The Legend of Chime

Chapter one Well-known Stranger

Come on, Elizabeth. You can do this. Elizabeth thought to herself as she stood frozen at the entrance to the Great Hall, willing her feet to move. She lifted her head a bit higher and proceeded toward the table directly in front of her, trying to ignore the curious stares of the students as she passed. You have every right to be here. You are a witch after all. Who cares if you just found out yourself only three months ago?

To the people watching, she knew she seemed anything but nervous. She was very good at disguising her feelings. She just had to convince her heart to stop beating so fast.

"Ah, Ms. Fairchild. We've been expecting you," said a very tall old wizard with twinkling eyes and long white beard standing at the head table. "Come," he said, waving her forward.

Elizabeth was painfully aware of every step she took. The clicking of her heels resonating in her head as she continued forward. All I need now is to fall flat on my face in front of all these people. Wouldn't that make a lovely first impression? She glanced at the empty chair to the left of the tall wizard. I wish Remus were here. I wouldn't feel so foolish arriving late. Blasted full moon!

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts," he calmly said.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I've read so much about you over the summer," Elizabeth admitted, a slight curve to her lips.

"I wouldn't believe a word of it, if I were you, Ms. Fairchild." Dumbledore winked subtly.

 

At the small gesture, Elizabeth felt some of the tension seep from her. She could hear the murmur of the other students starting again. Someone cleared their throat directly behind her and Elizabeth turned. A very proper-looking witch in high-necked robes stood there holding a strange tattered hat in one hand and a wooden stool in the other.

"May I also present, Professor McGonagall, our Transfiguration teacher and headmistress of Gryffindor house." Dumbledore smiled.

Elizabeth inclined her head and smiled.

"It's nice to meet you, my dear." Professor McGonagall smiled briefly. "Albus, don't you think we should get on with the sorting before the students pass out from hunger," she said gently.

"Quite right, Minerva," Dumbledore agreed with a slight grin on his face. He turned back to Elizabeth. "Remus informed me that you are up-to-date on most of your class subjects, Ms. Fairchild. I must say that is quite an accomplishment since you have been neglected for so long. Under these extraordinary circumstances, you will be allowed to take your O.W.L.s when you feel you are ready. But I must stress the importance that the sooner this is done the sooner everything can be made right regarding your schoolwork. You will be given a tutor to take over where Remus has left off. Now, if you are ready, you must be sorted into your house."

At this statement, Professor McGonagall walked up the stairs, placed the stool in the center of the platform and stepped aside to allow Elizabeth to take a seat. Elizabeth took a steadying breath then followed Professor McGonagall up the stairs and took her place on the stool. She had a good idea about what was to come next after reading Hogwarts, A History but she still held her breath when the hat was placed on her head. She was facing the students now so she closed her eyes to block out the stares. Now if only I could become momentarily deaf too.

 The whispers of the crowd were getting louder and were starting to sound like the air slowly being let out of a tire. Minutes went by and Elizabeth was starting to think that she wouldn't be sorted after all; maybe they would just make her sleep in a broom closet somewhere. In this huge castle, a closet would probably still be larger than her old bedroom.

"How very complex," said the whisper in her ear. "There's plenty of intelligence. A great desire for knowledge, I see, and talent too, a most rare talent, indeed. That's very interesting. A good amount of courage is there, yes . . . How complex you are, my dear . . . So where to put you?"

Elizabeth held her breath.

"Let's see . . . I'd say . . . GRYFFINDOR!"

The hall went completely quiet. She opened her eyes and thought she might become sick at the sight. Everyone was eyeing her like some interesting creature in a freak show. She slid off the stool and her movement must have jolted a few to remember their manners because a small round of applause broke out then grew louder as people joined in half-heartedly. Such a lovely welcome, I am overwhelmed and embarrassed with gratitude.

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A hush fell over the Great Hall and slowly all the students turned toward the entrance. Harry leaned back in his seat to get a better look at the object of everyone's scrutiny. Obviously, the mystery girl that Dumbledore had spoke about had finally arrived. But why was everyone so quiet? She stood tall at the entrance, allowing everyone to see her before she stepped gracefully forward. Her dark auburn hair fell slightly past the middle of her back in waves and she had the most astonishing dark-blue eyes Harry had ever seen. Those eyes. There is something familiar about those eyes.

"Ah, Ms. Fairchild. We've been expecting you," Dumbledore calmly stated. "Come," he said and waved her forward.

"Who . . . Who is that?" gawked Ron, mouth hanging open.

"I wish I knew," croaked Harry. His throat had gone very dry.

"Dumbledore told you," Hermione hissed. "Honestly . . . if you both would listen once in awhile . . . "

"Shush! I can't hear," interrupted Ginny.

"She looks nice," whispered Neville.

"How does someone look nice, Neville? Is that your way of saying she's pretty?" asked Ron with a slight laugh.

"SHHHHH! Do you mind?" Hermione hissed again, narrowing her eyes at Ron.

Harry returned his attention to what Dumbledore was saying, " . . . Under these extraordinary circumstances, you will be allowed to take your O.W.L.s when you feel you are ready. But I must stress the importance that the sooner this is done the sooner everything can be made right regarding your schoolwork. You will be given a tutor to take over where Remus has left off. Now, if you are ready, you must be sorted into your house."

Harry watched as the girl followed Professor McGonagall up the stairs and took a seat upon the stool. She looked toward the mass of students very briefly before closing her eyes as the Sorting hat was placed on her head.

"I bet she goes to Ravenclaw. She must be really clever to catch up so quickly in all subjects," whispered Hermione.

"I hope she's in our house. I'm really curious about why she didn't arrive years ago like she was supposed too," Ginny said hopefully.

Harry hoped so too but for another reason entirely.

"It's taking a long time, isn't? Maybe that old hat has finally lost a few too many stitches," Ron muttered. "That would definitely . . . "

"GRYFFINDOR!" the hat suddenly shouted.

For a moment all the students seemed to be in a state of shock. Her sudden entrance seemed to have surprised everyone into a gawking lull. He watched her reaction, it never wavered. She kept a slight curve to her lips as she opened her eyes. He knew how uncomfortable she had to be feeling so he elbowed Ron and started clapping. Gradually, a few more chimed in as the girl slid off the stool and stood briefly before starting toward the Gryffindor table. Harry clapped as Hermione waved to get the girl's attention and pushed Ron to move him over.

