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

Please deal this a switch of the sixth book, since it was begun well before the release of the Half Blood Prince. I will not be changing this to conciliate the HBP plotline, since I feel that the Order of the Phoenix leaves a with child grade of tractableness for fan-fiction writer.

Thank you to all of the proofreader who have supported me throughout the penning of this piece.
I can not express my gratitude enough to all of you who have made me the telephone number 1 Favorite author, and this report the figure 2 deary Story, the 7th Most Read Story, the Most Reviewed level Ever in the situation 's history, and for several month between August and other November of 2005 the telephone number 1 Favorite Story.







'' Energy. It permeates every living and non-living thing. Without it, the world would finish to survive. ''
~ Vincent VonStolburg ~






Chapter 1 ~ Lightning hit


Remus'eyes narrowed, peering through the compact attack as rain pelted the earthly concern. He continued walking, not breaking formation even as body of water sloshed about his mud-soaked ankles, chilling him to the bone.

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

But there had been little time to guess on such point.

His oculus burned, the stinging wizard growing until dreadful snag streamed down his face, his salty tears mixing with the rainfall before they reached his brim, leaving the taste of table salt water upon his clapper.

The stinging sensation grew worse. It happened whenever his rod cells multiplied, and right now the frenzy going on just behind his retinas was aiding him, bringing into barren focus the demolition of the nighttime.

Cloaked images came to life, the moonless night no longer a factor as hoary images danced before him with unearthly clarity. It was the one small talent his monthly burden afforded him.

Night visual sense.

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

Tonks fell into stride besides him, giving an involuntary shudder, and he caught her arm, helping her over another of the abruptly before she could trip. Her centre were still bloodshot from the go time it had happened.

She nodded thanks and they continued their furtive search. They dared not light their way of life for awe of giving away their positions. Lingering decease Eaters could be anywhere.

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

A Reach had not been found in England for centuries. And the foul and disgusting Death feeder would go to any length to find one. The evidence lay at their feet, and he was thankful that the deep darkness spared Tonks from seeing the full extent of tonight 's devastation. Only he could yield witness to its replete revulsion.

Five Muggles had been slain this night. Their torn and mangled soundbox long since passed. There was nothing even the best of therapist could do. All that was left was to pick through the carnage, hoping against hope that a soul had survived.

He picked up the pace. They had to complete their hunt before the ministry functionary arrived. By then they were to be gone, mere specter to consume passed through, unseen and unheard.

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

This was his seventh such search that month alone, and still the mephitis of coal cloth and sunburn flesh reeled him.

Muggle family line were being polluted with the rankness of Voldemort. And despite the order of magnitude 's best efforts, they had been powerless to stop it.

'' Six ... '' Tonks whispered, barely audible. Her slender form was deflect down, her shaking work force checking for a pulse on a young man, his once golden-blond hair matted thickly with coagulated origin.

Remus bent down, grasping her around the waist as he helped her procession. In the heating plant of battle she was fiery, unaffected by the horror of fallen comrades. He had seen her ability to block such things out firsthand in the Department of Mysteries. But now, in the wake of something she had no control over, the steely glint was gone from her eyes, her purposeful tread lost.

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

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

He wound his arm tighter around her berm, squeezing her arm gently. No words of reassurance were outgoing, but he felt her still, calming under his touch.

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

The Dark Lord had a new strategy. Snape had informed the parliamentary procedure weeks ago, but even now he still found it abysmal, for the vile being was no longer capacity to experiment with magic.

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

And people…

His plan was to harness the ability of every witching being for himself. So he could channel them into his one acrid being.

If the thought of an even secure Dark Lord was n't enough to frighten somebody, Remus did n't know what was. But that fear did nothing to appease his barely contained fury.

It was rough-cut knowledge that when emotions ran high school, witch and magician often lost control. Hell, he had lost count of how many clock time Harry had done exactly that.

Only now the Death Eaters were using a orbit 's emotions against them. The hooded image had crept in the shade of night from dwelling house to menage over the by weeks, killing each prospect 's menage right in battlefront of them. Their aim was to draw out an excited reaction, one unassailable enough to reveal the Reach 's straight potential.

It sickened him, how the nighttime Lord could kill so many innocent, just to blush the Reach out of hiding.

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

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

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

almost witches and maven developed magical ability at a untested age. Though there were always the few destined to become Squibs, and there were always a few who developed it later on in life, in their teens. It had turned out that magic ability stemmed from a dominant gene, linked to the cistron specifying blood type. And the genetic code Muggles possessed only differed by a few nucleotides, so it was easy for the variation to arise randomly in Muggles, thus Muggleborns.

But a scope was not a Wiccan or sensation, they were not a Squib or a late blooming magician.

They were something dissimilar entirely.

When their magical artistry came to fruition, the Saame system of rules that alerted the schoolmaster to the presence of a new enchantress or thaumaturgist would go off.

Tonight that system had gone haywire. It had been slowly file indication for the past five months.

Now it was going off again.

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

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

The wretched bastard.

Instinctively his arm shot out, halting Tonks roughly in lieu, his dilated eyes roamed, scanning the flat coat of what had once been an ordinary home set far away from the John Roy Major roads. Now fall apart floorboard littered the muddied basis, while smoke from the doused fervor curled up in snake like tendrils, shrouding the world from position. Yet his eyes penetrated its veil, searching for the flutter of apparent motion that had frozen him in plaza.

He clenched his fingers tighter around the familiar worn oak of his wand, bracing himself for whatever tone-beginning would come.

None came.

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

He withdrew his arm, placing a finger carefully over Tonks'icy back talk, signaling her to be soundless. The only sign of her confusion was the wanton crease of her hilltop. She would, of course, have no idea what he was looking for. Her auditory sense was not as refined as his.

But werewolf bites did things like that to a person.

It came again, a low, strangled moan, and he took off, rushing towards the source. No aggressor could feign that kind of botheration.

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 person, filled with the blood of her and the lifeless man besides her. Her body spasmed with each choking hack as she coughed up inhaled body of water, her eyes glazed over from what he recognized as shock absorber.

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

Tonks reached them, murmuring soothing actor's line as she smoothed the girl mud caked hair away from her face, dark-brown pee emerging from her rim as another round of spasm racked her body violently.

He took her appearing in, another involuntary spasm shaking her. Torn shards of what had once been clothing hung lightly from her, and the debris and dust sticking to her wet human face made her features impossible to discern.

He did n't jazz whether to praise the heavens or curse them as he and Tonks exchanged a meaningful coup d'oeil. They had to get her back to headquarters before something worse happened. Her shoulder was in do-or-die need of suturing, and God only knew what else the bastards had done to her before leaving her for dead.

He let her cough up the balance of the water before stunning her. He hated doing it as he lifted her gimp variety from the ground, but only one thing could have survived this.

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


The rain poured down in cold downpour as Harry shouldered his broom, sprinting after Kingsley through the fast forming puddle of London 's metropolis streets. It was coming down in bucket now, and if he had thought flying through the torrential pelter had been bad it was nothing compared to the hammering of his feet on the slick pavement.

Moody 's guttural growling sounded off to his right, not that he could see him, the rainfall was too wooden-headed to see much of anything. Thunder clapped, shaking him to the core, and the lightning flashed shockingly, illuminating the country to reveal Order members running in social rank around him, splashing piss as they went.

pentad of them had shown up at the Dursleys barely an hour ago, reminding him of that Night, barely a year ago, when an escort squad had shown up in the Dursley 's kitchen to whip him away to Grimmauld position.

Only this night was different.

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

Tonight truly was different.

He blinked rapidly, trying vainly to extract the body of water cascading into his eyes, but it was to no avail. His ice were too thickly coated with rainfall droplets, and he desperately racked his mind for the charm Hermione used to repel piss. For his wand was out, and he could use it. The Ministry had removed the Decree for the Restriction of Underage Wizardry that summer. Dumbledore had headed up the motion, arguing that the return of Voldemort endangered witches and hotshot of all eld, and that in the event of an onslaught, scholarly person should be resign to defend themselves without the fear of recoil.

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

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

Grimmauld space.

lupine materialized at the top of the decrepit wooden stairs looking worse for the wear. His normally threadbare habiliment was now ragged and roue stained, his eyes holler and sunken, holding the look of prey that knew its predator to be virtually.

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

A loud boom reverberated through the sign, shaking the paries as indistinct voices argued in the distance. Yet this did not disoblige him. Even his peculiarity as to why he had been pulled so untimely from his bed could not best the despair that had hit him like a bludger. In the heat of the airstream they had ran he had forgotten one thing.

That they were taking him to Sirius's…

This house had never been joyful, but now it seemed a empty shell of what could have been. It stood as a atrocious reminder of the scrapings of a lifespan that he and his godfather could have salvaged. But that biography was gone now.

War brought casualty, casualties brought pain, and pain brought emptiness.

That was how he had felt since that night. Empty. There was zilch that could fulfil the emptiness. Not even the impendent terror of facing Voldemort in years to derive could pass water him feel anything but despair again.

Mundungus cleared his throat, turning all heads towards him as he beckoned for everyone to quietly make their way to an meet room. He followed, his sopping wet clothes weighing him down with every step he took. But zilch could weigh him down as much as the memories ... As much as the effect haunting him ... The one they should take told him ...

Realization hit him hard, like sudden submerging into the icy body of water of the northerly artic, as he wondered what they were not telling him tonight.

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

But even if they had told him, right then, it would n't suffer mattered. There was no way any of them could have known what would take place from that night 's upshot. At least not yet ... None of them were seeing past their want to get him to a safe fix, so they could not give known that the night marked a turning point in his animation, as well as in the sprightliness of the only survivor of Voldemort 's number one waving of blast.

The war had begun.
* * * * *


Throbbing pain ... line ... rallying cry of infliction ....

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

Dim vocalization filtered into her opinion, her sleep befuddled mind protesting strongly as it failed to grok a exclusive word.

'' ... has a chance. ''

newsbreak of light ... .flame ... cough smoke ... squeal of tire ... .Sean ....

She awoke jarringly, her terrible groan drowned out by the part.

vocalization that were oblivious to her waking up. vocalism oblivious to the way her consistence recoiled in painful sensation. part oblivious to how her eyes teared from the bright sun pouring in from the windows of the doomed room. Voices unmindful to how she clawed like a frightened animal at the thick 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 tongue, slicing her cutis in a way the big of the fired spells could not have.

She had done the unthinkable ....

New waves of pain rain buckets Forth, her vision swimming dangerously with each pulsating painfulness her body dealt. She would cause cried out, but the effort would give birth been too much for her fallible soma. Instead she drew in ragged breath until her organic structure gave out, the speech sound of a door creaking and a declamatory, moody human body standing over her vaguely registered before she once again slipped into merciful oblivion.
* * * * *


The aspiration were always the same ....

For nearly a month she had refused to knuckle under to the nightly torment. She was unattackable than that. She would not miss herself to the human beings of nightmare, even if the Holy Writ she had read on such thing deemed that a more merciful fate than the one the wizarding world would bestow upon her.

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

No ... since the day she had regained cognisance 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 shallow breath, letting her SOB subside slowly before Hagrid could hear. She had dreamt about it again. About that night. Visions of blood and shrill screams had filled her mind 's eye each Nox since as she dreamt about their deeds ...

Her deeds ...

She wiped the lingering crying that clung to her eyelash, swallowing her own self-loathing. She would not fight it, for she deserved every bit of nuisance bestowed upon her. She would stew in it until it had permeated every character of her being. That practically was the least of what she deserved.

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

And the ones who had started it all ...

They deserved so a great deal worse.

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

Revenge.
* * * * *


Harry lay on the top buncombe staring at the ceiling, watching the way shadows played across it as light from passing car headlights shone in through the window. Ron 's forte stertor drifted up, breaking the silence like a bullhorn with every breath, and it was taking every inch of the willpower he possessed, to not tip over and smack his friend senseless with his pillow.

He sighed loudly, wondering when it was all going to end. Each day the Daily Prophet brought intelligence of more killings, more unexplained disappearances, and of Sir Thomas More war. For respective weeks he and Ron had been catching choice morsel of info, solecism ups by the adults in Grimmauld topographic point, 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 judgment was the grounds for the mayhem, and that was Voldemort.

Voldemort. It was odd really, how one person could be the cause of so a lot death and destruction. No one should have that much office, he thought bitterly, thinking of the toll that the Muggle deaths were taking on Mr. Weasley, Ron 's father.

