The Mathias Prophecy Book III

THE MATHIAS PROPHECY

To Everything there is a Season

"This potions homework is killing me, Harry," Ron moaned. They were sitting in the library going over some of the advanced potions they were responsible to know, in addition to their independent study project. "You'd think Snape would be a little easier on us being as how he is your Protector."

"Ron, I told you before, the fact that Professor Snape is Harry's Protector doesn't mean he is going to make our studies any easier," Hermione admonished him shaking her head, her brow furrowed into a frown. "He still has to teach his regular set of standard curriculum. You're just mad because you couldn't decide what to do for an independent project, so he assigned you one."

"Yeah, and what a one he got, too," Harry laughed, looking out the window at the October sunshine.

"It's not funny, you two. How was I to know he would give me the limb-restoring potion? It is one of the hardest potions to make, and the ingredients are down right disgusting. Most of them are the livers of different animals that have to be boiled with bloodroot and catgut. Then there are the worms. You have to section them and remove their heads, for the regeneration properties; but the worst is the spider venom. I have to milk the spiders," Ron shuddered, "I hate spiders."

"Maybe that's why he gave it to you," Harry smirked.

"That's not funny. The man is down right evil!"

"My dear Mr.Weasley," Snape's soft icy voice came from the aisle behind him, "you have no idea exactly how evil I can be."

Ron blanched as Harry and Hermione went into gales of laughter. Madam Pince, the librarian looked up from her desk, scowling irritably.

"Sh...Madam Pince will throw us out," Hermione choked.

"And that's a bad thing," Harry quipped.

"It is, Miss Potter, judging by your last homework assignment," Snape eyed Harry arrogantly. "Perhaps I should have you do some extra credit assignments?"

"You're right, Ron, he's back in his evil mode."

"Oh, you two, knock it off. You both could do with a little more time studying instead of worrying about playing Quidditch."

"Ron, grab Hermione's books. We need to get her to the infirmary quick. Professor Snape has given her some kind of mind-altering potion. She thinks studying is more important than Quidditch!" Harry grinned at Snape wickedly.

"It's a pity I didn't have enough of that potion to try some on the two of you," Snape countered coolly, giving her a piercing look. He then closed the book he had in his hand, and returning it to the shelf, moved swiftly out of the library, without making a sound.

"How the hell does he do it?" Ron asked puzzled. "I never saw anyone who could move around so silent and fast."

"Wrong, his uncle Tiberius can. Remember the Protection ceremony?"

"Oh, yeah," Ron agreed sheepishly. Tiberius Snape had snuck up behind Ron in the same manner when he had gone to greet Arthur Weasley, a business acquaintance.

"Look! Here comes Hedwig," Harry indicated the Snowy Owl Hagrid had given her in her first year. "I'm getting some mail."

"Who is it from?" Hermione asked.

"Phaedra, she and I write to each other once a week."

"Harry, Phaedra is only in the first grade. How can she write to you?" Ron shook his head in disbelief. "She's only just started to read and write."

"No, dummy," Hermione rolled her eyes, "her mother writes them for her."

"Phaedra helps though, see..." Harry held up a note written in large uneven script.

"What does it say?" Ron questioned curiously.

"She says Mr. Hoppity Hop is getting big. That's the rabbit I gave to her just before we left for school. The other note is from her mother, Circe."

"Does she have any interesting news?" Hermione inquired with interest.

"Professor Dumbledore has invited them to come to Hogwart's for the Christmas Holiday along with Tiberius. She says Tiberius will be away on business, but that she and Circe will be here on Christmas Eve."

"I wonder why Snape didn't invite his sister, himself," Hermione remarked.

"Humph... why would you even ask?" Ron muttered under his breath as Harry kicked him under the table. "Ow...what was that for?"

"Oh, Ron, really, that wasn't a very nice thing to say," Hermione scolded him. "Harry said that he seems to be very close with his sister and niece. You don't know if he asked them or not. Harry could have done a lot worse than just kick you."

"Well in any event they're coming," she interrupted her friends quibbling. "Oh how nice. Phaedra is going to be in a Halloween Pageant at her school. They will send me a picture of her. She goes to a private school that is just for the children of witches and wizards, so they will all be wearing little dress robes and hats. She also says Phaedra would like me to send a picture of all of us standing outside of Hogwarts. It seems her friend, Althea, does not believe that she is really getting letters from me. I'll fix the little twit. I'll have a picture done outside with the three of us and her Uncle Severus."

"You should get Dumbledore too. That will really shut her up."

"Ron is right, Harry. Nobody would argue with her if Dumbledore is in the picture."

"Good idea. I have a private tutoring session with him in about fifteen minutes," she remarked glancing at her watch. "I will ask him then."

"You are so lucky to be getting additional training. It will take me ages to catch up to you. I have already ordered a few books for after we finish here at Hogwarts."

Ron rolled his eyes, shaking his head, "Hermione, if you are interested in advanced studies you should apply for an apprenticeship. I am going to apply for one as an Auror."

"I am, but there are so many possibilities. I don't know what I want to do. What about you, Harry?"

"I haven't decided yet," she lied. Harry was hoping to get a position from Dumbledore as a student teacher, but didn't know if she would be alive come next September. "Look, I have to go. I don't want to keep the Headmaster waiting," she said hastily gathering up her papers and leaving the library.

"What was that all about?" Hermione asked turning to Ron perplexed.

"Hermione, you are one of the smartest people I know," Ron replied looking at her with respect, "but when it comes to understanding people you have a lot to learn. "

"I don't follow you."

"Hermione, it's Harry's seventh year! The Prophecy said she would be going down in great pain. She may not be around to do an apprenticeship."

"Ron, you have my permission to just kick me. I'm such an ass. I wasn't thinking. I mean, she has the Protectors and you have the goblet..." Hermione let her voice trail off. The thought that her friend might be going to die sent a chill up her spine.

"I know, Hermione," Ron gently got up and put his arms around her. "I don't want to lose her either." They just stood there holding onto each other seeking the solace of each other's company...

Harry hurriedly walked to the tower where Dumbledore's office was located, and stopping at the gargoyle uttered his password, "chocolate cupcakes," and the hidden door swung open revealing the moving stairs. Hopping on in one swift movement, she ascended to the upper level and knocked on the door.

"Enter," Dumbledore's voice called, and Harry stepped inside. "You're early, Child, I'm glad. Sirius and I were just talking about you." Sirius was sitting in a chair beside the Headmaster's desk.

