A post Order of the Phoenix, pre-Half bloodline Prince story.

Please count this a replacement of the sixth book, since it was begun well before the release of the Half Blood Prince. I will not be changing this to accommodate the HBP plotline, since I feel that the edict of the Phoenix leaves a bang-up point of flexibility for fan-fiction writers.

Thank you to all of the readers who have supported me throughout the writing of this piece.
I can not state my gratitude enough to all of you who have made me the Number 1 Favorite Author, and this fib the Number 2 Favorite Story, the 7th Most show floor, the Most Reviewed taradiddle Ever in the site 's history, and for several calendar month between August and early November of 2005 the routine 1 Favorite Story.







'' zip. It permeates every livelihood and non-living thing. Without it, the universe would cease to exist. ''
~ Vincent VonStolburg ~






Chapter 1 ~ Lightning Strikes


Remus'eyes narrowed, peering through the heavyset onslaught as rain pelted the dry land. He continued walking, not breaking shaping even as water system sloshed about his mud-soaked ankle joint, chilling him to the ivory.

Moving was becoming increasingly difficult and the thick wool of his cloak clung awkwardly to his icy skin. He wished he had possessed the foresight to don a hoy one, for moving certainly would have been easier.

But there had been picayune time to think on such details.

His eyes burned, the stinging sensation growing until irritating tears streamed down his face, his salty split mixing with the pelting before they reached his lips, leaving the taste of salinity water system upon his tongue.

The prick sensation grew worse. It happened whenever his rod cells multiplied, and right now the frenzy going on just behind his retinas was aiding him, bringing into stern concentre the devastation of the night.

Cloaked images came to life, the moonless Night no longer a divisor as gray double danced before him with unearthly limpidity. It was the one small gift his monthly burden afforded him.

Night vision.

His eyes turned from the world around him, flicking towards the blackened sky, noting the new moon. He had a duad hebdomad before the pain in his bones returned.

Tonks fell into pace besides him, giving an involuntary shudder, and he caught her arm, helping her over another of the bushed before she could misstep. Her oculus were still bloodshot from the last sentence it had happened.

She nodded thanks and they continued their sneaky hunt. They dared not light their course for fearfulness of giving away their positions. Lingering Death feeder could be anywhere.

She, unlike so many of the others, had volunteered for this. The others had been afraid, but he did not blame them.

A reach had not been found in England for centuries. And the foul and loathsome Death Eaters would go to any lengths to find one. The grounds lay at their base, and he was thankful that the deep darkness spared Tonks from seeing the good extent of tonight 's destruction. Only he could endure spectator to its entire horror.

Five Muggles had been slain this Night. Their torn and mutilate consistency long since passed. There was nothing even the best of therapist could do. All that was left was to pick through the butchery, hoping against promise that a individual had survived.

He picked up the pace. They had to complete their search before the ministry functionary arrived. By then they were to be gone, simple ghosts to have passed through, unseen and unheard.

The past weeks had brought a slew of murders. No ... Butcherings ...

This was his 7th such lookup that month alone, and still the stench of charred cloth and burnt flesh reeled him.

Muggle category were being polluted with the foulness of Voldemort. And despite the Order 's outflank elbow grease, they had been powerless to cease it.

'' Six ... '' Tonks whispered, barely audible. Her slender form was bend down, her shaking handwriting checking for a pulse on a untried man, his once golden-blond fuzz matted thickly with coagulated blood.

Remus bent down, grasping her around the shank as he helped her rise. In the heat of battle she was fiery, unaffected by the horrors of fallen familiar. He had seen her ability to stymie such things out firsthand in the department of Mysteries. But now, in the backwash of something she had no control over, the steely glint was gone from her eyes, her purposeful stride lost.

He pulled her forward, feeling her oculus linger upon the shell skull of a man barely unseasoned than herself. He could sense its effect on her as she quivered in his arms. He wished to spare her further anguish, but they had to continue.

'' Do you think when he is at the logic gate of Scheol he will still believe it was worth it ? '' She whispered shakily.

He wound his arm tighter around her shoulder joint, squeezing her arm gently. No words of reassurance were forthcoming, but he felt her still, calming under his sense of touch.

The sick mongrel would pay. God did not let someone get away with such atrocities without retribution. And he would see to that.

The dark Maker had a new scheme. Snape had informed the social club week ago, but even now he still found it abyssal, for the vile being was no longer content to try out with magic.

No ... Now he was experimenting with charming puppet.

And people…

His plan was to draw rein the powers of every magical being for himself. So he could transmit them into his one acrid being.

If the idea of an even substantial Dark overlord was n't enough to frighten soul, Remus did n't know what was. But that fear did nothing to quell his barely contained fury.

It was common noesis that when emotions ran high, Wiccan and wizards often lost control. Hell, he had lost count of how many prison term Harry had done exactly that.

Only now the decease feeder were using a Reach 's emotions against them. The hooded figures had crept in the shade of night from nursing home to home plate over the past workweek, killing each prospect 's fellowship right in front of them. Their aim was to elicit an excited chemical reaction, one warm enough to reveal the Reach 's true potency.

It sickened him, how the shadow Lord could kill so many innocent, just to crimson the reach out of concealment.

But what was even more sickening was the nighttime Lord 's plans for the hapless soul once they were found.

He was planning on utilizing their blood, granting him their power to belt down. And the agency through which this would be accomplished…

He could only hope that if there were a Reach, that they would find them first. Because while magic ability was now understood, a Reach was not.

Most beldame and whiz developed magical power at a young age. Though there were always the few destined to become Squibs, and there were always a few who developed it later on in biography, in their stripling. It had turned out that magical power stemmed from a dominant gene, linked to the factor specifying origin type. And the genetic codification Muggles possessed only differed by a few nucleotide, so it was easily for the sport to rise randomly in Muggles, thus Muggleborns.

But a reach was not a hag or wizard, they were not a Squib or a late blooming thaumaturgist.

They were something different entirely.

When their magic prowess came to realisation, the Sami arrangement that alerted the schoolmaster to the comportment of a new enchantress or wizard would go off.

Tonight that system had gone haywire. It had been slowly register recitation for the yesteryear five months.

Now it was going off again.

There was a person out there holding to a greater extent power than they could properly wield.

And if Dumbledore was right, that meant there was a Reach out there who had finally struck out.

The poor illegitimate child.

Instinctively his arm shot out, halting Tonks roughly in place, his elaborate heart roamed, scanning the footing of what had once been an ordinary home set far away from the major road. Now broken floorboard littered the muddied reason, while hummer from the souse fires curled up in snake like tendrils, shrouding the world from view. Yet his eyes penetrated its head covering, searching for the flicker of move that had frozen him in place.

He clenched his finger tighter around the familiar worn oak of his wand, bracing himself for whatever attack would come.

None came.

It was then that he heard it. A sonant choking amidst the violent storm 's howling winds.

He withdrew his arm, placing a finger carefully over Tonks'icy sassing, signaling her to be silent. The only sign of her confusion was the light crease of her forehead. She would, of course, have no thought what he was looking for. Her hearing was not as refined as his.

But werewolf collation did things like that to a person.

It came again, a low, strangled moan, and he took off, rushing towards the reservoir. No assaulter could feign that kind of hurting.

He skidded, flinging Rock in the air as he bent down beside her. The micturate she was feebly pushing herself out of was a inscrutable blackened, filled with the profligate of her and the lifeless man besides her. Her torso spasmed with each choking hack as she coughed up inhaled water, her eyes glazed over from what he recognized as shock.

He pulled her up, speaking in low, reassuring whole step as she flailed against him. She was too fallible to do much scathe, even of the other sort ...

Tonks reached them, murmuring soothing words as she smoothed the little girl mud caked hair away from her face, brown water emerging from her lips as another turn of spasms racked her body violently.

He took her appearance in, another nonvoluntary spasm shaking her. bust sherd of what had once been clothing hung lightly from her, and the junk and dust sticking to her wet fount made her features unimaginable to discern.

He did n't make out whether to praise the heavens or curse them as he and Tonks exchanged a meaningful glance. They had to get her back to headquarters before something worse happened. Her shoulder was in desperate need of suturing, and God only knew what else the asshole had done to her before leaving her for deadened.

He let her cough up the rest of the water before stunning her. He hated doing it as he lifted her hobble variant from the background, but only one thing could have survived this.

And as weak as she was, he was n't eager to get on that thing 's bad side. There was no sense in taking opportunity.
* * * * *


The rain poured down in frigidness torrents as Harry shouldered his broom, sprinting after Kingsley through the fast forming puddles of London 's urban center streets. It was coming down in buckets now, and if he had thought flying through the torrential downpour had been bad it was zilch compared to the pound of his invertebrate foot on the slick pavement.

Moody 's guttural growl sounded off to his right, not that he could see him, the rain was too thick to see much of anything. Thunder clapped, shaking him to the core, and the lightning flashed shockingly, illuminating the domain to uncover rules of order member running in rank and file around him, splashing water as they went.

Five of them had shown up at the Dursleys barely an hour ago, reminding him of that night, barely a year ago, when an escort squad had shown up in the Dursley 's kitchen to whisk off him away to Grimmauld Place.

Only this Night was different.

hope of meeting with Tonks and lupine in Greater London were hissed quickly as Kingsley and Moody levitated his things, cramming them hastily into his trunk, and he had not missed how McGonagall 's eyes had roamed the room guardedly. Even stern, steadfast McGonagall was frightened.

Tonight truly was different.

He blinked rapidly, trying vainly to extract the water cascading into his eyes, but it was to no avail. His looking glass were too thickly coated with rain droplets, and he desperately racked his judgment for the spell Hermione used to repel water. For his wand was out, and he could use it. The Ministry had removed the Decree for the confinement of Underage Wizardry that summertime. Dumbledore had headed up the movement, arguing that the return of Voldemort endangered witches and whizz of all ages, and that in the event of an attack, students should be free to fend for themselves without the fear of repercussion.

The empty lot materialized between two run down houses, and he looked quickly at the modest slipperiness of sopping wet newspaper dripping from his bridge player, hesitant to snub his milieu for even a second when the foreboding fear of attack hung so thickly about him.

He read it silently before looking up. The run down sorcerous home base, in the thick of Muggle British capital, now stood revealed to him.

Grimmauld office.

Lupin materialized at the top of the rheumy wooden stairs looking worse for the wear. His normally threadbare wearable was now ragged and rake stained, his eyes hollow and sunken, holding the looking at of prey that knew its predator to be near.

Harry stepped through the doorway, stomping his human foot on the shagged carpeting, slinging mud everywhere as the others piled in. He swallowed the puffiness in the base of his pharynx, pulling his eyes from the muddy level, forcing himself to take in his surroundings. A man named Dorbert brass could be heard triggering the complicated locking spell on the front doorway.

A loud boom reverberated through the family, shaking the paries as indistinct vocalization argued in the space. Yet this did not chafe him. Even his curio as to why he had been pulled so untimely from his bed could not best the desperation that had hit him like a bludger. In the heating system of the subspecies they had ran he had forgotten one thing.

That they were taking him to Sirius's…

This house had never been joyful, but now it seemed a hollow plate of what could consume been. It stood as a painful monitor of the scrapings of a life that he and his godfather could deliver salvaged. But that life story was gone now.

War brought injured party, casualty brought painful sensation, and pain brought emptiness.

That was how he had felt since that night. Empty. There was nothing that could fill the nothingness. Not even the impend panic of facing Voldemort in long time to get along could make him feel anything but despair again.

Mundungus cleared his throat, turning all heads towards him as he beckoned for everyone to quietly create their way to an touch room. He followed, his sopping wet clothes weighing him down with every step he took. But nothing could matter him down as lots as the store ... As much as the incumbrance haunting him ... The one they should experience told him ...

Realization hit him hard, like sudden ducking into the icy Waters of the Northern artic, as he wondered what they were not telling him tonight.

He glanced towards Lupin who stood protectively future to him, opening his rima oris to speak, to ask, but he let it wave shut. He remembered all too well that Dumbledore would not countenance them to tell him anyway. They never told him anything when it could actually establish a remainder ...

But even if they had told him, right then, it would n't have mattered. There was no way any of them could induce known what would pass from that night 's events. At least not yet ... None of them were seeing past their pauperization to get him to a safe location, so they could not take in known that the night marked a turning distributor point in his lifespan, as well as in the life of the only survivor of Voldemort 's first wave of attacks.

The war had begun.
* * * * *


throbbing pain ... Blood ... rallying cry of pain ....

'' It 's a miracle she survived .... '' `` Ah ... but was 'hat really a well thing Professor ? ''

Dim vocalisation filtered into her thoughts, her sleep befuddled mind protesting strongly as it failed to grok a single tidings.

'' ... has a chance. ''

flash of brightness ... .flame ... coughing smoke ... squeal of tires ... .Sean ....

She awoke jarringly, her dreadful groan drowned out by the voices.

vocalization that were oblivious to her awakening. part oblivious to the way her trunk recoiled in pain. Voices oblivious to how her middle teared from the bright sunlight pouring in from the Windows of the destine room. representative oblivious to how she clawed like a frightened animal at the stocky comforter wrapped around her battered and bruised body.

Everything she loved was now gone. No explanation would be needed for her to understand what they had done.

What she had done ...

A new despair hit her like a thousand hot knife, slicing her skin in a way the worst of the fired spell could not induce.

She had done the unthinkable ....

New waves of painfulness decant Forth River, her imaginativeness swimming dangerously with each pulsating pain her dead body dealt. She would have cried out, but the effort would have been too often for her frail variety. Instead she drew in ragged breathing time until her consistence gave out, the auditory sensation of a door creaking and a with child, coloured mannikin standing over her vaguely registered before she once again slipped into merciful oblivion.
* * * * *


The pipe dream were always the Lapplander ....

For nearly a month she had refused to knuckle under to the nightly torments. She was unassailable than that. She would not mislay herself to the world of nightmares, even if the books she had read on such affair deemed that a more merciful circumstances than the one the wizarding world would bestow upon her.

But they did not yet know. Dumbledore had assured her of that. It had been nearly a month since she had come there. Nearly a calendar month since Dumbledore had explained everything to her. Nearly a calendar month since she had vowed to find some color of a rule life-time. She wanted that more then anything, so bad she could taste it. But she would never be normal.

No ... since the day she had regained cognizance she had discovered that she had been, and always would be, a freak. Hagrid had jokingly told her that she was a freak amongst addict.

Thanks Hagrid ... She thought bitterly, rolling in bed. She was in a hut not unlike Hagrid 's own, just outside of the schoolhouse. It was safer this way ... At to the lowest degree for now.

She drew in a shallow breath, letting her asshole subside slowly before Hagrid could hear. She had dreamt about it again. About that dark. sight of line and shrill screams had filled her mind 's eye each night since as she dreamt about their deed ...

Her deeds ...

She wiped the lingering teardrop that clung to her eyelashes, swallowing her own self-loathing. She would not press it, for she deserved every bit of pain bestowed upon her. She would stew in it until it had permeated every fibre of her being. That much was the least of what she deserved.

But the others ... They had not deserved it. They had been innocent caught up in something bigger than all of them.

And the single who had started it all ...

They deserved so much worse.

Everything good and pure in her living had been gone for weeks. It was with a inhuman clarity that she realized this. For now she lived for one purpose, and one purpose alone.

Revenge.
* * * * *


Harry lay on the top bunk bed staring at the ceiling, watching the way shadows played across it as sparkle from passing car headlights shone in through the window. Ron 's tatty snores drifted up, breaking the muteness like a loud hailer with every breathing spell, and it was taking every inch of the willpower he possessed, to not tilt over and smack his friend senseless with his pillow.

He sighed loudly, wondering when it was all going to end. Each day the Daily prophesier brought news show of Thomas More killings, more unexplained disappearances, and of more war. For respective weeks he and Ron had been catching tidbits of selective information, slip ups by the adults in Grimmauld property, and right now it sounded like the Ministry was in absolute mayhem. Not that he minded that fact. Anything that made Fudge 's job harder amused him immensely. What he did mind was the reason for the mayhem, and that was Voldemort.

Voldemort. It was odd really, how one person could be the cause of so much dying and death. No one should suffer that much business leader, he thought bitterly, thinking of the toll that the Muggle destruction were taking on Mr. Weasley, Ron 's Father-God.

Mr. Weasley was the person employee in the misuse of Muggle Artifacts Department, and recently, with the strain on resourcefulness in the Ministry, it had come to repeat as the section of Muggle relation back. Now Mr. Weasley spent half his metre performing memory magic spell on Muggle law enforcement, to continue up the death of Muggles who had been murdered by Death Eaters. Now every metre Harry saw Mr. Weasley, all the man could talk about were different possible strategy for protecting the Muggle population.

Now if only a good strategy actually existed.

He rolled restlessly, spying Hedwig 's gleaming centre in the duskiness. She hooted softly in acknowledgment, and he smiled in the nighttime despite his dark thoughts.

remembering plagued him every time he closed his eyes now. The department of Mysteries ... It was why he now lay awake.

He had willingly, foolishly, led them all into danger. Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, Neville ...

Hermione had nearly been killed.

Sirius had ... ..

He shoved the thought aside, re-vowing that it would never bechance again.

The conjuration was in figuring out how.

To protect them, he had tried to blatantly push them away, but they had seen right through that. He had refused to write, and his self-induced isolation ended when both of them showed up at the Dursleys while his congenator were on holiday. The two of them set up residence there the entire week, enjoin extremity circling the premise like mortarboard for security, while his friends had infuriated him to no end. However, he had finally realized that they were n't going to go away. If he was going to distance himself he 'd receive to do it slowly.

Yes. A gradual drifting would be best.

It was with these thinking in mind, that he drifted off into another night of spasmodic sopor. If only he could have known then what the next few old age would bring.





disclaimer : The case, places, name, and events mentioned in this floor, that coincide with the reference, property, name, and event mentioned in J.K. Rowling 's Harry ceramicist serial, do not belong to me, but to that literary genuis, JKR. Thank you so much for allowing so many of us to pursue writing through fanfiction JKR, we really appreciate it.

The fab banner is by SticksN'Stones.

Artwork of Kalliandra by agirlnamedbob87.





'' One may never know how long their candela of life 's wick is. What they can live, is how well it burns. ''
~ A.K. Lovell



Chapter 2 - First Impressions


Her eyes flickered over the lake 's glazed surface, taking in the shimmering manifestation of the too soon morning dayspring. The sun was barely risen and the razz still slumbered, but this had become the average for her over the past tense weeks. She simply no longer saw the use in sleeping when guiltiness plagued her even there.

A visible light breeze ruffled the water, tousling her pilus gently in its wake. She casually brushed her whispy strands back, tucking them carelessly behind her ears.

Her whisker had always been a source of frustration, always in the way, hanging in front of her oculus, driving her instructors crazy. No ponytail ever held for long, for her thick, glossy fuzz had a way of worming its way out. It was as if it preferred to be detached and untethered.

Kind of like me ...

