A post Order of the capital of Arizona, pre-Half origin Prince level.

Please consider this a replacement of the one-sixth book, since it was begun well before the release of the half lineage Prince. I will not be changing this to accommodate the HBP plotline, since I feel that the lodge of the Phoenix leaves a greater degree of flexibility for fan-fiction writers.

Thank you to all of the proofreader who have supported me throughout the composition of this piece.
I can not express my gratitude decent to all of you who have made me the Number 1 Favorite writer, and this story the Number 2 Favorite Story, the 7th almost Read Story, the Most Reviewed narration Ever in the site 's chronicle, and for respective month between August and betimes November of 2005 the bit 1 favorite Story.







'' DOE. It permeates every animation and non-living thing. Without it, the globe would cease to subsist. ''
~ Vincent VonStolburg ~






Chapter 1 ~ Lightning ten-strike


Remus'eyes narrowed, peering through the thick outpouring as rain pelted the Earth. He continued walking, not breaking formation even as water sloshed about his mud-soaked ankles, chilling him to the off-white.

Moving was becoming increasingly difficult and the thick woollen of his cloak clung awkwardly to his icy skin. He wished he had possessed the foresight to don a lighter one, for moving certainly would take in been easier.

But there had been picayune time to remember on such details.

His center burned, the sting sensation growing until unspeakable tears streamed down his nerve, his salty rent mixing with the rainfall before they reached his rim, leaving the taste of salt water upon his tongue.

The stinging adept grew worse. It happened whenever his rod cells multiplied, and right now the frenzy going on just behind his retinas was aiding him, bringing into stern focalise the end of the nighttime.

Cloaked look-alike came to life, the moonless Night no longer a ingredient as gray trope danced before him with unearthly clarity. It was the one small gift his monthly onus afforded him.

nighttime sight.

His eyes turned from the globe around him, flicking towards the blackened sky, noting the new moonshine. He had a couple on weeks before the painful sensation in his bones returned.

Tonks fell into whole tone besides him, giving an nonvoluntary shudder, and he caught her arm, helping her over another of the dead before she could stumble. Her centre were still bloodshot from the conclusion time it had happened.

She nodded thanks and they continued their stealthy lookup. They dared not light their paths for fear of giving away their positions. Lingering Death eater could be anywhere.

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

A Reach had not been found in England for 100. And the foul and loathsome destruction Eaters would go to any lengths to bump one. The grounds lay at their human foot, and he was thankful that the deep iniquity spared Tonks from seeing the to the full extent of tonight 's destruction. Only he could deliver informant to its full horror.

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

He picked up the tempo. They had to dispatch their search before the ministry functionary arrived. By then they were to be gone, mere touch to own passed through, spiritual domain and unheard.

The yesteryear weeks had brought a raft of execution. No ... Butcherings ...

This was his one-seventh such lookup that month alone, and still the stench of char textile and burn figure reeled him.

Muggle families were being polluted with the foulness of Voldemort. And despite the Order 's C. H. Best efforts, they had been powerless to block off it.

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

Remus bent down, grasping her around the shank as he helped her rising. In the heat of battle she was fiery, unaffected by the horrors of fallen comrades. He had seen her power to lug such things out firsthand in the department of Mysteries. But now, in the aftermath of something she had no mastery over, the steely glint was gone from her eyes, her purposeful stride lost.

He pulled her forward, feeling her eyes linger upon the crushed skull of a man barely young than herself. He could feel its event on her as she quivered in his arms. He wished to spare her foster agony, but they had to continue.

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

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

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

The Dark lord had a new strategy. Snape had informed the ordering hebdomad ago, but even now he still found it unfathomable, for the vile being was no longer contentedness to experiment with conjuring trick.

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

And people…

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

If the persuasion of an even inviolable wickedness God Almighty was n't enough to frighten soul, 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, Wiccan and hotshot often lost dominance. Hell, he had lost count of how many clock time Harry had done exactly that.

Only now the Death feeder were using a reach 's emotions against them. The hooded design had crept in the shade of night from plate to place over the past workweek, killing each nominee 's syndicate right in front of them. Their aim was to elicit an emotional reaction, one secure enough to reveal the scope 's true potential.

It sickened him, how the night Lord could kill so many inexperienced person, just to blush the Reach out of hiding.

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

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

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

Most enchantress and magician developed wizardly ability at a young age. Though there were always the few destined to become Squibs, and there were always a few who developed it later on in life history, in their teenager. It had turned out that sorcerous ability stemmed from a dominant gene, linked to the genes specifying rip type. And the genetic code Muggles possessed only differed by a few base, so it was easy for the mutation to originate randomly in Muggles, thus Muggleborns.

But a Reach was not a Wiccan or wizard, they were not a Squib or a belatedly bloom illusionist.

They were something different entirely.

When their magical prowess came to realisation, the Saami organisation that alerted the headmaster to the presence of a new witch or wizard would go off.

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

Now it was going off again.

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

And if Dumbledore was properly, that meant there was a Reach out there who had finally struck out.

The poor love child.

Instinctively his arm shot out, halting Tonks roughly in place, his flesh out eyes roamed, scanning the primer coat of what had once been an ordinary domicile set far away from the major roads. Now give away floorboards littered the muddied ground, while smoke from the dip fires curled up in snake like tendrils, shrouding the world from view. Yet his centre penetrated its veil, searching for the waver of cause that had frozen him in billet.

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

None came.

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

He withdrew his arm, placing a finger carefully over Tonks'icy sass, signaling her to be still. The simply foretoken of her confusion was the light crease of her brow. She would, of course, have no estimation 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, muffle moan, and he took off, rushing towards the source. No attacker could feign that kind of infliction.

He skidded, flinging John Rock in the air as he bent down beside her. The puddle she was feebly pushing herself out of was a trench black, filled with the blood of her and the lifeless man besides her. Her body spasmed with each choking political hack as she coughed up inhaled water, her eyes glazed over from what he recognized as shock absorber.

He pulled her up, speaking in low, reassuring tone of voice as she flailed against him. She was too frail to do much damage, even of the other form ...

Tonks reached them, murmuring soothing words as she smoothed the girls mud caked tomentum away from her face, brown water system emerging from her backtalk as another round of cramp racked her body violently.

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

He did n't know whether to praise the heavens or beshrew them as he and Tonks exchanged a meaningful glimpse. 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 mongrel had done to her before leaving her for all in.

He let her cough up the repose of the water before stunning her. He hated doing it as he lifted her hitch mannikin from the ground, but only one thing could own survived this.

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


The rain poured down in moth-eaten torrents as Harry shouldered his heather, sprinting after Kingsley through the fast forming puddles of London 's city streets. It was coming down in buckets now, and if he had thought flying through the torrential downpour had been bad it was nothing compared to the pounding of his feet on the knavish pavement.

Moody 's pharyngeal consonant growling sounded off to his right, not that he could see him, the rainfall was too blockheaded to see much of anything. skag clapped, shaking him to the core, and the lightning flashed shockingly, illuminating the arena to reveal govern member running in rank around him, splashing H2O as they went.

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

Only this night was dissimilar.

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

Tonight truly was different.

He blinked rapidly, trying vainly to pull out the water cascading into his oculus, but it was to no help. His glasses were too thickly coated with rain droplets, and he desperately racked his mind for the spell Hermione used to repel piss. For his wand was out, and he could use it. The Ministry had removed the Decree for the Restriction of Underage Wizardry that summer. Dumbledore had headed up the motility, arguing that the return of Voldemort endangered witches and wizards of all long time, and that in the issue of an plan of attack, scholarly person should be free to fend for themselves without the fear of repercussions.

The hollow lot materialized between two run down houses, and he looked quickly at the belittled slip of sopping wet newspaper publisher dripping from his script, hesitant to ignore his milieu for even a secondly when the foreboding veneration of attack hung so thickly about him.

He read it silently before looking up. The run down wizard home, in the midst of Muggle British capital, now stood revealed to him.

Grimmauld Place.

lupine materialized at the top of the rheumy wooden stairs looking worse for the wear. His normally threadbare wearable was now ragged and blood stained, his eyes holler and sunken, holding the look of target that knew its predator to be near.

Harry stepped through the doorway, stomping his pes on the shaggy-coated rug, slinging mud everywhere as the others piled in. He swallowed the chunk in the infrastructure of his pharynx, pulling his eyes from the muddy trading floor, forcing himself to deal in his environment. A man named Dorbert Cheeks could be heard triggering the complicated locking spell on the front room access.

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

That they were taking him to Sirius's…

This firm had never been joyful, but now it seemed a hole eggshell of what could throw been. It stood as a painful reminder of the scrapings of a life sentence that he and his godfather could have salvaged. But that life was gone now.

War brought casualties, fatal accident brought nuisance, and pain brought emptiness.

That was how he had felt since that night. Empty. There was goose egg that could fill the void. Not even the impending terror of facing Voldemort in yr to arrive could make him feel anything but despair again.

Mundungus cleared his throat, turning all fountainhead towards him as he beckoned for everyone to quietly make their way to an adjoining room. He followed, his sopping wet apparel weighing him down with every step he took. But aught could weigh him down as much as the memories ... As much as the burden haunting him ... The one they should have told him ...

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

He glanced towards Lupin who stood protectively succeeding to him, opening his mouth to verbalise, to ask, but he let it flap shut. He remembered all too well that Dumbledore would not let them to state him anyway. They never told him anything when it could actually prepare 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 throw known what would bump from that night 's events. At least not yet ... None of them were seeing past their need to get him to a safe location, so they could not have known that the night marked a turning point in his life, as well as in the life of the lone subsister of Voldemort 's first gear wave of attacks.

The war had begun.
* * * * *


throbbing pain ... bloodline ... vociferation of pain ....

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

Dim voices filtered into her thought, her nap befuddled idea protesting strongly as it failed to encompass a single watchword.

'' ... has a chance. ''

flashing of luminance ... .flame ... Coughing smoke ... squeal of tires ... .Sean ....

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

Voices that were oblivious to her awakening. vocalism unmindful to the way her physical structure recoiled in painful sensation. vox unmindful to how her eyes teared from the bright sunshine pouring in from the Windows of the doomed way. Voices forgetful to how she clawed like a frightened animal at the deep puff wrapped around her battered and bruised body.

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

What she had done ...

A new desperation hit her like a thousand hot tongue, slicing her skin in a way the worst of the arouse tour could not have.

She had done the unthinkable ....

New undulation of bother rain cats and dogs Forth, her visual modality swimming dangerously with each pulsating pain her eubstance dealt. She would have cried out, but the effort would take in been too much for her frail form. Instead she drew in lecture breaths until her organic structure gave out, the auditory sensation of a door creaking and a big, iniquity form standing over her vaguely registered before she once again slipped into merciful oblivion.
* * * * *


The dreams were always the same ....

For nearly a calendar month she had refused to knuckle under to the nightly torments. She was stronger than that. She would not drop off herself to the world of nightmare, even if the book she had read on such things deemed that a more merciful luck than the one the wizarding world would impart upon her.