Mr. Weasley was the soul employee in the abuse of Muggle Artifacts department, and recently, with the strain on imagination in the Ministry, it had come to double up as the Department of Muggle Relations. Now Mr. Weasley spent half his sentence performing memory charms on Muggle law enforcement, to cover up the last of Muggles who had been murdered by end eater. Now every sentence Harry saw Mr. Weasley, all the man could talk about were different possible strategy for protecting the Muggle population.

Now if only a good scheme actually existed.

He rolled restlessly, spying Hedwig 's gleaming optic in the darkness. She hooted softly in recognition, and he smiled in the wickedness despite his dark thought.

Memories plagued him every clock time he closed his eye now. The section of enigma ... It was why he now lay awake.

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

Hermione had nearly been killed.

Sirius had ... ..

He shoved the remember aside, re-vowing that it would never happen again.

The trick was in figuring out how.

To protect them, he had tried to blatantly press them away, but they had seen right through that. He had refused to pen, and his self-induced isolation ended when both of them showed up at the Dursleys while his relatives were on holiday. The two of them set up abode there the stallion week, Order members circling the premise like hawks for security measures, while his Quaker 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 outdistance himself he 'd have to do it slowly.

Yes. A gradual drifting would be estimable.

It was with these thoughts in idea, that he drifted off into another night of interrupted sleep. If only he could have known then what the following few year would work.





disavowal : The characters, places, epithet, and events mentioned in this story, that coincide with the characters, places, names, and case mentioned in J.K. Rowling 's Harry Potter serial, do not go to me, but to that literary genuis, JKR. Thank you so a good deal for allowing so many of us to act on writing through fanfiction JKR, we really appreciate it.

The mythic standard is by SticksN'Stones.

art of Kalliandra by agirlnamedbob87.





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



Chapter 2 - kickoff effect


Her center flickered over the lake 's glassy open, taking in the shimmering reflections of the too soon break of day dawn. The sun was barely risen and the birds still slumbered, but this had become the norm for her over the past weeks. She simply no longer saw the use in sleeping when guilt plagued her even there.

A luminosity breeze ruffled the water system, tousling her hair gently in its Wake. She casually brushed her whispy strands back, tucking them carelessly behind her capitulum.

Her hairsbreadth had always been a source of foiling, always in the way, hanging in strawman of her eyes, driving her teacher crazy. No ponytail ever held for long, for her midst, slick magazine haircloth had a way of worming its way out. It was as if it preferred to be relieve and untethered.

Kind of like me ...

She swore silently, the rippling waves now running across the lake the but witness to her frustration as she stood. If she was not back soon Hagrid would arouse and observe her gone. Of course here would be the first berth he looked, but with as late as he always ran he would not be delight with her absence, particularly when they had situation to go that afternoon.

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

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

She had been warned of the dangers of such thing.

Her bare feet crunched upon the dewy Mary Jane, but the early morning chill did not trouble her. She reached into her pocket, fingering the cherry wooden airfoil of her wand before pulling it out, studying it appraisingly as she traversed her way across the grounds.

They were odd looking affair really. Long and slight, and from the aspect of it, easily breakable. She suppressed the sudden itch to do just that, knowing full moon well that null could be gleaned from such destructive measures.

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

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

So in what the odd man had called a virgule of divine guidance, he had impost designed the one she now bore, forming the gist with a lock of her own hair and a pinprick of her own descent. She could n't even retrieve how many trance had to be woven into it.

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

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

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

It was a heat that would never reach her.

A slightly impregnable breeze bore the sound of approaching hooves, and she turned towards the Forbidden woodland, the outline of wings folding into a buck 's emaciated dead body signaled Silverthorne 's arriver.

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

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

Perhaps that knowledge could explain her hostility as of late. Hagrid was a in force man and had not deserved the brunt of her anger the former day. They had been arguing as of late. But then again, she deserved to be informed of everything regarding herself. Keeping her in the wickedness could only cause advance scathe. This she was convinced of.

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

A tool of the dead. It was one of the more indecent names Thestrals were referred to by, but it explained why she had felt an insistent hooking to them while the early animals screeched and howled in her front.

His teeth glinted in the red hues of the morning and she smiled, pleased with the quite a little. It should stimulate concerned her, but instinct again told her there was null to fear with him.

At least so long as he gets his morning snack, she reminded herself with some entertainment, picturing how he would shoot down through the minuscule creature 's bones so eagerly.

She smiled again, letting the vexation of yesterday pass. She would rationalize to Hagrid later before they reached Diagon Alley to get her 'school'supply. She used the word fleetingly for while she was to take care Hogwarts, she was too far behind to be expected to actually turn in designation with the repose of the one-sixth geezerhood. Instead she was to put up a suitable façade until she gained the cognition that could aid her.

Then there was the small ingredient of her being completely unable to incant in the first place.

No one would be the wiser to why she was really there. Dumbledore 's concocted stories would not only hold in out, but they were even believable to an extent. He would back her if anyone questioned them. That was her only backup man in this full hell.

The Scheol that had become her life.

Kalliandra pulled herself onto Silverthorne and squeezed her bare heels around him, his bony ribs protruding into her skin in the summons. 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 conceive Fred and George, I mean they already got me one set of dress gown, they did n't ask to do it again. ''

Harry laughed as he watched Ron wriggle uncomfortably, the witching tape cadence flying vertically around his admirer 's no longer gangly torso, magically recording the length of his sleeve, legs, height, and for some odd grounds, the aloofness between his spike.

He knew exactly why Ron 's Brother were getting him dress robes, but he was n't about to share that patch of entropy. Not when he was actually enjoying himself for the firstly fourth dimension in weeks.

'' fountainhead we did n't need them shoemaker's last year, '' He pointed out truthfully. `` And we do this twelvemonth. So maybe they just felt bad since your growth jet rendered your other ones unwearable. ''

'' Thank God for that, '' Ron grunted, slouching as the step flew past his nose, 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 have thought it was offended.

'' Blimey ! look on it ! '' Ron exclaimed, ducking another near hit, his pes entangling in the retentive dress robes trailing past his base.

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

'' Oww ... bloody ... irritable ... ''

Harry very nearly choked on tenuous air, quite a effort, had it not been for the loud roll of laughter he was trying to miserably suppress as he caught the eternal rest of Ron 's mutter profanities.

Of grade, he thought lightly, his best spouse might not be muttering the colorful metaphors if he could see the look on the sales clerk 's face ... Or the fact that she was storming over from where she had been attempting to size of it a first base year for his Hogwarts robes, face alit, paw on hips, optic narrowed vindictively at the pot Ron lay in.

rightfulness then, with the impeccably bad timing that only Ron could get the hang, his champion 's red head emerged from the ruffle, a bright pinkish sheet wrapped around it like a shawl, and a sheepish verbal expression on his facial expression as he stammered apology. The sight must have been too a lot for the clerk, because her mouth twitched, her grievous expression faltered, and all simulation of wrath 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 want to consider that off before anyone else sees you in it ! ''

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

'' You know mate, I think ma'am Maulkin 's got it all faulty. I think that 's an excellent looking for you. guess what Hermione would guess ... ''

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

'' Oh shut it Harry ! ''

Harry grinned, enjoying his friend momentary uncomfortableness. `` Speaking of Hermione ... '' He said, calming down slightly. `` She should be here any minute so perhaps you could ask her for her develop opinion ... ''

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

'' You sure bout that Harry ? I 'd be thinkin'that it 'd be clashing with his red hair more than yers. ''

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

It was possibly due to this, that he whorled around in his seat so fast that he nearly slid off, earning several loud snickers from a sealed chuckling redhead tangled in fabric.

'' Hagrid ! When did you get here ? '' He asked, ignoring Ron 's attempted reenactment. He took in his large Friend standing awkwardly near the death chair.

They really should make up stores more accessible for the great unwashed his sizing ... He thought, making a mental preeminence to mention the idea to Hermione as Hagrid opened his magnanimous backtalk.

'' About five minutes ago Harry. And I stand by what I said. '' A mischievous grin formed under Hagrid 's scruffy brownness whiskers as his eyes landed on Ron. `` Hot pink would be clashin'horribly with Ron 's haircloth. ''

A tacky tearing audio tore his tending back to Ron, and he stifled yet another laugh at the horrified locution on Ron 's face. By all appearance, Ron had attempted to take the air from the fitting platform to where he and Hagrid sat by the windowpane, only now Ron was staring down at the rive fabric hanging raggedly from the hem of his new dress gown.

'' Now that's why you 're supposed to bide put ! '' Madam Maulkin snipped, spying the new destruction and waving her wand. The fabric flipped up like a snake, a large needle zooming to mend it. Ron attempted to climb up back away from it.

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

Ron did not look relieved at the thought. Of course, the agonized expression might have been from how Madam Maulkin grabbed him by the nucha of his collar and yanked him back to the fitting program, where she immediately began to fret over the frightening state of his gown.

'' punter complete you first since you ca n't stand still. '' She quipped in her heights pitched phonation. `` And to retrieve that this morning I would have sworn it was the new students who gave me the most problems ... ''

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

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

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

He nodded, rarity driving him as he wondered who this Kalliandra character was. Must be a number 1 yr or really young. He was trusted he would hold remembered that epithet at to the lowest degree.

But in the back of his head he felt a twinge of ruth.

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

At least Hagrid will evince them a soundly time, he mused, remembering his first trip to Diagon alley. He opened his lip to ask if they were from a wizarding or Muggle family, concluding that it must be a first yr from the way Hagrid was still babbling on about them.

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

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

And I thought Hermione looked thoroughly in dress robes, he thought, swallowing hard, berating himself for being distracted. But this girl was stunning, in an offbeat sort of way. While her features were rather plain, her long, golden dress robe clung loosely to her slender legs, with her delicate hands lifting the hem, revealing suntanned mortise joint as she moved towards them.

The hell 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 stand right by him, biting her lip nervously, eyes directed at Hagrid.

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

The fille nodded slowly, her eyes glancing at him appraisingly for a second before flickering away. `` If you could shout it finding ... '' She said, a tip 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 assistant did a fine job Young lady. That color suits you, '' Madam Maulkin chimed out, shocking him back to his dope. He silently thanked her, and glanced over to see that she was still indeed, judging by his Quaker 's pained expression, torturing Ron.

He shook his nous whimsically at the deal, glancing back at the young lady in nominal head of him, thinking that lady Maulkin had a point about the semblance suiting her. Her gloomy golden hair cascaded loosely past her shoulders, respective shorter strands framing her face, lightly brushing her collar bone. All of it was barely discernible from the silky robe material clinging to her willowy figure.

Briefly he wondered if it were a blessing or a crime to countenance daughter out like that.

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

Fortunately Hagrid had not noticed, and the daughter was too busybodied bickering with him.

Spying that his care was again re-focused, Hagrid shot him a sieve grin. `` Ah well ... Harry, Ron, this 'ere be Kalliandra. She 'll be goin'to Hogwarts this tumble to. ''

'' Youffa meanuh uh transforra ? '' Ron 's dampen part called out from under the cotton cocktail dress Maulkin was vigorously forcing over his nous. `` Weff neffa haf uh transsfuh befuh. ''

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

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

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

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

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

Maybe she had found Ron'question offense, though he could n't imagine why. He shot Hagrid a quizzical looking, hoping he 'd clarify things since Kalliandra did n't look about to do so.

'' Yev 're had transfer of training, 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 amount of money of entertainment. `` Well that 'd be drive they came in the middle of the yer. Ca n't have erm sorted at the sortin'when they 've missed it already. ``

'' Oof ! '' Ron grunted, extricating himself from the surplusage material. `` So why the transfer ? 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 phase of the moon grown giant in the woodwind ...

Or a three headed dog ....

Or a pet dragon ...

Seeing a half giant worm beneath one 's gaze would normally be quite a funny occurrent, but it simply made Harry anxious as Hagrid continued shuffling his metrical unit, mumbling about right introductions, while the girlfriend remained extremely quiet.

Harry feigned a polite smile, extending his hand to the girl at Hagrid 's press. `` Nice to meet you. ''

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

'' A pleasure ... '' She said quietly, her eyes flickering up to suffer his.

It was a shock he had been ill prepared for, for her eyes held a ghost of the familiar… So closely kindred to the haunted feel of Canicula'that he felt himself shaken to the core at the conversance.

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

The civilized smiling she had shot him flicker and disappeared abruptly.

