Aoife and the Druid's Wand

Chapter One

"The Beginning"

She saw two dark shapes against the starry night sky.

A wonderful-sounding male voice could be heard over the sounds of the night, "I love you. From the first moment I saw you I knew we were destined to be together."

The taller shape pulled close to the smaller one.

A young woman replies softly, "I love you too."

The scene before her began to blur and then disappeared into blackness

~~~~~~

Ceithlinn Aoife O' Riley came out of her trance and blinked rapidly to focus her eyes.

A small smile crept across lips.

"This is going to be an interesting year," she thought.

This year Ceithlinn would be a sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

She glanced down at the paper in her hand that was the source of the premonition she just had.

It was a letter from the headmaster Albus Dumbledore stating that if she accepted she could become one of the prefects at school.

For years she had dreamed of this moment, and prior to this time she had had a premonition of her wearing the badge of a prefect.

Remembering that premonition started Ceithlinn thinking about her special power.

Yes, she was a witch and could do magic but she also had the power to see into the future. Very few possessed it. Although, hers was unique to all the rest.

Most people received random premonitions that they could not control. But Ceithlinn could invoke her power whenever she wished and she could focus it on any time, place, person, or thing that she wanted to see.

So the reason for that premonition from a letter from Hogwarts was obvious. Her question was whether she would finally have a love life.

"Good answer," she muttered to herself.

She gazed into the mirror on her vanity and studied her reflection.

Ceithlinn was about five feet six inches, she was fairly skinny with modest curves. Her hair was a deep red color.

Before, her hair was always a mess, her immensely wavy hair was frizzy and unmanageable.

But now! Her parents' finally trusted her enough to let her do a spell to make her hair permanently curled into medium-sized ringlets that spiraled downward loosening the curl as it went. Whenever she wanted to put her hair up the spell made it so that it would straighten nicely, and the rest left free to hang down remained nicely curled.

Ceithlinn had the most fascinating hazel eyes. They always seemed to change color with her moods.

Her complexion was perfect with just a light spattering of freckles across her porcelain colored nose and cheeks.

"Much better than last year," she commented.

With that, she grabbed her broom to go pass the time, to enjoy her last moments of freedom. For tomorrow, it would be the start of a new Hogwarts term.

~~~~~~

Platform 9 ¾ was bustling with witches and wizards as was usual for the first day of school. Carts piled high with trunks and strange animals. Her own cart contained her large purple trunk and her snowy owl with gray spots. She had named her owl Fiannoala after an Irish legend, just as her own name was.

Ceithlinn scanned the crowd looking earnestly for her best friend Ginny Weasley.

They seemed to have spotted each other at the same moment, for Ceithlinn saw her waving her over.

She said a brief good-bye to her parents. "Love you, Mum. Love you, Dad. I'll see you soon!"

She made her way towards Ginny, weaving in and out of groups of people. When she finally reached her they said most friendly hellos and gave a warm hug. They boarded the train and managed to get a compartment to themselves.

"So, what have you been up to this summer?" Ginny asked as they settled in. "I mean, I'm sure you were quite bored after the first week or so."

"Well, there was hardly anything to do after I finished all my homework," Ceithlinn rearked.

Ginny made no comment, but she rolled her eyes as her answer. Then to change the subject she stated, "Wow Ceith! You look great!"

"You really think so?" Ceithlinn asked shyly.

"Of course! I swear, this year the boys will be all over us!"

"Now Ginny, you know that it is just one of our many fantasies. We're too shy!" Ceithlinn protested. But she could not help but wonder about that premonition.

It seemed that Ginny was not done with her bantering. "Aw come on Ceith! Can't I dream?"

"You may dream all you like. But it won't get anything accomplished," she retorted.

"Ah! But what about your kind of 'dreams' eh?"

"I don't like to use my divination power. You know that very well."

"But what's the harm in it?" Ginny prodded.

Ceithlinn sighed, "We have been over this a million times at least. You know I think of it as a cheat. It spoils the fun of surprises sometimes."

