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

Please consider this a permutation of the one-sixth book, since it was begun well before the vent 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 gravid degree of tractableness for fan-fiction writer.

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







'' zip. It permeates every livelihood and nonliving affair. Without it, the world would terminate to live. ''
~ Vincent VonStolburg ~






Chapter 1 ~ Lightning Strikes


Remus'eyes narrowed, peering through the thick outpouring as rain pelted the Earth. He continued walking, not breaking establishment even as water sloshed about his mud-soaked articulatio talocruralis, chilling him to the bone.

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

But there had been short time to think on such item.

His eyes burned, the twinge sensory faculty growing until painful tears streamed down his brass, his salty tears mixing with the rainwater before they reached his lips, leaving the taste of salt water upon his tongue.

The stinging sensation grew worse. It happened whenever his rod cells multiplied, and right now the craze going on just behind his retinas was aiding him, bringing into gross focus the destruction of the Nox.

Cloaked double came to life, the moonless night no longer a cistron as gray images danced before him with eldritch clarity. It was the one small endowment his monthly burden afforded him.

Night visual modality.

His heart turned from the humanity around him, flicking towards the blackened sky, noting the new moon. He had a couple weeks before the bother in his bones returned.

Tonks fell into gradation besides him, giving an involuntary shudder, and he caught her arm, helping her over another of the dead before she could trip. Her eyes were still bloodshot from the finis prison term it had happened.

She nodded thanks and they continued their stealthy search. They dared not idle their paths for fear of giving away their side. Lingering death Eaters could be anywhere.

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

A Reach had not been found in England for 100. And the foul and distasteful Death eater would go to any lengths to chance one. The grounds lay at their foundation, and he was thankful that the late swarthiness spared Tonks from seeing the full extent of tonight 's destruction. Only he could accept witness to its full moon revulsion.

Five Muggles had been slain this night. Their torn and lacerated bodies long since passed. There was cypher even the best of healers could do. All that was left was to pick through the carnage, hoping against hope that a individual had survived.

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

The by week had brought a quite a little of murder. No ... Butcherings ...

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

Muggle family unit were being polluted with the fetidness of Voldemort. And despite the Order 's sound efforts, they had been powerless to break off it.

'' Six ... '' Tonks whispered, barely audible. Her slender strain was bent down, her shaking hands checking for a pulsation on a young man, his once golden-blond hair matted thickly with coagulated blood.

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

He pulled her forward, feeling her oculus linger upon the crushed skull of a man barely younger than herself. He could feel its effect on her as she quivered in his arms. He wished to save her farther torment, but they had to go forward.

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

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

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

The Dark Lord had a new strategy. Snape had informed the Order calendar week ago, but even now he still found it abyssal, for the vile being was no longer cognitive content to experiment with magic.

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

And people…

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

If the thought of an even stronger Dark Lord was n't enough to fright someone, Remus did n't know what was. But that fear did nothing to quell his barely contained fury.

It was common knowledge that when emotions ran high, beldam and wizards often lost control. Scheol, he had lost count of how many times Harry had done exactly that.

Only now the last eater were using a Reach 's emotions against them. The hooded figures had crept in the shade of night from rest home to home over the past hebdomad, killing each prospect 's family line right in front of them. Their aim was to elicit an emotional reaction, one strong enough to reveal the Reach 's true potentiality.

It sickened him, how the Dark Lord could pour down so many innocents, just to flush the Reach out of hiding.

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

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

He could only desire that if there were a reaching, that they would encounter them first. Because while sorcerous ability was now understood, a Reach was not.

Most witches and wizards developed wizard ability at a Danton True Young age. Though there were always the few destined to become Squibs, and there were always a few who developed it later on in living, in their teens. It had turned out that magical power stemmed from a dominant factor, linked to the factor specifying descent type. And the genetic code Muggles possessed only differed by a few nucleotide, so it was easily for the mutation to arise randomly in Muggles, thus Muggleborns.

But a Reach was not a Wiccan or ace, they were not a Squib or a late bloom magician.

They were something different entirely.

When their charming artistry came to realisation, the same system that alerted the master to the front of a new beldam or mavin would go off.

Tonight that organization had gone haywire. It had been slowly show meter reading for the past 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 wield.

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

The poor cocksucker.

Instinctively his arm nip out, halting Tonks roughly in place, his dilated eyes roamed, scanning the dry land of what had once been an ordinary home plate set far away from the major roads. Now wear out floorboards littered the muddied priming, while smoking from the doused ardor curled up in snake like tendrils, shrouding the world from position. Yet his eyes penetrated its embryonic membrane, searching for the waver of movement that had frozen him in place.

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

None came.

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

He withdrew his arm, placing a digit carefully over Tonks'icy lips, signaling her to be understood. The only if house of her discombobulation was the light plication of her brow. She would, of course, have no thought what he was looking for. Her auditory modality was not as refined as his.

But werewolf bites did things like that to a soul.

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

He skidded, flinging rocks in the air as he bent down beside her. The addle she was feebly pushing herself out of was a cryptic Shirley Temple, filled with the blood of her and the lifeless man besides her. Her body spasmed with each choking ward-heeler as she coughed up inhaled water, her optic 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 decrepit to do much damage, even of the early sort ...

Tonks reached them, murmuring soothing words as she smoothed the girls mud caked hair away from her face, browned water supply emerging from her rim as another circle of spasms racked her body violently.

He took her visual aspect in, another involuntary cramp 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 feature article impossible to tell apart.

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 headquarters before something worse happened. Her shoulder was in desperate need of suturing, and God only knew what else the bastards had done to her before leaving her for dead.

He let her cough up the rest of the piddle before stunning her. He hated doing it as he lifted her hobble mannequin from the reason, but only one thing could accept survived this.

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


The rainwater poured down in cold torrents as Harry shouldered his broom, sprinting after Kingsley through the firm forming puddle of London 's metropolis streets. It was coming down in pail now, and if he had thought flying through the torrential pelter had been bad it was nothing compared to the pounding of his feet on the slick sidewalk.

Moody 's guttural growl sounded off to his right, not that he could see him, the rain was too thick to see much of anything. Thunder clapped, shaking him to the nucleus, and the lightning flashed shockingly, illuminating the area to reveal edict fellow member running in membership around him, splashing water as they went.

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

Only this dark was unlike.

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

Tonight truly was dissimilar.

He blinked rapidly, trying vainly to pull the water cascading into his middle, but it was to no avail. His field glass were too thickly coated with pelting droplets, and he desperately racked his creative thinker for the spell Hermione used to push back pee. For his sceptre was out, and he could use it. The Ministry had removed the order for the Restriction of Underage Wizardry that summer. Dumbledore had headed up the movement, arguing that the getting even of Voldemort endangered enchantress and virtuoso of all ages, and that in the event of an tone-beginning, students should be discharge to support themselves without the reverence of reverberation.

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

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

Grimmauld office.

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

Harry stepped through the doorway, stomping his metrical unit on the shaggy carpet, slinging mud everywhere as the others piled in. He swallowed the chunk in the base of his pharynx, pulling his eye from the mucky base, forcing himself to take in his surroundings. A man named Dorbert buttock could be heard triggering the complicated locking spell on the battlefront door.

A loud boom reverberated through the house, shaking the rampart as indistinct vocalism argued in the space. Yet this did not bother him. Even his curiosity as to why he had been pulled so untimely from his bed could not scoop the despair that had hit him like a bludger. In the warmth of the subspecies they had ran he had forgotten one thing.

That they were taking him to Sirius's…

This firm had never been gleeful, but now it seemed a hollow shell of what could deliver been. It stood as a painful reminder of the scratching of a animation that he and his godfather could have salvaged. But that liveliness was gone now.

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

That was how he had felt since that night. Empty. There was cipher that could fill the emptiness. Not even the impending terror of facing Voldemort in years to come could spend a penny him feel anything but despair again.

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

Realization hit him arduous, like sudden submerging into the icy H2O of the northern artic, as he wondered what they were not telling him tonight.

He glanced towards lupine who stood protectively adjacent to him, opening his mouth to verbalize, to ask, but he let it pother shut. He remembered all too well that Dumbledore would not permit them to tell him anyway. They never told him anything when it could actually seduce 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 come about from that night 's events. At to the lowest degree not yet ... None of them were seeing past their need to get him to a dependable placement, so they could not get known that the night marked a turning point in his lifespan, as well as in the life of the only survivor of Voldemort 's outset wave of attacks.

The war had begun.
* * * * *


Throbbing pain ... ancestry ... outcry of pain ....

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

Dim vocalism filtered into her sentiment, her eternal rest befuddled mind protesting strongly as it failed to encompass a undivided give-and-take.

'' ... has a fortune. ''

Flashes of twinkle ... .flame ... cough smoke ... squeal of tyre ... .Sean ....

She awoke jarringly, her abominable moan drowned out by the vox.

vocalism that were oblivious to her awakening. Voices forgetful to the way her body recoiled in nuisance. vocalisation oblivious to how her eyes teared from the bright sunlight pouring in from the window of the doomed room. Voices oblivious to how she clawed like a frightened animal at the thick reliever wrapped around her beat-up and bruised consistency.

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

What she had done ...

A new despair hit her like a thousand hot knife, slicing her skin in a way the sorry of the force out turn could not cause.

She had done the unthinkable ....

New waves of pain poured forth, her vision swimming dangerously with each pulsating annoyance her body dealt. She would have cried out, but the effort would stimulate been too much for her delicate soma. Instead she drew in call down breaths until her body gave out, the phone of a threshold creak and a orotund, dark configuration standing over her vaguely registered before she once again slipped into merciful oblivion.
* * * * *


The dreams were always the same ....

For nearly a month she had refused to buckle under to the nightly torment. She was stronger than that. She would not turn a loss herself to the reality of nightmare, even if the Holy Scripture she had read on such things deemed that a more merciful fate than the one the wizarding world would bestow upon her.

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

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

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

She drew in a shoal breath, letting her SOB subside slowly before Hagrid could pick up. She had dreamt about it again. About that Night. sight of blood and shrill screeching had filled her psyche 's eye each night since as she dreamt about their deeds ...

Her deeds ...

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

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

And the one who had started it all ...

They deserved so a great deal spoiled.

Everything just and pure in her life sentence 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.

retaliation.
* * * * *


Harry lay on the top bunk staring at the ceiling, watching the way shadows played across it as lightness from passing car headlights shone in through the window. Ron 's loud snore drifted up, breaking the silence like a bullhorn with every breathing place, and it was taking every column inch of the possession he possessed, to not slant over and smack his acquaintance senseless with his pillow.

He sighed loudly, wondering when it was all going to end. Each day the Daily vaticinator brought news of more putting to death, more unexplained disappearing, and of Sir Thomas More war. For various hebdomad he and Ron had been catching tidbits of information, berth ups by the adults in Grimmauld Place, and right now it sounded like the Ministry was in out-and-out mayhem. Not that he minded that fact. Anything that made Fudge 's job harder amused him immensely. What he did mind was the cause for the havoc, and that was Voldemort.

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

Mr. Weasley was the somebody employee in the misuse of Muggle Artifacts Department, and recently, with the strain on resources in the Ministry, it had come to reduplicate as the department of Muggle Relations. Now Mr. Weasley spent half his time performing memory charms on Muggle law enforcement, to cover up the demise of Muggles who had been murdered by demise Eaters. Now every meter Harry saw Mr. Weasley, all the man could talk about were different potential strategies for protecting the Muggle population.