"What have you been up to, my little mischief maker?"

"Just the usual, you know, tormenting Professor Snape to see how long it takes him to get mad. Why do you ask?"

"This is why," Sirius dumped a sheaf of papers he had been holding onto the desk in front of her. "I am not happy."

Harry didn't have to look at them to know they were her recent tests. She had only passed one, and that was transfiguration. She had even failed her Defense Against the Dark Arts quiz.

"So I failed a few quizzes, what are you getting excited about?"

"No, Harry, you failed every quiz except one, and that you barely passed. What is the problem? You should have aced every one of these."

"Not Potions, Snape's quizzes are always tricky," she replied tartly.

"That's not the point. You are a Head Girl and a good student. Most of this is already like child's play for you. Remus was fit to be tied."

"No surprise there. If you had said Snape was fit to be tied...well then..."

"Harry, that will be quiet enough," Dumbledore was becoming angry at her back talk. "Perhaps if you are suspended from this Saturday's Quidditch match, so that you can spend the time studying, you will show an improvement."

Harry blinked, taken aback. Dumbledore had hit a nerve. This week's game was against Slytherin, and if she didn't play, Gryffindor would probably lose. She turned sharply and looked at Sirius for support. It was not forthcoming.

"You brought this on yourself, honey. You should never have talked back to me in front of Albus."

"Sirius...Headmaster...don't do this. Don't take away the one thing that still matters in my life. I need to play that game."

"I'm sorry, Harry, but you should have known better than to speak to us like that. We are all here to protect you, and you have been behaving as if you don't care. You will just have to forfeit Saturday's game," Sirius told her firmly, exerting his authority as her godfather.

"It doesn't really matter. Letting people down seems to be going around these days. Why should either of you be any different?"

"Harry, you're the one who let down your team mates, by being suspended because of your giving me lip about those test scores. I don't see why you think otherwise."

"I came up here early on purpose to see the Headmaster. You both always said to come when I had a problem, so I did. The only thing is that when I got up here I found my Godfather and my Trust Keeper more worried about a few quizzes than me," Harry looked from one to the other. Sirius was watching her with interest while Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, blue eyes intense. "Neither of you asked me why I failed them deliberately. It was obvious that you knew I had done so. Instead you started blasting me for it. I talked back because I was angry. I failed those quizzes because there is no point in taking them anymore. When I looked to Sirius for his support about playing in Saturday's Quidditch match, he refused to support me. It didn't matter if I was right or not, all I wanted was for you to give me your support."

"Child, sit down. Something is going on and I want to know what," Dumbledore indicated the other chair next to Sirius. She settled herself and then looked up at Dumbledore. He could read the desperation in her eyes, and she didn't like that. "Now tell me what happened."

"It's too hard to explain."

"Try," Dumbledore spoke firmly.

"The last few weeks I have been pretending not to hear what people are saying...my friends I mean. I couldn't avoid it any more today in the library."

"Harry, Severus said you were fine when he left the library. He stopped here just before you came up," Sirius explained when she looked up sharply at the mention of her encounter in the library; obviously Snape had been watching her.

"I was, until Hermione started saying how lucky I was to be getting advanced tutoring. She was telling me that it would take her ages to catch up to me, so Ron asked her why she wasn't going to apply for an advanced training apprenticeship."

"How did she reply?" Dumbledore asked. "I have been waiting to see if she would apply for the one position I will have."

"Oh..." Harry looked crestfallen.

"Honey, what is it? Are you going to apply for it?" Sirius asked growing worried at her look of defeat.

"She hasn't decided on what to apply for yet. That's what she said to me in the library. Ron wants to be an Auror," Harry couldn't look at Sirius.

"Child, did she ask you what you wanted to do after your seventh year?" Dumbledore's warm blue eyes told her he knew the answer.

"She didn't realize what she was asking. She didn't think that for me there might not be a next year. I can't apply for any position, no matter how badly I want to. Why bother to even go to class? The only thing that has been keeping my mind off the whole thing is playing Quidditch. People see me as just plain old Harry then. I can be free to let go and don't have time to think about Voldemort or dying or prophecies. You have both effectively taken that away from me now, too," Harry's voice cracked, but she didn't cry. She refused to allow them to see her cry.

"Harry," Dumbledore began slowly, "I am going to ask you some questions and I want you to answer me honestly."

"Yes, Sir."

"You admit to deliberately failing these tests because you see no point in taking them because the outcome of the Prophecy is unclear?"

"Yes."

"Do you believe you are going to die?"

"I don't know. I just can't get this awful image out of my mind of all of you standing around me in a casket," she shuddered.

"I see. If I were to say to you that you are going to live a long and happy life and that I don't want to hear any more talk about dying what would you do?"

"I'd say you were a sweet old man who was just trying to make me feel better by saying that I should stop worrying about what might happen in the future and concentrate on the present."

"That's our little phoenix, eh Fawkes?" Dumbledore smiled talking to his pet phoenix across the room. The bird immediately flew off his perch and landed in front of Harry. He began to sing softly.

"You're playing with a loaded deck, Professor," Harry smiled as she gently pet Fawkes on the head.

"Phoenix song," Sirius smiled, "will increase the courage of the pure of heart."

"Exactly," Dumbledore beamed, "now apologize to Sirius for talking back," Dumbledore advised his tone brooking no argument.

"I'm sorry. I was being a little twit."

"I shouldn't have been so angry. I thought you failed those quizzes just to annoy us. I knew you know the material. It never occurred to me that you might be worried. I thought we had resolved that with the Protectorship."

No, that's why Fawkes is singing to me. He knows I'm worried, scared, even a little hurt inside."

"What is causing you so much pain, Child?"

"Everybody who sees me whispers about the prophecy. They all know that sometime over the next few months I'm going to have a major battle with Voldemort. Yet, in all this time, not one of them has come up to me and said they would stand behind me, nor have they said a simple thank you. All they care about is themselves, and knowing they can go to sleep at night and not have to worry any more. It doesn't matter to them that I may die, or that I will be the one who tried to make the world a little bit nicer. They will be safe and happy in their own little lives and deny that anything was ever wrong."

Fawkes sang louder, moving to sit on her shoulder.

