settle down into a constant ocean of voices. Draco leaned towards Jack. "I think it's rather befitting for her, don't you think? I mean, as the myth goes..Medusa was able to turn men to stone just by looking at her. That's how hideous she was. Of course, she went and got her head chopped off in the end."

Jack couldn't but help and laugh at that comment, and retook his seat by Draco, and tried to resume eating. "That was nasty..." he commented as he started in on his beef and gravy dish slowly. He then paused and looked over at Draco, making sure all others were involved in other conversations about Fellatia before continuing, "I uh was wondering.... about last night. That was... kinda. Cool." he said, then as a blush crossed his cheeks, he turned back to his breakfast and began wolfing down the food like crazy.

Prying his eyes away from where Fellatia had vanished, he looked back to Jack with a soft grin. "It was pretty..cool. It was something I wouldn't terribly mind happening again." Grinning a bit coyly to the other. "But of course, that's up to you." Before starting on his lunch. Munching happily before another startled outcry arose from across the hall from Neville's direction. Boy he could scream like a girl when the need arose. All eyes were instantly on the Gryffindor table..and people around Neville seemed to be clearing like the dead sea. Why you ask? Well, mostly because of the fact that mold (the type that grows on cheese) seemed to be melting off of his skin, building up about where he was sitting. That was a tad..gross, but it was enough to send another wave of laughter throughout the hall.

Jack winced again at the second outcry, and when all of Slytherin House stood on their benches to have a better look, he glanced at Malfoy, then raced him to jump up onto the bench for a look as well. Jack was tall to beging with, so he had a fairly unobstructed view of the mayhem ensuing at the Gryffindor Table. Even Hermione and Ron and Harry were shying away from their friend in utter grossed out horror. Jack gasped, and covered his mouth with his hand to try and stifle the laughter, but it was pointless. Once again the whole Hall had erupted into loud laughter and in the case of the Slytherin Table, a standing ovation. Jack looked over at Draco, and slowly cocked and eyebrow at him. "Bloody Hell.... Snape sure keeps some wicked shit on hand...." he said in a low tone.

Draco was holding onto Jack's sleeve in order to keep him from falling off of the bench in laughter. This was taking the wind out of him, making it hard for him to breath..and small tears of laughter started to show at the corner of his eyes. How classic was it to see a fellow student's skin basicly mold over..and just fall off. Oh..it was pretty bad, but it was also pretty funny. Wiping the tears away from his eyes before turning to Jack. "I'd say so..but something tells me, we got into his secret stash."

Jack looked over at Draco and nodded slowly, "Christ.... it only makes me wonder what the Hell he keeps locked up in his Office, eh?" He said with a raise of his eyebrows. "I bet he's got Death behind a Stopper and worse...." Jack said, then shivered uncontrollably. He shook his head as if trying to clear that thought from his mind, then sighed, "Well, that leaves one more..." he said in an ominous tone, and motioned with his eyes in Seamus' direction.

And as if on que, Seamus seemed to react to their very words. Well..color wise, he seemed to become a flashing light bulb of completely different colors. Draco had to blink for a moment as he watched. The colors went ballistic, certain parts, like his hair..and eyes, flashed different colors..like yellow, red, violet, while the rest of his body seemed to flash completely DIFFERENT colors. Mostly a bright pink, purple, black, white. He reminded Draco of one of those muggle contraptions, the colored strobe light..hell..he could probably pass as one. He could be the strobe light for a disco party..if he so much as posessed the want to be such.

Jack heard the laughter, not screams this time, and slowly turned back to where the light show was coming from. Seamus. He did a classic cartoon double-take and then went gobsmacked as he watched Seamus light up the room to coin a phrase. "Holy cats...." he gasped, and clenched his hand on Draco's shoulder as they stood there watching all the mayhem. It seems several other students had the same idea as Draco, and some began to sing and dance around the Gryffindor provided light show.

After the third happening, the entrie Great Hall was in a roar of laughter, there wasn't a whisper to be heard..because there was no room in the sea of laughter. Draco and Jack were more then happy to participate it seemed. Perhaps a couple mintues of laughter..before a loud boom was heard, the laughter stopped on a dime and every head turned towards the table where the teachers sat. Dumbledore was standing up, looking none to pleased.

"SILENCE!" came the singular booming voice from the Staff table, and even Severus could be seen wiggling a finger in the ear closest to the Headmaster after his command. Snape had been watching carefully and without outward reaction at all the midfortunes befalling the students with cold, narrowed black eyes. "Students who are NOT affected by these strange... maladies.... Shall exit the hall in an orderly manner, and prepare for your afternoon classes. The affected students who have yet to leave for the Hospital Wing shall do so, and the staff will follow me there to investigate this." he said in a stern voice. Silence fell over the hall after he spoke, then only the sound of scraping chairs and somber footsteps was heard as the students exited the Hall.

Draco bit his lip as he listened to the headmaster, the raucous laughter had come to a complete halt..and soon enough, they were on their way out. Some people didn't even get the chance to touch their meals. Head bowed a bit, he looked over to Jack with a rather triumphant smile at the results..and he knew that now, when such things were investigated, Gryffindor would come up as the culprits. It was all too grand, and he nudged Jack slightly to express such.

Jack looked over at Draco and gave him a wink as they walked down the halls. People were of course discussing the odd events at lunch, and when the traffic in the halls thinned out a bit, he spkoe to Draco. "Well Mr. Malfoy, what do you have planned for the rest of the day?" he asked, then giggled.

Draco grinned over to Jack. "I'm not all that sure, I wasn't thinking that far in advance. Do you have any ideas?" Quirking an eyebrow at the other with a devious little grin. Purring in that sadistic sort of pleasure. "Though we have to suffer through classes first before accomplishing anything else." Placing a mock aguished look on his face. "Oh dear..Fellatia won't be attending the rest of her classes today, whatever shall we do?!"

Jack gave Draco a perfectly wicked smile in return, "Well, be able to sit in classes with out a "Fondling Spell" creeping it's way into our robes for one...." he chuckled. Just then, Hermione and Harry and Ron passed by them in the Hall. They looked concerned and Jack caught a snatch of conversation as they passed, they were talking about Neville, and wondering when they could get up to the hospital wing, and check on him. Jack waited until they had passed, then snickered again.

"Oh..I don't know about that." Giving Jack a truly wicked grin, for his eyes only mind you. "I would be more then willing to fill Fellatia's roll in that department." Before laughing softly as the continued their way towards class. Draco watched the trio wander pass them looking worried to all hell, my..they looked rather upset. Seems there was a chain reaction that Jack and Draco hadn't anticipated. Let's just call it..an added bonus him? For as far as he was concerned, anything that put Harry and his friends in a solemn mood was well worth anything that happened after.

Jack looked at Draco after his comment about Fellatia and taking over the nefarious acts she usually performed and he just, stared. "Uh.... sure..." he managed, as a blush crossed his face, and without another word, he followed Draco off towards their next class.</lj-cut>",,devious

2002-08-08 18:13:00,
"Pausing to reflect, to analyze."

Well, it is Thursday evening, after dinner and as I sit here penning this and working on Transfiguration Homework, and notes for Potions, I find myself again reflecting on yesterdays events.

The school was STILL all a flutter about the misfortunes that befell Fellatia, Neville and Seamus. Looking back, do I feel remorse? Yes. Even though that is so unlike me. But which me?

Sirius still likes to shag, Sirius still wants to drink, Sirius still wants to be a Marauder and prank everyone that crosses his path.

Jack. Wants to be a good student. Jack is trustworthy, kind to all, helps others, and makes friends with Malfoy, and bewitches Potions Masters.

I must keep making myself come back to the reason for all of this. Harry. Like a dog that needs to be swatted with the paper to get his attention. I need to remember it is all about Him.

I wish I could delve deeper into what Snape is up to. No, I don't trust him, and I know there is a GOOD reason why, I just don't have the evidence at my disposal. I suppose that Albus' trust of him should be enough for me. But it isn't. He trusts me after all, so who am I to throw stones? Perhaps he believes in the old adage, "Keep your friends close, your enemies closer."

Ah.... blonde hair and icy blue eyes are watching me from the other side of the room. The faux casual glances he gives in my direction are familiar to me, and uncomforting. Want. Desire. Lust. But Lust for what? I don't think he can conceive of love at this point in this life. I think he has been deprived of it so long that the simple friendship and peer respect I have shown him have turned his emotions on full tap. God knows I've seen this before. Girls. Snog 'em and leave them. That's the way, that's my creedo, but I always managed to grab the NEEDY one and would spend months trying to detach them from me and something that was never there.

I can't help you with love Draco, though you so sorrely need it. Sex won't cure your pain either. I could tell you that, but you wouldn't listen. You wouldn't believe me. You would spit in my face at my polite refusal, and call me every Mudblood hate word you could think of to save your again wounded pride.

It is my opinion the best thing that could ever happen to Draco Malfoy would be a cataclysmic disaster that would leave him a wealthy orphan. In his case, that would give him a sporting chance in life. It would not surprise me a bit if his ass and soul were not already on the To-Do List of Lucius, the Death Eaters, and Voldemort.

Enough of this for now. I think too damn much. I need a drink and yet, the thought of it brings and instinctual red flag. Like a bad taste at the back of my throat. Something buried, repressed.

Well, the hidden are always found, we just need be patient. And I need a smoke. I think I will go for a walk before curfew sets in."

2002-08-09 23:38:00,
Finally Friday,

Well, I have survived another week. I suppose that is worth noting and celebrating. It's too bloody hot to sleep right now, and so I am laying here writing in my journal and pondering my plans for the weekend.

It is another Hogsmeade visit tomorrow. I may go this time. Something about the place still makes me feel... off. But I need to get out of here.

I need to be able to come and go as I please after what I have been through so I think it will do me good. I am sure most of everyone here will be going, so I should be in good company, whether I want it or not...

So until something else exciting happens, and Lord knows I don't need it to.

As ever.

2002-08-10 20:07:00,
Saturday Night's alright for fighting....

An IC Dual RP with Jack and Ginny.

Jack walked along the halls of Hogwarts with a bag of purchases from Hogsmeade slung over his shoulder. He had spent most of the day with Malfoy and company, but still had managed to keep an eye on Harry and his gang of malcontents. He had parted ways with Malfoy at the main hall where someone had pulled him aside for a conversation. Jack was enjoying the silence now, and looking forward to a long night's sleep after a hot shower.

Ginny was very flustered from a long day in potions that she might have been able to avoid if it wasn't for her big mouth. She was walking very slowly down the halls carrying her books and longing for her bed.

Jack looked up when he heard someone walking out of the Potion's Class room. He spotted the red hair, and smiled. "Hey Ginny." he called out softly, in as friendly a place as he could muster.

Ginny looked up, noticing Jack she sighed. Well might as well be friendly she told herself. "Hello Jack, did you go to Hogsmeade today?"

Jack struck a casual, if not flirty sort of pose. He just radiated confidence. "Yeah. Just walked around a bit. Had some grub and grog, bought a few things." he said with a smile, then looked down at her bookbag and supplies, "Oh yeah... you had detention with Snape today. My condolences..." he said in a somber tone.

Ginny shrugged. "No big deal at all, I rather wanted it. All these students around here are starting to get on my nerves." She said kind of coldly.

Jack looked directly at her and cocked a dark eyebrow. "Students like me?" he asked unabashedly. "I must. You get this expression of a person with dung under their nose every time you see me..." he said in a soft voice. "I guess I will leave you be then..." he said as he turned to go further down into the dungeons.

Ginny turned around, "Wait...we can't go on like this...can we atleast try and work things out between us? I am sorry for the last comment. I just...i'm sorry" Ginny looked down at the ground.

Jack paused, and turned around to look at her again. "You think I'm slime because of Fellatia, don't you?" he asked, not accusing. "Well, she dumped me long ago. Used me like a teabag and tossed me aside just as quickly. I suppose that will make your day." He said, then shook his head, regretting that last part. "I am sorry if I hurt you in any way GInny. I didn't know..." he paused, looking over at her, his eyes seemed so sad now, "I didn't know I was hurting anyone when I was... with her." he finally said.

Ginny looked up to meet his gaze, her eyes were filled with tears. This was the first time she had actually confronted what was bothering her. "It's alright, it was never your fault. I just thought that there might be a chance someone likes me, but it doesn't matter now. I know I don't mean anything like that to you. I am sorry for dragging this out for so long and blowing up at you." Ginny never took her eyes off of him for one moment.

Jack set his bag down and walked over to Ginny, placing his hands on her shoulders as he looked deep into her eyes. "I had no idea that you felt.... anything for me. Honest." he said with a weak smile. "I will admit to my dying day that the things I did with Fellatia were a big mistake. Something... something I will NOT be repeating with her, or ... anyone here for that matter." he said giving her shoulders a squeeze. "You are a great girl, and I don't want you to judge yourself by others. I think that if this were a different time, and place. We might be able to be..." he stopped, then changed tacts, "But I can't have that now. Not just because it is you, but beause how _I_ am Ginny. I didn't come here to Hogwarts to whore around, and I know that now. I have a job to do, and I have to devote my life to that." He paused, sighing deeply.

Ginny smiled. "Don't worry about it Jack, I understand things can't be, and i've accepted this. You really are a good person, and i'm glad to have met you." Ginny's smile faded. "And about Fellatia, I understand natural instincts and all, and I know how she is, don't worry about it, really." She smiled again, wiping at her eyes.

Jack leaned down and placed a long kiss on Ginny's cheek, holding his lips there for a long time before hugging her fully. Lifting his head back up, he whispered to her, "I will tell everything someday. You are one of the few people I think I could trust with my secrets. But for now... I have to live the life set before me. It has nothing to do with you, but all me. I can't have.... attachments. Not even casual ones." he said with a sound of determination in his voice, not sadness or regret.

Ginny nodded at what he said. &quot;Don't worry Jack, whenever you want or need to talk to me, I am here for you. But I can be whatever you want me to be to you. if you'd like for me to ignore you or such, I can do that to. I just don't want to stand in your way.&quot; Ginny hadn't blushed at the kiss because she was long over her little crush, and knew that there was something serious she didn't want to mess around in.

Jack smiled down at Ginny, and held her chin in his hand, and winked at her. "You are a powerful witch, and you have a heart of gold. Brave too. You are everything a Gryffindor SHOULD be, and I am so glad Harry has you, and your family as good friends." he said with a twinkle in his eyes, then hearing loud and boisterous voices approach, he turned toward them, "Malfoy..." he hissed.

Ginny beamed up at Jack. "Well thanks for the compliment, but I uh guess we better part." She said, with a somewhat saddened tone in her voice.

Jack nodded, and grabbing her hand, gave a quick kiss to the back of it. He then pointed to a large statue of a Gryphon nearby, just across the hall. "Quick, hide behind that ugly bloke over there. He's carved out in the back, and I will get Malfoy and the rest inside soon enough so you can leave here in peace." He paused, giving her freckled cheek a soft pinch, "Take care Ginny. And thanks..."

Ginny nodded in response and ran quickly to hide behind the statue before she would be seen.

Jack collected his bag from the floor just as Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Flint came around the corner. Flint was one of the ugliest humans Jack had ever seen, and when he smiled, it would make a gargoyle faint. "I hear from Malfoy you are a fair Quidditch Player and want to try out for the team..." he inquired in his gravely voice. Jack nodded as he fell in step beside Malfoy and walked farther on down the hall. "Yeah... I was a fair beater in my day...." he said and their voices trailed off as they went farther down the hall toward Slyterin House.</lj-cut>",Voices in the halls.,guilty

2002-08-11 15:54:00,
Punishment due,

An IC RP with Snape and Jack. This follows the scene with Hermione and Jack in the Hallway.

Snape watched until Hermione was out of sight, then, wand still in hand, but held parallel to his arm, he growled lowly. "Follow me, Grim," and headed off down the corridor.

Jack nodded obediantly, then with head slightly lowered he turned and fell in pace with Snape, but a step behind. He was running over a dozen plots in his mind, trying to prepare himself for whatever lay ahead in this little fiasco. "Yes Sir," he said, saying nothing more for the time being.

Snape walked in silence, content to let the boy imagine his own horrors for now, and to try and get some rein on himself. Some small part of him was shocked, but he was used to that by now and had all but quashed it when he finally arrived at the door to the dungeons, his classroom, his office. Snape stood close to the door, opened it with a quick movement, ignoring the alarms it set off in his mind and bade the student enter with a curt nod, though not giving him much room.

Jack watched Snape closely, and held his breath as he had to pass so closely to him to enter the room. Snape's Domain. "Thank you, sir," he said softly as he entered the room, and remained standing until he was bade to do otherwise.

Snape bit his lip as the invisible warning-lines at the thresholds burned brightly in his mind each time they were crossed, and wondered at the texture of them. They didn't feel... right. He didn't have time to deal with that right now, and so followed into his office, motioning Jack to sit in the chair before his desk, and hovering over his shoulder. "You do, I trust, realise why I have called you here, Grim?"

Jack took the seat indicated, and slowly turned his head to look up at the Potions Master hovering over him. He did not show fear on his face, that would be deadly, but a calm exterior, and tone of voice. "It would be either for aiming my wand at a fellow student in a threatening manner, which is against Hogwarts rules, or..." he paused to take a breath. "For getting CAUGHT, which is against your rules, Professor." he added, then waited.

Snape was deadly still, like a cobra about to strike. His eyes flared, somewhere in their depths, but otherwise his face revealed nothing but pure hatred. "I see you do at least learn SOME things, Grim. You do know who it is you threatened, boy? What house she is in? Who her friends are? Who is her House Head?" The venom increased, and he had to look away a second, as if thoroughly sickened. "You have done something so stupid I wouldn't have dreamed it in a million years... and I dream such things, Grim, as the world would shake. Are you beginning to see a little clearer?"

Jack pursed his lips, not at all rattled by what he had done. After all, poor Snape was only seeing 10% of this Opera in progress. His reply showed his confidence in having Diplomatic Immunity. "Sir, I am fully aware of her friends, house head, and contacts. I am also well aware of the animosity that is poorly veiled between you and the same. I can only apologise for my actions of this day, and swear they will not occur again. However..." he paused, "It is far less of an issue for students to exact this sort of torment upon each other than say, a teacher? " he asked with the lift of an eyebrow. "I am not presuming to act upon your wishes or desires Sir, but I thought somehow, you might have, approved..." Jack finished, then waited.

"Presume you have, Grim," Snape said, with a mocking tone. He adopted a passable didactic preacher's tone; "'For the path to Hell is paved with good intentions,' and yours, well, they were debateable." He paused, physically slowing his breathing down, which nevertheless had his chest rising and falling all too much. "And, regardless of your intent, I am telling you once and for all. You are meddling in something that you ought not. You. Are. Out. Of. Your. Depth," he leaned closer to deliver this verdict, each word chopped off and severed from his lips. "If you do not, I will not be held responsible."

Jack bit down on his lower lip, an allowed himself the luxury of a long, slow blink, holdin his eyes closed for a beat before opening them again, and replying. "I am sorry.... Sir. I will not repeat my actions of today, and the next time I feel like doing you a good turn, I will ignore the impulse." he said in a low tone, looking away from Snape's burning gaze.

Now Snape afforded himself a snort. "Oh please, my heart is bleeding already. Save yourself the trouble, boy." His eyes rolled heavenwards as he started to pace behind his desk. "Now there is the matter of punishment." He reached the chair, but didn't sit. Preferring instead to continue his slow circuit of the room.

Jack watched Snape circle the room, and listened to his mocking tone. Part of him wanted to draw wand and smite him a royal hexing, another part wanted to just run out of here, then there was another part yet that felt.... something odd, and... sexual. Jack blinked and stomped on his own foot with the heel of his other foot to clear his mind of all thoughts but pain. "Yes Sir. I know that I am liable for my actions."

"It requires now only that a suitable punishment is discovered, hm?" he was drawing it out and he knew it, oh how well did he? He ran his tongue across his teeth as he ruminated, deliberately trying to wear at the other.

Jack nodded, trying to imagine just WHAT horrors now lay instore for him at Snape's hand, or wand. But, he wouldn't punish him like THAT, would he? Something in his mind said, no. "Yes sir, I suppose so." he replied after the pause and tense silence became almost painful.

Snape hmmmed deep in his throat, stopping at one side of his desk, facing Jack, and made a play of pausing on one heel, resting his chin on one hand and propping that elbow on his other arm, resting across his waist. "Perhaps, perhaps you need the First Years to teach you what obediance is?"

Jack shifted the position of his hands in his lap, and then looked upward at Snape, he was NOT liking the sounds of this. For some reason, he preferred Snape's bullying punishments to this possibly humiliating one. "If you think that best Sir, and do not want to see to it yourself..." he said, then inwardly winced and promised to run himself headfirst into a wall the first chance he got. What the hell was he playing at?

Jack sat more stiffly upright, and that wasnt the only thing that did likewise. He squinted his eyes shut, and thrust his hands into the pockets of his robes, and shuffled them around to provide hopefully a bit of, cover? He could NOT believe this was happening, it was SNAPE for crissakes. His mind spun, so much so, he forgot that Snape was talking to him for a moment, then... Dammit! Did he just ask him a question?

Snape was exulting; it seemed finally something was getting through to the boy. Perhaps not as untrainable as he had thought? No, this could serve to bring him in line perfectly, and might even have Minerva back off when she saw that he was punishing his own house just as much as hers. Or then, she might not. Too late. He grinned, let himself rest on the corner of the desk. "I think you'll have to buy another toothbrush rather soon, Grim."

Jack let out a long sigh, a clearing breath, and nodded his head. NOW he really wanted out of there, fast. "Yes Sir, I understand sir." he breathed softly, then when he thought most of the blush had gone from his face, he looked over at Snape again from behind messy fringe, "When and where shall I report with my toothbrush?" he asked in a voice that definitly sounded, choked with some sort of emotional stress.

Snape let one long, pale finger rest on his lips a moment, before looking down at the seated student, his own greasy hair falling forwards at the movement. "Tomorrow. After tea. You can do all the study you need to here before you work, and you will work until I let you go."

Jack nodded, and then before waiting for a cue, stood up, waiting to be dismissed. He kept his head lowered, staring down at the floor and his shoes poking out from under his robes. "I will be here tomorrow after tea Sir." he said in a soft voice.

"And I shall ensure you receive a copy of the First Years' timetables at breakfast, with the mail," Snape said, waiting for acknowledgement before waving him away like a bothersome insect. "I hope, this time, that you will learn," he says, unable to keep his voice totally level as Jack crosses the magical wards at the door.

"Yes, Sir," Jack said simply again as he turned and made a quick step towards the door of the office. His head was still spinning, like a motor with the clutch disengaged. He couldn't put a solid thought togther and hold onto it. "I will see you tomorrow then, after tea," he repeated, more over to fit it in his own dazed mind before he forgot it entirely.

Snape didn't move from his position, half-sitting on his desk. The after-effects of his memory still swirling in his head and making it a little difficult to breathe in an atmosphere that had suddenly become too close for the usually cold, sterile dungeons. A second shock-wave hit him behind the eyes as soon as Jack reached the Classroom door, and he watched, trying to decipher the messages it gave.

Jack left the classroom without looking back, and once in the hallways, broke into a loping run all the way back to the entrance to Slyterhin House. "Serpentfang!" he yelled at the mirror, and then dashed inside, through the common room, and into his dorm. He barred the door shut, against what, he wasnt sure. The worst of his tormentors was already inside here with him. His own fractured mind. He dove onto his bed, and drew the curtains closed with a quick muttering of a spell and then just laid there in the semi-darkness curled up on his side, panting.</lj-cut>","Again, the pounding of my heart",anxious

2002-08-11 00:39:00,
What was that all about?

Well, you KNOW what it was about you big idiot. Ginny Weasley has a crush on you, and it broke her bloody heart when she saw you emerge from the closet with Fellatia.

Great. Terrific. Well, I did the best I could to set things straight and make amens to her. Didn't I?

Yeah, so why do I still feel like crap, and beating the tar out of someone? I need to get to bed. Hopefully some sleep will help.

Not likely.

As ever.

2002-08-11 11:46:00,
Sunday Morning Owls

A Group RP with Jack, Hermione, Ginny, and Snape.

Sunday morning greeted the world rather abruptly, the sky was dark and overcast, the atmosphere close and oppressive. The Potions Master was walking to the Owlery, with long, purposeful strides.

Ginny looked over at Ron, who had been trying to catch her eye all of lunch. She finally takes the hint and stands up. "Well, you know what I think I have some homework I should be working on for tomorrow. Darn McGonnagal, she's always giving me a research paper."

Hermione set her sandwich down. "Are you going to the library? I'll come with you, then." she stood up and brushed a few stray crumbs off of her robes, not noticing the looks Ron was giving her. She tucked a piece of curly hair behind her ear and grinned at Ginny. "Is it alright if we stop by the Owlery first? I need to owl my parents about my classes." The two girls started off across the grounds. Hermione never noticed that Ron had wanted to be alone with her.

Jack was leaving the Great Hall, having breakfasted early today. He found himself unable to sleep in late today, something restless was running around in him. So he had gotten out of bed early, eaten and was now considering sending an owl to Harry. Harry had asked to meet with him, and frankly, he didn't know HOW he was going to pull that off...

The Owlery had a few people with similar intents in today, of those students who were up, but they quickly became much more efficient at sending their owls when the dark figure of one Severus Snape loomed at the doorway. The last to leave, a slight, winnowish Slytherin seventh year, gave the Professor an unfelt smile as she slunk past. Snape stood in the middle of the now empty room, and held up his left hand.

"Well Hermy, I actually really needed to concentrate on this, but i'll go to the owlry to send mum and dad a letter telling them I settled back in okay." Ginny smiled at Hermy, feeling bad about ditching her, but she had promised Ron, grr oh well. She secretly couldn't wait to go back to write in her diary about last night, since she had fallen asleep right away last night.

Hermione was a little disappointed, as she had planned to bring up the Jack questions once again; the look on Ginny's face stopped her from pressing the issue. She smiled and shifted her bag to the other shoulder. "I'll see you back in the common room later, then," she said. Ginny nodded, and Hermione turned on her heel in the direction of the owlery.

Jack made his way to the owlery, and ducked into a nearby alcove where there was a quill, some ink and parchment for students and faculty use. He grabbed a sheet of parchment, and quickly scrawled a note to Harry,

"Dear Harry, I would LOVE to see you sometime soon, but that may be difficult. I am close at hand, and keeping an eye on you, rest assured. I am glad that things have been going so quietly. It's nice to relax, eh? I will write to you again soon. Love, Sirius."

Jack then quickly folded up the note, and sealed it with a drop of hot wax and his thumbprint before turning to go into the owlerly.

Most of the birds in the room shuffled backwards on their perches, resettling their feathers and moving away from Snape. One eagle owl, a huge beast, swiveled its head around and blinked at him with snobbish disdain. Snape replied in kind to the Malfoy bird, knowing instinctively where it came from. One small bird flew down from somewhere high up, resting its tiny form on one finger. The talons curled around, but obligingly lifted one foot so the professor could attach his note.

Ginny walked towards her dorm room with one intent, to write in her journal. The events with jack last night had been swirling around in her brain for the past 12 hours and she couldn't wait to figure everything out, and what Jack was hiding.

Hermione paused as she came into view of the Owlery. Jack Grim was outside, pressing his thumb into a letter's seal. She watched him turn to go into the owlery. "Grim!" she called out. The Slytherin paused, and she walked towards him until they were a few feet from each other. Hermione blushed a the memory of a few nights previous, and what she had seen. She shrugged it off and gave a nervous smile.

Jack smiled amicably at Hermione, and if he was thinking about the other night, or what she may have seen, he didn't show it, or bring it up. "Here to send an owl?" he asked in a pleasant tone, guessing the obvious as there was no studying to be done in THIS part of the castle.

Hermione fished her letter out of her satchel and held it up. "To my parents. They need an update every once in a while." She shifted uncomfortably, and took a deep breath. "Listen Grim, I wanted to... to thank you, actually."

Jack pocketed his note, taking care to palm over whom it was addressed to, and smiled at her, confusion showing on his face. He knitted his dark eyeborws slightly, "Thank me? For what?" he asked, genuinely confused.

"For Ginny," she replied, looking down at her shoes. "Whatever happened yesterday.... she's a lot better. I get the feeling that you took part in that."

Jack grinned and looked a bit embarrased, and proud all at the same time. "Uh... I really didn't do that much... I just apologised to her. Seems she got her feelings hurt when she saw Fellatia and I..." He paused, voice trailing off. No need to go there again.

Snape retrieved a small roll of parchment from somewhere on his person with a quick movement, impossible to follow without going cross-eyed and possibly being committed to St Mungos too. He held it in his palm, mostly obscured, and was about to attach the little scroll when he heard voices outside the door. He bit his lip, blinking, as he stood locked in thought.

Hermione's eyes widened at the mention of Fellatia. "Fellatia? You, and Fellatia? But I thought you were-" she cut herself off before she could reveal something she really didn't want to deal with right then.

Jack narrowed his eyes at Hermione, and grinned in the most wicked of ways. She had let the cat out of the bag partially, and now the dog would chase. "Yes, I was with Fellatia." he said calmly, and so have most of the boys in Hogwarts I am told, but I am wondering... WHAT is it you started to say you thought I was?"

"I... I thought, I mean..." Hermione stammered nervously. She felt a blush begin to creep over her cheeks, and willed it down, though she was sure she must have been a decent shade of scarlet at that point. "It was n-nothing," she managed, avoiding the taller student's eyes.

Snape listened carefully to the voices outside, and after a moment was satisfied they weren't going to run in just yet. He tied the little package to the creature sitting on his hand, still listening intently as he worked in silence. Snape listened carefully to the voices outside, and after a moment was satisfied they weren't going to run in just yet. He tied the little package to the creature sitting on his hand, still listening intently as he worked in silence

Jack contiued to stare Hermione down, and pressed the issue. "Have you heard something about me perhaps Hermione? Something scandalous?" he said with a lift of his eyebrows. "Have you perhaps SEEN something about me that... unnerves you a bit?" he added, then grinning fully. "I would hope that you would NOT be the sort to gossip about another student unless you were sure of ALL of the facts..." He let his gaze grow a bit more intense, a subtle change coming over his personality as he stared down the Gryffindor, waiting for her answer.

Hermione's eyes widened, and she instinctively took a step back. She made a low sound as a sharp edge of stone dug into her back, and she winced. She swallowed compulsively. "Me? Gossip?" She let out a faint laugh. "Who d-do you take me for?" she finished lamely.

The little message was quite securely fixed to the owl, and it blinked up at Snape, wondering why it was being detained. The Potions Master hovered his hand lightly above its back, not wanting it to take off and make a sound, effectively revealing himself. He smiled in malicious delight at the Gryffindor's obvious discomfit.

Jack continued his look of ill intent, and kept the pressure on, "I take you for a very SMART girl, Hermione." he said lowly, in a voice not terribly unlike Snape's when he was pressing an advantange. "I think that myself, and Mr Malfoy have NOTHING to worry about when it comes to you." he said with a wicked grin, "I AM right about that, am I not?" he said with the lift of an eyebrow.

All of the color drained from the Gryffindor's face. She opened her mouth to protest, but no sound came out. He seemed suddenly taller, and she felt guilty wash over her like a tidal wave. "I- I didn't mean to... honestly, it wasn't- I..." she trailed off. Her heart was running a marathon, it seemed, and she was having trouble breathing.

Jack smiled wider, and even though there was no real threat behind his voice, the underlying intent was easily read in body language. Tense, and upright. "I am sure you THOUGHT you saw something, but you know how the night sky : can play tricks on the eyes, am I right Hermione?" he asked, then continued without giving her a chance to reply just then, "I am sure what you THINK you saw, has no concern for you, or Ron or Harry to worry about, so why not just... Obliviate it from your memory..." he said, voice going to a low growl.

The long, thin fingers absently began to stroke the bird's small back, and eventually the tiny being stopped shivering, mesmerised by the regular, gentle touch. Snape closed his eyes, as if it would help him to hear better, mind whirling as he wondered at the conversation, breathing slowing as he momentarily forgot his errand.

Hermione's eyes narrowed as she felt anger rush to replace fear. "I know what I saw out there," she argued, "and I have never been affected by the night sky. If you think you can threaten me..." she trailed off angrily.

Jack's eyes became dark, and he quickly reached into his robes and had wand drawn in a flash, aimed at Hermione. "Oh I don't think about making threats..." he said, voice low, and cold. "I carry them out if need be..."

Snape bristled automatically, unable to stop the hissing intake of breath at that tone of voice, and a rush of memory, long buried, sent a rush of blood to his brain.

Hermione flinched visibly when Jack removed the wand, and knew she would not be able to reach for her own. She licked her lips nervously, prepared for the worst; she saw the cold expression on Grim's face and sighed. "You would hurt me for that?" she asked, her anger rushing away, and the fear slinking back in. Her voice sounded very small to her ears, and she couldn't imagine what it sounded like to Jack.

"I know that Gryffindors are know for their honor, and loyalty. I suspect that you are one of the finest examples of that in a hundred year's time. I suppose, it you were to give me your word... of silence on this matter, and this little, "encounter" we are having, I could be satisfied with that." He paused, "However, if word of this ever DOES get around, I am sure that Mr. Malfoy would seek a far more... serious form of revenge, and I am not sure I would be able to prevent it..." he said, voice trailing off again.

Snape stormed to the door, the little owl sent flying up with a startled sqawk. He moved faster than it would appear possible for one his size, and was out through the door to the Owlery, standing alongside Jack's wand-arm, almost but not quite in the way. His own wand was drawn, and he looked between the two of them from under his unruly hair, eyes dangerous. "What is this, I see? Causing trouble again, Granger?"

"I most certainly am not!" she snapped, indignant. It was a rare occasion for Hermione Granger to talk back to a teacher, but this was certainly called for. She was scared, and worried, and there was a knot in her stomach that wouldn't leave, no matter how much she willed it away. She lifted her chin and glared into the Potion's Master's eyes.

Jack was startled when Snape burst forth out of the door, and appeared next to him. His first instinct was to duck and run, but he paused, and was glad he did. Snape was aligning himself with him, for the moment, and turning his vile temper on Hermione. The gut freezing fear turned quickly to confidence, then somthing else as he realized the oddness of this scenario. He continued to hold his position, perhaps a bit more relaxed, and let Snape take the helm of the situation now.

Severus Snape might never look fully hinged, but right now whatever gate usually creaked back and forth in his mind had not just blown off its hinges, but had gone down the street, hitting several small children and leaving a path of destruction in its wake. He growled, and the words, whilst still honey-smooth, were tinged with cyanide. "You were in my book, Miss Granger." He emphasised her name. "Twenty points from Gryffindor for malconduct, twenty five for sheer bloody impudence."

Hermione's jaw would be scraping the floor, were it big enough. As it was, her mind had to yell at the muscles in her face to close it. She was shocked, and angry, but smart enough not to open her mouth against the teacher again. She decided the best course of action would be to tread softly, though there was no way Hermione was going to take the blame for all of this on her own. "He threatened me, sir," she said, motioning to Jack.

Jack felt his gut tighten as the amount of sheer hate in Snape's word's and he could not surpress the shudder tha ran up his spine. "Poor Hermione" he thought, but didn't dare show weakness now. Steely-eyed contempt was his best form of defense at this point. At Hermione's accusation. He merely lowered his wand, and his eyelids partially at the same time. He neutralized his expression, then looked slightly to the side at Snape, letting him have the next say.

The voice dropped to a hiss, and Snape leaned in closer to the fifth-year. "Miss Granger. Only one of us is the teacher, here. Do you presume to tell me my job? I would be careful, very careful, if I was you." He drew up, wand still in his hand, but now these rested on his hips, balled into fists in definite aggression. "You will now go back to your dormitory, where you will stay, until someone is sent to deal with you. And if you are NOT where I say you shall be, you will be facing more than just detentions or points, summer school or no. Do I make myself QUITE clear?"

"Yes, sir,' Hermione muttered, feeling hot tears well up behind her eyes. She fought them down, refusing to allow either of her antagonists to see her cry. She turned on her heel, mumbling a few words under her breath. Similar to the night which had caused all of this, golden letters appeared in the air in front of Jack, for his eyes only: "YOU AREN'T WORTH MY WORD."

Jack made a scowling expression at the message sent to him, and surpressed the guiltly feelings he was getting over all of this for he knew... Now he would have to deal with Snape. Putting on a solemn and contrite face, he put his wand away in his robes, laced his hands down low in front of himself, and waited for Snape to speak for he knew he would, verbosely, and viciously no doubt.

Snape watched until Hermione was out of sight, then, wand still in hand, but held parallel to his arm, he growled lowly. "Follow me, Grim," and headed off down the corridor.

2002-08-11 18:06:00,
Why why...oh why

How do I get myself into these messes? I know, my big mouth. Can't keep it shut, and there I go. Now, as I sit here trying to figure just WHAT makes me provke Snape like that, make myself have to spend more time with the decrepit old git?

I am going insane. I know I am. I will not be able to pull this off for much longer. I don't know which way is up, which way is down. God, help me. I am passing up dinner tonight, I have the last bit of meade from Hogsmeade yesterday, I think I will finish that off and go to bed.

Maybe after a shower. I dunno. God, I need someone to talk to. To confide in. But there is no one. They would run in terror, kill me on the spot, or make me a date with a Dementor. I guess it all has to be spoken here, and no where else.

As ever.

2002-08-12 13:05:00
Potions on Monday

AN IC RP with Hermione, Snape, Jack and Ginny.

Hermione left the Great Hall at the very end of breakfast, when she could no longer put off going to class. In fact, if she didn't hurry she would be late, and she didn't want to get any further onto Snape's bad side. She followed the other stragglers in the direction of the dungeons. As she approached the potions class, she checked her watch and sped up. She had two minutes, plenty of time to get there, but Snape had a tendency to punish students for being within five minutes of class.

Jack finished eating his normal three plates of breakfast and pushed his plate away as he leaned back from the table. He glanced at this watch, then at Malfoy. "Just about time for Class. Potions..." he grinned wryly as he nudged Draco in the ribs. Malfoy nodded and they, along with several others at the table, gathered up their book bags and headed off back to the dungeons.

Snape hadn't been to breakfast this morning, and neither had Albus, for one reason or another. The headmaster had only released him a short time before, giving him practically no time to sort his lesson out at all, despite the forward-planning he normally exercised with meticulous care. Thankfully, though, he had a few contingency plans.

Ginny had been avoiding everyone for most of yesterday and today. Ever since her encounter with Herm she hadn't wanted to talk to anyone, not even Hermione. But soon enough she would be needing to since it was almost time for Potions and she had turned her breakfast into an ugly color of brown from stirring so frequently. She glanced around one last time and picked herself and her stuff up, headed for her, it seemed, most frequently visited class.

Hermione slowed her pace to a casual walk as she passed through the door into the class. Her eyes flickered around the room, and her heart took a hopeful leap as she noticed the two still empty seats on the Slytherin side. She reminded herself that they often came in late, with no repercussions whatsoever, and willed herself calm. Harry gave her a worried look as she took her seat between him and Ron and began unpacking her bag.

Jack and the rest of his Slytherin "gang" weren't the last to arrive at Potions that morning, but they weren't the first. Jack and his housemates sat down in front near Snape's desk, and he gave a passing glance at Hermione, Harry, and the other Gryffindors present. His gaze was cool, neutral, and giving nothing away. He took his seat with casual ease, and leaned over to whisper to Malfoy as they waited for Snape to arrive. It was going to be an interesting day.

Snape entered from the corridor, carrying a largish pile of books. He placed them at the front of the room, where they un-shrunk into a towering stack, dust clouds rising from it and clogging up the air. He began to dust himself down, before looking up to see if bums filled seats.

Ginny hadn't hurried to class until she realized that there was no one else in the coridoors. She quickly picked up speed and hurried around the corners of the dungeons. When she reached the open door to the Potions classroom, she slowed for a moment and entered the classroom with her head held high. She took one look around the classroom to find Hermione or someone she knew, but being the last one in class does have its disadvantages. There was an empty seat next to Malfoy of all people. She sighed and tried not to change expressions on her face, quietly taking her unwanted seat.

Hermione tried not to panic when her two antagonists swaggered into the room. She failed horribly when Ginny entered and was forced to sit by Malfoy. Ron gave her an odd look. "Are you getting sick, 'Mione? You're really pale.." the redhead asked, concerned. She made an excuse about having trouble sleeping (which was true, though she wasn't planning on saying why), and her friend turned his attention back to the Professor.

Jack was watching the room with feigned bored interest until Ginny entered and was forced to take the seat on the other side of Malfoy. This was not good. He kept an eye on Malfoy in case he decided to start something, and he knew that he would eventually.

Snape was not really feeling much like teaching. Not that he did usually, but he couldn't even be bothered with some of his mosy fundamental little... quirks, to annoy his students. So he set the old books flying, and landed one before each pare of students quickly and efficiently with no polish or gloss. "Chapter One, and then the assignments on page twenty-five," he instructed. These pages had a lot to do with the naming of Potions; a dreary subject if ever there was one.

Ginny reached in front of her to grab the book just as Malfoy also reached for it. She was not about to give the book up to Malfoy. "Excuse me, I do believe this book is mine. So you can just take that one over there, in front of Jack." Ginny was shocked and appalled at what she had just said. She swallowed, knowing she was in for a brutal verbal argument.

Hermione hid her smile at Harry and Ron's simultaneous groans as they read the title of the day's chapter. She actually found this portion of Potions to be very interesting, and had read up on it a bit already. This wasn't the same book though, so she was looking forward to it. It was better than wocky potions, she supposed. She tried to immerse herself into her reading, but couldn't keep her mind on the Gryffindor side of the room. She glanced in Ginny's direction and bit her lip. She and Malfoy were giving each other deadly glares.

Jack looked over at the brewing confrontation, and more trouble from Snape was the last thing he wanted right now. He knew that even if he wasn't directly involved, he would get the blame and switch.

"Malfoy... knock it off..." he hissed in Malfoy's ear. "I already have a bloody nightmare Detention with Snape today from putting the pressure on Hermione to keep her yap shut, so LET IT GO...." he growled in the other Slytherin's ear. Malfoy turned a cool expression to Jack, and there was a moment of cool staredown, then without looking he gave the book in question a shove in Ginny's direction and took one of the ones that was in front of Jack. "Fine." he clipped in a terse tone, then turned to his reading.

Snape shot glares at the small group who seemed less settled than the rest. Ah. No prizes for guessing, really. But he wasn't in the mood for a supernova-esque confrontation that would probably land him in even more trouble, so he let an unspoken menace do his work for him, pacing forwards to stand in front of Nevile Longbottom, and drop his hand to the desk, loudly. Neville squirmed and tried to look up, but couldn't see the professor's face, and so threw himself into the archaic prose.

Ginny sneered at Malfoy and slid the book towards her. She was just fed up with the treatment she recieved from Malfoy and shook her head at the thought. She thumbed the pages of the book stopping at the correct page and pulling out some parchment and a quill. Quickly, she started scribbling down the work, wanting to finish sooner rather than later.

Hermione pulled her wand from her pocket, careful to keep it concealed under the desk. She muttered a spell she had been using a lot lately ("Nuntium latito") and words shimmered in the air in front of

Ginny. :What was that?: they asked. Hermione hoped Ginny remembered the spell, she had shown the younger girl a few weeks before. A few glances around the classroom assured her that no one else could see the words. Ginny had done the spell correctly in the past, yes, but a few mistakes almost always were made. Either the letters showed up, or she wasn't concentrating hard enough and her vague thoughts would show up, or it had been openly visible. Hermione kept her fingers crossed.