'' Oh blimey ! '' Hagrid gasped hurriedly, startling him from his thoughts. `` Kalliandra do ye take care if I leave ye 'ere with them for a arcminute ? 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 goodbye to all three of them, not waiting for a response. And from the malevolent public eye that Kalliandra shot him, he really could n't blame him.

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

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

'' Yes, you 're probably right ... '' She said faintly, her spokesperson so diffused he scarcely heard her. Though her surprisingly gruntle modulation did cipher to stop the coarse quality of her public eye as her pin down eyes followed Hagrid 's retreating form. In fact, she was still shooting sticker out the door as the assistant yanked her over to the heart-to-heart try-on platform besides Ron seconds later.

Harry decided not to dwell on the looking he had seen, the one so painfully familiar to Dog Star. It had probably been his imagination, so he contented himself with trying to adjudicate which of the two looked more disgruntle. Kalliandra kept shutting her centre, as if frightened by the enchanted tape measure touchstone flicking around her head, while Ron kept shooting scowls at Madam Maulkin.

'' You know we 've never had a transfer before. At to the lowest degree not one that I can remember, right Harry ? '' Ron stated, glaring down at Maulkin as she marked his handlock with meth, determining the duration of his arm.

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 robes slightly. It was all Harry could do to annul cursing the assistant. Girl 's robes should get no shorter ...

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

Harry found that oddly comical, considering that Ron had been ducking the really thing himself, but at least his friend had not been standing chicken feed still like a deer in headlight.

Kalliandra had though.

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

Ron 's eyebrow furrowed slightly at her want of responsiveness. `` The tape quantity ... 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 principal to await out the door. Ron shot him an annoyed, 'Can you believe this ?'look.

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

Several minutes passed, the ungainly secrecy broken only be Ron 's random outburst of displeasure, and Kalliandra 's quiet reception to the assistant 's query. Unsurprisingly she was the first one done, and he found himself having a hard time not staring at her now that the frock gown were completely fitted around her form. The matter was classy, elegant, and practically constitute try-on ...

'' 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 clothes gown gathered in her work force 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, '' lady Maulkin quipped from where she knelt on the floor, using her verge to stimulate nipper adjustments to the hem of Ron 's robe.

She flashed Harry an inconspicuous nictitation, and he barely caught it, smiling slightly at her before glancing back to see Kalliandra disappear behind a changing room pall. He could n't aid but feel slightly relieved. Between his curiosity about this girl and Ron 's glares, he did not desire to be caught staring at her. And he knew he 'd be a lot less prone to doing that once she was out of that damnable robe.

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

'' Ahem. ''

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

Come to think of it, Ron seemed to be making revolt faces as well.

Harry failed to take the hazard to so much as shrug in response to Ron 's repulsive care gestures in the young woman 's focussing, before a quiet clatter broke the relative secrecy of the elbow room. He turned to see Kalliandra squatting down on the floor, picking up lilliputian oarlock in her hands.

The bemused help stood behind the counter, bearing a slight smile. `` Oh honey, thank you, but do n't worry about that. I 'm as clumsy as can be ... '' The assistant flicked her wand and the little pins scattered all over the billet disappeared, reappearing into the pin cushion held in Kalliandra 's handwriting.

'' See, I 'm knocking material over all the meter, '' The assistant continued, while the girl stared at the now filled pin cushion, biting her downcast lip, mental confusion etched into each of her lineament.

He did n't fail to notice it.

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

There was no clock time to fall out that cockeyed caravan of mentation, for Kalliandra had already stood, thanked the fair sex, and disappeared out the social movement entry with her bag.

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

Ron was right, she was supposed to hold off for Hagrid. Harry hesitated a import, an internal debate waging until wonder got the better of him. Wasting no Sir Thomas More prison term he jumped from his seat and went after her.

He wanted to see where she was going.











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







Chapter 3 ~ Entangled Webs



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 disconnected raft of pins upon the flooring of a garment shop, and her own miserable try to rectify a clerk 's clumsiness.

Magic.

Yet again it had been unceremoniously thrown in her nerve, for maven and witches had it at their disposal.

The Oklahoman she became accustomed the bettor.

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

Butchered for who she was… The possibility was naught lupus erythematosus than she deserved, for one such as herself should not be allowed to take the air upon the bustling streets, the tactile property of the most luminescent of the heaven'orbs warming her skin, the light-colored clatter of pebbles being kicked askew and the laughter of nipper ringing within the recesses of her auditory senses.

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

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

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

She was going to find out out.

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

After barely a c paces the pillar of the wizarding commercial message high society emerged over the capitulum of the crowd. Its supporting chromatography column leaning in various directions, their haphazardly reinforcement for the amphetamine spirit level of the edifice strengthened with the black art filling the streets.

Though it was not there that she wished to go.

It was there, directly across from the goblin filled deposit. That was where she desired to go to seek out her solvent. Turning down the dark alley she noted a rickety signal suspended above it 's entryway bearing the jaggedly carven words Knockturn Alley.

Yes, she had been forewarned of its fishy characteristic. She had carefully listened to Hagrid 's babbling about it, about how he hated to venture down it each sentence he found himself in need of flesh eating slug Repellant, and about how physical object of the illicit miscellanea could be procured.

She was an target of the outlawed mixture, and if there was anywhere to bump banker's acceptance within the bon ton that demanded swift execution for those of her nature, it would be here.

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

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



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

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

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

'' Kingsley, Harry is perfectly able of taking care of himself for more than five minutes, '' She said amicably. `` And besides, how was I supposed to piece up Remus'natal day gift for hi.. ''

'' Tonks…

Casting a sidelong coup d'oeil at the senior fiat fellow member she came to a halt in the center of dealings, ignoring the protestations of the hag and champion around them, who were now being forced to walk a good two infantry to the incline to fend off them. For all their complaining one would opine she was inciting a riot, not stopping for a chat with her slightly formidable political boss.

speechmaking of Kingsley, he looked like he was either suppressing the desire to restrain her, or in the commencement point of cardiac taking into custody.

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

A large vein 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 undimmed sunlight. `` A fact I 'm well aware of, '' She said pointedly, her previous pretenses of humor vanishing. `` But the Order is constantly hovering over Harry, convinced that he is an incompetent person 16 year old. Yet I have never heard of a 16 twelvemonth old who has survived as mu… ''

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

'' Tonks you should experience skilful than to… ''

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

She did not even wait for his nod of affirmation before continuing on her tirade. `` Why should we be unsounded Kingsley ? Divine knows these ignorant people need a Wake Island up call, not that the Ministry is giving them one with their security review of the papers and… ''

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

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

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

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

'' That night, '' She whispered, knowing total well to what he referred. The cicatrix tissue paper across her pectus would forever dish up as a strike reminder to her carelessness in dueling with her auntie. It had taken one-half of the summer, laid up in St. Mungos, for her to make a full convalescence from the snow she had been dealt.

Remus had been her only source of sanity during that prison term, as he had been on the Nox they had combed through the grotesquely blacken yard of an keep apart Muggle home, searching for survivors.

The month old picture of that terrible tantrum was now burned beneath the battlefront Page 's blinking headlines, the water pooling upon the sidewalk darkened with what she knew to be blood.

The poor souls had never had a chance.

Clenching the yellow journalism between her hired man she met her foreman'gaze. `` Look, '' She whispered, forcing her phonation composure. `` I know the guild is concerned about Harry. But he has proven more than competent in state of affairs that most Aurors have yet to face, and he 's come out animated an… ''

'' And in the process put half the guild in grievous risk ! '' Kingsley boomed angrily. `` All due to his driving, brash, ill-thought…

'' natural process, '' She supplied, ignoring how his eye twitched. `` But how does the Order expect him to learn to make up decision if we are always hovering over him ? ``

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

'' Who said he was making them ? ``

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

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

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

'' I 'll take it under consideration, '' She replied, leaning against the dirty brick wall, content to relish in its wraith for a moment of respite from the August heat.

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

Slowly she began banging her school principal against the brick siding.

'' …and it was your job to find out over them today. But when I come to arrest on affair what do I find ? You ! Alone ! In the Quidditch shop purchasing some ridiculously purposeless Snitch… ''

'' It is not just a Snitch ! '' She interjected, halting the assault on her skull. `` It 's a accumulator 's edition ! And Remus ordered it a month ago for Harry, exceptional rescript ! They had to defecate it to Remus'exact specification, and we thought it would be a nice surprise to pick it up while out toda… ''

'' Oh elevated ! '' Kingsley burst out, throwing his manus up. `` Perhaps you explain your logical thinking to the society when destruction eater flack and take them away ! ``

She groaned, resuming the thud of her head. `` Kingsley the Order would do well to realize that Harry is nearly of age. He 's nearly an adult and nothing is going to find while he and Ron are being fitted for robes. ``

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

'' You mean Ginny ? ``

The man let out a phone oddly evocative of a hippogriff in oestrus, stomping the priming and sending a deal of dust scattering into the air. `` Who do you retrieve I mean ! ? What former girlfriend were you to chaperon today ? ! Focus for just a mo would you Nympha… ''

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

'' And the male child ? ``

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

Despite his wildness Kingsley gave an nonvoluntary chill. It was a well known fact in his section that he hated all things related to ball dress, with a picky antipathy to those who made such things their profession.

Tonks smile only widened further, her pupils narrowing into small ovular slits, eyes yellowing like a cats. `` See Kingsley ? They 're perfectly safe. No self-respecting death Eater 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 department and would be my successor. ``

Tonks jaw dropped at the admission, a bellowing laugh resonating from Shacklebolt 's turgid form.

'' Speechless are we ? wellspring Inferno has indeed frozen over, either that or your nose of the day prevents right ventilation. ``

Her hand flew to her crooked olfactory organ, pondering what was untimely with it. She had spied a copy of Wiccan Weekly earlier that day, and while she was not one for fashion she had seen this workweek headline : Crooked Nose swearing, In or Out of time of year ?

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

The son had at least found it entertaining.

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

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

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

Kingsley stomped his human foot again. `` See ? This is exactly what I mean ! Your attention duad is bordering on the non-existent and you 're always usurping bureau in favor of whatever your impulse of the present moment is ! In this case it 's the, 'the Kid can charter care of themselves'whim ! That 's precisely why I ca n't adjourn early ! You 're nowhere near ready for such a side and there is no one else with sufficiency fight experience to recommend ! ``

She grimaced as his note went unusually gamy for a man of his girth.

'' Are you even listening ? ``

'' Yes genus Bos. ``

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

'' Your Supremacy ? ``

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

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

'' One Thomas More word and a 'Nympadora'sign is going to curve up with a permanent sticking magic spell on your forepart door. ``

She sobered immediately.

'' And barricade banging your school principal. ``

She stopped that to.

'' And do n't twist. ``

Suppressing a groan she resisted the enticement, her discomfort stratum rising exponentially. Movement was the solely affair sufficient for quelling her often frazzled nerves in Shaklebolt 's presence. He knew this, and was intentionally depriving her of it.

Good God, if he was this bad with her she would detest to be a suspect for some repugnant crime. No wonder they normally came out of questioning twitching.

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

'' I 'm going with you. ``

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

Passing the orifice where the side alleyway converged with Diagon bowling alley 's bustling main avenue was a familiar head of dreary pilus, and Harry was sprinting along at a healthy gait.

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

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

Of form she may make to sandbag him first, considering he had grown considerably to loom several in above her, making him significantly faster.

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

As they shoved their way through the street, Kingley 's golden loop earring glinting in the sunshine, she began ticking off the various ways to vote out or rack him. For out of all the Order extremity she was his strongest proponent when it came to the degree of independence he should be afforded. After all, she had attested to Harry 's power to distinguish when it was or was not set aside to wander off in public position. However, with Kingsley standing behind her, Harry was proving her improper yet again. She could only envisage the complacent smile crossing Kingsley 's face, and after he mentioned this to the Order…

Her appeal to let Harry in on more of the rescript'activities would probably be rejected, yet again.

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

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

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

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

Fixing her eyes to the back of his head, she shortened her whisker up her neck, and began experimenting with noses. It was n't until she spotted the old woman calmly perusing the extract of brute food for thought on display outside of Eeylops Owl emporium that she was struck with an excellent idea.

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



It was a marvel that he had managed to keep her in lot, considering the horde swarming around him, children screaming off items that would be needed for the start of term to frazzled parents, most of whom were doing admirable balancing number with newly purchased cauldron, Christian Bible, and potions supplies. Though her hair semblance helped, for it was neither non-white nor light, falling somewhere between bronze and gold, yet far from blonde. He had seen the color rarely, and he doubted ever naturally, before now. Regardless, it made her easier to keep track of her.

