Ebb and Flow

Hogwarts, Early February 1976

***

After breakfast, Althea hurriedly ran back to Gryffindor Tower to open the package from her father. Carefully unwrapping the brown packaging, a small note slipped out onto the floor. Althea gently picked up the letter and read it:

My Darling Althea:

I hope everything finds you well in Hogwarts. Are you diligently studying for your O.W.L.'s? Of course, I really didn't have to ask for I know you are, and I expect nothing less than O's and maybe an E or two from you. Romania is a beautiful country, and someday I hope you will be able to visit. My work is intensive, but I believe I might be able to get away for the Easter Holiday. I so wish to see you. I felt I haven't been much of a father this school year. You're growing up so fast, and I don't want to miss any more moments of it. I can't express how proud I am of you.

Here is a little gift for you, Sweetheart. It's one of my old travel journals. I hope you find it interesting and use the information wisely. I believe it might contain what you are looking for, and I cannot express enough to use it responsibly. I am very sorry I kept the information from you for so long, but in time, you will see that I had to. I wasn't prepared when you were eleven. I was barely prepared to send you away to Hogwarts. I hope you understand and forgive me. I thought it was a random event, but indeed, I was mistaken as you transformed once more.

I think of you often, and your picture smiles and winks at me as I write. You look so much like your mother, and as you will probably groan, like your Gran.

Sweetheart, I miss you dreadfully and I will write you again soon. I love you very, very, very much.

Love,

Daddy

Althea eagerly unwrapped the brown packaging surrounding the journal, and tenderly caressed the worn leather cover before opening to discover its contents. Slowly, she opened the old travel journal toward the middle, and the first date she saw was her fifth birthday--August 15, 1965. Then looking at the location, she had forgotten she had spent her fifth birthday with her father in the Carpathian Mountains. Althea placed the journal on her lap, and lifted her sleeve to examine her wrist. On the inside of her wrist, was a small tattoo of a bird she had received around that time. Maybe this will explain where I got this thing, she thought as she began to read her father's journal. Maybe this will explain everything.

August 15, 1965

Themiskyra, somewhere in the Carpathian Mountains

The Otrera Nation, to most wizards, was left to those things of myth and legend. Hunted by Muggles and ostracized magic, the Otrera disappeared into the Carpathian Mountains. Legend says the Otrera Nation consisted of twelve clans whose names are lost to time; however, I believe I have discovered them--well, a few of them. Organized in loosely affiliated villages, of the twelve clans, only the Cartimandua and the Thyra are left. After Althea's mother died earlier this year, I decided to search out the legendary Otrera Nation. The Otrera were known for magical spells of protection, and I would do anything to protect my little Althea....

Althea raised an eyebrow. Her father was an eccentric--a bohemian--and when it was in vogue to find oneself, he thought nothing of taking his small daughter along and Althea spent most of 1967 in an ashram. She remembered all of her trips, but she could not remember this journey into the Carpathian Mountains. How could she have forgotten?

We searched for two months, and finally, it was Althea that spotted it. I, of course, could not as the Otrera cast spells against men finding the villages. We happened upon the village of Themiskyra--the village of the clan Thyra. I still could not see the village, until Miriam, the shamaness of the village lifted the spells for me. Miriam informed us that only the Cartimandua and the Thyra were left. The other clans had succumbed to war, assimilation, or disease over one thousand years ago. The village of Themiskyra consisted of both Muggles and magic, and lived quite harmoniously--much to the displeasure of the Cartimandua. The Cartimandua did not believe in the acceptance of Muggles into the Otrera for Muggles hunted them and sought their subjugation. Over three hundred years ago, the two clans split the Otrera Nation over this issue. So sad, much like what the rest of the Wizarding world is experiencing.

The Thyra practice a strange and fascinating form of magic without the use of wands. Miriam explained that the wand was created by males for males. However, I found that for certain practices, the wand was still used, but with great reluctance. All Thyra are Animagi. I couldn't believe my eyes! I couldn't believe Muggles could transform as well! This, I discovered, was the secret to their protection. Miriam informed me that infant girls have this practice performed on them, and only when they are older is the full practice performed--a rite of passage. In goodwill, I decided that Althea should have this done, and the full practice would be performed later--if not ever. I really don't think she will need this, but Marie encouraged it just to be safe. The process was simple--unlike my Animagus preparation! It took me five arduous years of intense study under the Ministry's tedious guidelines, and it took them only a week! However, at the completion, Althea had a tattoo of a raven--the symbol of the Thyra upon her wrist--as a gesture of goodwill.

