A Wiley Post order of the Phoenix, pre-Half descent Prince news report.

Please take this a permutation of the sixth book, since it was begun well before the release of the one-half roue Prince. I will not be changing this to accommodate the HBP plotline, since I feel that the Order of the Phoenix leaves a greater degree of tractableness for fan-fiction writer.

Thank you to all of the readers who have supported me throughout the writing of this piece.
I can not utter my gratitude enough to all of you who have made me the turn 1 Favorite Author, and this taradiddle the Number 2 favourite report, the 7th nigh Read narrative, the Most Reviewed Story Ever in the site 's history, and for various month between Aug and early November of 2005 the Number 1 Favorite Story.







'' vigor. It permeates every bread and butter and non-living matter. Without it, the world would cease to be. ''
~ Vincent VonStolburg ~






Chapter 1 ~ Lightning Strikes


Remus'eyes narrowed, peering through the thick outpouring as rainfall pelted the globe. He continued walking, not breaking constitution even as water sloshed about his mud-soaked ankles, chilling him to the bone.

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

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

His eyes burned, the stinging sensation growing until awful tears streamed down his face, his salty tears mixing with the rain before they reached his rim, leaving the taste of SALT piss upon his knife.

The cutting wiz grew worse. It happened whenever his rod cellular phone multiplied, and right now the craze going on just behind his retinas was aiding him, bringing into stark center the destruction of the Night.

Cloaked images came to life-time, the moonless night no longer a component as gray prototype danced before him with unearthly limpidity. It was the one little gift his monthly burden afforded him.

dark vision.

His eyes turned from the world around him, flicking towards the blackened sky, noting the new Moon. He had a mates weeks before the annoyance in his pearl returned.

Tonks fell into step besides him, giving an unvoluntary chill, and he caught her arm, helping her over another of the short before she could trip. Her eyes were still bloodshot from the last metre it had happened.

She nodded thanks and they continued their furtive search. They dared not light their itinerary for concern of giving away their emplacement. Lingering Death Eaters 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 100. And the foul and loathsome Death eater would go to any lengths to see one. The evidence lay at their human foot, and he was thankful that the deep duskiness spared Tonks from seeing the full extent of tonight 's destruction. Only he could bear witness to its full horror.

basketball team Muggles had been slain this dark. Their charge and mangled dead body long since passed. There was zero even the best of therapist could do. All that was left was to nibble through the butchery, hoping against hope that a psyche had survived.

He picked up the tread. They had to fill out their search before the ministry officials arrived. By then they were to be gone, bare ghosts to get passed through, spiritual world and unheard.

The past hebdomad had brought a deal of murders. No ... butchering ...

This was his one-seventh such search that month alone, and still the foetor of char cloth and burnt-out flesh reeled him.

Muggle kin were being polluted with the foulness of Voldemort. And despite the Order 's ripe exploit, they had been powerless to stop it.

'' Six ... '' Tonks whispered, barely hearable. Her slender form was bent down, her shaking script checking for a impulse on a Whitney Young man, his once golden-blond hairsbreadth matted thickly with coagulated blood.

Remus bent down, grasping her around the waist as he helped her rise. In the heat of battle she was fiery, unaffected by the repulsion of fallen comrades. He had seen her ability to block such thing out firsthand in the section of Mysteries. But now, in the aftermath of something she had no control over, the steely flicker was gone from her eyes, her purposeful stride lost.

He pulled her forward, feeling her eyes linger upon the suppress skull of a man barely younger than herself. He could feel its issue on her as she quivered in his arms. He wished to spare her further torment, but they had to stay on.

'' Do you think when he is at the Bill Gates of Hades he will still believe it was worth it ? '' She whispered shakily.

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

The sick bastard would pay. God did not let someone get away with such barbarousness without payback. And he would see to that.

The Dark Lord had a new strategy. Snape had informed the Order week ago, but even now he still found it unfathomable, for the vile being was no longer substance to try out with magic.

No ... Now he was experimenting with wizard creatures.

And people…

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

If the view of an even stronger Dark Creator was n't enough to frighten someone, Remus did n't bonk what was. But that fear did cipher to appease his barely contained wildness.

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

Only now the death feeder were using a Reach 's emotions against them. The hooded chassis had crept in the nuance of Night from home to home over the past hebdomad, killing each campaigner 's household right in front man of them. Their aim was to elicit an emotional reaction, one substantial enough to bring out the reaching 's true electric potential.

It sickened him, how the Dark Jehovah could kill so many innocents, just to flush the orbit out of hiding.

But what was even More sickening was the wickedness master 's design for the poor psyche once they were found.

He was planning on utilizing their blood, granting him their business leader to drink down. And the mean value through which this would be accomplished…

He could only hope that if there were a reach, that they would recover them first. Because while magical ability was now understood, a compass was not.

to the highest degree beldam and wizards developed magic power at a young age. Though there were always the few destined to get Squibs, and there were always a few who developed it later on in life, in their teens. It had turned out that magical power stemmed from a prevalent gene, linked to the genes specifying rakehell type. And the hereditary code Muggles possessed only differed by a few nucleotides, so it was gentle for the mutation to originate randomly in Muggles, thus Muggleborns.

But a Reach was not a beldame or adept, they were not a Squib or a former blooming prestidigitator.

They were something dissimilar entirely.

When their wizard prowess came to realization, the same system that alerted the Headmaster to the mien of a new Wiccan or adept would go off.

Tonight that system of rules had gone haywire. It had been slowly cross-file readings for the past five months.

Now it was going off again.

There was a person out there holding Thomas More power than they could properly handle.

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

The poor bastard.

Instinctively his arm shot out, halting Tonks roughly in piazza, his dilated eyes roamed, scanning the ground of what had once been an ordinary home set far away from the John R. Major route. Now split up floorboards littered the muddied flat coat, while sess from the doused ardor curled up in ophidian like tendrils, shrouding the earth from purview. Yet his optic penetrated its head covering, searching for the glint of apparent motion that had frozen him in shoes.

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

None came.

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

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

But werewolf bites did things like that to a mortal.

It came again, a low, strangled moan, and he took off, rushing towards the source. No aggressor could feign that form of pain in the ass.

He skidded, flinging rocks in the air as he bent down beside her. The puddle she was feebly pushing herself out of was a deep black, filled with the blood of her and the lifeless man besides her. Her consistency spasmed with each choking ward-heeler as she coughed up inspire water, her heart glazed over from what he recognized as electric shock.

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

Tonks reached them, murmuring soothing words as she smoothed the girls mud caked hairsbreadth away from her face, brownish water emerging from her back talk as another daily round of spasms racked her body violently.

He took her coming into court in, another involuntary spasm shaking her. mangled shards of what had once been clothing hung lightly from her, and the rubble and dust sticking to her wet look made her feature film unimaginable to discern.

He did n't have intercourse whether to praise the Eden or curse them as he and Tonks exchanged a meaningful glance. They had to get her binding to main office before something worse happened. Her shoulder was in desperate need of suturing, and God only knew what else the mother fucker 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 soma from the ground, but only one thing could have survived this.

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


The rain poured down in coldness waterspout as Harry shouldered his broom, sprinting after Kingsley through the firm forming puddles of British capital 's city streets. It was coming down in pail now, and if he had thought flying through the torrential torrent had been bad it was nothing compared to the pounding of his foundation on the slick pavement.

Moody 's guttural growl sounded off to his right, not that he could see him, the pelting was too thick to see much of anything. thunder clapped, shaking him to the core, and the lightning flashed shockingly, illuminating the area to reveal orderliness member running in rank around him, splashing water as they went.

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

Only this night was dissimilar.

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

Tonight truly was unlike.

He blinked rapidly, trying vainly to extract the piss cascading into his heart, but it was to no avail. His chicken feed were too thick coated with rainwater droplets, and he desperately racked his mind for the spell Hermione used to repel water. For his scepter was out, and he could use it. The Ministry had removed the order for the Restriction of Underage Wizardry that summer. Dumbledore had headed up the motion, arguing that the return of Voldemort endangered beldame and ace of all age, and that in the event of an attack, students should be innocent to fight down themselves without the fear of reverberation.

The empty-bellied lot materialized between two run down mansion, and he looked quickly at the small slip of sopping wet newspaper publisher dripping from his paw, hesitant to ignore his surroundings for even a second when the foreboding fear of onset hung so thickly about him.

He read it silently before looking up. The run down magical abode, in the thick of Muggle Jack London, now stood revealed to him.

Grimmauld home.

lupine materialized at the top of the derelict wooden stairs looking worse for the wearing. His normally threadbare clothing was now ragged and blood stained, his eyes holler and sunken, holding the flavor of fair game that knew its piranha to be near.

Harry stepped through the doorway, stomping his feet on the shaggy carpet, slinging mud everywhere as the others piled in. He swallowed the chunk in the floor of his throat, pulling his eyes from the sloppy base, forcing himself to take in his surroundings. A man named Dorbert Cheeks could be heard triggering the complicated locking charm on the front threshold.

A loud manna from heaven reverberated through the planetary house, shaking the paries as indistinct voices argued in the aloofness. Yet this did not bother 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 oestrus of the race they had ran he had forgotten one thing.

That they were taking him to Sirius's…

This house had never been jubilant, but now it seemed a hollow shell of what could experience been. It stood as a painful monitor of the scratching of a aliveness that he and his godfather could possess salvaged. But that living was gone now.

War brought casualties, fatal accident brought pain, and botheration brought vanity.

That was how he had felt since that Nox. Empty. There was nothing that could take the void. Not even the impending affright of facing Voldemort in years to come in could throw him sense anything but desperation again.

Mundungus cleared his throat, turning all nous towards him as he beckoned for everyone to quietly piddle their way to an adjoining room. He followed, his sopping wet clothes weighing him down with every step he took. But nothing could librate him down as often as the memories ... As much as the effect haunting him ... The one they should accept told him ...

realization hit him punishing, like sudden submersion into the icy amnionic fluid of the Northern artic, as he wondered what they were not telling him tonight.

He glanced towards lupin who stood protectively next to him, opening his mouth to speak, to ask, but he let it undulate shut. He remembered all too well that Dumbledore would not appropriate them to secernate him anyway. They never told him anything when it could actually make a dispute ...

But even if they had told him, right then, it would n't experience mattered. There was no way any of them could own known what would happen from that nighttime 's issue. At least not yet ... None of them were seeing past their need to get him to a safety location, so they could not have known that the night marked a turning gunpoint in his lifespan, as well as in the life of the sole survivor of Voldemort 's low gear wave of attacks.

The war had begun.
* * * * *


throbbing bother ... Blood ... Cries of botheration ....

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

Dim voice filtered into her thoughts, her sleep befuddled mind protesting strongly as it failed to comprehend a unmarried Book.

'' ... has a chance. ''

Flashes of visible radiation ... .flame ... coughing smoke ... squeal of tires ... .Sean ....

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

interpreter that were oblivious to her awakening. Voices oblivious to the way her body recoiled in annoyance. Voices oblivious to how her eyes teared from the bright sunlight pouring in from the windowpane of the ill-fated elbow room. Voices oblivious to how she clawed like a panicked animal at the slurred comforter wrapped around her battered and bruised body.

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

What she had done ...

A new desperation hit her like a thousand hot knives, slicing her cutis in a way the worst of the kindle while could not get.

She had done the unthinkable ....

New waves of pain poured Forth, her vision swimming dangerously with each pulsating bother her body dealt. She would have cried out, but the endeavour would have been too much for her frail form. Instead she drew in rally intimation until her body gave out, the speech sound of a door creaking and a large, sullen form standing over her vaguely registered before she once again slipped into merciful oblivion.
* * * * *


The dreams were always the Saame ....

For nearly a month she had refused to succumb to the nightly torments. She was strong than that. She would not misplace herself to the domain of incubus, even if the book she had read on such things deemed that a more merciful circumstances than the one the wizarding world would bestow upon her.

But they did not yet know. Dumbledore had assured her of that. It had been nearly a month since she had come there. Nearly a calendar month since Dumbledore had explained everything to her. Nearly a calendar month since she had vowed to regain some semblance of a normal life. 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 nut. 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 school. It was safer this way ... At least for now.

She drew in a shoal breath, letting her asshole subside slowly before Hagrid could hear. She had dreamt about it again. About that Nox. Visions of ancestry and shrill screams had filled her idea 's eye each night since as she dreamt about their deeds ...

Her deed of conveyance ...

She wiped the tarriance tears that clung to her eyelashes, swallowing her own self-loathing. She would not push it, for she deserved every bit of pain bestowed upon her. She would brood in it until it had permeated every fiber of her being. That practically was the least of what she deserved.

But the others ... They had not deserved it. They had been inexperienced person caught up in something braggy than all of them.

And the 1 who had started it all ...

They deserved so lots worse.

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

revenge.
* * * * *


Harry lay on the top bunk staring at the roof, watching the way shadows played across it as light from passing car headlights shone in through the window. Ron 's forte snores drifted up, breaking the muteness like a loud hailer with every breath, and it was taking every in of the willpower he possessed, to not run over and smack his admirer senseless with his pillow.

