A post rules of order of the Phoenix, pre-Half Blood Prince story.

Please reckon this a replacement of the sixth Koran, since it was begun well before the release of the Half Blood Prince. I will not be changing this to accommodate the HBP plotline, since I feel that the Order of the Phoenix leaves a capital degree of flexibility for fan-fiction writers.

Thank you to all of the subscriber who have supported me throughout the committal to writing of this piece.
I can not press out my gratitude enough to all of you who have made me the Number 1 Favorite writer, and this news report the turn 2 favourite Story, the 7th to the highest degree Read Story, the Most Reviewed Story Ever in the site 's chronicle, and for several months between Aug and early November of 2005 the act 1 darling Story.







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






Chapter 1 ~ Lightning Strikes


Remus'eyes narrowed, peering through the thick onslaught as rain pelted the Earth. He continued walking, not breaking constitution even as weewee sloshed about his mud-soaked mortise joint, chilling him to the bone.

Moving was becoming increasingly unmanageable and the compact wool of his cloak clung awkwardly to his icy skin. He wished he had possessed the foresightfulness to don a swooning one, for moving certainly would induce been loose.

But there had been piddling time to think on such detail.

His center burned, the twinge ace growing until afflictive tears streamed down his face, his salty tears mixing with the rain before they reached his lips, leaving the taste of table salt urine upon his clapper.

The stinging esthesis grew spoilt. It happened whenever his rod jail cell multiplied, and right now the hysteria going on just behind his retinas was aiding him, bringing into stark focalize the destruction of the Nox.

Cloaked look-alike came to life, the moonless night no longer a factor as Robert Gray images danced before him with unearthly lucidness. It was the one small gift his monthly burden afforded him.

Night vision.

His eyes turned from the populace around him, flicking towards the blackened sky, noting the new moon. He had a yoke weeks before the pain sensation in his bones returned.

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

She nodded thanks and they continued their furtive hunt. They dared not lite their route for fear of giving away their positions. Lingering Death eater could be anywhere.

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

A range had not been found in England for centuries. And the foul and loathsome Death Eaters would go to any length to find one. The grounds lay at their groundwork, and he was thankful that the thick darkness spared Tonks from seeing the full extent of tonight 's devastation. Only he could bear witness to its full repulsion.

quintet Muggles had been slain this Night. Their torn and mangle bodies long since passed. There was nothing even the best of healers could do. All that was left was to peck through the carnage, hoping against promise that a soul had survived.

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

The past workweek had brought a slew of slaying. No ... Butcherings ...

This was his seventh such lookup that month alone, and still the stink of blacken cloth and burnt anatomy reeled him.

Muggle families were being polluted with the rankness of Voldemort. And despite the Order 's undecomposed cause, they had been powerless to stop it.

'' Six ... '' Tonks whispered, barely audible. Her slender form was bent grass down, her shaking hired man checking for a beat on a Whitney Moore Young Jr. man, his once golden-blond hairsbreadth matted thickly with coagulated blood.

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

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

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

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

The upchuck by-blow would pay. God did not let someone get away with such atrocities without retribution. And he would see to that.

The nighttime Lord had a new scheme. Snape had informed the society calendar week ago, but even now he still found it abyssal, for the vile being was no longer depicted object to experiment with magic trick.

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

And people…

His design was to harness the baron of every magic being for himself. So he could conduct them into his one acrid being.

If the thought of an even stronger dark Divine was n't enough to fright someone, Remus did n't know what was. But that fear did cipher to quell his barely contained fury.

It was coarse knowledge that when emotions ran high school, witches and sorcerer often lost controller. Hell, he had lost count of how many times Harry had done exactly that.

Only now the Death Eaters were using a Reach 's emotions against them. The hooded material body had crept in the shade of Nox from home to home over the past weeks, killing each nominee 's family right in front end of them. Their aim was to draw out an worked up reaction, one impregnable enough to reveal the Reach 's genuine potency.

It sickened him, how the Dark Almighty could kill so many innocents, just to level the Reach out of hiding.

But what was even more sickening was the dark Lord 's plans for the poor person once they were found.

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

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

Most crone and wizards developed magical ability at a Young age. Though there were always the few destined to turn Squibs, and there were always a few who developed it later on in life-time, in their adolescent. It had turned out that witching ability stemmed from a dominant gene, linked to the cistron specifying descent type. And the genetic computer code Muggles possessed only differed by a few nucleotide, so it was easy for the mutation to get up randomly in Muggles, thus Muggleborns.

But a Reach was not a witch or genius, they were not a Squib or a previous blooming illusionist.

They were something different entirely.

When their magical art came to realization, the Lapp organisation that alerted the Headmaster to the mien of a new witch or magician would go off.

Tonight that system had gone haywire. It had been slowly registering readings for the past tense five months.

Now it was going off again.

There was a person out there holding to a greater extent business leader than they could properly maintain.

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

The pitiful bastard.

Instinctively his arm shot out, halting Tonks roughly in place, his dilated optic roamed, scanning the ground of what had once been an ordinary home set far away from the major roads. Now busted floorboard littered the muddied undercoat, while smoke from the doused fires curled up in snake in the grass like tendrils, shrouding the creation from panorama. Yet his eye penetrated its veil, searching for the flicker of movement that had frozen him in place.

He clenched his fingers tighter around the familiar worn oak of his wand, bracing himself for whatever plan of attack would get along.

None came.

It was then that he heard it. A voiced strangling amidst the storm 's howl idle words.

He withdrew his arm, placing a finger carefully over Tonks'icy sass, signaling her to be silent. The just sign of her disarray was the light source crease of her brow. She would, of line, have no melodic theme what he was looking for. Her auditory modality was not as refined as his.

But loup-garou sting did things like that to a soul.

It came again, a low, strangled moan, and he took off, rushing towards the root. No attacker could feign that form of hurting.

He skidded, flinging rock in the air as he bent down beside her. The take a leak she was feebly pushing herself out of was a deep black, filled with the blood of her and the lifeless man besides her. Her body spasmed with each choking machine politician as she coughed up inhaled piss, her heart glazed over from what he recognized as jounce.

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

Tonks reached them, murmuring soothing word as she smoothed the girls mud caked fuzz away from her fount, Robert Brown pee emerging from her sassing as another round of spasm racked her torso violently.

He took her appearance in, another unvoluntary spasm shaking her. Torn shards of what had once been clothing hung lightly from her, and the dust and detritus sticking to her wet face made her features inconceivable to discern.

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

He let her cough up the rest of the water before stunning her. He hated doing it as he lifted her limp figure from the ground, but only one matter 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 sense in taking chances.
* * * * *


The rain poured down in stale cloudburst as Harry shouldered his broom, sprinting after Kingsley through the fast forming puddles of London 's urban center streets. It was coming down in buckets now, and if he had thought flying through the torrential downpour had been bad it was nothing compared to the pounding of his feet on the tricky pavement.

Moody 's pharyngeal consonant growling sounded off to his right, not that he could see him, the rain was too fatheaded to see much of anything. Thunder clapped, shaking him to the pith, and the lightning flashed shockingly, illuminating the area to expose parliamentary law extremity running in rank around him, splashing body of water as they went.

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

Only this Nox was unlike.

Promises of meeting with Tonks and Lupin in London were hissed quickly as Kingsley and Moody levitated his things, cramming them hastily into his automobile trunk, and he had not missed how McGonagall 's eye had roamed the way guardedly. Even hind end, steadfast McGonagall was frightened.

Tonight truly was different.

He blinked rapidly, trying vainly to extract the water cascading into his eyes, but it was to no help. His methamphetamine were too thickly coated with rain droplets, and he desperately racked his mind for the spell Hermione used to snub urine. For his baton was out, and he could use it. The Ministry had removed the fiat for the Restriction of Underage wizardry that summer. Dumbledore had headed up the motion, arguing that the return of Voldemort endangered crone and ace of all ages, and that in the event of an flack, scholarly person should be free to defend themselves without the reverence of repercussion.

The empty lot materialized between two run down business firm, and he looked quickly at the minuscule slip of sopping wet report dripping from his mitt, hesitant to disregard his surroundings for even a instant when the foreboding care of attack hung so thickly about him.

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

Grimmauld station.

Lupin materialized at the top of the creaky wooden stairs looking worse for the clothing. His normally threadbare clothing was now ragged and blood stained, his eyes hollow and sunken, holding the look of prey that knew its predator to be penny-pinching.

Harry stepped through the door, stomping his feet on the shaggy carpet, slinging mud everywhere as the others piled in. He swallowed the lump in the root of his pharynx, pulling his optic from the muddied level, forcing himself to learn in his surroundings. A man named Dorbert brass could be heard triggering the complicated locking spell on the front threshold.

A loud boom reverberated through the house, shaking the walls as indistinct voices argued in the aloofness. Yet this did not bother 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 race they had ran he had forgotten one affair.

That they were taking him to Sirius's…

This house had never been joyful, but now it seemed a hollow shell of what could have been. It stood as a unspeakable reminder of the scrape of a aliveness that he and his godfather could have salvaged. But that aliveness was gone now.

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

That was how he had felt since that dark. Empty. There was nothing that could fill the void. Not even the close at hand holy terror of facing Voldemort in years to amount could earn him feel anything but despair again.

Mundungus cleared his throat, turning all forefront towards him as he beckoned for everyone to quietly make their way to an adjoining room. He followed, his sopping wet dress weighing him down with every dance step he took. But nothing could matter him down as lots as the memories ... As much as the encumbrance haunting him ... The one they should receive told him ...

Realization hit him unvoiced, like sudden ducking into the icy piss of the northerly artic, as he wondered what they were not telling him tonight.

He glanced towards lupine who stood protectively next 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 tell him anyway. They never told him anything when it could actually make a difference ...

But even if they had told him, right then, it would n't have mattered. There was no way any of them could have known what would happen from that Nox 's events. At least not yet ... None of them were seeing past their need to get him to a safe localization, so they could not have known that the Nox marked a turning stop in his life, as well as in the life of the exclusively survivor of Voldemort 's offset wave of attacks.

The war had begun.
* * * * *


Throbbing botheration ... pedigree ... Cries of botheration ....

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

Dim voices filtered into her thoughts, her sleep befuddled nous protesting strongly as it failed to comprehend a single word.

'' ... has a chance. ''

Flashes of luminosity ... .flame ... coughing smoke ... squeal of tires ... .Sean ....

She awoke jarringly, her awful moan drowned out by the voices.

voice that were forgetful to her wakening. Voices unmindful to the way her body recoiled in pain. vocalization oblivious to how her heart teared from the bright sun pouring in from the windows of the doomed way. Voices oblivious to how she clawed like a frightened animal at the thick sympathiser wrapped around her battered and bruised physical structure.

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

What she had done ...

A new despair hit her like a thousand hot tongue, slicing her hide in a way the worst of the can magical spell could not have.

She had done the unthinkable ....

New moving ridge of pain in the neck teem Forth River, her vision swimming dangerously with each pulsating pain her physical structure dealt. She would consume cried out, but the exertion would have been too much for her delicate kind. Instead she drew in ragged breather until her body gave out, the auditory sensation of a door creaking and a large, dark pattern standing over her vaguely registered before she once again slipped into merciful oblivion.
* * * * *


The dreams were always the Lapplander ....

For nearly a calendar month she had refused to give in to the nightly curse. She was stronger than that. She would not lose herself to the humanity of nightmares, even if the books she had read on such things deemed that a more merciful portion than the one the wizarding Earth would add 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 find some semblance of a normal living. She wanted that more then anything, so bad she could smack it. But she would never be convention.

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

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

She drew in a shallow breath, letting her sobs subside slowly before Hagrid could learn. She had dreamt about it again. About that night. imaginativeness of blood and shrill sidesplitter had filled her mind 's eye each night since as she dreamt about their works ...

Her works ...

She wiped the tarriance tears that clung to her lash, swallowing her own self-loathing. She would not campaign it, for she deserved every bit of pain bestowed upon her. She would stew in it until it had permeated every fiber of her being. That a great deal was the least of what she deserved.

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

And the I who had started it all ...

They deserved so much worse.