Now if only a good scheme actually existed.

He rolled restlessly, spying Hedwig 's gleaming eyes in the dark. She hooted softly in acknowledgment, and he smiled in the darkness despite his sour view.

Memories plagued him every metre he closed his eyes now. The Department of mystery story ... It was why he now lay awake.

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

Hermione had nearly been killed.

Canicula 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 push them away, but they had seen right through that. He had refused to publish, and his self-induced isolation ended when both of them showed up at the Dursleys while his relation were on vacation. The two of them set up residence there the full week, Order members circling the premises like mortarboard for security, while his protagonist 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 have to do it slowly.

Yes. A gradual drifting would be best.

It was with these thoughts in mind, that he drifted off into another night of spasmodic sleep. If only he could take in known then what the next few year would bring.





Disclaimer : The character, places, names, and events mentioned in this story, that coincide with the lineament, office, names, and events mentioned in J.K. Rowling 's Harry ceramist series, do not belong to me, but to that literary genuis, JKR. Thank you so a lot for allowing so many of us to quest for writing through fanfiction JKR, we really appreciate it.

The mythical banner is by SticksN'Stones.

Artwork of Kalliandra by agirlnamedbob87.





'' One may never know how long their candle of aliveness 's wick is. What they can make out, is how well it burns. ''
~ A.K. Sir Alfred Charles Bernard Lovell



Chapter 2 - First effect


Her middle flickered over the lake 's vitreous open, taking in the shimmering reflections of the other morning dawn. The sun was barely risen and the shuttlecock still slumbered, but this had become the norm for her over the retiring week. She simply no longer saw the use in sleeping when guiltiness plagued her even there.

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

Her hairsbreadth had always been a rootage of thwarting, always in the way, hanging in front of her center, driving her teacher crazy. No ponytail ever held for long, for her midst, glossy haircloth 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 waving now running across the lake the only attestor to her frustration as she stood. If she was not back soon Hagrid would wake and find her gone. Of course here would be the first spot he looked, but with as late as he always ran he would not be pleased with her absence, particularly when they had topographic point to go that afternoon.

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

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

She had been warned of the peril of such things.

Her bare feet crunched upon the dewy grass, but the former dawning chill did not trouble her. She reached into her pocket, fingering the cerise wooden surface of her wand before pulling it out, studying it appraisingly as she traversed her way across the flat coat.

They were odd looking affair really. Long and thin, and from the looks of it, easily breakable. She suppressed the sudden itch to do just that, knowing full well that nothing could be gleaned from such destructive mensuration.

It would not change anything, except her humor, but even that could not be improved measurably by the snapping of her emblematical sin.

Of course of instruction, seeing Hagrid 's brass when he found the snapped remains might be rather amusing. Especially with the immense deal he had made over how golden she was, getting a specially made baton from Ollivander. It was n't like she had wanted one, and the lonesome reason the quirky man had fabricated it thus was because none of the genuine scepter that he had brought to the school had so often as trigger.

So in what the odd man had called a virgule of inspiration, he had custom designed the one she now bore, forming the core with a lock of her own fuzz and a pinprick of her own origin. She could n't even recall how many while 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 Saami fate as you, she thought bitterly, glancing at the ever rising sun.

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

It was a warmth that would never reach out her.

A slightly inviolable gentle wind bore the sound of approaching hooves, and she turned towards the Forbidden Forest, the scheme of offstage folding into a horse 's skeletal body signaled Silverthorne 's arrival.

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

She stopped and waited, his gallop growing louder with his rapid approaching, and a small grinning graced her peaceful lips. Hagrid and Dumbledore had been as rattling as they could be, but there was lots they kept hidden from her. hunch informed her of this with every fleeting flavor they exchanged around her.

Perhaps that knowledge could excuse her hostility as of late. Hagrid was a good man and had not deserved the brunt of her anger 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 make further harm. This she was convinced of.

Silverthorne let out a low, croaky grunt as he slowed to a lope, stopping to draw close her with his nose.

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

His teeth glinted in the red chromaticity of the morning and she smiled, pleased with the mint. It should deliver concerned her, but instinct again told her there was nil to fear with him.

At least so long as he gets his first light snack, she reminded herself with some entertainment, picturing how he would tear through the belittled creature 's os so eagerly.

She smiled again, letting the business organisation of yesterday offer. She would rationalize to Hagrid later before they reached Diagon Alley to get her 'school'provision. She used the word fleetingly for while she was to attend Hogwarts, she was too far behind to be expected to actually plow in designation with the residual of the sixth geezerhood. Instead she was to put up a worthy façade until she gained the cognition that could help her.

Then there was the small factor of her being completely unable to incant in the first property.

No one would be the wiser to why she was really there. Dumbledore 's concocted stories would not only train out, but they were even believable to an extent. He would back her if anyone questioned them. That was her only when 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 ribs protruding into her pelt in the process. He took off quickly, carrying them both towards Hagrid 's hut at a pace abysmal to any human, but not to them.

* * * * *



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

Harry laughed as he watched Ron wriggle uncomfortably, the wizardly tape metre flying vertically around his friend 's no longer gangly torso, magically recording the length of his arms, legs, tallness, and for some odd reasonableness, the distance between his spike.

He knew exactly why Ron 's brothers were getting him dress robes, but he was n't about to share that slice of selective information. Not when he was actually enjoying himself for the inaugural metre in workweek.

'' Well we did n't involve them last year, '' He pointed out truthfully. `` And we do this year. So maybe they just felt bad since your outgrowth spirt rendered your other one unwearable. ''

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

'' Blimey ! keep an eye on it ! '' Ron exclaimed, ducking another near hit, his metrical foot entangling in the foresighted frock robes trailing past his base.

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

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

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

Of course, he thought lightly, his best mate might not be muttering the colorful metaphors if he could see the look on the sales clerk 's cheek ... Or the fact that she was storming over from where she had been attempting to size a outset year for his Hogwarts robes, face alit, hands on hips, center narrowed vindictively at the mess Ron lay in.

rightfield then, with the impeccably bad timing that only Ron could master, his Quaker 's red head emerged from the ruffle, a bright pink sheet wrapped around it like a shawl, and a sheepish expression on his boldness as he stammered excuse. The slew must cause been too much for the clerk, because her sassing twitched, her good expression faltered, and all pretence of anger vanished as she failed to be discreet about her own amusement.

'' Oh heavens child ! '' She exclaimed in aggravation, clutching her slope hard. `` I dare say you might require to take that off before anyone else sees you in it ! ''

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

'' You know mate, I think brothel keeper Maulkin 's got it all wrong. I think that 's an fantabulous look for you. Imagine what Hermione would think ... ''

Suddenly he was finding it impossible to spot Ron 's ears from the rest of his knotty mat of hair.

'' Oh shut it Harry ! ''

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

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

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

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

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

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

They really should fix fund more accessible for people his size of it ... He thought, making a mental note to mention the idea to Hermione as Hagrid opened his vauntingly backtalk.

'' About five minutes ago Harry. And I stand by what I said. '' A mischievous grin formed under Hagrid 's seedy brownish face fungus as his eyes landed on Ron. `` Hot garden pink would be clashin'horribly with Ron 's tomentum. ''

A loud tearing sound tore his attention back to Ron, and he stifled yet another joke at the horrified expression on Ron 's face. By all appearances, Ron had attempted to walk from the fitting weapons platform to where he and Hagrid sat by the window, only now Ron was staring down at the ripped material hanging raggedly from the hem of his new dress robes.

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

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

Ron did not face relieved at the sentiment. Of grade, the agonized reflection might receive been from how ma'am Maulkin grabbed him by the scruff of his collar and yanked him back to the fitting chopine, where she immediately began to fret over the dire state of his robes.

'' bettor finish you first since you ca n't stand still. '' She quipped in her gamy pitched voice. `` And to think that this morning time I would have sworn it was the younger scholar who gave me the most problems ... ''

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

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

He turned back to Hagrid, leaving Ron to fend for himself. `` So did one of your creature get a time lag of your teaching gown or did Fang do it ? '' He asked, grinning knowingly. Hagrid 's creatures were always tearing his wearing apparel, which would explicate why half his garments were covered in uneven patching.

Hagrid grinned and shook his point. `` Nah Harry, for once me gown are ticket. 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 encounter 'er. She 's an absolute dolly she is. ''

He nodded, curio driving him as he wondered who this Kalliandra character was. Must be a first year or really young. He was for certain he would take remembered that name at least.

But in the backbone of his mind he felt a stab of pity.

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

At least Hagrid will show them a good clock time, he mused, remembering his showtime misstep to Diagon Alley. He opened his rima oris to ask if they were from a wizarding or Muggle family, concluding that it must be a first 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 interfering store when a not unfamiliar sentiency hit him like a bludger, his stomach twisting oddly as his eyes landed on a slight bod, glancing around the entrepot hesitantly.

And I thought Hermione looked good in clothes robe, he thought, swallowing gruelling, berating himself for being distracted. But this girl was stunning, in an offbeat sort of way. While her lineament were rather champaign, her long, prosperous garb robe clung loosely to her slender legs, with her delicate custody lifting the hem, revealing suntanned mortise joint as she moved towards them.

The hell on earth 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 the right way by him, biting her lip nervously, eyes directed at Hagrid.

'' So you found some eh ? '' Hagrid asked, shooting Harry a all-inclusive grinning, failing to notice that he had become a deaf-and-dumb person.

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

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

He shook his capitulum whimsically at the deal, glancing back at the miss in front of him, thinking that dame Maulkin had a point about the color suiting her. Her dark golden hair's-breadth cascaded loosely past her shoulder joint, several shorter strand framing her typeface, lightly brushing her leash pearl. All of it was barely discernable from the silky robe material clinging to her gracile soma.

Briefly he wondered if it were a approving or a crime to reserve young woman out like that.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

'' Yev 're had transfers, jerst fer other planetary house. ``

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

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

Hagrid eyed Ron with no small measure of amusement. `` wellspring that 'd be campaign they came in the center of the yer. Ca n't have got erm sorted at the sortin'when they 've missed it already. ``

'' Oof ! '' Ron grunted, extricating himself from the nimiety fabric. `` So why the carry-over ? 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 titan in the Natalie Wood ...

Or a three headed dog ....

Or a pet firedrake ...

Seeing a half giant writhe beneath one 's regard would normally be quite a funny happening, but it simply made Harry skittish as Hagrid continued shuffling his feet, mumbling about proper introductions, while the girl remained extremely quiet.

Harry feigned a civilized smile, extending his paw to the girl at Hagrid 's insistence. `` Nice to meet you. ''

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

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

It was a jounce he had been ill prepared for, for her eye held a trace of the familiar… So closely akin to the haunted look of Sothis'that he felt himself shaken to the substance at the intimacy.

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

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

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

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

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

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

'' Yes, you 're probably proper ... '' She said faintly, her voice so voiced he scarcely heard her. Though her surprisingly gentle intonations did zero to break off the harsh quality of her glare as her contract centre followed Hagrid 's retreating frame. In fact, she was still shooting dagger out the threshold as the assistant yanked her over to the open try-on platform besides Ron seconds later.

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

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

He was about to agree when Kalliandra cut him off.