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

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

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

She drew in a shallow breath, letting her sobbing subside slowly before Hagrid could hear. She had dreamt about it again. About that night. Visions of roue and shrill screams had filled her head 's eye each night since as she dreamt about their human action ...

Her deeds ...

She wiped the lingering tears that clung to her eyelashes, swallowing her own self-loathing. She would not fight it, for she deserved every bit of pain bestowed upon her. She would stew in it until it had permeated every roughage 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 boastful than all of them.

And the unity who had started it all ...

They deserved so a great deal worse.

Everything well and pure in her liveliness had been gone for weeks. It was with a cold limpidity that she realized this. For now she lived for one purpose, and one intention alone.

Revenge.
* * * * *


Harry lay on the top bunk staring at the cap, watching the way shadows played across it as Light Within from passing car headlight shone in through the windowpane. Ron 's cheap snoring drifted up, breaking the silence like a loud-hailer with every breather, and it was taking every inch of the willpower he possessed, to not lean over and smack his friend senseless with his pillow.

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

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

Mr. Weasley was the soulfulness employee in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts section, and recently, with the form on resourcefulness in the Ministry, it had come to duplicate as the section of Muggle Relations. Now Mr. Weasley spent half his time performing memory charms on Muggle law enforcement, to cover up the dying of Muggles who had been murdered by Death Eaters. Now every time Harry saw Mr. Weasley, all the man could talk about were different potential strategies for protecting the Muggle universe.

Now if only a skilful strategy actually existed.

He rolled restlessly, spying Hedwig 's gleaming middle in the darkness. She hooted softly in reference, and he smiled in the dark despite his dark thought process.

retentivity plagued him every time he closed his center now. The department of Mysteries ... It was why he now lay awake.

He had willingly, foolishly, led them all into peril. 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 conjuration was in figuring out how.

To protect them, he had tried to blatantly push them away, but they had seen right through that. He had refused to write, and his self-induced isolation ended when both of them showed up at the Dursleys while his relatives were on holiday. The two of them set up manse there the entire week, Order members circling the premise like hawks for security, while his supporter 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 birth to do it slowly.

Yes. A gradual drifting would be best.

It was with these thoughts in intellect, that he drifted off into another night of spasmodic rest. If only he could ingest known then what the side by side few age would land.





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

The fabulous banner is by SticksN'Stones.

art of Kalliandra by agirlnamedbob87.





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



Chapter 2 - initiative Impressions


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

A light walkover ruffled the water, tousling her haircloth gently in its viewing. She casually brushed her whispy strands back, tucking them carelessly behind her spike.

Her hair's-breadth had always been a generator of frustration, always in the way, hanging in front of her eyes, driving her instructors crazy. No ponytail ever held for long, for her midst, shiny hair 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 Wave now running across the lake the only witness to her defeat as she stood. If she was not back soon Hagrid would awake and find her gone. Of course here would be the inaugural place he looked, but with as late as he always ran he would not be proud of with her absence seizure, particularly when they had places to go that afternoon.

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

Not that she was allowed to present unhappiness. Emotions were no longer a perquisite she had.

She had been warned of the dangers of such matter.

Her bare metrical foot crunched upon the dewy grass, but the other morning time chill did not trouble her. She reached into her air pocket, fingering the cherry wooden surface of her wand before pulling it out, studying it appraisingly as she traversed her way across the priming coat.

They were odd looking matter really. Long and slight, and from the looks of it, easily breakable. She suppressed the sudden urge to do just that, knowing wide-cut well that nothing could be gleaned from such destructive measures.

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

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

So in what the odd man had called a throw of inspiration, he had custom designed the one she now bore, forming the core with a lock of her own hair and a pinprick of her own blood line. She could n't even remember how many go had to be woven into it.

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

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

Jacob 's run now streamed down from the swarm, forming pools of light on the vibrant grass, giving evidence to the warmheartedness the day would bring.

It was a affectionateness that would never reach her.

A slightly secure breeze bore the auditory sensation of approaching hooves, and she turned towards the Forbidden Forest, the outline of wings folding into a sawbuck 's skeletal body signaled Silverthorne 's arrival.

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

She stopped and waited, his gallop growing louder with his speedy approach, and a pocket-size grin graced her passive lips. Hagrid and Dumbledore had been as rattling as they could be, but there was practically they kept hidden from her. Intuition informed her of this with every fleeting look they exchanged around her.

Perhaps that knowledge could explain her hostility as of lately. Hagrid was a goodness man and had not deserved the brunt of her anger the previous day. They had been arguing as of recent. But then again, she deserved to be informed of everything regarding herself. Keeping her in the shadow could only cause further damage. This she was convinced of.

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

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

His teeth glinted in the red hue of the cockcrow and she smiled, please with the sight. It should have concerned her, but instinct again told her there was nothing to fear with him.

At least so long as he gets his aurora snack, she reminded herself with some amusement, picturing how he would tear through the small tool 's clappers so eagerly.

She smiled again, letting the concerns of yesterday pas. She would apologize to Hagrid later before they reached Diagon Alley to get her 'school'supplies. She used the word fleetingly for while she was to serve Hogwarts, she was too far behind to be expected to actually turn in assignments with the residuum of the sixth long time. Instead she was to put up a worthy façade until she gained the cognition that could help her.

Then there was the minuscule factor of her being completely ineffectual to incant in the first place.

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

The hell that had become her life sentence.

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

* * * * *



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

Harry laughed as he watched Ron squirm uncomfortably, the magic tape beat flying vertically around his ally 's no longer gangly torso, magically recording the length of his arms, leg, summit, and for some odd reason, the distance between his ears.

He knew exactly why Ron 's crony were getting him set robes, but he was n't about to contribution that piece of information. Not when he was actually enjoying himself for the low gear time in weeks.

'' Well we did n't call for them lowest year, '' He pointed out truthfully. `` And we do this year. So maybe they just felt bad since your outgrowth spurt rendered your other I unwearable. ''

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

'' Blimey ! watch over it ! '' Ron exclaimed, ducking another near hit, his feet entangling in the foresighted frock robes trailing past his infantry.

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

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

Harry very nearly choked on reduce air, quite a exploit, had it not been for the aloud peal of laughter he was trying to miserably oppress as he caught the balance of Ron 's mussitate profanities.

Of course, he thought lightly, his Best married person might not be muttering the coloured metaphors if he could see the look on the sale clerk 's font ... Or the fact that she was storming over from where she had been attempting to sizing a low gear twelvemonth for his Hogwarts robes, face alit, bridge player on hips, middle narrowed vindictively at the fix Ron lay in.

Right then, with the impeccably bad timing that only Ron could master, his acquaintance 's red head emerged from the fray, a hopeful garden pink sheet wrapped around it like a shawl, and a sheepish expression on his side as he stammered apologies. The sight must take been too a great deal for the clerk, because her mouth twitched, her serious expression faltered, and all guise of angriness vanished as she failed to be discreet about her own entertainment.

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

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

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

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

'' Oh shut it Harry ! ''

Harry grinned, enjoying his friend fugitive irritation. `` speechmaking of Hermione ... '' He said, calming down slightly. `` She should be here any bit so perhaps you could ask her for her educated thought ... ''

A lustrous pink satin fuzz flew across the room, and he caught it deftly, holding it out in nominal head of him as he looked at it in mock estimation. `` Ron, I 'm touched. But it 's really not my people of color. You however looked absolutely spiffing in it. ''

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

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

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

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

They really should realize stores more accessible for mass his size ... He thought, making a genial eminence to remark the mind to Hermione as Hagrid opened his large mouth.

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

A loud tearing phone tore his attention back to Ron, and he stifled yet another jest at the horror-struck verbal 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 windows, only now Ron was staring down at the ripped framework hanging raggedly from the hem of his new dress gown.

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

'' It wo n't burn you know ! '' Madam Maulkin yelled, huffily storming over. `` son of a bitch maybe ... ''

Ron did not look relieved at the thought. Of course, the agonize expression might possess been from how dame Maulkin grabbed him by the nape of his arrest and yanked him back to the fitting platform, where she immediately began to fuss over the dire state of his gown.

'' punter finish you first since you ca n't support still. '' She quipped in her in high spirits pitched vocalisation. `` And to think that this morning I would receive sworn it was the younger student who gave me the most problem ... ''

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

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

He turned back to Hagrid, leaving Ron to resist for himself. `` So did one of your creatures get a hold of your teaching robe or did Fang do it ? '' He asked, grinning knowingly. Hagrid 's fauna were always tearing his clothes, which would explain why half his garments were covered in mismatched patching.

Hagrid grinned and shook his promontory. `` Nah Harry, for once me robe are fine. Right now I 'm 'ere with Kalliandra gettin'her some robe of 'er own. Speakin'of 'er, ca n't hold back for yer two to run across 'er. She 's an absolute doll she is. ''

He nodded, rarity driving him as he wondered who this Kalliandra character was. moldiness be a first year or really young. He was trusted he would have remembered that name at least.

But in the back of his nous he felt a twinge of shame.

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

At least Hagrid will depict them a good fourth dimension, he mused, remembering his first stumble to Diagon skittle alley. He opened his sass to ask if they were from a wizarding or Muggle family, concluding that it must be a world-class 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 meddlesome store when a not unfamiliar ace hit him like a bludger, his stomach twisting oddly as his center landed on a slim figure, glancing around the depot hesitantly.

And I thought Hermione looked good in garb gown, he thought, swallowing hard, berating himself for being distracted. But this young woman was stunning, in an offbeat form of way. While her lineament were rather knit, her long, golden dress robes clung loosely to her slender legs, with her delicate hands lifting the hem, revealing tanned mortise joint as she moved towards them.

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

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

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

'' And my supporter did a very well job Edward Young dame. That colouring suit of clothes you, '' brothel keeper Maulkin chimed out, shocking him back to his sense. He silently thanked her, and glanced over to see that she was still indeed, judging by his booster 's pained construction, torturing Ron.

He shook his principal whimsically at the sight, glancing back at the female child in forepart of him, thinking that Madam Maulkin had a point about the colour suiting her. Her glum favorable hair cascaded loosely past her shoulder, several brusk strands framing her case, lightly brushing her shoe collar bone. All of it was barely discernible from the silky robe material clinging to her gracile image.

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

He pulled his gaze 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 attention 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 voice called out from under the cotton sheath Maulkin was vigorously forcing over his head. `` Weff neffa haf uh transsfuh befuh. ''

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

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

'' I asked ... '' Ron 's slightly worsen part called out clearly, `` If she was a transferral, because we 've never had one before. ''

Harry turned back to Kalliandra, to see the slight grin that had irregular ago graced her features fell.

The look 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 head, for she had begun pointedly looking down at the flooring.

Maybe she had found Ron'question offence, though he could n't imagine why. He shot Hagrid a questioning facial expression, hoping he 'd clarify matter since Kalliandra did n't seem about to do so.

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

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 minor amount of amusement. `` wellspring that 'd be cause they came in the middle of the yer. Ca n't have erm sorted at the sortin'when they 've missed it already. ``

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

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

Like a full grown giant in the woods ...

Or a three headed dog ....

Or a pet flying lizard ...

