Penny Dredfule

Penny looked, and indeed there was a door.

PENNY LOOKED, AND INDEED THERE WAS A DOOR. SHE PUT THE BOOK BACK INTO THE CASE FOR SAFE KEEPING, AND LEFT THE ROOM

Penny had in fact left the room by this point. Keef was standing by the window, his gaze directed to the glass case. He had no need to read the words that were being written in his book, for he knew what they said.

.LEAVING QUIRRELL ALONE IN THE SHADOWS. HE DIDN'T MIND. IT GAVE HIM TIME TO THINK. IT GAVE HIM TIME TO PLAN.

* * *

Penny got ready for class quickly, her wand tucked in the pockets of her robe, and ran to the classroom her own copy of "Wizards Without Magic" tucked under her arm.

She reached the classroom five minutes before class and expected to have a nice breather before the students arrived. How wrong she was.

She walked into a quiet room, and it was filled with students. They all watched her approach the desk with something bordering on awe. Penny placed her book down, and looked around. "My name is Professor Dredfule".

"Magic," she said, "is something that can be fresh, exciting, fun. It can also be dangerous. Magic is not something to be fooled around with. But then again, neither is habitat. One day, some of you might live in the Muggle world. Perhaps because of occupation, or choice. Whatever the reason, some of you will be living there. And you won't be able to use magic." She paused. The class seemed riveted to her every word. "As you know, there are wizards and witches already living in the Muggle world, and they have found ways to protect themselves. There are ways to protect yourselves against what darker wizards and witches might do, and that's what I'm going to teach, among other things. For the first term, we will be looking at how to live without magic and how to protect yourself against such things as arson, protection of your house, bomb threats and the like. Second term will have us studying Muggles a little closer, and how to protect yourself on a more personal level. Everyone clear? Good. Now, I'll read off the class list."

Penny read down the list, reading off all the names, including 'Granger, Hermione", "Potter, Harry", and "Weasley, Ron".

* * * * *

"So," said Hermione, "what do you think of her?"

"I don't know," Ron replied, "she seems to be pretty knowledgeable for a Muggle."

"Yeah," Hermione agreed, "and did you see her wand sticking out of her pocket? Why would a Muggle have a wand?" she paused, "What do you think Harry?"

Ron and Hermione looked over at Harry, who had his face in his hands. "Harry!" Ron said, "What's wrong?"

"My scar hurts." He said simply.

"But Voldemorts dead, Harry!"

"I know that," he said, "we killed him remember? But it still hurts."

"Do you think something is going to happen Harry?" Hermione asked.

"I don't know," Harry said, "but I'm getting a little tired of this 'evil comes, scar hurts' dilemma."

"I'll find my copy of Magical Ailments, and we'll see what we can find."

"Trust Hermione to think of an answer being in a book," said Ron, "honestly, she should have a special plaque in the library just for her, she's there so often!"

Hermione sighed. "Boys." She said.

At that moment, Snape was coming towards them, walking in a jaunty way. He stopped in front of them and smiled.

"Harry!" he said, "How ARE you?"

"Huh?" Harry said.

"And Miss Granger! Lovely day, isn't it?"

"What?" Hermione said.

"And Mr. Weasley! I just LOVE what you've done with your hair!"

"Duh?" said Ron.

"Do you like my new robes?" He said, motioning to his robes of dark blue, "I thought they'd bring out the colour in my eyes. Lovely day children, must run! Tootles!" he said, and wandered off merrily.

There was a pause. "What's with him?" Harry asked.

"I don't know," Hermione said, "but if I had to hedge a bet, I'd say he was in love!"

* * * * *

* * * * *

Back in her library, she opened the case. She took out the books labeled "Harry", "Ron" and "Hermione". She flipped open the latter.

."BOYS" SHE SIGHED. HERMIONE CONTINUED ON HER OWN WAY. SHE HAD ARITHMANCY NEXT. WHY WEREN'T THEY WILLING TO EXPAND THEIR MINDS? SHE WONDERED GRUMPILY .

"Cute." Penny said. She flipped open the one titled "Ron".

AS RON WATCHED HERMIONE WALK AWAY, HE WONDERED, DID SHE SEE HOW I COMBED MY HAIR DIFFERENTLY? DOES SHE NOTICE ME AT ALL?

Penny blushed, and opened the one titled "Harry".

