The Wind is Calling(Kite)

[Professor Ben Travers]

To anyone who didn't know, one of Ben's strange quirks was spending his Sundays in one of the unused classrooms. What was strange about this was simple: Ben had transformed into a white tiger and was lying in the corner of the room, trying to sleep. He was always more comfortable in his animal form, but a giant white tiger roaming the halls of Hogwarts wasn't exactly the best thing, so his time was usually limited, especially when his own sleeping quarters were rather small.

Sundays, however, were usually rubbish days. Nothing ever happened on a Sunday. As such, it was the best time to relax in one of the classrooms. Ben had always made sure to lock the doors, just in case a student walked in. This time, however, he had absently missed one lock.

In the midst of his sleep, he began to have nightmares. They weren't rubbish nightmares, though. There would be no teaching a lesson in his underwear, being chased by flying chainsaws, or being eaten by a basilisk. No, these nightmares were ones of his own creation. Flashes of the past haunted his dream.

Inside a dark room hovered one flickering light next to an also hovering man. He was thin and his face was drawn, as if he had been there for days. Pacing in a circle around the hovering man was Ben, his wand pointed at him. His face was twisted into a malicious scowl as he began to yell at the hovering man.

"WHERE IS MY DAUGHTER?!?! CRUCIO!" The man began writhing in pain, screaming at times, but still never speaking.

When Ben let up, the man continued to pant and laugh. "You'll never find them. They're long gone. I don't even know where they are! You'll never see your daughter again!"

"SHUT UP! CRUCIO!"


Ben awoke with a start as a tear rolled down his tiger cheek. His past still haunted him, but not the part he thought. It wasn't losing his wife and son that still plagued him, it was what he became because of it. Morphing back into his human form, he straightened his robes and tried to dry his eyes, but heard the door creaking slightly. "Who's there?" Ben asked, in an unshaking voice.

[Kite Skeron]

Kite had witnessed the Professor change back into a human from a gigantic Tiger form. As he heard himself being addressed to come out into the open, he stepped forth, fearless and respecting. "It's me, Kite Skeron." he said quietly as he walked in. He got right to the point, pushing the door shut with his foot. His hands were in his pockets (usually where he kept them, like now, when Mikayla isn't around.) "I would first of all like special instruction on how to become an Animagi. Also, I need to be instructed in Dueling arts for what I believe is an inevitable situation when I need to defend myself..." he sighed. "My fists may not be enough this time.." No doubt about that... whoever is out to get me surely won't give me the chance to get close enough to subdue them... He though to himself.
He looked back up at the professor, determined that he will get what he needs.
"I do need this, sir." He said. "Aside form owls, I can't stand the sight of large birds, and it's kept me from training and taking care of the Hippogriffs on my days off... I feel if I become one... a Hippogriff, I may be able to understand them, to feel their power, and come to respect it more than fear it... just like before. Also, I'm sure you'd like to know why I think I'll be fighting for my life in the near future."
He was told by the Auror that he spoke to the other day to tell any instructor he could trust, to up his chances of staying safe. "I have this group of Dark Wizards chasing me... The Black Hand, or the Dark Hand, or something like that... it turns out I inadvertently botched one of their little campaigns several years ago, and apparently accidentally killed one of their members. They've been hot on my ass whenever I leave the area, and have only been able to stay in Hogsmeade during the summer since I was 13..." he looked down.
"Professor Travers... I've heard of your skill... you've been marked in books of Legends even though you deny them..." he looked back up. "I need this, Professor, and if you can't do it, then what hope do I have?"

[Professor Ben Travers]

Ben let the student get every word out, primarily because he had to steel his resolve and avoid showing these emotions to the hatchling, but also because there was no reason to interrupt an obviously prepared speech. Though he had plenty to say once he finished. Luckily, only a few candles still kept the area lit.

Fully in control of his emotions, he waved his wand and illuminated the room, turning to the student. "That's quite a story, Mr. Skeron. Let me first say that I have discussed a few matters with the Headmistress, and until we find replacements, I will be running the Dueling Club and possibly taking up Animagi classes as well. I will have to make sure that everything lines up correctly, time-wise, so there may only be one Animagi class with only a select few people who have Outstanding marks in Transfiguration."

A slight pause brought him a few steps closer. "Though if you are interested in becoming an Animagus, you must know that you do not choose what animal you become. Just as the wand chooses the wizard, so, too, does the animal choose the Animagus. I respect that you wish to overcome your fear of the Hippogriff. If you look at my left arm," Ben raised the sleeve of his left arm to show off the impressively long scar down his forearm, "you'll see the price I paid for the feather that makes up the core of my wand."