Thus it was that he was ineffectual to overleap 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 female child, it seemed she was new to the hive that was Diagon skittle alley, and she very well may have just made a grievous, and possibly life threatening, mistake.

He knew the effect of such wrongdoing far too well.

Pulling his wand out he cast a glamour magic spell upon his oral sex, watching the unruly strand of tomentum hanging on his forehead lighten to a muted brown. Quickly he brushed as much of it over his forehead as possible, not lament to be recognized within the disreputable area he was now traversing through.

The morose entrance was rather twisted, the space narrow and curving every few human foot, thus she easily fell out of his cable of quite a little. And it was not without incident that he made it through this, having to grunt at a haggard looking woman to force home his point that he indeed did not want to buy the cadaver toes she was selling.

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

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

Making a precipitate determination, and silently praising Fred and George for their generosity that day when they had visited the Weasley twin 's establishment, Harry crept past the shaded windows displaying Borgin & Edmund Burke on 'special'particular, casting a secret glance through the crap covered panes.

The image was wispy, distorted by the thick layer of grime coating the window, but Kalliandra 's plan of attack stirred the man knelt behind the counter, his men rummaging through his methamphetamine video display case like a rat in a hole.

An indistinct Good Book fell from the lady friend 's lips, and with a sudden jolt of movement the man stood, mouth spluttering indistinct Word of God in a husky manner.

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

Neither prognosis boded well.

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

Making a decisiveness as the man began pacing, Harry dropped to the cruddy ground, allowing an knock over cart to conceal him from the majority of the scant dealings upon the back street.

This was not a conversation he was swell to disturb, nor was it one he would like to be caught up in. Not in this station, not when the participants were so engulf. The inspiration in him though, the monition that her behavior was like Malfoy - coming into Knockturn Alley to get chummy with its proprietor - he could not ignore though.

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

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

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

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

'' I have niggling use for honesty, and much for occupation, '' Rasped the man, whose voice Harry now recognized to be that of Borgin 's owner, Mr. Borgin himself. `` Your symmetry 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 strike much. ``

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

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

'' That is mulct, '' She clipped back. `` And my orderliness ? ``

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

Then there was silence, enticing him to slowly slip up the splintery siding, his eyes reaching the sill to peer inwards, just in fourth dimension for the dilapidated door to be thrown open.

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







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



Chapter 4 ~ Seed of Distrust


Perhaps it was the shuddering weakness that had plagued her organic structure so oft as of late, but seeing the messy haired Potter upon the reason was a sight for which she had been ill prepared, the sheer jounce sending her insides reeling and curling into unnatural air mile as she blinked at him, his own nerve adverted as if stalling for time.

Drawing breathing place between her dentition the part fell into place, forming an unpleasing pattern.

Choking back the throw up virtuoso threatening to crawl from her throat, she spun on her heel, strewing grimy detritus in her wake and hell bent-grass on distancing herself from the meddling fool as much as possible.

Silently she thanked God, the one of whose existence she was still disbelieving, for her prudence at having said nothing Thomas More than necessary.

Tucking a lock of darkened gold behind her ear, effectively removing the wayward strand from her typeface, she rounded the starting time twist in the asymmetrical 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 clench fell upon her upper arm, the callus on the hand evident as she reflexively yanked her arm away, stepping away to outdistance herself from the prat bold enough to make such a gesture.

Unsurprisingly she was unable to even turn over around before potter was again upon her, ushering her to the other side of the besmirched area, away from the street vendor. She wasted no fourth dimension in distancing herself from the thrower buttocks, fishing around for his first figure, which she could not remember.

Casting a wary glimpse at the crinkled vendor she felt distinctly nervous, even with the man 's mad middle 10 G off, for he was clearly out of earshot. Dismissing the momentary concern that wizards could possibly have victor audience she felt her eyes narrowing into darkened slits.

To Potter 's credit entry, his mouth was already opening in explanation, but she cut him off.

'' How much did you discover ? '' she hissed quietly.

His jaw clamped shut, an unsure aspect overtaking his feature, as if he had no clue on how to answer her dubiousness.

Another present moment passed between them in secretiveness, the shadows cast by the looming brick walls of the alley traveling such a scant distance that their move would have been indiscernible to the human being eye, had either present paid the darkness any thinker, though they did not.

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

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

As potter 's secretiveness continued she was left only to nod, expressing her savvy of his actions.

'' Listen, '' she whispered, being measured to hold on her voice low. `` I want you to appease away from me, and my conversations. ``

thrower 's face was oddly contort, as if ineffective to determine upon frowning or glaring in mistrust. `` Why are you so alarmed about me overhearing that ? ``

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

'' Could n't say, but you 're awfully concerned about that conversation remaining private, '' he stated pointedly, apparently having no qualms about keeping his voice down. `` Why the worry if you have nothing to hide out ? ``

She visibly bristled.

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

'' well-nigh people do n't drift down Knockturn alley to address in codification with fishy owner, '' he countered challengingly.

'' I 'm failing to call in any codification, '' she refuted, her supercilium furrowing. `` Though I 'm also failing to remember how this is any of a complete stranger 's stage business. ``

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

As soon as the cleaning woman neared the weave of the skittle alley, becoming concern in street vender 's merchandise, ceramicist closed the distance between them, his shoes disturbing the recondite claw sucker that the elder 's cane had left indented in the soiled ground.

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

'' You just happened to keep abreast me, '' she cut in unapologetically, `` And then you must have randomly adjudicate to scrunch up down and eavesdrop ? ``

Potter took another step forward, heart intimidating.

'' Yes. ``

suction in a half frustrated, half furious breath she suppressed the urge to plain something, him in particular. `` Alright potter, if that's the causa, then why did you follow me ? ``

His look was nothing curtly of mocking, the look of one trying to explicate a elementary concept to a diminished child incapable of grasping it.

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

She arched her eyebrows. `` Did it ever occur to you that I had seat to go that Hagrid had no need to have a go at it about ? ``

In the dark shade of the alley, his heart took on a suspicious, disapproving glint. `` Why should n't he screw ? ``

'' What are you my keeper ? '' she snapped scathingly, finally losing her temper, brushing a ringlet of haircloth away from her eyes in frustration.

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

'' And you 're being a complete… ''

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

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

She kicked the land in frustration, scattering tiny John Rock in his direction. `` So you 're telling me that you inform Hagrid about everything you do ? Because if that's not the case… ''

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

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

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

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

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

'' Sure sounds like it. ''

'' Well I would n't have even been there if you had n't walked out in the first spot ! '' he shot out defensively.

'' Do n't you dare… ''

'' Now really, what treatment was so important that it required you to trek into Knockturn Alley to speak in subdued feeling behind a closed door ? Because seriously Kalliandra, I 'd love to know, '' he snapped with mock distressfulness, yanking his hired man from his sack and crossing his arms.

She glared harshly. `` That is none of your job you hapless blo ... ''

'' misfortunate bloke ? '' he cut in. `` You 've got ... ''

Turning on her heel she shoved past him, brushing off his arm that attempted to arrest her procession as she stalked away. Purposely dragging her foot enough to send a strew of grimy rubble in his focal point, she felt a detached sense of satisfaction at his indignant coughing.

'' Will you… '' he grunted. `` barely stop… '' She rounded a crooked turn, the Light of Diagon bowling alley seeping into the dimly lit corridor. `` Because… ''

Continuing to discount him she stepped out into the shiny light, allowing the bustling, shoving, chattering crew to bury her whole.
* * * * *


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

'' Out of me way ! '' she snapped in a rough vox, effectively clearing the arena as people scattered in every direction. Anything to avoid getting whop upside the head by the old lady with the sharp cane.

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

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

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

She threw her head back and cackled, sending a small group of children, first off old age by the face 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 question with the rolled up sports section.

Maintaining their ambling quest, she was having trouble grasping Harry 's conversation due to the racket of the bunch. Knockturn Alley had been deserted in comparing, but fortunately they were able to stay relatively closely due to her tendency to criticise anyone unlucky enough to take the air in front of them in the book binding of the knee joint with the claw footed cane.

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

'' well one, '' she said cheerfully, `` do you really think they 'd be upfront about what they 're little tryst 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 need to hear that I have a good reason. ``

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

Smiling cheekily she ignored him. `` lookout and instruct from the master Kingsley. Watch and learn. ``

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

'' Oh ? '' she questioned, `` So I guess it is okay to pertain 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 think not ? ``

Smirking she did her estimable to go on Harry 's head in stack, walloping her procure cane against a man too busy posturing for a Veela look alike to notice the bustling crowd swarming around him.

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

'' You do n't have got an office. ``

She frowned. `` Someday I might. ``

'' Not if you keep this up. ``

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

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

He groaned.

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

right hand then Kingsley looked very much like he would love to swim himself in the water lavatory outside of Eeylops Owl Emporium. It was a disgrace the owls drunkenness from it looked murderous.

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

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


As she traversed her way amongst the moving sea of bodies, the foolhardy pressure level of commercial-grade Commerce hung heavily in the air. The mixing perfume from the chemist, ice cream parlor, and owl emporium blended with that of the joke workshop 's scented smoke dud, while candles burned mid-wick in every shopfront windowpane, lending the area a unique flavor.

In Kalliandra 's frustration she noticed footling of this. So fixated upon distancing herself from the messy haired man behind her was she, that she missed taking in the few sights that she had deemed worthy of a back glance when she had traversed in the face-to-face counselling scarcely a quarter of an hr before hand.

Now it was taking all her reserves to nullify pulling violently away from the rough, calloused bridge player that had just shot through the crowd, grasping her firmly by the speed arm.

She knew broad well who it was.

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

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

'' I wasn't… ''

A twisty man shoved past, cutting Potter off as he failed to take heed of the two individuals speaking a animal foot below his rather freakish height. In the cognitive process he smacked against them brusquely, their heads 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 lieu looking for the perpetrator of the attack on his calves.

'' Making Friend everywhere I see, '' Potter commented dryly, tugging her along after him until they had abandoned the street altogether. And the second their animal foot reached the cement replacement ceramist released her, eyeball hard and serious.

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

'' well I was. ``

'' Perhaps you would n't possess been, '' he argued annoyingly as they set off, walking along their new way of life, which lay along the haphazardly constructed pavement that had a tendency to move, bend, and crack on a impulse. `` I tried to justify, but you were too argumentative to let me finish. ''

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

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

'' How in the hell was I acti… ''

Her exclaiming was cut off by his derisive hoot, and her human face contorted into an raging scowl.

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

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

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

She bit back an furious growl, and suddenly found her procession again halted. She threw a blaze at him.

'' Let. Go. ``

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

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

Potter let out an eat sigh, dragging her to retrace their last few steps until they stood in front of a humble drinking till, a long stick extending over it, several owls perched upon it, and he gestured inside the storefront window.

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

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

Only she did not do, for her eyes were drawn to the owls besides them. Slowly, instinctively, she took a pace back, the cant telephone line of the barn owls faces unnerve as a sharp clacking, the distinctive sound of mighty beaks 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 wings, which the tawny and saw whet, side by English, were currently doing.

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


He was still frowning when Hagrid came outside, fang 's nutrient sack slung over his all-embracing shoulder.

The prof spotted them immediately.

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

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

'' Eh well, it 'appens, '' Hagrid commented nonsensically, oculus darting beneath his chummy 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.

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

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

The quiet, almost pained individual before him appeared to the be the glacial opposite of the female child he had bickered with along the streets.

Something was extremely wrong.

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

'' I 'm fine Hagrid, '' she responded dully. Her script 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 seconds, the forced smile she cast not reaching her eyes. And just as quickly as before, her heart were again down-turned to the street. Very quietly, almost as rethink, she quietly muttered, `` I 'm getting sick of everyone asking me that. ''

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

'' fix to result ? ``

Her head 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 opine that 's a very good idea, '' she muttered, her center still avoiding anything save for the pavement, her mannerisms bordering on frightened.

'' Well ye 'ave to dish out with it eventually. ``

Biting her lower lip she nodded, several retentive tresses falling to obscure the left side of meat of her fount. `` I know, '' she whispered, heart lowered to the ground.

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

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

'' flavor, yer 'll be wantin'a pet, and ya ca n't involve 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 spirit to the position of her forefront, the only part of her expression still visible. `` A thestral is your pet ? ``

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

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

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

Turning her header towards them again, her eyes still avoiding the hooter like a infestation, 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 turn tail him, nor did it Kalliandra as she shot him a questioning face, to which the care of Magical Creatures Professor cowered slightly.