 

"Come sit over here!" Hermione said raising her voice and motioning toward the now open seat.

The girl caught sight of her and smiled then headed straight toward the group of friends. Colin Creevey jumped in front of her before she could pass him and snapped her picture. She seemed blinded by the flash for a moment but continued forward straight toward Hermione, shaking her head.

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Elizabeth stood and proceeded down the stairs toward the Gryffindor table. Then a thought came to her as her eyes fell on the anxious First Years. Where should I sit? I wouldn't feel right sitting with the First Years. I'm so much older than they are. She quickly glanced down the Gryffindor table and noticed a bushy-haired girl waving her arms furiously. The girl motioned for her to sit next to her and pushed a redheaded wizard to make room for her to sit. Elizabeth let out a deep sigh as she smiled and started forward.

"Say cheese, miss!" came a voice behind a large camera, right before she was blinded by the flash.

She shook her head, slightly dazed, but continued toward the girl who now had a large, glowing, white dot in the middle of her face.

"I'm Hermione Granger," she said as Elizabeth took the offered seat next to her. "I'm a Gryffindor prefect and so is Ron." She indicated the tall redheaded wizard to the left of her whom she had pushed earlier.

"She's not dense, Hermione. She can see our badges," Ron admonished, blushing. He exchanged a look with a dark-haired wizard across from him and rolled his eyes.

Hermione gave Ron a warning look and said, "Never mind him. He gets quite cranky when he hasn't eaten."

 Ron snorted.

 Elizabeth tried to suppress a smile and caught the curious glance of the dark-haired wizard. He stood slightly and shook her hand.

"I'm Harry. I'm sorry I didn't catch your first name," he said as he gave Hermione a mischievous grin then settled his gaze back on Elizabeth and took his seat.

"Oh, sorry! How inconsiderate of me!" said Hermione, clearly embarrassed. "Elizabeth, this is Ginny Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Ron Weasley, and Harry Potter."

Elizabeth acknowledged each person with a nod and a smile then turned back to Harry. She was suddenly struck by the thought that she had seen Harry somewhere before.

As if reading her thoughts, Harry studied her face and said, "Have we met before? For some reason you look strangely familiar to me."

*cough*cough*smooth*cough* cough* Ron was giving Harry a funny look.

"I was thinking that too," Elizabeth said smiling again and glancing at Ron who seemed to have recovered from his coughing fit rather quickly.

"You've probably seen Harry in one of the books you read this summer. His name is in a lot of history books," informed Hermione with a wave of her hand.

"Yeah, for something I had no control over I get put in a book," mumbled Harry, looking down at his plate with a slight tinge on his face.

"Don't give us that, mate. We've been there remember. You've done plenty." Ron smirked, unimpressed with Harry's modesty.

"You're Harry Potter," Elizabeth said, trying not to look at the scar on his forehead. "Remus has told me a lot about you."

"Professor Lupin? He has?" Harry gave her a surprised look. "When was that?"

 Before Elizabeth could answer, a loud tinkling sound was heard over the noise of the Great Hall and everyone fell silent.

Professor Dumbledore stood. "Now. Without further ado, let the feast begin."

 Elizabeth's mouth fell open as the tables were immediately brimming with more food than she had ever seen.

"About time," Ron complained as he stuck a large chicken leg in his mouth.

Elizabeth decided rather quickly that if she wanted to eat she had better do something about it. She was sure, by the way Ron was attacking that chicken, it would all be gone soon.

 As she ate, Elizabeth subtly took the opportunity to view the Great Hall. It was magnificent in her opinion, better than she had imagined it. Her eyes took in everything from enchanted ceiling reflecting the sky above to the suits of armor to the thousands of candles that floated in midair above the House tables. Her line of vision slowly floated down to the people surrounding her.

They all seemed to know each other very well, by the way they were talking. She watched Hermione and Ron interact out of the corner of her eye. There was definitely something going on between them besides friendship.

The misty silver face of a ghost appeared in Elizabeth's peripheral vision and she choked on her Yorkshire pudding. She gasped for air and Hermione turned and clapped her on the back to try to help dislodge the pudding from her throat.

"I do say. I'm terribly sorry for surprising you like that. It wasn't my intention," said the ghost in an anxious voice. "Do take a drink of your pumpkin juice, maybe it will help. There you go. Better?"

Elizabeth nodded, though she still had tears in her eyes. She was slightly embarrassed. She had known all about the house ghosts but seeing one in person still came as a shock.

"Allow me to introduce myself, Ms. Fairchild," he said when Elizabeth had sufficiently recovered. "I am Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porington, Resident ghost of Gryffindor Tower, at your service," he said doffing his plumed hat and bowing, his head swinging off to his shoulder for a moment before he righted it. "I am delighted that you will be gifting us with your presence this year."

"Thank you, Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porington," said Elizabeth, over the sniggering from the rest of the table. Smiling, she inclined her head and said, "I am honored to make your acquaintance."

"My lady, you may call me Sir Nicholas," he said, beaming a ghostly smile. "It's been so long since I've had the pleasure of meeting a true lady." He doffed his hat once more. "It's like a breath of fresh air to these tired old lungs. If there is ever anything I may do for you, I will most happily oblige."

"Excuse me," said Hermione, clearly affronted, "what am I, an old hag?"

Sir Nicholas turned to Hermione. "My apologies, Ms. Granger. You have always been most gentle unlike some we know."

As if taking his cue, Ron furrowed his brow and said, "Fresh air?"

Sir Nicholas rolled his ghostly eyes and waved his see-through hand back and forth in the air and said, "I know, Mr. Weasley. I don't really breathe. Yes, yes and so on and so forth." He turned back to Elizabeth and Hermione. "If you, ladies, will excuse me, I must take my leave." He drifted silently away, looking extremely miffed.

Elizabeth managed not to laugh until Sir Nicholas was far enough away for him not to overhear. She would hate to ruin his opinion of her so soon.