"Harry, you are not going to die. I don't want you to think that way. You're right though, about people. They can't look at you because of their own guilt. They're ashamed that the only thing that stands between them and Voldemort's Deatheaters is one lonely orphan girl, with a boy's name," Sirius took her in his arms, hugging her tightly to his chest. Harry wished he would never let go. Fawkes stopped singing and returned to his perch.

"That's better," Dumbledore beamed looking at her over his spectacles. "Now I have one more question for you?"

"What is that?"

"Do you want to play Quidditch this weekend?"

"Yes."

"Then if Sirius agrees to let you play, I will rescind my previous decision."

"Hmm...what do you think, Albus? Should I let her play?" Sirius teased her gently, his brown eyes full of laughter.

"Harry, do you have at least one good reason why Sirius should allow you to go ahead and play with your team?"

"If I don't then Slytherin has a good chance of winning and Snape will never let you live it down," she smiled timidly.

"Good reason, you can play," he laughed hugging her. "I want you to promise me you won't fail any more tests or quizzes on purpose though."

"I promise."

"Good. Now I will leave you alone with the Headmaster. I have a class to teach," Sirius smiled looking down at her. "I will see you both at dinner," he said exiting the office.

"Now, Child, lets get to your lesson."

"Wait, I have to talk to you about Phaedra. I need a favor."

"Is something wrong?"

"Nothing that we can't all fix, but we will need Professor Snape's help too," she stated matter-of factly.

Harry then proceeded to tell him all about Phaedra's friend, and her doubts that Phaedra really knew Harry. Dumbledore was delighted about having their pictures taken in front of Hogwarts. He agreed to get Snape to sit for the picture too, and then he and Harry began her lesson. He was working with her telekinesis today, and making her move objects from across the room. It was strenuous and difficult, but when she finally moved his astrolabe from one side of the shelf to the other, Dumbledore seemed pleased.

"That will do for now, Harry. I know you are tired. Your ability to focus has improved immensely. Next week we will do some more."

"I'd rather do charms," she pouted.

"You don't need to practice your charms as much. I want you to work on the skills which you find most difficult, but will prove most useful against Voldemort."

"Charms can be useful against him too."

"Yes, they can, but you are able to do and create spells and charms easily. You have also almost completed all aspects of transfiguration, with the exception of transforming a human being. That will be one of your final lessons in class, and I happen to know that Professor McGonagall has always liked teaching it."

"Couldn't Sirius teach it to me now? I like doing transfiguration."

"No. I want you to wait."

"Sure, just let Professors Snape and Lupin torture me in advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts. All I ever get to do anymore is that and practice telekinesis. I either end up battered, bruised, and scared out of my wits, or with a splitting headache."

"Have you learned anything from it?" he asked amused, his blue eyes alight with laughter.

"Yeah, that I had better start ducking faster or I'll be in big trouble," she looked at him over her glasses.

"You might try blocking the spells they throw out at you," Dumbledore replied meeting her gaze with one of his own, and they both laughed. "Now, before you leave, I have something else to talk to you about."

"What did I do now?"

"Nothing that I'm aware of, are you feeling guilty about something?"

"No."

"In that case I want you to fill this out," he handed her a quill and a long parchment.

"What is it?"

"Your application for a full time teaching position next fall. You do not need to apprentice; you can be a full time adjunct. You have enough advanced training already to qualify you. I believe I will be having an opening. Of course if you aren't interested..."

"Of course I'm interested, but since when do you have a full time adjunct?"

"Since the Ministry approved my request. Now fill out the form. I would appreciate it if you do not say anything to anyone about it. I have not yet made it official."

Harry filled out the form, and handed it back to the Headmaster, "Professor, could I ask you something?"

"Of course, Child, what is it?"

"Would you mind very much if I skipped the Halloween Feast? My heart just isn't in it this year."

"Harry, I know you are still thinking about what happened last Halloween, but you have to remember that it was actually sixteen years ago. I want you to come to the feast on Friday."

"I'll come, but I won't be happy. It just seems that bad things happen to me on Halloween."

"Nonsense, Child. Now go on to your next class. I believe it is Divination?"

"Unfortunately, it is. I am definitely not in the mood for Professor Trelawney. All she ever does is predict my death. It's no wonder I'm getting neurotic," Harry grinned, and Dumbledore shook his head.

"Child, you are no more neurotic than I am."

"Well, a little daft then?"

"Good afternoon, Little Phoenix," Dumbledore smiled dismissing her.

"Good afternoon, Headmaster," Harry winked as she stepped onto the stairs to go to Divination. She met Ron just as she reached the entrance to Professor Trelawney's tower. He had waited for her, and smiled with relief as she approached.

"I was worried about you. Sometimes Hermione doesn't think. Are you okay?"

"I am now. I got reamed out by Sirius and the Headmaster for failing all those quizzes though," she said as they climbed up into the tower. "They knew it was deliberate."

"Don't say I told you so."

"I know, I know. Everything is okay now though."

"Good, I don't like to see you preoccupied with the Prophecy," Ron whispered as they took their seats.

The incense and heat in the room were stifling as usual. Harry looked around and saw Parvati sitting alone. She wondered where her friend, Lavender Brown, was. Her question was answered a moment later when she came from the other half of the tower accompanied by Professor Trelawney.

"Oh, Professor, thank you so much. My mother will be thrilled to know that I will be going into Fashion Design," Lavender gushed happily.

"My crystal showed you clearly doing sketches for Witches Fashion Monthly," Trelawney smiled serenely as she glanced around the room. Lavender took her seat beside Parvati; Ron rolled his eyes, while Harry covered her mouth so Trelawney would not see her smirking.

"It is time for our weekly Tarot practice. If you will all take out your cards I want you each to do a reading for your partner," Professor Trelawney directed the class as she wandered about the room.

"You first; you know that somewhere along the line she will be predicting my death," Harry whispered to Ron, "she always does."

"Right," Ron picked up the deck of Tarot cards and began to shuffle them. He then cut them into three piles placing the first on top of the third and then on top of the one in the middle. Handing them back to Harry, she began to lay them out on the table in front of him, in the prescribed manner.

"Now that's interesting, Ron. If I am reading this correctly, you have a secret involving a girl with light brown hair. Is she anybody I know? I see she is positioned with the lovers," Harry teased him, thinking about Hermione.

"I'll never tell," Ron blushed.

