A C. W. Post Order of the Phoenix, pre-Half Blood Prince taradiddle.

Please debate this a replacement of the sixth al-Qur'an, since it was begun well before the release of the Half Blood Prince. I will not be changing this to lodge the HBP plotline, since I feel that the Order of the Phoenix leaves a greater degree of flexibility for fan-fiction author.

Thank you to all of the referee who have supported me throughout the penning of this piece.
I can not express my gratitude enough to all of you who have made me the bit 1 favorite author, and this story the Number 2 dearie history, the 7th near learn storey, the Most Reviewed Story Ever in the site 's history, and for several calendar month between August and early November of 2005 the number 1 darling Story.







'' Energy. It permeates every living and inanimate thing. Without it, the world would cease to exist. ''
~ Vincent VonStolburg ~






Chapter 1 ~ Lightning ten-strike


Remus'eyes narrowed, peering through the duncical outpouring as rain pelted the solid ground. He continued walking, not breaking organization even as pee sloshed about his mud-soaked articulatio talocruralis, chilling him to the bone.

Moving was becoming increasingly unmanageable and the thick wool of his cloak clung awkwardly to his icy peel. He wished he had possessed the foresightfulness to don a lighter one, for moving certainly would have been well-fixed.

But there had been picayune metre to conceive on such particular.

His eyes burned, the sting sensation growing until painful tears streamed down his boldness, his salty tears mixing with the rain before they reached his brim, leaving the taste of salt pee upon his clapper.

The stinging 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 bleak concentre the end of the night.

Cloaked range came to life, the moonless Nox no longer a factor as Gy paradigm danced before him with unearthly clarity. It was the one small gift his monthly burden afforded him.

Night visual sense.

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

Tonks fell into footfall besides him, giving an involuntary quiver, and he caught her arm, helping her over another of the dead before she could trip. Her eyes were still bloodshot from the net time it had happened.

She nodded thanks and they continued their stealthy hunting. They dared not dismount their paths for reverence 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 fault them.

A Reach had not been found in England for century. And the foul and offensive last Eaters would go to any distance to find one. The grounds lay at their feet, and he was thankful that the deep iniquity spared Tonks from seeing the full extent of tonight 's destruction. Only he could suffer witness to its full horror.

5 Muggles had been slain this night. Their torn and mangled dead body long since passed. There was zippo even the unspoiled of healer could do. All that was left was to pluck through the carnage, hoping against hope that a soul had survived.

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

The past hebdomad had brought a slew of murder. No ... butchery ...

This was his seventh such search that month alone, and still the stench of blacken fabric and burnt frame reeled him.

Muggle kin were being polluted with the malodorousness of Voldemort. And despite the fiat 's topper efforts, they had been powerless to stop it.

'' Six ... '' Tonks whispered, barely audible. Her slender form was bent down, her shaking handwriting checking for a pulse on a vernal man, his once golden-blond hair matted thickly with coagulated parentage.

Remus bent down, grasping her around the waist as he helped her hike. In the heat of fight she was fiery, unaffected by the horrors of fallen comrades. He had seen her ability to block such affair out firsthand in the department of secret. But now, in the aftermath of something she had no ascendency over, the steely spark was gone from her center, her purposeful footstep lost.

He pulled her forward, feeling her optic linger upon the squelch skull of a man barely younger than herself. He could feel its effect on her as she quivered in his arms. He wished to spare her further torture, but they had to remain.

'' Do you think when he is at the gates of Hell he will still think it was Charles Frederick Worth it ? '' She whispered shakily.

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

The cast bastard would pay. God did not let someone get away with such atrocities without requital. And he would see to that.

The night Lord had a new strategy. Snape had informed the Order weeks ago, but even now he still found it unfathomable, for the vile being was no longer content to experiment with magic.

No ... Now he was experimenting with magical animal.

And people…

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

If the thought of an even stronger Dark Lord was n't enough to frighten soul, Remus did n't know what was. But that fear did nix to quell his barely contained hysteria.

It was usual knowledge that when emotions ran high, hag and champion often lost control. Hades, he had lost enumeration of how many times Harry had done exactly that.

Only now the Death Eaters were using a Reach 's emotions against them. The hooded form had crept in the shade of Night from home to home over the past tense week, killing each candidate 's family right in battlefront of them. Their aim was to elicit an emotional reaction, one secure enough to reveal the scope 's lawful potential drop.

It sickened him, how the Dark Lord could belt down so many innocents, just to level the Reach out of concealing.

But what was even more sickening was the Dark noble 's plans for the inadequate somebody once they were found.

He was planning on utilizing their rip, granting him their tycoon to kill. And the means through which this would be accomplished…

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

Most witches and wizards developed charming ability 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 teens. It had turned out that witching ability stemmed from a rife cistron, linked to the genes specifying lineage type. And the genetic code Muggles possessed only differed by a few base, so it was well-heeled for the mutation to bob up randomly in Muggles, thus Muggleborns.

But a Reach was not a witch or virtuoso, they were not a Squib or a late bloom conjurer.

They were something different entirely.

When their charming prowess came to realization, the same organization that alerted the Headmaster to the mien of a new witch or wizard would go off.

Tonight that system had gone haywire. It had been slowly read interpretation for the past times five months.

Now it was going off again.

There was a person out there holding Thomas More ability than they could properly wield.

And if Dumbledore was correctly, that meant there was a compass out there who had finally struck out.

The pitiful shit.

Instinctively his arm shot out, halting Tonks roughly in post, his dilated middle roamed, scanning the ground of what had once been an ordinary home set far away from the major roadstead. Now broken floor board littered the muddied dry land, while skunk from the dip fervour curled up in snake like tendrils, shrouding the globe from vista. Yet his eyes penetrated its head covering, searching for the flicker of movement that had frozen him in situation.

He clenched his fingers tighter around the conversant worn oak of his wand, bracing himself for whatever blast would come.

None came.

It was then that he heard it. A soft choking amidst the storm 's howling jazz.

He withdrew his arm, placing a fingerbreadth carefully over Tonks'icy back talk, signaling her to be silent. The only mansion of her confusion was the sparkle flexure of her eyebrow. She would, of course, have no idea what he was looking for. Her listening was not as refined as his.

But werewolf snack did things like that to a individual.

It came again, a low, strangled groan, and he took off, rushing towards the reference. No attacker could feign that kind of pain.

He skidded, flinging Rock in the air as he bent down beside her. The puddle she was feebly pushing herself out of was a cryptical black, filled with the stock of her and the lifeless man besides her. Her body spasmed with each choking hacker as she coughed up inhale H2O, her middle glazed over from what he recognized as daze.

He pulled her up, speaking in low, reassuring tones as she flailed against him. She was too imperfect to do much price, even of the other sort ...

Tonks reached them, murmuring soothing words as she smoothed the female child mud caked hairsbreadth away from her grimace, brown body of water emerging from her backtalk as another round of spasm racked her consistency violently.

He took her show in, another involuntary spasm shaking her. Torn sherd of what had once been clothing hung lightly from her, and the junk and dust sticking to her wet face made her features impossible to recognise.

He did n't make love whether to praise the heavens or cuss 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 heroic need of suturing, and God only knew what else the bastards had done to her before leaving her for dead.

He let her cough up the rest of the water before stunning her. He hated doing it as he lifted her limp form from the solid ground, but only one thing could ingest survived this.

And as infirm as she was, he was n't tidal bore to get on that matter 's bad side. There was no signified in taking chances.
* * * * *


The rainwater poured down in cold torrents as Harry shouldered his ling, sprinting after Kingsley through the fast forming puddles of Greater London 's city streets. It was coming down in buckets now, and if he had thought flying through the torrential downpour had been bad it was nothing compared to the pounding of his ft on the slickness paving material.

Moody 's croaky growling sounded off to his right, not that he could see him, the pelting was too thick to see much of anything. smack clapped, shaking him to the Congress of Racial Equality, and the lightning flashed shockingly, illuminating the orbit to unwrap Order extremity running in rank around him, splashing water as they went.

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

Only this night was different.

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

Tonight truly was different.

He blinked rapidly, trying vainly to evoke the pee cascading into his oculus, but it was to no service. His glasses were too densely coated with rain droplets, and he desperately racked his mind for the enchantment Hermione used to repel urine. For his wand was out, and he could use it. The Ministry had removed the decree for the Restriction of Underage Wizardry that summer. Dumbledore had headed up the move, arguing that the paying back of Voldemort endangered enchantress and wiz of all ages, and that in the result of an onrush, students should be give up to defend themselves without the fearfulness of repercussions.

The empty lot materialized between two run down theatre, and he looked quickly at the small slip of sopping wet paper dripping from his hand, hesitant to ignore his surroundings for even a second when the foreboding fright of attack hung so thickly about him.

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

Grimmauld shoes.

Lupin materialized at the top of the decrepit wooden stairs looking worse for the habiliment. His normally threadbare clothing was now ragged and blood stained, his eyes hole and sunken, holding the looking at of prey that knew its predator to be near.

Harry stepped through the threshold, stomping his feet on the shaggy-coated carpet, slinging mud everywhere as the others piled in. He swallowed the lump in the base of his throat, pulling his eyes from the quaggy storey, forcing himself to conduct in his milieu. A man named Dorbert nerve could be heard triggering the complicated locking spell on the front room access.

A loud manna from heaven reverberated through the home, shaking the paries as indistinct voices argued in the distance. Yet this did not put out him. Even his curiosity as to why he had been pulled so untimely from his bed could not best the despair that had hit him like a bludger. In the heat of the race they had ran he had forgotten one matter.

That they were taking him to Sirius's…

This business firm had never been joyful, but now it seemed a hole eggshell of what could ingest been. It stood as a abominable reminder of the scraping of a life story that he and his godfather could have salvaged. But that animation was gone now.

War brought casualty, fatal accident brought bother, and pain brought void.

That was how he had felt since that Night. Empty. There was naught that could fill the void. Not even the impending holy terror of facing Voldemort in years to come could make him feel anything but desperation again.

Mundungus cleared his pharynx, turning all header towards him as he beckoned for everyone to quietly get to their way to an butt room. He followed, his sopping wet wearing apparel weighing him down with every step he took. But nothing could consider him down as much as the memory ... As much as the load haunting him ... The one they should have told him ...

realisation hit him hard, like sudden submersion into the icy H2O of the Northern artic, as he wondered what they were not telling him tonight.

He glanced towards lupine who stood protectively succeeding to him, opening his mouth to speak, to ask, but he let it flap shut. He remembered all too well that Dumbledore would not earmark them to tell him anyway. They never told him anything when it could actually make a difference ...

But even if they had told him, right then, it would n't have mattered. There was no way any of them could consume known what would go on from that night 's result. At least not yet ... None of them were seeing past their demand to get him to a safe locating, so they could not make known that the night marked a turning point in his lifetime, as well as in the life of the only subsister of Voldemort 's first undulation of attempt.

The war had begun.
* * * * *


throb pain ... blood line ... battle cry of hurting ....

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

Dim vocalisation filtered into her thoughts, her sleep befuddled idea protesting strongly as it failed to savvy a ace intelligence.

'' ... has a chance. ''

newsbreak of light ... .flame ... Coughing smoke ... squeal of tires ... .Sean ....

She awoke jarringly, her atrocious moan drowned out by the spokesperson.

phonation that were unmindful to her awakening. Voices forgetful to the way her body recoiled in pain in the ass. vocalism oblivious to how her eyes teared from the bright sunlight pouring in from the window of the unsaved room. voice oblivious to how she clawed like a panicky animate being at the chummy comforter wrapped around her clobber and bruised consistence.

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

What she had done ...

A new despair hit her like a thousand hot tongue, slicing her pelt in a way the worst of the discharged spells could not ingest.

She had done the unthinkable ....

New waves of annoyance pullulate forth, her imagination swimming dangerously with each pulsating pain in the ass her body dealt. She would ingest cried out, but the effort would have been too much for her frail form. Instead she drew in devil breaths until her dead body gave out, the sound of a door creak and a large, sullen form standing over her vaguely registered before she once again slipped into merciful oblivion.
* * * * *


The dreams were always the Lapplander ....

For nearly a month she had refused to succumb to the nightly torments. She was stronger than that. She would not lose herself to the world of nightmares, even if the book of account she had read on such affair deemed that a more merciful fate 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 calendar month since she had come there. Nearly a month since Dumbledore had explained everything to her. Nearly a month since she had vowed to regain some semblance of a normal life story. She wanted that more then anything, so bad she could savor it. But she would never be normal.

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

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

She drew in a shallow breathing place, letting her shit subside slowly before Hagrid could pick up. She had dreamt about it again. About that night. Visions of rake and shrill screams had filled her mind 's eye each Nox since as she dreamt about their deeds ...

Her act ...

She wiped the lingering crying that clung to her cilium, swallowing her own self-loathing. She would not fight it, for she deserved every bit of painful sensation bestowed upon her. She would grizzle in it until it had permeated every fiber of her being. That lots was the least of what she deserved.

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

And the ones who had started it all ...

They deserved so much unsound.

Everything good and pure in her life had been gone for calendar week. It was with a frigidness lucidness that she realized this. For now she lived for one purpose, and one purpose alone.

Revenge.
* * * * *


Harry lay on the top rot staring at the ceiling, watching the way shadows played across it as luminousness from passing car headlight shone in through the window. Ron 's loud snoring drifted up, breaking the silence like a loud hailer with every breath, and it was taking every inch of the willpower he possessed, to not slant over and thwack his admirer senseless with his pillow.

He sighed loudly, wondering when it was all going to end. Each day the Daily oracle brought word of Sir Thomas More kill, more unexplained disappearances, and of more war. For several week he and Ron had been catching tidbits of data, shimmy ups by the grownup in Grimmauld Place, 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 grounds of so much death and death. No one should have got that much might, he thought bitterly, thinking of the cost that the Muggle destruction were taking on Mr. Weasley, Ron 's father.

Mr. Weasley was the somebody employee in the abuse of Muggle Artifacts section, and recently, with the tune on resourcefulness in the Ministry, it had come to duplicate as the Department of Muggle sexual intercourse. Now Mr. Weasley spent half his time performing memory charms on Muggle law enforcement, to shroud up the deaths of Muggles who had been murdered by Death eater. Now every metre Harry saw Mr. Weasley, all the man could let the cat out of the bag about were different potential strategy for protecting the Muggle universe.

Now if only a in effect strategy actually existed.

He rolled restlessly, spying Hedwig 's gleaming center in the dark. She hooted softly in credit, and he smiled in the dark despite his obscure thought process.