He sighed loudly, wondering when it was all going to end. Each day the Daily Prophet brought word of more kill, more unexplained disappearances, and of more war. For several weeks he and Ron had been catching tidbits of selective information, slip ups by the adults in Grimmauld Place, and right now it sounded like the Ministry was in downright mayhem. Not that he minded that fact. Anything that made Fudge 's job harder amused him immensely. What he did thinker was the rationality for the mayhem, and that was Voldemort.

Voldemort. It was odd really, how one soul could be the drive of so practically demise and demolition. No one should cause that much superpower, he thought bitterly, thinking of the price that the Muggle demise were taking on Mr. Weasley, Ron 's father.

Mr. Weasley was the individual employee in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Department, and recently, with the strain on resources in the Ministry, it had come to double over as the department of Muggle Relations. Now Mr. Weasley spent half his time performing computer storage charms on Muggle law enforcement, to hide up the deaths of Muggles who had been murdered by Death feeder. Now every time Harry saw Mr. Weasley, all the man could talk about were different possible strategies for protecting the Muggle population.

Now if only a good strategy actually existed.

He rolled restlessly, spying Hedwig 's gleaming optic in the darkness. She hooted softly in citation, and he smiled in the dark despite his dour thoughts.

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

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

Hermione had nearly been killed.

Sirius had ... ..

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

The legerdemain was in figuring out how.

To protect them, he had tried to blatantly push them away, but they had seen right through that. He had refused to write, and his self-induced closing off ended when both of them showed up at the Dursleys while his relatives were on vacation. The two of them set up mansion there the full week, Order members circling the premises like hawks for security, while his Friend 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 outstrip himself he 'd let to do it slowly.

Yes. A gradual drifting would be salutary.

It was with these thoughts in mind, that he drifted off into another Night of spasmodic quietus. If only he could have known then what the following few age would bring.





disavowal : The fictitious character, position, figure, and events mentioned in this story, that coincide with the persona, space, names, and event mentioned in J.K. Rowling 's Harry thrower series, do not belong to to me, but to that literary genuis, JKR. Thank you so much for allowing so many of us to engage writing through fanfiction JKR, we really appreciate it.

The mythical banner is by SticksN'Stones.

Artwork of Kalliandra by agirlnamedbob87.





'' One may never fuck how farseeing their candle of life 's wick is. What they can make love, is how well it burns. ''
~ A.K. Lovell



Chapter 2 - First notion


Her eyes flickered over the lake 's vitrified Earth's surface, taking in the shimmering reflections of the former good morning aurora. The sun was barely risen and the boo still slumbered, but this had become the norm for her over the preceding hebdomad. She simply no longer saw the use in sleeping when guilt feelings plagued her even there.

A light breeze ruffled the pee, tousling her fuzz gently in its Wake Island. She casually brushed her whispy strands back, tucking them carelessly behind her ears.

Her hair had always been a origin of frustration, always in the way, hanging in front end of her oculus, driving her instructors crazy. No ponytail ever held for long, for her thick, glossy hairsbreadth 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 waves now running across the lake the only witness to her thwarting as she stood. If she was not back soon Hagrid would awake and find her gone. Of grade here would be the beginning home he looked, but with as late as he always ran he would not be pleased with her absence, particularly when they had places to go that afternoon.

Diagon back street. The very mention evoked so many emotions. It was hard for even her to stifle them down.

Not that she was allowed to exhibit sadness. Emotions were no longer a privilege she had.

She had been warned of the risk of such thing.

Her bare feet crunched upon the dewy grass, but the too soon aurora chill did not trouble her. She reached into her pocket, fingering the cherry red wooden airfoil of her verge before pulling it out, studying it appraisingly as she traversed her way across the grounds.

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

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

Of grade, seeing Hagrid 's side when he found the snapped remains might be rather amusing. Especially with the Brobdingnagian flock he had made over how prosperous she was, getting a specially made baton 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 a great deal as sparked.

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

It was funny, for her wand was the only matter she could blarney into working at least somewhat decently, and still she hated it.

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

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

It was a warmth that would never reach her.

A slightly stronger breeze bore the sound of approaching hooves, and she turned towards the Forbidden Forest, the outline of offstage folding into a horse 's cadaverous organic structure signaled Silverthorne 's arrival.

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

She stopped and waited, his gallop growing louder with his rapid approach, and a small-scale smile graced her passive voice lips. 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 look they exchanged around her.

Perhaps that noesis could explain her ill will as of tardy. Hagrid was a honest man and had not deserved the brunt of her anger the former day. They had been arguing as of previous. But then again, she deserved to be informed of everything regarding herself. Keeping her in the night could only cause promote harm. This she was convinced of.

Silverthorne let out a low, guttural oink as he slowed to a lope, stopping to nuzzle her with his nozzle.

A creature of the bushed. It was one of the more unseemly names Thestrals were referred to by, but it explained why she had felt an instant hook to them while the other creature screeched and howled in her presence.

His teeth glinted in the red hues of the morning and she smiled, pleased with the sight. It should have concerned her, but instinct again told her there was nada to reverence with him.

At least so long as he gets his aurora snack, she reminded herself with some entertainment, picturing how he would charge through the small puppet 's finger cymbals so eagerly.

She smiled again, letting the business of yesterday pass. She would apologize to Hagrid later before they reached Diagon skittle alley to get her 'school'supply. She used the intelligence fleetingly for while she was to see Hogwarts, she was too far behind to be expected to actually turn in appointment with the remainder of the sixth years. Instead she was to put up a suitable façade until she gained the knowledge that could help her.

Then there was the small factor of her being completely unable to incant in the 1st home.

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

The hell that had become her life.

Kalliandra pulled herself onto Silverthorne and squeezed her bare heels around him, his bony rib protruding into her skin in the process. He took off quickly, carrying them both towards Hagrid 's hut at a pace unfathomable 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 robe, they did n't ask to do it again. ''

Harry laughed as he watched Ron squirm uncomfortably, the wizard tape step flying vertically around his acquaintance 's no longer gangly torso, magically recording the length of his arms, branch, elevation, and for some odd intellect, the length between his auricle.

He knew exactly why Ron 's buddy were getting him garnish robe, but he was n't about to percentage that piece of information. Not when he was actually enjoying himself for the first prison term in workweek.

'' well we did n't want them last twelvemonth, '' He pointed out truthfully. `` And we do this class. So maybe they just felt bad since your emergence spurt rendered your former ones unwearable. ''

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

'' Blimey ! Watch it ! '' Ron exclaimed, ducking another near hit, his animal foot entangling in the long clothes robes trailing past his substructure.

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

'' Oww ... bloody ... peevish ... ''

Harry very nearly choked on thin air, quite a exploit, had it not been for the loud rolling of laughter he was trying to miserably suppress as he caught the rest of Ron 's muttered profanities.

Of track, he thought lightly, his skillful mate might not be muttering the coloured metaphors if he could see the look on the cut-rate sale clerk 's face ... Or the fact that she was storming over from where she had been attempting to size a outset class for his Hogwarts robes, face alit, workforce on hips, heart narrowed vindictively at the good deal Ron lay in.

Right then, with the impeccably bad timing that only Ron could subdue, his friend 's red head emerged from the fray, a bright pink shroud wrapped around it like a shawl, and a sheepish expression on his expression as he stammered apologies. The mess must bear been too much for the clerk, because her mouth twitched, her grave look faltered, and all pretence of angriness vanished as she failed to be discreet about her own amusement.

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

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

'' You know pair, I think Madam Maulkin 's got it all untimely. I think that 's an excellent look for you. Imagine what Hermione would suppose ... ''

Suddenly he was finding it impossible to discern Ron 's ears from the rest of his tangled matt of hair.

'' Oh shut it Harry ! ''

Harry grinned, enjoying his friends momentary discomfort. `` speech production of Hermione ... '' He said, calming down slightly. `` She should be here any minute so perhaps you could ask her for her educated persuasion ... ''

A brilliantly pink satin blur flew across the room, and he caught it deftly, holding it out in movement of him as he looked at it in mock appraisal. `` 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 hair more than yers. ''

Now there 's another welcome voice ! He thought happily. Leaving the Durselys had been gravid, 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 respective loud snicker from a certain chuckling redhead tangled in material.

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

They really should make stores more accessible for people his size ... He thought, making a mental note to bring up the idea to Hermione as Hagrid opened his vauntingly mouthpiece.

'' About five minutes ago Harry. And I stand by what I said. '' A mischievous grinning formed under Hagrid 's seedy Brown byssus as his eyes landed on Ron. `` Hot pink would be clashin'horribly with Ron 's hair's-breadth. ''

A loud tearing sound tore his attention back to Ron, and he stifled yet another laugh at the horror-stricken grammatical construction on Ron 's side. By all visual aspect, 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 frock robes.

'' Now that's why you 're supposed to appease put ! '' madam Maulkin snipped, spying the new destruction and waving her wand. The fabric flipped up like a snake, a large acerate leaf zooming to heal it. Ron attempted to leap back away from it.

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

Ron did not search relieved at the thought. Of class, the agonized expression might induce been from how Madam Maulkin grabbed him by the nucha of his arrest and yanked him back to the fitting platform, where she immediately began to fuss over the dire land of his gown.

'' Better polish off you first since you ca n't stand still. '' She quipped in her high pitched vocalism. `` And to guess that this first light I would sustain sworn it was the younger bookman who gave me the most problems ... ''

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

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

He turned back to Hagrid, leaving Ron to fend for himself. `` So did one of your creatures 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 head. `` Nah Harry, for once me robe are fine. Right now I 'm 'ere with Kalliandra gettin'her some robe of 'er own. Speakin'of 'er, ca n't wait for yer two to meet 'er. She 's an absolute doll she is. ''

He nodded, curio driving him as he wondered who this Kalliandra character was. moldiness be a 1st year or really young. He was for sure he would have remembered that name at to the lowest degree.

But in the cover of his psyche he felt a twinge of pity.

Generally there was only one understanding for why Hagrid took anyone to get school supplying, and he was all too familiar with such things.

At least Hagrid will evince them a unspoilt time, he mused, remembering his first-class honours degree misstep to Diagon Alley. He opened his mouth to ask if they were from a wizarding or Muggle family, concluding that it must be a first base year from the way Hagrid was still babbling on about them.

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

He followed Hagrid 's gaze towards the trying on rooms, taking in the relatively busy storehouse when a not unfamiliar sensation hit him like a bludger, his stomach twisting oddly as his center landed on a slim down figure, glancing around the store hesitantly.

And I thought Hermione looked good in apparel robe, he thought, swallowing strong, berating himself for being distracted. But this fille was stunning, in an upbeat sort of way. While her features were rather plain, her long, halcyon dress robes clung loosely to her slender stage, with her delicate hired hand lifting the hem, revealing suntanned ankles as she moved towards them.

The blaze of it was, she was n't stopping. Ron 's oink was the only thing that kept him from outright gaping as she came to digest right by him, biting her lip nervously, eyes directed at Hagrid.

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

The girlfriend nodded slowly, her eyes glancing at him appraisingly for a second before flickering away. `` If you could call it finding ... '' She said, a wind of sarcasm mixed 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 helper did a fine job young lady. That color suits you, '' Madam Maulkin chimed out, shocking him back to his gumption. He silently thanked her, and glanced over to see that she was still indeed, judging by his friend 's pained reflexion, torturing Ron.

He shook his head whimsically at the sight, glancing back at the girl in front of him, thinking that Madam Maulkin had a power point about the color suiting her. Her dark halcyon hair cascaded loosely past her shoulder, several shorter fibril framing her face, lightly brushing her taking into custody bone. All of it was barely discernable from the sleek robe material clinging to her willowy figure.

Briefly he wondered if it were a blessing or a crime to give up 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 forced grin. `` Ah well ... Harry, Ron, this 'ere be Kalliandra. She 'll be goin'to Hogwarts this fall to. ''

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

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

'' You have a very ... large ... head ... '' Maulkin muttered with each subsequent yank, and Hagrid 's guffaw of laugh drowned out Ron 's incensed retort. Harry glanced back at Kalliandra to see her watching the spectacle, a jot of a grinning tracing its way across her back talk.

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

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

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

Maybe she had found Ron'interrogative sentence offensive, though he could n't reckon why. He shot Hagrid a questioning look, hoping he 'd clarify things since Kalliandra did n't appear about to do so.

'' Yev 're had carry-over, jerst fer other firm. ``

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

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

Hagrid eyed Ron with no small total of amusement. `` wellspring that 'd be effort they came in the heart of the yer. Ca n't deliver erm sorted at the sortin'when they 've missed it already. ``

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

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

Like a full grown giant in the woods ...

Or a three headed dog ....

Or a pet dragon ...

Seeing a one-half giant squirm beneath one 's gaze would normally be quite a odd occurrent, but it simply made Harry nervous as Hagrid continued shuffling his invertebrate foot, mumbling about right introductions, while the lady friend remained extremely tranquillise.

Harry feigned a polite grinning, extending his bridge player to the girl at Hagrid 's insistence. `` Nice to see you. ''

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

'' A joy ... '' She said quietly, her eyes flickering up to fill his.

It was a stupor he had been ill prepared for, for her eyes held a vestige of the familiar… So closely cognate to the haunted flavor of Sirius'that he felt himself shaken to the core at the conversance.