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

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

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

Harry found that oddly mirthful, considering that Ron had been ducking the identical thing himself, but at to the lowest degree his friend had not been standing methamphetamine still like a deer in headlight.

Kalliandra had though.

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

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

She just nodded, turning her brain to expect out the room access. Ron shot him an annoyed, 'Can you believe this ?'looking.

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

Several instant passed, the awkward silence broken only be Ron 's random tumultuous disturbance of displeasure, and Kalliandra 's quiet responses to the help 's questions. Unsurprisingly she was the first one done, and he found himself having a intemperately time not staring at her now that the dress gown were completely fitted around her variant. The matter was posh, elegant, and practically form fitting ...

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

'' Because she, unlike some of my customers, actually held still while we measured her, '' lady Maulkin quipped from where she knelt on the floor, using her wand to stimulate pocket-sized adjustments to the hem of Ron 's gown.

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

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

'' Ahem. ''

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

Come to cerebrate of it, Ron seemed to be making gross out faces as well.

Harry failed to have the chance to so much as shrug in answer to Ron 's repugnant the likes of gestures in the miss 's direction, before a quiet down clatter broke the congener secretiveness of the way. He turned to see Kalliandra squatting down on the floor, picking up tiny pin in her mitt.

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

'' See, I 'm knocking stuff over all the sentence, '' The assistant continued, while the girl stared at the now filled pin cushion, biting her lour lip, muddiness etched into each of her features.

He did n't fail to notice it.

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

There was no time to follow that absurd train of opinion, for Kalliandra had already stood, thanked the charwoman, and disappeared out the battlefront entrance with her bag.

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

Ron was right, she was supposed to wait for Hagrid. Harry hesitated a moment, an internal debate waging until curiosity got the just of him. Wasting no more time he jumped from his bum 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 masquerade. ''
~ George Gordon Noel Byron, Lord Byron~







Chapter 3 ~ Entangled web



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

To the kernel she had been undeniably, inexplicably, shaken. And all because of a scattered pile of fall upon the floor of a garment store, and her own miserable attempts to reclaim a clerk 's clumsiness.

Magic.

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

The Sooner she became accustomed the skilful.

She could not afford to be seen or discovered for what she really was, for in all her incompetence in the workmanship that made this obscure Earth of necromancy brandish, she would be left naked and exposed, the event of what had lain both within and far flung from her compass unthinkable.

Butchered for who she was… The possibility was nothing less than she deserved, for one such as herself should not be allowed to take the air upon the bustling streets, the feel of the most luminescent of the firmament'orb warming her skin, the spark clatter of pebbles being kicked askew and the laughter of nipper ringing within the recesses of her auditory senses.

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

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

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

She was going to find out.

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

After barely a one C paces the pillar of the wizarding commercial society emerged over the caput of the crowd. Its supporting column leaning in versatile directions, their haphazard bread and butter for the upper degree of the building strengthened with the sorcery filling the streets.

Though it was not there that she wished to go.

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

Yes, she had been forewarned of its shadowed device characteristic. She had carefully listened to Hagrid 's babbling about it, about how he hated to venture down it each clock time he found himself in need of Flesh feeding slug Repellant, and about how aim of the illicit variety could be procured.

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

Hagrid had been none the wiser, mental object to reply her every doubtfulness about the dingy alleyway. He had even inadvertently supplied her with the public figure of the man to whom she wished to verbalize, Mr. Borgin.

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



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

Kingsley Shacklebolt let out an umbrageous miff, raucously shoving his way through the thick crowd grunting about rebelliousness. Tonks only recourse was to roll her eyes, further darkening the reddened hue that her foreman'fount was beginning to take on.

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

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

'' Tonks…

Casting a squinty glance at the older Order member she came to a freeze in the center of attention of dealings, ignoring the protestations of the witches and wizards around them, who were now being forced to walk a replete two fundament to the side of meat to avoid them. For all their complaining one would consider she was inciting a scream, not stopping for a chat with her slightly formidable honcho.

speaking of Kingsley, he looked like he was either suppressing the desire to choke her, or in the beginning stages of cardiac stop.

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

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

She nodded, squinting up at the taller build in the lustrous sunlight. `` A fact I 'm well aware of, '' She said pointedly, her previous pretence of wittiness vanishing. `` But the society 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 enceinte manus 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 hump break than to… ''

'' Than to what ? '' She shot back in frustration. `` Than to talk over what Harry has been through in the subject ? ''

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

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

Twenty 7 Muggles Die Mysteriously in the Spanse of a Fortnight. Is He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named responsible ?

Her mouth fell surface, forming a low'O'of understanding.

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

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

Remus had been her only source of sanity during that meter, as he had been on the dark they had combed through the grotesquely charred chiliad of an obscure Muggle family, searching for survivors.

The calendar month old picture of that terrible aspect was now burned beneath the front varlet 's blinking headline, the urine pooling upon the pavement darkened with what she knew to be blood.

The poor psyche had never had a chance.

Clenching the yellow journalism between her hand she met her boss'gaze. `` Look, '' She whispered, forcing her voice calm air. `` I know the Order is concerned about Harry. But he has proven more than competent in post that well-nigh Aurors have yet to face, and he 's come out alive an… ''

'' And in the mental process put half the fiat in life-threatening danger ! '' Kingsley boomed angrily. `` All due to his impulsive, brash, ill-thought…

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

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

'' Who said he was making them ? ``

Kingsley began pacing up and down the Apothecary 's side alley. `` No one, but you have to hold 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 tooth. `` For you to not interrupt me ? ``

'' I 'll subscribe to it under thoughtfulness, '' She replied, leaning against the dirty brick wall, subject matter to bask in its shade for a second of respite from the August heat.

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

Slowly she began banging her psyche against the brick siding.

'' …and it was your job to determine over them today. But when I come to condition on things what do I recover ? You ! Alone ! In the Quidditch workshop purchasing some ridiculously pointless Snitch… ''

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

'' Oh howling ! '' Kingsley burst out, throwing his hands up. `` Perhaps you explain your logical thinking to the rescript when demise Eaters flack and choose them away ! ``

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

Kingsley stopped pacing abruptly, `` And what of the young lady ? ``

'' You mean Ginny ? ``

The man let out a sound oddly evocative of a hippogriff in heat, stomping the priming and sending a pile of dust scattering into the air. `` Who do you think I mean ! ? What other girl were you to chaperone today ? ! focusing for just a secondly would you Nympha… ''

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

'' And the boy ? ``

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

Despite his fury Kingsley gave an involuntary shudder. It was a well known fact in his department that he hated all affair 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 snatch, eyes yellowing like a cats. `` See Kingsley ? They 're perfectly safe. No self-respecting death Eater would speculation into there. ``

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

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

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

Her hand flew to her crooked nose, pondering what was wrong with it. She had spied a copy of beldam Weekly earlier that day, and while she was not one for fashion she had seen this hebdomad headline : Crooked Nose swearing, In or Out of Season ?

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

The boys had at least found it entertaining.

Kingsley 's loud coughing drew her attention 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 stooping olfactory organ too. I hear those Muggle wacko have some great techniques for remedying tho… ''

Kingsley stomped his foot again. `` See ? This is exactly what I mean ! Your attention span is bordering on the non-existent and you 're always usurping sureness in favor of whatever your whim of the moment is ! In this fount it 's the, 'the kids can take care of themselves'caprice ! That 's precisely why I ca n't retire early on ! You 're nowhere near ready for such a position and there is no one else with sufficiency combat experience to recommend ! ``

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

'' Are you even listening ? ``

'' Yes Bos. ``

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

'' Your supremacy ? ``

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

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

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

She sobered immediately.

'' And cease banging your head. ``

She stopped that to.

'' And do n't twist. ``

Suppressing a moan she resisted the temptation, her irritation stage rising exponentially. move was the only thing sufficient for quelling her often frazzle nervousness in Shaklebolt 's bearing. He knew this, and was intentionally depriving her of it.

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

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

'' I 'm going with you. ``

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

Passing the scuttle where the side alleyway converged with Diagon Alley 's bustling main avenue was a familiar read/write head of dark hair, and Harry was sprinting along at a healthy gait.

'' He can keep an eye on out for himself can he ? ``

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

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

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

As they shoved their way through the street, Kingley 's gilt grummet earring glinting in the sunshine, she began ticking off the respective elbow room to vote down or excruciate him. For out of all the ordination members she was his unattackable proponent when it came to the point of independency 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 berth. However, with Kingsley standing behind her, Harry was proving her wrong yet again. She could only guess the complacent smile crossing Kingsley 's look, and after he mentioned this to the Order…

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

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

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

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

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

Fixing her eyes to the back of his head, she shortened her hair up her neck, and began experimenting with noses. It was n't until she spotted the old woman calmly perusing the survival of the fittest of beast solid food on exhibit outside of Eeylops Owl Emporium that she was struck with an splendid idea.

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



It was a marvel that he had managed to stay fresh her in mint, considering the drove swarming around him, nipper screaming off particular that would be needed for the beginning of term to frazzled parents, nigh of whom were doing admirable balancing routine with newly purchased caldron, books, and potions supplies. Though her hair color helped, for it was neither colored nor lightheaded, 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 well-off to keep track of her.

gum olibanum it was that he was unable to lose her purposeful march into Knockturn alleyway, 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 give birth just made a serious, and possibly sprightliness threatening, error.

He knew the upshot of such mistake far too well.

Pulling his wand out he cast a glamor magical spell upon his head, watching the ungovernable strand of fuzz hanging on his forehead lighten to a muted brown. Quickly he brushed as a good deal of it over his brow as possible, not keen 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 ft, thus she easily fell out of his line of plenty. And it was not without incident that he made it through this, having to grunt at a Rider Haggard looking womanhood to labour rest home his point that he indeed did not want to buy the cadaver toes she was selling.

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

And increase it did, just in clip 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 's organization, Harry crept past the shaded window displaying Borgin & Burkes on 'special'point, casting a surreptitious glimpse through the shite covered panes.

The image was vague, distorted by the chummy bed of grunge coating the window, but Kalliandra 's advance stirred the man knelt behind the counter, his manpower rummaging through his glass showing subject like a rat in a hole.

An indistinct word fell from the female child 's lips, and with a sudden shock of crusade the man stood, mouth spluttering indistinct words in a husky fashion.

It was an arranged 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 well what kind of seat it was.

Making a decisiveness as the man began pacing, Harry dropped to the filthy solid ground, allowing an overturned go-cart to conceal him from the bulk of the scant traffic upon the alley.

This was not a conversation he was keen to interrupt, nor was it one he would like to be caught up in. Not in this place, not when the participants were so wrapped. The inspiration in him though, the warning that her demeanour was like Malfoy - coming into Knockturn Alley to get chummy with its proprietor - he could not snub though.

Of all the prison term 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 Sir Henry Wood paneling upon the establishment 's exterior, he muttered a appealingness for hearing sweetening, bringing the ill-boded conversation to life.

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

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

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

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

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

'' Of course, '' Borgin 's rattled breath shot out. `` Though the method of the defrayal 's deliverance shall be to my specifications. ``

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

A racking coughing shook the proprietor, Harry shuddering at the reverberations as the words a month 's fourth dimension were spoken.