Jack gave a passing glance at Snape, then back at Draco, making sure that he was finally able to relax, (Ha!) and concentrate on his work. He rested his head in the palm of one hand leaning on the desk, and idly began to read the assigned chapter, taking notes lazily with his other hand that held his quill. He felt the urge to do more than just sit there. The desire to beat the living Hell out of someone was just below the surface, and he hoped that that was where it would remain for now.

Snape was struggling to concentrate. And to keep still. He paced a little, halting in his familiar spot, but it didn't feel right. He scowled, and unconciously stood at ease, his hands clamped behind his back, where one hand rubbed his arm compulsively. He closed his eyes in effort to block out the sounds of the room, but that didn't help either. When he found himself swallowing too much, he bit his inner lip to still himself.

Ginny glanced up to see the gold words and smiled slightly, that was Hermione, always looking out for her. She quickly racked her brain for the spell and held her wand under her desk. She muttered as quietly as possible, "Nuntium latito" and the gold words, :Just showing Malfoy that I can stand up for myself: appeared in front of Hermione. Ginny quickly placed her wand back in her robes and continued to work.

Hermione shook her head at the reply. :That's not safe, Ginny. If you two started arguing, and he knew that you knew... it could get ugly quick:

Jack was doing what he was supposed to be doing, reading and taking notes, then something started to twinkle before his eyes, just out of the corner of his vision. He blinked and looked up, just in time to see the glowing message intended for Ginny. He blinked again, then shot a curious glance over at Hermione, eyebrows knittted, then glanced over at Ginny, with a more confused look, but didn't say a word before returning to his reading. He was keeping a low profile.

Snape scratched irritably at his arm as he watched the students distractedly, but not seeing anything he could lay a finger on. He forced himself to stand still, like a guardsman on parade. even though his toes wriggled in his shoes.

Ginny sighed when she noticed some more letters twinkle before her eyes. She glanced up and read them carefully. She had wanted to finish her class work ontime today, but with these keeping up she would never finish. She pulled her wand back out and quietly muttered the spell. The golden words :Don't worry about it, were done for now, talk to you after class: appeared in front of Hermione and Ginny settled back in on her work.

Hermione took a moment to realize that not everyone had already read this and knew the material as well as she did. She sighed and put her wand back into her pocket, forcing herself to ignore that portion of the room and read the book in front of her. She skimmed the information, then dipped her quill in a nearby ink bottle and began the essay assignment.

As if hearing something the others, couldn't, the Potions Master suddenly went rigid and bolted out the door at top speed. leaving his class without further instruction, halfway through.

Jack looked up at the sudden swishing by of black fabric, and saw just the ends of Snape's robes and his heels as they flew from the class room as top speed. He blinked, and looked around the classroom to see what was up. Everyone seemed to have the same expression as him. Stunned confusion. He looked over at Malfoy, who grinned in a wicked way and shrugged his shoulders. "What was THAT about?" Jack whispered, to no one in particular.

Ginny didn't particularly care what was going on. She looked up like everyone else and then went back to her work.

Someone in the back of the classroom tiptoed cautiously to the door, looking for any sign of their teacher. When he saw no one in sight, he let out a whoop, and most of the class followed. Ron tossed his quill onto the table, leaving a sickle-sized spot on his essay, and leaned back in his chair. Harry plucked the quill out of Hermione's hands and grinned at her protest. "We get a small break, 'Mione," Ron crowed,

"Enjoy it while you can."

Jack looked over at the Gryffindors, then at the Slytherins, they were all taking Snape's leave of absence as a Bank Holiday, but deep down, he knew better. Clearing his throat, he resumed his work, as tedious as it was, and waited for the inevitable Armageddon that would occur upon Snape's return. And he WOULD return, he was sure of that. "Better get to work Malfoy... " he muttered without looking up.

Ginny heard what Jack said and looked up to notice that he as well was continuing with his work. She smiled at the thought and saw Malfoy staring at her. She glared at him and turned her head, swishing her hair in his face.

***

It felt lilke hours had gone by, though it was only one, and Snape was still absent from class. Hermione had finally gotten her quill back from Harry, and he and Ron were engaged with Seamus and Dean in a loud conversation about Quidditch. The whole class was being extraordinarily loud, and the Gryffindor girl worried that another teacher would hear and come by. Part of her wanted that to happen, if only to get Snape into trouble (she was still sore about the punishment); the other part wanted it even more. Alright, she was really sore about the punishment, and the points taken just added insult to injury. Sheglanced over at the clock: five minutes left.

Jack spent the remainder of the class working, perhaps a bit TOO hard. He seemed to be focusing on the Assignment rather than deal with other things looming around in his mind. When the Bell Rang, what students were left in the untended classroom got up and left the potions class with plenty of noise. Jack ignored the catcalls the Slytherins were making, at him, at Ginny, at all of the others as he gathered up his supplies and headed out of the class room alone. He wanted to be... alone again. Alone so he could scream and.... hurt something. Once he was out of the classroom, he turned to the left, and started ascending the stairs to the east tower at a rapid clip.

Ginny stood up, gathered her things and walked out of the classroom, feeling rather lonely. She headed towards the Gryffindor tower for some alone time to sort out her thoughts.

2002-08-12 13:20:00,
Pressure Valve

Jack ran all the way to the roof of the Observation Tower, knowing it would be abandoned this time of day. Only Astronomy was taught up here, and that wasn't until midnight on certain evenings.

He threw his bookbag against a turret wall with a grunt and the full force of his pent up rage, and then turned to face the nearest battlement wall.

His eyes flared, filled with anger, hate, and other emotions he had not named yet, then he struck. Right hand, curled into a fist, and it impacted ancient stone with a duck "thwack!" The pain was immediate, and at the same time, cathartic. It was real, it was tangible, and under his control. He struck again, Again. Again. Skin had now given way to the abuse, and blood covered his knuckles. Strike number five had caused somthing to crack with a sickening sound, but that just caused a sharp spike in the symphony of pain that was running down his arm and into his shoulder.

He lost count, it was around 30 or so when he finally turned and clutching what was left of his right hand in his left, collapsed in a semi-fetal sitting position against the tower wall. His cheeks were slick with tears, and his eyes were pinched shut against the glare of the nearly noonday sun, and other things. The sobs finally broke free then, caused by the physical pain he would tell himself, over and over.

For the next four hours...

2002-08-12 16:42:00,
Tea and sympathy from the Devil

An IC dual RP with Snape and Jack.

Jack looked at his watch, checking the time. It was half past four, tea started at four, so it was time to head to detention in the dungeons with Snape. He glanced at his right hand, still heavily bandaged and throbbing. Something was fractured. He was sure of that, but he didn't let that bother him. The pain was grounding. Kept him from doing other dangerous things, saying dangerous things. He left everything behind in his dorm, save for his wand, and started out of Slytherin House, and towards Snape's Domain.

The dungeons were empty. The classroom, the office, the chambers... waiting. The doors were shut, by someone who hadn't cast locking wards, and had just pulled them to. Most of the students were still eating, so it was more quiet and abandoned than usual.

Jack paused outside of the Potions Classroom, but he didn't knock this time. He KNEW Snape was inside there, waiting. He was like a huge spider waiting in his web for the daily prey. "I am here, Sir." he said in a low voice, waiting for a reply.

There was no reply, save for the slightly hollow echo of Jack's voice, resounding around.

Jack sneered, the anger in him getting the better of him, and he realized he was in no mood for mental chess this evening. He drew back his hand, the damaged one, and pounded it against the heavy wooden door hard enough to cause it to swing open. He entered the classroom slowly, eyes wandering around looking for Snape.

Half-there footsteps, almost ethereal, announced Snape's slow approach, to those who had an ear to listen. They would stop, pause, and start again, never in a rhythm.

Jack looked around the classroom, and after not seeing Snape, he sighed, then shook his head, and trudged down to the desk closest to his desk. He was sure this was going to involve going into the office, but he wasn't going to go in there univited directly, or unescorted. He set his hands on the desk, glancing at the bandage on the right hand. It was turning slowly red in some areas from slow blood seepage. He cursed inwardly, then for no reason, recalled he was supposed to have brought his tootbrush. "Goddammit!" he muttered under his breath, then quickly pulled out his wand, closed his eyes and muttered, "Accio Toothbrush!".

Something small, red, and moving fast streaked along the corridors at a hefty paste, and went whizzing past Snape's head-- his left hand shot up, and clenched shut around it. It tried to carry on moving, the plastic heating in the processto an almost unbearable amount. Snape gritted his teeth, and dug his heels in, determined to follow it at a steady pace. Despite his determination, it went ahead of him, the robes falling back from his arm as it yanked him to the shoulder along. He came to the entrance to the dungeons, and gripped the jamb with his right hand, realising the door was still open with a jerk.

Jack was still sitting there, wondering if the damned toothbrush was going to sho up or not, then he heard the bump at the door of the classroom. Slowly he turned around and narrowed his eyes at the odd scene. Snape was trying to, or trying NOT to come into the classroom. No, he was trying to keep the TOOTHBRUSH from coming into the classroom. In either case. It was quite odd looking, and he just sat there, watching Snape with a confused expression, not about to move or comment.

Snape entered slowly, pushing his robes back down to his wrist, and crossed to Jack. He stopped by his side, and released his grip- knuckles still white. "Yours, I believe," he commented, emptily. "Do you have any homework you need to finish?" he said, one eyeborw raising as he saw the damaged hand, but making no comment.

Jack looked up at Snape, and swallowed before answering. "Yes, Sir, my toothbrush, and uh... no. I have no homework for this evening. You did not assign any..." he said, speaking the truth. Since he had ditched Transfiguration, there was no assignment he knew of. He briefly wondered if he had been missed there at all.

Snape nodded, and walked over to his office. He stopped for a second, before opening the door, not bothering to tell the student whether to follow or not.

Jack watched Snape exit towards his office and with his left hand, places his toothbrush in the same pocket his wand was in. He glanced at his right, it was throbbing something awful and trembling just a bit. Jack found himself staring at it, everything else pushed aside for the moment.

Snape stopped just before his desk, clicking his heels together. He blinked about, wondering what to do now that there had been no practical classes at all. Ah well, he could stall and give himself some peace and quiet for a minute. Let him wait.

Jack broke out of his staring spell a moment later, and looked up to find Snape gone, into the office no doubt. No command had come for him to enter, stand, or do anything, so not wanting to be accused of doing NOTHING, he slid over a copy of the book they had been assigned earlier, and began reading a random chapter.

Time drained past tangibly, and Snape ran his fingers through his hair, and left them there a second. What had he been doing before? Oh yes, those books. Actually, come to think of it, they really could do with some attention; half of the spines were hanging off, and the pages had a habit of... walking off. He quickly summoned some binder's paste and book-tape and went back into the classroom.

Jack was still reading, as to how much his brain was absorbing? That remained to be seen. He heard Snape arrive back in the classroom, and slowly looked up from behind his two-toned fringe, and noted the items Snape was carrying. He did not comment on anything, he just waited. He knew well the less he said here and now, the better for all involved.

Snape placed the things down on the desk before Jack carefully, making sure not to get any of the paste on his fingers. He looked at the pile of the remaining books, and took one of the more dilapidated versions. "Do you know how to repair books?" he asked, as he carefully coated one slip of ribbon with the paste, held the book open with one hand, and used his wand to levitate the ribbon on the inside of the spine with the other.

Jack watched the process as Snape performed it. He was sure it took some skill to do well, but an idiot could figure it out. The question was, how good would he be at it with a lame hand, and was Snape going to allow him the use of his wand? "I have never repaired books in this fashion before Sir, but I think I have the hang of it. Shall I be doing the entire set?" he asked as he closed the copy he had been reading and glanced around at the thirty or so other discarded volumes.

Snape made sure the ribbon was central, before muttering a few things, and placing it apart from the other books. "It is not the most challengeing of tasks, but then, the necessary rarely is. Done... well.. however..." he looked at Jack, seemingly seeing his handicap for the first time he scowled. Thought a moment. "The paste requires a lot of care. I think I shall have to deal with that. But yes, you are to do the entire set..." as he was speaking, the boy's stomach growled. Snape narrowed his eyes. "Have you eaten?" he asked rather sharply.

Jack shook his head quickly, as if in annoyance, indicating the negative. "No Sir, but I will be fine. I can fast past one meal and not die...." he said, his voice trailing off on the last word as it struck an odd inner chord with him. He then continued. "So, you shall handle the glue and I the ribbons?" he asked, casting a neutral look over at Snape. "I am lefthanded sir, the injury shouldn't be that much of a hinderance."

"You might not die, but you certainly won't be working well. I have enough complaints as it is already." He summoned something fromt he other room; tea and biscuits, but scowled as it to warn him from repeating the performance. "Yes I will deal with the glue. You shall set the ribbons in place, Grim."

Jack flickered his gaze to the offered food and the nausea that kept him from eating lunch in the firt place returned in a wave that brought along a cold sweat with it. He knew better than to verbally refuse the offered food, he would just not eat. He didn't think Snape would poison him. That was too simple and forward. He just had no deisre to partake. "Yes Sir," he said in acknowlegement of the instructions and drew out his wand, ready to begin.

The paste was translucent, white, but pearlescent. It was thick enough to cling in large blobs to the brush in the pot. Snape moved quickly and with experienced ease and coated one side almost up to the edge. He then turned it and did the same for the other side whilst holding it aloft, grip loose, waiting for it to be levitated.

Jack concentrated on the task at hand and with a graceful swish and flick of his left hand, levitated the first ribbon up and delicately set it down on the middle ot the glue strip. It was centered well, but a little short on one end, he had misjudged the length of the ribbon. "Sorry sir." he muttered.

Snape was busy preparing the next ribbon. "Not too bad. It'll hold; these are rather sturdy, but careless hands take their toll..." He focussed on the task at hand, to give him some centering mechanism, and was only half-listening.

Jack nodded, taking the offered praise silently and was read with the next ribbons when Snape finished with the glue, this was positioned spot on, and Jack allowed himself a smile when he say this success. "Better, that one." he commented.

Snape nodded, and grunted, content to be lost in a mindless task for once. He paced himself as best he could, but he was still going a little too fast for the other, and that was stopping him from completely immersing himself. He sat, waiting for Jack to finish one book, but not wanting to rush him.

Jack soon got the hang of the book mending and was ready with ribbon aloft as Snape finished applying the glue to each book. This was childishly simple, and simple enough he could just let his mind shut down.

Eventually it was the last ribbon, and Snape let the brush linger to coat it evenly and smoothly, before putting it back in the pot, and looking to Jack to relieve him of it. It hadn't taken all that long, considering, and a lot less time than he usually had people doing things for.

Jack was focused on perfectly dropping the last ribbon into place, it had become a game to him, and he was keeping score in his head of the perfect placments he had made. With pale eyes narrowed in concentration, he dropped the last ribbon dead bang center, and let a small amused sound escape as he set his wand down, and flexed the wrist on that hand to alleviate the strain.

Snape sat for a moment, as he tried to remember where he was, who he was, and what he was supposed to be doing right now. He parted his lips to say something, and then paused, waiting for his brain to catch up. Eventually, his eyes were caught by Jack's movements. "What did you do to it?" he asked.

Jack startled slightly, not expecting conversation from Snape, and surely not a question in regards to his health. He glanced from his hand then to Snape. then back to his hand again. He sighed wearily, and replied, "I need anger management..." he said simply. What was the point in being cheeky or lying at this point.

Snape rolled his eyes as he began to feel the automata slip from his mind and resume Normal Service. "I could have told you that. Have you had it seen to?" he persisted.

Jack shook his head. "No." he said simply, suddenly not wanting to be there any longer and not wanting to talk anymore. Dammit, he felt like he was on the verge of tears, and squinted his eyes shut fiercely. "I'm fine." he added.

Snape's expression darkened. "I don't care how it happened, or why, but you will acheive nothing by that." His tone brooked no argument. "Hold it out."

Jack remained stock still, and now was biting down on his lower lip. "Sir... you need not... bother with it... or me..." he said in the most controlled of voices. His hands still resting on the top of the desk.

"I SAID hold it out, Grim." His eyes flicked down to the bandaged hand, half-lidding at the thught of what had happened to cause that much pain and damage... "Now."

Jack shuddered at the sound of Snape's voice, and inwardly, he felt something break. Without speaking again, he lifted up the injured hand, and held it aloft in front of the Potions Master. He bit back the taunt he was thinking of saying, that Snape should turn it into a hook.

Snape raised his wand with little flourish, knitting the bones together with no regard for the sensations it caused, more intent at undoing the damage. He looked back up again, and now his eyes were completely focussed. "You will not abuse yourself thusly. And you WILL learn obediance, Grim."

Jack stiffled a cry balling his left fist into his mouth as the quicken healing spell took care of his hand in a quick, but far from humane fashion. "Jesus Christ!" he muttered and went quite pale from the pain and impending shock to his system, then, it was over. He had barely heard Snape's words, but something was echoing around in his brain. "Obedience, Yes Sir..." he heard himself say in a far away voice. He was still stunned.

Snape blinked slowly. "Good," he said, voice returning a little more to normal, but still with an edge. "Lesson One. Now, I suggest you drink some tea before you go back to your dorm, Grim."

Jack didnt want the tea, but he didn't say so. so still using his left hand, he poured two cups of the tea and paused before sipping at his. "Pity we have no Odgens to flavor it with...." he said darkly, then tossed down his cup in one long swallow.

Snape smirked, waved his wand over his cup, and sipped delicately from it, watching Jack over the rim.

Jack saw the wave as he finished his cup, then set it down. He regarded Snape with a worn expression. The physical and emotional toll of the day now catching up with him. "And now, what, Professor?" he asked quietly.

"And now, though I daresay you have not learned your lesson, you go back to your dorm and sleep, because I do not want half-dead students making me all-dead in my lessons."

Jack laughed darkly at that comment, and rose from the desk. "I shall sir. I shall have food sent up for me so I do not waste away in the night. I know you relish healthy targets...." he said with a slight lift to the corner of his mouth, then turned to exit the classroom.

"Otherwise, where's the fun?" Snape shot at his back, though he winced in anticipation of the sensory overload the wards were going to give him.

Jack nodded as he headed for the door, and as he paused on the thresh hold, he let a short laugh escape as he hovered there, unaware of the mental alarms he was setting off in Snape's head. "Well, perhaps I shall have them send you up some tuck as well. The all Gryffindor Blood diet doesn't seem to be agreeable to you..." he said, then with a quick step, was gone out into the hall.

Snape struggled under the barrage of information. Damn, he was going to have to find a way to sort that out somehow. The infomation it threw out was too much to cope with on top of his own thoughts, feelings and sensations. When more than one came through at once it was hell- even if they weren't thinking overmuch. He let out a snort though, and shook his head at the retreating figure.</lj-cut>",The voices in my head.,confused

2002-08-12 18:06:00,Table for one,"Well, while the rest of the castle is down in the Great Hall having dinner, I am up here alone eating. That is fine. I am used to this. Have 13 or so years under my belt doing it. The few subtle differences now are that the bed is softer, and the food is cooked to encourage life, not just sustain it.

I did make a detour before coming up here, and sent off my owl to Harry. He sould have it at any time. God I wish I could see him, as Sirius, and not just Jack. I know the boy so often needs a hug from someone who loves him unconditionally. Now I feel the same.

Maybe there IS a way... no. That wouldn't work. He would not understand why I stayed a dog when I came to see him. Dammit. Well, I shall set about eating now. The hunger has become overwhelming and a headache has started.

As ever.

2002-08-12 21:37:00,
Apres Dine'

A group RP with Draco, Hermione and Jack.

Hermione absent mindedly pushed open the main doors to the castle and stepped outside. She took a deep breath of night air, and wandered towards the lake path. Her stomach rumbled at her, a side effect of being too nervous to eat dinner, and her mind was too pre-occupied to notice that she was walking near the edge of the Forbidden forest.

It seems a rather large cloud resided over Hogwarts, nobody seemed to be in cordial moods, except for the overly perky people. But they were looked down upon. Draco wasn't any different. Pushing mashed potatoes across his plate, but never making a move to eat them. After about the third time across the plate, he finally gave up, letting the fork clatter to the plate. "I'm done..I'll see you guys later." And before letting in a word of protest, he was out of his seat and out of the hall. Now would be a good time to see where Jack went off to, seeing as he's been absent..since Potions.

Jack, once he has set to the task of eating, had finished all of the food the house elves had brought him, and that was saying something. Now the empty plates and trays were in a pile at the foot of his bed, and he was sitting in the window seat of the one window in this dorm that looked outside. It was a ground level with the castle grounds, so the view was of not much more than grass, low flying insects, and the dying sunlight of the day. He was relishing the time alone, for as long as it would last.

Hermione was enjoying her own company, as well. It had been a while since she had been able to simply sit in silence and think. She was leaning back against an old oak near the lake's edge, the forest behind her and water in front of her. It was as secluded as one could get at Hogwarts, though it was a favorite spot for couples (ever since Professor Sinistra had started cracking down on the Astronomy tower, that was). It was currently devoid of snogging pairs, thankfully.

Looking behind him, he made sure that he was currently the only one heading towards the Slytherin dormitories. When he was positive he was, he continued on. Whispering the password and stepping inside. Coming to a halt in the common room, seeing Jack wasn't there, the only logical place was his room. Seeing it closed, he wasn't about to barge in, despite his sour disposition. He rapped softly against the door, waiting for an answer, if any at all.

Jack looked over at the door, when he heard the knock and swore silently. So much for solitude and thought. "Come." he called out in a hoarse voice, then reached for his glass of pumpkin juice and swallowed down several large swallows to help with the dry throat. He supposed it would be his roommates, and who was he to keep them out of their own rooms? He watched the door slowly open and waited to see just who it would turn out to be. He slyly readied his wand, just in case.

Hermione tried to keep her mind focused on anything besides the two Slytherins. Worrying would get her nowhere, she knew that from years of experiance with Ron and Harry. Her friends had a tendency to get themselves into trouble, and Hermione had long ago learned not to worry about them. They were well capable of taking care of themselves. She wasn't so sure about herself, despite what the other students may have thought.

Draco took a moment before pushing the door open, still unsure of what he was walking into. But the other had allowed him entrance. Pushing the door open, he peered in, before completely allowing himself in. Eyes cast on the other, shifting from the wand, then back to his face. Obviously curious about the wand being out, but didn't mention anything about it. "Have you been up here the whole day? Or just during dinner?" Not trying to sound inquisitive, or abrasive, but a bit of his more then lovely mood sneaked through in his words.

Jack put the wand away, seeing it was only Malfoy. ONLY Malfoy? Wasn't THAT amusing in a twisted way? "I skipped out of Transfiguration this afternoon to go beat the shit out of a wall, then spent the afternoon in detention with Snape, and then HE sent me here to "rest and recover". They sent up dinner for me, and I have been here... ever since.." he said looking out the window.

whether or not she could defend herself. She was one of the best students Hogwarts had ever had, she was well aware of that, but she wasn't so sure that would save her if it ever came down to a fight. Harry was the hero, and Ron was the best friend. She was only the sidekick, the helper who never truly wins the war, only supports the hero. She would admit that she had always been a little jealous of Harry, that was only natural, but she had never really thought about why.

Draco nodded solemnly as he listened. "Taught the wall a lesson did you?" Grinning slightly as he pushed himself away from the door, coming to stand before the foot of that bed, making sure not to disturb the plates any. Eyes glancing outside of the window, where Jack's eyes currently were. Speaking on a thought soon after. "Would you like to get out of the room for a bit? Or the castle in general."

Jack looked back over at Draco. "I am under house arrest according to Snape. Not that I fear the creepy old vampire, but I don't need to get busted either..." he groused, even though outside is where he most wanted to be. Then a moment later, he jumped down from the window seat. "Screw it all. Let's go. Lead on Malfoy..." he said with a forced grin as he stood next to Draco.

A grin passed over his features as Jack jumped up, quite intent in going against the rules of Snape. Of course, it was always bad to break said rules, but hell..staying in the castle all night definately couldn't be good for somebody. "I'm so glad you decided to join me." Grinning before turning back towards the door. Setting their path towards the gates of Hogwarts, and ulitmately, Hogwarts ground. Of course, keeping a look out for Snape, if he did infact find them sneaking out. Or any teacher for that matter.

Jack fell in step behind Draco, and for the first time since he was back at Hogwarts, wished for his beloved Marauder's Map. He knew Harry would never give it up willingly, exxpceially to a Slytherin, but perhaps.... In his spare time, he could create a new one. With thoughts of new, and more powerful mischief in his mind, Jack felt better, and actually grinned as he followed Draco out of Slytherin House and beyond.

The combination of warm night and soothing night sounds took it's toll on Hermione. Sitting with her back against the tree, she felt her eyelids drop, and she fell asleep sitting up.

It seems to be exactly what both of them needed..and anybody else that was currently in a bad mood. Hitting the night air was a blessing, taking in deep breaths before continuing on their walk about the grounds. Coming to walk next to Jack, while they were always ones to strike up conversation, tonight seemed to be done in a mutual, but peaceful silence. Broken sometimes with casual talk.

Jack waited until they were far enough from the castle and prying eyes before polluting the air and his lungs. "God... I would go truly insane without these...." he mused holding up a glowing cigarette in the dusky twilight. He knew better than to offer one to Draco, and for a fleeting moment, wondered if he'd ever tried pot. "Malfoy. You ever get stoned?" he asked with a bright grin.

Draco didn't mind about people smoking, but he'd rather not. That went for a lot of things. He may not be a model student, but he didn't especially like altering his body and mind by unnatural ways. Pot and cigarettes being two ways to do such. So looking back to Jack he gave a shrug. "No, but I haven't really wanted to either. Even if I've heard it to be a real 'blast'." Not understanding what was so great about it. Eyes peering back ahead of him, gazing around in silent wonder. "Have you? Or should I even ask?" Snickering softly to himself, kicking a rock and watching it skid through the brush.

Jack nodded and he took a long inhale on the cigarette, then French inhaled the smoke before answering. "I have lived quite hard for my young years to cover up a lot of pain..." he said flatly. "I like to get.... altered... I like to shag. I like to do things that are stupid and rash, and I like to make trouble..." he said in a dull tone of voice, as if reading from a card, or was well rehearsed.

Eyes paused on the other as he spoke, sounding..monotone and mechanical, frowning slightly at the tone that slinked it's way behind those words. "I see...then again, what is the fun of thinking before you leap. I rather like the idea of enjoying my youth while I still have it. Until pressed into a life I care little for." A rather stressing thing on his mind, after all, his reputation..as well as his families..didn't give him the freedom to do what he wants pass graduation, so use what little freedom they have, when they can.

Jack suddenly moved, frighteningly fast in fact, and in one swift motion he had swung around gripped Draco's hands in his and then lifted them over his head as he pushed him backwards until he had him pinned up against a tree. He stared into Draco's wide startled eyes, and laughed wickedly. "Just HOW carefree do you want to me Malfoy?" he hissed, "Personally, I don't think you have the bollocks...." he taunted, still holding Draco fast.

Surprised to say the least, maybe that was an understatement. Taking in a deep breath to steady that rapid heart beat. Looking towards Jack, slightly in confusion, slightly in something else he couldn't explain. Rather ah..drastic change from just a moment ago. "I seriously couldn't tell you..and perhaps I don't, but I suppose that comes with age and experience. Hm?" Rather calm for the fact he was feeling far from such.

Jack narrowed his eyes, and moved his face closer to Draco's, his pale eyes electric with excitement. He pressed his body tight against Malfoy's and held him there prisoner. He licked his lips and said, "Tell me Draco... what is the baddest thing you have ever done? I want you to tell me, and... if I don't think it's good enough, I am going to throw you in that lake for Squid food...." he growled.

Knowing that Jack was far from being cordial at this moment, he wasn't about to pull out of this, especially with Jack fleeing from sanity. If he hadn't already. He hesitated, but simply out of thinking what he has done. Oh yes, there has been much he has done. But the worse? Looking back towards Jack, he took in a deep breath. "The worse, I'd have to say, was performing Cruciatus Curse on numerous others." How proud was he of this ability? Even he wasn't sure..but Lucius said it was a wonderful thing to know.

Jack paused, and with a grin let go of Malfoy and took a step backwards. "Liar." he laughed. "You could no more do that curse than sprout wings and fly to heaven." he taunted. I am sure your DADDY had done it, many times I am willing to wager, but not you." he snorted, arms crossed over his chest.

Oh..Jack crossed the line when he called Draco a liar. Sure, he's elaborated on truths before, but never blantantly lied. Especially about his abilities. Frowning, he drew that wand from the pocket within his robes, looking about, then grinning as he found what he was looking for. "Then I better get ready to fly to heaven hm?" Pointing said wand towards the small, unexpected squirrel, only a couple feet away. Trying its best to make itself scarse in lue of two boys disturbing it. Draco softly whispered the desired words. "Crucio!!.." Almost instant, did the squirrel let out something not natural, not natural at all. No living creature should have to make such a sound. Draco, calm faced as the small creature essentially shriveled up, twitching in unnatural ways.

Jack watched with a twisted sort of grin on his face as the spell his the squirrel and it began to writhe around on the ground. Then, something odd and unexpected happened. Jack froze, and his eyes rolled up into his head and he fell onto the ground, twitching like the squirrell as if he had been hit by the spell. (Hermione stirs at this point) When Draco, still facing the squirrel repeated, "CRUCIO!" , it was Jack that let out a scream, and covered his head with this hands in terror as his body trembled. "No! No! No more! No more! Please Professor! No! NO!" he babbled incoherantly.

Hermione stirred from an odd dream, where small fairies had suddenly shrieked shrilly, and snapped awake when a scream tore through the air. She stumbled to her feet, a sense of duty propelling her in the direction of the sound, no more than ten yards away from her on the other side of the trees. She pushed through a few low branches, and froze at the tableau before her. A cry escaped her lips, and she couldn't move.

Draco had been occupied with that squirrel, that he didn't noticed the effects on Jack until he fell to the ground, littering the air with screams. Wand was dropped without hesitation, being snapped out of that type of powertrip that came with being able to perform such a spell. The squirrel, was still for awhile, but that was definately not the thing he cared about at the moment. What the hell happened?! Well, for one, he shouldn't have performed such a curse...but being who he was, he succumbed to Jack's taunts. Dropping to a knee he watched Jack shake uncontrollably, not knowing what the hell to do. Until he heard a second cry, head whipping towards the sound..catching Hermione watching the scene.

Jack remained on the ground, but since the spell had ceased, so were his tremors slowing. His eyes opened wide, and paniked and he kicked away from Malfoy, scooting back wards on his hands, feet and bum from the spot where he had fallen. "Ho---holy.... shit!" he stammered, still in shock. His breath was ragged and his heart beating wildly.

"What the... What did you do, Malfoy?" Hermione asked like a shocked child. She looked from the panting boy on the ground to the equally shocked one on his kness, and pulled her wand. "What did you do?"

Well done, then again, how the hell was Draco suppose to know that Jack would react that violently to the curse? Even when it wasn't directed at him? Watching Jack for a moment, giving an apologetic look before looking to the questioning Hermione, standing quickly. "I didn't do a bloody thing, at least not to Jack." Hissing slightly, despite the worry that he was actually feeling. "I have no reason to hurt Jack!" But that didn't mean he didn't hurt something..just not..Jack.

The last thing that Hermione saw before she crumpled to the ground was Jack's half-crazed face.

Eyes went wide as Hermione dropped to the ground before looking back to Jack. Frozen between two things to do, one right, one not to right. He hissed slightly under the pressure. "You go, I'll see you later. After all, this all happened due to your crazed attitude. Now I'M the one in trouble, not you." Either way, he would be in trouble. For once, being slightly noble, he'd stay and wake the fallen Hermione up..or something. After all, it was just plain heartless to leave her outside the whole night, until somebody saw here..and he'd be in more trouble if he did.

Jack was already in mid stride to get the hell out of there. "R-right." he stammered back at Malfoy, then with and ungainly gait, took off running back throught the closing darkness toward the castle as fast as he could. He ran as fast as if the devil himself was chsing him, but something far more terrifying was flashing before his eyes between the streaks of red, Snape's twisted grin, and black wicked eyes laughing at him. He could HEAR the laughter in his head all the way back to his dorm.

2002-08-12 22:31:00,
Be still my pounding heart.

I have grabbed my journal and set down to write, but my hands are still shaking so badly, I don't know if I can. I can still see his face, hear his laughter, but what the Hell does it mean? I know for a fact he used to be a Death Eater, and I am sure he excels at the use of the Cruciatus Curse. Hell, he uses a minor fomr of it everyday in his classroom on his students.

But, what happened to ME when Draco cast that damned spell? I recall the flash of red lights, then hearing the cries of the squirrel, soon mirrored by my own but... I was not in pain. Not any physical pain at all. Was this a flashback? Why did I see Snape's face? Hear his laugh?

I am more confused now than I have ever been in my entire life. It scares me. I wonder where Malfoy is. GOD! I can't believe I did that to Hermione! I suppose in my currrent frame of mind, I could have done worse. I need to talk to Draco...

Well, I snuck into Draco's Dorm and his bed is still empty. God! Where can they be? I want to go look for him but, I am too afraid. I can't put it any other way. So, I will sit here and keep writing until he shows up and I can talk to him. I need to find out what happened after I ran, and to get our stories straight if need be.

I must have been nutters for provoking him like that... Again I find myself asking, what the Hell is wrong with me? I need to get out of here, I don't think I can do this any longer. Jack Grim needs to drop out, to disappear from whence he ca-----------

(Here, the writing turns to a scribble that falls off the edge of the page...)

2002-08-13 01:03:00,
Bunkmates,

A Dual IC RP with Draco and Jack

The walk back to the castle had been a silent one, if anybody was seen upon his path, he did nothing to acknowledge any of them. Despite if they dared to speak a word to him. Right now, he didn't exactly want to talk to a single soul. Eyes had been downcasted the whole way back, hands tucked within the folds of his robe. Coming upon the mirror that lead into the Slytherin common room, he didn't even once look towards the reflection that was casted back at him. Muttering the password and stepping inside, only to traverse up to his room, wanting to sleep, but not sure if he could. Well..already there was something barring him from any sleep at all, and this something was somebody else in his bed. Standing there at the side of his bed, he looked down upon Jack, who most obviously feel asleep there, but why was he there in the first place? A good question to ask him.

Jack was there, that was plain to see, and asleep still clutching the quill in his left hand from writing in his journal. His breaths were deep and regular, and his long hair was brushed down over his young face as he slept peacefully.

Draco stood there for what seemed quite awhile, staring down at the other. Thinking about nothing and everything..all at the same time. He let out a deep breath, too exhausted to really do much of anything, just hoping the other wasn't exceedingly angry with..or scared of him. Dropping to his knees, a hand lifted to brush that hair away from his face before resting against his shoulder, ready to shake him awake, before eyes caught the almost unreadable scribbling upon the journal. Eyes looked towards the one sleeping, towards the journal.

It would be wrong..but then again, there wasn't anything seeming to go right at this moment. Hands slowly took the journal, making sure not to wake the other. When he was sure he was safe, eyes scanned over the words, trying to make out what it said..and then once more. When done, he looked once more at the other. God..he really screwed up..and of course he thought it was his fault. Or..at least..something close to his fault. Setting the journal on the table beside his bed, he softly shook the other, hoping that and words would be all he needed to wake the other. "Jack, wake up.."

Jack was deep in a dreamless peaceful sleep, something quite rare for him for the second half of his life. He stirred slightly as he was touched, and his name was called. He was waking up, but reluctantly he awoke, his eyes fluttering open and focusing on the face close to his. "Wha.... Where am...I?" he asked sleepily, brining up a hand to r ub at his eyes, and then poking himself in the eye with the quill. "Oh! shit!" he moaned then dropped thw quill and rubbed his eyes anew, until he was able to focus again, and look up at the blonde haired boy. "Draco?" he asked hoarsely.

Draco took the dropped quill and set it where his journal was, it would be safer there. Probably should have done that in the first place. "Currently, you're in my bed..so yes, it's Draco..." Saying it, as if he didn't want it to be. Oh yes, there were times when he didn't like who he was..this being one of those times. Looking back towards the other with a sigh before resting his head against the side of the bed. "Why did you come here?" Well, he knew after reading the journal, but he didn't want to make matters worse by blantantly hinting at the fact that he did read Jack's journal. He's caused enough trouble for him, why provoke more?

Jack blinked several times, still trying to fully wake up and orient himself, when he suddenly sat bolt upright in the bed, "Draco!" he hissed in an urgent whisper, "What happened to Hermione?! The last thing I remember...." he paused, eyes wide with panic. "The last thing I did was...." he stopped, not trusting his own memories of earlier that evening to be true or not.

Draco wanted to break down right now, in fact, that is what he had intended when he got back to his room..but that wasn't possible. But he was pulling dangerously close. Especially with Jack throwing questions at him. Draco was deathly quiet for awhile, he didn't even remember to wash off the blood that stained his left hand..and it was quickly drying to a dark metallic color. "Hermione is fine.." That was the extent of his words, starting to feel them fail him without a second's notice.

Jack looked over at the other boy, and for the first time noticed through his body language just how shook up he was as well. Jack reached out a hand and draped it around Draco's shoulder, and started to pull him closer. "Come here and we can talk. I think we both need to do that," he said easing him onto the bed beside him. Once Draco was seated next to him, Jack rose up onhis knees on the bed and puleld the bed curtains shut then drawing his wand, he muttered a spell, "Silencium" and suddenly the bed was it's own sound proofed room. That was apparent when Jack spoke again, his voice carried no echo or real volume. "It's OK now. No one can hear us." he said as he looked over at Draco.

Draco didn't know what to say, really. To start on what he was feeling, it was all a mess in his head..it was all a mess. He didn't even know when it hadn't been such a mess, when everything was alright..and clear..and not so..well, fucked up. Staring at nothing..he curled slightly as he rested against his pillow, staring at nothing. At this point, Jack's voice seemed too far away to touch, to hear. Eyes closed for a moment, releasing a stuttered breath. He wanted to be..alone, because he knew that wall blocking any and all emotion was quickly tumbling. When emotions like this were brought to the surface, he had no ability to stop them..or control them.

Jack sat back on his heels, looked at Draco, and he could tell he was under a great deal of stress. In a moment of sympathy, from one tormented soul to another, he reached out with his hand, and pressed his palm to Draco's chest, rubbing softly. "I am so sorry Draco... This was all my fault. I am fine. You didn't hurt me at all, I just.... I don't know, I freaked out, and I still don't know why...." This whole thing is my fault." said, then paused, taking a long breth to steady himself. "I will square things with Hermione," he said, then added quickly, "In a NICE way.... I will make it all better... I promise..." he said, still moving his hand around and around on Draco's chest in a soothing, petting motion.

Eyes opened and looked up to the other, too glossy to be normal. Despite the fact that nobody has ever seen him cry, that far from meant that he never did cry. And he was trying hard not to cry now, but it wasn't working. He took in a breath before finally speaking up. "There isn't..anything you can do about Hermione. I took care of it.." That could be taken many ways, all of which weren't good. Eyes closed one more time and silent tears streaked silent rivers over his cheeks. "Why did you make me do that curse." Just the memory of performing that..blasted..spell, made him hate himself more.

Jack felt as if a twelve pound stone had been dropped in his gut. Guilt overwhelmed him, and he felt tears rising in his eyes as well. "Because I am a stupid, selfish and immature prat, no matter what age I am...." he sniffed, looking down at Draco sadly. "Tell me what I can to to make it better Draco. I owe that much..." he said with a shudder to his voice as well. "Ask me to do anything Draco, and I will make it right. I know I can do that..." he added, then waited for Draco to answer.

It felt so hard to breath, to the point that he wish he could just give up..and never breath again. The pain it caused was nearly unbareable. Eyes stung with tears that didn't want to be held back anymore..and pushed past and over that skin, tinting it a soft red. To this moment, he didn't know how he could ever please his father. For everything his father wanted him to do, made Draco hate himself further. Trying to catch his breath, he watched Jack for awhile. "Just stay here? I don't want to be alone.." For fear of what he might do if such occasion rises..and anything was possible.

Jack nodded quickly, and moving gracefully, laid down on the bed beside Draco. This was not the first time he had bunked with another boy, for sleeping or otherwise. While he could not recall the names, times or places before, he just, knew. Jack laid his head on Draco's shoulder and draped one arm over his housemate's chest in a semi hugging position. "I will stay here as long as you want me to, and do whatever you need me to do Draco. I owe you that...." he said softly, then placed a delicate kiss on the damp cheek nearest to him.

Feeling the other next to him, with an arm drapped about him, made him feel..better then when he was actually alone..and in such a mood. Shifting slightly, arms completely wrapped about Jack, pulling close to him. Fingers clasping tightly into the fabric that covered the other. Burying his face within Jack's shoulder, forgetting what it meant to keep emotions at bay..and letting them do as they will, allowing soft sobs to emerge.

Jack felt Draco clutch tightly to him, and then allow the sobs that no doubt had been pent up for more than just one night come out. Jack cuddleed closer to the pale boy, feeling the pain and anguish of his existance come out at last. "It's alright Draco.... Let it all out. I am here for you, and I KNOW what an evil bastard your father is.... I can't even begin to guess what is has to be like to be his son, to be living in that black shadow of his...." he whispered to Draco as he held him close, and slowly petted the soft silvery blonde hair. "Just let it all out. You are safe as long as I am around..."

When was the last time he had cried like he did tonight? It had been..awhile, more then awhile. When he was but a child? Yes, it was, when his father had been more then abrasive with him about getting a spell wrong, a simple spell, he said. But at the time, to Draco, it had been more then a simple spell. It had been his father's approval..and he failed in it..and Lucius made sure to let him know that. That feeling, had been the same when Hermione threatened to tell somebody..end result him being expelled. The end result of that..was unfathomable. He shuttered beneath that hold just thinking about it. "H-he's never pleased...and it hurts when he isn't..but I do not know how to."

Jack nodded, and continued his soft touches on Draco, trying to soothe and comfort him. "He is the sort that would never be pleased. I have a feeling you could bring him the head of his most hated enemy, and would find fault with how you severed it. " he muttered. "We all have our own Hells to live through Draco. Yours, as far as I can see, is to merely survive to adulthood. My advice to you is to do what you must to survive short of losing your soul to.... You-know-who, and then when you are of age... Run. Leave his place, this land, your family behind, and start anew...." he said sadly as if he had experience in the matter. "I will talk with Hermione later this morning. Nicely. " he emphasised, then continued. "I will square this all up. I promise. If anyone is going to be expelled, it will be me...." he said.

Survive to adulthood..he wasn't sure if that was possible, but he has survived this far, surely he could survive just a little bit longer..and he would run away..he would leave all the anguish that was placed in his life until now. A hand came up to wash the tears away, leaving a smudge of blood across his cheek, unbeknownst to him. Shaking his head slowly, he looked up slowly. "No one will get expelled...I saw to that..she won't tell..she won't.." He had made sure of that in more then one way, she pressed his buttons too much..and he made it known to her in the most efficiant way possible.