Marie encouraged that I write down the ingredients and methods performed. However, I feel that it is unnecessary, but Marie insisted....

Althea stopped reading. Why would her father send her this now? She had asked him earlier in the school year, but he refused. What brought about the sudden change? Her father had lied to an eleven-year-old Althea about her transformation--describing it as some genetic fluke that never existed. Animagi could not be born, they were made, and every one knew--well, except for an eleven-year-old girl who had no idea that she was a witch. A girl that believed everything her father told her. Her father was acting strange and his letter seemed odd to Althea. Did he know something Althea did not? The Thyra used the tattoo for protection, but what would Althea need to be protected from?

Althea frantically scanned the rest of her father's writing looking for the ingredients. Finally, after the third page, she found the ingredients for Animagi transformations. It was a simple potion--not the complex spells and difficult incantations of the Ministry method. All she needed to do was brew the potion and she could transform at will. Althea's heart skipped and she felt light-headed as she excitedly read the ingredients:

Ingredients in Animagus Transfiguration:

Three stems of butterfly weed

The bark of the silver fir

The leaf of the Datura stramonium

The bud of a henbane

The ripe berry from the belladonna

A pig heart

The hair from the tail of a werewolf

Althea let out a snort of laughter. "That will be bloody easy to obtain," she murmured.

Crushed boar molar

Three eggs of the Ashwinder

A raven's feather

One bottle of red wine

At the new moon, in a cauldron, pour in one bottle of red wine. As the wine warms, crush together the three stems of butterfly weed and the bark of the silver fir. Then, add them to the cauldron. Carefully, at thirty-minute intervals, add the leaf of the Datura stramonium, the bud of a henbane, and the ripe berry from belladonna. Be watchful not to breathe the fumes, as they are toxic. Let the potion simmer for one week; using the raven feather stir clockwise once, twice a day. At the end of the week, cut the pig heart into quarters and add it to the cauldron. Next, at hour intervals, add three eggs from the Ashwinder and stir once, clockwise with the raven feather after each egg is added. One hour after the last egg is added, add the crushed boar molar but do not stir--it should coat the surface of the blood red potion. Carefully, drop the single tail hair of a werewolf into the cauldron. At this moment, a large blue plume of smoke will erupt from the cauldron and the potion will be a lovely shade of indigo. Lastly, gently anticlockwise stir the potion once with the raven feather and drop the feather in the cauldron. Wait thirty minutes.

At the end of the settling time, carefully pour a ladleful into a silver cup. Add the essence of the animal one wishes to transform to--the potion in the cup will turn black. However, it is not necessary to add the essence, as one would just take on the characteristics of one's Patronus. Carefully, dip the tip of one's wand into the cup, covering the end. With the covered tip, trace a symbol on a part of one's body--a permanent mark will develop. Lastly, drink the potion. The drinking of the potion is the crucial step. This allows the Animagus to transform at will; however, if one does not drink the potion, the bearer of the mark will only be allowed to transform at times of dire emotional stress....

Althea placed a bookmark in the journal and hurriedly left her dormitory room. She had to find Remus and show him her father's journal. She ran down the steps and entered the common room. Peter and James were sitting by the fire as James tried to construct new Quidditch plays.

"Potter," she said, almost out of breath. "Where's Remus?"

"He's upstairs," James said suspiciously and raised an eyebrow.

"Thanks," she replied briskly.

"But--"

Without hearing James' reply, she ran up the stairs that led to the boys' dormitory. She easily climbed the many stairs, and without knocking, opened the door that led to the fifth year dormitory. Suddenly, Althea ran into something large and wet and fell to the floor--her father's journal flying out of her hand and landing a few feet away from her. Althea blinked and shook her head--slightly disoriented. Smoothing her long black hair from her face, she gasped at what she had landed on top of--Sirius. Oh, good God, Althea thought to herself as she rolled off him. Oh, good God.

"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?" Sirius yelled--his face a slight shade of pink.

"I'm so, so sorry," she mumbled, very embarrassed, covering her eyes and looking away. "Oh God, I should just--"Althea bit her lip to cover her snickering, but it was hopeless.

