Rise Of House Cason

Art walked up to the man and pulled back his hood. A skeleton of a man with gaunt yellow skin was under the hood. His crooked yellow teeth were stained with blood as he still had a shocked look on his face.

"People like you don't deserve such a clean death, you're welcome." Art said, pulling his sword out of the man's c.h.e.s.t and cleaned the blood off.

His blood was still boiling as his wounds were slowly healing. Art clenched his fist as his new strength coursed through his veins. A sudden wave of exhaustion rang through his body and he fell to his knees.

His vision became blurry as he started to pass out. "Bloody hell." he murmured before passing out.

He woke up and found the sunshine in his face. He squinted and raised his arm to cover his eyes.

"Art! You okay?" Newt said, coming to Art's side.

"A little sore, that's all." Art said roughly, "Can I have some water please?"

Newt handed him a canteen which thanked him and drank. Art looked around and didn't see anybody else.

Newt gave a sad smile and answered his unasked question, "They are hunting down the remaining Hidebehinds and raiding the man's lair."

Art shook his head, "Mr. Scamander, have you ever killed someone?"

Newt was taken back from Art's question but slowly nodded his head. "Yes I have."

"What did you feel after?"

Newt thought long and hard before answering. "I felt sick, physically ill. But it slowly went away."

Art looked down at his hands, "I don't feel anything. Nothing at all." he paused and looked at Newt. "Am I the monster Dumbledore thinks I am?"

"No, no not at all." Newt said quickly grabbing his shoulder. "You are anything but a monster Art. You know how I know?"

"How?"

Newt stuck out his hand and Azura appeared and slithered onto Art and licked his face.

"Beasts are the best judge of characters. Humans can deceive humans but not beasts. You aren't a monster Art and you won't become one." Newt said pulling Art into a hug.

Art didn't fight it and went into Newt's arms.

"Killing someone doesn't make you evil. Killing innocent people and beasts is evil. Betraying your friends is evil. You are a loyal friend who helps those in need. If you don't trust yourself, trust me, trust your friends, trust Dougal, Nikki and Azura." Newt said softly.

Art nodded and pulled away from Newt. "Who was the man I killed?"

"A wanted wizard of MACUSA. Disappeared years ago, Heath Widker. Wanted for experimenting on children and protected magical beasts." Newt gave Art a glance, "He was someone who deserved to die."

Art gave him a thankful smile. "Where are we?"

"On the edge of the forest. I split from the group yesterday so they should be back soon."

The rest of the day passed quickly as Art and Newt talked about beasts and magic. Newt told Art that Azura easily slaughtered many Hidebehinds and shocked the students and Aurors.

They had many questions for Newt who said he is letting Art take care of her. Anderson and Alfie were upset that such a dangerous beast was with them the entire time.

"She saved us. Not you." Joel replied to them, taking a cloth and dapping Rachel's face. A large cut was still on her cheek causing her to try and hide her face.

Justin smiled who was supporting Boomer who looked like he went 12 rounds with a professional boxer.

---

The sky started getting dark and soon the others came back. When they saw Art awake they ran up to him and bombarded him with questions.

"I'm fine but thank you." he said with a smile.

"Is that Horned Serpent really your pet?" Rachel asked, still trying to hide her face.

"She is my friend." Art simply said, "Do you want me to heal that?"

Rachel looked at him in shock, "Can you?"

"I received an Outstanding in Healing on my OWLs, it shouldn't be a big deal." Art said.

"Please." she said with a sliver of desperation.

She sat down in front of Art and revealed her face. A cut ran from her temple to her jaw revealed itself. Someone clearly tried to heal it but was unsuccessful.

Taking out his wand he casted a few diagnosis tests and found that there was a poison that wouldn't let it heal properly.

"The Hidebehinds claws had some poison on them prevently it from healing but I should be able to clean out the remaining poison."

Rachel looked like she was about to cry. Art knew that people valued their looks, especially women.

"Don't worry, it will be like it never happened." Art comforted, giving her a reassuring smile.

He pressed his wand gently against her cheek and muttered a spell. She let out a small cry as the wound started to close. The skin knitted back together and only left a faint white scar.

"The scar will disappear with time but what do you think?" Art asked and created a mirror for her to look at.

She looked at the mirror and gasped, touching her face. Tears pooled into her eyes and she hugged Art fiercely.

"Thank you." she sobbed.

"Azura tells me that Joel saved your life. My thing seems to pale in comparison." Art said nodding towards Joel.

She nodded and gave Joel a hug who was stunned but quickly hugged her back. He mouthed thank you at Art who smiled and nodded.

Justin cleared his throat and motioned to Boomer who was covered in bruises and walking with a limp.

"Looks like someone beat the piss out of you." Art joked.

"Yeah well I can honestly say never fight a Hidebehind because you will lose." Boomer laughed before wincing in pain.

"Speak for yourself." Art gave a c.o.c.ky smile.

Art diagnosed Boomer with 4 fractured bones and multiple internal injuries.

"I have no idea how you are still standing." Art said, very impressed with Boomer's pain tolerance.

"My dad is a No-Maj who is a Marine. He always told me mind over matter." Boomer said, gritting his teeth through the pain.

"My dad is in the military as well." Art smiled, thinking Boomer and him were similar.

"Special forces, right?" Boomer asked.

"Yes, how did you know?"

Boomer grinned, "You shouldn't trust Shelby to keep her mouth closed."

Art shook his head and started to heal Boomer who didn't cry out once.

"Take it easy for a few days. The bones still need to set." Art said.

Boomer nodded and Justin helped him up before taking him to his tent.