"Hmm...That's odd. Look at this. You're significator card is the Page of Cups and you are covered with the hanged man which signifies divination or prophecy. You are facing the Knight of Pentacles, the Knight of Cups, and the Knight of wands. There is also a Queen of Pentacles. The Magician is next to the Devil and the Fool is next to him. You have many Major Arcana cards. See, here are the High Priestess and the Moon. There is also Justice and the Emperor."

"Ah..." Trelawney had come over to look at Ron's cards, "are you not the Keeper of the Goblet?"

"Yes," Ron replied nervously.

"You will be using it... See the three Knights? They are the three Protectors. The dark haired woman is in turmoil, with the Magician, Devil, and Fool in control. The Emperor is most probably Dumbledore and Miss Potter is the High Priestess. The Moon Goddess stands before her with hidden enemies. Miss Potter, place the next card over the High Priestess. Perhaps it will give us another clue as to what is going to transpire." Harry did as Professor Trelawney instructed. She drew the Page of Wands. "Ah...a young blond child," Trelawney nodded.

Harry's stomach felt like it dropped. A name came into her head, 'Phaedra.' However, Phaedra was safely back in Cornwall with her mother and uncle. This was just another of Trelawney's bad predictions and Harry's imagination running wild.

"I see you know in your heart what Mr. Weasley's cards indicate. Mr. Weasley do Miss Potter's reading and let me see it."

"Yes, ma'am," Ron scooped the cards up and handed them to Harry. Her face had become mask like and pale. She took her time shuffling and cutting before handing them back to Ron. Carefully, he laid them out on the table in front of them.

Harry scowled as he turned over each one. The High Priestess appeared over her significator, the queen of cups. The Devil, the Fool, and the Magician were also present again as was the Page of Wands, and the Moon. In addition, she had the Death card,

Fortitude and the World. Fortunately, the Cracked Tower did not come out in the spread.

"The Magician, the Fool and Devil are waiting for you," Trelawney said studying the cards thoughtfully. "You will again face Death. The Sun and the World indicate that you will overcome their obstacles, and take flight for a new destination. The Moon indicates some hidden enemies, but they are not yours. The Moon is in a position to guard you and you are guarding the Page of Wands."

"I knew death would show up somewhere in this class. It usually does," Harry's green eyes bored into Professor Trelawney.

"Oh, Harry," Parvoti Patil said from where she sat on the next table. "You really need to take this seriously. It's your seventh year!"

"Parvoti, shut up!" Ron looked up angrily. "Harry knows what year this is."

"I'll worry when the Cracked Tower appears with the Devil and the Death card or the Magician. In the meantime, I will just wait. It will be up to Voldemort to make the first move," Harry remarked nonchalantly watching Parvoti cringe at the mention of the Dark Lord's name. "Come on Ron. The incense and the heat in here have combined to give me one heck of a headache. I think I'm going to throw up. Walk me up to the nurse, the room is spinning."

"Right with you, Harry," Ron gathered their books, handing Harry her backpack.

"Class is not yet over," Trelawney studied them warily.

"It is for us unless you want puke all over," Harry called as she scrambled down the ladder from the tower, Ron behind her.

"Harry, the infirmary is that way," Ron indicated the opposite direction from the one she was heading.

"I know that. We're not going there. We're going outside instead. I want some fresh air and it's a lovely fall day."

"You are aware that if we get caught we will be given detention?"

"Since when has that ever stopped us? Besides, I really do have a headache from all that damned incense."

"I know how you feel," Ron agreed, "it could be the end of June and she still keeps it stifling hot in there. I just hope Snape doesn't find us. He will make sure to find a particularly nasty detention for us you know."

"Yeah, but I'd rather do detention with him than stay another minute in Divination."

"Harry, I don't know about you, but I was getting spooked in there today. You don't suppose..."

"I don't know, Ron. I just hope it was a fluke," Harry replied as they walked out the front door and headed towards the lake. "I promised the Headmaster I would let the Protectors do the worrying for me," she said as they reached the bench and sat down. The October sunshine was warm but the air had the hint of colder weather ahead. "I asked Dumbledore if I could skip the Halloween feast this year."

"What did he say?"

"No. He told me not to brood on the past."

"Good, the feast wouldn't be the same without you. He's right you know. It will do you no good to remember what happened last year."

"I can't help it. I just wish my dad had listened to me. He knew you know. He knew he would die, but he made sure I didn't."

"Harry, your dad was a good man, and he really loved you. He knew you had to go on."

"You know I told him you said the same thing all those years ago when we had to play our way across McGonagall's chess board."

"It's the truth. You're special. That scar on your forehead tells the whole story. You really are great. It's in your soul."

"You know Ron, sometimes you can be very intense. I'm glad you're my friend."

"Thanks," he shifted uncomfortably. "I kissed Hermione today. It was in the library, after you left."

"Did she return the kiss?" Harry smiled with pleasure.

"Yeah, she did. I didn't mean to at first. It just happened."

"I'm glad. I always knew you were meant for each other."

"Funny how things happen, we always seemed to be at odds with one another. Now...well..." He shrugged, his face red.

"Love is a strange thing. You never know where it will strike."

"I don't know about love, but I do know that there are at least two students who aren't where they are supposed to be," a quiet familiar voice came from behind them.

Turning around, Harry smiled as she looked into the soft hazel eyes of Professor Lupin.

"See Ron, you got your wish. Professor Snape didn't catch us this time. It's our favorite Defense teacher."

"Flattery will not get you off the hook, Harry, nor will it help you either, Ron."

"It was worth a try," she grinned at Lupin who just rolled his eyes.

"Come on, both of you."

"Yeah, we know the drill. Up to the Headmaster's office," Ron sighed getting up. "What kind of detention do you think we'll get this time?"

"I have no idea. You would think they would be running out of things by this time," Harry laughed. "Between us and when Fred and George were here they will probably need to put out a manual."

"Now that is an interesting idea," Lupin couldn't entirely hide his amusement. "I will mention it to the other Professors. We could all collaborate on it," he remarked, herding them up the stairs and towards Dumbledore's tower. "Chocolate cupcakes," Lupin spoke the password and they all ascended the moving stairs up into the tower.

"I see you have found our two truants, Remus. What mischief were they up to now?"

"Actually they were sitting out by the lake, talking."

"What have you both to say for yourselves?" Dumbledore looked at them both sternly.

"I take exception at being called a truant, Headmaster. I went to class. Ron will affirm that I became ill."

"I am aware of your excuse. Professor Trelawney asked me to make sure you two both went up to the infirmary. You didn't."