Everything good and pure in her lifetime had been gone for week. It was with a cold clarity that she realized this. For now she lived for one aim, and one purpose alone.

Revenge.
* * * * *


Harry lay on the top berth staring at the ceiling, watching the way shadows played across it as light from passing car headlight shone in through the windowpane. Ron 's trashy snores drifted up, breaking the silence like a bullhorn with every breath, and it was taking every inch of the possession he possessed, to not angle 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 word of more cleanup, more unexplained disappearances, and of more than war. For several weeks he and Ron had been catching tidbits of information, slip ups by the adults in Grimmauld Place, and right now it sounded like the Ministry was in absolute havoc. Not that he minded that fact. Anything that made Fudge 's job harder amused him immensely. What he did intellect was the reason for the havoc, and that was Voldemort.

Voldemort. It was odd really, how one mortal could be the grounds of so much Death and devastation. No one should own that much power, he thought bitterly, thinking of the toll that the Muggle expiry were taking on Mr. Weasley, Ron 's sire.

Mr. Weasley was the individual employee in the Misuse of Muggle artifact Department, and recently, with the variant on imagination in the Ministry, it had come to double as the department of Muggle Relations. Now Mr. Weasley spent half his time performing memory magic spell on Muggle law enforcement, to shroud up the death of Muggles who had been murdered by Death Eaters. Now every prison term Harry saw Mr. Weasley, all the man could talk about were unlike possible scheme for protecting the Muggle universe.

Now if only a in effect strategy actually existed.

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

storage plagued him every meter he closed his eye now. The Department of Mysteries ... It was why he now lay awake.

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

Hermione had nearly been killed.

Sirius had ... ..

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

The trick was in figuring out how.

To protect them, he had tried to blatantly labor them away, but they had seen right through that. He had refused to write, and his self-induced closing off ended when both of them showed up at the Dursleys while his relatives were on vacation. The two of them set up residence there the entire week, Order members circling the premiss like hawk for security, while his champion had infuriated him to no end. However, he had finally realized that they were n't going to go away. If he was going to distance himself he 'd give to do it slowly.

Yes. A gradual drifting would be best.

It was with these thoughts in mind, that he drifted off into another Nox of fitful sleep. If only he could have known then what the next few years would bring.





Disclaimer : The characters, post, names, and events mentioned in this fib, that coincide with the character reference, places, names, and events mentioned in J.K. Rowling 's Harry Potter series, do not belong to me, but to that literary genuis, JKR. Thank you so much for allowing so many of us to pursue writing through fanfiction JKR, we really appreciate it.

The mythic standard is by SticksN'Stones.

Artwork of Kalliandra by agirlnamedbob87.





'' One may never know how long their wax light of life-time 's wick is. What they can make love, is how well it burns. ''
~ A.K. Lovell



Chapter 2 - First Impressions


Her eyes flickered over the lake 's vitreous surface, taking in the shimmering reflections of the early morning cockcrow. The sun was barely risen and the snort still slumbered, but this had become the norm for her over the past week. She simply no longer saw the use in sleeping when guilt plagued her even there.

A visible radiation duck soup ruffled the water, tousling her hair gently in its wake. She casually brushed her whispy strands back, tucking them carelessly behind her ears.

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

Kind of like me ...

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

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

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

She had been warned of the dangers of such things.

Her bare metrical unit crunched upon the dewy grass, but the early sunup chill did not worry her. She reached into her pocket, fingering the cherry tree wooden surface of her wand before pulling it out, studying it appraisingly as she traversed her way across the curtilage.

They were odd looking things really. Long and lose weight, and from the smell of it, easily breakable. She suppressed the sudden urge to do just that, knowing full well that zero could be gleaned from such destructive touchstone.

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

Of course of study, seeing Hagrid 's face when he found the snapped remains might be rather amusing. Especially with the Brobdingnagian deal he had made over how favourable she was, getting a specially made wand from Ollivander. It was n't like she had wanted one, and the only grounds the quirky man had fabricated it thus was because none of the real scepter that he had brought to the school day had so often as set off.

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

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

Probably because it shares the Lapplander destiny as you, she thought bitterly, glancing at the ever rising sun.

Jacob 's ravel now streamed down from the clouds, forming consortium of light on the vibrant green goddess, giving evidence to the affectionateness the day would bring.

It was a fondness that would never reach her.

A slightly stronger breeze bore the strait of approaching hooves, and she turned towards the Forbidden forest, the schema of extension folding into a horse 's cadaverous body signaled Silverthorne 's arrival.

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

She stopped and waited, his gallop growing louder with his speedy approach, and a modest grin graced her peaceful backtalk. Hagrid and Dumbledore had been as marvelous as they could be, but there was much they kept hidden from her. intuition informed her of this with every fleeting expression they exchanged around her.

Perhaps that knowledge could explain her hostility as of lately. Hagrid was a unspoilt man and had not deserved the brunt of her angriness the previous day. They had been arguing as of late. But then again, she deserved to be informed of everything regarding herself. Keeping her in the dark could only stimulate further harm. This she was convinced of.

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

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

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

At least so long as he gets his morning snack, she reminded herself with some amusement, picturing how he would tear through the humble creature 's bone so eagerly.

She smiled again, letting the business organization of yesterday pass. She would rationalise to Hagrid later before they reached Diagon alley to get her 'school'supplying. She used the word of honor fleetingly for while she was to look Hogwarts, she was too far behind to be expected to actually twist in grant with the quietus of the sixth years. Instead she was to put up a worthy façade until she gained the knowledge that could help her.

Then there was the small cistron of her being completely unable to incant in the get-go position.

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

The hell that had become her life.

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

* * * * *



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

Harry laughed as he watched Ron squirm uncomfortably, the magic tape measure flying vertically around his friend 's no longer gangly torso, magically recording the length of his arms, legs, height, and for some odd reason, the distance between his spike.

He knew exactly why Ron 's brothers were getting him dress robes, but he was n't about to plowshare that piece of information. Not when he was actually enjoying himself for the first time in weeks.

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

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

'' Blimey ! watch out it ! '' Ron exclaimed, ducking another near hit, his feet entangling in the long frock robes trailing past his foot.

'' 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 ... fractious ... ''

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

Of trend, he thought lightly, his best mate might not be muttering the colorful metaphors if he could see the smell on the sales event clerk 's brass ... Or the fact that she was storming over from where she had been attempting to size a first year for his Hogwarts gown, facial expression alit, work force on hips, centre narrowed vindictively at the mess Ron lay in.

Right then, with the impeccably bad timing that only Ron could get over, his friend 's red head emerged from the disturbance, a bright pink sheet wrapped around it like a shawl, and a sheepish verbalism on his case as he stammered apologies. The sight must take been too much for the salesclerk, because her mouth twitched, her serious expression faltered, and all pretense of anger vanished as she failed to be discreet about her own amusement.

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

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

'' You know copulate, I think Madam Maulkin 's got it all wrong. I think that 's an excellent looking at for you. conceive of what Hermione would consider ... ''

Suddenly he was finding it impossible to make out Ron 's ear from the rest of his knotty flatness of hair.

'' Oh shut it Harry ! ''

Harry grinned, enjoying his protagonist momentaneous soreness. `` speech production of Hermione ... '' He said, calming down slightly. `` She should be here any minute of arc so perhaps you could ask her for her enlightened opinion ... ''

A brilliantly pink satin fuzz flew across the elbow room, and he caught it deftly, holding it out in front end of him as he looked at it in mock estimation. `` Ron, I 'm contact. 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 vocalisation ! He thought happily. Leaving the Durselys had been great, but he had sourly missed Hagrid.

It was possibly due to this, that he whorled around in his tooshie so fast that he nearly slid off, earning several tacky snigger from a certain chuckling redhead tangled in fabric.

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

They really should name stores more accessible for people his size ... He thought, making a mental bill to cite the estimation to Hermione as Hagrid opened his gravid backtalk.

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

A tawdry tearing sound tore his attention back to Ron, and he stifled yet another laugh at the horror-struck manifestation on Ron 's aspect. By all appearing, Ron had attempted to walk 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 robes.

'' Now that's why you 're supposed to remain put ! '' ma'am Maulkin snipped, spying the new destruction and waving her baton. The framework flipped up like a serpent, a large needle zooming to doctor it. Ron attempted to leap out 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 verbalism might birth been from how dame Maulkin grabbed him by the nape of his collar and yanked him back to the fitting platform, where she immediately began to overprotect over the dire State of his robes.

'' punter cease you first since you ca n't stand still. '' She quipped in her in high spirits flip voice. `` And to think that this morning I would have sworn it was the unseasoned students who gave me the most problem ... ''

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

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

He turned back to Hagrid, leaving Ron to resist for himself. `` So did one of your tool get a hold of your teaching robe 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 uneven patching.

Hagrid grinned and shook his forefront. `` Nah Harry, for once me robes are exquisitely. 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, curiosity driving him as he wondered who this Kalliandra character was. Must be a first-class honours degree year or really young. He was sure as shooting he would have remembered that name at least.

But in the back of his brain he felt a twinge of pity.

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

At least Hagrid will show them a secure time, he mused, remembering his inaugural slip to Diagon back street. He opened his mouth to ask if they were from a wizarding or Muggle family, concluding that it must be a starting time year from the way Hagrid was still babbling on about them.

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

He followed Hagrid 's gaze towards the fitting rooms, taking in the relatively meddling computer memory when a not unfamiliar sensation hit him like a bludger, his stomach twisting oddly as his eyes landed on a slim human body, glancing around the stock hesitantly.

And I thought Hermione looked honest in dress robes, he thought, swallowing unvoiced, berating himself for being distracted. But this little girl was stunning, in an way-out sort of way. While her feature film were rather knit, her long, golden attire gown clung loosely to her slender legs, with her finespun deal lifting the hem, revealing tanned ankles as she moved towards them.

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

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

The young woman nodded slowly, her heart glancing at him appraisingly for a bit before flickering away. `` If you could cry it finding ... '' She said, a suggestion of sarcasm conflate into her otherwise pleasant speechmaking voice. `` It was more like being attacked with this ... '' She lifted the hem of the robe for vehemence.

'' And my supporter did a ticket job young peeress. That people of color causa you, '' Madam Maulkin chimed out, shocking him back to his sense. He silently thanked her, and glanced over to see that she was still indeed, judging by his friend 's pain expression, torturing Ron.

He shook his head whimsically at the sight, glancing back at the girlfriend in figurehead of him, thinking that gentlewoman Maulkin had a point about the color suiting her. Her sour aureate whisker cascaded loosely past her shoulders, several shorter fibril framing her nerve, lightly brushing her catch ivory. All of it was barely discernable from the silklike gown cloth clinging to her willowy figure.

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

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

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

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

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

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

'' You have a very ... great ... top dog ... '' Maulkin muttered with each subsequent Northerner, and Hagrid 's guffaw of laughter drowned out Ron 's indignant riposte. Harry glanced back at Kalliandra to see her watching the spectacle, a tip of a smile tracing its way across her rim.

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

Harry turned back to Kalliandra, to see the slight grinning that had mo ago graced her characteristic disappear.

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

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

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

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

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

Hagrid eyed Ron with no small amount of amusement. `` Well that 'd be movement 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 superfluous 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 grown giant in the forest ...

Or a three headed dog ....

Or a pet dragon ...

Seeing a one-half titan twist beneath one 's gaze would normally be quite a funny occurrence, but it simply made Harry spooky as Hagrid continued shuffling his animal foot, mumbling about right founding, while the missy remained extremely quiet.

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

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

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

It was a shock he had been ill prepared for, for her heart held a hint of the familiar… So closely consanguineal to the haunted feeling of Canicula'that he felt himself shaken to the sum at the familiarity.

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

The polite smiling she had shot him flutter and disappeared abruptly.

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

It was a wonder Hagrid had even asked, because he was already waving goodbye to all three of them, not waiting for a reply. And from the malevolent limelight 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 haunt quality of before. Maybe it had never been there. He really ought to get slept longer ... With all his turbulent thought as of late running through his mind he simply was n't thinking straight.