Memories plagued him every metre he closed his eyes now. The department of mystery story ... 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 pass again.

The trick 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 save, and his self-induced isolation ended when both of them showed up at the Dursleys while his relatives were on holiday. The two of them set up residence there the intact hebdomad, decree members circling the premises like hawks for security, while his champion 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 accept to do it slowly.

Yes. A gradual drifting would be best.

It was with these thoughts in mind, that he drifted off into another nighttime of fitful slumber. If only he could deliver known then what the next few eld would work.





disclaimer : The characters, property, figure, and upshot mentioned in this narrative, that coincide with the character, position, names, and events mentioned in J.K. Rowling 's Harry thrower series, do not belong to me, but to that literary genuis, JKR. Thank you so a lot for allowing so many of us to pursue writing through fanfiction JKR, we really appreciate it.

The fab banner is by SticksN'Stones.

nontextual matter of Kalliandra by agirlnamedbob87.





'' One may never make love how long their wax light of sprightliness '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 glassy surface, taking in the shimmering observation of the early first light sunrise. The sun was barely risen and the birds still slumbered, but this had become the average for her over the past times weeks. She simply no longer saw the use in sleeping when guilt plagued her even there.

A light gentle wind ruffled the body of water, tousling her hair gently in its wake. She casually brushed her whispy strands back, tucking them carelessly behind her ears.

Her hair had always been a seed of frustration, always in the way, hanging in figurehead of her optic, 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 free and untethered.

Kind of like me ...

She swore silently, the rippling wafture now running across the lake the only looker to her foiling as she stood. If she was not back soon Hagrid would awake and obtain her gone. Of course here would be the low gear lieu he looked, but with as late as he always ran he would not be please with her absence, particularly when they had places to go that good afternoon.

Diagon Alley. The very make evoked so many emotions. It was hard for even her to go them down.

Not that she was allowed to prove sadness. Emotions were no longer a perquisite she had.

She had been warned of the peril of such things.

Her bare feet crunched upon the dewy grass, but the other morning chill did not difficulty her. She reached into her pocket, fingering the cherry wooden control surface of her verge before pulling it out, studying it appraisingly as she traversed her way across the primer coat.

They were odd looking things really. Long and thin, and from the feel of it, easily breakable. She suppressed the sudden urge to do just that, knowing to the full well that cipher could be gleaned from such destructive measures.

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

Of line, seeing Hagrid 's face when he found the snapped remains might be rather amusing. Especially with the huge deal he had made over how lucky she was, getting a specially made wand from Ollivander. It was n't like she had wanted one, and the only reason the quirky man had fabricated it thus was because none of the real wands that he had brought to the school had so much as spark off.

So in what the odd man had called a virgule of brainchild, he had customs duty designed the one she now bore, forming the marrow with a lock of her own hair and a pinprick of her own stemma. She could n't even come back how many trance had to be woven into it.

It was rummy, for her wand was the only thing she could cajole into working at least somewhat decently, and still she hated it.

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

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

It was a warmth that would never extend to her.

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

Silverthorne would be pleased. Now he would not get to wait for her to change out of her every night garments before getting his ferret fix for the day.

She stopped and waited, his gallop growing louder with his speedy attack, and a small smile graced her passive brim. 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 aspect they exchanged around her.

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

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

A puppet of the dead. It was one of the more unseemly figure Thestrals were referred to by, but it explained why she had felt an instant draw to them while the other animals screeched and howled in her mien.

His teeth glinted in the red hues of the morning and she smiled, pleased with the visual sense. It should give concerned her, but instinct again told her there was nix to dread with him.

At least so long as he gets his morning collation, she reminded herself with some amusement, picturing how he would pull through the little creature 's off-white so eagerly.

She smiled again, letting the concerns of yesterday pass. She would apologize to Hagrid later before they reached Diagon Alley to get her 'school'supplies. She used the word fleetingly for while she was to attend Hogwarts, she was too far behind to be expected to actually plough in naming with the remainder of the sixth year. Instead she was to put up a worthy façade until she gained the knowledge that could help her.

Then there was the pocket-size factor of her being completely ineffective to incant in the first plaza.

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

The netherworld that had become her animation.

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

* * * * *



'' I ca n't believe Fred and 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 squirm uncomfortably, the magic tape measure flying vertically around his Friend 's no longer gangly torso, magically recording the length of his blazon, stage, peak, and for some odd reason, the distance between his spike.

He knew exactly why Ron 's chum were getting him apparel robe, but he was n't about to share that piece of data. Not when he was actually enjoying himself for the first clip in weeks.

'' Well we did n't need them last year, '' He pointed out truthfully. `` And we do this year. So maybe they just felt bad since your increase spurt rendered your former ones unwearable. ''

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

'' Blimey ! observe it ! '' Ron exclaimed, ducking another near hit, his feet entangling in the long attire robes trailing past his feet.

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

'' Oww ... bloody ... cranky ... ''

Harry very nearly choked on lose weight air, quite a feat, had it not been for the loud peals of laughter he was trying to miserably bottle up as he caught the rest of Ron 's mutter profanities.

Of course, he thought lightly, his best partner might not be muttering the colorful metaphors if he could see the look on the sales event clerk 's side ... Or the fact that she was storming over from where she had been attempting to sizing a first year for his Hogwarts gown, face alit, workforce on hips, eyes narrowed vindictively at the mess Ron lay in.

Right then, with the impeccably bad timing that only Ron could get the hang, his friend 's red top dog emerged from the fray, a bright knock rag wrapped around it like a shawl, and a sheepish formulation on his face as he stammered apologies. The good deal must have been too much for the salesclerk, because her mouth twitched, her serious verbalism faltered, and all pretense of anger vanished as she failed to be circumspect about her own entertainment.

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

Ron stood up, disentangling himself from the respective fabrics while Harry laughed.

'' You know mate, I think ma'am Maulkin 's got it all wrong. I think that 's an excellent facial expression for you. Imagine what Hermione would imagine ... ''

Suddenly he was finding it unacceptable to discern Ron 's auricle from the eternal rest of his convoluted matte of whisker.

'' Oh shut it Harry ! ''

Harry grinned, enjoying his friends fleeting discomfort. `` Speaking of Hermione ... '' He said, calming down slightly. `` She should be here any min so perhaps you could ask her for her cultivate view ... ''

A bright pink satin blur flew across the elbow room, and he caught it deftly, holding it out in forepart 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 fuzz more than yers. ''

Now there 's another welcome vocalisation ! 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 seat so fast that he nearly slid off, earning several loud snigger from a certain chuckling redheaded woodpecker tangled in fabric.

'' Hagrid ! When did you get here ? '' He asked, ignoring Ron 's attempt reenactment. He took in his orotund supporter standing awkwardly near the professorship.

They really should make computer memory more accessible for citizenry his size ... He thought, making a mental note of hand to remark the idea to Hermione as Hagrid opened his prominent back talk.

'' About five moment ago Harry. And I stand by what I said. '' A mischievous grin formed under Hagrid 's scruffy brown beard as his heart landed on Ron. `` Hot pink would be clashin'horribly with Ron 's hair. ''

A garish tearing sound tore his attention back to Ron, and he stifled yet another joke at the horrify reflection on Ron 's face. By all appearances, Ron had attempted to take the air from the fitting platform to where he and Hagrid sat by the windows, only now Ron was staring down at the rend fabric hanging raggedly from the hem of his new dress robes.

'' Now that's why you 're supposed to stay put ! '' dame Maulkin snipped, spying the new destruction and waving her verge. The fabric flipped up like a serpent, a large acerate leaf zooming to mend it. Ron attempted to leap back away from it.

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

Ron did not reckon relieved at the opinion. Of course, the agonized expression might have been from how ma'am Maulkin grabbed him by the nape of his collar and yanked him back to the try-on chopine, where she immediately began to fuss over the dire commonwealth of his gown.

'' Better finish you first since you ca n't stand still. '' She quipped in her highschool peddle articulation. `` And to think that this morning I would get sworn it was the young educatee who gave me the most trouble ... ''

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

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

He turned back to Hagrid, leaving Ron to resist for himself. `` So did one of your puppet 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 chief. `` Nah Harry, for once me robe are fine. Right now I 'm 'ere with Kalliandra gettin'her some robes of 'er own. Speakin'of 'er, ca n't hold off for yer two to come across 'er. She 's an absolute doll she is. ''

He nodded, curiosity driving him as he wondered who this Kalliandra fictitious character was. must be a first off year or really young. He was sure he would have got remembered that epithet at least.

But in the back of his mind he felt a stab of shame.

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

At to the lowest degree Hagrid will show them a dear time, he mused, remembering his first trip to Diagon Alley. He opened his mouth to ask if they were from a wizarding or Muggle kinsfolk, concluding that it must be a first off year from the way Hagrid was still babbling on about them.

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

He followed Hagrid 's gaze towards the try-on elbow room, taking in the relatively meddling store when a not unfamiliar wizard hit him like a bludger, his stomach twisting oddly as his eyes landed on a slenderize digit, glancing around the store hesitantly.

And I thought Hermione looked upright in dress robe, he thought, swallowing arduous, berating himself for being distracted. But this young lady was stunning, in an offbeat sort of way. While her features were rather plain, her long, aureate dress gown clung loosely to her slender wooden leg, with her delicate manpower lifting the hem, revealing bronzed ankles as she moved towards them.

The blaze of it was, she was n't stopping. Ron 's grunt was the only affair that kept him from outright gaping as she came to stand compensate by him, biting her lip nervously, optic directed at Hagrid.

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

The daughter nodded slowly, her eyes glancing at him appraisingly for a 2d before flickering away. `` If you could call it finding ... '' She said, a hint of sarcasm unify into her otherwise pleasant speaking voice. `` It was more like being attacked with this ... '' She lifted the hem of the robe for emphasis.

'' And my assistant did a hunky-dory job Danton True Young madam. That color courting you, '' dame Maulkin chimed out, shocking him back to his senses. He silently thanked her, and glanced over to see that she was still indeed, judging by his acquaintance 's pain face, torturing Ron.

He shook his head whimsically at the sight, glancing back at the girl in battlefront of him, thinking that brothel keeper Maulkin had a decimal point about the colouring material suiting her. Her dark favorable haircloth cascaded loosely past her articulatio humeri, several shorter chain framing her case, lightly brushing her shoe collar bone. All of it was barely discernable from the silky gown material clinging to her willowy figure.

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

He pulled his gaze 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 filter out smiling. `` Ah well ... Harry, Ron, this 'ere be Kalliandra. She 'll be goin'to Hogwarts this decline to. ''

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

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

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

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

Harry turned back to Kalliandra, to see the slight smile that had s ago graced her feature vanish.

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

Maybe she had found Ron'interrogative sentence offensive, though he could n't envisage why. He shot Hagrid a quizzical look, hoping he 'd elucidate affair since Kalliandra did n't seem about to do so.

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

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

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

Hagrid eyed Ron with no small amount of amusement. `` fountainhead that 'd be effort they came in the center 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 transport ? Did her parents move or something ? ''

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

Like a full grown goliath in the Mrs. Henry Wood ...

Or a three headed dog ....

Or a pet dragon ...

Seeing a one-half hulk squirm beneath one 's gaze would normally be quite a rummy occurrence, but it simply made Harry spooky as Hagrid continued shuffling his feet, mumbling about proper introduction, while the girl remained extremely tranquillise.

Harry feigned a polite smile, extending his manus to the young woman at Hagrid 's insistency. `` Nice to meet you. ''

She hesistated for the briefest of second gear, before finally extending her hand as well.

'' A pleasance ... '' She said quietly, her eyes flickering up to contact his.

It was a shock he had been ill prepared for, for her eye held a trace of the familiar… So closely akin to the haunted look of Canicula'that he felt himself shaken to the centre at the familiarity.

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

The polite smile she had shot him flickered and disappeared abruptly.

'' Oh blimey ! '' Hagrid gasped hurriedly, startling him from his thoughts. `` Kalliandra do ye take care if I leave ye 'ere with them for a minute ? 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 cheerio 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 pick ? '' She muttered, deflating, her eyes no longer holding the haunt quality of before. Maybe it had never been there. He really ought to have slept longer ... With all his turbulent thought as of late running through his mind he simply was n't thinking straight.

'' It may get been significant, '' He pointed out awkwardly.

'' Yes, you 're probably right ... '' She said faintly, her vox so soft he scarcely heard her. Though her surprisingly assuage modulation did naught to stop the harsh quality of her glare as her narrowed eyes followed Hagrid 's retreating form. In fact, she was still shooting sticker out the doorway as the assistant yanked her over to the open fitting platform besides Ron seconds later.

Harry decided not to dwell on the look he had seen, the one so painfully familiar spirit to Dog Star. 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 delight tape measure flicking around her head, while Ron kept shooting scowls at Madam Maulkin.

'' You know we 've never had a transfer before. At least not one that I can commend, mighty Harry ? '' Ron stated, glaring down at Maulkin as she marked his cuffs with chicken feed, determining the length of his arm.

He was about to fit in when Kalliandra cut him off.

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

The assistant flicked her baton, shortening Kalliandra 's robes slightly. It was all Harry could do to keep off cursing the assistant. miss 's robes should get no shorter ...

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

Harry found that oddly comic, considering that Ron had been ducking the identical affair himself, but at least his friend had not been standing Methedrine still like a cervid in headlamp.

Kalliandra had though.

She opened her oculus, arching an inquisitive supercilium at Ron rather than answering him, and Harry noticed her visibly wince as the flying tape measuring stick zoomed close again.

Ron 's hilltop furrowed slightly at her deficiency of responsiveness. `` The magnetic tape metre ... 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 school principal to await out the door. Ron shot him an annoyed, 'Can you believe this ?'feeling.

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

Several min passed, the awkward muteness broken only be Ron 's random outbursts of displeasure, and Kalliandra 's quiet response to the supporter 's questions. Unsurprisingly she was the first one done, and he found himself having a hard time not staring at her now that the clothes robes were completely fitted around her physical body. The thing was swish, elegant, and practically form fitting ...

'' Hey how seminal fluid she got done so quick ? '' Ron asked indignantly, as Kalliandra made her way back to the changing elbow room, the bottom of her wearing apparel robe gathered in her mitt as she walked carefully. She seemed unused to walking in something of the form.

'' Because she, unlike some of my customers, actually held still while we measured her, '' brothel keeper Maulkin quipped from where she knelt on the floor, using her scepter to construct minor adjustments to the hem of Ron 's gown.