"We went outside because I felt nauseous. My head was pounding from all that incense she uses. Besides, as usual death came up in her class, namely mine. You told me to worry about the present, not the future, but I swear if she tells me I'm dying or facing death one more time..."

"Calm down, Harry," Dumbledore noticed her voice was getting high with renewed anxiety. "I will speak with Professor Trelawney. You should have gone to the infirmary, or you could have come back up here to me."

"I don't want to keep bothering you. It's not fair. You have your work to do on top of everything else."

"Child, you are part of my work. I know you feel that you don't want to worry me, or any of your three protectors, for that matter, but you need to confide in us," Dumbledore looked at her seriously. "As for you Mr. Weasley, you need to come to us when you think she needs our help and support. Now, you will both do detention and I am taking fifty points from Gryffindor. I will inform you both later when your detentions will be, is that clear?"

"Yes, Sir," Ron responded.

Harry merely glared at Dumbledore. She had never been this mad at him before. 'You want me to confide in you, but then when I try to you take fifty points from Gryffindor,' she thought feeling betrayed. 'I would at least expect a little help from Professor Lupin, but he doesn't seem to be on my side either.'

"Harry, the Headmaster is talking to you," Remus soft voice came from over her shoulder, breaking into her thoughts, "I think you should answer him."

"Do you?" Harry asked as she looked around at him, and noticed the window was open for Fawkes. "In that case, good day, Headmaster," she said coldly, swiftly transforming and flying out the window before any of them could stop her. Catching an updraft, she flew too high for their wands to reach her, and headed straight for the Forbidden Forest. 'Hell, if I'm going to lose points, I may as well go for broke...."

"Mr. Weasley, go and get Professors Black and Snape, immediately. Then I want you to go to your room and get the goblet. Harry has no idea how much danger she may get into in the forest. You may be needed to read the flames." Dumbledore instructed with authority.

Ron did not have to be told twice; he had the goblet with him, and placed it on the desk, noting the approval in Dumbledore's eyes. He then hurried from the office to get the other two protectors. As soon as he was gone, Professor Lupin turned to Dumbledore.

"Albus, I have never seen her so angry. What could have touched her off like that?"

"I believe it was when I punished her. She expected a detention, but not losing house points."

"Maybe she just needs someone to talk to and listen. I don't know what happened in her Divination class, but I think that it really must have upset both her and Ron. I didn't catch what they were saying outside, other than he and Hermione have finally discovered each other."

"Very well, I will question him as soon as he returns. Then we will try to find Harry. She did say Trelawney was predicting her death again, and she was distraught earlier." Dumbledore was worried, and suddenly felt as thought he had failed Harry. He should have questioned her further before meting out her punishment.

Ten minutes later Ron was back in Dumbledore's office and he explained exactly what had happened in their Divination class. Snape was very still, when Ron mentioned the part about the young blond child, but did not say a word. Dumbledore paced thoughtfully for a minute, and then turned to face Ron.

"Mr. Weasley, I want you to return to your classes and take the goblet with you. Should it flame you are to alert the three protectors at once. I will go and find Harry."

"Yes, Professor Dumbledore," Ron gathered both his and Harry's things intending to drop them off in her room, and left the office.

"Headmaster," Snape looked at his friend," perhaps one of us should come with you?"

"No, I will need the three of you here in the event Harry falls into some kind of danger and I can't find her. I also think you need to send an owl to your sister."

Snape nodded, relieved that Dumbledore had the same worry as he did. He also knew Harry had thought of Phaedra, too, and was worried.

"Albus, as Harry's godfather and Protector I think I should accompany you. If she turns back to human form I will be able to track her."

"No, I think you should stay here. If I'm not back by evening the three of you are to come and try to find me."

"Albus, I...."

"Don't argue with me Professor Black," Dumbledore's eyes flashed. "I will go alone and that is all there is to it. Harry is very obviously angry and I don't want her to get any more out of control than she already is."

"I apologize Albus; it's just that I'm more than a little worried. I feel we may have pushed her into this."

"I just wish she would talk to us more," Remus added, "she used to come and see me and we would talk when she was upset, but since we've come back to Hogwarts...well..., " he shrugged looking out the window with a worried frown. Dumbledore had no reply, but put a gentle hand on Remus shoulder.

"We'll find her and sort this out. I think part of it is simply her desire to grow up combined with her independent nature and her worry about Voldemort," he stated grabbing his broom. He felt it would be better to try and follow her from the air. They descended the moving stairs and the three instructors went back to their duties with trepidation, as Dumbledore headed out the double doors of the castle, and mounted his broom flying towards the Forbidden Forest....

Harry flew into the forest without thinking about where she was going. She was so angry with Dumbledore! He just did not understand what Trelawney had done to her. 'Talk to her indeed! What does he think I am, stupid? He wants me to relax and not worry, but how can I with the woman constantly telling me I am going to die? Then there was that stuff about a little blond child. Damn if something happens to Phaedra because of me I will never be able to bear it,' she worried as she finally settled onto a branch to rest. Looking around she realized she had no idea where she was. This part of the forest was totally unfamiliar to her. 'Oh great, now I'm lost on top of everything else. No matter, I'll just fly above the trees and find out how to get back.'

Harry took off again, but was suddenly struck with a hard object squarely in her chest. She began to fall back to the earth, and spotted a troll out hunting! Fluttering frantically, she managed to land herself in a clump of bushes, but the troll was crashing through the underbrush to get to her. Wobbling through the deep brush she managed to elude him, but not for long. She could hear him breathing nearby and his fetid odor was making her feel sick. She had to get to a safe place and transform. It hurt to breathe, and she was sure her ribs had been cracked. She was getting light headed and could feel fluid building up in her chest. 'Oh God, for once that stupid witch, Trelawney was right, I'm going to die out here in the forest and no one will know what ever happened to me,' Harry thought in deep distress. 'Headmaster, I'm sorry, you were right but I was too stupid to look at things objectively,' she told herself as she heard the troll checking the underbrush for her broken body....

Dumbledore had been flying low above the treetops, when he spotted Harry. She had gone into the forest and landed on a tree. Swinging his broom around in a wide arc to avoid being seen, he spotted the hunting troll. Racing back, he was just in time to see the creature aim his slingshot, bringing down a large scarlet bird...Harry! He saw her flutter and knew she was seriously injured, as she managed to take cover in the thick underbrush. Dumbledore carefully turned again, and perused the forest to make sure the troll was alone. Satisfied that he was not part of a large group, he landed his broom in a thicket behind the huge creature, intending to surprise him. He could hear the troll searching the underbrush looking for Harry. It was then that he heard the screech of a Phoenix in peril....