"Well, that was a record," said Hermione as she turned to Ron. "You managed to get him upset with you in two words this time."

"Oh, come on!" said Ron, incredulously. "He was asking for it with all that flattery he was throwing around. He almost made me sick in my potatoes."

Elizabeth's laughter came bubbling forward. This was obviously a normal exchange between Ron and Sir Nicholas and Elizabeth found it hilarious. Ron winked and seemed delighted by her response.

Hermione suppressed a smile and feigned a look of disgust and said to Ron, "Sir Nicholas was just being polite and it's a shame that you can't return the favor."

"He's the one that started it. 'Most gentle unlike some we know', give me a break!" said Ron, rolling his eyes.

Elizabeth shook her head slightly at Ron and Hermione's word play. She realized that their arguing was clearly their way of flirting with each other. I wonder if they know that. She looked down and pushed her peas around her plate. A chill ran up her spine as she felt someone's eyes on her and looked up. Harry was giving her a strange look as if he was trying to remember something.

"Well," Ginny pushed her plate away, "Dumbledore might know a lot about you but I don't. Where are you from?"

 Ron choked on his pumpkin juice. "Ginny! How rude!"

"Look who's talking!" said Hermione incredulously.

"It's okay. I don't mind." Elizabeth shrugged. She seemed to have everyone's attention now. She shifted in her seat slightly. "I've lived several places, but for the last few years I lived north of Douglas on the Isle of Man," she said.

"Are . . . Are you part Veela fairy? Gr . . . Gran says there are some on the Isle of Man?" stuttered Neville.

Elizabeth gave Neville a puzzled look. "You think I'm a fairy?" She managed to keep the laughter from her voice. "I'm sorry to disappoint you but I'm fairly certain I'm not."

Neville went bright red.

"Hold on. You said 'fairly certain'? You mean there's a chance you could be?" asked Hermione, raising her eyebrows.

Elizabeth started to shake her head but then thought better of it. She shrugged again and said, "Who knows? I doubt it, but if someone had told me four months ago, I was a witch I would have laughed at them. But look at where I am now."

"Wait a minute! You mean you don't know who you are? I don't get it. Who are your parents?" Ginny asked. "I bet Dad would know if they are part-fairy."

"Your guess is as good as mine." Elizabeth gave a weak laugh. "I've never had any to speak of."

 An awkward silence spread through the group.

"Oh. Sorry." Ginny's ears turned red as she gave a sheepish grin.

"Don't be. I assure you, I have had years to get use to the idea," Elizabeth said with a smile. She took the last bite of her potatoes and pushed her plate away.

"Well . . . I guess that would make it easier . . . to make your life your own, I mean. You know, no expectations to live up to or family to disappoint," Neville said quietly as he looked down at his pudding. "Not that I don't love my family," he added quickly.

Elizabeth gave him a sad smile. "That's how I've tried to look at it, Neville. Though I wouldn't mind knowing at least where I was born and who my parents were, but," she gave a small sigh, "I try not to think about things I can't change. It just gets me frustrated and leads to nothing in the end."

 Elizabeth, aware of Harry's maintained silence throughout the whole conversation, chanced a glance at him and found his eyes on her. She had the distinct feeling he had been watching her very closely the whole time. She looked into his eyes and found herself thinking he was rather handsome. Elizabeth smiled as she turned away.

 Dumbledore cleared his throat and the hall once again fell silent. "Now that our hunger has been satisfied and friendships reunited, I ask the house prefects to lead the rest of you to your dormitories. I bid you all, goodnight." Dumbledore bowed.

Hermione touched Elizabeth's arm to get her attention and said, "I have prefect duties but Ginny can walk with you if you like and she'll show you the girls' dormitory. I'll see you when I'm through."

Hermione turned and bellowed above the crowd, "GRYFFINDOR FIRST YEARS FOLLOW ME, PLEASE!"

"Nice meeting you. See ya, Harry!" said Ron quickly before following Hermione into the crowd of First Years.

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Harry couldn't shake the feeling that he had seen Elizabeth before. For the life of him, he couldn't see how that was possible. He had definitely never visited the Isle of Man. You would think he would remember quite vividly, ever seeing her before. She was very pretty. Still, the feeling persisted. Harry discreetly watched her through the whole conversation at the table. Trying to ignore the way his stomach seemed to drop and the way his lower region stirred every time she smiled or laughed, Harry searched his memory for a clue. Still, nothing came to mind. Then she looked straight at him and he felt as if he had received a sudden jolt. His body started to respond painfully again. Thankfully, Elizabeth's eyes moved from him up the table toward Dumbledore.

 Harry heard Dumbledore clear his throat and then dismiss the students. He watched Elizabeth rise and walk with Ginny out of the Great Hall. Pretending to finish his pumpkin juice, Harry stayed seated for a few extra moments until he had his body back in check. Disgusted with himself, Harry pushed himself away from the table and walked toward Neville who had noticed his reluctance to stand and had waited for him.

Neville gave him a sideways glance. "Don't worry. When she smiled at me, I got lightheaded too." He grinned.

Yeah. Right, lightheaded. He chose to ignore Neville's comment, better to let him think he was lightheaded than what he really was.

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 As Ginny walked beside Elizabeth, she gave her an inquisitive look. "How do you do that?"

"Do what?" Elizabeth asked.

Ginny stopped, tugged on her arm, and turned her around. "That!" she insisted as she waved her arm around the corridor. Most of the male population of Hogwarts had their eyes on Elizabeth as she turned around. Elizabeth was completely unimpressed and turned back around.

"I'm new here. It's curiosity, I suppose. There probably surprised I can walk upright." Elizabeth shrugged and continued up the stairs.

Ginny just stared at her, unbelieving for a moment then said, "Yeah, right. Funny how only the boys have been afflicted with this 'curiosity,'" Ginny laughed as she followed her up the stairs. "Yeah . . . right . . . whatever you say, Ms. Neanderthal."

"Or . . . it could be that love potion I splashed on myself before I walked into the Great Hall," Elizabeth said keeping her face straight. "Tricky stuff that, too much and they fall all over you."

Ginny tripped as she stopped again, dumbstruck.