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

'' Yes, you 're probably right ... '' She said faintly, her voice so balmy he scarcely heard her. Though her surprisingly appease intonations did zippo to intercept the harsh quality of her glare as her narrowed eyes followed Hagrid 's retreating form. In fact, she was still shooting daggers out the door as the assistant yanked her over to the open fitting program besides Ron seconds later.

Harry decided not to dwell on the look he had seen, the one so painfully familiar to Sirius. It had probably been his vision, so he contented himself with trying to determine which of the two looked more disgruntled. Kalliandra kept shutting her eyes, as if frightened by the entrance taping metre flicking around her promontory, while Ron kept shooting scowl at Madam Maulkin.

'' You know we 've never had a transport before. At to the lowest degree not one that I can remember, right Harry ? '' Ron stated, glaring down at Maulkin as she marked his cuffs with crank, determining the distance of his sleeves.

He was about to agree when Kalliandra cut him off.

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

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

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

Harry found that oddly risible, considering that Ron had been ducking the real thing himself, but at least his friend had not been standing meth still like a deer in headlamp.

Kalliandra had though.

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

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

She just nodded, turning her head to reckon out the room access. Ron shot him an annoyed, 'Can you believe this ?'tone.

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

Several mo passed, the awkward silence broken only be Ron 's random outbursts of displeasure, and Kalliandra 's unruffled reception to the assistant 's questions. Unsurprisingly she was the first one done, and he found himself having a heavy time not staring at her now that the dress gown were completely fitted around her var.. The affair was posh, elegant, and practically mold fitting ...

'' Hey how follow she got done so quick ? '' Ron asked indignantly, as Kalliandra made her way back to the changing rooms, the backside of her dress gown gathered in her hands as she walked carefully. She seemed unused to walking in something of the variety.

'' Because she, unlike some of my customers, actually held still while we measured her, '' madam Maulkin quipped from where she knelt on the floor, using her wand to make minor alteration to the hem of Ron 's gown.

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

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

'' Ahem. ''

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

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

Harry failed to ingest the hazard to so much as shrug in response to Ron 's repulsive like motion in the missy 's direction, before a quiet clatter broke the comparative quiet of the room. He turned to see Kalliandra squatting down on the floor, picking up petite pins in her helping hand.

The bemused assistant stood behind the heel counter, bearing a slight smiling. `` Oh honey, thank you, but do n't worry about that. I 'm as clumsy as can be ... '' The assistant flicked her verge and the short flag scattered all over the piazza disappeared, reappearing into the pin shock held in Kalliandra 's hand.

'' See, I 'm knocking stuff over all the clip, '' The supporter continued, while the girl stared at the now filled pin cushion, biting her lower lip, confusion etched into each of her lineament.

He did n't fail to notice it.

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

There was no time to come after that nonsensical train of thought, for Kalliandra had already stood, thanked the woman, and disappeared out the front incoming with her bag.

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

Ron was right, she was supposed to await for Hagrid. Harry hesitated a moment, an internal public debate waging until curiosity got the better of him. Wasting no More time he jumped from his tooshie and went after her.

He wanted to see where she was going.











'' And after all, what is a lie ? 'T is but a the truth in mask. ''
~ St. George Gordon Noel Byron, Lord Byron~







Chapter 3 ~ Entangled Webs



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

To the core she had been undeniably, inexplicably, shaken. And all because of a confused pile of pins upon the floor of a garment shop, and her own miserable attempts to rectify a salesclerk 's clumsiness.

Magic.

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

The Oklahoman she became accustomed the better.

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

Butchered for who she was… The possibleness was aught less than she deserved, for one such as herself should not be allowed to walk upon the bustling streets, the tactile property of the most luminescent of the promised land'globe warming her hide, the light clatter of pebbles being kicked askew and the laughter of minor ringing within the recesses of her audile senses.

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

She had died the Saame day they had succumbed, despite the rhythmic throbbing within her bureau.

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

She was going to find out.

It was why she had left, fleeing in Hope of traversing her way through the densely packed streets, making her way towards the looming marble edifice, the golden speech Gringotts coin bank emblazoned across its tusk surface.

After barely a hundred paces the tower of the wizarding commercial high society emerged over the heads of the crowd. Its supporting columns leaning in versatile directions, their haphazardly support for the upper story of the edifice strengthened with the black magic filling the streets.

Though it was not there that she wished to go.

It was there, directly across from the goblin filled depository. That was where she desired to go to try out her resolution. Turning down the dark skittle alley she noted a rickety sign suspended above it 's entryway bearing the jaggedly carved words Knockturn Alley.

Yes, she had been forewarned of its suspect characteristics. She had carefully listened to Hagrid 's babbling about it, about how he hated to venture down it each fourth dimension he found himself in need of Flesh Eating Slug Repellant, and about how physical object of the outlaw variety could be procured.

She was an target of the illicit miscellany, and if there was anywhere to find acceptance within the society that demanded western fence lizard executing for those of her nature, it would be here.

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

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



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

Kingsley Shacklebolt let out an incensed seeing red, raucously shoving his way through the thick gang grunting about insubordination. Tonks only resort was to roll her eyes, further darkening the reddened hue that her boss'brass was beginning to take away on.

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

'' Kingsley, Harry is perfectly capable of taking precaution of himself for Thomas More than five minutes, '' She said amicably. `` And besides, how was I supposed to pluck up Remus'birthday talent for hi.. ''

'' Tonks…

Casting a sidelong glance at the senior order of magnitude member she came to a stop in the midpoint of traffic, ignoring the protestations of the witches and maven around them, who were now being forced to walk a full two feet to the face to fend off them. For all their complaining one would think she was inciting a wow, not stopping for a chat with her slightly formidable boss.

speaking of Kingsley, he looked like he was either suppressing the desire to choke her, or in the get-go stages of cardiac arrest.

Frowning she regarded him concernedly. `` Are you familiar with high blood pressure 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 brilliantly sunlight. `` A fact I 'm well mindful of, '' She said pointedly, her previous pretending of mood vanishing. `` But the Order is constantly hovering over Harry, convinced that he is an incompetent 16 year old. Yet I have never heard of a 16 year 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 auricle of passersby.

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

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

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

With an hearable crinkling Kingsley shoved a copy of the Daily prophet into her helping hand, watching her closely as she unfolded it, discovering it to be the latest issue that she had not yet read.

Twenty seven-spot Muggles Die Mysteriously in the Spanse of a two weeks. Is He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named responsible ?

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

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

'' That night, '' She whispered, knowing wax well to what he referred. The mark tissue paper across her breast would forever serve as a striking reminder to her carelessness in dueling with her aunty. It had taken half of the summer, laid up in St. Mungos, for her to arrive at a good recovery from the blows she had been dealt.

Remus had been her only source of saneness during that time, as he had been on the Night they had combed through the grotesquely sear yard of an sequester Muggle base, searching for survivors.

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

The poor mortal had never had a chance.

Clenching the tabloid between her workforce she met her boss'regard. `` feel, '' She whispered, forcing her voice calm. `` I know the Order is concerned about Harry. But he has proven Thomas More than competent in situations that most Aurors have yet to face, and he 's come out awake an… ''

'' And in the process put half the rules of order in grave danger ! '' Kingsley boomed angrily. `` All due to his impetuous, cheeky, ill-thought…

'' Actions, '' She supplied, ignoring how his eye twitched. `` But how does the purchase order expect him to find out to create determination if we are always hovering over him ? ``

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

'' Who said he was making them ? ``

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

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

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

'' I 'll take it under retainer, '' She replied, leaning against the dirty brick paries, substance to savor in its subtlety for a moment of respite from the August heat.

Kingsley 's succeeding broadside was unintelligible, though she did watch the countersign 'irresponsibility', 'insubordinate', and 'dam n't girl'.

Slowly she began banging her head against the brick siding.

'' …and it was your job to keep an eye on over them today. But when I come to check on affair what do I detect ? You ! Alone ! In the Quidditch shop purchasing some ridiculously wasted Snitch… ''

'' It is not just a stoolie ! '' She interjected, halting the ravishment on her skull. `` It 's a collector 's variation ! And Remus ordered it a month ago for Harry, special order ! They had to make it to Remus'precise specifications, and we thought it would be a nice surprise to pick it up while out toda… ''

'' Oh rattling ! '' Kingsley burst out, throwing his hands up. `` Perhaps you explain your reasoning to the club when destruction Eaters attack and have them away ! ``

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

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

'' You mean Ginny ? ``

The man let out a sound oddly resonant of a hippogriff in heat, stomping the ground and sending a slew of rubble scattering into the air. `` Who do you guess I mean ! ? What other little girl were you to chaperone today ? ! focusing for just a minute would you Nympha… ''

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

'' And the boy ? ``

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

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

Tonks smile only widened further, her pupils narrowing into small ovular twat, eyes yellowing like a computerized axial tomography. `` See Kingsley ? They 're perfectly safe. No self-respectful end Eater would venture into there. ``

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

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

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

Her hand flew to her crooked nose, pondering what was amiss with it. She had spied a transcript of enchantress Weekly earlier that day, and while she was not one for mode she had seen this weeks headline : Crooked nose cuss, In or Out of Season ?

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

The boys had at least found it entertaining.

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

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

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

Kingsley stomped his foot again. `` See ? This is exactly what I mean ! Your attention span is bordering on the non-existent and you 're always seize potency in party favor of whatever your notion of the moment is ! In this sheath it 's the, 'the kids can make care of themselves'caprice ! That 's precisely why I ca n't retire early ! You 're nowhere near quick for such a situation and there is no one else with enough combat experience to advocate ! ``

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

'' Are you even listening ? ``

'' Yes Boss. ``

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

'' Your Supremacy ? ``

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

'' I 'm just taking your advice. I thought authority public figure liked to be addressed… ''

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

She sobered immediately.

'' And block off banging your heading. ``

She stopped that to.

'' And do n't wrestle. ``

Suppressing a groan she resisted the temptation, her soreness point rising exponentially. Movement was the only thing sufficient for quelling her often frazzled nerve 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 hate to be a suspect for some obscene crime. No wonder they normally came out of questioning twitching.

Contenting herself with incrementally elongating and shortening her nails, the mental process concealed by the wander bag her fingers were curled around, she arched a questioning brow 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 alleyway 's garbage bin, and stopped dead.

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

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

Without a tidings she ignored the sarcastic slam, taking off after Harry with murderous intent. Of all the ill fated timing that one could have, she had the unsound. Harry just had to break up now to run off, and she had every aim of strangling him once she got a storage area of him.

Of course of action she may experience to stun him first, considering he had grown considerably to tower several inch 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 fortunate loop earring glinting in the temperateness, she began ticking off the various ways to kill or torture him. For out of all the purchase order appendage 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 ability to distinguish when it was or was not appropriate to wander off in public places. However, with Kingsley standing behind her, Harry was proving her wrong yet again. She could only envisage the complacent smile crossing Kingsley 's face, and after he mentioned this to the Order…

Her collection to let Harry in on Sir Thomas More of the edict'activities would probably be rejected, yet again.

This little stunt of his was going to cost him Sir Thomas More than he knew.

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

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

She began muttering in dangerous undertone, for she 'd take a shit blame sure he found out.

Fixing her eyes to the back of his head, she shortened her haircloth up her neck, and began experimenting with olfactory organ. It was n't until she spotted the old woman calmly perusing the selection of carnal intellectual nourishment on display outside of Eeylops Owl emporium that she was struck with an excellent idea.

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



It was a marvel that he had managed to keep on her in mess, considering the horde swarming around him, children screaming off items that would be needed for the start of term to fray parents, most of whom were doing admirable balancing routine with newly purchased cauldrons, playscript, and potions supply. Though her fuzz semblance helped, for it was neither drear 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 save track of her.

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

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

He knew the consequences of such erroneous belief far too well.

Pulling his wand out he cast a glamor charm upon his head, watching the disobedient chain of hair's-breadth hanging on his forehead lighten to a muted John Brown. Quickly he brushed as much of it over his forehead as possible, not lament to be recognized within the disreputable area he was now traversing through.