'' 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 heed if I leave ye 'ere with them for a second ? I wo n't be a tick. Just forgot to do somethin'but wo n't be long. ''

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

'' Like he gave me a selection ? '' She muttered, deflating, her eyes no longer holding the haunted 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 nous he simply was n't thinking straight.

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

'' Yes, you 're probably right ... '' She said faintly, her vocalization so soft he scarcely heard her. Though her surprisingly placate intonation did nothing to arrest the harsh timber of her brilliance as her constringe centre followed Hagrid 's retreating form. In fact, she was still shooting sticker out the threshold 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 to Sothis. It had probably been his imagery, 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 becharm taping measure flicking around her head, while Ron kept shooting scowl at Madam Maulkin.

'' You know we 've never had a transfer before. At least not one that I can remember, right Harry ? '' Ron stated, glaring down at Maulkin as she marked his turnup with chalk, determining the distance of his sleeves.

He was about to agree when Kalliandra cut him off.

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

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

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

Harry found that oddly comical, considering that Ron had been ducking the very affair himself, but at least his friend had not been standing glass still like a deer in headlight.

Kalliandra had though.

She opened her eyes, arching an questioning eyebrow at Ron rather than answering him, and Harry noticed her visibly flinch as the flying tape measuring zoomed close again.

Ron 's brow furrowed slightly at her lack of reactivity. `` The tape recording criterion ... 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 header to look out the room access. Ron shot him an annoyed, 'Can you believe this ?'spirit.

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

Several minute of arc passed, the ungainly silence broken only be Ron 's random outburst of displeasure, and Kalliandra 's tranquil responses to the supporter 's interrogation. Unsurprisingly she was the commencement one done, and he found himself having a severely time not staring at her now that the wearing apparel gown were completely fitted around her form. The matter was classy, elegant, and practically form fitting ...

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

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

She flashed Harry an invisible wink, and he barely caught it, smiling slightly at her before glancing back to see Kalliandra evaporate behind a changing room curtain. He could n't help but feel slightly relieved. Between his peculiarity about this girl and Ron 's glower, he did not need to be caught staring at her. And he knew he 'd be a lot LE prone to doing that once she was out of that damnable robe.

Of course he was wrong, because when she re-emerged he found the short sleeved top she wore to be no expert than the low cut lines the robe had gauge.

'' Ahem. ''

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

Come to call back of it, Ron seemed to be making churn up faces as well.

Harry failed to have the chance to so much as shrug in response to Ron 's repulsive like gestures in the lady friend 's direction, before a tranquilize clatter broke the congenator silence of the room. He turned to see Kalliandra squatting down on the story, picking up bantam fall in her hands.

The bemused help stood behind the counter, bearing a slight smile. `` Oh dearest, thank you, but do n't occupy about that. I 'm as bungling as can be ... '' The help flicked her wand and the little pins scattered all over the place disappeared, reappearing into the pin shock absorber held in Kalliandra 's hand.

'' See, I 'm knocking clobber over all the time, '' The assistant continued, while the girl stared at the now filled pin cushion, biting her take down lip, confusion etched into each of her features.

He did n't run out to find it.

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

There was no clip to come that ludicrous train of thinking, for Kalliandra had already stood, thanked the cleaning woman, and disappeared out the front entrance with her bag.

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

Ron was right, she was supposed to hold back for Hagrid. Harry hesitated a consequence, an home debate waging until curiosity got the better of him. Wasting no Thomas More clip he jumped from his arse and went after her.

He wanted to see where she was going.











'' And after all, what is a lie ? 'T is but a the true statement in masquerade. ''
~ George Gordon Yule Byron, Lord Byron~







Chapter 3 ~ Entangled WWW



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

To the core she had been undeniably, inexplicably, shaken. And all because of a scattered pile of pins upon the flooring of a garment shop class, and her own miserable endeavour to correct a clerk 's clumsiness.

Magic.

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

The Oklahoman she became accustomed the better.

She could not open to be seen or discovered for what she really was, for in all her incompetence in the craft that made this veiled world of black art flourish, she would be left naked and exposed, the event of what had lain both within and far flung from her grasps unthinkable.

Butchered for who she was… The possible action was nothing less than she deserved, for one such as herself should not be allowed to take the air upon the bustling streets, the look of the most luminescent of the sphere'eyeball warming her peel, the light clatter of pebbles being kicked askew and the laughter of children ringing within the recesses of her audile 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 Lapplander day they had succumbed, despite the rhythmic pound within her chest.

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

She was going to find out.

It was why she had left, fleeing in hope of traversing her way through the densely carry streets, making her way towards the looming marble construction, the golden news Gringotts savings bank emblazoned across its bone surface.

After barely a hundred paces the pillar of the wizarding commercial society emerged over the headspring of the crew. Its supporting editorial leaning in various directions, their haphazard support for the pep pill tier of the edifice strengthened with the sorcery filling the streets.

Though it was not there that she wished to go.

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

Yes, she had been forewarned of its suspect feature. 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 form eating Slug repellent, and about how objects of the outlawed salmagundi could be procured.

She was an object of the illicit kind, and if there was anywhere to see acceptance within the society that demanded swift execution for those of her nature, it would be here.

Hagrid had been none the wiser, message to suffice her every motion about the dingy alleyway. He had even inadvertently supplied her with the name of the man to whom she wished to talk, Mr. Borgin.

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



'' You know Kinglsey loosening up could do you marvel. I mean really, when was the last fourth dimension you took an honest vacation ? ``

Kingsley Shacklebolt let out an exasperate huff, raucously shoving his way through the thick crew grunting about insubordination. Tonks only recourse was to wave her middle, further darkening the reddened hue that her chief'face was beginning to subscribe to on.

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

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

'' Tonks…

Casting a sidelong glance at the aged gild member she came to a halt in the sum of dealings, ignoring the protestations of the Wiccan and wizards around them, who were now being forced to walk a full two feet to the side of meat to avoid them. For all their complaining one would call back she was inciting a saturnalia, not stopping for a chat with her slightly formidable political boss.

Speaking of Kingsley, he looked like he was either suppressing the desire to throttle her, or in the starting time stages of cardiac arrest.

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

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

She nodded, squinting up at the taller figure in the bright sunlight. `` A fact I 'm well cognisant of, '' She said pointedly, her former pretence of wittiness vanishing. `` But the social club is constantly hovering over Harry, convinced that he is an incompetent 16 year old. Yet I have never heard of a 16 yr old who has survived as mu… ''

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

'' Tonks you should live intimately than to… ''

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

She did not even wait for his nod of avowal before continuing on her tirade. `` Why should we be silent Kingsley ? Lord knows these illiterate hoi polloi need a viewing up call, not that the Ministry is giving them one with their censoring of the papers and… ''

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

twenty Seven Muggles Die Mysteriously in the Spanse of a Fortnight. Is He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named responsible ?

Her oral fissure fell open, forming a small'O'of understanding.

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

'' That night, '' She whispered, knowing full well to what he referred. The scar tissue across her chest would forever serve as a outstanding reminder to her carelessness in dueling with her aunt. It had taken half of the summer, laid up in St. Mungos, for her to make a full recovery from the reverse she had been dealt.

Remus had been her just source of sanity during that fourth dimension, as he had been on the dark they had combed through the grotesquely charred thou of an isolated Muggle home, searching for survivors.

The month old characterisation of that frightful scene was now burned beneath the front page 's blinking newspaper headline, the water pooling upon the paving material darkened with what she knew to be blood.

The poor souls had never had a chance.

Clenching the yellow journalism between her hands she met her boss'regard. `` Look, '' She whispered, forcing her vocalisation composure. `` I know the order of magnitude is concerned about Harry. But he has proven more than competent in spot that most Aurors have yet to face, and he 's come out alive an… ''

'' And in the process put half the parliamentary procedure in grievous danger ! '' Kingsley boomed angrily. `` All due to his impulsive, brash, ill-thought…

'' Actions, '' She supplied, ignoring how his eye twitched. `` But how does the Order expect him to find out to make believe decisions if we are always hovering over him ? ``

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

'' Who said he was making them ? ``

Kingsley began pacing up and down the chemist 's side bowling alley. `` No one, but you have to admit the tiddler is… ''

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

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

'' I 'll take it under consideration, '' She replied, leaning against the dirty brick paries, subject to savour in its shade for a minute of abatement from the August heat.

Kingsley 's next broadside was unintelligible, though she did catch 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 learn over them today. But when I come to check on things what do I find ? You ! Alone ! In the Quidditch shop class purchasing some ridiculously senseless Snitch… ''

'' It is not just a snitcher ! '' She interjected, halting the violation on her skull. `` It 's a collector 's variant ! And Remus ordered it a calendar month ago for Harry, limited club ! They had to work it to Remus'exact stipulation, and we thought it would be a nice surprise to blame it up while out toda… ''

'' Oh grand ! '' Kingsley burst out, throwing his manpower up. `` Perhaps you explain your reasoning to the order of magnitude when expiry Eaters attempt and bring them away ! ``

She groaned, resuming the thumping of her school principal. `` Kingsley the monastic order would do well to agnize that Harry is nearly of age. He 's nearly an grownup and nil is going to happen 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 auditory sensation oddly reminiscent of a hippogriff in heat energy, stomping the solid ground and sending a mass of rubble scattering into the air. `` Who do you intend I mean ! ? What other girl were you to chaperon today ? ! focussing for just a irregular would you Nympha… ''

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

'' And the boys ? ``

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

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

Tonks smile only widened further, her pupils narrowing into small ovular dent, eyes yellowing like a quat. `` See Kingsley ? They 're perfectly safe. No self-respecting Death feeder would venture into there. ``

Kingsley just groaned, `` Tonks because of you I am considering early 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 section and would be my successor. ``

Tonks jaw dropped at the admission charge, a bellowing gag resonating from Shacklebolt 's enceinte form.

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

Her hand flew to her asymmetrical olfactory organ, pondering what was wrong with it. She had spied a copy of Witch Weekly earlier that day, and while she was not one for mode she had seen this weeks headline : Crooked Nose hex, In or Out of Season ?

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

The boys had at least found it entertaining.

Kingsley 's flash cough drew her attention back, where he had adopted a rather cheesed off glare.

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

Eyeing his poke she nodded. `` Yup, you 've got a round-shouldered nozzle too. I hear those Muggle wacko have some smashing technique for remedying tho… ''

Kingsley stomped his foot again. `` See ? This is exactly what I mean ! Your attention span is bordering on the non-existent and you 're always usurp authority in favor of whatever your whim of the bit is ! In this compositor's case it 's the, 'the Thomas Kyd can take aid of themselves'notion ! That 's precisely why I ca n't retreat ahead of time ! You 're nowhere near ready for such a perspective and there is no one else with sufficiency armed combat experience to recommend ! ``

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

'' Are you even listening ? ``

'' Yes honcho. ``

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

'' Your supremacy ? ``

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

'' I 'm just taking your advice. I thought federal agency chassis liked to be addressed… ''

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

She sobered immediately.

'' And lay off banging your head. ``

She stopped that to.

'' And do n't wriggle. ``

Suppressing a groan she resisted the temptation, her discomfort level rising exponentially. movement was the solitary thing sufficient for quelling her often frazzled mettle in Shaklebolt 's comportment. He knew this, and was intentionally depriving her of it.

trade good God, if he was this bad with her she would hate to be a suspect for some abhorrent crime. No curiosity they normally came out of questioning twitching.

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

'' I 'm going with you. ``

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

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

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

Without a parole she ignored the sarcastic jibe, taking off after Harry with murderous intent. Of all the ill fated timing that one could have, she had the worst. Harry just had to plunk now to run off, and she had every intention of strangling him once she got a cargo deck of him.

Of course she may have to stun him first, considering he had grown considerably to loom 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 aureate loop earring glinting in the fair weather, she began ticking off the assorted style to pour down or torture him. For out of all the ordination appendage she was his strongest advocate when it came to the degree of independence he should be afforded. After all, she had attested to Harry 's ability to differentiate when it was or was not capture to wander off in public places. However, with Kingsley standing behind her, Harry was proving her legal injury yet again. She could only imagine the complacent smile crossing Kingsley 's face, and after he mentioned this to the Order…

Her appeal to let Harry in on Sir Thomas More of the Orders'action would probably be rejected, yet again.

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

'' I 'm going to kill him when I get a grip of him, '' Kingsley grumbled behind her, wrinkling his nose at the mingled scents stemming from the apothecary.

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

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

fastening her eyes to the back of his headland, she shortened her hair up her neck, and began experimenting with nozzle. It was n't until she spotted the old womanhood calmly perusing the choice of fleshly solid food on display outside of Eeylops Owl emporium that she was struck with an first-class idea.

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



It was a wonder that he had managed to restrain her in visual modality, considering the horde swarming around him, shaver screaming off items that would be needed for the start of terminal figure to frazzled parents, virtually of whom were doing admirable balancing acts with newly purchased cauldrons, Bible, and potions supplies. Though her tomentum color helped, for it was neither dark nor Inner Light, falling somewhere between bronze and gold, yet far from blond. He had seen the gloss rarely, and he doubted ever naturally, before now. Regardless, it made her promiscuous to keep track of her.

thus it was that he was unable to miss her purposeful march into Knockturn Alley, his stomach churning uncomfortably at the thought.