Elizabeth laughed as she caught Ginny. "I'm joking," she said.

Ginny gave a small laugh and blushed. "I knew that," she said, righting herself.

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Harry pulled off his robes and slipped on his pajamas. As he climbed into his four-post bed, he listened to Seamus and Dean discuss the new girl, Elizabeth. It seems he wasn't the only one interested in her.

"She's an angel if ever I saw one, mate," Seamus said dreamily, buttoning his pajamas.

"Do you think she has a boyfriend?" Dean asked hopefully, sitting down on the edge of his bed.

"What do you care? You're dating my sister, aren't you?" Ron gave Dean a threatening look.

Dean gave a sheepish grin and said, "Yeah, but I still have eyes, don't I?"

"Yeah, and if you want to keep them both, you'll keep your comments to yourself!" Ron warned menacingly.

Dean was about to reply but seemed to think better of it and turned back to his bed. Getting into a fist fight with his girlfriend's brother didn't seem to appeal to him.

"She is really pretty though," murmured Harry.

"You know, I wouldn't be surprised if she was part Veela fairy, I mean . . . She makes me all dizzy in the head when I look at her," Neville admitted, blushing.

"Lots of things make you dizzy in the head, Neville," Seamus said, laughing as he stifled a yawn. "But I know what you talking about, mate. She's a beauty that one."

"Can't disagree with you there," Ron said as he fell into bed. "But looks aren't everything. She did seem awful nice though."

Harry took off his glasses and said nothing. Silently, he agreed with Ron as he settled himself under his blankets. He stared up at the patch of moonlight on the ceiling above his bed. Harry allowed his mind to drift back to the moment he saw her. He closed his eyes and remembered her long auburn hair, her dark blue eyes, her ivory skin, the way her hips gracefully swayed under her robes as she had made her way toward Dumbledore. Harry noticed his body reacting uncomfortably again so he rolled over onto his stomach and forced his thoughts onto something safer.

"Well, 'night," said Ron sleepily.

"'Night," said Harry.

 Quidditch, think about Quidditch. You're Gryffindor Quidditch Captain this year, for Merlin's sake.

  Harry had been allowed to return to the team this year after being banned last year, supposedly for life. He had received an owl from Professor McGonagall over the summer that informed him he would be reinstated as Gryffindor Seeker and made Captain. Tryouts to replace Angelina, Alicia, Fred and George were in two weeks. He already knew he would make Ginny one of the new Chasers if she tried out. She had proven herself during the season last year when she replaced him as Seeker.

Had it really only been three months ago? The question resonated in his mind.

The soft snores of the others seemed to fade away as his thoughts drifted to Sirius. The memory of Sirius's laughing face swam in front of him.

You're a lot like James, Harry. He heard Sirius say and then a look of mingled fear and surprise spread across his godfather's face. He was falling again. A deep hole seemed to open in Harry's chest and he reached for Sirius, but his legs wouldn't move. The veil fluttered violently.

I try not to think about things I can't change.

 Elizabeth's voice drifted to him and the image of her sad smile floated through his mind. Her eyes seemed to know everything he was feeling.

 I know you, Harry . . . so much pain . . . so much loss.

She was becoming clearer now, close enough to touch.

Let me heal you. He heard her whisper but her mouth didn't move. Let me make your heart smile again.

She reached for his face. Harry leaned forward. He knew it would be wonderful if she touched him . . .

Harry sat up suddenly in bed. He looked over at Ron, his heart still pounding from the dream.

 Ron caught his pillow in mid-swing before hitting Harry with it again. "About time you're awake. I'm starving. Get dressed," said Ron, throwing his pillow back on his bed.

"Morning, already?" groaned Harry as he flopped back down on his bed. "I feel like I just went to sleep."

"Well, you look rested enough to me. Get up," complained Ron. "I want to beat the girls down to breakfast."

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Ginny led Elizabeth up the stairs to girls' dormitory and stopped abruptly. "I just had a thought. What year are you in? We all sleep in different rooms according to our year at Hogwarts," she said.

"She's a Sixth Year," came the reply from behind them both. They turned and saw Hermione running up the stairs. "I've just spoken with Professor McGonagall," she said.

"Oh," said Ginny with surprised expression. "Well, I guess I'll leave you here with Hermione then. See you in the morning." She took a few steps then turned back and said, "Remember to go easy on the love potion tomorrow."

"I'll remember." Elizabeth laughed.

Hermione gave her a puzzled look.

"Don't ask."

The girls continued up the stairs to the Sixth Years girls' dormitory room. Elizabeth discovered that the room was quite cozy for being in a tower. All of the five four-post beds were framed by gold lacy drapes that were lined in red velvet and tied back by lovely golden bows. There were beautiful rugs scattered in front of each bed, a mirrored vanity for each girl next to their beds, and a nice hearth stove in the middle of the room. Elizabeth was quite impressed with it all.

"Your bed is over here. Right next to mine," Hermione said as Elizabeth digested the scene before her. "Your things have been ironed and placed in your wardrobe and your school supplies are still in your trunk," she informed her, pointing. "Hmm . . . I think that just about covers it. Oh! The bathrooms are down the hall to your left," she finished.

"Thank you, Hermione," said Elizabeth with a grateful smile.

"For what? Showing you where your bed is?" Hermione scoffed. "Well, my pleasure. But you don't have to thank me. It will be nice to have a girl I can talk to for a change. Speaking of which, Professor McGonagall informed me that I am to be your tutor, until you're completely caught up, of course. She is giving us permission to use her classroom to practice your Transfiguration, Charms and Defense Against the Arts spells and to practice making your potions," she said and paused at this, seemingly reluctant to continue. She gave Elizabeth a funny sort of look as if she was dying to know something but couldn't quite bring herself to ask it.

Elizabeth inclined her head toward Hermione and waited for the question. When it didn't immediately come, Elizabeth encouraged her with a questioning look and asked, "Is there something else?"

Hermione chewed on her lip for a moment and then ventured, "Mmm . . . Well . . . Would you mind if I asked you a few questions. I promise you won't have to answer them if they are too personal."

Elizabeth had known there would be a lot of awkward questions about her past but she was a little shocked they came so soon. She sat down on her bed and took a deep breath and said, "Okay . . . go ahead. Shoot. I can't promise you I'll be able to answer them though."