Ron had been sitting in Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Lupin, when he suddenly felt a prickling in his spine, and his vision blurred. Looking down at his open backpack, he saw the goblet spring to life.

"Professor Lupin," he yelled interrupting the lesson on the Lethifold, and the use of the Patronus spell to repel them, "Harry is in trouble, the goblet it burning."

"Hermione, go and get Professor Black, Seamus you go for Professor Snape. Class is dismissed," Lupin reacted instantly, rushing over to Ron.

The students immediately clambered from the classroom, Seamus and Hermione running in opposite directions; Hermione to the transfiguration classroom on the second floor, and Seamus down to the dungeons.

"Professor, what should I do?" Professor Lupin could hear the panic in Ron's voice.

"Calm down and take a deep breath. It will be all right, Ron. Now put the goblet on the desk in front of you, and try to relax. We need you to keep a cool head. Harry will be fine if we all work together," Lupin replied calmly in an effort to reassure Ron, when in fact his own stomach was in knots.

The door suddenly opened and Sirius burst in with Snape almost immediately on his heels.

"Remus has Ron looked for Harry yet?"

"No, Professor. It only started a minute ago."

"I stopped my class immediately and sent for you as soon as Ron alerted me."

"Mr. Weasley, I do not mean to pressure you, but time may be of the essence. Are you prepared for what you must do?" Snape looked down gravely.

"Professor Snape, Harry is my best friend. I won't let her down," Ron replied indignantly. He then tuned and began to stare into the fire. For a moment, he did not see anything, and then he gasped with wonder, "she is under some bushes, and her vision is blurred. Harry is still in her Phoenix form. She seems to be hiding."

"Is she hiding from Professor Dumbledore?" Lupin asked confused. Harry might be angry, but it would not be like her to be afraid of Dumbledore.

"No, she doesn't seem to be...Oh my gosh! Professors, she's being hunted by a troll! I think she may be hurt!" He exclaimed his wonder turning to fear.

"Can you see anything else?"

"The troll is raking the underbrush with his club where she's trying to hide. He appears to be angry..." the flame then went dark.

Harry ducked further back into the brush, as the troll continued to sweep the undergrowth with his club. Her breath was coming in rasps, and her head was reeling. She had no room to transform and her wand was in her backpack back at school. She was terrified. The troll was getting angrier that his dinner was eluding him, and gave one final dig with his club. As he did so, a sharp notch on the end of the club, caught Harry on the side, and she let out a screech, partially losing consciousness from the pain as she felt herself being pulled forward. She had been snared! In another moment, his club would come crashing down on her head, but mercifully she lost consciousness before the final blow...

"We have to go now!" Sirius shouted when the flame went out. He immediately transformed into his animagus form of a large black shaggy dog, while Remus grabbed his broom out of his office. Professor Snape raced through the secret passage down to the dungeon and grabbed his broom, meeting them both outside of the castle. Sirius immediately sniffed the air to try to catch a scent, and smelled blood coming from the direction of the forest. It was human. Letting out a long agonizing howl he took off at a run, the other two following on their brooms. A moment later, the flash from a wand alerted them to Dumbledore's position. Ron watched them go from the classroom window, before returning to the Gryffindor common room to find Hermione...

Dumbledore knew he had to act, and swiftly. Harry was caught and in another minute, his "Little Phoenix" would have her head crushed. Raising his wand, he yelled angrily, "Stop!" He knew the troll had no idea what he said, but he had accomplished in startling him. The troll swung around and a limp form fell from the end of the club. "Stupefy! Stupefy!" Dumbledore yelled giving the huge beast a double blast from his wand. The troll let out a loud bellow and toppled over unconscious. Dumbledore immediately uttered a binding spell to restrain him should he awaken before he could get Harry to safety. He then moved over to the immobile Phoenix, and was relieved to see she was still alive. As he examined her, she opened her eyes in terror.

"It's all right my Little Phoenix, I'm here," he told her softly. She then focused on him and began to trill weakly. Raising his wand into the air, he sent a signal for help. When he looked back at Harry she had changed back, but he could tell it had been extremely painful for her.

"Headmaster, I'm sorry, I don't know why you put up with me," Harry rasped, each breath coming with an effort.

"Hush Child, you are badly injured," he admonished gently, "and I put up with your antics because I love you. You have learned a valuable lesson today."

"In that case you have my permission to give me detention for the rest of the year," she winced as he checked her injuries.

"Don't temp me," he smiled, the twinkle in his blue eyes making her smile back weakly.

"It hurts to breathe and I don't have the strength to try and heal myself."

"I believe you have a punctured lung, and a number of other broken ribs. Your shoulder is also dislocated, and you are covered in cuts and bruises," he stroked her forehead gently. "I have sent for help."

"I'm cold."

"Here, Child," Dumbledore conjured a fire to warm them as he sat down on the ground. Covering her with his cloak, he rested her head on his lap to help her breathe. "Try to relax," he said as she winced in pain. "They will be here in a little while."

"Who?"

"The three young wizards that are worried sick about you, who else?" Dumbledore replied amused.

Even as he answered, a large black dog came crashing out of the brush and bounded over to them. Sirius immediately transformed, and Remus and Snape both glided down on their brooms, and ran over to where she was lying propped up on the Headmaster's lap.

"Harry," Sirius immediately began checking her over, and she winced, coughing blood, "thank Merlin you're safe."

"We need to get her back to Hogwarts. Her injuries are severe," Dumbledore said quietly.

"How did you find me?"

"The goblet sparked into flame in the middle of my lecture on the Lethifold, and how to use the Patronus. Ron saw what you did, and we came immediately. As we were heading to the forest we saw Albus wand signal," Remus replied quietly, relieved she was alive. "Albus did you stop the troll?"

"Yes, but not before Harry got hooked on the edge of his club."

"Miss Potter, you are lucky Albus cared enough to follow you, otherwise you would be roasting on a spit tonight."

"It would have saved you the trouble of trying to have me expelled," Harry tried hard to smile, but merely coughed up more blood. "I've ruined your cloak," she looked at Dumbledore in dismay. She had started to shiver, and they could tell she was going into shock.