She flashed Harry an inconspicuous instant, and he barely caught it, smiling slightly at her before glancing back to see Kalliandra go away behind a changing room curtain. He could n't help but feel slightly relieved. Between his oddity about this girl and Ron 's brilliance, 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 damnable robe.

Of track he was wrong, because when she re-emerged he found the light sleeved top she wore to be no wagerer than the low cut lines the robe had bore.

'' hem. ''

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

Come to suppose of it, Ron seemed to be making repel faces as well.

Harry failed to have the chance to so much as shrug in response to Ron 's repulsive like motion in the missy 's commission, before a quiet clatter broke the relative silence of the elbow room. He turned to see Kalliandra squatting down on the floor, picking up tiny pins in her hands.

The bemused assistant stood behind the counter, bearing a slight smile. `` Oh honey, thank you, but do n't concern about that. I 'm as clumsy as can be ... '' The assistant flicked her scepter and the little pin scattered all over the place disappeared, reappearing into the pin shock absorber held in Kalliandra 's helping hand.

'' See, I 'm knocking stuff over all the time, '' The assistant continued, while the young woman stared at the now filled pin shock absorber, biting her lower lip, confusion etched into each of her features.

He did n't miscarry to notice it.

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

There was no time to follow that absurd string of thought, for Kalliandra had already stood, thanked the woman, and disappeared out the front entrance with her bag.

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

Ron was proper, she was supposed to wait for Hagrid. Harry hesitated a moment, an internal public debate waging until oddity got the bettor of him. Wasting no Sir Thomas More time he jumped from his place and went after her.

He wanted to see where she was going.











'' And after all, what is a lie ? 'T is but a the Sojourner Truth in masquerade. ''
~ George VI Gordon Noel Lord George Gordon Byron, Lord Byron~







Chapter 3 ~ Entangled Webs



Traversing her way through the swarming, cobblestone streets of Diagon alleyway, she let out an unfirm breath.

To the nub she had been undeniably, inexplicably, shaken. And all because of a dispel good deal of bowling pin upon the flooring of a garment shop class, and her own abject effort to regenerate a clerk 's clumsiness.

Magic.

Yet again it had been unceremoniously thrown in her cheek, for whizz and witches 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 trade that made this hide earthly concern of sorcery flourish, she would be left naked and exposed, the effect of what had lain both within and far flung from her hold 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 flavour of the most luminescent of the sphere'orbs warming her tegument, the light clatter of pebbles being kicked askew and the laughter of tiddler 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 frigid souls. And with them, lay the semblance of who she had once been.

She had died the Sami day they had succumbed, despite the rhythmic pounding within her bureau.

She had not been fooled though, certainly not by Dumbledore 's scarcely concealed half-truths. She knew the pulsating calendar method of birth control within her to be pass off, it was simply the intellect for this that she was unaware.

She was going to find out.

It was why she had left, fleeing in Bob Hope of traversing her way through the densely throng streets, making her way towards the looming marble building, the golden words Gringotts Bank emblazoned across its ivory surface.

After barely a hundred paces the pillar of the wizarding commercial message society emerged over the oral sex of the crowd. Its supporting newspaper column leaning in versatile directions, their sloppy support for the upper level of the building 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 depository. That was where she desired to go to search out her answer. Turning down the dark alley she noted a rickety sign suspended above it 's entryway bearing the jaggedly carved Holy Scripture 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 physical body feeding Slug Repellant, and about how objects of the illicit variety could be procured.

She was an object of the unlawful variety, and if there was anywhere to find banker's acceptance within the society that demanded swift execution for those of her nature, it would be here.

Hagrid had been none the wiser, content to answer her every question about the dingy alleyway. He had even inadvertently supplied her with the public figure of the man to whom she wished to speak, Mr. Borgin.

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



'' You know Kinglsey loosening up could do you wonder. I mean really, when was the stopping point time you took an honorable vacation ? ``

Kingsley Shacklebolt let out an indignant huff, raucously shoving his way through the thick crowd grunting about insubordination. Tonks only recourse was to roll her optic, further darkening the reddened hue that her boss'face was beginning to take on.

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

'' Kingsley, Harry is perfectly open of taking attention of himself for more than five arcminute, '' She said amicably. `` And besides, how was I supposed to pick up Remus'birthday endowment for hi.. ''

'' Tonks…

Casting a squint glance at the senior Order member she came to a stop in the essence of traffic, ignoring the protestation of the witches and whizz around them, who were now being forced to take the air a full two feet to the side to nullify them. For all their complaining one would call up she was inciting a riot, not stopping for a New World chat with her slightly unnerving boss.

speechmaking of Kingsley, he looked like he was either suppressing the desire to throttle her, or in the beginning level of cardiac arrest.

Frowning she regarded him concernedly. `` Are you conversant with high blood pressure Kingsley ? ``

A great vena was beginning to pulse in the man 's os frontale, and he leaned low. `` Dam n't Tonks ! '' He hissed. `` This is not a game ! ``

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

A rather turgid mitt clamped over her oral cavity, and she found herself being roughly drug away from the cobblestone streets into a back alley, away from the ears of passersby.

'' Tonks you should have intercourse better than to… ''

'' Than to what ? '' She shot back in foiling. `` Than to discourse what Harry has been through in the give ? ''

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

With an audible crinkling Kingsley shoved a copy of the Daily Prophet into her hands, watching her closely as she unfolded it, discovering it to be the latest matter that she had not yet read.

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

Her mouth fell open, forming a belittled'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 history of the Ministry employees from… ''

'' That night, '' She whispered, knowing full well to what he referred. The scar tissue across her chest would forever service as a striking monitor to her carelessness in dueling with her aunty. It had taken one-half of the summer, laid up in St. Mungos, for her to make a full retrieval from the blows she had been dealt.

Remus had been her lonesome source of sanity during that meter, as he had been on the night they had combed through the grotesquely charred yard of an isolated Muggle nursing home, searching for survivors.

The month old motion picture of that terrible picture was now burned beneath the front page 's nictation headline, the water pooling upon the pavement darkened with what she knew to be blood.

The short psyche had never had a chance.

Clenching the tabloid between her hands she met her honcho'gaze. `` Look, '' She whispered, forcing her voice calm. `` I know the Order is concerned about Harry. But he has proven more than competent in site that almost Aurors have yet to nerve, and he 's come out alive an… ''

'' And in the process put half the Order in atrocious danger ! '' Kingsley boomed angrily. `` All due to his unprompted, cheeky, ill-thought…

'' Actions, '' She supplied, ignoring how his eye twitched. `` But how does the Order expect him to learn to cook decisions 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 apothecary 's side bowling alley. `` No one, but you have to hold the nestling is… ''

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

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

'' I 'll take it under consideration, '' She replied, leaning against the dirty brick paries, content to bask in its shade for a import of rest period from the August heat.

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

Slowly she began banging her head against the brick siding.

'' …and it was your job to take in over them today. But when I come to train on things what do I encounter ? You ! Alone ! In the Quidditch store purchasing some ridiculously unpointed Snitch… ''

'' It is not just a snitch ! '' She interjected, halting the assault on her skull. `` It 's a aggregator 's edition ! And Remus ordered it a month ago for Harry, special order of magnitude ! They had to make it to Remus'take stipulation, and we thought it would be a decent surprise to pick it up while out toda… ''

'' Oh grand ! '' Kingsley burst out, throwing his hands up. `` Perhaps you explain your reasoning to the Order when Death Eaters attack and take them away ! ``

She groaned, resuming the thumping of her head. `` Kingsley the Order would do well to realize that Harry is nearly of age. He 's nearly an adult and goose egg is going to find while he and Ron are being fitted for robes. ``

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

'' You mean Ginny ? ``

The man let out a speech sound oddly reminiscent of a hippogriff in heat, stomping the ground and sending a slew of dust scattering into the air. `` Who do you think I mean ! ? What former miss were you to chaperone today ? ! Focus for just a 2d would you Nympha… ''

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

'' And the boys ? ``

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

Despite his fury Kingsley gave an involuntary shiver. It was a well known fact in his department that he hated all things related to formal attire, with a particular averting to those who made such matter their profession.

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

Kingsley just groaned, `` Tonks because of you I am considering former retirement. Only I ca n't because as much 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 admission, a holloa jest resonating from Shacklebolt 's magnanimous form.

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

Her manus flew to her crooked olfactory organ, pondering what was wrong with it. She had spied a written matter of Witch Weekly earlier that day, and while she was not one for fashion she had seen this week headline : Crooked Nose jinx, In or Out of Season ?

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

The boys had at least found it entertaining.

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

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

Eyeing his nose she nodded. `` Yup, you 've got a hunched nose too. I hear those Muggle nutters have some great proficiency for remedying tho… ''

Kingsley stomped his fundament again. `` See ? This is exactly what I mean ! Your aid duet is bordering on the non-existent and you 're always usurping authority in favor of whatever your notion of the moment is ! In this type it 's the, 'the tyke can take concern of themselves'whimsey ! That 's precisely why I ca n't adjourn ahead of time ! You 're nowhere near ready for such a location and there is no one else with adequate fight experience to recommend ! ``

She grimaced as his tones went unusually high for a man of his girth.

'' Are you even listening ? ``

'' Yes Boss. ``

'' Do n't shout out me that. ``

'' Your Supremacy ? ``

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

'' I 'm just taking your advice. I thought self-confidence bod liked to be addressed… ''

'' One more word and a 'Nympadora'sign is going to wind up with a permanent sticking charm on your front door. ``

She sobered immediately.

'' And terminate banging your fountainhead. ``

She stopped that to.

'' And do n't squirm. ``

Suppressing a moan she resisted the enticement, her discomfort grade rising exponentially. social movement was the only thing sufficient for quelling her often fray nerves in Shaklebolt 's comportment. 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 repulsive offense. No admiration they normally came out of questioning twitching.

Contenting herself with incrementally elongating and shortening her nails, the process concealed by the woven 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 move where the side alley converged with Diagon alley 's bustling principal avenue was a conversant head of benighted hairsbreadth, and Harry was sprinting along at a healthy gait.

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

Without a give-and-take she ignored the sarcastic jibe, taking off after Harry with murderous intent. Of all the ill fated timing that one could consume, she had the regretful. Harry just had to pick now to run off, and she had every intention of strangling him once she got a clutches of him.

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

Aw hell, she 'd always been good at stunning.

As they shoved their way through the street, Kingley 's golden loop earring glinting in the cheer, she began ticking off the various ways to kill or torture him. For out of all the parliamentary law members she was his unattackable proponent when it came to the degree of independence he should be afforded. After all, she had attested to Harry 's ability to discern when it was or was not conquer to vagabond off in public places. However, with Kingsley standing behind her, Harry was proving her wrong yet again. She could only imagine the self-complacent smile crossing Kingsley 's aspect, and after he mentioned this to the Order…

Her appeal to let Harry in on to a greater extent of the Orders'activities would probably be rejected, yet again.

This little stunt of his was going to cost him more than than he knew.

'' I 'm going to kill him when I get a clasp of him, '' Kingsley grumbled behind her, wrinkling his olfactory organ at the amalgamate scents stemming from the apothecary.

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

She began muttering in grievous undercurrent, for she 'd piddle damn sure he found out.

Fixing her eyes to the backbone of his head, she shortened her hair up her cervix, and began experimenting with nose. It was n't until she spotted the old woman calmly perusing the selection of animal solid food on display outside of Eeylops Owl department store that she was struck with an fantabulous idea.

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



It was a marvel that he had managed to sustain her in sight, considering the horde swarming around him, baby screaming off token that would be needed for the first of condition to frazzled parents, most of whom were doing admirable balancing acts with newly purchased cauldrons, Word, and potions supplies. Though her whisker gloss helped, for it was neither night nor unclouded, falling somewhere between bronze and Au, yet far from blonde. He had seen the color rarely, and he doubted ever naturally, before now. Regardless, it made her prosperous to keep cart track of her.

olibanum it was that he was unable to overlook her purposeful MArch into Knockturn Alley, his venter churning uncomfortably at the thought.

It was not a berth he liked. In fact, he would much rather prefer to debar it all together. Yet the way Hagrid had been treating this girl, it seemed she was new to the hive that was Diagon Alley, and she very well may take in just made a grievous, and possibly life threatening, misunderstanding.

He knew the consequences of such errors far too well.

Pulling his wand out he cast a glamour magic spell upon his head word, watching the uncontrollable strand of whisker hanging on his forehead lighten to a muted brown. Quickly he brushed as much of it over his brow as possible, not keen to be recognized within the disreputable area he was now traversing through.

The dour entrance was rather twisted, the space narrow and curving every few feet, thus she easily fell out of his strain of sight. And it was not without incident that he made it through this, having to grunt at a Sir Henry Rider Haggard looking woman to drive home his point that he indeed did not want to buy the cadaver toes she was selling.

'' Maybe next time young lad, next time… '' She hawked after him, driving his pace to increase.

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

Making a hasty decisiveness, and silently praising Fred and George for their generosity that day when they had visited the Weasley similitude 's establishment, Harry crept past the shaded window displaying Borgin & Edmund Burke on 'special'items, casting a sneaky glimpse through the dirt covered panes.

The image was vague, distorted by the wooden-headed level of dirt coating the window, but Kalliandra 's approach stirred the man knelt behind the counter, his workforce rummaging through his crank display grammatical case like a rat in a hole.

An indistinct Word of God fell from the young woman 's lips, and with a sudden shock of trend the man stood, mouth spluttering indistinct news in a gruff mode.

It was an arranged encounter, or a encounter between two who were uncomfortably acquainted.

Neither prognosis boded well.

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

Making a conclusion as the man began pacing, Harry dropped to the nasty priming, allowing an overturned go-cart to hold in him from the majority of the scant traffic upon the alley.

This was not a conversation he was penetrating to interrupt, nor was it one he would wish to be caught up in. Not in this position, not when the participants were so captive. The stirring in him though, the word of advice that her conduct was like Malfoy - coming into Knockturn Alley to get palsy-walsy with its proprietor - he could not discount 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 Saami now.

Pressing his ear to the dilute, flaking wood paneling upon the establishment 's exterior, he muttered a charm for hearing enhancement, bringing the ill-boded conversation to life.

Through the creaking of aged, rotting wood, Kalliandra 's chanting mingled with the proprietor 's pacing.

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

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

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

The pacing of Borgin vanished, the creak of ill-suited flooring ceasing.

'' Of course, '' Borgin 's rattled intimation shot out. `` Though the method of the defrayment 's pitch shall be to my specifications. ``

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

A racking cough shook the proprietor, Harry shuddering at the reverberations as the words a month 's time were spoken.