Jack nodded, and looked over at Draco as he wiped at his eyes, just then noticing the blood, he opened his eyes wide. "Draco! Who's blood is that? What did you DO to Hermione??" he gasped, suddenly feeling her silence had been assured in the worst of ways. "What did you DO to her?" he demanded, sitting up in the bed suddenly, his hand still on Malfoy's chest.

Eyes shifted from the other's more then pleased face, to his hand, covered in the blood of that squirrel, the hand he just wiped his face with. Eyes closed for a moment in his folly. He sat up some, but just enough to address Jack about the blood. Using the back of his hand to wipe away that blood..and his robes to get rid of the blood on his hand. He shook his head, knowing what the other was thinking. "I wouldn't have the guts to do that." Unless expelled..like he warned Hermione. "It's..from the squirrel..." Taking in a deep breath. "It had a heart attack..and I picked it up..I..guess..I was squeezing too hard." His voice failing for a moment..silence..before picking up where Jack's mind was. "I didn't kill Hermione, but she gave me her word she won't tell..." Then as if just remembering, he pulled the wand out of his robe pocket. "I got her word, because I threatened to break her wand.." See..it wasn't as bad as Jack was making it. Maybe.

Jack listened to Malfoy's story, processing it, then looked at the captured wand. Whether it was from all the tension, or for other reasons, he begane to chuckle. "You got her to give you a Wizard's oath? By taking her wand?" he asked, incredulous. He paused then started to laugh more. "Draco. You are brilliant!" he chirped, then he grabbed Draco's face in his hands and leanded forward for a quick impulsive kiss on the lips. He then pulled back, smiling wide at Draco. "You are one cagey little bastard. I am glad you think of me as a mate."

Draco gave a shaky smirk, not sure how proud he was of his actions. Eyes went a bit wide at the kiss, at the other's shift in emotions. It was, rather interesting to watch..especially in his dazed situation. Taking in a deep breath he looked at the wand, giving a slight shrug. "It took some doing..I can't say I'm proud of what I did to get her to give me her word. She threatened to tell, and I can't be expelled.." Repeating it a second time, knowing just how true those words were. "It was a mess." Sighing softly before looking towards Jack. "You better be happy about being my mate, because I know it would be hell for you if you weren't." Going on his actions performed on Hermione.

Jack continued to smile, and then curled up next to Draco again, snuggling down close. "I will talk to her in the morning. I owe her a world of apologies as well for threats I have made...." he sighed. "I suppose I should go now.... having the dorm find us asleep tangled up like this would NOT do either of us any good at this point." he chuckled.

Draco nodded, to everything he did say. For he agreed with each sentance. Taking in a deep breath, he leaned foward pull Jack into a tight hug. "Thank you.." Seems he was saying that a lot to Jack, but at this moment, he really couldn't care less. For Jack has provided more comfort then he has ever experienced in his life alone..and that was saying something. Taking in a deep breath, reveling in that comfort just a bit longer before letting him go. "I'll talk to you in the morning as well."

Jack hugged Draco back tightly, and placed another kiss on the side of his cheek, "I will be there anytime you need me if humanly possible Draco. I promise you that," he said, then wiping a tear away from his own eye, he slipped from the bed, gathered up his journal and quill and slipped from the dorm room and back to his, undetected.</lj-cut>"

2002-08-13 07:22:00,Armageddon today?,"Well, Draco and I seem to have survived the events of the night before. The same cannot be said for a poor squirrel and Hermione. Draco has her wand, and her Oath of silence. Now all she needs is my penance and sincerest apologies for the terror I have brought on the girl in the last couple of days.

Dammit. I need to go take my bloody Potion... I guess I shall put that off until I apologise to Hermione and see Draco. God knows what state of mind I will be in again after taking it. Time to get ready for breakfast. I think I will pop in for a quick shower first.

As ever.

2002-08-13 08:15:00,
Showdown over scones,

A Group RP with Jack, Hermione and Ginny

Jack sat beside Draco at Breakfast, and hardly ten words were spoken between them during the entire meal. What was spoken was confined to, "Pass the marmalade, and pass the milk," and the like. When the tense meal was nearly done, Draco reached into his robes, and pulled forth a wand and pressed it into Jack's hands under the table. He leaned over to whisper in Jack's ear, "I can't do it, you will have to mate. Sorry." he said in tense, clipped words, then got up from the table.

"See you in classes Jack. Be well." he said with a pinched smile, then turned and left. Jack sighed, then after pocketing the wand, looked around the Hall, and spotted Hermione just finishing her meal and looking around at the same moment, presumeably for Malfoy. Jack stood up, and nodded to her. Face neutral.

Hermione looked away, refusing to even acknowledge him. She looked down at her watch, it was twenty-five minutes before Potions was due to start. She muttered an excuse to the other Gryffindors, gathered her journal and books, and left the Great Hall. The hallways seemed to be growing smaller as she went down towards the dungeons. She paused around the corner from Snape's room, and leaned against the wall. She closed her eyes and waited.

Jack watched Hermione ignore him pointedly, then when she had left the hall, he gathered his things and made his way back down to the dungeons. He was lucky in that NO ONE would show up this early for Potions unless they were mad, or had a mission to acomplish. Jack walked quickly down the dreary stone halls, wondering where Malfoy had gone to, then when he rounded the last turn, there stood Hermione.

Ginny was excited to be sitting next to Colin at Breakfast, but they didn't really say much and the conversation was starting to drop off. She turned to Colin. "I think that i'm going to get going, I don't want to be late for potions" a blatent lie. "So I will see you around I guess." She smiled briefly, collected her things and headed out the door and down to the dungeons.

Hermione sighed, tiredly. She stepped away from the wall with her back to Grim and opened her eyes. She swayed, a little dizzy, and had to lean back against the wall for support. One hand snaked back behind her to feel her bruises, and she winced.

"Hermione." he said in a low tone, "Draco isn't coming. I have your wand and something else you are deserving of from me...." he said in a neutral tone. "If you will turn around, we can get this over as quickly as possible." he added, keeping an eye out for interlopers, and unwanted witnesses.

Ginny wandered down the hall, deeper in the dungeons until she heard voices up ahead. She saw the same statue she had hid behind the night before and slowly crept behind it. She looked around the statue from the other side and saw two figures standing there. Her jaw dropped when she saw Hermione and Jack. Something was up, maybe he was threatening her again?

Hermione jumped away from the wall when she heard Jack's voice, her hand going instictively to her pocket to pull out her wand, until she remembered it wasn't there. The boy behind her held it. She turned around slowly, a look of apprehension on her face. "He isn't coming?" she asked. At Jack's nod she was visibly relieved.

Jack pulled her wand out of his robes, and waved it around for her to see, then with a swish and a flick, muttered a spell, "Mitigo" and aimed the tip of the wand at Hermione. Instantly, the bruising pain from the night before was alleviated, and the bruises were starting to fade as well. He then allowed himself a wry smile and took a step towards her. He handed her her wand, handle first and then held the point at his own heart.

"Hold it there if it makes you feel more secure. Fire at will if you like." he said, then after a brief pause, continued. "I cannot begin to make amends for what I put you through yesterday, and I do not expect forgiveness..." he said softly, his hands at his sides, unarmed. "I apologise to you from the bottom of my heart, and the depths of my soul for the wrong, and fear I have brought upon you. You have nothing to fear from Draco or myself on this matter. It is closed and forgotten." he said, then stood there, awaiting her reply.

Ginny stood there with her mouth open, shocked at what she was seeing. Jack was apologizing and he sounded sincere, at the last words she tried to lean in closer to hear what he was saying and her fingers slipped around her wand letting it fall. She quickly stuck out her foot so it would land on her robes, but it still made a small clank. She cringed and quickly moved behind the statue.

"Nothing to fear?!?" Hermione snapped. "Draco threatened to kill me if he got into any trouble. I woke up with more bruises than I could count, all over me, after being shoved into a tree! And I'm supposed to believe you when you "Nothing to fear?!?" Hermione snapped. "Draco threatened to kill me if he got into any trouble. I woke up with more bruises than I could count, all over me, after being shoved into a tree! And I'm supposed to believe you when you ask nicely?" She fumed, a cocktail of emotions stirring within her. She was hurt, confused, and angry, and she felt like a kicked puppy who was suddenly being petted. She wanted to bite.

Jack remained stock still, though his eyes flickered breifly to the side, when he heard a faint rattling sound. He sniffed, using hidden, buried senses and frowned, but did not reveal he knew another was nearby. He looked back at Hermione, and spoke softer now. "I did not ask you for anything Hermione, I am merely telling you that the harrassment and maltreatment of you on this matter between us is at an end. You do not have to forgive anyone. I would not be so presumptutuous to ask that from you. What happened between us recently was unfortunate, and regrettable. I am sorry." he said simply, then waited.

Ginny heard everyting and slowly walked around the statue to hide around the corner. Getting caught was a bigger risk than missing out on what was being said. Once around the corner she sat down against the wall.

Hermione's shoulder's slumped a bit with Jack's last statement, and she spoke in a subdued tone. "You won't even let anyone be angry at you, will you?" She felt more tears coming on. "You can't make this better," she practically whispered to him.

Jack made a snorting noise, then continued. "I never said I could make it BETTER Hermione. I am only able to make it STOP, and that is what I have done. I don't expect your forgiveness, neither does Draco. We will go to Hell for this and whatever sins we have yet to commit, but no more against you." he said, voice getting tense. "You gave your word as your bond to Draco that you would not speak of this, and despite what you told me previously, about me NOT being worth your word, I hope you are truthful in this case...." he said with a low growl in his tone. "Now I am to report to the Hospital wing for medication Hermione. Good Day and be well...." he said, then turned on his heel and disappeared down the hall in a flutter of black robes, not unlike his Head of House....

Hermione stared down at the wand in her hands and shook her head. She pocketed the precious item and rounded the corner, heading to Potions ten minutes early.

2002-08-13 08:30:00,
Plots and potions

Well, that went well, and to coin a yank phrase, "NOT!" Well, my dark conscience is clear. Hermione has her bloody wand, my apology and the word of Malfoy and myself we will harrass her no more on this matter.

Now as long as the silly twit keeps her nose from spying on us so regularly, she should live to a ripe old age.

I am furious. Raging, and heading now to the Hospital Wing for my beloved Dose of Potion.

I am looking FORWARD to the mind numbing subserviance it will propel me into. It's almost as good as mead."

2002-08-13 08:53:00,
Comfortably Numb...

The potion is down, I almost puked it up again it tastes so foul. It seems to get worse every week. Is that my imagination, or is Albus altering the formula?

God I hope so. I think I want to become Jack, and neve come back. When I near myself, Sirius, I do awful, angry things, and hurt those I am supposed to protect.

Oh yes. I have done one thing right. I have become Draco Malfoy's confidant.

Ah... I feel it now... running in my blood, my mind, the potion is taking me back to my more docile state, my liquid nirvana. For another week. I look at my watch now. Less than ten minutes to make it to class. I should hurry."

2002-08-13 20:06:00,
A quiet evening.

It's after dinner now. The rest of the day today was blessfully uneventful after I took my potion. I hardly remember my classes, Transfiguration, Charms, and what I did, but as before, I have a full parchment of notes, and some minor homework.

I heard from some other students talking in the Hall that Potions had been cancelled today. Nothing but a locked door and a note declaring such. Why couldn't that happen on a day I had potions.

Draco hovered close to me today when he could. I told him how things went with Hermione, as well as I could recall anyway. He noticed me being loopy again after taking the potion. Maybe that is why he shadowed me today, maybe not.

We ate dinner together. From what I could see, Harry and company are holding steady. Thank God. I want nothing but quite normalcy for a while.

No surprises, no dangers, just blissful exhistance.

I am going to turn in soon. I just want to sleep, in my own bed this time.

As ever.

2002-08-13 22:40:00,
Owl from Harry...

I was asleep, then Hedwig flew into my window, small as it is, and deposited this note onto my chest:

Sirius, I just wanted to let you know that I went to spy on Snape tonight and heard something..interesting, to say the least. A man was with him and said something about "not wanting to be with a such pathetic death-eater, and returning NEXT WEEK for two of his house students." I'm not quite sure what to think of this. On top of that my scar twinged a bit. I don't want to jump to any conclusions, but what should I do?

Harry

My blood has just run ice cold... What the Hell do I do NOW? I KNOW who that had to be he heard talking to Snape, or a fucking AGENT of his. And those two House Students? Guess who that is?

Oh God. Oh God. I am trembling from head to toe, and on my second cigarette. Dumbledore. I need to go to Dumbledore. Harry needs to go to Dumbledore.

I am sending him this back,

Harry, this is deadly serious. You need to go to Dumbledore and tell him what you have heard NOW! Do NOT go to Potions Class tomorrow under ANY circumstances. Stay away from Snape at all costs! I am nearby, closer than you think, and Oh God.... I am scared too.

GO TO DUMBLEDORE!

Sirius

2002-08-14 07:40:00,
Wednesday,

Well, needless to say, I didn't sleep much if at all after Harry's owl. Damn Albus isn't here right now. I suppose I should send him an owl.

I have sent one to Remus, but god, I haven't heard from him in, well a dog's age. Our last words to each other were NOT kind, and even though I am sure he is still royally pissed off at me, he WOULD answer in regards to this. I am going to stay as close to Harry as I can, being who I am presently.

I have thought of trying to shift, but something tells me that would be a dangerous folly right now.

Dammit, dammit, dammit!!

Then there is the question of Draco. Expendable pawn in his Fathers' twisted game of Life Chess. I should warn him, tell him to get the hell out of Dodge City Sunday night. He will want me to go too of course, but how do I explain to him that I am bound to stay and protect.... someone at the cost of my own life? It all sounds simple and rational here, but I know reality is never that.

As ever.

2002-08-14 08:10:00,
The best laid plans...

A Dual IC Post by Draco and Jack

For the last day or so, Draco had been less then social. Only talking to a select few..and to be sure, his witty comments had been cut down. Some of it had to do with the extensive amount of homework, some had to do with just plain exhaustion. Pushing through the portal to the common room, he steadied some book within his arms, perhaps he checked out too many to hold. Then again, he needed everyone..as always. Everybody seemed to be off doing other things. The only people within the common room was a 7th year, one of the more studeous 7th year..and Jack. Already, he made a path over to him. Setting the books down on the table before sitting down. "Hey, any success in getting rid of boredom?" Giving a soft grin.

Jack slowly looked up at Draco, his eyes had a soft haunted look to them, and his pupils were overly dilated. He managed a weak smile to his friend, and slid out an empty chair for him to sit in. "Sure. I don't think I am terribly exciting right now... in fact. I am looking for quiet and boredom..." he grinned shyly, then when his cheeks colored, he looked down at his journal, closed it and wiped it clear with a wave of his wand, then pulled over a Charms Book. "How you been Draco?" he asked quietly, without looking up.

A brow raised at the other's condition. No, he didn't seem to be his normal self. Then again, everybody seemed to be going through an unwanted change. Pushing the books aside..as he wasn't being stressed to crack them open just yet, he rested elbow upon the table, cheek to follow fast to his hand. Slightly concerned, but it didn't show except for his eyes. "I've been alright, overly exhausted..but I suppose that is to be expected with all the homework being piled up day after day." Letting out a tired sigh. "And yourself? Or..are you about the same.. Exhausted I mean."

Jack closed his Charms book, then slowly looked up at Draco from under his long two-toned bangs and sighed, "Worried, and tired." he said slowly. He paused, then glanced around the room. "Draco. We need to go talk somewhere where we won't be disturbed, or overheard..." he said in a dull tone of voice. "Do you know of such a place we could go?" he asked, looking back over towards his friend.

Watching Jack for a moment, he finally nodded. "Sure..ah, I know of a deserted classroom that hasn't been used by many for awhile. Will that suffice?" Such places got around within the halls. Mostly from students that randomly discovered them in a moment of folly. A couple by his own doing. It was the best place he could think of..as it was within one of the less traveled hallways. That's probably why it was deserted by so many teachers, because it was completely forgotten by both teachers and students.

Jack nodded, and after pocketing his journal, stood up and waited for Draco to join him. "Lead the way..." he said forcing a weak smile.

Pushing up from his seat by the table, he made his way back towards the portal. Seems his stay here was short winded, but that was far from his mind, anything within the common room didn't seem to matter. Pushing the mirror back open, he stepped out. He waited for Jack before traversing his way through the hallways. Pulling further and further from the heart of the castle..untill turning into a rather damp and dim hallway, the statues dusted in cobwebs told just how deserted such a place had been. Pushing a rusted door knob open. The whole place was run down..and that scent of stale air seemed to crackle as they let in fresher air.

Jack followed Draco in silence, still mulling over in his head just HOW he was going to break the deadly news to Draco and get him to believe it without revealing who he truly was, or him thinking him mad and pulling a prank. He shoved his hands into his cloak pockets, and found a piece of parchement there. Pulling it out, he looked it over, then smiled. He pulled out his wand and while Draco led the way, he tapped the parchment, and where the note had been addressed to Sirius, it now read Jack. He replaced the note in his pocket, and followed Draco to the abandoned classroom. He looked around it, and this one didn't immediatly look familiar to him. Not that it might since he was so deeply sedated by the potion, but not fully. He closed the door behind him, then locked it with a warning ward and turned to Draco. "How well do you know Harry Potter?" he asked softly.

Leaning against one of the rotting desks, hearing it creak under the weight, but didn't give away, he turned his attention towards Jack. A brow raised in question for them being here, but he didn't voice it just yet. Instead, he thought silently about the question that was posed to him by Jack. One he didn't exactly expect, but nevertheless. Giving a shrug he spoke up. "Other then he's a rather big pain when it comes to Quidditch among other such enjoyments. Not much, why?" Anything with Harry Potter was bad.

Jack remained somber faced, and remained standing. "What do you know about him, Voldemort and his scar?" he asked, seeing that Draco was not going to be especially forthcoming about what he knew about Harry for one reason or the other. "I need to know... everything you know Draco. Our lives depend on it." he said in a deadpan.

What was this leading too? He knew it wasn't good just by the tone of voice. The questions were the other clue. Crossing arms over his chest he watched Jack with a bit of doubt flashing over his face, especially at the comment that their lives depended on his knowledge? "I know nothing past the rumors that have gone around the school. Of course I know Voldemort caused the scar. So it's only common sense to say they're connected. I haven't heard much else except that the scar effects him in certain situations. What those situations are, I have no clue.." Even rumors had limits, after all..not many talked about the specific details.

Jack nodded, and began to pace the room slowly, his hands laced behind his back. He nodded slowly. "I know you don't care for him, and he is no friend of yours or your family, but you and I need to put that aside for now." he said casting a look over at Draco, guaging his reactions so far. "Do you trust Harry Potter, Draco? If he were to come across news regarding Voldemort... would you believe it?"

For a moment, eyes narrowed, trying to figure out the meaning of this all, but for the sake of their sanity, he keep quiet and listened. True, Harry Potter has never been remotely his friend, but despite that, even Draco knew he wasn't one to lie when people's lives were at stake. He wasn't in Gryffindor for nothing. "I suppose to an extent. And it depends on the news regarding Voldemort...after all, he isn't the only one that has had direct contact with him..student wise..." He wasn't going to get into his father and his contact with Voldemort..because he knew that was all too common.

Jack nodded, and reaching into his pocket, pulled out an note, an owl post addressed to him. He handed it to Draco, and let him read it over, "Jack, I just wanted to let you know that I went to spy on Snape tonight and heard something.. interesting, to say the least. A man was with him and said something about "not wanting to be with a such pathetic death-eater, and returning next week for two of his house students". I'm not quite sure what to think of this. On top of that my scar twinged a bit. I don't want to jump to any conclusions, but what should I do? Harry" "This arrived to me last night via owl post. Read it over and let me know what you think..." he said softly before leaning against a desk and glancing around the classroom.

Draco took the letter with a cautious glance to Jack before looking down to the contents. He was reading it before Jack spoke. Lips slightly mouthing the words, it was a habit he's had since he was little..one thing he never grew out of. Shifting slightly against that desk as the contents mentioned two house students..eyes squinted as Harry's name was read, having reached the end of the message. Looking up to Jack..and holding the letter out he gave a nervous laugh. "This can't be real..I mean, for one, why would Harry be writing to you? Another..he'd tell my father..wouldn't he? I mean..I am his son..wouldn't Voldemort want my father to be informed when it concerns his son?" But right now, anything was possible with Voldemort's rise in the world.

Jack gave Draco a stern look, taking the note back. "Why would Harry be writing to me? Could it be because he is a decent human being and doesnt want to see anyone fall under the fist of Voldemort even IF it is two Slytherin. Particularly Draco Malfoy who is well known to have been voted "Most likely to be a Death Eater by the age of 18"? he asked with a palpable hiss to his voice. "I have talked to Harry, he and I have no skisms between us, so I have no reason NOT to trust him...." he said earnestly. "Are you willing to put your hatred of him before your common sense, and trust in that your BELOVED father wouldn't either sell you out, or perhaps...." he paused, taking in a breath and toning down the anger in his voice, "Perhaps your father doesn't even KNOW this is going on..." he said, voice trailing off for Draco to conclude on his own. "Why don't you owl him?"

As much as he didn't want to believe it, he couldn't disbelieve it either. He knew that it would happen sooner or later, he was just hoping it would have been later..or..by a miracle, never. But we know that won't happen. Vision blurred some as he tried to process exactly what was going on. Taking in a breath, stuttered to say the least, he finally focused once more on Jack. "Alright, say this is true..and I owl my father to see if he knows about it. What do you think I'll get back? I'll tell you what his response will be. It will simply say that finally his son has the chance to be something big..something important. And then he'll get bragging rights. Him knowing or not isn't the problem right now is it?" Feeling suddenly cold.

Jack nodded, "You're a bright boy Draco. You may live to old age yet...." he said darkly, giving him an appraising look. "Now. Dumbledore was out of town yesterday when Voldemort was here, SNAPE was missing in action all during class Monday, then Potions was cancelled yesterday..." he said evenly, then continued, "I would say the information is definitely good. It all adds up. What it adds up to... is that Voldemort is looking to recruit, and it seems Snape wants to move up on the Death Eater food chain by handing us over, wouldn't you say?" he asked with the slow rise of his eyebrows.

Eyes were downcast, it did make sense..what a perfect time for Voldemort to come to the school when Dumbledore was away..and how convinent for Snape to be absent for two days in a row. Doubt wasn't there anymore..he could try and stay ignorant about the situation..but that would just end up in him being dead..that or one of Voldemort's mindless lackies. Feeling numb, he didn't look back up as he spoke once more. "And he's coming..next week? Will Dumbledore be here..? Or is that something we can't count on at the moment?"

Jack stepped up close to Malfoy and grabbed his jaw in his hand and lifted his face up so he could stare him directly in the eyes as he spoke. "Before you and I go any further Malfoy, I want to know what side you are on. " he growled, eyes narrowing. "I know I am not your typical Slytherin, and you on the otherhand, are the poster boy for Dark Wizard Youth." he said then continued, "If meeting your Daddy's master gives you a boner, fine, then walk away from me right now. I don't intend to go down that path and I need to know who is fighting WITH me, and who I need to watch for with a knife...." he hissed, his eyes locked with Malfoy's, then quickly he let go of Draco's jaw, and stepped back.

Taking in a deep breath as his jaw was taken quite harshly by the other, he watched the other, slightly wanting to flinch away..but held against that instinct. Instead of his head dropping back to the ground, he stared intently at the other. Brow slightly furrowing, part of him was outraged for being asked such a question, but the other part knew it was essential. "If I can barely handle the emotional baggage of the Cruciatus Curse, do you honestly think I could handle being a Death Eater? I don't just hate my father for his strict rules, I assure you, I rather despise him for his position as a Death Eater..would I tell anybody this? No, because word of mouth travels to fast..and you better believe it would have gotten to him in time."

Jack smiled slowly, the first since this conversation started and he walked to Draco and clapped his hand on his right shoulder. "Good. I just wanted to make sure I knew where you stood Malfoy, and as far as your attempt to be Daddy's little Boy, and toe the evil party line. Your secret is safe with me. I may hate Death Eaters and all that goes with Voldemort and his ass sucking followers, but I see you doing what you do, just to survive." he paused, and widened his smile. "You are more of a man than your Father will ever know..." he said quietly, then turned and began to pace again. "So... now... What do we do between now and Monday?" he asked shaking his bangs back out of his eyes. "We can either book the first portkey to America, or prepare ourselves for a chat, or go a third route." he said as he paced. He then looked directly at Draco. "You know them best where do we go from here?"

Right now, even the best compliments didn't seem to liven him up much. Then agian, when you were faced with a life decision you might not have the chance to make, not much made you smile. Sighing he looked at the pacing Jack, thinking over the possibilities closely. "That's why I asked if Dumbledore will be here. Because he is the only one that Voldemort wouldn't dare to go against. I know that much. And I'm not sure which is worse, running from him..or chatting. As for a third route? Well, I don't think there is anything that isn't short of disappearing completely." Shuttering slightly at some of the meetings he had been to when younger. "When they have their mind set on something, don't think they'll stop just because we aren't at Hogwarts..."

Jack nodded. "Fair enough. I would say that staying here is our best bet for survival whether Dumbledore is here or not. He seems to have the worst bloody timing for being out of town during crisis...." he muttered then looked back over at Malfoy. "I told Harry to send him an owl, I expect Harry will let me know the result of that when it happens." he said nodding his head as he thought.

"No shit he does.." It would be extremely nice if Dumbledore didn't have such unbelievably bad timing. Thumb and forefinger ran over his forehead, trying to make the uncoming headache less then severe. Stress headaches he figured..and it made complete sense, look at the stress he was in now! Going silent, except for a couple sentances now and then. "Isn't there the possibility of telling the other teachers about Snape? What about McGonagall? After all, Snape has the ability to send for us whenever he wishes..if that threat is out of the way, how else could Voldemort get to us? Well..of course that means never going somewhere alone.."

Jack nodded, "I was going to say, not only should we keep an eye on Harry for cues, but yes, you and I need to be like lovers and keep each other in view as much as humanly possible. I could see about trading beds with someone in your dorm so we bunk together. That would improve our odds a bit..." he said rubbing his chin as he thought.

Nodding softly in agreement. "I suppose that's all we can do right now, aside from making ourselves completely invisible. Until then, I'm stuck for ideas." That and..he wasn't really in the right state of mind to think up any ideas as to how they could get out of this situation. "I'm sure somebody would move with just enough push to do so." Even with all the plans..and being pointed in the right direction, he was still scared beyond his means..and being opptimistic was not in his vocab right now.

Jack nodded, then looked at his watch, "Damn! We need to get to Breakfast." he muttered, the looked over at Draco. "We will be each other's shadows, and I will thank Harry for the info. Let me be the go between, it will look less odd that way." He paused, sighing, "It's all we can do for now."

Draco nodded, and with a heavy sigh, and a heavier heart, he followed Jack out of the room and down the hallways back toward the main part of the castle, and down, down down to the dungeons for Potions, and Snape.</lj-cut>"

2002-08-14 08:38:00,Breakfast and Owl post....,"An IC RP Post from Ginny, Draco and Jack. <lj-cut text="It was breakfast time again at Hogwarts..."> Ginny look at herself in the mirror, sighed at her reflection and turned to head out her dorm grabbing her books on her bed at the same time. When she reached the bottom of the stairs she saw 3 people in the common room. Sitting on a couch, "studying" were Lavender and Dean, while Colin was sitting in a chair facing the girls dorms. Ginny smiled when she saw Colin and sweetly said, "Hey Colin. How are you this morning?"

Jack hurried along the halls with Draco, it was already ten past 8 by his watch, they were late for breakfast. Jack stomach growled and he looked over at Draco and let a small grin slip. No matter what the drama in his life, one thing never flagged, Jack's appetite.

Colin smiled back at Ginny,"I'm doing great thanks...would you like to walk to breakfast with me?" Colin blushed slightly, "I er...waited for you." Ginny smiled and nodded at Colin. They walked together, making small chit-chat and such until they reached the entrance to the Great Hall and were standing right next to Jack and Draco.

Jack and Draco arrived at the entrance the Great Hall at the same time that Ginny and Colin Creevey did. Jack, being Jack, hesitated, and even did a bit of a bow, allowing them to go first. "After you..." he said with a suave smile and a wave of his hand. Draco smirked and gave Jack a surprised glance. He liked Jack, but he still couldn't get over how.... odd he always seemed to be, for a Slytherin anyway. //You are definitlely in the WRONG House, mate.// He thought to himself as he waited with an impatient sigh for the Gryffindors to pass.

Draco gave a soft grin as he watched the Gryffindors file into the Great Hall before Jack and himself followed. Giving a look towards Jack but shrugging off any questions he might have about his manners. Seems, both masks were up and ready to face the world. Fine by him, it keep things in a good perspective for him to handle. Walking towards the Slytherin table, he took his seat, the plates and tables already piled with food and murmurs of voices rising had already begun.

Ginny sat next to Colin and smiled. This was going to be an interesting breakfast. Maybe for once one of them would actually mention sometimes having to do with them, and not just the weather. Ginny continued to eat, waiting for Colin to make the first move in the conversation. Hey, she is still shy on the inside you know.

Jack looked at the serving plates, and his mouth began to water immediatly. His mood seemed to elevate 200% and he began to pile on the food, and as fast as he ate it, he added more, and emptied three goblets of pumpkin juice, orange juice and tea before even slowing down to look around the room, then at Draco.

Raising a brow as Jack's amazing eating habits, he snickered softly. He wasn't even half way through his pumpkin juice..and had yet to fill up his plate. "Jack, the human garage disposal. Is there nothing he would eat..." Seems both their spirits were a bit higher then before, maybe it was just from lack of food. Though, their minds were momentarily distracted by the life swarming within the Great Hall.

Ginny continued to eat until Colin finally spoke up. "So how have your classes been Ginny?" Ginny finished chewing and replied, "Not bad I suppose, how about yours?" Colin nodded, "Not too horrible either, but clases in the summer aren't enjoyable." Ginny nodded and continued to eat.

Jack grinned at Draco, and wasn't about to talk as long as there was food in front of him. He ate like a person used to depravtion almost. He only paused when there was a shriek over head, and the air filled with owls. "Mayas heeya" he muttered around a mouthful of eggs and watched as owls dropped letters, notes and packages all around the room to their addressees.

"What was that? I couldn't catch it between the eggs and toast being stuffed into your mouth." Smirking to himself as he took modest bites of his own eggs, eyes floated up towards the owls flying into the Hall, delivering their burdens like everyday, today, unlike most, a letter almost landed in his eggs, but was quickly caught and looked over. Slightly in a frown.

Ginny looked up as the owls poured in and dropped one in front of her. She opened the letter and her eyes got widers as she read. She started to bite her lip furiously and turned to Colin. &quot;I'm sorry, but I have to go.&quot; She grabbed her things and ran out of the hall.

Jack snickered, and looked over at Draco as a piece of mail dropped near his plate. He swallowed his mouthful with a gulp, and grinned at Draco. "Fan Mail?" he asked as soon as he had swallowed the massive bite in his cheeks, then scooped some more bacon onto his plate, and poured more pumpkin juice. "Who's it from?" he asked with a lift of his chin. Yeah, he was nosey. He wasn't getting any mail, he knew that. He noticed Ginny getting up and suddenly rushing out of the room, and paused, wondering about that as his eyes traveled back to the Gryffindor table, and the equally shocked expression on Colin's face.

His meal had been forgotten as his attention turned towards the mail resting in his hands. "I'm afraid, I don't get fan mail. Hate mail, maybe, fan mail, no." Tearing the candle wax seal that held his family crest within it. Pulling the letter contained within it, before reading over the contents. Not noticing the redhead running out of the Great Hall like the others did. "I didn't think my mother could get more..naive then she already is..."

Jack continued to eat, albeit at a slightly slower rate now, he was willing to talk, and looked over at Draco, but didn't try to read his mail. "Really? How so? Asking if you need new knickers or something?" he chuckled.

"Well, for one, she still doesn't seem to understand that I'm old enough to make my bed...but she also wants me to come home for the simple fact of being away too long." Rolling his eyes. "Last year, she wanted me to come home to "Well, for one, she still doesn't seem to understand that I'm old enough to make my bed...but she also wants me to come home for the simple fact of being away too long." Rolling his eyes. "Last year, she wanted me to come home to celebrate father's birthday during exams." Of course he said no..but that took quite a bit of manipulation to get out of.

Jack nodded as he sipped at yet more juice, "It's nice to have a Mum that misses you. You bitch about it now, but wait til you don't have one..." he said sourly, then turned back to his plate of food, stabbing at the eggs again.

Glancing towards Jack before reading once more over the letter. Silent for a moment. "I love her..more then she probably knows..I guess it's just that family flaw. I'd visit more as well..if he wasn't there to appraise my every waking moment." Then again, he could sometimes miss him simply because Lucius stayed in his study for days on end..either that or on 'business' trips.

Jack seemed to be lost in dark thoughts, he was stabbing idly at his food, but not longer eating. "Um hm...." he replied dully, as he rested his cheek in his palm and leaned on the table. His long bangs fell down over his face, mostly hiding his face from view.

Putting the letter back into the now disturbed envelope, placing it in his lap so he wouldn't forget about it later. He'd send a letter back as soon as he could. Looking over to Jack, he raised a brow. Moment before, the other was happy as any, but that mood quickly changed. "I suppose, family problems can seem rather..small."

Jack paused in his massacre motion of his eggs, and sighed, "It's not that. You HAVE family at least Draco. It is your option to love them, hate them or ignore them. I.... don't have that option or luxury." he said slowly turning to look at Draco again, his pale eyes shining from behind black hair. "My parents, my entire family, is dead." he said solemnly, then pushing back from the table, he stood up. "Excuse me Draco, I will see you in class..." he said, then turned to leave the hall.

Draco looked from the letter to the now retreating Jack, sighing slightly. Gathering up the letter, he pushed up from the table. As he thought about just leaving Jack to his own emotions, he at least wanted to apologize. (Wouldn't THAT in itself be a spectacle?) Not to mention it was a break in their little pact, then again..that was only part of the reason for trying to catch up to him. Though he would go to the owlery when he could to write back.

2002-08-14 09:42:00,"
After Breakfast, and Potions...

AN IC RP with Jack, Draco, Snape, Harry and oh I don't know who else...

Jack left the Great Hall, more mad at himself than sad. How had he managed to let the conversation about Malfoy's troubles come around to his dead and murdered family? He couldn't say that Voldemort was the cause, that would NOT help keep his cover in place. Sighing to himself, he walked slowly along the halls, toward his next class.

Feeling less then great about rambling about such family problems, he made his way out of the Great Hall, trying his best to catch up to the other. To do what? Apologize? He felt like he should, either that or do something. Feeling that it was slightly his fault for Jack's abrupt exit.

Harry walked slowly from the common room, draging behind Hermione and Ron. He wasn't quite sure how he was giong to skip potions with out getting those two worried. Ron noticed that Harry was slower than usual and asked if he was diong alright. Harry looked up and forced a smile. "yeah, i guess I'm just a little tired"

Jack was lost in thought as he walked along, once again he thought of finding Albus, where ever the Hell he was, and tell he him couldn't do this anymore, especially NOW. How could he fight off Voldemort if he was a 15 YO Boy?

Catching up until he was just behind Jack, he reached out to softly grasp his shoulder, attempting to get him to slow down..that and acknowledge that fact he was being followed. Seems that Jack wasn't exactly acknowledging anything around him. Taking in a deep breath he pulled up beside Jack before looking over to him. "Eh..I didn't mean to upset you.." Watching the other intently for a reaction.

Jack startled when Draco gripped his shoulder, and he spun around, eyes wide and wild, and he had his fist pulled back for a punch, then froze. He blinked and suddenly got the most lost expression on his face. "Draco..." he said softly.

Harry continued to think of all the reason to NOT tell Ron and Hermione what he saw last night. He wasn't coming up with any good ones. They had always been there for him. Why should he change that now? Deciding that he would tell them he slowed to stop. "Ron, Mione, there's something that I need to tell you."

Eyes shifted from that raised fist to the other's lost expression. His own expression was mild, not showing much distinction of emotion. "Of course, who else would it be?" Raising a brow as he watched the other silently, shifting from one foot to the other in the process. "Then again, it's rather understandable to be edgy right now.."

Jack bit down on his lower lip, looking confused, then slowly lowered his fist. "Yeah... that's it. I am sorry Draco... Did you uh... say something to me before? I was sort of out there." he said as he started walking again after noticing the odd looks the other student were starting to give him and Draco.

"Harry, this is serious! We have to tell someone." said Hermione. Harry shook his head."I know that. I tried to talk to Dumbledore, but conveniently, he's not here. I have already told Sirius. Who else is there?" Ron thought for a bit."Do you think that Professor Macgonagall could help?" Harry though about it. "Has she EVER believed us?"

Draco walked beside him, glancing from Jack to the path before them. "I said, I didn't meant to upset you. You know, the little conversation at Breakfast?" Raising a brow as he repeated himself. Wanting to ask what he was thinking about, but decided against it. Shifting books and needed utensils for class within his arms.

Jack shrugged. "My family is dead. All of them, and sometimes.... Sometimes it just catches up with me and affects me more than other times." he said, then offered Draco a smile. "It's not your fault Draco. You had no idea... No harm done." he said offering his hand to Draco.

The trio decided that Sirius was right, and that Harry (indeed all of them) should skip potions and Snape all together.

Draco took the offered hand with a soft smile. It was hard for him to react to such a situation. After all, what do you say to somebody..when they tell you that their whole family is dead? The best, he figured, was saying nothing unless asked to. "Hmm..and now we have to willing go into the Lion's Den.." Something he was less then excited about.

Jack nodded, and inwardly hoped that Harry would listen to him and avoid Snape and Potions until further notice. "Yeah..." he said dully. "Off to the Fun Park now..." he said, followed by a mirthless laugh. "Off to the Snake pit..."

Being a tad more cautious then usual as he entered the Dungeons, looking about the room before giving Jack a glance. He continued his way to his seat, setting down required supplies before sitting down himself. Students around him did the same, awaiting class to start, except among the students, Harry had been absent. Even when Ron and Hermione entered, he was yet to be seen.

Harry walked back to the common room quietly. He didn't need to be getting caught skiping, who might believe his reasons anyway? Enterind the portriat hole Harry turned right and sat down infront of the fire. "What should I do now?" he aksed aloud to the flames. Their poping seemed to be taunting him. Sighing he got out his journal.

Jack looked around the room as well as he entered, and was unable to surpress a shudder. He looked to the Gryffindor side and smiled when he saw Harry's seat vacant. He then turned to Malfoy as he set out his cauldron and supplies "Well, just keep you eyes on Snape, and be alert." he said in a low tone. He stopped short of quoting one of his favorite Moody phrases, "Constant Vigilance!"

Snape was at the front of his room, not moving, but looking like a thunderstorm forced to keep position. He scowled at each of the students individually as they entered, whether they were looking or not. He was pale, paler than normal, if that was possible, but looking hell-bent. On something. When he spoke, it was abruptly; "Be seated. Turn to page two hundred and fourty two; today is going to be devoted to brewing the strongest Ennervating potion possible. Any questions?"

Nodding softly in Jack's direction, he proceeded to set up for class. Soon everybody was silenced to a hush as Snape began to speak. Eyes watching and listening for further instructions, and when no questions were asked, he reached for his book, opening it to the appropriate page. Eyes lingered for a moment over the vaccant spot that Harry usually filled. Having a rather good idea why he wasn't there, then again, if he had a choice, he wouldn't be here either.

Harry stared at the pages untill his eyes started to droop. He didn't really feel like writing. He closed the book and flopped to his side to continue his staring match with the fire.

Jack sat down at last in his assigned seat, and assumed a narrow eyed gaze directly at Snape. Focused, unrelenting, as if to say, "I KNOW what you are up to...." He heard the assignment given, and after looking for clue of evil intent in it and finding none, he set about getting ready to brew the potion, eyes still primarily on Snape, watching every breath.

Snape droned on, his usually venom-filled voice weary and worn, even to his own ears. He chanted off the ways to increase the potency one by one, like times-tables learned by heart. The Potions Master paced the room, occassionally chastising the particular failings of those he passed, telling them what they were doing wrong. Eventually, tiring of this, he paced to his resting-spot and stood, watchful.

Going to work at the task at hand, eyes buried themself in the work. Letting out a sigh once and awhile, rubbing his forehead a couple times before continuing on. Whispering carefully to Jack. "So far so good.." Giving a gentle grin in his voices wake. A glance to Snape, who was currently surveying the room as always, inwardly shivering at his intimidating stance.

Harry thought that he should send an owl to Sirius but he really didn't have the energy. Staying up to spy on Snape and the letters to and from Sirius had keep him up well int to this morning. Closing his eyes he slipped into sleep.

Jack was working on his potion with great skill and attention. He wasn't going to give Snape any excuses, and when Snape passed by on his rounds of the class room, Jack would raise his eyes to meet those cold black orbs with eyes own defiant pale ones should they happen to meet.

As Snape passed through the Slytherins on his tour, he looked into the cauldrons of each, murmuring a comment. As he passed by Jack's, he added merely, "Mm, maybe a tad hotter, Grim." He looked up, surprise registering briefly at finding himself the object of scrutiny, but vanishing just as fast as he let the melancholy resurface, with an air of patient fatalism.

Draco continued to pay close attention to his potion, making sure to do everything right, down to the very word. Waiting for it to simmer, hoping the right color would make itself be known. If so, then he would be out of the woods.. and slightly more relaxed then he had been upon entering the classroom.

Jack maintained his stare at Snape until HE looked away first, then and only then did he check his cauldron and zapped the fire with his wand, kicking it up a notch. >bam< "I'll give you hotter Snape. How about the flames of Hell?" he whispered to him self carefully as he watched the flame rise and lick wickedly at the bottom of the cauldron.

Snape bridled, not liking the thought of being watched. By ANYONE. He stopped a minor calamity over in the Gryffindor section, with slightly more comment than the identical one he'd quenched over in the Slytherin side, moments before. When he came to the bench Potter usually occupied he stopped and looked over his class, making no comment over his absence, nor looking overly suprised.

Watching the fire build higher beneath Jack's cauldron, he raised a brow. "You better be careful, or you'll set the whole table aflame." It was true enough as those flames burned brighter then need be, probably overheating his potion instead of just making it hotter.

Jack snapped out of his death stare with the back of Snape's head, "Huh?" he grunted, then looked at the fire. "Oh, right..." he said, then reduced it a bit to the correct level and gave it a stir. "I wonder who he will pick on to Stupdefy with Potter gone..." he muttered to Draco.

"NOT the Devil's Claw yet, Mr Weasley," Snape said, standing near to Harry's unoccupied seat. Hermione had been reaching out a hand to stop him, and now looked up at him. Ron seemed more annoyed though. Snape turned his back and carried on walking.

Snickering softly as he peered over his potion, starting to turn the desired color of a peach orange, grinning in satisfaction. "I'd find it amusing if he choose Hermione, being stupdefy twice in two weeks? That is, if they ever finish their potion first." Feeling a tad more relieved after finishing his own potion.

Jack let a small laugh escape. "Well, yeah, Hermione has has some unexpected practice at that, hasn't she?" he said, then winked at Draco and resumed watching his potion carefully for a moment, then returned his hawk-like stare to Snape.