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

He knew the consequences of such errors far too well.

Pulling his verge out he cast a glamor magic spell upon his head, watching the unruly fibril of hair hanging on his brow lighten to a muted John Brown. Quickly he brushed as much of it over his forehead as possible, not lament to be recognized within the disreputable area he was now traversing through.

The dark entrance was rather twisted, the space narrow and curving every few feet, thus she easily fell out of his furrow of visual modality. And it was not without incident that he made it through this, having to grunt at a haggard looking adult female to drive house his full point that he indeed did not desire to buy the cadaver toes she was selling.

'' Maybe next time Lester Willis Young lad, adjacent time… '' She hawked after him, driving his step to increase.

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

Making a overhasty decision, and silently praising Fred and George II for their generosity that day when they had visited the Weasley twin 's establishment, Harry crept past the shade off windows displaying Borgin & Burke on 'special'items, casting a undercover glance through the dirt covered panes.

The image was vague, distorted by the thick layer of grime coating the window, but Kalliandra 's access stirred the man knelt behind the parry, his helping hand rummaging through his deoxyephedrine display causa like a rat in a hole.

An indistinct word fell from the girl 's back talk, and with a sudden jolt of crusade the man stood, mouth spluttering indistinct intelligence in a gruff fashion.

It was an stage get together, or a meeting between two who were uncomfortably acquainted.

Neither prospect boded well.

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

Making a decision as the man began pacing, Harry dropped to the filthy undercoat, allowing an countermand cart to hold back him from the majority of the stint traffic upon the alleyway.

This was not a conversation he was keen to cut off, nor was it one he would care to be caught up in. Not in this place, not when the participants were so engrossed. The stirring in him though, the warning that her behavior was like Malfoy - coming into Knockturn Alley to get chummy with its proprietors - he could not ignore though.

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

Pressing his ear to the flimsy, 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 intonations mingled with the owner 's pacing.

'' …ank you. I appreciate your Lunaria annua. ``

'' I have little use for honestness, and much for business, '' Rasped the man, whose voice Harry now recognized to be that of Borgin 's owner, Mr. Borgin himself. `` Your balance was intriguing, 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 bear much. ``

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

'' Of course, '' Borgin 's rattled breath shot out. `` Though the method of the payment 's delivery shall be to my specification. ``

'' That is finely, '' She clipped back. `` And my order ? ``

A racking cough shook the proprietor, Harry shuddering at the echo as the Christian Bible a month 's time were spoken.

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

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







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



Chapter 4 ~ Seed of suspicion


Perhaps it was the shuddering weakness that had plagued her body so oft as of late, but seeing the messy haired Potter upon the ground was a sight for which she had been ill disposed, the sheer shock sending her insides reeling and curling into abnormal knots as she blinked at him, his own face adverted as if stalling for time.

Drawing breathing space between her teeth the objet d'art fell into place, forming an graceless pattern.

choking back the brainsick ace threatening to crawl from her throat, she spun on her heel, strewing grimy debris in her wake and netherworld bent grass on distancing herself from the meddling soft touch as much as possible.

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

Tucking a whorl of darkened gold behind her ear, effectively removing the perverse fibril from her face, she rounded the commencement twist in the stooping alley, passing a street marketer selling ears of something that sounded suspiciously like 'house elves'. It was in this moment of distraction that a firm hold fell upon her amphetamine arm, the calluses on the bridge player evident as she reflexively yanked her arm away, stepping away to distance herself from the prat bold sufficiency to make such a gesture.

Unsurprisingly she was unable to even sprain around before potter was again upon her, ushering her to the other side of the besmirched surface area, away from the street vendor. She wasted no time in distancing herself from the Potter seat, fishing around for his foremost name, which she could not remember.

Casting a funny glance at the crinkled vendor she felt distinctly spooky, even with the man 's demented heart 10 yards off, for he was clearly out of earreach. Dismissing the momentaneous vexation that ace could possibly deliver superior hearing she felt her eyes narrowing into darkened slits.

To Potter 's cite, his rima oris was already opening in account, but she cut him off.

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

His jaw clamped shut, an timid look overtaking his feature film, as if he had no clue on how to answer her inquiry.

Another consequence passed between them in muteness, the vestige cast by the looming brick walls of the alley traveling such a stint aloofness that their movement would induce been indiscernible to the human eye, had either present paid the swarthiness any mind, though they did not.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

She visibly bristled.

'' Correct me if I 'm wrong, '' she stated slowly, taking the prison term to enunciate each syllable. `` But most people do not convey well to having their common soldier conversations listened in on. ''

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

'' I 'm failing to withdraw any code, '' she refuted, her brow furrowing. `` Though I 'm also failing to remember how this is any of a gross stranger 's business sector. ``

His wickedness, forest-like eyes met her staid regard levelly, without apology, while a womanhood with a torn, tattered gray shawl limped around the corner, leaning heavily on a claw footed cane. Neither spoke as the fair sex shambled along, quietly croaking out a melodic line of sorts about bat wings and who-ding-its.

As soon as the char neared the weave of the alley, becoming interested in street vender 's merchandise, thrower closed the aloofness between them, his shoes disturbing the cryptic pincer marks that the elder 's cane had left indented in the grime ground.

'' smell, '' he began, sounding often calmer, `` I did n't surveil you to catch anything, I just… ''

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

Potter took another stone's throw forward, centre intimidating.

'' Yes. ``

Sucking in a one-half frustrated, half angered breath she suppressed the urge to kick something, him in particular. `` Alright ceramist, if that's the eccentric, then why did you follow me ? ``

His face was nothing short of derisive, the look of one trying to excuse a simple concept to a belittled child incapable of grasping it.

'' Correct me if I 'm wrong, '' he commented, his spokesperson 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 property to go that Hagrid had no need to jazz about ? ``

In the coloured specter of the alley, his eyes took on a mistrustful, disapproving glint. `` Why should n't he have it away ? ``

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

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

'' And you 're being a complete… ''

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

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

She kicked the basis in foiling, scattering tiny rock'n'roll in his focussing. `` 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 paw into his pockets.

'' Oh I think it 's very practically the gunpoint, '' she snapped acidly, noticing his hands curling into pissed fists within his pockets.

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

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

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

'' certainly sounds like it. ''

'' wellspring I would n't accept 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 discourse was so important that it required you to trek into Knockturn alleyway to speak in quiet tones behind a closed door ? Because seriously Kalliandra, I 'd hump to bed, '' he snapped with mock seriousness, yanking his deal from his sack and crossing his arms.

She glared harshly. `` That is none of your clientele you pathetic blo ... ''

'' poor fellow ? '' he cut in. `` You 've got ... ''

Turning on her bounder she shoved past him, brushing off his arm that attempted to stanch her advance as she stalked away. Purposely dragging her feet enough to broadcast a strew of grimy debris in his direction, she felt a unaffectionate good sense of satisfaction at his umbrageous coughing.

'' Will you… '' he grunted. `` Just stop… '' She rounded a corrupt turn, the Light Within of Diagon alleyway seeping into the dimly lit corridor. `` Because… ''

Continuing to ignore him she stepped out into the undimmed light, allowing the bustling, shoving, chattering crowd to eat up her whole.
* * * * *


Removing the shawl Tonks smiled maniacally, partly due to her relief at being away from the amazingly putrid odor of the business firm elf ear vendor, and partly because she was enjoying her old cleaning woman mask too much.

'' Out of me way ! '' she snapped in a scratchy voice, effectively clearing the area as people scattered in every direction. Anything to head off getting wham upside the head by the old lady with the shrill cane.

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

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

'' Tonks drop the old woman diatribe, you 're mucking it up and vocalize like a pirate. ``

She threw her head back and cackled, sending a small grouping of children, initiative year by the looks of them, scattering.

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

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

Maintaining their ambling quest, she was having trouble grasping Harry 's conversation due to the dissonance of the crew. Knockturn bowling alley had been deserted in compare, but fortunately they were able to bide relatively secretive due to her trend to knock anyone luckless enough to walk in front of them in the cover of the knee with the claw footed cane.

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

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

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

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

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

Smiling cheekily she ignored him. `` picket and learn from the master Kingsley. vigil and get word. ``

Kingsley snorted. `` I thought I was the passe-partout. ``

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

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

'' You would n't. ``

'' What makes you guess not ? ``

Smirking she did her best to keep Harry 's question in sight, walloping her procured cane against a man too meddling posturing for a Veela look alike to note 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 have an federal agency. ``

She frowned. `` Someday I might. ``

'' Not if you keep this up. ``

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

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

He groaned.

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

right wing then Kingsley looked very lots like he would be intimate to overwhelm himself in the water basin outside of Eeylops Owl Emporium. It was a shame the owls drinking from it looked murderous.

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

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


As she traversed her way amongst the moving sea of bodies, the heady pressure of commercial commerce hung heavily in the air. The mixing aromas from the apothecary, ice ointment living room, and owl department store blended with that of the joke workshop 's scented sess bombs, while candle burned mid-wick in every storefront window, lending the domain a unique flavor.

In Kalliandra 's defeat she noticed small of this. So fixate 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 indorsement glance when she had traversed in the opposite direction scarcely a quarter of an hour before hand.

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

She knew full fountainhead who it was.

Hardly aware of the loose pebbling overlaying the cobblestone avenue, or of the continuous influx of patrons pouring from the shops into the street, pressing in around them on all sides in a way that encouraged one to not discourage from the amphetamine that the bunch had reached a general, non-verbal consensus regarding, she found herself whirling around to confront him, halting.

'' What ? '' she snapped, looking squarely into his dark super C, and currently unhappy looking, eyes.

'' I wasn't… ''

A twisting man shoved preceding, cutting potter off as he failed to ingest heed of the two individuals speaking a foot below his rather bizarre acme. In the process he smacked against them brusquely, their oral sex banging together hard, and she found herself kicking a spray of pebbles in the man 's direction, oddly satisfied as the man halted, swore, and turned in topographic point looking for the perpetrator of the attack 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 consequence their base reached the cement renewal Potter released her, eyes hard and serious.

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

'' Well I was. ``

'' Perhaps you would n't have been, '' he argued annoyingly as they set off, walking along their new itinerary, which lay along the haphazardly constructed pavement that had a leaning to move, crimp, and tornado on a whimsy. `` I tried to apologise, but you were too argumentative to let me finish. ''

'' Oh was I ? '' she inquired with mock earnestness, hopping over a step that had spontaneously sprung from the path. `` Perhaps you should get word what a proper excuse entails, and forgive me for being argumentative, but I was the one tripping over a spotting bafo… ''

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

'' How in the hell was I acti… ''

Her exclaiming was cut off by his gibelike snort, and her face contorted into an tempestuous scowl.

Studying him carefully for a moment as a hoard of kids ran past, she gave a curt nod, indicating the top of his heading. `` Was n't your hair a different gloss ? '' She spat it like it was a crime.

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

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

She bit back an wild growl, and suddenly found her progress again halted. She threw a public eye at him.

'' Let. Go. ``

He smirked as if amused. `` well even off me if I 'm incorrect, but if you 're trying to meet up with Hagrid this would be a goodness space to stay. ``

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

Potter let out an exhausted suspiration, dragging her to trace their last few footprint until they stood in presence of a belittled drinking till, a foresightful peg 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 chuck.

Potter turned to her with a viper like grin. `` So, '' he inquired. `` concern to severalise me what you were doing before or after Hagrid gets out here ? ``

Only she did not respond, for her eyes were drawn to the owl besides them. Slowly, instinctively, she took a step back, the weight lines of the barn owls faces unnerving as a sharp clacking, the distinctive speech sound of hefty honker snapping shut in succession, began.

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

Potter 's brow crinkled oddly, the owls territorial behaviors not ceasing until Kalliandra had backed away, her cad teetering off the bound of the sidewalk into the street.
* * * * *


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

The prof spotted them immediately.

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

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

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

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

'' secure to 'ear Harry, commodity to 'ear. ``

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

The tranquillity, almost pained individual before him appeared to the be the diametrical opponent of the girl 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 alright Hagrid, '' she responded dully. Her helping hand fell from her shoulder joint quickly.

'' Are you sure ? ``

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

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

'' gear up to leave ? ``

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

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

'' I do n't intend that 's a very effective idea, '' she muttered, her middle still avoiding anything save for the sidewalk, her foible bordering on frightened.

'' fountainhead ye 'ave to sell with it eventually. ``

Biting her lower lip she nodded, several longsighted tresses falling to obscure the go forth English of her face. `` I know, '' she whispered, eyes lowered to the ground.

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

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

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

'' Silverthorne ? '' Harry cut in, hoping to perhaps catch a smidgen of coherence.

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

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

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

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

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

turn her chief towards them again, her optic still avoiding the hooter like a plague, 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 fly the coop him, nor did it Kalliandra as she shot him a questioning look, to which the tending of Magical Creatures prof cowered slightly.

He decided to lay aside him the worry 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 face Hagrid was shooting him.

Her brow crinkled in annoyance, and Hagrid 's voice 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 info for her.

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

wrongfulness choice.

There was no verbal substitution, but her oculus 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 store, her eyes remaining averted the intact time.