.WAS VOLDEMORT BACK? HOW DID HE LIVE? HARRY WONDERED. WHY WAS HIS SCAR HURTING? I'M GOING TO HAVE TO WRITE TO SIRIUS, HE THOUGHT ..

* * * * *



* * * * *

Penny woke. There was something she needed to know. She went to find Sheryll.

Penny looked, and indeed there was a door.

PENNY LOOKED, AND INDEED THERE WAS A DOOR. SHE PUT THE BOOK BACK INTO THE CASE FOR SAFE KEEPING, AND LEFT THE ROOM

Penny had in fact left the room by this point. Keef was standing by the window, his gaze directed to the glass case. He had no need to read the words that were being written in his book, for he knew what they said.

.LEAVING QUIRRELL ALONE IN THE SHADOWS. HE DIDN'T MIND. IT GAVE HIM TIME TO THINK. IT GAVE HIM TIME TO PLAN.

* * *

Penny got ready for class quickly, her wand tucked in the pockets of her robe, and ran to the classroom her own copy of "Wizards Without Magic" tucked under her arm.

She reached the classroom five minutes before class and expected to have a nice breather before the students arrived. How wrong she was.

She walked into a quiet room, and it was filled with students. They all watched her approach the desk with something bordering on awe. Penny placed her book down, and looked around. "My name is Professor Dredfule".

"Magic," she said, "is something that can be fresh, exciting, fun. It can also be dangerous. Magic is not something to be fooled around with. But then again, neither is habitat. One day, some of you might live in the Muggle world. Perhaps because of occupation, or choice. Whatever the reason, some of you will be living there. And you won't be able to use magic." She paused. The class seemed riveted to her every word. "As you know, there are wizards and witches already living in the Muggle world, and they have found ways to protect themselves. There are ways to protect yourselves against what darker wizards and witches might do, and that's what I'm going to teach, among other things. For the first term, we will be looking at how to live without magic and how to protect yourself against such things as arson, protection of your house, bomb threats and the like. Second term will have us studying Muggles a little closer, and how to protect yourself on a more personal level. Everyone clear? Good. Now, I'll read off the class list."

Penny read down the list, reading off all the names, including 'Granger, Hermione", "Potter, Harry", and "Weasley, Ron".

The bell sounded for the end of the class. "I want everyone to write me a little something on what they would do to protect themselves if they were in a building that was on fire!" she called out over the noise. "Not too long, just a page or two! Due next class!" and the class shuffled out. NB-Penny's last name is pronounced like the word "dreadful". Just spelt differently.

Enough with that,
Read on!

Penny Dredfule Chapter Seven
Explosions of Smut

Sheryll wasn't in her rooms when Penny arrived. She had tickled the crystal ball, and entered to find the room empty, except for Sheryll's cat Polly resting comfortably on the bed.

Penny looked around the room, trying to get a sense of who Professor Townsend was. It was a hodge podge of a room; all sorts of books and trinkets strewn around, making the rooms seem welcoming and comfortable.

Penny was about to leave when she noticed something on the windowsill. It was a book, bound in black leather. She picked it up. On the cover were the words Penny Dredfule. Penny turned to the first page, an eerie feeling setting in.

.WHEN PENNY WAS FOUR, SHE FOUND HER MOTHER SITTING AT THE KITCHEN TABLE WITH A GLASS OF VODKA AND ORANGE JUICE.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING MUM?" PENNY ASKED.

"GIVING THE BEST PERFORMANCE OF MY LIFE, PENNY. THE BEST PERFORMANCE."

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN MUM? ARE YOU GOING TO BE IN A MOVIE? LIKE SCARLETT O'HARA?"

"NO PENNY. I'M GOING TO DIE. FOR DEATH IS THE ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE" ..

* * * * *

"What could the book mean?" Penny thought out loud as she towards the Great Hall. "Why would Sheryll have a Memory Book about me? It's not like my life is readable or anything." She paused. "Well, at least it's not a smut book though being in a smut book would be fun, I think."

"I would love to read about you in a smut book." Said a voice.

Penny whirled around to find Snape stalking towards her in billowing robes of green. He looked like a giant green beetle and it made Penny want to burst out in laughter.

