Thousand disbelievers couldn't keep me on the ground..--- February 2017---

I had left Malfoy in an empty corridor near the Slytherin Common Room, as much as he deserved what he got he should still get looked at maybe. Hopefully he wouldn't know who did it. Although, I was covered in his blood. Which wasn't a good sign, but right now I didn't care. At all, which quickly dissolved as I bumped into someone who looked like he knew I was here.

I had been making some rounds after I was informed that a student -- Malfoy -- was found pretty banged up in a dungeon corridor.  I knew that Lyla was involved with him in some way or another -- I preferred not to think of the specifics since she was practically as much of a daugther to me as any one of those kids were.  I had a feeling that there was someone roaming the castle who did not belong and I was correct.  He bumped rigth into me and I was not necessarily surprised to see him, though I had to say I was surprised to see him covered in blood. "Ah, Xander... I do believe that we are going to need to have a word in my office," I said calmly, though I was none too pleased that he had taken it upon himself to beat up the competition for Lyla.  But I would not jump to conclusions, I knew all too well that there were always multiple sides to every story.

I sighed and yet nodded and followed him to his office. I still felt horrible when getting in trouble, what is this hold he has on everyone. We had got to his office, it was a quick walk apparently, which I was thankful for. It was very awkward silent. I sat down at the chair opposite his and waited then spoke, " Sir...if you would let me share my side? Better yet Lyla's side as well..." I said to him. I didn't want to get her involved but I know he would get it out of me sooner or later. " Sir.....she was attacked...it was my fault....she ended things and this person didn't take it well...to put it way to politely. " I added. Looking to his expression. " I know, fighting isn't the best choice. " I had agreed. It seemed as if I was going to have this word as he put it by myself.

I took a deep breath, " Sir, he attacked her and scared her...a lot." I told him as if he needed to know she was scared. He took something from her, something that can't come back. " He took something..." I prayed to Merlin he knew what I was talking about.

When we arrived at my office, I had just sat and waited for him to start talking.  One would think after being at Hogwarts for so long, I would know where to even start.  But I found that letting the kids start talking first before asking questions was always a good tactic.  I nodded as he spoke.  I had a bad feeling I knew where this was going.  Flashes of the night the girls had all been taken popped into my head and I had to focus to get those images out of my head.  "It sounds as though I need to bring Lyla up here," I said quietly.  "I know it was Dorian you attacked, Xander.  Professor Weasley found him and sent word to me that something was amiss.  I understand wanting to protect those you care for and I even understand wanting revenge... but you should have brought it to my attention first."  I stood up and figured that Lyla was probably awake -- awaiting the return of the person she felt most safe with at the moment.  I just sent my Patronus to her and pulled out some parchment to start writing to the parents.  I wanted to give time for Lyla, Xander, and even Dorian to explain themselves to me before the sets of parents showed up.  I had no idea how to handle them -- I knew James would be livid, Lily was just as much of a hothead as her husband, Regulus was a hard read, Aimee would probably be the calm one of the group, and the Malfoys... well, I expected they would be a handful.  I sent word to Seth who had stayed with Dorian in the hospital wing to bring him to my office once he was a little more presentable.  I was sure that they would patch him up nicely.

I had been waiting for Xander to return in the Gryffindor common room where he left me.  I was pacing by the smoldering embers in the fire when something bright caught my attention.  Great.  Uncle Remus wanted me to come see him.  I pushed strands of my red hair behind my ear and grabbed my wand.  I was going nowhere without it at the ready.  I did not want anyone to attack me again.  I felt sorry for anyone who may startle me when turning a corner or something.  I made it to the headmaster's office without incident and spoke the password quietly.  When the gargoyle sprang to the side, I climbed the stairs.  I did not bother to knock to announce my presence, he was clearly expecting me.  When I walked in I saw Xander covered in blood and sighed.  I went and stood behind Xander, ignoring the other empty chair, and put my hands on his shoulders.  I would be needing his strength, I had a feeling.  I looked at Uncle remus's desk and noticed three letters addressed to my parents, the Blacks, and the Malfoys.  Great... he was going to get the parents involved?  This could not get any worse for me.  "I'd rather not talk about it," I said, knowing what Uncle Remus was going to say.

I nodded running my hands through my hair. " I know Sir, I shouldn't have let the git get to me. He's just a spoiled rotten li----" I cut myself off. He knew I was mad, he didn't need a reminder. I let out a breath of air. " Revenge got the better of me and it shouldn't of I know. " I understood what I did was stupid. I let my anger run its course and it shouldn't have. " Yes sir, it was Malfoy.." I knew he had to write the parents. This was going to be interesting. I know my parents would pretend they had problems with it. Mum would probably tell me to not let it get to me so much.

Which is exactly what I should have done and just told Remus. I thought I could make myself and Lyla feel better. She wasn't about to fight her attacker. " I understand sir." I said, looking down at the floor avoiding his gaze from the parchment he was writing. You think after having to deal with my cousin his hand would hurt to much. I waited as he continued writing and sending his patronus to Professor Weasley and to Lyla. I was not looking forward to having the parents in here.

Lyla showed up, didn't take her long at all. I knew she would hate seeing me covered in blood even if it was Malfoy's blood after all. I leaned a little grateful she was there. I knew she would end up talking about it. Regardless if she just told him she didn't want to talk about it.

I knew that I would have three sets of angry parents at the office door shortly along with a bruised teenager and another professor who would gladly leave as soon as I let him.  I was glad that Xander saw where he made mistakes.  I would have punished Dorian for doing that to Lyla -- she was my goddaughter after all -- and I hated having it seem like these two were in trouble.  I mean, I could not really do much to Xander now that he was no longer a student, but still.  I knew that they were just trying to find justice for what had been done.  "Ly, we're not playing this game.  I doubt you want to discuss the details when everyone gets up here," I pointed out.  How I wanted to make her a cup of tea... but I could not show any favoritism right now.  I needed to be the headmaster, not the uncle.

