Rise Of House Cason

Shelby caught Artland in the hallway and pulled his arm.

"You got your OWL results? How did you do?" she asked with excitement.

"Yes and I did well." Art said with a smile.

"Well let's see them!" Natasha demanded, sticking her hand out.

"God, you're bossy." Art complained, handing her the parchment.

Shelby gave a victorious smirk and started reading. Her jaw slowly dropped and Art gave her a c.o.c.ky smile.

"Not so much to say now." Art said, grabbing the parchment from her.

"You aren't human. Simply a monster." Natasha muttered, shooting him a look.

"I haven't really asked but what do your parents do?" Art asked as they walked to class together.

"Dad works in the Ministry and mom is an investigator." Shelby said.

"An investigator? That is interesting." Art said with a surprised expressions.

"Yes. I asked her to investigate you." Shelby said with a smirk.

"Me? I have told you, I am an open book." Art smiled while shaking his head.

"I don't believe you." Shelby said, walking into class.

Art laughed and took his seat as well. Jacob sat near him and asked, "What the hell does Professor Thomas have against you?"

"No idea. Maybe she doesn't like good looking men. Explains why she likes you." Art replied.

"Ouch. So much for the new kid being shy." Jacob mocked a pain expression.

Professor Chip came into class and placed his bag at the front of the room before speaking, "Today we will be practicing nonverbal spells. Break into partners and stand across from each other."

He waved his wand and the chairs and tables were sent to the sides, leaving a large open space.

Shelby went with Natasha and Jacob went with his friend, leaving Art standing there like an idiot. He smiled bitterly and went to the professor.

"Mr. Cason, you will be my partner though I hardly think you need the practice." he said with a smile.

Art didn't answer and stood across from him.

"Now one of you will be using the Disarming Spell while the other will be trying to shield yourselves. Now remember, no cheating." Professor Chip said. "Mr. Cason, will you please attack me?"

"Of course, professor." Art replied, raising his wand.

A light shot out of his wand quickly but Chip was able to block it.

"Very good Mr. Cason, now let's start."

Everyone started waving their wand but nothing happened. Art hid a smile behind his hand as he saw that only Jacob was able to successfully cast his nonverbal spell.

Soon there was cheating happening with people whispering under their breath.

"We are here to learn! Not to cheat." Chip reminded them quietly.

Soon the whispers disappeared and the students focused on their wands.

"Go ahead and give pointers if you want Mr. Cason." Professor Chip said.

Art nodded and started to walk around.

"Damn Jacob, you don't have to be so harsh." Jacob's friend said rubbing his wrist.

Jacob laughed, "Okay now you attack me."

Art continued to walk around and stopped at Natasha and Shelby. He almost burst out laughing when he saw Natasha turning red with anger as she couldn't cast the spell.

"May I offer an opinion?" Art asked cautiously, not wanting to set off this temperamental girl.

She glared at Art before crossing her arms, not saying anything.

Art took that as a yes and stood across from Shelby. "You are forcing it too much. You need to envision yourself saying it, without actually saying it."

He gave his wand a quick flick and Shelby's wand flew out from her hand.

"Don't force it. Let it happen." Art said simply, stepping back and letting the crazy girl try before she blew up.

Natasha glared at him but focused on what he said before giving it another try.

To her surprise, Shelby's wand flew from her hand again. She was shocked and looked at Art in surprise. He smiled at her and continued to walk around the class giving tips to the odd person.

Professor Chip smiled at this and continued to watch the class.

When Art passed Shelby, she w.h.i.n.ed, "You help Natasha but not me? Not fair!"

"She needed it, you don't." Art gave Natasha a mocking smile before walking away, causing Shelby to giggle.

Art felt a spell whiz be his head, narrowly missing. He turned around and glared at Natasha who was looking at him with a smile.

"Sorry, I missed." she said.

Art gritted his teeth but didn't say anything. Shelby was almost doubled over laughing, finding it amusing. The class ended with Professor Chip telling them to continue practicing nonverbal spells for tomorrow's class.

---

"That was petty." Shelby giggled, leaving class.

"He deserved it." Natasha spat.

"All this s.e.x.u.a.l tension can't be good for you. You should sleep with him and get it over with." Shelby said with a smirk.

Natasha reached over and grabbed Shelby's ear, causing her to cry out in pain.

"I was kidding, sorry!" Shelby yelled, causing heads to turn.

Natasha let go of her ear and glared at her. "You are the one who is all friendly with him, maybe you should sleep with him!" she hissed quietly.

"I am d.e.s.i.r.ed by many, what makes him any different?" Shelby said with a mocking sneer.

"That he doesn't want you." Natasha laughed.

Shelby ignored her comment and slapped her forehead, remembering something. "I saw his OWL marks! Do you know how much of a genius he is!?"

"I am guessing all Outstandings?" Natasha asked.

"Better! Outstandings with distinction! In twelve subjects! He is a freak!" Shelby said loudly.

"Impossible. Hogwarts doesn't teach that many classes." Natasha said dismissively.

"Maybe he took extra classes but he took twelve exams Nat, he truly is a monster." Shelby said, shaking her head in shock.

---

Art was still gritting his teeth as he left his class, cursing the prat, Natasha. He saw her and Shelby fighting in the hall but ignored them and headed towards the forest where he was going to feed Azura and look for the Snallygaster again.

He walked by Thunderbird house with his head down, trying to avoid Alby recognizing him. Making his way into the forest, Azura slithered out of his robes and disappeared into the forest.

Art smiled and made his way deep into the forest. He searched high and low for the Snallygastor but wasn't able to find it. Soon Art heard a twig snap, causing him quickly take out his wand.

"Who's there!" Art yelled, his wand glowing.

Two figures stepped out, causing Art to curse and put his wand away.

"What the bloody hell are you two doing here?" Art asked annoyed.

"Don't be so happy to see us." Shelby muttered.

Art raised an eyebrow, waiting for an answer.

"She saw you sneak into the forest and decided to TRY and be an investigator like her mom." Natasha said, gesturing towards Shelby.

Shelby was about to rebuttal but a bush started to shake and Azura slithered out with an animal in her mouth.

The girl's eyes went wide as they quietly grabbed each other, clearly scared.

Azura blinked at them curiously and went to approach them, causing them to whimper.

"Leave them alone Azura, come here." Art said, calling Azura to him.

Azura listened to him and slithered over to him, showing Art her kill in which he complimented her on. She gave a happy hiss and started to devour her kill.

Art looked over to the shivering girls and said, "She is harmless."

"We don't like snakes." Shelby said.

"You're in the Horned Serpent house though?" Art asked, finding it ironic.

"Because we are smart! Not for our love of serpents!" Natasha spat.

Art shrugged his shoulders as Azura slithered back into his robes. She peeked her head out from his collar and looked at the girls curiously.

"She wants to say hello. Come say hello you two." Art gestured for them to come over.

The girls slowly and cautiously made their way over. Azura had shrunk to a smaller size, making her less threatening.

Getting closer, Shelby looked at her closely, "She is a Horned Serpent?"

"Yes. Mr. Scamander gave her to me to take care of." Art explained.

"They are so rare and powerful." Natasha said absently.

A loud screech broke the silence, making Art take out his wand.

A large bird/reptile creature was sitting in a tree looking down on them.