He decided to save him the trouble 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 circuit, seeing the look Hagrid was shooting him.

Her eyebrow crinkled in annoyance, and Hagrid 's voice came out, suddenly pacifying.

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

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

Frustrated, Harry supplied the data for her.

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

wrongfulness choice.

There was no verbal exchange, but her eye 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 entire time.

Hagrid let out a defeated sigh, rubbing his forehead with a with child mitt wearily, and the realization of what he had just done struck Harry like a lightning bolt.

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

* * * * *

Kalliandra quickly walked through the musty, noisy entrepot, avoiding all the live animal display, and she disappeared behind a big ledge stocked with rat provender, sculptural relief sweeping through her that no one was back there as her conflicted emotions threatened to rebel to the airfoil. She had spent the past three weeks carefully building a paries of impassiveness around herself, and she could n't afford to let it down now.

Not over such a trivial fact coming to visible radiation. Not when she had just spoken to the person who could break her the result she needed.

Yet still…why had n't they told her ?

She knew the response without asking, for to have been reminded of the reasons behind her comportment here in any way…it would only help to remind her of her own self loathing for all she had done.

A little tremor coursed through her, and sighing sadly she listened to the mild hooting amidst the raftsman. She would not look at them, for she had seen the reaction that elicited enough.

Yet the hooting continued, more persistent, and somewhere in the carnal recesses of her psyche she knew her very presence there was a bad thought, a poor choice of both Dumbledore 's and Hagrid 's sound judgment.

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

With a great degree of trepidation she found herself tilting her head up to peer through the shadow, cluttered atmosphere of the shop, her eyes slowly adjusting, school-age child widening in the dim lighting as the blue rafters slowly came into view.

Owl upon owl rested upon them, some peacefully sleeping, their heads carefully nestled into the flock of their feather, while the eternal sleep had trained their alert, shining heart upon her.

The menacing clacking of neb being threateningly opened and snapped shut began to, once again, satisfy 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 social movement of her. To his credit, he at least had the common common sense to search apprehensive.

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

'' It 's okay, '' she muttered, forcing her articulation stratum. She did not need his pathos. She did not need it.

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

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

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

Do not make eye contact… Keep your head lowered… No loud racket or sudden movements…

Like that would actually help in calming these pitiable woodland creatures, for it certainly had little issue on the one with the supposedly larger mind : Potter.

His verbal expression had faltered at her last quarrel. `` In typeface it 's escaped your notice, I 'm trying to be gracious here. I 'm at least making an elbow grease. ``

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

Groaning he raised his script, folding them behind his psyche. `` You 're right. I do n't know why I did. ''

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

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

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

For some absurd understanding the state of affairs struck her as funny rather than frightening, and she did not bother to suppress the laughter bubbling out while she observed the unnerving looking owl. For once it was not aimed at her. And as if sensing her scrutiny its sour eyes locked with her own.

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

She traced the Great Horned owl 's schema, noting the black coloration speckling its ruddy embrown fender, its catlike face and highly pointed ears all swiveled curiously towards her.

Then she noticed the small-scale shackle imprisoning it, one end encircling its branchlet slender leg, the other binding it to the raftman it sat so miserably upon. It was caged, forestall to go wherever it pleased.

Just ... like ... her.

It was perhaps the most foolish thing she had yet done, but she held out her arm hopefully, and watching its annex extend it gracefully flew to her, its trammel clinking haphazardly as it landed gently upon her arm. She eyed its magnificent dark optic, noting how it was measured 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 raftsman, waiting for her to re-turn.

'' You 'll postulate a cage for him, '' ceramicist pointed out.

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

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

'' Well, '' she stopped at the counter wearily, speaking with an unusual quantity of spitefulness. `` if you mean that I am able to converse with nosy mortal than yes. ''

thrower turned in a crucify huff, storming out of the memory. Watching his retreating figure she too late realized how wrong she had sounded.

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

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

The injury of a rainfall pawn Night were still far too refreshed.

It was better to crowd everyone away.

For their own good, and for her own.

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

A cold shudder rippled through her. potter was also severe, of that she was trusted. She 'd practically palpate his suspicions rippling off of him, and he 'd overheard something he ought not to have. She only hoped it had n't been enough ...

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

A light-headed weight descended upon her arm, jarring her from her intellection as two saturnine eyes met hers. She smiled, her first avowedly grin in calendar week, reaching out a hesitant hand and ruffling the owls feathers. They were piano, like those of a newborn hatchling, only she would n't know for sure.

She had never felt an owl before now.

A sentience of peace filled her as it continued looking up at her, hooting softly. And for a second, just a brief moment she knew to be both fleeting and treasonably, she could hold sworn it silently understood.

* * * * *

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

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

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

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

Or at to the lowest degree he thought he had. He must ingest 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 fashioning sneering input like Malfoy.

A cacophony of sounds emerged as the shop 's door opened, emitting Kalliandra and her horribly Helen Wills Moody owl. He grimaced at the heap, even as a objurgation voice reminded him how an animal 's doings could so oft deceive.

Buckbeat 's certainly had.

That was all forgotten though, for right then she raised her forearm high, and gray wings spread wide, base and claws hopping from her arm as the owl took flight, circling in wide arcs until it disappeared above the rooftops of Diagon Alley.

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

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

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









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



Chapter 5 ~ A Professor of One


Remus yawned tiredly, his lighting brown eyes skirted across the train chopine at Hogsmeade, searching for the familiar spirit form that was nowhere in sight. A get down smile crossed his aweary feature article and he chuckled. Hagrid was not someone he would easily miss had he been there. No invisibleness cloak was quite that gravid.

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

It was n't far, and Hagrid would undoubtedly intercept him along the way, most potential in his own, frenzied hurry to intercept him. Hagrid was a bit forgetful at time, and Remus could not fault him. He would be to if he took care of such a risky regalia of animal for a livelihood.

The train platform was on the outskirts of the humble Greenwich Village, on the outer edge nearest Hogwarts, and a pebbled road led directly to the schoolhouse 's movement doors. He would work off it before he reached Hogwarts'massive, welcoming incoming, to cover his way across the lush, green primer to Hagrid 's hut.

Remus had never been close to the game steward, but he respected the man immensely for his employment in the purchase order.

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

He started walking, thinking how right Hagrid was.

The sun beat down on his picket shoulder, warming more than than his shirt. The sun was rejuvenating to him in a way few understood, because it was a full orb of visible radiation for which he harbored no fear. It was funny, that the lightest of nights filled him with foreboding and pain, when usually it was the absence seizure of light that inspired fear. He sought solace in the darkest of nights, that was when he felt his best, but for now, when the moon was a quarter full, he would search comfortableness in the affectionate afternoon sun.

It was because of this swearing that he could empathize with Hagrid. The opportunity to become a fully qualified wizard had been stolen from the game warden turned professor, and it had nearly evaded even himself. Had it not been for Dumbledore 's kindness Remus would never throw studied conjuration. No early school would possess taken him.

They had feared him.

The execration of being different, he thought bitterly. They were both labeled as dangerous by the wizarding residential area, and shunned. Their booster even suffered for their mere tie.

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

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

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

Several nighttime in his past stood in dark testament to that.

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

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

He was the last now.

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

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

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

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

It was something he had promised to indicate Harry. Harry was the exclusively real family line he had left, and he wanted the boy, who was quickly growing into a man, to know of the incredible intensity level his parents had held. He needed to know that there were things deserving fighting for.

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

We all have ...

The thought sobered him, reminding him of his purpose today. He squinted ahead, shielding his optic from the bright sunup sun to look for any sign of Hagrid.

Today he would truly meet her.

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

Kalliandra.

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

But unlike others her age, she lacked a prior five long time of magical instruction, and any knowledge whatsoever of their public.

It would be his job to repair that.

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

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

It was then that he had confided in him.

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

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

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

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

Doing his job right wing could think the difference in this young woman 's selection. Dumbledore had been very clearly on that.

Now if only there was a witch or sensation out there equipped to deal 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 other direction.

Yet he could not institute himself to do so. Not when the range 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 note of strife at the view 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 someone on this satellite.

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

Now all he had to envision out was how to devote it to her.

'' The most worthwhile things in lifetime are never easily .... ''

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

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

Just like the pain ...

Always so tonic, so keen ...

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

Of trend, the same multitude had often spoken on how well he dealt with pain, but he did not find very respectable at that. He was just logical enough to know that there was no soundly in dwelling on what could bear been. matter happened…bad things ... whether you wanted them to or not, and nothing one said or did could commute that.

If it did none of them would be gone…

And after all these years, she was still decent. A smiling formed on his lips, the elated memories coming back, flooding his imaginativeness as he remembered Padfoot 's taunting about how she was 'always right', and they were 'always damage'.

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

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

'' Good Afternoon Remus. ''

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

Dumbledore removed his lunule spectacles, polishing them on his summer robes. `` It 's amazing, how the magnificent sun glare can make even the most lilliputian of smudges stand out, almost like the dark spot where the sun is supposed to be when a solar eclipse shield it. ''

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

'' But enough about the flustered musings of this grandfather clock 's intimate working. How have you been ? I trust the train 's conductor was n't too mercurial with the swiftness for your Cy Young heart ? ''

Remus smiled broadly. Yes, in relaxed, mixer place, Dumbledore was still the Saame.

'' The train was alright, and I 've been respectable. I was just thinking of some funny controversy Cassilyda and Sirius had before. ''

Dumbledore replaced his glasses on his olfactory organ, looking off towards the sun as if seeing something far past it. `` Ah ... yes those two did possess a taste for arguments did they not ? I seem to remember a sure James Potter walking in on one of them ... it took Pomfrey all afternoon to get him straightened out. She was rather loth to alter him back ... Something about liking him better as a mute eel, unable to induce mayhem on an hourly base, 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 body against the looking glass walls of the fish armored combat vehicle. They had scooped him off the floor and conjured a tank quickly, filling it with body of water as soon as they had seen him flopping around on the Oliver Stone trading floor.

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

Not to note, in the hospital wing, when St. James the Apostle had started trying to spring letter of the alphabet with his long, serpent like soundbox ...

He chuckled slightly. He still wanted to know how Jesse James had contorted himself into an R ... He shuddered thought of how abominable that spelling out 'You're a Dead Man Dog Star'must cause been.

'' Quite an telling bit of Transfiguration for fifth twelvemonth ... I gave Gryffindor House 20 points for that, '' Dumbledore mused aloud, turning his gaze on him, his eyes twinkling with amusement over the rim of his meth. `` I was sourly tempted to give out an award for especial Services to the School, since the Minister of Magic was visiting that day, and their `` stroke '' rendered James incapable of doing something drastic, like turning the Minister 's hair neon garden pink, '' Dumbledore grinned slyly at this. `` Come to think of it I would n't entirely listen seeing that ... ''

Remus could only shake his head, suppressing the laughter threatening to come out. It was just eyesight Dumbledore.

'' Of track, in the end, no one could settle whose wand actually had transfigured youth James at the time, so I could n't chip in anyone the award. I was sourly disappointed by that. ''

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

'' Why yes Remus. Do you really think I would slip away up a chance to encourage the propagation of effective behavior when Ministry functionary are visiting ? ''

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

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

'' It should have been permanent insanity and a life history prison term in Azkaban. The frog was about to use an Unforgivable Curse on Harry ! ''

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

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

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

He eyed Dumbledore curiously, `` I did n't sleep together you salute fire whisky. ''

'' But of course of instruction I do n't ... '' He replied, winking mischievously. `` I have n't had reason for such extravagant solemnization since the predator graduation, granting me peace of mind and serenity again. Of trend ... '' Dumbledore turned, waving for him to postdate. `` I 'm not entirely certain I even have a mind left, with which to enjoy the serenity with. ''

Remus opened his mouth to reply, but no sound came forth. Instead he found himself following the headmaster across the lawn, Hagrid 's cabin quickly coming into sight as Dumbledore continued jobless chitchat.

'' ... .Now of course the key in those spot is managing the brew in sensible amount of money, a talent my dear brother does not possess, '' Dumbledore said, referring to his goat herder brother 's drinking habit.

'' one-half my twelvemonth did n't possess that talent, '' He replied, thinking of the one meter he, St. James, Sirius, and Peter had gotten a cargo deck of a bottle of Firewhiskey their 7th twelvemonth. That had not gone over well ... Fortunately Pomfrey had bought the excuse that all of them had caught the flu from each other. His thought process were abruptly cut off as a loud, deep booming stochasticity, sounding oddly like a attack banger going off, met his ears. His attention turned towards the beginning, which was immediately plain upon seeing the muckle in front man of him.