She swore silently, the rippling moving ridge now running across the lake the only witness to her frustration as she stood. If she was not back soon Hagrid would awake and find her gone. Of course of action here would be the number one place he looked, but with as late as he always ran he would not be pleased with her absence, particularly when they had places to go that afternoon.

Diagon Alley. The very name evoked so many emotions. It was heavy for even her to fret them down.

Not that she was allowed to show sorrow. Emotions were no longer a perquisite she had.

She had been warned of the peril of such things.

Her bare substructure crunched upon the dewy locoweed, but the early first light chill did not trouble her. She reached into her pocket, fingering the cherry tree wooden airfoil of her sceptre before pulling it out, studying it appraisingly as she traversed her way across the earth.

They were odd looking affair really. Long and thin, and from the looks of it, easily breakable. She suppressed the sudden urge to do just that, knowing full fountainhead that zippo could be gleaned from such destructive mensuration.

It would not change anything, except her mood, but even that could not be improved measurably by the snapping of her symbolic netherworld.

Of course, seeing Hagrid 's face when he found the snapped remains might be rather amusing. Especially with the Brobdingnagian mountain he had made over how golden she was, getting a specially made wand from Ollivander. It was n't like she had wanted one, and the just rationality the quirky man had fabricated it thus was because none of the really wands that he had brought to the school had so a lot as touch off.

So in what the odd man had called a stroke of inspiration, he had custom designed the one she now bore, forming the core with a lock of her own pilus and a pinprick of her own ancestry. She could n't even recall how many spells had to be woven into it.

It was funny, for her wand was the merely affair she could cajole into working at least somewhat decently, and still she hated it.

Probably because it part the same fortune as you, she thought bitterly, glancing at the ever rising sun.

Francois Jacob 's ladders now streamed down from the clouds, forming pools of light on the vibrant grass, giving evidence to the warmth the day would bring.

It was a warmth that would never get to her.

A slightly stronger snap bore the sound of approaching hooves, and she turned towards the Forbidden Forest, the outline of annexe folding into a cavalry 's skeletal eubstance signaled Silverthorne 's comer.

Silverthorne would be pleased. Now he would not have to wait for her to change out of her nightly garments before getting his Mustela nigripes fix for the day.

She stopped and waited, his gallop growing louder with his speedy approach, and a small smile graced her passive lip. Hagrid and Dumbledore had been as wonderful as they could be, but there was much they kept hidden from her. intuition informed her of this with every fleeting looking at they exchanged around her.

Perhaps that cognition could excuse her hostility as of late. Hagrid was a good man and had not deserved the brunt of her angriness the previous day. They had been arguing as of previous. But then again, she deserved to be informed of everything regarding herself. Keeping her in the dark could only cause further damage. This she was convinced of.

Silverthorne let out a low, guttural grunt as he slowed to a canter, stopping to nestle her with his nose.

A puppet of the abruptly. It was one of the more unseemly names Thestrals were referred to by, but it explained why she had felt an instant lot to them while the other beast screeched and howled in her bearing.

His teeth glinted in the red hues of the morning and she smiled, pleased with the sight. It should have concerned her, but instinct again told her there was nothing to fear with him.

At to the lowest degree so long as he gets his morning bite, she reminded herself with some amusement, picturing how he would deplumate through the little creature 's bones so eagerly.

She smiled again, letting the concerns of yesterday toss. She would apologize to Hagrid later before they reached Diagon skittle alley to get her 'school'supplies. She used the countersign fleetingly for while she was to attend Hogwarts, she was too far behind to be expected to actually change by reversal in assignments with the rest of the sixth geezerhood. Instead she was to put up a suitable façade until she gained the knowledge that could aid her.

Then there was the small factor of her being completely unable to incant in the inaugural office.

No one would be the wiser to why she was really there. Dumbledore 's concocted stories would not only determine out, but they were even believable to an extent. He would game her if anyone questioned them. That was her sole embossment in this entire hell.

The hell that had become her life.

Kalliandra pulled herself onto Silverthorne and squeezed her bare heels around him, his bony ribs protruding into her skin in the process. He took off quickly, carrying them both towards Hagrid 's hut at a tempo abysmal to any man, but not to them.

* * * * *



'' I ca n't trust Fred and Saint George, I mean they already got me one set of dress robes, they did n't need to do it again. ''

Harry laughed as he watched Ron wiggle uncomfortably, the witching tape measure mensuration flying vertically around his champion 's no longer gangly torso, magically recording the length of his coat of arms, legs, meridian, and for some odd reasonableness, the distance between his pinna.

He knew exactly why Ron 's brothers were getting him plume robes, but he was n't about to share that small-arm of information. Not when he was actually enjoying himself for the first clip in weeks.

'' Well we did n't take them last class, '' He pointed out truthfully. `` And we do this twelvemonth. So maybe they just felt bad since your growth jet rendered your early unity unwearable. ''

'' Thank God for that, '' Ron grunted, slouching as the measure flew past his nose, only to be smacked atop the point since it no longer seemed to care about doing it 's job peacefully. In fact, if Harry had n't known better, he would have thought it was offended.

'' Blimey ! Watch it ! '' Ron exclaimed, ducking another near hit, his feet entangling in the long dress gown trailing past his metrical unit.

'' Ron… '' Harry warned, but it was too lately. Ron had already tumbled over backwards, blazon flailing as he took a stand of robes with him, plummeting tumultuously to the primer.

'' Oww ... bloody ... pettish ... ''

Harry very nearly choked on slim air, quite a feat, had it not been for the flashy peals of laugh he was trying to miserably suppress as he caught the rest of Ron 's muttered profanities.

Of trend, he thought lightly, his skillful mate might not be muttering the colourful metaphors if he could see the look on the sales clerk 's face ... Or the fact that she was storming over from where she had been attempting to sizing a foremost year for his Hogwarts robe, face alit, hands on coxa, optic narrowed vindictively at the fix Ron lay in.

right then, with the impeccably bad timing that only Ron could get the hang, his Quaker 's red headland emerged from the fray, a bright garden pink canvas wrapped around it like a shawl, and a sheepish facial expression on his face as he stammered apology. The sight must sustain been too a good deal for the shop assistant, because her rima oris twitched, her serious expression faltered, and all pretension of anger vanished as she failed to be discreet about her own entertainment.

'' Oh heavens child ! '' She exclaimed in exasperation, clutching her position hard. `` I dare say you might want to lead that off before anyone else sees you in it ! ''

Ron stood up, disentangling himself from the various fabric while Harry laughed.

'' You know mate, I think Madam Maulkin 's got it all improper. I think that 's an splendid look for you. Imagine what Hermione would intend ... ''

Suddenly he was finding it out of the question to recognise Ron 's ears from the rest of his entangle lustrelessness of haircloth.

'' Oh shut it Harry ! ''

Harry grinned, enjoying his acquaintance momentary uncomfortableness. `` Speaking of Hermione ... '' He said, calming down slightly. `` She should be here any min so perhaps you could ask her for her civilise persuasion ... ''

A bright pink satin blur flew across the room, and he caught it deftly, holding it out in front man of him as he looked at it in mock estimate. `` Ron, I 'm touched. But it 's really not my color. You however looked absolutely spiffing in it. ''

'' You sure bout that Harry ? I 'd be thinkin'that it 'd be clashing with his red hairsbreadth Thomas More than yers. ''

Now there 's another welcome phonation ! He thought happily. Leaving the Durselys had been great, but he had sourly missed Hagrid.

It was possibly due to this, that he whorled around in his fanny so fast that he nearly slid off, earning several aloud snicker from a sealed chuckling redheader tangled in fabric.

'' Hagrid ! When did you get here ? '' He asked, ignoring Ron 's set about reenactment. He took in his large friend standing awkwardly near the electric chair.

They really should make stores more accessible for people his size ... He thought, making a mental notation to mention the idea to Hermione as Hagrid opened his gravid mouth.

'' About five minutes ago Harry. And I stand by what I said. '' A mischievous grin formed under Hagrid 's seedy Robert Brown beard as his eye landed on Ron. `` Hot pink would be clashin'horribly with Ron 's hair. ''

A loud tearing sound tore his attending back to Ron, and he stifled yet another laugh at the appal expression on Ron 's face. By all appearance, Ron had attempted to take the air from the fitting platform to where he and Hagrid sat by the windowpane, only now Ron was staring down at the ripped fabric hanging raggedly from the hem of his new dress robes.

'' Now that's why you 're supposed to continue put ! '' dame Maulkin snipped, spying the new destruction and waving her baton. The fabric flipped up like a Snake River, a large needle zooming to mend it. Ron attempted to start back away from it.

'' It wo n't bite you know ! '' Madam Maulkin yelled, huffily storming over. `` Prick maybe ... ''

Ron did not look relieved at the cerebration. Of form, the agonized facial expression might take been from how lady Maulkin grabbed him by the nape of his collar and yanked him back to the adjustment platform, where she immediately began to fuss over the fearful state of his robes.

'' Better eat up you first since you ca n't stand still. '' She quipped in her luxuriously flip voice. `` And to believe that this morning I would have sworn it was the untried students who gave me the most trouble ... ''

Ron shot him a pleading look to which he grinned bemusedly, chuckling at how Ron reacted to being fussed over. The guy could hardly tolerate his mother 's own tending, let alone that of the seamstress !

Probably why he 's still squirming come to think of it…

He turned back to Hagrid, leaving Ron to fend for himself. `` So did one of your beast get a hold of your teaching robes or did Fang do it ? '' He asked, grinning knowingly. Hagrid 's creatures were always tearing his clothes, which would explain why half his garments were covered in mismatched patching.

Hagrid grinned and shook his mind. `` Nah Harry, for once me robes are OK. Right now I 'm 'ere with Kalliandra gettin'her some robes of 'er own. Speakin'of 'er, ca n't wait for yer two to contact 'er. She 's an absolute chick she is. ''

He nodded, curiosity driving him as he wondered who this Kalliandra fictitious character was. must be a low year or really vernal. He was certain he would accept remembered that epithet at least.

But in the rachis of his creative thinker he felt a twinge of shame.

Generally there was only one reason for why Hagrid took anyone to get school supplies, and he was all too familiar with such affair.

At least Hagrid will show them a good time, he mused, remembering his beginning misstep to Diagon skittle alley. He opened his mouth to ask if they were from a wizarding or Muggle folk, concluding that it must be a first class from the way Hagrid was still babbling on about them.

'' Ah there ya are, '' Hagrid boomed, cutting him off at the pas.

He followed Hagrid 's gaze towards the try-on elbow room, taking in the relatively meddling depot when a not unfamiliar sensation hit him like a bludger, his tum twisting oddly as his optic landed on a slim pattern, glancing around the memory board hesitantly.

And I thought Hermione looked expert in dress robes, he thought, swallowing toilsome, berating himself for being distracted. But this girl was stunning, in an offbeat sort of way. While her feature of speech were rather plain, her long, aureate dress robes clung loosely to her slender legs, with her delicate paw lifting the hem, revealing tanned ankles as she moved towards them.

The hell of it was, she was n't stopping. Ron 's grunt was the sole thing that kept him from outright gaping as she came to stand right-hand by him, biting her lip nervously, eyes directed at Hagrid.

'' So you found some eh ? '' Hagrid asked, shooting Harry a wide grin, failing to notice that he had become a mute.

The female child nodded slowly, her eyes glancing at him appraisingly for a endorsement before flickering away. `` If you could name it finding ... '' She said, a touch of sarcasm unify into her otherwise pleasant speaking representative. `` It was more like being attacked with this ... '' She lifted the hem of the robe for stress.

'' And my assistant did a fine job young lady. That semblance suits you, '' Madam Maulkin chimed out, shocking him back to his sensation. He silently thanked her, and glanced over to see that she was still indeed, judging by his friend 's ail expression, torturing Ron.

He shook his head whimsically at the sight, glancing back at the girl in figurehead of him, thinking that Madam Maulkin had a stage about the coloration suiting her. Her dark golden hair cascaded loosely past her berm, several brusque strands framing her grimace, lightly brushing her dog collar bone. All of it was barely discernible from the silklike gown cloth clinging to her gracile pattern.

Briefly he wondered if it were a blessing or a crime to permit girls out like that.

He pulled his regard back to Hagrid, loath to be caught staring.

Fortunately Hagrid had not noticed, and the girl was too busy bickering with him.

Spying that his attention was again re-focused, Hagrid shot him a strained smile. `` Ah well ... Harry, Ron, this 'ere be Kalliandra. She 'll be goin'to Hogwarts this fall to. ''

'' Youffa meanuh uh transforra ? '' Ron 's muffled voice called out from under the cotton case Maulkin was vigorously forcing over his point. `` Weff neffa haf uh transsfuh befuh. ''

'' What ? '' Hagrid and him immediately shot out, not understanding one Holy Scripture.

'' You have a very ... great ... headland ... '' Maulkin muttered with each subsequent Yankee-Doodle, and Hagrid 's guffaw of laughter drowned out Ron 's indignant retort. Harry glanced back at Kalliandra to see her watching the spectacle, a tinge of a smile tracing its way across her lips.

'' I asked ... '' Ron 's slightly provoked voice called out clearly, `` If she was a transfer, because we 've never had one before. ''

Harry turned back to Kalliandra, to see the tenuous smile that had bit ago graced her features vaporize.

The look she now bore conjure something within him ... But what ? He could not put his digit on it, but he now found himself staring at the top of her head, for she had begun pointedly looking down at the floor.

Maybe she had found Ron'doubtfulness offensive, though he could n't guess why. He shot Hagrid a questioning expression, hoping he 'd elucidate things since Kalliandra did n't appear about to do so.

'' Yev 're had transfers, jerst fer other home. ``

Harry frowned, `` Then why did we never see them sorted ? ``

'' Yeamph, wuff weff neevah seen 'em ... '' Ron grumbled, his robe once again muffling his words.

Hagrid eyed Ron with no small amount of entertainment. `` well that 'd be cause they came in the centre of the yer. Ca n't have erm sorted at the sortin'when they 've missed it already. ``

'' Oof ! '' Ron grunted, extricating himself from the excess fabric. `` So why the transferee ? Did her parents move or something ? ''

'' Yeah, somethin'like that, '' Hagrid said suspiciously, sounding rather exchangeable to the way he had whenever he was keeping something from them.

Like a to the full grown giant in the Natalie Wood ...

Or a three headed dog ....

Or a pet dragon ...

Seeing a half titan squirm beneath one 's gaze would normally be quite a funny occurrence, but it simply made Harry queasy as Hagrid continued shuffling his feet, mumbling about proper introductions, while the lady friend remained extremely quiet.

Harry feigned a polite smile, extending his hired man to the missy at Hagrid 's insistence. `` Nice to meet you. ''

She hesistated for the abbreviated of second base, before finally extending her hand as well.

'' A joy ... '' She said quietly, her centre flickering up to meet his.

It was a jolt he had been ill prepared for, for her optic held a trace of the familiar… So closely akin to the haunted looking of Sirius'that he felt himself shaken to the effect at the familiarity.

'' Y-yes, '' He got out, releasing her warm handwriting quickly, frisson shooting through him.

The genteel grin she had shot him flickered and disappeared abruptly.

'' Oh blimey ! '' Hagrid gasped hurriedly, startling him from his mentation. `` Kalliandra do ye listen if I leave ye 'ere with them for a second ? I wo n't be a tick. Just forgot to do somethin'but wo n't be long. ''

It was a wonder Hagrid had even asked, because he was already waving arrivederci to all three of them, not waiting for a response. And from the malevolent glare that Kalliandra shot him, he really could n't blame him.

'' Like he gave me a choice ? '' She muttered, deflating, her eyes no longer holding the obsess quality of before. Maybe it had never been there. He really ought to let slept longer ... With all his turbulent thought as of late running through his mind he simply was n't thinking straight.

'' It may have been important, '' He pointed out awkwardly.

'' Yes, you 're probably aright ... '' She said faintly, her interpreter so soft he scarcely heard her. Though her surprisingly conciliate intonations did nil to give up the coarse quality of her glare as her narrowed eyes followed Hagrid 's retreating frame. In fact, she was still shooting obelisk out the door as the supporter yanked her over to the receptive try-on weapons platform besides Ron seconds later.

Harry decided not to dwell on the look he had seen, the one so painfully comrade to Sirius. It had probably been his imagination, so he contented himself with trying to decide which of the two looked more disgruntled. Kalliandra kept shutting her eyes, as if frightened by the enchanted tape measure flicking around her drumhead, while Ron kept shooting scowl at gentlewoman Maulkin.

'' You know we 've never had a carry-over before. At least not one that I can think, the right way Harry ? '' Ron stated, glaring down at Maulkin as she marked his cuff with chalk, determining the length of his sleeves.

He was about to agree when Kalliandra cut him off.

'' Well you 've obviously had one now. ''

The supporter flicked her wand, shortening Kalliandra 's robe slightly. It was all Harry could do to forefend cursing the helper. Girl 's gown should get no shorter ...

'' You know that wo n't bite ? ''

Harry found that oddly comical, considering that Ron had been ducking the really thing himself, but at least his acquaintance had not been standing ice still like a deer in headlights.

Kalliandra had though.

She opened her middle, arching an inquisitive brow at Ron rather than answering him, and Harry noticed her visibly flinch as the flying tape measure zoomed close again.

Ron 's brow furrowed slightly at her lack of reactivity. `` The tape measure ... That 's what I meant. '' He stated awkwardly, looking at her as if waiting for confirmation that she had indeed, heard him.

She just nodded, turning her head to attend out the door. Ron shot him an annoyed, 'Can you believe this ?'spirit.

He had to admit Ron had a head, she did not seem very personable, and did not seem too sex about talking, so he was n't about to force her. Yet something about her aroused his wonder. If only he could put his finger upon it ...

Several instant passed, the awkward silence broken only be Ron 's random outburst of displeasure, and Kalliandra 's calm down responses to the assistant 's doubtfulness. Unsurprisingly she was the first one done, and he found himself having a severely meter not staring at her now that the attire robes were completely fitted around her frame. The thing was classy, elegant, and practically forge fitting ...

'' Hey how come she got done so quick ? '' Ron asked indignantly, as Kalliandra made her way back to the changing rooms, the bottom of her attire robe gathered in her hands as she walked carefully. She seemed unused to walking in something of the form.

'' Because she, unlike some of my client, actually held still while we measured her, '' gentlewoman Maulkin quipped from where she knelt on the floor, using her wand to make small fry adjustments to the hem of Ron 's robe.

She flashed Harry an inconspicuous wink, and he barely caught it, smiling slightly at her before glancing back to see Kalliandra disappear behind a changing way curtain. He could n't help oneself but palpate slightly relieved. Between his rarity about this missy and Ron 's limelight, he did not want to be caught staring at her. And he knew he 'd be a lot less prone to doing that once she was out of that execrable robe.

Of course he was wrong, because when she re-emerged he found the short sleeved top she wore to be no better than the low cut course the gown had bore.

'' Ahem. ''

He tore his eyes away from where she stood by the counter, to see a disapproving Ron shaking his oral sex firmly. He appeared to be mouthing, 'No'at him.

seed to think of it, Ron seemed to be making sick faces as well.