He had also washed his hair, by the looks of it. It was clean but incredibly poofy. It stood out in his head like a perm gone wrong and made him look rather like he had gotten his nose stuck in an electrical socket. It made Penny want to laugh more.

"Just think, my precious, we could read the book and try out the positions, could we not? It would be great fun and a great way for reading to broaden our horizons?"

Penny lost it at that point. She laughed so hard she cried, her ribs shaking with the effort of breathing and laughing at the same time.

* * * * *

At dinner, McGonagall sat next to her, and engaged Penny in lively conversation. Penny complimented Minerva on the gown she was wearing; it was a periwinkle coloured silk gown that flowed beautifully and accentuated her figure. McGonagall had even worn her hair down in flowing brown ringlets that framed her face and high cheekbones.

"You look beautiful tonight, Minerva."

McGonagall blushed. "And you always look beautiful, Penny."

There was a silence, and then conversation resumed for the rest of dinner. After the pudding Penny stood up, intent on a stroll around the grounds of the school. McGonagall stood as well. "Going for a nightly constitutional?" she asked.

"Yes," said Penny, "I'm starting to get holster hips that even flowing robes can't hide."

McGonnagall laughed. "Mind if I join you?"

* * * * *



* * * * *

"Harry, Ron, look!" Hermione pointed to the head table. There the three of them saw Snape, smiling and nodding to himself.

"He must be ill." Said Ron.

"I didn't think his facial muscles would allow him to do that." Harry said.

They all laughed and speculated why Snape would be smiling. "I wonder who he's in love with." Hermione asked, "She must be someone pretty special."

"I guess," Harry said, "I'm still trying to get over the fact that he spoke to us!"

"I know," Ron said, "Like he didn't hate us or something."

There was a pause in the conversation. "Your hair is less poofy tonight, Hermione." Ron said.

"What?"

"I said it's less poofy. Normally you look like Crookshanks took a nap on your head, but tonight it looks real nice."

Hermione squealed, and stomped off.

* * * * *

"It's a beautiful night." Minerva said. She and Penny were strolling side by side, enjoying the stars and the night sky.

"Yes," said Penny, "it is."
They continued walking until they reached the place where the Whomping Willow used to be. They both sat on the stump, as it was big enough for four to sit side by side.

* * * * *



* * * * *

"Penny?"

"Yes, Minerva?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

There was a pause. "Would you kiss me?"

Another pause.

"I've never met anyone like you, Penny. I've always been cold, strict and firm. You make me feel a warmness inside that I haven't felt for a long time. I just wanted you to know that."

Penny turned towards her and looked at Minerva with an unflinching gaze. She leaned and kissed Minerva softly, perhaps trying to rekindle the emotions which McGonagall had bottled up for a long time.

It was an amazing kiss; tender and soft, full of want and need and affection. When they parted, they looked at each other for a moment before Penny said "Your rooms or mine?"

"Which is closer?" Minerva said, a faint flush on her cheeks.

"Mine."

* * * * *

Peeves saw Penny and McGonagall heading for Penny's rooms, and sniffed. "How do I get her to notice me?" he said out loud as he floated along. "What can I do? I can't compete with humans!" he sobbed. "Why won't she notice me? Perhaps it's because I'm transparent?"

* * * * *

Penny's classes sped by at a rapid rate. Before anyone knew it, Christmas holidays were only a few days away. Today she was teaching her students about greed and what money would do to Muggles in the Muggle world. Harry, Hermione and Ron were in the front row.

"Money can be a dangerous thing," Penny said, "It has ruined many people and more have been seduced by the greed it causes."

Harry thought of the money he had in his Gringotts vault and was thankful that he was not a greedy. In fact, he tried to share as much as he could.

"Money can ruin peoples lives and it forces many people to turn traitor on friends and family."

The bell rang. "I want one roll of parchment on what you would do with money in the Muggle world! Due when you guys get back from Holidays! Happy Christmas everyone!"

"Here's our chance." Whispered Hermione.

"For what?" said Ron.

"To ask how she can do magic!"

"What if she doesn't want to tell us?" Harry said.

"We'll have to live with that, but the least we can do is ask her!"

The three of them walked up to the front of the classroom where Penny was putting things in order. "Professor Dreadfule?"

"Yes Hermione?"

"We wanted to ask you something."

"What is it, dear?"

"Um, well, we wanted .um " Hermione was at a loss for words.