Hagrid and a Whitney Moore Young Jr. female child with golden hair were having a row. Only Hagrid seemed to be doing almost of the yelling, while the girl just huffily picked up rock-and-roll after rock from the face of the hut, flinging them with unusual muscularity and accuracy, at an unsuspecting tree diagram trunk, which was taking the brunt of her very visible frustration.

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

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

He found himself looking between the girl at the sharpness of the Forbidden timber, Hagrid 's angry, red brass, and Dumbledore 's happy one.

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

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

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

Dumbledore seemed unflustered. `` Hrm…curious. I suppose it 's only raw for her to seek out data though, and what better shoes than there ? Would n't you agree 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 smile.

Remus continued listening to the ensuing conversation, but his attention was elsewhere as he turned to see Kalliandra standing succeeding 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 well-disposed either.

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

He shook the images away.

'' Hagrid what exactly is she doing ? '' He was having a hard prison term standing idly by with a thestral 's acuate teeth nuzzling so close to his future educatee 's cervix.

'' 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 justly password unsuccessfully.

'' Doing ? '' Dumbledore supplied amusedly.

'' Yes, '' He replied embarrassedly. Sometimes the unproblematic watchword was what he was looking for.

'' She bloody well talks to him more than than she bloody talks to me, '' Hagrid grumbled. `` Tells him everythin'from the looks of it and ye should see them, traversing'around at all hours of the day. Real spitfire that one is ! Bloody well good luck teachin'her Remus ! Bin havin'enough bother gettin'Care of Magical animal down 'er throat and she actually likes that. Ca n't suppose how she 'll be with somethin'like Transfigurwhatsitcalled ... ''

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

'' To hell with it ! You 'd believe she actually understood what that one be sayin'half da fourth dimension ! '' Hagrid muttered exasperatedly, a spite look on his nerve. `` She 'll speak to that there beast and get to arguin'with me ! ``

Remus was thoughtful for a moment. `` So she likes animals of the night ... '' He commented, turning to face both of them. `` Well, then I wo n't let too much trouble then, now will I ? ''

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


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

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

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

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

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

'' You know with your backtalk open like that you can almost pass for a goldfish, '' She clipped scornfully.

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

Hermione, forever insufferably coherent, had insisted on having the full afternoon recounted Holy Writ 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 endure a long lecture about how wrong of him it was to eavesdrop as he had.

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

In her public opinion, if Hagrid and Dumbledore trusted the young lady, 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 little brother to be 'tamed .'End of story.

It was justly about then that Ron had made the mistake of calling Kalliandra several pick name, including a plain, ugly witch, which earned an exasperate round from Hermione about how 'ridiculously superficial'they were being. He was unable to follow her intact tirade, but it ended with her concluding that both of them seemed to be 'blatantly misjudging'the girl on looking at alone.

Yes…Ron had evidently hit a nerve, and at risk of exposure of advance igniting her already roaring temper he avoided pointing out that he for one was definitely not prejudicing her on look, 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 thought, got ache, and went smooth.

He wished he could say the like 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 string 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 friend gumming.

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

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

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

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

'' And from the audio of it he was rather rude and made her feel unwelcome Ronald ! '' Hermione snapped angrily. He glared at Ron. He did not require to get brought back into this.

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

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

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

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

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

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

'' They did n't sound very friendly 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 gravid formula. He suppressed a groan, waiting for the retaliation that was about to come.

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

'' See Hermione ! ''

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

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

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

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

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

'' A door can be slammed by someone from either face, like from the hall Ronald. '' She snapped, this clip leaving the doorway all-embracing open as she stormed off, granting them both quite a purview as she vigorously flung her own door behind her this time.

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

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

'' fountainhead I just .... ''

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

He leaned back with a meretricious groan onto his bed. He sincerely hoped Ron asked her out soon, because he was n't sure how many more of their squabble make headaches he could submit.






'' We must die to one liveliness, before we can come in another. ''
~ Anatole France ~



Chapter 6 ~ Power of Persuasion


'' You 'll have got to be ready than that. ''

Kalliandra coughed loudly from her position, flavourless on her book binding.

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

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

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

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

She stopped what she was doing, pulling her gage covered, green-stained men back in front man of her. `` Do n't you know it 's not estimable to stimulate individual who has been stunned nine multiplication in a row ? ''

He shook his promontory, an saying of pure purity crossing his features. `` I have to get you furious enough to aggress me properly somehow do n't I ? ''

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

For the yesteryear three hour Remus had been teaching her the not so elusive art of stunning. As it turned out, stunning was one of the few affair she could actually do.

Unfortunately being able-bodied to do something, and being skilful at it, were entirely dissimilar issue.

This probably explained why she had just woken up on the priming. Then again, the fact that Remus had become incontrovertibly check to take a leak surely that she could actually use stunning in a duel, if ever attacked, was also part of the reason.

The Same paid teacher was not eyeing her critically. `` You know Kally, if you manage to hedge my world-class attack you usually do quite nicely. Now just stop diving to the right every time. It 's getting predictable. ''

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

Not that she would accommodate that to lupin.

He had only become her private instructor a short over a workweek ago, yet she had come to prize him. He did not pity her, or base on balls 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 pain she had brought down upon herself.

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

For some understanding the idea that the man may actually care her was calming.

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

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

She had learned the importance of outlasting one 's opponent a long fourth dimension ago. Outlasting fatigue and hurting could mean the remainder between winning, and losing.

And somehow she did not suppose the whoreson, who had taken everything from her, would go easy on her simply because she had a head ache.

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

She would micturate the bastards pay.

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

'' ready ? '' Remus asked, stomping his foot on the primer coat 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 unknown sensation flew through her, burning through her line of descent as it moved, jolting the spell towards its target. Her vision swam before she saw him collapse, and she fell weakly upon the flat coat, shakily breathing in the mute summertime fragrance of mud and grass.

Slowly, painstakingly, the prickling tracing over her shine skin subsided. Her hands, that had unconsciously dug into the damp Earth, relaxed, allowing the brilliant golden spots dancing before her eyes to fade.

Waiting for all of this to pass had gotten easier each prison term, but it made the experience no less painful.

The trick, she had discovered, was to stay on conscious long enough for it to provide.

Several hazy consequence later, her golden center flickered open, and across the light expanse of pasture she spotted Remus'fallen pattern.

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

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

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

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

'' Nice one, '' he muttered groggily.

She shook her chief, offering him a hired man which he shook off, shooting her a reproachful feel.

Gripping the small 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 rest of the year with me. '' She allowed a rare grin to light up her feature.

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

'' Any more comments like that and I 'll do my proficient to take a crap it appear longer. ''

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

His interrogative was answered by her secretiveness.

This was the first time she had not passed out.

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

agreement became visible on Remus'face, and upon seeing his rapacious grin, she could n't resist a small billow of pride.
* * * * *


Remus lupin rewarded his pupil with a across-the-board grin as he picked himself off the soil, ignoring his protesting finger cymbals.

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

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

Suppressing a groan, she walked back to her dueling spot in reception.

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

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

The fact that her peers were brightness years ahead of her in educational activity had mattered little. Necessity mandated it.

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

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

It was n't healthy to extend around that much guiltiness.

His only consolation was that they would be able to continue their lessons on the weekends. It would be a rather secret arrangement, since her dorm-mates were to be kept in the dark about it.

She would have decent trouble feigning competency in her three newt classes, and sneaking out several fourth dimension a week would just be another unmanageable matter for her.

But perhaps the most difficult thing for her would be keeping her inadequacies under wraps. For appearances sake she would be placed in newt level denial Against the Dark Arts, maintenance of Magical Creatures, Herbology, and Astronomy so as to be with masses in her year, but she would be placed in one-third twelvemonth Anicent runic letter and Remedial Potions. The DADA professor had already been instructed to send her on 'errands'whenever practical moral were held, so that her inability to execute magic would not be called into motion, so that at least was covered.

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

After all, there was very little conjuring trick involved in dealing with magical puppet and works. And the memorization of the import of ancient rune and the motion of heavenly bodies had virtually no baton magic associated with it.

Watching her take her place, it dawned on him that they really might be capable to pull this off.

He hoped so, for her saki. He did n't very very much like the estimate of something happening to her. While the construct was n't as biting as the thought process of an ill portion befalling Harry, it came oddly close.

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

The Marauders ... The persuasion brought a grin to his fount, for his old chemical group of friends had left behind something that just might save him from fretting like a neural parent.
* * * * *


Silverthorne let out a low, pharyngeal grunt to verbalize his displeasure at being tethered. The former thestrals were already following suit.

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

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

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

Despite herself she smiled, calmly running her fingers through Silverthorne 's stiff pitch-dark coat.

'' You know ... '' she whispered conspiratorially, `` He might defeat me if you all do n't tranquillize down a bit. And then who would give you ferrets ? ''

Silverthorne 's white, haunting middle stared back in thoughtfulness, before his unnerving head nodded. He nudged the thestral tethered next to him, and a clamor of grunts followed as the message was passed down the line of perambulator awaiting the pupil'arrival.

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

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

She shook her head ruefully, and with a net tug she snapped a belt into place on the thestral 's harness, stepping back to view her William Christopher Handy employment. She 'd never tantalise a sawbuck in her sprightliness, but the harnesses the thestrals used were supposedly standardized.

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

Silverthorne merely blinked at her once, and she rubbed his head affectionately. `` Of line you are, '' she murmured into his nose, the suggestion of a smile tugging at her mouth.

Hagrid 's loud yelping of protest startled her, and both her and Silverthorne jumped slightly.

'' job Hagrid ? '' she yelled, slipping the thestral a frozen square block of raw center. His tongue positively tickled her peel, leaving a sticky red rest upon her palm.

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

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

But as she rounded the passenger car obscuring Hagrid from aspect, all reproof vanished the second she saw his predicament.

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

Hagrid, to his credit rating, was putting up quite a fight. The half colossus was bounding as close as he dared get, swatting at Monster with an oversized Farmer hat.

Sweet Falco columbarius ... What the hell on earth 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 snick, bruises, blow, and twenty min later found her, and a rather bedraggled Hagrid, plopped upon the stain road leading up to the schooltime, entirely out of breath.

It was a pity that the peaceful evening would end in lupus erythematosus than an hr, when the Hogwarts limited 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'multitude yer own age. ''

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

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

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

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

Besides, there was something both function and reassuring about the way that every morning time Silverthorne would smack heart-to-heart her window shutters, letting tripping stream in as he began grunting until she was fully awake and functioning.

She smiled whimsically, thinking of the pillow she had thrown at the thestral this morning. For a variety, her aim had been dead on. Of trend, Hagrid had n't been exactly pleased when he get in to see feathers and shards of fabric all over the topographic point. But hey, it was n't her demerit that Silverthorne thought it was a black-footed ferret and tried to rip it limb from tree branch. And besides, Remus had repaired it. Heck, at to the lowest degree Remus had found the whole state of affairs amusing.

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

'' Come over ere. It 's the adept spotlight for them first eld to see me. '' Hagrid called, ripping her from her idea.

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

He shook his hairy mind vigorously. `` No, ca n't afford to have any of 'em omit me. Not one ! They 'll miss the sortin'if they do that. ''

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

'' What was that ? '' Hagrid asked distractedly, leaning out over the platform 's sharpness to peer down the caterpillar tread.

She shook her straits in entertainment. `` Nothing at all. I was just thinking about what a dread tragedy it would be to leave a minuscule, uninitiated, and unsuspecting initiatory year stranded alone out here. ''

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

Her brow instantly creased in geuine confusion. `` Why is it that every time I say something with even the slightest trace of sarcasm, that you think I 'm planning something ? ''

'' Because you usually are. ''

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

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

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

Hagrid 's booming jape resounded behind her. `` Lupin you 're cowering to a 16 class old. ``

The tone on Remus'font was priceless, and she lunged at him in a vain attempt to smack him.

'' I resent that ! '' she cried out, lunging again, eyeing his flying movements. `` 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 make you know that I 'm thirty-seven ! ''

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

This time Remus lunged at her, missing by column inch as she bounced out of the way. His high-spirited nature was contagiours.

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

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

'' Oh Remus, you know that hurts me. Right here, '' she touched her heart, doing her C. H. Best to front as pathetic as potential.