Harry failed to experience the luck to so much as shrug in reception to Ron 's obscene like motion in the girl 's focal point, before a tranquility clatter broke the relative secretiveness of the room. He turned to see Kalliandra squatting down on the base, picking up tiny pins in her hands.

The deep in thought help stood behind the tabulator, bearing a slight grinning. `` Oh honey, thank you, but do n't occupy about that. I 'm as awkward as can be ... '' The supporter flicked her wand and the little pins scattered all over the place disappeared, reappearing into the pin shock absorber held in Kalliandra 's manus.

'' See, I 'm knocking stuff over all the time, '' The assistant continued, while the girl stared at the now filled pin cushion, biting her lower lip, confusedness etched into each of her feature.

He did n't give out to point out it.

It 's like she 's never seen illusion before ...

There was no clock time to follow that nonsensical train of view, for Kalliandra had already stood, thanked the woman, and disappeared out the forepart entrance with her bag.

'' Was n't she supposed to wait for Hagrid ? '' Ron asked after a moment 's break, brow wrinkled confusedly.

Ron was ripe, she was supposed to waitress for Hagrid. Harry hesitated a instant, an internal debate waging until curiosity got the better of him. Wasting no more time he jumped from his seat and went after her.

He wanted to see where she was going.











'' And after all, what is a lie ? 'T is but a the truth in mask. ''
~ George Gordon Noel Sixth Baron Byron of Rochdale, lord Byron~







Chapter 3 ~ Entangled vane



Traversing her way through the swarming, cobble streets of Diagon bowling alley, she let out an unsteady breath.

To the core she had been undeniably, inexplicably, shaken. And all because of a scattered mint of oarlock upon the flooring of a garment shop, and her own woeful attempts to rectify a clerk 's clumsiness.

Magic.

Yet again it had been unceremoniously thrown in her case, for wizards and enchantress had it at their disposal.

The sooner she became accustomed the better.

She could not afford to be seen or discovered for what she really was, for in all her incompetence in the craft that made this obliterate public of sorcery fanfare, she would be left naked and exposed, the consequences of what had lain both within and far flung from her grasps unthinkable.

Butchered for who she was… The possibility was nothing less than she deserved, for one such as herself should not be allowed to walk upon the bustling streets, the tone of the most luminescent of the heavens'orb warming her skin, the light clatter of pebbles being kicked askew and the laughter of baby ringing within the time out of her auditory senses.

No. There were others who deserved such privilege far more than she, though they now lay where the sun could no longer reach their icy individual. And with them, lay the illusion of who she had once been.

She had died the Saame day they had succumbed, despite the rhythmic pounding within her chest.

She had not been fooled though, certainly not by Dumbledore 's scarcely concealed half-truths. She knew the pulsating rhythm within her to be fleeting, it was simply the reasons for this that she was unaware.

She was going to find out.

It was why she had left, fleeing in hopes of traversing her way through the densely packed streets, making her way towards the looming marble edifice, the favourable actor's line Gringotts Bank emblazoned across its bone surface.

After barely a hundred paces the pillar of the wizarding commercial society emerged over the heads of the crowd. Its supporting chromatography column leaning in various focal point, their haphazard support for the upper levels of the edifice strengthened with the sorcery filling the streets.

Though it was not there that she wished to go.

It was there, directly across from the hob filled depositary. That was where she desired to go to seek out her answers. Turning down the dark alley she noted a rickety mansion suspended above it 's entryway bearing the jaggedly carved words Knockturn Alley.

Yes, she had been forewarned of its shady characteristics. She had carefully listened to Hagrid 's babbling about it, about how he hated to venture down it each time he found himself in need of Flesh Eating lick repellent, and about how physical object of the unlawful variety could be procured.

She was an object of the outlaw variety, and if there was anywhere to line up toleration within the society that demanded Gustavus Franklin Swift execution for those of her nature, it would be here.

Hagrid had been none the wiser, substance to answer her every doubtfulness about the dingy back street. He had even inadvertently supplied her with the epithet of the man to whom she wished to verbalize, Mr. Borgin.

Kalliandra had a plan, and it would soon be set in motion.
* * * * *



'' You know Kinglsey loosening up could do you curiosity. I mean really, when was the survive time you took an dependable vacation ? ``

Kingsley Shacklebolt let out an incensed huff, raucously shoving his way through the thick crowd grunting about insubordination. Tonks only resort was to roll her eyes, further darkening the reddened hue that her boss'look was beginning to submit on.

'' Nymp-ha-dora, '' Kingsley grunted, sounding strained. `` If you ever… ''

'' Kingsley, Harry is perfectly capable of taking care of himself for more than five min, '' She said amicably. `` And besides, how was I supposed to pick up Remus'birthday gift for hi.. ''

'' Tonks…

Casting a squint-eyed glance at the senior rules of order member she came to a halt in the center field of traffic, ignoring the protestations of the witch and star around them, who were now being forced to walk a full two base to the face to debar them. For all their complaining one would call up she was inciting a riot, not stopping for a chat with her slightly formidable chief.

oral presentation of Kingsley, he looked like he was either suppressing the desire to restrain her, or in the start leg of cardiac arrest.

Frowning she regarded him concernedly. `` Are you fellow with hypertension Kingsley ? ``

A large mineral vein was beginning to throb in the man 's forehead, and he leaned low. `` Dam n't Tonks ! '' He hissed. `` This is not a game ! ``

She nodded, squinting up at the taller figure in the bright sunshine. `` A fact I 'm well aware of, '' She said pointedly, her previous pretending of humor vanishing. `` But the Order is constantly hovering over Harry, convinced that he is an incompetent 16 year old. Yet I have never heard of a 16 twelvemonth old who has survived as mu… ''

A rather large hand clamped over her mouth, and she found herself being roughly drug away from the cobble streets into a back alley, away from the ears of passersby.

'' Tonks you should know better than to… ''

'' Than to what ? '' She shot back in thwarting. `` Than to talk about what Harry has been through in the open ? ''

She did not even wait for his nod of assertion before continuing on her tirade. `` Why should we be silent Kingsley ? Lord knows these ignorant multitude need a wake up call, not that the Ministry is giving them one with their censorship of the theme and… ''

With an audible crinkling Kingsley shoved a transcript of the Daily vaticinator into her hands, watching her closely as she unfolded it, discovering it to be the later issue that she had not yet read.

Twenty heptad Muggles Die Mysteriously in the Spanse of a fortnight. Is He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named responsible ?

Her mouth fell open up, forming a minuscule'O'of understanding.

'' That 's right, '' Kingsley stated for her. `` They are finally reporting the facts. Fudge ca n't censor them any longer, not with all the eyewitness news report of the Ministry employees from… ''

'' That dark, '' She whispered, knowing wax well to what he referred. The scar tissue across her thorax would forever serve as a prominent reminder to her carelessness in dueling with her auntie. It had taken half of the summer, laid up in St. Mungos, for her to realize a replete recuperation from the blast she had been dealt.

Remus had been her only origin of sanity during that time, as he had been on the night they had combed through the grotesquely blacken yard of an isolated Muggle home, searching for survivors.

The month old picture of that unspeakable conniption was now burned beneath the front end page 's blinking headline, the water pooling upon the paving material darkened with what she knew to be blood.

The piteous souls had never had a chance.

Clenching the tabloid between her hands she met her boss'regard. `` Look, '' She whispered, forcing her voice calm. `` I know the purchase order is concerned about Harry. But he has proven more than competent in situations that most Aurors have yet to aspect, and he 's come out alive an… ''

'' And in the summons put half the Order in life-threatening danger ! '' Kingsley boomed angrily. `` All due to his impulsive, nervy, ill-thought…

'' Actions, '' She supplied, ignoring how his eye twitched. `` But how does the purchase order expect him to learn to make conclusion if we are always hovering over him ? ``

His eyes widened considerably, `` In war there is no elbow room for misapprehension. ``

'' Who said he was making them ? ``

Kingsley began pacing up and down the chemist 's side alley. `` No one, but you have to take on the child is… ''

'' Teenager, '' She corrected. `` And after what he has experienced one can hardly call him even that. ``

'' Is it possible, '' He said through gritted teeth. `` For you to not interrupt me ? ``

'' I 'll lead it under consideration, '' She replied, leaning against the dirty brick wall, capacity to bask in its shade for a here and now of respite from the Aug heat.

Kingsley 's next philippic was opaque, though she did catch the words 'irresponsibility', 'insubordinate', and 'dam n't girl'.

Slowly she began banging her head teacher against the brick siding.

'' …and it was your job to watch over them today. But when I come to check on things what do I encounter ? You ! Alone ! In the Quidditch shop class purchasing some ridiculously pointless Snitch… ''

'' It is not just a snitcher ! '' She interjected, halting the ravishment on her skull. `` It 's a aggregator 's variant ! And Remus ordered it a month ago for Harry, special order of magnitude ! They had to shit it to Remus'exact stipulation, and we thought it would be a nice surprise to pick it up while out toda… ''

'' Oh grand ! '' Kingsley burst out, throwing his manus up. `` Perhaps you explain your abstract thought to the social club when Death Eaters attack and take them away ! ``

She groaned, resuming the thumping of her head. `` Kingsley the Order would do well to take in that Harry is nearly of age. He 's nearly an grownup and nil is going to chance while he and Ron are being fitted for robe. ``

Kingsley stopped pacing abruptly, `` And what of the girl ? ``

'' You mean Ginny ? ``

The man let out a phone oddly reminiscent of a hippogriff in hotness, stomping the soil and sending a stack of dust scattering into the air. `` Who do you think I mean ! ? What other miss were you to chaperone today ? ! Focus for just a arcsecond would you Nympha… ''

'' We ran into her young man, '' Tonks hastened to inform, unwilling to hear that cursed gens again. `` So she is spending the rest of the afternoon with the Finnigans. ''

'' And the boy ? ``

She smirked, `` Being fawned over by Madame Maulkin. ``

Despite his madness Kingsley gave an involuntary thrill. It was a well known fact in his department that he hated all affair related to formal attire, with a picky aversion to those who made such things their profession.

Tonks smile only widened further, her pupils narrowing into small-scale ovular slits, center yellowing like a cats. `` See Kingsley ? They 're perfectly safe. No self-respecting last eater would venture into there. ``

Kingsley just groaned, `` Tonks because of you I am considering early retirement. Only I ca n't because as often as I hate to admit it, after me you have seen the most 'action'in the department and would be my successor. ``

Tonks jaw dropped at the entrance fee, a bellowing laugh resonating from Shacklebolt 's big form.

'' Speechless are we ? well hell has indeed frozen over, either that or your nose of the day prevents proper breathing. ``

Her paw flew to her stooped nose, pondering what was faulty with it. She had spied a copy of Witch Weekly earlier that day, and while she was not one for manner she had seen this calendar week headline : Crooked Nose Curses, In or Out of Season ?

Naturally she had spent the good morning wandering around, telling anyone within earreach that Rita Skeeter had cursed her, just to see the unify reactions.

The son had at to the lowest degree found it entertaining.

Kingsley 's loud cough drew her attention back, where he had adopted a rather exasperated glare.

'' You do see my dilemma do n't you ? ``

Eyeing his olfactory organ she nodded. `` Yup, you 've got a round-backed nose too. I hear those Muggle nutters have some keen techniques for remedying tho… ''

Kingsley stomped his foot again. `` See ? This is exactly what I mean ! Your attention span is bordering on the non-existent and you 're always usurp authority in favor of whatever your whim of the instant is ! In this case it 's the, 'the kids can fill care of themselves'caprice ! That 's precisely why I ca n't pull away betimes ! You 're nowhere near prepare for such a position and there is no one else with enough combat experience to recommend ! ``

She grimaced as his feel went unusually heights for a man of his girth.

'' Are you even listening ? ``

'' Yes Boss. ``

'' Do n't holler me that. ``

'' Your supremacy ? ``

Kingsley 's eye twitched. `` Don't… ''

'' I 'm just taking your advice. I thought authorization shape liked to be addressed… ''

'' One Sir Thomas More watchword and a 'Nympadora'foretoken is going to wind up up with a permanent sticking charm on your front door. ``

She sobered immediately.

'' And quit banging your forefront. ``

She stopped that to.

'' And do n't squirm. ``

Suppressing a groan she resisted the enticement, her discomfort level rising exponentially. bm was the only thing sufficient for quelling her often fray cheek in Shaklebolt 's mien. He knew this, and was intentionally depriving her of it.

Good God, if he was this bad with her she would hate to be a suspect for some detestable criminal offense. No admiration they normally came out of questioning twitching.

Contenting herself with incrementally elongating and shortening her nails, the appendage concealed by the thread bag her fingers were curled around, she arched a questioning eyebrow to which Kingsley immediately responded.

'' I 'm going with you. ``

With an indrawn groan she turned, carefully stepping over the trash that had been carelessly tossed, missing the bowling alley 's garbage bin, and stopped dead.

Passing the opening where the side alley converged with Diagon Alley 's bustling main avenue was a familiar head of black hair, and Harry was sprinting along at a healthy gait.

'' He can watch out for himself can he ? ``

Without a word she ignored the sarcastic shot, taking off after Harry with murderous intent. Of all the ill fated timing that one could have, she had the big. Harry just had to pick now to run off, and she had every aim of strangling him once she got a hold of him.

Of trend she may have to stun him first, considering he had grown considerably to tower various inches above her, making him significantly faster.

Aw netherworld, she 'd always been secure at stunning.

As they shoved their way through the street, Kingley 's gold loop earring glinting in the sunshine, she began ticking off the various fashion to kill or excruciate him. For out of all the Holy Order members she was his strongest advocate when it came to the stage of independence he should be afforded. After all, she had attested to Harry 's ability to severalize when it was or was not appropriate to wander off in public places. However, with Kingsley standing behind her, Harry was proving her improper yet again. She could only imagine the self-satisfied smile crossing Kingsley 's fount, and after he mentioned this to the Order…

Her appeal to let Harry in on Sir Thomas More of the social club'bodily process would probably be rejected, yet again.

This little stunt of his was going to cost him to a greater extent than he knew.

'' I 'm going to pour down him when I get a hold of him, '' Kingsley grumbled behind her, wrinkling his nozzle at the amalgamate fragrance stemming from the apothecary.

'' Not if I get a cargo area of him first, '' Tonks grumbled, thinking on how this little amble of his would probably cost Harry his allowance into the Order, and he would never even know it.

She began muttering in severe undertones, for she 'd lay down infernal sure he found out.

reparation her centre to the back of his header, she shortened her hair up her neck, and began experimenting with noses. It was n't until she spotted the old woman calmly perusing the extract of animate being food on presentation outside of Eeylops Owl department store that she was struck with an excellent idea.

'' Excuse me mam, I 'm going to need to highjack that cane of yours. ``
* * * * *



It was a marvel that he had managed to keep her in sight, considering the horde swarming around him, children screaming off token that would be needed for the start of term to frazzled parents, nigh of whom were doing admirable balancing deed with newly purchased cauldrons, record book, and potions supplying. Though her tomentum color helped, for it was neither dark nor light, falling somewhere between bronze and atomic number 79, yet far from blond. He had seen the color rarely, and he doubted ever naturally, before now. Regardless, it made her soft to keep track of her.

frankincense it was that he was ineffectual to miss her purposeful march into Knockturn skittle alley, his venter churning uncomfortably at the thought.

It was not a situation he liked. In fact, he would much rather prefer to fend off it all together. Yet the way Hagrid had been treating this girl, it seemed she was new to the beehive that was Diagon alleyway, and she very well may have just made a grievous, and possibly life threatening, mistake.

He knew the consequences of such errors far too well.

Pulling his scepter out he cast a glamour charm upon his mind, watching the disobedient strand of hair hanging on his brow lighten to a muted brown. Quickly he brushed as much of it over his forehead as possible, not lament to be recognized within the disreputable area he was now traversing through.

The drab entrance was rather distort, the space narrow and curving every few base, thus she easily fell out of his descent of stack. And it was not without incident that he made it through this, having to grunt at a Sir Henry Rider Haggard looking char to repulse household his point that he indeed did not desire to buy the cadaver toes she was selling.

'' Maybe adjacent clock time youthful lad, next time… '' She hawked after him, driving his gait to increase.

And increase it did, just in time for him to see Kalliandra disappearing through the entrance of Borgin & Burkes.

Making a hasty decision, and silently praising Fred and George for their generousness that day when they had visited the Weasley counterpart 's establishment, Harry crept past the shaded windows displaying Borgin & Calamity Jane on 'special'detail, casting a hole-and-corner glance through the shit covered panes.

The image was shadowy, distorted by the midst layer of dirt coating the windowpane, but Kalliandra 's glide slope stirred the man knelt behind the counter, his hands rummaging through his spyglass display font like a rat in a hole.

An indistinct parole fell from the girl 's lips, and with a sudden shock of movement the man stood, mouth spluttering indistinct words in a hoarse mode.

It was an coiffure meeting, or a coming together between two who were uncomfortably acquainted.

Neither prospect boded well.

It was suddenly obvious that she had entered here knowing replete well what form of place it was.

Making a decision as the man began pacing, Harry dropped to the filthy soil, allowing an overrule cart to conceal him from the bulk of the scant traffic upon the bowling alley.

This was not a conversation he was acute to interrupt, nor was it one he would like to be caught up in. Not in this place, not when the participants were so plunge. The stirring in him though, the word of advice that her behavior was like Malfoy - coming into Knockturn alley to get chummy with its proprietors - he could not brush off though.

Of all the times he 'd thought to spy on Malfoy, he 'd been right every time. And his gut was telling him the same now.

Pressing his ear to the lose weight, flaking wood paneling upon the brass 's exterior, he muttered a appeal for hearing sweetening, bringing the ill-boded conversation to life.

Through the creaking of aged, rotting woodwind instrument, Kalliandra 's intonation mingled with the owner 's pacing.

'' …ank you. I appreciate your honesty. ``

'' I have little use for honesty, and much for business organization, '' Rasped the man, whose voice Harry now recognized to be that of Borgin 's Proprietor, Mr. Borgin himself. `` Your agreement was challenging, and what you are offering in return… ''

'' Is something I 'd favour to not be discussed openly, '' She interrupted cooly. `` There are those who would strike much. ``

The tempo of Borgin vanished, the creaking of ill-suited flooring ceasing.

'' Of course of study, '' Borgin 's rattled hint barb out. `` Though the method of the payment 's delivery shall be to my specifications. ``

'' That is fine, '' She clipped back. `` And my club ? ``

A racking coughing shook the owner, Harry shuddering at the reverberations as the run-in a calendar month 's time were spoken.

Then there was muteness, enticing him to slowly slide up the splintery siding, his eyes reaching the sill to peer inwards, just in time for the dilapidated door to be thrown open.

And so it was that Kalliandra stuttered to a plosive consonant at the sight of the half-crouching man, who had clearly been listening in.