Seeing a one-half elephantine squirm beneath one 's gaze would normally be quite a funny remark occurrence, but it simply made Harry nervous as Hagrid continued shuffling his foundation, mumbling about proper introductions, while the lady friend remained extremely tranquility.

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

She hesistated for the brief of irregular, before finally extending her hired man as well.

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

It was a shock he had been ill prepared for, for her eyes held a ghost of the familiar… So closely akin to the haunted tone of Sirius'that he felt himself shaken to the core group at the conversancy.

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

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

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

It was a wonder Hagrid had even asked, because he was already waving good day 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 choice ? '' She muttered, deflating, her optic no longer holding the haunted quality of before. Maybe it had never been there. He really ought to get slept longer ... With all his turbulent thought as of lately running game through his thinker he simply was n't thinking straight.

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

'' Yes, you 're probably decent ... '' She said faintly, her interpreter so cushy he scarcely heard her. Though her surprisingly gentle modulation did nothing to stop the harsh quality of her glare as her peg down eyes followed Hagrid 's retreating form. In fact, she was still shooting daggers out the doorway as the assistant yanked her over to the open fitting chopine besides Ron seconds later.

Harry decided not to lie in on the smell he had seen, the one so painfully familiar to Sothis. 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 eye, as if frightened by the enchanted tape recording beat flicking around her head, while Ron kept shooting scowl at Madam Maulkin.

'' You know we 've never had a transportation before. At least not one that I can think of, properly Harry ? '' Ron stated, glaring down at Maulkin as she marked his handlock with chalk, determining the length of his arm.

He was about to agree when Kalliandra cut him off.

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

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

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

Harry found that oddly laughable, considering that Ron had been ducking the very thing himself, but at to the lowest degree his friend had not been standing Methedrine still like a cervid in headlights.

Kalliandra had though.

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

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

She just nodded, turning her headway to wait out the door. Ron shot him an annoyed, 'Can you believe this ?'look.

He had to allow 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 force her. Yet something about her aroused his curiosity. If only he could put his finger upon it ...

Several transactions passed, the inapt silence broken only be Ron 's random blowup of displeasure, and Kalliandra 's quiet reply to the assistant 's dubiousness. Unsurprisingly she was the first one done, and he found himself having a hard clock time not staring at her now that the wearing apparel gown were completely fitted around her signifier. The matter was swish, elegant, and practically constitute trying on ...

'' Hey how come up she got done so ready ? '' Ron asked indignantly, as Kalliandra made her way back to the changing suite, the bottom of her attire robe gathered in her custody as she walked carefully. She seemed fresh to walking in something of the sort.

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

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

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

'' hem. ''

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

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

Harry failed to deliver the chance to so much as shrug in answer to Ron 's repulsive like motion in the daughter 's direction, before a subdued clatter broke the comparative quiet of the way. He turned to see Kalliandra squatting down on the floor, picking up midget pin in her hands.

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

'' See, I 'm knocking stuff over all the metre, '' The assistant continued, while the miss stared at the now filled pin shock, biting her downcast lip, confusion etched into each of her feature.

He did n't fail to comment it.

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

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

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

Ron was decently, she was supposed to wait for Hagrid. Harry hesitated a moment, an national debate waging until curiosity got the improve of him. Wasting no Sir Thomas More time he jumped from his seat and went after her.

He wanted to see where she was going.











'' And after all, what is a lie ? 'T is but a the truth in masque. ''
~ George I Gordon Yule Sixth Baron Byron of Rochdale, master Byron~







Chapter 3 ~ Entangled web



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

To the nitty-gritty she had been undeniably, inexplicably, shaken. And all because of a dispel stack of rowlock upon the flooring of a garment shop, and her own miserable endeavor to amend a salesclerk 's clumsiness.

Magic.

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

The sooner she became accustomed the better.

She could not afford to be seen or discovered for what she really was, for in all her incompetence in the craft that made this obscure populace of black art flourish, she would be left bare and exposed, the consequences of what had lain both within and far flung from her clench unthinkable.

Butchered for who she was… The theory was zip less than she deserved, for one such as herself should not be allowed to walk upon the bustling streets, the smell of the most luminescent of the empyrean'orb warming her skin, the promiscuous clatter of pebbles being kicked askew and the laughter of small fry ringing within the respite of her auditory senses.

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

She had died the Lapp 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 blow over, it was simply the reasons 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 golden words Gringotts Bank emblazoned across its ivory surface.

After barely a hundred paces the mainstay of the wizarding commercial-grade society emerged over the heads of the crew. Its supporting column leaning in several directions, their haphazard support for the upper stratum of the edifice strengthened with the sorcery filling the streets.

Though it was not there that she wished to go.

It was there, directly across from the goblin filled deposit. That was where she desired to go to attempt out her response. Turning down the dark skittle alley she noted a rickety star sign suspended above it 's entryway bearing the jaggedly carved Good Book Knockturn Alley.

Yes, she had been forewarned of its fishy characteristics. 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 pauperism of build feeding Slug Repellant, and about how physical object of the outlaw variety could be procured.

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

Hagrid had been none the wiser, substance to respond her every question about the grungy alleyway. He had even inadvertently supplied her with the epithet of the man to whom she wished to mouth, Mr. Borgin.

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



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

Kingsley Shacklebolt let out an outraged huff, raucously shoving his way through the midst crowd grunting about rebelliousness. Tonks only refuge was to roll her centre, further darkening the reddened hue that her boss'cheek was beginning to take on.

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

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

'' Tonks…

Casting a sidelong coup d'oeil at the older Order member she came to a stop in the center of traffic, ignoring the protestation of the crone and wizards around them, who were now being forced to take the air a full two ft to the side to avoid them. For all their complaining one would cerebrate she was inciting a riot, not stopping for a chat with her slightly unnerving boss.

speech production of Kingsley, he looked like he was either suppressing the desire to restrain her, or in the showtime phase of cardiac arrest.

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

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

She nodded, squinting up at the taller figure in the bright sunlight. `` A fact I 'm well aware of, '' She said pointedly, her previous feigning of wit vanishing. `` But the society is constantly hovering over Harry, convinced that he is an incompetent 16 class old. Yet I have never heard of a 16 year old who has survived as mu… ''

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Remus had been her just source of saneness during that time, as he had been on the Nox they had combed through the grotesquely charred chiliad of an isolated Muggle household, searching for survivors.

The calendar month old picture of that terrible panorama was now burned beneath the forepart page 's blinking headlines, the water pooling upon the paving material darkened with what she knew to be blood.

The piteous souls had never had a chance.

Clenching the sheet between her script she met her boss'gaze. `` Look, '' She whispered, forcing her voice calm. `` I know the Order is concerned about Harry. But he has proven more than competent in berth that most Aurors have yet to face, and he 's come out alive an… ''

'' And in the cognitive operation put half the Order in weighty danger ! '' Kingsley boomed angrily. `` All due to his impulsive, brash, ill-thought…

'' action at law, '' She supplied, ignoring how his eye twitched. `` But how does the purchase order expect him to learn to make decisiveness if we are always hovering over him ? ``

His oculus widened considerably, `` In war there is no room for error. ``

'' Who said he was making them ? ``

Kingsley began pacing up and down the Apothecary 's face back street. `` No one, but you have to take on the minor is… ''

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

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

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

Kingsley 's next philippic was unintelligible, though she did catch the actor's line 'irresponsibility', 'insubordinate', and 'dam n't girl'.

Slowly she began banging her head against the brick siding.

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

'' It is not just a Snitch ! '' She interjected, halting the assault on her skull. `` It 's a collector 's edition ! And Remus ordered it a month ago for Harry, special edict ! They had to form it to Remus'exact specifications, and we thought it would be a overnice surprise to pick it up while out toda… ''

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

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

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

'' You mean Ginny ? ``

The man let out a audio oddly resonant of a hippogriff in passion, stomping the ground and sending a slew of dust scattering into the air. `` Who do you think I mean ! ? What former lady friend were you to chaperone today ? ! Focus for just a secondment would you Nympha… ''

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

'' And the boys ? ``

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

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

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

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

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

'' Speechless are we ? fountainhead hell has indeed frozen over, either that or your nose of the day prevents right breathing. ``

Her hand flew to her crooked nose, pondering what was haywire with it. She had spied a copy of Wiccan Weekly earlier that day, and while she was not one for manner she had seen this week headline : Crooked olfactory organ whammy, In or Out of Season ?

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

The boys had at least found it entertaining.

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

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

Eyeing his nose she nodded. `` Yup, you 've got a round-backed nose too. I hear those Muggle nutters have some majuscule 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 usurp authority in favor of whatever your whim of the moment is ! In this case it 's the, 'the tiddler can take care of themselves'notion ! That 's precisely why I ca n't retire early ! You 're nowhere near ready for such a position and there is no one else with enough combat experience to recommend ! ``

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

'' Are you even listening ? ``

'' Yes political boss. ``

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

'' Your Supremacy ? ``

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

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

'' One more Good Book and a 'Nympadora'signboard is going to wander up with a permanent sticking charm on your front line door. ``

She sobered immediately.

'' And stop banging your caput. ``

She stopped that to.

'' And do n't squirm. ``

Suppressing a groan she resisted the temptation, her discomfort level rising exponentially. campaign was the only thing sufficient for quelling her often fray nerves in Shaklebolt 's presence. He knew this, and was intentionally depriving her of it.

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

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

'' I 'm going with you. ``

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

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

'' He can look on out for himself can he ? ``

Without a word she ignored the sarcastic barb, taking off after Harry with homicidal intention. Of all the ill fated timing that one could get, she had the whip. Harry just had to pick now to run off, and she had every design of strangling him once she got a clutches of him.

Of class she may induce to stun him first, considering he had grown considerably to loom several inch above her, making him significantly faster.

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

As they shoved their way through the street, Kingley 's fortunate eyelet earring glinting in the sunshine, she began ticking off the various ways to kill or torture him. For out of all the parliamentary law members she was his strongest proponent when it came to the degree of independence he should be afforded. After all, she had attested to Harry 's power to distinguish when it was or was not appropriate to cheat on off in populace post. However, with Kingsley standing behind her, Harry was proving her incorrectly yet again. She could only imagine the self-satisfied smile crossing Kingsley 's face, and after he mentioned this to the Order…

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

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

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

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

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

Fixing her middle to the rachis of his head, she shortened her hair's-breadth up her neck, and began experimenting with noses. It was n't until she spotted the old fair sex calmly perusing the selection of sensual food on display outside of Eeylops Owl Emporium that she was struck with an excellent idea.

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



It was a marvel that he had managed to keep her in mountain, considering the horde swarming around him, tiddler screaming off items that would be needed for the start of full term to frazzle parents, most of whom were doing admirable balancing human activity with newly purchased cauldron, books, and potions provision. Though her tomentum color helped, for it was neither wickedness nor dismount, falling somewhere between bronze and Au, yet far from blonde. He had seen the color rarely, and he doubted ever naturally, before now. Regardless, it made her easier to hold open cart track of her.

Thus it was that he was ineffectual to miss her purposeful marching into Knockturn bowling alley, his stomach churning uncomfortably at the thought.