"This isn't bloody funny."

"I--I'm sorry," she stuttered, attempting to stifle her laughter. She quickly glanced in his direction and glanced back to her skirt--her laughter increasing in volume.

"You should be," he said curtly, tightening his towel. "Barging in like that. Shameful, absolutely shameful."

Althea, covering her face to avoid looking at Sirius, crawled along the floor and picked up her father's journal. "I was looking for Remus," she explained, looking at the cover of her father's journal. "Potter said he was up here."

"Did he? Well, Remus isn't here. He hasn't been here all morning," he replied suspiciously. "James should have known that."

Althea cleared her throat. "He was coming up with new Quidditch plays when I asked him," she explained, her fingers fumbling with the bookmark tassel. "I--I should go."

"Of course, he was," he replied, folding his arms. "Yes, go. D'you think I'd invite you to stay?"

Althea opened her mouth and pointed her finger at Sirius. "Are you implying that I--I--" she stopped speaking and growled.

Sirius took a moment to think. "Yes, I suppose I am," he replied with a smirk.

"As if I'd want to see you--you--" she remarked--her face hot--tightening her grip on her father's journal.

"You're still here," he laughed, his smirk transforming into a smug smile.

Althea gritted her teeth--how she loathed him! "You are the most conceited, unbearable, smarmy git I've ever met!" she yelled and forcefully threw the book at Sirius' head. Sirius was taken by surprise as the book connected with the side of his head.

"Bloody hell! Why the bloody hell do you have to be so bloody violent?" he replied gruffly, rubbing the side of his head. "No wonder Moony broke up with you--you're bloody mental."

"That's it!" she yelled and lunged at a shocked Sirius.

The two interlocked their fingers and each pushed back and forth--growling as they fought.

"You--are--so--touched--in--the--head!" he managed to say and arched his back.

Sirius pushed with all of his might and Althea fell backward. Althea winced as she hit her head against the floor and gasped as Sirius rolled on top of her--knocking her hands loose from him. He grabbed Althea's wrists and held her arms above her head. For a moment, Althea stared contemptuously at Sirius, attempting to catch her breath.

"Get off me!" she growled, struggling underneath him.

He held her wrists tighter and rested his knees against her thighs--holding her down. "No, you're going to listen to me!" he growled back and leaned close to her face. "You are the most self-righteous, self-centered, and spoiled brat I've ever met."

"Ha! I think that's a more accurate description of you," she scoffed, breathing heavily. "Except you have no morals."

Sirius shook his head--the droplets of water splashing onto Althea's face--and bit the inside of his cheek. "I have tried to be nice to you," he said and Althea turned her head away from him.

"Really?" she muttered. "I'd never have guessed."

"But it's nearly bloody impossible because--"

"I hope this isn't your idea of foreplay," James remarked from the door. "It's scary."

Althea and Sirius glared at James in unison.

"I can see that you both don't want to be disturbed, so I'll leave," he said casually, pointing at the door. "Hey mate, about how long will you need?"

Enraged, Althea pushed Sirius off her, grabbed her father's journal, and furiously flung it at James. Unfortunately, James's reflexes were sharper than Sirius's and he caught it with ease. Althea stood and walked toward James.

"What's this?" he asked as he examined the journal.

"Give it back," Althea demanded and held out her hand.

"Don't do it, mate," Sirius warned, still sitting on the floor.

"Shut it!" she shouted as she turned her head in Sirius' direction--Sirius stuck out his tongue. Althea reached in her pocket for her wand. "Petrificus lingua," she said, pointing her wand at Sirius' stuck out tongue. Sirius's tongue froze--much to the horror of Sirius and much to the delight of Althea.

"What did you do?" James shouted, pointing to Sirius. Sirius, panicked, hysterically attempted to speak, but he only produced muffled sounds and loud grunts.

"Give it back," she pleaded as she turned back toward James.

"No," he said mildly. "I think I'll keep it."

"It's my book."

"But you threw it at my head."

"I want my book back," she said through gritted teeth.

"You cursed my best friend," he replied through gritted teeth.

"Here," she said and muttered the counter curse.

Sirius loudly smacked his lips together.

"I took the curse off Black," she said and held out her hand. "Could I have the book, please?"