"How is it you do magic?" Ron blurted out.

Hermione glared at him. "You couldn't be gentle about it, could you?"

"Is that what you were doing? I thought you were doing an impression of Crabbe. Sorry, my mistake."

"Why you!" Hermione composed herself. Penny chuckled lightly.

"It's alright dears, you can ask, but I don't really have an answer for you."

This made the trio pause. "What do you mean, Professor?" Harry asked.

"Truth is, I don't know how I can do magic. I just do."

"But Muggles aren't supposed to be able to!" Hermione shrieked, "It says so in Hogwarts: A History!"

"I know," Penny said, "it's a pretty weak answer, but, c'est la vie!" she shrugged and held out her hands as if to say 'I don't know', and Hermione gasped. There was a black star on Professor Dredfule's left hand!

Before Hermione could ask Penny about it, there was an earth-shattering explosion coming from the dungeons.

"What the hell was that?" Penny said.

"Beats me," said Ron, "but it came from the dungeons!"

They wasted no time. The four of them headed down into the bowels of the castle
NB: This story takes place in an alternate universe. This is not Hogwarts as we know it.

Penny looked, and indeed there was a door.

PENNY LOOKED, AND INDEED THERE WAS A DOOR. SHE PUT THE BOOK BACK INTO THE CASE FOR SAFE KEEPING, AND LEFT THE ROOM

Penny had in fact left the room by this point. Keef was standing by the window, his gaze directed to the glass case. He had no need to read the words that were being written in his book, for he knew what they said.

.LEAVING QUIRRELL ALONE IN THE SHADOWS. HE DIDN'T MIND. IT GAVE HIM TIME TO THINK. IT GAVE HIM TIME TO PLAN.

* * *

Penny got ready for class quickly, her wand tucked in the pockets of her robe, and ran to the classroom her own copy of "Wizards Without Magic" tucked under her arm.

She reached the classroom five minutes before class and expected to have a nice breather before the students arrived. How wrong she was.

She walked into a quiet room, and it was filled with students. They all watched her approach the desk with something bordering on awe. Penny placed her book down, and looked around. "My name is Professor Dredfule".

"Magic," she said, "is something that can be fresh, exciting, fun. It can also be dangerous. Magic is not something to be fooled around with. But then again, neither is habitat. One day, some of you might live in the Muggle world. Perhaps because of occupation, or choice. Whatever the reason, some of you will be living there. And you won't be able to use magic." She paused. The class seemed riveted to her every word. "As you know, there are wizards and witches already living in the Muggle world, and they have found ways to protect themselves. There are ways to protect yourselves against what darker wizards and witches might do, and that's what I'm going to teach, among other things. For the first term, we will be looking at how to live without magic and how to protect yourself against such things as arson, protection of your house, bomb threats and the like. Second term will have us studying Muggles a little closer, and how to protect yourself on a more personal level. Everyone clear? Good. Now, I'll read off the class list."

Penny read down the list, reading off all the names, including 'Granger, Hermione", "Potter, Harry", and "Weasley, Ron".

The bell sounded for the end of the class. "I want everyone to write me a little something on what they would do to protect themselves if they were in a building that was on fire!" she called out over the noise. "Not too long, just a page or two! Due next class!" and the class shuffled out. NB-Penny's last name is pronounced like the word "dreadful". Just spelt differently.

Enough with that,
Read on!

Penny Dredfule Chapter Seven
Explosions of Smut

Sheryll wasn't in her rooms when Penny arrived. She had tickled the crystal ball, and entered to find the room empty, except for Sheryll's cat Polly resting comfortably on the bed.

Penny looked around the room, trying to get a sense of who Professor Townsend was. It was a hodge podge of a room; all sorts of books and trinkets strewn around, making the rooms seem welcoming and comfortable.

Penny was about to leave when she noticed something on the windowsill. It was a book, bound in black leather. She picked it up. On the cover were the words Penny Dredfule. Penny turned to the first page, an eerie feeling setting in.

.WHEN PENNY WAS FOUR, SHE FOUND HER MOTHER SITTING AT THE KITCHEN TABLE WITH A GLASS OF VODKA AND ORANGE JUICE.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING MUM?" PENNY ASKED.

"GIVING THE BEST PERFORMANCE OF MY LIFE, PENNY. THE BEST PERFORMANCE."