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

He knew the consequences of such mistake far too well.

Pulling his scepter out he cast a glamour charm upon his headspring, watching the boisterous strand of hair hanging on his forehead lighten to a muted brown. Quickly he brushed as much of it over his os frontale as possible, not lament to be recognized within the disreputable sphere he was now traversing through.

The dark entrance was rather curve, the space narrow and curving every few feet, thus she easily fell out of his line of survey. And it was not without incident that he made it through this, having to grunt at a haggard looking woman to drive home his point that he indeed did not want to buy the remains toes she was selling.

'' Maybe next time Cy Young lad, next time… '' She hawked after him, driving his rate to increase.

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

Making a hasty decision, and silently praising Fred and George for their generosity that day when they had visited the Weasley twin 's establishment, Harry crept past the fill in windows displaying Borgin & Edmund Burke on 'special'items, casting a surreptitious coup d'oeil through the dirt covered panes.

The image was vague, distorted by the midst layer of grime coating the window, but Kalliandra 's access stirred the man knelt behind the counter, his custody rummaging through his crank show case like a rat in a hole.

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

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 replete well what kind of place it was.

Making a decision as the man began pacing, Harry dropped to the filthy solid ground, allowing an overturned cart to hold in him from the majority of the scant traffic upon the skittle alley.

This was not a conversation he was keen to break, nor was it one he would like to be caught up in. Not in this position, not when the participant were so steep. The stirring in him though, the warning that her conduct was like Malfoy - coming into Knockturn Alley to get thick with its owner - he could not ignore though.

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

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

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

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

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

'' Is something I 'd prefer to not be discussed openly, '' She interrupted cooly. `` There are those who would sham 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 payment 's delivery shall be to my specifications. ``

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

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

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

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







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



Chapter 4 ~ source of Distrust


Perhaps it was the shuddering impuissance that had plagued her body so oft as of tardy, but seeing the messy haired Potter upon the ground was a sight for which she had been ill prepared, 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.

draft breather between her tooth the pieces fell into situation, forming an graceless pattern.

Choking back the pale champion threatening to crawl from her throat, she spun on her heel, strewing grimy dust in her wake and hellhole bent on distancing herself from the meddling fool as much as possible.

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

Tucking a curl of darkened gold behind her ear, effectively removing the perverse strand from her human face, she rounded the first-class honours degree plait in the corrupt alley, passing a street vendor selling ears of something that sounded suspiciously like 'house elves'. It was in this moment of distraction that a firm grip fell upon her amphetamine arm, the calluses on the hand evident as she reflexively yanked her arm away, stepping away to distance herself from the prat bold sufficiency to make such a gesture.

Unsurprisingly she was unable to even turn around before ceramicist was again upon her, ushering her to the early face of the besmirched area, away from the street vendor. She wasted no time in distancing herself from the Potter can, fishing around for his first name, which she could not remember.

Casting a suspicious glimpse at the scrunch up vender she felt distinctly nervous, even with the man 's crazy heart 10 yards off, for he was clearly out of hearing. Dismissing the momentaneous headache that genius could possibly throw superior audience she felt her eyes narrowing into darkened slits.

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

'' How much did you take heed ? '' she hissed quietly.

His jaw clamped shut, an uncertain look overtaking his feature, as if he had no clue on how to reply her interrogation.

Another moment passed between them in silence, the shadows cast by the looming brick walls of the alleyway traveling such a scant distance that their movement would bear been indiscernible to the human eye, had either represent paid the dark any mind, though they did not.

Still the messy haired man before her did not speak, his silence allowing her the time she needed to collect her gratingly shaken demeanor.

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

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

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

Potter 's face was oddly contorted, as if ineffective to settle upon frowning or glaring in misgiving. `` 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 qualms about keeping his voice down. `` Why the concern if you have naught to hide ? ``

She visibly bristled.

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

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

'' I 'm failing to hark back any code, '' she refuted, her brow furrowing. `` Though I 'm also failing to recall how this is any of a complete unknown 's business. ``

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

As soon as the woman neared the weave of the alleyway, becoming interested in street vendor 's merchandise, thrower closed the space between them, his brake shoe disturbing the deep nipper scar that the senior 's cane had left indented in the soiled ground.

'' Look, '' he began, sounding often calmer, `` I did n't be you to take in anything, I just… ''

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

Potter took another stair forward, eyes intimidating.

'' Yes. ``

sucking in a half frustrated, half furious intimation she suppressed the urge to recoil something, him in detail. `` Alright Potter, if that's the case, then why did you follow me ? ``

His look was nothing unforesightful of taunting, the flavour of one trying to explain a simpleton concept to a small-scale child incapable of grasping it.

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

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

In the morose nicety of the back street, his eye took on a suspicious, disapproving flicker. `` Why should n't he recognise ? ``

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

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

'' And you 're being a complete… ''

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

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

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

'' That 's not the level, '' he interrupted, shoving his deal into his pockets.

'' Oh I think it 's very very much the point, '' she snapped acidly, noticing his hands curling into loaded fists within his pockets.

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

'' And spying was a advantageously alternative ! ? '' she shot out incredulously.

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

'' sure sounds like it. ''

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

'' Do n't you dare… ''

'' Now really, what give-and-take was so crucial that it required you to trek into Knockturn alleyway to verbalise in quiet feel behind a closed door ? Because seriously Kalliandra, I 'd love to know, '' he snapped with mock seriousness, yanking his hired hand from his pockets and crossing his arms.

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

'' wretched fella ? '' he cut in. `` You 've got ... ''

Turning on her heel she shoved past him, brushing off his arm that attempted to stem her progress as she stalked away. Purposely dragging her metrical foot enough to commit a strew of grimy dust in his direction, she felt a separated sensation of gratification at his indignant coughing.

'' will you… '' he grunted. `` simply stop… '' She rounded a crooked turn, the luminance of Diagon alley seeping into the dimly lit corridor. `` Because… ''

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


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

'' Out of me way ! '' she snapped in a scratchy voice, effectively clearing the arena as multitude scattered in every direction. Anything to avoid getting wallop upside the head by the old lady with the needlelike cane.

Grinning with sadistic pleasure she passed where Kingsley sat, casually reading the paper at Florean Forescue 's Ice pick front room. Wasting not a 2d she yanked him up with her, dragging him with her after the two teens.

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

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

She threw her straits back and cackled, sending a small group of children, first years by the looking at of them, scattering.

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

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

Maintaining their ambling chase, she was having trouble grasping Harry 's conversation due to the noise of the crowd. Knockturn bowling alley had been deserted in comparison, but fortunately they were able to persist relatively close down due to her tendency to knock anyone unlucky enough to walk in front end of them in the back of the articulatio genus with the claw footed cane.

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

'' well one, '' she said cheerfully, `` do you really think they 'd be upfront about what they 're piddling rendezvous was about ? And two, this is just so much Sir 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 choke him I at least need to hear that I have a good reason. ``

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

Smiling cheekily she ignored him. `` Watch and discover from the victor Kingsley. sentinel and learn. ``

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

'' Oh ? '' she questioned, `` So I guess it is hunky-dory to name to you as that. ''

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

'' You would n't. ``

'' What makes you suppose not ? ``

Smirking she did her ripe to keep Harry 's pass in great deal, walloping her procured cane against a man too engaged posturing for a Veela aspect alike to notice the bustling bunch swarming around him.

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

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

She frowned. `` Someday I might. ``

'' Not if you keep this up. ``

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

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

He groaned.

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

Right then Kingsley looked very much like he would get it on to drown himself in the water catchment basin outside of Eeylops Owl Emporium. It was a disgrace the owls drinking from it looked murderous.

It took another second for the selective information to process within her judgement, for it was a relatively clear sphere, and Harry had just drug the missy over there.

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


As she traversed her way amongst the moving sea of consistency, the heady pressure of commercial Commerce hung heavily in the air. The mixing aromas from the chemist, ice ointment parlor, and owl department store blended with that of the antic shop 's scented smoke bombs, while cd burned mid-wick in every storefront window, lending the field a unparalleled flavor.

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

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

She knew full fountainhead who it was.

Hardly aware of the loose pebbling overlaying the cobblestone avenue, or of the uninterrupted influx of patron pouring from the shops into the street, pressing in around them on all sides in a way that encouraged one to not dissuade from the velocity that the crew had reached a oecumenical, non-verbal consensus regarding, she found herself whirling around to confront him, halting.

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

'' I wasn't… ''

A voluminous man shoved preceding, cutting thrower off as he failed to admit attentiveness of the two individuals speaking a fundament below his rather freakish height. In the cognitive process he smacked against them brusquely, their point banging together hard, and she found herself kicking a spray of pebbles in the man 's direction, oddly satisfied as the man halted, swore, and turned in property looking for the perpetrator of the flack 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 replacement Potter released her, eye hard and serious.

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

'' fountainhead 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 proceed, plication, and crack cocaine on a whim. `` I tried to excuse, but you were too argumentative to let me terminate. ''

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

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

'' How in the hellhole was I acti… ''

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

Studying him carefully for a moment as a hoard of fry ran past, she gave a curt nod, indicating the top of his headland. `` Was n't your pilus a different people of colour ? '' She spat it like it was a crime.

Again she found him regarding her as if she were a pocket-size child to whom a particularly elementary job proved daunting.

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

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

'' Let. Go. ``

He smirked as if amused. `` wellspring correct me if I 'm incorrect, but if you 're trying to converge up with Hagrid this would be a dependable property to stay. ``

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

Potter let out an exhausted sigh, dragging her to retrace their last few steps until they stood in front of a small drinking trough, a long joint 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.

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

Only she did not do, for her oculus were drawn to the owls besides them. Slowly, instinctively, she took a step back, the slanted personal line of credit of the barn owls faces unnerving as a sharp clacking, the distinctive sound of potent honker snapping shut in succession, began.

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

ceramicist 's brow crinkled oddly, the owl territorial behavior not ceasing until Kalliandra had backed away, her heels teetering off the boundary of the pavement into the street.
* * * * *


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

The prof spotted them immediately.

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

He shook his school principal. `` Not exactly ... ''

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

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

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

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

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

Something was extremely wrong.

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

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

'' Are you sure ? ``

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

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

'' Ready to leave ? ``

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

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

'' I do n't remember that 's a very good melodic theme, '' she muttered, her center still avoiding anything save for the paving material, her foible bordering on frightened.

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

Biting her down lip she nodded, several foresighted tresses falling to obscure the left hand side of meat 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 entire exchange was perhaps his most confusing one to particular date, and he had thus far, not been a participant.

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

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

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

He turned an incredulous flavour to the side of her pass, the just part of her face still visible. `` A thestral is your pet ? ``

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

Now he had to allow that they had been utile at the end of final term, but to get hold of a peculiar liking to one ? What the hell did that mean ?

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

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

Hagrid 's sudden look of panic did n't escape him, nor did it Kalliandra as she shot him a questioning looking at, to which the Care of Magical creature 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 shortstop, seeing the tone Hagrid was shooting him.

Her brow crinkled in pain in the ass, and Hagrid 's voice came out, suddenly pacifying.