He lowered the sleeve and then sat in a chair, motioning to Kite to do the same. "Now, I know how magic works and I believe that if you were to learn to duel against me, or more specifically, my wand, successfully, perhaps it would help your block against the Hippogriff itself. As for the story you told me... They're called The Dark Hand. Never thought I'd hear that name again. They were a group of Dark Wizards that were pale imitations to the likes of Grindelwald and Voldemort, but still rather fierce, especially with the size of their group."

Conjuring a serving tray and two goblets of water on the table in front of them, Ben offered Kite the drink as he took one of his own. A few sips later, the Professor continued, "I fought various members of The Dark Hand during my time as an Auror. Each one was as skilled as the last, yet none prevailed. Well... I say that, but... anyway, they went underground years ago, and I haven't heard of them resurfacing, but trust me when I say," he leaned forward and took a very serious expression with a slight twinge of anger, "if any of them do return and come after you, I will deal with them personally. They will not harm another child."

It was hard to keep from showing this emotion, as these Wizards were the ones responsible for the worst night of Ben's life. Regardless, he tried to return to his calm demeanor. After all, there was no reason to make the student feel uncomfortable.

[Kite Skeron]

Kite sat down and took a long drink, wishing this was the bootlegged Sake his Asian friend in Londonderry snuck over one time. Of course, that's a different (and much longer) story.
He looked at this man as if he were an older brother. He'd even go as far as say he idolized him.
He bit his lip and nodded. "Well, I have a feeling... that my dreams would be my best hint at what I'd become. Have you ever heard of a sort of winged... wolf? I don't know... I'm either going to become a Wolf, or a bird." He crossed his arms and looked down, frowning. "Either way, Professor, I don't know if I can win against one of those wizards." He looked worried. "Sir... I'm afraid that they may have been the ones that killed my parents."

[Professor Ben Travers]

Ben replied quickly after Kite, saying, "Those are strong accusations, Skeron. And considering how that particular group works, you'd probably never be able to prove it. But honestly, this is not a group you can just turn into the authorities, especially at your age. If you joined the Dueling Club, you could learn a few things, however, that would not help you directly against adults. The most you'd be able to accomplish is protecting yourself long enough to run away."

He took a drink of the water, taking his time to gauge Kite's reaction. He then continued, "I'm sorry, but you are simply too young. These people are fully trained and very powerful. I will not teach you to fight them, but I will help you defend yourself long enough to get out of any situation."

Standing up, he walked toward the windows and, opening the curtains, stared outside at the grounds. He began thinking about Kite's situation. It was a rough one for certain, but Ben was certain that the student could remain protected. Perhaps he would discuss this with the Headmistress later.

Though what grabbed him the most about this plight was that the same group Kite was talking about held the ones responsible for the death of his wife and son. This group also held the one who stole his daughter from him. Perhaps he would get himself noticed again and draw out the one who orchestrated that terrible night.

A few minutes passed before Ben spoke again. "Skeron," he said, "I want you to sign up for additional Transfiguration lessons. It'll be the best way to hide that I'll be teaching you spells to defend yourself. These particular spells and abilities are taught to new Aurors, so obviously, I'm breaking a few rules in doing this. These are secret techniques that you must never use in this school and only against The Dark Hand if you were to be chased by them. You must swear to me that you will never speak to anyone of the nature of these lessons, and you must swear to only use what you learn to defend yourself against The Dark Hand. Finally, you must swear to me that you will do whatever I ask of you in these lessons, no matter what it is. If you can promise me that, I will train you."

Honestly, if he thought about it the right way, Ben was about start using Kite as bait. If he kept near the boy, and believed what he said was true, then The Dark Hand should come after him, giving Ben the chance to find the one he was looking for. Of course, Ben wasn't consciously thinking about the situation that way. He wanted the help the boy so that The Dark Hand wouldn't get their hands on him.

[Kite Skeron]

Kite took in what the professor said, and with much tenacity, stood and said. "Sir, I'd be willing to love through everything again just to get my chance to show these Wizards that I'm not just some kid who can't do crap!" he was rather confident and with good reason. "Sir, I've fought their Leader head on! Mind you, it was with swords because he found it humorous that I was just as good at physical combat, but still." He nodded. "I'll take whatever you can throw at me, and I'll become good enough to where I won't just be able to protect myself. I can protect everyone."