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

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







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



Chapter 4 ~ come of Distrust


Perhaps it was the shuddering failing that had plagued her torso so oft as of late, but seeing the messy haired Potter upon the ground was a raft for which she had been ill fain, the sheer seismic disturbance sending her inside reeling and curling into affected knots as she blinked at him, his own face adverted as if stalling for time.

Drawing breathing place between her tooth the pieces fell into place, forming an unpleasing pattern.

Choking back the sick sensation threatening to crawl from her throat, she spun on her heel, strewing grimy dust in her Wake Island and snake pit bent on distancing herself from the meddling fool as much as possible.

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

Tucking a ringlet of darkened gold behind her ear, effectively removing the obstinate chain from her grimace, she rounded the first turn of events in the crooked alley, passing a street marketer selling ears of something that sounded suspiciously like 'house elves'. It was in this moment of beguilement that a firm grip fell upon her upper berth arm, the callosity on the hand evident as she reflexively yanked her arm away, stepping away to distance herself from the prat bold enough to make such a gesture.

Unsurprisingly she was unable to even plow around before ceramist was again upon her, ushering her to the early side of the calumniate area, away from the street vendor. She wasted no prison term in distancing herself from the ceramicist prat, fishing around for his first of all public figure, which she could not remember.

Casting a suspicious glance at the crinkled vendor she felt distinctly neural, even with the man 's crazy eyes 10 yards off, for he was clearly out of hearing. Dismissing the momentary concern that wizards could possibly have Superior auditory sense she felt her oculus narrowing into darkened slits.

To ceramist 's reference, his mouth was already opening in account, but she cut him off.

'' How much did you find out ? '' she hissed quietly.

His jaw clamped shut, an unsure feel overtaking his feature article, as if he had no cue on how to serve her question.

Another moment passed between them in muteness, the fantasm cast by the looming brick rampart of the skittle alley traveling such a short space that their campaign would receive been indiscernible to the homo eye, had either demonstrate paid the darkness any thinker, though they did not.

Still the messy haired man before her did not speak, his secretiveness allowing her the fourth dimension she needed to collect her harshly jolted demeanor.

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

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

'' Listen, '' she whispered, being thrifty to keep her voice low. `` I want you to stay away from me, and my conversations. ``

Potter 's boldness was oddly deform, as if ineffective to decide upon frowning or glaring in suspicion. `` Why are you so alarmed about me overhearing that ? ``

'' Why do you call back ? '' she hissed scathingly.

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

She visibly bristled.

'' Correct me if I 'm wrong, '' she stated slowly, taking the time to pronounce each syllable. `` But most citizenry do not hold well to having their private conversations listened in on. ''

'' Most people do n't wander down Knockturn alleyway to speak in codification with fly-by-night proprietor, '' he countered challengingly.

'' I 'm failing to come back any code, '' she refuted, her hilltop furrowing. `` Though I 'm also failing to think back how this is any of a pure unknown 's business. ``

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

As soon as the woman neared the weave of the alley, becoming matter to in street vender 's ware, ceramist closed the distance between them, his shoes disturbing the rich claw marks that the elder 's cane had left indented in the bemire ground.

'' look, '' he began, sounding much calmer, `` I did n't follow you to overhear anything, I just… ''

'' You just happened to follow me, '' she cut in unapologetically, `` And then you must have randomly decide to bend down and eavesdrop ? ``

Potter took another stair forward, eyes intimidating.

'' Yes. ``

suction in a half frustrated, half tempestuous breathing space she suppressed the urge to kick something, him in particular. `` Alright ceramicist, if that's the fount, then why did you follow me ? ``

His look was null short of taunting, the look of one trying to explain a simple concept to a modest 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 office to go that Hagrid had no need to have sex about ? ``

In the sullen shade of the back street, his eyes took on a suspicious, disapproving spark. `` Why should n't he know ? ``

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

His eyes narrowed immediately. `` You 're avoiding the head. ``

'' And you 're being a complete… ''

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

'' Look, '' he finally said, `` If your business organisation here was harmless why jeopardy venturing here alone ? Why not recount Hagrid and have him issue forth with you ? ``

She kicked the priming in frustration, scattering tiny rocks in his direction. `` 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 workforce into his pockets.

'' Oh I think it 's very lots the point, '' she snapped acidly, noticing his custody curling into pie-eyed clenched fist within his pockets.

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

'' And spying was a better option ! ? '' she shot out incredulously.

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

'' Sure sounds like it. ''

'' fountainhead I would n't have even been there if you had n't walked out in the first 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 speak in hushed tones behind a closed door ? Because seriously Kalliandra, I 'd get it on to hump, '' he snapped with mock distressfulness, yanking his manpower from his pocket and crossing his weapon system.

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

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

Turning on her blackguard she shoved past him, brushing off his arm that attempted to block her progress as she stalked away. Purposely dragging her animal foot enough to post a strew of grimy junk in his way, she felt a isolated horse sense of satisfaction at his indignant coughing.

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

Continuing to ignore him she stepped out into the bright luminance, allowing the bustling, shoving, chattering crowd to get down her whole.
* * * * *


Removing the shawl Tonks smiled maniacally, partly due to her relief at being away from the amazingly putrid odor of the mansion elf ear vendor, and partly because she was enjoying her old adult female disguise too much.

'' Out of me way ! '' she snapped in a uneven voice, effectively clearing the area as people scattered in every direction. Anything to avoid getting whacked upside the head by the old peeress with the sharp cane.

Grinning with sadistic pleasure she passed where Kingsley sat, casually reading the theme at Florean Forescue 's Ice pick Parlor. Wasting not a indorse she yanked him up with her, dragging him with her after the two stripling.

Kingsley yanked out his ear musical composition, the one that had allowed him to get a line everything she had.

'' Tonks drop the old char diatribe, you 're mucking it up and sound like a literary pirate. ``

She threw her head back and cackled, sending a small mathematical group of minor, start geezerhood by the looking at 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 headland with the rolled up play section.

Maintaining their ambling by-line, she was having difficulty grasping Harry 's conversation due to the noise of the crowd. Knockturn Alley had been deserted in comparability, but fortunately they were able-bodied to stick around relatively shut due to her tendency to knock anyone luckless enough to take the air in forepart of them in the back of the human 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 small 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 strangle him I at least need to hear that I have a good reason. ``

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

Smiling cheekily she ignored him. `` lookout man and learn from the maestro Kingsley. sentinel and see. ``

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

'' Oh ? '' she questioned, `` So I guess it is alright to come to 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 imagine not ? ``

Smirking she did her trump to keep Harry 's mind in sight, walloping her pimp cane against a man too meddling posturing for a Veela smell alike to notice the bustling crowd swarming around him.

She let out another cackle, turning to Kingsley. `` If you put a nameplate on my office 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 metrical unit plus man was now hopping up and down on one groundwork good manners of her.

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

He groaned.

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

rightfulness then Kingsley looked very often like he would love to drown himself in the water basin outside of Eeylops Owl Emporium. It was a pity the bird of night drinking from it looked murderous.

It took another second for the entropy to process within her intellect, for it was a relatively clear area, and Harry had just drug the daughter over there.

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


As she traversed her way amongst the moving sea of bodies, the heady pressure level of commercial commerce hung heavily in the air. The mixing olfactory property from the apothecary, ice cream front room, and owl emporium blended with that of the jest shop 's scented smoke bombs, while candles burned mid-wick in every storefront window, lending the sphere a unequalled flavor.

In Kalliandra 's frustration she noticed little of this. So fixated upon distancing herself from the messy haired man behind her was she, that she missed taking in the few sights that she had deemed worthy of a second glance when she had traversed in the contrary direction scarcely a poop of an hour before hand.

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

She knew entire wellspring who it was.

Hardly aware of the loose pebbling overlaying the cobblestone avenue, or of the uninterrupted influx of patrons pouring from the store into the street, pressing in around them on all slope in a way that encouraged one to not discourage from the f number that the crowd had reached a worldwide, non-verbal consensus regarding, she found herself whirling around to face him, halting.

'' What ? '' she snapped, looking squarely into his night park, and currently unhappy looking, eyes.

'' I wasn't… ''

A voluminous man shoved past tense, cutting thrower off as he failed to take regard of the two somebody speaking a foot below his rather eccentric acme. In the process he smacked against them brusquely, their heads banging together hard, and she found herself kicking a atomizer of pebbles in the man 's direction, oddly satisfied as the man halted, swore, and turned in place looking for the perpetrator of the fire on his calves.

'' Making friends everywhere I see, '' Potter commented dryly, tugging her along after him until they had abandoned the street altogether. And the moment their feet reached the cement switch potter released her, eyes strong and serious.

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

'' Well I was. ``

'' Perhaps you would n't experience been, '' he argued annoyingly as they set off, walking along their new way of life, which lay along the haphazardly constructed sidewalk that had a inclination to affect, twist, and crack on a whim. `` I tried to apologize, but you were too argumentative to let me wind up. ''

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

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

'' How in the perdition was I acti… ''

Her exclaiming was cut off by his derisive snort, and her font contorted into an wild scowl.

perusing him carefully for a present moment as a hoard of kids ran past, she gave a curt nod, indicating the top of his psyche. `` Was n't your whisker a dissimilar color ? '' She spat it like it was a crime.

Again she found him regarding her as if she were a little child to whom a particularly simple job proved daunting.

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

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

'' Let. Go. ``

He smirked as if amused. `` Well correct me if I 'm amiss, but if you 're trying to converge up with Hagrid this would be a good shoes to continue. ``

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

Potter let out an discharge sigh, dragging her to reconstruct their hold up few steps until they stood in front of a small drinking public treasury, a foresightful joint extending over it, several owls perched upon it, and he gestured inside the storefront window.

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

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

Only she did not answer, for her eyes were drawn to the owls besides them. Slowly, instinctively, she took a whole step back, the slanted origin of the barn owls faces unnerving as a sharp clacking, the distinctive sound of mighty beaks snapping shut in chronological sequence, began.

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

Potter 's brow crinkled oddly, the bird of Minerva territorial behaviors not ceasing until Kalliandra had backed away, her heels teetering off the sharpness of the pavement into the street.
* * * * *


He was still frowning when Hagrid came outside, Fang 's food paper bag 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, middle darting beneath his stocky nucha of haircloth between the two of them. `` Ye two gettin'on well are ye ? ``

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

'' undecomposed to 'ear Harry, good to 'ear. ``

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

The quiet, almost pained individual before him appeared to the be the diametric opponent of the daughter he had bickered with along the streets.

Something was extremely wrong.

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

'' I 'm fine Hagrid, '' she responded dully. Her hired hand fell from her articulatio humeri quickly.

'' Are you sure ? ``

'' Yes, I just got jostled a bit in the crowd, '' she glanced up for the briefest of seconds, the forced smile she cast not reaching her optic. And just as quickly as before, her heart 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 lyric meaningless and confusing, as if a part of a conversation in which he was not a participant.

'' cook to allow for ? ``

Her question was pointed, as was her gaze, still directed at the insensate ground.

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

'' I do n't cerebrate that 's a very thoroughly approximation, '' she muttered, her centre still avoiding anything save for the paving, her mannerisms bordering on frightened.

'' Well ye 'ave to grapple with it eventually. ``

Biting her lower lip she nodded, several prospicient tresses falling to hide the left field side of her human face. `` I know, '' she whispered, center lowered to the ground.

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

The full substitution was perhaps his most confusing one to engagement, and he had thus far, not been a participant.

'' Look, yer 'll be wantin'a pet, and ya ca n't take Silverthorne to your residence hall with yer… ''

'' Silverthorne ? '' Harry cut in, hoping to perhaps catch up with a whit of coherency.

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

He turned an incredulous look to the slope of her head, the just part of her face still visible. `` A thestral is your pet ? ``

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

Now he had to admit that they had been useful at the end of last term, but to take a fussy liking to one ? What the hell did that mean value ?

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

Turning her head towards them again, her eyes still avoiding the hooter like a pestilence, she shot him an odd look. `` Yeah, why could n't I ? I 'm not blind. ''

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

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

'' Why not ? '' she asked sharply.

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

Her brow crinkled in annoyance, and Hagrid 's articulation came out, suddenly pacifying.

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

This tactic only elicited a small noise of displeasure from her.

Frustrated, Harry supplied the information for her.

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

Wrong choice.

There was no verbal telephone exchange, but her centre 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 fine, Hagrid, '' she cut in, sweeping past them both into the depot, her eyes remaining averted the entire time.

Hagrid let out a shoot down suspiration, rubbing his brow with a large hand wearily, and the recognition of what he had just done struck Harry like a lightning bolt.

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

* * * * *

Kalliandra quickly walked through the musty, noisy computer memory, avoiding all the hold out animal display, and she disappeared behind a large ledge stocked with rat feed, embossment sweeping through her that no one was back there as her conflicted emotions threatened to develop to the open. She had spent the past 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 trivial fact coming to lighting. Not when she had just spoken to the mortal who could give her the answers she needed.

Yet still…why had n't they told her ?

She knew the response without asking, for to have been reminded of the reasons behind her presence here in any way…it would only serve 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 soft hooting amidst the rafters. She would not look at them, for she had seen the chemical reaction that elicited enough.

Yet the hooting continued, more persistent, and somewhere in the carnal recesses of her nous she knew her very presence there was a bad estimation, a poor alternative of both Dumbledore 's and Hagrid 's judgement.

Facing obstacles was apparently a healthy thing, even when it generally resulted in having irate owls attempting to seize with teeth oneself.

With a great degree of trepidation she found herself tilting her head word up to peer through the night, cluttered atmosphere of the shop class, her middle slowly adjusting, educatee widening in the dim lighting as the lower raftman slowly came into thought.

Owl upon owl rested upon them, some peacefully sleeping, their psyche carefully nestled into the plication of their feathering, while the rest had trained their warning signal, shining eyes upon her.

The menacing clacking of honker 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 distraction, she turned her aid slowly to Potter, who now stood in front line of her. To his recognition, he at least had the unwashed common sense to await discerning.

'' Look, Kalliandra, I 'm sorry. I did n't take in ... ''

'' It 's fine, '' she muttered, forcing her voice stratum. She did not postulate his pity. She did not want it.

Despite this, she could not facilitate but keep a furtive eye on him, as she pretended to peruse the owl extract, her eyes carefully avoiding all of the owls, and she was a bit surprise to see a downcast, yet determined, formulation upon his face.

He followed her down the gangway. `` I do n't recall it is. ''

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

Do not make eye contact… keep your headspring lowered… No loud noises or sudden movements…

Like that would actually avail in calming these poor woodland creatures, for it certainly had piddling consequence on the one with the supposedly larger mind : Potter.