'' He who angers you conquers you. ''
~ Elizabeth Kenny ~



Chapter 4 ~ semen of distrustfulness


Perhaps it was the shuddering weakness that had plagued her trunk so oft as of late, but seeing the messy haired ceramicist upon the background was a plenty for which she had been ill prepared, the sheer shock sending her insides reeling and curling into abnormal mile as she blinked at him, his own typeface adverted as if stalling for time.

draught breath between her teeth the composition fell into place, forming an unpleasing pattern.

strangling back the gruesome sensation threatening to cower from her throat, she spun on her heel, strewing grimy junk in her wake and hell bent on distancing herself from the meddling fool as much as possible.

Silently she thanked God, the one of whose creation she was still disbelieving, for her prudence at having said zippo more than necessary.

Tucking a ringlet of darken Au behind her ear, effectively removing the wayward filament from her facial expression, she rounded the first construction in the crooked alley, passing a street vendor selling ears of something that sounded suspiciously like 'house elves'. It was in this moment of distraction that a firm grip fell upon her upper berth arm, the callosity on the deal evident as she reflexively yanked her arm away, stepping away to distance herself from the tush bold sufficiency to make such a gesture.

Unsurprisingly she was ineffective to even change state around before thrower was again upon her, ushering her to the former side of the besmirched area, away from the street vender. She wasted no fourth dimension in distancing herself from the Potter buttocks, fishing around for his first name, which she could not remember.

Casting a suspicious glance at the crinkled seller she felt distinctly spooky, even with the man 's demented eyes 10 yards off, for he was clearly out of earshot. Dismissing the momentary business that thaumaturgist could possibly accept superior hearing she felt her eyes narrowing into darkened slits.

To Potter 's credit, his backtalk was already opening in account, but she cut him off.

'' How much did you get word ? '' she hissed quietly.

His jaw clamped shut, an unsure flavour overtaking his lineament, as if he had no clue on how to answer her interrogative.

Another moment passed between them in silence, the shadow cast by the looming brick paries of the alley traveling such a light distance that their move would have been insensible to the homo eye, had either salute paid the darkness any creative thinker, though they did not.

Still the messy haired man before her did not speak, his silence allowing her the time she needed to compile her harshly shaken demeanor.

No one had been meant to know of her liaison with Borgin. No one.

As thrower 's silence continued she was left only to nod, expressing her discernment of his actions.

'' Listen, '' she whispered, being careful to keep open her phonation low. `` I want you to last out away from me, and my conversations. ``

ceramist 's case was oddly contorted, as if unable to settle upon frowning or glaring in suspicion. `` Why are you so alarmed about me overhearing that ? ``

'' Why do you imagine ? '' she hissed scathingly.

'' Could n't say, but you 're awfully concerned about that conversation remaining private, '' he stated pointedly, apparently having no qualms about keeping his vox down. `` Why the concern if you have aught to hide ? ``

She visibly bristled.

'' Correct me if I 'm unseasonable, '' she stated slowly, taking the time to pronounce each syllable. `` But near masses do not take well to having their private conversations listened in on. ''

'' Most people do n't wander down Knockturn Alley to speak in code with shady proprietors, '' he countered challengingly.

'' I 'm failing to recall any codification, '' she refuted, her brow furrowing. `` Though I 'm also failing to recall how this is any of a complete unknown 's business. ``

His dark, forest-like eyes met her staid gaze levelly, without excuse, while a woman with a torn, tattered gray shawl limped around the recession, leaning heavily on a claw footed cane. Neither spoke as the woman shambled along, quietly croaking out a melody of sorts about bat offstage and who-ding-its.

As soon as the womanhood neared the weave of the skittle alley, becoming interested in street marketer 's product, Potter closed the space between them, his shoes disturbing the deep claw marks that the elder 's cane had left indented in the soiled ground.

'' Look, '' he began, sounding very much calmer, `` I did n't adopt you to overhear anything, I just… ''

'' You just happened to watch me, '' she cut in unapologetically, `` And then you must suffer randomly settle to crouch down and eavesdrop ? ``

Potter took another step forward, center intimidating.

'' Yes. ``

suction in a half frustrated, half angry breathing place she suppressed the itch to kick something, him in particular. `` Alright ceramist, if that's the case, then why did you observe me ? ``

His look was naught short of derisive, the facial expression of one trying to explicate a simple concept to a small child incapable of grasping it.

'' Correct me if I 'm wrong, '' he commented, his voice carefully controlled, `` but were n't you supposed to be waiting for Hagrid back at madam Maulkins ? ``

She arched her eyebrows. `` Did it ever occur to you that I had places to go that Hagrid had no indigence to know about ? ``

In the saturnine shade of the alleyway, his eyes took on a suspicious, disapproving flicker. `` Why should n't he know ? ``

'' What are you my keeper ? '' she snapped scathingly, finally losing her temper, brushing a lock of hair away from her optic in frustration.

His center narrowed immediately. `` You 're avoiding the query. ``

'' And you 're being a complete… ''

'' A dispatch what ? '' he cut in, glowering as she lapsed into silence.

'' Look, '' he finally said, `` If your business here was harmless why risk venturing here alone ? Why not secern Hagrid and have him come with you ? ``

She kicked the ground in frustration, scattering bantam rocks in his charge. `` So you 're telling me that you inform Hagrid about everything you do ? Because if that's not the case… ''

'' That 's not the point, '' he interrupted, shoving his hands into his pockets.

'' Oh I think it 's very much the stage, '' she snapped acidly, noticing his bridge player curling into soused clenched fist within his pockets.

'' Look… '' he muttered, `` I just followed you because I thought you were supposed to wait for Hagrid. And when I got here I could recite it was n't a conversation I should be walking in on ... ''

'' And spying was a safe pick ! ? '' she shot out incredulously.

'' That 's not what I meant ! ''

'' sure sounds like it. ''

'' wellspring I would n't deliver even been there if you had n't walked out in the initiative place ! '' he shot out defensively.

'' Do n't you dare… ''

'' Now really, what discussion was so important that it required you to trek into Knockturn alleyway to mouth in subdued tones behind a closed door ? Because seriously Kalliandra, I 'd roll in the hay to know, '' he snapped with mock seriousness, yanking his hands from his pockets and crossing his branch.

She glared harshly. `` That is none of your business you miserable blo ... ''

'' Miserable gent ? '' he cut in. `` You 've got ... ''

Turning on her cad she shoved past him, brushing off his arm that attempted to halt her advancement as she stalked away. Purposely dragging her feet enough to send a strew of grimy dust in his counseling, she felt a detached sense of satisfaction at his indignant coughing.

'' Will you… '' he grunted. `` Just stop… '' She rounded a crooked turn, the light of Diagon Alley seeping into the dimly lit corridor. `` Because… ''

Continuing to snub him she stepped out into the bright light, allowing the bustling, shoving, chattering crowd to withdraw her whole.
* * * * *


Removing the shawl Tonks smiled maniacally, partly due to her substitute at being away from the amazingly putrid odour of the sign of the zodiac elf ear vendor, and partly because she was enjoying her old woman disguise too much.

'' Out of me way ! '' she snapped in a testy voice, effectively clearing the domain as masses scattered in every instruction. Anything to forfend getting whop upside the chief by the old lady with the sharp-worded cane.

Grinning with sadistic pleasure she passed where Kingsley sat, casually reading the paper at Florean Forescue 's Ice cream Parlor. Wasting not a second she yanked him up with her, dragging him with her after the two teens.

Kingsley yanked out his ear piece, the one that had allowed him to hear everything she had.

'' Tonks drop the old woman fulmination, you 're mucking it up and sound like a sea robber. ``

She threw her head back and cackled, sending a small-scale group of children, first age by the looks of them, scattering.

'' Oh being old is fun ! '' she related. `` I should do this more often ! ``

Kingsley now appeared to be thumping himself in the head with the rolled up sports section.

Maintaining their ambling pursuit, she was having trouble grasping Harry 's conversation due to the racket of the crowd. Knockturn Alley had been deserted in compare, but fortunately they were capable to bide relatively close due to her tendency to pink anyone ill-fated enough to walk in front of them in the vertebral column of the knee with the claw footed cane.

'' Remind me why we did n't just confront them ? '' Kingsley grumbled unhappily.

'' Well one, '' she said cheerfully, `` do you really think they 'd be upfront about what they 're little rendezvous was about ? And two, this is just so much more fun ! ``

Kingsley groaned. `` And here I thought you were the one against following Harry around. ``

'' Details ! '' she shot back. `` Besides, if I 'm going to throttle him I at least motive to get wind that I have a good intellect. ``

'' I 'd deliver a few for throttling you… ''

Smiling cheekily she ignored him. `` vigil and learn from the overlord Kingsley. Watch and get word. ``

Kingsley snorted. `` I thought I was the master. ``

'' Oh ? '' she questioned, `` So I guess it is O.K. to refer to you as that. ''

'' You 're really aiming to get that personalized, permanently stuck name plate are n't you ? ``

'' You would n't. ``

'' What makes you remember not ? ``

Smirking she did her best to hold open Harry 's head in sight, walloping her pander cane against a man too busy posturing for a Veela look alike to find the bustling crew swarming around him.

She let out another cackle, turning to Kingsley. `` If you put a nameplate on my role it'll… ''

'' You do n't take in an office. ``

She frowned. `` Someday I might. ``

'' Not if you keep this up. ``

Groaning she whacked her boss with the cane, appeased by the fact that a six foot plus man was now hopping up and down on one understructure good manners of her.

'' Now that I 've got your attention… ''

He groaned.

'' If you do that it 'll permanently remind you of me, and you would n't want that now would you ? ``

right hand then Kingsley looked very much like he would bonk to drown himself in the water drainage area outside of Eeylops Owl Emporium. It was a shame the bird of Minerva drinking from it looked murderous.

It took another 2d for the information to cognitive process within her nous, for it was a relatively clear area, and Harry had just drug the little girl over there.

Each and every bingle owl was glaring in their direction.
* * * * *


As she traversed her way amongst the moving sea of bodies, the heady press of commercial-grade Commerce Department hung heavily in the air. The mixing aromas from the apothecary, ice emollient front room, and owl emporium blended with that of the trick shop 's scented gage turkey, while candles burned mid-wick in every shopfront windowpane, lending the area a unique flavor.

In Kalliandra 's frustration she noticed fiddling of this. So fixate upon distancing herself from the messy haired man behind her was she, that she missed taking in the few muckle that she had deemed worthy of a second glance when she had traversed in the reverse instruction scarcely a quarter of an time of day before hand.

Now it was taking all her stockpile to avoid pulling violently away from the rough, calloused hand that had just shot through the crowd, grasping her firmly by the upper arm.

She knew wide-cut fountainhead who it was.

Hardly aware of the loose pebbling overlaying the cobble avenue, or of the continuous influx of patrons pouring from the shops into the street, pressing in around them on all side in a way that encouraged one to not dissuade from the speed that the crowd had reached a general, non-verbal consensus regarding, she found herself whirling around to face him, halting.

'' What ? '' she snapped, looking squarely into his darkness William Green, and currently unhappy looking, eyes.

'' I wasn't… ''

A voluminous man shoved past, cutting ceramicist off as he failed to take heed of the two individuals speaking a substructure below his rather flakey height. In the process he smacked against them brusquely, their heads banging together hard, and she found herself kicking a spray of pebbles in the man 's focussing, oddly satisfied as the man halted, swore, and turned in blank space looking for the perpetrator of the plan of attack on his calves.

'' Making Quaker everywhere I see, '' Potter commented dryly, tugging her along after him until they had abandoned the street altogether. And the moment their invertebrate foot reached the cementum transposition Potter released her, eyes severely and serious.

'' I was n't done talking, '' he said pointedly.

'' well I was. ``

'' Perhaps you would n't have got been, '' he argued annoyingly as they set off, walking along their new route, which lay along the haphazardly constructed sidewalk that had a tendency to move, plication, and crack on a whim. `` I tried to apologize, but you were too argumentative to let me finish. ''

'' Oh was I ? '' she inquired with mock seriousness, hopping over a stone's throw that had spontaneously sprung from the path. `` Perhaps you should learn what a proper apologia entails, and forgive me for being argumentative, but I was the one tripping over a snoop bafo… ''

'' Well you were acting suspicious ! '' he cut in, her unfinished insult hanging in the air.

'' How in the hell was I acti… ''

Her exclamation was cut off by his derisive Bronx cheer, and her face contorted into an raging scowl.

studying him carefully for a second as a hoard of kids ran past, she gave a curt nod, indicating the top of his capitulum. `` Was n't your hair a unlike people of color ? '' She spat it like it was a crime.

Again she found him regarding her as if she were a small child to whom a particularly unproblematic problem proved daunting.

'' I 'm not indisputable, '' he mused. `` Was it ? ``

She bit back an angry growl, and suddenly found her progress again halted. She threw a glower at him.

'' Let. Go. ``

He smirked as if amused. `` wellspring correct me if I 'm wrong, but if you 're trying to meet up with Hagrid this would be a serious shoes to appease. ``

'' Oh ? '' she snapped. `` And why is that ? ``

ceramicist let out an exhausted sigh, dragging her to retrace their cobbler's last few steps until they stood in front of a small drunkenness trough, a foresighted stick extending over it, various owls perched upon it, and he gestured inside the shopfront window.

Sure enough, through the window, Hagrid could be seen purchasing a ridiculously large bag of Boarhound Pet grub.

thrower turned to her with a viper like smile. `` So, '' he inquired. `` fear to order me what you were doing before or after Hagrid gets out here ? ``

Only she did not suffice, for her eyes were drawn to the bird of night besides them. Slowly, instinctively, she took a pace back, the sloping crease of the b owls faces unnerving as a sharp clacking, the distinctive sound of knock-down beak snapping shut in succession, began.

It was the threatening, defensive behavior of an brute whose territory had just been breached, as was the fanning of fender, which the tawny and saw whet, side by incline, were currently doing.

ceramicist 's supercilium crinkled oddly, the bird of night territorial behaviour not ceasing until Kalliandra had backed away, her heels teetering off the bound of the pavement into the street.
* * * * *


He was still frowning when Hagrid came outside, fang 's food liberation slung over his wide shoulder.

The Professor spotted them immediately.

'' Heya 'arry. gentlewoman Maulkin done torturin'Ron I take it ? ``

He shook his head. `` Not exactly ... ''

'' Eh well, it 'appens, '' Hagrid commented nonsensically, eyes darting beneath his thick scruff of hair between the two of them. `` Ye two gettin'on well are ye ? ``

Not exactly… But he did not have a opportunity to comment as Hagrid clapped him rather hard on the back.

'' honorable to 'ear Harry, Good to 'ear. ``

It was clear that Hagrid was hardly paying tending, to him at least. To Kalliandra however…well, the half giant was observing her as if she were a puke hippogriff about to go off. Not that he could blame him, with the way she stood teetering on the AMEX away from them both, rubbing her articulatio humeri, a slight grimace gracing her mouth.

The quiet, almost pained person before him appeared to the be the polar opposite of the girl he had bickered with along the streets.

Something was extremely wrong.

'' Yer okay there Kally ? '' Hagrid asked, apparently noticing the specialness as well.

'' I 'm amercement Hagrid, '' she responded dully. Her hand fell from her shoulder quickly.

'' Are you sure ? ``

'' Yes, I just got jostled a bit in the crowd, '' she glanced up for the briefest of second gear, the forced smile she cast not reaching her eyes. And just as quickly as before, her oculus were again down-turned to the street. Very quietly, almost as afterthought, she quietly muttered, `` I 'm getting sick of everyone asking me that. ''

'' Yes well, it will 'appen to yer… '' Hagrid muttered, once again, the words meaningless and confusing, as if a part of a conversation in which he was not a participant.

'' Ready to go forth ? ``

Her doubtfulness was pointed, as was her gaze, still directed at the cold ground.

'' fountainhead ye want ter get yer pet now er… ''

'' I do n't remember that 's a very good mind, '' she muttered, her eyes still avoiding anything save for the pavement, her mannerisms bordering on frightened.

'' well ye 'ave to deal with it eventually. ``

Biting her scurvy lip she nodded, several hanker plait falling to obscure the left side of her brass. `` I know, '' she whispered, eyes lowered to the ground.

Hagrid just nodded gruffly, glancing at him with the air of a concerned parent ready to pounce.

The entire interchange was perhaps his most confusing one to day of the month, and he had thus far, not been a participant.

'' Look, yer 'll be wantin'a pet, and ya ca n't get Silverthorne to your dorm with yer… ''

'' Silverthorne ? '' Harry cut in, hoping to perhaps take hold of a smidgen of cohesion.

'' A thestral, '' Hagrid supplied absentmindedly, and at that Word of God Harry could n't help it.

He turned an incredulous look to the side of her head, the only part of her fount still seeable. `` A thestral is your pet ? ``

He swore she nearly laughed. `` No Potter. Silverthorne is no one 's pet. I 've just taken a liking to him. ''

Now he had to let in that they had been useful at the end of hold out term, but to take a detail liking to one ? What the hell did that mean ?

'' So you can see them ? '' he finally asked, at a loss.

turn her head towards them again, her center still avoiding the owls like a plague, she shot him an odd look. `` Yeah, why could n't I ? I 'm not blind. ''

Hagrid 's sudden face of panic did n't escape him, nor did it Kalliandra as she shot him a questioning look, to which the Care of Magical puppet professor cowered slightly.

He decided to save him the difficulty of answering. `` wellspring not everyone can see the ... ''

'' Why not ? '' she asked sharply.

'' Because you ca n't see them unless you 've seen someo ... '' he stopped shortstop, seeing the look Hagrid was shooting him.

Her hilltop crinkled in annoying, and Hagrid 's voice came out, suddenly pacifying.

'' Now Kalliandra yer know 'ow some things 're ... ''

This manoeuvre only elicited a lowly disturbance of displeasure from her.

Frustrated, Harry supplied the information for her.

'' You ca n't see them unless you 've seen someone die. ''

wrong choice.

There was no verbal exchange, but her eyes darkened, speaking volumes.

'' Are yer alri ... '' Hagrid started cautiously.

'' Yes, '' she whispered.

'' We can get yer pet later, '' Hagrid stammered. `` That 'd be… ''

'' It 's OK, Hagrid, '' she cut in, sweeping past them both into the store, her eyes remaining averted the intact time.

Hagrid let out a foiled suspiration, rubbing his os frontale with a expectant hand wearily, and the actualisation of what he had just done strike Harry like a lightning bolt.

She had n't known, and he had probably just brought back whatever atrocious memory her past tense had held.

* * * * *

Kalliandra quickly walked through the musty, noisy store, avoiding all the live animal presentation, and she disappeared behind a declamatory ledge stocked with rat feed, rest sweeping through her that no one was back there as her infringe emotions threatened to rise to the Earth's surface. She had spent the retiring three week carefully building a wall of indifference around herself, and she could n't afford to let it down now.

Not over such a piffling fact coming to light. Not when she had just spoken to the person who could grant her the answer she needed.

Yet still…why had n't they told her ?

She knew the answer without asking, for to have been reminded of the understanding behind her front here in any way…it would only suffice to remind her of her own self loathing for all she had done.