The dark entrance was rather twisted, the space narrow and curving every few metrical foot, thus she easily fell out of his line of sight. And it was not without incident that he made it through this, having to grunt at a Sir Henry Rider Haggard looking adult female to beat back home his point that he indeed did not desire to buy the clay toes she was selling.

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

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

Making a hasty decision, and silently praising Fred and George for their generosity that day when they had visited the Weasley Twin Falls 's formation, Harry crept past the shaded window displaying Borgin & Burkes on 'special'point, casting a surreptitious glance through the filth covered panes.

The image was dim, distorted by the thick level of grime coating the window, but Kalliandra 's approach stirred the man knelt behind the counter, his hands rummaging through his glassful display causa like a rat in a hole.

An indistinct word fell from the girl 's sassing, and with a sudden jolt of movement the man stood, mouth spluttering indistinct words in a gruff mode.

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

Neither prospect boded well.

It was suddenly obvious that she had entered here knowing full moon well what form of spot it was.

Making a determination as the man began pacing, Harry dropped to the cruddy flat coat, allowing an upset cart to hide him from the majority of the scant traffic upon the alley.

This was not a conversation he was keen to disrupt, nor was it one he would care to be caught up in. Not in this place, not when the player were so engrossed. The inspiration in him though, the monition that her conduct was like Malfoy - coming into Knockturn alley to get pally with its proprietor - he could not ignore though.

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

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

Through the creak of aged, rotting wood, Kalliandra 's intonations mingled with the proprietor 's pacing.

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

'' I have little use for money plant, and much for business, '' Rasped the man, whose part Harry now recognized to be that of Borgin 's Proprietor, Mr. Borgin himself. `` Your proportionateness was connive, 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 take much. ``

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

'' Of trend, '' Borgin 's rattled breath gibe out. `` Though the method of the payment 's speech shall be to my specifications. ``

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

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

Then there was silence, enticing him to slowly slue up the splintery sidetrack, his eyes reaching the sill to peer inwards, just in prison term for the dilapidated door to be thrown open.

And so it was that Kalliandra stuttered to a stop 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 ~ seeded player of Distrust


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

Drawing breathing time between her teeth the piece of music fell into station, forming an graceless pattern.

Choking back the sick sensation threatening to crawl from her throat, she spun on her heel, strewing grimy dust in her backwash and hell bent grass on distancing herself from the meddling tomfool as much as potential.

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

Tucking a ignition lock of darkened gold behind her ear, effectively removing the wayward filament from her face, she rounded the first wrench in the crooked skittle alley, passing a street seller selling ears of something that sounded suspiciously like 'house elves'. It was in this second of distraction that a firm grip fell upon her upper arm, the callosity on the manus evident as she reflexively yanked her arm away, stepping away to distance herself from the prat bold enough to make such a gesture.

Unsurprisingly she was unable to even sprain around before ceramicist was again upon her, ushering her to the other side of the denigrate area, away from the street trafficker. She wasted no sentence in distancing herself from the Potter bottom, fishing around for his first name, which she could not remember.

Casting a wary glance at the crinkled vendor she felt distinctly nervous, even with the man 's crazy centre 10 yards off, for he was clearly out of earshot. Dismissing the fleeting care that ace could possibly have superior hearing she felt her eyes narrowing into darkened slits.

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

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

His jaw clamped shut, an shy look overtaking his features, as if he had no clue on how to answer her question.

Another moment passed between them in muteness, the shadow cast by the looming brick bulwark of the back street traveling such a light length that their cause would induce been indiscernible to the human eye, had either show paid the swarthiness any nous, though they did not.

Still the messy haired man before her did not talk, his secretiveness allowing her the prison term she needed to collect her harshly jolted demeanor.

No one had been meant to sleep with of her affair with Borgin. No one.

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

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

ceramicist 's font was oddly contorted, as if ineffective to make up one's mind upon frowning or glaring in suspicion. `` Why are you so alarmed about me overhearing that ? ``

'' Why do you retrieve ? '' 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 concern if you have nix to shroud ? ``

She visibly bristled.

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

'' Most people do n't cast down Knockturn Alley to mouth in codification with shady owner, '' he countered challengingly.

'' I 'm failing to retrieve any code, '' she refuted, her brow furrowing. `` Though I 'm also failing to think of how this is any of a sodding alien 's business. ``

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

As soon as the woman neared the weave of the skittle alley, becoming interested in street marketer 's merchandise, ceramicist closed the length between them, his brake shoe disturbing the recondite claw marks that the elder 's cane had left indented in the soil ground.

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

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

thrower took another dance step forward, eyes intimidating.

'' Yes. ``

suck in a half frustrated, half furious breath she suppressed the urge to kick something, him in item. `` Alright potter, if that's the typeface, then why did you stick to me ? ``

His facial expression was cypher unawares of derisive, the aspect of one trying to explain a bare concept to a small kid incapable of grasping it.

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

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

In the saturnine shade of the alley, his eyes took on a mistrustful, disapproving spark. `` Why should n't he know ? ``

'' What are you my steward ? '' she snapped scathingly, finally losing her temper, brushing a curl of fuzz away from her centre in frustration.

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

'' And you 're being a complete… ''

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

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

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

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

'' Oh I think it 's very a lot the point, '' she snapped acidly, noticing his helping hand curling into tight fists within his pockets.

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

'' And spying was a 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 initiatory place ! '' he shot out defensively.

'' Do n't you dare… ''

'' Now really, what discourse was so significant that it required you to trek into Knockturn Alley to speak in hushed tones behind a closed door ? Because seriously Kalliandra, I 'd have intercourse to know, '' he snapped with mock serious-mindedness, yanking his mitt from his pockets and crossing his blazonry.

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

'' measly cuss ? '' he cut in. `` You 've got ... ''

Turning on her heel she shoved past times him, brushing off his arm that attempted to halt her advance as she stalked away. Purposely dragging her substructure enough to send a strew of grimy dust in his instruction, she felt a detach sense of satisfaction at his indignant coughing.

'' testament you… '' he grunted. `` barely stop… '' She rounded a crooked turn, the visible light of Diagon alleyway seeping into the dimly lit corridor. `` Because… ''

Continuing to ignore him she stepped out into the promising light, allowing the bustling, shoving, chattering bunch to swallow her whole.
* * * * *


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

'' Out of me way ! '' she snapped in a scratchy representative, effectively clearing the area as people scattered in every focus. Anything to avoid getting whacked upside the question by the old lady with the sharp cane.

Grinning with sadistic joy she passed where Kingsley sat, casually reading the paper at Florean Forescue 's Ice emollient Parlor. Wasting not a indorsement she yanked him up with her, dragging him with her after the two stripling.

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

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

She threw her heading back and cackled, sending a minor grouping of children, first age by the flavor of them, scattering.

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

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

Maintaining their ambling sideline, she was having trouble grasping Harry 's conversation due to the noise of the crowd. Knockturn skittle alley had been deserted in equivalence, but fortunately they were able to delay relatively close due to her tendency to pink anyone unlucky enough to walk in social movement of them in the back of the knee with the pincer footed cane.

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

'' Well one, '' she said cheerfully, `` do you really think they 'd be upfront about what they 're little rendezvous was about ? And two, this is just so much more than 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 pick up that I have a good grounds. ``

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

Smiling cheekily she ignored him. `` Watch and learn 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 consult to you as that. ''

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

'' You would n't. ``

'' What makes you conceive not ? ``

Smirking she did her best to keep Harry 's pass in mess, walloping her pander cane against a man too busy posturing for a Veela look alike to detect the bustling crowd swarming around him.

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

'' You do n't throw an office. ``

She frowned. `` Someday I might. ``

'' Not if you keep this up. ``

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

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

He groaned.

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

rightfield then Kingsley looked very lots like he would make out to drown himself in the water basinful outside of Eeylops Owl department store. It was a shame the bird of night drinking from it looked murderous.

It took another sec for the data to process within her mind, for it was a relatively straighten out area, and Harry had just drug the female child over there.

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


As she traversed her way amongst the moving sea of bodies, the judicious pressure of commercial message commerce hung heavily in the air. The mixing fragrance from the chemist, ice ointment parlour, and owl department store blended with that of the antic shop 's scented grass bomb, while candles burned mid-wick in every storefront window, lending the expanse a unparalleled flavor.

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

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

She knew full fountainhead who it was.

Hardly aware of the loose pebbling overlaying the cobblestone boulevard, or of the continuous influx of supporter pouring from the store into the street, pressing in around them on all sides in a way that encouraged one to not deter from the swiftness that the crowd had reached a worldwide, non-verbal consensus regarding, she found herself whirling around to face him, halting.

'' What ? '' she snapped, looking squarely into his wickedness green, and currently infelicitous looking, eyes.

'' I wasn't… ''

A voluminous man shoved past, cutting potter off as he failed to take regard of the two mortal speaking a foot below his rather freakish height. In the cognitive operation he smacked against them brusquely, their heads banging together hard, and she found herself kicking a spray of pebbles in the man 's guidance, oddly satisfied as the man halted, swore, and turned in space looking for the perpetrator of the attempt on his calves.

'' Making champion everywhere I see, '' Potter commented dryly, tugging her along after him until they had abandoned the street altogether. And the moment their base reached the cement replenishment potter released her, eye hard and serious.

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

'' Well I was. ``

'' Perhaps you would n't have been, '' he argued annoyingly as they set off, walking along their new path, which lay along the haphazardly constructed pavement that had a tendency to go, bend, and crack on a whim. `` I tried to excuse, but you were too argumentative to let me fetch up. ''

'' Oh was I ? '' she inquired with mock seriousness, hopping over a footmark that had spontaneously sprung from the track. `` Perhaps you should watch 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 suspect ! '' he cut in, her unfinished insult hanging in the air.

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

Her exclamation was cut off by his taunting boo, and her face contorted into an wild scowl.

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

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

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

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

'' Let. Go. ``

He smirked as if amused. `` wellspring castigate me if I 'm ill-timed, but if you 're trying to match up with Hagrid this would be a good place to stay. ``

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

Potter let out an exhausted sigh, dragging her to trace their last few tone until they stood in presence of a little crapulence trough, a long spliff extending over it, various owls perched upon it, and he gestured inside the storefront window.

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

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

Only she did not resolve, for her eyes were drawn to the owl besides them. Slowly, instinctively, she took a step back, the sloped lines of the barn owls faces unsettle as a sharp-worded clacking, the typical auditory sensation of muscular beaks snapping shut in succession, began.

It was the threatening, defensive conduct of an beast whose territory had just been breached, as was the fanning of offstage, which the tawny and saw whet, side by side, were currently doing.

ceramicist 's brow crinkled oddly, the bird of Minerva territorial behaviour not ceasing until Kalliandra had backed away, her hound teetering off the edge of the sidewalk into the street.
* * * * *


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

The prof spotted them immediately.

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

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

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

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

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

It was light up that Hagrid was hardly paying attention, to him at to the lowest degree. To Kalliandra however…well, the one-half giant was observing her as if she were a sick hippogriff about to go off. Not that he could blame him, with the way she stood teetering on the curb bit away from them both, rubbing her shoulder, a flimsy grimace gracing her mouth.

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

Something was extremely wrong.

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

'' I 'm mulct Hagrid, '' she responded dully. Her hired man fell from her shoulder joint quickly.

'' Are you sure ? ``

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

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

'' Ready to leave ? ``

Her question was pointed, as was her regard, still directed at the cold ground.

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

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

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

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

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

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

'' looking, yer 'll be wantin'a pet, and ya ca n't take Silverthorne to your dormitory with yer… ''

'' Silverthorne ? '' Harry cut in, hoping to perhaps get a iota of coherency.

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

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

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

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

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

Turning her forefront towards them again, her eyes still avoiding the owls like a plague, she shot him an odd expression. `` Yeah, why could n't I ? I 'm not blind. ''

Hagrid 's sudden spirit of affright did n't head for the hills him, nor did it Kalliandra as she shot him a questioning look, to which the Care of Magical tool professor cowered slightly.

He decided to economize him the trouble of answering. `` fountainhead not everyone can see the ... ''

'' Why not ? '' she asked sharply.

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

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

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

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

Frustrated, Harry supplied the information for her.

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

damage choice.

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

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

'' Yes, '' she whispered.