A look of supreme disgust crossed the Potions Master's face for no real discernable reason, as if he had smelt or seen, or maybe thought of something eminently distasteful. Bringing his gaze back from middle distance he felt his ears burn, or the back of his neck, or something. HATED HATED being watched. He found Jack's gaze, and stared great guns down it, lips twisting in a threat.

Jack met that gaze and returned it full power, he didn't even blink, and as the seconds dragged onward, he could not resist upping the anty. "I.... know..." he mouthed, for Snape's eyes only, then, and only then did he blink, but still didn't look away from that wicked sneer of Snape's.

Draco sensed something was amiss, and he glanced up at Snape, then followed his stare back to... Jack. Draco lifted his eyebrows, watching Jack, and he could feel the hate eminating off of his partner. He decided it best to concentrate on his potion, really hard. Now.

Snape's eyes narrowed to slits at that. Know something? What could he possibly know? And what the hell did he care, anyway. Indifference swelled up, but he didn't break his gaze, too stubborn to back down.

Jack hunkered down, resting his chin in his palms and continued the stare down. His expression neutral, his eyes, ice. //Let me see you turn first Snape...// he thought to himself, then something happened that would cause that. A scream of dismay from the Gryffindor side of the classroom. Jack didn't flinch.

Snape spun immediately to the sound, wand in hand without seemingly having had to search. Within seconds the conflagration was quenched, but a student was standing, pale with shock, burned hand clasped before them. "Whose potion is ready?" Snape called as he moved to stand behind the student, pulling them back from the still-hot mess with one hand, wand at the ready with the other.

Jack sat stock still, fully upright, eyes front, hands folded on the desk in front of him. The model student.

Draco's eyes lifted quickly from his potion as he heard the scream from across the room. Blinking rapidly to see what happened, then frowned seeing a student had most stupidly burned themself. Sighing, he looked to his now finished potion.. then over to Jack. Leaning back slightly to await Snape's inspection of the finished potions.

Hermione's hand shot up in the air faster than one of Fred and George's Filibuster fireworks. Ron sunk low in his seat, worried that the potion hadn't turned out correctly. She had been working especially hard over the last couple of days, partly to earn back all of the points Snape had taken from her the week before, and partly to forget about her confrontation with Draco.

Jack saw Hermione's hand go up, right on cue, and he then raised his upward, purposely coming in second to the Gryffindor. "Mine is completed Professor Snape," he said in a smooth oily tone, not unlike Snape's own voice. He continued to look straight ahead, not turning to look at Snape now.

"Bring it here, Grim," Snape said, not looking up from his charge, though you'd have to be very stupid to not guess that Hermione's potion was ready. The student was going pale and shaking a little in the onsets of shock, rocking in pain, eyes closed.

Draco's hand was the third to go up, but not as far as the others. But not for to long, cause when he did, Snape had asked Jack to bring over the potion. Watching intently, along with the entire class, at the student currently in pain from the burn. Glancing towards Jack, lets just hope his potion was complete perfection.

Hermione brought her hand down slowly. Ron gave her a grin, and she frowned and motioned to the student at the front of the class. She didn't know the boy well at all, in fact, she couldn't remember his name, but she still felt sympathy for him. She sighed, as long as Snape was occupied, she may as well read up on the topics she had chosen to cover for Professor Flitwick. If she was lucky, she could finish the chapter on Aging and Youth Charms before lunch.

Jack stood, military stiff, grasped his cauldron and with a wink to Draco, turned on his heel and sauntered across the classroom to where Snape stood. He gave a quick glance of pity at the injured Gryffindor, then locked eyes with Snape again, partnering the dread gaze with the slightest curl on one side of his mouth.

Snape afforded Jack the merest glance as he ladled out a bowlful, looked at it, sniffed it, swirled it, and finally sipped it. He then held it to the student's mouth with the single, gruff proviso: "Drink." The student was too cowed to do little else and did as he was told, the shivers slowly fading and colour returning to his cheeks. Snape turned to his lab partner. "I want to talk with you later about safety, but for now, escort him to the Hopsital Wing and tell Mdme. Pomfrey he's had this:" he put some of the potion in a phial and handed it over.

He watched as Jack carried the potion over to Snape and the burned Gryffindor, knowing there was hate where Jack stood..but it seemed Snape was in no position at the moment to return it. Eyes turned to the student as he drank some of the potion..and doing as the potion should, restoring the boy from shock.

Hermione was immersed in the complexities of her Charm work, and snapped up when Ron elbowed her. "Hermione!" He whispered urgently, pointing to the front of the classroom. The two students were leaving the classroom, and Snape was no longer distracted. Hermione muttered a word under her breath that made Ron's jaw drop, and she shoved her book under the table.

Jack watched Snape serve out his potion, and he stood there with his eyes fully on Snape the entire time, just waiting for eye contact again. His posture was that of complete confidence, begging for a confrontation.

Snape scowled at the retreating students, and turned bac to his class, looking for those not working. He turned to find Jack, not only still standing, but much too close for comfort. He shoved at the cauldron he held, pushing it into him. "That'll do Grim. Next time heat it evenly or you'll ruin the willow-sap."

Eyes narrowed slightly as he watched Snape and Jack. It was understandable to acting strong against him, but begging for confrontation was, in his opinion, possibly not the smarted in his situation. Turning back towards his finished potion before jotting down some notes for the next potion class..and any other assignments for the week.

Jack looked up at Snape and flinched slightly as the hot cauldron contacted his belly, but he made no sound, instead he bowed in an ingratiating fashion, and muttered, "Yes, Professor Snape... as you direct..." he said while bowing at the waist, and then returned to his desk.

Hermione's eyes followed Jack as he went back to his seat. It was surprising to see him actually be subservient to Snape, he had a tendency to mouth off constantly. Once Snape had turned his back to the class, she leaned over to Ron. "What do you think we should do about..." she waved her hand in Jack and Draco's direction. Ron looked over at the pair and scowled. "Let him have them," he grouched. At Hermione's disapproving look, he sighed. "I'm sorry, 'Mione. I just... well, they haven't exactly been nice to us, have they?"

Snape huffily walked back to the front of the class, "Did I SAY stop working?" he barked.

Jack watched Snape "whoosh" by, and resumed his hands in palms direct stare routine. He had already finished his potion, it was back on it's stand, and he had copied down the homework. There was nothing else to do but... antagonize Snape.

And so the rest of the class went. Snape sat at his desk glowering at everyone in the class room, except for Grim. He would not give him the satisfaction of acknowledging the annoying little prick. At last the bell rang, and the students quickly gathered their belongings and left the classroom under Snape's silence, but venomous glare.

2002-08-15 10:21:00,
Four Days and counting,

Well, it's Thursday morning, and I am still alive. I suppose that is a victory. Especially considering how I baited Snape yesterday in Potions. I am beyond being scared of him and his Master. I am pissed off.

Draco is still hovering near to me, that is fine. I will do my best to save him should it come to that. Right now I am in History of Magic. BORING. It hasn't changed in 20 years, and THAT is truly disturbing. The only good thing about repeating this.... again.... is I know it all. I can sit in here and sleep or update my journal like I am now.

Just under two hours to lunch. Ah... it's the small rewards that keep me going. That and the meade I have stashed in my dorm. Drank myself into a wonderful nights sleep last night.

Time for a nap.

As ever.

2002-08-15 19:36:00,Smooth comfort.,"A Dual IC post from Draco and Jack. Rated Nc-17 for Slash. <lj-cut text="Dinner was par for the course... what was for dessert?">

Jack sat at dinner in the great hall, leaning his chin in one palm as he picked at his dinner. He had already emptied his usual four plates, and five goblets. He seemed to be lost in deep thought again.

Still on his first plate, however he had eaten a large portion. Which was surprising in itself. Pansy talking his ear off about some..problem with the Ravenclaw girls. From the tone of voice, it sounded like they were possing some competition for her. Rolling his eyes, he looked over to Jack, nudging his arm some. "Please, for all that is good, help me?" Pleading in need to get away from Pansy and her voice.

Jack slowly looked over at Draco, then at Pansey, then back to Draco. He then reached for his wand, and taking careful aim under the table, muttered, "Incontinous...", then lazily looked back at his plate. "Stand up soon..." he muttered out of the side of his mouth to Draco.

Raising a curious brow, he looked from Jack to Pansy..and took his advice, moments later, standing up slowly. Moments after, Pansy stopped talking abruptly..and quickly stood..retreating with her face a bright crimson red..and everybody could see why, after all, how do you not notice that dark spot on the seat of her robes? Laughter rippled over the hall. Well, that got rid of her for the night. Grinning, he looked back to Jack..though finding him not exactly laughing like the rest. Sitting down with his back facing the table (and as far away from where Pansy had been sitting) he watched Jack. "I guess food can provide only so much comfort?" Peering at his plate in the process.

Jack pushed his plate away and turned to look at Draco. "Agreed. I say we adjourn to the depths of my dorm room and engage in some more adult, and more comforting sport..." he said in a low sultry tone, and with a languid swagger, got up from the table, and gave Draco a, "You coming?" look.

Looking around the table, as if wagering which is better to do, go with Jack..or stay at the table. The decision was far from hard. Giving a nod before pushing up from his current seat. Thankfully, not having to explain to any house mates why they were going, since they were still doubling over and talking about Pansy. That would be the table talk for awhile..how..delightful. Giving one last look, he followed Jack out.

Jack pushed his plate away and turned to look at Draco. "Agreed. I say we adjourn to the depths of my dorm room and engage in some more adult, and more comforting sport..." he said in a low sultry tone, and with a languid swagger, got up from the table, and gave Draco a, "You coming?" look.

Looking around the table, as if wagering which is better to do, go with Jack..or stay at the table. The decision was far from hard. Giving a nod before pushing up from his current seat. Thankfully, not having to explain to any house mates why they were going, sicne they were still doubling over and talking about Pansy. That would be the table talk for awhile..how..delightful. Giving one last look, he followed Jack out.

Jack walked along the halls, like a man on a mission and was not terribly concerned with conversation at that point. He uttered the password to the mirror, "Asp bite" and waved Draco through before himself in a show of deference. "After you..." he purred.

Grinning as he was let in, going before Jack with a soft nod. "Thank you." Before walking into the main part of the common room. Looking around as if he had never been here, before looking back towards Jack with a smirk and lick of lips. Of course, since everybody was at dinner, nobody was within the common rooms. Wonderfully convinent, then again..it was never all that full of students..except after a Quidditch victory.

Jack passed by Draco as they crossed the common room and he winked and crooked an index finger at him, indicating him to follow. Jack let him to his dorm room, which like most of Slytherin House was empty. Once Draco was inside, and the Lock Charm set in place, Jack went to the foot of his bed, and unlocked his trunk and began to dig around inside of it. "Hidden so well... no one could find it..." he singsonged to himself merrily.

Oh..and Draco followed, he would be an idiot not too really. Anybody would be an idiot as he thought about it. Making his way into that dorm room, he watched as Jack placed the Lock Charm upon the door. Watching the other as he ravished through his trunk, crossing to sit upon the bed, watching Jack dig. As he was rather curious as to what he was digging for. "Now, what I have to ask, has been hidden so well." Looking from the trunk to Jack, a singular brow raised as a smirk sneaked over his visage as he watched intently.

Jack at last pulled out a small flask, and set it aside, then closed and relocked the trunk. He then set the flask on the trunk and pointed his wand at it, "Engorgio!" he chirped, and the flask became a large flagon filled with a honey colored liquid. Jack smiled, stowed his wand and clapped his hands together as he collected the flagon, climbed onto his bed, and shut the curtains before uncorking it, and sniffing at the opening. "Ah.. sweet nectar of the Gods..." he smiled blissfully before lifting it to his lips, then taking a long series of swallows. He smacked his lips, then wiped his mouth on the back of his hand and passed it to Malfoy. "Safe to drink." he announced with a smile.

Sitting back upon that bed, he watched Jack enlargen the flask with much enthusiasm. Hm, well, he knew what it was, but not exactly. All he knew was that it more then likely contained alcohol, alot more then anything within Hogwarts. Smirking silently as he watched Jack take rather long drinks from the flagon before it was offered to him. Now, he wasn't a big alcohol drinker, but that never meant he never did. Of course, wine has been about all he has had. It was a rather common thing in his household. Taking it within his grasp, he took a drink or two from it. Perhaps not as much as Jack, but enough to get a rather good drink from it. The strength made him wince slightly, but he held his own. "Hmm..has a rather..interesting taste."

Jack laughed and reclaimed the flagon for another long series of sips, and then passed it back to Draco. "It's mead..." he grinned, voice and lips sweet with the taste of the honey wine. "It's better than butterbeer, and has a much nicer hug to it..." he laughed merrily, and laughed as he summoned more pillows for the head of his bed, and leaned back on them, patting them as an invite for Draco to join him.

"I see..hm..it's..alright." Snickering slightly, wine..and all alcohol tended to be an aquired taste. Which he hasn't seemed to accomplish as of yet. "I was never a bit fan of butterbeer either, I suppose I'm just not one to go with the flow." Grinning to the other..as he leaned back into those newly summoned pillows. He really didn't even need an invite, but it was always nice to get one. Slowly leaning back into the comforting pull of the pillows. Resting arms behind his head as he stretched languidly upon that bed. Purring softly in comfort before looking over to Jack. "Hmm..I'd say, this is ten times more comfortable then what the Great Hall offers."

Jack drank again from the flagon, then shoved it back into Draco's pale, slender hands. Jack then laced his fingers behind his head and gazed up at the canopy overhead. "Yeah... nothing like mead at the end of the day to ease the soul, loosen the tongue, and soothe the savage beast..." he laughed as he gripped his groin and fell into a fit of giggles.

Laughing to himself, he felt..well, a lot better then he had for awhile. Hell, even the meade tasted good. Which when pushed into his hands, he lifted it once more lips, taking in a slightly longer drink then the last. Eyes closing as it sneaked down his throat. Murrmuring to himself in relaxation, turning towards the other. "This is definately a nice way to end the day, it's rather hard to find any form of relaxation anymore."

Jack nodded slowly. "I do this every chance I get. It's the only way I stay sane...." he said in a complete deadpan, then looked over at Draco, and for a second, lost himself in those icy blue eyes. "What do you do to stay sane Draco?" he purred with half closed lids, then leaned closer yet, and rested a hand on Draco's chest and moved within inches of his face, waiting for his answer.

Lips pursed in thought, what did he do to stay sane? That was actually a lot harder to answer then he thought it would be, taking in a deep breath as eyes returned to Jack's own. Lips licking at the aftertaste of meade upon his lips, it tasted rather good there..perhaps it tasted just as good on Jack's lips as well? Grinning silently to himself, he shrugged softly. "I'm..not all that sure, the closest I can get to..is mocking and ordering people..false sense of security I suppose..." Slipping just a bit closer towards the other, eyes searching that face silently.

Jack blinked still staring at Draco's face. He parted his lips, licked them again, then leaned forward until his forehead touched Draco's. "Sometimes... it takes a bit of insanity to keep you sane..." he whispered, then placed a quick, soft kiss on Draco's lips, then just as quickly, retreated back to his side of the pile of pillows and drank from the mead again, before returning it to Draco once again.

He wasn't sure what he was grinning at more, the statement that seemed to make more sense then he thought possible, or the quick kiss. Whichever it was, he was still grinning at it, when that mead was passed once more. Taken just as eagerly..and taking a heady drink from it. Sighing contently before gazing at the other, where he retreated, Draco now followed. Lips curving slightly upward as he propped himself up just slightly. "If that is the case, then the more insanity the better, right?" Leaning down just slightly to sneak a taste of mead upon those lips, satisfying his thoughts from before. Hm..that mead did taste rather good on Jack's lips, as expected.

While Draco's lips were lingering on his own, Jack closed his eyes and gave the lightest of sighs. He lifted his hands from his lap where they had been resting and delicately draped them around the neck of the pale blone boy. He moved his mouth upwards, making contact again, and then parted his lips to cover Draco's in a slow, sucking kiss.

A soft smile lingered behind that forming kiss, leaning further into those lips coated with that honey wine, trying to devour every little drop that rested upon those lips. Giving a soft moan in the process as he shifted closer, almost to the point that there was only the smallest of space between the two. Eyes had closed long before, slightly from the effects of the kiss itself, the other from the effects of the mead. Draco pulled back for a brief moment, those lips still lingered against the others, brushing against them as syllables poured from those lips, dripping thicker then the mead. "Would this then..be considered..insanity?"

Jack's breathing was quickened by the time that Draco pulled back to speak. His own head was swimming from the wine, and his body and hormones were in over drive. In the back of his head, a voice was screaming, but it sounded so far away right now. Jack nodded slowly, and rubbed the tip of his nose against Draco's as he thought before answering. "Yes.... more than you know Draco... this... here now. US, is insanity at it's most... ironic..." he whispered, then slowly opened his eyes. "It will only get more insane... if you stay..." he said, telling the voice in his head. "There, I warned him. I've done my duty." Right.

Eyes half lidded watched the other as he spoke, softly licking his lips at each word presented to him. That mead still rested in his hand..and that, could be a hinderance. He shifted for but a moment, to close that flagon so as it wouldn't spill. That would be rather messy wouldn't it? Eyes once more met the others, yes, he has been warned..perhaps when he wasn't in the best state, but he was..warned. Tilting his head slightly as he tossed the words around in his head, debating if this was a good thing.. and coming up with the decision..that he didn't...really care. "I'm willing to take that risk..." Which..he was, before leaning in once more to taste those lips.

Jack sighed in agreement, and slid down on the comforter as Draco kissed him again, and moving his hands to the boys hips, he slid him over on top of him, so that they lay belly to belly, groin to groin. Jack moaned into the kiss when he felt Draco's slim form press him down into the mattress. His heart began to pound as his body became warm all over and he suddenly wanted to be rid of the cumbersome robes and clothing he was wearing. "Draco..." he panted, leaning back and catching some air. "I need to get out of this cloak..."

A soft snicker was heard as the kiss was broken once more. He leaned up as he watched the other with a delicate tilt of his brow. "Hm..understandable. I'll be more then glad..to help you out of them...if you wish." Chuckling softly as fingers treked their way over that cloak, seeking out the openings of such..and pushing them aside to what resided beneath. Seems..Mead brought out the best in anybody hm? As lips slinked their way over that jawline, softly nibbling in some spots. All the while fingers tugging at that bothersome cloak.

Jack arched his back and moaned as Draco's mouth cut a wet slash along his jaw, and he felt his nimble fingers working at the closures of his cloak. He started to chuckle, "Malfoy..." he laughed softly, "Use Magic you git...." he panted, then started giggling as he felt around in his pocket for his wand, then once he found it, he gave it a swish and flick and muttered a spell. There was a "whoosing" and suddenly both sets of clothing, save for knickers were off, and folded in two neat piles at the end of Jack's bed. "There...." he sighed, then reached up, and gripped Draco's face in his hands, and continued the kiss he had interrupted.

Draco pouted, magic was so overrated sometimes. "It may be quick, but doesn't allow for suspence." Snickering softly, though he didn't throw up a protest when that wand was brought out..and without a blink to be given, the majority of those clothes were taken care of simply. Well...it had some good aspects to it. With that taken care of, their kiss could continue without so much as a pause. Snickering softly as lips reached out for the others. Making a soft, but happy sound when they were felt. Tongue dared to sneak out to run a soft path against that bottom lip before suckling gently.

Jack's hands clutched to Draco's back and he eagerly parted his lips, sucking that seeking tongue into his own mouth hungrily. He hummed happily, a purring sound in the back of his throat as he surrendered to lust, forgetting who and were he was, and with whim. One hand slid down Draco's spine, feeling the bones there, then continued on to the rounds of his backside, and clutched one of the soft rounds slowly, then pressed down, grinding hips to hips.

Draco shuttered softly, feeling his flesh rising in goosebumps as Jack's fingers explored his spine, making his back slightly arch under the inspection. Letting out a stuttered breath behind that kiss, which he continued on with much vigor. A slight moan escaped those captured lips when those exploring hands shifted lower then expected. Tongue massaging softly against the other, gentle suckling with want, the intoxication caused by the wine only made it feel more devine. A hand pulling up to devel in the soft feeling of Jack's chest, soothing soft patterens against that skin before sinking them down and across the taunt skin of his stomach.

Jack broke the kiss, and turned his head to the side gasping for air as Draco stroked his chest. He reached his hand up and placed it on the back of Draco's head, and pushed it downward gently, guiding those lips and teeth to the side of his neck and collarbone. "Draco..." he breathed softly, hearing his voice hazily, and noting the sensual musical quality of his name. He wondered how many others had whispered that name in passion before him, and he was jealous of them. Jealous of touching this smooth skin, and feeling the soft touches that were so erotic, and teasing.

He gave no protest to being guided to the soft skin that resided upon his neck. Allowing for gentle to rougher kisses to be settled there..oh..and he wasn't one to dislike soft nibbles and bites. In fact, he enjoyed those just as much as other things. Lips seeked for the soft hollow of that collarbone, letting a tongue sneak within the gentle dip of that bone before lips abandoned it and made a path below that collarbone, enjoying the musky..yet metallic taste of his skin. Everybody had a different taste.. and currently, Draco was more then enjoying the taste of his skin. Purring gently, letting lips slightly vibrate as they moved lower yet.

Jack's hands clutched at Draco's ass and back as he so slowly and torturously explored his neck and shoulder, two of the most sensitive parts of his body when it came to this sort of contact. "Oh God...." Jack panted in a choked whisper, arching his back again, and lifting his hips up to grind against Draco's and finding equal arousal there. "Bite.... bite me.... please...." he moaned as he felt tears of want forming in the corners of his eyes. He hoped his wishes would be granted more than anything he had ever desired in his memory.

Eyes opened for a moment, looking up to the other and the reaction portrayed as lips and tongue sneaked over his neck and shoulder. A grin in pleasure spread over his face, everybody had a weakness.. and this most definately was Jack's. Fingers played with the soft contour of his chest, sneaking down that line that was linked to his navel, before seeking the band of those pants, slightly running a finger underneath that band. As those words was spoken, he chuckled softly. "As you wish..." Letting lips brush against the skin of his neck, another kiss..and as he asked, a long path of bites, ranging from the soft part of his neck down to his shoulder was given, a lick given after to each place he delivered a bite.

Jack gripped Draco tighter, fingertips and nails digging into soft flesh of rump and back, and he cried out as the blonde demon littered his shoulders with licks and bites. His body shuddered with each touch of lip to skin, and he lifted his hips up again and again. "Oh God.... God..." he moaned, pleading for more, wanting it all. Now. Jack tilted his head up and leaning forward, he placed his own claiming bites along Draco's collarbone, tasting the too smooth saltiness of his skin, smelling the sweet sweat scent of him as it filled his overly sensitive nose. Below the scent of light dew sweat was the muskier perfume of sex, male sex. Jack panted openly now, gasping for air that had seemed to have become to thick to breathe. "Draco..." he breathed, again a pleading cry.

Draco moaned rather wantonly at the fingernails digging into his flesh and the bites that were so quickly sicked upon him. Mouth opening slightly in a silent cry, of pleasure mind you. Pleasure always seemed to present itself in pain. As a result for the pain inflicted upon his pale and tainted skin, nails dug within the soft flesh of that lower stomach, just above the limitation of those pants. Groaning softly as hips collided against each other in such a sinful way, but he relished in sin..and perhaps more now then ever. "Jesus..Jack, bite..harder..." He was such a sorry sucker for those bites, or maybe it was just the masochist in him wanting more.

Jack laughed, a wicked, hollow laugh. "Only if you fuck me as hard as I bite you...." he growled, then bit down with animal aggression. His teeth sunk into that pale unmarked flesh, just to the point of drawing blood. Like the barely tamed beast he was, he growled, and shook his head from side to side, creating a marvelous bite mark that would last for days unless magickally healed.

For a moment, a wince crossed his features from the abrasive bite, but it quickly changed into that of great pleasure, being answer upon his request. A moan reverberating from that throat, filtering the air about them. Nails clawed at that stomach and chest, sure to leave welts of a deep red in groups of three and four. Licking lips slowly, he grinned under the pressure of the other's words. "In that case..I'll do whatever you want." And that was a promise, of course, he just hoped he kept up those bites.

Jack gave Draco's shoulder another savage shake and growl, then he let loose and slowly sat back leering at Draco from under his mussed and sweaty fringe. "Tell me Draco..." he panted, mouth cut into a perverse leer, "Are you ready for total insanity?" He grinned as he slid his hands to the other boy's hips, and tugged down on the only remaining item of clothing Draco had on. "Because.... I sure am..." he growled.

As Jack let go, Draco pushed up just slightly to steady himself. A hand came up to touch the fading indentation left by Jack's teeth. But the mark would stay there long after this was over. Purring as he looked down upon the other..and grinning like a jackal. "Mmm..I've come this far..and I see no reason to stop. I'd really hate to stop half way, I always feel..incomplete if I do such." Pressing a devil smirk upon lips as he dared to lean down and nip at that bottom lip. He shifted slightly, but only to effectively dispose of that last article of limited clothing.

Jack made a growly sound as Draco nipped at his lower lip, then when the two parted for that brief second, he shimmied out of his own knickers and tossed them to the foot of the large bed, and then leaned forward to kiss Draco quickly before rolling over onto his belly, then arching up onto his hands and knees, pressing his backside wantonly back against Draco's groin. Jack shuddered at the contact and slid his thighs apart for better balance. He tossed his hair out of his eyes with a shake of his head, and looked back over his shoulder at Draco. "Don't be gentle...." he grinned.

He had a brief moment to return that kiss before Jack had turned over, pressing firmly against him. Making him moan openly for a moment before eyes lingered over his back, now faced fully towards him..and all for the taking. That..was enough to make anybody purr softly in want. Licking his lips in soft anticipation, he grinned down towards the other. He would make sure not to let the other down. After all, he would simply HATE to be a dissapointment. Chuckling softly, hands ran over that spine..and lips followed. Hands grasping at those hips before pushing forward, that initial penetration making him moan softly before he continued.

Jack let out a lown wanting whine as Draco's hands traced down his lean form, and then grasped him by the hips. When he felt Draco move over him, and press against him, he gasped, and clutched the bedclothes with trembling hands. How long had it been since he had been this way? How long had he ached for this? His heart was racing and his breath was coming in ragged gasps as he muttered another spell, learned long ago to make the going easier, "Lubricus.." was whispered urgently, and then Jack whispered, "I'm ready..."

That would make things a lot easier, as he would soon come to see. He traced a line from the small of his back to the center with just his tongue. Purring softly at those words uttered, and my they were wonderful words he would have to say. Nipping at the skin presented him, first thrust was given..and he groaned at the tightness. It was pleasureable to be sure, but not completely void with the soft tinge of pain. Then again, there had to be both sides or there would be none. Giving another moan as he pushed deeper inside, shivering slightly at each inch gain, leaning over that body receiving such..and lavishing it with kisses, licks, and bites.

Jack let out a long tormented moan as Draco leaned forward and took him. "Oh God...." he gasped, lifting his head back as he felt his body yield to the other. "Yes... yes..." he purred as his hands clawed at the covers in delicious pain and ecstacy. He shivered at the kisses and bites Draco placed on his back, and he pressed backwards with his body, eager for more, eager for all Draco could give.

A couple times, under the intensity pulsating through his body, those bites were far from gentle and tender. Nearly drawing blood, and on one of two occasions, causing a couple to bead to the surface, but were quickly lapped up by that eager tongue. Hands wondered over that skin, tracing every line that was etched into that skin. Draco pushed deeper, until he could go no deeper. But that was far from being the end. He slowly pulled out, but not fully before pushing rather harshly back in. After all, Jack didn't want it gentle..and Draco was hell bent on not letting it be so as he thrusted harder then before..and continued to do so.

Jack moaned louder now as Draco buried himself into him, then pulled out and drove into him again. His breaths were stuttering now, jolted by Draco's eager thrusts. He panted through his mouth for air, his nose no longer providing enough air for his lungs. He felt Draco mark his back with bites, drawing and licking the blood he was letting. Jack's flanks trembled as he ached for his own release, and he planted his right hand in the bed for balance, then moved his left hand down and under his belly to begin stroking himself rapidly. "Oh..... God...." he moaned long and low, his backside clenching down on Draco's shaft as his hips pumped in counter time to the powerful and deep thrusts being made.

Draco's back arched as more thrusts were given, the sweat starting to bead over that pale skin, slicking hair slightly to his skin. He once more leaned over, spooning perfectly against him. Moaning over that exposed and slightly abused skin. Licking up the blood that dared to stray from the original marks. Thrusting more with every second. Increasing speed..and that gentleness had been completely abandoned under that animalistic intinct. After all, everybody had it..it just came out at different times.

Jack was unable to talk at this point, the world around them has ceased to exist, and in that small space, that small moment. His past was gone, Draco was an innocent and all that mattered was the sensations being shared by the two, and the merging of the two bodies for desperatly needed pleasure, release, redemption. "Uhgm, Ugh, Um, um...." was all the sound he could make as Draco pounded in and out of him with savage fury. His hand milked furiously at his own shaft, so close now... so close.

Draco softly hissed as he thrusted harder and harder yet. Melting under the pleasure that was being provided. Nails digged forcefully into those hips, leaving little crescent marks in their wake, but not as extensive as the ones being left by his teeth. By this time, the majority of his back was covered in marks from biting..and suckling the blood to the surface. The throws of orgasm were sneaking up as he felt himself slowly falling towards it. Eyes closed tightly as a moan, starting to cross slowly into a cry was thrown into the air, they were becoming more common..and intense.

Jack felt Draco's nails digging into his hips, sending more delicious pain throughout his body and it was enough to push him over the edge. "Oh God! Oh God! Draco.... Draco... I'm... I'm.... ungh....Oh God... god..." he moaned and chanted over and over as his fist pounded along his shaft then clenched suddenly at the base as his hips spasmed and he came in blinding shockwaves. As he came, he let out a soft whining howl, like an animal, and his body clenched down on Draco, holding him tight and hard inside of him.

Draco felt the other tilt over the edge as he clenched, making Draco groan under the pressure. Hands tighted against that form as that orgasm swept him away without a moments notice. A loud cry landed across his lips, but he bit harshly down, stiffling it some, but it was too intense to do so. He felt that release, coming a moment after the other..but knowing it felt simply divine. Purring with a moan, his very skin alive as cheek came to rest against the other's back, still giving a couple kisses here and there, though gentleness graced these instead.

Jack collapsed on the bed, unable to hold himself up any longer and he grunted as Draco landed on top of him. "Ooooof!" he grunted, then sighed happily, enjoying the feeling of the body pressing him down into the bed, the body deep inside of him, still throbbing, still hard and commanding. "Oh Draco...." he muttered as his body sagged into the bed. The wine, the passion, the release now taking it's toll and leaving him spent.

Draco would have to agree, it was rather..invigorating, but at the same time, took a great deal of energy. However, the emotional release from such an activity was more then he could ask for. Purring softly, arms slowly wrapped about that body, nuzzling softly to the back of his neck, chuckling softly. "Mmm..I never knew insanity could feel so..good." Licking softly at that skin before just resting there. Still bathing his mind in the wine, as it has yet to retreat.

Jack lifted his head and turned it to deposit a kiss on those delicate lips, and then murmured "So sweet.... Thank you..." he sighed, then laid his head down on the pillow to rest. He was sure he would pass out this way, in this position, but didn't care. He muttered the charm that would unlock the dorm door in case his roommate came in. The bed curtains were drawn, and sealed, so he and Draco had nothing to fear immediately. He closed his eyes, and not saying anything more, just focused on the still tingling, bodywide sensations.

Smiling softly behind that soft kiss, he gave a gentle not. "It was a pleasure." Said with a sigh before resting against the other, even if there was the danger of others finding the two, he really couldn't care at the moment. Instead, he just nuzzled in content against the other, letting out an exhausted breath of air and letting eyes close. Sleep could envelop him for as long as he wanted..and he knew that this time, sleeping would come and provided the rest he had been seeking for."

2002-08-16 06:45:00,
In the afterglow...

AN IC Post with Snape and Jack

Jack awoke slowly, there was not reason to come to consciousness in a hurry. He was warm, comfortable and more at ease than he had been for some time. He shifted in his bed, and found he was wrapped in Malfoy. Draco was spooned around him from behind, still partially stuck to him from the rutting of the night before. Jack smiled. It was a pleasant feeling to wake up with a warm body wrapped around yours. He laid there for some time, still groggy, and sedate from the events of the night previous, and decided to leave the bed only when nature insisted, and he felt the need for a shower. He glanced over at the clock on his nightstand, 6:30 AM. He groaned, but this meant he would be most likely the first one up, and alone in the showers. That suited him just fine. So, he carefully peeled himself from Draco's clutch, a small moan issuing from the blonde's lips as he did so, then collected a bathrobe, and ruffling his hair sleepily, made his way through Slytherin House toward the showers.

Snape did not sleep well, could not, in fact, recall a time when he had. Vampire, they'd often called him, even though they would see him on the Quidditch pitch, or outside on whatever occassion (albeit usually under sufference). As a student it hadn't exactly been helpful, but as a professor at least he could claim he was out to catch the occassional midnight stroller. He hadn't been back to his rooms all night and now light was seeping in through the arrow-slit windows he regretted it slightly; the dull ache behind his temples warning him from trying anything further if he wanted to carry on breathing. Yep. Like he was going to. He cursed in frustration, aloud, when he realised he still had to mark a few essays for the second years. These essays were what had driven him even from his office, and going back wasn't all that enticing. Practice what you preach, though, he was going to have to do them.

Jack visited the loo first, then padded in bare feet across the stone towards the showers, then felt another more pressing need course through him, and he paused, going to the nearest arrow loop, and searched through his robe pockets, anxiously. "Ah.... There you are...." he purred, pulling the fag from a rumpled pack, and using the tip of a torch-lit sconce to light it. He leaned against the wall of cold stone, and looked out at the warming light as it crept over the castle and grounds. "What is in store for us today?" he muttered as he inhaled, paused, exhaled, and repeated over and over. He blew the smoke out of the window, making an effort to be sly, even though half of the 6th and 7th years smoked. He didn't feel like getting busted and being the house Scapegoat. This was an enjoyable moment of zen before the noise of the day, both inside and outside of his head began.

Snape recited what he hoped would be a calming, numbing mantra. It did nothing except make his headache worse. He idly tried to pinpoint the cause precisely, trying to think which would be the best cure... he rounded a corner rather quickly, robes billowing out behind him on the chill morning air. His eyes widened and narrowed in surprise when he saw a familiar figure before him. "Grim."

Jack was lost in thought, then his stomach froze, as he heard his name spoken, and by the last person in the castle he would want to see, or hear it said by. He calmly rubbed the butt of the cigarette on the wall before him, keeping his back to the looming figure he was sure was closing on him. Once it was snuffed out, he slipped it into his mouth, and forced it down with a wince and a dry swallow before slowly turning around. It was Snape. He looked like Hell, worse than usual if that was conceivable. "Professor...." he said in a soft, neutral tone. "Good morning." he said as he crossed his arms over his chest, and leaned back against the wall, regarding him from under his long fringe.

A miasma of smells greeted Snape in the corridor, attacking his sinuses mercilessly. His lip curled in response to the assault and his stride shortened, not realyl wanting to go through that cloud just yet. "Up early," was all he managed to think through the haze.

Jack rolled his eyes, looking around the hall, and sighed as he noted that Snape stood between him and the showers. Terrific. "Early? I suppose so Professor. I am not one to want to be tardy to my classes. Plus... cleanliness is important to me." he mused, lifting his left hand to gaze at his fingernails, checking for dirt.

Snape dragged his feet a little, steeling himself for something. He consoled himself with the thought it couldn't be worse than thirty or so first years running through his wards to leave his class, but he couldn't quite make himself believe it. "Well, it is nice to see you at least take some things to heart, Grim."

Jack looked over at Snape watching him move slowly closer, and he was glad his hands were inside his robe, where his wand was, just in case.

Snape's head was one morass of pain, and he struggled to see past the flashes that played in front of his eyes. He'd been meaning to talk with Grim and then not, and then planning on-- and now, here he was, standing in the corridor. Before he lost his nerve, then. "Grim..." but he didn't know what it was he wanted to say. The name floated about in his mind, that and-- his thoughts cleared a little as the colours of scent stood out in marked relief, seperating into a fine cloth, and not a muggy cloud. He was aware he was stood too close, he was aware he should be saying something now. Heavily dilated eyes blinked, once. He was aware.

Jack stood there, staring up slightly at Snape. He was not right, staring into space, just, standing there. This made him nervous. He decided to slip past the dazed man, pitying him the whole time and get into the shower. He was sure he smelled quite fragrant right now. "See you later Professor," he said barely above a whisper, and attempted to move past the tall black monolith.

"Not so fast," Snape said, listening to some other voice say this, some other tongue that wasn't his, thick in his mouth which was currently hypersensitive. He watched, but didn't quite manage to be horrified as his hand shot out, brushing past Jack's chest (oh god, why did it burn?) and leaned on the wall, barring his exit. Snape's breath thundered deafeningly loud in his ears, and he wanted to drown it out. Jack's whisper, too, seemed amplified and echoed about in his head. He loomed, not wanting him to leave, but damned if he knew what he was doing.

Jack made a noise of surprise as Snape reached out and blocked his path. His heart immediately began to pound faster, and he regarded Snape with an icy stare. He bit his tongue for the time being, sensing that things were BEYOND tense with Snape right now. Instead, he sighed loudly, sullenly, and looked down at the ground. He noted how frighteningly polished Snape's pointed black shoes were, he could almost see his reflection in them.

Snape blinked again, slowly, and idly wondered at how hard it was to keep his eyes open. Speaking of, Jack's eyes were downcast, and Snape didn't like that. He needed to see him looking back, to see what was in those slate-grey depths... with his other hand, he nudged Jack's chin up, lowering his head a little to be closer still, focussing on the only image that wasn't double hereabouts, breathing through his slightly parted lips to avoid taking in that smell too deeply...

The expression that rose with Jack's chin was one of thinly veiled disgust, and hate. His eyes narrowed, and he regarded his once again captor with a cold expression. "What is it Snape?" he growled low. His patience was gone, he was in no mood for games now that his blissful morning had been destroyed.

Snape's voice started in a deep rumble somewhere in his chest, and whatever it was was not his normal voice. Though his hand stopped keeping contact with Jack's face, it hovered nearby and threatened a repeat performance (and them some) if he didn't keep looking up. Amusement and recognition lit his fractured features as he recognised the response he had provoked. Good. "I don't know what it is you think you know," he said, lazily dismissive, "But I would tell you that it won't help. Won't help at all." Eyes closed, expression distant. A sobering thought. "You... are beyond help." No pity, no emotion, just a fact.

Jack canted his head slightly to the side. His expression became a sneer, he was fed up with this sick old bastard, since way back when. "Well look who's talking..." he hissed, confidence soaring, perhaps foolishly. "I hear YOU are the one with the Tattoo to be ashamed of...." he growled. "I think that if things continue on as they are.... you are the one who is beyond help, or redemption...." he sneered, then ducked under Snape's arm and moved toward the showers.

Snape's mind worked on pure instinct as he turned and grabbed Jack's trailing, left arm and fastened his pale, but spider-web strong hand tight on it. He dragged Jack back until he was pressed against his chest but didn't release his grip on that wrist, tight enough to hurt. He pulled back Jack's sleeve with his right hand, left one clutching the wrist and running parallel to it. "Yes, I have a tattoo," he hissed, then his voice changed to a grotesque parody of friendliness, dripping with saccharine sweetness, right into his ear. "Do you want to see it? I'm sure it won't HURT you... Did you think it was all they gave me? Hm?" He ran his thumb over the place where he knew in a few days could be a mirror to his own, indelible mark. Then he stepped back, and shoved hard at Jack on the shoulderblades, sending him flying. "You assume I want to be redeemed."

Jack gulped and was not expecting the grab by Snape, and his eyes went wide as he was dragged back and held close, too close to him. He shuddered as he slid his robe arm up, baring his arm. The sensation of Snape's fingers on his skin was painful, like when you have a fever and are touched. "Let go of me you twisted fuck!" he growled and struggled, then Snape whispered in his ear, a truth he had known all along in his heart, but to hear it so intimately in his ear made him break out in a cold sweat, and nauseous. When he was shoved, he went flying into the wall of the narrow corridor with a "smack" his right shoulder hitting first. Jack gripped at his aching shoulder and turned to glare at Snape. "I NEVER thought you were redeemed... A leopard can't change it's spots Snape. You are still as much Voldemort's bitch as you ever were..." he spat.

Snape's eyes lit up somewhere, deep in their depths, at having these words spoken to him aloud. If something died inside, he didn't know or care, making an elaborate show of each. Step. He. Made. Closer. "Maybe a leopard can't, but a snake can shed its skin and grow anew..." he cocked his head to one side, the action sending his hair into his eyes--- along with a stir of memory, but this time he didn't bother fighting it. "THE bitch, I think you'll find," he reached out and twisted a white strand from Jack's fringe about his finger, comparing the two pale aspects and wondering which was more deathly a moment. He grinned, ferally. "And doesn't he know it."

Jack made a snarling sound and with an animal fast move, slapped Snape's hand away from his hair in disgust. He winced as the cost him several strands of hair that were left entwined betweeen Snape's cadaverously cold fingers. "Don't.... ever.... touch.... me...." he growled with a deadly return stare, and a tense pause between each word. "I will go to Dumbledore about you...." he added. "I will go OUTSIDE of these walls about you, Professor..." he said, lacing the title with a false respectful tone.

Snape laughed. "Tell Albus! Go, tell it on the mountains! Scream it for everyone to hear... AGAIN. It didn't do you much good last time." He audibly smacked his now-free hand to his mouth in mock-disgust. Suddenly his speech-pattern altered dramatically to mimick that of Albus; "My dear boy," he said, consolingly, eyes following suit in an entirely believable (from an external spectator's point of view) facade. His shoulders drooped a little, as if carrying a heavy burden, and his hands spread wide and open in a placating gesture. "I'm so sorry, you didn't know..."

Jack's hate filled gaze never changed, he wanted nothing more that to draw his wand and send Snape into the full realm of pain, but, he couldn't. Something inside was, preventing him from ATTACKING him. "Didn't know WHAT?" he hissed, stepping up back closer to Snape, forgetting he was physically younger, and less muscled than the Potion's Master. "I know all I need to know about you.... I know what everyone knows about you." he pressed. "Lapdog."

Jack's hate filled gaze never changed, he wanted nothing more that to draw his wand and send Snape into the full realm of pain, but, he couldn't. Something inside was, preventing him from ATTACKING him. "Didn't know WHAT?" he hissed, stepping up back closer to Snape, forgetting he was physically younger, and less muscled than the Potion's Master. "I know all I need to know about you.... I know what everyone knows about you." he pressed. "Lapdog."

Snape didn't seem to think the title was an insult, preening visibly, his shoulders broadened proudly and he smiled down, knowingly. "You are wrong, Grim. You don't know everything everyone knows. Not even the tip of the iceberg." He leaned forwards, his slightly larger frame curving ever so slightly as Jack for once, breached HIS personal space. His feet didn't move an inch. More like something fluid, accepting the intrusion that something shattering upon impact. "But then, I don't think you have the CAPACITY to understand, or appreciate, the finer, more subtle intrigues in this world." A pause. "Superficial."