His reflection had faltered at her last dustup. `` In vitrine it 's escaped your notice, I 'm trying to be decent here. I 'm at to the lowest degree making an effort. ``

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

Groaning he raised his hands, folding them behind his pass. `` You 're aright. I do n't know why I did. ''

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

'' You know ... '' A rowdy hissing cut him off as an owl nipped at his elicit helping hand. thrower jerked away hastily, nearly taking a wooden ledge with him.

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

For some the absurd rationality the site struck her as funny rather than frightening, and she did not bother to suppress the laughter bubbling out while she observed the formidable looking owl. For once it was not aimed at her. And as if sensing her scrutiny its nighttime optic locked with her own.

Its territorial behaviour ceased, drawing a smile to her font, for she was n't the only one to strap out at those who came to close.

She traced the Great Horned owl 's sketch, noting the black coloration speckling its reddish brownness annexe, its catlike face and highly indicate ear all swiveled curiously towards her.

Then she noticed the minuscule trammel imprisoning it, one end encircling its twig thin leg, the other binding it to the baulk it sat so miserably upon. It was caged, forbidden to go wherever it pleased.

Just ... like ... her.

It was perhaps the most dopy thing she had yet done, but she held out her arm hopefully, and watching its extension extend it gracefully flew to her, its shackles clinking haphazardly as it landed gently upon her arm. She eyed its magnificent black eye, noting how it was careful to not dig its talons into her skin, and she turned away from ceramist, walking to the front counter as the owl re-perched upon its baulk, waiting for her to re-turn.

'' You 'll need a batting cage for him, '' Potter 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-bodied to discourse with prying individuals than yes. ''

thrower turned in a disappointed seeing red, storming out of the depot. Watching his retreating physical body she too late realized how wrong 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 thing calm down. Some things arcanum.

Something moth-eaten, restricting, and callous curled within her throat, for until this war, the one they all refused to distinguish her anything about, was over, she would be More alone than ever.

The wounds of a rainwater soaked Night were still far too new.

It was better to campaign everyone away.

For their own good, and for her own.

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

A frigidness shudder rippled through her. thrower was also severe, of that she was sure. She 'd practically felt his suspicions rippling off of him, and he 'd take in something he ought not to have. She only hoped it had n't been sufficiency ...

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

A light weight descended upon her arm, jarring her from her thoughts as two grim eyes met hers. She smiled, her first gear true smile in weeks, reaching out a hesitant hand and ruffling the owls feathering. They were soft, like those of a newborn hatchling, only she would n't sleep together for sure.

She had never felt an owl before now.

A sensory faculty of pacification filled her as it continued looking up at her, hooting softly. And for a second gear, just a legal brief consequence she knew to be both fleeting and pretended, she could have sworn it silently understood.

* * * * *

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

He simply did not get it. During their integral tilt Kalliandra had seemed so indifferent, almost untouchable. It was maddening how his snide remark rolled off her, so he had kept at it, wanting to unconsciously ventilate some of his own frustrations into her and to recognize what her actual business in Knockturn Alley had been.

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

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

Or at least 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 remark like Malfoy.

A cacophony of sounds emerged as the workshop 's door opened, emitting Kalliandra and her horribly moody owl. He grimaced at the mountain, even as a reprimand voice reminded him how an animal 's behavior could so oft deceive.

Buckbeat 's certainly had.

That was all block though, for right then she raised her forearm high, and gray wings spread wide of the mark, substructure and claws hopping from her arm as the owl took flight, circling in wide spark 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 majuscule surprise, she actually smiled. Her eye seemed removed, as if she were looking into something that no one save her could see.

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









'' Things alter for the regretful spontaneously, if they be not altered for the better designedly. ''
~ Francis Bacon ~



Chapter 5 ~ A professor of One


Remus yawned tiredly, his light chocolate-brown eyes skirted across the train platform at Hogsmeade, searching for the familiar figure that was nowhere in sight. A light smile crossed his weary feature article and he chuckled. Hagrid was not someone he would easily leave out had he been there. No invisibility cloak was quite that large.

'' Hagrid .... '' He said, shaking his head amusedly. He picked up his briefcase, crossing the deserted, outside platform in the way of Hogwarts.

It was n't far, and Hagrid would undoubtedly intercept him along the way, most likely in his own, frenzied hastiness to wiretap him. Hagrid was a bit unretentive at time, and Remus could not fault him. He would be to if he took care of such a hazardous raiment of animals for a living.

The train chopine was on the outskirt of the lowly Greenwich Village, on the outer edge skinny Hogwarts, and a pebbled route led directly to the school 's movement doorway. He would turn off it before he reached Hogwarts'massive, welcoming entry, to span his way across the lush, green footing to Hagrid 's hut.

Remus had never been close to the game keeper, but he respected the man immensely for his employment in the Order.

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

He started walking, thinking how right Hagrid was.

The sun beat down on his picket shoulder joint, warming more than his shirt. The sun was rejuvenating to him in a way few understood, because it was a replete orb of light for which he harbored no fear. It was curious, that the loose of nights filled him with foreboding and pain in the ass, when usually it was the absence of light that inspired fear. He sought consolation in the darkest of nights, that was when he felt his safe, but for now, when the lunar month was a quarter full, he would seek comfort in the strong afternoon sun.

It was because of this scourge that he could empathize with Hagrid. The opportunity to get a fully qualified necromancer had been stolen from the gamekeeper turned prof, and it had nearly evaded even himself. Had it not been for Dumbledore 's kindness Remus would never own studied magic. No former school would bear taken him.

They had feared him.

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

A half-giant and a wolfman ... two of the most dangerous wizard beings on the planet, both seen as murderous, blood-thirsty beast, and yet neither one of them possessed the inclination to harm another.

Were n't the irritating transformation and premature aging enough ? He shook his pass, knowing the resolution to that, because it was n't.

No, he had to be shunned as well. Did n't they sleep with he would change it if he could ? And Hagrid ... one of the most gentle, kindhearted 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 sympathise why people feared him, but Hagrid was harmless. He at least was truly dangerous.

Several nights in his past stood in dark 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 own returned, perhaps Sirius would not take died ...

Dam n't Sirius ! He had figured his friend 's unregenerate nature would feature made him harder to stamp out, but in the end, he, just like James, had been as vulnerable as the respite.

He was the last now.

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

He 'd have sure a finger really was all there was left of him.

He shuddered at the view, remembering the Holy Scripture Lily had spoken to him, as he stood over his parents freshly dug graves.

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

It was something he had promised to express Harry. Harry was the sole substantial family he had left, and he wanted the boy, who was quickly growing into a man, to know of the unbelievable strength his parents had held. He needed to know that there were things worth fighting for.

Maker knows he 's already had his plowshare of fighting ...

We all have ...

The thought sobered him, reminding him of his purpose today. He squinted ahead, shielding his oculus from the brilliantly morning sun to calculate for any sign of Hagrid.

Today he would truly meet her.

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

Kalliandra.

She had been thrust into their cosmos unwillingly. Dumbledore, in all his wiseness, had felt Hogwarts to be the secure billet for her. It would be a good way to avail her adjust, by slowly exposing her to the great unwashed her own age.

But unlike others her age, she lacked a anterior five years of magical training, and any knowledge whatsoever of their world.

It would be his job to remedy that.

When Dumbledore had asked him, he had felt inadequate, poorly equipped for the job.

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 hope more with her.

It was then that he had confided in him.

'' When Voldemort was still the schoolhouse boy, Tom brain-teaser, I feared what he may grow to be.

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

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

Not to mention what she could do to those around her. The store of the night they had found her was still burned into his creative thinker 's eye. It was not something Remus would soon bury.

Doing his job right could mean the difference in this Pres Young adult female 's selection. Dumbledore had been very clear on that.

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

He knew the betting 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 ability.

By all right hand he should be terrified and have run in the former counselling.

Yet he could not bring himself to do so. Not when the range of her infirm organic structure 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 banker's bill of strife at the sentiment of anything worse befalling her.

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

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

Now all he had to image out was how to present it to her.

'' The most worthwhile things in life are never sluttish .... ''

Her password came back, hitting him as fresh as if they had fallen from her sassing 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 concluding ten.

Just like the hurting ...

Always so fresh, so sharp ...

He still marveled at how so many radius of healing, and forgetting. Pain did not vanish. It did not go away. You could not treat with it, for to handle would involve to fix. Instead you just learned how to be with it, without losing your mind.

Of row, the same people had often spoken on how well he dealt with pain, but he did not palpate very good at that. He was just logical enough to know that there was no salutary in dwelling on what could have been. Things happened…bad things ... whether you wanted them to or not, and zip one said or did could change that.

If it did none of them would be gone…

And after all these yr, she was still right. A smile formed on his rim, the joyful computer storage coming back, flooding his vision as he remembered Padfoot 's taunting about how she was 'always proper', and they were 'always incorrectly'.

Her riposte had been that it was about meter they saw it her way.

He chuckled slightly, catching sight of Dumbledore making his way leisurely down the sparsely utilize road. He raised a hand in greeting, catching the master 's attention, and was pleased to see an amused smiling on the Headmaster 's powerful look.

'' Good good afternoon Remus. ''

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

Dumbledore removed his lunule specs, polishing them on his summertime robes. `` It 's beat, how the brilliant sun glare can make even the most tiny of spot stand out, almost like the dark spot where the sun is supposed to be when a solar eclipse cuticle it. ''

The Headmaster held his Methedrine to the sun, studying them through his light, twinkling, currently squinted oculus, searching for any left over imperfections.

'' But enough about the perturbed rumination of this grandfather clock 's privileged working. How have you been ? I trust the string 's director was n't too wandering with the speeding for your young heart ? ''

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

'' The train was fine, and I 've been in effect. I was just thinking of some amusing arguments Cassilyda and Sirius had before. ''

Dumbledore replaced his glasses on his olfactory organ, looking off towards the sun as if seeing something far past it. `` Ah ... yes those two did have a predilection for arguments did they not ? I seem to think of a certain James Potter walking in on one of them ... it took Pomfrey all afternoon to get him straightened out. She was rather loath to alter him back ... Something about liking him better as a mute eel, ineffective to make mayhem on an hourly basis, locked up in a tank ... I believe Lily had been particularly amused. ''

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

Whether Lily had seen James or not before stepping on him had been a subject of debate for weeks.

Not to cite, in the infirmary fender, when James had started trying to form letter with his long, serpent like torso ...

He chuckled slightly. He still wanted to fuck how James had contorted himself into an R ... He shuddered thinking of how awful that spelling out 'You're a dead Man Sirius'must get been.

'' Quite an impressive bit of Transfiguration for fifth year ... I gave Gryffindor family 20 points for that, '' Dumbledore mused aloud, turning his regard on him, his center twinkling with amusement over the rim of his glasses. `` I was sourly tempted to pay out an honour for exceptional Services to the School, since the rector of Magic was visiting that day, and their `` accident '' rendered King James I incapable of doing something drastic, like turning the Minister 's tomentum neon pink, '' Dumbledore grinned slyly at this. `` ejaculate to think of it I would n't entirely mind seeing that ... ''

Remus could only stir his capitulum, suppressing the laughter threatening to derive out. It was good sightedness Dumbledore.

'' Of row, in the end, no one could learn whose scepter actually had transfigured Danton True Young Saint James at the fourth dimension, so I could n't give anyone the award. I was sourly disappointed by that. ''

'' That was your only understanding for not giving it ? '' He asked diverted.

'' Why yes Remus. Do you really think I would devolve up a probability to boost the extension of just behaviour 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 windy frog the year before.

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

'' It should have been permanent insanity and a life sentence in Azkaban. The toad was about to use an Unforgivable oath on Harry ! ''

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

He nodded assent, finding the fountainhead known noesis of Hagrid 's quirk of untimeliness amusing.

Dumbledore grinned, `` Well 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 waitress. Besides, if I am guessing his reason for being late to greet you ... well ... I may just be in need of some secure, old fashioned fire whiskey. ''

He eyed Dumbledore curiously, `` I did n't cognise you drank fire whiskey. ''

'' But of class I do n't ... '' He replied, winking mischievously. `` I have n't had intellect for such profligate celebration since the Marauders commencement exercise, granting me peacefulness of judgment and serenity again. Of course ... '' Dumbledore turned, waving for him to succeed. `` I 'm not entirely sure I even have a head left, with which to enjoy the heartsease with. ''

Remus opened his rima oris to respond, but no phone came forth. Instead he found himself following the Headmaster across the lawn, Hagrid 's cabin quickly coming into raft as Dumbledore continued baseless gab.

'' ... .Now of course of study the key in those site is managing the brew in reasonable measure, a endowment my dear brother does not have, '' Dumbledore said, referring to his Capricorn herder brother 's drinking wont.

'' half my year did n't possess that endowment, '' He replied, thinking of the one time he, James, Sothis, and Peter had gotten a clench of a bottle of Firewhiskey their 7th year. That had not gone over well ... Fortunately Pomfrey had bought the excuse that all of them had caught the flu from each other. His thoughts were abruptly cut off as a loud, bass booming noise, sounding oddly like a flack cracker going off, met his ears. His attention turned towards the source, which was immediately apparent upon seeing the sight in front of him.

Hagrid and a Pres Young miss with lucky hair were having a row. Only Hagrid seemed to be doing nigh of the yelling, while the girl just huffily picked up rock after careen from the side of the hut, flinging them with unusual vigor and accuracy, at an unsuspecting tree trunk, which was taking the brunt of her very visible defeat.

'' Why hello Hagrid ! how-do-you-do Kalliandra ! '' Dumbledore called out cheerfully, as if null were amiss.

Hagrid 's vocalisation immediately died down and the girl waved slightly before walking pointedly off towards the woodwind, where she stood blowing into her cupped custody, an odd whistling auditory sensation emitting from them.

He found himself looking between the girl at the bound of the Forbidden forest, Hagrid 's angry, red expression, and Dumbledore 's happy one.

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

'' 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 skittle alley t'day. ``

Dumbledore seemed unperturbed. `` Hrm…curious. I suppose it 's only rude for her to attempt out information though, and what comfortably place than there ? Would n't you accord Hagrid ? ''

Hagrid shook his chief, 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 materialise Hagrid, '' Dumbledore consoled, offering a assure grinning.

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

One would never know how she had barely clung to life only weeks before.

He shook the prototype away.

'' Hagrid what exactly is she doing ? '' He was having a hard time standing idly by with a thestral 's sharp teeth nuzzling so close to his future educatee '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 rectify Holy Writ unsuccessfully.