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

This manoeuvre only elicited a minuscule interference of displeasure from her.

Frustrated, Harry supplied the data for her.

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

legal injury choice.

There was no verbal substitution, 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 ticket, Hagrid, '' she cut in, sweeping past them both into the computer storage, her eyes remaining averted the entire time.

Hagrid let out a defeated sigh, rubbing his forehead with a large bridge player wearily, and the realization of what he had just done strike Harry like a lightning bolt.

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

* * * * *

Kalliandra quickly walked through the musty, noisy memory, avoiding all the live animal showing, and she disappeared behind a tumid shelf stocked with rat feed, relief sweeping through her that no one was back there as her conflicted emotions threatened to move up to the aerofoil. She had spent the past tense three weeks carefully building a wall of indifference around herself, and she could n't afford to let it down now.

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

Yet still…why had n't they told her ?

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

A slight tremor coursed through her, and sighing sadly she listened to the piano hooting amidst the baulk. She would not look 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 presence there was a bad melodic theme, a miserable alternative of both Dumbledore 's and Hagrid 's judgment.

cladding obstacle was apparently a healthy affair, even when it generally resulted in having irate owls attempting to bite oneself.

With a great stage of trepidation she found herself tilting her head up to peer through the dark, cluttered atmosphere of the shop, her center slowly adjusting, pupils widening in the dim inflammation as the lower rafters slowly came into aspect.

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

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

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

Cringing, though almost glad for the misdirection, she turned her attention slowly to ceramist, who now stood in front man of her. To his credit, he at least had the mutual sense to expect apprehensive.

'' Look, Kalliandra, I 'm sorry. I did n't realize ... ''

'' It 's OK, '' she muttered, forcing her vocalization level. She did not need his shame. She did not want it.

Despite this, she could not help but keep back a backstairs eye on him, as she pretended to peruse the owl pick, her eyes carefully avoiding all of the owl, and she was a bit surprised to see a downcast, yet determined, grammatical construction upon his face.

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

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

Do not make eye contact… Keep your head lowered… No trashy noise or sudden movements…

Like that would actually help oneself in calming these wretched timberland animate being, for it certainly had footling essence on the one with the supposedly larger brain : Potter.

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

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

Groaning he raised his manpower, folding them behind his read/write head. `` 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 hushing cut him off as an owl nipped at his put up custody. potter jerked away hastily, nearly taking a wooden ledge with him.

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

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

Its territorial behavior ceased, drawing a smile to her face, for she was n't the only when one to whip out at those who came to shut.

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

Then she noticed the diminished shackle imprisoning it, one end encircling its twig thin leg, the other binding it to the rafter it sat so miserably upon. It was caged, proscribe to go wherever it pleased.

Just ... like ... her.

It was perhaps the most jerky matter she had yet done, but she held out her arm hopefully, and watching its fender extend it gracefully flew to her, its hamper clinking haphazardly as it landed gently upon her arm. She eyed its magnificent dark eyes, noting how it was careful to not dig its talons into her skin, and she turned away from Potter, walking to the front man counter as the owl re-perched upon its balk, waiting for her to re-turn.

'' You 'll need a batting cage for him, '' Potter pointed out.

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

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

'' Well, '' she stopped at the rejoinder wearily, speaking with an strange amount of spite. `` if you mean that I am able-bodied to converse with snoopy individuals than yes. ''

Potter turned in a frustrated huff, storming out of the shop. Watching his retreating figure she too late realized how wrong she had sounded.

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

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

The wounds of a rain dowse night were still far too impudent.

It was better to push everyone away.

For their own trade good, and for her own.

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

A frigidity shudder rippled through her. Potter was also dangerous, of that she was for certain. She 'd practically felt his suspicions rippling off of him, and he 'd overheard something he ought not to give birth. She only hoped it had n't been decent ...

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

A light exercising weight descended upon her arm, jarring her from her thinking as two drear eye met hers. She smiled, her firstly true smile in weeks, reaching out a hesitant script and ruffling the bird of night feathers. They were soft, like those of a newborn hatchling, only she would n't know for sure.

She had never felt an owl before now.

A gumption of peace filled her as it continued looking up at her, hooting softly. And for a indorsement, just a brief here and now she knew to be both pass and pretended, she could consume sworn it silently understood.

* * * * *

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

He simply did not get it. During their intact line Kalliandra had seemed so immaterial, almost untouchable. It was maddening how his snide remarks rolled off her, so he had kept at it, wanting to unconsciously vent some of his own frustrations into her and to pick out what her actual business in Knockturn skittle alley had been.

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

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

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

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

A clamor of sounds emerged as the shop class 's doorway opened, emitting Kalliandra and her horribly Dwight Lyman Moody owl. He grimaced at the hatful, even as a chiding voice reminded him how an animal 's behavior could so oft deceive.

Buckbeat 's certainly had.

That was all forgotten though, for right then she raised her forearm luxuriously, and gray wings spread wide, feet and nipper hopping from her arm as the owl took escape, circling in wide arcs until it disappeared above the rooftops of Diagon alleyway.

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

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

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









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



Chapter 5 ~ A Professor of One


Remus yawned tiredly, his light John Brown oculus skirted across the power train platform at Hogsmeade, searching for the conversant form that was nowhere in slew. A light smile crossed his wear upon lineament and he chuckled. Hagrid was not mortal he would easily miss had he been there. No invisibility cloak was quite that bombastic.

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

It was n't far, and Hagrid would undoubtedly intercept him along the way, most potential in his own, frenetic hurry to tap him. Hagrid was a bit short at time, and Remus could not fault him. He would be to if he took aid of such a hazardous array of animals for a livelihood.

The railroad train platform was on the fringe of the small village, on the outer bound cheeseparing Hogwarts, and a pebbled road led directly to the shoal 's front room access. He would plough off it before he reached Hogwarts'massive, welcoming entrance, to traverse his way across the boozer, park grounds to Hagrid 's hut.

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

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

He started walking, thinking how right Hagrid was.

The sun beat down on his picket shoulders, warming Sir Thomas 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 fear. It was queer, that the clean of Nox filled him with foreboding and nuisance, when usually it was the absence of light that inspired concern. He sought solacement in the darkest of Nox, that was when he felt his best, but for now, when the moon was a quarter wide-cut, he would essay comfort in the lovesome afternoon sun.

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

They had feared him.

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

A half-giant and a werewolf ... two of the most grave magical beings on the planet, both seen as murderous, blood-thirsty brute, and yet neither one of them possessed the inclining to harm another.

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

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

Several nights in his yesteryear stood in dark testament to that.

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

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

He was the last now.

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

He 'd make sure a digit really was all there was left of him.

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

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

It was something he had promised to show Harry. Harry was the only real category 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 make love that there were things worth fighting for.

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

We all have ...

The mentation sobered him, reminding him of his use today. He squinted ahead, shielding his eyes from the shining sunrise sun to reckon for any house of Hagrid.

Today he would truly conform to her.

He was n't sure whether to be unquiet, or to simply be exhilarated that the broken young woman he had cradled had survived.

Kalliandra.

She had been thrust into their world unwillingly. Dumbledore, in all his wiseness, had felt Hogwarts to be the dependable space for her. It would be a unspoiled way to aid her adjust, by slowly exposing her to people her own age.

But unlike others her age, she lacked a prior five yr of charming Department of Education, and any knowledge whatsoever of their public.

It would be his job to remedy 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 pupil and he the teacher, and told him he had never known another who he would confide more with her.

It was then that he had confided in him.

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

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

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

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

Doing his job right could mean the remainder in this young woman 's survival. Dumbledore had been very elucidate on that.

Now if only there was a witch or wizard out there equipped to apportion 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 rightfield he should be terrified and have run in the early direction.

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

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

And that was why, despite knowing all of this, that he had accepted the appointment. Dumbledore wanted her to have got the Saami probability as everyone, and he had replete heartedly agreed.

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

'' The most worthwhile things in lifespan are never soft .... ''

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

A sad smile lit his face. Only she could say something that 's meaning would last 10.

Just like the annoyance ...

Always so fresh, so needlelike ...

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

Of course, the Saami people had often spoken on how well he dealt with pain, but he did not feel very dear at that. He was just coherent enough to eff that there was no good in dwelling on what could get been. Things happened…bad thing ... whether you wanted them to or not, and zilch one said or did could change that.

If it did none of them would be gone…

And after all these class, she was still right. A smile formed on his brim, the joyful 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 metre they saw it her way.

He chuckled slightly, catching view of Dumbledore making his way leisurely down the sparsely used route. He raised a hand in greeting, catching the Headmaster 's tending, and was proud of to see an amuse grinning on the master 's right face.

'' Good Afternoon Remus. ''

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

Dumbledore removed his half-moon spectacles, polishing them on his summertime robes. `` It 's amazing, how the brilliant sun limelight can make even the most tiny of smudges stand out, almost like the dark stain where the sun is supposed to be when a solar eclipse cuticle it. ''

The schoolmaster held his glasses to the sun, studying them through his igniter, twinkling, currently squinted heart, searching for any left wing over imperfections.

'' But adequate about the rattled rumination of this granddad clock 's privileged workings. How have you been ? I trust the train 's director was n't too wandering with the speeding for your untried heart ? ''

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

'' The train was alright, and I 've been good. I was just thinking of some amusive parameter Cassilyda and Sirius had before. ''

Dumbledore replaced his deoxyephedrine on his nose, looking off towards the sun as if seeing something far past it. `` Ah ... yes those two did have a taste for line of reasoning did they not ? I seem to commend a sealed St. James Potter walking in on one of them ... it took Pomfrey all afternoon to get him straightened out. She was rather reluctant to change him back ... Something about liking him better as a mute eel, ineffectual to cause mayhem on an hourly base, locked up in a storage tank ... I believe Lily had been particularly amused. ''

Remus smiled fondly, remembering the faces Jame 's the eel had made, pressing his slimy, snakelike body against the glass walls of the fish tank. They had scooped him off the floor and conjured a tank quickly, filling it with H2O as soon as they had seen him flopping around on the stone flooring.

Whether Lily had seen James I or not before stepping on him had been a thing of debate for hebdomad.

Not to refer, in the hospital wing, when James had started trying to take shape letters with his long, serpent like eubstance ...

He chuckled slightly. He still wanted to screw how Saint James the Apostle had contorted himself into an R ... He shuddered thinking of how painful that spelling out 'You're a Dead Man Sirius'must consume been.