She thought back to the day when she was just turning seven years old. That day she had used her power to see what she would get. Then when she actually opened her presents she had forgotten to look really surprised and delighted. Although her parents had been pleased that she had perfected her power at such a young age, they were still rather disappointed that she did not look truly excited in front of all her relatives.

Another reason was because of one of her three American cousins who also had the power of premonition, but hers was not as controllable. Still, her American cousins were the most powerful witches she had ever known.

~~~~~~

A knock on the door startled her out of her reverie. The compartment door slid open to reveal three seventh years.

"Hey, Gin?" the tallest of the three asked.

"Yeah? What's up Ron?" Ginny replied.

"Harry, Hermione, and I was wondering if you wouldn't mind sharing a compartment? Everywhere else has at least one person in it," Ginny's older brother inquired.

"No. Not at all." she answered while goggling at the ever more stunning Harry Potter. She quickly moved over to Ceithlinn's bench, giving room for the three heroes.

"Who is your friend? She looks familiar," Ron asked while eyeing Ceithlinn with interest.

"Huh? Surely you remember Ceithlinn? She has only been my best friend and room mate for the past six years!" Ginny exclaimed.

"Wow! Really?" To Ceithlinn he said, "You look great. Hardly recognized you." But then he did something unexpected. He blushed.

She bowed her head, blushing, and murmured a shy "thank you".

Ceithlinn thought, "Why haven't I ever noticed that he is so incredibly attractive?"

Indeed, he was. Quite tall, but not really gangly anymore.

She surmised that after a few years of playing Keeper for the Gryffindor Quidditch team, had granted him some muscle.

His hair was as red as hers and his eyes an ordinary green. His eyes did not change color as Ceithlinn's did.

She finally realized that she had liked the boy for quite a while.

At the very beginning she had liked his personality. Ceithlinn was the type of girl who was interested in guys by their personalities, not how they looked. Which was the way it should be.

Hermione broke up the odd moment by asking, "So, Ceithlinn, I hear that you've made it to the ranks of the Prefects. Congratulations! I look forward to the first meeting."

As the Head Girl, she and Harry (who had been made Head Boy to no one's surprise except his teachers) ran the meetings for all Prefects.

"I look forward to it as well," Ceithlinn replied.

"Me too," Harry put in.

The rest of the trip was spent talking casually about Quidditch, classes, and other non-important subjects. Although, Ron kept eyeing Ceithlinn with unmistakable interest. Fortunately for the shy Ceithlinn, she did not notice at all.

~~~~~~

The Great Hall was as lavishly decorated as ever. The Sorting Hat sang a new song. New first years were put into their proper Houses. It was the same as every year before it.

"Kind of hard to believe that I am finding this boring," Ceithlinn thought.

It seemed that the only difference was the fact she was a prefect. Well, except for the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. But that was always to be expected. This year's teacher was a woman. And she looked really familiar, but Ceithlinn did not have a good view.

"What's wrong Ceith?" Ginny asked startling Ceithlinn out of her deep thoughts.

"Huh?" she responded.

"You looked like you were deep in thought."

"Was I? I was just puzzled because the new professor looks familiar."

Ginny who had a slightly better view remarked, "You know? She looks kind of like you."

"Well, we'll soon find out who she is. See?"

Dumbledore was standing up. He gave the usual announcements about going into the Forest and the objects that had been added to the list of things that Filch hated to clean up. Then he announced her. "Students. I would like to introduce to you your new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Professor Eithlinn O' Riley. Professor, it is my deepest desire for you to remain with us for more than one year," Dumbledore concluded. At that last comment there was a few worried chuckles.

"Ceith, she has the same last name and practically has the same first name as you!" Ginny exclaimed.

"Yeah, I know. She's my aunt on my dad's side. She's my favorite aunt, although, I haven't seen her lately but she has kept in touch."

Ginny asked curiously, "Why haven't you seen her? Does she know you go to school here?"

"She was busy fighting in the War against the Dark Lord. And, no, I don't think she knows I go to school here," Ceithlinn replied.

"Why not? Didn't she go here to? It's not like there isn't anything wrong with your family line," Ginny asked between mouthfuls of succulent tri-tip.