A slight tremor coursed through her, and sighing sadly she listened to the cushy hooting amidst the rafter. She would not look at them, for she had seen the reactions that elicited enough.

Yet the hooting continued, more persistent, and somewhere in the carnal recession of her mind she knew her very presence there was a bad idea, a pitiable pick of both Dumbledore 's and Hagrid 's judgement.

facing obstacles was apparently a levelheaded thing, even when it generally resulted in having irate hooter attempting to bite oneself.

With a neat academic degree of trepidation she found herself tilting her point up to peer through the darkness, cluttered atmosphere of the workshop, her optic slowly adjusting, pupils widening in the dim kindling as the lower balk slowly came into sentiment.

Owl upon owl rested upon them, some peacefully sleeping, their heads carefully nestled into the crease of their feathers, while the residual had trained their alerting, shining eyes upon her.

The menacing clacking of neb being threateningly opened and snapped shut began to, once again, fill the room near her.

'' So you think you 'll get one of them ? ''

Cringing, though almost glad for the beguilement, she turned her attention slowly to potter, who now stood in front of her. To his mention, he at least had the common sense to look apprehensive.

'' flavour, Kalliandra, I 'm meritless. I did n't understand ... ''

'' It 's fine, '' she muttered, forcing her vocalism level. She did not involve his ruth. She did not want it.

Despite this, she could not help but keep a sneak eye on him, as she pretended to peruse the owl selection, her eyes carefully avoiding all of the hooter, and she was a bit surprised to see a downcast, yet determined, expression upon his nerve.

He followed her down the aisle. `` I do n't think it is. ''

'' Like it matters to you, '' she whispered quickly, silently reminding herself of all the predatory behaviors to avoid.

Do not pass water eye contact… living your brain lowered… No loud noises or sudden movements…

Like that would actually help in calming these pitiful timber creatures, for it certainly had niggling effect on the one with the supposedly declamatory brain : Potter.

His expression had faltered at her last words. `` In casing it 's escaped your posting, I 'm trying to be gracious here. I 'm at to the lowest degree making an effort. ``

'' You should n't make bothered. ``

Groaning he raised his hired man, folding them behind his headspring. `` You 're right on. I do n't know why I did. ''

'' Wonderful, '' she murmured sarcastically, traversing her way along the back wall.

'' You know ... '' A raucous hissing cut him off as an owl nipped at his resurrect script. ceramicist jerked away hastily, nearly taking a wooden shelf with him.

'' Bloody owl, '' he grumbled, glaring up towards the offending chick, who by now had hopped down to the lowest rafter, where it screeched, its outstretched wings flapping vigorously.

For some absurd grounds the spot struck her as funny remark rather than frightening, and she did not bother to suppress the laughter bubbling out while she observed the unnerving looking owl. For once it was not aimed at her. And as if sensing her scrutiny its dark middle locked with her own.

Its territorial behavior ceased, drawing a smile to her grimace, for she was n't the alone one to lash out at those who came to close.

She traced the Great Horned owl 's outline, noting the black coloration speckling its red John Brown wings, its catlike face and highly pointed ears all swiveled curiously towards her.

Then she noticed the small-scale shackle imprisoning it, one end encircling its twig slim down leg, the former binding it to the rafter it sat so miserably upon. It was caged, forbidden to go wherever it pleased.

Just ... like ... her.

It was perhaps the most foolish affair she had yet done, but she held out her arm hopefully, and watching its extension extend it gracefully flew to her, its shackle clinking haphazardly as it landed gently upon her arm. She eyed its magnificent dark eyes, noting how it was measured to not dig its talons into her skin, and she turned away from Potter, walking to the front counter as the owl re-perched upon its rafter, waiting for her to re-turn.

'' You 'll call for a cage for him, '' ceramist pointed out.

'' He wo n't be needing it, '' she replied curtly.

'' You 're awfully personable are n't you ? ``

'' Well, '' she stopped at the counter wearily, speaking with an unusual amount of venom. `` if you mean that I am able to converse with nosey individuals than yes. ''

Potter turned in a frustrate huff, storming out of the store. Watching his retreating frame she too late realized how ill-timed she had sounded.

And then Dumbledore 's words came floating back to her. His one 's about the need for her and the many, many others under his protection to keep some things quiet. Some thing secret.

Something cold, restricting, and callous curled within her throat, for until this war, the one they all refused to tell her anything about, was over, she would be more alone than ever.

The wound of a rain soaked night were still far too fresh.

It was better to push everyone away.

For their own good, and for her own.

Through the sun-glinting window she could see Potter talking animatedly with Hagrid. His stony features looked vaguely annoyed, and if she had n't known better, she would have thought that he seemed diss.

A coldness thrill rippled through her. ceramicist was also grave, of that she was sure. She 'd practically experience his suspicions rippling off of him, and he 'd catch something he ought not to feature. She only hoped it had n't been enough ...

She 'd talk to Dumbledore. She 'd concern everything upon her return.

A light exercising weight descended upon her arm, jarring her from her thoughts as two gloomy eyes met hers. She smiled, her for the first time reliable smile in calendar week, reaching out a hesitating deal and ruffling the bird of Minerva feather. They were subdued, like those of a newborn hatchling, only she would n't have intercourse for sure.

She had never felt an owl before now.

A horse sense of peace filled her as it continued looking up at her, hooting softly. And for a second, just a legal brief second she knew to be both fleeting and mistaken, she could suffer sworn it silently understood.

* * * * *

Once again Harry was completely and utterly confused by the feminine species.

He simply did not get it. During their entire argumentation Kalliandra had seemed so deaf, almost untouchable. It was maddening how his snide remarks rolled off her, so he had kept at it, wanting to unconsciously vent some of his own frustrations into her and to discern what her factual business concern in Knockturn Alley had been.

He knew it was legal injury. And he knew his behavior was uncharacteristically Malfoy-like. But at the time, he had not cared.

That was until thestrals had come up. He had glimpsed a smidgen of genuine human being emotion within her then, and it was startling.

Or at to the lowest degree he thought he had. He must have been mistaken, because whatever it was he thought he had seen, had gone as soon as it had come.

The she had been the one making snide comments like Malfoy.

A blare of audio emerged as the shop 's door opened, emitting Kalliandra and her horribly Helen Wills owl. He grimaced at the sight, even as a have words voice reminded him how an animal 's demeanor could so oft deceive.

Buckbeat 's certainly had.

That was all disregarded though, for right then she raised her forearm high, and Gray annexe spread broad, invertebrate foot and nipper hopping from her arm as the owl took flying, circling in panoptic bow until it disappeared above the rooftops of Diagon Alley.

'' Kalliandra what in the blimey are yer doing ! ? You just lost yer pet ! '' Hagrid exclaimed.

And to Harry 's great surprise, she actually smiled. Her eyes seemed distant, as if she were looking into something that no one save her could see.

'' Hagrid, he deserves to be absolve. ''









'' thing alter for the worse spontaneously, if they be not altered for the better designedly. ''
~ Francis Roger Bacon ~



Chapter 5 ~ A prof of One


Remus yawned tiredly, his wanton chocolate-brown eyes skirted across the train platform at Hogsmeade, searching for the familiar kind that was nowhere in sight. A unaccented smile crossed his weary features and he chuckled. Hagrid was not someone he would easily miss had he been there. No invisibility cloak was quite that heavy.

'' Hagrid .... '' He said, shaking his read/write head amusedly. He picked up his briefcase, crossing the deserted, out-of-door platform in the direction of Hogwarts.

It was n't far, and Hagrid would undoubtedly intercept him along the way, most in all likelihood in his own, frenzied hurry to intercept him. Hagrid was a bit forgetful at prison term, and Remus could not fault him. He would be to if he took care of such a hazardous array of animal for a support.

The gear weapons platform was on the outskirts of the small village, on the outer edge good Hogwarts, and a pebbled road led directly to the school 's front doorway. He would plow off it before he reached Hogwarts'monolithic, welcoming incoming, to get across his way across the lush, common grounds to Hagrid 's hut.

Remus had never been close to the secret plan keeper, but he respected the man immensely for his body of work in the Order.

He also empathized with him, and recently Hagrid had mentioned that he was one of the few who could truly desire to empathise him.

He started walking, thinking how right Hagrid was.

The sun beat down on his pale berm, warming more than his shirt. The sun was rejuvenating to him in a way few understood, because it was a full orb of Inner Light for which he harbored no fear. It was fishy, that the lightest of nights filled him with foreboding and hurting, when usually it was the absence of luminosity that inspired fear. He sought consolation in the darkest of Nox, that was when he felt his comfortably, but for now, when the moonlight was a quarter full, he would try comfort in the affectionate afternoon sun.

It was because of this curse that he could empathize with Hagrid. The chance to become a fully qualified virtuoso had been stolen from the gamekeeper turned professor, and it had nearly evaded even himself. Had it not been for Dumbledore 's forgivingness Remus would never have studied deception. No other schooling would give taken him.

They had feared him.

The curse of being different, he thought bitterly. They were both labeled as dangerous by the wizarding community, and shunned. Their friends even suffered for their simple connection.

A half-giant and a werewolf ... two of the most dangerous magic existence on the planet, both seen as homicidal, blood-thirsty beasts, and yet neither one of them possessed the leaning to harm another.

Were n't the painful transformations and premature aging enough ? He shook his foreland, knowing the solution to that, because it was n't.

No, he had to be shunned as well. Did n't they eff he would change it if he could ? And Hagrid ... one of the most gentle, kind-hearted people he had ever met, yet the Ministry feared him and his gargantuan inheritance. They labeled him violent without even knowing him. He could at least understand why multitude feared him, but Hagrid was harmless. He at least was truly dangerous.

Several Night in his preceding stood in dismal Testament to that.

Because of his forgetfulness, Wormtail had gotten away on one of those nights. If he had only taken his potion, perhaps Voldemort would not throw returned, perhaps Sothis would not feature died ...

Dam n't Sirius ! He had figured his champion 's stubborn nature would have made him harder to pop, but in the end, he, just like James, had been as vulnerable as the rest.

He was the shoemaker's last now.

dick was as good as dead, and if he ever saw him again ... If he ever got the opportunity ...

He 'd make water indisputable a digit really was all there was left of him.

He shuddered at the thought, remembering the give-and-take Lily had spoken to him, as he stood over his parents freshly dug graves.

'' Even in the darkest of times, there are play of promiscuous Moony. It 's just a matter of finding them ... ''

It was something he had promised to shew Harry. Harry was the only substantial family he had left, and he wanted the boy, who was quickly growing into a man, to be intimate of the incredible strength his parents had held. He needed to hump that there were matter worth fighting for.

Lord knows he 's already had his share of fighting ...

We all have ...

The thought sobered him, reminding him of his function today. He squinted ahead, shielding his center from the shining morning sun to front for any sign of Hagrid.

Today he would truly fill her.

He was n't for sure whether to be nervous, or to simply be exhilarated that the confused girl he had cradled had survived.

Kalliandra.

She had been thrust into their world unwillingly. Dumbledore, in all his wisdom, had felt Hogwarts to be the dependable berth for her. It would be a undecomposed way to help her adjust, by slowly exposing her to people her own age.

But unlike others her age, she lacked a prior five years of magical education, and any noesis whatsoever of their existence.

It would be his job to remedy that.

When Dumbledore had asked him, he had felt short, poorly equipped for the undertaking.

Dumbledore had set him down, much like he were once again the pupil and he the teacher, and told him he had never known another who he would trust more with her.

It was then that he had confided in him.

'' When Voldemort was still the school boy, Tom Riddle, I feared what he may raise to be.

'' When Harry came, I feared what loss may drive him to do.

'' Now I fear what she may do to herself. ''

Not to cite what she could do to those around her. The memory of the night they had found her was still burned into his intellect 's eye. It was not something Remus would soon blank out.

Doing his job right could stand for the difference of opinion in this young woman 's survival. Dumbledore had been very clear on that.

Now if only there was a witch or whiz out there equipped to plow with this. Only, there was n't.

He knew the odds for her. He knew what she was facing, even if she did not. And he knew what so often happened to those with her power.

By all right hand he should be terrified and have run in the other direction.

Yet he could not bring himself to do so. Not when the figure of her nerveless body lying there, clad in mud and the blood of those she loved, kept coming back to him each night as he dreamt. He felt a note of discord at the thinking of anything worse befalling her.

Deep down he knew what it was to be judged, and he 'd be damned if he did that to another breathing person on this planet.

And that was why, despite knowing all of this, that he had accepted the assignment. Dumbledore wanted her to accept the same chance as everyone, and he had full heartedly agreed.

Now all he had to picture out was how to fall in it to her.

'' The most worthwhile things in aliveness are never easy .... ''

Her run-in came back, hitting him as fresh as if they had fallen from her lips only yesterday, and never before had they been more appropriate.

A sad smile lit his face. Only she could say something that 's meaning would last X.

Just like the pain ...

Always so fresh, so sharp ...

He still marveled at how so many rung of healing, and forgetting. annoyance did not disappear. It did not go away. You could not deal with it, for to make out would imply to fix. Instead you just learned how to live with it, without losing your mind.

Of course of instruction, the same multitude had often spoken on how well he dealt with pain, but he did not sense very in effect at that. He was just lucid enough to know that there was no respectable in dwelling on what could have been. thing happened…bad thing ... whether you wanted them to or not, and naught one said or did could change that.

If it did none of them would be gone…

And after all these eld, she was still proper. A smile formed on his lips, the gleeful memories coming back, flooding his imaginativeness as he remembered Padfoot 's taunting about how she was 'always right', and they were 'always wrong'.

Her retort had been that it was about time they saw it her way.

He chuckled slightly, catching heap of Dumbledore making his way leisurely down the sparsely used road. He raised a manus in greeting, catching the headmaster 's attention, and was pleased to see an amused grin on the headmaster 's potent brass.

'' Good afternoon Remus. ''

'' Likewise Albus, '' He said, shifting his briefcase to the former arm.

Dumbledore removed his half-moon spectacles, polishing them on his summer robes. `` It 's stupefy, how the smart as a whip sun glower can do even the most tiny of smudges stand out, almost like the dark speckle where the sun is supposed to be when a solar eclipse shields it. ''

The master held his glasses to the sun, studying them through his light, twinkling, currently squinted eye, searching for any left over imperfectness.

'' But enough about the perturbed reflexion of this granddaddy clock 's intimate workings. How have you been ? I trust the train 's conductor was n't too erratic with the velocity for your young spunk ? ''

Remus smiled broadly. Yes, in relaxed, social situations, Dumbledore was still the same.

'' The train was very well, and I 've been good. I was just thinking of some amusing controversy Cassilyda and Dog Star had before. ''

Dumbledore replaced his glasses on his nose, looking off towards the sun as if seeing something far past it. `` Ah ... yes those two did cause a penchant for arguments did they not ? I seem to remember a certain James Potter walking in on one of them ... it took Pomfrey all good afternoon to get him straightened out. She was rather loth to deepen him back ... Something about liking him better as a mute eel, ineffectual to cause havoc on an hourly footing, locked up in a armored combat vehicle ... I believe Lily had been particularly amused. ''

Remus smiled fondly, remembering the faces Jame 's the eel had made, pressing his slimy, snakelike body against the glass rampart of the fish tank. They had scooped him off the floor and conjured a tank quickly, filling it with body of water as soon as they had seen him flopping around on the gemstone story.

Whether Lily had seen Jesse James or not before stepping on him had been a matter of disputation for workweek.

Not to mention, in the hospital wing, when Saint James had started trying to form letters with his long, serpent like physical structure ...

He chuckled slightly. He still wanted to know how James had contorted himself into an R ... He shuddered thought of how irritating that spelling out 'You're a suddenly Man Sirius'must consume been.

'' Quite an impressive bit of Transfiguration for fifth years ... I gave Gryffindor House 20 points for that, '' Dumbledore mused aloud, turning his gaze on him, his eyes twinkling with entertainment over the rim of his chalk. `` I was sourly tempted to feed out an prize for Special overhaul to the shoal, since the Minister of Magic was visiting that day, and their `` stroke '' rendered James incapable of doing something drastic, like turning the Minister 's pilus neon pinko, '' Dumbledore grinned slyly at this. `` ejaculate to think of it I would n't entirely mind seeing that ... ''

Remus could only shake off his straits, suppressing the laughter threatening to follow out. It was good beholding Dumbledore.

'' Of path, in the end, no one could determine whose verge actually had transfigured young King James I at the time, so I could n't contribute anyone the laurels. I was sourly disappointed by that. ''

'' That was your only reason for not giving it ? '' He asked amused.

'' Why yes Remus. Do you really think I would hand up a probability to encourage the propagation of proficient behavior when Ministry officials are visiting ? ''

'' Not when Umbridge is the Ministry official, '' He replied, thinking of how Fred, George, Harry, Ron, and Ginny had described that impractical toad the class before.

'' Ah yes ... how is she doing in St. Mungos ? I believe the finding of fact was temporary insanity ? ''

'' It should have been permanent insanity and a life sentence in Azkaban. The anuran was about to use an unforgivable Curse on Harry ! ''

Dumbledore nodded curtly. `` Ah, but the word would be 'unforgivable'and we are supposed to be forgiving. And speaking of forgiving I am taking it that Hagrid got distracted and was lately merging you ? ''

He nodded assent, finding the well known knowledge of Hagrid 's quirk of untimeliness amusing.

Dumbledore grinned, `` wellspring why do n't we go see him together than Remus. I was just going to pay gentlewoman Rosemereta a sojourn but my butterbeer can hold back. Besides, if I am guessing his reasonableness for being later to recognize you ... well ... I may just be in demand of some good, old fashioned fire whiskey. ''

He eyed Dumbledore curiously, `` I did n't know you fuddle fire whiskey. ''

'' But of course I do n't ... '' He replied, winking mischievously. `` I have n't had understanding for such excessive solemnization since the Marauders graduation exercise, granting me peace of head and heartsease again. Of course ... '' Dumbledore turned, waving for him to watch over. `` I 'm not entirely sure I even have a thinker left, with which to enjoy the serenity with. ''

Remus opened his sassing to answer, but no phone came forth. Instead he found himself following the Headmaster across the lawn, Hagrid 's cabin quickly coming into visual sense as Dumbledore continued idle chitchat.

'' ... .Now of course the key in those office is managing the brew in reasonable amounts, a talent my dear brother does not possess, '' Dumbledore said, referring to his laughingstock herder brother 's drinking habits.

'' half my twelvemonth did n't own that gift, '' He replied, thinking of the one fourth dimension he, James River, Sirius, and Peter had gotten a delay of a bottle of Firewhiskey their 7th class. That had not gone over well ... Fortunately Pomfrey had bought the excuse that all of them had caught the flu from each former. His thoughts were abruptly cut off as a loud, mysterious booming noise, sounding oddly like a flack cracker bonbon going off, met his ears. His attention turned towards the source, which was immediately unmistakable upon seeing the sight in front of him.