"Sh...It's only a cloak. Don't fret over it."

"Headmaster should we release the troll?" Sirius asked and Harry cringed.

"You may do so, but do not revive him. He will waken on his own in a little while. Sirius you take my broom back. The three of you are to meet me back at Hogwarts. I will apparate with Harry. Sirius if you will levitate her she will be more comfortable when I get up."

"Of course," he levitated Harry easily, but could see she was in pain. "Take it easy, Miss Wings. You'll be in the infirmary in a few minutes, and I'll be there before you can blink." Sirius gently eased her into Dumbledore's arms.

"Promise?" Harry asked feeling vulnerable.

"Promise," he kissed her gently on the forehead, alarmed that she was so cold.

Cradling her carefully, Dumbledore raised his wand and disappeared. Professor McGonagall met him at the apparition point.

"Ah, Minerva, you always did have a good sense of timing," he smiled as he levitated Harry.

"Poppy has been alerted. I also sent for the healer. They're both waiting in the infirmary."

"How did you know I was injured, Professor?" Harry asked struggling to take in air.

"Don't try to talk, Harry," she replied crisply, but her features belied the severity of her voice. "Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger came and told me what he saw in the flames. They were frantic that you were severely injured or worse."

Harry smiled and then began to cough again. The gurgling sound in her chest was becoming louder, and she was growing more alarmed. She was dizzy and closed her eyes. The sensation of floating was restful, and she wondered idly if this was how it felt to an unborn child in its mother's womb. Harry was semiconscious when they reached the infirmary.

Nurse Pomfrey, and the local healer, Angus McBride, set to work immediately examining her injuries. Harry's left lung was punctured in two places, and six of her ribs had been broken. Her right shoulder was dislocated and the forearm had shattered when she had hit the ground. She also had a ruptured spleen, along with numerous cuts and bruises. The healer had Poppy give her a mild sedative to take the edge off her pain while he went to speak with Dumbledore following his examination.

"Albus, she is a very lucky lass. Her injuries are quite serious, but she will be fine in a few days with treatment. I have given her something to help her relax, but I can no' give her anything stronger just yet. She needs to be awake while I tend to her or it may mask the severity of the injuries while I work on them."

"I understand, Angus," Dumbledore responded as the other three wizards entered the infirmary.

"Albus how is she?" Sirius asked with a worried expression.

"She is in serious condition, but she will recover," Dumbledore quickly brought them all up to speed. Angus was glad to have them there. He was going to need the attributes they had linked to Harry to get her through the worst of the healing procedures

"Is she aware of what you need to do?" Remus inquired frowning.

"No' yet," McBride answered in his thick Scottish brogue.

"Then let us tell her."

"Aye, I think yeh will all make a world o' difference."

Sirius, Remus, and Snape all entered the same isolation room where Harry had stayed last year pending the staff meeting about her true gender and the Prophecy. Poppy was with her, tending to her minor cuts and bruises.

She looked up as they entered, "I will just leave all of you alone for a few minutes."

"Thank you, Nurse Pomfrey," Snape replied stiffly. He did not want Harry to see how concerned he actually was.

"Do I look as bad as all that?" Harry quipped, spitting up more blood into a basin on her lap. She was sitting upright to aid her breathing. The healer had partially dried out her lungs to make her more comfortable until he could heal the punctures.

"I think you look beautiful, Miss Wings," just a trifle pale. Sirius replied sitting beside her on the bed, taking her hand in his.

"Oh god, I'm turning into Severus. If my nose starts to grow like his just put me out of my misery," she tried to laugh, but it turned into a sob of pain. Remus and Snape both sat down beside her. Remus tenderly rubbed her head, while Snape took her other hand.

"Potter, you never cease to amaze me," Snape shook his head, "here you are, injured, in pain, and having broken a dozen or more rules again, yet you still find it in you to make jokes about my nose." Snape eyed her with the ghost of a smile.

"Professor Snape, hasn't anyone ever told you that laughter aids in healing? Besides, I'm in too much pain to block your emotions effectively. I can feel that all of you are worried and need to tell me something."

"Harry, honey," Sirius began nervously, "the healer says you're in bad shape, but you'll be better in a few days. He's going to work on you shortly some more, but you will need to be brave and strong. It is going to be very painful, and Remus will help you to get through it with us."

"What is wrong with me?"

"Lassie," Angus McBride spoke from the door, "Yeh have a couple o' broken ribs, and yer left lung is punctured in two places. I've already partially healed the rupture in yer spleen."

"What about my arm?"

"The shoulder is dislocated and the forearm is shattered. I am goin' to make it all right, but if I give yeh too much painkiller now, I might miss something. I also need to watch yer breathing as I heal yer lungs. I am goin' to cast a spell to remove the two ribs that have caused the punctures and the shattered forearm. Ye will need to drink some Skele-gro to regrow them. Afore I remove the forearm bone, I will put yer shoulder back into place. That will be the worst o' it. Lassie, I know ye be a healer yerself, but I don't want yeh to expend any energy. Yeh ere too weak"

"Dr. McBride, you make the Dark Lord's chief torturer look like a saint."

"Do ye think so? I've had to heal some o' McNair's work," Angus McBride smiled jovially. "He ken do some pretty nasty things."

"Have you ever had to drink Skele-gro? I have, and it isn't pleasant."

"Lass, I'll be honest with yeh, I never tasted it. I'm partial to the Scotch whiskey the Muggles make myself."

Harry grinned, she liked the big Scotsman and wondered idly if he were married, and decided to ask him. He would be prefect for Professor McGonagall. "Tell me, are you married, Dr. McBride?" .

"I think I be a might old for yeh, lass," he grinned blushing.

"Not me, but I happen to know a very nice Scotswoman who would be just right for you."

"If ye be thinking o' Miss Minerva McGonagall she's already turned me down fer a date twice."

"I'll work on her. She can be quite stubborn."

"Aye, so I've seen. Now I need to get to work on yeh, lass, afore yeh start coughing up too much blood again. I ken hear the fluid buildin' up in yer lungs."

Harry shifted uncomfortably. She couldn't entirely hide the fear in her eyes; she was too tired and sore.

"Honey, it will be all right, I promise I'll hold your hand the whole time. You have a strength of character that is rarely seen, but I can share some of mine."

"I too will stay right with you, not that I think you lack the courage..." Snape arched his brow sardonically in challenge, easing her fears.