Jack's reply was silent for the most part, but spoke volumes. He spat a gob at Snape, it struck him just above his right eye, landing in his hair mostly due to the fact it was hanging down over his sallow face. "Filthy Death Eater." he hissed, "It's YOU that should be dead and not all the good people your kind killed." he growled, then anticipating a grab, or strike, took a long retreating step backwards, one pace's worth of headstart, then turned, and ran, heading for the turn in the hallway to provide cover.

Snape didn't move, laughing inwardly he let the spittle run down his face without attempting to wipe it off. Chase? Why bother; he knew the worst of Jack's antagonisers wasn't himself, not by a long shot. How long was it until Voldemort was supposed to be here? He idly wondered if Albus would be back in time to say goodbye. Goodbye? He knew for a fact he wouldn't stay here even if he could do. Albus wasn't going to chain him up any longer.

Jack ran until he was passed the showers and into an alcove just big enought for him to hide in behind a suit of armour. He hid, trying to silence his breathing and pounding heart to see if he was being followed. He listened. For hours it seemed. Nothing. Snape did not pursue. He didn't need to. Jack's mind would continue the torture for Snape, he didn't need too. He sat there for a long time, until the sounds of the house waking up reached his ears, and he crept down, and headed for the showers.

2002-08-16 07:37:00,

Well.... that sucked....,"Well, the events of last night were certainly unexpected and pleasant. OK, maybe NOT unexpected... I DID try to get Draco and myself drunk and things... progressed from there. To put it bluntly, he was amazing.

Once he hit his groove, he was a shag to scream about. The right mix of bad, and tender. Rough and soft. He climbed on me needing little encouragement after all the mead we shared and a snog or two and... he fucked me silly.

We passed out in each other's arms, and things were bliss until... I ran into Snape this morning.

He is now more scary than I recall him ever being. He has fully gone back to Voldemort. I can see it in his eyes, I can SMELL the death on him. It wasn't so much in what he said, and threatened me with, it was how he reacted to what I said to him, and what he left unsaid.

He means to hand me and Draco over to his Master next week and he counts on Dumbledore being out of town for the timing. Harry never came up in the conversation, thank God for that. It could be Voldemort is recruiting students, like us, to do what he and the adults have NOT been able to do before. Kill Harry. Perfect plan don't you think?

I am watching Draco, still sleeping like a babe in my bed. I hate to wake him, but he needs to know this. He needs to know what has happened now.

As ever.

2002-08-16 22:46:00,
A blissfully quiet day.

It was a nice change of pace. I had no classes, not that I could have done anything anyway after this morning. I saw Harry and his gang off and on. They seemed well enough. At dinner, Hermione was chirping about getting an owl from someone named Krum.

Ron seemed surly as a result. Trouble in paradise city....

Draco and I hung close again today. I suppose it's only a matter of time before that gets noticed and the "lovers" rumors start. Would I care if they did? I mean, it IS the truth now...

It would not bother me. But it would be devastating for Draco if his father got word, and it was proved to be TRUE.

Regardless, he insisted I stay with him in his dorm tonight. He is laying next to me now, naked under the covers and his hands are doing their best to distract me from this journal. They are so soft, yet, touch so deep. I suppose it's time to cast a Silence spell on his bed, and put this journal away until tomorrow.

As ever."

2002-08-17 09:46:00,
Morning light,

I did a bit of a lie-in today. No need to get up. It is Saturday, and there are no classes, and no future that looks bright an inviting from where I stand.

The curtains are pulled open now on Draco's bed and he is in the loo while I am writing this. We shared another night of desperate passion. I wonder if this will continue until we are both... destroyed by Voldemort or other forces.

It strikes me to be like the soldiers that have at their women before going off to war. Leave the seed of the family line behind in case they are slain in battle. But, what legacy are Draco and I leaving behind for posterity save for wads in each others sterile bowels?

What will become of this torrid affair IF we are not destroyed and sent to Hell? I cannot say, and I do not want to venture to guess.

I suppose I will go to Hogsmeade today, I need the break from these oppressive walls again. I have turned Draco onto the taste of mead, so I am sure he will play a part in helping me purchase, shrink, and smuggle a fair supply back to our dorms. I have to laugh. I have corrupted a Malfoy. He is returning now. Shower time for the both of us, we reek like rut and semen.

As ever.

2002-08-17 00:43:00,
Again we unite...

AN IC Post with Draco and Jack Rated NC=17 for Slash.

Jack set aside his journal, and had barely put the quill down before Draco had whispered both "Quietus, and Lubricatus" to silence the area in his shrouded bed and to make ready for... other things. Jack slid down under the covers on his back and looked over at Draco with sleepy eyes. "Is this our folly in the face of imminent destruction?" he asked quietly.

Grinning as that journal was finally put away..and soon joined under those covers by the other. Sneaking up silently and laying suckling kisses at the base of his neck, purring all the while. Hands wrapping around Jack's waist and pulling him closer yet. "Perhaps..whatever it may be, sure as hell beats the throes of reality." There couldn't be more honesty in those words if he tried. Right now, Draco preferred this reality, to the one the school and his family provided. Both being more then he could handle.

Jack nodded and sighed as Draco pulled him closer. He closed his eyes, and blocked out the events of earlier that morning and concentrated on the now. "Yes... Just make me forget everything but what is happening now Draco..." he purred. "I want it.... again."

Giving a soft nod in agreement. "Just so long as you do the same thing." Softly biting down upon that collarbone, before licking away the small marks. One leg coming to intertwine with one of Jack's. Slightly rising up, looking down on the other with a soft smile, leaning over for gentle and delectable kisses. Mostly in the vicinity of those lips. They were so sweet, something that was quite hard to give up.

Jack arched his back, and turned his head, almost painful at this angle to return the kisses Draco offered as his hands roamed over his body. He pressed back against the slim blonde, feeling eager flesh resting against his flank, and the butterfly soft touches that ensued drove him to ready arousal as well.

Draco snickered softly before continuing with those kisses. Kisses that were becoming more and more intense by the minute. Shifting slightly where he laid, but only to make it easier to capture Jack's lips with his own, biting tenderly down upon that bottom lip. Eyes slightly open to enjoy looking down upon that visage. Fingers never letting up off of that body, instead daring to go lower then previous. That leg which was placed between the other's, rubbing slowly against Jack's groin in much anticipation.

Jack moaned louder now, fingers, hands and legs were rubbing him in all the right places. "Draco..." he muttered when for just the briefest of moments Draco's lips left his and bite down on his throat, causing him to shudder and his cock to twitch. "God... you do that.... so well..." he moaned. Jack slid his hands over Draco's slim hips, then down to capture the soft round of his backside in his hands. He dug his fingertips in hard, clenching down on the pale flesh to leave halfmoon nail marks.

Draco lapped at that neck, eyes tilting up towards the other, largely enjoying the reactions that passed over Jack's face. To imagine, all in hue of his actions. It was a delightful sensation. Lips parted slightly from the hollow of his neck, replying to his soft murrmuring. "I have to be the best..after all. This is no different. Plus.." Delivering more kisses to that skin. "I'd hate to let you down.." Grinning before biting quite harshly into that skin, drawing just a bit of blood and suckling on it.

Jack was beyond moans at this point, and cried out as Draco put fang to skin, and bit him. "OH God...." he whispered, then as if to share the experience with Draco, he slid his left hand over to the valley between his rump cheeks and muttered "Lubricatus" before slowly sliding his two middle fingers into his backside. He met with initial tension and resistance, but pressed harder until he was two knuckles deep, then began to slowly finger fuck the boys tight opening.

Draco moaned quite loudly as those fingers were pressed in, squirming slightly to push those fingers deeper yet. Back arching just slightly. Teeth seperated from that skin for a moment, eyes closing tightly and fingers gripping exceedingly tight against that stomach, causing perhaps too much pain then intended, but something told him..the other far from cared. He purred against that chest, bites had ventured from that collarbone..and to a nipple. Biting deliciously at it, accompanied by suckling and elaborate licks.

Jack paused in his ministrations for a moment as Draco applied his tongue to him. It was suddenly too much, too soft and he wanted it another way. Now. Jack moved onto his back and gripping Draco's head gently in his hands and guided him down ward, under the covers. He smiled, that was all the direction Draco needed, and he sighed as Dracos' hand first gripped his shaft, then the warm and flickering of his tongue covered him. "Yeah.... oh yeah..." he sighed, hips rising slightly up and down as Draco took him fully into his mouth and began his suckling motions there.

Draco shifted his position slightly, until he was laying prone between Jack's thighs for a better angle of reach and swallow. He used one hand to jerk along Jack's shaft, while his off hand snaked down to pull along his own throbbing length. The dark forbiddenness of this taboo act he was doing and the sensations he was giving and receiving caused him to moan as he went down on Jack.

Jack moved his hands to tangle in Draco's silky hair and he sighed aloud, hips continuing a slow motion of up and down as he was serviced. When he felt himself drawing close, he suddenly pushed Draco away, and while the blonde was still making noises of surprise, he shifted his position, climbed atop of Malfoy's form and with a pull back of the blonde's hips, mounted him. He bent down over that pale back and nibbled on Draco's shoulder as he gripped his own cock in his left hand, and after finding his intended target gave an eager thrust.

Draco reeled his head back, crying out at the sudden aggressive stance Jack was taking, but he did not fight it. "Oh... Jack... I..." he started to say, but never finished his sentiment in words. Jack was holding on firmly to his hips and with the aid of the earlier spell, he was sinking deeper and deeper into Malfoy with each short and urgent thrust of his hips. Draco cried out again as he was pressed down into the covers by Jack's slightly larger form, and gripped his pillow under his chest as he felt Jack lay more heavily ontop of him, thrusting and grunting near his ear until he had fully sheathed his cock into Draco's backside. Once the path had been made, Jack began to pump himself in and out of Draco with a fast, if greedy pace. He could hear Draco's strained pants beneath him with each thrust, and once he was settled in his rhythm, he slipped his hand down to seek out Malfoy's member, and when he did, he gripped his hand over Draco's and helped with the strokes.

Jack's mouth, when not panting for air, was busy working on a mating mark on the nape of Draco's neck that would last for days when he was done. He growled, jerked and fucked away at his partner with nothing less than savage animal desire. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. He repeated over and over in his mind like a mantra. Each mental saying of the word was time with a hard jab of his body up into Draco's and a pound of his fist down the other boy's shaft. He was lost in the act, the motion of the pleasure he was feeling and only moments later when he heard Draco's wailing as he bit him again, and his cock erupt in spurts of moist heat on his hand did he come back to the now for just a second. His ears focused, and he could hear Draco making a noise between a giggle and a sob as he continued to hitch his hips in his own staggered rhythm as he continued to shoot his seed out onto the cover of the bed.

"Good boy.... my sweet Draco...." he purred in Draco's ear, then gave the lob a sharp bite with his teeth, eliciting another cry from those lips. "Jack! Oh God..." he murmered. When Draco's hand fell away from stroking himself to grip onto the pillow for dear life again, Jack returned both of his hands to those pale hips beneath his, and began to pound against the body beneath him savagely. He was minorly aware of the choked grunts of... pain? Pleasure? Surrender? that were coming from beneath him. With a toss backwards of his head to clear the damp hair before his eyes, he cried out of his own volition as he climaxed, and drove forward into Malfoy a final series of brusing thrusts as he came. "Oh! yes! God! Yes! Take it! Yes!" he chanted with each of his last final thrusts as a punctuation to the sentences, then with a last shudder, collapsed down on to Draco, sweating, panting and for the moment, sated. He opened his eyes minutes later and lapped lazily at the seeping bite mark on Draco's shoulder, and listened to Draco's muffled sounds against his pillow.

2002-08-17 16:20:00,
Afternoon in Hogsmeade,

An IC RP first with Draco and Jack, then continued on by Snape and Jack.

Jack sat slouched down in the booth he and Draco were occupying at the Three Broomsticks. Jack was sipping what was brought to the table as Butterbeer, but had a decidedly darker shade to it now after the wave of his wand. A simple Switching Spell. Butterbeer for Guinness. He was in a sullen mood. He had been most of the day. He looked up at Draco through his fringe, and gave him a wry smile. "How's your drink?"

Head had been resting against his hand, perhaps a tad tired from the last two nights..but definately not complaining in any way. He had taken a sip or two from his drink. Finding it more bitter then that of butterbeer, but also not really caring. Giving a soft shrug he looked back over to Jack. "It's alright." Raising a brow at the wry smile. "A tad bitter, but just fine."

Jack took a long sip of his drink then set the mug down. "So. What shall we do come Monday?" he asked softly. "Any brilliant ideas in that head of yours yet?"

"Hmm..I was trying not to think about it. But since you brought it up, no..not really. What can we do..? We don't even have half the magic that Snape and Voldemort have together." Slightly deadening Voldemort's name..in case anybody overheard. That would get all eyes staring down at them..something he didn't want.

Jack nodded as he thought, and swirled his fingertip around in a pool of condensation on the table. "Well, I DO know a few of the Unforgiveables.... have attempted them with varying degrees of success. How about you?" he asked with a deadpan stare over at Draco again.

Draco was silent for what seemed an eternity. That question didn't go over will him it seemed, as eyes glanced around slightly. As if searching for something else to talk about. "I know them.." Before taking a rather long drink out of that mug, sinking slightly in his seat. Eyes didn't manage to look back up at Jack for awhile. "Father..made sure that I knew them all.." Against his will..of course.

Jack nodded. "Perhaps that will turn out to be a good thing. Unless they disarm us as soon as we get taken or before hand." he grumbled. Always the ray of sunshine and voice of positive thought. He sipped at his beer, and thought again for a long time. "Have you owled your father? Perhaps to ask in a vague way, 'What's going on with you Father?' sort of thing?" he asked with the lift of an eyebrow.

In desperate measures, it was always a good thing to know those spells, but he still dreaded using them. Taking another languid sip of that beer, he licked his lips before looking up. "I owled after I got that letter from my mother..but I haven't gotten anything back. I'm not sure if I want to. What if he does know of this and is simply bragging to his friends?" Raising a brow, it was a good chance..Lucius always loved to be the eye of envy.

Jack let a long sigh escape after a long intake of breath, and then said flatly, "Then you are screwed..." he drank from his beer again, and and glanced around at the room, the population of students was starting to thin out, and then the tide of nighttime regulars would be arriving soon. Jack drummed his hands on the table, then a rough spot under his fingers caught his attention. He flickered a glance down and saw some carving. It was initials, done with a knife of some sorts. MWPP. He stared at the letters, then suddenly a shudder went through him like a chill.

Draco was silent for what seemed an eternity. That question didn't go over will him it seemed, as eyes glanced around slightly. As if searching for something else to talk about. "I know them.." Before taking a rather long drink out of that mug, sinking slightly in his seat. Eyes didn't manage to look back up at Jack for awhile. "Father..made sure that I knew them all.." Against his will..of course.

Jack nodded. "Perhaps that will turn out to be a good thing. Unless they disarm us as soon as we get taken or before hand." he grumbled. Always the ray of sunshine and voice of positive thought. He sipped at his beer, and thought again for a long time. "Have you owled your father? Perhaps to ask in a vague way, 'What's going on with you Father?' sort of thing?" he asked with the lift of an eyebrow.

In desperate measures, it was always a good thing to know those spells, but he still dreaded using them. Taking another languid sip of that beer, he licked his lips before looking up. "I owled after I got that letter from my mother..but I haven't gotten anything back. I'm not sure if I want to. What if he does know of this and is simply bragging to his friends?" Raising a brow, it was a good chance..Lucius always loved to be the eye of envy.

Jack let a long sigh escape after a long intake of breath, and then said flatly, "Then you are screwed..." he drank from his beer again, and and glanced around at the room, the population of students was starting to thin out, and then the tide of nighttime regulars would be arriving soon. Jack drummed his hands on the table, then a rough spot under his fingers caught his attention. He flickered a glance down and saw some carving. It was initials, done with a knife of some sorts. MWPP. He stared at the letters, then suddenly a shudder went through him like a chill.

Frowning at that comment, he looked quickly to the side. "You can probably get away and hide while you still can." As for Draco, he had nowhere to go, no trustful people to help him..and his father would find him without a hitch. It had happened once when he did run away after a rather rough night at home. Lucius had found him only moments after they noticed he was gone.

Jack cleared his throat. "I'm not runnning. I can't. I have to stay and face this." he paused. "I could find you a place to hide if you wanted Draco. Maybe not forever... but for a while..." he said in a low tone, then drained down the rest of his beer.

Eyes stared into the mug, watching drips of that beer trickle down to into the dark liquid. Slightly biting down on his bottom lip, as tempted as he was to take the offer, he knew it might not be best. Because not only would he get severe punishment from his father, he would probably get worse from Voldemort. It was like having a cavity, knowing that waiting would only make it worse instead of getting it taken care of straight away. "As much as I'd like that, I might as well get this done now. It isn't the meeting that scares me, it's the inability to get away from my future."

Jack looked over at Draco, and wished right then he could tell the boy so many things. None of them good or encouraging, so perhaps that was for the best. "All you can do is meet your destiny straight on, and hope the dice roll your way, or you get a sucker's break." he said then paused, and got a crafty smile on his face, "Or.. you make your own break..." he said recalling a fond confounding of the MOM.

A finger ran along the mouth of the mug, listening to Jack in a solemn type of silence. Taking a cautious glance up towards the other. "And which, would you think, is the best to do? Maybe I'm just being horribly pessimistic, but none of them sound exceedingly smart." Perhaps..he was just in one of those dark moods. Yes, definitely one of those dark moods..and no light seemed to shine through to break through it.

Jack shrugged at long last, and pushed his empty mug away from himself. "I don't know if there IS a right plan for this Draco. Except to wait, and see what happens." he forced a weak laugh, "Maybe Harry heard wrong and we are getting all jacked up for nothing..." he said in a voice sorely lacking in conviction of belief in that statement.

Draco went silent for yet another time, coming to rest his head within his arms. Silently sighing to himself. He had lost all interest in that beer..as it didn't provide much comfort, it may get him drunk, but that was severely the wrong way to seek comfort. "Maybe, but I doubt it. I knew this was going to happen sooner or later. Father always talked about it with great pride. Why do you think he insisted I learn all I can about the Dark Arts? It wasn't on a whim mind you."

Jack nodded. "Yes, that was plain for anyone who knows you, knows your families history that you were going to be tapped for the next generation of Death Eaters..." he said morbidly, then slowly leaned forward and looked Draco in the eye. "Look, I will think of something. I always seem to do. Why don't you head back to Hogwarts and I will follow along soon, that way we are not in each other's pockets again. " he smiled, then added. "Don't worry if I come in late."

Draco rose from the table nodding slowly. "Uh yeah. Probably a good idea," he agreed, then turned to go. "I sorta wanted some time alone so I will head out now and see you later back at the Dorm, right?" he said with more than a bit of concern for his new friend in his voice.

Jack looked up at Draco and let a smile escape. "Sure. I will come and kiss you goodnight when I get in." he laughed softly.

Draco had to laugh at that and after giving Jack a half hearted wave, he turned and left the pub. Jack watched him go, and remained sitting right where he was, for some time.

Snape had fled the confines of Hogwarts, finding it an intolerable cage and he, like any animal penned, needed out. He traded the eyes of the students and staff for those of strangers. These didn't scoot past when they saw him-- he had a veneer fuelled by... he didn't know, or care to examine the feeling now, leaving that for later. Now he was in Hogsmeade, though, he didn't know what he wanted to do. Not go straight to the places he usually went, for ingredients, supplies, stores... What point? His eyes flicked about, taking in the streets for the first time in a new light: not to see where he could buy what he wanted, nor to find errant students... Unused senses kicked back in, a little slowly, but surely. He growled. He wasn't exactly comfortable in the village proper, but then again, he didn't think the.. darker aspects would welcome him. A drink, for the road? He saw just the place.

Jack sat alone now in the back of the three broomsticks. He had send Draco on ahead before him. He hadn't wanted to do, but Jack insisted and since he was the apparent Alpha in this pack, he was obeyed. He was on his second altered Butterbeer, and had a few more stops to make before curfew time. That was if he even went back tonight. Something inside of him was dying to run stark raving wild, and he didn't know how much longer he would be able to supress THAT urge.

Snape pushed open the door and walked inside, automatically getting a picture of everything and everyone in his immediate field of vision as he walked forwards with a determined swagger. Why? Why here? Maybe because the students and staff liked to come here, this haven... and to intrude, like this? He contented himself in adopting the role of his usual demeanour, giving him something to concentrate on and allow him control. He slid to the bar, offering a condescending look to the person nearest him as he once-overed him, assessing. He waited whilst the keep readied to serve him, wanting to look at the rest of the room but unwilling to shatter his act.

Jack was not looking up at the door when it opened this particular time, he was looking down at those damn initials carved into the table top. MWPP. He rubbed his fingertip over and over the worn grooves, praying the initial M or the second P would give him guidance and insight he was unable to find on his own.

The barkeep returned, not too hastily, and handed Snape his drink. She smiled gregariously as she handed it over, and looked about to speak. Severus merely placed the correct money in coins down on the bartop and warned her with his eyes. She shut her mouth, blinking rapidly, and hurriedly went on to serve the next customer. That gave him a slow burn of pride to the hasty altar... pyre? He'd set burning. He didn't bother turning, knowing that any of his ex-comrades were unlikely to be here, and his current... ones, were not likely to cause trouble. Nevertheless, he glanced up at the bottles on the wall to get a distorted panoramic view.

Jack continued to look down at the carved letters, and didn't realize the effect they were having on him until the tears ran down his long nose and dropped with a splash on them. He sniffed, and quickly wiped the offending wetness away, then with a toss of his head, looked back up straight ahead and tossed his bangs out of his eyes as he looked around to see if he had been noticed by anyone at all.

Snape curled his long fingers about the cold, slick glass, fighting back a surge of confused thoughts and emotions and memories which the tactile stimulus aroused. He bit his lip. He was in control. He was. He was also self-assured, and alright. He wasn't running away at all. No. He lifted it without further ado and let the cool liquid slide down his throat, concentrating on the slight burn and nothing else. When he eventually opened his eyes again, breathing through his mouth a little and now uncaring who or what found him here, he let his dead eyes look up again into the huge, upturned firewhiskey bottle suspended magically from the wall. His eyes were ready to slide off it, and back down the view the world through the bottom of his pint, when recognition kicked in. He blinked his eyes back into focus and glared at the little reflection, squashed and rounded, but identifiable. A snarl crossed his lips and he threw half his pint down in one go, no longer thinking about how the glass felt beneath his hand, enraged to have his peace and solitude stolen even here. He glared back at the image as if he could kill it with his reflected glare, but something made him stop. The body-language was all wrong. He casually worked his wand to his hand.

Jack only glanced around at those sitting closest to him, and seeing none were paying attention to him, he returned to his misery. He looked down at the table, the carvings and held his face suspended between fingertips of both hands and just stared down at he table until his focus went, and more tears ran down his nose. Dammit! He had forgotten how the damn dark ales affected him. He was lost in meloncholy now, and we be such until he passed out or went to sleep. He sniffed again, louder this time and continued to stare down at the darkening wood, and the spreading seeping stains his tears were making. "Talk to me James... Jesus Christ.... What the Hell am I going to do?" he muttered softly to himself.

Snape paused a second, before he cast the spell, sub-vocalised with an almost imperceptible wave of his wand. Omnivideo, he mouthed, and braced himself as he suddenly saw everything in the room at once. The mouse, scuttling for crumbs in the far corner, the band of locals chatting happily, the canoodling couple muttering sweet nothings in one another's ears. Everything, from every angle. Perspective went out of the window. He fought the initial panic and managed to convince his senses to just give up trying to comprehend this a moment so he could grab as much as he could before it fried his brain. He managed to direct his attention to one table, one occupant of the free house with surprising ease. He mentally zoomed in too fast and had to struggle not to lose the contents of his stomach (liquid only diet, right now) at the sickening view. And there he was, Jack Grim, Slytherin student, thorn in Snape's side and intended next conquest of Voldemort. Crying.

Jack took in a long breath, shuddering, and the one he let out was just as staccato. He sniffed again. Fuck if anyone heard him, though that was unlikely over the din in here, as the evening crowd took over and somewhere music was starting to be played. Woe to anyone that disturbed him in this moment of grief, of self loathing for... so many things, and utter despair at lack of knowing the smart ass answer for once. He continued to mutter to himself. When the silent pleas and prayers went unanswered he thought briefly of the Dark Arts he DID know. Would any of that help?

Snape was struggling. Subvocalising the omnivisus was just making it harder and he hadn't managed to keep his mind for long whilst doing this even when he had schooled and practiced himself in it religiously, like all the other talents now fallen into disuse. He let go of the spell with a simple, quiet, video and downed the rest of his pint blindly, not able to process images right now. He shouted the keep over for a refill, in spite of his self-promise. She promptly, if brusquely, provided it and he slammed the coins down before her, gripping it like a lifeline. Which it was. Grim? Crying? He wondered briefly what it was over; perhaps his own conquest gone wrong, or an argument, or... his mind struggled to provide things he thought might upset a student... failing in class, or a letter from home... He snorted. Yes, one of those was probably right. And satisfying thought it was to see that the boy WASN'T all cock-sure bravado, he couldn't help but be a little disgusted.

When nothing again came to mind as a suitable plan, Jack sat upright, pale eyes now red-rimmed and puffy, the rest of his pale handsome face didn't look much better, and with quick wipe of nose on sleeve, he remedied most of that. He sniffed again, trying to clear his nose of the excess mucus, but that wasnt going to be easy. So with a flip of his Slytherin scarf around his neck, he slid out of the booth, and shoved his hands in his pockets as he prepared to leave the pub. There had to be better, more secluded places to go mental in. He inteneded to find one. He kept his eyes downcast, raising them only as needed to navigate through the growing populace in the pub, and made his way towards the back door of the pub. The main streets of Hogsmeade did not suit his mind right now.

But the more Snape thought about it, the less likely each of his proposed options seemed. He willed them to shut up, to go away and leave him in peace, disturbed by the sudden obsession as he found out he WANTED to know why Jack was crying, what would get through to that otherwise impenetrable brain of his. 'Shut UP' he yelled at himself, not caring if that made him insane or not. Something tried to sothe him by saying at least this was better than morbid thoughts about his past but it wasn't being very persuasive. He tried shouting out the first thing that came to mind to drown it all out, how to prepare the targeted veritaserum, but it wasn't drowning out the cacophony.

Jack reached the alley behind the pub, and it was refreshingly like all the other he had ever had the pleasure of being in, whether it be as boy, man or stray. He leaned against the back wall of the pub, and searched his pockets, a moment, a toss and a flick later and he was inhaling over 300 chemicals that would hopefully kill him some day. He blew the smoke upward, watching it fade as the daylight was starting to do now. "Fuck me... fuck me..." he muttered aloud, but of course no one else was there to hear. He lifted his head from the brick wall of the pub, then let it fall back with a "thud". He blinked. The pain was dull, nothing real, but grounding. He repeated the motion, this time leaning farther forward, for a harder hit when he fell backagainst the stone. "OW.... fuck!' he muttered rubbing the back of his head. This was not going to be an effective form of pain letting. He would have to find another. But after this cigarette of course.

Snape had a reasonable tolerance to alcohol, but he knew from experience that the mugginess that pressed him down, pushed him onto his elbows on the bar, held him pinned, captive, meant that he was overdoing it. But what had he promised himself? He struggled to remember the written vow, words dancing just beyond his reach. Something something fun? Or was it just oblivion? Maybe another drink would help him remember. This time the barmaid stood in front of him and did speak. "Sir, I don't think--" "That's right," he rumbled, looking up without tilting his head, fixing her with intent, hard black eyes. "You don't think." He slammed the coins down again, which caused the patron nearest him to jumpp back and spill his drink. A child started crying in the distance. "Just give it to me."

Jack momentarily finished the cigarette and tossed the butt into a puddle of some foul smelling liquid, and gathering his black robes around him, slouched down and splashed his way along the alleyway to where it ended, then he would decide where to go from there when that point was reached. He didn't much care where he ended up, just as long as he went. He started walking, not really looking up, and when he did, he was beyond the boundries of Hogsmeade, and night had fallen. He was alone. In the dark.</lj-cut>"

2002-08-18 04:33:00,
Home again at last

I am not sure how long I walked last night, but my feet are killing me. I just now made it back into the castle, thank God for the Marauder knowledge I still possess or I would have been sleeping on the steps with the milk bottles.

I am not closer to having a plan or solution to the dilemna at hand. I have no brilliant plans for saving Harry, Draco, or myself in this matter. Owls to Albus have gone unanswered and I can only guess they have been intercepted or he is somehow being detained from returning here. I find both of those possiblilities quite disturbing to say the least.

I snuck into Draco's dorm, to make sure he got back from Hogsmeade all right, but he wasn't in his bed. Odd. He wasn't in my bed either, nor the loo, or any other place I could think of or had the energy to investigate at this time of day.

I'm fading fast here. I need to sleep. The problems at hand will be there later today and tomorrow, I can sleep soundly now knowing THAT at least.

As ever.

2002-08-18 11:35:00,
Sunday morning,

Jack had slept in long past breakfast this morning, too tired to get up, even for food after his night of walking alone along the roads of Hogsmeade.

It was nearly time for lunch and he still wasn't hungry so he had taken to sitting in one of the overstuffed chairs by the fire in the common room, and smoking cigarette after cigarette then tossing the butts into the fire.

He was too tense to eat, too tense even to drink. Smoking was the only thing his body would let him do in his present state of mind. He glanced toward the stairs, and since he was still alone, he took our his journal.

Well, tomorrow is the day. Armadeddon. For me and Draco. I haven't seen him yet today. Poor bastard, he didn't end up in my bed OR his last night that I can tell. If he doesn't show up here soon, I will have a look for him.

God, what if they came for him already? I don't want to even think about that possibility. If they have in fact taken him already, that means I am next.

I wonder where Snape is. I can only wonder at his part in all of this. I KNOW he is selling us out to better his lot amongst those filthy swine. Bastard. If I ever have the chance to kill him. I swear I will.

As ever.

2002-08-18 23:25:00,
Sunday night in the Slytherin Common Room,

An IC RP with Jack and Draco. (Read Prefectgranger''s uJ for the OTHER perspective of this Scene.)

Jack slouched down into the overstuffed chair he occupied by the fire. He looked over at Draco, awaiting his answer to his last question, "Do we run, or do we stay?"

Looking intently into the fire, he slumped in his seat, sighing slightly and giving a shrug. "I...really don't know, my first instinct is to run..but that could be very hazardous to our health." Giving a shaky grin to the other. Before letting the warmth of the flames engulf his thoughts. It took him longer then anticipated to answer, almost a full 5 minutes. He just didn't seem to be listening, except for his own paranoid thoughts. Running..or rather, flying through his mind. Arms pulled up around his legs, then as if finally hearing the other speak up, he looked over. "Hmm?..Mm..oh..I really..don't know..both options..scare me half to death.." His voice more monotone then he intended, but then again..emotion seemed to be void except for fear.

Jack nodded and sighed long. "After what happened to you the other night, I wouldn't fault you for turning tail and running, but like you said, where the fuck would you go?" He didn't like sounding so down, but frankly, there was no 'up' to this situation he could see.

"I feel rather sick.." To be blunt. He felt wrecked, completely torn apart. He had been less then..alive looking then he usually did. His sharp tongue seemed to be snapped off. Bringing up his legs, arms surrounded them and face was completely hidden within the fabric of his robes.

Jack looked over at Draco, and his heart was absolutely breaking. It wasn't fair that he had to go through all this Hell, just because of who his father was... he slipped down from his chair, and went over and knelt on the floor before Draco. He reached a hand up and placed a steadying hand on the boy's shoulder. "Draco...I will be there too.. I won't leave you behind..."

Draco slightly started as that hand was felt on his shoulder, eyes peered from over his arms, down to the other. Eyes cracked some, daring to start another round of sobs up. Which so far, have only been when he was alone, it was a rule not to cry in front of others. He took in a deep breath. Words soft.."I know that, but..I still can't help but feel completely lost."

Jack looked up into those pale icy eyes, now rimmed in red and forced a smile on his face. "I know how you feel, and I will fight for you, and with you Draco. They won't take you.... from here. From ME, without a fight. I know a few tricks, nasty ones, and I will use what I have to get us out of there alive. I promise..."

Even with a promise, even with the comfort, he still had doubts. Now that he knew what Voldemort was capable of..and how much he actually wanted him as a Death Eater. He nodded slowly, unlocking those arms from around his legs only to wipe away at those tears threatening to fall over his cheeks. "I thank you for helping me..because I seriously doubt what I could do..even with my knowledge. Which really isn't that much." Sighing softly.

Jack forced a laugh now, ever the confident prat, even in the face of death, "Hey... we're housemates, mates, pals...." he leaned close to Draco to whisper in his ear, "Lovers..." then he pulled back, "Of course I would stick it out with you, brother...." he said with a weak smile, then leaned forward and pressed his lips to Draco's forehead. "We will get through this..." he hissed. "We will."

A soft smile, the first in awhile, lingered over his lips..except for when in public. Where any emotion was forced just so nobody knew what truly was wrong. He took in a much needed breath, noticing that he had been holding what little breath he did have. Leaning slightly towards the other, after all..the last physical contact he had with another had been filled with the feeling of nothingness.

Jack reached his arms out, and hugged Malfoy close to him, trying to comfort the poor lad. He wished he had someone to hold him at that point and tell him this would all work out. He wasn't sure how, or if that would be the case.

Draco pulled into those arms, for just a bit, forget what would happen. He was doing that a lot, but it seemed to help more then he ever thought it would. Then again, it had always been a way of getting away. Resting chin against shoulder. "Thanks..again. Heh..this seems to happen more often then I expected. To think, I thought we'd just be friends."

Jack laughed softly again, and patted Draco on the back as he held him. "You are a good friend Draco. I consider myself lucky to have gotten to know you in ways I don't think many do." he said softly, then started to laugh at the innuendo implied there. He pulled back and looked Draco in the eye, "Hey, we can't be doing this down here, people will talk, right? How about My room, My mead and we go just... hang out." he grinned.

It felt good to laugh, after all, they do say laughter is good medicine. Pulling back slightly from those arms, he looked back to the other with a soft smile. Giving a nod before straightening that hair out some, after all, it probably looked like a mess. "Sounds good." Starting to stand from that chair, though couldn't move much until Jack moved as well.

Jack scooted back and stood up slowly, he shook his own long hair out of his eyes, and started up the stairs to his dorm room. He turned to look over his shoulder make sure Draco was coming along. "I'll think of something. I always do in these situations..." he said confidently, almost as if he believed it himself. "Come on, mead is a waiting..." he grinned.

Rubbing eyes slightly, he followed along. As if Jack needed to doubt that much. He gave a grin, slightly half hearted. But that was saying a lot, after all, lately that has been hard. Climbing up those stairs, in step to the other. The mead sounded comforting..and sharing it with another was even better. "I know you will."

Jack held the door open to his dorm for Draco, then shut it securely once he had come inside. He followed him to his bed, then closed the curtains once he had climbed up. "I will get the medicine..." he grinned as he went to his truck and pulled out one of the miniature flagons stashed in there. He then tapped it with his wand, "Engorgio" and grinned as it swelled to full size. "Ah... yes... just what the doctor ordered..." he grinned then climbed in beside Draco, and offered it to him. "Guests first..."

Perhaps, drinking your problems wasn't the best way to go, but damn it was effective. Settling back on that bed, propping himself up on an elbow as he watched Jack retrieve the flask, which was soon larger then it had been. Taking the mead without question, protest, or really excitement, he swallowed quite a good bit of it, letting eyes close with a soft murrmur of comfort. He slowly handed it back before leaning back to stare above to nothing in particular.

Jack summoned more pillows, and leaned back on them, patting them as an invitation. "Come on. Lean up." he said, then drank at least as much as Draco had, more than likely more. He finished with a happy sigh, then wiped at his mouth and passed it back to Draco. "Yeah... it doesn't cure what ails you... but it... puts it on hold for a while..." he mused as he settled back into the pillow pile.

Nodding softly as he rested back into those pillow, purring at the comfort.. enjoying it for as long as he could. Eyes closed for a moment, letting his body relax before being nudged by the flagon, taking it happily.. and yet another long drink from it. It did seem to help putting off worries.. if only just awhile. Shifting slightly, leaning a bit against the other. "Wish I had this a month ago." Smirking softly.

Jack laughed and took his turn at the flagon again, and then sighed when he was done. "Well, you have it now, and as long as I am around...." he paused, as if losing his train of thought. This wasn't surprising as he hadn't eaten all day. "And, I always... have mead around..." he finished after a moment, then shoved the flagon back to Draco as he laughed softly, folding his hands on his chest and closing his eyes.

Looking up at Jack for a moment with a snicker before taking another healthy drink of that flagon, purring in the dreamy content that had begun to wash over him. Slightly humming, it was an odd feeling. Slightly making his head buzz as he did so..and in result, giving out a bit of laughter. "So, as long as you're around, I shaln't go a night sober."

Jack laughed at that, then quickly clapped his hand over his mouth to silence himself. He looked over at Draco, still laughing behind his hand, then took the flagon back, drank half of what was left, then gave it back to Draco, "Take the rest man... I am good...." he said sleepily, then laid back onto the pillows and closed his eyes. He was tingling all over, and so so relaxed.

Taking the last swallow of that mead, he was more then content. However, as that drunkeness snuck over him, there were still doubts. There would ALWAYS..be doubts, even with all the comfort provided. With the flagon emptied, he set it aside before curling up into a pillow. Letting out a soft yawn. "Well, at least I'm relaxed tonight. I'm glad for that much..I wonder if I'll ever get to be after this." Muttering slightly to himself, not so much to the other.

Jack made a "uhm hm..." sort of sound, his hands still folded on his chest and reclined on the pillows comfortably.

Fingers ran a pattern over the comforter that they rested above, running fingers over the seams. "Damn my father for his poor choices..." Perhaps..a poetic..depressed drunk? No, it just depended on the situation..and this wasn't that best situation. "If only my mother was stronger too."

Jack almost managed to nod this time, but again, made only a soft sound. He was listening, really, but was quickly losing the battle to stay awake. "Uhm...."

Draco's muttering were more then coherant. Less then clear they were, soft whispers about his family mostly. Shifting once and awhile to gain more comfort, but it was starting to get hard to find. As safe as Jack's dorm was..it didn't seem safe enough. Just like his dorm, it was almost..too out in the open, something that was thoroughly nerving him.

Jack rolled over onto his side, and draped an arm across Draco's chest, he nuzzled against the other, familiar body, and then let out a soft snore in Draco's ear.

Eyes traveled from the bed below him, to Jack. Having finally lost his battle against sleep. It was a strong force..so it would have happened sooner or later. Giving a half smile as he looked upon the other, everybody seemed to find some type of peace in sleep, even the most troubled. Waiting a moment or so, Draco finally stirred from those arms, making sure not to wake..and placing a soft kiss on his cheek before making his way out of the dorms.</lj-cut>"

2002-08-19 04:22:00,
Armageddon Part One...

An IC RP with Snape, Draco, Jack and Voldemort. Rated R for Adult content....

Snape walked slightly ahead of his 'escort', bearing proud and upright despite the greeting he had just had. It had taken a considerable amount of verbal and psychological give-and-take for him to enter like this, but he was damned if he was going to do this any other way. The two figures now behind him, tall and burly, stopped just inside the door. Snape, a few paces ahead, continued a little to demonstrate his autonomy, and then slipped effortlessly into the position of ease, feet slightly parted, hands clasped lightly behind him. He stared front and centre.

Having come upon such great luck, finding the one that had been in hiding for so long in the one classroom that he chose for their meeting, Voldemort sat on his conjured up throne at the front of the many rows of dusty desks, and cradled the little dragon in his arms, very much asleep, and lookling like an innocent angel. He had found the boy in the room already asleep, and merely gingerly plucked him from the floor and laid him in his lap, stroking soothing fingers over his arms and very light caresses in his hair. When he heard the door creak open, he looked up from his daze of watching the child, over towards the black shrouded figure, having been escorted to him at this late hour.

It was only the buried Canine instincts that had roused Jack when his room had been breeched. He heard... steps? Whispers? No, Spells! He had sat up, heart pounding and had had just enough time to hear... "STUPDEFY!" and see a flash before his eyes before going back to sleep. This was a good, soothing feeling, for, asleep is where he WANTED to be right then. He was then easily scooped from his bed, and carried aloft, carefully by his escorts in black hooded robes. He was a prize for Lord Voldemort and to damage the youth would mean punishment, something the Dark Lord excelled in. Jack was spirited away to the very same classroom Draco had taken refuge in. A possibly fatal blunder on his part.

It had been well into the night when Draco had actually. .finally fallen asleep, amidst the rotting desks, the forgotten chalkboard and cobweb covered seats. The light of his wand had extinguished when those iced blue eyes had closed. They would not open against for awhile, for even as he stirred under the touch of one so cold picking him up off of the floor, that provided more warmth then those hands. Sleep had been prolonged without even an utterance. However, peaceful sleep had stopped when craddled upon that lap, instead replaced with disturbing thoughts.

Snape's eyes were dull with pain, half-vanished alcohol and exhaustion. His visage betrayed little to no expression and he didn't avert his gaze; content to watch, and wait. His black robes were looking a little worse for wear, but they were still arranged immaculately behind the creases.

Surprisingly well manicured nails combed through the golden strands, as he spoke in a light whisper to Severus, "I'm so glad you could make it ... " Those crimson eyes, aflame with evil corrupt power, but cold enough to deaded even the warmest of souls. He grinned, watching how unease Severus was under his gaze, and spoke to the Death Eaters which had escorted him in a sharp hiss of parseltongue to make them leave, in a rather big hurry. He returned to that false sense of security once eyes returned to the Potion's Prodigy, and spoke once more, "We have one more joining us this evening ... " Stroking a strand of platinum from Draco's face, fingers ebbing along such soft warm skin, "He should be along ... very shortly."

As if on cue, like a well timed play, the door behind the gathered others opened and a pair of Death Eaters glidded into the room. Jack's unconscious form floated between them in a mockery of the crucified Christ. They passed by Snape, one uttering a curse of words only to the dishonored Death Eater as she passed, then proceeded to advance to before Voldemort, where she and her partner waited in silence for their next instruction.

The Dark Lord's voice washed out into the room and Snape closed his eyes, inclining his head slightly in deference. He didn't ask who was going to be joining them- as if he needed to- and didn't watch as he was brought in, either. The hissing insults by his ear made him blink a little more rapidly, and he spoke then, in a voice designed to be quiet but carry. "So I see, Master."

He waved off the other followers with an impatient wave of a hand, and settled Jack down on the floor with just the use of his hand magic. He muttered an abrupt spell to arouse the boy from his stupor, and looked over at Severus. All at once, the doors behind the raven haired man shut with a loud resonating SLAM, enough to wake Jack, but perhaps not Draco, for the hold on the boys mind that he currently had would keep him from waking until Voldemort desired to do so. "Jack Grim ... transfer student ... 5th year Slytherin ... someone that doesn't seem who they are ... such an intriquing puzzle to me ... what do you think, Severus?"