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

'' It 's finely, Hagrid, '' she cut in, sweeping past them both into the stock, her oculus remaining averted the stallion clip.

Hagrid let out a defeated sigh, rubbing his forehead with a large hand 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 memory her past had held.

* * * * *

Kalliandra quickly walked through the musty, noisy entrepot, avoiding all the experience creature displays, and she disappeared behind a vauntingly ledge stocked with rat feed, relief sweeping through her that no one was back there as her contravene emotions threatened to rise to the control surface. She had spent the retiring three weeks carefully building a wall of indifference around herself, and she could n't open to let it down now.

Not over such a trivial fact coming to light. Not when she had just spoken to the person who could founder her the solution she needed.

Yet still…why had n't they told her ?

She knew the solvent without asking, for to take been reminded of the reasons behind her presence here in any way…it would only answer to remind her of her own self loathing for all she had done.

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

Yet the hooting continued, more pertinacious, and somewhere in the carnal niche of her mind she knew her very bearing there was a bad idea, a poor choice of both Dumbledore 's and Hagrid 's judgment.

Facing obstruction was apparently a healthy thing, even when it generally resulted in having ireful owls attempting to bite oneself.

With a great degree of trepidation she found herself tilting her head up to peer through the dark, cluttered atmosphere of the shop, her eye slowly adjusting, pupils widening in the dim ignition as the low balk slowly came into survey.

Owl upon owl rested upon them, some peacefully sleeping, their heads carefully nestled into the congregation of their plumage, while the rest period had trained their warning signal, shining eyes upon her.

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

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

Cringing, though almost glad for the distraction, she turned her attention slowly to Potter, who now stood in front of her. To his citation, he at to the lowest degree had the common sense to look worried.

'' Look, Kalliandra, I 'm no-good. I did n't realize ... ''

'' It 's ticket, '' she muttered, forcing her voice story. She did not need his pity. She did not desire it.

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

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

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

Do not make water eye contact… Keep your head lowered… No aloud noises or sudden movements…

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

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

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

Groaning he raised his hands, folding them behind his fountainhead. `` You 're right. I do n't bang why I did. ''

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

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

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

For some preposterous reason the situation struck her as funny story rather than frightening, and she did not inconvenience oneself to repress the laugh bubbling out while she observed the formidable looking owl. For once it was not aimed at her. And as if sensing her examination its dreary optic locked with her own.

Its territorial conduct ceased, drawing a grinning to her cheek, for she was n't the only one to lash out at those who came to shut down.

She traced the Great Horned owl 's scheme, noting the black coloration speckling its ruddy Brown University wings, its catlike face and highly channelise ears all swiveled curiously towards her.

Then she noticed the pocket-size shackle imprisoning it, one end encircling its twig slenderize leg, the former binding it to the rafter it sat so miserably upon. It was caged, disallow to go wherever it pleased.

Just ... like ... her.

It was perhaps the most dopy thing she had yet done, but she held out her arm hopefully, and watching its wings extend it gracefully flew to her, its shackle clinking haphazardly as it landed gently upon her arm. She eyed its magnificent dark eyes, noting how it was careful to not dig its talons into her peel, and she turned away from ceramicist, walking to the straw man riposte as the owl re-perched upon its balk, waiting for her to re-turn.

'' You 'll involve a John Cage for him, '' potter pointed out.

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

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

'' Well, '' she stopped at the counter wearily, speaking with an unusual amount of spite. `` if you mean that I am able to discourse with nosy someone than yes. ''

ceramist turned in a crucify huff, storming out of the store. Watching his retreating chassis she too late realized how wrong she had sounded.

And then Dumbledore 's lyric came floating back to her. His one 's about the need for her and the many, many others under his trade protection to hold open some affair pipe down. Some things secret.

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

The wounds of a rainwater fleece nighttime were still far too fresh.

It was better to push everyone away.

For their own good, and for her own.

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

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

She 'd talk to Dumbledore. She 'd bear on everything upon her return.

A light weight descended upon her arm, jarring her from her thoughts as two dark heart met hers. She smiled, her first true grinning in weeks, reaching out a hesitant hand and ruffling the owl feathers. They were soft, like those of a new-sprung hatchling, only she would n't love for sure.

She had never felt an owl before now.

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

* * * * *

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

He simply did not get it. During their entire parameter Kalliandra had seemed so apathetic, almost inaccessible. It was maddening how his snide remark rolled off her, so he had kept at it, wanting to unconsciously ventilate some of his own frustration into her and to distinguish what her real patronage in Knockturn skittle alley had been.

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

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

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

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

A cacophony of phone emerged as the shop 's threshold opened, emitting Kalliandra and her horribly moody owl. He grimaced at the heap, even as a chiding voice reminded him how an creature 's behaviour could so oft deceive.

Buckbeat 's certainly had.

That was all block though, for right hand then she raised her forearm senior high school, and gray wing spread blanket, feet and hook hopping from her arm as the owl took flight, circling in full spark until it disappeared above the rooftops of Diagon Alley.

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

And to Harry 's large surprisal, she actually smiled. Her optic seemed remote, as if she were looking into something that no one save her could see.

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









'' Things alter for the worse spontaneously, if they be not altered for the good designedly. ''
~ Francis bacon ~



Chapter 5 ~ A Professor of One


Remus yawned tiredly, his light brown oculus skirted across the caravan platform at Hogsmeade, searching for the familiar form that was nowhere in sight. A light smiling crossed his wear upon lineament and he chuckled. Hagrid was not soul he would easily omit had he been there. No invisibility cloak was quite that large.

'' Hagrid .... '' He said, shaking his header amusedly. He picked up his briefcase, crossing the deserted, outdoor political platform in the focal point of Hogwarts.

It was n't far, and Hagrid would undoubtedly bug him along the way, most likely in his own, frenzied hurry to stop him. Hagrid was a bit forgetful at sentence, and Remus could not fault him. He would be to if he took caution of such a risky array of animals for a aliveness.

The railroad train platform was on the fringe of the small village, on the outer sharpness cheeseparing Hogwarts, and a pebbled road led directly to the school 's strawman doors. He would turn over off it before he reached Hogwarts'monumental, welcoming entrance, to traverse his way across the lush, green grounds to Hagrid 's hut.

Remus had never been close to the game steward, but he respected the man immensely for his work in the orderliness.

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

He started walking, thinking how decent Hagrid was.

The sun beat down on his pale shoulders, warming more than his shirt. The sun was rejuvenating to him in a way few understood, because it was a full phase of the moon orb of light for which he harbored no awe. It was laughable, that the weak of nights filled him with foreboding and pain, when usually it was the absence of light that inspired concern. He sought solacement in the darkest of nights, that was when he felt his best, but for now, when the moon was a tail full, he would essay comfort in the warm afternoon sun.

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

They had feared him.

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

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

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

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

Several nights in his past stood in dark will 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 have returned, perhaps Sirius would not have died ...

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

He was the last-place now.

Peter was as good as all in, and if he ever saw him again ... If he ever got the chance ...

He 'd make trusted a finger really was all there was left of him.

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

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

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

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

We all have ...

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

Today he would truly meet her.

He was n't sure whether to be anxious, or to simply be exhilarated that the upset young lady he had cradled had survived.

Kalliandra.

She had been thrust into their world unwillingly. Dumbledore, in all his Wisdom of Solomon, had felt Hogwarts to be the safest place for her. It would be a good way to aid her adjust, by slowly exposing her to people her own age.

But unlike others her age, she lacked a prior five days of sorcerous Education, and any knowledge whatsoever of their world.

It would be his job to remediate that.

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

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

It was then that he had confided in him.

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

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

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

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

Doing his job rightfield could mean the difference in this Danton True Young charwoman 's survival. Dumbledore had been very exculpated on that.

Now if only there was a Wiccan or superstar 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 right wing he should be terrified and have run in the other steering.

Yet he could not bring in himself to do so. Not when the image of her debile consistence lying there, clad in mud and the blood of those she loved, kept coming back to him each night as he dreamt. He felt a note of discord at the thought 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 individual on this major planet.

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

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

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

Her Good Book 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 grinning lit his font. Only she could say something that 's meaning would death decades.

Just like the pain ...

Always so saucy, so sharp ...

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

Of course of study, the Same hoi polloi had often spoken on how well he dealt with pain, but he did not feel very well at that. He was just logical enough to know that there was no good in dwelling on what could have been. thing happened…bad things ... whether you wanted them to or not, and nothing one said or did could change that.

If it did none of them would be gone…

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

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

He chuckled slightly, catching muckle of Dumbledore making his way leisurely down the sparsely victimised road. He raised a deal in greeting, catching the Headmaster 's attention, and was pleased to see an diverted smiling on the Headmaster 's powerful face.

'' Good afternoon Remus. ''

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

Dumbledore removed his lunula spectacles, polishing them on his summertime robes. `` It 's amazing, how the vivid sun spotlight can do even the most tiny of smirch stand out, almost like the dark spotlight where the sun is supposed to be when a solar eclipse shell it. ''

The schoolmaster held his chalk to the sun, studying them through his light, twinkling, currently squinted eyes, searching for any left over imperfection.

'' But plenty about the rattled musings of this grandad clock 's interior working. How have you been ? I trust the gear 's conductor was n't too fickle with the pep pill for your vernal heart ? ''

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

'' The string was delicately, and I 've been good. I was just thinking of some amusing argument Cassilyda and Sirius had before. ''

Dumbledore replaced his drinking glass on his olfactory organ, looking off towards the sun as if seeing something far past it. `` Ah ... yes those two did have a penchant for argumentation did they not ? I seem to remember a certain James potter walking in on one of them ... it took Pomfrey all afternoon to get him straightened out. She was rather loth to change him back ... Something about liking him better as a deaf-mute eel, unable to do mayhem on an hourly basis, locked up in a tank ... I believe Lily had been particularly amused. ''

Remus smiled fondly, remembering the faces Jame 's the eel had made, pressing his slimy, snakelike body against the glass wall of the Pisces the Fishes tank car. They had scooped him off the base and conjured a cooler quickly, filling it with pee as soon as they had seen him flopping around on the Stone flooring.

Whether Lily had seen Saint James or not before stepping on him had been a topic of argument for workweek.

Not to name, in the hospital wing, when James had started trying to spring missive with his yearn, snake like eubstance ...

He chuckled slightly. He still wanted to know how St. James had contorted himself into an R ... He shuddered thinking of how painful that spelling out 'You're a utter Man Sirius'must cause been.

'' Quite an impressive bit of Transfiguration of Jesus for fifth years ... I gave Gryffindor home 20 full stop for that, '' Dumbledore mused aloud, turning his gaze on him, his centre twinkling with amusement over the rim of his glasses. `` I was sourly tempted to pass on out an award for Special overhaul to the shoal, since the Minister of magic trick was visiting that day, and their `` accident '' rendered St. James the Apostle incapable of doing something drastic, like turning the government minister 's hair atomic number 10 pink, '' Dumbledore grinned slyly at this. `` seed to think of it I would n't entirely mind seeing that ... ''

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

'' Of course, in the end, no one could determine whose verge actually had transfigured Edward Young James at the metre, so I could n't give anyone the award. I was sourly disappointed by that. ''

'' That was your but ground for not giving it ? '' He asked disport.

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

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

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

'' It should throw been lasting insanity and a life sentence in Azkaban. The toad was about to use an inexcusable Curse on Harry ! ''

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

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

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

He eyed Dumbledore curiously, `` I did n't have intercourse you drank flak whiskey. ''

'' But of path I do n't ... '' He replied, winking mischievously. `` I have n't had reason for such prodigal celebration since the Marauders graduation, granting me repose of mind and peace again. Of course ... '' Dumbledore turned, waving for him to follow. `` I 'm not entirely certainly I even have a thinker left, with which to enjoy the serenity with. ''

Remus opened his mouth to answer, but no audio came forth. Instead he found himself following the master across the lawn, Hagrid 's cabin quickly coming into sight as Dumbledore continued idle chitchat.

'' ... .Now of course of study the key in those place is managing the brew in reasonable measure, a natural endowment my dear brother does not possess, '' Dumbledore said, referring to his Capricorn the Goat herder chum 's drinking drug abuse.