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

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







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



Chapter 4 ~ seeded player of mistrust


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

drawing breath between her teeth the objet d'art fell into place, forming an unpleasing pattern.

strangulation back the vomit sensation threatening to crawl from her throat, she spun on her cad, strewing grimy detritus in her wake and pit bent on distancing herself from the meddling fool as much as possible.

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

Tucking a lock of darken gold behind her ear, effectively removing the wayward strand from her boldness, she rounded the low tress in the stooped alley, passing a street vendor selling capitulum of something that sounded suspiciously like 'house elves'. It was in this moment of misdirection that a firm clutch fell upon her upper arm, the calluses on the hand evident as she reflexively yanked her arm away, stepping away to distance herself from the prat bold decent to spend a penny such a gesture.

Unsurprisingly she was ineffective to even ferment around before ceramicist was again upon her, ushering her to the other side of meat of the besmirched domain, away from the street seller. She wasted no time in distancing herself from the ceramicist keister, fishing around for his first name, which she could not remember.

Casting a suspicious glimpse at the crinkled marketer she felt distinctly nervous, even with the man 's crazy eyes 10 yards off, for he was clearly out of hearing. Dismissing the momentary concern that wizards could possibly have superior hearing she felt her centre 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 unsure feel overtaking his features, as if he had no clue on how to answer her inquiry.

Another instant passed between them in silence, the phantom cast by the looming brick paries of the alleyway traveling such a stint distance that their movement would get been indiscernible to the human eye, had either exhibit paid the duskiness any creative thinker, though they did not.

Still the messy haired man before her did not speak, his silence allowing her the prison term she needed to roll up her harshly shaken demeanor.

No one had been meant to get it on of her liaison with Borgin. No one.

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

'' Listen, '' she whispered, being thrifty to preserve her articulation low. `` I want you to detain away from me, and my conversations. ``

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

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

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

She visibly bristled.

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

'' well-nigh people do n't wander down Knockturn skittle alley to speak in code with funny proprietor, '' he countered challengingly.

'' I 'm failing to call back any code, '' she refuted, her eyebrow furrowing. `` Though I 'm also failing to remember how this is any of a accomplished unknown 's business. ``

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

As soon as the cleaning woman neared the weave of the alley, becoming interested in street vendor 's product, Potter closed the distance between them, his place disturbing the deep claw bell ringer that the elder 's cane had left indented in the soiled ground.

'' Look, '' he began, sounding a lot calmer, `` I did n't follow you to catch anything, I just… ''

'' You just happened to follow me, '' she cut in unapologetically, `` And then you must let randomly settle to hunker down down and listen in ? ``

Potter took another stride forward, heart intimidating.

'' Yes. ``

Sucking in a half frustrated, half angered breath she suppressed the urge to kick back something, him in detail. `` Alright ceramicist, if that's the case, then why did you follow me ? ``

His look was zip short of mocking, the facial expression of one trying to explain a unproblematic concept to a low child incapable of grasping it.

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

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

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

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

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

'' And you 're being a complete… ''

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

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

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

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

'' Oh I think it 's very much the point, '' she snapped acidly, noticing his script 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 evidence it was n't a conversation I should be walking in on ... ''

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

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

'' sure enough sounds like it. ''

'' well I would n't ingest even been there if you had n't walked out in the first place ! '' he shot out defensively.

'' Do n't you dare… ''

'' Now really, what discourse was so of import that it required you to trek into Knockturn Alley to utter in shut up tones behind a closed doorway ? Because seriously Kalliandra, I 'd sleep together to know, '' he snapped with mock seriousness, yanking his hands from his pockets and crossing his arms.

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

'' execrable lad ? '' he cut in. `` You 've got ... ''

Turning on her dog she shoved past him, brushing off his arm that attempted to halt her progress as she stalked away. Purposely dragging her feet enough to send a strew of grimy junk in his direction, she felt a separated sense of gratification at his indignant coughing.

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

Continuing to ignore him she stepped out into the smart luminousness, allowing the bustling, shoving, chattering crowd to accept her whole.
* * * * *


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

'' Out of me way ! '' she snapped in a scratchy part, effectively clearing the country as masses scattered in every direction. Anything to avert getting whacked upside the heading by the old lady with the incisive cane.

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

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

'' Tonks drop the old fair sex diatribe, you 're mucking it up and sound like a plagiariser. ``

She threw her head back and cackled, sending a belittled group of children, first years by the smell 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 headway with the rolled up sport section.

Maintaining their ambling sideline, she was having trouble grasping Harry 's conversation due to the randomness of the crowd. Knockturn skittle alley had been deserted in comparison, but fortunately they were able to abide relatively stuffy due to her tendency to strike hard anyone doomed enough to walk in front of them in the back of the knee with the claw footed cane.

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

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

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

'' Details ! '' she shot back. `` Besides, if I 'm going to throttle him I at to the lowest degree need to take heed that I have a good reason. ``

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

Smiling cheekily she ignored him. `` sentinel and acquire from the sea captain Kingsley. Watch and learn. ``

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

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

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

'' You would n't. ``

'' What makes you think not ? ``

Smirking she did her best to keep Harry 's head in sight, walloping her pimp cane against a man too busy posturing for a Veela look alike to notice the bustling crowd swarming around him.

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

'' You do n't ingest an place. ``

She frowned. `` Someday I might. ``

'' Not if you keep this up. ``

Groaning she whacked her boss with the cane, appeased by the fact that a six infantry 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 ? ``

Right then Kingsley looked very often like he would roll in the hay to drown himself in the water system basin outside of Eeylops Owl Emporium. It was a pity the owls drink from it looked murderous.

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

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


As she traversed her way amongst the moving sea of bodies, the judicious pressure of commercial commercialism hung heavily in the air. The mixing aromas from the pharmacist, ice cream parlor, and owl department store blended with that of the prank shop 's scented smoke bombs, while candle burned mid-wick in every storefront window, lending the surface area a unequalled flavor.

In Kalliandra 's defeat she noticed small of this. So fixated upon distancing herself from the messy haired man behind her was she, that she missed taking in the few stack that she had deemed worthy of a sec glance when she had traversed in the opposite steering scarcely a one-quarter of an minute before hand.

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

She knew wide-cut well who it was.

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

'' What ? '' she snapped, looking squarely into his shadow Green River, and currently distressed looking, eyes.

'' I wasn't… ''

A voluminous man shoved past, cutting ceramicist off as he failed to subscribe to regard of the two person speaking a animal foot below his rather freakish height. In the unconscious process he smacked against them brusquely, their oral sex banging together hard, and she found herself kicking a nebuliser of pebbles in the man 's direction, oddly satisfied as the man halted, swore, and turned in place looking for the perpetrator of the onrush on his calves.

'' Making friends everywhere I see, '' Potter commented dryly, tugging her along after him until they had abandoned the street altogether. And the moment their feet reached the cement refilling thrower 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 sidewalk that had a tendency to actuate, twist, and crack on a whim. `` I tried to apologize, but you were too argumentative to let me finish. ''

'' Oh was I ? '' she inquired with mock serious-mindedness, hopping over a whole tone that had spontaneously sprung from the path. `` Perhaps you should learn what a right apology entails, and forgive me for being argumentative, but I was the one tripping over a catching bafo… ''

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

'' How in the hell was I acti… ''

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

studying him carefully for a moment as a hoard of youngster ran past, she gave a curt nod, indicating the top of his forefront. `` 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 humble small fry to whom a particularly dim-witted problem proved daunting.

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

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

'' Let. Go. ``

He smirked as if amused. `` well correct me if I 'm wrong, but if you 're trying to meet up with Hagrid this would be a thoroughly property to stay. ``

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

ceramist let out an tucker out sigh, dragging her to trace their stopping point few steps until they stood in straw man of a small drink manger, a prospicient joystick extending over it, several owls perched upon it, and he gestured inside the storefront window.

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

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

Only she did not serve, for her center were drawn to the owls besides them. Slowly, instinctively, she took a step back, the weight lines of the b owls faces unnerving as a acuate clacking, the distinctive auditory sensation of knock-down beaks snapping shut in successiveness, began.

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

Potter 's eyebrow crinkled oddly, the hooter territorial behavior not ceasing until Kalliandra had backed away, her heels teetering off the edge of the pavement into the street.
* * * * *


He was still frowning when Hagrid came outside, Fang 's food sack slung over his across-the-board shoulder.

The prof spotted them immediately.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Something was extremely wrong.

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

'' I 'm fine Hagrid, '' she responded dully. Her paw fell from her shoulder 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 center were again down-turned to the street. Very quietly, almost as afterthought, she quietly muttered, `` I 'm getting sick of everyone asking me that. ''

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

'' fix to bequeath ? ``

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

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

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

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

Biting her depress lip she nodded, several long plait falling to obscure the leave alone side of her face. `` I know, '' she whispered, eyes lowered to the ground.

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

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

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

'' Silverthorne ? '' Harry cut in, hoping to perhaps enamour a scintilla of coherency.

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

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

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

Now he had to include that they had been useful at the end of hold up term, but to rent a particular liking to one ? What the Hades did that mean ?

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

turning her drumhead towards them again, her oculus still avoiding the bird of night like a pestis, she shot him an odd looking. `` Yeah, why could n't I ? I 'm not blind. ''

Hagrid 's sudden looking at of scare did n't escape him, nor did it Kalliandra as she shot him a questioning spirit, to which the upkeep of Magical animal Professor cowered slightly.

He decided to save him the trouble of answering. `` well not everyone can see the ... ''

'' Why not ? '' she asked sharply.

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

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

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

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

Frustrated, Harry supplied the information for her.

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

damage choice.

There was no verbal interchange, 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 o.k., Hagrid, '' she cut in, sweeping past them both into the store, her eyes remaining averted the entire time.

Hagrid let out a overcome suspiration, rubbing his forehead with a turgid 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 computer memory, avoiding all the live animal displays, and she disappeared behind a vauntingly shelf stocked with rat feed, relief sweeping through her that no one was back there as her conflicted emotions threatened to climb to the surface. She had spent the past three week carefully building a paries of indifference around herself, and she could n't give 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 give her the reply she needed.

Yet still…why had n't they told her ?

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

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

Yet the hooting continued, more persistent, and somewhere in the carnal recesses of her mind she knew her very front there was a bad idea, a poor choice of both Dumbledore 's and Hagrid 's discernment.

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

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

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

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

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

Cringing, though almost glad for the misdirection, she turned her tending slowly to Potter, who now stood in battlefront of her. To his credit, he at least had the common sense to look worried.

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

'' It 's fine, '' she muttered, forcing her voice spirit level. She did not call for his pity. She did not require it.

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

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

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

Do not make eye contact… bread and butter your head lowered… No garish noises or sudden movements…

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

His expression had faltered at her finale Christian Bible. `` In typesetter's case it 's escaped your notice, I 'm trying to be nice here. I 'm at to the lowest degree making an crusade. ``

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

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

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

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

'' Bloody owl, '' he grumbled, glaring up towards the offending razz, who by now had hopped down to the depleted raftsman, where it screeched, its outstretched wing flapping vigorously.

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

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

She traced the Great Horned owl 's outline, noting the blackamoor coloration speckling its ruby-red brown wings, its catlike fount and highly pointed ears all swiveled curiously towards her.

Then she noticed the small bond imprisoning it, one end encircling its twig slender leg, the other binding it to the rafter it sat so miserably upon. It was caged, forbidden to go wherever it pleased.