James rubbed his chin as if in deep thought. "No," he replied and ran out the door.

"James Potter, give me that book back!" Althea shouted as she chased after him.

Althea slid to a stop as she thought she heard Sirius Black laughing. She narrowed her eyes and stopped at the door to the fifth-year dormitory.

Pointing her wand around the corner of the door she whispered, "Accio towel!"

The towel flew into her hand and she laughed as she heard Sirius scream. He deserved it, she thought to herself as she ran down the corridor. I hope he doesn't find me though--I'd hate to know the hex he'd put on me.

Althea chased James through the corridors and down the many flights of stairs, screaming after him to give her back her father's journal over James's teasing chants about Althea secretly fancying Sirius. She tried to stop him with her wand, but James was very hard to strike as he continued to swerve and duck as he ran. He seemed to know shortcuts and passages that Althea never knew existed--how large exactly was Hogwarts? However, Althea was catching up and as soon as she would round the corner, she would have him.

"Where--where did he go?" she asked, puzzled, as she looked around the empty corridor. "Damn it!" she shouted and stomped her foot.

Suddenly, Althea felt an arm grab her around the chest and pull her back. Althea attempted to scream, but another hand was put over her mouth. She tried to struggle and wiggle free, but the person held her tighter.

"Don't struggle. Drop the towel and drop the wand," Sirius whispered as he held her close to him.

James reappeared from behind a painting. Althea frantically pleaded with her eyes for him to help her. "Sorry, Morrigan, but this is necessary," James said, as he magically bound her hands and feet and put a gag in her mouth.

Sirius threw her over his shoulder and started to walk toward the staircase. Althea was scared--what would they do to her? She pleaded by muffled sounds to Peter to help her, but he shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.

"Where are you taking her?" James asked eagerly.

"The prefects' bathroom--she has a fondness for bathing," Sirius said and cruelly laughed. "No one will hear her scream there."

Althea tried to scream through her gag and wiggled to try to get him to drop her from his shoulder; however, Sirius tightened his grip around her waist.

"Are--are you sure we should be doing this?" Peter asked nervously.

Sirius turned around to face Peter. Althea was able to make eye contact with James--she scowled at him and he smiled back.

"What, are you afraid we'll get expelled?" Sirius teased and turned back around. "Come on, we're almost there. Ah, Lemon Scent," he added and the door opened. "Welcome to the prefects' bathroom, Morrigan, a place you've never been, I'm very certain."

The four entered the empty prefects' bathroom, and Althea heard James turn on the tap. They're going to drown me, she thought as Sirius twirled around in an attempt to dizzy her. Sirius is that cruel to do it. Sirius dropped her on the floor and knelt beside her.

"It's no use to scream, no one can hear you," he said as he removed her gag.

Althea looked to James and Peter. Both stood at Sirius' sides with their arms folded--she knew they would be of no help. They'd let him drown me, she thought, looking from Peter to James. Potter would drown his own Seeker. She remained quiet, as she did not want Sirius to sense her fear. Instead, she decided to look him defiantly in the eye.

"Morrigan, you've been a very naughty girl," Sirius whispered silkily in her ear. "What would McGonagall say? Hmm? Lurking about our dormitory to spy us naked?"

Althea did not respond and continued to look ahead of her.

"I'm sorry that I have to do this," he said, tugging at one of her curls. "You need to learn your lesson."

Sirius lifted her up onto his shoulder and stood up. So, he'll throw me into the bath, she thought as he walked to the edge. At least they had the courtesy not to make it soapy. Sirius lifted her off his shoulder, threw her into the water, and Althea yelped as she contacted the cold water. The cold water shocked her body as she hit the bottom of the bath and floated underwater. Holding her breath, she looked at her wrists and ankles, and attempted to struggle free, but the restraints were too strong. She looked up through the water to see the blurry figures of the three boys standing at the edge of the bath. She saw a blurry Sirius throw his head back in laughter--his muffled bark-like laughter echoing in her ears.

She decided to play a small trick on Sirius. If he was cruel enough to throw her into a large pool of ice-cold water, she was cruel enough to pretend she had drowned. She wanted to show him that his actions could have terrible consequences--even deadly ones. Slowly, her body rose and she limply bobbed at the surface. She could hear the muffled sound of Sirius shouting her name, but she remained limp. Suddenly, a gigantic splash drifted her sideways and she felt two arms wrap around her waist.