'' Half my year did n't have that talent, '' He replied, thinking of the one time he, James IV, Sothis, and Peter had gotten a cargo deck of a bottle of Firewhiskey their 7th year. That had not gone over well ... Fortunately Pomfrey had bought the excuse that all of them had caught the flu from each former. His thoughts were abruptly cut off as a loud, thick booming noise, sounding oddly like a fire cracker bonbon going off, met his auricle. His attention turned towards the source, which was immediately manifest upon seeing the sight in battlefront of him.

Hagrid and a young miss with golden hair were having a row. Only Hagrid seemed to be doing most of the shouting, while the girl just huffily picked up tilt after rock from the side of the hut, flinging them with strange dynamism and accuracy, at an unsuspecting tree trunk, which was taking the brunt of her very visible foiling.

'' Why hullo Hagrid ! hi Kalliandra ! '' Dumbledore called out cheerfully, as if nothing were imperfectly.

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

He found himself looking between the young lady at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, Hagrid 's angry, red brass, and Dumbledore 's happy one.

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

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

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

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

Hagrid shook his drumhead, sending his scruffy hair awry. `` No sir. She shouldn'hafta be findin'thing 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 pass off Hagrid, '' Dumbledore consoled, offering a reassuring grin.

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

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

He shook the look-alike away.

'' Hagrid what exactly is she doing ? '' He was having a gruelling time standing idly by with a thestral 's penetrating teeth nuzzling so close to his time to come pupil 's neck.

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

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

'' Doing ? '' Dumbledore supplied amusedly.

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

'' She bloody well talks to him more than she damn 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. literal spitfire that one is ! Bloody well good luck teachin'her Remus ! Bin havin'enough trouble gettin'Care of Magical animate being down 'er throat and she actually likes that. Ca n't reckon how she 'll be with somethin'like Transfigurwhatsitcalled ... ''

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

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

Remus was thoughtful for a moment. `` So she likes animals of the nighttime ... '' He commented, turning to face up both of them. `` Well, then I wo n't deliver too a lot problem then, now will I ? ''

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


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

Harry nodded, chucking his newly bought shoal books onto his bed in Grimmauld station. `` 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 release can you ? I mean ... they like ... fly ... ''

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

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

'' You know with your mouth open like that you can almost blow over for a goldfish, '' She clipped scornfully.

Harry cringed inwardly on Ron 's behalf. Hermione had been forgetful with them ever since the three had re-grouped in Diagon alleyway, only for him to hastily narrate his chronicle to them, and for Ron to just as hastily agree that Kalliandra was an insufferable taunting.

Hermione, forever insufferably logical, had insisted on having the full afternoon recounted Word of God 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 last 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 sharp tut and another tangent about how he should bear done Thomas More to pee the girl welcome.

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

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

It was rightfield about then that Ron had made the mistake of calling Kalliandra respective choice names, including a plain, ugly crone, which earned an infuriated round from Hermione about how 'ridiculously trivial'they were being. He was ineffectual to follow her entire tirade, but it ended with her concluding that both of them seemed to be 'blatantly misjudging'the fille on looks alone.

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

Fortunately Harry did not mention any of these thoughts, got sassy, and went silence.

He wished he could say the same for Ron though.

'' Still in a fine climate I see, '' Ron grumbled, shoving the bag with his new frock robes into the top dressing table draftsman.

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

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

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

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

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

'' Oh nothing Hermione, '' Ron replied with exaggerated formalness. `` I was just saying what a lovely job you did defending that high-strung, Slytherin saltation .... ''

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

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

'' And from the sounds of it he was rather bad-mannered and made her feel unwished Ronald ! '' Hermione snapped angrily. He glared at Ron. He did not want to get brought back into this.

'' And I met her for only five minutes and could separate she was .... ''

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

'' They did at the gown shop ... '' Hermione 's cheek broke into a exultant grin, but he quickly added, `` but not at the pet store. '' Hermione 's face fell as Ron let out a exulting woot.

'' See Hermione ! ''

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

Only after the bulwark 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 doorway to their way flew upon, revealing a ashen looking Hermione.

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

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

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

Ron was right on her heels, like common. `` Mione come on ... .I said I 'm drab ... ''

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

'' Well I just .... ''

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

He leaned back with a loud groan onto his bed. He sincerely hoped Ron asked her out soon, because he was n't sure how many more of their bicker induced cephalalgia he could take.






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



Chapter 6 ~ Power of sentiment


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

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

'' If I did n't lie with well ... '' she rasped. `` I 'd think 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 enjoy rendering you unconscious at all. ''

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

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

She stopped what she was doing, pulling her green goddess covered, green-stained workforce back in straw man of her. `` Do n't you know it 's not good to chevvy someone who has been stunned nine times in a row ? ''

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

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

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

Unfortunately being able to do something, and being practiced at it, were entirely different matter.

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

The Lapp paid instructor was not eyeing her critically. `` You know Kally, if you manage to skirt my first attack you usually do quite nicely. Now just break off diving to the aright every meter. It 's getting predictable. ''

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

Not that she would admit that to lupin.

He had only become her tutor a little over a hebdomad ago, yet she had come to esteem him. He did not compassion her, or walk 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 ascertain. It was as if she were more than an duty assignment to him, Sir Thomas More than a job that Dumbledore was paying him for.

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

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

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

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

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

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

She would make the love child pay.

But commencement she needed to teach to do a unsubdivided stunning spell without passing out.

'' gear up ? '' Remus asked, stomping his understructure on the priming coat almost impatiently.

'' Why not ? ''

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

'' Two, '' she supplied back loudly.

'' Three ! Stupefy ! ''

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

The unusual sense flew through her, burning through her roue as it moved, jolting the piece towards its target. Her vision swam before she saw him crash, and she fell weakly upon the priming, shakily breathing in the damp summer scent of mud and Mary Jane.

Slowly, painstakingly, the prickling tracing over her smooth pelt subsided. Her hands, that had unconsciously dug into the weaken ground, relaxed, allowing the brilliant golden situation dancing before her eyes to blow over.

Waiting for all of this to pass had gotten easier each clip, but it made the experience no lupus erythematosus painful.

The trick, she had discovered, was to remain conscious long enough for it to leave.

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

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

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

'' Ennervate, '' she murmured, allowing the pre-programmed sceptre to do the piece of work.

The feeling on his face was priceless. Only Remus could manage to seem analytic right after being stunned.

'' Nice one, '' he muttered groggily.

She shook her headspring, offering him a hired man which he shook off, shooting her a admonishing expression.

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

'' Lets hope not too old, because you still have the balance of the year with me. '' She allowed a rarefied grin to get down up her features.

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

'' Any Sir Thomas More commentary like that and I 'll do my secure to make it look longer. ''

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

His interrogative was answered by her silence.

This was the first of all prison term she had not passed out.

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

Understanding became visible on Remus'human face, and upon seeing his wolfish grinning, she could n't resist a small surge of pridefulness.
* * * * *


Remus lupine rewarded his educatee with a wide grin as he picked himself off the ground, ignoring his protesting bones.

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

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

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

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

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

The fact that her peers were light-colored age ahead of her in Department of Education had mattered little. requisite mandated it.

Kally had n't been thrilled. She had already expressed her displeasure with the estimate on more than than one function. And truth be told, he was more than a little have-to doe with for her housemates.

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

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

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

She would induce sufficiency bother feigning competency in her three triton classes, and sneaking out several time a week would just be another hard matter for her.

But perhaps the most difficult thing for her would be keeping her deficiency under wraps. For appearances sake she would be placed in NEWT level defense mechanism Against the Dark Arts, aid of Magical creature, Herbology, and astronomy so as to be with people in her year, but she would be placed in third year Anicent rune and Remedial Potions. The DADA prof had already been instructed to air her on 'errands'whenever virtual lessons were held, so that her inability to perform magic would not be called into question, so that at to the lowest degree was covered.

As for the other course of study, Remus was being paid by Dumbledore, out of some miscellaneous school day fund, to tutor her in the early guinea pig.

After all, there was very petty magic involved in dealing with witching brute and plants. And the memorization of the meanings of Ancient Runes and the drift of celestial bodies had virtually no verge magic associated with it.

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

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

merlin ! St. James the Apostle and Sothis had been right. He worried like a mother.

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


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

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

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

'' Yer look like the sole one within earshot that 'll aid me, '' Hagrid yelled.

Despite herself she smiled, calmly running her fingers through Silverthorne 's fuddled calamitous coat.

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

Silverthorne 's Elwyn Brooks White, haunting eyes stared back in consideration, before his formidable psyche nodded. He nudged the thestral tethered future to him, and a cacophony of grunts followed as the message was passed down the blood line of carriages awaiting the student'reaching.

Her widened eyes took the interchange in, in muted jounce. Thestrals really were so much more intelligent than masses gave them credit for.

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

She shook her headspring ruefully, and with a final tug she snapped a smash into berth on the thestral 's harness, stepping back to view her handy work. She 'd never hinge upon a horse in her life, but the harnesses the thestrals used were supposedly like.

'' 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 course you are, '' she murmured into his olfactory organ, the touch of a smile tugging at her mouth.

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

'' problem Hagrid ? '' she yelled, slipping the thestral a frozen cube of raw meat. His tongue positively tickled her skin, leaving a sticky red residue upon her thenar.

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

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

But as she rounded the rig obscuring Hagrid from view, 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 strap between his tart dentition, extending his flank menacingly while practically hissing.

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

afters Merlin ... What the hell was he doing with one of those ?

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

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

Several nicks, contusion, bump, and twenty minutes later found her, and a rather bedraggled Hagrid, plopped upon the soil route leading up to the school day, entirely out of breath.

It was a shame that the peaceful eve would end in less than an hour, when the Hogwarts express mail arrived.

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

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

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

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

She snickered, briefly wondering how much fuss she 'd get in for jinxing Hagrid 's buns of a friend in his sleep. Now that would be something.

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

Besides, there was something both workaday and reassuring about the way that every morning Silverthorne would smell unfastened her windowpane shutters, letting light 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 alteration, her aim had been absolutely on. Of course, Hagrid had n't been exactly pleased when he come in to see feathers and shards of cloth all over the stead. But hey, it was n't her error that Silverthorne thought it was a ferret and tried to rip it limb from limb. And besides, Remus had repaired it. Heck, at least Remus had found the unit situation amusing.

speech production of which where was Remus ? She had n't seen him since this morning and he was leaving with the yield of the school train that Night. Plus she still wanted to have a go at it what Dumbledore and him had arranged ...

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

She stopped pondering the orphic whereabouts of Remus Lupin long enough to shoot an incredulous flavour in his management. `` Hagrid they 'd deliver to be blind to omit you. ''

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

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

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

She shook her head in amusement. `` Nothing at all. I was just thinking about what a unspeakable calamity it would be to give a modest, naive, and unsuspecting first year stranded alone out here. ''

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

Her eyebrow instantly creased in geuine muddiness. `` Why is it that every prison term I say something with even the slightest tracing 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 grinning across his pre-maturely get on face.

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

'' And lay on the line offending you ? '' he replied all too seriously. `` Skies above no ! ''

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

The look on Remus'face was priceless, and she lunged at him in a vain attempt to taste him.

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

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

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

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

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

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

'' Oh Remus, you know that hurts me. Right here, '' she touched her heart, doing her best to appear as pitiful as potential.

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

'' In a intelligence ... ''

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

Her mischievous construction was replaced by one of bemusement as Remus held up a small, circular, grizzly object. `` What is it ? '' she asked, walking over to look at it.

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

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

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

'' okeh. So explicate to me how powder is ... ''

'' It 's a two-way mirror Kally. See, anytime you want to talk to me. For any understanding .... '' He shot her a meaningful aspect that she did n't miss. `` Just looking at directly into it and say my name clearly. If I have mine ... '' He fished around in his robe scoop, extracting a rather large pocket picket. `` Which I will always have on me thanks to Dumbledore 's idea to hide it in this cover girl Muggle invention ... '' He snapped the scoop watch undecided, revealing a mirror on the non-clock position as well. `` And once you do that I 'll answer. If I call you, yours will glow on the inside slightly, so it 'll be detectable to you but to not to someone just passing a cursory glance by it. ''

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

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

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

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

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

'' smarting 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 sliver of light appeared in the crevice of the closed pocket lookout man.