"Fair enough," agreed Hermione as she plopped down on her bed. "First, why did you not come to Hogwarts until now?"

"I only know what Remus has told me concerning that," Elizabeth said quietly, a little embarrassed. "Evidently, no one knew I was alive before three months ago. It seems my mother was a witch that had run away from home and died shortly after giving birth to me. For some reason, when word made it back to this world regarding my mother's death, it seems they mistakenly recorded my demise as well. Whomever "they" are."

"You say Remus . . . do you mean Professor Lupin?"

Elizabeth's brow furrowed briefly. "I suppose that I do." She smiled. "That's going to take some getting use to. He made me call him Remus at The Three Broomsticks, insisted upon it in fact."

"The Three Broomsticks? You stayed at The Three Broomsticks all summer?" At Elizabeth's nod, Hermione seemed to put it all together. "So . . . something happened three months ago that notified Dumbledore of your existence and he sent Professor Lupin to go and get you and bring you back here?" Hermione took a deep breath and pondered this information for a moment.

"Strange, that," said Hermione, her brow furrowed. "What happened three months ago?"

Elizabeth got up and walked to the window next to her bed, stalling for time before she answered. Her whole life seemed very strange now that she looked back on it. She could imagine how someone else might see it.

 She took a deep breath and slowly took in the cloudy night sky. The full moon was peeking in and out over the still waters of the lake, creating the illusion of the water appearing and disappearing. She could see the glittering glass greenhouses with the dark forest in the distance. There seemed to be a small hut with a light on inside, perched on the grounds, smoke curling from the chimney. Everything looked so peaceful.

"I'm sorry. You don't have to answer that," Hermione apologized after surveying her for a few moments. "I've really no right . . . "

"No . . . It's all right," Elizabeth softly interrupted. "It'll be easier if you know." She took a deep breath, not sure really where to start. "You see. I've lived at an orphanage all my life. I've never known my family. I didn't have a very glamorous childhood, but I was happy once I moved into Mrs. O' Neil's. I was sort of a mother hen to the younger children there, especially Ian who followed me everywhere and Mrs. O' Neil welcomed the extra help." Elizabeth paused and glanced over her shoulder, wondering how stupid she sounded.

 Hermione gave an encouraging nod.

Elizabeth turned and looked back out the window, gathering her thoughts again before starting again. "I've always known I was a little . . . different. At an early age, I discovered I had certain talents that were absent in the other children, much like a lot of people in this school, I would imagine. If someone was lost, I could find them. If someone was hurt, I could heal them just by touching them. I had only to want for something and it came to me."

Hermione gave a small gasp.

 Elizabeth turned slightly toward her, wondering if she had said something wrong.

"I'm sorry. Please go on," said Hermione.

"Well," Elizabeth continued softly, "having no idea there were others like me, I learned to keep my talents to myself and only use them if I had to. I was afraid that others wouldn't understand. I thought to be a witch was a bad thing, you see. As I got older, it was harder for me to not use my abilities. On several occasions, Mrs. O' Neil caught me using them by accident. Luckily, Mrs. O' Neil is kind but not very," Elizabeth paused and searched for a kinder word then sighed, "Well . . . bright. I was able to appease her curiosity fairly easily." Elizabeth looked down at her hands. She still felt guilty for lying to poor Mrs. O' Neil.

 "Anyway," Elizabeth took a deep breath and continued, "I awoke one night to find smoke completely engulfing the bedroom. I remember waking the children and then running to Mrs. O' Neil's room and not finding her. She had fallen asleep in front of the telly with Ian. He had a nightmare earlier that evening and I had taken him to Mrs. O' Neil and both were still downstairs. Then I heard Ross yell that the fire had already taken the staircase. I guess I sort of panicked because the next thing I knew, a large hole had appeared where a bed had been moments before and I screamed for everyone to get out. I knew I had to reach Ian and Mrs. O' Neil . . . I don't really remember how I got downstairs, I just remember finding Mrs. O' Neil on the sofa with Ian in her lap.

"When we got outside, Mrs. O' Neil screamed that Ian wasn't breathing." Her voice became hoarse with suppressed tears and she closed her eyes against the memory. "The fire truck was there, but the ambulance wasn't. So I took Ian. His sweet face was all covered in soot and his little body felt cold and he was so unusually still . . . I didn't really think about all the children watching. Just did what I knew I could or what I thought I could." A tear rolled down Elizabeth's cheek. "I really tried . . . with all my heart . . . I tried. But I just couldn't save him. He was already gone. When I woke up a couple weeks later, I was in the hospital and Remus was at my bedside. Evidently, the story had reached the papers." Elizabeth wiped her eyes and looked up at Hermione who was wiping away tears.

 "I am . . . so . . . stupid!" Hermione sniffed. "Why did I have to be so nosey?"

Elizabeth grabbed a tissue from the vanity and sat down next to Hermione, offering it to her. "I'm glad you asked," she said reassuringly, "It's the first time I've had a chance to talk about it." She allowed a slight chuckle, wiping her eyes again. "Let's make that the last, okay?"

Hermione gave her a sad smile. "You are a mother hen, aren't you? You've been through so much and here you are comforting me." She snorted. "You must think I'm such a ninny."

"No, I think you are very kind actually," Elizabeth said. "I'm sorry I made you cry though. It wasn't my intention. I don't usually break down like that."

"You're kidding!" said Hermione incredulously as she looked at Elizabeth through puffy eyes. "That was a break down? I've had more of a break down over my Transfiguration exams." Elizabeth laughed and stifled a yawn, realizing how exhausted she was. "Well, we'd best get to bed. It's getting late," said Hermione wearily.

They changed into their nightgowns in silence and slipped into bed. Elizabeth stretched as she snuggled under her blankets. She closed her eyes and felt her body relax. Her last thought was that of a tall dark-haired boy with glasses and sad, green eyes.