Now read and enjoy!

Penny Dredfule Chapter Eight
Seduction of the Mind.

Snape was busy in his dungeon. In front of him was a small jewel box encrusted with sapphires and rubies, with silver scrollwork around the edges. Snape had enchanted the box with a song. Penny would love it! He thought.

Smut!
Give me smut and nothing but!
A dirty novel I can't shut,
Pornographic pictures I adore.
Indecent magazines galore,
I love them more
If they're hard core.
(Bring on the obscene movies, murals, postcards, neckties,
samplers, stained glass windows, tattoos, anything!
More! More! I'm still not satisfied!)
Smut!
Give me smut and nothing but!

"This will get her mojo running!" he laughed. "Ah, Penny, this will make your Valentine's Day! That, and my little get up!"

Snape whirled around to face the mirror, his pink robes flowing around him. His hair had been teased to the point of pain. It was even more poofy than before; if that was even possible. It had been dyed a bright red, to match the colour of his lipstick.

He had put on some fake eyelashes, purple eye shadow, blush, eyeliner and dark mascara. "I make the perfect woman!" he laughed with girlish delight. "Although, I wonder if I got my breasts right. The right one's a little lower than the left. Hmm. Oh, well!" He laughed again. "I wonder if I'm feminine enough for her. Let's see. I've got hair, make-up, breasts, feminine colour scheme I wonder if I should have shaved?"

He continued tinkering with the box which he lovingly referred to as the "Smut Box", singing to himself in an off tune sort of way. So intent was he on his experiment that he did not know there was anyone else in his dungeon until the other person was right behind him.

"Hello, Snape." The voice said with ice on its breath.

* * * * *



* * * * *

Penny, Harry, Hermione and Ron arrived at the doorway of the dungeons to find Snape on his back with his dress up around his knees. He wasn't wearing any underwear.

"That explains the big wand." Ron said solemnly.

Penny made her way carefully over to Snape skirting around potion bottles and spilt substances. She held out her left hand to catch herself as she tripped over a vine of Witches Weave that was working its way out of a bottle when something happened.

The five-pointed star on her left palm began to pulse and glow a soft purple. Penny gasped.

"Professor Dredfule!" Hermione shrieked, "What does that mean?"

"I don't know, Hermione. It's never done that before."

"Maybe it's to let you know you're getting to close to someone with bad body odor." Ron said.

Hermione looked over at Harry who had been very quiet. He was very white and was clutching his head. "My scar " He said, "My scar hurts." His breathing had become very shallow and he was leaning against the stone wall to stable himself.

Penny than did something that she couldn't explain. She reached out and placed her left hand on Harry's scar. Harry's breathing returned to normal.

"Thanks." Harry said weakly. He then looked at Penny's hand. "Um, Professor Dredfule?" he said, pointing.

Penny's hand was now glowing a soft amber colour. She then went over to Snape's still form and pressed it to his forehead. He woke instantly. His eyes flickered and he took in the surroundings. He looked at his dress, which was resting above his knees and then looked at Penny.

* * * * *

"I never thought men like him were capable of whimpering." Ron said.

"I just couldn't believe the size of his .wand." Hermione said, blushing.

"What was he doing in that get up, anyway? Snape in drag is an image I don't think I'll soon forget." Harry said.

"You alright, Harry?" Penny asked.

"Fine." He said.

"You sure?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah, sure." He said, waving her off.

"Professor?" Ron asked. They were now making their way up to the main floor. "Why'd your hand light up? I've never seen a Muggle hand do that before."

"Don't you get it, Ron! She's not a Muggle! Not if she can heal Harry's pain and wake Snape from sleep!"

"Give the girl a Kewpie doll." Penny said. "I wish I knew, Ron. This is all a little new to me."

"Do you know someone who can help you?" Harry asked.

* * * * *

Sheryll was waiting for her when Penny arrived. "Took you long enough! Sit, sit, tea's ready! Just the way you like it! Roly Poly, get off of Penny! There's a good boySheryll was settled in a pile of purple and gold cushions petting the now subdued Poly . Penny sat across from her, her tea warming her hands.

"Um, Professor Townsend? I have some questions to ask you."

"Wondering about your hand? Your book? Along that line of thought?"

"Um. Yeah. Something like that."

"Where would you like to start? Your hand?"