Jack DID in fact starled from his curled up position on the floor before the throne, and as if no time had passed from the last time he awoke to find unfriendly figures nearby, he was WIDE awake. He scrambled to his feet, eyes wide then froze, his heart skipping a beat at the horrible tableau that met his eyes. A thousand words came to his lips that he wanted to utter, but only one thing kept that back. Harry was not here... He quickly purged his mind of thoughts of his Godson and instead turned a baleful gaze upon Snape.

Snape unconsciously licked his tongue over the roof of his mouth, mentally shuddering at the taste there. His eyes slunk in the direction of movement, for a moment, but he figured that with Voldemort referring to him at this point, it would be expected, permissible, or at the least understandable. Depending upon Voldemort's current mood. "I think that many things are not what they seem," he said. "But that most keep it better hidden." He looked back at the seated man, knowing that he had- of course- hit upon something Snape had suspected from day one.

A dark curl of his lips suggested the Snake God was grinning, and eyes once more returned to the prize within his arms, "Very interesting ... " Eyes hungrily ate up the tender sleeping boy's features, and leaned in closer, feeling that warm breath escape half way parted lips to warm up his cold reptilian cheeks. Eyes slowly fluttered closed, nuzzling the young boy's cheek, purring - or perhaps hissing - comfortingly, he dropped his lips to cover Draco's in a kiss to break the spell which enchanted him. Allowing the child to wake, he was prepared for what sort of struggling may come about after such a traumatic experience.

Jack stood where he had come to his feet, hands clenched into tight fists at his side. He wanted to slyly move to see it he had his wand, but was betting that he had been disarmed while knocked out. He continued to stand there, and glare at Snape. Hate was boiling up in his gut towards this man unlike anything he had ever felt before, then the actions Voldemort was making on Draco caught his eyes and nearly turned him violently ill. Again he held his tongue for now. Thinking.

Being woken from a less then stellar dream, eyes opening, catching their first glance of the one holding him. It was, to say the least, the worse nightmare turned reality he has ever had. Still a tad out of it from the night before, but coming to see the one above him quickly woke him up. Making a much louder gasp then intended as he froze for a moment within those arms. But he wasn't immobile for long, sitting up to the best of his ability..and arms pushing at the form. Definately the last person he wanted to wake up, entangled in those cold arms.

Watching Voldemort toy with Draco- even if he didn't particularly like the boy, or his family- was too much for Snape to deal with right now. He clamped down HARD at anything that threatened to make him think about what was happening and searched for either some happier memory or to divorce himself from reality and deny any of this was happening. He wasn't sure which was hardest. And Grim was staring at him, burning a hole into his head as he tried desperately to ignore him... He turned and shoved at him, an excuse to turn away, hissing, "No one gave you permission to rise!"

But Voldemort's hold on the boy was hardly going to waver from just a simple push, and the obvious dislike of the position the child was in. A hand came to rest against the back of the boy's head, and an instant soothing sensation filled his body, relaxing him almost back to his sleeping state. He looked over at Severus, and a most dread grin stretched over his features. He pulled out his wand from within his robes, and placed the wand tip to the boy's left forearm, and dragged the tip from inner elbow, to wrist, cutting open the sleeve he was wearing, and exposing that pale flesh, "Now, Draco ... this may ... hurt ... " He wasn't going to take 'no' for an answer. There was no say when the Dark Lord chose you ... you had no control over it from the moment he decided. And even a boy such as the famed Draco Malfoy was no match against overbearing evil powers. The wand tip began to glow red hot ... and Severus's arm ... began to burn ... the Dark Mark warming and seering the skin beneath his robes.

Jack was shunted back a bit by Snape's push, but he kept his feet, and attitude. "NO one gave you permission to live!! Don't you bloody TOUCH me!" he growled at Snape, ignoring all others in the room at that moment, his hate and anger had a singular focus.

Snape screamed in agony and rage despite himself, determined not to watch what he knew Draco was having done to him, and shoved Jack with his other arm, not wanting to hurt alone, nor have the other standing... blood thundered in his ears as his momentum carried him forwards to the wall, sinking against it gratefully, pressing his burning arm against the chill in attempt to bleed some of the heat from it.

Eyes closed for a moment, feeling that warmth seep through his body. Groaning slightly under such a groggy feeling, eyes falling half way shut. Despite the relaxation, his heart dared not slow down, the site of that wand drawing closer to his arm was far from a dream. Eyes widen, even when they didn't want to and he squirmed under the wand tip. Desperation flooding his mind along with a slight cry of protest, anger, fear, and hopelessness lingered within his mind, his other hand coming up to try and push that wand arm away, even after knowing the punishment for even TRYING.. but anything went right about now.

Jack was turned slightly to the side, so when Snape shoved him again, he wasn't properly braced to resist the attack. He fell sideways, and got tangled in his own feet as he tried to not fall, but did anyway, landing on the stone floor at Voldemort's feet. He froze, looking up at the Dark Lord with nothing short of petrified fear in his pale eyes.

He looked down at the boy with a venomus stare, distracted by the very site of the one at his feet, That wand tip stopped it's fierce glow, as he pointed his wand to the boy sprawled on the floor. He truly hated distractions, there was nothing more maddening than a distraction, especially when performing such an important event. He hissed, a pain in his mind making the Dark Lord cringe. Another distraction, something that has gotten Voldemort more worried than before. He muttered a word, "Nagini ... " And his anger boiled. Something has happened to her. And he is not happy about it. And so, his anger is taken out on the ones before the tip of his wand. Bellowing the incantation, "CRUCIO!"

Snape pressed up against the wall, his back arching as he tried to writhe free of the invisible torments finding his old aches and bringing them alive. He made a lost noise, swallowed by the room, as his knees slowly gave, sliding him along the smooth surface to lie crumpled in a boneless pile at the bottom, shuddering as he heard the Cruciatus Curse bellowed behind him, but with no energy left to curl up.

Jack let out a scream as he was hit by the spell that one would think could be heard in Hogsmeade. His back arched, nerves on fire and he flopped around on the stone floor like a fish. "No!!! God Noo!!! Please!!!" he cried out until he was unable to breath, the pain shutting down his ability to take in air.

Things were happening far too fast, but everything seemed to be completely clear despite the chaos. He watched that wand tip shifting from him, towards Jack. Eyes widened slightly as that spell was yelled out and the screams that filled the air after. Voldemort was for the moment, distracted from Draco..which allowed for him to act with more freedom then before. Bringing a leg up, that wand hand was kicked. It may dislodge the wand, but if it didn't, it would at least cause that arm to shift, or Voldemor'ts concentration to fail.

The ear piercing screams that filled the room were loud enough to cause Voldemort to panic slightly. Someone could have easily heard that scream. And secondly, he was worried about his precious Nagini. The aura that Wormtail had done something to upset her was a major play in the reason why he felt the need to leave so quickly. But just because of Draco's foolishness, he harshly shoved the boy out of his lap, his wand arm being kicked, but that death grip on his wand not faltering as he stood, glaring at them all ... yet Draco being the only conscious figure abouts. He growled, and hissed menacingly at him, "I'll be back!" Those were the last words given, before the Lord dissapeared in a sharp crack, like lightning.

Jack was aware of one thing and one thing only. Pain. White hot pain was shooting through every nerve of his body. He had heard a scream, but wasn't sure if it was his or not, then he couldn't breathe. The pain went on, and on, then the white became grey, then black, then cold nothingness. His body stopped moving. The spell had ceased, Voldemort had fled, and Jack lay still on the ground.

The silence after the screams, was worse then the screams itself. Draco slowly stood after being pushed from that lap. Softly rubbing as his wrist as he had landed on it wrong, eyes were wide and heart was beating far too fast for it's own good. Eyes were staring straight ahead where the Dark Lord had been..but no longer was. He finally looked around, finding him the only one currently standing..and awake. Between having to go to Snape..and Jack, Jack was the first one Draco went to. Leaning down by his unconscious side, taking in a deep breath, he laid over his chest. First trying to wake him (if that were the case, which Draco hoped it was) by calling his name in an urgent matter.

Snape remained crouched, in a heap by the wall where he had fallen at the start of the Cruciatus curse being cast. He was making the softest of sounds, somewhere between a wheezing for air, and a whimper. His best defense at this point was to not move to not direct that unholy anger at him. Shoving Jack into Voldmort had succeeded in that, but now... there was... Silence?

Jack was laying supine, his eyes closed and his face relaxed from the grimace of apin he ahd been seconds before. His face was pale, and he was not moving, not at all.

Draco cursed inwardly, for everything happening at this very moment. While he was trying to stay calm for the sake of his sanity, and the safety of Jack, it was becomign harder as Jack failed to move. Leaning closer, still trying to wake him verbally, but seeing that didn't help. The next thing he tested was for the simple fact if he was breathing. Ear to lips, he desperately listened for the faintest breath..even that would set him at some type of ease. He knew it was possible for the Cruciatus Curse to have the ability to kill, after all..it had killed that squirel. Just that thought shifted his panic a bit higher.

Jack remained deathly still. His chest was not rising and falling as it should be with normal or even rushed breathing. He simply lay there still, and growing paler.

Leaning back, he heard nothing to indicate that he was breathing, yes..about now he was thoroughly worried and then some. Looking around, eyes landed on Snape, perhaps the only one that could help out in this situation. Pushing quickly from the floor, he made his way towards the fallen professor. The ironic twist of the night. For the one that was a part of Jack's misfortune, would hopefully be the one to give aid. To be sure, Draco was less then gentle about waking the teacher up. Growling slightly, greatly in anger and resent for the other. "Wake UP. NOW! For once, make yourself USEFUL." Hissing violently as he shook the fallen one.

With Voldemort gone, at least for the minute, the pain radiating up and down Snape's arm subsided, but he wasn't too sure if it meant what he thought. Then hands gripped him, shaking him in none too careful a fashion. Resigned, he rolled over and batted feebly with his unhampered arm, tired of being beaten down only to be dragged back up again. But when he looked up, the pale grey and platinum-bright colours which greeted his eyes were not the ones he was expecting. For a minute, he wondered had he gone back in time, or finally flipped for real? But then he blinked enough and the word 'Draco' made it into his mind and onto his lips.

As Draco continued to try and pull Snape from his weakened state, the more his hatred built. The more he wanted to severly hurt the other.. especially in this state of mind and body. Hissing abrasively at the other, he felt frustration gather as the other did nothing but utter his name. "Stop being a dead weight and get your sorry ass UP. For fucking once, I need your blasted help and I swear I'll kill you if you don't!!" Buttons had been thoroughly pushed, and his voice was far from a whisper. Fingers curled about that robe, trying to pull him up from the floor.. none to gently.

Snape's first reaction was to shrink back from that all-too familiar tone of voice and set of jaw, but recent events and perspective came back into view. His hands, still shaking a little, pushed the other back as he scooted his feet beneath him and stood, somewhat shakily, above the youth. His eyes were still unfocused, pupils dilated, but his voice came over strong enough. "I'd like to see you try..."

Eyes glared at the one coming to tower above him, but very unsure of his stance. If it was possible to spit acid, he currently would be doing so. Words were abrasively barked at the older man. "Don't even fucking try my patience Snape. If I can't physically kill you here and now, there are many other ways to make sure it's done." It was about the same tone of voice that he gave Hermione the night the squirrel died from his hands. "But right now, I need you alive.. Jack isn't breathing.. and I don't have the ability to revive him."

Snape looked about to retort, bristling visibly, when he heard the last statement. His eyes narrowed and he stood up from the wall, lurching in closer to Draco unstably, and growling, "I will deal with you later," he half-walked half-fell forwards through where Draco had been stood. crashing down with an audible smack onto one knee next to the unmoving Jack. "What happened?" Snape asked as he scrutinised him visibly, not risking contact until he knew more.

Jack continued to lie on his back, motionless on the cold stone. His face was deathly pale and there was no sign of life from the young body. His eyes were closed, and he looked to be at rest.

Draco stood his ground, growing more of a backbone in hue of everything going on. Eyes followed Snape's walk and fall towards Jack, soon after, he was kneeling down by Jack as well. He was even paler then before, taking in a stutter breath..and resisting against screaming at the other..for this was all his fault, he resorted to the simple facts. "He was hit with Cruciatus Curse while you were absent minded from the situation. Obviously he couldn't take it.."

Snape ignored the barb, casting his eyes about the room to see what was nearby. His own wand had been confiscated already, and he didn't see anything to hand that could help. No potions, either. he'd have to resort to non-magical methods then. "Check his pulse," Snape ordered brusquely, not trusting his own trembling hands. He leaned over, hovering his cheek above pale lips, staring along the line of his body to see if his chest rose and fell, or if breath ghosted across his face.

Falling into silence, he obeyed for the sake of Jack. Pressing fingers against the jugular of his neck, feeling around for any type of beat...and feeling the faintest glimpse of one. "It's..there, but barely." It was best to stay calm..even if his mind told him otherwise. However, nothing good would come out of him panicking in such a dire situation.

Snape didn't acknowledge the fact, his lips moving silently as he counted seconds past... eventually he quit leaning closer and closer and sat up painfully on his haunches. Two fingers under the chin and two at the base of the skull tilted his head back, straightening his airway. One hand now moved to pinch at the bridge of his nose whilst the other held his jaw open. Wincing at the protest his knees gave at this uncomfortable position he crouched and made his own cold lips form an airtight seal over the almost-blue ones beneath him. Eyes closed, exhale... count... stop, tilt and watching down Jack's torso for signs of independant breathing.

Jack's chest rose and fell, then remained still.

Draco watched silently, feeling rather helpless at this moment. He wouldn't have known what to do.. without a wand at hand. Which he currently misplaced somewhere within the classroom. Eyes flicked from Snape, to Jack.. then back again. Silently whispering hopes for this to work, as primitive as it may be.

Snape lost himself in the monotony of the task to ignore the pain, the position he was in, the situation, the past, the future... Not fully concentrating he started breathing a little too hard, mentally cursing Jack, Draco, Voldemort, Albus and every other soul he could think of into eternal torment. He looked up after each breath, but he wasn't seeing if Jack was breathing or not anymore. Breathe, dammit. Why wasn't he breathing?

Draco was getting a bit more nervous by the second, eyes stared intently towards Jack. Fingers still pressed against his neck, calming his breathing in order to feel for that pulse again..but no matter where those fingers pressed, there wasn't one to be felt. "His pulse.. it isn't there.." Finding it harder to breath on his own side.

Snape pulled up sharply but didn't bother to verify the information, nor say anything to Draco other than a sotto-voce "Fuck." Hands quickly moved to his ribcage, one hand loosening the collar further before he clasped his hands together and began heart massage, before resuming his artificial respiration, now the rhythm adapted to fit the two together. He should have moved back and let Draco take over, but if he hadn't had the sense to do it in the first place he didn't want to trust him with the delicate procedure, even though his head was getting fuzzy. "Breathe, damn you!"

Perhaps..it was something muggle studies should focus more on.. instead of simply mentioning it. After all, magic wasn't always around to help in some situations. This being the perfect example. Cursing himself for not having the sense to know such. And never truly paying much attention in muggle studies to begin with.

2002-08-19 04:35:00,
Armageddon Part Two,

A continuation of an IC RP with Snape, Draco, and Jack Grim.

+++++++++

Sirius opened his eyes, and the sudden silence was soothing to him. He felt calm, rested and strangely at peace. He looked around and found he was laying on small dais of some sort, made of a smooth white stone. As he sat up, he looked down at himself he saw that he was his adult self again, and dressed.... in white wizarding robes. Sirius stood, and looked closer at the robes. They were of the lightest, most white fabric he had seen, and their were irridescent runes embroidered all over them. He lifted up his hand and looked at them, his skin was so bright, almost glowing then, up ahead of him, something caught his eye. Movement.

He walked across the ground, then paused. He looked down. Not only was he barefooted, not in his usual boots, but the ground was white too. Everything was white as a matter of fact, when he looked up again, there were two figures standing before him, also dressed in white flowing wizards robes. Sirius blinked, his mouth fell open slightly, and he rubbed at his eyes. They smiled at him, and he found his voice at last. "James?? Lily??" he cried out, then the smiling woman nodded and stepped forward to embrace him warmly.

The other person, came over to his best friend and hugged him tightly as well. "Sirius..." he said in his ear and held him and his wife closer for several long moments before they let go and Sirius stared at them in amazement. "James, where are we?" he asked, noticing how sound didn't seem to carry at all where they were standing. It was like being in a sound proofed room. A white sound-proofed room. James smiled and placed his hand on Sirius' shoulder. "Where do you think you silly old thing? Can't find it on your map?" he asked with a twinkle of his green eyes.

Sirius blinked and looked between James and Lily, then back to James. "Heaven? We're in Heaven?" he gasped. Lily just smiled and James patted Sirius' shoulder. "We are in Heaven Sirius, you are somewhere between planes of existance. Sirius blinked. "I'm not in Hell, am I?" James laughed, "No Sirius, you ARE in Heaven, Lily and I..." Sirius let out a loud '"whoop" and raised his hands in the air in victory. "Yes! Peace and harmony at last! No more Snape! No more potions! No more of any of that crap!"

"No more Harry... if you don't go back..." Lily said quietly and broke Sirius out of his gangly victory dance. "What?" he asked her, mood changing suddenly. "What do you mean 'No more Harry.'?" he said frowning. James continued for her. "There will be no one to protect him now Sirius. You were the last one. With you gone, it would only be a matter of time before..."

"No...." Sirius whined, looking pleadingly at James, then Lily. "There has to be another, someone? Albus?" Lily shook her head "no" and Sirius felt his gut tighten at her unspoken answer. "Oh God... no... He's not?" "No." said James softly, but Albus won't be around, as long as he would need to be." he said simply.

Sirius' shoulders slumped and he hung his head down, his long black hair, now silky and shiny slipped forward as he stared at the ground.

"It's so hard James.... You don't know what it's like down there for me. Do you KNOW what I am going through?" he asked, with a bit of edge to his voice at the last, then looked up at James. "I am losing my mind... I can't.... I can't do this any longer." he said, lifting his hands up in a plea. "Please.... let me stay...." he said softly. He then looked to Lily, who now looked quite sad, and was looking at the ground. Sirius turned back to James. "You are Harry's God father Sirius. Your job is to raise him, and watch over him now that we are gone. You are the only one to do this job."

Sirius laughed darkly, "Well it would be a Hell of a lot easier if everyone in both worlds didn't think of me as a mass murderer." he sneered. James continued to smile at his best friend. "You can do it Sirius. I know you can, and deep down, you know you can too. Things will change, they always do." Sirius planted his hands on his hips, staring at James. "Yeah, but can you tell me if they will ever get any better or easier?" James just smiled. "Things will change, that is all we can tell you... Time is getting short." Sirius frowned, and looked at Lily, "What do you mean by time is getting short?" he asked.

Lily leaned foreward to place a kiss on Sirius' cheek, then hugged him again. When she was done, she stepped back. Sirius looked at James. "What do you mean by that?"

James laughed softly, then glanced down, as if he could see through the white ground then back to Sirius. "You have to go now Sirius, you have to go back." "Back? What do you mean go BACK?" he growled. James gave his startled friend a hug then stepped back next to Lily. "You are going back to earth now. Severus just saved your life..." he smiled, enjoying the irony. "WHAT?" Sirius gasped, gobsmacked, then suddenly, he felt a pull on his stomach, then a terrible lurching feeling and the sensation of being pulled very quickly from the brightly lit place and down through a long dark tunnel.

+++++++

Jack made a soft gasp, and his body shuddered quite noticably, and he began to breathe on his own again. His breaths were ragged and hoarse coming through his open mouth. He coughed.

Snape was resting his weight on one hand on the further side of Jack's head, just there as he moved down to start another series of chest compressions. The body beneath him moved and he sat back, waiting for the briefest of moments before getting the hand furthest from him, bringing it up and across to lie flat against his cheek. He tucked the other hand up against the still body, before he started to bend the knee furthest from him in an attempt at the recovery position.

Hearing that gasp set Draco at ease, feeling relieved that he was finally breathing instead of laying deathly still. That breathe, which had been held far longer then anticipated, or wanted, was finally let go. Looking up towards Snape. "He'll be alright now?" Thinking inwardly that he better be, or there would be hell to pay in any way possible. He'd see to that.

Jack coughed again as Snape rolled him onto his side towards him and tucked one of his arms across his chest. He moaned softly, and his eyes started to flutter open. "Oohhhhhh....." he breathed out, body now wracked with pain from the Cruciatus Curse.

Snape was already rolling Jack onto his lap, one hand on his hip, the other on his shoulder when he started stirring. He shuffled back as best he could to get from beneath him, watching to see he didn't jolt his neck. One hand moved behind to rub at his back and shoulders and ease his breathing, encouraging him to wake up more and not do himself any damage. His own head was swimming but he threw himself into his task, seeing the goal and nothing else. "Grim.., Grim, listen to me. Don't move yet..." He glanced up to Draco, giving him a stern look, and nodded slowly before looking back down at Jack.

Jack moaned again, and blinked, slowly opening his eyes, and he listened to the voice talking to him soothingly, and the soft strokes upon his back was helping to ease the pain and bring him round. "Where... where am I?" he asked hoarsely, "Where's James?" he blinked.

Snape frowned at the name, but carried on speaking in low, easy tones that came naturally to him. "Hogwarts, Grim. You're in Hogwarts. I want you to stay as still as you can in case you have any injuries we don't know about." He looked over to Draco, barking out sharply, but throwing his voice, so it was carried in his direction, "Why don't you make yourself useful and fetch Madam Pomfrey?"

Glaring slightly at Snape, he repressed snapping back at him. Quickly standing, however, mouth getting slightly the best of him. "This wouldn't be happening if it wasn't for you and your bastard of a master." Before pulling the door open and making a hurried dash for the hospital wing to alert Madam Pomfrey of what had happened. Keeping some of the truth out of it..and just saying Jack is hurt. Of course, she wouldn't ask questions until after.

Jack blinked. Grim? Why was he calling him Grim? It was SNAPE's voice! Calling him Grim? Jack shivered hard then as if his mind had reset itself, it all came slamming back to him. WHO he was supposed to be, and WHERE he was and WHAT had just happened to him, here and... elsewhere. "I... I hurt...." he moaned. "Every where..." he winced, tears forming at the corners of his eyes. "Oh God...." he moaned.

Oh great. Crying students. Snape HATED crying students. He tried, and for the moment failed to think of anything scarier, but his mind drew a blank. "That's because you just underwent the Cruciatus, Grim. I would have been worried if you DIDN'T hurt." Saying the name of the curse, somehow, made it worse. He pulled back and stopped his ministrations, scowling deeply.

Jack shuddered, and just continued to lay there, alive, but in shock. Moments passed, then he spoke hoarsely. "What happened? Where's Draco? Where's... Voldemort?"

The Potions Master looked everywhere but at Jack, but whatever he looked at reminded him of things he'd rather not have thought about. His voice was well-guarded when he replied. "Malfoy went to retrieve assistance. Hopefully." He blinked, stared ahead. It seemed he wasn't going to say anything until he admitted in a quiet, reflexive voice; "And... I do not know."

Jack listened to Snape's answer, and processed the information in his scattered mind. He shivered against the cold stone floor, and moaned again softly. "Why?" he asked hoarsely, "Why did you sell Malfoy and I to Voldemort?"

Being that the hospital ward had been nearly on the other side of the school, it took awhile for Draco to traverse back to the classroom with Madam Pomfrey. But they soon enough arrived, stepping quickly into the classroom..and to the side to allow Madam Pomfrey to get in and tend to Jack, which was almost immediate. Draco, instead, stood back and watched, a couple times giving Snape a less then kind look.

The tip of Snape's tongue darted out to lick his lips, but anything he might have said, or not, was silenced by the arrival of the medi-witch and the student behind her, looking out of breath. Snape fixed Jack with a look before rocking back to sit on his heels and give Pomfrey more room. "Full arrest. Brought back by artificial means." The bare minimum of information she needed relayed with no frills. Snape stood up as she leaned in and he backed off to the relative safety of the wall again, supressing a shudder.

Draco had been staring a hole into the floor, before he was snapped out of it by Madam Pomfrey's voice. "Mr. Malfoy, I want you to go to McGonagall while we take care of Mr. Grim. I can't have you here at the moment." Before she turned back towards Jack. Draco was about to protest, but thought better about it. Sighing with a nod, he obeyed and made his way out and for McGonagall.

Jack moaned softly again, his eyes never leaving Snape's, he fixed him with his own gaze until he was lifted onto a stretcher summoned by Madame Pomfrey, and moved out of the classroom, "Professor Snape, I would like you to accompany me to the Hospital Wing and assist me with this student," she said as she looked down at Jack and stroked the side of his face with her hand.

The teacher looked up from his ruminations, only to feel eyes on him again. Two pairs. But Pomfrey looked away first. He kept his gaze on her, making sure it didn't alter at all, using his peripheral vision to ensure he WAS still being watched, and making himself even more uncomfortable. "Of course," he said, with the slightest incline of his head, moving to stand a pace behind her and out further from the stretcher.</lj-cut>"

2002-08-19 05:46:00,Recuperating...?,"IC Rp with Snape and Jack Grim

The Hospital Wing was empty and dark, but Poppy soon corrected that and had a low, safe-looking glow going before they even got there. She was talking with Jack, keeping his attention as best she could and trying to distract him from the pain. Snape was just behind, not doing anything to help, and knowing he was only here to be kept an eye upon, now that the immediate danger had passed.

Jack was alternating between numbness, mental and physical, and dull bone aching pain. He was vaugely aware of the trip back to the Hospital Wing, and groaned as he was placed in a bed. Poppy drew a screen around him, and after speaking in a soothing tone to him and patting his chest, went to get something from her office. "Professor Snape, please keep an eye on Grim until I return. I need to prepare a special potion."

Snape looked up, giving a rather affecting impersonation of a surly teenager cakked to the Headmaster's office from under his fringe. Which was almost right. He managed a grunt in reply, still hugging the shadows and finding the walls suddenly infentissimly fascinating.

Jack looked slowly over at Snape, and watched him with heavily lidded eyes. His face was passive, and his breathing slow and even now. He licked his lips, and then said hoarsely. "May I have a drink of water?"

Snape treated this interruption into his musings with suitable bad grace and he glid over to a table, soundlessly, He poured a full glass from a heavy pitcher waiting nearby and then moved to the bedside table, placing it down just as heavily as he could without spiling any, before asking, "Anything else?"

Jack watched Snape closely, guaging his every move carefully. "No, thank you." he said softly, then leaned up on one elbow to drink long from the water before laying down with a groan again. He said nothing more as he waited for Madame Pomfrey to return.

When she did, she first set down a tray with an assortment of potions and remedies upon it, then helped Jack to sit up while she glanced over at Snape. "What happened?" she asked him curtly. "I want it all."

Snape had his back to them now, his hands clasped behind his back as if bound, but he kept his head upright, staring out the window at the moon. His voice sounded weary, like an actor who had read his lines so often he no longer knew the words behind the sounds. "Cruciatus, Poppy. And I'd advise you against asking more."

Madame Pomfrey almost dropped the potion she was feeding to Jack, and her mouth dropped open. "Cruciatus?!" she gasped. "Severus, have you gone mad?" she shrieked at him, then when Jack made a gagging noise from the taste of the first potion, she turned back to him and watched him swallow it down reluctantly.

The professor didn't react to her surprise, still keeping his stance steady. "I believe it is what I said, yes." he tilted his head to gaze at the reflection of the moon on the still, deep waters of the lake... lost, a moment. "When is he back?" he asked with no further explanation.

Poppy turned to look at the Potion's Master, her face still tense as she handed another Potion to Jack. Then looked at the stricked boy with a smile before replying to Snape, "Tonight. Professor Dumbledore will be back tonight."

Snape turned and nodded. "I shall wait in your office, unless you have an objection?" He didn't look like he would brook one, a statement rather than a question. He looked down briefly to identify the draughts Jack was being given.

Jack flickered his gaze from the potion he was drinking over to Snape, and let the look say everything he couldn't, then looked away again. Thank God, he thought.

"That will do Professor Snape." Poppy said curtly as she attended to her student. Jack finished his last potion, then sipped at some water, he looked up at Snape as he turned to go, then said softly,

"Thank you Professor, for saving my life...." he said in a clipped tone, then was helped back down to a laying position and tucked in securely by Madame Pomfrey.

Control, control, control. Snape's three Cs. His first footfall, almost arrested by those words, landed a little too heavily. His mouth worked a string of colourful curses which were never given breath. Halted, he nodded, without turning and carried on with a stiff-legged walk into the neighbouring office to await Albus.

Jack watched Snape's black form retreat, but not for long, the potions were doing their job, and he was soon asleep, in a dark, dreamless slumber."

2002-08-19 18:35:00,
Seclusion,

As I sit here, still aching from what was done to me, I am still trying to process what DID happen to Draco, Snape, and myself. I can't.

I was in Heaven, I was there. I saw James. I saw Lily. I can't tell anyone.

I just woke up a while ago, cards and other gifts are here from Draco, and a few of the other Slytherins. I wonder where Snape is. I wonder what that bastard is up to now... I wonder if HE knows what he is doing?

God... I ache all over, and thats just my mind. My body feels like I have been put in a metal press. I haven't seen Dumbledore yet. I am not sure if Snape is still in Madame Pomfrey's office or not. It's dark now, or nearly so. I hear Madame Pomfrey instructing someone to bring me a meal, so I shall close for now.

As Ever.

2002-08-20 09:33:00,
Contemplations,

Well, I didn't back to writing later last night as I had hoped. After supper, I was given another round of potions that promptly put me under for the rest of the night.

I've just had breakfast, and my weekly dose of "Allergy Potion". Madame Pomfrey told me it was send down by Albus, but he hasn't come to see me yet. I can only wonder when he will, and what he will say to me and vice versa.

I am wondering about Snape and his fate after all of this. I hope Albus seals him ina windowless chamber and forgets about him, but that is not likely to happen.

I am so tired, even though I just woke up and have eaten. Mind weary, and bone tired. Harry and Hermione have sent wishes to me, and I take that to mean that they are alright, and were not involved in this latest volley attack of Voldemort's.

I just wish I knew what Snape's motives and loyalties were. Hell, I am beginning to think HE doesn't even know what Master he truly serves.

Ah.... it looks like I have a visitor, Draco is here. It's good to see him looking reasonably well. More later.

As ever.

2002-08-20 10:16:00,
A visitor to the infirm.,

An IC RP with Jack and Draco.

Since having been shooed away early yesterday morning, he had been a little less then calm about things. He had gone to McGonagall as planned.. and strayed as much from the truth as possible. Once McGonagall.. along with Madam Pomfrey had cleared that he was okay to go, he had made his way to his dorm. Really not feeling up to attending classes for the day. Then again, he found that understandable. A couple students dared to stir a conversation with him.. and for the most part, he was willing to give a few words.. but not much. The following day, he figured Madam Pomfrey wouldn't enjoy him visiting..but with enough coaxing..he was allowed a little bit of time to check up on Jack. Pushing through the door, he peered about for the other. Finally locating him, he made his way over. Slightly clearing his throat to announce that he was there.

Jack was sitting up in his bed in the hospital wing, writing in his journal and resting when he noticed Draco coming in, presumeably to visit him. He set the journal aside, and set it on the nightstand, next the empty plate of food, and and empty potion bottle. He gave Draco a weary smile, his eyes overly dilated again, and he patted the bed near his legs. "Hello Malfoy. Well I see?" he asked, voice still sounding hoarse, and tired.

Giving a soft, shaky smile to the other. Lowering himself to the bed and watching the other. "Enough to be expected after being bombarded by enough questions to kill anybody." Laughing softly, though he would more then enjoy avoiding all the questions he had so far been asked. It didn't seem to be happening anytime soon. "And yourself? You look a lot better from yesterday at least." Then again, anybody would look a lot better after what Jack has been through.

Jack folded his hands in his lap and sighed. "I'm tired... worn out. I am not even sure I recall all of what happened to me yesterday. I am not sure I WANT to know. It's all flashes. Pain. Flashes of light and pain." he paused, looking over at his friend. "Are you... OK?" he asked, making a pointing motion with his right hand to the under side of his left arm.

Everything..from the moment he woke up..to the moment Jack woke up was crystal clear.. and a part of him wished he had the absense of memory of the whole ordeal, but it wasn't happening, so, he'd just live with what he had. Eyes downcasted slightly with a gentle smile. "I'm fine, really, I am. Less naive of the possibilities here, but just fine considering." Looking back to the other. "But don't worry about me. I only suffered a small spained wrist."

Jack looked relieved, and slid down farther in the bed, laying down more than sitting up now. "What happened to Snape?" he asked. I remember him coming in here with me yesterday, he was acting... well like Snape. He told Madame Pomfrey that I had been hit by the Cruciatus Curse, and not to ask anything more. It was odd, the way she reacted... She thought HE did it to me." Jack paused. "Did he?"

Draco listened intently, frowning slightly..but only at the thought of Snape. "I'm not sure what happened to Snape. They sent me to McGonagall..and I haven't seen Snape since yesterday." Pausing for a moment, as if silently avoiding the other part of the inquiry. Slowly shaking his head, eyes looked back towards the other. "No, he didn't, Voldemort did...before I kicked him that is." Slightly proud of kicking the Dark Lord..hell..it felt GOOD to kick the Dark Lord.

Jack managed a smile at Draco. "You did well. You fought like a real man it sounds." He paused, sighing in and out a long breath. He looked terribly worn. "I just wish I could have seen more of it Draco." he paused again, then added, "If nothing else, you should be proud of what you did. I know I am proud of you." he smiled, eyelids getting heavier.

Draco was silent for awhile, as proud as he was for some of his actions, he wasn't proud of everything he did. Then again, he probably wouldn't be for quite some time. "Thank you. I just feel like I could have done more. For one, not seeking refuge in that blasted classroom." That was one thing he was severly kicking himself for. Then again, they would have just come to his dorm room to get him..so either way, it didn't matter.

Jack lifted a hand slowly to touch Draco's. "You did more than most would have Draco. And you SURVIVED. You came out alive. We both did, either by skill, or sheer dumb luck, but we did. That's something to be proud of." he said with a smile, then a large yawn caused him to go quiet. "Oh..." he said a moment later. "They are keeping me sedated for some reason. I know they are...." he muttered, feeling the sleepiness coming over him again. "I may fall asleep on your here soon Draco. Thanks for coming by to see me..."

"Being in the right place at the right time I suppose." Giving a soft smile to the other. He felt somewhat better then before. He let out a heavy sigh and nodded slowly. "You're right. Plus, I'm not going to stay alive much longer if I don't have some type of confidence for my actions against him. Heh..if I'm lucky, it'll make him think twice about coming after me." Grinning towards the yawning Jack. Then he nodded only moments after, slowly standing from the bed. "You're welcome..and I'll keep you updated on anything that develops. Otherwise, get some more rest and don't do anything too stressful." Smirking softly.

Jack looked over at Draco, smiling softly at him. "You are a wonderful person Draco, and a good friend." he said, then laughted softly, "But I will still tell everyone what an insufferable prick you are..." he laughed, then rolled onto his side, and yawned again. "I have a feeling I am going to sleep through today again. Look sharp while I am stuck in here, eh?"

Laughing softly himself. "Deal..and I'll keep acting like a prick around others. Otherwise, questions might raise. After all, what would happen if they found out I actually care for the wellbeing of a few. It would be a shock to be sure." Grinning wryly before slowly stepping away, then stopping as Jack spoke up again. "Will do, I don't think I could really do otherwise. Not after yesterday." To be sure, he would watch out for everything. "Take care Jack."

Jack gave Draco a parting smile, and a wink of an eye. "I will, please come to see me tomorrow. Hey, bring me some books to read, that would be great..." he said, then yawned again. Madame Pomfrey had just arrived to collect the empty potions, and dishes and with a patient smile, let Draco know she would be chasing him out. "How are you feeling Mr. Grim?" she asked with a smile. Jack nodded and yawned, then settled down onto his pillow, and closed his eyes. "You'd better go now..." she said to Draco.

Giving a glance to Madam Pomfrey, physically telling him that his visiting time had been used up. "I'll see you tomarrow then, with books of course." Not expecting much of an answer from him, considering he was about to fall asleep at that very second. Looking back to Madame Pomfrey with a nod, not needing much of a push to leave the hospital ward. Giving a look back before opening the door and exiting."

2002-08-21 12:49:00,
Blaise Visits,

An IC RP with Jack and Blaise

Wednesday AM. Hospital Wing. Hogwarts. It is lunch time at Hogwarts, but in the nearly empty Hospital Wing, the lone patient still dozes. Jack's bed was on the far side of the wing, partially obscurred by a folding screen, near a window. The morning sunlight had just started to creep across his face, stirring him from another night of Potion induced, Dreamless Sleep.

Blaise slowly opened the door after finally persuading Madam Pomfrey to let her go in. She noticed Jack laying there she hoped he was awake now. She didn't know what she was going to say to him. She wasn't about to bombard him with a million questions. All she wanted to know was if he was okay. That was all that mattered. Why? She didn't know. After a deep breath she walked over her and whispered, "Jack are you awake?"

Jack made a soft grunting noise, and ran his tongue over his lips before opening those pale grey-blue eyes of his. He blinked, casting a quick glare at the sunshine now hitting him right in the face, then shielded his eyes with his hand. "I am now.... Who's asking?" he asked in a voice still rough with sleep.

Blaise gave a small smile, "Blaise Zabini, I don't know if you know me all that well, I have only been back here for a week." She walked over to the other side of the bed and looked down at him. She wasn't sure what exactly she would say but managed to get something out, " I came to see how you were doing, may I sit down?" She said as she ran her hand through her hair.

Jack gave the girl a lazy smile. He may have been in a potion induced haze for several reasons, but who was he to refuse the company of an attractive girl? Especially since Fellatia had declared him 'persona non grata' after their brief affair. "Well, then, let's do this proper..." he smiled in a rakish way, "I'm the infamous Jack Grim. Confounding to many, infuriating to Snape, and loved by women the world over..." he said offering his hand to her.

Blaise let out a small laugh as she took his hand, "Well Jack Grim, as you know I am Blaise, most girls hate me and and the boys, well, they love me. But that doesn't meaan I care about most of them." She then smiled at him as if she was sizing him up, "And I am debating on if I like you." She smiled as if she was flirting with him.

Jack held her hand tightly in his for a moment before letting it go, and he laughed softly. "So... I am up for inspection and approval, eh?" he chuckled, then that went into a cough. He reached for his goblet of water, and took a long sip before continuing. "So tell me, do the girls hate you and the boys love you because you are like... oh maybe ... Fellatia?" he asked with a wicked glint in his eyes.

Blaise glared at him for a moment, "Don't even compare me to that trash! I am nothing like her! See, girls hate me cause they know I could take their boyfriends away from them. I do what I have to, to get what I want. I don't have to have sex with a guy to get him away from them." Blaise smiled slyly, "But that doesn't mean I won't have sex." Blaise shook her head, "Why the hell am I telling you this!" She didn't know why but she felt she could open up to Jack. Why? She had no clue but she needed to find a way not to let him get to her. She then rubbed her temples, she couldn't believe this. First she let Draco see another side of her and now Jack. She then looked at him, "What about you are you the male verison of Fellatia?"

Jack laughed softly. "Calm down Blaise... I am not making judgements about you, or anyone." he said in a soft, silky tone. "I do my best to take people on their merits, on the experiences I have had with them, not what I hear..." he said, then gave her a wink. "As for MY reputation... Well, I suppose it varies with whom you talk to around here." he grinned, then leaned up on one elbow, and looked Blaise right in the eyes. "Tell, me. What have YOU heard about me?"

Blaise licked her lips, "Actually nothing really other then you were with that white trash. Sorry, but she has been around the block way too much." She then gave a small laugh, "All in all I wanted to find out more about you myself. You are so... nevermind I am not going there." She smiled as she put her hand back on the bed beside him. She then leaned over to him, "So what have you heard about me?" She looked into his eyes and she looked at him like the others with no emotion to see what he would do. She didn't want him reading her facial expressions cause then he might try and figure out what she was thinking.

Jack remained still and neutral faced as well. He found her sultry act amusing. "You wanted to see if I was as ODD as most of the other Slytherin say I am? To see what it is about me that sends Snape into fits? To see if it is true that I like... boys AND girls?" he asked, purposely ignoring her question about her.

Blaise rolled her eyes, "Odd? No, I could careless what those twits say. Most of them couldn't fight their way out of a wet paper bag." She shook her head, "If you like boys and girl more power to you, and sending Snape into fits, well that I have to see for myself. Snape is... Don't even get me started on him." Blaise sat back, "Why do you care what people say about you anyhow? I really don't and if they do piss me off, they don't dare do it again, just ask Pansy."

Jack grinned at Blaise and sipped at his water again before speaking. "What did you do to Pansy?" he asked. "I hear she is a thorn in Draco's side. Draco and I are rather close mates." he grinned.

Blaise looked at Jack, "Pansy is a thorn in my side and Draco's. I hate the stupid girl. The other night I couldn't think of anything to just shut her up. Then it hit me I am sure I will be serving detention for it... Better than having to go to that awful prison for killing the bitch." Blaise then smiled, "Yeah I noticed, me and Draco had a talk Monday night, I have a new respect for him... tell anyone I will kill you." Blaise then bit her lip, "I was actually worried about you two when no one knew where you were... but only you and Draco know that and I would prefer it be kept that way." Blaise looked back at Jack, " I am glad however to know you both are okay, I may seem like a hard ass most the time but I do have a heart." Blaise then got up and started to walk around the room, "Sorry, a habit of mine. I tend to pace when I am nervous." Blaise then walked back and sat down.

Jack smiled at the girl. He could see she was a multifacetted personality. Just like Draco, and himself for that matter. "I think you are alright Blaise." he said softly. "You seem like an alright young lady. You have a temper, but then, don't we all?" he said with his voice trailing off. He blinked slowly then looked over at Blaise. "You have to take care NOT to let it get the best of you... too often. That can be a bad thing. I know." he said softly, glancing out of the window.

Blaise rubbed her neck, "I normally don't usually let people get to me, it is just Pansy is like a zit that won't go away. She NEVER shuts up about Draco she seems to think they will get married." Blaise then laughed at the comparesion and the though of Draco actually marrying Pansy which would never happen. She then smiled, "Yeah, what is really ironic though, I have noticed lately I am quick to judge people, for example Draco." Blaise sighed, "When I was thinking he was a rich daddy's boy, his father's son and all... now I know different. We both are human but have to put on a mask so people don't destroy us. As I told hiim the other day, I respect him, and my respect is very hard to come by." Blaise sighed again, "As for you, I don't really get you. Out of all the people I have known you have to be the most challenging and I like a challenge. But I do like you you seem to be someone I would like to get to know. You are different. There is something about you. I don't know what, but there is something."

Jack smiled at Blaise, "Well, that goes double for me. I would like to get to know you as well. I supposed I do seem odd in a lot of ways. An enigma, wrapped in a puzzle, surrounded by a mystery... to coin an old phrase," he mused, then looked out the window. "I wonder how long they will be keeping me in here. Snape told Pomfrey I was hit by a Crutiatus Curse. It still hurts. Down to my bones." he mused as he continued to stare out the window.

Blaise eyes opened wide and her mouth just about dropped she was in shock didn't know what to say she was worried before, but now she was so beyond that. She then got up and was standing over him and touched his face and turned it so he was looking at her, "The Crutiatus Curse! What? How the Hell did that happen? Wait, I don't know if I even really want to know." She looked at him with concern, she didn't know what to think. She then took another deep breath thinking to herself she couldn't believe what she was about to ask, "Is there anything I can do for you? I can't begin to imagine what you have gone through."