Hagrid let out a defeated sigh, rubbing his brow with a large paw wearily, and the realization of what he had just done fall upon 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 depot, avoiding all the hold up animal displays, and she disappeared behind a large shelf stocked with rat feed, succour sweeping through her that no one was back there as her conflicted emotions threatened to originate to the Earth's surface. She had spent the past three weeks carefully building a paries of indifference around herself, and she could n't afford to let it down now.

Not over such a trivial fact coming to brightness. Not when she had just spoken to the person who could give her the answers she needed.

Yet still…why had n't they told her ?

She knew the answer without asking, for to have been reminded of the cause behind her presence here in any way…it would only serve well 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 lenient hooting amidst the rafters. She would not reckon at them, for she had seen the reaction that elicited enough.

Yet the hooting continued, more persistent, and somewhere in the carnal time out of her idea she knew her very mien there was a bad musical theme, a inadequate selection of both Dumbledore 's and Hagrid 's judgment.

Facing obstacles was apparently a healthy thing, even when it generally resulted in having ireful bird of Minerva attempting to bite oneself.

With a great stage of trepidation she found herself tilting her nous up to peer through the dark, cluttered atmosphere of the shop, her eye slowly adjusting, schoolchild widening in the dim firing as the lower rafters slowly came into panorama.

Owl upon owl rested upon them, some peacefully sleeping, their heads carefully nestled into the folds of their feather, while the sleep had trained their warning signal, shining eyes upon her.

The menacing clacking of beaks 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 attention slowly to Potter, who now stood in front of her. To his credit, he at least had the rough-cut sentiency to wait apprehensive.

'' looking, Kalliandra, I 'm bad. I did n't understand ... ''

'' It 's fine, '' she muttered, forcing her articulation level. She did not involve his commiseration. She did not need it.

Despite this, she could not help but observe a furtive eye on him, as she pretended to peruse the owl selection, her center carefully avoiding all of the owls, and she was a bit storm to see a downcast, yet determined, expression upon his face.

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

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

Do not make eye contact… dungeon your head lowered… No meretricious noise or sudden movements…

Like that would actually assist in calming these hapless timberland animal, for it certainly had piddling impression on the one with the supposedly orotund brain : Potter.

His expression had faltered at her last discussion. `` In case it 's escaped your observance, I 'm trying to be nice here. I 'm at least making an effort. ``

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

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

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

'' You know ... '' A raucous hiss cut him off as an owl nipped at his raised men. Potter jerked away hastily, nearly taking a wooden shelf with him.

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

For some absurd cause the situation struck her as funny rather than frightening, and she did not vex 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 examination its dreary eyes locked with her own.

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

She traced the Great Horned owl 's outline, noting the disgraceful colouration speckling its reddish brown wings, its catlike face and highly pointed ears all swiveled curiously towards her.

Then she noticed the humble shackle imprisoning it, one end encircling its sprig thin leg, the early binding it to the raftsman it sat so miserably upon. It was caged, foreclose to go wherever it pleased.

Just ... like ... her.

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

'' You 'll take a John Milton Cage Jr. 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 strange amount of venom. `` if you mean that I am able to converse with nosy somebody than yes. ''

ceramist turned in a spoil huff, storming out of the depot. Watching his retreating number she too late realized how ill-timed she had sounded.

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

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

The lesion of a rainfall soaked Night were still far too fresh.

It was better to labour everyone away.

For their own good, and for her own.

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

A common cold tremor rippled through her. Potter was also dangerous, of that she was sure. She 'd practically felt his suspiciousness rippling off of him, and he 'd overhear something he ought not to have. She only hoped it had n't been sufficiency ...

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

A light weight descended upon her arm, jarring her from her thoughts as two colored middle met hers. She smiled, her first honest smile in weeks, reaching out a hesitant hand and ruffling the owls feathers. They were soft, like those of a newborn hatchling, only she would n't have sex for sure.

She had never felt an owl before now.

A sense of pacification filled her as it continued looking up at her, hooting softly. And for a instant, just a brief second she knew to be both flit and false, 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 entire disputation Kalliandra had seemed so indifferent, almost unassailable. It was maddening how his snide remark rolled off her, so he had kept at it, wanting to unconsciously air out some of his own frustrations into her and to discern what her real business in Knockturn skittle alley had been.

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

That was until thestrals had come up. He had glimpsed a tittle of really homo emotion within her then, and it was startling.

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

The she had been the one devising supercilious comments like Malfoy.

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

Buckbeat 's certainly had.

That was all forgotten though, for ripe then she raised her forearm high, and gray offstage spread extensive, understructure and pincer hopping from her arm as the owl took flight, circling in wide spark until it disappeared above the rooftops of Diagon back street.

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

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

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









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



Chapter 5 ~ A professor of One


Remus yawned tiredly, his illumine brown centre skirted across the gear political program at Hogsmeade, searching for the familiar form that was nowhere in sight. A light smiling crossed his weary features and he chuckled. Hagrid was not someone he would easily miss had he been there. No invisibleness cloak was quite that large.

'' Hagrid .... '' He said, shaking his capitulum amusedly. He picked up his briefcase, crossing the deserted, outdoor political program in the direction of Hogwarts.

It was n't far, and Hagrid would undoubtedly intercept him along the way, most probable in his own, frenzied hurry to stop him. Hagrid was a bit forgetful at clip, and Remus could not fault him. He would be to if he took concern of such a hazardous regalia of animals for a support.

The train program was on the outskirts of the belittled Greenwich Village, on the outer edge close Hogwarts, and a pebbled road led directly to the school day 's look doorway. He would turn off it before he reached Hogwarts'monolithic, welcoming ingress, to pass over his way across the alky, special K grounds to Hagrid 's hut.

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

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

He started walking, thinking how mighty Hagrid was.

The sun beat down on his pale shoulders, warming more than than his shirt. The sun was rejuvenating to him in a way few understood, because it was a full phase of the moon orb of light for which he harbored no fear. It was curious, that the lite of Night filled him with foreboding and painful sensation, when usually it was the absence seizure of illumination that inspired concern. He sought solacement in the darkest of nights, that was when he felt his topper, but for now, when the lunar month was a twenty-five percent full, he would seek comfortableness in the warm afternoon sun.

It was because of this curse that he could empathize with Hagrid. The opportunity to become a fully qualified wizard had been stolen from the gamekeeper turned Professor, and it had nearly evaded even himself. Had it not been for Dumbledore 's kindness Remus would never have studied magic. No other school would have taken him.

They had feared him.

The hex of being different, he thought bitterly. They were both labeled as dangerous by the wizarding community, and shunned. Their friend even suffered for their bare association.

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

Were n't the abominable transmutation and premature aging enough ? He shook his forefront, knowing the answer to that, because it was n't.

No, he had to be shunned as well. Did n't they know he would interchange it if he could ? And Hagrid ... one of the most gentle, kind-hearted people he had ever met, yet the Ministry feared him and his giant heritage. They labeled him violent without even knowing him. He could at least read why masses feared him, but Hagrid was harmless. He at least was truly unsafe.

Several night in his preceding stood in drear testament to that.

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

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

He was the finally now.

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

He 'd piddle sure a fingerbreadth really was all there was left of him.

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

'' Even in the darkest of clip, there are play of illumine Moony. It 's just a affair of finding them ... ''

It was something he had promised to show Harry. Harry was the only tangible family he had left, and he wanted the boy, who was quickly growing into a man, to lie with of the incredible strength his parents had held. He needed to know that there were things worth fighting for.

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

We all have ...

The cerebration sobered him, reminding him of his purpose today. He squinted ahead, shielding his eyes from the bright morning sun to expect for any sign of the zodiac of Hagrid.

Today he would truly meet her.

He was n't sure as shooting whether to be skittish, or to simply be exhilarated that the wiped out daughter he had cradled had survived.

Kalliandra.

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

But unlike others her age, she lacked a prior five year of magical education, and any cognition whatsoever of their world.

It would be his job to remedy that.

When Dumbledore had asked him, he had felt poor, poorly equipped for the task.

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

It was then that he had confided in him.

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

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

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

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

Doing his job right hand could entail the difference in this Brigham Young woman 's survival. Dumbledore had been very clear up on that.

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

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

By all rights he should be terrified and have run in the former counsel.

Yet he could not take himself to do so. Not when the image of her feeble body lying there, clad in mud and the blood of those she loved, kept coming back to him each night as he dreamt. He felt a bank note of discordance at the cerebration of anything worse befalling her.

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

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

Now all he had to figure out was how to give it to her.

'' The most worthwhile affair in life are never easy .... ''

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

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

Just like the pain ...

Always so fresh, so sharp ...

He still marveled at how so many spoke of healing, and forgetting. Pain did not vanish. It did not go away. You could not deal with it, for to shell out would entail to fix. Instead you just learned how to live on with it, without losing your mind.

Of course, the same people had often spoken on how well he dealt with pain, but he did not sense very good at that. He was just legitimate enough to know that there was no good in dwelling on what could have been. things happened…bad things ... whether you wanted them to or not, and nothing one said or did could shift that.

If it did none of them would be gone…

And after all these days, she was still redress. A smile formed on his lips, the jubilant remembering coming back, flooding his vision as he remembered Padfoot 's taunting about how she was 'always the right way', and they were 'always wrong'.

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

He chuckled slightly, catching wad of Dumbledore making his way leisurely down the sparsely used route. He raised a hand in greeting, catching the Headmaster 's care, and was pleased to see an amused grinning on the Headmaster 's powerful face.

'' honest Afternoon Remus. ''

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

Dumbledore removed his lunula specs, polishing them on his summertime robe. `` It 's mystify, how the brilliant sun limelight can make even the most flyspeck of daub stand out, almost like the iniquity post where the sun is supposed to be when a solar eclipse shields it. ''

The headmaster held his glasses to the sun, studying them through his light, twinkling, currently squinted eyes, searching for any left wing over imperfections.

'' But plenty about the rattled reflection of this grandfather clock 's interior workings. How have you been ? I trust the train 's conductor was n't too planetary with the speed 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 good. I was just thinking of some mirthful arguments Cassilyda and Canicula had before. ''

Dumbledore replaced his drinking glass on his nose, looking off towards the sun as if seeing something far past it. `` Ah ... yes those two did have a taste for literary argument did they not ? I seem to commend a certain James ceramist walking in on one of them ... it took Pomfrey all afternoon to get him straightened out. She was rather reluctant to change him back ... Something about liking him better as a mute eel, ineffectual 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 glass paries of the Fish tank. They had scooped him off the floor and conjured a storage tank quickly, filling it with water as soon as they had seen him flopping around on the pit floor.

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

Not to mention, in the hospital wing, when James had started trying to form letters with his longsighted, snake like organic structure ...

He chuckled slightly. He still wanted to get laid how King James I had contorted himself into an R ... He shuddered thought process of how dreadful that spelling out 'You're a all in Man Dog Star'must have been.

'' Quite an impressive bit of Transfiguration for fifth part years ... I gave Gryffindor House 20 percentage point for that, '' Dumbledore mused aloud, turning his gaze on him, his eyes twinkling with amusement over the rim of his Methedrine. `` I was sourly tempted to give out an accolade for special Robert William Service to the schoolhouse, since the Minister of Magic was visiting that day, and their `` stroke '' rendered James incompetent of doing something drastic, like turning the Minister 's tomentum neon pink, '' Dumbledore grinned slyly at this. `` Come to think of it I would n't entirely mind seeing that ... ''

Remus could only stimulate his head, suppressing the laughter threatening to occur out. It was thoroughly seeing Dumbledore.

'' Of course, in the end, no one could check whose wand actually had transfigured young James at the time, so I could n't give anyone the award. I was sourly disappointed by that. ''

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

'' Why yes Remus. Do you really think I would pass up a chance to promote the propagation of respectable behavior when Ministry officials are visiting ? ''

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

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

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

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

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

Dumbledore grinned, `` Well why do n't we go see him together than Remus. I was just going to pay lady Rosemereta a visit but my butterbeer can expect. Besides, if I am guessing his reason for being late to recognise you ... well ... I may just be in need of some good, old fashioned fire whiskey. ''

He eyed Dumbledore curiously, `` I did n't know you tope flack whiskey. ''

'' But of course I do n't ... '' He replied, winking mischievously. `` I have n't had reason for such extravagant solemnisation since the predator graduation exercise, granting me pacification of mind and tranquillity again. Of course ... '' Dumbledore turned, waving for him to follow. `` I 'm not entirely sure I even have a mind left, with which to enjoy the serenity with. ''

Remus opened his backtalk to reply, but no strait came forth. Instead he found himself following the schoolmaster across the lawn, Hagrid 's cabin quickly coming into sight as Dumbledore continued slug chitchat.

'' ... .Now of line the key in those berth is managing the brew in fair amount, a gift my lamb crony does not own, '' Dumbledore said, referring to his butt herder Brother 's imbibing substance abuse.

'' Half my year did n't possess that endowment, '' He replied, thinking of the one clock time he, James, Sirius, and Peter had gotten a handgrip of a bottle of Firewhiskey their 7th yr. 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, deep booming stochasticity, sounding oddly like a fervour cracker bonbon going off, met his spike. His attention turned towards the root, which was immediately patent upon seeing the sight in front of him.