Penny smiled. "How did you know?" she asked with mock sarcasm.

"I guess I must be physic." She laughed. "You are an Enchantress, Penny."

"Okay, I'm following you so far."

"You honestly don't know anything about what you are, do you? Do you know what your kind did in the old days?"

"Fill me in. I seem to be a bit sketchy on anything that isn't Muggle related."

"Enchanters and Enchantresses were known for their excellent magical powers. They were also known for finding and sensing evil. Your hand senses evil as Harry's scar senses evil. It's kind of a built in warning system. Kind of handy, really."

"But what was with the different colours? Amber and purple?"

"Each person requires a different healing. It just depends on the severity of the injury."

"Oh. Alright. And here I was thinking that my hand was a party light. Go figure. Does this mean I don't get to be the life of the party?"

Sheryll laughed. "Did you want to know about the book, dear?"

"I would. My life doesn't seem to fit in the bedtime reading category."

"Everyone has a book," She began "that details their life. Most don't know how to find it. Those that do see it as something else. A novel that they can relate to. I myself am partial to "Withering Heights". I always thought that Heefcliff was sexy."

"Fine, but why do YOU have it? You seem to know a lot about this stuff. I'm not working too hard at getting the answers; you seem to know them all."

"That is because I am also an Enchantress."

There was a pause. It hung in the air until Penny decided to speak again.

"You're also an Enchantress?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes. My official title is "Ki-Sheh-Soon", or Sun Sorcerer. I am head of the Enchanters. I'm here as your Guardian. I am here to look over you."

"Why do I need a Guardian? What do you know that I don't?"

"Besides everything?" she laughed. "I can't tell you Penny. You must discover it for yourself. But I am here to answer questions and be your guide."

"You still haven't answered my first question. Why do you have my Memory Book?"

Sheryll smiled. "As your Guardian, I have to guard you. All of you. I must know who you wereand who you are destined to become. Your Memory Book was placed in my care so that I may learn more about you."

"Do your books write themselves like mine and Keef's?"

"Keef? Keef who?"

There was another pause.

"You don't know about Keef? Keef Quirrell?"

* * * * *

Penny and Sheryll found Professor Dumbledore reading a book in a high back chair in front of the fire. On closer inspection the book was called "Magical Mishaps: Comical Injuries in the Magical World".

Dumbledore was chuckling lightly to himself when he noticed them. "Oh, Penny! Sheryll! Come in, come in! I was just reading about an unfortunate Wizard who literally stuck his foot in his mouth! Great fun! What can I do for you?"

"Professor," Sheryll said, "Penny has some questions. About Quirrell."

"Professor Quirrell?" Dumbledore said darkly, "He has been dead for quite some time."

"What happened to him?" Penny asked quietly.

Dumbledore paused for a moment before speaking. "Professor Quirrell used to be our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher here, the position which you now hold. After some time he became a servant of Lord Voldemort, only to die when the two of them could not defeat Harry. I have not thought of him for many a year. Why do you speak of him now?"

Penny spoke. She explained about the Memory Cabinet in her dream library, Keef's book that wrote for itself, and finding out about Sheryll's Guardianship.

* * * * *

Penny got into her nightgown, and began brushing her hair for bed. Her mind was reeling with questions and she wasn't sure she could find the answers.

Morris was at her feet, meowing at her to pay attention. "What is it, baby? Has mommy been ignoring you?"

Morris meowed more urgently and padded over to her desk. On the desk was a book she had not noticed before. Morris was on the desk now, pawing at the book which now opened to the first page. It's title read simply: "Cats of Isis".

"Where did this come from, baby?" Penny asked Morris.

Morris responded by pawing at the pages. The next page he stopped at held a poem. It read:

TO OPEN THE TEMPLE OF ISIS

Green eyes, yellow, golden hue
Pierce your heart, see you are true.
Soul exposed before their look
Heart is open like a book.
Evaluating right or wrong
No place to hide, they are too strong.

Penny sighed. "Ah, crap," she said. "It doesn't stop, does it? You'd think this place would let a girl get her beauty sleep!" She paused. "And I still have to something about these holster hips."

Her tummy to full of Christmas dinner, and her mind to full of questions, Penny lay down on her bed to go to sleep. She would go see Dumbledore or Townsend tomorrow.

Tomorrow, Penny thought, was Christmas Day.