He thought of Syrus and Mikayla, his best friend and his love. Then of Kayla, who was the closest thing he had to a sister as of late. If anything happened to them, he would not be able to forgive himself. "They have someone here who I'm sure is unwillingly giving them information. I know his name and the house he is in." Kite looked at Ben with a very determined look. He wanted so bad to laugh out loud, to cheer proudly, but for some reason, he felt that this was a solemn moment for this Professor. For three years he was plagued by these Dark Wizards, and so was Ezekiel... but he feared for the lives of everyone in this school. The forces of the Dark Hand were mighty, and numerous, and it would take a miracle to be able to protect the students with the sudden lack of professors. "Sir, they left their mark on my door when they killed my parents... apparently, they used a spell with blue light instead of Avada Kedavra."

He was already talented in the arts of Transfiguration and recognizing the Dark Arts. Divination is a strength as well, but History of Magic and Potions were a rather weak point for him, hence the private lessons. He wanted nothing more than to take these guys out himself, but knew it would be many years of training before he could. "When do we start?" he asked quietly.

[Professor Ben Travers]

Ben listened as the young boy constantly brought up unconnected thoughts in such a random way. It was odd, but it seemed like his prepared speech was slowly disappearing. Ben simply said, "We'll start tomorrow. We'll do some simple practice lessons first, to make sure you're paying attention in your Defense Against the Dark Arts classes. Afterward, we'll get into the more advanced lessons, as well as a few covert Auror tactics you should learn."

The Professor then turned back to face Kite and continued, "As for the blue light... There are many ways to kill someone other than with The Killing Curse. It's just the most effective and instant way to do so. In fact, with enough power, the Impact Charm Flipendo could kill a man. I couldn't tell you right off what kind of spell they used, as a blue light is commonplace in most spell, but I can say that I'm not surprised. I will teach you how to defend against most spells that have enough force to kill you, but know that Avada Kedavra is still nearly impossible to defend against."

Ben took a drink of water and looked at Kite. The boy reminded him a lot of himself at that age. Eager, headstrong, somewhat stupid... Changing the subject slightly, Ben asked, "Are you a Prefect, Skeron? I was at your age, becoming Head Boy and Gryffindor's highest scoring student since Hermione Granger. How are your marks?"

[Kite Skeron]

Kite thought for a moment. He had great marks in everything. Everything but History of Magic and Herbology. He communicated this to the Professor, and then nodded, deciding to bring another thing to light. "I also seem to possess a low grade of empathic ability." he stated quietly. "I can feel... pain within you sir, and it's almost blinding." he gazed at this man, under so much turmoil, pain and an unforgiving rage that was tucked deep within. What was with this guy? Kite thought there must be something more, and he needed to establish more than just a vague sense of student/mentor.
"Sir, I chose you secondly because you're legendary. You've set a standard for Aurors and Civilians alike." he looked Ben in the eyes. "But the primary reason is because I understand you." he stared at the Professor for a bit. "I may be only 16, but it seems as though things are catching up to me from much longer ago. My family - the Skerons - were apparently Aurors under protection because they not only learned the identity of the leader of the Dark Hand, they also learned the locations of their meeting spots, bases, everything about them... now, for seven years, those secrets lie locked within me, and I need to know for sure that if I indulge this information to you, you'll do more than parlor tricks." Kite looked up. "I'm aware you have a vendetta. So do I. But I know I'm too young and inexperienced to face them, and there's only one of you." He sighed. "I only want to protect the ones I love, and maybe help bring down the one who killed my parents and tried to kill me." He looked back at Travers. "I don't care about being Prefect. Head Boy. That doesn't matter. I have a goal, and it can't happen until I'm strong enough to amass enough Aurors to storm the place where I know my enemy is."

[Professor Ben Travers]

Ben's tone changed once again. He tried not to remain so serious, but with such a topic and with this boy pushing the right buttons, it was difficult to remain hard to read. He lowered his voice while trying not to sound angry as he said, "I have more than a vendetta, Skeron. Much more. What they took from me... What I went through afterwards... You couldn't possibly fathom. We have both suffered loss at their hands, but your luck is that your memory is damaged. I remember everything that happened. I remember all the blood on my hands."