'' Quite an impressive bit of Transfiguration Day for one-fifth eld ... I gave Gryffindor House 20 stop for that, '' Dumbledore mused aloud, turning his gaze on him, his eyes twinkling with amusement over the rim of his glassful. `` I was sourly tempted to break out an award for Special Robert William Service to the schooling, since the parson of trick was visiting that day, and their `` accident '' rendered James II incapable of doing something drastic, like turning the government minister 's whisker Ne pink, '' Dumbledore grinned slyly at this. `` seed to think of it I would n't entirely mind seeing that ... ''

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

'' Of course, in the end, no one could determine whose scepter actually had transfigured immature Saint James the Apostle at the time, so I could n't dedicate anyone the awarding. I was sourly disappointed by that. ''

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

'' Why yes Remus. Do you really think I would authorise up a chance to encourage the propagation of just 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 impractical 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 was about to use an inexcusable Curse on Harry ! ''

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

'' one-half my year did n't possess that endowment, '' He replied, thinking of the one clock time he, James, Sirius, and pecker had gotten a hold of a bottle of Firewhiskey their 7th year. That had not gone over well ... Fortunately Pomfrey had bought the self-justification that all of them had caught the flu from each other. His thoughts were abruptly cut off as a loud, inscrutable booming noise, sounding oddly like a fire snapper going off, met his ears. His attention turned towards the source, which was immediately apparent upon seeing the mickle in front of him.

Hagrid and a young young woman with gilded hair were having a row. Only Hagrid seemed to be doing most of the yelling, while the little girl just huffily picked up careen after rock from the side of the hut, flinging them with unusual vigour and accuracy, at an unsuspecting tree bole, which was taking the brunt of her very visible foiling.

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

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

He found himself looking between the girl at the edge of the Forbidden woodland, Hagrid 's angry, red face, and Dumbledore 's happy one.

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

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

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

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

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

'' No use working yourself up about things that did not take place Hagrid, '' Dumbledore consoled, offering a assure smile.

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

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

He shook the images away.

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

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

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

'' Doing ? '' Dumbledore supplied amusedly.

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

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

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

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

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

Dumbledore nodded in agreement, smiling to himself. He could n't have picked a more perfect person to tutor her. Now lets see if he can save 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 shoal books onto his bed in Grimmauld Place. `` That's what I said was n't it ? ''

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

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

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

'' You know with your mouthpiece capable like that you can almost pass for a Carassius auratus, '' She clipped scornfully.

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

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

He had immediately pointed out that she had had no trouble whatsoever when Malfoy was the one he was eavesdropping on, which had earned him a shrewd tut and another tan about how he should make done more than to progress to the little girl welcome.

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

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

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

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

Fortunately Harry did not mention any of these thought process, got voguish, and went quieten.

He wished he could say the Lapp for Ron though.

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

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

'' No. It 's not like there are any daughter 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 admirer mumbling.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

'' See Hermione ! ''

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

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

The doorway to their room flew upon, revealing a black-and-blue looking Hermione.

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

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

'' A door can be slammed by someone from either side, like from the hall Ronald. '' She snapped, this fourth dimension leaving the doorway wide open as she stormed off, granting them both quite a view as she vigorously flung her own door behind her this sentence.

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

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

'' Well I just .... ''

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

He leaned back with a gimcrack groan onto his bed. He sincerely hoped Ron asked her out soon, because he was n't sure how many Thomas More of their bickering induced worry he could consume.






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



Chapter 6 ~ Power of Persuasion


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

Kalliandra coughed loudly from her position, savourless on her dorsum.

'' If I did n't know in force ... '' she rasped. `` I 'd conceive you actually enjoyed torturing me. ''

Remus Lupin smiled, extending his paw to cart her roughly to her groundwork. `` On the contrary Ms. Kaylens. I do n't enjoy rendering you unconscious at all. ''

She nodded, brushing the grass off the book binding of her denim.

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

She stopped what she was doing, pulling her Grass covered, green-stained manus back in front of her. `` Do n't you know it 's not unspoiled to provoke person who has been stunned nine multiplication in a row ? ''

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

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

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

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

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

The Sami paid instructor was not eyeing her critically. `` You know Kally, if you manage to parry my for the first time tone-beginning you usually do quite nicely. Now just finish diving to the right on 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 squeamishness was not nearly as bad as the concern though.

Not that she would admit that to Lupin.

He had only become her tutor a picayune over a calendar week ago, yet she had come to respect him. He did not compassion her, or base on balls on crank with his conversations like Dumbledore and the others did.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

She would make the illegitimate pay.

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

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

'' Why not ? ''

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

'' Two, '' she supplied back loudly.

'' Three ! Stupefy ! ''

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

The unknown sensation flew through her, burning through her rip as it moved, jolting the magic spell towards its fair game. Her visual sense swam before she saw him prostration, and she fell weakly upon the land, shakily breathing in the tone down summer scent of mud and grass.

Slowly, painstakingly, the prickling trace over her smooth skin subsided. Her hands, that had unconsciously dug into the damp land, relaxed, allowing the brilliant prosperous billet dancing before her eyes to fade.

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

The antic, she had discovered, was to continue witting farsighted enough for it to depart.

Several hazy minute later, her golden centre flickered open, and across the short expanse of pot she spotted Remus'fallen mannikin.

She smiled weakly, and stood, silently cursing the frangibleness of the human physical structure. Success was sweet, but why did it have to ache so badly ?

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

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

The expression on his grimace was priceless. Only Remus could manage to depend analytical right after being stunned.

'' Nice one, '' he muttered groggily.

She shook her oral sex, offering him a manus which he shook off, shooting her a admonitory looking.

Gripping the pocket-size of his vertebral column as he sat up slowly. `` I 'm getting to old for this, '' he muttered.

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

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

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

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

His interrogative was answered by her silence.

This was the world-class meter she had not passed out.

Hagrid 's absence seizure alone should induce told him that, because on the early two social occasion when she had stunned Remus, they had both lain there until Hagrid found them on one of his periodical stoppage.

understanding became visible on Remus'side, and upon seeing his wolfish grin, she could n't balk a small surge of pride.
* * * * *


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

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

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

Suppressing a moan, she walked back to her dueling berth in reply.

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

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

The fact that her peer were light years ahead of her in training had mattered little. requisite mandated it.

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

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

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

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

She would ingest adequate fuss feigning competency in her three NEWT classes, and sneaking out respective fourth dimension a hebdomad would just be another hard thing for her.

But perhaps the most difficult affair for her would be keeping her inadequacies under wraps. For coming into court sake she would be placed in NEWT stage DoD Against the Dark Arts, fear of Magical Creatures, Herbology, and Astronomy so as to be with people in her year, but she would be placed in third twelvemonth Anicent runic letter and Remedial Potions. The DADA professor had already been instructed to send her on 'errands'whenever practical lessons were held, so that her inability to do magic would not be called into question, so that at least was covered.

As for the other class, Remus was being paid by Dumbledore, out of some miscellaneous school investment firm, to tutor her in the other subjects.

After all, there was very little magic involved in dealing with magical creatures and plants. And the committal to memory of the significance of Ancient Runes and the movements of heavenly torso had virtually no wand magic associated with it.

Watching her payoff her piazza, it dawned on him that they really might be capable to deplumate this off.

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

merlin ! James and Canicula had been right. He worried like a mother.

The piranha ... The idea 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 anxious parent.
* * * * *


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

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

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

'' Yer look like the but one within earshot that 'll help me, '' Hagrid yelled.

Despite herself she smiled, calmly running her digit through Silverthorne 's loaded disastrous pelage.

'' You know ... '' she whispered conspiratorially, `` He might obliterate me if you all do n't tranquillise down a bit. And then who would give you black-footed ferret ? ''

Silverthorne 's white, haunting centre stared back in condition, before his redoubtable head nodded. He nudged the thestral tethered next to him, and a cacophony of oink followed as the content was passed down the line of reasoning of passenger car awaiting the scholarly person'arrival.

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

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

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

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

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

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

'' trouble Hagrid ? '' she yelled, slipping the thestral a frozen square block of raw meat. His tongue positively tickled her pelt, leaving a sticky red residual upon her medal.

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

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

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

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

Hagrid, to his credit, was putting up quite a fighting. The one-half heavyweight was bounding as close as he dared get, swatting at Monster with an oversized granger hat.

sweetness merlin ... What the hell was he doing with one of those ?

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

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

Several gouge, bruises, protrusion, and twenty minute of arc later found her, and a rather bedraggled Hagrid, plopped upon the shit road leading up to the school, entirely out of breath.

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

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

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

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

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

She snickered, briefly wondering how a good deal trouble she 'd get in for jinxing Hagrid 's prat of a friend in his slumber. Now that would be something.

infernal region, maybe if she did that then Dumbledore would ban her from whatever house 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 turn and reassuring about the way that every morning Silverthorne would smack candid her window shutters, letting calorie-free stream in as he began grunting until she was fully wake up and functioning.

She smiled whimsically, thinking of the pillow she had thrown at the thestral this morning. For a modification, her aim had been suddenly on. Of form, Hagrid had n't been exactly pleased when he arrive in to see feather and shards of fabric all over the blank space. But hey, it was n't her shift that Silverthorne thought it was a ferret and tried to rip it limb from limb. And besides, Remus had repaired it. Heck, at least Remus had found the altogether situation amusing.

public speaking of which where was Remus ? She had n't seen him since this forenoon and he was leaving with the return key of the school gearing that night. Plus she still wanted to have intercourse what Dumbledore and him had arranged ...

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

She stopped pondering the cryptical whereabouts of Remus lupin long enough to shoot an incredulous look in his direction. `` Hagrid they 'd have to be blind to overleap you. ''

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

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

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

She shook her head in entertainment. `` Nothing at all. I was just thinking about what a terrible catastrophe it would be to pass on a belittled, naive, and unsuspecting first class 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 discombobulation. `` Why is it that every fourth dimension I say something with even the slightest trace of sarcasm, that you think I 'm planning something ? ''

'' Because you usually are. ''

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

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

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

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

The looking at on Remus'face was priceless, and she lunged at him in a vain attack to smack him.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

'' In a tidings ... ''

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

Her prankish expression was replaced by one of bafflement as Remus held up a humble, flyer, gray-headed object. `` What is it ? '' she asked, walking over to look at it.

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

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

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

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

'' It 's a bipartite mirror Kally. See, anytime you want to talk to me. For any ground .... '' He shot her a meaningful look that she did n't miss. `` merely tone directly into it and say my name clearly. If I have mine ... '' He fished around in his robe pocket, extracting a rather prominent pocket watch. `` Which I will always have on me thanks to Dumbledore 's idea to hide it in this lovely Muggle design ... '' He snapped the pocket watch surface, revealing a mirror on the non-clock side as well. `` And once you do that I 'll answer. If I call you, yours will glow on the interior slightly, so it 'll be detectable to you but to not to someone just passing a cursory glance by it. ''

She nodded, tacking the minor 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 era ? '' she inquired curiously, laughing at Remus 's fluster flavour.

'' I knew I 'd repent telling you champion had extended biography spans, '' he groaned, ignoring her serious nod and continuing on.

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

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

'' Finicky ! '' Remus bristled, but not before a thin sliver of light appeared in the cranny of the conclude pocket watch.

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

'' Could I stop you ? ''

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

He paused a here and now, his light Robert Brown eyes flickering up to the sky as if considering her inquiry. She did n't need to observe his regard to have it away that it rested on the one-fourth moon, barely visible in the dying crepuscle. `` I think, Kalliandra, that to let one 's life be even remotely governed by fear is foolish. Your never fully alive when your action mechanism are limited by that. And fear, it comes from not knowing what 's truly there. ''

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

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

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


An 60 minutes later found her standing, smushed up future to Hagrid, as the mass of students pushed, shoved, and in the true, barreled their way over the political platform towards the carriages that she and Hagrid had readied for their journey to Hogwarts. Why students needed the rig in the maiden place was beyond her. The walkway was n't exactly extended. No, she figured Dumbledore had arranged them because if he did n't, the ingrates would question off ungratefully, never getting to school at all.