  

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   Chapter two Gifts Explained

 

The first week of school quickly went by. Elizabeth's anxiety over her new class subjects, slowly dissipated as she soon discovered she was quite sufficient in most of them. She found almost every subject just as fascinating as she did when Professor Lupin had introduced them. The only two that gave her pause was Defense Against the Dark Arts and Herbology. She couldn't quite get the correct stance and wand gestures down in her head for a few of her spells in Defense Against the Dark Arts. In Herbology, most of the plants gave her the creeps. She really disliked having to prune and repot plants that would try to relieve her of vital organs and appendages every time she turned her back. She didn't understand how some witches and wizards could do this as a form of relaxation as Professor Sprout had insisted was the case. An even more bizarre fact was that every time she finished caring for a plant, it would wither and die soon after, much to her cringe. But like Professor Lupin had, Hermione explained that even with these flaws she was able to produce the desired effect, much better than most Sixth Years, except for the dead plants, of course.

 Her tutoring sessions with Hermione had become very entertaining. Hermione took them very seriously and by the third session she seemed to be testing her more than tutoring her. Elizabeth enjoyed the challenge and was quite proud of being able to stump Hermione on a nightly basis. She had mastered almost everything she had thrown at her so far including Arithmancy, a subject she wasn't even taking. Hermione seemed genuinely impressed with her capacity to learn at such a fast rate. So impressed, in fact, that Hermione seemed to start questioning her own cleverness. She seemed quite disappointed that Elizabeth was able to vanish a large bird during her last Transfiguration practice. Elizabeth decided to tone it down a bit next time.

During the day, she spent most of her time in the library, poring over books. Hermione always gave her a list the night before of what to read to prepare for the next evening. Unfortunately, these books were usually massive in size and by the time Elizabeth would finish with them, her head would be aching. She would break only during mealtimes, when she would join Hermione, Ron, Harry and sometimes Ginny in the Great Hall. By the end of the week, Elizabeth felt like she had known them all her life. They made it easy to forget the stress of having a new school, new identity and a new life when she was with them. Ron had recently started poking fun at her whenever the opportunity presented itself, which she enjoyed immensely.

 

On Friday night, she immediately saw Harry and Ron as she entered the Great Hall. Elizabeth sat down beside them and immediately filled her plate near to overflowing. She couldn't remember the last time she was so hungry. She felt like she could eat a whole roasted cow if it was put in front of her.

"Hungry?" asked Ron as he noticed Elizabeth gulping down her food.

 Elizabeth covered her mouth as she smiled and nodded not the least bit embarrassed.

Ron laughed. "You're obviously not the kind to worry about her girlish figure."

 Elizabeth looked across the table, swallowed her food and feigned a look of shock. "Ron Weasley, are you saying I have a reason to worry about my figure?" Her eyes danced with mischief.

Ron's ears turned red. "Uh hh . . . no . . . uh hh . . . "

Elizabeth leaned forward. "Relax. I'm only teasing," she said laughing and took another large bite of Roast Beef.

"I've figured it out!" announced Hermione as she slammed her book bag down on the table and knocked over Ron's drink. "You have a photographic memory!"

"Hermione!" Ron yelped as he shot out of his seat before the juice could do any damage to his robes.

 

"Well, " Hermione said with a slight narrowing of her eyes, impatiently waiting for Elizabeth to finish chewing her food, "You do, don't you?"

Everyone within an earshot of the group had stopped eating. Elizabeth felt a blush start to creep up her face. She nodded. Hermione gave her a slightly wounded look.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Hermione groaned. "I was starting to think you were some sort of . . . of . . . "

"Fairy?" Elizabeth volunteered with a smile and took another bite of her food.

It was Hermione's turn to blush. "Of course not!" she insisted, not quite meeting her eyes. "It's just that a photographic memory, not to mention your other gifts, is quite rare. Almost nonexistent in other witches! Surely you knew that!"

"As a matter of fact, I didn't," said Elizabeth, swallowing her food. "There are a lot of things in the Wizarding world that I'm quite ignorant about. You seemed to have found one of them . . . me."

It was obvious Hermione hadn't expected this answer. She fell silent for a moment. "I keep forgetting how new you are to all of this." Hermione gave her a lopsided grin. "You're too clever for you own good, you know."

Elizabeth chuckled under her breath."Now THAT is something I know," she said, stuffing half a scone in her mouth.

"Well, besides coming down here to get something to eat," Hermione said as she started to fill her plate, "I wanted to tell you I've just been to see Professor McGonagall and told her you were up-to-date on all your classes. She wants to schedule your O.W.L. exams for early next week. But before the exams," Hermione reached around to her book bag and pulled out several pamphlets and handed them to Elizabeth, "you must have a career advice meeting with her to discuss your future."

Elizabeth looked down at the pamphlets. She felt panic start to rise and her stomach threatened to revolt against her. "My O.W.L. exams! Next week? You've got to be kidding!"

Hermione gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. You're ready. I've been testing you at O.W.L. level all week and you haven't missed a one. Not one!" she said with a tinge of envy. "It will be an absolute cinch, I promise."

Some of the nausea Elizabeth was feeling left at Hermione's words but a slight panic still lingered. She looked down at her half-eaten food and pushed her plate away from her. Eating was out of the question now.

"I'm sure you will do fine," came a soft voice.

Elizabeth looked up and met Harry's eyes. Her stomach did a somersault and her heart started beating fast again but for another reason entirely. It was the first time he had talk her directly all week.

"Hermione is the cleverest student at Hogwarts," Harry said as he leaned his elbows onto the table. "If you can outwit her, you will definitely do well on your O.W.Ls."

Elizabeth smiled at Harry and blushed slightly. "Thank you."

"Yes . . . thank you, Harry." Hermione looked from Harry to Elizabeth and back again. A slow grin spread across her face. "On second thought, Elizabeth, Harry is much better at Defense Against the Dark Arts then I am. I'm sure he would be willing to test your skills to a greater degree than I've been able to. He's a fantastic teacher. All right, Harry?" Hermione asked sweetly.

Harry felt the blood rush to his face and looked at Hermione. She was smiling much too sweetly for his liking. He had to admit he didn't mind the idea of spending time alone with Elizabeth. "I guess it would be all right if Elizabeth wants me too?" Harry looked back at Elizabeth who nodded.