He sat back down and thought for a moment. There were plenty of ways to finally get some form of information on the ones he searched for from the boy, but he didn't want to use them. He promised to protect and train Kite, and he would do so. "Look at the desk to your left." With a quick flick of his wand, the desk exploded and the shards caught fire. Within a second, the burning shards became suspended in midair, the fire pausing with them. "I can teach you things far beyond you'll learn at Hogwarts. I can teach you how to take simple spells you've already learned and make them far more practical than what you'd ever even dream of. This is no mere parlor trick!" As he exclaimed the last statement, the desk repaired itself and the fire circled above their heads. Keeping the serious look on his face, he said, "Now, what do you know?"

[Kite Skeron]

Kite smiled. "The man's name is of no object anymore, he's abandoned it. He's taken the name Gage for some reason." Kite shrugged. "Probably in connection with some mythology." he sighed. "They have forty five bases of operations, lining most of the cities of the world. London, Wales, Rome, Greece, Moscow, Egypt, Isreal, Tokyo... the list goes on.
"There are a total of three hundred and fourteen Wizards in his inner circle, thousands more acting as closet followers. My parents were deep undercover, and found that this man... this "Gage" as he calls himself, resides here. In Hogwarts. And he has..." Kite coughed. "His son is here. Ezekiel Gage." Kite looked up. "I don't know what you plan to do. I honestly could care less. I can easily defend myself physically against most anything, due to being trained for three months- intensely- in various physical arts, to show, and I quote, 'Why Wands are only half useful'." Kite crossed his arms. "Sir, if I may object, blowing up my enemies is not what I want. I want them imprisoned. Azkaban would be a mercy, sure, but I'm not blinded. I can see clearly, and I fear that you do not."
For his age, Kite could be seen as wise. After being trained by a 750 year old Vampire as well as watching his parents be tortured, and die, after being subjected to about ten hours of the Cruciatis curse himself...
One tends to grow up.
"Professor... Ben, please. Don't try and intimidate me. You're powerful. Legendary. Even more so than Albus Dumbledore. But I'm afraid you need me as much as I need you. Am I wrong?" It was Kite's turn to ask Ben questions now.
"When you were chasing after the Dark Wizards, Ben... you led them to my parents..." Kite said quietly. "I know it wasn't intentional... but the third reason I sought you out is because they told me you were the one responsible for blowing my parent's cover!" Kite said. "Is this true?" Kite asked in a quieter tone, looking down slightly.

[Professor Ben Travers]

Ben stood up at the accusation and took a few steps toward the window again. He had to control his anger, especially since he was still controlling the fire above Kite's head. He took a few moments to answer, trying to maintain his composure. "You forget your place, Skeron. Regardless of our common goal, you are still a student and I am still your teacher. Whatever you call me outside of our meetings is your business, but you will show me respect!" The fire blazed slightly, growing in size and then returning to its small form. "I am not here to intimidate you, nor am I here to teach you to blow people up, but if you want this to happen, you will observe the proper channels of respect..."

"As for your parents," he continued, "I wouldn't know of anyone who was undercover in that organization, as most of my dealings were primarily with isolated incidents. When I finally began my own personal mission, I never bothered with names or stories. If they didn't have the information I wanted, I tossed them aside. So if I revealed your parents' identities in some way, I wouldn't have known, nor would I have cared."

A few minutes of silence passed as Ben tried to control his emotions again. After the time had passed, he calmly said, "I think you should go, Skeron. Meet me tomorrow after dinner in my office and we'll begin your training." He said nothing else to the boy and stared out the window. A random thought buzzed in his head. If Ben's son was still alive, he would be about Kite's age, most likely a Gryffindor, and in Kite's year. He then began drifting into what-ifs and imagining what kind of man his son would have grown into. He then kept picturing his daughter and tried to determine what she would look like today. Immediately, Ben envisioned a younger version of his wife, though with a few of his own features added in. As he wondered if she still had her mother's eyes, a tear rolled down his cheek once again, hoping that his daughter would be at Hogwarts soon.

[Kite Skeron]

Kite eyed this man for a moment. Sure. Not trying to intimidate me. he thought bitterly.
"As with any human being I meet, respect is to be earned, not expected." Kite said quietly. "You said that once, Master." he said.
He stood, and turned, ignoring the idling flames that hovered close by. "Listen. I already respected you. But you have to understand, when a name comes up from something like that, one has to know... and I had to know if you were truly involved." Kite looked over his shoulder. "I hope, truly hope, that whatever your looking for comes into light soon." he started slowly walking out, flicking his wand, which in turn extinguished the fire that hovered above them.
"See you tomorrow."
He stepped back out into the hall, and began walking, taking in everything that was said, taking every syllable to heart as if he had spoken to a man on his death bed. All in all, he only wanted one thing.
To be left alone.