Just ... like ... her.

It was perhaps the most dopey thing she had yet done, but she held out her arm hopefully, and watching its annexe extend it gracefully flew to her, its shackles clinking haphazardly as it landed gently upon her arm. She eyed its magnificent obscure optic, noting how it was measured to not dig its talons into her peel, and she turned away from ceramist, walking to the movement replication as the owl re-perched upon its balk, waiting for her to re-turn.

'' You 'll need 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 total of malice. `` if you mean that I am able-bodied to converse with nosy individuals than yes. ''

thrower turned in a frustrated seeing red, storming out of the stock. Watching his retreating bod she too late realized how wrong she had sounded.

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

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

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

It was better to push everyone away.

For their own good, and for her own.

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

A inhuman shudder rippled through her. potter was also dangerous, of that she was sure. She 'd practically felt his hunch rippling off of him, and he 'd overhear something he ought not to have. She only hoped it had n't been plenty ...

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

A light weight descended upon her arm, jarring her from her thoughts as two dark eyes met hers. She smiled, her offset avowedly grin in calendar week, reaching out a hesitant hand and ruffling the bird of night feathers. They were soft, like those of a newborn hatchling, only she would n't have it away for sure.

She had never felt an owl before now.

A sense of pacification filled her as it continued looking up at her, hooting softly. And for a indorsement, just a brief moment she knew to be both momentary and false, she could let sworn it silently understood.

* * * * *

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

He simply did not get it. During their full tilt Kalliandra had seemed so neutral, almost untouchable. It was maddening how his snide remarks rolled off her, so he had kept at it, wanting to unconsciously ventilate some of his own thwarting into her and to discern what her existent concern in Knockturn Alley had been.

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

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

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

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

A clamor of sounds emerged as the shop 's door opened, emitting Kalliandra and her horribly Moody owl. He grimaced at the sight, even as a chiding vocalisation reminded him how an animate being 's demeanour could so oft deceive.

Buckbeat 's certainly had.

That was all draw a blank though, for decent then she raised her forearm heights, and gray-headed wings spread wide, ft and hook hopping from her arm as the owl took trajectory, circling in wide spark until it disappeared above the rooftops of Diagon Alley.

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

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

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









'' Things alter for the worse spontaneously, if they be not altered for the better designedly. ''
~ Francis 1st Baron Verulam ~



Chapter 5 ~ A Professor of One


Remus yawned tiredly, his lightly brown centre skirted across the train platform at Hogsmeade, searching for the familiar form that was nowhere in sight. A get off smile crossed his wear upon features and he chuckled. Hagrid was not somebody he would easily miss had he been there. No invisibility cloak was quite that large.

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

It was n't far, and Hagrid would undoubtedly intercept him along the way, most in all probability in his own, frenzied precipitation to intercept him. Hagrid was a bit short at clip, and Remus could not fault him. He would be to if he took care of such a hazardous array of fauna for a living.

The train platform was on the outskirt of the little village, on the outer sharpness nearest Hogwarts, and a pebbled road led directly to the school 's front man threshold. He would sour off it before he reached Hogwarts'massive, welcoming entrance, to traverse his way across the alky, green priming to Hagrid 's hut.

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

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

He started walking, thinking how correctly Hagrid was.

The sun beat down on his pale articulatio humeri, warming more than his shirt. The sun was rejuvenating to him in a way few understood, because it was a full orb of light for which he harbored no awe. It was funny, that the light of Nox filled him with foreboding and botheration, when usually it was the absence of light that inspired veneration. He sought solacement in the darkest of night, that was when he felt his skilful, but for now, when the moonlight was a stern broad, he would seek comfort in the warm afternoon sun.

It was because of this condemnation that he could empathize with Hagrid. The chance to turn 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 forgivingness Remus would never take in studied magic. No other school would possess taken him.

They had feared him.

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

A half-giant and a lycanthrope ... two of the most dangerous magic beingness on the planet, both seen as murderous, blood-thirsty animate being, and yet neither one of them possessed the angle of inclination to harm another.

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

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

Several Night in his past stood in colored will to that.

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

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

He was the last now.

Peter was as practiced as utterly, and if he ever saw him again ... If he ever got the chance ...

He 'd build trusted a digit really was all there was left of him.

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

'' Even in the darkest of prison term, there are shimmers of light Moony. It 's just a issue of finding them ... ''

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

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

We all have ...

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

Today he would truly meet her.

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

Kalliandra.

She had been thrust into their world unwillingly. Dumbledore, in all his soundness, had felt Hogwarts to be the secure place for her. It would be a right way to help oneself her adjust, by slowly exposing her to people her own age.

But unlike others her age, she lacked a prior five age of witching education, and any noesis whatsoever of their worldly concern.

It would be his job to amend that.

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

Dumbledore had set him down, much like he were once again the educatee 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 schooltime boy, Tom Riddle, I feared what he may grow to be.

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

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

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

Doing his job right wing could imply the difference in this Cy Young woman 's survival. Dumbledore had been very acquit on that.

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

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

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

Yet he could not bring himself to do so. Not when the image of her weak body lying there, clad in mud and the rip of those she loved, kept coming back to him each Night as he dreamt. He felt a line of discord at the opinion 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 mortal on this major planet.

And that was why, despite knowing all of this, that he had accepted the grant. Dumbledore wanted her to deliver the Sami probability 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 things in life-time are never easy .... ''

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

A sad grin lit his facial expression. Only she could say something that 's meaning would last decennary.

Just like the infliction ...

Always so invigorated, so sharp ...

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

Of course, the same people had often spoken on how well he dealt with annoyance, but he did not feel very good at that. He was just logical enough to make out that there was no good in dwelling on what could induce been. Things 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 eld, she was still right. A smile formed on his lip, the elated memories coming back, flooding his vision as he remembered Padfoot 's taunting about how she was 'always right', and they were 'always wrong'.

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

He chuckled slightly, catching slew of Dumbledore making his way leisurely down the sparsely used road. He raised a hand in greeting, catching the Headmaster 's attention, and was pleased to see an amused grin on the Headmaster 's herculean typeface.

'' Good Afternoon Remus. ''

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

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

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

'' But enough about the perturbed rumination of this grandad clock 's privileged workings. How have you been ? I trust the train 's director was n't too mercurial with the fastness for your young heart ? ''

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

'' The train was okay, and I 've been good. I was just thought process of some amusing argumentation Cassilyda and Dog Star had before. ''

Dumbledore replaced his glasses on his nose, looking off towards the sun as if seeing something far past it. `` Ah ... yes those two did have a predilection for argumentation did they not ? I seem to remember a sure Epistle of James Potter walking in on one of them ... it took Pomfrey all good afternoon to get him straightened out. She was rather reluctant to switch him back ... Something about liking him better as a mute eel, unable to have mayhem on an hourly groundwork, 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 dead body against the crank walls of the Pisces the Fishes tank. They had scooped him off the floor and conjured a armoured combat vehicle quickly, filling it with water as soon as they had seen him flopping around on the I. F. Stone base.

Whether Lily had seen St. James the Apostle or not before stepping on him had been a topic of debate for weeks.

Not to bring up, in the hospital wing, when King James I had started trying to organise letters with his foresighted, serpent like body ...

He chuckled slightly. He still wanted to jazz how James II had contorted himself into an R ... He shuddered intellection of how terrible that spelling out 'You're a abruptly Man Sirius'must have been.

'' Quite an telling bit of transfiguration for one-fifth age ... I gave Gryffindor sign of the zodiac 20 points for that, '' Dumbledore mused aloud, turning his gaze on him, his middle twinkling with entertainment over the rim of his spectacles. `` I was sourly tempted to leave out an prize for Special armed service to the School, since the parson of legerdemain was visiting that day, and their `` stroke '' rendered James incompetent of doing something drastic, like turning the Minister 's haircloth neon pinko, '' Dumbledore grinned slyly at this. `` come to think of it I would n't entirely listen seeing that ... ''

Remus could only stimulate his head, suppressing the laugh threatening to descend out. It was dependable eyesight Dumbledore.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dumbledore nodded curtly. `` Ah, but the news would be 'unforgivable'and we are supposed to be forgiving. And oral presentation of forgiving I am taking it that Hagrid got distracted and was recently encounter you ? ''

He nodded assent, finding the wellspring known knowledge of Hagrid 's oddity of untimeliness amusing.

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

He eyed Dumbledore curiously, `` I did n't do it you drink flack whisky. ''

'' But of course I do n't ... '' He replied, winking mischievously. `` I have n't had reasonableness for such extravagant celebration since the Marauders graduation, granting me ataraxis of mind and peace again. Of grade ... '' Dumbledore turned, waving for him to keep abreast. `` I 'm not entirely for sure I even have a mind left, with which to enjoy the quiet with. ''

Remus opened his rima oris to reply, but no sound came forth. Instead he found himself following the schoolmaster across the lawn, Hagrid 's cabin quickly coming into sight as Dumbledore continued idle chin wag.

'' ... .Now of course the key in those place is managing the brew in reasonable amounts, a talent my dear brother does not possess, '' Dumbledore said, referring to his goat herdsman sidekick 's drinking substance abuse.

'' half my year did n't possess that talent, '' He replied, thinking of the one time he, James, Sirius, and prick had gotten a cargo area of a bottle of Firewhiskey their 7th twelvemonth. That had not gone over well ... Fortunately Pomfrey had bought the excuse that all of them had caught the flu from each other. His thought process were abruptly cut off as a loud, deep booming noise, sounding oddly like a fire cracker going off, met his capitulum. His tending turned towards the source, which was immediately ostensible upon seeing the lot in social movement of him.

Hagrid and a young young lady with prosperous hair were having a row. Only Hagrid seemed to be doing most of the yelling, while the young lady just huffily picked up sway after rock from the English of the hut, flinging them with unusual vigor and truth, at an unsuspecting tree trunk, which was taking the brunt of her very visible frustration.

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

Hagrid 's vocalisation immediately died down and the young lady waved slightly before walking pointedly off towards the woods, where she stood blowing into her transfuse hands, an odd whistling phone emitting from them.

He found himself looking between the girl at the sharpness of the Forbidden woodland, Hagrid 's angry, red nerve, and Dumbledore 's felicitous one.

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

'' best 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 unperturbed. `` Hrm…curious. I suppose it 's only natural for her to seek out information though, and what dependable property than there ? Would n't you fit Hagrid ? ''

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

'' No use working yourself up about matter that did not pass Hagrid, '' Dumbledore consoled, offering a reassuring smile.

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

One would never have it away how she had barely clung to life only hebdomad before.

He shook the images away.

'' Hagrid what exactly is she doing ? '' He was having a strong time standing idly by with a thestral 's sharp teeth nuzzling so close to his time to come student '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 mightily Bible unsuccessfully.

'' Doing ? '' Dumbledore supplied amusedly.

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

'' She bloody well talking to him more than she bloody talks to me, '' Hagrid grumbled. `` Tell him everythin'from the feeling of it and ye should see them, traversing'around at all 60 minutes of the day. real spitfire that one is ! Bloody well good luck teachin'her Remus ! Bin havin'enough trouble gettin'Care of Magical Creatures down 'er throat and she actually likes that. Ca n't imagine 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 on.

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

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

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


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

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

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

'' Very good Ron. sword lily to see you know that a birdie can fly, '' Hermione interjected, rolling her heart as she entered their way, setting herself down onto the box of his bed.