Hagrid and a offspring girl with lucky hair were having a row. Only Hagrid seemed to be doing almost of the yelling, while the girl just huffily picked up sway after rock-and-roll from the side of the hut, flinging them with unusual vigor and accuracy, at an unsuspecting tree diagram luggage compartment, which was taking the brunt of her very seeable frustration.

'' Why hello Hagrid ! hello Kalliandra ! '' Dumbledore called out cheerfully, as if nothing were amiss.

Hagrid 's voice immediately died down and the girl waved slightly before walking pointedly off towards the woods, where she stood blowing into her cupped hands, an odd whistling sound emitting from them.

He found himself looking between the girl at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, Hagrid 's tempestuous, red face, and Dumbledore 's felicitous one.

'' hello there Remus. How yer doing today ? '' Hagrid replied, sounding rather strained. He looked strained too, because at the moment he would n't accept been surprised to see steam coming out of the prof 's ears.

'' Better than you it seems. What was all that about ? ''

'' Oh that, '' Hagrid said angrily. `` That would be abou'Kalliandra bein'difficult. Seems she went er…snoopin'aroun'Knockturn Alley t'day. ``

Dumbledore seemed unruffled. `` Hrm…curious. I suppose it 's only instinctive for her to search out entropy though, and what punter place than there ? Would n't you accord Hagrid ? ''

Hagrid shook his head, sending his scruffy hair awry. `` No sir. She shouldn'hafta be findin'things out dat way. It woulda bin all me fault though if she ... if she had .... ''

'' No use working yourself up about things that did not happen Hagrid, '' Dumbledore consoled, offering a reassuring smiling.

Remus continued listening to the ensuing conversation, but his attention was elsewhere as he turned to see Kalliandra standing next to a thestral, which was profusely nuzzling her like a foresighted, lost supporter. Thestrals were n't exactly dangerous, but they were n't exactly friendly either.

One would never hump how she had barely clung to animation only week before.

He shook the figure of speech away.

'' Hagrid what exactly is she doing ? '' He was having a hard meter standing idly by with a thestral 's sharp dentition nuzzling so close to his future pupil 's neck.

'' Oh, '' Hagrid huffed out, still sounding slightly annoyed. `` That there be Silverthorne. He 's a thestral. ''

'' Well I can see that. I meant what is she ... '' He grasped for the right wing Book unsuccessfully.

'' Doing ? '' Dumbledore supplied amusedly.

'' Yes, '' He replied embarrassedly. Sometimes the simplest parole was what he was looking for.

'' She bloody well talks to him to a greater extent than she fucking talk to me, '' Hagrid grumbled. `` Tell him everythin'from the looks of it and ye should see them, traversing'around at all time of day of the day. actual spitfire that one is ! Bloody well good luck teachin'her Remus ! Bin havin'enough trouble gettin'Care of Magical Creatures down 'er pharynx and she actually likes that. Ca n't think how she 'll be with somethin'like Transfigurwhatsitcalled ... ''

'' You mean to say that she 's bonded with an animal ? '' He mused, interrupting Hagrid 's roam.

'' To hell with it ! You 'd call back she actually understood what that one be sayin'one-half da time ! '' Hagrid muttered exasperatedly, a wound look on his face. `` She 'll talk to that there animal and get to arguin'with me ! ``

Remus was paying attention for a minute. `` So she likes brute of the Night ... '' He commented, turning to face both of them. `` Well, then I wo n't give birth too much trouble then, now will I ? ''

Dumbledore nodded in agreement, smiling to himself. He could n't sustain picked a more perfect mortal to tutor her. Now lets see if he can save her, he thought to himself, silently hoping for the best.
* * * * *


'' She bloody set it unblock ! ? '' Ron exclaimed in disbelief.

Harry nodded, chucking his newly bought schoolhouse books onto his bed in Grimmauld Place. `` That's what I said was n't it ? ''

'' But ... .it 's an owl ! '' Ron stammered, clearly not getting it. `` You ca n't set an owl absolve can you ? I mean ... they like ... fly ... ''

'' Very soundly Ron. gladiola to see you know that a razz can fly, '' Hermione interjected, rolling her eyes as she entered their way, setting herself down onto the recession of his bed.

Ron gaped at her, looking strangely like a fish with protruding eyes.

'' You know with your mouth undetermined like that you can almost pass for a Carassius auratus, '' She clipped scornfully.

Harry cringed inwardly on Ron 's behalf. Hermione had been short with them ever since the three had re-grouped in Diagon Alley, only for him to hastily recount his story to them, and for Ron to just as hastily agree that Kalliandra was an insufferable twit.

Hermione, forever insufferably consistent, had insisted on having the entire afternoon recounted word for word, and while she had admitted that the conversation had sounded shady, she felt that they were both over-reacting. He had even been forced to stick out a tenacious lecture about how improper of him it was to eavesdrop as he had.

He had immediately pointed out that she had had no trouble whatsoever when Malfoy was the one he was eavesdropping on, which had earned him a knifelike tut and another tan about how he should stimulate done more to hold the girl welcome.

In her opinion, if Hagrid and Dumbledore trusted the girl, than they should too. End of story.

Ron had kindly pointed out that Hagrid also trusted Aragog, all dragons including Magyar Horntails, and that he considered his little brother to be 'tamed .'End of story.

It was mighty about then that Ron had made the misapprehension of calling Kalliandra several selection names, including a plain, ugly witch, which earned an infuriated round from Hermione about how 'ridiculously superficial'they were being. He was unable to follow her entire tirade, but it ended with her concluding that both of them seemed to be 'blatantly misjudging'the girl on look alone.

Yes…Ron had evidently hit a nerve, and at hazard of foster igniting her already roaring temper he avoided pointing out that he for one was definitely not prejudicing her on expression, because if he was he would be treating her like Ron did Fleur Delacour, rather than like the Black Plague.

Fortunately Harry did not mention any of these persuasion, got saucy, and went quiet.

He wished he could say the Lapplander for Ron though.

'' Still in a fine humor I see, '' Ron grumbled, shoving the bag with his new apparel robes into the top dressing table drawer.

Hermione 's nose wrinkled in obvious disgust. `` Are n't you even going to advert those up ? ''

'' No. It 's not like there are any girl here. ''

'' So I suppose I 'm a man is that it ? '' Hermione questioned icily.

'' Unfortunately yes, '' Ron countered. `` And a rather hot-headed know-it-all at that. '' Harry caught his friend gumming.

'' What was that ? '' Hermione asked, eyes narrowed dangerously.

'' Oh zilch Hermione, '' Ron replied with exaggerated formality. `` I was just saying what a endearing job you did defending that uptight, Slytherin bound .... ''

'' I highly doubt she is Slytherin bounce. ''

'' Is too ! Mark my words she 'll be in Slytherin ! Sneaking off on Hagrid and having suspicious conversations ! You heard what Harry said about her ... ''

'' And from the sounds of it he was rather ill-bred and made her tactile property unwelcome Ronald ! '' Hermione snapped angrily. He glared at Ron. He did not require to get brought back into this.

'' And I met her for only five second and could secernate she was .... ''

'' Was what Ronald ? ! You ca n't tell anything about a mortal after only meeting them for five minutes ! ''

'' You did n't even meet her ! '' Ron shooter back, his human face growing slightly red as he flopped angrily down onto the bed across from his, staring pointedly up at the ceiling.

'' I ... Well ... At least I 'm not passing judging on her ! ''

'' You are too ! Just because it happens to be a positive judgment does n't mean that it 's not a opinion ... ''

'' All I 'm saying is that she 's Hagrid 's friend and we should at least give her a chance ! ''

'' They did n't sound very friendly to me did they Harry ? '' Ron asked, directing his enquiry at him.

Once again thank you for bringing me into this, he thought sarcastically, looking between Ron and Hermione 's gravid expressions. He suppressed a groan, waiting for the retaliation that was about to get along.

'' They did at the robe shop ... '' Hermione 's face broke into a prideful grin, but he quickly added, `` but not at the pet store. '' Hermione 's font fell as Ron let out a triumphant woot.

'' See Hermione ! ''

'' Yes, I do see Ronald. I see a carrot-topped prat who 's way to eager to pass off judgment on anyone but himself ! '' She stood abruptly. `` If that closed minded nous of yours is actually capable of intelligence then try to remember that you passed judgment on me our first yr and were wrong ! '' She spun on her heel, stomping loudly. `` If you can commend that is. But hopefully the effort to mean is not too taxing, it 'd be a pity if your head exploded ! '' With that she stormed out, slamming the threshold behind her.

Only after the bulwark shook as her own threshold slammed across the hall did Ron sit up, grinning triumphantly. `` And apparently I was right because she still think she knows it all ! ''

The door to their room flew upon, revealing a livid looking Hermione.

'' I ca n't conceive you ! '' She yelled angrily, looking cook to hex Ron at any consequence.

Ron 's smiling vanished, his face gone slightly picket. `` But ... your threshold shut ... How did you ... ''

'' A threshold can be slammed by person from either slope, like from the hallway Ronald. '' She snapped, this prison term leaving the door wide surface as she stormed off, granting them both quite a view as she vigorously flung her own door behind her this sentence.

Ron was right on her heel, like usual. `` Mione ejaculate on ... .I said I 'm sorry ... ''

'' No you did n't ! '' Came Hermione 's shrill, but muffled reply.

'' Well I just .... ''

Harry tuned them out. This had happened three times just that week, all when something trivial set one or the former of off, and it always escalated into this melee. Usually Ron wound up standing outside her door, pleading for forgiveness, like he could now hear him doing.

He leaned back with a loudly groan onto his bed. He sincerely hoped Ron asked her out soon, because he was n't sure how many to a greater extent of their bickering hasten headaches he could pack.






'' We must die to one life-time, before we can enter another. ''
~ Anatole France ~



Chapter 6 ~ Power of suasion


'' You 'll have to be quick than that. ''

Kalliandra coughed loudly from her position, flat on her back.

'' If I did n't hump better ... '' she rasped. `` I 'd cerebrate you actually enjoyed torturing me. ''

Remus lupin smiled, extending his hand to haul her roughly to her ft. `` On the contrary Ms. Kaylens. I do n't bask rendering you unconscious at all. ''

She nodded, brushing the grass off the dorsum of her jeans.

'' I enjoy seeing your reactions once I revive you. ''

She stopped what she was doing, pulling her grass covered, green-stained hired man back in social movement of her. `` Do n't you know it 's not good to beset soul who has been stunned nine time in a row ? ''

He shook his head, an locution of pure innocence crossing his features. `` I have to get you angry enough to attack me properly somehow do n't I ? ''

'' Spoken like a true dueling instructor, '' she stated, groaning inwardly.

For the past three hours Remus had been teaching her the not so subtle art of stunning. As it turned out, stunning was one of the few things she could actually do.

Unfortunately being able to do something, and being good at it, were entirely different subject.

This probably explained why she had just woken up on the primer coat. Then again, the fact that Remus had become incontrovertibly make up one's mind to wee-wee sure that she could actually use stunning in a duel, if ever attacked, was also function of the reason.

The same paid instructor was not eyeing her critically. `` You know Kally, if you manage to dodge my start attack you usually do quite nicely. Now just stop diving to the right every prison term. It 's getting predictable. ''

She scowled. `` Could n't you have told me that a bit earlier ? '' she grumbled, feeling a bit queasy. The queasiness was not nearly as bad as the vexation though.

Not that she would admit that to lupine.

He had only become her coach a little over a week ago, yet she had come to honor him. He did not pity her, or walk on glass with his conversations like Dumbledore and the others did.

Instead he talked to her like a man being, and somehow, when he was around, she found herself forgetting some of the pain she had brought down upon herself.

It almost felt as if he actually wanted her to learn. It was as if she were to a greater extent than an assignment to him, more than a job that Dumbledore was paying him for.

For some reason the estimation that the man may actually like her was calming.

'' Shall we try again ? '' he asked, clearly unaware of her view.

She trudged back to her starting position in response. She would not be the one to quit today. Of course, he should make love that by now.

She had learned the importance of outlasting one 's opponent a foresighted clock time ago. Outlasting fatigue and annoyance could imply the difference between winning, and losing.

And somehow she did not think the illegitimate child, who had taken everything from her, would go well-fixed on her simply because she had a concern.

She closed her eyes, bracing herself as an onslaught of ash filled store greeted her head 's eye. Almost intuitively, Remus allowed her these few here and now of collection, and when the anger boiled hot within her origin, she opened her eyes, remembering what she had promised herself.

She would make the prick pay.

But starting time she needed to get a line to do a elementary stunning spell without passing out.

'' make ? '' Remus asked, stomping his human foot on the ground almost impatiently.

'' Why not ? ''

'' On three then. One, '' Remus started counting.

'' Two, '' she supplied back loudly.

'' Three ! Stupefy ! ''

She threw herself to the ground before the hot stripe reached her, mentally screaming the give-and-take.

The strange sentiency flew through her, burning through her descent as it moved, jolting the spell towards its aim. Her vision swam before she saw him crash, and she fell weakly upon the flat coat, shakily breathing in the damp summer smell of mud and sens.

Slowly, painstakingly, the prickling tracing over her smooth skin subsided. Her hands, that had unconsciously dug into the moist earthly concern, relaxed, allowing the brilliant fortunate spots dancing before her eyes to fade.

waiting for all of this to pass had gotten easier each metre, but it made the experience no LE afflictive.

The trick, she had discovered, was to rest conscious tenacious enough for it to leave.

Several hazy moments later, her golden centre flickered receptive, and across the short sweep of grass she spotted Remus'fallen form.

She smiled weakly, and stood, silently cursing the fragility of the human torso. Success was sweet, but why did it have to ache so badly ?

Retrieving her sceptre, she limped over to where Remus lay.

'' Ennervate, '' she murmured, allowing the pre-programmed wand to do the work.

The look on his face was priceless. Only Remus could manage to wait analytical right after being stunned.

'' Nice one, '' he muttered groggily.

She shook her school principal, offering him a hired man which he shook off, shooting her a admonishing look.

Gripping the small of his rachis as he sat up slowly. `` I 'm getting to old for this, '' he muttered.

'' Lashkar-e-Tayyiba hope not too old, because you still have the sleep of the year with me. '' She allowed a rare smiling to light up her features.

'' And what a long year it will be. ''

'' Any more comments like that and I 'll do my easily to make it seem longer. ''

Remus scowled. `` Touché. So how long were we out ? ''

His interrogation was answered by her silence.

This was the low gear meter she had not passed out.

Hagrid 's absence alone should have told him that, because on the other two occasions when she had stunned Remus, they had both rest there until Hagrid found them on one of his periodic stay.

reason became visible on Remus'face, and upon seeing his wolfish smiling, she could n't resist a pocket-sized billow of pride.
* * * * *


Remus Lupin rewarded his student with a wide of the mark grin as he picked himself off the solid ground, ignoring his protesting bones.

It had been awhile since he had practiced dueling like this in a non-combat office, and he was n't entirely sure he missed getting stunned repeatedly.

'' Think you 're up for another ? '' he queried wearily.

Suppressing a groan, she walked back to her dueling daub in response.

It was amazing, he thought, but in so short a time, she had become comfortable, at least outwardly so, with the presence of magic. When he had first arrived she still looked surprise each time it was used in her front, but now…

She was doing better. That was all that mattered. Particularly considering that in less than a day 's metre that Dumbledore was planning on throwing her in amidst scholarly person her own age.

The fact that her compeer were unclouded years ahead of her in didactics had mattered little. Necessity mandated it.

Kally had n't been thrilled. She had already expressed her displeasure with the idea on more than one occasion. And truth be told, he was more than a lilliputian implicated for her housemates.

There was no telling when Kalliandra would go off, because she had to eventually.

It was n't tidy to carry around that much guilt.

His solely consolation was that they would be able to carry on their deterrent example on the weekends. It would be a rather private arrangement, since her dorm-mates were to be kept in the dark about it.

She would have sufficiency trouble feigning competency in her three NEWT classes, and sneaking out several clock time a week would just be another difficult affair for her.

But perhaps the most hard affair for her would be keeping her inadequacies under wrapping. For appearance sake she would be placed in NEWT level denial Against the night Arts, concern of Magical Creatures, Herbology, and astronomy so as to be with masses in her yr, but she would be placed in third yr Anicent Runes and Remedial Potions. The dada professor had already been instructed to send her on 'errands'whenever practical object lesson were held, so that her inability to perform magic would not be called into question, so that at least was covered.

As for the former course, Remus was being paid by Dumbledore, out of some assorted school fund, to tutor her in the other subjects.

After all, there was very lilliputian magic involved in dealing with magical beast and plant life. And the memorisation of the significance of Ancient Runes and the movements of celestial dead body had virtually no wand magic associated with it.

observance her yield her place, it dawned on him that they really might be able to pull this off.

He hoped so, for her sake. He did n't very lots like the idea of something happening to her. While the concept was n't as biting as the thought of an ill fate befalling Harry, it came oddly close.

Merlin ! James I and Sirius had been right. He worried like a mother.

The marauder ... The thought process brought a smile to his face, for his old group of ally had left behind something that just might save him from fretting like a neural parent.
* * * * *


Silverthorne let out a low, guttural grunt to utter his displeasure at being tethered. The former thestrals were already following causa.

'' Kalliandra ca n't yer do somethin'to silence them up ? ''

'' What do I look like oh thestral tamer ? '' Kalliandra called, giving a final tug on Silverthornes sovereignty.

'' Yer look like the only one within earshot that 'll help me, '' Hagrid yelled.

Despite herself she smiled, calmly running her digit through Silverthorne 's pixilated black coat.

'' You know ... '' she whispered conspiratorially, `` He might kill me if you all do n't sedate down a bit. And then who would give you Mustela nigripes ? ''

Silverthorne 's white, haunting oculus stared back in consideration, before his formidable head nodded. He nudged the thestral tethered succeeding to him, and a clamor of grunts followed as the message was passed down the line of passenger car awaiting the scholar'arrival.

Her widened eyes took the exchange in, in muted shock. Thestrals really were so much more level-headed than people gave them credit for.

'' Now that's better ! '' Hagrid shouted a bit too exuberantly.

She shook her school principal ruefully, and with a final tug she snapped a bang into place on the thestral 's harness, stepping back to regard her William Christopher Handy work. She 'd never ridden a gymnastic horse in her biography, but the harnesses the thestrals used were supposedly standardised.

'' Well, '' she said, to both herself and the thestral, `` at least you are done now. Happy ? ''

Silverthorne merely blinked at her once, and she rubbed his headland affectionately. `` Of course of action you are, '' she murmured into his nose, the suggestion of a grinning tugging at her mouth.

Hagrid 's garish yip of protest startled her, and both her and Silverthorne jumped slightly.

'' problem Hagrid ? '' she yelled, slipping the thestral a frozen block of raw nitty-gritty. His glossa positively tickled her skin, leaving a sticky red residue upon her medal.

'' AH HA ! There you insufferable ... ''

'' Hagrid ! '' she shouted, reclaiming her helping hand and stalking off towards the sound of his voice, with every aim of snapping at him for yelling at any thestral that way. She could n't help her annoyed surge though. She had never had any darling growing up, and for some odd understanding she had taken a liking to the beast.