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 chopine to give them some privacy. 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 lawful, well, then why are n't you ? ''

He paused a bit, his light brown heart flickering up to the sky as if considering her interrogative. She did n't need to follow his gaze to know that it rested on the quarter lunation, barely visible in the dying nightfall. `` I think, Kalliandra, that to let one 's lifetime be even remotely governed by fear is foolish. Your never fully alive when your legal action are limited by that. And fear, it comes from not knowing what 's truly there. ''

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

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

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


An time of day later found her standing, smushed up future to Hagrid, as the mass of students pushed, shoved, and in accuracy, barreled their way over the platform towards the carriages that she and Hagrid had readied for their journey to Hogwarts. Why students needed the carriages in the first place was beyond her. The walk was n't exactly drawn-out. No, she figured Dumbledore had arranged them because if he did n't, the ungrateful person would question off ungratefully, never getting to school at all.

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

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

'' And so heavy to lack, '' she muttered, suppressing a laugh at the insensate look Hagrid shot her.

'' I see the preceding workweek has done aught to improve your manners. ''

She turned, eyeing the guy 's messy pitch-black hair and Green River eyes, which were presently narrowed and shining determinedly. Her initiative meeting 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 make out your epithet. ''

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

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 excuse. Not all of us are as unspoiled with gens as you apparently are. But by all means do n't re-introduce me, I just thought it might be nice to refer to him as something former than the prying prat Potter. ''

'' What ! ? '' Both of the guys exclaimed. Hagrid, however, shot her a murderous flavor that stopped her smirk dead in its tracks.

Seeing that his glare had the intended effect on her, Hagrid stepped in, attempting to disseminate the situation further.

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

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

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

'' Why no, unlike you I harbor no psychotic belief about my impoliteness. '' She nearly laughed out loud at the livid expression that crossed the guy 's face. `` Now if you excuse me I do guess Hagrid has skillful thing to do than mind to his friends fight. ''

'' champion ! ? Hagrid would never be friends with someone like you ! '' The weasel shot out, ceramicist smirking amusedly. Her mouth opened in raging protest, but Hagrid 's booming phonation cut them both off.

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

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

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

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

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

Despite herself, a sudden shot of guiltiness overcame her. Perhaps she was taking her unfriendly facade a bit too far.

'' Do n't occupy about it, '' She spoke up quietly, avoiding the stares of Potter and Weasley. `` I was just as natural anyhow. I 'll see you later okay ? ''

She did n't waitress for Hagrid 's reception as she spun on her bounder, carefully making her way through the crowd to find an hollow pusher. If she were favourable, then maybe Silverthorne had been particularly cagy 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 comfortably known than Hagrid.

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

And Hermione husbandman had overheard his and Ron 's central with her.

Add in that she had seen Hagrid 's explosion, and Kalliandra 's sudden temper 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 cut brunette, receiving the brunt of her fury.

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

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

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

Unlike Ron, Harry had no posterior motivation for keeping Hermione glad with him besides their friendly relationship. So at that exact instant he did n't a great deal care if Hermione was annoyed with him or not. She had n't seen and heard everything, and if she had she would ingest realized how deceptive Kalliandra really was. Which was probably why he suddenly found himself taking a tone forward to go after that insufferable head of fortunate hair, with every intention of giving her a piece of his mind, rather than paying attention to Hermione 's verbal berating.

Too bad a rather declamatory 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 flavor up at his protagonist. `` Hagrid you 've got to be kidding me ! She insulted you ! She ... ''

'' She did no so thing Harry. And you 'd do yer trump to stay outta her business and life 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 trust 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 speckle 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 mouth, but it was Hermione who answered. `` I ca n't believe you two ! You both know that Hagrid frequents that orbit of ... '' She paused, looking as if she were saying this against her better nature.

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

Harry stared at her contorted features in shock. Talking to someone she knew was certainly not all she had been doing. Hermione had n't overheard the conversation he had.

'' Hermione, you do n't have it off what your talking about. You should take heard her ... ''

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

He wrinkled his forehead confused. `` Well zilch that made sentiency but ... ''

'' Then you best be keepin'that hooey that did n't be making no good sense to yerself. Yer learn me ? '' Hagrid muttered, shaking his head. `` I 'm so disappointed in you two I do n't get it on ... Yer know I need to get the first yers. You lot get off to the castling, and so help me if any one of yer pain her .... ''

The glare he shot them was more than enough to convert Harry. The finis thing he needed was to be fed to Grawp.

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

'' Harry ! semen on ! '' Hermione hissed, grabbing him roughly by the arm to draw him to the nearest coach. well-nigh of the others were already rolling up towards the rook.

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

He knew intimately than to break her at this decimal point. After all, this was Hermione, and any parameter with her was a mislay engagement. He had just managed to recover control of his tongue, which was threatening to snap at her for the reprimand worthy of a toddler that he was receiving, when he stepped into the last-place carriage, and suddenly re-lost control of it.

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

'' Harry you will do no such thing, '' Hermione grunted, grabbing his arm with storm force for a daughter her size. He glanced down at the painful grip she had on him, and pondered how furious she would be if he broke unfreeze.

Before he had prison term to decide she had already drug him into the coach behind her.

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

'' Nice to bed I 'm not the entirely one displeased with this, '' Kalliandra muttered from the far side of the perambulator, 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 rear end. ``

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

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

'' Hearing things, Potter ? ``

He felt as if he had just been slapped, so conflicting were the emotions her brass and voice conveyed. Shaking his head, he shoved the sudden hesitation to fence aside.

'' I do n't generally make a habit out of hearing matter, '' He finally ground out, taking a hindquarters next to Ron grudgingly.

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

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

'' You 're having a really hard 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 formula instantly soured. `` For eavesdropping on me, that 's what. ``

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

'' Well forgive me, '' He hissed acidly. `` Next time I see you wandering down an alley full of sour virtuoso I 'll just give you to them. I did n't realize how well acquainted you already were with ... ''

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

Harry gaped at her.

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

Kalliandra just looked at her oddly, before nodding slightly.

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

Hermione 's eyebrow creased, her backtalk forming into a dictated scowl at the girl 's manifest lack of interest.

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

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

'' Rigorous. ''

Hermione shot him a looking, to which he smirked like a jackal. Ron was far less pernicious, and simply mouthed, So what now, genius ?

Hermione 's typeface hardened into one of grim determination.

'' So what classes are you taking ? ``

The female child heaved a large sigh. `` Too many. ``

Hermione 's mouth opened, as if appalled at the girlfriend 's lack of interest in schooling. And just as Harry began an intragroup triumph jig, flashing a celebratory smirk at Ron, the girl surprised them.

'' One of them is Ancient Runes. I have n't had that before so I 'm going to be getting tutoring for it. '' Kalliandra paused, sounding uncertain. `` At least, that 's what the master mentioned. ``

Hermione 's agape mouth slowly closed, a tiresome grinning creeping across her grimace.

flashing them a smug looking, she started talking. `` antediluvian Runes is actually pretty fascinating. It 's a lot like learning to read another language. In fact, it 's my front-runner subject. ''

At this declaration Kaylens actually looked thoughtful. `` I think mine will be Care of Magical fauna. Hagrid 's been showing me a lot of the animals he works with over the past few hebdomad. The thestrals are my front-runner so far ... ''

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

Hermione 's oral cavity opened in dissent, apparently too shocked for countersign as her inevitable retort failed to come forth.

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

'' And how exactly did I insult them ? '' Ron asked shortly.

Kaylens was now looking at Ron as if he had sprouted antlers. `` Generally when one implies that you have to be a sadist in Order to like something, I 'm pretty sure enough that 's derogatory to the something in head. ``

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 compress shut. `` Though I would n't put it past a thestral to do so. ''

'' Thestrals are not violent, '' Harry cut in with annoyance. Why in the hellhole did Hermione possess to pick this carriage ...

He gazed longingly out the open door hachure. 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 citizenry when they walked into that recent.

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

'' Hagrid, '' She hissed dangerously.

'' nookie 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 let down look Hermione shot him each time the incident was brought up.

She glared at him. `` Gladly. ''

'' Fine. ''

'' Fine ! ''

right wing then the rig moved with a mighty lurch, and not another word was spoken by any of the go-cart 's inhabitants.

Harry stared out the window, contemplating. No one would get as angry as Kaylens had over the incident. Not if it had just been a conversation about something trivial ...

What was she hiding ?

Not soon enough for his liking, the convoy came to a arrest outside the castle 's enormous entering. And without a word, he and Ron jumped out, dry grease stirring around their footprints as they met the crowd of students rushing to the Great mansion.
* * * * *


'' Well, that certainly could take in gone better, '' Hermione stated, rueful gaze following her two admirer out the coach 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 serve but sense a tiny, justified surge of indignation. That girl 's friends had jumped into the carriage right as she had been trying to contact Remus.

being in the sorcerous domain, knowing next to null about it, had felt overcome before. But now, on her way to being surrounded by competent Wiccan and wizards twenty four - seven, that overwhelming feeling was beginning to push through into something far closer to panic.

She was n't sure she could pull this off. She was n't sure at all.

Hermione released an sap sounding huff, breaking her from her thoughts. `` Please know, I 'm not trying to criticize you, '' she said carefully, `` but you could have made things a little promiscuous. Particularly since this whole misunderstanding seems to be over something extremely trivial. ''

Rising from her fanny and stepping out of the carriage, her feet sinking into the liberal dirt, Kally heard herself saying very quietly, `` You 're correct. ``

And even though she was not looking at Hermione, she could practically find the eye rolling going on behind her.

Silently they joined the concourse of scholarly person making their way up the castle 's incoming. That was until Hermione began asking questions again.

'' Do you love if you are being sorted with the rest period of the first years ? ``

Nearly tripping over a kid pocket-sized enough to stimulate been a start yr, Kally nodded mechanically. `` Unfortunately. ``

A contemplative frown crossed the brunet 's face. `` You do n't sound charge up. ``

Throwing a obstinate glance the girl 's way, Kally asked, `` Would you be ? I 'm going to hold fast out. ``

Mounting the entryway stairs simultaneously, she saw the corner of Hermione 's sassing crook up in her peripheral vision, as if hiding silent amusement. `` You are twice their pinnacle, so I suppose that is an accurate assessment. ``

Instead of responding, Kally began grumbling something unreadable under her intimation.

Hermione responded by allowing what may have been a smile to queer her feature film. `` They really are nice if you give them the opportunity. ``

Somehow she felt severely doubtful about that, but something of her thought must have shown on her features, because Hermione was interjecting before she could even formulate a response.

'' We did n't get along at foremost either, '' Hermione said, their fundament reaching the top. `` To be blunt, it took a round trying to take my head off for us to begin getting along. ''

Kally stumbled, her hazel optic darting over to the girl with something akin to horror dancing with them. `` What ? ''

Now there was no mistaking it. Hermione really did look amused. The girl smiled at her, chuckling slightly. `` Like I said, give them a hazard. ``

She could n't help it. Despite all her feat to the obstinate, a strangled throttling auditory sensation emerged from her throat.

Hermione simply grinned harder, shaking her head. `` Honestly, '' she laughed, glancing around the rapidly emptying entryway hall, `` do you require me to wait with you until the first long time get here so you 're not ... ''

'' Ms. Kaylens is quite capable of waiting alone Ms. Granger. And if you delay any longer it will be 20 point from Gryffindor. ``

The voice had come from directly behind them, the force of it muted by the echoing of excited chatter from pupil trying to cram through the Great foyer 's looming doorways.

Instantly Kalliandra recognized it. She had met the man on a few occasions, and he had seized the chance to remind her how absolutely out of the question it would be for her to ever advance competency in Potions.

As such, she stopped immediately, spinning on her heel. Hermione simply quirked an eyebrow before continuing off to connect the balance of the scholar.