"Help me get her out of here!" Sirius shouted and James grabbed Althea's arms as they pulled her out of the water.

When Sirius was not paying attention, Althea had taken a quick breath so she could pretend she was not breathing. James laid Althea on the ground and knelt next to her.

"Is she?" Peter asked timidly.

"No!" Sirius shouted, taking her into his arms.

"She's not breathing, mate. You just killed our Seeker," James said and she felt the bindings removed from her wrists and ankles.

Althea let her hands go limp at her sides. She would pretend to be unconscious just long enough for Sirius to become scared. When he became scared, she would wake up in a fit of laughter. She would play the ultimate prank on him. He deserves it, she thought, as Sirius held her tighter.

"She'll be okay," Sirius said shakily and stroked the side of her face. "Morrigan, wake up," he demanded uneasily.

"Mate, she's not--"

"Shut it! Come on, Morrigan, wake up," Sirius said as he continued to stroke her face.

Althea should have woken up, and should have laughed at Sirius, but she could not--she felt guilty. As Sirius held her close to him, she actually thought she heard him sniff back tears. The recklessness at which they approached each other had to end. She would pretend as if he had saved her life and she hoped the feud between them would be over. Sirius tilted her head back, opened her mouth, placed his mouth onto hers, and slowly blew air into her mouth. Althea opened her eyes, took a deep breath of air, and pretended to cough. Sirius pulled her to his chest and held her tightly against him.

"Peter, go get some clothes for us. James, could you get some tea?" Sirius asked, still holding Althea tightly. "Are you all right?" he asked softly to her.

"Yeah," she murmured and began to shiver.

"Are you sure?" he whispered and Althea thought he kissed the top of her wet head. "I just wanted--I didn't mean to--"

"It--it's all right. I must have hit my head on the bottom," she replied, growing accustomed to the feel of Sirius.

Sirius attempted to cover her with part of his wet robes. "You're very cold," he replied and gently rubbed her back. "Peter will be here soon.... Come on, Peter."

Althea gradually pulled away from Sirius. "Why would you do this?"

Sirius shrugged. "A joke, but I didn't think--"

"Of course, you didn't," she said and sniffed.

"Morrigan, I'm sorry."

Althea caught her breath. The three words she never thought she would hear from Sirius.

"I wanted--I don't know what I wanted, actually," he said, frowning.

"This has to stop between us," she said, pulling her knees to her chest. "I rather like being alive."

"You're shivering...here," he said and pulled her closer to him. Althea's eyes widened slightly.

"I--I'm sorry about before," she said, staring ahead of her. "I should've knocked."

"I should've locked the door," he replied, stroking wet strands of hair away from her face.

The nape of Althea's neck prickled with warmth. "Really, I shouldn't have hit you with the book," she replied awkwardly, looking at her soggy skirt. "I shouldn't--"

"I shouldn't have said those things to you--"

The prefects' bathroom door opened, and Peter, breathing heavily, entered with an armful of clothes.

"Here...I have clothes. I--I couldn't find...a girl though, but--but I brought some...of your clothes, Sirius," Peter said--out of breath--holding out two folded sweaters and two folded pairs of trousers.

"You didn't want to talk to a girl," Sirius muttered, roughly taking the clothes from Peter.

Peter frowned slightly.

"Here, put these on," he added as he handed her a navy sweater and grey trousers.

"Oh, no--really--I couldn't," she replied, attempting to hand him back his clothes. "I'll wear these," she added, pointing to her clothes. "A Drying Spell--"

"No, that won't work," he interrupted, refusing to take back his clothes.

"What if someone sees me wearing your clothes?" she asked, uneasily holding his clothes in her hands. "Really, a Drying Spell--"

"So, it's another rumor," he replied and nodded toward a curtain. "You can change behind there."

Althea went behind a curtain and immediately removed her heavy, sopping wet clothes. She was uncomfortable slipping into Sirius's clothes. What would the rest of the school think? Althea slipped the navy sweater over her head and noticed that the sweater smelled like Sirius. She brought the soft wool collar to her nose and inhaled deeply the warm, sensual smell that made Althea's neck tingle. All of a sudden, Althea realized what she was doing and stopped--a queasy sensation developing in her stomach. She actually liked the smell of Sirius. She pulled the trousers up to her waist, fastened them, and rolled the trouser legs--Sirius and Althea were both tall, but Sirius was at least two inches taller.