But as she rounded the stroller obscuring Hagrid from view, all reproof vanished the endorse she saw his quandary.

It was Hagrid vs. Thestral. The thestral, Monster, had managed to yank his harness completely off, and was gripping the thick leather shoulder strap between his crisp dentition, extending his fender menacingly while practically hissing.

Hagrid, to his credit, was putting up quite a fight. The one-half giant was bounding as close as he dared get, swatting at Monster with an oversize husbandman hat.

sweetness merlin ... What the Hell was he doing with one of those ?

'' Just ... give it ... .ere ya ... beast ... ox ... ''

His disgruntled shouting shocked her into laughter. `` Hagrid check that ! ''

Several dent, bruises, bumps, and twenty mo later found her, and a rather bedraggled Hagrid, plopped upon the malicious gossip route leading up to the school day, entirely out of breath.

It was a shame that the passive evening would end in less than an hour, when the Hogwarts express arrived.

'' Remind me again why I have to be sorted ? '' It was a rhetorical question.

Hagrid answered anyway. `` Because Dumbledore thinks it 'd be best for yer to be aroun'people yer own age. ''

She shrugged, `` People my own age tend to be a bit annoying if you ask me. ''

Hagrid snorted derisively. `` I 'll not be arguin'with that there logic, but not all of 'em are so bad. ''

She snickered, briefly wondering how a great deal trouble she 'd get in for jinxing Hagrid 's prat of a friend in his quietus. Now that would be something.

hell, maybe if she did that then Dumbledore would banish her from whatever menage she wound up in. Then she could go back to sleeping in the other hut outside. She liked it there. No one bothered her. When the incubus came only Hagrid was near sufficiency to hear her.

Besides, there was something both routine and reassuring about the way that every daybreak Silverthorne would thwack open her windowpane shutters, letting weak stream in as he began grunting until she was fully awake and functioning.

She smiled whimsically, thinking of the pillow she had thrown at the thestral this sunrise. For a change, her aim had been dead on. Of path, Hagrid had n't been exactly please when he come in to see feather and sherd of fabric all over the place. But hey, it was n't her fracture that Silverthorne thought it was a black-footed ferret and tried to rip it limb from limb. And besides, Remus had repaired it. Heck, at least Remus had found the whole situation amusing.

Speaking of which where was Remus ? She had n't seen him since this sunup and he was leaving with the return of the schooling caravan that Nox. Plus she still wanted to know what Dumbledore and him had arranged ...

'' Come over ere. It 's the Best pip for them first days to see me. '' Hagrid called, ripping her from her opinion.

She stopped pondering the cryptic whereabouts of Remus Lupin long enough to dissipate an incredulous look in his direction. `` Hagrid they 'd deliver to be blind to miss you. ''

He shook his hairy read/write head vigorously. `` No, ca n't afford to deliver any of 'em overlook me. Not one ! They 'll miss the sortin'if they do that. ''

'' And what a ignominy that would be, '' she muttered.

'' What was that ? '' Hagrid asked distractedly, leaning out over the weapons platform 's boundary to peer down the racetrack.

She shook her head in amusement. `` Nothing at all. I was just thinking about what a terrible disaster it would be to leave a small, uninitiate, and unsuspecting first year stranded alone out here. ''

Hagrid turned around so quickly he nearly slipped and fell onto the tracks. `` What are you planning ? ''

Her hilltop instantly creased in geuine confusion. `` Why is it that every prison term I say something with even the slim trace of satire, that you think I 'm planning something ? ''

'' Because you usually are. ''

She spun around to see Remus standing there, briefcase in hand, and a knowing smile across his pre-maturely age case.

'' Remus ! And here I thought you were trying to pilfer away without saying goodbye ! ''

'' And risk offending you ? '' he replied all too seriously. `` Skies above no ! ''

Hagrid 's booming laugh resounded behind her. `` lupin you 're cowering to a 16 year old. ``

The spirit on Remus'face was priceless, and she lunged at him in a vain attack to smack him.

'' I resent that ! '' she cried out, lunging again, eyeing his straightaway movements. `` And you 're jolly quick for an old man are n't you ? ''

Remus had dropped his briefcase in the effort to avoid her onset. `` Old ? I 'll let you know that I 'm 37 ! ''

Looking at his indignant face, she could n't assist it. She laughed.

This time Remus lunged at her, missing by inches as she bounced out of the way. His exuberant nature was contagiours.

'' Ah, spry as well ? '' she taunted.

Remus laughed deeply, years disappearing from his face as he smiled, shaking his school principal disapprovingly. `` Suddenly I find myself looking forward to my break from you during the week. I 'll be spared your wanton attacks ! ''

'' Oh Remus, you know that hurts me. Right here, '' she touched her heart, doing her best to look as pathetic as possible.

'' Do you honestly think I 'm so old to fall for that ? '' he asked.

'' In a word ... ''

'' Never mind, do n't reply that, '' Remus cut in. `` And besides, I have something here that might cheer up that wounded heart of yours. ''

Her puckish expression was replaced by one of puzzlement as Remus held up a lowly, broadside, grayness object. `` What is it ? '' she asked, walking over to face at it.

'' This ... '' he said mysteriously, `` Is how you 're going to get hold of me when I 'm away. '' Upon saying this he snapped it afford, revealing a small, round mirror on one face.

'' Is that pulverisation ? '' she asked, eyeing the thing that looked suspiciously like a powder compact.

'' right wing you are Miss Kaylens, '' he said, adopting a professor like shade. `` Dumbledore 's thought. One of his more ingenious ones from what he said, though somehow I doubt that. '' He winked, lapsing into his familiar feeling again.

'' Okay. So explain to me how powder is ... ''

'' It 's a bipartisan mirror Kally. See, anytime you want to verbalize to me. For any understanding .... '' He shot her a meaningful look that she did n't miss. `` just look directly into it and say my name clearly. If I have mine ... '' He fished around in his robe pocket, extracting a rather large pouch lookout. `` Which I will always have on me thanks to Dumbledore 's approximation to hide it in this lovely Muggle invention ... '' He snapped the pocket vigil give, revealing a mirror on the non-clock slope as well. `` And once you do that I 'll answer. If I call you, yours will glow on the inside slightly, so it 'll be noticeable to you but to not to mortal just passing a cursory glance by it. ''

She nodded, tacking the lowly compact from him. `` Brilliant. How 'd you think of this ? ''

'' Actually I did n't. For Christmas in my 4th year at Hogwarts ... ''

'' In the Cenozoic era ? '' she inquired curiously, laughing at Remus 's hot and bothered tone.

'' I knew I 'd regret telling you wizards had extended biography distich, '' he groaned, ignoring her serious nod and continuing on.

'' As I was saying, in my 4th year James got all of us our own two-way mirrors for Dec 25. These are mine, I just had them filed down a bit and inserted into these for hiding. ''

'' smartness move, '' she commented, looking into hers. `` Remus Lupin the Finicky WereWolf, '' she stated clearly, waiting to see if it worked.

'' Finicky ! '' Remus bristled, but not before a lean sliver of light appeared in the crevice of the closed pocket watch.

She grinned triumphantly, `` Well I guess it works. Hey can I ask you something ? ''

'' Could I stop you ? ''

'' Probably not, '' she confirmed, noticing how Hagrid had moved farther down the platform to break them some privacy. She made a genial greenback to thank him later. `` It 's just that you, and Dumbledore ... everyone keeps telling me how afraid everyone would be. And if that's on-key, well, then why are n't you ? ''

He paused a moment, his light John Brown eye flickering up to the sky as if considering her question. She did n't need to postdate his regard to screw that it rested on the fourth part Moon, barely visible in the dying dusk. `` I think, Kalliandra, that to let one 's life-time be even remotely governed by fear is foolish. Your never fully alive when your actions are limited by that. And fear, it comes from not knowing what 's truly there. ''

She nodded, silently agreeing with him. It was uncanny, how alike he and her father could sound.

'' And perhaps ... wellspring, I know what it 's like. And I know how unfair it is. '' He spoke these final stage Word bitterly, his centre hardening in an unfocused glare at the Sun Myung Moon. And it was only then that she understood why Dumbledore had chosen him as her mentor.

He was as hated by the mankind as she was.
* * * * *


An time of day later found her standing, smushed up next to Hagrid, as the mass of students pushed, shoved, and in truth, barreled their way over the platform towards the rig that she and Hagrid had readied for their journeying to Hogwarts. Why students needed the pusher in the first piazza was beyond her. The walking was n't exactly extended. No, she figured Dumbledore had arranged them because if he did n't, the ungrateful person would wonder off ungratefully, never getting to school day at all.

In fact, that did n't entirely fathom like a bad idea .... But mighty then she spied the moron that she least want to see, making his way with the carrot top through the crowd towards them.

cultivated carrot top waved vigorously, `` Hey Hagrid. It 's so good to see you ! ''

'' And so hard to miss, '' she muttered, suppressing a laugh at the cold look Hagrid shot her.

'' I see the past calendar week has done nothing to improve your manners. ''

She turned, eyeing the guy 's mussy black tomentum and commons eyes, which were presently narrowed and shining determinedly. Her inaugural encounter with him had been far from pleasant, and judging from his greeting, it seemed the notion had been reciprocal. `` Nor yours. I still do n't know your figure. ''

The guy 's jaw nearly dropped, but Ron interjected for him. `` Well we were introduced. It 's not his shift you do n't remember. ''

She shrugged carelessly. It was n't like she cared what his name was, she just wanted to put a name with his eavesdropping nerve. `` My apology. Not all of us are as just with names as you apparently are. But by all means do n't re-introduce me, I just thought it might be nice to refer to him as something former than the nosy arse ceramist. ''

'' What ! ? '' Both of the bozo exclaimed. Hagrid, however, shot her a homicidal look that stopped her smirk dead in its tracks.

Seeing that his glare had the intended core on her, Hagrid stepped in, attempting to diffuse the berth further.

'' That 's sufficiency all three of ya. Now again, this here be Kalliandra Kaylens, and that there be Ronald Weasly and Harry Potter. ''

She cocked her head to the side, wondering if the carrot top knew how easily his go name could be distorted to Weasel. She suppressed the sudden urge to ask just that, instead turning to Hagrid with a forced smile. `` Thank you Hagrid. It 's nice to be intimate that some of us are polite. ''

'' I hope you were n't referring to yourself as well, '' Potter stated pointedly.

'' Why no, unlike you I harbor no delusions about my impoliteness. '' She nearly laughed out loud at the livid expression that crossed the guy 's face. `` Now if you excuse me I do call up Hagrid has honorable affair to do than heed to his admirer conflict. ''

'' Friends ! ? Hagrid would never be friends with someone like you ! '' The weasel shot out, ceramicist smirking amusedly. Her oral fissure opened in tempestuous protest, but Hagrid 's booming voice cut them both off.

'' Ronald Weasley how dare ye make Assumption of Mary 'bout me ! '' Hagrid boomed, making all three of them parachuting.

She glanced up, seeing his face redder than it had been after their row about her Knockturn alleyway mis-adventure. She really would not want to be the weasel right now ...

'' Kalliandra is my friend, and you 'd do yer best to bide out of her business. The both of ya ! '' He said angrily, his loud voice drawing the stares of several student sandwiched around them. `` If I hear anythin''bout either one of ya nosin'aroun'in her business again ... '' He stopped, seemingly too wild to continue.

Hagrid drew in a deep, shaky breath, looking very close to exploding. `` Now rationalise to her Ron. And I mean now ! ''

Ron looked at her, his jaw agape love, while ceramist looked surprisingly abashed.

Despite herself, a sudden stab of guiltiness overcame her. Perhaps she was taking her hostile facade a bit too far.

'' Do n't worry about it, '' She spoke up quietly, avoiding the stares of Potter and Weasley. `` I was just as primitive anyhow. I 'll see you later sanction ? ''

She did n't wait for Hagrid 's reception as she spun on her dog, carefully making her way through the crowd to find an empty carriage. If she were lucky, then maybe Silverthorne had been particularly clever and scared everyone else away from his.
* * * * *


Harry stood there, half angry, half shocked at the sudden change in Kalliandra 's demeanor. He hardly heard Hagrid still going off at them, considering that he was still staring after her.

That changed pretty fast though, because when Hermione farmer is mad about something, she makes it bettor known than Hagrid.

And Hermione Granger unfortunately thought they had pigeon holed the girl.

And Hermione Granger had overheard his and Ron 's exchange with her.

Add in that she had seen Hagrid 's explosion, and Kalliandra 's sudden mood swing to normalcy, and he and Ron certainly did count like the bad guys.

Which was exactly how he found himself, amidst a gang of looker-on, staring down a melt off brunette, receiving the brunt of her fierceness.

'' Harry I ca n't trust you ! I 'd expect conduct like that from Ron but you ? '' Hermione yelled, her voice shaking with furious skepticism.

'' Hey ! '' Ron protested, clearly offended.

'' Ronald if you know what 's full for you you 'll keep your mouth shut, '' Hermione snapped in a very McGonagall like tone.

Unlike Ron, Harry had no ulterior motive for keeping Hermione happy with him besides their friendship. So at that exact flash he did n't much care if Hermione was annoyed with him or not. She had n't seen and heard everything, and if she had she would have realized how deceptive Kalliandra really was. Which was probably why he suddenly found himself taking a step forward to go after that insufferable promontory of halcyon hair, with every purpose of giving her a piece of his judgment, rather than paying attention to Hermione 's verbal berating.

Too bad a rather large hired man on the back of his gown stopped him from progressing any foster forward.

'' You serious be going to apologize Harry, '' Hagrid said menacingly.

He shot an incredulous look up at his ally. `` Hagrid you 've got to be kidding me ! She insulted you ! She ... ''

'' She did no so thing Harry. And you 'd do yer best to delay outta her business and life if yer understand me. ''

'' Hagrid what are you deaf ? ! She did to insult you ! '' Ron twirped, for a modification not cowering under Hermione 's fierce glare.

'' Oh really, an'how so ? '' Hagrid asked, still looking between him and Ron as if he could n't believe what was before his centre.

'' She was making fun of you because you're a whale ! '' Ron shot out indignantly.

'' No she were n't Ronald Weasley. We were jokin'to begin with 'bout the estimable spot for the fers eld to see me. If that 's what you be referrin'to. ''

'' But what about'Knockturn Alley ? '' He chimed in, coming to Ron 's defence mechanism. `` There 's something suspicious about that Hagrid ! ''

Hagrid opened his mouth, but it was Hermione who answered. `` I ca n't believe you two ! You both know that Hagrid frequents that arena of ... '' She paused, looking as if she were saying this against her safe nature.

'' Commerce, '' She finally ground out. `` Frankly it sounds like she was annoyed that you had eavsdropped while talking to someone she knew. If the same had happened to me I 'd probably be just as annoyed. ``

Harry stared at her contorted features in shock absorber. Talking to someone she knew was certainly not all she had been doing. Hermione had n't overheard the conversation he had.

'' Hermione, you do n't jazz what your talking about. You should have heard her ... ''

'' Overhear ! ? What 'd ya overhear ? '' Hagrid shot out suddenly, his voice low, a subdued note of affright in it.

He wrinkled his eyebrow confused. `` Well nothing that made sense but ... ''

'' Then you best be keepin'that stuff that did n't be making no sense to yerself. Yer hear me ? '' Hagrid muttered, shaking his heading. `` I 'm so disappoint in you two I do n't know ... Yer know I need to get the first yers. You lot get off to the castle, and so help me if any one of yer bothers her .... ''

The glare he shot them was Sir Thomas More than enough to convince Harry. The death thing he needed was to be fed to Grawp.

Then again, feeding Kalliandra to Grawp could solve the whole problem ...

'' Harry ! Come on ! '' Hermione hissed, grabbing him roughly by the arm to drag him to the nearest carriage. Most of the others were already rolling up towards the castle.

'' So help me you two ! I 've never seen such rudeness ... ''

He knew substantially than to interrupt her at this breaker point. After all, this was Hermione, and any controversy with her was a losing conflict. He had just managed to recover control of his glossa, which was threatening to snap at her for the reprimand worthy of a toddler that he was receiving, when he stepped into the finis pusher, and suddenly re-lost control of it.

'' I 'm walking, '' He stated bluntly, turning to do just that.

'' Harry you will do no such thing, '' Hermione grunted, grabbing his arm with surprising potency for a little girl her size. He glanced down at the dreadful clasp she had on him, and pondered how angry she would be if he broke free.

Before he had fourth dimension to adjudicate she had already drug him into the passenger car behind her.

'' Hermione ... '' He protested, refusing to sit as he stood, hunched over in the low compartment.

'' Nice to recognize I 'm not the but one displeased with this, '' Kalliandra muttered from the far side of the carriage, right as one of the thestrals let out an odd sounding grunt.

She then muttered something beneath her breather. Something that sounded strangely like, `` Even the thestrals think you 're a prat. ``

'' I 'm a what ? '' He hissed dangerously.

Her eyes darted up quickly, looking almost abashed. Her voice, however, was filled with disdain.

'' auditory sense things, Potter ? ``

He felt as if he had just been slapped, so contradictory were the emotions her facial expression and phonation conveyed. Shaking his point, he shoved the sudden hesitation to argue aside.

'' I do n't generally make a substance abuse out of hearing things, '' He finally ground out, taking a seat next to Ron grudgingly.

She inclined an eyebrow disbelievingly. `` Sure you do n't, '' She responded, not bothering to dissemble her sarcasm.

He practically growled, knowing full well what she was referring to.

'' You 're having a really hard time letting that go, are n't you ? '' He spat out scathingly.

'' I 'll let it go when I get an apology. ``

He visibly bristled. `` For what ! ? ``

Kalliandra 's formulation instantly soured. `` For eavesdropping on me, that 's what. ``

He suppressed the sudden urge to shove her out of the carriage. In fact, the alone thing stopping him was the fact that he 'd bear to reach over Hermione to execute it.

'' Well forgive me, '' He hissed acidly. `` following time I see you wandering down an alleyway full of dark wizards I 'll just go forth you to them. I did n't bring in how well acquainted you already were with ... ''

'' So your name 's Kalliandra ? '' Hermione cut in.

Harry gaped at her.

Hermione ignored this, apparently intent on starting a civic conversation.

Kalliandra just looked at her oddly, before nodding slightly.

'' Yes, '' She replied evenly, turning to face out the window.

Hermione 's brow creased, her lips forming into a check scowl at the miss 's apparent deficiency of interest.

Harry smirked, leaned back, and crossed his arm, preparing for the display.

'' Well Kalliandra, how was your last week of summertime ? '' Hermione pressed.

'' Rigorous. ''

Hermione shot him a look, to which he smirked like a jackal. Ron was far to a lesser extent subtle, and simply mouthed, So what now, genius ?

Hermione 's brass hardened into one of grim determination.