"There's nothing wrong with my family. My line is descended from powerful witches and wizards. But some of my ancestors had a disagreement with Hogwarts, so their children never went. It became a tradition until my mother demanded I go. After those particular family members, my family had nothing against Hogwarts, they just saw it as a tradition," Ceithlinn said.

"But why didn't you tell your aunt?" Ginny asked.

"My parents strictly forbade me to tell any members of my dad's side, although I think Aunt Eithlinn would have been okay with it."

"Well, she'll find out soon enough," Ginny stated pointedly

~~~~~~

Chapter 2

"Reunion and Dare"

When the feast ended Ceithlinn walked towards Hermione and Ceith's fellow Gryffindor Prefect Marie.

"Oh! Ceithlinn. Good of you to come over. You may take these first years on a short tour," Hermione said as she pushed half of the new Gryffindors her way.

Ceithlinn gave them the small tour, as was her duty, around the castle and to Gryffindor Tower. She told them the password, which was at the moment "tiddly-winks". Ceithlinn told them where to go for their dorms and then she made her way to her own dorm.

Ceith said goodnight to everyone (although she was extremely shy she was taught to be polite and kind to everyone).

With a flick of her wand the hangings pulled closed and another flick put the light out. She settled under her covers with a deep sigh. She was happy to be back.

~~~~~~

In the morning at breakfast the next day, the first thing she noticed on her new schedule was that she had Defense Against the Dark Arts first thing that day.

As Ginny studied her own schedule she remarked, "It looks like Professor O'Riley won't have to wait to find out that you're at Hogwarts."

"I noticed," She remarked dryly.

She was about to say something more when Ron, Harry and Hermione appeared on Ginny's side of the table.

"You mind if we sit here?" Harry asked Ginny.

"No. Not at all," She said breathlessly.

But to her disappointment Ron sat next to Ginny.

Ceithlinn caught herself staring at Ron and looked down before he saw her.

Ron's thoughts were turned to the question of whether Ceithlinn had a boyfriend. He also wondered if she did not, then should he attempt to find out if she liked him.

Ceithlinn's thoughts were this: "If I am too shy to ask him to Hogmeade on the next trip, then in what ways should I let him know I'm interested? I am sooo old fashioned!" At that she decided to quickly find out if he was interested, by getting a specific premonition. A small part of her power gave her the foresight (in the form of a thought) that he would be reaching for the butter...now! Her hand leapt out and lightly touched his fingers on the dish.

Instantly she closed her eyes as a picture formed before her.

Ron stood in front of Ginny in a dark empty common room Ginny had a pile of books in her arms.

"Come on Ginny! Please tell me if she likes me or not!"

Ginny smiled crookedly at her brother and said, "Why don't you ask Ceithlinn that yourself?"

"Because! I don't wanna bother her if she is not at all interested!" Ron protested.

"Fine. Bother her. I am sure Ceith won't mind."

At that Ginny spun about and stalked up the stairs.

The picture began to fade out giving Ceithlinn a look at Ron who had a dreamy facial expression on.

~~~~~~

She snapped out so fast from that trance. She looked and saw her fingers hovering above the tabletop where the butter had been.

"Ceithlinn? You all right?" Hermione asked.

"You had a vision," Harry stated matter of factly. "I should know."

"True. But my visions are premonitions of the future, not of the present," Ceithlinn corrected.

"How did you know I used to have visions?" Harry asked.

"Lavender told me about that one time in Divination, and I accidentally overheard a discussion you three had a long while ago," She explained.

"Oh," Was all Harry said.

"What did you see?" Ginny asked.

"I'll tell you later," She said simply.

Then Ceithlinn quickly turned the subject to their classes. Harry and Ron were very glad that this was their last year of Divination. At that, Ceithlinn was disappointed. Divination was her favorite subject. She told them exactly that.

"Well, that's because you can actually do divination," Harry retorted.

"You're right. I can," She haughtily replied.

"You don't have to brag about it," Harry said.

"Oh, but I do. I could easily reveal all of your future and ruin any surprises you may get. For example, I can easily find out who you marry, how many kids you have, or on a smaller note, what you get for Christmas."

She sat back with her arms crossed over her chest with a smirk of satisfaction on her face.

She then said nonchalantly, "So you see, I have excellent reasons to brag."

Ron was amazed. He thought to himself, "She is fascinating! Very shy, yet full of fire."

"Alright. I give up. You have put me in my proper place," Harry said while holding up both hands in a sign of surrender.

"Geez Ceith. And you say that you're shier then me!" Ginny put in with a shocked expression.

Ceithlinn gave Ginny a meek smile and noticed that the others had expressions of wonder. She bit her lower lip and hung her head.

To save her friend more discomfort Ginny turned the subject to complaining about the masses of work to come. It was not surprising to any of the others that Hermione and Ceithlinn protested that the work was a great practice. Of course, Hermione talked much more than Ceithlinn.

Finally it was time to go on to their first classes and Ceithlinn's first worry came flying back.

What would her aunt think?