"It's settled than," said Hermione, beaming. "Elizabeth, you and Harry can practice in Professor McGonagall's classroom tomorrow after breakfast."

"Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth turned to find Professor Lupin standing behind her. "Hello, Rem . . . Professor Lupin." Elizabeth greeted him with a smile. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better, thank you. Elizabeth, Professor Dumbledore would like to speak with you. When you are finished here, I will take you to his office," Professor Lupin said seriously.

The look on Professor Lupin's face made Elizabeth feel slightly anxious. She gave Remus a questioning expression but he wouldn't quite look her in the eye.

"I've just finished actually," she informed him and rose to her feet. She turned back to the group. "I'll see you all back in the common room," she said and followed the Professor out of the Great hall.

"Wonder what that's all about?" asked Ron as he watched Elizabeth exit the Hall.

 He turned and looked at Hermione who had a worried look on her face. "What? You know something, don't you? Well, come on spill it."

"I'm not sure if I should," she said looking at the spot where she saw Elizabeth last.

"Oh, come off it! Harry and I aren't going to go blabbing all over the school, for goodness sake. We genuinely like her. Don't we Harry? Besides she seems to like us too," insisted Ron.

"Well, you do have a point." Hermione hesitated for a moment then smiled. "You're right, of course."

"So why does Dumbledore want to see Elizabeth?" asked Harry.

"She has certain gifts that are quite uncommon." Hermione leaned forward as she whispered, "And I haven't been able to find any record of any witch or wizard having all of them at once. That's probably why Dumbledore wants to speak with her."

"Gifts? You mean like Parseltongue. Elizabeth is a Parseltongue like Harry," Ron said amazed.

"No." Hermione thought for a moment. "At least I don't think she's a Parseltongue," she said and lowered her voice even more. "Elizabeth is a Healer, a Perceiver, and a Telekinetic."

"Whoaaaa . . . You're kidding," said Ron, his voice filled with awe. "But how do you know for sure? Maybe she's just pulling your leg."

"I don't think so. When she told me, she thought everyone could do it. Like Harry did," said Hermione firmly.

"So she's a Healer like the Healers at St. Mungo's?" asked Harry, puzzled.

"Not like the ones at St. Mungo's." Hermione shook her head. "She doesn't heal with potions. She heals with her touch. Nothing else. A true Healer has the ability to cure someone just by touching them. The bad part is that they take the injury on themselves. In a sense, trading places with the injured person. The good part is that they can heal themselves rather quickly," Hermione frowned and remembered Elizabeth's hospital stay then added, "unless they try to absorb more of an injury than their body will allow."

"What happens then?" Ron asked. He looked at Hermione's grave face and swallowed. "Ohhhhh . . . "

"All this and she's a Telekinetic too," Ron said incredulously. "No wonder she caught up so quickly with her schoolwork. She's probably able to make the books come to her."

"I haven't asked her to try but I wouldn't be surprised if she could," said Hermione, shrugging. "She's a very powerful witch. She just doesn't know it yet."

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Elizabeth's sense of unease grew as she walked with Professor Lupin down the corridor. "Have I done something wrong?" she asked as they reached a large Gargoyle.

"Pepper Imps," Professor Lupin muttered and the gargoyle hopped aside and revealed a spiral staircase. Stepping aside, he waited until she entered the staircase then followed closely behind before gently reassuring her, "No, Elizabeth, you haven't done anything wrong."

"Then why does Professor Dumbledore need to see me?" she said, biting her lip.

"He'll explain everything to you. Now don't be nervous," he said rather evasively as he knocked on the door. The door opened and they stepped inside.

 Elizabeth had never seen a stranger looking office. There were bookcases full of books of every shape and size, portraits of snoozing former Hogwarts headmasters and shelves lined with odd looking gadgets and globes. She noticed the Sorting hat perched on top of a shelf close to Dumbledore's desk, with a beautiful sword lying next to it. A phoenix sat on a perch to the right. The desk, itself, had several rolls of parchment scattered on top and a large book lying open in the midst of it all, as if Dumbledore had recently been reading.

 "Good evening, Ms. Fairchild."

Elizabeth jumped slightly at the sudden sound of the voice and looked up. Dumbledore was standing on the tower balcony gazing down at her through his half-moon spectacles. "Please, take a seat," he said, waving his arm indicating the elaborate high-backed chair that stood in front of his desk.

Elizabeth sat down in it, surprised to find it comfortable.

"I trust that your first week at Hogwarts hasn't been too trying for you?" he asked as he made his way down the staircase.

"No, not at all. Surprisingly enough, I've found everything quite fascinating," admitted Elizabeth as Dumbledore settled himself in his chair behind his desk.

"Excellent, Elizabeth. I had a feeling you would," said Dumbledore, sounding quite delighted. "Professor McGonagall informed me just a moment ago that you are ready to take your O.W.L.s next week. I see, you are not quite as sure of your abilities as Ms. Granger seems to be. Let me reassure you, Elizabeth. All of your Professors are prepared to take you into their classrooms as soon as you are through with the exams. Hermione has been reporting to each teacher and giving them the work you have completed at each of your tutoring sessions. Not one of them has been able to find any faults with your academic abilities. You seem to have impressed everyone, including me, Ms. Fairchild," he finished with a chuckle, "and very little seems to surprise me at my age. I assure you."

Elizabeth didn't know what to say. The headmaster had just told her he was impressed with her abilities. She was dumbfounded. Her brain seemed to be having a hard time accepting it. She frowned and wondered if he knew about the dead plants. She glanced at Dumbledore. His expression didn't give away his thoughts but his eyes seemed to be weighing her reaction.

"Have you, by chance, had the opportunity to read Legends of the Magical World?" asked Dumbledore, indicating the book in front of him. "No. Of course not. When you do have the time, I highly recommend it. It is a fascinating book full of, well, stories of legends, it would seem, hence the name. My particular favorite is "The Legend of Chime." It is about a love that was lost but never forgotten. Do you mind if I share it with you?"

Elizabeth shook her head slightly in reply. She had no idea why Dumbledore felt the need to tell her a story but maybe he did this for all new students.