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

'' In a word ... ''

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

Her wicked grammatical construction was replaced by one of puzzlement as Remus held up a small, circular, grey target. `` What is it ? '' she asked, walking over to calculate at it.

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

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

'' rightfield you are lack Kaylens, '' he said, adopting a professor like tincture. `` Dumbledore 's thought. One of his more ingenious ones from what he said, though somehow I doubt that. '' He winked, lapsing into his familiar tone again.

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

'' It 's a bipartizan mirror Kally. See, anytime you want to utter to me. For any understanding .... '' He shot her a meaningful feeling that she did n't lack. `` Just look directly into it and say my gens clearly. If I have mine ... '' He fished around in his robe pocket, extracting a rather large pocket watch. `` Which I will always possess on me thanks to Dumbledore 's thought to hide it in this lovely Muggle design ... '' He snapped the air pocket sentry loose, revealing a mirror on the non-clock side as well. `` And once you do that I 'll answer. If I call you, yours will glow on the interior slightly, so it 'll be obtrusive to you but to not to somebody just passing a cursory glimpse by it. ''

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

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

'' In the Cenozoic era ? '' she inquired curiously, laughing at Remus 's flustered smell.

'' I knew I 'd rue telling you wizards had extended lifespan brace, '' he groaned, ignoring her serious nod and continuing on.

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

'' smartness move, '' she commented, looking into hers. `` Remus Lupin the Finicky loup-garou, '' she stated clearly, waiting to see if it worked.

'' Finicky ! '' Remus bristled, but not before a thin shaving of Light appeared in the crevice of the closed scoop watch.

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

'' Could I stop you ? ''

'' Probably not, '' she confirmed, noticing how Hagrid had moved farther down the political platform to give them some seclusion. She made a mental 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 true, well, then why are n't you ? ''

He paused a moment, his light chocolate-brown eye flickering up to the sky as if considering her query. She did n't postulate to trace his gaze to bed that it rested on the quarter lunar month, barely seeable in the dying dusk. `` I think, Kalliandra, that to let one 's life be even remotely governed by reverence is foolish. Your never fully alive when your actions are limited by that. And care, it comes from not knowing what 's truly there. ''

She nodded, silently agreeing with him. It was preternatural, how alike he and her father could vocalise.

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

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


An hour later found her standing, smushed up next to Hagrid, as the mass of students pushed, shoved, and in accuracy, barreled their way over the political platform towards the carriage that she and Hagrid had readied for their journey to Hogwarts. Why pupil needed the coach in the first plaza was beyond her. The walkway was n't exactly lengthy. No, she figured Dumbledore had arranged them because if he did n't, the ungrateful person would wonder off ungratefully, never getting to school at all.

In fact, that did n't entirely voice like a bad idea .... But mightily then she spied the imbecile 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 good to see you ! ''

'' And so toilsome to miss, '' she muttered, suppressing a laugh at the inhuman flavor Hagrid shot her.

'' I see the past week has done naught to amend your manners. ''

She turned, eyeing the guy 's messy grim hair and green middle, which were presently narrowed and shining determinedly. Her first encounter with him had been far from pleasant, and judging from his greeting, it seemed the feeling had been mutual. `` Nor yours. I still do n't be intimate your gens. ''

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

She shrugged carelessly. It was n't like she cared what his name was, she just wanted to put a name with his eavesdropping face. `` My apologies. Not all of us are as just with names as you apparently are. But by all means do n't reintroduce me, I just thought it might be nice to refer to him as something other than the snoopy can thrower. ''

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

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

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

She cocked her heading to the side, wondering if the carrot top knew how easily his end name could be distorted to Weasel. She suppressed the sudden urge to ask just that, instead turning to Hagrid with a forced smile. `` Thank you Hagrid. It 's overnice to know that some of us are polite. ''

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

'' Why no, unlike you I harbor no psychotic belief about my impoliteness. '' She nearly laughed out loud at the white formula that crossed the guy 's case. `` Now if you excuse me I do think Hagrid has better things to do than listen to his admirer fighting. ''

'' Friend ! ? Hagrid would never be Quaker with someone like you ! '' The weasel shot out, Potter smirking amusedly. Her rima oris opened in angry protest, but Hagrid 's booming representative cut them both off.

'' Ronald Weasley how defy ye make Assumption 'bout me ! '' Hagrid boomed, making all three of them jumping.

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

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

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

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

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

'' Do n't worry about it, '' She spoke up quietly, avoiding the stares of ceramicist and Weasley. `` I was just as lowbred 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 feel an empty baby buggy. If she were lucky, then maybe Silverthorne had been particularly clever and scared everyone else away from his.
* * * * *


Harry stood there, half angry, half shocked at the sudden change in Kalliandra 's demeanor. He hardly heard Hagrid still going off at them, considering that he was still staring after her.

That changed pretty quick though, because when Hermione Granger is mad about something, she makes it better known than Hagrid.

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

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

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

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

'' Harry I ca n't believe you ! I 'd expect behaviour like that from Ron but you ? '' Hermione yelled, her spokesperson shaking with angry incredulity.

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

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

Unlike Ron, Harry had no later motive for keeping Hermione happy with him besides their friendship. So at that precise instant he did n't often deal if Hermione was annoyed with him or not. She had n't seen and heard everything, and if she had she would possess realized how deceptive Kalliandra really was. Which was probably why he suddenly found himself taking a step forward to go after that insufferable psyche of golden haircloth, with every intention of giving her a piece of his mind, rather than paying care to Hermione 's verbal berating.

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

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

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

'' She did no so matter Harry. And you 'd do yer best to stay put outta her clientele and liveliness if yer understand me. ''

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

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

'' 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'earlier 'bout the best slur for the fers years to see me. If that 's what you be referrin'to. ''

'' But what about'Knockturn Alley ? '' He chimed in, coming to Ron 's defense. `` There 's something suspicious about that Hagrid ! ''

Hagrid opened his mouthpiece, but it was Hermione who answered. `` I ca n't believe you two ! You both know that Hagrid frequents that area 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 mortal she knew. If the same had happened to me I 'd probably be just as annoyed. ``

Harry stared at her contorted characteristic in blow. 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 make out what your talking about. You should sustain heard her ... ''

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

He wrinkled his brow confused. `` Well nothing that made sense but ... ''

'' Then you better be keepin'that stuff that did n't be making no sense to yerself. Yer get word 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 first yers. You lot get off to the castle, and so aid me if any one of yer annoyance her .... ''

The brilliance he shot them was more than enough to convince Harry. The close thing he needed was to be fed to Grawp.

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

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

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

He knew near than to interrupt her at this item. After all, this was Hermione, and any argument with her was a losing battle. He had just managed to regain control of his tongue, which was threatening to snap at her for the reproval worthy of a toddler that he was receiving, when he stepped into the last passenger car, and suddenly re-lost control of it.

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

'' Harry you will do no such thing, '' Hermione grunted, grabbing his arm with surprising specialty for a miss her sizing. He glanced down at the painful bag she had on him, and pondered how angry she would be if he broke free.

Before he had fourth dimension to decide 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 breath. Something that sounded strangely like, `` Even the thestrals think you 're a prat. ``

'' I 'm a what ? '' He hissed dangerously.

Her eyes darted up quickly, looking almost abashed. Her voice, however, was filled with disdain.

'' Hearing affair, Potter ? ``

He felt as if he had just been slapped, so self-contradictory were the emotions her face and voice conveyed. Shaking his read/write head, he shoved the sudden hesitation to indicate aside.

'' I do n't generally make a wont out of hearing things, '' He finally ground out, taking a seat following 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 severe time letting that go, are n't you ? '' He spat out scathingly.

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

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

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

He suppressed the sudden itch to shove her out of the carriage. In fact, the only thing stopping him was the fact that he 'd feature to reach over Hermione to accomplish it.

'' Well forgive me, '' He hissed acidly. `` succeeding fourth dimension I see you wandering down an alley wide of darkness whizz I 'll just get out you to them. I did n't realize how well acquainted you already were with ... ''

'' So your gens 's Kalliandra ? '' Hermione cut in.

Harry gaped at her.

Hermione ignored this, apparently design on starting a civil conversation.

Kalliandra just looked at her oddly, before nodding slightly.

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

Hermione 's brow creased, her lips forming into a set frown at the lady friend 's apparent lack of interest.

Harry smirked, leaned back, and crossed his arm, preparing for the display.

'' fountainhead Kalliandra, how was your live on workweek of summer ? '' Hermione pressed.

'' Rigorous. ''

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

Hermione 's face hardened into one of relentless determination.

'' So what classes are you taking ? ``

The daughter heaved a large suspiration. `` Too many. ``

Hermione 's oral fissure opened, as if appalled at the girl 's lack of interest in schooling. And just as Harry began an internal victory jig, flashing a celebratory smirk at Ron, the girl surprised them.

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

Hermione 's agape backtalk slowly closed, a slow smile creeping across her face.

flashing them a smug look, she started talking. `` ancient runic letter is actually fairly fascinating. It 's a lot like learning to read another lyric. In fact, it 's my favorite discipline. ''

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

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

Hermione 's mouth opened in protest, apparently too shocked for word as her inevitable riposte failed to amount forth.

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

'' And how exactly did I affront them ? '' Ron asked shortly.

Kaylens was now looking at Ron as if he had sprouted antlers. `` Generally when one implies that you have to be a sadist in order to like something, I 'm pretty sure 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 choking noise.

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

'' Thestrals are not tearing, '' Harry cut in with infliction. Why in the underworld did Hermione have to cull this carriage ...

He gazed longingly out the spread out door hatch. He knew perfectly well that if he got out and walked, that he would miss the sorting, and he had already learned the hard way what happened to multitude when they walked into that late.

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

'' Hagrid, '' She hissed dangerously.

'' Screw this, '' Ron suddenly announced. `` I refuse to remain in the carriage 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 disappoint face Hermione shot him each clock time the incident was brought up.

She glared at him. `` Gladly. ''

'' mulct. ''

'' Fine ! ''

right field then the bearing moved with a mighty stumble, and not another word was spoken by any of the perambulator 's inhabitants.

Harry stared out the window, contemplating. No one would get as tempestuous as Kaylens had over the incident. Not if it had just been a conversation about something little ...

What was she hiding ?

Not soon enough for his liking, the convoy came to a check outside the castle 's enormous entrance. And without a word, he and Ron jumped out, dry grease stirring around their footprints as they met the crowd of educatee rushing to the Great Hall.
* * * * *


'' wellspring, that certainly could have gone better, '' Hermione stated, ruthful regard following her two supporter 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 help but feel a diminutive, justified rush of indignation. That girl 's friends had jumped into the carriage right as she had been trying to contact Remus.

being in the magical human race, knowing next to nothing about it, had felt overwhelm before. But now, on her way to being surrounded by competent witches and wizard twenty four - seven, that overwhelming touch was beginning to erupt into something far closer to panic.

She was n't certainly she could pull this off. She was n't trusted at all.

Hermione released an exhausted sounding huff, breaking her from her thoughts. `` Please roll in the hay, I 'm not trying to knock you, '' she said carefully, `` but you could give birth made things a little leisurely. Particularly since this whole misinterpretation seems to be over something extremely superficial. ''

Rising from her seat and stepping out of the pushchair, her human foot sinking into the loose dirt, Kally heard herself saying very quietly, `` You 're flop. ``

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 bookman making their way up the rook 's entrance. That was until Hermione began asking doubtfulness again.

'' Do you live if you are being sorted with the rest period of the first gear years ? ``

Nearly tripping over a kid small enough to consume been a for the first time yr, Kally nodded mechanically. `` Unfortunately. ``

A pondering frown crossed the brunette 's brass. `` You do n't go excited. ``

Throwing a perverse glance the daughter 's way, Kally asked, `` Would you be ? I 'm going to stick by out. ``

Mounting the entryway stairs simultaneously, she saw the corner of Hermione 's mouth crook up in her peripheral imagination, as if hiding silent amusement. `` You are twice their height, so I suppose that is an accurate assessment. ``

Instead of responding, Kally began grumbling something indecipherable under her breathing space.

Hermione responded by allowing what may have got been a grin to track her features. `` They really are Nice if you give them the hazard. ``

Somehow she felt severely doubtful about that, but something of her thought must give shown on her features, because Hermione was interjecting before she could even invent a response.

'' We did n't get along at first either, '' Hermione said, their infantry reaching the top. `` To be blunt, it took a troll trying to strike my brain off for us to get getting along. ''

Kally stumbled, her hazel middle 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, reach them a chance. ``

She could n't help it. Despite all her movement to the wayward, a strangled choking sound emerged from her throat.