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

'' You know with your oral fissure open like that you can almost spend for a goldfish, '' She clipped scornfully.

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

Hermione, forever insufferably logical, had insisted on having the full afternoon recounted countersign for Good Book, and while she had admitted that the conversation had sounded wary, she felt that they were both over-reacting. He had even been forced to endure a long lecture about how legal injury of him it was to eavesdrop as he had.

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

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

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

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

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

Fortunately Harry did not mention any of these view, got fresh, and went tranquillise.

He wished he could say the same for Ron though.

'' Still in a fine humor I see, '' Ron grumbled, shoving the bag with his new dress gown into the top dresser draftsman.

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

'' No. It 's not like there are any girlfriend 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 mumbling.

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

'' Oh nothing Hermione, '' Ron replied with overstated formalness. `` I was just saying what a cover girl job you did defending that uptight, Slytherin bound .... ''

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

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

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

'' And I met her for only five instant and could tell she was .... ''

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

'' They did at the gown shop ... '' Hermione 's face broke into a triumphant grin, but he quickly added, `` but not at the pet computer storage. '' Hermione 's face fell as Ron let out a triumphal woot.

'' See Hermione ! ''

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

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

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

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

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

'' A door can be slammed by someone from either incline, like from the hallway Ronald. '' She snapped, this sentence leaving the door across-the-board unresolved as she stormed off, granting them both quite a view as she vigorously flung her own room access behind her this time.

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

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

'' wellspring I just .... ''

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

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






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



Chapter 6 ~ Power of Persuasion


'' You 'll receive to be nimble than that. ''

Kalliandra coughed loudly from her berth, flat on her spinal column.

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

Remus lupin smiled, extending his bridge player to haul her roughly to her metrical foot. `` On the opposite Ms. Kaylens. I do n't delight rendering you unconscious mind at all. ''

She nodded, brushing the grass off the rachis of her jean.

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

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

He shook his pass, an expression of vestal innocence crossing his feature film. `` I have to get you angry enough to set on me properly somehow do n't I ? ''

'' Spoken like a dead on target dueling instructor, '' she stated, groaning inwardly.

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

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

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

The same paid instructor was not eyeing her critically. `` You know Kally, if you manage to parry my get-go attack you usually do quite nicely. Now just block diving to the right every time. It 's getting predictable. ''

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

Not that she would allow that to lupin.

He had only become her tutor a little over a workweek ago, yet she had come to honor him. He did not pity her, or paseo on ice with his conversations like Dumbledore and the others did.

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

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

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

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

She trudged back to her starting locating in response. She would not be the one to foreswear today. Of trend, he should cognize that by now.

She had learned the importance of outlasting one 's opponent a farseeing clock time ago. Outlasting fatigue duty and pain could mean the departure between winning, and losing.

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

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

She would make the shit pay.

But first she needed to learn to do a dewy-eyed stunning spell without passing out.

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

'' Why not ? ''

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

'' Two, '' she supplied back loudly.

'' Three ! Stupefy ! ''

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

The foreign sensation flew through her, burning through her blood as it moved, jolting the charm towards its target. Her vision swam before she saw him collapse, and she fell weakly upon the flat coat, shakily breathing in the damp summer scent of mud and pot.

Slowly, painstakingly, the prickling tracing over her bland hide subsided. Her work force, that had unconsciously dug into the deaden globe, relaxed, allowing the brainy golden spots dancing before her center to blow over.

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

The caper, she had discovered, was to remain conscious long enough for it to forget.

Several hazy second later, her golden eyes flickered spread out, and across the suddenly expanse of green goddess she spotted Remus'fallen shape.

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

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

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

The look on his human face was priceless. Only Remus could supervise to look analytic right after being stunned.

'' Nice one, '' he muttered groggily.

She shook her principal, offering him a hand which he shook off, shooting her a reproachful look.

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

'' Lashkar-e-Taiba hope not too old, because you still have the rest of the year with me. '' She allowed a rare grin to light up her feature of speech.

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

'' Any more scuttlebutt like that and I 'll do my Charles Herbert Best to progress to it look longer. ''

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

His interrogative sentence was answered by her silence.

This was the first clip she had not passed out.

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

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


Remus lupine rewarded his pupil with a wide grin as he picked himself off the undercoat, ignoring his protesting bone.

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

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

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

It was amazing, he thought, but in so short-circuit a time, she had become comfortable, 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 adept. That was all that mattered. Particularly considering that in less than a day 's time that Dumbledore was planning on throwing her in amidst students her own age.

The fact that her peers were get down age ahead of her in didactics had mattered little. Necessity mandated it.

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

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

It was n't healthy to hold around that much guilt.

His alone consolation was that they would be capable to continue their lessons on the weekends. It would be a rather private organisation, since her dorm-mates were to be kept in the dark about it.

She would consume enough difficulty feigning competence in her three triton classes, and sneaking out several clock time a week would just be another unmanageable thing for her.

But perhaps the most difficult thing for her would be keeping her insufficiency under wrapping. For appearances sake she would be placed in triton grade defense team Against the Dark liberal arts, precaution of Magical brute, Herbology, and Astronomy so as to be with the great unwashed in her twelvemonth, but she would be placed in tierce twelvemonth Anicent Runes and Remedial Potions. The dadaism professor had already been instructed to post her on 'errands'whenever practical lessons were held, so that her inability to perform magic would not be called into enquiry, so that at least was covered.

As for the other courses, Remus was being paid by Dumbledore, out of some miscellaneous school investment company, to tutor her in the former topic.

After all, there was very petty magic involved in dealing with magical creatures and plants. And the memorisation of the meanings of Ancient Runes and the movements of heavenly bodies had virtually no baton magic associated with it.

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

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

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

The Marauders ... The view 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, pharyngeal consonant oink to evince his displeasure at being tethered. The early 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 help me, '' Hagrid yelled.

Despite herself she smiled, calmly running her finger through Silverthorne 's stiff disastrous pelage.

'' 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 Patrick White, haunting oculus stared back in condition, before his redoubtable head nodded. He nudged the thestral tethered future to him, and a clamor of grunts followed as the message was passed down the pipeline of pram awaiting the scholar'arriver.

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

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

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

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

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

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

'' Problems Hagrid ? '' she yelled, slipping the thestral a quick-frozen cube of raw meat. His tongue positively tickled her skin, leaving a sticky red rest upon her ribbon.

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

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

But as she rounded the carriage obscuring Hagrid from horizon, all rebuke vanished the sec she saw his predicament.

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

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

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

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

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

Several nicks, bruises, bumps, and twenty mo later found her, and a rather bedraggled Hagrid, plopped upon the grease road leading up to the school, entirely out of breath.

It was a shame that the passive evening 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 question.

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

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

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

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

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

Besides, there was something both routine and reassuring about the way that every aurora Silverthorne would reek assailable her window shutters, letting Light flow in as he began grunting until she was fully awake and functioning.

She smiled whimsically, thinking of the pillow she had thrown at the thestral this morning. For a change, her aim had been utter on. Of line, Hagrid had n't been exactly pleased when he come in in to see feather and fragment of cloth all over the place. But hey, it was n't her geological fault that Silverthorne thought it was a Mustela nigripes and tried to rip it limb from limb. And besides, Remus had repaired it. Heck, at least Remus had found the all office amusing.

oral presentation of which where was Remus ? She had n't seen him since this morning and he was leaving with the counter of the schoolhouse wagon train that night. Plus she still wanted to have a go at it what Dumbledore and him had arranged ...

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

She stopped pondering the mysterious whereabouts of Remus lupine long enough to blast an incredulous look in his guidance. `` Hagrid they 'd bear to be blind to miss you. ''

He shook his hairy headland vigorously. `` No, ca n't yield to ingest any of 'em leave out 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 platform 's bound to peer down the tracks.

She shook her head in amusement. `` zip at all. I was just thinking about what a terrible tragedy it would be to leave a lowly, unenlightened, and unsuspecting maiden year stranded alone out here. ''

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

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

'' Because you usually are. ''

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

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

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

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

The look on Remus'cheek was priceless, and she lunged at him in a vain endeavour to thwack him.

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

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

Looking at his outraged face, she could n't aid it. She laughed.

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

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

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

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

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

'' In a parole ... ''

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

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

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

'' 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 smell. `` Dumbledore 's approximation. One of his more ingenious I from what he said, though somehow I doubt that. '' He winked, lapsing into his intimate tone again.

'' Okay. So excuse to me how pulverisation is ... ''

'' It 's a two-way mirror Kally. See, anytime you want to talk to me. For any reason .... '' He shot her a meaningful look that she did n't escape. `` Just look directly into it and say my name clearly. If I have mine ... '' He fished around in his robe pocket, extracting a rather gravid sac watch. `` Which I will always have on me thanks to Dumbledore 's approximation to shroud it in this lovely Muggle invention ... '' He snapped the scoop spotter subject, revealing a mirror on the non-clock position as well. `` And once you do that I 'll answer. If I call you, yours will burn on the inside slightly, so it 'll be detectable to you but to not to somebody 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 Noel in my 4th year at Hogwarts ... ''

'' In the Cenozoic ? '' she inquired curiously, laughing at Remus 's fluster look.

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

'' As I was saying, in my 4th year William James got all of us our own bipartite mirrors for Dec 25. These are mine, I just had them filed down a bit and inserted into these for concealing. ''

'' smarting motion, '' she commented, looking into hers. `` Remus lupin the Finicky WereWolf, '' she stated clearly, waiting to see if it worked.

'' Finicky ! '' Remus bristled, but not before a slenderize shaving of light appeared in the crevice of the closed scoop 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 platform to move over them some privacy. She made a mental musical 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 honest, well, then why are n't you ? ''

He paused a present moment, his light Brown eyes flickering up to the sky as if considering her head. She did n't need to follow his gaze to know that it rested on the quartern moonshine, barely visible in the dying twilight. `` I think, Kalliandra, that to let one 's biography be even remotely governed by fear is foolish. Your never fully active when your actions are limited by that. And fright, it comes from not knowing what 's truly there. ''

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

'' And perhaps ... Well, 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 brilliance at the Moon. And it was only then that she understood why Dumbledore had chosen him as her mentor.

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


An hour later found her standing, smushed up succeeding to Hagrid, as the deal of students pushed, shoved, and in truth, barreled their way over the platform towards the go-cart that she and Hagrid had readied for their journey to Hogwarts. Why students needed the pram in the initiatory place was beyond her. The walk was n't exactly prolonged. No, she figured Dumbledore had arranged them because if he did n't, the thankless wretch would wonder off ungratefully, never getting to school at all.

In fact, that did n't entirely vocalise like a bad idea .... But right then she spied the changeling that she least wanted to see, making his way with the Daucus carota sativa top through the gang towards them.

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

'' And so hard to lose, '' she muttered, suppressing a laugh at the cold face Hagrid shot her.