Dumbledore began softly, "As legend tells, there once was a beautiful witch that fell in love with a Veela fairy prince on the Isle of Mann. The prince also being in love with the young witch asked her to marry him. She joyfully accepted his proposal and after promising to meet the prince the next morning, ran to tell her father. But alas! When she told her father, he became very angry. Her father would never agree to allow her to marry someone who wasn't a wizard. He sent the heartbroken girl away, and forced her to marry another. The next morning, when his love did not show up, the prince went in search of her. At her home, a family house-elf told him what had happened. Desperate to find her, the prince searched every wizarding home on the Isle. For years, he searched. Finally he found her in the town of Chime. But to his despair, he discovered the young witch had died giving birth to a daughter. In his grief, he vowed to always protect her child who looked so much like her and blessed her with very special powers . . . the power of healing, so she would never see a loved one in pain, the power of magical sight, to always find what is lost to her. It is said that every girl child born into the family thereafter who resembled the prince's love would bear these same gifts. Since then, these special witches are referred to as Chime."

Elizabeth's mind was racing. "Professor?"

"Yes, Elizabeth?" Dumbledore waited.

"Are you trying to tell me I'm . . . I'm . . . " The words seemed lodged in her throat.

"You are Chime?" Dumbledore finished for her. "Yes, Elizabeth," he said calmly.

"What . . . but . . . How?" she asked, questions flashing across her mind.

"Your mother was a descendant in the line of Chime. I had the privilege to know her when she was alive. She was a student at this very school."

"You knew my mother?" Elizabeth gasped.

"Her name was Rebecca Fairchild. She was also a very gifted student."

"So she was Chime too."

"No. She possessed other abilities that made her special," Dumbledore handed her a photograph, "one of them being a photographic memory."

Elizabeth looked at the picture. "My mother," she whispered, tears blurring her vision.

There was a very beautiful girl with dark wavy hair and deep blue eyes, smiling back at her, waving happily. She was standing next to a very handsome wizard with dark hair and serious eyes. Both were in Gryffindor robes. As she watched, the girl turned to the wizard, stood on her tiptoes and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He looked down at her smiling and put his arms around her then they both waved. They looked very much in love

"She had a photographic memory too." Elizabeth smiled painfully. "She was very beautiful, wasn't she?" she whispered.

"That she was. Your father, bless his soul, never had a chance," Professor Lupin replied softly from behind.

Elizabeth turned. She had forgotten he was still in the room. "You knew my father?"

"Yes, I did." He pointed to the handsome wizard. "Very well, in fact. I took the picture on our last Day at Hogwarts."

Elizabeth looked at the couple again. "They were Gryffindors too." She smiled down at their happy faces and felt an over whelming sense of sorrow. "I never really allowed myself to miss them before. So why does my heart ache so much now when I look at them?" she said softly.

Suddenly, she realized that Dumbledore had said nothing about her father being dead, her heart filled with hope. "Where is my father? Does he know I'm here? Can I see him?" asked Elizabeth, her eyes searching the office.

   

A look of deep sadness appeared on Dumbledore's face. "I'm afraid your father was killed," he said, grief evident in his voice.

Elizabeth's heart plummeted again. She felt numb as if she had just lost her parents all over again. She closed her eyes blocking out their beautiful faces. She wanted to be alone to grieve a terrible loss that was only truly felt now.

Seeming to sense the directions of her thoughts, Professor Lupin said, "She has heard enough for today, Professor Dumbledore. With your permission, I will take her back to . . . "

 

"No," Elizabeth said harshly, "I want to know. I want to know why you didn't know I was alive until three months ago?"

The room was silent as Dumbledore surveyed her over his spectacles.

"Very well," Dumbledore said calmly. "You have been told of Lord Voldemort and his recent return to power?" He glanced at Elizabeth and she nodded."Well, your parents were part of a group of witches and wizards called The Order of the Phoenix. This group during the time of Voldemort's first reign of terror fought to stop him and all his followers. When Voldemort discovered the group's existence, he focused his powers on destroying it. The names of the people in the group were handed over to him by a spy from within. No one at the time knew who that person was. Your parents, who had decided to marry, planned a secret ceremony with only a selected few in the Order to be in attendance. Two of them are before you now. On the night before the ceremony, Rebecca went missing. The plans had somehow made it to Lord Voldemort. Death Eaters had kidnapped your mother and tried to use her to make a Polyjuice potion so one of them could take her place and kill everyone at the ceremony. It would have worked too, if it hadn't been for Rebecca. She had a certain rare ability that Voldemort was unaware of, the ability to move objects without the use of her wand, or otherwise known as telekinesis. I believe you also share this ability? Am I correct?" said Dumbledore. Elizabeth managed a slight nod. Dumbledore continued softly, "Voldemort made a rather large mistake by underestimating your mother. She escaped and warned us of the plot. After that, most in the order went into hiding. Having Death Eaters close behind her, your mother didn't dare try to make it back to your father until it was safer. She sent but one note, simply saying all was well and informing your father of your soon-to-be arrival. Your father was desperate to find her but was afraid of leading Voldemort to you both so he waited. The months passed with no word until finally your father could not stand it anymore and went looking for you. When he returned, he refused to speak for weeks. When he finally did, he said he had found Rebecca lying unconscious in a hospital. A nurse had informed him that you had been born a girl but stillborn. Rebecca had died three days later."

It took several minutes for Elizabeth's mind to comprehend everything Dumbledore had just said. "I don't understand. I clearly wasn't stillborn. Why was he told I was?" Elizabeth asked numbly.

"As fate should have it, it seems Rebecca had shared a room with another woman with the same first name. Her daughter had been the one stillborn," Professor Lupin informed her gently. "I looked into it while you were still unconscious in the hospital. You were brought to the same hospital after the fire."

It seems my whole life has been one big mistake after another. Elizabeth took a deep breath and steadied herself for the rest. "And my father?" she asked looking into the blues eyes behind half-moon spectacles.

"He was killed almost three months ago in a battle against Voldemort and his Death Eaters," said Dumbledore softly.

She felt as if she had been stabbed in the heart as his words sunk in. He had been alive just months ago. Elizabeth looked down at the photograph again, tears blurring her vision. "What was his name?" she asked.

"Sirius Black."