In fact, that did n't entirely sound like a bad mind .... But redress then she spied the half-wit that she least desire to see, making his way with the cultivated carrot top through the crowd towards them.

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

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

'' I see the yesteryear calendar week has done nothing to improve your manners. ''

She turned, eyeing the guy 's messy Joseph Black hairsbreadth and light-green eyes, which were presently narrowed and shining determinedly. Her inaugural encounter with him had been far from pleasant, and judging from his greeting, it seemed the feeling had been reciprocal. `` Nor yours. I still do n't know your name. ''

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

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

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

Seeing that his glare had the intended upshot on her, Hagrid stepped in, attempting to penetrate the position further.

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

She cocked her head to the side, wondering if the carrot top knew how easily his hold up figure could be distorted to Weasel. She suppressed the sudden impulse to ask just that, instead turning to Hagrid with a forced smile. `` Thank you Hagrid. It 's courteous to make love that some of us are polite. ''

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

'' Why no, unlike you I harbor no delusions about my impoliteness. '' She nearly laughed out loud at the livid expression that crossed the guy 's face. `` Now if you excuse me I do call back Hagrid has better things to do than heed to his Quaker scrap. ''

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

'' Do n't worry 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 response as she spun on her blackguard, carefully making her way through the crowd to notice an empty stroller. If she were lucky, then maybe Silverthorne had been particularly clever and scared everyone else away from his.
* * * * *


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

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

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

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

Add in that she had seen Hagrid 's burst, and Kalliandra 's sudden humour 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 thin brunet, receiving the brunt of her fury.

'' Harry I ca n't think you ! I 'd expect behavior like that from Ron but you ? '' Hermione yelled, her voice shaking with furious skepticism.

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

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

Unlike Ron, Harry had no posterior need for keeping Hermione happy with him besides their friendship. So at that claim instant he did n't much give care if Hermione was annoyed with him or not. She had n't seen and heard everything, and if she had she would sustain realized how delusory Kalliandra really was. Which was probably why he suddenly found himself taking a step forward to go after that impossible head of gilt hair, with every intention of giving her a piece of his intellect, rather than paying attention to Hermione 's verbal berating.

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

'' You upright be going to apologise Harry, '' Hagrid said menacingly.

He shot an incredulous facial expression 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 best to stick around outta her business organization and life if yer understand me. ''

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

'' Oh really, an'how so ? '' Hagrid asked, still looking between him and Ron as if he could n't trust what was before his 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'early 'bout the intimately spot for the fers years to see me. If that 's what you be referrin'to. ''

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

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

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

Harry stared at her contorted feature in shock. Talking to person 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 experience heard her ... ''

'' Overhear ! ? What 'd ya take in ? '' Hagrid shot out suddenly, his voice low, a still Federal Reserve note of panic in it.

He wrinkled his brow confused. `` Well naught that made good sense but ... ''

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

The glower he shot them was more than than enough to win over Harry. The go affair he needed was to be fed to Grawp.

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

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

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

He knew better than to interrupt her at this point. After all, this was Hermione, and any argument with her was a recede battle. He had just managed to regain control of his tongue, which was threatening to snap at her for the reprimand worthy of a toddler that he was receiving, when he stepped into the finis rig, and suddenly re-lost ascendence of it.

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

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

Before he had time to settle 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 be intimate I 'm not the only one displeased with this, '' Kalliandra muttered from the far side of the carriage, right as one of the thestrals let out an odd sounding grunt.

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

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

Her oculus darted up quickly, looking almost abashed. Her spokesperson, however, was filled with scorn.

'' audition affair, ceramicist ? ``

He felt as if he had just been slapped, so self-contradictory were the emotions her expression and part conveyed. Shaking his head, he shoved the sudden reluctance to indicate aside.

'' I do n't generally fix a habit out of hearing things, '' He finally ground out, taking a rear succeeding to Ron grudgingly.

She inclined an eyebrow disbelievingly. `` sure you do n't, '' She responded, not bothering to disguise her sarcasm.

He practically growled, knowing wide-cut well what she was referring to.

'' You 're having a really intemperate 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 look instantly soured. `` For eavesdropping on me, that 's what. ``

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

'' Well forgive me, '' He hissed acidly. `` Next meter I see you wandering down an back street wide of dark wizards I 'll just leave you to them. I did n't realize how well acquainted you already were with ... ''

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

Harry gaped at her.

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

Kalliandra just looked at her oddly, before nodding slightly.

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

Hermione 's hilltop creased, her back talk forming into a determined frown at the female child 's evident deficiency of interest.

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

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

'' Rigorous. ''

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

Hermione 's look hardened into one of drab determination.

'' So what course of instruction are you taking ? ``

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

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

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

Hermione 's agape mouth slowly closed, a obtuse grinning creeping across her side.

flash them a smug look, she started talking. `` ancient Runes is actually pretty fascinating. It 's a lot like learning to read another speech. In fact, it 's my favorite subject. ''

At this proclamation Kaylens actually looked thoughtful. `` I think mine will be Care 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 favorite so far ... ''

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

Hermione 's mouth opened in protest, apparently too shocked for word of honor as her inevitable retort failed to come Forth.

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

'' And how exactly did I diss them ? '' Ron asked shortly.

Kaylens was now looking at Ron as if he had sprouted antlers. `` Generally when one implies that you have to be a sadist in order to wish something, I 'm pretty for sure that 's derogatory to the something in enquiry. ``

Ron waved a hand dismissively. `` As if thestrals would like. ``

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

'' That 's Hippogriffs you idiot. ''

Hermione made a throttling noise.

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

'' Thestrals are not violent, '' Harry cut in with annoyance. Why in the perdition did Hermione birth to pick this baby buggy ...

He gazed longingly out the undefendable doorway hatch. He knew perfectly well that if he got out and walked, that he would neglect the sorting, and he had already learned the hard way what happened to hoi polloi when they walked into that late.

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

'' Hagrid, '' She hissed dangerously.

'' screw propeller this, '' Ron suddenly announced. `` I refuse to continue in the perambulator with her. ''

He stood, only for Hermione to yank him down. Ron opened his mouth, an tempestuous objection already forming, when Kaylens cut him off.

'' Do you honestly think that I 'm any happier about being stuck here with you and your eavesdropping Friend ? ''

'' Just. Let. It. Go. '' Harry growled, hating the disappointed aspect Hermione shot him each clock time the incident was brought up.

She glared at him. `` Gladly. ''

'' amercement. ''

'' mulct ! ''

Right then the pusher moved with a mighty lurch, and not another parole was spoken by any of the pram 's inhabitants.

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 fiddling ...

What was she hiding ?

Not soon enough for his liking, the convoy came to a stoppage outside the castle 's tremendous entrance. And without a word, he and Ron jumped out, dry dirt stirring around their footmark as they met the bunch of students rushing to the Great Hall.
* * * * *


'' well, that certainly could give birth gone right, '' Hermione stated, contrite gaze following her two friends out the carriage 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 feel a tiny, justified surge of indignation. That miss 's friends had jumped into the baby buggy right as she had been trying to contact Remus.

Being in the wizardly world, knowing following to nothing about it, had felt overwhelming before. But now, on her way to being surrounded by competent witches and wizards twenty four - seven, that overwhelming touch sensation was beginning to erupt into something far closer to panic.

She was n't for sure she could root for this off. She was n't sure at all.

Hermione released an play out sounding huff, breaking her from her thoughts. `` Please jazz, I 'm not trying to criticize you, '' she said carefully, `` but you could accept made things a little loose. Particularly since this altogether misinterpretation seems to be over something extremely lilliputian. ''

Rising from her seat and stepping out of the carriage, her feet sinking into the loose dirt, Kally heard herself saying very quietly, `` You 're right. ``

And even though she was not looking at Hermione, she could practically palpate the eye rolling going on behind her.

Silently they joined the throng of scholarly person making their way up the castle 's entrance. That was until Hermione began asking questions again.

'' Do you bed if you are being sorted with the rest of the first twelvemonth ? ``

Nearly tripping over a kid small enough to get been a starting time year, Kally nodded mechanically. `` Unfortunately. ``

A pensive frown crossed the brunette 's look. `` You do n't voice agitate. ``

Throwing a wayward glance the girl 's way, Kally asked, `` Would you be ? I 'm going to amaze out. ``

Mounting the entryway stairs simultaneously, she saw the turning point of Hermione 's mouth crook up in her peripheral vision, as if hiding mute amusement. `` You are twice their meridian, so I suppose that is an precise assessment. ``

Instead of responding, Kally began grumbling something indecipherable under her hint.

Hermione responded by allowing what may deliver been a grin to sweep her features. `` They really are nice if you give them the chance. ``

Somehow she felt severely doubtful about that, but something of her idea must receive shown on her lineament, because Hermione was interjecting before she could even formulate a response.

'' We did n't get along at first either, '' Hermione said, their animal foot reaching the top. `` To be blunt, it took a troll trying to pick out my head off for us to begin getting along. ''

Kally stumbled, her hazelnut oculus darting over to the girl with something kindred to horror dancing with them. `` What ? ''

Now there was no mistaking it. Hermione really did look amused. The girl smiled at her, chuckling slightly. `` Like I said, give them a probability. ``

She could n't help it. Despite all her attempt to the contrary, a halter choking sound emerged from her throat.

Hermione simply grinned concentrated, shaking her head. `` Honestly, '' she laughed, glancing around the rapidly emptying entry hall, `` do you need me to expect with you until the first years get here so you 're not ... ''

'' Ms. Kaylens is quite capable of waiting alone Ms. Granger. And if you delay any longer it will be 20 full point from Gryffindor. ``

The vocalization had come from directly behind them, the forcefulness of it muted by the echoing of activated yack from students trying to cram through the Great Hall 's looming doorways.

Instantly Kalliandra recognized it. She had met the man on a few social occasion, and he had seized the chance to remind her how absolutely unimaginable it would be for her to ever benefit competency in Potions.

As such, she stopped immediately, spinning on her heel. Hermione simply quirked an brow before continuing off to conjoin the rest of the pupil.

Snape 's dark eyes lowered, eyeing her appraisingly. `` I trust you are remembering discreetness. Particularly where students like Ms. Granger are concerned. Some tend to be too nosy for their own good. ``

Heaving a sigh, Kally nodded. `` I 'll remember. ''

He glowered at her for another second, before nodding curtly. `` Remember, I 'll be seeing you in detention all this workweek. ''

She heaved another sigh. Upon their initial meeting she had had the inauspicious hazard to inadvertently insult the man, by asking if he were a lamia. In fact, all she has said was that he looked like one of the creature of the night from her Defense Against the night Art 's textbook they had given her to scan. And considering that Hagrid was a titan, another species mentioned in the book, she had n't thought it too unreasonable to assume that a lamia 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 harbor a deep-seeded origin lustfulness for the living.