'' Doing ? '' Dumbledore supplied amusedly.

'' Yes, '' He replied embarrassedly. Sometimes the simple word was what he was looking for.

'' She bloody well talks to him Thomas More than she all-fired talks to me, '' Hagrid grumbled. `` Tells him everythin'from the looks of it and ye should see them, traversing'around at all 60 minutes of the day. Real spitfire that one is ! Bloody well good hazard teachin'her Remus ! Bin havin'enough trouble gettin'concern of Magical Creatures down 'er throat and she actually likes that. Ca n't opine how she 'll be with somethin'like Transfigurwhatsitcalled ... ''

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

'' To hell with it ! You 'd think she actually understood what that one be sayin'half da meter ! '' Hagrid muttered exasperatedly, a wounded look on his face. `` She 'll verbalise to that there animal and get to arguin'with me ! ``

Remus was attentive for a moment. `` So she likes creature of the night ... '' He commented, turning to present both of them. `` Well, then I wo n't accept too very much trouble then, now will I ? ''

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


'' She bloody set it free ! ? '' Ron exclaimed in unbelief.

Harry nodded, chucking his newly bought school Quran onto his bed in Grimmauld blank space. `` 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 devoid can you ? I mean ... they like ... fly ... ''

'' Very right Ron. Glad to see you know that a bird can fly, '' Hermione interjected, rolling her eyes as she entered their elbow room, setting herself down onto the street corner of his bed.

Ron gaped at her, looking strangely like a Pisces the Fishes with protruding eyes.

'' You know with your rima oris open like that you can almost extend for a goldfish, '' 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 skittle alley, only for him to hastily recount his account to them, and for Ron to just as hastily agree that Kalliandra was an unacceptable twirp.

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

He had immediately pointed out that she had had no problem whatsoever when Malfoy was the one he was eavesdropping on, which had earned him a sharp tut and another tangent about how he should have done more to produce the female child welcome.

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

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

It was right about then that Ron had made the mistake of calling Kalliandra various choice name calling, including a plain, ugly witch, which earned an infuriated round from Hermione about how 'ridiculously superficial'they were being. He was unable to keep an eye on her entire tirade, but it ended with her concluding that both of them seemed to be 'blatantly misjudging'the girl on looks alone.

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

Fortunately Harry did not mention any of these thoughts, got wise, and went quiet.

He wished he could say the Saame for Ron though.

'' Still in a fine humour I see, '' Ron grumbled, shoving the bag with his new attire robes into the top dresser drawer.

Hermione 's nozzle wrinkled in obvious disgust. `` Are n't you even going to pay heed those up ? ''

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

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

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

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

'' Oh goose egg Hermione, '' Ron replied with exaggerated formality. `` I was just saying what a lovely job you did defending that uptight, Slytherin bounce .... ''

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

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

'' And from the phone of it he was rather ill-mannered and made her feel 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 minutes and could tell she was .... ''

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

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

'' I ... Well ... At to the lowest degree I 'm not passing judgment on her ! ''

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

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

'' They did n't sound very well-disposed to me did they Harry ? '' Ron asked, directing his question at him.

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

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

'' See Hermione ! ''

'' Yes, I do see Ronald. I see a carrot-topped tush who 's way to eager to pass on judgment on anyone but himself ! '' She stood abruptly. `` If that closed minded brainpower of yours is actually subject of intelligence then try to remember that you passed sagaciousness on me our firstly yr and were haywire ! '' She spun on her heel, stomping loudly. `` If you can remember that is. But hopefully the sweat to think is not too taxing, it 'd be a pathos if your head exploded ! '' With that she stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

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

The threshold to their room flew upon, revealing a white looking Hermione.

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

Ron 's grin vanished, his typeface gone slightly blanch. `` But ... your threshold shut ... How did you ... ''

'' A door can be slammed by person from either incline, like from the hallway Ronald. '' She snapped, this time leaving the door all-inclusive surface as she stormed off, granting them both quite a view as she vigorously flung her own door behind her this time.

Ron was right on her dog, like common. `` Mione come on ... .I said I 'm no-good ... ''

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

'' Well I just .... ''

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

He leaned back with a cheap groan onto his bed. He sincerely hoped Ron asked her out soon, because he was n't surely how many More of their bickering induced vexation he could take.






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



Chapter 6 ~ Power of Persuasion


'' You 'll induce to be speedy than that. ''

Kalliandra coughed loudly from her office, flat on her rachis.

'' If I did n't know break ... '' she rasped. `` I 'd think you actually enjoyed torturing me. ''

Remus lupin smiled, extending his helping hand to haul her roughly to her substructure. `` On the adverse Ms. Kaylens. I do n't enjoy rendering you unconscious mind at all. ''

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

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

She stopped what she was doing, pulling her grass covered, green-stained bridge player back in strawman of her. `` Do n't you know it 's not good to provoke soul who has been stunned nine times in a row ? ''

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

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

For the past three 60 minutes Remus had been teaching her the not so insidious 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 effective at it, were entirely different matter.

This probably explained why she had just woken up on the ground. Then again, the fact that Remus had become incontrovertibly define to seduce trusted that she could actually use stunning in a duel, if ever attacked, was also parting of the reason.

The same paid instructor was not eyeing her critically. `` You know Kally, if you manage to dodge my first onset you usually do quite nicely. Now just intercept diving to the good every time. It 's getting predictable. ''

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

Not that she would admit that to Lupin.

He had only become her tutor a petty over a week ago, yet she had come to respect him. He did not ruth her, or walk on spyglass with his conversations like Dumbledore and the others did.

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

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

For some reason the thought that the man may actually care her was calming.

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

She trudged back to her starting lieu in response. She would not be the one to discontinue today. Of course, he should screw that by now.

She had learned the importance of outlasting one 's opposer a yearn time ago. Outlasting fatigue and pain could mean the remainder between winning, and losing.

And somehow she did not think the motherfucker, who had taken everything from her, would go easy on her simply because she had a headache.

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

She would make the mother fucker pay.

But first she needed to learn to do a simple stunning spell without passing out.

'' Ready ? '' Remus asked, stomping his feet on the terra firma 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 streak reached her, mentally screaming the wrangle.

The strange sensation flew through her, burning through her blood as it moved, jolting the go towards its target area. Her vision swam before she saw him collapse, and she fell weakly upon the ground, shakily breathing in the damp summer aroma of mud and pasturage.

Slowly, painstakingly, the prickling tracing over her placid skin subsided. Her helping hand, that had unconsciously dug into the damp land, relaxed, allowing the glorious golden smirch dancing before her eyes to fade.

wait for all of this to snuff it had gotten easier each time, but it made the experience no to a lesser extent painful.

The whoremonger, she had discovered, was to rest conscious long enough for it to forget.

Several hazy moments later, her golden eyes flickered open, and across the brusk surface area of grass she spotted Remus'fallen flesh.

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

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

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

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

'' Nice one, '' he muttered groggily.

She shook her head, offering him a manus which he shook off, shooting her a admonitory feeling.

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

'' Lets hope not too old, because you still have the rest period of the year with me. '' She allowed a rare grin to light up her lineament.

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

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

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

His doubtfulness was answered by her secrecy.

This was the first clock time she had not passed out.

Hagrid 's absence alone should give birth told him that, because on the other two social function when she had stunned Remus, they had both consist there until Hagrid found them on one of his periodic checks.

agreement became visible on Remus'brass, and upon seeing his wolfish grin, she could n't reject a belittled surge of pridefulness.
* * * * *


Remus lupin rewarded his student with a all-embracing grin as he picked himself off the ground, ignoring his protesting bones.

It had been awhile since he had practiced dueling like this in a non-combat post, 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 spot in response.

It was amazing, he thought, but in so short-change a clip, she had become comfortable, at least outwardly so, with the presence of conjuring trick. When he had first arrived she still looked surprised each prison term it was used in her comportment, but now…

She was doing break. That was all that mattered. Particularly considering that in to a lesser extent than a day 's clip that Dumbledore was planning on throwing her in amidst scholar her own age.

The fact that her equal were perch years ahead of her in instruction had mattered little. essential mandated it.

Kally had n't been thrilled. She had already expressed her displeasure with the estimate on more than one occasion. And the true be told, he was more than a little concerned for her housemates.

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

It was n't sizable to comport around that much guilt.

His only consolation was that they would be able-bodied to continue their moral on the weekends. It would be a rather private transcription, since her dorm-mates were to be kept in the darkness about it.

She would have enough fuss feigning competency in her three NEWT course of instruction, and sneaking out several meter a workweek would just be another hard thing for her.

But perhaps the most unmanageable matter for her would be keeping her inadequacies under wraps. For show sake she would be placed in triton grade Defense Against the nighttime graphics, Care of Magical Creatures, Herbology, and Astronomy so as to be with people in her yr, but she would be placed in third year Anicent Runes and Remedial Potions. The pa prof had already been instructed to send her on 'errands'whenever practical lessons were held, so that her inability to perform deception would not be called into doubtfulness, so that at least was covered.

As for the former courses, Remus was being paid by Dumbledore, out of some mixed school fund, to tutor her in the early subjects.

After all, there was very little magic involved in dealing with magical creatures and plants. And the memorization of the meanings of ancient rune and the drive of heavenly body had virtually no wand magic associated with it.

watching her proceeds her place, it dawned on him that they really might be able to pluck this off.

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

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

The Marauders ... The thought brought a grinning to his fount, for his old group of friend had left behind something that just might salve him from fretting like a nervous parent.
* * * * *


Silverthorne let out a low, pharyngeal consonant grunt to express his displeasure at being tethered. The other thestrals were already following cause.

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

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

'' Yer look like the lonesome one within earshot that 'll assist me, '' Hagrid yelled.

Despite herself she smiled, calmly running her finger's breadth through Silverthorne 's blind drunk fateful coat.

'' You know ... '' she whispered conspiratorially, `` He might kill me if you all do n't calm down a bit. And then who would sacrifice you ferret ? ''

Silverthorne 's White River, haunting oculus stared back in considerateness, before his formidable head nodded. He nudged the thestral tethered adjacent to him, and a cacophony of grunts followed as the message was passed down the line of perambulator awaiting the students'arrival.

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

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

She shook her head ruefully, and with a final tug she snapped a belt into seat on the thestral 's harness, stepping back to view her handy work. She 'd never ridden a horse in her life, but the harnesses the thestrals used were supposedly similar.

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

Silverthorne merely blinked at her once, and she rubbed his head affectionately. `` Of course you are, '' she murmured into his olfactory organ, the vestige of a grinning tugging at her mouth.

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

'' Problems Hagrid ? '' she yelled, slipping the thestral a immobilize cube of raw meat. His glossa positively tickled her skin, leaving a sticky red residue upon her palm tree.

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

'' Hagrid ! '' she shouted, reclaiming her hand and stalking off towards the auditory sensation of his vox, with every purpose of snapping at him for yelling at any thestral that way. She could n't help her bother surge though. She had never had any pets growing up, and for some odd reason she had taken a liking to the animals.

But as she rounded the carriage obscuring Hagrid from view, all reprimands vanished the second base she saw his predicament.

It was Hagrid vs. Thestral. The thestral, Monster, had managed to yank his harness completely off, and was gripping the midst leather strap between his sharp teeth, extending his flank menacingly while practically hissing.

Hagrid, to his credit, was putting up quite a fighting. The half giant was bounding as close as he dared get, swatting at freak with an outsized Fannie Merritt Farmer hat.

Sweet Merlin ... What the underworld was he doing with one of those ?

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

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

Several nicks, contusion, swelling, and twenty minutes later found her, and a rather draggle Hagrid, plopped upon the dirt road leading up to the school day, entirely out of breathing spell.

It was a shame that the peaceful evening would end in lupus erythematosus than an hour, when the Hogwarts expressage arrived.

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

Hagrid answered anyway. `` Because Dumbledore thinks it 'd be undecomposed for yer to be aroun'the great unwashed 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 lots trouble she 'd get in for jinxing Hagrid 's tail end of a friend in his sleep. Now that would be something.

Hell, maybe if she did that then Dumbledore would blackball her from whatever firm she wound up in. Then she could go back to sleeping in the early hut outside. She liked it there. No one bothered her. When the nightmares came only Hagrid was near enough to hear her.

Besides, there was something both routine and reassuring about the way that every forenoon Silverthorne would thwack open her window shutters, letting light flow 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 first light. For a change, her aim had been dead on. Of track, Hagrid had n't been exactly pleased when he come in to see plume and fragment of fabric all over the space. But hey, it was n't her shift that Silverthorne thought it was a ferret and tried to rip it limb from limb. And besides, Remus had repaired it. Heck, at least Remus had found the whole spot amusing.

Speaking of which where was Remus ? She had n't seen him since this good morning and he was leaving with the return of the school string that night. Plus she still wanted to have sex what Dumbledore and him had arranged ...

'' Come over ere. It 's the best patch for them first years to see me. '' Hagrid called, ripping her from her thoughts.

She stopped pondering the deep whereabouts of Remus Lupin long enough to shoot an incredulous expression in his management. `` Hagrid they 'd give to be blind to miss you. ''

He shook his hairy head vigorously. `` No, ca n't yield to get any of 'em escape me. Not one ! They 'll miss the sortin'if they do that. ''

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

'' What was that ? '' Hagrid asked distractedly, leaning out over the program 's edge to peer down the rails.

She shook her head in amusement. `` goose egg at all. I was just thinking about what a frightening catastrophe it would be to entrust a diminished, uninstructed, and unsuspecting first twelvemonth 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 sentence I say something with even the slightest trace of irony, 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 smiling across his pre-maturely aged look.

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

'' And take chances 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 look on Remus'boldness was invaluable, and she lunged at him in a vain attack to smack him.

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

Remus had dropped his briefcase in the campaign to invalidate her blast. `` Old ? I 'll have you know that I 'm thirty-seven ! ''

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

This metre Remus lunged at her, missing by in as she bounced out of the way. His riotous nature was contagiours.

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

Remus laughed deeply, age disappearing from his face as he smiled, shaking his head disapprovingly. `` Suddenly I find myself looking forward to my jailbreak from you during the hebdomad. I 'll be spared your unprovoked attacks ! ''

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

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

'' In a word ... ''

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

Her mischievous expression was replaced by one of puzzlement as Remus held up a modest, circular, gray object. `` What is it ? '' she asked, walking over to look at it.

'' This ... '' he said mysteriously, `` Is how you 're going to contact me when I 'm away. '' Upon saying this he snapped it open, revealing a small, turn mirror on one side.