Jack looked up at her, keeping his face calm, and enjoying the soft cool touch of her hand on his face. A million impure thoughts and wicked requests ran through his mind, but in the end, he submitted to the Jack side of his personality, and said, "Just keeping me company, and not asking me a ton of questions is enough. For now." he smiled. "I would REALLY like to sneak out and grab a fag, but I have a feeling Madame Pomfrey would have my hide if I did that." he smiled. "It's a nasty habit I need to try to quit anyway. It will kill me one of these days if someone else doesn't." he mused, then glanced over to the side as Madame Pomfrey approached with a tray of food. "Ah.. lunch arrives..." he smiled, just as his stomach rumbled.

Blaise looked up at Madame Pomfrey knowing she would probably tell her to leave, "Just give me a minute and I will leave for now." she said. Madame Pomfrey nodded and left. Blaise looked at Jack and smiled, "I can handle that, I will come visit with you and all. When you want to have me visit and I am sure I could fit you in." Blaise laughed, "And Jack, you're not odd, you are just you and don't change, it is refreshing to have someone different in this school. Don't worry about me asking questions, that is the last thing I really want to do. If you want me to know you will tell me." Blaise smiled, then kissed Jack on the cheek, "Don't have too much fun, I am going to go now so you can eat your lunch in peace."

Jack smiled at Blaise, blushing the slightest bit when she kissed his cheek, and reached out to give her hand a squeeze with his own. "Thanks Blaise. You take care too. I will look forward to seeing you again soon. Maybe you can come sit by me and Draco at meals when ever they decide to spring me from in here." he grinned. "Anyway.." he said taking his hand back, "Take care." he said glancing over at the tray piled high with food, and potions, and considered both carefully before starting to eat.

Blaise smiled, "I might take you up on that if I can get Pansy to buzz off, You take care too I hope to see you soon, just let me know when you'd like to see me again. I don't want to come when I am not wanted." She smiled, "Until we meet again, Ciao!" Blaise then left wondering what the rest of her day would bring."

2002-08-22 10:02:00,
Paroled,

Well, good news came at last with Madame Pomfrey today. If I am as steady this evening as I am now. I will be released in time for the evening meal. I can't say I will miss this place. The rest has been good for me, but you know as well as I, that confinement does not sit well with me.

I still have not seen or talked to Albus, and Snape from what I have been able to gather is MIA as well. I hope he is torturing the shit out of that sick fuck, but knowing Dumbledore, I doubt it. I DID receive two interesting notes this morning.

The first was a note from Professsor McGonnagal, informing me that I was excused from any further Summer session classes, and attending any before the start of the term would be OPTIONAL to me. This was a pleasant surprise. I get to skip Potions and anything else I like. Charming.

The second was a note that arrived via House Elf from Blaise. She seems eager to meet again, and quite... I don't know... preoccupied with how I and other perceive her. She doesn't strike me as all that bad. She just needs to relax a bit.

Ha! Said the kettle to the pot.

Going to get up and walk around the ward a bit, see if I can sneak a fag, "Accio Marlboros!" and then drop a note back to Blaise.

As ever."

2002-08-22 10:12:00,
ELF NOTE SENT TO BLAISE,

Hello Blaise,

I hope this note finds you well. I am doing better myself, you visit was a nice surprise and a welcome break from the monotony of staying in here. I do hope we get to chat again soon, I have been told I may be let out of here this evening. That will be refreshing. Tell me, has anyone seen or heard from Snape? Just curious. Anyway, thanks again for the visit and the note.

As ever,

Jack Grim

2002-08-22 15:30:00,
Observations, some grim, some worse

It looks like I will indeed be sprung from the Hospital Ward late this afternoon, and I am wondering what I shall do then. It was while sitting here, thinking of nothing that several things came into my mind. I am recalling slowly the events of Monday morning, and I am not happy about most of what I am remembering.

I saved Draco from being branded a Death Eater against his will by falling over my own feet at the base of Voldemort's throne. OK, Snape SHOVED me in that direction. I wonder if he did that as a distraction because he didn't want it to happen? *Boggle* No, I am giving him too much credit. He would love to have Draco, and I am sure myself as Brothers in Death to abuse and command at will. Anyway, I hit the floor in front of Voldemort, he was distracted, but not enough that he couldn't bestow the Cruciatus Curse on me for interrupting Draco's branding.

Ouch. Pain. Glorius pain. It seemed to go on for hours, and singe every nerve in my body. Then it stopped... Then I woke up, and I was in heaven. I take it to mean that at that point, I was either dead, or damn close to it.

This was nice. It was calm, quiet, white, and I got to chat with James and Lily. They told me I had to come back to save Harry, and to continue my job that I had been assigned. I protested but that is when it happened.. I was sucked back down into my body, began to breathe, and opened my eyes to find...

Snape's mouth on mine. His lips on mine.

*several blotches of ink are here from a quill holding still for a long period of time.*

He saved my life. James told me he was, and sure enough, he did CPR and breathed for me when I could not. He despises, and loathes me, yet he saves my life? I suppose it was survival. I am sure Albus knows what happened in that room, and I am sure as it was going down, and provided with the change to gain a "Get out of Azkaban Pass" if this ever gets outside of these walls.

Working as a spy. My ass he is. Main recruiter is more like it. He saw me getting smited and feared the repercussions from Albus AND Voldemort, so he took it upon himself to save me from death, himself from immediate death by Voldemort and/or Azkaban. Although, I am not sure even Albus could keep him from the later. Again. Especially in the light of the recent events.

"When one wizard saves another wizard's life, it creates a certain bond between them, a 'life debt'. This is magic at it's deepest, it's most impenetrable,"

We were taught this from our youngest days. It is not something taken lightly. Snape knows this well after James saved him from my infamous "prank". Ironic that now I owe him the same debt. Or do I?

Jack Grim does. Jack Grim won't be around forever...

Pomfrey is coming over, it looks like I am out of here. More later.

As ever.

2002-08-22 18:15:00,
Dinner for four

An IC RP with Harry, Hermione, Draco and Jack.

Jack walked down the stairs from the Hospital wing, slowly, lost in his thoughts, as usual, and was grateful for the solitude, as he reached the entrance to the Great Hall, he ran into Draco, who was going in as well.

Almost colliding full on with the other, he stopped abruptly. Blinking for a moment before giving a broad smile. "They finally released you from the Hospital wing. I'm glad to see that. Are you feeling better then?" Though he knew that the curse would reside with him for a long time after.

Hermione laughed at Ron's earlier joke, feeling satisfied with the moment for the first time in weeks. She, Ron, and Harry walked the long hallways trailing behind the rest of the Gryffindors on the way to lunch. Hermione and Harry had both tucked their silver books away deep in their trunks, and had a silent agreement not to discuss the news with Ron. Ron was in his element, joking and doing impressions of Professors Snape and McGonagall. Currently, he was acting out a one-person love scene, playing both the callous Potions professor and the strict Gryffindor head of house.

Laughing at Ron's impressions, Harry turned the corner, and cought sight of a pair of Slytherins. Standing near the doors Jack and Malfoy could be seen. Harry nugged Hermione and motioned towards the two.

Jack smiled weakly at Draco. "I am doing at well as can be expected condidering I have had the Dark Lord put the Crutiatus on me, and Snape give me CPR and mouth to mouth..." he said with a face showing disgust.

Draco gave a soft, wry grin towards the other's rather disgusted face. But it seemed like just a way to make light of the situation, then again, maybe that's what they needed to get it the furthest from their minds. "Not the most pleasant of experiences to be sure... but we are both alive after all, what doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger." Seems his attitude had brightened some after much thought involved.

Ron stopped his impressions once he spotted Grim and Malfoy. A sneer crossed his face, and Hermione put a hand on his arm to stop him from going straight up to them and picking a fight. She motioned for the two of them to be silent, and strained to hear what Grim and Malfoy were saying.

Harry also tried to hear, but found that it was rather hard with Ron practly growling in his ear. Giving up on trying to hear, he opted to read lips instead. Not being to good at this either, Harry turned to Hermione and watched her as a look of horror came to her face.

Jack laughed soflty, "yeah, but I will need to bleach my mouth out now that he..." he paused and physically shuddered "Uhg..." he moaned, then got serious again. "You DO know what this means don't you?" he said in a lower tone. "This mean's I owe him a Life Debt..." he said, raising his eyebrows, "If he saved my life that is... You would have to fill me in on that part..."

There was a lot to fill the other in on, he seemed to still only remember small parts. Draco had been wanting to unload the story on somebody, but decided against telling Jack all of it just yet when he barely had the ability to stay awake half of the time. Laughing softly, he'd wash his mouth out with mroe then bleach. "I know you owe him a Life Debt..and yes, he did save your life.." Smiling softly, he'd keep details until later by the latest.

Hermione's eyes widened. She could make out about every other word, and it was enough to make her wonder... she wished for one moment that she had the abilities of Rita Skeeter, to turn into a tiny animal and listen in. As that was not a likely option, she decided it was futile to try. She looked over at Ron and Harry, and cleared her throat loudly, starting to walk towards the doors to the Great Hall again. When they came within speaking range of a very surprised Jack and a slightly angry Draco, they stopped.

Walking behind Hermione, Harry couldn't help but wonder at what it was that she had heard. As they neared the two in question, he could see their faces more clearly. "Hullo Jack," he said as he waved.

Jack suddenly looked rather green around the gills, and like he was going to get ill. "Great." he moaned, running his hand through his long two-toned fringe. "I wonder when we will be seeing him again..." he said, voice trailing off as he heard a throat clearing sound behind him, then turned to see Harry, Ron and Hermione approaching from down the hall. He smiled as Harry waved to him. "Hullo Potter." he said in a pleasant tone.

He was about to speak up in response, saying that he wasn't sure... that is until he was interrupted by the trio. Turning slightly to see the three walk past, all wearing different emotions upon their faces. Draco slightly glared, but that was about all he did before letting them pass to the Great Hall.

Hermione stopped in the door for a moment, and waved Ron and Harry on. She turned to the two boys and opened her mouth as if to speak, but changed her mind, closing it. With a small nod to them, she turned and followed her friends out.

Harry and Ron walked into the Great hall, stoping only long enough to let Hermione catch up. He sat down and half listened as Ron started to go on about Malfoy. Harry looked around the hall as the other students filed in.

Jack gve Draco a guarded look, wondering what had been over heard, if anything, and then shrugging it off he led Malfoy into the Great Hall and took their ususal seats at the Slytherin Table.

The look was returned before he watched the others make their way into the Great Hall, soon he was following behind Jack. Coming to sit down at his usual seat..and getting a mouthful from Pansy.. but that was quickly turned off.. she was still on the whole 'imissedyousomuchomgdoyouneedanything?' phase.

Harry and Hermione exchanged glanges as Jack and Draco entered, something akin to 'I'll tell you later'. Nodding, Harry turned his attention to the head table. Dumbledore was there talking to varius professors. Dumbledore looked to him and winked.

Jack looked over at Draco, and rolled his eyes in sympathy as he withstood Pansy's prattling endlessly. He glanced around for Blaise or Fellatia, and not seeing either, was left alone to lean on one hand and wait for the food to arrive. "I hope they serve us quick... I'm starved." he muttered to no one in particular as he looked around the hall. He noticed some curious looks in his and Draco's direction, and warded them off with an angry scowl.

Draco leaned over to whisper to Jack while Pansy went on and on about how devestated she would be if anything happened to him. "After five years of this, I'm seriously considering a restraining order..or maybe a warding spell." Before looking about the Great Hall, he had endured the gazes for almost two days now..and they seemed to be thinning out, but now that Jack was back..they started up where they left off. Sighing slightly as he was finally in the limelight..and he wasn't sure if he liked it or not. At least not because of such a rumored situation.

Smiling back at the head master, Harry was reminded of what had been given to him earlier. He sorely whished that he had that book with him, but didn't want to risk having people see it. He passed the time instead, by thinking about what he could do in the Order.

Jack laughed aloud at Draco's whispered comment, and since he was eager to have his confidents total attention, he leaned around in front of Draco to face Pansy, and said in a voice loud enough for the table to hear, "Pansy, do you EVER bloody shut up? No? Then for Christ's sake start NOW or I will give you a curse Pomfrey won't have a cure for!" he growled, then returned to looking at his plate which had just filled.

Draco smirked..along with the rest of the table.. except for Pansy's closest friends, but even then, they couldn't help but look amused. Pansy looked simply infuriated and belittled all at the same time. Thinking she had a good repose, but was quite wrong. Soon she turned to Draco with that look Narcissa had made plenty of times to Lucius when insulted. Speaking loud enough in protest. "Draco, are you going to let that twit talk to me like that?!" Puffing up in the most unattractive way. "After all that I have done for you, do you dare to take his side?!"

Draco simply grinned as he watched the irritating girl. "Actually Pansy, he has a rather good point.. and I believe the whole table is unanimous in the decision..that you are too annoying to bear." With that said, Pansy shot up from the table with the worse sneer she could manage. "Well I NEVER." Before storming off in a fit.

"Harry?" snapping back to reality, Harry turned to see Ron looking at him. "You alright Harry?" Ron asked. Harry looked around and saw that every one had their food and was eating already. "Yeah, I was just thinking." He said smiling, as he helped himself to some sweet potatoes.

Jack sat up straight, and applauded the fleeing form of Pansy, then set about to eating dinner in his usual, shovel, chew, drink, repeat method until three plates and four goblets had been emptied and drank.

And Draco was back to his usual..maybe half a plate..maybe more of it and one goblet. Seems, everything was back to normal..within the public eye at least and nobody seemed to know the difference. Then again, they also didn't have the chance to see either Jack or himself in their bad times, even when it was too hard to place a mask on top. Looking towards Jack, he grinned. "Hungry as ever I see, some things never change."

Harry sat and ate slowly. He liked to savor his food, as he didn't get much at the Dursleys. Ron and Hermione were talking about Krum. did you see that? He chuckled as they continued bickering. Ron needed to sort out his feelings for her, and quickly.

Jack looked over at Draco, a mouth full of pudding, and he grinned, showing food, then nodded as he continued with the desserts. "Uh huh." he added after swallowing a bite, then pouring more pumpkin juice. "My lust and my appetite will always endure..." he mused as he continued to eat a bit more.

Draco raised a brow as he took a sip of that pumpkin juice, the only thing he was currently working on, unlike the other. Setting the goblet back down he grinned slightly. "That's always reassuring to know, to be sure." Snickering softly to himself.

Taking a sip from his goblet, Harry looked over at the Slytherin's table. There he saw Jack shoving food in his face at an alarming rate.

Jack at last finished eating, and after letting out a monstrous, echoing belch, he grabbed a copy of the Daily Prophet from a Slytherin First year, and thumbed through it. "Hm.... nothing in here... yet." he muttered to Malfoy out of the side of his mouth.

Pushing his plate aside, Draco leaned over to read over the paper as well, slightly expecting something to be mentioned...but nothing seemed to scream Voldemort. "That's good..but I have a feeling, it's going to seep through. Have you heard the rumors doing around? I swear almost everybody has checked my arm for the Dark Mark.." That last comment barely audible, but loud enough to be heard.

Harry, having eaten his fill, decided that it was time to go. He could mess around with that book, or write to Sirius. He couldent tell him about the order of course, but he never responded to his last owl. It was rather disconcerting. Harry got up and stepped over the bench, and excused him self from the table. Before he left he motioned to Hermione. They could talk though books tonight after curfew.

Jack frowned and looked over at Draco. "Well, WHERE did they hear about it from ANYWAY? I sure as hell haven't said anything... I mean... I told Blaise I was hit with the Crutiatus, but that was it."

Draco had been wondering the same thing for quite sometime, since he heard the first rumor. He also knew that they knew none of the details..just assumptions, which seemed to be right. But how DID it start in the first place. "I couldn't tell you how it started up, I truly can't. The only people I've talked to..is Blaise..and yourself. I suppose they just pieced things together. Made up the rest?"

Jack shrugged, then let out a monster yawn and passed the paper back to it's owner. "Ah.. who knows." he groused, then laughed. "Heh, now we know how Potter feels. 'Caught in the spotlight' as it were..." he chuckled, then pushed back from the table. "Lets head back to the dorm. I wanna stretch out in my own bed for a change..." he smiled.

"To an extent, but we're definitely put there by the same entity." Smiling soft before chuckling silently. "Bastard entity rather." Before letting out a yawn of his own, damn things were contagious indeed. He nodded, after all..he was finished with dinner as well..it was better then sitting there without a thing to do.

2002-08-22 21:03:00,"
Owl from Harry, Owl TO Harry

After Jack had parted ways with Malfoy in the hallway, he went to his bed to find an owl waiting for him. The envelope was addressed to Sirius, and he opened it quickly. After reading the note, he laughed at the irony. Harry was telling him about the impending trouble ahead for Draco and ... himself.

Realizing he would be worried and waiting for a reply, he quickly grabbed a quill, some parchment, and wrote:

Hello Harry,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I hope you weren't worried, I am doing fine. Eating well, and taking a bath regularly. Ha ha ha!

Anyway, about those kids, I KNOW you want to help but DO NOT go looking for them, or You-know-who. Tell Dumbledore what you have heard or know, and STAY AWARE of what is going on around you. I REPEAT, do NOT go looking to help those kids!

Sirius

2002-08-23 08:18:00,
Breakfast and Owl Post,

An IC Post with Blaise, Draco and Jack

Jack sat at the Slytherin table, waiting for breakfast to start and was looking over a copy of the Daily Prophet when the morning mail arrived. One letter dropped in front of Jack, addressed to him, in fancy girly style writing, so yawning, he tore it open and began to read while Draco got his post.

Yawning, he watched as mail was dropped before students..including him. Two letters dropped in front of his, one with writing that befit a girl..another with elegant..elongated writing and his house crest on the back. That one, for the moment..was ignored..perhaps tying to make it not there. The other was opened and read, hm..the rumors seemed to be getting even worse it seems.

Blaise walked in glaring at those who were whispering, she then walked over to Draco and Jack. With a heavy sigh she smiled, "How are you this morning? May I sit with you?"

Jack finished reading the rather long note, and then let out a groan and rested his head in his hands... "Terrific. Just bloody terrific..." he growled, then shoved the note over to Draco without looking at him. "According to Blaise, the whole damn school thinks we are Branded Death Eaters...." he grumbled. "Wonderful. How can my morning get worse?" he asked, just as Blaise walked up and spoke to him. Jack blinked and looked up at her. "Oh, Hello." he said dully.

Draco had been staring at the other letter addressed to him, not bothering to open it, at least not here. Perhaps later, getting a letter from his father was never good. Blinking some as that letter was pushed towards him, he read over it..and nodded softly with a sigh. "I heard..and it isn't letting up anytime soon it seems." Before he was distracted by Blaise, he gave a soft nod and a smile. "Hello Blaise..and I'm, tired. Yourself?"

Blaise bt her lip, "I am fine I suppose, I am a Bit tried I think from sleeping too much." She then smiles, "I am however Upset I missed the fireworks last night." She then grabbed herself a roll.

Jack took the note back and then chucked it into a nearby torch sconce, and watched it go up in flames. He gave Blaise a weak smile, "Thanks for the note and the warning..." he said wryly, then set about to eating. He didn't eat as fast as usual, but he was still putting away a lot of food and juice. His mood had suddenly gone surly and he wasnt exactly sure why.

"Hmm..I'm sure, it was pretty grand. But knowning Pansy, more will start another time. Who knows.." Leaning on his arm as he looked over to Blaise. "So don't worry, you haven't missed everything.."

Blaise sighed, "Well I think Pansy will leave you alone for a while and me for now... I sorta threatened them last night, they pushed me to it." Blaise rubbed her neck and said in a low whisper, "Do you have any idea where this rumour started?" She wasn't sure if she should have asked but it was eating at her.

Jack finished his third plate of food, shoved it away and rested his head in his hands again. "Don't know, don't bloody care." he said wearily in reply to Blaise's question to Draco. "I've been lied about most of my life, stopped caring a LONG time ago what people chose to think about me..." he grumbled at no one in particular.

Draco was pushing eggs and sausage around on his plate with his fork, not bothing to pick any of it up and eat it. Feeling suddenly not all that hungry. "I don't think anybody in particular started it, I think we underestimated others in their ability to peice things together..as wrong as they are." Eyes watched his plate in a blurry fashion.

Blaise sighed she didn't want to upset Jack or Draco and in a meek sort of voice said, "I am sorry, it is just I don't know, sorry." She took a bit of some food she didn't want to say too much more because the Great Hall was full of eager ears waiting for any new gossip they could use. She didn't want anyone but Draco and Jack to know she was concerned. Blaise exhaled deeply she wasn't sure what exactly to say or do at this moment.

Jack heard the hurt tone in Blaise's voice and reached a hand over to rest on top of hers. "It's OK Zabini. NO harm, no foul. I know you care, and just want to help." he said softly, then glanced at the clock. "Classes start soon." he mused then turned to Draco. "I got excused from all classes until the start of the term by Dumbledore. Did you Draco?"

"Hmm...oh..I figure that it's a throw up if i show up or not. I don't think they're holding anything against me if I don't show up. So..I suppose I might have been for the time being.." Looking over to Jack with a small smile. "Which is fine with me, I've been getting too many glares in the first place, class might be even worse."

Blaise Gave a small smile, "Well I am not thatis for sure I have to get ready." She then took a deep breath, "How about we meet up later? I better get going I wish I was able to skip classes." Blaise gave a small laugh, "`Til we meet again, Ciao!" Blaise said as she got up.

Jack watched Blaise wander off, and sighing, he looked around as most of the other students were leaving as well, to get ready for class. He turned to look at Draco. "I think I will just go to the library or something... " he muttered.

Draco barely nodded, muttering a soft, "Alright, I'll..talk to you later then." Standing up himself, he left the Great Hall. Definately not heading for class, instead going back to the Common Room, as it would be empy with everybody now in class. The place he could read over the letter in silence."

2002-08-23 19:50:00,"
A quiet day, well spent

As I leave the great hall now after dinner, I once again find myself adjourning to the library for quiet, and solitude. I have done a great deal of reading today. History of Dark Magic and the like mostly. Some hairy stuff in the distant past. Long before Voldemort came to power.

I am seeing if I can foil the evils of now, but studying the evils of the past. I suppose I am jsut deluding myself I will be able to stop VOldemort on my own. Especially if I am wokring against Snape, Lucius Malfoy, and all the other Death Eaters still out there.

Draco has bee frighteningly subdued since breakfast. Keeping to himself and not even confiding in me. It isn't very hard for me to guess what was in the letter from home.

"You fucked up Draco... The next time the Dark Lord, My Master wants to brand you with his mark and bugger you up the ass, you had better bare you arm and lubricate his cock with your virgin blood."

God I am in a morbid mood tonight. I think I will go back to reading.

As Ever.

2002-08-24 00:45:00,
In the midnight hour..

An IC RP with Jack and Voldemort.

Jack put away his journal at last, taking care to wipe the pages blank just like on the Marauder's Map he had created with James those many years ago, then after a final sip of the last of his mead, he blew out the candle next to his bed, and snuggled down in the covers of his bed. He had turned down Draco's offer of sleeping in his room. Tonight, he just wanted to be alone.

But alone wasn't exactly how the little Grim would be tonight. Voldemort was vengeful this evening. After the near fatal catastrophy between Wormtail and Nagini, he was fuming with anger. And what better way to take it out than on someone so innocent? He needed to check up on the Grim boy anyways. There was still SO much he wanted to learn about this strangely intriquing boy. And what better way to do it than pierce his dreams? Clawing his way through the thousands of minds, finding the one particular one he needed, he started out as a cold whisping ghostly shadow in that mind, working his way up the ladder.

Jack was soon asleep, mentally and physically worn out from the recent events, and the amount of mead he was putting away each night helped a great deal as well. He tossed and turned a bit, at last getting comfortable, and slipped into a heavy, dreamless sleep. For the time being anyway.

Whispers of his name, eerie cold chills riding down his spine from the feeling of being empty ... lost of soul, void ... alone ... this was Voldemorts trademark. It was no surprise that he had so much in common with the Dementors ... after all, he is their founding father. Pulling dreams, or perhaps nightmares, into the boys head that was so void of them, he began placing thoughts into his mind. Sounds of groaning male voices, heavy breathing, yet nothing but lurking shadows and dark eerie mists floating across his dreamscape. Until, eyes of a brilliant goldish red color illuminated the darkness.

Jack moaned in his sleep, and tossed, "No... not 'gain..." he murmured as the dark and disturbing images came over him. "Please... no..." he whimpered as the wicked, and foul sounds filled his ears, and the cold touch of hands on him made him shudder and break out in a cold sweat. He felt himself again fighting for air, and he reached his hands up in his sleep, clawing, digging as if to escape from a grave.

Voldmort grinned maliciously as his dreams worked wonders on the young man. He searched that mind a bit deeper, and what he saw next ... threw him into a whole new world of possibilities. Images of ... a wedding? The groom looks ... surprisingly like the Potter man he had killed to get to the blasted child ... images of a giant black dog? What is all of this? He burned deeper into the fragile opened mind of the boy he now tortured, searching for more to these puzzling images.

Jack was struggling harder now, mentally and physically as the nightmares changed, showing images he could recall and others he could not make sense of. There was again the flash of Snape, his wicked leer as he opened his robe, baring himself before Jack, then pressing his body down on top of him, and then PAIN! Snape's laughing face as he pointed his wand and laughed, "CRUCIO!" again and again. Then there was the images of a ruined house, and the Dark Mark floating above it. Suddenly, Jack broke free of the cold hold on his mind, and sat bolt up in bed, "NO!" he yelled, voice strained and hoarse.

The man, a lot closer than anyone could have sensed, broke his hold on the boy's mind when more flashes of images came spiriling out of control across the opened window of Jack's mind. But it was all such a blur, Voldemort was more confused than ever as to who this boy was. He growled at himself for having broken his concentration. Now he must finish the job in person ... something he preferred to do anyways.

Jack looked around the confines of his bed, and tried to calm the pounding of his heart. He placed his hand to his forehead, it was wet with sweat, and along with the trembling in his hands, he was dizzy as well. "Oh God..." he moaned as he suddenly felt a cramping in his stomach, and rushing out quickly in only his underpants, he ran down the hall to the loo, where he barely made the edge of a toilet before collapsing an becoming ill. Once his stomach had emptied itself, he slumped back against the cool tile, shivered at the contrast of temperatures of it against his wet, and fevered skin. He was still dizzy, and say there in the darkness with an arm draped over his eyes as he listened to the pounding of his heart.

How perfect. So utterly fantastic. He stepped out of his classroom, still hidding behind that handsome mask of a boy. His own heart was pounding as he traveled swiftly down the hallway to meet up with Grim within that abandoned bathroom. Entering the bathroom with a creak of the door, it was soon shut and locked behind him, Riddle now leaning against the door, studying his manicured nails, eyes glittering with anticipation. "Bad dreams, Grim?" Oh, if that wasn't obvious ... but Voldemort was like that.

Jack startled when he heard the voice, he really hadn't heard the creak or closing of the door. He stopped in mid motion of lifting a handful of clean toilet water to his mouth. "Who are you?" he growled in his best threatening tone, but it came out more like squeak from a boy who's voice was changing.

"Do you really need to ask such a question Jack?" The sound of expensive shoes clicking against the stone floor, echoing off the tiled walls, as Riddle stepped over to the stall where the boy was. He raised his bare finger, and the lock on the inside turned, and the door swung open, breaking off it's hinges. "You broke my concentraition ... do you know how INFURIATING that is?!" Yes, he was angry. It was the second time in the last few days that he had seriously lost his patience. Jack was just in the wrong place, and the wrong time.

Jack gulped and found himself scrambling backwards against the wall already pressed to his bare back. His eyes opened wide, and his mouth fell open but he couldn't find the words or strength to speak, to yell for help. His hand went reflexively to his hip, but he was unarmed. Fear washedover him like a cold wave as he looked into those glowing red eyes, and his body trembled. "P-please... Don't kill me..." he heard himself saying before he realized it, then clamped his eyes shut, expecting pain and death to arrive quickly.

But Voldemort didn't want pain and suffering to come to the boy at this time. He stepped into that stall, and reached out, a cold hand holding his chin as he crouched before him. With eyes so tightly shut, he took his chance and pecked a delicate kiss to his lips, before moving away, and speaking, "I'm not going to kill you ... " his voice was oddly calm and relaxed, not much of a hint of anger as opposed to his last comment. He kept that hand on his chin, rubbing his thumb delicatly over his bottom lip, "I have a small job for you to do for me ..."

Jack heard the rustle of clothing, of Voldemort moving closer, and then the cold touch of his lips on his. His mind spun and for the second there was contact, he was numb, his mind blanked, and he forgot to breathe. When the other boy retreated, and spoke, he inhaled deeply, but kept his eyes closed. "I can't do anything.... right. Just ask Snape...." he stammered softly, voice hardly above a whisper.

"Oh .. but this job, there is no way you could do it wrong ... " He brushed his fingertips through Jack's dark locks, admiring his looks. He moved in closer again, and whispered against those lips, "I want you to kill someone for me ... someone by the name of ... Wormtail ... "

Jack's eyes snapped open, and his heart skipped a beat, his mind spun again, then he looked back at the Dark Lord, and knitted his eyebrows, playing ignorant. "W-who?" he asked with a tremble in his voice.

"A pitiful servant by the name of Wormtail ... proved useful for about a year or two ... until what happened a few short nights ago ... and I need you to kill him ... if I pull another Unforgivable, I would surely be found ... we don't want that, now do we?" He stroked his fingertips down the boys cheek, eyes following farther downward, eyeing the smooth bared chest, and the way he sat, legs somewhat spread open ... it was unbearable for him to be there and not want to molest him. But he held back, for the time being. A single digit moved down the line of his torso, and paused to tease at his navel, just along the lip of his undergarments. "I'll hold him down ... all you have to do, is kill him ... any way you wish ... "

Jack sucked in a breath, and shuddered as that icy finger stroked across his cheek, then down his fevered skin. "Worm... Wormtail?" he repeated in a stammer. Part of his mind wanted to drop to his knees and kiss the shoes of this evil bastard for offering such a thing, but then a voice in the back of his mind said, "If Wormtail dies... you cannot clear your name..." Jack gulped as he mulled this over in his head, it took only milliseconds of course. "I... I don't think I could... do that sort of ... Curse...." he whimpered, then inwardly cursed himself as he felt a stirring in his underwear. He was terrified, trapped, and getting a boner. Perfect.

"Oh, Jack ... it doesn't take a curse to kill ... besides, Wormtail has no family, no identity ... he was supposedly killed 15 years ago ... by that Potter-loving Black person. No matter how he dies, he will not be missed ... " Riddle drew in closer, comming to drop to his knees on either side of Grim's hips, lifting the boys head up, "If you do this ... I will be forever indebted to you ... " Of course, Voldemort hardly ever kept his promises ... but it just sounded good and tempting. Lips grazed over Grim's again, and he could feel the heat in the boys cheeks.

Jack closed his eyes as Voldemort drew closer, bridging his body over his own, and then lifting his chin delicately, his mind spun, filled with images of all of the ways he would love to kill that traitor Wormtail. A grin stretched across his face, a rapturous one as he lost himself in that slight touch, and that stirring fantasy of revenge. "Oh... yes...." he purred softly, the delight at such an opportunity arousing him further along with Voldemort's wicked touch. "I can do that...." he breathed soflty.

And that was when .. Voldemort knew he had a new follower. With eyes intently gazing upon the closed lids, watching the grin stretching across the young boys face, he himself was aroused by the purr in the young man's voice. "Excellent, my little one ... " And to reward him, lips closed over his in a smooth kiss that lasted much longer than his first one. He trailed his fingers down his neck, cupping at the nap just to the back of his head, as the kiss was moved deeper. Claiming Jack as his own, Voldemort poured on the seductive charm he always had, pulling Grim deeper into his web of power.

Letting out a deep rumbling purr, he moved down from that lap, dropping to the floor where he tugged the younger one into his arms, carrying him into his lap, without breaking the kiss they shared so intimately. Smirking behind his kiss, he let that tongue dip between their sets of lips to tease and entice Grim, while hands moved languidly over the smooth planes of his mostly naked form.

Jack was lost in the pleasure of the dark touches, he moaned again as he was pulled into that lap and cuddled like a cherished pet. That was how he felt, and he never wanted the sensation to end. He clamored to hold tighter to the form kissing him, and petting his body. He sighed softly losing himself in the seductive embrace.

"Mmmn ... " he let loose from his lips as the boy seemed to be drawn deeper and deeper into his arms. Hands cradled his backside, squeezing and massaging there delicately. When air was needed, their lips parted, but only for a brief moment to let air return to lungs. Voldemort's lips then were distracted by the delicious taste of Jack's neck, nibbling, licking, kissing, and nuding all the way down to his collar bone. Hands moved so gracefully over naked flesh, one hand even being so bold as to slip fingers under the waist of those undergarments to tease at the patch of hair just above his most desired flesh. Voldemort groaned, peeling his lips from that neck to speak, "Gods, you're beautiful ... the way you squirm ... the way you feel ... I couldn't have found any one better ... " Eyes cast a dark sadistic look, as he continued with the nibbling of that neck, hands dipping deeper into unexplored territory.

Jack could only moan, and clutch his hands into the fine fabric of the clothes his sinister lover wore. His breath hitched with every kiss, every touch of those lips on his neck and collarbone, and he opened his mouth to pant, "Yes.... Oh God's yes...." he sighed. "I can kill him for you. I know I can..." he moaned, and in his heart, he meant it. Damn the voices in his head, he was finally going to get his revenge, and it would taste so sweet. When he felt those curious, seeking fingers slip down into his pants, he gave a little cry, leaning back, and lifing his hips upward, offering himself. "Oh yes...." he sighed.

Just those little menstrations, and Voldemort grew hot and bothered. He nuzzled against the young man's neck a bit more, while that hand traveled deeper. Finally coming to curl cool fingers around such hot flesh, he gave a few good strokes to his manhood. "That's it, my little one ... writhe and moan for me ... " Lips had started a trail down from his shoulder, over across his collar bone, slightly pushing Grim back to allow lips to attach to a nipple and tug on the sensative area with dull teeth. His other hand held him at the small of his back, fingernails digging gingerly into peach skin.

Jack cried out again as he was gripped around his aching shaft. Lust flooded though his veins and his mind, his hips moved slowly up and down in an eager fashion, making clear what he wanted. "Yes... Oh please..." he sighed, shuddering with each kiss, then gasping aloud when Voldemort's lips closed around his nipple. His hands held on tightly to the man holding him, his head swam and his body sang with desire as he pictured over and over in his mind how he would kill Wormtail. Slowly, painfully, flayed alive, tortured, emoliated.... "Yes... oh yes...." he said in a low purr that sent a rumble throughout his chest.

A tongue lashed out to tease that hardening nipple, as his hand removed itself from his shorts. Growling gently, he used both hands and peeled the small bit of restricting clothing from Jack's body, and it seemed to just dissapear, leaving the boy within Voldemort's lap completely naked and on display for his eyes. Just the site of his bare manhood, and how well endowed he was, made the Dark Lord writhe. His own pants would need to be removed shortly, for the desire to plunge into this boy's body was steadily peeking. Hands gripped those hips harshly, rolling those hips against his clothed erection, simulating sex acts that would soon become reality.

Jack cried out, arching his back so far his head touched the tiled floor as Voldemort first removed his underwear, then pulled him close and slowly dry humped against him. "Yes.... Oh God... I want... I want..." he moaned, then while clutching one hand on the hip of his seducer, he gripped his own cock with his other hand, and continued the ministrations started earlier. "Ughnm......" he moaned as he touched himself, hips rising and pressing against Tom Riddle's.

He watched for the moment as Grim fondled himself. It was such an arousing display, but he couldn't let this go on forever. He slapped that hand away, and took his control back once again, "Now now ... we can't have you touching yourself, love ... that's my job ... " he leaned forward, lips grazing in the line of his torso, moving all the way to his navel as both hands gripped Grim's wrists and held them roughly behind his back, almost painfully. He slipped Grim from his lap, letting him fall to the cold stone floor, as his tongue continued on down the line of his torso, leading down the treasure trail where he nuzzled in the patch of hair just at the base of his cock. Gods, it was a delightful masculine scent, that drove Voldemort crazy with lust.

Jack was the perfect submissive, and made little cries of pleasure has his hands were collected and held behind him. "Oh yes...." he sighed, biting down on his lower lip as the sexual tension continued to esculate, and Voldemort pressed him down to the floor. It all felt so good, it all felt so right. Everything else be damned, the touches were so good, and he would have his revenge after all of these years of waiting. He found himself beyond speach, wanting only more of this touching, release, and the power over his life and enemies he would gain at last.

Purring as Voldemort slowly inched closer and closer to that wanning errection, he licked along the underside, feeling it twitch and pulse with blood at his every attack. Looking up along the length of Grim's body, he watched the boys expressions. Taking both wrists into one hand, he held them behind Grim's back, as his now freed hand unzipped his neatly pressed slacks and slipped a hand between the folds, giving his aching cockstand a harsh squeeze. He then ... had a brilliant idea.

Jack moaned softly as he felt the grip change on this hands, for a moment, afraid he was being released, set free. That thought was premature, and when he felt his hands regripped, and held tightly behind his back, he sighed with pleasure. "I.... I am ready...." Jack panted, as if that wasn't patently obvious by this point. His eyes were lightly closed, and he ran his tongue across his dry lips as he waited for Voldemort to continue.

Pulling those lips away, his grin couldn't have been more sadistic. "Ready for what? Mmmn ... I know what you're ready for ... " He was soon maneuvering himself, having pulled his manhood from his trousers, one hand still harshly squeezing and stroking it. Moving into the unforgettable 69 position, he curled his arms around Jack's thighs, and pulled them apart, while his head fell between those luscious legs and began taking an inch at a time between his lips, that warm flesh making Voldemort groan.

Jack opened his eyes slightly when he felt Voldemort moving around and he at once knew what was coming next. He watched with quickened breath as his legs were pulled part exposing him for inspection by the evil one, then cried out as those lips slipped down over him. "Oh my god..." he moaned, arching into the delicious sensation. He was about to sigh another comment when Voldemort brought his own tense shaft down and stroked it's swollen tip across Jack's lips. Jack laughed soflty, then bringing his hands around from behind his back, he slid them up over the side of the other boy's hips, and slowly ran his tongue along the underside of the cock near his mouth.

Momentarily caught off guard by such a gentle touch, he shuddered and let his lips hum around Jack's shaft buried deep within his mouth. Being the Dark Lord, of course he had to be skilled at such devious deeds, right? Well, he knew all the tricks, and would pull every single one of them on his new found playmate and apprentice. He twisted his lips as he suckled, fingers prying apart the firm arse in his hands, even so much as teasing the very tip of his finger between the ring of muscle. Growing steadily faster and faster, his suckling increased, cheeks going raw.

Jack cried out as his cock was suckled with such attention and skill, when his backside was parted and probed, he turned from the member he had been slowly licking the sides of like a lolly, and cried out, pumping his hips up eagerly, already trembling with need he was so close. Again that evil member was brushed across his lips, and he closed his eyes, and he gripped hold of Voldemorts flanks again, and slid him down into his mouth as far as he was able without choking. His mind numbed at the salacious contact, and he lost himself entirely. His mind was filled with lust, desire, and the knowledge he would have his revenge. Nothing else mattered. He clutched tightly to the hips above him and began an eager mouth stroking motion along the full length of the other boy's shaft.

Fingers dug cresecnt shaped bruises in the gorgeous boy's flesh as he continued, keeping hips pressed firmly to the ground, while he choked Jack with his arousel. Amazing, it was all such a tremendous occasion. Voldemort had found himself a life partner, willing to do everything without fearing the Dark Lord, or studdering when it came to looking him in the eyes. Finally, a trusy servant. He tilted his head down, and deep throated the boys erection, passing into his constricting throat, and purring around it, nose burried in the patch of hairs. They were both incredibly close.

Jack mirrored Voldemort's attentions to him, and found it hard to concentrate on pleasuring when the pleasure he was feeling was so intense... so perfect. He made soft little humming sounds in his throat, and focused on taking the shaft between his lips deeper and deeper, brushing it against the back of his throat, and swallowing to create a more powerful sensation of suction on the head.

Fingers grew harder, slicing gingerly at flesh, drawing tiny ribblets of blood, and all at once, without warning, he felt a warmth wash over him. He gave a low guttral groan around that manhood between his lips, and felt his release empty into the awaiting mouth. He thrust his hips down, at the same speed of thrusting Jack's manhood between his lips, milking the boy into completion. Voldemort had never felt so alive, and so satisfied in his life. Grim was most definately a keeper.

Jack's nose was pressed tight against Voldemort's belly when he thrust downward, spilling his seed down his throat. Jack closed his eyes and relaxed his throat, swallowing everything that slid down his throat. When Voldemort eased his hips upward, Jack turned his head to the side, and gasped for air. Then the nails dug into the soft flesh of his backside, and he cried out in delicious pain. "Yes.... Oh my God... yes..." he whimpered, his hips spasming up and down quickly as he went over the edge, closing his eyes, and feeling them tear up as he came. He shuddered for several seconds, then lay there limp on the tile.

That's when Voldemort maneuvered back over to his side, curling Jack in his arms, and pressing a deliciously erotic cum-covered kiss to those lips, claiming Jack Grim to be Voldemort's property. After the long arousing kiss, the Dark Lord peeled away, looking down upon him, "You were wonderful, my little one ... hn ... I wish we could do more, but I'm afraid it's time for your bedtime ... " Kissing softly against his cheek, he held him for a little longer, soothing hands washing over the sensative to the touch skin al over the boys body after his orgasm. Voldemort knew, for he was feeling the same way, with every touch of his fingertips to flesh.

Jack muttered something unintelligible as he was cradled, still lost in the afterglow of his climax. He clung the evil man holding him close, and sighed happily. "To... bed...." he repeated, suddenly quite weary, and foggy minded. As Voldemorts fingers traced over his skin, he shuddered at the electric feeling of the touches.

"Yes, my dear ... to bed ... " Brushing the back of his fingers against the sweaty cheek, he grinned appreciativly at Grim. Looking about ready to fall asleep in his arms, he gave him another warming kiss, letting his tongue slip between their lips for a moment, tasting his own release within that mouth. Drawing back, he spoke again in that silken smooth tone, "You were wonderful tonight, my apprentice ... I do hope we will further our relationship in the future ... but, as for right now, I want you to climb back into your warm bed, and think nothing but lovely thoughts ... of what has been, and what is to be ..." Those golden flecked crimson eyes glowed deeply as he caught his gaze, a hand still delicately holding his chin.

Jack slowly opened his eyes, and grinned up at his new Master in a drunken haze. He was drunk on the pleasure and power being laid at his feet, and in his lap. "Yes, Master...." he sighed, whimpering softly as he was set upon his feet, a bit wobbly at first... then blinked as his mind started to clear a bit. "I will await.... your call..." he said softly, then turned to go.