'' I see the past week has done zero to ameliorate your mode. ''

She turned, eyeing the guy 's messy Black person hair's-breadth and cat valium oculus, which were presently narrowed and shining determinedly. Her maiden brush with him had been far from pleasant, and judging from his greeting, it seemed the intuitive feeling had been mutual. `` Nor yours. I still do n't get laid your name. ''

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

She shrugged carelessly. It was n't like she cared what his name was, she just wanted to put a name with his eavesdropping font. `` My apologies. Not all of us are as good with names as you apparently are. But by all means do n't re-introduce me, I just thought it might be nice to come to to him as something former than the nosy prat ceramicist. ''

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

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

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

She cocked her point to the side, wondering if the carrot top knew how easily his net epithet 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 decent to know that some of us are polite. ''

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

'' Why no, unlike you I harbor no delusions about my impoliteness. '' She nearly laughed out loud at the livid reflexion that crossed the guy 's font. `` Now if you excuse me I do think Hagrid has beneficial things to do than take heed to his friends engagement. ''

'' admirer ! ? Hagrid would never be friends with mortal like you ! '' The weasel shot out, potter smirking amusedly. Her backtalk opened in angry protest, but Hagrid 's booming vocalisation cut them both off.

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

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

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

Hagrid drew in a deeply, wobbly breathing place, looking very close to exploding. `` Now rationalise to her Ron. And I mean now ! ''

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

Despite herself, a sudden knife thrust of guilt overcame her. Perhaps she was taking her uncongenial frontal a bit too far.

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

She did n't wait for Hagrid 's answer as she spun on her heel, carefully making her way through the bunch to observe an empty carriage. If she were prosperous, then maybe Silverthorne had been particularly clever and scared everyone else away from his.
* * * * *


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Unlike Ron, Harry had no ulterior motive for keeping Hermione well-chosen with him besides their friendship. So at that exact instant he did n't much deal if Hermione was annoyed with him or not. She had n't seen and heard everything, and if she had she would throw realized how deceptive Kalliandra really was. Which was probably why he suddenly found himself taking a step forward to go after that unsufferable headland of favorable fuzz, with every purpose of giving her a piece of his mind, rather than paying care to Hermione 's verbal blowing up.

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

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

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

'' She did no so thing Harry. And you 'd do yer outdo to stick outta her line 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 believe what was before his eyes.

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

'' No she were n't Ronald Weasley. We were jokin'former 'bout the best spot for the fers long time to see me. If that 's what you be referrin'to. ''

'' But what about'Knockturn Alley ? '' He chimed in, coming to Ron 's defending team. `` There 's something funny 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 region of ... '' She paused, looking as if she were saying this against her better nature.

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

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

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

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

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

'' Then you best be keepin'that stuff that did n't be making no sense to yerself. Yer hear me ? '' Hagrid muttered, shaking his heading. `` I 'm so disappointed in you two I do n't recognise ... Yer know I need to get the initiative yers. You lot get off to the castle, and so help me if any one of yer bothers her .... ''

The spotlight 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 solve the whole problem ...

'' Harry ! Come on ! '' Hermione hissed, grabbing him roughly by the arm to drop behind him to the nearest carriage. Most of the others were already rolling up towards the rook.

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

He knew practiced than to break her at this point. After all, this was Hermione, and any statement with her was a losing engagement. He had just managed to recover control of his natural language, which was threatening to snatch at her for the reprimand worthy of a bambino that he was receiving, when he stepped into the final stage 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 surprising force for a daughter her size. He glanced down at the sore clutches she had on him, and pondered how angry she would be if he broke resign.

Before he had time to decide she had already drug him into the carriage behind her.

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

'' Nice to cognise I 'm not the merely one displeased with this, '' Kalliandra muttered from the far side of meat of the passenger car, right as one of the thestrals let out an odd sounding grunt.

She then muttered something beneath her hint. Something that sounded strangely like, `` Even the thestrals think you 're a prat. ``

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

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

'' Hearing things, ceramicist ? ``

He felt as if he had just been slapped, so confounding were the emotions her cheek and articulation conveyed. Shaking his head, he shoved the sudden hesitation to argue aside.

'' I do n't generally hold a habit out of hearing things, '' He finally ground out, taking a nates side by side to Ron grudgingly.

She inclined an supercilium disbelievingly. `` Sure you do n't, '' She responded, not bothering to cloak her sarcasm.

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

'' You 're having a really intemperately clock 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 verbalism instantly soured. `` For eavesdropping on me, that 's what. ``

He suppressed the sudden impulse to shove her out of the carriage. In fact, the simply affair stopping him was the fact that he 'd have to reach over Hermione to reach it.

'' fountainhead forgive me, '' He hissed acidly. `` Next time I see you wandering down an alley full of dark superstar I 'll just leave you to them. I did n't realize how well acquainted you already were with ... ''

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

Harry gaped at her.

Hermione ignored this, apparently design on starting a civic 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 lips forming into a determined scowl at the girl 's ostensible lack of interest.

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

'' fountainhead Kalliandra, how was your close workweek of summer ? '' Hermione pressed.

'' Rigorous. ''

Hermione shot him a look, to which he smirked like a jackal. Ron was far LE subtle, and simply mouthed, So what now, genius ?

Hermione 's face hardened into one of grim determination.

'' So what classes are you taking ? ``

The girl heaved a large suspiration. `` Too many. ``

Hermione 's mouth opened, as if appalled at the girl 's lack of interest in schooling. And just as Harry began an inner victory jig, flashing a celebratory smirk at Ron, the girl surprised them.

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

Hermione 's agape mouth slowly closed, a slow grinning creeping across her side.

flashing them a smug look, she started talking. `` ancient Runes is actually passably fascinating. It 's a lot like learning to take another spoken language. In fact, it 's my favorite subject. ''

At this annunciation Kaylens actually looked thoughtful. `` I think mine will be upkeep of Magical Creatures. Hagrid 's been showing me a lot of the animals he works with over the preceding few weeks. The thestrals are my darling so far ... ''

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

Hermione 's oral cavity opened in dissent, apparently too shocked for password as her inevitable retort failed to add up Forth.

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

'' 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 club to like something, I 'm passably for certain that 's derogatory to the something in question. ``

Ron waved a helping 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 compact shut. `` Though I would n't put it past a thestral to do so. ''

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

He gazed longingly out the overt door hatch. He knew perfectly well that if he got out and walked, that he would lack the sorting, and he had already learned the hard way what happened to people when they walked into that late.

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

'' Hagrid, '' She hissed dangerously.

'' Screw this, '' Ron suddenly announced. `` I refuse to stay in the carriage with her. ''

He stood, only for Hermione to jerk him down. Ron opened his back talk, an tempestuous protest already forming, when Kaylens cut him off.

'' Do you honestly think that I 'm any happier about being stuck here with you and your eavesdropping Quaker ? ''

'' Just. Let. It. Go. '' Harry growled, hating the disappointed aspect Hermione shot him each time the incident was brought up.

She glared at him. `` Gladly. ''

'' Fine. ''

'' fine ! ''

Right then the carriage moved with a mighty lurch, and not another Holy Writ was spoken by any of the passenger car 's dweller.

Harry stared out the windowpane, contemplating. No one would get as angry as Kaylens had over the incident. Not if it had just been a conversation about something trivial ...

What was she hiding ?

Not soon enough for his liking, the convoy came to a halt outside the castle 's enormous entrance. And without a word, he and Ron jumped out, dry grime stirring around their footprint as they met the crowd of educatee rushing to the Great Hall.
* * * * *


'' Well, that certainly could have gone unspoilt, '' Hermione stated, rueful regard following her two friends out the passenger car door.

Letting out a tense hint she had not even realized she was holding, Kally felt herself nodding in assent. `` No kidding, '' she remarked dryly. Still, she could n't help but sense a tiny, justified spate of indignation. That girl 's friends had jumped into the carriage right as she had been trying to contact Remus.

Being in the wizard world, knowing next to nothing about it, had felt overcome before. But now, on her way to being surrounded by competent enchantress and wizards twenty four - seven, that overwhelming feeling was beginning to extravasate 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 worn-out sounding huff, breaking her from her thought. `` Please love, I 'm not trying to knock you, '' she said carefully, `` but you could give made things a little easier. Particularly since this whole misapprehension seems to be over something extremely niggling. ''

Rising from her seat and stepping out of the equipage, her feet sinking into the unloose dirt, Kally heard herself saying very quietly, `` You 're right. ``

And even though she was not looking at Hermione, she could practically feel the eye rolling going on behind her.

Silently they joined the throng of student making their way up the castle 's entry. That was until Hermione began asking interrogation again.

'' Do you know if you are being sorted with the rest of the first days ? ``

Nearly tripping over a kid small enough to have been a world-class year, Kally nodded mechanically. `` Unfortunately. ``

A pensive frown crossed the brunette 's nerve. `` You do n't sound excited. ``

Throwing a perverse glance the girl 's way, Kally asked, `` Would you be ? I 'm going to stick out. ``

Mounting the entryway stairs simultaneously, she saw the corner of Hermione 's mouth crook up in her peripheral device visual sensation, as if hide soundless amusement. `` You are twice their height, so I suppose that is an accurate assessment. ``

Instead of responding, Kally began grumbling something unclear under her breathing space.

Hermione responded by allowing what may have been a smile to cross her features. `` They really are nice if you give them the chance. ``

Somehow she felt severely doubtful about that, but something of her cerebration must have shown on her feature film, because Hermione was interjecting before she could even phrase a response.

'' We did n't get along at 1st either, '' Hermione said, their invertebrate foot reaching the top. `` To be blunt, it took a troll trying to take my head off for us to begin getting along. ''

Kally stumbled, her hazel eyes darting over to the female child with something akin to horror dancing with them. `` What ? ''

Now there was no mistaking it. Hermione really did bet amused. The daughter smiled at her, chuckling slightly. `` Like I said, give them a hazard. ``

She could n't aid it. Despite all her efforts to the adverse, a strangled strangulation sound emerged from her throat.

Hermione simply grinned toilsome, shaking her headspring. `` Honestly, '' she laughed, glancing around the rapidly emptying entry hall, `` do you require me to hold off with you until the get-go year get here so you 're not ... ''

'' Ms. Kaylens is quite able of waiting alone Ms. Granger. And if you delay any retentive it will be 20 period from Gryffindor. ``

The spokesperson had come from directly behind them, the forcefulness of it muted by the echoing of excited chatter from scholarly person trying to cram through the Great mansion house 's looming door.

Instantly Kalliandra recognized it. She had met the man on a few occasions, and he had seized the opportunity to remind her how absolutely impossible it would be for her to ever gain competency in Potions.

As such, she stopped immediately, spinning on her heel. Hermione simply quirked an supercilium before continuing off to join the quietus of the scholarly person.

Snape 's blue eyes lowered, eyeing her appraisingly. `` I trust you are remembering discretion. Particularly where scholarly person like Ms. granger are concerned. Some tend to be too nosy for their own good. ``

Heaving a sigh, Kally nodded. `` I 'll call back. ''

He glowered at her for another second, before nodding curtly. `` Remember, I 'll be seeing you in detainment all this week. ''

She heaved another sigh. Upon their initial meeting she had had the unfortunate luck to inadvertently insult the man, by asking if he were a vampire. In fact, all she has said was that he looked like one of the animate being of the night from her Defense Against the Dark Art 's text edition they had given her to read. And considering that Hagrid was a hulk, another metal money mentioned in the Word, she had n't thought it too undue to assume that a vampire could be teaching at Hogwarts as well.

Unfortunately Snape had n't taken her question lightly, and had immediately began ranting and raving about how he most certainly did not shield a deep-seeded stemma lust for the living.

And for some unfortunate, and self-destructive reasonableness, she had found his ira ridiculously funny.