Obviously I knew that he was right.  I had to tell him.  One, he was the headmaster.  Two, he was practically my uncle.  Three, I was always able to tell Uncle Remus everything.  He just had this trusting quality about him.  I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.  "Ian attacked me.  he was mad that I broke up with him and chose Xander," I said flatly, trying to disassociate myself with what happened so I could get through repeating it to Uncle Remus.  "I was on my way to see Xander and he cornered me... and he knows that I hate dark, tight spaces... and he used it against me."  I felt tears come to my eyes and I blinked them back.  "I was so weak... I was freaking out so much and I couldn't even defend myself against him."  That was almost worse than what came next.  "And then... and then he... took one thing that I never gave him," I finished quietly.  I did not want to flat out say the words and i hoped that Uncle Remus had all the explanation that he needed.  I wrapped my arms across my chest as if to hold myself.  I saw the pained look in my uncle's eyes and realized he knew exactly what I meant.

As I sat listening to Lyla repeat what happened I felt the anger brewing again. I kept it to myself as I felt my body tense up completely. I just wanted to be there for her and I was going to be no matter what. I put my hand out to reach hers as she was still behind me. I wanted her to know I was here for her just like Remus was.

It broke my heart to hear Lyla tell me what happened.  I was going to break away from the persona as headmaster when I heard movement from outside of the door.  I had a feeling that was Seth with Dorian.  I knew they would wait until I let them in.  I stood up and looked at the two of them.  "Ly, I want you to sit over here, please," I requested, wanting her to be as far from Malfoy as possible in a space such as mine.  "Xander, you can stay there or move closer to Ly, it doesn't matter.  Just don't get in another fight in my office."  I took a deep breath to maintain myself for a moment as Boris wanted to have a little say in the matter.  I leaned against my desk for a moment as I looked at teh two of them.  "Now... Dorian and Professor Weasley are probably who are outside of my office right now.  I am going to have everyone in here and I'm sure your arents are all going to be arriving shortly.  We won't be making you relive what happened by repeating the story numerous times... and, Ly, I am sorry that you will probably be going through it in your head the moment that Dorian steps through those doors," I explained, remembering how the girls had explained feeling after their attack.  "We will be civil.  There will be no shouting.  And we will get to the bottom of this and how to handle the rest of the school year and punishment about all of this."  I went to the door and opened it.

I walked in with Malfoy and steered him to the chair that was empty.  he was a little bit doped up on some sort of pain potion, so he was at least easy to handle for the moment.  I did not expect to see Xander sitting in the office.  I looked between Lyla and Xander and then back to Malfoy then back to Xander.  I did not know the details, but I had a very good feeling that this was a fight about Lyla in some way, shape, or form.  I had to keep from being too friendly with Xander -- the level of professionalism that Professor Lupin instructed me on when it came to my cousins and such.  "Er, Professor, I believe I heard quite a bit of shouting that may wake the entire castle headed this way," I added, not wanting to stay longer than I had to but knowing I would not leave the Headmaster alone with three angry teenagers.

I had been shopping and just got home to find a letter waiting for me. I picked it up as I brought the groceries in with me. I put them down on the table and being the impatient person I am, I opened it and read it. I felt anger pulsating through me, this is UNBELIEVABLY. No way was Malfoy going to live through this. " JAMES WE'RE GOING TO HOGWARTS NOW!" I shouted through the house as I grabbed my cloak back on and waited for my husband. Once he was with me we left, I stormed ahead of him. " Hang on..." I said as I pulled my wand out and apparated us just outside Hogwarts grounds. I then handed him the note as I paced while waiting feeling that he was taking to long. I left him reading the note.

I was way to angry for this, could this have anything to do with Malfoy's grandfather and friends partaking in stuff that happened to me and my friends. Maybe a little. Remus said to come to the school. I was scaring children, they ran the other direction most of them. I knew James would be right behind me once he read it. " This is RIDICULOUS!" I shouted. " Treating her as if she is HIS PROPERTY THE LITTLE SPOILED!" I ranted, I did not care. I let it all loose. The little punk would know I am angry. I want to deal with his pathetic parents. Who clearly didn't know what it was to parent. " LITTLE PUNK!" I said angrily as I pulled open the doors to the Entrance Hall. " That LITTLE GIT!" I needed to scream or something I am sure my voice is echoing through the school. Which is why students ran from me I assume.

I had walked with Professor Weasley to the Heamaster's office.  I had a feeling that this was not going to go well fo rome... unless I could spin it more on Black than on myself.  When I was directed to a chair, I sat and saw Lyla deliberately ignoring me -- fueling my anger again.  I was not about to do something with the Headmaster's eyes on us... but oh how it was tempting.

We had just finished dinner as I was cleaning up the mess. I heard tapping on the window and cold have sworn that was a school owl. " Strange..." I said as I walked over to the window letting the owl in. I took the note, read it. " Babe!... We have to go to Hogwarts...seems there has been a one sided fight...."

I read the note and jogged to catch up to Lily, the note clenched in my fist.  I felt the familiar feeling of hatred and anger tighten around my heart.  It was something I had to fight with since Peter... something that I welcomed with open arms much too often.  Something that I attempted to hide even from Lily.  Something that made me follow in silence behind my wife.  I would need to be calculating and swift if I were going to embrace my darker side.  No one did this to my daughter.  Nobody.  I knew better than to try to calm Lily down; when she got to this point, it was best to let her go.