~~~~~~

When Ginny and Ceithlinn reached the DADA room Ceithlinn snuck into the room when she saw that Aunt Eithlinn was not looking. She knew that she could not hide forever though. Sooner or later her aunt would call roll.

"Hello class. As you know I am Professor O' Riley, your knew Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Now when I call your name please say 'here' or 'present'." She started to read off names, Ceithlinn getting more nervous as she went. When the professor reached her name she gave a small gasp and her eyes went wide.

"C-Ceithlinn O' Riley?" she stuttered.

Ceithlinn raised her hand slowly and said meekly, "I'm right here Aunt Eithlinn."

"You never told me you went to school here."

"I'm sorry. But you see, my parents told me not to tell any family members."

"Oh. Yes. Yes I see. When you have a moment, come and see me. I would like a word."

To the entire class she said, "Alright, enough of the family reunion." A few chuckles could be heard and when they died, she continued, "I'll finish calling roll and then we can begin your learning how to defend yourselves against Dark things."

~~~~~~

At break Ceithlinn went to talk to her aunt. As she had suspected, her aunt understood perfectly. The rest of the day went fairly well. Of course she had an exciting time in Divination. Divination was her favorite class, which was closely followed by Charms.

Potions was a nightmare as usual. To make matters worse was the fact that Ceithlinn was horrible at it. The strange thing was that with this particular class Ginny excelled and enjoyed it.

At dinner Ceithlinn directed Ginny to the end of the table.

"Why aren't we sitting in our usual spot?" Ginny asked once they say down.

"You wanna here about my premonition at breakfast or not?" Ceithlinn demanded.

"Absolutely!" she exclaimed.

"Well, all I will tell you is this: your brother is going to ask whether I like him."

"What?!" Ginny exclaimed. "Do you like him?" she added.

Ceithlinn looked down and muttered, "Yeah. I do."

"Oh my God! My brother and best friend an item! That is so incredibly cool!"

Ginny said all of this in an excited whisper.

"You got this from a premonition?"

Ceithlinn replied, "Well, I was curious to know if he had any interest in me. I guess he does." She blushed crimson and added, "Ginny, I never would have thought that any male in this school would have an interest in me!"

"You know? You should do something before the premonition occurs," She replied pointedly.

"No! I couldn't! I'm too shy!"

"I dare you. I dare you for one slab of Honeduke's chocolate. Do that the first chance you get."

"You're insane. I would never have the courage to do..."

"The courage to do what?" said a voice behind her.

Ceithlinn gave a "yelp!" and whirled around to face the speaker. It was Ron, Harry, and Hermione.

"Ron! We were having a private conversation!" Ginny scolded.

"Sorry. But I thought you might be talking about the Quidditch team opening."

"Why in the world would we talk about that?"

"Ginny, I thought you liked Quidditch," Ron remarked.

"It's okay I guess."

Ceithlinn stated quickly, "I love Quidditch."

It was really true. Sometimes Ceithlinn just liked to hop on her broom and zoom around. All of her worries just melted away.

Harry and Ron began talking animatedly to Ceithlinn saying it was just too bad that some people did not know what they were missing.