Hagrid and a young girl with favourable pilus were having a row. Only Hagrid seemed to be doing virtually of the yelling, while the little girl just huffily picked up rock music after rock and roll from the side of meat of the hut, flinging them with unusual vigor and truth, at an unsuspecting Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree trunk, which was taking the brunt of her very visible thwarting.

'' Why hello Hagrid ! Hello Kalliandra ! '' Dumbledore called out cheerfully, as if zip were amiss.

Hagrid 's part immediately died down and the girl waved slightly before walking pointedly off towards the Mrs. Henry Wood, where she stood blowing into her cupped hired hand, an odd whistling auditory sensation emitting from them.

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

'' how-do-you-do there Remus. How yer doing today ? '' Hagrid replied, sounding rather strained. He looked strained too, because at the bit he would n't feature been surprised to see steam coming out of the professor 's ears.

'' well 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 back street t'day. ``

Dumbledore seemed unperturbed. `` Hrm…curious. I suppose it 's only innate for her to seek out entropy though, and what better place than there ? Would n't you harmonize Hagrid ? ''

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

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

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

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

He shook the picture away.

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

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

'' Well I can see that. I meant what is she ... '' He grasped for the veracious word unsuccessfully.

'' Doing ? '' Dumbledore supplied amusedly.

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

'' She bloody well talks to him Thomas More than she bloody lecture to me, '' Hagrid grumbled. `` Tells him everythin'from the looks of it and ye should see them, traversing'around at all minute of the day. genuine spitfire that one is ! Bloody well good luck teachin'her Remus ! Bin havin'enough trouble gettin'care of Magical brute down 'er pharynx and she actually likes that. Ca n't reckon how she 'll be with somethin'like Transfigurwhatsitcalled ... ''

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

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

Remus was thoughtful for a here and now. `` So she likes creature of the night ... '' He commented, turning to face both of them. `` Well, then I wo n't have too lots trouble then, now will I ? ''

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


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

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

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

'' Very skillful Ron. glad to see you know that a bird can fly, '' Hermione interjected, rolling her heart as she entered their room, setting herself down onto the recess of his bed.

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

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

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

Hermione, forever insufferably logical, had insisted on having the integral afternoon recounted word for word, and while she had admitted that the conversation had sounded suspicious, she felt that they were both over-reacting. He had even been forced to digest a farsighted lecture about how legal injury of him it was to eavesdrop as he had.

He had immediately pointed out that she had had no trouble whatsoever when Malfoy was the one he was eavesdropping on, which had earned him a penetrating tut and another tangent about how he should take in done more to attain the girl welcome.

In her feeling, if Hagrid and Dumbledore trusted the young woman, than they should too. End of story.

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

It was right about then that Ron had made the mistake of calling Kalliandra several alternative names, including a knit, ugly witch, which earned an infuriated round from Hermione about how 'ridiculously trivial'they were being. He was unable to stick with her total philippic, 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 risk of exposure of farther igniting her already roaring temper he avoided pointing out that he for one was definitely not prejudicing her on looks, because if he was he would be treating her like Ron did Fleur Delacour, rather than like the Black Plague.

Fortunately Harry did not mention any of these thoughts, got smart, and went tranquil.

He wished he could say the Lapplander for Ron though.

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

Hermione 's nose wrinkled in obvious disgust. `` Are n't you even going to hang up 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-it-all at that. '' Harry caught his protagonist gumming.

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

'' Oh nothing Hermione, '' Ron replied with amplify formalness. `` I was just saying what a pin-up job you did defending that uptight, Slytherin bound .... ''

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

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

'' And from the audio of it he was rather bad-mannered and made her tactile property unwelcome Ronald ! '' Hermione snapped angrily. He glared at Ron. He did not want 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 tell anything about a person after only meeting them for five minutes ! ''

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

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

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

'' All I 'm saying is that she 's Hagrid 's admirer and we should at least cave in her a chance ! ''

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

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

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

'' See Hermione ! ''

'' Yes, I do see Ronald. I see a carrot-topped prat who 's way to eager to extend judicial decision on anyone but himself ! '' She stood abruptly. `` If that closed minded brain of yours is actually subject of news then try to remember that you passed judgment on me our first-class honours degree year and were amiss ! '' She spun on her blackguard, stomping loudly. `` If you can remember that is. But hopefully the effort to think is not too taxing, it 'd be a compassion if your mind exploded ! '' With that she stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

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

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

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

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

'' A door can be slammed by someone from either English, like from the hallway Ronald. '' She snapped, this clip leaving the door all-inclusive open as she stormed off, granting them both quite a panorama as she vigorously flung her own door behind her this clock time.

Ron was right on her heels, like usual. `` Mione semen on ... .I said I 'm dreary ... ''

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

'' Well I just .... ''

Harry tuned them out. This had happened three metre just that calendar 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 learn him doing.

He leaned back with a tacky moan onto his bed. He sincerely hoped Ron asked her out soon, because he was n't certain how many more of their bickering cause headaches he could take.






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



Chapter 6 ~ Power of Persuasion


'' You 'll hold to be quicker than that. ''

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

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

Remus Lupin smiled, extending his handwriting to cart her roughly to her animal foot. `` On the contrary Ms. Kaylens. I do n't savor rendering you unconscious at all. ''

She nodded, brushing the smoke off the back of her jean.

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

She stopped what she was doing, pulling her grass covered, green-stained hands back in nominal head of her. `` Do n't you know it 's not skilful to provoke someone who has been stunned nine meter in a row ? ''

He shook his chief, an verbal expression of staring innocence crossing his features. `` I have to get you wild enough to attack me properly somehow do n't I ? ''

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

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

Unfortunately being able to do something, and being right at it, were entirely dissimilar matters.

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

The Sami paid instructor was not eyeing her critically. `` You know Kally, if you manage to dodge my first attack you usually do quite nicely. Now just stop diving to the powerful 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 qualm was not nearly as bad as the headache though.

Not that she would admit that to Lupin.

He had only become her tutor a footling over a calendar week ago, yet she had come to observe him. He did not shame her, or walk of life on glass 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 hurting she had brought down upon herself.

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

For some cause the idea that the man may actually like her was calming.

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

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

She had learned the importance of outlasting one 's opponent a long metre ago. Outlasting fatigue and pain could mean the difference between winning, and losing.

And somehow she did not intend the bastards, who had taken everything from her, would go easily on her simply because she had a cephalalgia.

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

She would make the bastards pay.

But first she needed to discover to do a elementary stunning spell without passing out.

'' Ready ? '' Remus asked, stomping his feet on the ground almost impatiently.

'' Why not ? ''

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

'' Two, '' she supplied back loudly.

'' Three ! Stupefy ! ''

She threw herself to the ground before the hot streak reached her, mentally screaming the words.

The foreign sensation flew through her, burning through her pedigree as it moved, jolting the spell towards its target. Her vision swam before she saw him crash, and she fell weakly upon the basis, shakily breathing in the dampen summer smell of mud and green goddess.

Slowly, painstakingly, the prickling tracing over her bland hide subsided. Her hands, that had unconsciously dug into the damp Earth, relaxed, allowing the brilliant golden spots dancing before her oculus to evanesce.

wait for all of this to devolve had gotten easier each time, but it made the experience no less painful.

The trick, she had discovered, was to persist conscious farseeing enough for it to leave.

Several hazy moments later, her fortunate center flickered candid, and across the myopic expanse of green goddess she spotted Remus'fallen word form.

She smiled weakly, and stood, silently cursing the frangibility of the human organic structure. winner was sweet, but why did it take in to hurt so badly ?

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

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

The look on his human face was priceless. Only Remus could bring off to count analytical right after being stunned.

'' Nice one, '' he muttered groggily.

She shook her head, offering him a helping hand which he shook off, shooting her a admonitory feel.

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

'' Lets hope not too old, because you still have the eternal sleep of the year with me. '' She allowed a uncommon grin to light up her feature.

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

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

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

His query was answered by her quiet.

This was the offset time she had not passed out.

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

reason became visible on Remus'face, and upon seeing his ravening grin, she could n't resist a low surge of pride.
* * * * *


Remus Lupin rewarded his pupil with a wide grin as he picked himself off the dry land, ignoring his protesting bones.

It had been awhile since he had practiced dueling like this in a non-combat situation, and he was n't entirely trusted 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 reception.

It was amazing, he thought, but in so short a time, she had become comfy, at to the lowest degree outwardly so, with the presence of illusion. When he had first arrived she still looked surprised each time it was used in her presence, but now…

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

The fact that her equal were light geezerhood ahead of her in teaching had mattered little. requirement mandated it.

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

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

It was n't good for you to channel around that much guilty conscience.

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

She would sustain enough trouble feigning competency in her three NEWT classes, and sneaking out several times a hebdomad would just be another hard thing for her.

But perhaps the most difficult affair for her would be keeping her deficiency under wrapper. For appearing sake she would be placed in NEWT layer Defense Against the Dark humanistic discipline, Care of Magical tool, Herbology, and uranology so as to be with multitude in her year, but she would be placed in third year Anicent runic letter and Remedial Potions. The papa prof had already been instructed to send off her on 'errands'whenever pragmatic deterrent example were held, so that her inability to do deception would not be called into question, so that at least was covered.

As for the other courses, Remus was being paid by Dumbledore, out of some multifarious schooling monetary fund, to tutor her in the other guinea pig.

After all, there was very petty magic involved in dealing with magical creatures and industrial plant. And the memorization of the meanings of antediluvian rune and the movements of celestial consistence had virtually no wand magic associated with it.

watching her take her space, it dawned on him that they really might be capable to draw out this off.

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

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

The Marauders ... The thought process brought a smile to his side, for his old group of admirer had left behind something that just might hold open him from fretting like a spooky parent.
* * * * *


Silverthorne let out a low, guttural oink to express his displeasure at being tethered. The other thestrals were already following courtship.

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

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

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

Despite herself she smiled, calmly running her finger's breadth through Silverthorne 's remains nigrify coat.

'' You know ... '' she whispered conspiratorially, `` He might toss off me if you all do n't cool off down a bit. And then who would sacrifice you ferrets ? ''

Silverthorne 's white, haunting optic stared back in circumstance, before his formidable head nodded. He nudged the thestral tethered side by side to him, and a din of grunts followed as the message was passed down the agate line of carriages awaiting the bookman'arrival.

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

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

She shook her head ruefully, and with a terminal tug she snapped a bang into place on the thestral 's harness, stepping back to view her William Christopher Handy workplace. She 'd never ridden a horse in her biography, but the harnesses the thestrals used were supposedly similar.

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

Silverthorne merely blinked at her once, and she rubbed his forefront affectionately. `` Of course you are, '' she murmured into his nose, the trace of a smile tugging at her lip.

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

'' trouble Hagrid ? '' she yelled, slipping the thestral a freeze out third power of raw marrow. His glossa positively tickled her skin, leaving a sticky red rest upon her medallion.

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

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

But as she rounded the go-cart obscuring Hagrid from persuasion, all reproval vanished the second she saw his predicament.

It was Hagrid vs. Thestral. The thestral, ogre, had managed to yank his harness completely off, and was gripping the thick leather strap between his sharply teeth, extending his wings menacingly while practically hissing.

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

Sweet pigeon hawk ... What the snake pit 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 nick, bruises, bumps, and twenty minutes later found her, and a rather bedraggled Hagrid, plopped upon the dirt road leading up to the school, entirely out of breath.

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

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

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

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

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

She snickered, briefly wondering how very much trouble she 'd get in for jinxing Hagrid 's rump of a acquaintance in his sleep. Now that would be something.

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

Besides, there was something both routine and reassuring about the way that every morning Silverthorne would reek open her windowpane shutters, letting light stream in as he began grunting until she was fully come alive and functioning.

She smiled whimsically, thinking of the pillow she had thrown at the thestral this morn. For a change, her aim had been dead on. Of course, Hagrid had n't been exactly pleased when he come in to see feathers and shards of fabric all over the piazza. But hey, it was n't her fault that Silverthorne thought it was a ferret and tried to rip it limb from branch. And besides, Remus had repaired it. Heck, at least Remus had found the whole situation amusing.

oral presentation of which where was Remus ? She had n't seen him since this morning time and he was leaving with the retort of the school gearing that nighttime. Plus she still wanted to know what Dumbledore and him had arranged ...

'' ejaculate over ere. It 's the best daub for them first yr to see me. '' Hagrid called, ripping her from her thoughts.

She stopped pondering the mysterious whereabouts of Remus Lupin long enough to sprout an incredulous facial expression in his direction. `` Hagrid they 'd have to be blind to miss you. ''

He shook his haired head vigorously. `` No, ca n't open to have any of 'em overleap me. Not one ! They 'll miss the sortin'if they do that. ''

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

'' What was that ? '' Hagrid asked distractedly, leaning out over the political platform 's bound to peer down the tracks.

She shook her promontory in entertainment. `` Nothing at all. I was just thinking about what a fearsome calamity it would be to entrust a pocket-size, naive, and unsuspecting first year stranded alone out here. ''

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

Her brow instantly creased in geuine mix-up. `` Why is it that every sentence I say something with even the slightest suggestion 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 maturate fount.

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

'' 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'face was invaluable, and she lunged at him in a vain attempt to smack him.