Althea shyly walked from behind the curtain, took a cup of tea from James, and timidly sat on a bench next to Sirius. She greedily drank the warm tea, and relaxed as the warmth of the liquid coursed through her body. James and Peter set about drying their clothes as Althea and Sirius sat upon the bench quietly drinking their tea. Why was she acting this way? She was never timid or awkward around Sirius before tonight. Maybe there was something new between them. Maybe this was what life was like when not at Sirius' throat. It was new and intimidating. What have I done, she thought, kicking her naked heel against the floor.

***

"I--I really don't think this is necessary," Althea stuttered as Sirius scooped her up in his arms. "I'm really heavy."

"You're not heavy at all. Just put your arms around my neck," Sirius replied, nodding for her to do so. "Come on."

Althea shyly wrapped her arms around his neck, and to her amazement, Sirius carried her up the stairs to Gryffindor Tower and to the Fat Lady's portrait. She insisted on him letting her walk into Gryffindor Tower, and thankfully, he accepted because a large group of Gryffindors sat in the common room. Sirius and Althea entered first, amid stares and nudges from fellow Gryffindors. The eyes and whispers pierced Althea's skin as she walked toward the girls' dormitory. Everyone knew, or at least knew of what could have happened. Althea slowly ascended the staircase to her dormitory, where she found Lily sitting at the edge of Althea's bed.

"Hi," Althea said quietly as she shut the door.

Lily did not respond, but sat quietly at the edge of Althea's bed.

Oh, dear, she thought as she walked forward. She knows of something. Althea took in a deep gulp of air. She might have survived Sirius, but Althea was not sure she could survive Lily. Lily was a prefect, and Althea constantly put her in an unwelcome position with every confrontation she had with Sirius. I honestly don't mean to put her in this position, she thought as she sat next to Lily. It just happens. Althea waited for Lily to speak, and it did not take long.

"Althea, is it--is it true?" Lily asked, the tears forming in her eyes. "I know you've done some right stupid things, and this had witnesses...credible, shocked witnesses."

Althea was confused and furrowed her eyebrows. "What--what's true?" she asked and placed her hands on Lily's shoulders.

"You and Black," she whispered, insinuating as she nodded her head to the side. "That you and Black were...you know," she insinuated, lifting her eyebrows.

"Me and Black?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes," Lily answered, wincing slightly. "I've learned to be never surprised by what you do, but it was so difficult for me to defend you this time.... He was on top of you, naked."

Althea's mouth dropped open from shock. "Oh, me and Black."

It felt as if the blood from Althea's face had drained down to her feet. Everybody thinks that Black and I had--had--sex, she thought, and ran her fingers through her wet hair. How would she ever overcome this rumor? Someone other than James must have observed them arguing in the fifth-year dormitory, and mistook it as something more. Althea had to suppress her laughter--how could someone have mistaken that for anything but an argument?

Althea stared into Lily's emerald eyes. "Lily, Black and I...we didn't, Lily," she said, attempting to reassure her friend. "I wouldn't--I wouldn't do that," she said, shyly tucking a curl behind her ear. "Why would you even think?"

Lily shrugged. "I thought he'd given you a Love Potion or something--"

Althea laughed nervously. "No, we were rowing...as usual."

"This is a first--Black, naked, rowing with you," Lily remarked, a smile emerging across her face.

"He wasn't naked," she said, her lips quivering into a small smile. "He did have a towel."

"It improves it slightly," Lily replied and winked. "You've gotten farther than most girls in Hogwarts."

Althea felt her face and neck flush. "I didn't mean to--"

Lily giggled loudly. "Admit it, you have," she said, savoring her laugh as she looked upon Althea. Her eyes drifted to Althea's hair and she frowned. "Why is your hair wet?"

"Oh right," she murmured and gently bit her bottom lip. "We might've fought in the prefects' bathroom--"

"Prefects' bathroom? How'd he--Lupin!"

Althea shrugged. "I've used the girls' bath--"

Lily frowned. "True," she said, rubbing her temples. "Are you defending him?"

Althea vigorously shook her head. "No, no, no, of course not!" she said and laughed nervously. "I'd--I'd never defend him...that arrogant toerag."