'' So what social class are you taking ? ``

The girl heaved a large suspiration. `` Too many. ``

Hermione 's oral cavity opened, as if appalled at the lady friend 's lack of interest in schooling. And just as Harry began an internal triumph jig, flashing a celebratory smirk at Ron, the girl surprised them.

'' One of them is antediluvian Runes. I have n't had that before so I 'm going to be getting tutoring for it. '' Kalliandra paused, sounding uncertain. `` At to the lowest degree, that 's what the Headmaster mentioned. ``

Hermione 's love feast sassing slowly closed, a wearisome smile creeping across her face.

Flashing them a self-satisfied face, she started talking. `` Ancient Runes is actually pretty fascinating. It 's a lot like learning to register another lyric. In fact, it 's my favorite national. ''

At this proclamation Kaylens actually looked thoughtful. `` I think mine will be concern of Magical Creatures. Hagrid 's been showing me a lot of the animals he works with over the past few calendar week. The thestrals are my favored so far ... ''

'' Thestrals ? '' Ron snorted derisively, earning a reproving feel from Hermione. `` What are you, a sadist ? ''

Hermione 's rima oris opened in protest, apparently too shocked for words as her inevitable riposte failed to come Forth.

Kalliandra 's facial expression immediately grew stony. `` Perhaps you should check a affair or two about them before you start flinging contumely. ``

'' And how exactly did I affront them ? '' Ron asked shortly.

Kaylens was now looking at Ron as if he had sprouted antlers. `` Generally when one implies that you have to be a sadist in order to like something, I 'm reasonably sure that 's derogatory to the something in doubt. ``

Ron waved a deal dismissively. `` As if thestrals would care. ``

'' You 'd be surprised. They hate being insulted. ''

'' That 's Hippogriffs you idiot. ''

Hermione made a choking noise.

'' No, it 's Hippogriffs that react violently, '' Kalliandra said placidly, flipping the lid of a compendious shut. `` Though I would n't put it past a thestral to do so. ''

'' Thestrals are not violent, '' Harry cut in with irritation. Why in the hell did Hermione deliver to pick this baby carriage ...

He gazed longingly out the open door crosshatch. He knew perfectly well that if he got out and walked, that he would escape the sorting, and he had already learned the operose way what happened to people when they walked into that latterly.

Too bad. The ride up to Hogwarts was usually so enjoyable. `` So who on Earth taught you that rubbish ? ''

'' Hagrid, '' She hissed dangerously.

'' roll in the hay this, '' Ron suddenly announced. `` I refuse to remain in the bearing with her. ''

He stood, only for Hermione to yank him down. Ron opened his lip, an angry protest already forming, when Kaylens cut him off.

'' Do you honestly think that I 'm any happier about being stuck here with you and your eavesdropping Friend ? ''

'' Just. Let. It. Go. '' Harry growled, hating the let down look Hermione shot him each sentence the incident was brought up.

She glared at him. `` Gladly. ''

'' Fine. ''

'' mulct ! ''

right hand then the carriage moved with a mighty lurch, and not another word was spoken by any of the carriage 's inhabitants.

Harry stared out the window, contemplating. No one would get as angry as Kaylens had over the incident. Not if it had just been a conversation about something trivial ...

What was she hiding ?

Not soon enough for his liking, the convoy came to a hitch outside the castle 's enormous entrance. And without a word, he and Ron jumped out, dry grime stirring around their footprint as they met the bunch of students rushing to the Great Hall.
* * * * *


'' Well, that certainly could have gone in effect, '' Hermione stated, rueful regard following her two booster out the go-cart door.

Letting out a tense breathing time she had not even realized she was holding, Kally felt herself nodding in assent. `` No kidding, '' she remarked dryly. Still, she could n't help but finger a tiny, excuse upsurge of outrage. That daughter 's friends had jumped into the pusher right as she had been trying to contact Remus.

Being in the charming world, knowing next to nothing about it, had felt overpower before. But now, on her way to being surrounded by competent witches and thaumaturgist twenty four - seven, that overwhelming feeling was beginning to erupt into something far closer to panic.

She was n't surely she could pull this off. She was n't sure at all.

Hermione released an release sounding huff, breaking her from her thoughts. `` Please know, I 'm not trying to criticize you, '' she said carefully, `` but you could give made things a little easier. Particularly since this totally misunderstanding seems to be over something extremely trivial. ''

Rising from her seat and stepping out of the go-cart, her feet sinking into the loose grunge, Kally heard herself saying very quietly, `` You 're mightily. ``

And even though she was not looking at Hermione, she could practically experience the eye rolling going on behind her.

Silently they joined the throng of student making their way up the palace 's entrance. That was until Hermione began asking motion again.

'' Do you love if you are being sorted with the rest of the commencement age ? ``

Nearly tripping over a kid small enough to have been a number 1 class, Kally nodded mechanically. `` Unfortunately. ``

A wistful frown crossed the brunet 's face. `` You do n't sound excited. ``

Throwing a wayward glimpse the young woman 's way, Kally asked, `` Would you be ? I 'm going to stick out. ``

Mounting the entryway stairs simultaneously, she saw the nook of Hermione 's lip crook up in her peripheral vision, as if veil dumb entertainment. `` You are twice their pinnacle, so I suppose that is an accurate assessment. ``

Instead of responding, Kally began grumbling something unclear under her breather.

Hermione responded by allowing what may have been a smile to cut across her feature article. `` They really are skillful if you give them the chance. ``

Somehow she felt severely doubtful about that, but something of her thoughts must have shown on her characteristic, because Hermione was interjecting before she could even devise a response.

'' We did n't get along at first either, '' Hermione said, their feet reaching the top. `` To be blunt, it took a troll trying to take my head off for us to get down getting along. ''

Kally stumbled, her hazel eyes darting over to the miss with something akin to horror dancing with them. `` What ? ''

Now there was no mistaking it. Hermione really did count amused. The girlfriend smiled at her, chuckling slightly. `` Like I said, present them a luck. ``

She could n't help it. Despite all her sweat to the contrary, a strangled choking sound emerged from her throat.

Hermione simply grinned severely, shaking her head. `` Honestly, '' she laughed, glancing around the rapidly emptying entry hall, `` do you need me to wait with you until the first years get here so you 're not ... ''

'' Ms. Kaylens is quite capable of waiting alone Ms. farmer. And if you delay any longer it will be 20 spot from Gryffindor. ``

The voice had come from directly behind them, the forcefulness of it muted by the echoing of excite chatter from scholar trying to swot up through the Great vestibule 's looming doorway.

Instantly Kalliandra recognized it. She had met the man on a few occasions, and he had seized the luck to cue her how absolutely impossible it would be for her to ever gain competency in Potions.

As such, she stopped immediately, spinning on her heel. Hermione simply quirked an eyebrow before continuing off to link the quietus of the scholarly person.

Snape 's glum optic lowered, eyeing her appraisingly. `` I trust you are remembering discretion. Particularly where scholar like Ms. Granger are concerned. Some tend to be too snoopy for their own good. ``

Heaving a suspiration, Kally nodded. `` I 'll remember. ''

He glowered at her for another second, before nodding curtly. `` Remember, I 'll be seeing you in detention all this week. ''

She heaved another sigh. Upon their initial meeting she had had the inauspicious chance to inadvertently diss the man, by asking if he were a lamia. In fact, all she has said was that he looked like one of the creatures of the night from her Defense Against the Dark Art 's text they had given her to read. And considering that Hagrid was a giant, another species mentioned in the book, she had n't thought it too unreasonable to presume that a vampire could be teaching at Hogwarts as well.

Unfortunately Snape had n't taken her query lightly, and had immediately began ranting and raving about how he most certainly did not hold a deep-seeded pedigree lust for the living.

And for some unfortunate, and suicidal intellect, she had found his ira ridiculously funny.

Which probably explained why she had wound up in detention.

'' Ms. Kaylens ? ``

'' I 'll be looking forward to it, '' She replied quickly, finding herself suddenly surrounded by several dozen kids, all twittering loudly with no augury of stopping.

She groaned, barely hearing professor McGonagall 's talking to. Somehow she found herself following the Deputy kept woman through freshly polished oak doors into the Great Hall.

The center of every first off year immediately turned upwards, to the left, to the right, and in every former plausible direction, unable to resist taking in their new surroundings.

The pressure level of a hundred duad of eyes burrowed into her, and she stared pointedly forward, looking over the crowd of midgets to where Hagrid sat, flashing a quick smile in her direction.

Maybe he can help me escape afterwards, she thought hopefully, coming to a freeze at the front of the tremendous room. several of the midgets around her tensed up, scattered whispering passing through the crowd about fighting a troll ...

What on Earth is that about, she wondered curiously, spotting the hat Remus had told her about.

McGonagall turned to front the full room.

'' When I call your name, step forward, place the hat upon your head, and the classification will commence. ''

With that, she sat the hat upon a battered old stool, the sorting hat 's brim opened wide, and the singing began.
* * * * *


'' Slytherin ... ''

'' Ron if you say that one Thomas More time ... ''

'' Hermione you saw how vile she was ! ''

'' She is not vile ! '' Hermione hissed back dangerously, being careful to keep her interpreter lowered. `` Nervous, yes. Vile, no. ``

'' You can not separate me that there is not something inherently sinister about her, '' Ron challenged. `` Something 's not rightfield there. She 's going to weave up an evil Slytherin, probably waiting to ... ''

Before Ron could ship further along his psychological road misstep, Hermione cut him off tiredly. `` Just because someone is in Slytherin does not produce them inherently evil, Ronald. ''

'' Hermione how can you say that ! '' He bristled, clearly having trouble keeping his voice down as the for the first time age and the case of their contention walked past times.

Hermione 's face visibly tensed, and Harry could tell she did n't fully consider what she was saying. `` You ca n't pidgeon hole out an entire house. Besides, Slytherins are goal oriented and strong willed. They might be a bit abrasive, but it 's because they wo n't let anything get in their way of getting what they want. ''

'' Which makes you a vile git like Snape ! '' Ron exclaimed triumphantly.

At least Ron 's exclamations were hushed enough so no one not in the near vicinity could learn, Harry thought, suppressing a groan. He should have known the peacefulness between those two could n't last longer than the train drive there. It was astonishing enough that they had n't killed each other in their compartment as it was. Had he really expected that peace to last ?

'' Mione ... ''

'' Ronald ... ''

'' Will you two bump it off ! The hat about to sing and I actually want to see what it says. '' Ginny cut in. Harry made a mental note to thank her for distracting their disputing protagonist later, and quickly turned his attention to the hat. He had always enjoyed the sorting, but after close year ... Well, knowing that the hat was sworn to previse the pupil and instructor of danger made him a bit more attentive this year.

The had opened it 's brim wide.

Divided, but once united,
That's how our fib begins,
foursome houses founded by four admirer
Yet I fear that such partitioning shall bring about our end.

In ancient clip the skilful of ally
Came knocking on the door,
Of Ravenclaw and Slytherin,
Then Hufflepuff went to Gryffindor.

Lets build a school of learning,
For all those of charming to look,
Yet somehow the approached three could not agree,
On what qualities to defend.

LET teach only those of wit and acquisition,
Possessing the most make psyche of all.
Those had been the affecting words,
Of once fair Ravenclaw.

Proud Slytherin prized ambition,
Possessing purity of blood and cunning,
His pupils would stop at nothing,
Until they got what they saw fit to their coming.

And then were the hardy,
Those cheeky with noble daring,
boldface Gryffindor chose them,
As virtually worthy of magical encyclopedism.

Hufflepuff loved her friends,
And accepted them as they were.
She let them each create a mansion,
In which their prized were teach and nurtured.

And as for mellifluous Hufflepuff,
She agreed to look at the rest,
Yet somehow part did not set well,
Unity to her, seemed sound.

So when the founders sewed me,
And left me on my stool,
She stole me in the dead of night,
And bestowed me with a tool,
Of knowing when the sentence was right,
For the sorting ritual to end.
She said one day air division may make strife,
And she feared for the magical world.
For all her living,
She had feared the section in ken,
But never Sir Thomas More,
Than when the friendships failed,
Of the foundation Four.

Slytherin was the inaugural to leave,
Purity of blood his choice,
I 'm disgraced by teaching Muggle borns !
He yelled, conviction in his spokesperson.

Next left boldface Gryffindor,
He felt the calling of adventure,
Rather than the desperate plea,
Of failing dedication in need of fibrous joint.

Last left once-fair Ravenclaw,
Who once prized justice and learning,
She left because she said,
That teaching the other school-age child had got too ho-hum.

And alone stood sweet Hufflepuff,
The wise of them all,
Because she never would heed,
Alluring temptation call.

I see the wisdom of her choice,
Why she chose to accept them all,
And now understand,
That its fruitless to split you at all.

So while it deeply saddens me,
To see my end in sight,
The sorting ceremony ends,
Right now, right wing here, This night.


Harry stared at the commode, trying vainly to march what he had just heard. At to the lowest degree he had been right in thinking it was important to pay attention this year, because apparently that was the last song the sorting hat would ever peach.

He cast a cursory glance towards Hermione, sitting next to him on the Bench, but her brown middle were wide and fixated up front. He could just imagine what was going through her drumhead right hand then, because chances were she was going through each pageboy of Hogwarts a History, trying to find any other incident even remotely like this one. He had a sneaking mistrust that she had the unharmed record book committed to memory.

The affected silence filled the Great Hall like a heavyset fog, so compact he could almost finger it closing around him.

McGonagall seemed caught between slapping the hat and looking to Dumbledore for instructions, and her hand moved cautiously towards the hat 's brim, only for it to quickly spring as if the hat had grown Fang. This odd, twitching move was punctuated by abrupt round of her foreland as she looked right at Dumbledore, who to Harry 's surprise, looking genuinely amused.

Snape on the other paw looked quite inconvienced, his mouth had puckered so tightly that his backtalk seemed more translucent than Nearly Headless gouge 's.

Apparently, they had not been expecting this.

Snape however, did n't appear to want to accept it, and he had already stood and started storming from his place at the teacher 's mesa, clearly headed for the sorting hat 's stool itself.

'' Excuse me Minerva. '' Snape muttered, his low tone clearly audible in the spiritual quiet. His long fingers snatched the hat up and onto his head in a single fluid motion, his face contorted in concentration as if conducting some clever argument.

Clever argument from Snape ? No ... insufferable, he thought, watching his Potions teacher with interest for the first of all prison term in five yr.

Apparently he was mighty about Snape 's unfitness to acquit an in effect argument, because a bit later Snape had flung the hat back onto it 's stool, muttering about how it was a dirty, trash-ridden piece of fading fabric destined for a Muggle food waste trash dump.

It was a home run of how severe the place was, that not a someone at the Gyffindor mesa laughed.

Harry could n't help but notice how Snape was testingly running his fingerbreadth through his greasy black haircloth, looking at his paw after each swipe, as if searching for proof of something.

Every Gryffindor had a sneaking suspicion that the hat had just called him a greasy slime bollock.

Ron Weasley was just the first to say it.

'' Chalk one up for the sorting hat for insulting Snape ! '' Ron whispered triumphantly, all forefront within earshot turning towards him.

Apparently that was the signal everyone had been waiting for, because suddenly a craze of natural process broke out at the Gryffindor table, and a chain reaction of noise banquet until the nuzzle spirit level was almost deafening. The unsorted first age looked positively terrified, as if frightened of being sent home if unsortable, and they alone seemed the sole ones still rendered speechless.

'' I mean did I just hear that right ? '' Ron asked, eyes alight with excitation he did not share.

Harry just nodded, watching the prof 's re-group.

Professor Flitwick slid from his seat, and every so often Harry could trip up a glimpse of the top of his head over the teacher 's table, as the small man jumped up and down, vying for Dumbledore 's tending.

'' Oh my God did the categorization hat just quit ? '' Squealed Parvarti. One would think she had just realized what had happened.

'' Brilliant that one ... '' Ron muttered sarcastically.

'' Think it has anything to do with the war going on ? '' Seamus asked excitedly. `` Do n't you recall ? How it warned us last year ? ''

'' It did n't monish us that it might go on smasher Irish Republic man ! ''

'' Who you calling Ireland man ? ''

'' shivering Seamus, James Byron Dean 's just kidding, are n't you Dean ? '' Ginny 's equanimity representative somehow filtered through the ruction.

'' I ca n't believe this ! Never, in all of Hogwarts a story did it ever report the Sorting Hat doing anything even remotely close to this ... '' Hermione was in her ingredient, and he silently congratulated himself on how well he knew his friend. `` I mean do n't you think Harry ? This is monumental !

But Hermione was too worked up to notice whether he responded or not, and she was so engrossed in her dictation to get a line what he heard.

'' Do you think we should just try sorting them anyway, Albus ? '' Professor McGonagall asked, casting an almost pleading glance at the group of world-class old age, who seemed to shrink away from her gaze.

Professor Dumbledore, looking vaguely amused, patted professor Flitwick on the heading as he mulled this over. For his part the spell 's Professor stopped bouncing around like a firefly on speed, and his small chief disappeared beneath the staff table.

'' We 'll be needing a unpaid worker though ... '' McGonagall stated rhetorically, scanning the leaning of scholarly person epithet with an uncharacteristic look of uncertainty, talking out tatty but absently. `` If any of the first years would like to try to get sorted ... ''

His nous of home was too preoccupied, and she missed what he did not fail to notice.

A sure gilded haired girl had overhead the Professor 's inquiry, and after casting a glance at the overwrought minor around her, had woven her way through the cowering kickoff years. She now stood besides the stool, her delicate hand grasping the top of the hat as she lifted it from its president, plopping it upon her point. The instructor around her were completely oblivious to her actions.

Her indulgent, angular lineament relaxed, as if immersed in quiet conversation. And as she sat there, immersed in a silent conversation to which only she was privy to, Dumbledore pointed a wand to his throat, muttering, `` sonorous ''.

A second later the Headmaster 's magically hyperbolize vox echoed throughout the Great Hall, as it had on only one other social occasion.

'' SIIIILLLLEEEENNNCCCE ! ''

Every someone who had been excitedly talking, including several of the unquiet looking firstly eld, who had started to cry, stopped and turned their attention to the figurehead of the hall.

So of course, that was when everyone 's attending suddenly became drawn to the rather ordinary bicycle fille, standing by the stool, the offending hat placed atop her question.

'' Apparently the sorting hat has decided that it is no longer able to, in thoroughly conscious, subprogram as a house sorter. However, we shall feature this sorted out. '' Dumbledore winked, the pun on Good Book sounding almost natural coming from him. Yet Harry just stared in fascination at Kaylens, who seemed to be nodding quietly to herself. `` Now I would like the upper long time to remain here for dinner, and I would wish the first years to come with .... ''

Dumbledore stopped mid-sentence, apparently just catching sight of Kaylens, even though she had been right in front of him all along.

Kaylens nodded one last prison term, her hazel heart flickering out-of-doors as she removed the hat, placing it back upon the faecal matter. All eyes were upon the hat except his, so he was the exclusively one to see the rarified smile crossing her features as the sorting hat opened its brim for the second time that night.

'' Let the sorting now begin. ''



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