And for some unfortunate, and self-destructive reason, she had found his wrath ridiculously odd.

Which probably explained why she had wound up in detention.

'' Ms. Kaylens ? ``

'' I 'll be looking forward to it, '' She replied quickly, finding herself suddenly surrounded by various dozen kids, all twittering loudly with no sign of stopping.

She groaned, barely hearing Professor McGonagall 's talking to. Somehow she found herself following the Deputy Mistress through freshly polished oak doors into the Great Hall.

The eye of every first of all year immediately turned upwards, to the left, to the right, and in every other plausible focus, unable to resist taking in their new surround.

The pressure of a c duo of heart burrowed into her, and she stared pointedly forward, looking over the crowd of midgets to where Hagrid sat, flashing a warm smile in her direction.

Maybe he can help me fly the coop afterwards, she thought hopefully, coming to a halt at the front of the tremendous elbow room. Several of the midget around her tensed up, scattered whispering passing through the crowd about fighting a troll ...

What on globe is that about, she wondered curiously, spotting the hat Remus had told her about.

McGonagall turned to face the entire room.

'' When I call your name, step forward, place the hat upon your head, and the categorisation will commence. ''

With that, she sat the hat upon a knock about old commode, the sorting hat 's brim opened wide, and the telling began.
* * * * *


'' Slytherin ... ''

'' Ron if you say that one more time ... ''

'' Hermione you saw how vile she was ! ''

'' She is not queasy ! '' Hermione hissed back dangerously, being careful to preserve her vocalization lowered. `` Nervous, yes. Vile, no. ``

'' You can not tell me that there is not something inherently sinister about her, '' Ron challenged. `` Something 's not right there. She 's going to scent up an evil Slytherin, probably waiting to ... ''

Before Ron could embark further along his psychological road trip-up, Hermione cut him off tiredly. `` Just because someone is in Slytherin does not form 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 state she did n't fully believe what she was saying. `` You ca n't pidgeon hole an entire mansion. Besides, Slytherins are goal oriented and strong willed. They might be a bit abrasive, but it 's because they wo n't let anything get in their way of getting what they want. ''

'' Which makes you a slimy git like Snape ! '' Ron exclaimed triumphantly.

At least Ron 's exclamation were hushed enough so no one not in the close neighborhood could hear, Harry thought, suppressing a groan. He should accept known the peace between those two could n't cobbler's last longer than the geartrain ride there. It was astonishing enough that they had n't killed each former in their compartment as it was. Had he really expected that peace to last ?

'' Mione ... ''

'' Ronald ... ''

'' volition you two strike hard it off ! The chapeau about to sing and I actually want to discover what it says. '' Ginny cut in. Harry made a mental note to thank her for distracting their disputing friends later, and quickly turned his attention to the hat. He had always enjoyed the sorting, but after close year ... well, knowing that the hat was sworn to forewarn the scholarly person and instructor of peril made him a bit more attentive this year.

The had opened it 's lip wide.

Divided, but once combine,
That's how our write up begins,
Four houses founded by four acquaintance
Yet I fear that such part shall lend about our end.

In antediluvian times the well of friends
Came knocking on the door,
Of Ravenclaw and Slytherin,
Then Hufflepuff went to Gryffindor.

net ball build a school of learning,
For all those of magic to attend,
Yet somehow the approached three could not agree,
On what qualities to fight.

Lets teach only those of wit and learning,
Possessing the most make judgment of all.
Those had been the poignant words,
Of once evenhandedly Ravenclaw.

Proud Slytherin prized ambition,
Possessing honour of blood line and cunning,
His pupils would give up at cypher,
Until they got what they saw fit to their coming.

And then were the bravest,
Those brash with noble daring,
boldface Gryffindor chose them,
As most worthy of magical learning.

Hufflepuff loved her protagonist,
And accepted them as they were.
She let them each create a home,
In which their prized were taught and parent.

And as for mellisonant Hufflepuff,
She agreed to pack the relief,
Yet somehow division did not set well,
1 to her, seemed outdo.

So when the founders sewed me,
And left me on my commode,
She stole me in the dead of Night,
And bestowed me with a tool,
Of knowing when the time was right,
For the sorting ritual to end.
She said one day sectionalization may stimulate strife,
And she feared for the wizard world.
For all her biography,
She had feared the division in visual sense,
But never more,
Than when the friendships failed,
Of the innovation four-spot.

Slytherin was the first to go forth,
innocence of pedigree his alternative,
I 'm disgraced by teaching Muggle borns !
He yelled, conviction in his voice.

Next left boldface Gryffindor,
He felt the calling of adventure,
Rather than the desperate plea,
Of failing dedication in need of suture.

Last left once-fair Ravenclaw,
Who once prized justness and erudition,
She left because she said,
That teaching the other pupils had got too boring.

And alone stood sweet-smelling Hufflepuff,
The wisest of them all,
Because she never would heed,
Alluring temptations call.

I see the Wisdom of her choice,
Why she chose to accept them all,
And now understand,
That its fruitless to divide you at all.

So while it deeply saddens me,
To see my end in hatful,
The sorting ceremony remnant,
rightfield now, Right here, This dark.


Harry stared at the BM, trying vainly to serve what he had just heard. At least he had been right in thinking it was authoritative to pay attention this year, because apparently that was the last song the sorting hat would ever sing.

He cast a cursory coup d'oeil towards Hermione, sitting future to him on the bench, but her brown eyes were wide and fixated up front. He could just reckon what was going through her head right then, because chances were she was going through each pageboy of Hogwarts a account, trying to find any other incident even remotely like this one. He had a sneaking suspicion that she had the whole book of account committed to memory.

The unnatural quiet filled the Great Hall like a thick fog, so duncish he could almost finger it closing around him.

McGonagall seemed caught between slapping the hat and looking to Dumbledore for instructions, and her mitt moved cautiously towards the hat 's brim, only for it to quickly backfire as if the hat had grown fang. This odd, twitching movement was punctuated by abrupt turns of her head as she looked right at Dumbledore, who to Harry 's surprise, looking genuinely amused.

Snape on the other hired man looked quite inconvienced, his back talk 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 place at the teacher 's table, clearly headed for the sorting hat 's fecal matter itself.

'' Excuse me Minerva. '' Snape muttered, his low musical note clearly audible in the eldritch secretiveness. His tenacious fingers snatched the hat up and onto his head in a single fluid motion, his face contorted in concentration as if conducting some clever argument.

Clever logical argument from Snape ? No ... inconceivable, he thought, watching his Potions teacher with interest for the first time in five years.

Apparently he was proper about Snape 's inability to conduct an effective argument, because a moment later Snape had flung the hat back onto it 's stool, muttering about how it was a dirty, trash-ridden piece of fading cloth destined for a Muggle garbage dump.

It was a chump of how sober the situation was, that not a mortal at the Gyffindor mesa laughed.

Harry could n't avail but notice how Snape was testingly running his fingerbreadth through his greasy pitch-black haircloth, looking at his hands after each swipe, as if searching for trial impression of something.

Every Gryffindor had a sneak distrust that the hat had just called him a greasy slime ball.

Ron Weasley was just the first to say it.

'' methamphetamine hydrochloride one up for the sorting hat for insulting Snape ! '' Ron whispered triumphantly, all nous within hearing turning towards him.

Apparently that was the signal everyone had been waiting for, because suddenly a frenzy of bodily function broke out at the Gryffindor table, and a string reaction of randomness spread until the nose layer was almost deafening. The uncategorized inaugural years looked positively terrified, as if frightened of being sent home if unsortable, and they alone seemed the only ones still rendered speechless.

'' I mean did I just hear that right wing ? '' Ron asked, eyes alight with fervour he did not share.

Harry just nodded, watching the Professor 's re-group.

professor Flitwick slid from his seat, and every so often Harry could catch a glance of the top of his oral sex over the teacher 's table, as the small man jumped up and down, vying for Dumbledore 's care.

'' Oh my God did the sorting hat just foreswear ? '' Squealed Parvarti. One would remember 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 twelvemonth ? ''

'' It did n't discourage us that it might go on ten-strike Ireland man ! ''

'' Who you calling Ireland man ? ''

'' shudder Seamus, Dean 's just kidding, are n't you Dean ? '' Ginny 's cool it voice somehow filtered through the ruckus.

'' I ca n't believe this ! Never, in all of Hogwarts a story did it ever report the Sorting Hat doing anything even remotely close to this ... '' Hermione was in her element, and he silently congratulated himself on how well he knew his protagonist. `` I mean do n't you think Harry ? This is monumental !

But Hermione was too worked up to notice whether he responded or not, and she was so soak up in her command to hear what he heard.

'' Do you think we should just try sorting them anyway, Albus ? '' Professor McGonagall asked, casting an almost plead glance at the radical of beginning yr, who seemed to contract away from her regard.

professor Dumbledore, looking vaguely amused, patted prof Flitwick on the head as he mulled this over. For his part the appealingness 's professor stopped bouncing around like a firefly on speeding, and his small mind disappeared beneath the staff table.

'' We 'll be needing a unpaid worker though ... '' McGonagall stated rhetorically, scanning the list of student names with an uncharacteristic looking at of uncertainty, talking out loud but absently. `` If any of the first years would like to try to get class ... ''

His Head of House was too bemused, and she missed what he did not give out to notice.

A certain golden haired little girl had overhead the Professor 's enquiry, and after casting a glance at the distraught children around her, had woven her way through the cowering first year. She now stood besides the dejection, her delicate hired hand grasping the top of the hat as she lifted it from its hot seat, plopping it upon her head. The instructor around her were completely oblivious to her natural process.

Her soft, angular features relaxed, as if immersed in quiet conversation. And as she sat there, immersed in a silent conversation to which only she was privy to, Dumbledore pointed a wand to his throat, mussitation, `` heavy ''.

A second later the schoolmaster 's magically amplified voice echoed throughout the Great hall, as it had on only one other occasion.

'' SIIIILLLLEEEENNNCCCE ! ''

Every person who had been excitedly talking, including several of the flighty looking first yr, who had started to cry, stopped and turned their attention to the front of the lobby.

So of course, that was when everyone 's attention suddenly became drawn to the rather ordinary young lady, standing by the faeces, the offending hat placed atop her foreland.

'' Apparently the sorting hat has decided that it is no longer able to, in good conscious, routine as a house sorter. However, we shall have this sorted out. '' Dumbledore winked, the pun on intelligence sounding almost cancel coming from him. Yet Harry just stared in fascination at Kaylens, who seemed to be nodding quietly to herself. `` Now I would like the upper age to remain here for dinner, and I would like the low gear twelvemonth to get with .... ''

Dumbledore stopped mid-sentence, apparently just catching sight of Kaylens, even though she had been right in battlefront of him all along.

Kaylens nodded one last clip, her hazel eyes flickering give as she removed the hat, placing it back upon the stool. All eyes were upon the hat except his, so he was the only one to see the uncommon smile cross her features as the sorting hat opened its brim for the endorse time that night.

'' Let the sorting now begin. ''



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