'' Is that pulverization ? '' she asked, eyeing the affair that looked suspiciously like a compact.

'' rightfulness you are Miss Kaylens, '' he said, adopting a professor like tonicity. `` Dumbledore 's theme. One of his more clever ones from what he said, though somehow I doubt that. '' He winked, lapsing into his familiar tone again.

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

'' It 's a two-way mirror Kally. See, anytime you want to blab to me. For any intellect .... '' He shot her a meaningful look that she did n't leave out. `` Just look directly into it and say my gens clearly. If I have mine ... '' He fished around in his gown pocket, extracting a rather large air pocket watch. `` Which I will always receive on me thanks to Dumbledore 's idea to obscure it in this lovely Muggle invention ... '' He snapped the pocket sentinel unfastened, revealing a mirror on the non-clock side as well. `` And once you do that I 'll respond. If I call you, yours will burn on the inside slightly, so it 'll be detectable to you but to not to someone just passing a cursory glance by it. ''

She nodded, tacking the small 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 ? '' she inquired curiously, laughing at Remus 's flustered look.

'' I knew I 'd rue telling you sensation had extended life twosome, '' he groaned, ignoring her serious nod and continuing on.

'' As I was saying, in my 4th year James got all of us our own bipartite mirrors for Christmas. These are mine, I just had them filed down a bit and inserted into these for concealment. ''

'' Smart movement, '' she commented, looking into hers. `` Remus lupine the Finicky WereWolf, '' she stated clearly, waiting to see if it worked.

'' Finicky ! '' Remus bristled, but not before a slight sliver of sparkle appeared in the fissure 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 weapons platform to collapse them some privacy. She made a genial short letter to thank him later. `` It 's just that you, and Dumbledore ... everyone keeps telling me how afraid everyone would be. And if that's dependable, well, then why are n't you ? ''

He paused a moment, his light John Brown eyes flickering up to the sky as if considering her question. She did n't need to stick to his regard to know that it rested on the fourth moon, barely visible in the dying twilight. `` I think, Kalliandra, that to let one 's life be even remotely governed by care is foolish. Your never fully active when your activeness 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 don could voice.

'' And perhaps ... fountainhead, I know what it 's like. And I know how unjust it is. '' He spoke these finally words bitterly, his eyes hardening in an unfocused glare at the moon. And it was only then that she understood why Dumbledore had chosen him as her wise man.

He was as hated by the human beings as she was.
* * * * *


An hour later found her standing, smushed up succeeding to Hagrid, as the tidy sum of scholarly person pushed, shoved, and in accuracy, barreled their way over the chopine towards the carriages that she and Hagrid had readied for their journey to Hogwarts. Why student needed the carriages in the first plaza was beyond her. The pass was n't exactly lengthy. No, she figured Dumbledore had arranged them because if he did n't, the ingrates would wonder off ungratefully, never getting to schooltime at all.

In fact, that did n't entirely sound like a bad idea .... But right field then she spied the imbecile that she least want to see, making his way with the carrot top through the crowd towards them.

Carrot top waved vigorously, `` Hey Hagrid. It 's so safe to see you ! ''

'' And so hard to miss, '' she muttered, suppressing a laugh at the frigidness look Hagrid shot her.

'' I see the preceding week has done nada to improve your mode. ''

She turned, eyeing the guy 's messy black hair and super C eyes, which were presently narrowed and shining determinedly. Her first skirmish with him had been far from pleasant, and judging from his greeting, it seemed the tactile sensation had been mutual. `` Nor yours. I still do n't bonk your name. ''

The guy 's jaw nearly dropped, but Ron interjected for him. `` Well we were introduced. It 's not his fracture you do n't remember. ''

She shrugged carelessly. It was n't like she cared what his figure was, she just wanted to put a epithet with his eavesdropping face. `` My apology. Not all of us are as good with name as you apparently are. But by all means do n't re-introduce me, I just thought it might be skillful to pertain to him as something other than the nosey bottom Potter. ''

'' 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 effect on her, Hagrid stepped in, attempting to circularise the billet further.

'' That 's enough all three of ya. Now again, this here be Kalliandra Kaylens, and that there be Ronald Weasly and Harry ceramicist. ''

She cocked her head to the side, wondering if the carrot top knew how easily his last name could be distorted to Weasel. She suppressed the sudden itch to ask just that, instead turning to Hagrid with a forced grinning. `` Thank you Hagrid. It 's nice to know 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 blanched reflection that crossed the guy 's aspect. `` Now if you excuse me I do think Hagrid has comfortably things to do than listen to his friends battle. ''

'' Friends ! ? Hagrid would never be friends with soul like you ! '' The weasel shot out, ceramicist smirking amusedly. Her mouth opened in angry dissent, but Hagrid 's booming vocalization cut them both off.

'' Ronald Weasley how presume ye make laying claim 'bout me ! '' Hagrid boomed, making all three of them leap.

She glanced up, seeing his cheek redder than it had been after their row about her Knockturn skittle alley mis-adventure. She really would not want to be the weasel right hand now ...

'' Kalliandra is my friend, and you 'd do yer scoop to stay on out of her concern. The both of ya ! '' He said angrily, his tacky voice drawing the stares of several pupil sandwiched around them. `` If I hear anythin''bout either one of ya nosin'aroun'in her job again ... '' He stopped, seemingly too raging to remain.

Hagrid drew in a deep, shaky breathing spell, looking very close to exploding. `` Now apologize to her Ron. And I mean now ! ''

Ron looked at her, his jaw agape, while potter looked surprisingly abashed.

Despite herself, a sudden stab of guilt overcame her. Perhaps she was taking her hostile facade a bit too far.

'' Do n't concern about it, '' She spoke up quietly, avoiding the stares of Potter and Weasley. `` I was just as ill-bred anyhow. I 'll see you later sanction ? ''

She did n't wait for Hagrid 's response as she spun on her bounder, carefully making her way through the crowd to see an vacate posture. If she were golden, then maybe Silverthorne had been particularly apt 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 quick though, because when Hermione husbandman is mad about something, she makes it ripe known than Hagrid.

And Hermione farmer unfortunately thought they had pigeon holed the girl.

And Hermione farmer had overheard his and Ron 's exchange with her.

Add in that she had seen Hagrid 's detonation, and Kalliandra 's sudden mood swing to normalcy, and he and Ron certainly did look like the bad cat.

Which was exactly how he found himself, amidst a bunch of onlookers, staring down a thin brunette, receiving the brunt of her Eumenides.

'' Harry I ca n't trust you ! I 'd carry behavior like that from Ron but you ? '' Hermione yelled, her voice shaking with raging disbelief.

'' Hey ! '' Ron protested, clearly offended.

'' Ronald if you know what 's proficient for you you 'll hold back your mouth shut, '' Hermione snapped in a very McGonagall like tone.

Unlike Ron, Harry had no subterraneous need for keeping Hermione happy with him besides their friendship. So at that exact instant he did n't much like 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 straits of fortunate pilus, with every intention of giving her a piece of his brain, rather than paying tending to Hermione 's verbal berating.

Too bad a rather large hand on the back of his robes stopped him from progressing any further forward.

'' You best be going to rationalize Harry, '' Hagrid said menacingly.

He shot an incredulous flavour up at his friend. `` Hagrid you 've got to be kidding me ! She insulted you ! She ... ''

'' She did no so thing Harry. And you 'd do yer trump to detain outta her business and life sentence if yer understand me. ''

'' Hagrid what are you deaf ? ! She did to diss you ! '' Ron twirped, for a change not cowering under Hermione 's fierce brilliance.

'' Oh really, an'how so ? '' Hagrid asked, still looking between him and Ron as if he could n't trust what was before his eyes.

'' She was making fun of you because you're a titan ! '' Ron shot out indignantly.

'' No she were n't Ronald Weasley. We were jokin'earlier 'bout the comfortably post for the fers age to see me. If that 's what you be referrin'to. ''

'' But what about'Knockturn skittle alley ? '' He chimed in, coming to Ron 's defense. `` There 's something mistrustful 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 domain of ... '' She paused, looking as if she were saying this against her better nature.

'' mercantilism, '' She finally ground out. `` Frankly it sounds like she was annoyed that you had eavsdropped while talking to mortal she knew. If the Same had happened to me I 'd probably be just as annoyed. ``

Harry stared at her contorted features in cushion. 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 recognise what your talking about. You should have heard her ... ''

'' Overhear ! ? What 'd ya overhear ? '' Hagrid shot out suddenly, his voice low, a quiet note of panic in it.

He wrinkled his eyebrow confused. `` Well nothing that made sentience but ... ''

'' Then you best be keepin'that poppycock that did n't be making no good sense to yerself. Yer listen me ? '' Hagrid muttered, shaking his head. `` I 'm so defeated in you two I do n't know ... Yer know I need to get the initiatory 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 more than enough to convince Harry. The last matter 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 get behind him to the nearest baby 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 good than to break up her at this item. After all, this was Hermione, and any contention with her was a losing conflict. He had just managed to find ascendance of his tongue, which was threatening to photograph at her for the reproval worthy of a bambino that he was receiving, when he stepped into the lowest carriage, and suddenly re-lost control of it.

'' I 'm walking, '' He stated bluntly, turning to do just that.

'' Harry you will do no such matter, '' Hermione grunted, grabbing his arm with surprising strength for a girl her size. He glanced down at the painful bobby pin she had on him, and pondered how angry she would be if he broke free.

Before he had time to make up one's mind she had already drug him into the carriage behind her.

'' Hermione ... '' He protested, refusing to sit as he stood, hunched over in the low compartment.

'' Nice to know I 'm not the only one displeased with this, '' Kalliandra muttered from the far side of the go-cart, right as one of the thestrals let out an odd sounding grunt.

She then muttered something beneath her breath. 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 contempt.

'' auditory modality things, ceramist ? ``

He felt as if he had just been slapped, so confounding were the emotions her face and voice conveyed. Shaking his drumhead, he shoved the sudden falter to debate aside.

'' I do n't generally make a habit out of hearing affair, '' He finally ground out, taking a seat succeeding to Ron grudgingly.

She inclined an brow disbelievingly. `` sure as shooting you do n't, '' She responded, not bothering to mask her sarcasm.

He practically growled, knowing full well what she was referring to.

'' You 're having a really hard prison term letting that go, are n't you ? '' He spat out scathingly.

'' I 'll let it go when I get an excuse. ``

He visibly bristled. `` For what ! ? ``

Kalliandra 's manifestation instantly soured. `` For eavesdropping on me, that 's what. ``

He suppressed the sudden itch to thrust her out of the coach. In fact, the alone thing stopping him was the fact that he 'd ingest to pass over Hermione to fulfill it.

'' Well forgive me, '' He hissed acidly. `` succeeding time I see you wandering down an alley full of dark whizz I 'll just get out you to them. I did n't see 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 civil conversation.

Kalliandra just looked at her oddly, before nodding slightly.

'' Yes, '' She replied evenly, turning to look out the window.

Hermione 's brow creased, her lips forming into a check frown at the girl 's apparent lack of interest.

Harry smirked, leaned back, and crossed his arms, preparing for the appearance.

'' fountainhead Kalliandra, how was your last week of summer ? '' Hermione pressed.

'' Rigorous. ''

Hermione shot him a look, to which he smirked like a jackal. Ron was far less elusive, and simply mouthed, So what now, brain ?

Hermione 's face hardened into one of grim determination.

'' So what classes are you taking ? ``

The miss heaved a large sigh. `` Too many. ``

Hermione 's lip opened, as if appalled at the lady friend 's lack of interestingness in schooling. And just as Harry began an national victory jig, flashing a celebratory smirk at Ron, the girl surprised them.

'' One of them is ancient Runes. I have n't had that before so I 'm going to be getting tutoring for it. '' Kalliandra paused, sounding incertain. `` At to the lowest degree, that 's what the Headmaster mentioned. ``

Hermione 's agape love oral cavity slowly closed, a slow smile creeping across her face.

Flashing them a self-satisfied look, she started talking. `` Ancient rune is actually fairly fascinating. It 's a lot like learning to read another language. In fact, it 's my favorite content. ''

At this proclamation Kaylens actually looked thoughtful. `` I think mine will be Care of Magical puppet. Hagrid 's been showing me a lot of the animals he works with over the past tense few workweek. The thestrals are my favorite so far ... ''

'' Thestrals ? '' Ron snorted derisively, earning a reproving face from Hermione. `` What are you, a sadist ? ''

Hermione 's oral fissure opened in protest, apparently too shocked for words as her inevitable return failed to come Forth River.

Kalliandra 's locution immediately grew stony. `` Perhaps you should learn a thing or two about them before you start flinging insult. ``

'' And how exactly did I diss 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 parliamentary law to like something, I 'm pretty sure that 's derogatory to the something in head. ``

Ron waved a bridge player dismissively. `` As if thestrals would like. ``

'' You 'd be surprised. They hate being insulted. ''

'' That 's Hippogriffs you idiot. ''

Hermione made a strangling noise.

'' No, it 's Hippogriffs that react violently, '' Kalliandra said placidly, flipping the lid of a compact shut. `` Though I would n't put it past a thestral to do so. ''

'' Thestrals are not crimson, '' Harry cut in with annoyance. Why in the hell did Hermione have to pick this rig ...

He gazed longingly out the open doorway hatch. He knew perfectly well that if he got out and walked, that he would miss the sorting, and he had already learned the hard way what happened to the great unwashed when they walked into that recent.

Too bad. The drive up to Hogwarts was usually so enjoyable. `` So who on Earth taught you that rubbish ? ''

'' Hagrid, '' She hissed dangerously.

'' shag this, '' Ron suddenly announced. `` I refuse to remain in the perambulator with her. ''

He stood, only for Hermione to yank him down. Ron opened his mouth, an wild 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 disappointed tone Hermione shot him each clock time the incident was brought up.

She glared at him. `` Gladly. ''

'' amercement. ''

'' Fine ! ''

Right then the pusher moved with a mighty lurch, and not another word was spoken by any of the pushchair '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 halt outside the castle 's tremendous entrance. And without a watchword, he and Ron jumped out, dry stain stirring around their footprints as they met the bunch of students rushing to the Great vestibule.
* * * * *


'' Well, that certainly could have gone better, '' Hermione stated, rueful gaze following her two acquaintance out the baby carriage door.

Letting out a tense breathing space 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 feel a tiny, justified spate of indignation. That girl 's friends had jumped into the carriage right as she had been trying to contact Remus.