"Princess, this won't be any more difficult than what I have to go through. I will help you," Remus looked down at her warmly, continuing to stroke her head. "You just lay back and close your eyes."

Harry lay back as she was told, and looked over at Dumbledore, who was standing at the bottom of her bed.

"I will be here too, Child. You just get well."

McBride started slowly, giving her time to relax, probing her abdomen to finish healing her spleen. He then went up to her broken ribs, and worked on the fractures. Harry shifted from time to time, but he was a skilled healer and a kind man, talking to her kindly to keep her calm.

"I'll need the three o' yeh to keep her as still as possible. Lass, I won't lie to yeh, it will be painful when I work on yer lungs. I'm goin' to remove the two ribs, and yeh will start to bleed. I need to do one at a time so yeh don't hemorrhage."

Harry nodded, closing her eyes. He quickly dissolved the first bone with the same spell that Professor Lockhart had used after he failed to heal her broken arm following the Quidditch match five years ago. She immediately felt the blood begin to flow into her lungs and tried to sit up; she was choking and frightened. Sirius and Snape kept tight hold on her, as her first instinct was to grab at McBride.

"Relax, Princess, you're in good hands," Remus soothed as Sirius squeezed her hand.

"You're doing fine, Harry," Snape's silky voice said calmly, "I have seen grown men fall apart with less discomfort than this."

"Ah, Lassie, Professor Snape is right. Yeh just hang on a wee bit longer," McBride said as she choked up more blood and he stopped to wipe her mouth. "Ye just rest a bit now, and then I'll do the last rib. Try not to fight when yeh feel like ye be chokin'. I know it's hard, but I need to heal the lung and make sure there be no bone fragments from the fracture."

"I feel like I'm drowning," she responded weakly.

"Aye and ye ere, on yer own blood. That's why yeh have to be still. I need to stop the bleeding and the more yeh move the harder it will be. Are yeh ready?"

Harry looked at Sirius, her lip trembling. She wanted him to hold her, but knew he couldn't just yet. He sensed her desire, and winked, giving her his best smile to let her know he understood.

McBride then spent the next ten minutes healing her lung after he disposed of the other offending rib. When he finished, Harry was nauseous, and began throwing up more blood. McBride assured them that it was simply the blood and mucus she had swallowed during the procedure. Running his hands over her chest, he sent her an additional burst of healing energy, satisfied that everything was in order.

"Lass, these three young bucks are right proud o' yeh. Now this be the worst, and when I'm done yeh ken have something to help yer sleep after the Skele-gro. Now I'm going to work on yer arm. I have to put the shoulder back in place and that will hurt, but it's going to be worse than usual because I need to push up from the elbow. I won't be able to do it if I take out the forearm bone first."

"Just hold on tight, Princess. We're all here, and it won't take long."

"I won't let go, honey," Sirius said shifting so that Angus stood by the bed, but he could still hold her hand while the healer manipulated her upper arm.

"Potter, I'm going to tell Phaedra how brave you've been. She will take special delight in telling her friend Althea," Snape told her, admiration in his dark eyes.

Harry didn't see that he was deliberately distracting her from Angus, who had been checking her arm carefully. Too late, she realized what they were up to, and McBride deftly gave her shoulder an upward lurch, snapping it back into place. Harry screamed in agony. The three of them had a tight hold on her, as the healer removed the lower arm bones, leaving her lower arm like rubber. Once this was accomplished, they eased their hold and Sirius and Snape caressed her carefully due to the missing ribs. Remus never moved and gently stroked her forehead, crooning to her and praising her efforts. She just sobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Hush, now lassie. I know these three bucks would do almost anything fer yeh, and it's upsettin' fer them to see yer in pain. Now drink the Skele-gro so I ken give yeh somethin' to help yeh sleep." McBride gently pressed a glass to her lips, but Harry pulled back sobbing, shaking her head.

"Harry, come on, drink it so you can get some sleep. I don't want you to be any more uncomfortable than is necessary," Sirius coaxed.

"Potter, I happen to know my strongest sleeping potion is locked in the closet by Poppy's station. Unless Dr. McBride says otherwise I will get some for you after you take the Skele-gro." Snape looked down at her trying to appear stern, but she read the worry in his emotions.

"Princess, it's all over. You can sleep through the discomfort of the bones growing back and we'll all stay with you."

"Child, if it makes you feel any better I'm sure that troll has a splitting headache and his stomach is growling with hunger tonight," Dumbledore smiled warmly, his blue eyes twinkling. He moved around the side of the bed and took the glass of Skele-gro from McBride. "Now make an old man happy and drink this so Severus can give you the sleeping potion," he nodded to Snape to go and get the potion as he sat down beside Harry. "Then, if you're up to it tomorrow you and I will share some hot chocolate and a delightful Muggle candy I have found called Three Musketeers." He held the glass as she took a sip, and made a face at the foul taste.

"Does it really taste that bad, Honey?"

"You want...a...taste?" she asked Sirius trying to stop sobbing.

"Come on, Child, take a little more...that's my Little Phoenix," the Headmaster coaxed as she took a larger gulp, "that's my girl, take the rest and finish it, and then you can go to sleep." Dumbledore eased the glass back up to her mouth and Harry took the last of it with a grimace. "Severus do you have the sleeping potion?"

"Right here, Headmaster."

"Here you go, Child. Now get some sleep. I promise you we'll all keep watch if you want," Harry nodded as she drank the sleeping potion, and Dumbledore tucked her in carefully. Her eyes were heavy, but she managed a weak smile before the darkness overcame her.

Harry never saw McBride leave after having a cup of tea with Dumbledore and the others, who had camped out around her bed. They were all relieved that she would be all right, and McBride had said that she would be out of the infirmary by Friday for the Halloween feast. She would also be able to play Quidditch on Saturday as planned.

The Protectors also agreed she should have some sort of detention. Dumbledore finally decided she would not lose any points for her house, and that the ones he took earlier would be restored. Snape scowled in disapproval, feeling his friend was being too lenient, but Dumbledore just laughed it off. He made sure Severus had sent the owl to his sister, and this had helped to make him acquiesce. Harry would only receive detention for not going to the infirmary and going outside instead. Dumbledore also made it a point that from now on he and the others would question her a little more thoroughly before passing judgment. They then all set up a schedule to come up and give her the required lessons so she could keep up and not feel bored during her recuperation. It would also give them all some time alone with her to further cement the bond of Protectorship.