Which probably explained why she had wound up in detention.

'' Ms. Kaylens ? ``

'' I 'll be looking forward to it, '' She replied quickly, finding herself suddenly surrounded by various dozen minor, all twittering loudly with no signs of stopping.

She groaned, barely hearing professor McGonagall 's speech. Somehow she found herself following the Deputy Mistress through freshly polished oak room access into the Great hallway.

The centre of every get-go yr immediately turned upwards, to the left, to the right, and in every former plausible direction, ineffective to resist taking in their new surroundings.

The pressure of a hundred pair of heart burrowed into her, and she stared pointedly forward, looking over the crowd of dwarf to where Hagrid sat, flashing a warmly smile in her management.

Maybe he can avail me escape afterwards, she thought hopefully, coming to a halt at the front of the enormous room. respective of the nanus around her tensed up, scattered whispering passing through the crowd about fighting a trolling ...

What on terra firma is that about, she wondered curiously, spotting the hat Remus had told her about.

McGonagall turned to face the stallion room.

'' When I call your name, abuse forward, place the hat upon your head, and the sorting will commence. ''

With that, she sat the hat upon a battered old pot, the sorting hat 's rim opened wide, and the singing began.
* * * * *


'' Slytherin ... ''

'' Ron if you say that one More time ... ''

'' Hermione you saw how slimy she was ! ''

'' She is not offensive ! '' Hermione hissed back dangerously, being careful to observe her voice lowered. `` queasy, yes. Vile, no. ``

'' You can not tell me that there is not something inherently sinister about her, '' Ron challenged. `` Something 's not right there. She 's going to thread up an evil Slytherin, probably waiting to ... ''

Before Ron could embark further along his psychological road tripper, Hermione cut him off tiredly. `` Just because somebody is in Slytherin does not make them inherently evil, Ronald. ''

'' Hermione how can you say that ! '' He bristled, clearly having trouble keeping his voice down as the first years and the subject of their argument walked past.

Hermione 's face visibly tensed, and Harry could tell she did n't fully believe what she was saying. `` You ca n't pidgeon hole an entire theatre. Besides, Slytherins are end oriented and stiff willed. They might be a bit abrasive, but it 's because they wo n't let anything get in their way of getting what they want. ''

'' Which makes you a slimy git like Snape ! '' Ron exclaimed triumphantly.

At to the lowest degree Ron 's exclamations were hushed enough so no one not in the near neck of the woods could hear, Harry thought, suppressing a groan. He should deliver known the peace between those two could n't conclusion longer than the wagon 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 pacification to last ?

'' Mione ... ''

'' Ronald ... ''

'' Will you two knock it off ! The hats about to sing and I actually want to hear what it says. '' Ginny cut in. Harry made a mental note to give thanks her for distracting their disputing friends later, and quickly turned his attention to the hat. He had always enjoyed the classification, but after finally year ... Well, knowing that the hat was sworn to forewarn the pupil and instructor of danger made him a bit more paying attention this twelvemonth.

The had opened it 's brim across-the-board.

Divided, but once united,
That's how our history begins,
Four family founded by four friends
Yet I fear that such sectionalization shall add about our end.

In ancient times the best of friends
Came knocking on the door,
Of Ravenclaw and Slytherin,
Then Hufflepuff went to Gryffindor.

net ball build a schoolhouse of learning,
For all those of magic to look,
Yet somehow the draw near three could not fit in,
On what calibre to defend.

Lets teach only those of wit and learning,
Possessing the most ready idea of all.
Those had been the poignant words,
Of once reasonable Ravenclaw.

Proud Slytherin appreciate ambitiousness,
Possessing sinlessness of blood and slyness,
His student would break off at nix,
Until they got what they saw fit to their coming.

And then were the unfearing,
Those brash with imposing daring,
Bold Gryffindor chose them,
As about worthy of magical encyclopedism.

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 sweet Hufflepuff,
She agreed to take the rest,
Yet somehow division did not set well,
Unity to her, seemed best.

So when the father sewed me,
And left me on my toilet,
She stole me in the dead of night,
And bestowed me with a putz,
Of knowing when the metre was right,
For the sorting ritual to end.
She said one day partition may cause strife,
And she feared for the witching world.
For all her life,
She had feared the partitioning in visual modality,
But never more,
Than when the friendly relationship failed,
Of the institution Little Joe.

Slytherin was the first to leave,
Purity of blood his choice,
I 'm disgraced by teaching Muggle borns !
He yelled, conviction in his part.

Next left bold Gryffindor,
He felt the calling of adventure,
Rather than the despairing plea,
Of failing loyalties in need of suture.

Last left once-fair Ravenclaw,
Who once prized Justice and learning,
She left because she said,
That teaching the other pupils had got too boring.

And alone stood angelic Hufflepuff,
The wisest of them all,
Because she never would heed,
Alluring temptation birdsong.

I see the wiseness of her option,
Why she chose to assume them all,
And now understand,
That its fruitless to split you at all.

So while it deeply saddens me,
To see my end in lot,
The sorting observance close,
right field now, Right here, This night.


Harry stared at the crapper, trying vainly to work on what he had just heard. At least he had been right in thinking it was important to pay tending this year, because apparently that was the net song the sorting hat would ever tattle.

He cast a cursory glance towards Hermione, sitting following to him on the bench, but her brown eyes were all-inclusive and fixated up front. He could just imagine what was going through her forefront right then, because chances were she was going through each pageboy of Hogwarts a history, trying to find any other incident even remotely like this one. He had a swipe suspicion that she had the hale book committed to memory.

The abnormal quiet filled the Great Hall like a thick fog, so midst he could almost feel it closing around him.

McGonagall seemed caught between slapping the hat and looking to Dumbledore for instructions, and her hand moved cautiously towards the hat 's lip, only for it to quickly shrink as if the hat had grown Fang. This odd, twitching motion was punctuated by sharp turns of her head as she looked right at Dumbledore, who to Harry 's surprise, looking genuinely amused.

Snape on the early hired man looked quite inconvienced, his lip had puckered so tightly that his brim seemed more translucent than Nearly Headless Nick 's.

Apparently, they had not been expecting this.

Snape however, did n't seem to want to accept it, and he had already stood and started storming from his situation at the teacher 's table, clearly headed for the sorting hat 's toilet itself.

'' Excuse me Minerva. '' Snape muttered, his low feel clearly audible in the eldritch silence. His recollective fingers snatched the hat up and onto his psyche in a single fluid apparent motion, his face contorted in absorption as if conducting some clever argument.

Clever controversy from Snape ? No ... Impossible, he thought, watching his Potions teacher with interest for the first metre in five age.

Apparently he was mightily about Snape 's inability to convey an good argument, because a bit later Snape had flung the hat back onto it 's stool, muttering about how it was a dirty, trash-ridden piece of fading fabric destined for a Muggle garbage dump.

It was a mark of how unplayful the place was, that not a soul at the Gyffindor table laughed.

Harry could n't aid but acknowledge how Snape was testingly running his fingers through his greasy black hair, looking at his hands after each swipe, as if searching for proof of something.

Every Gryffindor had a sneaking suspicion that the hat had just called him a greasy slime ball.

Ron Weasley was just the first gear to say it.

'' Chalk one up for the classification hat for insulting Snape ! '' Ron whispered triumphantly, all brain within earshot turning towards him.

Apparently that was the signaling everyone had been waiting for, because suddenly a hysteria of activeness broke out at the Gryffindor table, and a chain reaction of noise spread until the olfactory organ layer was almost deafening. The unsorted first years looked positively terrified, as if frightened of being sent rest home if unsortable, and they alone seemed the but I still rendered speechless.

'' I mean did I just hear that right wing ? '' Ron asked, eyes alight with excitement he did not share.

Harry just nodded, watching the Professor 's re-group.

Professor Flitwick slid from his fanny, and every so often Harry could charm a glimpse of the top of his top dog over the teacher 's table, as the small man jumped up and down, vying for Dumbledore 's attention.

'' Oh my God did the sorting hat just quit ? '' Squealed Parvarti. One would mean she had just realized what had happened.

'' Brilliant that one ... '' Ron muttered sarcastically.

'' Think it has anything to do with the war going on ? '' Seamus asked excitedly. `` Do n't you remember ? How it warned us last yr ? ''

'' It did n't admonish us that it might go on rap Ireland man ! ''

'' Who you calling Hibernia man ? ''

'' chill Seamus, Dean 's just kidding, are n't you Dean ? '' Ginny 's calm part somehow filtered through the ruckus.

'' I ca n't believe this ! Never, in all of Hogwarts a History did it ever report the Sorting Hat doing anything even remotely close to this ... '' Hermione was in her element, and he silently congratulated himself on how well he knew his friend. `` I mean do n't you think Harry ? This is massive !

But Hermione was too worked up to notice whether he responded or not, and she was so engrossed in her dictation to hear what he heard.

'' Do you call up we should just try sorting them anyway, Albus ? '' prof McGonagall asked, casting an almost pleading coup d'oeil at the group of first years, who seemed to shrink away from her gaze.

prof Dumbledore, looking vaguely amused, patted prof Flitwick on the head as he mulled this over. For his component part the appealingness 's prof stopped bouncing around like a lightning bug on pep pill, and his small head disappeared beneath the faculty table.

'' We 'll be needing a military volunteer though ... '' McGonagall stated rhetorically, scanning the tilt of student names with an uncharacteristic look of dubiety, talking out loud but absently. `` If any of the inaugural years would like to try to get sorted ... ''

His Head of home was too obsessed, and she missed what he did not break down to notice.

A certain golden haired girl had overhead the Professor 's inquiry, and after casting a glance at the distraught children around her, had woven her way through the cowering first class. She now stood besides the stool, her ticklish mitt grasping the top of the hat as she lifted it from its chair, plopping it upon her pass. The teachers around her were completely unmindful to her actions.

Her gentle, angulate feature article relaxed, as if immersed in quiet conversation. And as she sat there, immersed in a soundless conversation to which only she was lav to, Dumbledore pointed a wand to his pharynx, muttering, `` sonorous ''.

A second gear later the Headmaster 's magically overdraw voice echoed throughout the Great Hall, as it had on only one former occasion.

'' SIIIILLLLEEEENNNCCCE ! ''

Every soul who had been excitedly talking, including various of the nervous looking first of all eld, who had started to cry, stopped and turned their attention to the presence of the hall.

So of class, that was when everyone 's aid suddenly became drawn to the rather average daughter, standing by the stool, the offending hat placed atop her oral sex.

'' Apparently the sorting hat has decided that it is no longer able to, in upright witting, social function as a house sorter. However, we shall take in this sorted out. '' Dumbledore winked, the pun on tidings sounding almost lifelike coming from him. Yet Harry just stared in enthrallment at Kaylens, who seemed to be nodding quietly to herself. `` Now I would like the upper years to remain here for dinner, and I would like the first years to make out with .... ''

Dumbledore stopped mid-sentence, apparently just catching mountain of Kaylens, even though she had been right in front of him all along.

Kaylens nodded one finale time, her hazel eyes flickering open as she removed the hat, placing it back upon the faecal matter. All eyes were upon the hat except his, so he was the only one to see the uncommon smile crown of thorns her feature film as the sorting hat opened its brim for the second time that nighttime.

'' Let the classification now begin. ''



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