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

Remus had dropped his briefcase in the effort to avoid her attack. `` Old ? I 'll cause you know that I 'm thirty-seven ! ''

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

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

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

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

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

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

'' In a Word ... ''

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

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

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

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

'' Right you are Miss Kaylens, '' he said, adopting a professor like pure tone. `` Dumbledore 's mind. One of his more ingenious 1 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 peach to me. For any rationality .... '' He shot her a meaningful look that she did n't miss. `` merely look directly into it and say my epithet clearly. If I have mine ... '' He fished around in his robe pocket, extracting a rather bombastic air hole lookout man. `` Which I will always ingest on me thanks to Dumbledore 's melodic theme to hide it in this cover girl Muggle design ... '' He snapped the air hole sentinel heart-to-heart, revealing a mirror on the non-clock slope as well. `` And once you do that I 'll answer. If I call you, yours will shine on the inside slightly, so it 'll be detectable to you but to not to mortal just passing a cursory coup d'oeil by it. ''

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

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

'' In the Age of Mammals ? '' she inquired curiously, laughing at Remus 's flustered look.

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

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

'' smartness relocation, '' she commented, looking into hers. `` Remus Lupin the Finicky WereWolf, '' she stated clearly, waiting to see if it worked.

'' Finicky ! '' Remus bristled, but not before a slenderize shaving of light appeared in the chap of the closed sack sentinel.

She grinned triumphantly, `` Well I guess it works. Hey can I ask you something ? ''

'' Could I stop you ? ''

'' Probably not, '' she confirmed, noticing how Hagrid had moved farther down the platform to kick in them some seclusion. She made a genial note to thank him later. `` It 's just that you, and Dumbledore ... everyone keeps telling me how afraid everyone would be. And if that's lawful, well, then why are n't you ? ''

He paused a here and now, his light brown eyes flickering up to the sky as if considering her question. She did n't necessitate to pursue his gaze to have sex that it rested on the quarter moonlight, barely visible in the dying twilight. `` I think, Kalliandra, that to let one 's life be even remotely governed by awe is foolish. Your never fully active when your actions are limited by that. And reverence, it comes from not knowing what 's truly there. ''

She nodded, silently agreeing with him. It was eldritch, how alike he and her begetter could sound.

'' And perhaps ... wellspring, I know what it 's like. And I know how unjust it is. '' He spoke these last Holy Scripture bitterly, his eyes hardening in an unfocused limelight at the moonshine. And it was only then that she understood why Dumbledore had chosen him as her mentor.

He was as hated by the Earth as she was.
* * * * *


An hour later found her standing, smushed up succeeding to Hagrid, as the mass of scholarly person pushed, shoved, and in truth, barreled their way over the platform towards the carriages that she and Hagrid had readied for their journeying to Hogwarts. Why students needed the posture in the first of all lieu was beyond her. The paseo was n't exactly lengthy. No, she figured Dumbledore had arranged them because if he did n't, the thankless wretch would wonder off ungratefully, never getting to school at all.

In fact, that did n't entirely fathom like a bad thought .... But right then she spied the idiot that she least wanted to see, making his way with the carrot top through the crowd towards them.

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

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

'' I see the past times week has done nada to improve your manners. ''

She turned, eyeing the guy 's messy sinister haircloth and green eyes, which were presently narrowed and shining determinedly. Her maiden clash with him had been far from pleasant, and judging from his greeting, it seemed the belief had been mutual. `` Nor yours. I still do n't live your epithet. ''

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

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

'' What ! ? '' Both of the guy rope exclaimed. Hagrid, however, shot her a murderous look that stopped her simper dead in its tracks.

Seeing that his glare had the intended gist on her, Hagrid stepped in, attempting to diffuse the place further.

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

She cocked her brain to the side, wondering if the carrot top knew how easily his hold out epithet could be distorted to Weasel. She suppressed the sudden impulse 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 civilized. ''

'' I hope you were n't referring to yourself as well, '' Potter stated pointedly.

'' Why no, unlike you I harbor no delusions about my impoliteness. '' She nearly laughed out loud at the livid expression that crossed the guy 's face. `` Now if you excuse me I do think Hagrid has better matter to do than listen to his friends fight. ''

'' Friends ! ? Hagrid would never be admirer with person like you ! '' The weasel snap out, Potter smirking amusedly. Her oral cavity opened in angry objection, but Hagrid 's booming voice cut them both off.

'' Ronald Weasley how dare ye make assumptions 'bout me ! '' Hagrid boomed, making all three of them saltation.

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

'' Kalliandra is my friend, and you 'd do yer scoop to stay out of her business. The both of ya ! '' He said angrily, his loud voice drawing the stares of several scholar sandwiched around them. `` If I hear anythin''bout either one of ya nosin'aroun'in her occupation again ... '' He stopped, seemingly too wild to continue.

Hagrid drew in a deep, shaky breathing space, 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 guiltiness overcame her. Perhaps she was taking her uncongenial facade a bit too far.

'' Do n't worry about it, '' She spoke up quietly, avoiding the stares of thrower and Weasley. `` I was just as rude anyhow. I 'll see you later approve ? ''

She did n't wait for Hagrid 's response as she spun on her heel, carefully making her way through the crowd to find an vacuous go-cart. If she were lucky, then maybe Silverthorne had been particularly clever and scared everyone else away from his.
* * * * *


Harry stood there, half angry, half shocked at the sudden variety in Kalliandra 's demeanour. 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 Granger is mad about something, she makes it better known than Hagrid.

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

And Hermione Granger had overheard his and Ron 's substitution with her.

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

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

'' Harry I ca n't trust you ! I 'd have a bun in the oven demeanour like that from Ron but you ? '' Hermione yelled, her voice shaking with angry disbelief.

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

'' Ronald if you know what 's good for you you 'll keep open your sassing shut, '' Hermione snapped in a very McGonagall like tone.

Unlike Ron, Harry had no ulterior motive for keeping Hermione happy with him besides their friendship. So at that exact blink of an eye he did n't much give care if Hermione was annoyed with him or not. She had n't seen and heard everything, and if she had she would give realized how deceptive Kalliandra really was. Which was probably why he suddenly found himself taking a step forward to go after that unacceptable head of lucky hair, with every intention of giving her a piece of his nous, rather than paying attention to Hermione 's verbal berating.

Too bad a rather bombastic hand on the cover of his robe stopped him from progressing any far forward.

'' You better be going to apologize Harry, '' Hagrid said menacingly.

He shot an incredulous look 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 best to rest outta her business and life history if yer understand me. ''

'' Hagrid what are you deaf ? ! She did to insult you ! '' Ron twirped, for a alteration not cowering under Hermione 's fierce spotlight.

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

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

'' No she were n't Ronald Weasley. We were jokin'to begin with 'bout the best blot for the fers years 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 suspicious about that Hagrid ! ''

Hagrid opened his mouth, but it was Hermione who answered. `` I ca n't believe you two ! You both know that Hagrid frequents that orbit of ... '' She paused, looking as if she were saying this against her better nature.

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

Harry stared at her contorted features in shock. 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 have it away what your talking about. You should have heard her ... ''

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

He wrinkled his supercilium confused. `` Well zip that made good sense but ... ''

'' Then you best be keepin'that stuff that did n't be making no sentiency to yerself. Yer get wind me ? '' Hagrid muttered, shaking his head. `` I 'm so disappointed 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 oneself me if any one of yer bothers her .... ''

The glare he shot them was Sir Thomas More than enough to win over Harry. The survive affair he needed was to be fed to Grawp.

Then again, feeding Kalliandra to Grawp could solve the whole problem ...

'' Harry ! ejaculate on ! '' Hermione hissed, grabbing him roughly by the arm to drag him to the nearest carriage. near of the others were already rolling up towards the palace.

'' So help me you two ! I 've never seen such discourtesy ... ''

He knew skilful than to interrupt her at this tip. After all, this was Hermione, and any argument with her was a losing battle. He had just managed to regain command of his tongue, which was threatening to photograph at her for the reprimand worthy of a bambino that he was receiving, when he stepped into the last carriage, and suddenly re-lost command 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 storm lastingness for a girl her sizing. He glanced down at the painful grip she had on him, and pondered how angry she would be if he broke loose.

Before he had fourth dimension to determine 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 carriage, right as one of the thestrals let out an odd sounding grunt.

She then muttered something beneath her breathing space. 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 articulation, however, was filled with contempt.

'' sense of hearing thing, ceramicist ? ``

He felt as if he had just been slapped, so contradictory were the emotions her face and interpreter conveyed. Shaking his oral sex, he shoved the sudden hesitation to indicate aside.

'' I do n't generally name a habit out of hearing matter, '' He finally ground out, taking a seat side by side to Ron grudgingly.

She inclined an eyebrow disbelievingly. `` Sure 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 arduous sentence letting that go, are n't you ? '' He spat out scathingly.

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

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

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

He suppressed the sudden urge to thrust her out of the carriage. In fact, the only thing stopping him was the fact that he 'd have to accomplish over Hermione to carry out it.

'' Well forgive me, '' He hissed acidly. `` Next time I see you wandering down an skittle alley full of colored magician I 'll just pull up stakes you to them. I did n't gain 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 depend out the window.

Hermione 's hilltop creased, her lips forming into a determined scowl at the girl 's apparent deficiency of interest.

Harry smirked, leaned back, and crossed his sleeve, preparing for the show.

'' Well Kalliandra, how was your final hebdomad of summer ? '' Hermione pressed.

'' Rigorous. ''

Hermione shot him a spirit, to which he smirked like a Canis aureus. Ron was far less subtle, and simply mouthed, So what now, genius ?

Hermione 's face hardened into one of gloomy determination.

'' So what classes are you taking ? ``

The little girl heaved a large sigh. `` Too many. ``

Hermione 's mouth opened, as if appalled at the girl 's lack of interest group in schooling. And just as Harry began an home victory jig, flashing a celebratory smirk at Ron, the little 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 changeable. `` At least, that 's what the Headmaster mentioned. ``

Hermione 's agape love mouth slowly closed, a behind smile creeping across her face.

flash them a smug look, she started talking. `` Ancient Runes is actually jolly fascinating. It 's a lot like learning to show another language. In fact, it 's my favorite subject. ''

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

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

Hermione 's mouth opened in dissent, apparently too traumatize for wrangle as her inevitable comeback failed to come up forth.

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

'' And how exactly did I insult 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 Holy Order to like something, I 'm pretty sure enough that 's derogatory to the something in question. ``

Ron waved a hand dismissively. `` As if thestrals would care. ``

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

'' That 's Hippogriffs you idiot. ''

Hermione made a throttling 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 violent, '' Harry cut in with irritation. Why in the hell did Hermione have to pick this perambulator ...

He gazed longingly out the assailable door hatch. He knew perfectly well that if he got out and walked, that he would miss the classification, and he had already learned the hard way what happened to people when they walked into that belated.

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

'' Hagrid, '' She hissed dangerously.

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

He stood, only for Hermione to yank him down. Ron opened his mouth, an angry dissent 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 look Hermione shot him each prison term the incident was brought up.

She glared at him. `` Gladly. ''

'' Fine. ''

'' mulct ! ''

right hand then the pram moved with a mighty lurch, and not another tidings was spoken by any of the go-cart 's denizen.

Harry stared out the windowpane, 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 enormous entry. And without a word, he and Ron jumped out, dry grease stirring around their footprints as they met the crowd of students rushing to the Great Hall.
* * * * *


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

Letting out a tense breath she had not even realized she was holding, Kally felt herself nodding in assent. `` No kidding, '' she remarked dryly. Still, she could n't facilitate but feel a tiny, justified surge of outrage. That girl 's friends had jumped into the carriage right as she had been trying to contact Remus.

existence in the magical populace, knowing adjacent to nothing about it, had felt overpower before. But now, on her way to being surrounded by competent witches and mavin twenty four - seven, that overwhelming feeling was beginning to break open into something far closer to panic.

She was n't sure she could pull this off. She was n't sure at all.

Hermione released an exhausted sounding huff, breaking her from her view. `` Please know, I 'm not trying to criticise you, '' she said carefully, `` but you could have made things a little easier. Particularly since this unhurt misunderstanding seems to be over something extremely lilliputian. ''

Rising from her derriere and stepping out of the pushchair, her metrical unit sinking into the free dirt, Kally heard herself saying very quietly, `` You 're right. ``

And even though she was not looking at Hermione, she could practically feel the eye rolling going on behind her.

Silently they joined the throng of students making their way up the castle 's entrance. That was until Hermione began asking questions again.

'' Do you have it off if you are being sorted with the residual of the first years ? ``

Nearly tripping over a kid small enough to have been a first yr, Kally nodded mechanically. `` Unfortunately. ``

A ruminative frown crossed the brunette 's face. `` You do n't voice aroused. ``

Throwing a wayward coup d'oeil the girl 's way, Kally asked, `` Would you be ? I 'm going to bond out. ``

Mounting the entryway stairs simultaneously, she saw the recess of Hermione 's mouth crook up in her peripheral imagination, as if hiding still entertainment. `` You are twice their stature, so I suppose that is an accurate judgement. ``

Instead of responding, Kally began grumbling something indecipherable under her breath.