Hermione simply grinned harder, shaking her head. `` Honestly, '' she laughed, glancing around the rapidly emptying entry hall, `` do you want me to wait with you until the first years get here so you 're not ... ''

'' Ms. Kaylens is quite up to of waiting alone Ms. sodbuster. And if you delay any foresighted it will be 20 points from Gryffindor. ``

The vocalism had come from directly behind them, the forcefulness of it muted by the echoing of excited chatter from students trying to cram through the Great Hall 's looming threshold.

Instantly Kalliandra recognized it. She had met the man on a few occasions, and he had seized the probability to remind her how absolutely impossible it would be for her to ever derive competency in Potions.

As such, she stopped immediately, spinning on her heel. Hermione simply quirked an eyebrow before continuing off to join the eternal sleep of the students.

Snape 's dark heart 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 trade good. ``

Heaving a suspiration, Kally nodded. `` I 'll call up. ''

He glowered at her for another indorse, before nodding curtly. `` Remember, I 'll be seeing you in detention all this week. ''

She heaved another suspiration. Upon their initial confluence she had had the unfortunate lot 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 creatures of the night from her Defense Against the night Art 's schoolbook they had given her to read. And considering that Hagrid was a goliath, another metal money mentioned in the record, she had n't thought it too excessive to assume that a vampire could be teaching at Hogwarts as well.

Unfortunately Snape had n't taken her question lightly, and had immediately began ranting and raving about how he most certainly did not entertain a deep-seeded bloodline lust for the living.

And for some inauspicious, and suicidal reason, she had found his ire ridiculously funny.

Which probably explained why she had wound up in detention.

'' Ms. Kaylens ? ``

'' I 'll be looking forward to it, '' She replied quickly, finding herself suddenly surrounded by various dozen kids, all twittering loudly with no foretoken of stopping.

She groaned, barely hearing professor McGonagall 's oral communication. Somehow she found herself following the Deputy schoolmarm through freshly polished oak doors into the Great residence.

The eyes of every first twelvemonth immediately turned upwards, to the leftfield, to the right, and in every other plausible direction, ineffectual to resist taking in their new environs.

The pressure of a one C pairs of eyes burrowed into her, and she stared pointedly forward, looking over the bunch of dwarf to where Hagrid sat, flashing a warm smile in her instruction.

Maybe he can help me escape afterwards, she thought hopefully, coming to a halt at the strawman of the enormous room. several of the midgets around her tensed up, scattered whispering passing through the gang about fighting a troll ...

What on Earth is that about, she wondered curiously, spotting the hat Remus had told her about.

McGonagall turned to face the entire room.

'' When I call your name, maltreat forward, place the hat upon your drumhead, and the sorting will commence. ''

With that, she sat the hat upon a clobber old stool, the sorting hat 's rim opened wide, and the singing began.
* * * * *


'' Slytherin ... ''

'' Ron if you say that one More sentence ... ''

'' Hermione you saw how sickening she was ! ''

'' She is not vile ! '' Hermione hissed back dangerously, being thrifty to keep her representative lowered. `` spooky, yes. Vile, no. ``

'' You can not tell apart me that there is not something inherently sinister about her, '' Ron challenged. `` Something 's not correctly there. She 's going to roll up an vicious 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 do them inherently evil, Ronald. ''

'' Hermione how can you say that ! '' He bristled, clearly having problem keeping his voice down as the firstly eld and the topic of their argument walked retiring.

Hermione 's face visibly tensed, and Harry could tell apart she did n't fully believe what she was saying. `` You ca n't pidgeon hole out an entire sign of the zodiac. 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 slimed git like Snape ! '' Ron exclaimed triumphantly.

At least Ron 's exclaiming were hushed enough so no one not in the near neck of the woods could see, Harry thought, suppressing a groan. He should cause known the peace between those two could n't endure longer than the train ride there. It was astonishing enough that they had n't killed each other in their compartment as it was. Had he really expected that peace to concluding ?

'' Mione ... ''

'' Ronald ... ''

'' Will you two pink it off ! The hat about to sing and I actually want to hear what it says. '' Ginny cut in. Harry made a mental note of hand to thank her for distracting their disputing Friend later, and quickly turned his attending to the hat. He had always enjoyed the sorting, but after last year ... wellspring, knowing that the hat was sworn to previse the students and instructor of peril made him a bit more thoughtful this year.

The had opened it 's brim spacious.

Divided, but once united,
That's how our tale begins,
Four theater founded by four protagonist
Yet I fear that such variance shall wreak about our end.

In ancient times the advantageously of supporter
Came knocking on the door,
Of Ravenclaw and Slytherin,
Then Hufflepuff went to Gryffindor.

let build a school of learning,
For all those of magic to serve,
Yet somehow the approached three could not fit,
On what qualities to support.

Lashkar-e-Toiba teach only those of wit and learning,
Possessing the most ready minds of all.
Those had been the poignant words,
Of once middling Ravenclaw.

Proud Slytherin lever ambition,
Possessing purity of blood and cunning,
His school-age child would block off at nothing,
Until they got what they saw fit to their coming.

And then were the intrepid,
Those brash with noble daring,
boldface Gryffindor chose them,
As virtually worthy of magical learning.

Hufflepuff loved her friends,
And accepted them as they were.
She let them each create a planetary house,
In which their prized were taught and nurtured.

And as for sweetness Hufflepuff,
She agreed to take the respite,
Yet somehow division did not set well,
Unity to her, seemed intimately.

So when the father 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 time was right,
For the sorting ritual to end.
She said one day variance may cause discord,
And she feared for the magical macrocosm.
For all her life,
She had feared the division in sight,
But never Thomas More,
Than when the friendships failed,
Of the Founding foursome.

Slytherin was the first to go out,
pureness of roue his choice,
I 'm disgraced by teaching Muggle Born !
He yelled, conviction in his voice.

Next left bold Gryffindor,
He felt the calling of adventure,
Rather than the do-or-die plea,
Of failing loyalty in motivation of suture.

Last left once-fair Ravenclaw,
Who once prized justice and learning,
She left because she said,
That teaching the former pupil had got too boring.

And alone stood fresh Hufflepuff,
The wisest of them all,
Because she never would heed,
Alluring temptations birdcall.

I see the wisdom of her choice,
Why she chose to take over them all,
And now understand,
That its fruitless to divide you at all.

So while it deeply saddens me,
To see my end in sight,
The sorting ceremony death,
Right now, Right here, This night.


Harry stared at the fecal matter, trying vainly to process what he had just heard. At least he had been right in thinking it was authoritative to pay attention this year, because apparently that was the last birdsong the sort hat would ever sing.

He cast a cursory glance towards Hermione, sitting next to him on the terrace, but her brown middle were wide and fixated up front. He could just reckon what was going through her head right hand then, because luck were she was going through each pageboy of Hogwarts a History, trying to find any other incident even remotely like this one. He had a hook hunch that she had the totally book committed to computer storage.

The affected silence filled the Great manor hall like a wooden-headed fog, so chummy he could almost feel it closing around him.

McGonagall seemed caught between slapping the hat and looking to Dumbledore for education, and her hired man moved cautiously towards the hat 's brim, only for it to quickly recoil as if the hat had grown fang. This odd, twitching apparent movement was punctuated by shrill go of her head as she looked right at Dumbledore, who to Harry 's surprise, looking genuinely amused.

Snape on the other hand looked quite inconvienced, his oral fissure had puckered so tightly that his lips seemed more translucent than Nearly Headless nick 's.

Apparently, they had not been expecting this.

Snape however, did n't seem to need to accept it, and he had already stood and started storming from his place at the instructor 's mesa, clearly headed for the sorting hat 's faeces itself.

'' Excuse me Minerva. '' Snape muttered, his low tone clearly audible in the weird silence. His hanker finger snatched the hat up and onto his head in a unmarried fluid motion, his face contorted in concentration as if conducting some clever contention.

Clever argument from Snape ? No ... unimaginable, he thought, watching his Potions teacher with interest for the number one time in five eld.

Apparently he was properly about Snape 's unfitness to behave an efficacious disputation, because a minute later Snape had flung the hat back onto it 's stool, muttering about how it was a dirty, trash-ridden piece of fading fabric destined for a Muggle garbage trash dump.

It was a bull's eye of how good the place was, that not a soul at the Gyffindor table laughed.

Harry could n't help but notice how Snape was testingly running his finger's breadth through his greasy blacken hair, looking at his hands after each swipe, as if searching for proof of something.

Every Gryffindor had a sneaking suspicion that the hat had just called him a greasy slime musket ball.

Ron Weasley was just the first off to say it.

'' crank one up for the sorting hat for insulting Snape ! '' Ron whispered triumphantly, all heads within earreach turning towards him.

Apparently that was the signal everyone had been waiting for, because suddenly a frenzy of activity broke out at the Gryffindor board, and a string reaction of haphazardness bedspread until the nose level was almost deafening. The uncategorised first geezerhood looked positively terrified, as if frightened of being sent home if unsortable, and they alone seemed the merely ones still rendered speechless.

'' I mean did I just hear that right field ? '' Ron asked, eyes alight with hullabaloo he did not portion.

Harry just nodded, watching the professor 's re-group.

professor Flitwick slid from his seat, and every so often Harry could overtake a glimpse of the top of his head over the teacher 's table, as the pocket-size man jumped up and down, vying for Dumbledore 's tending.

'' Oh my God did the categorisation hat just quit ? '' Squealed Parvarti. One would believe 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 conclusion twelvemonth ? ''

'' It did n't admonish us that it might go on strike Hibernia man ! ''

'' Who you calling Ireland man ? ''

'' Chill Seamus, Dean 's just kidding, are n't you Dean ? '' Ginny 's calm down interpreter somehow filtered through the commotion.

'' I ca n't think 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 imagine Harry ? This is monumental !

But Hermione was too worked up to notice whether he responded or not, and she was so soak up in her bidding to find out what he heard.

'' Do you cerebrate we should just try sorting them anyway, Albus ? '' prof McGonagall asked, casting an almost beseeching glimpse at the group of showtime years, who seemed to wince away from her gaze.

Professor Dumbledore, looking vaguely amused, patted prof Flitwick on the chief as he mulled this over. For his constituent the spell 's Professor stopped bouncing around like a fire beetle on speeding, and his pocket-sized promontory disappeared beneath the staff table.

'' We 'll be needing a volunteer though ... '' McGonagall stated rhetorically, scanning the list of student figure with an uncharacteristic look of doubt, talking out gimcrack but absently. `` If any of the number 1 years would like to try to get screen out ... ''

His heading of menage was too preoccupied, and she missed what he did not fail to notice.

A certain golden haired girl had overhead the prof 's question, and after casting a glance at the distraught child around her, had woven her way through the cowering first days. She now stood besides the crapper, her delicate hand grasping the top of the hat as she lifted it from its chair, plopping it upon her head. The teachers around her were completely forgetful to her action mechanism.

Her soft, angular features relaxed, as if immersed in quiesce conversation. And as she sat there, immersed in a silent conversation to which only she was privy to, Dumbledore pointed a wand to his pharynx, muttering, `` Sonorous ''.

A second later the schoolmaster 's magically amplified articulation echoed throughout the Great Hall, as it had on only one other occasion.

'' SIIIILLLLEEEENNNCCCE ! ''

Every person who had been excitedly talking, including respective of the nervous looking first years, who had started to cry, stopped and turned their attention to the front of the anteroom.

So of path, that was when everyone 's attending suddenly became drawn to the rather average girl, standing by the faecal matter, the offending hat placed atop her straits.

'' Apparently the sorting hat has decided that it is no longer able-bodied to, in sound conscious, function as a house sorter. However, we shall own this sorted out. '' Dumbledore winked, the pun on Christian Bible sounding almost born coming from him. Yet Harry just stared in fascination at Kaylens, who seemed to be nodding quietly to herself. `` Now I would care the amphetamine old age to remain here for dinner party, and I would wish the for the first time class to total with .... ''

Dumbledore stopped mid-sentence, apparently just catching stack of Kaylens, even though she had been right in front of him all along.

Kaylens nodded one net metre, her hazel eyes flickering give as she removed the hat, placing it back upon the stool. All middle were upon the hat except his, so he was the solitary one to see the rarefied grinning hybridizing her feature of speech as the sorting hat opened its brim for the second time that night.

'' Let the classification now begin. ''



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