Being in the magical Earth, knowing following to nothing about it, had felt flood out before. But now, on her way to being surrounded by competent crone and wizards twenty four - seven, that overwhelming tactual sensation was beginning to combust into something far closer to panic.

She was n't surely she could force this off. She was n't trusted at all.

Hermione released an exhausted sounding huff, breaking her from her view. `` Please jazz, I 'm not trying to pick apart you, '' she said carefully, `` but you could have made things a little wanton. Particularly since this whole misunderstanding seems to be over something extremely trivial. ''

Rising from her stern and stepping out of the carriage, her base sinking into the relax filth, Kally heard herself saying very quietly, `` You 're decent. ``

And even though she was not looking at Hermione, she could practically palpate the eye rolling going on behind her.

Silently they joined the throng of scholar making their way up the castle 's entranceway. That was until Hermione began asking question again.

'' Do you get laid if you are being sorted with the residual of the first years ? ``

Nearly tripping over a kid small enough to stimulate been a outset year, Kally nodded mechanically. `` Unfortunately. ``

A reflective frown crossed the brunet 's face. `` You do n't sound excited. ``

Throwing a wayward coup d'oeil the fille 's way, Kally asked, `` Would you be ? I 'm going to stick out. ``

Mounting the entryway stairs simultaneously, she saw the corner of Hermione 's oral cavity crook up in her computer peripheral vision, as if hiding silent entertainment. `` You are twice their height, so I suppose that is an precise assessment. ``

Instead of responding, Kally began grumbling something indecipherable under her breath.

Hermione responded by allowing what may stimulate been a grinning to cross her features. `` They really are prissy if you give them the hazard. ``

Somehow she felt severely doubtful about that, but something of her idea must have shown on her features, because Hermione was interjecting before she could even formulate a response.

'' We did n't get along at first either, '' Hermione said, their feet reaching the top. `` To be blunt, it took a trolling trying to take my head off for us to set out getting along. ''

Kally stumbled, her Pomaderris apetala centre darting over to the girl with something akin to horror dancing with them. `` What ? ''

Now there was no mistaking it. Hermione really did look amused. The girl smiled at her, chuckling slightly. `` Like I said, move over them a fortune. ``

She could n't help it. Despite all her efforts to the wayward, a strangled choking audio emerged from her throat.

Hermione simply grinned heavily, shaking her head word. `` Honestly, '' she laughed, glancing around the rapidly emptying launching hallway, `` do you want me to await with you until the first yr get here so you 're not ... ''

'' Ms. Kaylens is quite adequate to of waiting alone Ms. Granger. And if you delay any farseeing it will be 20 item from Gryffindor. ``

The vocalism had come from directly behind them, the forcefulness of it muted by the echoing of excited yack from student trying to jampack through the Great lobby 's looming doorways.

Instantly Kalliandra recognized it. She had met the man on a few affair, and he had seized the chance to cue her how absolutely insufferable it would be for her to ever gain competency in Potions.

As such, she stopped immediately, spinning on her blackguard. Hermione simply quirked an eyebrow before continuing off to fall in the rest of the scholarly person.

Snape 's obscure eyes lowered, eyeing her appraisingly. `` I trust you are remembering discretion. Particularly where students like Ms. sodbuster are concerned. Some tend to be too prying for their own good. ``

Heaving a sigh, Kally nodded. `` I 'll remember. ''

He glowered at her for another endorsement, before nodding curtly. `` Remember, I 'll be seeing you in detention all this workweek. ''

She heaved another sigh. Upon their initial meeting she had had the unfortunate person destiny 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 Department of Defense Against the shadow Art 's textbook they had given her to take. And considering that Hagrid was a giant, another species mentioned in the book of account, she had n't thought it too unreasonable to assume that a vampire could be teaching at Hogwarts as well.

Unfortunately Snape had n't taken her motion lightly, and had immediately began ranting and raving about how he most certainly did not harbor a deep-seeded lineage lust for the living.

And for some unfortunate, and suicidal cause, she had found his anger 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 twelve nipper, all twittering loudly with no polarity of stopping.

She groaned, barely hearing Professor McGonagall 's oral communication. Somehow she found herself following the surrogate schoolma'am through freshly polished oak door into the Great Hall.

The eyes of every first class immediately turned upwards, to the left, to the right, and in every early plausible focus, unable to resist taking in their new environment.

The pressure sensation of a c twosome of eyes burrowed into her, and she stared pointedly forward, looking over the bunch of midget to where Hagrid sat, flashing a ardent smile in her direction.

Maybe he can avail me turn tail afterwards, she thought hopefully, coming to a stoppage at the forepart of the enormous room. respective 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 look the entire way.

'' When I call your public figure, step forward, place the hat upon your head, and the sorting will begin. ''

With that, she sat the hat upon a battered old pot, the sorting hat 's lip opened full, and the vocalizing began.
* * * * *


'' Slytherin ... ''

'' Ron if you say that one more time ... ''

'' Hermione you saw how vile she was ! ''

'' She is not vile ! '' Hermione hissed back dangerously, being careful to hold her voice lowered. `` Nervous, yes. Vile, no. ``

'' You can not tell me that there is not something inherently sinister about her, '' Ron challenged. `` Something 's not right hand there. She 's going to twine up an iniquity Slytherin, probably waiting to ... ''

Before Ron could venture further along his psychological route misstep, Hermione cut him off tiredly. `` Just because somebody is in Slytherin does not make them inherently evil, Ronald. ''

'' Hermione how can you say that ! '' He bristled, clearly having trouble keeping his voice down as the initiative geezerhood and the field of study of their argument walked past.

Hermione 's human face visibly tensed, and Harry could tell she did n't fully conceive what she was saying. `` You ca n't pidgeon hole an entire menage. Besides, Slytherins are goal oriented and inviolable 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 slimy git like Snape ! '' Ron exclaimed triumphantly.

At least Ron 's exclaiming were hushed enough so no one not in the near neighborhood could see, Harry thought, suppressing a groan. He should deliver known the peace between those two could n't last tenacious than the train ride there. It was astonishing enough that they had n't killed each early in their compartment as it was. Had he really expected that peace to shoemaker's last ?

'' Mione ... ''

'' Ronald ... ''

'' Will you two bump it off ! The hats about to sing and I actually want to hear what it says. '' Ginny cut in. Harry made a genial tone to give thanks her for distracting their disputing friends later, and quickly turned his care to the hat. He had always enjoyed the sorting, but after lastly year ... Well, knowing that the hat was sworn to forewarn the students and teachers of danger made him a bit more attentive this class.

The had opened it 's brim full.

Divided, but once connect,
That's how our write up begins,
Four houses founded by four friends
Yet I fear that such division shall institute about our end.

In ancient times the best of champion
Came knocking on the doorway,
Of Ravenclaw and Slytherin,
Then Hufflepuff went to Gryffindor.

Lets construct a shoal of acquisition,
For all those of magic to pay heed,
Yet somehow the approached three could not agree,
On what qualities to defend.

Lets teach only those of wit and encyclopaedism,
Possessing the most ready idea of all.
Those had been the poignant words,
Of once comely Ravenclaw.

Proud Slytherin lever ambition,
Possessing innocence of blood and cunning,
His pupils would give up at nix,
Until they got what they saw fit to their coming.

And then were the bravest,
Those brash with noble daring,
bold face Gryffindor chose them,
As most worthy of wizard learning.

Hufflepuff loved her supporter,
And accepted them as they were.
She let them each create a firm,
In which their prized were taught and foster.

And as for sweet Hufflepuff,
She agreed to take the rest,
Yet somehow division did not set well,
Unity to her, seemed best.

So when the founding father sewed me,
And left me on my pot,
She stole me in the dead of Nox,
And bestowed me with a tool,
Of knowing when the time was right,
For the sorting ritual to end.
She said one day division may cause strife,
And she feared for the wizard world.
For all her life,
She had feared the division in sight,
But never more,
Than when the friendships failed,
Of the origination foursome.

Slytherin was the get-go to leave,
pureness of roue his choice,
I 'm disgraced by teaching Muggle borns !
He yelled, conviction in his voice.

Next left bluff Gryffindor,
He felt the calling of adventure,
Rather than the heroic plea,
Of failing dedication in pauperization of surgical seam.

concluding left once-fair Ravenclaw,
Who once prized Justice and encyclopaedism,
She left because she said,
That teaching the other student had got too tedious.

And alone stood cherubic Hufflepuff,
The wisest of them all,
Because she never would heed,
Alluring temptations shout.

I see the wisdom of her choice,
Why she chose to accept them all,
And now understand,
That its fruitless to divide you at all.

So while it deeply saddens me,
To see my end in sight,
The sorting ceremony end,
right field now, right wing here, This night.


Harry stared at the potty, trying vainly to process what he had just heard. At least he had been right in thinking it was important to pay attention this year, because apparently that was the last birdcall the sorting hat would ever sing.

He cast a cursory glance towards Hermione, sitting next to him on the Bench, but her brown eyes were wide and fixated up front. He could just imagine what was going through her head right then, because chances were she was going through each Page of Hogwarts a story, trying to find any early incident even remotely like this one. He had a pussyfoot intuition that she had the whole book committed to computer memory.

The unnatural silence filled the Great Hall like a thick fog, so slurred he could almost sense it closing around him.

McGonagall seemed caught between slapping the hat and looking to Dumbledore for book of instructions, and her paw moved cautiously towards the hat 's brim, only for it to quickly resile as if the hat had grown Fang. This odd, twitching motion was punctuated by sharp turns of her head teacher as she looked right at Dumbledore, who to Harry 's surprise, looking genuinely amused.

Snape on the other script looked quite inconvienced, his mouth had puckered so tightly that his lips seemed more translucent than Nearly Headless Nick 's.

Apparently, they had not been expecting this.

Snape however, did n't seem to want to accept it, and he had already stood and started storming from his position at the instructor 's table, clearly headed for the sorting hat 's toilet itself.

'' Excuse me Minerva. '' Snape muttered, his low timbre clearly audible in the unearthly silence. His farsighted fingers snatched the hat up and onto his forefront in a single fluid motion, his face contorted in engrossment as if conducting some clever argument.

Clever argument from Snape ? No ... Impossible, he thought, watching his Potions teacher with interest group for the first meter in five long time.

Apparently he was flop about Snape 's inability to conduct an in effect parameter, because a here and now later Snape had flung the hat back onto it 's stool, muttering about how it was a dirty, trash-ridden opus of fading fabric destined for a Muggle garbage dump.

It was a mark of how serious the situation was, that not a soul at the Gyffindor board laughed.

Harry could n't help but notice how Snape was testingly running his fingerbreadth through his greasy bootleg fuzz, looking at his hands after each swipe, as if searching for proof of something.

Every Gryffindor had a slip suspicion that the hat had just called him a greasy slime musket ball.

Ron Weasley was just the first to say it.

'' Chalk one up for the sorting hat for insulting Snape ! '' Ron whispered triumphantly, all heads within earshot turning towards him.

Apparently that was the signaling everyone had been waiting for, because suddenly a frenzy of activity broke out at the Gryffindor tabular array, and a mountain chain reaction of noise bedspread until the nose degree was almost deafening. The unsorted initiatory class looked positively terrified, as if frightened of being sent home if unsortable, and they alone seemed the only ones still rendered speechless.

'' I mean did I just hear that rightfulness ? '' Ron asked, eyes alight with fervor he did not percentage.

Harry just nodded, watching the prof 's re-group.

prof Flitwick slid from his nates, and every so often Harry could catch a glimpse of the top of his question over the teacher 's table, as the small man jumped up and down, vying for Dumbledore 's attention.

'' Oh my God did the sorting hat just quit ? '' Squealed Parvarti. One would mean 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 think back ? How it warned us last year ? ''

'' It did n't warn us that it might go on strike Ireland man ! ''

'' Who you calling Ireland man ? ''

'' frisson Seamus, Dean 's just kidding, are n't you Dean ? '' Ginny 's becalm voice somehow filtered through the din.

'' I ca n't believe this ! Never, in all of Hogwarts a History did it ever report the classification Hat doing anything even remotely close to this ... '' Hermione was in her element, and he silently congratulated himself on how well he knew his ally. `` I mean do n't you mean 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 hear what he heard.

'' Do you think we should just try sorting them anyway, Albus ? '' Professor McGonagall asked, casting an almost imploring glimpse at the group of first years, who seemed to shrink away from her gaze.

Professor Dumbledore, looking vaguely amused, patted Professor Flitwick on the head as he mulled this over. For his part the Charm 's prof stopped bouncing around like a lightning bug on speed, and his small-scale straits disappeared beneath the staff table.

'' We 'll be needing a Volunteer though ... '' McGonagall stated rhetorically, scanning the list of educatee names with an uncharacteristic look of uncertainness, talking out loud but absently. `` If any of the first days would care to try to get sort out ... ''

His Head of House was too preoccupied, and she missed what he did not miscarry to find.

A certain gilt haired fille had overhead the Professor 's question, and after casting a glance at the overwrought children around her, had woven her way through the cowering first years. She now stood besides the stool, her ticklish paw grasping the top of the hat as she lifted it from its president, plopping it upon her head. The teachers around her were completely unmindful to her action mechanism.

Her voiced, angular features relaxed, as if immersed in quiet conversation. And as she sat there, immersed in a understood conversation to which only she was privy to, Dumbledore pointed a wand to his throat, muttering, `` Sonorous ''.

A second later the Headmaster 's magically overdraw part echoed throughout the Great Hall, as it had on only one former occasion.

'' SIIIILLLLEEEENNNCCCE ! ''

Every person who had been excitedly talking, including respective of the nervous looking first-class honours degree years, who had started to cry, stopped and turned their care to the front of the hall.

So of form, that was when everyone 's attention suddenly became drawn to the rather ordinary young woman, standing by the faecal matter, the offending hat placed atop her question.

'' Apparently the sorting hat has decided that it is no longer able to, in soundly conscious, affair as a home sorter. However, we shall have this sorted out. '' Dumbledore winked, the pun on wrangle sounding almost natural coming from him. Yet Harry just stared in enchantment at Kaylens, who seemed to be nodding quietly to herself. `` Now I would like the speed days to remain here for dinner, and I would like the first years to follow with .... ''

Dumbledore stopped mid-sentence, apparently just catching passel of Kaylens, even though she had been right in front of him all along.

Kaylens nodded one last time, her Pomaderris apetala eyes flickering assailable as she removed the hat, placing it back upon the fecal matter. All eyes were upon the hat except his, so he was the merely one to see the rare smile cross her feature of speech as the sorting hat opened its brim for the bit fourth dimension that nighttime.

'' Let the classification now begin. ''



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