Hermione responded by allowing what may ingest been a smiling to cross her feature article. `` They really are nice if you give them the chance. ``

Somehow she felt severely doubtful about that, but something of her sentiment must have shown on her features, because Hermione was interjecting before she could even phrase a response.

'' We did n't get along at outset either, '' Hermione said, their metrical unit reaching the top. `` To be blunt, it took a round trying to accept my head off for us to start getting along. ''

Kally stumbled, her hazel oculus 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, give them a chance. ``

She could n't help it. Despite all her efforts to the adverse, a strangled choking phone emerged from her throat.

Hermione simply grinned harder, shaking her principal. `` Honestly, '' she laughed, glancing around the rapidly emptying ledger entry hall, `` do you want me to waitress with you until the first years get here so you 're not ... ''

'' Ms. Kaylens is quite capable of waiting alone Ms. farmer. And if you delay any longer it will be 20 tip from Gryffindor. ``

The voice had come from directly behind them, the force of it muted by the echoing of excited chatter from scholar trying to cram through the Great Asaph Hall 's looming threshold.

Instantly Kalliandra recognized it. She had met the man on a few occasion, and he had seized the chance to remind her how absolutely impossible it would be for her to ever gain competency in Potions.

As such, she stopped immediately, spinning on her heel. Hermione simply quirked an eyebrow before continuing off to join the rest of the students.

Snape 's dark eye lowered, eyeing her appraisingly. `` I trust you are remembering discretion. Particularly where students like Ms. Granger are concerned. Some tend to be too nosy for their own good. ``

Heaving a sigh, Kally nodded. `` I 'll commend. ''

He glowered at her for another minute, before nodding curtly. `` Remember, I 'll be seeing you in detention all this hebdomad. ''

She heaved another sigh. Upon their initial coming together she had had the unfortunate luck to inadvertently insult the man, by asking if he were a vampire. In fact, all she has said was that he looked like one of the animal of the night from her Department of Defense Against the Dark Art 's text they had given her to scan. And considering that Hagrid was a giant, another species mentioned in the Christian Bible, 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 interrogative sentence lightly, and had immediately began ranting and raving about how he most certainly did not entertain a deep-seeded blood lecherousness for the living.

And for some unfortunate, and self-destructive understanding, she had found his anger ridiculously funny story.

Which probably explained why she had wound up in detention.

'' Ms. Kaylens ? ``

'' I 'll be looking forward to it, '' She replied quickly, finding herself suddenly surrounded by several dozen Thomas Kyd, all twittering loudly with no planetary house of stopping.

She groaned, barely hearing Professor McGonagall 's speech. Somehow she found herself following the Deputy schoolmarm through freshly polished oak doors into the Great Hall.

The eyes of every world-class year immediately turned upwards, to the left, to the right, and in every early plausible direction, ineffective to resist taking in their new surround.

The pressure of a century duad of eyes burrowed into her, and she stared pointedly forward, looking over the crowd of midgets to where Hagrid sat, flashing a strong grin in her focussing.

Maybe he can serve me break loose afterwards, she thought hopefully, coming to a arrest at the front of the enormous elbow room. respective of the midgets around her tensed up, scattered whispering passing through the crowd about fighting a troll ...

What on world is that about, she wondered curiously, spotting the hat Remus had told her about.

McGonagall turned to face the entire way.

'' When I call your name, step forward, place the hat upon your head, and the sorting will begin. ''

With that, she sat the hat upon a battered old can, the sorting hat 's brim opened wide, and the singing began.
* * * * *


'' Slytherin ... ''

'' Ron if you say that one to a greater extent time ... ''

'' Hermione you saw how vile she was ! ''

'' She is not vile ! '' Hermione hissed back dangerously, being careful to retain her vocalization lowered. `` queasy, yes. Vile, no. ``

'' You can not order me that there is not something inherently sinister about her, '' Ron challenged. `` Something 's not ripe there. She 's going to wind up an evilness Slytherin, probably waiting to ... ''

Before Ron could embark further along his psychological road trip, Hermione cut him off tiredly. `` Just because individual is in Slytherin does not construct them inherently evil, Ronald. ''

'' Hermione how can you say that ! '' He bristled, clearly having trouble keeping his voice down as the outset years and the field of their parameter walked past.

Hermione 's font visibly tensed, and Harry could tell she did n't fully consider what she was saying. `` You ca n't pidgeon hole out an total house. Besides, Slytherins are goal oriented and strong willed. They might be a bit abrasive, but it 's because they wo n't let anything get in their way of getting what they want. ''

'' Which makes you a slimy git like Snape ! '' Ron exclaimed triumphantly.

At least Ron 's exclamations were hushed enough so no one not in the skinny vicinity could get wind, Harry thought, suppressing a moan. He should cause known the peace between those two could n't last longsighted than the train drive there. It was astonishing enough that they had n't killed each former in their compartment as it was. Had he really expected that peace to last ?

'' Mione ... ''

'' Ronald ... ''

'' Will you two criticize it off ! The hat about to sing and I actually want to see what it says. '' Ginny cut in. Harry made a mental Federal Reserve note to thank her for distracting their disputing acquaintance later, and quickly turned his care to the hat. He had always enjoyed the sorting, but after survive twelvemonth ... fountainhead, knowing that the hat was sworn to forewarn the students and instructor of peril made him a bit more attentive this year.

The had opened it 's lip spacious.

Divided, but once united,
That's how our floor begins,
foursome theater founded by four ally
Yet I fear that such partitioning shall bring about our end.

In antediluvian times the right of friends
Came knocking on the doorway,
Of Ravenclaw and Slytherin,
Then Hufflepuff went to Gryffindor.

Lets build a school of learnedness,
For all those of magic to go to,
Yet somehow the approach three could not correspond,
On what tone to defend.

Lets teach only those of wit and acquisition,
Possessing the most gear up minds of all.
Those had been the affecting words,
Of once fairly Ravenclaw.

Proud Slytherin pry aspiration,
Possessing pureness of blood and craftiness,
His school-age child would stop at cypher,
Until they got what they saw fit to their coming.

And then were the bravest,
Those cheeky with noble daring,
boldface Gryffindor chose them,
As well-nigh worthy of magical eruditeness.

Hufflepuff loved her friend,
And accepted them as they were.
She let them each create a house,
In which their prized were teach and parent.

And as for confection Hufflepuff,
She agreed to take the rest,
Yet somehow air division did not set well,
single to her, seemed best.

So when the beginner sewed me,
And left me on my commode,
She stole me in the dead of night,
And bestowed me with a tool,
Of knowing when the clip was right,
For the sorting ritual to end.
She said one day sectionalisation may cause strife,
And she feared for the magic world.
For all her lifetime,
She had feared the division in sight,
But never more,
Than when the friendships failed,
Of the Founding quartet.

Slytherin was the first to leave,
purity of stock his pick,
I 'm disgraced by teaching Muggle borns !
He yelled, conviction in his part.

Next left sheer Gryffindor,
He felt the calling of adventure,
Rather than the do-or-die plea,
Of failing commitment in want of surgical seam.

Last left once-fair Ravenclaw,
Who once prized DoJ and learning,
She left because she said,
That teaching the other school-age child had got too boring.

And alone stood mellisonant Hufflepuff,
The wisest of them all,
Because she never would heed,
Alluring temptations cry.

I see the wisdom of her pick,
Why she chose to admit them all,
And now understand,
That its fruitless to carve up you at all.

So while it deeply saddens me,
To see my end in sight,
The sorting ceremony ends,
Right now, Right here, This night.


Harry stared at the can, 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 song the categorisation hat would ever babble out.

He cast a cursory coup d'oeil towards Hermione, sitting adjacent to him on the bench, but her Brown eyes were wide and fixated up front. He could just envisage what was going through her head right then, because chances were she was going through each page of Hogwarts a History, trying to chance any other incident even remotely like this one. He had a sneaking suspicion that she had the whole book committed to memory.

The unnatural quiet filled the Great antechamber like a duncish fog, so thick he could almost feel it closing around him.

McGonagall seemed caught between slapping the hat and looking to Dumbledore for instructions, and her hand moved cautiously towards the hat 's lip, only for it to quickly flinch as if the hat had grown fang. This odd, twitching motion was punctuated by sharp turns of her read/write head as she looked right at Dumbledore, who to Harry 's surprisal, looking genuinely amused.

Snape on the other deal looked quite inconvienced, his mouth had puckered so tightly that his back talk 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 place at the teacher 's table, clearly headed for the sorting hat 's stool itself.

'' Excuse me Minerva. '' Snape muttered, his low tone clearly audible in the unearthly silence. His tenacious finger snatched the hat up and onto his caput in a single fluid question, his nerve contorted in concentration as if conducting some clever argument.

Clever argument from Snape ? No ... unacceptable, he thought, watching his Potions teacher with interest for the first fourth dimension in five yr.

Apparently he was right about Snape 's inability to deal an effective argument, because a moment later Snape had flung the hat back onto it 's faecal matter, muttering about how it was a dirty, trash-ridden piece of music of fading fabric destined for a Muggle refuse rubbish dump.

It was a scrape of how dangerous the state of affairs was, that not a soulfulness at the Gyffindor table laughed.

Harry could n't facilitate but notice how Snape was testingly running his fingers through his oleaginous sinister tomentum, looking at his script after each swipe, as if searching for validation of something.

Every Gryffindor had a sneaking suspicion that the hat had just called him a greasy slime ball.

Ron Weasley was just the low gear to say it.

'' Chalk one up for the categorization hat for insulting Snape ! '' Ron whispered triumphantly, all heads within hearing turning towards him.

Apparently that was the bespeak everyone had been waiting for, because suddenly a frenzy of bodily process broke out at the Gryffindor table, and a mountain chain reaction of noise bedspread until the nose layer was almost deafening. The uncategorized world-class years looked positively terrified, as if frightened of being sent home if unsortable, and they alone seemed the only one still rendered speechless.

'' I mean did I just hear that right wing ? '' Ron asked, heart alight with upheaval he did not percentage.

Harry just nodded, watching the prof 's re-group.

Professor Flitwick slid from his butt, and every so often Harry could catch a glimpse of the top of his head over the teacher 's board, as the small man jumped up and down, vying for Dumbledore 's attention.

'' Oh my God did the sort hat just give up ? '' Squealed Parvarti. One would think she had just realized what had happened.

'' Brilliant that one ... '' Ron muttered sarcastically.

'' Think it has anything to do with the war going on ? '' Seamus asked excitedly. `` Do n't you remember ? How it warned us finish year ? ''

'' It did n't monish us that it might go on strike Eire man ! ''

'' Who you calling Ireland man ? ''

'' quiver Seamus, Dean 's just kidding, are n't you Dean ? '' Ginny 's calm vox somehow filtered through the ruckus.

'' I ca n't believe this ! Never, in all of Hogwarts a History did it ever report the Sorting Hat doing anything even remotely close to this ... '' Hermione was in her element, and he silently congratulated himself on how well he knew his protagonist. `` I mean do n't you believe Harry ? This is monumental !

But Hermione was too worked up to notice whether he responded or not, and she was so captive 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 pleading glimpse at the mathematical group of first years, who seemed to wince away from her regard.

Professor Dumbledore, looking vaguely amused, patted Professor Flitwick on the caput as he mulled this over. For his part the Charm 's Professor stopped bouncing around like a firefly on stop number, and his pocket-sized head disappeared beneath the staff table.

'' We 'll be needing a volunteer though ... '' McGonagall stated rhetorically, scanning the list of student names with an uncharacteristic look of precariousness, talking out loud but absently. `` If any of the first years would like to try to get sorted ... ''

His nous of planetary house was too preoccupied, and she missed what he did not fail to notice.

A certain gilded haired young lady had overhead the prof 's question, and after casting a glance at the distraught children around her, had woven her way through the cowering get-go days. She now stood besides the stool, her fragile hand grasping the top of the hat as she lifted it from its chairman, plopping it upon her nous. The teachers around her were completely oblivious to her actions.

Her soft, angular features relaxed, as if immersed in quiet conversation. And as she sat there, immersed in a silent conversation to which only she was privy to, Dumbledore pointed a wand to his throat, mutter, `` sonorous ''.

A 2nd later the Headmaster 's magically amplified voice echoed throughout the Great Radclyffe Hall, as it had on only one other occasion.

'' SIIIILLLLEEEENNNCCCE ! ''

Every person who had been excitedly talking, including several of the nervous looking maiden years, who had started to cry, stopped and turned their attention to the front of the Asaph Hall.

So of course, that was when everyone 's attention suddenly became drawn to the rather ordinary girl, standing by the crapper, the offending hat placed atop her headspring.

'' Apparently the sorting hat has decided that it is no longer able to, in good conscious, function as a sign of the zodiac sorter. However, we shall possess this sorted out. '' Dumbledore winked, the pun on words 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 upper years to remain here for dinner party, and I would like the first years to come with .... ''

Dumbledore stopped mid-sentence, apparently just catching sight of Kaylens, even though she had been right in front of him all along.

Kaylens nodded one terminal meter, her hazel center flickering open as she removed the hat, placing it back upon the stool. All eyes were upon the hat except his, so he was the only one to see the rare smile cross her feature of speech as the sorting hat opened its brim for the second metre that nighttime.

'' Let the sorting now begin. ''



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