Hearing those words float off of his tongue made Voldemort incredibly pleased. Being called Master ... it was almost as arousing as the wonderful view he got as Jack headed out of the bathroom buck naked. Such a lean, fine physique. Voldemort couldn't have found a more worthy apprentice. Grinning to himself, he remained where he was for a short while, letting the scent of sex and sweat, and the echoes of their moans play over in his mind, before setting back out to his hiding spot away from Hogwarts.

2002-08-24 01:30:00,
In My Darkest Hour.

An IC RP with Draco and Jack.

Jack moved stealthily from the boys bathroom where the unholy union had just taken place, and he felt positively electric. He was going to have his revenge, and the Dark Lord had promised him more rewards and pleasure than he could dream of. He had just been sated sexually in a way he could never have imagined in his wildest of days, and now as he crept up on Draco'd dorm. His bed. He felt the arousal building again. He was still naked, and as he crept into Draco's bed, cast a pair of helpful spells, and slipped under the covers, eagerly spooning up behind Draco, and pulling down the silk pajamas he wore. "Draco.... Wake up Draco...." he purred in the blonde's ear as he gripped him around the hips and mock thrust against him.

Having been in a dreamless sleep, it didn't take much to wake him without warning. Of course, it was the..oddest possible way to be awaken..and normaly, he wouldn't mind. But with the thoughts caused by that letter drifting about his thoughts..he wasn't exactly in the greatest mood. Rather tilting towards a small bout of depression. So when he awoke to the other's actions, he gave a slight gasp..and turned quickly to face the other. Pushing for a moment, mostly at the suddeness.. more at the fact he wasn't exactly in such a mood for any of this. "Jack..what are you doing here..?"

Jack grinned at his friend, in the most devious and chilling of ways. "I have come here for you Draco..." he purred, and continued to manipulate Draco's pajama pants out of the way, and then once they were pushed down and aside, slipped his hand between the smooth thighs of his friend and began to stroke along the underside of his sleeping manhood, gripping it in his hand as he tried to bring Malfoy quickly up to his level of arousal. "I've just had the most wonderful nightmare, that turned into a dream..." he said in a voice that sounded on the verge of hysteria. "The dream became a wet dream, and I was given an opportunity to fulfill my deepest wish. Then... I was pleasured Draco, and petted, and now... I am no longer afraid... for... I have his favor now..." he snickered then using his other hand felt along the crevice of Draco's backside, seeking his opening, and once he had located it, thrust a prelubed finger into him eagerly.

He was no longer groggy or half way asleep, eyes were wide open more as he heard that Jack had.. "His favor" .. then anything else he had said in that hysteria. As wanted as those touches could be, they were definitely not wanted now. Fear crept up some, that voice..and those actions completely and terribly wrong. Teeth clenched as that finger was forced in, rubbing him far the wrong way. A hiss was heard and he pushed Jack harshly away with as much leverage as he could manage. Moving quickly as possible to the other side, turning to face him better, he'd have a better chance of warding him off this way. Eyes narrowed at the other. "I suggest that you take this somewhere else.."

Jack looked at Draco, mild surprise showing at his attentions, then he laughed wickedly. "What's a matter Draco?" he pouted, eyes stil bright, and electric looking. "Am I not good enough for you now? Found someone better?" he taunted and crawled slowly across the bed toward his still intended prey. "I am in SUCH a glorius mood Draco... I just want to share that with you..." he purred low and deep as he advanced across the bed.

Draco scoffed as he watched the other, pushing further away until he was at the very edge. "Me? Found somebody better? Look who's talking." A couple moments, wanting to scream at the other..at how much of an actual traitor he was. Fingers itched to reach out towards his bedstand, currently where his wand resided, but for the moment, eyes locked on the other, daring not turn his attention away. "Well, I'm not exactly in the sharing mood." Sneering in stark contrast with those purrs.

Jack pouted, he was clearly disappointed, but stopped his approch toward Draco. Shaking his head, he slid off of the bed, grabbing Draco's robe to wrap around himself, then headed for the door of the bedroom. "As you wish Draco. I am STILL your friend, and friends DO favors for each other you know...." he said with a grin. "I will put in a good word for you. Hopefully it will make things easier for you... if they should get dire..." he said with a lift his his dark eyebrows, then slipped out of the dorm quietly closing the door behind him.

Watching as Jack slid from his bed, eyes never left the other's eyes. But never letting down his glare as well. Growling low as he slipped past the doorway..and letting the door close without so much of a whisper. As soon as he knew the door to be shut firmly, he collapsed back into his bed letting that breath go, coming out in large stuttered gasps. Feeling extremely betrayed.. and that was even an underestimate. The odds were growing far beyond his control."

2002-08-24 02:01:00,
Dark thoughts,

Well, my planned interlude with Malfoy was a bust. I suppose PART of me can see why he fears the Dark Lord so much. But I do not. I know what he has done in the past. To James, to Lily, to countless others... My family. But now... He has offered me the ONE thing no one else could...

Revenge. Revenge on that blasted Peter who was responsible for all of this misery in my life and the Potters. Voldemort wants an assassin to take out "Wormtail"? Fine. I am JUST the man for the job.

Will this make me a Death Eater? No. More like an avenging Angel. Peter will die, I will take his carcass to the M.o.M. and prove my innocence, then live happily with Harry. The perfect plan.

I am still too excited over the events of tonight to sleep, so after entering this entry, I think I shall plot my ways of disposing of my enemy.

Not like I don't still have the list I created in Azkaban still memorized. The difference being that now... it shall all come to fruition.

As ever.

2002-08-24 13:12:00,
OWL Post

I sat alone at breakfast this morning, not surprising that Malfoy was now avoiding me like the plague. That's fine. He's extra baggage now that I need to put my plan in motion. The Owl Post arrived and I had two interesting pieces of mail. One from Blaise. One from Harry addressed to my other self.

Blaise wants to meet with me, in secret to discuss some matter important to her. This can wait until later, and I will owl her back such, the other... concerns me.

Harry had a dream last night, about Jack Grim now being a Death Eater, and in full cooperation with Voldemort/Tom Riddle. He wrote to me first off. Good Boy, just as I have told him to. He also wrote to Dumbledore, this could be bad.

Albus I am sure would NOT understand what I am doing, and how it is for the BEST for everyone concerned. He may try to stop me or interfere in my plans. I can't let that happen. Not when I am so close to achieving my goals.

So now, I shall answer them back, and move ahead with my plans.

Dear Blaise,

I am glad to get a not from you. I hope all is well with you, but right now is not the best of times for me to meet up with you. A matter of great importance has come up in my life, and I need to see to it pronto. Can you maybe owl me what you wish to discuss? I hope you will be well, and patient until we have the time to meet.

As ever,

Jack Grim

Dear Harry,

I am greatly concerned about your last letter, but you did the right thing by telling me and Dumbledore. Unless... your dream was wrong... What if it was not what you interpreted it to be, and Jack Grim is punished for something that is not his doing, or hasn't even occurred?

Be careful Harry, I know well what it is like to be FALSELY accused for a crime and having to serve the sentence of another. I will look in to the matter, until next time. Be careful.

Sirius

2002-08-24 16:24:00,
Seclusion,

Jack was lost in his thoughts as he wandered the halls of Hogwarts on Saturday. The only thought on his mind was Wormtail, and revenge. His hands were clasped in front of him as he walked around, muttering mostly to himself as he conceived plan after plan. How he would do it. Where he would do it. HOW he would kill that blasted Peter and then clear his name at the same time.

He was so lost in his thoughts that when he rounded a corner of a hallway near the dungeons, he walked right into Albus Dumbledore. Jack staggered back, and looked up, and the expression on the Headmasters face gave him cause to pause. He had s een him angry before only on an occasion or two, and this was one of those times.

"You, are completely out of control..." he said in a low tense voice. "I am sorry my son, but I have to stop you, now." he said, then raised his wand.

Jack looked up, eyes wide with shock, he held his hands up in protest. "Albus, NO! Wait!"

**BANG!**

When Jack awoke, the dizzying sensation surrounding him was unfamiliar, but when he opened his eyes and got them to focus, the surroundings were not. He was alone, in a stone cell.

"NO!" he cried out, mind reeling as he scrambled off of the small bed on which he had been laying and slammed his hands against the damp stone walls. "NO! Let me out! You can't put me back here! Please! No! No!" he wailed, then sobbing slid down the wall into a heap on the floor.

He drew his knees up to his chest, then wrapped his arms around them, resting his head on his knees and continued to sob. A shudder ran through his body, and he felt like he was going to be ill.

Hours later, he rose, stiff and aching from his squatting on the stone floor. He slowly paced around the perimeter of his small, windowless cell. There was a a bed, a small, ancient battered table that held a quill, bottle of ink, and his journal. A check of his pockets confirmed he had been releived of his wand, and any other weapon or items that normally resided of his pockets.

A blue magickal flame provided light in the small room, and he could find no entrance nor exit from the prison cell. He collapsed on the bed, drapped his arm over his eyes, and began to sob anew.

"No... no... I can't be back... not here. Not Azkaban..." he sobbed. There came no reply but the echo of his voice and cries off of the stone walls."

2002-08-25 07:55:00,
Solitary Hell,

There is no way of knowing how long I have been here, but I am quite sure I am here this time until I expire. I suppose I will tell time by the arrival of my meals. One so far. There is no window, no door, no way of seeing who else shares this prison ward with me. If anyone.

Clarity is starting to come to me, I suppose. There is nothing to distract me from my thoughts, as dark and murky as they have been as of late. The last thing, person, I recall seeing was Albus. He sent me back here. Damn him. Damn him to hell! Doesn't he know I was doing this for him! It was HIS plan! I was doing this for HARRY!

Who the hell is going to watch over Harry with me rotting in here until I die?? Him?? Minerva?? Oh God... it's all gone so wrong... so wrong...

I think I am going to be ill...

2002-08-25 23:20:00,
Fear.

It just occured to me, as I sit here, imagining time as it passes me by. Here I sit, back in Azkaban, sealed off from the world. Poor little Jack Grim, probably the youngest wizard to be sent here, next to Barty Crouch, Jr... This is not the issue however...

I can feel the potion Albus brews for me wearing off. That means, in a short time, possibly very short, Jack Grim will become Sirius Black. I can only imagine what will become of me when that happens. Jack may have been sent here for a term of imprisonement, possibly even life, but when they look in on me, and find the prevously escaped Sirius Black...

I am sure I shall be killed. Dementor's Kiss. Eliminated. Put to sleep. The Dog trick will not work this time. That is, if I can even still pull that one off. I haven't tried since becoming Jack. I fear, my end is near... I have been abandoned to my fate.

As ever.

2002-08-25 19:43:00,
Reach out and touch me..

An IC RP with Voldemort and Jack

Frustrated. Anxiety. Fear. Pain. He couldn't explain why he was feeling like he was. Although he had a good idea what it could be. His new and beloved apprentice was apart from him, far too soon. He was alone, save for the pitiful company of Wormtail, and in dark desire of his youthful partner. Sitting alone in the Shrieking Shack, Nagini's head laying atop his thigh, like an obedient dog would do when he knew his master was upset. A goblet in his hand, half way filled with brandy, staring into the fire flickering in front of him was how Voldemort was at the moment. Eyes slowly shut, and he reached out for that mind, calling out to him ... he wanted to know where he was ... It was hard, for some reason, to reach him. But he caught a glimps of that mind signal, and probed it, whispering, "Jack .... Jack ... "

Jack had been asleep, there was nothing else to do at that point, when once again, that cold voice crept into his idle mind. His eyes shot open suddenly, and he sat bolt upright on the small bed he had been resting on. "Who? Who's there?" he called out, verbally and mentally as he looked around the blue-lit room for the source of the voice.

"It is I ... where are you, my little one? I am in need of your comfort ... " Yes, he was in need of his comfort. He hadn't been back since the night he sent him off after their bathroom act. And he was desperate to continue. He took another sip of his brandy, Nagini hissed and licked Voldemorts fingertips as he rested his hand close to her head. He continued to stare into the fire, as if it would suddenly show him where Grim was.

Jack shuddered, now knowing well who called him, and no doubt for what purpose. He was still feeling betrayed, resentful, and at the same time.... aroused by the dark touch in his mind. "I am trapped, Master!" he replied. "I have been taken away." came the panicked reply. "I think I am in Azkaban, in a cell!" came the anguished reply, "There are no windows, no doors, just a stone room. I am so afraid..."

"What?!" He let out verbally as well as mentaly. Nagini backed off, hissing as his Master stood so abruptly. "A-Azkaban?! Who did it? Who kidnapped you??" He was more angry now than ever before. His mind pounded at the thought of having to go find him. He *needed* to go find him. "My little one, I am so sorry I was not there to help you ... " could that be Voldemort's attempt at caring? It seemed to come out rather forced, but ... yes, he did care for his little fledgling.

"I... I do not know...." he wailed, willing to take any side at this point to get himself freed. He HAD to get free. "I was stunned, while walking the castle," he yelled aloud. "I was on my way to the dungeons, then there it happened." he called out, then gripping his head fell back on the bed. "I woke up here. Alone. Trapped. I have no wand. Nothing..." he said, the last words trailing off in a pitiful whine. "They are going to kill me... I know it..."

"D-Don't worry ... I will come find you ... do not worry my little love ... I will ... I will seek revenge on those that have taken you from me!" He growled, his mind filling with nothing but the emotion of purest rage. He couldn't believe why they would take Jack from him, but someone knew that he had ties with the Dark Lord ... and the only suspects it could've been were Draco ... or ... Severus. He growled that name past tightly shut teeth, "Severus ... damn you!"

Jack was swallowed up byt the strong emotions flooding into his mind from Voldemort, and he began to wail in despair. He rose to his knees on the bed and began to pound the wall with his left fist in dire frustration. "I can't stay here! I can't! I can't!" he cried, punctuating each sentence with a slam of his fist into the wall. When he could take the pain no more he collapsed onto the bed, holding his wounded hand. "Help me..." he wailed. "I don't want to die...." he sobbed.

Voldemort visibly winced when he felt how distressed and anxiety-ridden his little lover was. He narrowed his eyes, possibly to keep tears that he would never admit to having from falling from his eyes. He hissed to Nagini and told her to look over Wormtail, whom he had caged up in a back room of the Shack, and he set out for Azkaban ... all the while, he kept repeating, "I will come for you Jack ... you will not die ... I am coming for you ..."

Jack was curled up on his side on the bed, his arms wrapped around his bent knees as he cried. "Yes, Master.... I will be waiting... I am here..." he softly sobbed. "Please... don't leave me here. I can't stand it... I just can't.." he shuddered, and closed his eyes.

The pitiful cries and sobs that racked the boy's little body was enough to put Voldemort right to work. Armed with his wand, and his black traveling cloak, he set out on his modified Firebolt, consisting of an invisibility stealth option. He kept repeating over and over again that he was coming to find him. But as he continued to press reassuring words through their mind link, he could almost feel their bond crumbling. Jack Grim ... was most definately the Dark Lord's most intense weakness ...

2002-08-26 17:16:00,
My daily meal.

I don't know if I can even eat it. My stomach is in knots. I can feel it I feel... odd. Like myself. Not Jack... It must be Monday night... Tuesday morning... It won't be long now. The charade will be dropped, the mask taken away, and if my instincts, what there are of them, are correct... I will be found out... I will be destroyed.

Oh God James.... I've failed you. I've failed You, Lily, and Harry.

I am truly damned now...

2002-08-26 23:08:00,
Dark Lord Hunting... Speak to me in dreams.

AN IC RP with Tom Riddle, and well... his dream boy, Jack.

It had been a while since the Dark Lord had a need for traveling so far on his broom. Usually he had lackey's to do all the work for him. But he took this one quite personally. None of the other DE's even knew of the relationship that had spawned over the course of one night. Coming to a hault at the gates to Azkaban, Voldemort seemed to blend in seemlessly with the Dementor's in his thick traveling cloak, face hidden quite well. However, the Dementor's seemed not to attack him ... in fact ... they feared him ... slowly ghosting away from the entrance until the Dark Lord had pasted through it's front gates, they moved back into position. Talking amongst one another in their ghostly hissing language, Voldemort paid them no mind.

A grin stretched across his lips, despite the mood he was in. Nothing could compare to the dark creeping forboding sense that filled him in this prison of soul-less criminals, Dementors feeding off their every good thought until they were left as nothing but a muttering, drooling mindless being ... Oh how that made Voldemort shudder with power. But, back to the problems at hand. Amidst all of this darkness, he seemed to find that Jack's signal was most definately fading from his mind. Closing his eyes momentarily, he tried to reach out to him, getting nothing but a muttering of screams, wails, ghostly groans, and overall DARKNESS from the feel of the prison. He growled in frustration, and continued on searching.

He finally managed to find the only other sane being in the entire prison, the prison in keeper by the name of Mangus Tupple. He had personally picked Tupple because of his extrodinary powers of projecting a patronus in cases of emergencies. Yes ... this was HIS prison ... but no one would ever learn such a thing unless they had the guts to ask the Dark Lord himself. After searching the facility, and finding no sign of Jack, he gave up. Tupple noticed how drained he was, and offered him a place to stay. It was a good 6 hour trip by broom back to even London. He took the offered shelter for tonight, chosing to calm his nerves and relax and not let everything get him completely worked up.

Taking to a comfortable sleeping quarters, he laid upon the bed, only after laying a summoning charm down upon it to make it a bit softer and more to his liking. Stripping off his somewhat damp traveling cloak, he lay atop the covers, belly up, as eyes were slowly shut. He really wasn't in the mood for sleep ... or so he thought. For the very next moment, he was dreaming peacfully ... surprising, given the circumstances of where he slept ... there was no other dream greater than one with his beloved Jack ... and that's exactly where this dream was heading ...

Jack slowly walked around from behind the large throne before the fire, and dragged his hand over the other belong to the Dakr Lord, in the guise of a boy about his age. He heard the other sigh with appreciation, then continued walking until he was facing the person in the throne. With a slight smirk on his face, Jack reached up to his throat, and undid the clasp at his throat, and then shrugged off the long black cloak, letting it pool around his bare feet. He smiled, feeling the heat of the fire on his bare backside, and back, and feeling an appreciative stare on his bare front.

Having watched the boy materialize from the shadows behind his comfortable throne, one hand clutched around a goblet of fine wyne once more, he hungrily stared upon the boys bare features. Those crimson eyes gleemed in appreciation as he continued to just gaze upon the most perfectly beautiful boy standing before him. "Come, my little one ... " he called out for him in his sultry voice, sounding a bit more echoed than he usually would imagine.

Jack blinked slowly, his pale eyes looking over the young man that beckoned to him, and he smiled shyly, then slowly lowered himself down onto his knees before his handsome master. "As you wish... Master..." he purred softly, then reached his slim hands forward, and slipped them into the black robe of the throned figure. He knee-walked closer, then once he was closer, he pulled the opening of the robe apart, looking down.

A smooth purr left the Dark Lords lips as Grim knelt before him. Parting his robes, he could feel his raging hard on pressing determinently against his slacks. Running those cool hands over such warm smooth flawless skin, he let out another wanning purr, as well as more words leaving those lips, "You're so perfect ... so obedient ... " He couldn't close his eyes now, they had to remain upon the boy kneeling, pressing deeper between his legs, offering without Voldemort demanding it. Utterly perfect.

Jack remained silent, slim fingers undoing the button, then making the zipper on the slacks purr as he pulled it down ward. He gripped the top of the slacks, and tugged, giving a glance up to his Lord as if to say, "Lift your hips please,".

And of course, he did. Lifting those hips, as to allow his pants to be removed was the least he could do for such a polite boy. Raising a hand to stroke through Grim's hair, he wanted to steal a kiss from those lips, but fearing if he let his eyes close, it would all be lost. And so, he remained with his eyes intently focused on his fledgling.

Jack pulled the pants down, and dragged them down to rest at the ankles of the seated figure. Once that was done, he placed his right hand on one thigh, then gripped the base of the swollen manhood before him with his left, then bowed his head down and covered the swollen head with this mouth. He slowly slid his mouth up and down the rigid shaft, gripping it tightly at the base.

Scooting closer to the edge of the throne, he spread his legs to allow an ease of access. The feel was strangely erotic, so gentle and ghostly. He needed more ... he *wanted* more. He raised his hand to the back of the boy's head, stroking it, while at the same time urging him to take more within that warm mouth. He licked his parched lips, groaning smoothly with eyes transfixed upon him, "Mmmn, that's it ... such a good boy ... "

Jack hummed a reply, nodding his head slightly, then relaxing his throat, he slid the full length of his Master's shaft into him. He pressed his nose down into the black patch of hair at the base of the cock he was swallowing and remained there for a moment, then he began to move his mouth faster up and down the throbbing tower of skin, sucking in his cheeks with a long swallow to increase the pressure.

The Dark Lord let out more sweet groans of pleasure as that skilled tongue took him in ever so deliciously. Hips began to writhe and push against that already deep throated mouth. It was a release he desperately needed ... but there were definately more ways to do it. They had done this one already. Voldemort was ready for a new way. Letting Jack get his taste, he tugged that head away from his slicked erection, and forced Jack to his feet, where he slipped an arm around his waist and tugged him into his lap, naked back against clothed front, Voldemort's hands working over the soft peach skin, nails clawing deep into such pristine skin.

Jack made a soft sound of surprise as he was taken from his task, then smiled as he noted the intent, the way he was being guided. He closed his eyes, and let out a sharp gasp as sharp finger nails dug into his smooth skin. "Ah! Master...." he shuddered as he was probed, and readied with long fingers.

"Mmmn ... yes, more groans ... that's what I like to hear, little one ... " hands indeed had been harsh, pulling those thighs apart, resting his chin upon Jack's shoulder, staring down over his naked body, looking at his twitching cock sticking up between those thighs, teasing at the boy's balls, rubbing teasingly. He licked and nibbled at Jack's neck and ear and shoulder, proving his control over him was much much stronger. Fingers drove deep into his body, as hisses and purrs sounded close to his ears.

Jack leaned his head back to rest on Tom's shoulder, panting loudly as he was fondled. "Oh Master..." he moaned. "Yes...." he sighed, hips rocking forwards and backwards as he was stroked, and kissed. His thighs trembled as he rested his feet on tiptoes, and those cold hands played over the most sensitive and vulnerable parts of his body. "Please.... use me my Lord... t-take me as your own..." he moaned, voice cracking with the tension.

Just the words he wanted to hear from such ab obedient slave. He held him tightly around the waist, and moved him into position, his hard shaft guided into him, moving slowly at first. He purred, pulling a lobe between his teeth to nibble on. His one free hand massaged over his chest, where fingers toyed with a nipple, pinching it to hardness.

Jack gasped and tried to breathe slower, tried to relax as he was impaled from behind, slowly and deliberately. "Oh... Oh... Master... " he whimpered, in obvious discomfort, and pain. He had no control over his own body at this point, and his nipples and cock reacted to the wicked, possessive touches that covered him.

He purred, his hands working over the smooth supple curves of the boys hips, back and legs. He couldn't control himself either. It was a terrible affliction for the Dark Lord. He tugged the boys hips farther down into his lap, letting out a loud grunt of approval, "Mmmn ... so tight ... so fucking tight ... " His grunts and heated breaths turned into guttral growls of the purest carnal pleasure.

Jack continued to shudder as he was touched and fucked slowly by the Dark Lord. "I... I've never.... been... had...." he panted between breaths made ragged by the motion of the other's thrusts. "You.... were the... first one..." he moaned, then closed his eyes as tears ran warm down over his cheeks, to drop onto his own thighs.

"Never?!" growled Tom Riddle as he clenched long fingernails into the delicate flesh of his beloved new toy. His desire, and lust almost overwhelming him at this point. "Then my beautiful one, this shall be an experience you never forget..." he rasped in Jack's ear, and began to thrust so hard up and into the boy he rose to his feet, taking Jack with him.

Jack staggered and leaned forward, resting his hands on the mantle of the fireplace for support as Tom Riddle held him fast and made savage use of him. "Master.... oh.... Please... stop... I ... can't...." Jack pleaded, tears now running down over his cheeks to drop and hit the hearth with a hiss.

"Yesss.... yesss.... My beautiful one..." the Dark Lord hissed in the ear of his beautiful toy, he was so close now, so close to fully claiming him as his. He would fill him with his seed, then brand him for all of the world to see. "Yess.... Yessss.." he growled as Jack whimped and sobbed before him.

Then there came a gasp of surprise from Jack, and the Dark Lord opened one eye to look. A hand, a black robed hand was reaching from the Flames, and reaching for Jack. "What???" bellowed the angry Lord of Darkness and Death.

The arm, clad in a black robe was reaching for Jack, and now had hold of his left hand and was pulling him away from the Dark Lord and into the Fire.

"No!" screamed Jack and Voldemort in tandem, but for different reasons. The flames made the robe of the unseen person flutter, and in doing that, revealed the Death Eater mark on the left forearm of the unseen would-be thief.

Voldemort gripped harder onto Jack's hips, and pulled backwards in an attempt to keep possession of his prize. "NO!! He belongs to me! To ME!!! He'sssss mine!" he yelled, then suddenly, his sweat moistened hands slipped from their grip on Jack's hips. His long nails left cruel red gouges across both hips as Jack was ripped from his fetid embrace, and pulled into the fire.

He vanished with a "POP", and Voldemort was left there alone, destraught, and furious. He let his head fall back as he let out a wail of utter loss and defeat, and then...

He sat straight up in his bed. He was indeed alone, he was still in Azkaban, and Jack was still gone from him.

2002-08-27 09:42:00,
This is the end.... or something close to it

It must be Tuesday... I have that strange fluttering in my belly I get on Tuesdays when the potion is beginning to wear off. I still have seen no other soul other than my self since being here, so I don't know if humans or Dementors will discover my true identity when it at last wears off.

So far I have written farewell notes to Draco, and Harry. Should I write more? Confess more sins, leave poison notes of hate for my enemies, real and perceived?

I suppose so, what the hell else do I have to do while waiting for execution?

2002-08-27 09:21:00,
NOTE TO DRACO,

My dearest friend, and I suppose you will not even be that to me by this point. My time is short, I fear my life is near to ending and there are things that I must say to you before I am gone.

You are an outstanding young man, nothing like your father and you CAN control your fate, and your destiny before you. I cannot begin to make amends for the betrayal I have brought upon you. Hopefully my death will clear the slate. I never meant for you to fall into Voldemort's grasp. I can do nothing to prevent that now, if I were to live, I would do all in my power to stop it.

He seduced me with promises of a revenge I have dreamed nearly half of my life for. I was blinded to what he really was, what he had done before, by the desire to have what I had craved at any cost. This final failure on my part, will soon have cost bing my life, and the failure of the noble duties I was entrusted with.

I don't ask for your forgiveness Draco, only understanding of rash actions made under duress. I will always think of you as a friend, comrade, and something closer. Be well. Be strong.

As Ever,

Jack Grim

2002-08-27 09:26:00,
Note to Harry,

Dearest Harry,

My time is short and I must say so much, and so much, in fact all is bad news. I am a victim of my own desires for revenge upon Pettigrew, and now I fear it will cost me my life, and remove me once and for all from this life.

The worst part is that I have failed you, your father and your mother in this failed plan of mine. I sought to destroy my enemy at the cost of my freedom, my duty to you, and I am sure, soon, my life.

I hope this doesn't all come to pass, but I am writing this to you, so that it may find it's way to you somehow. I love you so very much Harry, and I have failed you. I put my wants before your best interests. I fear I shall be destroyed for it after you and Albus gave me a second chance at life and redemption. Perhaps I wasn't the best choice for your Godfather, maybe James thought I could pull this off, but I failed. I hope sometime in the future, and you WILL have a future Harry, that you can fogive me.

Where ever I end up, I shall be watching over you.

Love,

Sirius

2002-08-27 18:44:00,

On the verge...,"I have just woken up, it seems I must haave slept for some time now... No one has yet to come see me, save for Voldemort in my dreams... He is growing increasiingly angry that I am not at his... disposal, and this only makes me fear for Harry more. With me, and possibly Draco, his new toys gone, who else will he turn to for deadly amusement.

My daily meal just arrived, so that means it is either the end or beginning of another day. Again, I cannot eat. I ache all over, and as I look at myself, that what I can see without a looking glass, I am still Jack. But, for how much longer?

I've written farwell notes to everyone I cant think of in this journal...

Harry

Draco

Albus

Hermione

Ron

Remus

Snape...

There is nothing else to do but, wait. I can tell, it is starting... The aches have increased, I am about to under go a massive growth and age spurt... Dizzyness coming over me... I need to go lay down..."

2002-08-28 15:58:00,
Pain.

It happened sometime a while ago, I don't know when... I just woke up, and yet though every fiber of my body is screaming in pain, I write.

I am Sirius Black. I am Sirius Black. I am Sirius Black. I am Sirius Black. I am Sirius Black. I am Sirius Black. I am Sirius Black. I am Sirius Black. And how.

The hair is longer, the aches more pronounced, the hair on my arms is back... you know the whole kit and caboodle. Again, I have no looking glass, but just by touching my face, with my again larger hands, I can tell that I am back to... my older self.

The clock is running, down. I picture a huge hourglass, with green sand rapidly running down, a metaphor for what time I have left. I am going to put this down for now, and ... pace. I can't sit here any longer. More later. Maybe.

As ever.

2002-08-28 19:39:00,
The daily meal...

Well, this makes the fifth I have been brought, the tenseness in my belly tells me they are spaced 24 hours apart. Another line I make with ink on the wall.

I am being kept alive, and no more. I have been myself for... hours now, and still nothing. I wonder how long I will be kept before being killed, kissed, hung in Hogsmeade square, shot at dawn. Ok, now I am being silly. I did this during my first days in here, the first time.

Will it be another life sentence then? Left to rot again this time in complete isolation without even the scream of the other prisoners to pass the silence?

All I can do it wait, and see. No more do I hear the voice of the Dark Lord. I am guessing because his link was to Jack, and not Sirius. I can only wonder where his rage and disappoint ment at my loss will drive him. Snape? Draco? Harry?

Oh God. You have really screwed up this time Black. Completely.

As ever....

2002-08-29 07:30:00,
OWL POST TO BLAISE,

*Very early this morning, the owl she had sent to Jack, returned. The letter to Jack was still attached to it's leg unopened. This meant only one thing, that Jack could NOT be located by any magickal beast or being. He had vanished, ceased to exist.*

2002-08-29 18:36:00,
Mark Six on the wall.

Does anyone miss me? WILL anyone miss me? I suppose Harry will of course, when the Owls go unanswered. I laugh to think of Albus having to say to him, "I am so sorry Harry. Your Godfather Sirius is unfortunatly back in Azkaban. He failed at a plot he and and I had to protect you, and because of... poor decision making, he has been recaptured, and sentenced to death."

That will be a cheery conversation. Excellent plan Albus. Excellent execution of said plan."

2002-08-30 07:44:00,
The passing of the days.

*Marks made on the cell wall of Sirius's Cel indicating just how long he has been held there, buy counting the once-a-day feedings.*

2002-08-31 00:53:00,A
Visitor to the condemned.

AN IC RP with Sirius, and NPC Dumbledore.

Sirius was asleep, as he was most of the time since returnign to him self, and realizing after a couple of weeks that he was not going to be slain instantly, but once again, left to rot in solitude. He was a shabby looking form on his bed, but that fit his mood currently, one of dispair and regret. He was not expecting the visit that came on the 35th day of his internment.

"Sirius. I want you to wake up. We need to talk." came the soft patient voice from, nearby.

Sirius stirred in his sleep and rolled onto his side, and slowly opened his eyes. He grimaced at what he was sure was a hallucination of the figure of Albus Dumbledore standing in his cell.

The figure smiled at him, and lifted a wand. "Perhaps, a cleaning spell will help you to wake up..." he said softly, then with a muttered word, a whirling wind engulfed Sirius's laying, dirty form and when the mini tornado was gone, he was sitting up, clean, groomed, and in fresh wizards robes.

Sirius blinked and looked at Albus in shock. "Is... is this real?" he asked, looking at his mended self shakily.

"Oh yes, quite real." Albus said patiently. "I have come to see if you have anything to say to me." he said quietly as he took a seat on the end of the bed.

Sirius sighed, and rested his face in his hands. "I screwed up Albus. I screwed up big time. I let my hatred of Peter and thirst for revenge get the best of me."

Albus nodded slowly, "You were going down a very dark, dark path. You had lost sight of the light that is your life, your role." he said quietly. "I brought you here, like I have others to let the poison of Voldemort purge itself from your soul. I do not want to lose such a wonderful young man to him Sirius. I know you can accomplish your mission in a way that is not so dangerous, nor damaging to your soul.

Sirius nodded. "I know. I know that now. I thought I would be able to handle it. Handle it all. Being Jack, being back here in Hogwarts as a student with what I know, with who I AM...." he paused, shaking his head with frustration.

"But I couldn't. It started with being put under Snape's watch..." he turned to look at Albus, "What the Hell was that hat thining when it put me in Slytherin for God's Sake? I am a Gryffindor! I always was, always will be!"

Albus nodded, watching his former pupil with interest. "You were once a Gryffindor, this is true, however, your mind is different now Sirius. Changed by life, fate, tragedy. Even if you have not realized how your mind and soul have changed others have, and so did the Sorting Hat.

Sirius did not want to hear this and got up from the bed and paced around the small room. "Well, forgetting that then. Snape is a royal pain in the arse. He's always on me about something..."

"Better you than Harry." Albus put in with a soft smile.

Sirius made a snort, and pushed his long hair back from his face and turned to look at Albus. "How is he?" he asked, "Harry, I mean." he said, suddenly concerned.

"Harry is fine, and the sooner we get his Godfather back to him, the better." he smiled.

"What day is it Albus? How long have I been in here?"

"Thirty five days you have been in here, the Fall term is well underway, and all is moving along as well as can be expected with Voldemort on the loose."

Sirius nodded. "I take it, Jack just vanished and ceased to be..."

"I plan to have Jack only gone for the week prior to the st art of the new term. I will time turn you back to the week following your disappearance. The staff, and few students that were there for the Summer Session will be told that you had to rush home to deal with family matters." he paused, and reached into his cloak pocket, pulling out a phial filled with a familiar colored potion. "here is your Medicine Sirius, take it and we shall put you back where you belong."

Sirius took the potion, and held it in his hand, thinking for a moment. After a pause, he looked over at Albus. "Could I see Harry, before I become Jack again. I have so missed seeing him as.... me."

Albus slowly stood up, and walked over to Sirius, resting a hand on his shoulder. "I think that would be a good idea. I know he would love to see you again, and looking so well..." he smiled, then reched under his robes, and pulled out a miniature hour glass. "Ready to go back Sirius?" he asked with a smile.

Sirius reached out and grabbed his journal, then nodded. "Yes. I have work to do." he grinned, and draped an arm around the elderly wizard's shoulder.

Albus nodded, and began to turn the tiny hourglass over, and over, and over again.

2002-08-31 02:02:00,
OWL TO HARRY,

Harry,

Can you meet me later this morning sometime? I would like to see you and just touch base with all that I hear has been happening lately. Pumpkin Patch, behind Hagrid's Hut. Saturday, 6:00 AM.

Sirius

2002-08-31 06:09:00,
Hello Godfather.

An IC RP with Sirius and Harry.

Harry walked past the great hall, skipping breakfast today because he was supposed to be meeting Sirius. He hadn't seen him since last year, and was really excited. Harry picked up the pace once he pushed though the huge doors that led out side. Squinting from the morning sun, he walked tawards the pumpkin patch, where Sirius was supposed to be.

Sirius was laying down amongst the massive leaves of Hagrid's Pumpkins, in dog form, waiting for Harry to arrive. He saw him approaching, and thumped his tail on the ground happily. He waited until he was almost on top of him before letting out a soft, happy bark.

Harry was a bit startled when he heard that bark, temperarily forgetting about his animagus form, but smiled instantly when he spotted the great black dog. Squatting down to his level, Harry scratched behind Sirius's ear. " It's good to see you Snuffles, I have missd you"

Sirius licked Harry's face, then turned and trotted off into the edge of the forest, where the thick brush began, then shifted back into his Human form, and reached out to grab Harry up in a massive hug.

Harry laughed as Sirius picked him up, and wraped his arms around his neck. They stayed like that for a while, just clinging to one another, as if by letting go, they would disappear. They finally let go of each-other and walked behind one of the massive trees, where they sat down.

Sirius looked at Harry with a happy grin, he seemed on the verge of tears however. "Harry..." he said in a voice choked with emotion, "You have NO idea how good it makes me feel to see you, and to see you looking so well." he sighed happily.

Looking at Sirius's eyes, he could see the emotion welling up. Harry reached out and picked up his hand. "I suppose I don't at that. but I am glad that you are well also. You are , arn't you?" Harry didn't really believe that anything was wrong, but you could never be too sure, could you?

Sirius forced a smile. "I have had some rough days, I won't lie to you, but over all..." he paused, grinning wider now. "I have been eating MUCH better and have found a nice warm place to sleep most nights." he said with a wink. "I am close by, and keeping a close eye on you and what is going on around here." He paused. "I even sent an owl to Snape. I am sure that royally pissed him off." he laughed, then a beat later was all business again. "I want you to do like I said and stay clear of trying to save that... that Jack guy, or Draco or anyone but yourself, Hermione and Ron..." he said sternly.

"I'm glad to hear that you've been eating" Harry grinned. He knew all too well what starvation was like. Sirius keept saying that he was close by, and keeping an eye on him. But what did that mean? Maby just simlpy that. Close was a good thing though, well unless he happened to find out what he and Draco were planing...."You sent a letter to Snape? I would have loved to see the look on his sour face when he read that!" he said laughing loudly.

Sirius grinned, and sat up proudly, "Well, I basically asked him what the bloody Hell was going on at the school, and what was with all the Death Eater activities and Voldemort and such." Sirius paused, his grin getting wider. "He wrote me back the neatest, most polite piece of mail I have ever recieved." he laughed. "His way of telling me to sod off. He even told me to drop by, to not be such a stranger!" Sirius laughed louder now, shaking his head he was so amused.

" I could well imagine what he would do if you did drop by though." Harry grinned, and leaned back on a root. This was wonderful. Sirius was here, talking and laughing! It made Harry very happy to see his god-father enjoying something, he had a feeling that he needed it.

"Yeah, well. Needless to say, no matter how politely the spider invites you into his parlor, or in this case, the viper. I am NOT going to be going...." Sirius said with another laugh. He leaned back against another tree, still facing Harry and folded his arm over his chest. "So. Anything else new and exciting I should know about? The Sorting is tomorrow night isn't it?" he said with a smile. "Ah... I miss those feasts..." he said with a gleam in his eye.

Harry watched as the other relaxed some."No. mot really...well, Hermione and Krum have been spending time together lately. I don't think that Ron likes that much"he grinned." Krum will be attending school this year as well." Harry scratched his head. Was there anything else that he could tell him? He hated lying to people, but sometimes it was necessary. "Jack dissapered for a week..family problems I guess. He's back now though."

Sirius listened, nodding his head with interest at each bit of new, and not so new information. He frowned, "Krum... he's that Durmstrang fop isn't he? Stunned that Diggory guy in the maze during the Tri-Wizard Tourney he did." he said in a low growly voice. "THEN you walked off with him and he got attacked by Crouch... I mean moody. Dammit, I mean by Barty Jr. Right?" he said finally fininshing.

"Barty Jr. and I think that Krum was under that curse..uh..Imperio. I don't think that he would do that on purpose Sirius. Actually, Barty Jr. was the one that Impeio'd Krum. Remember?" Sirius had a protective streak a mile wide, and once he gets started on someone, it's rather hard to throw him off the scent, as it were.

Sirius nodded, "Oh yes.... I recall that now. Krum was a pawn." he grumbled. "Well then, I STILL don't trust him. Star Seeker or not. He's STILL from Durmstrang." he said, showing the same prejudice against Viktor people showed him. "I don't trust him Harry. I bet you they put him in Slytherin with the other vipers."

Harry laughed at that. "Perhaps, but it is up to the sorting hat. I think it'd be funny if he got sorted into Ravenclaw. He has been teaching Hermione to fly as well." Maybe Harry was too quick to forgive people, but it wan't really Krum that did all that. Harry picked up a leaf and twirled between his fingers. "She's pretty good, Ron and I convinced her to try out for the quidditch team this year."

Sirius perked up at that. "Teaching Hermione to fly is he?" he said, then rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "That could be a good thing, or a bad thing, depending," he said, then laughed aloud again. "Hermione needs a boy to get her nose out of those books. Good for her!" he cheered.

Harry chuckled. It was true, Hermione was spending less time in the library now."that's about it really. Anything new and exciting with you?" he asked, and snoothed some hair from his eyes. There was a fair wind blowing though the trees, it was going to be a beautiful day.

Sirius gave Harry a patient smile, then shrugged, "Well, aside from looking into the Death Eater activities, and keeping an eye on Snape and his ilk. I have had some time to relax though. " he lied. "I have been doing well. " he added, then picked at a flower, lifted it to his nose and smelled it. "Life is not bad. Could be better of course. But not bad over all..."

Yes, that was certainly true. Harry watched the tree tops sway in the mid-morning sun. The two laspsed into companianable silence for a while, enjoying the day.

Sirius sat there smiling at Harry until he heard voices nearby. Hagrid was stirring, and making noise in his cabin nearby. Sirius shot Harry a look. "I should go..." he said, then crawled over and took Harry in his arms again for a long hug. "Keep in touch Harry, and I will do the same. I am always watching you," he said softly, then placed a kiss on his cheek. "I love you Harry." he said, then pulled away, and stood, offering Harry a hand up.

He hugged the other tightly "I will keep in touch." Harry took the offered hand gladly. "I love you too, Sirius" he said and watched as Sirius changed to his dog form. The dog nuzzled his hand, and licked it before running deeper in to the forrest. Harry waved after him, and then stuck his hands in the pockets of his robes and started to trudge though the pumpkin patch."

2002-08-31 08:13:00,
OWL TO SNAPE,

Severus,

Word has reached my ear that there is not only DEATH EATER activity increasing, but that they have penetrated the school and even VOLDEMORT has been inside. WHAT do you know of this, and what is your level of involvement?

Owl me promptly so that we can work on a solution.

SB

2002-08-31 19:43:00,
Back to the Dorms.

Jack slowly rose from the cot he had been laying on and stretched out. "Oi... Gods...." he moaned. He was once again, young. Once again Jack Grim, but he was stiff and sore all over. The transformation from Man to Boy was not without it's side effects.

He walked across the small room, and looked in an ancient and partially cracked looking glass at his reflection. The youthful face was back, the longish hair and two-toned bangs that fell over his pale eyes...

"Well, back to work..." he muttered, then turned and went to collect the robes Albus had left for him and got redressed. By the time he was finished, the evening meal was completed, and what few students remained were outside enjoying the warm evening. Jack made his way back to the Dungeons, not passing a single soul.

Whether this was accidental or Albus' doing, he was grateful in either case. He reached the mirror a the end of the dark and damp hallway, and as he apused to give the password, the wrapped his arms around himself against the persistant chill and looked over at the entrances to the Potions Classroom, and Snape's rooms. He shuddered again, then quickly muttered, "Venom" and went into the Slytherin Common Room.

It too, was blissfully empty, and he made his way straight for his dorm. It has been over a month since he has slept there, but for the rest of the world, only a week. Jack laid down on the bed, looking up at the canopy overhead, thinking.

He had only planned to lay there for a moment before going to find Draco, but he was soon fast asleep.