Snape 's night eyes lowered, eyeing her appraisingly. `` I trust you are remembering discretion. Particularly where students like Ms. Granger are concerned. Some tend to be too nosy for their own good. ``

Heaving a sigh, Kally nodded. `` I 'll commemorate. ''

He glowered at her for another second, before nodding curtly. `` Remember, I 'll be seeing you in detention all this hebdomad. ''

She heaved another sigh. Upon their initial get together she had had the unfortunate fortune 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 beast of the Nox from her defence reaction Against the Dark Art 's school text they had given her to register. And considering that Hagrid was a giant, another coinage mentioned in the book, she had n't thought it too unreasonable to put on that a vampire could be teaching at Hogwarts as well.

Unfortunately Snape had n't taken her enquiry lightly, and had immediately began ranting and raving about how he most certainly did not shield a deep-seeded stemma lust for the living.

And for some unfortunate, and suicidal reason, she had found his ira ridiculously comical.

Which probably explained why she had wound up in detention.

'' Ms. Kaylens ? ``

'' I 'll be looking forward to it, '' She replied quickly, finding herself suddenly surrounded by several dozen kids, all twittering loudly with no sign of stopping.

She groaned, barely hearing Professor McGonagall 's words. Somehow she found herself following the deputy sheriff schoolmarm through freshly polished oak room access into the Great Hall.

The optic of every first off year immediately turned upwards, to the leftfield, to the right, and in every former plausible direction, ineffective to resist taking in their new surroundings.

The press of a hundred pairs of heart burrowed into her, and she stared pointedly forward, looking over the crowd of midgets to where Hagrid sat, flashing a warm up smile in her charge.

Maybe he can help me fly the coop afterwards, she thought hopefully, coming to a stop at the movement of the enormous room. Several of the midgets around her tensed up, scattered whispering passing through the bunch about fighting a troll ...

What on Earth is that about, she wondered curiously, spotting the hat Remus had told her about.

McGonagall turned to confront the entire room.

'' When I call your gens, ill-treat forward, place the hat upon your straits, and the sorting will set about. ''

With that, she sat the hat upon a battered old feces, the sorting hat 's lip opened wide, and the singing began.
* * * * *


'' Slytherin ... ''

'' Ron if you say that one Thomas More clip ... ''

'' Hermione you saw how vile she was ! ''

'' She is not ugly ! '' Hermione hissed back dangerously, being careful to keep her voice lowered. `` spooky, yes. Vile, no. ``

'' You can not order me that there is not something inherently sinister about her, '' Ron challenged. `` Something 's not ripe there. She 's going to wind up an evil Slytherin, probably waiting to ... ''

Before Ron could embark further along his psychological road trip, Hermione cut him off tiredly. `` Just because mortal is in Slytherin does not make them inherently evil, Ronald. ''

'' Hermione how can you say that ! '' He bristled, clearly having trouble keeping his spokesperson down as the first years and the depicted object of their debate walked past.

Hermione 's face visibly tensed, and Harry could tell she did n't fully consider what she was saying. `` You ca n't pidgeon hole an entire sign. Besides, Slytherins are finish oriented and warm willed. They might be a bit abrasive material, but it 's because they wo n't let anything get in their way of getting what they want. ''

'' Which makes you a ugly git like Snape ! '' Ron exclaimed triumphantly.

At least Ron 's exclamations were hushed enough so no one not in the near vicinity could hear, Harry thought, suppressing a groan. He should stimulate known the serenity between those two could n't endure farsighted 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 last ?

'' Mione ... ''

'' Ronald ... ''

'' will you two knock it off ! The hats about to sing and I actually want to get word what it says. '' Ginny cut in. Harry made a mental tone to thank her for distracting their disputing acquaintance later, and quickly turned his aid to the hat. He had always enjoyed the categorisation, but after live twelvemonth ... Well, knowing that the hat was sworn to forewarn the students and teacher of danger made him a bit more attentive this class.

The had opened it 's brim wide-cut.

Divided, but once united,
That's how our story begins,
Four family founded by four booster
Yet I fear that such division shall convey about our end.

In ancient clip the best of friends
Came knocking on the door,
Of Ravenclaw and Slytherin,
Then Hufflepuff went to Gryffindor.

let progress a schooltime of erudition,
For all those of deception to attend,
Yet somehow the go about three could not match,
On what calibre to represent.

Lashkar-e-Taiba teach only those of wit and encyclopaedism,
Possessing the most ready minds of all.
Those had been the poignant Christian Bible,
Of once middling Ravenclaw.

Proud Slytherin prized ambitiousness,
Possessing pureness of stock and foxiness,
His pupils would intercept at nothing,
Until they got what they saw fit to their coming.

And then were the gay,
Those cheeky with noble hardihood,
Bold Gryffindor chose them,
As to the highest degree worthy of magical learning.

Hufflepuff loved her friends,
And accepted them as they were.
She let them each create a house,
In which their prized were taught and raise.

And as for perfumed Hufflepuff,
She agreed to take the residual,
Yet somehow sectionalization did not set well,
wholeness to her, seemed in effect.

So when the founders sewed me,
And left me on my stool,
She stole me in the dead of Nox,
And bestowed me with a dick,
Of knowing when the sentence was right,
For the sorting ritual to end.
She said one day partition may cause strife,
And she feared for the wizard world.
For all her life,
She had feared the sectionalization in sight,
But never more,
Than when the friendly relationship failed,
Of the Founding foursome.

Slytherin was the first to leave,
pureness of stemma his option,
I 'm disgraced by teaching Muggle Born !
He yelled, conviction in his voice.

Next left bold Gryffindor,
He felt the calling of risky venture,
Rather than the desperate plea,
Of failing commitment in need of suture.

cobbler's last left once-fair Ravenclaw,
Who once prized justness and learning,
She left because she said,
That teaching the former school-age child had got too boring.

And alone stood sweet-smelling Hufflepuff,
The wisest of them all,
Because she never would heed,
Alluring temptation birdcall.

I see the wisdom of her pick,
Why she chose to accept them all,
And now understand,
That its fruitless to split you at all.

So while it deeply saddens me,
To see my end in passel,
The sorting ceremony ends,
Right now, right field here, This night.


Harry stared at the stool, trying vainly to process what he had just heard. At to the lowest degree he had been right in thinking it was authoritative to pay attention this year, because apparently that was the hold out song the sorting hat would ever sing.

He cast a cursory glance towards Hermione, sitting next to him on the bench, but her brown oculus were all-inclusive and fixated up front. He could just conceive of what was going through her head right then, because chances were she was going through each page of Hogwarts a account, trying to find oneself any other incident even remotely like this one. He had a sneaking hunch that she had the completely leger committed to retention.

The unnatural silence filled the Great entrance hall like a thick fog, so thick he could almost finger it closing around him.

McGonagall seemed caught between slapping the hat and looking to Dumbledore for instructions, and her hand moved cautiously towards the hat 's brim, only for it to quickly spring as if the hat had grown fangs. This odd, twitching gesture was punctuated by sharp bit of her fountainhead as she looked right at Dumbledore, who to Harry 's surprisal, looking genuinely amused.

Snape on the other hand looked quite inconvienced, his mouth had puckered so tightly that his lips seemed more semitransparent than Nearly Headless Nick 's.

Apparently, they had not been expecting this.

Snape however, did n't seem to desire to accept it, and he had already stood and started storming from his place at the teacher 's table, clearly headed for the sorting hat 's stool itself.

'' Excuse me Minerva. '' Snape muttered, his low tone clearly audible in the weird muteness. His long finger snatched the hat up and onto his forefront in a individual fluid motion, his boldness contorted in denseness as if conducting some clever argument.

Clever argument from Snape ? No ... unimaginable, he thought, watching his Potions teacher with interest for the initiatory time in five days.

Apparently he was right about Snape 's unfitness to conduct an effective argument, because a moment 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 dump.

It was a brand of how serious the situation was, that not a soul at the Gyffindor tabular array laughed.

Harry could n't help but notice how Snape was testingly running his fingerbreadth through his oily sinister hairsbreadth, looking at his hired man after each swipe, as if searching for validation of something.

Every Gryffindor had a sneaking mistrust that the hat had just called him a greasy sludge clump.

Ron Weasley was just the first to say it.

'' meth one up for the sorting hat for insulting Snape ! '' Ron whispered triumphantly, all heads within earshot turning towards him.

Apparently that was the signal everyone had been waiting for, because suddenly a frenzy of activity broke out at the Gryffindor table, and a Chain reaction of noise spread until the scent level was almost deafening. The unsorted inaugural geezerhood looked positively terrified, as if frightened of being sent home if unsortable, and they alone seemed the only ace still rendered speechless.

'' I mean did I just hear that right ? '' Ron asked, middle alight with fervor he did not percentage.

Harry just nodded, watching the prof 's re-group.

Professor Flitwick slid from his seat, and every so often Harry could catch a glimpse of the top of his straits over the teacher 's table, as the pocket-size man jumped up and down, vying for Dumbledore 's attention.

'' Oh my God did the sorting hat just quit ? '' Squealed Parvarti. One would think she had just realized what had happened.

'' Brilliant that one ... '' Ron muttered sarcastically.

'' Think it has anything to do with the war going on ? '' Seamus asked excitedly. `` Do n't you remember ? How it warned us last year ? ''

'' It did n't warn us that it might go on smash Ireland man ! ''

'' Who you calling Ireland man ? ''

'' pall Seamus, Dean 's just kidding, are n't you Dean ? '' Ginny 's calm voice somehow filtered through the rumpus.

'' I ca n't believe this ! Never, in all of Hogwarts a chronicle did it ever report the categorisation Hat doing anything even remotely faithful 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 think Harry ? This is monumental !

But Hermione was too worked up to notice whether he responded or not, and she was so engrossed in her command to see what he heard.

'' Do you think we should just try sorting them anyway, Albus ? '' Professor McGonagall asked, casting an almost pleading glance at the group of initiative year, who seemed to shrink away from her regard.

Professor Dumbledore, looking vaguely amused, patted professor Flitwick on the pass as he mulled this over. For his percentage the good luck charm 's Professor stopped bouncing around like a lightning bug on hurrying, and his humble head disappeared beneath the faculty table.

'' We 'll be needing a volunteer though ... '' McGonagall stated rhetorically, scanning the list of pupil names with an uncharacteristic face of dubiety, talking out loud but absently. `` If any of the first years would care to try to get grouped ... ''

His brain of house was too deep in thought, and she missed what he did not betray to observe.

A certain golden haired girl had overhead the professor 's motion, and after casting a glance at the distraught children around her, had woven her way through the cowering low days. She now stood besides the stool, her soft mitt grasping the top of the hat as she lifted it from its hot seat, plopping it upon her head. The teachers around her were completely forgetful to her actions.

Her balmy, angular feature article relaxed, as if immersed in tranquil conversation. And as she sat there, immersed in a silent conversation to which only she was bathroom to, Dumbledore pointed a wand to his throat, muttering, `` heavy ''.

A 2nd later the master 's magically amplified voice echoed throughout the Great foyer, as it had on only one other occasion.

'' SIIIILLLLEEEENNNCCCE ! ''

Every person who had been excitedly talking, including several of the nervous looking first years, who had started to cry, stopped and turned their attention to the front of the foyer.

So of row, that was when everyone 's attending suddenly became drawn to the rather ordinary girl, standing by the stool, the offending hat placed atop her headspring.

'' Apparently the sorting hat has decided that it is no longer able to, in good witting, function as a family sorter. However, we shall have this sorted out. '' Dumbledore winked, the pun on quarrel sounding almost natural coming from him. Yet Harry just stared in fascination at Kaylens, who seemed to be nodding quietly to herself. `` Now I would like the upper berth years to remain here for dinner party, and I would like the beginning years to come with .... ''

Dumbledore stopped mid-sentence, apparently just catching muckle of Kaylens, even though she had been right in straw man of him all along.

Kaylens nodded one terminal clip, her hazelnut eyes flickering undefended as she removed the hat, placing it back upon the commode. All eyes were upon the hat except his, so he was the only one to see the rarefied smiling crossing her feature as the sorting hat opened its brim for the second clip that dark.

'' Let the sorting now begin. ''



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